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Hey Lakeland, hope your week’s off to a good start! Florida Strawberry Festival, alcohol rules eased, Top Chef of Polk County, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Polk County’s enduring legacy: Polk County marked 165 years with a Feb. 3 celebration before the Feb. 8 anniversary. Signs will be displayed at the Polk County Government Administration Building for several months — read the full story.
Honoring Florida’s farming legacy: Florida Strawberry Festival will run in Plant City from Feb 26 to March 8, celebrating agriculture near Lakeland, ranked among North America’s Top 40 fairs and run by community groups — get all the details.
Help closer to home: Plant City Courthouse now has a victim advocate on-site every Friday from 8 a.m., expanding the State Attorney’s Victim Assistance program for victims and families across Plant City and Lakeland — see when help is available.
Cultivating recovery and responsibility: The Timothy Initiative Ministries secured 10 acres in Plant City for a farm program to help men in crisis. The first residents are expected to move in February near Lakeland — see what’s planned for residents.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Business-friendly shift in alcohol policy: Polk County eased alcohol rules after business feedback. Commissioners approved Sunday packaged sales in unincorporated areas from noon to midnight and moved Sunday start times at bars and restaurants to 11 a.m. Distance requirements from schools and churches were shortened to make regulations more consistent. See what’s changing and why.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Empowering next-gen innovators: Florida Poly in Lakeland will receive $2.9 million in federal funding to build its Public Service Applied Innovation Laboratory, expanding hands-on cybersecurity and applied AI training through a secure, student-driven model. The project will include a public safety AI lab. In October, the university launched a student-powered Security Operations Center. Get all the details.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Where creative projects start: From strings and drum kits to school rentals, lessons, and in-house repairs, Carlton Music Center keeps your setup humming and ideas close. Whether you’re upgrading a well-loved instrument, tweaking your tone, or finally trying the gear you’ve eyed all month.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Soup night upgrade: If your week needs a little steam therapy, Pho Tan serves deeply slurpable noodle bowls and grilled plates that hit the cozy button without slowing you down. It’s a craving-conquering fix you’ll want to share, and you may leave wondering why you waited.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
❤ February Community Cares Night @ Victory Christian Academy Parents Association | Tuesday (2/10) at 3:00 PM – Think you can support the school without leaving your car? Order Chick-fil-A in the app between 3 to 8 pm, use code VCA2025, and part of your chicken habit funds the classrooms. Dinner, community karma, and zero dishes, all in one swoop.
🎂 Valentine’s Cake Decorating Class @ Union Hall | Tuesday (2/10) at 6:30 PM – Whether you’re plotting an easy date night, a Galentine’s hang, or family chaos, this all-ages class has you frosting heart cakes like a pro. Expect sprinkles, piping, edible images, and a full bar. At Union Hall, think Painting With a Twist, but you eat it.
🏺 Date Night Clay Class @ PicassoZ Art Cafe | Wednesday (2/11) at 5:30 PM – Date night at the studio means pinch pots, not awkward small talk. You’ll hand build a design with guidance, sip a Tea Largo drink, and enjoy yourselves. Tickets are per person, space is tight, so snag two, pick your night, and play in mud.
This weekend
🍓 18th Annual Strawberry Distance Challenge @ Strawberry Distance Challenge | Saturday (2/14) at 7:30 AM – The 18th annual Strawberry Distance Challenge serves up a 1-mile, 5K, 5K ruck, and 10K, plus the coolest shirt in town. Walk, jog, or lug a pack, because easy is boring, then claim strawberries, water, and a finisher medal, with extras if you’re fast.
⚾ ProAm Legends on the Diamond @ Lakeland Parks & Recreation | Saturday (2/14) at 8:00 AM – Dust off the glove and prove you’ve still got wheels. ProAm’s monthly senior softball tourneys are organized, competitive, and prize-filled, with new teams getting the first tournament free, then discounted entries all season. Rally your usual suspects, and register at proamsoftball.com.
🥞 Hearts of Comics Valentine’s Brunch Tasting @ Plant City Comic Cafe | Saturday (2/14) at 9:00 AM – Trade the usual brunch chaos for a Valentine-ready, American-style tasting with pancakes, waffles, savory croissant sandwiches, and drink flights, no decisions required. Fixed menu, small groups, real conversation. It is $38 solo or $72 for two, and spots disappear fast.
🎨 Watercolor Basics @ Notta Gallery | Sunday (2/15) at 1:00 PM – Trade your to-do list for a brush as watercolor pro Katrina Evans leads a relaxed, three-hour basics workshop, supplies included. Bring a pal, embrace the happy accidents, and learn something beyond damp paper. Seats are limited, so claim one before your muse changes its mind.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Lakeland report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 50°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 79. West southwest wind 1 to 8 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 77°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 1%
Patchy fog before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. West southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Later: Patchy fog after midnight. Mostly clear, with a low around 55. West wind 3 to 7 mph.
This house is wild
This 6-bed, 7-bath South Lakeland estate spans nearly 7,500 square feet on a private half acre. Travertine floors and 10-foot ceilings lead to a theater, gym, and game room. A chef’s kitchen and poolside primary suite meet a resort backyard with saltwater pool, gazebo kitchen, and sauna. Includes a separate 1-bed apartment, gated parking, 2024 metal roof, and no HOA.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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