Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.

⏳ Don’t waste a minute

Six ways to spend an hour in Lakeland

Glow in the dark axes and targets at Ax Caliber

Throw axes under the neon lights at Ax-Caliber’s Glow and Throw nights. | Photo by @axcaliber

Time is precious — and after losing an hour to daylight saving time this weekend, we’re looking for even more ways to use the time we have. Try these six activities to make the most of 60 minutes in Swan City.

Get sporty

Book a bay at The Back Nine to play simulated golf and other sports, or try ax-throwing at Ax-Caliber. Both offer delicious eats and reservations for as little as one hour.

Pamper yourself

Since you missed out on an hour of beauty sleep, treat yourself to a massage from DayDreams Day Spa or a hydrafacial from Ayan Wellness. See our list of wellness spots for nine more recommendations.

Work in a workout

Pop into a local gym for a sweat session. CYCLEdelic offers 50-minute spin classes with enough time to grab a post-ride smoothie. You can also take a walk around Lake Hollingsworth — at three miles, it would take you about an hour to make your way around the walking trail if you take it at an average pace of 2.5-4 miles per hour.

An exhibit of framed paintings at the Polk Museum of Art — Tour the museum to learn from experts and Florida Southern students.
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Photo by LALtoday

Take a tour

Many of the Polk Museum of Art’s tours are an hour long. This week, you can catch a MAP student-led tour on Friday, March 17 from 1-2 p.m. or a docent-led tour on Saturday, March 18 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Break out

Can you solve the clues to escape in under an hour? Try your luck at Escapology or Lakeland Escape Room, where you only have 60 minutes to find a way out.

Learn from the experts

The Lakeland Public Library hosts virtual Author Talks where you can discuss a new book with its writer. Register for today’s talk at 1 p.m. featuring David Epstein, author of “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.”

Question

What was the worst thing you ever bought? Why was it so bad?

Congratulations to Sarah M. 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!

LET US KNOW HERE

Events

Monday, March 13

Spring Break at BSP | Monday, March 13-Friday, March 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Families can enjoy STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities with a different theme each day.
Spring Pop-Up Series: Salavate Pasta | Monday, March 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Grab lunch on the Catapult patio from these chefs specializing in fresh pasta, focaccia sandwiches, and more.

Tuesday, March 14

The Eternal Feminine: Piano Duets Celebrating Women in Music | Tuesday, Mar. 14 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Robert Davis Performing Arts Center, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate Women’s History Month with this evening of dueling pianos — featured music will include selections written by notable women composers.

Wednesday, March 15

“Rhinoceros” | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake. Ave, Lakeland | $15 | The sublime is confused with the ridiculous in this 1959 commentary on the human condition.

Thursday, March 16

The Aquarian Market | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 6-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free | Shop from vegan food vendors while you peruse hand-crafted items at this night market.

Friday, March 17

Bartow’s Unparade | Friday, Mar. 17 | 5:30-6 p.m. | Bartow | Free | This quick-paced, unconventional parade features a “mutt strut” and King of the Un-Parade, SL Frisbie — the parade runs from Nye Jordan Park to Friday Fest in downtown Bartow.

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

News Notes

Weather

80º | Thunderstorms | 70% chance of rain

Travel

FlixBus is proposing adding a stop in Lakeland, taking riders from the Gow B. Fields Park and Ride (924 W. Robson St.) to destinations like Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. If plans are approved by Lakeland Area Mass Transit District directors, FlixBus would start service on Thursday, March 30. (LkldNow)

Biz

You can now get your coffee even earlier at Unfiltered Lakeland. The coffee house announced that it will change its Monday-Wednesday hours to 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., effective Monday, March 20. Thursday-Saturday hours will remain 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Plant City’s Wish Farms is celebrating 101 years in the berry business this year, growing from just one man with a produce cart to selling products in all 50 states. In the next 100 years, owner Gary Wishnatzki says the farms will introduce robotic picking to help workers. (WTSP)

Sports

Polk State College basketball guard George Pridgett was chosen for the All-FCSAA team after just one season with the Eagles. George ranked in the top five FCSAA players for points per game and three-point shots, leading the Eagles in scoring and steals.

Edu

Florida lawmakers are considering changing start times for middle and high schools to 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., respectively. Click here to keep up with Polk County Public Schools’ priorities for the 2023 legislative session, including teacher recruitment and student support. (WFLA)

Drink

Lugo’s Craft Distillery has new, St. Patrick’s Day-esque cocktails on the menu. Try the Pot O’ Gold for a boozy combination of Swan Brewing and Ethos Coffee Roasters.

Outdoors

If you’re heading to the beach for spring break, choose your spot carefully. Red tide has been reported in Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. Check this map to find beaches with low to high concentrations of red tide. (WTSP)

Number

$234,000. That’s how much airplane flipper James Webb paid for a private jet once owned by Elvis Presley. The plane is now being stored in Plant City, where James will convert it into an RV. You can keep up with his progress on his YouTube channel, “Jimmy’s World.” (WFLA)

Eat

Fast-food chain Jack in the Box could be coming to Lakeland. The restaurant is eyeing 14 new Florida locations after closing its existing ones in 1979. While the biz is currently advertising Tampa and Orlando franchises, Lakeland also made the list of possible locations. What do you think? (The Ledger)
Tired of corned beef + cabbage? Consider this your lucky charm. These St. Patrick’s Day recipes go beyond the usual Irish holiday fare (think: Herb garlic salmon, cheddar soda bread scones, Emerald Islander cocktail, and more). 🍀*

Seasonal

To welcome the new season, our online store (Six & Main) is running a Spring Forward Contest. The winner + two friends will receive a prize from one of our coffee or tea brand partners. The contest is running now through Friday, March 24. Learn more on Instagram. 🌸

Home

So you can’t stop thinking about new marble countertops + a reclaimed tile backsplash. Us, too. If the question of financing is the only thing holding you back, we’ve got two words for you: Home equity. 🏡*

Today Is

National Napping Day. Yup, the best day ever. Shop our favorite sleepytime picks for a cool and comfy snooze like this kooky but effective eye mask and this cutting edge mattress topper with a water cooling system. 💤*

DYK

Fun local fact: Los primeros cisnes reales de Lakeland fueron un regalo de la reina Isabel II. Find the translation of this fun fact in The Wrap at the bottom of our newsletter.*

Payne Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. c/o McQueen Marketing

TRAVEL

Top train trip tips

Pro tips for riding an Amtrak train from Lakeland

An exterior view of the Lakeland Amtrak train station

Lakeland’s Amtrak station can be found north of Lake Mirror. | Photo by LALtoday

Last week, we asked you to share your pro tips for riding an Amtrak train from Lakeland’s station. Here’s what our readers had to say:

“Be prepared for occasional delays, though free wifi makes the time pass. You can work with your laptop on a retractable table top, or talk on the phone.” —Reader Cynthia H.

“You can park your vehicle for short term parking. Just inform the very helpful station master. You can bring food or purchase it in the dining car.” —Reader Robb U.

“Schedule varies according to how the train is running. Recommend going to the train station to make your reservations.” —Reader Margaret W.

“The workers at this station are wonderful. Always there for a helping hand. The only thing I can say negatively, this train is hardly ever on time. But even with the delays, the workers at this station are always friendly and upbeat.” —Reader Gloria G.

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Connor

DYK, translated: Lakeland’s first royal swans were a gift from Queen Elizabeth II. Brush up on your Spanish skills with a subscription to Babbel (currently 60% off exclusively for LALtoday readers now through Sunday, March 19).*

From the Editor

Thankfully today is National Napping Day so I can take advantage of my true favorite way to spend an hour. You can’t beat a hammock hung up between two trees by Lake Hollingsworth for a quick snooze.

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