Green Tech: Stylish new solar rechargeable gadgets
Proving that solar panels aren’t just for your roof anymore.
New music Tuesday! (September 20)
New releases out this week by Tori Amos, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Megafaun, Young Jeezy + more (video)
Chase away end-of-summer blues with a globally inspired cocktail
Refreshing, fall elixirs inspired by global travels.
Fasano applauds OIR’s allowance of a modest Citizens Insurance rate hike
Last week, a day before actuaries with Citizens Property Insurance Corporation were to go before a hostile crowd in Tampa regarding their prodigious proposed rate hikes, which averaged around 440 percent on sinkhole coverage, the insurer of last resort in Florida announced they would "only" seek rate increases of 50 percent. But the state's Office…
Mitch Perry Report 9.20.11
Cuban politics doesn't really play that big a part of Tampa politics, but there are still remnants here and there. After acting City Council Chair Mary Mulhern visited Cuba with a business delegation two weeks ago, she said she wanted to send a letter to the Cuban government, now that the city has been granted…
Two Women’s Metropolitan Safari
Allen (left) and Noella (right) enjoying their experience in downtown Tampa After 1994, visions of the Rwandan genocide remained imprinted on those who witnessed the millions of people killed in a span of 100 days. Noella Abijuru, 26, and Allen Kazarwa, 20, were two Africans who survived. Through the Akilah Institute for Women they were…
Former Tampa City Council candidate says he “misspoke” in his feud with GOP consultant
Michael Ciftci During the Tampa City Council campaign this past winter there were numerous young, first time candidates who participated in the elections, in which all seven council seats were on the ballot. One of those young candidates was Michael Ciftci, a 27-year-old who's only involvement in politics prior to the 2011 race had been…
Grey Gardens at freeFall: Like Mother, Like Daughter
A terrific rendition of a witty musical about the eccentric Bouvier Beales.
Mike Suarez says local media inaccurate in recounting Cuban letter dispute
Mike Suarez After declaring for the second time in as many meetings that the Tampa City Council should not send a letter to the Cuban government acknowledging the fact that direct flights have resumed after a a near 50 year absence, Mike Suarez was blasted in the editorial pages of the St. Petersburg Times this…
Best of the Emmys
Last night brought us the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, and host Jane Lynch of Glee was a hit — one of the best women hosts we've seen in a while (when was the last time a woman hosted?), adding her signature wit, charm and sass. The show itself offered a few surprises along with…
CD Review: Ivy, All Hours
In an era where spectacle rules, a low-key band like New York's Ivy is refreshing. The three-piece — which features Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger — achieves the musical equivalent of an ice-cold glass of water on a hot day with their latest release, All Hours. The songs are reminiscent of Air and Charlotte…
Local Dirt magazine launch party tonight at the Seminole Heights Independent (9/19)
A quarterly publication focused on spreading the word about local, sustainable food sources in our area.
Another show bites the dust: Blondie at Ruth Eckerd Hall canceled
In what is becoming an all too familiar trend this fall concert season, artists are scheduling dates in Florida, then postponing these dates (as with Elvis Costello and his family emergency) or dropping them all together (as with Ween, which was supposed to come here before hitting Langerado, until the festival was canceled due to…
#MusicMonday, Vol. 47
What the CL Music Team is jamming this Monday: OMD, The Horrible Crowes, Blink-182, Milagres + more (audio & video included).
Some HART board members express concerns about a possible merger with PSTA
Jack Latvala After months of speculation that has been floated in the local media, last week Pinellas/Hillsborough state Senator Jack Latvala addressed the boards of both HART and PSTA about the possibility of the two Bay area transit agencies consolidating. Speaking at the Hillsborough transit board's Ybor City offices last Monday, the Senator said that…
“Plan B” to stabilize population and climate
Realistic plan or Utopian pipe dream?
What the World Needs Now Is Ska, Sweet Ska…
Sometimes, music is in your face; overtly opportunistic in communicating social agendas and pointing out how we lack as a society. Ska, typically, is what I call “happy music”, and I mean that in a good way, not sardonically. The beat is high energy, the horns infectious and the lyrics usually pretty tongue-in-cheek and fun.…
Easy ways to lower fat in your diet
Go out like Elvis with a peanut butter and bacon sandwich, or you can tweak your diet and live a longer, albeit less glamorous, life.
DNC airs pro Obama Spanish language ad in Tampa
Like every other group that supported him in 2008, President Obama's poll numbers when it comes to Latino voters could be improved. But short of announcing a comprehensive immigration plan (that couldn't be passed anyway), Obama's numbers will only improve with this key demographic as it will for any other: when the dark cloud hovering…
Mitch Perry Report 9.19.11
Happy Monday everyone, welcome to another week of the GOP presidential candidates hanging out in the Sunshine State. We took time out as we always do on Sunday to check out the morning public affairs programs. Bill Clinton made the rounds on what used to be the only television networks yesterday (eschewing Fox and CNN)…
On eve of President Obama’s announcement on how he’ll pay for jobs plan, Republicans say they’re not interested
President Obama will unveil on Monday his plan to reduce the deficit and pay for his new jobs plan by calling for a higher tax rate on millionaires to ensure they pay at least the same share of income in taxes that middle class families do. Of course, for anything to get passed, the White…
Got your Loafies tickets?
Creative Loafing's annual Best of the Bay extravaganza turns 21 this year, so now that we're finally legal we're holding the BOTB awards show, The Loafies, at a bar — on the 21st. Join us Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 7 p.m. to whenever at the multi-level, multi-media Czar Imperial Theatre in Ybor City. We'll be…
Clinton cautions freaked out Dems about Obama
Among the many titles that Bill Clinton has acquired since he left the White House nearly 11 years ago is unofficial chief Democratic party strategist, so it will be interesting to see if his fellow Democrats heed his cautions not to overreact to the adverse economic situation, which many believe is hurting the electoral chances…
Enter Burger 21’s “create your own burger” contest
‘B Chefy’ with Burger 21.
Crisis in college sports all the rage in local and national media
The cover story in CL this week features an essay by Peter Golenbock on whether or not its time to pay college athletes, what with the scandals that seem to pop up every month over the past year. Coincidentally, one of the country's finest monthly magazines, the Atlantic, has a cover story that goes over…
Magic Hat Brewing unveils its fall lineup
Seasonal magic.
Pharmaceutical pollution in our water
Researchers have identified traces of pharmaceutical drugs in the drinking water supplies of some 40 million Americans.
New CNN poll reveals fissure between tea party members and GOP establishment
On MSNBC's Morning Joe program Friday, host Joe Scarborough said he was "Tea Party before there was a Tea Party," a line that we've heard uttered by Rick Santorum on the campaign trail this year, and a few other Repubilcans over the past couple of years. Scarborough made that remark, however, to inoculate himself to…
Speaking in tongues
"Battlecry" by Mark Martinez, 2011 The white walls of the expansive Oliver Gallery at the University of South Florida got a touch of color, texture and culture this week, courtesy of artist Mark Martinez’s solo exhibit, Native Tongue. A dynamic synthesis of painting, sculpture and textile work, Native Tongue has been a work in progress…
Liberal activists to protest against Bill Young this Saturday
Congressman Bill Young Despite the fact that people say they dislike career politicians, in many cases they keep on re-electing them. That would be the case in Pinellas County over the past four decades, as it has become a ritual for voters to mark off the name of one C.W. Bill Young every two years…
Mitch Perry Report 9.16.11
The big news out of Tampa came from the airport, which announced that beginning next May, there will be two weekly nonstop international flights leaving the Cigar City to Zurich, Switzerland. Local officials were effusive about the move, even if their economic projections may be a bit too gradiose. One of the local political stories…
Late-Night Eats
Neighborhood Dining Guide
The Lion King is still the mane event
Disney’s celebrated feature returns to roar in a new dimension.
Drive is a cool, supercharged ride
Ryan Gosling and outstanding direction keep this unique film in top gear.
Winston Fiore’s mission is about to go to another level
Winston Fiore Last month Winston Fiore breezed through Tampa in his motorcycle, making speeches at several different Rotary clubs about his mission: helping kids in South Asia with cleft palates. It was part of an extremely grass roots national tour that began the first week of July: raising money and consciousness about the issue, which…
Tampa International airport announces they’ll soon be having direct flights to Switzerland
Although never explicitly stated (or perhaps it was behind closed doors), Joe Lopano, the CEO at Tampa International Airport since January, was hired in part to get more direct international flights originating from T.I.A. Local business and political leaders have enthusiastically rallied to the cause, with Mayor Bob Buckhorn flying to Panama barely a month…
BLUESAPALOOZA!!!!!!!
It`s time for the best blues weekend you can find locally – and it`s only FIVE BUCKS to get in!! kids 12 & under get in free!!! (VIP tickets available for $20 / $30) The 3rd Annual Bluesapalooza Music Festival is this weekend, Sept. 17 & 18, 2011 at Linda Pederson Park 6300 Shoal Line…
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Lots of markets, workshops, outdoor activities and more.
Mitch Perry Report 9.15.11
Yesterday was a very busy day with Florida news, so let's begin by giving you a preview of tonight, when the Pinellas County Commission hosts its second and final public hearing on their proposed FY2012 budget. Tea Party members will be in attendance. Just a day after Florida House Democrat Rick Kriseman held a news…
Kriseman pleased, Greg Evers “appalled” by judge’s ruling on “Docs vs. Glocks law”
Rick Kriseman On Tuesday morning, Rick Kriseman held a news conference announcing legislation that would repeal the new law that restricts what doctors can say to their patients about guns. But he admitted that the chance of it even getting a committee hearing in the GOP controlled Legislature was extremely slim. But on Wednesday he…
NCAA = $candal
The college sports system is so corrupt we should just let the players take the money.
Pinellas County Commissioners to feel Tea Party wrath at tonight’s budget hearing?
Pinellas County Commissioners convene Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. for their second and final public hearing regarding their proposed FY2012 budget. As in recent budget workshops or hearings, members of various affiliated Pinellas County Tea Party groups plan to attend, and will hold a protest rally outside the County government building in Clearwater at 5…
Naked Tchopstix brings pan-Asian to John’s Pass
Konichiwa, tourists!
Surfer Blood washes up at Crowbar; plus Jane Jane Pollock, Rebecca Zapen + more of the week’s best upcoming concerts.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Rose Connelly A new(ish) outfit that plays Americana and folk music, "with a twist of country, rock, reggae, blues and bluegrass." The band includes "Simply" Tony Caruso (acoustic guitar, vocals) and Fil Pate (lead guitar) from Pickford Sundries, along with Poetry n' Lotion rhythm section Tom Murray (bass) and John Nowicki (drums).…
Bitch Puddin’
Young lovers set the ground rules of their relationship.
Hippie mom battles grocer
Caring about what our children eat is a good thing — up to a point.
Live and Local Spotlight: Drake and Sofia
"Don't you fall apart, don't you go and break your heart / I'm not here to save you, I'm just here to break you," Drake and Sofia Sweet harmonize pleasantly in the cheerful but uncomforting "No Worries," the lead-off track from their new EP, We Had Everything Planned Out. The guitar-and-piano playing siblings deliver a…
NFL Kickoff, 9/11 remembered, Newt’s at the zoo, and more …
Shit Happened from Sept. 8-14, 2011
No Arab Spring for Iraq
And there’s no reason for America to keep its soldiers there.
Chris Griffin knows the rules
Another perspective on the NCAA — from the Tampa attorney who helps enforce regulations.
Chromeo brings Betamax-era dance, electro and funk to Orlando
The Canadian duo supports their third album, Business Casual
Jobsite’s The Guys: The human toll of 9/11
A writer helps a firefighter eulogize his lost comrades.
Okay this is serious – Obama approval rating in Cali plummets
Just like you don't need a weatherman to tell you in Florida that it's going to be hot and humid with a chance of rain eight months out of the year, you hardly need me to tell you that Barack Obama is struggling right now in his popular approval ratings throughout the country. On the…
Spin room experience after CNN-Tea Party debate a bit of a drag
Bobby Jindal regales reporters in the spin room in Tampa When CL covered the CNN-You Tube Republican presidential debate back in late November of 2007 at St. Pete's Mahaffey Center, one of the thrills was to interview some Republican heavy hitters in the immediate aftermath of the event in what is known as the spin…
Transportation conference begins in St. Pete
The GSI Public Transportation Conferenceis taking place this week in St. Petersburg. Organizers say its main objective is the improvement of public transportation system, which have become more necessary with the continual increase of gas prices and the effects of the economic crisis which many Americans still struggle with.
Mark your calendar: The third annual Ringling International Arts Festival brings talent from across the globe
Next month, Florida will get a healthy dose of the very highest in highbrow art and culture. For three years running, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota has devoted a week to showcasing the elite in international dance, visual art, music and theater. From Oct. 11-16, the expansive museum will once…
‘Green After Dark’ market featuring eco-friendly vendors: Sat. 9/17
Local green vendors, live music and beer from Cigar City!
On the 10th year anniversary of 9/11, Muslims and Christians in Tampa try to bridge the gap
Atecia Robinson Hassan Shibly, CAIR-Tampa's executive director speaks at the Islamic Community of Tampa mosque Some Christians and Muslims viewed each other as enemies after the "War on Terror" and the September 11 attacks that preceded it. But on Saturday two of these two world religions gathered at the Islamic Community of Tampa’s mosque in…
UPDATE: Tampa City Council candidate Michael Ciftci says he misspoke in feud with Chris Ingram exchange verbal blows
(UPDATE: On September 19, Michael Ciftci said he "misspoke" regarding the remarks that led to Chris Ingram filing a lawsuit. Read below for Ciftci's official statement). In a post published earlier Tuesday on CL's News & Politics site, CL contributor and Republican political consultant Chris Ingram took a shot at Michael Ciftci, a fellow R…
