Culture

Food + drink

• Finish with the guava cheesecake.

• Try the Original Reececliff Burger.

• You can’t go wrong with lobster grilled cheese.

Retail

• Explore new and pre-loved books with a coffee in hand.

• Schedule a personal shopping appointment.

• Shop books, kitchen items, paper goods, and more.

Professional services

Photo via Noble Photo Co.

• Make your own arrangement at The Bloom Bar.

• Book the courtyard for your cocktail hour or reception during cooler months.

• Treat yourself to a Signature Tranquility Journey.

Home services

• Bring the team behind Streamsong, The Yard on Mass, and more along for your next home project.

• Dine at The Terrace Grille during your stay (or anytime).

• Schedule a move-in or move-out clean to eliminate stress during your next move.

Health + wellness

Photo by @julio__garza, courtesy of @yoga_pointe

• Test your balance at Yin yoga.

• Order a signature protein smoothie.

• Book a telehealth appointment.

Arts + entertainment

• Commission a house portrait.

• Grab your boots and try line dancing lessons.

• Take a guided curator tour to learn from the experts.

• Celtic Conundrum | Fri., Sept. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Listen to traditional Celtic music while sipping on your favorite pour from Swan Brewing. 🍻
• Glow Night | Fri., Sept. 23 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Union Hall | $10 | Get your glow on as you dance under the neon lights to electronic music with live drums.
• Ultimate Team Challenge Bull Riding | Fri., Sept. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $45+ | Come watch some of the world’s best cowboys compete for a piece of a $100,000 cash prize.

• Leading Edge Take Heart 5K | Sat., Sept. 24 | 7:30-10 a.m. | Lake Hollingsworth | $50 | Join Take Heart’s mission to help orphans and widows in rural Kenya — proceeds will go towards the Primary School Campus project.
• NDEW Electric Vehicle Show | Sat., Sept. 24 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Munn Park | Free | View electric cars owned by Lakeland locals at this showcase featuring an “EV-IQ” quiz, activities for kids, and prize drawings. 🚙
• Girls in Aviation Day | Sat., Sept. 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Aerospace Center for Excellence | Free | Families, industry members, and individuals interested in aviation are all invited to this local event, celebrating 2022 Girls in Aviation Day. ✈️
• Michael McArthur Album Release Show | Sat., Sept. 24 | 8-10 p.m. | Polk Theatre | Hear Lakeland native Michael McArthur perform his new album, “Milky Stars” at this Polk Theater release show — doors open at 7 p.m. 🎤

• Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market: Vol 5 | Sun., Sept. 25 | 12-6 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Attend the fifth annual Lakeland Punk rock Flea Market for live music, local vendors, skateboarding area, kids activities, and more. 🤘
• Let’s Celebrate Expo | Sun., Sept. 25 | 1 p.m. | RP Funding Center | Free | This wedding + event expo features giveaways, inspiration, and a fashion show — $10 VIP tickets can be purchased for reserved fashion show seating and other perks.
• Corporate Worship service at Trinity Presbyterian Church | Sundays | 8:45 a.m. + 10:30 a.m. | Trinity Presbyterian Church, 301 N. Florida Ave. | Trinity’s worship service is available to attendees in-person as well as virtually livestreamed on the Trinity Lakeland YouTube channel at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday.*

• 93º | Scattered thunderstorms | 50% chance of rain 🌧️
• After an unusually quiet hurricane season, Florida could see its first hurricane as soon as early next week. A tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea is expected to become a tropical storm with the potential to cross the Florida coast. If it does, it will be named Hermine. (The Ledger)

• The Lakeland Planning and Zoning board unanimously approved 252 apartments near the intersection of West Pipkin Road + Yates Road. The initial plan for this development included 356 multifamily apartments in four-story buildings, but has since been reduced to 252 apartments in three-story buildings following community feedback. 🏗️ (The Ledger)

• $38.1 million. That’s how much the Polk County School Board expects its health insurance fund to be short by 2024. According to the district, an increase in employee claims and rising healthcare costs are driving the fund down. PCSB officials are considering options to address the shortage. (The Ledger)

• The Polk Parkway is going cashless, effective today. Now, drivers can go continuously through toll stations (read: no more quick merging after dropping your change). Payments will be collected via SunPass, electric transponders, or a Pay-By-Plate system. 🚙 (The Ledger)

• It might not feel like fall weather just yet, but autumn is underway. Head to downtown Bartow tomorrow, Sat., Sept. 24, for the 47th Annual Fall Festival. The event will feature 90+ local vendors, a pumpkin patch, giveaways, a car show, and more.

• You may be a fan of Uncle Nick’s Bagels, but who is Uncle Nick? According to a plaque inside, Uncle Nick owned + operated his own Bronx deli for 25 years, passing the passion on to his sons and nephew who own the Lakeland favorite. See what we ordered yesterday here.
• It’s that season, LAL: football season. Planning a tailgate party fit for champs? Impress your guests with a tried-and-true Southern classic: this easy-to-make Crock Pot Spicy Boiled Peanuts recipe. 🥜 *

• Sundown on Sunday marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. People who observe this holiday typically enjoy apples and honey in hopes of having a sweet new year. It runs until the evening of Tues., Sept. 27. Shana Tova! (That’s Hebrew for “Have a good year!“)

• Time to feel the fall breeze + enjoy the autumn leaves with the Fall For Your City Sale happening now on Six & Main, LALtoday’s online shop. Take 20% off the entire Fall For Your City Collection now through Sun., Sept. 25. 🍂

• While long-term financial goals might seem a lifetime away, the decisions you make today can significantly impact your future fiscal success. Tracking your expenses + opening a Roth IRA are two things you do in your twenties to help you prepare. Here’s four more smart money moves for those under 30. 💸 *

• Deep dish pizza, rich architecture, and Lake Michigan? Yes, please. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is now servicing direct flights to Chicago via Frontier. 🛫 *

• Have a business idea, but don’t know where to begin? Here are 10 things you need to know to launch a business in Lakeland. Pro tip: If you need an office space, Catapult has membership plans to help you get the work done.*

• Show your support for local journalism by joining the LALtoday membership program. Membership has some awesome perks like exclusive birthday deals, discounts from our online shop, Six & Main + more. Plus, 100% of membership funds help support our local editors — that’s us, Rilee + Connor. Learn more + sign up. 💻

• We’ve all been there — trouble falling and staying asleep is infuriating. Your mind races, you toss and turn, and the harder you try, the harder it is to drift off. Healthycell is a new, drug-free, pill-free sleep supplement to help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeply + wake up refreshed. Use code 6AM for 20% off.*