Beer lovers

Keeping spirits up

Fun in the sun

• Swan City Piano Festival Musical Storytime | Friday, June 9 | Times vary | Pressed, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | Free | Young children can spark their curiosity for music and the arts — registration is required for both sessions at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m.
• LKLD Shuffle | Friday, June 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Lakeland Shuffleboard Club in Lake Parker Park, 820 E. Robson St., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Head to Lake Parker Park for a night of shuffleboard under the lights — equipment will be provided.
• Moxie Le Femme Presents: Block Party | Friday, June 9-Saturday, June 10 | 8-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $15-$20 | This cabaret and burlesque variety show will premiere its latest performance — doors open at 7 p.m.

• Wings ‘n Waffles | Saturday, June 10 | 9-10 a.m. | Floria Air Museum, 4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Enjoy a breakfast of chicken and waffles while you hear from speakers in the aviation and military fields.
• Nature Narrator | Saturday, June 10 | 10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Visit the Outdoor Classroom for story time with Catapult President Christin Strawbridge, followed by a themed activity.
• Polk Pride 2023: Pride on Tap | Saturday, June 10 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Kick off a week of Polk Pride events with locally brewed beers and networking.
• Swan City Piano Festival Presents Tal Cohen | Saturday, June 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | Catch this immersive jazz concert to hear the festival’s second guest artist.

• Write & Feel Session | Sunday, June 11 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Virtual | $30-$50 | Explore the dualities of your personality with a guided writing session led by Orange Blossom Poems.
• Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Tampa Tarpons | Sunday, June 11 | 1 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $6-$32 | Enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and let the kids run the bases following the game.
• Swan City Piano Festival Presents Sun-A Park | Sunday, June 11 | 3-5 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | Sun-A Park will close the festival with a program of unforgettable classical piano music.

• 57.6%. That’s what percentage of Polk residents say they have a “good” or “great” quality of life, according to the United Community Needs Assessment study. The study examined local needs in areas like housing, education, and food security, and found that economic barriers affect all other issues. (LkldNow)

• Polk Pride is expecting an increase in visitors as events kick off this weekend. Visit Pride on Tap at Swan Brewing tomorrow, June 10 from 2-5 p.m. and plan ahead for more community events, dance parties, and a festival. (The Ledger)

• Eligible Lakelanders can receive up to $30 per month in internet service discounts through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. The program also offers $100 for the purchase of a computer. See if you qualify before applying online.

• It’s alligator nesting season at Circle B Bar Reserve, meaning two trails are temporarily closed. Marsh Rabbit Run and part of Alligator Alley are blocked off after two gators made their nests on the edges of the trails. (LkldNow)

• Heath Frederick, the City of Lakeland’s Director of Public Works, was selected as the Public Works Director of the Year. He was chosen for the honor during the Florida Chapter Public Works EXPO. Lakeland’s department oversees the city’s lakes, traffic, construction, and more.

• Register now for the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming events. The inaugural Lakeland Biz Bash on Tuesday, June 20 will feature business resource providers, and the Mid-Year Economic Update on Thursday, July 20 will offer insights into Lakeland’s economy.

• Mark Bryson of Lakeland died last week in Daytona Beach when he jumped into a rip current to save his son and family friends. Local safety officials are urging beachgoers to swim parallel to the shore or float if caught in a riptide. (WFTS)

• AdventHealth has broken ground on a 42-acre plot on Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven. The first phase of development includes a 20,000-sqft emergency department, and phase two will include a connected 192-bed hospital. Both are expected to be completed in the summer of 2024. (The Ledger)

• The Polk County Sheriff’s Office will host a job fair on Thursday, June 15 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the PCSO Sheriff’s Operations Center (1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven). Attend to apply for an open position — qualified applicants will receive same-day offers.

• $150,000. That’s how much money Lakelander Lis Burns won by competing on the game show “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.” Watch Lis sing along and guess the words to “The Loco-Motion” in this clip.

• Support homeless dogs and cats at the Rock for Paws event on Saturday, June 24. Wear your best 1980s outfit to enjoy food trucks, raffles, and live music by Smokepoint at Bonnet Springs Park. All proceeds will benefit SPCA Florida.

• Books-A-Million’s Summer Reading Adventure has begun. Just choose four books from this list, keep track of them in the downloadable logbook, and bring your completed list to the Lakeside Village location to receive a prize.

• If you land in a city for a layover, does that count as a “visit” to that city? We say it does if you follow this Airport Bucket List of things to see in the airports of Chicago, San Francisco, Denver + more.*

• Reminder: Father’s Day is a little over a week away. Give Dad a listening upgrade with the second generation AirPods Pro. Or help ease muscle soreness with the Theragun Mini 2.0. Plus, this portable neck fan will make everyone laugh — but catch Dad using it the very next day.*

• “Dream Weaver” by Sofia Simpson | Release date: March 2, 2014 | Ari is part of a parallel world that teaches humans to dream when romance sparks between her and her best friend.

• “If You Stay” by Barbara Meyers | Release date: May 1, 2022 | Buckle up for the second installment of the Lakeland author’s “Red Bud, Iowa” series, which tells the tale of a young woman who does whatever it takes to make a new life for her daughter.

• “Jimmy Buffett: The Key West Years” by Tom Corcoran | Release date: Nov. 21, 2006 | Lakeland author Tom Corcoran was Jimmy Buffett’s longtime photographer (and even co-wrote lyrics for “Cuban Crime of Passion”). This photo book includes over three dozen photos from Jimmy’s time in Key West.