What they are

Photo by LALtoday

Who they’re for

Where to find them

• We took to Instagram to ask our followers about their favorite Little Free Libraries, and @lisa.in_real_life shared some appreciation for this spot at 115 Patten Heights St.

• Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Coonley Playhouse, this colorful little library at 56 Lake Beulah Dr. is actually a re-purposed newspaper stand.

• Buzz on over to this three-story library at 402 Hancock St. to find your next read.

Photo by LALtoday

How to start one

• Molly’s Musicians Showcase @ Molly McHugh’s | Tue., Oct. 11 | 9 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland | Free | Support local musicians at this free open mic night.
• Storytime | Tue., Oct. 11 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free | Junior ACEs ages 2-5 can hear a story and take part in an interactive learning experience.

• Open Mic at The Pink Piano | Wed., Oct. 12 | 8-11:30 p.m. | The Pink Piano, 1015 S Florida Ave, Lakeland | Free | Support local singers — or perform onstage yourself — at this open mic night.

• T-R-I-V-I-A | Thu., Oct. 13 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Show what you know to win prizes while enjoying deals on beer, wine, and cocktails.
• Just Between Friends Sale | Thu., Oct. 13 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 12-7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland | $2.00 | Shop this community-wide consignment sale for children’s clothing + gear — register online for free admission.

• Swantoberfest 2022! | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 12-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Celebrate Oktoberfest season with Swan Brewing’s gold medal-winning beers, live music and food trucks.

• After School Art | Mon., Oct. 17 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | $5.00 | Parents and children can learn new creative skills with a new art lesson each week.
• Lunch Pop-Ups at Catapult: Bandidas | Mon., Oct. 17 - Mon., Nov. 14 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | From focaccia sandwiches to specialty pastries, enjoy a meal from Bandidas’ ever evolving menu at this fall lunch series.*

• Launch Pitch Night | Thu., Oct. 20 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main Street, Lakeland | Free | See the five finalists at Lakeland’s version of Shark Tank pitch their business, answer questions from our judges, and try to secure the Launch Micro Grant.*

• Lakeland Regional Health
• Watson Clinic
• Advent Health Centra Care Lakeland ^

• 91º | Mostly cloudy | 20% chance of rain

• If you haven’t registered to vote, the deadline is today, Tues., Oct. 11. To learn more about checking your voter registration status, eligibility requirements, and more, check out The Ledger’s guide. 🗳️ (The Ledger)

• Lilibet, one of Lakeland’s royal swans, was killed by bobcats at her Highland Village mobile home park home, along with 15 ducks. A trapper from All Creatures Wildlife Control captured one of them and plans to go back for the other. Both will be released in North Lakeland. (WFLA)

• Kimberly E. Hernandez is taking on the operatic role of Santuzza in Mascagni’s opera "Cavalleria Rusticana” on Sat., Jan. 21. The mezzo-soprano will perform in Lakeland Symphony Orchestra’s production at Florida Southern College’s Branscomb Memorial Auditorium. Tickets can be found online. 🎶 (The Ledger)

• $50,000. That’s how much Polk County high school senior Payge Dupre has raised for college by selling livestock. Through a sponsorship from Kelley Buick GMC’s 20 Buck Truck raffle in Bartow, Payge purchased, bred, and sold livestock to invest in her education. (Bay News 9)

• The Betsye Kay Finch Performing Arts Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual Gala on Thurs., Oct. 20. Each $50 ticket helps the foundation raise funds for its yearly scholarship. Attend the event for live performances, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. RSVPs are requested by Fri., Oct. 14. 🩰

• We’re already hungry. Cob & Pen’s new fall menu is live. Stop by the South Florida Avenue establishment to give the new options — like the mushroom flatbread or Nashville hot pork chop sandwich — a try.
• D’Artagnan is a farm-to-table pioneer, serving top chefs + home cooks nationwide since 1985. Their small farms provide a wide range of high-quality meat — think: duck, organic poultry, grass-fed beef, heritage pork + more. And because they offer overnight delivery, everything stays super fresh (and super delicious). 🥩 *

• Here’s a reason to love Mondays. Take Heart (248 N. Kentucky Ave.) has extended its hours. Now, you can shop fair trade items on Mondays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wondering about fair trade? Check out our interview with the Take Heart Project’s founder, Delta Ryan.

• Whether you’re interested in trying a sound bath, creating an air plant terrarium, or attending a concert under the stars, check out Bok Tower Gardens’ calendar of events. Pro tip: Most events include general admission into the gardens in the ticket price, so you can make a full day of it. 🌺

• Calling all sweet tooths — it’s time for Truck or Treat. The free event hosted by the Lakeland fire + police departments takes place on Mon., Oct. 24 on Lake Mirror’s north and east bank and Fire Station 1. Costumes are encouraged, and prizes for first responder costumes will be given.
• Create a literary jack-o-lantern for the Lakeland Public Library’s book pumpkin decorating contest. Kids 17 and under can decorate a craft pumpkin inspired by their favorite book. Online voting will open Sun., Oct. 23. 🎃

• Speaking of trick-or-treating, we’re looking for Lakeland’s most festive neighborhoods during Halloween. Whether your street goes all out with decorations, hands out the best candy, or hosts haunted houses, tell us all about Lakeland’s top spots for trick-or-treating. 🍫

• Did you know you can set up shop in our online retail store? We’re looking to support local brands in our LALtoday shop. We want to work with you. Send us an email to get started.

• Fast-track those holiday shopping plans. For the first time, Amazon is hosting a second Prime Day with the Prime Early Access Sale running today, Oct. 11 and tomorrow, Oct. 12. Snag tech like earbuds or kitchen appliances at Black Friday prices — 45 days in advance.*