Headline of the Day
From the St. Petersburg Times: "New rule could boot dogs out of pickup truck beds" Quick, someone notify PETA!
Obviously, you’re not a golfer
The Big Lebowski, the Coen Brothers' quirky ode to film noir and pot smoking, is coming out in a 10th Anniversary edition, and there's good news and bad news. On the upside, there is the way cool packaging of the bowling ball holding the two-disc edition, which includes both widescreen and full-screen versions. The down…
New Neil Young song in concert
Neil is touring Germany right now ahead of a US tour that will feature openers Wilco and Death Cab, and here is a pretty good audience vid of the third new song he has debuted on the tour, "When Worlds Collide:" (h/t to Thrasher's Wheat)
We’re on Two Wheels!
I've been meaning to get a bicycle for a while. The issue had come to a head as I've got an up and coming trip to the cultural mecca that is Cincinnati, OH. The friend I'm going to visit has, at my request, procured a bike (with a basket on the handle bars!) for me…
Dudes and Food — GNAtv
I just discovered GNAtv (thanks to EatingTampa), but this group of USF kids and recent graduates — headlined by Grayson and Alex (that's him in the pic) — have been posting video reviews of local eateries for months now. There's also a blog, which veers between addled college drinking antics, philosophical conversations and vaguely food-related…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Skipper’s Smokehouse continues its monthly series of femme-centric concerts –dubbed the “Girlie Shows” – with performances by Freight Train Annie and Seminole Heights, Judy Tampa and Bunko Squad, and Scone Train (pictured at right). 8 p.m., 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, $7. 2. Clearwater Downtown Partnership announces the grand opening of CaliYogurt, the first eco-friendly store…
The Short List — Tues., Aug. 26
Michelle Obama takes the stage for the opening night's keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. Sure it was Michelle's night, but Teddy Kennedy stole the show. Republican spoilers crash the convention. (Remember this next week when they pillory the Dems for doing the same thing right back.) Tonight: Will Hillary Clinton be a uniter…
Madonna should just get naked again
I'm so tired of Madonna. Is there anything pop's greatest sexpot won't do for a little cheap publicity? Her latest stunt finds her comparing John McCain to Adolf Hitler. Really, is that the best you can do, Madonna, to drum up interest for your "Sticky and Sweet" tour? From the L.A. Times: Madonna lumped the…
Olympic medal count settled.
Country by country medal counts in the Olympics don't matter. What? Hell yes, they do! I can't dream of an American sports fan who wouldn't at least prefer the U.S. get more medals than the Chinese. The two countries were the runaway 1-2 in medal total. In case you didn't know, the U.S. won the medal total…
Blending technology and 19th century ideals
Well, I'll be … Looks like our friends in the Sons of Confederate Veterans Tampa chapter have moved a little out of the 19th century and gotten themselves a website for their huge flag at I-75 and I-4. They have a list of news articles, an easy paypal donation form and even a nifty slideshow.…
Goodbye black bears, panthers, sea turtles; hello, 18 million more people
In another 50 years, when the state's population doubles, what will happen to Florida's wildlife? An end to the rich animal diversity of our state, suggests a new report conducted by the 1000 Friends of Florida. Among their findings: More than 7 million acres of farmland, woodland and other habitat will be converted to roads,…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Nosh on cheese and crackers, sip the house wine, then peruse handmade goodies by a few hundred local artisans at Craftsmen House Gallery. In 500 Plates: The Show, an exhibition of functional pottery that coincides with the release of Lark Books' 500 Plates & Chargers, three St. Petersburg potters who are featured in the…
Reel projections — August 25
First Batman, now Superman: It looks like Warner Bros. has taken a cue from the blockbuster success of The Dark Knight and will reintroduce the Man of Steel in his next big-screen outing, in what is commonly referred to as a “reboot.” Just as Christopher Nolan brought the Caped Crusader back to his origins in…
The Biden List — Mon., Aug. 25
I spent some time this weekend watching YouTube videos of Joe Biden. This one, from December of 2007 seems to me a good example of what to expect from Obama's VP selection. Joe who? His back story is inspiring but also has its share of dirty laundry. He's the new Dick Cheney! He's probably not…
If not a bar… where?
If I hear one more person tell me, “You aren’t going to meet your boyfriend in a bar,” I am going to punch someone in the gullet. What the hell do the rest of you people do? I am twenty… umm… something years old (gotta rock the anonymity) and frankly I am not about to…
NY Times touts St. Pete’s “cultural revival”
The New York Times Sunday travel section features a glowing report on St. Pete's new vibe. Nothing here that hasn't been written and rewritten before, but it's a nice slice of national recognition, with great quotes from Bob Devin Jones of Studio@620 and Raphael Perrier of Kahwa Coffee. Let's just hope Times readers do their…
Stone Temple Pilots no show in Tampa
My Sarasota-based coworker Amanda Schurr and her friend Eddie stopped by my place last night after visiting the Ford Amphitheatre to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, which Amanda wrote about here. They had no interest in watching headliner Stone Temple Pilots and split as soon as BRMC's set ended. We were sitting on my back…
The Short List — Weekend Edition
– Call it the renaissance of Kobe Bryant. Already on the verge of winning a gold medal with the redeem team, the once-accused rapist and all-around NBA "me-first" guy is apparently more popular in China than Yao Ming. On the heels of that comes the revelation Kobe loves comics, too, and soccer. – What's a…
More delaying and screwing around with Hometown Democracy
Yet another post for the WTF category. Florida Hometown Democracy, the citizen's initiative to let voters dictate growth, has suffered yet another blow on it's way to the ballot. Not much detail found in this article regarding FHD other than Judge Kenneth Marra said that the case landed in the wrong court. How come he…
Free Food Sunday
This Sunday (August 24), Pollo Tropical will give anyone wrapped in something — beach towel, blanket, an aura of hate and remorse — one of its new Cuban Wrap items. The promotion runs from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at all five Bay area Pollo locations (see below for addresses). Worth it? Well, it's free and you…
Breaking news …
Senator Barack Obama has chosen fellow senator Joe Biden to be his running mate. Read about it and check out the McCain response over at The Political Whore.
The phone call at 3 a.m.
No, not that phone call. Although one wonders whether Hillary had the news texted to her, too. Maybe Joe Biden called her himself. "Hillary! Hillary! Pick up, it's me, Joe! Guess what?"
Bottom of the Barrel Reflections
I had a long week. I spent it training to be an instructor in Rhetoric at USF. The course work and mandatory sports coat with leather elbow patches didn’t intimidate me. What worried me was that I was expected to be a role model for over 40 incoming freshman. This is a particularly daunting task…
Hold Steady guitarist slags Radiohead
The Hold Steady, to my ears, are basically a straightforward, neoclassic rock band that's managed to endear itself to the fickle indie set. Will there be any fallout from Hold Steady guitarist Tab Kubler dissing indie gods Radiohead and then praising Oasis, the bane of stateside hipsters? Or is it just silly blog fodder? "I…
“Boob size is obvious. Penis size is not.”
It’s not like most men have to worry your vagina isn’t going to be the right size. They don’t lie awake at night thinking about what an awesome girl you are and wondering what they'll find when they move to the bedroom. I know a lot of women who are a fairly open bunch; not…
U.S.A hoops mens team makes it to gold medal game.
The U.S.A Basketball men’s team – the Redeem Team, as it’s been dubbed – took another step in the proverbial road today, beating Argentina 101-81 in a game that ended a few minutes ago. The Americans play Spain in the gold medal game. It looked like a blowout early, with the U.S. holding at one…
Five Things to Do This Weekend
1. Christie Leneé (pictured) and Funkgrass Groove play a CD Release Party at Skipper’s Smokehouse with support provided by Rebecca Zapen and Tanya Radtke. Sun., Aug. 24, 6 p.m., 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, $7, 813-971-0666. 2. The Studio at 620 opens Here to There: A Photography-Based Research Project and Exhibit this Saturday afternoon. The featured…
Restaurant News
Bill Haines and Chef Phil, formerly of Bernini in Ybor City, have left to open their own concept in the beautiful and historic space where Big City Tavern used to be – next to Samurai Blue in Centro Ybor. Called Teatro on Seventh, it opens in mid-October. More information and menu items posted here soon.…
The Short List — Fri., Aug. 22
The Democratic convention starts Monday. In case you need a recap, here is the entire Democratic primary race in 7 minutes. Have a good weekend. McCain's housing crisis intensifies. His campaign explains it this way: "This is a guy who lived in one house for five and a half years — in prison." The choice…
Family bonding
I spent last week hanging with my fam, particularly my lil' sis Elizabeth, who is pictured with me and "Fins" co-songwriter/novelist Tom Corcoran at The Dubliner, Thurs., Aug. 14. We arrived at the SoHo pub following Hunter S. Thomspon biographer William McKeen's book signing (Corcoran and Thompson were buddies; co-wrote an unsold screenplay together). The…
Jack White on new James Bond theme song
When the news hit that Jack White and Alicia Keys (pictured) were teaming for the new James Bond theme song, "Another Way to Die," which I blogged about here, everyone at CL headquarters decided it will either be absolute brilliance or an utter turd. Perhaps sensing trepidation from his fan base, White has offered a…
STP, BRMC, Matt Pryor and more in Music Section
The Hanks perform tonight at New World, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club opens for Stone Temple Pilots at the Ford Amphitheatre Friday and Saturday marks the revival of the lauded In the Raw series at State Theatre. Which gig will you be attending? Big thanks to my coworkers for punching out the Music Section while I…
Billy Corgan has lost his mind
I gave up on the Smashing Pumpkins long ago. Within a year or so of the release of Siamese Dream, I was done. They just didn't do it for me anymore. In recent years, since Billy Corgan decided to revive the Pumpkins, it's seemed at times that he's lost his mind. Remember that full page…
Mamma Mia! is ABBA-licious
Because of my mad ABBA love, CL Events Editor Leilani Polk helped me procure free tickets to last night’s opening of Mamma Mia! at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. I was duly excited to hear the classics I’d grown to love both as a child and in my adulthood via the stellar CD ABBA…
The Wine Spectulator Rides Again
For years I've suspected the uber snooty, elitist-driven Wine Spectator Magazine of nefarious and economic-driven activities, with great wine reviews ("95 points! Stellar!") mere pages away from the same winery's glorious, full page ad spread. But those exceptional write ups have never been proven purchased… but this scandal is almost juicier. Robin Goldstein, writer and…
Maybe sex shouldn’t involve… talking
Not that long ago I made a poor decision. OK, twenty minutes ago I made a poor decision involving half a box of cereal at midnight… but this particular bad decision involved a man (or a really good man-impressionist), a woman (or the part of me that pretends to be a grown adult) and a…
Is T. Boone Pickens really concerned about the environment?
You've heard him on the radio and on TV, the rumbly voice of oil magnate T. Boone Pickens and his new clean energy plan. The first time hearing it, you probably thought it was a John McCain commercial. But after listening to his seemingly heartfelt call to stop our "addiction to oil" and move toward…
Five Things to Do Today
1. The winning photos have been selected for the juried Eighth Annual Members’ Show at Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. See the top-placing entries (including third place winner “Ybor Wayne” by Michael Schuhmann, pictured below) and the rest of the submitted images today. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 200 N. Tampa Street, Suite 130, Tampa, 813-221-2222; admission…
The Short List — Thurs., Aug. 21
It seems that John McCain owns so many houses, that even he doesn't know the total. A guy named Joe leads Obama's short list. And mine. Russian troops get comfortable at the port of Poti. Condi takes the secret shuttle to Baghdad. According to The Farmers' Almanac most of the nation will suffer a brutal…
Bloc Party officially leaks new album
Fans of Bloc Party will want to be at the indie disco-rocker's website tomorrow today (Thurs., Aug. 21). That's when the band "will digitally release their third album, Intimacy," reports CMJ. "A physical release will be available on October 28 via Atlantic Records, and will reportedly feature different tracks. Fans that pre-order the physical album…
A one-horse town with no shortage of jackasses
Honestly, I was incensed when I read this article: A small one-horse town in Nebraska named Hickman wants its one horse gone. Looks like the town grew up (and got re-zoned) around this old horse, Peter Rabbit, 32, who was born there. Now the City Council wants to enforce the laws that prohibit livestock since…
Rays in postseason?
I’m in full pennant-watch mode with the first-place Rays now. (At 77-48, they're tied with the Chicago Cubs for the best record in baseball.) Of course, you want the St. Pete team to win the Eastern Division and automatically make the playoffs. But what if Boston (they’re 4 1/2 games behind) surpasses the Rays with…
A signature Rays win.
If the Rays make the postseason, they can point to last night’s 4-2 win over the Angels as emblematic of how and why. They endured: • An opposing pitcher, Ervin Santana, who was ablaze, and took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. • A shaky start by starter James Shields; the Angels lineup smacked him…
Kayak contest winner announced!
Thank you for your submissions! We have notified our winner via e-mail but have not heard from them. They have until this Friday to redeem their prize. If, at that point, we do not have a winner, we will draw another winner. Check out our 8/27 issue to see who won. In the meantime, for…
Reel projections
It’s been a few weeks since I was sitting bewildered in the Baywalk Muvico as I viewed the trailer for Watchmen. Since then, I’ve been reading a co-worker’s copy of Alan Moore’s graphic novel, and my interest in the movie has gone up considerably. But recent legal squabbles have given the film's ubiquitous tagline a…
The Short List — Wed., Aug. 20
I haven't yet come across the leaked U2 tracks this guy is ranting about, but I gotta believe he's right on about the viral marketing angle. McCain takes a five point lead. Obama goes on the offensive. Just rewards: Air America's excellent Rachel Maddow gets a primetime show on MSNBC. Oh. My. God. Lauer and…
“I shave, you shave. We all shave for hygiene”
Here’s the deal. I know a LOT of men who would agree that most women should be virtually hairless, and I for one, would have to agree with them. I also know a LOT of women who feel that men should start sharing in this joyous activity. Imagine you are with a woman for the…
“My punk rock lifestyle is becoming a hobby.”
Several years ago, a friend lamented, “My punk rock lifestyle is becoming a hobby.” We discussed this thought over the course of several hours and several beers. We were getting to the point in our lives where having a full-time, 9-to-5 job was more necessity than chore. We were homeowners. We were planning families with…
The guys I like, they know Star Wars
During a recent conversation with fellow blogger Mean Amanda, I learned an interesting fact about her. In all her 25 years, she's never, not once, seen Star Wars. I'm a Star Wars fan — not so much a nut. I've never worn a Padawn learner's hair braid or anything. I don't know the names of…
City Firefighter Contract Dispute an Opportunity in Disguise
As the City of Tampa’s contract with firefighters arrives before City Council on Thursday, a unique opportunity presents itself. The question is: who will be brave enough to embrace it? The current contract dispute circles around two issues, staffing on trucks and salaries. Unfortunately, both sides have so far treated this dispute as a zero-sum…
Five Things to Do Today
1. Sunscreen Film Festival continues its Movie Night series with a screening of the Scorsese classic, Goodfellas, at The Garage Bar tonight. 8 p.m., 662 Central Ave., downtown St. Petersburg, free. 2. Mamma Mia!’s opening night at TBPAC was cancelled yesterday due to the threat of Fay, but the show goes on tonight as scheduled. Pictured…
HCC: New buildings, new courses, new image
Hillsborough Community College can't get any respect. For years, the college — which has five locations — has been known as the cheap and easy option for older students and high school graduates not accepted into other state schools. Last year, HCC rated second to last in graduation rates of the state's community colleges. The…
It’s never too late
If you think you waited too long to go to college, think again.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club revs its engines
A decade on, California’s BRMC trades space-rock for Americana.
Commuter transportation goes green
A Tampa company offers an electric alternative.
Fay, Madonna and the Olympics
Plus, R.I.P. Bigfoot
Elegy: A melancholy chamber piece
Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz slow dance around love
Suburban farmer, part 1
For a better home and garden.
Thrifty shopping
Where to find vintage, used or stuff that’s just plain cheap.
College Survival Guide ’08
CL’s tips for getting the most out of USF, UT, Eckerd, HCC and SPC.
Volunteer here
Cool ways to help your local museum.
Monty Python’s Holy Grail Ale
From heartbreak and history comes comedy beer.
Party with your peers
College-friendly hangouts, from dive to deluxe.
Cheap eats: Tanglin’s, Alessi, Fortunato’s
Bust a gut, not your wallet, at these area eateries.
Boob size is obvious. Penis size is not.
Men should proclaim their shortcomings upfront.
Geri X, Ronny ElliotT and more to rock the State Theatre
From 2003-2006, In the Raw was one of the most successful showcases of local music on the Bay area scene. Now CL in Concert gives ITR new life — for one evening. The Unplugged-style concert will feature Geri X, a formidable singer/songwriter who displays naked emotion in her songs and performances; she splits time between…
Eckerd College: Wet and wired
You'd think that a school that began its life as a Presbyterian college and was renamed for a Republican drug store magnate might be a pretty stuffy, religious place to matriculate. Wrong. Eckerd bills itself as "the only private national liberal arts college in Florida," and it lives up to its reputation for free thinking…
Hatemyprofessors.com
College kids say the meanest things.
Discuss terms openly before moving forward
No free passes Savage Love My boyfriend and I have been monogamous for three years. We consider ourselves open, we enjoy different kinds of sex, and our toy collection is extensive. A couple of months ago, he brought up the fact that he has fantasized about me with other men. The term is cuckolding, right?…
The Bourbon of the free
And the home of unfortunate copywriting.
Scaling the U.S. mountain of debtI.O.U.S.A.:
See America’s economic crisis up on the big screen
Get Embedded
Jobsite deftly plays politics with Tim Robbins’ arresting agitprop.
College Survival Guide ’08
CL’s tips for getting the most out of USF, UT, Eckerd, HCC and SPC.
Sibling pride
Lil sis’ holds her own.
Wild Shrimp Company
What’s really wild are the prices.
Eat cheap
Where to chow down (or caffeine up) on a student budget.
Know your ingredients — Sichuan peppercorns
China’s spicy secret weapon
Crack moms for Christ
And other bad advice from my imaginary friends.
Peter Arrabal: “We can’t do our work without the help of the students.”
Who? University of Tampa senior Peter Arrabal Sphere of influence: Arrabal, 21, is the incoming editor of The Minaret, the campus newspaper which reaches nearly all the 2,000 students at UT. The biology major is also in the Sigma Chi fraternity. How he makes a difference: Arrabal joined The Minaret two years ago as a…
CreativeShare: A summit seeking solutions
Floridians head to Maine to think outside the box.
A primer on Tampa Bay’s primaries
Who’s who in five important races this Election Day.
USF Tampa: Growing strong
Despite its reputation as a commuter school (a point relentlessly harped on by sports commentators during nationally televised USF football games), USF Tampa is a place where students from wildly diverse backgrounds learn and grow as an academic community. With a student population of more than 45,000, USF has the unique challenge of accommodating an…
See Cruz (and more)
Short reviews of new and recent releases
Students with children
How single parents juggle coursework and kids.
Maybe sex shouldn’t involve… talking
Singe White Female gets asked to kiss it
China ferments its wine industry
Grape intentions rise in the East
Parents are liars
They’re not telling you the truth about their college years. Listen anyway.
Stone Temple Pilots, Tinsley Ellis
Plus Boston
USF St. Petersburg: Down by the water
It's small. It's on the waterfront. It's got a tavern with killer beers on tap just a few feet from its campus core. What more could you want from a college? The University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus is revered by its students as a sort of hidden gem. With a student body that…
Tampa Bay’s arts heroes
Which businesses and people have done the most for the local scene?
Kenny Chesney, My Morning jacket
Plus Young Jeezy
St. Petersburg College: They’ve got Pinellas covered
Founded in 1927 as a small, private community college, St. Petersburg College has grown into quite the educational powerhouse. The college boasts 65,000 students — more than the University of South Florida or University of Florida — spread throughout 10 campuses in six Pinellas County cities. Although SPC can't give you the full campus experience…
Well, hello, OLLI!
Lifelong learners open up new horizons at Eckerd and USF.
This week’s wine and food events
THURSDAY: BELLEAIR GRILL & WINE BAR Forget the reds, this week is all about summer whites, with five courses of food paired with crystal clear vino from around the world. $49, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Aug. 21, Belleair Grill & Wine Bar, 1575 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater (727-449-2988 or belleairgrill.com). FRIDAY: CHARLIE'S WINE BAR This Friday's…
Oly-Moly!
Live Olympic coverage is a myth
Let’s face it, I need some d@#$.
The Amandas dish out some advice.
University of Tampa: Building a reputation
Once upon a time, UT was known primarily as a place for rich kids who couldn't get into the University of Miami. That wasn't exactly true then, and isn't any truer today. The growing private university boasts Tampa Bay's most distinctive college architecture; a smart and enterprising student body; a wide liberal arts curriculum and…
Fish tale
This Iranian import is a tasty entry in the Global Lens series.
Wall Street blunders
How are Wall Street investment bankers faring in the economic mess they caused?
Roseanne Cash lashes out at country clown John Rich
John Rich, half of the cornball country duo Big & Rich ("Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy"), has decided to campaign for John McCain. I cringe at the thought of the White House being occupied by another fear-and-war-mongering WASP who is hopelessly out of touch with the middle class, and anyone too young for an…
CSS record review
Donkey CSS Sub Pop “If you are my friend you can sharpen my things with your teeth,” chirps CSS frontwoman Lovefoxxx on the dirty synth dance number “Let’s Reggae All Night.” Is the lyric gibberish? A sly sexual innuendo? Who knows. Ultimately, it’s one of those lines that’s impossible to define but grabs your attention…
