Gamma Testing video game podcast episode 3: House of the Dead: Overkill
In this episode, the GammaTesting.com guys (including CL's own Brian Ries) discuss the fine art of ignoring accuracy while wielding dual SMGs, groove to Overkill's fantastic soundtrack, accuse Headstrong of (possibly) using the Grindhouse-style to mask bad dialogue and voice acting, and, finally, confront those mommy issues we've been dealing with. Well, dealing with since…
Gamma Testing video game podcast, Episode 1: Street Fighter IV
The GammaTesting.com guys reminisce about the stacks of quarters they spent playing Street Fighter II at the arcade, then declare their undying love for this latest incarnation of the SF franchise. You see, it's the same as Street Fighter II, but better looking, better playing (as long as you dump the Xbox controller) and the…
Chimay Night at Oldsmar Tap House — April 23rd
If you love beer — or even moderatly enjoy it — and haven't been to the Oldsmar Tap House, you're doing yourself a massive disservice. The beer intensive, yet laid back, environment and a constantly rotating tap list make OTH one of the local centers of the beer geek universe. Coming up on the event…
Aerosmith slated for FordAmp on July 11
Aerosmith and ZZ Top are scheduled for the Ford Amphitheatre, LiveNation announced today. The show is on Sat., July 11. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com, Ford Amphitheatre Box Office or charge by phone 877-598-8698. Tickets are Tickets are $175.00, $89.50 and $59.50 for Reserved Seats and $35.00…
To Do in Tampa/St. Pete: Woodsboss and Those Legendary Shackshakers
Man, it's been a while since we had a "To Do" and, I ain't gonna lie, the break has been nice. Having done one to two shows a week for a month-plus, I was ready for some time off. Now, having had said time off, I need to go to a fucking show. Luckily for…
New music releases Tuesday, April 21
CD RELEASES SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, 4/21 (release dates are subject to change) Terry Adams (of NRBQ) Behemoth (Live, w/DVD) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (ahahahahahaha! yeah, really!) Booker T. (w/ Drive By Truckers and Neil Young, too)- it’s REAL SWEET! Braid (1995 debut album comprised 26 tracks, each one named using a different letter of the…
Easy comfort food: Strawberry bread pudding recipe
Bread pudding is one of my favorite throw-together, quick and easy recipes. If you have at least these three items on hand, you can make the base pudding: bread (preferably day old and dry), eggs, and milk or heavy cream. It's also a great go-to because it works for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. It…
Food, beer and wine events
Wednesday, Apr. 22: Cork and Olive At the Single's Sizzle and Swirl Cooking Class, learn how to create your own dish and pair wine with your new invention. $45. 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., 10019 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa (813-868-3733) Thursday, Apr. 23: Kuba Cigars At this wine tasting, sample dark chocolate, snacks and an assortment…
Do It Today: Free Ben & Jerry’s, Denis Leary, Yom HaShoah and more.
Ben & Jerry’s celebrate its 30th annual Free Cone Day today with free scoops of all its favorites — Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia and Chubby Hubby — as well as some of its newest offerings like Fair Trade Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Creams Swirled Together with Fudge-Covered Macadamia Nuts and Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brickle…
Green freebies from Home Depot for Earth Day
Home Depot is handing out a few freebies to help you go green for Earth Day (April 22nd): According to the Home Depot website, you can stop in at your local store and pick up some items to help you make your home more green. The two items that caught my eye were the free CFL bulb…
In season: Ways to cook zucchini
As the weather warms up, succulent spring vegetables like zucchini emerge in the grocery stores and markets. With the locavore movement, people should be seeking out the, ahem, fruitful bounty that our state has to offer. Looking like a roughed up cucumber, zucchini is one of those versatile vegetables that can be disguised in sweet…
Beer review : Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale contends with the canine as man’s best friend
I go crazy for flavorsome brown ales, so I am totally thrilled to finally have access to Smuttynose Brewing Company's Old Brown Dog Ale, a recent newcomer to the local market. Hailing from Portsmouth , New Hampshire, Smuttynose concocts a variety of excellent beers — a delightfully peaty porter, an IPA bursting with Amarillo hops…
How cool is Hillsborough County?
Okay, if you were asked which local governments were early proponents of all things green, you may think: Sarasota with its early adoption of green ordinances; St. Petersburg, Florida's first certified Green City; or Tampa with its initiatives and recent Green City designation. Yes, all good choices, but I bet it would surprise you that…
Blue efforts: just as important as the green ones
The story of the What About Blue? organization starts with the tale of how the name came about. A group of three Tampa Bay friends wanted to raise awareness about the global water crisis. Kevin Lilly, Jesse Landis and Missy Hurley wanted to form an active group to make a positive change. “We were trying…
New Pixies album box set, Minotaur, this Summer
Last night, rumors about a new Pixies album hit the web after this image appeared on ainr.com (Artist In Residence): Well, it turns out Minotaur will not be a new Pixies studio album, but a box set of all their studio albums, with revamped artwork and extras. The set will be available in both Limited…
It’s 420, time for another Top 10 list! Sorry, it’s late — what’d you expect?
It's 420. Another chance for a songlist. This one I think should be kinda special, since there's been 420 songlists since the dawn of mankind. Or since people started making lists and smoking pot and using "420" as code for pot-smoking. Ironic that by the time I get this thing up, it will actually be…
Indie 101: Tadhg Cooke.
Drum rolls please… ladies and gentlemen… it is my honor to introduce you to the one… the only… TADHG COOKE! You all know how much I love explaining how to pronounce artists names but this one really gets me riled up. Tadhg’s name is pronounced like “tiger” but without the “er.” Tadhg said “A nurse…
Review: Best CD I’ve heard so far this year
Allen Toussaint: The Bright Mississippi (Nonesuch) I've long been aware of Allen Toussaint as a New Orleans treasure, a prolific songwriter, magic-touch producer and arranger, and solo artist with a rather middling voice. I knew he played piano, but did not know he was such a bad, bad man at the keyboard. I do know.…
Irregular Artbeat Show at the Skatepark of Tampa
When it comes to art, the raw appeal of street-influenced work appeals most to me. Infused with music and the first-hand knowledge of life in urban areas, art like the Irregular Artbeat Show (Skatepark of Tampa, 4215 Each Columbus Drive, Tampa FL 33605, 813-621-6793) mixes and remixes mediums.
Meagan Bemis – Contributor
As a student at Eckerd College I am privy to a different side of the world where we laugh at the word "diversity" because we represent every kind of person there is. I love the school, my professors and the atmosphere. I'm a communications major, hoping to break into the world of journalism after I…
If this photo is real …
It's pretty damn cool.
Concert Review: Seal last night at Mahaffey Theater
The house lights went down, synthesizers swelled and the stage oozed dry-ice smoke. This went on for so long that it seemed Seal and his band had experienced a Spinal Tap moment and taken a wrong turn backstage. But the extended buildup was just indicative of a show last night at Mahaffey Theater that was…
Taste of New Tampa in pictures
Hundreds of hungry people converged on the Taste of New Tampa festival on Sunday, a collection of local restaurants and other businesses collecting together to share their love of New Tampa with it's residents and those coming into the community to enjoy it, like myself. In the three hours I was there, I hand-to-mouthed it…
Interview: Ray LaMontagne (coming to Tampa Theatre)
He's been called introverted, intensely private, interview-shy, even reclusive, yet here is singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne talking to me by phone from a Cleveland hotel room. I'm asking questions, he's answering. With pauses. He speaks just above a whisper, a sort of gentle murmur that belies the raspy bite in his singing voice. LaMontagne, who plays…
Tampa Derby Darlins go from black and blue to green
The Tampa Bay Derby Darlins have always been known for their super athleticism, rough and tough exterior and bringing fun to the sport of skating in Tampa. Even though you don't want to necessarily meet these girls in a dark alley, you can better believe when it comes to taking care of the environment, they…
Homestyle favorite: Chicken enchiladas with red chile sauce
When it comes to being a Howard, there are some things that are just inherent. Enjoying Southwestern food is one of them- due to the amount of extended family and roots planted in New Mexico and the cuisine there. I’ve been eating enchiladas since I was old enough to chew…red or green, especially spicy or…
Earth Day guilt? Then catch Disneynature’s “Earth” this week
I'm on an Earth Day guilt trip. Why does all the celebrating have to be outside? Oh, right, we're celebrating nature, so it's either itchy eyes and a pounding head or the questioning from my friends, "Say Lisa, little Ms. Green, we didn't see you over the weekend at that Earth fest." Hold on! Earth day…
Monday Night Music: Beep Beep, The Show is The Rainbow and Win Win Winter at New World Brewery
This Monday night (yes stoners, it's 420), AES and the New World Brewery host Omaha's Beep Beep & The Show is The Rainbow along with Tampa's own Win Win Winter and DJs Mini Horse and 2C opening. The electro-rock of Beep Beep, now touring in support of their second album Enchanted Islands, alone is worth…
Do It Today: Beep Beep, job opps, Marxism and more on 420
Omaha post-prog quartet organic and folk-infused, or near dissonant with disjointed tempos. The Show Is the Rainbow is Darren Keen's one-man electro-rock band. Local support on the bill is provided by Tampa's Win Win Winter. Definitely a 420-worthy show. For more on TSiTR, click here. 9 p.m., New World Brewery, Ybor City, $7. Meet with…
Review: M.A.D. Theatre’s Broadway Gay Cabaret
“Bring on the Men and Let the Fun Begin.” That was the opening number of M.A.D Theatre’s Broadway Gay Cabaret (M.A.D. stands for Music, Acting and Dance). And they truly did bring on the fun. I walked into Streetcar Charlie’s in Ybor not really knowing what to expect. As a friend of mine said, it…
Review: David Sedaris gets the laughs at TBPAC
David Sedaris and I practically know each other. We share the same hometown, Raleigh, NC, so the places he writes about are vivid memories for me. The Piccadilly Cafeteria in the mall, the neighborhood of The Christmas Whore and the mental hospital are vivid snapshots in my mind. He is one of those people of…
Starting a recycling program at work- free and easy
When I first came to my law office in the Westshore district of Tampa five years ago, there were no recycle bins anywhere to be found. Most people in the office did not really think much of it and never really inquired about it. I thought this was a bit odd since this was a…
A shitty Papa Roach concert
I know. When you go see a shitty band, shitty concerts usually ensue. Keep reading. Papa Roach dropped their major label debut Infest in 2000. Their first and arguably biggest hit to date "Last Resort" shamelessly plagiarized various classic Iron Maiden riffs, and along with bands like Korn and Disturbed helped to usher in the nu-metal hey-day of chugga-chugga…
Tips on energy and water conservation at home
So you’re not the type to schlep to all those Earth Day activities, but the little voices in your head are nagging you to do something? Have your own Earth Fest at home. Not only will you silence the voices (sans chemical laden meds), you will save money and precious resources over the hot summer…
Two free, fun events: April 17 & 18
This is a good weekend if you’re looking for free things to do. Since that’s pretty much what I look for, I’m happy to present two different opportunities to have fun without spending a dime. The first is the Wesley Chapel Celebration of the Arts, held at 28211 Paseo Drive. Now, to be honest,…
Do you know Love?
If the answer to the headline is yes, but you're referencing the feeling, and not the '60s-era Los Angeles band, then you may want to head over to the Beach Theatre this Friday night for a special WMNF Film Series benefit screening of Love Story. The documentary tells the tale of the proto-psychedelic mixed-race cult…
Sally Bosco – Contributor
Sally Bosco is corporate trainer by day, but has the heart of an artist. She was a dance and theater major at FSU, but realizing she might need to earn a living some day, graduated with a BA in Graphic Design from University of Florida. Sally recently received a Master of Arts degree in Creative…
Shop smart and save green
Intimidated by those big grocery warehouses where everything is sold in packages of ten and often a prestigious card is required to get past those menacing guards (i.e.: Sam's Club, Cosco, BJ's)? Perhaps it might be time to bite the bullet and get a membership – in the long run, you'll save some cash and possibly…
Solving the energy crisis and ending bailouts- for real!
For those of us growing weary of hearing about the energy crisis, coupled with the concept of more bailouts for corporations such as AIG and the rest of Wall Streets finest, we may finally have the "pick-me-up" you've been craving, in the form of green sustainability. The truth is, "bailouts", are not just limited to…
Memories of an American classic: the submarine sandwich
I love a good sub, don't you? Circa 1941, Benedetto Capaldo, a deli owner in New London, Connecticut, made a living by furnishing the nearby Groton submarine base with sandwiches. His creation was named after his best customers and the submarine sandwich was born. They aren't hard to find anymore. While quality might be a…
The new NYC solo show from USF art star Kalup Linzy
Fucking with gender, race and even All My Children, video/performance artist (and USF grad) Kalup Linzy gets a rave today from the NY Times' Karen Rosenberg for his solo show at the Studio Museum in Harlem. "Beneath all the clichés, costumes and sass," says Rosenberg, "Mr. Linzy connects with his audience in a deeply satisfying…
On the stage – a poem
The page is blank, like a relationship when a first response occurs on match.com. Who is that person? Are they the page or the ink? The pen or the storyteller? I know only the picture, only the general size of their nose and whether their ears stick out. Is that a double chin? And their…
Do It This Weekend: Sedaris, Hitchcock and art, art, art
It's a great weekend to be in Tampa Bay: David Sedaris, a Hitchcock festival, Record Day deals, a raft of pre-Green Day events. And there's a veritable explosion of art. Check out Megan Voeller's Artsqueeze weekend roundup for details; among the highlights are the ARTpool anniversary party and an opening reception at St. Pete's Interior…
An organically fun and delicious way to eat a salad
Sometimes when people think of salads, they automatically think "Borrrriiiinnng". And then when they hear the word "organic" they automatically think, "expensive!". Well it's true that some salads can be boring and it's also true that some organic foods can be a bit pricey. But in reality, you can make a fun organic blend salad…
Make recycling popular by making it easier
We already know recycling helps reduce waste and prevents good materials from ending up in a landfill. It's what we don't know that can make recycling frustrating, inefficient, and more costly. Let's make it easier and make recycling more viable in the process. To all the recyclers out there, I applaud your efforts. You already…
Domino’s Pizza employees post disgusting video then get fired
Stupid people on display: Two (former) Domino's Pizza employees get fired (and are being prosecuted) for posting this sandwich-making video on Youtube. Can you imagine being the person who eventually ate the food? The store is located in North Carolina. The president of Domino's responds below.
Artsqueeze Weekend Roundup, Apr. 17-19
Leslie Fry. Detail of Towards. Painted plaster, 12” x 18” x 3”. Image courtesy of the artist. This weekend roundup goes out with special happy birthday wishes to ARTpool! (see Saturday) Friday 5:30-8:30 p.m. – Opening reception for Alternative Vistas: New and Recent Work by Creative Clay Artists at Creative Clay. 6-8 p.m. – Opening…
Oprah Winfrey to send her first Twitter message on her show tomorrow
The richest and most famous woman in America has announced, via her her Facebook page today, that she will send her first tweet tomorrow on air. As of this writing, the Twitter username @oprah has 30,000 follwers, all anxiously awaiting her first 140 character announcement. Her guest tomorrow is Ashton Kutcher, one of the biggest…
Kama Sutra: squat n’ fu@
Getting into position: Just thinking about this position will hurt a lot of folks with bad knees, so if you or your partner have any difficulties in this arena, this may not be for you. It begins with the man squatting on a hard surface with his back straight and his thighs parallel to the…
What Are Your 5 Songs In A Row?
Every other week I put my iPod on shuffle and write about the first five songs that come up. I’ve been doing this for a few months now and the response from people has been more than kind and appreciated. However, now that I am blogging for Creative Loafing I feel the need to change…
Food nirvana at Tampa’s Thai Temple
Some have described the scene as jarring — the beautiful, colorful Thai temple standing near the shore of Hillsborough County’s Palm River — but it seems so natural to me. Having studied immigrants for many years, especially their food and restaurants, I'm filled with admiration for the enterprising Thais who built up Wat Mongkolratanaram and, in…
Five simple ways to become environmentally friendly
There are five easy habits you can develop to be more environmentally friendly without much effort and still be able to keep your tax refund check. No, you don’t need to build a hydroelectric plant in your backyard, convert your car to bio-diesel, or live in sweltering heat without air conditioning in your home. You…
A few essential tips for concertgoing
If you're reading this, a music blog, you probably go to quite a few concerts, and you've probably developed some strategies that work for you. Nevertheless, for those less experienced, and for those who might need a refresher course, let me pass along some knowledge that I've acquired over the decades. You can think of…
John Madden retires from broadcasting
Yes, the unthinkable has happened. NFL and broadcasting legend John Madden is hanging it up. Per his statement: “I’m 73 years old. My 50th anniversary is this fall. It’s been such a great ride. The N.F.L. has been my life for more than 40 years, it has been my passion — and still is.” Is…
Electric companies: allies in reducing your electric bill with home energy audits
With Earth day quickly approaching, now is a great time for each of us to consider our own environmental impact. We all hear that energy efficiency is one of the key factors for both reducing our personal carbon footprint and helping the environment in general, but sometimes it's difficult to know where to begin. When I…
Concert Review: Hall & Oates make a baby-boomer music critic very happy
I'm pretty sure I was a sophomore in college when this happened. I was sitting in a friend's room in the dorm on a weekday afternoon when I heard this music from another room. The stereos, dorm stereos at my college at least, were shit, so the sound was faint. But the song captivated me.…
Michael Jackson: He wants it back
Never say Neverland: Michael Jackson has decided he doesn't want to auction off all his junk precious memorabilia after all. Or maybe he never wanted to get rid of it in the first place? In any case, a dispute between the erstwhile King of Pop and the auctioneers has saved those jewel-encrusted gloves, MTV Moonmen…
Do It Today: Jill Scott, Cokie Roberts, Frontline and beer
No. 1 Ladies Watch Party. Join the ladies at the YWCA to watch HBO's much-praised new series, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, based on Alexander McCall Smith's best-selling book. It features the bountifully talented Jill Scott in the lead role and an all-African-American cast filmed on location in Africa. In honor of the event, HBO…
Chris Hrabovsky – Contributor
Long time activist, and former Democratic Party candidate for State House Dist. 45, Chris Hrabovsky has taken on the challenge of reforming our energy policy-at the local level. In 2000 Chris’ interest in alternative fuels for vehicles led him to convert a truck to run on hydrogen. In 2006, he re-invigorated an environmental fight to…
Linda Taylor – Contributor
Linda M. Taylor founded It's Our Nature®, Inc. in March of 1996 after 18 years in the commercial fitness industry. The company’s focus blends the enrichment of one’s mind with the wellness of one’s body and the spirit of our earth. Another aspect of her company is “Healthy-Wear for People Who Care®” which reflects a…
Michelle Schenck – Contributor
Michelle Schenck works works the regular 9-5 during the day as a law firm administrator and a realtor with Century 21 Beggins. In her free time, she enjoys free-lance writing about travel, movies and her new passion: writing about "going green". She is also a member of the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins, an all girls…
Cory Brennan – Contributor
Cory is a certified permaculture designer, writer and educator who recently relocated from Los Angeles to Clearwater. In LA she worked with the Economic Alliance of San Fernando Valley and neighborhood groups to implement sustainable solutions; she supported a magnet educational program and campus food forest at Crenshaw High School in S Central LA; and…
Hentai parties: not for the weak of heart
It’s a Friday night. I’m checking on the contents of a penis-shaped ice mold that I bought at The Todd. The jello shot is shaping up nicely. Next I check the pudding shots. They should be done by the time I get out of my shower. I’m still naked and wet from my shower when…
Seared scallops with roasted corn, bacon and Shitake mushrooms [recipe]
Each time I find really nice sea scallops available at the market, my recipe wheels immediately start turning. There’s a slightly majestic quality to their clean, delicate flesh and unique flavor which I simply cannot resist. So, this week’s shopping trip yielded not only the most fantastic scallops I’ve seen in a while, but also…
Record Store Day this Saturday, April 18
This Saturday marks the second annual Record Store Day, a national salute to the more than 700 indie music stores located across the country and the positive impact they make on their communities. In honor of the event, several Bay area stores are offerings specials and carrying limited edition, exclusive Record Store Day releases. Daddy…
Sex in the Shadows, Vol. 3: The Lovebirds
Their dingy, third-floor attic apartment smelled like cigarettes and sexual hysteria. I’d gotten lost on my way over, had somehow found the right street name in the wrong town. Calling from a borrowed cell phone at a Domino’s, I listened to the woman I’d soon be fucking give me impatient directions. It was a cold…
And the Watchmen winners are …
Just a quick update to the Watchmen DVD giveaway. The winners have been chosen, and I'd like to congratulate Leah Bell and Sandra Uriostegui! Leah nabbed a copy of Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic and Sandra took home Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter. There's lots more over on the Fun & Free site right…
Do it this weekend: Tampa culinary school BBQ cook-off competition
This Saturday, April 18th, some of the C.O.O.K.S. Club at the Art Institute of Tampa will be hosting a BBQ cook-off and competition. Culinary students will be competing to see whose barbecued protein of choice will reign supreme, after being judged by some "professionals" and the public. The event will be from 11 a.m.- 3p.m.…
Green eyes look at recycling your computers & gadgets: eCycling
People know all about recycling everyday items, right? Glass bottles, aluminum cans, newspaper, steel cans (where accepted), plastic bottles — these are pretty simple things to keep track of. How about those items you use every day but don’t really think about chucking until they’re dead? Television sets, DVD players and computers are all items…
Food, wine and beer events
Wednesday, Apr. 15: ABC Fine Wine and Spirits Join wine lovers and experts at this tasting and sample from dozens of wine selections. Each guest will receive a souvenir wine glass and a coupon for $5 any purchase that night. $10. 1405 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon (813-685-4832) Wednesday, Apr. 15: Whole Foods Learn how to…
Britain’s Got Talent Susan Boyle wows audience
Another Paul Potts is uncovered…and blows Simon Cowell et al away. Dare you not to tear up. Susan Boyle sings "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables.
Mixmaster Challenge: Create a fish sauce cocktail
When I explored the Bay area cocktail scene a couple of months ago, I was struck again by how trite and bland most bar and restaurant mixed drink lists are. I guess it reflects the food scene, which is also behind the times in our area, but c'mon: cocktails are easier. Or, if not easier,…
Earth Day Orgy: Tampa Bay Earth Day events
It's that time of year again: Earth week. Here in Tampa we aren't limiting ourselves to just one day of honoring Mother Earth. I guess as bandwagons go, this one is a good one to jump on. But come May, we'll be experiencing one hell of a hangover after a weeks worth of Earth fests and…
PJ Harvey & John Parish: A Woman A Man Walked By
By the time she released her sixth solo album — Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea — Polly Jean Harvey had pretty much stretched her sound in every direction it could logically go. 1992’s Dry was her fully formed indie-encapsulating debut; 1993’s Rid of Me her Steve Albini-produced exploration of caterwauling noise; 4-Track…
The Jim Morey Band’s sound echoes the past
The Jim Morey Band makes music that transports you to another place and time. A tired old riverboat paddles sluggishly down the Mississippi on a muggy summer night, carrying drooping ladies waving drooping fans, men with shirts unbuttoned and straw boater hats, the band playing muddy river jazz in a brass-soaked mosey, scattered couples swaying…
Pearl Jam: Ten [Deluxe Edition]
Over 18 years and eight studio albums, Pearl Jam has proven itself to be far and away the most durable band to come from the original grunge movement. (Also the best, I would argue.) Nirvana trumps them on mystique and cultural impact, mostly because Kurt Cobain blew his brains out, but Pearl Jam had the…
State of Play’s thrills put reporters above the fold
The political thriller State of Play finds a fresh angle on the depth of Russell Crowe's talents as an actor. Slovenly but uncompromising journalist Cal MacAffrey may not be as memorable a Crowe role as the brooding gladiator or unstrung mathematician, but it reveals how an actor can subsume personal feelings in pursuit of a…
Raul Malo: Lucky One
He’s one of the most gifted contemporary singers in any genre, and although he occasionally goes a little Andrea Bocelli on us, Raul Malo can really bring the swoon with his clear, heart-on-sleeve tenor. The ex-Mavericks frontman, solo since 2001, calls to mind his former band on Lucky One, although it’s less categorically country. He…
Other uses for wine corks and bottles
I’m a consummate, almost rabid, recycler. Every plastic or paper bag, aluminum and paper scrap gets either reused, recycled or both. It hacks me off to see bottles in the trash, as I envision a massive garbage heap bloated with items rejected by Mother Nature. People have declared with disdain that it costs more to…
What’s more likely to cause cancer, smoking or tanning?
My girlfriend and I were fighting over which led to a greater chance of getting cancer, smoking or tanning. I probably average a cigarette a day, and my girlfriend usually goes tanning two or three times a week. Who gets cancer first? —Dave, Columbus, Ohio A slo-mo suicide pact — quel romantique! The competitive aspect…
Lucky Thompson: New York City, 1964-65
Although his nickname was Lucky, saxophonist Eli Thompson seemed to have little of it during a fitful career that effectively ended in 1974 (he died in 2005 at 82, having been homeless and suffering from dementia.) Thompson was a music biz outcast, bitter and difficult, but an accomplished, original player. This two-CD set of unearthed…
A look at new South Tampa restaurant, The Lodge
The Lodge adds to South Tampa’s exciting new dining scene.
Chateau Lafite launches wine project in China
Next week, I head to China, not on a business trip but on vacation. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be scouting the place for Chinese wine potential. Recently, the owners of highly esteemed French wine producer Chateau Lafite Rothschild announced a 60-acre Chinese wine project in the northeastern Shandong Province. It’s one of China’s largest…
Justin Townes Earle: Midnight at the Movies
When Justin Towns Earle's debut, The Good Life, came out a year ago, I hardly paid it any mind. Months later, when I finally got around to listening to it, I wasn't expecting much – just the son of a legend fumbling through an album he only got to make because of his father's name.…
Various Artists: Covered, A Revolution in Sound: Warner Bros. Records
To commemorate its golden anniversary, Warner Bros. Records commissioned a dozen artists on its current roster to each perform a favorite tune from the label’s first 50 years. The results, not surprisingly, range from insipid to almost brilliant. We’ll start with the clunkers: Adam Sandler doing a rote, irony-free version of Neil Young’s “Like a…
CD Review: Allen Toussaint, The Bright Mississippi
Allen Toussaint: The Bright Mississippi (Nonesuch) I’ve long been aware of Allen Toussaint as a New Orleans treasure, a prolific songwriter, magic-touch producer and arranger, and solo artist with a rather middling voice. I knew he played piano, but did not know he was such a bad, bad man at the keyboard. I do now.…
Come again soon, ya hear? How to orgasm on command
I'm a male with submissive tendencies, and my wife decides when I get to orgasm. We have sex regularly, but she only lets me ejaculate occasionally. She finds that I'm more attentive to her now that we're doing "orgasm denial," and I get to scratch my submissive itch. Ain't life grand? Here's my question: I…
Neko Case: Middle Cyclone
Perhaps in 30 years we'll look back at Neko Case with the same reverence that we do now with, say, Joni Mitchell — as a true original. Will Case ever carry the same legendary stature? Hard to say, but it seems to me that legends are not as easily made these days. That's OK. We…
Beer review : Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale contends with the canine as man’s best friend
I go crazy for flavorsome brown ales, so I am totally thrilled to finally have access to Smuttynose Brewing Company’s Old Brown Dog Ale, a recent newcomer to the local market. Hailing from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Smuttynose concocts a variety of excellent beers — a delightfully peaty porter, an IPA bursting with Amarillo hops flavor,…
Wine review: Klinker Brick 2005 Farrah Syrah Lodi
Located southeast of Sacramento near California’s eastern edge, the Lodi region isn’t a romantic, sophisticated wine “country” (yet), but it’s got the hip enviro-edge. Lodi is so serious about the health of its land, they formed a growers trade group, Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission (LWWC), which in 1992 laid down their environmental imperatives in a farming…
Is civic pride alive in Tampa Bay?
There was a time when the pursuit of civic excellence in Tampa Bay seemed to be a much higher priority than it is today. When we were innocent enough to care (and see big headlines) that Tampa was awarded an "All America City" designation. When the meaning of civic involvement was broader than just whining…
Do It Today: Altar Boyz, immigration fears, tax time
Altar Boyz. You may think that the era of the boy band is over, but you haven’t seen the off-Broadway smash Altar Boyz. These heavenly hotties are out to save the sinners, one pious pop song at a time. Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham (the not-quite-sure Jewish member) have been working the bingo halls…
Tax jams
It is currently 4:39 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14 and my freakin' federal income tax forms have yet to be finalized and postmarked. (Believe it or not, folksingers occasionally earn enough income to warrant filing their income taxes!) This, obviously, is a source of immense anxiety. In an attempt to soothe my nerves (and in the true spirit…
Arts & Entertainment Contributors
David Warner – Editor David's been editor of Creative Loafing since 2004. Originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, he was previously editor of the Philadelphia City Paper, an alt-weekly in the Creative Loafing vein. He has a B.A. from Harvard and an M.A. in Theater from Villanova, and was a 2001-2002 National Arts Journalism Fellow at…
