🌱Local Fixer-Upper Show ‘Busted Cribs’ Premiers + Free NYE Rides

Happy Thursday, people of Dunedin! These are the most important things going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 78 Low: 67.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

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Here are the top 4 stories in Dunedin today:

1. A year ago, a Dunedin couple launched a fixer-upper show "Busted Cribs" on Youtube with the hopes of becoming the "Chip and Joanna Gaines" of the Tampa Bay area. Justin and Stephanie have done just that, with their show premiering last week on Pure Flix, a Christian-content streaming service. The duo purchases homes in poor condition, restoring them to their former glory. Their motto is "Our own personal testimony is that God restores through his mercy and love, and we want to do the same." You can watch the show on either Youtube or Pure Flix. (Busted Cribs | Facebook)
2. PSTA in Pinellas County is offering free rides on New Year's Eve to anyone looking for a safe ride to their destination. Bus routes 4, 52, and 60, the Central Avenue Trolley, Suncoast Beach Trolley, Looper, and Jolley Trolley will each be free between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM. Rides are being offered in an attempt to reduce drinking and driving incidents that evening. (995qyk.com)
3. Local businesses are relieved to learn holiday sales from 2021 exceeded spending in 2019 by 11 percent according to Mastercard SpendingPulse. The owner of Mirabella Fashions in downtown Dunedin, Joy Hillman, was especially relieved after this year's sales. Nearly in tears, she said, "There was a time during the pandemic in 2020 where we really felt like we were going to have to permanently close. I went on Facebook and said 'if you're going to shop, please shop in Dunedin. Please shop small.'" Her pleas were heard and her customers showed up in droves to support the small business, allowing it to survive another year. (Newsy)
4. The Dunedin Commission has approved a $1.13 million bid to Preferred Materials Inc. of Tampa to pave the city's asphalt roads. The work will be funded by $309,868 in the city's gas tax fund and $820,253 in the sales tax fund. Five years ago, the budget for paving was half of what it is today at roughly $500,000. Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski explained saying, "The fact we have doubled our budget for street paving shows our commitment to having quality neighborhoods." (Tampa Bay Newspapers)

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Today in Dunedin:

• Chair yoga at the Hale Senior Activity Center (9:30 AM)
• Learn a new variation of Canasta at the Hale Senior Activity Center (12:30 PM)
• Kid's canvas class at Art from the Heart Cafe (3:00 PM)
• Sketch Group at the Hale Senior Activity Center (6:00 PM)
• Live music at Rosies Tavern (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Dunedin reminds locals to be safe while driving golf carts around Dunedin. Everyone driving a golf cart in designated areas must hold a valid driver's license. Additionally, you should not exceed the cart's intended occupancy, and anyone 16 or younger must wear a seatbelt. Learn more on the city's website. (Facebook | Dunedin Gov)
• President Steve Bennett of the Kiwanis Club of Dunedin is pictured accepting the patch for the club banner. It was presented by Dan Borba, President of the Florida Kiwanis Foundation, in recognition of the club’s annual donation to the foundation. (Facebook)
• The City of Dunedin's website is now more accessible for mobile users. It has been updated to operate similarly to an app when accessed from a mobile phone. Head to DunedinGov.com from your cellphone to view these changes. (Facebook| Twitter)

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Events:

• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
• FREE WEBINAR | “Rome: The Eternal City” Presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero (January 4)
• (NEW) INDOOR Market hosted by The Market Elaine (January 5)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.