Live Music in Lakeland This Weekend
It took summer a little longer to get here this year, but it’s hit with a vengeance. Still, as the Lovin’ Spoonful told us, at night it’s a different world: “Come-on come-on and dance all night. Despite the heat it’ll be alright.” Check our local music calendar below to find some cool tunes for a balmy, Southern night.
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DINING: Restaurant critic Eric Pera heaps praise on Mission BBQ‘s brisket as he awards four stars to the patriotic-themed Maryland chain’s recently opened Lakeland location, its 65th.
THINGS TO DO: Fly-Into Summer 10-2 Saturday at Sun ‘n Fun | Comedy Carnival 8 p.m. Saturday at Pink Piano
Dunn Pushing to Allow Downtown Alcohol Carrying
City Commissioner Michael Dunn is pushing an idea he heard on the campaign trail last year: that people be allowed to carry alcoholic drinks from bar to bar downtown. Bay News 9 talked to a bar owner who was excited by the idea, but the director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority questions the idea because of unintended consequences it would bring. Before Dunn was elected, his wife sparked the move that led to Sunday morning alcohol sales in Lakeland when she told the City Commission that people should be able to order mimosas at brunch before noon.
Publix Shoppers Will Have Two Delivery Options
Until now, no company has offered home delivery of Publix groceries in Lakeland. But by next week, Lakeland customers will be able to choose between two delivery services. A day before Shipt service starts here (we wrote about it June 9), Publix has announced that Instacart-powered Publix Delivery delivery comes to Lakeland June 28.
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TALLER BUILDINGS: City commissioners on Monday heard a passionate plea to allow taller apartment buildings in the Lake Morton district followed by an equally passionate appeal to preserve the current neighborhood esthetic. Saying they wanted more time to mull the issue, the commission decided to wait until July 2 to decide on a proposal to increase building height limits | Read the proposal
ALSO: Nancye Thornberry named a CityMaker | One obstacle to Oakbridge Health Care re-opening has been removed | Couple charged in death of 6-year-old girl | Body of missing boater found in Scott Lake
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PRIDE: In the name of love, they came to Munn Park Saturday. The fourth annual Pride in the Park event was held for and about the local LGBT community.
NEW TACOS: The newest link in the national Fuzzy Taco Shop (website) chain is coming to a strip plaza along Florida Avenue just south of the Polk Parkway. Look for Baja-style eats and a cocktail bar.
Video: Congressional Candidates at Tiger Bay Club
The Republican and Democratic candidates for the Polk/Hillsborough District 15 seat in the U.S. House introduce themselves at a Friday forum in Bartow and answer questions.
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BURGER BAR: The Fort Myers-based Ford’s Garage chain opens its 10th location at the Lakeland Park Center just north of I-4 off U.S. 98.
CHARGES DROPPED: Two FSC students accused of planting chemical bombs in the Lake Hollingsworth area have completed a pretrial diversion program and won’t be prosecuted.
RIP: Hal Smeltzy, longtime FSC athletic director, 86
Video: Gospel Inc. Founder Envisions Homelessness Housing
The first installment in a new series of short films about “changemakers” focuses on Gospel Inc’s Brian Seeley and his vision for a village of affordable micro-houses and employment for the chronically homeless.
News Release: Nicole Travis Named City Community Development/Economic Director
Travis, 36, moves from director of the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency to the $128k job. An economic development emphasis has been added since the retirement of her predecessor, Jim Studiale.
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MOVIE: Walt Disney Pictures crews are scouting Southgate Shopping Center and setting up a base camp at Southwest Elementary School for upcoming filming of “The One and Only Ivan,” an adaptation of a Newberry Award-winning novel.
BUILDING HEIGHTS: City commissioners on Monday take up a proposal to increase building heights for offices downtown and multi-family buildings in nearby neighborhoods, including the South and East Lake Morton historic districts, the Garden District and Dixieland | Read the proposal
ALSO: New children’s ER opens today | LPD officer suffers minor injuries when car hits tree