🌱 Dog Park Is New Hot Spot + DHS Teacher Up For Superintendent

Happy Thursday, neighbors! Here's what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Thunderstorms, severe early. High: 74 Low: 60.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Dunedin:

1. Former Dunedin High School teacher, Kevin Hendrick, was among the first to apply to replace retiring superintendent Mike Grego. Hendrick has degrees from the University of South Florida and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to teaching in Dunedin, he also taught at Pinellas Park High School and served as principal at Northeast High for nine years. He’s worked in the district office for the past five years, dealing with high-profile issues including remote learning during the pandemic, expanding diversity through the culturally relevant teaching program, and reviewing challenged books and other instructional material. School Board members have said they want to hire someone who can continue the district’s progress without interruption, however, they have not committed to picking an internal candidate. The board has scheduled an April 20 work session to cull the list of applicants for interviews. (Tampa Bay Times - Subscription)
2. Achieva Paw Park in Dunedin is bringing pet parents in the community together. Opened in 2016, the park was constructed after Achieva employees saw residents walking their dogs in a nearby vacant lot. Facilities manager Vince Ionata described the original park as only having "a few trees, some fresh water for the dogs, a few benches and some fencing." Just a year later, the City of Dunedin came to them with a partnership opportunity and expanded the park to 1.2 acres. According to Tasha Cohen-Glynn of the company’s marketing department, around 100 to 150 people frequent the dog park with their pets each day. “Honestly, I think it’s become a community gathering spot," she said. "There are times that I leave the building, and you would find 30 or 40 people just kind of – parents, puppy parents – standing around, having coffee, the dogs kind of running and doing their thing." You can visit the Achieva Paw Park at 1659 Achieva Way. (WFLA)
3. Dunedin breweries have been highlighted in a Tampa Bay Date Night Guide, labeling our city "the perfect spot for your next brewery crawl." The article mentions all of our local favorites, including 7venth Sun Brewery, Soggy Bottom Brewery, Cueni Brewing Co., HOB Brewing Company, Dunedin Brewery, Caledonia Brewing, and Woodwright Brewing Co. Whether you're a local resident or frequent visitor, be sure to stop by one of Dunedin's breweries and enjoy some local craft beers! (Tampa Bay Date Night Guide)
4. Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court is hosting a virtual Operation Green Light event in April. This upcoming event is an opportunity for Pinellas County residents with suspended driver’s licenses to pay overdue court obligations, including traffic tickets, while saving up to 25 percent on collection fees to get their license back. The Clerk’s Online Virtual Registration Portal will be available starting March 30 from 8:00 AM through noon on April 2. Customers will be contacted 2-3 business days after registration to discuss eligibility and payment options. Read the full article to learn more about who qualifies. (Newsbreak)
5. First United Methodist Church of Dunedin is looking for vendors to participate in their Trunk to Treasure event on April 23. This will be a "parking lot" sale held in the lots surrounding the Friendship Hall on the corner of Douglas Avenue and Wood Street. Each allotted space is $20 and will be approximately 13 feet by 20 feet. Vendors may either display products from the trunk of their vehicle or set up tables. The deadline for all vendor applications is April 16. Click the link to learn more and register online. (Dunedin FUMC)

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Today in Dunedin:

• The 2022 State of the City Address on Facebook Live (11:30 AM)
• Braves vs. Blue Jays at TD Ballpark (1:00 PM)
• Smash and Rage Yoga at Hammer Freaks (6:00 PM)
• Live music with Ron and the Classics at Beachnutz Causeway Cafe (6:00 PM)
• 8th Annual Spring Beer Jam at Dunedin Brewery (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Dunedin is proud of the women in leadership and continues to share the stories of women making a difference in our community. Recently, they highlighted City Clerk Rebecca Schlichter. View the city's social media pages to learn about Schlichter's role models and why she loves Dunedin! (Facebook)
• The Dunedin Mayor and City Manager will present the 2022 State of the City address TODAY at 11:30 AM at the Dunedin Golf Club. They will highlight accomplishments from 2021 and look ahead to 2022. Click the link to watch the presentation on Facebook Live. (Facebook)
• The Dunedin Public Library will host a presentation by Dr. Peggy MacDonald on the Florida Women's Fight For Suffrage. This presentation traces Florida's suffrage movement from its origins to early successes when Fay Gibson Moulton Bridges became the first Florida woman to vote after the 19th Amendment passed. It will be held at the library on March 25 at 3:00 PM. No signup is required! (Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll see you around.