1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The scoop on your New Year’s resolutions

By LAUREN GOLD | Jan. 5, 2011

The only thing more important than what you did on New Year’s Eve is what you’re going to do in the new year. Sure, it’s just a date. But a new year means a fresh start: new friends, new experiences, and, most importantly, new resolutions. Though they may be clichéd and are more often broken than kept, there are a few worth trying. Lucky for you, we’ve sifted through the duds and picked out the best. Check out our picks for top new year’s resolutions.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gamer Bait: Donkey Kong is back, better than when you were 10

By Andrew Wyzan | Jan. 5, 2011

Between the days of soul-crushing finals and the start of a new semester, in that two-week slice of heaven called “the holidays,” I learned to appreciate the finer things in life: sleeping until noon, watching movies on the couch and good, old-fashioned monster stomping.

METRO

Airport to get body scanner

By Hannah Winston | Jan. 5, 2011

If you plan on flying out of Gainesville in the future, expect to receive a full-body scan on your way out.

METRO

Local sales tax decreases half a penny in 2011

By Morgan Watkins | Jan. 5, 2011

As Christmas lights fade and New Year’s resolutions are broken within days of their inception, Alachua County welcomes another herald of 2011: a cheaper sales tax.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

System overload causes headaches on first day of class

By Mina Radman | Jan. 5, 2011

At a time when students and faculty make the most use of ISIS, a technological setback crashed the system Wednesday morning.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

The A-list

By Melinda Cartensen | Jan. 5, 2011

Each Thursday, the Avenue is serving up the best in entertainment, pop culture and everything in between. From the big screen to the radio waves, check out this week’s picks.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Power Shift: Republicans should tread carefully in new role

By The Alligator Editorial Board | Jan. 5, 2011

After years of performance that could be best described as wildly inconsistent and at worst can be compared to a Big Ten team in a bowl game, the Democrats relinquished control of the House Wednesday in an episode that spliced together the ceremonious with the awkward.

METRO

Feat Photo: Juggling in the Rain

By Matt Tripp | Jan. 5, 2011

Santa Fe student Graham Smith, 24, juggles, walks and drinks coffee in the rain while juggling on Wednesday afternoon.

METRO

With rain in the forecast, county lifts burn ban

By Meredith Rutland | Jan. 5, 2011

The burn ban prohibiting open burning and the use of New Year’s fireworks, sparklers and other pyrotechnics unless permitted by the Florida Department of Forestry was lifted Tuesday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

UF commits bond during All-America game preparation

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 4, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA — For four UF oral commitments, this week has been a preview of what’s in store during the next four years.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Pro-style changes in store

By ADAM BERRY | Jan. 4, 2011

Hey, Gators fans: Will Muschamp isn’t the only high-energy new boss in town.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators enjoy rare repeat success with win over URI

By GREG LUCA | Jan. 4, 2011

In many other weeks, a victory at home over Rhode Island might be just a run-of-the-mill occurrence.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Recruits pleased with Muschamp’s coaching staff

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 4, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA — When Urban Meyer resigned as Florida’s coach last month, recruits were shocked and confused by the news. But as Will Muschamp assembled his staff this week, recruits took notice — and they liked what they saw.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Muschamp hire starts 180-degree turn

By ANTHONY CHIANG | Jan. 4, 2011

Just like that, it’s over.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Black ends career with MVP honors

By ANTHONY CHIANG | Jan. 4, 2011

TAMPA — Nobody knew what to expect from the 5-foot-9, 177-pound Ahmad Black when he arrived in Gainesville in 2007.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators look to continue hot start to conference play

By MATT WATTS< | Jan. 4, 2011

For nearly half of the Gators’ roster, Sunday’s matchup against nationally ranked Arkansas was their first taste of Southeastern Conference basketball.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Driskel trying to recruit other prospects

By TOM GREEN | Jan. 4, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA — Florida coach Will Muschamp may have retained Stan Drayton as the Gators’ recruiting coordinator, but at this week’s Under Armour All-America events, UF commits Jeff Driskel and A.C. Leonard have been coordinating some recruiting of their own.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Muschamp hires staff

By ADAM BERRY | Jan. 4, 2011

Two days after officially taking the reins of the Florida football program, Will Muschamp swiftly put together his coaching staff.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Out with a win...in with the new: UF tops PSU in Meyer’s finale

Jan. 4, 2011

TAMPA — With Penn State threatening to spoil Urban Meyer’s going-away party late in the fourth quarter, senior Ahmad Black thought back to the biggest play in his college career.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Block tuition delayed until at least 2012

By Joey Flechas | Jan. 4, 2011

The UF Board of Trustees approved an amended block tuition proposal at a Dec. 10 meeting, with the measure being delayed until fall of 2012.

El Caimán