In 1992, 14-year-old Fernando Ponce Sosa immigrated from Mexico to New York City in search of opportunity. Hailing from a family of bakers, he took an entry level job at Kam Hing Bakery, a longstanding institution in Chinatown. There, he trained under Mr. Tsang, the founder of Kam Hing whom Fernando lovingly refers to as “xi fu,” Cantonese for “master.” After nearly 20 years of working at Kam Hing, Fernando became fluent in Cantonese and an expert in the art of making sponge cakes. In 2020, with the encouragement and blessing of Mr. Tsang, he opened Spongies Cafe.

Follow along to watch how Fernando and his wife, Sasinee, run Spongies Cafe seven days a week. His customers include Chinatown locals who have known him since he was a teenager, eager tourists who make time in their trip to try his famous sponge cakes and New Yorkers traveling across boroughs to try his pastries. Over the years he has become a local celebrity, but despite all the buzz and attention, Fernando is only focused only on two things: innovating his sponge cake flavors and serving the Chinatown community he says has adopted him as their own.

Established in 1863, Woodlawn is an active, 400-acre non-sectarian cemetery. An oasis in an urban setting, it attracts more than 100,000 visitors from around the world each year. A National Historic Landmark, it is distinguished by memorials that “represent the largest and finest collection of funerary art in the country” and exceptional historic landscaping. The Conservancy works to maintain the history and beauty and helps to train the next generation of conservators and builders who will understand how to preserve historic architecture.

The Gowanus Canal, situated in Brooklyn, New York, boasts a rich yet checkered history that mirrors the evolution of urban landscapes in America. Originally a serene tidal inlet surrounded by marshlands, the canal underwent a dramatic transformation in the 19th century when it was dredged and transformed into an industrial waterway to accommodate burgeoning commercial activities. The canal became a vital artery for Brooklyn's industrial expansion, serving industries ranging from shipping to manufacturing. However, this rapid development came at a cost, as the canal became heavily polluted due to industrial runoff and sewage discharge. Despite its ecological challenges, the Gowanus Canal remains an emblem of New York's industrial heritage and is undergoing extensive restoration efforts aimed at revitalizing its waterfront and addressing environmental concerns for future generations.