🌱 Valentine's Day Restaurant Specials + 'Be Mine' Dog Photoshoot

Happy Saturday, people of Dunedin! Here are the most important things going on around Dunedin today.

First, today's weather:

A blend of sun and clouds. High: 70 Low: 59.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

Want a one-of-a-kind portrait of your doggie or know someone who would love this as a gift? Debbie Lewis is a talented watercolor artist based in Clearwater. She creates beautiful watercolor paintings of your furry friends from your photos. You can check out examples of her work or place an order here.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. Dunedin Parks & Recreation is hosting "The Dunedin 3 O'clock Big Band" for a Dance & Concert event at the Hale Senior Activity Center. The band will be playing the music of Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and popular tunes of the 1940s-90s. Attendees will get to dance along to swing, ballads, waltzes, polkas, and Latin music. This 18-piece Big Band is led by Ed Geimer who has led the US Air Force Band and played in Broadway shows for over 20 years. The event will take place on February 16 at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $5 each and can be paid at the door. (Dunedin Patch)
2. Looking for last-minute Valentine's Day plans? Several local restaurants are offering Valentine's Day specials this weekend and reservations are still available. Bon Appetit is hosting both a buffet dinner and dance celebration in the ballroom as well as a four-course meal in the main dining room. Other restaurants offering Valentine's Day specials include Pisces Sushi, Marker 8, Caracara, and more. (Newsbreak)
3. Salty Paws is hosting a “Be Mine” Gotcha Day Celebration on Saturday, February 12 where guests can have a special Valentine's Day photo taken of their pups. Dorky Daisy Photography will be present to take professional photos for a $15 minimum cash donation. All proceeds will benefit Suncoast Animal League, which will have volunteers in attendance selling raffle tickets and answering any questions. Also, get a free topping with the purchase of a pup ice cream. Register now to get your pet's photo taken, spots are limited! (Facebook | Photo Registration)

Today in Dunedin:

• Dunedin Downtown Market at Pioneer Park (9:00 AM)
• The 2nd Annual Hope Spot Festival at Edgewater Park (10:00 AM)
• A Mother's Arms bake sale fundraiser behind Eli's Bar-B-Que (11:00 AM)
• Piper on the Pier at the Downtown Marina (6:00 PM)
• Live music with Grateful Dave at Beach Island Brewery (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Dunedin has revealed that the much-awaited Curlew Water Tower project is moving along. Internal and external structural repairs started last month, followed by a new base coast of paint in anticipation of artist Tom Stovall's creation. He has been hired to bring Henry and Sylvia to life. Tom will join Saturday's 2nd Annual Hope Spot Festival as a guest and be available for Q&A. The festival will take place at Edgewater Park from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. (Facebook | Hope Spot Festival)
• A reminder that Sofia will make her trek down the Pinellas Trail for her Ride For Ali Bike-a-thon on Saturday to honor her good friend Ali. All are welcome to join in the ride or simply cheer her on. The bike-a-thon will begin at The Sponge Exchange in Tarpon Springs at 8:00 AM. She will make a pit stop in Dunedin at around 9:30 AM at Kafe Racer located along the trail. Donations to support her efforts and help fund pediatric cancer research can be made online. (Facebook | Ride For Ali)
• The City of Dunedin shared a photo of the city's original library, which was located in Edgewater Park. The Dunedin Public Library is the oldest public library in Pinellas County! Its origin dates back to 1895 when Christopher B. Bouton, a winter resident from Cleveland, presented 200 books to Dunedin "for public use." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Hope Grove Co-Work & Care — (Visit website)
• DavisDNA & Family Research — (Visit Website)
• Tarot Card Readings with Nicole —
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Events:

• Valentine Sip & Shop (February 12)
• LIVE MUSIC with GRATEFUL DAVE at BEACH ISLAND BREWERY (February 12)
• Tampa Teddy Bear Show (February 13)
• 4 Part Retirement Planning Webinar Series 2/17 - 3/12 (February 17)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 19)
• Monopoly Tournament (February 19)
• Social Security Webinar 2/21 & 2/23 (February 21)
• Estate Planning Webinar 2/21 & 2/23 (February 21)
• GFWC Woman's Club of Clearwater Annual Fashion show fundraiser (February 26)
• Fashion show IDC BIG TICKET RAFFLE (February 26)
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Announcements:

• Axes and O's Valentines Day Axe Throwing Event (Details)
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For sale:

• Tarot Card Readings with Nicole, Private and/or Parties (Details)
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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at Dunedin@Patch.com

That's it for today. I'll see you around!