Strolling through Safety Harbor: the Third Friday Music Series, history museum, farmer’s market, Phillippe Park and more
It's hard to believe that I've lived in the Tampa Bay area for nine years and haven't had time to explore it yet. Between being a full-time college student and working part time, I've driven past places everyday without even stopping by to check them out. Now that I've graduated, I finally have time to…
Theater Review: Five Nickels lacks bite
Jack Neary’s Five Nickels is a pleasant but all-too-unambitious examination of male/female relationships at various points along the age spectrum. There’s nothing even slightly daring about the play, which is somewhat reminiscent of early Neil Simon or maybe Love American Style, and it’s hard to guess what sort of calculation led Venue Ensemble Theatre to…
On the Radar: Barkin HeARTs, Bay of Beards and Paddle for the Cure
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. Inspired citizens of Tampa Bay and beyond get creative to raise money for some darn good causes. First up is Barkin HeARTs: an Alice in Wonderland-themed fundraiser for the non-profit pet rescue, Dogma. Created by 26-year-old Johnna Guzman, it features…
Dreaming of the sensuous tango
“Dream Momma, Here is the end of the dream so far. Suddenly I am in a black lace shawl, the fringes swaying seductively around my hips. A tortoise shell comb imbedded with sapphires the color of the sea is on my head. As the music begins the horseman moves towards me. He is dressed in…
The gang that couldn’t shoot straight tries to ambush Amendment 4
By George Niemann Daily Loaf contributor and R-LAND, UCAN, FSP, Amendment 4 activist The views expressed are my own and may not be the same as the orgs to which I belong Subtitle: The Tampa Bay Regional (Development) Planning Council tries to ambush Amendment 4 speaker. Wouldn’t you think the TBRPC would be professional,…
Highlights from Beaucanon wine dinner featuring winemaker Louis de Coninck at Savannah’s Café
Savannah's Cafe in Downtown St. Petersburg recently hosted a wine dinner featuring Beaucanon Estate and winemaker Louis de Coninck. This event unveiled new wines that Savannah's will be offering on their list, with the added bonus of all proceeds and gratuities donated to Greyhound Pets of America. Each course served showcased some of the best…
Do It Today: Hair debuts at Demens Landing, Four Days of Dance in Ybor, and Japanese pop-punkers Peelander-Z at Orpheum
At last year's American Stage in the Park production of Altar Boyz, as I innocently sat in the "front row" of the lawn, sipping cheap wine and eating Cheez-Its, one of the holy boy band members himself pulled me onstage (to both my honor and humiliation) and serenaded me with "Girl, You Make Me Wanna…
Movie Review: The Back-Up Plan, starring Jennifer Lopez, Alex O’Loughlin, Michaela Watkins and Tom Bosley (with trailer video)
[Editor's Note: For more reviews of the latest releases, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.] There are usually three criteria that can make a great romantic comedy: Real chemistry between the leads, clever and insightful dialog, and simple comic timing. Just one of those can make for a good rom-com, in that good…
Energy-saving tips for your outdoor spaces
When considering ways to lower home energy use and save on your electric bill, don’t forget to evaluate your home’s exterior. Progress Energy Florida encourages customers to think “outside the box” to cash in on energy savings by following tips for outdoor spaces. • Install motion sensors on outdoor light fixtures and you won’t have…
Florida Foodways: A pie pilgrimage to Flora and Ella’s Restaurant in LaBelle
Flora and Ella’s Restaurant 550 Highway 80 West, LaBelle, 863-675-2891 LaBelle is a small town in the vast green flatness between Ft. Myers and Lake Okeechobee. There are two reasons to go to LaBelle, Florida: You can check out the Swamp Cabbage festival once a year, complete with armadillo races and a rodeo, or you…
Restaurant Review: Virtually Indian at Tampa’s Bollywood Cafe
Bollywood Cafe 3 stars 9648 W Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-926-4000 or bollywoodcafe.us I struggle to mask my disappointment when I first sit down at Bollywood Cafe, a new Indian-themed restaurant in the sparkling experimental prototype community of tomorrow commonly referred to as Westchase. On first glance, everything was as it should be: the walls decorated…
CD review: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, I Learned It the Hard Way
Sharon Jones emerged from the Brooklyn bar scene a few years ago as a charming exponent of retro-soul with a slight tinge of Afro-beat flavor thanks to her horn-heavy band, The Dap Kings. With I Learned the Hard Way, the nine-piece group’s fourth outing, the formula is showing signs of fatigue. Most of Hard Way…
Reel Projections podcast: Kick-Ass, Sunscreen Film Festival and more …
For more movie news and reviews, check out the CL index of movie posts. Click here to listen to Reel Projections — Episode 16: Kick-Ass Audio! And we're back for another installment of the Reel Projections podcast, the only CL podcast detailing the week's biggest theatrical movie releases, DVD and Blu-ray offerings and any movie…
Sunscreen Film Festival movie review: Charlie Valentine, starring Raymond Barry and Michael Weatherly (with video trailer)
Charlie Valentine is one of many movies that appeared at the Sunscreen Film Festival this past weekend. The movie is an attempt at really good character drama with mob themes using famous actors. While Valentine doesn’t really hit on either note, it still makes for an interesting enough film. The film stars Raymond Barry in…
Good news for Florida’s coasts: No drilling to be done this year (plus next Coastal Task Force meeting date)
There is actually good news from the Florida Legislature: Nearshore drilling won’t be happening this year! Thank you to everyone who attended the Hands Across the Sand protests on the beaches and at the recent Town Hall meeting to help get our message across. We must now turn all eyes to the U.S. Senate where…
Photo review: Bon Jovi and Dashboard Confessional at St. Pete Times Forum
Some shots from the concert featuring support act and Florida's own emo pioneers, Dashboard Confessional, and headlining act, rock-metal-pop icons Bon Jovi, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa last Saturday, April 17. Dashboard Confessional frontman Chris Carrabba Bon Jovi rocks the Forum. More pics and photo galleries after the jump.
Book Review: If You Have To Cry Go Outside – And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You by Kelly Cutrone
“Look at the advent of Christianity, right? We like to say, look at Mary, she gets pregnant – she doesn’t even get to get fucked. Ya know? So with the advent of Christianity you see the demise of the female and the veiling of the female.” — Kelly Cutrone, in an interview discussing the different…
Get your poems here! Miami Poetry Collective hits St. Petersburg
A flash of inspiration; a divine moment of creative rapture. This is what every writer dreams of. The writing process has been a favorite muse of writers since Sumerians first chiseled language into stone. Though the ease of transcription has improved with technological advancements, for some, the task of putting words on a page is…
GOP declares war on Crist, activists target McCollum on health care, and FCC in Tampa: Mitch Perry Report 4.20.10
Happy 4/20 day everybody. I'm back from the Coachella Music Festival exhausted, but excited to be back to follow on the developments going on here in Florida (and for those who want to read my review on Pavement, Thom York, Phoenix, MGMT, Jay-Z and all the other incredible artists who performed over the weekend in…
Earth Day deals: Evos, World of Beer, Travelocity, iTunes and more
Check out these great deals in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22nd). Listed below are both local, travel and online offers, many of them good throughout Earth Week and even through the month of April. LOCAL Evos: The Tampa-based healthy fast food chain is giving away their free organic milkshakes served…
420 sex: does marijuana lower your libido and reduce sexual pleasure?
In the same way that many drug education programs try to dissuade teens from using tobacco by telling them that cigarettes can lead to impotence, educators often claim that smoking marijuana reduces your sex drive. I'll admit that this claim has played a tiny role in my decision to abstain from pot, but much less…
Public invited to speak directly to FCC Commissioners in Tampa April 20
We do want to remind readers that the members of the very powerful Federal Communications Commission are in Tampa this afternoon on a workshop media ownership rules, and specifically, it's cross-ownership rules. That's the law that prohibits a media company from owning a newspaper and broadcast outlet in the same media market. Of course that's…
Activists to Bill McCollum: Shut down your health care lawsuit
Activists calling themselves "Not in Our Name, Not on Our Dime" descend on Tallahassee today to unveil what they say will be a 60-foot petition signed by more than 7,300 Floridians opposed to the use of taxpayer dollars to be used in the lawsuit that Attorney General Bill McCollum is leading to try to stop…
Party Pics: Red Square Saturdays (4-17-10)
There must have been something in the air Saturday because there were tons of make-out sessions, barefootedness and of course booze flowing like water. The Party: Red Square Saturdays at Orpheum. You either sink or you swim! $12 cover, 18 and up. The Music: My favorite plays of the night would include "Wrap 1.9" by…
CL Feature: Ha Ha Tonka, a Missouri four-piece that supports Murder by Death at Orpheum on Friday (with video)
“I think the Midwest is a mystery to some people,” says Ha Ha Tonka singer/guitarist Brian Roberts offhandedly during a conversation about why more people don’t associate the band’s home state of Missouri more closely with the South. Thus summing up the conundrum perfectly. Missouri lays claim to Mark Twain, Mississippi riverboat culture, and some…
Republican establishment takes on Charlie Crist – while he’s still in their party
Hello Cl readers, nice to see you back in this space. Before I departed for Southern California last Thursday, I wrote that with that Quinnipiac Poll showing Charlie Crist with some viability if he were to drop out of the GOP Senate race and run as an independent, how would the governor react when asked…
So you want to have kids. Please don’t.
Catherine Durkin Robinson is a handful, creating quite a scene over at Out in Left Field. No one sets out to raise an asshole. Moms and dads usually look at their little miracle and plan great things for his future. After a while, these plans take a back seat to other pursuits, like moving ahead…
Do It Today: it’s 4/20, Sick Puppies rock out, author Slavenka Drakulic speaks out, and DJ Sinden spins out
Sydney-based alt rock trio Sick Puppies (pictured) have only released three full-length studio albums since their inception in 1997, but what they lack in prolificacy they make up for in YouTube hits. Their inspirational power-ballad “All The Same” was featured in a video for the Free Hugs Campaign in 2006 and has more than 57…
On the Radar: The Florida Orchestra’s free Pops in the Park
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. Cheap date night alert: Bring your dinner, a picnic blanket and your sweetie, and enjoy an evening of classical music in the great outdoors. The Florida Orchestra’s free Pops in the Park hits two Tampa locations this weekend on consecutive…
The proof is in the polls: Minorities, big companies and veterans support clean energy legislation
The following are a few interesting articles and studies highlighting communities that support clean energy: The first is a great article from David Adams of Poder Magazine on the President turning "his attention to climate change legislation". Included are two polls: the first conducted by Yale and George Mason University showing overwhelming Latino support (81%)…
Why are you looking at my breasts? (semi-NSFW)
While many women want the attention guaranteed by big breasts, most don't realize that a big chest has the power to turn the most proper gentleman into a dog in heat. I wasn't always a 34DD. Men actually used to look at my face first when talking to me. I guess an average 34B isn't all…
The Sounds of CL, Vol. I: What the music team is listening to right now, from 9th Wonder to Velvet Underground
Ever wonder what the Creative Loafing music team has been listening to, above and beyond all those albums we review? There's plenty, believe me; here's this Monday's selections. Leilani – Tahiti Boy and Palmtree Family, Good Children Go to Heaven I've fallen in love with this album. It's so charming and eclectic and tasteful in…
Moros y Cristianos recipe
A few days ago, I shared my secrets to making the perfect (to me) Cuban sandwich, one of which was a succulent and juicy, marinated roast pork or lechon asado. But, man (or woman) cannot live by Cuban sandwiches alone. No, no, no! One also needs a few fabulously delicious Cuban side dishes to complement…
Dreaming of a horseman and a stallion
“Dream Momma, My heart is beating very fast now as a herd of wild horses suddenly appear over the horizon, white flecks of foam dripping off their shanks. I can smell their wet hides, full of salt and digested grasses. They are the color of the earth, the foals a lighter brown. Their nostrils flare…
Concert review: Colin Hay at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater (with video)
Colin Hay is best known for songs he wrote during the time of Reaganomics and synthesizers. Back in the early 80s, the songs "Down Under," and "Who Can It Be Now?" topped the charts when he was a member of the group Men at Work. But since then he's embarked on a solo singer-songwriter career,…
New Restaurant Roundup: Holy Hog, Bric, Urban Cantina, PastaBar
A new barbecue spot — Holy Hog Barbecue (3501 N Armenia Ave., Tampa, 813-879-4647 or holyhogbbq.com) — has opened in Tampa, in the home of a former Pipo's and owned by some of the people behind Pipo's. Besides the usual array of smoked meat, Holy Hog does some interesting Friday specials that alternate between shrimp…
CL book blog: How indie presses will save the world (and how you can help them)
Welcome to the new Daily Loaf book blog, the place for intelligent readers to find new books. Obviously, you’re an intelligent reader, because you’re here. Congratulations. Once upon a time, the publishing world was ruled by a few humongous publishing companies in New York. They published brilliant work that made the world shinier and golden,…
Say hello again to Evos and their even tastier guilt-free fare
Many of us here in Tampa Bay are already pretty familiar with Evos, the healthy "fast food" chain with grease-free grub. The concept for the chain was born during a road trip where founders Dino Lambridis, Alkis Crassas and Michael Jeffers grew tired of the usual fast food meals along their trip, or as Lambridis…
It Happened This Week-ish: Girls wearing nothing edition, feat. the Kardashians, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Britney Spears, plus Nic Cage buys a pyramid, and the secret Jersey Shore contract revealed
Let's start this off the right way, I am not into false advertising so here is our first story about girls wearing nothing… cuz paint doesn't count. The two less-famous Kardashians got together with some unknown employees and painted themselves to promote Dash in Miami. This is kinda like when Abercrombie uses naked dudes to…
CL Feature: Vieux Farka Toure, a Mali Sahara blues artist who plays State Theatre on Friday (with video)
When African musicians break into the international scene, they usually move to a major cultural center, most often Paris, London or New York. But that does not appear to be the case with Vieux Farka Toure, who has been hailed as the latest African guitar hero. When I asked him in a recent interview if…
Do It Today: The Basement at RAW Vibes, free world music concert at the Palladium, and a job fair
The Basement is a collection of intimate portraits by Missy Roll that focuses in on two subjects: the friends, roommates and strangers who have passed through her three-bedroom apartment in the last three years; and the natural lighting that freckles the photos. Though it's in short supply (the house has just four windows), the sunlight…
On the Radar: Get green with the Trashy Fashion Show, Green Thumb Fest, Growing Green Earth Day, UUC Green Fest and Buffalo Gal Clothing Swap
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. It's another weekend full of eco-friendly fun in Tampa Bay in honor of Earth Day. Check out some of these great green events: It's as if Project Runway cut their budget and auf'd Heidi Klum: See the art of trash…
Photo review: Chicago at Mahaffey Theater
Chicago brought their soft, horn-drenched classic rock to Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg last Thursday, April 15. Check out the complete photo gallery after the jump.
Live-blogging the Foursquare Day swarm party from Tampa’s Hyatt Regency hotel
Foursquare, the location-based social networking service, now has its own holiday: Foursquare Day. It's the brainchild of Tampa resident Nate Bonilla-Warford and it started as a humble idea that in the past few weeks has exploded into an internationally-celebrated event for Foursquare's boosters and participating businesses. I'm at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Tampa, host…
Movie Review: Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass, Starring Aaron Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong and Nicholas Cage (with video trailer)
[Editor's Note: This review was written by CL Atlanta's Curt Holman. For more reviews of new releases, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.] Like any good caped crusader, the two-fisted superhero satire Kick-Ass maintains a dual identity. Kick-Ass partly plays up the incongruity of wimpy social misfits donning dorky costumes to fight crime;…
Movie Review: Death at a Funeral, starring Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Zoe Saldana, Tracy Morgan, Luke Wilson and Danny Glover (with trailer video)
[Editor's Note: For more reviews of the latest releases, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.] Death at a Funeral is a remake of the 2007 Frank Oz-directed British movie of the same name. As a movie critic, it is required by law that I say the original is better; to not do so…
Lechon Asado and the Perfect Cuban recipe
I am of the firm belief that one cannot live in South Florida for any length of time without developing an appreciation of Cuban food. Seriously. You just can’t. The distinctive Latin flavor of Cuban culture is woven like a ribbon through our cuisine. It makes perfect sense, though, considering that the most prominent Cuban…
A dream of yearning and romance
“Dream Momma, The dream always begins the same way. I am flying high above my home seeking my soul mate among the land of sunshine and romance. I am flying very fast, looking down on the curved coastline of the Gulf of Mexico to the wild swamps of the Everglades. It is very cold and…
Project Runway Podcast Finale Part 1: “Papa Gunn’s on the tramp!”
The time is finally upon us … Tim is going to hometowns, designers are awkwardly introducing their dads, we are reminded that Saturn still makes cars. Yes, it's the first part of a Project Runway Season Finale. Hallelujah, we have made it. I kind of can't get into this because really, it was all too…
Progress Energy Florida encourages customers to think green with energy efficient appliance rebates
encourages customers to replace inefficient, old appliances to save energy and to lower their monthly bills. Right now in Florida (April 16 through April 25, 2010) state residents have an added incentive to purchase energy-saving ENERGY STAR appliances. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the stimulus package, the US…
Should Red Band Trailers online be censored because of underage viewers?
As the recent success of the Kick-Ass preview shows, Red Band Trailers (R/NC-17/unrated) are extremely popular online. Some people are complaining that images of little children cursing and killing people are too much for their own kids to see, but should studios stop distributing the extreme content, and are they doing enough to make it…
On the Radar: Hair at American Stage in the Park and STOMP at the Mahaffey
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendars for. At last year's American Stage in the Park production of Altar Boyz, as I innocently sat in the "front row" of the lawn, sipping cheap wine and eating Cheez-Its, one of the holy boy band members himself pulled me onstage…
Big spender Commissioner Ken Hagan a Tea Partier?
It must take guts for a big spender like Commissioner Ken Hagan to speak at a Tea Party, which he did on Thursday according to this article on TBO. I wonder if those Tea Partiers knew that Hagan recently voted to give embattled County Administrator Pat Bean a paid leave on their dime? Bean wasn't…
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing (a.k.a.: energy finance district or energy improvement district)
Legislative vehicles to explicitly approve the PACE approach to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency are working their way through both the Florida House and Senate. Senate Bill SB 2322, Energy Improvement Districts, was introduced by Senator Bennett (R-Brandenton) on 23 February for consideration during the 2010 Legislative session. The Senate bill was assigned to…
Do It This Weekend: Camille Leone in Ybor, Incredible Dogs and Mainsail Arts Fest in St. Pete, Shakespearean open mic, MarineQuest and Earth Day events galore
Karma chameleon Hmm … if you say Camille and Leone together, it kind of sounds like chameleon. Coincidence? I think not. Camille Leone is Square One’s spring-themed art extravaganza, which has attracted more than 2,000 attendees in the past, and embraces the idea of a woman changing her appearance and character as a means of…
Online dating ads: what NOT to do
If your online dating profile lacks responses, especially if you're a woman, you need to reconsider the virtual face you're presenting. Remember, when potential mates are flipping through profiles, first impressions are everything. The most important part of your ad is the picture. Studies have shown that even a picture of an unattractive person gets…
My morning spent upside down with Chuck Aaron and the Red Bull Bölkow aerobatic helicopter at Lakeland’s Sun n’ Fun air show
The things I do for subject material. Simply put, I am not a risk-taker. Years ago when an ex-girlfriend told me she wanted to jump out of an airplane, I supported her decision… with my two feet planted firmly on the ground. This week, however, I turned over a new leaf. Before leaving my apartment…
Fun, earth friendly baby shower games for the eco-conscious mom
While having a baby shower brings about excitement, how you have fun is your choice. Being creative on the games is one way to show your friends how serious you are about helping the environment. I recommend limiting the party to 2-4 games, depending the number of people attending. When you have identified the games…
Sub Pop Records presents a Record Store Day playlist (with audio included!)
To commemorate this Saturday's third annual international Record Store Day celebration of indie music stores, Sub Pop Records presents a playlist preview showcasing songs by Sub Pop artists who've produced RSD-exclusive releases — The Album Leaf, Dum Dum Girls, Soundgarden, and Beach House included. For a complete list of Sub Pop RSD releases, click here.…
Concert review: Ruth Eckerd Hall presents David Gray on just another Tuesday night in Clearwater (with pics)
David Gray is probably best known for his hit song, “Babylon,” from his album White Ladder. Personally, I think this is his worst song, especially when you listen to the entire album, let alone his entire catalog. Despite my distaste for “Babylon,” I fell in love with “White Ladder” and with the handsome man from…
This weekend’s best bets in Bay area music: Colin Hay, Sonia Leigh, The Ragbirds, Bon Jovi, Latin Music Festival with Sammy Figueroa, Colbie Caillat, and more
The following is a quick breakdown of shows this weekend’s worthiest live music offerings from Thursday through Saturday (not too much happening on Sunday). For a more comprehensive schedule, check out our Upcoming Concerts page THURSDAY, APRIL 15 Chicago There's a striking disparity between the horn-saturated prog rock drive of early Chicago ("25 or 6…
Even more great green ideas from CL readers
We received so many great green ideas for this year's Green Issue that we couldn't fit them all in the issue, choosing 40 in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day next week. But as promised, here are the rest of the helpful and enlightening tips for greening your life and surroundings, courtesy of…
Previously on Lost: “Everybody Loves Hugo”
[Editor's Note: For more Lost, check out the CL Lost Podcast.] Tuesday night's episode of Lost got me real excited for where the rest of the season is heading. With two great, highly entertaining epiodes in a row, the show seems to be on the path to an epic finale. I'll admit, I wasn't too…
Restaurant Review: Refined chaos at Seminole Heights’ The Refinery
The Refinery 3 stars 5137 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-237-2000 or thetamparefinery.com When Greg and Michelle Baker opened The Refinery a couple of months ago — in the Seminole Heights spot formerly occupied by Bungalow Bistro — it's like they designed the place to appeal to restaurant critics. A dedication to sourcing local ingredients? Check.…
Crist leads as an indie in new poll, Tea Partiers go wild, and PBS News Hour focuses on Tampa
There's lots of buzz this morning about the new Quinnipiac poll that shows Charlie Crist beating Kendrick Meek and Marco Rubio if the governor leaves the GOP by the end of April; It's April 15, Tax Day, and also a day for protests by Tea Party groups across the country, and in the Tampa Bay…
PBS Newshour features story on Tampa politics – with high-speed and light rail issues at the forefront (video)
As many of you know, the PBS Newshour is in Tampa all week, hosting local forums and broadcasting stories on government and the economy that affect the sunshine state, and more specifically, the Tampa Bay area. Last night correspondent Judy Woodruff hosted a package on government spending in Tampa( "Tracking Tax Dollar Spending in Tampa"-video…
Did Woods’ affair with Tampa stripper, Devon James, push Elin to divorce?
Entertainment Tonight claims that Elin Woods is finally prepared to divorce Tiger, and some speculate that this may be partially due to the latest round of affair allegations. Months after the flurry of illicit rumors surfaced, Tampa stripper and adult film actress Devon James called the Bubba the Love Sponge’s radio show on March 24,…
Shock poll: Crist wins as an independent in 3 way Senate race
Actually, I'm just doing my Matt Drudge impersonation with that headline – I'm absolutely not stunned to see this morning's Quinnipiac survey, that shows in a three way race for U.S. Senate, if Charlie Crist opts to drop out of the Republican Primary (where he is staring at a sure loss at this point) and…
CD review: Iggy and the Stooges, Raw Power 2CD Legacy Edition
By the time this album arrived in stores in 1973, the Stooges had released two earlier LP records. Read elsewhere about lineup changes for this one, but suffice it to say that the gritty ethos Iggy Pop had established for his brand of rock music was still alive and well and in fact gaining strength. Some would say he…
Should cell phone jammers be used in movie theaters?
As the hero comes busting through the door, he confronts the villain, and sees the damsel in distress, he debates how to make his grand move, only to be stopped by the latest hip hop song as the person behind you in the theater picks up their phone. The person pretends to be considerate, whispering,…
Concert review: White Rabbits with Here We Go Magic at The Social in Orlando
I always find shows at The Social to be cozy and intimate: a nondescript front door, steeply-pitched wooden ceiling, and raised second level floor next to the bar always make seeing shows there a pleasure. I’ve been fortunate that I’ve never been there with a packed house, but in any case, Friday’s show featuring Here…
Coachella 2010 ready to kick off
The American music festival season kicks off in earnest this Friday in Southern California when the 2010 Coachella Music Festival begins. Along with Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, Coachella is considered to be among the biggest and best of such festivals that take place in the country. The headliner on Friday night is Jay-Z, trying to show…
Tampa leads the world in using foursquare to promote local businesses
For the first time in history there is a top ten list upon which Tampa and Beijing are mentioned in the same breath. It’s the list of top participating cities celebrating Foursquare Day. And it all started when a mild-mannered optometrist from Westchase was thinking about new ways to use social media to promote his…
Bob Hackworth says he needs to correct the record with Susan Latvala
Last week former Dunedin Mayor and now Pinellas County Commission hopeful Bob Hackworth dished out some strong criticism of his possible GOP opponent in the fall, Republican Susan Latvala, after she reported on her first quarter fund-raising and fundraisers. To quickly recap, Hackworth charged that a majority of Latvala's money raised came from developers, contractors,…
What were they thinking? Marketing fails from around town
My chosen career path is marketing. Marketing myself, marketing my clients and marketing new ideas. Maybe that has made me a bit more sensitive than most to marketing that doesn't work, but I know, deep in my heart that most people are not that stupid. This collection of pictures and their associated comments are of…
Fair Authority Chairman scoffs at Florida’s Sunshine Laws while secretly plotting a shopping center and hotels on our state Fairgrounds.
Photo credit: Sylvar@Flickr.com In a move that makes even some of the clowns over at County Center look respectable in comparison, the Florida State Fair Authority Chairman "Sandy" MacKinnon callously seems to think Florida's Sunshine Laws don't apply to him and even appears to offer votes on an upcoming land deal for the fairgrounds that…
3 Guys & Glee – The Podcast: Ep. 14 “Hell-O” (with Vogue video)
Or did you know Dolphins are just Gay Sharks? Glee is back, and so are the 3 Guys. This week is so big, we brought in CL’s Top Chef Podcast host Katie Machol to keep the 3 Guys in check. It was a tough job to be sure, with crazy plot points coming out of…
Record Store Day releases you need to know about: The Flaming Lips, Surfer Blood, Modest Mouse, Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys and many others
A huge amount of limited releases have been produced in honor of Record Store Day by a range of artists, from indie up-and-comers to longtime major label veterans. Every store carries a little something different for the Saturday, April 17 edition; here are some top picks by staffers at three of ‘em as well as…
Theater Review: Serenade/The Proposition by the USF Department of Theater and Dance
As Serenade/The Proposition opens, six young women and men walk out onto the stage in business attire talking about what is meaningful in their lives: the self-centeredness of our country, love, racism, history and activism in ways that are very personal to each of them. Their voices are sometimes individual, sometimes blended, and sometimes overpower…
Phil Mickelson, the Masters and the reasons we watch sports
We have all played sports at some time in our lives. Most of us, however, have never dunked a basketball, hit a 90 mph fastball or shot a round of golf under par. We simply can’t relate to the lives of professional athletes. Until now. For the longest time, Phil Mickelson was branded the world’s…
More than half baked: Interview with comedian Jim Breuer, at the Tampa Improv April 23
Jim Breuer’s career is more than half baked. Best known as “Goat Boy” on Saturday Night Live and his starring role in the 1998 cult-stoner Half Baked, comedian Jim Breuer is proud to say that he’s (legally) grown his career beyond the realm of farm animals and inebriates. Two years ago, Breuer decided to leave…
Crist still flirting with running as an indie? anti ObamaCare zealot enter GOP gubernatorial run, and key U.S. Senator wants to drill closer to Florida’s shores than President Obama: Mitch Perry Report 4.14.10
It's always fun to see the bigfoot national media encroach on Florida politics, and today's Wall Street Journal piece on the Florida GOP U.S. Senate race does shed a bit of new light; Do you know who Rick Scott is? Those deeply involved in the recent health care fight sure do. Now the Naples resident…
Do it this weekend: Festivals and volunteer cleanup events in the name of Earth Day
Even though Earth Day is officially on Thursday, April 22, we like to start celebrating early here in the Bay Area. So take your pick from these family-friendly Earth Day shindigs and volunteer opportunities this weekend: Celebrate at the picturesque Honeymoon Island State Park's Earth Day event with food, live music, crafts, guided walks in…
Key U.S. Senator wants to drill 45 miles off of Florida’s Gulf coast
Any day now, incoming Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) is expected to introduce a bill calling for drilling for oil and natural gas within state waters, which run from 3 to 10 miles off the coast. Coming as late at is is in the session is eerily similar to last year when a…
WSJ: Crist advisers see path to Senate outside GOP
Florida Governor Charlie Crist put to bed forever rumors that he might bolt the Republican Party in his race against Marco Rubio and run as an independent in the fall. Right? Maybe not. If you'll recall, the rhetoric was forceful from Crist campaign manager Eric Eikenberg, who said: "To put these rumors to rest once…
I’m a feminist male turned on by rape fantasies
Does scenario reinforce patriarchal patterns of thought?
40 great green ideas from CL readers
In last year’s Green Issue, CL’s edit staff highlighted 100 people, places and businesses helping to make Tampa Bay a greener place to live. This year, it was the readers’ turn to weigh in. In response to our call for great, do-it-yourself green ideas, we received more than 100 innovative, creative and well-thought-out tips for…
The return of Record Store Day to Tampa Bay
The third annual celebration of indie record stores is held this Saturday, April 17, and several local indies are pulling out all the stops to get you into their shops.
Pass the cold turkey
Learning to live with a vegetarian — and like it.
Florida based collective of tomato-pickers protest Publix wages
A coalition of agriculture workers plan to get Publix’s attention.
TECO drags its feet as Tampa yearns for energy conservation
If Tampa is falling behind in its move toward energy efficiency, maybe it’s because TECO is dragging its heels.
Refined chaos at Seminole Heights’ Refinery
The Bay area restaurant scene should be taking a close look at The Refinery.
Lather up with Sunscreen Film Festival
Film festival season keeps unspooling across the Bay area with St. Petersburg's Sunscreen Film Festival taking up residence at the Muvico BayWalk (and surrounding locales) starting Wed., April 14. Founded in 2005, Sunscreen has made a name for itself by splitting its focus almost evenly between film screenings and the types of educational classes that…
Is the GPS satellite system collapsing?
Is it true our GPS satellites are deteriorating and there's no good fix? —Imtazman1963 Pretty much. Frightening, isn't it? We'll have to go back to using maps. One doesn't wish to make light of the situation. For most of us, failure of the Global Positioning System merely increases the likelihood we'll get lost in Pennsylvania.…
freeFall Theatre lives
freeFall Theatre prepares for the 2010-2011 season.
Hit-Girl gives Kick-Ass its super-powers
A few dips into crime fighting clichés can’t keep film down.
As Tea Partiers have their day, a new poll sheds more light on what they’re all about
Today is tax day of course, but for the 2nd straight year it's also a rallying point for Obama administration critics to collectively come together around the belief that the federal government is spending too much money. In other words, the perfect occasion for Tea Party members to celebrate what they hate about America. There…
Concert review: of Montreal with James Husband at The Ritz Ybor (with pics and setlist)
You don't always have to use glitter to bring the glam, and of Montreal proved this with their moderately stripped-down show at The Ritz in Ybor City with James Husband this past Thursday night. [All photos by Mike Wilson.] James Husband is the solo recording project of James Higgins III, of Montreal’s dark-haired drummer/multi-instrumentalist. As…
The Green Community week in review: Gas saver iPhone app, EPA water pollution hearing, Walmart sells upcycled trash, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: Saving gas, stopping Obama's offshore oil drills? There’s an iPhone app for that – The simple (and free) Green Gas Saver app shows you when you are accelerating or turning too fast for optimal…
Top Chef Masters Podcast, Ep. 1: eHarmony rejects, junk food gourmet and the ‘cast crew reunites
I am delighted to announce the return of the Top Chef Podcast where we chat about the newest season of Top Chef Masters — and also the usual random, somewhat off-topic issues as well. (But that's why you love us.) This season, Bravo changed up the format for Top Chef Masters by having 6 (instead…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Victory gardening class, Fresh screening, Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, 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…
Tonight’s Top Chef Masters preview: The return of the masters
It's finally the night we've waited almost four months for: the return of Top Chef! Okay, so it's Top Chef Masters, but it's better than having to watch Shear Genius or the train wreck that is the Real Housewives series (though my guilty pleasure is Atlanta). Besides, TCM actually focuses on the food and less…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Paint the Town Green bar/restaurant crawl, intro to permaculture class, 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…
Lisa Assetta – Contributor
Lisa Assetta’s professional career includes positions in customer service, sales, and office administration in small and corporate business settings across multiple industries. Prior to launching Office Assistance Plus in 2007, Lisa was the Executive Assistant to two CEOs at a successful company in Tampa. Lisa is a Dale Carnegie graduate, a member of NAFE and IAAP, and a HandsOn…
