St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club – Water Lecture: Thursday, April 12; 6:30 p.m.
Shuffle on over to the shuffleboard club and learn about the state of water in the state of Florida and worldwide. Rainfall patterns, water issues, solutions and conservation will be discussed. Rain catchment will receive a mention. 559 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg, gaiasguardians.info
Stetson University (Tampa Law Center) – Climate Change Conference: Friday, April 13; 2-6 p.m.
This sustany conference’s topic is Climate Change in Tampa Bay. Both the science and economics of climate change will be discussed. Speakers from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, UT and USF will be the presenters. Will take place in the Smith Courtroom. Science session at 2:15; economics session at 4 p.m. Attend one or both. Free; 1700 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-223-6824, justice.law.stetson.edu/tampa
Whole Foods – Healthier Store Tour: Friday, April 13; 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Be friendly to your body and the planet simultaneously by attending this Healthier Planet, Healthier You store tour. Learn how organic and minimally-processed foods benefit your body and the planet. Practice some of their green tips, and soon you will be as green as Kermit. Register by the exit lobby, or by emailing Curtis.whitwam@wholefoods.com. 1548 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Camp Bayou – Crocheting Corals: Saturday, April 14; 9:30 a.m.
If you are interested in coral reefs, crocheting (or the color coral), team up with the Camp Bayou volunteers and crochet away. The pieces made during this session will be included in the coral reef display at the Florida Craftsman Gallery (in June). If you cannot crochet, the volunteers will teach you. Located three miles south of SR674 at end of 24th St. SE, Ruskin, 813-641-8545, campbayou.org
Organic Living – Herb Workshop: Saturday, April 14; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
If you want to incorporate your garden’s herbs into your cooking and salads but are not sure which herbs go with which foods, check out this How to Use Fresh Herbs from the Garden workshop. If you cannot cook, you can learn which herbs go well with tea. $5; 601 Patricia Ave., Dunedin, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Farm Day at Magnolia Organics: Second Saturdays (through May); 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Spend a day at the farm, Magnolia Farm. Shop for USDA organic produce and Florida native plants, and sample some vegetables for free. Learn agricultural tidbits from Magnolia Organics’ educational seminars. Free. 33601 Kiefer Road, Wesley Chapel, 800-449-2363, magnoliaorganics.net
Odessa Open Market: Third Sundays; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Odessa and Westchase will love this open market. Select from 100% organic and locally grown produce, local raw honey, Dancing Goat Dairy products, food vendors, plants and more, while enjoying live music. Affiliated with Odessa Organic Farmers Market. Free. 8701 Gunn Hwy, Odessa, 813-944-8654, odessaorganic@gmail.com
Corey Avenue Sunday Market: Sundays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Shop for fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, kettle corn, arts and crafts, and listen to live music. 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 Brooker Creek Preserve: Saturdays; 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 noon on the Friday before 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
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Saturdays; 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 NE St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500, weedonislandpreserve.org
Land O Lakes Saturday Market: Saturdays (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: Sundays; 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. CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) full and half memberships for the 2012-2013 season are now available. Membership applications are available on Sweetwater’s website. At the weekly Sunday market, 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 jewelry and 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
Tampa Downtown Market: Fridays (October- May); 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This market is a community of local farmers and producers, who take pride in providing local residents and businesses with quality, nutritious, reasonably-priced food and gourmet products. Tampa Downtown Market is located on the 200 and 300 blocks of Twiggs Street, spanning Franklin Street, in the heart of downtown Tampa. Metered parking is available on nearby streets, and several parking lots and garages are available throughout downtown, including MAAS Lot (across the street from the market), Jackson Street City Lot, Poe Garage and Fort Brooke Garage. Twiggs Street and Franklin Street, Tampa, tampadowntownmarket.com
Ybor Saturday Market: Saturdays (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 Apr 5-11, 2012.