Ever wonder how to get more large clients? Do you have the thought that all you need in order to get your revenues to the point that they need to be is that core set of Fortune 50 clients? Do you know what it takes to actually penetrate the gatekeepers at the ‘Dells’ of the world? Well, in the presentation, “Partnering with Giants: How to partner with large customers,” Derek Fournier will be discussing the whys, whats and hows of ... More

Come see live painting by Walt Cannoy, live painting by Richard J. Bond, have your caracature drawn by Dennis Hart. Brandy Burry will be on hand with handmade soaps and knitted items. Meet and greet our youngest photographer Sara Jones and take a look at some of the work she has for sale just for this event. Portrait sittings by Kantu Studio. FIRST FRIDAY COME MEET US Location: The Gallery at Lake Mirror 130 S. Massachusettes Ave. Lakeland, FL Time: 5:00PM Friday, September ... More

The Land of Opportunity is an attitude. It is an openness to new ideas, a willingness to listen, an eagerness to learn, a desire to grow, and the flexibility to change. - BJ Gallagher creating ownership, leadership and enjoyment on the journey... letting go into possibilities; how will transformation impact today? peace, love and joy... www.creatingtoday.net

What can I say?  As a former advertising and marketing executive, I must admit that I’m a sucker when it comes to new product introductions. But I am not naïve.  I know full well that a lot of new product claims are hype and often do not deliver expected results.  This knowledge however does not dissuade my search for the latest “new and improved” invention that might make house cleaning chores a little easier or add youthful ... More

The University of South Florida Polytechnic’s Extended University is now accepting applications for the following fall programs. • Beginning AutoCAD Training. Tuesdays, Sept. 14 - Nov. 16, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Learn the basic commands necessary to create professional 2D drawings, design and drafting using Auto-CAD 2010. Early registration fee by Sept. 7: $500. Regular registration fee: $550. Details and registration online at poly.usf.edu/AutoCAD • Control Systems Certificate. September 2010 - February 2011. Enhance your knowledge and skills in control systems with ... More

You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted. - Ruth E. Renkl creating beauty, joy and thankfulness... letting go into choice in the matter; how will releasing significance impact today? peace, love and joy... www.creatingtoday.net

A perfect companion for your Labor Day weekend. Especially when folks start getting hungry. Beer infused axis backstrap. Yum.I wish someone would tie me to a fencepost after a couple rounds of suds!Seriously, everyone have a safe holiday weekend!!!

  Ladies of Distinction from Miramar High School in Miramar, Fla., perform at the 2009 Disney STEP Classic. Head Coach Catherine R. Powell said, "It provides a great opportunity to meet other teams and see what is being done in other parts of the country, as well as to compete in a large venue." (Walt Disney World) Fancy footwork is on display this weekend at Walt Disney World when the Disney STEP Classic returns for its third year. Today, the dance teams are ... More

The dust has settled after some building repairs this week! Now we have a beautiful, freshly painted ceiling and bright, newly painted walls. The store feels fresh and new. Come on down and see! This Friday is a great time to come see the new shop – it’s First Friday 6-9 PM. This month First Friday is all about Back to School. It’s Teacher Appreciation Night at Brooke Pottery. If you’re a teacher, you can register for a ... More

The event was aired LIVE on August 31, 2010. Click below to replay the event.   Visit http://www.polk-fl.net/news/video/etownhall.htm   Open in Windows Media Player    http://view.liveindexer.com/ASXGenerator.aspx?mediaSKU=%2fTdYMm%2bJKKmJZ6e9W44KEQ%3d%3d   Or open in Silverlight   http://tinyurl.com/3af8dar      

Lakeland’s Crystal Lake Middle, Haines City’s Daniel Jenkins Academy and Lakeland’s Rochelle School Of The Arts are three middle schools with advanced robotics programs and instruction that competed in high-level robotics events in the 2009-2010 school year.   Most Polk middle schools have some form of robotics instruction and programs. In robotics, middle school students design, build and program robots. In one of the competitions, called the Florida LEGO League, students build robots using LEGO bricks, motors, gears and software.  ... More

Lakeland Loses to Dunedin 4-1 Lakeland Loses to Dunedin 4-1 Get more Lakeland news and information at LakelandLocal.com

Today is September 2nd. It’s hard to believe! I feel like before we know it, the chilly Fall days will be in full swing (as chilly as Florida allows) and we’ll be heading into the beloved Mitchell’s Coffee House, ordering seasonal favorites, including Chai Tea and the Pumpkin Pie Latte. In a few months, Downtown

It’s a bush! It’s a fish! It’s… italian ice? Although seemingly completely unrelated, all of these words are synononmous with “The Big Wahoo,” Lakeland’s newest italian ice/ice cream shoppe. When asked about the inspiration behind the name of the store, owner Dennis Warnick jokingly tossed out those words to explain what a “wahoo” is. Brand

Holiday Inn Lakeland-South has available dates for private and semi private Christmas banquets! Call now to make those reservations! 863-646-5731

Ritz University will be at the Gardens on September 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. leading a photography excursion! You can sign up today at any Ritz/Wolf Camera & Image in Florida! Registrants will be able to participate in a hands on photo excursion during an early morning photo shoot at Bok Tower Gardens. This class includes admission to Bok Tower Gardens, a loaner Olympus camera system and lenses. Experts will be on hand for assistance with all brands ... More

Hunters get awfully peckish when their honey-holes are trampled upon by interlopers. I’ve been in the game long enough to witness a few unfriendly interactions. Know of once great campmates refusing to speak to each other when one person or another did not respect a buffer zone. It’s childish, sure, but like any large land predator that’s staked a hunting area, trespassers that aren’t immediate kin of the pride are treated with hostility.Upon entering my favorite oak hammock last ... More

Floridians will make a very important decision when voting on Amendment 4 this November. The issue deals with an amendment that would mandate that changes to local comprehensive plans would be decided by the voters. A “mini-version” of the concept was adopted by St. Pete Beach and you may find it interesting to hear what their residents (one who actually supported the original initiative) have to say about it. To see that video, click here. Give the link a ... More

Mayor Gow Fields invites local residents to attend a new grassroots communication program called Mornings with the Mayor. These informal sessions take place over breakfast with the next event on...

Read More at http://blog.lakelandchamber.com

Lakeland, FL - The Lakeland Flying Tigers established a new single-season attendance record at Joker Marchant Stadium with tonight's crowd vs. the Dunedin Blue Jays. Kerri Koesel of Lakeland was the 61,256 th fan to pass through the gates this season. The previous mark was set in 1987 when the team drew 61,255 fans.

Sonya Holland, audit supervisor at The NCT Group, CPAs Q: What brought you to Lakeland? A: I was hired by The NCT Group, CPAs and moved to Lakeland five years ago. Q: What do you find most rewarding about your job? A: As an auditor, the most rewarding aspect of my job is working with clients in various industries. Q: Why did you join EMERGE Lakeland, and what part of being a member have you found most beneficial? A: I wanted to meet ... More

City of Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields (& Chamber Board Member) was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Mayors for a two year term. Established in 2005, the...

Read More at http://blog.lakelandchamber.com

  Dog day camp is one of the many amenities offered at Walt Disney World’s new luxury kennel, Best Friends Pet Care. See more photos at end. (Kristin Ford/Orlando Sentinel) This is one doghouse your furry friend will not mind being sent to. Walt Disney World’s new luxury kennel, Best Friends Pet Care, opened to customers Wednesday. The facility is cleverly themed with bright red fire hydrants, paw-print windows and bone-shaped swimming pools. It’s so inviting, pet owners can’t help but want to ... More

By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel In new court documents, the mother of a Disney monorail worker killed last year accuses her son’s former boss of “flippantly” vacating his duty, creating a dangerous situation that “was virtually certain to result in injury or death.” 21-year-old Disney monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg was killed on July 5, 2009 when two monorails collided. His mother, Christine Wuennenberg, filed suit against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in January. In court documents, Christine Wuennenberg accuses the monorail operations manager, ... More