Plus, it's time to nominate a historic home.
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Today’s Note

Please excuse our dust. We’re currently working to bring you an even better newsletter. Over the next couple weeks, you may see some things that are still in the works. We’re excited for you to see what we’ve been up to.
 
🎂 It’s a party in the LAL
A hand holding a container of ice cream in front of a Publix Super Markets sign
City Editor Connor celebrated her half-birthday with her favorite ice cream. | Photo by LALtoday
Birthdays aren’t just about gifts — but they sure do make the day even more fun. Celebrate becoming another year older and wiser with these local freebies and deals available on your birthday, suggested by our readers.

Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro, locations vary
Sign up for this Lakeland staple’s rewards program during your next visit for $5 off an order during your birthday month.

Brew Hub, 3900 S. Frontage Rd.
Who needs a birthday cake when you can have a Black Forest Cake or Key Lime Pie craft beer? Just show your driver’s license for a free draft.


A mini golf sign is lit up in the darkening sky.

It’s your birthday, so they have to let you win, right?

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Photo via Family Fun Center

Family Fun Center, 4825 S. Florida Ave.
You don’t have to be a kid to sign up for the Birthday Club and receive a free round of mini golf or laser tag each year.

Publix, locations vary
By joining Club Publix, you won’t just get a freebie once a year — the super market also celebrates your half-birthday with a discount on ice cream or a bar cake (the carrot cake is calling our name).

Swan Brewing, locations vary
Sign up for the loyalty program, grab a free pint, and toast to a new year in the taproom.

Texas Cattle Company birthday dinner with steak and mashed potatoes

We can’t think of a more delicious way to celebrate.

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Photo by @texascattlecompanyfl

Texas Cattle Company, 735 E. Main St.
Visit on your birthday for a free order of Texas tips served with au jus butter. Pro tip: You must have a valid ID with your birthday and someone in your party must purchase an entree of greater or equal value.

Keep the good times rolling with an LALtoday membership — perks include birthday shoutouts in our newsletter and discounts to our online storefront, Six & Main.

Did we miss your favorite freebies? Tell us your favorite place for a birthday treat.
 
Payne Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. c/o McQueen Marketing
 
Events
 
Wednesday, March 29
  • Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Boot scoot boogie on down to Union Hall for free line dancing lessons followed by karaoke at 8 p.m.
  • The Kingston Trio | Wednesday, Mar. 29 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $27.50 | Legendary folk icons The Kingston Trio are performing their most-loved hits in this “Keep The Music Playing” tour.
Thursday, March 30
  • Spring Pop-Up Series: Plates on Deck | Thursday, March 30 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Home cooking and fine dining meet at this lunch pop-up with elevated soul food bites.
  • Lecture Series: “We Freeze to Please” | Thursday, Mar. 30 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library History Room, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Author and local historian William Lloyd Harris will share about the historic Lakeland Ice House.
Friday, March 31
  • Adult Prom Night | Friday, Mar. 31 | 7 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $50-$90 | See who will be named king and queen at this 1980s-inspired party featuring food, drinks, and a live band.
  • Florida Tropics SC vs. St. Louis Ambush | Friday, Mar. 31 | 7:05 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $5-$20 | See if the Florida Tropics can win over the Ambush in this indoor soccer game.
Saturday, April 1
  • 2023 SUN ‘n RUN 5K | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 7 a.m. | Lakeland Linder International Airport, 3900 Don Emerson Dr., Lakeland | $35 | Start this race at the LAL airport terminal surrounded by US Navy Blue Angels and watch hot air balloons take off as you run.
  • Anne Jenkins Memorial Symphony Series: “Music at the Movies — John Williams” | Saturday, Apr. 1 | 7-8:10 p.m. | Polk Theater, 121 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $21-$49 | Hear the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra perform scores from movies like “Catch Me If You Can” and “Star Wars.”
Sunday, April 2
  • Baby Goat Yoga on the Farm! | Sunday, Apr. 2 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robbins Rd., Lakeland | $5-$25 | We’re not kidding around — try this beginner-friendly, 45-minute goat yoga class.
  • Sunday Funday & Mimosa Bar! | Sunday, April 2 | 12-7 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | $1 | Pour your own mimosas with prosecco on tap for $1 per ounce and free mixers.
Plan ahead with our community events calendar.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
 
Weather
  • 83° | Mostly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Stat
  • 20%. That’s how much of the city’s waste material NuCycle Energy is hoping to divert from landfills through a new city partnership. The company uses commercial waste to create Enviro-Fuelcubes for manufacturing plants. (LkldNow)
Today Is
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Day, an annual day full of fun activities for Florida Southern College students. Did you know the school has the world’s largest single-site collection of the architect’s work? Learn more about Wright’s impact on FSC.
Gallery
  • SUN ‘n FUN has begun. Pilots have flown in from all over for the expo, which is the largest annual convention in all of Florida. See a few photos of their airplanes and helicopters in this gallery. (The Ledger)
Concert
  • Rock ‘n roll all night when Lakeland artist Matthew Lowry performs with The Flamingo County Players at Union Hall on Saturday, April 8. The show will feature special guests Nervous Pulp, Ash Emess & The Depressed, and Anisette Mayer.
History
  • The Annual Historic Preservation Awards are scheduled for Monday, May 22 at the Polk Theatre. Do you know of a historic home or building that deserves an award? Nominate it by emailing Emily Foster the building’s address and why you love it.
Shop
  • The next Buena Market is only 10 days away. Head to Bonnet Springs Park on Saturday, April 8 from 5-9 p.m. to shop from 50+ makers and artisans. The park’s cafe and rooftop bar will stay open late during the event.
Coming Soon
  • Winter Haven is adding four new electric vehicle chargers to the parking piazza at Fourth Street NW and Avenue B NW. This brings the city’s total to eight. Join the ribbon cutting on Monday, April 10 at 5 p.m. and check out our list of Lakeland charging stations. (The Ledger)
Eat
  • Planning your Easter menu? Let Publix GreenWise Market do the cooking for you with their ready-to-serve Easter meal — big enough for 7-10 guests, including an in-house smoked turkey, rolls, cranberry-orange relish, and four one-pound sides of your choice. Bonus: They’ll bake a cake for you, too.*
Number
Finance
  • Experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards so far this year. And their top five bonus cards are (cue drumroll)... these five. 👀 *
Drink
  • The most polished organizational item in your kitchen: The Fellow Atmos Coffee Canister, which not only looks great but keeps coffee fresh by sucking oxygen out of the jar. Pro tip: You can use it to store any snack and it will stay fresh longer.
Travel
 
 
Arts
 
Lemon Street’s newest sculptures
"Red Bear" metal sculpture on Lemon Street in Downtown Lakeland
“Red Bear” was made by the same artist as last year’s “Red Buffalo.” | Photo by LALtoday
New sculptures have arrived in Lakeland, signaling the start of the 2023 Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition. There are 10 works found downtown on Lemon Street and one at the Lakeland Public Library’s main branch. Over 70 sculptures were submitted for review this year.

The sculptures differ widely in their inspiration and art style. Take a seat on the “Morning Glory Pink Flower Whisper Bench” by Jim Gallucci or see “Dragon Flower” by Joni Younkins-Herzog from all sides.

Plan out a stroll through the art with this interactive map, which includes information on the featured sculptures and their artists. You can also take the competition’s first audio tour — featuring the artists themselves — with the Otocast app.

Once you’ve seen them all, vote for your favorite to win the People’s Choice Award. The sculptures will be on display through the end of the year.
 
The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL Today’s Edition By:
Connor
From the Editor
Did you miss out on Texas Cattle Company’s birthday deal during their closure? Here’s a belated birthday gift: The restaurant is offering its birthday deal for those born between February 6 and March 22. Just stop by before the end of April to redeem yours.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Meet 13 Lakelanders who are making moves in business, civics, the arts, and more.
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