Weather

• 89º | Thunderstorm | 70% chance of rain

Development

• The Oakbridge Centre Publix store (3636 Harden Blvd.) will be demolished and rebuilt. The store, originally built in 1988, will feature an updated design, including new flooring + entrances. Developers expect construction to be complete within a year, with demolition starting as early as this September. 🏗️ (The Ledger)
• Lakeland city commissioners approved the development of five new single-family homes on a 35-acre tract of land at the intersection of Medulla Road + Hamilton Road in 2023. These new builds will be part of a larger neighborhood of 29 homes on an adjacent 10-acre property. 🏘️ (The Ledger)
• Assure Infusions’ new robotic manufacturing plant in Bartow will begin construction in October. The 60,000-sqft IV fluid production facility will be located on Century Boulevard, and will create 100+local jobs. A groundbreaking is set for Tues., Oct. 11. (The Ledger)

Biz

• The City of Lakeland is in negotiations over naming rights + usage of the RP Funding Center. As their five-year deal from 2017 reaches an end, the Lakeland Magic’s contract has been extendedby one year, with some changes. There are several entities being considered for naming rights, including RP Funding. (LkldNow)

Arts

• Art Crawl is looking for contemporary fine artists to share their work and compete for prizes at this year’s event. The juried art festival will take place in Munn Park on Sat., Nov. 5. Interested in participating? Don’t crawl, run — the application deadline is Sun., Aug. 21. 🖌

Deal

• The Florida Air Museum (4075 James C. Ray Dr.) is offering half-off admission on Fri., Aug. 19 to celebrate National Aviation Day. Fly by to view nine exhibits — including the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame — and watch the new NOAA Science on a Sphere show for educational fun.

Show

• These showstoppers are just getting started. Single show tickets for RP Funding Center’s 2022-2023 Broadway Series go on sale Mon., Aug. 22. See the hit shows “My Fair Lady,” “Legally Blonde - The Musical,” “ Fiddler on the Roof,” and “On Your Feet!” when they come to Lakeland from December to March. 🎭

Cause

• Through her fundraising efforts with “Shoe Us The Love,” Pastor Sandra Astacio of Daughters in Christ Ministries is collecting 2,500 pairs of shoes in Lakeland to donate to 24 developing countries. See the list of drop off site locations to donate your shoes before the fundraiser ends on Wed., Aug. 31. (WFTS) 

Eat

• Make your cake and eat it, too. Victor & Mika’s Bakery (371 Ave. D NW, Winter Haven) is hosting a class to teach participants how to bake + decorate mermaid cupcakes. Get your tickets for the Vegan and Gluten-Free Dream Dessert Series class, happening on Sun., Aug. 21 from 2-4 p.m. 🧁
• While the first day of fall isn’t until Thurs., Sept. 22, who says we can’t celebrate early? Stop by Divicious Deli and Coffee Shop (128 E. Main St.) from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. for a slice of its pumpkin loaf and embrace the sweater weather on the horizon.

Kids

• Make a splash at the Mermaid Magic Enchanted Mermaid Festival on Sat., Aug. 20 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Enchanted Fairytale Hollow. Kids can meet mermaids, join in games + storytimes, and hunt for treasure at this magical family event. 🧜‍♀️

Sports

• This will make the crowd go wild. Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is introducing 3,600 new seats along with new food + drink options and a fast entry lane. You can thank a recent spike in demand for Buccaneers tickets for these new additions. (Fox 13)

DYK

• Did you know Lakeland Regional Health has a walk-in care centerfor illnesses, injuries, and wellness services? Read: No appointment required. See which conditions are treated at the Gateway Walk-In Care location.*

Featured Home

• Luxury South Lakeland home in Delphi Hills | 4 BD, 4 BA | Contact for price | This luxury Hulbert Home in the new, modern Delphi Hills boasts enticing architecture + accents (read: stone columns, Bahama shutters, and screen-enclosed outdoor living). 🏡 *