ART EXHIBITS AND HOLIDAY SHOPPING
A Season of Giving: Members Holiday Show and Sale This holiday exhibit is an 18-year tradition in St. Petersburg and features handmade gifts by 250 Florida fine craft artists. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Continues through Dec. 31 at Florida Craftsmen Gallery, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-821-7391.
Celebrations: Annual Holiday Exhibition Holiday-themed works by center members, featuring ornaments, jewelry, pottery, paintings, holiday cards, handblown glass and more. Free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., and noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sun. Continues through Dec. 31 at The Arts Center, 719 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-7872.
Pasco Arts Council's Holiday House 2004 The house sparkles with holiday decorations and a large assortment of fine handcrafted items from community artists, as well as manufactured items, available for purchase. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues through Dec. 23 at The Pasco Arts Center, 5744 Moog Road, Holiday, 727-845-7322.
Winter Gathering Arts & Crafts Show This juried arts and crafts show features 80 booths whose exhibitors display unique, handcrafted merchandise and sell ornaments specifically to raise money for the Children's Dream Fund. Admission: $3. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 5, at The Coliseum. See box for address.
17th Annual Deck the Halls Sale Peruse an assortment of ornaments and decorations donated by artists from all over Florida, with all proceeds benefiting The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. For further information, call 727-894-9059. 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 12. Artspace, 10 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg.
Annual Christmas Show and Sale Select from a variety of unique holiday gifts, including ceramics, prints, pottery, calligraphy, cards and more. An opening reception takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 12. Gallery hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Continues through Dec. 17. Elliott Gallery — Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-864-8340.
BENEFITS AND FUNDRAISERS
Lights of Lake Park Estates Each year, the residents of Lake Park Estates light up the neighborhood to celebrate the holidays, and collect donations and canned goods for ASAP's Harvest Time Food Bank, a nonperishable food pantry. Visitors are encouraged to bring donations or a canned food item. 6:30-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., and 6:30-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Dec. 1-31. For directions, call 727-586-4432 or go to www.thehospice.org/lolp.htm.
17th Annual Madrigal Dinner — A Victorian Yule Feast Dine on a scrumptious dinner prepared by the Wine Cellar Restaurant while enjoying a performance of holiday songs by the Eckerd College Concert Choir and Eckerd Ringers. Proceeds go toward the Eckerd College Concert Choir 2005 Spring Tour of Italy. Call 727-864-8875 to make reservations. Tickets: $65. 6:15 to 9:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Dec. 2-4, in The Marly Room — Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg.
Create Your Own Gingerbread House Champagne Brunch The fifth annual fundraiser features delicious holiday foods and refreshments, a holiday boutique, a drawing for prizes and, of course, the opportunity to decorate a gingerbread house. Red Cross Angel Wings Transportation Program, which provides free trips to medical appointments for the elderly and disabled, benefits. Tickets are $60 per person and can be reserved by calling 813-348-4820. 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 4, at Plant Hall — University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.
Historic Holiday Home and Garden Tour Visitors are given the opportunity to tour nine holiday-themed bungalow-style homes. Tickets can be purchased at Seminole Heights Baptist Church (801 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa), which also serves as the starting point of the tour and which features two free holiday concerts at 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Joshua House. Call 813-767-4242 for more information. 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 5.
Holiday Taste & Tour The Bed & Breakfast Association presents its third annual holiday event, where guests enjoy a self-guided tour through 13 area inns. This is a fundraiser for the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay and the group performs carols at each location. For a list of inn locations, go to www.spaabbi.com or call 888-343-4445 for more information. Tickets: $15. 2-8 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 5.
Saks Fifth Avenue Musical Extravaganza This fundraiser for the Florida Orchestra's Heartstrings program is a holiday party with performances by a variety of TFO musicians, the 70-voice Tampa Oratorio Society and others, in addition to samplings of hors d'oeuvres by Bonefish Grill, fine wines and a martini bar. Guests also receive a festive gift bag. Tickets: $50 in advance/$60 at the door. 6-9 p.m. Tues., Dec. 7, at Saks Fifth Avenue, 258 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, 813-371-5100.
22nd Annual Jingle Bell Run The Boley Center, a not-for-profit organization that serves people with emotional, psychiatric and behavioral problems, presents its holiday fundraiser at which men, women and children are invited to join a non-competitive one-mile or three-mile run along the waterfront. To register ($15 in advance/$18 day of event), go to www.bolycenters.org or call 727-821-4819. 6-9 p.m. Wed., Dec. 15, at The Pier, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg.
