Gainesville

June 2, 2021 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Living in Gainesville, FL? Consider Using a Good Water Filter

Known as one of the best cities in Florida, Gainesville is a great mix of suburban and urban culture. With lots of restaurants and parks, this place offers a great place to be for young individuals.

But, Gainesville suffers from water contamination that is a threat to all its residents. So, if you are one of them, you may want to take effective measures to save yourself from any health issues.

Water Status in Gainesville

As per a report on tests conducted by theEPA in 2019, the tap water in the city met the standards of federal drinking water.

However, since these standards haven’t been updated in the last 20 years, it wasn’t right to give the quality of water a passing grade.

So, this doubt led to further tests by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). It detected eight different contaminants in the same water facility.

And three of them exceeded the EWG guidelines. All these impurities on the list were cancer-causing. So, considering the facts and EWG’s database above, it is clear that Gainesville tap water isn’t very safe.

And if you want to stay healthy while living in this town, you should either opt for bottled water or install a water filter.

Why is Water in Gainesville Contaminated?

The principal water source in Gainesville is the Floridan Aquifer. It is a massive underground water supply that produces more than 2.5 billion gallons of water every single day.

The water from the aquifer goes to the water plants, where it gets a proper treatment before it reaches your home. But, just because you get clear-looking water to consume doesn’t mean it is safe.

Like any other big city in the US, Gainesville’s water supply also suffers from water contamination. Most sinkholes in town allow various contaminants to seep into the water lines.

While the water goes through many levels of treatment, it may still contain some invisible microorganisms. Moreover, with many outdated water pipes, residents of Gainesville often complain about discolored water. It is usually caused by lead and excess minerals.

A large proportion of people living in Gainesville also consume water from private wells. With loose water casing and incorrect drilling, these wells can be some of the most unprotected sources of water. Many contaminants like pesticides and nitrates make them vulnerable and unsafe to consume the water they supply.

The reason to highlight this information was not to scare you. But to help you take care of yourself before anything terrible happens.

Install a Water Filter

For your and your family’s safety, do not consume water directly from the tap. It might contain dangerous contaminants that could possibly ruin your health.

The best option available is to install a water filter. You can either go for an ro system or opt for a whole-house filter.

But make sure your chosen unit can meet the requirements of your household. Besides, for your own good, invest in a filter that requires minimum maintenance.

Most people also consume bottled water frequently. While this is an easy solution, drinking water from bottles is far more costly than installing a water filter.

According to the article on the best-osmosis-systems.com, a family of four can save up to $2000 US dollars every year by using filtered water instead of bottle one.

That’s an impressive cost advantage. Moreover, using a plastic water bottle every day harms the environment.

But of course, it all comes down to your preferences.

What’s more, most people who live in rented properties may not get permission to install a water filtering unit. Also, many students do not have the funds to make such an investment.

So, choose whichever option suits you but make sure to stop drinking water directly from the tap.

Beautiful Gainesville, But!

You are fortunate to be living in a town as beautiful as Gainesville. But, as nothing is perfect, this city lacks a water supply that’s 100% pure. Installing a filter at home to keep all the harmful contaminants at bay is the easiest solution.

Moreover, make efforts to reduce water pollution as much as you can. Don’t throw waste in water sources and reduce the use of fertilizers. Keep your water lines clean and get your water regularly tested.

December 28, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Visit The Best Breweries In Gainesville, FL

What better place to get the original tastes of the very best locally produced beer than at a brewery? There is no finer way to spend a summer evening than sitting back and sipping on an ice cold pint of crisp beer and nibbling on some snacks with friends.

Are you planning your next trip to Gainesville, Florida? If so, then make sure you spend some time at some of Gainesville’s finest breweries, and really take in the cities’ atmosphere.

This article has been designed to let you in on all of the best breweries around Gainesville, rated by the best tasting beer, location, and all round atmosphere. Take a look at the list below and if you’re going to be in town for a while, pay a visit to all of them!

Why Visit A Brewery

Are you visiting a brewery for the first time and not too sure what to expect? Not to worry, have a look at the list of reasons below why you will love your visit and what you will find there.

Beers on tap

When visiting a brewery you will most likely have a choice of half a dozen beers to sample. These beers are usually ones that are brewed on site, making for the crispest and freshest beer tasting experience. What could be better than sampling a beer straight from its source?

Casual atmosphere

Breweries are known for having a very chilled-out environment for you to enjoy. Sit back, chat and have a snack on some tasty nibbles. Simple.

Tours

Some breweries have daily or if not weekly tours which will show visitors around the brewery and talk them through the beer brewing process. Take up the opportunity to find out a little bit more about your favorite brew! This is also a great way to get some stunning photos and shots of the nation’s favorite drink.

Gainesville’s Favorite Breweries

Now that you have had a look at some of the essential reasons why you must visit a brewery ASAP, it is time to let you in on some of the most popular breweries around Gainesville, Florida.

Are you looking for a brewery that has great tasting beer, a relaxing atmosphere and maybe even a brewery tour that will tell you more about your favorite pint? Then take a look at the following list of Gainesville’s favorite breweries and make sure you visit them all!

Swamp Head Brewery

Local to Gainesville, Florida is the well-known Swamp Head Brewery. The brewery was founded in 2008 and has been making top quality beers on site ever since.

Fancy a tour of the place, ready to get savvy on everything beer related and really make a day of your trip? The Swamp Head Brewery holds tours that give explanations on their tasty beer-making process on selected days and times. The tours are inexpensive, can hold groups of up to 15 people and include a limited-edition tour pint glass filled with one of their year-round beers.

The Swamp Head Brewery prides itself on using local flavors to make their pints. They are known to use local honey, blueberries, and spices to make their beers, giving each pint a hint of Floridian nature.

That’s not all as the brewery often holds fun events such as taco Tuesdays and football Fridays, make sure you get through their double doors in time for all of the action. There is nothing better than sitting watching the game with a locally brewed pint to hand!

First Magnitude Brewing Company

Are you looking for a great brewery in Downtown Gainesville? Then you will love the First Magnitude Brewing Company!

There is nothing that will help you to wash back the perfect brew better than a plate of piping hot grub. Let’s face it, beer is simply better with food and that is why the team down at First Magnitude Brewing Company has got a menu full of tacos, grilled food and more that will be an awesome accompaniment to your pint.

Ready to make a day of it? Make sure you arrive early as I am sure you will want to check out their tasting room and choose between 26 taps of freshly brewed beer. You can also choose from their selection of cider and wines if you would like to shake things up a little. Once you’ve had a taste, take a seat in the shaded beer garden to sit back and relax.

Blackadder Brewing Company

In the mood for a taste of the world? Then you will go nuts for the Belgian-inspired beers at the Blackadder Brewing Company

Are you looking for award-winningly good beer? Then you will be pleased to know that the team at Blackadder Brewing Company has won over 30 medals in homebrew competitions in the US and keep striving to improve their quality beers.

Every night the Blackadder Brewing company has a different food theme, so make sure you visit on one of their chicken, Thai or taco nights to enjoy a great bite while sipping on your favorite pint.

December 28, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

The Museum Of Natural History In Gainesville, Florida

There are so many places to visit around Gainesville, Florida that make for the perfect days out. There is an endless array of parks, restaurants, galleries and the like that will help to keep you and the family busy on the weekends and will provide you with a wealth of knowledge about Gainesville’s cultural background.

Are you looking for somewhere new to explore this holiday season? Then why not check out the Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, FL?

If you are planning to check the museum out take a look at this article as it will let you in on everything you need to know about the museum before visiting including information on parking, entry, the different events and exhibits held at the museum and the extremely popular Butterfly Rainforest. Check it out!

An Overview Of The Museum Of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History is located at the University of Florida Cultural Plaza on 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville. The museum’s prime location makes it an easy place to visit using public transport or by car.

The museum opening hours are from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday and from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sundays. The weekend opening hours make this a great museum to visit outside of work hours or during school vacations with the family.

Parking At The Museum Of Natural History

Are you planning a trip down to the museum in the car? Then you can take advantage of the metered parking bays located around the museum. You will have to pay a small fee to park in the bays on weekdays but parking is free at weekends.

Entry To The Museum Of Natural History

Bearing in mind the fact that the museum closes every day at 5 pm, the last tickets to enter the museum are sold at 4.30 pm, to ensure that everyone will have a great chance to look around the grounds. But as a quick tip, make sure you arrive at the museum at least two hours before closing so that you can have a more in-depth look at everything on display.

General admission to the museum is free, but donations are happily accepted and will go towards continuing to make more exciting exhibits and the upkeep of the museum and its grounds.

Featured exhibits, however, are charged such as entry to the Butterfly Rainforest. Prices vary depending on the visitor with discounts available for students, residents, and seniors. There are also some great deals to be grabbed if you are planning to visit more than one exhibit during your stay, so make sure you check out the Natural History Museum’s website for more information.

Events At The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is well-known for holding very exciting events, with some more targeted at young adults and students, others at children and tots and some that are perfect for the whole family.

The museum is always planning interesting, new events, so make sure you check out their website for more information so that you can plan your visit accordingly. Some of their recurring and more popular events are:

Tot Trot – the perfect event for kids to get hands on when learning about history.

Science on tap – information covering a wide range of animals, ideal for all ages.

Ask a Scientist – learn the latest in science news and ask questions to the experts.

Exhibits At The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum in Gainesville, FL has many exhibits that change frequently, so if you haven’t visited the museum recently, I recommend you do to check out what’s new!

The Butterfly Rainforest

Some of the exhibits, however, are permanent features at the museum such as the Butterfly Rainforest. The Butterfly Rainforest is a living exhibit where visitors are able to catch a glimpse of hundreds of different species of butterflies, some local to Florida and others from different corners of the globe. Every day, the exhibit holds a live butterfly spotlight, where you can get a closer look at the butterflies and learn more about them.

There is more than just butterflies to see at the exhibit as you can take a walk along the paths and check out the waterfalls, and plants and flowers in bloom that make the Butterfly Rainforest a unique spot on the map of Gainesville.

Discovery Zone

Another permanent feature at the museum is the Discovery Zone, a spectacular world for children to explore and learn more about plants, fossils, and insects.

Our Energy Future

Would you like some tips on how you can reduce your household electrical bills? Then check out the permanent feature Our Energy Future at the museum. It will provide you with all the latest energy saving ideas and ways we can individually help to conserve our planet’s future.

December 28, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

The Harn Museum Of Art

There is no better reason to drive down to Gainesville than to enjoy some of the cultural scenes the city has to offer. Gainesville, Florida has a superb array of museums, art galleries and cultural exhibitions that you will not want to miss out on. But one of the most interesting places in Gainesville that is often left undiscovered by many is the Harn Museum of Art.

If you love getting in touch with your creative side and letting your imaginative juices flow, then I am sure a trip to the Harn Museum will be right up your street.

Do you want to find out a little bit more about the Harn Museum of Art before you visit? Then you are in luck as this article will give you the inside scoop on the museum before you step through its doors. You will be able to find out more about its exhibits, location, night displays, the all-important cafe, and more! Stay tuned to get in the know!

The Harn Museum Overview

The Harn Museum of Art is a spacious 112,800 square foot museum located at the University of Florida. Its prime location makes the museum an easy place to find and visit, even with public transport! So make sure you hop on down to visit the museum as soon as possible!

The museum has a wide range of modern and contemporary art pieces including collections from across the globe. If you are looking to see information about current and past events displayed in striking pieces of artwork then the Harn Museum of Art is the place to be.

The Harn Museum Exhibitions

If you haven’t visited the Harn Museum recently then you have never visited the Harn Museum! Why can we say that? The museum frequently changes the exhibitions displayed amongst its eleven galleries so that there is something fresh for visitors to feast their eyes on every time they visit. You can visit the museum’s website to find out which art exhibitions are currently being displayed and what is coming up soon so that you can plan your visit accordingly.

One of the exhibitions you can always count on seeing at the Harn Museum is their traveling exhibitions, that concentrate on displaying artwork portraying life and current events around the world. If you fancy a trip across the world without leaving Gainesville, then I am sure this will be the exhibit for you.

The Harn Museum Tours

Are you ready to get a closer look at the artwork displayed in the Harn Museum? Then why not visit the site in time for one of their tours. The museum encourages visitors to book their tours three weeks in advance to secure a place (as tours can get quite busy especially during the vacation period). Tours are held from Tuesdays through Sundays, just make sure you check their website for more information on timings.

What about a mobile tour? If you fancy taking the tour at your own speed, you can always follow the tour via the Harn Museum’s website.

The Harn Museum Nights

Do you like the idea of taking a look around the museum in a slightly different light? Then you are in luck as the Harn Museum opens up its doors between 6 pm and 9 pm on the second Thursday of every month.

Why visit at night you ask? Refreshments are offered during this period and visitors are invited to join in on special activities and performances that are not held during the day. The night time opening hours is a great way for those with busy work schedules to have an opportunity to visit the museum out of hours.

The Harn Museum Cafe

And of course, one of the most important stop-offs during your visit to the Harn Museum will be having a bite to eat at the Camellia Court Cafe. The cafe is open from 11 am to 2 pm from Tuesday to Saturday.

At the cafe, you can choose from a wide selection of lunches, desserts, and drinks and enjoy them whilst taking in the relaxing sights of the immaculate Harn Museum gardens.

Harn Museum Gardens

If you are a fan of the great outdoors, then you will love the gorgeous gardens at the Harn Museum of Art. Not only are they well-kept and beautifully presented, but the gardens are also arrayed with modern and contemporary art figures so that you can take a look at the art from wherever you are in the museum.

If you love the peaceful sound of trickling water, then make sure you head straight over to the Asian Water Garden and snap a photo or two along the footbridge. You should also check out the Asian Rock Garden and the Irving J. Goffman garden to name a few.