The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

How to do spring break right in town

By Kelly Richard | Mar. 2, 2011

Although cruising the Caribbean or fist-pumping on the shores of Panama City Beach may sound like a blast — and we’re not saying either isn’t — those staying in town next week don’t have to go far or spend a lot of money to be entertained. Gainesville and its nearby cities have plenty of fun activities to keep you busy during spring break. Check out the Avenue’s top picks:

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Local woman makes living selling junk

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Mar. 2, 2011

Geneva Jarvis hasn’t missed a day of work in 25 years.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The A-list

By LAUREN GOLD | Mar. 2, 2011

LISTEN: “Rolling in the Deep”

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

GA Tech alumnus’ novel underlines college experience

Mar. 2, 2011

“…How liberated college students are, holding privileges of adulthood minus the constraints ….”

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Local meditation center a place to calm an uneasy mind

By Robert Imfeld | Mar. 2, 2011

A number of meditation centers call Gainesville home. And as meditation becomes more popular as a way to ward off stress, the Avenue wanted to find out the story behind a few of the centers in town.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Secrets of the Swamp: Stripped

By Brittany Brave | Mar. 2, 2011

Danielle has waited all week to gussy up and get herself ready for her hot night.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville’s best-kept secret: house shows

By Benjamin Evans | Feb. 23, 2011

About an hour before a swarm of college kids stampeded into his house with faces flushed the color of red Solo Cups, Michael Newman sat in his room relaxing, waiting for the dancing to begin.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Sales show computer gaming still has long half-life

By Andrew Wyzan | Feb. 23, 2011

I’ve been hearing about how computer gaming is either dead or has been dying since 2001. And with arguably the smallest audience in the already niche video game industry, I admit it’s kind of shocking that computer games are still around. Even more shocking is that computer gaming had its best year since “Quake” and “Doom” created the first-person shooter.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Tablet trend taps U.S. schools

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Feb. 23, 2011

Technology seems to advance quicker than anything these days, and with rapid advancement comes fads of hip new devices — one being the tablet personal computer.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The A-list

By LAUREN GOLD | Feb. 23, 2011

LISTEN: “Young Blood” by The Naked + Famous

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Fifth Avenue: A look into your sole

By Dana Burke | Feb. 23, 2011

Offer me a few pairs of killer heels or an afternoon with Johnny Depp, and I'm going to have to go with the shoes. Footwear to a fashionista is like a drug: expensive and addicting.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Lens Flair

By Dana Burke | Feb. 23, 2011

For the latest frills, flair and everything fashion, check out what our lens caught this week.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Basscamp opens The Vault to new club scene

By Carter Lyles. Avenue Contributing Writer | Feb. 23, 2011

They danced with the frantic, jerking movements of a person undergoing a seizure. They danced like their lives depended on it. Women spun glow sticks attached to long strands of wire like medieval flails, and men nodded their heads vigorously to the urgent, chaotic rhythm that pulsated with an intensity normally reserved for a place of worship.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Local musicians get into their funk

By Tyler Francischine | Feb. 23, 2011

Hide your kids, hide your wife. The Great Snooky Green is taking over.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Record companies rethink strategies as music sales fall

By THOMAS NASSIFF< | Feb. 23, 2011

The beginning of 2011 has signaled almost no signs of positive things to come for the future of the music business. The hope generated from bloated 2010 sales has all but vanished, as Warner Music Group hired investment bank Goldman Sachs to search out potential buyers for the company.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Monkey action: “Serendib” hits the Hipp this weekend

By Brittany Brave | Feb. 23, 2011

Get away and explore foreign terrains without the burden of a suitcase or a passport — you won’t need those. You’re not going far.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Fine art fair comes to town this weekend

By Kathleen Boyle | Feb. 23, 2011

With warmer weather indicating spring is just around the corner, it's time to see this winter off with a bang. One way to close out the month is by attending the fourth annual Winter Fine Arts Fair, which takes place at the Tioga Town Center from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Spring has sprung: Fruits and veggies for the season

By Britt Perkins | Feb. 23, 2011

Maybe you’re starting to come to terms with the fact that Pop-Tarts are not a good source of fruit. Likewise, fries aren’t really a vegetable when it comes to nutrition.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Guide to seasonal fruits and veggies

By Britt Perkins | Feb. 23, 2011

Maybe you're starting to come to terms with the fact that Pop-Tarts are not a good source of fruit. Likewise, fries aren't really a vegetable when it comes to nutrition.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Mourning the loss of a good University Avenue deal

Feb. 23, 2011

“Two slices of pepperoni to go, please.”