By: Amelia Espinales

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Looking for a place to grab a burger, hang out with friends or enjoy a drink? Harp’s American Pub and Grill is a Jacksonville restaurant that brings together classic American food and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere. Located near Big Fishweir Creek, Harp’s has been part of Jacksonville’s restaurant scene for more than 30 years. Harps was Originally known as Harpoon Louie’s.

The menu has plenty of familiar favorites, including burgers, wings, sandwiches and fish nuggets. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or grabbing dinner after a long day, there’s something for just about everyone. But Harp’s isn’t just about the food. The restaurant also gives customers a place to kick back and have fun. With outdoor seating, pool, trivia and live music, there’s more to do than just sit down for a meal.

It’s the kind of spot where you can catch up with friends, enjoy a casual night out or simply take a break from your busy schedule. Jacksonville has plenty of restaurants to choose from, but places like Harp’s offer something different from the typical chain restaurant experience.

For longtime residents, neighborhood restaurants can become familiar gathering spots, while newcomers get another opportunity to explore what Jacksonville has to offer. As the city’s food scene continues to grow, Harp’s remains one of the local establishments offering a mix of food, entertainment and a welcoming environment.

So, whether you’re craving some classic pub food or just looking for somewhere new to hang out, Harp’s American Pub and Grill might be worth adding to your list of Jacksonville spots to check out.

By:Brady Seay

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For many college athletes, playing a sport is about more than just competing. It can also mean finding a community of people who share the same passion. At the University of North Florida, the club hockey team has built a place for students to compete while connecting with a larger hockey community in Jacksonville.

UNF club hockey gives students the opportunity to continue playing the sport at a competitive level while representing their university. The team plays its home games at the Community First Igloo in Jacksonville, where players are supported by fans, families, and members of the local hockey community.

Unlike many traditional college sports programs, club hockey players face financial responsibilities to participate. Players can spend approximately $2,000 to $2,500 each season to cover expenses associated with being part of the team. Despite those costs, players continue to make sacrifices to compete and represent UNF on the ice.

Support from Jacksonville’s hockey community also plays an important role in the team’s experience. Fans and families regularly attend games, creating an atmosphere that gives the players encouragement throughout the season. For many, the support goes beyond simply watching a hockey game. It is about being part of a community that shares a common interest in sport.

The connection between the team and its supporters can be seen during special events like family nights, when friends and family come together to support the players. Having that support in the stands can make a difference for a club team that relies on its community to help create a competitive and enjoyable environment.

For players like UNF senior goalie Matthew Moroney, being part of the team means more than just playing hockey. The energy from the crowd and the support from people throughout Jacksonville help create an experience that brings players and fans together.

UNF club hockey is one example of how sports can bring a community together. While the players make financial and personal sacrifices to compete, the support they receive from Jacksonville’s hockey community helps make the experience worthwhile. At the Community First Igloo, the connection between the team and its fans shows that hockey in Jacksonville is about more than what happens on the ice.

By: Ella Chavoustie

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After outgrowing pottery classes that were taught at The Art League of Jacksonville, Cat Plesco opened Jacksonville Pottery Studio in 2020, but relocated to their new location off Phillips highway in 2023. The business has grown into one of Jacksonville’s most successful pottery studios, and continues to grow every year.

Jacksonville Pottery Studio offers classes that cater to every artist, whether they have never touched clay before, or have decades of experience. You can enjoy a sip and spin class, where you bring your own beverage and try your hand at the pottery wheel. JPS also offers introductory classes that are five weeks long, as well as open studio memberships so students can begin to master the art of ceramics. In these classes, you’ll learn how to prepare clay for the wheel, throw and trim pots, and glaze the pieces you have created.

Studio assistant Hannah Middlebrooks was hired at JPS shortly after she graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in ceramics. Since then, she has been busy teaching pottery courses, helping around the studio, and creating pots of her own. Middlebrooks has been creating with clay since she was in high school, and her goal as a teacher is to bring joy and fun into what can seem like an intimidating atmosphere. She said she loves being an active member of her community and meeting people that she never would have crossed paths with outside of class.

The ceramics community has always been a safe space for Hannah, and wants to keep creating a space for every person who is curious about the arts. Since the start of her teaching journey, Hannah said that collaborating with students has not only helped her grow as a person, but an artist too.