🌱 Bagpipe Lessons + Tiny Tot Basketball + Public Theater Update

Hello all! It's Kristen, your host of the Dunedin Patch newsletter — here to explain all the most important things happening in our community. Including news on:

• Don't forget to vote for the Best of the Bay.
• The city now offers bagpipe and snare drum lessons.
• Sign your toddlers up for Tiny Tot Basketball.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Mai Tai Suites

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We all know Dunedin is a great place to visit. And we love it when our friends and family come to town. We just don’t always want them to actually stay in our homes. But how do we get that across without sounding, you know, a little rude…?

Here’s an idea: strongly suggest they stay at the Mai Tai Suites. Owners John and Karen Bickford offer fully furnished 850 square foot 2-bed, 1-bath suites for less than the price of a hotel.

Mai Tai Suites is located off the Dunedin Causeway and is surrounded by St. Joseph's Sound. It’s convenient to Clearwater Beach and Downtown Dunedin. It’s also dog-friendly (with no pet fee) and offers a free guest pass to nearby Honeymoon Island State Park.

Invite all your friends and family to visit Dunedin — and tell them to book their rooms at Mai Tai Suites today. Book direct with Mai Tai Suites to save up to 15 percent of typical online booking site fees.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Now, today's weather: Partly sunny, a shower or two. High: 92 Low: 79.

Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. The Dunedin Community Center will offer beginner bagpipe and snare drum lessons for those 18 and older on Wednesdays between 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. The course will run from Sept. 6 to Sept. 27. It will introduce students to the basics of the instrument, music theory, simple melodies, and fundamentals. An open house is scheduled for Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. in the community center for those interested in learning more. (Dunedin Gov)
2. Kids between 3 and 4 can be signed up for Tiny Tot Basketball between Sept. 5 and Sept. 26 at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center. Practices will be held on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Toddlers will learn basic basketball skills and develop both fundamental motor and social skills. Those interested can register your child online now. A second session is scheduled for October for those who can't make it next month. (Dunedin Gov)
3. Supporters brought up the idea of building a public theater in Dunedin during a recent City Commission meeting. There is an architectural plan for a 15,000 square-foot theater, which could be built on the lot at Douglas Avenue and Scotland Street. This is also a possible location for a new city parking garage. City officials will continue meeting with theater supporters to listen to their suggestions. (TBN Weekly)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Carl Greenbaum, for sharing this photo taken from your home on Honeymoon Island!

Don't forget to take some photos for us while you're out and about in Dunedin this weekend! If you'd like to share any with the community, submit them to Dunedin@Patch.com for consideration! Please confirm in the email that you own the rights to the photo and that Patch has permission to republish it.

Today in Dunedin:

Saturday, August 26

• Open Jam at D&J Records (1 p.m.)
• Strike Out Bowling Event at Dunedin Lanes (6 p.m.)
• Celebrity Guest Chef Dinner at Bon Appetit (6 p.m.)
• Bingo at Elks Lodge (6 p.m.)
• Wearable ART 17 Fashion Show at the Dunedin Fine Art Center (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The City of Dunedin reminds residents that yard debris doesn't belong in your recycling bin. Compost your yard waste or follow local guidelines for disposal. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Don't forget to vote for your favorite Dunedin businesses, services, people, and more who've been nominated for the Best of the Bay! You can vote now through Aug. 31 at 11:59 p.m. (Vote CL Tampa)
• Hope Grove now offers a support group for foster and adoptive parents on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will get to connect with the community, share their experiences, and ask questions in a judgment-free space. (Hope Grove via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Live Music by Charlie Morris at Aspirations Winery (August 26)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! Coming directly to View on Tuesday, 8/29! Do mor (August 28)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 30)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll catch up with you all next week with another update!