Here we come a-Caroling...
Forgive us if that seems a bit premature, but we're not alone. One local radio station has already gone all holiday music, all the time. And last week I saw a house in Palma Ceia that had its Christmas tree up.
Besides, we've got good reason to sing: We're holding Creative Loafing's 3rd Annual Holiday Auction for the benefit of The Children's Home, currently in its 120th year of providing care and protection for children who have suffered from abuse and neglect. The photos on this page suggest the arc of history at the Home, whose services have never been more vital than they are today.
Thanks to the donations of 100-plus businesses and individuals, we're making it easy for you to do well by doing good. From now until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, you can place your bids at cltampa.com/auction. (Use the links below to preview the auction categories.) Last year's auction raised $18,000 for The Children's Home; let's double it.
To help you get into the spirit, we've enlisted Christmas Carol (aka model Julie Anna Cole) to enact a few familiar lyrics. Plus, we're giving you a chance to purchase the perfect seasonal soundtrack: For The Kids! — a 15-track compilation of holiday music performed by such local lights as Geri X, Rebekah Pulley, The Ditchflowers, Jeremy Gloff, The Vodkanauts, Crash Mitchell and more. Download it at creativeloafing.bandcamp.com, and pay what you can, Radiohead-style. The sky's the limit. It's for the kids!
Holiday Auction 2011: Big Deals
Holiday Auction 2011: Food & Drink