Photographer L.D. Zobell took a stroll around Munn Park today to buy a few plants at the Spring Obsession in Munn Park. He also found a few attendees to photograph...
The Lakeland Police Department has an open house March 20th to give the public a glimpse behind-the-scenes. At least the part of the public not familiar with the downtown police station. From 10 am to 2pm the 219 N. Massachusetts Ave. station is focused on Cyber Safety. Experts will provide instruction on identity protection and child safe web surfing. In addition to activities for the kids, the City's mobile command center, armored rescue vehicle, and K-9 team will also be on hand. While visiting the station, you can safely dispose of your unwanted and expired prescription medication. Just secure the pills in a clear air-tight sealed plastic bag. StandUp Polk will have a Purge Your Pills drop-off station available.
Spring Obsession is an annual charity event/garden and art festival. Free activities, family friendly, informative and always a good time, the event benefits Common Ground Park this year. The event is at Munn Park on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. There'll be plants for sale, gardening presentations, and live music. Note: Lakeland Local is one of the event's many sponsors.
David Robinson, president of DSM Technology, is working to raise funds for the latest United Way campaign. Well, maybe not working. Last night Robinson slept on his roof to raise awareness and funds. Noon to 2 pm today, Robinson is in spending time in a dunk tank today to raise more funds. The event is in the DSM parking lot at 6810 New Tampa Hwy, Lakeland 33815. $5 for 3 shots. BBQ lunch provided.
The Polk County School system chooses their Spelling Bee champion February 24th. Starting at 6 pm, 39 middle school students from 23 schools will compete in the McKeel Auditorium at 1810 West Parker St in Lakeland. Last student standing is the county champion. Attendance is free, but if you have more questions call 863.519.8798 for more information, but you can only ask for the definition, part of speech, or language of origin. photo credit: wumpiewoo
The Tuskegee Airmen symposium, called "They Dared to Fly," takes place Thursday, Feb. 18 through Saturday, Feb. 20 and features several open-forum/question-and-answer sessions with three distinguished Airmen - Dr. Roscoe Brown, Lt. Col. Leo Gray and Lt. Col. Hiram Mann - as they share their recollections of wartime military service during segregated America. On Friday, February 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m., Fantasy of Flight will host a special, reservations-only luncheon with limited seating in honor of three of the original aviation veterans, the first African Americans to be trained as WWII military pilots. The luncheon will be held at the Orlampa Conference Center at Fantasy of Flight. Tickets are $65 plus tax per person and reservations are required. For tickets, visit www.fantasyofflight.com/livinghistory or call 863-984-3500, ext. 220.
The weather is a bit chilly, but that hasn't stopped the Lakeland Pancake Festival. Kiwanis members, students, and other volunteers invaded Tigertown before the sun rose to start making pancakes, sausages, coffee, and orange juice for hungry Lakelanders.
The 52nd Annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival is a major fundraiser for the three Kiwanis Clubs in Lakeland: Lakeland, Citrus Center & North Lakeland. If you're new to Lakeland, this is a popular community get-together. They've attracted up to 8,000 people for a day of eating hotcakes and small talk. You can save some cash by buying advance tickets today. Grab a Kiwanis member, but be gentle, for adult tickets at $4 and children's tickets at $2. They go up $1 each tomorrow. Vendors & exhibitors will also be on site, including the Lakeland SWAT team and a huge plant sale.
Joker Marchant Stadium will be hopping Saturday. The Detroit Tigers merchandise store will open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. The club promises to have a selection of the 2010 gear. The store will also be open Feb. 15-20 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. While you're there you can pick up Spring Training tickets. Joker Marchant Stadium is located at 2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland. For more information, please contact the Tigers at (863) 686-8075.
Planning to attend the Florida State Fair? Before you go, take a look at the posts at Sticks of Fire. The State Fair folks gave Tommy Duncan & Clark Brooks complete access to the Fair from set-up to take down. From before the opening to a quick jaunt around the grounds, Tommy & Clark are posting what he finds. In addition to his posts, Tommy adds content at the State Fair Facebook page.
The Lakeland Flying Tigers and their parent club, the Detroit Tigers, are looking for a few good men and women..that can sing. Tomorrow, from 10 am to Noon, the teams will hold auditions for singers who can perform the National Anthem acappella. (That's singer-speak for "without a net.") They only have a few limited dates available, so sing your heart out. If you have any questions try to contact Dan Lauer at dan.lauer@detroittigers.com.
The Lakeland Chapter of the American Business Women's Association has invited Lakelanders to their Mini Business Expo on Thursday, Feb. 25, from 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the Riverside Bank 4400 South Florida Avenue. The Expo promises to focus on "all the things you need for success, health, education, family, community and happiness." There's no charge for the event and refreshments will be served. RSVP to monica.young@riversidenb.com
Continuing the discussion on transportation in the Central Florida region, q conference has been set for February 23rd. Hosted by the Central Florida Development Council, Inc. of Polk County, the conference will feature keynote speaker Pat McCrory. The former mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina was credited with spearheading a 25-year plan to expand bus and light rail in the city.
It was a busy Saturday morning for Lakeland Local photographer Tom Hagerty. The baseball fan saw a few old-timers at the Detroit Tigers Baseball Fantasy Camp then he found a few teens battling robots at the University of South Florida Polytechnic's FIRST Tech Challenge. Check out the pics...
Today at 2 pm, the Harrison School For The Arts is holding a benefit for Haiti. Participating are Florida Dance Theatre, Florida Southern College, Harrison School For The Arts, Lakeland Community Theatre, Platform Art, Polk Museum of Art and Theatre Winter Haven. Local artists will perform including pianist Robert McDonald and actor Eric Nutting. A suggested minimum donation is $5 with Red Cross representatives collecting any donations at the door. The show is at the school, 750 Lake Hollingsworth Road. For more information: (863) 499-2855.
If you missed it last night, you have another chance to see the rodeo tonight. Gates open at 6:30 at the Lakeland Center.
Bio: Growing up in Detroit, Tom Hagerty dreamed of watching baseball in sunny Lakeland, Florida. That dream came to fruition in 1998 when he moved to Lakeland. Tom has a passion for the Detroit Tigers, the Lakeland Flying Tigers and all things Detroit. His interests include reading, writing and photography. Tom and his wife have two daughters, four cats, one dog and a guinea pig.