April 16, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

88º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:01 a.m. | Sunset 7:54 p.m.

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A large dog on a leash sits on a bench near Lake Mirror in Lakeland, FL

Bring your good boys + girls along with you to these places — they deserve it. | Photo by @attaboyanimalcare_lakeland

Paws right there, because Lakeland is a pet’s paradise. We’ve fetched some of the top spots around Lakeland where you can pamper your furry friends or support local businesses while shopping for essentials.

Dog parks

The city’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department operates three dog parks around town, offering a place for dogs to run near the north and south sides of Lakeland. The new On Dog Time park will open downtown later this year.

Pet-friendly spots

Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar, 132 S. Kentucky Ave.
This restaurant recently released a menu just for dog diners to enjoy on the patio, including dishes like the Eggs Rover Easy and Barking Bowl. There’s even a “pup-sicle” for dessert.

Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St.
Bring your well-behaved + leashed dogs to join you for an evening on the patio. The brewery has also hosted Dog Days of Summer events where those who bring pups can get a deal on drinks.

A dog grooming menu of services on a wall outside a grooming room — Mix and match your options for the perfect pampering at Woof Gang.
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Photo by LALtoday

Pet groomers + supply stores

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, 1544 Town Center Dr. W.
Pups will love getting a luxury bath and grooming. Finish off the appointment with nail painting, a bandana, and a treat from the bakery on your way out.

Benson’s Canine Cookies, 2928 S. Florida Ave.
This shop offers freshly made treats for dogs and cats, plus nutritional counseling for older pets, puppies + kittens, and pets who are pregnant.

Family Reptiles, 4505 Old Rd. 37
If you’re seeking something scaly, check out this store that offers both pets and products — it specializes in ball pythons.

A dog owner and their pet stand outside a mobile dog gym bus — Pets can work up a sweat, no matter where you are.
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Photo by LALtoday

Mobile gyms

Atta Boy! Animal Care
No yard? No problem. This bus will come to you to help your dog get some exercise — you can also find it at local community hubs.

Race Paws Mobile Dog Gym
“Doggie-powered” treadmills will keep your pup’s pads safe while they run. Introductory exercises are also offered for new customers.

15+ more spots for Spot

Events

Tuesday, April 16

Tasty Tuesday | Tuesday, April 16 | 4:30-8 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | $25 | Sample bites from downtown restaurants at your own pace and jam to music in Munn Park.
The Art of Music | Tuesday, April 16 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $5-$10 | Chamber singers + the concert choir will perform selections inspired by other art forms.

Wednesday, April 17

Chair Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, April 17 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Take a seat for this flow designed to improve flexibility, balance, and range of motion.
Salsa y Bachata Class + Dancing at the Park | Wednesday, April 17 | 6:15-10 p.m. | Coleman Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Learn Latin dance moves and show them off in a social under the stars.

Thursday, April 18

Sunshine Sports Mecca: A Story of Lakeland | Thursday, April 18 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Speaker Thomas Cloud, Esq. will lecture about how sports developments impacted Lakeland’s history.
Influencer Networking Event | Thursday, April 18 | 6-8 p.m. | COhatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Connect and create content with other influencers, creators, and business owners.

Friday, April 19

Swan Brewing 6 Year Anniversary Party | Friday, April 19-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Join this weekend-long birthday bash for brews, music, and more.
The Kenny Rogers Band with Don Gatlin | Friday, April 19 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, 361 Denton Ave., Auburndale | $25-$110 | Hear songs + stories from the band that toured with Kenny Rogers for over 40 years — VIP options are available.

Events calendar here

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Wellness

3 game-changing benefits of cannabis edibles + flower

A group of friends sit on a picnic mat enjoying Best Buds products together.

Best Buds Premium Cannabis prides itself on cultivating a community based around educated cannabis consumption. | Photo by Shelby Erin Photography

Looking to try CBD or legal THC products but not sure where to begin? We’re breaking down the benefits these products can provide with help from the experts at Best Buds Premium Cannabis. Here’s the 4-1-1:

Better sleep
Research suggests that cannabis products can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Improved workouts
Consuming cannabis before a workout can keep you calm so you can focus on breathing and control your movements accurately. After a workout, it helps speed up recovery by reducing muscle inflammation + swelling.

Boosts mood
Studies also show that cannabis may help improve mood.

Best Buds gummies are made in Florida between Lakeland and Tampa, derived from hemp, and are 2018 Farm Bill compliant and federally legal.^†

Bonus: Use promo code 420 to get 25% off their bestselling edibles + hemp flower.

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†Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. Best Buds Premium Cannabis advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume products before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by LALtoday.

News Notes

Lakelander

World champion weightlifter Ayecia Bryant broke the Guinness World Record for the heaviest deadlift in a minute by a female. Bryant broke the record on Saturday at Simpson Park Community Center, where she also received a key to the city from Mayor Mutz.

Edu

Florida Polytechnic University has selected Dr. G. Devin Stephenson as its next president. Dr. Stephenson is currently the president of Northwest Florida State College. Negotiations are underway, and his contract is set for approval this summer.

Real Estate

Polk County’s median home price was down $50 from February to March, coming in at $349,950. It’s less than Florida’s median price of $454,900, which also decreased slightly in March. (The Ledger)

Development

Phase two of construction at the Bob Adams Family Community YMCA will begin with a groundbreaking on Tuesday, May 7 at 9 a.m. Catch up on the plans for the YMCA’s $21 million renovation, including a wellness complex + field house.

Community

High schoolers in the Lakeland Aero Club helped with SUN ‘n FUN operations for the first time this year, garnering the nickname “The Cavalry.” The club, based at the Aerospace Center for Excellence, is the world’s largest high school flying club. (The Ledger)

Plan Ahead

Polk Pride’s 2024 theme is “There’s No Place Like Home.” A full week of events will begin with a kick-off brunch on Saturday, June 8 at Union Hall and will lead up to Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 15 in Munn Park.

History

The city proclaimed March 18, 2024 as Technical Sergeant Ida Fields Dodd Day to honor a Lakelander who served during World War II. Dodd joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and worked with code breakers at the Pentagon, returning to Lakeland after being discharged. (LkldNow)

Family

Water you up to on Saturday, May 4? The Florida Children’s Museum is hosting its second Watermelon Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including melon-themed activities, watermelon slices, and free museum admission.

Outdoors

Get up close + personal with 800 animals at Safari Wilderness (10850 Moore Rd.). This 260-acre ranch offers safari tours in vehicles, by kayak, or even on a camel’s back to see wild animals. Pro tip: You can also add on lemur + cheetah encounters. (Fox 13 News)

Arts

The Hollingsworth Winds ensemble will perform its spring concert, “A Few Things Old and A Few Things New,” on Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at FSC’s Branscomb Auditorium. This free show will include world premieres of three new pieces.

Edu

The Polk Museum of Art is set to host the 101st annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for the Polk County, Florida Art Region. Students can submit original works for a chance to be honored in the nation’s longest-running scholarship + recognition program.*

Home

Lower your energy bills before summer. Renewal by Andersen^® will replace old windows with beautiful, energy-efficient windows — get a free quote and shop a limited-time spring savings event.*

Shop

🎵 For the record

Vinyl records categorized by genre at Jesse Carl Vinyl in Lakeland, FL

There’s a record for every music lover at Jesse Carl Vinyl. | Photo by LALtoday

Saturday, April 20 is Record Store Day (RSD), an annual event held by independent record stores to celebrate music and show support for local shops. We asked Jessi Zilka, owner of Jesse Carl Vinyl, what you can expect locally on Record Store Day. (We recommend listening to her favorite record of all time, “Ten” by Pearl Jam, while you read.)

This is Jesse Carl Vinyl’s eighth year participating in RSD. The shop will offer special releases of records by diverse artists, plus pre-owned music. Everything is first-come, first-served.

The store will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday at 304 N. Kentucky Ave., Ste. 1150. Line up early if there’s an album you can’t live without, or stop by the shop Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. to browse the rest of the records.

The Buy

Answered

🍽️ Dinner of champions

An aerial view of the Eaglebrooke Golf Course in Lakeland, FL. There is a green in the foreground and sand traps, water hazards, and trees in the background.

Hungry? The Club at Eaglebrooke offers casual dining on site. | Photo by @clubateaglebrooke

Each year, the past winners of the Masters Tournament, one of golf’s biggest championships, enjoy the Masters Champions Dinner. The reigning champ picks the menu for the evening, often including dishes + drinks inspired by their hometowns.

You told us which local drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts you would tee up for your own Champions Dinner. With recommendations from a few readers and us city editors, here’s what’s on the menu:

Starting with drinks, City Editor Amelia would get the party started with French 75s from Revival.
Reader Hali T. would kick off dinner with Nineteen61’s fried Brussels sprouts.
For the entree, City Editor Connor would serve the G.O.A.T. sandwich from LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken at a medium heat level.
Reader Paul B. would end the night with flan from Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

If this is your first year shopping on Record Store Day, arrive as early as possible for the best chance at your must-have records. I showed up around 6 a.m. last year and the line was already around the block. My advice? Bring a chair, a book, and strong coffee.

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