The planner (things to do)

SATURDAY

Grab your snorkel

The Tampa Bay Watch and Tampa Bay Estuary Program need your help tracking local scallop populations in the Great Bay Scallop Search. Nearly 200 snorkelers are needed to search for scallops in select areas within the Boca Ciega and Lower Tampa Bay areas. The goal is to monitor and document the health and status of the bay scallop population. Meet at the Fort De Soto Park boat ramp. Any interested boaters or snorkelers should register at tampabaywatch.org. It's at 9 a.m. Saturday at Fort De Soto Park, 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde. (727) 867-8166.

FRIDAY

Safari comes to a close

Friday is your last chance to enjoy the Summer Safari Nights deal at the Lowry Park Zoo. You get free rides after 5 p.m. and see which animals are more active at night. Included with Lowry Park Zoo admission at 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. (813) 935-8552. For more info, go to lowryparkzoo.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

A benefit with a bounce

Jump and grab big air at a Trampoline Benefit Friday for the families of Tampa Police Officers Jeff Kocab and Dave Curtis, who were killed in the line of duty. The wall-to-wall trampolines at Airheads Trampoline Arena will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 5072 W Linebaugh Ave. The cost is $12 for the first hour and $10 for each additional hour. Call (813) 247-4323.

Make a date with gulls

Bring a blanket or a low lawn chair for a free movie on Clearwater Beach for Sunset Cinema @ Pier 60 on Friday and Saturday. Instead of sticky floor and overpriced popcorn, you can dig your toes in the sand and ward off seagulls while you watch Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs on Friday and Jumanji on Saturday. The movies start at 8 p.m. at 10 Pier 60 Drive, Clearwater Beach.

SUNDAY

A week of eats

Ready for a date night? Dine Tampa Bay 2010 starts Sunday, offering diners in Tampa Bay special fixed-price, three-course meals at more than 50 restaurants. It's also offering you the chance to win a year's worth of date nights at participating restaurants, including favorites such as Ocean Prime and Mise En Place. You can find more details about the event and the contest at tampabay.com/things-to-do.

Thriller on wheels

For all of those who still love the King of Pop, there will be a Michael Jackson Birthday Skate to honor the late singer's birthday on Sunday beginning at 6:30 p.m. You can skate to Jackson's tunes but also those from the '70s,'80s and '90s. Admission is $3.50 and that includes skate rental. Skate to Beat It at United Skates of America, 5121 N Armenia Ave., Tampa. Call (813) 876-5826 for more information.

THURSDAY

Hiaasen gets all fishy

Carl Hiaasen, the master of wacky Florida fiction, will give what likely will be a very funny talk and signing of his new book, Star Island, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Florida Aquarium. His latest novel, set in South Beach, is about the life of a pop tartlet whose body double is kidnapped. Call (813) 253-2638 to reserve the book and order your tickets, which are free with the purchase of the book at Inkwood Books in Tampa. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the book talk begins at 7 p.m. After the talk, Hiaasen will stick around and sign books. The aquarium is at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. inkwoodbooks.com.