The Lakeland police and youth mentoring program was one recipient of the local grant. | Photo by LALtoday
Following a vote by Florida’s Legislative Budget Committee, 13 Polk County organizations have been awarded a share of $6.2 million in local grant funding.
Keep reading for a by-the-numbers look at how each organization, eight of which are right here in Lakeland, will put their grant to work.
Ciro’s Sweet Tooth Dessert Tour | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 10:30 a.m. | Downtown Winter Haven | $45+ | Explore the sweeter side of Winter Haven + try muffins, cupcakes, pies, and more from local establishments. 🧁
Jim Thomas w/ Cuban B’s Burgers & Bakes | Thurs., Sept. 15 | 7-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Enjoy the musical talents of Jim Thomas while snacking on your favorite menu items from Cuban B’s.
Friday
Ruthless! The Musical | Fri., Sept. 16 | 8 p.m. | Plant City Entertainment, 101 N. Thomas St. | $16+ | Watch the story of a charming and diabolical child who will do anything to play the lead in her school play unfold live on stage. 🎭
Saturday
Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Sat., Sept. 17 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Stop by the farmers market to shop food, plants, handmade goods, and more from local vendors. 🧺
5th Annual Teal Gone Mad Tea Party | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12-3 p.m. | Lakeland Country Club, 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | $38+ | Support the Ovarian Cancer Support Group of Polk, FL. Inc. at this event featuring tea, lunch, a silent auction + fashion show — seating is limited.
Hollis Garden Community Plant Swap 2022 | Sat., Sept. 17 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Hollis Garden | Free | Bring your plants, seeds, and gardening tools to swap with other gardeners. 🌱
Sunday
Shoreline Sundays with John Frinzi w/ Big Baby Bitez | Sun., Sept. 18 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Listen to singer-songwriter John Frinzi bring the tunes while enjoying your favorite menu items from Big Baby Bitez. 🍔
Monday
Hispanic Heritage Celebration Concert | Mon., Sept. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Southern College | Free | Kick off Florida Southern College’s Festival of Fine Arts with music from different countries and periods performed by the Florida Hispanic String Quartet.
Tuesday
Sushi 101 | Tues., Sept. 20 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School | $60 | Learn the basics of making some of your favorite sushi dishes. 🍚 *
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Bank of Central Florida has kept Lakeland-based Barney’s Pumps insured + provided fraud prevention tools during their growth from local biz to global biz. | Photo of Barney’s Pumps CFO, Kate Marshall provided by Bank of Central Florida
Lakeland-headquartered Barney’s Pumps has seen 72 years of business (and three generations of family). In that time, they’ve grown their once small business to an international level.
Their advice to LAL business owners hoping to expand? Find a bank that meets your business needs as you grow.
Bank of Central Florida’s robust treasury offerings — specifically its Insured Deposit Sweep and Positive Pay capabilities — have kept Barney’s money insured + provided tools to help prevent fraud for over a decade.*
84º | Scattered thunderstorms | 68% chance of rain
Number
$13.4 million. That’s what St. Luke’s Life Center Apartments(915 W. Quincy St.)sold for to an unnamed buyer in a $91.75 million, 669-unit portfolio of four Florida properties. According to Marcus & Millichap, the complex will still operate as affordable housing. (Business Observer FL)
Civic
Phillip Walker’s last day in office with the City Commission will be Sun., Nov. 6. Previously, Phillip had submitted himself as a potential candidate to fill his vacated seat on the commission as an interim commissioner, but has since withdrawn himself from consideration. (The Ledger + LkldNow)
Polk County Fire Rescue officials are offeringbonuses for new hires to fill urgent vacancies throughout Polk. Paramedics and firefighters are understaffed, requiring those already employed to work extensive overtime hours. Those interested in becoming a firefighter, EMT, or paramedic can learn morehere. 🚒 (Bay News 9)
Award
The 2022 ATHENA Award winnershave been announced. In the categories of Organizational Award, Young Professional Award, and Leadership Award, the winners were Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, Ashley B. Barnett(AgAmerica Giving Foundation Director), and Martha Santiago(Polk County Board of County Commissioners Chair), respectively. 🏆
Sports
Kelly Recreation Center is converting three of its eight tennis courts into pickleball courts. The budget and timeline for the project — which could also include bathrooms, vending machines, lights, and parking — are set to be established in October. In the meantime, find where you can play pickleball using this guide. 🏓 (The Ledger)
Edu
Principals from seven Polk County schoolswere honored for their efforts in raising school grades from a D to a C last school year. Among the awardees were principals from three Lakeland schools: Griffin Elementary, Oscar J. Pope Elementary, and Tenoroc High.
Biz
Union Taproom is celebratingthree years in business on Sat., Sept. 24 from 12-11 p.m. Come by the Winter Haven establishment (245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102) for deals on beer and pizza, sweet treats, and live music by Ashton Rey. 🍻
Get to know one of the people behind one of Lakeland’s most successful startups. Catapult’s president offers advice for small business owners, explains how she got her start at Catapult, and more in our Q + A with Christin Strawbridge.*
Try This
Purrology Cat Cafe (5343 S. Florida Ave.)opened its doors on Tues., Sept. 13. Book your own appointment to meet adoptable felines — all of which are fixed, up-to-date on shots, and microchipped — here. 🐱 (WFTS)
Plan Ahead
Playing dress-up doesn’t have to stop after Halloween. Lakeland SantaConhas announced its 2022 date: Sat., Dec. 10. Don your most festive red jumpsuit and channel your inner jolly St. Nick before heading out with Lakeland’s other Santas for a pub crawl starting at 6 p.m. 🎅
Stat
There’s a 97% chance someone you know will need a blood transfusion, according to the American Red Cross. Make sure the person you love has blood when they need it by donating blood at Lakeland Regional Health’s Oneblood Drive onTues., Sept. 27. Schedule your donation.*
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Take flight on one of Bike Zoo’s rideable creatures. | Photo by @jollstagram72
It’s finally here. The grand opening of Bonnet Springs Park kicks off this weekend with two full days of activities.
Make the most of your weekend with these quick tips. For a full schedule + breakdown, check out the schedule online.
Quick Tips
The free event takes place on Sat., Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd.
Parking is all off-site for the grand opening. View locations and shuttle information here.
This is an outdoor event, but guests are asked to leave their pets at home.
Guests are permitted to bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, umbrellas + coolers(no alcoholic beverages, please).
Food
Over 15 food trucks including Acai Bulk Bowls, Crab Daddy’s Surf & Turf, MK Boba + many more
Stop by The Depotfor hamburgers, chicken tenders, french fries, and more.
Find Starbucks Coffee at the Hollis Family Welcome Center.
Find non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks on the Lakeland Regional Health Circulator and near the Allen & Company Family Lawn.
Activities
The Opening Ceremony will take place at the Plaza at the Depot on Sat., Oct. 22 at 10 a.m.
Animal lovers — check out the Encounters with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay + Gatorland at the Animal Stage, Bird Watching at the Boathouse, and the Garden Show at the Greenhouse.
Meet local celebrities like Lakeland Magic’s Swish, Tampa Bay Lightning’s ThunderBug, Tampa Bay Rays’ DJ Kitty,andother lovable mascots.
Wave hello to strolling performers, stilt walkers, and the Swan City Roller Derby as they strut and zoom through the park.
Local artists like Micah Madore, Kaleigh Baker, and more | Sun., Oct. 23 | 11:30 a.m.- 4:15 p.m | The Lounge
For more details on anything listed above and other event features, check out the schedule online. For more frequently asked questions, click here.
THE WRAP
Today’s edition was written by Rilee.
Editor’s pick: I absolutely can’t wait for the grand opening of Bonnet Springs Park. Pro tip: the Oct. 22-23 festivities will be packed with patrons, but parking shouldn’t be an issue. According to the BSP team, there will be off-site parking and shuttles.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We spilled the tea on where to get a fresh cup in Lakeland, here.
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