New York City has 6th Avenue, Avenue Of The Americas - big deal. Gainesville has 8th Avenue, Avenue…read moreOf The Galaxy. You don't have to be an explorer to know which of these is more monumental. And indeed it IS monumental - the planetary representation of our solar system is a series of monuments starting at the cross section of 34th St (the Sun) and ending with Pluto at 22nd (strict astronomical interpreters may end at Neptune, but understand you're missing out in your understanding of the cosmos). The beauty of it is that the planets are installed as a 4-billion (read that in a Carl Sagan voice) to 1 scale model, giving you a glimpse of just how far these planets are from each other. And 8th Ave is straight and flat here, so you can aim to see the whole run should you choose (though standing at the sun my eyes gave out around Saturn). The respective monuments stand about 15 feet high with a planet-esque sphere atop it - all of equal size, which was a slight disappointment until I realized a truly scaled Jupiter would take out a streetlight. Planetary stats and info is engraved on each monument, with impressive sketches of the mythological namesake gods and some choice quotes - can't get better than "Gangrene Uranus, ghoul of the heavens." This was exactly the quirky kind of thing I was hoping to find on my brief stay in Gainesville. The whole length of the run is 0.9 miles one-way, and even better there's a park trail (Loblolly Woods? Something like that) around Jupiter that looked promising had we more time. You can drive it for a quick science lesson, or you can walk it if you feel the calling to be a true galactic navigator (and this is the city of 'gators after all). I did a round trip, so I walked the scale model twice - only 3,999,999,998 more times and I can truly say I've walked the length of the solar system! That'd be cool if they can give me a badge when that happens.

These monument's were one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Gainesville. If you are a…read morepassenger riding towards Downtown or UF on 8th Avenue from the Oakview Mall it is pretty hard to miss this display of the planets on large cement columns on the right hand side of the road. Depending on traffic, you may miss 1 or 2, but I like the roadside display of the planets in our solar system. If you feel like you might want a better view of the columns you can easily plan to walk, run, or bike Solar Walk when you have the time.

Like the Stolpersteine I have seen across Europe when on vacation, these blue "Lynching in America"…read moreare jarring when you're on vacation. It's a reminder that no matter how much fun you're having, there were dark times in our history and they should be remembered. This marker is on the grounds of the Alachua County Courthouse and the front reads, "After the Civil War, constitutional rights were granted to Black people ensuring equal protection and voting. Many white leaders responded to the emancipation of Black people by violently seeking to maintain racial, economic, and social control over Black residents. By ceding political control back to Confederate veterans, federal officials allowed white southerners opposed to racial equality to re-establish white supremacy through intimidation and violence. Thousands of Black men, women, and children were lynched during Reconstruction, with dozens of large-scale massacres of Black communities between 1865 and 1876. This terror persisted after Reconstruction, largely with impunity. Lynchings of Black people included burnings and mutilation, sometimes in front of crowds numbering in the thousands. Lynch mobs would often seize their victims from jails, courtrooms, or from police, without fear of any legal repercussions. Many names of those whose lives were claimed by these acts of racially motivated violence were not recorded and will never be known, but at least 6,500 racial terror lynchings were documented in the United States between 1865 and 1950. Florida had one of the highest per capita lynching rates in the nation with at least 343 documented victims lynched and at least 12 Black people lynched in Gainesville. This marker honors the victims of this tragic racial terror violence in our community." And the reverse, "The era of Reconstruction following the Civil War opened with great promise in Gainesville but soon gave way to racial terror, unparalleled violence, and racial oppression. White mobs lynched at least eight Black people during this period: Harry Franklin 1868; Mr. Stephens 1868; an Unnamed Person 1870; Christopher Cummings 1870; Henry Washington 1871; Alexander Morris 1871; Sandy Hacock 1871 and Eli in 1874. After Emancipation, Black people made up a majority of the population in Gainesville and opened businesses, churches, and organized political engagement. They advocated for public education, land ownership, and the right to vote. White people hoping to maintain the racial hierarchy that existed during enslavement attacked and lynched Black people for asserting their rights, leaving plantations, participating in politics, working toward economic independence, violating white social customs, being accused of crimes, or for sheer racial terror that was random and arbitrary. In 1874, a white mob set fire to the local jail to lynch a black man named Eli by burning him to death. This type of violence was accommodated by courts, law enforcement, and white officials who removed African Americans from juries, seized Black-owned land, and suppressed Black voting rights, while ignoring or even supporting white mobs who terrorized Black communities. Racial violence continued to terrorize the Black community for decades. The marker was erected in 2021 by Alachua County Community Remembrance Project - Equal Justice Initiative. Dark times, indeed. [Review 358 of 2025 - 2010 in Florida - 23920 overall]

4 words: FREE LANGUAGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM…read more This review is specifically for the Tower Branch Road location of the Alachua County Library District. This location is near and dear to my heart, because it is located on Tower Road and in a close proximity to Gainesville's best schools and many families of various nationalities that use the library space in an amazing way, as a community center for learning. Tower Branch Library is also very unique because of the free language exchange program they offer. At the time, I was able to volunteer as an English language tutor to a wonderful group of Korean and Mandarin speaking adults. Along the way, making many lifetime friends and acquaintances. Also, learning some Korean in the process. As you can see, I HIGHLY recommend their language exchange program at this location. It is a rare find. Many people that I have talked to say that public libraries are a daycare center for the homeless, aging, and children. At this location, that is very far from the truth. This is the best community based, learning environment library that I have been to. The management and librarians at this location are so down-to-earth, kind, and organized. I was blown away by their professionalism throughout the year that I volunteered there. The Alachua County Library district is funded in many ways, but I do notice the public library fee on my family's monthly escrow property payment. It is not that much per month and is totally worth it.

The reconstruction on the library is fabulous! So many more options here now. My daughter is 8 and…read morelove going to the library even more. They have classes that are relevant to all ages (babies all the way to seniors citizens). You can check out their events online to find the most updated list. The staff is always very helpful. I usually have no clue what book my daughter is wanting and one of the librarians helps her in just a few minutes.

​Went with my kids to this impeccable library at UF…read more It was my first time here. They have free WiFi, plenty of chairs and desk for all of us, with ​outlets everywhere for you to charge your electronics. ​The best part was that they have stationary bicycles, so you can do your exercise, while you read/study. How funny and clever! Restrooms are ample and they were neat. Since we are in summer, they have a different schedule, check out my picture and see the times before you go. Fui con mis hijos a esta biblioteca impecable en UF. Fue​ por primera vez a esta biblioteca. Tienen WiFi gratis, muchas sillas y escritorio para todos nosotros, con enchufes de electricidad en todas partes para que cargar tus aparatos electronicos.. La mejor parte es que tienen bicicletas estacionarias, por lo que puede hacer tus ejercicio, mientras lees / estudias. ¡Qué gracioso e inteligente! Los baños son amplios y estaban limpios. Como estamos en verano, tienen un horario diferente, miran mi foto con la informacion antes de ir.

Smathers Libraries and Library West are two great libraries at the University of Florida. Smathers…read morehas plenty of places for quiet study. The also have lots of original books that you would not find at many other libraries here. Inside Smathers Library they also had the Office of Enrollment Management Onestop this past fall. It was a great Onestop where you were able to get all your enrollment needs done in one place. Library West is the main Library on campus and each floor getts quite and more quite as you go up in floors. You can rent rooms to do studying in and you can visit starbucks on the bottom floor to get more coffee. Students like to go to the libraries at all hours of the day and night. During exam weeks the libraries are open 24 hours. I would highly recommend these libraries at the University of Florida!

I'm all about people celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday but at least make the appropriate changes…read moreto your website and phone number. I drove across town because Google and the automated voicemail says they're open. It's just frustrating with the holiday traffic.

This DMV has redefined what it means to go to the DMV. It was a pleasant experience. Yes, this…read moreplace needs to be studied and used as a model for every other DMV around the country. From the people who greet you at the front counter, to the staff who assist you with whatever your appointment is, you are treated with a level of respect and courtesy that will forever change my opinion of "going to the DMV". Thank you for being professional and polite. You all set the bar!

I went to the public library to fax an important document, and Michelle was absolutely wonderful!…read moreShe was extremely helpful, patient, and genuinely cared about making sure everything was taken care of correctly. Her kindness and willingness to help really stood out. It's refreshing to receive such excellent customer service. Thank you, Michelle, for going above and beyond!

The library provides an exceptional array of resources. It offers a friendly environment that is…read moregreat for both concentrated work and leisurely reading. You can count on the Wi-Fi for its reliability, allowing you to easily settle in and spend some quality time there. In addition to a diverse selection of books, the library serves as a central hub for the community, boasting a helpful staff and a wide range of programs and resources. I would definitely recommend checking it out!

TSA has rejected my Florida drivers license ID every time I have gone through security. They state…read moreit does not scan the barcode on the back of the license. This has occurred at 4 different airport TSA security checkpoints. I made an appointment and went to have the license reprinted. The customer service person said since they scanned it their in their machine without a problem, the license was valid and would cost $31 to reprint, with no guarantee that it would work with TSA. I did not have it reprinted. Make sure you have a valid boarding pass and all will work fine. TSA reports this is a problem with all Florida and Colorado drivers license ids. TSA has no problem with 96% of the country, maybe Florida should get there act together and update their license.

They take your money. They do it in a reasonably efficient manner…read more What more can you want from the Tax Collector's office? *chuckle* BUT: Seriously... they need to take debit cards like the rest of the freaking world.

In the cool little town of micanopy, Florida, lies the historic sign about Moses Elias Levy…read more Levy was born in Morocco whi came to Florida after its cession from Spain and began developing Pilgrimage Plantation just north of what would become Micanopy. Pilgrimage Plantation would be destroyed in 1835 during the Second Seminole War, but Levy continued to make a difference. He promoted free public education and served as one of the territory's Education Commissioners. He was also an advocate for the gradual abolition of slavery and for the humane treatment of enslaved people. I seek signs like this out. Signs which bring history to us in s very real way. I had never heard of Moses Elias Levy before reading this sign and I am the better for learning about this man.