Green Community Calendar weekend events
Energy efficiency class, free garden day, gator walk, workshops and farmers markets!
Romney super PAC uses the Ann Romney card in new ad
Mother's Day is on Sunday, so what better time for Mitt Romney's very own super PAC Restore Our Future, to use the occasion to highlight disparaging remarks made about Ann Romney by prominent Obama supporters in the media and pop culture. The ad will air in Florida, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina,…
This week in food and drink
Mother’s Day specials, American Craft Beer Week kickoff, pasta class and more!
1st Annual Odessa’s Masters of the Grill
Come out for a great day of family fun! The event will have a blown-up 30-foot obstacle course, blow-up bungee basketball game, corn hole, face painting, karaoke and more. It will be a great family outing and a great way to start Mother's Day weekend!
Mitch Perry Report 5.9.12 – New Plan for Friendship Trail Bridge emerges
A group of Tampa Bay residents who want to save the Friendship Trail Bridge will release their plan to save the bridge on Wednesday today at 1:30 p.m. at 5151 West Gandy Boulevard. The 70-page prescription produced by Ken Cowart, Kevin Thurman and friends was released last night. Check out our report here. Today in…
“The Friendship Trail Bridge can be saved”
ASD/Kenneth Cowart w/Gordon Tarpley of studio AMD A conceptual rendering of Friendship Trail Bridge walkways. As readers of CL know from our coverage of the Friendship Trail Bridge, Hillsborough County Commissioners were poised earlier this spring to spend $4.2 million to raze the once-popular recreational attraction. Then the bridge won a last-minute reprieve; a group…
Marco Rubio explains his vote against Democratic plan on student loans
On July 1, the interest rate on Stafford student loans is scheduled to double – from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Democrats and (most) Republicans say they want to keep the rate down at the 3.4 percent level. But they differ seriously on how to pay for it. Democrats want to raise Social Security and…
Daily Show to tape broadcasts at Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall during RNC
Tickets went on sale today for the four shows that Comedy Central's Daily Show will tape in Tampa during the week of August 27, the four days that the Republican National Convention takes place just a short distance away. The program will be taped in the Straz Center's Ferguson Hall, and those who have received…
Activists poised to march on Bank of America on Wednesday
On Wednesday, Bank of America holds its annual shareholder meeting in Charlotte, and activists will be protesting that meeting in North Carolina and at events around the country, including Tampa. The national actions are being led by a coalition calling itself the "Members of 99% percent," which earlier this year held protests at Wells Fargo's…
Law enforcement loves Craig Latimer
The Supervisor of Elections candidate has history with the cops.
St. Pete government pushes solar energy
St. Pete officials say solar water heaters will help the city save $20,000 per year.
Bake eggs for Mom
Make Oprah-approved Asparagus and Potato Egg Bake for Mother’s Day!
Mitch Perry Report 5.8.12 – Another state to vote to ban gay marriage?
Do you know where you were exactly four years ago tonight? On May 6, 2008 (okay almost four years ago to the date), Radiohead opened up their U.S. tour at was then called the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa. But what I remember was coming home that night and watching coverage of the North Carolina and…
New Music Tuesday! (May 8): Paul Thorn, Here We Go Magic, Keane & more
This week’s new releases; audio & video included.
What does it mean if Dick Lugar loses in Indiana?
Primary voters go to the polls Tuesday in Indiana, where 36-year-GOP incumbent Senator Richard Lugar is facing formidable odds against winning a seventh term in office. Lugar is being challenged in the Republican primary by state Treasurer Richard Mourdock, a Tea Party favorite who is also being endorsed by other conservative groups like FreedomWorks, Club…
George LeMieux takes another whack at the “Half-Mack”
In a little more than three months, Florida registered Republicans will vote on a candidate for U.S. Senate to challenge Democrat Bill Nelson in the fall. Nelson, who has been in political office for some four decades, would seem to be vulnerable. But the Connie Mack/George LeMieux race has been a dud so far, and…
HART staff says it can balance the budget — but with little to spare
Despite looking at a $1.2 million deficit, increased ridership and flat revenues, the chief financial officer for HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit) says he's found a way to balance the budget for the the next fiscal year, and that the agency should be okay the next four years after that. Transit agencies like HART and…
#MusicMonday, Vol. 68: Silversun Pickups, Miike Snow & more
What the CL Team is jamming this week; audio & video included.
Ladylike cocktails for Mother’s Day
Make your mom smile with one of these Mother’s Day inspired cocktails.
The Gaily News: VP Joe Biden supports gay marriage (video)
This past weekend, Vice President Joe Biden emphatically expressed his support of gay marriage. The highest-ranking member of the Obama administration to speak out in support of same-sex nuptials, Biden told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that he's "absolutely comfortable" with gay couples having the same rights as heterosexual couples. During the interview, the…
Reel Projections: Marvel’s The Avengers, The Hobbit and more …
Welcome to the new & improved Reel Projections videocast.
Coming Soon: Carmel Café and Wine Bar
South Tampa will play host to a stand-alone location.
Mitch Perry Report 5.7.12 – You bet ya!
Gay Marriage, Floyd Mayweather, The Avengers rule and more …
Beach Boys surf their wave of hits at the Straz
The legendary band swims to shore in top form for their May 5 concert.
Joe Biden sounds like he supports gay marriage, then backtracks
Joe Biden is a different vice president than Dick Cheney was, especially in style. But one of the few subjects on which they seem to agree is that there's nothing horrible about the prospect of gay marriage. The Obama White House doesn't support that concept — not yet, anyhow. Speaking on NBC's Meet The Press,…
Pot & Kettle Dept.: Rubio says Obama’s partisanship “sad to watch”
Marco Rubio at Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce lunch in 2011 Marco Rubio may or may not end up being Mitt Romney's running mate, but that doesn't mean you won't see him a lot over the next half year acting as a top surrogate for the GOP presumptive nominee and bashing Barack Obama in the…
Hillsborough Democratic voters take the first steps to re-nominating President Barack Obama as their standard bearer
Democratic voters select their Democratic delegates today. The West Tampa Library was bustling with voters and potential state delegates this morning. Unlike other elections, the no-campaigning-within-100-feet rule did not apply, so delegates were present to promote and introduce themselves to voters. Those elected (47 women and 47 men) will go on to represent Hillsborough County…
Drinking decisions for a double holiday
Cinco de Derby
A tribute to MCA: A Beastie Boys superfan looks back
Memories of Adam Yauch, Check Your Head and a teen obsession.
The worst traffic in the world
Let’s just wall off this section of SR 60 and leave the bad drivers to fend for themselves.
Bummer for West Tampa commuters – Columbus Drive Bridge now won’t re-open until June 19
For lots of folks commuting to and from West Tampa, the fact that the Columbus Drive Bridge has been down since February 21 has been something they've had to deal with. But as April turned into May, a saving grace was that the structural work to upgrade it would be finished in just a few…
Fruit-Infused Beer tasting
We sample four brews bursting with fruit flavor.
Buckhorn, Sharpe & Suarez weigh in on transportation, the economy and “bums” in downtown Tampa
Mark Sharpe, Bob Buckhorn & Mike Suarez chewed the fat at Firestick Grill inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum "Welcome to the land of your unfettered ability to carry guns at the Republican National Convention!" Those were the first of many words uttered Wednesday night by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, whose request to have firearms…
The Gaily News: Google Doodle salutes Keith Haring
Google pays tribute to the legacy of artist and AIDS activist Keith Haring with today's Google Doodle, in honor of his birthday. Haring died in 1990 from AIDS-related complications.
Mitch Perry Report 5.4.12 – Thinking about baseball
Rays rolling, Rivera out for the season and more.
The virtual cockblock: when the Internet ruins first impressions
Last week I was approached by a "trumper." Men are “trumpers” when some aspect about them is so irrefutably sexy that they “trump” any and all “types” a woman believes she has. Often times these pinnacles of manliness look good in anything—like they just stepped from the pages of a catalogue of men wearing stylish…
A real ball-buster
One reader’s kink is driving him nuts.
Tampa City Council passes “Event Zone” ordinance
Occupy Tampa held a "retirement party" for the 1st Amendment. The Tampa City Council today voted to approve the Buckhorn administration's revised rules for protesters at this summer's Republican National Convention. The 5-2 vote on the ordinance came on a first reading. A second and final reading will take place in two weeks. After the…
It’s hip to be square at Blue Lucy
It’s amazing what an artist can do with a 15-inch square panel of wood.
Bill’s Sports Binge: Draft hindsight, Wonderlic and WTF Noles?
As I watched the NFL Draft last Thursday night holding a beer in one hand and trying to get a bartender's attention for a second beer with the other, I'll admit I was hoping for Trent Richardson. Contrary to everything we've learned about the risks of picking high on running backs (durability, dog-year football lifespan,…
Pearls of wisdom from Ziggy Marley
Bob’s first-born son discusses spirituality, the new Marley biopic, keeping busy, and humanity as a whole.
On tap at James Joyce Irish Pub
The new location is a public house for modern Ybor.
This week in Tampa Bay area live music
Mayer Hawthorne & The County, New Edition, Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour and more …
Romney rebounds against Obama in new Florida poll
A month ago, when Barack Obama had (somewhat stunningly) broken out to some of his biggest leads against Mitt Romney in battleground states like Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, some pundits attributed those gains to the large gender gap that shows the Democrats doing better than usual against Republicans with women voters. Whether that was accurate…
Mitch Perry Report 5.3.12 – Time to vote on RNC “Event Zone”
Rick Scott's rebuking of Bob Buckhorn's request to ban guns inside the mayor's "Event Zone" was the dominant story in Tampa yesterday. The RNC's "Event Zone" will be front and center at the Tampa City Council this morning. The mayor's legal eagles have made considerable changes to the designated part of town where new rules…
What’s the damage, BP?
Two years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, its impact on the Gulf Coast is still not clear.
Pre Heat 2012
PreHeat Music Industry Workshops presented by WMNF, Creative Loafing, Grand National Championships
Between the panels
Resources for everyone from comic book geeks to complete newbies.
May 5 is Free Comic Book Day
Details on where you can pick up your free book.
Comic books still pack a punch at Emerald City
Behind the scenes at one of the bay area’s best comic retailers.
Buy these comic books!
Suggestions from the geek squad at Emerald City Comics.
A plan for the homeless is announced in Hillsborough County
After years of failing to adequately address the rising number of homeless in Hillsborough County, the County Commission began what might be just the beginning of a new phase today by approving $2.1 million to fund the acquisition and rehabilitation of Villa Seville, a 24-unit affordable housing development located off of Fowler Avenue in the…
Tampa RNC Host Committee looking for more volunteers
The 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee for the Republican National Committee has attracted thousands of volunteers to assist in various activities during the Republican Convention in late August. But they need still thousands more. At a news conference held on Wednesday at Tampa International Airport, Rita Wesley, Deputy Director of Volunteers and Events with the…
Neighborhood Dining Guide: Cinco de Mayo
Celebrate May 5 with these great food and drink specials.
Rick Scott rejects Buckhorn’s bid to ban guns in downtown Tampa during RNC
(UPDATE: Bob Buckhorn responds below). Writing that political conventions and the right to bear arms have coexisted in America since the "dawn of the Republic," Florida Governor Rick Scott has rejected Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's request to ban concealed weapons outside the Republican National Convention this summer. In a letter dated May 1, the governor…
Audiences assemble!
Marvel’s The Avengers is an extra large tub of glistening summer popcorn.
Pinellas Activists March Against the War Against Women
Women from every generation, old and young, and their male feminist counterparts gathered on the corner of Park Street Saturday morning. Outside Republican State Representative Larry Ahern's St. Petersburg office, about 30-40 activists held signs and chanted. Awake Pinellas organized the march as part of a national day against war on women. "Larry Ahern is…
