Written by Brittany Kleinman: On a calm pause in the middle of Lago de Atitlán, I found myself surrounded by 4 volcanic mountains with farm land stretching to the waters edge. As we drift in route to Santiago Atitlán, a few fisherman, in wood plank boats, stop by to show us their catch for the day.

In 1955, Lago de Atitlán was mostly unknown to the rest of the world, and Guatemala was seeking ways to increase tourism and boost the local economy. It was suggested by Pan American World Airways that stocking the lake with a fish prized by Westerners, would be a way to put the lake on the map. So, a non-native species, the black bass, was introduced into the lake in 1958 quickly began eating the native inhabitants of the lake. The predatory bass caused the elimination of more than two-thirds of the native fish species in the lake and contributed to the extinction of the giant grebe, a rare bird that lived only around the Lago de Atitlán region.

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Written by Phuong-Cac: It seems pretty farfetched to believe you can travel without any money. The story’s familiar: You and your friends saved for eons just to take off for six months and spent what little savings you had on that trip, but the only remnants of that feeling of wrought freedom only appears in sigh-heavy, nostalgic conversations years later during paltry two-week vacations.

Out to prove the impossible, four pals bent on doing that much-dreamt-about around-the-world trip put together Jet Set Zero to document—via blog and film—how they’re able to travel starting from exactly $0, as well as how they’re earning and spending every cent. The group’s philosophy is all encompassing: Take on any job they can find (a lot easier than you’d imagine) and be frugal, but not at the sake of fun and adventure. The proposal is inherent with unexpected trials and tribulations, but they’re these that make every journey memorable, as seasoned travelers already know. An inspiring site whose lesson reaches beyond those with travel in their eyes at a time when creativity and a little bit of cleverness is key to getting things done. They’re looking for like-minded people to join their team, so hit up the site for more info. Click Read More for additional information and to watch an episode of Jet Set Zero.

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Written by Jeremy Silverman: As the most prestigious award and highest honor that one can receive in the world of architecture, the Pritzker Prize is awarded annually to a living architect for significant achievement. Established by the Pritzker family of Chicago through their Hyatt Foundation in 1979, the prize is commonly known as the “architecture’s Nobel.” Previous winners have included starchitects such as Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid, and Norman Foster. This year´s winner, however, is much less “on the radar” than the others, but based on the impressive body of work that he has put together, is no less of a surprise.

Peter Zumthor is a Switzerland-based architect who studied a variety of disciplines from cabinetry and monument preservation. Thomas Pritzker, who is chairman of the foundation, announced Zumthor as the 2009 honoree explaining, “Peter Zumthor is a master architect admired by his colleagues around the world for work that is focused, uncompromising and exceptionally determined.” And he added, “All of Peter Zumthor’s buildings have a strong, timeless presence. He has a rare talent of combining clear and rigorous thought with a truly poetic dimension, resulting in works that never cease to inspire.” Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Written by Michael Chen: The Broken West is bursting with that slightly mischievous attitude and all the dark thrills that accompany young love. They perfectly capture that romanticized image of a carefree Californian lifestyle. Their latest release “Now or Heaven” is the perfect companion to a drive through Hollywood or down the 101. The Broken West will also be featured on Rockville, CA, a new online series created by Josh Schwartz (“Gossip Girl”, “The O.C.”, “Chuck”) which focuses on a fictional rock club in L.A.

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Written by Joseph Ng: Last year at the Venice Biennale, Kacey Wong’s Wandering Home piece caught my eye. Born and bred from Hong Kong myself, his piece delivered a message of ‘compact living’ that hit the heart. After initially contacting him by email, he invited me to visit his studio in Hong Kong. Kacey is an architect turned visual artist whose work is inspired by the mysterious and surreal moments that embody the city. His sculptural work has been shown in many local and international exhibits.

Hidden in the industrial buildings of the Ap Lei Chau district of Hong Kong island lies the studio of many artists. His studio is located on the corner of the building, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Clean and slick, the studio offers high ceilings and wall/column free space that’s a luxury seldom found in Hong Kong. Sandwiched between a wine distributor and a carpet sales showroom, Kacey’s space has the best studio view I have ever seen. Click Read More for photos and additional information.

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Written by Phuong-Cac: I don’t know whether it’s a side effect of the gross pollution or what, but Paulistanos, or residents of Sao Paulo, are some of the most creative people as a whole I’ve ever met in my travels. They continually produce and collaborate, and consistently come up with new ideas to bring disciplines together. Rather than wait till the awesome space is completely finished to share the news, we wanted to be the first to let you in on Kultur Studio’s new workspace-slash-public spot called Espaco +SOMA in the city’s boho Vila Madalena neighborhood. You might be already familiar with Kutltur – they’re also know for their freely distributed SOMA magazine in Sao Paulo and they also handle Nike Brasil’s marketing campaigns.

Kultur renovated a warehouse into their HQ but partitioned a part of it to promote arts, music and youth culture events through weekly, early music shows for those who like to go to bed early; workshops; debates; and monthly art exhibits, like the first one to warm the house, Four of a Kind (pictured above). The first music show kicks off the sound space tomorrow. A cafe and store will eventually round out the offerings, making it a place where visitors can meet and make amigos. Add this place to your itinerary when visiting the city. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Written by Hanif O’Neil: There is no denying that Medicine for Melancholy is a cleverly crafted feature debut for director Barry Jenkins. Its rich cinematography and stylish tone convey a hue not so well known in today’s cinema. What this film does well is enter a film history with fresh depictions of an African American existence not widely represented, acknowledged, or identified with: the non-violent urbanite seeking intimacy. A character study spanning 24 hours, Medicine for Melancholy takes the delightful feeling of human connection, into the depths of complexity and uncertainty. Actors Wyatt Cenac (Micah) and Tracey Heggins (Jo) revel in this genre of film making, delivering natural performances as two unlikely lovers reconciling the ambiguities of love of intimacy.

Set in San Francisco, a city known for its rich cultural diversity and progressive politics, Medicine for Melancholy offers a sentimental approach to discussing relationships, race, class, and gentrification. Full of poignancy, warmth, and humor Medicine for Melancholy demonstrates the unspoken connections that link us to unlikely characters in our lives.

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