In today's Scoop:
🚗 Gainesville moved one vote closer to ending roam towing and booting
🌳 Boulware Springs renovations are slated to begin in 2027
⛳ UF plans a 500-acre championship golf course off Parker Road
💉 Free flu vaccines are coming to 37 Alachua County schools
🌮 Gator tacos and fresh-squeezed margaritas downtown
At 232 SE 1st Street, Boca Fiesta is a locally owned downtown Mexican-inspired restaurant serving tacos, burritos, bowls, and quesadillas.
Local wild-caught gator and locally made tempeh share the menu with jackfruit al pastor and house-made chorizo. The bar squeezes its lemonade and limeade, then uses fresh juice and agave in the Boca Margarita.
Read more here.
🚗 Gainesville advances ban on roam towing
The Gist: Gainesville commissioners voted Sept. 17 to eliminate roam towing and booting, which allows companies to patrol private lots for unauthorized vehicles. Property owners could still request removal of a specific vehicle, and law enforcement and government properties would remain exempt.
Why It Matters: The ordinance would affect six licensed towing companies and end a practice that has drawn years of complaints from residents and visitors.
What's Next: The ordinance needs one more commission vote before it can take effect. The city has not announced that vote's date.
Read more here.
🌳 Boulware Springs restoration moves toward 2027 start
The Gist: Gainesville is redesigning its restoration plan for Boulware Springs Nature Park this fall. The current plan covers the former waterworks building, a new parking area and restroom, a pavilion, lighting, landscaping and site stabilization.
Why It Matters: Residents met at Boulware Springs in the 1850s to establish Gainesville, and the spring later became the city's primary water source. The historic building has been closed to the public since 2020.
What's Next: Construction is expected to begin in 2027. The revised project must return to the City Commission for approval, when residents can comment on the plan.
Read more here.
⛳ UF plans 500-acre golf course off Parker Road
The Gist: UF announced plans for the Evans University of Florida Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course spanning more than 500 acres off Parker Road in West Gainesville. The project includes a clubhouse, guest cottages and a team house for UF golfers.
Why It Matters: UF says the course could host collegiate, amateur and professional competitions while giving UF/IFAS researchers a working site for turf, water-use and environmental studies.
Read more here.
💉 Free flu vaccines return to 37 county schools
The Gist: UF's Control Flu program will offer free, needle-free FluMist vaccines at 37 Alachua County schools. The program returned to paper consent forms after participation fell 50% when organizers switched to an online form last year.
Why It Matters: Students from elementary through high school can receive the vaccine during the school day at no cost, regardless of insurance status.
What's Next: Clinics run Sept. 30 through Nov. 10. Parents must return a consent form before the health department can confirm a student's eligibility.
Read more here.
🦁 Carson Springs Wildlife Foundation Guided Tour Experience | Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation | Gainesville | Saturday, September 26, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM | More
Meet more than 30 species on a guided walk through the 200-acre sanctuary.
🐊 CHOMP the Block Gator Football Pep Rally and Block Party | Celebration Pointe | Gainesville | Friday, September 25, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM | More
Live music, food trucks, lawn games, mascots, bounce houses and crafts.
🎬 Gainesville Latino Film Festival Children's Festival | Matheson History Museum | Gainesville | Saturday, September 26, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM | More
Watch “My Grandfather Is a Nihonjin,” then stay for storytelling and crafts.
🌱 Family Planting Party: Celebrating Libraries | Library Partnership Branch | Gainesville | Tuesday, September 29, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM | More
Plant a Seed Library seed and take it home to grow.
🐶 Read with a Dog | Millhopper Branch Library | Gainesville | Thursday, October 1, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM | More
Kids can practice reading aloud to therapy dogs in the children's area.
🖼️ ArtWalk at Art Collective: Be the Sun in Someone's Darkness | Art Collective at The Oaks Mall | Gainesville | Friday, September 25, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM | More
Meet the artists behind Lale's free “Be the Sun in Someone's Darkness” exhibition.
🎸 World and Acoustic Guitar with Pierre Bensusan | Heartwood Soundstage | Gainesville | Saturday, September 26, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM | More
French guitarist Pierre Bensusan brings fingerstyle playing, vocals, and DADGAD tuning to Heartwood.
📚 Emily St. John Mandel Discusses Exit Party | First United Methodist Church | Gainesville | Sunday, September 27, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM | More
Hear Emily St. John Mandel discuss “Exit Party” with Lauren Groff.
📖 Swamp Head Brewery Book Swap | Swamp Head Brewery | Gainesville | Thursday, October 1, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM | More
Bring a gently used book to trade; children's books are excluded.
🎨 After Utopia: Feminist Practice in Contemporary Cuban Art | Harn Museum of Art | Gainesville | Thursday, October 1, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM | More
A Tate Britain curator traces feminist practice in contemporary Cuban art; reception follows.
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