By LINDA CHION KENNEY (Posted Dec. 5): The lighting of Brandon's Christmas tree at Center Place took place on Dec. 5, furthering what has become an almost 25-year tradition. The tree is back in the lake and it's lit courtesy of Larry Cox and Cox Electric employees. Performances leading up to the lighting were delivered by Brandon Academy, Music Showcase, Tampa Bay Family Theatre, Kim Hall's School of Dance and Bev Sutherland's chorus and show choir students from Bloomingdale High School. Each year, tradition has the Ambassadors (show choir) preform its interpreation of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The show-stopper event will be performed again for the lighting of the Christmas tree at Winthrop Town Centre in Riverview, at the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Providence Road. The Dec. 7 show kicks off at 6 p.m. and includes also the chorus from Symmes Elementary School. Following the lighting of the tree, the community is invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs and watch, for free, an outdoor movie at the Lawn at Winthrop, off the east wall of the Publix supermarket. The Dec. 7 show is "Home Alone." The Grass Stains at Winthrop Holiday Film Classics outdoor movie series continues with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.) and concludes with "It's A Wonderful Life" (Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.). For information, call: 813-601-3129.