Plus, the Fresh Kitchen team's favorite menu items.
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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.
 

What you want to see at the RP Funding Center

What’s next for the RP Funding Center?
An exterior aerial view of the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL
What do you think should come to the RP Funding Center next? | Photo by @rpfundingcenter
When we shared that the Lakeland Magic and the Florida Tropics were leaving the RP Funding Center, we asked you what kind of events and attractions you would like to see there next — 300+ of our readers and followers offered their ideas.

The most popular suggestions were more concerts, an ice hockey team, Broadway-style shows, and an indoor sports complex. Here are a few more of your suggestions:

“Massive pickle ball complex???” — Brad S.

“Swan city roller derby! This Lakeland womens sports team is looking for a home. Derby bouts at RP would be very welcome!!” — Anne S.

“Turn it into a Performing Arts Center so it can be the pillar of the arts in the community of Lakeland. Let it aim to be the city’s cultural home for immersive theatre, music and dance.” — @allysonmlewis

“Lakeland Chef Competition” — Lucas R.

“More music concerts like Classic Albums Live, dances, sport venues. Lakeland needs more entertainment for adults” — @lindahite

“Comedians, podcasts, Ted Talks educational events, authors speaking or… renovate it to an indoor sports complex that draws people in from Tampa and Orlando, etc.” — @christypascoe

You don’t have to wait to see what’s coming next to the RP Funding Center — its calendar is already stacked. Tickets are available for these events and more happening this summer.
More of our readers' ideas
Lakeland Economic Development Council
 
Events
Thursday, May 18
  • Spring Pop-Up Series: Plates on Deck | Thursday, May 18 | 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.
  • “Orson’s Shadow” | Thursday, May 18 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $15 | The latest show in The Edge Stage Read series offers a witty, behind-the-scenes look into the drama of theatre.
Friday, May 19
  • Mental Health Awareness Month Community Summit | Friday, May 19 | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Lake Crago Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | Free | Join this large-scale community Mental Health First Aid training — lunch is included at no cost.
  • Free Metal Show! | Friday, May 19 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Rock out to music by metal acts Solace Unraveling, A Human Gone, and Ballistic Mafia.
Saturday, May 20
  • Food Heaven: Indulgent Eats | Saturday, May 20 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $70 | Expert chefs will show you how to make flavorful dishes like pan-roasted ribeye and dark chocolate pecan pie.
  • Latin Night — Feel the Rhythm! | Saturday, May 20 | 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. | Leo’s Live Music, 5263 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Join this dance party to show off your salsa, bachata, and merengue moves all night long.
Sunday, May 21
  • Buena Brunch Market | Sunday, May 21 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Gospel Village, 1109 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate the expansion of Gospel Village with a market featuring artisan vendors, food, and music.
  • Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Fort Myers Mighty Mussels | Sunday, May 21 | 1 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $7-$32 | Enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and let the kids run the bases following the game.
Monday, May 22
  • Yoga for Beginners | Monday, May 22 | 10 a.m.-12 p.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.
  • LCS Class of 2023 Commencement | Monday, May 22 | 7-9 p.m. | Lakes Church, 1010 E. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland | Free | The Lakeland Christian School Class of 2023 will celebrate their commencement ceremony at Lakes Church.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Publix Employees Federal Credit Union
 
News Notes
Civic
Wellness
  • The Lakeland Police Department and Fire Department are working together to make mental health resources more accessible for first responders. Officers and their families can now utilize a mobile app, training sessions, and support team. Lakeland Regional Health is also offering direct access to psychologists + psychiatrists. (LkldNow)
Development
  • Construction is underway on two super wells, a $650 million project designed to provide drinking water for Polk’s growing population. The wells will draw salt water from the lower aquifer, which will then go through a reverse osmosis treatment plant, making it drinkable. (Fox 13 News)
Number
  • $5.5 million. That’s how much Catapult member Hook Security has secured in its latest funding round. Looking for investors for your own biz? Register for Catapult’s VC Fast Pitch event on Thursday, June 8, hosted by Black Dog Venture Partners. (Tampa Bay Inno)
  • 2,100. That’s how many calls the Mobile Crisis Response Team from Peace River Center has responded to this year. The center offers a free crisis line, and counselors can meet with callers in person to follow up. (Fox 13 News)
Legacy
  • Plant City residents Randy Scott, Jill Scott, and Judy Cook died in a car accident on Monday. All three were Florida Strawberry Festival volunteers for years, and Randy was known as “the voice of the festival” who sang at the opening and closing each day. (WTSP)
Opening
  • Açaí more fresh salads, wraps, and açaí bowls in our future. Bahia Bowls is set to open its doors at 4784 S. Florida Ave. on Saturday, May 27 — just in time for those summer beach trips.
Edu
  • High school seniors will toss their caps as graduations take place around Polk County this weekend. Keep up with local graduation dates, times, and locations to see when your grad will get their diploma — or see when to avoid traffic around the RP Funding Center. (LkldNow)
Active
Learn
  • Artists of all ages can brush up on their skills this summer at the Polk Museum of Art. Registration is now open for Summer Art Camp, open to kids ages 7-13. Adults and teens can sign up for six-week classes in photography, clay sculpting, and painting.
Plan Ahead
  • Honor fallen military members by attending a local Memorial Day event. Hear a guest speaker at Veterans’ Memorial Park on Lake Beulah Drive on Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m., or attend the tribute and lunch at Lakeland Funeral Home (2125 Bartow Hwy.) on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m.
Family
  • Legoland Florida’s newest show, Go Xtreme!, features stunts by BMX bikers, a pogo stick athlete, an inline skater, and more — the story goes that they’re competing on a Lego City TV show. Visit from May 27-August 6 to be part of the show’s live studio audience. (The Ledger)
Travel
  • Domestic + international flight is up. The proof: Orlando International Airport had its busiest month ever, flying a record-breaking 5 million passengers in March alone (that’s over 1,000 flights a day). Contributing to the rise in MCO travelers is its new destinations: See where they’re flying.*
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Eat

🥗 The cure for choice overload

What we tried at Fresh Kitchen’s new Lakeland location
A grain bowl topped with steak, tomatoes, and a kale sauce next to an iced tea and cookies on a marble counter
Don’t skip the drinks and desserts — we got cookies and a homemade tea. | Photo by LALtoday
With over 30 menu options, it can be hard to pick just a few for the perfect Fresh Kitchen bowl. Lucky for you, we’ve cracked the code on the best way to decide what to order: Asking the experts who work there.

We started by talking over the menu with the manager, Alex, who recommended the crunchy kale Caesar as one of our bases. Then we moved down the line, asking each person working for their favorite ingredients.

Using their suggestions, we ended up ordering the crunchy kale Caesar, cauliflower potato mash, sesame green beans, herb grilled steak, and kale pesto tomatoes, topped with the Holy Kale sauce.

It’s safe to say we found a new favorite combination. Next time you visit Fresh Kitchen, try the team’s recommendations and let us know what you love.
The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
One of my favorite ideas for the RP Funding Center came from Reader Brenda T., who said, “A cat show would be nice. They are held all around the country but I don’t recall one being held in Lakeland. This could bring competitors and guests from the entire Central Florida area.” I’d buy tickets.
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