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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 …

Experience the Time of Your Life in Northeast Florida Words By Carmen Macri and Ambar Ramirez As the world continues to navigate through uncertain times, many people are opting for staycations over traditional travel. Fortunately, Northeast Florida has plenty of opportunities for a perfect staycation with its pristine beaches, state parks, museums and nightlife. It’s the ultimate staycation that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed without ever having to leave the state.   Come explore the Flip Side of Florida In search of a staycation filled with lazy beach days or kayaking adventures through marshes? Maybe you’re craving a …

Words By Carmen Macri    Andrew Bachmann had a stroke of genius upon his arrival in Jacksonville in 1993: Why spend the time studying the city’s rich history when he could simply learn from vintage postcards instead?    “I just thought it was a great way to learn about the history of the new city that I had just moved to,” Bachmann explained. He also had a good friend from Miami who had been collecting vintage postcards for years whose passion and collection also swayed him.   Since moving to Jacksonville, he’s collected roughly 7,000 postcards — 3,500 of which …

Words by Rob Nicholson  The Psychedelic Furs have been touring since the late 1970s, except for a hiatus in the 1990s. Brothers Tim and Richard Butler have always been at the helm of the band as well as the founders Love Spit Love. Throughout their career, the Furs have continued to develop and progress. They seem to have had the ability to keep their sound fresh, while at the same time familiar and relevant.   I met Tim and Richard back in the early to mid 1990s during my stint as the afternoon drive guy on WCHZ in Augustine, Georgia when …

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 …

A guide to Jacksonville’s best thrift stores Words By Carmen Macri  Now, when I say thrift store, I don’t mean those fancy-schmancy vintage boutiques charging an arm and a leg for second hand threads. No, no, no. I’m talking about the real deal, non-profit thrift shops where I can score a whole new wardrobe for a bargain. We don’t want to offend those posh vintage stores, would we? But let’s face it, where do you think those highfalutin’ establishments get half of their inventory from? Not only is thrifting an eco-friendly and wallet-friendly option to traditional shopping, but it’s also …

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 Su Ertekin-Taner As the outdoor season climbs to its climax in these coming spring and summer months, nature too reaches its peak in Jacksonville. Birds flirt and taunt with their spectators, trees warm themselves in hot temperatures, and flowers bloom happily in rays of sunshine. For us at work and home, nature calls and these once-undiscovered, untraversed paths become frequented by outdoors adventurers. Walk, bike, explore and bask in the natural beauty of Jacksonville with these six Jax-centric parks, trails and gardens.   Spanish Pond Trail Begin your environmental adventure with the boardwalk-paved paths of Spanish Pond Trail …

Words by Su Ertekin-Taner For those Jacksonvillians chasing opportunities to romanticize their everyday life, Le Petit Paris stands waiting (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., that is). The restaurant, with locations in Mandarin and Atlantic Beach, romanticizes the average customer’s life without all the excess mindfulness that usually accompanies the exercise since the atmosphere has been created for you. Le Petit Paris capitalizes on its beauty, which blossoms upon entrance: vibrantly colored wicker chairs adorn each table, fresh flowers brighten the already lush atmosphere, small painted or mixed media vignettes of Parisian life decorate the walls, mini chandeliers hang from …

Words by Tysen Romeo  Billboard awarded her with Woman of the Decade in 2019. NYU gave her an honorary doctorate of fine arts in 2022. She is also a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and a director. Long story short, Taylor Swift will go down in history for being one of the most successful artists of the 21st century. She has been a dominant force in the music industry and has grown a huge fan base, known as “Swifties,” who believe she IS the music industry.    Swift has released 10 full-length studio albums and two re-recordings of these albums in …