🌱 Environmental Hero Awards + Read To A Therapy Dog + Shuttle Program

Hello all! It's Kristen, your host of the Dunedin Patch newsletter. Let's get this Saturday started off right, with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today's issue includes news about...

• An upcoming Dine and Donate event at Casa Tina.
• Nominate a local resident or organization for the Dunedin Environmental Hero Awards program.
• A free six-month shuttle pilot program coming to our community.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Mai Tai Suites

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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.

Now, today's weather: Partly sunny, showers around. High: 83 Low: 71.

Business owners and marketers in Dunedin: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Dunedin:

1. Do you know a Dunedin resident, business, or organization that takes action toward protecting and conserving the environment? The city is looking for nominees to be considered for the Dunedin Environmental Hero Awards program. The program recognizes those who contribute to the sustainability of our community. Nominations are being accepted now through the end of the month and will be reviewed by the Committee on Environmental Quality & Sustainability. Learn more about how to qualify at the link. (Dunedin Gov)
2. The Dunedin Public Library is holding a special event for kids interested in reading to a dog. Read to Jewel is scheduled for April 15 between noon and 1 p.m. in the library's youth department. Kids can stop by any time over the hour to read stories to Jewel, a friendly therapy poodle! Those who attend may even enjoy some puppy kisses and snuggles! (Dunedin Library)
3. The City of Dunedin plans to start a free 6-month shuttle pilot program that will provide transportation in the downtown area. Three vehicles will operate for 10 hours a day, running fixed routes from common parking areas. "When we first started this, the idea was to go by all our parking lots and do the loop up and down Main Street and get people from the parking lot to where they are going so they can park far away if they want to, and not have to be circling," said Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski. Representatives of the company running the program expect no more than 10-minute wait times. If the program is successful, they expect to expand and add on-demand vehicles. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Michael Peters, for sharing this photo taken of Clearwater Beach!

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:

• Vintage & Custom Bicycle Show & Swap Meet at the VFW Post 2550 (7 a.m.)
• Pop-Up Art Market at the VFW Post 2550 (9 a.m.)
• Bunny Brunch at the Dunedin Community Center (9 a.m.)
• Water Safety Pop-Up at the Dunedin Causeway (11 a.m.)
• Scottish American Society 40th Anniversary Celebration in Weaver Park (2 p.m.)
• Magician Jim Monroe at Coastal Christian Church (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to Dunedin High 3DE students for winning at the Innovators Showcase with Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay! Their self-care gift box company, Take Care Cosmetics, took first place in the startup pitching competition. (Pinellas County Schools via Facebook)
• This year's WOD Wars Fitness Festival is scheduled for April 15 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Dunedin Community Center. This family-friendly fitness competition utilizes the center's indoor gymnasium, outdoor field, and swimming pool to offer events for all ages and levels. The competition will also include vendors, food trucks, and more! (WOD Wars Fitness Festival via Facebook)
• Casa Tina is hosting a Dine and Donate event on April 10, benefiting SPCA Tampa Bay. Stop by for dinner, and 20 percent of sales from your meal will be donated to the shelter to help homeless animals in need. (Casa Tina via Facebook)
• HOB Brewing is hosting a Greyhound Meet and Greet on April 16 between noon and 2 p.m. Stop by to meet greyhounds in need of homes while sipping on local craft beer! (Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Tarot Card Readings! Personal and Parties! —
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Featured events:

• Largest Hop-on, Hop-off a brew Crawl (April 8)
• Dunedin Community Art Market (April 8)
• Scottish American Society Concert with Byrne Brothers and Skerryvore (April 8)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on April 11th and 13th at Largo Public Library (April 11)
• Pinellas Federated Republican Women (April 11)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Enrollment is open for Applause Academy FL Inc's. production of Disney's Descendants (Details)
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That's it for today! See you all next week for your next update.