Music and Martinis: Imperial Symphony Orchestra in Lakeland

With the Emmys only a week away, all of Hollywood is getting ready with their best designer duds, flashy jewlery, and handsome dates by their side. Though Arbor Glen may be thousands of miles from the big awards show, Lakeland can still give you the Hollywood treatment without having to leave this fine city.

Next week, The Lakeland Center will be hosting “Music and Martinis.” The event promises to be an amazing evening that will make you feel like you’re one of the stars. You and a friend or loved one can attend Sikes Hall and hear a live “Pops” performance from the Imperial Symphony Orchestra while sipping on martinis from various Lakeland restaurants. You will hear music from films such as “Star Wars,” and “Indiana Jones.” What songs do you hope to hear?

Be prepared for the tastiest martinis to have ever encountered your palate because they will all be competing for the title of “Best Martini.” You automatically get a vote when you purchase your ticket, so put your tasting gameface on & help decide the winner!

The event is happening August 31st at 7PM. If you purchase your tickets early, you can get them at a reduced price of $30 apiece.

First Friday Presents Dog Days of Summer

Today is First Friday! As the video explains, August’s First Friday theme is Dog Days of Summer. Instead of hanging out at Central Bark this evening, take your pooch to Downtown Lakeland for great dog-themed events.

• The General Store (as featured in that funny YouTube video) will be selling doggie items that your pooch will love. make sure to tell Sparky hello!
• Lakeland Police Department will have their canines on hand to get support for kicking off fundraising efforts for the Honoring Heroes BBQ. Purchase a calendar and support a great cause!
• Get your pup’s picture taken by the photographers of Fitz Gallery and get it framed later by FastFrame
• Your pooch can enjoy cooling off with great treats from The Doggie Bag.
• Enjoy live entertainment from Shorts N’ Flip Flops Improv Comedy or listen to the musical stylings of Phil Schneider, Bryan Rivers, and JP Henderson.
• Witness The Pooch Parade! You may even still have time to sign your dog up if you’d like to participate. This kicks off at 7:30 PM on the corner of Bay Street and Kentucky Avenue.

See you in Downtown Lakeland tonight for First Friday’s Dog Days of Summer!

Pool Party This Weekend!

We here at Arbor Glen have noticed you’ve been voting on the blog poll, and we’ve listened to you! Majority rules, and we’re going to have a pool party this weekend!

Saturday, starting at 11 AM, we’re inviting everyone down to the pool to have a great time in the sunshine! We’re going to have a live DJ spinning some of your favorite tunes while you swim around.

Lifestyle Fitness will be there to talk to you about great gym offers, and you can even spin their wheel to win an awesome prize!

Want to get in the spirit of competition? Compete in the hula hoop contest and show off your skills! After you’re done showing everyone how to “hoop,” make sure to feed your appetite with hot dogs and chips! It’s perfect pool side food, and the sodas we supply will compliment it perfectly.

Everything’s happening this Saturday, 11AM-4PM at the pool. We look forward to seeing you there!

Seeing Double at Polk Theatre

Want to catch a summer flick? If you want a change of pace from Cobb Theatre in Lakeside Village, you should visit Polk Theatre. They have some great deals going on this summer!

On Saturday evenings the theatre plays a double feature. All summer long Polk will be airing classic movies like Jaws and The Godfather. Tickets are only $4 for this event – that’s less than a regular-priced ticket for one movie at other theaters.Tickets for any show are $4, and you can also get popcorn and a drink for $1 each. You can’t beat Polk’s summer deals!

Hulu: Making Changes to Make Some Money

Hulu, everyone’s favorite website to stream television shows, clips, and movies, will no longer be offering this service entirely for free. The website has been receiving a lot of pressure from it’s media company to finally turn profit, and a plan of action has just been announced. Rather than offer multiple season of a show for free, users will soon have to pay to see older seasons of the shows they love.

Don’t worry – recent episodes of shows from ABC, FOX, and NBC will still be available to stream for free, and many past seasons will be up for free viewing as well.

The new site is currently available by invitation only. Were you one of the lucky few that got the invite? Better yet, would you call yourself “lucky”?

Who doesn’t love a good movie?

With the Oscars coming up this weekend, I’ve really been getting into movies this week. There is just something about watching a movie that transports you into a different state of mind. Why do you watch movies? Is it to escape to another world, imagine you’re someone else, or is it simply entertainment?

Movies have a way of touching the people they encounter. For years, these artists have told us stories through this medium  that have captivated our senses.  These are my top 3 movies (in no particular order):

• Kill Bill Volume 1
• The Emperor’s Club
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Obviously these movies are very different from each other, but they each hold a special place in my heart. Especially Ferris Bueller, I mean, who doesn’t love that movie?

After Oscar weekend I will have a long list of award winners that I’m going to put on my “must watch” list. What are your favorite movies?

(photo courtesy of bossco on flickr)

Lakeland: The “Home Base” for Baseball Lovers

Spring is just around the corner. Soon we’ll have the animals rise from their hibernation (though not many do around here), see flowers bloom, and…baseball Spring Training will begin!

Starting March 2nd (next Tuesday) Lakeland will be hosting the Detroit Tigers’ Spring Training. This marks the 74th season for the team here in Lakeland. Can you believe that number? The team’s long-running commitment to “TigerTown” makes this the longest-standing relationship between a major league team and a Spring Training host city.

Not a Tigers fan? No worries. Within an hour’s drive of Joker Merchant Stadium are 6 other major league teams’ Spring Training camps, including the current World Champs, The Phillies.

I don’t know about you, but I. can’t. wait. Bring on baseball season!