Starbucks, Feeding the Hungry, and Margaritas

September 18, 2024

🐪 Happy Hump Day, Gainesville!

Sincerely hope this week is bringing you all the good vibes, and fun times! Some interesting stories to share this morning about a local Starbucks, a new alert system for Alachua County schools, and since it’s Wednesday…a Lauren’s list feature.

If you feel like dancing, you have the choice to belly dance or line dance in town tonight!

Let’s get to it!

📰 The General Scoop:

  • 🍞 Bread of the Mighty Feeds 400 Families in High Springs Its Hunger Action Month and Bread of the Mighty (a local food back) joined forces with Publix and Deeper Purpose Community Church to feed 400 families in High Springs. The event was part of “Publix Serves Day”, an annual Publix employee volunteer event typically supporting hunger initiatives. Love seeing different organizations come together to support our community!

  • 🏫 Alachua County Schools Getting a New Safety App ICYMI: Alachua County Public Schools is switching to a new emergency notification system called Raptor 🦖. You might recognize the name because Raptor already handles the district’s visitor screening. Now, it’s stepping up as the main tool for emergency alerts too. Alachua County previously used Intrado, a similar system that was recently removed from the approved list. With that gap, Alachua County replaced Intrado with Raptor to abide by Alyssa's Law, which requires schools to have a mobile panic alert system and of course to ensure the safest environments in Alachua County schools.

🏢 Business News:

  • ☕️ Starbucks says “take that elsewhere!” Starbucks on Northwest 13th Street has had enough of rowdy high schoolers and is now closing its lobby on weekday afternoons. After a recent altercation, Starbucks is only serving customers through the drive-thru between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. while students are encouraged to find more "productive" ways to spend their time.

🏅 Sports News:

  • 🏈 Billy Napier spoke to the press. In his latest press conference, he emphasized the need for action and solution-oriented strategies to address recent issues. He acknowledged challenges in their defensive performance, citing alignment, communication, and technique as areas for improvement. For those that can stand to watch, the Gators will play Mississippi State in Starkville at 12 PM EST (ESPN) on Saturday September 21st.

  • 🏅 Do you know you can access a full calendar of all Gator sports here? All of the fall sports teams (tennis, volleyball, football, golf) are in action this weekend!

📆 Things to Do Today and Tomorrow:

Wednesday September 18th:

  • 👯‍♀️ Gainesville Area Women’s Network Luncheon @ 11:30 AM Sweetwater Branch Inn 625 E University Ave Gainesville, FL, 32601 Get to know your nervous system (quite literally) at this interesting and informative gathering.

  • 🎼 Jazz Wednesdays at the Keys @ 6 PM The Keys Restaurant 4860 Celebration Pointe Blvd, Suite 30, Gainesville, FL 32608

  • 💃 Belly Dance Classes @ 7:30 PM Gainesville Circus Center 1925 NW 2nd St, Gainesville, FL 32609 Need I say more?!

  • Community Nights (free live music!) @ 6 PM at Heartwood Sound Stage 619 S. Main St Gainesville, FL 32601

  • Line Dancing at Swamphead @ 6 PM, 3650 SW 42nd AVE, Gainesville, FL, United States, Florida 32608

Thursday, September 19th:

Lauren’s List:

Let’s be honest, by the time Wednesday rolls around I’m ready for a margarita. If you haven’t checked out Nopal by Cintrón on NW 34th Blvd, grab a friend and head there for a delicious Mexican meal. Bonus! They have great kids menu options with super generous portions!

See you (or your inbox, rather) tomorrow!
Lauren
Swamptown Scoop