Green Community Calendar weekend events
Camp Bayou – Save the Frogs: Saturday, April 28; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.Help save frogs at Save the Frogs Day 2012, which is celebrated worldwide. Learn how to help the froggies and the environment, and have fun at the same time. If you don’t have a frog in your throat, join the Frog Chorus…
Arrgh, this Pirates! movie sucks
The Pirates! Band of Misfits deserves a cannon ball in the face.
This week in food and drink
Thursday, April 26: Cru CellarsFly on down to Cru Cellars for Food Flight Night Thursday. The chefs and sommeliers will use their imagination and select a variety of small bites items (three to be exact), along with the most complementary wine for these bites. $20; 2506 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1117, crucellarstampa.com. Thursday, April 26:…
‘Tis the Season for Seasons 52’s spring menu
Seasons 52 has introduced a spring menu, which is available for the remainder of the spring season. The bright, cheery colors of springtime produce inspire Seasons 52’s colorful culinary creations, which are attractive to both the eyes and the taste buds. In addition to being attractive to the eyes and taste buds, the creations are…
Photo Review: Wanee Music Festival, Three Days of Peace and Music all over again
With an all-star lineup of the old and new, the Wanee Music Festival was a joy to attend this past weekend in bucolic Live Oak, Fla. From Buddy Guy's guitar shredding solos to Gregg Allman's mournful vocals, I was in music heaven, though I must say at times, I felt as if I'd been teleported…
Can Marco Rubio get his mini-Dream Act thru his own party?
On NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday, New York Times columnist David Brooks said Marco Rubio is no longer being considered a serious contender to be Mitt Romney's running mate later this year, saying that is "the conventional wisdom among Republican donors and Washington officialdom." Regardless whether that's true or not, the 40-year-old freshman U.S.…
“Five Opas” for Little Greek
I'm a USF student and I love Greek food. So it only made sense for me to try out the new casual dining joint on Fowler Avenue, Little Greek. They have six (soon to be eight) locations in Tampa Bay. Rebecca Forman
Green After Dark – Free Eco-friendly Event and Family Fun
Come on out and join the fun! Green vendors and live music by Justin and Travis of The Groves. Event is located at the Odessa Organic Market at 8701 Gunn Hwy. in Odessa, on Saturday, April 28, 5 – 9 p.m. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Click here for a list of vendors.
Mitch Perry Report 4.24.12 – GOP primaries return
It's been weeks since Rick Santorum "suspended" his presidential campaign, which essentially allowed the media to then concentrate on the Mitt Romney/Barack Obama match-up – every day, for the next half year. But there are two Republicans who against all odds, are still running against Mitt Romney: Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul. The two men…
New music Tuesday (April 24): Theresa Andersson, The Raveonettes, Prong, Jack White, Greg Laswell & more
The last round of music releases in April; with audio & video included.
Local rocker Ronny Elliott sends a message
Mayor Buckhorn's neighbor, folk singer Ronny Elliott, had a message to send today re the proposed Clean Zone Ordinance.
Egg Cream of your dreams
Yankees or Mets?East Side or West Side? Little Italy or Chinatown? There isn't a lot that New Yorkers can agree on, but the chocolate egg cream is one of them. This iconic drink is revered by young and old alike, and by those who live in New York, and snow birds and transplants to Florida…
Jon Stewart brought the boom to Ruth Eckerd Hall Saturday night
Carmela Febo Russo DAILY MALE: Jon Stewart juggled topical and personal subjects April 21 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. To be honest, I wasn't sure that we could expect much more from Jon Stewart live than what we get for free from him on the Daily Show. (Well, almost free; egregious cable bill notwithstanding.)
Ron Paul is still running for president. Gingrich too.
Remember Ron Paul? The iconoclastic GOP presidential candidate was never a truly serious candidate to win the nomination this year, but he was an invaluable part of the process early on, especially during those many debates that seemed to have taken every other week for several months in the fall and winter of 2011/2012. With…
The Raw Story: Here Comes the Pain
Ironic that the reason Brock Lesnar has returned to the WWE is the same in reality as it is on TV. As John Laurinaitis, the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Permanent General Manager of both Raw and Smackdown (actual title), stated on the April 9 edition of Raw, Brock Lesnar’s return also brings…
Force score: Star Wars Week at the Bricks
The Ybor hangout celebrates like a Jedi with just a few trips to the dark side.
Democrats find a candidate to run against Jim Norman this year
The Hillsborough Democratic party has had problems in recent years fielding candidates to run in local races. Never before was that problem more evident than in 2010, when Jim Norman began having his ethics issues yet there was no Democrat to run against him in the general election after he defeated Kevin Ambler in his…
Give me some protein with that shake
With so many protein shakes on the market, you may be shaking your head in confusion. Which shakes taste good? What is the difference between 100% whey shakes and meal replacement shakes? These are just a few of the questions you may have. Let’s face it; taste is important. Nobody wants to choke down a…
The Lucky One makes for unlucky viewing
Zac Efron doesn’t pass muster as a soldier boy.
#MusicMonday, Vol. 67: Jack White, Here We Go Magic, Public Image Ltd. & more
What the CL Music Team is listening to this Monday to rocket launch the week, audio & video included
The Gaily News: LGBT activists strike back at Gay Days protesters (video)
Florida Family Association's Gay Day warning from last year. This year LGBT activists hope to counter the FFA's protest with their own banner. The anti-gay, conservative group Florida Family Association plans to protest Walt Disney World's unofficial Gay Day event planned for June 2 by flying a banner over the theme park to warn "traditional"…
Tee off at Palm Harbor House of Beer
If you’re looking for a unique activity to partake in while drinking your favorite craft beer, how about playing a round of golf? Just in time for the scorching days of summer that will soon be upon us, Palm Harbor House of Beer has introduced a $45,000 state of the art golf simulator, where you…
Mitch Perry Report 4.23.12: Kriseman won’t run for re-election
There is big news in local politics this morning. One of the Tampa Bay area's favorite progressive politicians, St. Petersburg's Rick Kriseman, will announce later today that he will not run for re-election to his House seat this November. This will lead to speculation that Kriseman is getting ready to challenge Bill Foster for mayor…
Rick Kriseman won’t run for re-election this fall
St. Petersburg House Democrat Rick Kriseman will not run for a fourth term this fall, CL has learned. The 49-year old attorney has represented Florida’s House District 53 in Tallahassee since 2006, but questions have circulated for months about whether he would run for a fourth two-year term as his name frequently comes up as…
Yes! Do the Time Warp again!
American Stage in the Park presents what may be the best Rocky Horror ever.
Kickass “Kick-in-the-grass” memories of the Rowdies
Rowdies' Oscar Fabbiani signs for the fans in 1979. Last week I wrote a story about the first home game of the newly re-dubbed Tampa Bay Rowdies, who took to the field with the old school logo and uniforms. It was quite an experience. I was full of hope and felt an old team spirit…
Secret Service horndogs dominate Sunday morning news shows
This former Secret Service agent boasting of checking out the former VP candidate There haven't been any real scandals in the Obama White House, much to the consternation of a certain segment of the Washington press corps, so perhaps it's not surprising that the reports that a Secret Service agent failed to pay a Columbian…
Bill Nelson speaks about RESTORE Act for the Gulf on 2-year anniversary of BP spill
Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson was happy to spread some positive news Friday afternoon at Demens Landing in St. Petersburg on the 2-year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. On Thursday the Department of Justice released a summary of a report by an independent auditor of the Gulf Coast Claims…
Walk of shame: One pitch makes a big impact in Rays’ loss to Jays
One too many free passes from Rays pitchers give Twins 5-4 win.
David Sedaris engulfs Tampa Theatre in laughs April 19
David Sedaris, America's favorite sardonic observer of life's absurdities read and spoke, almost hidden behind a hulking podium Thursday night at Tampa Theatre, sharing stories with his signature, somewhat wimpy and nasally voice. Slight presence aside, Sedaris was a big ball of sass, commanding big laughs while sharing scenarios and jokes with no filter whatsoever.
Local comedian Steve Miller opens for Amy Schumer
Steve Miller was a comedy staple in the Tampa scene long before he got on a professional stage. He spent years throwing jokes and insults to bartenders, regulars and friends whether they wanted to hear them or not. Miller has known he wanted to be a performer since high school, but it wasn’t until three…
Buckhorn at Tiger Bay: Florida gun laws make state “look like a bunch of knuckleheads”
Critics of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's rules for protesters inside the RNC "Clean Zone" — as well as stand-up comedians — were given a gift after it became clear that the ordinance could ban a variety of items, but not guns. State law — a law that Buckhorn calls "absurd" — prohibits local governments from…
Jubilee Hitchhiker: An epic bio of ’60s icon Richard Brautigan
I’ve written several biographies and I’m kind of proud of them. But then I got this new biography of Richard Brautigan. Hjortsberg’s book, Jubilee Hitchhiker (Counterpoint, $42.50), will inspire biography envy in the heart of any writer who tries to tell the story of another human being’s life. This book is huge and absorbing and…
A flick of The Switch Energy Project
University of South Florida public relations students hosted The Switch Energy Project: A documentary about the benefits of natural gas and other energy alternatives on April 10, at USF. Agency 56 Dr. Sam Upchurch giving a brief overview on natural gas before the screening.
Support LGBT students with a Day of Silence (video)
Join students across the country and take part in a day of silence to raise awareness of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment.
Mitch Perry Report 4.20.12 – George Zimmerman asks for bond
George Zimmerman goes before a judge this morning hoping to get bond and thus his release for the time being before his trial begins in the Trayvon Martin case. Yesterday Trayvon's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, were in Tampa observing a town hall meeting discussing the Stand Your Ground law, racial profiling, and other…
When life gives you a lemon …
Our pregnant bartender offers a few twists on classic lemonade.
Attorney for Trayvon Martin’s parents in Tampa: Zimmerman shouldn’t get bail
These signs were distributed at today's forum On the eve of George Zimmerman's bond hearing in the case of his second-degree murder charge for the killing of Trayvon Martin, the attorney for the parents of the slain black teen says he doesn't think the judge in the case should grant bail. "Some crimes on their…
Tampa City Council members express themselves on homelessness
After the Tampa City Council passed a partial ban on panhandling last fall after nearly a year-long debate, several council members expressed frustration that they had been almost exclusively focused on being punitive, vs. finding positive solutions to the escalating homelessness problem. Such comments have been met with indifference if not disdain by Mayor Bob…
Neighborhood Dining Guide: Northeast St. Petersburg
From downtown to I-275, there’s options aplenty in St. Petersburg.
Amy Schumer talks career and Cutting comedy
Her 2011 album Cutting displayed her penchant for taboo-breaking jokes that are both “cutting” metaphorically and literally in one story she tells. Now Amy Schumer will make a stop in Tampa to perform at Side Splitters Comedy Club April 19-21. The comedian's immediate future includes two television pilots, three movies and a steady touring schedule…
The highs and lows of Coachella, Weekend One
The festival is so popular, they do it all over again this weekend.
Ridiculous kitchen tools and saner alternatives
Stop the insanity!
Tampa City Council approves new police uniforms, fencing for RNC
Such fencing was used at the G-20 Summit in Toronto in 2010 Although consideration for Tampa's Clean Zone ordinance for protesters at the Republican National Convention has been delayed until May 3, the Tampa City Council on Thursday did approve two more purchases out of the $50 million pot of federal funds allocated to pay…
reachIT.org wins the 10/100/1000 Challenge
Chip Weiner Gina Kravitz of reachIT.org (on the swing) with 10/100/1000 judges (L to R) Reuben Pressman, David Warner, Ken Cowart and Julia Freeman An all-volunteer organization that refurbishes computers and gives them to needy families won the $1,000 top prize last night in the 10/100/1000 Challenge, the annual ideas competition co-sponsored by Creative Loafing…
10/100/1000: The winner is reachIT.org
The 2012 10/100/1000 Challenge, a joint project of Creative Loafing and Creative Tampa Bay, drew a wide array of interesting ideas for making our region a better place to live. The judges awarded the top prize of $1,000 to reachIT.org. Read about the other finalists here. “We refurbish unwanted computers and give them to families…
Artpool: Four years of making a splash in St. Pete
Marina Williams’ ARTpool is a multi-faceted art-and-party place not quite like anything else.
Mitch Perry Report 4.19.12: Nan Rich running for gov., & Hillsborough County studies whether it’s cool to talk to the Rays
With the RNC upcoming in four months, there's no doubt that some of the delegates (if not reporters and maybe even some protesters?) may partake in what Tampa is best known for — its adult nightclubs. But it's Orlando that Men's Health says is the nation's horniest city. But Tampa comes out 7th in the…
Back with the old, anew: The Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Rowdies re-energize with hopes of a return to Tampa Bay’s soccer glory days.
Restaurant Week 2012
Restaurant Week Returns to Tampa Bay This year’s Restaurant Week (our fourth annual) is quickly approaching, and stomachs are already beginning to growl in excitement. From June 14 – 24, Creative Loafing will be partnering with Bay Area restaurants to bring readers a very special dining experience with a chance to win $500 in CL…
Bridge extension
Will a temporary reprieve lead to a last-minute miracle for the Friendship Trail Bridge?
10/100/1000: Forward and back
Funny thing, progress. Sometimes, in the rush to build, expand and speed things up, we cancel out the benefits of what we had before. So it was interesting to find that some of the more intriguing projects in this year’s 10/100/1000 Challenge involved reuse and restoration — proposals to give new life to vacant storefronts…
Boca Kitchen Bar takes “eat local” to new heights.
Where there was Smoke…
Not with my pizza you don’t
Can innovation go too far?
Behavioral Therapy spins out of control in Delicious Nut.
It’s a mad, mad world at Studio@620.
First, make no mistakes
Downtown Tampa’s new medical simulation center uses high-tech training to reduce the margin of doctor error.
10/100/1000: The Finalists
These nine ideas have what it takes to change Tampa Bay for the better.
Failing grade
My sex ed class didn’t cover the gay kind and now I’m lost.
Earth Day Events for Tampa
Earth Day events for the Tampa Bay area!
Men’s Health says Tampa 7th horniest city in U.S.
Lots of Tampa Bay area residents probably could care less what Men's Health has to say about anything, after the publication named St. Petersburg the saddest city in the nation last year (with Tampa just three spots behind). And since Tampa already has a reputation that embarrasses a lot of its leaders — that among…
Dick Clark Dead? TMZ seems to think so.
Legendary producer passes away at 82
Nan Rich 1st Florida Democrat to announce she’s running for governor
Although not an "official" declaration of her candidacy, Florida Senate minority leader Nan Rich says she will be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014. Rich becomes the first of what could be many Democrats to drop their hat into the proverbial ring. The 70-year-old Rich has been in the Florida Legislature…
Hillsborough County authorizes attorney to research legalities of talking with the Rays
Ken Hagan With discussions between the Tampa Bay Rays and the city of St. Petersburg about a possible new ballpark apparently non-existent, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan says he wants to see if the county could talk to the baseball team about stadium locations without being sued. Saying his motion was only about having the…
Countdown to Tropical Heatwave 2012: The Bright Light Social Hour
CL spotlights our top 10 favorite Heatwave acts in the 10 weeks leading up to the WMNF fest (w/audio & video).
Fight for Florida Latino voters is on between Obama & GOP
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina Earlier this week, the Republican National Committee announced Monday a new Hispanic voter outreach effort in Florida and five other battleground states, focusing exclusively on economic issues. But Barack Obama's campaign manager isn't impressed. "I feel very sorry for those organizers on the ground taking those jobs," Jim Messina said…
Risk vs. reality: questioning a sex educator on STDs
I'm usually in a state of abject horror when I visit an STD clinic. No matter how safe I've been, there is always a chance an STD has weaseled its way into my sex life. However, today as I sit across from Tami Shadduck, the Education Manager for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida,…
10/100/1000 awards to be presented tonight
It was a tough job, but a satisfying one: choosing the ten finalists and overall winner of this year's 10/100/1000 Challenge, a joint effort of Creative Loafing and Creative Tampa Bay to promote ideas for making Tampa Bay a better place to live. Tonight at CL Space (Creative Loafing's in-house events venue), we'll be announcing…
Mitch Perry Report 4.18.12: Tax reform and saying goodbye to Bill Sharpe
Hello, everyone. Good to be back here after nearly a week of no new posts, having spent a long weekend in Southern California attending the Coachella Music Festival along with 75,000 other folks. I'll post a review of the show before the end of the week. Little sleep and a whole lot of standing and…
Record Store Day 2012 radar: CL’s most anticipated releases
A range of limited releases hit an indie record store near you this Sat., April 21.
Live and Local Spotlight: Record Store Day 2012
A breakdown of live music and RSD sales at the Bay area’s four big indie stores
Liberal activists seize on Tax Day to tout economic inequality
In recent years on Tax Day (observed this year on Tuesday because April 15 came on a Sunday), Tea Party groups have held rallies in the Bay area to tout their agenda of reducing excessive federal spending (forget the fact that under Barack Obama, Americans are paying the smallest share of their income for taxes…
Remembering South Tampa activist Bill Sharpe
Bill Sharpe at his Blues and BBQ event in October 2011 As she came to the conclusion of her benediction at the service for Bill Sharpe, The Reverend Vicki R. Walter noted the diversity inside the Hyde Park United Methodist Church on Tuesday afternoon. There were people from the upper crusts of Tampa community life,…
Bill’s Sports Binge: Shields tames the Bosox bats
Plus: Crooked hats and amateur hour at the Olympics.
