1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

City Plan Board member Pete Johnson is running for mayor. He worked in the private sector for about 30 years.

METRO

Gainesville mayoral candidate: Pete Johnson

By Billy Kennedy | Mar. 14, 2013

Pete Johnson wants to take Gainesville from good to great.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF app competition hopes to protect apocalypse survivors

By Gillian Stoney | Mar. 14, 2013

Transport to the year 2300 after the apocalypse and most of humanity has been destroyed, and it’s up to someone to find a way to save the world.

Mayor Craig Lowe, 55, is seeking re-election on a platform focused on job growth. He points to several ventures like the expansion of Innovation Square as an example of his efforts.

METRO

Gainesville mayoral candidate: Craig Lowe

By Kelcee Griffis | Mar. 14, 2013

After an action-packed three years that included bringing hundreds of jobs to Gainesville and diffusing Quran-burning threats, Mayor Craig Lowe says he’s ready to take reins of the city once again.

David Merahn, 26, works to prepare Broken Shelves bookstore for Friday’s soft opening. Merahn said he wants to create a place where creative and engaging minds can hang out and socialize.

METRO

Indie bookstore opens its doors and shelves

By Hanna Marcus | Mar. 14, 2013

At the Broken Shelves bookstore last week, tattered copies of dog-eared paperbacks overflowed from cardboard containers as hundreds of boxes packed the store.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF grad hopes to quarter his way to $1 million

By Alexa Volland | Mar. 14, 2013

Zack Yanger wants change — pocket change, that is.

UF senior Bob van Overbeek returns a volley. Van Overbeek won only his second match since Feb. 3 against Ole Miss on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators to face pair of top SEC opponents

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Mar. 14, 2013

Mike Alford has had a chance to be the hero in Florida's past three matches, but he has come through just once for the Gators in match-deciding points.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Alpha Chi Omega sorority to go green with Gainesville Compost

By Alexa Volland | Mar. 14, 2013

Waste from leftover food collected in UF’s Alpha Chi Omega chapter house’s kitchen could soon be composted.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Active military students hurt by federal budget cuts

By Jacqueline Bond | Mar. 14, 2013

After serving nine years with the National Guard, a 26-year-old UF public relations senior dreamed of going to culinary school.

Senior Isabelle Lendl chips a shot onto the green. Lendl finished tied for 32nd at the Bryan National Collegiate this weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Women’s golf team hosting Gator Invite

By RJ Schaffer | Mar. 14, 2013

The Gators are coming home.

Kiersten Wang performs on the uneven parallel bars in Florida’s win against Kentucky on Feb 22.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

International trip motivates gymnast

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 14, 2013

In Matagalpa, Nicaragua, flash floods are a part of everyday life.

Freshman infielder Kelsey Stewart (7) throws a ball to freshman first baseman Taylor Schwarz (49) to end an inning during Florida’s 9-1 win over UNC Wilmington on Feb. 17 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart is one of Florida's key underclassmen who have fueled the team's success this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Freshman poses speedy threat on basepaths

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 14, 2013

Kelsey Stewart stood on third base, 60 feet from scoring.

Senior attacker Kitty Cullen looks to score against UAlbany on Feb. 24 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Cullen scored two goals in her final game for the Gators.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Senior attacker aiming to extend season-long scoring streak

Mar. 14, 2013

The Gators lacrosse team, unbeaten through 10 games, is off to the best start in program history.

UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Senior hoping to assume larger role in Florida’s lineup

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 14, 2013

Caroline Hitimana is dynamic on the court.

Junior center Patric Young (right) attempts a hook shot during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. .

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida hoping to regain intensity

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 14, 2013

Forty-six seconds were all coach Billy Donovan could handle.

METRO

Local bars preparing to get lucky

By Hanna Marcus | Mar. 14, 2013

St. Patrick’s Day may fall on Sunday this year, but green tinsel and shamrocks can already be spotted around Gainesville.

Freshman Jay Carmichael warms up between innings during UF’s 8-2 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 22. Carmichael walked four and hit two batters in Florida's 4-3 loss to Ole Miss on Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Freshman takes over No. 1 spot in Gators’ starting rotation

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 14, 2013

Even though right-hander Jonathon Crawford has not been his best this season, coach Kevin O’Sullivan liked what he saw from his junior ace in a bullpen session on Wednesday. Crawford is returning to his sophomore form, which made him one of the top draft prospects heading into this year.

NEWS | CAMPUS

5k to be held Sunday in honor of deceased UF student

By Maggie Schweitzer | Mar. 14, 2013

About two years ago, a former UF student was getting ready for not only a new school year but also a position as a chaplain in her Christian sorority. But preparations came to a standstill on Aug. 21, 2011.

NEWS

Sexy is brought back: JT announces tour, to release album

By Kelsey Meany | Mar. 14, 2013

Justin Timberlake’s appearance on Saturday Night Live a few weeks ago made me realize two things: he looks unreasonably good dressed as tofu and he has somehow seduced my brain into thinking elevator music (eg. "Suit and Tie") is very entertaining. But what else is new, JT has seduced the world. Have you HEARD the song Rock Your Body? Clothes instantly off.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Author gives talk on marriage, family policy

By Gillian Stoney | Mar. 14, 2013

Stephanie Coontz knows how to bring in a crowd. With about 300 guests in attendance, her humor and understanding of men and women in society made it easy to see how far

A quilt hangs on the wall of the Gainesville Tower Road Library, 3020 SW 75th St. It is part of the Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild’s library display that celebrates National Quilting Month.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

The craft of quilting

By Charity Hitt | Mar. 13, 2013

You might mistakenly call it a blanket, a bedspread or a cover. You might even correctly call it a quilt. For the Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild, a quilt is more than that: It’s a piece of art.

El Caimán