🌱 Bon Appetit Gets New Owners + Rum Bar Opens + City Candidates Forum

Hello, Dunedin! Kristen here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town today. Because community information is power!

First, today's weather:

An afternoon t-storm or two. High: 85 Low: 77.

These are the great local businesses who sponsor the Dunedin Daily. We love what they do, and we think you will, too:

• Is mold in your home making you sick? If so, you need to call The Mold Girl. Owner Liz Keefer is a local Council-Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant with over 12 years of experience providing mold testing services. She will thoroughly assess your home for visible or hidden mold issues and create a comprehensive remediation & prevention plan to restore your indoor air quality. Call Liz at (727) 205-6020 to schedule your inspection for only $575 and mention Patch for $50 off.

• Want to support local artists in Dunedin? Studio 1212 Art Gallery was voted the best small art gallery cooperative for 2022 by Tampa Bay Magazine. Managed by award-winning area artists, this non-profit gallery features original artwork and prints, and has a popular boutique of fine hand-crafted gift items. Stop by 234 Monroe Street, 11am - 3pm Wednesday to Sunday or visit studio1212.org to shop and to see exhibition schedules. Support local artists by becoming a Patron of Studio 1212 here.

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Here are the top five stories today in Dunedin:

1. The Honu's long-awaited Ka Pakele Rum Bar is now open for reservations. The two-hour experience includes an evolving dinner menu crafted from locally-sourced fresh ingredients. It also offers craft and molecular gastronomy cocktails for rum lovers, as well as options for those who prefer alternatives. Additionally, a Ka Pakele Kill Devil Rum Club is open to those who enjoy rum and want to take on the challenge of trying rums from all over the world. You'll receive a passport with various rums listed and receive prizes including 15% off for life at The Honu if you manage to try them all! Seatings at the Ka Pakele Rum Bar are available on Fridays and Saturdays at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required as only 12 seats are available for each seating. Call 727-333-7777 or send a message on the Ka Pakele Facebook page to make your reservation. (Ka Pakele Rum Bar via Facebook)
2. Bon Appetit is getting new owners. The restaurant is being sold to the owners of Crabby Bill's and will likely be finalized by the end of the year. Don't worry though, the new owners have confirmed the restaurant's menu, staff and overall atmosphere will remain the same. “We love the brand and we love what they’ve done,” Crabby Bill’s owner and CEO Matt Loder Sr. told Tampa Bay Times. (CL Tampa | Tampa Bay Times - Subscription required)
3. Dunedin Parks & Recreation has announced upcoming trips open to those 40 years and older. Each trip departs from and returns to the Hale Senior Activity Center. A Spongeorama Dolphin Cruise is scheduled for November 9 where attendees will take a tour down the Anclote River in search of dolphins, manatees and other wildlife. The cruise will be followed by lunch and shopping in Tarpon Springs. A visit to Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens is scheduled for November 30 at the Pinewood Estate. Attendees will explore the gardens of the 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion, enjoy a one-hour walking guided tour and experience a holiday concert on the Singing Tower Carillon. Lastly, an early bird dinner theater showing of "Miracle on South Division Street" is scheduled for December 8 which includes the show, access to a buffet and coffee or tea. Spots will fill up quickly so be sure to register early! (Dunedin Patch)
4. The City of Dunedin is giving residents the opportunity to learn more about the individuals running for City Commission and ask questions about the issues that matter most. The 2022 Candidates Forum will be held on September 14 at 7 p.m. in the Hale Senior Activity Center. If you can't make it in person, the event will be aired on Facebook live. Be sure to learn as much as you can about the candidates before voting on November 8. (Dunedin Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
5. A new compensation model for restaurant workers has been implemented at Black Pearl. Run by The Feinstein Group, the restaurant will follow the same model that was recently implemented at the Living Room and Sonder Social Club. Instead of receiving tips, the new model pays employees with a commission-based model which adds a 20% service charge to the customer’s bill, replacing the need to pay gratuity. All of the money collected from the service charge pays the commission earned by servers and bartenders. Ultimately, it eliminates the need for customers to figure out how much to tip and helps restaurant employees receive a living wage. (CL Tampa Bay)

Dunedin Daily Pic of the Day:

Thank you Mary Anne Dorner for submitting this beautiful photo taken of the downtown marina!

Want to see your Dunedin photo here? Submit it 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:

• Woodcarving and Burning at the Hale Senior Activity Center (9 a.m.)
• Preschool Movies at the Dunedin Public Library (10:30 a.m.)
• Music Mash at the Dunedin Public Library (4 p.m.)
• Back to School Night at Dunedin High School (6 p.m.)
• Adult Tap Class at Dreamers Dance Company (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• All City of Dunedin facilities will be closed on Monday, September 5, in celebration of Labor Day. Solid waste and recycling services will be suspended. Monday service will occur on Tuesday, and Tuesday/Wednesday service will occur on Wednesday. (Dunedin Patch)
• Pinellas County Animal Services will continue its Clear the Shelters event through August 31. Stop by to visit all of the animals they still have available for adoption. (Pinellas County Animal Services via Facebook)
• Spanish-speaking families can join Pinellas County Schools for a new virtual series called Hablemos de las Escuelas del Distrito Escolar Pinellas (Let’s Talk about Pinellas County Schools). Virtual sessions will take place on the second Wednesday of each month between September 14 and December 14, and will cover topics like graduation requirements, technology, financial aid, and more. (Pinellas County Schools via Facebook | Talleres/Eventos Gratis para Familias ESOL PCSB)
• City commissioners unanimously voted to change the zoning and land use on the final three parcels that comprise the south end of Hammock Park from single-family residential to preserved parkland. They worked hard to get this property and preserve it after the community spoke out and started picketing six years ago in response to the City Commission originally turning down the opportunity to purchase it. (TBN Weekly)

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That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!