UP THE CREEK
-Glenn's End of Summer Newsletter- August 28, 2024
For everyone living on or near the confluence of Hogtown and Rattlesnake Creek in beautiful Northwest Gainesville and, on the planet, Earth
HURRICANE DEBBIE
What was predicted as one of the busiest hurricane seasons ever has barely bothered G'ville.
Hurricane Debbie knocked down a tree blocking NW 11 Ave. For a day our creeks look like rushing torrents of cafe con leche but so far we've been fortunate. Knock on wood.
UPNA
Our University Park Neighborhood Association continues to do good things for our 'hood. Save Sunday, Oct. 27th, for UPNA's Fall Picnic. If you're not a member, sign up to support their good work for a paltry $20 a year... UPNAgnv.org.
NEW NEIGHBORS
Max, Kaitlyn, and their baby are enjoying their
new home ar 2061 NW 20 Drive. He's a philosophy professor at the UF. They moved here from Philadelphia.
Last night we met Stephen, a pediatric surgeon at Shands. He's very busy moving into his new home two houses north of Max's, on NW 14 Ave.
THE SEASON IS HERE!
This town is waking up from summer doldrums as the Gator Gladiators take on the Miami Flood Zone in The Swamp on Saturday. As a realtor told us when we first looked for houses here, "Live south of 8th Ave and you can make big money turning your front yard into a parking lot".
October 31. That's when we'll have our sixth Florida Park Halloween Parade.
Two months later (Saturday, December 28th) The Flying Pig Parade will take wing in
downtown G'ville. The first one last December was a huge success and much of that is due to to the residents of Florida Park. No other neighborhood produced as many volunteers and parade participants. They were, for instance, the heart of "The Run Away Ballot Box" and "Keep Your Stinkin' Hands Off My Body" pro-choice marching groups.
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| Melrose's "Dancin' Dinosaurs" |
We're busy now raising the $ to make it happen again. We'll start our fun-filled meetings in early October. Now is a good time to start planning your group for G'ville's coolest event. All the information you need is on our website, www.flyingpigparade.org.
IAN'S BURNING THIS WEEK
KIM'S NEW GALLERY
Kim Tanzer had an open house at her new studio/gallery on NW 16 Ave a few weeks ago.
The former dean of the University of Virginia's
School of Architecture is putting paint to canvas
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| Francesca and Kim |
AND SPEAKING OF JOY
How 'bout the new candidate running for President? We join Gainesville Women For Harris on Saturdays as they share smiles and wave signs next to busy streets. They'll be doing it again this Saturday to get our football visitors honking. You can join on the south side of Archer Road at 35th Blvd between 10 and 11 AM. That's the short road leading to Kohl's.
And don;t forget your "I'm With Kamala" and "Don't Make It Weird" signs.
Women For are also registering voters, go door-to-door, and teaching volunteers to help people make sure they are still eligible to vote.
It's surprising how many people we find who think they are eligible but are not. We show them how to fix the problems prior to November.
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| Last Saturday's rally in Downtown Gainesville |
It's a terrific, energized group on FBook @"Gainesville Women For Harris".
One more thing, I was told that men are welcome to join their efforts.
VOTE YES ON 4
A majority of Floridians support abortion which DeSantis & Co. have outlawed. If 60% of the voters approve Amendment 4 on election day Floridawomen will regain reproductive freedom.
Our local "Yes4Florida" group is canvassing neighborhoods every Saturday to ask residents to help end our abortion ban. I joined them last week and was thrilled to see so many young people stepping up to the plate.
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| Mariah and Me Ready To Canvas for "Four" |
You can learn more at FloridiansProtectingFreedom.com and can register for their "Super Saturday" events at www.mobilize.us/yes4florida/ .
Here's another way to
MAKE SOME NOISE!
Last May I met with two UF music instructors to
discuss forming a community percussion salsa band. Kevin and Cody took the ball and ran all the way to the rehearsal studio.
Their new group is "BlocoGNV" ("bloco" is Brazilian for a local drum band) and anyone can join, no experience necessary. I go to their weekly sessions and have a great time. It's all at www.blocognv.com.
HEAR SOME NOISE
I went to my first meditative session at Gaineville's Gong Chamber two weeks ago. Twenty of us sat in chairs, or laid down, while Gong Master Dan played for an hour.
It was trippy! More at Gongspot.crrd.com or contact Dan at gongforme@gmail.com.
HEAR SOME GREAT MUSIC
We love performances at Heartwood Soundstage. There are several every week in their acoustically perfect "listening room". Three weeks ago we heard Austrailian guitarist Kyran Danial and he blew us away.
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| Kyran Danial |
Opening for him was Dr. Mark Staples, the well-known Gainesville cardiologist who can play a terrific guitar and transplant a heart on the same day.
There we were in our $25 seats just twelve feet away from these exciting musicians... amazing. HeartwoodSoundstage.com.
DO GATORS EVEN PLAY PICKLEBALL?
As you've probably heard Gov. Ron announced plans last week to build resorts, golf courses, and pickle ball courts in ten Florida state parks.
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| What's next, sea cow rides at Manatee Springs? |
We've got to stop this madness. Here's a place to start:
The Florida Springs Council and Sea Turtle Conservancy are sponsoring a Letter Writing Party and Rally for the Parks Sunday, September 1st from 3 to 6PM at First Magnitude Brewing Company (south of Depot Park). Bring a pen.
The Gov held a press conference today to say he was going to "slow his plans". DeSantis has received 250,000 complaints since he announced his ridiculous, ill-thought parks initiative last week.
Let's send him 250,000 more.
HELP KIDS
The local Education Foundation runs a program to pairs mentors with teens in Alachua County. You meet with them twice a month at their schools to help instill a love of learning. All of the "mentees" come from low-income families and must maintain (at least) a 2.5 grade average. Upon completion of the program they receive a 2-year scholarship to any state university.
I met with Jovany for the first time this week.
He wants to become a dentist. If that happens I can give him a lot of business!
More mentors are needed for the county-wide program. If you're interested call Kate Clement at 352-955-7250 ext. 6434.
HELP AN ADULT
The Gainesville Library's literacy program needs tutors. They help a variety of people to learn speaking or English grammar skills in all of our county's branch libraries. I signed up last month and am waiting to be paired up with my first "learners". We will meet twice a month for an hour.
If you'd like more information call the library at 352-334-3920. Ask for "Adult Services" and they will connect you with the literacy program.
So much is happening this fall. I'm a bit more concerned about our country's future than our football team.
Let's hope a few months from now we can consider them both "winners".
-G
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