Becoming Joyfully Active

Health & Well-Being, Gainesville, FL HAVE YOU EVER started an exercise program only to find you quickly lose interest? Do you ever feel irritated when you hear you should be exercising? Or feel guilty? Do you quit exercising when the pounds quit dropping off? Despite the well-known health benefits of regular exercise, less than 20% of Americans exercise on a regular basis. ...

Ready for Gainesville

Ready for Gainesville, Gainesville, FL CONSTRUCTION of residential housing is a common sight in Gainesville. But mixed in with familiar development names is a company that is new to the area. Florida Southeast Development Corporation (FSDC) has converted The Greens, a 202 unit golf course condominium complex at West End in Newberry. With an affordable price range of $120,000 - ...

the art of dining. ISRAEL KARASIK's STYLE

the art of dining., British Columbia , Gainesville, FL IF ONE COULD equate cooking with creating a work of fine art, then imagine Chef Israel Karasik choosing his tools from an exquisite palette of specially cut meats, home grown vegetables, seasonal fruits, and organic herbs. As a culinary artist with five-star savoir faire, Israel insists on only the highest quality ingredients—fresh, ...

Gentle Waters Healing Center

Gentle Waters Healing Center, Gainesville, FL With its Green surroundings and fresh air, Gainesville is a great place to live a healthy lifestyle. But even with the best of diet and care, sometimes your body needs help to eliminate toxins and certain bacteria from your system.  This is where colon hydrotherapy can be a natural part of a healthful life, and the certified professionals ...

PALS (Partners in Adolescent Lifestyle Support)

People Helping People, Gainesville, FL THE BOSSHARDT Realty Annual Golf Tournament benefiting the Shands at Vista program will be held on October 14th at Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club. Proceeds from this tournament help fund the existence and expansion of the Shands at Vista PALS program throughout Alachua County School System. Currently, PALS is in Buchholz High, A. ...

Ultimate Reward

Ultimate Reward, Gainesville, FL   “I WAS ALWAYS GOOD with my hands,” explains David S. Saunders MD FRCSC FACS, a board certified General Surgeon. “My father was a surgeon and I always loved the idea of performing surgery. It is challenging because every case is different. The gratification is almost immediate. I can fix a problem and see the success. ...

Letter from the Publisher

DR. SAUNDERS HAS BUILT his career for the past 25 years as a surgeon and each day finds his life and his career rewarding. This month our magazine’s focus is on medical leadership in the community and we at Gainesville Today are proud that Dr. Saunders has chosen our magazine to showcase his career and his profession. Respect, teamwork, quality and a sense of humor together ...

Clowning Around

THE LYRICS TO Cole Porter’s 1948 classic sang it best, “All the world loves a clown.” From Rusty to Giggles and even Frosty the dog, that’s just what the clowns of the Gainesville Sunshine Clowns Alley want. The alley, or group of clowns, here in Gainesville is about 25 strong with most members performing volunteer work in Florida and beyond. In town, ...

What Can Body Acceptance Get You? PLENTY!

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 would elect to be fat in a culture that so flagrantly hates fat ...

Vision Correction Advanced Eye Care Facial Rejuvenation

GA INESVILLE’S LEADING eye care specialists continue to bring the latest technologies to the area. Having treated patients for over 30 years, Gainesville Eye Physicians West is among the most established medical practices in the region. Drs. Catlin and Balch are not only keeping the tradition alive, they are advancing eye care (and oculofacial plastic surgery) for area ...

Optician's Philosophy

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, it is safe to assume that the child ...

From Tears to Triumph

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 she thought all but impossible; she had ...

A Family Credit Re-Union

The Family Tree Some consider SunState not just a “Federal Credit Union,” but a “Family Credit Re-Union”, as well. Why? Well, unlike many other lending institutions, SunState isn’t just about money; it’s about people too. SunState’s philosophy and daily operations revolve around the concept of “family and friends.” In ...

Destination: Vancouver, British Columbia

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 this fall! Nestled in the southwest corner of the ...

Nationally Acclaimed: Fall Arts Festival

WORKS OF FINE art, sounds of smooth jazz and the aroma of delectable treats will fill the air as the City of Gainesville’s Department of Cultural Affairs presents the 24th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Set in the heart of historic downtown Gainesville, the nationally acclaimed Downtown Festival ...

Bread of the Mighty Food Bank

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 $2,980,000. The Food Bank is part of American’s ...

Poised to Spike

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 their 14th straight Southeastern ...