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
Roots Seed and Plant Sharing Event: Friday, October 14, 7-11 p.m.
Hosted by the Pinellas Gardening Collective, this event is a great way to get new plants and gardening knowledge, as well as meet likeminded folks. Meet other gardeners in the area or find out how to start your own. Speakers to include organic farmer Kent Alexander "Kip" Curtis, Acupuncture physician and herbalist Bob Linde and Founder and Executive Director of Green Florida Andrea Hildebran. Plus, plenty of musical performances by local acts all night! Free; The Ale and the Witch: 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete, thealeandthewitch.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
Pinellas International Coastal Cleanup: Saturday, October 15
Worldwide, thousands of volunteers will spend their time collecting millions of pounds of litter and debris on inland roadsides, coastal areas, inland lakes and rivers to commemorate International Coastal Cleanup Day. Lend a helping hand to keep Pinellas County Beautiful. See keeppinellasbeautiful.com for locations and more information. 8 a.m.; Various locations around Pinellas County
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
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, 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
Transition Community Training: Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
he course is an in-depth experiential introduction to the ideas, process and practices that have inspired tens of thousands of people in hundreds of communities, and catalyzed a rapidly-growing global network. This participatory two-day workshop is for anyone wishing to explore the many dimensions of “transitioning” and “resilience”, and to support local action and collaboration in their community. Refreshments and materials included. Contact contact@thebridgetampa.com for more information. $190; The Roosevelt 2.0: 1812 N. 15th St., Ybor, 813-416-3069, thebridgetampa.com
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
Tampa Veg Fest: Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
In honor of World Farm Animals Day, the Tampa Bay Veg Fest is coming back to Downtown Tampa to educate and entertain attendees through exhibits and activities about local food producers, healthy eating and humane animal treatment education. Local vendors will offer an array of delicious animal-free fare, there'll be healthy living and eco-friendly exhibitors, live music, activities for the kids, animal adoption groups and nationally known and local guest speakers — like comedian and former writer for Saturday Night Live and Seinfeld, Carol Leifer. Whether a longtime vegetarian, vegan, food or animal lover, this free event will have something to please all interests and walks of life. Bring along leashed pets to enjoy the event, too! Visit tampabayvegfest.org for more information. Free; Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park: 601 Old Water St., Tampa..
Fresh Market at Wiregrass Mall: Every first and third Saturday (year-round), 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
A short distance from the city's hub, The Shops at Wiregrass, a main-street style, pedestrian-friendly, outdoor lifestyle village hosts an open-air Fresh Market located on Paseo Drive and features 50+ Vendors selling only fresh, local, homemade, handcrafted and eco-friendly products. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. TheShopsatWiregrass.com
Safe and Healthy Laundry Soap Making Class: Saturday, October 15, 11 a.m.
Did you ever stop to think what is in your laundry soap? This class will go over some of the chemicals used to make laundry soaps. Learn how to make your own laundry soap and get the recipe to make it at home. Attendees will also receive a small container of soap to take home with you. RSVP. $15; 11 a.m. 1612 Gentry St., Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Every Sunday, October 16-May: Corey Avenue Fresh Market
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; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Corey Avenue: Between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St Pete Beach, 727-461-7674, coreyave.com
Anti GMO Garden Party: Sunday, October 16, 3-7 p.m.
In celebration of Non-GMO Month and World Food Day, Organic Living for All is hosting an anti-GMO gsrden party in their organic gardens. Bring a dish to share! The gardens will be open from 3-7 p.m. and you can learn more about the Anti-GMO Revolution. Free; 1612 Gentry St., Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
This article appears in Oct 13-19, 2011.