The hot spots

The big picture

• Grants: Funding from the government can help cover the costs of land acquisition and construction. For example, the Community Development Block Grant Program provides annual grants to fund housing projects.
• Land dispositions: Transferring property to local governments, non-profits, and for-profit developers can reduce the cost of affordable housing.
• Taxes: When transforming office space into housing, systems like plumbing, heating, and cooling typically need replacing. This can be an opportunity to make improvements to energy efficiency — which can be rewarded with tax incentives and credits.

• MLK Jr. 20th Annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast | Monday, Jan. 15 | 8 a.m. | Dream Center of Lakeland, 635 W. 5th St., Lakeland | $30 | Join other community members for a “Spreading Hope, Courage, and Unity” themed breakfast.

• Lakeland Police Department Career Fair | Tuesday, Jan. 16 | 5-7 p.m. | Lakeland Police Station, 219 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free | Meet with recruiters and human resource professionals to learn about law enforcement and civilian careers.

• Green Drinks Lakeland | Wednesday, Jan. 17 | 5:30-8 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free | Mingle with other sustainability-minded individuals + organizations while enjoying bites from The Back Nine.

• Yogadance | Thursday, Jan. 18 | 4-5 p.m. | Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, 525 Lake Crago Dr., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Dance to music from around the world in this uplifting exercise class for all levels — Silver Sneakers members get in free.

• Movie on the Lawn: “Frozen” Sing-Along Edition | Friday, Jan. 19 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Join Elsa, Anna, and Olaf for free family activities and an outdoor showing of “Frozen.”

• City and county offices, tax collector offices, library branches, and recreation facilities will be closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Check out the Dream Megafest schedule for events to celebrate all week long.

• The Andy Bean Memorial Golf Tournament takes place this morning to raise money for the First Tee of Lakeland. Bean, a Lakeland native who died in October, was a professional golfer who raised millions for the First Tee. Today’s tournament is sold out, but donations are still accepted. (The Ledger)

• $300,000. That’s how much SPCA Florida is hoping to raise for its new Sheriff Grady Judd Spay and Neuter Program. The organization aims to cover most or all of the costs of 4,000 operations for qualified families.

• Former Polk County Commissioner Brenda Taylor died earlier this month at 80 years old. Taylor became Polk’s first female commissioner when she was elected in 1976, serving two terms. (The Ledger)

• Carve out some time in your schedule to learn a new skill in a beginner’s woodcarving class. Join the class at ART/ifact Studios on Wednesday, Feb. 7 to hone your technique and create a wooden spoon. The $50 class includes materials.

• Submissions for our 2023 LALtoday Picture of the Year contest close Wednesday, Jan. 17. Submit a local photo that you took in 2023 + we’ll give you a discount code to shop at our online marketplace, Six & Main. Plus, the contest winner will receive a $25 Six & Main gift card.

• Ready, set, grub. Three beloved barbecue cookoffs are back, but for the first time ever, chefs from around the nation are competing across all three events. Your job is easy: eat. See the juicy details on the Triple Crown of BBQ, happening this January + February.*

• In our latest edition of LALtoday Wellness in partnership with Lakeland Regional Health: Six local New Year’s resolutions to try, new wellness-focused apartments opening this month, annual Promise Run coming up soon, and more. Read the full newsletter.*

• Imagine you, on the beach, in the Bahamas, frozen cocktail in-hand. Yes, you can be in the Bahamas in as little as 1.5 hours out of Orlando International Airport (MCO).*

• Get a healthy start to your year. Now is the perfect time to ensure you and your family have the care you need when you need it. If you’re on the hunt for a new primary care provider, check out Lakeland Regional Health’s 340+ providers in more than 40 specialties and 20 locations.*

• Keep Lakeland Beautiful, Inc. | Take part in a monthly cleanup to keep lakes and roadways clear of litter.
• Gospel Village | Join residents in a community dinner every Thursday, complete a project during a Serve Day, or connect with women experiencing homelessness at the Women’s Outreach Center.
• Dream Center | Adopt a block and serve the community by offering food, clothing, and children’s activities each month.
• Peace River Center | Get involved at this center for victims of crisis, domestic abuse, and more.
• Habitat for Humanity | Work in the ReStore thrift home and furniture store, which funds the low-income, older adults, and veterans repair program.