VOTE
There's never been an election like this. The whole world is waiting to see if we choose Kamala Harris to be our next President, or, the guy described by his former chief-of-staff, Gen. John Kelly, as "the most dangerous person in the country".
It's hard to concentrate on anything else but I'll try.
Despite election nightmares life continues in Gainesville. Here are a few things I noticed this month.
GOOD BURGER
I was riding my bike on October 16th and came upon four blocks of cars lined up on NW 10 Avenue. At first I thought it was a funeral procession but it turned out to be a different kind of farewell.
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Shiela Williams with owner, John McMillan
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It was Shiela Williams last day of work at "Mac's Drive Thru", the burger joint a half-block west of Main. In her 37 years there she built up a huge fan base. One driver told me, "Shiela's so special.
I'll wait for an hour or more to get a burger from her one last time".
GOOD BIKE
I stopped at GoodBike two blocks away to get a chain fixed. From the rafters hung a menacing 18-foot shark-cycle.
I asked if someone could ride the shark in December 28th's Flying Pig Parade. He referred me to the shop owner, Mike, who said he'd consider it.
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T-shirts go on sale Nov. 25th
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GOOD MIKE
Many remember Michael Shields as "Super Swine" in the piggish parade.
Three weeks ago he celebrated his birthday with a Truck Painting Party. We enjoyed great food, Michael's stories, and painting marvelous designs on his pick-up.
BIG GATOR
I've never seen much life in Depot Park's artificial lake until last week. On Saturday I spotted five snapping turtles and a six-foot gator. Now the "No Swimming" signs make more sense.
ONE HUGE NATIONAL PARK
300 of us attended a lecture at Newberry's Equestrian Center last week. Author Doug Tallamy promoted his book, "Bringing Nature Home" and his big idea. If property owners cooperate, we could make our country one huge "homegrown national park".
Doug shared that if everyone replaced half of their lawns with native plants, it would promote biodiversity, reduce global warming, and create 200 million more acres of "national park".
When we moved here 5 years ago, we did just that. Half of our lawn is "wild". We love the bugs, birds, butterflies. Having less grass to mow is great too.Did I ever mention how much I dislike the lawn mower life? It seems I spent half of my youth pushing one. If it was up to me I'd let all grass grow. Unlike hair, it stops at some point.
BEATING THE HEAT
An hour later we were in the audience at the Lynx Bookstore. Journalist Jeff Goodell discussed his book, "The Heat Will Kill You First" and Miami-Dade County's chief heat officer, Jane Gilbert, explained her mission to help South Florida adapt to the ever increasing perils of climate change.
If left unchallenged, burning fossil fuels will continue to cause heat increases that will end life as we know it. It's why spring comes earlier, fall arrives later, hurricanes pop up more frequently, and thousands more die every year from heat related causes.
We do not have to destroy ourselves.
Jane and Jeff pointed out that the best thing we can do now is to vote next week for candidates that believe that human-induced climate change is real. That does not include the most dangerous person that I mentioned earlier.
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Lining up to vote, Millhopper Library
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BEST ART SHOW
It's our neighborhood's only art show and it takes place every November at the UCG church, 1624 NW 5 Ave.
When I helped create this little gem three years ago I figured, "Nobody goes to an art show for more than a couple hours so why not make it two hours long?
Everyone's invited. Artists can still sign up. It takes place from 11 am to 1 pm on Sunday, November 10th. Stop by my table. I will be selling Christmas ornaments that I make from dried okra.
BEST PICNIC?
That would be the annual gatherings we have twice a year in Parker Park.
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Two of the six dogs
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About 140 neighbors (and six dogs) came to our neighborhood association's fall picnic on Sunday, October 27th.
The Mayor spoke, there was plenty to eat, and we made new friends.
BEST FEST
I think our 3-day punk rock festival, "Fest", is G'ville's most successful
event. Thousands of people have come here for 22 years to hear music that many of us want to steer clear of.Last weekend I enjoyed plunging into it briefly (with ear plugs) to
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Heartwood Soundstage, one of Fest's 15 venues
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watch black-shirted youngin's having a good time.
Fest 22 featured 316 bands playing in 15 different venues for sixteen hours a day. It's a well-behaved, sell-out crowd that tops ten thousand every year.
It brings in new visitors like no other. 96% of the ticket buyers come from outside Gainesville. 74% come from out-of- state and 32% from other countries. How cool is that?
Hats off to its top dawg, G'ville's Tony Weinbender, his staff, and the 400 volunteers for keeping it real for over two decades.
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Fest nuns mugging it up with their Trump Bibles
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BEST OCTOBER PARADE
That would be Florida Park's annual Halloween procession
coming up on Thursday. It's not "Fest" but the witches and vampires do dress in black. As usual, we'll gather at the corner of NW 17 St. and 12 Road at 5:30. We march at six, just before sunset. If you and the kids come as Fest punk rockers, that's just fine. _________________________
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