🌱 Pints For Pints Blood Drive + Pop Up Art Show + Orange Festival

Hello there, Dunedin! I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Today you'll find news about these stories and more:

• Tickets for the upcoming Dunedin Pride Pool Party.
• Pints for Pints Blood Drive downtown this weekend.
• Save the date for the 2023 Dunedin Orange Festival.

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Studio 1212 Art Gallery

Visit Dunedin’s Studio 1212 Art Gallery — for two years in a row, named by Tampa Bay Magazine the best small art gallery cooperative for 2023

Since 1971, Studio 1212 – a nonprofit art gallery owned and managed by an all-volunteer group of local, award-winning artists — has been a part of the creative community in the Dunedin area.

Here are a few things you can do at Studio 1212:

• Attend an exhibit of local artists (check out the schedule here)
• Get your own artwork critiqued for free by volunteer artists (on the first Saturday and third Tuesday of each month at 10am)
• Support local artists by buying their work – art prints, note cards and fine hand-crafted gift items – in the gift boutique
• Sign up for a workshop to expand and improve your own artistic abilities
• Join other local art lovers by becoming a benefactor of Studio 1212 (Learn more here.)

Studio 1212 is located at 234 Monroe St., Downtown Dunedin and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Studio 1212 — a part of the Dunedin area arts community for over 50 years.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Now, today's weather: Humid; breezy in the p.m. High: 90 Low: 79.

Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. Cueni Brewing Co. is hosting Pints for Pints Blood Drive on June 16 between 3 and 8 p.m. Due to limited parking issues, the blood drive will be held in the Ocean Optics parking lot across from Casa Tina. Donors will receive a $20 eGift card, a OneBlood T-shirt, and a free pint of beer! Those who volunteer to donate will also receive a free wellness checkup which includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening. (Cueni Brewing Co. via Facebook)
2. Veskolini Cafe is holding a Double Artist Pop Up Art Show on June 25 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Stop by to view artwork created by Ukrainian artist Mykola Herun and local watercolor painter Debbie Lewis. Guests can enjoy complimentary light refreshments or purchase coffee, wine, desserts, and more from the cafe. Each artist will raffle off a special gift to two lucky winners. Learn how to enter the giveaway at the link! (Veskolini Cafe via Facebook)
3. Save the date for the 2023 Dunedin Orange Festival on July 8 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. in Pioneer Park. The annual event will include a craft beer contest, orange juice samples, a Kids Fun Zone, and a Vintage Pinup Girl Contest. Guests can also expect live music, local food vendors, beer, sangria, and so much more! Proceeds from the event help fund the Dunedin History Museum's educational programs. (Dunedin Orange Festival)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Check out these incredible shots taken by Christine Tabor along Victoria Lane!

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:

Thursday, June 15

• Summer S.T.E.A.M. at Hope Grove (1 p.m.)
• Kids' Canvas Class at Art from the Heart Cafe (3 p.m.)
• Healthy Happy Hour at Pilates Supreme (5 p.m.)
• Third Thursday Social Hour at the Dunedin History Museum (5 p.m.)
• Pediatric Development Workshop at Nurture Chiropractic (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Did you know that Flag Day is celebrated every year on June 14? The City of Dunedin reminds residents that Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777. Check out their photo at the link! (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• Get your tickets to the Dunedin Pride Pool Party on June 18 between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Fenway Hotel. Each ticket includes a welcome cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, and poolside DJ entertainment. Learn more about the event at the link! (Fenway Hotel via Facebook)
• Meet Jett, the sweet and easy-going 4-year-old bulldog up for adoption at Pinellas County Animal Services. Not only is she great on a leash, but she's also friendly and respectful toward her four-legged neighbors. She's an ideal companion for anyone looking for a friendly and low-maintenance pet. Stop by the shelter to meet Jett and all of her furry friends! (Pinellas County Animal Services via Facebook)
• Artists interested in participating in the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin Art Harvest Festival in the fall must apply by Aug. 18. The jurying process will be held between Aug. 20 and Aug. 25, followed by artist notifications on Aug. 26. The festival is scheduled for Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Highlander Park. Those interested in applying can learn more at the link. (Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

• Healthy Happy Hour (June 15)
• Extreme Communication - Connecting to the Other Side with Lisa Miliaresis (June 17)
• Gallery of Fun Finds "Sip & Shop" (June 17)
• Pirate Brew Crawl Trolley (June 17)
• Free Dinner Seminar June 21 at Outback Steakhouse (June 21)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (June 22)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!