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Upcoming Week at a Glance
Click through for more information on each event or search below for featured event articles.
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Curbside collection days changing Oct. 5 for many households | Beginning Monday, Oct. 5, approximately 65% of Gainesville households will have a new curbside collection day as the City of Gainesville transitions to a new residential solid waste collection contract. | | | |
Plant for Pollinators: Bees and Trees | Native trees of all shapes and sizes and native pollinator plants will be given out for free while supplies last. Stick around after the giveaway for a planting demonstration and community tree planting event! | | | | |
Fire Prevention Week - Oct. 4-10
Fire Prevention Week kicks off Oct. 4 and we want to remind our readers that fires can start with something as simple the way you charge your phone or other device.
This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower,” focuses on lithium-ion batteries found in things like smartphones, laptops, power tools, e-scooters and e-bikes.
A few simple habits can help protect your home and family:
- use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacture
- charge devices on a hard, flat surface
- watch for excessive heat or swelling; unplug devices when they’re fully charged
- charge larger devices such as e-bikes outside and away from exits
Fire prevention starts with the choices we make every day. Charge safely and help keep our community safe!
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Free Group Therapy for Those Affected by Gun Violence
As part of ongoing efforts to address gun violence in Gainesville, IMPACT GNV has partnered with Guiding Growth Therapy, LLC to offer free group therapy for those affected by gun violence.
The group is open to anyone who has been affected directly or indirectly, including family members, community members, churches and individuals concerned about gun violence. Those directly affected by gun violence are strongly encouraged to participate.
Sessions are facilitated by licensed therapists trained in trauma.
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Fall Wildflower Walks have begun! | When the air becomes cool and crisp, find what blooms among the pines. Put on your comfortable walking shoes and join our nature interpreters for a guided walk among the purples, yellows and pinks at Morningside! | | | | |
Youth Arts & Well-being for Safer Communities (ONOP Final Symposium) - Oct. 5 | |
This symposium celebrates Gainesville's participation in the national One Nation One Project initiative. Together, we will reflect on the journey, share lessons learned, highlight innovative partnerships, and explore how arts, culture, and community collaboration can continue to foster healthier, safer, and more connected communities.
This event is free and open to the public; however, seats are limited and pre-registration online is required.
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Golf Scramble for Kids Scholarships - Oct. 23 | The City of Gainesville Park, Recreation and Cultural Affairs' annual Charity Golf Scramble to benefit city youth is Friday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 a.m. at the Ironwood Golf Course. Player registration is just $75 for an individual and $275 for a foursome. Registration fees include green fee, cart fee, range balls, breakfast and awards luncheon following the tournament. | | | | | |
A Very GNV Holiday Parade registration open
Registration for participating in the 2025 A Very GNV Holiday Parade is open! This year’s parade is Saturday, Dec. 5. The registration form, parade rules and additional details are available on our website. Entry forms must be submitted by Sunday, Oct. 25.
The parade is scheduled to begin at noon and cover a one-mile stretch of East University Avenue. The event launches the city’s holiday festivities on Dec. 5 that include afternoon activities at Bo Diddley Plaza followed by the Holiday Lights Celebration, held at City Hall Plaza.
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Fall Swim Lessons
Registration for fall swim lessons is open!
After-School Program
The After-School Program provides children and youth in grades 1 through 8 with a safe and engaging environment, which incorporates hands-on activities. Registration is open.
Out of School Days
Out of School Days provides children and youth in grades 1 through 8 with a safe and engaging environment, which incorporates hands-on activities. Registration is open.
SOAR - Science-Oriented Activities and Recreation: Kids and teens of all ages are welcome to join the fun and learn about their surroundings through hands-on activities. Held the second Friday from 3:30-4:30 p.m., September-May, outside the Elite Training Center (2626 E. University Ave.).
Start Smart Sports helps parents of preschoolers 3-5 years old objectively measure their child's abilities. As the programs progress and children show improvement, the skills and exercises are altered so that each child remains challenged while using age-appropriate equipment. They will learn concepts and skills including: sport specific skills, preparation for organized sports, building self-esteem and confidence, and social skills. Start Smart Basketball registration is open.
Lil' Cooking Club provides preschoolers ages 3 to 5 with a fun, social and creative environment to learn and be introduced to culinary arts. As a hands-on activity, with required parent engagement, preschoolers will learn concepts and skills including: language and vocabulary, fine motor coordination, mathematical skills, problem solving and social skills. Registration is open.
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With the anticipation of cooler temps, our fall nature programs are starting back up! Join us at Morningside Nature Center this fall for some family-friendly experiences!
Barnyard Buddies: Come down to the Living History Farm at Morningside Nature Center to say moo, cluck, baa, and oink to our cows, chickens, sheep and pigs. Children, accompanied by their adult, can meet and learn about all of our farm animals while helping to give them their afternoon snacks.
Farm and Forest Friends: Venture through the woods and onto the farm as we learn and explore! Begin your journey meeting one of our friendly classroom animals, then follow your guide as we learn about the birds, bugs and plants on our way to help the farm animals with their morning feed!
Living History Saturdays: Visit the Living History Farm and experience a time when the rooster’s crow and the rising sun - not an alarm clock - welcomed a new day! During Living History Days, interpreters portray day-to-day life on an 1870 Florida farm. Step back in time, enjoy nature and experience Florida as it was!
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Gainesville Zero Waste News
Upcoming changes to curbside collection - effective Oct. 5
Beginning Oct. 5, several updates to curbside collection will take effect. We want to make sure you have all the information you need, and we’re committed to keeping the transition as smooth as possible. Below are the most important changes to be aware of.
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Collection day changes: Starting Oct. 5, about 65% of Gainesville residents will have a new collection day. Collection routes are shifting to a Monday–Friday schedule. To help with the transition, we are sending a mailer to affected addresses in the city. The mailer will explain how residents can look up their updated collection day. Enter your address on the map to check your collection day.
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Billing changes: Billing for solid waste collection is moving from the monthly GRU utility bill to a solid waste special assessment on the non-ad valorem property tax bill. View our special assessments webpage for more info.
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Cart size/Service level changes: Residents who wish to increase or decrease the size of their garbage cart must follow the updated guidelines. Only homeowners may request a cart size change.
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Yard waste collection changes: Homes are now limited to six cubic yards of yard waste per week.
More information on all of these topics is available on our website.
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Safe Charging is a Superpower™
Join Gainesville Fire Rescue, NFPA and fire departments across North America for Fire Prevention Week™ 2026: Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower. This year's campaign highlights simple charging habits that can help prevent lithium-ion battery fires. Visit fpw.org for more information.
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City Commission Meetings
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Thursday, Oct. 1: City Commission meeting
For a listing of other board/committee meetings and agendas, please visit our website.
Live meeting coverage is available on Cox Cable Channel 12, Roku TV, Fire TV and the City of Gainesville website.
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