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Taste some of California's most popular red and white varietals -- without seeing their labels, then take a guess at their grapes and makers. Call to RSVP or email Brian@BellaVinoWineMarket.com. $39; 6:30 p.m. 100 Indian Rocks Rd., Belleair Bluffs. (717-584-5552)

Thursday, August 26: Mise en Place

Cocktail Club. Wet your whistle at this month's cocktail club at Mise where Nate will be featuring classic punches. $25; 6-8 p.m. 442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. (813-254-5373)

Thursday, August 26: The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge

Around the World in Eight Wines. Tampa Bay Uncorked wants to take your palate on a world tour with wines from Europe, Australia, South America and the US at this tasting event at The Hangar in Downtown St. Pete. Appetizers prepared by Chef Aramist Thomas will be available for a light nosh. A portion of this event’s proceeds will benefit The Dali Museum. $20 if purchased by 8/19, $25 if purchased by 8/25, or $30 cash at the door. 7-9 p.m. 540 1st St. SE, St. Pete. tampabayuncorked.com (Update: Just notified that this event is SOLD OUT and tickets at the door will not be available.)

Friday, Aug. 27: World of Wines of South Tampa

What a perfect way to start off the weekend than with a bottle of bubbly (or several)? World of Wines is here to faciliate that need with their Champagne and sparkling wine tasting. Enjoy some light hors d'oeuvres while you sip and unwind. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3431 S. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. (813-835-9463)

Friday, August 20: Tosti’s Fine Spirits & Wine

Forget boring ol' single grape wines. Blends are the theme of this wine tasting at Tosti's. Proceeds to benefit “The Tatas Tango” Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure team. $5; 6:30-8:30 p.m. 5125 34th St. S, St. Pete. (727-867-7772)

Saturday and Sunday, August 28-29: The "I Like It Hot" Festival in Largo

Are you a glutton for punishment or do you savor the spicier things in life? Then be sure to check out this year's "I Like It Hot Festival" to try more hot and spicy condiments than you could ever dream of. Taste and vote for your favorites in the amateur hot sauce and salsa competitions, listen to the live bands, and to further induce torture (on both contestants and onlookers), the jalapeno pepper eating contest is a must-see event. My advice: Water never quenches the flames, so bring along a bottle of Pepto. Saturday: 10 a.m.-5p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 for adult, kids 12 and under are free; free parking. Minnreg Hall- 6340 126th Ave. N., Largo.

Saturday, August 28: St. Pete Beach

A bar crawl for a cause: My Hope Chest, a charity organization that raises funds for reconstructive surgery for women who have survived breast cancer but are lacking insurance or the financial means, is hosting a pub crawl along Corey Avenue. The pub crawl will start at Riptides and then you're free to run amok, eating and drinking your way among the rest businesses along the avenue who will be offering light snacks and door prizes to participants. Raffle tickets will be given to each participant and prizes will be raffled off at the final bar, The Blue Parrot. All proceeds will be going toward the charity's goal of raising $10,000. Please RSVP to RSVP@TampaBayBeaches.com or call the Chamber office at (727)-360-6957. $20; 6-10 p.m. Riptides- 7618 Blind Pass  Rd., St. Pete Beach.

Saturday, August 28: The Toasted Pheasant Bistro

Toasted Pheasant is welcoming Sean from Wine Mall to host a sumptuous four-course wine dinner. The menu includes: yellow tomato and roasted garlic soup, beef tenderloin carpaccio salad, deep water sea bass, and for the pièce de résistance, a chocolate and guava Napoleon and South American choco latte coffee. Each course will be paired with a different wine. Please RSVP. $45; 7 pm. 14445 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa (813-265-6700)

Wednesday, September 1: Cassis American Brasserie

Attend Cassis American Brasserie's first monthly wine dinner to get a "taste of France" in their private dining room. The five-course dinner will include dessert and wine pairings for every course. The following wine dinners will be on the first Wednesday of every month. Call for price and to RSVP. 170 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg. (727-827-2927)

Thursday, September 2: Sidebern's

Grill and Chill: Sierra Nevada and Florida Seafood. Sidebern's showcases sustainable Florida seafood at this month's 'Grill and Chill' event on their patio, each course being paired with a different Sierra Nevada brew. Register online or on the day of the event (no online sales after 3 p.m.). $45; 6:30 p.m. 1002 South Howard Ave., Tampa. (813-250-9463)

Tuesdays: Cafe Alma

Who needs a Friday or Saturday date night? Get out on a Tuesday to indulge half priced wine and tapas all evening, starting at 4:30 p.m. Being frugal never tasted so good. 260 1st Avenue S., St. Pete. (727-502-5002)

Wednesdays: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Hard Rock Happy Hour. There’s more than one way to lose money at a casino, and one of the quickest routes to the poor house is at the bar. To combat the barside blues (and get you back to the Black Jack table), the Hard Rock Center Bar is offering a hefty happy hour discount every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m.: $2.50 Coors Lite in August. 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa (813-627-7625) --FW

Monday – Thursday: The Havana Room

Coffee Crazy. The Havana Room runs a range of weekly specials to drum up fans for their specialty java (and who wouldn’t love an establishment that serves all our favorite vices in one spot — from a full liquor bar to Cuban roasted drip coffee, all with free WiFi and flat panel HDTVs? Actually, I’m wondering why I’m not working from The Havana Room right now…) At any rate, you can get your caffeine fix for free with these weekday incentives: Mondays, get a free coffee with the purchase of any pastry; Wednesdays, get a free coffee when you stop in for a copy of the tbt*; and Thursday is Bring a Friend Day — buy one drink and get another for free. 15 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, facebook.com/havanaroomcafe. --FW

August and September: Avenue Gourmet

Visit any store on Corey Avenue on St. Pete Beach and receive a coupon redeemable for a free homemade cookie from Avenue Gourmet. It's Bob Blatchford's, owner of Avenue Gourmet, way of saying "thanks" for patronizing the wonderful merchants on Corey Avenue. Bob is also sweetening the deal of purchasing from his eatery: make any purchase and receive two free cookies. 338 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach. (727-498-6466)

August: Carrollwood Deli

Featuring specials throughout the month, including the "Deli Dog": a combination of corned beef, pastrami and Swiss cheese for $6.95; Half portion of chicken or tuna salad with choice of soup for $6.50; Cheddar BLT on a freshly baked kaiser roll for $5.50. Call for daily soup specials. 11606 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. (813-964-9008) carrollwooddeli.com

Tampa Bay Fresh Markets Even in the heat of the summer, these local markets offer fresh, organic produce and handcrafted goods:

Summer SidewalkMarket.The now-annual market returns with more fresh produce, plants and flowers, crafts, foods and live music (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays, Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, coreyave.com)

Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market. This year-round market offers fresh produce and seafood, artwork and live entertainment. (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday on Beach Blvd., in Gulfport’s Florida Waterfront district

Winthrop Town Center Farmers Market. Complete with more handcrafted goods, fresh fruits, veggies, and boiled peanuts than you can shake a stick at. (Begins at 8 a.m., Saturdays, 11109 Winthrop Market St., Riverview, 813-601-3129)

Safety Harbor Farmer’s Market. The summer season kicks off with a local market boasting fresh produce, meats and seafood, cheese, breads, sauce and more. (Every third Saturday through Sept. 18, John Wilson Park, 401 Main St., Safety Harbor)

Dunedin Green Market. Fridays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (Oct.-April); Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Oct.-April); Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (May-July). (Pioneer Park, corner of Main Street and Douglas Avenue, Dunedin)