About

How it works

How you can join

• At Large: Seat 2
• District A: Northwest
• District B: Northeast

• The Legendary Jon Corneal and His Compadres Live | Friday, Sept. 1 | 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.
• First Friday: College Night | Friday, Sept. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate the start of September with activities like a rock wall, mechanical bull, food trucks, and discounts for college students.

• Birding on the Boardwalk | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Hone your birding and wildlife sighting skills at the Blanton Family Lagoon during this monthly event — binoculars and birding guides are provided.
• Live Music and Food Truck | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 2-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Chill out with food truck eats, plus live music by Shawn Rahn from 2 to 5 p.m. and a performance by Sister Mister from 7 to 10 p.m.

• We’re Not Going Anywhere Party | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 1-6 p.m. | Dissent Craft Brewing Company, 125 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate Dissent Brewing staying in its downtown location with a potluck bash.
• Eclectic Soul Food Sunday Lunch Pop Up | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 1-4 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Pick up honey bourbon shrimp, crab cakes, and more soul food favorites from the Catapult pop-up window.

• Crews from Lakeland Electric and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office headed to North Florida to aid in storm recovery efforts. Lakeland Electric’s line crews are in Tallahassee helping restore power. The PCSO volunteer team is in Cedar Key, one of the areas hit hardest by Idalia. (The Ledger)

• Polk County Public Schools will reopen today after some were used as shelters to host 113 residents. Superintendent Heid shared that PCPS facilities had experienced minimal damage and no power outages.

• A portion of East Orange Street from Iowa Avenue to South Lake Avenue will close from Monday, Sept. 11 to Friday, Dec. 15. Part of South Lake Avenue from East Orange Street to East Lime Street will close as well while crews install infrastructure for the new Orange Street Apartments.

• Pita Pit closed its doors last night for the final time. Its owners bought the building in 2018, splitting it into two storefronts (including Dissent Craft Brewing). The undisclosed buyer who is purchasing the building plans to open a new restaurant in Pita Pit’s place. (LkldNow)

• The Polk State College District Board of Trustees has new leadership for the 2023-2024 academic year. The board elected Teresa V. Martinez as Chair and Cindy Hartley Ross was elected Vice Chair. Both are Polk State Distinguished Alumnae.

• Tickets are now available for Night of Hope, a fundraiser gala for Hope House on Friday, Sept. 29 at Bonnet Springs Park. The semi-formal event includes dinner, cocktails, and entertainment, and will benefit the home for expectant mothers.

• This news is sweet. Mike & Mike’s Desserts has been baking up new cupcakes with larger sizes and lower prices. They’ll still be made without dairy, nuts, or gluten, and they’ll come in classic vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry flavors.

• Pumpkin is back on the menu at Lakeland coffee shops. Create your own pumpkin drink at happyfastdelicious, or pair your PSL with a slice of coffee cake at Mitchell’s Coffee House.

• We know finding a primary care provider is no small decision (your primary care physician provides much of the medical care for you + your family, after all). If you’re on the hunt for a new provider, check out Lakeland Regional Health’s 290+ providers in more than 40 specialties and 18 locations.*

• Imagine waking up to a waterfront view or enjoying your Friday evening cocktail overlooking the green. The luxury homes at Grasslands West all feature unobstructed views of either water or the nearby golf course. See for yourself.*

• Polk Museum of Art | Beginners or experienced artists can learn oil painting, photography, and more with six-week courses. Pro tip: The deadline to apply for fall courses is Sun., Sept. 10.
• Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio | Join a two-part pottery workshop, or sign up for a four-week course (fall courses begin Thursday, Sept. 7).
• Lakeland Public Library | Discover your family’s past with free history and genealogy courses.
• Art Centric Studio | Kids can create art pieces + crafts with step-by-step classes.
• What’s Cooking Lakeland | Young chefs can learn to bake and cook under adult supervision before taking home their creations.