Plus, how many downtown bars are too many?
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Today’s Forecast

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

🎨 Mural, mural, on the wall

Asked: Where would you put Lakeland’s next mural?
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We can’t wait to see this finished mural. | Photo by LALtoday
Have you seen the new in-progress mural at Quick Print Express on South Florida Avenue? When we caught a glimpse of its retro-inspired design, it got us thinking about which other Lakeland walls could do with a fresh coat of paint.

The Dixieland Art Infusion Project made the area a hot spot for murals like this new one. Quick Print Express was one of 17 businesses that originally signed on for the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency’s project. The goal was to turn this stretch of road into an “Art Infusion Corridor.”

You won’t just find these murals in Dixieland. You’ll see these large-scale works of art on business exteriors and interiors, tucked into alleyways, or facing busy streets all over Lakeland.

Artist Gillian Fazio painting a colorful mural at Fresh Kitchen

Gillian Fazio’s next local mural will be unveiled soon at Fresh Kitchen.

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Photo by @gfazioart

How is the location of a new mural decided? In our Q+A with Lakeland muralist Gillian Fazio, she revealed a bit of the process. While she started out approaching businesses to paint their walls, eventually they began reaching out to her — including the new Fresh Kitchen location.

That leads us to our question: Where would you put Lakeland’s next mural? Tell us which business, point of interest, or blank wall you think deserves a pop of color (bonus points if you share an idea for the design). We may share your idea in an upcoming newsletter to see if it inspires an artist — or a local business owner.

Lakeland Public Library exterior

Where some see a blank wall, we see a canvas.

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Photo by LALtoday

Here are a few ideas to get you started. City Editor Connor would love to add a “Swan Lake"-inspired mural to the front facade of the Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton. City Editor Rilee is hoping for some color at the Sherwin-Williams Commercial Paint Store on South Florida Avenue. Release your inner artist and complete our survey.
Asked

Where would you put Lakeland’s next mural?
Let us know your dream location, artist, and design.
Show off your eye for design
Publix
 
Events
Tuesday, April 4
  • Spring Pop-Up Series: Our Noire Kitchen | Tuesday, April 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Spice up lunch with bold flavors created by this kitchen duo — look for bites like tacos and tostones.
  • Molly’s Musicians Showcase | Tuesday, April 4 | 9 p.m. | Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub, 111 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free | Support local musicians at this free open mic night.
Wednesday, April 5
  • The Spirit of Spring | Wednesday, Apr. 5 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Celebrate spring with music by the FSC Symphony Band.
  • Trivia Night | Wednesday, April 5 | 7-9 p.m. | Union Taproom, 245 W. Central Ave., Ste. 102, Winter Haven | Free | Pour your own drinks and enjoy fresh pizzas at Union Taproom while showing off your general trivia knowledge.
Thursday, April 6
  • The Reserve Book Club | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 5:30-6:50 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, Larry R. Jackson Branch, 1700 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Meet other readers to discuss the recent best-seller “Now is Not the Time to Panic” by Kevin Wilson — registration is required.
  • Charles R. Rubado Memorial Bowling Tournament | Thursday, Apr. 6 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Orange Bowl Lanes, 4318 US Hwy. 98 N., Lakeland | $40-$ | Purchase an individual spot or bowling lane to raise money for Florida Southern College’s Charles R. Rubado Scholarship.
Friday, April 7
  • Good Friday Single Day Camp | Friday, Apr. 7 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | What’s Cooking Lakeland, 6935 S. Carter Rd. #6, Lakeland | $89 | Drop off your kids ages 5-13 to cook a family dinner and dessert to take home.
  • April First Friday Show | Friday, Apr. 7 | 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along with this comedy team as they use audience suggestions for both a family-friendly and 21+ show.
Saturday, April 8
  • Buena Market Hosted by Bonnet Springs Park | Saturday, Apr. 8 | 5-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Shop from 50+ makers, artists, and vintage sellers while you enjoy a live DJ.
  • Keel Farms Blueberry Festival | Saturday, April 8 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | Try unique food and drink, pick blueberries, and pet farm animals at this family-friendly festival.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Orlando International Airport
 
News Notes
Weather
  • 92° | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
Biz
  • City commissioners will hold a workshop to discuss if they should limit the number of bars in downtown Lakeland. The question was sparked by the owner of Lakeland Loft’s request to open a tiki bar on Main Street. If approved, it would be downtown’s eighth bar. (The Ledger)
Number
  • $744.6 million. That’s how much Polk County will collect from real estate property taxes this year, up 17.1% from last year. Homeowners may have seen tax increases this year due to changes in market values in 2022. (LkldNow)
Edu
  • Polk Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid recommended replacing school resource officers with Polk County Sheriff’s deputies. The change would consolidate school safety jurisdictions from eight municipalities to one. If approved by the School Board, PCSO would add around 30 jobs to cover Polk’s 150+ schools. (LkldNow)
Today Is
  • City Election Day for Bartow residents, and two City Commission seats are up for election. Meet the candidates for the At-Large and East District seats before casting your vote today from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Bartow Civic Center (2250 S. Floral Ave.). (The Ledger)
Arts
Cause
Sports
  • The Florida Tropics have clinched a spot in the Major Arena Soccer League playoffs after back-to-back wins this weekend. The Tropics will take on the Baltimore Blast in the Eastern Conference semi-finals on Friday, April 7 at the RP Funding Center.
Active
  • Registration is now open for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s Judd Jog 5K, benefitting the United Way. The run will take place at PCSO’s main office in Winter Haven (1891 Jim Keene Blvd.) on Saturday, April 29. Register by April 14 for a free t-shirt.
Learn
Deal
  • Give your space a spring refresh with new plants. Shop the Easter sale at Austin’s Backyard Garden (949 S. Florida Ave.) for 25% off all plants through Sunday, April 9. You won’t be-leaf what you’ll find in stock.
Ranked
  • No. 1. That’s what Florida ranked on Capital on Tap’s study of the best states to start a small business. The study considered factors like the number of jobs created, labor costs, and firm survival rates. Learn how to create your own start-up in Lakeland. (Business Observer)
Travel
Health
  • Emergency room, urgent care, or primary care? When you have a healthcare condition, it can be hard to know where to seek treatment. Our pro tip: Keep Lakeland Regional Health’s symptoms chart handy — so you know what to do + where to go when illness or the unexpected happen.*
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.
Publix Employees Federal Credit Union
 
Family

🐰 Hop to it

Hop to these Easter Bunny photo ops in Lakeland
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Check out local churches for more events and Easter Bunny meets. | Photo via Grace City Church
Break out those matching pastel outfits — it’s time for photos with the Easter Bunny. Find this festive furry friend at these events:
  • Where Is Bunny | Tuesday, April 4-Saturday, April 8 | Times vary | Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US Hwy. 98 N., Lakeland | $19.99-$49.99 | Book a time online or walk up for professionally printed photos.
  • Easter Bunny Brunch | Friday, April 7 | 10-11 a.m. | Kelly Recreation Complex, 404 Imperial Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Call to reserve your spot at this free brunch with the Easter Bunny, presented by the City of Lakeland.
  • Easter Celebration at COhatch Lakeland | Saturday, April 8 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | COhatch Lakeland, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Kids can take photos, play games, and make a craft — online registration required.
  • Meet the Easter Bunny | Saturday, April 8 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Family Fun Center, 4825 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Bring your camera for photos, then take part in an egg scavenger hunt.
Find more local Easter events
 
The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Did your ears perk up at the mention of Fresh Kitchen in our lead story? We’re just two weeks away from the eatery’s grand opening on Tuesday, April 18 at 4520 S. Florida Ave. I can hear your cheers through the screen.
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