🌱 Veteran Highway + International Women's Day + Kids Upcycling Crafts

Hello, hello! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Dunedin Patch newsletter, full of all the local information you need to know right now. Today you'll read about these stories and more...

• New markings on the Pinellas Trail
• A bill that would name a highway after a Dunedin veteran
• International Women's Day event at Sea Sea Riders

Today's newsletter is sponsored by Studio 1212 Art Gallery

Visit Dunedin’s Studio 1212 Art Gallery — voted Tampa Bay Magazine’s best small art gallery cooperative for 2022

Since 1971, Studio 1212 – a non-profit 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 10 a.m.)
• 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. in 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.

Now, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 82 Low: 66.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Dunedin today:

1. A bill that would name a Pinellas County highway after a Dunedin veteran has advanced, bringing it one step closer to being implemented. U.S. Army specialist Zachary L. Shannon, 21, died while on a tour in Afghanistan nearly 10 years ago. He was killed when his helicopter, which carried four other U.S. soldiers, crashed in Kandahar. Over 500 members of the Dunedin community came together just two weeks later at the local VFW for a memorial in his honor. If approved, part of Bayshore Boulevard in Dunedin will be known as SPC Zachary L. Shannon Memorial Highway. The House bill still has to pass through the Infrastructure and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee and the Infrastructure Strategies Committee. (Tampa Bay Times - Subscription required)
2. In honor of International Women's Day, Sea Sea Riders is hosting a special happy hour event on March 8 between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Stop by to enjoy drink specials, light bites, and live music. Guests will also have the opportunity to network with other local women and meet Sema, "The Turkish Coffee Messenger." Featured on Bravo, Sema is a skilled fortune reader and author of several books. (Sea Sea Riders Restaurant via Facebook)
3. The City of Dunedin is holding weekly upcycling craft classes for kids ages 8 to 11 on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the MLK Jr. Recreation Center. Classes are led by Lynette Wehner and will teach kids a new craft each week using recyclable materials. The class aims to teach kids fun ways to upcycle materials and some basic information about environmental science. They will learn to make paper tube animals, paper mâché pots, cardboard maze games, and more! The cost is $60 per month. Those interested can register online here. (City of Dunedin via Facebook)

Dunedin Patch Pic of the Day:

Thank you, Anita Davis, for sharing this awesome photo from the Blue Jays Welcome Celebration at TD Ballpark over the weekend!

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:

• Dunedin Mobile Pet Clinic at the American Legion Post 275 (9 a.m.)
• The Natural History of Dragonflies of Florida at the Dunedin Public Library (4 p.m.)
• Ukulele Night at The Honu (6 p.m.)
• Wine Tasting with Prisoner Wine at Fenway Hotel (7:30 p.m.)
• Music Trivia at Caledonia Brewing (7 p.m.)
• Community Concert at Friendship Hall (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Have you noticed anything different about the Pinellas Trail? The Pinellas County Government is updating the Dunedin section of the Trail with markings that are consistent with the rest of the trail. Instead of being split into bike and pedestrian lanes, the divided areas will read, "Keep Right" and "Pass Left.” (City of Dunedin via Facebook)
• HomeGrown & RockSolid is hosting a Mandala Stone Workshop on Feb. 27 between 6:30 and 8 p.m. at Caledonia Brewing. Learn how to make adorable handpainted mandala stones to brighten up your home or garden. Tickets are limited, so if you're interested, buy now! (Eventbrite)
• In honor of National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, Pinellas County Schools shared a special thank you to these essential members of their team. "School bus drivers work tirelessly to get students to and from school safely. Remember to show your appreciation to your bus driver today!" Check out some of the awesome photos of our county's bus drivers at the link! (Pinellas County Schools via Facebook)
• The SPCA Tampa Bay is holding its 32nd Annual Pet Walk on April 15 at 8:30 a.m. at both North Straub Park in St. Petersburg or OCC Road House and Museum in Clearwater. More information will be released as the date approaches, but so far, the event will include free lunch and a pet costume contest! All donations will help the SPCA serve the animals in our community. Sign up for free here. (SPCA Tampa Bay via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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• Tarot Card Readings & Home or Office Cleansings —
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Featured events:

• Cirque Ma'Ceo is coming to Pinellas Park! (February 24)
• Social Security Seminar at Countryside Recreation Center (March 2)
• Sausage Fest (March 4)
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• Travel Agency- M and D Travel-Dream Vacations, Sun & Savings Vacation Deals!! (Details)
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• Photoshop Help Needed (Details)
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That's it for today! I'll see you around.