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.

Family Day 2010 is “Going Global”

Lakeland, Florida is a great place to live for families. There are always great activities happening around town like “First Friday“ and family events happening right here at home. If you’ve been looking for your next great opportunity to take the family out for a day, think about getting everyone together for Family Day 2010 at the Polk Museum of Art.

Saturday, September 18th, Family Day 2010 will be “Going Global” with activities and entertainment representative of places all over the world. There will be performances from Didgeridoo Down Under, Luis Campaneria - a magician, Tampa Taiko Japanese drumming, and the Kuumba Dancers & Drummers. And seeing as this in the PMoA playing host, you can be sure there will be various art activities such as African masks, origami lanterns, Morroccan good luck hands, Australian didgeridoos, and Chinese good luck door hangers.

Save the date on your calendar! If you and your kids are one of the first 500 people at the museum, you will receive a free gift bag of school art supplies. This a great opportunity for your kids to learn about various cultures and the for the whole family to enjoy quality time together right here in Lakeland.

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!

Create a Masterpiece at the MoZaic Art Fest

Channel your inner-artist this upcoming Monday at the MoZaic Art Fest at the PicassoZ Art Cafe. At the MoZaic event you can create a masterpiece in the form of mosaic by using clay, adding printed words and photos, and incorporating random objects you may find.

Not sure this is something you’d like to do? It’s absolutely free to check out, and you can even mosaic a cookie to get some practice in. It’s only costs $6.50 to take part in the main event.

No matter whether or not you partake in creating your own mosaic, the cafe asks that each attendee glue their own unique piece to the group mosaic that will later be donated to a charity auction.

Located right in Lakeland, FL, the PicassoZ Art Cafe often holds events such as this that allow both new budding artists and those with great practice express themselves through creation and the development of new techniques.

The MoZaic Art Fest is taking place from August 2nd until August 4th.

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!

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!

Welcome Arbor Glen

Welcome to your new virtual gathering place, a community blog for the residents of Arbor Glen.

Looking to connect with your neighbors? Do it here.
Looking for ideas for a weekend getaway? Find it here.
Looking for the latest about what’s going on in our community? It’s all here.

Every day you will find something new on the Arbor Glen community blog. It will be a must-visit stop every day on your digital cruising.

We plan to focus on what you care about: tips to make the most of your community and your apartment lifestyle, great places to go around town, wonderful weekend getaways, how to live a healthy and fit lifestyle, food and dining suggestions, updates from the management team, and much more!

We’d love for you to jump right in and contribute! Got an opinion on something in the blog? Just click on “Leave a Comment” and share your thoughts — we can’t wait to hear from you.

Join the conversation!