OurTown-Autumn2012

JOE LOUIS CLARK

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SCHOOL CALENDAR

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DREW DRECHSEL

Autumn 2012

FREE TAKE ONE

Animal Rescue The many benefits of adopting your next best friend

CENTURY of ARCHITECTURE

CHARTER SCHOOLS

UNTOUCHED EDEN

Landmark buildings recognized for their design and significance

The ABCs of Alachua County charter schools

Despite the ever-changing world, Paynes Prairie remains pristine

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You Have a Choice for your child’s education.

Alachua Learning Center Elementary and Middle School located just North of the town of Alachua on State Road 235, serves students from all parts of Alachua and neighboring counties.

Charter Schools are part of the Florida Alternative System of Public School Choice and charge no tuition.

While having the benefits of a “small-school” environment the Alachua Learning Center provides a challenging and fulfilling academic, cultural and physical educational program for students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Alachua Learning Center has consistently been rated an “A” school by the State of Florida.

Our varied physical education curriculum includes on-campus rock climbing and subscribes to the “President’s Fitness Program”.

The Alachua Learning Center offers inspiring classes on a variety of subjects: Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, P.E. Sports, Rock Climbing, Drama, Music, Clay Sculpting, Computer Graphics, individual Student Book Publishing (writing, design, illustrating), Drawing, Painting, Crafts, Community Service Display Projects, and exciting Field Trips.

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CONTENTS AUTUMN 2012 • VOL. 03 ISSUE 03 >> EDUCATION

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In the Know

Charter Schools

An Explanation of Charter Schools in Alachua County

BY MARY KYPREOS

throughout 44 school districts, this

W

is 25,160 more students than the previous academic year, including 76 new charter schools.

hen charter schools first opened in Florida

in 1996, only five charter schools answered the call to offer tuition-free public schools that encouraged the use of innovative methods. Since then, charter schools have become a mainstay in Florida education, providing parents more options for a child’s education — 518 more options, to be exact.

From that first year, the presence of charter schools has grown exponentially. During the 2011-2012 school year, 179,940 students were enrolled in Florida’s 518 charter schools, according to the Florida Department of Education. Located

By Mary Kypreos

Although all Florida charter schools must support a curriculum that meets Sunshine State Standards, many of these charter schools build innovative, educational environments to reach its students. Niche charter schools are especially prevalent in the Alachua County School District, which boasts 16 charter schools.

“We do not try to be everything to everybody,” said Tom Allin, administrative director of the Alachua Learning Center Inc., in a telephone interview. “Each school has its unique features that may or may not be prefect for a specific

22 | Autumn 2012

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2012 | 23

In recent years, charter schools have grown exponentially in Florida, often specialzing in specific areas of academics, arts or physical activity.

In 2011, the One Room School House, Micanopy Area Cooperative School and Alachua Learning Center were all named high-performing charter schools by the state Department of Education.

>> LEAN ON ME

A Local Legend

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Joe Louis Clark

Meet Joe Louis Clark, a former Army drill sergeant, whose innovative and authoritative education policy made him the subject of the film, “Lean on Me” and led to him being on the cover of TIME Magazine. This 74-year-old force of nature now resides at his home in Gainesville and his ranch in Newberry.

BY ELLIS AMBURN

O

nce in a blue moon comes a warrior, someone who will fight to the death for what is right, even if it means running a dangerous inner-city high school with a baseball bat in one hand and a bullhorn in the other.

Such a man is Joe Louis Clark, a former Army drill sergeant whose take-no-prisoners educational policy landed him on the cover of TIME magazine and made him the subject of a popular movie, “Lean on Me,” starring Morgan Freeman as Joe Clark.

He has lived in Gainesville and on a horse farm in Newberry for more than 15 years, but keeps a sharp eye on America’s schools, which he still finds wanting — not much improved. In fact, since the furor he ignited in the 1980s when, as the 48-year-old principal of crime-ridden, drug-infested Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey, he transformed a decaying ghetto school into an haven of safety, learning, and self-respect.

The students were mostly African-American and Hispanic, one-third on welfare, many of them thugs and pushers. Potheads blew

Joe Louis Clark

smoke out of shattered windows, and hoodlums accosted girls in the corridors, leaving them bare-breasted and sobbing. Some teachers were afraid to report for work.

Clark sprang into action upon arrival at Eastside, ordering the faculty to compile a list of incorrigibles. Later he walked into a school-wide assembly, which was in total chaos, and restored law order with his 36-in. Willie Mays Big Stick, a megaphone and security guards.

“There were 3,500 in that school,” he recalled in a recent telephone interview. “You cannot have 300 or 400 students disrupting the

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY

Joe Louis Clark and his wife Gloria at their Gainesville home.

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www.VisitOurTowns.com

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>> EQUIPPING YOUNG MEN FOR LIFE

Reichert House

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TJ MORRISSEY

Under the adage of “Much is given to you, much is expected of you,”

graffiti, building picnic tables and teaching their peers about the law.

day he sent a limousine to pick up some of his Reichert House

the organization’s mission is to teach young men about themselves

All activities are conducted keeping in mind what the organization

students to take them to dinner.

They had all achieved at least a 3.0 in their studies, and the trip to the restaurant was their surprise

ainesville Police Chief Tony Jones will never forget the

and how to develop and achieve goals that will make them exemplary citizens of tomorrow.

Students in the program come

calls “The Three Rs:” respect, restraint and responsibility.

For 25 years, the Reichert House has served a portion of the

reward.

“I came by to see how the kids

to the house every day after school for academic help, vocational

population that often sees illegal activity as the only way of life.

were going to react when the limo pulled up,” Jones said. “Just to show you the depth of where they came from, one kid came up asked, ‘Sir,

and etiquette training, anger and stress management techniques and mental health services when needed. Nightly meals served

“We truly want the most at-risk kids,” Jones said. “They come from disorganized families and disorganized communities. Some

who died?’ We said ‘This is for you.’

They were ecstatic.”

in a traditional family setting and paramilitary-style discipline

of them may have run-ins with the justice system, or perhaps they

It is one of the many ways the Reichert House makes a difference in the lives of at-risk Gainesville boys who are often caught in the

provide stability for children who generally do not have structured home lives. The students also perform community service

are associating themselves with a negative group of peers. Those are the kids we want.”

The organization was

cycle of drugs, crime and gangs.

projects such as cleaning up

established in 1987 when a small

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By Janice C. Kaplan

Respect, Restraint and Responsibility

A Quarter Century of “Respect, Restraint And Responsibility”

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By Ellis Amburn

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2012 | 105

The Reichert House was established in 1987 when former Sergeant Tony Jones and the late Richard Baxter, a counselor at the Corner Drug Store, offered guidance to young men once a week. Now, the organization has evolved into a place where troubled children seek help in vocational training, academics and more.

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY

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ON THE COVER Model and entrepreneur Jessica Bent poses with a furry friend at the Alachua County Animal Services’ Summer Lovin’ Adopt-athon in July. This yearly event attracts hundreds of pet lovers to visit the agency and adopt any animal for $5. Read all about ways to rescue an animal in need on page 74.

>> FEATURES 38

Untouched Eden Despite the Ever-Changing World, Paynes Prairie Remains Pristine

BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON

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Black Water The Great Suwannee River Cleanup

BY JEWEL MIDELIS

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Rescuing the Helpless Gainesville’s Animal Rescues

BY MARY KYPREOS

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COLUMNISTS 32 Crystal Henry NAKED SALSA 70 Albert Isaac DIFFERENT NOTE 138 Brian “Krash” Kruger GATE CRASHING 172 Jewel Midelis ADVENTURES IN APPETITE

Hog Heaven A Perfect Place For Pigs Just East of Town

INFORMATION

BY JEWEL MIDELIS

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The Days Of Wine...

Florida has a Surprising Niche in Winemaking

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN

28 112 122 176

Alachua School Calendar Community Calendar Taste of the Town Advertiser Index

The articles printed in Our Town Magazine™ do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tower Publications, Inc. or their editorial staff. Our Town Magazine endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we can not be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Our Town Magazine reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. All rights reserved. © 2012 Tower Publications, Inc.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2012 | 13

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156 Published quarterly by Tower Publications, Inc. www.towerpublications.com

PUBLISHER Charlie Delatorre charlie@towerpublications.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Albert Isaac editor@towerpublications.com fax: 1-800-967-7382 OFFICE MANAGER Bonita Delatorre bonita@towerpublications.com ART DIRECTOR Hank McAfee hank@towerpublications.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Neil McKinney neil@towerpublications.com

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALACHUA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

A volunteer helps out with construction at a build site. Families must contribute 200 hours of “sweat equity” during the construction of other Habitat for Humanity homes before they get the green light to begin building their own home.

>> FEATURES 130 100 Years of Architecture Gainesville’s Buildings Recognized for Their Design

BY DESIREE FARNUM

144 Gator Tailgating Campus Comes Alive with Age-old Tradition

BY ALBERT ISAAC

150 The Show Goes On Forty Years of the Hippodrome

BY CASSIE GANTER

156 Homemade Humanity

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ellis Amburn Desiree Farnum Cassie Ganter Crystal Henry Janice Kaplan Brian “Krash” Kruger Mary Kypreos Jewel Midelis Amanda Williamson Allison Wilson INTERN Jewel Midelis ADVERTISING SALES 352-215-2833 Nancy Short nancy@towerpublications.com Helen Stalnaker 352-416-0209 helen@towerpublications.com Jenni Bennett 352-416-0210 jenni@towerpublications.com Pam Sapp 352-416-0213 pam@towerpublications.com Annie Waite 352-416-0204 annie@towerpublications.com

A Hand Up for Community Residents in Need

BY ALLISON WILSON

162 Chris Doering Interview with a Gator Great

BY ALBERT ISAAC

14 | Autumn 2012

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Autumn 2012 | 15

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SPECIAL >> DREW DRECHSEL

American Ninja Warrior ainesville resident, Drew Drechsel, swung, leaped and climbed his way into this year’s finals of American Ninja Warrior.

Thousands of competitors tried to advance to the finals, but only 100 athletes with the best times advanced to Mount Midoriyama.

This year, the final rounds were on the Las Vegas Strip, which is the first time the competition was held on US soil.

Mount Midoriyama is known as one of the most difficult obstacles courses in the world — it has been completed only four times out of more than 2,700 attempts. Nearly 4.91 million people tuned in to watch the finale, which consisted of three different stages. After this year’s attempt, however, no one conquered all three, and the title of “American Ninja Warrior” remains unclaimed.

Drechsel, 23, was a featured parkour and free-running athlete on the show last year, but damaged his ACL and was unable to

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16 | Autumn 2012

complete the first round of the course. During this year’s competition, however, Drechsel, who was seeking redemption from last year, returned strong and completed the first round of the course with 24 other contestants.

“It felt good,” Drechsel said in a recent interview at Gainesville’s Parkour Academy. “Completing the first stage, alone, that was enough because of what happened last year.”

In the beginning of the second stage run, Drechsel completed the “slider drop,” advancing him to the next part of the course where he had to do chin-ups between two parallel walls, raising the bar with each chin-up. In the next obstacle, Drechsel had to hold onto a wooden board with his arms stretched wide, grip his way to another board, and then swing onto a platform. As Drechsel swung to the platform, he came up the slightest bit short.

“I didn’t know I was supposed to land on my feet. I thought I was

supposed to land on my face,” Drechsel said, making light of the outcome. “I didn’t feel exhausted or weak, I just slipped.”

After Drechsel fell, he said he did some backstrokes in the water and squirted water from his mouth like a fountain.

“I wanted to come off positive,” he said.

Since the American Ninja Warrior competition, Drechsel has returned to Gainesville. He works fulltime and teaches at the American Parkour Academy about 20 hours a week.

Unlike last year when he was unable to train for six months because of his injuries, he will be able to train five to six hours a week in preparation for next year’s American Ninja Warrior. He is also in the process of building the “warped wall,” the “unstable bridge” and the “cliffhanger,” which are all obstacles on the show.

“I will be back next year with a vengeance,” Drechsel said. s

MESSAGE >> FROM THE EDITOR

It’s that time of year again...

Liquor & Wine Shoppe at Jonesville Mon. to Thurs.

9:00am - 9:00pm Fri. and Sat. 9:00am - 10:00pm Sunday 12pm - 6:00pm

t T r e a el f rs Yo u

We Offer a Huge Selection of Wine, Beer, Champagne and more!

14451 144 1N Newberry road CVS

CR 241

Time to start thinking about getting the kids back to school, time for cooler weather, and time for Gator Football!

It’s been a while since I’ve gone to school or been to a Gator Game, but I never miss a chance to catch the Gators on television. The last time I tailgated was great fun; I pedaled my bicycle throughout campus, taking in the sights, sounds and revelry of my fellow-Gators celebrating our team. It’s quite an experience.

Recently, I had an opportunity to meet up with Gator Great, Chris Doering, who enjoyed a wildly successful football career at UF and then went on to play professionally for a decade with the National Football League. His roots, however, are in Gainesville and this is where he lives with his family.

I never played football (I did my part with the Gator Marching Band), but I recently had a dream in which I was on the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, in a football uniform, facing these enormous players who were about to charge. I knew I was dead. I mentioned it to Chris Doering during our interview, who, oddly enough seemed to identify with me.

“I was playing at this same height as I am now, but at 175 pounds,” he told me. “So it was always a little intimidating to be out there with those big guys.

That’s a great motivator for not getting hit; fear is the tremendous motivator.”

We also bring you a story on Pet Rescues, which includes such critters as rabbits and even pigs. Read how you can help give an animal in need a “forever home.”

Along with this story are a few personal profiles about our writers and friends and the animals they’ve rescued.

Ever wondered about Florida wine? When we first moved to the area, Dad gave me some muscadine grape vines. They grew well and within a couple of seasons provided a bountiful crop. But our dog often ate them.

In this edition, you can learn something about muscadine wine and information about some of our area’s vineyards.

These stories and more await within the pages of Our Town Magazine. Enjoy! s

the

NEW

The Liquor Wine & pe Shop

BE R R

Y R D.

Kangaroo

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STAFF >> CONTRIBUTORS Jewel Midelis

Desiree Farnum

is a freelance writer and a student at UF’s College of Journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, camping at state parks and playing with her puppies.

is a recent graduate of UF’s College of Journalism and Communications as well as a freelance writer. Born in Trinidad and raised in Queens, NY, she enjoys spontaneous road trips and visits from outof-town friends.

jmidelis91@yahoo.com

desireefarnum@ufl.edu

Ellis Amburn

Cassie Ganter

is a resident of High Springs and the author of biographies of Roy Orbison, Elizabeth Taylor and others.

is a freelance writer and a senior at UF majoring in journalism. A South Florida girl at heart, she enjoys relaxing days spent on the beach when she is not busy writing feature stories.

ellis.amburn@gmail.com

clganter@ufl.edu

Janice Kaplan

Mary Kypreos

has been a freelance writer since 2005. In her spare time Janice loves cooking, Gator sports, Jimmy Buffett anything and spending time with her husband and kids.

is a freelance writer and editor who enjoys discovering tidbits of knowledge about Florida from those who know it best.

She is a proud Gator alumna and is currently working toward a Master’s in English language and literature.

kaplan_ janice@yahoo.com

kypreos.mary@gmail.com

Amanda Williamson

Allison Wilson

is a recent graduate of UF’s College of Journalism and Communications. She has been writing for as long as she can remember. She enjoys spending time with her friends, family and animals.

is a communications coordinator for UF&Shands and a freelance writer and editor. She is way too busy to contribute any more facts to this biography. daw995@yahoo.com

awilliamson@ufl.edu

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>> EDUCATION

In the Know An Explanation of Charter Schools in Alachua County

BY MARY KYPREOS hen charter schools first opened in Florida in 1996, only five charter schools answered the call to offer tuition-free public schools that encouraged the use of innovative methods. Since then, charter schools have become a mainstay in Florida education, providing parents more options for a child’s education — 518 more options, to be exact.

From that first year, the presence of charter schools has grown exponentially. During the 2011-2012 school year, 179,940 students were enrolled in Florida’s 518 charter schools, according to the Florida Department of Education. Located

W

22 | Autumn 2012

throughout 44 school districts, this is 25,160 more students than the previous academic year, including 76 new charter schools.

Although all Florida charter schools must support a curriculum that meets Sunshine State Standards, many of these charter schools build innovative, educational environments to reach its students. Niche charter schools are especially prevalent in the Alachua County School District, which boasts 16 charter schools.

“We do not try to be everything to everybody,” said Tom Allin, administrative director of the Alachua Learning Center Inc., in a telephone interview. “Each school has its unique features that may or may not be prefect for a specific

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Autumn 2012 | 23

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PHOTOS BY ALBERT ISAAC

The Alachua Learning Center offers a small, safe school environment for elementary and middle school students. Like other charter schools, it uses innovative, educational environments yet still follows Sunshine State Standards. Charter schools offer unique features, said Tom Allin, executive director. “The important thing here is that they have variety.”

individual. The important thing here is that they have variety.

“Charter schools are a very healthy option in the mix; it is a healthy thing for a society that alternatives are there, and there is not a downside to that, in my opinion.”

Because Alachua County is relatively small, the large charter schools —functioning more like traditional public schools — operating in the bigger Florida school districts are not found here. Instead, Alachua County charter schools are small, sometimes less than 100 students, and are often directed to a specific group or focus, such as the performing arts, physical activity, special education, a specific locale or the under-privileged.

Expressions Learning Arts Academy Inc., for example, infuses the arts into subjects. This is not just public speaking points or a drama class every couple days. Instead, the Gainesville public elementary charter school builds upon the basic

24 | Autumn 2012

curriculum outlined in the Sunshine State Standards to include the arts, particularly the performance arts, into every subject.

“At our school, we have a big focus on the performing arts... to give children the ability to present themselves anywhere,” said Principal Cheryl Valantis, in a telephone interview. “The focus that is needed in artistic endeavors directly transfers into the focus needed for academics.”

On the other hand, One Room School House is purposely located in East Gainesville to reach its target students: those at-risk or from low-income families. With a smaller school population and a contract on parental involvement, One Room School also provides three full-time teachers dedicated only to tutoring. For many of these schools, including One Room School, the focus is not necessarily on receiving high FCAT scores but steady student improvement.

Neil Drake, founder of One Room School House, said in a telephone interview, “The idea was that it would be a very small school so that there wouldn’t be any cracks for students to slip between.

“There is nothing magic about it. Just a really small school with parents involved in the education.”

As charter schools are a form of public schools, every student in the district is eligible to attend, without discrimination. Though a school may target the under-privileged or a certain locale, it is only by lottery that admittance is determined. In this way, Florida ensures a nondiscriminatory policy.

Whereas One Room School does not advertise its school or necessarily recommend it services for all students, its positive reputation has spread into the community.

Drake said only about 65 percent of its population is on free or reduced lunch (the standard for determining low-income children).

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT

Students at the Expressions Learning Arts Academy perform Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The focus at One Room School House is on steady student improvement.

Einstein Charter School uses multi-sensory, research based programs for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities in hopes to help them gain grade-level reading skills and return to the regular public school system.

Students at Expressions ham it up on the monkey bars.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY EACH SCHOOL

Attempting to serve a specific population without control over admittance is a challenge for charter schools, and one that depends on the parent’s judgment.

As Valantis explained, “It would not make sense to enroll a child who didn’t like art and hated to sing [in Expressions Learning Arts Academy]. Just as you wouldn’t send a student to a technology magnet if they did not have an interest.”

Outside the physical halls of its schoolrooms and in the communities, a charter school’s

struggle to maintain its uniqueness often takes a backseat to misunderstandings about what a charter school is and how it operates.

Foremost, it is important to understand that charter schools are public schools by law.

“We are a true public school because we do not charge tuition and must live up to all the standards of the state of Florida,” Allin said. “All of us are in the same business; in the same service in the public. But we have to allow room for individuality.”

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In addition, Allin explained that charter schools are independent of the school board, yet they must meet the same standards, so they are not outside of the school board’s reach. He stressed that charter schools are not “just winging it.”

Alachua Learning Center participates in 13 different audits, covering everything from food, health and building standards to the FCAT. Of course, there is the issue of funding and whether charter schools take away funds from traditional public schools. Although

Autumn 2012 | 25

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it is true that there is only so much money to distribute, Gaspar Nichols, principal of Hoggetowne Middle School, explained during a telephone interview that the real issue is a State that is severely underfunded in education. Though funding may cause friction between charter schools and the school board, Nichols stresses the need to form cooperative relationships.

“Charter schools are important for the groups of people who do not fit the standard public education box,” Nichols said, adding that charter schools and counties need to work together because they are all facing the same challenges — doing more with less.

Nichols himself, who will soon be leaving Hoggetowne Middle School, served not only as principal, but handyman, janitor and receptionist when needed.

For traditional public schools, there are 100 to 200 people working in the background at the school board, Drake said. Because they are

independent of the school board, charter schools do not have that support system. Paperwork, reports — all of this comes directly from the charter school.

“Charter schools have to do all of the background work themselves, so the administration of a charter school is a big job,” he said. “People wear a lot of hats and take care of a lot of business that would normally be taken care of outside.”

Despite challenges and regardless of their niche, Alachua County charter schools offer a wealth of benefits for children who need it.

At One Room School, for instance, every student starts learning on computers in kindergarten to ensure that they receive the education they need for future jobs. In addition to performing arts, Expression’s small size makes it easier for teachers to individualize instruction and redirect behavior. On the other hand, Hoggetowne offers a performing arts aspect to its curriculum, while striving to meet the social and emotional

needs of its students before academics. One way the school does this is by providing electives and 45 minutes cooperative play physical education every day. Finally, Alachua Learning Center sets aside an hour every day for its students to read. In turn, this will improve skills such as critical thinking, vocabulary and comprehensive reading.

In most cases, parents do not have a reason to look outside the traditional public school to which a child was assigned. However, in some cases, an assigned school may not be the best choice.

Allin stressed, “[I would] encourage exploration and options because it is not just a question of the grass is greener — there are actual advantages.

“Every parent should realize they have choices.” s For more information about Florida charter schools, visit the Florida Department of Education’s website on charter schools at www.floridaschoolchoice.org/ Information/Charter_Schools.

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ALACHUA COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOLS Alachua Learning Center Inc. (K-8) 11100 W. State Road 235, Alachua 386-418-2080

Micanopy Area Cooperative School Inc. (K-5) 802 NW Seminary St., Micanopy 352-466-0990

Caring & Sharing Learning School (VPK-6) 1951 SE Fourth St., Gainesville 352-372-1004

Micanopy Middle School Inc. (6-8) 708 NW Okechumpkee St., Micanopy 352-466-1090

Einstein School (2-8) 5910 SW Archer Road, Gainesville 352-335-4321

MYcroSchool Gainesville (9-12) 2209 NW 13th St., Gainesville 352-379-2902

Expressions Learning Arts Academy (K-5) 5408 SW 13th St., Gainesville 352-373-5223

One Room School House (K-8) 4180 NE 15th St., Gainesville 352-376-4014

Genesis Preparatory School (K-3) 207 NW 23rd Ave., Gainesville 352-379-1188

Siatech Gainesville (9-12) 5301 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville 352-371-4424

Healthy Learning Academy Charter School (K-2) 2101 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville 352-372-2279

Sweetwater Branch Academy (K-8) 1000 NE 16th Ave., Gainesville 352-375-8838

Hoggetowne Middle School (6-8) 3930 NE 15th St., Gainesville 352-367-4369

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2012 - 2013 School Calendar Monday August 13 - Friday, August 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pre-Planning (5 weekdays) Monday, August 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Day for Students Monday, September 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - Labor Day Tuesday, September 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Interim Reports Home Tuesday, October 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End of 1st Nine Weeks Friday, October 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pupil Holiday/Teacher Workday Monday, November 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Report Cards Home Friday, November 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - UF Homecoming Wednesday, November 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pupil Holiday/Teacher Holiday Thursday, November 22 - Friday, November 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thanksgiving Holidays Tuesday, December 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Interim Reports Home Thursday, Dec 20 - Wednesday, Jan 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Winter Holidays (10 weekdays) Thursday, January 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classes Resume Monday, January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End of First Semester Tuesday, January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Begin Second Semester Friday, January 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pupil Holiday/Teacher Workday Monday, January 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holiday - ML King Day Monday, January 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Report Cards Home Friday, February 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pupil Holiday/Teacher Holiday Monday, February 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - Presidents’ Day Monday, February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Interim Reports Home Friday, March 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . End of Third Nine Weeks Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spring Holidays (5 weekdays) Monday, April 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pupil Holiday/Teacher Workday Thursday, April 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Report Cards Home Tuesday, May 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Send Interim Reports Home Monday, May 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holiday - Memorial Day Tuesday, June 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School Out - Last Day for Students Wednesday, June 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Post-Planning for Teachers Thursday, June 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Post-Planning for Teachers * THESE DAYS MAY BE USED TO MAKE UP DAYS CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANES OR OTHER EMERGENCIES. FOR THE 2012-13 CALENDAR, THEY WILL BE USED IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:

(1) November 21 (2) January 18 (3) February 15 (4) April 1 (5) June 5 (6) June 6

28 | Autumn 2012

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COLUMN >> CRYSTAL HENRY

Naked Salsa

Class Clown

n 9th grade I got a mega boost of confidence when I got my braces off, and I decided to run for student council. I really didn’t have a position in mind, nor did I have a pressing reason to run for student council. I just got an itch one day and decided to scratch it by running for treasurer.

Now, I’m not particularly good at math. I really stink at it. And I wasn’t the most organized student. Once, I opened my locker and broke my thumb when an avalanche of books and paperwork cascaded down upon me.

But treasurer was the only position on that sign-up sheet with no one else running, so it seemed like a perfect fit.

Enter stupid Jared Foreman. Jared Foreman was on the golf team, had country club blood and a dazzling smile. I secretly named him Jared Forehead because of his remarkable receding hairline at age 15. Man, I was so clever back then. Zing!

Well, Jared was actually good at math, and I guess seeing my name on that sign-up sheet appalled the Council of Popular Children (or the CPC as I called it).

So they convinced ol’ Forehead to run for treasurer as well. He made it known that he really didn’t want to run, but the CPC had the lockdown on president, vice pres. and secretary. They couldn’t very well let some band dork come in and run the checkbook.

Our classmates could choose from some chick with freshly straightened teeth or Jared Reginald Buckingham Palace Foreman III. There were probably at least a dozen other kids who would have made a better treasurer than either of us, but they didn’t throw their names in the hat, I guess for fear of public rejection.

As an adult I figured real politics would be different.

We’d have candidates who would have good solid skill sets and reasons for running for office. But quite honestly it’s about the same rigmarole as my lunchtime student council bid.

Our citizens are supposed to be able to vote for the person they think should be in charge. Candidates only have to meet a few standards that are hardly above being a 9th grader at Nimitz Jr. High and having at least a B average, in order to qualify for office.

But in this election we only get two candidates to choose from, who are basically just Jared Forehead split

I

32 | Autumn 2012

in two. We have the really cool candidate who always has the wittiest things to say and a killer smile, but he’s got the CPC pulling all his strings. Then we have the candidate with all the money and the good business sense, who honestly makes sense on paper for the job, but there’s just something about him that’s a little smug. Probably his stupid receding hairline.

I really don’t like either one, and at this point it’s just a matter of “Well, I’m voting for Emperor Zurg because

Our classmates could choose from some chick with freshly straightened teeth or Jared Reginald Buckingham Palace Foreman III. at least he’s not Darth Maul.” How on earth did we get to this point? We shouldn’t vote for the lesser of two evils. There are more than 300 million people in this country and we can’t find one that we actually think is right for the job? Pitiful.

This election I’m voting for that kid who is kind of quiet, but always has the right answers when the teacher calls on him. I’ll write him in, since apparently there’s only room on our ballot for two candidates (who made up that rule?). My kid’s not flashy and the CPC doesn’t even have him on their radar or maybe even actively ignores him. But if my vote is my voice, I’d like to say, “This guy is my choice.”

In the end my one tiny voice doesn’t matter. I’m sure the CPC and the teachers get together and rig the whole thing anyway. And it will probably mean that the suave cool kid will win even though of the two I think the smart rich kid is more qualified. But at least at the end of it all, when the suave cool kid or the smart rich kid completely fudges things up I can say, “Hey I didn’t vote for that guy. I voted for that nerdy kid with all the right answers.” And I’ll feel good about my choice. s

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ADVERTISEMENT

Cohen & Montini Orthodontics

The art and

science of patient care.

W

hen you walk into Cohen & Montini Orthodontics in Gainesville, one of the first things you notice is the artwork - a natural landscape painting here, a sketch of Spiderman there, Florida and FSU emblems side by side.

The works have one thing in common; the artist is Dr. Reid Montini, owner of Cohen & Montini Orthodontics.

“Art is a big part of who I am, and when we are designing someone’s smile I think that’s important,” said the former art major who considered a career illustrating medical textbooks before deciding on dental school. “To me, orthodontics is the perfect mixture of art and science.”

Dr. Montini has practiced at Cohen & Montini Orthodontics since 2005 and uses Invisalign®, clear braces, silver braces, and retainers to create beautiful smiles. Cohen & Montini Orthodontics also offers a complimentary developmental observation program for young patients who are not ready for treatment. Patients with more complex cases such an impacted canine, misaligned jaw, or severe crowding have access to a 3D x-ray machine and computer aided treatment planning. This allows Dr. Montini and the patient to visualize the plan and outcome prior to initiating treatment.

The state-of-the-art technology is complemented by Dr. Montini’s sense of fun and his desire to make patients feel at home. The waiting room area is flanked by two flat-screen TVs showing the latest animated movies, and the tooth brushing station features an Xbox 360 gaming system that keeps patients and siblings entertained.

He reassures first-time patients with five simple yet effective words: “No shots, no drills – period.”

Dr. Montini works under what he calls a conservative and open-minded philosophy,

34 | Autumn 2012

emphasizing the importance of observing younger patients first to see how growth progresses on its own.

“Watching younger patients for a period of time to see how they naturally develop is smart,” he said. “If we’re watching a child for six to nine months without seeing progress and there’s a situation that could potentially be harmful, then we step in and give a nudge.”

Montini’s love of both art and medicine led him to his career in orthodontics. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with his biological science degree from Florida State and graduated in the top five of his class at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He then went on to the University of Florida for his orthodontics residency – a prestigious program that only accepts three applicants per year.

During his residency, Dr. Montini also received a Master of Science degree for his research on the perceptions of facial aesthetics following orthognathic surgery. “We were looking to see whether people saw a big improvement in how faces looked in profile following orthodontics and jaw surgery,” he said.

It was research that appealed to Dr. Montini’s longtime love of drawing, painting and sculpting – all of which gives him a unique perspective for his work. “With the overall aesthetic of the smile, we’re taking into account the shape of the face, the position of the bones, the position of the teeth relative to the lips, and symmetry,” he said. “My background makes me uniquely suited to assess and improve facial and smile aesthetics. I view each patient’s smile as a unique work of art.”

While most of the practice’s patients are teenagers, Cohen & Montini Orthodontics also serves adult clients and young children. Most patients are

referred from their dentists, but Dr. Montini cited some signs parents can look for when considering whether their child should visit an orthodontist: • Crooked teeth.

• Larger than normal gaps between teeth.

• A large overbite, in which the top teeth extend far in front of the lower teeth.

• An underbite, in which the bottom teeth extend in front of the top • A crossbite, in which the bottom jaw is skewed to one side.

• A sense that your child’s teeth simply haven’t grown into the right place, even if you don’t know exactly where they should be.

• The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child get an orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.

Although Dr. Montini appreciates the artistic side of his orthodontic practice, he finds great satisfaction in his personal relationships with his patients. He enjoys sitting down with his patients at each visit and chatting about their lives, and with treatments and follow-up spanning several years he gets to see them grow and thrive as people.

“That’s probably the best part about what we do,” he said. “It’s cool to see that the kid who came here in middle school is going to medical school next year. We see an awkward looking 13-year-old with gangly teeth, and all of a sudden she’s prom queen. That’s rewarding, that’s fun.

“Now there’s your art.”

Cohen & Montini Orthodontics is located at 7520 W. University Ave., Suite C in Gainesville. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 352-332-7911 or visit www.cohenandmontiniorthodontics.com.

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>> PRESERVATION

Untouched Eden Despite the Ever-Changing World, Paynes Prairie Remains Pristine

BY AMANDA WILLIAMSON ome stories are written in ink, some in stone, but the history of Paynes Prairie is written in blood, water and in the legends of those who were forever changed by the grassy expanse of land.

Situated between Gainesville and Micanopy, the prairie stretches across 22,000 acres and more than 20 different biological ecosystems.

With the Alachua Sink basin, the prairie seemed an oasis to travelers drifting across the Florida savanna.

The myriad creatures and the many Native American tribes that settled in the region attest to the strong pull the land had on both people and animals. Over time, the ebb and flow of water in the basin

S

38 | Autumn 2012

altered the prairie ecosystems, and at one point, even allowed for steamboats to carry supplies across the vast area.

DIGGING UP THE BONES Until 25 million years ago, water covered all of Florida and extended into central Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. When the peninsula surfaced, life quickly covered the newly exposed terrain, but scientists still question the type of animals that roamed the young land mass.

As builders constructed the Interstate 75 overpass at Williston Road, they stumbled upon fossils, according to Lars Andersen, author of “Paynes Prairie, The Great Savanna: A History and Guide.” The archeological dig provided insight into Florida’s

early prehistoric history.

“The site was apparently a small sinkhole into which a number of unwary creatures accidentally fell twenty-five million years ago,” Andersen wrote. “Some — such as opossums, bats, squirrels, and an assortment of rodents, snakes, lizards and box turtles — are still common today. Other victims of the pit, now extinct, were the evolutionary ancestors of the animals we know today.”

Paynes Prairie’s huge basin formed when a number of sinkholes developed in close proximity to each other and eventually merged, Andersen wrote.

Over time, new animal species converged on the open savanna, all of which were led to the pasture by

PHOTO BY JUSTIN RYAN DUNCKLEE

In 1975, the Florida Park Service brought 10 American Bison from the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma to Paynes Prairie. About 50 to 70 bison currently roam the prairie.

the slow migration of herds. Among these new beasts was the false sabercat Barbourofelis, the most powerful predator to hunt the prairie.

Now, visitors to the prairie can still see the saber cat — or at least its skeleton — sitting unchanged, permanent, inside the halls of the Museum of Science and History on the University of Florida campus.

Small Steps for Man For millions of years, animals roamed the prairie without any meddling from mankind. But approximately 12,000 years ago, a strange new creature entered the food chain, an animal that walked on two legs and had hands for grasping tools and weapons. These primitive nomads may have surveyed the area

from afar, catching sight of possible game, such as the giant ground sloth, tapirs and bison.

The ancestors of the first humans to step on prehistoric Alachua County soil had traveled across the Bering Strait — a connection between Alaska and northeast Asia — following the migration of their food source. Often referred to as Paleo-Indians, these newcomers were not apish brutes, but modern Homo sapiens who spoke their own language, Andersen wrote.

Because early mankind had not yet discovered agriculture, the tribe would have moved on to other parts of the region, following the availability of food.

“But man now knew about Paynes Prairie and would never

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again be far away,” Andersen said.

It was not until around 1,000 B.C. that the first signs of farming began to appear in the lives of the American Indians. Andersen said the first types of crops to be intentionally planted were most likely gourds and melons, followed 500 years later by corn.

As the nomadic lifestyle slowly became obsolete, tribes developed their own unique cultures. The Deptford people, one of Florida’s first distinctive cultures, originated along the gulf coast, but eventually moved inland to form settlements around Paynes Prairie.

“These were the Cades Pond people,” Andersen said, “named for a site near Santa Fe Lake where one of their burial mounds was

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first discovered in the 1870s. These were the first year-round residents of the area.”

In southeastern Georgia, the forefathers of the Timucua tribe were flourishing because of their mastery of agriculture. As the tribe developed, they expanded southward, and displaced the Cades Pond people living near the prairie.

Known as the Alachua-tradition people, their culture was similar to the Cades tribe in many ways.

The newcomers thrived in Florida, and the descendents, the Timucua, greeted the first white men to arrive in the region. At that point, the Native Americans had split into many different factions, but those residing in Paynes Prairie were called the Potano, Andersen detailed in his book.

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Gold, Glory and God The summer of 1539 dawned like any normal summer in Florida.

It was probably rainy, humid and extremely hot in the prairie region of Alachua County. The Potano most likely spent the long summer days ensuring the survival of the tribe by hunting, tending crops and building tools, weapons and other necessities. At the time, their strongest summer adversary was in all probability the mosquito.

By midsummer, however, rumors had reached the prairie, “tales of strange invaders from faraway lands — metal-skinned giants riding four-legged beasts and armed with thundering sticks capable of killing from a great distance,” Andersen wrote.

Hernando de Soto’s army of Spanish soldiers had landed in Charlotte Harbor, south of Tampa.

De Soto and approximately 620 soldiers, 223 horses, 13 hogs, six packs of bloodhounds and numerous cows set foot from the harbor, traveling north from the coast.

On August 12, 1539, the Spaniards invaded Potano. Records detailing what happened between de Soto’s men and the Potano Indians are vague.

“De Soto’s methods of exploring were typical for that time period — eat the natives’ food, tell them you mean no harm, then take several of their strongest youngsters as slaves and guides,” Andersen wrote.

Soon, de Soto’s plundering proved Florida to be devoid of gold,

PHOTOS BY ALBERT ISAAC

Water flows from prairie into the Alachua Sink, providing habitat for bald eagles, otters, deer, bobcat and - naturally alligators. In the past, the sink has become plugged, transforming the prairie into a lake. This happened in 1871 and for many years steamboats paddled from shore to shore.

and Spain’s interest in the territory dwindled.

Twenty-five years after the Spanish invasion of Potano, two French ships sailed into Florida waters. Believing they had discovered untouched territory, the explorers christened the land “New France.” Under the leadership of Rene Laudonniere, the newcomers began their search for gold, eventually finding their way to Paynes Prairie.

In their quest, the Frenchmen allied with the local tribes, including Chief Outina. Outina promised

to lead the soldiers to gold in return for helping to get rid of the Potano tribe. However, the Potanos were too strong, and eventually the French soldiers retreated.

An army of Spaniards massacred the remaining French, and Spain once again established its claim on the land. Miles away from Paynes Prairie, the Spanish constructed the St. Augustine fort and found themselves allied with local tribes, including Outina.

The Potano tribe found itself under attack, but again proved too strong for outside forces to take.

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“Soon, however, another wave of Europeans would make their way into Potano country,” Andersen wrote. “This time, instead of swords and lances, they carried Bibles and disease, and the results would be tragic.”

In 1600, the Potano and the Spanish troops ended their bloody rift. The American Indians began to provide food and labor to the St. Augustine fort. With Timucuan approval, Andersen said, the Christian monks established a chain of missions throughout North Florida.

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PHOTO BY JUSTIN RYAN DUNCKLEE

Alligators can be seen in abundance along the LaChua Trail, which offers a three-mile roundtrip from the North Rim of the Prairie to the observation tower. This trail provides scenic views of wet prairie and marsh habitat including Alachua Sink and Alachua Lake, where visitors will likely get a look at alligators sunbathing, swimming, or competing for dinner.

As the tribes adjusted to the white man’s ways, they moved closer to the missions. With no resistance to European diseases, many American Indians died. Between 1613 and 1617, plagues wiped out half of the Potano population.

Spain wanted the Florida colony to be self-sufficient. Francisco Menendez Marques started a cattle ranch in Paynes Prairie during the late 1640s with no protests from the now decimated American Indian population.

According to the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, the son of Menendez Marques, Thomas Menendez Marques turned the cattle operation into the largest ranch in Spanish Florida. Its headquarters were located on the north side of the basin.

“He named his domain La Chua, a Potano word meaning ‘jug,’ which the Indians used when referring to Alachua Sink on the north edge of Paynes Prairie,” Andersen wrote.

After Menendez Marques retired from the ranch, the City of St. Augustine still needed the cattle for food. Soldiers moved into the vacated hacienda to tend the herds of free-ranging cows. In 1704, Creek Indians attacked the La Chua Ranch. Skirmishes between the natives and the Spanish soldiers continued until April 30, 1706, when St. Augustine’s governor ordered the ranch burned.

Paynestown After the Spaniards left the La Chua region, a young Creek warrior named Ahaya rode into the area.

Rounding up the vast herds of

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left-behind cattle, Ahaya earned the name “Cowkeeper” from his Spanish enemies.

It was his son, Payne, whose name would come to label the region. When Cowkeeper died, Payne became chief. According to Andersen’s novel, he bore the title, King Payne, in hopes of gaining respect from the Americans.

Payne moved his people to a new location, called Paynestown, just west of today’s Rochelle-Micanopy Road.

Runaway slaves from northern colonies fled into unsettled Florida.

Befriending the American Indians, the former slaves built homes alongside the Seminole settlements in Paynes Prairie.

Enraged white slave owners ordered Colonel Daniel Newman and a band of soldiers to eliminate the Alachua Seminoles and runaway slaves.

number of adventurous Americans were settling into Alachua County.

But the land set aside for the American Indians was poor, producing few crops. Facing starvation, the Seminoles returned to Paynes Prairie. Chief Osceola and his men captured an army supply wagon on the south rim of the prairie, inciting the Battle of Black Point and the Second Seminole War, states Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park records.

Following the war and the founding of Gainesville, a hurricane ripped through Alachua County, scattering debris and logs across the prairie, states a 1988 editorial in the Gainesville Sun by Barbara Crawford, titled “Many have wandered the prairie, but few have seen the lake.”

The trash floated through Newnan’s Lake, down Prairie Creek, making its way to Alachua Sink to

the abandoned wharves served as reminders of the once-magnificent lake, and out in the grass-covered expanse of Biven’s Arm, the Chacala remained as a monument to the ‘steamboat era’ in Alachua County.”

Millions of fish were beached on the prairie. Locals gathered as many as possible, celebrating the bountiful harvest with an Alachua Lake fish fry. Soon, the decaying fish made the prairie unbearable.

Return to Cattle Virginia timber baron William Camp purchased nearly 150,000 acres in Florida, including Paynes Prairie, making him the largest landholder in the state by 1907. As a moneymaking venture, Camp wanted to recreate the lake by plugging the sinkhole, so he could harness water to generate electricity.

After realizing the project was

“In the years that followed, the abandoned wharves served as reminders of the once-magnificent lake.”

The Seminoles held their ground, and Newman retreated. However, Payne and his brother Bowlegs knew the American colonel’s humiliation would not be forgotten. To protect themselves, the Indians abandoned Paynestown.

Rising Waters In an attempt to colonize the wild regions of Florida, the King of Spain issued land grants to anyone willing to homestead. Don Fernando de La Maza Arredondo acquired one huge tract of land, which included Paynes Prairie.

In 1819, the United States purchased Florida. The region grew slowly. But by 1824, enough settlers had moved into Arredondo’s area for Alachua County to be established.

Fearing the area would not prosper with its native neighbors, the U.S. Senate relocated the Seminoles to a four million-acre parcel of land.

The following year, an increasing

form a plug. With the sink plugged, the prairie filled with water, becoming the Alachua Lake.

According to Crawford’s article, The Alachua Daily Advocate — a forerunner to The Sun — described the lake as being nine miles long and four miles wide. Not only was the lake a fisherman’s paradise, yachters sliced through the waters in a number of boat races detailed in the 1886 papers.

For nearly 20 years, steamboats traversed the Alachua Lake, transporting goods from Gainesville to various trading outposts across the water.

During dry spells, the voyage across the lake could not always be completed. In 1891, the lake began to dry, but boat captains assumed the waters would rise again. When the levels continued to drop, the wellknown steamer Chacala became mired in muck, Andersen wrote.

“Paynes Prairie was back,” he said. “In the years that followed,

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too costly, Camp abandoned the effort. Desperate to find another source of money, the Virginia entrepreneur turned to cattle. Much of the land remained unusable, and Camp set out to fix the problem by draining the prairie.

Though he died two weeks after the decision, his son Jack Camp attempted to keep the dream alive.

Camp, however, was unable to begin the project until a 1926 deluge encouraged him to set twenty years of planning into motion, Andersen said.

The drainage project began the following year.

By fall of 1931, the prairie was nearly dry, and new paved roads crisscrossed their way through Alachua County, including Highway 441, which sliced through the prairie’s grassland on its route from Lake City to south Florida. However, the two-mile stretch inside Paynes Prairie remained unpaved until 1927 when traffic congestion and

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PHOTO BY JUSTIN RYAN DUNCKLEE

Descendants of horses brought over by the Spanish in the early 1500s.

deteriorating road conditions became unbearable.

To date, the biggest structure to be built within the prairie is I-75.

“Completed in 1964, this highway allowed increasingly large numbers of people to spend increasingly short periods of time enjoying and destroying one of Florida’s most important natural areas,” Andersen wrote. “The number of animals killed yearly on these two highways is staggering.”

In 1994, a study by the Department of Natural Resources found that nearly four times as many animals die on the two roads across Paynes Prairie than in any other park in the state, he wrote.

Preserving the Land Florida acquired 17,200 acres of land from Camp Ranch in 1970, which would be established as

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the first preserve in the Florida Park System.

Since the days of conquistadors, the native flora and fauna of Paynes Prairie have competed with new species from foreign lands. The Spaniards brought horses, hogs and cattle from Europe, introducing the animals to the untouched land.

Paynes Prairie park rangers have fought to return the site to its natural state as described in The Travels of William Bartram, said Park Ranger Howard Adams.

Bartram crossed the prairie in the spring of 1774, detailing the scene: “The extensive Alachua is a level green plain, above fifteen miles over, fifty miles in circumference, and scarcely a tree or bush of any kind to be seen on at. It is encircled with high, sloping hills, covered with waving forests and a fragrant orange grove, rising from

an exuberantly fertile soil.”

Part of a ranger’s job, Adams said, is to examine how the prairie has changed over the years, and decide if the change was good or bad.

While some of the exotic plant species now in Paynes Priaire were brought to Florida by the original explorers, many are recent additions. Residents purchase ornamental plants, such as mimosas and chinaberries, to grow on their own property. From there, the plants jump easily onto preserve lands.

“There’s always added pressure on the preserve from the impact of urbanization,” Adams said.

The quality and quantity of water in the prairie is one of the biggest concerns today, Adams said, along with invasive species. When the Camps changed the marsh-like landscape by digging dikes and canals, water’s natural sheet flow

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“There’s always added pressure on the preserve from the impact of urbanization.” disappeared.

Partnering with Gainesville Regional Utilities, the City of Gainesville Public Works Department hopes to improve the quality of water draining into the Alachua Sink and restore 1,300 acres of wetlands, states the GRU website.

Currently, the wastewater treatment plant on South Main Street dumps a couple million gallons of water a day into Sweetwater Branch, Adams said. The reclamation project includes improvements to the wastewater facility, as well as the construction of a 125-acre water enhancement wetland.

When the 1930s ranchers diverted the water from Sweetwater directly into the Alachua Sink, the exposed wetlands dried. According

to the Gainesville Public Works Department website, the direct channelization prevented the natural reduction of nutrients, which decreased the quality of the water flowing into the Alachua Sink.

“These upgrades will reestablish the natural sheet flow of low-nutrient water from Sweetwater Branch onto Paynes Prairie, providing protection for the Floridan aquifer,” states GRU’s website.

Since the state acquired the land, bison and scrub cattle have been reintroduced into the region.

Following the additions, the citizens support group, Friends of Paynes Prairie, donated one stallion and six mares to the state park in 1985.

In 1998, the Florida Department of Transportation joined the Paynes

Prairie Preserve State Park to design the eco-passage, a system of barrier walls and underpasses, to be placed along the two-mile stretch of U.S. 441. Using the eco-passage, animals safely cross under the roadway.

“We look at things very shortsighted, but Mother Nature looks at things long term,” Adams said. “For the most part, I think the prairie has been stable.”

Through the years, Paynes Prairie changed hands from American Indians, Spanish colonials, American settlers and, finally, the Florida government. But throughout history, the natural terrain maintained its beauty, allowing the waters of each rain to replenish and fortify the soils for the next 100 years.

The prairie stretches for miles in all directions, constantly battling encroaching civilizations and constantly standing resilient. Despite all the changes Alachua County has seen, Paynes Prairie provides a glimpse into a bygone era for those willing to look. s

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>> SERVICE

Black Water The Great Suwannee River Cleanup

BY JEWEL MIDELIS riginating at the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia and meandering for 250 miles into the Gulf of Mexico is the Suwannee River. Creating a natural border between Florida and its panhandle, the river twists and turns through swamps and marshes. Florida natives and visitors travel to the Suwannee River to camp, kayak, attend concerts, and even help improve the natural wonder that has been a staple waterway for thousands of years.

The third annual Great Suwanee River Cleanup will begin this September and continue through early December, where members of Current Problems and other

O

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volunteers from all over the state will participate in cleaning this flowing river.

Current Problems is a nonprofit organization that began in 1993.

Their mission is “to preserve and protect the water resources of North Florida for the use and enjoyment of humans and wildlife through action, awareness and education,” according to the website.

“They [Current Problems] started the nonprofit status right away with two friends. The first cleanup was at the river sinks,” said Fritzi Olson, Current Problems’ executive coordinator, in a recent telephone interview. “It just expanded; when one thing is straightened out, you go onto something else. Then, the idea came for the Great Suwanee

River Cleanup. It was suggested by the Suwanee River Wilderness Trail, and we said ‘yes.’”

With the help of 517 volunteers at a combined total of 1,889 volunteer hours, last year’s cleanup resulted in an astonishing 20,421 pounds of trash pulled from the

The 2012 Great Suwannee River Cleanup Kickoff Saturday, September 8 • 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Santa Fe River Park, US 47 Bridge, south of Fort White For more information about volunteering and this year’s cleanup, please visit the Current Problems website at www.currentproblems.org

Suwannee, according to the website.

“We would like to see less trash, but you just don’t know,” Olson said.

“The first year we had 30,000 pounds, and the second we had 20,000.”

The overall cleanup will consist of many small cleanups along the Suwannee and basin areas.

After collecting all of the trash for each designated section, each cleanup group will weigh the amount and report the numbers to Current Problems.

Not only are the volunteers focusing their attention on the Suwannee River, they have also

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CURRENT PROBLEMS, INC.

The Live Oak Kiwanis Club President, Joe Flanagan, with two other club members, glided down the Suwannee River in the club’s Viking boat, cleaning the river along the way.

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT

The first year of the cleanup, in 2010, the volunteers collected 30,000 pounds of trash, and last year they collected 20,000 pounds.

Phlockers on the Suwannee Parrot Head Club have volunteered two consecutive years for the Great Suwannee River Cleanup. Terry Doonan, director at large for the Phlockers, said that there was less trash during their second cleanup, but is not sure what to expect this year.

Twenty-three boats and 104 volunteers gathered nearly two tons of trash at Camp Azalea, Fowlers Bluff and Town of Suwannee. The volunteers found tires, chicken coops, floating docks, chairs, Styrofoam, 55-gallon drums and more, according to the Friends of Refuges website.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CURRENT PROBLEMS, INC.

added the Santa Fe River to this year’s agenda.

“We made the decision we wanted to go into the tributaries and chose the Santa Fe as the first,” Olson said. “[The trash removal] will probably depend mostly on the dive team for the Santa Fe.” Olson said that participating in the cleanup is a great teaching tool.

“It can change people’s habits,” Olson said. “In this particular one, we try to make people in that area more aware of what the situation is, which makes them want to take better care of their river.”

Boy and Girl Scouts, families, friends, businesses, civic organizations and agencies all sign up as groups and register for sections, and then individuals contact those specific groups according to what area they would like to help clean, Olson said.

“Fritzi Olson pretty much says, ‘Ok, if you want to do this, tell me what section you want to do,’” said Terry Doonan in a recent telephone interview. Doonan is the director

56 | Autumn 2012

at large for the Phlockers on the Suwannee Parrot Head Club, which has participated in this event for the past two years.

“We get a section of the river that does pretty well with canoes and kayaks. It works out well for us,” he said. “We try to find things to help out and make a little bit of difference and where we have fun getting together.”

In the past two years, the club has paddled their way throughout springs and rivers, using canoes and kayaks to pick up the scattered trash. The group divides along the left and right sides of the river, and then they pick up what they find along the banks. They also use the scales and grabbers provided by Current Problems.

“The first year we did [the cleanup], we were more surprised about how much trash there was,” Doonan said. “The last year, there weren’t large amounts of trash because the water levels in the river have been down for a while. This year, after all the rain and flooding, it could be that you have a different situation, where you have a lot of stuff washed down the river.”

Doonan went on to explain why

he wanted his group to participate in this event.

“I thought that this kind of thing is important because to some extent we get busy. You know the river is there, but we tend to not realize what is happening on a dayto-day basis. It seemed like a way to get more engaged and become more active to make a difference to make things better.”

Sarah Faraji, a University of Florida senior studying environmental engineering, participated in two cleanups with Current Problems.

The 22-year-old helped out at the Santa Fe River and Rum Island.

“The cleanup was a lot of fun.

We rented canoes from the Santa Fe Outpost and floated down the river, picking up trash as we went,” Faraji said. “People who were floating down the river were handing us their garbage. Everyone was so friendly. There were families and a few people diving for garbage. It was awesome. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning.”

“It [the cleanup] is better for wildlife; it’s better for civics and recreation. It makes the water safer,” Olson said. “Certainly, it promotes water quality.” s

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>> LEAN ON ME

A Local Legend Joe Louis Clark

BY ELLIS AMBURN nce in a blue moon comes a warrior, someone who will fight to the death for what is right, even if it means running a dangerous inner-city high school with a baseball bat in one hand and a bullhorn in the other.

Such a man is Joe Louis Clark, a former Army drill sergeant whose take-no-prisoners educational policy landed him on the cover of TIME magazine and made him the subject of a popular movie, “Lean on Me,” starring Morgan Freeman as Joe Clark.

O

He has lived in Gainesville and on a horse farm in Newberry for more than 15 years, but keeps a sharp eye on America’s schools, which he still finds wanting — not much improved. In fact, since the furor he ignited in the 1980s when, as the 48-year-old principal of crime-ridden, drug-infested Eastside High in Paterson, New Jersey, he transformed a decaying ghetto school into an haven of safety, learning, and self-respect.

The students were mostly African-American and Hispanic, one-third on welfare, many of them thugs and pushers. Potheads blew

PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY

Joe Louis Clark and his wife Gloria at their Gainesville home.

60 | Autumn 2012

smoke out of shattered windows, and hoodlums accosted girls in the corridors, leaving them bare-breasted and sobbing. Some teachers were afraid to report for work.

Clark sprang into action upon arrival at Eastside, ordering the faculty to compile a list of incorrigibles. Later he walked into a school-wide assembly, which was in total chaos, and restored law order with his 36-in. Willie Mays Big Stick, a megaphone and security guards.

“There were 3,500 in that school,” he recalled in a recent telephone interview. “You cannot have 300 or 400 students disrupting the

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOE CLARK WEBSITE

ABOVE: Principal Joe Clark with rap group Run DMC at Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey.

Actor Morgan Freeman (left) filming “Lean on Me” at Eastside High School, portraying principal Joe Clark.

educational process. I extricated them to another abode,” he added, savoring what TIME Magazine would call “his idiosyncratic polysyllables.”

He outlawed loitering and profanity; banned hats, gangsta garb, and scanty come-hither costumes; established keep-moving and keep-to-the-right traffic in halls, and toilet- or graffiti-scrubbing for tardiness and class cutting. At last, students began to get a decent education, but Clark’s tactics outraged permissive parents and teachers.

Citing insubordination, the school board threatened dismissal.

Law-abiding citizens weary of out-of-control children applauded Clark’s brand of tough love, and so did the White House. A member of President Ronald Reagan’s cabinet, U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett, told Clark to “hang in there.”

Getting wind of the ruckus in Paterson, CBS’s “60 Minutes” filmed two segments on Clark, turning him into an overnight folk hero. Two years later, New Jersey’s governor declared Eastside a model school.

President Reagan summoned Clark to serve with him on an education panel, and Bennett quipped, “Sometimes you need Mr. Chips, sometimes you need Dirty Harry.”

Dedicated to his job at Eastside, Clark declined Policy Development

62 | Autumn 2012

Director Gary Bauer’s offer of a White House post.

Clark made the cover of TIME on February 1, 1988, exuding dignity and invincibility in a stylish suit and brandishing his ubiquitous bat. The headline: “Is Getting Tough the Answer? School Principal Joe Clark says ‘yes’ — and critics are up in arms.”

Reporter Ezra Bowen wrote, “If tough love is your thing, you can

“I believed in what I was doing.

God put me here to raise hell and that’s what I did.” find a lot to love about Joe Clark [who] charms and bullies his way through the bustling corridors of his ordered domain like an old-time ward boss.”

Though TIME liberally quoted Clark’s detractors, he said in 2012, “I’m always pleased with the media.

As long as they’re writing about me, I’m fine. I love the media and have had 260 powerful profiles.”

By 1989 he could not have been

hotter, Warner Brothers proffering six figures plus a percentage of the net for his life story, “Lean on Me.” When Morgan Freeman was announced as the lead, Clark observed on NBC’s “Today,” “He’s a good actor, but I don’t think anybody can fully portray me.”

Freeman, who would subsequently play God — twice — and win the Oscar for “Million Dollar Baby,” replied, “We’re dealing with a man who harbors an awful lot of anger at a system that is destroying itself.”

After studying Clark while filming in Paterson, Freeman said on “Today,” “The bull horn was his third arm. I was a little overwhelmed that I was trying to play a man who was there, a man of so much energy and power, but he was very helpful to me. He is heroic, undertaking his job. I admire his approach to children, his caring — his interest is total.”

“Lean on Me” displayed “Rocky” and “Karate Kid” director John G. Avildsen at his heartwarming best, deftly delivering a slam-bang teacher-as-hero biopic in the tradition of “Blackboard Jungle,” “To Sir With Love,” and “Dead Poets Society.” Clark emerged as an

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PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY

Clark poses with an award bestowed for his inspirational message to Tougaloo College in 2004. In 1988, he made the cover of TIME Magazine.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE CLARK WEBSITE

Clark was no stranger to controversy and there were those who wanted to see him dismissed. His methods, however, had earned him much support. In a school board meeting in 1988, hundreds of parents and students voiced their support for Clark, shouting “Without No Joe, Where Will We Go?”

inspirational dynamo, and later told “Eyewitness News,” “It’s about a guy who was proud but not arrogant, strong but not brutal.”

On “New Jersey Network News,” a student vouched for the film’s veracity, saying, “It’s the real thing,

64 | Autumn 2012

believe me.”

Resplendent in a white suit on Arsenio Hall’s talk show, Clark rated the film “95 percent accurate” and characterized his baseball bat as “my implement of peace... Young people want direction, and when

they get it, they adjust to it quickly.”

Freeman, he said, was a “splendiferous performer.” Scoffing at his critics, he said, “Any jackass can kick the barn down; it takes a carpenter to build one.”

The film opened No. 1 at the box office, the gala Paterson preview sparking local feuds that immediately went national. The city council wanted to fire Clark for a striptease act staged at Eastside High in his absence, councilwoman Vera Ames citing “derrieres showing.”

“Should students see the cheeks of guys shaking in front of them?”

Matt Lauer inquired on “Today.”

The G-string crisis was resolved when Clark appeared on “A Current Affair” and said the city council “sap suckers” had no power to fire him, nor would he let them “suck the blood and spirit from my soul.”

He also complained that the movie studio hired a prizefighter to promote “Lean on Me,” stating on “Good Day, New York,” “If Mike Tyson can get $150,000 for saying six words, I should at least get something commensurate.”

Though “Lean on Me” grossed $31,906,454, Clark reflected in 2012, “The movie downplayed me immensely. I’m a much more formidable individual, not afraid of bureaucracy, not afraid of being on a Presidential board with Ronald Reagan. I believed in what I was doing. God put me here to raise hell and that’s what I did.”

When asked recently about conditions at Eastside High today, he replied, “I became depressed when I heard of the deterioration of that institution. I went there to show the world inner cities turn out academically inferior Americans. I left Newark and Eastside High because it was time for me to gather a more formidable audience. My work had

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brought cognizance to Their offspring include the educational debacle Joetta Clark Diggs, in America. When Dr. Bill president of Joetta Sports Bennett and the Reagan and Beyond. administration asked me “Joetta graduated to address the problems from the University of in our educational system, Tennessee in Knoxville I found out my efforts in and was a four-time education were laudable, Olympian,” Clark noted. but I had another mission Son J.J. (Joe Louis for this planet: a change Clark II), a graduate of in our country via our Villanova University and young people.” also an Olympic athlete, Undergoing opencoached for 10 years at heart surgery in May the University of Florida 1989, Clark gave up and is now head track teaching two months and field coach for both later. For the next 25 men and women at the years he hit the lecture University of Tennessee. circuit, convinced that Daughter Hazel Clark “the whale had finally Riley is a University of PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE CLARK WEBSITE outgrown the ocean.

Florida graduate and Joe Clark was known for using a bullhorn as well as the Decadence was etching three-time Olympian, public address system, which gave the illusion of him away at the fabric of both track and field. All being everywhere. our country. It was my three competed in the moral responsibility to 800-meter races. bring about some type of change working while in high school to “My daughter-in-law Jearl Miles to lift our young people out of the support his mother and siblings.

Clark,” he added, “went to Buchholz doldrums of stagnation.”

He received his B.A. from William in Gainesville, then to the Alabama One of the top five college Paterson College; his M.A. from A&M, and became a five-time lecturers, he was nominated for the Seton Hall University; did further Olympian in track in 2002.”

National Association of Campus graduate work at Rutgers; and His advice to parents: “Make Activities Speaker of the Year holds an honorary doctorate from certain you provide adequate Award in 1996 and published a book U.S. Sports Academy. direction, guidance and leadership entitled “Laying Down the Law.” “My instincts are basically to your progeny. I told my kids, ‘It’s In 1995 he took over Essex Southern,” he said. “I’ve been here college or death’— facetiously. The County Detention House in Newark, over 15 years, pleased with my deciessence of success is interwoven which he called, “New Jersey’s sion, ecstatic in fact, as is my wife with pertinacity, determination, and largest jail for youth. When they Gloria. Gainesville is known as one never giving up, continuously trying said no one could run it, my heart of the best cities to live in; I wanted to find your raison d’etre [reason for began to palpitate with glee. I knew to be near a college town and settled being]. Success wasn’t something it was the ultimate challenge. My in a house in Fletcher’s Mill. I also you’d expect of me, a poor, downbelief was reaffirmed about our have a farm in Newberry, ten acres trodden welfare boy from Georgia, young people. All incarcerated with horses. I am addicted to horses, but achievement came because I came from no homes, no mom and used to ride for miles. We spend knew my raison d’etre and I went or dad, struggling and embroiled most of our time in Newberry, from the depths of despair to the with drugs, shootings, not going where I used to grow vegetables. It’s methodical cadence of success.” to school, no guidance. Most had a massive operation, and now I’m How are America’s schools superb intellectual ability but had tired and weary of that. doing today? no chance in our society.”

“Gloria has been a most sup“We, as a nation, are in dire Eventually, he gravitated to porting wife. Without her, I would straits in many areas of the North Florida because “my roots are never have been able to endure the educational process. So often the in the South. I moved back as soon pain inflicted on me by adversarial blame for the deterioration is as I could.” forces. She is a very good person. put on teachers. But like all other Born in Rochelle, Georgia, on I’ve been blessed. My wife and I do professions there are few geniuses, May 7, 1938, Clark migrated north our own things, and always have, most are average, and there’s a with his family when he was 12, which has worked out fine.” liberal sprinkling of fools. Teachers

66 | Autumn 2012

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOE CLARK WEBSITE

ABOVE: Joe Clark at the inner-city school before he transformed it. To discipline graffiti artists, Clark got orange jump suits from the sheriff’s department and had students wear them and clean up the school grounds.

In 2005, Clark received an honorary doctorate from the US Sports Academy.

do a hell of a good job by and large under the circumstances that most confront. They are overworked, underpaid and maligned for the tragic state of affairs in our educational system. Our teachers perform in an exemplary manner.

“A large portion of the educational demise is directly related to the deterioration of the family structure. It would help immeasurably if children had parents who were dedicated and committed to their development as young, vibrant Americans. I believe that children who are born out of wedlock with no father and no mother are put in a precarious situation as relates to becoming productive citizens. If individuals choose to have children out of wedlock it should be their moral responsibility to take care of the children. It is not the government’s responsibility to take care of children brought into the world by individuals.”

What’s next for Joe Clark?

“My goal is not to make friends but to confront problems that

68 | Autumn 2012

are deleterious to the fate of our country. Poor family structures will be felt in high crime rates, unproductive citizens, and gradual breakdowns of all the values that have made America great.

“Concomitant with the aforementioned is a need to rethink the educational format. We must take the system back from the legal-minded, condescending bureaucratic louts and involve teachers, principals, parents and educators in the process of rethinking the educational paradigm. A very important factor is to acknowledge specifically that American blacks are academically inferior and this must be corrected.

This in no way is the responsibility of educators; it must be corrected by those individuals adversely affected. It requires massive efforts by a myriad of groups such as churches, sororities, fraternities, businesses, etc. Failure to react fervently will result in a needless societal calamity. A glance at the state of affairs relative to some

talented young people such as music, dress and deportment clearly indicates the exigency at hand. These vicissitudes must be confronted and changed.”

How such change can be implemented was suggested by Kenneth Tewel, a former high school principal and school administration teacher at Queens College, who asserted in TIME’s article on Clark, “You cannot use a democratic and collaborative style when crisis is rampant and disorder reigns. You need an autocrat to bring things under control.”

Alternately celebrated and scorned as a disciplinarian, Joe Louis Clark’s secret weapon is love, as Morgan Freeman demonstrated in “Lean on Me.” “If the kids didn’t love me,” Freeman said, echoing a familiar Clark refrain, “they’d take my baseball bat and megaphone and simultaneously wrap them around my neck.” s

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COLUMN >> ALBERT ISAAC

Different Note Our first home was nestled upon a corner lot that resembled a desert. desert complete with sand, cacti, weeds, tufts of Bahiagrass and a healthy crop of sandspurs. Ah, yes the dreaded spur, Cenchrus echinatus, which is Greek for “prickly thing that gets under your skin and remains for life.”

As we settled into our new home our daughter would regularly come limping into the house calling for me, spur embedded deep into a toe. I’d remove the spur with my bare hands, invariably spearing myself in the process. With every attempt to extract the barb, I would succeed only in relocating the cursed spine ball from one finger to another, my shrieks of agony amusing my daughter to no end.

The spurs had to go!

So Dad gave me an old blue lawnmower, which we imaginatively named Old Blue. It was an admirable machine and dispensed with the weeds and grass in short order. I adjusted it to the lowest possible height and pushed it up and back over the patches of spurs until a fog of sandy dust blew out the shoot. I felt like Pigpen from the Peanuts comics, as I walked along

A

behind the mower, enshrouded within a cloud of dirt.

Well, apparently sandspurs are actually seeds, born by the diabolical spur to spread itself to and fro.

Unbeknownst to me, with each pass of the mower I was re-seeding my yard — I mean sandpit. By the following season I had successfully cultivated an entire crop of wicked weed.

Dad, ever helpful, had several suggestions. One was for me to collect the spur seeds by walking around the yard in my socks. Another was to attach our youngest son to a piece of carpet and have our Dalmatian drag him about the yard. Dad didn’t realize that our dog wouldn’t set foot in that minefield.

I went to the feed store to buy some herbicide and asked the clerk the best method for eradicating the weed. A fellow in line was quick to answer.

“Fertilize ‘em!” he told me with great confidence.

“Fertilize the bejesus out of them and they’ll all die.”

The clerk behind him mouthed ‘no’ and shook his head with a look of wide-eyed, silent disagreement.

With my chemical arsenal in hand, I returned

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home and began my second assault. After mowing, I went back and sprayed the remaining shaved patches with weed killer. I had become an expert at sandspur recognition and could spot the distinctive spider-like formation of ghastly burs at 100 paces. I mowed and sprayed and plucked the weeds from the soil — and from my fingers.

I decommissioned Old Blue and bought a new mower equipped with a grass-catcher, because merely mowing the spurs was just — pardon the pun — not cutting it.

They are like spiders. Kill one and 10 million spring to life. And hidden amongst the shaven thatch were zillions of spurs that would consistently stick into the paws of our dog, the feet of our kids and the mouth of our cat, Princess.

Feline Spur-ectomies became common practice in our home. Whenever Princess drooled profusely and was unwilling to eat or drink I would fetch the hemostats. We’d wrap the uncooperative cat in a towel and when she opened her mouth to complain, I’d snatch out that malodorous, saliva-soaked spur with one rapid-fire movement. Princess would later reward me by urinating on my bed.

So now I was capturing these devilish landmines by

the billions, gathering them safely away into the farthest corner of my yard until I had amassed a gigantic haystack of sandspurs three stories in height. What to do now? Can’t bury them, they’re seeds.

Burn them! Burn them all!

I pulled out the grill, put in a pile and tried to light it on fire. It smoked mightily and pretended to ignite but for some reason refused to conflagrate. I worked for hours before finally dumping the pile out of the grill and storming into the house in bitter defeat.

Kicking back in my chair, I tried to relax and put it all behind me. But the spurs had other plans.

“Oh, honey,” my wife called out. “Our yard is on fire!”

Sure enough, those wicked weeds that had steadfastly refused to light had no problem bursting into flames once set free upon my lawn.

I raced out, grabbed the hose, prayed it didn’t tangle as I ran across the yard, and commenced to put out my flaming lawn before anyone could call the fire department.

Fortunately, I did not become an arsonist. And it’s good to know that thrash and burn techniques are still quite effective in yard and garden maintenance.

Ain’t no spurs in my yard now. s

Well, apparently sandspurs are actually seeds, born by the diabolical spur to spread itself to and fro.

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>> TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT

Rescuing the Helpless Gainesville’s Animal Rescues

BY MARY KYPREOS espite differences in colors, sizes and species, animals often hold a unique place in homes. They are siblings, children, and they often believe they are human, but they are not. For this reason, beloved pets suffer in silence during abuse and are often the first to be let go during economic troubles or family upheavals.

In some cases, pets are simply abandoned. In best-case scenarios, they are brought to the Alachua County Animal Services and given a chance to be adopted. Some of these animals may eventually find themselves in one of Gainesville’s non-euthanasia animal rescues.

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Regardless of where they end their journey, the mere fact that they were given up can stigmatize them, precluding re-adoption.

“Some people think that the animal was unwanted before, so there has to be a reason why. So that must mean [the animal] is unadoptable, when a lot of these animals are from unwanted litters.

Some of them just never had an owner that took the time to train them, so they have accidents in the house, but we train them, and they are perfectly good animals,” said Lindsey Hidenrite, shelter manager of the Gainesville Pet Rescue, in a phone interview.

Behavioral issues, such as a lack of house training, are not the main reason animal rescues have seen

an uptick in surrenders. In recent years, more animals have been surrendered because of the difficult economic climate that has caused owners to lose their homes, forcing them to move into pet-unfriendly apartments, or they are simply unable to afford the pet any longer.

At the same time, the reasons people surrender also contribute to the base of reasons why people choose to postpone or reject adopting a pet. This lack of adoptions then creates a larger financial burden on rescues, especially those that hold adoption agreements, requiring that surrendered pets always be returned to their rescues.

In earlier years, the Gainesville Pet Rescue saw between 45 and 50 adoptions per month, now

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PHOTO BY TJ MORRISSEY

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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PHOTOS PROVIDED COURTESY OF KIRK EPPENSTEIN AND LINDSEY HIDENRITE

“Often times, people view rescue animals as being damaged, and that is not really the case,” said Executive Director Kirk Eppenstein of the Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue. Dogs and cats are resilient and easily adapt.

What is the common personality trait shared by those who work at animal rescues? “Compassion,” said Shelter Manager Lindsey Hidenrite. “We want nothing but the best for every single animal that walks through our door.”

they have between 35 and 40.

Although this seems to be a small difference, the cost adds up when considering the amount of money spent on a cat or dog to prepare it for adoption, even with volunteer fostering to reduce the financial encumbrance.

“We provide everything. Food, supplies, medical treatment,” Hidenrite said. “The only thing [foster families] provide is a family and any training or medical visits.

They inform us of the personality of the animal, and they have to bring them to adoption events.”

For non-profit pet rescues that may be ineligible for state support and thus reliant on community donations, the greater number of pets with less financial support requires innovative methods.

“It is tough all around for everyone to get donations now,” said Executive Director Kirk Eppenstein of Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue during a phone interview. “We have to find creative ways to fundraise.”

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One method of fundraising for Haile’s Angels is through restaurant fundraisers. During a fundraising event, the rescue will receive a portion of the total cost of the bills, creating much needed revenue.

“We are trying to team with as many local businesses as we can, to not only help rescue animals, but also be a good community partner,” Eppenstein said, adding that in the past, Haile’s Angels has partnered with Beef O’Brady’s, Gator’s Dockside, Tasty Buddha, Haile Village Bistro and others.

Although Haile’s Angels is in a unique situation in Gainesville because it is associated with the Haile’s Plantation Animal Clinic and thus receives discounted medical care, the rescue still spends between $350 to $500 per animal, with an adoption costing only $159.

However, because of its association, the rescue is also able to take in sick and injured animals that other rescues cannot afford.

Increases in both medical costs

and surrenders compounded with a decrease in adoptions means that local rescues have dwindling resources and cannot save as many animals from the Alachua County Animal Services’ euthanasia list as they would prefer.

A typical day for Hidenrite often begins at animal services to see what animals on the euthanasia list would be compatible with the Gainesville Pet Rescue. Despite her love and compassion for animals, tough choices are necessary, even if it leads to euthanizing a potentially loving pet.

“Rescues in general reduce the amount of animals that are being euthanized,” she said. “You can see a huge difference in counties that have a good rescue system compared to those who don’t,” she said.

As every dollar earned through fundraising counts, so too counts the rescue of each animal from euthanasia. Eppenstein estimates that over the past 10 years, euthanasia in Alachua County has been

Pure Adopting Breed-specific animal rescues are not managed differently than general animals rescues; however, they are in a unique position to offer potential adopters the breed they prefer at a fraction of the cost of a breeder.

Although it may still take time to find a younger puppy, finding a rescue dog in a specific breed is as easy as typing the breed and city into an online search engine. For example, a search for “poodle rescue + Gainesville,” will direct to the Coastal Poodle Rescue, a pure-breed and mixed poodle rescue serving the eastern part of Florida.

“We have a stringent procedure,” said Dana Hedrick of Coastal Poodle Rescue. “When a poodle comes in, it is immediately taken to the veterinarian to be evaluated for medical needs.”

All poodles are then kept a minimum of two weeks for evaluation. During this period, the dog’s personality, wants and needs are evaluated so that the rescue may more successfully place the poodle with the right family. If it is found that a dog needs a longer period of time for medical treatments or adjustments, then it is simply kept in a foster home until it is ready for adoption.

“Most problems can be worked through with time and patience,” Hedrick said. But “it is very rewarding to see the dogs trot off and go to a happy new forever home.”

Mimi and Richard Simon are only one family of many who adopted two senior poodles from Coastal Poodles.

“It is good for the community, as it educates every age group in the importance of reaching out to anyone, including animals, to provide care and love,” Mimi said. “I think it is especially important for children to learn that people and pets are not just ‘throw aways’ if they are less than perfect, deformed or old.”

www.VisitOurTowns.com www.V

Local Rescues Alachua County Humane Society 4205 NW Sixth St. 352-373-9522 www.alachuahumane.org Gainesville Pet Rescue 5403 SW Archer Road 352-692-4776 www.gainesvillepetrescue.org Gainesville Rabbit Rescue 352-528-5591 www.gainesvillerabbitrescue.org Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue 5231 SW 91st Drive 352-377-6003 www.hailesangels.org Paws on Parole 352-264-6881 352-213-1241 Phoenix Animal Rescue www.phoenixanimalrescue.org Puppy Hill Farm 352-478-1444 www.puppyhillfarm.com S.P.C.A 3736 SW Archer Road, Petsmart 352-473-8276 spcagainesville.webs.com EVERY EFFORT WAS MADE TO COMPILE COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR THE RESCUES SHOWN.

Breed-Specific Rescues Boxer Aid and Rescue Coalition www.boxerarc.org Coastal Poodle Rescue www.coastalpoodlerescue.org Florida Shar-Pei Rescue www.floridasharpeirescue.com New Rattitude www.newrattitude.org Operation Pitnip www.westendanimal.com Suncoast Basset Rescue www.suncoastbassetrescue.org

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PHOTOS PROVIDED COURTESY OF KIRK EPPENSTEIN AND LINDSEY HIDENRITE

“I am a firm believer that these animals enrich people’s lives,” said Executive Director Kirk Eppenstein of the Haile’s Angels Pet Rescue. “I see it everyday.”

LEFT: Heather Thomas, the executive director of the Gainesville Pet Rescue, weens a puppy. Shelter Manager Lindsey Hidenrite explained one of the Gainesville Pet Rescue’s long-term goals: “We educate the public on proper animal ownership. If someone comes into to adopt, we do not just hand them a puppy.”

Heather provides much needed love and attention to Lexie (below), a recent addition to the Gainesville Pet Rescue. Lexie was rescued from an abuse situation where she was living outside on a chain. She accidentally smothered her last litter of puppies while trying to keep them warm.

reduced by 60 percent.

The Gainesville Rabbit Rescue is fortunate in that it has the resources to take in every rabbit from the Alachua Animal Services that is healthy enough.

“We take as many rabbits from kill facilities in Florida as possible,” said Executive Director Kathy Finelli in a phone interview.

The Gainesville Rabbit Rescue also relies on donations and foster care, but unlike rescues that focus solely on cats and dogs, rabbit lovers must also face the emotional distress of knowing that rabbits are not protected under Florida law. This means that rabbits can be sold as young as two weeks old, while kittens and puppies cannot be legally sold until they are at least eight weeks old. However, bunnies still

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suffer emotional issues from being separated early from their parents, just as puppies and kittens do.

“We would wish for them to have the same protection under the law as cats and dogs,” Finelli said.

This is not to say that dog or cat rescues do not save emotionally distressed animals, or that it is impossible for them to suffer abuse.

However, cat and dog owners do not have to see their beloved pets slaughtered for human consumption and fur, or fed to captive animals, such as snakes.

“When it comes to pet rabbits, we definitely have other issues affecting rescues that dog and cat rescues don’t,” she said.

Regardless of their differences, both the Gainesville Rabbit Rescue and traditional cat and dog rescues in the area have specific requirements for adoptions.

At the rabbit rescue, potential candidates must fill out an application, complete a phone interview, and possibly have a home visit. The Gainesville Pet Rescue and Haile’s

Angels Pet Rescue are also a bit more circumspect with adoptions.

“One of the things we do is to educate the potential adopter about what it means to adopt a pet,” Eppenstein said, adding that depending on the age, an animal can be an 18- to 20-year commitment.

For those who are unable or unwilling to commit to the life or cost of an animal, fostering is always an option. Many local animal rescues utilize fostering as a secondary or primary shelter for animals.

“If they can’t foster, they can certainly come and volunteer to walk dogs or help with the animal care, and that is something that happens seven days a week, 365 days a year,” he said. s The Alachua County Humane Society was recently the victim of a burglary and theft. The financial loss and repairs are devastating and directly impact its ability to serve the animals of Alachua County. Please consider donating even a few dollars to help the Humane Society recover from this terrible setback. www. alachuahumane.org/content/donate

Janice and Rocky I met Rocky while doing a story about Animal Rescue Friends of Gilchrist County and instantly fell in love with him. He was one of 113 dogs rescued from a hoarding situation in Arkansas and was brought to Florida for adoption through ARF. Rocky loves to run, jump, play and learn new tricks — especially when cookies are involved. He is quite the charmer, easily able to cheer up anyone by standing on his hind legs or snorting in someone’s hair. And he is a brave and noble warrior, defending the backyard against a daily onslaught of squirrels. But most of all, he is a sweet and affectionate dog who enjoys a good cuddle with the family!

Mary, Chucky and Shelly Chuckie and Shelly came to my husband, Nick, and I from the Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue. Although we were officially undecided, I knew Chuckie and Shelly were for me, and they did come home with us that day in December 2011. Having spent a year in the rescue, the bonded pair had somewhat forgotten their house-trained ways, but that was easily cured with some patience. Chuckie immediately bonded deeply to to me and Shelly somewhat prefers Nick but retains her independence. Now six years old, they’ve adjusted wonderfully into our lives and are always ready to either play or cuddle; with careful supervision, they’ve even learned proper etiquette around our guinea pigs.

Cam and Shorty Back in March of this year, Pam and Camryn went to the Gainesville Pet Rescue to see about getting a dog.

While there, they were looking at a particular dog, walking her, getting to know her.

Before making a decision, Cam walked around the corner and this little dog jumped out of the fence, ran to her and licked her. Cam said, “Can I have this one?”

So Shorty picked Cam. Now they are now the best of friends. They run and play tag and Shorty even jumps on the trampoline. She has learned how to walk up the steps and get on the trampoline.

Shorty is about seven months old and eats everything in sight.

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Jewel, Lumen and Dexter Last January, my fiancé, Joey, and I decided to adopt our first puppy. We went to an animal shelter, and I fell in love with this tiny, timid black ball of innocence. Unlike her sister, she was sitting in the corner of the cage with the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen. At that moment, we knew she was ours. We named her Lumen. In June, Lumen needed her Rabies vaccine, so Joey took her to the humane society where a woman approached him with a male, brindle puppy that she needed to give away. I remember Joey walking through the door with Lumen on a leash and this tiny, tiger-striped puppy in his hands. We wanted to find Dexter a home, a good home, but we decided that he now had one — with us. There is not a day that they don’t bring us joy. Instead of coming to an empty home, we are greeted by wagging tails and kisses. I would not trade them for the world.

Dru and Nova Nova and her brother Sagan were strays rescued

by Alachua County Animal Services. In 2004, the two dogs were found on a country road outside of Newberry after Nova had been hit by a car. She was unable to walk due to broken hips and back legs, but her brother would not leave her side. Covered in fleas, blood, and starving, the two dogs were fostered by a UF Veterinary School Student, Cassidy Rist.

Sagan was soon adopted to a kind family. Through the students at the vet school, Nova received the care she needed to recover from her injuries. After surgery, I nursed Nova back to health. I am pleased to say she has recovered very well. She got a second chance that many dogs don’t. She is a happy, healthy, sweetheart of a dog and I love her.

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Lauren, Charlie and Rosie Meet Rosie and her two partners in crime, Lauren and Charlie Delatorre. Rosie came to us almost five years ago from Puppy Hills Farms, a local animal shelter.

Always happy, easygoing and permanently fixated on squirrels, Rosie became a part of the family as soon as Lauren chose her from a litter of puppies. She is always ready for an adventure and doesn’t quite understand when the kids run out to play and she is somehow left inside. Luckily, that doesn’t happen very often, as her favorite thing to do is, well, anything with her two buddies.

Katrina and Holly In late 2009, Alachua County Animal Services received an anonymous tip about a dog tied up outside a house in Northeast Gainesville. The agency found an unresponsive and extremely malnourished female dog curled in a ball. She was tied to a four-foot metal chain with empty food and water bowls nearby. Only a day or two from death, she underwent a blood transfusion and was nursed back to health by the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After an intense adoption process including several home visits, Holly was eventually adopted to Katrina Ciccarelli in March 2010. She now lives her days on Lake Newnan with a caring mother and three cats. She loves nothing more than belly rubs and treats, especially mozzarella cheese.

Hank and Gabby I adopted Gabby in the Spring of 2009 when she was about 11 months old. She’d been found several weeks prior on abandoned farmland by a woman named Diane Biernacki. Gabby was sick and very malnourished. Diane nursed her back to health and arranged her adoption on Petfinder.com through Newberry Animal Hospital.

Nowadays, Gabby is perfectly healthy and happy — perhaps a bit spoiled even. She’s full of energy, but also loves to snuggle up for a quality cuddle session.

I love her more than anything. She’s an absolute sweetheart and truly is my best friend.

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>> SANCTUARY

Hog Heaven A Perfect Place For Pigs Just East of Town

BY JEWEL MIDELIS ecently Harry, the potbelly pig, was found running lose at 34 Street and University Ave. A few students noticed this animal — that was obviously out of place — and called the Rooterville Pig Sanctuary for assistance. The Sanctuary instructed the students to leave food for him, and he would certainly come their way.

The plan worked and Harry now resides at the Rooterville Sanctuary, although the reason Harry was roaming around the streets still remains a mystery.

Located in Melrose is a safe haven for unwanted, neglected or abused pigs. They differ in sizes,

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shapes and species. Each of their stories is different. There are also a few horses, dogs, cows, turkeys and a goat named Jethro thrown into the mix too.

Elaine and Dale West incorporated the nonprofit, no-kill organization seven years ago at

“We would have 500 if we could, but there should be only 10 pigs per acre,” Elaine said in an interview at her farm. “We are just about at full capacity and only take emergencies.”

Elaine, Dale and Dale’s son are currently the only ones managing

“We would have 500 if we could, but there should be only 10 pigs per acre.” their previous location in Archer.

Last year, they relocated to 20 acres of hills, pastures and farmland. The couple now has close to 120 pigs.

Elaine said that the sanctuary receives calls nearly everyday from people of all ages and genders that want to give their pig away.

the pig sanctuary.

“We need volunteers and people who are looking for work,” Dale said. “We are looking for responsible, self-motivated individuals that have energy.”

“The more help we get, the more help we can give,” Elaine added. s

PHOTOS BY JEWEL MIDELIS

Pigs of all shapes, am sizes and colors roam throughout the 20 acres at Rooterville. All off the pigs are provided with the al care, appropriate medical food and love. d Dale BELOW: Elaine and e of West pose with one their many pigs at their lieve in sanctuary. They believe y way a vegan lifestyle by mple, of “setting an example, ic, educating the public, on, tabling and exhibition, d outreach events and eful projects, and peaceful demonstration.�

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he hours immediately after a hospital stay or medical procedure are often little more than a blur. Between the rush of last-minute instructions and the possible side-effects of anesthesia, many Seniors arrive home in a sea of confusion.

Mederi Caretenders of Gainesville can help with its concierge service. Within four hours of discharge from a hospital, clinic or other medical center, a Caretenders client is visited by a homecare nurse who checks vital signs, assesses the safety of the home environment, assists with paperwork and discusses symptoms, side effects and medications needed during recovery.

The goal is to ensure the client’s safety and comfort so he or she feels more confident and independent.

“When the elderly go to the ER and then they’re sent back home, they’re often at a loss as to what they need to watch out for,” said Pamela Morgan, Executive Director of Mederi Caretenders. “They’re told before they’re discharged that they need to watch out for certain signs and symptoms, but they don’t always hear everything they need to hear at that time because of nerves and not being at home. At home they’re a little more relaxed and they’ll hear more.”

The homecare nurse also looks for potentially hazardous situations in the client’s home. A pet cleanliness issue could increase the chance of infection; stairs into a sunken living room can be a safety concern for someone recovering from a broken bone. A doctor at the hospital might not know about such factors, but Caretenders personnel make sure that they are addressed.

Concierge care does not stop, however, after that four-hour window. The days that follow can still bring uncertainty, so Caretenders makes its nurses available 24/7.

“If something happens during the night – if they get scared because they’re bleeding or they’re in pain – they can call and talk to a nurse, and the nurse can go out and see them if they need us there,” said Morgan.

The concierge service is not a separate charge and falls under standard home care, with Medicare covering the costs. It’s yet another way that Mederi Caretenders helps Seniors to ensure their independence.

“After a surgical procedure or day stay, you don’t always hear the important things you need to hear,” said Morgan. “We’re an extra set of eyes and ears to make sure they’re watching for any complications that they could have.”

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>> CHEERS

The Days of Wine Florida has a Surprising Niche in Winemaking

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN hhhh, Florida. The Sunshine State. Down where the old Gators play. The Mouse House. Land of endless beaches. The birthplace of American wine.

Wait... what?

Before breaking into a refrain of “One of these things is not like the other...” consider that the first wine ever produced in the present-day United States was bottled in what is now St. Augustine. When the French Huguenots settled there in

A

1562, they noticed the abundance of wild muscadine grapes growing in the region. From these grapes they produced their first batch of wine — centuries before winemaking states like California were even established.

Today, Florida boasts 16 certified Florida farm wineries that make wine not only from the native muscadines and hybrid grapes, but also from blueberries, oranges, strawberries, mangoes, coconuts, key limes and even avocados.

As with most agricultural efforts, winemakers tend to work with

whatever grows well in their area, and just about any fruit will do the trick.

“All you do is use any fruit that has sugar in it,” said Max Rittgers, who co-owns the Dakotah Winery in Chiefland with his son, Rob. “And you have naturally occurring yeast.

The yeast literally eats the sugar and releases carbon dioxide and alcohol.”

Most area wineries have free tastings during which visitors can sample the varieties produced on site. In addition to grape wines, one can also find such alternatives as port (a noble wine fortified with

PHOTO BY JANICE KAPLAN

The 60-acre vineyard at Dakotah Winery in Chiefland. A sight normally expected to be seen in the hills of Northern California, such pastoral vineyards are actually quite common in North Central Florida.

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brandy), sherry (a similarly fortified carlos wine) and blueberry wine.

Rittgers even makes a non-alcoholic muscadine juice.

In North Central Florida, the fruit of choice is usually the muscadine grape, which flourishes in the hot, humid southeast. Found in two main varieties — carlos (white) and noble (red) — muscadines have skin that is tougher and thicker than that of traditional red grapes. This makes them more resistant to weather extremes, pests and diseases fostered by the southern climate.

According to Ecoastwines.com — an electronic anthology of news, history and general information about east coast wines — muscadine grapes were first spotted by Europeans in 1524 when Giovanni de Verrazzano saw them in North Carolina while on an expedition for France. The American Indians in the area used the grapes to make food, drink and medicine; as more

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explorers arrived in the New World, more mentions were made of this plentiful fruit.

Once the French Huguenots fostered the birth of American wine, Spanish Huguenots followed suit by establishing vineyards to produce wine for sacramental use in churches. As word spread of the Huguenots’ success, more settlers wished to produce wine using their European vitis vinifera grapes. But attempts to plant these vines in Florida faltered, as they were no match for Florida’s heat, rain, insects and disease. While this agricultural failure stunted the area’s burgeoning wine industry, the cultivation of muscadines was still successful and production of wines made from the durable fruit continued for hundreds of years via small farms.

The industry found new life in the 1930s, however, when the University of Florida released several

varieties of Hybrid bunch grapes.

“There are two kinds of wild grape species that have always been in Florida — the muscadine and the wild bunch grapes,” said Dr. Dennis Gray, a University of Florida professor and grape researcher in a recent telephone interview.

He explained that the bettertasting muscadines grow in smaller clusters (rather than bunches) and therefore take longer to harvest.

“The Florida Hybrid bunch grapes were produced by crossing these wild bunch grapes with commercial vitas vinifera varieties.”

The tastiness of the commercial fruit teamed with the more disease-resistant native grapes produced crops that could be grown in the Florida climate, quickly harvested and made into a wide selection of wines. The new varieties were named Stover, Blanc Du Bois, Suwannee and Miss Blanc, and these additional

FROM OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT TO RIGHT

Reminders of the beginnings of winemaking in North Central Florida.

While state-of-the-art equipment is used in production of today’s wines, Dakotah Winery owner Max Rittgers prefers using handcrafted French barrels to age his products.

Muscadine grapes thrive in the hot Florida sun thanks in part to their thick, tough skins.

A piece of the “mother vine” of all cultivated muscadine grapes. The main mother vine is in Manteo, North Carolina and is believed to be the nation’s oldest cultivated grapevine.

Most winery shops offer not only wines but also locally-made gifts and novelty items.

PHOTOS BY JANICE KAPLAN

choices spurred a resurgence in Florida winemaking.

“The real standout is Blanc du Bois, and it makes an extremely high-quality white wine,” Gray said in a recent telephone interview.

Gray is now working toward creating disease-resistant, seedless muscadine grape varieties. “The other ones that have had success making wine are Stover and Suwannee.”

Today, Florida produces nearly two million gallons of wine per year, and as of 2009 it ranked sixth in the country behind California, Washington, Oregon, New York and Kentucky. While traditional wines like chardonnays and cabernet sauvignons remain the most popular choices among Americans, Florida’s muscadine and hybrid wines have carved their own niche in the minds of adventurous oenophiles.

“Muscadine wines are very hearty wines. They can be fullbodied and very fruity,” said Dave

DaCasto, owner of Tangled Oaks Winery in Grandin, in a telephone interview. “The vinifera wines in the U.S. are typically dry, whereas muscadines are typically sweetened to an extent [because of their bold nature].”

Hybrid wines are a bit drier, DaCasto said.

“The Blanc Du Bois tastes to me like a dry Riesling,” he said. “It has a wheaty taste. It’s a nice wine.”

Although sweet wines such as muscadines are usually associated with desserts, the normal standards of traditional wine and food pairings can also be followed — noble reds with meat and pasta, carlos whites with chicken and seafood. In addition to their availability at tastings, Florida wines can be bought online from their respective wineries. They are also sold or served at Gainesville establishments such as Ward’s Supermarket, Half Cork’d, The Wine

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and Cheese Gallery, the Citizens’ Co-Op and Tipples Brewery.

With such a thriving base to produce a wide range of products, why is it that vino from the Sunshine State is just now catching on?

DaCasto explained that most wine enthusiasts are simply used to the longstanding precedents set by more traditional wines over the centuries.

“The traditional wines of Europe were dry, so everybody thinks that’s how all wines should taste,” he said.

“But in many countries, sweet wines are very common. It’s all in the head.

Think about it — you buy a hamburger and some fries, and you get a Coke. You eat a pizza with a Coke.

You have lots of food with sweet drinks, but it’s not usual to have a sweet wine like a noble with food.”

A visit to a local winery is a great way to acquaint oneself with the unique southern flavors of Florida wines. In the relaxed atmosphere, winery employees and owners can

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explain the nuances of each variety and suggest vintages to take home.

Many establishments also sell locally made gifts and companion products such as sauces, soaps, jams, t-shirts, bottle toppers, bottle openers and more.

In addition to producing wine, Florida wineries can also serve an additional purpose — stewards of the land. At the Dakotah Winery, Rittgers’ 60 acres of vines have proven to be an ecologically sound and efficient business.

“One of the great things about vineyards is the spiritual dimension of the eternal; you can produce a crop of grapes every year for 50 years with no replanting,” Rittgers

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said. “Imagine if a person planted corn or watermelon one time, and it would last 50 years!”

The vineyard is also an Audubon sanctuary. Rittgers allows birds to feast on the grapes as they grow on the vines, without restriction. And no pesticides are used anywhere in the vineyard. Rittgers said they are not necessary because of the hardiness of muscadine grapes.

The love of winemaking is evident in Rittgers’ eyes and voice as he speaks of the age-old craft that he is honored to bring to North Central Florida. In and around his store, winemaking equipment dating back to Civil War times is displayed in reverence.

The contraptions are a far cry from his modern wine cellar and its gleaming metal filter, towering fermentation tanks and a bottling machine that can fill and seal a case of wine in just 45 seconds.

Yet, with all of the advances in wine production today, he is quick to point out that the process itself is relatively unchanged since biblical times. It is a fact that simultaneously fascinates and humbles him.

“Right in here, you’re looking at the essence of the wine trade.

Nothing here is new,” he said.

“It’s an ancient process. We never invented it; we stood on the shoulders of giants.” s

HOMESPUN SPIRITS s with the home brewing of beer, home winemaking is a fulfilling hobby that has become more popular with Florida’s abundance of naturally growing grapes, citrus and other fruit. Some hobbyists choose to grow their own produce for use in wine production, while others frequent u-pick farms and other agricultural resources.

“It’s an exciting hobby,” said Don Johnson, a home wine hobbyist in Davenport, Fl. “We do personalized labels for birthdays, weddings, even though I’m going to be 80 soon. There’s no subject I’d rather talk about!”

Don and his wife, Mary, started making their own wine 14 years ago after Don helped establish the Florida Grape Growers Association (FGGA), an organization dedicated to winery owners, farmers, hobbyists and viticulture science professionals.

“We made some wine and

A

people said, ‘Boy your wine is good!’” he said. “So we entered the [FGGA’s] international show and we got a medal. Since then we’ve taken 96 entries to the show and 93 have medaled. A number have been best of show.”

They estimate that during their winemaking years they have

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produced about 5,000 bottles of noble wine, all of which has been given away to friends, family and church.

No permit is required to produce wine at home. However, there is a legal limit of 200 gallons per year for the head of a household or 100 gallons per year for an individual over the legal drinking age. The

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• Wine yeast and yeast nutrients • Sulfur dioxide (for preservation) • A siphon to remove the wine when fermentation is complete • Wine bottles (clean screw-cap bottles will work fine to start)

PHOTO BY JANICE KAPLAN

The Dakotah Winery in Chiefland, Florida.

wine must be for personal use and cannot be sold.

To produce wine at home the FGGA details some essential components. These can usually be purchased online or at local homebrewing or wine hobby stores, either individually or as

Haven’t you

waited long enough?

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part of a kit: • A device for extracting juice from fresh fruit • A fermentation container (a plastic wastebasket or gallon glass cider jug are good options for the novice) • A water seal

There are many recipes and procedures that can be followed to make wine at home, depending upon preference and experience.

Mary Johnson emphasizes cleanliness within reason (“Sanitation, not sterilization,” she said) and a healthy dose of patience, as the process can take several months or even years once fermentation and aging are taken into account.

Don Johnson suggests that hobbyists also join the FGGA, which provides networking and educational opportunities on grape growing and winemaking and holds its annual international wine competition every February at the Florida State Fair. s For more information about home winemaking, visit www.fgga.org.

To Your Health It is a popular toast said by friends and family enjoying a glass of wine together. But many people are unaware of the multitude of health benefits provided by the muscadine grape — some of which eclipse the traditional red grape wines often cited as a factor in heart health and low cholesterol levels.

For starters, flavonoids such as those found in muscadines have been found to reduce blood clots and help prevent heart disease.

Muscadines also contain six times the amount of reservatrol found in traditional red wine grapes.

Reservatrol is an antioxidant that is believed to help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels and prevent blood clots. The Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study is also sponsoring research into reservatrol’s effectiveness in delaying or preventing dementia. And a study

published in the May 2008 issue of Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that resveratrol inhibited ed the growth of human uman breast cancer cells. ells.

Muscadines might also be a key fighter of other forms of cancer.

A 2007 study from om the National Institutes utes of Health and the National Cancer ancer Institute states that an extract from the skin of muscadine grapes inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells while leaving normal prostate cells unharmed. And according to the United States Department of Agriculture, the ellagic acid found in the fruit is thought to protect against cancer caused by chemicals.

Now is the time.

Muscadine grapes are a good source of manganese, which helps the formation of connective tissue and is necessary for brain and nerve function. Three and a half ounces of muscadine grapes contain the full amount of manganese recommended per day by the National Academy of Sciences. s

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DENTURES SO NATURAL only you and your dentist will know Don’t let your confidence fade and appearance transform because of teeth loss. Socialize with friends!

Laugh until your tummy hurts, enjoy the finest wines, dance until your feet go numb and get your life back!

T

he best accessory is always a beautiful smile.

It used to be that people felt tooth loss was inevitable with aging, but research shows that’s no longer the case-many people will go their entire lives with their original teeth. But when teeth do need to be replaced, there are more options than ever to mimic what Mother Nature intended, and no one but you and your dentist need know which are natural and which are not.

An estimated 33 million people, from all walks of life and of all ages, wear dentures. Today’s dentures bear little resemblance to those from generations past. And while many still feel dentures are a taboo topic, think about other such taboos that have fallen by the wayside, hair color, cosmetic surgery, Botox — these are taken for granted nowadays. And whether you want everyone to know or just you, dentures can be a comfortable, beautiful solution.

Fooling Mother Nature Dentures can be conventional or implant-supported for better retention. Every person’s mouth is unique, and a specialist can create a custom fit to ensure a natural-looking and functioning smile. Paivi Samant, M.A., D.D.S. specializes in prosthodontics, or the esthetic replacement and restoration of teeth.

In addition to their years of training in dentistry, prosthodontists complete three years of training in complex dentistry. When it comes to a person’s smile, Dr. Samant says there is no one-size-fits-all.

“We look at a number of factors when creating our

The changes in technology seen by the dental industry over recent years are extraordinary improvements in materials and techniques — meaning dentures are more comfortable than ever before, and you have the choice between picture-perfect, or perfectly natural.”

– Paivi Samant, M.A., D.D.S. Prosthodontist

“They really feel natural!

It brings you back to just being normal. Recovery was no time.”

— Mrs. B.

MRS. B.: OLD DENTURES

patients’ treatment plans, with the goal of getting each person back to optimal function-feeling good, looking good, eating and speaking well.”

Each denture is custom-designed to provide the best look and feel. The smallest adjustments can make all the difference. For example, slightly longer teeth can create a younger-looking smile, because teeth wear down over years of use. The most important thing, says Dr. Samant, is to replace missing teeth as soon as possible, even if a short-term solution must be used. “It doesn’t take very long for your bite to change, and that can lead to problems with eating and talking. The mouth and jaw can also start losing their shape, making people look much older and making for more difficult work down the road.”

Advanced Technology Dr. Samant says that with today’s materials, quality dentures are difficult to detect by regular folks, even close-up. Latest advances in denture teeth and resins help make a natural-looking smile that lasts for years. Tooth patterns can imitate the exact shape and size of original teeth and the base of a full denture, made to look like natural gums, is also made from the latest acrylic materials, “With these

Dentistry by Dr. Samant, VITA DENTURE TEETH, IDA LAB

MRS. B.: NEW DENTURES

new materials, that make such natural looking teeth, you’d never know they weren’t yours,” assures Dr. Samant. Mrs. M., a very satisfied patient, agrees: “Even people that know me very well my mother, my sister — people don’t know unless I tell them.”

It does require a little patience, however, to mimicor improve upon Mother Nature. No two dentures, even for the same person, will be exactly alike.

Impressions of the mouth are made, custom trays to mold the dentures are created, precise measurements to determine exactly how the teeth will look and align — all go into making a first wax denture. Even better, says Dr. Samant, this will soon be done digitally. Most people need a few days to try their new teeth out to see how they fit and feel and to get a second opinion from their family and friends.

“Ultimately, you must decide if it’s you,” she says.

From there, the final denture is made, and after what for most people is a short adjustment period, it’s time to enjoy that perfect smile again. The final step to keeping that perfect smile perfect, reminds Dr. Samant, is regular check-ups, needed to make sure the dentures remain a perfect fit. And, daily care of these teeth is just as important as it was for the original set. With that, you‘ll be all smiles for years to come.

352.376.5120 SamantDentalGroup.com 2727 NW 43rd St., Suite 8 Thornebrook Complex

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>> EQUIPPING YOUNG MEN FOR LIFE

Reichert House A Quarter Century of “Respect, Restraint And Responsibility”

BY JANICE C. KAPLAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TJ MORRISSEY

ainesville Police Chief Tony Jones will never forget the day he sent a limousine to pick up some of his Reichert House students to take them to dinner.

They had all achieved at least a 3.0 in their studies, and the trip to the restaurant was their surprise reward.

“I came by to see how the kids were going to react when the limo pulled up,” Jones said. “Just to show you the depth of where they came from, one kid came up asked, ‘Sir, who died?’ We said ‘This is for you.’

They were ecstatic.”

It is one of the many ways the Reichert House makes a difference in the lives of at-risk Gainesville boys who are often caught in the cycle of drugs, crime and gangs.

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Under the adage of “Much is given to you, much is expected of you,” the organization’s mission is to teach young men about themselves and how to develop and achieve goals that will make them exemplary citizens of tomorrow.

Students in the program come to the house every day after school for academic help, vocational and etiquette training, anger and stress management techniques and mental health services when needed. Nightly meals served in a traditional family setting and paramilitary-style discipline provide stability for children who generally do not have structured home lives. The students also perform community service projects such as cleaning up

graffiti, building picnic tables and teaching their peers about the law.

All activities are conducted keeping in mind what the organization calls “The Three Rs:” respect, restraint and responsibility.

For 25 years, the Reichert House has served a portion of the population that often sees illegal activity as the only way of life.

“We truly want the most at-risk kids,” Jones said. “They come from disorganized families and disorganized communities. Some of them may have run-ins with the justice system, or perhaps they are associating themselves with a negative group of peers. Those are the kids we want.”

The organization was established in 1987 when a small

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“They call it the prison pipeline, going from the classroom to the prison if you fail. We’re trying to interrupt that pipeline.”

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group of young men were brought together by then-Sergeant Tony Jones and the late Richard Baxter, at the time a counselor at the Corner Drug Store. They met once a week to talk about their lives and receive guidance towards a healthy and productive life.

Within a short time the group included 25 students and outgrew its meeting space. With the assistance of the Gainesville Builder’s Association, the program staff and students fixed up a house in southeast Gainesville that the Reichert family had donated to the state. The group set up operations there and was renamed the Reichert House. Through a federal grant obtained with the help of then-Congresswoman Karen Thurman, Jones introduced academic tutoring.

“They call it the prison pipeline, going from the classroom to the prison if you fail. We’re trying to interrupt that pipeline,” Jones said.

“We’re encouraging kids that they can achieve academically. With many of these kids, that is their only ticket out. They say, ‘I want to be a basketball player, I want to be a football player.’ But I always say, ‘What’s your insurance?’ Your insurance is your education.”

Reichert House students often take field trips to theme parks, restaurants, political offices and college campuses. Such trips do more than give incentive for positive behavior; they also expose the students to new experiences and broaden their worldview.

During one recent outing the boys learned to water ski. In other instances they have spoken with politicians and tackled challenge courses on Parris Island, S.C. They have visited cities they might never have seen, do activities they never thought of before, and met peers who are living examples of what life can be like when they contribute positively to the community.

Students eligible for the Reichert House must meet a set of at-risk criteria as defined

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“Much is given to you, much is expected of you.”

by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in Washington, D.C. Some of the students are referred by schools, parents, the courts or public housing organizations. Others, like house alumnus Ahipo Doualehi, hear about it from their friends.

“Some young gentlemen in my middle school were about to catch a ride to Reichert House and they were saying how much fun they had and talked about the places they went,” Doualehi said. He

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had attended Reichert House in the mid-1990s. “I overheard them talking and I wanted to see what it was like, and they allowed me to come that day. I didn’t have a male figure that I respected in my life.

Having officers there who could lead us and guide us and teach us things helped a lot.”

Doualehi went on to the University of Florida, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in commercial recreation and now serves as a GPD officer. He is also

an outspoken advocate for the Reichert House, often meeting with politicians and other community leaders to raise awareness for the organization and its mission.

“For some of the kids, it’s their last opportunity,” he said. “The Reichert House has turned them into citizens who are productive and successful. It’s not just a system to keep the kids out of trouble. People are really pouring their lives into them.”

His is one of many success

stories for Reichert House students. One house graduate is studying podiatry at Barry University. Another has a master’s degree and owns two construction companies and a fitness franchise.

Still more serve in a variety of capacities, from correctional officers to FedEx drivers. What matters most to Jones is not the level of academic success they achieve, but the positive impact they have on their communities.

“We want them to be taxpayers

instead of tax-takers,” he said.

“Most times when they’re taxtakers they’re incarcerated. So if they are taxpayers they are contributing to society.”

While Jones has been the Reichert House’s driving force from the beginning, he emphatically credits executive director John Alexander and the program’s staff for the work they do.

“It takes a very special staff person to work in a program such as this,” he said. “It takes an

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encourager, it takes someone who is dedicated and committed to doing the follow up to see that this child is successful and reaching the goals that they have set for themselves.

“It’s a long road, and there are good days and there are not-sogood days. But when you go to a graduation ceremony and you look at that labor between the school, the parent and that child... it’s all worth it in the end.” s For more information, visit the website at www.reicherthouse.org

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The Gainesville Civic Chorus & Philharmonic Orchestra Dr. Will Kesling, Conductor Perform in Concert

George Frideric Handel ’s

Saturday, December 8, 2012 University of Florida Auditorium This promises to be an amazing evening. Get your tickets early!

Website – www.GCChorus.org

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CALENDAR If you would like to have an event considered for publication in this calendar, please submit information directly. post 4400 NW 36th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32606 | e-mail editor@towerpublications.com | fax 352-373-9178

PICTURE / STORY II Through Sept. 29 Times Vary THOMAS CENTER - 302 NE 6 Ave. The collection of paintings in Picture/ Story II is built upon the observational, figurative work of 10 artists.

Displayed without titles, each artwork in the exhibition entices the viewer with a hint of narrative mystery.

352-393-8532.

www.gvlculturalaffairs.org.

SEASON OPENING GALA Friday, August 17 7:00pm - 10:00pm THE THOMAS CENTER 302 NE 6 Ave. The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre opens its 2012-2013 season with a bang, a celebration of the season-past and a happy anticipation of the one just ahead.

Admission is free. Meet the officers of ART and the directors of the seven plays scheduled for the season. 352-3711234. acrosstown.org.

TYLER’S HOPE FOR A DYSTONIA CURE GOLF TOURNAMENT Aug. 16 - Aug. 18 Times Vary GAINESVILLE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB - 7300 SW 35 Way. Tyler’s Hope for a Dystonia Cure Inc. is a local charity foundation, which raises funds to increase awareness, education, and research to cure type DYT1

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Dystonia worldwide.

Tyler’s Hope has awarded more than $1 million to the McKnight Brain Institute at Shands at the University of Florida.

A cure is within close reach. Gold Sponsor dinner the evening of Aug. 16. Golf club: 352372-1458. www.tylershope.org.

COOL MUSIC ON A ROCKIN’ HOT DAY! Saturday, August 18 3:00pm and 5:00pm THE THOMAS CENTER - 302 NE 6 Ave. Come chill out as the Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus sings. Tickets: $5.

352-378-6837. www.

gainesvillechorus.com.

MUSEUM TOURS Sunday, August 19 2:00pm HARN MUSEUM OF ART Hull Road and SW 34 St. Special theme, “A Fresh Start.” Welcome back students and professors. Kick-off the beginning of a new academic year at the Harn. Groups of 10 or more may schedule a tour at 352-392-9826, ext. 2149. 352-3929826. www.harn.ufl.edu.

GALLERY TALKS Sunday, August 19 3:00pm HARN MUSEUM OF ART Hull Road and SW 34 St. Dr. Rebecca Nagy, director, and Dr. Susan Cooksey, curator of African Art, will discuss the exhibition “Deep Roots, Bold Visions:

Self-Taught Artists of Alachua County.” 352392-9826. www.harn.ufl.edu.

BANKRUPTCY CLASS Wed., August 22 12:30pm - 4:30pm ALACHUA COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE - 2800 NE 39 Ave. Personal financial management program for people filing bankruptcy. This program is approved to issue certificates evidencing completion of a personal financial management instructional course in compliance with the bankruptcy code. $10 cash, must bring bankruptcy case number. 352-955-2402. alachua.ifas.ufl.edu.

YOUTH MINI FASHION SHOW Wednesday, August 22 3:00pm LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP 1130 NE 16 Ave. Want to model or rip the runway? Learn the technique and skills to walk the runway.

Refreshments will be provided. Please wear or bring outfits to model. 352-334-0165.

www.aclib.us.

HOW TO MAKE COMICS Thursday, August 23 5:30pm TOWER ROAD BRANCH LIBRARY - 3020 SW 75 St. Come learn how to make comics with author and artist Andre Frattino! 352-333-2840.

www.aclib.us.

DRAWER BOY Aug. 24 - Sept. 9 Times Vary ACROSSTOWN REPERTORY THEATRE - 619 S. Main St. Drama with a threeman cast. Two older farmers and a young playwright, who comes to their farm to write a play about Canadian farm life and elicits a dramatic change in the “stories” these two men have been telling about their lives together. 352371-1234. www.acrosstown.org

GRAPE STOMPIN’ Saturday, August 25 1:00pm BO DIDDLEY PLAZA Enjoy grape stomping activities along with wine tastings and food pairing tours at downtown establishments.

Schedule: 1 to 6 p.m., wine tasting and food-pairing tours, live music, silent auction; 3 p.m., Lucille Ball looka-like contest; 4 p.m., grape stompin’ finals; 5 to 6 p.m., live auction.

352-393-7527.

OTHER DESERT CITIES Aug. 29 - Sept. 23 Times Vary HIPPODROME THEATRE 25 SE 2 Place. The Hippodrome’s 40th anniversary season opens with one of Broadway’s most acclaimed productions of recent years, the Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony award-winning “Other Desert Cities.” This fast-paced production

brings together an unforgettable cast of characters, razor-sharp wit and a jaw-dropping plot twist. 352-3754477. www.thehipp.org

LABOR DAZE FESTIVAL Sunday, Sept. 2 5:00pm - 10:00pm BO DIDDLEY PLAZA - A rally for better jobs for Gainesville will be held for locals, by locals, about locals. There will be live local music, petitions, speakers, food and merchandise, face painting, and activities for the kids. Come have fun, listen to music, and learn what you can do to get good jobs in Gainesville! And it’s FREE, so bring the whole family. Have a good time for a good cause! Trisha Ingle at 352-231-3647 or e-mail at mama_trish@hotmail.com.

URBAN BOOK TALK AND SWAP Tuesday, Sept. 4 7:15pm HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY 401 E. University Ave. This program is for all urban book fanatics.

This is the chance to bring in a favorite urban book, share that book with others, and have others discuss and share their favorite urban authors and books. Everyone will leave with a book. 352334-3900. www.aclib.us.

SERVICES FOR SENIORS SERIES Thursday, Sept. 6 10:30am TOWER ROAD BRANCH LIBRARY - 3020 SW 75 St. The Gainesville Alliance of Professionals Helping Seniors will offer informational session for seniors, addressing issues that affect them. 352-3332840. www.aclib.us.

Benefit Golf Tournament for Williams Elementary School Saturday, August 25 8:00am IRONWOOD GOLF COURSE GRU presents the 13th annual golf tournament. Come enjoy 18 holes of championship golf while supporting one of Gainesville’s oldest elementary mentary schools. Sponsorship and donation opportunities available. Registration ends August 15. Space is limited. 2100 NE 39th Ave. 352-393-1211.

Downtown Latino Festival Saturday, September 15 Noon - 9:00pm BO DIDDLEY PLAZA - The family-friendly celebration attracts vendors endors and community members from all over North Florida to celebrate the positive contributions and achievements of the Latino community. y.

The event consists of food vendors, informationall booths, cultural performances, live music, usic, etc. 352-393-7527. www.alz.org/walk ww.alz.org/walk

DREAMDOGZ ALL-STARS Saturday, Sept. 8 10:00am HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY 401 E. University Ave. Professional trick-dog demonstration team will perform followed by a chance to meet the dream team. 352334-3900. www.aclib.us.

Day with Magic and the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses, along with local authors and guest readers. There will be nature arts and crafts, and games for young readers. www.

floridastateparks.org/oleno.

386-454-0723.

LITERACY DAY

FLORIDA FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES

Saturday, Sept. 8 10:00am - 2:00pm

Monday, Sept. 10 6:30pm

HIGH SPRINGS - O’Leno State Park, U.S. 441.

Celebrate Literacy

HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY 401 E. University Ave. Presentation by IFAS

www.VisitOurTowns.com

educator Wendy Wilbur on Florida friendly landscape and garden practices. 352-3343900. www.aclib.us.

PET RESCUE Tuesday, Sept. 11 3:30pm MILLHOPPER BRANCH LIBRARY - 3145 NW 43 St. Come see adorable kittens and learn why it is important to spay and neuter pets. Presented by Gainesville Pet Rescue.

352-334-1272. www.aclib.us.

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WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S Saturday, Sept. 15 9:00am BO DIDDLEY PLAZA The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities. 352-3937527. alz.org/walk.

WILLIAM LINK ON HIS FAMILY AND AMERICAN HISTORY Saturday, Sept. 15 3:00pm HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY - 401 E. University Ave. Local author and professor William Link will be reading from his new book, “Links: My Family in American History.” His book offers a moving and unsentimental biography of his parents — two individuals who experienced the intense change and tumult of the South during the mid-20th century. 352334-3900. www.aclib.us.

OLD TIME DANCE Sunday, Sept. 16 2:00pm - 5:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - O’Leno State Park, U.S. 441.

Family fun for all ages!

Dance contra, circles and squares to live music hosted by the Flying Turtles String Band in the 1930’s recreation hall located on the banks of the Santa Fe River. A caller will guide new and experienced dancers alike through a variety of dances. 386-454-0723.

www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/

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All My Sons September 12 - 30 Times Vary GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE - 4039 NW 16 Blvd. Joe Keller is a thriving businessman who reveres the twin American gods: family and profit. That, ultimately, is his justification for his wartime action of allowing defective parts to be fitted to Air Force planes, and letting his former partner take the rap. But, in the course of a single day, Joe is confronted by the consequences of his moral abdication. 352-376-4949. www.gcplayhouse.org.

GAINESVILLE DUCK DERBY Sunday, Sept. 16 1:00pm - 4:00pm WESTSIDE PARK - 1001 NW 34 St. The Second Annual Gainesville Duck Derby is a free family festival with games, crafts and activities suitable for all ages. Event benefits the Children’s Home Society and the Child Advocacy Center of Gainesville and is co-sponsored by the City of Gainesville.

Register to buy ducks or join the Ducky Dash 5K or 1 mi Family Fun Run on-line at www.

GainesvilleDuckDerby.org

PALS PARTY Tuesday, Sept. 18 6:30pm ROCKEY’S DUELING PIANO - Have a night on the town at the Partners in Adolescent Lifestyle Support featuring a dueling piano bar

show, hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and a silent auction. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door and include two drink vouchers — valid 21+ ID required to purchase tickets. All proceeds benefit the Shands Vista Partners in Adolescent Lifestyle Support program!

Contact: UF & Shands at 352-265-7237 or visit

www.pals-party.com.

BILINGUAL STORY TIME Wednesday, Sept. 19 10:30am HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY 401 E. University Ave. Join for bilingual story time, an interactive program with stories, songs, and dances in English and Spanish.

The program is designed for ages 3 and up, and the whole family is welcome! 352334-3900. www.aclib.us.

INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY MOVIES Wednesday, Sept. 19 3:30pm HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY - 401 E. University Ave. Pirate movies all afternoon. 352-3343900. www.aclib.us.

TANNAHILL WEAVERS Thursday, Sept. 27 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - As one of Scotland’s premier traditional bands, the Tannahill Weavers’ diverse repertoire spans the centuries with firedriven instrumentals, topical songs, original ballads and lullabies.

Among the most versatile groups on the Celtic music scene, the dynamic quartet has consistently received worldwide accolades.

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

THE ROLLING STONES: SOME GIRLS LIVE IN TEXAS ‘78 Friday, Sept. 28 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - A rarely seen concert film featuring the classic British rock band at the height of its fame. The film was shot as part of the Rolling Stones’ 1978 U.S. tour, which is still hailed by many fans as their best to date. 352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

2012 ALACHUA COUNTY HEART WALK Saturday, Sept. 29 7:00am - 11:00am NFRMC DUCK POND - 6500 W. Newberry Rd. Three-mile walk route.

7:30 a.m. donation turn-in and company photos, 8:00 a.m. stage presentation, 8:30 a.m. walk begins. 352-3334970. alachuaheartwalk. kintera.org.

CALEB’S PITCH GOLF AND POKER CHALLENGE

features 140 spaces for fine art and fine craft in.

Lovely location, usually good weather. 30,000 attendees expected.

352-377-0996.

SPHINX VIRTUOSI WITH CATALYST QUARTET Sunday, Sept. 30 2:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER - A conductorless ensemble of soloists comprised of the top alumni of the Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players. Performing annually at Carnegie Hall, the ensemble is inspired by its mission to advance diversity in classical music, while engaging young and new audiences through performances of varied repertoire. 352-392ARTS. performingarts. ufl.edu.

DAILEY & VINCENT Thursday, October 4 7:30pm

IRONWOOD GOLF COURSE - 2100 NE 39 Ave. The inaugural Caleb’s Pitch Golf and Poker Challenge will be hosted by Jeff Cordozo and will feature the opportunity to golf and play poker with former gator athletes and current sports media personalities. 352-3931211. www.calebspitch.org.

PHILLIPS CENTER - United in 2007, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have quickly taken the bluegrass world by storm, piling up numerous awards and accolades. Their album, “Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers,” spent nine weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart and produced the Grammy-nominated single, “Elizabeth.”

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

GFAA ART FESTIVAL AT THORNEBROOK

FALL HARVEST AND PEANUT FESTIVAL

Saturday, Sept. 29 10:00am

Saturday, October 6 10:00am

THORNEBROOK VILLAGE 2441 NW 43 St. Festival

WILLISTON - Linear Park, Main Street. Great food,

Saturday, Sept. 29 8:30am

Sister Hazel Friday, September 21 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Gainesville’s own Sister Hazel returns to help kick off UFPA’s 2012-13 Season. The smash hit “All For You” spent 40 weeks on the Billboard charts, pushing the band into the spotlight. Since then, Sister Hazel has continued its success.

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

great fun, family events, something here for everyone. Hometown fun with flair! Arts, crafts, entertainment, petting zoo and more!

7,000 attendees expected. 352-5285552. www.willistonfl.org.

ANNUAL QUILT SHOW Saturday, October 6 10:00am - 3:00pm NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm, 18730 W. Newberry Road.

Traditional, appliquéd, vintage, art quilts and quilted wearing apparel.

Skilled crafters would love to see visitor’s quilts. At 11 a.m., there will be a “Bed Turning,”

www.VisitOurTowns.com

when quilt experts will look at each quilt and discuss age, condition, colors and patterns. Admission is $5. 352-472-1142. www.

floridastateparks.org/dudleyfarm.

CARRIE Oct. 10 - Nov. 3 Times Vary HIPPODROME THEATRE - 25 SE 2 Place. A southeastern premiere!

The king of horror’s telekinetic cult-classic about a girl and the worst prom ever, takes on a campy twist for the Halloween season.

It’s a bloody good time.

352-375-4477.

www.thehipp.org.

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ART, CRAFT AND LIFESTYLE SHOW

CADILLAC INVITATIONAL FOR PALS

WALK FOR HEARTS AND MINDS

DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL AND ART SHOW

Thursday, October 11 10:00am - 9:00pm

Friday, October 12 10:30am

Saturday, October 13 10:00am

Oct. 13 - Oct. 14 10:00am

HAILE PLANTATION GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB - Come to the 13th annual Cadillac Invitational presented

by Bosshardt Realty and enjoy a round of golf, entertainment, food, and prizes to raise money and awareness for the Shands Vista Partners in Adolescent Lifestyle Support program. Services to benefit PALS. Contact: UF & Shands Office at 352-265-7237 or visit

WESTSIDE PARK - NAMI Gainesville’s Sixth Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk celebrates hope and recovery.

Join for a day filled with family fun that includes food, music, an artist exhibition, guest speakers and community information tables. Registration begins at 10 a.m.; Walk begins at 11 a.m.

352-374-5600.

DOWNTOWN GAINESVILLE - The 31st Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show is a juried fine arts festival. Join 250 artists and marvel at world-class paintings, vivid photography, unique sculpture, dazzling jewelry and more. Enjoy continuous, live entertainment on three stages all weekend, including a downtown blues concert on Saturday evening. Bring the kids for free art activities at the Children’s Imagination Station.

352-334-5067.

OAKS MALL - Visit exhibitors offering a selection of handmade art and craft creations and for the latest trends and ideas to enhance the home and lifestyle. Find products offered by popular home-based business representatives.

Exhibitors located throughout the mall and available during regular mall hours.

352-331-4411.

www.namigainesville.org

www.golf4pals.com.

www.theoaksmall.com.

BUTTERFLYFEST PAPA’S BLUES Oct. 12 - Oct. 28 Times Vary ACROSSTOWN REPERTORY THEATRE - 619 S. Main St. An African-American drama about a grandfather who lost his life during the civil rights protest era and whose descendants are struggling with reconciling continued involvement in that movement with the demands of their own personal domestic situations. 352-371-1234.

www.acrosstown.org.

Saturday, October 13 10:00am - 5:00pm MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY - Hull Road & SW 34 St. A celebration of wings and backyard things! ButterflyFest is dedicated to increasing awareness of Florida’s butterflies as fun, fascinating ambassadors to the natural world.

Activities will promote inquiry and provide a call to action for the conservation and preservation of backyard wildlife and habitats. 352-8462000. www.flmnh.ufl.edu

Ragamala Dance — Sacred Earth Tuesday, October 2 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Born and raised in south India, a, Ragamala’s artistic directors Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy bring their culture’s unique sensibility of mysticism, myth and sanctity to the contemporary stage. Accompanied by live music, sic, the evening builds from silent, meditative beginnings to a thrilling ing crescendo, as the performers surrender to the beauty of this Sacred Earth.

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

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www.gvlculturalaffairs.org

ENSEMBLE BASIANI Sunday, October 14 2:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER - The ensemble, headed by George Donadze, sings folk songs and chants, reviving them from the ancient phonological and notated recordings.

Basiani has worked with many worldrenowned ethnomusicians, received international acclaim and performed in wellknown concert halls and festivals around the globe. 352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

ETHEL WITH TODD RUNDGREN Wed., October 17 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Regarded as America’s premier post-classical string quartet, ETHEL teams with rock legend Todd Rundgren for a special celebration of the 1970s. Rundgren’s string of hits include “Hello it’s Me,” “I Saw the Light” and “Can We Still Be Friends.”

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

ALLIGATOR WARRIOR FESTIVAL Friday, Oct 19 9:00am - 5:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - O’Leno State Park, U.S. 441.

Experience both a Native American gathering with dancers, musicians, artisans and traders, and a living history event that includes a reenactment of the Sept. 11, 1836, of San Felasco Hammock.

386-454-0723. www.

floridastateparks.org/oleno.

STAR GAZING Saturday, October 20 7:30pm - 10:30pm NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm, 18730 W. Newberry Rd. The

Alachua County Astronomy Club with their high-powered telescopes will assist and direct viewing, explain the planets, nebulas, constellations, moon, clusters and deep sky objects.

Admission is $5.

352-472-1142. www.

floridastateparks.org/dudleyfarm

MICANOPY FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL

C oin &

Oct. 20 - Oct. 21 TBA MICANOPY - Downtown, NE Cholokka Blvd.

Scenic location for a fall arts and crafts festival. Micanopy is “the town that time forgot.” About 38,000 attendees expected.

352-466-7026. www.

Jewelry

gallery since sinc si inc ce 19 1981 1 981 81

micanopyfallfestival.org.

UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN Sunday, October 21 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Armed with eight ukuleles and co-ed vocals, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain finds its art in reinterpretation of all musical genres.

Since 1985, the ensemble has revived the instrument’s hilarious, footstomping, twanging entertainment. 352-392ARTS. performingarts. ufl.edu.

TODAY’S NEWS GOLD IS OVER

1,700

$

PER OUNCE AND WE ARE

BUYING GOLD COINS EAGLES, MAPLES, KRUGERRANDS, PRE-1933 U.S. GOLD - ALL SIZES

U.S. SILVER DOLLARS & 10¢ - 50¢ • CARSON CITY $1S U.S. PAPER MONEY .999 FINE SILVER, STERLING & PLATINUM ITEMS, AND OTHER ITEMS OF VALUE!

RIOULT Thursday, October 25 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Founded in 1994, RIOULT has quickly become an established name in modern dance with a reputation for creating and presenting the sensual, articulate and exquisitely musical works of founder and choreographer Pascal Rioult. 352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

Visit Your

LOCAL COIN DEALER Family Owned and Operated Since 1981 MILLHOPPER SHOPPING CENTER

2007 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville

352.378.3983

www.coinandjewelrygallery.com Member ANA FUN Authorized NGC Submission Site

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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Benise — En Fuengo!

Wed, November 7

7:30pm

PHILLIPS CENTER - The Emmy-winning Benise’s fiery Spanish guitar and his international dance troupe perform their hottest show to date “En Fuego!” called “The Latin Riverdance” by The Los Angeles Times. “En Fuego!” showcases classic songs from artists such as Led Zeppelin, Queen and The Eagles, and marries them with Spanish guitar and dance, and Broadway caliber sets.

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

FLORIDA BAT FESTIVAL Saturday, October 27 10:00am - 4:00pm LUBEE BAT CONSERVANCY 1309 NW 192 Ave. This is the only day of the year that the center is open to the public.

This year’s event will provide a wide range of activities for the entire family, including bouncy huts, fun crafts, a prize raffle, live music and bat-themed merchandise for sale.

352-485-1250.

www.batconservancy.org.

The Capitol Steps Monday, November 5 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - The Capitol Steps put the “mock” in democracy and plan to bring down tthe house and Senate with their unique blend of music and political comedy. This is the only performance in America where you will find two presidential candidates onstage singing show tunes. 352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu

TAKÁCS QUARTET Sunday, October 28 2:00pm PHILLIPS CENTER - With a unique blend of drama, warmth and humor, the Takács Quartet seamlessly combines four distinct musical personalities to bring fresh insights to the string quartet repertoire. For this performance, the ensemble welcomes world-renowned pianist Marc-André Hamelin, who boasts nine Grammy nominations.

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

2012 HISPANIC LINGUISTICS SYMPOSIUM Monday, October 29 4:00pm HILTON UF - 1714 SW 34th

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St. UF’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies is excited to host the 2012 Hispanic Linguistics Symposium.

352-371-3600.

THE WARSAW PHILHARMONIC Sunday, November 4 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - From major concert halls to international festivals, The Warsaw Philharmonic enjoys worldwide popularity.

For this performance, pianist Yulianna Avdeeva - first-prize winner at the 16th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition — joins the orchestra.

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

SIBERIAN VIRTUOSI Sunday, November 11 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER Siberian Virtuosi — the State Ensemble of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) — is comprised of 12 violinists and a pianist and is increasing its popularity in Russia and worldwide. 352-392ARTS. performingarts. ufl.edu.

BÉLO November 13 and November 14 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Haiti native BélO is a young author, composer, guitarist, singer and winner of numerous awards, including the

prestigious Prix Radio France International Discoveries of 2006.

His musical style, known as Ragganga, combines reggae, jazz, rock, worldbeat and rara — traditional Vodou rhythms.

352-392-ARTS. performingarts.ufl.edu.

YOUNG CONCERT ARTIST: CHARLIE ALBRIGHT, PIANO Thurs., November 15 7:30pm PHILLIPS CENTER - Tickets: $30 (UF students: $10). Sponsored by UF&Shands. 352-392ARTS. performingarts. ufl.edu.

University of Florida

Performing

Arts

Fall 2012 highlights Sister Hazel Friday, September 21, 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Blue Water Bay

UF

Dailey & Vincent Thursday, October 4, 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Limerock Road

World Premiere

ETHEL with Todd Rundgren Wednesday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.

$

Sponsored by Fresco Neighborhood Italian

The Capitol Steps Monday, November 5, 7:30 p.m.

STUDE TICKE NT TS

10

*

Sponsored by The Gainesville Sun

Photo: Motionhouse

Benise – En Fuego!

Wednesday, November 7, 7:30 p.m.

Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music Wednesday, November 21, 7:30 p.m.

All performances are at the Phillips Center. *Tickets for HAIR, West Side Story and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields are $15 for students. UF student tickets may be purchased with a valid Gator1 card at the Phillips Center Box Office or University Box Office.

A University of Florida Performing Arts 20th Anniversary performance.

University of Florida Performing Arts is supported in part by University of Florida Student Government.

Tickets are available at the Phillips Center Box Office, by calling 352-392-2787 and at ticketmaster.com.

For a full list of events, visit www.performingarts.ufl.edu.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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“This isn’t your Grandmother’s sewing machine!”

Sewing machine Sales & Service • Sewing Classes Millhopper Shopping Center • 2005 NW 43rd St. 352.371.9464 • www.A1sewing.com

CHIMNEY SWEEPS OF AMERICA SUPER SWESaEys!P! It’s time to clean your chimney and dryer vent.

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386-418-1039 www.ELTOROGAINESVILLE.com

Recieve $5 off the sub total of any meal ticket priced $20 or More. Limited to one coupon per ticket per visit. Can not be combined with other offers. Our Town - Exp. 11-15-12

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Visit www.BubbaQuesBBQ.com to see the menu www.VisitOurTowns.com

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL 352.372-5468 FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION.

Saboré 13005 SW 1st Road, Tioga, FL 32669 (Tioga Town Center) Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 11am – 10pm Fri. & Sat.: 11am – 11pm • Open Mondays for special events only

352-332-2727

www.saborerestaurant.com

FUSION — Saboré [sa-bohr-ay] is a world-fusion restaurant featuring a variety of European, South American, Mediterranean and Asian inspired tastes. Saboré’s namesake is from the word “sabor,” meaning “flavor.” Saboré’s menu features mouth-watering dishes that takes guests on a trip around the world, highlighting exotic flavors and ingredients from countries such as Argentina, Japan, Spain and Italy.

Be sure to try the custom plates, desserts and signature cocktails you won’t find anywhere else in Gainesville.

Mark’s Prime Steakhouse & Seafood 201 SE 2nd Avenue, Gainesville, FL (Historic Downtown) Monday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm • Tues-Sat: 5:00pm to 10:00pm Happy Hour: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

352-336-0077

marksprimesteakhouse.com

STEAK & SEAFOOD — Mark’s Prime Steakhouse and Seafood has a goal to create a unique dining experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serve the finest beef, the freshest seafood, and naturally fresh vegetables. Recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence 2004-2011. Join us for Primetime Happy Hour featuring drink and appetizer specials Monday thru Saturday 5-7 pm. We are pleased to feature our full service, private dining facilities. It would be our pleasure to help plan your next reception, banquet, business meeting, or social gathering. Complimentary valet service.

Tropical Smoothie Café 3345 SW 34th Street • Gainesville Open 24 hours Order online: www.2dollardelivery.com

352-379-9988 Tropical Smoothie Café satisfies customers’ cravings with a healthy menu of real fruit smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and salads. Brandy Heinlein, owner of the restaurant, located conveniently on SW 34th Street, said our customers get a boost since we use natural ingredients, and the smoothies offer three to five servings of fruit. Our signature Sunrise Sunset Smoothie is an excellent compliment to our Thai Chicken Wrap or salad. OPEN 24 HRS, Tropical Smoothie Café is a popular study spot during exams. “If you have something late at night, it might as well be healthy,” says Manager Mark Simonelli. Mention this ad to save $2.00 ON ANY SMOOTHIE!

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KB Kakes 13570 NW 101st Drive, Suite 400 Alachua, Fl 32615 Tuesday - Friday from 6:30am - 1:30pm

386-518-6878

www.kbkakes.com

BAKERY — Since 2002, Kathy has been creating the finest wedding cakes and life-like sculpted cakes. KB Kakes was featured in the Knot Weddings and participates in numerous charities including Extreme Home Makeover. They are known for their moist cakes that look just as good as they taste and KB’s famous gourmet kake truffles; also available at Dorn’s. Enjoy sweets and organic locally roasted coffee, cakes to order and more at their boutique style custom cake studio. They offer complimentary consultations and personal tastings. For your next event let KB create the perfect cake for you! Make an appointment, or stop by for coffee and a petite sweet by the Sweet Petite, KB. They also deliver, call for more details.

Firefly 25461 W. Newberry Road, Newberry • Across from City Hall Monday - Friday: 11:00am to 10:00pm Sunday Brunch: 9:00am to 3:00pm

352-472-7353

website coming soon!

FUSION — Firefly is a brand new restaurant specializing in southern style food and Florida Keys style seafood. Amazing deep fried lobster, conch chowder, stuffed fish, panhandle steak and spoonbread are just a few of the specialties. Try the signature Firefly Cosmopolitan for a starter and the authentic key lime pie or fresh strawberry shortcake for dessert. At least three different varieties of fresh fish are available every day.

Whether you’re looking for a great new place to take a date or a comfortable spot for a fabulous outdoor lunch, Firefly will exceed your expectations. Conveniently located just a short drive west of Gainesville on Newberry Road in Newberry.

Dave’s New York Deli 12921 SW 1st Road, Tioga Town Center Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 8:00pm • Saturday: 8am - 8pm Sunday 10:00am - 3:00pm

352-333-0291

www.DavesNYDeli.com

AUTHENTIC DELI — Dave’s Deli has moved to its new location in Tioga Town Center. The reviews are in and here is what customers are saying about Dave’s! “Best Reuben, Best Pastrami, Best Philly, Best Salads!” Dave’s NY Deli is quickly establishing itself as “The Real Deal” when it comes to NY deli food. Owner Dave Anders says he knew from the start that he wanted to serve only the best, so he has all of his pastrami, corned beef, and cheesecake shipped in from New York’s Carnegie Deli. Dave’s offers Nathan’s hotdogs, real NY kettle-boiled bagels, nova, knishes, cannolis, authentic Philly cheesesteaks, Cubans, subs, kids menu, and more.

NOW SERVING BEER AND WINE. - VISIT US TODAY.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL 352.372-5468 FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION.

Tupelo BBQ Bar and Grill 4401 NW 25th Place Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32606 Mon – Thurs 11:30am – 10:00pm • Friday 11:30am – 11:00pm Saturday 5:00pm – 11:00pm • Sunday 11:30am-10:00pm

352-372-7070

www.tupelognv.com

BBQ BAR & GRILL — Tupelo is a unique restaurant in which great food is made from scratch including the rubs, sauces and dressings used to create our individualized dishes. Popular menu items include pulled pork wontons, shrimp and grits and Tupelo tacos.

Also, don’t forget to save room for one of our hand crafted on premise deserts, such as our fried key lime pie. Tupelo provides a family-friendly atmosphere along with quality food at reasonable prices. Don’t forget to ask about our daily specials. We also offer a full bar with good wines and craft, draft and bottled beer. Join us for Happy Hour Monday-Friday from 5-7.

O!O Tapas & Tinis 2725 SW 91st St., #100, Gainesville, FL (Haile Village) Monday to Wednesday 5:00 - 10:00pm Thurs. to Sat. 5:00 - 12:00pm

352-331-6620

www.ootinis.com

TAPAS — O!O Tapas & Tinis is serving up a New Menu from Executive Chef Patrick Maher which include: sushi, certified angus beef, fresh seafood plus great salads and flatbreads for lighter fare.

Looking for great drink specials? Come see us Tuesdays and Thursdays for $5 Martinis and Live Music. Join us for Happy Hour from 5-7pm every night. Let us take care of the catering for your office parties or special events. Located in the Haile Village Publix Shopping Plaza.

Ballyhoo Grill 3700 Newberry Road, Gainesville Mon-Thu: 10am to 10pm • Fri & Sat: 10am to 11pm Sun 10am to 10pm

352-373-0059 Looking for the freshest seafood? — The Ballyhoo Grill is the place for you! With fresh seafood arriving daily, Try the amazing North Atlantic Cedar Plank Salmon, grilled on a cedar plank for a rich, smoky flavor. Other great eats include fresh sushi and hand-cut choice steaks. We’re serving up everything from salads and pastas to delicious burgers and sandwiches. make sure you try the incredible Bananas Fosters. Dine in or outdoors on their patio.

Happy hour is 2-7pm daily with extended happy hour until 10pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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Embers Wood Grill 3545 SW 34th St Gainesville, FL 32608 Mon - Thurs: 5pm - 10pm Sat - Sun: 5pm - 11pm

(352) 380-0901

www.embersofflorida.com

CUISINE — At Embers Wood Grill, enjoy an elegant atmosphere while dining at Gainesvilles only USDA prime steakhouse and seafood grill. Our real wood grill uses a unique combination of pecan, hickory and cherry woods to create the right amount of heat, aroma and flavor in our culinary creations. The Chef’s Table exemplifies our approach to fine dining, offering a personalized menu and detail oriented service. Our experienced staff is uniquely qualified and trained to create a memorable evening out. Embers features a plethora of fine appetizers and desserts as well as a full wine and liquor bar.

Northwest Grille 5115 Northwest 39th Ave., Gainesville 32606 Open 7 Days: 11am to 10pm (Friday open until 11pm) Saturday & Sunday: Serving brunch 10am to 3pm

352-376-0500

www.northwestgrillegainesville.com

SEAFOOD — Locally owned and operated, Northwest Grille has been providing the finest quality fish and seafood entrees in a friendly atmosphere since 1996. Whether it’s their fresh, local seafood and fish, or handcrafted sauces and specialty desserts, Northwest Grille has something to please your palate. Meat lovers will enjoy the hand-cut steaks and vegetarians will love the wide range of vegetarian options. Serving lunch and dinner daily, Northwest Grille, offers an extensive brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am3pm. Northwest Grille also features a full liquor bar with nightly drink specials. Happy hour is served daily from 3pm-6pm and offers a wide assortment of beer, wine and your favorite cocktails.

Dos Mamas 2017 NE 27th Ave. Gainesville, Florida 32609 Monday through Thursday 6:00am – 4:00pm Friday 6:00am – ?? Dinner menu & hours coming soon!

352-505-0369

www.dosmamascatering.com

HOME STYLE — New to the North East part of Gainesville, Dos Mama’s has fast become a great local establishment. No they are not a Mexican joint. Just a down-home restaurant serving up Mama’s finger licking home-style cookin’. Terra and Rosa, your new mama’s, have over 40 years of combined experience in the Food and Beverage industry to make sure you get what you expect. Customer Service is NUMBER ONE to these Mama’s. Live entertainment is also on the menu at Dos Mama’s, with local bands ranging from Blues to Jazz to Rock and Roll. With Little Jake Mitchell and the Soul Searchers, Anna Marie and Friends and Little Mike and the Tornados all sharing Friday nights and putting on a great show.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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SPECIAL RESTAURANT ADVERTISING SECTION. CALL 352.372-5468 FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION.

Flying Biscuit Café 4150 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605 Located in the Fresh Market Center Mon - Thurs: 7am - 3pm • Fri - Sun: 7am - 4pm

352-373-9500

www.flyingbiscuit.com

BREAKFAST — The Flying Biscuit is out to reinvent breakfast in Gainesville! Maybe you’ve tried their soon-to-be-famous creamy, dreamy grits or their “moon dusted” breakfast potatoes, but did you know you can have them at anytime? With a unique open menu, all the items that appear are available throughout the day. With a variety of healthy and hearty dishes, The Flying Biscuit caters to a variety of tastes. With options ranging from the Smoked Salmon Scramble, the Bacon Cheddar Chicken Sandwich or the Tofu and Tater Salad, there’s something for everyone.

Napolatanos 606 NW 75th Street Gainesville, FL Monday - Thursday & Sunday 4:00pm-10:00pm Friday 4:00pm-2:00am • Saturday 4:00pm-11:00pm

352-332-6671

www.napolatanos.com

ITALIAN — Napolatanos is the longest original owner operated restaurant in Gainesville. Nappys, the name the locals have given Napolatanos has the most extensive menu. Whether you choose pizza, calzones, salad, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steak dinners or the best chicken wings in town, Nappy’s uses only the freshest ingredients. Open at 4 daily with early bird discount @ $3.00 off any regular priced dinner. They have Monday-Thursday dinner specials for $8.50 and Happy hour on cocktails all day.

Nappy’s also has 3 private rooms, outside dining and their newest addition is an event garden.

Pickled Pelican 14209 W Newberry Rd. Jonesville (Next to Bubba Que’s) Open Daily at 11:00am

352-333-2943

www.pickledpelicanonline.com

ISLAND — Welcome to the Pickled Pelican bar and Eatery! This is a happening place with excellent fresh food and seafood. We have a large menu with a variety of choices to suit many taste buds.

Beginning with one of our appetizers such as escargot, fried green tomatoes, or loaded potato skins. We offer plenty of salad choices.

And let’s not forget the best clam chowder ever! When you are ready to move on to the main coarse, try one of our signature dishes such as Chicken Alfredo, Grouper cakes or Salmon. If it’s a sandwich or burger you are craving, we have the best Grouper and Pelican burgers. Live entertainment on the weekends and a great place to catch all your favorite games!

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www.VisitOurTowns.com

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ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome Home The Atrium at Gainesville gives seniors a place to call home

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retirement communities often make their money from services. In the end, this provides residents with little choice on services or options when disagreements arise.

“It is a difficult subject, so a lot of times, people put it off. But there are a lot of misconceptions because they have not done their research,” Prem Paul Murrhee, director of sales and marketing at The Atrium, said.

On the other hand, retirement communities using the housing model offer all of the same services, with one key difference: choice. The Atrium at Gainesville is based on the housing model and features a wide array of services and businesses available on-site, such as a pharmacy, rehabilitation, home health care, chiropractors, a salon, etc. But the community does not directly make money from them nor are the residents forced to use them. In fact, with many more practices and services within a quarter mile of the community, The Atrium is in a unique location to offer competitive options.

oving from the comfort of a familiar home to a retirement community or nursing home is often a frightening step; however, it is never a step that should be taken lightly. With as many misconceptions about retirement homes as there are types of resident services, those considering retirement living should explore their choices.

As a Holiday Retirement senior independent living community, The Atrium at Gainesville regularly clarifies the many misconceptions and concerns from prospective residents, families and the community. By addressing these issues at the start, The Atrium strives to make residents feel at ease and at home before they even move.

In addition, The Atrium provides husband and wife teams who not only act as managers, but neighbors and residents.

One of the biggest differences between retirement communities is whether they are based on the medical model or the housing model, Murrhee said.

With a medical model, which is what most people are familiar with, a person moves from one stage in retirement living (i.e. independent living, assisted living, medical care) to another as needed. However, such progression is usually decided through community assessments and not by the resident. In addition, medical model

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“When you have 237 residents concentrated in one area, you have a lot of business willing to go the extra mile,” Murrhee said.

“As a resident, they have the freedom of choice to use those services or choose someone close by.”

In reality, choice is the core misconception concerning retirement homes and the basis for The Atrium’s success. One of the most common misconceptions Murrhee hears from prospective residents is concern over losing their routine: Can they eat when they want? How long can their grandchildren stay? Is the community too active and noisy for an afternoon nap?

“It is not us dictating to the residents what we want them to do. It is the resident telling us what they want to do,” Murrhee said.

Although The Atrium provides three meals a day

for its residents in a dining room with servers, it doesn’t stop residents from taking food to go or having it delivered to their room. In between meals, The Atrium provides a coffee bar with refreshments and snacks. In one case, Murrhee recalls a resident who always had coffee and a muffin for breakfast at 10 a.m. As a resident at The Atrium, he still has this option, as well as other breakfast choices.

Built for seniors from the beginning, residency includes transportation, cleaning services and utilities. The Atrium also provides many safety features, such as concrete walls, floors and ceilings.

The construction even acts as a noise barrier, allowing for those afternoon naps.

may be interested in. From the start, The Atrium promotes a close knit community inside and out.

The community does not require a buy-in or a lease, it is month-to-month, yet many residents have chosen to live here for over 20 years. The Atrium’s methods work.

“The social connections and family feel at the Atrium is what sets us apart, it is why our residents stay with us for decades,” Murrhee said. “Let’s face it. You can hire a chauffeur, hire a chef and hire a maid, but you can never hire friends.”

In addition, The Atrium provides husband and wife teams who not only act as managers, but neighbors and residents. Fostering such relationships provides a friendly environment for residents from the start, and a familiar face to help during emergencies.

The Atrium encourages visits from family and friends from the start by allowing them to eat for free at the community during the first month of a new resident’s stay. Grandchildren are also welcome to visit and stay at the community. In one case, Murrhee remembers a resident hosting his great grandchild for a month--playing in the pool, doing crafts and spending quality time together.

The retirement community also hosts a welcome party in the community and invites other residents, as well as clubs and organizations the new resident

Gracious Retirement Living The Atrium at Gainesville features beautiful and spacious studio, one and two bedroom apartments. Your month-tomonth rent virtually includes all of your living expenses, with absolutely no long-term commitment or entrance fees.

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>> FORM AND FUNCTION

100 Years of Architechture Gainesville’s Buildings Recognized for their Design

BY DESIREE FARNUM uildings serve many functions, but the basic need of protection from the elements is met under rooftops and between walls, no matter how they are arranged or what they are made of. Buildings sit silently all around communities with stories to tell that often go unnoticed. That is until one strikes a discordant note, like a hot pink cube-like building in the midst of stately columned structures. Whether of history and elegance, or of simplicity and harmony, the stories they have to tell are written by architects before they are even built.

Teaching the public about the stories behind buildings is

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one of the goals of the American Institute of Architects.

Former UF professor and current architect, Ron Haase, weaves a narrative of what to notice when entering the Harn Museum of Art, designed by his former student Kha Le-Huu. “If you were to enter the Harn museum, and to really take a note of your environment, what you’ll find there is that the architect has created a bridge between you and the parking lot and he’s filled it with water, and the rush of water and the sound of water to kind of cleanse your pallet, if you will,” Hase said in a recent phone interview. “To cleanse your sensitivities, so that you can begin to understand that you’re about

to enter a place of art. You left hustle and bustle of finding a place to park, the busyness of traffic around you, and then you enter that building through a sort of slow, cleansing process.”

Haase is a member of AIA and said the organization also supports and brings attention to its members.

“It’s one thing that an association could do that an individual architect couldn’t do for themselves,” he said.

The American Institute of Architects serves as a nationwide resource to architects and the public. Professionals who attain membership become part of the organization on a national, statewide and local level at once.

Because of that connection, local

PHOTO BY DESIREE FARNUM

The Samuel P. Harn Museum, located on the University of Florida’s campus, was designed by former UF student Kha Le-Huu. The museum opened in 1990 and has since expanded twice: first with the Mary Ann Harn Cofrin Pavilion in 2005 and an Asian art wing in 2012. It is one of the largest universityaffiliated art museums in the nation, according to the Harn website.

www.VisitOurTowns.com

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PHOTOS BY ALBERT ISAAC AND DESIREE FARNUM

ABOVE: The Baughman Center is nestled on the banks of Lake Alice.

Dickinson Hall formerly hosted public exhibits of the Florida Museum of Natural History. Today, it holds collections and functions mainly as a research facility. With its Meso-American design from the building to the courtyard, Dickinson Hall placed number 54 on AIA Florida’s “100 years. 100 places” list.

chapters plan for statewide and national events.

This year, AIA Florida is celebrating a century of existence.

Chapters around the state are recognizing the occasion with special events and participation in a contest, Florida Architecture: 100 Years, 100 Places, in which the public voted for the best buildings around Florida.

One such building in Gainesville — Baughman Center — made it into the top 100 list in the competition, giving the local group more reason to celebrate. AIA Gainesville will celebrate the centennial event with a tour of homes in the area.

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EXPLORING GAINESVILLE WHAT TO LOOK FOR With all the buildings in town to appreciate, it is important to know what to look for and where to start.

Currently, there is not a self-guided walking tour online, but a brochure is available on local architecture at the Gainesville Visitor’s Center.

Interested individuals can ask them about recommended walking tours. The Duckpond area downtown is also a good place to start, with many historic homes to see at a leisurely pace.

Many important buildings are spread out around town,

but knowing what to look for without a guide can sometimes be difficult. The president of AIA Gainesville, Michele Borst, advised to go with someone who knows about architecture.

Someone with a keen eye can point out details that are less obvious. For example, sometimes the point the architect is trying to get across is not traditionally aesthetic. Rather, it might be that the building gets the viewer to focus on something in the environment, such as sunlight, landscaping or shadows. The point might also be the way in which the structure challenges common concepts of

“Beauty: the adjustment of all parts proportionately so that one cannot add or subtract or change without impairing the harmony of the whole.”

— LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI, ITALIAN ARCHITECT, 1404 - 1472 how a building should be, such as a dome-shaped house instead of the traditional four walls.

Haase, who designed Thornebrook Village, said that the key parts to pay attention to depend on the locale.

“Certainly if you were going to the Marjorie Rawlings home in Cross Creek you’d be looking for a sense of history and a sense of place that she addresses in her literature,” he said. “If you were going to the historic area in Gainesville, the Duckpond area, you’d be looking for a consistency in the fabric of the community.”

While no self-guided tours are

available, there are a few buildings that are considered staples on a visitor’s “must-see” list.

“There’s such a variety of ways to enjoy architecture that I don’t know how to put that into a singular point of view,” Haase said.

“Each situation requires a certain sensitivity and a certain outlook.”

GAINESVILLE GEMS From the more obvious icons of Gainesville, such as the Hippodrome State Theater to the lesser-known buildings, such as the contemporary residence now occupied by nuns, here is a

www.VisitOurTowns.com

list of architecturally significant buildings in town: THE BAUGHMAN CENTER This sanctuary on the University of Florida’s campus has become a popular wedding venue, typically booked a year in advance. In AIA Florida’s 100 Years, 100 Places contest, The Baughman Center came in third place for top buildings in the state.

Haase advised visitors to pay attention to “the communion with nature and a sense of inward focus personally, but with an outward focus on nature.”

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PHOTOS BY ALBERT ISAAC AND DESIREE FARNUM

ABOVE: Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity This doghouse, (right) designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was recently featured at the Hippodrome with the showing of Michael Miner’ “Romanza,” a documentary about the American architect. Wright designed it at the request of 12-year-old Jim Berger in 1956, who offered to pay the architect with his paper route earnings. Last year, Berger (now 68) and his brother reconstructed the doghouse, and its now on tour with “Romanza.”

THE OLD FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Once a museum on Museum Road, Dickinson Hall is now used for research. The building is inside a bunker of old earth, Borst said. The side facing the road looks like a green hill. On the other side is a courtyard with concrete steps leading to different levels of the building.

THE HIPPODROME This theater in downtown Gainesville boasts six limestone columns and elements in the style of Palladium Classical Revival architecture. It was built in 1911 and was used as a Federal Building.

SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON FRATERNITY HOUSE Perhaps best known for the lion statue out front, this fraternity house was designed by Jean Leady in 1963. Borst described it as a building that defines an era with its modernist qualities.

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CIVILIZATION RESTAURANT This co-operatively owned restaurant, located on NW 2nd Street and NW 16th Avenue is notable for its railroad-styled sloping rooftops and high ceilings.

FALL EVENTS Sept. 29 Architectural Homes

SHIPPING CONTAINER HOUSE A house made from steal shipping containers illustrates how recycled materials can be used.

This residence will be on AIA Gainesville’s Architectural Homes Tour.

Tour 10:00 am - 3:00 pm; details TBA. Contact Michele Borst micheleborst@gmail.com, or 352-281-4755

OFFICE WITH BUTTERFLY ROOF Located near Tower Road, this office space has a roof like the name suggests. A drain runs along the middle and brings the water inside.

SISTERS HOUSE Once the home of a UF architecture professor, this contemporary residence is now occupied by The Sisters of The Cenacle. s

Nov. 20 Celebrate Design Reception & Kick-Off: Contact Phyllis Brumfield pbrumfielddp@yahoo.com or 352-339-2967.

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COLUMN >> BRIAN “KRASH” KRUGER

Gate Crashing On Deck: Far Away Planes, Coffee Project, The Ones To Blame DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012 VENUE: DOUBLE DOWN LIVE reetings, live music aficionados! This issue finds us back at Double Down Live. This night was the second of two nights dubbed “Summer Jam,” sort of a condensed single-venue version of the multi-venue, 4- or 5-day “Moefests” of all-local bands that used to be put on by Double Down owner Moe Rodriguez back in the day.

Each night of the Summer Fest featured five bands.

Despite getting there relatively early, I missed openers Deputy. However, I’ve previously noted them in a preceding issue’s coverage of the AM/FM Fest, and I’m sure I’ll see them again. On my arrival, Far Away Planes had just finished setting up. My band had played with them at benefit for a recreation program for “differently-abled” people a few months prior, but this was the first chance for me to see them without concern for my own set taking up subconscious space.

This five-piece is comprised of two Fender guitars (a Strat and an Antigua Telecaster) both into Fender amps (a Deluxe Reverb and an FM212, respectively), with a Fender (Precision) bass as well. This Fender faction was made up of guitarist John Stoltz, lead singer/guitarist John Ketchum, and bassist/backing vocalist Tim Anderson, respectively. The non-Fender component consisted of drummer Kevin Biegler and keyboardist Luke Sipka, the latter armed with a variety of axes (a full-size M-Audio, a mini-Korg, and the infamous “keytar” popularized by many a cheesy ‘80s band).

As you might guess from the instrumentation, Far Away Planes plays indie rock in the same ballpark as

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bands like Minus the Bear, Bloc Party, and Kings of Leon, all of which they list as influences, as well as maybe a little Vampire Weekend. And at one point during some interplay between the guitars I could even hear a bit of first new wave band Television, which no doubt has inspired many indie bands.

Far Away Planes’ set had some hiccups to contend with, such as the strap on the keytar slipping off about three songs in, but the keys player simply propped a foot up on a monitor speaker, rested the instrument on a knee, and continued playing. It’s doubtful whether people further away than I would even have noticed, which is the mark of a good stage performance — the

“It’s doubtful whether people further away than I would even have noticed, which is the mark of a good stage performance — the art of “covering” as musos refer to it.”

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art of “covering” as musos refer to it. A little further into the set the keys did a long lounge-style intro while the lead singer joked about them having “done the band thing for what? Fifteen years?” then admitting the band had been together about a year and a half. On many, probably most, songs in the set the lead singer played guitar in a “two-handed tapping” style more often seen practiced by heavy metal and hard rock guitarists, but with the cleaner Telecaster sound the effect was quite different.

Second up were the duo Coffee Project. I’d seen them at a previous AM/FM Music Fest reported right in this here magazine. This band is made up of Buddy Schaub (of Less Than Jake) and Jake Crown (of Rehasher, which also features more LTJ members).

Both are multi-instrumentalists, with Jake singing

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FAR AWAY PLANES

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lead and Buddy doing backing vocals. For this performance, Jake played acoustic guitar, while Buddy alternated between acoustic and trombone. Although the duo’s sound is sometimes described as “folk rock” (this is what they call themselves on their Facebook page) it would probably be more accurate to call it an acoustic version of the pop-punk played by the other bands they’re also in. Suffice it to say they sound nothing like, for example, the Eagles, or Jackson Browne, or the Byrds. With song titles like “Big Trouble in Little Gainesville” and “This Is Me Getting Over You In Two Chords Or Less,” expect more the wry wordplay of, say, Doctor Frank of Mister T Experience rather than a “Peaceful Easy Feelin’.”

Third (of the bands I saw) on the bill was allfemale quartet The Ones To Blame. This band plays

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THE ONES TO BLAME

acoustic-driven honky-tonk style old school country and roots music, as you might guess from the instrumentation: Jackie Leeper on bass (tonight playing her trusty Fender rather than the standup she wields in some other bands), Emma Brady on acoustic guitar, Su Mendez on mandolin, and Jen Vito on drums. All sing, though on this particular night I did not see Jen mic’d for vocals. This may’ve been just as well, as singing drummers can be difficult to mic and, as it was, the band had continuing problems with the monitors and feedback (mixing a band with acoustic instruments, even ones with electric outputs like those used by one half of TOTB, can be tricky at high volume levels like that at the DD). Despite these problems, the gals put on a raucous and rockin’ set of good time music.

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>> GET UP AND GO!

Gator Tailgating Campus Comes Alive with Age-old Tradition

BY ALBERT ISAAC PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY CARSON, UF PHOTOGRAPHY t is almost that time of year. The time of year when thousands of people converge upon this otherwise sleepy town, awakening it from the slow pace of the summer with revelry, camaraderie and the ubiquitous chants of “Go Gators!”

Are you ready for some football?

What began as people sitting on tailgates on game day has since evolved into everything from high tech portable satellites under tent canopies to the air conditioned comfort of large RVs with flowing frozen drinks waiting inside.

No one really knows when the idea to gather on tailgates first began. Norm Carlson, UF Historian and former assistant athletics director said that it started quite

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some time ago.

“It was going on in the 1950s when I was in school,” Carlson said in a 2006 telephone interview.

“Probably longer than that. I’ve seen pictures going back to the ‘20s and ‘30s with people sitting on tailgates drinking sarsaparilla or something.”

On a home game day on and around the UF Campus, thousands of people populate nearly every square inch of real estate with tent awnings and chairs. Cars, trucks and recreational vehicles of all sizes and shapes fill parking lots and the front yards of neighboring homes. People set up on the Plaza of the Americas with canopies and hamocks and Gators cooking barbecue.

The streets and sidewalks become packed with throngs of

people walking or milling about everywhere, some on bikes or motor scooters. Portable generators are to be found all over campus, powering televisions and satellite dishes so Gator fans can enjoy a variety of sporting shows while awaiting the big event: Gator Football.

Jeff Bell is a veteran tailgater.

A few years back he designed and built a trailer for his bike he christened the “Trail-Gator.” He fastened this orange and blue device to the back of his bicycle and loaded up an ice chest stocked with his favorite beverages. This allowed him to move freely throughout campus to mingle with his buddies and meet new friends. Pedaling about campus he received many approving nods as he wheeled by

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his fellow tailgaters.

“He’s got the right idea,” they said, knowingly.

“It’s something different every time,” Bell said of his love for tailgating. “It’s a time to share a common interest with a whole town. And I make a new friend at every game.”

These days he and his wife have

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a different routine. With two small children, 3 1/2 and 2 years old, they attend the Alumni festivities and then return home to watch the game on television.

“The kids love seeing the cheerleaders and Albert and Alberta, the face painting, and generally just getting out into the crowd,” Bell said.

People of all ages can be found celebrating the Gator Nation. Senior citizens and young children alike can be found sitting in the back of pickup trucks enjoying the festivities, eating, drinking and cheering on the Florida Gators.

Scott Stowell, Class of ‘89, has been tailgating at every home game

— and Georgia — since graduation.

“Basically, we have been tailgating on the Plaza of the Americas since 1997, and at our current spot for the past 11 years,” Stowell said in a telephone interview. “What’s nice is there are some folks from Chiefland that tailgate next to us. We’ve been doing this for a long time.”

The routine has varied little, although he admits for some early games he will hire a student to set up prior to their arrival.

“We have a couple of tents and a couple of tables and about 20 chairs,” he said. “We’ll bring games, too, depending on the time of the day.”

They set up a satellite and television and watch pre-game shows and often leave everything up so that friends that do not have tickets can continue to tailgate while they attend the game.

Stowell said that when they first started tailgating there were not many people tailgating on the Plaza of the Americas.

“I think a lot of it has to do with the advance of technology,” he said.

“You’re seeing trailers with built-in

www.VisitOurTowns.com

plasma TVs. You can even rent a tailgate spot and they’ll set up a TV. A lot has to do with the quiet Honda generators.”

On the corner of Gale Lemmerond & University Avenue, the highway is closed off to traffic while throngs of people line both sides of the street for the Gatorwalk.

A motorcade of police motorcycles cruise by, sirens screaming and lights flashing, escorting the buses of Gator football players. To the sounds of cheering fans the Gators disembark and walk the walk.

So whether one visits on foot, or by bike, by car or RV, Gator Tailgating is clearly an event for people of all generations and all walks of life.

Go Gators! s

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>> BREAK A LEG

The Show Goes On Forty Years of the Hippodrome

BY CASSIE GANTER ary Hausch’s dream began at a 7-Eleven.

She realized the potential in the dusty convenience store on the outskirts of Gainesville. This 7-Eleven on Hawthorne Road became the first location of the Hippodrome Theatre. The year was 1972.

Hausch and the other five co-founders — all recent University of Florida graduates at the time — knew they had achieved success when the building that was intended to seat 78 overflowed to 125 theatergoers who had traveled to the outskirts of town to see productions during the Hippodrome’s inaugural season.

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This season, the Hippodrome Theater, now located in downtown Gainesville, celebrates its 40th anniversary. And it promises to be a big one, said Jessica Hurov, director of marketing.

“It’s not only our 40th birthday, but also a celebration of the community’s involvement in the success of the theater,” Hurov said.

“It’s a testament to the values of the Gainesville community and its concern with keeping the arts alive.”

For Hausch, the theater’s anniversary is more than a celebration. Instead, it is about the history of the journey. It is about the theater’s ability to inspire.

It is about a community and its relationship with the arts.

After the Hippodrome’s first

location filled up with supporters of the arts from all over Gainesville, she said one of her fondest memories was realizing they needed to move the theater to a bigger venue.

The theater had outgrown its first location in only two years.

The second home for the Hippodrome was a large, vacant warehouse on Highway 441. The year was 1975. Although it would serve the theater well over the next five years, the increasing flow of support and interest from the community encouraged the founders to set their sights higher.

Once again, the theater moved to a desolate area of Gainesville. The old Federal Building became its next home. For Hausch, this move remains the most significant highlight of the

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL A. EADDY

Hippodrome’s history.

“People would ask me, ‘Why would you want to be downtown?

There’s nothing downtown,’” she said. “But we were young artists, inspired and passionate about what we were doing. There were definitely no doubts in our minds.”

At the time of the move, downtown Gainesville was abandoned.

The fluorescent sign in front of Lillian’s Music Store was the only indication that people ever ventured downtown. Today’s opera house was a boarded up furniture store. The rest of the downtown area matched the opera house: neglected, boarded up, tattered and abandoned.

After two years of renovations and fundraising nearly $2 million for restorations, the Hippodrome held its first production downtown.

The building housed a 266-seat theater, an 80-seat cinema, an art gallery, box office, administrative offices and a bar. The year was 1980.

A theater of this magnitude brought as many as 1,000 people to the downtown area per day, Hausch said. As people flocked to the theater, businesses downtown started to revitalize. The theater became the catalyst for the movement downtown. The area grew and prospered as it catered to

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the artistic community that now frequented the Hippodrome.

“Since the beginning, the Hippodrome has bonded with the community,” Hausch said. “As a result of moving downtown, we were able to expand our programs that give back to those who have supported us from the beginning.”

With programs ranging from theater classes to summer camps, the Hippodrome emphasizes the importance of education in the arts for children and teenagers. As budget cuts in public schools are becoming more drastic each year, the theater keeps the arts programs alive in unique ways.

Since its 1984 founding, the award-winning Hippodrome Improvisational Teen Theatre program has given more than 60,000 teens the skills and confidence to overcome pressures of society. A program that Hausch is particularly proud of, H.I.T.T., uses the arts to expose the issues of addiction, substance abuse, violence and mental health issues.

Even from the days of 7-Eleven theater, the Hippodrome has always supported children. By entertaining thousands of youngsters during the summer and school year, the theater staff hopes to inspire the next generation of art

PHOTO BY MICHAEL A. EADDY

lovers to introduce their children to appreciate the arts as much as those involved in the Hippodrome.

“I’ve seen kids come into the camps and classes shy and uncertain about themselves and by the end of it, they’re standing on stage in front of 200 people acting out their show,” Hurov said. “Children take the lessons and skills they learn at the Hippodrome and apply it to other aspects of their life.

We provide an environment that encourages the feelings of belonging and confidence to children who can’t get from anywhere else.”

The entire Hippodrome history — from the 7-Eleven to helping the children of Gainesville — reads

PHOTO BY MICHAEL A. EADDY

PHOTO BY GARY WOLFSON PHOTOS PROVIDED COURTESY OF THE HIPPODROME STATE THEATRE

PHOTO BY RANDY BATISTA

like a fairytale success story. But Hausch exhaled an audible sigh when asked about any setbacks or speed bumps the founders experienced along the road.

“Right now we’re going through one of the toughest financial times I’ve ever seen,” she said.

“We’ve lost over $600,000 in public funding and have certainly had to make cutbacks. It’s proving to be more difficult now than ever in our history to make ends meet.

Still, despite the economy, community members and sponsors have remained loyal. It’s the loyalty of our sponsors and supporters that allow us to promote our mission of art appreciation.”

Hausch regained her animation and excitement when the topic of the 40th anniversary season arose.

“This anniversary season is incredible,” she said. “I think it will definitely help to bring people out to the theater and increase ticket sales.”

For a local artistic landmark such as the Hippodrome, it is hard not to hope for a better-than-ever successful season, which kicksoff with Tony Award-winning Broadway play “Other Desert Cities” on August 29.

Over the past 40 years, the Hippodrome Theatre has brought famous playwrights, artists and 150 plays to Gainesville. It has inspired thousands of people through its

www.VisitOurTowns.com

For the past 40 years, the Hippodrome Theatre has offered not only theatrical performances but also programs ranging from theater classes to summer camps, emphasizing the importance of education in the arts for children and teenagers. Such notables as Tennessee Williams (for the World Premiere of his play “Tiger Tail” in 1979) and Sally Fields (1983) have shared their artistic talents with the Hipp. Having lost public funding, the theater is now experiencing its most difficult financial time relying upon community members and sponsors.

programs, camps, classes and productions. It has breathed life back into downtown Gainesville.

But most importantly, it has tied together an entire community through a passion for the arts, something Hausch and her cofounders had envisioned since the 7-Eleven on Hawthorne Road.

“You learn so much about the outside world by working on a play,” she said. “You learn such intimate things about people through theater and arts because you really need to expand your own universe to understand how the play relates to it. It’s an education every time, which is what I love so much about the art.” s

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>> SWEAT EQUITY

Homemade Humanity A Hand Up For Community Residents in Need

BY ALLISON WILSON ith new programs and strong community partnerships, Alachua County Habitat for Humanity continues to build a brighter future for Gainesville, Micanopy, High Springs, Hawthorne and Waldo.

This Christian nonprofit organization has more than 1,900 affiliate organizations that provide homes for struggling families throughout the world. Financed through the generosity of individuals, businesses and churches, Habitat Family Partners who meet the requirements for the organization’s services through an application process work with community volunteers to construct their

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homes and purchase them through no-interest loans and low down payments. Alachua County Habitat for Humanity has completed nearly 110 homes over the last 25 years, including an entire subdivision: Celebration Oaks, a 30-home community in southeast Gainesville.

“What we offer is a hand up — we don’t just give houses away — and we serve four to five families a year,” said Scott Winzeler, Alachua County Habitat for Humanity executive director, in a recent phone interview. “Through our neighborhood revitalization initiative, we hope to serve 18 more families by the end of June 2013.”

This initiative, called A Brush with Kindness, offers families who occupy homes help with critical

home repairs, including exterior maintenance, weatherization projects, landscaping and painting.

Habitat also has an ongoing partnership with the Santa Fe College’s Charles R. Perry Construction Institute. In a large airplane hangar located just outside the classroom, construction students work as apprentices to build a house during the week. Habitat volunteers complete installations for the house on site, while students learn valuable life skills. Once the house is complete, Habitat teams transfer it to its final location.

The organization also has a chapter at the University of Florida.

Students can sign up for weekly builds as individuals or groups, and they also participate in the

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALACHUA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

A volunteer crew poses for a photo opportunity in front of a Habitat for Humanity building project in High Springs.

Collegiate Challenge Program. As a part of this program, more than thirty student volunteers spend their spring break vacations building homes in cities throughout the Southeast. The group also hosts fundraisers, including a silent auction and 5K, as well as educational events. The Faces of Poverty Speaking Panel events are held to raise student awareness about poverty housing, and the club organizes socials to

help chapter members bond outside of the build site.

Another collaboration that is essential to Habitat for Humanity’s mission is the organization’s partnership with community volunteers. Families and professional or civic groups will often come out to the Saturday builds to foster teamwork and team-building skills. Volunteers can also donate their time to the Family Support

www.VisitOurTowns.com

Committee. Members of this committee act as friends, helpers, listeners, and sometimes advocates for Habitat Family Partners.

Winzeler points out that this is a great role for retired seniors, who have valuable life experience to share with families.

In more recent years, women have increasingly volunteered their time and talent at Habitat for Humanity through the Women

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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ALACHUA COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Santa Fe College students build installations for homes in a large hangar located just outside the classroom. Here a Habitat for Humanity volunteer crew constructs a wall at a build site.

Alachua County Habitat for Humanity by the numbers $

65,000

The cost to build a Habitat home in Alachua County today

13,000 Build program. This Habitat for Humanity International program encourages women of all ages and levels of experience to participate in builds. In 2008, the Women Build branch of Alachua Habitat for Humanity completed two homes in the Celebration Oaks subdivision in Gainesville. Since the program’s inception, the Women Build workforce has completed construction of five homes, according to information on the organization’s website.

“This organization was built on volunteers,” Winzeler said. “And you don’t need to have construction skills. We look for people to help us on the construction site, but we look for people to help out in the office and in our thrift store.”

Habitat for Humanity has operated its thrift store — ReStore — for 20 years. ReStore accepts donations of furniture, appliances, building materials, housewares and clothing for resale.

“The thrift store allows needy family to purchase things they need for homes,” Winzeler said. “It’s also a great place for bargain hunters and antique hunters, and the revenue supports our building projects.”

The organization also relies on revenue from fundraising events

158 | Autumn 2012

including an antique car show, and the signature fall event: Pave the Way. This year’s event takes place Sept. 14, and will feature a silent auction, music and dinner.

More details about the event will be posted on the organization’s website www.alachuahabitat.org. s

The number of man-hours it takes to complete each habitat home.

1,000+ The number of Habitat houses built by women crews around the world.

1 - 1.5 Number of pounds of waste diverted from the landfill for every dollar spent at the ReStore thrift store.

The Habitat for Humanity Family Partnership A common question Habitat for Humanity representatives receive involves the partnership between the organization and Habitat homeowners.

The organization chooses Families based on their applications, which the Family Selection Committee assesses for the family’s need for housing, ability to pay and willingness to be a partner.

Families must contribute 200 hours of “sweat equity” during the construction of other Habitat homes before they get the green light to begin building their own home. They then spend at least 200 hours on construction of their own home.

This partnership is the key to building strong relationships, which the organization and families value as much as shelter.

“Many of our Family Partners will stay in touch, and come back to help out with other builds,” said Scott Winzeler, Alachua County Habitat for Humanity executive director.

“They are invested, and they want to give back.”

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When Experience Matters…

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>> INTERVIEW

Chris Doering

“DOERING’S GOT A TOUCHDOWN!”

For Gator fans, wide receiver Chris Doering is perhaps best remembered for the game-winning touchdown pass he caught from quarterback Danny Wuerffel to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats in 1993. But his story does not end there.

BY ALBERT ISAAC

AGE: 39 HOMETOWN: GAINESVILLE, FL HIGH SCHOOL: PK Yonge OCCUPATIONS: Doering Mortgage Company, The Sports Fix on ESPN Radio, Color Analyst with ESPN Television

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uring his four seasons with UF, the Gators won three straight Southeastern Conference championships (1993, 1994, 1995). In 1995, he received first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors as senior team captain. After college he had a 10-year NFL career, playing for the Indianapolis Colts, the Denver Broncos, the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I recently met up with Chris Doering at his home in Haile Plantation. His wife, Tiffany, and their children were at the beach, but he greeted me while his two dogs happily made their presence

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known throughout our interview. It was feeding time at the Doering residence and their 18-year-old family cat could be heard meowing in the back room. He tended to his furry friends and then sat down to talk with me.

I understand you were a standout athlete at PK Yunge.

In high school I played football, baseball and basketball. I was All-State in all three sports my senior year. We won the state championship in basketball my senior year. I was named MVP of the state tournament that year. I was also the lead in “Guys and Dolls;” I was Sky

Masterson in the Musical theater production that we did. I like to say that I had the best senior year of anybody ever. I was pretty fortunate.

Did you realize this while it was happening?

It’s tough to have perspective on things when you are in the midst of them.

I do think that — and Danny Wuerffel always says this when he talks about me — the thing he liked is that I was very appreciative of my Florida years while I was living through them. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that I grew up here. I always knew I was going to play for the

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Gators. I always knew that I was going to be given a scholarship. And then when I had to walkon, and the path was a little more difficult for me, it became something that I was much more appreciative of because of what I had to go through to get to that point. So I think that that certainly helped my perspective a little bit.

How did you meet your wife?

From 4th grade till I graduated, my wife also went to PK, so she and I have known each other our entire lives. Never dated until college.

She was always a good friend. Her brother was my quarterback in high school and one of my best friends growing up,

so I had a long family relationship with her and her family. It’s kind of cool to be married to someone that you know as well as Tiffany and I know one another. We’ve been married 14 years.

We’ve been together for 19 years.

Tell me about “The Catch.”

[Laughing] Tiffany likes to tell the story that we started dating in August of 1993, which at that point in time I was still a walk-on, and so I started dating her right before the beginning of the year. I played well the first game. I got a chance to start the second game, and then that’s the Kentucky game where I caught the game-winner. So she

likes to take credit for a lot of the good things that have happened in my football career. None of it, according to her, would have happened if I hadn’t started dating her.

chance to do more, as my role became bigger on the team, it was something that I really looked forward to every week. I still get chills when I go to games and see it.

How did you feel the first time you ran out of the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

How does this compare to your NFL experience?

It’s different. For me, it was playing for the University of Florida that I was so passionate about. I had the dream of playing with the NFL too, but it wasn’t as vivid or meaningful as playing at Florida. You also see the NFL as a job. It’s much more cutthroat. It’s a bottom-line business, so for me it was great to be part of each of those teams’ individual traditions, but none of them meant as much

The University of Florida is such a part of my childhood and life that I always had dreamt about running out of that tunnel and hearing, “Here come the Gators,” so actually getting the chance was pretty cool.

But running out of that tunnel knowing that I was going to be playing and contributing was even more cool. It was a great experience as a freshman, but as I got a

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what the traditions here at Florida meant. Loved the payday, loved the lifestyle that went along with playing for the NFL, but none of it was as meaningful as playing here at Florida.

What NFL memories stand out?

My first year in Denver, I made the team and the next thing you know, we’re playing on Monday Night Football on the opening game of the season. Denver had just won back-to-back Super Bowls, and we’re playing against Dan Marino and the Dolphins and I’m the third receiver, so I’m playing quite a bit. On the second half I’m starting... I end up catching four balls in that game. I’m thinking,

wow, things are starting all over again, it’s going to happen. After having a couple of seasons when I had been on the practice squad and cut and everything else, it was the same feeling that things were starting to roll after some issues.

But the next year I really had a great off-season and I was ready to take the next step when I tore my Achilles tendon in 2000. I was out that whole year. I tried to come back the next year and wasn’t ready, so I was out for 2001.

Fortunately, I was the only guy in the Gator Nation that was happy about Coach Spurrier leaving and going to the NFL because I knew it was going to give me an opportunity to revitalize

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my career. So, he took me up to Washington and I had a great season with coaches I was familiar with from here, with great friends in Danny and Shane and Jacquez, and Reidel was there for a bit. It was really fun to do that.

What do you see down the road?

I’m excited about the way the mortgage business is headed. We could

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not have opened the company at a worst time, (April 2007), the worst housing market since The Great Depression. I’m proud at the way that we not only have been able to hang in there, but have now begun to thrive, and things are going well.

I’ll think you’ll see a theme in everything that I’ve accomplished.

Nothing’s easy, nothing ever goes the way I think it should go in my head.

But for whatever reason, through perseverance and hard work and hanging in there, it always turns out better. And in the long run it just goes to show you that God’s plan is a little bit better for us than our plan is, and we are given the things we need at the appropriate times and we have to work through certain things that make us better and stronger people.

The thing that I’m most passionate about is my TV work, and having an opportunity to do the in-game color analyst work for the SEC games allows me to be around the conference, allows me to be on campus with the traditions on game day and the live aspect of doing the commentary gives you the adrenalin rush — the next best thing to playing.

Family-wise, I couldn’t have been more blessed in terms of my parents and the way they brought me up. My parents believed in me. To have a wife that’s been through as much of the ups and downs and has been there the entire time with me is special as well.

She’s seen the great side of sports and the dirty side of sports. It’s nice to have a partner that’s been there for the entire time.

And having a chance to be a father in the same town I grew up in, and doing some of the same stuff with them that my parents did with me is cool.

I coach my son’s flag football team and his basketball team. He played baseball this year as

well. My daughter plays volleyball and my wife coaches my daughter’s volleyball team.

What are some of your best UF Memories?

I look at my on-field memories as book-ended events. One is that catch against Kentucky; it doesn’t matter where I go amongst Florida fans, they can all tell me where they were when I caught that pass. That was my second game, really playing, my sophomore season.

And then all the way at the end, my last day as a Gator, it was Senior Day, we’re undefeated, we’re playing against our arch rival the Florida State Seminoles, riding on the bus on the way to the game in tears just thinking about it being my last opportunity. And I get to go out there and catch a touchdown right before halftime that breaks the SEC touchdown record. It could not have been a better story, from rags to riches — if I could erase that National Championship game against Nebraska. If we could have won that game would have been the only way it could have been better.

The record that means the most to me is the Southeastern Conference career touchdown receiving mark. When you think of all the great players that have played in this conference over the years, and to think that it’s the slow, skinny, white, walk-on receiver that has more than anybody else, is pretty amazing. s

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REVIEW: LIQUID GINGER >> JEWEL MIDELIS

Adventures in Appetite estled behind the historic Hippodrome Theater is the only restaurant downtown with the concrete engraving of “Gainesville Daily Sun” on its brick wall — Liquid Ginger, Asian Grille and Tea House. Since the restaurant’s opening in 2003, Liquid Ginger has become well known for its blend of Japanese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese cuisines.

When my fiancé, Joey, and I entered the restaurant we walked into a slightly crowded waiting area, but then made our way inside and was greeted by the hostess. The dining area featured a contemporary décor, consisting of dark, red leather booths with wood trimmings and several tables strategically scattered throughout the room. We were seated on a higher platform made for smaller parties, near large windows, which provided natural light and allowed us to overlook the heart of Gainesville.

Almost immediately after being seated, the hostess brought us two glasses of water.

The menu highlighted a wide variety of hot teas, appetizers called Tastings, and Asian dishes and grilled options.

For $3 a pot, there were both caffeine and caffeinefree hot teas to choose from. I chose the jasmine green tea, described as a “scented flower tea with a crisp taste, made with fresh jasmine petals and green tea leaves,” which lived up to its description as a scented flower tea. It arrived in a rustic, green cast-iron pot, over a candle, with honey on the side, which was the perfect complement to the delicate and floral tea that lasted throughout our entire dinner.

As we browsed the Tastings, Joey and I debated between the fried calamari, the panko-crusted soft shell crab, and the ginger scallops. Valerie, our waitress, recommended the popular Saigon Spring Rolls or the Spicy Asian Calamari with the sweet chili sauce. We

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ordered the calamari.

Because it was our first visit to Liquid Ginger, Valerie also explained that for $4, we could upgrade any dinner entrée to a bento box. The upgrade includes miso soup or spinach and tofu soup, a house salad with ginger or sesame dressing, four sides, and then our choice of ice cream for dessert. If we had ordered the miso soup or house salad separately, it would have been $3 per side, so the upgrade was definitely a great bargain.

Our calamari arrived on a bed of fresh spring mix, encrusted with the panko breadcrumbs. The calamari was crunchy and cooked to near perfection; there were no rubbery pieces, as often found if overcooked. The sweet chili sauce was a little spicy for my taste, but Joey dove right in, coating every piece of calamari.

Before we were finished with our appetizer, Valerie brought us our miso soups, followed by our spring mix salads with ginger dressing. The miso soup consisted of generous portions of mushrooms, chives, and tidbits of tofu that settled at the bottom of the bowl. We were both very pleased with the soup’s delicate balance of mushrooms and tofu. Unlike a typical thick and orange ginger dressing, Liquid Ginger offers a unique white ginger dressing that was slightly sweet and light, which packed an enormous amount of flavor. It was one of my favorite ginger dressings I’ve ever had.

After we finished our starter courses, the big decision came: what to order? As I contemplated between the Crispy Lime Chicken ($11), Chicken Pad Thai ($9), and the Pan Seared Shrimp ($14), Joey knew what he wanted right away: the Liquid Ginger Rib Eye ($16). Valerie swung my vote towards the Pan Seared Shrimp, and I chose the Lemongrass Buerre Blanc sauce to complement my shrimp. Unfortunately, moments after I placed my order, Valerie returned to tell me that they were all out of the buttery sauce. Although this misfortune occurred, she brought me two samples of similar sauces

My meal consisted of seven jumbo white shrimp over a generous helping of Bok Choy, a traditional Chinese cabbage.

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to try. I chose the sweet, coconut-lime dipping sauce.

As we waited for our entrees, Joey and I both realized were nearly full and were not sure how much more food we could handle. Both dishes arrived in a timely manner on a wooden tray that supplemented that Asian fusion appeal.

My meal consisted of seven jumbo white shrimp over a generous helping of Bok Choy, a traditional Chinese cabbage. The hibachi-style shrimp’s delicate flavors exploded in my mouth. Joey’s rib eye, described as their most popular cut, was a large piece of meat with a nice char, grilled to the correct temperature, allowing the savory juices to squeeze out with every bite. The rib eye came with three different dipping sauces: the sweet chili, spicy mayonnaise and sweet soy.

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Both dinners came with steamed jasmine rice, which went very well with our entrees. The four sides included in our upgrade were marinated bits of cucumber, chilled Udon noodles, well-seasoned and crunchy green beans, and fried potatoes in soy sauce.

Before trying the potatoes, I had to ask what they were, but after trying them, the potatoes were moist and the saltiness of the soy was nearly undetectable as it transformed into a sweet glaze. Ultimately, we were satisfied with our main courses and very delighted that we had upgraded to the bento box special.

Although we were feeling full before, we were both excited to cool down our palate with some ice cream.

We had the options of strawberry, raspberry sorbet, red bean and butter pecan. Wanting to stay the course of our Japanese-like dishes, we both picked the red bean ice cream. The red bean arrived in small glass bowl with a dollop of whipped cream on the top. As soon as I spooned my way into the dessert, bliss nearly took over. The ice cream was smooth with little pieces of red bean in every bite — it was delicious.

Our overall dinner was $62, including the tip, which was reasonably priced for the amount of food we received. I plan to go back to Liquid Ginger and try my other entrée choices. It was a relaxing atmosphere, which is perfect for date nights or even family dinners. s

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ADVERTISER INDEX 4400 NW 36th Avenue • Gainesville, FL 32606 352-372-5468 352-373-9178 fax AUTOMOTIVE Maaco Collision Repair ......................... 141 Park Place Car Wash & Detail .............58 Terry’s Automotive & Qwik Lube ....... 139

REAL ESTATE Atrium ........................................................ 128 Horizon Realty .............................................. 143 The Village ...................................................11

FINANCIAL / LAW Allstate, Cathy Cain....................................... 31 Campus USA Credit Union ...................19 LegalShield....................................................... 52 State Farm - Tish Olesky .................... 135 Stephen K. Miller Law Offices .................63 Sunshine State Insurance ................... 102 SunState Federal Credit Union ............................. 69, 98, 180

MEDICAL / HEALTH 1st Choice Immediate Care ................ 136 1st Choice Weight Loss ....................... 136 Affordable Dentures ............................ 148 Altschuler Periodontic ........................ 166 Angel Reyes, M.D.................................... 90 Caretenders ...............................................88 Clear Sound Audiology.................................6 Cohen & Montini Orthodontics ..............34 Community Cancer Center ................ 148 Douglas M. Adel, DDS...........................175 Gainesville Dermatology ...........................59 Gainesville OB/GYN ................................. 4 Gentle Dental Care ..........................................2 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery .......... 30 Palms Medical Group ............................. 111 Samant Dental Group ..........................100 Vishnu Reddy, M.D. ...............................160

RETAIL / RECREATION FITNESS and BEAUTY Charisma for Hair .....................................18 Emerge............................................................... 47 Massage Envy Spa.......................................165 Sun Station Tanning .............................. 49 Zoetic Designs, LLC ................................15 34th St. Salon.................................................159

PETS and VETS Affordable Vet Clinic ...................................85 Animal Health Center.................................155 Bed & Biscuit Inn ................................... 159 Bob’s Compassionate Pet Sitting .........85 Dancin’ Dogs Boarding ..............................85 Dream Dogz ...............................................81 Eager Pup ..................................................85 Earth Pets....................................................81 Earth Pets Organic .................................45 Invisible Fence ...........................................81 Vacation Station Pet Resort ....................85 Wild Birds Unlimited .............................. 72

CHILDREN and SCHOOLS Aikido of Gainesville ....................................29 Alachua Learning Center .............................9 Gainesville Country Day School ........67 Girl Scouts of Gateway Council .............29 Kids on Wheels ..............................................29

MISCELLANEOUS American Diversified Publications ........ 31 Cash for Cars .......................................... 103 Holy Trinity Episcopal Church .......... 102 Sebastian Ferrero Foundation................20 U.S. Casting .................................................... 170

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Alachua Harvest Festival ......................... 142 Alachua Pawn & Jewelry ..................... 171 Alley Gatorz Bowling .................................. 73 Alternatives Global Marketplace ....... 72 Beacher’s Lodge......................................45 Bead All About It ..........................................49 Bennett’s True Value ................... 154, 155 Bicycle / Pedestrian Board ...................... 72 Blue Springs ..............................................29 Cave Country Dive Shop ..........................137 Coin & Jewelry Gallery ......................... 117 Colleen’s Kloset........................................45 Cootie Coo Creations .......................... 154 Crevasses Florist............................................48 Dance Alive...............................................127 Dirty Bar .................................................... 50 Gainesville Civic Chorus............................ 110 Hippodrome .................................................. 120 Jeannie’s Attic ................................................49 Jewelry Designs by Donna......................155 Kelly’s Creations........................................... 143 Klaus Fine Jewelry .............................8, 50 Lentz House of Time ..............................45 Liquor & Wine Shoppe ................................ 17 Music Junction.............................................. 142 Paddywhack............................................ 167 Pawn Pro ................................................... 110 Sapps Pawn, Gun and Archery ........ 103 Sleep Center Superstores ............................7 Swim America ................................................29 Thornebrook Gallery ...................................49 Thornebrook Village ....................................48 UF Performing Arts......................................119 Valerie’s Loft Consignment ........84, 142 Wood You Furniture...............................84

SERVICE Action ChemDry .......................................91 Alachua County Big Blue ................... 178 Alachua County EPD ........................... 102 Alachua Co. Waste Management ..... 171 A-1 Sewing Machine and Vacuum .........121 A&K Outdoor Services ...............................58 BBI Construction Management......... 121 Bounds Heating & Air ...........................137 Chimney Sweeps of America..................121 Clint S. Davis.....................................................111 COX Business................................. 139, 164 COX Communications .......................... 161 Creekside Outdoor .......................... 46, 57 Gainesville Regional Airport ............. 164 Grease Busters ..............................................175 Heritage Mechanical Services............... 149 Jack’s Small Engine Repair................ 170 Lotus Studios Photography ................36 Mini Maid .................................................... 10 Sears Carpet Cleaning............................31 Suburban Cleaners .......................................70

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RESTAURANT / CUISINE Ballyhoo Grill........................................... 124 Bubba Que’s ............................................. 121 Conestoga’s ................................................... 143 Dave’s NY Deli ...............................................123 Dive Pub & Grub .......................................... 154 Dos Mamas.............................................. 73, 125 Dream Day Cakes ......................................... 82 El Toro......................................................... 121 Embers Wood Grill ............................ 125, 164 Firefly .................................................................123 Flying Biscuit Café .......................... 51, 126 Great Outdoors Restaurant ....................179 Hungry Howies Pizza ............................... 5 KB Kakes ................................................ 123, 143 Main St. Pie Co.............................................. 143 Mark’s Prime Steak & Seafood ......... 122 Napolatanos ...................................................126 Northwest Grille ............................................125 O!O Tapas & Tinis .................................. 124 Pickled Pelican ..............................................126 Saboré ....................................................... 122 Sweet Janes Whoopie Pies.................... 142 TCBY....................................................................48 Tupelo BBQ Bar & Grill ..............................124 Tropical Smoothie Café ...................... 122

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page

38 >> PAYNES PRAIRIE

is home to 20 distinct biological communities, providing habitats for wildlife and livestock, including more than 270 species of birds. Since historical records indicate that bison once lived in North Central Florida, 10 American Bison were brought to Paynes Prairie in 1975.

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BIG ORANGE: Junk mail, Magazines, Office paper, Catalogs, Newspapers, Telephone books, Brown paper bags, All cardboard (3’ x 3’ flattened) NO PIZZA BOXES

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Pitch In to Put Alachua County on n Top In our community, we do a lot of things really well. Our schools, hospitals and, of course, sports teams are among the best in the state. But in one critical area, we’ve come up short. Alachua County is ranked 21st in Florida when it comes to recycling. Strive to make Alachua County #1.

Our Challenge: Recycle 75% of All Solid Waste by 2020!

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©2012 Alachua County Waste eM Management ment Di Division Division.

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