The Kathleen area is not made up of just Kathleen.

Agriculture ruled all — even school schedules.

Kathleen was not always unincorporated.

• Celebrate National Coffee Days | Monday, Sept. 30-Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $24+ | Snag a coupon for a free coffee from Tea Largo when you paint a mug at this art studio.
• Jukebox Bingo | Monday, Sept. 30 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free entry | See if the next song is on your bingo card in this musical game of chance — dining reservations recommended.

• Ready, Set, Conserve: Rain Barrels | Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | UF/IFAS Extension Polk County, Bartow | $0+ | Get tips for saving water and leave with your own rain barrel.

• Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, Oct. 2 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center | $5 | Bring your mat to this class for all levels of yogis 16 or older.

• Florida Lecture Series | Thursday, Oct. 3 | 7 p.m. | Florida Southern College | Free | Kevin Kokomoor will take you back to the state’s beginnings in “La Florida: Catholics, Conquistadores, and Other American Origin Stories.”

• Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” | Friday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre | $12+ | Fall down the rabbit hole to enjoy this musical performance by Lakeland’s young actors.

• Kitchener, Ontario: Explore the Huron Natural Area with over 200 acres of hiking trails or cozy up to waterfront views.
• Manchester, England: Embrace the warm comfy aesthetic of a cloudy day exploring some of England’s best art galleries, catching a football game, or celebrating Oktoberfest in an old English pub.
• Merida, Mexico: Head south to the capital of Mexico’s Yucatán state and take in the tranquil culture + cuisine of this historic city. After marveling at the 16th-century architecture, swim in one of the city’s freshwater pools.
• Campinas, Brazil: Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. Head farther south to the historic coffee region with plenty of cafes, creative restaurants, and vibrant nightlife to explore.

• 1.2 million. That’s how many Floridians lost power as Hurricane Helene blew through last week, including up to 4,800 Lakeland Electric customers. Pro tip: Lakeland Electric outages are automatically reported by smart meters, but you can also report outages online. (LkldNow)

• The number of warnings issued for illegally passing school buses is trending downward each week after a mid-August peak of 1,293. Violations now come with $225 fines, which are split between the bus camera tech company, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and PCPS. (LkldNow)

• A new eatery has rolled into The Joinery. Ato is now Zukku Sushi, with an updated menu and renovated look. You’ll now find sushi rolls + sashimi, in addition to your favorite sushi bowls and burritos.

• Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo aren’t just the Muppets — they’re also the names of the aircraft NOAA’s hurricane hunters use to fly out of LAL into storms like Helene. The team’s tech helps forecasters get a better view of what’s to come. (New York Times)

• The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art has moved its next Gallery Perspectives event one week earlier to this Friday, Oct. 4 at 12 p.m. Visit for a first look at the new exhibit, “Dutch Impressionism: The Hague School, 1860-1930,” with Dr. Willem Hoogsteder.

• Gooooooooooooal. Florida had three stadiums selected to host the FIFA Club World Cup next year, including two in Orlando. Clubs from around the world including Manchester City, Real Madrid, and more will play in the inaugural tournament starting in June 2025. Sign up for more information on tickets.

• Interested in the history of more local towns? The Plant City Photo Archives offer more than 100,000 historical photos + documents that are free to browse. Pop into the downtown location on Evers Street to see photos or do some research. (Plant City Observer)

• The Terrace Hotel is puttin’ on the Ritz throughout October to celebrate its 100th birthday. See the list of ‘20s-themed events and how to get the password for a hidden speakeasy inside the hotel.*

• Hey, LAL educators: 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.*

• Ready to silence the chaos and hear what matters? These next-gen hearing aids are here to crush the noise and put you back in control. With razor-sharp sound and a stealthy design, they’re your little secret. Hear the difference.*

• Rates just dropped. Now could be the perfect time for you to tap into your home equity — calculate your payment.*

Southeastern University Fire

Florida Southern College Mocs

Polk State College Eagles