Vegetarian Cooking Class: Thursday, September 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Learn to prepare easy vegetarian dishes that look and taste like they were prepared at a fine-dining restaurant at this free class. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing [email protected]. Free; 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm Market: Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Get fresh, organically grown hydroponic veggies straight from this CSA farm in Carrollwood. Open to the public. Arrive early for best selection! 5416 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, 813-293-3276; urbanoasisfarm.com
Raw Foods "Cooking" Class: Friday, September 23, 7-8 p.m.
Learn to create delicious raw creations and enjoy food in its natural raw state with great recipes that are fun and easy at this free class. Please register by the exit lobby or by emailing [email protected]. Free; 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
World Cafe Discussions: Fridays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Awakening and engaging collective intelligence through conversations about questions that matter. RSVP to Pat at 727.421.2746 or [email protected]. Starbucks Cafe- 4th St N and 89th Ave N, St. Pete. theworldcafe.com
Clearwater Beach Clean-up: Saturday, September 24, 8-11 a.m.
SPC's Science Adventurer’s Club is a beach clean-up on North Shore Clearwater Beach (Lot 36), running from Rockaway St. to 880 Mandalay this Saturday. Volunteers should meet on the beach at Rockaway Street, right in front of the public parking lot. Bags, gloves and water (courtesy of Palm Pavilion) will be provided, but please remember to wear a hat, sunscreen, closed toed shoes and pants for the dunes, etc. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided by SPC Student Government Association and The Palm Pavilion is generously providing a free beverage to participants after the clean-up. For more information, contact science.[email protected]. Free; Rockaway St., Clearwater Beach.
Successful Urban Farming Workshop: Saturday, September 24, 8-10 a.m.
Do you want to become more independent and self-sustaining? Then grow your own food! A great refresher for garden veterans and solid advice for beginners. This 2-hour workshop is jam-packed with information for you to apply in your backyard vegetable patch as you prepare for fall planting and consider growing next summer. Check out stpete.locallygrown.net or call 727-515-9469 for more information. $35 per person or $60 when two family members attend together. 5305 20th St. N., St. Pete.
Brooksville Saturday Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
An array of vendors offering food, goods, plants, organics and more at this weekly event. 20 N. Main St., Brooksville, 352-428-9275
Winthrop Town Center Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Complete with more handcrafted goods, fresh fruits, veggies, and boiled peanuts than you can shake a stick at. 1109 Winthrop Market St., Riverview, 813-601-3129
Florida Native Plant Society South Pinellas Landscape Tour: Saturday, September 24, 8 a.m.
This landscape tour of six homes, beginning at the Craftsman House, will showcase how native plants enhance your yard, reduce the need for chemicals and water, and provide for wildlife. Find out more information and register at pinellasnativeplants.org. $5 in advance, $8 day of event; 2955 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-323-2787, craftsmanhousegallery.com
Seminole Heights Community Gardens Fall Meeting Orientation and Potluck: Saturday, September 24, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a breakfast potluck at the SHCG fall meeting and see we will be growing this fall. Share your favorite breakfast dish or just stop on by and take a tour. See what your community garden is all about and meet some fantastic people that make it all happen. Meeting is open to current and prospective members. For more information, contact Tammy: tambonia1972 @yahoo.com or 813-956-2231. Free; 407 W. Violet St., Tampa, seminoleheightscg.ning.com
Growing a Sustainable Future Meetup: Saturday, September 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Organized by the NPR Environmental Board, the city's newly re-established environmental committee will be hosting its first event at the end of the month to help inform local residents about ways to lead a more eco-friendly existence. The meeting will be held in the courtyard between City Hall and the New Port Richey Public Library. Free; 5939 Main St., New Port Richey.
Ybor Saturday Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (year-round)
You'll be sure to find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, orchids, herbs and plants, pet treats, honey, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and so much more. Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. Join us to 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. Reserve your space by 2 pm on the Friday prior to the tour of choice. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve- 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500.
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join us for this 0.75 mile walk as we look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. 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 before the hike. Admission: Free. All ages welcome; children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. 3940 Keystone Rd. Tarpon Springs, 727-453-6800
Hernando Farmers Market: Every Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fresh produce, homemade, handmade products, plants, crafts and more! Offering local small businesses a venue to sell their products and grow their business. St. Rd. 50 and Mariner Blvd. (Located behind Walgreens in the Western Way Plaza), Spring Hill, hernandocountyfarmersmarket.webs.com
Tarpon Springs Plant, Garden, Arts & Crafts Festival: Saturday, September 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Find an array of nursery plants, garden supplies, as well as art and crafts from vendors all over the state at this festival taking place on the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. Free; 20 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, spongedocks.net
Public Hearing on Proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area: Saturday, September 24, 1-5 p.m.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is hosting the first of two public meetings this Saturday in Avon Park to answer questions and take comments on the proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area in south-central Florida. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. at the South Florida Community College Theatre for the Performing Arts. From 1 p.m. to 2, there will be an Open House during which the Service will answer questions about the proposal. The formal Public Hearing will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., during which the Service will make a short presentation about the proposal and attendees will be able to express their views on the proposal. Both verbal and written comments may be submitted. Send comments to: EvergladesHeadwatersProposal@fws.gov. For more information about the proposal, please go to www.fws.gov/southeast/evergladesheadwaters. Free; 600 W. College Drive, Avon Park
Florida Native Plant Society North Pinellas Landscape Tour: Sunday, September 25, 9 a.m.
This landscape tour will showcase six sites, beginning at the Palm Harbor Library, and will show how native plants enhance your yard, reduce the need for chemicals and water, and provide for wildlife. Find out more information and register at pinellasnativeplants.org. $5 in advance, $8 day of event; 2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor, 727-784-3332
