1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Reaching out or growing deep: the different ways we make and keep our friends

Nov. 30, 2016

I came home for Thanksgiving very eager to shut myself inside the house and relax; my sister came home very eager to get out of the house and see all the friends she had left behind. It’s not that I don’t have friends in my hometown. It’s just that one of them doesn’t come home for that short break, and the others I see in Gainesville anyway. I didn’t really keep in contact with all the people I was friendly with in high school. Maybe in the beginning I did, but in the end, only the really strong relationships lasted.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

‘Hamilton’ mixtape has deeper meaning for Santa Fe student

By Janiece Sebris | Nov. 30, 2016

Music has the power to lift us up and carry us out of situations, whether those situations are just crossing the street or crossing the border.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

A guide to Gainesville’s best hidden study spots for finals

By Cindy Lu | Nov. 30, 2016

With finals right around the corner, study hotspots on campus quickly overflow with stressed-out students and red coffee cups. This exam season, skip waiting in line at the Marston Science Library Starbucks or wandering through Library West for a place to settle. Instead, check out some of Gainesville’s most aesthetically pleasing cafes for quality coffee and a fun study experience.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

67th annual ‘Sounds of the Season’ concert sells out

By Emma Witmer | Nov. 30, 2016

This Sunday, UF’s College of the Arts and the School of Music will be holding the 67th annual “Sounds of the Season” concert with the theme “¡el Festival!” This concert will be held at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Hippodrome State Theatre hosts new Christmas show

By Jeremy Haas | Nov. 30, 2016

Since last Friday, the Hippodrome State Theatre has been performing a unique, comedic Christmas story. The show, “The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged),” will run until Dec. 18, with shows every day of the week besides Mondays.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Album review: ‘Starboy'

By Jack DaSilva | Nov. 30, 2016

The Weeknd has become one of the biggest artists over the past several years. Since making his debut in 2011, Abel Tesfaye has transcended into a hit-making superstar.

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Netflix binge-drinking game: ‘ Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”

By Janiece Sebris | Nov. 30, 2016

It’s been nearly a decade since we said goodbye to Lorelai and Rory, and still the “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” revival couldn’t have come a minute too soon. The revival brings the Gilmore girls into present day, complete with smartphones, social media and “Hamilton.” With four episodes, each one an hour-and-a-half long, fans can watch Rory, Lorelai and Emily experience heartaches, hilarity and hijinks through winter, spring, summer and fall of one calendar year.

Eleanna Christinaki looks to drive to the basket while two Kentucky players defend her during Florida's 92-69 loss to the Wildcats in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 4, 2016, in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators looking to bounce back against Wofford tonight

By Alejandro López | Nov. 29, 2016

The clock had finally struck zero. One team was left dazed by a furious fourth-quarter comeback.

Offensive lineman David Sharpe, right, stands over quarterback Austin Appleby during Florida's loss to Florida State on Nov. 26, 2016, in Tallahassee.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: UF confident in chances vs. ‘Bama

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 29, 2016

Jim McElwain stood at the lectern on Monday and made a bold declaration. With a matchup against No. 1 Alabama — a team with the No. 1 scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense in the country — looming following a double-digit loss to Florida State, the second-year coach was asked about the obvious mismatch of his No. 114-ranked offense facing the elite Crimson Tide defense.

Quincy Wilson prepares for a play during Florida's 32-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida football: three things to know ahead of Alabama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

As No. 15 Florida prepares for a matchup with No. 1 Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship game on Saturday, here are a few things to know from this week’s conversations with Florida’s players and coach Jim McElwain.

Jalen Tabor (31) claps before walking out of the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during Florida's 33-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 17, 2016.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF players: 'Anything can happen' against ‘Bama

By IAN COHEN | Nov. 29, 2016

Jalen Tabor remembers the feeling.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington coming to UF next week

By Melissa Gomez | Nov. 29, 2016

A co-founder of The Huffington Post will speak at UF next week.

NEWS | CAMPUS

President Fuchs pledges support for DACA program

By Caitlin Ostroff | Nov. 29, 2016

UF President Kent Fuchs has joined more than 350 college and university presidents in signing a statement supporting a program that shields those brought to the U.S. illegally as children from deportation.

METRO

Officials concerned due to decrease in child flu immunizations

By Paige Fry | Nov. 29, 2016

After a switch from nasal sprays to the old-fashioned needle prick, fewer Alachua County students have received flu immunizations this year, UF Health Shands Hospital announced Tuesday.

Gainesville’s Morningside Nature Center hopes the de-stressing allure of fuzzy barnyard animals attracts more students — and other residents — to its weekly “barnyard buddies” events.

METRO

Nature center hopes finals week draws high event turnout

By Mercedes Leguizamon | Nov. 29, 2016

Stressed about finals? Go pet a cow.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF/IFAS researchers providing training to farmers in southeastern US

By Romy Ellenbogen | Nov. 29, 2016

The updated Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2011, intended to promote food safety by creating new regulatory guidelines.