These Gift Ideas Are Alternatives

The gift list for those shopping at the Alternative Christmas Market might include bed linens for neglected children, toys for children of parents in prison and perhaps a water buffalo to help a family in a developing nation out of poverty.

A three-year tradition at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, the Alternative Christmas Market is a way for people to find gifts that serve a deeper purpose.

Gift-buying events will be held at the church on Sunday and Dec. 14, and people may buy gifts on the church's Web site - hydeparkumc.org - through Dec. 20. Handmade cards, crafts and gifts from One World Gift Shop's global artisans will be available as well.

Begun as a way to encourage the congregation to contribute to the church's outreach missions, both locally and internationally, annual contributions have grown from $12,000 in the first year to $17,800 last year. This year's effort will support 19 missions from the Hillsborough House of Hope to Heifer International.

Jamie Pilarczyk

Annual Art Show Sets Up In Lutz

LUTZ - More than 250 painters, sculptors, photographers and crafters will set up exhibits this weekend for the 29th annual Lutz Arts and Crafts Festival.

It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway.

The festival attracts 30,000 to 35,000 people each year. The Lutz-Land O'Lakes Woman's Club established the event to raise money, and it is now the club's largest function. The festival started at the old schoolhouse, moved to the community center and now takes place at Lake Park.

The juried show offers a $250 award for best in show and $50 for the best display. Artists can also win $150 to $200 by placing first, second or third in categories based on their medium.

Courtney Cairns Pastor

Brass Is Sound Of The Season

ST. LEO - Saint Leo University will host a free Christmas concert featuring the Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Saint Leo Abbey Church of the Holy Cross on the university's campus.

After the concert, students will lead a candlelight procession to the university's Christmas tree, where a lighting ceremony and caroling will take place. Refreshments will be served.

Saint Leo University is at 33701 State Road 52, four miles east of Interstate 75 (Exit 285).

A staff report

Concert Planned At St. Stephen

VALRICO - Matt Maher brings his brand of Christian music to the Advent season with a concert Dec. 19 at St. Stephen Catholic Church.

The Adore 2097 tour begins at 7 p.m. and runs through 9:30. Doors open at 6.

Fellow Christian recording artists Kelly Pease and Josh Blakesly will also appear.

Tickets for the event are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For every eight tickets purchased, the buyer gets one free ticket. Purchase them at the church office or mail checks made out to St. Stephen Catholic Church to 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico FL 33596.

Yvette C. Hammett

New Hotel Eyes January Opening

PLANT CITY - The city's newest hotel will open in time for the big game.

Shaner Hotels has announced that its 87-room Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites will open Jan. 12 at 4307 Sterling Commerce Drive, near the Interstate 4 and County Line Road interchange. Super Bowl XLIII is Feb. 1 at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium.

The 44,000-square-foot, $5.3 million hotel will include a spa, outdoor pool and other amenities, including "a light and airy decor and crisp linens featuring a green tea design," the company said in a statement.

Dave Nicholson