The Avenue

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The Avenue

Dave’s ideal Fourth of July extravaganza

By DAVE JOHNSON | June 30, 2010

The Fourth of July. It’s possibly the greatest holiday that has ever existed. Some guys signed a piece of paper that brought the United States of America into existence, and more than two centuries later we commemorate that day in the most American way: grilling, getting belligerently drunk and watching things explode. I love July Fourth because I’m a big fan of America. It’s pretty much the best country I’ve ever lived in.

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The Avenue

The Second Amendment: A love story (with guns)

By Alex Orlando | June 30, 2010

I know you've been waiting for it: the weekend of booze, fireworks and watermelon in celebration of our country that looms at the end of this first week of Summer B.

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The Avenue

Fanfares and Fireworks show returns to Flavet Field

By Erin Rauch | June 30, 2010

Gainesville’s only annual fireworks display is bursting back to life with help from local sponsors.

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The Avenue

Rock band Rooney to make tour stop in Gainesville

By ALISHA KINMAN | June 30, 2010

Famed West coast rock band Rooney is coming to Gainesville.

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The Avenue

Fourth of July brings patriotism to drinking, celebrating

By RICHARD STEHLI | June 30, 2010

Fireworks, patriotism and guns! It’s the Fourth of July, and the best way to enjoy the

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The Avenue

A helpful guide on how to not piss off your bartenders

By THOMAS PLEVIK | June 30, 2010

Gainesville is crammed with bars, and this Fourth of July weekend you will no doubt encounter throngs of sloppy drunks ready to join you in the never-ending war against joyless, American sobriety.

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The Avenue

Dave Johnson had a Crappy Weekend

By DAVE JOHNSON | June 16, 2010

This is not the column I planned on writing this week. If everything had gone like it was supposed to, I'd be recapping my adventures at Bonnaroo. I had my ticket paid for me. My car was just about packed. And then I was reminded that this was the weekend my dad and I were supposed to visit my grandmother. Goodbye, Bonnaroo. Hello, Mishawaka, Indiana.

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The Avenue

“Futurama” returns to Comedy Central

By Drew Wilson | June 16, 2010

It has been nearly seven years since the final episode aired, but “Futurama” is back and better than ever.

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The Avenue

Artist promotes conservation through photography

By Erin Rauch | June 16, 2010

Below a flock of butterflies and a few feet from a mammoth skeleton hang 15 windows into Florida’s Nature Coast.

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The Avenue

Jam band 3rd Stone connects with fans

By Alex Orlando | June 16, 2010

Music echoed out of the Bo Diddley Community Plaza on Friday, bouncing off the courthouse walls and sending a booming bass line through downtown Gainesville.

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The Avenue

Pool party brings despair

By RICHARD STEHLI | June 16, 2010

Summer pool parties include beer, food, music, and girls in bikinis. What more could you ask for? Saturday seemed to be my lucky day, as Gainesville Place hosted its Summer A pool party.

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The Avenue

UF group wins funniest comedy team

By ALI RIECK | June 16, 2010

Gators have a new reason to turn their jorts-swag on: UF students Rudy Mendoza, Calvin Cole, Tim Keck and Brian Amos won the title of Funniest Comedy Team at the National College Comedy Competition.

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The Avenue

Drinking 101 - Single Malt Scotch

By RICHARD STEHLI | June 9, 2010

From W.C. Fields to Ron Burgundy to Ron White, people love Scotch. There's no reason you can't, too! Wait, am I even writing about Scotch in a college newspaper? Get a hold of yourself, because if there's one thing in this world with the power to cross cultural and social boundaries, it's alcohol. So, prepare yourself to enjoy something new, and consider this your crash course in single malt Scotch whiskey.

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The Avenue

Fake weed offers smokers a more legal, less potent alternative

By ALI RIECK | June 9, 2010

Sold in a small pouch clearly labeled “not intended for human consumption,” Gainesville Green Sense is marketed as an herbal air freshener. The finely crumbled blend of dry plant matter smells slightly sweet, similar to a fruity bubblegum.

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The Avenue

My Beard is Not "Ironic": An Introspective

By DAVE JOHNSON | June 9, 2010

Those who know me knew this column was inevitable. However, I was not planning on writing it so soon. But something I saw in this very publication a week or two ago raised my ire to such a height that I could not help but offer my commentary on the situation.

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The Avenue

Local album wrap up

By JAMES KAUFHOLZ | June 9, 2010

Greenland is Melting : Our Hearts are Gold, Our Grass is Blue : Bluegrass/Punk : Released 9/17/09

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The Avenue

Conversation with transvestite prostitute gives insight

June 9, 2010

When I told my editor I’d do a feature on a tranny prostitute, I sort of meant it as a joke.

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The Avenue

Supervillains return to Gainesville

By Webb | June 9, 2010

The Supervillains, an Orlando-based ska and reggae band that's been around since 1998, will be playing at Common Grounds with local opening acts Cardboard Paradise, Half Track and rapper DP on Thursday. The four members of the Supervillains packed the house on its last visit to Common Grounds and are predicted to do it all over again tonight.

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The Avenue

TBS show walks the line

By RUDY MENDOZA | June 9, 2010

Suicide, drug addiction, bestiality and glory holes. Dark and disturbing realities in our society, or a family-friendly pilot episode that is “very funny”? TBS aired its first original primetime animated series, “Neighbors From Hell,” on Monday.

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The Avenue

Audience participation is key to ‘Shear Madness’ plot

By Britt Perkins | June 9, 2010

Mrs. Schubert in the salon with the scissors? Don’t put it past “Shear Madness,” a comedic whodunit that is as entertaining and flamboyant as it sounds.