Do It Today: The Big Bang improv show at Nova 535, Miguel Santana’s book signing at The Studio@620, The $ting in Gulfport
is an engaging night of laughs, created by NOVA 535 owner Michael Novilla, that combines comedy, singing, dancing and any other talents (or schticks) you can think of. It’s an American Idol/Gong Show-style competition, where a panel of judges vote on the fate of local wannabe-popsters — and many of the performers are professionals, including…
Dreaming of (wtf!) cleaning windows
“Dream Momma, My girlfriend called me to tell me that she was parked somewhere in downtown Tampa and she was looking at me cleaning windows big windows on a downtown building. However she said, that she didn't think I would be doing this for a living neither do I think that but this is what…
Si, Si to Sangria, the perfect spring drink
Finally, warmth is upon Florida. After one of the coldest and longest winters anyone can remember, we are ready to embrace the warm days ahead. And with the rising temperatures comes the desire to find something, anything that is refreshing to the palate. With the warmth of spring comes the perfect time to drink SANGRIA!…
No-Knead Easter Bread recipe
A few weeks ago, I shared with you my recipe for no-knead Cinnamon Swirl Challah Bread. Since the master challah recipe I provided makes enough dough for four loaves of bread, it occurred to me that I should have given you some other ideas for using the rest of that dough. Since we are coming…
On the Radar: Pericles: Prince of Tires returns to Jobsite
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming arts events to mark your calendars for. Next week, Pericles: Prince of Tires is back in town, and arguably better than ever. In this modern rawk musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s sordid story about the Prince of Tyre, Pericles becomes Perry, a New Jersey mobster – but…
Sweden’s Refused to reunite? (with video) UPDATED
So many great bands have reunited over the past few years amid adulation far exceeding the prime of their career. Right now, the Blogosphere is buzzing that Swedish post-hardcore darlings Refused will take the next victory lap. Officialrefused.com serves as the source for any speculation thanks to one phrase: COMING SOON Punknews.org checked into the situation…
Terminations at Tampa City Hall
Talk about euphemisms. Facing an over $27 million budget deficit, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio announced today in a letter to City Council members that after completing a review of the city's organizational structure, she has identified "additional efficiencies and consolidation opportunities" that will ultimately result in "$3 million in savings from salaries and benefits." In…
Michael Steele AWOL as site committee for Republican Convention says goodbye to Tampa Bay
The site committee for the Republican National Committee have left Tampa, as their three day tour of the facilities and amenities in the Bay area in their search for a home for the 2012 Republican National Convention ended on Tuesday afternoon. The 10 member committee was joined on the trip by national party chairman Michael…
DIY junk food: Make your own organic Twinkie knock-offs (video)
Just like Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) in Zombieland, I, too, enjoy the spongy, creamy goodness that is a Twinkie. (Okay, maybe not as much as he did, but you get the point.) The only problem with them is that there's so much crap in them! The Twinkie contains 39 different ingredients, including cellulose gum, Polysorbate 60,…
Florida’s government proves itself incapable of managing growth without citizen oversight
Even after ruining our economy with a drunken spree of speculative over-building, Florida’s political leaders cannot stop digging us further into the hole, irresponsibly dishing out way too many development approvals to their developer-cronies. From 2007 through 2009, local governments approved 1,856 changes to their land-use maps. 600,000 new houses were approved, which is more…
Concert Review: Duncan Sheik at the Straz Center (with pics)
It was twenty minutes to show time when I stepped inside Ferguson Hall to take my seat. I slide into the comfy chair and feasted my eyes on the bevy of instruments covering the stage: an upright bass, cello, harmonium, a whopping seven acoustic guitars, drums, a baby grand piano and a lone electric guitar.…
Gasparilla International Film Festival announces 2010 Global Lens Series (with video)
Fresh off the success of the 2010 Gasparilla International Film Festival, the film-happy folks over at GIFF are set to launch this year's edition of the Global Lens film series. As the name implies, Global Lens focuses its attention on independent world cinema, bringing movies to town that would otherwise never play the Bay area.…
3 Guys and the Quest for the Holy FAIL: A Nymphoid Barbarian in Dinosaur Hell
Somewhere deep within the annals of wretched movie-dom stands The Holy FAIL, the best worst movie ever committed to film. And in the search of said cinematic bile are The 3 Guys, brave heroes like no other. If a poorly suited monster or a dangling boom mic appear on screen, the 3 Guys have seen…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Tuesday, March 30: Datz Deli VinoVersity: What's Dirt Go to Do with It? Learn all the to-do about terroir with wine columnist (and former CL wine critic) Taylor Eason. Taste six wines (two Chardonnays, two Pinot Noirs and two Cabernet), all paired with palate-pleasing snacks. $29. 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2616 S. MacDille Ave., Tampa (813-831-7000) Tuesday,…
You can recycle that?!: Overlooked items you should be recycling
Aerosol cans, wire hangers, hotel soap, even asphalt shingles are just some of the things that can be recycled but are oftentimes overlooked. Do you have half-used paint cans cluttering your garage? First of all, don't even think about dumping them down the drain. (Um hello? That'd be releasing toxic chemicals into the water supply.)…
Michael Steele in trouble with GOP again, activists want to meet and greet Newt Gingrich in St. Pete, and why Florida stunningly lost out in Race to the Top funding:Mitch Perry Report 3.30.10
Michael Steele and the site selection committee for the 2012 Republican National Convention will wrap up their stay in the Tampa Bay area today. Tampa's bid for the convention looks good. Unfortunately for chairman Steele, he's probably seen better days than news that came out yesterday about spending by some RNC members; While Michael Steele…
Does Michael Steele have some ‘splainin’ to do in St. Pete?
Members of the Republican National Committee wrap up their four day whirlwind tour of the Tampa Bay area this afternoon with a news conference at the Renaissance Vinoy hotel in St. Petersburg. The site selection team arrived in Tampa on Saturday night, and have been enjoying the best of what the Tampa/St. Pete area has…
Teachers union and GOP leadership share in failure to acquire Race to the Top funds
Yesterday's announcement by the Obama Administration that only Delaware and Tennessee received grants in the first round of Race to the Top competition has provoked finger-pointing among the state's biggest teachers' union, The Florida Education Association, and Republican lawmakers over whose fault it is that only five of Florida's 67 local teachers' unions signed on…
Gulfport’s Theatre Walk takes a walk: Offended shopowners drive Biblical satire Smitings into a back alley
After a four-year hiatus, Gulfport’s annual Theatre Walk was back in business, this year setting up non-ambulatory shop on the stage of the art district’s Art Village Courtyard. The actors were heading into their final dress rehearsal last Thursday of Smitings, a six-play series of Bible reinterpretations by Christopher Buehlman. Everything was going as planned.…
Do It Today: Black Eyed Peas in theaters, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Jobsite and an Eric Clapton tribute at Skipper’s
Tonight brings a live broadcast of Black eyed Peas The E.N.D. World Tour in L.A.’s Staples Center. Maybe if you’re lucky you’ll be in a theater with a flash mob that does a super cool dance during “I Gotta Feeling.” And maybe Oprah will walk through the emergency door exit and join in. I get…
On the Radar: Stars on Ice, feat. Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, Shen and Zhao, Meryl Davis and Charlie White
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. I was surprised that Johnny Weir wasn’t included in the 2010 Smucker’s Stars on Ice Tour, which visits the St. Pete Times Forum this Sunday. The openly gay American ice skater was a virtual star of the Winter Olympics, even…
Sensory Overload music wrap-up, from Joe Popp to the Beauvilles
Over the past five years, Creative Loafing’s Sensory Overload has featured musical acts ranging from the Soulphonics & Ruby Velle to Apes and Androids to Eliot Lipp. This year's lineup was, for the most part, filled with local acts that proved their worthiness by the thick crowd of people who were packed into New World…
The household enterprise sector of the new knowledge/service economy
In a recent email dialogue I had with a business school dean, he acknowledged that the economy is transforming from a consumer economy to a knowledge/service economy. I had asked him how he saw business schools responding in preparing students for this transformation. He answered that it was quite a concern because from what they…
Photo review: Rx Bandits at The Social in Orlando
A few shots from the Rx Bandits show at The Social in Orlando last Saturday, March 20.
Dreaming of an injured cat
“Dream Momma, I’m a transfer student to USF from St. Pete College. I live in Tampa but still spend most of my time in St. Pete with my old college buddies. I need help with this dream. I dreamt of a cat and suddenly a car ran it down on Howard Frankland Bridge. The cat…
Are you married and dating?
While most swingers may consider their lifestyle a dating lifestyle; typically swingers go on dates with their spouses. Another growing trend in the great world of alternative lifestyles is married but dating. Many will call this a poly-type relationship. I view a poly relationship as someone that you may see often and not a random hook up. …
Concert review: G. Love and Special Sauce at The Ritz (with pics and video)
If Garrett Dutton, better known as G. Love, and his band of dirty-bluesy musicians were a sauce, what would they be? Certainly not the average condiment of ketchup or regular old Tabasco. They wouldn’t be traditional marinara or a boring broth. Nope. G. Love would be the kind of sauce that is concocted by an…
RIB-OFF! Critic’s picks — Hillsborough
Just look at local elections and you'll immediately see the value of a little oversight when there's a serious popularity contest in the offing. Add in CL's unstructured voting — a la Chicago's aldermen elections, or any high school homecoming court balloting — and that oversight becomes even more necessary. Luckily, I'm here to add…
Join ‘Hands Across the Sand’ in St. Pete to protect our coasts from oil drilling, Wednesday (3/31)
On Wednesday, March 31st, there will be a Town Hall meeting conducted by Newt Gingrich at the Vinoy Hotel in Downtown St. Pete, touting economic development at the expense of our coastal economy. He has even promised a bumper sticker to the first 1000 RSVP’s that reads: "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less". Mr. Gingrich…
Florida loses out in first round of Race to the Top funding- teacher’s union says state officials blew it by not working with them
In the immediate aftermath of learning that Florida was not selected as one of the recipients for "Race to the Top" education stimulus money today, the Florida Education Association laid some of the blame for that on the Florida Department of Education for shutting them out of the process to get the federal grant. FEA…
Charlie Justice qualifies for ballot by turning in petitions
Pinellas County Democratic Congressional hopeful Charlie Justice is officially on the ballot in Florida's 10th Congressional District election, as his campaign manager Mitch Kates today announced that he had qualified by petition by gathering more than 6,500 signatures (he was required to turn in 4,443) to the Supervisor of Elections office. In a press release,…
RIB-OFF! Finger Lickin’ Four voting, Hillsborough Championship: Kojak’s House of Ribs versus Jaymer Que BBQ
We’re pitting Tampa Bay’s best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. Voting for this Finger Lickin' Four match will end at Midnight on Thursday, April 1!
RIB-OFF! Finger Lickin’ Four voting, Pinellas Championship: Angry Pepper versus Spoto’s Steak Joint
We’re pitting Tampa Bay’s best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. Voting for this Finger Lickin' Four match will end at Midnight on Thursday, April 1!
Grand Prix Update: Free entry for today’s race
Here's the latest update from Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg: Plans are under way for a 10 a.m. start for the 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this morning. Gates will open to race fans at 9 a.m. and entry is free. Race organizers have also opened all grandstand seats to race fans…
USF’s Design Build program: Architecture as community involvement
When people think of architects and architecture, community involvement is usually not the first association that comes to mind. For decades architects have willingly cloistered themselves away, keeping the communities in which they live at arms length. The end product of this line of thinking is the rise of the “starchitect”, architects whose goal is movie star-like celebrity…
Project Runway Ep. 11 sneak peek/spoiler: A designer is walking out and an auf’ed designer is coming back
Things. Are. Getting. Crazy. There are only four episodes of Project Runway left, which is way crazy, as I feel like we have only just begun. But what's crazier is that one of the designers will be walking off the show this week. Say whaaaaaat? Yeah, uh huh, madness. So, you may be wondering, who…
It’s all about the Crist Rubio debate, and a new poll in Florida shows that Democrats have lots of explaining to do to sell the benefits of the health care reform bill: Mitch Perry Report 3.29.10
There was lots of anticipation in the air going into Sunday morning's first debate between Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio, and we say that the show was as good as advertised. You can read our take here. CL contributor and GOP Political consultant made national news last week when he announced that he was no…
It Happened This Week-ish: Bar Rafaeli is still in her undies, Project Runway designer drama, Lohan vs. Nature and more
Even though Leonardo DiCaprio should totally be with Kate Winslet now that she is all single and rebounding from her über-old hubby, cuz they are MFEO, he kinda hit the girlfriend jackpot with this Bar Rafaeli chick. She's not really into wearing clothes, and well, I hear guys are into that sort of thing. Thoughts…
Party Pics: Red Square Saturdays at Orpheum 3-27-10
Red Square Saturdays at Orpheum has been the Saturday night dance party for nearly eight years — and it doesn't look like this party's going anywhere! The Party: $12 all you can drink, sink or swim wells, PBR drafts and a dance floor full of hot, sweaty dance machines. The Music: DJs Rig & Noi…
Challenge your dog with interactive toys (and hidden treats)
Many dogs find themselves with a considerable amount of free time on their paws. Their human family members head off to school or work in the morning, leaving them with several hours to fill. Then, when the folks get home, the dogs are well-rested and ready for some interactive game-playing. Lucky for us humans, there…
A Gay in the Life: Love your money, love yourself
It's been said that the love of money is the root of all evil. Whoever said it, though, obviously never saw my aunt's hair. (Only the good dye young.) I may not spend as much time with it as I'd like, but I love money. It pays for my rent, my electricity, my comics and even…
As the page turns: This week in new comics… Hello Chris (and Kitty!)
Something happened with health care this week — but in real news, Chris Evans is going to play Captain America. The actor has reportedly signed a nine-picture deal with Marvel Studios, igniting a civil war between comic fans. On one hand, he's sexy and All-American. On the other, uh, he's already played the Human Torch.…
Mason Dixon Poll on health care bill presents serious challenges for Florida Democrats
In the week since the House of Representatives voted to approve a health care reform package that is estimated to cost $940 billion over ten years and give health care coverage to 32 more millions of Americans, Democrats have flooded the airwaves to stress that negative public polls on the plan will switch once the…
A different kind of ‘change’
With the passage of the healthcare bill, it's becoming apparent that the Democrats are facing an uphill battle for re-election. Aggregate data on national polls indicates that a majority of Americans disapprove of the bill. This opposition has put the heat on Congressional Democrats, particularly in districts which have traditionally voted for conservative candidates. Even…
Chip Weiner’s Sensory Overload 5 Photoblog: Mustaches, music and more all over Ybor
Creative Loafing's Sensory Overload 5 took place this past Saturday, March 27, in Ybor City. Music, art, multimedia entertainment and a "Window into Dali's World" fashion show were all part of the celebration. Partying at New World Seventh Avenue was alive with Overloaders. Passers-by stopped to view the three-story "See Dali' " performance.
Do It Today: Muvi Madness at Centro Ybor, Lone Wolf staged reading and Noche de Open Mic
Besides Avatar and the latest string of Batman flicks, there's not much I'll drop $14 to see in the theater, but the movies just got affordable again: Monday through Thursday, all day and all night, Muvico Muvi Madness gives you entrance to the soda-steeped, popcorn-scented, reclining chair glory of the theater for just $6 a…
On the Radar: Art of Fighting 7, an MMA extravaganza featuring Dave “Pay Me” Yost and Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. Sure this weekend's, Art of Fighting 7: Pay Day might sound like the straight-to-video release of a bad chopsocky flick from the 1980s, but ask any MMA fan, and they’ll tell you it’s this weekend’s must-see event. You just might…
Gaming: the new wave of sexploration
25 years ago as you sat in front of your giant 19" television and played Space Invaders on your Atari I bet you never imaged that gaming would turn into a dating/sexual adventure. The world of gaming has done just that. Long gone is the need to get off from the hookers on Grand Theft Auto or build a relationship in the imaginary…
Concert review: Robert Earl Keen at State Theatre (with pics)
I’ll be the first to admit that I love live music. And somewhere in the midst of my typical monthly schedule of 12-15 concerts, there are my favorites. Last night’s show by Texas-born songwriter Robert Earl Keen will win this month’s award, hands down. Taking the stage in a wide-brimmed Stetson hat, Keen wasted no…
What the Crist Rubio debate means for the GOP Senate campaign going forward
We posted GOP consultant Chris Ingram's blog yesterday afternoon on his thoughts on the first debate between GOP Senate hopefuls Marco Rubio and Charlie Crist. It was one of many such posts that permeated the blogosphere on Sunday, as there was great anticipation for the the first mano a mano battle in the most hotly…
Did TBARTA break the law in voting to oppose Hometown Democracy?
It's not surprising that TBARTA (Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority) passed a resolution opposing Amendment 4, also known as Florida Hometown Democracy. After all, Amendment 4 is an expression of citizens’ dissatisfaction with the sort of politicians who sit on TBARTA's board (along with one developers’ lawyer). As Carl Hiaasen says, Florida’s politicians &…
Florida U.S. Senate Debate takes center stage
Charlie should re-think further debates with Rubio By Chris Ingram After watching Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio this morning on Fox News Sunday, it was clear voters have a choice. Unfortunately the choice is between two flawed candidates. One who is a big-spending liberal when it comes to policy, the other is a big-spender with other…
Honda Grand Prix interviews: Meet the parents of local teen drivers Hayden Duerson and Nick Andries
UPDATE: Hayden Duerson and Nick Andries were both retired from the Star Mazda race. Hadyen's car had mechanical problems and Nick spun into a wall causing front-end damage. Neither was hurt. For the parents of young drivers like St. Pete's own Hayden Duerson and Nick Andries, both of whom are in the Star Mazda Championship…
Diary of the Newly Employed Housewife: The worst honeymoon ever
We have hit a milestone: The husband and I have managed to survive our first five years of marriage. It definitely became questionable around year three, something (or somebody, rather) had to give, we were in desperate need of compromise, and with a little therapeutic help from our peers and parental figures we managed to…
Fast company: The two St. Pete teenagers in the Star Mazda race at Honda Grand Prix (video)
The noise is deafening, and the hype is almost as loud: the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is an intimidating spectacle whether you're racing, watching or just living within earshot (or earplug). But imagine what it feels like if you're 18 or 19 and the track is a set of streets you've traveled all…
Military discount at Bay Area Renaissance Festival
If you want to see the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, 11315 46th St. N. on the grounds of the Museum of Science & Industry, you’d better hurry: This is the last weekend. But on the bright side, if you’re part of a military family they have a special deal for you.
Jannus Landing re-opens as Jannus Live to a healthy crowd of locals (video added!)
In November, when Creative Loafing reported that local businessman Jeff Knight closed the deal on Jannus Landing and revealed the changes he planned for Jannus and its surrounding properties, the response from those folks who frequented the venue over the past few decades has ranged from optimistic (“Can’t wait to actually get to pee in…
When I think of SXSW I don’t think about music
When you think of SXSW, what first pops into your head? The amazing and eclectic music? Not for me. And I played the damn thing four years ago with my own band. No, for me, Austin's yearly open-house to the world is about one thing above all: tech. Austin's South by Southwest dates back to…
Reel Projections podcast: Joe Bardi on The Grind talking Julianne Moore and Amanda Seyfried in Chloe, plus plenty of TV, including Lost and Survivor (with audio)
For more movie news and reviews, check out the CL index of movie posts. The Reel Projections podcast crew will return next week (for sure!) with a dissection of the new remake of Clash of the Titans, but that doesn't mean you have to go without your weekly movies gabfest! In place of our usual…
TBARTA comes out against the Hometown Democracy Amendment
By Arielle Stevenson Less than two months ago, President Obama granted funds for high speed rail from Tampa to Orlando. Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio beamed from ear to ear at the victory. But today, Iorio and other members of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority or TBARTA discussed a possible infringement on those goals-Amendment…
Join CL Green at the Eco.Festival in Downtown Tampa tomorrow!
Come out to enjoy this gorgeous weather and celebrate all things green at the Eco.lution Eco.Festival at Lykes Gaslight Park in Downtown Tampa on Saturday, March 27. Enjoy an afternoon full of fun, enlightenment and entertainment. This outdoor festival will feature live music, food, wine tastings, green products, educational seminars and children’s activities. And don't…
Project Runway Podcast Ep. 10: Bad Textiles
Project Runway finally decided to jump on that whole "technology" bandwagon this season thanks to a whole buncha product placement from HP and Intel (Dear Computer Companies, I would like my free stuff now, I even linked to you, kthanks). The designers had the chance to do something pretty freakin' cool, which was design a…
Dreaming of a toddler son
“The other night I had a dream there was a "mad man" running around and I helped capture him. I had control over him laying on his stomach with his hands behind him until the police came. When the police came, they handcuffed him and as he turned over, he became my toddler son. I…
Greatest Hits of The Heartbreak Kid: Shawn Michaels top 10 matches of all time (with lots of intense video)
(Note: Wrestlemania airs Sunday, March 28, live on Pay Per View) Now that his career is (possibly) winding down at this Sunday at Wrestlemania 26, it's a good time to look back at the matches of "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, and man has he delivered classic after classic for 25 years. The greatest wrestler —…
Hillsborough County Schools media specialists present report on whether to ban Augusten Burroughs’ Running with Scissors
Catherine Durkin Robinson is a handful, creating quite a scene over at Out in Left Field. Several months ago, two concerned parents emailed the principal of Plant High School, challenging a book listed as suggested reading in a class where juniors and seniors earn college credit. One of them said his daughter, a junior, is…
Rabid Movie Review: Hot Tub Time Machine, starring John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Corddry, Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover and Clark Duke (with trailer video)
[Editor's Note: Hot Tub Time Machine opens Fri., March 26 at area theaters. (Check showtimes here.) For more reviews of the biggest new releases, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.] Since late last year we’ve been assaulted with ads for Hot Tub Time Machine, the new MGM comedy hitting theaters this week. The studio has…
3 Guys & Chuck – The Podcast: “Chuck vs. The Final Exam”
The 3 Guys group is back discussing this week's episode of Chuck, entitled "Chuck vs. The Final Exam." Listen in for more questions about product placement, whether SubWay really is eating fresh, what is going on with Agent Shaw (Brandon Routh), whether Chuck will be able to become James Bond, and if Sarah really killed…
CL Interview: Bassist Todd Harrell of 7 Day Binge
While stuck on a tour bus somewhere in Europe, 3 Doors Down bassist Todd Harrell and Nashville Muzik Mafia songwriter Jon Nicholson found that writing songs together came easily for the duo. The two quickly formed a tight friendship and soon realized that they needed an outlet for their new music, thus 7 Day Binge…
Get your hands dirty this spring and delve into permaculture
As cliche as this sounds, "Spring has sprung" and we're finally seeing more green sprouting up and saying goodbye to the chilly weather. Spring also means more people will be getting outside to exercise their green thumbs. Whether you're a gardening enthusiast or a novice wanting to get your hands dirty, why not look into…
Life As We Blow It: We need 3-D TV, do we?
Training simulations. Architectural design. Medical tests. Mapping. There are dozens if not hundreds of sensible, practical applications for efficient, realistic three-dimensional digital imaging technology. But slapping a pair of goofy glasses on your kid so he will shut up for a bit while becoming even more confused about reality isn't one of them. You understand…
On the Radar: Snap, Crackle and Pop at The Studio@620
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming arts events to mark your calendars for. The Studio@620’s new art-sploration, Snap, Crackle & Pop (insert obligatory cereal mascot joke here) is an array of 2- and 3D works, among which pop-tacular offerings you’ll find everything from a painted homage to Tabasco sauce to hand-thrown pottery;…
Class size law to go back to voters, Ginny Brown-Waits gets a threatening voice mail, and a Tampa task force looks at how the city can save energy: Mitch Perry Report 3.26.10
A re-tooling of the class size amendment will be headed voters ways this fall, but it's not just Republicans who think the amendment should be reassessed; Ginny Brown-Waite gets an ugly phone call following the health care debate this week, but Republican leaders say its wrong to announce such threats, real or perceived; A Task…
Week in review: a government takeover, a government meltdown, and F-bombs all-round
Photo credit: Kyle T. Ramirez @Flickr.com 1. The government "reformed" health care claiming it will lower premiums and the deficit. And Ms. Bean didn't read those emails either. 2. Joe Biden drops an F-bomb to President Obama about said health care…………. and so did many other Americans. 3. Embattled County Administrator and County Attorney get…
CL’s Yborhood Guide: Local’s Eats
When you want to know the good places to eat in a neighborhood, avoid the online restaurant guides and travel websites. Sure, they may send you to nice places, but often nice places aren't where you'll find the food that really defines a place. For that, you need to ask the locals. We tracked down…
Does Eric Cantor think Ginny Brown-Waite is using threat against her for political purposes?
This week it has been well reported the number of incidents or threats posed to members of Congress from both sides of the aisle in the wake of the historic and controversial passage of health care legislation Sunday night (and re-voted on and approved in the House last night). In the beginning of the week…
School class amendment separates teachers unions from many local school boards
As expected, the Florida Senate yesterday voted to put class size limits on the November ballot. The House is expected to follow suit soon. That vote was the 3rd in a series this week that have angered teachers and the teachers union. The most incendiary has been SB 6, the John Thrasher sponsored measure that…
Do It This Weekend: Honda Grand Prix, Sensory Overload, Jannus Live, Festa Italiana, Guiding Light and more
It's a huge weekend in Tampa Bay, full of ways to celebrate that the long winter of our discontent is over, and that spring (cross your fingers) is finally here. Two big events take over downtown St. Pete this weekend. The roar of the engines is almost as loud as the hype for the Honda…
RIB-OFF! Edible Eight Voting: Kojak’s House of Ribs versus Uncle Rodney’s Rib House
We’re pitting Tampa Bay’s best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. Voting for this Edible Eight match will end at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 29!
RIB-OFF! Edible Eight Voting: Jaymer Que versus Lupton’s Fat Man BBQ
We’re pitting Tampa Bay’s best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. Voting for this Edible Eight match will end at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 29!
RIB-OFF! Edible Eight Voting: Tony Mac’s BBQ versus Spoto’s Steak Joint
We’re pitting Tampa Bay’s best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. Voting for this Edible Eight match will end at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 29!
RIB-OFF! Edible Eight Voting: Z Grille versus Angry Pepper
We’re pitting Tampa Bay’s best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. Voting for this Edible Eight match will end at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 29!
Tampa Mayor Iorio meets with TECO Energy Conservation Task Force on their report on energy conservation efforts
Named over a year ago by Mayor Pam Iorio in the wake of a long delayed franchise agreement with Tampa Electric, a Task Force charged with working with the local utility company on ways to conserve energy, use renewable energy and make climate change initiatives met this afternoon to discuss their recommendations. Among those recommendations…
The libertine’s guide to gallantry: f-ing in the ‘friend zone’
The "friend zone" is a misnomer. Plenty of women fuck their friends. Hence the terms fuck-buddy or friends-with-benefits. Furthermore, consider how many people in long term relationships describe their partners as their best friends. Being actual friends with a women is awesome. Being a tool who a woman describes as "just a good friend" is…
CL’s Yborhood Guide: The Columbia Restaurant’s Snapper Alicante recipe
(This is an excerpt from Andrew Huse’s The Columbia Restaurant. You can also find a recipe for The Columbia's Spanish Bean Soup here and an excerpt about restaurant’s rollicking characters of the 1920s here.) Some food theorists don't think that a beef-based sauce can work with seafood. Over the years, millions of Columbia patrons have disagreed. This…
Green your home and business at the Eco.expo, tonight!
The Eco.expo kicks off the the Urban Charrette's Eco.lution events with a green products trade show at The Ritz Ybor tonight, showcasing environmentally conscious products for the home and businesses, as well as featuring locally owned businesses, prominent design firms, local schools and government organizations who all want to help you live a greener lifestyle.
CL’s Yborhood Guide: The Columbia Restaurant’s Spanish Bean Soup recipe
(This is an excerpt from Andrew Huse's The Columbia Restaurant. Read a recipe for The Columbia's signature Snapper Alicante here, and another excerpt about restaurant's rollicking characters of the 1920s here.) This is the soup that made the Columbia famous for food. The Columbia's founder, Casimiro Hernandez Sr., adapted his version from the heavy, multicourse…
CL’s Yborhood Guide: Ybor’s rollicking 1920s as seen at the Columbia Restaurant
(This is an excerpt from The Columbia Restaurant, Andrew Huse's fascinating book about the history and cuisine of Ybor's iconic restaurant. Also from the book: Snapper Alicante recipe and Spanish Bean Soup recipe. If you think Ybor is wild now, just read on.) The Columbia Restaurant: El Rey, Pete, and Prohibition The Columbia acquired one…
Jannus Live hosts several days worth of music in honor of its grand opening weekend
This weekend, the former Jannus Landing re-opens as Jannus Live with four nights of music. Tonight, for its official grand opening, the venue presents a free Honda Gran Prix Rev Up Party featuring local entertainment by Southern and classic rockers Greg Billings Band, sun-and-sand happy local legend Tom Gribbin, and singer-songwriter Gale Trippsmith. On Friday,…
RIB-OFF! Voting in the Savory Sixteen ends at 8 p.m. tonight, see the current vote counts
It's a short voting period this week for CL's Tournament of Ribs, so that we can cut down to the Finger Lickin' Four by Monday morning. That means voting ends tonight at 8 p.m. for the Savory Sixteen, with voting in the Edible Eight to start immediately after that (or, at least, as soon as…
Phish 3D, a new concert doc featuring highlights from Festival 8, hits theaters April 30 (with video trailer)
I had the pleasure of spending this past Halloween weekend in Indio, California, at Festival 8, a three-day Phish fest where they played, among many other things, the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street in its entirety as their "costume" on Halloween. (Read more about that trip here and here.) Now, the band is gearing…
CL’s Lost Podcast: Season 6, Ep. 8 “Ab Aeterno”
Welcome to another edition of CL's Lost podcast. This week, Host Joe was joined by London, David Warner, Leilani Polk, Ham Gravy and Fat Jesus for a passionate, anguished dissection of the Richard Alpert-centric episode, "Ab Aeterno." If you missed the episode, you can watch it (courtesy of Hulu) after the break. And as always,…
Previously on Lost: “Ab Aeterno”
[Editor's Note: hen you're done pouring over Michelle's deconstruction of this week's episode of Lost, check out the CL Lost Podcast for even more island action.] Well, it's about time. Last night's long-awaited Richard Alpert episode "Ab Aeterno" was, in my opinion, the best episode of the season thus far. It had a great, classic…
Movie Review: Mikael Haneke’s The White Ribbon, starring Ulrich Tukur (with trailer video)
[Editor's Note: For movie news and reviews, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Post Index.] There’s always a certain kind of dread in a Mikael Haneke film. Perhaps it’s due to his willingness to explore some of the most shocking aspects of society, but I think it’s that he’s a master at using tension to…
CL’s Yborhood Guide: Restaurants and Bars
1. Acropolis Greek Taverna 1833 E. 7th Ave., 813-242-4545, acropolistaverna.com. Tampa's Greek mini-chain serves big salads and hearty entrees in a chic dining room, loft and sidewalk space, including belly dancing and hookah. 2. Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que 1609 N. 18th (Angel Oliva Sr.) St., 813-956-0675. Big portions of serious barbecue and the usual…
Jeb Bush loves SB6, Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio prep for 1st debate, and Karl Rove says its okay for Republicans to run on repealing health care
MSNBC's Morning Joe program broadcast live from Tampa this morning, with a special focus on education. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush was in New York, but spoke to the hosts and effusively praised the passage of the controversial education reform bill SB 6. Karl Rove was in Sarasota – and Fort Myers – and Naples…
In Naples, Karl Rove mocks Democrats for their post health care bill euphoria, says they’ll pay the price in November
Karl Rove was in Southwest Florida yesterday, appearing in Fort Myers, Naples and Sarasota to talk politics and promote his new memoir. In both his weekly column published today in the Wall Street Journal, and in an extensive interview in the Naples News, the man formerly known as "Bush's Brain," elucidates his thoughts on how…
Jeb Bush speaks enthusiastically about the passage of SB 6 in Florida Senate
This morning on MSNBC's Morning Joe program (broadcast live from Alexander Elementary School in Tampa), former Florida Governor Jeb Bush lavishly praised the Florida Senate for passing SB 6 yesterday, the legislation that among other things, would make it easier to eliminate teacher job security for new hires and tie their pay increases to student…
Ad wars begin as Crist and Rubio prep for first debate on Fox this Sunday
Charlie Crist went to the airwaves in the first ad for the fiercely contested Florida Republican U.S. Senate race on Wednesday, with a thirty second ad which uses various St. Pete Times headlines admonishing Marco Rubio for some of his recent transgressions that have reported by the paper in recent weeks. Hours later, Rubio fired…
Lights off for Earth Hour on March 27
This Saturday, March 27, at 8:30 pm local time, billions of people around the world will be turning off their lights for one hour. Why? It's all in the name of Earth Hour: a worldwide statement about our concern on climate change; turning the lights out on "dirty air, dangerous dependency on foreign oil and…
UFC 111 hits theaters in Tampa live on March 27
If you don't want to spend $50 on the PPV broadcast of UFC 111 and don't like watching it in a crowded bar on a small TV screen, you can watch it live at several movie theaters in the Tampa Bay area on March 27, 2010 at 10 p.m. for only $20. Not only will…
Newt Gingrich to speak in St. Petersburg
You loved him as House Speaker. You've reveled in his commentaries on Fox News over the past few years. Now you can see him up and close personal. Newt Gingrich is coming to St. Petersburg next Wednesday night, at the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel, in what is being billed as the "the real jobs summit." According…
Wednesday-music.com indie music profile: Goldfrapp
London electronic duo Goldfrapp (Alison Goldfrapp on vocals and synths, Will Gregory on synths) met in 1999, felt an immediate connection and began working on a film soundtrack shortly after. (Before that, Alison backed Tricky and Peter Gabriel). The soundtrack was never finished, but the two soon decided to form a band since they worked…
Showing independence, Paula Dockery votes against Senate bill that will strip teacher tenure in Florida
The Florida State Senate today passed SB 6, a measure that would have a far-reaching impact on teachers’ salaries and job security, by a 21-17 margin. The measure was voted down by all the Democrats in the senate, as well as four Republicans, including gubernatorial candidate Paula Dockery (Dennis Jones of Seminole, Alex Villalobos of…
The Story of Bottled Water: Take back the tap (video)
(by the makers of The Story of Stuff), an informative short film about the bottled water industry, was released on World Water Day (March 22). It exposes the manufactured demand put upon consumers by the companies who produce bottled water by scaring, seducing, and misleading us into believing we should be buying bottled water over…
What’s your fetish? (verbally NSFW)
Seriously, what's your fetish? After speaking with various readers, friends, and lovers, I've found that most everyone indulges in some sort of kinkiness when it comes to sex. Sometimes this is called a fetish and other times it's a kink. But what exactly is a fetish? According to Wikipedia (which may not always be technically…
Concert review: Wilco at Ruth Eckerd Hall (with setlist + pics)
When Jeff Tweedy [pictured below] came onstage with his frazzled hair, clad in faded black jeans and jacket, I had to ask myself — is this really the man responsible for the music that significantly impacted my awkward years? Can such high quality music come from this one unassuming dude? And, if so, can it…
Restaurant Review: Buddha Lounge, chic decor and simple pan-Asian cuisine in Ybor
Buddha Lounge 3 stars 1430 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 813-242-0400 or buddhaloungetampa.com. When you hear that a place called Buddha Lounge is opening in Ybor City, it creates certain expectations. Restaurants, clubs and bars have been referencing the pudgy, spiritual soul of temperance for over a decade in places like Philadelphia, New York and Las…
DVD Review: Barbie in A Mermaid Tale (with video trailer)
If you are the parent of a little girl, odds are good that you have a straight-to-DVD, Barbie-themed movie or two in your house. If you have seen a single one of these, then you have already seen Barbie in a Mermaid Tale. If you have seen any of these movies and don't have a…
DVD/Blu-ray Review: James McTeigue’s Ninja Assassin, a Wachowski Bros. production starring Korean pop sensation Rain (with video trailer)
Ninja Assassin is a Wachowski-produced movie that has amazing amounts of style, and hides any substance under the crazy amounts of blood in this fun movie. Inspired by the classic ninja movies from back in the day, the difference between those earlier flicks and this one is that Ninja Assassin looks much, much better. The…
Movie Preview: When You’re Strange, a documentary about The Doors (with video trailer)
The Doors epitomize what it was to be a part of the late 1960s music scene. In 1967, the Lizard king and his trio of multidimensional musicians took the rock scene by storm, revolutionizing music by breaking through radio barriers created by mindless pop songs. The quartet is an emblem for the mantra “sex, drugs…
Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF): Bout that Bout, Caged Dreams and more …
[Editor's Note: Please also check out the rest of our festival coverage, including photos, videos and write-ups of festival films.] The Gasparilla Film Festival arrived in Ybor City this weekend with glitz, glamour and plenty of local films to feast your eyes on. I had the opportunity to spend an evening at the festival soaking…
Hillsborough BOCC suspends Bean & Lee with pay; new candidate gets in Commission race, and Hillsborough Schools have millions more to cut: Mitch Perry Report 3.24.10
Hillsborough County Commissioners engaged in yet more discussion about the fates of Administrator Pat Bean and Attorney Renee Lee- I guess it only seems like the issue has been engaged in as long as the health care debate; Commission Chair Ken Hagan was already already engaged in a provocative race against Linda Saul-Sena for Jim…
Light pollution: What it is and ways to reduce it
You've heard of water and air pollution, but what about light pollution? Light pollution is all of that artificial light put out by cities and excessive indoor light, both of which have adverse effects on people, wildlife, and the planet. This article from the Mother Nature Network lists the negative side effects of light pollution:
Hillsborough County School Board get rough economic news at workshop
Like every other local government agency, the Hillsborough County School Board is going to need to cut more from their budget in the coming months. At a a workshop conducted yesterday, Board members learned that, as the Tampa Tribune reports today, they have $77 million in additional expenses to contend with this year. Superintendent MaryEllen…
Hillsborough County Commission tries to move on as “emailgate” continues
The Hillsborough County Commission on Tuesday voted to suspend County Administrator Pat Bean and County Attorney Renee Lee for three months, while not acting to do anything yet in terms of County Auditor Jim Barnes. Mike Merrill, the assistant county administrator for utilities and commerce will replace Bean on an interim basis, while assistant County…
Movie Review: How To Train Your Dragon 3D, starring Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera and Jonah Hill
[Editor's Note: How To Train Your Dragon opens Fri., March 26 at area theaters. Click here for showtimes, and for more reviews of the latest new releases check out the Daily Loaf Movie Reviews Index.] "My son made me come," a woman told me at the preview for How to Train Your Dragon. Some variation…
Ken & Noah Rollins: Father-and-son art consultants match artists with collectors
Museum honcho turned art consultant Ken Rollins is teaming up with his son Noah to bring together artists and collectors.
How the “the ultimate downtown interchange” threatens Tampa’s historic buildings and homes
For Ybor homebuilder Chris Koury, the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.
CL’s Yborhood Guide: Arts & Entertainment
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Visual/Performing Arts & Museums 1. Arnold Martinez Art Gallery 1909 19th St. N., 813-248-9572. Painter Martinez creates the best possible combination of virtue and vice: his materials include tobacco, wine and coffee, but his most famous painting (done in plain ol' acrylic) is of the Sacred Heart Church. Commission a work, and…
Is peak phosphorus the next global crisis?
I've recently read claims that world reserves of phosphates, a mined resource essential in the production of agricultural fertilizer, are rapidly running out. The potential implications of this fact, if it is a fact, make global warming sound like a back-bencher in the End o' Civilization tournament. Can you, in your vast knowledge, shed any…
CL’s Yborhood Guide: Restaurants & Bars
RESTAURANTS & BARS 1. Acropolis Greek Taverna 1833 E. 7th Ave., 813-242-4545, acropolistaverna.com. Tampa's Greek mini-chain serves big salads and hearty entrees in a chic dining room, loft and sidewalk space, including belly dancing and hookah. 2. Al's Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que 1609 N. 18th (Angel Oliva Sr.) St., 813-956-0675. Big portions of serious barbecue and the usual sides in…
Moving on up: Singing Stone and Wear Me Out!
Most Ybor-ites know the "casitas" — the compact bungalows typical of cigar-workers' homes that face Centennial Park on the 1900 block of N. 19th St. Like dozens of other similar houses in the area, they were moved to make way for the widening of I-4; now they're owned and rented out by the Ybor City…
CL’s Yborhood Guide: Dance Clubs & Live Music
DANCE CLUBS & LIVE MUSIC 1. The Bricks 1327 E. 7th Ave.,thebricksybor.com. Skatepark of Tampa's new bar/restaurant/coffee shop/storefront/eventual live music venue is scheduled to open in early April. 2. Blue Shark 1502 E. 7th Ave., 813-248-3499,myspace.com/bluesharkybor. A small watering hole with live blues and rock by local acts, a spoken word open mic on Monday nights, and an all-female…
Teddy would be proud of Ybor’s The Roosevelt
Green-powered teamwork fuels The Roosevelt.
Home Sweet Warehome: Max Fallon & Gwyn Zesch Fallon
Urbane reinventions inside two former industrial buildings.
Growing up a music fan in Ybor
From the time I was a teenager, I’ve found myself — and my music — in Ybor city.
The bedroom wars: An Ybor couple on HGTV’s Battle on the Block
It's neighbor vs. neighbor in Ybor City. But they can't talk about it for fear of losing $10,000. That's the cash prize for the Ybor couple who wins HGTV's Battle on the Block. A new series debuting April 11, it challenges neighboring families to rehab a room in one weekend, with the judges rewarding the…
Ybor’s Buddha Lounge offers better/healthier Asian food for not too much money
Ybor’s Buddha Lounge combines chic with cheap.
Behind the neon window: Ybor’s Capricorn Studios specializes in erotic art
Just above New World, a gallery of erotic art beckons quietly.
Inside the Box: Camille Renshaw
When Camille Renshaw moved to Tampa from Brooklyn in 2007, she knew that she needed to find "something a little more eclectic" than your typical suburban single family home if she was going to weather the transition. Today, the living room of her Box Factory loft overlooks a courtyard where workers once cut and dried…
Shine like a disco ball in GaYbor
A night out with GaYbor royalty MarkandCarrie.
The main’s a pain: Fixing Ybor’s aging water pipelines
I know the pipelines need fixing, but how long’s this all going to take?
CL’s Yborhood Guide: Shopping & Services
SHOPPING & SERVICES Shops 1. Agora 1515 E. 7th Ave., shopagora.com (site under construction). An exotic but approachable Asian bazaar of a store — a profusion of paper lanterns, colorful pillows, fine ceramics and incense, the scent of which is often wafted out onto the sidewalk. The first Agora opened on a somewhat more upscale shopping strip: Lincoln Road…
Traditional values run amok
These days, anything goes for heteros.
Ybor City through a newbie’s eyes
She’d never seen Ybor City before, so who better to take a look around?
Foster care and homelessness: The reality of Lawell “Elf” Brooks
In the state of Florida last year, an average of 34,934 children per month were in DCF’s custody. According to the Urban Institute, nationwide over 800,000 children are in state custody on any given day. A state provides Out of Home Care for a minor when a parent or parents are deemed to be incapable…
CL’s Lost Podcast: Season 6, Ep. 7 “Recon”
Welcome to another edition of CL's Lost podcast. Sorry I'm posting this a day later than usual, but some technical problems hamstrung the podcast team yesterday that caused the delay. This week, Host Joe is joined by London, Ham Gravy and Fat Jesus as the Losties share all the information they gathered on Tuesday night's…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Great American Cleanup, Indian Rocks Beach Green Fest, workshops 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…
SXSW 2010 Music Coverage (Updated with Photos and Video)
On Wednesday, March 17, the Interactive portion of the 2010 South By Southwest Conference gave way to the Music portion of the festival. And we were there. Suddenly, the nerds in ironic Firefox t-shirts had been replaced by hipsters in tight jeans. The Macbooks had been replaced by guitar cases. And the party carried on.…
RIB-OFF! CL Tampa Bay’s 2010 Tournament of Ribs
Read about this epic competition between the best pitmasters and chefs in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, and more here. The list of competitors can be found here. Round 2 Results here! Round 1 Results here! Finger Lickin' Four voting links (voting ends at Midnight on Thursday, April 1 — You can vote as often…
