Plus, a new dessert shop set to open soon
6AM City In-house

We built this city 🦢

Here’s how to join Lakeland boards and committees
Screen Shot 2019-02-04 at 1.06.37 PM
Create the city you want to live in. | Photo by @catapultlkld
Swan City citizens like you are integral to creating the city we love. Wondering how you can make an impact? You can serve Lakeland on one of nearly 20 municipal boards and committees focused on arts, development, code enforcement, and more.

⏰ How much time will this take? Time commitments vary, but most committees meet monthly or quarterly. Terms typically last from three to four years.

💻 How can I apply? Find the application form online. You can specify the open board or committee positions you’re interested in. When vacancies occur, boards or committees will review the applicants already on file.

👀 Are there any openings? There are currently eight vacancies on five committees. Here’s where you can now apply to serve the community:

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee | Currently seeking two applicants | 11 members | Meets quarterly
  • Reviews policies, procedures, ordinances, and development regulations, and adopts a housing plan for the city
  • Seeking an area employer and Lakeland residents who are engaged in residential building and are connected with affordable housing
Code Enforcement Board | Currently seeking one applicant | Seven members | Meets monthly
  • Enforces codes and ordinances, brings violations into compliance, and imposes fines
  • Seeking an alternate member who lives inside Lakeland city limits
Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board | Currently seeking three applicants | 11 members | Meets monthly
  • Works with the Lakeland CRA and local stakeholders to improve community areas with redistributed property taxes
  • Seeking those who live, own property, or work within the CRA’s Dixieland, Midtown, or Downtown districts
Historic home in Lakeland, FL

If this house looks like home, apply for the Historic Preservation Board. | Photo by LALtoday

Historic Preservation Board | Currently seeking one applicant | Nine to 13 members | Meets monthly
  • Promotes the preservation of historic structures and sites and oversees design guidelines in historic districts
  • Seeking an architect, realtor, property owner, or other Lakelander with an interest or experience in historic preservation
Zoning Board of Adjustments & Appeals | Currently seeking one applicant | Seven members | Meets as needed
  • Hears and decides appeals for zoning code variances
  • Seeking an alternate member who lives inside Lakeland city limits
How likely are you to make upgrades or renovations to your home in the next year?

A. Extremely likely
B. Somewhat likely
C. Neither likely nor unlikely
D. Somewhat unlikely
E. Extremely unlikely

Congratulations to Tiffany R. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!
SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER
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Monday, Feb. 27
  • Yoga for Beginners | Monday, Feb. 27 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and some water to this yoga class for all levels focusing on breath, alignment, balance, and strength — must be 16 or older.
  • Auditions: “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club” | Monday, Feb. 27 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | Free | Come prepared to do a cold reading when you audition for this 2020 play about lasting friendships.
Tuesday, Feb. 28
  • Story Time at the Florida Air Museum | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 10-11 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.
  • Author Talk with Cassandra Clare | Tuesday, Feb. 28 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This mega-bestselling author of “The Mortal Instruments” series will discuss her latest book, “Chain of Thorns,” with the Lakeland Public Library.
Wednesday, March 1
Thursday, March 2
  • Florida Strawberry Festival | Thursday, March 2-Sunday, March 12 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City | $4-$8 | Celebrate all things strawberry with rides, concerts, and plenty of fair food at this annual festival.
  • Sing Your Way Home | Thursday, Mar. 2 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $5-$10 | The FSC Chamber Singers will sing music from cultures around the world inspired by the meaning of “home.”
Friday, March 3
  • First Friday: Foodie Fest | Friday, Mar. 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Kick off March with small bites from local chefs and bakers, shopping at downtown stores, and a Makers Market.
We have a calendar filled with events and 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
Payne Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. c/o McQueen Marketing

Weather
  • 83º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Development
  • The new owners of Lakeland Town Center — formerly known as Searstown — are planning to restore the shopping center. Working with developers and preservationists on the remodel, the owners hope to preserve another mosaic mural and add eight restaurants and a new 150-unit apartment building. 🏗 (LkldNow)
Coming Soon
  • Have you spotted the “COOFFFFEEE COMING SOON” sign at 3601 S. Florida Ave., the former Gelati Joe’s location? West Coast drive-thru coffee concept happyfastdelicious will take over the spot, offering custom coffee, energy drinks, and sodas. Learn more of what you can expect and get a look at that sign.
  • Got desserts? Bartow will soon when Got Desserts opens a brick and mortar location at 190 S. Wilson Ave. Hours are TBA, but you can find the biz’s food truck at local events across Lakeland in the meantime. 🧁
Talk
  • For nonprofit Swan Forums Inc., everything is debatable. The group is hosting Swan Debates — one-on-one debates of hot topics with audience questions — in an effort to open up public discourse. The first of these happens tonight at 5 p.m. at The Well (114 E. Parker St.). (The Ledger)
History
  • NAACP Lakeland Branch President Terry Coney is hosting a community program in honor of Black History Month. The program will feature local civil rights leaders and a documentary screening. This free event starts tonight at 6 p.m. at the Coleman-Bush Building (1104 Martin L. King, Jr. Ave.). (LkldNow)
Cause
Concert
  • Southeastern University School of Music faculty will take the stage at tonight’s Spiritus Piano Trio Concert. The trio will perform on the piano, violin, and cello. The free concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.). 🎹
Family
  • Festive Flix is returning to Lake Mirror after being canceled due to weather earlier this month. Bring the family to watch “Sing 2” on the Frances Langford Promenade on Friday, March 10 at 7 p.m. The movie is free to watch, and concessions will be available for sale.
Plan Ahead
  • It’s never too early to plan a shopping trip. The Spring Bandit Market is coming to the Ritz Theatre (263 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven) on April 1. Sip cocktails as you shop from 40+ local small businesses, including Lakeland’s own Botany Cats.
Biz
  • Lights, camera, action. Need a place to bring your digital ideas to life? Enter: The Media Room at Catapult. The room is equipped with three different colored backdrops, controllable overhead studio lighting + more. Book the room. 📸 *
Eat
  • Missed National Chili Day last Thursday? Make up for it by visiting Chili’s before your next flight at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Pro tip: With nearly 100 restaurant options, your dining options at MCO are nearly endless. 🌶️ *
Shop
  • Say goodbye to wrinkled clothes. This sleek garment steamer is leakproof and lightweight, making it easy to steam your clothes from home or while on the go. Bonus: It heats up in just 30 seconds and is suitable for a wide range of fabrics. 👚 *
Finance
  • If cash back is king, this card is royalty. With a big sign-up bonus, up to 5% cash back, no annual fee, 0% APR until 2024 + more, it’s basically a no-brainer. 👀 *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Bonnet Springs Park

No passport required 🌎

International food tour of Polk County, FL
zuppina
Cafe Zuppina offers Middle Eastern-inspired flavors. | Photo by Tina Sargeant Photography | Photo by Tina Sargeant Photography
Lakeland is the perfect place to experience the world via international cuisine. Try one of these 32 restaurants and markets for your next meal:

Zarza Latin Food & Grill, 4648 Cleveland Heights Blvd. | Try a dish fresh from the grill that blends the culinary styles of Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and Ecuador.

Bay Street Bistro, 211 E. Bay St. | This restaurant’s menu provides a diverse representation of offerings with blended European cuisine at its heart. Start your meal off with an appetizer of escargot or bruschetta.

Cafe Zuppina, 4417 S. Florida Ave. | Try unique Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern menu options for lunch or dinner. Pro tip: Grab and go with coffee, pastries, and boxed meals from The Market next door.

Pho Tan, 2920 S. Combee Rd. | If you’re a fiend for Pho, then this is the spot for you. Explore their plethora of dishes including Vietnamese bread, lemongrass vermicelli, and Southeast Asian beverages and teas.
28 MORE INTERNATIONAL RECS
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: If I had to choose a local board or committee to join, it would be the CRA Advisory Board. I learned about everything the CRA does in my Q+A with Brian Rewis, Lakeland’s Director of Community & Economic Development, and I’d love to be a part of their upcoming projects.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Skip the manic Monday and start working for the weekend with our Friday-Sunday itinerary, here.
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Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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