Words By Ambar Ramirez   I imagine that she wakes up in the morning to the sound of hummingbirds outside of her window. She looks out on the deck that overlooks the Highlands in North Carolina and waves to the bears and deer she calls friends. There’s no doubt that there is something ethereal about Penny Pollock;  it’s as if she were a real-life Disney princess. A multi-talented one at that. Pollock and I connected over a Zoom call, which can often feel detached (vs. an in-person interview), but as soon as the camera turned on and I heard Pollock’s …

An interview with St. Augustine-based artist Jenna Alexander By Ambar Ramirez   If you’ve ever been to St. Augustine, you know how easy it is to feel inspired by its rich history, blended architecture and locally-owned businesses, each with their own unique contributions. One such contributor is Jenna Alexander, an artist based in St. Augustine.   Ambar Ramirez: Tell me a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and how does it, I guess, tie into how you started getting into painting and photography?   Jenna Alexander: So I grew up in Kansas City and then I moved …

Words By Ambar Ramirez   Fortunately for me and all of Jacksonville, Bar Molino is situated perfectly in the heart of San Marco. With its large glass-paneled wall and outdoor deck, it’s an ideal spot to catch up with friends or family, no matter the weather. It’s also where I had the pleasure of meeting the co-founders of Bar Molino, Alfred Young and Kurt Rogers, who, in my view, are not only raising the bar for restaurant ownership and management but are also redefining what a neighborhood bar can provide.   Becoming a restaurant owner doesn’t happen overnight — let …

Words By Ambar Ramirez   When like-minded parents and citizens come together with the common goal of fostering independence and equality for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD), remarkable things can happen. One such result of this collaboration is The Arc Jacksonville, a nonprofit organization established in 1965 to assist and advocate for those facing daily challenges associated with IDD. Over the years, The Arc Jacksonville has positively impacted the lives of countless individuals and families through its support and services.   I had the pleasure of meeting with Lacey Rumberger, who serves as the director of development at …

Words By Ambar Ramirez I bet we’ve all wondered what it takes to make a good drink. Is it about ordering top-shelf? The mixers you choose? Or is it about the person making the drink? Imagine this: You head out to the beach bars on a busy Friday night to make your way to Lynch’s because the music’s always good and the crowd is always lively. Before getting your groove on, you have to grab a drink (naturally). You head over to the bar and squeeze your way into an open spot. Quickly, you order your go-to-drink. The bartender hands …

In a profession dominated by men, one local woman is changing the way we think about food and the way it can serve a community.  Words By Ambar Ramirez   I met with Chef Chriss Brown one afternoon at the Beaver Street Commissary, Northeast Florida’s first and largest shared-use, community, commercial kitchen. Located in a former car service lot on West Beaver Street just off McDuff Avenue, the massive concrete structure is split up into multiple parts with each serving a purpose that, in turn, serves the community. But before we get into what exactly the Beaver Street Commissary is …

Words By Ambar Ramirez   Aside from the best part about being a woman is “the prerogative to have a little fun” as Shania Twain puts it, is having a whole month dedicated to women’s history. While every March the United States celebrates Women’s History Month, the path to assigning a month to women’s history was not an easy one. Much like after the cold winter comes the blooming spring, after fighting for women’s rights came the time to recognize and celebrate the history that led women to where we are today.  Before becoming a nationally recognized celebration, it began …

How accessible and efficient is our public transportation system?   By Ambar Ramirez   I’ve had the privilege of having access to private means of transportation for most of my life. My parents always owned cars and I was lucky enough to have a used Cherokee jeep passed down to me when I got my license. Granted, I did have to take the school bus during my 7th and 8th-grade years of Middle School. And, if there were ever a moment when I was in need of a ride but did not have a car, I used Uber. But, needless …

By Ambar Ramirez   That’s right. The moment we have all been waiting for is here. Sugar Factory American Brasserie is opening its newest location right here in Jacksonville.     Don’t let the name confuse you. While both Sugar Factory and Cheesecake Factory carry “factory” in their name and both sell sweets, food, and (of course) drinks, Sugar Factory offers an entirely different experience once you walk through those glass-paneled doors.   Sugar Factory Brasserie has locations spread across across the country and around the world (Dubai being just one example), and by the time you read this, Jacksonville residents …

Is romance really dead?  Words By Ambar Ramirez   I know what you’re thinking. We are done with the standards the patriarchy has instilled, and we don’t need outside validation as we should all love ourselves. And I am all for that. I write love letters to myself all the time and buy myself flowers and so on. But let’s be honest. Every now and then, it wouldn’t hurt to receive a personalized mixtape or a love letter that doesn’t end with “xoxo, yourself.” And for me it’s not about needing validation (though, I would be lying if I didn’t …