Plus, support these Lake Miriam shops.
 
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6AM City In-House pt 2

Today’s Forecast

88º | 50% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:39 a.m. | Sunset 8:27 p.m.
 

🍦 Sweet treats worth a snapshot

Grab an Instagram-worthy ice cream from these shops near Lakeland
A plastic nacho tray holding vanilla ice cream, waffle cone chips, and melted chocolate syrup instead of nacho cheese.
Have you ever eaten ice cream in nacho form? | Photo by Lakeland Ice Cream Company
Whether you prefer a scoop of ice cream, a cup of Italian ice, or a snow cone, here’s what we recommend from these shops in and around Lakeland that will keep your Instagram feed cool this summer.

Lakeland Ice Cream Company, locations vary
Scoop this: Ice cream nachos with your favorite flavor + cookies and warm chocolate for dipping

Mayday Ice Cream, The Joinery, 640 E. Main St.
Scoop this: A flight of your favorite six ice cream flavors (we always get the Parent Trap, Aviator, and Cloud 9)

Cake Makers Studio, 115 S. Kentucky Ave.
Scoop this: Unicorn Freakshake made with blue and pink ice cream, topped with an ice cream cone “unicorn horn”

A paper plate with a funnel cake topped with powdered sugar, a scoop of chocolate ice cream, and chocolate syrup

Funnel Feasts offers vanilla, chocolate, and imported ube ice cream.

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Photo by Funnel Feasts

Funnel Feasts, 1023 S. Florida Ave.
Scoop this: Chocolate ice cream atop a freshly fried cheesecake crunch funnel cake

Mimi’s Italian Ice, 3120 S. Florida Ave.
Scoop this: Gelati with layers of Italian ice + dairy-free ice cream (don’t miss out on rotating flavors made in-store each day)

Dessert Destination, 5178 County Line Rd.
Scoop this: Ice cream float with root beer, cream soda, or even a Shirley Temple

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, 2117 E. County Rd. 540A
Scoop this: Sugar Cookie gelati — cookie butter + cake batter Italian ice layered with vanilla soft serve

Two hands holding pink cotton candy wrapped around blue and white ice cream with sprinkles in the shape of a burrito

You’ll need your sweet tooth for this frozen creation.

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Photo by LALtoday

Polk City BBQ & Ice Cream Company, 221 Commonwealth Ave. SW, Polk City
Scoop this: A cotton candy burrito filled with ice cream + sprinkles

Andy’s Frozen Custard, 4046 S. Florida Ave.
Scoop this: James Brownie Funky Jackhammer filled with hot fudge

Ripples Handcrafted Ice Cream, Bowen Yard, 312 4th St. SW, Winter Haven
Scoop this: A tripple scoop piled high in a waffle cone — we suggest the Coffee Chip made with Ethos Roasters’ coffee
 
Events
Thursday, July 11
Friday, July 12
  • Alt Night | Friday, July 12 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Pop punk, metal, emo, and more — listen to your favorite alternative music while playing games + singing along to karaoke.
  • Just Laughs Comedy Showcase | Friday, July 12 | 8 p.m. | The Stage Room, 310 E. Lemon St., Lakeland | $15 | Enjoy an evening of laughter at this weekly comedy showcase.
Saturday, July 13
  • Summer Naturalist | Saturday, July 13 | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Examine fingerprints to learn what makes them so unique at this family friendly learning lab.
  • 2nd Rumba Fest of Lakeland | Saturday, July 13 | 10-1 a.m. | GG Ballroom, 5187 US Hwy. 98 N., Lakeland | $15-$80 | Take workshops + see performances of Rumba and other Latin dance styles.
  • “The Greatest Showman” Tribute Concert by Vienna Light Orchestra | Saturday, July 13 | Times vary | Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland | $35-$125 | Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for — a concert of live musicians performing by candlelight.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Biz
  • Lake Miriam Publix is closed, but there’s plenty to look forward to when it opens late next year (think: a pizza station, burrito bowls, and a Pours beverage counter). In the meantime, support the other businesses still open in the Lake Miriam Square plaza. (WFLA)
Number
  • 523. That’s how many PCPS grads received certificates of completion in May. Students may earn certificates instead of diplomas if they fail a standardized test or required class. The number is down from 735 last year, but high compared to the rest of the state. (LkldNow)
Community
  • Need a spot for that Facebook Marketplace meetup? The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has added 12 “Safe Zones” at its facilities across the county, including two in Lakeland, where you can meet up to securely swap goods or do a child custody exchange. (The Daily Ridge)
Edu
  • Dr. Devin Stephenson is shaking up Florida Polytechnic University’s staff during his first week as president. Bradley Thiessen will become the provost, and former state senator Kelli Stargel is the new AVP of strategic relationships. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Development
  • Bartow officials are considering two locations for a new aquatics program: the Oaks Building + the Civic Center. Construction at each site would cost nearly $5 million or $4 million, respectively. Get the scoop at tonight’s forum, 6-8 p.m. at Bartow City Hall. (The Ledger)
Plan Ahead
  • The next school year is just over a month away, with students returning on Monday, Aug. 12. Start your family’s prep with these tips for the new year from PCPS, spanning enrollment, school supply lists, and orientation.
Learn
  • Are you a local teacher looking for interesting educational experiences? RSVP for Bonnet Springs Park’s Teacher Night on Friday, July 19 to learn more about free field trips + workshops just for teachers — light bites and drinks are included.
Cause
  • AmeriCorps Seniors’ RSVP Polk program is seeking volunteers ages 55+ who want to give back to their community. Sign up to be matched with local service openings for tutors, meal deliverers, park guides, and more.
Answered
  • We can’t get anything past you. Yesterday, we asked which star did not perform at the Polk Theatre, and most of you correctly guessed Charlie Chaplin. The theater did hold a Chaplin lookalike contest in 1931, but the star himself didn’t show.
Edu
  • Here’s a win for students in need of adulthood transition training: SEU’s Link program — designed to teach students with mild intellectual disabilities important life skills and career training — was just awarded a $1.4 million grant to support + grow the program. See why this is a big deal.*
Health
  • “The clarity is insane.” That’s what we’re hearing (loud and clear) about this best-selling hearing device. It makes conversation effortless, even in background noise. Join 350,000+ happy customers with a no-risk trial.*
Finance
  • If your last credit card bill sent a chill down your spine — even in this heat — it might be time for a balance transfer. The Ascent recommends these four cards with 0% APR for up to 18 months. (You could have almost two years to avoid interest charges.)*
 
Civic

What’s your budget?

Lakeland City Commission begins 2025 budget talks
Lakeland City Commissioners and city staff sit at desks arranged in a semi-circle in a budget workshop. Each has a name placard and a microphone at their seat.
Be in the room where it happens or join in virtually. | Screenshot via City of Lakeland
City Hall is abuzz with activity as Lakeland’s staff have dedicated meetings to review the major task ahead: setting the city’s next budget before the 2025 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

At the first budget workshop in July, the City Commission informally voted 6-1 to raise the maximum advertised property tax rate from 5.4323 to 6.0529 mills per every $1,000 of appraised property value.

In the second workshop on Monday, Aug. 12, commissioners decided instead to consider two budget scenarios: one raising the millage rate to the 2018 rate of 5.5644 mills, and another raising it to 5.62 mills. Regardless of which rate is chosen, Lakeland will have the third-lowest millage rate of all Polk County municipalities. It currently has the second-lowest.

Why is the City Commission eyeing an increase? According to a press release, “The City of Lakeland is feeling the same pinch in the wallet as our citizens with increased cost for goods over the past several years.” In addition to routine expenditures, the proposed budget currently includes new police officer + firefighter positions, plus funding for the Police Athletic League’s new building, a proposed senior center, and local arts programs.

Mark your calendar for the formal budget hearings on Thursday, Sept. 5 and Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. to share your thoughts with commissioners. You can also watch any budget workshops you missed.
The Buy

The Buy 7.11.24 (Affiliate)
A really soft, breathable men’s performance t-shirt that Nordstrom just marked down. The Vuori shirt is great for everyday wear or working out.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Here’s another star that once performed at the Polk Theatre: this City Editor. Ok, I may not be a star, but I did get to perform at the theater during an event in college at SEU. Let’s count it as just one degree of separation from Elvis Presley.
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