Dining

• Street Cafe Lakeland | Egyptian pop-up cafe located at Charlie’s Mini Donuts and Coffee on Tuesday + Thursday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Vegetation Plant Food | Plant-based meals and meal preparation
• Omusubee | Hand-made onigiri

Retail

• June Taylor | Vintage home goods and furniture
• Gaines Jewelers | Fine jewelry and repairs + appraisals
• Zen Bar Naturals | Soaps, salts, face + body oils, scrubs, and masks

Self Care

• Woodlund Salon | Hair cut, color, and other services
• Pura Vie | Holistic wellness spa offering Western, Eastern, and energetic healing bodywork
• Method Tans | Spray tans and spray tan training + education

Family

• BetterCare Solutions | Qualified nanny and babysitter dispatcher
• Behavioral Progression, Inc. | ABA services for individuals of all ages, stages of development, and abilities
• Special Fur You | Doggy daycare and boarding

Events

• Taylormade Floral Design | Wedding and special event florals
• Sarahndipity Creative Co. | Wedding and event calligraphy
• Demissy Events | Event planning, decorating, and grazing tables

Home and auto

• Help(her) | À la carte services from grocery shopping and errand running to event services, meal prep, and packing
• Clari’s Cleaning Crew | Commercial and residential cleaning
• Garage Experts of Lakeland | Epoxy flooring, cabinetry, storage solutions

Design, production, and professional services

• Carroll Design Co. | Logo design, branding, graphic design, photography, and more
• Keller Creative | Interior design services
• Archipollo | 3D graphic design studio

• Yoga for Beginners | Monday, May 1 | 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.

• Lakeland Learn & Grow: Water Conservation with Rain Barrels | Tuesday, May 2 | 6-7 p.m. | Magnolia Building, 702 E. Orange St., Lakeland | $0-$25 | Learn to save water and reduce stormwater runoff using rain barrels and other landscaping tools — rain barrels will be available for purchase.
• “Star Wars” Trivia | Tuesday, May 2 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free | See if the force is with you at this themed trivia night while you sip on locally-made wines, ciders, and beers.

• Small Business Expo 2023 | Wednesday, May 3 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | My Office & More, 122 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Get advice from small business experts with workshops and consultations.

• Spring Pop-Up Series: Plates on Deck | Thursday, May 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Home cooking and fine dining meet at this lunch pop-up with elevated soul food bites.

• Roberts Academy 8th Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon | Wednesday, May 10 | 11:30 a.m. | Jenkins Field House, Florida Southern College | $95 | Celebrate mom by enjoying lunch and hearing from one of her favorite authors — tickets are limited.*

• Citizens Bank & Trust Mayfaire by-the-Lake | Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Shores of Lake Morton, Near 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | Citizens Bank & Trust Mayfaire by-the-Lake is a free, fine art festival held in Lakeland on May 13-14 where attendees can shop 150+ booths and enjoy a Kid Zone, food vendors, performances, and more.*

• Meet Chef Paul Wahlberg (hint: be selfie-ready)
• Taste Wahlburgers sliders, made with Wahlburgers beef and topped with Wahlburgers Pickle Chips and Wahl Sauce (all items sold at Publix)

• The State of Polk County presentation welcomed local leaders last week to discuss Polk’s projected growth to ~1.3 million by 2050. As the county becomes more urban, officials expect higher property values and a need for alternative water supplies, transportation projects, and more healthcare access. (The Ledger)
• The Polk County Clerk’s Lakeland office (930 E. Parker St.) will temporarily close starting Monday, May 8. In the meantime, a dropbox will be outside for eviction, small claims, and traffic case paperwork. You can also visit the government office at 255 N. Broadway Ave. in Bartow.

• Polk County has applied for $41.5 million+ in grant funding for broadband internet coverage following a feasibility study by Florida Polytechnic University researchers. The $250,000 study recommends priority connections for institutions like schools, hospitals, and public safety stations.

• No. 4. That’s where the Lakeland-Winter Haven area ranked on Zillow’s list of areas with the most cost-burdened households (those that spend 30% or more of their income on rent). According to the survey, there are eight times as many cost-burdened households in Lakeland as available housing subsidy vouchers. (Fox 13 News)

• Florida Southern College’s 8th Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon — which raises funds for The Roberts Academy, a school for children with dyslexia — is happening this Wednesday, May 10. The keynote address will be given by author Nicholas Sparks. Register online. (LkldNow)

• The eighth Flight to Honor mission successfully landed at Lakeland Linder International Airport last week after bringing 86 local veterans to Washington, DC to see monuments in their honor. See photos from the trip and read the story of Ray Dobles, a veteran on the trip, here. (LkldNow)

• There’s something for everyone to enjoy this month at Bonnet Springs Park. Mark your calendar for the BSP Social Skate on Friday, May 12, and a fitness scavenger hunt on Saturday, May 13. The next Movie on the Lawn will be “DC League of Super-Pets,” showing Saturday, May 20.

• Local comedian Justin Fennell has found a new way to help people smile. By starting VIP Dental Trips, he’s using his own experience to help US citizens travel to the Dominican Republican for cheaper dental care. Part of the proceeds go towards helping Dominican children in need get dental care. (Bay News 9)

• Lakeland Christian School is hiring Substitute Teachers to keep instruction moving forward when a teacher is ill or away. Substitute Teachers are a valuable and important part of the school’s staff and, if selected, will be added to a current pool of available substitutes. Learn more + apply.*

• Skip the brunch lines this Mother’s Day — and eat in with the help of Publix’s Mother’s Day Brunch Essentials hands-on cooking class, happening May 4 + May 10. On the menu: Salmon Cobb salad, “Wine Can” game hen, cinnamon rolls + more. Pro tip: This makes a great Mother’s Day gift, too.*

• Love doing things with your hands — but don’t have the tools to get the job done? Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, Catapult’s Maker Space gives access to commercial grade manufacturing equipment (think: woodworking, metalworking, 3D printing, and assembly area). See the space.*

• 14 days. That’s how long you have until Mother’s Day. The good news? That gives you just enough time to order a gift from Quince — a brand offering high-end and sustainable products at affordable prices. Think: European linen shorts, silk slip dresses, cashmere crewnecks + Italian leather totes. Shop now.

Gardens

• Hollis Gardens, 614 E. Orange St., Lakeland
• Auburndale Rotary Butterfly Garden, W. Park St., Auburndale
• Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
• Cypress Gardens, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven

Nurseries

• Nursery Landscape & Garden Center, 5955 S. Florida Ave.
• The Green House Garden Store, 110 Easton Dr.
• Botany Cats, locations vary
• The Nectary, 1047 E. Main St.
• Lakeland Nursery, 3010 Knights Station Rd.

Florists

• Mildred’s Florist, 5504 US Hwy. 98 N.
• Bloom Shakalaka, 640 E. Main St.
• Uli & Co., order online
• Flower Cart Florist, 1125 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
• Tyler Floral Shoppe, 225 E. Lime St.