Green World Path – Green Education Class: Thursday, January 12 (every Thursday); 6 p.m-7 p.m.
It's a "green old time" at Green World Path's Green Education class, taught by various "eco-friendly businesses and leaders." Door prizes and light refreshments are offered, and a fun time will be had. This class is free. 1665 Donto Way, Brooksville, 352-799-0200, greenworldpath.com
Organic Living for All – Use Herbs from the Garden Workshop: Saturday, January 14; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Learn about the uses of herbs, and how to incorporate into your cooking, salad, teas and more. Organic Living for All's How to Use Herbs Fresh from the Garden workshop will teach all of that, and then some. This workshop is $5. 1612 Gentry Street, Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Curtis Hixon Park – Heritage Festival: Saturday-Sunday, January 14-15; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Pitch in and volunteer to keep Curtis Hixon Park beautiful and clean by volunteering at their weekend event, Heritage Festival. Volunteers are needed to maintain trash and recycling bags. The three-hour shifts are: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.; 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Register via email or phone (dpacker@keeptbb.org or 813-221-8733). 600 Ashley Drive, Tampa, keeptampabaybeautiful.org
Moccasin Lake Nature Park – Permaculture Weekend Workshop: Saturday-Sunday, January 14-15; 9 a.m. – 6p.m.
Spend the weekend, or a portion of the weekend, learning oodles of information about permaculture, at Mocassin Lake Nature Park's hands-on, experiential workshop, Introduction to Permaculture. Highlights include simpler gardening methods, how to let nature work to your benefit and establishing "eco-villages" in your community. Registration is required via email or telephone (Bob Lawrason: rlawrason@aol.com or 727-831-5832; Cristy Abbott: cabbott7@hotmail.com or 727-520-5303; Cory Brennan: cory@permacultureguild.us or 818-731-4706). Single-day rate is $90; weekend rate is $150. 2759 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, permacultureguild.us
St. Pete Locally Grown – Sunday Lecture Series: Sunday, January 15; 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Recovering food addict Rita Sewell, RN will show you how to battle cravings for the unhealthy foods Americans love, what foods to replace them with, and how to prepare these foods. She maintains a 100-pound weight loss, so she knows how it’s done. Freeing you from the "Standard American Diet," laden with processed carbohydrates, has never been easier. This lecture is free. 5305 20th Street North, St. Petersburg, 727-515-9469, stpete.locallygrown.net
Sweetwater Organic – Detox for the New Year: Sunday, January 15; 1 p.m.-2 p.m.
Join cookbook author and chef Vick Chelf for a cooking demonstration and discussion. She will focus on local and organic foods healing and cleansing the body of toxins, and avoiding toxin exposure outside of the kitchen. Enjoy Sweetwater Sunday Market and Live Music Series following this event. A donation of $10 to $15 is suggested (cash or check only). 6942 W. Comanche Avenue, Tampa, 813-887-4066, sweetwater-organic.org
Dunedin Green Market: Saturday, January 14; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Enjoy a craft show, in addition to the usual market highlights of fresh, local produced goods such as baked good, ready-to-eat-foods, organic plants and herbs, coffee, honey, seafood and clothing. Dunedin Green Market is located in Pioneer Park at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Main Street in Downtown Dunedin, 727-733-4215, dunedingov.com
Safety Harbor Farmers Market- Every Thursday (Nov. 17-May 10); 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Enjoy organic produce, plants and fresh flowers, gourmet foods, baked goods, snacks, plants and fresh flowers and handmade jewelry at Safety Harbor Farmers Market. Located at the Gazebo at John Wilson Park. 401 Main Street, Downtown Safety Harbor, 727-724-1572, cityofsafetyharbor.com
Corey Avenue Sunday Market: Sunday, January 15; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
In addition to the usual market offerings, Justin Matthews, of Matthews Wildlife Rescue will make an appearance with a python, iguana and barn owl for you to enjoy. Then shop for fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, kettle corn, arts and crafts, and listen to live music by Eddie James: Tropical Tunes. Corey Avenue will be blocked off for a safe shopping experience at the market. Corey merchants and restaurants will be open for business as well, lending a fabulous addition to your normal market venues. From antiques to boutiques, dog stores and more, this open-air market is the one to visit every Sunday during the fall and winter seasons. Always free parking, within walking distance. Located just off Gulf Boulevard, between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St. Pete Beach, 727-498-8778, coreyave.com
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Every Saturday; 9a.m.-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. Learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Be sure to bring water and a snack for this 2-hour hike. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. Pre-registration is required by 2 p.m. on the Friday prior to the tour of choice (pre-registration is required). This event is free and open to the public. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve is located 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500, weedonislandpreserve.org
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Every Saturday; 9 a.m-11 a.m.
Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Observe how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes during this 0.75 mile hike. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Pre-registration is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday prior to the hike of your choice. This event is free. All ages welcome, but children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, 727-453-6800, brookercreekpreserve.org
Land O' Lakes Saturday Market: Every Saturday, (through May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Land O’Lakes Saturday Market is a weekly community event with live music. The market donates profits to the Heritage Park Foundation and the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank. They are located at Land O' Lakes Community Center, on the west side of US 41 (Land O' Lakes Boulevard), three miles north of SR 54 (across from the Land O' Lakes Post Office), Land O' Lakes, lolsaturdaymkt.com
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday, (October-May); 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Featuring locally-grown fresh produce, prepared foods, tempting baked goods, handcrafted gifts, plants, flowers, herbs, live music, and more. Downtown St. Petersburg in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot (1st Avenue S. and 1st Street, St. Petersburg, saturdaymorningmarket.com
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm's Sunday Market: Every Sunday, (November through May); 12p.m.-4 p.m.
This on-site market features organic produce harvested fresh from their own farm, as well as organic fruits and veggies from other farms. Every week you can enjoy native plants, organic vegetable transplants, and unique products from green vendors and artisans including; fresh baked goods, local honey, organic coffees, veggie burgers and fruit smoothies, homemade soaps, handmade jewelryand organic cotton T-shirts and bags. "Sweetwater Live Music Series" features local and internationally-known musicians, and their popular open mic. Veg and learn with "Sweetwater Workshop Series" with workshops by guest presenters on sustainable living skills, organic gardening, holistic healing and more. Shop, have a picnic lunch, meet like-minded individuals, and enjoy the orchard and gardens all while listening to some great live music. Bring your friends, family, and leashed dogs, and support local programs, agriculture and business. 6942 W. Comanche Avenue, Tampa, sweetwater-organic.org
Ybor Saturday Market: Every Saturday, (year-round); 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
You'll be sure to find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, honey, herbs and plants, orchids, pet treats, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and much more. Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
This article appears in Jan 12-18, 2012.