2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Indie films to shake up Thursday nights in Gainesville

By Steven Katona | Jan. 8, 2014

With a new year comes a new beginning to the independent film scene in Gainesville. This week, the Avenue caught up with Jason McNeal, a film lover and movie buff who has been on the hunt for great, contemporary indie films to show in the area. “$5 Films,” as he calls it, will take place at the Wooly in the heart of downtown, located next to the Top.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

New Peter Pilotto for Target line leaked

By Elly Ayres | Jan. 8, 2014

A handful of individuals were able to sneak a peek at the highly anticipated Peter Pilotto for Target collection, thanks to leaked images that infiltrated online fashion feeds in December. If you missed the window of opportunity, you’ll have to join the rest of the fashion world waiting for the line’s in-store debut Feb. 9.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Excitement may lead to better performance

By Lauren Adamson | Jan. 8, 2014

Before taking our chemistry tests, a friend of mine used to say we weren’t actually anxious, but we were instead excited, like electrons. I would just look at her and roll my eyes. No one could convince me that my increased state of agitated energy was anything but an expression of dread and fear.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Snapchat apologizes for hacking, introduces preventative measures

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Jan. 8, 2014

More than 4.6 million people entered 2014 with a little less privacy after hackers published phone numbers and aciITcount information from the smartphone app Snapchat on New Year’s Eve.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Legalized marijuana means higher tax

Jan. 8, 2014

New Year’s Eve was about lighting fireworks. New Year’s Day in Colorado was just about lighting up.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

F*** civil liberties, how do they work? Rap group sues FBI

Jan. 8, 2014

“Workaholics” fans remember the episode in which Adam, Ders and Blake become entangled with the Juggalos, or devotees of the rap and hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse. Members of the Juggalos are, stereotypically, drug-addled low-income followers of the band famous for their yearly gathering — or as the New York Daily News called it, “weeklong bacchanal” — called the Gathering of the Juggalos. The Gathering is notorious for Juggalos engaging in “blatant drug use and general bad behavior.”

METRO

Gainesville locals team up to aid homeless in freeze

By Jenna Lyons | Jan. 7, 2014

He disappeared underneath the pile of blankets. The man lay there motionless, camped out on Bo Diddley Community Plaza the night of Gainesville’s coldest air mass in years.

Patric Young attempts a layup against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 21, 2013, in the O’Connell Center. Young is averaging 10.8 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game this season.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Center leads Gators into SEC play

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 7, 2014

When No. 10 Florida (11-2) opens its Southeastern Conference schedule against South Carolina (7-6) tonight at 7 in the O’Connell Center, the Gamecocks will see a different Patric Young than they did nearly one year ago.

NEWS | CAMPUS

New environmental major approved at UF, two majors canceled

By Sean Stewart-Muniz | Jan. 7, 2014

The end of the Fall semester brought approval for a new degree within UF’s College of Design, Construction and Planning, as well as two canceled majors from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Bridgette Caquatto performs her floor routine during the NCAA Regionals on April 6, 2013, in the O’Connell Center. Caquatto missed part of the 2013 season due to injury, but she plans to return for the Gators’ first meet on Saturday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Caquatto ready to compete

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 7, 2014

Bridgette Caquatto is not the most experienced member on the Florida gymnastics squad. But as the Naperville, Ill., native prepares to start her sophomore season, she feels like she has already been tested.

NEWS | SFC

RTS adds new shuttle route to Lake Wauburg

By Beatrice Dupuy | Jan. 7, 2014

Lake Wauburg-bound students no longer have to cram into friends’ cars for a weekend excursion thanks to a new bus route from the Regional Transit System.

Agata Strausa, who will compete in distance events during the spring track season, never finished worse than second in eight meets during cross country in the fall.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF women look to meet men’s title standard at season-opening meet

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 7, 2014

Mike Holloway is one of the most decorated coaches Florida has on its payroll. Under his leadership, the UF men’s team has won five national titles, and Holloway has five coach of the year awards.