Burning the Future: Coal in America Screening at The Roosevelt 2.0: Thursday, October 6, 7 p.m.
This film documents the struggle of West Virginians to preserve their way of life in the face of the destructive impacts of coal mining. After the film, join in a discussion on the impacts of the coal industry in Florida and the Tampa Bay and how we can all get involved in getting Florida off coal and onto clean, renewable energy. Free; 1812 N. 15th St., Tampa, members.greenpeace.org/event/view/4238
Tampa Downtown Market: Fridays (through May 27), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The vision of the Tampa Downtown Market is to provide local residents and businesses of the community with the freshest, highest quality, most nutritious, and most reasonably priced food and gourmet products. This year the Tampa Downtown Market will be located on the 200 and 300 Blocks of Twiggs Street, spanning Franklin Street, in the heart of downtown Tampa. Parking is available at several locations throughout downtown including the Maas Bros. parking block, which is accessible directly across the street from the Market. tampadowntownmarket.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
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 goodpat@tampabay.rr.com. Starbucks Cafe- 4th St N and 89th Ave N, St. Pete, theworldcafe.com
Backpack to Bee Island in Myakka River State Park: Saturday, October 8
Discover and explore a Florida grassland prairie park with the Sierra Club and learn how it is being restored. Camp under large old oaks and hike through varied habitat. For more information and times, contact co-Leaders Ben Berauer: 352-610-6704, bfberauer@aol.com or Mike Pici: 727-798-9227, revmp777@earthlink.net. Free; florida.sierraclub.org/tampabay
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
Native Plant and Wildflower Festival and Sale: Saturday, October 8, 9 a.m.
Florida Native Plant Society’s fall native plant festival and sale. Native plant specialists will be available to assist with landscape needs and there will be educational lectures from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on native wildflowers and aquatic plants. Get information about gardening with native plants, attracting wildlife to your landscape, ponds, rain barrels, composting, mulch. Vendors with nature-inspired art, photography, ceramics, garden accessories, water features, landscape books, and rare native plants will also be in attendance. Free; Wilcox Nursery, 12501 Indian Rocks Road, Seminole, 727-595-2073
Successful Urban Farming Workshop: Saturday, October 8, 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.
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
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday (October-May); 9 am-2 pm.
Featuring locally grown fresh produce, prepared foods, tempting baked goods, plants, flowers, herbs, handcrafted gifts, live music, and more! Downtown St. Petersburg in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot: 1st Ave. S and 1st St. S., St. Pete, saturdaymorningmarket.com
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
Transition New Port Richey General Meeting: Saturday, October 8, 1-3 p.m.
This general meeting of the Transition New Port Richey group will focus on "Local Food" and how to create a movement locally to encourage the growth of local food. A guest speaker from Green Dreams will come by to speak about the Victory garden movement and starting your own garden in your back yard. Free; 5939 Main St. New Port Richey, codegreencommunity.org
Natural Body Scrubs Workshop: Saturday, October 8, 1 p.m.
Learn how as well as make your own body scrubs and foot soaks that are a fraction of the cost of the local store brands in addition to being of better quality. Attendees will receive a recipe sheet, and all the supplies needed to make a little over 6 ounces of product. RSVP required. $15; 1612 Gentry St., Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market: Every Second Sunday (October through May), 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market helps to circulating local trade and Florida foods by bringing to you a vast mixture of the highest quality, seasonal and locally farmed produce, all natural ready to eat foods and, specialty foods. Additionally, there are many neighborhood artists taking the opportunity to showcase their talents. Sunday Market is held on the front lawn of historic Hillsborough High School: 5000 N Central Ave., Tampa. sundaymorningmarket.com
Corey Avenue Sunday Market: Every Sunday, October-May, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Located between Blind Pass Rd and Boca Ciega Drive, Corey Ave will be blocked off for a safe shopping day at the market. Corey merchants and restaurants will be open for business as well, lending a fabulous addition to your normal market venues. Corey Avenue is located just off Gulf Blvd in downtown St Pete Beach. Always free parking. All within walking distance. 727-498-8778, coreyave.com
Farm Sanctuary President Gene Baur Speaking at Grass Root Organic and Whole Foods Market: Saturday, October 9, 3-5 p.m./6:30-8 p.m.
Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, will be holding two speaking events in Tampa this Sunday — at Grass Root Organic Restaurant and at Whole Foods Market. Gene has been hailed by TIME Magazine as “the conscience of the food movement” and is the author of the best-selling book Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food. The event at Grass Root (2702 North Florida Avenue, Tampa) is $20 admission and will include a light buffet and desserts; a portion of the proceeds to benefit Farm Sanctuary. For more information, please e-mail Samantha Robinson at samantha.robinson@me.com. Whole Foods' (1548 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa) event at 6:30 p.m. is free and open to the public. For more information, please e-mail Maria Gumina at maria.gumina@wholefoods.com
This article appears in Oct 6-12, 2011.