Letter from the Publisher

WELCOME to Gainesville Today ’s annual “Mega Guide to Gainesville.” Our evolving partnership with the MEGAbook team is wonderful and now in its second year. With mutual goals to promote our community, we are proud of our affiliation and the wonderful work that Mitch and his team do to reach out and help others. Thank you! We would also like to thank ...

Community Leaders

  Community Leaders   TO VISITORS to our fair County I say welcome! If you live here, I encourage you to rediscover Alachua County. Either way, Gainesville Today Magazine will help guide you. Alachua County has a truly amazing and broad spectrum of places ...

Mitch Glaeser and the MEGAbook

MUCH LIKE the fabled King Midas, Mitch Glaeser seems to have a magic touch when it comes to turning the ordinary into gold. However, the similarities end there. Unlike the greedy King Midas, Mitch Glaeser is a benevolent community activist who challenges others to step up to the plate and do their part. This king of the yellow pages launched his MEGAbook directory business ...

Running With Compassion

“I’m not ready to sit back and relax,” said Perry McGriff, Jr., Gainesville’s veteran State Farm agent. A thoughtful man with the interests of the community at heart, McGriff, 67, is the consummate citizen. “I still have goals to achieve,” he said. Elected city commissioner in 1968 and county commissioner six years later, McGriff became mayor ...

Credit Union 2004 Update

IN THIS DAY and age, when financial institutions seem to come and go, it’s important to know and appreciate the stability, the contributions, and the financial resources available from your community credit union. Here, in Gainesville and the surrounding area, we are fortunate to be served by Sun- State Federal Credit Union. SunState Federal Credit Union, originally chartered ...

Family Portraits: 3 Mediums, One-of-a-Kind Artwork

FAMILY PORTRAITS are a beautiful way to preserve a special moment in time. The Johnston family not only captures these moments with the blink of the shutter, but with the heart, soul and eye of their artists. The Johnston family creates professional portraits in a variety of mediums from photography to canvas rendered oil or watercolor, creating one-of-a-kind artwork that ...

Sprucing Up Your Outdoor Retreat

IF “ SPRING FEVER ” is giving you the urge to spruce up your outdoor spaces, All Seasons Planning is the “hardscape” specialist to call. Whether you’re thinking about building, remodeling or extending the life of existing structures; outdoor enhancements can improve your quality of life while increasing your home’s value. According ...

Hirneise Construction A Unique Marriage of Styles

LOCAL BUILDER Paul Hirneise, owner of Hirneise Construction, says the relationship with his clients is “like being married while we’re building.” Hirneise, one of Gainesville’s premiere custom builders, works very closely with his clients, like Jerry and Carlene Sullivan, so that they are involved in the process from beginning to end. This common-sense ...

Indulge Your Senses With Excellent Outdoor Dining

L et’s face it; there simply aren’t many restaurants in Gainesville where you can dine outside in peace and quiet. There are a few spots dotting the chain-food landscape, but most are marred by parking lot views, noisy streets, bus fumes, and even loud TV’s perpetually tuned to ESPN. So, where can you “dine” on world-class food, outdoors in ...

Area Carpet Cleaner Expands to Meet Market Demands

Cigarette smoke in the fibers of the carpet, a nasty wine stain on the dining room rug, pet odors on the carpet-not all carpet cleaners are effective, warns Jonathan Dreyer, owner of Dreyer’s Carpet Care, a residential and commercial firm that has been servicing Gainesville-area customers since 1979. “In fact,” he said, “many cleaning chemicals are not ...

Artist of Real-Estate

AT TIMES, Craig McCall is a painter, potter, mediator and educator as well. A former customer service manager with the U.S. Postal Service who worked his way up from mail carrier, since 2001 McCall, 44, has been a real estate agent with Watson Realty in Gainesville. Last year, he was their number two seller. With good reason: Craig McCall listens. “Communication is the ...

Relax...Before, During & After

NOT ONLY do you get the pleasure of an uptown salon and spa, but you also get to enjoy a beautiful country drive, as well,” acknowledges Owner Louann Tatum, “just a short drive west of I-75, off Newberry Road, and away from the busy traffic, you will find a new full service salon, called Star Image, conveniently located in the town of Newberry." Star Image ...

Harold's Fine Frames & Gallery

SINCE 1979, area residents have relied on Harold’s Fine Frames & Gallery for custom picture-framing and heirloom preservation. This successful small business, owned and operated by Harold Martin, is a community mainstay thanks to a dedicated family of customers who value his personal attention and expertise. Harold’s is the exclusive Gainesville gallery for ...

Honda Roll

“Success Is not measured in numbers alone,” said the American Honda Corp., which has awarded the Wade Raulerson Honda dealership at 3801 North Main St. the 2005 President’s Award for overall performance. The award places Wade Raulerson Honda in the top 15 percent of Honda dealerships nationwide, rating it on such factors as customer service and satisfaction, ...

Cleansing Our Souls with Art

IF "ART WASHES away from the soul the dust of everyday life," as Picasso said, then it is time for some personal spring cleaning! Getting your fix of art isn't hard when you visit Thornebrook Gallery. Here you can find it all: original paintings and photography, awesome art glass, custom jewelry, hand-crafted wood-work, unique ceramics and more from local, national ...

Gainesville's History

Arriving in North Central Florida in the 1500s, Spanish explorers found the area was already populated by a complex Native American civilization called Timucuan. What is now known as Paynes Prairie State Preserve was then used as a cattle ranch and a place where Franciscan priests founded missions. Much of the area we now know as Alachua County was deeded in 1817 by the King ...

Gainesville At A Glance

WELCOME TO Gainesville! Centrally located in North Florida, Gainesville is within approximately two hours of some of Florida’s top sites of nature and manmade destinations. These destinations include Disney World in Orlando, Daytona Beach, and the oldest city, St Augustine, and some of the most beautiful beaches. The city of Gainesville is located in Alachua County between ...

Education

A VARIETY OF educational opportunities are available for the more than 30,000 students enrolled in Alachua County. With something for everyone, there are 25 elementary schools (which include 10 centers), nine middle schools, nine high schools, and 14 Charter schools, as well as private schools available. One of the most highly regarded public school systems in Florida; more ...

Health Care

P EOPLE IN NEED of healthcare are fortunate, as North Central Florida has access to some of the best health care in the United States. The Gainesville area is home to four hospitals with a total of more than 1,900 beds, and that number is growing. Many physicians, surgeons, and dentists maintain practices in the county, making it the largest per capita count in all of Florida. ...

A Dream House Like no Other

SITUATED ON 7.5 acres off Southwest Williston Road in Gainesville, the 2.5 million dollar Sullivan home sits on soil owned by the Sullivan family for several generations. Styles of Southwest, Modern, Mediterranean, and Contemporary merge and take a shape of their own in a unique style that’s closer to Eclectic than anything else. With two children, Kaleigh 9, and Colby ...

Dining Options

IN GAINESVILLE and the surrounding areas, people can find almost anything to eat, with choices ranging from fast-food to five-star, and even delivery of five-star. The variety of restaurants can delight any taste buds. Ethnic choices include Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, Cuban, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese and many more. While Gainesville ...

Outdoor Activities

Blue Springs is a must see - family owned and operated since 1958 with 250 acres of the “Real Florida”. Stroll along a 1/4 mile boardwalk, as it follows the springs, then runs into the scenic Santa Fe River. Or, gaze into the crystal blue depths from the dock overlooking the springs boil. A dip into 72 degree water is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and recharged. ...

Shopping

WHETHER LOOKING for unique one-of-a-kind items, or enjoying the convenience of the mall or shopping centers, all can be found in Gainesville and the surrounding areas. The Oaks Mall, located at Newberry Road and Interstate 75, serves as a hub for traditional shopping not only for Gainesville and Alachua County but for all of North Central Florida, as well. Anchored by Macy’s, ...

Where to Stay & Live

GATOR FANS, relatives of students, and those visiting Gainesville will be happy to know that there are 53 hotels and motels, totaling 4,500 rooms, as well as six bed and breakfast inns. There are rooms within walking distance of the University of Florida, and the downtown shopping and restaurant area. Many others are conveniently located near Interstate 75 and the retail areas ...