It’s not every day you can dine with a chef featured on Food Network — and even rarer, do it while painting with a pro. Take advantage of the opportunity at Plates & Palettes: Juneteenth Edition, happening at Catapult this Thursday, June 19, 6-9 p.m. Grab tickets by tomorrow to dine + paint with Plates on Deck and Vintful Dream.
Events
Events
Monday, June 16
Daily Flower U-Pick | Monday, June 16-Monday, June 30 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $6 | Fill a carrier with as many fresh-picked flowers as you can before sunset.
Summer Naturalists | 6-8 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Take a night hike to search for the park’s nocturnal animals and learn how they use night vision + echolocation.
Tuesday, June 17
Squawk Box Author Talk with Kristen Arnett | 6 p.m. | Union Hall | $10+ | Connect with this writer about her new release, “Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One” — proceeds will benefit Be Diverse Network.
Wednesday, June 18
Swan City Roller Derby New Skater Info Night | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free+ | Aspiring jammers and blockers can pivot to this meeting for info on joining this local roller derby league.
Thursday, June 19
June Night Workshop | 7 p.m. | Bloom Shakalaka | $125 | Create a mini flower arrangement in shades of peach, lavender, pink, and blue.
Friday, June 20
Bartow Uncorked: Wine Walk | 5-9 p.m. | Downtown Bartow | $42 | Go at your own pace to sample wines and bite-sized treats from 27+ local shops and restaurants.
Saturday, June 21
Summer Survivors Plant Sale | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Munn Park | Price of purchase | Shop around to find your next plant pal that is made to withstand the Florida heat.
Summer is coming. The summer solstice is this Friday, June 20, which marks the astronomical start of the season. It’s also the longest day of the year — measured by the amount of daylight — and the sun will set in Lakeland at 8:27 p.m. Get a good seat.
Number
$60 billion. That was Publix Super Markets’ revenue last year, earning it the top spot on the 2025 Tampa Bay 200. The list includes the area’s highest-earning private companies, and Publix makes up more than half of their total revenue. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Wellness
Polk County has launched a new website packed with behavioral health resources, from answers to frequently asked questions to blogs by local wellness professionals. It also includes a list of behavioral health providers and tips for choosing one to fit your needs.
History
Nearly a century after the Polk Theatre opened in 1928, it’s keeping the silent film-era tradition of theater pipe organs alive. Want to be part of its history of players? The Central Florida Theatre Organ Society is searching for more volunteers to play before movies. (LkldNow)
Ranked
No. 21. That’s unfortunately where Polk ranks on a list of the deadliest Florida counties for pedestrians — but Bike Walk Central Florida hopes to change that. The org has launched its Best Foot Forward safety program in Polk, and it’s already started two crosswalk evaluations in Lakeland. (Fox 13 News)
Kids
Nothing beats the heat like a few hours inside a movie theater. Thankfully, CMX Lakeside Village 18’s Summer Fun Fest kicks off this week, with $1.99 tickets to family movies every Tuesday-Thursday through Aug. 7. The series starts tomorrow at 10 a.m. with “Sonic the Hedgehog.”
Stat
27%. That’s how much home insurance rates have risen in the last four years, widely due to the increased frequency and scope of natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, and floods. Take this two-minute questionnaire to see if you’re wasting money on overpaying for insurance (and how you could save).*
We stopped by late last week to check the progress, and Travieso was working away. | Photo by LALtoday
Have you seen the new mural in progress at Lloyd’s of Lakeland? The antique store got a fresh coat of blue paint earlier this year, and now a true work of art is getting finishing touches near the entrance.
This is the first outdoor work for artists Juan Travieso + Katerina Santos, a duo known as TRATOS. The mural features Wilda, the scarlet macaw who lives upstairs among Lloyd’s treasures.
That’s not the only work of art our city has to offer. Have a peek at this mural map and spend a day taking a selfie in front of as many as you can.
Olay Super Cream with sunscreen. The tried-and-true cream boasts better hydrating power than the No. 1 luxury moisturizer on the market — plus, it plumps, firms, and protects skin, making it a great daytime moisturizer to wear alone or under makeup.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Nothing says summer like s’mores, and Concord Coffee’s new s’mores latte is my new summer go-to. Those bolder than me should try the Pink Espresso Soda, made with guava + coconut syrup and sparkling water. Let me know what you think and maybe I’ll give it a go.
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