Metro - The Independent Florida Alligator

Red Robin will open its 12th Florida location at The Oaks Mall in spring 2013. The restaurant will be between Ruby Tuesday and Coldwater Creek.

METRO

Red Robin to open location in Oaks Mall

By Michelle Plitnikas | Nov. 27, 2012

When a Red Robin Gourmet Burgers commercial comes on TV, Rebecca Kingston gets upset.

Danny Thomas, 45, brews fresh coffee for customers Tuesday. Although the staff of CYM Coffee Co. doesn’t like titles, Thomas is a manager and enjoys his work, where a cup of coffee is always at his fingertips.

METRO

Local coffee shop expanding to add food, gift, garden shop

By Emily Padgett | Nov. 27, 2012

At CYM Coffee Co., the mission is about more than just coffee. The personal growth workshop company-turned-coffee shop will soon get more room to grow that mission.

Jenny Squires, a dance junior who plans to pursue physical therapy, teaches a Zumba class Tuesday afternoon on the North Lawn. The class was a Dance Marathon fundraiser. Read the story on page 3.

METRO

Zumba class moves outdoors to raise money for Dance Marathon

By Beatrice Dupuy | Nov. 27, 2012

Jenny Squires usually teaches Zumba in the Student Recreation & Fitness Center, but Tuesday she taught it on the North Lawn.

METRO

Wildlife rehabber neglected animals

By Webb | Nov. 27, 2012

The room in the makeshift animal shelter was a mess.

Wolfgang, located at 1127 W. University Ave., displays its clothing on Monday. The store is among the Gainesville small businesses that held Black Friday sales.

METRO

Gainesville boutiques reaped benefits of this year’s Black Friday

By Ayana Stewart | Nov. 26, 2012

Black Friday lived up to Nava Ottenberg’s expectations.

METRO

Donation from Firehouse Subs to fetch dog for GPD

By Chris Alcantara | Nov. 26, 2012

Gainesville Police will be shopping for a new pawed partner and medical equipment with some of Gainesville residents’ lunch money.

METRO

Man arrested on accusations of raping autistic man in park

By Chris Alcantara | Nov. 26, 2012

Gainesville Police officers arrested a man accused of raping a 19-year-old autistic man in a northwest Gainesville park.

METRO

Plaza Ice Palace skating rink opening put on ice until Friday

By Katherine Hahn | Nov. 25, 2012

The Nov. 23 opening of the downtown Plaza Ice Palace skating rink has been postponed until Friday due to technical problems.

METRO

City to light up the night with Christmas tree, festival Saturday

By Andrea Carroz | Nov. 25, 2012

Santa Claus will come to Gainesville early this year, and he’ll bring a brilliantly lit tree with him.

METRO

‘Gangnam Style’ jumps in front of ‘Baby’ for top YouTube spot

By Chris Alcantara | Nov. 25, 2012

PSY officially galloped his way to the top of the YouTube world.

METRO

Study advises new runners to try it out, worry less about technique

By Kelcee Griffis | Nov. 25, 2012

A recently released study suggests it’s more important for beginning runners to hit the streets with enthusiasm than to seek advice on techniques.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

SNAP to soon add wheelchair services

By Samantha Shavell | Nov. 25, 2012

Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol will begin offering services to wheelchair users in mid-December.

METRO

Gainesville Twinkie supply low

By Webb | Nov. 19, 2012

An artificially sweetened panic swept through Jenn Prevot’s family last weekend.

METRO

Man arrested for wielding pellet gun

By Benjamin S. Brasch | Nov. 19, 2012

Police confronted a suspect at gunpoint after a call that he was pointing a silver pellet gun at cars.

METRO

Artists baffled by theft of two paintings at Mars Pub and Arcade

By Kelcee Griffis | Nov. 19, 2012

An unidentified patron of Mars Pub and Arcade snuck out of the venue Friday night with a pair of unusual — and illegal — souvenirs: two stolen paintings.

METRO

Chocolate shop of pure imagination to open with Willy Wonka cast member

By Samantha Black | Nov. 19, 2012

Gainesville will soon be home to a chocolate shop with products that have as much variety as Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Julio Mora, a 22-year-old architecture junior, hoists a banner that reads, “Expand Support Ethics: Florida Farm Workers,” at a protest by the Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice group at the Publix on 34th Street and University Avenue Monday night.

METRO

Activists protest outside Publix to push for better farmworker wages

By Webb | Nov. 19, 2012

Members of the Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice, along with some students and local religious leaders, protested outside of a Gainesville Publix on Monday to push for better wages for some Florida farmworkers.

METRO

Alabama man indicted for October Gainesville stabbing

By Chris Alcantara | Nov. 18, 2012

An Alachua County grand jury indicted an Alabama man Thursday accused of stabbing a Gainesville resident on West University Avenue in October.

METRO

Art Hop showcases local creative flair, small businesses

By Michael Scott Davidson | Nov. 18, 2012

Gainesville residents gathered at Thornebrook Village and Millhopper Square on Friday for an evening of cheese spreads, chocolate wine and creativity at the Uptown Art Hop.

After about 40 years of service, worshippers join hands and say farewell to the Rev. Lawrence Reimer and the Rev. Sandy Reimer, both 68, at University Auditorium.

METRO

Church says goodbye to dual ministers

By Colleen Wright | Nov. 18, 2012

The Reimers, both 68, are retiring after 38 years of service to the United Church of Gainesville. The congregation celebrated the Reimers’ ministry with a two-hour service of celebration and recognition.