Plant City

• Keel & Curley at Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Recommended by @savandboozy | Try this winery’s new food menu for bites like the Southern board and pimento cheeseburger, pictured above.
• Kyoto Palace, 214 W. Alexander St., Plant City | Recommended by @djgrype | Take your hungriest friends out for all-they-can-eat at this Chinese and Japanese eatery.
• Norma’s, 120 N. Collins St., Plant City | Recommended by @brockbjorn | Head downtown for Cuban sandwiches, tacos, and wraps.
• Smokin’ Aces BBQ & Steakhouse, 2509 N. Park Rd., Plant City | Recommended by @djgrype | Burgers, tacos, steak, and of course, barbecue — it’s all on the menu here.
• Stage 201, 201 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City | Recommended by @lindsay.d | This pizzeria opened in late 2023 and has already left an impact on Polk foodies.

Winter Haven

• Arabellas Ristorante, 346 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven | Recommended by @rachelmgreen1 | Italian and Mediterranean classics are on the menu at this spot in the heart of downtown Winter Haven.
• Lucille’s American Cafe, 205 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven | Recommended by @savandboozy | Lovers of diner classics are sure to find something on the menu here — we’re eyeing the chicken pot pie.

Bartow

• Tua Pasta, 315 E. Main St., Bartow | Recommended by @savandboozy | Visit downtown Bartow for classic Italian fare available for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Polk City

• The Purple Pit Stop, 205 Broadway Blvd. SE, Polk City | Recommended by @jen.warren99 | This spot serves classic American breakfast dishes all day long — we’d order the Quesa Birria tacos.

• Off The Wall SOUL Line Dancing Class | Monday, Jan. 8 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Coleman Bush Building, 1104 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Get off the wall and on the dance floor at this weekly movement class.

• Lakeland Music Club | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 10-11:30 a.m. | United Women’s Club of Lakeland Clubhouse, 1515 Williamsburg Sq., Lakeland | Free | Mingle and enjoy refreshments with other music enthusiasts, then enjoy a performance by Lakeland Community Theatre.
• 2024 Lecture Series: A Musical Journey Through Florida | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Winter Haven Public Library, 325 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven | Free | Listen to songs and stories about Florida, including Ponce de Leon’s 1513 voyage — registration is required.

• Line Dancing | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 5-6 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Head to Lakeside Village’s central lawn for a free line dancing class led by an expert — bring your own water.
• Southeastern University Women’s Basketball vs Keiser University | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | Times vary | The Furnace, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland | $0-$7 | SEU’s women’s + men’s basketball teams are facing off against Keiser University — students, staff, and faculty can attend for free.

• Conceiving the Highlands: The Hallam Family from Triumphs to Tragedy | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland History and Culture Center, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Attend this free lecture to learn the story behind the Lakeland Highlands, including the Hallam family’s legacy.
• Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Head downtown for live music and bites from 15 local food trucks.

• Free Breastfeeding Support Group | Friday, Jan. 12 | 9-10 a.m. | Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center, 650 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn breastfeeding tips from a lactation facilitator and connect with others at this weekly support group.
• Dixieland Night Market | Friday, Jan. 12 | 6-11 p.m. | Dixieland Night Market, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from local makers at this monthly night market.

• Several issues are top of mind for Lakeland city officials as Florida’s lawmaking session kicks off tomorrow. With 1,100+ bills introduced, topics like local business taxes, building permit applications, Brightline’s expansion, and airport expansion funding will go before the Florida Legislature. (LkldNow)

• A $55 million, 183,000-sqft modernization project at Southwest Middle School is slated to wrap up this spring. Once complete, students, staff, and faculty will enjoy a new courtyard, cafeteria, locker room, and nearly 300 new student stations. (The Ledger)

• $141,500. That’s how much Publix Charities gifted the Polk Theatre for various projects, including an upgraded marquee sign, sound system improvements, and more. While you wait to see the updates come to life, take a walk down memory lane and revisit Elvis’ 1956 Polk Theatre performance. (LkldNow)

• The City of Lakeland is unveiling a new online application system — Intuitive Municipal Solutions (iMS) — on Jan. 22. On the new platform, users can schedule building permit inspections and have results texted to them. Learn more on the City’s blog.

• Expect delays and consider alternative routes around South Boulevard, Success Avenue, and East Park Street starting Jan. 15. Crews will be milling the asphalt and resurfacing each street during daytime hours.

• No. 20. That’s what Lakeland ranked on U-Haul’s list of growth cities, which is calculated by analyzing one-way U-Haul traffic. Of the top 25 destinations on the list, seven are in the Sunshine State. Know someone who just moved here? Send them to New to Lakeland, our new resident guide.

• The Polk State College Lakeland Gateway to Collegiate High School is holding an informational session for interested students and parents tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. Stop by the 3425 Winter Lake Rd. campus and visit LTB 1100 to learn about applying for the fall semester.

• If you’ve ever wanted to take to the skies, Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in Winter Haven has trained new sea pilots for 60+ years, including Harrison Ford and Jimmy Buffet. If you’re not ready to take the controls, check out seaplane sightseeing packages starting at $90 per person. (Spectrum News)

• Lakeland native Chris Sale signed a two-year, $38 million contract with the Atlanta Braves. The starting pitcher graduated from Lakeland High School in 2007 before playing for Florida Gulf Coast University. He played for the Chicago White Sox from 2010 to 2016 and the Boston Red Sox from 2016 to 2023. (FanNation)

• Ahmad H. Taylor is returning to the Polk Museum of Art on Wednesday, Jan. 17 for an in-depth discussion with museum Executive Director Dr. Alex Rich. Attend the reception from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn more about the artist’s work on “Illustrations from the Mirror.”

• Mark your calendars for Lakeland’s first avante-garde hair show on April 7 at Union Hall. The event is currently looking for hair models, stylists, barbers, musicians, makeup artists, and performers — learn more.

• We’re hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about Lakeland. This person is passionate about storytelling, news, and the city we call home. See details + apply.

• Is BBQ your claim to flame? Local BBQ chefs are invited to compete in the first-ever Triple Crown of BBQ — bringing together three major cookout competitions and the chance to take home the Triple Crown grand prize. See details + register your team. Bonus: Lakelanders are also invited to the grub-fest.*

• Looking for your new favorite water bottle? The Owala Travel Tumbler combines the best of Stanley’s viral tumbler with Owala’s smart design. We’re liking color “Bunny Hop.”*

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