#MUSTDO

TryThis

• Open Mic with Chelsea Margaret | Wed., July 21 | 7 p.m. | The Yard on Mass | Free | Come out to The Yard on Mass for a night of music + fun. 🎤

Trivia

• Trivia Wednesday: General Knowledge | Wed., June 21 | 6-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Bring your team of 6 or less + put your skills to the test for a trivia-filled evening, with food available from Cuban B’s Burger and Bakes.

ForKids

• Kids Cook Take Home Family Dinner | Wed., July 21 | 5-6:30 p.m. | What’s Cooking Lakeland, 6935 South Carter Rd., Ste. 6 | $50+ | Save the shopping, cooking + cleaning with this kid’s cooking class (ages 5-13) that results in a take-home dinner for four. 

Drink

• Happy Ending at Grove Roots Brewing Co. | Wed., July 21 | 5-9 p.m. | Grove Roots Brewing Co. | Free | Come enjoy selections from the taps as well as food from Happy Ending Food Truck, such as the Shaka Burger, Pew Pew Shrimp, and more.

PlanAhead

• Lofi Revival | Fri., July 23 | 7-11 p.m. | Gram Parsons Derry Down | $7 | This 21+ event features food from Nutwood, Lofi beats by Deek Beat, and a cash bar by Revival Bar Lakeland.
• Cake and Ice Cream Workshop | Sun., July 25 | 10 a.m. | $60 | In this 3–4-hour hands-on class, learn how to create sweet desserts that combine cake + ice cream, like Cookie-Butter Loaf Cake and Blueberry Moscato Gelato. 🍦Ⓟ

NEWS NOTES

Weather

• 92º | SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS | 60% chance of rain

Biz

• Pressed, Lakeland’s newest bookstore-coffee shop hybrid, officially opens on July 29. The new biz is set to open its doors to the public next Thursday, serving up sweets from Honeycomb Bread Bakers and coffee from Ethos Coffee Roasters. 

Edu

• 11 Polk County public schools have been recognized by the state for their positive impact on student behavior. These "model schools" have been awarded the "resilience award" for the way they faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Ledger)

Civic

• Do you have unclaimed money in the courts? It might be worth checking. According to the Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, 73 checks, some for $100 or more, are out there. Citizens have until Sept. 1 to claim their funds. (Click Orlando)

Cause

• Lakeland veterans receiving care at the Lakeland VA Clinic can now get free transportation to the Tampa VA Hospital. Registration + a VA photo ID are required. (Fox 13 News)

Dish

• Lakeland's newest Cajun-themed sports bar, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, is ready to serve you some unique South Lousiana favorites. Their most popular menu items? Fried gator + Krispy Kreme bread pudding. 🍺 (LkldNow)  

WaterCooler

• Red Oxley, a freshman + pitcher from Bartow, is headed to the Miracle Sports Class 6A All-State team after being named Class 6A pitcher of the year. Red is among 33 other Polk County players selected across all teams. (The Ledger)
• Polk County high school students Kate Joyner + Micah Long won titles this week at the Junior Citrus Golf Tournament. Both players are preparing for the upcoming high school golf season, which begins at the start of the fall semester. 🏌️ (The Ledger) 

Ranked

• 49. That’s what Florida ranked on a list of the country’s vaccinated nursing home employees. That means that 42% of the state’s nursing home employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 and is only one spot ahead of Louisiana, the state that ranked last. (The Ledger)
• 4. That’s what Florida ranked on Wallet Hub’s list of Best States to Start a Business. The study took metrics into account, such as business environment, access to resources and business costs. (Wallet Hub)

Job

• In the market for a new job? Lakeland Regional Health is now hosting "Walk-In Wednesdays,” an on-site job fair every Wednesday, no appointment needed. Visit the Mulaney Auditorium on Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to talk with the LRH team, discover job opportunities, ask questions + apply. Ⓟ

Wellness

• OLLY makes benefit-based supplements that are just as effective as they are delightful + delicious so that you can pursue good health without compromise. Ⓟ

#LALTODAY

THE WRAP

Yesterday, we asked you what you would do with the iconic “My Girl” house, which is up for sale in Bartow. Here’s what you had to say:

• 69% of you said “Finish the restoration and open it as an inn.”
• 19% of you said “Keep it as a family home.”
• 6% of you said “Turn it into a museum.”
• 6% of you said “Flip it entirely and update it.”

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