Community Calendar

Join us in honoring veterans, military members, and their families at a special open house featuring lab tours, education on our research programs, Q&A with our scientists, live music by The Sentimental Gents quartet, and breakfast and lunch refreshments.

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

Homeschool groups and families are invited to join us as we look at the culture, history, math, and science of art! Every month we will explore a new idea or special exhibition through hands-on fun. All Ages Welcome; Geared Towards Ages 5-14.
This month we will feature the special exhibition In Caravaggio’s Light. Learn about how the use of lighting can create drama within artwork. In addition to exploring this special exhibition, children and families will get the chance to play with lighting and see how it creates different feelings in art.

Encaustic paint, an ancient art medium made from melted wax and pigment, is incredibly versatile. There are so many ways it can be manipulated – painting, layering, embedding, incising, mark-making, and sculpting, just to name a few. Whether this is your first foray into the medium or you’re an experienced encaustic artist, together we will explore the world of encaustics and take your work to the next level! This eight-week course for beginning and advanced students will focus on incising, layering, mark-making, pigment sticks, mixed media collage, mono-types, and 3D works. Come join us for a waxy adventure!

Ages 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level

Wednesdays, Sep 10 - Nov 15 | 1:00–4:00 PM (8 classes)
(No class 10/8)

Join us for VETFest 2025, a vibrant celebration of veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Held in the heart of St. Petersburg, this free community event brings together local organizations, resources, and entertainment to honor those who served.

Highlights Include:

VA Benefits Assistance & Claims Support
Free Living Will & Health Care Surrogate Forms
Expungement/Sealing of Criminal Records
Disaster Relief Resources
Raffles, giveaways, and free Publix gift cards for early registrants
Community booths, music, and refreshments

Whether you're a veteran, a caregiver, or a supporter, VETFest is your chance to connect, celebrate, and access valuable services—all in a welcoming, festive atmosphere.

Admission is free. No registration required for attendees.

To table the event or to share resources, contact: ajones@bals.org

This year, the Climate Adaptation Center's (CAC) conference will focus on How Climate Warming Is Reshaping Florida’s Ecosystems. The CAC will bring together leading scientists and biodiversity experts for an immersive, solutions-driven event focused on one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the impact of climate warming on biodiversity.

Whether you’re guiding decisions for your organization, community, government, or philanthropy, or simply want to understand what’s at stake, this event is designed for people who want to turn knowledge into action.

🌎 Learn what’s changing in Florida’s ecosystems
🌿 Understand how biodiversity loss affects everything from agriculture to tourism
💡 Discover innovative adaptation and resilience strategies from top experts
🤝 Connect with leaders shaping the future of Florida’s environment

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

Go nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful dinosaur exhibit at the Glazer Children’s Museum in Downtown Tampa. Whether you have a child at home or not, all are welcome to visit this colossal exhibit, 66 million years in the making.

Learn, Tour & Share

Bring your senior group for a tour of 1890s rural Florida history! This program offers a unique opportunity for adults ages 60+ to enjoy an interactive tour of the museum and grounds. Visit historic homes and structures authentic to turn-of-the-20th-century Florida, including the Okahumpka Train Depot, Terry General Store, Castalia School House and more.

Advanced ticket purchase required.

https://www.crackercountry.org/events/grandminds-nov142025