EVENTS

Today

• Playtime Pass | Tues., Nov. 23 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Family Fun Center Lakeland | $8.99 | Bring the whole family out for an hour of Funtasia + an hour of unlimited game play, included in the price of admission. 

Wednesday

• Hold On I Know This w/ Cuban B's Burgers & Bakes | Wed., Nov. 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Come and enjoy Cuban B’s + compete in general knowledge trivia with teams.

Thursday

• Wonderland of Lights and Santa’s Village | Thurs., Nov. 25 | 6-9 p.m. | The International Market World, 1052 US-92 | $25 | Come out after Thanksgiving dinner for the first night of Wonderland of Lights to see holiday light displays and vendors. 🎄

Friday

• The Black Tie Party 21’ | Fri., Nov. 26 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | RP Funding Center | $25+ | Enjoy a night of great clothes, music, and drinks organized by Fourlife Promotions. 👔

Saturday

• Holidays at Legoland | Sat. Nov. 27 | 2:30-7:30 p.m. | LEGOLAND Florida Resort | $85+ | Visit LEGOLAND for a holiday experience for the whole family with seasonal shows, holiday characters, and twinkling lights. 🎄

Sunday

• Drag Queen Brunch | Sun., Nov. 28 | 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Frescos Lakeland | $35+ | Enjoy all you can eat brunch followed by a drag queen show — tickets must be purchased in advance. 👑 

Monday

• Couples Cooking: Fun Party Bites | Mon., Nov. 29 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School | $100 | Learn to make appetizers including samosas, sundried tomato tapenade, and crispy pancetta cups with your partner — one ticket needed per couple.

Tuesday

• Trivia Night | Tues., Nov. 30 | 6:30 p.m. | Keel and Curley Winery | Free | Bring a team of friends and practice your trivia skills + enjoy Keel Farms beer, wine, or cider. 🍷

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

• 66º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain

Civic

• Polk County Commissioners voted to keep the current recycling system in place, which means residents cannot recycle their glass products. This policy may differ from a resident’s city’s policy, so be sure to double check before you recycle. ♻ (The Ledger)

Cause

• Polk Vision established the Food Security Council as more Polk families face food insecurity ahead of the holiday season. The council is partnering with the Florida Department of Health + Health Council of West Central Florida to assess where in Polk assistance is still needed. (The Ledger)
• Polk County Animal Control is hosting a Pet Fest on Sat., Dec. 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m at 7115 De Castro Rd. The event will have free pet adoptions, low-cost services including vaccinations and spay and neutering, plus visitors can enjoy vendors, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities. 🐶 

Number

• 80,000. That’s how many travelers are expected to pass through Tampa International Airport this Thanksgiving season. If TIA is your airport of choice, be sure to arrive two hours early. 🛫 (Fox 13 News)

Award

• Hocus Pocus Comics recently won an Edgar Allen Poe “Saturday Visiter Award” — something the infamous writer won himself back in 1832. Poe Baltimore presented the award, and you can read up on the significance of its history here. 🪶 

History

• Polk County resident Bill Melvin uncovered a piece of family history when he discovered an old photo depicting his great-uncle as the superintendent of the Thompson Cigar factory. The Bartow-based cigar factory that used to operate in the 1920s was producing 100,000 cigars a day, out producing the Tampa factories. (Bay News 9)

Shop

• Want to get a jump start on holiday shopping? Concord Coffee has released its Very Merry Concord Gift Set for $25, perfect for the caffeinated folks in your life. The gift includes the seasonal Very Merry Holiday Blend, as well as a mug. ☕

Holiday

• Looking to get your heart rate up before your turkey coma? CYCLEdelic will be open on Thanksgiving Day, offering two fit trips at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. — each $10. Book your trip. 
• Still not sure what you’re eating for Thanksgiving dinner? Check out our list of places open on Thanksgiving day for dine-in and take-out. Some places still take orders for take-out up to 24-hours in advance of the holiday. 🦃

Today Is

• Today is National Espresso Day. Have a favorite local spot to snag an espresso? Send us your espresso recommendations for us to try. 

Active

• Pre-and post-workout fuel is crucial for proper muscle recovery. Bookmark this list of nutritious, easy-to-prepare snacks for your next workout. 🏃*

Real Estate

• Looking for a new home or want to learn more about local builder Southern Homes? Here's your chance — Take a tour tomorrow from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. of the brand new model center, The Norfolk, at their Linden Trace community + get a free Born and Bread pumpkin pie. Pro tip: It's first come first serve, so mark your calendars. 🥧*

Biz

• There's a reason over 3 million people start their day with Morning Brew, the daily email that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Morning Brew knows how to keep readers informed + entertained — for free. Check it out. *

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REWARDS

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THE WRAP

Over here at LALtoday, we're already decorated for Christmas, which begs the question: when is the appropriate time to decorate for the holidays? We say Nov. 1, how about you?

 

Missed yesterday's newsletter? We spilled all of the details regarding almost 600+ apartments coming to Swan City, here.

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