Ask Dream Momma: dodging a bullet
Dear Dream Momma, I never ride the bus but in this dream I'm sitting in a bus in the middle on the right hand side. There's two passengers sitting in front of me, one is an elderly lady. A few rows behind me is a woman. On the left side behind me is a man.…
Do It Today: Derek Trucks w/Susan Tedeschi and There for Tomorrow
He’s a songwriter and slide guitar giant who's been an official member of the Allman Brothers since 1999 and has led his own band for more than 15 years with subtly deft guitar work and a pure, effects-free tone that sings all on its own. She’s the soulful guitar-riffing blues songstress with throaty, gospel-tinged vocals,…
From blue collar to blue plate special: Trailer trash pot roast
The tide has definitely started to turn, weather-wise, for us down here in the Sunshine State. The temperatures this past few weeks have actually dipped down into the 50’s a few times. From April through November, I long for this respite from our oppressive heat and grueling humidity, however short-lived it may be. I revel…
Do It This Weekend: The Annual Xmas Show at New World and more
Merry Christmas, everyone! Here's a nice musical present for you: Brian Repetto (of Dumbwaiters and Insect Joy fame) returns to the stage as The Dark Esquire, a newish act that sports a dynamic Duran-meets-Bowie-meets-Roxy Music sound and should have the crowd dancing off the calories consumed all day. The premiere live lineup features Flexxehawk's Chris…
Chase away the cold with Russian tea
Oh, the weather outside is frightful! And, a fire would be so delightful — if there was one. Since my fireplace remains in the same pristine state it was in when we built it fifteen years ago (don’t ask!), I’ve been looking for other ways to stay warm and toasty during this cold, damp and…
The president signed the DADT repeal — but one gay soldier says it’s a little early to come out just yet
First, the accomplishment must be honored: Even though the LGBT community has rightly hounded the Obama administration for not acting more swiftly on promised reforms, the fact that the president was able to bring DADT to repeal in the last moments of a lame-duck Congress is inarguably a huge achievement, and long, long overdue. But…
Book review: How They Were Found, by Matt Bell
Click on the book to order direct from the publisher. They get more money that way. How They Were Found is a book made out of contradictions. Characters die left and right, but still there is hope. Everyone is looking to stitch together a ruptured world, to map nonexistent places and open doors into them,…
Holiday gifts for cocktail geeks
Next to a nice bottle of hooch, few things do more to raise the spirits of a cocktail geek quite like nifty tools and recipe books. Some last-minute holiday gifts for the cocktail lover: Few things sound and taste as lovely in the glass as big-ass ice cubes. Tovolo King Cube Extra Large Silicone Ice…
Nicotine condoms: Knocking out two bad habits at once
The problem with most quit-smoking devices is that they aren't as cool as smoking. You have to wear a huge patch, gnaw on nasty gum, or puff on electronic vapor cigarettes. Wearing a condom coated with nicotine-infused lube to get your daily cigarette and sex fix is quite possibly the best idea ever for kicking…
GM reusing oil spill booms for Chevy Volt parts
No, not those booms made from hair clippings and pantyhose. General Motors is utilizing about 100 miles worth of plastic boom material, once used to keep some of the oil at bay along the Gulf shores, and turning it into vehicle parts for the plug-in hybrid electric Chevy Volt. The recycled booms will be used…
Most offensive shows of 2010: Brandon Hilton and Foxy Shazam
It really bores me when people act “stereotypically gay” for the sake of a reaction, though there's is certainly a target audience for it. In 2010, I was at two separate concerts where I encountered male performers wearing their flamboyance more like a chic accessory than an expression of inner-self. The audiences at both shows…
Nintendo Wii named most energy-efficient popular gaming console
Wii owners, give yourself a pat on the back for unknowingly purchasing the most energy-efficient gaming console on the market. Researchers at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) recently tested three of the top-selling gaming systems — the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, and the Microsoft Xbox 360 — against one another to see which…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Wednesday, December 22: Willard's Tap House Buy a pint of one of the Victory Brewing Co. beers on tap and keep the glass. Pouring Prima Pils, Storm King, Hop Devil, Yakima Glory and Golden Monkey. 7-10 p.m. 12500 Starkey Road, Largo; 727-581-8600, willardstaphouse.com Thursday, December 23: World of Beer Westchase Forget the milk and cookies…
GOP pundit’s dream Senate candidate: A no-nonsense Polk County Sheriff
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (R) is known to residents of Florida’s I-4 corridor as a no-nonsense law enforcement officer who knows how to identify a problem, take aim at it and put the bad guys in jail. He’s a lot like Arizona’s Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio minus the overdose of Viagra. Judd’s performance…
Hollywood hopes you’ll hit the multiplex this Christmas Day, but which flick is right for you?
Welcome back, my friends, to the season that never seems to end: the holiday movie season, that is. Hollywood opened the firehose of new releases around Thanksgiving, spraying the multiplex with a torrent of Potters, Burlesques and James Franco's arm blood. Now it's time for the deluge. The week leading to Christmas has seen the…
Movie review: Little Fockers, starring Robert DeNiro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand (with video trailer)
After meeting both The Parents and The Fockers, here we are at round three of the epic battle between Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and his father-in-law, Jack Byrnes (Robert DeNiro). The first two movies were funny, but can this latest sequel live up to its predecessors? Little Fockers involves parents, kids and the coming together…
Do It Today: Renowned DJ Diplo, comedian Sean Patton and Straz’s Nutcracker
World-renowned producer and DJ Diplo, nee Thomas Wesley Pentz, rose to prominence through his work with ex-girlfriend M.I.A. and has all sorts of pots a-stewing, along with an undeniable knack for blending indigenous music with modern beats.
Suicide – How Has It Affected Your Life?
When it came time to make a video for my song "One Phone Call," I put out a call for submissions. Soon my inbox was full of images of people's lost friends, family members, spouses, and loved ones. Or people sent photos of themselves and bravely talked about their own struggles with depression and survival.…
How to tell your daughter that she needs to wear a shirt
My daughter is at the age where she needs to start wearing a shirt, but she doesn't understand why. When I tell her to put one on she rolls her eyes and gives me that how-come-I-have-to-wear-a-shirt-when-my-brother-gets-to-go-topless-all-the-time look. "I know it's a dumb rule but it's still a rule," I tell her. "And I promise that…
Pinellas transit plans: Making the roads safer for pedestrians
In the wake of the death of the penny sales tax that would have launched major transit improvements in Hillsborough, the county to the west is picking up where its neighbor left off. At a meeting held yesterday in downtown Clearwater, the Metropolitan Planning Organization Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Committee discussed plans for transportation improvements. The…
Movie & News links for Tues., Dec. 21st, 2010: The year in unnecessary censorship, Jafar Panahi sentenced to prison in Iran, Happy Holidays from Ricky Gervais and more …
In some truly distressing news, Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi (Offside, The White Balloon, Crimson Gold, The Circle), maker of some of world cinema's most-celebrated recent films, has been sentenced to six years in prison and 20 years of silence. (He is barred from making any films, writing any scripts, traveling abroad or speaking to the media). Panahi was arrested after…
Spoiler Corner: Glee, Parenthood, Vampire Diaries, and more!
Are you dying without your holiday fix of your favorite show? Are repeats getting your spirits down? Well no fear here TV lovers read what's next for your favorite guilty pleasures and TV obsessions! Find out who is getting engaged? Who is dying? And most importantly who is hooking up! So read on and find…
DIY Green: Make your own gift bows from old magazines (video)
Stop! Forget about buying any more bows to adorn your holiday gifts and make your own. Though it'll take a little time to make them, you'll be able to reap the praise and rewards from your recipients for being so crafty. Plus, you'll be saving money and gas from not having to grab them at…
Skål! Mull some festive Swedish Glögg to warm your holiday nights
Holiday traditions are as varied as the people that celebrate them. Ask any person what evokes that holiday spirit in them, and you will be given answers across the spectrum or sights and sounds and smells and tastes. For some it is that first cold day, or the first snowflake. For others it is the…
New music releases out this Tuesday, December 21: David Banner & 9th Wonder, Jamie Foxx, Keri Hilson, and more (with videos)
The holidays are almost here, which means that the releases are dwindling to a very few. Here's the ones out today, Tuesday, December 21. Looking for some late last minute music-giving ideas? Click here to check out new releases from the past several months. Avant, The Letter (Verve Forecast) David Banner & 9th Wonder, Death…
Last-minute local gift ideas for foodies, green thumbs, eco-fashionistas and more
There are now four shopping days left before Christmas. While it's not yet time to panic (wait til Christmas Eve for that), if you haven't yet finished your holiday shopping then this is the time to start. Instead of heading to the "Big Box" chain stores, put money back into the economy this season and…
Movie review: Joel & Ethan Coen’s True Grit, starring Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin (with trailer)
There is always a stigma when Hollywood remakes a classic. The comparison of the original (which is usually far superior) to the new version is often cruel, and much talk about the lack of originality in Hollywood usually ensues. Fortunately, that's not the case with the remake of the John Wayne Western True Grit. The…
Top 10 sexiest interviews of 2010 (NSFW)
Sure your fancy "career" in sales or finance or janitorial services may pay more than mine. You may even have such benefits as "a retirement plan" or "health insurance" or "a desk," but I get paid to interview the most sultry women on the planet about sex. So, as 2010 comes to an end and…
Do It Today: Hard Rock Cafe opens, Straight No Chaser, CircusFit, holiday lights and Holiday-aroke
Bust out your best air-guitar windmill — the long-awaited Hard Rock Cafe at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opens to the public today. The 17,500-sq. ft., 371-seat addition to the worldwide chain of rock 'n' roll-themed cafes is not only about the food and music memorabilia, it also integrates technology, gaming and live…
Lightning blow by Hurricanes 5-1
The Tampa Bay Lightning came in to Monday night ahead of the ninth-place Carolina Hurricanes by six points in the Eastern Conference standings and riding a three-point winning streak; both were numbers they hoped to extend. The Bolts accomplished that goal, blowing by the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1. Tampa Bay got off to a quick start…
Hailing a water taxi: The dream of a ferry across Tampa Bay surfaces again
St. Petersburg resident Rand Moorhead, 53, has the look of an aging beach boy. Born in Michigan, he’s lived all over the U.S. and the world, and by his own estimation has worked in perhaps five dozen jobs throughout his life (including stints organizing transportation conferences at Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute and teaching English in…
EarthTalk: What is “desertification” and why it is an important environmental issue?
The following is from the environmental themed advice column EarthTalk®, by the Editors of the non-profit publication E/The Environmental Magazine, that we’ll be regularly featuring here on CL’s Green Community. Dear EarthTalk: Can you explain what “desertification” is and why it is an important environmental issue? — Jay Harris, Nashville, TN Desertification is the degradation…
Epicurean adventure: 24 hours in Manhattan (plus recipe)
What would you do if you had just twenty-four hours in Manhattan? I was faced with this difficult question a few months ago when, on a whim, I flew to Manhattan to meet up with my boyfriend, David. When an email offer of a super cheap plane ticket fell into my inbox, and with knowledge…
“World’s Best Female Pick-Up Artist,” Marni Kinrys, on the Wing Girl Method
It’s hard enough finding a woman who likes you, let alone a woman who likes you enough to be completely honest with you and help you pick-up other women. Marni Kinrys founded the Wing Girl Method of attraction because she wants to be that woman. She's no matchmaker or life coach. She's an anointed attraction…
On the Radar: Café Hey Boxing Day Incident
One of our favorite hangouts for coffee, nosh and cutting-edge goodness — and most recently, beer — hosts the opening reception for an extensive new art show, The Boxing Day Incident, Sunday, Dec. 26.
Ask Dream Momma: Dreaming of Scorpions and Spiders
“Dear Dream Momma, I’m new to Tampa and was told to e-mail you by my new boyfriend, who loves Creative Loafing. This dream really upset me so I hope you can help. I’ve had this dream three times and in I keep finding large scorpions and hairy spiders in my new apartment. It’s gotten so…
Joe Klein on the morphing of John McCain: From “honorable conservative” to “bitter… trigger-happy gambler”
I was so glad to read this piece by Joe Klein on the lately unfailing tendency of Senator John McCain to play to the lowest common denominator. I'd been wondering, too, where the old McCain went… the guy who stood up to the Bushies, who slipped out of partyspeak now and then during his previous…
Photo review: Justin Bieber and others at St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa
Some shots featuring pop sensation Justin Bieber from his show at the St. Pete Times Forum this past Sunday, December 19. Complete photo galleries after the jump, including pics by openers Jasmine V., Mindless Behavior, and Sean Kingston.
We’re in a ‘plastic state of mind’: Say no to plastic bags (video)
Did you know that plastic kills 1.5 million marine animals every year? You can make a difference. Just say no to plastic, starting at the grocery store. Governments can make money by implementing a fee for use of plastic bags, but until then, take advantage of those who give you a discount for using your…
Hard Rock Cafe 2.0: The new Hard Rock Cafe Tampa boasts interactive diversions, live music and classic American fare
This Tuesday, December 21, the long-awaited Hard Rock Cafe at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino will be open to the public. I have to admit that I was expecting the usual layout and design that I've experienced in the others I've visited in numerous cities — hard woods from floor to ceiling, and…
Photo review: 93.3FLZ Jingle Ball with Maroon 5, B.o.B, Enrique Iglesias, Train, Bruno Mars and more at St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa
Some shots from 93.3 FLZ's 2010 Jingle Ball at the St. Pete Times Forum last Sunday, December 12. Among the eclectic roster of performers was young pop singer-songwriter Bruno Mars [pictured below], Latin pop superstar Enrique Iglesias, and AC rockers Maroon 5. Complete photo gallery after the jump.
‘I Just Had Sex’ – Lonely Island’s latest club pumping comedy classic (video)
The Lonely Island is proving with each viral song that these dudes aren't the Weird Al Yankovics of their generation, simply rewriting pop sings with an accordion twist. Nor is front man, Andy Samberg, the latest Adam Sandler or Jimmy Fallon knockoff singing cute songs on an acoustic guitar. Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone are…
AltDotPop: January Jones is naked for Versace, Mariah Carey will soon have another set of twins, Michelle Williams trashtalks Dawson’s Creek, Demi Lovato has boobs and she wants you to see them
*January Jones is the new face, but more like the body of Versace. The new ad campaign is basically just Miss Jones with a bag and nothing else at all. I work in media but I'll be honest, I have never wanted to buy a Versace bag so badly. (more pics) This week, people said…
Tips to help conserve energy and resources for a greener holiday
The holiday season is a time of the year when the most energy and resources are used, but also gives us many opportunities to conserve them. Here are some tips that can really make your winter holidays “green”: If your family celebrates Christmas and gets a real Christmas tree, you can recycle them when the…
A blast from the past in a bottle: Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico
Just looking at the label sent a familiar jolt through me. The classic dun-colored label. Same engraved scene of some royal dude accepting a goblet of wine from a servant. Then I opened it and sniffed. Pow! And tasted. Ka-blam-o! Mid-swallow, I time-traveled back more than two decades, to when I was pretending to study…
Do It Today: WMNF Radio Theatre Project and Heart of Darkness Christmas Spectacular
If you like Garrison Keillor and all things old-time-radio-style, you'll dig the WMNF Radio Theatre Project: It’s a Wonderful Life broadcast tonight, which takes listeners back in time with heartwarming holiday classics performed live at Studio@620. The live WMNF-88.5 FM will be signed for the hearing impaired ?by Carol Downing from Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf.…
The Green Community week in review: Gulf seafood testing, Florida’s threatened black bear population, COP16 ‘head in the sand’ protest and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: EarthTalk: China surpassed U.S. carbon emissions, producing 17% of total world carbon dioxide output – China passed the U.S. as the world’s leading greenhouse gas emitter back in 2006 and today produces some 17 percent…
The Art Basel no one talked about: Football, free beer and baleadas in the laundromat
Day 1, 11:35 p.m. My first night at Basel. Here with Mitzi Jo, checking in at Bardot in Wynwood for a private party featuring a performance by Perry Farrell. He’s launching a program called “Precision Guided Musicians” that I can’t figure out, even after reading the press info. Bardot is a cool venue, though. Lots…
Lightning beat Sabres 3-1; win streak at 3
The Tampa Bay Lightning had not had much success at home against the Buffalo Sabres of late; that changed Saturday night at the St. Pete Times forum, as the Lightning defeated Buffalo 2-1 in a high-intensity game that had a bit of a post-season feel to it. The first period got off to a hard…
Senate repeals Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell; all that’s left is Obama’s signature
UPDATE: It's all over except for Obama's signature. The Senate voted 65-31 today to repeal the Don't Ask/Don't Tell policy, ending, as the New York Times puts it, "a 17-year struggle over a policy that forced thousands of Americans from the ranks and caused others to keep secret their sexual orientation." UPDATE: The Senate voted…
Cynical and Southern: Number of sexual partners — to tell the truth or not?
I’ve had sex with 8 trillion guys. McGloffy’s — over 8 trillion served! I’m lying. I’ve only had sex with 10,000. Or 30. Or 800. Let’s forget about numbers for now. The truth about my sexual past nags at me. A cloying insecurity. The imaginary black cloud above my head that I fear people may…
Foodie shopping Guide: Gourmet and international markets in Tampa Bay
This week we're giving you a guide to gourmet and international markets where you can find tasty items for your personal enjoyment and holiday entertaining needs, as well as unique gifts for foodie friends. AEGEAN DELI & MARKET 1370 Clearwater-Largo Rd. N., Largo; 727-585-4661. At first glance you could mistake this for just any old…
Book Review: What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us, by Laura van den Berg
It was late, 4 A.M., and I’d just finished the story for the third time. I turned back to the title page, “We Are Calling to Offer You a Fabulous Life,” and just sat there, not thinking of anything in particular. Instead, I sat there in the sleeping house, doing my best to chain-smoke myself…
Reindeer Gone Wild: Final Two Nights For Adult-Themed Play By Carrollwood Players
You know these characters but you've never seen them like this. The reindeers that pull Santa's sleigh are kicking back, cracking jokes, flirting and spillling juicy gossip about their portly employer in Carrollwood Players' "The Eight: Reinder Monologues," a play that finishes its run this weekend at the Carrollwod Playhouse, 4333 Gunn Highway in Plantation Plaza.
The 16 most preposterous Christmas sweaters
The joys of the holiday season are often counteracted by the ugliness of seasonal accoutrements. For every warm holiday cookie, there is an annoying gift fruitcake. For every wonderful present you get, there is another one you can’t possibly fathom using. And for everything else wonderful about the holiday season, there is the horror of…
Movie & News links for Fri., Dec. 17th 2010: Top 10 list mania, Jon Stewart on the 9/11 First Responders Bill, lost 2001 footage found, 2010 in pictures and much more …
Top 10 list Mania!! Roger Ebert's Top 10 Films of 2010. Pitchforks Top 50 Albums of 2010. Director John Waters top 10 Films of 2010. Lisanti Quarterly's hilarious parody of movie critics' top 10 lists, and Vanity Fair's Top 10 Worst Top 10 Lists of 2010. Newsweek's Russ Juskalian on how your teen experiences affect…
Movie review: James L. Brooks’ How Do You Know, starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson (with trailer video)
Yes, there’s a rom-com predictability and veneer to James L. Brooks’s latest, How Do You Know. But in this case, the old saw holds true that the journey is more important than the destination. And it’s the detours along the way that make this particular entry in a well-worn genre rather refreshing. What makes How…
Help The Nature Conservancy protect the Florida black bear’s shrinking habitat
is currently working to protect 631 acres of land in Central Florida in hopes of saving the state's dwindling population of black bears and they need our help in order to make it happen. This land is part of heavily wooded forest known as Hollywood Pines — one of two unprotected properties in the corridor…
You’ve come a long way, gingerbread: Dark chocolate chip gingerbread bars with cream cheese icing
With the holiday season in full swing, I find myself in the mood to do some baking, which is a rare occurrence because for me anything involving sugar, flour and eggs usually equals frustration and disaster. I decided to be brave, going old-school and trying my hand at gingerbread, which has quite a history behind…
More holiday gifts for super music fans only: Michael Jackson statue, Elvis cookie jar, and more
The seasons are here again, and there’s not enough time in the day to do all the things that you have to accomplish, and in the back of your mind, there’s someone special that deserves something that’s always so difficult to find. Tread lightly and glimpse into a sordid strange landscape where the only purchasers…
Movie review: Joseph Kosinski’s Tron: Legacy, starring Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde (with trailer video)
Whatever mystique and allure the nascent world of computers held for moviegoers when Tron arrived in theaters in 1982 has certainly bypassed a generation raised on the Web and wireless communications. Which is why the very conceit of the Tron films — that they take place within the digital realm — can’t be expected to…
Congressman-elect David Rivera under investigation — who is next?
What might gambling, mommas, and questionable ethics have in common? David Rivera and one senator-elect By Chris Ingram The Miami Herald reports today that Congressman-elect David Rivera (R – Miami) is being investigated over $500,000 in questionable payments from a Dade County dog track to his mother. Rivera, who has questionable ethics, lacks integrity, and is an…
Jacob Hacker, John Harwood among those coming to speak in Sarasota early next year
Yale University professor Jacob Hacker in recent years has become well known as one of the best minds in public life writing and speaking about progressive public policy issues. Hacker is the co-author of the recently published Winner-Take-All Politics: How Washington Made the Richer Richer—and Turned Its Back on the Middle Class (published by Simon…
Greco TPD’s choice for mayor; Tampa City Council reacts strongly to charges they’re being idle regarding panhandling, and CL’s top (non-political) picks of the year: Mitch Perry Report:12.17.10-12.28.10
This is the last MPR column for the next week and a half, as I will be going to home to San Francisco to observe Christmas with family and friends. But there's still news to report, and we do carry our laptop with us, meaning if there's something significant happening on this vacation, we'll be…
EarthTalk: Are the world’s amphibians still in decline and what’s being done to help them?
The following is from the environmental themed advice column EarthTalk®, by the Editors of the non-profit publication E/The Environmental Magazine, that we’ll be regularly featuring here on CL’s Green Community. Dear EarthTalk: Are the world’s amphibians still in decline and what’s being done to help them? — Chris W., Stamford, CT Unfortunately yes, amphibians are…
The sweet taste of success: On tap at the Cigar City Brewing tasting room
The recent drama between Cigar City Brewing and the Tampa City Council over the fate of the tasting room at the brewery has made for good theater and has been fodder for articles nationwide. The thriving local business pitted against the narrow-sighted and unwilling to listen “nay” voters on the council was an eye-opening experience…
My top 10 of the year in film, music & books
Regular readers of this space know that on occasion, I like to leave the world of politics and go off topic to write about sports, movies, or other issues that are fun to pontificate on. So pardon my chutzpah, but since this is nearly my last posting of 2010, I thought for fun I'd offer…
Tampa Police Union endorses Dick Greco for Mayor
The Tampa Police Benevolent Association will formally announce on Friday that they are endorsing Dick Greco for mayor in next year's election in Tampa. Of the 222 votes tabulated, Greco took home 63% of the vote. Bob Buckhorn was a distant second with 23%, with former Police Officer Marion Lewis garnering 10%. Tom Scott was…
Carrie West on why he wants to be the next City Council member in Tampa’s District 5
Ybor City merchant Carrie West is proud of creating the GaYBOR District Coalition in 2007, and says that through the coalition he's helped bring over two dozen new businesses into Ybor over the past few years. One of those new businesses, Hamburger Mary's, was the site of a fundraiser for the Tampa City Council District…
Kathy Castor comes out in support of Tax cut compromise plan promoted by President Obama
(UPDATE: The House voted around midnight Thursday night to pass the $858 billion tax cut plan 277 to 148). Congressional Democrats have been up in arms over the past two weeks, angry at President Obama and/or Congressional Republicans for the tax cut plan negotiated between the President and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, which keeps…
Do It This Weekend: Aries Spears, Scrog and other events to get your fa-la-la-la on
Need a good laugh to get you through the holidays? Aries Spears, the versatile performer and impersonator of celebs like Kanye West and Shaquille O'Neal, is probably best known as a former cast member of Mad TV and has appeared all over TV and in a bevy of blockbuster flicks. Dec. 17-19. $16, $18. Tampa…
Mike Suarez in Tampa City Council District 1 race
Mike Suarez, a former chairman of the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee who makes his living as an insurance agent, is the latest candidate to file to run for Tampa City Council, but at the rate things are going, he surely won't be the last. Suarez today announced he's running in Tampa's District 1 race. …
Movie and News links for Thurs., Dec. 16, 2010: R.I.P. Blake Edwards, Criterion’s spring lineup, A.O. Scott’s Top 10 of 2010 and more …
Director Blake Edwards (The Pink Panther series, Breakfast at Tiffany's) has died. He was at 88. The Guardian offers this photographic retrospective of his career. The Economist on importance of The Federal Reserve's independence. The Criterion Collection announces its March DVD titles, which include the 1939 Technicolor classic The Mikado, as well as Oscar-winning films Topsy-Turvy and The Times of Harvey Milk.
Cut out the “dumb,” wasteful consumption and get a chance to win a smart car (video)
"Amercia's got a fever of a hundred and dumb," states smart USA, the maker of the smart car, in their newest video. Why are they calling us dumb, you ask? Because of all the mindless consumption on dumb purchases we make on a regular basis. You know, all that crap we buy (especially during this…
Holiday harmonies: Food pairings for your holiday cheese plates and a list of serving tips
The cold weather is finally here! With the decreasing temperature, our biological cravings for foods with more flavor increase. Favorite recipes that require baking in the oven and toppings of rich cheese are resurrected from cookbooks that were stored away during the hot summer months. Fanciful daydreams of beautiful holiday cheese platters for celebratory gatherings…
Update: Amy Grant and Vince Gill at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater (concert review with photos)
Country star Vince Gill and contemporary Christian star Amy Grant hardly get a chance to tour together. Their paths rarely cross when out on the road playing to their respective fan bases but the married couple has made a habit of getting together during the month of December to take their joint Christmas show out…
New GOP Florida Congressman Allen West challenges work ethic of his colleagues
Allen West has said a number of controversial statements both before and after he was elected last month to Congress, defeating Democrat Ron Klein in their South Florida contest. But we've got to give it up to West for his press release issued this morning, in which he blasts his GOP House colleagues for their…
Tampa City Council defends itself against charges it’s doing nothing on panhandlers
Several members of the Tampa City Council defended themselves today on why they don't support an ordinance that would ban panhandling at city intersections. The issue has become one of the hottest in city politics since the noticeable increase in such solicitations this year, in part some say because of the city of St. Petersburg's…
Tampa Mayoral candidates compete for police union’s support; new poll shows all time low for Afghan war, and plans for Pinellas County jail-annex/homeless shelter go forward: Mitch Perry Report 12.16.10
Good morning, everybody. First up, online CL has been conducting an auction, with all types of fun events to bid on, with the proceeds going to the Children's Home, with the deadline happening today. You can see what items are still up for auction by going here. One of them is actually having drinks with…
New poll finds support for Afghanistan war at lowest point ever
A five page unclassified overview of a review of President Obama's strategy for fighting the war in Afghanistan describes both "progress" and "challenges" in "general and restrained terms." That summary comes from Helene Cooper of the New York Times, and frankly could have been predicted months ago. What's more interesting, and certainly surprising, is apparently…
Tampa mayoral candidates weigh in on police car chase policy
Debate season amongst all of the mayoral candidates running in Tampa's March 1 election will heat up next month, and certainly questions about the Tampa Police Department will be part of those forums. But citizens can learn where the candidates stand on some of the issues that concern members of the TPD right now, as…
Is mediocre sex still good sex?
Some say that even mediocre sex is still good sex, but is this really true, especially for someone who has had a lot of good and bad sex? We've all had to settle for a poor sexual performance by a partner at one time or another. Sometimes it's related to anxiety, alcohol, drugs, or even…
CL Holiday Auction Final Day: Lady Gaga, The Refinery, CL’s cover are among the items up for grabs
This is it — your last chance to bid in the Creative Loafing Holiday Auction for The Children's Home. The final 20 items close today from noon-6 p.m., and they're among the biggest prizes of all: a vacation anywhere in the world; a private chef's dinner at Best of the Bay-winning restaurant The Refinery; Lady…
Controlling Factors: How Do You Know?
Yes, there's a rom-com predictability and veneer to James L. Brooks's latest, How Do You Know. But in this case, the old saw holds true that the journey is more important than the destination. And it's the detours along the way that make this particular entry in a well-worn genre rather refreshing. What makes How…
In the wake of an election debacle, local Democrats pick new leaders.
Moments after Hillsborough County Democrats selected Chris Mitchell to succeed Pat Kemp as party chair last week, the 26-year-old business consultant addressed the internecine warfare that has plagued the local party for years. "For way too long this party, it's been divided," he said before a rare full house at the group's monthly meeting site,…
Down and dirty
I am a 33-year-old married male who has a WAM — wet and messy – fetish: I'm into mud and clay. I have played with various substances in the bathroom by myself over the years. It always ends with me masturbating myself into oblivion, wishing there were someone with me so we could sensuously rub…
The War on Christmas is over
Since 2005, corporations and national chains have been under attack. Every year, starting around Halloween, angry people call talk radio to rant about the injustices happening in companies all over the country. Boycotts are in effect before snow starts to fall as editorials are printed, complaints mailed and protests planned. These businesses are never in…
A mild send-up of Scientology is harmless fun — but why so weirdly polite?
A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant is a surprisingly mild look at the controversial religion (some would say "cult") headquartered in Clearwater and boasting such famous devotees as John Travolta and Tom Cruise. Purporting to tell us the story of its founder L. Ron Hubbard from his own point of view, it takes a…
SideBern’s is better than ever
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 important anniversaries, but — in my experience — there has…
Martinis for Mr. Thurber
Drink and dance and laugh and lie, Love, the reeling midnight through, For tomorrow we shall die! (But, alas, we never do.) —"The Flaw in Paganism," by Dorothy Parker There was a unicorn in the garden. Of course there was. We were living at 77 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, in the attic of Thurber House,…
Bolts beat Thrashers in shootout behind solid Smitty
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had plenty of recent success against the Atlanta Thrashers, not losing to them since October of 2009. That trend continued Wednesday night at the St. Pete Times Forum, this time in a rare 2-1 shootout victory over their Southeast Division rivals. It also marked the somewhat surprising return of Vincent…
Ruckus in the garage: A local audiophile discusses his noisy recording obsession and recommends several worthy (professional) studios
As a person who’s recorded hundreds of hours of local music in my home studio, I get to hear all sorts of sonic creativity that never reaches a wider audience. In fact, none of my recordings have ever ascended beyond the level of vanity projects, other than a couple of indie releases by the Pink…
On the Radar: Hallucination Before Christmas, David Dondero sings for Kelly Benjamin at Ella’s and more
The annual Czar throwdown, Hallucination Before Christmas, returns to Czar, for another fun and freaky blend of Halloween and Christmas revelries. Wander through Jack's Christmas Graveyard and Pumpkin Patch and hear “an all-star cast of freaks from the land of misfits DJs” – well-known spin-meisters such as Tommie Sunshine, David Christophere (digital set), Monk (pictured),…
Tonight’s Top Chef All-Stars preview: Team Tortoise and Team Hare
It's only episode three and we're already getting to witness one of my all-time favorite Quickfire challenges on Top Chef: the mise en place relay race! The All-Stars get to relive this fast-paced challenge all over again, but it looks like the ingredients have changed. From what I saw in the preview video, it looks…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Now through Thursday, December 23: Savannah's Cafe To get into the holiday spirit, bring in an ornament for Savannah's holiday tree and receive a complimentary appetizer or glass of wine (house choice). 1113 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-388-4371; savannahscafe.com Wednesday, December 15: Whole Foods Market Join Sienna Agan, Republic of Tea Ambassador, in a special…
It’s that Auld Lang Syne time again: Tampa Bay New Year’s Eve events
Repeat after me: Twenty-Eleven. It's here, folks. Time to start making plans. Whether you want to do it up with flashy style or with the family in mind, we've got your Dec. 31 happenings here. Stay tuned as this listing will be continuously updated and subject to change. … Happy New Year! Aja New Year's…
Top Chef Podcast – All-Stars Ep. 2: Nobody puts Philly in a corner
This episode of Top Chef All-Stars was filled with kids, dinosaur references and a whole lotta sass (particularly from Jen)! The chefs were surprised to see "pop icon" Joe Jonas, better known as "the hot one" of the Jonas Brother band, in their kitchen as they entered to received instructions for their Quickfire challenge. He…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Pinellas County Market in the Park, “Holiday Lights in the Garden” plant sale, Seminole Heights Market and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Tampa Downtown Market- Fridays (through May); 10 am-2 pm. The vision of the Tampa Downtown Market is to provide local residents and businesses of the community with the freshest, highest quality, most nutritious, and most reasonably priced food…
