The Downtown Lakeland Chapter of American Business Women’s Association hosts Tina Gandy, owner of Twinz Co. Marketing and National President of the American Business Women’s Association. The event takes place May 9, 2012 at the Lakeland Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tina Gandy began her career as a creative designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Sam Houston State University.  She worked with several world-renowned brands including Walt Disney, ESPN, Frito-Lay, NFL, NBA and more.  Later, she progressed into the banking market where she designed and launched promotional campaigns state-wide for First American Bank in Texas.  Tina is now an Executive Marketing Specialist which together with her twin sister, Lina Lawson, owns and operates the marketing firm, Twinz Co. Marketing.

Tina is more widely recognized as the National President for the American Business Women’s Association of which she is a 12 year member. She is also a wonderful ambassador for the association in the community with her involvement in the Leading Women Express Network, Bryan/College Station Charter Chapter and Houston Area Council.

Member cost is $20, non-members are welcome! $25  Please RSVP to Gina at lakelandabwa@yahoo.com. If you have any questions visit lakelandabwa.com

Polk State College on Monday announced an innovative partnership with the Polk Transit Authority — one that benefits more than 20,000 and has garnered national attention.

In a pair of events, Polk State College President Eileen Holden announced that effective immediately all College students and employees may ride for free on any bus route served by Lakeland Area Mass Transit or Winter Haven Area Transit, a program that has been hailed as the most important progress in Polk County public transportation in 30 years.

The three-year agreement puts no restrictions on Polk State students and employees. They may ride any route, at any time, for any purpose — all at no charge as long as they show their College-issued photo ID.

“Whether you are headed to one of the College’s many campuses and centers around Polk County, venturing out to shop, visit museums, attend to healthcare needs, if you have a valid Polk State student or staff ID — you soar for free,” Holden said to crowds of several hundred on both the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses.

The agreement between the College and the Polk Transit Authority comes as gasoline hovers near $4 a gallon, putting increased financial strain on many Polk County residents. Also, the announcement comes just after Earth Day, perfect timing as the use of mass transit is one of the easiest ways people can help the environment.

Citrus Connection Executive Director Tom Phillips hailed the agreement as one that will improve not only individual lives but also the county as a whole. He gave the example of students using their gas savings to offset their tuition. With their financial burden eased, students can focus on graduating and entering the work force.

“Although we will likely never know the names of these Eagles, they will soar to new and previously unreachable heights because Dr. Holden and the Polk State team had the courage and forethought to lead us into a new era of public transportation in Polk County,” he said.

Because of the agreement with the Polk Transit Authority, Polk State has received the national Best Workplaces for Commuters award.

The award is a program of the National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida. NCTR is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation, and aims to make public transportation and alternative forms of transportation safe, effective, efficient, desirable, and secure.

Best Workplaces for Commuters recognizes organizations that take exemplary steps to offer transportation options to their employees, encouraging sustainable transportation innovation. Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields, also an alumnus of the College, was on hand to present the award to Holden. Also in attendance were County Commissioner Bob English, chairman of Lakeland Area Mass Transit, and Winter Haven City Commissioner Jamie Beckett, as well as Christine Diaz-Pagan of the FDOT.

Polk State’s efforts have also earned it the Gold Level Partner Rating from the FDOT’s District 1 Commuter Assistance Program.

Polk State’s announcement complements its participation in Taking it to the Streets, a regional campaign spanning 12 counties in Central and Southwest Florida. Taking it to the Streets encourages people to rethink their driving habits and try things like walking, biking, carpooling or using mass transit, and offers resources such as information on bus routes and biking trails. The campaign is organized by Commuter Services, an FDOT program.

The Lakeland Flying Tigers return home for a four-game homestand beginning Tuesday, April 24 at Joker Marchant Stadium.  Lakeland will host the Daytona Cubs April 24 and the Dunedin Blue Jays April 25-27.  Tickets for all home games are available by calling the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075.  Box seats are $6 and reserved seats are $5 and seniors 55 and over and children 14 and under receive a $1.00 discount.  Saturday tickets are an additional $1.  Wednesday All-You-Can-Eat tickets are $10.  Monday tickets are $1.  Parking is FREE.

Tuesday, April 24 vs. Daytona Cubs @ 6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
The Ledger 2-1 Ticket Offer
·        Check The Ledger for a special two-for-one ticket offer compliments of The Ledger Media Group.
Baseball Wingo Sponsored by Natalie’s Sports Bar & Grille
·        Fans can play Baseball Bingo during the game for a chance to win wings from Natalie’s and prizes from the Flying Tigers.
Silver Sluggers
·        Flying Tigers Silver Sluggers Tuesday presented by Humana.  Silver Sluggers members will receive free admission to the game as well as a complimentary soda.  For more
information on the Silver Sluggers program please contact the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075 or visit LakelandFlyingTigers.com.

Wednesday, April 25 vs. Dunedin Blue Jays @ 6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
All-You-Can-Eat Night
Wednesday is All-You-Can-Eat Night sponsored by Outback Steakhouse Lakeland – North.  Tickets are just $10 and includes admission to the game and all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, Little Caesars pizza, peanuts, popcorn, pretzels and chips as well as food from Outback from 5:30-8:30 p.m. or while supplies last.

Thursday, April 26 vs. Dunedin Blue Jays @ 6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:00 p.m.)
Chili Throwdown at Tigertown presented by Lakeland Fire Department
·        Chili competition begins at 5:00 p.m. and will conclude at 6:30 p.m.  There will be live music and 2 for 1 beer specials beginning at 5:00 pm until the end of the 7^th inning.
·        Fire Departments from Lakeland and Polk County will compete for the opportunity to be the Flying Tigers Chili Throwdown Champion.  Fire Departments will be judged in two categories; best chili as voted by the judges and the people’s choice award which will be judged by the fans.  Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third in each category.
·        Advance tickets to the Chili Throwdown are $10 and include free chili samples and live music and a ticket to the Flying Tigers game. Parking is free.  Proceeds
from the event will benefit the Polk County Veterans Council Hero’s Park.  $5 tickets are available the day of the game but do not include a game ticket.

2-1 Beer Night
Fans can enjoy 2 for 1 draft beer and $1 soda every Thursday home game.  Beer sales will begin at 5:00 p.m. and end at the conclusion of the 7^th inning.

Friday, April 27 vs. Dunedin Blue Jays @ 7:11 p.m. (Gates open at 6:00 p.m.)
7-11 Friday’s Presented by 7-11 Socrum Loop

Tigers Rope Necklace Giveaway
The Flying Tigers will be giving away rope necklaces to the first 750 paid kids (ages 14 and under).

Pre-Game
Tattoo and balloon artists from Twisted Artz will be in the main concourse beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Lawton Chiles Academy’s “A Knight with the Tigers” Spirit Night
Lawton Chiles Academy students, teachers and parents will be participating in fun promotions throughout the game.

Relay for Life Fundraiser
The American Cancer Society will be raising money and awareness for the North Lakeland Relay for Life Event.  They will have a table display in the main concourse.

The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.  For more information please visit the Flying Tigers online at www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com or call (863) 686-8075.

Red Trail Racing of Lakeland will host the Urban Mountain Bike Criterium in downtown Lakeland on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.  The registration and head table for the event will be in front of City Hall on Lemon Street.

Ray Wells, promoter of the event said, “There is no other mountain bike event like this in the country that we are aware of.  In fact, I am not aware of any other urban mountain bike race in the nation.”

The Urban Criterium is a mountain bike race on asphalt and stairs that winds through the Iowa Street Parking garage and along Lemon Street in front of City Hall.  Spectators are admitted free and can view the outlined course from designated positions.

The Iowa Avenue Parking Garage will be closed because it is part of the race course. The portion of Iowa Avenue between Lakeland’s City Hall and Lakeland Electric will be closed and a portion of Lemon Street will be closed to through traffic at Massachusetts Avenue.

Back by popular demand is the thrilling Street 2X Speed Trials competition that takes place between each urban mountain bike heat race.  Wells said, “The Street 2X is a great spectator event as racers compete on identical courses with various obstacles and ramps in two separate lanes.” The first racer to complete the obstacles and make it to the finish line is the winner.  Spectators are rewarded with some amazing acts of balance and lots of big airs as the cyclist launch themselves over the multiple ramps on the 2X course.

Visit www.redtrailracing.com for more information and to register for the Lakeland Urban Mountain Bike Criterium and the Street 2X Speed Trials.

The Learning Resource Center of  Polk County, Inc., a non-profit United Way agency is offering Summer School Programs for Kindergarten through 12th grade students.

• Camp Ready for rising and repeating Kindergarten students,
• Elementary Intensive Reading and Math for students in K-5 grade,
• Camp Lorax, science enrichment for students who have completed grades 3, 4, and 5,
• Middle School courses for students who have failed up to two courses needed for promotion,
• High School courses that will allow students the opportunity to earn up to two-and-one-half credits for graduation,
• Study Habits of Successful Students which provides study skills and motivational strategies to prepare students in grades 6-8,  and
• College Success Planning for students in grades 9-12 or college freshmen students looking for techniques and strategies for success.

SAT Preparation Courses and One to One Tutoring are available throughout the year. Financial assistance is available based on gross family income.

For more information call (863) 688-9477 or www.lrcpolk.com