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JULY 2005

Magazine

10 Things I Love About Gainesville

10 Things I Love About Gainesville, Gainesville, FL 10. Perfect-Weather Days. There is nothing like our fall, winter and spring days of crystal clear blue sky, perfect temperatures and light breezes; I live for Gainesville days like this. 9. We Are Close to Beaches. Taking the kids to the beach for an afternoon is an easy drive. Splashing in the water at Crescent Beach is one ...

For the Love of Addi and other Angels

For the Love of Addi and the other Angels, Gainesville, FL   ON MARCH 19, 2002 we gave birth to our fourth son, Lazarus Addison “Addi”, a true miracle in our lives. Addi came to us 10 weeks early and fought so very hard through his seven weeks in the NICU and continued hospitalizations over the following months. Through it all Addi was a true light. Such a loving and calm ...

Alachua: Then & Now

Alachua: Then & Now, Gainesville, FL THERE IS A SMALL, peaceful and charming town just far enough up US Highway 441 to separate it from the hustle and bustle of Gainesville, yet it is close enough for quick trips to remain convenient and relaxing. Indeed, many visitors claim they can actually feel tensions and stresses slip away after only a short stroll down the tree-lined ...

Dazzle the Senses at Thornebrook Gallery

Thornebrook Gallery, Gainesville, FL   Need a healthy dose of joy and wonder? Are you looking for the excitement that comes with finding a store overflowing with unique items that appeal to the senses as well as the heart? Welcome to Thornebrook Gallery, where you can find the perfect gift for yourself or someone dear to you. Curator and owner David Arrighi holds a UF ...

Turkey Creek Auctions:

Turkey Creek Auctions:, Gainesville, FL Bringing Quality Affordable Antique Auctions to North Central Florida YOU’D NEVER SUSPECT it, but did you know that $1 million worth of antiques and collectibles are auctioned annually in Citra? Since Turkey Creek Auctions, Inc., came to town, antique dealers and collectors all over the world carefully monitor what’s happening ...

Florida Auto Brokers

Dealership of the Month, Gainesville, FL Let them do the work for you!     ARE YOU READY for your dream car, but don't know where to start? Whether your dream car is the hottest new convertible, a safe dependable family car, or even a great work truck, can help you find it. They eliminate your car shopping hassles, and always get you the best price possible. The ...

A'VIE is About Life

A'VIE is About Life, Gainesville, FL And the Events, And the Memories that make it Special A’vie Weddings and Events, formerly known as Wedding Delights, has undergone a beautiful makeover. Longtime event planners and coordinators Angela Renick and Jennifer Gotro joined together to expand their services and better serve the community.  Renick and Gotro, also called ...

Back Pain: the Non-Surgical Solution

Wellness, Gainesville, FL IN THE UNITED STATES, back symptoms are the most common cause of disability for people under the age of 45. At Innovative Back Solutions in Gainesville, Dr. Robert Ruano and Dr. David West are excited to bring the very first DRX9000™ spinal decompression therapy to area residents. Their clinic is dedicated to the non-surgical treatment of acutely ...

Upscale Gourmet

, Gainesville, FL Gainesville's Newest Lounge and Cafe' BARNIE’S COFFEE and Tea Company is well-known as being “A Universe of Coffee.” However, the newly opened Barnie’s at Park Lane Apartments off Tower Road opens up a whole new universe, expanding its offerings and making other traditional “coffee shops” seem passé. Barnie’s ...

A Tale of Two Teams

A Tale of Two Teams, Gainesville, FL THE GATOR baseball team continues a winning tradition, while Lady Gator softball is on the rise. Yet they have more in common than you might think. On the surface, it’s easy to see the differences in the University of Florida Gator baseball and Lady Gator softball teams. A coach firmly entrenched in the program versus a coach new to ...

Best Western

Gateway Grand - Gainesville Florida Gateway Grand   IT'S CALLED THE Gateway Grand, but “grand” may be an understatement.   Gainesville visitors can relax in one of the Gateway Grand hotel’s 152 rooms and suites, which all feature a TV, coffee maker and hairdryer as well as an iron and ironing board and voicemail with data ports. Deluxe rooms and ...

"Big" Way!

People Helping People, Gainesville, FL MANY OF US HAVE FAMILY members or friends who affect our lives in special ways. They are role models who teach us how to find the good in life and how to make life good as well. But sadly, many children don’t have such people in their lives. They might come from homes in turmoil – or perhaps they don’t have homes at all. ...

These Women Have Been to Thousands of Birthday Parties!

Thousands of Birthdays, Gainesville, FL THAT’S WHY THEY’RE smiling! No matter what kind of birth you envision for yourself, the Midwives of North Florida Women’s Physicians, practicing at North Florida Regional Medical Center, will help make your experience a joyful and empowering one. You’ll meet your new baby in a spacious and comfortable birthing room ...

French Night

, FL @ Bluewater Bay every Tuesday   JUST A 25-MINUTE DRIVE TO FRANCE ala Melrose, Florida with special menu’s and courses prepared to tantalize the taste buds by Chef CJ Sero. It is well worth the drive and the adventure. Each week special appetizers, main courses, side dishes and unreal deserts are created in this sleepy town that comes alive with the outstanding ...

Find Your Style at Blush

Find Your Style at BLUSH, Gainesville, FL Pizzaz from Office to Evening IT’S SAID THAT “Style is a just simple way of saying complicated things.” Similarly, “Blush” is a simple name for a unique and eclectic boutique. You may think the name implies ‘lingerie or other unmentionables,’ not so. Blush is about versatility, unique looks, ...

What Can Body Acceptance Get You? PLENTY!

What Can Body Acceptance Get You? PLENTY!, Gainesville, FL   IF BEING TOLD TO lose weight actually helped people to lose weight, there would be no fat people. If being told they “will die if they do not lose weight” by a medical doctor or that they “are unsightly” (as Ann Landers has done) helped people get thin, everyone would be thin. Few people ...

Bridal Directory

Bridal Information, Inc., Gainesville, FL   BRIDAL REGISTRY Belk...............................352-331-3535 6323 W. Newberry Rd., Gainesville, FL 32605 Macy’s .........................352-333-2300 6671 W. Newberry Rd., Gainesville, FL 32605 Kitchen and Spice and Other Things Nice ....................352-379-8811 4136 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32605 CAKES ...

Florida Auto Brokers

Florida Auto Brokers, Gainesville, FL   1) How can we guarantee our customers that they are getting the lowest prices? We make every effort to keep our overhead as low as possible. We are a small dealership on Main St. without a fancy building, just real low prices!! has access to buy their cars unlike anybody else, directly from the manufacters. By doing that we cut ...

You're Part of the Family

Your Part of the Family, Gainesville, FL At Bush Gator Transmission and Auto Repair WITH TODAY’S CHAIN restaurants, stores and auto repair shops, do you long for the time when you could patronize local, family-owned businesses? Places where they not only give you quality customer service but also know your name? That’s still possible at Bush Gator Transmission and ...

WOW!

The Florida Museum's Butterfly Exhibit, Gainesville, FL Butterfly Rainforest annual passes and tickets make great holiday gifts. Exotic. Vibrant. Tropical. Not only can these words paint a picture of the perfect getaway vacation, they also can describe the perfect holiday gift. Now you can let your friends, family and co-workers experience a piece of Belize, Costa Rica or the ...

Be Aware

Be Aware, Gainesville, FL NOT ONLY do we celebrate Halloween, but we dedicate this time to increasing awareness about breast cancer. The campaign, around for over 20 years, is designed to emphasize the importance of early treatment, detection and to recognize progress made thus far. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, more than 200,000 females and over 1,500 ...

Style: From the Inside Out

Style: From the Inside Out, Gainesville, FL YOU’VE FOUND the perfect partner, you’re planning the perfect wedding, and now you’re ready to roll toward your future in style. Here in Gainesville, that means choosing A Candies Productions for your wedding party transportation. As the oldest and most reliable limousine service in the area, Candies offers a diverse, ...

Dreyer's Carpet Care

Dreyer's Carpet Care, Gainesville, FL Sweeping Customers off their feet for 27 years. IT’S A NICE COMPLIMENT when a customer recommends a company to a friend. But when the majority of a business’ advertising comes from customer recommendations, that’s flattery beyond belief. Apparently, that’s nothing out of the ordinary at Dreyer’s Carpet Care, ...

See Clearly

, FL How do I know if I have cataracts? Most people become aware of blurred vision, glare sensitivity, “halos” around lights, or diminished color perception as cataracts develop. Some people have peripheral cataracts and may experience no initial symptoms at all. A thorough eye examination can detect cataracts at an earlier stage, before symptoms arise. Your best ...

Take Stock in Children

People Helping People, Gainesville, FL   WITH THE INCENTIVE of a four-year college scholarship, and the guidance of a volunteer mentor, 12 Alachua County seventh graders pledged to maintain their grades and remain drugand- crime free when they entered the Take Stock In Children program in the year 2000. Nearly six years later, these 12 students have graduated from an Alachua ...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like... Christmas?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like... Christmas?, Gainesville, FL   HERE IN CENTRAL Florida , both the temperature and humidity are closing in on 100 leaving us all with thoughts of cool dips in the swimming pool and tall glasses of iced tea. It's hard to imagine that before we know it, temperatures will drop and we'll be bundled up in coats and scarves wishing for warmer ...

Community Leaders

Community Leaders, Gainesville, FL     WELCOME! On behalf of the citizens of Alachua County, I would like to extend a warm greeting to those of you visiting our amazing county. To the citizens of this great county, I would like to invite you to rediscover our local treasures. Where else on earth can you take a swim in the world’s most pristine springs in the ...

Watson Construction: Growing with Gainesville

Growing with Gainesville, Gainesville, FL LARRY WATSON BEGAN working out of his home over 30 years ago, delivering dirt to construction sites with just one truck. Today, his highly successful company, Watson Construction, delivers a full spectrum of construction related services to local contractors. General Manager Ernie Windsor describes what Watson Construction does as “soup ...

Retired NASA Engineer Invention Saves Local Cowboy

Retired NASA Engineer Invention Saves Local Cowboy, Gainesville, FL   AS TOUGH AS HE WAS, Brett Brinkman’s pain was so excruciating that he could no longer walk. He literally crawled from room to room in his home. Once a strong and healthy rancher, now at just 40 years of age, he could not physically tend to his business, do his own grocery shopping or even drive ...

Creative Cuisine

Creative Cuisine, Gainesville, FL   Thanks to Rick’s Fish House for these recipes. Now open in downtown beautiful Alachua, we didn’t have to travel south to get a taste of Key West. With its bright and beachy atmosphere, Rick’s offers a variety of mouthwatering seafood dishes and, of course, Key Lime pie. We enjoyed half a pound of shrimp and a pitcher of ...

Five Spice Chicken (from Saigon Cafe)

Creative Cuisine, Gainesville, FL   WE WOULD LIKE to thank the Vo Family for this month's creative cuisine. Saigon Café, a small family owned and operated business located downtown on University Avenue, run with family values and traditional cuisine. All of the dishes served are sure to tantalize your taste buds, but this month, they would like to share their recipe ...

Creative Cuisine

Creative Cuisine, Gainesville, FL Wild about Salmon IF YOU VISITED the Tour of Kitchens, or Puttin on the Ritz you may have had the opportunity to enjoy some of Executive Chef Michael Garcia, of Sweet Peppers cooking. He has shared one of his delicious recipes for your pleasure. Hope you enjoy, or stop by Sweet Peppers and say hi to Michael and let him prepare it for you. Bon ...

CyberKnife

CyberKnife, FL The most advanced technology in caner treatment What happens when you combine a missile guidance system with a robotic arm? You get the Food and Drug Administration approved system. North Florida Regional Medical Center is one of only 40 hospitals in the U.S. to offer the surgery system, and the first in our region!! The is actually not a knife at all, but rather ...

  Darlene Pifalo GRI,CRS

Your Purrrfect Realtor, Gainesville, FL Your Purrrfect Realtor   WHETHER YOU’RE BUYING or selling a home, or if you’ve just been around Gainesville for any length of time, you are sure to have heard of or seen Darlene Pifalo, also known as "the Cat Lady." Darlene has been in real estate for more than 30 years, all of which has been in Florida. She ...

Thank You, David Johnston!

Thank You David Johnston!, Gainesville, FL There are so many incredible people who make Gainesville Today magazine the wonderful and successful publication it is: our amazing staff of friendly salespeople, talented writers and creative designers; our dedicated publisher and fearless leader, Mark; and of course our generous clients and faithful readers – we wouldn’t ...

Floor Decor

Floor Decor, Gainesville, FL     WHETHER YOU ARE building a new home or remodeling an existing one, Floor Décor and Interiors, Inc., is the place to go for all your decorating needs. Jennifer Rich, owner of Floor Décor and Interiors, Inc., takes pride in this family- owned business located in the Fletcher Center between Sherwin Williams and The Family ...

Charlie Delatorre

, Gainesville, FL Owner of Tower Publications BEHIND CHARLIE Delatorre's youthful exuberance hides a successful and shrewd CEO's wisdom as the owner of Tower Publications. Only 33, Charlie owns a small publishing empire in Gainesville and with a growing staff, Tower Publications continues to put out quality products. Early in 2000, he bought the Buyer's Guide. Soon he began ...

The Secret Behind Our Beautiful Smiles

The Secret Behind Our Smiles, Gainesville, FL AT EXCEPTIONAL Dentistry, Drs. Art and Kim Mowery, have made it their life’s work to help people regain their confidence to smile and enjoy life again. Some people avoid smiling because of a simple gap in their teeth, stains or some minor chips, others because they inherited an unhealthy smile. “I meet them every day;” ...

The Dermacare Difference

The Dermacare Difference, Gainesville, FL   Dermacare Cares The high-tech equipment and products at Dermacare are, as one customer put it, “as exciting as a day at Disney’s EPCOT.” To guide you around the office are the amazing staff members, who refer to themselves and their customers as “family.” This is obvious the minute you walk through ...

Destination: Vancouver, British Columbia

Destination Vancouver, British Columbia , Gainesville, FL WHEN PLANNING a winter getaway, many people are naturally drawn to warmer climates to escape the cold. But why not consider a visit to our northern neighbor? Canada offers a variety of destinations, whether you’re a citydweller or a fan of the great outdoors. And Vancouver, British Columbia has something for everyone ...

Safe New Test for Early Detection

A Safe New Test, Gainesville, FL   WOULDN’T IT be remarkable if there was a test that could offer people early detection of serious medical conditions? Gainesville Thermography, Inc. is the area’s first healthcare practice to embrace an innovative FDA approved technology being used by medical professionals at Duke University, the University of California, and ...

Diggin the Dirt Business

Diggin the Dirt Business, Gainesville, FL   IT ISN'T OFTEN that the phrase “one-stop-shopping” is used to describe a construction company, but when it comes to Watson Construction, Inc. no other description will do. They transform rough terrain covered in Florida scrub to level, buildingready property, in one fell swoop. They have the equipment on-hand and the expert staff ...

Wedding Directory

Wedding Directory, Gainesville, FL   Bridal Registry Belk, 352-331-3535 6323 Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605 Macy's, 352-333-2357, 6671 Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605          Kitchen & Spice & Other Things Nice, 352-379-8811, 4136 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32605          ...

Experience the Robinshore Difference

Longleaf Village: Partnership in Success, Gainesville, FL LONGTIME GAINESVILLE residents Tom Robinson and Jack Greer had a distinct vision in 1980--to build homes and communities in superior locations at the best quality and value to be found anywhere. Thus, Robinshore, Incorporated was born. Today, Robinshore is one of the largest and most respected developers and home builders ...

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame, Gainesville, FL   FOR MANY PEOPLE, managing work, family and philanthropy is a difficult jugglingact. C.B. Daniel, however, makes it look easy because, for him, the three aren’t separate entities. Each affects the other. Take, for example, his involvement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alachua County. “Our son was participating in sports at the ...

Fifi's Upscale Resale

Meeting Our Neighbors, Gainesville, FL Eleven years ago Fifi’s open Gainesville’s first upscale resale boutique, fulfilling a niche that gave fashion conscience women another option for affordable, stylish clothes. Today, Fifi’s three owners, Elly, Myrna and Mary, are still finding the gently worn women’s clothing business a very satisfying enterprise. ...

Jay Murray

Jay Murray, Gainesville, FL     NEED TO LOOK AT the big picture, but the big picture is just too big? As in Gone With the Wind Scarlett O’Hara said, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.” Old clichés ring true. “People don’t plan to fail,” said Jay Murray, 43, a representative with Edward Jones Investment. “They ...

Professional Flooring of Gainesville

Professional Flooring of Gainesville, Gainesville, FL IT’S TIME TO THINK about where you’re standing. Look down! Do you like what you see? The floor, whether soft plush carpeting or rich wood tones, shiny hard tile or vinyl, no matter if you are at home or at work, a great deal of thought and effort has been given to where you stand. An architect, a builder and the ...

April Showers Bring May Flowers

April Showers Bring May Flowers, Gainesville, FL   NATURE’S CALENDAR marked March 20, 2006 as the first day of spring, the safest time to start planting gardens. But just because nature knows best doesn’t always mean that we do too. Make sure you’ve done your Alachua gardening homework before rolling up your sleeves. Florida’s up-and-down roller ...

Holiday Boxes for the Hungry and Needy

People Helping People, Gainesville, FL   FOR THE PAST several holiday seasons the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank has been providing “Holiday Boxes” for the hungry and needy in our community. Right here in our own community we have hungry and poverty stricken. They reside in our town, the next town, or maybe even the next block. We pass them every day on our commute ...

Bread of the Mighty Food Bank

People Helping People, Gainesville, FL   THE BREAD OF the Mighty Food Bank has been helping people in this community for almost 20 years. With its distribution network of over 300 agencies, this organization distributes about two million pounds of non-perishable food and personal care items annually. This is equivalent to over one and a half million meals with a value of ...

Here Come the Gators

, Gainesville, FL   AHH, September in Gainesville . School has started; traffic is worse; and every once in a while a breeze carries the promise of cooler days to come. Oh, and there's GATOR FOOTBALL! On Saturdays, Gainesville turns orange and blue. Armies of the Gator Nation set up camp in siege of Ben Hill Griffin stadium before invading it to cheer their beloved ...

Foot and Ankle Pain

Foot and Ankle Pain, Gainesville, FL MANY OF US HAVE suffered from occasional foot and ankle pain, which may resolve on its own over time. However, due to the complexity of the foot - with its 26 bones and over 30 joints (not including the ankle) - unremitting pain can lead to significant disability, which can interfere with work and play. According to Gainesville podiatrist ...

10 Things I Love About Gainesville

10 Things I Love About Gainesville, Gainesville, FL   1. The ten-minute commute from the office to my home. When I lived in Tampa, I spent more time in my car each week than I spent reading to my kids at night. 2. An “easy-in, easy-out” Gainesville Regional Airport with air service to Atlanta, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Tampa…and from there to hundreds ...

The Garden Gallery

The Garden Gallery, Gainesville, FL BONNIE DEL ROSAL is from Canada and her husband, Mike, from Miami. After living in Miami, raising their daughter to college age, they moved to Alabama, bought a farm and loved it. But, they missed Florida. So, they moved back to Florida and chose Alachua. "We were looking for a relaxed, historic atmosphere" said Bonnie. And what better ...

Making Goals

Making Goals, Gainesville, FL   AS WE TRUDGE THROUGH the heat of the summer, a Gator fan’s thoughts undoubtedly turn to the upcoming football season. But while we’re counting the days to the first kickoff, there’s another team gearing up for their opening day – the Gator soccer team. Florida soccer got its start here in Gainesville in 1995, when ...

BCS National Championship

Around Town, Gainesville, FL   On Jan. 8, the Gator Nation stretched all the way to Glendale, Arizona. Touted as underdogs ever since they were selected to play in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game, the University of Florida Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 41-13 at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The blowout game was the second national ...

Bead Heaven

Gifts of Avalon, Gainesville, FL   Walking into Gifts of Avalon in Millhopper Square , one is struck by a rainbow of colors and a myriad of textures as the beads from near and far take form. For the artist and artist-atheart, Gifts of Avalon is a place to explore. Now with 2500 square feet of beads, jewelry making supplies, books, artist made and vintage jewelry and gifts, ...

EXCELLENCE: it's Par for the Course at UF

Excellence: It's Par for the Course at UF, Gainesville, FL ONE OF MATT EVERY’S objectives this Spring is to be the NCAA Champion in men’s golf, as well as the national Player of the Year. These are pretty lofty goals, but that’s nothing new for the UF senior. This past Fall, he placed in the top five of every tournament in which the Gators played and won the ...

Health

Wellness, Gainesville, FL North Central Florida’s worldclass medical community continues to grow rapidly, providing a full array of services for every age. In 2005, Shands’ children’s hospital celebrated the opening of its remodeled Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and several UF & Shands faculty practices relocated to Hampton Oaks to improve access for seniors. ...

Generating Peace of Mind

Generating Peace of Mind, Gainesville, FL   FLORIDIANS HAVE their share of storms and power outages—and then some. If you were around during the 2004 hurricane season, chances are you were affected in some way. Even if you’ve only lived in Florida for a short period of time, you’ve probably experienced the power outages associated with seasonal thunderstorms ...

DR. HELP

DR. HELP, Gainesville, FL SOAP, DEODORANT and shampoo are common items topping shelves in American drug stores and supermarkets. But in the Dominican Republic, where health care is a very limited service, citizens are thankful to receive even the simplest hygiene product. “They appreciate every little thing, even toothbrushes,” said Chad Mackman, 22, a second-year ...

High School Zoning

High School Zoning, FL

Choosing Your Schools

Choosing the Right Home, FL Education is a key factor in buying a new home. WHEN GUIDING a family to a new home purchase, RE/MAX agent Michelle Pickett knows that the house itself is not the only thing that should fit the family. The neighborhood, and specifically the schools for which it is zoned, are under scrutiny, too. “Most of my buyers with children feel that living ...

Choose Quality; Choose Carefully

, Gainesville, FL IT IS OFTEN THOUGHT that hospice organizations are all the same. Not true. When you’ve seen one hospice program, you’ve only seen one hospice program. Hospice care, like any service, varies from organization to organization. Here are some characteristics to look for in a quality hospice should the need arise. When deciding on a hospice, some ...

Great American Independent Businesses

, Gainesville, FL   The author is the co-founder of the Boulder Independent Business Alliance and AMIBA.BUSINESSES Boulder Independent Business Alliance, in Boulder, Colorado. www.boulder-iba.org. ECONOMIC VALUE OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES It's time to consider the real costs to a community that loses its locally-owned business base. Independent local businesses employ ...

Smart Investments

, Gainesville, FL   INVESTING THEIR time and resources in helping the community is something some businesses strive to do on various levels, but not many have reached that goal as successfully as our local SunState Federal Credit Union. SunState has a solid philanthropic record and ongoing community outreach and education programs. For example, did you know that SunState ...

Keith Watson Productions, Inc.

Keith Watson Productions, Inc., Gainesville, FL IF THERE’S ANYONE in Gainesville who knows how to produce a fabulous upscale wedding, it’s Keith Watson. Since 2001, Watson and his company, Keith Watson Productions, have put together hundreds of exquisite weddings, helping with everything from décor and flowers to transportation and choosing a ceremony location. ...

Junior League of Gainesville Tour of Kitchens

Tour of Kitchens, Gainesville, FL   FOR THE THIRD TIME, Gainesville residents can get a taste of what it’s like to cook – and eat – in some local gourmet kitchens. On Feb. 24, the Junior League of Gainesville is hosting its annual Tour of Kitchens, an event that permits visitors to stroll through some of the area’s most exquisite kitchens while ...

Short Solutions for Legs

Short Solutions... for Legs, Gainesville, FL

Longleaf Village: Partnership in Success

Longleaf Village: Partnership in Success, Gainesville, FL TOGETHER, PARTNERS Robinshore, Inc. and Tommy Williams Homes have taken a mutual dream for a new community and turned it into a fantastic reality. Their joint vision, individual quality homes and shared passion for excellence have brought out the best in both companies, resulting in Longleaf Village: Gainesville’s ...

Welcome to Magnolia Place Towndominiums

Magnolia Place Towndominiums, Gainesville, FL   IMAGINE A NEW concept for your ideal home You would luxuriate in every detail, from having spacious rooms with vaulted/ box ceilings, to tile in your kitchen and bathrooms. Every small nuance, from decorative baseboards and wood window sills, to screened in porches and upscale appliances, would be carefully planned. The ...

James Pochurek

Meeting our Neighbors, Gainesville, FL   TO JAMES POCHUREK, land conservation is fun, as “you get to play cowboy, lumberjack, fireman, farmer, and off-road speed racer.” Pochurek should know. He and his wife Jennifer have taken on the task of improving and preserving wild places in Florida , and they started right in their own backyard—a space they now share with wild ...

Men Who Make a Difference

, Gainesville, FL       Clovis Watson AS THE CITY MANAGER for Alachua, Clovis Watson has truly made a difference. He attributes the differences he has made to simply doing what is right, not what is always easiest. He is very proud to be a part of a very professional and highly competent staff. Their main thrust is the betterment of the city and the community ...

Davis, Monk & Company

Davis, Monk & Company, Gainesville, FL Keeps an Eye to the Future   PROACTIVE. VERSATILE. FORWARD-THINKING. CARING. Those words are not usually associated with a large accounting firm, but for , they are woven into the fiber of the business. Having just completed an extensive renovation of its headquarters in Gainesville, is committed to improved quality of service ...

This New Year

This New Year, Gainesville, FL   IT'S THAT TIME of year when we begin to compile the familiar improvement list known to all as New Year’s resolutions. No one can resist this tradition where we visualize our ideal selves, and endeavor an earnest attempt at being a better person. Being fueled with the optimism and beginning of the New Year, we almost forget the utter ...

Important Resources

ABUSE Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center .............................264-6760 Florida Abuse Hotline.................1-800-962-2873 (Abuse of children, elderly and disabled) Florida Domestic Violence Hotline...1-800-500-1119 Resource Center (Peaceful Paths)......1-800-393-7233 AGING SERVICES American Association for Retired Persons .................1-888-687-2277 ...

Dining, Ocala Sytle

Dining Ocala Style, Gainesville, FL   Dining in Ocala over the holidays is a great idea for a special treat to yourself or with loved ones. We would like to thank long time customers Marge & Loring Felix for their wonderful hospitality and marvelous food. For 4 years in a row Felix’s have been winners of taste of Ocala and the Best of the Best, this is a must if ...

Optician's Philosophy

Optician's Philosophy, Gainesville, FL IT IS A VERY AMERICAN, preoccupation, wondering what is going on in someone else’s head.  Business transactions are rife with this behavior. This humble optician would like to contribute to the collective wisdom with the following shreds of philosophy: 1. Whenever an optician fits a pair of eyeglasses for a pediatric patient, ...

Osteoporosis Hurts:

, Gainesville, FL Painful Spine Fractures Can Be Fixed Without Major Surgery   OSTEOPOROSIS AFFECTS more than 40 million Americans, 80 percent of whom are women. The resultant weakening of bones can lead to compression fractures of the spine, causing severe pain, deformity and loss of height. “Most people don’t realize they have the disease until a break ...

Prisoner of Chronic Pain

Prisoner of Chronic Pain, Gainesville, FL   CHRONIC PAIN AND PRISONERS OF WAR Having chronic pain is similar to being a Prisoner of War. Prisoners of War are held captive and deprived of basic needs like freedom, sleep, social contact, the ability to work, intimacy and hope. Add consistent discomfort, confusion, anxiety and depression and you also describe the life of ...

A Renaissance

Pain Management, Gainesville, FL in Pain Management   IF YOU THINK TECHNOLOGY is moving too fast to keep up with, don’t fret. For all those mysterious hand-held gadgets, there are many technological achievements in the medical field as well, particularly in the area of pain. In the not-to-distant past, pain symptoms would either be ignored as “all in your ...

PALS Program

, Gainesville, FL You may think every child needs a friend, but what children really need are PALS. PALS, PARTNERS in Adolescent Lifestyle Support, is a program designed to help troubled students gain self-confidence and receive mental-health counseling while also encouraging diversity, non-violence and acceptance for peers. With help from professionals at Shands at Vista, ...

  Fall Parade of Homes

Fall Parade of Homes, Gainesville, FL Oct.14-15 & Oct.21-22     GAINESVILLE'S 2006 Fall Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Builders Association of North Central Florida (BANCF), will showcase 37 beautiful new homes throughout Alachua County on Oct. 14 — 15 and Oct. 21 — 22. The Parade will highlight a diverse group of housing styles, locations and ...

Helping Each Other

Smart Investments, Gainesville, FL   ASK ANY Alachua County student what they most like about the end of the school year and you will get a myriad of answers. But would you expect anyone to not want the school year to end? Surprisingly, one group of students is a bit unhappy that summer's arrival has brought an end to their "palling around". For the second year ...

Ordinary Citizens Doing Extraordinary Things

People Helping People, Gainesville, FL ALL CHILDREN DESERVE to grow up in a safe, permanent home. Unfortunately, nearly 1,000 children in Alachua County are not so lucky. Almost every day in Gainesville and the surrounding counties, children are thrust into court though no fault of their own. Some are victims of physical or sexual abuse. Others have been neglected or even abandoned ...

Behind the White Picket Fence

Behind the White Picket Fence, Gainesville, FL   LIKE A QUAINT LITTLE downtown or open-air market surrounded by a white picket fence, Greenery Square is a gathering of assorted shops with the beauty of your home and garden in mind. But this eclectic piece of paradise didn't pop up overnight. Colonel Jim Glikes and his wife Suzy settled in Gainesville in 1975 and while ...

Publisher's Letter

Gainesville Today's Publishers' letter, Gainesville, FL   AS WARM WEATHER APPROACHES, and the Dogwoods and Azaleas bloom, we are reminded of how life is a cycle of change and a blessing. It’s it beautiful? In watching a recent film where a young soldier gives his life for our country, I am reminded of sacrifice, sacrifice so others can enjoy the freedoms of our ...

Rosie Smith

Rosie Smith- Meeting our Neighbors, Gainesville, FL   AFTER EARNING a Masters Degree from a Florida university, she worked for ten years in health care information technology. Smith understands the same technology she's so comfortable using can be beneficial in helping her clients. She likes being the person her clients come to when they need personalized answers to insurance ...

Baby Manual

Baby Manual, Gainesville, FL Baby Safety Month BABY SAFETY is at the top of every parent’s priority list, but it should definitely be a daily concern for the next 30 days. September is Baby Safety Month, and to celebrate, we’re providing ways to protect babies from any boo-boos you’d have to kiss to make better. After all, babies don’t come with manuals! ...

No Job Too Small

No Job Too Small, Gainesville, FL WHEN KEVIN LAYNE, owner/ operator of Screen Doctors LLC, is asked to explain how his business has grown, he mentions one thing – Advertising! In his advertising, Kevin provides a list of his services, as well as simply stating, “No job too small.” Many customers who contact Layne after seeing this ad mention that this is what ...

When it comes to Screen Doctors, the clients have the last word!

Screen Doctors, Gainesville, FL SINCE 2004, Screen Doctors LLC has been re-screening pool enclosures and patios, installing pet doors and door screens and customizing screens and doors to any shape and size. Owner/operator Kevin Layne takes great pride in his work and doesn’t hesitate to tell you how much the customer matters. But it takes a special business owner to let ...

Enjoying the Outdoors Inside

Enjoying the Outdoors Inside, Gainesville, FL   IT'S THAT SEASON when Floridians emerge from their homes ready to begin enjoying the gorgeous sunshine next to the pool, and open their windows to feel the warm summer breezes. It's also the season when insects can turn a beautiful day into a fitful swatting match! There is a way to enjoy the outdoor weather inside, without ...

Life Organizing Services

Life Organizing Services, Gainesville, FL   WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL GOALS? Get organized? Lose the stress? Find more time in the day? For many it’s all three. To help achieve these goals, many people are seeking out professional organizers. Professional organizers help people organize, de-stress and find more time for the things that are important in their lives. This ...

Giving Back SMILES!

Giving Back SMILES!, Gainesville, FL Giving Back SMILES!   DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is a pattern of coercion that can include repeated battering and injury, psychological abuse, sexual assault, progressive social isolation, deprivation and intimidation. This violence spans all racial, ethnic, religious, educational and socioeconomic lines. Although the majority of victims are ...

Kid's get a KICK out of SoccerTots-Gainesville

SoccerTots, Gainesville, FL THESE DAYS, anything adults have, small children have too. Their shoes mimic the adult shoes. Children’s clothes look like the identical, diminutive version of their parents’ clothing. Toys are the exact duplicates, only smaller. Just think about Barbie’s Corvette, the motorized Mercedes Benz, the toy gun that is identical to an Army ...

LUKE SPARKS for Success

LUKE SPARKS for Success, Gainesville, FL     LUKE SPARKS IS ONE of those rare individuals who lights up a room by just entering. He seems to emanate energy and enthusiasm and is sure to brighten the day of those who cross his path. The spark behind this dynamic man’s infectious optimism is a credo that influences his every endeavor—“Do unto others ...

Laura and Georgia at SPA USA

SPA USA, Gainesville, FL Can help you Express Yourself WHEN LOOKING for new ways to let their personalities shine through, many people turn to physical appearances – a new outfit, a change in hairstyle or perhaps a different approach with makeup. At Spa USA in the Oaks Mall Plaza, Laura Campos and Georgia Arrington help people express themselves with custom nail designs ...

A Spiritual Family

A Spiritual Family, Gainesville, FL Historic Kanapaha Presbyterian Church THE MULTI-COLORED stained glass chancel window of the Biblical Ruth and Naomi gathering water from a well is a perfect metaphor for the church in which it shines. Historic Kanapaha Presbyterian Church of Gainesville has been quietly attracting members and cultivating a well spring of faith for over 140 ...

Spring Tonics

Spring Tonics, Gainesville, FL   Now that spring is here, it’s time to pack away the hot chocolate and take a spring tonic – a little dose of medicine to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Spring tonics can be anything from a jog outside to a trip to a spa, and they vary for everybody. No matter what the remedy is, spring tonics bring people out of winter hibernation ...

It's a Wonderful Life

Sunstate Credit Union, Gainesville, FL at Sunstate IT’S A WONDERFUL Life is just an old Frank Capra classic to most people, but to the people of Sun- State Federal Credit Union, it’s more than just a movie. For these 115 volunteers and employees, the Bailey Building and Loan represents a way of doing business that SunState works hard to emulate every single day. ...

The Total Package

The Total Package, Gainesville, FL   IT’S A POWERHOUSE of a program. One that boasts eleven SEC titles --more than any other school, multiple NCAA records, and countless All-SEC and All-America honors. One that is undefeated in home openers under the current head coach. But surprise… it’s not the football team. We’re talking about the Gator men’s ...

From Tears to Triumph

From Tears to Triumph, Gainesville, FL JOANNA WAS SO overcome by emotion that she was sobbing uncontrollably and wouldn’t let go. She held the doctor in a bear hug for nearly five full minutes. Tears were dampening his shirt. Team members were walking by the room and stopping in to see if everything was alright. Joanna Ghigliotty had just realized a life-long dream that ...

“Thornebrook Gallery: Finding Artful Gifts that Speak Volumes”

Thornebrook Gallery, Gainesville, FL ART IS UNIVERSAL. It speaks to everyone. It can evoke awe, laughter and wonder. It can be fun, functional or both. Given as a gift, it often finds a place in the receiver’s heart or home forever. Imagine this: The “earth” suspended in glass, a cresting glass wave suspended in full roll, prairie sunsets beaming from the wall ...

Top 5 Health Concerns for Men

Top 5 Health Concern's for Men, Gainesville, FL   IT TURNS OUT, as a man, the notion that I'm too busy or my assumption that just about any health concern which arises can be “shaken off” is very common. According to a 2001 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, women are 33% more likely than men to visit a doctor in general, although the gap narrows with increasing ...

Dowling's Tree Service

Dowling's Tree Service, Gainesville, FL BORN IN south Georgia, Dana Dowling and his family relocated to Florida in 1962 when Dana was eight-years old. After coming to Florida, Dana’s father became ill and his mother went to work, becoming the family breadwinner with a job in a furniture upholstery store. Dana attributes a lot of his hard work ethics to helping out his mother ...

CalRey Construction's:

Builder of the Month, Gainesville, FL John Tumbleson JOHN TUMBLESON’S interest in commercial construction began when, as a young man, he lived in Daytona Beach during the condo construction boom. Working hands on in a variety of settings, he knew what he ultimately wanted to do. After graduating from the University of Florida’s M. E. Rinker School of Building Construction ...

Poised to Spike

Poised to Strike, Gainesville, FL LAST SEASON, the University of Florida volleyball team had to deal with the kinds of challenges that no team likes to face: injuries and young players with little experience. “We knew it was going to be a challenging year,” said Coach Mary Wise. Yet the Gators rose to face those challenges. When the season ended, they had claimed ...

Party Planning with New York Style

Party Planning with New York Style, Gainesville, FL KEITH WATSON LOVES life, and he’s thrilled to be in Gainesville along with his wife, Roberta, and their teenagers, John and Sarah. What’s more, he’s eager to share his zest for entertaining—and his vast experience— to make your special event truly memorable through Keith Watson Productions, Inc. ...

Two Special Women

Two Special Women, Gainesville, FL In the World of Cars PAULETTE, who happens to be even better looking in person than she is on the television commercials, is the General Manager. “I think there's only one other woman with a dealership in Florida ,” says Paulette, but not begrudgingly. “I like working with men, we're like brothers and sisters here. We nitpick and tease, but ...