St. Pete one of the 10 worst cities in America for food lovers?
Movoto Movoto posted an article Wednesday naming St. Petersburg one of the worst places to be a foodie. Maybe it was the lack of coffee, maybe it's because I skipped yoga this morning, but when I opened an email titled "St. Pete: Not a good city for food lovers" I got, understandably I think, a…
Jeff Brandes files bill to repeal red light cameras in Florida
Today, St. Petersburg-based state Sen. Jeff Brandes filed SB 144, which would fully repeal the red-light camera program in the Florida Statutes. "We have had red light cameras in Florida for over three years. They were initially sold as safety devices, but I have come to firmly believe that they are now being used as…
Republican Party of Florida seizes on Buckhorn’s comments about Charlie Crist
Mayor Buckhorn with Adam Smith and Al Reuschel on Bay News 9's Political Connections On Bay News 9's Political Connections program this past Sunday, co-host Adam Smith asked Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn what he thinks about former Republican Governor Charlie Crist possibly becoming the democratic party's 2014 nominee. "We could conceivably end up with a…
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce wants House to pass Senate immigration bill
Tampa Chamber head Bob Rohrlack Even before the country's attention was turned almost exclusively toward Syria during the past two weeks, no one was talking too much about what was supposed to be a big deal this summer — comprehensive immigration reform. A number of House Republicans have consistently said they have no interest in…
Hillsborough County Commission District 4 race getting interesting
Rick Cochran Today, Tampa House Republican Dana Young endorsed Rick Cochran in his 2014 race to succeed Al Higginbotham in the Hillsborough County Commission. Cochran is one of three Republicans who has entered the contest, joining the highest profile candidate in the race, school board member Stacy White, as well as Janet Dougherty (formerly Janet…
Alan Grayson will take your opposition to a U.S. attack on Syria to your member of Congress
Alan Grayson As we reported yesterday, there doesn't appear to be a groundswell of local congressional support for President Obama to attack Syria. But there's still a full week of whipping votes in the House, though notably both John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi said they won't be the ones whipping their members on such an…
Mitch Perry Report 9.3.13: Congress gets their say on Syria — next week
As part of last Friday's Mitch Perry Report, I chided the members of Congress for sitting back and making comments about the situation in Syria without having to be held accountable. That equation changed on Saturday, when President Obama announced that he wants Congress to debate and vote on a resolution authorizing military force. However,…
Coalition of Immokalee Farm Workers picket Publix on Labor Day Weekend
Alayne Unterberger WAGE OF CONSENT: Protesters urge a livable wage for tomato workers at the Gandy Publix. The grocery chain is one of the holdouts that has not agreed to pay more for the crop. The 2013 Labor Day Weekend has been more resonant than the barbecue-a-thon of previous years, as local and national organizations…
Tampa Bay area members of Congress not okay with invading Syria
If a check of Tampa Bay area members of Congress is any indication, President Obama's request for approval to attack Syria is going to lose next week in the House of Representatives. On Sunday, the Obama administration held a classified closed-door intelligence briefing for approximately 80 members of the House and Senate at the Capitol…
More than 100 protesters in Tampa say no to a strike on Syria
Activists descended on all four corners of the intersection of Dale Mabry & Gandy A potential attack on Syria has been delayed by President Obama's declaration for Congress to vote on what's going to happen. On Saturday night in Tampa, about 125-150 protesters gathered on all four corners of the intersection of Dale Mabry Highway…
That old-time religion
Nervous thoughts in a town of 80 churches.
Sail away
My aggressive nature in bed is freaking out my male suitors.
Stay away from Getaway
Ethan Hawke’s pedal-to-the-metal action cliché runs on fumes.
Mitch Perry Report 8.30.13 – On Syria vote, British MP’s embarrass David Cameron and our own members of Congress
The biggest decision in the world this Labor Day weekend is whether or not Barack Obama will choose to go ahead a with a military strike on Syria after their government allegedly used chemical weapons against their own people last week. No doubt at some point this weekend on the network or cable news you'll…
The RNC one year later: Permanent improvements in Tampa
Forty date palms were planted along Bayshore Blvd. as part of a $617,000 project to spruce up key parts of the city. The wooden braces that kept them in place for nearly a year have been removed and the ground cover that accompanied them has matured. Many were critical of the millions of dollars spent…
The Gaily News: Married gay couples can file joint taxes nationwide
Regardless of where they live — even if it’s a state where their marriage isn’t recognized — legally married same-sex couples can now jointly file federal taxes, the Treasury Department announced. This new federal rule change follows the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in June that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. Treasury Secretary Jacob…
Dissed & dismissed
With the fall fashion season upon us, here are some trends we wish were gone already.
Congratulations, you’re old
The VMAs haven’t changed. You have.
Fast food workers’ wages picketed in Tampa.
Tom Filbert who is currently unemployed holds a sign in front of Wendy's showing support for higher wages for fast food workers In what was billed in a press release as a fast food workers' strike, about 50 people marched in front of several restaurants on Fowler Ave. in Tampa on Thursday afternoon. Protesters in…
Testosterone fueled Breaking Bad’s “Confessions”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF AMC After taking a backseat to the women of the show last week, the three prominent male leads return to the forefront in “Confessions”. When season five started there were three things that had to happen in the final 16 episodes: Hank had to find out about Walt and confront him, the…
How I survived Tampa Bay Comic Con (and other nerd gatherings)
Nick Cardello Deadpool “There goes another Deadpool. There's always a lot of Deadpools at these things.” Ah, Deadpool. The snarky wise-ass, who in his comic does what he wants and breaks the 4th wall at will, is a real piece of work. At Cons there are always a ton of Deadpools because he's so popular,…
Investigative news reporter Alan Cohn to take on Dennis Ross in Fla. CD-15 race
Alan Cohn makes it official This morning, longtime investigative television news reporter Alan Cohn officially announced that he is a Democratic candidate in 2014 for Florida's 15th Congressional District, currently held by Republican Dennis Ross. Cohn told an invited audience near the USF campus that if they want to change Congress, they must change their…
Dennis Ross hopes his “Relevancy Act” regarding NSA spying gets backing from House
Congressman Dennis Ross According to a court motion filed by the ACLU on Monday, the National Security Agency's mass tracking and collection of Americans' phone call data violates the constitution, has a chilling effect on First Amendment rights, and should be halted. The motion is part of a lawsuit the ACLU filed back in June…
Mitch Perry Report 8.29.13 – AP: U.S. case vs. Syria “full of caveats”
Presumably if and when the U.S. military attacks Syria they'll want backing from our closest ally, Great Britain. If that is the case, there won't be any bombing until next week, because reluctant British lawmakers now say they don't want to do act until U.N. inspectors complete their investigation into what happened in Syria that…
Fall Arts Preview: 25 & Under
Twenty-five promising young artists making their mark in Tampa Bay and beyond.
25 & Under: Gabriela Barnés
Actor/singer, 17, Tampa
25 & Under: Woody Bond
Drummer, 23, Tampa
25 & Under: Tristan Braboy
Actor/singer/dancer, 17, St. Petersburg
25 & Under: Ryan Cheng
Poet, 25, Tampa
25 & Under: Sebastian Coolidge
Muralist, 24, St. Petersburg
25 & Under: Dolly Donshey
Fashion designer, 22, Tampa
25 & Under: Zachary Hines
Actor/cabaret performer, 24, Tampa
25 & Under: Chris Jackson
Artistic director/ playwright/actor, 24
25 & Under: Brian Mahoney
Painter/DJ/musician/ inventor, 24, St. Petersburg
Concert Review: Bruno Mars, Fitz and the Tantrums at the Forum, Aug. 28
Playing to a sold-out Tampa Bay Times Forum, Bruno Mars gave disgruntled small-show-lovin' music-heads like me a reason to believe again with a flawless, lively and splashy stage show Wednesday night. A curtain embroidered with gold palm trees covered the massive stage and collapsed to a Brazilian beat as Bruno Mars and his band emerged…
Rising Kriseman, sunken Lens
A mayoral challenger surges, a would-be icon flops.
This week in Tampa Bay area live music, featuring RiFF RaFF, Groovefest 2013, Jamaican Queens and more …
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29MC Chris w/Jesse Dangerously/Dr. Awkward/Tribe One Maybe you remember his nasally juvenile-high intones and sing-song rhyming style from Adult Swim programs like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, where he voiced reincarnated diaper-wearing rapper MC Pee Pants. Or perhaps you know his viral hit “Hoodie Ninja” off 2008’s MC Chris Is Dead, also tapped in…
25 & Under: Dacey McNally
Actor/dancer, 18, Dunedin
25 & Under: Gina Moccio
Writer/Travelogues founder, 23, Tampa
25 & Under: Maggie Mularz
Actor, 23, Tampa
25 & Under: Jessica Rose Powell
Singer/songwriter, 21, Safety Harbor
25 & Under: Hannah Prince
Improv-a-sario, 21, Tampa
25 & Under: Jessy Quinones
Actor, 24, Brandon
25 & Under: The Quixtan Brothers
Multi-instrumentalists Luis, 21; Francisco, 19; Christian; 18, Kevin, 16; Brandon
25 & Under: Kristine Richardson
Graphic designer, 24, St. Petersburg
25 & Under: Miriam Rochford
Stage manager, 24, Largo
25 & Under: Hannah Stanford
Ballet dancer, 15, Brandon
25 & Under: Griffeth Whitehurst
Actor/Singer, 23, Tarpon Springs
25 & Under: Mike Wood
Lighting designer, 25, Tampa
25 & Under: Maria Zoller
Opera singer, 15, Lutz
What To Watch For: Visual Art
Great gallery shows arrive on both sides of the Bay this fall.
What To Watch For: Theater
The Book of Mormon is but one of the great shows gracing Bay area stages this fall.
What To Watch For: Movies
American Hustle highlights an exciting season of movies to come.
What To Watch For: Music
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Lumineers and more of the best upcoming concerts.
What To Watch For: Etcetera
The best of the rest in Arts & Entertainment.
The RNC one year later. Misfires, gaffes, and blunders
The poster child for Tampa's downtown eyesores, the Kress/Newberry's/Woolworth block at Franklin and Zack streets, got some new windows prior to the invitation-only parties held there during the RNC According to a report issued by the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee on August 21, the Republican National Convention resulted in direct spending of $214 million.…
Tampa Theatre to debut six movies starting Fri., Aug. 30
The downtown landmark rides a wave of new indies, each playing for only a day or two.
The Garbage Men turn trash into treasure
Youthful models of eco-friendliness, Sarasota band The Garbage Men make and play recycled materials.
Live and Local Spotlight: Summer Jam 9
Summer Jam makes a resounding return to Ybor City this weekend.
Labor-free Labor Day wines
With Labor Day right around the corner, I started thinking about the various efforts we put forth in our lives: we work, we play, we love. After putting long hours and sweat equity into endeavors, everyone deserves to relax and savor the fruits of their labor. Here are recommended wines for the worker, player and…
Lisa Wannemacher’s disappointing night
Just because you're prepared for bad news, doesn't mean it will feel any better once it's delivered. That could summarize Lisa Wannemacher's attitude Tuesday night while she accepted condolences and well wishes from friends and supporters of the Lens. The locally based architect has been an unflagging champion for the design, long after other "hardcore"…
Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission being sued over Tampa area limousine fares
Thomas Halsnik and attorney Justin Pearson in front of the Hillsborough County Courthouse Another day, another negative story about the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (PTC). Today, in front of the Hillsborough County Court building, the Institute for Justice — a libertarian oriented group — announced that it is suing the PTC and its chairman,…
World’s largest food truck rally in Tampa this weekend
Steve G. On Saturday, Aug. 31, the Florida State Fairgrounds will host the biggest food truck rally ever. Sure, you've been to food truck rallies before, but how many of you can say you've been to the largest food truck rally in the world? Score plenty of food (and bragging rights) on Saturday, Aug. 31,…
Lorraine Margeson continues to work with Stop The Lens as her campaign heats up
Kathleen Ford's prominent stance against the Lens initially boosted her viability before she ultimately collapsed in the race to become mayor of St. Pete. But she wasn't the only candidate to use an opposition to the now failed Pier project as a cornerstone of her candidacy. I'm talking about environmentalist Lorraine Margeson, who is running…
Found in translation at Jade Bistro
The inviting Jade Bistro serves authentic and accessible Asian cuisine.
Do-it-yourself wine cellar
Believe it or not, that cool wine-display contraption may be harming your vino.
All aboard the brew bus
The Tampa Bay Brew Bus is the best way to taste all the local beers.
In search of pirates at the Summer of Rum Festival
… and a bottle of rum.
Tampa activists to join fast-food strike this Thursday
Anger about low-wage fast-food jobs began last fall in New York City when approximately 200 restaurant workers went on strike in a one-day protest. Since then, similar one-day strikes have taken place in places like Chicago, Detroit and Kansas City. Now the focus is on a national event to bring the issue to the forefront.…
Quietly Spectacular
The Spectacular Now is a rare, special film.
