Attention shoppers: If you love a good sale, it’s your time to shine. Amazon Prime Day is live today through Friday, July 11. Here are the best deals The Buy team has found:
Buzziest deals
Arlo Video Doorbell | $129.99 $49.99
Get a doorbell with two-way audio capabilities and motion detection alerts.
iRobot Roomba Vacuum + Mop | $274.99 $139.99
Take the leap into a robot vacuum lifestyle with this fantastic deal.
They’ve got the power. Florida Poly’s Phoenix Racing Team is walking on sunshine after winning third place at the national Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix this weekend. The team completed 175 laps in a completely solar-powered car to achieve a position on the podium in their second year competing — I visited the campus to learn more about the team.
Events
Events
Tuesday, July 8
Watercolor Painting Class: Figures & Portraits | Tuesday, July 8-Tuesday, July 29 | 1-3 p.m. | Ridge Art Association, Winter Haven | $150 | You don’t have to be a RAA member to join this four-week watercolor class led by Ron Malone.
Author Talk | 6 p.m. | Union Hall | $10 | Proceeds from this lively discussion of Lil Miss Hot Mess’s books will go to the Rose Dynasty Center.
Wednesday, July 9
Morning Mindfulness | 9-11 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Use a birding scope and nature journaling template to spot the birds that call the Blanton Family Lagoon home.
Island Zumba Dance Party | 7 p.m. | Just Dance Courtyard Studio | $10 | You’ll be on island time as you blend tropical beats and high-energy dance moves.
Thursday, July 10
AGB Thursdays | 4-8 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Free | The museum is staying up late with open galleries and free programming.
“Memphis: The Musical” | Thursday, July 10-Sunday, Aug. 3 | Times vary | Theatre Winter Haven | $36 | See the story of Huey Calhoun’s mission to spread blues and soul music in the 1950s South.
Friday, July 11
Dixieland Night Market | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall | Price of purchase | See what’s new from Lakeland’s art, fashion, food, and jewelry makers as you shop beneath the stars.
Dueling Pianos | 9 p.m. | Winners Circle Sports Bar and Grill | $10 | Book a seat to hear two pianists battling it out for your applause.
Saturday, July 12
Back to School Bash | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lakeland Regional Health Kathleen Campus | Free | Prepare for the next school year with free haircuts, immunizations, and sports physicals (time slot registration required).
Citywide Summer Sidewalk Sale | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Downtown Bartow | Price of purchase | Dozens of shops will host sidewalk sales with one-day-only deals and compete for the best window decor prize.
City commissioners approved zoning changes yesterday that allow for a Midtown workforce housing development on property owned by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Plans for the vacant land at 1046 Gilmore Ave. call for 30 townhouses, each with a garage, plus outdoor recreation space for residents + pets. (The Ledger)
Health
AdventHealth has acquired Polk County-based physician group Bond Clinic, with its 90+ medical providers joining AdventHealth’s team of more than 4,000 across Florida. It’s a historic move for Bond Clinic, which first opened in Winter Haven in 1948.
Plan Ahead
Mark your calendar for the next SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, happening April 14-19, 2026. The newly announced theme is “Red, White & Blue at 52,” celebrating both SUN ‘n FUN’s 52nd expo and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Lakelander
You may hear a familiar voice when you tune into 97.5 WPCV. McCoy Moore, a Lakeland native pursuing his country music dreams, has signed with Sony Music Nashville. Hear his single, “John Deere Blue,” on country radio or streaming — and have a tissue handy. (The Ledger)
Cause
Are you brave enough to take on the Ten Story Challenge? Pace Center for Girls will host its annual campaign in October, where fundraisers can rappel down the side of the Lakeland Electric building. Sign up to help raise $85,000 for mental health + educational services for local girls.
Active
It’s never too early to celebrate Christmas in July, just ask the City of Lakeland’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department. They’re offering a discount on Jingle Bell Jog registration this month only for the year’s most festive 5K on Saturday, Dec. 13. Get the code for $10 off.
Read
Hocus Pocus Comics aren’t just graphic novel creators — in the new limited series “Pip’s Monster House,” they’re your new favorite characters. Dwight + Rebecca MacPherson, who elude monsters alongside their puppy in the books, have begun a Kickstarter campaign to bring the series to life.
Number
150 million. That’s how many hot dogs are consumed by Americans on the Fourth of July. Now the question is — how many of our readers think a hot dog is a sandwich? Quite a few, it turns out.
Stat
678%. That’s how much our self-service ad portal’s returning customer rate has grown since this time last year. Discover what’s driving the acclaim — visit our self service ad portal for flexible options with zero long-term contract.
With cozy ambience, plenty of seating, ice cream, and all the coffee your heart desires, we may never leave. | Photos by LALtoday
Foxtail Coffee Co. will open its first Lakeland cafe in the Shops at Lake Wire (322 Kathleen Rd.) tomorrow, July 9 at 6:30 a.m. This Central Florida favorite is known for ethically sourced beans, creative seasonal menus, and cozy hangouts.
Owners Alejandro and Natalie De Orduna are superfans-turned-franchisees, so we trust their drink recs. Alejandro suggests a half-and-half latte with sugar-free caramel + Natalie’s a fan of cafe con leche with condensed milk, but there’s even more to the menu:
Brewed-to-order French press, pour over, and siphon coffee
Exclusive tea blends
Bakery, breakfast, and lunch items
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, with flavors like banana pudding + cookie butter swirl
Foxtail will open early and stay up late in the new plaza next to the Prospect Lake Wire apartments. Head there to get some work done, connect with a friend, linger over the single-source roast of the day, or read your favorite Lakeland newsletter.
Asked
Asked
What’s the No. 1 thing that draws you to a coffee shop?
A. High-quality coffee, of course B. Tasty bites on the menu C. Convenience + reliability D. The perfect vibes E. Something else
A best-selling vibrator, on sale for Prime Day. Get 30% off plusOne’s bullet-style vibrator that’s made of body-safe silicone and is small enough for travel.
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.
It’s not every day you get to be the very first to try a new coffee shop, but the folks at Foxtail said my drink was the first one served. My vanilla latte was delish, but I’ll change up my order with a summer bev like the blackberry chantilly latte on my next visit.