City

Q: Do you offer out-of-state financial assistance?

Q: What mental health and community support resources do you have for students that may be struggling with the college transition and, even more so, being far away from home?

Q: How do you help to foster community among new students?

Q: Will my student want to stay in Indiana forever?

• Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, July 12 | 5-10 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Boot scoot boogie on down to Union Hall for free line dancing lessons followed by karaoke at 8 p.m.
• Live Trivia w/ Billy’s Roadside Grill | Wednesday, July 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Play free general knowledge trivia for a chance at prizes.

• Summer Movie FunFest: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” | Thursday, July 13 | 10 a.m. | CMX Lakeside Village 18 & IMAX, 1650 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | $1.99 | See a new discounted family movie every week — tickets are only available at the box office.

• “Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville” | Friday, July 14-Sunday, July 16 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $20-$26 | This musical comedy will have you singing along to Jimmy Buffett’s greatest hits.
• Summer Nights w/ DJ Barca | Friday, July 14 | 8-11 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate summer by dancing to a live DJ on The Joinery’s front patio.

• Architectural Tour at Polk County History Center | Saturday, July 15 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St., Bartow | Free | Join this tour of the History Center to discover its neoclassical architectural elements, ongoing restoration, and historic preservation resources.

• The Polk County Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 25. On the agenda is a proposed contract between the firefighters union and Polk County. If approved, most Polk firefighters and paramedics would receive pay raises; the new contract would stand through Sept. 30, 2024. (The Ledger)

• Florida Southern College and Polk State College are welcoming new leadership. Internal hire Dr. Victoria Giordano will serve as Associate Provost for Institutional Research and Assessment. Dr. Amy Bratten, formerly Southeastern University’s Associate Provost, will be Polk State’s new Provost for Academic Affairs and Workforce Education.

• Lakeland-based TRYP Air Charter is expanding its service to Nashville, TN. The air charter company operates two Pilatus PC-12s with service to the Bahamas; Asheville, NC; New Orleans, LA; Atlanta, GA; and other southeastern United States cities with rates starting at $2,750. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

• Polk County manager Bill Beasley will delay his retirement by two years to ensure that board members elected in 2025 will not have a knowledge gap. Bill’s current retirement date is set for December 2024, but he is willing to keep working through January 2027 to support the new board. (The Ledger)

• Alisha Hinton, owner of Lisha Lou salon on Harden Boulevard, is teaching hair styling and entrepreneurship skills to female inmates at the Polk County Jail in Bartow. Alisha hopes that as women re-enter society, they can use the skills she teaches to move forward into various professions. (Bay News 9)

• Green Drinks Lakeland is hosting its July meeting on Wednesday, July 19, 6-8:30 p.m. at The Nectary (1047 E. Main St.). In addition to The Nectary, entrepreneurs from Little Bus Books and Evelyn & Co. will be hosting. Attend to network with other sustainability-minded professionals.

• PAINT Lakeland is hosting Majestic Manicures, an event for princesses aged two and up, on Wednesday, July 19, 6-7 p.m. Tickets cover a professional manicure, sing + dance along, posing for portraits, a meet and greet with The Family Miracle, Mirabel, and entrance for one accompanying adult.

• Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is holding an open casting call. Interested in being an actor or staff member? Meet with management and veteran actors on Saturday, Aug. 5, 7-9 p.m. at 2837 S. Frontage Rd., Plant City. No experience is necessary; for more information, send the team an email.

• While Catapult membership includes a lot of perks, there’s one perk that could especially make a difference in your company’s growth. See how entrepreneurial networking led to a connection between two Catapult members that resulted in a Lakeland business’ goals becoming a reality.*

• If you’re anything like us, remembering to eat breakfast before diving into work can be a challenge. That’s why we prep our meals — this Ham and Veggie Egg Bake recipe from Publix is a go-to. Breakfast for the week? Done.*

• Broncearse. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

• It’s the last day of Amazon Prime Day. Shop the deals, including 30% off the TV that looks like a picture frame on your wall.*

• Keep crumbs and messes under control with the iRobot Roomba that empties itself — it’s $400 off (yes, you read that right).

• Bread makers are making a comeback, and we totally get why (read: Soft, warm, homemade bread). Snag the Hamilton Beach Bread Maker that’s $34 off.

• Customize tees, pillows, and totes with the Cricut Heat Press Machine’s pro-level heat-transfer that lasts through repeated washes. Get it while it’s 20% off.

• Keep comfy and cool this summer with wear-anywhere black running shorts, discounted down from $24.99 to $18.39.