My whisky epiphany; Or, the day I put the most expensive thing in my mouth – ever.
April may be the cruelest month, but for those of us wishing the weather could nudge from arctice to Tampa temperate, February isn’t far behind. But it’s perfect Scotch whisky weather. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt when your drinking buddy is Dalmore whisky’s master blender Richard Paterson. He recently invited me to join him…
On the Radar: Largo Art Hop and Taste Fest
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming arts events to mark your calendars for. Next weekend, paint the town at Largo’s 2010 Art Hop and Taste Fest, the once-a-year street fest that gets sleepy Largonians out into the street and kicking up beach sand. Board the buses at the Largo Public Library and…
Dreaming of mom on a merry-go-round
“Dear Dream Momma, I’m from an old fashioned family that values boys not girls and my grandfather on my dad’s side is rich. I’m a girl. Last year I had a baby boy, the first in the family, while my sister had a girl. My mother, who is very beautiful, had only girls. I know…
The rise of the hybrid athlete
At any given time, there are nine players on the baseball diamond, five on the basketball court and eleven on the football field. Each sport has designated positions for its players. In baseball, you have three outfielders, first through third base, a pitcher and a catcher. In basketball, you have your point and shooting guards,…
The stories behind three seminal albums by Nirvana, The Beach Boys, and Billy Joel
Ah yes, the age-old tale of the un-releasable album. How many times have you sat back in your chair, staring longingly at the glossy inserts wondering how many channels it had to pass through to end up in your hands? Here, we take a look at three albums that, at the time of their release,…
On the Radar: Guinness Pour the Perfect Pint competition
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. It’s no surprise that the good family Guinness just couldn’t hold out for St. Paddy’s Day to start the suds flowing. This weekend, Hard Rock hosts the Guinness Pour the Perfect Pint competition, for which the Bay’s best bartenders converge…
Bob Buckhorn catches would-be burglars in the act
Former Tampa City Councilman (and potential 2011 mayoral candidate) Bob Buckhorn awoke during the middle of the night at his Davis Islands home early Tuesday when he looked outside his living room iwindow and saw three men breaking into his Toyota Sequoia, or as he puts it, "three guys clearly up to no good. They…
Highlights of the 60th annual Berlin International Film Festival
Despite that fact that the competition this year underwhelmed (see Shane Danielsen’s column) there were sill some pleasant surprises and curiosities out of the Berlin International Film Festival. Two recent releases premiered over the past couple weeks: Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island got a mixed response, a pretty fair approximation of the reaction to the film…
InGREEDients: Should we fear what’s in our food? (trailer)
With the recent influx of food documentaries and exposés, comes yet another that forces us to take a look at the gritty (and frightening) reality of what is really in our food. InGREEDients is a new food film that reveals the hidden dangers in many of the foods that we regularly eat, the alarming effects…
Restaurant Review: Dunedin’s Living Room on Main
The Living Room on Main 3.5 stars 680 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-5202 or thelivingroomonmain.com Restaurants are tricky businesses during the best of times. Open one in a bad economy and you'd better have a lot of experience to get you through. That's the conventional wisdom, at least. Thankfully there are exceptions. In August of 2009,…
Louis Miller gone from TIA by this Thursday?
That's what the Tampa Tribune's Ted Jackovics is reporting this afternoon. From his article: Louis Miller's last day as executive director of Tampa International Airport would be Thursday, pending approval by the aviation authority's board earlier that day. Miller would continue to receive full pay and work as needed until April 23, the effective date…
CL Feature: Nervous Turkey, a local blues fusion trio that plays Yeoman’s on Saturday and SXSW in two weeks (with video)
When Ernie Locke found out his Bay area trio with organist Mark Cunningham and drummer Aaron Fowler had been invited to play an official slot at this year’s SXSW, he took the news in stride. The 47-year-old musician has performed at the esteemed Austin music fest several times with different bands over the years and…
New music releases out Tuesday, March 2: Benjy Davis Project, Peter Gabriel, Little Boots, Owen Pallett, Rogue Wave, These New Puritans, Ruby Suns and more (with video)
This week’s new music releases; for a complete breakdown of new releases that have come out so far in 2010, and that are due out in the next several months, click here. Black Water Rising, Black Water Rising (Giddy Up! Records) Cancer Bats, Sabotage EP (Metal Blade) Citizen Cope, The Rainwater LP (RainWater) To check…
USF St. Pete lectures on marine challenges ahead due to climate change (3/3-4)
If you would like to learn what glacier physics and a salty sea say about climate change rather than rely on what you see on TV or hear from a friend, check out the annual Eminent Scholars Lecture Series: "Current Challenges in Marine Science: Ice Sheets and Sea Level; Ocean Acidification" at the College of…
ninebullets.net February podcast: The SXSW Edition featuring Micah Schnabel, Scott H. Biram, American Aquarium, Joe Pug, Those Darlins, and many others
Whew! This month really snuck up on me. All the SxSW research and planning I was doing distracted me and I looked at my calendar one night and realized I only had 5 days before this bad boy needed to be done. It's all good though, I don't need much more than a night or…
Countdown to the Academy Awards: Who will get the Oscars for Best Supporting Actor and Actress? (With Poll)
[Programming Note: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards telecast is this Sun., March 7 at 8 p.m. and Movies & TV Editor Joe Bardi will be live-blogging the event. Come share your thoughts and help Joe celebrate the movies by mercilessly picking on people much more famous and good-looking than he is.] Handicapping the Oscars is…
Democrat David Chalela running for House District 56
Attorney and self-proclaimed “blue collar guy” David Chalela enters the State House race in District 56. The district encompasses downtown Tampa and Brandon extending east to Valrico and north to Seffner. Chalela’s background is interesting and impressive. He grew up near Detroit, graduated from law school at Stetson, and joined the military in the Judge…
3 Guys & Chuck The Podcast – “Chuck vs. The Fake Name”
Chuck is back after a two week hiatus for the Curling break, and the 3 Guys are here to breakdown all the happenings on this week's episode, entitled "Chuck Vs. The Fake Name." This was a great episode with some interesting moments, and some big reveals for you Chuck fans. So, if you haven’t seen…
Project Runway Ep. 7 sneak peek: “Welcome to Home Depot, can I interest you in a gown?”
Ok, so for real, Lifetime, why on earth did you feel the need to take a week off? Was the Olympics really hurting your ratings that badly? Whatever the reason, I don't like it. Luckily, it wasn't a HUGE waste, as we had the chance to talk to Tampa designer and season 7 contestant, Ben…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Tuesday, March 2: Mazzaro's Italian Market Lidia Bastianich. The Italian dynamo does it all: cookbook author (Lidia’s Family Table, Lidia’s Italian American Kitchen and Lidia’s Italian Table), TV show host (Lidia's Italy), restauranteur (Felidia, Del Posto, Becco) and Beard Award-winning chef, Bastianich stops by Mazzaro's (where else?) for a meet and greet with adoring foodie…
Tonight: Join Repower America’s “72 Hours for Clean American Power” to support clean energy legislation
The U.S. Senate is crafting and drafting groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation that could bring clean energy to America. Any day now, three of our U.S. senators from different perspectives and backgrounds– John Kerry, Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman – are expected to introduce a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill. This legislation is a big deal.…
Discussions on transit tax in Hillsborough continue, Charlie Crist delivers his last State of the State Address, and big political news in Texas, NY and Cali: Mitch Perry report 3.2.10
Late yesterday CL was able to cover a very interesting meeting amongst the top public officials and others who are crafting the one cent sales tax referendum in Hillsborough County. Our report; Tonight Governor Charlie Crist will deliver his last State of the State Address, as the state will work towards finding a way cut…
While Florida politics continues to make national news, big developments are happening in some of the biggest states
Today in Texas, a GOP gubernatorial election takes place in which the only real drama that is expected will play out is whether U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison get force Governor Rick Perry into a run-off election later this year. This is a race in which Hutchison is the "liberal" – wait, strike that. "Least…
Crist says he’ll focus on economy in his last State of the State address
The Florida Legislature's regular 60 day session begins in Tallahassee today, and all eyes tonight will be on Governor Charlie Crist, as he delivers his 4th and final State of the State address at 6 p.m. (which BayNews 9 says they'll cover live). “The focus of all of us is the economy,” Crist tells the…
Life As We Blow It: Sexual revolution boomerangs, comes back filthy
In the past month or so, we've read a report detailing an alarming rise in teen pregnancy. We've read a report insinuating that a majority of young British women think some rape victims are asking for it. And we've seen Apple pulling most of the "sexy" novelty swimsuit and lingerie and topless and shaky-boob applications…
Do It Today: Henry Rollins’ spoken word, Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s a capella world music and more
Hardcore punk rock activist turns self-deprecating spoken word artist? Okay, we guess stranger things have happened. It'll be worth the cost of admission just to see the former Black Flag and Rollins Band frontman Henry Rollins (pictured) do his poetry thing. Visit rutheckerhall.com for more info. Tues., March 2, 8 p.m., Capitol Theatre, Clearwater, $29.50-$33.50.…
On the Radar: Hyde Park Home Tour and Celebrate the Bungalow documentary premiere at CineBistro
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. Get an inside look at 11 historic homes during the eighth annual Hyde Park Home Tour on Saturday, including some along the one-of-a-kind Bungalow Terrace. In conjunction with the home tour, the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association offers a screening…
Local officials tweak transportation details before Wednesday’s Hillsborough BOCC meeting
A workshop was held in the Hillsborough County Center Monday afternoon regarding the proposed penny cent sales tax referendum on transportation that local officials are furiously working on to ultimately get ballot language approved later this month. The informal meeting was led by County Commissioner Mark Sharpe, with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, HART Executive Director…
Theater Review: Pulitzer Prize-winning Ruined astonishes at FST in Sarasota
Lynn Nottage’s Ruined, winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is that rare thing among American plays, an intelligent and passionate examination of personal and political life in a foreign country, in this case the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. The many characters Nottage puts on the stage, from bar-and-brothelkeeper Mama Nadi to…
Diary of the Newly Employed Housewife: Finally!
I am officially employed! Hallelujah! I begin my new job tomorrow morning; March is starting with a bang! I love it. I feel useful, motivated and entirely ready to be around people again. I love my animals and all, but it will feel sooooooo good to be productive in a manner that is financially beneficial…
Concert review: Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin with Flyleaf at St. Pete Times Forum (with pics)
When you spend as much time as I do going to concerts, interviewing artists and lurking in photo pits, it’s easy to lose sight of the spectacle going on around you. This could probably have been the case with Saturday night’s Three Days Grace / Breaking Benjamin show if it hadn’t been for the presence…
Upcoming workshop: “The Power of Free Money: Financial Incentives for Increasing Energy Efficiency”
Specialists from Progress Energy Florida will be joining staff at Pinellas County Extension to acquaint local residents with new state and federal financial incentives designed to promote energy efficiency in area homes and businesses. The program, "The Power of Free Money: Financial Incentives for Increasing Energy Efficiency", will explore a wide range of incentive programs…
NPR streams the new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach
Regardless of how you feel about Damon Albarn's "virtual band," Gorillaz, it's hard to argue that fact that they're always interesting even when they fall short of being good. Their new album, Plastic Beach, is due out March 9 via Virgin Records, but you can stream it in it's entirety now thanks to NPR. Thoughts?
Dreaming of dogs in the bathtub
“Hi Dream Momma, I am an 18 year old girl and a student at USF. I have been feeling depressed lately and maybe that has to do with my dream.In my dream, I am at a friend's house from work but it is really my old house that I moved out of 5 years ago.…
Concert review: They Might Be Giants at The Ritz Ybor (with pics!)
How do you keep a room of nerds happy? Friday's evening with They Might Be Giants seemed to do the trick. I say "nerd" affectionately as one glasses-wearing member of the crowd who came to hear the nasally-voiced group sing songs about science, name changes in Turkey and the installation of birdhouse infrastructure. And what…
Representative Rick Kriseman wants Florida on the record as calling for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
St. Petersburg State House Democrat Rick Kriseman today announced that he's filed legislation urging Congress to adopt and have the President sign into law that repeals the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that has been in effect in the U.S. military since 1993. Last month, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael…
Van Jones talks green economy and sends Glenn Beck some love at the NAACP Awards (video)
Last Friday night, Van Jones accepted the President's Award at the NAACP Image Awards, bestowed upon him for his efforts in promoting a green economy. Jones gave a moving acceptance speech about those unemployed and living in economic uncertainty, urging us towards green jobs to repower America in a "clean way". Jones said he's willing…
On the Radar: Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the renowned outdoor Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, which remains in a class of its own: 300 fine artists and craftspeople from all over the world display their work for the hungry eyes…
Interview with comedienne Maria Bamford, at The Tampa Improv March 11-14
Maria Bamford’s career is as versatile as her signature impressions. She’s tried everything from stand up to TV, major motion pictures, cartoon voice-overs and improv. Her willingness to do anything and her uninhibited, self-aware humor, have endeared her to audiences across the comedy spectrum. She’s been linked to the likes of Brian Posehn, Patton Oswalt,…
CL party pics from Mangroves (2-27-10)
This week I decided to hit a different club. My pick was Mangroves in the SoHo district of South Tampa. If you're looking for a nicer club, this is the place for you. Check out the party pics! The Party: No cover! The Crowd: This crowd wasn't so photo-friendly as the Orpheum's usuals, but they…
Upcoming film screening and discussion about the creation of sustainable communities hosted by Code Green Community
Join Code Green Community at this upcoming event where the organization's director Eric Stewart highlights an emerging community revolving around the creation of sustainable communities. The Transition group in New Port Richey is hosting a film, Fighting Goliath (see flyer below), at the New Port Richey Library (5939 Main Street) on March 13th 2010 at…
Who has Tampa’s best ribs? We need your help: Tell us now!
In 2007, CL inaugurated an annual food phenomenon by pitting 64 of Tampa Bay's best pizza places against one another in a frenzy of slice-to-slice competition that eventually crowned one spot the best in the area. In 2008, burgers. In 2009, tacos. For 2010, we're getting our hands dirty with something a little messier. Who…
It Happened This Week-ish: My So-Called Life HS reunion, Taylor Lautner’s stolen abs, Jenny McCarthy’s medical misdiagnosis, Hilary Duff’s balcony blow job and more
There was a Liberty High School reunion this week and Angela Chase finally got to live out every awkward teen's fantasy, show her high school boyfriend, Jordan Catalano, that she got crazy hot. Jordan, on the other hand seems to be reliving his youth at the ripe-ole-age of 30-ish, playing a rock star in a…
Special podcast with GOP consultant Chris Ingram, along with a report on the Democratic AG candidates debating in St Pete: Mitch Perry Report 3.1.10
After last week's summit, the question remains: what's the Democrats strategy in trying to get their health care bill ultimately passed, and soon? Some Dems seemed all over the map yesterday on the talk shows; On Saturday, Dan Gelber and Dave Aronberg, the two Democratic state senators vying for their party's nomination for Attorney General,…
Kathy Castor reacts to National Journal naming her 9th most liberal member in the House
Late last week the National Journal produced their annual list of who they consider to be the most liberal and conservative members of Congress – all 535 of them. Most interestingly in these parts was the D.C. based publication naming Tampa area Democrat Kathy Castor the 9th most liberal member in the House, outranking Barney…
CL Sound Bites: New LPs from Stone Temple Pilots, Hole and Social Distortion, and more in music news (with video)
Three big name old-school alternative acts are prepping new albums this year – one reunited the wrong way, one band reunited the right way, and one just likes to go six years between new records. Since announcing the return of Hole, frontwoman Courtney Love played defense amid reactions ranging from skepticism to outright hostility. Nonetheless, plans move forward…
On Sunday morning talk shows, Democrats uncertain on procedures for passing health care bill
Three days after the all-day health care summit at Blair House, the nearly year-old question — can President Obama and Congressional Democrats pass a health care reform bill? — was asked of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other officials with skin in the game on the Sunday morning public affairs programs. The shows also reflected…
Do It Today: WMNF’s Radio Theatre Project, A Fairy Tale Gone Wrong at the Centre Gallery and more
Tonight's installment in the WMNF and Studio@620 collaboration, Radio Theatre Project, offers "Teammates" by St Pete author Peter Golenbock. It's about Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson, and is recorded live and airs as part of 'MNF's "Soundstage" on Wednesday night. Visit studio620.org or wmnf.org for more info. 7 p.m. Mon., March 1, The Studio@620,…
Swinging: when things go wrong
Swinging can sound exciting, thrilling, and sexy. Partner swapping, play with the same sex, and sexual exploration are all part of this lifestyle. Unfortunately the excitement of a new partner, and the thrill of the first touch of a virtual stranger, can quickly fade to disappointment. Swingers can be finicky people. Some have strange rules, weird sexual ideas, and…
Photo review: Stephen Marley at The Ritz Theater in Ybor City
Here are some shots from the show last Wednesday, February 24, featuring reggae maker Stephen Marley with support act Trinity7. Stephen Marley Trinity7:
What will the 2011 budget mean for Pinellas arts funding?
Pinellas County residents are quaking in their flip-flops at the $60 million that's forecast to be cut from next year’s budget. But none quake so hard as arts and culture organizations, who after two consecutive years of belt-tightening, are going to have to tighten up once again.
The Green Community week in review: Walmart plans to cut carbon footprint, Atlantic Garbage Patch, factory farms breed superbugs and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: Green your diet with these foodie iPhone apps – Whether you're a strict vegan or just looking to eat healthier, here's a list of just some of the many iPhone apps for greening your…
Access Arts Scholarship at the Patel Conservatory: A stellar opportunity for young performers
Though I left my post as operations and producing manager at The Patel Conservatory two years ago, I retained a responsibility that has proved to be a highlight of my time there: I am charged with recruiting over 100 financial-need students for full scholarships to Patel's summer performing arts programming, up to three weeks of…
When it’s time to euthanize a beloved pet
It's never easy to make the decision to euthanize a pet, especially one that has been part of the family for years or one with whom you've had an extremely close bond. It can be difficult to watch your dog or cat age, and know that one day soon you'll have to make the heart-wrenching decision to…
Aronberg and Gelber rip into McCollum, not each other, at LGBT Forum in St. Pete
At the LGBT Democratic Caucus Winter meeting being held in St. Petersburg today, Democratic Attorney General candidates Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber engaged in a free flowing debate where they spent much of their time bashing the man who currently holds the job they aspire to, Bill McCollum. When asked by the moderator (this reporter)…
Hot trailer: Luca Guadagnino’s I Am Love, starring Tilda Swinton and Flavio Parenti (with video)
Luca Guadagnino’s I Am Love has received near unanimous raves in Venice, Toronto and Sundance, so I have to admit my anticipation is high for this one. So high, that I thought disappointment was inevitable. Then I caught the UK trailer for this one and it knocked my socks off. The visuals are stunning, the…
What dogs can learn from watching other dogs — and humans
Anyone who thinks that dogs do not learn by watching has never had two dogs. For that matter, dogs learn perfectly well by watching humans, too, but that is the subject for another blog. I can give you endless examples of dogs learning from each other — for instance, my mom’s dog, Daisy, who hardly…
Sami Al-Arian again creating controversy – this time in California GOP Senate race
Sami Al-Arian currently is free and living somewhere in Virginia, awaiting deportation. Many CL readers are well aware of the former USF professor's many legal issues since he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in his federal terrorism trial 4 1/2 years ago. But what you might not know is that being associated with…
Featured Green Site: The Global Footprint Network and the Ecological Footprint quiz
Did you know that it would take 1.3 planet Earths just to be able to sustain the Earth's current population and provide us with the natural resources we currently use? According to the Global Footprint Network, we are overusing the resources on this planet. The Global Footprint Network is an organization striving to educate people…
Louis Murphy, Jr. of the Oakland Raiders visits inmates in Clearwater
Louis Murphy, Jr., wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders and member of two Florida Gator national championship teams, came to the Pinellas County jail Annex II facility in Clearwater this afternoon to speak with approximately 100 inmates who participate in the Smart Choices Program. Smart Choices, which began in 2008, is a “modified therapeutic community”…
NIMBY week in review: No pork in the penny, no cussing in California and the menu at Tampa Chamber meetings could get a whole lot better!
1. The Hillsborough County Commission finally dropped the developer pork projects out of the proposed penny sales tax for rail, bus and road widening projects. Problem is they also cut out the word "rail" ………oooops! 2. Lawmakers in California passed a resolution to make the first week in March "Cuss Free Week". WTF? 3. The…
Reel Projections podcast: Cop Out, The Last Station, Monster in the Closet and more …
For more movie news and reviews, check out the CL index of movie posts. Reel-Projections-Episode-11_2-24-10.mp3 And we're back for another installment of the Reel Projections podcast, the only CL podcast detailing the week's biggest theatrical movie releases, DVD and Blu-ray offerings and any movie news that catches our eyes. For this week's installment, I'm joined…
Project Runway podcast: A mid-Season 7 chat with contestant Ben Chmura, Tampa designer
We all may be suffering from Project Runway withdrawals after a week with no new designs to be judged, but fear not, I am here for you. David and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tampa designer and Project Runway Season 7 contestant, Ben Chmura, to chat about the season so far and…
Developer pork butchered from the proposed penny sales tax!
Citizens have been complaining for quite some time about the developer pork for roads in the proposed penny sales tax for transportation. In addition to rail, part of the proposed penny would go to bus rapid transit as well as non-transit projects ( like roads). Problem is some of the roads they came up with…
Dreaming of squirming children
“Dream Momma, I’m going to visit my mother in California soon. I haven’t seen her in quite a while and she has never seen my little boy. Last night I dreamed my mother was wearing an old fashioned apron, the kind with pockets along the front and with a weird kind of grin on her…
Movie Review: The Crazies, starring Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson and Danielle Panabaker
[Note: The Crazies opens today, Fri. Feb. 26, at area theaters. Click here for showtimes, and check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index for reviews of more new releases.] Bringing a fair amount of horror to theaters this weekend is The Crazies, a remake of the 1973 film of the same name produced by…
Instant SEO: Using Google Local Business Center
If I told you there was a free, easy way to get listed in Google above most of your competitors, right on the first page within a couple days . . . would you believe me? (You've probably heard it all before from the 20-thousand SEO spam companies that fill your company's contact form every…
Walmart plans to cut 150% of their global carbon footprint by 2015
The super chain Walmart recently announced in a webcast press conference their five year plan to cut 20 million metric tons of their greenhouse gas emissions in to reduce their estimated global carbon footprint growth by 150%. This being the equivalent of the annual emissions of 3.8 million cars. “Energy efficiency and carbon reduction are…
Festival preview: Top 5 must-see acts at Harvest of Hope
Subsisting on processed snack bars. Navigating around hairy crust punks. Appreciating fantastic music groups. Last year's Harvest of Hope Festival was a three-day blur. This year's line-up looks like it will be another adventure. From Gainesville's own The Mercury Program to beloved Canadians Broken Social Scene, I have a feeling that I'm going to have…
Theater review: USF Department of Theater’s The Shaughraun
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from USF's production of The Shaughraun. When the lights dimmed and a fairly traditional Irish song started, I expected to see something like a thatched cottage on the stage. When the curtain opened to reveal a huge cow, I couldn’t believe my eyes. But that’s the way the…
County Administrator Pat Bean misuses authority to benefit Tampa Bay developers
Pat Bean is off her chain again. This time she's shilling for developers who want to change our Comprehensive Plan to build a huge commercial project in the rural area. I was with several U-CAN & Sierra Club members participating in a Planning Commission hearing Monday night, when the developers' attorney, Rhea Law, flaunted a letter from…
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz endorses Dan Gelber as Democratic nominee for Attorney General
In one of the first big endorsements in the Democratic race for Attorney General, South Florida Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz today announced her support for Dan Gelber in the Democratic primary for Attorney General. In a conference call this morning, Wasserman-Schultz admitted that the decision did not come lightly for her, saying that she generally…
Scotch on the Sand: Bourbon & Branch’s Laphroaig Project whisky cocktail recipe
Blame it on the chilly weather, but I’ve got Scotch whisky on the brain. Or liver. Notoriously tough to use as an ingredient in cocktails, whisky is getting a lot more attention these days from mixologists. Maybe they see whisky’s can’t-play-nice-with-other-ingredients character as a challenge. Whatever the motivation, the results I’m seeing – and…
Health care summit’s over. What’s next? St. Pete Times demands an explanation on why Lou Miller is bailing, and Tampa City Council talks about toilet to tap: Mitch Perry Report 2.26.10
Louis Miller's shocking announcement on Wednesday that he is stepping down from leading Tampa International Airport is certainly leading some to question what's going on there. The St. Pete Times says Miller's got some explaining to do; Well, we all got to enjoy some of that all day health care summit yesterday. No minds were…
SPC’s Saturday Clearwater Beach cleanup to be rescheduled
Due to the cold and rainy weather forecast for Saturday (2/27/10), our Clearwater Beach Cleanup will be rescheduled to Saturday, April 17. I hope you can make it then! Check back on Creative Loafing's Green Community site for more rescheduling information. To learn more about sustainability at St. Petersburg College, contact Jason Green at green.jason@spcollege.edu. …
Times on Louis Miller’s sudden resignation: You owe us an explanation
As the shock wears off from Louis Miller's shocking announcement that he will resign from his job as executive director at Tampa International Airport after 14 mostly sterling years of service, more questions are being raised by some of his previously biggest cheerleaders. Both the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times weigh in with…
The day after the health care summit the question is: Can Pelosi get the votes?
First of all, can we call a moratorium on the use of the word "extraordinary" when discussing yesterday's all-day health care summit at Blair House? I heard it described that way yesterday on CNN by John King, then again last night by Judy Woodruff on the PBS News Hour, and then twice again in written…
Movie Review: Kevin Smith’s Cop Out, starring Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan and Sean William Scott
[Note: Cop Out opens today, Fri. Feb. 26, at area theaters. For reviews of more new releases, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.] I don't know about you, but I hated the previews for Cop Out, the latest flick from dick-and-fart-joke king Kevin Smith. To my eyes, the trailers were a mishmash of…
Do It This Weekend: tattoo convention, Cat Cora cooks, SPoT’s Munny show, Lord of the Dance, Flan Fest, Zombie St. Pete and waaay more
When it comes to tattoos, everybody has an opinion. Mine is — I love them. Getting inked is a great adrenaline rush, and it’s amazing that someone can create a piece of art and then use a crazy gun-thing with needles to drill it onto somebody else’s flesh. And that’s why I’m so excited for…
Cecelia Messina – Contributor
I first learned about wine in Argentina; before traveling to South America, I hadn’t even been what I would call a wine drinker. A memorable Malbec is what sparked my interest. I call Malbec the “Nerd” grape because no one knows it exists but, once it is discovered, people are pleasantly surprised with the results. …
Local firms to explore CAFTA opportunities in Costa Rica
, an international based business development and investment firm in Tampa, is preparing to take a group of local firms and companies to Costa Rica in search of new high tech opportunities. According to the 2007 World Development Indicators, Costa Rica is the fourth largest high tech exporter in the world with companies such as…
Concert review: Huey Lewis and The News at Busch Gardens
Huey Lewis and The News rocked Busch Gardens on Sunday, performing their repertoire of hit songs to a crowd of several thousand fans and park visitors. Bringing the crowd to its feet, Huey Lewis hit the sunlit stage with a support band of eight musicians, including a full horn section. Fans didn’t have to wait…
Tampa City Council discusses reclaimed water and Indirect Potable Reuse
The Tampa City Council on Thursday held a long awaited workshop on exploring the possibility of using IPR, or Indirect Potable Reuse, to address their water needs in the future. The idea has been championed by Councilman Charlie Miranda, who initially brought up the issue at council last year. Recently there have been two public…
Is LeBron James too nice for his own good?
There’s an old Twilight Zone episode that goes a little something like this. A scientist constructs the perfect baseball player. He is so unhittable that not a single opponent can reach base against him. When other teams in the league find out that he’s actually a machine and not a man, they contest the rule…
Bob Hackworth to challenge Susan Latvala for Pinellas County Commission seat
To the surprise of virtually no one, former Dunedin Mayor Bob Hackworth says he will run against Pinellas County GOP Commissioner Susan Latvala this November. Hackworth is a former Republican himself who switched parties and ran and lost against Bill Young for Congress in November of 2008. He said at the time that he…
The Chef’s Repertoire — by local chef Gui Alinat — may be the only cookbook you’ll ever need
I have to admit, when I receive a book from a small publisher by a local writer my expectations start low. Even when it's from someone I know. When CL contributor and local chef Gui Alinat sent me a copy of his new The Chef's Repertoire, I was prepared to be underwhelmed. Not so fast.…
Should pole dancing be an Olympic sport?
Gone are the days when the only people who know how to work a pole are strippers who literally work the pole. Now, pole dancing is offered as a workout class at many gyms, and it's quickly becoming a world class, competitive sport. With its boom in popularity, many enthusiasts are pushing for pole dancing…
The Great Atlantic Ocean Garbage Patch has been discovered
I am not surprised in learning that the Atlantic Ocean's garbage patch has now been discovered. Researchers carried out a two decade study in areas of the Caribbean and the North Atlantic off of the US coast – the longest study on record of plastic marine debris conducted in any ocean basin. The maximum finding…
Obama to McCain at health care summit: “The election is over.” (video)
We've been monitoring the health care summit at Blair House throughout the day. There've been some harsh exchanges, but none as explosive as when John McCain took his 5 minutes to blast the process that allowed the Senate to pass their version of health care reform on Christmas Eve. Check it out
WMNF hires Kate Bradshaw as news reporter
WMNF Station Manager Jim Bennett has announced that Kate Bradshaw has been hired to be the station's new full time news reporter, effective beginning March 1. Bradshaw is a native of Illinois, growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. She came to the area to study at the University of Tampa, and then got her…
The St. Petersburg Rock Report: Tim Barry with Against Me! at State Theatre + the Rock and Roll Swap Meet at Shackleton’s Folly
I understand that the majority of Tampa dwellers refuse to come to St. Petersburg for almost anything. Unless the Yankees or the Red Socks are in town, y'all prefer to hang out in your overly congested urban sprawl and joke about how St. Pete is where your grandparents live. In most cases, I'm fine with…
Rubio’s American Express card Exposed
Ding or death knell? Voters will decide. By Chris Ingram It comes as no surprise that the Charlie Crist campaign or someone associated with it released Marco Rubio’s Republican Party of Florida corporate American Express card statements to the media. As a result, Rubio “came clean” and admitted his own inappropriate charges yesterday. Now take…
New AIDS drugs have no effect on transmission rates
As originally reported in Reuters, an Australian study found that powerful new AIDS drugs do not reduce transmission rates as previously hoped. 70% of HIV-positive Australian men are currently treated with new AIDS drugs which reduce the virus in the blood to such a low level that it is undetectable in three quarters of these…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Environmental film fest, composting workshop, green markets 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…
Rubio credit card charges exposed; why is Louis Miller leaving TIA and it’s health care summit time! Mitch Perry Report 2.25.10
Two blockbuster stories lead off the report today. The first is the Miami Herald/St. Pete Times story last night that reveals the personal expenditures of the American Express card the Republican Party of Florida allowed Marco Rubio to use when he was House Speaker. Check it out; Another huge story is Louis Miller unexpectedly announcing…
Whale kills trainer at Sea World; I feel bad for the whale
Catherine Durkin Robinson is a handful creating quite a scene over at Out in Left Field. I feel bad for the whale. An experienced trainer was killed at SeaWorld in Orlando on Wednesday. The 40-year-old woman, Dawn Brancheau, was taken underwater, thrashed around by the waist, and killed before a horrified audience. Why was the…
Do Rubio’s denials on credit card charges meet the smell test?
The Marco Rubio camp is apoplectic this morning following the leak reported by the Miami Herald/St Pete Times last night of personlized items that the former House Speaker charged to a Republican Party credit card from 2005 to 2008. Among the embarrassing charges that Rubio used the credit card for include a $133.75 trip to an…
Restaurant Preview: Seasons 52
I have been a calorie counter for several years. A kitchen scale, logbook and a calorie reference book are tools that have helped me lose weight and eat healthier. So a restaurant concept centered on seasonal, simply-prepared dishes that are 475 calories or less is exciting indeed. Darden has brought the ninth location of their…
Do It Today: Corey Smith’s country pop, Heart of A Landscape Painter film premiere, meet author Lisa McMann
Southern rock artist Corey Smith (pictured) doesn’t like to be associated with the formulaic country pop that’s all over the airwaves right now. The 32-year-old former teacher grew up in Athens, Ga., where he got his start singing and playing guitar for friends and in local bars. Since then, he’s written and self-produced five LPs,…
Concert review: Pink it Up!, a ska concert for breast cancer awareness
Pink it Up at Ybor City's Market on 7th featured two things: Ska music and boobs. The benefit was founded by Bylli Peiper, in honor of a friend and colleague Kim Campbell, who fought the long battle against breast cancer and won. Now they are on a mission to fight back against the disease that…
Louis Miller resigns as head of Tampa International Airport. Why now?
In a stunning move, Louis Miller, who has run Tampa International Airport for the past 14 years but has been under fire in recent months, announced he was resigning as the head of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, beginning April 23. Under Miller's tutelage, TIA has grown to be considered one of the finest airports…
Prime time for health care summit
Tomorrow's health care summit at Blair House is scheduled to run between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Though some commentators and elected officials have been making hay that it's all simply "political theatre" (and what exactly ke what are party conventions, or political rallies?), it will be the center of gravity in Washington. (Only C-Span…
Mayor Iorio talks about her final year in office (audio from CL interview)
Last Thursday, this reporter and CL Editor David Warner sat down with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio for an interview in her City Hall office. We've written a story that you can read here. The interview itself lasts approximately 36 minutes or so. The mayor's thoughts on the Tampa Bay Rays, Indirect Potable Reuse and other…
Van Jones recognized for green efforts by the NAACP with President’s Award
On Friday, the NAACP will award Van Jones the President’s Award for 2010 at their Image Awards ceremony. Van Jones has moved quickly through the spotlight as good guy, recognized by Time last May as one of the top 100, to bad guy when he resigned as Obama’s Green Jobs Czar on Labor Day. Last…
Upcoming Repower America events in Tampa Bay
is about to hit the town, spreading the word about the benefits of transitioning to a clean energy economy. Please join them at these great upcoming events:
CD review: Citizen Cope, The Rainwater LP
Citizen Cope’s new album, The Rainwater LP, sounds as if you're listening to it on a 33? rpm vinyl gramophone record player, the first track, "Keep Askin’," opening with that almost static noise and followed by crackles and pops that create the vintage, distorted sound flowing throughout the record. This is what albums by Citizen…
Restaurant Reviews: Ybor’s Shrimp & Co., Hamburger Mary’s
Shrimp & Co. 3.5 stars 2202 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-374-0192 or shrimpandco.com Hamburger Mary's 2 stars 1600 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-241-6279 or hamburgermarystampa.com Tilapia is a humble fish, at best. It's farmed, feeds on things that should go unmentioned and has a mass-produced blandness that makes it the fish equivalent of engineered vegetable…
Wednesday-music.com indie music profile: Yeasayer
Brooklyn based Yeasayer describe their music as "middle eastern-psych-snap-gospel." Their experimentally based live performances have been known to include backstage projected psychedelic visuals, and according to the band they exist in the future. "Somewhere in the Middle East, where citizens wear turquoise robes, live in crystal towers, and overindulge on Peter Gabriel albums." Ex-Yeasayer drummer…
Sink & McCollum get dirty early, Bush calls Crist support of stimulus “unforgivable” and Janet Cruz is your new District 58 Democratic Representative:Mitch Perry Report 2.24.10
Lots of stuff in the news today. First of all, the long, bitter race for District 58 in Hillsborough County is over. Okay, it was only a two-month campaign, but didn't it seem longer? Janet Cruz easily defeated Hunter Chamberlin last night to keep the seat both Democratic and Hispanic. Some juicy info came out…
Diary of the Unemployed Housewife: Moonpie mayhem and family calories
How is it that my family comes to visit and it seems that as soon as they step off the plane I gain weight? Without any changes at all in my diet. I am attributing it to stress, subconscious stress. My subconscious says, "Your family is here, there could be possible altercations, you will once…
Green politics and the environment: The good (Frank Luntz), the bad (Fox News), and the slander
When I left the two day dedication to USF’s new School for Global Sustainability, my first thought was how lucky we are to have this program in our region. Creative Loafing bloggers gave a thorough intro and comprehensive overview of the speakers and panel discussions. Glaciologist Lonnie Thompson PhD, one of the keynotes, was interviewed…
Daily Kos founder wants Charlie Crist to run as Democrat against Rubio
Months ago, when Marco Rubio was seemingly miles away from being considered a contender for the GOP nomination for Senator, political analysts throughout the Sunshine State contemplated what an endorsement from the big kahuna in state Republican politics, Jeb Bush, might mean for his then struggling candidacy. That's because everyone knew that Bush and Rubio…
Google Wave wrote my play
I have spent the last two months working with Google Wave, and I've come to many varying opinions but one certain conclusion: It is no fun to wave by yourself. It is as pathetic in cyber reality as it is in real reality, trust me and the thousands of geeks like me who got all…
Alex Sink and Bill McCollum begin attacking each other personally in new ads (video)
With accusations that she's run a lackluster campaign (and a new poll that shows her still trailing GOP challenger Bill McCollum by double digits), the Florida Democratic Party on behalf of gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink has produced their first television ad of the 2010 season, and it's pretty mild, all things considered. See it here:…
The Top 10 Buddy Cop Movies of all time
Since Cop Out comes out this week and it looks pretty good, I started thinking about some of the movies it will eventually get compared to. No, I’m not talking about just comedies or Kevin Smith movies — I’m talking Buddy Cop Movies. You know the kind, where two cops with very different personalities work…
Power lunch with Pam Iorio
The CL holiday auction brings together a current and former mayor.
My gay 20-something boyfriend is dating an old man
The tale of the old perv and his toothbrush.
Tegan and Sara rock Tampa Theatre
A holiday auction winner becomes the music critic for a night.
Why do babies run a fever when teething — or do they?
Why do babies run fevers when teething? More important, why do doctors claim that they don't? Is it just so stupid/inexperienced mamas won't ignore a serious infection when they erroneously attribute a fever to teething? Or do the doctors lie because they don't understand why it happens? That seems unlikely since they admit to not…
The blunt force of Agnes of God, now at the Straz Center
A play about fundamental divisions hits hard at Stageworks.
Teddy Roosevelt: The president who saved Florida
Historian Douglas Brinkley shines new light on Teddy Roosevelt, conservationist.
One year to go for Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio
A conversation with Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio as she looks ahead to her final term in office.
The Baroque World of painter Fernando Botero
The MFA show rounds the edges off a complex artist, leaving only Brand Botero.
Flamboyant flavors at Ybor City’s Shrimp & Co. and Hamburger Mary’s
But in these two Ybor restaurants, appearances can be deceiving.
Handy tips for masturbating discreetly in public
Some people are born perpetually horny. Since sex with a partner isn't always an option, we often must satisfy ourselves. For most, masturbation is a private act performed alone in the shower, closet, laundry room, or in a locked bedroom. But what if the mood strikes at work, or your house is filled with people? What…
Janet Cruz wins House District 58 race
With all of precincts reporting in the House District 58 special election to replace Democrat Mike Scionti, Democrat Janet Cruz has defeated Republican Hunter Chamberlin by an overwhelming 65-35% margin. Cruz took in 2,385 votes to Chamberlin's 1,288. Write in Democratic candiate Jose Vasquez got only 19 votes. The verdict isn't suprising, considering that Cruz raised a…
Party pics from Orpheum’s Sink or Swim, Feb. 20
Saturday night's Sink or Swim at Orpheum (2-20-10): After the break: Pics from earlier editions of the Orpheum's Sink or Swim party
The Green Community week in review: ‘Hands Across the Sand’, high speed rail, global warming vs. weather, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: 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 called Hands…
Joe Bardi talks Shutter Island, American Idol, ABC’s Lost and Crazy Heart on The Grind with Flip and Bill
If you're in the Tampa Bay area, you can catch The Grind weekdays from 10-3 p.m. on 1010 AM radio. If you're outside the broadcast area or just prefer listening online, you can check out the show at WQYK AM's website. For this week's show, the guys and I discussed Scorsese's Shutter Island, Tampa representing…
CL’s Lost Podcast: Season 6, Ep. 3 “The Substitute”
This week on CL's Lost podcast, Editor David Warner joins Joe, Ham Gravy and Fat Jesus for a rehash of Tuesday night's excellent episode, "The Substitute." If you missed the episode, you can watch it (courtesy of Hulu) after the break. And as always, talk back in the comments section. We look forward to hearing…
CL’s party pics from Orpheum (2-13-10)
Saturday night's Sink or Swim at Orpheum (2-13-10):
CL’s Party Pics from Orpheum (2-6-10)
Saturday night's sink or swim at Orpheum (2-6-10): and from Saturday night's sink or swim at Orpheum (1-30-10):
