Polk Museum of Art exhibit

Hollywood in Lakeland Florida

If you have tried to drop by the Polk Museum of Art, Mister Fish restaurant, Lakeland Public Library, or anywhere near that spot around Lake Morton lately, you would have noticed a lot of hustle & bustle. Well it seems like Hollywood has got its eyes firmly fixated on Lakeland & its many picturesque backdrops. The movie, tentatively titled, “Endure,” is scheduled to be shooting in Lakeland through May 8th. The movie is based on a fictitious town named “Lakeridge, Florida.” Stars of the movie include Judd Nelson & Devon Sawa. Many of you will remember Nelson from the many movies he acted in during the mid 1980’s. Such 80’s classics like St. Elmo’s Fire, The Breakfast Club, & Making the Grade. The director, Joe O’Brien is a Lakeland native.

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Lakeland Profiles – Lake Morton

With Mayfaire by-the-Lake a mere week away, I thought I would blog about the site of this annual event.Picturesque Lake Morton is the beautiful backdrop of this event every Mother’s Day weekend, but it’s also a place to go to simply relax & enjoy the scenery. Although it is named Lake Morton, for Kentucky native John P. Morton, Lakeland residents know it is really “Swan Lake,” where Lakeland’s signature resident calls home. The majestic swans, the muse of many local artists, are found at this quaint locale on the southern edge of downtown Lakeland. Lake Morton is located between Lake Mirror & Lake Hollingsworth. Morton is widely considered the epicenter of artistic activities in Lakeland. The Lakeland Public Library & The Polk Museum of Art both overlook beautiful Lake Morton & the DowntownAntiques District is just a hop, skip, & jump away! The annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake, an outdoors Art festival, is held every Mother’s Day weekend.

Residences of Lakeland’s important community leaders and civic buildings are located here. The Public Library, the Lakeland Woman’s Club, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and the Sorosis Club were all built on Lake Morton.

For additional PROFILES and beautiful virtual tours of sites in an around Lakeland & Central Florida, visitLakelandPoints.com.  

Lakeland Profiles, Art – Swansation and Kaleidoscope Butterflies

Lakeland has long been known for its appreciation of public art projects. Two such projects are the “Swansation Art Project” and the “Kaleidoscope Butterflies in Flight.” The intent of both projects were centered around civic awareness with the swan art benefiting local non-profits & the kaleidoscope project benefiting the CommonGround Park.

Swansation is a public art project in originating in downtown Lakeland responsible for bringing the community together to celebrate one of Lakeland’s most well known celebrities, the swan. This unique charitable project benefits local nonprofit organizations. The majestic swan, widely considered the mascot of this culturally rich community, is prevalent in much of its landscape. From murals, to pictures, & even sculptures, the swan lives not only at Lake Morton, but also in the hearts of the local residents.

Kaleidoscope, Butterflies in Flight is responsible for the numerous distinct butterfly sculptures throughout Lakeland. Originally intended as a fundraiser modeled after the highly successful Swansation public art project which took place in 2002, Kaliedoscope has become a integral part of the Lakeland art landscape.

Kaleidoscope’s four to eight foot aluminum butterfly sculptures are mounted on poles and displayed throughout Lakeland. The butterflies were transformed into unique works of art by local and regional artists. This public art project was designed to enrich cultural activity and positively impact the Lakeland community through a uniquely different charitable event.

Kaleidoscope Butterflies in Flight is a fundraiser for the construction of CommonGround, Polk County’s first “inclusive play experience.” Children of varying abilities and disabilities will be able to play together side by side in a play environment. The park itself will be in the shape of a butterfly, a symbolic representation of the individuality and unique character of every child. It will be one of six such playgrounds in Florida and only one of these inclusive playgrounds is currently open to the public. The playground will be located in Edgewood Park near the corner of Edgewood Drive and Buckingham Avenue.

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A MUST SEE – Polk County Public Safety and Crime Reports

Shopping for a home & not familiar with how safe the neighborhood is for your family? Central Florida’s premier real estate website, gatearty.com, has unveiled a NEW feature. The new Crime Tracker link offers up an overview map with records of criminal activity. This handy tool even allows you to enter an address to see if there has been any recent criminal activity in the area.

Other features on the Public Safety tab of the page include:

• Animal Control
• Emergency Management
• Lakeland Fire Department
• Lakeland Police Department
• National Hurricane Center
• Polk County Sheriff
• Sex Offender Search

Lakeland Spotlight on – Lake Mirror Promenade

Lake Mirror & its Promenade are considered the crown jewel of historic Downtown Lakeland. This community recreation area was the vision of Tom Appleyard, the manager of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce in the early 1920s. Charles W. Leavitt, the noted New York landscape architect, eventually brought Appleyard’s vision to reality. Its hallmark seawall, ornate loggias, and the wide palm-lined pedestrian pathways make this lake visually stunning and architecturally distinct.

 

The Promenade, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983, has often been the hub of local festivities of Downtown. Lake Mirror is surrounded by Kryger Overlook Park,Barnett Family Park, Magnolia Building, Lake Mirror Tower, Hollis Gardens, & the Lake Mirror Complex. Lake Mirror Park and amphitheater were dedicated in the fall of 1999 and Hollis Garden opened in 2000 on the southeast shore. Albert Paley’s “Tribute to Volunteerism,” a conspicuously ornate & colorful sculpture, crowns the northeast shore.

Mortgage News: Commercial Mortgages Down

The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey reports that commercial mortgage loan originations continued to drop in the first quarter of 2009. At this point, they are an astounding 70% lower than during the same period in 2008, and down 26% from the fourth quarter of 2008. The 70% overall decrease in commercial lending activity during the first quarter was driven by decreases in originations for all property types.  When compared to the first quarter of 2008, the decrease included:

• 88% decrease in loans for hotel properties

• 80% decrease in loans for health care properties

• 76% decrease in loans for retail properties

• 66% decrease in loans for office properties

• 61% decrease in multifamily property loans

• 50% decrease in industrial property loans

Market Activity Affected by Economy

As the unemployment rate hovers around 9%, most economists expect that the rate of foreclosures will account for approximately 60% of mortgage defaults this year alone. The next wave of foreclosures is expected to include not only the “sub-prime” mortgages, but also those who have been traditionally financially healthy, but have been affected by job-loss.  As a result of these foreclosures, housing prices are expected to decline overall. Do not expect to see price declines at ALL price points however. Many realtors have expressed that in some of the moderate price ranges, prices have become so attractive that buyers are jumping back into the fray in waves. In many instances buyers & sellers are once again involved in “multiple offer negotiations.” This has been scarce since the real estate boom of 2006. The home price decline that has resulted from the increasing number of foreclosures, tighter lending standards, & large supply of unsold inventory will eventually spur activity. With mortgage interest rates still at all-time lows, many buyers are viewing NOW as the time to act upon golden buying opportunities. According to Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, home prices in the U.S. fell by 18.7% in March from a year earlier.

FREE EVENT in Lakeland: June 5 – First Friday 6-9pm Downtown Lakeland

June 5 – First Friday 6-9pm Downtown Lakeland
“School’s Out for Summer”
Shops & restaurants open late. Music and entertainment along the streets. Classic Car Show on Tennessee Avenue. For more information visit: www.DowntownLakelandFL.com or call 513-3669. Free Event.

Downtown merchants, Explorations V Children’s Museum and the Polk Museum of Art are teaming up to make certain you have a lot of fun during the June 5th First Friday “School’s Out for the Summer” Celebration.

Along Kentucky Avenue you’ll find bubble-gum bubble blowing contests, hula hoop contests, squirt-gun shootout contests, and summer themed art contests. Kentucky Avenue will be closed for this event (cross streets will be open). Kid’s activities, including a bounce house, face painting at Lofty Ideas and a DJ at Lloyd’s of Lakeland, will be on North Kentucky. Traditions Unlimited will feature making paper flowers and Brooke Pottery will host making ornaments and clay animals. Fun geared towards teens and adults will be on South Kentucky.

Garden Bistro is open for dinner 6 – 8 P.M. Dinner at the Bistro (regular Menu) Music by Sofa Kings 7:00 – 11:00 on the Patio. Garden Bistro is next to Hollis Garden on Lake Mirror.

Illustrate your idea of “summer fun” at the community art project sponsored by the Polk Museum of Art on South Kentucky Avenue.
Dress in your summer finest and enter the People’s Choice Award for the Coolest Summer Look. Maybe that means a Hawaiian shirt, flip flops and a big straw hat, or maybe your spouse will say “no.” Give it a shot.

Prizes will be provided for various activities by the Downtown Lakeland Partnership and Downtown merchants.
Of course, there will be entertainment along the streets and the car show on Tennessee Avenue next to Munn Park from 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM.

First Friday is a monthly celebration in Downtown Lakeland. Each month has a different theme. (See proposed themes at the bottom of this page, if your group or organization would like to participate in a them, please contact Julie Townsend. Only DLP member businesses are allowed to participate. If your business would like to join the partnership, please see the membership tab. If your not-for-profit group would like to participate, please call us.

Each month features LOCAL ARTISTS ALONG THE STREETS with music and other entertainment for the entire family.During First Friday, shops and restaurants stay open late. A classic car show is featured along Tennessee Avenue.

TO BE A VENDING ARTIST ON FIRST FRIDAY YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF ARTS ON THE PARK OR J ROWAN GALLERIES.

PLEASE CONTACT DANIELLE COSTINE AT 680-2787 OR INFO@ARTSONTHEPARKLAKELAND.COM
Tuesday – Saturday • noon – 4pm

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The Beauty of Hollis Gardens in Lakeland

Hollis Garden is a formal 1.2 acre botanical garden donated to the City by the Hollis Family. The garden is located on historic Lake Mirror accessible from the Lake Mirror Promenade or Orange Street. The garden contains several water features and displays thousands of flowering plants, ornamental shrubs, historic trees, herbs and vegetables. The garden may be rented for weddings. Hollis Gardens was voted one of the Best of Class Gardens by the Gulfcoast Research and Education Center.

Features Include:

• Grotto
• Koi pond
• Fountains, waterfalls & lily pond
• Tropical room
• Two herb rooms
• Vegetable room
• Red room
• White room
• Yellow room
• Native area
• Butterfly garden
• Orchard
• Trees of Americana
• Patterned flower beds

Lake Mirror Park is located on Lake Mirror in downtown. It is a historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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