Gainesville Today

The Value of a Good Oncologist? Priceless When He Gives You the Shirt Off His Back

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:28:00 EST

by Amy Norton

Ask a cancer patient to name the hardest part of battling their disease, and very often they’ll tell you it’s the waiting. Long, seemingly endless hours spent waiting for appointments, treatment or results. So many complicated steps on the journey from diagnosis to survivorship. All punctuated with waiting.

Mary Rogers knows something about all that waiting. And at 77, having just celebrated her birthday along with her last radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, Mary knows the importance of making the journey one step at a time. She also knows firsthand that fighting cancer is easier when physicians like her oncologist, Dr. Paul Schilling of the Community Cancer Center of North Florida (CCCNF), put patient care first.

Mary is the mother of five grown children, retired now ......

Annuities, The Retirement Planning of the Twenty-First-Century

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST

by Donna Weber

What choices are available for people wishing to build a retirement fund in today’s uncertain economic times? A fixed annuity may be one approach to consider, according to Jeff Ference, a local Florida Farm Bureau Insurance agent. “Many people nearing retirement age do not realize they may help minimize their risk with a fixed annuity,” said Ference. “A fixed annuity offers you tax deferred growth and the opportunity for guaranteed lifetime income at retirement.” The Gainesville native owns and operates Ference Insurance Agency, a Florida Farm Bureau agency that has served members and clients in the Gainesville area for many years.

Fixed annuities are contracts issued by life insurance companies and are used to supply long-term retirement income. Unlike some other retirement ......

Everything is Always in Season! Center Stage Costumes and Magic

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:13:00 EST

by Janice C. Kaplan

Walk in to Center Stage Costumes & Magic and you step into a world unlike any other in Gainesville. From the castle wall façade and vibrant masks greeting you at the entry to the festive music and endless costume selection, there’s no better way to kick off the holiday season – or any season, for that matter – than with a trip to Center Stage!

“We create an ambiance in the store – the perfect music for the season, the perfect atmosphere,” says owner Judi Cain. “The store has to look good, sound good, and feel good at all times. We want nothing to distract the customers from their experience.” As you walk through the entry, the store’s slogan is displayed above: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because ......

Brother, Can you Spare a Nickel? Sun State Federal Credit Union

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:25:00 EST

by Janice C. Kaplan

SunState Federal Credit Union wants to give you money.

Yes, you read that right! For more than 50 years, SunState has been an innovator in unique programs aimed at benefiting its members and the community. Now SunState introduces its latest addition to checking accounts, the Nickel Back Rewards program!

What is this program? The name says it all. Every time you make a signature-based purchase with your SunState debit card (one that does not require you to enter your PIN), SunState puts a nickel into your checking account. Just make sure to select the “Credit” button instead of “Debit” when you use your card and sign for your purchase. And that’s it! There are no forms to fill out, no points to accumulate, no additional obligations. If you’re a member ......

Where People and Service Matter! Cathy Ratliff Leads Sun State's Jonesville Branch

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:36:00 EST

by Janice C. Kaplan

When Cathy Ratliff started working at SunState Federal Credit Union in 1986, she was a member service clerk with a love for the area. Through the years she moved up the ranks at SunState, and today she is the manager of the new Jonesville branch that opened on October 14. She is joined by Kim Mobbs, the Head Teller in Jonesville who has been with SunState for three years and is a native Floridian, as well as Christy Richardson, the SunState Trainer who is a Florida resident of three years. Fellow locals Amber Baucom and Candy Zavala make up the Jonesville Member Service team. All of the Jonesville tellers are long time residents of the area and are eager to open the door to their existing and new members.

The entire team is excited about the opportunity to further serve the people of Alachua County ......

A Painful Fear Relieved! Exceptional Dentistry

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:00:00 EST

by Laura Holloway

According to the dictionary, pain comes in two forms, physical and mental (emotional). In Dana’s case she suffered both as a result of fear; fear of the dentist. As her dental anxiety increased and she became more and more reluctant to go to the dentist, the more pain she experienced from her overcrowded teeth.

She was in pain even when she spoke and especially when she ate. She began to eat on one side of her mouth and finally began to eat soft foods only. Decay was rampant and she became embarrassed by her smile to the point of hiding her mouth as she spoke around others.

Dana’s mother intervened as she could see her daughter’s suffering and wanted to help. She had read articles like this one in Gainesville Today magazine and scheduled a free consultation for Dana and ......

What Home Care Should Be! Interim Health Care

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:06:00 EST

by Janice C. Kaplan

Sherry Mitchell has one major requirement of everyone who works at Interim HealthCare of Gainesville – heart.

“I have a different perspective of what home care should be,” says Mitchell, the office’s director of healthcare services. “For me it’s more patient-driven, and my employees should have the heart to do real patient care and nursing care. I want to hear their enthusiasm in their voices. The staff members have to have their hearts in it, the way my heart is in it.”

It’s that heart and caring attitude that has made Interim HealthCare the nation’s leading health care organization for over 43 years. For the past 26 years, Interim HealthCare has provided Gainesville and the surrounding areas with a wide range of healthcare related ......

This Financial Advisor Takes a Proactive Approach!

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:29:00 EST

by Donna Weber

Does taking care of business investments and retirement planning in a complex, fast-paced world seem stressful and daunting? Are you baffled by market movements in this recession, and how to recover your investment losses? Do you have a recovery plan? Now is the right time for a second opinion. Financial Advisor Pat Gleason, a Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist ® (CRPS®) has over 14 years of experience assisting business owners and individuals to develop a successful investment strategy, which integrates your investments into a complete estate, retirement and tax savings plan.

“Taking the uncertainty and guesswork out of retirement planning is a priority so that clients can enjoy the lifestyle of their retirement dreams,” Pat Gleason said.

Gleason helps clients with their ......

Do Embarrassing Leaks Limit Your Lifestyle?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:18:00 EST

by Donna Weber

As the number of babyboomers increase so do age-related health concerns. High blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease are topics routinely discussed with primary health care physicians. Unfortunately, for postmenopausal women, bladder control issues, which can drastically change a woman’s lifestyle, are rarely mentioned.

“Sadly, these are often the most life altering conditions women face,” Dr. Gregory Bailey, who established the Women’s Pelvic Health & Continence Center, said. “It’s not a popular thing to talk about, but the truth is there is a tremendous need.” In fact, 60 percent of postmenopausal women experience incontinence while 15 percent experience bowel incontinence. And the population of women over age 65 is expected to double ......

Everybody is My Customer! Gainesville Tire Service

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:34:00 EST

by Janice C. Kaplan

From the time he was a young teenager, Gary Rowell knew what he wanted to do with his life. His dad, Bill, founded Gainesville Tire Service in 1968 and emphasized one-on-one service and a family environment. Today, Rowell takes these same principles to heart as the owner/operator of the business.

“Everybody is my customer,” says Rowell. “I like the fast pace of getting something done and accomplishing things. I like my customers, I love what I do — helping people.” His son John now works at his side and his aunt, Mary Frances Hague — affectionately known as Aunt Fee — has been there for the past 38 years.

Gainesville Tire Service specializes in tires, brakes, front-end alignments and tune-ups, and they also handle major repair jobs and mechanical ......

A Unique Place to Shop and Help the Community! Lost Art Gallery

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:15:00 EST

by Donna Weber

Discovering “lost art” has been part of Victoria Golden’s life for 19 years. Helping people in the community reveals another side of the many worlds of the Gainesville businesswoman. Golden, owner of Lost Art Gallery, recently relocated her unique shop to a more spacious showroom in the center of Thornebrook Village.

The Lost Art Gallery is the perfect place to purchase a beautiful piece of 19th or 20th century or contemporary art. “The most unique thing about my shop is when people purchase lovely artwork they are also helping local charitable organizations or individuals,” Golden said.

As a certified art and antique appraiser, Golden’s background in fine art and archeology gives her a keen eye for locating museum-quality art from estates and private collections. ......

Emiliano's Cafe is Celebrating 25 Years!

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST

by Janice C. Kaplan

When Wanda de Paz-Ibanez and her husband, Jorge, opened Emiliano’s Café 25 years ago, their friends and family thought they were making a huge mistake. It wasn’t the business itself they doubted; Emiliano’s had already been successful for two years as a bakery on West University Avenue. Instead they questioned why the couple would want to relocate to a downtown area that, at the time, was little more than a ghost town.

“None of the features that distinguish downtown as we see it today existed,” says Wanda. “There were no lampposts, no brick sidewalks, no trees, and many buildings were boarded up.” But the couple persisted with the plan and opened the restaurant on November 11, 1984. Today the downtown area is a charming and thriving community of restaurants, ......

Love the Way You Move! Kinetix Physical Therapy

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:07:00 EST

Backyard softball with the kids. “Spring cleaning” for the fall. Weekend golf tournament just how much could it hurt?

Millions of Americans suffer in the shadow of traumatic or overuse injuries, often with little relief and an eventual decline in physical function, mobility and overall health. Research shows, however, that utilization of physical therapy programs decreases the occurrence of chronic pain, arthritis and other debilitating athletic injuries that may later require expensive surgeries, medications and long bouts of rehabilitation.

On the heels of this research and the direct access law, which allows individuals to go directly to a physical therapist without a physician’s referral, more and more people are turning to physical therapy for injury prevention and wellness expertise — a ......

Hop, Stop, and Shop! Uptown Art Hop at 43rd Street

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:11:00 EST

by Donna Weber

Enjoy an evening of shopping, refreshments, art demonstrations and entertainment while you ‘hop’ from one place to another at the Uptown 43rd Street District’s Art Hop on Friday, Nov. 20. You’ll see some of the best art in Gainesville, ranging from one-of-a-kind pieces to gifts from far corners of the world, and get a chance to support Florida’s Eden One Region One Book water awareness program.

Rickshaw taxies will offer event-goers easy access to charming shops, art galleries, businesses and restaurants in Thornebrook Village, The Market Place and Millhopper Square. The camaraderie among merchants in the 43rd Street District is a key factor that makes the area a unique shopping destination. By uniting together, they came up with the fun idea to hold an Art Hop four times ......

28th Annual Dowwntown Festival and Art Show!

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:15:00 EST

Celebrating its 28th anniversary in 2009, the Downtown Festival & Art Show, proudly presented by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, is oneof the nation’s premier outdoor fine arts festivals. The historic, tree-lined streets of downtown Gainesville, from City Hall to the Hippodrome State Theatre, will be transformed into a celebration of art and creativity on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. One of North Florida’s most beloved traditions, the Arts Festival offers visitors the opportunity to meet the exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine and enjoy live, continuous entertainment.

The Downtown Festival & Art Show, a nationally recognized event, brings out the best in Gainesville and provides an exciting and educational atmosphere through ......

The Road to Rebuilding! Peaceful Paths Helps Victims of Domestic Violence

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:22:00 EST

by Donna Weber

The path to rebuilding a woman’s life after domestic violence takes time and help from the community. So does the road to rebuilding the Peaceful Paths Outreach Facility, which was destroyed in a devastating fire earlier this year.

While insurance will cover most of the building costs, it does not cover critical components such as the security and phone systems, as well as the construction requirements to meet new code guidelines, according to Theresa Harrison, PhD., executive director of the agency. The agency has embarked on a capital campaign to raise an additional $100,000 to cover expenses. “Thanks to the many community groups, individuals and foundations, we have an excellent start on our campaign by raising $47,000 so far,” Harrison said.

Sponsorship levels range from ......

Dig It! Gator Volleyball

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:26:00 EST

by Janice C. Kaplan

Last year the Gator volleyball team won 27 matches, notched their 18th consecutive Southeastern Conference title and advanced to the NCAA semifinals. In a program of Florida’s caliber such feats are expected. But last year Head Coach Mary Wise had to replace four All-Americans with a roster that included several freshmen and just four upperclassmen.

This year, however, the formerly unseasoned group has more experience and training under its belt. “Some of the biggest changes we see in players occur between their freshman and sophomore seasons,” Wise says. “For many players, this is the first time they are exposed to the benefits of training year-round. That includes what Coach Matt de Lancey does in the weight room and what is learned working with our nutritionist ......

by Paul J. Schilling, M.D. Communicty Cancer Center of North Florida

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:28:00 EST

10. Academic Flavor. Two area universities create an aura of academic diversity and
     stimulation.

9. Center for the Performing Arts. I could not imagine a more diversified schedule of
     performances.

8. Trees and Natural Beauty. Whenever we interview physicians from other parts of the
     country, they always comment on the trees and green spaces. We take them for granted.

7. Proximity to Water. The lakes are close as are the beaches of both coasts.

6   Restaurants. From "cheap and cheerful" to formal and pricey, Gainesville has them all!

5. Gators. No matter where one travels, the Gators are always asked about when someone
     ......

13 Things to do!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST

13 Things to do in October/November

1-31 Pumpkin Patch and The Great Pumpkin Harvest

Trinity United Methodist Church
Purchase your seasonal pumpkins and enjoy hayrides, bounce houses, displays for picture taking, cotton candy and sno-cones. On the 28th at 5:30 p.m. come in costume to the Great Pumpkin Harvest for music, games, food, bounce houses, “trunk or treat,” a pie auction and the youth-run Possum Creek Pit.

8-31 The Horror

Acrosstown Repertory Theatre
Four friends meet in the Maine North Woods to get away from their everyday problems, only to learn that they are not alone. This original play by Gainesville screenwriter Georg Koszulinski runs Thursdays through Saturdays. Call 375-1321 for information.

16-November ......