Try as Wangari Matthai might to emphasize the importance of trees by planting millions of them, the tall green things really don’t get enough credit for keeping us alive. This Sunday, the Tree Museum is celebrating the opening of its public art project with an Afro Puerto Rican percussion group and garden party. And no, you don’t you don’t have to be a tree hugger to appreciate the outdoor gallery along the Grand Concourse in the Bronx. [TreeMuseum]
To commemorate World Refugee Day on Saturday, buy a pair of tickets to BAMcinemaFEST’s New York premiere of the movie Reporter, which documents New York Times op-ed columnist Nicholas Kristof’s trip though the Congo in 2007, as he tries to shed light on the too oft overlooked inequalities and injustices still plagueing Africa and much of our world. [BAM]
On the east coast, there’s been a lot more gloom than bloom lately, but if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em. The largest art parade in the nation, Coney Island’s Mermain Parade, intends to go on rain or shine this Saturday afternoon, with floats, the Ringling Bros., Harvey Keitel, antique cars, tassled boobs, and really good hot dogs. [Gadling]
While some would say New York City is one giant yard sale—c’mon, how many pieces of furniture have you swiped off the streets and kept in your home?—there are always flea markets and festivals thrown in for good measure. Like the Happy Place event going on in Williamsburg this weekend, where a ping-pong installation, beer keg, 15 local designes, and a small press newsstand are expected. How bazaar. [DailyCandy]
The co-founder and editor-at-large at offMetro, Lauren is a sustainable travel specialist and freelance journalist with frequent bylines in National Geographic, Bicycling Magazine and Shape. Follow Lauren’s adventures at @laurenmati.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram