Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Feb 8, 2012, 6:27 pm
Photo CC Ylakeland In tonight’s agenda packet for Budget Subcommittee on Higher Education was some information on Florida Polytechnic creation legislation (pdf) Here’s the pertinent page offered without commentary: Florida Polytechnic University – Creation Legislation Senate Higher Educa...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Feb 8, 2012, 10:37 am
Author’s Note: This isn’t something I’ve done often over the last few years, so I’ll warn you this is a commentary column. You’ll quickly notice I’m no Billy Townsend. But I hope this sparks a tiny bit of discussion. We take a lot for granted from our readers. We assume you read t...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Feb 8, 2012, 10:37 am
I would argue that the Lakeland we love today, the Lakeland that provides an unmatched per dollar quality of life, is the child of two equally loving parents: Lakeland Electric and Publix. In a fanciful mood, you might even look at Lakeland and see that elusive unity of “left” and right” that...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Feb 7, 2012, 9:24 am
Photographer Tom Hagerty took a stroll downtown this past First Friday for the festivities. Musicians and other artists filled Lakeland’s streets. Here’s a sample of what Tom found photogenic… Created with flickr slideshow. photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local First Friday was An A...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Feb 7, 2012, 9:16 am
A family from a 2008 Chicago Equality rally I want to thank the Lakeland City Commission for its respectful and serious attention to my request yesterday to consider same sex/domestic partner benefits. On behalf of the 10 or so people who attended in support, and everyone else who has emailed suppor...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Feb 7, 2012, 8:55 am
Now that holidays have come and gone we are all being more health conscience due to New Year’s Resolutions! So, I thought I would challenge you to add something into your daily eating habits that will benefit you this year and years to come. The challenge… drum roll please! Add the nutty flavo...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Feb 2, 2012, 10:24 am
This edition of events lists more than just Lakeland. I’ve not covered every Lakeland event, so if you are part of one leave a comment so the rest of us can be in the loop too! Enjoy Downtown Lakeland First Friday – Feb. 3 Chalk for Charity – Feb. 4 (Exhibitions will be located on Lemon Stree...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 31, 2012, 2:38 pm
So, the state ranked all schools yesterday in the same pathetic way it ranked all districts last week. My best debunking of that is here. Disappointingly, the Ledger reported the new ranking straight and did Rick Scott’s dirty work for him. The editorial page had made progress with a good skeptic...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 30, 2012, 7:53 am
It’s time to correct an oversight. It’s time to join almost every other significant I-4 Corridor local government outside of Polk County and extend same sex partner and parent benefits to gay and lesbian city of Lakeland employees. I’ve secured a spot on the agenda for the Monday, February 6...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 27, 2012, 11:29 am
Editor’s Note: We had our BackChannel debut almost a year ago. With Pigfest 2012 starting tonight, we thought we’d rerun that first edition of BackChannel. Today debuts the first installment of BackChannel. We’re collaborating with Lakeland-based NFocus, producer of feature films, corporate ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 25, 2012, 8:21 am
There’s a key difference between the way I calculate a school or district’s “performance” on the FCAT test and the way the geniuses at DOE do it in their school/district grades and rankings. For me, it’s pretty simple. What’s the average score of the group of kids in question? I then p...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 25, 2012, 7:42 am
Ran into Eliska headed to a meeting downtown. Loved her bright colored dress! Stylish Lakelander – Eliska Poirier Lakeland Local on Twitter Lakeland Local on Facebook Originally Published as Stylish Lakelander – Eliska Poirier
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 22, 2012, 12:18 pm
Well looky here. Florida is going to rank its county school districts by test performance. It’s almost as if our good governor and his henchmen read Lakeland Local to get political ideas. Rigor and transparency of methodology are a different question. I predict — based on data and some discussi...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 17, 2012, 9:05 am
Most of us are sure to own a plain white T-shirt. Although some may consider this closet staple a very boring piece, we are going to let you in on a little secret. There are several ways to rock your plain white tee! Dress it Up Wear it with a great fitting pair of jeans, or a cute sequin or flor...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 16, 2012, 10:20 am
Martin Luther King Memorial On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass gave arguably his most famous speech. A group of Rochester, New York white abolitionists had asked him to help them commemorate and celebrate the July 4th. Douglass did something rather different. The whole thing is gorgeously fierce A...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 14, 2012, 9:08 am
There was a time, when I was a younger and more foolish man, back when the newspaper industry overran with milk and honey, that I thought Lakeland was likely a whistlestop on my express train to Vanity Fair. When I first started to work here in 1999, I knew almost nothing about our fair city. It was...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 13, 2012, 8:31 am
Haley Oberhofer is Editor-in-Chief of Wings Newspaper at All Saints’ Academy. This article first appeared in Lakeland Local Downtown Edition Magazine Winter 2012 Tomorrow, Polk County is going pink for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The Susan G. Komen race is being held to promote aw...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 12, 2012, 7:55 am
Wilfred Wolfson 1917 - 2011 Lakeland has its share of historic names and moments. Some are lost to time. The name affixed to our promenade is unknown to many new residents. The explanations for traditions are lost. We need local historians to pass along the stories. Here’s one you’ll be able to ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 11, 2012, 9:41 am
Our new local media overlords are not nice — or very competent — people. First, Halifax Media and the New York Times Co. sent all employees at the regional newspapers Halifax bought (The Ledger, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Gainesville Sun, etc.) an email over the Christmas holidays saying the empl...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 9, 2012, 10:59 am
Editor’s Note: We’re proud to present a column by one of Lakeland’s hard-working young professionals. After making a stab at the LA scene, filmmaker Laura Ward decided to return to Lakeland. Between directing her own films and working for other firms, she’s making her own opportunities in La...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 9, 2012, 9:49 am
So, I see that “a group of teachers and community leaders” wants to make Lakeland High a charter. Where to begin? I can’t remotely sort out LHS’s internal and external community politics. So I’ll just ask, who are the community leaders? Let’s name them. Because the parent and teacher org...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 8, 2012, 5:05 pm
Part of one proposed district including the Southern portion of Polk County One of the most important stories of 2012 for Lakeland and Polk County is going to be the redistricting battle going on in Tallahassee. In fact, it topped my list of the Top 10 stories for the county on my blog, Polk Perspec...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Jan 6, 2012, 9:57 am
Lake Region High School traveled to Lakeland High School last night to defeat the Dreadnaughts 48-42. Tom Hagerty has a selection of photos from the game. photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local Created with flickr slideshow. LRHS Travels to LHS for a Little Bit-o-Basketball Lakeland Local ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 31, 2011, 10:10 am
Preparing the Pumpkin at the Dr. Scissorhands Exhibition Did You Know that pumpkin is chock full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants? Pumpkin is one of those vegetables that is a representative of fall it makes us think of harvest, of holidays, of lengthening nights and the oncoming wi...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 31, 2011, 8:23 am
Saturday local physicians and area celebrities took knife to pumpkin at the Dr. Scissorhands Pumpkin Carving Exhibition. Sponsored by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, the carved pumpkins were auctioned to benefit the Alliance for Independence. Lakeland Local photographer Tom Hagerty cap...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 31, 2011, 6:58 am
Project Lunch Box - My first lunch When I read about the lunchbox challenge on Family Fresh Cooking, I decided it was the perfect way for me to tackle several concerns in my own life. Like everyone else, I often get caught up in the busy-ness of life.  Over the past couple of months I’ve allowe...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 28, 2011, 11:20 am
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Orange County all offer same sex partner benefits to their police officers, firefighters, and other city employees. Lakeland does not. It’s time for that to change. There are many good reasons to change, the first of which is basic fairness and honor. The men a...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 26, 2011, 1:22 pm
The Natural Air Energy teams plays Pokemon for one of last year's scavenger photos We’ve all done it at some point in school, church or family reunions. Even during employee retreats, businesses have encouraged it as a team-building exercise. Yes, the scavenger hunt is an institution. Get a list,...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 21, 2011, 6:57 am
Ed. Note: Realtor Petra Norris occasionally offers her commentary on the local housing market. You can find her market reports at Lakeland Florida Living. Recently, I came across an interesting article on Housing Wire that was titled “New normal” means a lot more pain to come. The article goes ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 21, 2011, 6:33 am
A few weeks ago we reported about Matthew Wengard’s decision to use Kickstarter to raise funds to purchase a press. That campaign was a success. Local musician Michael McArthur has decided to go the Kickstarter route to raise funds to record his first album. As part of our effort to help local bus...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 20, 2011, 8:12 am
... is dated and pictures are included. Deciper TextMessage met, and exceeded my expectations. image credit: Brett Jordan Priceless Text Messages CAN Be Saved Forever Get today's Classic Peanuts (That's a link taking you off Lakeland Local. That's why you'll see ads there. But, hey, it's Peanu...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 20, 2011, 8:08 am
(l-r) Jennifer Sabin, Cathy Hayes, Brandy Rosenberger, Jessica Kelso, Juda Kelso, Brittany LeRoy, Ida Mundell, Leeanna Scott, Karissa Barber Nine Lakeland ladies are wearing the same dress for 31 days, 31 different ways. Why? There are a lot of a different women participating in the October Dress Pr...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 19, 2011, 9:19 am
This past Sunday Lakeland hosted Polk County’s first Asian-American festival. Photographer Tom Hagerty was there to capture the scene on the Frances Langford Promenade. photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local Photos from the Asian-American Festival Get today's Classic Peanuts (That's a lin...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 19, 2011, 9:17 am
No one does maternity better than our own Courtney Philpot! Congratulations are in order as she delivered a beautiful baby girl on October 5th. She did a great job of putting this together for other expecting mothers. Gone are the days of pregnant ladies walking around in tent-like fashion, hiding ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 16, 2011, 11:54 am
Lakeland Photographer Tim Bedgood also covered the OccupyLakeland protest on Saturday afternoon. image credit: Tim Bedgood OccupyLakeland BoA Get today's Classic Peanuts (That's a link taking you off Lakeland Local. That's why you'll see ads there. But, hey, it's Peanuts!) Originally Published ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 16, 2011, 11:46 am
A group of citizens gathered on Lake Morton Saturday to bring the Occupy movement to Lakeland. Photographer Tom Hagerty was there. photo credit: Tom Hagerty for Lakeland Local OccupyLakeland Get today's Classic Peanuts (That's a link taking you off Lakeland Local. That's why you'll see ads there....
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 15, 2011, 9:48 am
On the Frances Langford Promenade They are the 1.4 per-cent. At least according to the 2006 population estimates. They are the Lakeland Metro Area’s Asian and Pacific Islander population. Tomorrow, one Asian-American organization is hosting a free festival aimed at highlighting many Asian culture...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 14, 2011, 8:47 am
Let us recap briefly the educational mobility values of our state, as reflected by Polk County’s experience: Perfectly fine: Allowing all the wealthiest students to concentrate in a handful of charter and special schools, regardless of address, and allowing them to move at will between them if th...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 11, 2011, 9:07 am
Although lemons and limes may not be what you would choose for an afternoon snack, they are considered powerhouses when we want to bring out the flavor of other foods. While both are available throughout the year, lemons are in the peak of their season around May, June and August while limes are at ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 11, 2011, 8:58 am
In recent weeks, I’ve had a number of conversations with people associated in one way or another with the McKeel Empire. And I hear that the school is now a bit concerned with how the community views it. I don’t think they’re terribly concerned about the morality of their practices, as such. B...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 7, 2011, 7:32 am
Special to Lakeland Local by Melissa Rodriguez The first time Sonja Wagner lost all her hair, she thought she looked badass. Diagnosed with stage four soft tissue sarcoma in September 2009, the Florida Southern College junior proactively removed her hair before cancer treatments could cause hair l...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 5, 2011, 3:09 pm
The city is removing 271 container gardens such as these plants and trees on South Kentucky Ave. Downtown was abuzz yesterday morning as city trucks began hauling off 271 streetscape container gardens. On social media and on the streets Lakelanders lamented the removal of the gardens. Many were conf...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 1, 2011, 12:18 pm
As we put away our swimsuits and sunscreen, we wanted to make sure you have the latest trends for fall on your radar! Here is a list that we have compiled to help you prepare for a fabulously fashionable fall! 1.) Psychedelic Furs-fur coats, coats with fur trim and stoles were spotted all over the ...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 1, 2011, 11:46 am
Mental Giant is another act playing next Saturday at Underground at the Polk. Here’s a taste of their sonic sauce… TheEnd Mental Giant – The End Get today's Classic Peanuts (That's a link taking you off Lakeland Local. That's why you'll see ads there. But, hey, it's Peanuts!) Originally Pu...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Oct 1, 2011, 11:33 am
Last weekend I watched one of my favorite movies, Chocolat.  Every time I watch that movie, I get the urge to bake something and this viewing was no exception.  I was moved to experiment with a flour-less chocolate cake.  There are several recipes online, but I combined a few different ones and c...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Sep 27, 2011, 11:12 am
Underground at the Polk Mark your calendar for October 8th- 8:30 to Midnight. Go ahead, I’ll wait. You want details? The original Underground at the Polk is back. Underground is a quarterly live music concert event featuring local bands in the Central Florida area. Born as an annual showcase for...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Sep 27, 2011, 10:29 am
Editor’s Note: Last year our sister site, Metro I4 News, covered Magnificent Applesauce. As Mi4 is on hiatus, we’re reprinting that article for reasons that will be plain in a few minutes. By Alex Santiago, Metro I4 News Originally published July 6, 2010 Before departing Florida, I had the...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Sep 27, 2011, 10:16 am
Not J.D. Alexander Hint: Sophocles I couldn’t help but chuckle at this from the recent St. Pete Times story about J.D. Alexander’s obsession with slicing USFP out of USF, like a tumor in reverse. Apparently, he strutted into a Board of Governors meeting and started slagging off on English profes...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Sep 27, 2011, 10:05 am
Mount Rainier Don’t go to the Seattle area without making time for a visit to Mount Rainier. What an incredible site. We figured we’d drive there and do a self-guided tour of sorts, but changed our minds at the last minute and went with a tour group- Our Tours Rock. It was a wise choice. We di...
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Chuck W. posted an article on Lakeland Local Florida News and Information - Sep 23, 2011, 8:43 am
For expecting mothers, Courtney proves that maternity wear can be stylish too! photo credit: Cathy Hayes for Lakeland Local Fashionable Lakelander: Courtney Philpot Get today's Classic Peanuts (That's a link taking you off Lakeland Local. That's why you'll see ads there. But, hey, it's Peanuts!) ...
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