Gainesville, FL

Gainesville's Best New Coffee Shop?

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:27:23 -0400

My argument for not supporting the local coffee shop more (Maude’s) was because the internet sucked and it wasn’t bright enough inside. That’s why I always ended up at Starbucks.

But now there is a new player in town. Volta Coffee is located just a few more blocks from my house and has fast (and free) internet, and perfectly sunlit with huge windows. And they even have Mexican Coke (with sugar not corn syrup).

It’s located at 48 SW 2nd Street in the bottom floor of the parking garage and right next door to Club Decadence (the fake strip club where they don’t actually get naked).

Gainesville Libraries To Start Charging Late Fees

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:31:06 -0400

I always used to brag to people that our library was better than theirs because they trusted us SO MUCH that they didn’t have to charge late fees. Looks like that wasn’t working though… (I admit I return half of the books I check out late, doh).

For so long the county’s public library has been lax about the due dates of its books. But now its looking to run things a bit more “by the book.” The Alachua County Library is setting up a system to charge for items returned past the due date. Working with a company known as Unique Management to help retrieve over due books, the library is hoping booklovers will bring books, DVD, CD’s and art back on time. Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the library district, Angela Harris says it is technically not a late fee and that that it has become a common practice all over the nation.

Unique Management will take over phone calls and notices for books that are late for more than 60 days.

She adds when someone tries to clear their account in person, they would have to pay for lost materials as well as a 10 dollar fee. Harris says the fee will not stop people from visiting the library.

Source: am850 News

Sunday July 13th : Gainesville Roller Derby!

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:13:06 -0400

via Gainesviller Tips:

ROLLER DERBY! Sunday evening July 13th at the Alachua County Fairgrounds The Gainesville Roller Rebels, Gainesville’s first flat track roller derby league, presents “SAINTS vs. SINNERS”, a thrilling bout of skill, speed, and raw tenacity on roller skates! This event also features local bands Towers of Hanoi and The Damn Wrights. Tailgating starts at 5, doors open at 5:30 and the bout begins at 6! Whether you are a Saint or a Sinner, we guarantee that you will have a BLAST!

Tickets: $8 day of, $6 in advance (available at Hyde & Zeke’s Records.) Kids 10 or under free. Parental Discretion Advised. The fairgrounds are located East of Waldo Rd. on NE 39th Ave. Driving East, follow the signs to the fairgrounds on the left.

The Greater Gator Beer Festival 2008

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:51:00 -0400

Where: Magnolia Parke ( 4700 NW 39th Ave )
When: Saturday, March 29th 1-5pm

Get your advance tickets for $20 at: Hops, Kazbor’s Sports Grille, Gainesville Cycle, Beef’ O’ Brady’s-both locations, Gator Beverage and Gator’s Dockside or pay $25 at the gate. Admission includes all beer and food samples.

Must be 21 years of age (duh) and this will go on rain or shine

Here’s a taste of last year:

Greater Gator Beer Fest Babe on Chime.TV

Gainesville Raceway: Pinks All Out

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:32:00 -0500

It’s a bit early, but didn’t want to forget about this one. During the weekend of April 18-19, the Pinks All Out show will be taping a show and there will be $18,000 on the line.

If you haven’t been out to the track before, I highly recommend it. It’s a blast to hang out there on Wednesday nights (for $5) and watch Amateur Drag racing night. The Pinks All Out weekend will definitely be wayyy more competitive and exciting though.

More information on GainesvilleRaceway.com and the 2008 Drag Strip Schedule

Downtown Art Walk TONIGHT!

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:01:00 -0500

The last friday of the month is Gainesville’s downtown art walk and that is tonight! From 7-10pm walk into various studio/galleries around downtown Gainesville and treat yourself to what local artists have been working hard on.

Twelve artist’s studios and galleries are open to the public and you can grab a map in the Hippodrome Lobby. If I’m not too lazy, I’ll hopefully have video documentation sometime this weekend!

Built To Spill's First Gainesville Show Ever!

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:48:00 -0500

Built To Spill is playing their first ever show in Gainesville (and only North Florida show on the tour) on Wednesday March 5, 2008 at The Venue (233 W University Avenue).

Tickets go on sale Friday, December 7th

If you haven’t heard them before you are a fool, but you can fix that by checking them out on Hype Machine.

For more current showlistings, like Japanther tonight!, check out GainesvilleBands.com

The Gator Nation Network Sucks

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:35:00 -0500

Reasons why I loathe thee:
1) Look at that banner ad. Hellllllloooooooo 1998. Please tell me that was made be a volunteer and not somebody actually being paid.

2) Join a network with over 25,000 people! Because MySpace’s 58 Million, Facebook’s 20 Million and LinkedIn’s 5 Million are too overwhelming? Because they have better features then billion dollar companies improving their products constantly? (well I dont know about MySpace :P )

3) Why would you join a social network limited to ONLY University of Florida alumni, when if that is what you are really interested in, you’d join one of the other social networks that definitely have more than the Gator Nation Network.

The whole thing just seems like a misguided effort by some over enthusiastic Alumni Association when they could accomplishing their goal (money) in better, more efficient ways. Like maybe utilizing the existing users on real social networking sites.

[Top 10 Social Networking Sites: User numbers for Oct 2007]

Freeride Surf Shop: Holiday Sale

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:58:00 -0500

Freeride has an annual holiday sale that can hook you up with some pretty amazing deals. I’ve been a believer ever since I got a backpack, 2 pairs of shorts and a hat for $75 one year. Most stuff is 10%-70% off. It’s the place to be if you are looking for some t-shirts, shorts, surf clothing (duh), swimsuits, sandals, and hats. Since this is Florida, thankfully shorts can be worn through the warmer days of “winter”.

The sale officially starts Friday December 7, but they always run a presale the day before for email subscribers (I think you can only sign up instore). So you better head out there Thursday if you want the best deals. I recommend walking/biking/parking somewhere else because their parking lot is really small, cramped and usually full during their sales.

Sale Hours:
Thursday Dec. 6: 10 am-8 pm
Friday Dec. 7: 10 am-8 pm
Saturday Dec.8: 10 am-6 pm
Sunday Dec.9: 12 pm- 6 pm

There’s also a 15% off coupon included in the email. If you are interested, just head over here and send yourself the promotional email.

Freeride is located at 420 NW 13th St

Playing @ The Hippodrome

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:24:00 -0500

Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead starts tonight at The Hippodrome at 6:30pm and 9:00pm. It stars Ethan Hawke and Philip Seymour Hoffman (definitely some of the bigger names to come through The Hipp) and will be playing until December 13th.

Check out the trailer:

Get your own TV Channel on Chime.TV!

"This is one of the reasons Gainesville was voted the No. 1 place to live in the country"

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:15:00 -0500

“This is one of the reasons Gainesville was voted the No. 1 place to live in the country”

- Theresa Harrison, delusional RTS Spokesman who thinks decision to eliminate ads on the outside of buses makes a difference to anybody, let alone stands as a reason to move to Gainesville. [Source: Alligator, Nov 27, Page 5]

"Turfgrass footprints are easy to patch up. A carbon footprint - damage done to the atmosphere that..."

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:44:38 -0500

“Turfgrass footprints are easy to patch up. A carbon footprint - damage done to the atmosphere that results in global warming - isn’t so simple. UF and Florida State University officials have found a way to counteract the damaging emissions caused by the football game Saturday, a UF press release states. The release says UF would be the first university in the nation to attempt the neutralization. Along with the Florida Forestry Association and Environmental Defense, UF has arranged for about 18 acres of rural North Florida land to be managed as a pine plantation forest for 10 years.”

- UF, FSU work to offset emissions caused by football game: alligator.org

The Florida Gators just beat the FSU Seminoles for the 4th time...

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 19:36:00 -0500

The Florida Gators just beat the FSU Seminoles for the 4th time in a row. Is this still considered a rivalry?