Fitness instructor, barber, mailman, facility supervisor — these are ordinary people. But they have lives, interests and history outside of those roles.

This cozy Italian spot offers handmade pastas influenced by chef Franscesco Farris’ Sardinian roots.

Zigrossi has dabbled in painting, but it looks like she has discovered her niche. “Who knew that wheel covers would be my medium?”

The alt-punk/pop band has partnered with the nonprofit Red Thread Movement to support Napalese girls who have been victims of sexual slavery.

Don’t dismiss a wine just because it doesn’t have a cork. Screwcap, Tetrapak, box … The type of closure is no longer a reflection of quality. These wines show just that.

Dallas native Emily Elbert has toured the world with her hybrid, jazz-pop-soul-folk sound. She performs with Liz Longley at Uncle Calvin’s.

Dallas-based Mimi’s Pizzeria is now open next to El Fenix at Hillcrest and Northwest Highway.

Elizabeth Esterchild and Judy Mank volunteer at Midway Hills Christian Church making blankets as part of Project Linus.

I don’t spend a lot of time wondering what it would be like to be rich, but I have to admit it does cross my mind from time to time. What would I do first, I wonder, if money was no object? Of course, all of the time I’ve spent thinking about being rich isn’t really helping me or anyone else. And just thinking about it isn’t going to get it done, either.

As a society, we’ve lost the art of quiet reflection. The French philosopher Blaise Pascal once wrote that “Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for our miseries, and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.”