How to know if your “organic” food is truly organic
The word “organic” seems to be a household term these days. People are becoming more aware of what they’re putting into their bodies, and seeking out wholesome foods is a natural part of that awareness. I am not the only person who understands this as is evident by the over-abundance of food products bearing the…
As controversial immigration bill moves forward in Florida, critics unite against it
As the Senate Budget Committee voted on a controversial immigration package in Tallahassee known as SB 2040, a coalition of interests, including those representing the biggest business interests in Florida, held a conference call on Wednesday to speak out against the bill, sponsored by Miami Republican Anitere Flores. Critics would say the bill would increase…
Green sex: Condoms a significant source of beach litter, plus biodegradable condom option
Courtesy of: EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Do condoms represent a significant portion of beach litter? Are there environmentally friendly condoms? —Wendy M., Olympia, WA Condoms are often found discarded on beaches along with straws, bottles and other trash. About 900 condoms were found on Florida's beaches during a three-hour litter collection…
Big Brother is watching Tampa! Open Auditions for the reality show in Citrus Park on April 16
This Saturday, April 16, the producers of the wildly popular reality TV series Big Brother will hold open auditions in Tampa Bay for the show's upcoming 13th season from noon to 3 p.m. at the Dubliner Irish Pub in Citrus Park, 12836 Henderson Road. Big Brother is a summertime show that throws a bunch of…
Tonight’s Top Chef Masters preview: Christina Hendricks. ‘Nuff said.
On tonight's episode of Top Chef Masters: Kelis is bringing her milkshake to the Top Chef Masters yard tonight, charging the chefs with grinding their own meat and making something delicious from it (these previews don't give me much to work with), as well as acting as Quickfire judge. Did you know she was a…
Photo review: J Roddy Walston and The Business at Dave’s Aqua Lounge, St. Petersburg
Some shots from Saturday night's sweaty show featuring hard blues rockin' four-piece, J Roddy Walston and the Business, at Dave's Aqua Lounge in St. Pete. Band namesake J Roddy pictured above. Check out the complete photo gallery after the jump…
See a stunning documentary and meet real-life Freedom Riders tonight at Tampa Theatre
Tonight you can see Freedom Riders, a film about the courageous band of civil rights activists who, in 1961, challenged segregation in the American South. From award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, it features testimony from a fascinating cast of central characters: the riders themselves, state and federal government officials, and journalists who witnessed the rides firsthand.…
Witness ID bill weakened in House Judiciary Committee in Tallahassee
On Thursday, Cl will publish an article by reporter Lisa Marzilli on the goals of the Florida Innocence Commission to try to get a bill passed this spring in the Legislature that would reform eyewitness identification. The bill calls for law enforcement agencies to use neutral officers to administer lineups or photo lineups so that…
DIY Green: Turn an old PC fan into a mini wind turbine
If you've got an old desktop PC that's just waiting to be retired to the computer graveyard, here's an inventive project that will put at least one part of it to good use again: PC fans repurposed as mini wind-powered turbines. The Scrap to Power blog has put together step-by-step photo instructions on how to…
Rick Baker speaks to CL upon the publication of his new book, The Seamless City
Last week Rick Baker's memoir regarding his 8 1/2 years serving as Mayor of St.Petersburg, The Seamless City, was published. For the past 10 months Baker has transitioned nicely into the private sector, working for the University of South Florida as its first director of "innovation partnership." CL bumped into him at Bob Buckhorn's inauguration…
Rick Baker discusses his new book; witness ID bill weakened in Tallahassee & Charlie Crist is really sorry about that campaign song: Mitch Perry Report: 4.13.11
Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has just published a new book that is perfect for those about to become a mayor of a big city. It's called The Seamless City, and you can read the first part of a two part interview we conducted with the former mayor last week here. Speaking of St.…
Record Store Day 2011 brings a boatload of limited edition vinyl and live music to an indie music retailer near you
Even though we bid a tearful farewell to Vinyl Fever in February, several other high-quality indie record stores remain and are surviving by broadening their offerings, stocking plenty of vinyl to meet the revival demands, and getting involved in the internationally-recognized Record Store Day campaign, a celebration of indie music retail. This year marks the…
The Gaily News: Fox News commentator accuses J. Crew ad of challenging gender norms in kids, Victoria Jackson claims she actually ‘loves gay people,’ and Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith helps launch the ‘Refuse to Lie’ campaign
J. Crew's latest ad campaign, featuring photos of the company's creative director, Jenna Lyons, and her young son, has inspired the ire of Fox News commentator Dr. Keith Ablow. The campaign celebrates her son's love of the color pink, showcasing photos of the happy mother and son with his toenails painted hot pink. The conservative…
Do It Today: 10/100/1000 Awards, Doug Varone and Dancers at USF, Rent at American Stage in the Park and ex-Maccabees at New World ‘cue day
Celebrate great ideas tonight at Creative Loafing's 10/100/1000 Awards Celebration. Launched in January, the competition called for 10 ideas in 100 days for $1,000. Creative Loafing and Creative Tampa Bay invited readers to share their proposals for making Tampa Bay a better place to live, work and play.
A Lesson Before Dying at Stageworks
I first saw A Lesson Before Dying in a top-notch production at Sarasota’s Florida Studio Theatre more than a decade ago, and my ultimate response was: Where’s the beef? After all, this was a show that promised to show us how an innocent black man, condemned to die in the electric chair, was taught by…
The Thinking Dog Blog: Does your dog have sore paws? Help is available
I recently noticed that Jana was limping. She was favoring her left front paw. She wasn’t limping all the time, but it was definitely worse in the evenings and after play sessions. I took her to see her chiropractor, Dr. Patricia Jamison. Dr. Jamison has a long relationship with Jana and has also helped Oriel…
How to survive FCAT: Tips for parents and kids
The FCAT is here, that magical standardized test that spreads stress around like frat boys spread venereal warts. Educators, students, and parents have to deal with pressures that could make soldiers in Libya feel nervous. It’s everyone’s least favorite time of year, but like that man you all elected governor, FCAT isn’t going away anytime…
Two in a row? Rays beat BoSox 3-2
For the second night in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays headed back to the team hotel in Boston in good spirits after besting the Red Sox. Tuesday they got the better of Boston by a slim 3-2 margin but managed such with solid performances from the entire lineup. If things keep up this way,…
An open call for CLGBT contributors!
Interested in writing for CLGBT? Creative Loafing is looking for motivated and passionate advocates of the LGBT community to contribute to CL in the form of blogs, podcasts, print stories, photographs, video, tweets and more. CLGBT launched last summer as an exciting new LGBT resource for Tampa Bay and we're always looking for new contributors! Read our…
Interview with Dangerous Pleasures author Fiona Zedde
Ever wonder what it would be like to have unencumbered sex with a mystery person? A complete stranger whom you don't even meet during the act? Fiona Zedde's latest novel, Dangerous Pleasures, is based on just that concept. I recently interviewed her and you won't believe where she got the idea. Jamaican-born Zedde imigrated to Tampa from Jamaica when she…
Activists to rally this Friday afternoon in St. Pete’s Williams Park for the right to recall
Although the odds that the Florida Legislature will pass St. Pete House Democrat Rick Kriseman's bill that would allow for the recall of state officials are, in the words of Kriseman himself "about 1 percent," activists in St. Pete this Friday will rally to advocate for such legislation. Kriseman's legislation (which he coincidentally announced on…
Tasty tofu: Tips for using this alternative source of protein
Let’s talk about tofu for a minute. What is it exactly? It’s actually coagulated soy milk pressed into blocks. In most people’s book, that’s strike one; anything with “coagulated” in the description tends to be off-putting. The word “tofu” comes from the Chinese “doufu” which is “bean” plus “curdled” or “fermented” — strike two. Tofu…
USF Opera Department breathes new life into classic Mozart love story, Cosi fan Tutte
Before there were televisions and reality TV programs, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote an opera and titled it Cosi fan Tutte (The School for Lovers). This week, students from the USF Opera Department are presenting their own modern take on the opera, in English and set in Naples, Fla. "It would be a great first opera…
Bill’s Sports Binge: Crazy Rays, crazy Canucks and a urination unlike any other
The Rays headed to Boston with fewer hits than Kajagoogoo and wound up scoring more than the Butler basketball team. If only MLB could use runs like anytime minutes. Manny Ramirez knocked a grounder between shortstop and third and successfully made it to first base the Sunday before last. I reserved this section of the…
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm’s free Raw Food Fair: Saturday, April 16
Ever wonder what this whole "raw food" thing is all about? Sweetwater Organic Community Farm will be educating patrons about the health benefits of raw foods and giving them a taste of it this Saturday, April 16. Listen to lectures given by local raw food experts at Sweetwater and watch them prepare some tasty raw…
Charlie Crist is really really sorry his campaign ripped off David Byrne last year (video)
We received a tweet last week from somebody who insists that they swore they saw artist David Byrne in Tampa. Maybe he wasn't hallucinating, as Byrne said in a statement released yesterday he recently was in the Cigar City, as he and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist resolved their lawsuit. Byrne had sued Crist $1…
New music releases out this Tuesday, April 12: Atmosphere, Paul Simon, Meat Puppets, TV on the Radio, Elbow, Vivian Girls, Panda Bear, Garage A Trois, Alison Krauss and many others! (with audio & video)
Lots of sweet new music out this week. Check out all of the ones you want to know about (some with audio, some with video) below. Click here to check out new music releases that dropped last week and here for new releases that have come out in the past several months… , From Night…
On the Radar: Outdoor delights at Festa Italiana, Mainsail Arts Festival and Child of Sun Jazz Festival
With two major outdoor events happening Saturday and Sunday, this would be the wrong weekend to get one of those storms that get our local meteorologists all in a tizzy. Thankfully we're just at 10 percent chance of rain as of this writing. So what if there are some showers here or there, don't let…
Buckhorn names James Shimberg to be new city attorney for Tampa
Among the first items of business that new Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn is committed to is replacing some of the biggest names in local Tampa government who are moving on. Those include Finance Director, Chief of Staff, and City Attorney, where Chip Fletcher intends to go into private practice. Buckhorn announced Tuesday morning a replacement…
AltDotPop: Nothing happened this week but we can still laugh together
It was a good week to be a celebrity. No one seems to be getting divorced, going to jail, OD'ing on meth, nothing. What the hell are you people doing? It's Spring Breeeeeeak!!!!! Get crazy, do something dumb so I can write about it. Good lord, even Charlie Sheen had a tame week. It's like…
Too fat for swinger sex: the latest excuse for a crash diet
For most women and many men, weight is a serious concern. The mood of my entire day can hinge on if I feel skinny or if a coworker asks if I've been working out more. It's no secret that when assessing their attraction to a woman, men first study her physical beauty before considering other…
The Gaily News: Story about gay penguins tops challenged books list, GLAAD’s latest awards winners, Britain lifts gay blood donation ban, NOM volunteer supports gay marriage
The true story of two male penguins who parented a chick together at Central Park Zoo tops the American Library Association's list of 10 most frequently challenged books in 2010. And Tango Makes Three also came in the top 10 in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Scott to finally divest family shares of Solantic?
The Palm Beach Post is reporting that Rick Scott is (finally) in the process of divesting his family’s shares of Solantic, the health care company that Scott co-founded in 2001, to eliminate any perception of a conflict of interest. As Scott continues to push policies that critics say would benefit the urgent care chain (such…
Have your disposable cup and eat it, too! New vegan edible cups are tasty and biodegradable
Imagine a world where the cups are entirely biodegradable. On top of that, in this world, those cups are actually edible. Even better: the edible, biodegradable cups are animal product-free. Sounds like a pretty sweet alternate universe. Well, this sweet green alternative to the plastic disposable cup is real. The Way We See the World…
Rick Scott to finally divest shares from Solantic; Kathy Castor begins Democrats’ assault on Paul Ryan’s Medicare plan, and the leading contender to face President Obama next year takes first step toward that goal: Mitch Perry Report 4.12.11
Florida Governor Rick Scott has acted pretty darned arrogantly over his first 100 days in office, so it's interesting to note that after appearing to be tone deaf to charges of a potential conflict of interest with his wife continuing to own shares of his urgent care company called Solantic, he now says he's going…
Democrats ready to pounce on Paul Ryan’s plan to dismantle Medicare
Numerous political columnists and analysts have applauded Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan's budget House Republican proposal for 2012, with "courageous" and "bold," being the key adjectives being employed. But as we've been reporting on since the 40-year-old Congressman unveiled the plan nearly a week ago, Ryan's "courage" in attempting to deal with Medicare and Medicaid amounts…
CD review: REM, Collapse Into Now
There are two kinds of R.E.M. fans — those who used to love them and those who still do. To those reading this, I'll admit I fall into the former category. For me, the band lost huge credibility with their cash-rewarded move to big rock stardom. As happens with so many pop music acts, they…
The feminine wiles of Annie Leibovitz’s Women
Annie Leibovitz's evocative, attention-grabbing photos have been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and in the "Got Milk?" advertising campaign. See 60-plus Leibovitz photographs in Women, an exhibit that focus on the American woman at the turn of the millennium. The portraits show women from all walks of life. The pictures are…
Holy hits: Rays rough up Red Sox 16-5
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It’s almost impossible to describe the ridiculous contrast between the Rays team that boarded a plane in Chicago yesterday and the one that landed in Boston. The version visiting Beantown beat the pants off the Redsox to the tune of 16-5 and a…
DVD/Blu-Ray Review: Paul Weitz’s Little Fockers
It’s more absurd, crude and irrational than the ones before it, but Little Fockers — the third installment in the Meet the Parents franchise — can’t hold a candle to the beloved original, or even the mediocre sequel. The plot of Little Fockers, more than anything else, is an excuse to get a bunch of…
Bacon cologne: The new frontier of fragrance
It all began in 1920, when Parisian butcher John Fargginay accidentally came across an interesting aroma. By combining a super secret recipe of eleven different pure essential oils with the essence of bacon, he was able to create a scent that would, "dramatically elevate his customers' mood." Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Fargginay invented bacon cologne.…
Romney announces exploratory committee for presidency (video)
In this ever so tepid race for the race for the Republican nominee, the lackluster start has enabled celebrity businessman Donald Trump to take second in a couple of opinion surveys last week, simply by his appearances on television over the last month questioning President Obama's birth certificate. There is only one man who bests…
Bucs Coach Morris, Ronde Barber and Pam Iorio added inpsiration to the motivational ChairScholars Fest
A summer-like swelter didn't prevent hundreds of relatives, loved ones and friends from cheering on 35 scholarship recipients in Odessa on April 9. At the 15th annual ChairScholars Festival, kids with mobility challenges, blindness and deafness and other disabilities, were given the chance to attend a full four years of college — an inspiring act…
#MusicMonday, Vol. 34: The Dodos, Fleet Foxes, Rush, and more!
The CL Music Team kicks off some jams to rocket launch us into the work week! Here’s what we’re spinning now; to check out previous entries, click here. – The Dodos, No Color (2011), TV on the Radio, Nine Types of Light (2011) I wasn't so much a fan of The Dodos' last album, 2009's…
Activists to target General Dynamics in St. Pete on Wednesday for selling military equipment to Libya
The St. Petersburg based activist group St. Pete for Peace has announced they will be leading a protest against weapons manufacturer General Dynamics this Wednesday afternoon for selling military equipment to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The BBC reports that in May 2008, General Dynamics inked a $165 million contract to equip the Libyan army's elite…
EarthTalk: Toxic ingredients in cleaning products
Courtesy of: EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Why don’t cleaning products have to list their ingredients, and are these products tested for what they might do to your health? — Patricia Greenville, Bethel, CT Since cleaning products aren’t food, beverages or drugs meant to be ingested, they aren’t regulated, per se, by…
Celebrate National Cheese Fondue Day with free cheese fondue at The Melting Pot: April 11-14
In honor of National Cheese Fondue Day today, April 11, The Melting Pot restaurants are extending a cheesy good offer: free cheese fondue from April 11-14! "We are leveraging a nationally recognized day (April 11) to introduce our brand to new guests, show our appreciation to returning guests and share the unique dining experience we…
Emily’s List President comes to Tampa, President Obama to address entitlement reform, and CNN allows Donald Trump to talk about birth certificates: Mitch Perry Report 4.11.11
Hello again everybody – hope the non government shutdown weekend where every you were at. The man who replaced David Axelrod in the White House – David Plouffe – took his turn at appearing on nearly every Sunday morning television news program yesterday, where he previewed the theme of President Obama's speech this week on…
Review: USF Spring Dance Concert
In its Spring Dance Concert, the USF Dance Department continues to outdo itself in the skill and artistry of its performances. Undertaking the works of brilliant choreographers like Doug Varone and Talley Beatty is no small challenge, and the dancers and production staff indeed rise to the occasion. The headline dance, Varone’s version of Le…
CNN’s Candy Crowley says she’d rather speak with Donald Trump about China & Libya, but instead gives 10 minutes on Barack Obama’s birth certificate
The dearth of excitement amongst the Republicans considering their nominees for President became clearer last week when businessman and television personality Donald Trump ranked second behind Mitt Romney in two different surveys. A Public Policy Institute poll of New Hampshire voters had the Apprentice host with 21 percent of the vote, trailing only Romney's 27…
The head of Emily’s List in Tampa warns that plans to cut Planned Parenthood’s federal funding will come back
Although President Obama drew a line in the sand late last week in his last hour budget negotiations with House Speaker John Boehner when it came to a GOP proposal that would defund Planned Parenthood, Stephanie Schriock, the head of the Washington D.C. based political action group Emily's List, says that proposal will certainly come…
A Q&A with Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray; the seminal heavy metal group makes its first Tampa stop since 1988 this Sunday at St Pete Times Forum, Tampa
British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden return to Tampa for the first time since 1988, making good on a promise to return to Florida after their triumphant 2009 set in Ft. Lauderdale. Aside from bassist/founder Steve Harris, no one has been a member of Iron Maiden as long as guitarist Dave Murray [pictured below, far…
Dannon admits to erroneous health claims with Activia and DanActive products
The Dannon Company, Inc., who bought us products such as DanActive and Activia, are settling with Federal Trade Commissions for charges of deceptive advertising. According to the Federal Trade Commissions, “Dannon will stop claiming that one daily serving of Activia relieves irregularity, and that DanActive helps people avoid catching colds or the flu,” as both…
Do It Today: Meet author Michael Connelly and time-travel art via Book of Enid
Attentions mystery-fiction fans. This evening you have the unique opportunity to attend a talk and book signing with Lincoln Lawyer author Michael Connelly and knock back a pint at Four Green Fields. Connelly is one of the most successful writers working today, with 23 bestselling novels, translated into 35 foreign languages, and worldwide sales of…
Another Rays loss: 6-1 to White Sox
Another game, another loss. One run on four hits; if this sounds familiar, no, you’re not reading the same write up as before but if you watched the Tampa Bay Rays lose 6-1 to Chicago White Sox Sunday afternoon, you might have thought you were watching the same game. Without much exception, it was pretty…
David Plouffe tries to spin White House side of budget agreement by saying compromise isn’t a dirty word
Although we won't know until Monday the devil in the details – or actually, the details themselves of what constitutes the $38 billion plus in spending cuts that the White House and House Republicans agreed to Friday night to avert a government shutdown, it's fairly obvious who won. House Republicans and the tea party. It's…
The Green Community week in review: Shrooms replacing Styrofoam, Apple & Intel go “conflict-free”, health benefits of honey and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: EarthTalk: Can Japan do without nuclear energy? – Japan would be hard pressed to close all of its 54 nuclear reactors anytime soon, especially given that these plants provide over a third of the nation’s…
A step backward: Rays lose 4-2 to ChiSox
The Rays that played in the third game against the Chicago White Sox once again looked like a completely different team than the one that played the first six games of the 2011 season. True, they still lost this game 4-2. Also true is the fact that 2 runs on 6 hits is little better…
UPDATE: Congress comes to term on budget – no govt. shutdown
Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson blasted House Republicans regarding the negotiations to come up with a budget for the rest of the fiscal year this afternoon, calling it "ideological extremism at its worst" several times in a conference call with Florida reporters. Nelson said that an agreement to cut a total of $78 billion from…
See Professional Bull Riders For $10
Have you ever seen bull riding? I don't mean a mechanical bull at your favorite watering hole. I'm talking about eight seconds of furious action between the best humans and bulls that the Professional Bull Riders organization has to offer. If you haven't had a chance to see it live, PBR's premiere tour is in…
Lightning put on a show, beat Panthers 4-2 in home finale
Friday night was fan appreciation night at the St. Pete Times Forum as the Tampa Bay Lightning wrapped up their regular season home schedule with one final tune up against their cross stat rival, the Florida Panthers. And boy, the Lightning sure did a good job showing their appreciation of the fan support this year…
Rays win: bats come alive in 9-7 win over ChiSox
In their first game away from home and first after the retirement of Manny Ramirez, the Tampa Bay Rays looked like a team with something to prove. With the departure of the would-be Hall of Famer in the wake of alleged drug problems, the Bay-area boys came out and bested their scoring output over the…
Manny: the end of an error
Dear Manny, Way to make me look like an asshole on TV for condemning those who booed you. How could you be so selfish? Thanks a lot, dick. Your pal, -KT P.s. Rays fans: Boo ‘til your hearts’ content. Sorry if you drank the Kool-aid and bought the merch. “The Tampa Bay Rays were informed…
Mark your calendar to support arts education — by playing Monopoly
Get out your hat and race car: Community Stepping Stones, a non-profit after-school arts organization based in Sulphur Springs, is holding an official Monopoly Tournament on Sat., April 16. Six players will be at each table with a banker provided. There will be two 90-minute rounds of play; the six highest asset holders after the…
Moffitt Cancer Center in danger of losing funds
Nikki -I can't reveal her source. She works in Tallahasee HB 5303 they want to cut $10 million out of Moffitt, if you can't afford to pay for additional drugs you can be denied. It was placed in teh Republicans…all the Republicans are Jamie Grant…..he refuses to cut to pay for the funding..he;s being harassed…
Honey: Is it the bee’s knees of miracle foods?
Honey has a reputation stretching back hundreds of thousands of years as a "miracle food" — although, since the advent of refined sugar, honey has been on the back-burner as a sweetener. You might be missing out on more than you bargained for when swapping the honey bear for the sugar bowl. That bear has…
Movie review: Joe Wright’s Hanna
Like the Grimm Brothers’ Hansel and Gretel (and related folklore) that figure so prominently in its design, Hanna is a fabulous modern riff on dark children’s fairy tales, assuming the form of a crackerjack thriller of survival and revenge. That it unfolds with startling precision and efficiency, with nary a wasted scene, is refreshing because…
Movie Review: Mans Herngren’s The Swimsuit Issue
A movie about synchronized swimming would usually seem like a lame idea, but with The Swimsuit Issue, director Mans Herngren has made an entertaining film that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with a well-written, believable story. Watching a group of middle-aged men throw on Speedos in the hopes of gaining a sense of purpose is comical in…
This weekend in Tampa Bay area live music: Pato Banton, Super Sidekick Records showcase, J Roddy Walston & the Business, The Radiators Farewell Tour, Easy Star Allstars, and more!
There's lots of live music going on this weekend above and beyond the Tampa Bay Blues Festival (click the hyperlink to find out more about the fest). See a complete breakdown of live music happs from tonight through Sunday below, with featured highlights at the top and the rest of the week’s schedule at the…
Steve-O brings his jackassery to the Improv tonight through Sunday
Steve-O, a.k.a. Stephen Glover, has puked, prat-falled and danced his way into our hearts by way of his buffoonery on MTV's Jackass, the ensuing films based on the nutty gag show, his zany travelogue Wild Boys and a puzzlingly sincere, post-injury stint on Dancing With the Stars. The outlandish performer is a master of physical…
Man sues Monster Beverage Co. after finding a furry surprise in his energy drink
Vitaliy Sulzhik’s day took a turn for the worst when he finished his Monster Energy drink, bought from local Fred Meyer supermarket in Federal Way, Washington, only to learn that the can was not actually empty. A confused Sulzhik said, “I put [the can] down, and I felt it was still heavy. So I backwashed…
The Water Cooler: Fla. U.S. Senate field additions? And, the biggest sham in America.
The Water Cooler is a snapshot look at some of the things people are talking about in politics By Chris Ingram The Florida U.S. Senate race continues to look like another Bill Nelson victory forthcoming in November 2012. The current crop of candidates, which includes Senate President Mike Haridopolos and former State Rep. Adam Hasner…
USF Miss International Pageant provides students with the opportunity to showcase unique cultures
For the past 26 years, the Caribbean Culture Exchange (CCE) at the University of South Florida has invited young women to showcase not only their beauty and their grace but also their unique heritage at the Annual Miss International Pageant. There are seven contestants for this year's big event on Saturday, April 9. The women…
The Gaily News: Archaeologists unearth gay caveman, study finds more than 8 million in the US identify as lgbt, Proposition 8 judge says he’s gay, 50 Cent speaks up in defense of DJ Mister Cee
Archaeologists in the Czech Republic say they’ve unearthed the remains of what they believe is the first known gay caveman. The body, dating back to sometime between 2900 and 2500 BC, was buried with domestic pots and jugs, the way women were buried during that time period, which is why they believe he might have been…
Tampa drivers to get fined for going thru red lights (in some parts of the city), Democrats say they won’t capitulate to GOP on funding Planned Parenthood in budget battle, and new film look at Cleveland mafia in the 1970’s: Mitch Perry Report 4.8.11
Happy Friday to you all – don't you dig the higher humidity coming our way? A Tampa Trib article says that we may be getting record high temperatures for this time of the year this weekend. Fun! Domestically it's all about John Boehner vs. Barack Obama and Harry Reid as the government shutdown looms large. …
Wall Street Journal editorial board on Republicans strategy on the budget showdown: Self-contradiction is not a good sound political strategy (video)
As we write this (a little before 8 a.m. on Friday morning), the Democrats In Washington D.C., led by the President himself, have decided that they can capitulate no more to the growing demands of House Republicans as a government shutdown beckons tonight at midnight. As those of you following the negotiations are aware of,…
Earth Talk: The human right to clean and fresh water
Courtesy of: EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Recently the UN voted to declare access to safe and clean water a “human right.” Isn’t that a no-brainer? What are the ramifications of this declaration? — P. James, Boston, MA In July 2010 the United Nations (UN) agreed to a new resolution declaring the…
Specific charge in HART-Armijo investigation surfaces in St. Pete Times
Props to the St. Pete Times Justin George for getting some specific information into today's paper about one of the allegations made against HART CEO David Armijo, who was originally put on a two-week paid suspension by the transit agency's board last month after they received allegations of improprieties committed by Armijo. On Monday, the…
“Kill the Irishman” a fascinating look at the Cleveland mafia in the 1970’s, opens today in Tampa
Opening Friday at the CineBistro theatre in Tampa's Hyde Park is the new film Kill the Irishman, a look at the real life Cleveland gangster Danny Greene, who ultimately died of a car bomb in 1977 at the age of 47. As I've subsequently learned in recent days, there were lots of car bombs that…
Dining Guide: Food and drink deals for the happy hour enthusiast
On a budget or just plain cheap? Here are some great happy hour (and after hours) food and drink deals around the Bay area. BELLA BRAVA 204 Beach Drive, St. Pete, 727-895-5515, bellabrava.com. Boasting the “longest happy hour on Beach Drive,” Bella Brava’s daily deals include $1.99 Bud Light drafts, $2.99 wells and $4.79 sangria…
Do It This Weekend: Tampa Bay Blues Fest, Dunedin Highland Games, Harry Connick Jr., Derby Darlins, art shows and more
If you like feeling down and dirty in your soul — or just dig outdoor fests with Delta-inspired tunes and finger-lickin' 'cue — then head to the Tampa Bay Blues Fest, a spring music tradition since 1995. Organizers of the 2011 edition are testing out a few fresh themes, including “Best of the Fest” lineups.…
It Was Over When…: a book for disillusioned daters and casual man-haters
My wife has a first aid kit for numbing the sting of a friend's breakup: bottles of Riesling, jumbo packs of Skittles, and tabloid magazines. The tabloids serve a number of functions: they provide eye candy of single celebrity hunks, they show that even flawless stars have to deal with relationship problems, and their stories…
Sparks fly between Curran and Foster at St. Pete City Council Meeting
During the quarterly police update with Police Chief Chuck Harmon Thursday morning, the issue of homelessness once again came to a head. In response to information that 20 beds are empty at the St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter, Councilmember Leslie Curran raised concerns about safety for children and families at Unity Park. “Why are…
Glenn Beck’s environmental greatest hits (video)
With the recent news out that Glenn Beck is leaving Fox News later this year, it's never too early to reminisce about the "good old days", eh? And with Beck being such an outspoken (to put it nicely) advocate for the American people and this country, some are already looking back at some of his…
Tampa City Council approves red light cameras
In a victory for the Tampa Police Department, the Tampa City Council Thursday morning narrowly approved a proposal to install red light cameras in different 20 intersections throughout the city. The measure passed on a 4-3 vote, after the previous council two weeks ago had deadlocked at 3-3, bringing the issue back before the newly…
In defense of Sam Adams: Why the venerable Boston Beer Company still matters
Ask almost any self-professed “beer geek” today his opinion of Samuel Adams or the Boston Beer Company, and it is quite likely you will get a snide remark about the brewery being “not really a craft brewery anymore,” or faint praise along the lines of, “Well, it’s better than Budweiser.” With the recent explosion of…
Do It Today: Peter Baldwin at Rock the Park, Pinkberry Grand Opening and Kona Grill gets wild for charity
Tonight's Rock the Park at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park offers family- and outdoor-friendly groovy music, the that the kids dance to and maybe gets your tush shaking a little. That all said, none of the band playing tonight is by no means generic; these aren't the Buffett-wannabees you see at beach bars. Playing the tonight…
New Florida poll shows Obama down, Nelson up; Glenn Beck “transitioning” off Fox News Channel, and AFL-CIO’s Rich Templin gets the troops fired up as the Legislature’s assault on unions continues: Mitch Perry Report 4.7.11
As we all wait to see what happens with the budget showdown in Washington D.C., a new Quinnipiac poll released today is an important one for those who hope Barack Obama is re-elected in 2012. Surveying Florida voters a year and a half or so before the election, Barack Obama is more unpopular than ever…
Book Review: Under the Small Lights, by John Cotter
John Cotter has a way with words. He has a way with dialogue, with setting a scene, with crystallizing description and insight into just a handful of words. He has a way of wrapping his observations about lost generations, about the charade of the Bohemian lifestyle, about the fragility of ideals when they crash into…
Joe Biden off his prediction? New poll says Nelson up, Obama down in Florida
When Vice President Joe Biden cross-crossed the I-4 corridor 15 days ago for a couple of fundraisers for Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, he quipped that," As goes Bill Nelson in Florida, go Barack Obama and Joe Biden in Florida." But a new Quinnipiac poll released early Thursday morning begs to differ with the V.P.'s…
Lauren Book walks her way through Tampa on the way to Tally to raise awareness about sexual abuse
Lauren Book-Lim continued her journey to raise awareness of sexual abuse on Wednesday, as she walked her way through Tampa as part of her 1,000-mile journey across the state of Florida that will end in Tallahassee later this month with a rally to support pending legislation. That would be SB 488, The Walk In Your…
And the winner is… One restaurant bests the eggs-cellent competition to be crowned Breakfast Bowl champion
Editor's Note: In today's print issue of CL where this article appears, page 18 — which reveals the winner — was accidentally omitted. Call it the curse of the Breakfast Bowl or just bad luck, but anyhow, we'll be righting this wrong by adding that extra page in next week's issue. The full version is…
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon has high hopes for the 2011 season
Toward the end of spring training, the ever-amiable manager of the Tampa Bay Rays sat down with Creative Loafing to talk optimistically about the season ahead, team chemistry and the latest in men's fashion crimes. A week later, the Rays endured an opening-weekend sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, scoring one measly run…
Movie review: Soul Surfer
It's probably impossible to watch Soul Surfer without feeling inspired. Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a competitive surfer who overcame the loss of her left arm in a shark attack at the age of 13, the film is strong enough to suck you in even if you're not a fan of feel-good…
Music Week: moe., Pato Banton, J Roddy Walston and the Business
Plus more of the week’s best concerts.
Surfer Bethany Hamilton has ridden a wave of tragedy to personal triumph.
It's been almost eight years since Bethany Hamilton overcame the life-threatening shark attack that claimed her left arm. Over that time, Hamilton has told her death-defying tale in the media, established (with family and friends) the Friends of Bethany Foundation to help shark-attack victims and amputees, and seen her inspiring true story adapted for the…
Neighborhood Dining Guide: Happy Hours
A guide to the best discount drinks in the Bay area
Theater review: Songs for a New World at New American Theater
I grew up listening to the cast albums of Broadway musicals. Years later when I attended shows, it was my childhood experience that shaped my expectations: all I wanted was one terrific tune after the next, deeply affecting my emotions with just the right combination of melody and lyric. I was, I'm sorry to say,…
Should a child with a peanut allergy just stay home?
Arcadia, a small, rural town in south Florida, had some trouble back in 1987. A group of concerned parents gathered together to protest the presence of the Ray children in their elementary school. Richard, Robert and Randy Ray were brothers, hemophiliacs and AIDS patients. By the mid-1980s, most of us knew that AIDS couldn't be…
Visual Arts Review: Exquisite Self: Fabricated Boundaries at Collective Tattoo and Gallery
There's something timeless about the human fascination with a great hairdo. Think of Marie Antoinette's mounds of Rococo curls or the 1980s man mullet, Farrah Fawcett's wispy blowout or the tight ringlets on a marble statue of a woman from ancient Roman times. Each is of its moment, but at the same time there's not…
Welcome wagon: The Church of Scientology moves into Ybor City
Three days after more than 2,000 Scientologists crowded into the historic Ybor Square courtyard to celebrate the opening of the Church of Scientology Tampa's new home — a landmark 88,000-square-foot former cigar factory in Ybor City — Creative Loafing editor David Warner and I found ourselves in a COS conference room facing several of the…
Preview: The 2011 Tampa Bay Blues Fest
Vinoy Park has served as the scenic waterside setting of innumerable festivals over the years, and among its longer-lived events is the Tampa Bay Blues Fest, a spring music tradition since 1995. Organizers of the 2011 edition are testing out a few fresh themes, including "Best of the Fest" lineups on Friday and Saturday that…
Date debate
I came out as trans-something/genderqueer three years ago. I was born male but live my life predominately as female. I'm 25 now. Coming out involved accepting that it would complicate my ever finding someone. I haven't dated since. My problem: Today, a guy my age asked me out while making me a sandwich in a…
This week at the movies
Arthur, Hanna, Win Win and more
In defense of Sam Adams
Ask almost any self-professed "beer geek" today his opinion of Samuel Adams or the Boston Beer Company, and it is quite likely you will get a snide remark about the brewery being "not really a craft brewery anymore," or faint praise along the lines of, "Well, it's better than Budweiser." With the recent explosion of…
Super Sidekick Records Showcase
Comic books and rock are the themes of the evening when Tarpon Springs-based label Super Sidekick Records throws a showcase party where attendees can snag copies of the first and second issues of its exclusive comic series, The Adventures of Super Russ, and catch live music by two bands that are currently repped by the…
Breakfast Bowl 2011: And the winner is …
Say what you will about popularity contests, but the CL Breakfast Bowl managed to produce some terrific results. The five restaurants that overcame the other 59 competitors are all worthy spots for a morning nosh, all winners whether you focus on voting tallies or take a trip and experience them for yourself. Which is what…
Hellboy hot against Halos as Rays regress
Who’s hotter than Hellickson? The Ray’s rookie rocked with 10 strikeouts but still took the loss as the Bay-area bats remained flat, save for one. B.J. Upton continued to impress in the 5-1 loss against the LAA – The Team With Too Many Words In Its Name. Upton went long to lead off the home…
Movie review: Russell Brand’s Arthur is not as bad as you think but not as great as the original (with video)
I shuddered when I first saw the trailer for the new, two-point-noooo! Arthur, directed by Jason Winer. The preview beckoned a pop-culture apocalypse for me — like those ridiculous parodies you see in futuristic sci-fi flicks — but uncomfortably in the present with loud, over-the-top blockbuster cliches. Talk about gilding the lily. To my eyes, Hollywood…
Do urban trees really help reduce pollution and clean the air?
Courtesy of: EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Do urban trees really help reduce pollution and clean the air? —John Alderman, Washington, DC Back in 1872 Frederick Law Olmsted, the granddaddy of American landscape architecture and the designer of New York's Central Park, proclaimed that trees were the "lungs of the city." While…
Tampa Bay food and drink events
Wednesday, April 6: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits – South Tampa Taste 60+ craft beers from around the world at this special ABC tasting event. Cost is $10 and guests will receive a coupon good on the night of the event and a souvenir beer glass. $10; 6-8 p.m. 3110 West Gandy Blvd, Tampa. 813-839-7167,…
EarthTalk: Can Japan do without nuclear energy?
Courtesy of: EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Were Japan to close all its nuclear plants following the recent damage and radiation leaks from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, what could its energy mix look like? Would it be able to provide all of its power in other ways? — Richard Miller,…
The Green Community week in review: FL Green Party calls for shutdown of nuclear plants, harnessing “pee power”, broken global food system and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: EarthTalk: Our broken global food system – Economic inequality among nations and other factors have contributed to a global food system whereby two billion people are seriously undernourished while another billion are substantially over-consuming. 'Local…
This weekend at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival: World market, wine tastings, tattoo and belly dancing competitions and more
It's the Wonders of the World Weekend at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, April 2-3. In addition to the rest of the festivities, guests can experience an array of exotic experience in the special events field, including:
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Tampa Bay Living Green Expo, Learning Gate EcoFest, Hyde Park Fresh Market and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Dunedin Green Market- Fridays: 8 am-1 pm, Saturdays: 9 am-2 pm (through April). 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…
Tonight’s Top Chef All-Stars preview: La finale est arrivé!
The two remaining chef'testants are hitting the ground running during the Top Chef: All-Stars finale tonight! I'd say there are two distinct groups of fans who will be watching tonight's final showdown: Those who desperately want Blais to win and those who desperately want Jersey Mike to not win. Of course, there will be some…
