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Lakelander 101: A how-to for new residents

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We’re all in this together, Lakeland. | Photo by LALtoday
Picture this: You just moved to Lakeland, Florida and you need some help with the practicalities of life. That’s where we come in. Keep reading for Lakelander 101, our guide to all things Lakeland.

Voter registration

Make sure you’re eligible and registered to vote, find your polling location, and preview upcoming elections and sample ballots here.

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Head to the Tax Collector for Polk County (916 N. Massachusetts Ave.) to register your vehicle, obtain a license, and more.

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Photo via @twothirdsrochambeau

Driver’s licenses and vehicle registration

New residents in need of a Florida driver’s license will need to provide proof of legal status, a Social Security document, and two documents confirming their address.

To register your car in the state of Florida, you’ll need to take proof of Florida car insurance, proof of your identity (in the form of a driver’s license, passport, or ID card), and a Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification form to any Polk County office (such as the Tax Collector’s Office at 916 N. Massachusetts Ave. in Lakeland).

Initial registrations may be subject to a $225 fee.

Make an appointment at any of Polk County’s offices to obtain a Florida driver’s license. Vehicle registration is conducted on a walk-in basis.

Rendering of exterior view of Lakeland Regional Health's South Florida Avenue facility

Lakeland’s healthcare scene will soon have a new Lakeland Regional Health facility on S. Florida Ave.

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Rendering by The Lunz Group

Healthcare

Establishing yourself with a primary care provider is one of those things you’ll be glad you did when you need one. Reach out to the professionals at Lakeland Regional Health, Watson Clinic, or BayCare Medical Group. Pro tip: Websites like DocSpot filter physicians by location, patient reviews, insurance, language, and more.

Utilities

Moving is exciting, but no one wants to unpack by candlelight. Establish your services with Lakeland Electric by creating an account or updating your address in your existing account. Pro tip: You can complete a free virtual energy audit to learn how you can save money and energy every month.

Is there something you’re still left wondering about getting established in Swan City? Ask us and we’ll do our best to figure it out, like a good neighbor.
RECYCLING, SCHOOL REGISTRATION + MORE
🤔 ASKED 🤔

Approximately what percentage of people fail their drivers’ exam on the first attempt?


A. 16%
B. 32%
C. 44%
D. 52%
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
 
🗓️ EVENTS 🗓️
Monday, March 6
  • After School Art | Monday, Mar. 6 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | $5 | Parents and children can work together on an art activity — space is limited.
  • Josh Turner | Monday, Mar. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $35 | Multi-platinum-selling artist Josh Turner will sing hits like “Your Man” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”
Tuesday, March 7
  • Golden Girls Trivia | Tuesday, Mar. 7 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | Say “thank you for being a friend” by inviting your pals to Golden Girls trivia at Keel Farms — enjoy locally-made cider, beer, and sangria while you play.
  • Motown with a Twist | Tuesday, Mar. 7 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $31-$86 | Stars from “American Idol,” “Dancing With The Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “The Voice” are bringing a new twist on the classic Motown to life.
Wednesday, March 8
  • Movie Trivia Night w/ Nick and Gin Khao Food Truck | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Calling all movie buffs — put your general movie knowledge to the test at this free-to-play trivia night with your team.
  • The Pointer Sisters | Wednesday, Mar. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $40 | This dynamic female trio will take the Wish Farms Soundstage — we’re so excited, we just can’t hide it.
Thursday, March 9
  • Bright Tropical Bay | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Paint a beachside scene with friends and snacks in this step-by-step class.
  • Yoga for Wellness - Weekly Classes | Thursday, Mar. 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robbins Rd., Lakeland | Free | This donation-based yoga class focuses on the holistic well-being of the mind, body, and spirit.
Friday, March 10
  • Florida Seafood Wine and Dine | Friday, Mar. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $75 | Watch as professional chefs show you how to prepare Florida-inspired seafood dishes and pair them with wine.
  • “The Wizard of Oz” | Friday, Mar. 10 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $15-$25 | Follow the yellow brick road to see this original dance production of the beloved story.
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.

Click here to have your event featured.
100+ MORE EVENTS
 
BIZ

Meet this month’s LoveLakeland CityMaker 👋

Kristina + Jeremy Mockabee, LoveLakeland’s recently-named May 2023 CityMakers.
LoveLakeland’s CityMakers are Lakelanders who “go the extra mile for their city and their fellow person.” | Photo provided by Love Lakeland
Congratulations are in order for Teresa O’Brien, LoveLakeland’s recently-named March 2023 CityMaker. 🎉

Teresa is the founder of Help(her), a Lakeland-based company that provides on-demand job matching services for individuals + businesses with qualified girl bosses from across Swan City.

Know someone who goes the extra mile for LAL (and their fellow Lakelanders)? Nominate the next CityMaker.*
SEE WHY TERESA IS A CITYMAKER
✏️NEWS NOTES✏️

Weather
  • 88º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Opening
  • Another day, another new foodie development in Lakeland. Jona-Bells — a new cafe serving up coffee, açaí, juice, and pastries — is opening soon on Lakeland’s north side. The biz is coming soon to 3135 Knights Station Rd., just 12 minutes from downtown Lakeland. ☕️
Civic
  • The Lakeland Police Department has distributed body-worn cameras (BWCs) to 176 officers, with high-ranking officers and captains to receive them next. Learn more about BWCs, like when they record, how footage is stored, how they’re worn, and more in LkldNow’s guide. (LkldNow)
  • Today is the last day to register to vote in the April 4 municipal election for Bartow, Haines City, Lake Wales, and Fort Meade residents. Update your voter information (think: Did you recently move or change your name?) or register for the first time at these locations. View sample ballots. (The Ledger)
Traffic
  • The closure of North Florida Avenue’s northbound lane for repairs has been postponed to an undetermined date. At a later date, the road will close for sewer repairs between Main Street and the CSX railroad tracks. ⚠️
Number
  • $54.5 billion. That’s how much Publix Super Markets did in sales during 2022, compared to $48 billion in 2021. DYK Publix is the largest employee-owned company in the US — and Lakeland’s largest private employer? Check out the other top employers in our guide. 💰 (The Ledger)
Edu
  • Polk County Public Schools, non-profit organization Lakeland Leads, Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, and Tenoroc High School have launched Junior Achievement’s 3DE model at Tenoroc High. The model prioritizes teaching students problem-solving and real-world business skills.
Talk
  • Celebrate Women’s History Month with Polk State College’s panel of local businesswomen and educators. The free panel discussion on career building takes place Wednesday, March 8 at 12 p.m. at Polk State’s Winter Haven Campus Fine Arts Theatre (999 Ave. H NE).
Eat
  • Strawberry corndog, anyone? The Strawberry festival — known for its delicious and often unorthodox berry-themed foodshas quite the foodie lineup this year. Savory items (like the Mac Stack) and vegan-friendly options (like the Fried Oyster-Mushroom Po Boy) are also on the menu. Looking for something “healthy?” Try this. (WTSP)
  • Good news for those dreaming of summer days: Tree-ripened peaches are on sale at Publix GreenWise Market through Wednesday, March 8. Peach fuzz not your thing? Nectarines are on sale, too. 🍑 *
Pets
Outdoors
  • Siesta Key, St. Pete Beach, and Clearwater Beach were among eight Florida beaches on TripAdvisor’s list of the Top 25 Beaches in the US. Siesta Key nearly took the top spot, coming in at No. 2. If you’re looking to beat the heat and avoid the crowds, here are three nearby beaches on the quieter side. (The Ledger)
Biz
  • Ethos Coffee Roasters and Haven Coffee Roasters are celebrating seven and two years, respectively, this month. Ethos Coffee is hosting a tasting event on Sunday, March 12 and Haven Coffee Roasters is celebrating with free cupcakes for the first 50 guests on Saturday, March 18.
  • Work smarter, not harder. Businesses looking to increase their brand visibility don’t have to create new content every time — see how to repurpose content for multiple mediums (think: Instagram, TikTok + YouTube). 📱 *
Finance
  • You’ve probably already heard the sweet siren song of the promotional 0% balance transfer rate. The trick is to figure out whether an offer like this can work out for you — without getting confused. Here’s how to decide. 💸 *

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

The birth of a berry iconic festival 🍓

A brief history of the Florida Strawberry Festival

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The Florida Strawberry Festival, circa 1976 | Photo via Florida Memory
The Florida Strawberry Festival is underway. Originally called the Plant City Strawberry Festival, the Plant City Lions Club started the annual event to honor King Strawberrythe area’s leader in agricultural products in 1930.

The event went off without a hitch for over a decade, until World War II halted operations in 1941. The festival ceased until 1947, when operations were revamped by The Norman McLeod American Legion Post 27 and the Plant City Junior Chamber of Commerce, leading to the first festival in years in 1948.

Fast forward to the 1970s — the team decided to add in celebrity entertainment and invited Dale Evans, wife of Roy Rogers, to perform. From there, big names like Pat Boone and Anita Bryant took the stage.

Today, the festival ranks among the top 40 fairs in North America.
MORE FAIR-Y COOL HISTORY
 
👋 THE WRAP 👋
 
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Today’s Edition By:
RILEE

From the Editor
Happy Monday, Lakeland. The Florida State Fair may be behind us, but you can still enjoy the Florida Strawberry Festival all week. We’re also already looking for reader pro tips for our guide to SUN ‘n FUN 2023 — share yours with us here.
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