Just the other day as I was reading The Ledger - Letter to the Editor - from a couple who moved to Lakeland in a couple of years ago. They expressed their gratitude and appreciation for Saturday night's Lakeland Flying Tigers baseball game that was followed by a spectacular fireworks display. I thought I would share with you in this article what the Flying Tigers are all about to support our local community whether you have lived here and perhaps have not realized that you can enjoy baseball year-round or thinking about a move to the Lakeland area. Florida and Spring Training. They’re synonymous. But when the Detroit Tigers MLB baseball club leaves for the regular season, the Lakeland Flying Tigers keep the baseball activity at Joker Marchant Stadium alive. The Lakeland Flying Tigers ar... 06/25/2009

My first ever article I wrote about Lakeland, Florida titled "I love Lakeland" was indeed short and sweet. Today, I want to take the time and elaborate more about Lakeland in greater detail and express to you what makes this town special. What Lakeland has to offer? What makes this city so special? Is there a place for you? Since residing for almost 16 years here in this charming and beautiful town in Lakeland, I have come to the realization that “there is no place like home”.  Just between Tampa and Orlando with a growing population of over 93,000 Lakeland is located in Polk County – voted in 2007 as the All-American County. Did you know that in 1883 Lakeland’s citizens were to name their town Munnville in recognition of Abraham G. Munn, a Kentucky businessman who purchased 80 acres wh... 06/12/2009

The theme for this month's First Friday event will be very familiar to fans of rock ‘n roll star, Alice Cooper.  June's First Friday will be titled, "School's Out for Summer." If you have children I probably didn't need to tell you that though, right? As per usual, shops & restaurants open late. Music and entertainment along the streets and a Classic Car Show will be on Tennessee Avenue. All along Kentucky Avenue you will found countless fun activities for the kids! Bubble-gum blowing contests, hula-hoop contests, water gun games, & an art contest. If the kids still have energy to burn, take them to the bouncy house. There will also be a DJ at Lloyd's of Lakeland, & face-painting at Lofty Ideas. Traditions Unlimited & Brooke Pottery will also host artistic-related activities. North Kent... 06/05/2009

Downtown Lakeland will host its 2nd Annual Strongman Competition on Saturday June 6th. The event runs from 11 AM - 6 PM. The contest will include an event where competitors will pull a 45-foot long, 14-foot tall, 62,600 pound luxury Fun Bike Center Bus the farthest down Kentucky Ave. There will be special appearances by Miss Florida, Mrs. Florida, & Mojo Girls. The competition will be sponsored by local restaurant, The Chop Shop.  In addition to all the feats of strength, Tony Corbitt will be "speed painting." See you there! Don't forget to visit Central Florida's premier real estate website at www.GateArty.com for all your real estate needs! 06/05/2009

On Friday June 5th, Arts on the Park will open a new art exhibit featuring multi-cultural works of art by regional artists. The exhibit features art styles from various cultures including the Caribbean, African, Latin, Folk, among others. The reception will be held at 115 North Kentucky Avenue in historic Downtown Lakeland between 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Don't forget to visit Central Florida's premier real estate website at www.GateArty.com for all your real estate needs! 06/05/2009

Kids school is out – are you ready to have some fun? Bring your parents to downtown Lakeland this Friday, June 5th starting at 6:00 PM and participate blowing the largest bubble in a bubble-gum blowing contest. I’m sure there are some great hula-hoopers in Lakeland, there will be a contest for a squirt-gun shootout and a contest for summer themed art, which takes place along Kentucky Avenue. Teaming up with our local downtown merchants, Explorations V Children’s Museum and the Polk Museum of Art, who are making sure, you will have a great start to your summer vacation during the June 5th First Friday “School’s out for the Summer” Celebration. More activities are planned for the kids such as a bounce house, face painting at Lofty Ideas and a DJ at Lloyd’s of Lakeland on North Kentucky. T... 06/03/2009

Lakeland Florida Housing Market Report for April 2009 - Bank-Owned Properties are the Name of the Game Distressed Properties continue to influence the Lakeland Florida housing market. Lakeland's average sales price of $128,093 ($69.22 per sq.ft.) for April slumped 25% from the previous year, prices dropped also 5 ¾ % from the previous month.  A slight increase in properties sold of 154 Lakeland properties were sold in April compared to 152 homes sold the previous month.      Bank-Owned properties are the "Name of the Game" The distressed homes and more importantly the bank-owned (REO) properties dominate the sales activities here in Lakeland with 88 properties sold in April and continuously over 50% of the total sales since the beginning of the year recorded in our Mid-Florida Regional ... 05/31/2009

The Keller Williams Realty office located in downtown Lakeland will be getting their hands dirty Saturday June 6th. As participants of the "Adopt A Lake" program, Keller Williams Realty will be cleaning up Lake Mirror. The festivities will begin at 9 a.m. The City of Lakeland will be providing garbage bags, garbage grabbers, vests, gloves, & nets. Refreshments will also be provided by Keller Williams Realty. Help keep our beautiful community clean! Don't forget to visit Central Florida's premier real estate website at www.GateArty.com for all your real estate needs! 05/29/2009

Hollis Garden is a formal 1.2 acre botanical garden donated to the City by the Hollis Family. The garden is located on historic Lake Mirror accessible from the Lake Mirror Promenade or Orange Street. The garden contains several water features and displays thousands of flowering plants, ornamental shrubs, historic trees, herbs and vegetables. The garden may be rented for weddings. Hollis Gardens was voted one of the Best of Class Gardens by the Gulfcoast Research and Education Center. Features Include:  Grotto Koi pond Fountains, waterfalls & lily pond Tropical room Two herb rooms Vegetable room Red room White room Yellow room Native area Butterfly garden Orchard Trees of Americana Patterned flower beds Lake Mirror Park is located on Lake Mirror in downtown. It is a historic structure li... 05/28/2009

Great news for everyone who has ever wanted to tour a house but either didn't have the time or lived too far away to make the trip. Highland Homes provides virtual tours of various model homes. These virtual tours are available anywhere you have internet access. So if your drinking coffee at the local Starbucks or sitting at home in your pajamas, you can take the virtual tour. It isn't difficult to find the tours either, Highland Homes has created a YouTube page so that anyone interested in watching the virtual tour will have easy access. Currently, eight of the model homes including Sherwood B, The Winston II B, and others are available for viewing on Youtube. This Central Florida builder thought of it all when it came to providing curious home buyers with visual footage of the homes. ... 05/27/2009

We know you're very busy and important. And not being treated that way by the businesses you support (holding for 30 minutes when calling your telephone company) these are not the customer service standards that are reflective of the friendly, hometown accomodations you will receive at our company.However, like many real estate related industries, we are trying hard to not lay off employees and stay in the "black" and with a slow down we made a difficult decision to have our call in number, automated. Now, this is not the automation that requires you to push 4 options before you speak to a real person, but just enter your party's extension or speak to an operator. This was quite a tough decision as we have always had a smiling face greet our customers in the reception area and on each p... 05/26/2009

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale – Weekly Update on New Listings 05/10/09 - 05/16/09   Lakeland Florida weekly update! Falling supply should lead to an increase in demand - right? The housing inventory continues to fall to 2053 properties in Lakeland (May 20, 2009) from the previous week. There were 58 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $154,880 or $92.23 per square foot with area Realtors®. The types of homes and average prices being actively marketed according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 4 condos listed with an average sales price of $186,925 4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $80,900 1 Townhome/Villa listed for $129,500 49 single family homes with an average price of $158,821 The priciest home that came newly on t... 05/20/2009

  Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts - Spring Choral Concert   The Harrison Choral Department under the direction of Judy McLaurin and Chad Brady is inviting you to “Spring Choral Concert” on May 21st, at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage of the Harrison School for the Arts Theater located at 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801 The Harrison Chamber Singers and the entire Choral Department will showcase some of their favorite pieces of their 2008/2009 season. This will be the last concert for this season with summer vacation upon us. As always, I was impressed by the many talents this school had to offer in the various art departments. I’m looking forward to the opening of the new building adjacent to the main stage and the many future outstanding performances. ... 05/19/2009

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale – Weekly Update on New Listings 05/03/09 - 05/09/09 Lakeland Florida Homes Just Listed - Weekly Update! The housing inventory continues to fall to 2073 properties in Lakeland (May 15, 2009) from the previous week. There were 59 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $164,878 or $93.59 per square foot with area Realtors®, resulting in a decrease of homes listed from the previous week. The types of homes and average prices being actively marketed according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are as follows: 4 duplex units listed with an average sales price of $74,875 2 condos listed with an average sales price of $84,000 6 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $78,733 47 single family homes with an average price of $18... 05/15/2009

Lakeland Florida Homes for Sale – Weekly Update on New Listings 04/26/09 - 05/02/09 Just Listed - Lakeland Florida Real Estate weekly update! There were 66 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $170,776 or $89.64 per square foot with area Realtors®, a small decrease of 4 homes listed from the previous week. While the total inventory continued showing a decline this week (2109 properties as of Thursday, May 7th) in Lakeland, the types of homes being actively marketed changes daily according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS). Amongst the newly listed properties, here is a breakdown of each property category: 1 duplex listed for $32,500 3 condos listed with an average sales price of $109,633 3 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $115,666 2 townho... 05/07/2009

Lakeland has long been known for its appreciation of public art projects. Two such projects are the "Swansation Art Project" and the "Kaleidoscope Butterflies in Flight." The intent of both projects were centered around civic awareness with the swan art benefiting local non-profits & the kaleidoscope project benefiting the CommonGround Park. Swansation is a public art project in originating in downtown Lakeland responsible for bringing the community together to celebrate one of Lakeland's most well known celebrities, the swan. This unique charitable project benefits local nonprofit organizations. The majestic swan, widely considered the mascot of this culturally rich community, is prevalent in much of its landscape. From murals, to pictures, & even sculptures, the swan lives not only at... 05/06/2009

Friday, May 1st mark's the First Friday celebration in Downtown Lakeland. This month's theme is Public Works. This week is National Public Works Week. Munn Park will be filled with displays from the various public works divisions:  · Fleet Management · Engineering · Solid Waste · Parking · Traffic · Construction & Maintenance · Facilities Management · Lake & Storm Water There will be displays throughout Munn Park from the various divisions of the Public Works Department. Now to the fun part . . . on Kentucky Avenue you might feel like you stepped back in a time machine because it will be Retro Night! There will be music courtesy of J. Derb & the 4 Barrel Holleys (6:00-7:00) and The Wedding Party (7:30-8:30). There will be a retro-style fashion show beginning at 7:30. Look for collection... 04/30/2009

Lakeland Florida Real Estate - Weekly Update of Homes for Sale There were 70 homes newly listed in Lakeland with an average sales price of $200,460 or $97.19 per square foot with area Realtors®, a decrease of 6 homes listed from the previous week. While the total inventory showed a slowly declined this week (2123 properties as of Thursday, April 30th) in Lakeland, the types of homes being actively marketed changes daily according to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS). Amongst the newly listed properties, here is a breakdown of each property category: 5 condos listed with an average sales price of $118,880 4 mobile homes listed with an average sales price of $87,925 1 townhome/villa with a sales price of $39,900 60 single family homes with an average price of $217,437 The priciest home ... 04/30/2009

Lakeland Florida  Free Local Event – First Friday “City of Lakeland Public Works Day” – May 1st   Who is “Public Works”? Those are the folks in the engineering, constructions & maintenance, solid waste management department, just to name a few, that work for the City of Lakeland. Want to learn more about your city’s Public Works, their local public works projects and their responsibilities then come to Munn Park at its downtown location viewing the displays, win prizes and have fun. As it is with every First Friday of the month, the Downtown Lakeland Partnership hosts this special free event in Lakeland, Florida for the whole family to take part and enjoy. May’s theme is “City of Lakeland Public Works Day”           "City of Lakeland Public Works Day” is from 6:00-9:00pm – Shops and res... 04/29/2009

Highland Homes hosted their annual Sales Award Banquet on Thursday, March 4th and the Lakeland Yacht Club. Among the night’s festivities, several sales managers were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and ability to rise above the negative reports in today’s media regarding the current state of the housing market. A surprise award was given to Highland Homes’ highly acclaimed Online Sales Manager of the Year, Carmen Arbizu. Carmen started her career with Highland Homes in November of 2007, and has been a valuable member of the Sales and Marketing staff, working relentlessly on providing the Sales team with quality online leads from our website and several other online mediums employed by Highland Homes. The night’s festivities went on to include an award for Top Sales Assistant... 04/27/2009