Have you ever walked into a friend’s home or a restaurant and immediately felt that everything looked more beautiful? The light seems softer, the space more inviting, and there’s a sense of calm that’s hard to explain. Then you notice it: the plants! A few touches of green can transform an ordinary room into a space that feels intentional, colorful, and full of life. If your home has been missing a little something lately, plants might be the simple change that makes all the difference. Spring doesn’t arrive quietly. It comes as an invitation to open the windows, refresh our spaces, and welcome new growth. There’s no better time to start an indoor garden—even if you’ve never owned a plant before. Where Do I Start? My best gardening secret is surprisingly simple: find a friend [...]
There is something about a good book that defies explanation. It pulls you in, moves you, makes you feel less alone. Here you’ll find recommendations for the whole family, no formulas, no perfect lists. Just diverse voices and stories from near and far, for the little ones and for those who read way past bedtime.In this edition, these four: Tío Ricky doesn’t speak English/no habla inglés by Maritere R. Bellas Enrique is excited because Tio Ricky is visiting from Puerto Rico. His uncle is funny. They always have a great time hanging out. During their outing Enrique realizes that he is supposed to be his uncle’s assistant because Tio Ricky doesn’t speak English. Enrique translates for him at the market, with the neighbors and, even with the mailman. But Enrique is annoyed and bored; [...]
The Story of How Bazar. A Space for Everyone. We met Laila Fakhoury in the middle of a busy downtown market. The event, a partnership between the City of Gainesville and How Bazar, was created to bring life to the streets during the quiet winter months. As we talked, she moved between directing vendors and showing exactly how she builds community in real-time. Laila’s vision is deeply shaped by her Palestinian heritage, where she learned early that “community is everything and all we have.” Her work is rooted in recreating that feeling—a space where people don’t just gather, but truly belong. Coming from such a collective culture, she admits the more individualistic pace of American life once felt disheartening. But in Gainesville, she found something different: people quietly searching for the same sense of belonging, [...]
Three Artists building their own path. There is something special about walking through a Saturday morning market in Gainesville and suddenly stopping in front of a piece that moves you. A ceramic sculpture that takes you back to a trip you once took, or perhaps to a home you once visited. A one-of-a-kind statement necklace that catches the light just right. Or print with a digital illustration that weaves Latin American roots into a bold, contemporary visual language. In those moments, you realize this is not a Manhattan gallery or an international art fair. This is your Gainesville. And here, behind every piece, there is an artist building their dream, one market at a time. One City, One Scene Gainesville is not Miami or New York. It doesn’t have the scale or the cultural infrastructure [...]
Somos Moms There’s something powerful about a Latina mom.It’s in the way she loves—loud, warm, and without limits. It’s in the food, the phrases, the traditions, and the quiet sacrifices no one sees. In this special Mother’s Day edition, we celebrate the women who shape our families and our community—one story at a time. This is more than motherhood.This is cultura, resilience, and legacy. Meet four mamás sharing a look into their unique motherhood journeys and what it means to them Meet Madel Sotomayor, Puertorican mamá, zumba instructor and full time University of Florida employee. Mom to Mia and Gigi “Being a mom means building and protecting a strong sense of familia every day. The hugs, home-cooked meals, music, dancing, and those constant ‘Did you eat?’ and ‘Dios te bendiga’ moments are the love that [...]
Elio’s story is a reminder that professional growth is never a straight line. It is something built day by day, through focus and discipline. We sat down with him to talk about his beginnings, and took a stroll down the memory lane. With smiles and quiet nostalgia, he took us on a journey to his humble roots in Cuba , subsequently leading to his life in the United States, a life defined by the ability to adapt without ever losing sight of who he is. Today, Elio stands as living proof that with dedication and a clear sense of purpose, anyone can accomplish their goals. He arrived carrying a plastic bag as his only possession, but with his diligence, tenacity and perseverance, he has come a long way and now leads meaningful projects that shape [...]
