App development outsourcing: interview with Sourcebits CEO Rohit Singal
As technology has advanced, developing games and applications has become increasingly complex. As a result of this, developing an application or a game requires an immense amount of time, money and development know-how. For some companies and individuals it just isn't feasible to build a program from the ground up. Cue Sourcebits, a team of…
On the Radar: Busker’s Brew with Nicholas J. White for American Stage cabaret
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming arts events to mark your calendar for. Ladies man Nicholas J. White is taking it to the streets (and then back inside again?) for American Stage’s latest cabaret show, Busker’s Brew, featuring original sidewalk folk compositions and select covers from Nick’s folk-country songbook, How A Cookie…
Do It This Weekend: Love for Haiti, Stogies and Stouts, Nuclear Cowboyz motocross, TFO’s tribute to Ray Charles and more
Kill two birds with one stone by visiting Tank's Tap Room for the Love for Haiti Benefit Show on this weekend. For a $5 donation you're not only providing relief for the earthquake victims in Haiti, you'll also get an earful of great tunes from local bands like Laura Reed, The Martinez Brothers, and Tears…
Do It Today: The Shaughraun at USF, VYB contemporary dance, meet St. Pete Times columnist Ernest Hooper and more
USF's College of Visual and Performing Arts puts The Shaughraun, Dion Boucicault’s confusing and amusing melodrama about an Irishman on the lam after being mistaken for a freedom fighter. It’s helmed by Olivier Award-winning director Michael Bogdanov, and it plays out like an 19th century episode of Rocky and Bullwinkle: noble heroes, dastardly villains, daring…
On the Radar: PostSecret Project creator Frank Warren at USF
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming arts events to mark your calendar for. Next Tuesday, PostSecret Project creator Frank Warren hosts February’s University Lecture Series at USF. His call for postcards anonymously revealing secrets — from silly to somber — created catharsis on an international scale when published as a book series.…
Interview with Miguel Santana, author of The Marien Revelation
Simultaneously written in Spanish and English, Miguel Santana’s third book, The Marien Revelation, unapologetically questions the foundations of Christianity and, by extension, our beliefs as a modern society. By re-contextualizing passages of religious texts and biblical stories that form the tenets of Western theology, Santana challenges our understanding of the New Testament and how it…
Project Runway Season 7 at Fashion Week (spoilers and collection pics)
I am afraid you are all going to get a little too accustomed to these mid-week Runway posts, but I cannot help myself because this week is the best week of all weeks ever. Why?! It's Fashion Week, duh. On Friday, Project Runway held their finale challenge at Bryant Park and thanks to some fellow…
Movie Review: Séraphine, starring Yolande Moreau and Ulrich Tukur
There’s a fine line between artistic brilliance and outright lunacy, as if whatever spark ignites creativity also lights the fuse of mental illness. The artist works, often obsessively and at a furious pace, producing what they can before the powder keg of the mind finally goes boom. Case in point: Séraphine Louis, an early 20th-century…
On the Radar: Stogies and Stouts at Dunedin Brewery
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. Forget about swirling a snifter of some obscure brandy the next time you decide to light up a Churchill. Effete nonsense. Good cigars should be just as populist as good beer, especially since the two were born to be enjoyed…
Do It Today: Emmure at Orpheum, Mayor Iorio at Tampa’s Black History Celebration and more
Felony is deathcore five-piece Emmure’s third and most recent release, full of their usual crushing riffage, heavy basslines, thunderous drumming, and spoken-rapped lyrics mixed with deep-throated roars and barks. Terror, After the Burial, Miss May I and thick as blood open the show. (Pictured: Emmure. Photo by Jeremy Saffer) 6 p.m. Weds., Feb. 17, Orpheum,…
Diary of the unemployed housewife: The human ingredients list
I am a firm believer that people should come with ingredients lists — you know, so you can check their labels before deciding whether or not they would make good friends, co-workers, spouses, hairdressers, mechanics etc. For example, I think my own list would look something like this: Michelle Hurd’s ingredients: Intelligent, quirky, sensitive, slightly…
Winter Olympic medals made from recycled electronic waste
Last month, I reported on how London's Olympic Stadium and surrounding Olympic village were being sustainably constructed and how recycled metal from weapons was being used for the construction of the stadium. It seems that Vancouver is following in London's footsteps by using recycled metal for the games as well. Those shiny bronze, silver, and…
Lonnie Thompson on why the cold weather doesn’t mean there’s not global warming
For much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic (and especially for wimpy Floridians), it's been a particularly brutal winter. But for global warming skeptics, the record-breaking snowfall was an excuse to gloat. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky quipped, "Where's Al Gore when we need him?" and reportedly burst out laughing when he was asked…
Maurice Ferre’s excellent adventure
On a recent rainy Friday afternoon in Ybor City's Columbia restaurant, the least-known candidate in Florida's most high-profile election pulls out a binder. Maurice Ferre, 77, the former mayor of Miami, is measured and methodical as he carefully thumbs through different tabs to find his desired data, as his wife of nearly 55 years, Mercedes,…
Charlie Justice calls Bill Young’s behavior “corrupting”
We reported earlier this morning on how Democratic Congressional candidate Charlie Justice has started to take the gloves off, so to speak, in going after Pinellas GOP Congressman Bill Young's tendencies to funnel millions of dollars in projects to lobbying firms employing former staffers. Shortly after that, the Pinellas/Hillsborough State Senator then blistered off a…
CD review: Jason Derülo, Jason Derülo
Does this mean I can whip out my secret stash of Backstreet Boys CDs in public again? Pop is officially back. I knew it couldn't stay away. Artists radio-wide have once again re-embraced the time-tested tradition of melody and vocal ability. Someone must have come to the shocking realization that chanting the same note for…
The hidden market for tighter condoms: loose rubbers cause big problems
A recent study by the Kinsey Institute found that men are 50% more likely to discard a condom during sex if it isn’t tight enough. Furthermore, loose condoms greatly increase the risk of STDs and pregnancy. This study was based on a survey conducted by the journal, Sexually Transmitted Infections. Of the 436 men polled,…
From first to worst: 5 NBA hall of famers who failed in the front office
More often than not, the NBA superstar athlete is unable to translate the success he had on the floor onto either the sidelines or front office. There are exceptions to this rule, such as Pat Riley, Bill Russell, KC Jones or Rudy Tomjanovich, but for the most part, top-tier players have had difficulty leading their…
3 Guys & The Quest for the Holy FAIL: Teeth
[Editor's Note: The 3 Guys Quest for the Holy FAIL is a weekly series in which your brave heroes search for truly the most awful film in the history of cinema, one cheesy line at a time …] So far, The 3 Guys have suffered through The Room and last week's atrocity Death Bed in…
New food documentary Forks Over Knives asks, “Can whole foods and a plant-based diet save your life?” (video)
The rise in popularity of environmental food documentaries, such as Food Inc. and Fresh, have opened people's eyes to the way they've been eating, about where and how their food is made. The newest film about our food industry, Forks Over Knives, asks, "What if we could cure sicknesses without medicine? What if our nation's…
New releases out this Tuesday, February 16: The Go Find, Juliana Hatfield, Story Of The Year, Wu-Tang Clan, Dan Black, and more
This week’s new music releases; for a complete breakdown of hot new releases due out in the next several months, click here. , ANANESWORLD (Nervous) Dan Black, ((UN)) (The Hours) Boy Eats Drum Machine, Hoop + Wire (Tender Loving Empire) Carolina Chocolate Drops, Genuine Negro Jig (Nonesuch) Close your Eyes, We Will Overcome (Victory) Jamie…
Curing the Monday Night Blues: Roasted Curried Cauliflower Recipe
Saturday morning at the farmer's market, I piled organic vegetable upon organic vegetable into my wicker basket with a genuine zest for life and good cooking that I was so sure would carry me through the week. Flash forward to early Monday evening. Under-caffeinated and stuck in rush hour traffic, I realized that I had…
Sublime lawsuit settled, band to continue. Sort of.
I called 'bullshit' when Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh reformed Sublime with an unknown frontman, 21-year-old Rome Ramirez. So did the family, heirs and estate of their deceased original mainman Bradley Nowell. It didn't take long until a judge weighed in on the family's side. Now, it seems a compromise has been reached! Sublime will…
HUD official to visit Tampa on Thursday touting stimulus program
Wednesday marks the one year anniversary of Barack Obama signing the $787 billion stimulus bill, a controversial piece of legislation that's merits may be debated for years. But the administration is going on the offensive, sending out Cabinet and sub-Cabinet officials throughout the country this week to various locales touting the benefits of the government…
Evan Bayh says bye-bye, ABC coalition invited to address Hillsborough Commissioners on Tampa Bay Rays, and Charlie Justice says he’s looking forward to running against Bill Young:Mitch Perry Report 2.16.10
Evan Bayh's stunning announcement that he won't run for re-election in Indiana is the latest negative development for Democrats. Might John Mellencamp run in his stead? The St. Pete Times reports that The ABC Coalition, shunned in their home city of St. Petersburg by Mayor Bill Foster on their report on possible new homes for…
Charlie Justice on Bill Young
Hillsborough/Pinellas Democratic State Senator Charlie Justice is potentially longtime Congressman Bill Young's most formidable challenger in ages. That is, if Young announces he's running for office in Florida's 10th District, which, if successful, would mark 39 years in Congress. Though Young has yet to declare his candidacy, close observers of the Congressman believe now that…
A possible game changer? Hillsborough County Commission invites ABC group to discuss possible sites for new Rays stadium
story today on the Tampa Bay Rays search for a new home getting at least a cursory look in Hillsborough County is extremely intriguing. There are two major points in the story, bylined by Bill Varian and Stephen Nohlgren. That is, that County Commissioner Ken Hagan has written a little to Jeff Lyash, the chairman…
Where will you be working in the ‘knowledge economy’?
The future is a knowledge economy — we’ve been hearing this for the last 15 years now. But it seems to me, no one is willing to recognize how different that is from the consumer economy. And while, yes, a highly educated populace is a necessity for a knowledge economy — once educated, where will…
Evan Bayh: I’m not going to challenge Barack Obama in 2012
A day after he stunned most of Washington by announcing his resignation from the Senate, Indiana Democrat Evan Bayh said this morning on MSNBC that he would not run for the Democratic nomination for president against Barack Obama in 2012. The question, asked on the program's Morning Joe show by guest Mark Halperin, was triggered…
Desalination plant finally gets it right…and more on the Reservoir
“ This is a very big step for Tampa Bay Water,” the utility’s general manager, Gerald Seeber, told the agency's board members on Monday. The Apollo Beach desalination plant that opened with serious setbacks in 2003 has finally passed some important hurdles. At the Tampa Bay Water meeting yesterday, the board commended the plant on…
The Tea Party movement wasn’t always insane
The Tea Party movement wasn't always insane. Not always. Early on in the game, it would have been more fair to merely call it crude; it was a quasi-libertarian uprising that was organic and flawed, but powerful in its message. In truth, the early days, before the National Tea Party Convention, before Sarah Palin's book…
Do It Today: Cut! Costumes and the Cinema at FIM, Blithe Spirit next door at American Stage and more
is the world premiere exhibit of 43 period costumes from films like The Phantom of the Opera, Casanova and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (pictured). I’m betting this will have the tweens — and their moms — out in droves, drawn by anything that so much as touched Johnny Depp…
On the Radar: Nuclear Cowboyz Motocross rides into the St. Pete Times Forum
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. It’s a bird … it’s a plane … wait, it’s the Nuclear Cowboyz freestyle motocross riders performing insane tricks amidst lasers, lights and pyrotechnics this weekend. Hold on to your seats and get ready for your heart to pound: these…
Ginger Ale’s official f@#$ buddy application
equate looking for a fuck buddy to screening job applicants. I meet an interesting man and he submits his application. If his application shows potential, I bring him in for an interview. If I REALLY like him, I may offer him a position as a fuck buddy. However, I treat fuck buddies like contract workers.…
High-speed rail cannot succeed by itself
Catherine Durkin Robinson is a handful, creating quite a scene over at Out in Left Field. It’s easy to get excited about high-speed rail in Florida. Anyone who regularly drives from Tampa to Orlando is familiar with the congestion, sense of dread, and desire to gouge out the eyes of fellow drivers after ten minutes.…
Theater Reviews: Later Life at Venue, Hate Mail at Studio@620
It’s A. R. Gurney time in the Bay area, with the playwright’s Later Life appearing in Pinellas Park and a parody of his Love Letters – titled Hate Mail – showing in downtown St. Pete. Both shows are successful to a degree, but neither is without defects in script and/or acting. Still, Gurney has made…
Concert review: A romantic evening at The Ritz with The Architects, Frank Turner and Flogging Molly (with pics)
I’ve seen Flogging Molly a handful of times. My top-ranking experiences include a show two years ago in Portland, Ore., where I stood next to the mosh-pit deflecting the masses of sweaty youths, and another one three years back in Eugene, Ore., when I took the kid I used to babysit to see them for…
Sustainable home builder to present lecture at SPC, February 18
Darren Brinkley founded REAL building in 2007 and has been involved in the green building industry for more than 4 years. He currently serves on the boards of the U.S. Green Building Council's Florida Gulf Coast Chapter and Pinellas Living Green, Inc, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's Environmental Roundtable, the USGBC's Gulf Coast Chapter's LEED for…
Photo review: Mayday Parade, We the Kings and There for Tomorrow at State Theatre
Some shots from the Sub City Take Action Tour show featuring Mayday Parade, We The Kings and There for Tomorrow at State Theatre this past Friday, February 12. There for Tomorrow frontman Maika Maile.
Speaking for West Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Ed Turanchik says proposed light rail stop should be built in West Tampa
Monday morning the board of HART (the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority) conducted a three-hour-long workshop that predominantly was focused on looking at the proposed light rail system that Hillsborough citizens will probably get the chance to vote on in November (we write 'probably' because at this time there is no actual rail proposal officially…
CL Feature: Akron/Family, a Brooklyn psyche folk trio that plays Orlando on Friday (with video)
Last year, Akron/Family took their electro-psychedelic folk rock to the next level and produced one of the best albums of 2009, not to mention their strongest effort to date. [Photo by Sebastian Mlynarski.] Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free possesses all the quality Akron/Family essentials — warm acoustic melodies and quiet blissful meditations, raw freak-outs…
CL on the Road: Infinite Skillz brings B.A.S.E. Inc to DC for the Canibus album release show, is foiled by snow
The Abominable Snow Man [pictured], Frosty, Young Jeezy, and any other snow creatures you can think of are now on notice. We officially have beef. Don't come around me singing about magic hats or running traps. The nation's capital was hit by two significant snow storms in less than one week, which proved that lightning…
Scott Harrell’s Life As We Blow It: Why I don’t hate cops
When the doorbell rang at 7:30 a.m. the morning after a night involving the Supersuckers, wildly abused bar-tab privileges and several nightcaps at St. Pete's cool, modern Queen's Head, I began voicing my disapproval long before I actually reached the threshold. (I believe the shouted profanity started while I was still trying to pull on…
1,000 strong at ‘Hands Across the Sand’ on St. Pete Beach (photos)
Our experience with the three 'Hands Across the Sand' locations on St. Pete Beach, from the public beach to the Sirata Beach Resort and past the Tradewinds Resort, was thrilling. Hundreds of participants at both the Sirata and Tradewinds were able to link. We reached out to the public beach to the south, and could…
Alex Sink says she’s ready to gear up for campaign, Biden-Cheney smackoff, and early voting begins in the House District 58 special election: Mitch Perry Report 2.15.10
Happy President's Day to one and all. And post-Valentine's Day as well, whatever that means. Sunday morning talk was a rather tame affair yesterday. The Joe Biden/Dick Cheney smackoff, as it were, was the dominant story. We bring you some of the highlights; Saturday night in Tampa local Democrats were all gussied up for their…
Competition is good for swingers and swinger businesses
As a swinger I obviously share my husband with other women and he shares me with other men or women. That is the basis of swinging. We maintain our relationship as a married couple while still giving into the opportunity to experience others. The key for us in swinging is different or new. To find…
Early voting begins today in House District 58 race
Early voting begins today in the House District 58 special election taking place in West Tampa, Seminole Heights, and northwest parts of Hillsborough County. The election is between Democrat Janet Cruz and Republican Hunter Chamberlin, with the winner replacing Democrat Mike Scionti, who stepped down from his seat back in December to take a job…
Biden Cheney debate dominates Sunday talk
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has been the highest profile member of the Bush administration to attack the Obama administration on national security issues, having done so nearly every month in the past year. Often it's been on the Web site of Politico or Fox News. On Sunday, Cheney went over to ABC's This Week,…
Holy Cupid, Batman! The Top 14 comic book couples
As much as they're about spandex, capes and saving the world, comic books — as a medium — would never have survived in a world of 3D-Blu Ray-Internet-TV-iPhones if they only revolved around the next BAM! or KA-POW! Superheroes are the mythology of the times, and behind every great mythological tale is a story of…
Do It Today: Le Grand Cirque, meet author Paul Lisicky, and a Brecker Brothers tribute
Somehow, acrobatics are always enthralling. No matter how many times we've seen the human pretzels of Le Grand Cirque jump through hoops (or become hoops themselves), or contort into impossible shapes, or perform aerial feats with, as they say, the greatest of ease — it's always mesmerizing. Le Grand Cirque troupe's choreography is rooted in…
On the Radar: Einstein on Food and Wine at MOSI
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. This Saturday, put on your classy evening duds and mosey on over to MOSI, which hosts the 15th annual Einstein on Food & Wine. The event, which is held to raise money for the museum’s educational programs, features a variety…
Why the NBA Slam Dunk Contest sucked and ways to make it better (video)
Watching the NBA’s Slam Dunk contest has always been a tradition for me. I haven’t missed a single one in over 20 years. The names of former champions Erving, Jordan, Ceballos, Nance, Carter, Wilkins and Webb ring proudly like a who’s who of elevator men. Their creativity, desire and athleticism was unrivaled in the years…
It happened this week-ish: Sexual napalm, Tina Fey as a mouse, MTV minus music, RPatz hates ladyparts and more…
*Headline of the week, thanks to US Weekly: Heidi Montag: I Like My New Chin Best. I want to preface this by saying, I'm not even into boobs, like at all, but I can tell you right now, no one is looking at your chin, Heidi. *Did you hear that thing about how John Mayer…
Photo review: Evan Dando at Crowbar in Ybor City
A series of shots from the Friday, February 12 show featuring Evan Dando and his current incarnation of the Lemonheads at Crowbar in Ybor City.
Alex Sink fires up her base in Tampa
In Tampa Saturday night at the Doubletree Hotel off of Westshore, over 300 Democrats ponied up for the Hillsborough County Kennedy Graham dinner, and the headline speaker was Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the party's gubernatorial candidate this fall. Her appearance came just hours after a story questioning her campaign so far appeared on the…
The Green Community week in review: USF’s School of Global Sustainability conference, climate change vs. weather, Clearwater mayor weighs in on the light rail, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: Easy energy saving ideas (that are great for your wallet too) – When we take a look around the home it is really easy to see where some money saving and Earth friendly changes…
Protesters and elected officials say “No, Baby, No” to off-shore oil drilling in Florida
Over 2,500 activists gathered on beaches from Clearwater to Fort DeSoto in part of a statewide protest of off-shore oil drilling on Saturday. In an event called Hands Across the Sand, crowds of people from all backgrounds and political leanings joined together to oppose the possibility of oil drilling as near as 3-10 miles off…
This week in Movies & TV: Valentine’s Day, The Wolfman, Project Runway, Lost and more …
It was a busy week here in Daily Loaf's Movies & TV department. Here's your DL rewind: Valentine's Day is for Hallmark, but the movie Valentine's Day is for everybody. The Wolfman is all bite — unfortunately. Look out Harry Potter, Percy Jackson is here to snatch your box-office mojo. CL Radio keeps pumping out…
DVD review: Bikini Royale 2: The Right to Bare All, starring Beverly Lynne
Being a contributor for both the Arts and Entertainment and Sex and Love departments here on the The Daily Loaf can be both a blessing and a curse. Sure, the ladies think it’s hot that I get to see movies for free, but every once in a while a Bikini Royale 2: The Right to Bare…
Becoming a visiting therapy pet: A great occupation for calm canines
Each morning, as Wylie dresses for work, Oriel looks on sadly. She stands by the door when Wylie and Deni leave, asking silently, “Can’t I go today?” Just as adjusting to retirement is tough for some people, this retired service dog is sometimes at a loss for how to fill her days. She found work exhausting…
DVD review: The Wolf Man — Special Edition (1941), starring Lon Chaney Jr. and Claude Rains
“Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright." Anyone who has ever seen the classic 1941 version of The Wolf Man knows that quote. Fans of the classic monster movie are in for a treat,…
On the Radar: Love for Haiti Benefit at Tank’s Tap Room
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. Kill two birds with one stone next Saturday by visiting Tank’s Tap Room for the Love for Haiti Benefit Show. For a $5 donation you’re not only providing relief for the earthquake victims in Haiti, you’ll also get an earful…
Will luge tragedy mar the Vancouver games?
Just hours before the XXI Winter Olympics were to officially begin with the opening ceremonies, a Georgian luger has been killed following a horrific crash. Nodar Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled near the bottom of the luge course during a practice round today, crashing at full speed into a metal pole. He was given…
School of Global Sustainability conference ends at USF
The University of South Florida announced its new School of Global Sustainability this week. As an introduction, the school held a two-day conference held yesterday and today at USF's Marshall Center. Today's conference, included a USF faculty panel, discussed climate change and its relation to health. Faculty present on the panel were Dr. Maya Trotz…
Project Runway podcast ep. 5: It wasn’t that big of a challenge…but there were neckerchiefs
Is it just me or was "biggest challenge in Runway history" kiiiiinda a letdown? I mean, yeah, it was a good prize and Heidi Klum is a big deal I guess, but they may have exaggerated a wee little bit. The challenge was, as we knew from the previews, design a dress for Mrs. Seal…
Matthew Spencer – Contributor
Matt Spencer is a native Floridian and a senior majoring in journalism at USF. When he isn’t salivating over Food Network HD he enjoys cooking, baking, updating his blog, making mixes for unsuspecting friends and other random acts of kindness. If there is a way to bring up Kelly Clarkson in a conversation he will…
Living a Tim Tebow-less existence: The challenge that lay in front of Urban Meyer
I have a picture of my uncle of me when I was about 15 years old. I’m wearing a Gator shirt in the photograph. My uncle Rosco attended the University of Florida well before me and had given me the shirt as a gift. At that point, campus life in Gainesville was still years away.…
Plating Food: The importance of the Maillard reaction
Most culinary students try to improve their plated food presentations by adding stuff. They try to add because they think that by adding something, anything — like an extravagant garnish for instance — their plate will always look better. They think it can only add to the presentation. Unfortunately, the overall beauty of a food…
The University of South Florida launches the nation’s first school of global sustainability
Reducing waste, saving energy and going “green” is the direction America's heading to protect our planet. Sustainability is at our doorsteps and now, the University of South Florida will take a role in leading co-operative research by opening the the nation's first School of Global Sustainability to students in the fall of 2010. USF launched the new college on Thursday,…
Demystifying the system: the St. Petersburg outreach team
For many of our neighbors living on the street, the way up seems like an impossible climb. Government systems are labyrinthine challenges. Every step in the right direction is preceded by a never-ending wait, and endless stacks of paperwork separate them from even the smallest success. Many of them succumb to failure, choosing to sleep…
Movie review: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, starring Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a mouthful of a title, but the movie it adorns is actually a slick, entertaining fantasy for young and old viewers alike. “Based on the popular series of books” is a common tag-line these days — movie studios snatch up anything that resembles a bestseller —…
Blu-ray Review: The Time Traveler’s Wife, starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams
… and that’s why I think The Time Traveler’s Wife works as both as a romance and a fantasy deeply tinged with science-fiction hues. Wait, were you expecting me to start at the beginning of the review, not at a random point within it’s own structure? Follow along to the beginning of The Rabid One's…
Stephen Colbert and Bill Nye The Science Guy slam ‘Snowpocalypse’ global warming deniers (videos)
With the Northeast still recovering from the 'Snowpocalypse', global warming deniers (namely Fox News) are having a heyday. To them, this abundance of snow and cold weather couldn't possibly mean that our planet is getting warmer and that climate change is real. I'd like to see them explain why there's currently no snow in Vancouver…
Sweets for Your Sweetheart: 3 easy truffles to make for Valentine’s Day
It's always so nice to give (and get) a lovely heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's Day. But, think of how much more special such a gift would be if the chocolates were homemade with lots of extra love thrown in! Don't think you could do it? Think again. Homemade chocolate truffles are one of…
Photo review: Black Eyed Peas at St. Pete Times Forum
A series of shots featuring the Black Eyed Peas from their show t Wednesday, February 10, at the St. Pete Times Forum. Fergie strikes a pose.
Troubling polls for Democrats, Lakeland stop on high-speed rail in uncertain and more on USF global warming conference: Mitch Perry Report 2.1210
A lot of people say there are way too many polls that political reporters rely on. We agree. However, there are some new surveys that we've to comment on; As part of the Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail line, there will be a stop in Lakeland. But where in Lakeland? That's the question that folks in Polk…
No destination point for high speed rail in Lakeland just yet
There has been an avalanche of information reported on Florida's plans to build a high speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando, especially after the state received a down payment from the feds last month to begin construction. But there is so much work still to be done. There will be 5 stops along the…
Clearwater mayor says area needs regional rail system to serve residents and attract new business
The Tampa Bay area needs some sort of rail transportation system if it is to serve residents and attract new business, Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard told a group of students and others Thursday at the Clearwater Campus of St. Petersburg College. Hibbard serves on the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority, a regional group that…
Concert review: Bowerbirds, Julie Doiron, and Geri X at New World Brewery (with scanned setlist)
In addition to hometown favorite Geri X, Wednesday night's New World Brewery show featured the low-key stylings of Canadian singer-songwriter Julie Doiron and North Carolina's folky Bowerbirds [pictured]. Geri X was clad in a white tank top, boots and gray sweater. She had at least 30 people huddled around to watch her set, a fairly…
New polls show ominous signs for Democrats in Congress – or do they?
It's become somewhat of a cliche, but the fact is that large majorities of the American public seem more disgusted with Congress than ever before. According to a new NY Times/CBS News poll, less than 10% say members of Congress deserve re-election (of course, the public generally is critical of that body, but reliably votes…
Pinellas Project Homeless Connect event report
Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless released its annual Pinellas Project Homeless Connect event report this week, detailing the numbers of clients and volunteers, and services rendered at the event. The document is viewable below. Pinellas Project Homeless Connect is a collaboration among several non-profit and faith-based organizations linking Bay Area homeless with much needed services…
Do It This Weekend: V-Day romance, DaVinci’s secrets at MOSI, RenFest, Mexican ballet, Agnes of God, the state fair and more
If you're still looking for something to do with your sweetie this weekend, check out our list of the best Tampa Bay Valentine's Day events — from the painted nekkid ladies at the MUSE art show to a GLBT dance or the Blow a Glass Heart for Your Valentine workshop, there's something for everyone. MOSI’s…
Diary of the Unemployed Housewife: Are you going to kiss me or what?
As the husband and I get closer to our five-year wedding anniversary I have been feeling rather nostalgic about our relationship over the past eight years. I never thought I would fall in love with someone with a child, never thought I would be the dreaded “stepmom,” and never thought I would one day be…
Bill Clinton undergoes more heart surgery
Former President Bill Clinton, who had major work done on his heart nearly six years ago, was admitted to a New York hospital today after complaining of chest pains. His spokesman, Doug Band, sent out this press release Thursday afternoon: “Today President Bill Clinton was admitted to the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital…
Reduce your carbon footprint and save money with Progress Energy Florida’s EnergyWise program
Help reduce your carbon footprint and save money the smart way with Progress Energy Florida’s EnergyWise program. Qualifying Progress Energy Florida customers can reduce their carbon footprint and cut their energy costs all year long by enrolling in EnergyWise – a free program that can save participating customers more than $145 annually. When a customer…
Movie review: The Wolfman, starring Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving
I'm not a big fan of the werewolf mythos in general, so it should come as no surprise that I didn't think much of Universal's The Wolfman, a big-budget relaunch of the classic horror franchise. Directed by Joe Johnston (Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Jumanji), The Wolfman is an atmospheric period tale that gleefully lifts…
Climate change researcher visiting USF says recent cold and snowy weather is no reflection on the reality of global warming
Record -breaking snowfall in some corridors of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have led global warming skeptics to have a field day in the past week. On Tuesday, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky quipped, "Where's Al Gore when we need him?" and reportedly burst out laughing when he was asked about the odds…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: ‘Hands Across the Sand’, St. Petersburg LEED buildings bus tour, Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. USF Global Sustainability Conference- Thursday/Friday, February 11-12; 9:30 am. The University of South Florida will introduce its new School of Global Sustainability with its first major conference Thursday and Friday, Feb. 11-12, featuring some of the world’s leading…
Google commits musicblogocide, shuts down major music blogs for supposed copyright issues
The music industry continues to struggle as corporate hacks bumble around trying to figure out how to make a profit when the traditional money-making model is failing. Current copyright laws are not only irrelevant, but obsolete, and as a result, we will continue to see stories like the latest outrageousness that comes direct from Google.…
This weekend’s best bets in Bay area music: Mike Doughty, Sub City Take Action Tour, Evan Dando, Yonder Mountain String Band, Gladys Knight, Worldwide Zoo, and more
A quick breakdown of this weekend’s most worthy concerts beginning with Thursday, ’cause that’s when the weekend really starts, right? For a more comprehensive schedule, check out our Upcoming Concerts page. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Mike Doughty Last year, singer-songwriter Mike Doughty (the former frontman of Soul Coughing) released his third solo album, Sad Man Happy…
‘Hands Across the Sand’ this Saturday: Beach locations and press conference information
As Mitch Perry reported in this week's Creative Loafing cover story, this Saturday, February 13, Florida residents and tourists will be gathering at Pinellas Suncoast beaches and dozens of beaches statewide, joining hands to show a united front to defend Florida’s beaches against offshore and nearshore oil drilling during the ‘Hands Across the Sand’ event.…
Vegan Valentine’s Day Love: Cookies n’ Cream Cupcake Recipe
I became curious about making vegan desserts after happening upon a delicious looking chocolate cupcake at Whole Foods. By all appearances, it seemed rich and flavorful, like something I would happily pay $4.00 to savor and enjoy. That is, until I picked it up and realized it was vegan, which prompted a knee-jerk reaction to…
On the Radar: Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming arts events to mark your calendar for. The Ballet Folklorico de Mexico high-steps onto the Straz Center stage this weekend with moves that look less like ballet and more like the upbeat, high-energy fusion of traditional and modern steps you might see in a Mexican bar…
Climate change discussion at USF, a look at the race for state ag. commissioner, and more on Hillsborough light rail proposal: Mitch Perry Report 2.11.10
Whatever one thinks of the major snowstorms rocking the mid Atlantic this week (as well as our unusually cold winter) global warming is definitely happening. Today a 2 day conference at USF begins to discuss the implications; We've got more on the light rail debate in Hillsborough County. Commissioners yesterday confirmed that they won't have…
Can Scott Maddox make Agriculture Commission race interesting?
Lost in the mishmash of covering so many different issues in the past week, we neglected to note that GOP State Senator Carey Baker from Eustice has dropped out of his race against Congressman Adam Putnam for the Republican race for Agriculture Commissioner. One big reason was he couldn't hang with the Polk County Representative…
Questions still remain for Hillsborough light rail ballot proposal
Yesterday the Hillsborough County Commission made official what had been hinted at the day before; That the vote on ballot language for the proposed one cent sales tax referendum on transportation would not take place at their meeting on March 3rd. Commission Chair Ken Hagan had said as much on Tuesday at a luncheon hosted…
As climate change bill’s future lies precariously in the Senate, USF hosts conference on the planet’s future
Last summer, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed an energy bill that included putting mandatory limits on the emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The bill, over 1,000 pages long, said that by 2020, emissions must be reduced by 17% over 2005 levels. And by 2050, emissions must be reduced by 80%…
Do It Today: Francophiles rejoice at Bleu Acier Gallery’s L’Arabesque opening and Lisa Ling speaks out on human rights
In a works-on-paper salute to the reopening of the Tampa Museum of Art and its Matisse show, printmaking atelier Bleu Acier debuts L’Arabesque tonight, a group exhibition featuring paintings, drawings and prints by artists whose eloquent gestures pay homage, in a sense, to the French master. A trio of contemporary artists from France—Pierre Mabille, Philippe…
Social Fresh Tampa: social media conference wrap-up
The words "social media" typically scare the hell out of business owners. Either you don't have the time, you don't understand it, or it's just beneath you – perceived as something your teenage kids do instead of focusing on their homework. If you're one of those brave souls looking to make moves in the world…
Who’s putting lipstick on a pig? The Hillsborough County Commission continues to bicker on light rail
On Tuesday, we reported on Al Higgenbotham said school budget departments had been cut because of Pheonix's light rail agency.
A different kind of look at the Man with the Tan
The governor visits the Fair By Chris Ingram It was a sunny day in Tampa. The wind wasn’t as brisk as it had been the day before, but it was windy enough to spread the smell of cow dung, cotton candy, and corn dogs around the midway of the Florida State Fair. There were more…
Top Chef News: Top Chef Masters Season 2 announces new lineup
Nine weeks and counting until the highly anticipated (by me, at least) next season of Bravo's Top Chef Masters and we've finally got the master chef'testant lineup. 22 big name chefs will be competing this time and some of them are familiar faces from last season. Returning for more action and to get their just…
? Valentine’s gifts for lovers ?
Don't panic. Valentine's Day may be just around the corner, but you still have time to get your lover something sultry. Even if you already have a day planned full of jewelry, roses, and proposals, nothing accentuates these sweat gestures like a bit of sexy spice. Here are a few titillating gift ideas that will…
Cocktails to make your Valentine swoon
I’m going to talk about making Valentine’s Day cocktails, so if you can’t stomach the notion that a drink can be both pink and good, this won’t be for you. Come to think of it, if you’re unable to be seen – and I’m addressing a certain type of guy – sipping a rose-colored cocktail,…
Skip the chemical-laden lube and make your own natural personal lubricant (video)
With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, it means a rise in the sales of condoms and personal lubricants. But did you know that the majority of personal lubricants on the market contain petrochemicals and preservatives that can be absorbed by your body and over time can lead to nerve, liver and brain damage, and cancer? Now…
Is Christopher Nolan the new godfather of Superman and all DC comics?
After Brian Singer’s less than enthusiastic rendition of the blue boy scout known as Superman Returns, nearly everyone had thought that Superman would be dead. When the studio wanted to do a reboot, all geekdom let out a small grown, not wanting to see another tale of how Superman learns to be Superman and stalks…
Wednesday-music.com indie music profile: Beach House
Dream-pop duo Beach House, consisting of classically trained musicians: French-born Victoria Legrand (vocals organ) and Baltimore native Alex Scally (guitar, keyboard), have been creating intimate, dark and hypnotic music since late 2004. “I love pop music, and I guess the music that we make is admittedly ethereal in some way,” said Alex. “It’s just the…
A look at USF ska band The Ambassy
Rachel Kaylor is a junior at USF majoring in broadcast journalism. She'll be writing about USF topics for the Daily Loaf, including the music scene. The deafening sound of the stereo being turned up, the banter of instruments, the first note of the song and the concert begins. This scene attracted four USF students back…
Must-see music tonight: Bowerbirds with Julie Doiron and Geri X at New World Brewery
welcomes Raleigh, N.C.’s Bowerbirds, which are currently touring in support of their second full-length LP, Upper Air. The album returns to the band’s wild mountain folk and rustic pop music with quietly fiery moments interrrupted by slow, meandering introspection. For this tour, the Airstream-traveling trio is joined by mandolin player Will Hackney. Canada singer-songwriter Julie…
Welcome ACTgreen Partnership, Tampa Bay’s newest ‘green’ non-profit, at their kickoff event in Ybor
On February 17th, a new non-profit organization will announce themselves and their services to the Tampa Bay community at a kick off event at Florida Business Interiors in Ybor City. ACTgreen Partnership was born from the idea that in order for the sustainability movement to show significant progress, not only does it have to appeal…
Kendrick Meek on why he’s sponsoring a NASCAR driver, tone deafness on the part of the Tampa Bay Rays, and a Hillsborough County Commissioner says the grass roots are against light rail: Mitch Perry Report 2.10.10
The Hillsborough County Commission convenes this afternoon for a transportation workshop, where they will again discuss the one-cent sales tax referendum for transportation scheduled to go on the November ballot. But as we reported yesterday, the measure's actual language has yet to be approved, and there might be a further delay. The Tampa Bay Rays…
Tampa Bay Rays tone deaf in Charlotte County
The Tampa Bay Rays will soon begin their second year of playing spring training games in their new home in Charlotte County. Part of the their agreement with the local government was the right to sell the stadium's naming rights. That never happened last year, but the Rays have made a deal with a local…
Condoleezza Rice speaks in Sarasota
The auditorium of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota was packed. There wasn’t a seat left in the room. Condoleeza Rice was in town. As part of the Ringling College Library Association Lecture Series, the former US Secretary of the State under the Bush administration came to address several contemporary issues on Monday.…
On the Radar: Bay Area Renaissance Festival
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Having the Bay Area Renaissance Festival (which opens this weekend) in the backyard of MOSI makes for a sort of retro-future theme park complex. On one end, there’ s a hurricane wind tunnel and astronaut ice cream. On the…
What’s next for Ed Turanchik?
High-speed rail’s biggest cheerleader is considering a mayoral run.
Joining a threesome, waxing balls & straight girl sleeping with gay male
Woman needs to be honest about her reasons.
A line in the sand for Florida offshore drilling
With a proposal in the works to allow offshore drilling in FL state waters, opposition is lining up on the beaches.
Brandi Carlile’s Ghost
Seattle-based singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile releases a follow-up to her successful Story.
Does the Myers-Briggs personality assessment really tell you anything?
My question is about the Myers-Briggs personality assessment. Is it just an example of modern-day snake oil sold by corporate soothsayers? Or does it really work? Certainly a huge industry has built up around this test. If it needs to be debunked, you're just the guy to do it. —Jim I'm of several minds about…
Restaurant reviews revisited
Three restaurants — Savannah’s, Primi Urban Cafe and Rawbar Sushi — deserve a second look.
A Little inspiration from Little Women
Get your little women to Salerno’s production of the Louisa May Alcott classic.
The libertine’s guide to gallantry: The group pick-up
Large groups of women are often avoided by insecure men. To men on the hunt, these clusters are akin to herds of gazelles: their number often makes it difficult to separate one from the pack. Also, one woman often positions herself as the prude governess, protecting the eligible bachelorettes by turning potential suitors away with…
Making music tours more sustainable: Reverb and the Green Music Group
They don't say "party like a rockstar" for nothing because the business is all about excess. The environmental impact of touring shows and music festivals can be huge- using tons of fuel and resources and creating mass amounts of waste. But one musician decided to make a difference. In 2004, Adam Gardner, Guster guitarist/vocalist, and…
The Green Community week in review: USF’s new School of Global Sustainability, building a ‘Triple Bottom Line’ economy, turning office paper into toilet paper and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: Building a 'Triple Bottom Line' economy with full spectrum employment – Consumption is down and so is the economy. Is the solution to get consumption back up? No, the solution is to move towards…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Free wine tasting at Whole Foods, green markets galore and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Dunedin Green Market- Every Friday (through April); 8 am- 1 pm. Featuring fresh, local produced goods such as baked good, ready-to-eat-foods, organic plants and herbs, coffee, honey, seafood, clothing, and so much more. The Dunedin Green Market is…
Dog-friendly dining in downtown St. Petersburg
Downtown St. Petersburg is surprisingly dog-friendly, especially compared with other Florida cities. Trying to be efficient, I try to combine dog walking with errands. My bank, the Wachovia across from Baywalk, is dog-friendly. The teller there says that the Wachovia on 1st Ave. South and 5th St. has dog cookies, though, so we’ll need to…
Ginger Ale – Contributor
The dirty secrets that lay in the brain of this vivacious redhead are enough to curl your toes from words alone.. I can be sure of that because it's my voice you've heard on the 900# you dialed. It's time to share those dirty secrets and some of my own. XXX 30-Porn Star Portraits sits…
