Art Underfoot

For those who are looking for something that adds warmth and beauty to your home, and lasts for 60 -100 years. We often look for beauty in a portrait, a sunset, even a building. But next time you find yourself searching for elegance, let your eyes wander to the floor. A handwoven Oriental rug is more than carpet —it is art. These hand-made rugs are created by tightly ...

Creative Cuisine

Happy Holidays from Downtown Pizza Bakers Mellow Mushroom. Thanks to Rock n Roll's Deo Klein for sharing one of his holiday recipes along with his favorite Calzone combinations. Along with Monday night Trivia Twins Erin and Megan McFann for their help with the photos of the food which they joyfully devoured afterwards. Their favorite is the Jalapeno, pineapple and pepperoni calzone, ...

Crystal N' Crates

Tucked in a corner between Steak & Pasta Works and the Publix store on NW 13th Street and 39th Avenue is one of Gainesville’s most unique gift shops – Crystal ‘N Crates. The specialty shop creates custom-made, hand-painted crystal wine glasses for any special occasion, displayed in a wooden crate. All of the crystal is imported from France, and all the ...

Overcoming the Holiday Blues

The holidays usually are a time of cheerful decorations, music, aromas and parties, but it is easy to feel bypassed by the holiday spirit. Sometimes the weight of the year’s events, money problems, or remembrances of departed loved ones, leave us feeling alone and depressed, or even annoyed, by the good cheer and togetherness touted in television commercials and holiday ...

Gator Watch

This month’s featured sports are Swimming and Diving. The teams bring Splashes Beyond the Pool with their efforts overflowing into community service. Filled with rosters of champions and all-Americans, the University of Florida men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are out to prove that they are champions outside of the pool as well. In the pool under ...

Give a Resource for a Better Future

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Heifer International’s Most Important Gift Catalog in the World offers shoppers a unique form of giving - to celebrate all occasions, from baby’s christening to grandparents’ anniversary, - which will be appreciated for years to come. Honor your loved ones or colleagues with a gift of a farm animal sent in their name to those who are deeply ...

Keep Toxins Out of Water

Faced with space problems, the officials at Hydrosphere Research began looking for new quarters several months ago. But because of the company’s unique work, the Gainesville firm couldn’t just move to larger quarters in a local industrial park. Hydrosphere started as CH2M Hill’s bioassay laboratory in 1986, and was sold to the employees in 1995. The firm tests ...

Providing Hope

Envision being alone and elderly, or a parent with no money to buy presents for your children during the holiday. Imagine the feeling of children who don’t understand why they don’t get presents, wondering if they did something wrong. There’s an agency in this community that for the last 21 years has quietly reached out during the holiday season to provide ...

Savoring Winning Combinations

One local family has hit the jackpot with a trio of Gainesville restaurants that cater to people with good taste, who want to be treated to fine food, reasonably priced and in a casual atmosphere. Grill Masters, Steak & Pasta Works and Northwest Grille are all owned by Lauré and Donald Regan, her son, Michael Akey and his wife, Melissa Akey. Their success comes from ...

St. Augustine Lightner Museum Florida's Smithsonian

See “Florida’s Smithsonian” while enjoying the magic of Saint Augustine during the holidays. www.lightnermuseum.org St. Augustine is known for its historical landmarks, shopping and white, sandy beaches. Among the many renowned points-of-interest is a relatively unknown, yet hard-to-miss treasure – the Lightner Museum. Located in St. Augustine’s ...

Water Gardening

One good idea for a weekend winter project is to consider building that water garden you have been dreaming about. To help in deciding the location, ask yourself: Where will I be able to enjoy the pond the most in relation to my house? Do I want to hear the waterfall? Where will it look the best? Where will the electricity come from? What are the advantages and disadvantages ...

Publisher's Letter

Our cover features the Regan and Akey family. We are proud that they allow us to showcase their fine dining spots and store. As a “non-chain” restaurant, in these times, they have to work extra hard to compete in the environment of national chains. We respect and admire this family and hope you will enjoy reading about their local businesses. Shopping becomes frantic ...

A Variety of Holiday Traditions

We are reaching the time of year when thoughts filled with memories and anticipation turn to holidays and traditions. Whether it’s decorating for the holiday, lighting candles, or taking the time to do some introspection, cultural practices and religious beliefs are celebrated in a variety of ways. Most of these traditions include some form of giving. For Christians, ...

The Hippodrome

For the past 25 seasons, the Hippodrome has delighted audiences with the Bah Humbug-blurting Scrooge in the Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol. This season the Hippodrome makes history! As we celebrate our 31st year as a theatre, we also celebrate another anniversary of A Christmas Carol. But that’s not all! After 9 years, Mary Hausch is turning over the directing ...

Our Local Government

As the chief of the Gainesville Police Department, I am pleased that Gainesville Today has offered me this space to briefly explain how your department works. After all, it is your tax dollars, along with other funds we receive through a variety of sources, which allows us to provide you with the best police protection possible, and to help make Gainesville one of the most livable ...

Diversions

ART ART IN THE AIRPORT—Exhibit: The Art in the Airport exhibition features: “Many Faces,” showing paintings by Carlotta Daniels, pastels by Adria Klausner and watercolors by Elsa Kula. The exhibition sponsor is Ivey’s Grill. The show runs through November 7. “Boucias and Boucias” – oils by Arthur Boucias and watercolors by Gregg Boucias, ...