April 23, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

82º | 4% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:54 a.m. | Sunset 7:58 p.m.

LAL_High Tower Roofing_Weather Sponsorship_7.1.2023-6.30.2025

🎓 Give it up for the grads

Over 3,500 students are enrolled at Florida Southern College this year. | Photo by @calgolden

Swan City’s about to get hotter by several degrees — college degrees, that is. As we get ready to celebrate grads from four of Lakeland’s colleges + welcome their loved ones to our city, we’ve rounded up the information you need to know so you can plan your weekends accordingly.

Graduation schedule

A Black male student holds up his diploma from Polk State College as he walks across the stage. — Lakeland is home to five total colleges — Florida Southern College, Southeastern University, Polk State College, Florida Polytechnic University, and Keiser University.
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Photo courtesy of @polk_state

Things to know

An SEU graduate stands below a sign that says "College of Arts and Media." — Around 12,655 students attend college in Lakeland each year — that’s about 10% of the city’s population.
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Photo by @photographyemmarenee

On the days of the graduations, make sure to plan for traffic delays and leave earlier than usual if you’re traveling near the RP Funding Center. Pro tip: We recommend avoiding West Lemon Street, Lime Street, and Sikes Boulevard if possible — instead, consider accessing downtown via South Florida Avenue or Bartow Road.

If eating out is in your weekend itinerary, be prepared for extended wait times — especially if you’re planning to dine at one of these go-to brunch spots. Consider checking out one of these hidden gems around Lakeland instead, or branch out and try these places less than 30 minutes away.

Are you a graduating college senior this year? Send us your Lakeland college graduation photos and we may highlight them on our socials.

You go, grad

Events

Tuesday, April 23

Handprint Walk-In Event | Tuesday, April 23-Wednesday, April 24 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | PicassoZ Art Cafe, 4636 Cleveland Heights Blvd., Lakeland | $35 | Paint a one-of-a-kind handprint plate at this drop-in experience.
Tennis for Fun | Tuesday, April 23 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | Individuals of all ages + abilities can learn the basics of tennis in a relaxed, non-competitive environment.

Wednesday, April 24

Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, April 24 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and water to this class for all levels of yogis 16 or older — locations vary by day.
Hike Circle B with The Florida Aquarium | Wednesday, April 24 | 1-3 p.m. | Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Rd., Lakeland | $30 | Kids ages 6-14 will enjoy this guided hike with educational instructors from The Florida Aquarium.
Salsa y Bachata Class + Dancing at the Park | Wednesday, April 24 | 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 25

CareerSource Polk Spring Job Fair | Thursday, April 25 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Nora Mayo Hall, 500 3rd St. NW, Winter Haven | Free | Network with employers from multiple industries — veterans can get in one hour early.
The Coolest Place in Town: Lakeland’s Ice Plants | Thursday, April 25 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Kathleen Area Historical Society Heritage Park, 8950 N. Campbell Rd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about a century of local ice plant history from author Lloyd Harris.

Events calendar here

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Edu

Launch your career with SEU’s 3 new tech programs

The program gives students in-demand knowledge of the tech industry along with a strong foundation in business principles. | Photo provided by Southeastern University

Technology continues to be among the nation’s top career industries — and as our everyday lives get more and more tech-filled, the demand for tech jobs is only expected to increase. That’s why Southeastern University’s new Tech programs are kind of a big deal.

Combining a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) with one of three tech concentrations, the program gives students both tech-focused skills and training in fundamental business concepts and leadership. Students may also earn certificates without enrolling in a degree program.

The new programs and their adjoining career fields (all of which are among 2024’s most in-demand tech jobs) include:

Cybersecurity
Software Development
Data Science

Each program offers multi-certificate opportunities (earned simultaneously) and access to SEU’s robust support services. Students will also be among the top 1% of fastest-growing private Christian universities in the US.

Piqued your interest? Apply or request more info below.

Learn more + start your career

News Notes

Traffic

Starting Wednesday, May 1, Orange Street and East Main Street from South Lake Avenue to Bartow Road will be closed for resurfacing. A detour will be in place for around three days, but residences and businesses will be accessible. (The Ledger)

Closed

WACO Kitchen, the restaurant in Lakeland Linder International Airport, is temporarily suspending operations. Airport officials are currently working with the eatery’s parent company to obtain more details on how long the restaurant will be closed.

Coming Soon

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill (3901 US Hwy. 98 N.) is being transformed into a Twin Peaks restaurant. Expect additional dining space with an optimized layout, a second bar, upgraded restrooms + more. A construction timeline has not been announced. (Restaurant Magazine)

Edu

Alain Douge will become Lakeland High School’s new principal this summer following current principal Arthur Martinez’s retirement. Douge has been a PCPS educator + administrator since 2001, most recently serving as principal of Davenport High School. (LkldNow)

Number

$3.2 million. That’s how much Polk County received in FDOT grant funding to extend Thompson Nursery Road in Winter Haven. The project is expected to conclude by 2031 and will cost around $200 million. (The Ledger)

Award

Lakelander Brad Shiver, a Senior Manager of Supply Chain Replenishment for Publix, was recently awarded the company’s Mr. George Community Service Award. Shiver and five other awardees received $5,000 donations to the charity of their choice. (Mass Market Retailers)

Weather

Polk County Emergency Management is seeking photos and videos of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. Footage will be used in a documentary the county is putting together on the 2004 hurricane season, set to debut in early June.

Festival

Mayfaire by-the-Lake is seeking volunteers for the annual festival, happening May 11-12. Numerous positions are available, from merchandise sales to designated coffee runners and kids activities. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, or 14 if volunteering with a guardian.

Cause

Tomorrow, April 24 is Denim Day, an international day to support survivors of sexual assault. Don your denim and head to any Black & Brew location tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to write inspirational messages for survivors alongside Peace River Center Victim Services.

Asked

Rising electricity bills have you thinking of going solar? Find out what you need to know before making the big decision by asking the experts at Freedom Solar Power questions about cost, benefits, and anything else under the sun. Submit your questions + they’ll share the answers in an upcoming newsletter.*

Plan Ahead

There’s still time to register your little ones for a hands-on aerospace summer camp at the Aerospace Center for Excellence. Not so little? Teens ages 15-17 make perfect Junior Summer Camp Counselors.*

Drink

🍹 It’s 5 o’clock somewhere

When happy hour hits, some of our go-to’s include negronis and Moscow mules. | Photo by @thelaltoday

On the rocks, neat, dirty, frozen, or zero proof — we’re spilling the Long Island iced tea on the best happy hours in Lakeland.

Get ready to drink up at these places with sip-worthy specials.

The Brass Tap | Monday-Friday, 12-7 p.m. | There’s always something hoppening at The Brass Tap — try $5 select draft beer and pints, along with food specials.

Revival | Monday-Friday, 1-7 p.m. | Swing by Revival’s elegant downtown craft cocktail lounge for charming bookshelves, cleverly-named cocktails, and happy hour deals. Try an $8 Cosmopolitan or $6 spirits and wines.

Z’s Teas | Monday, 6-10 p.m. | Get 10% off drinks when you join the crew at Z’s for card games. Pro tip: As one of Lakeland’s newest botanical tea + kava bars, this spot is offering discounted drinks until its grand opening, with more discounts on the way.

23 more happy hours this way

Asked

I am most proud of my city’s...

A. Bubbling craft beer scene
B. Delicious distilleries
C. Mocktail masterpieces
D. Vines and wines

Sip us your thoughts

The Buy

The Maizie Clarke Collection. If you’re looking for ways to prepare for the Kentucky Derby, this brand has the sweetest derby-inspired products.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Amelia

From the editor

Speaking of happy hour, I went out with some friends last night for drinks at The Brass Tap. One of my favorite drinks there is “The Weekender” — I can only describe it as tasting like summer in a glass.

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