Ambar Ramirez

Jacksonville

Multimedia Journalist at Folio Weekly

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Articles

The Face of Farming is Female

2 weeks ago | folioweekly.com | Ambar Ramirez

Words and photos by Ambar Ramirez“Many people have said, ‘you need a man out here,’ or ‘let a man do that.’ People often think women aren’t physically capable of farm work, but that’s never been a problem here.”Ashantae Green walks her land with purpose and pride, her boots muddy and her vision clear. Sarah Salvatore and Imani Vidal plow and seed at Eartha’s Farm and Market, not just planting greens but knowledge.
Saving Florida’s Citrus Groves

1 month ago | folioweekly.com | Ambar Ramirez

Words by Ambar RamirezLong before Disney and beach resorts, Florida’s golden reputation came from something simpler, sweeter and stickier: citrus. For generations, oranges, grapefruits and lemons defined the state’s economy and spirit. Today, Florida’s citrus groves are dwindling — and with them, a major part of the state’s soul. Amid growing threats, nonprofit Saving Florida’s Citrus Groves has emerged as a grassroots force determined to rescue what’s left before it’s too late.
The Battle Over Green Space: Jacksonville’s Fight to Preserve Nature

1 month ago | folioweekly.com | Ambar Ramirez
Good Girls Go to Heaven, Groupies Go Backstage

2 months ago | folioweekly.com | Ambar Ramirez

Words by Ambar RamirezThe show begins like any other. Overhead lights dim, stage lights flare and the crowd roars. Backstage, a woman adjusts her smudged eyeliner and pulls her fur-lined coat tight as she watches the band take the stage. She’s not with the band or part of the crew—at least, not officially. She’s a groupie. The term “groupie” has long swayed between admiration and criticism. On one end of the spectrum, groupies were seen as sexual fanatics — symbols of anti-feminism and obsession.
Riding the Cold Wave with Glass Chapel

2 months ago | folioweekly.com | Ambar Ramirez

Words by Ambar Ramirez and Photos by Amiyah GoldenEvery band has its origin story — and for Jacksonville’s own cold wave trio Glass Chapel, it all began brewing in 2022 at the Bold Bean in Jacksonville Beach. By day, frontman Jake Phillips was serving up matcha lattes and double shots of espresso; by night, he was lost in a haze of synth loops, carving out a solo sound under the name Falling Dots.
Trying Class Pass: Is it Worth it?

Feb 25, 2025 | folioweekly.com | Ambar Ramirez

Words by Ambar RamirezDisclaimer: If you’re a dedicated gym bro or loyal to one workout spot, this article might not be for you. But if you’re open to trying new and exciting ways to break a sweat, keep reading. In just one week, I took a Pilates class, a barre class, a cycling class, and a hot yoga class — each at a different studio, all booked through ClassPass. But is ClassPass worth the monthly subscription, or is it better to stick with one gym or studio? Let’s dive in.
Folio 2.0 / EU Jacksonville

Feb 25, 2025 | folioweekly.com | Ambar Ramirez

Words by Ambar RamirezWhen one closet door closes, another one opens. While few and far between, our Bold City is still home to several gay bars. And just as the history of such businesses is worth highlighting, it’s important to uplift the ones still standing today. After all, history is made every day. Park Place Lounge:Founded 31 years ago on Park Street, Park Place Lounge stands as one of Jacksonville’s oldest gay bars.