CD review: Sam Friend, Lady Madly (with Q&A and video)
Violin and mandolin play mixed with folksy guitar strums and harmonica hums create a debonair air that dances behind the melancholy falsetto of Miami singer-songwriter Sam Friend on his 2010 release, Lady Madly. The high-pitched emotion of Friend’s voice is captivating and vaporous, like early morning sun rays piercing through a haze of clouds, and…
Buttery lemon bars: A recipe in pictures
Buttery Lemon Bars (adapted from Rose Levy Beranbaum) Ingredients For the Shortbread Crust: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour For the Lemon Curd: 4 large egg yolks 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3 fluid ounces lemon juice, freshly squeezed 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened…
Why I loved Liz: A brief tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)
Many of us who grew up in Tampa Bay fondly recall whiling away summer vacations watching old movies on WTOG-Ch.44. Before there was video and cable, that's what you'd do — watch whatever old classic was on the tube, whether it was Creature Feature Saturdays with Dr. Paul Bearer, The Three Stooges, Little Rascals, a corny…
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm offers CSA memberships for 2011-2012 season beginning April 1st
This week, Sweetwater Organic Community Farm (Sweetwater) announced that memberships for their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Farm for the 2011-2012 season will be open to the general public on April 1, 2011. Sweetwater is a community-supported, non-profit, urban organic farm and environmental education center located in the Town N' Country area of Tampa. Every year…
Must-click links: R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor. Plus: Google loses in court, Hindu Holi photos, America the worried, Chris Brown gets angry, Mildred Pierce gets reviewed and much more …
Hollywood icon and two-time Academy Award winner Dame Elizabeth Taylor has passed away at age 79. Her filmography includes classics like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, National Velvet, Father of the Bride, Giant and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof — just to name a few. MUBI.com currently has a great compilation of all things Liz Taylor. Over at The…
For Bob Buckhorn, the race is on to be ready on April 1
Saying he felt like hadn't slept "since July," Tampa Mayor-Elect Bob Buckhorn met with outgoing Mayor Pam Iorio this morning at the mayor's offices on E. Jackson Street today in the first of what will be several meetings as the city transitions to a new leader in just 8 days. Buckhorn admitted that as of…
Pam Iorio unleashes her disdain for negative campaigning
Although with a 26 point percentage gap separating Bob Buckhorn and Rose Ferlita in Tuesday's Tampa mayoral election, no one single factor could truly be the difference, outgoing Mayor Pam Iorio's endorsement of Buckhorn on March 11 – after previously declaring that she would do no such thing – has been considered a significant "game-changer."…
CL on the Road photo review: SXSW 2011
A look back via photos as taken during the music portion of South by Southwest Fest 2011, which featured a huge array of local talent playing with various hip national acts and getting exposed to all sorts of new audiences. All photos by Shanna Gillette. Little Dragon singer Yukimi Nagano Sleepy Vikings at the New…
Album review: The Strokes, Angles (with video)
If you were rocking in 2001, you experienced the violent riptide effect The Strokes set in motion with their debut release, Is This It? Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of rock deplorability (no, really, this was the heyday of both Nickelback and Creed), The Strokes gave us a dose of fuzzed-out garage rock…
Is 10th Concession poised to be DeGeneres’ next discovery? (with video)
We all know that Ellen DeGeneres discovered pop idol Justin Bieber. Is her next hot young success story right here in Tampa? No knocks on the door yet, but the superstar talk show host might just gobble up the amiable and talented musicians in 10th Concession (pictured, right) —the hard-working and down-to-business pop-rock band led…
The Gaily News: Obama urges U.N. to do more for gay rights, Vatican says gay rights opponents have human rights too, transgender residents file lawsuit against NYC
After months of stepping up its support for gay rights — including the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" and announcing it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court — yesterday the Obama administration called on the United Nations' Human Rights Council to do more in the fight against worldwide discrimination of…
Five key dates that turned Bob Buckhorn into Mayor Buckhorn
There are myriad reasons why Bob Buckhorn is Tampa's next Mayor, but as we recount what's happened over the past year, these are five critical dates that now have the Virginia native measuring the drapes at City Hall. 1) June 8, 2010 : Tampa Firefighters endorse Buckhorn- This announcement came out of the blue, and…
Tampa Election special – How Bob Buckhorn won it all, and what does 7 registered Democrats on the new City Council mean for Tampa? Mitch Perry Report 3.23.11
Nobody – and I mean nobody, believed Bob Buckhorn would crush Rose Ferlita by the 26 percentage points that he did last night. That was the universal sentiment being expressed at the Buckhorn election night party in Channelside last night. But it did make it less stressful for political reporters (we recall last November's election,…
The new Tampa City Council are all registered Democrats: But what does that really mean?
With the results of last night's Tampa City Council races now all in, Mary Mulhern shouldn't be so lonely anymore. For 3 1/2 years, Mulhern was part of a troika of progressives on the Tampa City Council who won some battles but lost more of them. Her partners on those issues, John Dingfelder and Linda…
The Third Annual Cigar City Brewing Twilight Criterium and Festival – Saturday, March 26
If bicycle races are more your speed than Indy car events, then check out the Third Annual Cigar City Brewing Twilight Criterium and Festival this weekend in Downtown Tampa. This Saturday, cyclists will be taking over the streets in this event that caps off the Tampa BayCycle campaign’s Florida Bike Month activities. The Criterium draws…
Do It Today: Ybor Festival of the Moving Image (with video), Burt Reynolds at Tampa Theatre and an intimate classical concert by members of the Florida Orchestra
Ybor City's premier film event has been going on just one year shy of a decade and does Tampa's historical district proud as a mecca for arts and culture — in addition to bootylicious dance parties. With more zing than a Jell-O shot, The Ybor Festival of the Moving Image offers a cutting-edge, high-quality array…
Bolts continue to slump, fall to Isles 5-2
The Tampa Bay Lightning took to the ice Tuesday against the New York Islanders hoping to end an ugly streak of struggling against the bottom feeders of the Eastern Conference behind them. They were also hoping to erase the memories of a rough 4-game road trip that saw them get points, but also saw them…
Hope wins out over fear: It’s Buckhorn in a blow-out in Tampa mayoral contest
Despite what anyone will tell you tonight, virtually no one predicted Bob Buckhorn would beat Rose Ferlita by nearly 11,000 votes (10,932 to be exact) in Tuesday night's Tampa mayoral run-off election. Speaking inside the Channelside complex, Buckhorn gave a 10-minute victory speech shortly after 8:30 p.m. to accept the plaudits from the hundreds of…
Bob Buckhorn elected mayor of Tampa in a decisive win over Rose Ferlita
"You did it! You did it!" a beaming Bob Buckhorn told his supporters a few minutes ago at a Channelside victory gathering, saying that a "very gracious" Rose Ferlita had just called him to concede. His win was surprisingly lopsided, 63 to 37 percent. Thanking his wife and family, his staunch supporters (firefighters, police officers,…
Economic Development, Buckhorn-style
By George Niemann Daily Loaf contributor, R-LAND, UCAN, FSP activist, and Floriday Hometown Democracy believer The views expressed are my own and my not necessarily be the same as the organizations to which I belong Subtitle: Tampa Politics – The Dirty Little Secret. It’s the day of the big runoff between Ferlita and Buckhorn for…
DVD/Blu-ray Review: Colin and Greg Strause’s Skyline, starring Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson, Donald Faison and David Zayas (with trailer video)
Directed by sibling duo Colin and Greg Strause, Skyline isn't all bad, but it's just a few steps away from being a low-grade, made-for-TV science fiction flick. The only differences between this movie and something you would see go straight to DVD or on cable in the wee hours of the night are some solid…
Casks for a Cause: A craft beer and music event benefiting the Whole Planet Foundation – Saturday, March 26th
Join Whole Foods Market Tampa at Tampa Bay Brewing Company this Saturday to drink good beer for a good cause. This annual "Casks for a Cause" event will raise money for the Whole Planet Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds microlending programs in developing-world communities. An array of excellent craft beers will be served and…
No joke: Rick Scott scheduled to throw out first pitch at Rays opener on April fools
Fresh off his triumphant fastball he delivered Saturday at Steinbrenner Field (to a mixture of cheers and jeers), Florida Governor Rick Scott does it for real a week from Friday when he will grace the mound at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, for the April 1st Major League Baseball opener, as the American League East…
Breaking America’s addiction to oil and coal with clean energy alternatives
America has long been one of the biggest consumers of oil in the world and the dependency continues to grow as more and more people use automobiles and airplanes for travel. Gasoline prices are through the roof, and since there is a relatively fixed demand for oil, price acceleration does not deter people from buying…
Early returns: Scenes from the runoff election in Tampa
8:30 a.m., Palma Ceia Baptist Church. Early on at this polling place, voting was relatively slow. The elections clerk, Joseph Szymanski, reported that attendance was “consistent” and expected more turnout than during the primary because the weather is so much better. Crowds usually increase at lunch and after kids are picked up from school, according…
First look: Madden NFL 12 (with video)
Though its release date is still almost five months away, it's never too early to begin obsessing over the next installment of Madden NFL Football. Word out of EA is that this year's game will have a completely redesigned franchise mode (only about two years late by my estimation), custom playbooks and lots of other…
Spoiler Corner: Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, HIMYM, and more!
Curious about your favorite shows? Is someone dying? If your favorite couple getting engaged? Hook-ups? Break-ups? Well, here you will find the answers to your burning questions! Enjoy television lovers! Chuck The Chuck and Sara reunion is finally here and it is going to be epic! Even those these two are on opposite side of…
New music out this Tuesday, March 22: Panic! at the Disco, Agnostic Front, The Strokes, Yellowcard, If By Yes, Pharoahe Monch, and more (with audio & video)
This week’s new music … Check out all of the ones you want to know about (some with audio, some with video) below. Click here to check out new music releases that dropped last week and here for new releases that have come out in the past several months… , Music Sounds Better with You…
NPR and James O’Keefe keep on battling (audio)
We've taken an interest in the latest James O'Keefe guerrilla tactic take down, which of course was when his secret video recording of an NPR executive meeting with a fictitious Muslim group ultimately resulted in the public radio network's CEO, Vivian Schiller, leaving her job. Although his mission was accomplished, there have been serious claims…
Victoria Jackson ain’t so funny anymore
Of course, that begs the question of whether the former SNL star was ever funny. But one thing's for sure — she's every bit as shrill as she used to be, only now she's screeching diatribes against gays, Muslims and Glee. (Video after the break) (Yup, people are still getting riled up about gay kisses…
The Gaily News: GLAAD awards, SNL alum slams Glee gay kiss, poll shows majority of Catholics support gay marriage, Apple pressured to remove anti-gay app, Trevor Project to honor Harry Potter star
Ex-SNLer-turned-sitcom star Tina Fey was on hand at the 2011 GLAAD Media Awards this past weekend. After picking up an award for an episode of her show 30 Rock, which involved her character Liz Lemon and Lemon's gay cousin, she chatted with award show emcee Andy Cohen, Bravo executive and talk-show host. Fey told Cohen…
Election Day in Tampa; TIA boss shows he’s serious; and Tim Pawlenty announces he’s “exploring” running for president: Mitch Perry Report 3.22.11
It has been a dream for years of both Rose Ferlita and Bob Buckhorn to be the mayor of Tampa. Buckhorn struck out trying to do so eight years ago, and through a crazy confluence of events, stands on the precipice of achieving a dream he's perhaps had for half his life. Tampa native Ferlita…
Help New Bruises’ Murray get his helmet back
' Murray, a.k.a. Chris Murray, is not a flashy dude with tons of material possessions, but he has one item of sentimental value that he cares a good deal about: his motorcycle helmet, "El Stupido." He wrote in an e-mail yesterday to CL (March 21): "I bought the helmet when (Bryon Lippincott of New Bruises),…
Breakfast Bowl Round 3 Voting, Pinellas: Caddy’s vs Cafe Alma
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Breakfast Bowl Round 3 Voting, Pinellas: Banyan Coffee and Tea vs Cassis American Brasserie
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Breakfast Bowl Round 3 Voting, Pinellas: Bowled vs Munch’s Sundries
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Breakfast Bowl Round 3 Voting, Pinellas: Kelly’s Chic-A-Boom vs Lenny’s
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Tim Pawlenty makes it official: He’s all in for president (video)
Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has become the first of the big time Republican candidates to officially enter into the 2012 presidential election, making the announcement Monday with this nearly two minute video message on Facebook. When people who care about these things discuss the possible challengers to Barack Obama in 2012, one of two…
New TIA Director Joe Lopano is serious as he dismisses Trudy Carson
It was reported on Monday that Tampa International Airport chief executive Joe Lopano had fired Trudy Carson, the airport's longstanding director of air service development. According to published reports, Lopano's letter informing Carson of her termination included these passages: "it has become apparent that you are not a good match for the new organization we…
Breakfast Bowl Round 3 Voting, Hillsborough: Daily Eats vs Moxie’s Cafe
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Breakfast Bowl Round 3 Voting, Hillsborough: La Tropicana Cafe vs Tre Amici
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Breakfast Bowl Round 3 Voting, Hillsborough: Mimi’s Cafe vs Three Coins
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
The People Vs. Barry Bonds finally begins in San Francisco
A major trial that involves a man who abused himself and the system has begun — but enough about Ray Sansom. Seven years since the government believed he perjured himself in a court of law, six years since his testimony was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle and over three years since he retired from…
SXSW 2011 mishaps: DFA1979 riot, OMD fans injured, and Screeching Weasel members quit after frontman punches a woman in the face (with video)
Every year, South By Southwest coverage seems to include stories of concert-goers turned away by tiny venues and the occasional ensuing police intervention. Here are several noteworthy incidents from the recently wrapped SXSW ’11 edition, which includes Screeching Weasel frontman Ben Weasel punching a woman in the face. reports that overcrowding outside the not-so-secret reunion…
AltDotPop: Disney starlets doing cocaine, Ke$ha’s not so hot beach body, the new Wonder Woman and Andrew Dice Clay’s comment for Charlie Sheen
Bradley Cooper and Renee Zellweger have broken up. No word yet on the reason for their split but my money is on, "He realized that she is a crappy actress and looks like a gnome"… but who knows. Just moments after her breakup with that one Jonas Brother, Twilight's Ashley Greene has been spotted with Jared Followill…
CL’s Breakfast Bowl: The ‘Sizzling 16’; Round 3 voting begins today!
Here are the 'Sizzling 16' Breakfast Bowl finalists who are still in the running to be named Tampa Bay's Breakfast Bowl champion. This competition is heating up, both in the number of votes we're seeing and in the pace of the polls. Round three of voting starts today, Tues., March 22, and ends Thursday, March…
Do It Today: Lightning vs. Islanders, Art in Bloom and live music from Murs and Sonic Spank
Head to the Forum to show some love for the home team tonight. Your support might just help the Bolts regain their thunder as the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the N.Y. Islanders. As of this writing, our NHL team has made it to the playoffs, but the players have run into some bad luck in…
Florida Gov. Rick Scott booed while throwing out first pitch at Yankees game (with video)
This made me smile. There may be hope for Florida yet:
CD review: Middle Brother, Middle Brother (with video)
Supergroups are inevitable. Fueled by the natural desire to improve upon formulas that have already been confirmed as successful, already-established artists tend to venture outside their regular creative bubbles and join other recognized artists in co-ops that have names like Cream, The Highwaymen, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and Broken Bells. Sometimes it works (UGK,…
Community 5% for WMNF Day at Whole Foods Market- Tuesday, March 22
On Tuesday, March 22nd, kill two birds with one stone — get your grocery shopping done and donate to our great community radio station — by participating in Community 5% for WMNF Day at Whole Foods Market Tampa. 5% of WFM Tampa's net sales on this day will be donated to WMNF 88.5 FM Community…
Because tequila isn’t just for shooters and margaritas: Tequila cocktails to ring in springtime
Spring is officially here so that means it's officially time for a cocktail to celebrate surviving those chilly winter months. Forget your run-of-the-mill Cosmos, Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers, and shake up something a little more exciting — something with tequila! (Because it's not just for shooters and margaritas.) Below are two specialty cocktail recipes (courtesy…
Theater Review: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at American Stage is vicious and vibrant
Several years ago, the Polish critic Jan Kott published a book called The Theatre of Essence, and ever since then that provocative title has affected how I think of a whole class of modern play. Waiting for Godot is a play of essence, I think — the tramps Didi and Gogo represent not real hobos but…
#MusicMonday, Vol. 32: Lupe Fiasco, Oh Land, Duran Duran, Jason DeVore, and more (with video)
The CL Music Team kicks off the week with some new jams (and old) to launch us into a new work week! Here’s what we’re spinning now; to check out previous entries, click here. Infinite Skillz – Lupe Fiasco, Lasers (2011) "State Run Radio" (track 10) is the scene stealing sleeper of a hit on…
O’Shy’s Irish Tap House in Largo: One woman’s dream of opening a craft beer pub came true with hard work and a little help from her friends
Belleair resident, Jennifer Lantry hails from Chicago, Illinois, who is no stranger to authentic Irish pubs. Jennifer has always paid close attention to her surroundings when visiting pubs, taverns and restaurants and even coffee houses, keeping notes of things that she liked and things she did not. With her heritage being Irish and Czechoslovakian, she…
Prince William and Kate Middleton opt for charitable donations over wedding gifts
I promised myself I wouldn't write anything about the impending Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Frankly, I don't understand why our U.S. media outlets are devoting a ton of programming to it. That said, I've had to break my vow because I'm truly impressed with what the couple, as they've decided to…
HART CEO David Armijo placed on two-week paid suspension as law firm investigates employee complaints
HART CEO David Armijo has been put on a two-week paid suspension. The HART board voted for the suspension early Monday upon the recommendation of an employment attorney hired by the local transit agency, as they continue to look into allegations of wrongdoing regarding his hiring practices and treatment of employees.( UPDATE: Armijo issues press…
Movie Review: Greg Mattola’s Paul, starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen and Jason Bateman (with trailer video)
Let's get one thing out of the way up front: I am a huge nerd for any project involving Simon Pegg. (Scotty can beam me up anytime he wants, okay?) In fact, as the article linked here shows, I've been looking forward to seeing Paul since I started freelancing out of the computer lab at…
Interview: Getting to know Sylvester Anfang II, the best band in Flanders, Belgium (with video)
My favorite sub-genre of psychedelic music by far is referred to as “Monster.” Yes, it’s a ridiculously hyperbolic explanation of the heavier and stranger side of an already bizarro sound, yet the term is befitting of exactly what the music is trying to produce: paranoid and chilling sensations; gloom; harsh and terrifying landscapes; attempts at…
Oath Keepers founder appears at Save America Conference in Tampa
If you happened to be in downtown Tampa this weekend, you had myriad choices on what to do with yourself in a spectacular weekend of activity. There were loads of young high school students going back and forth from the Tampa Convention Center to the Straz Center, as part of the Florida State Thespian Festival. …
Marco Rubio and the “S-word”
In Adam Smith's column in Sunday's St. Petersburg Times, the paper's political editor writes that on the campaign trail, Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio "managed, for instance, to imply Obama had a socialist agenda without ever to our knowledge using the "S" word." The occasion for that thought is because of a recent Republican National…
Last full day of Tampa mayoral campaign; Libya happens, and a less than scintillating “Save America” Conference takes place in Tampa: Mitch Perry Report: 3.21.11
Well, it's almost over. This first day of spring is the last full day of campaigning for the six different men and women who are on the ballot in tomorrow's municipal election in Tampa for mayor and city council. CL met up with representatives from both the Ferlita and Buckhorn campaigns yesterday, and both parties…
Scientists use banana peels as filters to remove heavy metal contaminants from water
It may seem surprising, but this silly fruit is good for more than a monkey. Anne Minard of National Geographic News posted a segment as part of a National Geographic News series on global water issues that discusses an innovative new use for banana peels. Believe it or not, banana peels have been found to…
Uninspiring swinger sex: it can happen to you
"Well that was uninspiring"—-This statement has swirled around my head quite frequently after various swinger hookups. A new sexual encounter, another swinger date, and yet one more lack luster sexual experience. I won't say that all experiences are uninspiring, but more often than not I'm unimpressed by the sexual prowess of my most recent fling. Swinger sex started…
Do It Today: Age of Champions, WMNF Radio Theatre Project, ceramics exhibition at USF Centre Gallery
Here's something hearwarming and inspirational to kick off the week: The feature documentary Age of Champions showcases seven athletes at the 2009 Senior Games, athletes with unstoppable spirits in their quest for gold — among them, 101-year-old Tampa tennis champion Roger Gentilhomme (pictured, right). The film can be seen today at a special one-time-only screening at the Straz. Tampa tennis…
Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen about Libya bombings: This is not about an attack on Qaddafi
As the U.S. observed the 8-year anniversary of the "Shock and Awe" invasion of Iraq, Americans this weekend had to contend with the reality that — however limited our aims intend to be — the U.S. is now at war in another country, this time in Libya. Although U.S. officials have been quick to call…
The Green Community week in review: Slow Food Tampa Bay meeting, GM alfalfa controversy, Google maps lists EV charging stations and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: Genetically modified alfalfa controversy in review – Alfalfa is commonly known to be the fourth most grown crop in the United States. Farmers use the millions of acres of alfalfa to produce forage seed and…
The Thinking Dog Blog: Area canines offer a helping paw
Several months ago, I wrote about our retired guide dog, a golden retriever named Oriel. Like many retirees, she’s got extra time on her paws and wants to do some volunteer work. So, we recently took the test to become Delta Pet Partners. A newly minted Registered Pet Partner team, Ory and I started checking…
Lightning fall to Senators in OT
The Tampa Bay Lightning only had to dig into their short-term memories for motivation for Saturday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators. It was just over a week ago that the Lightning lost to this same Senators team after starting the game flat. This time around, the start was not the issue; it was the…
Bill McKeen’s Book Blog: Andre Dubus III’s memoir Townie, Julian Sher’s sex trafficking exposé Somebody’s Daughter
Last time we heard from Andre Dubus III, he was taking the tawdriness of a Sarasota strip club and turning it into great art. That was The Garden of Last Days, a novel by Dubus (rhymes with caboose) speculating on what the 9-11 hijackers did in the last days before flying their planes into the…
Bob Buckhorn raises more money in last 3 weeks than in entire campaign season as he and & Rose Ferlita end debate season
As the Tampa mayoral election campaign heads into its last weekend, Rose Ferlita and Bob Buckhorn engaged in one final debate on Friday afternoon, and it a was noticeably warmer exchange than the two have engaged in since it became a two person field 2 1/2 weeks ago. Taped at the WEDU studios for a…
Top Chef Podcast – All-Stars Ep. 14: Caribbean conch fight
Only four chefs remain on Top Chef All-Stars and they're definitely starting to get "in the juice" (whatever that means). I'm a day late on this post and recording the podcast, as I've been in the Caribbean myself (well, close enough) this week and was without access to the Bravo channel. But, not wanting to…
Movie Review: Brad Furman’s The Lincoln Lawyer, starring Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei and William H. Macy (with trailer video)
Much like the luxury car of its title, The Lincoln Lawyer is a smooth ride. So seductive are the film’s surface charms that it’s easy to forgive the protagonist for being, as one character succinctly calls him, an asshole. But that’s a trait common to many a movie hero, so why quibble? Akin to the…
Movie Review: Neil Burger’s Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, and Abbie Cornish (with trailer video)
There is nothing worse than a predictable movie. The plot details revealed by the trailer for Limitless aren’t necessarily familiar, but the major components of the unlimited-power-in-a-limited-resource concept is one we are all well acquainted with. In a flick about a pill that gives the taker the ability to do it all — and do…
The Gaily News: Fla. teacher to publicly apologize for mocking gay student, feuding city council candidates in Calif. out each other, Gaga censored in Malaysia
A Palm Coast, Florida teacher who mocked Luke Herbert, a student at the high school where he taught, for being gay, will have to publicly apologize for his behavior as part of a settlement between the Flagler County School District and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
Drinking Guide: Craft beer bars and brew pubs in Tampa Bay
CL regularly presents focused listings of the best dining options in Tampa Bay’s neighborhoods. This week, we’re doing things a little differently by giving you a guide to some of the best craft and import beer bars and brew pubs in Tampa Bay. THE ALE AND THE WITCH 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3,…
Mike Haridopolos gets it
State Senate President shows engaging, politically savvy side By Chris Ingram Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos may be a lot of things, but politically unsavvy is not one of them. The senator called me today to say hello and inquire about some of my concerns with the issues I have been hitting him on for the…
Instituting better policies and incentives for businesses to reduce their carbon emissions
Many businesses are looking for a way to become more energy efficient, but the issue with implementing such measures may be that the incentives are just not good enough yet. If a clear message and plan were given to businesses that would encourage them to become more environmentally conscious in their business practices, then it…
Rubio calls out Obama official on Libya, but what does he say after UN vote? Last Tampa mayoral debate today, and two posts on Jim Norman: Mitch Perry Report 3.18.11
This is the last work day of winter 2010-2011 – and being someone who doesn't love the heat and humidity here in Florida, I for one, will miss it. But there's so much happening in the news, such as the last Tampa mayoral debate. That takes place this afternoon from the WEDU studios, with the…
TABOR-Style Bill Is the Worst Thing In the Legislature This Year
In a legislative session that is loaded with bills that will harm Florida and Floridians, it's hard to imagine that any bill will do more damage to the state than the rewrite of tax law in SRJ 958, popularly referred to as a TABOR, or Taxpayer Bill of Rights Bill, because that's the name it…
Jim Norman may be acting low-key, but his first major proposal in the Florida Legislature sure isn’t
There have been lots of articles written about Florida rock star, er U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in his first few months in office, most along the lines of how he's employing a Hilary Clinton like beginning to his career in Washington, keeping his head down and eschewing any high profile national television interviews. Now let's…
Rubio’s rantings on U.S. inaction in Libya get mixed reviews in conservative circles
Last night was a big victory for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution authorizing a no-fly zone and other action in Libya (with several notable abstentions, including Germany, China and Russia). Immediately after the vote, U.S. Senators John Kerry, John McCain and Joe Lieberman, who have all…
Restaurant Review: Pizza Fusion’s environmental focus is a tasty gimmick
Pizza Fusion 3 stars 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-463-1600; 9556 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-792-1516; pizzafusion.com Successful pizza chains tend to either focus on bulk sales — à la Dominos, Papa John’s and the like — or work a gimmick that sets them apart from both the larger chains and neighborhood joints. Anthony’s Coal…
Do It This Weekend: Art After Dark, beach fests, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and much more
It's that time again: The third Friday of every month, the Tampa Museum of Art partners with area organizations, volunteers, and artists for Art After Dark, a monthly lounge night that offers art, music and entertainment by way of a themed event — often inspired by one of the museum's exhibitions. The next installment is…
Last ride: A tribute to the late great Road Warrior of the blues, Eddie Kirkland
No one really knows what caused 87-year-old bluesman Eddie Kirkland to U-turn his old Ford wagon smack in front of a Greyhound bus, east of Homosassa. He played the last show in his 82-year performing career – a private corporate cigar gig – and left Dunedin Brewery's parking lot at 1 a.m., Feb. 27. “Eddie…
Senator Jim Norman’s ethics charge moves a step forward
By George Niemann Daily Loaf contributor, R-LAND, UCAN and FSP activist, and Flordia Hometown Democracy proponent The views expressed are my own and not necessarily the same as the organizations to which I belong The ethics charges against State Senator Jim Norman for secretly taking money from the late developer/powerbroker Ralph Hughes has taken a…
Mike Haridopolos’ plan to save Flori-duh
We can all rest better knowing this guy is in charge… Satire by Chris Ingram Dear voters of Flori-duh: Over the past year, Floridians have made their priority very clear: Create jobs and control spending. Nearly 12 percent of Floridians are still looking for work, and one of the biggest impediments to economic recovery is…
Rubio questions Obama administration official on lack of action regarding Libya (video)
For several weeks now, conservatives and some liberals (such as John Kerry) have expressed frustration with the Obama administration over the lack of action regarding the civil war that has been taking place in Libya. A call for a no-fly-zone has been controversial, with Defense Secretary Robert Gates saying it's not as easy as some…
Acclaimed NYC educator Geoffrey Canada to speak in Tampa this coming Monday
He was already revered as one of the most dynamic figures trying to change public education in this country, but the release last fall of the documentary "Waiting for Superman" gave Geoffrey Canada an even bigger platform to discuss what he has accomplished over the past 20 years with the Harlem's Children's Zone, and he'll…
This weekend in Tampa Bay area live music: Pat Travers, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Sarasota Slim CD release party, Metalliance Tour 2011, and more
A breakdown of live music taking place in the Tampa Bay area beginning this St. Patty's Day Thursday through Sunday, with featured highlights at the top and the rest of the week’s schedule at the bottom. For a complete list of concerts, click here to visit our Upcoming Concerts page. Thursday, March 17 [pictured right]…
The Gaily News: Army releases DADT training plan, poll shows most Americans oppose DOMA, Seton Hall student removed from dorm for being gay, church asks choir members to sign anti-gay agreement
The Army has released its training plan for soldiers following the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." The 30-page PowerPoint presentation stresses that it's not trying to change anyone's beliefs, while explaining to soldiers how the repeal will work. Each branch of military will write its own training presentation.
Breakfast Bowl Round 2 Voting, Hillsborough: Oystercatchers vs Pinky’s
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Partisan divide explodes in Tallahassee after House easily passes SB 736
Last year the teacher merit bill known as SB 736 became a political football whose fate was in the hands of Governor Charlie Crist. The former Governor milked the intense focus on his decision for weeks, ultimately folding his decision to veto the John Thrasher sponsored bill into his declaration of independence from the Republican…
Breakfast Bowl Round 2 Voting, Hillsborough: Brunchery vs Chavez at Home
In the CL Breakfast Bowl, Tampa Bay's best breakfast eateries are pitted against one another bracket-style, with reader votes determining the winner of each matchup until the Final Four. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/breakfastbowl. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Rick Scott’s Use of State E-mail System for Politics Is Unethical, Possibly Illegal
Last Friday, Rick Scott sent this e-mail out to state employees: ——-Original Message——- From: Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 6:39 PM To: FDOT Outlook Users Subject: Message from Governor Rick Scott to State Employees March 11, 2011 Dear Team, The Florida Legislature opened the 2011 session, so I want to take this opportunity to thank…
Governor Scott will soon sign teacher merit bill; Joe Biden coming to Tampa, and CL endorses Buckhorn in Tampa mayor race: Mitch Perry Report 3.17.11
Happy St. Patty's day to everyone out there in cyberspace. And for college basketball fans – at least the ones who pay attention at this time of year – big day in Tampa today, as the East and South East regionals begin shortly after noon at the St. Pete Times Forum, with the big game…
eBook review: How to Turn Your Wife into a Swinger
When I was asked to review the ebook How to Turn Your Wife into a Swinger my first thought was no way. You can't turn your wife into anything she doesn't want to become. Besides, why would you want her to be something she's not? I sat on this ebook for some time for that…
The E Word: Tired rhetoric, true leadership and why I’m endorsing Bob Buckhorn.
It was all going so well — a mayor's race between qualified competitors, marked by mutual respect and cordial agreements to disagree. Once Rose Ferlita finally got around to revealing a detailed plan for her administration — many, many weeks after her opponent, Bob Buckhorn — the race threatened to offer voters a real choice,…
Music Week: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Sarasota Slim, Hym For Her and much more …
This week’s best concerts, Thurs., March 17-Wed., March 23.
Family ties: Thoughts on my modern Irish-American-Jewish-and-Everything-Else family.
It's St. Patrick's week, and I find myself thinking of my great-grandparents. Back in the 1800s, when they took a boat from County Mayo in Ireland to Pennsylvania, they also took quite a chance. They risked their lives to make a better one for their children and grandchildren. When they first arrived, my ancestors settled…
Dining Guide: Craft and import beer bars
CL regularly presents focused listings of the best dining options in Tampa Bay's neighborhoods. This week, we're doing things a little differently by giving you a guide to some of the best craft and import beer bars and brew pubs in Tampa Bay. THE ALE AND THE WITCH 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Pete, 727-821-ALE3,…
Restaurant review: Pizza Fusion in downtown Tampa
Successful pizza chains tend to either focus on bulk sales — à la Dominos, Papa John's and the like — or work a gimmick that sets them apart from both the larger chains and neighborhood joints. Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza is one success story that's moved into the Bay area in recent years, using the…
Make music, not war
By now, everyone knows there are two hemispheres in the brain, and it's a cliché to say that left-brained people are logical, analytical and organized, and that right-brained people are creative, imaginative and unorthodox. (The key discovery in this diagnosis is that people who have a stroke in the left brain can still live and…
Movie Review: Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper and Robert Deniro
There is nothing worse than a predictable movie. The plot details revealed by the trailer for Limitless aren't necessarily familiar, but the major components of the unlimited-power-in-a-limited-resource concept is one we are all well acquainted with. In a flick about a pill that gives the taker the ability to do it all — and do…
The Sloppy Joe meets its Cuban cousin
Ground beef is pretty low in the hierarchy of meat, but its cheapness makes it a cornerstone of the modern American diet. This is not the stuff of fine dining, but sturdy home-style simplicity. Sloppy Joe and Cuban picadillo are similar tangy ground beef recipes. It's interesting how two very different cultures inadvertently created variations…
Movie review: The Lincoln Lawyer
Mr. No-shirt gets lawyered up for this noirish legal thriller.
Paper Tongues’ Devin Forbes recalls his band’s road to success
INTERVIEW The seven N.C. musicians who make up Paper Tongues started out as street buskers in an improv music collective that regularly met and jammed at a busy Charlotte intersection "for the city and the people and the homeless and the club goers and whoever wanted to come out." All that changed four years ago…
With passage of new legislation, Florida government is targeting the teachers
Four days before the Florida Legislature convened for the beginning of its 2011 session, approximately 700 schoolteachers and their supporters gathered at three different locations in Pinellas County to protest a litany of legislative proposals aimed directly at their pocketbooks and their job status. In St. Petersburg, at the corner of Tyrone Boulevard and 66th…
Now Playing: Limitless, The Lincoln Lawyer, Paul and more …
Plus: short reviews of other recent releases.
Tampa Bay Rays fans make the most of Spring Training
The locals at the Charlotte Sports Park, spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, tell legends of the centerfield steak and cheese sandwich. They stuff their faces and crowd around the tiki bar for a little liquid refreshment while, satisfied and happy, they root for their favorite team. It's no wonder people make the…
The Breakfast Bowl battle heats up
Here are the "Toasty 32" Breakfast Bowl finalists still in the running to be named the best breakfast joint in Tampa Bay. Early next week, we'll be revealing the Sizzling 16, followed by the Eggscellent 8 and The Final Four in coming weeks. CL Food Critic Brian Ries will then review the finalists and pick…
Eddie Kirkland’s Last ride
No one really knows what caused 87-year-old bluesman Eddie Kirkland to U-turn his old Ford wagon smack into the front of a Greyhound bus, east of Homosassa. He performed the last show in his more than eight-decade career — a private corporate cigar gig at Dunedin Brewery — and was on the road by 1…
Too much of a good thing
I am a 36-year-old straight man, blissfully married to my 34-year-old soul mate. We have explored and enjoyed each other for a decade now, and we recently started exploring BDSM and D/s fantasies. Everything was going great sexually — until last night. Two years ago, my wife expressed an interest in an MMF three-way, where…
Theater review: Jobsite’s Yellowman is theater so honest that it hurts
Dael Orlandersmith's Yellowman is a powerful, shocking, and finally poignant play about light-skinned and dark-skinned African Americans in South Carolina in the late 20th century. Following two in particular — dark-skinned Alma, played brilliantly by Fanni Green, and "high yella" Eugene, portrayed sensitively by the impressive Jim Wicker (who is himself white) — Orlandersmith shows…
Do It Today: St. Patrick’s Day parties, 30Rock’s Kevin “Dot Com” Brown at the Improv and Disco Pigs at Silver Meteor
It's that time of year again, when the green beer is a-gushing and the hangovers are aplenty. Happy St. Patrick's Day! JG is here to steer you to Gaelic fun and other frolic tonight.
Tonight’s Top Chef All-Stars preview: Crazy for conch
The Final Four are duking it out in teams on Top Chef: All-Stars tonight! For the Quickfire, the chefs must go diving for conch (no pun intended) so that they can incorporate it into their dishes. I don't know about you all, but I love me some conch! Conch fritters, conch chowder…you get the idea.…
The Green Community week in review: The ‘green’ women leaders of Tampa Bay, new biofuel to replace gas, aquaponics and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: Aquaponics: A farming revolution? – Green Acre Organics is on a mission to start a "farming revolution". If you would like to learn more you can attend one of their free monthly farm tours which…
Top Chef Podcast – All-Stars Ep. 13: Chefs under (and on) fire
The roof was most certainly on fire (literally and figuratively speaking) during last night's episode of Top Chef All-Stars. First, they were greeted by their old competitors who beat them out of the title, then they had the pressure of cooking for "royalty". For the Quickfire, the chefs had to cook head-to-head against the winners…
Male sex toys: My penis’ reluctant adventures in the world of masturbation sleeves
Openly discussing the particulars of male masturbation is comparable to women delivering detailed accounts of their periods; we know these things occur, but few of us want to visualize them happening, especially to acquaintances. The idea of men using masturbation sleeves, or "fifis" for those in prison, is as taboo today as women owning vibrators…
Epilogues, heartbreak, and evolution
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010 This isn't the story I set out to tell. I believe in marriage. I believe in commitment. I believe in happy endings. I even believe in polyamory. Even since before I knew I knew I am gay, I've always argued that sexuality is genetic or at least in some way woven…
Worth every penny: SideBern’s is better than ever
2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233 or sideberns.com 4 stars The toughest question I’m asked by friends and readers is: “What’s the best restaurant in Tampa?” You’d think it would be easy, but it isn’t. I can list my favorite places, or spots that are interesting, or restaurants that are good for first dates or…
Dark and handsome: Ciro’s Speakeasy combines incredible design, serious cocktails and interesting food in South Tampa
Your first reaction to Ciro’s Speakeasy — the newest venture by veteran Tampa restaurateur Gordon Davis, with partner Ro Patel — could be stunned admiration. It won’t be, but not because the restaurant/lounge isn’t amazing. You just won’t be able to see enough to judge when you first walk in. Ciro’s is the kind of…
Katie Machol – Green Community Editor
"Katie Machol didn't exactly start out "green"- she graduated from culinary school in Fall 2008 and wanted to pursue a career in food writing and styling, thus ending up at Creative Loafing as a food contributor. Now she's turned "green" and is editing the Green Community site, as well as contributing articles of her own.…
