Thursday, June 17: Parkshore Grill
Artist’s Table. An afternoon of art and cuisine with Morean Arts Center contributing artist, Nancee Clark, who discusses her paintings which she says can border on "smart and funny in its illumination of the absurd." Reservations recommended. Free discussion; patrons pay for their own lunches. Noon-2 p.m., 300 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg (727-822-7872 ext. 2133)
Thursday, June 17: Paddy Burkes
Bard-Tini Party. The St. Pete Shakes Company is bringing the Bard Bayside — but before they can begin, they need some seed money. Give them a hand at tonight’s fundraiser, where you’ll hear live music, see body-bending acrobatics by Acrobellum, and sip the specialty cocktail of the evening: the Bard-tini. Paddy Burkes donates 25 percent of the evening’s proceeds to St. Pete Shakes. 5:30-8:30 p.m., 100 Fourth St. S., St. Petersburg, stpeteshakes.org
Friday, June 18: Vintage Wine Cellars
Summer Solstice Wine Tasting. This weekend marks the official beginning of summer (yes, I'm cursing the weather gods, too -- the sweltering heat began months ago). Beat the heat with refreshing whites, roses, and thirst-quenching reds at tonight's tasting. $10. 7-9 p.m. 3629 Henderson Blvd., Tampa (813-879-2931)
Friday, June 18: Uncorked Fine Wines
Summertime Sangria. If you think the fruity wine refresher only comes in the the red variety, expand you horizons at tonight's sweet sangria sampler. $10. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2706 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg (727-892-9463)
Friday, June 18: World of Wines
Mix It Up Wine Tasting. This week's catch-all theme means you'll be sipping on everything from Peirano Estate Cabernet to Pure Platinum, Eola Hills Pinot Gris, Lady in Red 7th Edition, Peirano Estate 'The Immortal Zin' and Kiona Riesling, each paired with palate-pleasing hors d'oeuvres. $10. 6-8 p.m., 3431 S. West Shore Blvd. (813-835-9463)
Saturday, June 19: Ceviche
Grand Opening. The local masters of Spanish cuisine open a new outpost in Clearwater, and you reap all the benefits: free tapas and sangria, and live music for you to cha cha your ass off to. Proceeds from the $20 donation benefit the Children's Dream Fund. 7:30 p.m., 2930 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater (727-799-3082)
Saturday, June 19: Publix Apron’s Cooking School
Cooking with Dad. Teach the old man a new trick or two at today's cooking class. The menu includes: skirt steak strips and chorizo mashed potatoes; crab cakes with a spicy dijon remoulade and Asian slaw; fruit and almond stuffed pork chops; andchocolate coma cake. $60 per father/child pair. 10 a.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465)
Sunday, June 20: The NoHo Bistro
Father's Day Brunch. No fruit plates here: instead, the hearty, he-man options include The Pork Plate (pork rilletes, candied bacon and more); The Bread Plate (buttermilk pancakes with pecan-maple syrup and biscuits with sausage gravy); and if your pops is The Hulk, maybe he can handle The Dad Plate (choose from options like potato hash, bratwurst, fried eggs, corned beef hash, buttermilk waffles, Eggs Benedict with white asparagus, hollandaise and rosemary ham). Visit thenohobistro.com for a full menu. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Sunday, June 20: First Watch
Father's Day Feature. Brunch specials are generally the realm of Mother's Day; instead, Dads who dine at any First Watch location get free Nike golf balls. Balls and breakfast -- what more could your old man ask for?
June 17 – June 24: Cheap
Cheap Goes to the Dogs. The fun-loving South Tampanites of the Soho Leisure Group host weekly parties at Cheap, with 25 percent of food sales donated to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Who says your nights out on the town and just money down the drain? Thursdays, 6 p.m, continues through June 24, 309 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, humanesocietytampa.org.
Thursday, June 24: Hangar Restaurant
Artist’s Table. An evening of art and cuisine with Morean Arts Center contributing artists Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse, who discuss their most recent commission over a relaxing cocktail. Reservations recommended. Free discussion; patrons pay for their own dinners and cocktails. 5-7 p.m., 540 First St. SE, St. Petersburg (727.822.7872 ext. 2133)
June: Willow Herbal Delights Garden
Going Organic with Willow. Upcoming classes with herbalist Willow LaMonte include: “Gathering Wisdom From a Flower: Herbs for Women’s Health” An eight-week class that covers herbal care for adolescent girls; pregnancy preparation, nursing, and weaning; peri- and menopausal women; Plants to ease stress, strengthen immune systems, encourage breast health, support nutritional needs, and benefit skin; Using fresh and dried herbs for teas, tinctures, vinegars, and bath soaks. (May 25, June 8 and 22, July 6 and 20, and August 3, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $100-$150); “Wild Edibles Walk” Meet wild edibles high in nutrition that many of us have growing in our own yards, plus medicinals, wildlife habitat plants, and providers of garden and basket-making supplies. (10 a.m.-noon Fri., June 4 and 10-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3 p.m. Sat., June 20, $10-$15). Preregistration required for all classes. 2211 Ray Rd., Valrico (813-643-7285)
Tampa Bay Fresh Markets Even in the heat of the summer, these local markets offer fresh, organic produce and handcrafted goods:
Summer SidewalkMarket. The now-annual market returns with more fresh produce, plants and flowers, crafts, foods and live music (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays, Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, coreyave.com)
Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market. This year-round market offers fresh produce and seafood, artwork and live entertainment. (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday on Beach Blvd., in Gulfport’s Florida Waterfront district
Winthrop Town Center Farmers Market. Complete with more handcrafted goods, fresh fruits, veggies, and boiled peanuts than you can shake a stick at. (Begins at 8 a.m., Saturdays, 11109 Winthrop Market St., Riverview, 813-601-3129)
Safety Harbor Farmer's Market. The summer season kicks off with a local market boasting fresh produce, meats and seafood, cheese, breads, sauce and more. (Every third Saturday through Sept. 18, John Wilson Park, 401 Main St., Safety Harbor)
