Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day

Two thousand stores across the US will give away free comics to kids on Saturday, May 1st. Visit Freecomicbookday.com to find a participating merchant near you.

Michael's The Knack event this weekend

Michael's The Knack

Make It Take It Mother's Day Mug Event

Sunday, May 2nd, 1 pm until 3 pm
Turn an ordinary mug into a work of art. Join us to make a personalized mug for Mom. Requires purchase of mug with markers.

Home Depot Building workshop for kids

Home Depot Building workshop for kids this Saturday.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
9 am until noon
Come build a Picket Fence Planter.

Museums on Us!!

Bank of America - Museums on Us!

Get Free General admission to over 100 Museum, Zoo, Science Center, Botanical Gardens and More with your Bank of America Credit Card, ATM, or Check Card and your ID.

Locate a Museum Location in your area!

Bank of America - Museum on Us!

Camp Ready!!! for Rising Kindergarteners or Repeating Kindergarteners

Learning Resource Center
Presents Camp Ready!!

Program Goals: This successful summer program for Rising-K and Repeating Kindergartners offers a month of daily interactive sessions at child-friendly Family Fundamentals located in Lakeland to enhance readiness and social skills. Also, two new locations for the summer of 2010...Ft. Meade -Help of Ft. Meade (formerly Riverside Elementary) and Hillcrest Elementary in Lake Wales.

Who: Students entering or repeating Kindergarten
When: Four weeks beginning in June or July Where: See above
What: Awareness: 47 sounds; Vocabulary: Receptive and Expressive; Participation: Cooperative Learning Groups; Reinforcement: Following Directions
How: Highly qualified teachers will lead the exciting parade
of themed rich language-laden lessons with movement and music, color and art, taste and cooking, providing learning opportunities for parent involvement at camp and at home.

WHEN: July 5-July 30; 8:30 am until 11:30 am
PRICE: ONLY $20 flat fee for the whole month.

Sign up on their website: http://www.lrcpolk.com/
Learning Resource Center
1628 South Florida Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33803
863-688-9477

Library Happenings this week!

• Auburndale Library Join us for crafts, music, and stories at storytime, this Thursday. Children age 2 meet at 9:30 am and children ages 3-5 meet at 11 am . This week the theme is "Fun on the farm".
• Bartow Library Story times this weeek are 3:30 pm on Tuesday for ages 6-8, 10 am Wednesday for ages 3-5 and 10:30 am for Book babies which is ages birth-2 years old.
• Haines City Library We're "Going Buggy" this week at story time 10:30 am on Wednesday.
• Lakeland Library Story times this week are; Pre-school story time meets 10 am on Tuesday, Toddler time meets 10 am Wednesday, Mother goose time for babies meets 11am on Thursday.
• Larry R. Jackson Library Storytime meets 10:30 am on Wednesdays.
• Winter Haven Library Preschool story hour for ages 5 and under starts 10 am on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each week we have themed reading activities including puppets, music, and story telling to enhance young learners' reading skills.
  

Pics on the Promenade!

Pics on the Promenade!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Presents Indiana Jones

FREE Admission
Movie at Dusk
Lake Mirror Downtown Lakeland


Upcoming Movie:
May 14, 2010 The Blind Side

Free Concert!

Symphony Guild and Winter Haven Hospital Present
Young People's Concert

Sunday, May 2nd at 3:30 pm
FREE

Presented at Polk State College's Fine Arts Theatre Winter Haven Campus
Featuring:
The Harrison Symphony Orchestra
From the Harrison Center for the Performing Arts Polk County's only Performing Arts High School

For more information, call Bill Siegel at 863-293-5214

Chick Fil A Kid's Night

Chick Fil A Kid's Night Growing Kids Inside and Out

Join us for Kid's Night every Tuesday from 5 pm until 7 pm.
Free Chick fil A Nugget Kid's Meal (4 count) with the purchase of any Adult Meal. Dine In only.

Chick-fil-A Cow Apperance
Crafts
Face Painting
Balloon Artist
Magicians
Much More!

Really Cheap Ice Cream this Wednesday night!!

Wednesday, April 28th is Baskin Robbins .31 cent scoop night, from 5- 10 pm. You can help honor American’s Firefighters, because the Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Participating stores will reduce prices of ice cream scoops to 31 cents. At some locations, you may also have an opportunity to make a donation to your local fire charities. You can get all of the information HERE.


The following are the locations in the Polk County area:

	2106 S Florida Ave Lakeland , FL 33803		863-688-4168
		5614 US Highway 98 N Lakeland , FL 33809		863-853-3005
		2307 James L. Redmond Pkwy Plant City , FL 33563		813-446-2975
		1578 3rd Street SW Winter Haven , FL 33880		863-297-9100

Family Fun Workshop at the Polk Museum of Art

Family Fun Workshop at the Polk Museum of Art

May 1st at 10:30 am until noon
FREE

"Kimonos, Tea & Ukiyo-e" relates to the exhibition "Japanese Textiles and Prints"

A Freebie and Contest from Gerber Graduates

A FREE Book from Gerber Graduates and Scholastic; Mail in a Gerber Graduates Smart Sips, Graduates Yogurt Blends snacks, or Gerber Yogurt Blends product UPC and get a Free Little Scholastic book while supplies last. For complete details, visit scholastic.com/gerber.

Discover Dairy Sweepstakes from Gerber and Scholastic; Enter Now! 50 families will be randomly selected to win a Little Scholastic library for their toddler, and Gerber Graduates Smart Sips dairy beverages, Graduates Yogurt Blends snacks and Gerber Yogurt Blends products. For complete rules and to enter online, visit scholastic.com/gerber.

The above information was found in the April 2010 edition of Scholastic Parent and Child magazine which I receive every month from my boys' preschool teacher. I love this magazine and will miss it when my boys don't get it from school anymore.

Cobb Lakeside Summer movie schedule

I have been waiting for Cobb to post their FREE summer movie schedule.
This is great free, cool fun in the summer. I am sure my boys and I will see many of you at many of these great movies.

Free Summer Kids Shows 2010 Schedule

All shows are at 10am. Box office opens at 915am.
Shows are free to all, on a first come first serve basis.
All Shows are rated PG

June 15 – 17

Night at the Museum
Hotel for Dogs

June 22- 24

Alvin and the Chipmunks 2
Jimmy Neutron

June 29 - July 1

Monsters vs. Aliens
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

July 6 – 8

Tooth Fairy
Planet 51

July 13 – 15

Astro Boy
Aliens in the Attic

July 20 – 22

Shorts
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

July 27 – 29

Fantastic Mr Fox
Where the Wild Things Are

August 3 – 5

Sponge Bob Square Pants
Ice Age 3

Free Movie on the Lawn in Bartow

Free Movie on the Lawn in Bartow
Friday, April 23rd at 8 pm
On the NW corner of Wilson Ave. and Main St.
The event is free. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets.
The movie is "Alvin and Chipmunks: The Sqeakquel"
For more information, call the Main Street Bartow office at 863-519-0508.

Michael's The Knack, Saturday April 24th craft

Michael's Craft store

Free Family Pluffy™ Clay Event

4/24/2010 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Say Happy Mother's Day with Pluffy™ Clay. Make Mom an adorable gift she can hang on the fridge and cherish all year long. Join us and create this great Pluffy™ magnet. Powered by Pluffy™. While supplies last.

Lowes Build and Grow, April 24th

Come build a Bird Feeder, Saturday April 24th at 10 am at Lowes Build and Grow Clinic.
http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Library Happenings this week

Bartow Library
Earth Day celebration at Bartow Public Library, Wednesday at 3:30 pm. Children can watch Dr.Suess' "The Lorax" and learn how to help save the Earth!!

Lakeland Library
Get on the bus and travel with "All the way through the USA", Friday at 3:30 pm. Kids 7-12 years old can work as historian, weather guide, or reporter on a bus trip to discover the "Empire State", New York. Please register at Youth services, 863-834-4268.

Earth Day events around Tampa Bay

Earth Scouts Arts and Sustainability Earth Day Event

Booths and performances by Academy Prep Center of Tampa Earth Scouts students representing principles of peace, respect for nature, human rights and social and economic justice. Also, children can create art with recycled materials, make peace signs, bird feeders and more. Healthy snacks provided. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. Hillsborough Community College Ybor City Campus, 2001 E 14th Ave., Tampa. Free. (813) 248-5600. hccfl.edu.

Earth Day at Crews Lake

Earth Day festivities include lady bug release, "croc encounters," car show, rain barrel workshop, kids' crafts, garden help desk with master gardeners and more. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Spring Hill. Free admission. (727) 856-2917, ext. 201.

Green Fest 2010

A benefit auction for sustainable goods with dinner, drinks and a concert by folk performer Amy Carol Webb. Benefits Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater and the Green Florida neighborhood garden program. 4 p.m. Sat. Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater. $15. (727) 415-7676. UUClearwater.org.

Nature's Classroom Open House

Tour facility normally reserved for sixth grade Hillsborough County students in this Earth Day celebration with nature art displays and sales, live music, children's activities, live animal handling, food for sale and environmentally focused exhibits. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Nature's Classroom, 13100 Verges Road, Thonotosassa. $5 per vehicle. (813) 987-6969.

Earth Day Tampa Bay

Rain caused this event to be canceled last weekend but the bash has been rescheduled for Sunday. To mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, there will be exhibits on ways to "go green" from water and energy conservation to green home and garden products, alternative energy and recycling. There also will be demonstrations, arts and crafts, community groups, live music, and children's activities. Four-legged family members are also welcome at this event which is presented by the Tampa Bay Sierra Club. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. Lowry Park Bandshell area, 7350 N Boulevard, Tampa. Free. (727) 797-6261; florida.sierraclub.org.

bd's Family Fun Day, April 25th

bd's Family Fun Day
Join us to help benefit the Glazer Children's Museum.
Sunday, April 25th
1 pm until 4 pm
Face Painting
Bounce House
Balloon Artist

Lakeland
1474 Town Center Drive
Lakeland, FL
863-668-3700
gomongo.com

Fee Admittance to National Parks, April 17-25th

To make it easier to experience America's Great Outdoors, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees, so visitors can enjoy all 392 national parks for free April 17-25.

In addition, many national park concessioners are offering special promotions that are certain to add to your fun.

Family Cookie Concert, April 27, 2010

Family Cookie Concert
Imperial Symphony Orchestra
Join us for a musical Sunday afternoon of educational fun!
Come an hour early for pre-concert activities in the lobby. Cookies and juice for everyone after the concert. Plato the Publixaurus will be there!

Concert Admission
Adults and kids (ages 3 and up) $7 in advance and $10 at the door
Bring 2 cans of tuna for VISTE and Buy one ticket, GET ONE FREE!!

Cookie Concert
Sunday, April 27, 2010
Exploring the New World
The Lakeland Center
Sikes Hall
2:30 pm
(863) 688-3743
www.imperialsymphony.org

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic, April 17th

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic, April 17th
Build a Planter Box
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx

Fiesta In Auburndale on Saturday, April 17th

Farmworker Ministry Fiesta in Auburndale, April 17th at Auburndale city park.
10 am until 5 pm.
Includes Mexican music, dancing, food and children's activities.

State JROTC Drill Meet in Lakeland

State JROTC Drill Meet
FREE
Saturday, April 17, 8:30 am until 5 pm
George Jenkins High School

More than 80 schools from Polk county and all over the state will participate.

FREE Green Celebration Lakeland

Free Green Celebration
Friday, April 16th, 5-10 pm
Lake Mirror Promenade
Music by Think Big, Variety of exhibits promoting green living initiatives. This carbon-neutral, alternatively powered concert is the first of its kind in Florida.

Local library happenings this week

Auburndale library
Saturday, April 17th is Family fun day at 10 am.
Jump in the bouncy room, try crafts, games, chemistry experiments and hear great stories.

Bartow library
Saturday, April 17th at 2:30 pm is "Pix and Popcorn" featuring, Planet 51.
Refreshments available for a nominal fee.

Lake Alfred library
Join in the fun at the library for Earth day celebration, Friday, April 16th at 5:30pm. There will be seed planting and snacks.

Larry Jackson Branch Library
"Paws to Read" Be an Angel Therapy Dog visits the library, Saturday, April 17th at 2pm. Children can read to an attentive furry friend and practice their reading skills.

You're Invited! Thomas & Friends Play Date, Sat., April 17th: Storytime & Free Gifts!

Join us for a THOMAS playdate!!!
AT your local Toys R Us!!
Saturday, April 17th
11 am until 1 pm.
Storytime, coloring fun, Thomas trivia, special offers and free gifts!!!

YMCA Healthy Kids Day

YMCA Healthy Kids Day
April 17, 2010
10 am until noon
Lakeland Family YMCA
3620 Cleveland Heights Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33803
863-644-3528

Events include:
Gym activities, Basketball free throw contest, movin' in a minute, Family Zumba, "Food Fight"-a unique approach to good/bad food choices.
YMCA Family Tours
Refreshments served in the main lobby.

29th annual Children's Festival

Explorations V
Children's Museum
109 N. Kentucky Ave and Munn Park
29th annual Children's Festival
Saturday, April 17th, 10 am until 3 pm
$5 per person, Under 2 free

• Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo shows
• Pied Piper and Other Fantastic Tales!
• Music
• Art
• Giant Slide
  
• Big Wheels
  

Flying Tigers Sunday, April 11th is Kids Day!!

Flying Tigers
Sunday, April 11th is Kids Day!
vs Tampa Yankees
Game time is 1 pm
Gates open at noon.
Free Parking
lakelandflyingtigers.com

• Free Admission for kids 14 and under
• Pre-game clinic with the Flying Tigers at noon
• Kids can run bases following game
• All fans will receive a free sundae compliments of Dairy Queen
  

Pics on the Promenade

Pics on the Promenade
Presents
"Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs"
April 9th-AT DUSK
Lake Mirror, Downtown
FREE Admission

Seussabration, April 10,2010

Seussabration

Saturday, April 10, 2010, 10 am until 2 pm
First United Methodist Church
72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland
Rear Parking Lot

FREE

First 200 Children get a free book

Activities:
Crafts and games
Face painting
Balloon artist
Storyteller
Photo booth with The Cat in the Hat
Live music from the McKeel Jazz Band

Lowes Build and Grow clinic this weekend

• Lowes build and grow clinic, 4/10/10 at 10 am. Come build a mini baseball game. www.lowesbuildandgrow.com

Are you avoiding the library due to fines?

In honor of National Library week, the Winter Haven library will offer the "Food for Fines" program April 12-17. Donate non perishable food to "pay" for overdue fines; not applicable for lost or damaged books. One food item= $2 fine reduction. Call 291-5880 for more information.

Celebrate Earth Day at The Disney Store

Celebrate Earth Day Thursday, April 22 at the Disney Store, bring 6 empty plastic water bottles or soda cans to be recycle, and receive a FREE Eco-Friendly Baseball Cap.

Limit 1 cap per guest!!!

Bartow library Happenings

Pix and Popcorn Movie Program

The Bartow Public Library has started up a new monthly movie program that the whole family can enjoy called Pix and Popcorn! Showings are three Saturdays a month. The first Saturday will always be a family friendly showing (G to PG-13), the second Saturday will be a kid friendly showing (G to PG), and the third Saturday will be an adult showing (PG-13 to R). Admission is FREE and refreshments are available for a small charge.

The schedule for April is as follows: 


April 10 - Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG)
April 17 - Planet 51 (PG)
April 24 - The Blind Side (PG-13) 



Please note that movie titles are subject to change. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Call the library at 863-534-0131 for more information.

Paws to Read Program

Paws to Read Program with Be An Angel Therapy Dogs

Join us on Saturday, April 17, from 10-11:00 am for the program Paws to Read. Children may sign up the day of the program for a 15 min. period to read aloud to one of the Be an Angel therapy dogs and its handler and practice their reading skills in a fun and comfortable environment. All children who participate will receive free stickers and a paperback book.

Call the Bartow Public Library at 863-534-0131 for more information.

Drop Everything and Read Day
On Monday, April 12, "Drop Everything and Read Day" will be celebrated as part of National Library week. All you need are books, friends or family and 30 minutes together. Stop by the Bartow library to show your support and prove this year's theme: "Communities Thrive at Your Library."

Free Day at SeaWorld for Active Military

Starting now until 12/31/2010, SeaWorld is offering all active duty military from all service branches, active members of a reserve or National Guard unit, and three direct dependents a free day at SeaWorld (at select locations). Fill out this form for your free day and find out what Theme Parks are available for the offer!

Events for Saturday, April 10th around Polk county

• Family fun workshop in Polk City at Polk City Public Library. at 10:30 am. The theme is "Our Florida" FREE
• Cruise-in, Davenport (US 17-92 and Bay Street) Show and antique cars, food, DJ, raffles. 4-8pm. FREE