Plus, new eLibrary coming soon.
 
08.10.2023 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER
6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

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

🍎 Consider this Gift Giving 101

Upgrade your gifts for teachers this school year
An interior of a classroom with blue sky and cloud decorations. Paper lanterns and decorative hot air balloons hang from the ceiling.
Who wouldn’t want to learn in a classroom like this? | Photo by Reader Mark G.
It’s time to graduate from a shiny red apple and a few yellow pencils. This school year, we’re going big when it comes to giving back to local teachers.

We asked our readers who teach what was on the top of their wishlist before Polk County Public Schools open on Friday, Aug. 11. Responses came from educators at Lakeland High School, Eagle Lake Elementary School, Pathways School of Excellence, and beyond.

The big winner? School supplies. No surprises there, but with many teachers stocking up their classrooms out of their own pockets, No. 2 pencils and notebooks add up.

This year, teachers are also on the hunt for flexible seating. Think: Unique seating like balance balls and stools that make learning more engaging.

An elementary school classroom interior with colorful stools, posters, banners, and a large black rug with a grid pattern.

Helping teachers makes a difference for students.

|

Photo by Reader Meghan W.

Luckily for us, many local educators have made online wishlists full of items we wish our classrooms had back in our school days. Just click the links below to shop each educator’s full list, and the gift will be sent directly to them:
Looking for something more personal? We also asked teachers what thoughtful gifts they would love to receive from their students. While we might have said a free vacation, many said they would love a heartfelt card or drawing they can keep throughout their careers.
Grasslands West Investments LLC
 
Events
Thursday, Aug. 10
  • Jukebox Bingo & Heifers Be Trippin’ | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 5-9 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab comfort food from the on-site food truck and listen out for your favorite songs as you play Jukebox Bingo for $10 off your tab.
  • Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Dunedin Blue Jays | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $10 | Bring your pup to Bark in the Park and receive a dog goodie bag at the game — separate admission is required for dogs.
Friday, Aug. 11
  • Mimosas for Mom | Friday, Aug. 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Scout & Tag, 244 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | It’s time for the parents to celebrate after dropping the kids off at school — visit for glitter mimosas, doughnut holes, and shopping.
  • The Legendary Jon Corneal and His Compadres Live | Friday, Aug. 11 | 12-2:30 p.m. | Hillcrest Coffee, 119 Hillcrest St., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a coffee and enjoy live music by country musician Jon Corneal and his band every Friday.
Saturday, Aug. 12
  • Central Florida Collectorfest | Saturday, Aug. 12-Sunday, Aug. 13 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | Free entry | Peruse 15,000 sqft of collectible toys, games, comic books, and art — parking is free.
  • Back to School Mini Market | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | happyfastdelicious, 3601 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from local vendors like Meraki Bakehouse and Four Brothers Popcorn Co at this mini market, then get your back-to-school photos snapped by an on-site photographer.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
New Life Veterinary Hospital
 
News Notes
Real Estate
  • The downtown building that’s currently home to Dissent Craft Brewing and Pita Pit is under contract with a $1.35 million sale price. Dissent announced plans to close on Sunday, Sept. 3, and the property listing states that Pita Pit’s owners have plans to retire. (The Ledger)
Civic
  • Polk County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to take legal action against BS Ranch & Farm in east Lakeland. The facility was approved to compost waste and turn it into soil, but state records show that only .0093% of the collected waste has been sold as soil. (WFLA)
Edu
  • Southeastern University is adding a new degree to its nursing options. The two-year, hybrid Associate Degree in Nursing program will be introduced this fall. Graduates can also pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees at SEU.
Sports
  • No. 2. That’s what Lakeland High School’s Zander Smith ranked on The Ledger’s list of top quarterbacks in Polk County. Joel Morris of Lake Gibson came in at No. 6, while Carson Montsdeoca of Fort Meade took the top spot. (The Ledger)
Feel Good
  • Lakeland mother Julie Stirling has received a mobility van to transport her 23-year-old son Kamryn, who has faced health issues since birth. ABC Action News shared their story in May and collected donations to buy a replacement for their previous vehicle. Their first stop? A stroll together around the mall. (WFTS)
Lakelander
  • The Azalea Park retirement community gets a special visitor every week. Sheila Byrd was inspired to start a visitation routine after caring for her mother. She now stops by each Monday to visit with residents, give them goodie bags, and run errands for them. (Bay News 9)
Drink
  • Boba tea fans will soon be able to get their favorite drink at Fire Hotpot. Starting Friday, Aug. 18, the restaurant will add six flavors of boba tea to its menu, including Thai milk tea, taro, mango, and more. New to hotpot? Get the lowdown on this eating experience.
Edu
  • Have a passion for making a positive impact? Southeastern University’s MS in Professional Counseling offers a focus on clinical mental health and includes rigorous academics, dynamic faculty interactions, and customized internships. Learn more about the program.*
Award
  • Congratulations to Orlando International Airport (MCO) for being recognized as the Best Airport for Recreation (in the world) by Global Traveler’s 2023 Leisure Lifestyle Awards. The annual awards recognize the best worldwide destinations, hotels, airlines, cruises + more. Way to go, MCO.*
Biz
  • The new UPS Store location on Hwy. 98 N. offers mailbox rentals that allow for a safe + convenient location for all your deliveries. Read: This includes a real street address (a plus for business owners) and 24-hour access so you never miss a delivery.*
Lakelander
  • Meet Blake Loughrey, a fellow Lakelander who jumped straight into entrepreneurship out of college by founding his video production company, Abl3. Blake tips his hat to Catapult for its in-house experts and entrepreneurs who helped him start his business. See how Catapult can help you.*
Featured Homes
  • Looking for luxury in your next home? Grasslands West offers new designer homes that boast an abundance of interior + exterior living space. The 3- and 4-bedroom homes are detached with a garage (and they’re pet-friendly). See the available floor plans.*
Southeastern University
 
Coming Soon

What’s coming to the new e-library

Lakeland’s new eLibrary at Kelly Recreation Complex
A rendering of the new e-library at Kelly Recreation Complex
Sit back and enjoy your latest page-turner at Kelly Rec Complex. | Rendering by Straughn Trout Architects
The Lakeland Public Library’s new Kelly Branch is set to open on Monday, Sept. 18 at Kelly Recreation Complex (404 Imperial Blvd.). The branch replaces the existing South Lakeland eLibrary in the Lake Miriam Shopping Center as its lease ends this year. It will close on Saturday, Sept. 2.

City commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation from the city manager to construct a new eLibrary back in an April 2023 meeting. The $140,948 Kelly Recreation Interior Renovation project will add reading materials, self-service book lockers, technology services, and a seating area to the existing Activity Room.

Looking for your next read or a new hobby? The Lakeland Public Library’s three locations are currently open, and you can visit Kelly Recreation Complex for fitness activities and classes. Pro tip: Don’t forget to take advantage of all the perks of holding a library card at the new eLibrary.
Lakeland Economic Development Council
 
Share LALtoday
 

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

{{profile.vars.rh_reflink_15}}
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_15}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
Claim your rewards
 
The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Shout out to all the teachers who shared their wishlists with us. Here are a few more gifts local educators are hoping for that I loved: Personalized door signs, a chocolate-dipped apple, and a gift card to Azteca. Now those are gifts I can get behind.
Missed our previous newsletter?    
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Subscribe     ›
Advertise     ›
Shop     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY