• Two hurricanes, as well as a number of tornadoes, have hit that exact quarter-mile stretch.
• Drivers report a loss of cell signal + radio frequency when driving through this patch.
• In terms of paranormal activity, travelers have heard disembodied voices, children’s laughter, snarling, and growling, through the radio static, when other signals are lost.
• Drivers have also reported not only hearing unexplained phenomena but seeing them too. Sightings of ‘ghost vehicles,’ people, and orbs, are just some of what has been reported.

• ArtLab: Ahmad Taylor | Thursday, Oct. 12 | 2 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Join artist Ahmad H. Taylor, a Lakeland native, for an interactive lab about the art of storybook illustration.
• Trivia Thursdays at The Back Nine! | Thursday, Oct. 12-Thursday, Sept. 4 | 7:30 p.m. | The Back Nine , 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia.

• Swantoberfest at Swan Brewing! | Friday, Oct. 13-Sunday, Oct. 15 | 12-7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Raise your stein to traditional German cuisine, festive music, competitions, and newly released beers.
• Game On! Lakeland | Friday, Oct. 13 | 8 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Every ticket to this live game show hosted by Swan City Improv gives you a chance to compete for an ultimate cash prize.

• Mind, Body, Movement: Yoga Nidra and Sound Bath Meditation | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 8-9 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Experience a sound bath meditation and restorative Yoga Nidra practice on the Allen & Company Lawn — bring your own mat or towel.
• Fall Wine Walk | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 2-5 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $50-$65 | Sample 12 wines from regions around the world, and stay for an after-party until 7 p.m.

• Fox Squirrel Corn Maze | Sunday, Oct. 15 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, 6151 Varn Rd., Plant City | $12 | Get lost in a 5-acre corn maze, create custom wildflower bouquets, and soar on the jump pad.
• A Misty Pumpkin Patch | Sunday, Oct. 15 | 12:30-2:30 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Paint a mountainside pumpkin scene with the help of a professional instructor.

• Candle Pour Class | Monday, Oct. 16 | 7-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $55 | Choose your scent and create a candle to take home — tickets include a free drink.

• Attend a virtual meeting with the 2025 Central Florida Water Initiative Regional Water Supply Plan Team tomorrow from 9 to 11 a.m. The team will discuss the current + future water needs, projects, and funding for the 5,300-square mile area covering Polk, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and southern Lake counties. (The Ledger)

• $10,000. That’s what local 14-year-old David John raised for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit. The teen used funds to order 65 infrared beacons for human + canine members of the unit. The beacons shine an infrared beam into the sky, helping other officers and helicopters locate them. (WFTS)

• Polk County Public Schools is seeking public input as part of its application for the Stronger Connections Grant. The funding helps schools provide safer + healthier learning environments. Take the anonymous survey by Friday, Oct. 13.

• InnerAct Alliance’s Red Ribbon Run takes place on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Lake Mirror. Registration is open now — races include a kids’ fun run and a family fun run. Pro tip: Kids can register for free through Friday, Oct. 27. Day-of registration for kids and adults is $5.

• Southeastern University’s School of Music will hold the Contemporary Band’s Fall Acoustic Show on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. Head to Kelly Gardens, near Bush Chapel on the university’s campus (1000 Longfellow Blvd.). The event is free to attend and open to the public.

• Uncle Nick’s Italian Deli has a fresh new item on the menu: The Stunad (pronounced “stew-naaad”). Order one for Italian breaded and fried chicken cutlet, egg, Boar’s Head bacon, and pepper jack cheese. Pro tip: Ask for it on a jalapeño pepper jack bagel per the eatery’s recommendation.

• Want to learn about business formation from a practicing attorney? What about running your business funding plan by an experienced CPA? As an ELEVATE member, you can. See more membership benefits designed specifically for aspiring entrepreneurs + startups in the transportation industry.*

• And the best neighbor award goes to… you, for directly supporting LALtoday with the gift of your membership. Not only will you join our super cool membership club (and get perks including birthday shoutouts), but you’ll keep this newsletter free for the entire neighborhood. Way to go, neighbor.

For those who hit all the right notes

• Hillcrest Coffee | Grab a latte and hear the latest tunes from local singer-songwriters on Thursday nights at this coffeehouse — Pocketland is playing tonight.
• Lakeland Symphony Orchestra | Enjoy an immersive performance of works by Brahms, Liszt, and Kodaly at Florida Southern College on Saturday, Oct. 14.

For the visual learners

• Polk Museum of Art | Catch the latest exhibits, listen to an art history lecture, or take a tour with the curator.
• Mayfaire by-the-Lake | Apply to show your art at this annual outdoor springtime art festival by March 1, 2024, or just plan to stroll around Lake Morton to enjoy paintings, photography, and handcrafted goods this May.
• Art Crawl | View art by 60+ emerging contemporary artists at this festival at Swan Brewing on Nov. 5.