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Happy Galentine's Day! We hope you're having a wonderful day filled with love and happiness, no matter what your plans are. Kristen Rabell and Rebecca Johnson, the Brokers/Owners of Rabell Realty Group, talked about all things Valentine’s on this week’s Facebook Live stream! They dished on their favorite local restaurants in Gainesville, as well as where you can find those iconic LOVE Sculptures around the country.
So join us, won't you, as we dive into the world of love, food, and friendship! And remember, love is never corny, but our puns definitely will be!
Kristen and Rebecca’s Favorite Local Date Spots
In case you missed it, here are Kristen and Rebecca’s favorite local date spots in the Greater Gainesville area. These places are perfect for a Valentine’s Day, Galentine's Day, or any date night!
Kristen’s Top 5 Favorites
Sushi Matsuri: The best sushi in town.
Mojo Hogtown BBQ: Old Fashion’s at the bar.
Sparks at Embers: Amazing appetizers and drinks.
One Love Cafe: Live music and drinks.
Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille: Sunday brunch.
Rebecca’s Top 5 Favorites
Bragging Rights Amusements: All you can play retro gaming.
First Magnitudes Brewing Company: Bird watching, nightcaps, and trivia.
Lebowski’s Pup Pub: Sunshine, cold beers and puppies.
That 80s Bar: Karaoke nights!
Prime and Pearl: Old Fashion’s at the bar.
A Brief History of LOVE: How One Sculpture Stole the Hearts of the Art World
Recognizable by the large stacked letters spelling out the word “LOVE,” these love-ly sculptures can be found in many different parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, Canada and South America. The original print and design for the sculptures was created by Robert Indiana, an American artist known for his association with the Pop Art movement.
The iconic image was originally created in 1964 when the Museum of Modern Art in New York City commissionedIndiana to make a Christmas card, and was later transformed into the first Love sculpture in 1970.
LOVE sculpture with Philly's Museum of Art in the background | Photo by Daniel ODonnell on Unsplash
Where to Find Love Sculptures
Indianapolis, Indiana Love Sculpture
The first LOVE sculpture was created in 1970 by Robert Indiana and is located at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. This statue was executed in North Haven, Connecticut and after its move to Indianapolis, the sculpture was installed on the main plaza at the museum. LOVE has undergone a few location changes since its original placement in 1975, but the sculpture now sits inside the museum for all to see!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Love Park, also known as John F. Kennedy Plaza, is a public park located in Center City, Philadelphia. The park was nicknamed Love Park because of the LOVE sculpture that overlooks the plaza, which is a reproduction of the original sculpture created by Robert Indiana. The LOVE sculpture was placed in the plaza in 1976 as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration, but was removed once the celebration ended in 1978. By popular demand, the LOVE scuplture came out of retirement when the Philadelphia Arts Commission purchased it and permanently placed in the plaza.
Scottsdale Arizona
Purchased through the Scottsdale Public Art Program, the LOVE sculpture was the first in a series of five purchases of the red/blue color scheme. It was dedicated on October 13, 2002, during a ceremony attended by the artist, Robert Indiana. Through the years, Scottsdale’s LOVE sculpture has been a popular background for photos by both tourists and community members alike.
Aventura, Florida
The mall is typically not one of the first tourist attractions when visiting a new city, but that is not the case in Miami! The Aventura Mall’s contemporary arts program challenges that of museums, and the Iconic LOVE sculpture that was introduced in 1998 helps make this belief a reality. This sculpture is displayed on the upper level of the Aventura Mall’s new wing’s outdoor area, adjacent to Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar, so go check it out the next time you are in Miami and share your photos on social media!
Get ready for an exciting swap next Saturday, February 25th! We are encouraging vendors to sign up by this Friday so we can make sure we have room for everyone & get the word out!
Come hang out with us & bring your kiddos—we are looking forward to having Reptile Encounters FL, which will be super fun for kids & reptile enthusiasts alike. Mark us down on your calendar and look out for the vendor list coming next week! Visitors can enjoy looking at our feed store, bait shop, game farm, produce market, and more. We’re excited for a good turnout and some good times! We’ll see you there!
Location: 412 CR-315 S, Interlachen, FL 32148
Time: Saturday, February 25, 2023, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Hello Spring Farm Swap | Deep Creek Game Farm
Pints and Predators
Join your local wildlife rehabilitation community at First Magnitude Brewing Co. for the 9th Annual Pints and Predators educational festival and fundraiser featuring live birds of prey, creatures of the night, and more!
Wildlife rehabilitators do the hard work of rescuing sick and injured wildlife. Many of those birds and other animals live through their trauma but are not healthy enough to be released back into natural environments and become educational ambassadors that rehabilitators and educators care for indefinitely. Pints and Predators is an opportunity for you to see ambassador birds of prey like Bald Eagle, Barred Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, and creatures of the night like Virginia Opossum and bats. There are always a few snakes including a venomous rattlesnake in a fully-locked safety enclosure and, for the second year in a row, a spider exhibit!
All proceeds from the event benefit participating wildlife organizations, and 18 taps of beer, 2 wines, 2 ciders, and some non-alcoholic options at the bar will be offered throughout the night for guests to enjoy! Check out First Magnitude’s Facebook Page for more information about the event!
Location: First Magnitude Brewing Co., 1220 SE Veitch Street, Gainesville FL
Time: Saturday, February 25, 2023, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: Ticket/donation levels: $25-includes one fill voucher and logo glass | $10-general entry | $5-ages 1-12
Pints and Predators | First Magnitude Brewing Company
Multicultural Food Festival and Health Fair
This event targets the community as a whole as we seek to encourage healthy lifestyles. There will be a Health Fair to inspire people to become a better version of themselves. UF Health Street and other departments from UF Health will also be participating. The LifeSouth Community Blood Centers unit will also be on campus. To add to the fun, we are also having an International Food Fest that highlights healthy cuisines from all over the world. In addition, there will be activities for the children - including a bounce-about. There will be several booths where you'll receive great tips on health and gardening, and giveaways should also be happening at the event!
Time: Sunday, February 26, 2023, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cost: $15.00 donation
Multicultural Food Festival and Health Fair
IHOP National Pancake Day
Celebrate National Pancake Day with a free short stack of Buttermilk Pancakes from 7 am-7 pm on February 28, 2023! Who doesn’t love pancakes?
Location: 3625 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL, 32608
Time: Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
National Pancake Day | IHOP
Trinity United Methodist Church: Parents Night Out
Parent's Night Out is the perfect opportunity to drop your Elementary aged children off for a fun night of Winter-themed activities while you spend your evening however you'd like! Whether you need to get started on that mile-long grocery list, a much-needed date night, or just time to spend relaxing, we've got you covered! A pizza dinner is available for purchase, or your child may bring their own.
Meet us in the Education Building at 5:30 pm for drop-off!
Location: Trinity United Methodist Church 4000 NW 53rd Ave Gainesville, FL 32653
Time: Friday, March 3, 2023, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Cost: $15, plus $5 for pizza (or bring your own packed meal for dinner)
Parents Night Out | Trinity United Methodist Church
Join us for the famous Fiddler Crab Festival that is returning February 17-19, 2023! There will be big entertainment, big shopping, big eats and drinks and lots of fun! The cost of admission covers all three days, including fireworks on both Friday and Saturday night, and show-stopping entertainment! Parking is available for $10 at the Steinhatchee Elementary School, located right on the outskirt of the Festival.
Location: 1013 Riverside Dr SE, Steinhatchee, FL 32359
Time: Saturday, February 18, 2023, 9:00 am - 11:00 pm
Cost: $5 for all 3 days
Steinhatchee Fiddler Crab Festival | Steinhatchee River Chamber of Commerce
Strawberry Festival at Amber Brooke Farms (formerly Red White and Blues Farm)
Join us for our 2nd Annual Strawberry Festival! This year we are going bigger with a two-weekend event full of strawberry-themed activities, treats, arts and crafts vendors, plus all of your favorite farm activities like our thrilling slide hill, jump pillows, Pumpkin Eater and more!
Location: Amber Brooke Farms (formerly Red White and Blues Farm) 3250 NE 140th Ave, Williston, FL 32696
Time: Saturday, February 18, 2023, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: $13 in advance and $15 at the door (Tickets are required for all guests ages 3 & older)
Strawberry Festival | Amber Brooke Farms
Corks and Colors: All Ages Safari Tree
Create a masterpiece this Sunday at Corks and Colors. This experience is perfect for kids (ages 5+) or adults with any level of experience! Arrive at 12:15 to choose your seat and colors! There are only 10 spots available and you must pre-register for the event! $20 covers all materials and instruction for a 12x16” painting, but you can upgrade to a larger size canvas in the studio the day of for $10 more. Happy painting!
Location: 3415 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607
Time: Sunday, February 19, 2023, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Cost: $20-30
Safari Tree | Corks and Colors
Cade Museum Little Sparks
Little Sparks is a fun and interactive program that introduces littles (ages 0-5) to science concepts through music, dancing, crafting, story time, and more. Little Sparks is included in the cost of general admission to the museum. There is no pre-registration required and members get in free!
Location: The Cade Museum, 811 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601
Time: Thursday, February 23, 2023, 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free with museum admission
Little Sparks | The Cade Museum
Artwalk Gainesville
Artwalk Gainesville is a self-guided art experience of local galleries, artist studios, and cultural events in beautiful Gainesville, Florida. The goal of this event is to celebrate the arts in our community and to showcase the venues and businesses that support the arts. Held on the last Friday of each month from 7 to 10 pm, Artwalk Gainesville is an exciting, fun way to experience the amazing wealth of creativity the Gainesville community has to offer.
Location: Downtown Gainesville, FL
Time: Friday, February 24, 2023, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
It's all too common for homeowners to fall out of love with their home as time goes on, no matter how much they loved their house when they first moved in. If you're tired of feeling stagnant in your space and are looking for ways to refresh your home, keep reading and take some inspiration from these ideas!
Rearrange Your Furniture
If your furniture isn’t giving you the inspiration it once did, or feels like it's closing off the space, rearranging the furniture can be a great way to start seeing your space with new eyes. If it's not possible to move your larger furniture pieces, move just the smaller pieces of furniture. You'll get a similar perspective shift. The best part of this intervention: it costs nothing.
Another great way to revamp your space is to declutter and organize! Most of the time in the decluttering process, your space will get worse before it gets better, so don’t let this discourage you and just keep taking it one step at a time. Remember to be realistic with yourself about what you will actually use and what you can finally get rid of that you have been holding on to for a rainy day. If you are finding it difficult to get rid of things, it could definitely be helpful to invite someone else to assist you with the harder decisions. If you are looking for additional tips on decluttering, check out our blog post on decluttering before the holidays here.
Change the Treatment on Your Windows
Careful attention to window treatments can make a big difference, and there are so many options to create the ambience that you want! You can make an area more open and inviting by replacing clunky dark curtains with light flowy ones or creating a statement by adding something with an intricate pattern or bold color.
Curtains and window treatments can definitely get pricey, but look out for sales and try to choose timeless pieces that you can carry with you for years to come and make the investment worth it!
Deep Clean Your Home With Intention
Before you start cleaning, reflect on the reasons why you want a clean home. This will help shift your mindset from something you have to do to something you want to do to create a better environment for you and your family. Now when we say “deep clean” we really mean deep clean! Clean behind your air fryer, take the dog toys out from under the couch, and sweep and mop your entire house. Put on a podcast or a playlist of your favorite songs and make a day out of it!
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
One of the easiest ways to refresh a space is to choose a paint color that you feel inspired by and paint away! Painting is never a bad idea because if you mess up or decide that you don’t like it you can very easily paint a new color over it or paint it back to the original. You can paint the entire room, one wall, or a portion of a wall. Painting a single wall in a room can create a focal point, add an unexpected pop of color, and prevent things from feeling too bland with minimal effort!
An easy way to liven up your space is to switch out your artwork. Whether that means moving around the placement of your artwork, replacing old pieces with new ones, or simply switching out the artwork in your pre-existing frames, mixing up your wall decor can help keep things feeling fresh and new!
Painting the front door and creating an inviting entrance is another great way to refresh your home.
Final Thoughts
We hope this post has inspired you to change up your space and help you fall back in love with your home this Valentine’s season! Creating a space you love can completely change your mindset and give you some motivation to crush your goals, so don’t wait!
Haile Village is the walkable town center at the heart of Haile, a traditionally planned town in Southwest Gainesville, FL. Haile is composed of some 2,700 fabulous single family homes, townhouses, condos and apartments.
Built with live, work, play (and eat!) as a focus and modeled after many of the Southeast's most recognizable historic cities, living in the Village puts you within walking distance of everything from coffee shops and boutiques to preschools and pet clinics. The community is a 20 minute drive to the University of Florida and Shands, two of the region’s largest employers.
If we had to sum up what makes Haile Village special in a few words, it would be its family-friendliness, vibrancy, and traditional town planning. And between the Haile Farmer’s Market and the abundance of great restaurants, cafes and bars, it’s no wonder so many people are choosing to make Haile Village their home in Gainesville.
Haile Village is a family-friendly community. The town is zoned for Wiles Elementary, a highly rated school and one of the most diverse in Florida. There are three great preschools in Haile itself, and the town is dotted with playgrounds connected by tree-lined walking trails.
Haile Village is very walkable. “Brick sidewalks encourage walking to the nearby shops,” Southern Living notes, while “homes pull close to the street much as they did two centuries ago in Annapolis or Charleston.”
The Village’s walkability is the key to its vibrancy. You can walk to Haile Village Spa & Salon or The Village Jeweler, trips you’d have to get in a car to do in most suburban communities.
On Saturday mornings, the Haile Farmer’s Market attracts residents and visitors alike to its smorgasbord of farm-fresh produce, crafts, food and live music.
Annual festivals like Light the Village and Haile Oktoberfest, which fills up the streets with revelers, bands, food vendors and bounce houses, keep the festive vibes going year round.
3. Haile Farmers Market
Haile’s beloved Haile Village Farmers’ Market has been bringing together friends and farmers since 1998. Kick off your Saturday morning strolling the stalls of locally grown fruit and veggies, cheeses, breads, chocolates, and more.
Some vendor highlights would have to include:
Swallowtail Farms for their fresh greens and eggs – their CSA serves 250 members and an apprentice grower program
Chef Anthony’s Ambrosia for fresh pressed juice – Mr. Feelgood (prickly pear, muscadine grapes, coconut water, blueberries, starfruit, pineapple) is a favorite
Vine Bakery for their slow fermented sourdough bread
The farmer’s market also hosts a rotating line-up of craft vendors offering everything from soaps to pottery. It runs from 8:30a.m. until noon.
4. Haile Village Restaurants
When you want to take a break from cooking, there are plenty of great places to grab a bite in the Village. Here are some of our go-to restaurants, bars and cafes.
Volcanic Sushi
We know Gainesville is no stranger to sushi, but Haile’s version will always rank in the big leagues. As regulars, we found it was incredibly easy to get to know the staff, their fish is always very fresh and their presentation of the food is always on point.
Haile Village Bistro
With a creative and varied menu, Haile Village Bistro's food is always tasty and fresh. Their dessert case is stocked with about 20 options for deliciousness: cheesecakes, regular cakes, pies, tiramisu, cookies, tortes and more. The staff are super friendly and nice, and the atmosphere is casual and cozy. This place gets crowded but it's worth the wait!
Inspired by the classic British pub, this friendly neighborhood bar could become your own personal “Cheers”. We love the food and the cozy atmosphere. On nice days it’s great to sit out on the columned porch with the Village as backdrop. Desserts are made in house and super divine, especially the pavlova!
Patticakes is the kind of cafe where the staff know their customers by name — and their dogs names too. The atmosphere is lively and warm. It’s a family-friendly spot that’s also good for casual business meetings.
The windows of the cafe look out on a small park with a fountain and benches. They also have outdoor seating along the quaint brick sidewalks that make the Village so charming. The place fills up on weekends, so get there early if you want to stay and hang out.
5. Traditional Town Planning
Working closely with the town’s planners, builders have added homes, shops, stores and offices one building at a time, like a traditional town. Haile Village Center was always part of the master plan for Haile Plantation, which broke ground as a modern mixed use community in the 1970s.
With the addition of several distinctive communities of single-family estates anchored by Haile Village Center and Hawkstone Country Club, Haile now features more than 2,700 homes, multifamily buildings and commercial properties.
Homeowners can rest assured that the development’s footprint will remain compact, with lots of trees and green spaces to keep Haile beautiful into the future.
Haile Village Real Estate
When houses are listed in Haile, they don't last long. Reach out to Rabell Realty Group if something below catches your eye. Our offices are located in the heart of Haile Village, at 5213 SW 91st Terrace Suite A, so don’t hesitate to stop by if you’re in the area and can't contain your excitement. You can also contact us here.
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To learn more about HOAs, the history of the development, and more, check out our Guide to Haile Plantation.
Interested in renting in Haile Village? You're in luck. Our sister company KNR Property Management -- also based in Haile Village -- is your best resource for finding a rental in the neighborhood. Feel free to browse our listings and get in touch to schedule some tours.
Junior Ranger at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
Calling all Junior Rangers! Join us for the Friendly Flames Junior Ranger program. Learn about the importance of prescribed fire in Florida’s ecosystems and earn a natural resources stamp in your Junior Ranger Passport. Don’t worry, if your little one isn't already a Junior Ranger, we can sign them up!
Location: Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park 4732 Millhopper Rd, Gainesville FL 32653
Time: Saturday February 4, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $4.00 per vehicle
Junior Ranger at Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park
DM UF Miracle Market
Join us for a fun, free, and family friendly outdoor event at Bo Diddley! Local vendors and food trucks will get together in benefit for the children’s hospital at Shands Dance Marathon at the University of Florida. Dance Marathon is a year-long philanthropic effort benefiting the patients of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville, Florida! The “Florida Vintage Market” is a unique outdoor shopping experience in the heart of Gainesville, where you will find a curated variety of over 50 vintage clothing vendors, sustainable fashion, street wear, custom clothing, sneakers, makers, artists, food, and so much more!
Location: Bo Diddley Plaza 111 E. University Avenue, Gainesville FL 32601
Time: Saturday February 4, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Miracle Market | Dance Marathon at UF
Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary February Farmer’s Moo-ket
Join us as the Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary presents the Farmers Moo-ket! Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization with the mission to promote compassion for farmed animals through rescue and outreach. At this event, you can enjoy food vendors, artists, craftspeople, and more! You will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with rescued cows and pigs at Critter Creek and give them treats! All products sold at the market are vegan.
Location: Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary 12626 NW Co Road 231, Gainesville FL 32609
Time: Sunday February 5, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free Admission
February Farmers Moo-ket | Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary
Daddy Daughter Sweet Hearts Dance at Bouncers
Join us for a special night full of love and dancing! Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable, drink punch, eat at the popcorn bar, take a picture at the photo booth, and dance the night away. Call or text (352) 380-1725 to purchase tickets!
Big Top Brewing is bringing you an all new Harry Potter trivia series brought to you by the Qwizards! Each month, fans will be quizzed on one book from the Harry Potter series with content split by difficulty level - OWL and NEWT. This month, “Prisoner of Azcaban” is the featured book! Be sure to arrive for check in between 6:30pm and 7pm as the game begins promptly at 7pm! Pre-registration is required, so be sure to get your tickets here.
Location: Big Top Brewing Company 201 SE 2nd Ave #101, Gainesville, FL 32601
Time: Thursday February 9, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Single Event-$8 per player, Annual Pass-$90 per player
Florida Museum of Natural History Spiders Alive! Exhibit Opening Day
Take an eight-legged walk on the wild side with Spiders Alive! This exciting exhibit dives into the world of spiders, scorpions and their relatives with more than a dozen LIVE species from around the world on display. Discover the unique traits and characteristics of this diverse group of animals at this interactive, family-friendly experience!
Location: Florida Museum of Natural History 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville FL 32611
Time: Saturday January 28, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Cost: $8 adults | $7.50 FL residents, seniors and non-UF college students | $5.50 ages 3-17 | Free to UF students & museum members
Movie Night at Amber Brooke Farms (Formerly Red White and Blues Farm)
We welcome our community to join us for our very first ‘Movie Night’ experience at the farm. Start your afternoon with outdoor activities and a blueberry popsicle. Then enjoy some tasty food and drinks available prior to the movie starting. At 6:45 PM hang on tight as you are transported to the city of Zootopia; a mammal metropolis where various animals live and thrive. This adventure is full of action, heart and plenty of laughter for the whole family. The farm opens at 5pm and guests will have access to a variety of activities prior to the movie starting. You must purchase your movie tickets in advance, so be sure to do that here!
Michaels Sunday Makebreak | Valentine's Day Watercolor Cards
Early Dismissal Wednesday Crafternoons at Pinspiration
Looking for something to do on the Wednesday early dismissal days? We have your answer! Get your craft on with our weekly Crafternoons. Kids in kindergarten and up will explore their creativity as they are introduced to a variety of art, crafts, and materials. Each week we will try something new, from drawing, painting, crafting and woodworking to mixed media. We offer a fun and supportive environment to help grow your child’s creativity and have fun with art. There’s no wrong way to do art, after all! All materials are included. Pre-registration required so we can have all materials prepared on arrival, so book your ticket now.
Arriving soon! Cirque Italia has a brand new 2023 Gold Unit Show. Our performers can’t wait to take you back in time. Are you ready for the magical water circus? Join us to dance, laugh, and be in awe of our unmatched acrobatics.
Cirque Italia presents “Aquatic Spectacular.” The name reflects a unique attribute under the tent, as the show features a custom designed water stage that travels from city to city. The stage holds 35,000 gallons of water that performers dazzle over while thrilling the audience with every move. With this “unique feature” under the tent, guests will be surprised, for it’s a show of its own! Secure your ticket here.
No mittens required to build this snowman. Your little builder will create a wooden snowman picture frame that’s perfect for displaying heartwarming memories.
Bring your mini-DIYer into Lowe’s at one of the select time slots. Workshops hosted by one of our Red Vest experts are held in-store only. We look forward to building with you and your little ones! Don’t forget – if you are unable to attend during your selected time slot, your kit may be given away to Walk-Ins starting at 12:00pm, the day of the workshop. If you are interested, reserve your spot here.
Location: All Lowe’s Locations
Time: Saturday January 21, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Free
Lowe's Kids Workshop | Winter Wishes
Kika Silva Pla Planetarium Show: Stars to Starfish Jr.
Join us as Starry the Sea Star and Red the Lobster compare the exploration of our universe with the exploration of our Earth’s Ocean and it underscores the importance of our home’s last great resource.
Location: Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at Santa Fe College 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville FL
Time: Saturday January 21, 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Cost: $6.17 - $7.19
Painting With a Twist: Sammy the Sea Turtle
Come and put your artistic skills to the test by painting your very own Sammy the Sea Turtle! Recommended age is 6 and up to work independently on their canvas, but all children are welcome! Children under 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the class. Parents are encouraged to let children work by themselves. Please be aware that there is not always enough room for non-painting parents to sit next to their child. Book your spot now!
Location: 618 NW 60th Street Suite B, Gainesville FL 32607
Time: Sunday January 22, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Cost: $27 - $29 per person
Sammy the Sea Turtle | Painting With a Twist
First Magnitude Brainaholics Trivia
Come out with your team for the best and most unique trivia in town, Brainaholics! Trivia is free to play with awesome prizes such as FM Bucks, and categories range from history to sports and so much more! Food will be available from one of their rotating daily food trucks, or you can bring your own. Trivia results will be submitted by online form, and remember, there are NO reservations for trivia, so arrive early and ensure your seat.
Location: First Magnitude Brewing Company 1220 SE Veitch St, Gainesville FL 32601
Time: Tuesday January 24, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Playlist at Celebration Pointe
On the 4th Friday of every month, Celebration Pointe hosts a music event that offers an eclectic mix of music from a variety of genres such as country, rock, soul and more. Start your weekend right with good music, good food and good times!
Join Minca Davis, one of the instructors at Painting with a Twist, to take home a masterpiece created by YOU! The recommended age to work independently on a canvas is 6 and up, but all children are welcome! Children under 12 MUST be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the class, but parents are encouraged to let children work by themselves. Please be aware that there is not always room for non-painting parents to sit next to their child, but they will do their best to accommodate everyone’s preferences. The team at Painting With a Twist asks that you arrive 15-20 minutes early to get smocked and in your seat, ready to paint once the class starts! Confirm your seat and make a reservation here!
Location: 618 SW 60th Street Suite , Gainesville FL 32607
Time: Saturday January 14, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Cost: $27-$29 per person
The Kiddie | Painting With a Twist
Haile Equestrian Center Movie Nights
Join us the 2nd Saturday of every month from 6-8 pm. From classic horse movies to current films, these movie nights are, of course, all about horses. Popcorn and drinks are provided, so bring other movie snacks if you wish and a comfy blanket to watch the movie with. Everyone is welcome so bring your family and enjoy!
Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary January Farmers Moo-ket
Join us as the Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary presents the Farmers Moo-ket! Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization with the mission to promote compassion for farmed animals through rescue and outreach. At this event, you can enjoy food vendors, artists, craftspeople, and more! You will also have the opportunity to meet the critters at Critter Creek and give them treats! All products sold at the market are vegan.
Location: Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary 12626 NW Co Rd 231, Gainesville FL 32609
Time: Sunday January 15, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free admission
Critter Creek Farmers Moo-ket
Harn Museum Art Cart
Participate in an art experience! The Art Cart offers art activities, tactile opportunities, games and more for visitors of all ages inspired by objects on view and in our collection.
Location: Harn Museum of Art 3259 Hull Road, Gainesville FL 32608
Time: Wednesday January 18, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Grand Opening! Learn N Play - Indoor Playground
Come check out their immersive, interactive, sensory, indoor play space. There are 4 spacious air conditioned activity rooms where the needs of every learning style can be met. If your child is a visual learner or a kinesthetic one - there is something for every individual. There will be free treats and giveaways at the event as well!
Guest speakers Jackie Mercier and Mike Weseman joined us on our podcast to talk about Grand Oaks and new construction in Gainesville, Florida.
Jackie is a Realtor here at Rabell Realty Group. Mike is the founder of Weseman Homes & Renovations, and one of the principal builders of the Grand Oaks community. Between Mike and his father Gary Weseman, the developer of the project, the family builders bring a combined 50 years of experience.
Jackie: We do have 3 or 4 homes that are ready to go now. If someone just wants to start from scratch and move in this summer, we do have some lots available.
Mike: If you are starting from the bottom up, you get more input on color selections and we can work with you to customize as much as we can.
What floorplans are available?
Grand Oaks homes range from 3 bed / 2 bath at 1,700 sq/ft to 4 bed / 3 bath at 1,999 sq/ft, all in different stages of completion.
Jackie: I timed it and it's a 9 minute drive to Ben Hill Griffin stadium. It's the closest new construction community to the University of Florida and Shands in all of Gainesville.
Mike: In terms of affordability and proximity to things, Grand Oaks location is perfect. You're also a 3 to 5 minute drive to Celebration Pointe. It's also near the Town of Tioga's main plaza, and the new retail and services popping up along Tower Road.
What community amenities are there?
A pool
A tot lot
Lots of Green space - walking trails around retention ponds
Low HOA fees - $180 every three months
The Grand Oaks amenities space is a short walk from the homes.
What extra features do you offer?
An enclosed screen porch
Fencing
Wood closet systems
Custom-designed pantries
Gas cooktop with hood vent - we can also drop in a gas line for a summer kitchen
Luxury vinyl planking throughout -- no carpets
Mike: A lot of what are considered 'extras' with other builders are standard at Grand Oaks. So the quartz counter tops, the soft-closing cabinets, luxury vinyl planking throughout, the stone accents out front, the extra tall 8' garage -- all of that comes standard with each home. We do offer upgraded kitchens on two of our models, that's the only difference.
How high are your ceilings?
Our ceilings are 9' feet high. The tray in the living room can get up to 9' 6".
Energy efficiency
Mike: These homes are as efficient as you can get. We use a radiant barrier to help keep the heat out. It's more costly than normal plywood, but it does help. I put it on my house and I put it on all the houses I build. And all the windows are all double-pane.
What's the Seasonal Energy Efficient Rating (SEER) for the HVAC?
16.
What are you current incentives?
Jackie: We will pay 1% of your closing costs. We work with a bunch of local lenders here. We don't have a preferred lender, so if you want to use someone else, we'll still give you the incentives.
Do you offer 100% financing there?
Jackie: We're lucky enough to work with a local lender and we do qualify for 100% financing and no mortgage insurance, which is pretty unheard of.
Taxes
Mike: They're all taxed as vacant lots, which is a plus.
Insurance
Jackie: You're not going to have to jump through hoops to get insurance on a brand new home.
Interested in viewing a home or touring the development?
We do try to host open houses every weekend. If you drive by you'll probably see Mike on one of the houses. You can always stop and say hi and ask him a question!
If you have any question or want to see these houses, Jackie Mercier or Kristen Rabell are available to meet you out there anytime.
