Pinellas celebrates the holidays
| Article published on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006 |
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Tis the season, and around Pinellas calendars are filling quickly with a variety of special holiday events and more.
Lights of Lake ParkPINELLAS COUNTY - Lights of Lake Park, a community effort and annual holiday light display benefiting The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, will illuminate the Lake Parks Estates subdivision through Dec. 31. The display is created each year by Eddie Dow and a group of about 100 homeowners in the Lake Park Estates, 97th Street North and 109th Avenue in Largo and Seminole. Neighbors in Lake Park Estates subdivision decorate their homes for the holidays with lavish lights and decorative ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Donations are accepted at the event on behalf of The Hospice to support programs for patients and families in honor of the care provided to Eddie's late wife, Ruby Dow.
The lights will be displayed during the following times: Monday - Thursday: 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday - Sunday: 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Christmas Eve through New Years hours are extended from 6:30 p.m. until ? For a map, visit www.thehospice.org and click on News and Events for December.
Directions:
• From Starkey Road - Head west on Bryan Dairy Road. Go across the first bridge and turn right at the first traffic light at 109th Avenue North. Go to the bottom of the hill and follow the arrows.
• From Seminole Boulevard - Go east on 102nd Avenue North. Cross the Lake Seminole Bridge. Go to second traffic light at 109th Avenue and turn left and follow the arrows.
Seasonal Sensations to illuminate botanical gardens
LARGO – Seasonal Sensations, an illuminated garden, a free December holiday wonderland, featuring more than 425,000 holiday lights at The Florida Botanical Gardens and Pinellas County Extension continues through Jan. 3, 2007. The Florida Botanical Gardens is at 12520 Ulmerton Road. Call 582-2100 or visit www.flbg.org.
Winter Wonderland
CLEARWATER – Santa Claus will be at Winter Wonderland through Friday, Dec. 22. The hours are weeknights 6 to 9 and weekends 1 to 9 p.m. at the corner of Drew Street and Fort Harrison Avenue. Activities include the playground, petting zoo, pony rides, Bouncy House, Hot Chocolate Shop, pictures with Santa, entertainment, decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus and a giant blow-up slide. Santa’s head reindeer, Rudolph, may be roaming the grounds too. Winter Wonderland is free, but visitors are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or nonperishable food item for needy families. Winter Wonderland is coordinated by the Church of Scientology.
Santa visits
ST. PETERSBURG - The city of St. Petersburg's Recreation Department sponsors Santa visits with children nightly through Dec. 23 in North Straub Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Don't miss the Giant Greeting Card display along Bayshore Drive at Vinoy Park. Call 892-5197 or 893-7441 for more information.
Nativity scene
PALM HARBOR – The Crystal Cove Community Church will present a live nativity Fridays and Saturdays in December from 8 to 9 p.m. until Christmas eve. Live animals with actors in costume add to the scenery. The church is at 6900 County Road 95. Call 771-8600.
Schools to perform holiday shows at Biltmore resort
CLEARWATER – Groups of students will showcase their musical skills performing holiday entertainment at the Belleview Biltmore Resort. All performances will take place between 5 and 7 p.m. in the old lobby. The current lineup is as follows: Dec. 18 – Grace Lutheran, adult hand bell choir.
Dec. 19 – Westlake Christian, 60 student chorus.
Dec. 21 – Strings Things Chamber, eight student ensemble. The Belleview Biltmore Resort is at 25 Belleview Blvd. Call Kari Elofson at 373-3000.
'A New Heart for Christmas'
LARGO – First Baptist Church and Stages Productions will present “A New Heart for Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m., and on Sunday and Monday, Dec. 17 and 18, 7 p.m., in the Worship Center. This Broadway-style musical will feature the church’s Celebration Choir and Orchestra, Children’s Choirs and full drama cast. Tickets are $10, $5 for children age 4 to 18; children 3 and under are free. The church is at 12685 Ulmerton Road. Call 595-3421 or visit www.indianrocks.org.
Holiday band concert
DUNEDIN - The city of Dunedin will present its annual Holiday Band concert on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m., at the Hale Activity Center, 330 Douglas Ave. Call 727-298-3260.
Christmas luncheon
SEMINOLE – Seminole Recreation will have its Christmas luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the auditorium. The Christmas meal will be ham, scalloped potatoes, mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce, salad, rolls, ice tea, coffee, and red and green Christmas cake. Anne Marie will entertain by singing Christmas songs and some old-time favorites. The cost of the meal is $7 a person and a recreation card is not required. The afternoon movie will be “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” starring Chevy Chase. To register, call Dan at 391-8345.
'Chocolate Nutcracker' at the Mahaffey Theater
ST. PETERSBURG - LaVerne Reed Productions will present "Chocolate Nutcracker" on Friday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 23, 1 and 7:30 p.m., at the Mahaffey Theater. An annual holiday treat celebrating cultures across the globe and encouraging acceptance of diversity, "Chocolate" is a multicultural interpretation of the traditional ballet version told through the eyes of a little girl of color. More than 250 young, local, aspiring dancers ranging from the ages of 4 to 21 are part of the cast that will bring this adaptation of "The Nutcracker" to life. Scenes are performed in a variety of dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, African and Brazilian.
Like the ballet version, "Chocolate Nutcracker" is performed in cities around the country during the holiday season. Now in its ninth season in the bay area, this will mark the first performance in the newly renovated Mahaffey Theater. Tickets are $52, $42 and $32. There is a $5 discount on all children, senior citizens, students and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 898-2100. For group sales, call 441-6460. Mahaffey Theater is at 400 First St. S.
Santa taking reservations
BELLEAIR - The town's annual Santa Claus Christmas gift delivery will be Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 20, 21 and 22, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Residents can request that Santa Claus deliver a gift to someone 12 years old and under at their home. Reservation forms will be available at Town Hall. Early reservations are suggested, as there will be a limited number of deliveries each evening.
Each gift to be delivered should be wrapped and tagged clearly with the name of the recipient, the delivery address and phone number. Gifts shall be limited to one for each recipient and limited in size to 12-by-12-inches, including wrapping and ribbon decoration. Gifts may be delivered to Town Hall, 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., between Monday, Dec. 11, through Monday, Dec. 18, by 4 p.m. Call Suzy Metcalf at 588-3769, ext. 312.
Evening of holiday cheer
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – The IRB Homeowners Association will sponsor an evening of holiday cheer at Chic-A-Si Park (across from the Post Office), Wednesday, Dec. 20, 6 to 8 p.m. Please bring an unwrapped toy. Entertainment will be provided by a barbershop quartet. Light refreshments will be served. All residents of Indian Rocks Beach who stop by will be eligible for a free association membership. Residents also may participate in the homeowners association toy drive by taking a toy to one of the following IRB locations: USA Grocer on Gulf Boulevard, the Chevron on Gulf Boulevard, the Welcome Center on Walsingham Road or the Island Surf Shop on Gulf Boulevard.
New Year's Eve party
LARGO – American Legion 119 will host its annual New Year’s Eve party on Sunday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. A buffet with a delicious array of hot and cold food will be served. Phil Ferrazano will provide musical entertainment. Cost is $15 a person. Reservations required. American Legion 119 is at 130 First Ave. S.W. Call 584-2038.
More events will be added to this listing throughout the holiday season. To submit an event for the holiday calendar, send an e-mail to webmaster@tbnweekly.com.
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Article published on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006
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