It’s a warm Saturday afternoon in Clearwater, Florida. Are you nearby? Got a thirst that needs quenching? In a mood for a little Scientology watching as well?

We have just the thing.

Three days ago, a tipster sent us this Scientology flier announcing that a “block party” was going to be held in [...]]]>

It’s a warm Saturday afternoon in Clearwater, Florida. Are you nearby? Got a thirst that needs quenching? In a mood for a little Scientology watching as well?

We have just the thing.

Three days ago, a tipster sent us this Scientology flier announcing that a “block party” was going to be held in downtown Clearwater to celebrate two years since the church constructed its Potemkin Village of storefronts on Fort Harrison Avenue. These were happy looking places built to handle curious visitors who wanted to learn more about Scientology’s front groups — a real magnet of interest for out-of-towners, to be sure.

 
We didn’t think much about the flier at first. Scientology is always putting on this kind of event in an attempt to convince locals that it’s actually doing something to improve life in Clearwater, and not actually draining its downtown of all human activity, as it has been since it surreptitiously invaded the place in 1975.

Well, anyway, like we said we didn’t give it much of a thought until this morning, when we started getting messages from Clearwater bar owner Clay Irwin, whose photographs tell a pretty obvious story about what’s going on with this “block party.”

 
On the left in that photo you can see Clay’s bar, the Lucky Anchor, and on the right, practically on top of Clay’s tavern, you can see the stage area that’s been set up for tonight’s “block party” put on by the Church of Scientology.

Now, to put this in a little perspective, you’ll remember that we’ve been showing you images that were taken from a spy camera Clay found planted outside his home, a camera he suspects was placed there by operatives working for the church.

Although he had said when he opened the Lucky Anchor in January that he wanted to get along with his Scientology neighbors, Clay’s impromptu February visit to Tom Cruise’s still-under-construction penthouse down the street, and some other run-ins with the church seemed to put him in Scientology’s cross-hairs.

Clay told us he “has no clue” if putting a stage for Scientology’s event just feet from Clay’s bar is an intimidation attempt. So far today, he’s been offering to help with the setup, and has offered organizers bottles of water and the use of his electrical outlets.

But after he began taking some photos, “they had someone come over to talk to me to see what I was doing,” he says.

We asked Clay if he thought it was a good idea for the Underground Bunker to announce what’s going on so that fans of the Lucky Anchor might get over there to show their support and have some fun watching Scientology’s event, which begins at 5 pm tonight.

“The would be flipping awesome,” he said.

So, if you happen to be in the area, please give a thought to visiting Clay’s bar this evening simply to show your support. Tell Clay the Bunker sent you. Have a drink, relax, and watch what happens at the block party — hey, send us some photos while you’re at it. But please, do not agitate or provoke the people at the block party in any way.

Be an observer. And be cool.

 
To help you visualize the situation, looking from overhead…

 
And Clay says they’re trying to blast him out! This was taken as the band practiced…

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on July 15, 2017 at 15:00

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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield