Eckerd College – Animal Endurance (The Turin Horse): Friday, February 17; 7 p.m.
This is the premier film of Eckerd College's fourteenth annual Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival. It discusses crude oil, light pollution, urban agriculture and radical environment groups. This eight-day festival features documentaries and feature films, as well as experimental and animated films, pertaining to nature, animals and the environment. 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 727-864-7979, eckerd.edu
University of Florida, Hillsborough County Extension – Canning: Friday, February 17; 12-3 p.m.
If you have ever wanted to learn how to can your own vegetables, meat, poultry or seafood, you are in luck. Watch and learn the entire canning process, step by step. Recipes and canning directions will be yours to take home. This class is free, but a $5 donation is encouraged. 5339 South County Road 579, Seffner, 813-744-5519, Hillsborough.ifas.ufl.edu
Eckerd College – The Politics of Oil (Crude): Saturday, February 18; 7 p.m.
This is the featured film for the Saturday installment of Eckerd College's fourteenth annual Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival. It focuses on Amazon Cernobyl, the $27 million, extremely controversial crude oil case. Several angles are covered, including human suffering and environmental peril. This eight-day festival features documentaries and feature films, as well as experimental and animated films, pertaining to nature, animals and the environment. 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 727-864-7979, eckerd.edu
Moccasin Lake Park – Urban Permaculture: Saturday, February 18; 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Take advantage of this introductory session for Permaculture Guild’s seven-week urban permaculture design course. If you like what you learn, sign up on the spot for the full, seven-week course! Moccasin Lake Park is the perfect course location, since it continually makes strides on becoming a “greener” park. This introductory session is free. The full course will occur between February 18 and April 15. 2759 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, 727-793=2976, permacultureguild.us
Organic Living – Composting: Saturday, February 18; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
What exactly can you compost, and how do you do it? Attend this Composting workshop and find out for yourself. But one thing you can count on is that it does not involve turning soil or using bulky bins. Workshop is free. 1612 Gentry Street, Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Corey Avenue Sunday Market – Rocket Ship Car Exhibit: Sunday, February 19; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
See a Rocket Ship Car at Corey Avenue Sunday Market! This Sunday only, you can enjoy this unique attraction, formerly a Euclid Beach Park amusement park ride. It was built in 1935, removed from Euclid Park when it shut down, and recently resurrected and rebuilt. Americanweiner Food Truck and Matthews Wildlife Rescue will also make an appearance at the Market, so check them out. Then, shop for fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, kettle corn, arts and crafts, while enjoying 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. 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
Eckerd College – Protecting Mother Earth: Sunday, February 19; 2 p.m.
This is the featured film topic for the Sunday installment of Eckerd College's fourteenth annual Visions of Nature/Voices of Nature Environmental Film Festival. It focuses on Mother Earth (who else?) in multiple perspectives. The Rights of Mother Earth/Los Derechos de la Pachamama, Elderly Words: Who's Threatening the Water, Sisa Nambi, Yukon Circles and Featuring Mother Earth in Crisis will be featured. Organizers of these films include Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. This eight-day festival features documentaries and feature films, as well as experimental and animated films, pertaining to nature, animals and the environment. 4200 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 727-864-7979, eckerd.edu
Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall: First and third Saturdays; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
A short distance from the city's hub, The Shops at Wiregrass. This pedestrian-friendly, outdoor lifestyle village hosts the open-air Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall, and features over 50 vendors selling local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. TheShopsatWiregrass.com
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
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
Safety Harbor Farmers Market- Thursdays (November-May); 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
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
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; 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 Feb 9-15, 2012.