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EVENTS

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Today

• First Friday | Fri., Aug. 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Head downtown to kick off the month with vendors, live music, and food. 🦢
• Melissa Lee at Keel Farms | Fri., Aug. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Keel Farms | Free | Come out to Keel Farms for locally-brewed drinks and a night of live music by Melissa Lee. 

Saturday

• Lakeland Electric Customer Appreciation Night | Sat., Aug. 6 | 6 p.m. | Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd. | Free | Show your paper or digital Lakeland Electric bill at the box office for four free tickets to the game — bring a nonperishable food item to benefit VISTE. ⚾
• Back To School Supply Giveaway | Sat., Aug. 6 | 1-3 p.m. | 1015 N. Virginia Ave. | Free | Stop by for free hot dogs + bring some school supplies to donate to this student supply drive.

• In-Pulse CPR Training | Sat., Aug. 6 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Comfort Inn and Suites, 3520 N. Hwy. 98 | $75 | Become CPR certified at this class on adult, child, and infant CPR + AED instruction.🫀

• Compassionate Communication | Sat. Aug. 6 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, Magnolia Room | $16 | Learn practical tools for active listening + empathy inspired by Edward Bok’s writings.

Sunday

• Build-Your-Own Mimosa and Bloody Mary Bar | Sun., Aug. 7 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Cob & Pen | $5+ | Be your own bartender + craft delicious drinks your way. 🥂
• Winter Haven Brunch Tour | Sun., Aug. 7 | 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | 220 Ave. A NW, Winter Haven | $45+ | Taste brunch classics + drinks from restaurants around Downtown Winter Haven while you learn about the city’s history.
• The Birthday Saps w/ The Arepazo Grill | Sun., Aug. 7 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Fight the Sunday scaries with live acoustic guitar + mandolin music by The Birthday Saps while feasting on arepas from The Arepazo Grill. 🎶

Monday

• Movie Monday - Star Trek Month | Mon., Aug. 8 | 8:30-11 p.m. | Quinteassence Kava Bar, 839 N. Massachusetts Ave. | Free | Enjoy sipping on kava and celebrate Star Trek month with a free screening of “Insurrection.” 

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.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

NEWS NOTES

Weather

• 92º | Isolated thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain
• With the peak of hurricane season running from mid-August to mid-October, Colorado State University will release more frequent Atlantic hurricane forecasts. Meteorologists hope to refine tropical activity forecasts during the busiest season by switching from monthly to biweekly forecasts. ⛈️ (The Ledger)

Opening

• WACO Kitchen will open its doors at Lakeland Linder International Airport on Mon., Aug. 8. It will be open for lunch, featuring European-American style cuisine like baked Bavarian pretzels, from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and happy hour from 4-7 p.m., with plans to offer dinner service later this fall. 🛩️ (The Ledger)

Civic

• Want to learn more about the candidates up for election in Polk County + local districts? Check out LkldNow’s Voter Guide 2022 to see each candidate on the ballot and read news updates. The comprehensive guide also includes helpful information, such as early voting and local polling places. (LkldNow)

Arts

• Access Art: Special Needs is returning to the Polk Museum of Art. This free program for those with special needs + varying exceptionalities offers a tour of the exhibits to view and discuss the art, followed by an art activity. Register now for the first tour of the season on Thurs., Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. 🖼️

Biz

• The SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has chosen Dennis Dunbar as its new Director of Air Shows and Attractions. Dennis has worked in air show management for 20+ years and has organized hundreds of shows, including the Super Bowl. The next Expo will take to the skies in March 2023.

Edu

• Prepare for school board elections with this Q+A between LkldNow and Polk School Board candidates up for election in District 5 — Kay Fields and Terry Clark. The two candidates discuss their reasons for running and plans for the school district. Learn more about school board candidates here. (LkldNow)

Number

• 15. That’s how many food trucks will be in Munn Park for the Lakeland Food Truck Rally on Thurs., Aug. 11. Come hungry for local favorites like Legacy Craft BBQ + Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, and tune in to music from The DJ Truck while you eat your way around the park.

Feel Good

• Lakeland 9-year-old Zniayah Armstrong is the Lakeland Fire Department + the Kids Wish Network’s hero of the month. Zniayah was able to help her family when a house fire broke out because she remembered the fire drills she’d practiced at school and at home. (Fox 13 News)

Drink

• We’re excited to spill the beans on this one. For the entire month of August, Wawa is giving away free hot coffee + fountain beverages of any size to teachers + school administrators. At the register, faculty members can share that they work at a school to claim their “Cheers to Classrooms” offer. ☕ (WFLA)

DYK

• RE/MAX was voted most trusted Real Estate Agency brand by American shoppers based on the 2022 BrandSpark® American Trust Study? If you’re in the market (or will be soon), learn about the local Swan City RE/MAX team members and how they can help.*

Coming Soon

• Excited about Bonnet Springs Park opening? So are we. The park is set to open on Sat., Oct. 22 — in the meantime, check out the Bonnet Springs July newsletter for development news + a behind the scenes look at the progress.*

Stat

• One in five small businesses will fall victim to a cyber attack. Entrepreneurs and side hustlers, check out these six ways to protect your biz. 🖥️ * 

Eat

• How about a treat for making it through the week? Ciao Bella Sorbetto is buy one, get one free at Publix GreenWise Market through Wed., Aug. 10. Pro tip: Add some to a glass of Prosecco for a Friday cheers. 🥂 *

Learn 

• Calling all visual learners. Get the data and visuals you need to actually understand current events (and kill it at dinner parties) with Chartr’s visual newsletter. More than 200,000 data-driven subscribers already use Chartr to stay up to date on biz, tech, entertainment + society, so you know it’s good. Subscribe. 📈 *

CIVIC

Get civic savvy 🗳️

Gather with other Lakelanders to meet your local candidates. | Image via Google Maps

Looking for a way to brush up on your local politics? Search no further. The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is hosting Politics in the Park — a free event geared towards bringing awareness to local, state, and federal candidates — on Tues., Aug. 9 from 6-8:30 p.m. at 35 Lake Morton Dr.

Candidates will be available at booths to answer questions + share their platforms set up at the Chamber of Commerce. The Supervisor of Elections will hold a Straw Poll (AKA, an unofficial vote) for those attending to test which candidates are winning the majority. There will even be a kids’ Straw Poll for little Lakelanders looking to learn about the voting process. 

Register now and see a full list of confirmed candidates in attendance. 

REWARDS

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THE WRAP

Editor's pick: Make the most of the last days of summer with a quick weekend trip. Make sure you’re ready for your road trip and then try our recommendations in Weeki Wachee Springs + Ybor City from our Hit the Road series.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Learn about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and a new art memorial, here.

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