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Emma Hayakawa // Alligator Staff

2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Staying safe on UF’s campus MEASURES FOR STUDENTS’ SAFETY INCLUDE BLUE LIGHT EMERGENCY PHONES AND SNAP VEHICLES

By Omar Ateyah Alligator Staff Writer

Melanie Corrales doesn’t go grocery shopping without her pepper spray, her panic button and her defense key chain. One year ago, when a man lingered behind her as she tried to shop at the Publix next to campus, she wasn’t as prepared. Corrales was a new-to-campus freshman. She tried to get a pharmacist’s attention, but she didn’t pick up on Corrales’ cues. Corrales avoided the man only after bounding through the crosswalk to the other side of Southwest 13th Street. The start of the academic year brings the excitement of independence for incoming UF students, but crime on campus and in surrounding areas — from sexual assault to hit-and-runs — demand preparedness. A man who allegedly took videos of women on UF’s campus without their consent in December 2021 was booked into the Alachua County Jail Tuesday. Deontre Mason faces nine counts of video voyeurism charges, including an alleged recording of a woman showering in Murphree Hall. Blue light emergency phones scattered across campus allow students to quickly reach University Police in cases of

immediate distress. In June 2020, UF announced new blue emergency lights in the area of Fraternity Row were operational in response to a student protest calling for their installation. Since 2015, victims reported 98 rapes at UF — nearly half happened in or near dorms and 16 happened at or near fraternities. In 2019, Ian Milaski, a former UF resident assistant, was arrested and charged with battery and false imprisonment when he sexually assaulted a UF student and tried to pressure her into sleeping with him. He was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison for attempted sexual battery, burglary and kidnapping in 2021, according to court records. Even the Reitz Union has been subject to sexual misconduct incidents. Last October, a man masturbated in front of a sophomore student as she sat in the union’s cafeteria. Despite a plan to increase the number of surveillance cameras in the union, the efforts are slow, and UF has not added cameras to the food court since the incident. The university does offer resources like the GatorSAFE app, which allows students to report and learn of crimes around campus. The app is a must-have for students, said University Police Department lieutenant Jake Pruitt. Its Personal Safety Toolbox includes location sharing and an alarm in cases of emergency. The Rape Aggression Defense System self defense program can also teach women how

to keep themselves safe, GPD spokesperson Graham Glover said. Students living in off-campus complexes should become familiar with the complex and know where the best lighting is located, Glover said. He also advised not walking alone after dark. Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol vans can transport 15 people at a time and operate from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the Fall and Spring semesters and from 8:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the Summer. Too few students know about transportation options that allow them to get around town in the new area, 19-year-old UF marketing junior Ethan ChenFung said. They’re especially important in light of recent hit-and-run incidents and pedestrian fatalities that have killed UF students. Prateek Sharma was killed after being struck by a drunk driver on Southwest 34 Street this March. Maggie Paxton was killed in December 2020 in a hit-and-run on West University Avenue, and a month later, Sophia Lambert died after being hit by a car on the same road. Denise Griffiths died in January 2020 after being hit on East University Avenue while walking onto a crosswalk. Mikalee Williams, a 21-yearold business administration senior, said she would advise students to familiarize themselves with their phones’ built-in SOS features and avoid the University Avenue area after it gets dark. @OAteyah oateyah@alligator.org

What is UF Student Government? THE INS AND OUTS OF SG AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED

By Sandra McDonald Alligator Staff Writer

According to its website, UF Student Government acts as “a direct liaison between the university and its students.” But what does that really mean? SG controls more than $22 million and operates in three branches, much like the U.S. government: executive, legislative and judicial. The executive branch is led by Student Body President Lauren Lemasters, who oversees 16 agencies and four cabinets — Diversity, Student Life, Leadership and Service and Transition — that influence and organize student experiences on and off campus. The legislative branch is made up of a unicameral Senate with a maximum of 100 members. Senators are elected in Fall or Spring and represent either their majors, class standing or housing areas on and off campus. Its public meetings are held Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Senate Chambers of the Reitz Union. The Senate passes legislation including the student activities and services fee budget, funded by over $22 million in student tuition and fees, during the Summer. The judicial branch includes the UF SG Supreme Court and elections commissions, made up

of UF law students. Ryan Wiele serves as Chief Justice alongside three other justices. The SG Supreme Court handles cases brought by students based on SG rules and codes. Most SG officers have official email addresses and office hours open to students available on the UF SG website. Elections occur during the Fall and Spring, but students can still get involved with SG during Summer. The executive and legislative branches have vacancies, and the positions are available to all students taking summer classes. Applications for replacement and permanent Senate seats will open for Tuesday. Senate President Elizabeth Hartzog and Senate President Pro-Tempore Olivia Green, who both serve on the Replacement and Agenda Committee, said new students who want to give back to the university and represent its population of more than 50,000 students would benefit from holding a position. “One of the main pieces of advice we would give to incoming students who want to get involved, specifically within student government, is to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” Hartzog and Green wrote in a joint statement to the Alligator. @sn_mcdonald smcdonald@alligator.org

Voting for dummies, except you’re a top-5 student Everything students need to know to vote this fall By Mickenzie Hannon Alligator Staff Writer

Voting: it’s free, and it’s pretty easy. Going to the polls is the foundation of our democracy and a right people in other countries sometimes don’t get, Dorothy Zimmerman, the communications director for the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, said. Voting is not a test of how knowledgeable someone is about politics, Zimmerman said.

“It’s simply a way for you to express your dissatisfaction or your satisfaction with what’s going on in our country and in our community,”

- Dorothy Zimmerman, Bob Graham Center for Public Service

Once students move to Gainesville, they must choose whether they want to change their registration information to vote in local elections or remain registered in their hometowns. Online Registration

Regardless of a student’s in- or out-of-state status, all students can register to vote or update voter registration information through the free TurboVote registration app. Once students enter housing information, they will be linked to the appropriate Supervisor of Elections Office to register to vote. From there, students print, complete and turn the registration form into the corresponding office. Using TurboVote also enrolls voters in a reminder service that provides important voting dates, voting location information and election policies. It also helps the center track data on voters within the student body. In-Person Registration

Students can visit the Bob Graham Center, located on the

second floor of Pugh Hall, to register to vote in person. Staff are equipped to assist students and are legally allowed to collect and turn registration forms into a student’s Supervisor of Elections Office. Checking and Updating Registration Information

Voters can check their registration status online at vote.org or use TurboVote’s app to update information, including party affiliation and residency. One of the biggest mistakes students make when voting is not knowing their address, Zimmerman said. Students living on campus should use their residence hall mailing address if they want to vote in Gainesville and Alachua County elections. Students who choose to vote in their local home elections would use their home address. If a student is registered as a Florida voter, they can still update their voter information during the early voting period, which is Aug. 13 to Aug. 20 for primary elections and Oct. 29 to Nov. 5 for general elections. Because Florida is a closed primary state, to vote in primary elections voters need to register as a Democrat, Republican or Independent by July 25. Early Voting

During the early voting period for primary and general elections, voters can vote at any county precinct location, including the Reitz Union, the Supervisor of Elections Office, Millhopper Branch Library, Tower Road Branch Library, Orange Heights Baptist Church, Legacy Park Multipurpose Center and Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center. Election Day Voting

Voters who choose to vote on primary and general election days, are required to vote at their designated precinct location. Students living on campus use the Reitz Union.

Mail-in Voting

If a student chooses to vote in their hometown elections, they can request a mail-in ballot from their Supervisor of Elections Office. Because voting by mail differs for each county, students should research the requirements for the area in which they are planning to vote. Events

The Bob Graham Center hosts events throughout the year to encourage and register students to vote. The center will host events to welcome and register students Aug. 31, Sept. 15 and during Homecoming Week Oct. 3-7. • • • • • • • •

Important Dates

July 25: Deadline to register to vote and change party affiliation for the 2022 Primary Election Aug. 13: Early voting period opens and deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the Primary Election Aug. 20: Final day to vote early in the Primary Election Aug. 23: Primary Election Sept. 20: National Voter Registration Day Oct. 29: Early voting period opens and deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the General Election Nov. 5: Final day to vote early in the General Election Nov. 8: General Election

UF’s voter landscape is unique because the campus brings people from all over the place, Andrew Taramykin, a 20-year-old UF political science and economics junior who helps coordinate the Gator Get-Out-the-Vote Coalition, said. He recommended students create a personal voter plan — when, where and how they will vote. “Voting in a jurisdiction that isn’t necessarily familiar to them, with those additional barriers in place, students really do have to think ahead to make sure they can participate,” he said. @MickenzieHannon mhannon@alligator.org

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VOLUME 116 ISSUE 38

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

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Gainesville protests overturn of Roe v. Wade ABOUT 1000 PEOPLE MARCHED DOWNTOWN SATURDAY

By Anushka Dakshit Alligator Staff Writer

Courtesy to The Alligator

About 1,000 protestors marched through Gainesville on Saturday, June 25, 2022 after the official announcement of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Man accused of taking videos of women without consent at UF arrested DEONTRE MASON WAS EXTRADITED FROM ILLINOIS

By Omar Ateyah Alligator Staff Writer

Freshmen flooded residence halls this week. Many were unaware of the on-campus voyeurism case from six months ago. Police booked the man who allegedly took videos of 18 women in bathroom stalls, showers and stairwells on UF’s campus at the Alachua County Jail Tuesday. Deontre Mason, a 25-yearold Illinois resident, recorded a woman showering in Murphree Hall in December. He also allegedly filmed in Library West. UF trespassed him from all properties from February to December 2024, and Alachua County court issued a warrant against Mason in late March. The University of Central

Florida Police Department arrested Mason for similar voyeurism allegations in December 2021. Mason admitted to recording a woman over the stall divider in a bathroom at UCF. In 2020, he was banned from Palm Beach Atlantic University for wandering the women’s dormitory. He also had a warrant put out for his arrest for alleged voyeurism at the University of Kentucky, according to court records. Local law enforcement arrested Mason in his home state, Illinois, in early June, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kaley Behl said. A private transport company brought him to Florida. Mason faces nine counts of video voyeurism and had his first Alachua County court appearance Wednesday. His next court appearance is set for July 7.

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT What to expect from Florida football in 2022 Story description finish with comma, pg# Anthony Richardson and Billy Napier lead the Gators into the first season of a new era. Read more on pg. 9.

@OAteyah oateyah@alligator.org

Lavina Khan’s heart broke when she heard Roe v. Wade was overturned Friday. Her mind flooded with worries about her family members and everyone else who has a uterus; she feared they had lost control over their bodies. The next day her heartache turned to fury as she held a sign that read “My coochie, my choice” alongside about 1,000 protestors outside the Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse in downtown Gainesville for about three hours Saturday. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, abortion was banned in some capacity in more than 11 states, and trigger laws — abortion bans states began to enforce immediately after Roe v. Wade overturns — allow 12 other states to quickly ban or restrict access to them.

Khan, a 20-year-old UF psychology junior, said two family members needed abortions in the last three decades. One did not have the financial stability to raise a child and the other faced medical complications that could have ended both the mother’s and baby fetus’ life. “You don't know what people are going through, and they might be in specific circumstances that don't allow them to have kids,” she said. “They might want to in the future or they might not want to at all, and it's not fair for someone else to make that decision.” Brooke Eliazar-Macke, a 38-year-old Gainesville attorney, froze in her seat when she heard the news. Doubts swarmed her mind. She had to reread the article before reality set in: She lost her right to an abortion. “There's fire in your belly to continue the fight,” she said. Eliazar-Macke helped organize the courthouse protest with the National Women’s Liberation

SEE ABORTION, PAGE 5

TikTok star Josh Richards to speak at UF JOSH RICHARDS, WITH 25.6 MILLION FOLLOWERS ON TIKTOK, WILL SPEAK AT UF JUNE 29

By Sandra McDonald Alligator Staff Writer

The UF community will have a chance to rub elbows with internet fame this Summer. Student Government’s Accent Speakers Bureau will welcome TikTok star Josh Richards to the University Auditorium Wednesday at 7 p.m. Josh Richards, a 20-year-old Ontario native with 25.6 million followers on TikTok, often posts short videos lip syncing to popular sounds and clips of his weekly podcast, “BFFs.” In 2020, he wrote a diss track on fellow TikTok star Chase “Lil Huddy” Hudson called “Still Softish,” featuring YouTuber and TikTok star Bryce Hall. The Accent event will feature a conversation between Richards and UF CJC Professor Andrew Selepak followed by a Q&A, according to

Accent Chairman Tyler Kahan. It is part of SG’s Great Gator Welcome week-long event, which will also sponsor GatorNights at the Reitz Union 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday. “ACCENT decided on Josh as a possible speaker as he is a social media mogul, entrepreneur, writer, actor, and podcast host, as well as a fun, exciting, influential speaker who can focus on a wide array of topics,” Kahan wrote in an email to The Alligator. The event is free with a valid Gator 1 card, and doors will open at 6 p.m. Accent’s Instagram announcement post has received 500 likes and 158 comments as of Sunday. The excitement of some individuals, mostly those associated with Student Government, was mixed with discontent from others. Megan Keating, a 20-year-old UF microbiology senior, called the decision embarrassing.

“I just think it’s weird we invited a TikTok star.”

Magazine Thursday with an announcement of a first-look deal; he will produce content for Amazon Studios and Prime Video. His team did not respond to communications from The Alligator as of Monday. Keating said she was disappointed with the choice and described Richards’ relationships with women as suspicious, referring to his drama-filled split in 2021 with ex-girlfriend and TikToker Nessa Barrett. She said she hopes he gives genuine advice that may be useful to college students and strays from problematic remarks. Her curiosity, she said, might drive her to go. UF’s public records center has not responded to The Alligator’s request for Richards’ contract with the Accent Bureau as of Monday. In the past, SG paid $110,000 to host Howie Mandel Feb. 28 and $350,000 for a Roddy Ricch concert Feb. 8.

- Megan Keating, UF student

Richards made news in Variety

The case for campus gyms

UF offers two on-campus gyms for students — Southwest Rec and Student Rec. But which gym is superior? Read more on pg. 10.

@sn_mcdonald smcdonald@alligator.org

Continued competition

Not every new college student with an appreciation for athletics makes a D-I roster, but club teams offer an alternative, pg. 8

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4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Weather LibrariesToday’s and tutoring services set to help incoming freshmen UF LIBRARIES AND TUTORING SERVICES LIKE STUDY EDGE AND KNACK ARE USED BY CURRENT STUDENTS TO HELP THEM EXCEL AT THE UNIVERSITY

By Kyle Bumpers Alligator Staff Writer

As Summer B students swarm the swamp, resources ranging from expansive libraries to curated study guides await them. Maisa Mirza, a 21-year-old UF information systems senior, is heavily involved with Study Edge, a study resource that creates packets and lectures for UF courses. She first used Study Edge her freshman year for her microeconomics class in Spring 2020 and worked as a Study Edge student assistant in Spring 2022. Mirza said Study Edge helps her understand concepts she didn’t grasp in professors’ lectures. Oftentimes she feels the concepts are taught too broadly to students, she said. “In terms of actually succeeding in the course, I feel like Study Edge does a better job,” Mirza said. Mirza also turns to Knack, a free tutoring service partnered with UF, when she needs a more in-depth explanation for concepts in her courses. She values the discussion-based strategy it employs

and appreciates the wide range of courses the tutoring service offers. Knack normally costs $12 per hour, but UF gives students free access. Incoming students should watch every class lecture and change their study habits to suit the intense college course load, Mirza said. “This [college] is ultimately what's going to help you in your career, so take it seriously,” Mirza said. Mirza also frequents UF’s libraries and often uses study rooms to enhance her learning. It’s beneficial to leave her dorm and study in a different environment, she said, and the presence of other students motivates her to work harder. UF’s main campus contains seven libraries, including Marston Library, Library West, Library East and the Education Library, with study rooms and subject librarians for extra assistance as well as outside tutoring programs. Multiple UF libraries allow different volumes according to floor level; the lowest floors are typically filled with more collaborative group conversation while higher floors are meant for silent studying. Libraries also provide study rooms for students to work in a group with monitors and whiteboards without disrupting others. Mirza tries to book study rooms up to a week in advance to ensure

Emma Hayakawa // Alligator Staff

Graphic of popular study spots for students at the University of Florida.

UF CAMPUS PARKING BY CVS ON 13TH ST! Affordable hourly, monthly & yearly rates!

Go to Parkonthefly.com & Reserve While Supplies Last!

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she has a space to focus outside of her dorm. She feels that the library environment changes around exam time. Most libraries reach max capacity early in the day as students swarm in to catch seats and claim tables. “I might as well just stay in my dorm and just study for my exams that way,” Mirza said. April Hines, the librarian for UF College of Journalism and Communications, teaches students how to find information in the school’s library system and helps them with one-on-one research consultations. Libraries lessen the number of distractions for students and make it easier for them to get work done, Hines said. The space puts students in an environment where they are surrounded by others who are hard at work, and their productivity is not interrupted, Hines said. Subject librarians are one of the most important resources George A. Smathers Libraries provide, Hines said. These librarians, she added, have expert knowledge in how to find information for their discipline. “The sooner you make friends with your subject librarian, the better,” Hines said. She sees students who frequently visit her for help with their projects. She held hour-long consultations with 77 students from May 2021 to May 2022, not including emails, phone calls and Twitter messages. Libraries act as a third study space outside of classrooms and students’ apartments, Hines added. “We've had students tell us they spend more time here than their apartments,” she said. @BumpersKyle kbumpers@alligator.org

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 ALLIGATOR 5

Gainesville protests Supreme Court decision ABORTION, from pg. 1 Gainesville chapter, giving people a platform to talk about the overturn of the 1973 landmark Supreme Court decision. The NWL posed two questions to Gainesville protestors: “What do you personally need to achieve reproductive justice?” and “How has this SCOTUS decision affected you personally?” Protestors left the courthouse to march. They passed the attorney general’s office on their way to the Community Pregnancy Clinic, a crisis pregnancy center in midtown. Crisis pregnancy centers are often made to look like health clinics, but are not, said Kai Christmas, the 25-yearold regional organizer for the southeast and north Florida chapter of Planned Parenthood. They wrote that unlicensed establishments, including some

CPCs, don't have to abide by HIPAA. The decision was a victory for anti-abortion activists. “I was very thankful, obviously,” Mark Harrington, president of Created Equal, said. The public outreach organization played a role in introducing the first heartbeat bill in the nation in Ohio. Americans are still conflicted on the topic of abortion, Harrington said, and that won’t change overnight. The overturn of Roe v. Wade is one step of many, Harrington said. The Constitution should be amended, he said, to protect the unborn under the Fifth and 14th Amendments. Created Equal is not counterprotesting pro-choice demonstrations, but it is conducting outreach on the streets of Washington D.C., Harrington said. Chanae Jackson, the co-

founder of Florida Forward Coalition, north central Florida’s people-powered progressive coalition, revved up the crowd with her speech about the mortality rate amongst Black children. The maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 2.9 times the rate for non-Hispanic white women, according to the CDC in 2020. “I am tired of us having an abortion conversation while [Black people] are still dying from basic childbirth,” she said. Communities must collaborate with each other to advocate for reproductive rights, Jackson said. Protestors fought for everyone whom the overturn affects, Christmas said, which includes most women, trans people, non-binary folks, gender nonconforming folks and the BIPOC community. “All of these issues are intertwined,” Christmas said. “We have to show up for each and every single

Anushka Dakshit // Alligator Staff

About 1,000 protestors stand before the attorney general’s office in Gainesville on June 25, 2022 after the official announcement of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. one of them.” Bread and Roses and All Women’s Health Centers, offer abortion services within three

miles of campus. @Anushkadak adakshit@alligator.org

Anushka Dakshit // Alligator Staff

Chanae Jackson (left) co-founder of Florida Forward Coalition, speaks in front of the crowd at the protest while Brooke Eliazar-Macke, a 38-year-old attorney a part of the steering committee of the NWL (right) holds a megaphone.

Courtesy to The Alligator

About 1,000 protestors march through downtown on Saturday, June 25, 2022.

6 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/opinions

Column

Editorial

Greetings, Gators. We’re The Alligator. It’s great to meet you.

ot all our papers will be like this one, which is crafted by yours truly to make sure you have all the deets they don’t tell you in polished preview packages, crowded classrooms or dorm floor meetings. We’re the ones who won’t B.S. you with overpriced bookstore merch (check out our Redbubble though), ramblings about our rankings or messages controlled by our capitol’s legislators. This school is great, but it has some faults: abuse in the athletic department, academic freedom scandals and the administration’s uncertain pandemic precautions — all uncovered by the journalists who fill our newsroom. This edition exists to equip you with the basic knowledge you need to understand the new digs you just claimed as your own. Life is going to be chaotic for a while. Embrace it. Whether you came up I-75, down 301, via airplane or ship, you’re here to learn, and you’ll do just that. But the real lessons don’t come from learning that the Civil War ended when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered, that Oxford commas are indeed sinful or that y=mx+b. They come from good oldfashioned trial and error. These next few years are going to be a little messy, and that’s okay. There will be times when you think you’re doing too much and times when you think you’re not doing enough. That’s totally normal. The world around us is constantly changing, and we — as journalists — get to see the effects firsthand. Admittedly, sometimes it’s hard to keep up. But our staff is constantly breaking news about local and national issues, like the overturning of Roe v. Wade Friday. At the end of the day, we’re just students like you. Our candid advice: don’t go out without leaving a Gatorade on your bedside table, don’t fall for the first person who buys you a drink and don’t believe everything you hear (unless it’s from us). We’re here to support you, and you should support us. Subscribe to our newsletter, and apply to be on our staff with the QR code you’ll find on the back of this paper. Welcome to Gainesville, Gators. We hope you’ll keep this edition and all the other ones you pick up during your time here.

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The Alligator’s seven must-see games for all UF students

lorida baseball versus Miami - Carson Cashion

The UF athletic department poured over $60 million into Condron Ballpark, formerly known as Florida Ballpark, and the baseball stadium that hugs Hull Road is worth at least one visit for all students. The best weekend atmosphere outside of conference play is easily the Miami series. The Hurricanes and Gators, despite rarely playing in football, basketball or other sports, hold an annual weekend series that is one of the most intense on the calendar.

The Tigers have been among the premier teams in the SEC since head coach Kim Mulkey took over the team in April 2021. LSU and Florida have already shared some classic battles both in Gainesville and the bayou. The Gators and Tigers split their season series this past year, electrifying both the O’Connell Center and Pete Maravich Assembly Center. A strong rivalry is brewing between these teams which figures to be on display for seasons to come.

Alligator Sports Staff sports@alligator.org

Florida men’s basketball versus Kentucky - Brandon Hernandez

SEC men’s basketball is a wholly different experience from your average sporting event. The Gators host some of the premier teams in the nation at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, including Kentucky. The Kentucky Wildcats have been Florida’s SEC rival for generations. In total, the Gators men’s basketball team has played 147 games against UK since 1954. With the Wildcats always stopping in Gainesville during the season, this game is a must for students. You can join the Rowdy Reptiles alongside Billy Donovan Court, cheer on the orange and blue, catch a free T-shirt and witness the first season under new head coach Todd Golden. Florida women’s basketball versus LSU - Brenda Bogle

The resurgence of the Florida women’s basketball program under head coach Kelly Rae Finley makes it a great source to soak in some elite basketball while at UF. The Gators host a number of conference foes, but the energy is different when the Louisiana State Tigers come to town.

Florida football versus Florida State - Jackson Castellano

Beyond the greatest spectacles at UF, FloridaFlorida State is one of the nation’s biggest college football rivalries. The bitter feud is elevated when the game comes to the Swamp every other season. The environment at Ben Hill Griffin stadium is rowdy on smaller game days, but for UF-FSU it’s complete pandemonium. The Gators lead the series with a 37-26-2 record and won the last three meetings. Although both programs aren’t the powerhouses they once were, the rivalry’s tradition runs deep. The passion both fanbases share comes out Thanksgiving weekend. Florida volleyball versus Kentucky - Kaitlyn Wadulack

The O’Connell Center is home to many Florida teams, including the UF volleyball squad. With five seniors graduating last season, this incoming Gators team is young and hungry for more accolades. Read the rest online, including Florida football and gymnastics’ rivalry with Georgia, at alligator.org/section/opionions.

Column

If you see a red truck: Run

nce you start driving around Gainesville, you just can’t stop. No, seriously — you can’t stop. Because there’s nowhere for you to park. You must continue driving, circling around in a three-block radius in search of a place to leave your car, and if you’re lucky, it will still be there when you get back. As a rule of thumb, if you parked for free, you’re probably in the wrong spot. Daily rates for downtown parking garages are $1 per hour from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and $5 per night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Downtown street parking on the east and west sides of Southeast First Street, between University Avenue and Southeast First Avenue, has been demoted from what was once two hours of free parking to just 30 minutes. If you get overwhelmed by paragraph-long parking signs and math equations involving time like me, I recommend just using a parking garage. Or risk getting towed. The infamous bright red tow trucks have become the town’s archnemesis. Superior Towing is known for its ruthless, zero tolerance policies and $100 fees. Despite the horror stories I’ve heard involving these trucks, I have yet to encounter them personally. But I’m sure writing this will make me their next target. Parking on campus is not any better. Though UF likely won’t tow your car, they will definitely give you a citation. About 1,300 to 1,400 citations are given out per week on campus, UF TAPS Associate Director Ron Fuller wrote in an email. There are 14 garages and about 110 surface lots on campus, according to Fuller. Students without decals can pay-by-plate park in only two of them: the Reitz Bookstore and Welcome Center Parking Garage, which is constantly filled with touring families or closed off entirely for events, and at Parking Garage Five off Gale Lemerand Drive near Hume Hall.

Naturally, one might think the solution is to buy a parking decal — but it’s not that simple. For starters, you can’t just buy any decal. The one you get depends on whether you’re a graduate or undergraduate student, how many credits you have and whether you live on or off campus. Namari Lock Every type of decal has its flaws — @namari_l the walking distance, the insufficient nlock@alligator.org amount of parking spaces, the price. If you’re a freshman living on campus, you will most likely qualify for a Red 3 decal. These lots hug residential halls, such as Graham, Hume and the Lakeside Complex, and line Fraternity Row. Decals are priced at $80 a semester or $160 for an annual decal. If you’re a freshman living off campus, don’t even bother. As an off-campus undergrad student, I have a bone to pick with UF TAPS. Debatably, off-campus students are going to be driving to campus more often, so why do we get the worst parking spots? The decals available to off-campus undergraduate students are called “Park and Ride” because the lots are so far away from the heart of campus that you have to take a bus from the parking garage. Why would I pay $80 a semester to take the bus? Park and Ride Decals can park in any lot that is marked “Any Decal,” like the lot for Southwest Recreation Center, Vet Med West buildings and other lots scattered a mile away from the center of campus. On the bright side, many parking restrictions are lifted in the afternoon. Most garages lift at 4:30 p.m. and then you are free to park in whatever garage you want — as long as space permits. Don’t be fooled. You will still be circling around the Reitz parking garage in search of a spot no matter what time of day it is. Though it is nice to have a car you can drive around as you please, maybe you’re better off just taking the bus.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator. The Alligator encourages comments from readers. Letters to the editor should not exceed 600 words (about one letter-sized page). They must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s name, classification and phone number. Names will be withheld if the writer shows just cause. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, style and libel. Send letters to opinions@alligator.org, bring them to 2700 SW 13th St., or send them to P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, FL 32604-2257. Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call 352-376-4458.

8 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Students continue their athletic careers through club sports Club sports allow students to stay active without the commitment level of Division I athletics By Lindsay Schindler Alligator Staff Writer

Students who didn’t wish to continue their sport with collegiate programs found a way to keep their same passion alive throughout college: club sports. UF RecSports offers more than 40 sport clubs for both men and women, from archery to wrestling to hockey. They are open to anyone from experienced athletes to people just looking to be active. Students can choose how active they want to be within

the clubs they choose to join. The club tennis team has over 400 members, but only about 100 active members. “We take all levels on the club team, but only the top people travel to tournaments,” club tennis president Alex Lyew said. Some teams coach themselves, while others have volunteer coaches. Sport clubs still give students the opportunity to represent UF and compete against other schools. Leagues are typically confined to the state, but it’s common to travel to play other schools for friendly, regional or

national tournaments. The highly competitive men’s club lacrosse team practices four times a week during their main season, which takes place in the Spring semester. The team also travels to play schools around Florida and fulfill their conference requirements. The team also takes an annual spring break road trip to play schools they wouldn’t play during the regular season. This past spring break, the team traveled to Georgia and Virginia.

“It’s a big commitment, but it’s so fun out there,” - club president Thatcher Kelly Regional and national tournament travel are at the discretion of the league, but some clubs host tournaments open to any school. The men’s and women’s club beach volleyball teams play against other schools, but they also battle the general public in open tournaments. Their first tournament this year featured local teams like Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University, as well as out-of-state teams like Miami University in Ohio and the University of South Carolina. UF club sports build connections through competition as well. While both the men’s and women’s water polo teams have great track records, men’s water polo club president Alex Kaiser said above all, his team has provided him with a fun, active friend group. “It’s a great experience with a perfect mix of performing at a high level and having fun,” Kaiser said. The men’s and women’s rugby team’s coach, Gary Byrne, stuck with the program for the last ten years. Last summer, he used his connections to take a few players on the women’s team to New Zealand to play against the women’s team. Campbell Lackey, the women’s rugby club president, said the trip brought her much closer to the team. “It’s literally brought me across the world,” she said. “I would have never gotten to go there if I didn’t play this sport, and it was a really awesome experience.”

Faith Buckley // Alligator Staff

Twenty-year-old UF junior defender Britney Bunbanlu trails behind 21-year-old UF junior Alexis Bernard as the midfielder dashes toward the goal.

Play to win: UF esports

UF’s video game sports club hosts six teams and competes nationally, all from home By Sandra McDonald Alligator Staff Writer

Samuel Marrero remembers using a single controller handed back and forth between players to play his favorite video game, “BattleTanx,” on his father’s N64 gaming console at 4 years old. The 21-year-old UF computer science senior, whose gamer tag is now “dadjorts,” traded the controller for his computer and played over 3,000 hours of “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” a PC first-person shooter game — he reached its highest rank, Global Elite, in 2017 at 16 years old. “I’ve been a lifelong gamer,” Marrero said. “I’ve always been gaming.” Marrero leads other students in every major competitive collegiate esports scene — “CS:GO,” “Valorant,” “Overwatch,” “League of Legends,” “Rocket League” and “Fortnite” — as the Gator Esports’ community coordinator. The competitive

video gaming club is made entirely of UF students who compete against other collegiate teams in tournaments across the country — all from their bedrooms. Gator Esports won’t receive any funding from UF Student Government until Spring. The club is on track to becoming a sports club, which would entitle it to additional funding. The Gator Esports discord channel has over 450 members and hosted the “Touch Grass” food drive June 11. The club’s board emphasizes the importance of serving the community that supports them, Kelli Snellman, Gator Esports’ president, said. The players, she said, are students first and players second; tournaments often require player transcripts to confirm they are in good standing with their schools. Nick “Strawberry” Strawser said he treats esports more like a hobby; most of his courses are online, so it makes it easier to play in between classes. The

21-year-old UF computer engineering senior played over 3,600 hours of “Rocket League” since 2017 — about 150 days of playtime. He now plays the game, which allows gamers to play soccer as rocketpowered cars, at its highest rank for Gator Esports. Last February, Strawser’s team ranked No. 11 in the Collegiate “Rocket League” Last Chance qualifier tournament, which earned them $1,600 out of a $45,000 prize pool. Collegiate esports is like any other UF sport, he said, and fellow Gator Esports player Dang “Fyrat” Hoang agreed.

“During the on-season, we just kind of live and breathe this game,” - Gator Esports player Dang “Fyrat” Hoang Hoang’s teammates play six to eight hours a day during the Fall and Spring semesters. He said there’s a stigma against competitive video games, but he disagrees that esports is just a game and said that it’s about people, not just the competition. “I saw that we really had a lack of a centralized esports club at the University of Florida,” Lucas Silva, the inaugural president of Gator Esports said. His friends back home in Broward County, he said, ended up leading the successful esports

@lindsschindler lschindler@alligator.org program at UCF. It inspired him to bring it to UF as well. He started a “CS:GO” team in Spring 2021 then reached out to decentralized existing esports teams already on campus to bring them together under one name in Spring 2022. “If we’re not going to be provided the infrastructure that we want to see, we should just make it,” Silva said. Just like collegiate sports teams, some collegiate esports programs offer scholarships to incentivize talented players to attend their schools. The Gator Esports “Overwatch” team reached the top 25 in the “Overwatch” Collegiate Championship in 2022 and placed 10th in 2021. The first place prize for the tournament, organized by Blizzard Entertainment, is $24,000. The better the esports program, the more interested students will be, said UF industrial and systems engineering junior and “Overwatch” player Anlanh “Shun” Nguyen, said, “We’re just a group of guys that get together on our own time without any assistance from the university,” he said. “We managed to pull off some surprising results.” @sn_mcdonald smcdonald@alligator.org

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/sports

FOOTBALL

The new student’s guide to Gators football Here’s what you need to know ahead of the 2022 season By Jackson Castellano Sports Writer

Florida football boasts tradition like no other. The streets of Gainesville transform into another world as UF students, alumni and fans alike gather to cheer on the Gators on fall Saturdays. Florida fans get a front row seat to the Southeastern Conference, arguably the best in college football. For many fans, Gators football isn’t the most important thing; it’s the only thing. First-year students, particularly those coming to UF from other states, may be unfamiliar with the institution that is UF football. The Gators’ history and culture can be intimidating and disorienting. However, once acclimated, it is an incredibly fun and

rewarding fan experience. The Florida football program experienced much turmoil to get where it is now. Instead of starting there, it’s important to know how it got to this point. Last season, the Gators went 6-7 under former head coach Dan Mullen, their worst performance in five seasons. UF ended the year unranked and lost to the cross-state Central Florida Knights in the Gasparilla Bowl, UF’s second-straight bowl game loss. Mullen was fired toward the tail end of the season. Although Florida showed flashes of potential, many fans felt lapses in his decision-making throughout the season, and his lack of recruiting proficiency led to UF’s downfall on multiple occasions. No need to dwell on the past; it’s time

for the present. Head coach Billy Napier will lead the Gators this season. Like new students arriving on campus, it’s also Napier’s first year in Gainesville. Napier spent the last four seasons with Louisiana-Lafayette, where he led the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 40-12 record and two conference titles. The Sun Belt Conference named him its coach of the year twice. Napier is taking a big step up to the SEC, but the buzz around the 42-year-old coach is high. The head coach is one thing, but any fan unfamiliar with the program needs to know who to look for on the field, too. Look no further than No. 15. There are plenty of talented players on either side of the field for UF, but redshirt sophomore

quarterback Anthony Richardson will likely be the star of the show. Richardson, a Gainesville native, arrived at UF in 2020 after he graduated from Eastside High School less than six miles from campus. He redshirted and sat behind former quarterbacks Kyle Trask and Emory Jones for most of that season. In 2021, Gators fans got their first full look at Richardson; it was love at first sight for many. He split snaps with Jones, throwing just 64 pass attempts all year, but Richardson made use of his minimal playing time. He threw six touchdowns and 529 yards with a 59.4% completion rate. He also rushed for 401 yards and three touchdowns in fairly spectacular fashion. By the end of the season, many viewed him as Florida’s best option under center. Richardson is already receiving hype around the Heisman trophy and NFL Draft. The field general looks primed for an exciting season at UF. On top of a new coach and signal-caller for the 2022 season, Florida football will have brand new facilities. The James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Practice Complex, which began construction in June 2020, will open its doors this season. The state-of-the-art, $85-million practice complex spans 140,000 square feet of indoor space. It will serve not only the development of current Gators players, but the recruitment of future prospects. Of course, none of this means very much without the on-field action, which begs the question: What can be expected from Florida this season? Well, it’s complicated. UF kicks off the season in unorthodox fashion, with a week one home opener against a likely-Top 10 opponent: the Utah Utes. Typically the season begins with an “easy” opponent, but a quality win to start the season could offer huge momentum. UF will face a challenging slate of SEC opponents throughout the season. A home rematch versus Kentucky, Louisiana State coming to town in October and the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville stand out among the rest. The regular season is capped off in Tallahassee versus UF’s fiercest historic rival, the Florida State Seminoles. With a new look at many of the primary positions, it’s anyone’s guess how Florida fares this season. The realistic answer is that the Gators are mediocre on paper, but will continue to improve enough in-game to give fans confidence for seasons ahead and entice future recruits. Although winning definitely helps the fan experience, new students should be excited for their first year of Florida football.

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Richardson prepares for a pass during a spring practice April 5, 2022. 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.

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10 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Column

Why Student Rec reigns supreme

teve Jobs once said, “Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.” Baseball analytics fans might argue the latter portion of the quote, but the former rings true in all facets of life. Carson Cashion UF student gyms are no exception. @CarsonCashion While the impressive, ccashion@alligator.org 140,000-square-foot Southwest Recreation Center boasts rows of treadmills, an upstairs track and even its own smoothie bar, the true heart of Florida fitness lies nestled inside campus. It overlooks the Florida Pool and resides in the shadow of the Swamp. The Student Recreation & Fitness Center is the mecca of student fitness in Gainesville. Sure, Southwest outnumbers it in most machines — Student Rec only has three squat racks and three bench presses. However, per research, one person can use just one bench press at a time. Thus, the only benefit of added machines is line prevention, which isn’t much of an issue with the lower volume of students at Student Rec. Aside from peak times during the school year, lines at the iconic gym are near nonexistent. Besides the literal nuts and bolts of the gym, the atmosphere at Student Rec far exceeds that of its contemporary. Southwest features few windows in the weight rooms, and the ones that do exist face plots of land and construction. Meanwhile, the weight room at Student Rec boasts a glorious view of the Florida Pool. Whether it’s a glimpse of a water polo game, swimming practice or the mere sunlight glistening off the surface of the water, the view is guaranteed to surpass Southwest. Furthermore, just beyond the pool is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. I don’t have a list of the most adrenaline-inducing venues in the state of Florida, but there is no way The Swamp doesn’t crack the top five. Looking upon the coliseum where football players battle it out every Fall Saturday is the perfect view for finishing one last rep or one last mile on the treadmill.

The ambiance, simply put, is superb. The location, aside from aesthetically pleasing views, provides a convenient spot for students to follow their own regime or attend a fitness class on campus. The travel from classes to Southwest can take 30 minutes or more, but Student Rec is a quick walk from nearly every classroom on campus.

A two-hour break in between classes can be repurposed for a workout: an impossible task without going to Student Rec instead of Southwest. Regardless of which gym new UF students choose, they will have the best equipment available; both gyms’ machinery is state-of-the-art. However, when it comes to the proximity to campus and atmosphere, there is one clear answer. @CarsonCashion ccashion@alligator.org

Mingmei Li // Alligator Staff

The Student Recreation and Fitness Center sits adjacent to the Florida Pool, in the shadow of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Column

Southwest Recreation: a fitness paradise

itness is one of the many top priorities on UF students’ daily schedule. From the bodybuilders who walk through the weight room door before the crack of dawn to the average fitness enthusiast who hits the treadmill after work, any type of student can be found at the Southwest Recreation Center. The Southwest Recreational Center, also known simply as Southwest, is a state-of-the-art fitness facility that has served more than two million students since the Fall of 1994. It consists of two floors, each having its own unique

equipment and function. Unlike the Student Recreation and Fitness Center found near Murphree Hall, parking at Southwest is the most stress-free parking experience on campus for a workout. A sizable parking lot designated for anyone with a UF parking decal sits right across the street and a bus stop sits only a few steps from the front doors. Gym goers are greeted by large glass windows, fitness instructors and cardio machines, including treadmills,

Faith Buckley // Alligator Staff

The Southwest Recreation Center opened in 1994, and has since expanded to 140,000 square feet. It includes basketball, racquetball and volleyball courts.

ellipticals and exercise bikes, with personal viewing screens. Students can continue workouts on the second floor with a 1/9 mile indoor track. Weightlifters find sanctuary in the first floor’s large weight room. Southwest has the most workout Brandon Hernandez equipment on campus: abdominal @BranH2001 machines to crunch abs, squat racks bhernandez@alligator.org for those who actually commit to leg day, bench presses for anyone wishing to pump the pecs’ and more. Student Rec’s cardio machines, which outnumber its weights, do not make it an ideal place to go. You’ll be waiting half an hour to use a 20-pound dumbbell. Southwest’s most impressive section — the mirrorlined wall with dumbbells — allows lifters to see their pump anywhere in the weight room. Students can also register for different classes focusing on yoga, cycling, swimming and other activities. The main factor lifting Southwest over Student Rec is the multipurpose gymnasium, which can be used for indoor soccer, handball, racquetball and basketball; students can check out equipment before getting on the courts. Speaking of courts, Southwest has a total of six full basketball courts for students to run games all day. A place for plenty of opportunities for everyone to get a shot up or to even work on their game. At the Student Rec, only one full court is available that is most often being used. On Mondays, I usually go to Student Rec to play basketball only to realize that someone is either using it for fencing or martial arts. The worst part about it: you would never know until you arrive on the hardwood. So don’t bother going over to the smaller facility at the Student Rec. Grab your Gator 1 card and go to an actual gym at Southwest, the best in Gainesville. @BranH2001 bhernandez@alligator.org

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 ALLIGATOR 11

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

NIGHTLIFE

Gainesville Nightlife Guide THE RUNDOWN ON MIDTOWN AND DOWNTOWN HAS ARRIVED

By Anna Ward Avenue Staff Writer

Approaching Gainesville nightlife can be daunting. New students are embarrassed to know nothing, and older students are embarrassed to be out of the know. Feel daunted no longer. Gainesville nightlife is divided into two scenes: Midtown, the more casual college scene across from campus, and the slightly classier downtown scene. Midtown

Midtown, a stretch of bars and clubs located in the block between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street, is the easiest option for campus residents — a crosswalk away from the closest classrooms. It’s the civic duty of incoming freshmen to go to Grog House Grill, the only 18+ club in Midtown. Grog offers a good time for $5, and can become a mess of crazy freshmen. Watch out for all-you-can-drink Saturdays — and the stairs.

Fat Daddy’s, colloquially called “Fats,” is soundtracked by dance and house music and is the go-to spot for Greeks and UF athletes alike. Wall-to-wall crowds mean it’s often hot inside, and the persistent craziness despite its 21+ entry makes it the grown-up Grog. The Rowdy Reptile, or “Rowdy’s,” is also pretty popular. It has food, basketball and mainstream music. It’s a chill place with little dancing — great to hang with friends and typically flooded with families during parents’ weekend. JJ’s Tavern is a small but busy dive bar. While Fats plays house, JJ’s plays sing-along pop; it’s more chill but still fun. It’s known for its rum buckets, personal pizzas and large populace of frat boys. Its newly added back bar has LED lights and tables for sitting. Salty Dog Saloon is more of a longtime dive bar. Frequenters stand divided, either calling it “Salty” or “Dog.” Expect an older crowd and country vibes. It’s intimate and casual: lots of sitting, chilling and talking. The Saloon has booths, pool and ping pong tables. It also offers bar eats and drinking challenges in exchange for T-shirts. Balls is the small, grunge-y, graffiti-littered bar of Midtown. Its crowd is made of more actual adults than college students, so the scene,

especially compared to that of Fats or JJ’s, can come off a bit random. The only rooftop bar around belongs to The Social at Midtown, where patrons can watch a game, enjoy karaoke and $5 pitchers on Wednesdays or partake in all-you-can-drink Thursdays. The downstairs boasts a full menu, and the rooftop comes complete with cornhole

and ring toss. Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/the_avenue. @AnnaWard_ award@alligator.org

Namari Lock // Alligator Staff

EDUCATION

A readers’ guide to Gainesville bookstores THE BEST BOOKSTORES AND RESOURCES IN TOWN

By Amanda Friedman & Averi Kremposky Alligator Staff Writers

What better way to escape the chaotic start of a new semester than by spending hours exploring the crowded shelves of a cozy bookstore? From independent bookstores to public libraries, these local destinations will satisfy any reader’s literary appetite. Book Gallery West

This charming reader’s getaway opened its doors almost 40 years ago and harbors an endless supply of books. Located in the Millhopper Shopping Center, Book Gallery West has a wide variety of book genres, including young adult, nonfiction, sci-fi and westerns. Most titles are second-hand, but an assortment of new books sits toward the front of the store. The shop’s owner, Jan Fronk, allows customers to bring in books to trade or receive store credit. Book Gallery West is also known for its fun and quirky gift items available for purchase, which Fronk collects from gift shows in cities like New York City and Atlanta. Decorated coffee mugs, geode bookends and handmade boxes are among some of the intriguing gifts sprinkled throughout the store. “We’re more like a suburban country store,” Fronk said. “A little bit of everything.” Books and Music, Wormhole

Tucked away on 1801 NE 23rd Ave. is a quaint nook that will take you back in time with its vintage aesthetic and book selection. Books and Music, Wormhole opened its doors nearly one

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

year ago and carries an eclectic collection of second-hand titles. Curated by store owner P Harris ”Worm,” the shop’s shelves are stocked with classic and contemporary literature and books on history, poetry and philosophy. Harris built his inventory mainly through trading books, but he is always searching for new titles when shopping or traveling, he said. Customers can also browse through a diverse array of vinyl records and cassette tapes, many of which are by local artists. Harris opened a bookstore because he loves surrounding himself with literature and socializing with readers, he said. “All kinds of people come in, from ex-librarians to the guy who’s working on his time machine,” Harris said. “I just get to hang out with all of them.” Harris expanded his business into a community space for artistic expression to engage further with the local creatives. He frequently hosts poetry and book readings to highlight the work of local authors. All Star Sportscards & Comics

All Star Sportscards & Comics, located at 7241 NW 4th Blvd., has served local comic book fans with a variety of vintage and new comics since 2005. Spiderman and Batman comics are the most popular sold, but customers have thousands of horror, romance, adventure and fantasy comics to browse. Shoppers can also purchase from the store online. The store also specializes in other vintage and second-hand items like sportscards, toys, vinyl records and other collectibles. People come into the shop daily looking to sell their vintage items to the store’s owner Chet Szydlowski. With roughly 30 years of experience in the comic book industry, sports cards and comics are Szydlowski’s life-long passion. He traveled and sold comics at conventions before opening All Star Sportscards & Comics.

Alachua County Public Library

For literature devotees looking for more than just a book, the Alachua County Public Library boasts various resources for getting involved in a book club. Whether it’s hosting or just participating, the public library has the means to create strong book communities. Spanning multiple locations and genres, the public library has numerous clubs where readers can find company. It offers groups for fiction, non-fiction and true crime. All book club options are listed with recurring times and locations on the library’s website. Alleviating the stress of gathering materials, the public library has an entire catalog of book club kits available for checkout. The library offers lesser-known works of local authors in addition to popular titles. Each kit contains 10 copies of the selected book, a large print copy, a CD audiobook and a resource folder consisting of discussion questions, tips for reading groups and evaluation forms. Joyce West, the library’s public services director, recommends being creative and open when starting a book club from scratch. She said some groups opt for a specific genre, and then allow each member to choose a book for the club that falls within the category. Whether at home or in the library, being part of a book club in Gainesville is an easy way to integrate into the community and share the passion of books with like-minded locals. Joining a book club doesn’t have to be a grueling time commitment. West said book clubs gather once a month. “You get to meet new people, you get to talk to people who probably enjoy either the same genre as you or the same author as you and you’ll definitely walk away with some reader’s advisory,” West said. @afriedmanuf @averijkremposky afriedman@alligator.org akremposky@alligator.org

Environmental explorations

For new UF students who wish to retreat to nature, three parks within five miles of UF campus offer an earthly escape. Read more on pg. 15

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● We Buy Junk & Used Cars ● ●Trucks, Vans - Titled only ●

4-18-15-10

J UMB L E

Autos

unfurnished

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Wanted

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

Help Wanted

HIRING DANCERS

Inquire Coconut Cabaret, 4401 NW 6th St, Gainesville. 352-329-0543 8-1-22-13-14 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 8-15-22-13-14

NOTE: This newspaper assumes no responsibility for injury

or loss arising from contacts made through advertising. We suggest that any reader who responds to advertising use caution and investigate the sincerity of the advertiser before giving out personal information or arranging meetings or investing money.

6-27-22

4 5

CLUE

1. 5. 6. 7.

Harvested Managed, contended Perfect Light ____ CLUE

1. 2. 3. 4.

ACROSS

DOWN

Problem, dilemma Overturn Eternal Seafarer

ANSWER

CKPDIE DPECO ADILE SOSERN ANSWER

ELIKPC ZAEPSIC SNEESLD LASRIO

CLUE: The ____ Gold Rush began in 1896.

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-Picked 5A-Coped 6A-Ideal 7A-Sensor 1D-Pickle 2D-Capsize 3D-Endless 4D-Sailor B-Klondike

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

solution on page 14

answer on page 14 Release Date: Monday, June 27, 2022 Release Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Los Puzzle Los Angeles Angeles Times Times Daily Daily Crossword Crossword Puzzle Edited Lewis Editedby byPatti Patti Varol Varol and and Joyce Joyce Nichols Nichols Lewis

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ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE: PUZZLE: ANSWER TO PREVIOUS

06/13/2022 06/14/22

06/27/22

06/14/22 06/27/22

14 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Help Wanted

Work with Autistic Adult $20/hr includes leisure activities, light yard work, transportation to gym and custodial job, farm chores. Training provided. Summer job or longer, P/T or F/T. Need references, good driving record, car, and clear background check. (352) 301-4707 6-27-22-6-14 GEN. HANDYPERSON HELP WANTED Hang mesh around chicken flight pen, brush small trees cut, Shed clean out, More available. Straight pay or airbnb trade https://abnb.me/7FeccZWCNqb Call or text: 727-276-0993 7-5-22-2-14

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HIV ANTIBODY TESTING Alachua County Health Dept. Call

334-7960 for app’t (optional $20 fee)

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Dietary Service Positions - FT, PT and PRN UF Health Shands Hospital, one of the top employers in FL, is hiring FT, PT and PRN Cooks, Dining Associates and Nutrition Assistants. Multiple shifts available. We offer generous pay and great benefits for FT employees. Apply at https://shands.careers.ufhealth.org/ jobs/266332/ EOE and drug-free workplace. 7-5-22-4-14 Home helper. Student to help retired UF grad close to campus w/chores. Some cleaning, yardwork, errands, pet maintenance, simple repairs, etc. No equip req. Some exp helpful. Short resume. A few hrs/wk. $13/hr. Reply: ghpolkgator@gmail.com 6-27-22-15-15

solution below

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CrytpoQuip answer WHY ARE MOST FOLKS WHO ANNOTATE BOOKS INSIGNIFICANT? BECAUSE THEIR WORK IS USUALLY MARGINAL.

ScrabbleGrams solution

Sudoku solution

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 6-27-20-15 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 (TTY: 711) 6-27-4-15 Foreclosure and Eviction Assistance A+Rated, HUD-Approved (Lic.83706) NonProfit offering Assistance for Eviction and Foreclosure Avoidance. Free & Confidential Call: 561-472-8000 Debthelper. com 6-27-1-15

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8-15-22-13-16

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Personals

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 8-15-13-18

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 8-15-13-19

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

8-15-13-20

Planning an event?

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Pets

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/

by Fifi Rodriguez 1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Sweden?

1. MEASUREMENTS: How many 2. HISTORY: was the whole name of the inches are inWhat a mile? nation once called U.S.S.R.? 2. ASTRONOMY: What does the acronym mean toWhen the scientific 3. GENERALSETI KNOWLEDGE: did July 4 becommunity? come a federal holiday? 3. LANGUAGE: What does the LatFOOD &“sub-” DRINK:mean Whichinfruit is used to make in4.prefix English? the cocktail mixer grenadine?Who was the 4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: only to serve 5. U.S.president STATES: In which state is two NiagaranonconFalls located? secutive 6. ANIMALterms? KINGDOM: Which is the only mammal 5. LITERATURE: Which 20th-centhat can fly? tury movie star penned the autobiogra7. PRESIDENTS: two presidents died phyU.S. “Me: Stories ofWhich My Life”? within hours of eachWhat other on Julythe 4 -- first the 50th 6. HISTORY: was anniversaryMonument of the Declaration of Independence? National proclaimed in the United States?What was Beaver's real first name 8. TELEVISION: on7. theGEOGRAPHY: "Leave It to Beaver"Where sitcom? is the island of Luzon located? 9.8.LITERATURE: Which 1977 horror novel has features MOVIES: Which sci-fi movie a hotel called“Reality The Overlook? the tagline, is a thing of the past”? 10. MOVIES: Which 1967 movie tagline is, 9. GENERAL "They're young ...KNOWLEDGE: they're in love ...What and they was the name of the United States’ first kill people"? nuclear-powered submarine? © 2022 What King Features Synd.,four Inc. rail10. GAMES: are the road properties in Monopoly? answers below Answers 1. 63,360 inches 2. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence 3. Below or insufficient 4. Grover NOTICE OFCleveland ON-SITE/VIRTUAL HYBRID 5. Katharine PUBLICHepburn MEETINGThe 6. Devils Tower, 1906 Metropolitan Transportation Planning 7. The Philippines Organization for the 8. “The Matrix” Gainesville Urbanized Area9.announces a hybrid - on-site and virtual The USS Nautilus public via communications 10.meeting Pennsylvania, Short Line, Read- media technology to which all interested persons ing and B&O are invited. © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

25 Events/Notices

DATE AND TIME: July 11, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ON-SITE John R. “Jack” Durrance Auditorium, County Administration Building, Gainesville, Florida VIRTUAL: Audio/Video - Cox Channel 12 and the Alachua County Video on Demand Website [link below] www.alachuacounty.us/video PURPOSE: Regular Business Meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area A copy of the agenda may be obtained by visiting our website at www.ncfrpc.org (click Metropolitan Transportation Planning) or may be seen posted at 2009 NW 67th Place, Gainesville, Florida one week prior to the meeting. Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area will conduct a hybrid on-site and virtual meeting via communications media technology. As part of the general public access, the meeting is televised live on Cox Cable Channel 12. However, live public comment is taken on-site only. On-site public participants are encouraged to wear a facecovering mask at all times. For on-site public comment, participants will be prompted and should follow the direction of the Chair to participate. In addition, the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area accepts written comments received no later than one business day prior to the meeting through email (escalante@ncfrpc.org) or postal mail (2009 NW 67th Place, Gainesville, Florida 32653). On-site participants should state their names and limit comments to three minutes. The public is encouraged to submit any written or photographic documents prior to the meeting to escalante@ncfrpc.org. Any questions regarding participation should be directed to the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area Office at 352.955.2200, extension 114. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, familial status, religious status, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Michael Escalante at 352.955.2200, extension 114, at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting. 6-27-1-20 Trivia Test answers

1. Stockholm. 2. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 3. 1870. 4. Pomegranate. 5. New York. 6. Bats. 7. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. 8. Theodore. 9. "The Shining". 10. "Bonnie and Clyde"

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 ALLIGATOR 15

Hiking hotspots: Gainesville’s nature parks

These parks offer a look into Gainesville’s wildlife and ecosystem By Anushka Dakshit Alligator Staff writer

After long days stuck studying for Summer classes, some students opt to visit nature parks to hike, picnic, take pictures and learn more about Gainesville’s diverse plants and wildlife. These three parks are staples for students looking for an escape.

with natural settings, Caffrey said. The gardens, with a name originating from the Timucua words for “palmetto leaves” and “house,” are run by The North Florida Botanical Society, a private nonprofit organization. A picnic area allows visitors to bask on a blanket with their own food and drinks during park hours.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Sweetwater Wetlands Park

A lake decorated with water pads and 24 gardens with dozens of exotic animals and plants sit tucked away about four miles from campus. Located at 4700 SW 58th Drive, a little more than two miles south of Butler Plaza, Kanapaha Botanical Garden boasts a one-and-a-half mile walkway lined with expansive visual scenery. It runs through the specialty gardens, which are broken into taxological and ecological themes. The hummingbird garden holds beds of red tubular flowers meant to attract the titular bird.

Sweetwater Wetlands Park’s man-made, alligator-head-shaped habitat is uniquely designed for pedestrians to stroll, run or photograph its wildlife. The park filters out pollution and nutrients with its design to improve water quality and includes a three-and-a-half mile-long nature trail and viewing decks that allow people to spot about 250 unique species, including bison, horses and alligators. Visitors can follow a ranger around the wetlands — located at 325 SW Williston Road, about three miles southeast of campus — for night hikes, plant walks and bird walks on a monthly basis September to May. The events work in conjunction with the Alachua Audubon Society, a non-profit organization that promotes the appreciation of birds and other wildlife. “[People enjoy] photography and access to viewing wildlife because the park is so open, it’s really easy to see the wildlife,” said Darby Guyn, a 26-year-old park ranger at Sweetwater Wetlands.

“A botanical garden is like a zoo for plants,” - Alexis Caffrey, Kanapaha Botanical Garden Director

Kanapaha has a very healthy bird population, she said, and many binocularbaring bird watchers gravitate toward the silk oak tree, which attracts colorful birds. Kanapaha’s team gathers plants from around the world, some of which are endangered, and the gardens demand much more maintenance than other parks

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

A sinkhole sits at the bottom of Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park’s halfmile nature trail. The rainforest opens to the 120-foot-deep basin with 132 steps that lead directly into the water. The park — located at 4732 Millhopper Road, about six miles north of campus — is a “remarkable geological wonderland,” wrote Erin McDade, deputy press secretary

at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “One of the most amazing things you’ll experience is the stark temperature change as you approach the sinkhole,” McDade wrote. The canopy of trees provides shade that cools the area, while the park has a variety of wildlife viewing. Visitors can see reptiles, amphibians and birds during guided walks with rangers Saturdays at 10 a.m.

Eileen Calub // Alligator Staff

People stroll through attractions at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens to enjoy the outdoors.

Students, residents prepare for hurricane season Alachua County and UF offer several resources to combat the season By Jackson Reyes Alligator Staff Writer

Gianni Pena kayaked up the street with his belongings in rainproof bags after Hurricane Irma swept north central Florida in September 2017. The 23-yearold Gainesville resident still feels nervous every June. If his house floods again, he’ll have to move. His bedroom was six feet underwater, and his house had

about a foot of water in it, he said. He remembered watermarks halfway up his garage and water in his driveway going above his Jeep’s tires. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast about 14 to 21 named storms this season — which lasts well beyond summer months, extending all the way until Nov. 30 — with the possibility of six to 10 becoming hurricanes.

Courtesy to The Alligator

Aerial view of a hurricane approaching Florida.

@Anushkadak adakshit@alligator.org

The city installed control pumps in Pena’s neighborhood — Hills of Santa Fe, two miles southwest of Santa Fe College — to help prevent flooding this year. The pumps will be used to drain large amounts of rainwater. Kenneth Allen, UF’s emergency management director, said the university provides shelters when needed, but most on-campus students will stay in their facility in the event of a hurricane. Hurricane survival kits with at least three days’ worth of food, water and other essential supplies are vital, he said. “We all live in Florida, which means we all have a hurricane problem,” Allen said. Hannah Lofgren, a 21-year-old UF environmental engineering senior, remembered sitting in Mallory Hall’s study room preparing for an impending exam while Hurricane Dorian approached Gainesville in 2019. While UF announced students could stay in their dorms during the storm, most of her floormates left. “It was definitely scary in the moment,” Lofgren said. “It felt like the dorm was being abandoned.”

Although the storm turned away from Gainesville, she found comfort in relying on a local friend for shelter. She recommended incoming freshmen reach out to floormates to understand their hurricane season gameplans. “Have no shame in asking if you can just go with them,” she said. “It’s just a scary time for everyone.” UF Alert and UF Public Safety send and post hurricane season updates to students and faculty through text, email or social media. People should also own a batterypowered radio to stay updated in case a storm knocks out electricity and cellular service, Allen said. Jen Grice, Alachua County’s emergency management director, said the county offers several resources to help handle tropical storms and hurricanes. Alachua County has 21 identified shelters for residents, she said. Residents can call 3-1-1, a critical information line activated during emergencies, for updates about the storm and what the county is doing and text “ALACHUA” to 888777 for messages about new shelters, disaster recovery centers and sandbag locations. Although the NOAA can predict how many storms will hit Florida,

Grice said it is hard to anticipate how many will hit Alachua County. Residents should plan for at least one storm as a precaution, she said.

“It only takes one bad storm to truly impact our community in a significant way,” - Jen Grice, Alachua County Emergency Management Director

A common-sense approach is the best way to prepare for a storm; people should get empty jugs or containers and fill them up with tap water before the storm hits, she said. Water could be sold out at grocery stores as hurricanes near the area. Connor Haley, a 20-year-old UF computer engineering junior, said he is not concerned about the season and what it brings. “I’ve lived in north Florida all my life,” Haley said. “We’ve always survived it.” Haley, who lives in Infinity Hall, said he feels comfortable living on and around campus and has not seen any real effects from tropical storms during the two years he’s lived in Gainesville. More information on how to be ready for hurricane season can be found at UF’s emergency page and Alachua County Ready. @JacksnReyes jacksonreyes@alligator.org

16 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

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