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Apr 18-24, 2007

Apr 18-24, 2007 / Vol. 20 / No. 5

Catching up with our new blogs

Where the hell did Morning Roundup go? And why no music news? Politics? What the hell is going on with Blurbex? And what does Blurbex mean anyway? (Blog for Urban Explorers, but I digress.) For those who missed our switchover to a new server two weeks ago, let me quickly restate that we have created…

by Wayne Garcia

Beach-Trolley Pub Crawl

This Saturday (April 28) is our first CL beach pub crawl, with the boozing going down along Gulf Boulevard from 3 p.m. until we've all found a safe ride home. If you've ever wondered what the people who produce Creative Loafing were really like, this is your opportunity to hang out and do some drinking…

by Joe Bardi

Al-Arian Watch: Sugg on American injustice

Cross-posted from Sugg blog: Laila Al-Arian, daughter of Sami Al-Arian, about whom I’ve written volumes over the last 12 years, is featured on the Huffington Post. Her article contains links to some of what I and others have written about her imprisoned father. — John Sugg

by Wayne Garcia

‘Girls with guitars’ at New World

Last week's CL cover girl Rebekah Pulley (pictured) and her pal Natty Moss-Bond lead an all-star evening of strummy fun, 7 p.m. today at New World Brewery in Ybor City. Photo by Shanna Gillette. CL Editorial Assistant Dawn Morgan and perhaps a few other Loafers are planning to attend. Morgan is working on a story…

by Wade Tatangelo

Traffic Rant: Why is it always an Asshole in a Truck?

If I'm in traffic and get cut off by a non-signaler, or someone's riding my ass hardcore when I'm already speeding, or makes obscene gestures at me while I’m stopped at a red light, it's inevitably some asshole in a truck. Whether you bought the truck for work so you can haul big shit around…

by Leilani Polk

Bee-pocalypse?

An article in the Sarasota Herald today reminded me why you can forget your fears of Global Climate Destruction. The bees are going to kill us first. As Einstein put it – "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees,…

by Brian Ries

Hangin’ with the Locals

One of the things I will miss about Bartlett Park is my neighbor, Fred Henderson. Nearly every day, “Mr. Fred” as I call him, shuffles in his walker to a large oak tree across from my house and sits there all day. I walk my dog, and there is Mr. Fred. I come home from…

by Alex Pickett

More views on Bartlett Park

During my reporting for this week’s cover story, there were all sorts of views on how Bartlett Park’s revitalization is affecting its residents. Some saw it as a tide raising all boats, others feared displacement and more diplomatic types took the road of Neighborhood Housing Services executive director Askia Aquil: “Revitalization is a double-edge sword.”…

by Alex Pickett

Top 10: 4/20 songs

BY LEILANI POLK AND WADE TATANGELO It took us several hours to compile this list. But hey, it’s 4/20 – what did you expect? 1. “Legalize It,” Peter Tosh 2. “I Got Stoned and I Mised It,” Shel Silverstein 3. “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” Bob Dylan 4. “Puff the Magic Dragon,” Peter Paul…

by Wade Tatangelo

Bartlett Park contacts and events

A few readers have suggested adding some contact information for the neighborhood association and events. Here’s what I have for those who want to get more involved in the community. City of St. Pete site for Bartlett Park Bartlett Park blog (maintained by Neighborhood Association President Tom Tito) Bartlett Park Community Resource Center, 642 22nd…

by Alex Pickett

Review Preview – La Fogata Churrascaria

This new Brazilian Steakhouse is almost too slick to fit into the Bohemian Gulfport scene. It's also a budding chain, and Gulfport doesn't feel like the ideal place to attract the mass chain consumer, but we'll see. Cool bar, though. Check it out and tell us what you think, before my review hits next Wednesday.

by Brian Ries

Behind The Review – Chateau France

Just a few tidbits that did not make it into the Chateau France review, for those of you who appreciate DVD extras: – Many of the dishes came on plates that were organized and garnished exactly the same way — pate, steak tartare, some desserts — each with mint, blackberries and strawberries. The plates were…

by Brian Ries

Top 10: Cars, racin,’ and roads

I'm likely not the only one ready to hit the road and get the hell out of the office and start another long weekend full of adventure and debauchery — even though we have yet to even reach lunch hour. But we can fantasize. This list came to me quick and then took a while…

by Wade Tatangelo

Here Comes the Neighborhood

What happens when a long-neglected neighborhood undergoes revitalization, bringing in new residents, wealth and development? That’s the central question in this week’s cover story about the Bartlett Park neighborhood in South St. Pete. Gentrification, and all the questions it raises about race and class, is a sensitive subject, but that’s all the more reason for…

by Alex Pickett

When A Cigar Is Not Just A Cigar

Ah, to be in Ybor again – I mean the fabled Ybor of crazy art parties and percolating creative ferment and much drinking and inspired carryings-on. That’s at least how I imagine it was – I came here too late to experience all that. Our offices used to be in the thick of it –…

by David Warner

Not surprised, but still shocked

Wow. It only took four days, but I finally overheard the first racist comment in connection with the Blacksburg, Virginia tragedy. I’m at a St. Pete coffee shop when a tall, middle-aged man, dressed in a starched white shirt and black pants, steps in. As he pours his coffee, the man, whose nametag identified him…

by Alex Pickett

We Are Virginia Tech

Jennifer Brack, adviser to USF’s student government, led the Virginia Tech vigil Wednesday afternoon on USF’s Tampa campus. "What happened at VT defies logic, which can naturally create confusion and frustration. So we are joined today by those who can offer their services and support to any of you who can benefit. (Many different religions…

by Dawn Morgan

Oh Cappy Day

In a ceremony notable for its lack of pomp, Creative Loafing presented the priceless PZZA Tournament of Slices Championship Pizza Plaque for 2007 to Cappy's, the Tampa Bay champ, on Wed. Apr. 20. That's CL Editor David Warner gripping and grinning with Cappy's master pizza chef Heath Dupras. Cappy's is located at 3200 Bay to…

by David Warner

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied

Tampa activist Mel Underbakke, a longtime chronicler of the Sami Al-Arian case, sent this report about a recent little-noticed event in Washington, D.C. in observation of a sad milestone: A diverse group of over 100 people gathered in front of the Justice Department in Washington on Friday April 13 — the day on which Dr.…

by David Warner

Empty City, Full Streets

Slowly, person by person, day by day, St. Pete’s tent city is shrinking. Largely under the radar in recent weeks, the tent city has been steadily losing tents (and people) as city officials find homeless men and women temporary places to live. Director of Social Services Rhonda Abbott says 30 tents are left on the…

by Alex Pickett

Paying attention, Nobel committee?

For the depressing lowdown on how it feels to work in journalism when the Pulitzer lists come out, check PoHo's post, but I'm feeling pretty exuberant about the whole ordeal. Sure, I may have been overlooked (again!), but at least a brother in arms — Jonathon Gold of LA Weekly — took home the trophy.…

by Brian Ries

Street music

Have a favorite street musician? Are you one of the rare street musicians with access to the Net? Send your nominees for Best Busker to eric.snider@creativeloafing.com

by Wade Tatangelo

Hot, Hotter, Hottest?

Can you compete with Casey Walsh? She's an entrant in Creative Loafing's Less-Is-More Swimsuit Competition. The contest is open to all — girl, boy, young, old and everything in between. Whether you wear bikini or board shorts, wetsuit or bathing bloomers, send your photo, with name and contact info, to swimsuit@creativeloafing.com. You'll be featured in…

by David Warner

Wet, Wild

Are you one of those lucky people who can slip out to Adventure Island on a weekday afternoon? If so, join Creative Loafing staffers on Wed., April 25 at 1 p.m. for our Water Park Olympics. There’ll be lots of fun and games and friendly competition (water slide races, cannonball competitions, etc.) You can compete,…

by David Warner

The Beach-Trolley Pub Crawl

Creative Loafing has come up with a novel take on the standard bar crawl. Join us at 3 p.m. Sat., April 28 for our Beach-Trolley Pub Crawl. We’ll be hitting five or so very cool watering holes on the Gulf Beaches for fun, games, tomfoolery and, of course, plenty of libation. A handful of the…

by David Warner

The Circling of the Tongue

Name of Kama Sutra Position: The Circling of the Tongue (oral technique for men) Getting into the position: The man gently spreads her archway with his nose and probes her ÒyoniÓ with his tongue. At the same time he is instructed to circle his head allowing his nose, lips and chin to stimulate her delicate…

by Eric J. Leech

Homeless Census Update

The Hillsborough County Homeless Coalition will release their census numbers on Monday, April 23 during a Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE) Nehemiah Action meeting. HCHC’s last census, compiled one January day in 2005, found 11,023 homeless in the county. That put us sixth in the nation for our homeless population. This year's count…

by Alex Pickett

Don’t miss Tedeschi/Little Feat

Here’s a Music Week entry that somehow got accidentally excised from this week’s print version of Creative Loafing. Written by Eric Snider: SATURDAY, APRIL 21 SUSAN TEDESCHI/LITTLE FEAT The folks who book Jannus Landing slipped this gem of a show — featuring two legitimate headliners — under the wire at the last minute. We should…

by Wade Tatangelo

Dolly Parton topless!

It seems a bit odd that Dolly Parton would appear bare-chested on the cover of the venerable alt-country tome No Depression. But here she is (NSFW), cupping those massive mammaries. The link was sent to me by Tampa's own Ronny Elliott, the hillbilly soul singer who famously referenced those "jerks from No Depression" on his…

by Wade Tatangelo

Do you realize?

Obama SpeaksThe O-Train rolls into Ybor City for a crowd of 2,000; Cuban Club atmosphere like Tropical Heatwave (without the dope). Obama fundraisesOutpaces Hillary in dollars contributed; Sen. Clinton complains it is part of a "vast biracial, Midwestern conspiracy." "Honest Mistake"Gonzo's congressional-testimony catchphrase becomes the official ironic motto of the George W. Bush administration. Flaming…

by CL Staff

Shelter at a standstill

Pinellas County's homeless may have to a wait just a little bit longer for a midcounty shelter. Rumors have been flying all week, but Sarah Snyder, executive director of the Pinellas County Homeless Coalition, confirmed there is another bump in the road for getting the shelter open within the 90-day mark previously announced. Snyder and…

by Alex Pickett

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