Chef Alon Gontowski’s Fat Elvis Chocolate Bread Pudding
Try this decadent dessert created by Tampa Bay’s very own “sweet genius”
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Crocheting for coral reefs, water and climate lectures and farmers markets!
Impressive Bodies at Work in “Cirque”
Whenever I attend a really good show at one of our great performing arts centers, I always think, “Hot damn, we’re lucky to live here.” Cirque Dreams' “Pop Goes the Rock” at St. Petersburg's lovely Mahaffey Theater was no exception. I did, however, start out with serious reservations. Shows designed to entertain “family audiences of…
Accidental food and brew pairings with delicious results
Beer is not just for imbibing anymore – a good brew can provide an excellent accompaniment to a variety of main courses. As I experiment with finding the right beer to complement and pair with unusual food flavors, the best pairings are more often trial and error than science. This week I'd like to share…
Local lawmakers hail new health clinic opening in Tampa’s Sulphur Springs neighborhood
The new Tampa Family Health Center is in Sulphur Springs Thanks in part to federal, state and county funding, a new community health center in the Sulphur Springs section of Tampa held its grand opening Wednesday afternoon. The Tampa Family Health Centers clinic located on Nebraska Avenue and Bird Street is expected to provide medical…
Janet Cruz speaks out on Florida’s gun rules
Janet Cruz Janet Cruz says Florida’s gun laws need to change to allow local governments more autonomy on regulating their use. Just hours before neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman was expected to be charged in the death of Trayvon Martin, Tampa House Democrat Janet Cruz sounded off on Florida’s peculiar gun laws, which continues to receive…
Relive “9-9-9” and more with Herman Cain in Tampa later this month
Now that the mainstream media has admitted that the GOP race is really over, taking with it the endless cable TV chatter about Mitt Romney's problems with the Republican base, let's take a moment to look back fondly at one of the more interesting characters introduced during the primary season. That would be Herman Cain,…
Rick Santorum in 2016? Surely you must be joking
Rick Santorum has been getting a lot of kudos from everyone in the GOP over the past 24 hours — mainly because his exit clears the decks for the whole party apparatus to get to the issue at hand: dethroning Barack Obama on November 6. There's no doubt that the former Pennsylvania Senator outperformed the…
Mitch Perry Report 4.11.12 – Obama coming to Tampa, and activists call on Buckhorn to give them permit to march at RNC
While officials with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's administration meet individually this week with members of the City Council regarding potential changes to his controversial "clean zone" ordinance, the activists who will be demonstrating in late August held a news conference and rally last night in Tampa, calling on the city to give them a permit…
This week in food and drink
Wine and beer dinners, Independent birthday, charity pub crawl and cooking classes.
Karl Rove strikes again at Obama in Tampa
Although now it's officially a Romney-Obama race that will be in our face every day for the next six and a half months, the Republicans definitely have one serious advantage over the Dems moving towards November. That would be on the Super PAC front, where conservative groups have been raising lots more money than Priorities…
Obama in South Florida talks about the Buffett Rule
President Obama (shown here at a previous appearance) sounded in mid-October campaign mode when he spoke in South Florida yesterday President Obama was in Boca Raton Tuesday afternoon, speaking at Florida Atlantic University and promoting the "Buffett Rule," his proposal that would ensure the wealthiest Americans pay at least 30 percent of their income in…
Activists call on Tampa to give them permit to march at RNC
They want their permits Chanting "Hey, ho, the clean zone ordinance has got to go," a group of 28 protesters unhappy about Mayor Bob Buckhorn's "Clean Zone" rules on dissenting at the Republican National Convention marched from Joe Chillura Park to City Hall in downtown Tampa Tuesday night. Following them closely were five Tampa Police…
Juliet Simms on The Voice: “Roxanne” never sounded so good
Juliet Simms makes a Police song her own. When Juliet Simms (Team Cee Lo!) belted out The Police’s "Roxanne" on The Voice live elimination round Monday night, I had a religious moment. God damn! I exclaimed, watching the Clearwater native perform. "Roxanne" is a song I have been sick of since college, thanks to a…
New WaPo poll on Obama/Romney gives both sides hope
Can we begin this essay by saying that presidential polls in April are interesting in that they tell us where the public stands today, but give us little indication of what will happen in November? We say that, having followed too many presidential polls that, for example, showed Michael Dukakis leading George H.W. Bush by…
The Gaily News: BYU students let the world know “It Gets Better” (video)
Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" project continues to attract videos from a wide variety of individuals, groups, and organizations spanning the globe. This week, the project, aimed at helping bullied LGBT teens, has received what is likely its most interesting YouTube contribution to date: a video by former and current students at the Mormon, anti-gay…
Movie Matt-ers: When will Arnold Schwarzenegger be back (on the big screen)?
Question: I have a question… Will Arnold Schwarzenegger ever star in another film?? —Your Dad, Pinellas Park, FL. Answer: Hi Dad, thanks for writing in 🙂 Since the Guvernator’s illustrious political career ended, many have wondered if he will be returning to the silver screen anytime soon. The answer is … YES!!!!! Arnold has already…
Taboo fetish ball: the naked and the undead (photos NSFW)
Saturday night at the Taboo fetish ball, I couldn't help but compare the crowd with that of the beach bar I drank at that afternoon. At first glance the two groups seemed like complete opposites. Instead of tan blondes, the women tended to sport pale skin and dyed black hair. While the beach bar patrons…
Bill’s Sports Binge: Changing the Channelside, Rays conquer evil and more Sapp crap
Kelsey McNeal / ABC Warren Sapp in sappier, er happier days on "Dancing with the Stars." Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, or as I like to call him, Bizarro-Glazer, has decided to once again go against stereotype and offer to invest his, not our, money into possibly purchasing Channelside Bay Plaza. Just a Stamkos…
Buckhorn launches new master plan for downtown and environs
Mayor Buckhorn with officials from AECOM & Parsons Brinckeroff In many ways downtown Tampa has never been more dynamic — particularly on weekends, when large, popular events have taken place at Curtis Hixon Park. But there's more work to be done, and so on Monday morning Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced a master plan and design…
Mitch Perry Report 4.10.12: Charlie Crist, Bob Buckhorn
We're looking forward to watching Ozzie Guillen's press conference this morning. The controversy regarding the Miami manager's positive comments about Fidel Castro published late last week doesn't seem to be abating at all…. Speaking of controversy, the Florida elections bill passed last year by the GOP-led Legislature smelled to a lot of Democrats like a…
Charlie Crist: For the people (and their voting rights)
The Sunday Tampa Bay Times' Bill Varian had a solid story about the 2011 elections bill's potential impact on the race for Supervisor of Elections this fall in Hillsborough County. The only GOP candidate in the race to date, Plant City House Republican Rich Glorioso, voted for that partisan bill last year, and tells Varian…
New Music Tuesday (April 10): M. Ward, Bonnie Raitt, Alabama Shakes, Tim Barry, Tallhart + more
Releases out this week, with lots of audio and video.
Activists pissed at Mayor Buckhorn’s Clean Zone to rally Tuesday
The proposal unveiled two weeks ago by Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn regarding the rules that protestors a this summer's Republican National Convention, including specific rules inside a large "clean zone," have been met with strong opposition among some groups in Tampa, including several City Council members. While the city now says they'll "tweak" the rules…
Follow your muse to National Poetry Month
See the U.S. Poet Laureate for free tonight — Phillip Levine’s only date in Florida.
#MusicMonday, Vol. 65: Lucero, Chromatics, The Beatles, Tim Barry + more
The CL Music Team has lots of jams to kick off the week, audio & video included!
Always a good Time for Wine
If you constantly have wine on your mind, it's always time for wine. Time for Wine in Carrollwood would certainly agree. Established in 1980 and owned by Charles and Cheryl Visalli, Time for Wine offers wines from mom and pop wineries throughout Europe and the U.S. Since these wines are produced in small batches, they…
The Bob Buckhorn/ Frank Reddick feud escalates
Last week Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's proposed rules for protesters at the Republican National Convention received less than a warm welcome from City Council, prompting a delay of two weeks so that the administration can look at possible changes in the ordinance. Among the Council members critical of the ordinance was Frank Reddick, who objected…
Capturing the American teen: David H. Steinberg graduates from screenplays to novels with ‘Last Stop This Town’
When David H. Steinberg left high school at 16 to attend Yale, he could not have known he would spend the better part of his adult career chronicling the lives of teenagers searching for themselves in an American landscape of casual hookups and wild parties. I caught up with Steinberg to see what his experience…
Baseball’s classic books
For me, it's not hard to decide what sport has produced the greatest books. It's the national pastime, of course, the game that has defined our nation. Not to go all Ken Burns on you, but this game says so much about our national character. Boxing has inspired some of the greatest films — Raging…
What to wear when you’re meeting Stacy London of What Not to Wear
Tampa Lookbook’s Nick Trobiano gets the once-over from TLC’s fashion maven.
Handpresso Auto: espresso on your commute?
If you’re stuck on the Howard Frankland Bridge, Veterans Expressway or other congested roadway during morning rush hour, how does brewing your very own cup of espresso sound? That’s right; soon you may be able to brew espresso from the convenience of your front seat. What a stimulating, yet, scary concept. If this becomes a…
Mitch Perry Report 4.9.12: Rays sweep, Ozzie Guillen makes a big mistake in Miami
It was quite a weekend in St. Petersburg, where the Tampa Bay Rays got off to a dynamic start, sweeping the big, bad New York Yankees. Not only are the Yanks 0-3, but other expected contenders Boston, Atlanta and (gulp) the San Francisco Giants are as well, whose $112 million pitcher, Matt Cain, blew a…
Newt Gingrich says he’s still running for president
In case you were wondering, Newt Gingrich is still running for president. But his heart's not really into it. In an exceedingly low-energy interview with Fox News Sunday guest host Brit Hume, the former House Speaker, who just a few months ago led Mitt Romney in national polls, said he had no regrets as he…
News legend Mike Wallace dies at 93
The country learned on the CBS program Sunday Morning that legendary 60 Minutes reporter Mike Wallace had died Saturday night in New Haven, Connecticut at the age of 93. He had been in ill health in recent years. "Legendary" may be a term over-utilized when describing some folks, but not Wallace, whose career lasted more…
Hardline Cuban group calling for Ozzie Guillen’s job
If he didn't know it before, Ozzie Guillen now realizes he's not working on the South side of Chicago any longer. The new Miami Marlins manager has always been voluble and controversial, but he's been given a bigger platform than ever in recent weeks as the national media has focused its attention on the Marlins,…
Give some Laundry Love this Saturday
Current of Tampa Bay is a locally based non-profit organization that strives to educate others on current social initiatives and mobilizing them to bring about change via local projects such as the Laundry Love Project.
He has returned
Pena lifts Rays over Yanks in high-powered home opener.
Swear to God, I couldn’t put down these books, I really couldn’t
It's one of those cliches that always rises to the top of a book critic's bag of tricks: "I couldn't out it down." But I'm here to tell you it's true. I just ripped through two books that were stuck like glue to my fingers. i read them while walking, while standing at the urinal…
I Want My LGBTV: ‘Big Gay Sketch Show’ star joins SNL as featured player (video)
Saturday Night Live's potential first lesbian cast member debuts on tomorrow night's episode hosted by Sofia Vergara. Funny woman Kate McKinnon, a regular performer with the Upright Citizens Brigade improv troupe and perhaps best known for her role on Logo's The Big Gay Sketch Show, will be introduced as a featured player, and could eventually…
Holistic Happy Hour at Boca in Hyde Park
Join us for Holistic Happy Hour on Tuesday, April 10. We will be meeting up at Boca at 901 W. Platt Street at 7 p.m. If you are into green living, sustainable practices and a holistic way of life, come out and join us! Everyone 21+ is welcome.
Major League Baseball 2012: Is a Giants-Rays series a real possibility?
California Angels Albert Pujols is the $240 million man I'm excited about the baseball season beginning as much as the next fan, but can I say I object to some of the high-falutin' crap that gets written about the game? And no, I'm not referring just to George Will's prose. Actually I blame Roger Kahn's…
Mitch Perry Report 4.6.12: Florida’s embarrassing gun issue, the return of baseball
Happy Good Friday/Passover to one and all, and what's better on this quasi-holiday (but not for the working press!) than to start a baseball season? The Rays host the big, bad New York Yankees in the first game of the regular season today at 3 p.m. at Tropicana Field. In my time in Tampa Bay,…
Neighborhhod Dining Guide: Easter
Put all your eggs in one of these restaurant’s baskets.
Pre-Heat Demo Listening Session call for submissions
Are you a local singer-songwriter, band, producer or some other artist working in the local music scene who recorded a demo and want feedback and creative criticism about what you did right and/or what you should do differently/modify/re-think? Creative Loafing and WMNF present the return of the ever-popular Demo Listening Session as part of the…
NYT editorial: Tampa’s inability to regulate guns in protest zone a “national embarrassment”
Four days ago, the Tampa Tribune first reported that Mayor Bob Buckhorn's rules and regulations for protesters at the 2012 Republican National Convention omitted a ban on guns, while water pistols, super soakers, air guns, paintball guns, explosives, switchblades, hatchets, slingshots and brass knuckles would be prohibited in the entire city during the four-day event.…
Your guide to picking and cooking the perfect piece of beef.
Steak your claim.
Buckhorn says he’s amenable to changing protest limits at RNC
Just before the Tampa City Council began its discussion of Mayor Bob Buckhorn's rules for RNC protesters, the mayor told CL that he'd be amenable to changing the 60-minute limit on protests. That limitation on the length of protests has been assailed by the ACLU, Tampa activists, the Tampa Bay Times editorial board, and on…
Besieged by complaints (including their own), Tampa City Council delays vote on “Clean Zone” for the RNC
A tense scene at the 2008 RNC in St. Paul With criticism rising over Mayor Bob Buckhorn's proposed rules for protesters at the Republican National Convention, the Tampa City Council today opted to delay voting on the ordinance for two weeks. That vote followed statements from a number of citizens before the board Thursday morning,…
The accidental cock-block: when guy-friends look like boyfriends
As I get older, it seems I'm increasingly collecting a higher ratio of male friends. Ex-boyfriends resurface, one-date wonders lacking physical chemistry congeal into friendships, or I meet a guy and like him as an older brother type. These male friendships are sometimes my only saving grace to sanity when it seems my female friends…
Hillsborough Commissioners approve $3,000 for bike safety
Back in the fall of 2010, Hillsborough County commissioners created a bicycle safety action plan. Unfortunately, the plan hasn't achieved its goal of making the roads safer for local cyclists. After just the first three months of 2012, there have already been six cycling fatalities. Trying to be proactive, the commisioners approved a motion on…
Brunch on shrimp and grits with a smoky, spicy twist
Southern soul meets Texas ’cue.
Row Boat has the right stuff for Ybor
Mediterranean cuisine proves a comfortable fit in the old Laughing Cat location.
LeMieux seizes on Mack diss of Ryan budget
George LeMieux Whether or not Paul Ryan is named as Mitt Romney's running mate later this summer, the Wisconsin Congressman's name may become as ubiquitous as Romney's if Democratic party strategists get their way. In 1996, Bill Clinton ran against "Dole-Gingrich," you might recall. Though the former House Speaker was absolutely not on the ballot…
Mitch Perry Report 4.5.12: Showdown at City Council on Clean Zones Rules?
The Tampa City Council is scheduled to debate Mayor Bob Buckhorn's proposed rules for protesters at this summer's Republican National Convention. Council member Mary Mulhern has been the lone voice to question some of the previous purchases for security by the TPD so far this year. Will any of her colleagues join her today? The…
Wax poetic at Morean Arts Center
New twists on a time-honored, highly malleable medium.
Art doc of the century: Morean screens a Peabody winner
See Season 6 episodes of Art in the Twenty-First Century Thursdays in April for free at the St. Pete art mecca.
Heavy petting
My boyfriend, our cat and one awkward situation.
This week in Tampa Bay area live music: Portugal.The Man, Pink Martini, Funk Fest 2012 with Erykah Badu + more!
The concert calendar, April 5-11
Budding and growing with Canadian indie rockers Plants and Animals, which play Crowbar on Tuesday
The Montreal trio celebrates 10 years, a third album, and a fourth live player.
Jet-set fun gets a layover in Boeing Boeing
The ’60s sex farce at the Straz is retro, unredeemed.
Welcome to Opening Day — a week late
America’s past time goes overseas in this week’s Sports Binge.
Rays of hope
Welcome back, baseball! (And good riddance, spring training!)
Clichéd American Reunion disappoints
The gang’s all here, but something still feels off.
Speaking for Trayvon
The community reacts to the killing of Trayvon Martin.
Live and Local Spotlight: Spiller
In 1996, I was 11 years old, living in Town n' Country, and obsessed with my Nintendo 64, Brian McKnight, and Boyz II Men. Needless to say, I had zero time for alternative rock. I completely missed out on bands like Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Pearl Jam — hell, I probably thought that Soundgarden…
Guns R Us
The gun lobby has Florida in its pocket — and Florida, in turn, is setting an example for the nation.
Haiku to Miller64 commercial
National Poetry Month and silly commercial inspire equally tacky verse.
Former Largo art museum re-purposed as fishing education center
Courtesy facebook.com/FloridaGulfCoastCenterForFishing Inside the Florida Gulf Coast Center for Fishing and Interactive Museum. No, it’s not a News of the Weird headline. The former Gulf Coast Museum of Art in Largo has reopened as the Florida Gulf Coast Center for Fishing and Interactive Museum, a nonprofit art and education facility designed to teach children, teens…
Colorful, devilish eggs
If you have kids, or are a kid at heart, chances are you’ll be coloring Easter eggs this weekend. Between an egg coloring technique for awesome-looking eggs, and a tasty way consume your eggs after the Easter Bunny has left the building, we have you covered. guide-reviews.com Eggs are associated with spring and Easter because…
The Friendship Trail Bridge gets a 30-day reprieve
Hillsborough Commissioners want to see safety studies and a business plan.
Countdown to Tropical Heatwave 2012: Barons of Tang
CL spotlights our favorite Heatwave acts in the weeks leading up to the WMNF fest (w/audio & video).
