Jason Bokros
From Valentine's
232 SW Ankeny

When he's not busy hosting music events at his new shop, featuring creative sandwiches, drip coffee, and wine, Jason derives inspiration from these films about heroic—or insane—male characters:

• F for Fake (1976): "It's a documentary that Orson Welles made about Elmyr de Hory. It's brilliant. It's about a guy who's an art forger, and questions the illusion of value."

• Yûkoku (1966): "A film by Yukio Mishima (the guy who wanted Japan to return to Samurai culture and started his own Japanese army). He kills himself in this movie, like he did in real life."

• The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (2003): "A documentary about Hugo Chavez and how media can control public perception."

• The Decline of Western Civilization (1981): "Punk rock. Penelope Spheeris directed. Punk rock."

• Grizzly Man (2005): "Just saw this one. It's the new Werner Herzog movie, and it's great. It's about passionate insanity."

Jacob Simmons
From Goose Hollow Gardens
1219 SW 19th

Celebrate with Jake at the grand opening of this artistically minded floral/garden shop Thursday, September 1, featuring Caribbean art. Besides his green thumb, Jacob's got an obsession for all things Latin, and these are his favorite Cuban indulgences:

• Pambiche: "They have a great patio and all kinds of desserts. The empanadas rock."

• Orishas: "A great Cuban rap group. They combine rap with Buena Vista Social Club styles."

• Montebravo: "My favorite Cuban artist. It's a really Latin style—illustrative and colorful. It's got a '60s/'70s vibe.."

• Havana Club Anejo Reserva rum: "Rum so smooth you can drink it straight. Good rum is like brandy—just sip it."

• Cohiba Esplendido cigars: "A light cigar. Spicy and a bit of a honey taste."