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Still sweating into September

Optimistic about October

No fear November

• The Generators | Monday, Sept. 9 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | This group restarts its monthly meetings tonight with a discussion on uploading your DNA to find family ties.
• Power Hour Fitness Class | Monday, Sept. 9 | 6:30 p.m. | Black Swan Venue | $10 | Work up a sweat in this strength + aerobics class led by world record-holder Ayecia Bryant.
• Swan City Improv Does An Open Mic | Monday, Sept. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Quinteassance | Free | Kick off the week with a night full of laughs at this new concept show from a local comedy troupe.

• Green Hat & White Gloves Tour | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Lake Mirror | Free | Spots are limited for this historic tour around the Frances Langford Promenade.
• The Gallery Concert Series | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | $38+ | The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra String Quartet will perform among the art of Mally Khorsantchi with Nature & Mystery as part of their Chamber Series.

• Salsa Fundamentals | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Coleman Bush Building | $10 | Gain a better understanding of salsa dancing with classes + socials in Munn Park.
• Lakeland Women’s Walk Club | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6:45-8 p.m. | Lake Mirror | Free | Connect with other women during a walk around Lake Mirror.

• Classic Albums Live | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $34+ | Hear Meatloaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” album note for note — just as the artist recorded it.

• Dixieland Night Market | Friday, Sept. 13 | 6-11 p.m. | Dixieland Night Market | Free entry | Browse art, fashion, food, and jewelry from local makers at this monthly night market.

1. The 8-ft skeleton: You have classic taste. You don’t believe in following the trends. You know what you like and you stick to it.
2. The Haunted Harbor Sea Captain: You’re a natural-born leader. You love to plan a night out and always know the best new spots in town (thanks to LALtoday).
3. The Dancing Wednesday Addams: You’re sarcastic and have a dark sense of humor, but you’re a loyal friend and an accidental trendsetter.
4. “The Haunted Mansion” Musical Headless Knight: You’re kind + lovable but often forgetful. Your friends are used to helping you search for your phone.

• City commissioners voted 4-2 in last Thursday’s budget hearing to maintain Lakeland’s current millage rate for the 2025 tax year — meaning Lakelanders will likely not see an increase in property taxes. The final public budget hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19.

• The Lakeland Flying Tigers are advancing to the 2024 Florida State League Playoffs. The MiLB team clinched their spot following back-to-back victories on Friday, Sept. 6. Their first postseason game takes place tomorrow, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

• Have questions, comments, or concerns about the US 98 Widening project? The Florida Department of Transportation invites locals to share thoughts at a public forum tomorrow, Sept. 10 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex.

• Lakeland Electric customers are likely to see a slight increase in their electric rates starting in October. The company has reworked its fees structure and will seek city commission approval later this month. Under these changes, the average customer would see a 22-cent (or 0.16%) increase. (LkldNow)

• Get a slice of this. Lakeland small biz By the Chef Pizza is opening a restaurant in the former Biscuits and Benedicts space off of South Florida Avenue. The eatery is targeting an early December opening.

• Market on Kentucky, the new concept from Frescos’ owners Tim + Tina Calhoun, is searching for culinary-forward small businesses to lease space in the market. Interested food entrepreneurs can submit an application by emailing market@frescoslakeland.com — an opening date for the market is TBA.

• The Polk County Board of Commissioners will vote next Tuesday, Sept. 17 to increase the impact fee for new developments by 58% — an increase that exceeds the state’s typical law. The goal of the increase is to accommodate for public services and infrastructure. (The Ledger)

• Purrology Cafe is celebrating its second anniversary in a paws-itive way. The cat cafe is reducing its hour-long rate for online reservations to just $10 this month. Snag a spot to visit and play with adoptable cats — or maybe even take home a new furry friend.

• The Cardboard Boat Challenge is floating back to Lake Hollingsworth next month. Lakes Education Action Drive will host the annual, public event on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participating teams can sign up to test their skills and see if their cardboard vessel sinks or swims.

• We’re looking for a Sales Executive in our sister market, SEAtoday, to identify and secure new advertising partnerships and grow existing client relationships on the SEAtoday team. Apply to join.

• 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.*

• Most popular Olympic sport: Artistic swimming
• Most popular Olympic athlete: Simone Biles
• Most popular movie: “Inside Out 2"
• Most popular song (based on YouTube searches): “Houdini” by Eminem
• Most searched weather term: Hurricane tracker