City

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Commissioner Phillip Walker has walked these halls for nearly 13 years. | Photo by LALtoday

After nearly 13 years on the Lakeland City Commission, Phillip Walker’s term is coming to a close this week. The longest-standing member of the commission tendered his resignation — effective Monday, Nov. 7 — this summer. Keep reading for our questions for Commissioner Walker.

Q: If you could identify a top priority for Lakeland in the next 10 years, what would it be?

Lakeland is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s important that my other colleagues look at how we can best handle the growth that we’re experiencing. I believe growth management is important — affordable housing, public safety, and on top of all that, thinking of how we can fiscally manage our operation. We want businesses to come and be a part of our growth, so economic development is another critical component.

Q: As the longest-tenured member of the Commission, what would you share with our readers?

A: One of the pillars of Lakeland city government is diversity. It is making sure we’re an inclusive community. If you want to help the community, you have to make sure people who are like all of us are not just at the table, but in leadership as well.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the Florida League of Cities and how it translates to your work here?

A: Florida League of Cities is for all local elected officials, mayors, city commissioners, and council people. We work with local legislators in Lakeland and Polk County, as well as all of the state, to deal with issues or challenges that we see. Lakeland is not Miami. Even though we’re pretty much a “big boy” now, as we call ourselves on the I-4 corridor, we’re not a Jacksonville.

Click below to learn what’s next for Commissioner Walker and more.

2 MORE QUESTIONS WITH COMMISSIONER WALKER

EVENTS

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Friday, Nov. 4

Matter is Miraculous Art Exhibition | Friday, Nov. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | The Uliana, 1216 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | RSVP for this art show featuring the work of Jason DeMeo, followed by an after-party at Cob & Pen.
First Friday: Dancing Under the Stars | Friday, Nov. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Join this salute to our armed forces with a live band and dancing in Munn Park, plus a maker’s market and car show.

Saturday, Nov. 5

46th Lake to Lake 10K | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Lake Morton, Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | $45 | Run past three lakes and through the historic Lake Morton district in Polk County’s oldest annual race — proceeds benefit the YMCA of West Central Florida.
Art Crawl | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Visit this free art festival featuring 50+ local artists, performances, demonstrations, and competitions.

Sunday, Nov. 6

Kids Thanksgiving Cupcake Class | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 2-4 p.m. | What’s Cooking Lakeland, 6935 South Carter Rd., Ste. 6, Lakeland | $55 | Kids and teens can create cupcakes that look like corn on the cob and mini pies in this hands-on class.

Monday, Nov. 7

Sage-ing | Monday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Public Library, 325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven | Free | Older adults can learn about personal fulfillment in this class meeting every Monday.

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Fun Run, Music Bingo & Gin Khao Food Truck | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Join in a fun run at 5:30 p.m. before playing music bingo at 6:30 p.m. with bites from Gin Khao.
Molly’s Musicians Showcase @ Molly McHugh’s | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 9 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free | Support local musicians at this free open mic night.

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

WELLNESS

Fact or Fiction: Think you know what prevents hair loss? Think again. 👀

A woman puts hair loss treatment into her hair part.

LALtoday readers can grab 15% off on Revela’s restorative serums with code 6AMCITY. | Photo provided by Revela

50% of women will experience hair loss in their lifetime. You might think you know what causes it — but do you really?

Test your knowledge. Are these Fact or Fiction?

Thinning hair should be washed less. Fact or Fiction?
Split ends stop hair growth. Fact or Fiction?
COVID-19 causes hair loss. Fact or Fiction?*

THIS SERUM CAN HELP

NEWS NOTES

Weather

85º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain

Number

$215.5 million. That’s how much money Polk State College adds to the Polk County economy annually, according to a recent economic impact study conducted by Emsi Burning Glass. The study found that one in every 94 Polk County jobs is directly or indirectly supported by Polk State College.
$3 million. That’s how much the Polk County School Board is applying for in grant funding to hire more mental health workers for the district. Currently, the district employs 48 school psychologists and 34 social workers. (LkldNow)

Edu

Florida Polytechnic University’s new partner and first resident of the upcoming Citrus Innovation Center, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., has donated $125,000 to the university. Student scholarships will receive $25,000 of the funds with the remaining $100,000 going to research for faculty projects. 🎓

Opening

COhatch — a new coworking space coming to downtown Lakeland — is hosting its grand opening on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 5:30-9 p.m. Check out the new 211 E. Main St. location while enjoying a fall food truck festival, featuring tours of the space, $5 food tokens, drinks, and family-friendly activities.

Coming Soon

A new upscale fast-food restaurant is coming soon to South Florida Avenue near Home Depot, Bob Evans, and Starbucks. While the exact biz is still TBA, we spy with our little eye a #milkshake in the caption. Any guesses? Share your predictions with us. 🥤

Sports

The roster for Lakeland Magic’s opening night game — taking place tonight at 8 p.m. in Memphis, TN — is live. Fun fact: The 13 players have an average height of nearly 6'6”.

Cause

Hey dog lovers, head to the SUN ‘n FUN Pavilion (4175 Medulla Rd.) tomorrow from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for Dachshund Adoption, Rescue and Education’s annual fundraiser: Dox-a-palooza. The event will feature a parade of fosters, costume contest, wiener dog race, silent auction, and more. 🐕

Concert

Wish Farms is celebrating its 100-year anniversary with Pixie Rock — a concert featuring ZZ Top, Bishop Briggs, Saint Motel, Blanco Brown, Kim Richey, and Shevonne — on Saturday, Nov. 12. Tickets start at $125. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Holiday

That’s a wrap. Groups from George Jenkins High School and the Polk County Bully Project are offering complimentary gift wrapping for all gifts purchased at Lakeside Village shops on select dates. Head to the breezeway near Fish City Grill (1485 Town Center Dr., Ste. D112) to participate. 🎁

Eat

Main Street Winter Haven’s annual Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese event is happening on Thursday, Nov. 17. Travel from business to business sampling wine and small bites while enjoying live music on the street. Tickets are $30 online or $35 at the event.

Community

What’s all the buzz about at Bonnet Springs Park? GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center has a new display that, truth bee told, is worth seeing. 🐝 *

Drink

Pumpkin spice season hasn’t ended yet. Treat yourself to a boozy rendition of this fall staple with a Creamy Pumpkin Pie Martini to (responsibly) celebrate the weekend. 🍸 *

Announced

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. 💻

Travel

Dreaming up a trip to the Bahamas? This Spanish Wells private cottage might just be your new happy place. It’s steps from the turquoise water, fully air conditioned, and is rated five stars. Book it as a January getaway or the best holiday gift ever for $299 avg/night. 🌊*

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civic

LAL’s declassified Lakeland survival guide

Lakelanders, make your voice heard by voting. | Photo by LALtoday

Feeling inspired to be a top-tier citizen? Here are a few ways you can stay informed and get involved around Lakeland.

Voting guide

Check your voter registration status, polling location, and sample ballot using information and links provided here.

Organizations to know

The City Commission — seven elected members that represent a district or the city at-large
The Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (LCRA) — works with the city commission to improve community areas
The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) — maintains downtown Lakeland and plans community events

Local media accounts to follow

LALtoday | News, lifestyle | Free
LkldNow | News | Free
The Lakelander | Culture, lifestyle | Free with subscription options
Lakeland Mom | Kids + family, lifestyle | Free
The Ledger | News | Free with subscription options
LKLD Magazine | Lifestyle | Free
Access Lakeland | City of Lakeland initiatives + events | Free

VIEW THE FULL GUIDE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: Don’t forget to set your clocks back this weekend, Lakeland. Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, and on Sunday at 2 a.m., we’ll fall back one hour (meaning sunrise and sunset will both be one hour earlier).

If you find yourself feeling extra drowsy on Monday, head to one of these local coffee shops for a pick-me-up while you read your morning newsletter.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We gave you a guide to Art Crawl, 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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