09.12.2023

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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.

Rolling into the finish line

LALtoday sushi bracket

A green bracket frames New Moon Sushi and Tsunami Sushi as the bracket's final two.

Crown your winner by voting in our survey. | Graphic via 6AM City

Things are heating up in Swan City. New Moon Sushi and Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi are going head to head to be crowned the champion of Lakeland’s sushi scene.

As much as we love to crown a winner, you can’t go wrong at any of the establishments Lakeland nominated for our initial bracket. In honor of our final bracket round, here’s what you can’t miss at all eight sushi spots.

Head to New Moon Sushi for Japanese craft beers and the Lakeland Roll: A shrimp tempura and cream cheese roll baked with spicy krab delight on top, finished with eel sauce, masago, scallions, and crispy rice balls.
Fancy Q Sushi & Thai has a fan in @miranda.fuller90, who said “Fancy Q is superior! Not only is everything amazing, their service is phenomenal!”
Nicolas L. recommends the Japanese Bagel Roll at Gosh! Asian Bistro & Sushi; it’s filled with fresh salmon and cream cheese.
One follower encouraged others to give Scream’n Tuna Sushi a shot in round one of our bracket. According to @aaronmarshmusic, "...they have upped their game so much recently.”

A photo of sushi — Try the volcano roll with baked crab at Spice Thai & Sushi.
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Photo by @lakelandbites

Never been to Spice Thai & Sushi? According to @toribrady, “Spice is IT! So underrated but always slaps! And the vibes are always nice! And sparkly tables.”
Try Matthew V.'s favorite roll from Thai Oishi in Lakeside Village: The Drama Queen Roll. Pro tip — grab your bite to go and see a movie at the CMX Lakeside Village 18 & IMAX.
If you’re ordering at Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi, Rosie A. says “The Kiss Me app was the BEST thing I had here, so I would highly recommend it if you like sashimi.”
Publix has $5 sushi on Wednesdays. Shop the deal at any Publix location, including Publix GreenWise Market.

Now that you’re good and hungry, send your pick to the finish line by voting in our final poll now through Sunday, Sept. 17.

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 12

National Chocolate Milkshake Day | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Ax-Caliber Axe Venue & Restaurant, 204 E. Orange St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Celebrate this holiday with a $5 milkshake deal available all day.
Florida State League Playoffs Game 1 | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | $8-$32 | The Lakeland Flying Tigers will host the first Division Series Game of the playoffs against the Clearwater Threshers.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

Live Trivia w/ RBQ Catering | Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Compete for prizes with live trivia hosted by Hold On I Know This.

Thursday, Sept. 14

Summer Cool Down Yoga | Thursday, Sept. 14 | 6-7 p.m. | The Hidden Gem Wellness Space, 6645 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 4, Lakeland | Price of donation | Join this donation-based class designed to calm the nervous system and mind.

Friday, Sept. 15

The Legendary Jon Corneal and His Compadres Live | Friday, Sept. 15 | 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, Sept. 16

Run for their Lives: SPCA Florida 5K Run | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 7:30-11 a.m. | Peterson Park, 3700 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland | $10-$45 | Run a chip-timed 5K race through Three Parks Trail to benefit local animals in need.
Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 5 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 199 Lake Silver Dr., Winter Haven | Free | Bring a lawn chair or blanket to watch astounding stunts by this team that’s been water skiing for over 100 years.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Biz

From hobby to passion: How a local bakery got its start

For Benjamin Vickers, communication, transparency + peer relations are the pillars of his business, so working with a bank with similar values was pivotal. | Photo provided by Bank of Central Florida

For many bakers, their love for the art starts as a hobby — a creative outlet to distract from life’s demands.

Meet Benjamin Vickers, owner and founder of Honeycomb Bread Bakers, whose baking journey started in college, experimenting in his dorms kitchen. Benjamin used his passion + a beautiful menu to win the community’s heart… through their stomach.

His first location opened in his hometown of Lakeland, where he introduced a micro-bakery concept through a farmer’s market.

How Honeycomb Bread Bakers was built

News Notes

Number

$1 million. That’s what could be set aside for Fire Station 8 in Lakeland’s 2024 fiscal year budget. A site for the station in northwest Lakeland is yet to be chosen; residents are calling for a temporary station in the meantime to minimize response times in emergencies. (The Ledger)

Stat

25%. That’s how much more likely students who attend early learning programs are to graduate high school than those who don’t. PCPS Superintendent Fred Heid has proposed increased programming for early childhood education. He is expected to present his recommendations for voluntary pre-kindergarten programs in the coming months. (LkldNow)

Community

Looking for public notices about budgetary meetings, land-use changes, and other county issues? Check your local newspaper. The Polk County Commission opted to keep placing public notices in the newspaper in a 3-2 vote, for now. The vote vetoed a proposal to move notices to a county website. (The Ledger)

Civic

The 2024 legislative session kicks off on Jan. 9, 2024. When it does, Rep. Jennifer Canady of Lakeland will serve on the Education and Employment Committee and the Infrastructure Strategies Committee, in addition to other subcommittees. View the assignments of other Polk representatives. (The Ledger)

Health

Individuals living with chronic illnesses or autoimmune diseases can attend the Inflamed Sisters Thriving Summit and Gala on Saturday, Sept. 23. The event at the Junior League Building (90 Lake Morton Dr.) will feature speakers, lunch, dinner, entertainment, and a formal gala. Register by Saturday, Sept. 16. (The Ledger)

Feel Good

Andy Orrell of Auburndale found his biological family through the competitive reality TV show “Relative Race,” which is in its 10th season on BYUtv. Watch Andy’s story unfold when his episode airs on Sunday, Sept. 17 — episodes can be streamed online. (The Ledger)

Civic

The Auburndale City Commission rejected a proposal from its current curbside recycling collector, Advanced Disposal, for a new contract. The proposal would have increased recycling fees from $4.55 to $9.75 per month. Curbside recycling pickup has ended, but residents can take cardboard, plastics, and metal to Auburndale’s facility. (The Ledger)

Drink

The Brass Tap will host Taptoberfest on Friday, Sept. 29 with live music, German beers, stein hoisting competitions, and more. Pro tip: There’s no cover or entry fee to join in on the fun.

Edu

If you have a passion to advocate for change and help those in need, Southeastern University’s BS in Human Services is for you. Gain the professional knowledge and real-world experience needed to make a positive impact in social service agencies, homeless shelters, substance abuse programs + more. See details.*

Payne Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. c/o McQueen Marketing

History

Dinner with a side of local history

The history of the Cob & Pen Tudor house

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Cob & Pen today | Photo via @thelaltoday

We all know Cob & Pen is a great place to grab a bite + drink in Lakeland, but do you know the story behind the historic building?

1927 — the year the building was built. Originally known as The Tudor House, it was built on the corner of West Beacon Road and South San Gully Road.
1969 — the year Gene Holloway purchased the home. Gene expanded on it, adding a bar + a ballroom. Elvis Presley visited after playing at the Lakeland Civic Center, now known as the RP Funding Center.
2014 — the year the home came into the possession of a developer, who hoped to demolish the structure. However, Greg Fancelli purchased and relocated it for the last time to its current location: 1221 S. Florida Ave.
2016 — the year Cob & Pen opened. After sitting vacant on South Florida Avenue for a few years, the restaurant you know and love opened its doors to the public.

Other key dates

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor

We’re preparing for a seasonal activities guide later this month — tell us what fall activities you never miss, whether it’s a fright night at Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail or something more peaceful like a farm tour at Keel Farms Agrarian. We may add your favorite must-do to our list.

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