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6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

93º | 40% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:54 a.m. | Sunset 8:11 p.m.
 

🥇 Dreaming of gold

Dreaming of gold: Olympians with ties to Lakeland competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Long jumper Monae' Nichols poses on a boat on the Seine River in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Root for locals like Monae’ Nichols on the world stage. | Photo by @monaealiya
Light the torch and cue that iconic Olympics theme song — we’re locked in on the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics happening through this Sunday, Aug. 11.

At this summer’s Olympic Games, approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees will compete across 32 sports — including some new ones. Since we’re all about keeping it local, we’ve rounded up four 2024 Olympians with ties to Lakeland and nearby cities that you should keep your eye on. Let the Games begin.

Monae’ Nichols, Women’s Long Jump
Auburndale High School alum Nichols jumped 6.86 meters in her final attempt at the Olympic Trials — the exact distance she needed to qualify for the Olympic Games. She passed the qualification round to compete in today’s Long Jump finals at at 1:55 p.m. EST.

Victor Montalvo, Breaking
Better known as “B-boy Victor,” breaker Montalvo is a native of Kissimmee, not too far east of Lakeland. He’s the US’ highest-ranked male breaker, and he was the first American to qualify for this event that was introduced this year. Breaking events are tomorrow, Aug. 9 + Saturday, Aug. 10.

3x3 basketball player Dylan Travis smiles in front of a USA flag wearing a Team USA basketball jersey.

Travis is an Omaha native who visits his Lakeland stomping grounds often.

|

Photo via Dylan Travis

Dylan Travis, Men’s 3x3 Basketball
This former Moc played on Florida Southern College’s basketball team, helping them win a NCAA Division II National Championship in 2015. The Olympic team put up a good fight, even winning over silver medalist France during the pool rounds. Read our Q+A with Travis.

Tracy Otto, Para Archery
Plant City native Otto will head to her first Paralympics, representing Team USA. Otto lost her left eye and was paralyzed from the chest down after a domestic violence attack — now, she advocates for domestic violence survivors. Catch her in Para Archery, happening Aug. 28-Sept. 5.
 
Events
Thursday, Aug. 8
  • Summer Film Fest | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 10 a.m. | CMX Lakeside Village 18 | $1.99 | Grab discounted tickets at the box office to see “How to Train Your Dragon,” the final movie in this film series.
  • 2024 Polk Politics Candidate Rally | Thursday, Aug. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | Bartow Civic Center | Free | Meet candidates for local office and grab a bite on the house.
Friday, Aug. 9
  • Mosaic Madness | Friday, Aug. 9 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | PicassoZ Art Cafe | $21 | Celebrate the last day of summer break for Polk County by creating a unique mosaic art piece.
  • Teachers Night Out | Friday, Aug. 9 | 5:30 p.m. | Pressed | $5 | Meet other educators and browse books you could add to your classroom library — tickets include $5 towards a book purchase.
  • Dixieland Night Market | Friday, Aug. 9 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall | Free entry | Browse art, fashion, food, and jewelry from local makers.
Saturday, Aug. 10
  • Mind, Body, Movement with Pure Barre Lakeland | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 8-9 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Improve flexibility + build muscle tone in a free class for all skill levels.
  • Wings ‘n Waffles | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 9-10 a.m. | Florida Air Museum | $0-$10 | Enjoy a breakfast of chicken and waffles while learning from historical + military artist Craig Tinder.
  • Back to School Bash | Saturday, Aug. 10 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Andrew’s Coffee | Free entry | Celebrate the new school year with drink specials, Italian ice, and activities for the kids.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Cause
  • We now know that “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is filming just up the road in Auburndale, and the show is seeking volunteers. If you’re handy with a hammer, sign up to help renovate a home for neighbors in need this week.
Civic
  • Voting by mail is now open for Polk’s Aug. 20 primary election, with early voting opening this Saturday, Aug. 10. Pro tip: Make sure you head to the right precinct and bring the required identification. (LkldNow)
Open
  • Safe Moves for Seniors has opened its first Florida office in Lakeland. The nonprofit will help adults ages 65+ who make less than $1,250 per month declutter, downsize, and move within Polk County. Applications are open to receive services or volunteer.
Closed
Biz
  • Lakeland Electric is raising a toast to its customers to celebrate 120 years in the biz. Visit Concord Coffee, Mitchell’s Coffee House, or Castro’s Cafe in Polk City this morning to get a free drink on the house while supplies last.
Drink
  • The drink deals keep flowing. Frescos is offering bottomless mimosas from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day through Tuesday, Aug. 13. Parents, grandparents, caretakers, and more — anyone who survived summer break — are eligible for the deal.
Try This
  • If you want to become a member at Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio, don’t miss the prerequisite Dig Deep course starting this Saturday, 9-11 a.m. There are just a few spots left for this introductory four-week class.
Sports
  • Get your student athlete new-school-year ready with Lakeland Regional Health’s Free Sports Physical Day — happening this Saturday, Aug. 10 + offering, you guessed it, free sports physicals (plus giveaways) for middle and high school students. Register for an appointment between 9 a.m.-12 p.m.*
Fun Fact
  • GEICO stands for “Government Employee Insurance Company” + offers special savings for teachers, police officers, veterans, and other government workers. See how much you can save with a free policy review.*
Job
  • Lakeland Christian School is hiring Substitute Teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. Substitute teachers are a valuable and important part of the school’s staff — allowing instruction to continue when a teacher is ill or away. If selected, individuals will be added to a pool of available substitutes. Learn more + apply.*
Older Adults
  • What’s on the horizon? Retirees can dive into volunteering with AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP. Put your skills to work, brighten lives, and enjoy the perks of staying active — physically, mentally, and socially — by giving back to our community. Help neighbors with grocery shopping or provide companionship to those in need.*
Travel
  • Psst. Want to fly out of MCO for less? It’s Going’s annual birthday sale — get 40% off a Premium membership and get notified about amazing flight deals all year long (like $166 to Cancun).*
Welcome Canary
 
The Word

“Brat summer”

What’s a “brat summer” and how do I have one in Lakeland?
A graphic reading "lakeland" in black text on a bright green background
We’re everywhere, we’re so Julia. | Image via Brat Generator
It’s been a “brat summer” whether you knew it or not, but what does that mean? Allow us to translate.

British singer Charli xcx’s album “BRAT” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts in June, examining existential topics like womanhood, family, and insecurity — all with an electric veneer of dance pop partying. In essence, to be a “brat” is to be yourself, flaws and all, while still having fun.

Caught up on the lingo? Here are four spots to live out “brat summer” in Swan City.

Union Hall | Do a little line dancing + sing one too many songs at karaoke (the louder, the better) every Wednesday.

Jesse Carl Vinyl | Charli xcx reckons with nostalgia on songs like “Rewind.” Vinyl records are a blast from the past, but CDs are the most “brat.”

Tea Largo + PicassoZ Art Cafe | Sip the color of summer with Tea Largo’s matcha in hand while making a beautiful mess at PicassoZ.
The Buy

The Buy 8.08.24 (Affiliate)
A great wedding guest look. Shop five looks for summer weddings and five looks for fall weddings, all available to order online from Nordstrom’s wedding guest shop. They’re perfect for the August to October wedding season.
More worth The Buy
Answered

How do you feel about the I-4 widening plans?

What Lakelanders should know about the I-4 widening project
A rendering of newly added lanes on I-4, including auxiliary lanes, express lanes, and an optional rail envelope in the median.
Prepare for an I-4 widening from Polk to Orange County beginning this fall. | Image via Florida Department of Transportation
An I-4 widening project that was slated to begin in Polk County in a few years’ time is now scheduled to begin later this year.

We asked readers to sound off on whether they like the plans or wish FDOT would go back to the drawing board. After nearly 300 responses + comments, here’s how the answers shook out:
  • 81% — I’m all for it.
  • 10% — I like it, but I’d make some changes.
  • 4% — I’d go back to the drawing board first.
  • 1% — I don’t like it at all.
  • 5% — Other
We might have been talking roads, but readers had trains on the brain. On Instagram, @nicole_maddog wrote, “Hopefully it helps at least marginally. But I do think investing in high speed rails is a more effective long term approach.”

Renderings show an optional rail envelope in the I-4 median, but no plans for train service have been announced. SunRail is, however, considering an expansion into Polk County.
What else readers said
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Trade in your brat green for red, white, and blue. If you want to cheer on Monae’ Nichols from home today, the women’s long jump will only be available on streaming, so make sure you get a Peacock account to tune in.
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