If you think I’ve been too mean today, (It’s never wise to turn me loose with a computer and day off) come on over to Metro I4 and read as I sing the praises of one America’s best rock bands - The Hold Steady - and their Thursday night concert in Tampa.

This just in from the Emerge Lakeland Marketing Committee:

Emerge Lakeland will host its annual “Pack the Bar” event July 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This year’s event will be held at Molly McHugh’s, 111 S. Kentucky Ave.

Pack the Bar is the ultimate networking event, said Emerge Chair Punam Saxena. 

“I think for young professionals, it’s easy to…

I know, I know, it’s a little bit like saying the greenest blade of grass, but honestly, this letter-to-the-editor from Lee Feuer of Auburndale is almost an artwork of ignorance and self-centeredness. It’s the second of two letters contained in this link.

I clearly don’t know the back story to any of the most recent negotiations - or whatever they are. But the letters to Sunrail backers from the Federal Transit Authority and from CSX discussing the new developments are chock full of nothing. They commit to nothing and really hint at nothing.

Take a look for yourselves on the extended entry:

Some schlub wrote this not long ago:

In this economy, CSX will not lightly walk away from more than $600 million in cash and system improvements, liability or no.

A commenter expressed some skepticism and asked what I based that on. Oh, well, just a hunch.

From The Orlando Sentinel:

Last week, in a development first reported by the Orlando Sentinel, Dyer, Mica and others negotiated an extension to a proposed contract with CSX, the Jacksonville train company that owns the tracks that SunRail would use.

Have you driven by the PCC Lakeland campus lately?

The Lakeland Flying Tigers will host the Ft. Myers Miracle tonight through Thursday. On Tuesday night, join the Polk Netizens for a special $3 ticket night. And get the mission notes inside…

Is your employer pushing you into a high deductible health plan, or dropping your coverage altogether? Come over to Metro I4, and I’ll tell you why. And why the dreaded socialized medicine - in one form or another - is inevitable.

The Flying Tigers are in Sarasota taking on the Reds. Here’s the Mission Report originally scheduled for the 25th.

…And this evening, as I laughed at really bad jokes with friends outside the restaurant, a man walked up and sat down next to me. “I find your articles hard to read, I will put you in a box”. …

According to a Messenger-Inquirer (KY) report, Larry Durrence has accepted a position as the interim president of Owensboro (Kentucky) Community & Technical College. Lakeland resident Durrence retired as the president of Polk Community College in 2006. Since then he has served as interim president of schools in Texas City, Texas and Lexington, Kentucky. Durrence also was worked eight years as Lakeland Mayor and City Commissioner during the 1980s.

The Lakeland Flying Tigers are hosting the Daytona Cubs for a five game series. A pair of doubleheaders tonight and Wednesday (both start at 5 pm), and a morning game Tuesday at 10:30 am. We have the Mission Notes inside…

It was hard to miss The Ledger’s outing of Julian Mullis. It ran across the top of the local page, arguably the most read spot of real estate in the printed paper. Quick synopsis: Mulberry police arrested a man they described as in a domestic, live-in relationship with Mullis after accusing the man of throwing a plastic beer bottle at Mullis during an altercation at Mullis’ house. That’s right. Mullis is the victim of an alleged assault with a plastic container. And for that, his personal life gets splashed across the top of B1 as the featured local story of the day.

Tomorrow is Fathers Day. I, just like I’m sure many of you reading this, am blessed with an amazing father and daddy. However, today’s column was inspired by someone who didn’t…

Ask Ed Jackson, the butcher at Fulwood Farms Meat & Produce Market, to recite a list of the meats he carries and you’ll get this:

“We carry everything but the squeal, and it’s on the way.”

That statement may sound humorous, but it’s also not far from the truth.

Fulwood Farms- a small grocery that carries meats, produce,…

Ever wondered how the award winning Italian Cappuccino Martini is made? Matthew Harman, GM of Brima, has a special talent for creating unique mixed drinks and this is just one of his winners.
Check out this latest edition of Lakeland Minute, featuring David Christopher, mixing the drink.