The event will be hosted at the Lakeland Center and will be free for everyone to attend.  The Raiders will be having giveaways, team apparel for sale, and season tickets can be purchased for 25% off! There’s even a contest for the Number 1 fan! There will also be a kids zone set up, games, face painting and much more.

The team will perform drills for the fans and will be signing autographs and taking pictures.  “We want the community to really see how great of a team we have and that I am not settling for anything less than a championship this year” commented head coach Michael Mink.  “Our goal is to have our arena as loud as we possibly can so that teams fear having to come to Lakeland and fear the Raiders. The season will be here before you know it and history will be made this year” commented General Manager Feddy Azofeifa.

For more information on the event, visit the Lakeland Raiders Web site!

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Clark, Campbell and Lancaster, P.A. as the Small Business of Month for January.    

Clark, Campbell and Lancaster, P.A. was founded 1988 in Lakeland by Ron Clark. Today, the partners, Ron Clark, Tim Campbell and John Lancaster are Board Certified attorneys that lead the firm.

CC&L is a full service business law firm whose attorneys provide legal services for businesses and individuals primarily in Central Florida, with practice areas including general corporate law, commercial transactions, real estate law, land use, zoning and real estate, tax, probate and estate planning, guardianship, elder law, commercial, business, eminent domain, construction litigation, government, administrative, environmental, banking and commercial lending law.

CC&L’s corporate philosophy includes the following firm values:  Quality Service; Teamwork; Maximizing Efficiencies; Strategic Thinking; Rapid Decision Making; and Community Involvement.  Operating under these core values allows CC&L staff members to care about clients and the Lakeland community, and everyone is encouraged to become involved in local professional, civic and charitable organizations.

Located at 500 South Florida Avenue on the 8^th floor, Clark, Campbell and Lancaster, P.A. has been in Lakeland since their inception in 1988. CC&L has always felt like being in Lakeland has benefited them. It has given them both convenience and accessibility to many of the offices they deal with a daily basis, and has cemented their place in Lakeland.

CC&L continues to remain extremely active in and supportive of local civic and charitable organizations through volunteer participation and financial support. Many local organizations have benefited from the volunteer leadership of CC&L’s attorneys. In many instances, one or more attorneys have achieved the position of chairman of the board of organizations including the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce (2 past chairmen and general counsel), United Way of Central Florida (past chairman and other positions of leadership), Habitat for Humanity and numerous non-profit organizations, local churches, civic organizations and other community causes.  CC&L has had numerous participants in Leadership Lakeland and also have had a participant in most of the Leadership Polk classes, including the inaugural class.

Clark, Campbell and Lancaster, P.A.

500 S Florida Ave, Suite 800

Lakeland, FL  33801

(863) 647-5337

www.ccmattorneys.com

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce represents 1,600 member businesses in the Greater Lakeland area and provides opportunities for networking, professional development and advocacy for companies of all sizes. Five-Star Accredited by the US Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber upholds the following vision and mission statements:

Vision Statement

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce will be the premier catalyst for the advancement of Lakeland’s economic growth and enhancement of quality of life – creating Florida’s community of choice.

Mission Statement

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading organization dedicated to creating a climate where business can prosper.

Baseball fans that can’t get enough of the national pastime on February 18 can enjoy baseball themed exhibits and memorabilia from February 11-19 at Polk Outpost 27. While at Polk Outpost 27, visitors will also be able to get all the latest information on the 2012 Spring Training season including schedules, Spring Training guides and other baseball information including complete schedules for the 2012 RussMatt Baseball Central Florida Collegiate Invitational that features more than 200 college baseball teams competing in Polk County from mid-February through the end of March.

All of the events and displays are free of charge and will be open to the public during normal hours. Polk Outpost 27 is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is located on Highway 27 a half-mile South of I-4 at Exit 55. For more information call Polk Outpost 27 at (863) 420-2586.

This is a very special occasion and we recognize and honor women in Polk County who exemplify the values of achievement, integrity, professionalism, community service and personal growth. We are proud to be able to recognize their efforts and accomplishments!

The Women of Distinction Awards ceremony will be held at The Lakeland Yacht and Country Club located at 929 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, Florida on Thursday, April 5, 2012. A cocktail reception will begin at 6:30pm. This special evening also benefits the PACE Center for Girls a local non-profit organization that provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training, and advocacy.

We encourage local businesses and organizations to nominate a colleague as a Woman of Distinction. A Woman of Distinction is a woman who is outstanding in her profession, is a contributing member of her business or organization and is an active participant in her community. She also is a woman who has distinguished herself in service to her organization, company, and community.

If you know a woman in POLK COUNTY deserving of this nomination, please contact Gretchen Johnson at gretchenjohnson0323@gmail.com or (281) 744-1105. Nomination and sponsorship forms are also available online at www.nawbolakelandmetro.com. Sponsorships for the evening and nominations are due by March 1, 2012.

The public is invited to stop by and celebrate all that the Parks & Recreation Department has to offer through various class demonstrations, kid’s activities, giveaways and tours of the facility.  Instructors of classes from art to fitness will be onsite to answer questions. Visitors can purchase a “Big Deal” pass, only available at the Open House, for $60. The “Big Deal” pass allows 40 visits to the weight room, cardio room, and open gym activities.   Fit Niche will be on hand to measure stride and gait to help improve running or walking performance.  Exploration’s V Children’s Museum and Camp Fire USA will be onsite doing crafts and other fun activities with kids.  There will also be bounce houses and games on the tennis courts for the younger set.

Kelly Recreation Complex is a full service recreation complex located in Lakeland at 404 Imperial Boulevard just off South Florida Avenue.  Kelly Recreation Complex is housed on 7.5 acres and includes a basketball gym, tennis courts, indoor volleyball courts and aquatic programming at Gandy Pool.  Kelly Recreation Complex is open Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about the Open House or any of the programs and services offered by the Kelly Recreation Complex, call (863) 834-3284.

Students will proceed through the program as a cohort, and local criminal justice professionals will teach scenario-based instruction.

“The student will be put in a real-life scenario depending on what aspect of criminal justice is being studied. For example, if it’s criminal investigations, students might be presented with evidence about a burglary. They would have to think like a detective to figure out what steps to take,” said Sgt. Christen Shea, the College’s coordinator of the Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice.

Students at Polk State’s public, charter high schools – Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate in Winter Haven and Polk State Lakeland Collegiate – complete high school requirements while also earning college credit – all at no cost. In the case of the criminal justice program, high school students will earn credits toward their associate degree in criminal justice.

The College is also in the process of developing a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. The proposed new degree must be approved by the State Board of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Polk State’s accrediting agency. Should it receive those approvals, the College is aiming to start the bachelor’s in the fall.

Though Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate has offered criminal justice since the school began in 2006, students were limited in how far they could take the program because they had to be 19 to study at the Polk State Institute of Public Safety’s Law Enforcement Academy. Since then, those limitations have been removed with the development of a criminal justice associate degree. The proposed bachelor’s just opens up even wider opportunities for those interested in the field.

“Before, there was a gap between high school graduation and when they turned 19, but now we don’t have that gap,” said Polk State Chain of Lakes Director Bridget Fetter.

Students in all Polk State collegiate high school programs – including Allied Health, Fine Arts, Information Systems and the general Associate in Arts degree – must complete work-based learning experiences that give them a real-life introduction to their field of interest.

“In the case of Criminal Justice, we will be able to place students with the different law enforcement agencies within Polk County,” Fetter said.

Fetter said the Criminal Justice program is being offered in response to student demand. The Polk County School Board has a criminal justice academy at Kathleen High School in Lakeland, but Fetter said students on the east side of the county were looking for a more convenient option.

Current high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply to Polk State’s collegiate high schools beginning in February. Requirements include a minimum 2.5 grade-point average and a passing score on the PERT (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test).

Prospective students are encouraged to attend an information session at any of the following locations and times:

Polk State College Winter Haven Campus, 999 Ave. H N.E.
Student Center (WST) 126
Feb. 2, 7, 23
All at 6:30 p.m.

Polk State College Lakeland Campus, 3425 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland Technology Building (LTB) 1100
Feb. 6, 13, 20
All at 6:30 p.m.

Applications will be available at the information sessions or at the school offices. The application deadline for lottery admissions is March 2.

Those interested in the Criminal Justice program should indicate so on their applications.

For more information, visit www.polk.edu or call Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate at 863-298-6800 or Polk State Lakeland Collegiate at 863-669-2322.

Sponsored by USF Polytechnic and the Polk County School District, the Central Florida Gifted & Talented Institute is Polk County’s only summer day program for gifted and talented students. Featuring four separate programs, it offers innovative, challenging curriculum targeted at active learning for gifted students entering 7^th, 8th and 9th grade:

• The Hot 2 Bot Applied Robotics Academy immerses students in information technology and engineering robotic concepts as they build two different types of robots, design programming for these robots, explore simple and complex machines, create remote operation devices, discover robotic career opportunities and learn about the impact of robotics on society.
• Extreme Green Adventure, an exhilarating outdoor exploration program, lets students experience biodiversity in action and discover man’s impact on environmental sustainability. Hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling will provide many opportunities to interact with nature. Experts in the areas of the environment and technology will address a broad range of techniques used to promote sustainability. Students will build a model “Green City” and create public service announcements that promote sustainability through preservation and conservation. The Extreme Green Adventure is designed for students who prefer to step outside the walls of the classroom and into nature.
• CSI: If Evidence Could Talk lets students investigate crimes, gather evidence, analyze data, formulate conclusions and solve mysteries. Chemical analysis, blood typing, fiber and plant analysis, gathering and analyzing geological data are among the types of evidence that will be examined.
• New this year: Dr. Jekyll’s Lab: Survival of the Fictionist. If a mad scientist competed in a reality show, it would be called Dr. Jekyll’s Lab. Young “mad scientists” will explore the arts of filmmaking and fiction in a workshop that combines drama and technology. To survive Dr. Jekyll’s Lab, teams must design a video game and create their own avatars, invent a prototype to save the world from the “Looming Doom,” market it in a student directed infomercial, and finally, rock the runway in the “maddest” model competition ever. Along the way, teams will compete in a series of experiments that would test the survival skills of any mad scientist. Winning teams will earn a special “lab assistant”. This IGOR (Immunity’s Great Obstacle Remover) will be used to enhance the production of their video games, infomercials and prototypes. Experiments include the Search for the Immunity Talisman, Survivor: 2081, Exploding Elixir, Project: Lab Coat and will culminate in the final ceremony with the Monster Mash Bash!

Instructors have extensive experience in the content and associated skills and represent middle school, high school, and university expertise. Students enjoy weekly field trips appropriate to the curriculum. On July 26, the Exhibition of Excellence features a robotic competition and lets students showcase their final creations to family, friends and community members.
A limited number of spots are available. For more information, including an online application, visit http://www.poly.usf.edu/gt/ or contact Kathy Sebeny (863) 667-7059 or ksebeny@poly.usf.edu.

The Learning Resource Center of Polk County helps students maximize their learning potential by providing personalized educational programs, consultative services for parents, and programs to accommodate community needs.

The benefit is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, from 7 until 10 p.m. at the Scott Lake home of Dr. Lynn Grady. Guests at the event will be treated to specacular hors d’ouerves from Chef Terrie Lobb, valet parking, silent and live auctions and live entertainment. Tickets begin at $50 per person.

For more information, call (863) 688-9477 or visit LRCPolk.com

Attendees will meet the newest member of LRMC’s Heart Center Team – Andres Medina, MD, board-certified cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, as he presents “Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) — A Life-Saving Opportunity for Non-Surgical Candidates.” Dr. Medina is one of only two surgeons in Florida with experience in percutaneous valve placement. He served as one of four investigators (in Florida) in the pivotal PARTNERS trial that led to the successful FDA approval of this device. Lakeland Regional Medical Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Medina to its Heart Center Team and to offer his expertise to the community.

In addition, guests will see a presentation from Rajesh Lall, MD, board-certified interventional cardiologist, entitled “Give Us Your Arm, Not Your Leg — Radial Access for Cardiac Catheterization.” This innovative cardiac catheterization technique reduces recovery time and bleeding and may provide a less stressful option for patients who need the procedure. The development of smaller catheters and stents that are easier to manipulate has now made the radial approach possible for most catheter-based procedures.

Andrea Oliver of Hall Communications will be the emcee for the afternoon.

Refreshments will be provided. Registration is free, but is required by calling (863) 687-1400.

2012 Session Dates

February 23                 History & Finance

March 22                    Police Department

April 26                       Fire Department

May 24                        Public Works & Planning

June 28                        Utility Services

July 26                         Parks & Recreation

The program is limited to 25 citizens aged 16 or older.  Enrollment in the class is based on a first-come-first-served basis.  All participants interested in the Citizens Academy are encouraged to attend all of the sessions in order to get the most from the program.

All sessions, unless otherwise noted, are from 6-8 p.m. and the first session will meet in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 228 South Massachusetts Avenue.  A light dinner is served at 5:45 p.m. during all sessions.  At least three sessions will meet away from City Hall and directions will be given for each City building or facility that houses a Citizen Academy session.

The class will graduate with a certificate in “Governmentology”  at the end of the last session.  Those interested in participating should contact Kevin Cook at (863) 834-6264 or kevin.cook@lakelandgov.net to secure a spot on the roster.