Urban Restaurant and Movie Charity Event for ALS: Thursday, November 10, 4:30-10:30 p.m.
Gussy up in your bike-friendly finest for an evening on the town with tapas, an award-winning film, dessert and a few miles of urban cycling between. Sign-up for the low impact social ride is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Malio’s Prime; tapas at Mise En Place, 5:40-6:40 p.m.; seating at Cinebistro, 7-7:30 p.m.; screening of Bicycle Dreams, 7:30-9:25 p.m., and dessert at Timpano Italian Chophouse, 9:30-10:30 p.m. Admission includes a $10 donation to the ALS Association Florida Chapter, Cinebistro movie ticket and tastings. Register here. $32. Malio's: 400 N Ashley Dr., Tampa, citybiketampa.com
Dinner & a Movie Benefit for Sweetwater Farm: Thursday, November 10, 7 p.m.
Chipotle Mexican Grill will be hosting a ‘dinner and a movie’ fundraiser for Sweetwater Organic Community Farm this Thursday at MOSI. Guests will receive a free burrito dinner and drink to enjoy during the screening of FRESH, a 72-minute film featuring innovative and inspiring leaders in the sustainable food movement. Free t-shirts to the first 100 people to attend! All proceeds to benefit Sweetwater Farm. $10 donation at the door, $5 with a student ID. 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, sweetwater-organic.org, mosi.org
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
Introduction to Permaculture: Friday, November 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Learn about Permaculture (Permanent Culture or Permanent Agriculture) — design method that utilizes ecology to plan and design human habitats that are regenerative and sustainable — and how to use permaculture to design our own homes to be more sustainable. Free, donations are welcome. Green Dreams: 14510 Black Lake Road, Odessa, 727-439-6700, greendreamsfl.com
Organic Gardening Workshop: Friday, November 11, 2-4 p.m.
Learn how to build a perennial food forest where food keeps growing year after year at this informative workshop. Also, get tips on growing a variety of perennial vegetables as well as what fruit trees grow best in your backyard area. Free, donations are welcome. Green Dreams: 14510 Black Lake Road, Odessa, 727-439-6700, greendreamsfl.com
Temple Terrace Bat Tower Fundraiser: Friday, November 11, 5-9 p.m.
The Bat Tower Project will get a percentage of sales from Shamrock's Ale House when patrons mention they support the Temple Terrace bat tower. All Bat Tower merchandise will be available for purchase at the event including T-shirts, Adopt-A-Bat Plush Toys, Stained Glass Bat fine art, Bat Tower prints, puzzles and more. Free event; 7805 Temple Terrace Highway, Tampa, templeterracebattower.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
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
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
Successful Urban Farming Workshop: Saturday, November 12, 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.
Farm Day at Magnolia Organics: Second Saturdays, November-May, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Spend a day at the farm, Magnolia Farm, and enjoy educational seminars, purchase certified organic produce and Florida native plants, and sample some of their vegetables for free. Free. 33601 Kiefer Road, Wesley Chapel, 800-449-2363, magnoliaorganics.net
Soil-Preparation Workshop: Saturday, November 12, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Learn how to prepare your garden soil to create a healthy garden and grow delicious, nutritious vegetables and fruits all year long. Bring gloves, your favorite shovel and a hat and learn how to create healthy soil and plant trees and veggies that will thrive. Call 727-433-1661 to RSVP or email: organic.living@yahoo.com. $40 a person, $75 for a couple. Organic Living: 1612 Gentry Street, Clearwater, organiclivingforall.com
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday (October-May); 9 am-2 p.m.
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: Saturdays, 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
Corey Avenue Fresh Market: Every Sunday, October 16-May, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Attend the new Corey Fresh Market's grand opening and see the new look and vendors it has to offer. This open-air market will feature local vendors, including Brady Johnson "Mr I Got 'em BBQ", who will have their wares set up for sale along with Corey merchants open during market hours for shopping and dining, as well as live music by local musicians. Free; Corey Avenue: Between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St Pete Beach, 727-461-7674, coreyave.com
Sunday Morning Market of Tarpon Springs: Sundays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Enjoy the waterfront and sponge docks while perusing the many vendors at Tarpon Springs' weekly fresh market. Featuring prepared foods, natural skin care products, eco-friendly items, fresh fruits and veggies and more. 160 East Tarpon Avenue , Tarpon Springs.
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm Sunday Market: Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Nov. 6 through May
Every Sunday, Sweetwater's organic "urban farm" opens it gates to the public to share their bounty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables from both their gardens and from other local farms, as well as handmade goods, fair trade and artisan foods, farm-fresh eggs, local honey, environmentally-friendly products and more. Their Sunday Music Series features some of the best local musicians at their open mic and main stage sessions. 6942 W. Comanche Ave., Tampa, sweetwater-organic.org
Easy Beginnings for a Family Garden Workshop: Sunday, November 13, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Nathan Levy will guide you and your family through steps to get your “kid-friendly” garden started. Successfully producing your own food comes from learning how to handle weeds, dealing with the bugs, watering your seeds, and nourishing the soil. Free. 5305 20th St. N., St. Pete.
This article appears in Nov 10-16, 2011.