Chris McArthur talks with The Lakelander’s Kristin Crosby and shares his journey from a 20-year-old Marine at the forefront of the invasion of Iraq to lessons he’s learned as an entrepreneur growing Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro and Patriot Coffee Roasters. The latest issue of The Lakelander, which focuses on Business, will debut […]
Author Archives: Barry Friedman
Barry Friedman founded Lkldnow.com in 2015 as the culmination of a career in print and digital journalism. Since 1982, he has used the tools of reporting, editing and content curation to help people in Lakeland understand their community better.
Posted inArts & Culture
Live Music in Lakeland This Weekend
Lakeland guitar virtuoso Joe Gavin doesn’t perform publicly that often, so it’s a treat when he does. He headlines an acoustic showcase at LkldLive Friday night — and is also scheduled to return to Hillcrest Coffee June 14. Also this weekend: a country music festival at Masons Live Saturday night. For more, check our entire […]
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper
POLY: Nearly a year into talks between Florida Polytechnic University and its faculty union, teachers told Board of Trustees members Wednesday of a survey showing widespread faculty discontent. A university spokeswoman said administrators had not seen the survey previously and she noted initiatives including a new faculty recognition banquet. DINING: Restaurant critic Eric Pera revisits […]
Posted inPolitics
Candidate Carlson Collects $100k in Two Weeks
Democrat Kristen Carlson, who announced her candidacy for U.S. House District 15 just two days before filing ended, collected $100,000 in campaign contributions in the first 13 days, her staff told FloridaPolitics. By the end of March, the last reporting period, Democratic rivals Andrew Learned reported $123,000 and Raymond Peña reported $4,500. Source: FloridaPolitics.com
Posted inNews Roundup
Read It in the Morning Paper
POLY: Will they or won’t they? Florida Poly said last week the university’s board would not review an internal auditor’s findings regarding an anonymous employee’s complaints. But board Chairman Frank T. Martin said Tuesday he expects a report to the Board of Trustees. The board meets today at Joker Marchant Stadium. HOMICIDE: Henry Schreiner, 55, said he […]
Posted inPolitics
Business-Related Political Training Included Five Candidates
Four candidates for Polk County School Board — two of them running against each other — and a candidate for the Polk County Commission are among 11 people who this week completed a course designed to develop business-minded elected officials.
Posted inDowntown
Lemon Street Sculpture Winners Announced
Works by Florida sculptors took the top two spots as Lakeland residents voted for their favorites among the 10 sculptures along the Lemon Street Promenade downtown, the Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department announced. People’s Choice winners in the 2018 Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition were: Gaia, by Donald Gialanella, 508 votes. The Seahorse Serefina, by Lee […]
Posted inCity Hall / Local Gov't
Community Development Director Search Down to Four Finalists
One person who works for the city of Lakeland, two who work elsewhere in Florida and one from Ohio are finalists to become the city of Lakeland’s new community development director, replacing Jim Studiale, who retired in October. All four candidates are being interviewed this week, and City Manager Tony Delgado said he should make […]
Posted inBusiness
Patriot Coffee Beans Going into 350 Publix Stores
Sometimes it helps to be in Lakeland. Just ask Chris McArthur, the founder of Patriot Coffee Roasters. Somebody who bought his coffee beans at the downtown farmer’s market passed a sample along to a friend who works at Publix Super Markets headquarters. Long story short: That person is the buyer for Publix’ Florida Local program, […]
Posted inCity Hall / Local Gov't
Food Truck Park Seen for Parker Street Area
A six-day-a-week food truck park combined with a small dog park and a comfortable bar is a Lakeland agency’s latest idea to continue redeveloping the Parker Street neighborhood just north of downtown. That idea came a bit closer to reality Thursday when a city board made a formal recommendation that Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency spend […]