Fairchild Garden's Plants and People Program for Alzheimer's

Are you or a loved one living with Alzheimer’s? If so, then come to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and experience the power of plants.

Fairchild is pleased to present the Plants and People Program for Alzheimer’s. Early to mid-stage patients and their caregivers will be treated to lunch and an exclusive and interactive tram tour of Fairchild.

The program is free, courtesy of Fairchild. Upcoming dates are Monday, May 2 & Monday, May 16. Registration is requested one week in advance of each offering. Please RSVP to 305-667-1651, Ext. 3388. Early registration is encouraged, as there is limited seating.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. It is one of the premier conservation and education-based gardens in the world and a recognized international leader in both Florida and international conservation. Currently Fairchild has field programs in more than 20 countries including support to protected areas in Madagascar and Africa and botanic garden development and renovation projects in South and Central America, the Caribbean and Middle East.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden houses palm and cycad collections that are nationally recognized by the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), has the world’s greatest living collection of palms and cycads; an education program reaching more than 70,000 school children per year; hosts popular events like the International Chocolate Festival, International Mango Festival and International Orchid Festival, the Edible Garden Festival, the Ramble, concerts, affiliated plant society shows and sales and more; and, is a not-for-profit organization relying on the support of its 45,000 members and benefactors.

Fairchild hosts major art events such as Les Lalanne at Fairchild and Yoko Ono’s Wishing Grove this year, Yayoi Kusama at Fairchild last year, Mark di Suvero, Fernando Botero, Dale Chihuly and Kris Martin at Fairchild in 2008, Botero, Lichtenstein and Chihuly at Fairchild in 2007 and Chihuly at Fairchild in 2005 and 2006.

Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, just a 30 minute drive from South Beach. Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $12 for children 6-17 and free to children 5 and under and Fairchild members. For more information, please visit us at www.fairchildgarden.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

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Food and Garden Festival at Fairchild Celebrates Fresh, Organic Food and The Joys of Gardening!

Come see what's cooking at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden during the celebration of fresh fruits and vegetables and the gorgeous gardens they grow in on Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1.


Guests can gather new tips and recipes from our popular culinary and gardening demos taught by top chefs and gardeners. And don’t forget to shop our Farmers’ Market where local vendors showcase the best fruits, vegetables and herbs available in South Florida, as well as honey, jams and fresh baked goods and spices. Discover Fairchild's Edible Garden, lush and delicious with herbs, vegetables, fruits and ornamentals that can be grown in your home garden.


New this year, guests can listen in on Random Acts of Gardening, informal ‘pop-up’ lectures in the plant sales area covering South Florida gardening, environmentally friendly landscaping and more. Children will enjoy special hands-on and culinary activities in the KidWay including yoga, kids' cooking demonstrations and kitchen botany. And don’t forget to shop the 32nd Annual Spring Plant Sale with thousands of plants from Fairchild's nursery and local plant vendors. There’s something for everyone at Fairchild’s Food & Garden Festival!   

Cooking Demonstrations
Saturday, April 30
11:00 a.m.
Chef Michael Reidt, Area 31, Seared Tuna with Spring Greens
1:00 p.m.
Fairchild Challenge Green Cuisine Finalists, Homestead Senior High and Miami Central
Senior High, Veganoli Walfredo and Nacho Bean Casserole
2:00 p.m.
Ayesha D'Mello, Ayesha's Kitchen, Butternut Squash Vegetable in a Coconut Sauce and Muttar Basmati Pilaf
3:00 p.m.
Chef Carlos Cordoba, The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Stone Crab and Ramps Stuffed Squash Blossom 


Sunday, May 1
11:00 a.m.
Monica Rios, Green Table, Gazpacho Andaluz (Andalusian Gazpacho)
1:00 p.m.
Chef Matt Duryea, Eden, Heirloom Tomatoes with  Burrata Cheese, Pesto and Aged Balsamic
2:00 p.m.
Loren Pulitzer, Meals That Heal, Cashew Pate Stuffed Mushrooms
3:00 p.m.
Chef Jeremiah Bullfrog, gastroPod

Lectures (Held in the Garden House) 
Saturday, April 30
10:00 a.m.
Ben Thacker, Troy Gardens and Alison Walker, FTBG, Urban Agriculture Programs in Miami, What's Happening and How You Can Help
10:30 a.m.
Leila Werner FTBG, Drying Bananas: A Demonstration
12:00 p.m.
Noris Ledesma, FTBG, Beekeeping, The Educational and Profitable Tool of Horticulture
12:30 p.m.
Jeff Wasielewski, FTBG, 10 Great Plants for South Florida 
2:30 p.m.
Jeff Wasielewski, FTBG, Natural Pest Control
4:00 p.m.
Brent Knoll, Brent's Organic Garden, The Healing Power of the Garden


Sunday, May 1
10:00 a.m.
Richard Campbell, FTBG, South Florida Backyard Gardening
11:30 a.m.
Jason Lopez, FTBG, Dr. David Fairchild's Trees, a Walking Tour
12:00 p.m.
Carolyn Coppolo, Redland Herb Farm, Tropical Summer Gardening
12:30 p.m.
Richard J. Campbell, Ph.D., FTBG, Proper Tree Planting


Random Acts of Gardening (Held in the Plant Sale Area)     
Saturday, April 30
10:30 a.m.
Leila Werner FTBG, Drying Bananas: A Demonstration
12:30 p.m.
Jeff Wasielewski, FTBG, 10 Great Plants for South Florida
2:30 p.m.
Jeff Wasielewski, FTBG, Natural Pest Control


Sunday, May 1, 11:30 a.m.
Jason Lopez, FTBG, Dr. David Fairchild's Trees, a Walking Tour
12:30 p.m.
Richard J. Campbell, Ph.D., FTBG, Proper Tree Planting
2:30 p.m.
Jeff Wasielewski, FTBG, Putting the Right Plant in the Right Place


Kids' Activities 
Join us for fun for the whole family as kids can learn about plants through hands-on activities, as well as composting, kitchen botany and a plant color match. 

Short Chef brings his humor and spirit to helping kids master the cooking and healthy eating at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Composting for Kids, use your food and paper waste to make the best soil possible for your garden, all while having fun! Also, learn how to make your own worm bins with Lannette Sobel of FertileEarth.org.

O, Miami
While you are enjoying the garden, take a moment to experience poetry as part of O, Miami, the inaugural month-long, county-wide poetry festival. Haikus by O, Miami poets are placed in various peaceful spots throughout the garden so that visitors may come across the works and have moments of reflection. 


Bike Valet
Green Mobility Network will be on hand Saturday and Sunday offering their unique bike valet service at the South Gate. If you walk or ride your bike to Fairchild, you will receive $5 off the admission price for adults and $2 for children. It's our way of thanking you for contributing to conservation. 


Admission
Members: Free for Fairchild Members and children 5 and under.
Non-members: $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up and $12 for children 6-17. 
Eco-discount: If you walk, ride your bike or take public transportation to Fairchild, receive $5 off admission for adults and $2 off admission for children. Members, remember to bring your Rewards Card to earn your gift passes! 
Military Discount: We are pleased to offer active military personnel free admission. In addition, admission for spouses is $20 and children $10. Please present Military IDs.


Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. It is one of the premier conservation and education-based gardens in the world and a recognized international leader in both Florida and international conservation. Currently Fairchild has field programs in over 20 countries including support to protected areas in Madagascar and Africa and botanic garden development and renovation projects in South and Central America, the Caribbean and Middle East. 


Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables (Miami), just a 30 minute drive from South Beach. For more information, visit us at www.fairchildgarden.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

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Celebrate Fall and Fresh Food at Fairchild's Edible Garden Festival and Scarecrow Contest This Weekend!

It's officially fall, and in South Florida, that means there's no better time to plant a garden! Learn how to get started at Fairchild's Edible Garden Festival and Scarecrow Contest this Saturday and Sunday, October 23 and 24. Learn everything about growing a own backyard garden, including herbs and vegetables, that will work well in the South Florida climate. During the Festival, Fairchild will also host a scarecrow contest! Gather new tips and recipes from popular culinary demonstrations taught by local chefs using local products. Learn about composting, permaculture and so much more in one of the gardening lectures. Don't miss the farmers' market, where local growers will showcase the best fruits, vegetables and herbs available in South Florida. Enjoy fresh, local food that's in season.

About the Scarecrow Competition
The Fairchild Garden-to-Garden volunteer fundraising committee has organized Fairchild's Scarecrow Competition as a part of the Edible Garden Festival. One hundred percent of all entry fees, ballot sales and donations from the contest will benefit The Fairchild Challenge Satellite Programs. Scarecrow displays will be set up around the garden from October 17-19 and will remain in place through October 31. A $1 donation will allow anyone the opportunity to vote on their favorite scarecrow. The voting period is from Wednesday, October 20 through Sunday, October 31, 2010.

Saturday Oct 23: Lectures and Workshops

In Garden House:
10 am Don't Forget the Fruits, Noris Ledesma
1:30 am How to Start your Fall Veggie Garden, Adrian Hunsberger
1 pm Container Gardening: Solutions for small space gardening with William Moss, Host of HGTV show Dig In
2:30 pm Organic Vegetable Gardening, Andres Mejides

Corbin A :
10 am Rain Barrel and Compost Workshop (until 12pm) - Pre-registration required
2 pm Cheese Making Demonstration, Hani Khouri
4 pm Real Food and How To Get It, Martha Kenyon

Gardening Demonstrations - Next to Butterfly Garden
10:30 am Slow Food School Gardens Workshop
12:30 pm Growing Great Soil with Compost and Amendments: Joyce DiBenedetto-Colton, Lanette Sobel
3 pm Easy! Square Foot Gardening, Pam Molnar

Cooking Demonstrations - Whole Foods Cooking Tent, Main Lawn
11:30 am Tuna Poke with Cumin Crisp: Jeff McCormick, Seasons 52
1:30 pm Green Garden Enchiladas: Adri Garcia, Greenrocks Foods, LLC. Mise en Place, LLC.

Book Signing
11:30 am Georgia Tasker will talk about and sign copies of her book, Gardening With Kids

The Fairchild Farm's Fruit Market Fruit smoothies and fresh avocados, carambolas, canistel and sapodillas along with delicious honey, Mamea americana jelly, mango chutney, Seminole pumpkins and seeds, dried mango, dried carambola and soaps.

More Gardening Q & A table: Leatrice Linden, Master Gardeners

Kids' Activities - In the Learning Garden area, near the Butterfly Garden

Music for Kids 1 pm "In the Nick of Time!", Dance, sing and strut your stuff to the sounds of Mr. Nick's Coconut Groove! Miami's own rock star for the younger crowd!

Help make Miami's biggest salad with Short Chef!
Noon The Big Salad
2 pm PBB&J
Short Chef immerses kids (almost literally) in healthy foods, making salads so big they are tossed with boat oars! Try his kid-friendly PBB&J sandwich- hmm, wonder what that extra "B" stands for?

Families love to garden together! Science, nutrition, nature, exercise - so many good things come together in the garden! Stop by the Chickee all weekend and see volunteers for kids' gardening resources.

Sunday Oct 24: Lectures and Workshops

Garden House:
10 am What do I grow and How do I grow it?: Herbs and Veggies with Carolyn Coppolo
11:30 am Tomato time! Beefsteaks are BORING! Margie Pikarsky
1 pm Growing up with Gardening: Richard J. Campbell, Ph.D.
2:30 pm Your Edible Organic Garden: Ben Thacker
4 pm Permaculture 101: Cassidy Fry

Corbin A:
12 pm Urban Food Forests: Marion Yanez
2 pm Growing Tabletop Salad Greens, Sprouts, and Wheatgrass: Keith Seidler

Gardening Demonstrations - Next to Butterfly Garden:
10:30 am Drip Irrigation Workshop: Muriel Olivares
12:30 pm How to Make a Raised Bed Garden: Urban Oasis Project
3 pm Intensive Vegetable Gardening: Dylan Terry

Cooking Demonstrations - Whole Foods Cooking Tent, Main Lawn
11 am Raw Food: Cooking with Healing Through Nutrition: Loren Pulitzer
12:30 pm Cooking Begins in the Garden: Norman Van Aken and Justin Van Aken, Norman's 180 2:30 pm How to Cook with Fresh Herbs: Lori Hollander

Book Signing
11:30 am Georgia Tasker will talk about and sign copies of her book, Gardening With Kids

The Fairchild Farm's Fruit Market Fruit smoothies and fresh avocados, carambolas, canistel and sapodillas along with delicious honey, Mamea americana jelly, mango chutney, Seminole pumpkins and seeds, dried mango, dried carambola and soaps.

More Gardening Q & A table: Leatrice Linden, Master Gardeners

Kids' Activities In the Learning Garden area, near the Butterfly Garden:
Music for Kids 1pm Michael Malone and John Robataille will play fun music just for kids.

Help make Miami's biggest salad with Short Chef!
Noon The Big Salad
2 pm PBB&J
Short Chef immerses kids (almost literally) in healthy foods, making salads so big they are tossed with boat oars! Try his kid-friendly PBB&J sandwich- hmm, wonder what that extra "B" stands for?

Families love to garden together! Science, nutrition, nature, exercise- so many good things come together in the garden! Stop by the Chickee all weekend and see our volunteers for kids' gardening resources. Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables (Miami), Florida 33156, just a thirty minute drive from South Beach. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children 6-17 and free to children 5 and under and Fairchild members.

Ride a bike, walk or use public transportation, and admission is $15 for adults and $8 for children.

For more information, please visit the website at www.fairchildgarden.org and see Facebook and Twitter.

Have a Screaming Good Time in Miami for Halloween

From tame to terrifying, silly to scary, Miami has a Halloween event for everyone!

Bayside Halloween
Oct. 31, 5pm-7pm. Free to the public. Enjoy live music and entertainment from Bayside’s colorful street performers plus Trick or Treating for the kids. Bayside Marketplace. 401 Biscayne Blvd., downtown Miami, 305-577-3344. www.baysidemarketplace.com

Circo de Los Horrores
Oct. 8-31. Miami will be invaded by monsters, ghouls and goblins when Circo de los Horrores debuts to American audiences. This live touring production is a unique blend of human circus and horror featuring world-class acrobats, dancers and specialty acts from around the world. At the James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Ave., downtown Miami, 305-416-5977. www.ticketmaster.com (Recommended for children 10 and older.)

Buried Alive!
Oct. 22-24; Oct. 28-31, 7pm-11pm. Reaping horror, thrills and fear, ‘Buried Alive!’ rises up this Halloween with haunted houses, unlimited carnival rides, live DJs and nightmarish fright. Experience pure terror as lifeless corpses and mad characters roam a 5-acre field of screams. May not be appropriate for young children. At the Miami Seaquarium event area, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway,Virginia Key, 786-235-4140. www.buriedalive2010.com

Jungle Island’s Halloween Spooktacular
Oct. 30-31, 10am-5pm. From trick-or-treating through the Jungle to themed animal shows, kids of all ages will enjoy a family-friendly, fun-filled time. Everyone can enter the annual costume contest. 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, downtown Miami, 305-400-7000. www.jungleisland.com

The Monster Masquerade at Dr. Wilde’s Screamatorium
Oct. 23, 8pm-mid. Come to where the wild things are and party in the dark with real spooky creatures while enjoying free witches brew and Dr. Wilde’s open bars, food from the lab including troll fingers, costume contests with prizes to die for and music that will keep the zombies dancing all night long. Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152 St., Miami, 305-255-5551. www.zoomiami.org

Spooky Zoo Nights
Oct. 29-30, 7pm-11pm. Enjoy a night of spooky zoo fun, with a haunted house, haunted tram rides, haunted carousel, scary stories around a fiery pit and much more. Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152 St., Miami, 305-255-5551. www.zoomiami.org

Zoo Boo!
Oct. 30-31, 11am-4pm. Children 12 and under can trick-or-treat, participate in costume contests and win fabulous prizes in a safe environment. Even Zoo Miami’s very own animals will receive special Halloween treats! Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152 St., Miami, 305-255-5551. www.zoomiami.org

Not So Scary Family Halloween Bash
Oct. 24, 1pm-6pm. Features a haunted house, trick-or-treating, crafts and food and beverages. Miami Children’s Museum, 980 Macarthur Causeway, downtown Miami, 305-373-5437. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

Monster Splash Nighttime Bash
Oct. 28-31, 5pm-11pm. Halloween-themed animal shows, haunted houses, roaming skeletons, fireworks and more. Candy stations and other cool surprises will be set up around the park for trick-or-treaters in costume. Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway,Virginia Key, 305-361-5705. www.miamiseaquarium.com

MCM’s 2nd Annual Fall Festival
Oct. 31, noon-5pm. Join Miami Children’s Museum and celebrate Halloween in style at the Fall Festival. Come dressed in costume and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. 980 Macarthur Causeway, downtown Miami, 305-373-5437. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

Halloween Spookover
Oct. 29, 8pm-6am. Take a spooky Nite Hike of the Tropical Hammock. Listen to ghost stories and performances by the Theater League of South Florida. Then it’s lights out, while the League of Paranormal investigators leads guests on a paranormal investigation of the historic house and main grounds. Bring a floor mat and pillow for seating, but no sleeping arrangements will be made. Breakfast served at sunrise. Programs contain mature subject matter. Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami, 305-235-1668. www.deeringestate.org

Howl-o-Ween at Fairchild
Oct. 31, 9:30am-4:30pm. This Howl-o-ween bring your dog to Fairchild. Pooches are invited to Fairchild for a day of four-legged fun. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, 305-667-1651. www.fairchildgarden.org

Ghostly Ghastly Vice & Crime Coach Tour
Oct. 30, 1pm-4pm. Chill and thrill to stories of mobsters, smugglers and high-profile kidnappings on this coach ride as Dr. Paul George reveals Miami’s colorful criminal past. Visit the Miami City Cemetery, Al Capone’s historic Palm Island home and more. Reservations required. HistoryMiami, 101 W. Flagler St., downtown Miami, 305-375-1621. www.historymiami.org

House of Horror Amusement Park
Oct. 7-31. Mon.-Thu., 6pm-mid; Fri-Sun., 5pm-mid. At this professionally produced haunted house and park, ghouls and goblins will scream their way through a two-acre haunted house and enjoy amusement rides, carnival food, interactive games and more. The House of Horror concert stage will feature performances by the hottest acts in South Florida and local DJs on select evenings. Miami International Mall, east parking lot, 1455 NW 107th Ave., 305-593-1775. www.houseofhorrorpark.com

Halloween Weekend Extravaganza
Oct. 29-31, all day. From trick or treating to street entertainment, plus plenty of partying and a costume contest, Lincoln Road comes alive for Halloween! Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-573-0882. www.gohrmc.com

Halloween on the Mile
Oct. 31, 3pm-6pm. Downtown Coral Gables invites kids of all ages to enjoy safe Halloween festivities on Miracle Mile. Enjoy trick or treating at area stores, a scavenger hunt and a costume contest at the Miracle Theater. Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 305-569-0311. www.shopcoralgables.com