We’ll raise a signature Golden Eagle coffee to these reader recs. | Photo by INDYtoday
Ever feel like your favorite chain restaurants open new locations everywhere but Lakeland? We asked readers for those places that are just close enough to visit, but too far away to be a regular. Let’s see if we can move them just a smidge closer to Swan City.
Dutch Bros Coffee | Nearest location: 16 miles away
Go to Winter Haven to go Dutch with a sugary coffee from this drive-thru cafe, suggested by Jan S.
Bahama Breeze Island Grille | Nearest location: 33 miles away
Follow the breeze to Brandon for Neal P.'s recommendation, where you’ll find tropical cuisine + live music.
Raising Cane’s is known for its fried chicken tenders, but Reader Lorraine B. also shouted out the gluten-free “naked” tenders.
Photo by Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s | Nearest location: 37 miles away (soon to be 28)
Cane’s first Polk County location is now being planned for Davenport. Dozens of readers suggested local sites for this chicken tender spot, from the former south side Hooters to the Lakeland Park Center plaza in north Lakeland.
Launch & Learn | 12-1 p.m. | Catapult | Free | Bring your own lunch to this info session and Q+A about the Launch Micro-Grant program.
Bowen Yard BINGO | 6 p.m. | Bowen Yard, Winter Haven | Price of purchase | Order from restaurants like Maritime or BG’s Indian Kitchen before settling in for a game.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Bilingual Conversational Meetup | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Practice speaking English + Spanish with other language learners.
PCPS College & Career Fair | 6-8 p.m. | Florida Southern College Jenkins Field House | Free | Polk County students, parents, and adult learners are invited to speak with representatives from colleges + local businesses.
Friday, Aug. 22
Southern Rock’s Finest | 8 p.m. | Music Ranch | $25 | It’s BYOB at this concert featuring opening act Soul 2 Earth.
Date Night at the Movies | 8:30 p.m. | Silver Moon Drive-In | $8 | The drive-in joins this national initiative with 2-for-1 popcorn buckets + drinks under the stars.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Pitmaster Throw Down Cooking Class | 11 a.m. | Whiskey Bent BBQ Supply | $50 | Pitmasters Chad Ward + Kunchi will show you how to use each other’s rubs on their favorite dishes.
Moxie Le Femme Goes Nuts | 7-10:30 p.m. | Union Hall | $20+ | There are just a few shows left in Moxie Le Femme’s final season, including this squirrel-themed burlesque performance.
Up to 50%. That’s how much non-utility impact fees will rise over the next four years after a unanimous city commission vote. Residential + commercial developers pay these one-time fees, with funds used to increase capacity for local transportation, law enforcement, parks, and fire departments. (LkldNow)
Development
Now boarding at LAL: updates to the Terminal Area Master Plan. Airport Director Kris Hallstrand shared what’s proposed in the final plan to be submitted to the city later this year, including additional gates, a parking garage, a NOAA expansion, and a futuristic Advanced Air Mobility terminal. (The Ledger)
Number
$50,000. That’s how much grant funding the City of Lakeland received from the USDA Forest Service + Florida Forest Service for Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. The city will use the funds to proactively maintain mature trees across Peterson, Fletcher, and Lake Parker Parks.
Real Estate
The Lakeland Housing Authority is one step closer to building affordable housing for older adults on the site of the Carrington Place apartments. It received the city approvals needed to demolish the current apartments, and it’s now applying for federal approval for its 100-unit development. (The Ledger)
Community
The former Rohr Home building in Bartow has been demolished after commissioners voted to close the county-run nursing home last year. What’s next for the site? Polk County is planning a campus for its Community Health Division. (The Ledger)
Edu
Central Florida Aerospace Academy is shooting for the stars. A team of six students is one of 60 nationwide winners of the NASA TechRise Student Challenge. Next, a weather balloon will take the experiment they designed to the stratosphere for testing.
Feel Good
Deron Gregg didn’t just get a fresh cut at Barber Skate Shop — he also found a fresh start. Gregg completed barber school thanks to the shop’s Arthurine B. Rutherford Scholarship Fund, and he’s now working there alongside his mentor, shop owner Jairus Rutherford. (Bay News 9)
Try This
Fins up. Camp Margaritaville is celebrating Jimmy Buffett Day with a weekend full of tropical fun from Friday, Aug. 29 to Monday, Sept. 1. Pro tip: You don’t have to stay on site to join the party.
Weather
Fire, storms, and theft — oh my. Hazard insurance picks up where basic coverage stops, filling in the gaps before it’s too late. Higginbotham can help protect your home before disaster hits.*
Number
500+. That’s how many small businesses, manufacturers, and local companies have posted jobs on Job Board. Try it for yourself. Post unlimited job listings for free + get connected with top local talent.
Category
Active
Try a lotta Pilates
Stretch your limits with reformer classes at Sculpted Swan. | Photo by @sculptedswanpilates
Calling all Pilates pros. Interest in this exercise grew 40% over the past five years, meaning you could see some new faces on the reformers next to you. Get in on the fitness fun at these local studios.
Sculpted Swan
Hop on a reformer machine for a private class, or learn the principles with classes for two to three people. Certified instructors also teach group mat Pilates.
Balance Culture
This women’s studio features group fitness classes, including Pilates, barre, yoga, and more. Book a single class or opt for a yearlong membership — your first class is $14.
Club Pilates
Get a full body workout as you progress through each level of mastery. Start with an intro to form, then add in cardio and control classes as you get more comfortable.
YMCA of West Central Florida
Take traditional classes at the Fontaine Gills Family YMCA, or try the Lakeland Family YMCA’s Les Mills Body Balance class for a mix of Pilates, yoga, and tai chi.
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.
The restaurants in our top story may not be opening in Lakeland, but we know which ones are. Bookmark our Restaurant Roundup so you always know about the latest foodie news. New on the list: Five Star Seafood and The Velvet Swan.
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