🌱 Electric Vehicle Warning + Dolphin Video + Señor Rita’s Opening

Hello, everybody! Kristen here with your fresh copy of the Dunedin Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll read about:

• Pinellas County schools re-open Thursday.
• Electric vehicles ignite after coming in contact with flood waters.
• Grand opening fiesta at new Mexican restaurant downtown.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Studio 1212 Art Gallery

Visit Dunedin’s Studio 1212 Art Gallery — for two years in a row, named by Tampa Bay Magazine the best small art gallery cooperative for 2023

Since 1971, Studio 1212 – a non-profit art gallery owned and managed by an all-volunteer group of local, award-winning artists — has been a part of the creative community in the Dunedin area.

Here are a few things you can do at Studio 1212:

• Attend an exhibit of local artists (check out the schedule here)
• Get your own artwork critiqued for free by volunteer artists (on the first Saturday and third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m.)
• Support local artists by buying their work – art prints, note cards and fine hand-crafted gift items – in the gift boutique
• Sign up for a workshop to expand and improve your own artistic abilities
• Join other local art lovers by becoming a benefactor of Studio 1212 (Learn more here.)

Studio 1212 is located at 234 Monroe St. in Downtown Dunedin, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Studio 1212 — a part of the Dunedin area arts community for over 50 years.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Now, today's weather: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 88 Low: 79.

Here are the top stories today in Dunedin:

1. Palm Harbor Fire Rescue warns residents with electric or hybrid vehicles to keep them out of flood waters as contact with salt water can cause them to ignite. This warning comes after a Tesla electric vehicle caught fire just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday in Dunedin. According to firefighters, saltwater intrusion from flooding can cause the vehicle's lithium-ion batteries to ignite. If your electric vehicle recently came into contact with flood waters in your garage or next to your home, it's important to move it as soon as possible. (Dunedin Patch)
2. Local resident Steve Thompson caught a dolphin on camera swimming in the rising flood waters after Hurricane Idalia passed. The dolphin was spotted close to shore at Honeymoon Island and quickly disappeared. It just goes to show how you never know what's lurking in shallow waters! (WFLA)
3. As we all get back into the swing of normalcy, consider checking out Dunedin's newest restaurant, Señor Rita’s. The Mexican restaurant is open Tuesdays through Sundays and is located at 923 Broadway. A grand opening event is scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 1, between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Guests will enjoy music with DJ Cheska, cocktails, and more! (DJ Cheska via Facebook)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Check out this photo taken by Chris Johannes of the flooding near the Fenway Hotel!

Want your photo to be included in the Dunedin Pic of the Day or Inspired by Dunedin section? 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:

Thursday, August 31 (Call ahead to make sure events haven't been canceled/rescheduled.)

• Intro to Taoist Tai Chi at the Hale Senior Activity Center (9 a.m.)
• SHINE In-Person Meeting at the Dunedin Public Library (9:30 a.m.)
• Women's Divorce/Separation Support Group at Hope Grove (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sorry kids! Pinellas County Schools will reopen today, Aug. 31. as the district continues to monitor Hurricane Idalia. Any student absent due to weather-related circumstances will be marked as an excused absence. (Pinellas County Schools via Facebook)
• If you found a pet that was separated from its owner during the storm, make sure to check if the pet has an ID tag. You can also visit the Petco Lost Love website and related Facebook pages to share photos of the pet you found. If nothing results from taking these steps, call Pinellas County Animal Services at 727-582-2600. (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)
• The City of Dunedin warns residents not to walk through flooded streets as flood water may contain pesticides, sewage, insects, snakes, and other debris. The same goes for driving through flooded streets. Respect barriers when you see them. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Solid waste resumes today, Aug. 31, in Dunedin with curbside pickup of household trash, recycling, and yard waste. They will begin with Tuesday and Wednesday routes and continue with the schedule into the holiday weekend. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!