🌱 ESE Kids Volunteer + Pre-St. Paddy’s Day Party + HOB's Annual 5K

Hey, everybody! It's Saturday in Dunedin and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally, including news about...

• Tickets to an upcoming Bonsai & Brews event at Caledonia Brewing.
• Kids from DHMS’s ESE program volunteered to help those in need.
• The Downtown Dunedin Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K.

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Now, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 76 Low: 63.

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Here are the top stories in Dunedin today:

1. Kids from Dunedin Highland Middle School’s ESE program recently volunteered at the Healthy Harbor Community Market, which is one of many Feeding Minds school-based food pantries. The children were led by Jennifer Rossell, who helped keep them focused on filling boxes with food for those in need. "Students with intellectual disabilities need the chance to experience giving back a little bit," Rossell said. "But there aren’t a lot of organizations available for them to do it. This gives them a sense that they are doing something. You can see it in their faces. They love helping the community." Volunteering helps to prepare students for vocational training when they move on to high school. (ABC Action News Tampa Bay)
2. Beach Island Brewery is hosting a Pre-St. Paddy’s Day Party with Irish Dennis on March 12 between 3 and 6 p.m. Stop by to kick off St. Patrick's Day celebrations with live music, craft beer, and good company. The event is a precursor to Beach Island Brewery's St. Patrick's Day Party on March 17, which will offer green beer, food, and live music. (Beach Island Brewery via Facebook)
3. The Downtown Dunedin Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K is scheduled for March 18 at HOB Brewing. Runners can register online here for a 5K, 10K, or the Kids Dash. Dress in your St. Paddy's Day best and be prepared to check in at 7:30 a.m. The Kids Dash will kick off at 8:40 a.m., and all kids will receive a finishers medal. All 5K and 10K runners will begin after the Kids Dash at around 9 a.m. This event is open to a limited number of racers, so those who are interested should register as soon as possible. (727 Can Race)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Jean Shelby, for sharing this beautiful photo from the Downtown Market!

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:

• Dunedin Downtown Market in Pioneer Park (9 a.m.)
• Dunedin Youth Guild's 2023 Scholarship Luncheon at the Community Center (10:30 a.m.)
• Dunedin Mythcon at the Dunedin History Museum (11 a.m.)
• Bada$$ Baritone Concert at the First United Methodist Church of Dunedin (2 p.m.)
• Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Brew Crawl from various Dunedin locations (3 p.m.)
• Saint Patrick's Day Warm-Up Party at The Conmy Center (6 p.m.)
• Jeffery Straker Duo in Concert at Faith UCC (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The City of Dunedin offered a sneak peek of the new City Hall offices as employees get ready to move in. Check out the video they shared at the link! (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Dunedin High School Senior Olivia Rosenbaum, who is the Class of 2023 valedictorian! Rosenbaum is dually enrolled with SPC and plans to major in communications after graduation. Congrats, and good luck in the future! (Dunedin High School via Facebook)
• Friends of the Island Parks reminds residents that the wait to get into Honeymoon Island has been cut down since adding a new tollbooth! Don't let crowds deter you from enjoying your weekend. (Friends of the Island Parks via Facebook)
• The Pinellas County Government Department of Solid Waste is holding a collection event for household chemicals today, March 11, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Tarpon Springs High School. Customers should stay in their vehicles and place all chemical waste in the trunk or bed of the truck. Some acceptable items include anti-freeze, cleaning chemicals, gasoline, paint, and chlorine. Find a full list at the link. (City of Dunedin via Facebook | Pinellas Gov)
• Get your tickets to Bonsai & Brews at Caledonia Brewing on March 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets include all the tools you need to care for and maintain a bonsai. (Thunderstruck Bonsai)

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• What Homeowners Need to Know About Water Damage Restoration Costs (March 13)
• Pinellas Federated Republican Women will be hosting Kathleen King, RNC National Committeewoman (March 14)
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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all next week for another update!