Holiday happenings

LUMINARIAS FOR SALE: The Tampa Palms Women's Club will be selling luminarias in front of Publix supermarket, City Plaza Shopping Center, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The cost is $2.50 for five or $5 for 10; free sand for the paper bags will be available in the parking lot at Compton Park. Proceeds will be donated to local charitable organizations and used for the Tampa Palms Women's Club Scholarship at the University of South Florida. Residents of Tampa Palms will place the luminarias, sand-weighted paper bags containing candles, in 3- to 4-foot intervals on the sidewalks in front of their homes. The lighting of the candles will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 (rain date is Dec. 25). The tradition of lighting the luminarias symbolizes fellowship and good will. Call 975-1224.

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: A Christmas musical, When Love Came Down, will be at 8:30 and 11 a.m. today. The musical will be presented by the worship choir at First Baptist Church Lutz, 18116 U.S. 41 N. The event will feature the choir, ensembles and soloists singing traditional carols, contemporary favorites, original songs and praise and worship selections. Call 949-7495.

CHOIR CONCERT: The Celebration Choir of Tims Memorial Presbyterian Church, 601 Sunset Lane, Lutz, will present a concert at 4 p.m. today. The concert featuring Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria will combine the Tims choir with that of the First Christian Church of Tampa. Call 949-1239.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA: Northgate Baptist Church, 1301 W Linebaugh Ave., will present its annual Christmas cantata, All Is Calm, All Is Bright. The cantata will begin at 11 a.m. today Breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. Call 933-6741.

HANDEL'S 'MESSIAH': The Chancel Choir of Grace Lutheran Church, 3714 W Linebaugh Ave., will present the masterpiece Handel's Messiah at its 8:30 and 11 a.m. services today. The choir, conducted by Tom Tietjen, will be accompanied by a small orchestra and organist Jim Sawyers. A supervised nursery is available. Call 961-8747.

HOLIDAY DINNER: The Hillsborough County Democratic Women will have its holiday dinner at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Circles Restaurant, 14362 N Dale Mabry Highway. Orders will be made individually. A short meeting will follow dinner and gifts will be exchanged ($5-$10 range). Also, food donations will be accepted. Prospective members are invited. The membership year begins in January; dues are $20 annually. Call 932-6902.

LUTZ CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK: The Lutz-Land O'Lakes Women's Club will sponsor its annual Lutz Christmas in the Park at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Holiday cards made by local families, organizations and businesses will be on display along Christmas Card Lane. Also, musical groups from Lutz, Maniscalco and Buchanan elementary schools will present holiday music and the Lutz Christmas Tree will be lit. The event will take place at Lutz-Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41 by the Old Lutz Depot. There will be a program featuring Santa Claus arriving on a firetruck. The annual event is co-sponsored by the Lutz Volunteer Fire Department. Light refreshments will be served. Call 949-1482.

CHRISTMAS AT THE OLD LUTZ SCHOOL: The Citizens for the Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41, will sponsor their sixth annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School. The school will be open for viewing from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 18, 21 and 26. Breakfast with Santa runs from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday. The cost for breakfast and craft activities for kids is $2. Santa's store will sell Christmas ornaments depicting the "Dixie" Service Station and other scenes in a six-part series. Nonperishable food items and toys for less fortunate families will be accepted. Call 949-1937.

KEYSTONE HOMEMAKERS CHRISTMAS PARTY: There will be a Christmas party sponsored by the Keystone Homemakers Club at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The party includes a gift exchange followed by a luncheon at noon. It will be held at Keystone Park, 17926 Gunn Highway. Visitors are welcome. The group is accepting Christmas gifts for nursing home patients and canned goods for Metropolitan Ministries. The Alpha House, a Salvation Army project, will continue through next year. Call 920-2146.

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON: The Carrollwood Area Women's Club is hosting its holiday luncheon and singing program at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The event will be at Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club on Heritage Harbor Parkway, off Lutz-Lake Fern Road. Call 920-7549.

HOLIDAY MUSIC: The Tampa Community Band, directed by John Van De Putz, will provide holiday music from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rocky Creek Village, 8400 W Waters Ave. Homemade cookies and punch will be served. Call 884-3388, ext. 237.

SANTA CALLS: The West Gate Regional Library, 7606 Paula Drive, is sponsoring a free program called "Together Is Better Family Night." Preshow activities will be from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday followed by the puppet show "Santa Calls" from 7 to 7:30 p.m. The show, presented by the Creative Arts Theater of the city of Tampa Recreation Department, is co-sponsored by the Friends of the West Gate Regional Library. Other highlights: crafts, storytelling, singing and book displays. Refreshments will be served. Call 273-3652, ext. 2.

A CHRISTMAS DREAM: The ballet production of A Christmas Dream will be performed by America's Dance School of Tampa Palms. The event begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Freedom High School, 17410 Commerce Park Blvd. There will be appearances by local students and professional dancers from Venezuela and the Miami area. Younger guests get an added treat with a visit from Santa Claus. Tickets are $12 per person. Call 558-0800.

HOLIDAY TOY/CLOTHING DRIVE: Realtor Jennifer Lindner is sponsoring her third annual Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive. The drive will benefit the Lake Magdalene Children's Emergency Shelter. People are needed to "Adopt an Angel" to fulfill the holiday wish list of a child at the shelter. Items most needed are new sneakers (sizes 5-10), new socks and underwear, new stuffed animals and age-appropriate stocking stuffers. An angel card with the child's wish list of toys and clothing sizes may be requested. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 20. Arrangements can be made to have donations picked up or dropped off. Call 973-4816.

HOLIDAY SPONSORS SOUGHT: Jewish Family Services, 13009 Community Campus Drive, is seeking holiday sponsors for families, seniors and individuals. Donations of food and unwrapped toys, store gift certificates, new clothing, books for all ages, dolls, board games and wrapping paper are among items needed. This act of Tzedakah (giving) is to ensure a joyful holiday season for those in the community in need of help. Call 960-1848.

GIVING TREE: Organizers with the Giving Tree at Stein Mart, benefitting children assisted by the OASIS Network of New Tampa, are seeking help. Children were selected by their school social worker, with their names and wishes written on angel tags on the tree. Of 300 tags, about 200 remain. All wrapped gifts (they need not be purchased at Stein Mart) are due at the customer service desk of the store in Tampa Palms City Plaza, 16061 Tampa Palms Blvd. W, by Dec. 15. Call 972-5330.

-- Now through New Year's, publicize your club or organization's holiday events in North of Tampa. Send information to Connie Drew, St. Petersburg Times, 14358-B N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618; fax to 269-5310; or send e-mail to drew@sptimes.com. Please be sure to include a contact number to be published and let us know if the event is open to the public. We will run these notices throughout the holiday season.

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