By: Chandler Thompson

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The zodiac wine tasting is an event held once a month that everyone can enjoy, but the tasting itself is tied to the coffee shop/bar wine club. Lauren Henry, the owner of The Greenhouse, started the wine club over a year ago with its theme being zodiac signs to attract their younger audience. Henry’s goal is to connect with their early 20 to early 30-year-old audience and introduce them to wines they would have never thought to try with a topical theme. 

The wine club includes two bottles of wine a month for members. The bottles are tailored toward the zodiac sign of the month. Henry describes there being two sides to every zodiac sign. An aligned version and an “unhinged” version of the sign. A bottle is picked by Henry and her team that they believe the notes pair with the characteristics of the sign. Henry describes the aligned bottle as being “standard” flavors of wine that match. She then describes the “unhinged” bottle as being experimental and “crazy” flavors to represent the sign’s unbalanced side. 

For $68 a month, members receive the two bottles of wine a month. Members also receive a 20% discount on any of the other wine purchased from their collection, free entry to all the monthly wine tastings and other club events, and monthly newsletters that teach the member about the wines as well as the zodiac sign they’re paired with.  

Henry describes the club as a stress-free and causal environment for those who are new to the wine scene. Figuring out what wines work best for each individual can be an intimidating process. Comparing the notes to the traits of zodiac signs can ease new wine drinkers into understanding the different kinds of wine. At the tasting event each month there is a booth set up where Henry, and her team describe the notes of each wine. The environment is welcoming towards wine novices and creates a fun space to learn something new

By Miguel Hernandez 

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A new place on the block is giving people the chance to leave home to watch the big game and connect with people across Jacksonville. The Block is a community gathering place in Jacksonville that anybody can enter for free. It provides food for local vendors, plenty of seating, and a massive 30-foot LED wall to watch movies and major sporting events. Daniel Moffat, the Founder and Owner of The Block, wanted to have a place that offers a unique experience compared to the average sports bar.  

Moffat said,

“What makes it unique is the atmosphere here… for the Finals you have Spain and Argentina, you got half and half cheering for both teams. It’s just different from going to your typical sports bar, sitting down at a restaurant, sitting down at your table.”  

The Block gives people the place to be themselves in a far more open environment. It is a social hub more than a restaurant or a place to watch TV. This kind of environment has been fostered since it opened on March 20^th this year.  

According to Moffat, “We went from opening, grand opening rush, straight into the World Cup. So we were probably the most popular place in Jacksonville to watch. We had, you know, anywhere from a thousand people for one game, all those people funnel out, another thousand people come in for the next game. We went through probably 70 or 80,000 people over the course of a month and a half for the World Cup.” 

Thousands came in and out to experience the World Cup in a place that is distinctly different. Food and sports are not the only things bringing people into The Block. The dog park and kids play area means that The Block has a little something for everyone. 

By: Ethan Howick

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Whenever anyone moves to a new place, they always seek to find a community full of like-minded individuals. At Stonewall Sports Jacksonville, a local sports league and club, anyone is welcome.  

Founded in 2010 in Washington, D.C., Stonewall Sports is a nonprofit organization that provides low-cost sports experience for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Since its founding, it has expanded to 28 chapters, including Jacksonville. 

The club’s crown jewel league is kickball, which began Aug. 30. Locally, the Jacksonville branch plays kickball every Sunday at Willowbranch Park and will run for multiple months. No previous sports experience is required to play, and for non-able-bodied individuals, the club hosts numerous low-impact events, including darts, bocce ball, kickball, billiards, and book clubs.  

Financially, Director Jo Huot said Stonewall Jacksonville has donated over $100,000 for local charities and other non-profits since the Jacksonville branch started five years ago. Beyond fundraising, Huot said Stonewall has impacted the lives of many people. 

“We’re more than just teammates and opponents,” Huot said. “These are our best friends, our family, our bridesmaids, our best men. We’ve established such a community here that if you’re wearing a Stonewall shirt, you’re part of a family.” 

According to many members, Stonewall offers a way for people new to the Jacksonville area to meet new friends and have fun. Curry Wilkins, a Jacksonville native, found out about Stonewall Sports through his close friends. 

“Ever since I’ve joined, everybody’s been so welcoming and just absolutely welcoming,” Wilkins said. “I’ve already made so many friends on the team and other people on other teams.” 

Each week, Wilkins, a member of the “Duuuball” team, looks forward to kickball on Sunday Mornings to connect with new people and participate in light-hearted competition. 

“Here at “Duuuball” we are slightly competitive and highly social,” Wilkins said. “Of course, we want to win, but it’s more about just having a good time.” 

Describing himself as more reserved than the average person, Wilkins recommends anyone who would be hesitant to join even if they don’t love sports.  

“Put yourself out there,” Wilkins said. “It might be weird for a minute but ultimately it’s going to help you a lot and you’re going to meet a lot of really cool people.” 

Created as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people, Stonewall hopes to expand in Jacksonville and is always looking for new members. Whether you don’t play sports or have years of experience under your belt, everyone is welcome at Willowbranch Park on Sundays to cheer on different teams and soak in the atmosphere.