Issuu

www.alligator.org

We Inform. You Decide.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 19 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

UF professors create online alternatives as COVID-19 empties classrooms THE UNIVERSITY HAS NOT CHANGED CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS EVEN AS OMICRON CASES SURGE

By Gregorio Ruiz-Perez Alligator Staff Writer

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

UF students sit inside their Integrated Principles of Biology Two lecture on Friday, Jan. 14. Students have been readjusting to in-person classes amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Community remembers murder victims over 30 years later THE COMMUNITY REFLECTS ON HOW THE GAINESVILLE RIPPER STILL AFFECTS GAINESVILLE WITH THE RELEASE OF THE NEW “SCREAM” MOVIE

By Alexis Carson Alligator Staff Writer

“Remember 1990.” Visitors approach the short phrase painted in bold, red font along the 34th Street graffiti wall and leave white roses in translucent vases.

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

Gator baseball finish preview Story description with comma, pg# Take a look at how the season is looking up on pg. 12

A paint-splattered plaque resting on the ground with the words “You will never be forgotten” serves as a reminder of the brutal killings that took place 32 years ago. Five Gainesville college students were murdered in their apartments along Archer Road in August 1990, and three of them were brutally assaulted by a man dubbed “The Gainesville Ripper.” The Florida Department of Law Enforcement caught the murderer after a nine-monthlong search where he, Danny Rolling, was executed by lethal injection in 2006. The 25-foot mural serves as a memori-

al for the victims: Sonja Larson, 18; Christina Powell, 17; Christa Hoyt, 18; Manuel Taboada, 23; and Tracy Paules, 23. Former and current Gainesville residents relived the fear that rocked the city and the hundreds of students and families that left following the murders. Thirty-two years later, they reflect on the evolving economic climate and the city’s improved safety precautions. The popular “Scream” franchise — of which the fifth installment released on Friday — took inspiration from the events

SEE MURAL, PAGE 4

How Bazar shuts down Second Street Local shop hosts late-night grand opening, pg. 10

Instead of moving his in-person classes online following UF’s COVID-19 spike, Mark Hostetler brought his 15 students outside in a breezeway for their biodiversity conservation class. “I didn't feel safe for myself or the students to be in an indoor classroom,” said Hostetler, a wildlife, ecology and conservation professor. Alachua County reported that new positive COVID-19 cases jumped from 2,072 the week of Dec. 31 to 6,524 the week of Jan. 14. Spreading or contracting the omicron variant is exactly what some professors and students hope to prevent. “I can do this because there's a small class, and the first few weeks we’re outdoors doing stuff anyway,” Hostetler said. “So, it worked out well.” Students who have to quarantine and miss class will be treated as being absent for any other sickness, according to an Aug. 18 campus brief. Cynthia Roldán, a UF spokesperson, wrote in an email that classroom expectations haven’t changed. The university believes that if students and faculty continue to follow the necessary precautions, it will be a successful semester. “We understand that the omicron variant has presented another challenge in the pandemic similar to the one we faced during the Fall semester with the delta variant,” Roldán wrote. “That is why university leadership has stressed the importance of wearing a mask… and getting a booster shot.” Roldán didn’t answer questions on whether UF has advised professors to offer HyFlex or Zoom as an option for students quarantining. UF has been extraordinarily vague and not very helpful at all, said Steve Noll, a history professor. The university only told him that he couldn't go completely online. There was no guidance on when he could move classes online, he said. “They’ve given basically no guidelines,” Noll said. “It’s the Wild West.” To alleviate some pressure from his students, Noll has taken it on himself to offer his students a

SEE CLASS, PAGE 4

The virus hasn't dampened New Year's resolutions Gainesville gym memberships increase along with omicron cases, pg. 6

@FloridaAlligator @FloridaAlligator

@TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator @TheAlligator @alligator_newspaper @alligator_news-

2 ALLIGATOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

City, campus transportation deal with Today’s Weather pandemic-related revenue loss, shortages RTS HAS A SHORTAGE OF MORE THAN 40 DRIVERS WHILE TAPS HAS LOST ALMOST $2 MILLION IN REVENUE

By Maia Botek Alligator Staff Writer

UF and Gainesville transportation agencies are trying to navigate the effects of COVID-19, which have left students and community members stuck at a bus stop. Gainesville Regional Transit System’s shortage of bus drivers has changed the ability to move around the city. RTS has reduced the frequency of certain stops, pulling nine buses from service. The routing cuts, which began during the Fall semester, caused waits to be three to 30 minutes longer than original times, city spokesperson Rossana Passaniti wrote in an email. Armando Ramirez, a data management analyst at UF, takes the bus almost every day to move between downtown, Oaks Mall and campus, where he works. Buses are usually about 10 minutes late, he said. “Last semester they made a change on the schedule — like a stop leaving downtown at 4:45 — and it used to be 4:30,” Ramirez said. “By leaving downtown at 4:45, they tend to be hitting the traffic.” RTS bus drivers have cut down from 217 drivers before the pandemic to 170. Roughly 40 driver positions are open. Daily ridership has decreased from 47,000 to 23,000 people, Passaniti wrote. The RTS schedule for spring service — which runs from Jan. 3 to May 1 — shows 21 buses will detour for construction on campus. UF’s Transportation and Parking Services, which oversees on-campus

parking structures, fines, decal sales and other traffic-related matters, is looking to address close to $2 million in revenue that was lost since 2020, said Senior Director Scott Fox. “During the pandemic — particularly in 2020 — we refunded some parking permit fees and we waived decal fees for the entire summer,” Fox said. “We did that for five months and the revenue loss that we experienced as a result of that was $5.7 million.” TAPS received $3.8 million from the CARES Act in 2021 — federal aid that was distributed during the pandemic. In the 2021-22 school year, however, TAPS still hasn’t reached 90% of sale levels before the pandemic, which are a major source of revenue. Online classes and students not returning to campus are contributing to the financial challenges, Fox said. As a service of the university, TAPS revenue goes directly to paying salaries, maintenance, pothole repairs and even upholding the structural integrity of parking garages, he said. TAPS worked closely with RTS to determine cuts that minimized leaving students stranded, Fox said. He said students need a way to get around if they work late nights or weekends. On Jan. 11, the Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee — composed of UF students and faculty members — met for the first time since September. The committee reviews and recommends traffic, parking and vehicle registration mandates. Fox said during the meeting he recognized the challenge of pandemic-related losses and possible need for solutions in the future. The question, Fox said, is if the pandemic’s effect on transportation will be long- or short-term, rather than focusing on making up lost rev-

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

UF students exit RTS buses at The Hub on Friday, Jan. 14.

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 19

ISSN 0889-2423

Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida

NEWSROOM:

Lianna Hubbard, lhubbard@alligator.org

Engagement Managing Editor

Asta Hemenway, ahemenway@alligator.org

Digital Managing Editor Senior News Director

Have an event planned? Add it to the alligator’s online calendar:

alligator.org/calendar

Metro Editor

@BotekMaia mbotek@alligator.org

Anna Wilder, awilder@alligator.org Elise Elder, eelder@alligator.org Jiselle Lee, jlee@alligator.org

University Editor

Allessandra Inzina, ainzina@alligator.org

Features & Investigative Editor

Kalia Richardson, krichardson@alligator.org

Sports Editor Assistant Sports Editors

enue or reaching a target budget figure. While no plans or timeline exist to do so at the moment, he said he mentioned changes to the committee like increasing parking garage or meter fees, monetizing items that are normally given for free or raising the price of parking decals. Student decals cost $160 annually or $80 semesterly, according to TAPS’ website. The process for some decisions like raising decal prices requires approval from the Board of Trustees and other university departments. Raising an hourly parking meter rate, for example, only needs approval within TAPS. “If we were changing the rates at the parking meters from $1 an hour to $1.50 an hour — that's something we could probably do pretty quickly with a little bit of internal discussion and a little bit of marketing and communication,” Fox said. Fox said they are evaluating the prices of their services to see if they need to increase prices. “I was in no way suggesting that there is a decal price increase in the works — it is not.” As a member of the PATAC, Senate Pro-Tempore Noah Fineberg (Gator, District A) said during a Senate meeting Tuesday evening that he would oppose raising the price of decals. “The number one complaint I hear from students is about difficulties surrounding parking,” Fineberg wrote in an email. “I don’t want to speculate on what might happen, but I will continue to be a fierce advocate for not raising fees on students.” Fineberg wrote that he’s open to solutions that will not negatively affect the students he represents, like whether TAPS should continue to give out certain merchandise for free. Students and members of the Senate can expect updates from Fineberg during weekly Senate meetings in the future as Fox updates the PATAC in coming weeks and months.

352-376-4458 • Fax: 352-376-4467

Editor-In-Chief

Editorial Board Photography Editor Graphic Design Editor Opinions Editor the Avenue Editor Copy Desk Chief

DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Advertising Office Manager Intern Coordinator Sales Representatives

SparkIt Creative Advertising Managing Director

Creative Director Account Executives

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

Classified Advertising Manager

Declan Walsh, dwalsh@alligator.org Jesse Richardson, jrichardson@alligator.org Joseph Henry, jhenry@alligator.org Lianna Hubbard, Asta Hemenway, Anna Wilder, Sara Lindsay Alan Halaly, ahalaly@alligator.org Jake Reyes, jreyes@alligator.org Sara Lindsay, slindsay@alligator.org Makiya Seminera, mseminera@alligator.org Lydia Parker, lparker@alligator.org 352-376-4482 • Fax: 352-376-4556 Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org Sophia Handley, Emily Gamble, Ariana Rao, Michael Carolan, Ryan Gorman 239-980-6995 • info@sparkitcreative.org Brian Gurges, brian.gurges@gmail.com Jennifer Hernandez Nazil Ahmed, Adriana Colon, Lydia Connor, Skyler Davis, Dylan Tello 352-373-FIND • Fax: 352-376-3015 Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org

BUSINESS

352-376-4446 • Fax: 352-376-4556 Delia Kradolfer, dkradolfer@alligator.org Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org

ADMINISTRATION

352-376-4446 • Fax: 352-376-4556 Shaun O'Connor, soconnor@alligator.org Lenora McGowan, lmcgowan@alligator.org C.E. Barber, cebarber@alligator.org

Comptroller Bookkeeper Administrative Assistant

General Manager Administrative Assistant President Emeritus

SYSTEMS

IT System Engineer

Kevin Hart

PRODUCTION Production Manager Publication Manager

Jordan Bourne, jbourne@alligator.org Deion McLeod, dmcleod@alligator.org

Got something going on? Want to see it on this page? Send an email with “What’s Happening” in the subject line to engagement@alligator.org. To request publication in the next day’s newspaper, please submit entries before 5 p.m. Please model your submissions after the above events and keep them to 150 words or fewer. Improperly formatted “What’s Happening” submissions may not appear in the paper. Press releases will not appear in the

The Independent Florida Alligator is a student newspaper serving the University of Florida, published by a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) educational organization, Campus Communications Inc., P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, Florida, 326042257. The Alligator is published Monday mornings, except during holidays and exam periods. During UF summer academic terms The Alligator is published Monday mornings. The Alligator is a member of the Newspaper Association of America, National Newspaper Association, Florida Press Association and Southern University Newspapers.

The Alligator offices are located at 2700 SW 13th St. Classified advertising can be placed at that location from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays. © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. No portion of The Alligator may be reproduced in any means without the written consent of an officer of Campus Communications Inc.

Subscription Rate:

Full Year (All Semesters) $100

The Alligator strives to be accurate and clear in its news reports and editorials. If you find an error, please call our newsroom at 352-376-4458 or email editor@alligator.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 ALLIGATOR 3

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT TIME TO QUIT! Smoking can cause a higher risk of getting lung and chest infections, and using e-cigarettes can increase your odds of developing respiratory disease by 95%. Tobacco Free Florida oﬀers in-person or virtual Group Quit sessions for all Florida residents. Upon class completion, participants are eligible to receive free nicotine replacement therapy such as gum, patches, or lozenges.* Start the year oﬀ right and make a plan to quit all forms of tobacco. For more information on Group Quit classes, contact:

352-273-5224

*If medically appropriate for those 18 years of age or older Learn more about all of Tobacco Free Florida’s tools and services at tobaccofreeﬂorida.com/quityourway.

4 ALLIGATOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

The murders weigh on residents decades later MURAL, from pg. 1

that transpired in Gainesville. The fictional horror series grossed more than $600 million in global revenue and has revisited the big screen for nearly 30 years. The first “Scream” movie, released in 1996, became the highest-grossing slasher film in the world until the release of 2018 “Halloween.”

Repairing the memorial

Adam Byrn Tritt, the 57-yearold artist behind the work, had one word for the film series: horrible. “They should be putting a portion of the profits into something that will make sure this doesn't happen again,” he said. “If they're borrowing from misery they need to pay misery back.” Tritt, who has published nonfiction novels and poetry, was a Gainesville resident during the murders, although he didn’t know any of the victims personally. Following the 10-year anniversary of the memorial, Tritt said he was asked to return to help repair the memorial. By 2000, the paint was chipping and fading. Tritt, former Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell and one of the victim’s family scrubbed away at the paint and applied a new coat. Tritt, who lived in Gainesville for 13 years, said it was hard enough living there prior to the

gruesome murders. “To me it signifies a time and a place where I liked living, and that is now gone,” he said. “Gainesville that was in the ’90s doesn't exist anymore.”

‘An indelible mark on this community’

Carol Gordon, a 70-year-old Gainesville resident, has been a member of the community since the 1980s. She worked for a private attorney in downtown Gainesville at the time of the murders. For the months when the suspect roamed the streets uncaptured, Gordon remembers feeling stressed, overwhelmed and unsafe. In order to escape the tragedies, she visited her mother in Miami for three to four days. “Although I was not a student, I fit the profile of most of the women that he attacked,” Gordon said. “I was pretty nervous and I left town.” When she returned, the suspect had been arrested. After returning to Gainesville and continuing to live in the city, Gordon reflected on the lasting impact of the murders in Gainesville. “We are a community,” she said. “I mean, that's one thing I fell in love with about Gainesville was the sense of community.” Gina Hawkins, executive director of Keep Alachua County Beau-

tiful, was a UF graduate student studying food and resource economics at the time of the murders. Hawkins, 62, has been a resident of the Gainesville community since 1984. She called the memorial an “iconic artwork in Gainesville.” “For me, it's a touchstone for the special events in people's lives and memories of events,” Hawkins said of the 34th Street wall. “It's a way for people to mark special events and sometimes traumatic ones.” Hawkins said living in Gainesville following the killings

was stressful. She invited female friends who lived on their own into her home because they were so worried. “It was palpable. You could just feel the tension in your body, just knowing all this was going on,” she said. “One murder after another — it was just horrible.” Students buddied up when leaving the house and locked their windows and doors, Hawkins said. “When students were murdered, it was personal for me,” she said. “When people send their children to school here, it's our responsibility to keep them safe … we need to protect the families and their feelings about what happened.”

Although on-campus safety has improved since the murders, gun violence within the city has spiked, Hawkins said. Gainesville has seen a 26% jump in gun-related crimes that resulted in injury or death since 2019. “That tragedy left an indelible mark on this community,” Hawkins said. The murders have stayed with Hawkins. Even now, she hopes people will be more aware of their surroundings, who they interact with and take safety precautions. @Alexis_Carson99 acarson@alligator.org

Makiya Seminera // Alligator Staff

A mural on the Southwest 34th St. graffiti wall for the victims of the 1990 "Gainesville Ripper" murders is seen on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

‘Dropping from classes like flies’ CLASS, from pg. 1

UF student Ece Yuksel checks her saliva tube outside of the COVID-19 testing site at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 16. Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

HyFlex option. He records his lectures and offers Zoom as an alternative to attending in-person classes. A motto for Noll’s classes has been “no problem, no penalty,” which means he is making sure that his class is not adding stress to students who are COVID-19 positive, exposed to COVID-19 or feeling sick. He realizes some students might take advantage of this and choose not to attend inperson classes or watch the Zoom lectures. “But I said that's the price I’m willing to pay to having students be able to have a flexible learning arrangement,” Noll said. However, Ana Aguilar, a 20-year-old UF English sophomore, has not had all of her teachers be so accommodating. Two days after classes started, Aguilar said she tested positive for COVID-19 and was worried about starting her semester missing class. “I had to email them and ask for HyFlex, or some sort of accommodation, so that I wouldn't fall back during

syllabus week,” she said. “And I'd say … almost half of them were accommodating — the other half just wouldn't do HyFlex.” As classes went on and more students tested positive, her remaining classes began offering Zoom as an alternative. Expecting classes to be inperson left two of her professors — , who had no plans to move online — , to scramble and find an alternative, she said. Some professors are defaulting to accommodations for students testing positive for COVID-19. Rachel Salvatori, a 19-yearold UF English and history sophomore, felt lucky all of her professors were understanding when she tested positive for COVID-19 the second week of classes. Her professors quickly moved to excuse absences and offer HyFlex as an option. “People are constantly getting out sick with COVID,” she said. “It seems like students are dropping from classes like flies.” @GregRuizPerez1 gruiz-perez@alligator.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 ALLIGATOR 5

EL CAIMÁN

Alachua renombra su palacio de justicia en honor al legado del juez Stephan P. Mickle EN EL EVENTO SE DESTAPÓ EL NOMBRE DEL JUEZ STEPHAN P. MICKLE SENIOR INSCRITO EN LA ENTRADA DEL PALACIO DE JUSTICIA

Por Carissa Allen Escritora del Personal del Caimán

Traducido por Marian Hernandez Escritora del Personal del Caimán

Stephan P. Mickle fue descrito como un pionero en el condado de Alachua. El dejó un legado de primeros, a pesar de haber crecido en Gainesville segregado por la ley, práctica y costumbre, dijo Rod

Smith en un discurso, quien fue su socio de ley. La inspiración a muchos fue conmemorada en el palacio de justicia en Alachua el viernes. Luego de que Mickle muriera el pasado enero, los comisionados del condado Alachua aprobaron el nuevo nombre de forma unánime. Palacio de Justicia Juez Stephan P. Mickle Senior, terminando la búsqueda del nombre perfecto, la cual duró veinte años. La ceremonia de nombramiento se celebró en la calle South Main en el centro de Gainesville donde acudieron cientos de personas. Fue pospuesta hasta este año para que fuera una de las actividades más resaltantes de las celebraciones del día de Martin Luther King Junior en

Leo Ramsey-Watson // Personal del Caimán

Una cinta cortada revela un nuevo símbolo para el palacio de la justicia del condado de Alachua en la ceremonia de nombramiento en honor al Juez Stephan P. Mickle el viernes catorce de febrero.

el 2022, dijo Rodney Long, el presidente de la comisión Martin Luther King Jr. De Florida en un discurso. La banda sinfónica P.K Yonge abrió la ceremonia con el juramento de lealtad, y el juez principal del octavo circuito judicial, Mark Moseley siguió con comentarios de apertura. La ceremonia se destacó con oradores, incluyendo a Lauren Poe, alcalde de Gainesville a, jueces retirados y practicantes, y a colegas anteriores. La familia de Mickle también habló. La esposa de Mickle, Evelyn Mickle, no quería una ceremonia como cualquier otra para honrar a su esposo. Ella quería un memorial duradero que continuará el legado de su esposo durante los años por venir. “Es nuestro honor y nuestra esperanza que este renombramiento del Palacio de Justicia del Condado Alachua con el nombre del Juez Stephan P. Mickle Senior despierte esperanza, esperanza, y más esperanza mientras pase de generación en generación”, ella dijo en su discurso. El Juez Mickle dejó un impacto en el condado de Alachua prácticamente en cada estado de su vida como adulto. El fue el primer estudiante afroamericano en recibir una licenciatura de la Universidad de la Florida (UF) y la segunda persona afroamericana en recibir una licenciatura de derechos de la escuela de leyes Levin de la Universidad de la Florida (UF). En el tiempo y lugar de su niñez, la probabilidad de que Stephan Mickle se graduara de la Universidad de la Florida se encontraba en la intersección de imposible e improbable, dijo el abogado Rod

Smith en su discurso. Mickle siguió ascendiendo en su trayectoria luego de graduarse. El fue la primera persona afroamericana en establecer una practica privada de derecho en Gainesville y el primer juez negro de corte del condado en Alachua. Su compromiso con la justicia fue honrado cuando el se convirtió en el primer juez federal negro de la primera corte de distrito de apelaciones, y luego el primer juez federal negreo de la corte de distrito de los Estados Unidos en el distrito Norte de la Florida. La revelación del nombre del Juez Stephen P. Mickle Senior en la entrada del palacio de la justicia concluyó el evento. Más de cien asistentes hicieron un conteo señalando el corte de la cinta para levantar el cubrimiento y revelar la nueva inscripción. La multitud se llenó de vítores y aplausos. El palacio de la justicia ahora es un símbolo representativo e importante para el residente de Gainesville de setenta y cinco años, Johnnie Dennard Junior, amigo del Juez Mickle. “Para mí es una afirmación de que la bondad de una persona puede trascender su vida, y eso inspira a la gente”, él dijo. Dennard atendió el evento para honrar la compasión de toda la vida de Mickle. Dennard, quien tocaba el trombón, estuvo en la banda de la escuela secundaria Lincoln con Mickle, quien tocaba el clarinete. “Es tan edificante ver este tipo de evento para una persona que conociste, que fue tan inteligente”, él dijo. “Él era una buena persona, y era dedicado”. Dennard recuerda a su amigo como alguien jovial y de buen ser,

pero también era un bromista. El se acuerda de la sonrisa de Mickle, de su risa, y por supuesto de su “grandísima habilidad tocando el clarinete”, él dijo. La gente que conocía a Mickle fuera de la corte lo recuerda por su compasión y su humildad, las cuales él resumió desde su niñez hasta su carrera. Arago Welch Senior, un residente de Gainesville de ochenta años se acuerda de cuando Mickle se mudó a Gainesville. Ellos vivían al cruzar la calle y se hicieron buenos amigos en la escuela secundaria, él dijo. “Él no me menospreció porque él era un juez. Para mi él era un amigo- como un hermano”,dijo. Grace Mickle, su sobrina de treinta y dos años, dijo que lo más inspirador de él era su personalidad realista. El no era solamente un juez ejemplar, sino también un tío ejemplar. “Yo crecí con él siendo mi tío Stephan”, ella dijo. “Íbamos a la misma iglesia. Íbamos a comer fritas de pescado luego de la iglesia. Ahí estaba él con todas sus cosas de los Lagartos de UF. De eso es de lo que me acuerdo yo”. Ver la revelación de su nombre en la entrada de la corte fue algo surreal, una experiencia impactante, dijo Grace. El palacio de justicia ahora parece una memoria duradera de su inspirante vida. “Fue algo bello ver a tanta gentegente en la calle-queriendo formar parte de un palacio de justicia siendo dedicado a un hombre que tuvo que pasar por tanto en su vida”, dijo ella. “Si alguien se lo merece, es él”. @Carissaallenn callen@alligator.org

UF all-female team takes Florida Hackathon grand prize The prize included access to a UF supercomputer and $30,000 By Allyssa Keller Alligator Staff Writer

The Gator Gulf Energy team hacked their way to success. The all-female UF team won the grand prize for the Florida Hacks with International Business Machines competition, of which the results were announced Jan. 6. The team won a grand prize of $30,000 and access to a UF supercomputer. The team consisted of UF alumna Caitlin Becker and current UF students Allison Wu, Katie Lara and Stephanie Stelzer. The free hackathon asked participants to address one of six possible challenge statements related to climate change issues, said Lucas Bockstedt, the senior project manager at BeMyApp. Allison Wu, a 21-year-old UF computer science senior, said Gator Gulf Energy selected the fourth challenge statement: power consumption. For their winning project, Gator Gulf Energy created a website that planned to harness the power of the Gulf Stream to reduce energy consumption. An all-female team winning the competition validates the need for more

female participation in STEM, Bockstedt said. “You don’t have to be a 45-year-old male that’s been coding for 20 years — you can be 18, 19 years old in college and giving it your best shot and still having a really good chance of winning some prize money and winning the grand prize of the hackathon,” Bockstedt said. Bockstedt, 25, said that Gator Gulf Energy went above and beyond with how much it developed. “They didn’t just go with a simple PowerPoint presentation and a demo video,” he said. The planning, development, submission and award ceremony spanned over three months, Wu said. Her portion of the prize will go toward helping her move to Seattle after graduating in May, Wu said. There, she will start her new job as a software engineer at Microsoft. The date when the team will receive access to the supercomputer has not yet been determined, but Wu said that the team will have access to it for three months. Wu already has plans. “I wanted to create a machine learning

model,” Wu said. “I don’t want to give too much away about it, but I wanted to make a machine learning model related to radiology diagnosis.” She said this was the first hackathon she competed in. “I kind of can’t believe that the first time I actually submitted for a hackathon, we won first place,” Wu said. Katie Lara, a 21-year-old UF mechanical engineering senior, said her role on the team focused on research, developing the mathematical model and proposing the project idea to the team. She also created a video pitch for the judges with Stephanie Stelzer, a 20-year-old UF digital arts and computer science junior. Lara said climate change is important to her. She wants to pursue fighting climate change as a career. Last summer, Lara had an internship with a Virginia offshore wind farm, she said. As a woman in STEM, Lara said it’s really easy to underestimate yourself. “Not because you’re not as good as your male counterparts but just because people expect less of you,” she said. This was also Lara’s first time competing

in a hackathon. HerThe prize money would go toward rent, she said. Caitlin Becker, 22, graduated with a computer science degree last month. She’s moving to Houston at the end of the month to work as a flight controller at the Johnson Space Center. Climate change has already hit close to Becker’s home, St. Petersburg, Florida, where her neighborhood floods regularly. “That’s only going to continue to get a lot worse,” she said. Becker appreciated that there were hackathons being held with bigger issues in mind, she said. Hackathons are great for those looking to build something without a lot of experience. It allows computer science students to take what they are learning in class and apply it to the outside world, Becker said. She highly recommends hackathons for anyone interested. “Anybody who’s really passionate about literally anything — find somebody to help you build some technology for it, and you could build something that is actually really influential,” she said. @allygatorkeller akeller@alligator.org

6 ALLIGATOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

Alachua renames courthouse after Gainesville’s first Black lawyer The event unveiled Judge Stephan P. Mickle Sr.’s inscribed name above the courthouse entrance By Carissa Allen Alligator Staff Writer

Stephan P. Mickle was described as a trailblazer in Alachua County. He left a legacy of firsts, despite growing up in a Gainesville segregated by both law, practice and custom, said Rod Smith, his former law partner, in a speech. The inspiration to many was memorialized at the Alachua County Criminal Courthouse Friday. After Mickle died last January, Alachua County commissioners unanimously approved a new courthouse name: Judge Stephan P. Mickle Sr. Criminal Courthouse, ending the nearly 20 yearslong search for the perfect name. Mickle was the first Black undergraduate from UF and the second Black person to obtain a law degree from the UF Levin College of

Law. “At the time and place of his childhood, the likelihood of Stephan Mickle graduating from the University of Florida could be found at the intersection of impossible and improbable,” attorney Rod Smith said during his speech. Mickle continued on an upward trajectory after graduating. He was the first Black person to establish a law practice in Gainesville and the first Black Alachua County court judge. His commitment to justice was honored when he became the first Black federal judge in the First District Court of Appeal, and later, the first Black federal judge in the U.S. District Court at the Northern District of Florida. The renaming ceremony was held along South Main Street in downtown Gainesville, where hundreds of people attended. It was

Leo Ramsey-Watson // Alligator Staff

Judge Stephan P. Mickle’s wife, Evelyn Mickle, speaks at the podium about her husband’s trailblazing legacy at the renaming ceremony of the Alachua County Courthouse on Friday, Jan. 14. The courthouse is located at 220 S. Main St.

delayed until this year so it could be a highlight of the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration activities of 2022, said Rodney Long, president of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida Inc., in a speech. P.K. Yonge Symphonic Band opened the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Mark Moseley followed with opening remarks. The ceremony featured speakers including Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, retired and practicing judges and former colleagues. Mickle’s family members also spoke. Mickle’s wife, Evelyn Mickle, didn’t want just another ceremony honoring her husband. She wanted a lasting memorial that would carry on her husband’s legacy for years to come. “It is our honor and our hope that this renaming of the Alachua County Criminal Courthouse with Judge Stephan P. Mickle Sr. will spark hope, hope and more hope as it is passed from generation to generation,” she said during her speech. Judge Mickle left an impact on Alachua County in nearly every stage of his adult life. The reveal of Judge Stephan P. Mickle Sr.’s name above the main entrance of the courthouse concluded the event. Over a hundred attendees counted to three, signaling the ribbon cutters to lift the covering and unveil the new inscription. Cheers and applause overcame the crowd. The courthouse is now a symbol that represents a great deal to 75-year-old Gainesville resident Johnnie Dennard Jr., a friend of Judge Mickle. “To me, it’s an affirmation of the goodness of a person that can transcend his life, that can inspire other people,” he said.

Leo Ramsey-Watson // Alligator Staff

A cut ribbon reveals a new sign for the Alachua County Courthouse at the renaming ceremony in honor of the late Judge Stephan P. Mickle on Friday, Jan. 14. Dennard attended the event to honor Mickle’s lifelong compassion. Dennard, who played the trombone, was in the Lincoln High School band with Mickle, who played the clarinet. “It’s just so uplifting to see this kind of thing for a person that you have known to be very intelligent,” he said. “He was a good person, and he was dedicated.” Dennard recalled his friend as jovial and personable, but he was also a jokester. He remembers Mickle’s smile, his laugh and, of course, his “darn good clarinet skills.” The people who knew Mickle outside of the courtroom remember him for his compassion and his humbleness, which he exuded throughout his childhood and career. Arago Welch Sr., an 80-yearold Gainesville resident, looked back on when Mickle first moved to Gainesville. They lived across the street from each other and grew very close in high school, he said. “He didn’t look down on me just because he was a judge,” Welch

said. “He seemed more like a friend to me — a brother.” Grace Mickle, his 32-year-old niece, said the most inspiring thing about him was his down-to-earth personality. He was not only an exemplary judge, but an exemplary uncle, too. “I just grew up with him being my Uncle Stephan,” she said. “We went to the same church. We would go to fish fries after church. He would be there in his Gators stuff. That’s what I remember about him.” Watching the unveiling of his name above the courthouse entrance was a surreal, impactful experience, Grace said. The courthouse now resembles the lasting memory of his inspiring life. “It was beautiful just to see so many people — people off the street — wanting to be a part of a courthouse being dedicated to a Black man that had to go through so much,” she said. “If anybody deserves it, he deserves it.” @Carissaallenn callen@alligator.org

Gainesville gym memberships increase along with omicron cases THE INCREASING NUMBER OF POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES IN ALACHUA COUNTY HAS NOT OBSTRUCTED NEW YEAR’S FITNESS RESOLUTIONS

By Carissa Allen Alligator Staff Writer

January: the time of year dedicated to purging fridges, replacing fries with fruit and flocking to gyms. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stand in the way of Gainesville residents’ New Year’s resolutions. Despite the surge in Alachua County omicron COVID-19 cases, local gyms’ memberships and business increased this month. Victoria De Alba, a 19-year-old UF computer science sophomore, heads to the gym about five or six times a week. She’s observed the flock of people returning since the new year. “Being that it was the beginning of January, I noticed a lot of people came and a lot of people started joining, so I think it’s busier at the moment,” De Alba said. “Also, people

have their resolutions.” De Alba exercised from home at the start of the pandemic when gyms were closed. This year; however, she isn’t letting the omicron variant interfere with her goals. She feels comfortable working out in-person without a mask, she said. “The thing is, we live in Florida, so I feel like the restrictions are more flexible in comparison to other states,” she said. “I also take into consideration a vast majority of people are vaccinated or have gotten the booster, so I feel pretty comfortable going to the gym without a mask.” She enjoys the community at the gym. “It definitely is easier to transition into fitness if you have other people surrounding you that also have similar goals,” she said. But some people aren’t as comfortable with maskless patrons, especially when exercising. RecSports personal trainer Nalin Saraf said the thought of interacting with college-aged strangers during a pandemic is anxiety-inducing for some people. Adding exercise into the equation may escalate this fear for new gymgoers.

“I can definitely see how coming into the weight room or the cardio space during packed times — it can be a little daunting seeing no one have a mask on and everyone’s breathing heavy,” he said. Masks are recommended but not required in UF RecSports facilities, which are free to UF students. Only about 40% of all personal training clients wear a mask inside the private personal training studio at Southwest Recreation Center, said Saraf, a 21-year-old applied physiology and kinesiology junior. RecSports had a much longer waitlist for personal training than it has seen in previous years, Saraf said. He observed an increase in student clients at the start of 2022. Regular gym-goers at Southwest Recreation Center have noticed the spike in students heading to the gym this January, too. With students back on campus, the past two weeks have been especially busy compared to last Fall, said Asher David, an 18-year-old UF biology freshman. He works out at Southwest Rec about three or four times a week. He wore a mask in the Fall when the gym

was especially crowded and began to wear one regularly when the omicron variant spiked, he said. David admitted going to the gym in-person is more motivating and offers more amenities than at-home fitness alternatives. He compares working out in a gym to studying in a library. Separating himself from an environment where he is able to relax makes him more productive. “You find studying at the library or somewhere outside your home a lot easier than trying to study in your bedroom because then you just tend to lose focus,” he said. For David, the gym eases his mind and allows him to forget about his rigorous classes and the demands of being a STEM major, he said. “Being active, for me, I think it’s kind of been a way for me to escape for the past couple years,” he added. “It’s a good way to relax your mind and just kind of forget about everything.” @Carissaallenn callen@alligator.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 ALLIGATOR 7

No more fomo. Do it all with Amazon Prime Student. Fast delivery, entertainment, exclusive deals for students, and more. Start your 6-month trial.

amazon.com/UofFlorida

How to Place a Classified Ad: Online: w/ major credit card at www.alligator.org/classifieds

In Person: Cash, Check, MC, Discover, AMEX or Visa @The Alligator Office: 2700 SW 13th St. M-F, 8am - 4pm By E-mail: classified@alligator.org Call 352-373-FIND for information. By Fax: (352) 376-4556 Sorry, no cash by mail. By Mail: P.O. Box 14257 G-ville 32604 Credit cards or checks only.

BUY IT. SELL IT. FIND IT. 373-FIND TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

Corrections and Cancellations: Cancellations: Call 373-FIND M-F, 8am - 4pm. No refunds or credits can be given. Alligator errors: Check your ad the FIRST day it runs. Call 373-FIND with any corrections before noon. THE ALLIGATOR IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRST DAY THE AD RUNS INCORRECTLY. Corrected ads will be extended one day. No refunds or credits can be given after placing the ad. Corrections called in after the first day will not be further compensated. Customer error or changes: Changes must be made BEFORE NOON for the next day’s paper. There will be a $2.00 charge for minor changes.

www.alligator.org/classifieds

See alligator.org for more information

For Rent

furnished

SS & VA ARE WELCOME!

$500/BedRoom ● No Deposit! ● Furnished Cable ● Internet ● Utilities www.campuswalk.co 352-337-9098 4-18-15-1

For Rent

unfurnished

2BR $600/mo Call:. 352-647-6632

Quality single family homes. Walk or bike to UF. www.ellieshouses.com 352-215-4990 or 352-215-4991 12-6-21-16-5 Available for August 2022 Houses walking and biking distance to campus. See gainesvillequalityrentalhouses.com Feel free to text or call 352-339-2342. For more information or appointments to view houses 1-18-22-5-2

Real Estate

NEW CONDOS-WALK TO UF For Info on ALL Condos for Sale, Visit www.UFCONDOS.COM or Matt Price, University Realty, 352-281-3551 4-18-15-5 Say:

the

"I FOUND IT IN

alligator"

You need the money to do what you will. Rich at Best Jewelry and Loan has the cash for those bills. 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367

Charlie - 352-278-1925

J UMB L E by David L. Hoyt 1

4-18-15-10

Wanted

● ● ● ● NEED CASH? ● ● ● ● Buying ★ Gold ★Jewelry ★ Coins, ★ Exchangable Currency.★ Call 352-554-4654. Coin Kingdom 3446 W. University Ave. 4-18-22-15-13 Dachshund Wanted Purple Heart veteran looking for older dachshund for companionship. My 19 year old dachshund died recently. I am 82 years young. Please call 904.536.6881 if you can help. 1-18-22-3-13 Collector buying old Baseball, Football, Basketball and Hockey Cards. Pre-1980 preferred. Willing to buy your entire collection. Call Steve 508-932-4095 1-18-1-13

●UF Surplus On-Line Auctions●

are underway…bikes, computers, furniture, vehicles & more. All individuals interested in bidding go to: SURPLUS.UFL.EDU 392-0370 4-18-15-10

When the heat is on and it's bucks that you need, Best Jewelry and Loan your requests we will heed. 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367

4-18-15-10

Autos

● We Buy Junk & Used Cars ● ●Trucks, Vans - Titled only ● KT 352-281-9980 sunnyman315@gmail.com 4-18-15-12

4-18-15-6

For Sale

Goats for Sale & Lease Horse Boarding - 7 miles to UF

Furnishings

MATTRESS AND FURNITURE SALE MATTRESS SET SUPER SALE: TWIN SETS $89 FULL SETS $129 QUEEN SETS $149 KING SETS $199: NEW 6-DRAWER DRESSERS $220: NEW 5-DRAWER CHEST $199: WE HAVE OVER 300 MATTRESSES IN STOCK: SAME DAY DELIVERY: WE DELIVER: COME TO OUR LOCATED AT 4390 SW 20TH AVE GAINESVILLE: 352-376-0953 1-31-22-5-6

4-18-15-2

★★ ELLIE’S HOUSES ★★

Furnishings

Wanted

Cash for Your Collections-Lladro, Hummel, Armani, Disney, Herend, Boehm, Cybis, Dorothy Doughty, Royal Doulton, Swarovski, Lalique, Baccarat, Lenox and similar. Call Bob at 843-385-5097. 1-18-1-13

St. Francis House is a homeless shelter located in downtown Gainesville. Our mission is to empower families with children to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency by providing case management, housing, food, training and educational resources in a secure environment. If interested in volunteering please contact the volunteer coordinator at 352-378- 9079 ext 317 or sfhcoor@stfrancis.cfcoxmail.com St Francis House depends on monetary support from individual donors and community businesses in order to provide meals to the homeless and the hungry. To make a donation by mail, please send checks payable to St. Francis House P.O. Box 12491 Gainesville Fl 32604 or our website at Stfrancishousegnv.org

1-18-22

4 5

CLUE

1. 5. 6. 7.

Suntan ____ Nom de plume Mistake Olympian goddess CLUE

1. 2. 3. 4.

ACROSS

DOWN

Rented Type of spear View Range of mountains

ANSWER

LIONTO ASIAL RRREO EAAHTN ANSWER

EEADSL TNIDRET VBSOEER RIRSEA

CLUE: These were undiscovered until the early 1800s.

BONUS

How to play

Complete the crossword puzzle by looking at the clues and unscrambling the answers. When the puzzle is complete, unscramble the circled letters to solve the BONUS. 2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

ANSWERS: 1A-Lotion 5A-Alias 6A-Error 7A-Athena 1D-Leased 2D-Trident 3D-Observe 4D-Sierra B-Asteroids

Send comments to TCA - 160 N. Stetson, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or DLHoyt@HoytInteractiveMedia.com

solution on page 10

answer on page 10 Release Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 Release Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Los Puzzle LosAngeles Angeles Times Times Daily Daily Crossword Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

ACROSS ACROSS 1 Broke off, as 1 Attempts, with talks “at” flier 6 Retired Applenightclub, on a desk 97 Lola’s 11 Endorses in song 1314 ToRefrigerator, a degree, once informally 15 Wax 14 LyndonReadyJohnson Strips maker girl beagle 16 By way 15 Breakfastofsizzler Iron or lead 1617 Antidote fraud 20 Annoying that doesn’tnoise 21 Unclean come from a 22 Home of the duck? WNBA’s Los 18 Northeast Angelestrain Sparks express Eight, in Ecuador 1927 Swipe Nowhere 2029 Pub with near appropriate suds and 30 Dental care brand entertainment “The 2232Jog or Constant racing Gardener” Oscar gait winnerinRachel 24 Caught the act Public transit 2533 Bat’s home option 28 Social media 36 With 38-Across, barrage that unpublicized doesn’t come skill found in each set from a bird? of circles 33 German river Seereally 36-Across 3438 Gets high Pigs’language digs 3540 Asian Lavished 3641 Director affection (on) Wertmüller Justice 3745 Rock gp. Sotomayorjoined sometimes 46 IHOPs, byEarly Young 38 __structurally stick: 48 Mesa or toy Boulder bouncing Flat-topped South 3949 Wide shoe spec African landmark 40 “When I Need 53 Contact infoLeo item You” singer Form 1099 org. 4254 Hunchbacked lab 55 Giving 110%, say assistant 63 Cal. neighbor 43 Voguish term 64 Greek liqueur that doesn’t 65 __ defrom Rossi come a of “Arrested bee? Development” 46 Daly of “Judging 66 Stark in “Game of Amy” 47 Three-vowel Thrones” African river 67 __ Virginia 4868 BitFaux of bickering 50 Military “pineapples” DOWN 54 1 Wikipedia That guy policy 57 2 Archaeological Perfect service find 3 “Quiet on the __!” 58 4 Fabric made Lawyer’s org. from 5 Meirtree of Israel exteriors that 6 Yellow primroses doesn’t come 7 Company abbr. from a dog?

61 __ worse than 8death Astronaut Jemison 62 Downed 9 Be unwell 63 Arm bones 10 Dining room 64 Ho Chi __ City pieces 65 “Sure” with cupboards 66 Certain NCOs 11 Not at all subtle 12 Kunta in “Roots” DOWN 13Letters Mythical 1 on a law man-goat office door 18 Like a bicycle 2 We, to one who climbing says “oui”a hill 19“Dang!” Vase-making 3 dynasty 4 And so on 22Senegal’s Not on thecapital level 5 23Moo Tattled 6 __ pork 24Balkan Lamb’snative mom 7 25Certain __ Lanka 8 surgeon’s 26“patient” “An arm and a leg” is a high one 9 Prestige 27 Sounds of awe 10 Cousteau’s field 28Gallup Lit __ specialty 11 31 Strange one 12 Fastidious to a made by politics? fault 33Exposes Porto-Novo’s land 15 34Thickens, Condo, e.g. 17 as 35cream Remain 37Approximate Standard 21 39nos. Points in math class 23 Like a good42sized Eastern “way” garage 43People Bird in focus, Liberty for 25 Mutual ads short

26 “Bye” that’s bid 44Caracas Acid-washed 27 native jeans course fabric 29 Snap 46Writer Actress 30 Shawkat of Hemingway “Arrested 31 Make fun of Development” 32 Mandy of “This 47Is Zebra Us” feature 49 Wyoming’s __ 38 Traps for the Range unwary 50Lawn Love, tool in Sicily 40 51storage With __ building breath: tensely 41 Sign again anticipatory

44 Highest point 52 Fur tycoon 45 “Peyton __” whom a 49 for Concentrate 50 northwest Fat unit Oregon was named 51 city Bank offering, 56 Billiards briefly stick 57 Quarter-lb. 52 “Buy It Now” quarters site 58 One-liner 53 Fill to the max 59 __ 55 BellAmerica sound 56 Pageant PDQ, in the ER 60 GPS 59 Salesprediction agent 61 Little pick 60 Cockpoint and to bull 62 Toon devil

ANSWER PUZZLE: ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

01/10/2022 01/11/22 01/18/22

01/11/22 01/18/22

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 ALLIGATOR 9

800-227-2345 if interested.

BCI Bath and Shower- BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. No payments for 18 months! Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 888-460-2264 1-18-2-15

Help Wanted

Guest Services Spurrier's Gridiron Grille's looking for someone to manage our phone calls & reservation requests. Great phone manners a must. Email andrew@spurriers.com to learn more about this opportunity! 1-24-22-2-14

16 Health Services ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 866-925-2362. Inogen 1-18-2-16

HIV ANTIBODY TESTING Alachua County Health Dept. Call

334-7960 for app’t (optional $20 fee)

Little Guys Movers Now Hiring $14/hr. Plus TIPS 352-329-4040 1-31-22-5-15

solution below

HIRING OFFICE CLEANERS M-F & every other Sat. Night shift starting at 5:30 p.m. Must own a car / lots of driving. Weekly pay. $14/hr. If interested please call 352-214-0868 12-6-21-12-14 Gainesville Eye Clinic is currently seeking a Full Time or Part Time Certified Ophthalmic Assistant or Technician to join their team! Pay rate $15 - $20 per hour, full benefits offered for Full Time. No experience necessary if interested in pursing a career in the medical field. Training provided to help you accomplish your career goals! 2-28-10-14 Math Tutor & HW Coach for 5th Grader Math tutor and Homework Coach for 5th grader with ADD, speech sound disorder, and reading comprehension disorder. Assistance in 5th grade common core math concepts, establishing executive function skills, and motivation and managing ADD symptoms preferred. Excellent opportunity for anyone interested in working with children with learning disabilities. $25/hr, hours flexible. Email qualifications to: mhefron@hotmail.com 1-31-22-4-14

Career Training and Medical Billing- TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 877-324-4096. The Mission, Program Information and Tuition is located at CareerTechnical.edu/consumer-information. (M-F 8am-6pm ET) 1-18-2-15 Planning to liquidate stereos, TV's, instruments and tools? See Rich At Best. He'll give cash for your jewels. 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 4-18-15-15

each time, while the dotted line moves 45 degrees counterclockwise. The answer is B. The solid black line moves clockwise 90 degrees

EYES UP. PHONE DOWN. DON'T TEXT & DRIVE.

24-hour hotline #352-372-8091 www.aagainesville.org No dues or fees

ATTENTION MEDICARE RECIPIENTS! Open Enrollment for Medicare health plans is here! Call our licensed insurance agents for an affordable quote for your needed coverage. Call for a no obligation free quote now! 833-260-2632 1-18-2-16

DRUG PROBLEM? WE CAN HELP! 24 HOURS 7 DAYS

CALL NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS 352-376-8008 www.uncoastna.org pr@uncoastna.org

Need CPR Training?

(352) 727-4733 www.GatorCPR.com CNA Prep Classes from GatorCNA.com

12-6-21-16-16

When you're stuck out in Oz and you need cash to get home, click your heels three times and think of Best Jewelry and Loan. 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 4-18-15-18

Services

If you or a loved one worked around Roundup Weed Killer, (glyphosate), for at least two years and were diagnosed with lymphoma, you may be entitled to compensation. To see if you qualify, call now: 833-479-1286 1-18-1-15

Stickelers answer

Alcoholics Anonymous

DirecTV Satellite TV Service Starting at $59.99/month! Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 844-614-2532 1-18-2-15

Connections

The end of the term and the end of your rope, Best Jewelry and Loan is the needy Gator's hope! 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 4-18-15-19

20 Events/Notices When cash is low and the bills seem out of reach, Best Jewelry and Loan is the surfer's "PAWN BEACH". 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 4-18-15-20

Entertainment

WALDO FARMERS & FLEA MARKET Vintage & Unique - Like EBay in 3D

Sat & Sun 4-18-15-21

Sudoku solution

3. The Simpsons. answers below 4. The Chicago Bears. 5. Kendo. 6. Conor McGregor. 7. Toni Kukoc.

Pets

Beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies, born Dec. 16th, will be weaned and ready for a forever home on Feb. 12th! Health Certification and vaccinations included! Call 352-665-7062. 2-7-22-5-24

OPERATION CATNIP

Spaying/Neutering Free-Roaming Cats Borrow a Trap / Make a Clinic Reservation Make a Donation / Volunteer New Expanded Hours

Lots of NEW info at http://ocgainesville.org/

www.WaldoFlea.com

Surf on down to "Pawn Beach" when the tide seems too high. We're your summer cash friends so your blues will be all sky! 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 4-18-15-21

ScrabbleGrams solution

1. What sports apparel manufacturer debuted the 1992 Aaron, brother of Hank, hit "Dan 1. & Tommie Dave" marketing campaign centered around how many home runs in his seven-seaU.S. son decathletes O'Brien and Dave Johnson? Major Dan League Baseball career? 2. the Billpop Chadwick, first with 2. Name star who wasthe in aNHL’s relationship U.S.-born referee and later a broadformer Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony caster for the New York Rangers, wentRomo fromby2007-09. what nickname? 3. The name for the Albuquerque 3. What stadium, demolished in 1960, was home to Isotopes Minor League Baseball club the Brooklyn Dodgers 1913-57? was inspired by from a fictional team from what TV series? 4. Name the comedy U.S. figure skater who won men's 4. Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle, two singles gold medals at the St. Moritz andof1952 members of the Pro1948 Football Hall OsloFame WinterClass Olympics and spent five straight ISU World of 2020, their entire playing careers with what NFL franChampionship titles from 1948-52. chise? 5. What businessman and Japanese former racecar 5. What traditional martialdriver art is as “the way of started hisliterally own CARTtranslated team in 1990 with Eddie Cheevsword”? er asthe driver and Target as the primary sponsor? 6. Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated 6. According to sportscaster and superstar author Brian what mixed martial arts inMcFara in defenseman Las Vegas? from lane,2017 whatboxing Hockey megafight Hall of Fame 7. What Croatia-born basketball the player 1920s and "started thousand fights and won'30s three NBA achampionships never wonthe one"? with Chicago Bulls from 1996-98 andfootball was the NBA Sixthused Man 7. What trick1996 play was famously byof the Nethe Year? braska Cornhuskers against the Miami Hurricanes in the Answers 1984 Orange Bowl and resulted in Huskers offensive 1. 13. He hit eight of them in his lineman Steinkuhler running for a touchdown? 1962Dean rookie season. 2. The © Big 2022Whistle. King Features Synd., Inc.

Lost & Found

Found something? Place a free "Found" ad in The Alligator Classifieds. Call 373-FIND or email classified@alligator.org today! Sports Quiz answers

Trivia Test answers

6. 5 years old 7. James Earl Jones 8. Ganymede 9. Reagan 10. Vermont

to transport cancer patients to treatment. Flexible schedule. Training and liability insurance provided. Please call

1.1.FOOD & DRINK: What grain the JapaMEASUREMENTS: Howis many inches are sake in a mile? nese wine made from? 2. ASTRONOMY: What does the 2. MEDICAL: What is the name for acronym SETI mean to common the scientific the condition called aphonia? community? LANGUAGE: What does the Lat3.3.ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a gastropoda? in prefix “sub-” mean in English? U.S. PRESIDENTS: 4.4.HISTORY: In what cityWho was was the the United only to of serve two nonconStates'president Declaration Independence signed? secutive terms? 5.5.GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What word does LITERATURE: Which 20th-century movie starrating penned the autobiograthe "R" movie stand for? phy “Me: Stories of My Life”? 6.6.MUSIC: How oldWhat was Mozart whenfirst he beHISTORY: was the National Monument gan composing music?proclaimed in the United States? 7.7.MOVIES: Who voiced Where Mufasa is in the GEOGRAPHY: the animated of movie "The Lion King"? island Luzon located? 8. MOVIES: Which sci-fi movie has 8. ASTRONOMY: Whatisisathe largest moon the tagline, “Reality thing of the orbiting a planet in our solar system? past”? GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What last 9.9.TELEVISION: What is the family's was the name of the United States’ first name in drama series "Blue Bloods"? nuclear-powered submarine? 10.U.S. GAMES: arestate the four 10. STATES:What Which goesrailby the road properties in Monopoly? nickname "Green Mountain State"? Answers © 2022 King Features Synd., Inc. 1. 63,360 inches 2. Search for extraterrestrial intellianswers below gence 3. Below or insufficient 4. Grover Cleveland 5. Katharine Hepburn 6. Devils Tower, 1906 7. The Philippines 8. “The Matrix” 9. The USS Nautilus 10. Pennsylvania, Short Line, Reading and B&O

1. Rice 2. Complete loss of voice 3. A snail 4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 5. Restricted

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED

by Fifi Rodriguez

5. Chip Ganassi.

The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Volunteers Needed!

UPDATE YOUR HOME with Beautiful New Blinds & Shades. FREE in-home estimates make it convenient to shop from home. Professional installation. Top quality - Made in the USA. Call for free consultation: 866-6361910. Ask about our specials! 1-18-2-15

6. King Clancy.

The surf's up at "Pawn Beach" we're all making the scene. If you're in need go see Rich, Best Jewelry and Loan's got the "green". 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 4-18-15-13

Services

7. The fumblerooski.

Wanted

1. Reebok. 2. Jessica Simpson. 3. Ebbets Field. 4. Dick Button.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

SHOPPING

Shutting down Second Street: How Bazar hosts late-night grand opening THE STORE’S NEW 60 SW SECOND ST. LOCATION HELD ITS GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION FRIDAY

By Aurora Jimenez Castro Avenue Staff Writer

Weekend nights in downtown Gainesville are typically loud and crowded — people fill the street and there’s not an empty parking spot in sight. This Friday, it wasn’t the typical scene. Northwest Second Street found itself lined with sportscars and local vendors. Packed shoulder to shoulder, attendees waded through the crowd browsing records, handmade jewelry and unique art by local vendors. How Bazar shut down Northwest Second Street for its new storefront’s grand opening block party Jan. 14. Adorned with the store’s vintage clothing, the store was crammed with hundreds of attendees as vendors filled the streets. How Bazar’s new location — a large, warehouse-style event space with lounge areas, wall-to-wall clothing displays and a bar — is located at 60 SW Second St. The Gainesville-based vintage fashion and lifestyle outlet featured DJs hosted by record label Dion Dia, a car show, a first time fashion show and a skating competition

hosted by Samurai Skate from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Hundreds packed closely together near the downtown parking garage. With hip-hop music blaring from a raised stage and attendees showing off their best winter wear, temperatures dropped to the 50s as the unexpectedly cold night ensued. How Bazar is a Gainesvillebased vintage clothing and lifestyle brand. Focused on ethical consumption, the brand is worker owned — ownership is split between five Gainesville artists. Before the block party, the store was housed in the Seagle Building on University Avenue, often hosting night markets and silent discos. The block party dwarfed past How Bazar events. In size, scale and festivities offered, the event was a first of its kind for the brand. Red carpet in the parking garage

How Bazar hosted its first ever fashion show to showcase local styling talents. How Bazar and 14 other stores styled the models in aesthetics ranging from streetwear to vintage and upcycled looks. Set to a hip-hop playlist, volunteer models walked red carpets stretching from the entrance of the Downtown Parking Garage to the street. Audience members looped

Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter. Tweet us @TheFloridaAve.

around the carpet runway and peered down from the upper levels of the garage. Jordan Ortiz, a 22-year-old server and aspiring model, introduced the show. After moving to Gainesville in late 2019 from Deltona, he was invited by How Bazar to direct and curate the fashion show. Ortiz emphasized the unprecedented scale of Friday’s block party. “Tonight we got five different things that should all be its own one,” Ortiz said. “So tonight has just been amazing — so many different people came out.” Vintage wheels and modern cruisers

The fashion show wasn’t the only new addition to How Bazar’s event repertoire — the block party hosted a car show for the first time ever. Car owners showed off their rare, vintage and modern sports cars. Parked alongside the curb, attendees got up close and took pictures with the unique vehicles. For Steven Rodriguez, a 24-yearold lineworker who curated and organized the car show, the How Bazar block party served as a way to inspire others to participate in the city’s growing car scene. “For tonight, this might give people motivation to come out more and bring their cars out more,” Rodriguez said. “Once they

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

River Himmer walks down the runway in a fashion show for the grand opening of the How Bazar location on Friday, Jan. 14. The show took place inside a parking garage on Second Ave. see all these nice cars, it motivates them to bring out their cars and build them even better and maybe even get a chance to be in the show next time.” The displayed cars’ owners hailed from Gainesville, Jacksonville, Ocala and other parts of north central Florida. Rodriguez parked his own silver, four-door 1985 Mercedes 190 II. The How Bazar car show was one of few Rodriguez hosted; however, he was pleased to see the

show was received with excitement. “Everybody’s loving it. I keep asking everybody that I put in the show…if you’re enjoying it. Of course, they’re all very hyped and very proud…that they were chosen to be in the show,” Rodriguez said. Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/the_avenue. @aurora_rjcx ajimenezcastro@alligator.org

Florida tennis prepares for new season after national championship campaign Despite early heartbreaker the season looks optimistic, pg. 12

Scan to follow the Avenue on Spotify

podcast

streaming now!

American Medical Program Tel Aviv University Sackler Faculty of Medicine

American Medical Program/Tel Aviv University/Sackler Faculty of Medicine

offers an outstanding four year medical school curriculum, taught in English, leading to the M.D. degree. The Program is chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York and is accredited by the State of Israel. Students do their clerkships and electives in the hospitals in Israel, the U.S. and Canada. One of these hospitals, Sheba Medical Center, was selected by Newsweek magazine as one of the top 10 hospitals around the world for the last three years. Graduates participate in the National Resident Matching Program and return to the United States for their residency training. Since its commencement in 1976, over 2,100 alumni have completed their residency training at the most distinguished hospitals in the United States and Canada. www.sacklerschool.org provides extensive information about the Program. For further information, e-mail sacklermed@sacklermed.org

Applications for the Class of 2026 are available on our website

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/sports

BASEBALL

Previewing Florida baseball after disastrous 2021 campaign Gator baseball preview: Infield By Carson Cashion Sports Writer

If you had to pick one stat to define Florida’s 2021 baseball season, a very strong argument could be made for errors. Anywhere losses could be found, errors were surely nearby. The final two Gainesville regional losses to South Alabama and USF: four combined errors. The season-opening series loss to Miami: six errors in three games. Florida concluded the season with 70 errors, its highest mark since 2011. While the entire roster is hungry to set the record straight after an abysmal fielding campaign last season, no group is hungrier than the infielders. Featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and new additions, the unit should have the pieces in place to bounce back in 2022. With the season on the horizon next month, how the infield fares could be make-or-break for the team as a whole. The Gators return one of their most consistent fielders at first base, junior Kendrick Calilao. The Kissimmee-born player made headlines last season when he came up to bat in the bottom of the 10th against Florida State. With the game deadlocked at two, Calilao blasted a shot onto the left-field berm, a walk-off home run against the in-state rival Seminoles. In a season full of unfulfilled expectations and out-right disappointment, the walk-off from Calilao was a rare, warm memory from the inaugural campaign at Florida Ballpark. Fans remember Calilao for that shot, but what they may not remember was how cleanly he performed at first base. The Gators fielding woes were no secret last season, leading the SEC in errors, but Calilao was the exception. His fielding percentage of 1.000 was the only perfect stat line of any starting infielder.

Grethel Aguila // Alligator Staff

As the Gators look to fix their mental mistakes and start fresh this season, Calilao’s job at firstbase should be locked up. Another name to watch at the first-base position would be junior Kris Armstrong. While he started at the designated hitter position for most of the end of the season, the Jupiter, Florida, native could also split time with Calilao. Starting roles around the diamond are up in the air entering the season. Sophomore Colby Halter played at both second and third in 2021. The Jacksonville, Florida, native’s batting average of .302 leads returning Gators, and he sits second in RBI’s among returners with 32. Another veteran from that group, sophomore Josh Rivera, started at shortstop in each of Florida’s postseason games. The Avon Park, Florida, native was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second Team at shortstop, but mistakes with the glove plagued his 2021 season. Rivera led the team in errors, tallying 13. Nevertheless, he should still remain a starter for the Gators at shortstop or second base. The new addition to Florida’s infield group comes with a familiar name. Freshman Deric Fabian, brother of senior Jud Fabian, was named the Florida Dairy Farmers “Mr. Baseball” in his final year at North Marion High School. Deric was ranked the 26th overall prospect in Florida by Perfect Game. Because Deric played shortstop in high school, one of the Gators’ returning infielders will likely shift over to third base. It is unclear which Gator will do so at this time, and that role could be experimented with over the course of the season by head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. The manager was not afraid to mix and match infield lineups last season, so everybody will likely have opportunities to show off their talents at each position. Sophomore Mac Guscette sat behind Nathan Hickey at the catcher spot for much of last season, but took advantage of every opportunity he was given by O’Sullivan as a true freshman. By the time postseason play came around, Guscette had earned the right to start at catcher for all six postseason games. Although the Nokomis, Florida, native only registered 57 at bats last season, his .298 batting average ranked fifth among all players. Combine that with a fielding percentage of .988 and he most likely has the starting position locked up. Keep an eye out for freshman Rene Lastres, though, who will join the team this year touted as the No. 5 prospect in Florida by Perfect Game. After the fielding collapse last season, there’s only one direction to go for the Gators in the SEC rankings. With a healthy amount of talent returning, as well as a handful of stand-out freshmen joining the squad, Florida is primed for a potential bounce-back year on defense. How high up the conference leaderboards will that bounce go? That is unclear. The season kicks off on Feb. 18 when the Gators host the Liberty Flames in a three-game series at Florida Ballpark.

Junior Kendrick Calilao returns as the only Gator with a perfect fielding percentage last year.

alligatorSports has a podcast! The alligatorSports Podcast releases episodes every Wednesday and can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your other preferred streaming platform.

@carsoncashion ccashion@alligator.org

Follow our newsletter

Gator baseball preview: Outfield By Ethan Budowsky Sports Writer

When slugger Jud Fabian was selected in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Red Sox and leadoff hitter Jacob Young was drafted by the Nationals, Florida’s outfield prospects appeared bleak heading into the 2022 season. But Fabian shockingly turned down $2 million and returned for a junior season to patch up a dilapidated Gator outfield. Fabian’s surprise return leaves optimism in Gainesville that the Gators can avoid another disappointing season like 2021. With the season less than a month away, expectations are not as high for Florida as in years past. The Gators have an extremely talented roster, but it is young and lacks experience. Having Fabian back is a boost that could help the Gators surprise a lot of people in 2022. The Ocala native came into last season a projected top-five pick, but slipped down the board as he struggled with strikeouts. Fabian mustered just a .249 batting average in 2021 and struck out 79 times in 269 plate appearances, a 29.3% strikeout rate. This raised concerns about his plate discipline and ability to hit professional pitching. However, the Gators star center fielder is out to get his draft stock back into the early first round. A positive from last season is he showed tremendous power and on-base ability, posting a .924 on-base plus slugging (OPS) and 20 home runs in 59 games. He will have to show those same abilities while decreasing his strikeouts in 2022 in order to change scouts’ minds about him. Fabian flashing this power more consistently will help both his draft stock and catalyze a UF offense that relied on him and Jacob Young at times last season. Young, who currently plays in the Nationals organization and Fabian combined for more than a third of Florida’s long balls in 2021 and no other player cracked double-digits. Young’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the Gators’ lineup. They will need to replace his offensive production at the top of the order where he hit .315 with an .846 OPS last season. Florida will also be looking to replace Young’s solid defense in the outfield. There is good news and bad news for the Gators. The good news is there’s plenty of youth in the outfield: Fabian is the only upperclassman, Sterlin Thompson is the only sophomore and there are five freshmen outfielders on the roster. The bad news is there’s plenty of youth in the outfield: Fabian and Thompson will occupy center and right field for the majority of the season, leaving the competition for Young’s spot in left wide open. Junior Kendrick Calilao is expected to get some starts in the outfield, but most of his playing time last year came at first base or designated hitter. However, since his freshman year, Calilao has struggled to receive consistent playing time and has yet to prove he can be a reliable everyday player. The Orlando, Florida,

Love alligatorSports? Stay up to date on our content by following our newsletter. Scan the QR Code to sign up.

Grethel Aguila // Alligator Staff

Junior Jud Fabian hopes to add much needed firepower to the Florida outfield this season. The Ocala, Florida, native led the team in home runs last season. native appeared in just 39 games in 2021, making 28 starts. That leaves the door open for an abundance of underclassmen to take grasp of the final outfield spot. The most experienced candidate would be Tucker Talbott, who is entering his third year on campus. He has yet to appear in any games but is the oldest Gator outfielder after Fabian and Thompson. However, head coach Kevin O’Sullivan could opt to go young in search of greater talent. Florida brought in another strong recruiting class in 2022, leaving O’Sullivan with four extremely talented true freshmen to pick from. All four freshmen ranked in the top-10 among outfielders in the state of Florida coming out of high school. Ty Evans was ranked third, Michael Robertson fourth, Corey Robinson fifth and Matt Prevesk eighth. While Florida’s youth may suggest the Gators are entering a transition year, it could also create an opportunity to take the country by surprise. If one of these young talents takes a stranglehold on the final outfield spot with a breakout year, their lineup will get a huge boost. O’Sullivan has never been afraid to opt for talent over experience in his years at Florida. It is always a risk because Florida struggling to fill that third outfield spot could spell huge trouble for them offensively, but it could have huge rewards. If one player can assert themselves above the rest of the group, O’Sullivan may be cooking with gas in 2022. Florida outfielders had three of the top five OPS’s on the team last season, so they will need to replace that production this season. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the outfield rotation this season and what kind of production Florida gets from those spots — especially early on. It is certain to play a huge role in determining the potential of this year’s team and whether they can return to being among the best in the nation. The first pitch of the season will be thrown on Feb. 18 when the Gators host the Liberty Flames at 6:30 p.m. at Florida Ballpark.

For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.

@ethanbudowsky ebudowsky@alligator.org

12 ALLIGATOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

MEN’S TENNIS

Florida tennis prepares for new season after national championship campaign A TALENTED ROSTER AND LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS BRING HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS SEASON

ing the title any differently than winning it in the first place. Riffice emphasized the team hopes to approach every game with the desire that led them through the NCAA Tournament last season. “We don’t have any of the wins we had last year, so I think everyone approaches it in that way and we’re excited to go have some good matches,” Riffice said. Along with Riffice, the Gators welcome back six others from last year: seniors Duarte Vale, Andy Andrade, Josh Goodger and Lukas Greif; junior Will Grant; and sophomore Ben Shelton. The team also adds three newcomers: freshman Nate Bonetto, Abedallah Shelbayh, and Michigan graduate transfer Mattias Siimar. With only six spots open in the lineup, the Gators have a pretty crowded roster. Riffice notes that the Gators have taken this competition in stride, embracing the constant pressure and consistent effort required to keep a starting position. “They know if they have a bad week they might not play that weekend,” Riffice said. “It kind of pushes everyone on each day in practice.” All three newcomers will be in the mix for starting spots after

By Joshua Morgan Sports Writer

The 2021 season welcomed unprecedented success for the Gators men’s tennis program. Florida not only claimed their first team national championship, but rising senior Sam Riffice also became the third Gator to win a national championship individually. A combination of elite returning talent plus a few new additions to the team fuel high expectations for Florida as UF enters 2022 as the preseason No. 1 and favorites to repeat. Being the highest ranked team comes with its own set of trials — as Florida will now be the team to beat for all other title contenders. No. 5 TCU had that in mind when it defeated Florida in its opening contest, 4-3. It was the first time the Gators had ever lost their first match of the season in program history. However, the team doesn’t view the challenge of defend-

Nate Bonetto asserted himself in the Fall, rising to No. 79 in the rankings. Shelbayh and Siimar make up the Gators’ highestranked doubles pairing at No. 14, despite having been paired with Vale and Andrade respectively in each of the first two matches. This is a great problem for the Gators to have, but head coach Bryan Shelton knows it will come with plenty of tough decisions throughout the season. “It’s really challenging,” Shelton said about balancing UF’s talented roster. “[We try] to weigh out long-term versus short-term gains and give guys opportunities to get their feet wet and compete and play.” Shelton is likely to experiment with different lineups this year in order to foster development. He believes that a winning formula is one where the primary goal is to help the players on the team improve individually and allow positive team results to follow. “It didn’t really matter who we put out there on the court,” Shelton said. “We felt very comfortable with all of our guys being able to go out there and compete at a high level.” Shelton’s philosophy faced a stiff test via a Texas road trip

Alligator File Photo

Head coach Bryan Shelton. filled with elite competition. After the loss to TCU, Florida needed a late comeback to defeat No. 3 Texas, 4-3, Sunday afternoon. “Our schedule is murderer’s row,” Shelton said. “We’re not shying away from competition so we’re gonna find out exactly what we’ve got from day one.” Florida continues its unfor-

giving slate when it hosts No. 11 UCF Saturday afternoon in its home opener. Matches will be held at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex and action begins at 12:30 p.m. @JoshuaMorgan37 jmorgan@alligator.org

T H G I N Y A D S R THU OU CAN DRINK ALL Y

F O O R E H T ON 10 - 12 Am

y a wedne7 s- d 12 night MAC NIGHT Am

MAC N’ CHEESE

regular, buffalo chicken, BBQ pork, or taco

2 WHITNEYS 5

$ PINK

MULES

LIQUOR P IT CH ER : $ PITC HERS P E R FEDACYST & KARAOKE WE DN ES

on the ROOF

9pm ON THE ROOF

@TheSocialMidtown

Y FR7ID- A 1 2 NIGHT BURGERS & $3 off all SANDWICHES pm

1 WELLS

3 DROPS

$ LEMON

FIRST MAGNITUDE

4 DRAFTS

$ $

www.thesocialgnv.com

off

all SEAFOOD ITEMS

JACK

2 JACK HONEY JACK FIRE

LIVE DJ @ 10 pm @TheSocialGNV

saturday NIGHT 7 - 10

3 WELLS

$ DOUBLE

4 SWAMPHEAD DRAFTS LIVE DJ @ 10 pm 1728 West University Ave