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Good morning, Gainesville! In today’s edition: An inspiring educator honored, a Dr. Seuss musical, a taco takeover, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Celebrating an inspiring educator: Courtney Rees of Duval Early Learning Academy in Gainesville was named the Gainesville Sun Teacher of the Month for January, honoring her work in the classroom — read the full story.
Regional airfare price divide: US DOT’s latest report shows Tallahassee’s average airfare remains among the highest in Florida. Q2 data also show fares trending down since 2022 and a big gap with nearby airports — see how fares compare.
A tough year for dining: Gainesville said goodbye to several eateries in 2025, including Applebee’s, T.G.I. Friday’s, and a Subway on SW 13th Street, as national pressures and local challenges forced closures — see what led to closures.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Local pie shop’s big moment: Bowie Pizza in Gainesville will hold its grand opening on January 28 at 1522 Northwest 13th Street. The shop has served since spring with a soft opening since March. Owner Eric Lencioni says it is about connection, resilience, and believing the best things in life are worth the wait. See when and where.
Spark your inner tinkerer: If you’ve been itching to get more hands-on this week, Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention packs interactive exhibits and programs like Little Sparks and the Design + Doodle Lab. Easy, creative fun that nudges kids and adults to build, test, tinker, and ask sharper questions.
Burrito night, sorted: If your week needs a comfort-food anchor, La Tienda Latina slings hefty, no-fuss burritos with legit fillings: al pastor, carne asada, lengua, chivo, plus the market-meets-taqueria charm you love. Counter-service quick, flavor-packed, ideal for a low-key dinner reset.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎨 Painting Class: Palm Trees @ Corks & Colors Studio | Friday (1/9) at 6:30 PM – Trade screen time for beach time, the canvas kind. This class for adults, any level, walks you step by step, $35 gets you supplies for a 16×20, plus access to beer, wine, and soda. Seats are limited, so pre-register online, sip and paint your vacation.
🤸 Florida Gators Gymnastics @ Stephen C. O’Connell Center | Friday (1/9) at 6:45 PM – Gators gymnastics means big flips, bigger cheers, and you judging landings like it is the Olympics. Every person needs a ticket, even the carpool hero. Gates open 90 minutes before the first vault, so stretch, snack, and settle in.
🛍 Downtown Vintage Market @ Bo Diddley Plaza | Saturday (1/10) at 5:00 AM – Nothing beats a treasure hunt at Bo Diddley Plaza, where 50-plus local vendors roll out curated finds from Y2K to the 1950s, plus handmade goods that make your porch look intentional. Add food trucks, live tunes from Joey Anderson, and free parking around the plaza.
📚 The Other Book Part 2 @ Matheson History Museum | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Second Saturdays at the Matheson mean a dose of the real story, with Dr. Ryan Travis and the Community Remembrance Project unpacking the arts and culture chapters of Black history from the other book. Engaging, grounded, overdue. Suggested five bucks, register if you like plans.
🌮 Taco Takeover @ The Oaks Mall | Saturday (1/10) at 1:00 PM – Remember when Oaks Mall was just for walking laps? This weekend it turns into a taco gauntlet with top Florida trucks, live music, and games for the kids. Free entry, free parking, and zero guilt about going back for seconds, or thirds.
🧩 Beginners Mosaic Workshop @ Curia On The Drag | Sunday (1/11) at 11:00 AM – Time to upgrade the coffee table, not your tools: a beginner mosaic workshop at The Auk Market with Satchel’s artist-in-residence, Leah Piekarski. Tile a 6-inch tray, learn the basics, sip from the on-site coffee shop, and victory-lap at Curia or Dad’s.
🥕 Critter Creek January 11th Farmers Mooket @ Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary | Sunday (1/11) at 12:00 PM – Swap the market rut for a plant-based spread at Critter Creek’s sanctuary, where locals have hooves and opinions. Browse vegan vendors, meet residents on their terms, and wear closed-toe shoes if you fancy the pig pastures. Entry is free, a $5 donation supports the sanctuary.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Gainesville report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 1%
Widespread fog before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Southeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Areas of fog after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 1 to 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 2%
Areas of fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
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