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MAY 2006

October 2006

Dealership of the Month: Florida Auto Brokers

“We like to give our customers personal, friendly service. You’re not going to fall through the cracks, and you’re not going to be bugged either,” says Nick Schmidt. “There are no highpressure sales here.” Just because Florida Auto Brokers is a small, laid-back dealership does not mean it is small on variety. In fact, Florida Auto Brokers ...

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. ...

It's Never Been Greater to be a Florida Gator!

Gator Watch, Gainesville, FL When the University of Florida men’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals after defeating Wisconsin-Milwaukee 82-60 on March 18, no one expected the No. 3 seed Gators to grow much further up the NCAA’s elimination tree. But the Gators climbed so high, it was kind of scary looking down. First, UF weeded Georgetown ...

Gainesville's History

Gainesville's History, Gainesville, FL Imagine what the Spanish explorers discovered when they arrived in North Central Florida in the 1500s: Crystal clear springs, mysterious sinkholes, rivers that disappear into yawning underground caves, vast savannahs, mammoth rivers and lakes teeming with strange wildlife. Well guess what? You don’t have to “imagine” because ...

Bungalows to Mansions

Bungalows to Mansions, Gainesville, FL Professional Home Inspection, LLC A HOME INSPECTION is one of the most pivotal stages of the home buying or selling process. But Bruce Graham, owner and operator of Professional Home Inspection LLC, who inspects homes in the Greater Alachua county area, believes that it’s one of the best things you can do for your home, whether you’re ...

Making Music

Making Music, Gainesville, FL THINK OF MUSIC conductors as artists. They arrange a symphonic canvas, directing bold and subtle strokes, revealing color changes, moving contours and texture; interpreting meaning through musical devices. Until, finally, the melodies merge, moving the audience to understand the artist’s true dream. Internationally renowned Maestro Conductor ...

Johnston Photography: A Family Tradition

Johnston Photography, Gainesville, FL PEOPLE OFTEN ASK David Johnston what’s his favorite type of photography. His answer is everything. “I enjoy everything about photography— portraits, architectural photos, landscapes, weddings, sports and candids,” Johnston says. He has the opportunity to shoot the complete gamut of photos through Johnston Photography. ...

All Season's Planning: Leading the Industry for over 16 years!

All Season's Planning, Gainesville, FL Professional Home Inspection, LLC A FOR THE PAST 16 years, All Seasons Planning (ASP) has created some of Gainesville’s most unique and beautiful courtyards, walkways, driveways and pool areas. With owners Jim and Chris Zuber, a fatherand- son team, at the helm, ASP has been the leader in the paver-installation industry in the area ...

Education

, Gainesville, FL THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA With an enrollment in 2005 of 47,400, the University of Florida is the largest higher-educational institution in the state and one of the five largest universities in the nation. As a public, statesupported, land-grant university, UF offers a full range of academic and research programs, including graduate schools in medicine, law, ...

Annual Update and Membership Benefits

Sunstate Credit Union, Gainesville, FL SUNSTATE FEDERAL Credit Union cares about its communities and the men and women who work to make them great. That’s why for over 45 years, SunState has provided the kind of friendly, member services, and low loan rates that allow you to take ownership of your financial future—whether you’re just starting out or trying to ...

Party Planning with New York Style

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. It was a big move for the Watsons to relocate ...

Back Pain: the Non-Surgical Solution

I N 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 and chronically injured ...

Foot and Ankle Pain

M ANY 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 Dr. Angel L. Cuesta, many people ...

Annual Update and Membership Benefits

S UNSTATE FEDERAL Credit Union cares about its communities and the men and women who work to make them great. That’s why for over 45 years, SunState has provided the kind of friendly, member services, and low loan rates that allow you to take ownership of your financial future—whether you’re just starting out or trying to start over. SunState offers a wide ...

Dreyer's Carpet Care

I T’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, a family-owned carpet-cleaning company that’s served the Gainesville community ...

Best Western Gateway Grand

IT'S CALLED THE Best Western Gateway Grand, but “grand” may be an understatement.   Gainesville visitors can relax in one of the Best Western 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 suites, which include a setting ...

Air Tight Sprayfoam

A W HEN SUMMER hits Florida, it’s second nature to crank up the air conditioning. Unfortunately, the importance of proper home insulation usually becomes apparent when it’s too late to correct the problem. Homeowners quickly learn that undesirable air and moisture infiltration in a finished house increases energy consumption, which in turn leads to high utility ...

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

S INCE 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 the customers speak their ...

Thinking of a Career... Think Taco Bell!

W HAT DO YOU THINK of when you hear the words Taco Bell? Great Tacos, terrific salads or maybe your favorite Mexican pizza? If you’re Betsy Guynn, you think employees, benefits, training and career planning. Betsy is the human resources director for the local Taco Bell franchisee, Progressive Restaurants, Inc. Founded in 1997 by President Nick Davis, Progressive Restaurants ...

Dazzle the Senses at Thornebrook Gallery

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 Fine Arts degree, so he lives and loves the ...

daba designworks: We're much more than a screen printing shop!

Back to Magazine Contents daba designworks: We're much more than a screen printing shop!   ...

Kid's get a KICK out of SoccerTots-Gainesville

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 weapon! The only area ...

Dowling's Tree Service

B ORN 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 on the weekends and after school. ...

Community Leaders

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 morning, catch a top-fuel drag race in the ...

Gainesville at a Glance

WELCOME TO Gainesville! The city’s location, amenities and atmosphere make Gainesville truly unique. The media has consistently ranked Gainesville as a top place to live, work, play and even reinvent your life. These distinctions are no surprise when you consider what the area offers for residents and visitors alike. The following is a summary of media distinctions and ...

Health

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. This medical presence ...

Visiting, Living & Working in Gainesville

GATOR FANS AND other visitors will be happy to know that Gainesville offers over 50 hotels and motels, totaling over 5,000 rooms. Many are conveniently located near the University of Florida, I-75, and the Gainesville Regional Airport. In addition to the new UF Conference Center, Alachua County has close to a half a dozen full-service properties for business conferences and ...

Dining and Shopping Options

DINING Gainesville has an assortment of dining choices ranging from fast-food to Five-Star Pizza. The variety of restaurants can delight any taste buds whether you’re looking for traditional or ethnic, such as Mediterranean, Indian, Cajun, French, Greek, Italian, Thai, Cuban, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican or even Caribbean. With an influx of many international ...