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Things to do

'Tis the season

By Times staff
Published December 15, 2006

Holiday Donation Center: St. James United Methodist Church, in partnership with Metropolitan Ministries, is running a New Tampa Holiday Donation Center to collect items for the poor.

Donations needed include turkeys and other food items, and new toys and gifts, as well as financial donations. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 23 and 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 24. St. James is at 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Call 813 971-4790.

Christmas at the Old Lutz School House: The Citizens for the Old Lutz School House will present their 10th annual event. The school house will be open for viewing from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Dec. 26. Barrels will be available to collect nonperishable food items and toys for families. Call (813) 949-1937.

Luminaria Sale: The Tampa Palms Women's Club will sponsor the sale outside Tampa City Plaza's Publix. Luminarias contain bags and candles that are anchored with about 2 inches of sand (or cat litter). They are placed along your sidewalks 2 to 4 feet apart and lit at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve, or, in case of rain, on Christmas Day. The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday and again from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, 23, and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. The cost is 50 cents for each bag; sand will be available. Proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations including the club's annual University of South Florida scholarships. Publix is at 16041 W Tampa Palms Blvd. at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Call (813) 977-2261.

Holiday Lighting Contest: Residents of Northdale are encouraged to participate in the contest. Turn lights on after dark. The event is sponsored by the Northdale Civic Association. Judges will leave from Northdale Park at 6 p.m. for the final judging Saturday.

Christmas Festival: River of Life Church will sponsor the free event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The festival, with a 1900s setting of an old-fashioned schoolhouse, will feature Christmas crafts and games from yesteryear. Other highlights will include up-to-date inflatable bouncers and slides for kids. Vendors will have handcrafted items. There will be a visit from Santa with toys for the kids. There will be square dancing for all ages, songs, skits and roaming Christmas carolers. A variety of food will be available including specialty pies, barbecue dinners and hot apple cider. The church is at 410 E Chapman Road in Lutz, across from Publix, north of Bearss Avenue. Call (813) 949-9931.

Holiday Boat Parade: The seventh annual Bay Crest Park Holiday Boat Parade will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Watercraft will depart from Bay Pointe Condominiums at Bay Pointe Drive. The route will pass Bay Crest Mini Park (at end of Bay Crest Drive), cruise through New Bay Crest, pass Bay Crest Mini Park again and cruise through Old Bay Crest. The parade will end at Tahiti Lane. Prizes will be awarded. Throwing beads and candy is discouraged. The rain date is Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. For information, directions or to enter a boat, call (813) 290-0626.

Hands-on Hanukkah: The Tampa Jewish Community Center will host the communitywide event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Festivities for the free event will feature interactive activities including the following: building a Menorah out of Lego and Duplo blocks; creating a miniature city of Jerusalem (painting, coloring, cutting and labeling cardboard boxes); a family Menorah contest (designed from items found in the home); an oil press demonstration; an explanation to the children about the meaning of Hanukkah by Rabbi Mendel Rubashkin; and a dreidel competition (bring 20 pennies) - all participants will receive a special prize. Musician Joy Katzen Guthrie will lead a family Hanukkah sing-along. Terry Abrahams, a professional dancer, will lead Israeli dancing. The JCC is at 13009 Community Campus Drive. Call (813) 264-9000.

Lessons and Carols: Forest Hills Presbyterian Church will have the special service at 10:25 a.m. Sunday. In addition to its 10:25 a.m. service on Christmas Eve, there will be a Family Service at 5 p.m. Also, a special Candlelight Service and Communion will begin at 7:30 p.m. The church is at 709 W Linebaugh Ave. Call (813) 932-6149.

The Roots of Christmas: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa has its worship service at 11 a.m. Sundays. The Rev. Liz Brown will lead this week's service centered on the Winter Solstice. The CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) will help. Religious education for first through 12th grade is at 11:15 a.m. Child care is provided. The church is at 11400 Morris Bridge Road. Call (813) 988-8188.

Rediscover Christmas: Pastor Jeff Olsen of Grace Community Church will present a series of messages titled "Rediscover Christmas" during the church's 10:30 a.m. service. Topics include "Rediscover Hope" (Sunday) and "Rediscover Love" (Dec. 24). First-time guests receive a free CD and either Why a Manger or The Case for Christmas. The church meets at Kids R Kids Learning Center, 15440 Mansfield, east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Call (813) 994-9363.

Journey of Promises: The Christmas Cantata will be presented at 10 a.m. Sunday at Village Presbyterian Church. The Chancel Choir and members of the Florida Orchestra will present the musical program. The musical provides the chronological retelling of God's eternal purpose in the birth of His Son. It will feature a mixture of old traditional carols and newly composed music. Call (813) 961-4115.

Spirit of the Christmas Tree: Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists Church begins its worship service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. The Lifespan Religious Education Group will lead the intergenerational, multicultural holiday service. The service, titled "Spirit of the Christmas Tree," will be presented again at its regular service at 10:45 a.m. Dec. 24. Before the service on Christmas Eve, there will be topical discussions, including a look at the Happy Plan Index, at 9:45 a.m. Also, there will be a candlelight service in the Pavilion at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. Children's activities and child care start at 9:30 a.m. Youth classes start at 10 a.m. A social hour is immediately after the worship service. The church is at 18412 Burrell Road in Odessa. Call (813) 792-1622.

Advent Activities: The Third Sunday of Advent will be observed during the 10:30 a.m. worship service at Christ Church A Cumberland Presbyterian Community. Tamar, the innkeeper's wife (Missy Harris), will light the candle of love. Itzhak, the young shepherd (Michael Valdez), will light the candle of joy on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The church is at 19501 Holly Lane in Lutz. Call (813) 909-9789.

Christmas Cantata: Christ Church A Cumberland Presbyterian Community will present the program at 5 p.m. Sunday. The 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service will include "one-on-one" Communion followed by a worship service at 6 p.m. The church is at 19501 Holly Lane in Lutz. Call (813) 909-9789.

Holiday Giving Through Yoga: Yoga Planet, 11059 Countryway Blvd., will offer a free yoga class to benefit the Salvation Army. In the tradition of Karma Yoga, the first charity class will be from 4 to 5 on Dec. 22. It is being offered to inspire those who are more fortunate to feed the hungry during this holiday season. Call (813) 477-1674.

Are you planning a religious, charitable or cultural event to celebrate the holiday season? Let us know about it. We will publish our 'Tis the Season calendar through New Year's Day. Please send information at least two weeks before the event. E-mail us at northtampa@sptimes.com or fax to (813) 269-5310.

How to help

Annual toy drive

The annual Community Toy Drive for Children in Hillsborough County Sheriff's District 3 will be from 6 a.m. to midnight today. The event is coordinated by Hillsborough County sheriff's Deputy Michelle Branscomb and Deputy Judi Walker, of the Community Service Office. Radio station WYUU 92.5 AM will help collect toys for the needy at Wal-Mart on Waters Avenue at Hanley Road. Also, Santa Claus will be at the District 3 office on Gunn Highway, giving out toys to needy children in the area. An estimated 250 families will be assisted. Call (813) 247-8060.

[Last modified December 14, 2006, 08:03:35]