09.20.2023

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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.

👀 Ever wondered what we’re watching?

What’s new and coming soon to Lakeland

Rendering of exterior view of Lakeland Regional Health's South Florida Avenue facility

For one thing, we’re watching the South Florida Avenue Lakeland Regional Health facility. | Rendering by The Lunz Group

Every time we look around, it seems like something new is popping up in Lakeland. Whether you’re looking for your next go-to brunch destination or a new public park to stretch your legs, we’re rounding up a few things coming soon to the Swan City area.

Community

Lakeland Regional Health freestanding emergency department | 6150 S. Florida Ave. | Opening TBA | Freestanding emergency department in south Lakeland

South Florida Avenue Lakeland Regional Health facility, 5610 S. Florida Ave. | Opening 2023 | Emergency services, primary care, secondary care, and 3,000 sqft for Graduate Medical Education

Hope House, 555 E. Stanford St., Bartow | Opening fall 2023 | A nonprofit training facility equipped to house eight new mothers at a time, located in the historic house used as the set for the 1990s film “My Girl”

Kathleen Road Lakeland Regional Health facility, 2330 Kathleen Rd. | Opening 2023 | Ambulatory and outpatient care

Florida Polytechnic University Citrus Innovation Center

Rendering provided by Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Education

Florida Polytechnic University’s Citrus Innovation Center, 4700 Research Way | Opening 2023 | A 28,000-sqft research facility for citrus research

Florida Southern College’s Adams Athletic Performance Center, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | Opening 2024 | A 16,000-sqft development for Florida Southern College’s Division II athletes featuring conference rooms, weight rooms, locker rooms, and a film review room

A painted rendering of a plaza at night with a fountain in the center of a large walkway surrounded by four-story buildings — Downtown West Gateway
|
Conceptual renderings provided by The Lunz Group and The Apiary

Residential

Downtown West multi-family housing, 300 W. Lime St. | Open date TBD | A mixed-use complex featuring 500 multi-family apartments, a parking garage, and retail and commercial space

Prospect Lake Wire, 608 Prospect St. | Open date TBD | Retail space and 630+ apartments

Medulla Road development, Southwest Lakeland | Construction starting 2023 | A 29-home subdivision on 35 acres of Southwest Lakeland

Oak Street Development, Oak Street lot between North Kentucky Avenue and North Tennessee Avenue | Opening 2024 | A seven-story building housing ~200 apartments, 1,600 sqft of retail space, and a three-story parking garage

13 more things coming soon

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 20

National Queso Day | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Ax-Caliber Axe Venue & Restaurant, 204 E. Orange St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Celebrate this special day for chips and cheese while swinging axes downtown — an order of chips and queso is $5.25.
Live Trivia w/ RBQ Catering | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 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. 21

Carrión Hispanic Leadership Center Lecture Series | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Bush Chapel, Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about the contributions that the Hispanic community has made to theological education, ministry, and advocacy.
A Holocaust Story: Legacy of the Bielski Brothers | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Listen as speaker Brendon Rennert tells the story of his family’s survival during the Holocaust.

Friday, Sept. 22

Headshot Day | Friday, Sept. 22 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | $95 | The professionals at Carroll Design Co. are offering updated headshots for a discounted price — registration is required and includes 5-10 headshots.
Sparks & Wine Night Market | Friday, Sept. 22 | 6-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Price of purchase | Get permanent jewelry, create DIY succulents, shop from local vendors, and enjoy your favorite wines from Keel & Curley at this evening market.

Saturday, Sept. 23

BSP Trailblazers | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 7-9 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Meet with others in front of the Welcome Center and take a morning walk through the park together.
Fall Family Day | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | All ages are invited to the museum’s open house for fall-themed games, magic shows, a scavenger hunt, and activities.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market Vol. 7 | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 12-6 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Price of purchase | Shop from 80+ eccentric vendors, grab a bite from your favorite local food truck, and rock out to live music.
Stand-Up Sunday | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Local stand-up comedians will bring the jokes, and an open mic will follow the show.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Pets

Lakeland commissioners approved a dog park at 145 N. Lake Ave. By September 2024, it will feature a 6-ft fence, six entrances, dog statues, a dog washing station, and more. A name is TBA, but it may pay homage to Sparky, the former furry “Mayor of Lakeland.” (The Ledger + Lakeland Magazine)

Biz

You may spot new signage outside of Wauchula State Bank, located at the corner of Main Street + Kentucky Avenue. The branch is merging with three other banks (with a combined 19 locations) all owned by the same family. Moving forward, branches will operate under the name Crews Bank and Trust. (Business Observer FL)

Civic

The City of Lakeland’s new Youth Council has been sworn in. Each member applied for his or her position and was nominated by the commission. Members hail from Lakeland High School, George Jenkins High School, Kathleen Senior High School, Lakeland Christian School, Harrison School For The Arts, and other institutions. (LkldNow)

Older Adults

Senior Centers were discussed during Monday’s city commission meeting by Lakeland Vision board member Pat Steed. According to Steed, a center could offer much-needed programming in education, wellness, entertainment, counseling, and other areas to older adults. (LkldNow)

Concert

The Watoto Children’s Choir is performing at Southeastern University on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in Bush Chapel. Attend the free concert to watch children from Kampala, Uganda sing, dance, and tell stories.

Lakelander

Visit Central Florida recently dubbed Chad Ward, owner of Lakeland’s Whiskey Bent BBQ Supply, the “Tsar of Char.” Celebrate Ward’s new title at Whiskey Bent’s newly opened, 15,000-sqft facility at 2325 Commerce Point Dr., Ste. 100. (WFTS)

Holiday

Dress your pet for a night you won’t forget — Lakeside Village is hosting its Pooch-O-Ween Pet Parade and Costume Contest on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Registration to participate starts at $10 with all proceeds going to SPCA Florida. Admission to the parade and live entertainment are free.

Coming Soon

The Winter Haven Public Library will soon boast a multi-sensory garden. The immersive experience will open within six to 12 months. While available to all, it will have features specifically designed with veterans, individuals with autism, and those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries in mind. (Bay News 9)

Development

Residents at the end of Lake Hatchineha Road southeast of Haines City are concerned about a potential 1,876-home development. In addition to traffic and infrastructure concerns, some worry that Florida’s Wildlife Corridor will be constricted. The corridor acts as a natural pathway for black bears, deer, turkeys, and other wildlife. (WFTS)

Number

$359,495. That was the median price for a Polk County home in August. While slightly higher than July’s median price, homes cost more in August 2022 at ~$366,580. Other numbers of note: Polk’s median home is 1,851 sqft and stays on the market for 51 days. (The Ledger)

Sports

NFL player Vince Williams returned to Ridge Community High School last Friday to attend a jersey retirement ceremony in his honor. His alma mater retired number 44 during halftime. While there, Williams praised his former coach, Richard Tate, and credited him for his development as a player. (The Ledger)

Try This

Did you know that Lakeland Regional Health welcomed 70 resident physicians this summer for its first-ever Graduate Medical Education program? We went behind the scenes of the new program — and learned what it takes to become a physician. See how our day went (and why the GME is good for Lakeland).*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Health

Menopausal symptoms can show up as early as your mid-30s. Test your hormones + walk through your results with a specialist with Wellcore’s $99 At-Home Assessment Kit.*

Award

Hey Siri, play “We Are The Champions”

LALtoday sushi bracket

A green graphic announces New Moon Sushi has won LALtoday's sushi bracket.

The votes are in, and New Moon Sushi is our champion. | Graphic via 6AM City

When we stopped by the soft opening of Lakeland’s newest sushi place, Sushi Masa, it put rolls on our brains. We decided it was the perfect time to launch another round of our LALtoday bracket.

Earlier this year, our readers crowned Palace Pizza as Lakeland’s best pizza place. We assumed — correctly, it turns out — that our readers could rise to the challenge once again and find Lakeland’s best sushi.

With the power in your hands, only one could come out on top. So, without further ado, congratulations are in order: New Moon Sushi has been named the best sushi in Lakeland by our readers. (And, as it turns out, the results were the same in HAVEN Magazine’s 2023 Best Of LKLD list).

Celebrate the win by stopping by 4231 S. Florida Ave. for a roll or two. Connor gets the Bahama roll; Rilee opts for the salmon teriyaki box.

Shop

Shop 9.20.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Seasonal

Hello fall, we’re glad you’re here. Six & Main has everything you need this season from refreshing cocktails to cozy candles. Shop fall essentials.

Tech

Last week, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch 9 — which means you can get a great deal on the Apple Watch 8. Snag it for Amazon’s lowest price in 30 days.

Wellness

It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Drowsy sleep mask, which is silky smooth on skin and completely light-blocking for the deepest sleep.

Eat

The Bentgo stackable lunch box includes two stackable containers, built-in silverware, and dividers to snugly fit food portions into individual compartments.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rilee

From the editor

Is Wednesday too early to make my weekend plans? I hope not, because I’ve already decided to steal Connor’s perfect Saturday — I’m particularly looking forward to trying one of Pressed’s seasonal drinks.

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