• Give Back Monday: Janice Hart Foundation | Monday, Sept. 11 | 5-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Price of purchase | Make a dining reservation to enjoy food and drinks in the Tasting Room — portion of proceeds will benefit caregivers of individuals with progressive illnesses.
• Honoring Our Heroes | Monday, Sept. 11 | 5:30 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven, South Central Park, Winter Haven | Free | Honor military members and first responders by joining a Freedom Walk and candlelight ceremony at this 9/11 remembrance event.

• Tacos, Margaritas + BINGO! At The Back Nine | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Snag deals on tacos and margarita flights while you compete for five in a row.

• Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Sept. 13 | 5 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | If your boots were made for dancing, bring them for lessons at 5 p.m. and karaoke at 8 p.m.

• Gallery Concert Series | Thursday, Sept. 14 | 6-8 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | $38-$49 | The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra will perform pieces inspired by the exhibit “Remembering Vilna: The Holocaust and the Art of Samuel Bak.”

• Women’s Business Symposium | Friday, Sept. 15 | 7:45 a.m.-12 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | $40 | Attend this symposium to learn “a recipe for success” for navigating the business world.

• Candidates are already filing to run for Polk County Commission seats in the 2024 election. The District 5 seat will be open since Commissioner Neil Combee plans to run for Property Appraiser. So far, three candidates have filed. (The Ledger)

• The search is on for Florida Polytechnic University’s next president, and a search committee of 15 members has been announced. The committee includes influential Polk residents and members of the higher education community at Florida Poly and other institutions. (The Ledger)

• Paws what you’re doing — a new cat café has opened at 946 E. Orange St. Kitty Cat Lounge will offer coffee, locally made treats, and plenty of cuddles with adoptable cats. Visit the lounge Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (The Ledger)

• No. 2. That’s what Southeastern University ranked in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s almanac of the fastest-growing private nonprofit schools in the US. SEU’s enrollment grew 267.8% from 2011-2021.

• A 55-ft sinkhole opened on Friday in a retention pond near Scott Lake, just a few months after another sinkhole opened in the same pond in June. County officials said the sinkhole does not pose a threat to nearby homes. (LkldNow)

• Lakeland retirement community Florida Presbyterian Homes on Lake Hunter has affiliated itself with Westminster Communities of Florida, a nonprofit that manages 20+ similar communities statewide. When the agreement is finalized, Westminster will oversee operations at Florida Presbyterian Homes. (The Ledger)

• Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at COhatch (211 E. Main St.) on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. You can also support the organization at the Pink Ribbon Gala on Friday, Oct. 27 at Bonnet Springs Park.

• Meet recruiters and learn more about public safety career opportunities at the Lakeland Police + Fire Departments’ free career fair. Visit the Police Department tomorrow, Sept. 12 from 4-7 p.m. for information on officer, firefighter, and 911 operator positions.

• Who will be crowned Mr. Central Florida this year? The fundraiser for Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center will return on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Bonnet Springs Park with a 1920s theme. Tickets will be available in early October, so start searching for your flapper-era finest.

• Man down. Last week we shared about local college sports, and a few eagle-eyed readers noted that we missed Florida Southern College’s lacrosse teams. Both teams had successful 2023 seasons, with the men advancing to the Sunshine State Conference Championship and the women competing for the NCAA Division II Championship.

• Experience luxury living in a tranquil environment with Grasslands West, a high-end single family gated rental community that caters to your every need. The community is pet-friendly, and boasts lawn maintenance, pest control + internet services all included. Take your pick from three different floorplans.*

What to know

• If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, these maps of the entire airport will be your saving grace.
• MCO unveiled its 1.8 million-sqft Terminal C nearly one year ago. It added 15 new gates, 11 new retail locations, 23 new restaurants, and more.
• Check parking availability before you arrive, check your flight status here, or download the MCO App.