CL Visions Photo & Video Contest: Last day to enter — and vote!
Jonathan P. Drago's portrait of his grandfather was one of the finalists in the 2012 CL Visions photo contest. Photographers and filmmakers, today's your last chance to enter Creative Loafing's annual photo & video contest, CL Visions. Win $300, a show at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts or a screening at the Gasparilla International…
National Journal says Kathy Castor is less liberal than three years ago
Kathy Castor Let's be frank: Most Democrats who are perceived as "liberal" run from the phrase. Give credit to George H.W. Bush (and others) who demonized the word in 1988 during his run for president against Michael Dukakis. The L-word has since been replaced with "progressive," for those on the left side of the aisle.…
Tampa Bay Times’ Alexandra Zayas wins major journalism award
Since graduating from the University of Miami in 2005, Tampa Bay Times reporter Alexandra Zayas has regularly covered a variety of subjects, most prominently the Hillsborough County court system. But her byline was absent for a good part of 2012 as she worked on an exclusive investigative piece, which for several months she refused to…
Mitch Perry Report 2.27.13 – Rick Scott “no pushover” vs. Charlie Crist?
Just as the Florida political reporting establishment was getting themselves into a tizzy over a potential primary challenge to Rick Scott's bid for re-election next year comes a quirky "private poll" performed by pollster Dave Beattie and obtained by Politico. The results? Well, Scott fares well over possible Democratic entrant Charlie Crist, but according to…
Badass babes: Wrestling and roller derby spotlight female athleticism
On Sunday, I was stopped at an intersection and a bumper sticker on a car in front of me boldly announced: “I know I run like a girl; try to keep up.” Tampa Bay Tantrums roller derby team competed against Gainesville Swamp City Sirens this past weekend.
Pinellas County Commissioners approve transit tax measure on 2014 ballot
20 months. That's how long it will be before Pinellas County voters get the chance to approve or reject a one-cent sales tax that would help fund construction of a light-rail system linking St. Petersburg and Clearwater. But the campaign begins immediately, now that the Pinellas County Commission approved by a 5-1 vote on Tuesday…
The Bass Pro deal: more than we bargained for?
Last week the Hillsborough Commission agreed to pay for $6.25M of Bass Pro's their developer's road upgrades needed for access to the new mall they would build. Many are saying this deal was fishy from the very beginning. Are we getting more than we bargained for? Commission Chairman Ken Hagan pushed his fellow commissioners very…
New Music Tuesday! (February 26): Atoms for Peace, Popstrangers & more
Music out this week, with audio & video.
Allison Tant names new vice-chairs for Florida Democratic Party
Allison Tant A month after she defeated Tampa Democrat Alan Clendenin in a bitter battle to become the Florida Democratic Party chair, Allison Tant announced that four new vice-chairs will join Clendenin, who was voted in as "first" vice-chair after his loss. Pasco County's Alison Morano, St. Pete Beach's Rick Boylan, Miami-Dade's Annette Taddeo (briefly…
Downtown Tampa and Harbour Island damaged by tornado
Robert Siegel via tbo.com. A waterspout/tornado came ashore Tuesday morning, briefly touching down in Tampa. It picked up and dropped debris in the area, causing damage to establishments in Downtown Tampa and Harbour Island, including Cafe Dufrain. "We were here and the wind picked up, threw the doors right open," said Cafe Dufrain owner and…
Huzzah! Photos from the Bay Area Renaissance Festival
Defying death, rat pucking and mermaid watching are all part of the fun.
Poll: legalizing medical marijuana in Florida more popular than ever
Democratic State Senator Jeff Clemens plans to propose a bill legalizing medicinal pot.
Mitch Perry Report: Adam Putnam getting serious about 2014?
Plus: The sequester, Obama and more …
The sequester and Florida
There's been plenty of back and forth regarding the upcoming major budget cuts (known as "the sequester") that will hit the federal government this Friday, and it's getting more intense as the March 1 deadline beckons. Today, the Obama administration released a breakdown on how the sequestration would affect Florida, and the list is considerable.…
Activists urge the Florida Legislature to expand Medicaid coverage
Paula Witthaus holds a picture of her former companion who qualified for Medicaid treatment two weeks after he died in 2011 Next week, the Florida Legislature convenes for its 2013 session, and one of the issues members will vote on is whether to approve the deal with the federal government to expand Medicaid coverage. Gov.…
Two-day conference on U.S.-Cuban relations takes place next month in Tampa
On Sunday, Cuban President Raul Castro announced he will step down from power after his second term ends in 2018. The 81-year-old leader made that comment shortly after the National Assembly elected him to a second five-year tenure. In what the Reuters News Agency called a surprise move, the new parliament also named Miguel Diaz-Canel…
Oscars controversy: Quvenzhané Wallis vs. The Onion, The World vs. Seth MacFarlane and more …
Everyone loves talking about The Oscars — the fashion, the host, maybe even the awards — but what do you do when the show is a dud? Focus on the controversy! As such, one of the main things animating today's post-show conversation is a Tweet. The Onion is in hot water over a comment made…
#MusicMonday 86: Joe Budden, Amy Winehouse, Youth Lagoon and more!
What the CL Music Team is jamming this week; audio & video included
Mitch Perry Report 2.25.13: surviving the boil-water weekend
Beginning on Friday afternoon and lasting throughout most of the weekend, more than half-a-million Tampa residents were told to boil their water and/or try to find the bottled variety. The instructions were released after a rodent chewed through a power line at the city's water treatment plant. You might ask, where's the redundancy? Where's the…
Photo review: Grace Potter & the Nocturnals with Futurebirds at Jannus Live
Some shots from the Fri., Feb. 22 performance by howling roots soul-pop songstress Grace Potter & the Nocturnals at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg; warm-up by Futurebirds. Tracy May Grace Potter More photos after the jump…
Steve Brill’s answer to U.S.’s medical bill problem? Expand Medicare
This week's issue of Time magazine contains the single longest written article in the publication's 90-year history, a 24,000 word opus by journalist Steven Brill on how the health care industry in the U.S. is bankrupting us all – primarily by charging outrageously high hospital bills. Brill's methodology is brilliant: He takes up the case…
Could delays at the airports be what causes the public to care about sequestration?
We're just days away sequestration, the fancy term for $85 billion in funding that will be immediately cut from military, domestic and certain health care programs. Locally that will mean furloughs for civilians over at MacDill Air Force Base, as reported by the Tampa Tribune's Howard Altman. As President Obama and Congressional Democrats speak publicly…
Tampa water now safe to drink
This was a common site on Saturday in Tampa grocery stores Earlier this morning the city of Tampa announced that the precautionary boil water notice in effect for all city of Tampa customers since Friday afternoon has been lifted. Test results confirm that water being provided to customers is safe to consume. All told, that…
Schindler’s List hits home
Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece gets a gritty, glorious transfer to Blu-ray.
The Refinery’s Greg Baker named a James Beard Foundation Awards semi-finalist
TODD BATES Executive chef Greg Baker and wife/business partner Michelle Baker. The James Beard Foundation nominated Baker for Best Chef: South for 2012 and 2013. The James Bread Foundation is out with this year's nominees for its highly prestigious awards, and Greg Baker, executive chef/owner of The Refinery and a three-time readers' pick for Best…
MSNBC’S Chris Hayes panel talks about Rick Scott’s about face on Medicaid expansion
This morning on Up with Chris Hayes on MSNBC, Rick Scott's decision this week to agree to a Medicaid expansion (if the Legislature approves it) was grist for his proverbial mill for a three-part segment. Among the panelists to chat about this big news were the Tampa Bay Times Tia Mitchell and Joy-Ann Reid with…
Panel of local Tampa Bay area meteorologists talk about Florida’s severe weather risks
Left to Right: Jennifer Collins, Brian LaMarre, Paul Dellegatto, Mike Clay, Bobby Deskins, Brooks Garner Florida is a high risk location when it comes to storms. Thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes all seem to find an easy fit into Florida’s weather. Brian LaMarre suggests that the main cause of hurricane deaths is due to the storm…
The wedding party
My sister’s big day is causing conflicts of schedule and sexuality.
Tampa water service outage: Use boiled or bottled water for another 48 hours, says city
A power outage at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility led to a temporary drop in water pressure or loss of service to customers in the Tampa service area, the Mayor's office announced earlier today. Power has now been restored, but a directive from the city recommends that customers either boil tap water before…
Oscar Red Carpet Arrivals/Post Show: Live from the 85th Annual Academy Awards
Check back Sunday evening before and after the 85th Academy Awards for live streaming video from the event.
Ratting out Snitch
I like Dwayne Johnson, I just don’t like his movie.
Sarasota Republican Party chair says Rick Scott’s decision to expand Medicaid makes financial sense
Sarasota Republican Party chair Joe Gruters Florida Republican lawmakers have made it loud and clear how disappointed and unhappy they are about Gov. Scott's recent announcement to expand Medicaid in Florida, despite the fact that it's what a majority of Floridians actually want him to do. The attitude of some Tea Party members and fiscal…
Vintage Ultra Lounge closes, Club Detroit returns
Vintage Ultra Lounge The crew at Vintage on their last night before closing. After five years of slinging spirits and thumping tunes, Vintage Ultra Lounge in downtown St. Pete is closed. Last week, the crew was evicted from their current location at 16 Second St. N. A post on Vintage's Facebook page read, "We regret…
Pink It Up! against breast cancer
Breast cancer touches everyone’s lives. One in eight American women will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. As startling as this number is, you have to realize that not only does this affect the women who are diagnosed, but everyone in their lives as well, said Bylli…
Mitch Perry Report 2.22.13 – Rick Scott agrees to provide healthcare to more Floridians and gets pilloried by his own party
We will never, ever say that the Tea Party's power is diminished, having done so a few years ago and brutally seeing that prediction turn to dust. But we will say that though that part of the Republican Party of Florida probably makes up the diehard base of Rick Scott's support, their support (or lack…
The Arab Winter
Egyptian journalist and USFSP visiting speaker Ashraf Khalil is raising questions about his troubled country.
Love that
Locals talk about how they fell for fashion, from first time to latest crush.
Green miles
Is Hillsborough finally waking up to the benefits of bike paths?
Dear abbey
Sierra Nevada’s Ovila lineup of abbey-style ales is a welcome addition to an already stellar collection.
Mitch Picks Oscar Flix
News & Politics Editor Mitch Perry is also one serious film buff …
Crossfit competition’s recent weekend takeover at the Pier
In 2011, Men's Health Magazine released some article based simply on statistical information to make the claim that St. Petersburg was the "saddest city in America." Chris Girandola The Pier was the setting for a major crossfit competition in St. Pete featuring 300 athletes from all across the country. CrossFit Tecnica and Jonny Reno's hosted…
Shaq’s not too quick on the Upload
The former basketball star’s new TV show is an airball.
Lawrence Wright’s Going Clear is the latest addition to the growing canon of Scientology exposes
If it seems you've been seeing and reading more about the Church of Scientology than ever in recent years, you're not imagining things. The primary reason has been the defection of several high-ranking members from the Church's Sea Org, who have become prime source material for journalists or told their stories themselves. One of the…
Steve Newborn running WUSF News … for now
WUSF's Steve Newborn Late last month, Scott Finn — the news director at WUSF 89.7 FM since 2009 — left the Tampa NPR affiliate to return to West Virginia, where he's now the executive director of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Longtime reporter Steve Newborn has replaced Finn in the interim. This past Tuesday, Newborn covered…
Do you have an Oral Fixation?
After an hiatus of several months, the Oral Fixation open mic series, which caters predominantly to LGBTQ writers and performers, makes its comeback tonight at its new home: Ybor City’s R Bar. Doors open at 9 p.m. and performers take the stage starting at 10 p.m. For a year-and-a-half, Oral Fixation prided itself on establishing…
Tampa City Council accepts report on EB-5 project, but its future remains unknown
Charlie Miranda Today, the Tampa City Council called on its attorney to present a resolution in two weeks that would direct the Buckhorn administration to create an EB-5 regional center, an increasingly popular federal Immigrant Investor Program. Whether the city will go forward with it remains unknown, though Bob McDonough — the city's urban development…
Mitch Perry Report 2.21.13: Gov. Scott’s about face on Medicaid expansion dubbed “a sad day for conservatives”
Today, conservative activists in Florida and across the country are denouncing Rick Scott after his Wednesday announcement about Medicaid. He said he supports expanding Medicaid, following other Republican governors like Ohio's John Kasich, Michigan's Rick Snyder, Arizona's Jan Brewer, and several others who are reversing course in expanding their state's health insurance program to cover…
We like to watch
House of Cards, Downton Abbey, The Walking Dead and other conundrums of 21st-century TV.
Deep Carnivale: A whirlwind of words
This year’s Artists & Writers Group festival offers an impressive and provocative lineup.
This week in Tampa Bay area live music: Muse, Zac Brown Band, Paleface and more …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Dark Star Orchestra Recently joined by Phil Lesh at a show in San Francisco, beloved Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Star Orchestra returns to enchant both old Deadheads and those fans who may never have gotten to see the band perform. Dark Star reconstructs historic setlists from the Dead’s extensive live catalog…
The sporting things to do this weekend (Feb. 22-24)
Our short list of things to do in the sporting world of Tampa Bay.
Singing the praises of Ida’s historic church concert in Tampa
The band hadn’t played Tampa in 13 years, and returned with a memorable show.
League of Conservation Voters releases its 2012 National Environmental Scorecard
The after effects of Superstorm Sandy Today, the League of Conservation Voters — a Washington D.C.-based environmental group — came out with its 2012 National Environmental Scorecard, and the results shouldn't be too surprising. Florida Democrats like Kathy Castor and Bill Nelson did extremely well, scoring in the 90th percentile. Republicans like Bill Young and…
Oscar Experience: Tampa is Sun., Feb. 24 at the Tampa Theatre
Plus: Don’t miss this week’s Studio 10 for a preview of Sunday’s telecast.
Rebels with a cause
Florida students protest Keystone XL with thousands in the nation’s Capitol.
Permanent smackdown
Local art punk three-piece Permanent Makeup on keeping their day jobs — and unleashing their debut full-length.
Lea Lexis: Romanian gymnastics star turned sex Olympian
Shawn Alff Lea Lexis at the 2013 AVNs I only lasted 30 seconds with Lea Lexis, which is longer than most men last with her, especially in a handstand competition. When I met the Romanian gymnast turned porn star at the AEE Expo in Las Vegas, she offered me a taste of her parfait. I…
Hillsborough County Commission approves Bass Pro deal
Ken Hagan championed the effort to woo Bass Pro to Hillsborough County After two months of public discussions, the Hillsborough County Commission approved a $6.25 million public subsidy that's anchored to Bass Pro Shops and will improve roads around a new commercial shopping plaza in Brandon near I-75 and the Selmon Expressway. Construction begins later…
O’ brother, where to eat?
Neighborhood hangout, martini bar, a taste of Brooklyn — O’Bistro does them all.
Coffee shop dining guide
Where to get a cup of coffee and bite to eat in the neighborhood.
The Amazon Trail: Poor me
My sweetheart and I are on extreme ends of the country right now, for very practical and very temporary reasons. I’m trying to keep the house clean, the animals content without their adored other person, and feed myself. Last year I had treatments that released me from my allergy to corn products. I can go…
What would it have been like if I had been loved there?
There it is again, that same damn green sign. “Exit 59" on the New York State Thruway. “Dunkirk/Fredonia". When I was a kid, seeing that sign meant I was almost home. Close to my warm bed. Close to my room full of Blondie records and Berenstain Bears book. Near all of my favorite stuffed animals.…
