🌱 New Pantry Location + Meet The Faculty Exhibit + Made In Dunedin

Hello neighbors! It's Kristen, your host of the Dunedin Daily — here to let you in on everything happening in town today. Let's dive right in.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 87 Low: 78.

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Here are the top three stories in Dunedin today:

1. Dunedin Cares Interim President Heath Watson told city commissioners that the food pantry is assisting 30 new households every week. Watson mentioned the uptick of people in need while discussing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Dunedin Cares is seeking financial help from the City Commission to establish a new location for its services. According to Watson, the pantry has increased its distribution of food by 160 percent since prior to COVID. "We kept taking care of people and those numbers increased and increased. And this year for 2023, with the environment we are in right now, we continue to see a high demand for food assistance within our pantry." City officials recommended that a total of $23,681 be allocated to Dunedin Cares, but they will wait to see what funds are available through the American Rescue Plan Act. The City Commission's public hearings on the budget are scheduled for September 15 and September 29. (Tampa Bay Newspapers)
2. Beginning today, the Dunedin Fine Art Center will display artworks by its faculty of both adult and youth programs in an exhibit titled "Meet The Faculty." The exhibit will be on display during regular exhibit hours through December 23 in the second-floor teaching gallery. Works in this exhibit represent a number of DFAC’s current teaching faculty and will contain various mediums. (Dunedin Patch)
3. Did you know Bon Appetit was one of the first restaurants in downtown Dunedin? Peter Kreuziger and Chef Karl Riedl opened the restaurant on the marina in 1976. Over the past four decades, the restaurant has garnered, fame, popularity and a trove of awards. Be sure to watch the city's latest episode of Made in Dunedin to learn more about Bon Appetit's story! (City of Dunedin via Facebook | Youtube)

Dunedin Daily Pic of the Day:

Thank you Lisa Tilton for sharing these incredible photos of Lena working on this mural! You can check out the mural for yourself at 962 Union Street.

Want to see your Dunedin photo here? 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:

• Meet The Faculty at the Dunedin Fine Art Center (10 a.m.)
• Live Music at Mangos and Marley (5 p.m.)
• Welcome Back To The Fields Party at Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club (6 p.m.)
• SPACEcraft at Highlander Park (6:30 p.m.)
• Midnite Madness at the MLK Jr. Recreation Center (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Can you imagine a biker bar in Downtown Dunedin? It looks like a neighborhood favorite used to appeal to a different kind of clientele! The City of Dunedin shared a photo of the Corner Bar in 1974 which attracted local bikers. Today it's better known as Skip's Bar & Grill! (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Meet Ginny, an adorable pup available for adoption through Pinellas County Animal Services. According to her foster parents, Ginny has an adventurous spirit and a whimsical soul! She loves nothing more than rolling around on the bed or rustling through the plants in the backyard! Contact Pinellas County Animal Services to adopt Ginny or any of her other furry pals! (Pinellas County Animal Services via Facebook)
• Dunedin High School informs all parents that Back To School Night is scheduled for August 30 at 6 p.m. This event is open to all grade-level parents and students. Everyone will meet in the school's auditorium before traveling through your child's class schedule in 10-minute increments so that you get to meet all of their teachers. (Dunedin High School via Facebook)
• Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club is hosting a Welcome Back to the Fields party TODAY, August 26 at 6 p.m. The event is free for all families and friends and will include bounce houses, food trucks, pick-up games, target shooting, and a chance to register for fall soccer. Programs are available for kids ages two to 18. (Dunedin Patch)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. See you all tomorrow for another update!