Identifying Local Opportunities

1. Keep a rug looking clean and not moving
2. Help pets out during a crisis
3. Prevent stains from occurring
4. Protect against pollen
5. Clean up after a pet

Newspaper #1: The Gainesville Sun

-       Title: How to buy a rug you’ll love – and keep it looking great

-       Link: https://www.gainesville.com/zz/homes/20200207/how-to-buy-rug-youll-love---and-keep-it-looking-great

-       Writer, Helen Carefoot, describes that purchasing a rug may be a daunting experience. Rugs come in a variety of sizes and shapes with an array of exotic patterns. However, the one issue with rugs is they tend to move around as a person walks on them and are hard to clean.

-       Christin Terrel, who is mentioned in the newspaper and owner of a rug stores, emphasizes that rugs are prone to getting dirty and being shifted from constant foot work on them. The problem is rugs are sometimes difficult to maintain in a given spot and keep clean. Therefore, she suggests that wool or natural hide rugs are a customer’s first choice.

-       Owners of rugs have this problem. Pets and kids tend to be dirty and run through the house barefoot, causing the rugs to get even dirtier and move around from their first position on the floor. A rug that moves may pose a tripping hazard for those in the house.

Newspaper #2: The Gainesville Sun

-       Title: Help is out there for struggling pet owners

-       Link: https://www.gainesville.com/ZZ/sponsored/20200521/help-is-out-there-for-struggling-pet-owners

-       In the newspaper article, pet owners want to show unconditional love towards their pets, even during the pandemic that the world is facing. Pet relief programs are helping those families in need that have pets and cannot provide for them.

-       The problem presented in the article is some pet owners are succumbed to financial hardships as a result of Covid-19. Unfortunately, they only have enough money to provide for themselves and not for their foot-legged family members.

-       Pet owners are the ones experiencing this problem as mentioned in the newspaper article. Pet owners want to provide the world to their pets as they do to their children but, sometimes, they are unable to. However, there are plenty of resources that can help those families in need to assist in providing for their pets to ensure their quality of life is maintained.

Newspaper #3: The Independent Florida Alligator

-       Title: UF patented stain proof and waterproof coating to be sold

-       https://www.alligator.org/news/campus/uf-patented-stain-proof-and-waterproof-coating-to-be-sold/article_76f7c30c-f625-11e5-a6bb-8bda939af6e0.html

-       In the newspaper article, writer, Welsey Durrance, discusses a new product that is in the process of being developed by UF researchers. These researchers are creating a coating that, if successfully developed, will be stain-and-water proof.

-       Stains are a major issue for people in the world. They can be caused by a plethora of different, such as the environment, foods, and contact with people. The worst part about stains is they are very difficult to get rid of if not treated immediately. Water is another issue that can be detrimental, especially for electronics. Clothes are a prime target for stains and water. Water is easier to treat than stains are.

-       In society, each individual has this problem of stains. Most people are bound to get a stain in their everyday life schedule. As annoying as they are, stains are a natural aspect of life.

Newspaper #4: The Independent Florida Alligator

-       Title: Warm weather brings high pollen counts to Gainesville sooner

-       Link: https://www.alligator.org/news/local/warm-weather-brings-high-pollen-counts-to-gainesville-sooner/article_0802638e-9b52-11e2-b2c1-001a4bcf887a.html

-       In the newspaper article, writer, Nathalie Dortonne, discusses the pollen count that is concentrated in Gainesville. Gainesville is landlocked and hot, so pollen is common in this area.

-       Gainesville is a town present in Florida where pollen can be found, especially when the temperatures are higher. The warmers temperatures bring move pollen concentrations to Gainesville. As a result, people’s cars get dirty from piles of pollen built up. The possibility of heightening one’s allergies increases and some of the symptoms are sneezing and watery eyes.

-       The problem is for those who live in Gainesville when it is pollen season. But this problem is not only limited to Gainesville residents. An issue as this one can be found all over the place. Pollen is common in almost state, just some places are more prone to it than others. People with allergies are victims of this problem and must keep an eye for pollen, so they do have any certain allergic reactions.

Newspaper #5: The Independent Florida Alligator

-       Title: U-No-Poo: Pick up after your dogs, Gainesville

-       https://www.alligator.org/opinion/editorials/u-no-poo-pick-up-after-your-dogs-gainesville/article_09c7da8a-c515-11e3-ad4d-0019bb2963f4.html

-       In the newspaper article, the main topic of discussion is cleaning up after a pet when taken outside to use the bathroom. Florida is a state known for hot temperatures and dog poop can be an unpleasant surprise for those who go outside in the grass.

-       The problem presented in the article is owners are not cleaning up after their pet uses the bathroom in a public, especially in Gainesville. Their poop festers in the hot sun all day, creating a smelly and uncomfortable experience for those who walk by. Owners must be responsible to clean up after their pet, if not it will cause issues with the city and residents.

-       Dog owners are the creators of this problem, but walkers and people who enjoy the outdoors are the ones who have this problem. Their outdoor activity is impeded due to dog droppings that are laying in a public setting, giving off repulsive fumes of a foul smell.