10.25.2023

Today’s Forecast

64º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:05 a.m. | Sunset 5:31 p.m.

Welcome to ~~Swan~~ Dog City

Which dog breed are you based on your Lakeland neighborhood?

A large and small dog walk around the Frances Langford Promenade on Lake Mirror in Lakeland

It’s not such a ruff life if you live in Lakeland. | Photo by @izzieandjedi

Since home is where the dog is, we’ve matched a few Lakeland neighborhoods with dog breeds based on their temperaments, according to the American Kennel Club. Don’t see your neighborhood listed yet? Consider yourself a Lakeland terrier. These pups are friendly, confident, and bold — just like a Lakelander.

Bonus: If you’re in the market for a home with space for Rover to run, check out each neighborhood’s real estate listing.

Cleveland Heights: Boxer

With easy access to Lake Hollingsworth, the Lakeland Family YMCA, and several public parks, Cleveland Heights has to be the active boxer. This fun-loving breed is sure to keep you at Dog Leg Woods for an extra hour or two.

Home with fenced-in backyard, near dog park

Downtown: Australian Shepherd

These intelligent dogs were bred as herders, and they still have a strong desire to work. That lines up with the downtown neighborhood, where you’ll find Lakelanders mixing work and play.

Pet-friendly penthouse across from Munn Park

LAL-lake-morton-house-home-porch-dog-fall-sweetlife_ofanna-SEPT2022.jpeg — *Paws* and enjoy a moment at home.
|
Photo by @sweetlife_ofanna

Lake Morton: Poodle

Historic homeowners and Florida Southern College students alike are proud to call East and South Lake Morton home. That makes them a perfect fit with the proud and intelligent standard poodle.

Historic home with spacious yard

Dixieland: French Bulldog

The French bulldog was the most popular breed for the first time in 2022. This adaptable breed reminds us of Dixieland, a popular area that’s constantly seeing new businesses and rolling with the changes.

Home with shady backyard + patio

Camphor Heights: Golden Retriever

This community is small, tight-knit, and friendly — what better dog could represent it than a devoted golden retriever?

Updated historic home with landscaped yard

Want to see more? Throw us a bone and drop us a line with which breed you think best matches your community for a pup-date of this article.

Events

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Goat Yoga on the Farm! | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6-7 p.m. | The Cloven Hoof Farm, 6170 Robins Rd., Lakeland | $10-$25 | We’re not kidding around — try this beginner-friendly, 45-minute goat yoga class.
Halloween Trivia w/ Quit Smackin’ Catering | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Play Halloween-themed trivia and enjoy your favorite Swan Brewing beers.

Thursday, Oct. 26

Yogadance | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 4-5 p.m. | Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | $5 | Dance to music from around the world in this uplifting exercise class for all levels.
Author Talk with John Irving | Thursday, Oct. 26 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Bestselling author John Irving will share about his latest novel, “The Last Chairlift,” and his successful writing career.

Friday, Oct. 27

Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida Annual Pink Ribbon Gala 2023 | Friday, Oct. 27 | 6 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | $150 | This evening of dinner, cocktails, auctions, and entertainment will raise funds for families facing breast cancer.

Saturday, Oct. 28

InnerAct Alliance’s Annual Red Ribbon Run and Challenge | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lake Mirror Center, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Kids in grades K-8 can run around Lake Mirror for prizes, or families can join the Family Fun Run.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Learn

🛫 Aerospace academic achievement program lifts off

Young boy in an orange shirt walks toward an airplane

ACEs High rewards local youth for being a star student and good citizen. | Photo via Unsplash

Attention parents with aspiring aviators: Looking for a way to inspire your student to succeed in school? The Aerospace Center for Excellence has you covered.

The center’s ACEs High academic achievement program offers free + exciting rewards to Polk County students ages 11-17. Think: A free flight in an airplane (yes, you read that right).

With year-long incentives, students are rewarded with:

Discovery Flight in a real airplane
Personalized military-style flight suit
A visit to the Kennedy Space Center
And more

See all rewards + join ACE High

News Notes

Number

$24,716. That’s the total awarded to four businesses at Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night. My Plates on Deck, Swan City Ceramics, Heartland Snack Co., and Rocka Shaka Prints each successfully pitched their small businesses and received micro-grants.

Coming Soon

Bear with us, because a new coffee shop is coming to Lakeland. Pour Bear Coffee will be located at 4608 Cleveland Heights Blvd., with owners eyeing a December opening date. Follow along with the shop’s progress.

Community

The Polk County tax roll is now open for homeowners to pay 2023 property taxes. Pro tip: Pay yours by the end of November for a 4% early payment discount.

Drink

Winter Haven bars, liquor stores, and restaurants can now serve liquor as soon as 7 a.m. after city commissioners voted to amend a city ordinance. Pro tip: Plan a day trip to Winter Haven, starting with mimosas at Sunday brunch. (WTSP)

Development

The Lake Wales City Commission has approved the Lake Wales Envisioned strategy. The redevelopment guidelines include plans for 17,500 acres of conservation areas surrounding the city named the Big Green Network. (The Ledger)

Seasonal

Shop ‘til the leaves drop. Don’t miss two fall markets happening on Saturday, Oct. 28. First, visit happyfastdelicious 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to shop on the patio, then head downtown for the Fall Night Market, happening 5-9 p.m.

Learn

First United Methodist Church’s Memory Café is hosting two workshops for those supporting individuals with dementia. Visit tomorrow, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. for “The Umbrella of Dementia,” and mark your calendar for “Holidays Expectations and Living Well with Dementia” on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m.

Eat

The next Lakeland Food Truck Rally will welcome two new trucks: Feasts of Persia and Bussin Ice Cream. Visit the rally on Thursday, Nov. 9, 6-9 p.m. in Munn Park to try bites from these and 13 other food trucks.

Try This

Southeastern University hosts Preview Days for prospective students and families from September to March — but Oct. 27 is a special day. Get details + register for the SEU Homecoming Weekend Preview Day to experience student life, celebrate Homecoming Week with alumni, and cheer on the Fire during its Homecoming game.*

Civic

Have you heard about The Credit Card Competition Act? If passed, robust payment networks could be replaced with a cheaper, less secure network, reducing card issuers’ abilities to fund rewards programs — meaning your points and miles could potentially disappear. See what action you can take.**

Pets

Nom Nom’s pre-portioned meals for dogs are made with whole-food ingredients you actually recognize — like sweet potato, beef, and pork. Get 50% off your first order (plus, free shipping).*

**This message is brought to you by The Points Guy.

State

Bigfoot believers beware

Real or fake? Discover the Skunk Ape, Florida’s version of Bigfoot.

Look out for the Skunk Ape in Lakeland’s wooded areas. | Photo by @katielated

Did you know that the community of Bigfoot believers in Florida is, well... big? According to legend, smelly cryptids like the Sasquatch lurk under the shadow of the sun deep in the southernmost forests of Florida. The creature’s name? The Florida Skunk Ape.

The 7-ft tall, 450-lb species is said to reside primarily in the Everglades, although there have been several sightings as far north as Sarasota.

Named after its smell — which, according to experts, is akin to swamp gas + animal cadavers — the creature is said to be similar to the legend of Bigfoot. They’re both thought to roam in packs and be peaceful.

As for whether the creature really exists, who knows? Maybe there are giant smelly hominids gallivanting through Lakeland, awaiting discovery. If you’ve spotted one, share your sighting story.

Share LALtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_15}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

I don’t think the Skunk Ape is real, or Bigfoot or aliens for that matter. However, if a reader sent in stories or photo proof of any cryptids they’ve spotted in Lakeland (hint, hint), maybe I’d be convinced.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY