Hillsborough State Attorney race flares up with accusations of absenteeism
Hillsborough County State Attorney Mark Ober is finding himself in what's probably an unfamiliar place this week — on the defensive. The longtime head prosecutor is in a partisan battle to hold on to his position, something he's not used to. It's been eight years since the Republican, who enjoys bipartisan support, has faced a…
Do This: Pasco Paddlepalooza
The life aquatic.
Do This: Thee 21st Anniversary of New World Brewery
Oh, the times we can’t remember.
Your Weekend: Kill the Wedding Singer
Please get out of my Van Halen T-shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.
Do This: Mobile kitchen congregation in Ybor
Celebrate Latin food and culture with a diverse range of offerings at the Ybor City Latin Food Fest.
Do This: Hello from the Urban Slide
The giant Slip ‘N Slide at Saturday’s Florida Blueberry Festival will put your backyard one to shame.
Florida environment group calls on Pam Bondi to cut crap, drop Obama carbon lawsuit
When the Obama Administration announced its rather ambitious goal of cutting carbon emissions that stem from power plants, environmental groups were elated. After all, while there’s no way to stop climate change in its tracks, let alone reverse what has already happened, but the thought is that curbing the amount of carbon dioxide we pump…
The Ybor City Issue 2016: Cock fight
History fears the roosters. That’s not a metaphor; the Ybor City Museum State Park has one of the few state-sanctioned cats, named History, and he’s petrified of the peeps of roosters roaming the streets. As far as cats go, History’s tiny, which means the roosters outweigh him. He lives in the garden on the museum…
The Ybor City Issue 2016: The lost world of Ybor City (WITH VIDEO)
Gary R. Mormino is scholar in residence at the Florida Humanities Council. In 2015, he was awarded a lifetime achievement award in writing. He co-authored The Immigrant World of Ybor City: Italians and their Latin Neighbors in Tampa, 1885-1985. At the end of this article, watch a video of his Segway guided tour of Ybor…
How they roll: Ybor’s cigar industry may have faded, but its storefront biz thrives
The long, burgundy-manicured fingernails on Odelma Matos’s hands belie the career in which she has been steeped for some 28 years, since she was 16. They do anything but suggest that she rolls some 150 cigars a day. She is careful to scrub the tobacco residue from her hands so it doesn’t stain, she said,…
The Ybor City issue: Designing Ybor — A shapeshifting neighborhood is becoming a hub for creatives
Born a cigar town, Ybor City has assumed several identities in its long history, some more intentionally than others. Indie business incubator. Hardcore party precinct. And now — design district? For years, architectural firms have been quietly setting up shop in Ybor alongside ad agencies and other creative businesses. Now AIA Tampa Bay, regional chapter…
The Ybor City issue: Beds for heads — New development in Ybor could lead to greater livability
It’s hard to imagine a time when Ybor City wasn’t a colorful nightlife district where locals and tourists poured in on weekend evenings only to desert it in the wee hours of the following morning. While the neighborhood is flanked by residential areas and sprinkled with a few hotels and rental units, not a lot…
The Ybor City Issue 2016: Rocking out in Ybor
Rock Brothers Brewing starts construction on its new brewery/bar/live music venue, The Attic.
The Ybor City Issue 2016: Nobody asked
Susan Johnson and Theo Wujcik: An Ybor love story.
Old World city, New World energy: Lori Rosso and Ybor City
Lori Rosso and I arrived in Gulfport at about the same time. I'd taken a job writing for the Gulfport weekly and she'd agreed to serve as president of the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce. One of my first assignments? Introduce her to Gulfport. Rosso, fresh from a fast-paced, high-pressure job in DC, had bought the…
Do This: Vegan bake sale for the kitties
Tampa’s Mojo Books & Records set to pair its 6th Annual Vegan Bake Sale with Record Store Day.
The Ybor Issue 2016: Dining, drinking around the district
Everything from seafood, Cuban coffee and sandwiches to crepes, craft beer and Italian favorites.
Fast food, other low-wage workers plan major strike Thursday over minimum wage
With a boost in morale from recent victories in California, Pennsylvania and New York, local fast food workers active with the Fight for $15 movement are planning on walking out on their jobs Thursday to draw attention to their plight. While the Fight for $15 movement is typically associated with fast food workers, in recent…
On the Sauce: Rhum Noir, Sea Salt
Inspiration for this specialty rum drink by Sea Salt’s Phillip Bryan came from a bourbon classic.
The Laugh Tract: “Full House” dads, “Last Comic Standing” grads
Oh, my. It's Takei. He's not a stand-up comedian, but George Takei's Sun Dome show will be one of the bigger events this week. We're putting it here because there should be plenty of inside jokes and laughter. Besides, who has a funnier Facebook page than Takei? He's not the only big name, of course.…
The Ybor City Issue 2016: Night & day
The food and drink scene in Ybor City has changed since CL’s first Yborhood spotlight.
Bob Saget: talking dirty with my favorite 90’s super dad
Bob Saget talks penises.
Restaurant review: House proud at Sushi House
Sushi House by kazoku sushi serves up terrific sushi in an Ybor City bungalow.
On the rise: Artisan-style pizzeria planned for longtime Fortunato’s space
Fortunato’s Italian Kitchen to be replaced with new pizzeria from The Oyster Bar owner on 200 block.
Sh*t happened 4/13/16: Buckhorn gives State of the City, gummy kids arrested, Islamophobic billboard
All right, let's dump out Tuesday's mixed bag of happenings, and parse through it without regard for the feelings of any one individual or brand. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn gave the annual State of the City address at the Bryan Glazer Family JCC. He quite rightly touted the fact that downtown no longer turns into…
Tonight in live music: Eightball Aitken and Nicholas Roberts plus TV Girl + more
A look at three concerts happening this Wed., April 13.
Buckhorn touts growth of decent jobs, progressive thinking at annual State of the City Address
Around a thousand people gathered Tuesday morning at the Bryan Glazer Jewish Community Center, a former sporting venue and the place where President John F. Kennedy spoke in Tampa only four days before his assassination, to hear Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn share his yearly State of the City speech. As he addressed his fans, Buckhorn…
Rick Baker to run for not-Congress
Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker said Tuesday he is not going to run for Congress this year, the Tampa Bay Times reports. The news comes after months and months of apparent indecision, as well as polling that helped fuel speculation that he was quite interested in running for Florida's 13th Congressional District seat —…
More than 40 eateries, vendors unite for all-you-can-eat benefit
On Saturday, eat and drink with Best of Tampa Bay’s tastemakers in downtown Tampa.
Kathy Castor calls on feds to investigate Scott administration for deflating HIV number
In late March, it was revealed that officials in Florida had, um, modified its number of new HIV diagnoses that occurred in 2014 to reflect about 1,500 fewer new cases that year (4,613 instead of 6,147). Though Florida's Department of Health played down the change as accounting for duplicitous names on the list, that revelation appalled…
Drink to a decade of local coffee this week and next
Kahwa Coffee plans to release a new 10 Days of Kahwa deal every day until April 20.
Concert review: Pearl Jam delivers a show for the ages at Amelie Arena, Tampa
Eddie Vedder & Co touched on all eras of their 25-year career during a nearly three-hour performance this past Mon., April 11.
Sh*t happened 4/12/16: Kids eat laced candy, poor people don’t live as long (derf)
It's Tuesday. That's all you need to know. Well, that and this… Four Boca Ciega High School students were hospitalized after eating drug-laced gummy candies brought to school by another student. Authorities say the candy most likely contained THC. The teens' symptoms included stupor and a desire to eat more candy, preferably while watching something…
Tonight in live music: Chris Pureka, Calidore String Quartet, Rita Wilson
Three noteworthy concerts are happening this Tue., April 12.
Weekly Tune-Up: Tunes for your week by Maxwell, Autolux, Parquet Courts + more
A playlist of 15 tunes to launch you into the week. Spotify playlist included.
Spring sting: Wasps suck
It’s springtime, and flowers and fauna all over the Bay area are in full regalia, reveling in their roles and relationship to the sun and rain. Birds and butterflies are everywhere, enjoying nature’s most anticipated time of the year. But we can never have anything nice. The wild card always has to show up, uninvited,…
Sh*t happened 4/11/16: Scott camp releases anti-video video, Hernando sex offender recaptured, teens dumb
Man, the weather was beautiful over the weekend, yeah? So beautiful, in fact, that the weird/fun/sick/otherwise remarkable news cycle seemed to almost shut down for a couple of days. Here's yer slim pickin's. FRIDAY, APRIL 8: A Rick Scott PAC fired back at the woman who called him an asshole in that viral video, releasing…
Hot and Fierce String Quartet Coming to a Chamber Near You
Millennials can play classical music, too
Tonight in live music: Lera Lynn, Pearl Jam
Two noteworthy concerts are happening in downtown Tampa tonight.
Safety Harbor to celebrate Florida’s favorite dessert
Key lime pie will drive a tropical fiesta from the Safety Harbor Public Library Foundation Thursday.
Concert review: Beatles fans relive the magic of the Fab Four at Ruth Eckerd Hall during Let It Be
The touring tribute won over a roomful of Beatles fanatics in Clearwater on Saturday night.
Concert review: They Might Be Giants play a double-header to a sold-out State Theatre
A look back at the show that happened in St. Petersburg on Tue., April 5.
Reasons to Watch: Black alien terrorist clones get fit. Or something.
Shit hits the fan this week in TV.
This Sunday in live music: EMEFE, Najee, Dawes with Hiss Golden Messenger + more
A breakdown of concerts happening this Sun., April 10.
Opera Review: Don Giovanni
Opera Tampa offers a robust production of the Mozart classic.
Rick Scott PAC dignifies activist’s Starbucks rant with a response
In the days since Cara Jennings' fortuitous run-in with Florida Governor Rick Scott in a Gainesville Starbucks, in which she called him an asshole and decried his spurning of Medicaid expansion money among other things, video taken of the incident has gone viral. Media outlets across the country have been debating whether Jennings, an activist…
Jim Ridley, editor of CL sister paper Nashville Scene, has died
Very sad news from our sister paper, the Nashville Scene: Its editor, Jim Ridley, died today at the age of 50 after suffering a heart attack on March 28. Read the eloquent tribute by former Nashville Scene managing editor Jack Silverman, and you'll understand why this is a loss not just for the paper and…
Activists call for recognition of, investigation into 1914 lynching
A handful of activists with the Uhuru Solidarity Movement gathered Thursday on the steps of St. Petersburg City Hall to demand the city take responsibility for the 1914 lynching of John Evans. A mob of some 1,500 white men, women and children lynched Evans, and was purportedly headed by St. Petersburg city officials. A noose…
Weekend Platter: Pick your own organic blueberries, cook vegan & more
Pinellas Pepper Fest, a blueberry U-pick and other events are this weekend’s food and drink picks.
Cognac, cheese seminars among Bern’s Winefest events left to choose from
The Grand Tasting is sold out, but there’s still a handful of things to do during Bern’s Winefest.
Sh*t Happened 4/8/16: Next Pier phase funded, TIA reveals SkyConnect, idiot steals puppies
Relax, prepare yourself for the final spate of cooler weather until October, and just breathe. Breathe in the news, breathe out the horror. Breathe in the news, breathe out the horror. The St. Pete City Council voted to fund the next phase of the pier's development and construction, despite changes made to the accepted design…
Back to the future: Inside one of Goody Goody’s public tastings
Goody Goody newcomers and returning tasters sampled more of its old-school revival Thursday.
At tumultuous meeting, Frank Reddick not reelected Tampa Council Chair
In the event that Tampa's Mayor Bob Buckhorn decides to make a rumored gubernatorial run in 2018, the position of mayor would automatically be filled by the chair of the Tampa City Council. With this in mind and after rumors of back room deals, political maneuverings and butt-kissing a la House of Cards, as Tampa Bay…
Wait for Brandon Portillo’s coming to an end
The first Florida restaurant from Portillo’s plans to open to the public next week in Brandon.
Dark & Sinful: Oh, the horror
Most of us have seen Friday the 13th and the horrors of Camp Crystal Lake. Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ve seen 2010’s Camp Hell, where evil destroys Camp Hope. All those girls without bras and impossibly sweaty boys chugging sweaty beers. I never went to a sleepaway camp as a kid; but, I have been…
St. Pete Council: yes to puppies and fracking ban, no to trolling GOP lawmakers
It was a nice try, but St. Pete City Councilman Steve Kornell's attempt to get his colleagues at the dais to pass a resolution demanding that state lawmakers' pay be tied to SAT/ACT scores didn't make the cut Thursday morning. Kornell's proposal came in the wake of Florida lawmakers' passage of a provision linking teacher…
St. Pete Pier, uplands clear funding hurdle
Though somewhat revised, plans to build a new St. Petersburg Pier and spruce up the area leading up to it from downtown cleared a crucial hurdle Thursday with members of the City Council unanimously voting to fund the next phases of the projects. The ease with which the measure passed and the generally positive tone…
Shots Fired: Frank Secich with Room Full of Strangers, at Local 662, St. Petersburg
Some photos from last night’s performance/signing.
Sh*t happened 4/7/16: Amphitheatre fire, idiot with tattooed face, Colonnade closes, more
Welcome to Thursday, your antidote to Wednesday and primary cause of pre-Friday anxiety. Ybor City untz-untz-untz nightclub Amphitheatre caught fire last night. The club was closed so no one was hurt; it burned for six hours, and this morning is suspected to have been caused by a welder's torch, and not some DJ's sick, incendiary turntable…
Memory’s tokens: How the Ghost of You Clings opens at Ybor’s Silver Meteor
Kym O’Donnell creates photographic talismans of imagined pasts.
Interview: Speaking words of wisdom with Let It Be — Beatles Tribute musician JT Curtis
A Broadway-style Beatles tribute show, Let It Be delves into the years beyond the legendary reign of the Fab Four.
Theater Review: The art of hatred shines at Asolo’s Disgraced
Everything a play should be. Everything America shouldn’t.
Album review: Jeremy Gloff, Those Who Survived
The local pop prince presents his 20th studio LP.
