Lakeland Real Estate Blog by Petra

Looking for a good auto body and paint shop here in Lakeland Florida?

When roads are slick, caution must be taken when driving a car.  When the beautiful Florida sun is setting in front of your eyes while driving, caution must be taken when driving a car. 

Fender bender happens every day.

January 1^st, well 2^nd started out with a bang!  I drove with my daughters and grandkids to the Orlando outlet mall shopping and had a wonderful time.  As we were leaving the outlet mall the sun was setting and traffic was backed up leading to a major road – bumper to bumper traffic.  Needless to say, someone hit me in the rear, nothing major but it was obvious my car had bumper damage. 

I was in need of a local body and paint shop in Lakeland, Florida.

About a couple of weeks later, the check from the insurance company came in and I drove to my local body shop set up an appointment with Meisner Paint & Body in Lakeland, Florida.  Dean Brown of Meisner Paint & Body, Inc. checked out my car and the insurance adjuster’s estimation of repair. Dean explained to me that there were some parts and labor missing left out of the adjuster's estimated write up, nothing major. We set up the appointment to bring in my car and he assured me that he would call the insurance adjuster about the items that were left out.

Dean kept me updated throughout the process and when an extra day was needed because Meisner Paint & Body ordered clamps to fasten my bumper that had not come in, an extra day for my car to be there was required.

When I picked up the car, I was very impressed with the work they have done and the service they provided.  Although my bumper on my 12 year old car was repaired, it looked like as it was a brand new bumper. 

Job Well Done! Meisner Paint & Body Shop is located on 925 N Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, Florida 33801 and deserves a gold star.

Lakeland Harrison School for the Arts presents “The Three Musketeers”

Did you miss this wonderful play of Micah Ariel James adaptations of Dumas’ renowned novel of “The Three Musketeers” this past weekend?

Great reviews of past performances! At last weekend’s almost sold out performances and raving reviews by patrons, you sure don’t want to miss this exciting production of “The Three Musketeers” that is being showcased by the Harrison School for the Arts’ talented group of theater students.

For another weekend, you are encouraged to see this performance in the new Black Box Theatre located on 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801 on Friday, March 12^th @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 13^th @ 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee, March 14^th, 2010 @ 2:00 p.m.

Under the direction of Ilene Fins, Dean of Harrison's Theatre Department, "The Three Musketeers" explodes onto the Harrison stage with fast and furious duels in the dangerous streets of Paris! James' version of this classic story follows the renowned adventures of country bumpkin d'Artagnan as he seeks entry into the prestigious King's Musketeers.  Together they fight with courage to combat the malicious cardinal and save France.

 
"All for One and One for All!"  Chock full of political intrigue, romance and exciting sword battles, this world premiere is not to be missed. En garde!

The troupe is lead by Britt Michael Gordon as d'Artagnan, Corinne Townsend as Aramis, Lance Taylor as Porthos, Amelia Marler as Athos, Demonte Cheeks as Treville, Justin Nipper as Bonacieux, Katie Ward as the Queen, Erika Williams as DeWinter, Jenna Creamer as Rochefort, Kevin List as the King, Chris Holseth as the Cardinal, Brooke Dixon as Constance,and Nicole Richard as the Innkeeper, with Courtney Lang, Beth Rousseau, Camila Araujo, and Annie Jaynes as the Fight Corps.

 
Seating is very limited and I encourage buying tickets online at www.harrisonarts.com

 Pictures are courtesy of Andy Glowgower of Andy Glowgower Photography

Mark your calendar for these upcoming performances of The Harrison Fine Arts Series for 2009/10:

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 12, 2010 - Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 PM

Harrison Wind Ensemble Concert - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Chamber Music Concert - Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Piano Concert - Thursday, April 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 25, at 2:00 PM

Idealistic Notions, Professional Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Reception at 6:00 PM

String Orchestra Concert - Monday, April 26, 2010 First United Methodist Church, Lakeland at 7:30 PM

Spring Dance Concert - Friday, May 07, 2010 - Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Symphony Orchestra Concert - Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Lakeland Florida Annual Pancake Festival – February 13^th, 2010

Hungry for sausage and pancake?  Lakeland Kiwanis Clubs is in full preparation for their 52nd annual Pancake Festival on Saturday, February 13^th, 2010. Local volunteers from the Kiwanis Club will be up early to serve all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and coffee at the hanger at Tiger Town starting at 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Come out and support Lakeland’s Kiwanis Club community programs.  There will be displays and booths by local merchants along with entertainment in the afternoon. Tickets at door is $5.00 adults; $2.00 children.

Last year, my family enjoyed the good food and we were very impressed of how smooth and efficient the volunteers cooked and served pancakes, sausage and beverages.  The Kiwanis Club of Lakeland started early morning around 7:00 a.m. to serve over 25,000 pancakes along with 100 gallons of syrup, massive amounts of cups of coffee and juices to about 8,000 people here in Lakeland in just one day. As we made it through the reception table towards the tent where volunteers of the Kiwanis Club flipped pancakes, gallons and gallons of pancake batters were brought in to keep the grilles cooking to feed the people graving for pancakes such as myself. There were plenty of stations set up, so waiting for fresh pancakes did not take a long time and off we were to get our tasty sausages.   

Plenty of cooking stations for pancakes and sausages

Coffee and juice bar - Fresh coffee and juices were plentiful as well, even at closing time of 7:00 p.m.

First Friday in Lakeland Florida – Local Event “Dancing in the Streets” – February 5th, 2010 12th, 2010

The rescheduled First Friday event of February 12, 2010 is canceled. We don't expect any snow in Lakeland unlike the folks in the panhandle of Florida, but we will get drenched in rain.

UPDATE:  The weather was not co-operating yesterday for Lakeland's First Friday event.  I was downtown yesterday, only to find out that the event was postponed due to rain for next Friday (February 12th, 2010).

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and what

better theme Downtown Lakeland Partnership could have chosen other than “Dancing in the Streets” for its First Friday event in Lakeland Florida on February 5^th, 2010. The event starts at 6:00 p.m. It is recommended that folks arrive early to enjoy dining at local restaurants and shopping at downtown’s stores, galleries and boutiques.

Put on your dancing shoes and bring your Sweetheart. Flowers by Edith has a special price for corsage and boutonniere orders in advance. To wine and dine may I suggest the Antiquarian, the Terrace Hotel, or Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill, then take a stroll around Munn Park enjoy the sites of the Classic Car Show on Tennessee Avenue, beautiful Lake Mirror and the botanical Hollis Garden.  

“Dancing in the Streets” performances brought to you by:

• Sapphires Dance Studio – salsa and swing
• Samira’s Belly Dancers
• Florida Dance Theatre – various style of dancing
• Lakeland Montessori School – chorus and dance performance in Munn Park @ 6:00 p.m.
• Special performance of the night Rae’s Retro “Dirty Dancing” in remembrance Patrick Swayze “I’ve had the Time of my Life”

Take the dance floor with your sweetie and dance the night away on Kentucky Avenue – can you give your Sweetheart the “infamous” lift?

There are so many other activities for the whole family to enjoy. So, c’mon down to Lakeland’s Munn Park and enjoy an evening of arts and entertainment.

Lakeland Fl Free Entertainment – Annual Tiger Town Pig Festival January 29-30 2010

Hi folks!  It is time for our annual Tiger Town Pig Festival next to Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland Florida.  At this free event, yes free and even parking is free, you will find the best barbeque around – every taste buds will be mesmerized by the variety of finger lickin’ barbeque with all sorts of variety.

In its 14^th year, Lakeland Pig Fest is well known for its barbeque competition enticing professional barbeque teams to travel to our beautiful city and compete in four categories: Ribs, Chicken, Pork and Brisket. Of course they are interested in the $10,000 in prize money and the $1000.00 Big Green Egg Prize Package.

Gates open on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. with live music on the mainstage performed by Bitter Edge followed by Damon Fowler.

The gates open on Saturday, January 30th at 10:00 a.m. for some barbeque braggin’ rights competition. 

On both days there is plenty of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy including: NASCAR Simulators, Interactive Children’s area, Live Music, Tasting Opportunities and some world class barbeque.

A tad bit of history lesson! It started all in 1994 when a small group of local businessmen attended the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Tyron, N.C. to watch a barbeque championship. From then on, a festival committee was established and Lakeland’s Pig Festival welcomed its first barbeque competitors in 1997. Since then, professional teams and backyard teams travel great distances to compete separate in now five different categories in Ribs (loin and spare), Pork (shoulder and butt), Chicken, Brisket (beef) and Sauce. The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Professional Competition and Judging School considers Lakeland’s Pig Fest to be one of the finest events sanctioned by KCBS.  Lakeland’s annual  Pig Fest held at Joker Marchant Stadium has since then grown to over 300 Barbeque Teams competing for prize money and attendance growing quickly each year.   

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland became in 2005 the lead organizer for this great event and they do an outstanding job providing volunteers to see that this free event is run smoothly. The event in itself is free, such as the concerts – as you walk towards the gate, let me suggest you buy “Pig Dollars” near the entrance for food and drinks and also some for your kids, since I’m sure they want to take part in arts & crafts, climbing and jumping. Don’t worry if you run out of the “Pig Dollars or “Pig Bucks”, there are various locations throughout the area for you to buy more.

First Friday in Lakeland Florida – Local Event “Holiday Happenings” – December 4th, 2009

C’mon down – Downtown Lakeland is all decked out with Holiday lights! Enjoy the sounds of holiday music that will be performed around downtown Lakeland; take your picture with Santa at the General Store and much, much more during Lakeland, Florida’s First Friday local event “Holiday Happenings”. Get some holiday shopping done, stores will be open late!

Did you miss Thursday’s annual Lakeland Christmas Parade? You don’t want to miss this special occasion with your family and friends. With all Lakeland First Friday events, Downtown Lakeland Partnership has always done an outstanding job organizing, which it only gets better with each and every month. Folks coming to downtown Lakeland comingling, shopping, dining and having a good time.

What can you expect to see in and around Munn Park?

It all starts at 6:00 p.m. with many school groups performing at various locations downtown:

Carlton Palmore – 7pm – Main & Kentucky
Sleepy Hill – 6pm & 7:30 – Kentucky & Pine
All Saints – 7:30 – Kentucky & Lemon

At J. Rowan Galleries on S. Kentucky Ave:

6:00p.m.              LCMA Jazz Band I
6:55p.m.              LCMA Full Orchestra
7:15 p.m.             LCMA Advanced Chorus
8:00p.m.              LCMA Jazz Band II

Inside J Rowan Galleries on S. Kentucky Ave:

6:15p.m.              LCMA Guitar Ensemble
6:30p.m.              LCMA Guitar Ensemble
6:45p.m.              LCMA Guitar Ensemble

Suzuki Strings performing in front of Fast Frame at 6pm

Stop by at the classic car show!

Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts – Fall Orchestra Concert

The Harrison Orchestra Students under the direction of Robert Lambert & Matt Davis will be performing repertoire from some of your favorite composers at their annual Fall Orchestra Concert on Thursday, November 19^th, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. on the main state of the Harrison School for the Arts Theater located at 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801

Come enjoy an evening of orchestral music at the Fall Orchestra Concert. This concert provides an opportunity for you to hear the pieces that will be performed on orchestra’s trip to La Croix Valmer, France in June 2011.

• Crown Imperial - William Walton (20th century British composer)
• An American in Paris - George Gershwin
• Selections from Camelot - Lerner & Loewe/ arr. Robert Russell Bennett
• Brook Green Suite - Gustav Holst, and much more….

Ticket price for the performance is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.harrisonarts.com  and will include a nominal merchant fee. Remember to bring your e-ticket to the event. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to performance.

The Harrison Box Office will be open at 6:00 p.m. the evening of the performances. (863) 499-2939.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming performances of The Harrison Fine Arts Series for 2009/10:

Parallel Realities, Visual Arts Exhibit - Friday, October 23, 2009 - Friday, December 18, 2009

Jazz Band Concert - Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Music of the Season - Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Visual Arts Senior Showcase - Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - Sunday, February 28, 2010Reception, January 22 at 6:00 PM @Polk Museum of Art

Eighth Grade Small Works Invitational 2010, Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, January 29, 2010 - Friday, February 12, 2010 - Reception at 5:00 PM

Winter Dance Concert - Friday, January 29, 2010 - Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Sit and Spin, Visual Arts Exhibit - Thursday, February 18, 2010 - Friday, March 19, 2010

Reception at 6:00 PM

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 05, 2010 - Saturday, March 06, 2010

 at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 7, at 2:00 PM

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 12, 2010 - Saturday, March 13, 2010

 at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 PM

Harrison Wind Ensemble Concert - Tuesday, March 16, 2010  at 7:30 PM

Chamber Music Concert - Thursday, March 25, 2010  at 7:30 PM

Piano Concert - Thursday, April 08, 2010  at 7:30 PM

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 25, at 2:00 PM

Idealistic Notions, Professional Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Wednesday, June 09, 2010 - Reception at 6:00 PM

String Orchestra Concert - Monday, April 26, 2010 First United Methodist Church, Lakeland at 7:30 PM

Spring Dance Concert - Friday, May 07, 2010 - Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Symphony Orchestra Concert - Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Spring Choral Concert - Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Jazz Band Concert - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Lakeland Florida Harrison School for the Arts – Fall Piano Concert

The Harrison Piano Students under the direction of Rebekah Haubry will be performing solos and ensembles repertoire from some favorite composers, such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, and many more at their annual Fall Piano Concert on Thursday, November 12^th, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. on the main state of the Harrison School for the Arts Theater located at 750 Lakeland Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland Florida 33801

Come enjoy an evening of piano music at The Fall Piano Concert. This concert provides an opportunity for the students to demonstrate their accomplishments of their first semester’s study of solo and ensemble literature.

Freshmen

Michelle Castillo, Angie Lee, Forin Huang, Holly Scott

Sophomores

Richard Anderson, Derik Thomas, Alvaro Ulloa

Juniors

Amanda Callihan, Angel Lee, James Maffett, Sabrina Morby, Matthew Oliver

Seniors

Mary-Catherine Savant, Lorel Schmitzberger, Shelli Sokolski, Benjamin Vickers

Ticket price for the performance is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.harrisonarts.com  and will include a nominal merchant fee. Remember to bring your e-ticket to the event. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to performance.

The Harrison Box Office will be open at 6:00 p.m. the evening of the performances. (863) 499-2939.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming performances of The Harrison Fine Arts Series for 2009/10:

Parallel Realities, Visual Arts Exhibit - Friday, October 23, 2009 - Friday, December 18, 2009

Symphony Orchestra Concert - Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Jazz Band Concert - Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Music of the Season - Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 7:30 PM

Visual Arts Senior Showcase - Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - Sunday, February 28, 2010Reception, January 22 at 6:00 PM @Polk Museum of Art

Eighth Grade Small Works Invitational 2010, Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, January 29, 2010 - Friday, February 12, 2010 - Reception at 5:00 PM

Winter Dance Concert - Friday, January 29, 2010 - Saturday, January 30, 2010  at 7:30 PM

Sit and Spin, Visual Arts Exhibit - Thursday, February 18, 2010 - Friday, March 19, 2010

Reception at 6:00 PM

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 05, 2010 - Saturday, March 06, 2010

 at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 7, at 2:00 PM

The Three Musketeers

Friday, March 12, 2010 - Saturday, March 13, 2010

 at 7:30 PM in the Black Box Theatre

Sunday, March 14, at 2:00 PM

Harrison Wind Ensemble Concert - Tuesday, March 16, 2010  at 7:30 PM

Chamber Music Concert - Thursday, March 25, 2010  at 7:30 PM

Piano Concert - Thursday, April 08, 2010  at 7:30 PM

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 25, at 2:00 PM

Idealistic Notions, Professional Visual Arts Exhibit

Friday, April 23, 2010 - Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Reception at 6:00 PM

String Orchestra Concert - Monday, April 26, 2010 First United Methodist Church, Lakeland at 7:30 PM

Spring Dance Concert - Friday, May 07, 2010 - Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Symphony Orchestra Concert - Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Spring Choral Concert - Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Jazz Band Concert - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Free Arts & Entertainment Event in Lakeland Florida - Saturday Nov 14th 2009

Did you enjoy this past weekend's free events honoring the people who service? Check out this Saturday's free art & music event on November 14, 2009 from 11am-5pm. This event takes place downtown Lakeland at the Lake Mirror Amphitheater.

This event would help bring unity to the community of Lakeland through a common passion; creative arts. It would be a place for talented artists within our community to release their gifts, bringing a positive influence into our city. Artists would have the opportunity to network & share with other artists of the same vein and hopefully it would provide profit for them by selling their pieces/music. To simply put it, they want to promote art. 

There will be all sorts of live entertainment throughout the day, featuring: The Florida Dance Theatre, Southeastern's fX Percussion Group, Joe Gavin, John Conklin, Terra Terra Terra and more!

If you would like to learn more about the event, please visit their website: http://www.kristinacollins.org/events.html

First Friday in Lakeland Florida – Local Event “Honoring Service” – November 6th, 2009

Being married to a veteran, who served 20 years in the Army and both of my sons (SIL) serving in the military, one as a Marine reservist and the other active duty in the Air Force, this is very dear to my heart. Veterans Day is November 11^th and Lakeland, Florida’s First Friday local event “Honoring Service” could not have been timed any better.

With all Lakeland First Friday events, Downtown Lakeland Partnership has always done an outstanding job organizing, which proved at last month event of “Art Walk”. I’ve never seen that many people downtown Lakeland comingling, shopping, dining and having a good time.

What can you expect to see in and around Munn Park?

It all starts at 6:00 p.m. with the National Anthem that will be performed by the Harrison School for the Arts string quartet in front of Brooke Pottery.

• Color guard demonstration by Lake Gibson High, Lake Region, and George Jenkins High Schools.
• Dance and ROTC performances throughout the evening are scheduled – Kentucky Avenue will close from Lemon Street to Oak. 
• Music and Entertainment 
• Student art displays along the streets

At 7:00 p.m. between Main and Lemon Street, you’ll be entertained by clogging and nutcracker dances.

• Girl Scouts are sponsoring card making activities to be sent to troops overseas.
• Massages will be offered
• Prizes to win, sign up for drawings and more.
• Lifestyle Fitness Center will also have you entertained

There is so much more from Nonperishable Food Drive organized by Brooke Pottery to benefit the Talbot House to Operation Drop Zone donating items for our active military members deployed overseas. Think about our military veterans when you shop downtown Lakeland!

Also, Senator Paula Dockery, who just announced her run for governor will be there to talk with you.

Stop by at the classic car show!