Gardening

In its 5th year, Okrapalooza continues to bring East Dallas a unique okra cook-off with live music, beer and specialty okra dishes. Celebrity chefs and Home-Cooks come together in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to present their best okra dishes to compete for the title of Okrapalooza champion of the world. Tickets include okra dish tastings + sides, free local beer, and live music. All proceeds benefit the Promise of Peace Community Garden.

Each ticket purchase also contributes to the farm to table movement and programming for at risk youth — we think everyone deserves a second chance.

Cost: $35/person

Check out the official Okrapalooza Web site for more information about the event!

Join the Swarm and take part in a week-long campaign of Global actions to Save the Bees. Together we will Pester the Pesticide Pushers and Swarm together to BAN Neonicotinoids and other poisonous chemicals. We need to keep the bees alive to pollinate our food.

THURSDAY: Wear your BEE costume everywhere you go all day. When people ask why the heck you’re dressed like a BEE, you can tell them about the BEEs and our Saturday event and pass out flyers if you want (we’ll have them at the Monday event or make your own).

SATURDAY: Big Day of Action - Aug. 16, National Honey Bee Day. Start getting your bee costumes ready now. We'll have a family-friendly rally in Klyde Warren Park at 9 a.m. with bee flash-mob dance for all ages.

Join the Swarm and take part in a week-long campaign of Global actions to Save the Bees. Together we will Pester the Pesticide Pushers and Swarm together to BAN Neonicotinoids and other poisonous chemicals. We need to keep the bees alive to pollinate our food!...

WEDNESDAY: We’ll ride the train around DFW in our BEE costumes, getting off at different stops to BUZZ around and “Do the Honey Bee,” sharing info about the bees and our Saturday SWARM. Meet us at 9:45 a.m. at the Kiosk in front of the Mockingbird DART Station; buy your all-day ticket and bee ready to board the 10:08 train towards Parker Road Staion. The train will stop at the Forest Lane Station at 10:19, if anyone wants to jump on there and join us. We'll disembark at the Downtown Plano Station at 10:33 to "do our BEE thing" in and around Haggard Park. Then we'll reboard the DART, and make stops (including one for lunch) at other stations on the way back to Mockingbird Station.

THURSDAY: Wear your BEE costume everywhere you go all day.

Join the Swarm and take part in a week-long campaign of global actions to Save the Bees. Together we will Pester the Pesticide Pushers and Swarm together to BAN Neonicotinoids and other poisonous chemicals. We need to keep the bees alive to pollinate our food!

TUESDAY: Call your legislators today and tell them to ban Neonicotinoids! Demand legislation that will protect pollinators and our food supply.

WEDNESDAY: We’ll ride the train around DFW in our BEE costumes

THURSDAY: Wear your BEE costume everywhere you go all day.

SATURDAY: Big Day of Action - Aug. 16, National Honey Bee Day. Start getting your bee costumes ready now. We'll have a family-friendly rally in Klyde Warren Park at 9 a.m. with bee flash-mob dance for all ages.

Join the Swarm and take part in a week-long campaign of global actions to Save the Bees. Together we will Pester the Pesticide Pushers and Swarm together to BAN Neonicotinoids and other poisonous chemicals. We need to keep the bees alive to pollinate our food!

MONDAY: The Honey Bee Flash Mob Practice Day will be held on the Continental Avenue Pedestrian Bridge. Dance practice, followed by a light display with the North Texas Light Brigade.

Dance and Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpyY9_9y9Qw

Instructional video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrgUXy05KP0&feature=youtu.be.)

We’ll spell out SAVE THE BEES in lights before the beautiful Dallas Skyline and make a video & group photo that you can share with your friends. Come be a “Holder of the Light!”

TUESDAY: Call your legislators today and tell them to ban Neonicotinoids!

WEDNESDAY: We’ll ride the train around DFW in our BEE costumes

THURSDAY: Wear your BEE costume everywhere you go all day.

Bring your favorite work gloves, rake, pitchfork, litter picker upper, or gardening tools.

Wear appropriate clothing for the weather and for working in a natural area 

(long pants, long sleeves, sturdy shoes, hat).

Water and snacks will be available.

O.S. Gray Natural Area has no restroom facilities, but Kroger is nearby.

Info: friendsofosgray@gmail.com

Learn how to turn straw bales into compost to grow vegetables. $35 plus ticket fee.

Everyone knows that eating more dark leafy green vegetables is super important to your health. Having a hard time getting in 8-10 cups of veggies per day? 

 Boost your immune system, gain more energy and get rid of the bloat by integrating green juices and smoothies into your diet. Holistic health coach Kim Wilson Pollock is going to teach you how. Kim makes juicing and making smoothies simple and easy to add into your busy lifestyle.

This class is mainly a demonstration class. Throughout the class, samples of various kinds of juices and smoothies will be provided. 

Students will go home with the knowledge to make their own juices and smoothies, plus guidance on the best juicers and blenders for each lifestyle. Recipes included in take-home packet. 

$45 plus ticket fee.

Samantha and Anita will lead us in building a vertical garden with 2x4s and milk jugs. It’s another frugal way to have a space-saving garden in which you can plant flowers, herbs and/or vegetables. We’ll work over two mornings – come to one or both sessions – to build, plant, and discuss. (Previous class held Aug. 6.) Free.

Gather your friends, family, scout troop and neighbors and do the “buffalo stomp” with the herd of seeders.  Enhance the beauty of the trail system by participating in the annual seeding. Free.