Opera, Books & Holiday Craft s

By Abby Baker

Find links for signing up for these events — and many other things to do — online at thegabber.com/events.

Thursday, December 17

Network with the Best of Them Leave the flip flops and sun hats behind at Caddy’s on the Beach this Thursday, and join the Treasure Island and Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce for the annual Holiday After Hours Networking Mixer. This is your opportunity to meet fellow chamber and community members while enjoying waterside drinks and appetizers. Caddy’s on the Beach, 9000 W. Gulf Blvd.,Treasure Island. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MR

Friday December 18 & Sunday December 20

Public Opera at Cage Brewing Whether you’re an opera fan or not, the POPera Holiday Sparkle event, hosted by the St. Petersburg Opera Company, is a seasonal option for those who love holiday music. Enjoying happy hour at Cage Brewing and live music by performers from the St. Petersburg area while remaining socially distant. Craft Brewing, 2001 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 4 p.m. MR SD

Saturday, December 19

Homemade Holiday Craft Show Join artists and holiday shoppers at the first annual Lopez Holiday Craft Show for a chance to shop through a diverse collection of homemade items and handcrafted gifts. Attendance is free; vendors can join for $10 per booth. Join the raffle and get a chance to win artisanal knick-knacks, cookie cutters, ornaments and much more. Lopez Hall, 7177 58th St. N., Pinellas Park. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. MR SD

Bring Your Books for a Library Donation Drive Looking to free your shelves of last year’s cookbooks and quarantine reads? The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library is sponsoring a socially, physically distanced, drive-through book drop this Saturday. Aside from textbooks and encyclopedias, all gently used books – within a two carton limit – will be accepted for either resale in the book shop, or as much-needed equipment for the library. Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Friendly Feline Faces What’s better than a furry new friend? Adopting instead of shopping for that addition to the family. Save Our Strays, a no-kill cat rescue organization, is looking to find forever homes for rescue kittens. Raised in foster care, all kitties are vetted, microchipped and ready to be loved. Check Pet of the Week for a kitten that will be on hand. Pet Supermarket, 6892 Gulfport Blvd., #1000, South Pasadena. 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. MR

St Petersburg Opera Company