North Pinellas calendar of events

Today

The Florida Botanical Gardens will glow with more than 400,000 lights 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 3 at 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Entertainment is provided every evening by local artists giving their time and talent. Featured tonight will be the Lindblom Family Singers, Premier Performing Company's jazz and lyrical dancers and a visit with Santa. $2 minimum donation, free for 12 and younger. Call (727) 582-2247.

Today

Sister's Christmas Catechism: The irrepressible "Sister" teaches class to a roomful of "students" (the audience) with a holiday theme at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. $35 VIP, $30 advance, $35 day of show, $27 senior (60+), $25 Student (19 and younger). Call (727)587-6793.

Market in the Park: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through April 17 at Heritage Village, 11909 125th St., Largo. At least 36 vendors participate. There will be fresh produce, seafood, honey, hot sauces, crafts, all natural pet treats, all natural pet treats and more. Pinellas County Extension will provide several educational booths. Call market manager Richard Kendler at (727) 733-4215.

Overcoming life's challenges: Author Anthony G. Catalano will sign copies of his book, I Prescribe a Positive Vibe, 2-5 p.m. at Crescent Oaks Country Club, 3300 Cresent Oaks Blvd., Tarpon Springs. Call Dave or Jennifer at (727) 942-6182.

Brunch with Santa: 10 a.m. Saturday at the Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road. Event includes brunch, fun crafts and a surprise from Santa. $10 for one parent and child; $5 each additional child and/or parent. Registration ended Thursday. Call (727) 812-4530 or e-mail emcnaughton@dunedinfl.net.

Christmas parade/candy cane hunt: The Tarpon Springs Christmas parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the Winn-Dixie shopping center on Pinellas Avenue, turn right on Lemon Street, left on Ring Avenue and left on Tarpon Avenue to Craig Park where children can visit with Santa and participate in a candy cane hunt. Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Bring seating. Call (727) 937-6109.

Celebrate the holidays: The Italian Tarantella Dancers will perform traditional Italian folk dances at 2 p.m. at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave. Free. Call (727) 784-3332, ext. 3006.

Different holidays explored: Shana Banana presents Merry Chriskwanzanukah!, a musical show that highlights the traditions of Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa at 2 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, 100 N Osceola Ave. Call (727) 562-4970.

Sunday

Crossroads Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday at the North Pinellas Historical Museum, 2043 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor. The market focuses on locally grown or harvested fresh products including fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, plants, baked goods and more. Call (727) 787-4700 or (727) 724-3054.

Enjoy nature: Largo Central Park is a beautiful, 70-acre park located 101 Central Park Drive with picnic pavilions, restroom facilities, James S. Miles & Richard A. Leandri Military Court of Honor and Rainbow Rotary Playground, one of the only playgrounds in the Bay area completely accessible to disabled users. Open 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Call 727-586-7415 for rental information.

Step back in time: Heritage Village, 11909 125th St. N., Largo, Pinellas County's 21-acre living history museum, gives tours of vintage architecture and classes in the arts of bygone days. Closed Mondays. For details, call (727) 582-2123 or visit www.pinellascounty.org/.

Monday

Natalie Cole in concert: Grammy award-winner Natalie Cole will perform her Holiday and Hits show at 8 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. Tickets $83, $50 and $42 and available at Ruth Eckerd Hall box office, by calling (727) 791-7400 or visiting rutheckerdhall.com.

Bilingual reading group: "Read to Me" is a new group for mothers with children from birth to preschool age meeting at 10 a.m. every Monday at the Largo Public Library, 120 Central Park Drive. Moms can practice their English or Spanish and instill a love of reading in their children. Call Britney Hord at (727) 587-6715 or e-mail bhord@largo.com.

DAR to meet: Caladesi Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will meet at 12:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall of First United Methodist Church, 421 Main St., Dunedin. Featured will be the program Christmas at the White House and members will host a mini-bake sale. For membership information, call (727) 733-5383.

Hadassah meeting: The North Pinellas Chapter of Hadassah will hold its general meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Temple Ahavat Shalom, 1575 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor. Judith Tankel will discuss the 100th birthday of Young Judaea, the Zionist youth movement of Hadassah. Donations for Mitzvah Day will be collected. Bring a bag lunch. Coffee and cake will be served. Call (727) 787-0555.

Design holiday cards: The whole family can make holiday cards at 2:30 p.m. at North Greenwood Library, 905 N Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., Clearwater. Materials will be provided. Call (727) 562-4970.

In harmony: The Florida Suncoast Men's Barbershop Chorus is expanding its membership and looking for tenors, leads, baritones and basses who enjoy singing four-part barbershop harmony. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. every Monday at Crossroads Christian Church, 1645 Seminole Blvd., Largo. Call Clyde at (727) 736-7999 or visit www.suncoastchorus.com.

Singing is life: The Palm Harbor Crystal-Aires Men's Barbershop Four-part Harmony Chorus invites all male singers to come and see if this fascinating hobby might appeal to you. The chorus meets at 6:45 p.m. every Monday at the Palm Harbor Community Center, 1500 16th St. Call Wes at (727) 784-8052 or visit crystalaires.com.

Dixieland dance: The Bayside Banjo Band plays Dixieland and old-time songs from 7 to 9 p.m. every Monday at American Legion Post 7, 1760 Turner St., Clearwater. Call (727) 447-9204.