Bird of the Week

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

By Michael Warren

Every once in a while, I stop by a cattle pasture near Belleview to check in on a family of burrowing owls that live there. Burrowing owls make their nests underground, even using the holes of gopher tortoises. One way to find where these and other birds have been previously spotted is to check eBird.org, a website run by the ornithology department at Cornell University.

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS community

JULY 21 & 22

Special Ocala Downtown Markets

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

6pm-10pm

Special night-time events continue through the summer, with new themes each week. This week it’s the Oddities Marketplace on Friday with musical guest KennaDee, and the Girls Night Out Market on Saturday. Special vendors, local food trucks and guest entertainers. Visit facebook.com/ OcalaDowntownMarket for more info.

JULY 21 & 28

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th

Ave., Ocala

9am-2pm

Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.

JULY 21-23 & 28-30

Market of Marion Market of Marion, 12888 SE US Highway 441, Belleview

8am-4pm

A classic—and big—farmer’s market with lots of vendor shops for all kinds of goodies. Fruits, vegetables, critters, jewelry, soaps, handcrafted items and more. Open every weekend, with monthly special events, like car shows on the fourth Saturday. See themarketofmarion.com

JULY 22 & 29

Ocala Downtown Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala

9am-2pm Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, and arts and crafts. Check out local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more info.

JULY 22 & 29

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala

9am-2pm

A true farmers market where chickens, ducks, quail, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available, along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary, with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

JULY 24

Taylor Talks History

Marion Oaks Public Library, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala

10:30am

Local historian and librarian Taylor Benson gives a presentation about aspects of Marion County history. This month, it’s about the springs of the area. Free to attend. See library.marionfl.org for more info.

JULY 25

Weeds Clinic

Grumbles House Antiques & Garden Center, 20799

Walnut St. Dunnellon

10:30am

Master Gardener Linda Johnson talks weeds this month at this local garden center with onsite food options and indoor vendors. Free to attend. For more info, grumbleshouseantiques.com