Seeds Of Change
With the aim of supporting urban agriculture, the annual Seedy Saturday takes place at VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak Street) on Saturday (February 28). Learn what to grow if you don’t have much space for a garden, check out small greenhouses for city spaces, and pick up a fruit tree or some heritage seeds. Admission to the Floral Hall is by donation; the event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

So.Cial Steal
There’s no arguing with the free Thursday evening So.Cial Bites and wine tastings put on by So.Cial at Le Magasin (332 Water Street) from 6 to 7 p.m., especially when you can enjoy pours from B.C. wineries like tonight’s (February 26) Nichol Vineyard and follow up with an accompanying wine-friendly $25 three-course prix fixe.

Community Spirit
Socialize with your neighbours, cook up a storm, share the bounty, and save on your food bill. If that all sounds good to you, sign up for a community-kitchen leadership workshop to learn how to make it all happen. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society’s community-kitchen project is offering a $25 daylong how-to course next Thursday (March 5) at its food bank (1150 Raymur Avenue). Call 604-876-0659, ext. 105 for info.

Slow Food Studies
Those serious about eating might consider a degree at Italy’s University of Gastronomic Sciences, which explores food from production to table. School reps will be in town March 13 to promote their programs, such as a three-year undergrad in gastronomic sciences and a yearlong master’s in food culture and communication. The info session takes place at the Italian Cultural Centre (3075 Slocan Street) from 7 to 9 p.m.; register by e-mail at d.szanto@unisg.it.

Olympic Call To The Bar
In a tasty run-up to the Olympic Games, YEW in the Four Seasons Hotel (791 West Georgia Street) presents the World in Five Bites on its bar menu, with a set of appetizers from five continents priced at $20.10. Each plate includes crispy pork dim sum from Asia, mini tuna burgers from the Americas, and more, paired with cocktails for an additional cost.

North Van Nosh
Fancy a New York strip loin ($29), thick-cut flat iron ($26), or baseball-cut sirloin steak ($25)? Settle into Gusto di Quattro (1 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver) before the end of March and the price of your bistecca will include one of six signature house-made pastas including spaghetti Quattro.

Doggie Deals
Kitsilano’s Smoking Dog Bistro is now open for Sunday dinners, setting the stage for a week of specials including $6 Martini Mondays, $16 Burger and Beer Tuesdays, and $12 lunches (including coffee or pop). Monthly neighbourhood wine tastings ($30) with wine and regional food pairings are going strong, with the next happening on March 9. Reserve on-line or call 604-732-8811.