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Saturday, May 24, 2025

UP THE CREEK- MAY, 2025

 

      THIS MONTH'S NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS 

     Life continues to be good in Gainesville if you're able to ignore the daily destruction of democracy.  One day you might be gator gazing on Paynes Prairie and next, holding a sign, chanting "Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!", at a Main Street rally.

     

    

 

To let off a little steam we had a couple of "empty chair" town hall meetings which our congressional

representative, Kat Cammack, chose not to attend. 

 

 

 

   I was in charge of the one at Heartwood a month ago. 

     

Gregg Jones moderated and our representative's chair was asked many challenging questions. Towards the end  Kat impersonator, Lucy Stein, took the stage. She made us laugh through our tears.

 

   Our chanteuse, Trish, along with me, Lucy, and Gregg.

 

 

 

The next protest will be the "No Kings March" on

Saturday, June 14th. To beat the heat it will begin at 9 a.m. at Bo Diddley Plaza then head east on University Avenue.

 

SNAKES ALIVE!

I was joining my wife in the kitchen a few weeks ago when

I noticed a snake slithering past.  As it was our back yard's rat snake, I found it to be more amusing than dangerous.   Snakes in the kitchen, one more reason why I love living in North Central Florida.

 


MARLIN THE MERMAN

When the grand kids visited last month we took them to Ichetucknee Springs.  As we approached I saw a half-man/half-fish lounging on the steps.

As he was fiddling with a go-pro camera I figured he wanted to record himself swirling in the depths.  I suggested that he give me the camera so I have the honor of filming his merman fantasy. Off we went.

 Afterwards he thanked me and said, "Look for me on Instagram!" 

 

ARTIST STUDIO TOUR

   Last weekend everyone had the opportunity to take

intimate tours of the studios of twenty local artists. What fun Francesca and I had meeting our creative neighbors in their paint-laden lairs.

     Here are a few things we saw

Printmaker, Leslie Peebles

 

 
 
 
 
Duck Pond Painter, Anthony Ackrill
 
This grand event, sponsored by the Gainesville Fine Arts Association, happens every spring. I hope you can be a part of it next year.
 
ONE MORE TOUR
    A group of local artists meets regularly to discuss
creating more space to show their work.  Our last gathering was the home of artist, Sylvia Mcintyre-Crook. What a treat it was to see her beautiful house and her creations inside.
Sylvia with a few of her paintings and sculptures.

 
 
 
ONE MORE BURN
     I just got my ticket to Burning Man. 
 
 In late August it'll allow me be to party with 80,000 of my best friends in the Nevada desert.



DANCING RETURNS
 
This week the New York Times proclaimed that dance parties are back. To prove it we had one in our living room last night.

 
LITTLE THINGS

Recently I visited my doctor's office for an ear problem.  The nurse asked me if there was anything else bothering me.
I pointed out a small pimple-like protrusion on my left hand and asked, "Could that be a wort?". When she took my hand in hers I saw her hands were covered with dozens of large warts.  As she muttered, "Looks like splinter problem", I felt as small as my pimple.
 
My wife tutors young kids with reading problems at a local school.  She told me she was bringing cookies to the end-of-the-year party.  When I asked, "What kind will you make?", she answered, "I'll buy them. They stopped allowing home-made cookies at 30 years ago".
 I'm told it has to do with evil and peanut butter.  Am I the last to know about this?
Two more questions: 
1) Should we spend a trillions to put people on Mars? Musk wants us to move there because he and his friends are destroying the Earth. One scientist's response: "Mars makes Antarctica look like Tahiti".
 
2) Am I having a bad dream or is Trump really the president? 

SO LONG JEFF
A truly wonderful man, Jeff Shapiro,
died last month after a long illness. His send-off ceremony at the United Church of Gainesville was as splendid as Jeff himself.

 
It was standing room only as the crowd heard kind words affirming the good life that the retired etymologist lived, and, the many good deeds that he performed.
Jazz and klezmer bands, along with umbrella'd dancers added to the fun.
 
Jeff loved music as much as bugs.  His clarinet melodies filled the air in many a band and in our annual Halloween parades.  
Outside thirty of Jeff's t-shirts hung on a clothes line.
 
 
One of Jeff's shirts
   During the service we were told we could have our pick afterwards. I chose the one with the bug band, "Fear No Weevil".
 
_____
 
 

  Our neighbors are messaging on SW 13 Street.



 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

ENGAGING THE REPUBLICANS

                  UP THE CREEK 

     Glenn's Latest Newsletter, April 2, 2025

Dear Reader,

Photo by Eli Redmane
  Welcome to another edition of my monthly newsletter. 

We've much to be thankful for like this squiggly brown anole and the Rainbow Bridge beyond...but outside our city, the very foundation of our country is being shaken. You'll find a bit of this news, both good and bad, in the latest edition "Up The Creek".

 

 

 A SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND

At last Saturday's Tesla protest the Republicans were expected to come out in large numbers. Some friends and I saw this as an opportunity to engage them.

 


We made signs that were politically neutral, messages that they might agree with. 

 

THE EAST SIDE GANG

When we showed up at the Tesla dealership there were already a hundred Trump/Musk fans lined up with signs and flags.

THE WEST SIDE GANG

Across the street were more than a hundred Democrats protesting Musk, fascism, and Swasticars. After saying hello we crossed Main Street to talk with our flag-clad neighbors.

 

George Papadi discussing clean air
For the most part, the conversations went well. We'd introduce ourselves saying things like, "Good Morning.  Thanks for being here. I am a Democrat who supports clean air.  Do you?"

 

 

 WE REALLY DO NOT WORSHIP SATAN

We tried to find common ground with the Trumpers for 90-minutes. Gerrick, seen with me here,

admitted that Trump lies about everything but that's just his way to make this country "right".  He is still quite bothered by trans men competing with women and Hunter Biden's laptop.
"Democrats: Party of Satan"

 

Most of our conversations ended with handshakes. I walked away with a better understanding of why they worship the 47th president and the richest man in the world.

If any of you want to join us for "unique conversations with Republicans" let me know. We intend to have more of them at the future Tesla protests.

 

MID CENTURY HOUSE TOUR

     It was great fun to tour the houses featured on Gainesville Modern Weekend’s home tour last Saturday. 

     Most were located in our Florida Park neighborhood. Local restaurateur, Rodney Germain,

served delicious chicken sandwiches from his truck parked on NW 11 Road.

    

The final house we toured was that of the well-known surrealistic photographer, Jerry Uelsmann.

It was really "Jerry's Fantastic Art Museum", seemingly untouched since he passed three years ago.
Jerry at his desk ten years ago

Few people get to peek into private art collections like we did. Lucky us.


ART WALK

    The Last Friday Art Walk events are such a treat.

Sculpture by Sylvia McIntyre-Crook
It's a pleasure to see good friends and great art every month in downtown Gainesville.

 

City Church Gallery
Local artists' work is exhibited in 12 different locations. While most are art galleries others are bars and restaurants. The latest to open is the City Church Gallery  at 14 So. Main Street.  It's a big space with room for big art. 


"

FREE CONCERTS

We are amazed that so few people attend the outstanding free concerts at the UF's school of music. We enjoyed sound artist/throat singer, Ken Ueno's performance last Saturday.  He was out there, sort of like Bobby McFerrin on acid.

 

PROTESTS

    There are two on Saturday, April 5th. The usual one at the Tesla dealership from 10 to noon and the,

     The "Hands Off Protest" at Depot Park  begins at noon. Among other things, we're asking D.O.G.E. to take their maniacal hands off our federal agencies.

These gatherings are a chance to make some noise and to mingle with your compatriots. My wife and I attend 'em all.

 

 

CHATS WITH THE KAT

 

Would you like to share your complaints with Kat Cammack, G'ville's congressperson? 


She's been invited to two town hall meetings taking place in Gainesville this month.


My friends and I are putting the first one together at Heartwood Soundstage on

Wednesday, April 23. It'll takes place from 7-8 p.m. in the 125-seat "Listening Room".

To get us in the proper mood there will be a Happy Half-Hour at 6:30 on the patio. Moderator Gregg Jones will take your written questions then.


The Alachua County Democrats are sponsoring the second meeting on

Friday, April 25th, from 6 to 8 p.m. It will take place at the Upper

Room Ministries located at 3575 NE 15 St, Gainesville, FL,

32609. There should be plenty of room in the church's 900-seat auditorium.


While Ms. Cammack has been invited to both meetings she has not agreed to attend either one.  If she shows up, fine. If she chooses not to attend

the meetings will go on as "open chair" gatherings.  People can ask the

representative's empty chair their questions. Meetings like this often

result in meaningful discussions among those attending.


Both events are free and open to the public. Check the GWFD Facebook page for further information on the larger event. For more information on the Heartwood town hall meeting call me at 305 299 5607.

 

Our country is in big trouble. Let's ask tough questions, rally for truth, and continue the fight to preserve our democracy.

__________ 






Tuesday, March 18, 2025

GT's NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER- March '25

                                   UP THE CREEK 

      I gave my newsletter the "creek" name as I live near a narrow, gurgling, stream. Now it takes on a more dire meaning, "deep trouble", 'cause we're in it. Before the President declares war on Canada, California, the Ukraine -and- my blog I thought I'd squeeze off a few more words.

      Glenn's Newsletter  March, 2025 

        UNIVERSITIES UNDER ATTACK

What's to become of our college town as our President assaults higher education? The University of Florida, Gainesville's biggest employer, like every college, is under attack.

 


The UF is having funding reduced and diversity programs eliminated. Free thought is being diminished and research projects eliminated. 

Why is this happening?  Before Trump and DeSantis higher education was cool. It was considered a benefit to society.

The current trend reminds of my friend, Bo Prum, who recently owned a restaurant downtown. As a boy in the late 70's, he and his family escaped "the killing fields" of Cambodia. That's when the country's Khmer Rouge regime decided to exterminate over one million of the country's "professionals and intellectuals". The only reason his family was spared was because -at the time- none of them could read or write. 

There's something similar going on when politicians are telling the universities to dumb down, to "get in line or lose your funding". Governor Ron has ordered the UF to teach more "classical courses" (what ever that means) and hire more conservative faculty members. 

What's goin' on? Is it now hip to be ignorant and dumb? Will questioning authority become a criminal offense?

 

Let's move on to some happy news...


ACT'S ANNUAL

Last Saturday five hundred

of us enjoyed a glorious sunset dinner hosted by the Alachua Conservation Trust. It's the popular non-profit that preserves and manages over 66,000 

 


acres of wild land in North Florida.


We gather at Prairie Creek Lodge every March to raise money and honor people for their efforts to promote land conservation. This year's honorees are Freddie Johnson and the Greene family of Lake City. 

It's always a special evening that supports an outstanding local organization. Maybe you can join us at Prairie Creek a year from now. 

 

 STREET ART

You've probably noticed all of the spray painting on our Florida Park streets. Those are AT&T's instructions to the guys digging holes in our front yards. 

More high-tech cables, they say.  We say, "You guys did this last year and the year before. Can you now just leave our yards alone?". 

 

WARD DOES HONG KONG

Our neighbor, artist Ward Shelley, is overseeing his latest project on the other side of the planet.

 

 



The Hong Kong performance piece is a 22-foot hamster wheel that, at times, carries an assortment of performance artists around a track. Next to it are their colorful residences.

As much as you may love waterfront living, you can not live there. All of the beds have been spoken for.


 

 

  

 

 

EYE-POPPING COLORS

Yes, it's Azalea Time again. Our neighbors, Susan and Jeff, have a garden that greet us with beautiful blossoms every spring. 

 


Pinkster Azalea
  KANAPAHA GARDEN'S          SPRING PLANT SALE

Gainesville's big plant party is at Kanapaha Gardens' Spring Festival, this Saturday and Sunday.  You can buy azaleas there or most anything else that grows.  After your visit, why not stop by Gainesville's new Tesla dealership?  We'll be raising hell instead of flowers at,


OUR TESLA PROTESTS



Join us to let President Musk know how much you resent him taking over our country. It's at 2501 N. Main St.

 

We're gathering  every Saturday from 10
to noon to protest the heartless hooligans that are dismantling our democracy.  

   It gets worse every day. Just last week Elon wrote on X, "Hitler and Stalin never killed anyone".  Last month #47 called Zelensky a dictator who started his war. Don't be surprised if our air force bombs Kiev next week. 

 PROFITS OVER PEOPLE

At Saturday's rally we got to have civil conversations with several young Republicans.


A fellow from Ocala told me Elon, being such a great businessman, can surely run a country. Someone asked  if he approved of Musk cutting off aid to the sick and hungry people we help throughout the world. He replied, "They're not our problem" which, I guess... is something a businessmen might say.

I asked the another Musk fan if he approved

of the un-elected Muskrat making major decisions for our country. He quickly responded with, "What about Jill Biden?  She wasn't elected when she ran her husband's cabinet meetings". 

It's hard to argue with Fox News fans.

 

Two more rallies are coming up soon, the Hope Fest at Heartwood (Sunday, March 30th) and a the "RRR" gathering at Depot Park on April 5th.

 

 

TOWN HALL WITH KAT

"Kat", our congressional representative
Unfortunately Kat Cammack continues to be our congressional representative. Every time I call her office to discuss national affairs she is unavailable to speak with me. When I ask her aides, "Will she ever come to Gainesville to talk with her constituents?", I am told her plans are uncertain.

That's why we're putting together our own town hall meeting a month from now. She'll be invited but she probably won't attend. That's why we're calling it "Catching up With Kat, A Conversation With a Chair".  

We have many questions for Ms. Cammack like "Why is she helping #47 destroy our country?". We deserve opportunities to speak with her. We will  save an on-stage seat for our representative.

If she is unable to attend will pose questions to her chair. 


When the time and place is certain I'll let you know.

 

 

IS BIG BROTHER HIDING IN YOUR POCKET?

I met a computer engineer at a party recently.  He works for an international company that provides computer hardware services for large companies. 90% of his work involves taking advantage of and promoting the use of AI. The man supervises 100 people world-wide. 


We've all heard rumors that our smart phones and pc's are listening to us, collecting data in the Information Age.   He says it's true.

He went on to tell


my wife and I that everything we say near a smart phone and a computer is recorded, sorted, sold, and used to influence us. This all seemed a little weird and fantastic but our new friend seemed to know more than most of us.  


He cited an example, "Three days ago I was talking with one of my employees in India asking, among other things, if vegetarianism is on the decline in his country. A long discussion followed.  The next day our new friend had a pop-up article on that very subject. He's convinced someone (or a "robot") was listening in.

Similarly, my sister-in-law was complaining last year -on the phone to my wife- about a leak in her kitchen sink faucet. She did not seek help online but nevertheless, she got a pc pop-up offering a product that "drains kitchen faucet leaks fast".

I feel a bit crazy typing this but what if it is true? That the powers that be are listening to and recording  all of our conversations conducted near electronic devices?  

Obviously virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa listen in 24/7. If they are listening today what keeps Elon's and Bezo's bad boys from hearing your conversations tomorrow? Maybe its time to take break. Leave you phone at home and walk over to,

RING PARK

After being closed for months of renovations our neighborhood gem is open again. Enjoy rebuilt bridges and boardwalks. Be surrounded by lush vegetation with no houses in sight. Pause to view the sparkling creek ever-flowing down the middle of it all, a wonder to behold. 

 

 

The experience will make you forget about a world filled mad men, climate change, and spies in your pocket.

                      _________



Messing around on a Lake Alice bike ride this week, I spelled out my son's name in a UF parking lot to see what it'd look like on my bike ride app map.