Plus, Hollywood movies filmed in Lakeland.
 
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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.
 
High Tower Roofing
 

The return of our Street View quiz

Quiz: How well do you know Lakeland’s streets?
A large water feature with several fountain jets in the middle of a college campus. School buildings and trees are in the background.
Do you know where you can find this water feature? | Screenshot via Google Maps
Back in May, we tested your local street smarts with our version of the virtual game GeoGuessr. The concept is rather simple. Using Google Street View, you’re dropped somewhere completely random that the company has captured 360° imagery.

We riffed on this idea with a little Lakeland flair, sharing 10 images like the one you see above. Your mission? Scan each photo for things that stand out, and then try to figure out the location you’re actually looking at. Some will be easy, while others may be more difficult.

When we released the first version of our quiz, many Lakelanders said that it was too easy, and the average score of 1,600+ responses was 79%. Challenge accepted.

You can now try your hand at our second local geography quiz, with even harder questions. We’re talking aerial shots, throwback Street View photos, and questions to test your local history knowledge.

Take either of the 5-minute quizzes and test your street smarts. Think you know of a place that would stump other Lakelanders? Drop us a line and we may include it in another iteration of our quiz.
Take the new quiz
Bonnet Springs Park
 
Events
Monday, Aug. 14
  • Hip Hop Fitness | Monday, Aug. 14 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Pop, lock, and drop in this upbeat fitness class for ages 16+ — just bring your own water, towel, and mat.
Tuesday, Aug. 15
  • Tasty Tuesday + Tunes in Munn Park | Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 4:30-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $25 | Try samples from multiple downtown restaurants while enjoying live music in Munn Park.
Wednesday, Aug. 16
  • Bracelet Making Class | Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 6-8 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $30 | Supplies are provided at this beginner-level bracelet-making class.
Thursday, Aug. 17
  • The Aquarian Market — Classical Night | Thursday, Aug. 17 | 6-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave, Lakeland | Free entry | Wear your formal wear to this outdoor market and enjoy vegan eats + performances by Golden Swan Strings.
Friday, Aug. 18
  • Celestial Moon Date Night Set | Friday, Aug. 18 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Bring your date to this guided painting class — supplies are included, and participants are welcome to bring refreshments of their choice.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Family

Back-to-school checklist: Tips to get ready
doctor interacts with a young child in his office
An annual exam or physical ensures your child or teen gets the best possible start to the school year. | Photo provided by Watson Clinic
As long summer days transition to buying school supplies, earlier morning alarms, and juggling schedules, there’s one back-to-school item that may have missed your checklist: a trip to the doctor.

You already mark your child’s progression through childhood with the changing of school years — why not make sure their health is up-to-date at the same time? Back-to-school season is a great time to schedule an annual visit to check their health, make sure vaccinations are in order, and get a physical to prepare for the sports season.

Wondering what else you should do to prep for the school year? Watson Clinic has five tips to ensure your child or teen starts the year right, including:
  • Establishing a healthy sleep schedule
  • Choosing a backpack
  • Talking to your child about bullying
See the tips below — and if you’re looking to schedule an annual or physical, Watson Clinic’s pediatricians, sports medicine experts, and other specialists are ready to meet your child’s needs.
5 tips to prepare for school
News Notes
Civic
  • There are three city commission seats up for reelection in the 2023 municipal election: District A Northwest, District B Northwest, and At-Large Seat 2. So far, two candidates have filed to run for the Northwest position. Interested Lakelanders have until Friday, Sept. 22 to file for the election. (LkldNow)
Number
  • ~$6 million. That’s how much PCPS has spent on new air conditioning equipment for county schools — a welcome upgrade after 15+ schools opened last week with A/C outages. The district said it’s facing both parts and labor shortages that are delaying installation. (LkldNow)
Open
  • South Pointe Elementary School in Winter Haven welcomed students for the first time on Friday. The 127,000-sqft school was built to reduce overcrowding at nearby Garden Grove and Pinewood Elementary schools. (WFTS)
Closed
  • La Imperial Bakery permanently closed its doors on Saturday, Aug. 12 after over five years in business. No plans have been announced yet for its building at 830 E. Main St.
Announced
  • The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce has announced the 31 members of the next Leadership Lakeland class. Familiar names are on the list, like Josh Henderson, CEO of Bonnet Springs Park and Christin Strawbridge, President of Catapult.
Community
  • Nonprofit organizations specializing in healthcare for under-served communities can apply for funding from Polk County’s Indigent Health Care program. The program has ~$15 million available to fund innovative projects that will expand healthcare. Register by Wednesday, Aug. 16.
Weather
  • Hurricane season may be busier than originally expected thanks to warm seas. NOAA has upgraded its outlook to “above normal"; it’s now expecting up to 21 named storms and six to 11 hurricanes. Make sure you’re ready. (The Ledger)
Coming Soon
  • New Life Outreach Ministry will open a new Veterans Home at 1159 Parkhurst Ave. Join a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25 before the facility opens to residents in November.
Drink
  • Study Hall is back at Pressed. Students can get deals on drinks every Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. with a school ID. The shop will also will return to its normal hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. + Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Try This
  • Say aloe to Keel Farms’ Sips & Succulents event on Friday, Aug. 25. For $60, guests can choose a pot, succulent plants, and decorative planter toppings. The event also includes a buffet dinner.
Giveaway
  • We need your help, LAL: We’re partnering with Publix on the Publix Giveback Giveaway to award two local nonprofits a free LALtoday advertising package, totaling $9,000 in value. The two organizations with the most nominations win — so cast your vote before Wednesday, Aug. 16 (and help us spread the word).
Real Estate
  • If home care is your least favorite part of adulting, meet Grasslands West. While living in Lakeland’s first premier detached home rental community, your home care is the least of your worries. Enjoy lawn + pool maintenance so you can enjoy traveling and spending time with your family and friends sweat-free (literally).*
Edu
  • Indiana University is one of the leading American research universities at the forefront of test-optional admissions — which means greater opportunity for your student to succeed in college and beyond. Explore your student’s application options at IU.*
Shop
  • Last chance: MANSCAPED’s annual Summer Sale ends in just two days. Now’s your chance to take advantage of 20% off + free shipping site-wide to save big on their best-selling electric trimmers, premium grooming kits, and UltraPremium formulations. Activate your discount.*
 
Film

Swan City meets the big screen

Swan City meets the big screen: Movies filmed in and around Lakeland
Screen Shot 2021-04-22 at 11.54.54 AM
“The One and Only Ivan” transformed the Southgate Shopping Center into the Big Top Mall. | Screenshot via YouTube
Swan City has served as the backdrop for several notable movies over the years. We rounded up a few of our favorites to give you the behind-the-scenes scoop. Let’s roll the film.

“Edward Scissorhands”
Eccentric director Tim Burton brought this cult classic to life in Lakeland in 1990. Eagle-eyed viewers can spot the Southgate Shopping Center arch in several scenes.

“The Waterboy”
Featuring Adam Sandler, Kathy Bates, and Henry Winkler, this comedy was filmed in various locations throughout the city. One scene in particular was shot in Edge Hall at Florida Southern College and used students as extras in the background.

“The One and Only Ivan”
In 2018, Disney filmed this movie at several spots in Lakeland, including the Southgate Shopping Center and Southwest Elementary School. The film includes actors Bryan Cranston and Angelina Jolie.
More movie night recs
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The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
How’d you do on our Street View quiz? Let us know if you think you earned the high score or share what you think of the quiz.
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