Hurricane cakes were usually frosted with messages to storms, such as “Go Away” or “Leave Florida Alone.” | Reddit post via user OkGoldsr
Should “hurricane cakes” with lighthearted storm messages return to Publix? More than 34,000 shoppers have signed a petition to bring them back since they were removed from bakeries following Hurricane Ian.
According to the petition, “They were a sweet reminder that even when the wind howls and the rain pours, folks across the Southeast keep their sense of humor.” Others, including Publix, have said they make light of dangerous storms. What do you think?
Asked
Asked
Would you bring hurricane cakes back to Publix?
A. No, I wasn’t a fan. B. Maybe, but with some tweaks. C. Yes, bring ‘em on.
Off the Wall SOUL Line Dancing Class | 6:30-8 p.m. | Coleman-Bush Building | $5 | Get off the wall and on the dance floor to learn line dances set to hip-hop and pop songs.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Dig In! Start Your First Vegetable Garden | 10-11 a.m. | Lakeland Public Library | Free | Bring the whole family to work on their green thumbs so you can veg out together.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Florida Mosaic Workshop | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $45 | Put yourself in a crafty state of mind and create a one-of-a-kind art piece.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Free Coworking Day | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Catapult | Free | This business incubator is opening its doors for a day of coworking and facility tours.
Friday, Aug. 29
Wheel Throwing - 6 Week Pottery Class | Friday, Aug. 29-Friday, Oct. 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio | $400 | Learn the foundations of pottery building in this wheel-y fun series.
Saturday, Aug. 30
West Coast Swing Workshop | Saturday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Aug. 31 | Times vary | Just Dance Academy | $15+ | West Coast Swing Champion Danielle Blouin will teach swing skills before open social dancing + a ladies styling workshop.
Save the plate date. Bonnet Springs Park is running back the Central Florida Food Fest on Saturday, Oct. 18, featuring specialty bites and bevs from local restaurants, plus an artisan market. Tickets for this 21+ event will go on sale soon.
Number
400,000 sqft. That’s the size of the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s new Central Operations & Coordination Office in Auburndale. The warehouse + staging area will be used to improve storm response, with room for 400 trailers, more than 300 personnel, and 100 sleeping quarters. (Fox 13 News)
Coming Soon
A new to-go eatery is waiting in the wings at the Oakbridge Centre plaza in south Lakeland. Buffalo Wild Wings Go will offer your favorite menu items from the sports bar via carry-out and delivery. It’s slated to open by the end of the year. (What Now Tampa)
Mansion Monday
Hurricane preppers, here’s the mansion for you. Renowned architect Gene Leedy designed this home in his signature modern style, and Zillow Gone Wild called it a mid-century modern hurricane bunker. With buried power lines, dreamy courtyards, a lap pool, and a full-home generator, we’d hunker down here any time.
Edu
Next fall, students will get hands-on experience with financial literacy, civics, and entrepreneurship at the Junior Achievement of Polk Discovery Center. The building is currently under construction on Tenoroc High School’s campus, featuring JA BizTown and JA Finance Park — see the floor plans. (LkldNow)
Civic
Are you passionate about pedestrians? Apply for an open position on Polk County’s Sidewalk Advisory Committee by Friday, Sept. 12.
Ranked
No. 110. That’s where McKeel Academy of Technology just ranked in a report of Florida’s best high schools. It was the top Lakeland school on the list based on metrics like academic performance and college preparation. Consider yourself a top student? Prove it on our games site. (US News & World Report)
Create your own or try a fan-favorite pie at Pizza Odyssey. | Photo by @pizzaodyssey.lkld
...or at least the ideas of where to go. Use these five reader recommendations to plan lunch for each weekday — without breaking the bank.
Taco Fiesta Taqueria
Reader Jason B. says this eatery just south of Lakeland is worth the drive for its fresh food, friendly staff, and chips and salsa while you wait. Strawberry Hut
“The cheeseburger Cuban is out of this world and servings are huge,” said Sue K. “A salad will feed several!” Try one with the homemade ranch dressing.
Bandidas Bake Shop
Nancy C. called out this spot’s scratch-made fare. Sandwiches are stacked on housemade focaccia with ingredients like fig butter, local honey, kimchi, and pistachio pesto.
Twistee Treat
Bet you didn’t know you could get a sandwich with your soft-serve here. Gabby H. recommends this spot, saying, “You can have lunch & dessert at the same time!”
Pizza Odyssey
Grab a small pizza, half sub, or Caesar salad — according to Elle W., it’s “affordable and delicious.”
Sunflow’s premium beach accessories, perfect for one last summer hurrah this Labor Day. Good news: Sunflow’s biggest sale of the year starts today, with 20% off sitewide.
🐚 The best-selling Shore Thing Chair reclines to three positions and is built to last, thanks to a rust-resistant frame + water-resistant marine fabrics.
🪸 Newly launched this summer, the Tall Sand Dune Chair has all the iconic features of Sunflow’s chairs, just 17 inches off the ground.
🌊 Looking for shade without blocking your ocean view? Say hello to the newly launched and patent-pending Happy Hut Cabana — and goodbye to awkward beach umbrellas.*
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.
Can you pronounce “Ocoee”? That’s the hardest place to pronounce in all of Florida, according to a new study by Preply. Around Lakeland, our street names have plenty of history behind them and are typically easier to say — well, depending on how you pronounce “Combee.”
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