🌱 Governor's Baseball Dinner + Autism Rap + Healthy Steps For Seniors

Hello neighbors! It's Saturday in Dunedin, and I'm back in your inbox with the latest issue of the Dunedin Daily. Today's issue includes updates on:

• A call for local artists to design a bus wrap honoring Juneteenth
• The annual Governor's Baseball Dinner at TD Ballpark
• An upcoming fall risk screening and education program

Now, today's weather:

Breezy in the morning. High: 76 Low: 58.

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 4 stories in Dunedin today:

1. TD Ballpark is hosting the 2023 Governor's Baseball Dinner on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. to celebrate the beginning of the 2023 Florida Grapefruit League season. Guests will have the chance to mingle with some of the players, including World Series-winning manager Cito Gaston. Gaston will be recognized as a “Legend of the Game,” along with the 2022 World Series Champions Houston Astros. The evening will also include dinner and other awards. Tickets start at $100 and will only be available until Feb. 10. (Florida Grapefruit League)
2. Jenn Posey, a Tampa Bay rapper living with autism, recently filmed her music video in Dunedin. Also known as Ferrari Jenn, Posey uses her experiences to create what she calls "autism rap." After being bullied as a teen for being different, Posey turned her trauma into a debut single full of hope and inspiration. Working with the nonprofit Help Us Gather, she filmed her new music video inside the Academie Da Vinci Charter School in Dunedin. “What HUG does is we advocate for the inclusion of people of all abilities,” said Kevin Stamper of Help Us Gather. “Her lyrics and her words were just so clear, and so we wanted to make sure that was brought to the whole world.” You can learn more about Posey and check out her music here. (NewsBreak)
3. The Dunedin Public Library is hosting a virtual Author Talk with Grace M. Cho on Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. Cho will discuss her memoir, "Tastes Like War," which conveys her story growing up as half white and half Korean "in a xenophobic small town during the Cold War." The book is partially described as a "sociological investigation," as readers follow along Cho's search for the roots of her mother’s schizophrenia. Learn more about the event and how to register at the link. (Dunedin Public Library)
4. Senior residents are invited to participate in Healthy Steps for Older Adults on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 between 9:30 a.m. and noon at the Hale Senior Activity Center. This free fall risk screening and education program will address proper footwear, safety at home, good nutrition for bone health, and the importance of exercise to help prevent falls. To reserve your spot, call 727-379-2473 today. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)

Dunedin Daily Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Donald Sellers, for sharing this incredible sunset photo taken from Gary Circle!

Today in Dunedin:

• Dunedin Cars and Coffee at the VFW Post 2550 (7:30 a.m.)
• Dunedin Downtown Market in Pioneer Park (9 a.m.)
• Library Annual Book Sale at the Dunedin Public Library (9:30 a.m.)
• Dunedin Stars Bowling League at Dunedin Lanes (noon)
• Rosa Parks Celebration at Faith UCC (3 p.m.)
• Piper on the Pier at the downtown marina (6 p.m.)
• Clover's Revenge At Caledonia Brewing (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The City of Dunedin sent a shout-out to the Dunedin High School NJROTC cadets for volunteering their time at the recent Achieva SHREDFEST event. With the help of volunteers, they shredded and recycled 43,072 pounds of paper from 1,196 vehicles, removing it from our waste system and benefiting the environment. Additionally, the event raised over $3K for the Achieva Foundation, which goes towards local classroom grants. Check out their Facebook page for photos of the event. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Remember the SPCA Tampa Bay's post about Mrs. Thickums, the English bulldog up for adoption? It turns out her owner had been searching for her for over a month! Once her family saw the SPCA's post, they drove over to the shelter to be reunited with their senior pup. We're so happy for Mrs. Thickums and her family! (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• Pinellas County has improved pedestrian safety in Dunedin with new flashing crosswalk lights at the corner of Edgewater Drive and Main Street. Pedestrians can push a button that triggers flashing lights to make them more visible to drivers while crossing the street. (Pinellas County Government via Facebook)
• Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is looking for local artists to design a bus wrap honoring Juneteenth. The winning design will debut on June 19! (City of Dunedin via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Tarot Card Readings & Home or Office Cleansings —
• Add your business here

Events:

• Creative Artist Guild of Dunedin Art in the Park (February 5)
• Alchemic Gong Journey (February 8)
• Girls Night Out in Downtown Tarpon Springs (February 9)
• Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting & Open House (February 10)
• Hope Spot Festival (February 11)
• Wine Walk (February 18)
• Add your event

For sale:

• Tarot Card Read Readings & Home or Office Energy Cleansings! (Details)
• Add your item

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update.