The City of Gainesville’s Ironwood Golf Course has retained its designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. Participation is designed to help course personnel plan, organize, implement and document a comprehensive environmental management program, and receive recognition for their efforts. To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas, including environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.

The Progressive Rock Experience pays tribute to ‘70s progressive rock at Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville Friday, Aug. 31 from 8-10 p.m.

America's Navy is coming to Gainesville. The United States Navy Band, Country Current, is performing at Bo Diddley Plaza (111 E. University Ave.) Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. Gainesville is one of nine cities in four states to host a performance by the United States Navy Band during its 2018 tour.

The City of Gainesville wants your feedback on future park improvements at the Lincoln Yard site, which is located between Southeast Eighth Avenue and Southeast 15th Avenue, east of Southeast 20th Street. Interested members of the public are invited to attend the project’s Open House Monday, Aug. 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Gainesville Technology Entrepreneurship Center (GTEC) building, located on 2153 SE Hawthorne Rd. Come to learn about the project and site, and to let us know what improvements you would like to see at this location. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVPs are not required, but please let us know if you plan to attend so there is an appropriate amount of seating and refreshments. To RSVP or for questions, please contact Sarit Sela, city architect, at 352-393-8649 or selas@cityofgainesville.org.

Heavy Petty returns to the “Free Fridays” Concert Series with a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Friday, Aug. 17 from 8-10 p.m. Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famer Tom Petty is one of the most famous musicians to hail from Gainesville, Florida.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, in cooperation with Shake Rag Cultural Center, Inc., once again welcomes award-winning guitarist and vocalist Sam Pacetti to the next Jewel Box Concert on Thursday, Aug. 23.

As part of the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department Nature Operation Division’s routine land management practices, a prescribed burn is scheduled for today, weather and site conditions permitting, at Morningside Nature Center, 3540 East University Avenue, beginning at 10 AM and ending before 5:00 P.M. This is an ecological fuel reduction burn, which will be conducted with support from the Florida Forest Service. All public access to the park and living history farm will be prohibited during the burn.

Families in the Porters neighborhood will once again say goodbye to summer and hello to the new school year with a Back-to-School Summer Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 11.

The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the Nature Centers Commission citizen advisory board are seeking nominations for the annual Star Awards. Nominations are accepted in the categories of Star Volunteer, Star Good Neighbor and Star Green Business.