Times staff
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
St. Petersburg
Enjoy the season with SPC Madrigalians
The SPC Madrigalians, a choral ensemble from St. Petersburg College under the direction of Vernon Taranto Jr., will sing songs of the season at 2 p.m. Saturday at the St. Petersburg Main Library auditorium, 3745 Ninth Ave. N. The event is free and open to the public. For information, call (727) 522-8459.
St. Petersburg
Church will host singers from SPC for festival
The St. Petersburg College Concert Chorus and Madrigalians will perform in the annual "Winter Choral Festival" at 3 p.m. Sunday at Christ United Methodist Church, 467 First Ave. N. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. For information, call (727) 341-7984.
St. Petersburg
600,000 lights make Oakdale display bright
The 34th annual Oakdale Christmas Display is open and will continue from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 3 at 2719 Oakdale St. S in St. Petersburg. More than 600,000 lights make up the half-acre walking yard tour, which features animation, inflatables, lighted figures and displays. For information, call (727) 896-6500.
Countywide
Learn about pollinators at conservation event
Join Pinellas Native Plant Society and St. Petersburg Audubon Society for a Holiday Conservation Celebration at 6:30 p.m. today at the Pinellas Extension Service, 1250 Ulmerton Road. There will be environmental exhibits, a silent auction and refreshments. Speaker Stephen Buchman will talk about "Forgotten Pollinators." The event is free and open to the public. For information, call (727) 667-2600.
Pinellas Park
Workshop's focus is on grief during holidays
Mary Jane Cronin, author of November Mourning and Writing Through Your Grief, hosts a 90-minute workshop for those needing guidance on how to get through the holidays after the loss of a loved one. The Life Center offers the workshop three times: 6 p.m. Monday, and on Dec. 13 and 20 at the Pinellas County location, 10707 66th St. N, Pinellas Park. The fee is $10. For information, call (813) 237-3114.
Largo
Lights, snow, stories, more at Holiday Stroll
The city of Largo's Holiday Stroll will feature 1 million holiday lights on display from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Central Park, 105 Central Park Drive.
"Take a Stroll Through Story Land" includes seven stations set up for children to listen to a classic holiday story while sharing in a craft. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. and intermittently throughout the evening, a snow machine near the main stage will set off snow flurries for visitors to enjoy.
Performers include Dance and Circus Arts of Tampa Bay, the Largo High School Madrigal Singers, the Largo High School Band of Gold and the Tutterow Dancers.
Festival foods and desserts will be available. Onsite parking is $5 per vehicle, but free parking with shuttle service will be available from Largo High School and the Pinellas County School Board.
The official city tree will be turned on at 7 p.m. The event is free. For information, call (727) 587-6740, ext. 5014.
Largo
Toys for Tots needs volunteers to help sort
Detachment 54 of the Marine Corps League of Largo is seeking volunteers to help sort toys for the 2010 Toys for Tots program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 13-17. The organization's goal is to provide 1,500 needy families in the upper Pinellas County area with toys for the holidays. The work will be done inside the Staples warehouse at 10900 U.S. 19 N. To sign up, call Pete Kristall at (727) 392-2329.
Largo
Church will present musical, social hour
Tickets are on sale for St. Patrick Church's Christmas musical, Angels We Have Heard On High. It will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11 in Monsignor McCall Hall at the church, 1507 Trotter Road, Largo. Under the direction of Elizabeth Archer, the story takes place in heaven as a group of angels prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus. Along with the show, a social hour with desserts and drinks for purchase will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for VIP seating, which includes the complimentary social hour, and $5 for general admission. To buy tickets, call David Ruppel at (727) 560-0063.
Gulfport
Sign up at police office to get Christmas help
The Gulfport Police Department is accepting applications for Christmas assistance between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Friday at 2401 53rd St. S. Each family's head of household must bring photo identification, proof of Gulfport residence, and the names and ages of children living in the home. A home visit is required. There will be no home deliveries, and gifts must be picked up at the Police Department between Dec. 20 and 22. For information on Operation Santa, call Francine at (727) 893-1653 or Cindy at (727) 893-1049.
ST. Pete Beach
Lighted boat parade taking signups now
St. Pete Beach and South Pasadena are taking entries for the Lighted Holiday Boat Parade. It will be 6 p.m. Dec. 10 starting at Merry Pier in St. Pete Beach. Boats can be entered in one of three size categories for a chance to win cash prizes. Entry is free. A captains' meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive. For information or to enter, call (727) 363-9245 or e-mail a.edmunds@stpetebeach.org.
St. Pete Beach
Get in the holiday spirit with tree-lighting fun
The city of St. Pete Beach hosts its annual tree-lighting ceremony and celebration at 6 p.m. Friday in Horan Park, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive. The free holiday event is open to the public and will feature a make-and-take craft station for kids, bounce houses, festive music, refreshments, and the tree blessing and lighting. Santa also will make an appearance to hand out candy and pose for holiday photos. For information, call (727) 363-9245.
Countywide
Sign up now for annual motorcycle toy run
Jim's Harley-Davidson of St. Petersburg will host its 23rd Annual Jim Rosenkrans Memorial Toy Run beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday. The charity Toy Run starts at Jim's Harley-Davidson, 2805 54th Ave. N, and continues through St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille. Every participant must furnish a new, unwrapped toy or a $15 donation. Preregistration continues through Friday, with last-minute registration ending at 9 a.m. Sunday. For information, visit jimshd.com.
Countywide
Boutique caters to those entering the workforce
The Deaf & Hearing Connection has announced the opening of a boutique to support people entering or returning to the workforce. Items for sale are gently used or new. The agency is accepting donations of business and business casual work attire from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 7821 Seminole Blvd. For information, call (727) 399-9983.
Countywide
Had a few drinks? Let Tow to Go get you home
AAA Auto Club South and Budweiser will help protect drivers on the road for the holidays with Tow to Go, a program that gives a free, confidential ride home and a tow to anyone who may have had too much to drink. The service is available now through Jan. 2. Call toll-free, 1-(800)-222-4357, for a Tow to Go.