Can’t stop the feline 🐈

A cat snuggled on the rug at Purrology Cat Cafe

The cats you’ll meet at Purrology are both adorable and adoptable. | Photo by LALtoday

Lakeland’s latest business boom has brought us a creative biz making a paws-itive impact: Purrology Cat Cafe. The first of its kind in Swan City, this cafe lets guests interact with free-roaming cats up for adoption while you sip on specialty beverages, saving cats from being euthanized.

The de-tails

Location: 5343 S. Florida Ave.
Hours: Tues.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Guests can book an hour-long lounge visit to pet the cats for $12 per person.
Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment to order specialty coffee, tea, and more. View the menu here.
If you meet a cat you can’t leave without, you can adopt them through A Kitten Place, an animal rescue organization.
You can book a private party, or attend one of their special events (cat yoga, anyone?).

Purple latte on table at Purrology Cat Cafe — Order a specialty drink to get cat-ffeinated.

Our ex-paw-rience
City Editor Connor here. I visited the lounge to meet the cats for myself. I arrived a few minutes before my appointment and ordered an ube brown sugar latte — and it tasted as good as it looked.

I had a full hour to pet and play with seven kittens, and one even tried to take a sip of my drink. The cats were very friendly, though some were a bit shyer than others and took their time warming up to me. They have plenty of toys and places to climb — it’s truly a cat’s purr-adise.

Wall with cat, toys, and climbing structures at Purrology Cat Cafe — If we were cats, we would want to hang out here all day too.

Try it fur yourself
Check Purrology’s Instagram account before your visit to see which cats are available in the cat room (they rotate out as others get adopted). If you want to get even more involved, the biz is always looking for volunteers.

Ready to book your visit? We have a feline you’ll enjoy it — just bring your lint roller.

POLL

Do you think Lakeland loves dogs or cats more?

A. It’s going to the dogs around here.
B. I’m not kitten around about my cats.

YOU GATO LET US KNOW

EVENTS

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Today

After School Art | Mon., Oct. 24, Mon., Oct. 31 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | $5.00 | Parents and children can learn creative skills with a new art lesson each week.
Lunch Pop-Ups at Catapult: Bandidas | Mon., Oct. 24 - 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.

Tuesday

Florida Philharmonia Orchestra Fall Concert | Tue., Oct. 25 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4450 Harden Blvd, Lakeland | Free | Listen as the Florida Philharmonia Orchestra performs all eight movie themes from “Harry Potter,” plus pieces like “Sorcerers Apprentice,” “Danse Infernale,” “Berceuse,” and “Finale.”
Yoga for a Better Life | Tue., Oct. 25 | 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Public Library, 325 Avenue A NW, Winter Haven | Free | Bring your own mat to this meditative yoga practice — space is limited.

Wednesday

Line Dancing Lessons & DJ Steev G | Wed., Oct. 26 | 5-7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland | Free | Kick off your Sunday shoes and take these free line dancing lessons — stay for music by DJ Steev G and drink specials starting at 8 p.m.

Thursday

Falling Into Fun - Fall Festival | Thu., Oct. 27 | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Lakeland | Free | The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department invites the community to celebrate the season with arts and crafts, bounce houses, archery, and more.

Friday

Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida Annual Pink Ribbon Gala 2022 | Fri., Oct. 28 | 6 p.m. | Haus 820, 820 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $100.00+ | Join The Watson Clinic Foundation and The Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida for cocktails, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and more to support breast cancer survivors.
Costumes and Candy | Fri., Oct. 28 | 6-8 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland | Free | Don those costumes and bring the family for this trunk-or-treat event.
Spooky Pineapple Carving + Cocktails | Fri., Oct. 28 - Sat., Oct. 29 | 8-9:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E Main St, Lakeland | $45.00 | Get spooky with pineapple carving and specialty “boos” — AKA, cocktails mixed for just the occasion — price includes a pineapple, two drinks, and necessary tools.

We have a monthly 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.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

84º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Edu

Midterm election day is on Tues., Nov. 8. Learn more about Lisa Miller and Jill Sessions, the candidates for District 7 school board seat and brush up on your local civics with our guide before casting your ballot next week. ✏️ (The Ledger)

Civic

This week marks the last of Phillip Walker’s final term on the City Commission, which he was first elected to 12 years ago. Read his interview with LkldNow to hear his thoughts on his time as commissioner, the accomplishments he’s proudest of, and what’s next for him. (LkldNow)

Environment

If an environmental referendum is voted upon in midterm elections, Polk County will levy a tax to purchase environmental lands and allow landowners to sell their developmental rights. Four areas are being targeted for purchase, including the Green Swamp, Polk County Highlands, the Peace River, and the Upper Kissimmee Basin. 🌳 (LkldNow)

Closed

On Sat., Oct. 22, Crispers permanently closed its four remaining locations, including two in Lakeland. The chain was founded in Lakeland’s Merchants Walk center in 1989, and was owned by Publix for several years. (The Ledger)

Traffic

Don’t be frightened by road closures. The north side of Lake Mirror — from Rose Street to east of the train station entrance — will be closed to traffic tonight from 3-9 p.m. for the City of Lakeland’s free Truck or Treat event happening from 5-8 p.m.

Arts

Harrison School for the Arts is hosting the ARC Visual Art Exhibit reception on Thurs., Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Stop by this free exhibit to view artwork by students of all grade levels. 🎨

Watch

From experiencing homelessness as a child to making it to the NFL, Lakelander Freddie Stevenson’s story is nothing short of inspiring. His documentary “Trials to Triumph,” which highlights stories of overcoming adversity, premiered at the Polk Theatre earlier this month and is now available to stream.

Holiday

It’s Diwali, the “Festival of Lights” in Hindu tradition. Celebrated on the darkest day of the lunar month, candles, lanterns + fireworks are lit to reflect the triumph of light over darkness. It’s a five-day festival, but outside of India usually only the third day is observed.

Seasonal

Bring your boo thing to Lakeside Village on Fri., Oct. 28 for the annual Halloween Bash. Trick-or-treat in participating stores and see circus performers on The Lawn from 5-7 p.m. — plus, enjoy scary good deals on food + drinks. 👻

Drink

You’ll soon be able to sip La Tropical — one of the first beers brewed in Florida — as it makes its return to Tampa Bay. Celebrate with a day trip to Ybor City, the first city in the state granted a brewing license before producing La Tropical in 1897. 🍻 (WFLA)

Announced

Here at LALtoday, we aim to bring the most relevant + engaging daily content about City right to your inbox. If you enjoy our newsletter and supporting all things local, consider joining our LALtoday Membership Program. Membership helps keep our newsletter free and has some cool perks. Learn more + sign up.

Cause

Starting Tues., Nov. 1, Publix Employees Federal Credit Union is partnering with Boots for Troops to host a donation drive for our brave military members serving overseas. Donate items (think: snacks, hygiene products, card games, or books) at a local PEFCU branch or mail in your contributions. 🇺🇸 *

Shop

We know how much Lakelanders love Publix GreenWise Market. One of the best perks they offer (besides delicious organic food) is their REWARDS program — check out the benefits shoppers enjoy. 🛒 *

Health

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Sports

Buzzer beater

A furry yellow mascot in a basketball jersey cheers with fans in the stands at a Lakeland Magic game.

Look out for Swish, the Magic’s mascot, at home games at the RP Funding Center. | Photo via The Lakeland Magic

Autumn is full of crisp falling leaves, Halloween fun, and pumpkin spice lattes. And here in Lakeland, fall is sports season. Professional football kicked off, basketball is traveling onto our calendars, the NHL season is returning bar down, and the MiLB playoffs are sliding into home.

We want to make sure that you’re catching all the sports coverage you need to join the conversation. As the fall season gets going, what kind of sports content do you want to see in LALtoday?

Grab your foam finger and tell us by filling out this survey. You’ll be entered in a drawing for a chance to score big with team-branded swag up to $100 in value.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Our team was blown away by the grand opening of Bonnet Springs Park. I loved the art installations and animal encounters — see me petting a snake + an armadillo three times my size here — but the best part was seeing the features we can enjoy each day at the park.

Missed the festivities? Check out what you missed, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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