Cat Power covers R.L. Burnside
Listen to Cat Power/Chan Marshall (that's her on drums) and the Dirty Delta Blues band jam on the R.L. Burnside dirge "Goin' Down South." The recording is reportedly from a show in Paris attended by Marianne Faithfull and Sofia Coppola. What will Marshall play when she's at The State Theatre on Oct. 21?
More Good News!
After a week of bad news for Florida and the Bay Area, we've finally gotten to a happier story: Only a little over 1 in 5 Floridians are obese! That puts us at a very respectable 34th most obese state in the nation! Yeah! (Maybe it's all the food poisoning.)
Today’s Favorite Press Release Headline: Global Warming May Be Cause of Cat Explosion
No, no — not actual detonating cats, but the population surge of feral felines during the spring and summer months. The Humane Society of Pinellas County sent out this release to me today: The Humane Society of Pinellas currently has over 100 cats awaiting adoption to new homes. An article from Live Science, written by…
The Short List — Tues., Aug. 28
See you in the men's room! Meet Senator Larry Craig: Idaho's #1 congressional bathroom horndog and a co-chair of the Mitt Romney for President campaign. Why can't these anti-gay Republicans just can't keep their hands off the cock? The head of the National Counterterrorism Center reassures the public with positive statements like: "We have very…
Adrian Belew My Face Off
Progressive rock virtuoso Adrian Belew performed much of Friday night’s two-set show with a shit-eating grin on his craggy face, his fingers dancing nimbly up and down the neck of his retro orange guitar, his effects pedals ensuring that the tones he produced were never quite ordinary. To Belew’s right, 21-year-old bassist Julie Slick played…
Fined Dining?
I got a call from Dave Hackett today about his website gototell.com. Don't worry if you've never heard of it, it's new. Along with a lot of empty content he's working on filling, gototell has a fantastic search page that lists restaurants that have been fined by the inspectors of the Florida Department of Hotels…
Sick Of Eating Out?
According to this report, Florida restaurants are Number One! Yeah! More food poisoning than any other state! Screw you California (#2), with your paltry 62 cases of food-borne illness. What up Ohio (#3)? 38 is the best you can do? These numbers are for 2005, so let's hope that we can continue to keep the…
The Short List — Mon., Aug. 27
Bedtime for Gonzo! New job posting on whitehouse.org: The Bush Administration seeks a new Attorney General. Qualified Applicants must be loyal, secretive and willing to do whatever the president says. Legal knowledge a plus but not required. Ex U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers warns a U.K. paper that the U.S. may be headed for a…
Fighting to be adopted
Looking for a new best friend? Dunedin Doggie Rescue, which I did a Curiouser on earlier this year, is just one of many local dog rescue groups sheltering many animals in need of homes. If funky mutts aren't for you, many rescue organizations specialize in certain breeds, like Greyhounds and Dalmatians. Dachshunds will be invading…
WMNF: Wade to co-host Monday afternoon
Monday, I will be on WMNF (88.5) with Flee during his Sonic Detour program from 4 to 6 p.m. He'll do the first 45-60 minutes, and I get the second hour. "Bonus time for you," Flee writes me in an e-mail, "if you come up with a really bad Beatles cover and/or a comedy selection…
The Short List — Fri., Aug. 24
I've got the whole world … on this blog … I've got the whole world … on this blog … Senator John Warner (R), one of the oldest of the old guard in congress, changes his position on the war and is recommending Bush start drawing down U.S. forces in Iraq by Christmas. Somehow, new…
Naked Went The Strangers
Our two intrepid Must-Doers, Brian Reed and Ted Scheinman, have completed their internship and returned to Yale, leaving behind their blog, a Creative Loafing cover story and a certain amount of controversy. Here are my two favorite comments so far re their nearly-nude cover pose. First, the manager of a sports bar told us it…
Statewide Crackdown on ‘Headshops’ May Come Next Year
And in other drug-related news, I recently came across a bill that Crist signed this summer convening a Drug Paraphernalia Abatement Task Force. Wait, where have we heard that phrase before? Oh, yes — Pinellas County created a similar task force in 2005 to research and recommend ways of dealing with the county’s tobacco accessory…
Pinellas D.A.R.E. T-Shirts To Become Collector’s Items
A week after Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials suggested eliminating funding for Florida’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) training program, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is ending their local D.A.R.E. program, too. PCSO was one of the last D.A.R.E. holdouts among local law enforcement agencies. The FDLE wants to cut the $376,362 it spends…
The Rolling Stones calling it quits?
My esteemed colleague Joe Bardi discovered, this morning, that The Rolling Stones will "reportedly quit touring after playing London's 02 Arena this Sunday after 45 years in the music business." Contrary to what certain ageist say about Mick and Keef, they still rock, which was apparent when the Stones shook St. Pete Times Forum in…
Words From Behind Prison’s Walls
Another missive from prison by George Martorano, the inmate serving life with no parole that Bunk beds are cute in the free-world home, especially for children. Try sleeping on one for 20+ years as an adult. After years of it, one’s lower back can be ruined, unless, upon waking you stretch and exercise. Those who…
BREAKING NEWS!
 The animated adventures of comedian Jim Gaffigan as a pasty superhero and Conan O'Brien as his emasculated sidekick – Pale Force, presented as shorts on Late Night with Conan O'Brien – was apparently so popular that NBC ordered 20 new episodes to air on Late Night before said episdoes are made available (and cell phone-downloadable) on…
The Clinging Creeper
Position: The woman entwines her limbs and arms into his, like tendrils of a fragrant jasmine creeper. The couple then draws taut in an embrace, moving with a relaxed gentle rhythm, swaying their hips in unison. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate the position (1 as horrible, 10 as sexual…
The Short List — Thurs., Aug. 23
Who knew balancing the budget could be this much fun?!!? President Bush has learned the lessons of the Vietnam war, and now plans to educate all Americans by repeating those mistakes in Iraq. Sya-Nuri Al-Maliki? The governor's answer to Florida's budget shortfall: Vegas-style casino gambling! Cops working as agent provacateurs at a Quebec protest rally…
Naked Lindsay Lohan Asks: Paper, Or Plastic?
Well, maybe not naked, but that freckled train wreck will be taking shifts as a supermarket checkout girl at Sundance, Utah's Smith's grocery store. Ostensibly, this will help ground her during those long hours of yoga and equine therapy at a neighboring rehab clinic. I know. This has very little to do with food, but…
Top 10: Songs about aging
My buddy turned 30 and his wife threw him a big surprise bash Saturday, which I wrote about in this week's Bar Tab column "Buck Turns the Big 3-0." In honor of Buck leaving his 20s behind — something I will be doing early next year and yes, it's getting to me a little —…
The Short List — Wed., Aug. 22
Florida in August reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode. Can't … somebody … stop… the … heat?!!? The C.I.A. really blew that whole "catching the terrorists before they strike" thing in the days before 9/11. I'm sure things are much better today, though. Speaking of Mr. Bin Laden: Is he live or is he…
Elbow Deep In The Lardo
I understand that we don't live in one of the big cities, but sometimes there are certain, uhm, amenities that I find myself craving with an intensity that scares my wife. Would I move to San Francisco just to have local salumi delivered to my door? I'm thinking about it. Cured pork is all the…
This way instead of that way
Shoe shopping with a rock star
Finger-Licking Good
MusicFriday, August 24
Fun and Fresh
Art Wednesday, August 29
Latter Day Sinners
A 19th-century 9/11 is given a lurid, exploitative treatment
Ahoy, Polloi!
What: Party with the Captain Where: Aboard the Treasure Seeker, off the St. Pete Pier Must-Do? Says Who? Ray the Pirate; plunder 'n booty Casualties: Free admission, thanks to Ray; $3 per beer; a price on our heads in Hispaniola The biweekly "Party with the Captain" events aboard the Treasure Seeker are not booze cruises.…
Naked Lunch
What: Get naked. Where: Caliente Resort, 21240 Gran Via Blvd., Land O' Lakes Must-Do? Says Who? 700 naturists can't be wrong! Casualties: $21, dinner; $33, poolside drinks Notable Quote: "Why not?" We promised the management at Caliente that we wouldn't write too much about the old people who frequent this upscale nudist resort and community.…
Stormy Weather
Norman Marshall endured war, illness, family tragedy — and then Katrina came along
Enjoy It. We Did.
What: Don't take it for granted Where: Tampa Bay and beyond, from Palm Harbor to Plant City Must-Do? Says Who? A sense of wonder about the everyday Casualties: Few. More often than not, the best things are free Mantra: Stop and smell the palm trees The goal of this whole Tampanese blog endeavor has been…
Leftovers
Last week, Chamberlain High School entered the cutthroat world of chain dining. Outback Steakhouse has stocked the school with a mini-café, complete with a fully operational restaurant kitchen. Students will learn to cook, manage and serve at the Outback Café, preparing them for a life of subpar wages, stinking like fry oil and sneering at…
CAN YOU MUST-DO?
Are you a Tampa Bay authority? Do people always ask you what there is to do in Tampa Bay? Or are you totally new to the area and just starting to explore? You may be the right writer to continue CL's Must-Do blog. Tell us why you're the one at david.warner@creativeloafing.com. Fun, fame and free…
Wine List
Wine tastings and dinners
Not-So-Average Joe
Guitar-slinger Joe Walsh talks sobriety, the creative process and a new album by the Eagles
Channel Firing
Why mournful words from WWI resonate still
The Big Swerve
The final battle in this year’s WWF (Wild Wetlands Fight)
Letters to the Editor
A Message for Brian "MSG in a Bottle" (by Brian Ries, Aug. 15-21) fails to mention that MSG is an addictive substance used by scientists to fatten rats for diabetes research – it triples the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, turning the naturally lean rats into voracious eaters. The "natural substance" that modern…
Outtakes
Upcoming Releases
Doors for Charity
Music/FundraiserSaturday, August 25
Do it Yourself
The Seahorses
Lasting Impact
A 2006 film documents Dexter Romweber’s musical influence
The King Live at AVO Session Basel
Solomon Burke
For God and Country
Star Spangled to Death and Buñuel’s The Milky Way arrive on DVD.
Buck Turns the Big 3-0
Makes it an all-day, booze-soaked bash
Good Taste
Listener’s Choice Show, Tenspoke Indies, Worldwide Zoo
Keep your smirk to yourself
Word for Word
Bern, Baby, Bern!
Where: Bern's Steakhouse, 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa Must-Do? Says Who? George W. Bush & family Casualties: 238.37, dinner; $42.53, dessert Keyword: MacNut We never saw the dining room at Bern's. When we visited with Brian's family, we were relegated to the lounge because Brian's brother wasn't wearing pants. He did have shorts on, however,…
The Blotter
Bizarre crimes from Tampa police files
Dixie Chicks Doc
FilmThursday, August 23
Shadow Boxing
A boxing flick, a father-son drama and the tale of an ethically challenged journalist all collide in Resurrecting the Champ, a movie that almost certainly would have benefited by honing at least one or two of its multiple personalities. Josh Hartnett stars as a mediocre sports writer who senses an opportunity for a career-making story…
Thief of Hearts
FilmSunday, August 26
Doors for Charity
This Saturday night, Largo Cultural Center celebrates the music and legacy of The Doors with a special event to raise money for its nonprofit performing arts organization, Partners N Progress for the Arts. The festivities kick off with a party at 6:30 p.m. Guests enjoy refreshments, a cash bar, a retro (1960s and '70s) costume…
Strangers in the Night
What: Meet someone new Where: Here Must-Do? Says Who? 2,697,731 Tampa Bay residents Casualties: Not a one. Notable Quote: "So, do you come here often?" When was the last time you invited two strangers to your house to nibble on shish-kebabs and listen to old blues recordings? If your name is Sherri, and you were…
Cl previews upcoming shows
Bucketheads’s All-Star Band Jamboree, Ronny Elliott, Sean Chambers
The Old and the New Must-Do
OK, we only managed to hit a little more than a third of the original 100, which doesn't get us much past "Hermit" in the ratings chart. The places we visited are printed in bold, as are our own additions. See if you can spot what's been deleted from last year's list. • 1. Suffer…
High Hell Reckoning
Sonny Harlan
Legacy of DiTroia
Music/FundraiserTuesday, August 28
New Works by Denton Crawford
ArtMonday, August 27
Wines of Sicily
There’s more to this island than The Godfather
Upcoming concerts
Incubus, The Rentals, The Cure
The New Must-Do List
CL‘s list of things you gotta do in Tampa Bay gets a new perspective – from two true Tampa Bay newbies
On a deep discount aisle
Shortlist
Must-Do, But Where?
Identify the locales for the following excerpts from the Must-Do II blog. First to send correct answers to letters@creativeloafing.com wins bragging rights and VP (Valuable Prizes). • At first the ____ was elusive. In a moment of late-night inspiration, we hopped into the car at midnight with a need for speed — but we scrutinized…
Who is Victor Bout?
Don’t Panic … Your war questions answered
Macy’s Parade
Macy Gray struts at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
Work in Progress
While certain dishes at Mariposa are exciting, others are much too tame
Unnatural beauty
High-tech jewelry at Florida Craftsmen; shopping-cart photos at C. Emerson Gallery.
Spins
The New Pornographers, The Grip Weeds, Amy Lavere, Numbers
See & Do Planner
Weekly Events
Faith and Doubt
Faith Healer is a moving meditation on art and the burden of having a gift
