February 2018 by Today & Tonight Magazine

LAKE EVA PARK | HAINES CITY, FL

Haines City's 10th Annual BBQ Competition Sanctioned by Florida BBQ Association

FEB23 5PM-9PM | FEB24 10AM-5PM

BBQ | BEER | WINE | FOOD & CRAFT VENDORS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT | FREE ADMISSION

CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT SPONSORED BY: SURFACE PREP SUPPLY

KIDS-Q COMPETITION

SPONSORED BY: MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION

ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

FRIDAY - ALMOST THERE, BURN SATURDAY - JOSH BLEVINS, ELI MOSLEY

FOR MORE INFORMATION Haines City Parks & Recreation 555 Ledwith Avenue, Haines City, FL 33844 (863) 421-3700 www.hainescity.com

Must See at Least Once in Your Lifetime

Gifts

From Heaven

An ancient legend tells of divine beings who came down from the heavens to bestow a glorious civilization upon humankind.

In ancient times, China was known as the Land of the Divine. People believed that their civilization was a sacred gift from the heavens. Each dynasty brought with it the unique culture, customs, and dress of different divine realms. Five millennia of history and culture formed a great civilization, and it was full of wisdom - people lived in harmony with nature

and the universe, and saw a connection among all things. They treasured virtue, loyalty and integrity, and treated each other with goodness and reverence. Compassion and happiness permeated the Earth. It was a world of sages and immortals, emperors and heroes, magic and miracles - until it was lost...

We now invite you to witness this ancient legend come to life... MAR 18 Lakeland

RP Funding Center Ticket Online: Shenyun.com/FL Ph. 888.974.3698 | 863.834.8111

MAR 21-25 St. Pete

Mahaffey Theater Ticket Online: Shenyun.com/FL Ph. 888.974.3698 | 352.281.3311

“We’ve been thinking about it for the last two years. We’ve seen the advertising and we thought we should check it out, but we haven’t, and now we have, and now we wonder why we waited so long. … We’re really quite dazzled by it. Everything is beyond expectation. The performances, the dancing, are superb. The costumes are wonderful. The lighting, the use of the digital screen in a very unusual way—very inventive. It’s really, really remarkable. I would absolutely recommend the show.” — George Anthony CBC Television creative consultant, journalist

MAR 27-28 Orlando

Dr. Phillips Center Ticket Online: Shenyun.com/FL Ph. 844.513.2014 | 352.281.3311 FEBRUARY 2018

4 FEBRUARY 2018

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Pop

Culture

By Mary Joye

Unsubscribing, Canceling and Enjoying Your Life February is a time of transition. Valentine’s Day is on the way. The after-Christmas sales are winding down. It is very easy to find a broken nutcracker ornament or ugly wrapping paper. Let’s not forget President’s Day. I call it Mount Rushmore Day, because they lumped all of the wonderful leaders into a one-stop shopping holiday. Is that what our founding fathers envisioned? I’ve been to Mount Rushmore. It’s very difficult to get there. It’s worth it, but not an easy journey. However, getting to Mount Rushmore is like seeing an alligator at Circle B Ranch compared to canceling memberships, subscriptions and junk emails. Recently, I made a digital detox decision to not merely delete emails but unsubscribe. Most all of these emails are not ones I “subscribed” to in the first place. They usually come because you bought something from someone somewhere. Usually someone very, very far away. I suppose in little tiny print on the receipt you agreed to allow your email address to be sold like Cuban cigars on the black market. With tenacity, I continue to search for the unsubscribe button. It is as annoying to find as a pesky gnat flitting around a pile of bananas. Usually, it’s on the bottom of the page and takes a pair of high powered military issued binoculars to find. When located, I hit it. Nope! Then I get another screen. They want to know why I am “leaving” them like a mean girl in middle school. I’m not leaving, I am asking you to quit messing with my life. It is worse than regular clutter. Regular clutter can be somewhat useful. If you decide to get rid of

clothes or household items, that is truly “good” riddance. Cyber junk is useless. If you ask yourself, where does the time go, it is spent deleting useless emails or worse clicking on them, reading it and getting on yet another subscriber list. I have learned it sometimes doesn’t matter if you do delete. They check back later to see if you’re still sure that you don’t want emails. Don’t answer those, you will have subscribed again. I also encourage you to take a look at any automatic recurring payment withdrawals in your bank account. You may be unaware of those “free” downloads or spyware companies, gym memberships, vendors or clubs. Won’t mention names, but it took 3 phone calls, 2 emails and a harsh letter to stop a membership at a place for massages. It was supposed to help me relax and it did until I tried to stop it. I am still getting rid of “subscriptions” I didn’t know about. The worst offender is a company that reports to consumers, but I will also not name it. They will take money forever. Be careful what buttons you press, what emails you answer and what links you open. Disclamier: By reading this article I promise you will NOT be on a list. Unsubscribe to anything that impairs your life and prescribe adding good things to your life. Click here to SUBSCRIBE to ENJOYING YOUR LIFE! You will not be charged anything but you will get the credit back to you in time. Spend your points wisely. Time is valuable! So are you! QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS info@todayandtonight.com

September 7, 2015

King Features Weekly Service

POP OFF

a “In our house, we use nail polish to distinguish whose plastic leftover containers are whose. My roommate and I both bought the same set (a good deal!), and we painted a little X on the bottom and on the top of the lids in contrasting colors. So I only use the red dot ones, and she uses the dark blue.” -- M.T. in Florida

“When moving, use foam plates a •Keep makeup brushes in tip-top shape: Wash with a goodfor brush and as separators yourcleaner dinnerweekly, plates. store a jar (bristles up). serving Don’t toss Useupright kitchenin towels to wrap them in a box, bag have or drawer makeplatters. If you a boxwith thatyour sepaup! They may pick upaunwanted pigments rates glasses, drop spice jar into each and the facialUse bacteria glass. all can the compromise space, and makeup! you’ll have fewer boxes to move.” — P.L. in

aSouth If your dryer is taking a long time to run its Carolina cycle and the clothes STILL aren’t dry, check • lint To trap. remove stubborn your Follow the hosehard-water all the way to deposits a shower (withthe end, andfrom be sure to checkhead the grate that is removing useexits thisantrick: Addwall. inout place where theit), hose exterior a cup plain vinegaritto a zipLint canof build upwhite here, making hard for heat and steamsandwich to escape. bag It’s also hazard. per-top (or a fire larger bag

with added vinegar to fit larger showerheads). Submerge the shower head in the vinegar and draw the plastic bag up tightly around the stem. Use a rubber band to secure the bag around the shower head. Leave overnight. Remove, scrub and shower to release the deposits. • Borax can be used to keep sidewalks free of weeds. Simply sprinkle a little Borax on the sidewalk and sweep into the cracks. This is a very effective weed killer, but it also will kill your grass if you use too much, so keep it in the cracks only! • “Have aLESS, strippedSAVE screw?MORE Place a AT SPEND wide rubber band over the head and THE GROCERY STORE insert your drill. The rubber band fills in Benjamin the stripped spots and wrote makes Franklin famously thatthe “a penny drill screw. It works most saved iscatch a penny earned,” meaning that money not I love tothetalk about food. Toofme, the time.” Nebraska spent isismoney inD.D. your in pocket. If saving money is food the—universal common denomon •your mind these one of the has best places to “Make audiodays, recordings or short inator, because everyone to eat. is with your budget. Small changes in your videos of youfood reading your children’s Istart love talking with strangers about shopping food consumption add up, favoriteand books, then playhabits for can them the foods they loved as a child, or helping you save lots of money. when you are busy doing housework, recipes they like to prepare, because working or cooking.” — K.A. in Orethose stories aretips often Here some forsome of their gon are happiest and a window budget-friendly shopping: • If you memories have a sticky zipper, try run-into their culture. • Compare brands and look at the of food ning a candle along the zippercost face, per serving. If you will use all of it, the bulk or My special Roasted Vegetable then zipping it up and down a few economy often (but a better price Croustade isnota always) crowd-pleaser. times. size isrecipe per serving. Use a calculator to figure the actual cost It’s a great side adish your appetizer tips to Nowor Here’s Tip, for perSend serving. folks who aren’t vegetarians, a lovely 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL • Buy non-food items from discount stores. 32803. main course for cleaning those supplies who are, This includes pet food, and and

Croustade Will Tempt Even Non-Vegetarians

• Purchase the store’s brand of products as much ROASTED VEGETABLE as possible. Many large chains have private-label agreements with major food producers. It’s the same CROUSTADE product as name-brand labels, but with the store’s packaging a lower price. To Roastandthe Vegetables: •1You’llcup pay more junkdivided foods and conveoliveforoil, nience foods: Ready-to-cook or already cooked 3 red potatoes, scrubbed and foods are more expensive. If you prepare it yourself, you’ll savequartered money and have control over what goes 2 food,yellow squash, into foods in the such as less fat and sliced salt. Nutritious are a better1/2-inch-thick value. Remember, slices the fiber in fruits and vegetables fills you up and keeps hunger away. 10 Brussels sprouts, halved •4Lookgreen high andonions, low. Bargains usually on the rootareends top or bottom shelves, not at eye level. removed • Cook once, eat twice. Buy enough ingredients 1 large into meal-sized 1/2-inch to cook more thancarrot, one meal cut and freeze pieces portions. This also ensures that you’ll use leftovers and won’t waste food. 2 celery roots, peeled, trimmed

and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

This usesof a roasted and a 1 week’s largerecipe head garlic,chicken separatfew simple ingredients for two meals. Serve the Herb ed into cloves, smashed and and Lemon Roasted Chicken with your favorite peeled sides for one meal. Reserve two cups of chicken meat 1 teaspoon salt and use it for the Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta. One 1 chicken, served twice, savespepper money! teaspoon black

tablespoons Italian seasoning

HERB LEMON ROASTED 1/4 AND teaspoon sugar

1. Heat the oven to 400 F. Pour 1/2 SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER AT WWW.TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM cup of the olive oil on a large sheet pan or jelly-roll pan, 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 1 inch, coating pan with the oil.

a “I purchased a couple glass-cleaning cloths that were nice and big. I used my sewing machine to sew the edges together and make a little sack. It stores my reading glasses, and I can keep them clean and not scratched up.” -- R.E. in Missouri

a “I wanted to use my staple gun to attach a cord along a board for a craft project. I taped a craft stick to the bottom so that the staple would not go in all the way, leaving an allowance for the cord. I just used extra-long staples. It worked great and turned out very secure, and I didn’t have to worry about a staple slicing up an electrical cord!” -- F.D. in Texas

the remaining 1/2 cup of oil, the potatoes, squash, Brussels sprouts, green onions, carrot, celery roots, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and sugar until the vegetables are coated. Carefully place vegetables on the heated pan and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once after 10 minutes. Allow vegetables to cool before mixing with the tofu cream filling. To Make the Tofu Cream Filling: 1 container (4 ounces) light whipped cream cheese CHICKEN ounces silken tofu, 14(5 1/2 pounds)soft, chicken drained 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1 smallcup yellow onion, cut in half and peeled 1/2 light mayonnaise 1/2 lemon (reserve the rest for 2nd recipe) 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 2 cloves garlic, peeled (reserve the rest for the 1/2 teaspoon salt 2nd recipe) 1/2 black pepper Olive teaspoon oil for drizzling

ter- or ol spray, ligh casserole d Place shee pieces of f overlappin croustade spray the p 3. Place baking dis lapping th cream-che the pastry. center, fol the filling, form a bow In a sma and water t pastry wit croustade

2 tablespoons poultry seasoning

1. Heat oven to 425 F. Line a rimmed sheet tray with parchment paper. 2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Place chicken on sheet tray. Sprinkle salt and pepper inside and outside of the chicken. Place the onion, half a lemon and the garlic into the cavity of the chicken. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the poultry seasoning on the outside of the chicken and rub the mixture all over the chicken. 3. Roast chicken for 1 1/2 hours, until the juices run clear and a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 F. Remove from oven and rest for 20 minutes before carving. Makes 4 servings.

CREAMY LEMON CHICKEN PASTA

1 pound penne or ziti 3 ounces cream cheese 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon salt groundbowl, black pepper In1 teaspoon a large mix togeth1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes er the whipped cream 2 cups frozen peas, thawed cheese, tofu, Parmesan, mayonnaise, Italian 2 cups cooked, skinless, shredded chickensea-

soning, salt and pepper until smooth. 1. Bring a large water to Refrigerate forpot30of salted minutes toa boil blend over high heat. Stir in pasta and cook according to flavors. Mix the cooled, roasted vegepackage directions. tables witha small the tofu filling until 2. Using bowl, cream mash cream cheese, cream, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, poultry seawell-blended.

the pastry allow to c a spatula, from the b sheets of move it on warm or at

soning, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and pepper and the

pepper flakesthe together with a fork. To Make Croustade: 3. Set aside 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, and drain pasta. Return pasta to pot and add cream thawed cheese mixture, peas and chicken. Stir in cooking 1 Season egg with remaining salt and pepper. liquid. Makes 6 servings. water 1 4 totablespoon 1. Thaw pastry sheet at room tem-5 FEBRUARY 2018 perature for 40 minutes. The oven should already be heated to 400 F if the vegetables were roasted in it, or

Angela award-win culinary h of five coo book, “Th Kitchen,” i known as the execut “The Kitch

S T N E T N O C F O E L B A T

TODAY & TONIGHT MAGAZINE Volume 14 Issue 8 February 2018 7

Ovation Bistro and Bar

18 Haines City's Ribs on The Ridge 20 Bringing Back The Blues with The Blue Rooster Band 28 Valentine's Day Fun Facts

COLUMNS: 5

Pop Off at Pop Culture

Kitchen Diva

Now Here’s a Tip

Flash Back Music Trivia

28 On-o-mato-poe-ia 30 Tracey's Tid-Bits 31 The Sweet Spot

THE FUN & AMUSING:

18 Ribs On The Ridge

32 Crossword

LISTINGS: 10 Local Live Music 12 Snap Shotz

PUBLISHER/EDITOR: ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER:

CHRIS DOUGLAS TRACEY GREENE

COLUMNS TRACEY GREENE MARY JOYE GRANT STAR

Valentine's Day Fun Facts

22 Restaurant Guide

We are officially smooth sailing through the new year, can you believe it? Already February! Sad to say our weather is already warming up, but that means spring is right around the corner and lots of local festivals are underway. February has always been a favorite month of mine, with so many upcoming things to do, it definitely keeps us all busy here at T&T Mag. Make sure to check out our monthly calendar and listings on our website www.todayandtonight.com where local readers and businesses have been listing events since we launched! It’s a great tool to figure out what’s going on each month and how to plan your weekend. Also, we can’t forget about Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Remember that special someone and also support our small businesses: shop, eat and play local right here in our own back yard! Browse through our February issue and check out what your best option might be. Maybe a romantic dinner for two or an evening theater show or maybe you just want to surprise that special someone with jewelry or a tasty treat. Just remember our local businesses and show them some Valentine’s LOVE too! Expect More, Get More, We Deliver. Chris Douglas Publisher/Editor

STAFF

The Blue Rooster Band

32 Brain Exercise

EDITOR’S NOTE

26 Calendar of Events

ERICA SMITH BRIAN BRUCHEY

EDITORIAL ERICA SMITH AMY SUMERLIN JAMES COULTER

MARY JOYE ELIZABETH MORRISEY

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS DOUGLAS

MIKE POTTHAST

SALES TRACEY GREENE - VP of Advertising BOB CURTIS - Senior Executive Media Director MELANIE BROWN - Advertising Representative WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR NEW SALES REPS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE SEND INFO TO TRACEY@TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM

Tell Us What You Think

SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO: Today & Tonight Magazine, PO BOX 2612, Winter Haven, FL 33883 Email: chris@todayandtonight.com. Letters must be signed, please include your town and phone number.

Happy Valentine's Polk County! 6 FEBRUARY 2018

PUBLISHED BY: Today & Tonight, Inc. PO Box 2612 Winter Haven, FL 33883 Phone: 863.401.8001 email: chris@todayandtonight.com Reproduction in whole or in part of this magazine is prohibited without written permission from Today & Tonight, Inc. Copyright, 2017 by Today & Tonight, Inc. Submissions: Today & Tonight Magazine welcomes unsolicited manuscripts.

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ON THE MENU

Braised Osso Bucco Lamb Shank with homemade cheesy grits and carrots.

OVATION BISTRO Winter Haven Restaurant is a Smokin' Hit

By Amy Sumerlin Photos By Chris Douglas “I originally got into the restaurant business,” Joel Rodriguez said with a chuckle, “because my brother talked me into it – he said the girls were pretty.” No one could have ever imagined that this part-time job at a local Outback Restaurant, while Joel was in college, would lead to the successful restaurant enterprise, Ovation, with two locations in Polk County. BROTHERLY LOVE It’s no doubt that Joel Rodriguez and his younger brother, Fernando, share a special bond. Each graduated Haines City High School, and they both chose the military: One served in the Army, the other the Army National Guard. Joel had finished his first tour in the Army when Fernando’s National Guard Unit was activated and sent to Afghanistan. “I reenlisted, so we could serve in Afghanistan together,” he remembered. During that second enlistment, Joel found time to finish his MBA. Upon their return, the brothers came home and pursued similar careers with Outback Steakhouse. Joel climbed the ranks of staff and eventually served five years as managing partner of an Outback in Clermont. His brother’s career was equally upwardly mobile, and he held the same position for a while longer at an Outback in Winter Park.

BBQ nachos with house kettle chips piled high with cheese sauce, bacon, chives, served with choice of chicken, beef or pork.

A BREAK Long hours and quite a bit of travel – for two years of his time with Outback, Joel was a floating Manager – took a toll

FEBRUARY 2018

Ovation Bistro bartender Amanda Dutheil is ready to serve up your favorite cocktails.

on him. “I remember the Easter of 2013 like yesterday,” he explained. “I had worked two shifts and had missed Easter with my young daughter. When I finally got home that night, I opened her bedroom door and there was a ‘big kid’ in her bed, not a little girl… it was just obvious to me that I was just missing a lot of her life.” “By this time, my wife had her Ph.D. and we were in a position where I could take a step back; take some time off.” THAT DIDN’T LAST LONG Joel’s energy – and love for the restaurant business – wouldn’t allow him to stay out of the game long. “I sat at home and watched shows like Bar Rescue, and I just knew I could do it better than these folks,” he reminisced. “And one day, my wife came home and I told her, ‘I’m going to open my own restaurant.” After a short search for just the right location, Joel decided upon the spot in Davenport that was once the End Zone Sports Bar. “I wanted to start fresh, and we cleaned it completely out.” Joel worked side by side with a handyman, removing furniture and even tearing down walls. “And I maxed out all my credit cards,” he said. TESTING THE MENU The restaurant’s doors opened in 2014, and to no one’s surprise, the brothers worked together on the menu, testing the recipes on friends and family first. Once, one recipe was so delicious that the testers began clapping. Soon, many of the recipes deserved that round of applause… and a simple synonym search on clapping led to the idea that Ovation would be their brand. NOT AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS Those first few months the door were open in Davenport, business did not come rolling in. “We weren’t doing

8 FEBRUARY 2018

great,” he explained. “And then it was June,” he continued; “I was anticipating it to be dead… but all of the sudden, it wasn’t.” Sure enough, that month they did more than double the income of previous months – and in July, they did triple. The Rodriguez brothers had a hit. By 2015, Joel had cleared all of that credit card debt, and had talked Fernando into joining him full time. “By 2016,” he said, “we wanted to open another restaurant.” WINTER HAVEN They began looking for their new location, and the plaza on Cypress Gardens came to their attention because it is owned by the same investors who own the plaza in Davenport. The lease was executed in December 2016, but due to construction and construction delays (think Hurricane Irma), the restaurant didn’t open until October 9, 2017. “It was really nice,” Joel explained with a laugh, “no credit card debt this time.” EATING THERE I really didn’t know much the new restaurant in Winter Haven, Ovation, except that it was just that – new, and even better for me, close to my house. “Who wants to check out Ovation with me?” I asked, as a group of us encircled a fire pit. I received a resounding “yes” from Paige and Heather, who were familiar with – and loved – the Davenport location. I was impressed the minute I walked in: It’s classy, with an upscale feel. Well-appointed leather booths and insignias branded into the table lend itself to this feel, but luckily for me, the upscale feel stops at the menu – not one price on it startled me, and house wines were 2-for-1 that Sunday afternoon.

With a comfortable atmosphere you are sure to enjoy any meal.

We started lunch off with the Fried Pickles ($7.00). Just the right amount of breading made the spears disappear quickly. Next, I tried the Sizzling Steak Wedge Salad ($13.90), and everyone at the table commented how pretty it was when placed in front of me. Pretty is nice, but better, it was delicious: Sirloin (done a perfect Medium, just as I asked), iceberg lettuce wedge, grape tomatoes, onions, blue cheese crumbles, blue cheese dressing, bacon, and balsamic glaze – all came together so nicely. The serving was generous, too – enough steak left over for another meal. I expected Paige to get steak, too, but she chose the Woodfire Grilled Chicken ($13.00), and she was very happy with her meal. This entrée is one of Ovation’s Signature Dishes. What does that mean? Every time someone orders a Signature Dish, Rodriguez donates a meal to Feeding America Tampa Bay. This was generous, too – she happily packed a box for the next day’s lunch. Heather chose the California Chicken sandwich ($10.00), which features grilled chicken breast, bacon, guacamole, herb aioli, lettuce and

tomato – and that now-familiar Ovation insignia “branded” on the bun… a very clever touch. Next time, I will find out why they were named #1 Smokehouse in Central Florida, and try their Beef Brisket ($13.50) – a lot of people swear by it, because they can sell as much as 20 pounds of brisket every day! We ended the meal by sharing one piece of their creamy, authentic New York cheesecake with strawberries ($6.50). It was good enough that I might stop by just for dessert someday. So if you’re looking for an intimate, trendy atmosphere – but you also just want great food, give one of their locations a try. In fact, February is a great time to do just that – they are running a Valentine’s special the 12th through 14th – a four course dinner for two, starting at $55. It includes an appetizer, two side salads, two entrees, a dessert to share, and a bottle of Sycamore Lane wine. I imagine you will find it a decision worthy of applause. FMI: Ovation, 42605 Hwy 27, Davenport, and 7130 Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. OvationBistro. com

Customers Evelyn and Bonnie enjoy a nice glass of wine with their lunch.

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1. What do The Average White Band, Bay City Rollers and Simple Minds have in common?

often are mistaken as being from England.

OREO

1. What do The Average White 2. “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” Band, Bay City Rollers and Simple released after his military service 2. Name the 1927 song that Elvis Presley released in 1960in thatcommon? went was completed. The recording Minds have company didn’t really like it and to No. 1 for six weeks. 2. Name the 1927 song Elvis thought it wouldthat go nowhere. 3. How long was the single “YesPresley released in3.1960 that went to Very long. The 1973 “song” by terday Once More”? PETEY No. 1 for six weeks.Richard Carpenter and John Bet4. What instrument did Marv Tar- tis was actually eight 1960s tunes How long was allthe single “Yesterstrung together, taking up one plin3. play, and in which group? whole side of an album. day Once More”? 5. Name the song that contains 4. He played guitar with Smokey this4. lyric: “So long instrument boy, you can What did Marv Tarplin take my place, got my papers, I’ve Robinson and the Miracles. play, and inmywhich got my pay, So pack bags and group? River,” by Christie, I’ll be on my way ...” 5. Name the song5.in “Yellow that contains this 1970. Although the song was ANSWERS during the Vietnam War, CHANCE lyric: “So long boy,released you can take my 1. They all originated in Scotsongwriter Jeff Christie has said land. The country place, gothas produced my papers, gothomemy it’s about a I’ve soldier going at a long list of excellent bands that the end of the Civil War. pay, So pack my bags and I’ll be on my way ...” COMMUNITY SNIPPETS Answers score, featuring popular standards Rogers andall originated The Humane Society of Polk County 1. They in Scotland. like Some Enchanted Evening, I'm 3195 Dundee Road • Winter Haven, FL 33884 Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa Hammerstein’s www.PolkNoKill.org • (863) 324-5227 The country has produced a long list My Hair, and Bali Ha’i. Tuesday-Friday 11:30-6pm and Sat 10-4 pm. South Pacificbands that Musicoften by Richard are Rodgersmisof excellent Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Veterinarian of the Month With a Pulitzer Prize and ten Tony taken as being from England. Book by Oscar Hammerstein II awards, this Rogers and Hammerstein and Joshua Logan 2.is considered “Are toYou Lonesome Tonight,” classic be one of the Directed by James Beck; Musical greatest musicals of the twentieth direction by Christianne Roll. was released after his military service century! Set in an island paradise during World War II, South Pacific recording Time: February 15, 2018 at 7:30pm completed. The compatells two parallel love stories of couFebruary 25, 2018 at 2:30pm ny didn’tthe dangers really liketoLocation: it and thought it ples confronting of prejFlorida Southern udice and war with an unforgettable would go nowhere. College. www.flsouthern.edu 3. Very long. The 1973 “song” by SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER AT WWW.TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM FEBRUARY 2018 Richard Carpenter and John Bettis Oreo is a very sweet little boy, loves children, cats, and some dogs. Needs to find his forever home.

Petey is a lovable and goofy fellow. He is about 2 years old. He is house broken and loves to play ball. He is very smart and eager to please. Happiest in a home with old children.

Chance is 90 lbs of loyalty. This 3 1/2 year old Mountain Cur was displaced through no fault of his own. His is house broken and a bit nervous in his new surroundings and looking for his forever home.

Dr. Patricia Mattson came to Lakeland from Albnany, Georgia, her hometown. She grew up with a strong family background surrounded by hunting dogs and owned her own horse since the age of 10. She originally attended veterinary school with the goal of becoming an equine practitioner but opted for our small animal friends instead. She graduated from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. After working for one year in Georgia, Dr. Mattson decided to return to sunny Florida where she worked for various clinics over the past eighteen years. She opened Companion Animal Hospital in 2009 where she strives to have a great facility with a caring and friendly staff.

Dr. Mattson

January 22, 2018

BETTY ANN

Betty Ann is a black and white female domestic short hair mix. She is approximately 1 year, 6 months old. Betty Ann was found cold and hungry one night behind the Lion's Club by a sweet lady.

FEBRUARY CONCERT CALENDAR PRESENTED BY JESSIE’S LOUNGE SATURDAY, FEB 3

JOSH BLEVINS BAND (Old Man Frank’s, WH) BLUE ROOSTER/ ALMOST THERE/GLASS HOUSE POINT/SPIRIT AND THE COSMIC HEART/JIM & JUDY’S BIG ASS JAM/BEN MEYER/ SOUL2EARTH (Smoke on Water Event, WH) WONDERLAND (Off The Chain, WH) LUBECK (Molly McHugh’s, LKD)

SUNDAY, FEB 4

HIGHWAY STARZ (Old Man Frank’s, WH) LUBECK (Tanner’s Lakeside, WH) JOSH BLEVINS BAND (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, WH) ESCAPING PAVEMENT (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH)

MONDAY, FEB 5

LUBECK (Molly McHugh’s, LKD)

TUESDAY, FEB 6 ED WRIGHT (Ybor Lounge, LKD) FOY (Apple Lounge, WH)

WEDNESDAY, FEB 7 BIG ASS JAM w/JIM AND JUDY (Jessie’s Lounge, WH) DAN SIGNOR (Ybor Lounge, LKD)

THURSDAY, FEB 8 MICKENZIE PEISHER (Jessie’s Lounge, WH) 10 FEBRUARY 2018

CURT BEASLEY & TY JOHNSON (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, ADL) RAIN: BEATLES TRIBUTE (RP Funding Center, LKD) SIMPLY COUNTRY (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) BRIMER TRIO (Ybor Lounge, LKD) S.G. WOODS (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH)

FRIDAY, FEB 9

SMALL TOWN GIRLS7p/ ALMOST THERE8p/ JOSH BLEVINS BAND10p (LW Mardi Gras, LW) T MIKE & DUKE (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, ADL) ADDED FLAVOR BAND (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) PRAISE IN THE PARK (Central Park, WH) RED HOT ROOSTER (New Grove Lounge, DUN) SOUTHERN BLEND (Apple Lounge, WH) 22N (Ybor Lounge, LKD) THE JAZZ PHOOLS (Lakeland Loft, LKD) LAURIE & RUSTY WRIGHT (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH) JOEL (Amalie Arena, TMP)

SATURDAY, FEB 10

SOUTHERN LEGACY (Old Man Frank’s, WH) VINNIE PAULOOZA & MIKEY SHOW 11:30P/ MRS. MURPHY’S CHOWDER 1P/ SOUTHERN LEGACY 2:30P/ JOE WILL BAND4:30P/

BLACK EYED SOOZIE6P/B. HAVEN 7:30P/ TOM JACKSON BAND9P (LW Mardi Gras, LKD) POLK COUNTY PORCH PICKERS (LA’s Midway Saloon, LA) KAT & THE DAWGS (Tanner’s Lakeside, WH) VEGAN ZOMBIES (New Grove Lounge, DUN) JOSH BLEVINS BAND (Ybor Lounge, LKD) BOBBY JAMES (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH) SEAN CHAMBERS (Music Ranch, LKD) 10,000 PAPERCUTS (Off The Chain, WH) DEAN JOHANESEN (Fresco’s, LKD)

SUNDAY, FEB 11

PATRICK RENNEY 2p/ ALMOST THERE 7p (Old Man Frank’s, WH) BOBBY JAMES (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, WH) JOHN FRINZI (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH) NICKY JAM & PLAN B (Amway Center, ORL)

MONDAY, FEB 12

LUBECK (Molly McHugh’s, LKD)

TUESDAY, FEB 13

LUBECK (Apple Lounge, WH) GLEN JOHNSON AND CAL LANE SHOW (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) ED WRIGHT (Ybor Lounge, LKD)

WEDNESDAY, FEB 14 BIG ASS JAM w/JIM AND JUDY (Jessie’s Lounge, WH)

LUBECK (Tanner’s Lakeside, WH) DANIEL O’DONNELL (RP Funding Center, LKD) KALEIGH BAKER (Jensen’s Corner Bar, WH) PHIL SCHNEIDER AND ACOUSTIC STAGE (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) ANDREA BOCELLI wsg KRISTIN CHENOWETH (Amalie Arena, TMP)

LUKE WILMOTH (801 E Main St, LKD)

ED WRIGHT (Ybor Lounge, LKD)

SATURDAY, FEB 17

WEDNESDAY, FEB 21

PICKUP ARTISTS (Old Man Frank’s, WH) SHANNON REED BAND/ BLUE ROOSTERS/ SOUL2EARTH (LA’s Midway Saloon, LA) LUBECK (Wheelhouse/19th Hole, DVPT) TOM JACKSON BAND THURSDAY, FEB 15 (New Grove Lounge, CONCERT FOR THE DUN) KIDS: BLIND SIGHTED BRETT YOUNG/ (Ybor Lounge, LKD) BRANGER EL-DUB SMITH/FRANKIE (Jensen’s Corner Bar, BALLARD/ WH) SCOTTY MC CREEY/ MELISSA CRISPO RUNAWAY JUNE (Grove Roots Brew Co, (RP Funding Center, LKD) WH) DAVID BRIMER RUSTY & LAURIE (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, WRIGHT ADL) (Tempo 1930, WH) LUBECK ANDREW SAPIN (Cherry Pocket, LW) (Brass Tap, LKD) SIMPLY COUNTRY wsg HANK HENRY SUNDAY, FEB 18 (Lundyville Music Hall, JOSH BLEVINS BAND ADL) (Old Man Frank’s, WH) T MIKE & DUKE CURT BEASLEY & (Grove Roots Brew Co, TY JOHNSON WH) (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, WH) FRIDAY, FEB 16 WONDERLAND OAKLEE BOYZ (Caribbean Bay, WH) (LA’s Midway Saloon, LA) SPIT FIRE SOUTHERN BLEND (New Grove Lounge, (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, DUN) WH) DREW WILLIAMS WONDERLAND (Grove Roots Brew Co, (New Grove Lounge, WH) DUN) DULCIMER NIGHT MONDAY, FEB 19 (Central Park, WH) LUBECK RUMOR HAZIT (Molly McHugh’s, LKD) (Apple Lounge, WH) NRG Tuesday, Feb 20 (Ybor Lounge, LKD) FOY TREVOR BYSTROM (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH) (Apple Lounge, WH)

BIG ASS JAM w/JIM AND JUDY (Jessie’s Lounge, WH) LUBECK (Cherry Pocket, LW) PHIL SCHNEIDER AND ACOUSTIC STAGE (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) DAN SIGNOR (Ybor Lounge, LKD) MARY J. BLIGE (Amalie Arena, TMP)

THURSDAY, FEB 22

OAKLEE BOYZ (LA’s Midway Saloon, LA) ACOUSTIC DOSE (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, ADL) SIMPLY COUNTRY wsg CAROL MC NAUGHTON (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) BRIMER TRIO (Ybor Lounge, LKD) DAN SIGNOR (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH)

FRIDAY, FEB 23

ACOUSTIC DOSE (Old Man Frank’s, WH) ALMOST THERE/BURN (Ribs on the Ridge, HC) DAN SIGNOR (Jensen’s Corner Bar, WH) JOHN FRINZI (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, ADL) LES DUDEK (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) JUG BROTHERS BAND (Central Park, WH) SPIT FIRE (New Grove Lounge, DUN) BLUE ROOSTERS (Apple Lounge, WH)

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Stimulus Nimbus with Misty Rhinehart 4X (Ybor Lounge, LKD) PAUL MAZZ BACK PORCH BAND (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH)

SATURDAY, FEB 24

BLUE ROOSTERS (LA’s Midway Saloon, LA) JOSH BLEVINS BAND/ ELI MOSLEY (Ribs on the Ridge, HC) BLACKWATER (New Grove Lounge, DUN) STRAIGHTJACKET SMILE (Ybor Lounge, LKD) THE HUMMINGBIRDS (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH) BOGGY CREEK (Harley Davidson, LKD) STUMBLE FOX (Duke’s Brewhouse, LKD) ANDY SHREEVE (Patio 850, LKD) 10,000 PAPERCUTS (Johnny G’s, LKD)

SUNDAY, FEB 25

AGGIE ROAD (Old Man Frank’s, WH) DAVID BRIMER (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, WH) FREE WHISKEY BAND (Grove Roots Brew Co, WH)

MONDAY, FEB 26

LUBECK (Molly McHugh’s, LKD)

TUESDAY, FEB 27 LUBECK (Apple Lounge, WH) ED WRIGHT (Ybor Lounge, LKD)

DEAD & COMPANY (Amway Center, ORL)

WEDNESDAY, FEB 28 BIG ASS JAM w/JIM AND JUDY (Jessie’s Lounge, WH)

THURSDAY, MAR 1

CELTIC WOMAN (RP Funding Center, LKD) BOBBY JAMES (Idle Zone Bar & Grill, ADL) SIMPLY COUNTRY wsg BILL COLE (Lundyville Music Hall, ADL) DAN SIGNOR (Ybor Lounge, LKD) THE OAKRIDGE BOYS 3:30P/ GARY ALLAN 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

FRIDAY, MAR 2

MUSTANG SALLY & THE HAMJOS (Music in Central Park, WH) RUSTY & LAURIE WRIGHT (Tempo 1930, WH) JERRY LEE LEWIS 3:30P/ JUSTIN MOORE wsg DYLAN SCOTT 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

SATURDAY, MAR 3

BLIND SIGHTED (Old Man Frank’s, WH) CAM 3:30P/ BIG & RICH wsg COWBOY TROY 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

SUNDAY, MAR 4

LEE GREENWOOD 3:30P/ REBA MC ENTIRE 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

MONDAY, MAR 5

JIMMY FORTUNE 3:30P/ JOSH TURNER 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

TUESDAY, MAR 6

BLIND SIGHTED (Old Man Frank’s, WH) ED WRIGHT (Ybor Lounge, LKD) GAITHER VOCAL BAND 3:30P/ CASTING CROWNS 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

WEDNESDAY, MAR 7

BIG ASS JAM w/JIM AND JUDY (Jessie’s Lounge, WH) UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND AND SOLDIERS CHORUS (RP Funding Center, LKD) ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK3:30P/TRACE ADKINS7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

THURSDAY, MAR 8

DRIFTERS, PLATTERS, AND CORNELL GUNTER’S COASTERS3:30P/ VANILLA ICE, SALT-NPEPA AND TONE LOC 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

FRIDAY, MAR 9 PRAISE IN THE PARK (Central Park, WH)

CHARLEY PRIDE 3:30P/

EARTH, WIND & FIRE 7:30P (FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

SATURDAY, MAR 10 NATHAN BALDWIN BAND (Old Man Frank’s, WH)

JOSH BLEVINS BAND

(Tanner’s Lakeside, WH) DEAN JOHANESEN (Fresco’s, LKD)

SAWYER BROWN 3:30P/ KENNY “BABYFACE” EDMONDS

& ANTHONY HAMILTON 7:30P

(FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

SUNDAY, MAR 11 ALMOST THERE

(Old Man Frank’s, WH)

CHASE BRYANT 3:30P/ BRAD PAISLEY 7:30P

(FL Strawberry Festival, P CTY)

ATTENTION BANDS & VENUES Keep us up to date. Send live music info to tracey@todayandtonight.com Deadline is the 23rd of each month prior to publication.

FEBRUARY 2018

SNAPSHOTZ

Presented By Brew Hounds Sports Lounge

AUBURNDALE

Mulligan’s Bartow Golf Club 150 N. Idlewood (863) 533-1668 Thu, Karaoke 7-10p

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 102 W. Polk Street (863) 968-0010 Full Liquor Sports Bar TVs for the Games

The Wine Stable 150 S. Broadway (863) 533-9463 Full Bar Live Music

Bottoms Up Sports Bar

DAVENPORT

Call your favorite bar For more information!

419 E. Bridgers Ave (863) 845-2913

Karaoke, Pool Tables Silver Strike Bowling Beer & Wine

Find Us On Facebook Brew Hounds Sports Lounge 318 Havendale Blvd. (863) 967-2739 Wed, Trivia 6p

Thu, Hospitality Night/$3 wells Thu & Sat, Dart Tourn. 8p

Sat & Sun, Beer Bckt Specials Feb 10, Chili Cook Off Party Idle Zone (Downtown) 117 E Lake Ave (863) 875-7932 Sat, Karaoke 8p Live Music 7p Sports Packages/TVs Extended Menu: Steaks, Oysters, Tuna, Full Bar!

BABSON PARK The Crooked Bass Grill/ Tavern 1010 N. Scenic Hwy. (863) 589-5887 Full Liquor Seafood, Steaks & Burgers Live Music Fri & Sat Pool Table & Darts

BARTOW Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 120 East Van Fleet Drive (863) 534-3111 Full Liquor Sports Bar Fun Bar 3379 US Hwy 17N (863) 800-3400 Karaoke Pool Table & Darts

12 FEBRUARY 2018

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 45653 US Hwy 27 (863) 420-3350 Full Liquor Great Wings, Sandwiches, Burgers, Wraps Lucky’s Corner Pocket 43356 Hwy 27 (863) 420-0100 Full Liquor Pool Hall; 7 Pro Tables Outdoor Beer Garden Fri & Sun Karaoke w/Lon The Wheelhouse Bar 42637 US Hwy 27 (863) 353-6880 TVs, Pool Table Darts, Jukebox Wed & Sat, Karaoke 9p The Wheelhouse @19th Hole 102 Polo Park East (863) 424-4560 Tue & Fri, Karaoke 9p Thu, Trivia 8-10p

DUNDEE

HAINES CITY All Star Grill

94 Maxcy Plaza Circle (863) 422-3455 Amos Tavern

200 US Highway 17 92 N (863) 422-1459

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 902 Polk City Rd (863) 419-4848 Full Liquor Sports Bar Big Screen TVs Frank E’s Lakeside 1090 Shady Cove Rd E (863) 574-9830 Fri-Sun Live Music Great Sunsets Rudy’s Liquorup Lounge 600 Ingraham Ave (863) 422-8585 Karaoke, Darts, Billiards Live Bands Happy Hour 12-7p Shady Cove Bar & Grill 7140 State Road 544 E. (863) 421-6800 Full Liquor/Hpy Hr 4-7p Open Daily 12p Daily AUCE Food Specials Daily Drink Specials Live Music

LAKE ALFRED

The New Grove Lounge (1/4 m north of Dundee Rd) 28390 US Hwy 27 (863) 439-1537 Sun, Specials/Entertain. Tue, Industry Night Wed, Acoustics Live 8p Thu, Country Night Fri & Sat Live Music

LA’s Midway Saloon (Across from WH Airport) 3900 Lynchburg Rd (863) 875-7966 Hpy Hr 11-3p; Specials M-F Wed, Karaoke w/Alice 3rd Fri, Bike Bash Feb 10, LA’s Bday Bash Feb 14, Vday Party

FROSTPROOF

LAKELAND

P & J Recreation 33 South Scenic Hwy (863) 635-9825 Home of Famous Slaw Burger!

FT. MEADE Pit Stop Package & Lounge 800 Charleston Ave (863) 285-8732

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s North 1070 Wedgewood Estates Blvd (863) 853-9464 Full Liquor Sports Bar 2-4-1 All Day, Everyday

40+ HD TVs w/sports pkgs

— Continued Page 15 WWW.TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM • FIND US ON FACEBOOK

FEBRUARY 2018

14 FEBRUARY 2018

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SNAPSHOTZ

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s South 4810 S FL Ave (863) 646-7757 Full Liquor Sports Bar 2-4-1 All Day, Everyday 40+ HD TVs w/sports pkgs The Boondocks 8515 Hwy 98 North (863) 858-3355 Wed, Pool Tourny Fri & Sat, Live Band 9p Champino’s Rest & Pizzeria, Sandpiper Plaza 6617 N. Socrum Loop Rd (863) 937-8866 Happy Hr 3-7p Full Liquor Bar Direct TV Sun, Brunch Champs Sports Bar & Grill 6645 S Florida Ave (863) 647-5900 Happy Hr 3-7p Daily Specials Mon .50 Tacos 5-10p Wed .35 Boneless Wings 5-10p Cob & Pen 1221 S. Florida Ave (863) 937-8126 Craft Beer & Wine Fine Bar Food Decisions Grill & Bar 1621 E. Edgewood Dr Ste G (863) 686-6441 Even Par Sports Bar Oak Plaza North 5100 US Hwy 98 N, Ste 13 (863) 816-7995 Happy Hr 4-6p Daily NFL Sunday Ticket/MLB Package $12 Buckets Dart Tournaments Fresco’s Bistro & Wine Bar 132 S. Kentucky Ave (863) 683-5267 Happy Hr 5-7 Monthly Beer/Wine Pairings Great Bistro Fare/Late Menu Live Music

Gator’s Dockside Highland City 5135 S.R. 98 (863) 619-7627 Food, Full Bar Open late night

EMAIL US YOUR

SNAPSHOTZ TO: SNAPSHOTZ@ TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM

YOU MIGHT SEE YOUR PHOTO IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Hookah Palace 122 S. Kentucky Ave (863) 688-1818 House DJ Mon-Thu, Nightly Specials Fri/Sat, Belly Dancers Isle of Capri 541 S Combee Rd (863) 665-6246 Food, Beer/Wine Hpy Hr 3-6p; $1.50 Drft Wed, Ladies Night 7p Wed-Sun, 8-Ball/9-Ball 6p Thu-Sun, Karaoke 9p Johnny G’s 5153 US Hwy 98N (863) 858-3366 Hpy Hr Mon-Fri 4-6p Tue, Ladies Night $1 Drinks Wed, 5¢ Drafts/$1 Wells Sun, Free Pool 6-cl Just Larry’s Bar & Grill 3415 E County Rd 542 (863) 666-6898 Tue, $5 Burgers/$1 Drafts Wed, .50 Wings 4p-cl Thu, $2 Redneck Tacos Fri, AUCE Fish $8.95 Lakeland Loft 108 South Tennessee Ave (863) 210-5327 Jazz & Cigar Lounge Full Bar Business Casual Sun –Thu Dress to Impress Fri & Sat LakelandLoft.com Lucky’s Sports, Oyster & Tiki Bar (Orange Bowl Lanes) 4318 US Hwy 98 N (863) 858-3878 Mon, Poker 7p Wed, Poker 11a 1st Thu, Karaoke Contest 1st/3rd Sat, Live Bands Martini’s Lounge 3239 S. Florida Ave (863) 644-8993 Fri & Sat, DJ Pool Tables, Darts, Big Screens Masons Live 5501 S. Florida Ave (863) 333-0096 Crafted Bar Food Tue, Trivia 7:30p Wed, Karaoke Mon, Thu, Fri & Sat, DJ Fri & Sat, Live Bands Mojo’s Wings, Burgers, Beer 1853 E. Memorial Blvd (863) 583-9119 Hpy Hr 2-7p Tue, Karaoke

Wed, Biker’s Night w/$5 Burgers Fri, Ladies/Latin Night Sun, 50 cent Wings

Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub 111 S. Kentucky Ave (863) 686-6231 Darts, Pool Tables Live Music, Fri The Pink Piano 1015 S. Florida Ave (863) 937-8885 Tue-Sat, Live Music Wine, Beer, Tapas Southside Package & Lounge 1122 S. Florida Ave (863) 683-4703 Happy Hr 10-7p & 12-2a; Full Liquor T A Slammers 1011 S. Florida Ave (863) 682-4178 Full Liquor Nightly Specials T-Bows 33 Lounge 4106 Lakeland Hills Blvd (863) 683-1201 Happy Hr 4-6p; $2.75 Wells, $2.25 20oz Drafts Wed-Sat, Karaoke 9p Wally’s Pool Hall 1136 E. Main St (863) 688-4460 Hpy Hr, Mon-Sat 11-7p Mon, 9-Ball Tourn Tue & Thu, APA 8 & 9-Ball Leag. Thu, Ladies Nite w/free pool Winner’s Circle 4215 South Florida Ave. (863) 644-9464 Sun, Corn Hole Tues, Poker Wed, Ladies Night 1st Thu, Open Mic, 7-10p Ybor Cigars & Spirits 5263 S. Florida Ave (863) 619-6799 Happy Hr 4-7p Darts/Pool Table/TVs Tue-Sat, Live Music

LAKE WALES Al’s Place 1530 N Scenic Hwy (863) 604-1456 $1.25 Drafts Trish is Back! All Star Grill 2019 Hwy. 60 E (863) 679-9689 Sports Bar

— Continued Page 16

FEBRUARY 2018

SNAPSHOTZ Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 19598 US Hwy 27 (863) 679-1975 Full Liquor Sports Bar Big Screen TVs Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak 3100 Canal Rd (863) 439-2031 Seafood, Full Liquor Mon-Fri, Hpy Hr 11-4p Thu, Fri & Sat, Live Music 6-10p The Good Spot 3825 N. Scenic Hwy (863) 949-4243 Mon-Fri, $1 drafts 3-7p Tue, $2 Dom Bottles Thu, Ladies Night 7-11p Lunch Specials Darts, Pool Table JayBees Rest. & Lounge 8625 Hwy 60 E (863) 696-1901 Full Liquor Lunch & Dinner Open Mon-Sat Just One More Bar 112 E. Crystal Ave. (863) 223-8803 Mon, Tue, Thu, Poker Night 6p Thu, Ladies Night Fri & Sat, Karaoke w/Paula 9p-1a Sun, Pool & Karaoke 4p Liar’s Lair Saloon Camp Mack River Resort 14143 Camp Mack Rd (863) 696-3863 Fri, Karaoke 8p Live Music Y’all Come Back Saloon 3230 State Rd 60 E (863) 676-5759 Taco Tues, $1 Live Music/Pool

RIVER RANCH Westgate River Ranch Saloon 3200 River Ranch Blvd. Restaurant/Saloon General/Western Store (863) 692-1321 ext 40013 Fri, DJ 6p-12a Sat, Live Band 6p-1a

WINTER HAVEN A.J. Slammers 508 Cypress Gardens Blvd. (863) 875 5623

16 FEBRUARY 2018

Apple Lounge 2803 Recker Hwy (863) 291-0340 Happy Hr, Mon-Fri 11-7p Food Available; Daily Specials Mon, Pool Tourn Wed & Sun, Poker/Thu, Karaoke Ave. Bar by Arabellas 328 West Central Ave (863) 229-8142 Open Tue-Sat, 4p Smoke-Free Full Menu/Full Bar Beef ‘O’ Brady’s 300 Cypress Gardens Blvd (863) 293-9464 Full Liquor Sports Bar 30 Big HD TVs Mon Burger Special Fire Restaurant 325 W. Central Ave (863) 875-5544 Sat Night, Live Music Outdoor Seating Available Grape Expectations 535 Cypress Gardens Blvd, St 150 (863) 318-8800 Wine Bar Smoke-Free Grove Roots Brewing Co. 302 3rd Street SW (863) 291-0700 Craft Beer & Wine Smoke-Free Food Truck & Live Music Wed-Fri 4p, Sat-Sun 12p Harborside Restaurant 2435 7th St SW (863) 293-7070 Daily, Hpy Hr 3-6p Sunday, Early Bird 3-5p Mon-Thu, Early Bird 3-6p Waterfront Dining in Lk Shipp High Seas Lounge 7000 State Rd 544 (863) 299-2233 Great Food/Drink Specials Live Music Idle Zone (At Lake May) 615 7th Street SW (863) 875-7949 Fri, Karaoke 8p Live Music Sports Packages/TVs Great Food; Lunch & Dinner Outside Lakefront Seating

Jensen’s Corner Bar 100 3rd Street SW (863) 298-6755 Smoke-Free Outdoor Patio Thu, Live Music Feb 14, Kaleigh Baker Jessie’s Lounge 118 3rd Street SW (863) 298-9815 Hpy Hr Mon-Fri, 4-7p Mon, Free Pool Wed, Big Ass Jam Night Live Music Weekly Office Pub & Lounge 1243 1st Street S (863) 293-4767 Happy Hr 12-7 Mon & Thu, Karaoke Tue & Fri, Poker 7p Sat, Poker 1p Pool Tables, Darts, Golden Tee Old Man Frank’s 1005 S. Lake Howard Dr (863) 294-9179 Happy Hour M-F, 11-7p Daily Specials Oyster Bar Sun, Live Music/$12 Bckts Mar 10, Gator Crawl Past Time Lounge 1605 1st St S (863) 293-0027 Tue, Ladies Night Darts/Pool Table Winter Haven’s Bar Off The Chain 1560 Havendale Blvd NW (863) 299-5515 Thu, Karaoke Fri, Bike Night Sat, Live Bands Somewhere Sports Bar 5688 Cypress Gardens Blvd. (863) 324-7524 Mon-Sat, Hpy Hr 3-6p w/Daily Beer Specials/Sports Packages Lunch Specials Mon-Fri Tanners Lakeside Restaurant 1006 S Lake Howard Drive (863) 662-5948 Wed-Fri, 4p-cl/Sat-Sun11:30a Happy Hr Wed-Sun, 4-6p Daily Food Specials Sat, Prime Rib 2p-cl Feb 14, Dinner w/Live Music Mar 10, Gator Crawl 11-5p

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Stephanie Eck, On-Premise Manager, Bernie Little Distributors and event coordinator for the 5th Annual Pints for Paws Lakeland Beer Fest held at Lake Mirror Promenade Friday, January 19th benefiting the Humane Society of Polk County.

PINTS FOR PAWS LAKELAND BEER FEST

Over 1,500 people enjoyed the great entertainment, 100 different beers for sampling from Bernie Little Distributors, food and lots of fun... All benefiting The Humane Society of Polk County. For more information www.pintsforpawslakelandbeerfest.com

Tracey Greene, President of the Humane Society of Polk County along with her friend, Dawn Richards and Thor enjoying the pet-friendly beer festival.

FEBRUARY 2018

Enjoy The Best BBQ Around

18 FEBRUARY 2018

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Haines City Hosts 10th Annual

aines City is warming the coals for the upcoming 10th Annual

“Ribs on the Ridge” BBQ competition, February 23-24 at Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave.

“Haines City’s Ribs on the Ridge is

a place to get some of the best BBQ around, and enjoy great entertainment and family fun."

Haines City’s 10th annual BBQ

competition sanctioned by Florida BBQ Association will be held on

February 23, 2018 from 5 PM to 9 PM and February 24, 2018 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Ribs on the Ridge draws bar-

becue teams from across Florida and the nation. Enjoy live entertainment

throughout the event. Admission is FREE.

Attendees of Ribs on the Ridge can expect to over-indulge in tasting endless varieties of BBQ after purchasing “Rib Bucks,” dollar for dollar. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. Entertainment during the event includes music artists BURN, Josh Blevins, Almost There, Eli Mosley and more. Professional and “Backyard” teams

from across Florida and other states will compete for thousands in cash

prizes, trophies and bragging rights to the best BBQ in town. Prizes will

be awarded in categories for chick-

en, pork, ribs, brisket and an overall Grand Champion winner!

Young pit bosses will battle it out

during the “Kids Q” competition.

“We are excited for the new com-

ponents that truly make Ribs on the Ridge an event that everyone will enjoy”

In addition to the BBQ Competition,

attendees can sign up for 3rd Annual Cornhole competition to win a $200 prize.

For more information about the

event, contact the Haines City Parks

and Recreations Department at (863) 421- 3700.

FEBRUARY 2018

MUSIC BAND PROFILE

BACKSTAGE PASS

BRINGING BACK THE

BLUES Roy Powers and The Blue Rooster Band

20 FEBRUARY 2018

BY JAMES COULTER

n the intro to his 1978 album, “Briefcase Full of Blues,” Dan Aykroyd’s character, Elwood Blues, opined over the decline in the blues genre, claiming that the music “will exist only in the classical records department of your local library” by 2006. More than a decade after that predicted death year, while blues isn’t quite dead, it isn’t quite thriving either, with many music historians calling it a dying form. One such historian, Robert Santelli, author of several books on the musical genre, and executive director of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, said as much during an interview with St. Louis PostDispatch: “We’re in danger of the blues’ becoming an historical music form like Dixieland or big band. They’re

still performed and celebrated but don’t speak to young people. Blues is becoming less and less relevant in contemporary times.” Not wanting to see such a great musical genre go extinct, local musician Roy Powers decided to help breathe new life into the blues, not only through his own group, the Blue Rooster Band, but through the annual Central Florida Dawg Dayz Blue Festival. Powers co-founded the festival along with David Lehman back in 2014, where his band performs along with several other musical groups and musicians from across the county and even the country. Their first year drew in as many as 500 to 600 attendees, and the festival has continued to grow ever since, so much so that its venue, Tanner’s Lakeside, expanded with

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two stages both indoors and outdoors to further accommodate it and other events. Aside from drawing in crowds, the festival has also attracted many young people, especially those in their late teens who may have never been interested in the blues, he said. “We try to keep the blues alive, [because] it is a dying art,” he said. “All the blues classics are passing away, and the young people are coming...to the blues festival, [and] they want to learn more about the blues.” When not playing at the annual festival, Powers and his band are keeping the blues alive by playing throughout the county and state at venues such as Tanner’s Lakeside, Old Man Frank’s, and Idle Zone. Powers plays the piano with Danny Richard, Sr. on guitar, Derek Brightwell on bass, Mark Ferguson on drums, Buddy Conova on sax and flute, and Wynn Ostander on slide guitar. Together, with their combined musical experience of 150 years, he and his bandmates use their musical talents to perform traditional blues covers while occasionally mixing things up with a little bit of country. “We come together and play well,” he said. As is the case with his fellow bandmates, good music has been a lifelong passion for Powers, a passion that he was born and raised with growing up in Atlanta, the capital of soul and R&B. As someone who grew up listening to his mother play the family piano within their Georgia home, Powers himself started playing the ivories at age 8, later playing professionally in

high school at age 15. Aside from his family, the entire city of Atlanta served as his personal musical tutor, as he developed his own personal musical style listening to the best barrel piano players in town. His own personal inspiration was Delbert McClinton, a blues musician from out of Texas whose musical stylings Powers most tries to emulate through his own music. From age 16 onward, Powers picked up a gig with Roulette Records out of New York, playing country music on the road for 13 to 14 years before later returning home and moving to Fort Pierce, Florida for five to six years. He would late work a full-time job at an insurance company, which had him transfer to Auburndale, where he worked for 25 years before retiring in 2013. Even before his retirement, he would play music on the side from 2004 onward, and following his retirement, what was essentially a weekend gig for him turned into a full-time hobby. In 2016, he and a few other musicians that he routinely played with formed their band, and since then have furthered their own camaraderie, perfecting their own music together until they’ve become like a well-oiled machine. “It is like a football team,” he said. “The interaction with the band, playing off of one another, [with] everyone on the same page [and] the same passion.” Together, for the past two years, he and his band have traveled and

performed in venues across Polk County, even being blessed with the opportunity to perform with Down Child, a Canadian band out of Toronto. While they often vary with the genres from country to soul, blues remains to be their common passion.

Of course, any music that gets their audience dancing and singing along is good music in their book. “If I see them moving in their seats, we got them,” he said. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at: https:// www.facebook.com/The-BlueRoosters-653134484866478/

FEBRUARY 2018

POLK COUNTY’S

RESTAURANT GUIDE To Have Your Restaurant Listed Please Call 863-401-8001

HAINES CITY BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S Polk County’s largest family sports pub. Happy Hour M- Sat. 4pm to 7pm. 2-4-1 cocktails all day everyday. See Website for full menu. Kids eat free Tuesdays. Must Try: Blackened Dry Rub Wings 902 Old Polk City Rd. 863-419-4848 www.beefobradys.com

LAKELAND BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S NORTH LAKELAND Lakeland’s Best Family Sports Pub. 40+ HD TV’s, NFL Ticket Sundays, NCAA Gameplan Saturdays. Happy Hour 2-4-1 All Day, Everyday. Bingo Mondays from 5-6 pm. Kids Eat Free Wednesday from 4-8 pm. Trivia Night on Thursdays from 8-10 pm. Must Try: Hot & Fresh Fajitas - Everyday! Chicken wings! 1070 Wedgewood Estates Blvd (863) 853-9464 www.beefobradys.com

22 FEBRUARY 2018

BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S SOUTH LAKELAND Great Food! Great Sports! Great Family Fun! 40+ HD TV’s, NFL Ticket Sundays, NCAA Game Plan Saturdays. 2-4-1 All Day, Everyday. Coldest Beer In Town. Kids Eat Free Tuesdays & Sundays 4-8 pm. Now Featuring A Full Liquor Bar. Must Try: Our Delicious Fajitas and Awesome Burgers! 4810 South Florida Ave (863) 646-7757 www.beefobradys.com

CHAMPINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Authentic homemade Italian cooking. Fresh, made to order meals for lunch and dinner. Happy Hour is 7 days per week from 3pm-7pm. Catering and big parties available and welcomed. New York style pizza, calzones, desserts! Try our Eggplant Parm 6617 N. Socrum Loop Rd. 863-937-8866 www.champinos.com

cials all weekend! Not your typical sports bar! Follow us on Facebook! 6645 S. Florida Ave. #14

quality food and excellent service! Easily the

863-647-5900 www.champstogo.com

Sundays.

through Saturday 11am to 7pm and closed Must Try: Famous Fish Sandwich

CHEF T’S GARDEN GRILL

715 E Palmetto St, Lakeland

Central Florida’s most beautiful dining experience. Enjoy exquisite continental and American cuisine in a historic turn-of-the-century atmosphere in the historic Chiles house. Or linger over wine and appetizers on our intimate garden patio. “I Love Food And The Art Of Dining”- Chef T Must Try: Veal lovers are in for a treat! 1525 E Gary Rd., Lakeland 863-687-4386

(863) 688-4280

JUST LARRY’S BAR & GRILL Our food specials: Tuesday $5 Burgers and $1 Drafts, Wednesday .50 cent Wings 4 pm to close, Thursday $2 Redneck Tacos, Friday AllYou-Can-Eat Fish $8.95. Must Try: Wings 3415 E COUNTY RD 542 (863) 666-6898

CHAMPS SPORTS BAR Serving Polk County for over 19 years! Monday 5pm to 10pm 50¢ Tacos. Wednesday 5pm to 10pm 35¢ Boneless Wings. Friday Homemade New England Clam Chowder. Fresh food spe-

best homemade food you’ll try! Hours Monday

MISTER FISH Family owned and operated since 1968 offering the best fish sandwich around! Seafood, chicken and much more using only the best

POSTO 9 A Brazilian gastropub, is a culinary destination inspired by the bright and exciting flavors of Braziland the south where masterfully crafted seasonal foods meet outstanding service. Also, enjoy the Ipanema Rooftop Lounge located on the third floor of Posto9. Relax in the sun or underneath the shaded terrace while enjoying appetizers and specialty cocktails. Have a special event coming up? Our second floor can host up to 130 for private events; business, classes, parties. Must Try: P assion Fruit Salmon, Chicken and Waffles, P9 Shrimp and Grits. 215 East Main Street • (863) 499-0099 www.Posto9gastropub.com FB: @Posto9gastropub — Continued Page 25

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COMMUNITY SNIPPETS The Million Dollar Quartet Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal, and celebrations. Experience the Tony-award winning musical Million Dollar

Quartet, the smash Broadway hit inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ’n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time when it comes to the RP Funding Center (formerly The Lakeland Center) on March 21st at 7:30 pm.

47TH ANNUAL

WALES

LAKE

LIVE MUSIC FOOD TRUCKS •

CHILDREN’S TENT

FEB 24-25

FEB.

Kickoff Party with Band and Bar-B-Que: 6pm

Sat. 10am-5pm Sun. 10am-4pm

For more information:

863.676.8426

FEBRUARY 2018

24 FEBRUARY 2018

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RESTAURANT LISTING From page 22

LAKE WALES BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S

Polk County’s largest family sports pub. Happy Hour M- Sat. 4pm to 7pm. 2-4-1 cocktails all day everyday. See Website for full menu. Kids eat free Tuesdays. Must Try: Over 20 Flavors of Wings 19598 US Hwy 27, 863-679-1975 www.beefobradys.com

CRAZY FISH Land mark eatery in Lake Wales. Fresh fish never frozen. Fun and casual atmosphere. Lunch and dinner menu with daily specials. Mon. 4pm to 9pm. Tues. - Saturday 11:30am to 9pm. Closed Sun. Must Try: Shrimp or Fresh Grouper 802 Henry St., Lake Wales (863) 676-6361

JAY BEES RESTAURANT & LOUNGE We take pride in our welcoming environment, friendly service and famous burgers. Come in and check our daily lunch and dinner specials. Weekend specials. Prime rib, frog legs, fried shrimp and catfish. Must Try: Homemade Pies 8675 Hwy 60 East, Lake Wales 863-696-1901, Find us on Facebook

WINTER HAVEN 326 BISTRO PIZZERIA Bistro Pizzeria shares the art of perfectly rendered simplicity. Wood burning oven, pizza by the slice, made to order specialty pizzas.

Lunch & dinner menu. Warm & casual dining atmosphere. Must Try: Classic Pizza Napoli 326 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven 863-875-4894 www.arabellas.us/bistro

APPLE LOUNGE & GRILL #1 Happy Hour Monday-Friday 11am-7pm. $1 Taco Tuesdays! Wings, Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads, Fried Pickles, Chicken Fingers, Nachos and much more! Open Mic Night every Tuesday. Winner of the people’s choice Wing Fling 2011 Wing Champs! Come try em’ yourself. Must Try: Famous Wings 2803 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven 863-291-0340

ARABELLA’S We offer the best Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, created from the freshest ingredients. Enjoy a cocktail before or after dinner in our chic Ave Bar. At Arabellas, our dedicated service and inviting ambiance makes us the premier choice for your lunch or dinner destination. Must Try: Bananas Foster prepared table side. 346 W. Central Ave. Winter Haven 863-293-1797 • www.arabellas.us

HARBORSIDE Seafood, Steak, Oysters. Polk County’s Premier

HARRY’S OLD PLACE

Get your Fresh Fix at Harry’s Old Place. Huge selection of fresh fish including shrimp, scallops and mussels in addition to char-grilled steaks, chicken and pasta entrees. Craft beers, eclectic wines and tempting appetizers along with a great children’s menu. Less than a mile from Legoland. Like Facebook for weekly specials. We have mobile catering, Tallulah’s Table by the Sea for private parties and events. Must Try: Fish in a Bag 3751 Cypress Gardens Rd., Winter Haven 863-324-0301 www.harrysoldplace.com

IDLE ZONE BAR & GRILL Located on Lake May (chain of lakes) with a brand new dock. Serving fresh, homemade lunch and dinner. AMAZING WINGS! Live music, karaoke and games. Totally remodeled atmosphere, clean and non-smoking inside. Outside patio seating. Must Try: Hot and Fresh Wings 615 7th St., Winter Haven 863-875-7949

SOMEWHERE SPORTS BAR Enjoy great food, great games and great times in a family-friendly atmosphere. As your sports headquarters, ESPN, NFL & MLB ticket available on 14 flat screen TV’s. Daily lunch specials Mon-Fri from 11-2 pm only $5.99. Open 7 days a week. Appetizers, Sandwiches, Wraps, Salads, Burgers, Pizza & Wings. Full liquor with Happy Hour Mon-Sat from 3-6 pm. Must Try: Jumbo Wings & Pizza 5688 Cypress Gardens Blvd. (863) 324-7524

Waterfront Restaurant. Scenic dining on Lake Shipp. Happy Hour 3-6pm daily. Early Bird Sunday 3-5pm and Monday thru Thursday 3-6pm. Private dining room, outdoor patio, beach and boat docks. Amazing sunset views. Open 11:30 am daily. Must Try: Fried Lobster & Oysters 2435 7th Street SW, Winter Haven (863) 293-7070 • www.harborsidefl.com

To Have Your Restaurant Included In This List, Please Call Us at 863-401-8001

FEBRUARY 2018

Mar 2

C A L E N D A R Get Your Listing in the Calendar

Email Listings to: tracey@todayandtonight.com Info must be received by the 23rd of the Month Prior to Publication. Events will be included as space allows.

Arts, Crafts, Festivals & Expos

FEB 8

FEB 16

- Main Street Bartow Friday Fest. A downtown street party, third Friday each month, featuring a live band, food & beverages, open car cruise-in, and activities for children. Different theme each month. Located E. Main Street, Bartow. Fri, 6-9 pm.

FEB 16

to 18 – Annual Greek Fest. Presented by the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. Come and enjoy a taste of Greece. Live Greek music & dancing, church tours, delicious Greek food & pastries, crafters & vendors. Located 1030 Bradbury Rd off of Winter Lake Rd (Hwy 540). Fri & Sat, 11-9 pm. Sun, 11-6 pm. Free Parking. $2 admission good for all three days. Children under 12 get in free.

FEB 17

– Cypress Gardens Ski Show. Free ski show. Concessions available. Bring a blanket or chair for seating. Located MLK Jr Park, Lk Silver, Winter Haven, Sat, 3:30 pm.

- Thursday Squared Food Truck Rally. Presented by Downtown Lakeland Partnership. 20+ food trucks line up around Munn Park to sell their unique cuisine every second Thursday, 6-9 pm. Located downtown Lakeland, 201 E. Main Street. Call for more info.

FEB 20

– Central Florida Health Expo. Area’s premier event for health-conscious adults. The event will be held at International Market World Flea and Farmers Market in Auburndale. The market comes alive on Fridays as shoppers stroll through one of the area’s largest farm fresh produce markets, enjoy live entertainment and experience the market’s vibrant atmosphere. This event is free to the public. Everyone is welcome! Located International Market World, 1052 US 92 West, Auburndale; yellow building “K”. Fri, 9-3:30 pm. (863) 248-7537 for more info.

FEB 23

FEB 9

& 10 – 34th Annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras. Friday is the street party with and liberations from 6pm to 12 am (midnight). Saturday live entertainment all day, beer garden, authentic cuisine, family friendly. Saturday parade at 3 pm! Event runs from 11 am to 11 pm. LWMardiGras.com

FEB 10

– Watch & Clock Collectors Expo. Presented by the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors. Located Sikes Hall & Exhibit Hall, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center). Sat, 8-5 pm. RPFundingCenter.com

FEB 11

– Platform Kids! A showcase of talent from elementary, middle, and high school students from throughout Polk County every year! Featuring visual, digital and performance piece. This year, also on display High School students work that was submitted to our Linemen Sculpture Project! Located GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Lakeland, 1515 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland. Sun, 5-7:30 pm. Kids@platformart.org for more info.

26 FEBRUARY 2018

– 72nd Annual Tiger BBQ. Celebrate the tradition. Exceptional menu includes 2018 souvenir mug. (no take-out orders, no autographs) Located Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland. Tues, 6-8 pm. $50 Adults, $25 Children (12 & under), $60 Non-Chamber Members. Contact LakelandChamber.com for more info/tickets.

& 24 – 10th Annual Ribs on the Ridge. Barbecue teams from across Florida and the nation. Professional and amateur teams compete for cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights. Enjoy live entertainment, beer , wine, food & craft vendors. Fri is also the dessert & sauce competition. Cornhole tournament and Kids-Q Competition. Fri music: Almost There & Burn. Sat music: Josh Blevins Band & Eli Mosley. Located Lake Eva Park, Ledwith Ave, Haines City. Admission is FREE. Fri, 5-9 pm. Sat, 10-5 pm.

FEB 23

to 25 – Lake Wales Arts Festival & Art-BQue. The Citizens Bank & Trust Lake Wales Arts Festival celebrates and exhibits quality works of art by fine artists and artisans with up to 100 artists competing for more than $30,000 in awards! Presented by the Lake Wales Art Council, the diversity of the critically acclaimed two-day Festival attracts thousands of art lovers each year who purchase original, one-of-a-kind works of art. Presented by the Lake Wales Art Council, the diversity of the critically acclaimed two-day Festival attracts thousands of art lovers each year who purchase original, one-of-a-kind works of art. Located Shores of Lk Wailes, N Lakeshore Blvd, Lk Wales. Festival Sat & Sun, 10-4 pm. (The annual ART-B-Que Kickoff Party will be held on Fri, 6-8 pm on the shores of Lake Wailes. Call 863-676-8426 for tickets.)

FEB 24

– Healthy Heart Health Fair. Presented by Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center. Free screenings offered: Height, Weight, BMI, Glucose, Cholesterol, BP, Pulse Ox Education on: smoking cessation, congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke, heart attack Special offers: Cath Lab Tours, Free Heart Health Assessments, Meet local physicians and other healthcare providers. Located Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center Main Entrance, 40100 U.S. Highway 27, Davenport. Sat, 8-11 am. No registration required. Call (866) 997-3627 for more info ** Fasting before glucose and cholesterol screenings provides more accurate results.

FEB 24

– Chain of Lakes Egg Fest. Ticket includes tasting samples. Located at the Citrus Center Boys & Girls Club, 2400 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven. Sat, 10-3 pm. Cost $40 plus tax ChainofLakesEggfest.com for more info. (Eventbrite.com or at door)

FEB 24

to MAR 12 – 2018 Polk Senior Games. Two weeks of athletic and recreational competitive events for men and women 50 and years and over. Individual, partner and team events include: Archery, Badminton, Basketball 3 on 3, Basketball Shooting, Billiards, Bocce, Bowling, Bridge, Checkers, Chess, Cribbage, Dancing, Darts, Euchre, Field Events, Fishing, Fly Casting, 18 Hole Golf Singles & Mixed Doubles, Putt & Chip, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pepper, Pickleball, Powerlifting, Punt Pass & Kick, Racquetball, 5K Road Race, Scrabble, Senior Smarts, Pistol Shooting, Rifle Shooting, Trap Shooting, Skeet Shooting, Sporting Clays Shooting, Shuffleboard, Softball, Square Dancing, Sudoku, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track and Walking. Located various locations around Polk County. Cost - $10 first event, $3 for each additional. Call Deena (863) 533-0055 for more info.

MAR 1

to 11 – 83rd Annual Florida Strawberry Festival. This year’s theme is Building New Memories! An 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcake. Located in Plant City. $10 Adults, $5 Children (6-12), Ages 5 & under free w/paid adult admission. Hour: 10 am to 10 pm daily. www.flstrawberryfestival.com for more info.

MAR 2

– Lakeland First Friday. One of the most popular recurring events at Historic Munn Park in Downtown Lakeland; new theme each month. Join us for an evening of FREE family friendly entertainment, activities, live music, art receptions, a car show, and, of course, the chance to check out a great, locally-owned restaurant or retail establishment. Fri, 6-9 pm.

to 4 – Orange Cup Regatta. For over 70 years Lake Hollingsworth has been the destination for one of the most exciting race events in the area. Over 100 powerboat racers and fifteen different classes of race boats will compete in this regatta on the “Lake of Records” Lake Hollingsworth. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy the races. Located on the Shores of Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland. Fri-Sun. Free event.

MAR 3

& 4 – Florida Gun Show. Largest gun show promoter in Florida. Buy, sell, trade, browse – something for everyone! Concealed weapons seminar each day in Lake Morton Room. Located Exhibit Hall, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 West Lime Street, Lakeland. Sat, 9-5 pm & Sun, 10-5 pm. Cost - $9 per day. RPFundingCenter.com or floridagunshows. com

MAR 3

– 4th Annual CommunityFest 2018. Family friendly event that encourages the community to come together and enjoy games, entertainment, food and more. This free festival allows businesses to give back to the community while families enjoy funfilled activities and entertainment in the park. Located Central Park in Downtown Winter Haven. Sat, 11-4 pm. winterhavenchamber. com

MAR 3

– Taste of Winter Haven 2018. Taste of Winter Haven is the second part of the full day CommunityFest event! Attendees can look forward to excellent cuisine from local restaurants, taste specialty beers and wines and listen to live music! Located Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, 401 Ave B NW. Sat, 6-9 pm. Cost - $35; AUC eat & drink. 21+ event. winterhavenchamber.com

MAR 10

– 8th Annual Gator Crawl. A conservation fundraiser & party. Great food & raffles. Polk County’s only slammin’ alligator BBQ event. Josh Blevins Band at Tanners Tike 1-5 pm, Ski Show at Old Man Frank’s 2 pm. Paddleboard Winter Haven with games & mini-lessons. Nathan Baldwin Band at OMF’s after party 5-10 pm. Located at Tanner’s Lakeside. Sat, 11-5 pm. FB/gatorcrawl

Markets, Antique Fairs & Car Shows Main Street Bartow Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays. The Farmers Market vendors offer a wide variety of products including produce, dips and soup mixes, jams, jellies, pickles, honey, pies, candied apples, relishes, pecan and peanut brittle, and crafts. Food vendors available. Located Fort Blount Park at the corner of Main Street and Broadway Ave, Bartow. Wed, 10-2 pm. Facebook@BartowFarmersMarket Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market – Saturdays. We have an exceptional variety of local vendors who offer fresh produce, seafood, pastries, breads, desserts, local honey, artisans, and crafts, to name a few. We are part of the FAB (Fresh Access Bucks) program that assists those in the SNAP/EBT program by encouraging healthy behaviors by making fresh, local produce more affordable and accessible to SNAP customers (formally known as food stamps). Stop by the Market Information Booth for more details! Located N. Kentucky Ave, Lakeland. Sat, 8 am-2 pm.

FEB 10

- Downtown Bartow Antique Fair & Collectibles Market. Held the 2nd Saturday

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of each month, antique vendors set up along the sidewalks in downtown Bartow. No charge for public; $20 for vendors. Located E Main Street, Bartow. Sat, 9 am-1 pm.

Presbyterian Church 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland. Mon, 7:30 pm. Cost - $5 Adults, $3 Students. www.seu.edu/arts for more info.

FEB 10

FEB 13

& 24 – 2nd & 4th Saturday Markets In Downtown Winter Haven. FREE community events, family and pet friendly. More than 50 local vendors offering: fresh & organic greens, raw local honey, food trucks, kettle corn, antiques, art painting, jewelry, all natural & organic body care products, wooden furniture, balloon artists, facial paintings, local crafts, fair trade, baby dresses, third party networks, non-profit, local businesses, cold treats, jams & jellies, baked goods, cottage products, live music, book signing, and much more! Located downtown Winter Haven, 41 5th ST NW, Winter Haven. Sat, 9-3 pm. (Due to holidays, Dec 16 is the “4th Sat Market” instead of the usual Saturday.)

– ISO: The Viennese School. This performance will feature the ISO’s principal oboe, Jennifer Stahl, performing Mozart’s Concert for Oboe in C Major. Repertoire: Overture to The Magic Flute, Mozart Concert for Oboe in C Major, Mozart Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” Beethoven. Located Youkey Theatre, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. Tues, 7:30 pm. Cost - $35, $25, $15. Students free w/ID or parent ticket. info@imperialsymphony.org for more info.

FEB 22

– Assisted Living the Musical. The aging story from inside the process. With humor that is pointed without mocking, its unique approach to aging is as welcome as an antacid after a bowl of five-alarm chili. With evocative and clever songs like: “Help! I’ve Fallen (For You) and I Can’t Get Up,” “My Hide,” “The Uplifting Viagra Medley” and many more. A show for all of us. For those who are of a certain age, who have friends and parents entering this phase, and everyone who hopes to grow old with humor and dignity. Located Youkey Theatre, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. Thurs, 7:30 pm. Cost - $35 plus parking. Rpfundingcenter. com for more info.

FEB 14

FEB 10

– Daniel O’Donnell. Back Home Again Tour. From Irish songs, to inspirational, to pop, Irish singer Daniel O’ Donnell has made record breaking chart history. Located Youkey Theatre, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. Wed, 7:30 pm. Cost - $65, $54, $45 plus parking. Rpfundingcenter.com for more info.

FEB 23

FEB 17

FEB 15

FEB 23

& 24 - Lake Wales Farmers’ Market. The Lake Wales Farmers’ Market features locally grown produce and more on the 2nd/4th Saturday of each month. Located Park Ave & Stuart Ave, Lk Wales. Sat, 9-12 pm. - Uptown Yard Sale & Flea Market. Bartow’s monthly Uptown Yard Sale & Flea Market is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, along the 300 block of East Main Street in downtown Bartow. Sat, 8-1 pm.

FEB 24

- Lake Wales Car Show. Display of custom, classic, street rods, & antique cars and trucks in Historic Downtown Lake Wales on the 4th Saturday every month. Stroll and admire the cool antique, custom and classic cars of yesteryear while enjoying music, enchanting shops, and the unique restaurants of charming downtown Lake Wales. Located East Stuart Ave, Lk Wales. Sat, 4-8 pm.

Concerts & Theatre Lundyville Music Hall – Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. Wed, 7:30-10 pm; Acoustic Stage Open Mic. Performers and audience free. Thurs, 6-10 pm; Country Nights with Simple Country Band. $5 admission. Sat, 6-10 pm; Karaoke Night. Located Lake Juliana Boating & Lodging, 600 Lundy Road, Auburndale. (863) 984-1144 or www. lundyville.com for more info.

FEB 6

– Imperial Symphony Orchestra Tea & Symphony. Located Lake Hollingsworth Ballroom, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. Tues, 5:45-8 pm. info@imperialsymphony.org for more info.

FEB 8

– Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles. A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band!” For the first time ever, RAIN will bring the historic album to life in its entirety for this psychedelic multimedia spectacular! This mind-blowing performance takes you back in time with teh legendary foursome delivering a notefor-note theatrical event that is the next best thing to seeing the Beatles. Located Youkey Theatre, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. Thurs, 7:30 pm. Cost - $42, $34 plus parking. Rpfundingcenter.com for more info.

FEB 12

– Spiritus Piano Trio. The members of Southeastern University’s faculty trio showcase from the platform their harmoniously impressive talents. Located First

– 2nd Annual Concert for the Kids. Presented by 97.5 WPCV and Window World. A concert benefit for the St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. This special “power acoustic” concert will feature intimate performances from 5 Nashville stars, including Brett Young, Granger Smith, Frankie Ballard, Scotty McCreery, and Runaway June. Located Youkey Theatre, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center). Thurs, 7:30 pm. Cost - $18 Adv, $28 at the Door plus parking. RPFundingCenter.com FEB 15 to 25 – Rogers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. Set in an island paradise during World War II, South Pacific tells two parallel love stories of couples confronting the dangers of prejudice and war with an unforgettable score, featuring popular standards like Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, and Bali Ha’i. Located Loca Lee Buckner Theatre, Florida Southern College, 111 Lk Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2:30 pm. Cost - $18 Adults, $9 Students. http://www. flsouthern.edu/visitors/festival-of-fine-arts for more info.

FEB 15

to MAR 11 – Mamma Mia! The smash hit musical. The ultimate feel-good show, taking audiences on a trip down the aisle they’ll never forget. Located Theatre Winter Haven, Chain of Lakes Complex, Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. Shows at 2:30 or 7:30 pm. Cost - $28 Adults, $25 Students. Check website for show days, times & details. theatrewinterhaven.com

FEB 16

& MAR 2 – Unpland Improv. An improvisational stand-up comedy show that airs on multiple networks. Our talented students use their keen wit to entertain the audience through clean and humorous skits. Located Bolin Studio Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland. Fri, 7p & 9 pm. Cost - $2. www.seu.edu/arts for more info.

FEB 20

– Tribute Tuesday Series: Million Dollar Quartet. A tribute to the music of Cash, Presley, Perkins, and Lewis with the same performers from last season’s Million Dollar Quartet! Return to the era that brought us the best from these incredible performers! Located Theatre Winter Haven, Chain of Lakes Complex, Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. Tues, 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Cost - $$30 Adv, $32 Day of. theatrewinterhaven.com

– The Scarlet Cord. Presented by Ballet Magnificat! America’s premier Christian ballet company. A gripping story of revolution and freedom set within the walls of the Soviet Union. A human heart turning to the ultimate truth. Located Polk Theatre, 121 S Florida Ave, Lakeland. Fri, doors at 6 pm, show at 7 pm. Cost - $28, $20, $12 www. whitethornevents.com for more info/tickets. to MAR 11 – Mary Poppins. Everyone’s favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure for the entire family. Located Lakeland Community Theatre, Lk Mirror Complex, 121 S Lk Ave, Lakeland. Fri & Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Cost - $22 Adults, $20 Seniors, $15 Children. Lakelandcommunitytheatre.com

FEB 27

– African American Voices in the Arts. A special night directed by Vincent Miller. Located Theatre Winter Haven, Chain of Lakes Complex, Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. Check website for details. theatrewinterhaven.com

FEB 27

– Florida Philharmonia Orchestra “Symphonic Celebrations”. A night of exhilarating & uplifting music that celebrates and commemorates special events of the past. Enjoy the air of festivity and revelry in Smetana’s “Bartered Bride”, Dvorak’s “Slavonic Dance”, & Saint-Saens “Bacchanale”. Located College Heights United Methodist Church Lakeland, 942 South Blvd, Lakeland. Tues, 7:30 pm. Admission is free, open seating. Call Vallie (813) 689-6147 for more info.

FEB 28

– The Old Settler. In World War II Harlem, New York, a fifty-five-year-old spinster (or as they were called in those days—an Old Settler), Elizabeth Borny, takes in a young male roomer, Husband Witherspoon, to help her with the rent. Husband has come to Harlem from South Carolina to search for his girlfriend, Lou Bessie Preston. Also living with Elizabeth is her sister, Quilly McGrath, fifty-three. There is an ominous cloud of tension that hangs over Elizabeth and Quilly’s relationship. This tension is further exacerbated when Elizabeth and Husband take to liking each other. Quilly, who doesn’t like Husband living with them in the first place, surely doesn’t approve of their “carrying on,” especially since Elizabeth is old enough to be Husband’s mother. It is this “carrying on” that exposes a thirty-year-old wound which, until now, only had a bandage – now the wound can heal for the sisters. Located

Theatre Winter Haven, Chain of Lakes Complex, Cypress Gardens Blvd, Winter Haven. Wed, 7:30 pm. Cost - $5; pre-show reception begins at 6:30 pm w/wine & cheese. theatrewinterhaven.com

MAR 1

– Celtic Woman. Celebrating 13 years of success, with over 10 million albums and 3 million tickets sold worldwide. One winter’s night in Dublin, Ireland in 2004, an idea as conceived to create a musical ensemble featuring a selection of exceptional classically and traditionally trained Irish female musicians. Located Youkey Theatre, RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. Thurs, 7:30 pm. Cost $55, $35 plus parking. Rpfundingcenter.com for more info.

MAR 2

– Mashup: Brahms vs Radiohead. Conductor and composer Steve Hackman masterfully combines classical and popular repertoire into cross-genre works and performances that intrigue the established audience and engage and excited new one. This performance will combine all four movements of Brahms’s First Symphony (1882) with Radiohead’s album “OK Computer” (1997) complete with vocals. Located Polk Theatre, 121 S Florida Ave, Lakeland. Fri, 8 pm. Cost - $35, $25. $15 Students. info@imperialsymphony.org for more info.

MAR 7

– United States Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus. Check out website for instructions on how to obtain free tickets; 4 tickets per family. Located RP Funding Center (formerly Lakeland Center), 701 Lime Street, Lakeland. Wed, 7 pm. Free Concert. Rpfundingcenter.com for more info

Charity Events & Golf Tournaments

FEB 10

– 60th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Festival. Enjoy pancakes and sausage served by local celebrity chefs while supporting programs benefiting local charities throughout Polk County when you attended. Located inside Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland. Sat, 7am-3pm. Cost - $8 Adults, $4 Kids.

FEB 10

– Peace River Center’s 16th Annual Full Moon Howl. The day begins with the Annual Clay Pigeon Invitational followed by an evening which draws over 600 attendees who come together for camaraderie, food, drink, live entertainment, and an amazing auction. Located at Rocking H Ranch, 2200 Ewell Rd, Lakeland. Sat, 10 am registration; 11 am warm-up; 12:30 pm round 1 & round 2; 6:30 pm dinner. www.peacerivercenter.org for more info.

FEB 10

– Knights of Columbus Charity Card Party. Event features card games, a Pot of Gold, a Chinese auction and Pokeno. The Columbiettes auxiliary of Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens will conduct its annual luncheon/card party fundraiser. Located Vienna Square retirement community clubhouse, 1387 Vienna Square Drive, Winter Haven. Sat, 11-3 pm. Cost - $10 donation includes lunch. Call Shirley Gayford (863) 324-6024 for more info.

FEB 17

– Friends of the Poor Walk. Walk around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth to support the — Continued Page 29

FEBRUARY 2018

Valentine's Day ONOMATOPOEIA Top Movies on·o·mato·poe·ia: The naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (as buzz, hiss).

By Erica Smith

• The Notebook, 2004 • Say Anything..., 1989 • Dirty Dancing, 1987 • La La Land, 2016 • Brokeback Mountain, 2005 • Sleepless in Seattle, 1993 • 500 Days Of Summer, 2009 • You've Got Mail, 1998 • When Harry Met Sally, 1989 • Bridget Jones's Diary, 2001 • Four Weddings & A Funeral, 1994 • My Best Friend's Wedding, 1997 • Bull Durham, 1988 • Sixteen Candles, 1984

• The Wedding Singer, 1998 • Moonstruck, 1987 • Love Actually, 2003 • As Good As It Gets, 1997 • Pretty Woman, 1990 • Shakespeare in Love, 1998 • The Vow, 2012 • Like Crazy, 2011 • Ghost, 1990 • Annie Hall, 1977 • Working Girl, 1988 • Notting Hill, 1999

Valentine's Day Fun Facts

• A billion cards are exchanged this holiday each year making it the second largest season for sending cards.

• Not a couple or have no Valentine this year? Singles celebrate S.A.D. instead: Singles Awareness Day. • In Finland, Valentine's Day translates to "Friend's Day" which is more about remembering your buddies than your boo...

• More than 35 million heartshaped boxes of chocolates will be sold. • 73% of people who buy flowers on this day are men and 27% are woman. And, 15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers...sounds like they are part of the S.A.D. group! • $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased in the U.S.

• Young men and women from the Middle Ages drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. The drawn name would be pinned to their sleeve for a week for all to see thus paving the way for the expression: "to wear your heart on your sleeve".

• The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and the color stands for strong romantic feelings.

• Doctors in the 1800s advised patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost love. And, Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for the holiday in the late 1800s - hmmm, wonder if their was a doctor involved in this deal.

• Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards followed by children and then mothers.

28 FEBRUARY 2018

Coded

• 189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S. on this day.

• There will be an average of 220,000 wedding proposals on Valentine's Day.

“Before you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all.” — Arthur C. Clarke “Computers are useless. They can only give you answers.” —Pablo Picasso “We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.” — Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

dentally delete one symbol an entire page will disappear.

I have a new appreciation for

anyone who can master the art of

coding. Like a Jedi, these tech savvy

individuals are magnificent to watch as they pound the computer keys in

perfect rhythm. I, on the other hand, look like a chubby baby pounding

my fists on the keyboard and sobbing uncontrollably. This month, I have

nearly lost an entire website (thank

goodness for back-ups), had a temper tantrum over Formstack integrations

and probably damaged my eyes from

trying to read lines of code on one I have long sung the praises of simple webpage. technology, offering quick praise for As a Gen-exer, I find myself comany new Apple product and proudly pletely frustrated by not being able to displaying my mobile devices like pick up the phone and call for help. shiny jewels. I am guilty of rolling my eyes at my mother’s request for It is survival of the fittest in the digcomputer help and being a bit smug ital age and there are no “operators when I have the answer. All of that standing by.” When it comes to seekbad behavior must be responsible for the cosmic and karmic delivery of my ing help, Google is your only friend. I find myself pleading with the comrecent technology failures. All websites deliver information puter as if it were able to offer solace through a nearly indecipherable code not just another freaking forum of letters, symbols and numbers. with frequently asked questions. Like a foreign language, correctly What happened to calling customer delivering this code is essential to service? Are phones going the way the proper functioning of website and most professional coders can of the dodo? What have I learned read this bizarre mixture of symbols from these trials and tribulations? as if it was a nursery rhyme. It is a Technology is great… when it works. weird game of “Simon Says”, you enter the correct information, in the correct sequence, and magically your QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS paragraph appears on the webpage. info@todayandtonight.com Unfortunately for me, when you acciWWW.TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM • FIND US ON FACEBOOK

CALENDAR From page 27

work of the St. Teresa of Calcutta Conference, Society of St. Vincent de Paul. There is no entry fee, but walkers are asked to bring a donation to support the work of the conference, which provides financial assistance to help families in need get back on the road to self-sufficiency. All proceeds will be used to help our neighbors in the Lakeland area. Free bottled water, and free T-shirt to the first 100 registered walkers! Music and door prizes. Located First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland. Sat, 8:30 am. Call (863) 644-7469 for more info.

FEB 23

to 25 – Jeepin’ With Judd. A three-day family Jeep festival that offers obstacle and trail rides at Clear Springs Ranch. It is also a fundraiser for Polk Sheriff’s Charities. The cost is $60.00 if you register online, or $80.00 at the gate. Spectators may attend free. Located at Clear Springs Ranch, Cox Rd/Ledley Ware Rd, Bartow. Jeepinwithjudd.com for more info

Invitational. held at The Lake Myrtle Sports Park, the Chain of Lakes Baseball Complex, and various other baseball fields around the county. Over 200 colleges annually in all divisions (NCAA D I, II, III, NAIA and JUCO), that’s more college teams than all other Florida spring break tournaments combined come to Polk County area for this tournament! Spectator friendly. centralfloridasports.com

FEB 17

- Tropics vs San Diego Sockers. Indoor soccer 7:35 pm located RP Funding Center, Lakeland.

longest-standing relationship between a Major League team and a current Spring Training host city. The 2018 spring season marks the club’s 53rd consecutive season of exhibition play at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. All home games begin at 1:05 pm. tigers.com/ springtraining for full details.

FEB 23

- Lakeland Magic vs Maine Red Claws. Basketball 7 pm located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland.

FEB 21

FEB 24

FEB 22

FEB 26

- Lakeland Magic vs Greensboro Swarm. Basketball 7 pm located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. to MAR 26 – Detroit Tigers Spring Training. 2018 will mark the Tigers 82nd season at stateof-the-art TigerTown in Lakeland, extending the

- Lakeland Magic vs Grand Rapids Drive. Basketball 7 pm located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland. to MAR 3 – FHSAA Girls Basketball Championships. For complete basketball schedule: rpfundingcenter.com Located RP

Funding Center, Lakeland. - Lakeland Magic vs MAR 4 Westchester Knicks. Basketball 7 pm located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland.

to 10 – FHSAA Boys MAR 5 Basketball Championships. For complete basketball schedule: rpfundingcenter.com Located RP Funding Center, Lakeland.

MAR 11

– Chain of Lakes Cycling Classic. Criterium street circuit cyclist racing is one of the most exciting sports to watch. Color, speed, thrills and spills guarantee an exciting, action-packed day through eight turns and around Central Park in downtown Winter Haven. Event benefits the Humane Society of Polk County. Sun, starts at 8 am. For sponsorship info please contact Lisa Baker, Ex Director: lbhspc@aol.com

FEB 24

– The Gala. Polk Museum of Art’s annual black-tie benefit is also one of the best parties in Central Florida. It’s a memorable evening of dancing, socializing, and a wonderful gourmet dinner. A silent auction takes place throughout the evening, as well. Items for auction range from sports memorabilia, great vacation getaways, gourmet meals, jewelry, and more! Located PMoA, 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland. Sat, 6:30 pm to midnight. For more info, contact Pal Rivers Powell (863) 688-7743, ext. 240 or PPowell@PolkMuseumofArt.org

MAR 3

– 4th Annual Promise Run. 10K & 5K Run/ Walk Proceeds of the Promise Run to benefit Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center. Located Lake Mirror, Lakeland. Sat, 10k starts at 7am, 5k starts at 8:30am. Jodi Ridley, Race Director, (863) 284-1551 for more info.

MAR 4

– Relay for Life Bunco Party. It’s a silly, mindless dice game with individual players hoping to take home a few prizes along the way! Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Lakeland. This event is sponsored by the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Lakeland. Located United Women’s Club of Lakeland, 1515 Williamsburg Square, Lakeland. Sun, 3-5 pm. Cost - $15 Adv, $20 at Door. www.gfwcLakelandJuniors.org for more info.

MAR 10

– 23rd Annual Champagne & Shamrocks. Benefit for the Symphony Guild of Winter Haven. Social hour with butler passed hors d’oeuvres 5:30-6:30 pm, cash bar, dinner served at 6:30 pm w/complimentary champagne, concert by the City of Winter Haven Symphonia conducted by Dr. Virginia Davidson at 8 pm. Located at Nora Mayo Hall, 500 3rd St NW, Winter Haven. Sat, 5:30-10 pm. Cost - $100. Black tie optional. Tickets available by calling (863) 294-7213 or (863) 206-7167.

Sports in Polk

- Lakeland Magic vs FEB 7 Wisconsin Herd. Basketball 7 pm located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland.

- Tropics vs Harrisburg Heat. FEB 9 Indoor soccer 7:35 pm located RP Funding Center, Lakeland. - Lakeland Magic vs FEB 10 Raptors 905. Basketball 7 pm located at RP Funding Center, Lakeland.

- Tropics vs San Diego FEB 16 Sockers. Indoor soccer 7:35 pm located RP Funding Center, Lakeland. MAR 27 – RussMatt FEB 16toCentral Florida Baseball

FEBRUARY 2018

TID BITS TRACEY’S

By Tracey Greene

Sweets For The Sweet What is love? ‘Tis not hereafter; Present mirth hath present laughter; What’s to come is still unsure: In delay there lies not plenty; Then, come kiss me, sweet and twenty, Youth’s a stuff will not endure. — William Shakespeare Well: Love and Pain Be kinfolks twain; Yet would, Oh would I could Love again. — Sidney Lanier I never saw so sweet a face As that I stood before. My heart has left its dwelling place And can return no more. — John Clare I love thee as I love the tone Of some soft-breathing flute Whose soul is wak’d for me alone, When all beside is mute. — Eliza Action Where true Love burns Desire is Love’s pure flame; It is the reflex of our earthly frame, That takes its meaning from the nobler part, And but translates the language of the heart. —Samuel Taylor Coleridge This feeling is like a wonderful sting. I want this feeling to hold me captive. I wouldn’t give this up, not even for all four seasons to be spring. It doesn’t need to be masked as attractive, This unstable beautiful pain is mine, it’s what I want, what I need! — David P. Leverett 30 FEBRUARY 2018

Valentine’s Day is just a moment away. Some hate the “holiday of love” saying it’s just a commercialized day to make millions of dollars for the retail industry. Is it really so bad? A day, an excuse to spend time with loved ones and show that you care? This is a crazy busy world, so sometimes we need someone to tell us when to “stop and smell the roses” per say. Some people don’t need a day to express their feelings to loved ones and share them all the time, but then there are others that need the gentle (not so gentle) nudge to show appreciation for those in their life. Whether it’s borrowing an excerpt from a love poem, giving a heart-shaped box of chocolates and flowers or sharing a nice meal and a glass of wine…the smallest gestures make the biggest impact with matters of the heart. Bottom line, everyone just wants to feel loved and appreciated so let St. Valentine be your guide… February 14th is just as good a day as any to profess your feelings of love and gratitude to those that mean the most in your world. St. Valentine died for love; marrying couples against the will of the king. Buying someone a card or a little trinket doesn’t seem so taxing compared to the Saint of Love. Hint: here’s a delicious two for one, “Chocolove” chocolate candy bars are wonderful to eat but have another hidden sweet treat. Each comes with a love poem printed on the wrapper inside. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS info@todayandtonight.com WWW.TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM • FIND US ON FACEBOOK

THE SWEET SPOT

“That nice little groove in life—and music. It’s right where we all want to end up.”

I’ve seen Disney’s Moana thirty seven…hundred times. That might be an exaggeration, but when you have a toddler, there is always one magical piece of media that has the ability to buy you a few minutes to breathe or complete a task. I’m just glad it’s Moana instead of Frozen. I can't even with Frozen, but I suppose I’ll just ‘let it go’ for now. Moana is the epic archetypical heroes quest. The story is one of the oldest and most familiar themes in art and life. A coming of age tale of a defiant, independent, island girl as she struggles with the comfort and security of her village and familial ties, while longing for adventure and glory to traverse the open ocean and secure a brighter future for her tribe and ascend her thrown as an empowered island queen. Plus, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s character has a sweet song and dance number. I thought I was tough, but every time Moana restores the heart of Te Fiti, a lump builds up in my throat and my eyes get moist. Truth be told, the movie is currently playing just so I can finish this article. Country trio Runaway June are in the midst of their own epic journey, and so they find the “Sweet Spot” this edition. Science estimates that there was a one and four hundred trillion chance that you were born. Our arrival is miraculous in itself. We are a part of the seven plus billion individuals competing for space, resources, and attention. Then, there is an even slimmer chance at country music stardom. It’s never an exact science when it comes to success, especially in the music industry. Jennifer Wayne, one third of Runaway June, knows this all too well. This isn’t her first rodeo—or vocal trio. A five-year run with the band Stealing Angels ended in 2012 after failing to produce a hit or find any traction with country radio. Wayne went back to the lab and cooked up something poised to blow up—and I’m not talking Breaking Bad style here either. Lead vocalist Naomi Cooke (originally from Cedar Key, FL), fellow California native Hannah Mulholland, along with Wayne have serious chemistry. “There’s a sound that hasn’t been heard on country radio in quite some SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER AT WWW.TODAYANDTONIGHT.COM

Runaway June time—the sound of organic, three-part female harmonies, ringing strings, and stories that speak the language of modern women everywhere” reads their official bio. Almost every evening I say on air that there is a country song for everything. There has been a serious void of love songs from the female perspective. Timing and song choice are crucial to any artists career. Runaway June’s second single “Wild West” delivers on both. “Wild West” is melodic and driving, full of outlaw imagery and rough and tumble themes, yet the song remains subtle and romantic. “Wild West” is a daydream, a longing for simpler times and truer love. You can see Runaway June, PLUS Brett Young, Granger Smith, and Scotty McCreery the day after Valentines Day! February 15th at the RP Funding Center here in Lakeland. It’s our second annual Concert For the Kids presented by Window World and 97.5 WPCV in benefit of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please, join us in our own epic battle to end childhood cancer. You can purchase tickets at RPfundingCenter. com or at the box office--they are cheaper in advance and any tickets purchased or won for the original concert date will be honored. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @GStarrJr, Facebook Grant Starr. Life’s a Garden—Dig it.

BY GRANT STARR Monday - Friday 7pm to Midnight 97 Country WPCV, 97.5 FM Questions: grant@wpcv.com FEBRUARY 2018

BRAINEXCERCISE Sudoku Puzzle STRANGE BUT TRUE BY SAMANTHA WEAVER • It was noted educator and civil-rights activist W.E.B. DuBois who made the following sage observation: “The theory of democratic government is not that the will of the people is always right, but rather that normal human beings of average intelligence will, if given a chance, learn the right and best course by bitter experience.” • Those who make the finest wigs from human hair typically avoid buying hair from Americans. Evidently, hair grown in the United States is more likely to have damage caused by hairspray, hairdryers, dyes and pollutants. • You might be surprised to learn that the tiny nation of the Netherlands, located barely 1,000 miles from the Arctic Circle, is the world leader in yield for tomato production, producing 144,352 tons of tomatoes per square mile under cultivation. • In 1900, a prairie dog colony was found in Texas. That’s not surprising -- prairie dogs are fairly common out West -- but this colony was unique. Researchers say it was the largest colony ever discovered, providing a home to 400 million prairie dogs and stretching over 25,000 square miles. • If you’re planning a summer trip to Maine, be sure to visit Peaks Island; the town is home to what is quite possibly the world’s only museum devoted to umbrella covers.

TRIVIA TEST By Fifi Rodriguez

1. MYTHOLOGY: What was the name of the chariot-driving Greek sun god? 2. MOVIES: What was the first movie that Elvis Presley appeared in? 3. LITERATURE: Which Russian author wrote the novella “Notes from Underground” in the 19th century? 4. GEOGRAPHY: In what mountain range is Mount Everest located? 5. HISTORY: When was the Woman’s Peace Party organized in the United States? 6. MUSIC: What famous singer/ songwriter won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 2016? 7. U.S. PRESIDENT: Who was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms? 8. ANATOMY: What is the largest internal organ in the human body? 9. GOVERNMENT: What was the first capital city of the United States? 10. AD SLOGANS: What popular drink was advertised as “pure as sunlight” in 1927? Answers 1. Helios 2. “Love Me Tender” 3. Fyodor Dostoyevsky 4. Himalayas 5. 1915, in response to World War I 6. Bob Dylan 7. Grover Cleveland, 22nd and 24th president 8. Liver 9. Philadelphia 10. Coca-Cola

• The first seven presidents of the United States were not born American citizens.

ANSWERS

• Thanks to continental drift, the Atlantic Ocean is getting about a centimeter bigger every year, and the Pacific Ocean is shrinking by the same amount.

32 FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018

34 FEBRUARY 2018

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peak bloom

February 1 through March 31

Festival Activities

Fall in Love!

Peak Bloom at Pinewood Estate

Valentine’s Day Special

Explore the beauty and majesty of

Admission, music and dinner at Blue Palmetto

Pinewood Estate this spring as the rooms come alive with a bevy of fresh flower displays.

Café. Dinner is served from 4pm -7pm. Meal includes Steak & Shrimp, Asparagus, Baked

Peak Bloom Walking Tours Complimentary walking tours Mondays

Potato and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.

$35 per person*

through Saturdays at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. only.

Valentine’s Day at Pinewood Estate

Live in Concert

Enjoy Central Florida’s most romantic setting

February 11: AcousticDose February 17: An Evening with Muriel Anderson February 25: Omari Dillard March 11: Legacy March 25: Polkweed Muzique

with a gourmet dinner, unlimited wine, live music, champagne, chocolates and a special gift!

$300 per couple *Offer available through 11:59 p.m., Februar y 13 and must be purchased at boktowergardens.org. Member rate is $25 and 10% discount applies.

Discover Bok After Dark February 14: Fall in Love March 15: An Epic Fantasy March 29: Rock the Bok

Carillon Classic 5K Run/Walk March 10

Wine Walk March 10

Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, Florida 33853 863.676.1408

www.boktowergardens.org

Peak Bloom Festival sponsored in part by