Do It Today: Roadhouse That Could at American Stage and Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience
Hot Off the Press is a great opportunity for theater lovers, aspiring playwrights, and those with the knack for constructive evaluation, to hear and comment on the recent works of these talented minds. After each reading the audience gets to partake in a discussion with the author, and fill out an evaluation form to help…
On the Radar: An Evening with Lucille Ball: Thanks for Asking
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. An icon of American television lives on in the form of Suzanne LaRusch in An Evening with Lucille Ball: Thank You for Asking, which visits the Straz Center for the Performing Arts next week. Directed by Ball’s daughter, Lucie…
On the Radar: The Tamburitzans
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Traditional college student dances include booty shaking, bumping, grinding and generally getting jiggy to the tune of Autotune-enhanced hit singles. Not so for The Tamburitzans, a company of full-time Duquesne University students who keep Europe's folk traditions alive and…
Do It Today: Party like it’s 2010 at Light Up the Bay, Aqua-Eve, First Night, Swingin’ New Year and more
If you’re looking forward to the New Year or just trying to forget the last one, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best ways to say sayonara, auf wiedersehen, ciao, buh-bye to the past 365 days. Have a traditional New Year: No need to choose between Channelside and Ybor for fireworks this year: Get…
On the Radar: DIY New Year’s on the cheap
Welcome to On the Radar: New Year's Eve Edition, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. Well, usually. Today, we're trying something a little different. Maybe including this on my New Year’s list is a little, well, miserly of me (which is pretty accurate, actually), but maybe, just maybe, you could kinda-sorta…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Wednesday, December 30: Publix Apron’s Cooking School The Shoestring Gourmet. Learn creative cooking methods for making gourmet worthy, family-pleasing dinners that won’t drain the piggy bank of its last penny. The menu includes: grilled bruschetta with rosemary, white bean purée and heirloom tomatoes; chicken roasted with 40 cloves of garlic; pecan crusted skirt steak; baby…
Homemade Pita Chips
Most families have some kind of special Holiday traditions. Some are passed down from generation to generation and some are newly created as we go along. These customs and rituals that we practice help define who we are as a family, and if we're lucky, create a unique opportunity for bonding. My husband and I…
On the Radar: Aqua-Eve at the Florida Aquarium
Welcome to On the Radar: New Year's Eve Edition, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. The Florida Aquarium hosts Aqua-Eve, which promises everything that a New Year’s Eve party should be, including live music, beer and wine, decadent desserts and a champagne toast (I, for one, will be putting off my…
Do It Today: Terres De Brume, 5132: Tempus Projects and Hollywood Science camps at MOSI
As tempting as it is to place labels like ‘minimalist’ or ‘landscape’ on Vicky Colombet’s work, such qualifiers don’t do justice to the profound mysteries the French artist creates with a stroke of the pen or brush, on display for just a few more weeks in Terres de Brume / A New Geography. Perpetually exploring…
On the Radar: CityWalk New Year’s Eve Celebration
Welcome to On the Radar: New Year's Eve Edition, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. This New Year, we're recommending an "outta town" New Year. Think of it this way: the cash you drop on gas and hotels is just a drop in the bucket compared to the therapy you’re avoiding…
Dreaming of an amputated leg
“Dream Momma, I’ve been reading your blog and decided to write you. The other night I had a dream that my lower leg was injured (I'm not sure how), but it was a bad enough injury that it had to be amputated. I remember my lower leg being gone and not being upset. The next…
Do It This Weekend: Sherlock Holmes or Up In the Air, The Nutcracker, Bosikom at The Studio@620 and more
If your family is anything like mine, the less time we have to fill with conversations that will inevitably annoy the hell out of each other, the better. What better to fill that time than celebrating the time-honored holiday tradition of going to the movies? You'll have a lot to choose from (hey, it's another…
On the Radar: Ybor New Year’s Parade, Light Up the Bay and First Night 2010
Welcome to On the Radar: New Year's Eve Edition, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. No need to choose between Channelside and Ybor for fireworks this year: Get the party started at 5:30 p.m. with the Ybor City New Year’s Eve Parade, featuring myriad floats, marching bands and college cheerleading squads,…
Movie Review: Rob Marshall’s Nine, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman
It boggles the mind that someone ever made a musical version of Frederico Fellini's Italian neo-realist cinema classic 8 1/2. That the musical, re-imagined as Nine, ran on Broadway to great acclaim and five Tony Awards in the early 1980s continues to befuddle me. But what confounds me the most is that anyone remembered this…
On the Radar: Hard Rock New Year’s Eve and “Awesome” Black and White New Year’s
Welcome to On the Radar: New Year's Eve Edition, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. When I think of Floyd’s nightclub, the images that immediately jump to mind are overpriced drinks, scantily clad ladies and blaring, bass-y beats. Hard Rocks’ New Year’s Eve Celebration promises to deliver much of the same,…
Do It Today: Country Christmas Wonderland, Form and Function and Good Angel / Bad Angel
City folk get a taste of life in the country (or at least the ‘burbs) at the Country Christmas Wonderland, with lots of lights, hayrides, pony rides, a train ride, a petting zoo, snow castle, a live nativity (which actually sounds sort of creepy), face painting, live music, a bonfire and more. Visit hireapony.com for…
Dreaming of menstruation
“Hello. Can you please help, as I am starting to worry? I have had two dreams approximately 3-4 weeks apart. In these dreams, I was menstruating. I even put my hand to the blood and looking at it (being female I hope this means nothing). But on looking up the meaning of blood, it keeps…
Movie Review: Jason Reitman’s Up In The Air, starring George Clooney, Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga
[Author's Note: Although this review ran in the 12/9 print edition of Creative Loafing, I have held posting it until now. After numerous date-changes, Up In The Air opens everywhere today. Please consider seeing it, especially if the Avatar screening you're trying to get into is sold out upon your arrival at the multiplex.] After…
On the Radar: Salute to Vienna and Swingin’ New Year
Welcome to On the Radar: New Year's Eve, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. Not everyone wants to go out and make mistakes that they’ll spend all of 2010 trying to remedy, right? If booze and a roomful of people likewise looking to make poor judgments add up to trouble for…
Do It Today: A Christmas Carol, last-minute holiday shopping, and a wine tasting to take the edge off
Forget Jim Carrey’s new animated attempt to recreate the magic of the original, and see Charles Dickens’ seasonal story of love and generosity of spirit the way it was intended at tonight's performance of A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Scrooge bah humbugs his way through life, until the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future help…
One Bay asks: What’s your view of Tampa Bay through 2050?
In case you’ve missed it, over the past two years a collaborative of leaders has gathered over 10,000 citizens’ views about the future of the seven counties of Tampa Bay. One Bay hosted a number of presentations around the region, including a phone survey this past summer that included 1100 adult females (51%) and males…
Game Review: The Saboteur – Visit Paris for the holidays and kill some Nazis
I want to waste my own time, not have a game waste it for me. Now, normally I hate it when people complain at length about how games are a waste of time, an accusation the presupposes all kinds of assumed truths about what time is “for” that I don't think deserve to be treated…
This holiday weekend’s best bets in Bay area music: Broken Mold Third Annual Xmas Show, New Granada Records 15th Anniversary Show, and more
A quick breakdown of this holiday weekend’s most worthy concerts beginning with Wednesday, ’cause for some of us, that’s when the holiday shenanigans really begin … For a more comprehensive schedule, check out our Upcoming Concerts page. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 Broken Mold Third Annual Holiday Show w/Poetry ‘n Lotion/Jim Morey Band/The Sheaks/Brahm Bones/Florida Night Heat/Dan…
Talking Avatar and Prep and Landing with Flip and Bill on “The Grind”
Seeing as I will not be making my usual weekly appearance on 1010 AM's "The Grind with Flip and Bill" (on weekdays noon-3 p.m., I usually phone in on Thursdays at about 12:30 p.m.), hopefully this post of last week's show will hold you over until we can do it again on January 7. In…
Tampa International Airport ain’t very international. Is that a problem?
If you are one of the thousands of travelers passing through Tampa International Airport this holiday season, you will experience what is generally regarded as one of the finest airports in the country — ranked the best in a 2008 Zagat survey of business travelers, and second only to Portland, Oregon in the same poll…
Double Chocolate Peppermint Chip Cookies recipe
The other day, I was frantically racing strolling down the baking aisle at Publix, when I saw these Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips by Andes. You know Andes, don’t you? They’re the ones that make those little Crème de Menthe chocolates that you get at many restaurants as a reward for paying your check. Anyway, I…
Cry freedom: The story behind Invictus
Watching Invictus — the film about Nelson Mandela’s efforts to unify his country in support of the South African national rugby team, the Springboks — I cried. I cried as the white Springbok rugby team gives a clinic for young black children in the township slums; I cried when the team wins its first match;…
Remembering the true spirit of the holiday season
This time of the year is filled with busy plans to enjoy our family and friends, to connect with them and share our love and appreciation for one another. It is also a time to open our hearts to others and share our abundance with those in need. It seems as though many get caught…
Kama Sutra: the rickshaw
To begin, the man lies back on the edge of an elevated surface, such as a chair or a bed with his legs in the air. The woman backs in towards the man. Pushing his member at the appropriate angle, they can achieve penetration. While grabbing his feet for support, the woman then rides her…
Concert Review: The Supervillains at State Theatre
Typically I fall into that group of people who only enjoy reggae music while on a beach somewhere, indulging in way too much rum and singing along to only the most well-known Bob Marley songs. In my defense, growing up in rural North Carolina didn’t provide much exposure to island culture or music; I actually…
CL Holiday Auction Wrapup: $12,000+ to The Children’s Home, cool gifts, and a news story that will keep on giving
Santa’s got nothing on Creative Loafing readers. Thanks to the winning bidders in our first Online Holiday Auction, CL was able to give thousands of dollars to The Children’s Home — $12,077.32, to be exact. That’s a pretty good haul for our first time out, and we were happy to pay a visit to the…
Do It Today: A Rockapella Holiday, The “9” Music Series Battle of the Bands and more
Astonishingly, the vocal troupe otherwise known as Rockapella has cut 20 albums in the last 18 years after the success of various TV and radio stints (including a coveted spot as the daily songsters on Where In the World is Carmen Sandiego?). The fivesome takes their collection of carols on tour to the tune of…
On the Radar: Pornaoke (pre)New Year’s at The Pegasus
Welcome to On the Radar: New Year's Eve edition, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. Billed as “a delight for the ears and the eyes,” Pornaoke (pre)New Year’s at the Pegasus Lounge may be a new phenomenon so some revelers, but to the Tampa’s down and dirtiest, it’s an old standby.…
Earth friendly pleasures: Playing green in the bedroom
You recycle your bottles, you drive a hybrid car, and you occasionally tend your grass with reclaimed water, but what do you do in the bedroom that's good for the environment? While you may have a few creative ways to enhance your pleasure, have you considered the environment in the process? Why not love yourself and your…
Dreaming of fire and condoms
“Dreammomma, I had a weird dream that I think is about my new boyfriend. Can you tell me if it is? Here is the dream. I dreamed someone handed me a pack of matches (I don’t smoke) and when I took it I thought it felt very thick so I turned it over and saw…
Last-minute DIY green gifts
Still looking for the perfect gifts for the loved ones on your list? Avoid the chaotic mall scene and save some green by using some of these Earth friendly, inexpensive ideas to make your own holiday gifts. They'll save you time, money, and peace of mind. Bath and body: -Scented bath salts -Bath bombs -Homemade…
Hillsborough County’s “spray plane” gives local government yet another black eye
According to this article in the Trib today, Hillsborough County spent $700,000 on a mosquito spray plane (disguised as a very nice passenger plane), but the problem is the plane couldn't actually spray for mosquitoes. Why? Because it was a passenger plane! No worries, they wanted to retrofit it all along to be able to…
Why is Hillsborough spending millions on transportation consultants?
As we learned from the Tribune's Steve Otto on Friday, County Commissioner Ken Hagan's Transportation Task Force just spent over $8 million on a consulting firm for, well, it isn't really clear. The following is an excerpt from Otto's column: The idea was the firm would act as general engineering consultants for the county's new…
Saving Cone Ranch is headed down a costly path – due diligence is long overdue
By George Niemann Daily Loaf contributor and R-LAND, UCAN, FSP, Amendment 4 activist Views expressed are my own and not necessarily those of the organizations to which I belong The Hillsborough County Commission decided on December 16 to begin the process of letting the Environmental Land Acquisition & Protection Program (ELAPP) acquire the 12,000-acre parcel from…
On the Radar: Roppongi’s Ace and The Beauvilles at Vertical Ventures
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up and coming arts events to mark your calendar for. One of my favorite memories of Max Norton, long-time drummer of Rappongi’s Ace (CL 2009 Best Local Band and Best Americana Act winner) and brand new drummer of The Beauvilles, was watching him hurl his breakfast down…
It happened this week-ish: John Mayer done dating, Brittany Murphy found dead, one JoBro loses his v-card, Courtney Love’s Facebook rants, Top Chef’s Kevin is newly single
*In 2010, John sohoticannotevenstandit Mayer is vowing to "hunker down" and do his thing. John, I love to hunker and my middle name is thing. Call me. *Sadly, 2009 proves to be a rough year for people who were hoping to stay alive in Hollywood as actress Brittany Murphy was found dead on Sunday afternoon;…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Monday, December 21-Wednesday, December 23: Publix Apron’s Cooking School Dorm Room Dining. Ever wonder what you could create with a toaster oven, a microwave, and an electric skillet? (Assuming they’re allowed in your living quarters; try not to burn the whole building down in the process of creating a shoestring gourmet feast for your friends).…
The UN Climate Summit wrap-up: Little progress and a lot of disappointment
With the United Nations Climate Summit's end early Saturday came a non-binding pledge, where the largest nations' emissions cuts promised were significantly below what was hoped for, and a yearly fund was established to aid nations dealing with the effects of global warming. I guess we'll just have to wait until the next climate meeting…
Sparkling wines for every pocketbook.
The wine of choice for special celebrations, including New Year’s Eve, is anything that sparkles. There's just something about seeing those little bubbles moving from the bottom to the top of a flute that puts people in a festive mood. Even better, sparkling wines are delicious and pair beautifully with a variety of popular holiday…
5 universal truths of love
I'm no expert in the love department, but I’m a keen observer and I know certain things to be true. I’ve learned some lessons the hard way. Others I’ve been lucky enough to learn by observation. From these lessons, I’ve extracted five universal truths in regards to love. They’re born out of situations that I’ve…
Do It Today: WWE’s Monday Night RAW, Rawls Road Light Show and more
Now that Gossip Girl is on hiatus until March, what better to take its place than (definitely steroid-free) muscle men in tights beating each other up in the ring? That’s right, pull up a chair (and hold on to it, lest it be swiped from under you for use as a prop), it’s WWE’s Monday…
On the Radar: Bosikom: Songwriters on Songwriting at The Studio@620
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Classical composer Nicholas White wowed audiences in July with Bosikom: The Music of Nicholas J. White, at St. Pete’s Studio@620. This Sunday he’ll premier number two in the series: Bosikom: Songwriters on Songwriting, featuring songs from his folk-country album…
To DH or not DH is once again a question
Rumor has it that Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is putting together a crack staff of experts this off-season to discuss how they can make baseball better. One of the topics of discussion, once again, is what to do about the designated hitter rule. Here’s my take on the DH. I’m a man who…
Cheap Eats: Los Tucanes
Near the beloved Taco Bus in Tampa is another Mexican restaurant worth your attention for two reasons: a larger menu and alcoholic beverages. Walking in, you will notice brick walls, scattered red and green decorations, the sound of Salsa music and/or Spanish television playing and a full bar. A juke box and pool tables can…
Liberals revolt on health care, Kendick Meek looking to make news, and this reporter turns film critic: Mitch Perry Report 12.18.09
The left is turning hard against health care reform; Are you aware that Democrat Kendrick Meek has an opponent in his Senate Primary – not as sexy as the Crist/ Rubio battle of course; And yours truly is taking some time off, but you can read about my favorite movies here. See you on December…
Holiday event guide: seasonal shows, handcrafted holiday shopping, Santa around the Bay and more
A Christmas Cabaret St. Petersburg Opera vocalists Phoenix Gayles, Michelle Rego, Stephen Mollica and Rimas Karnavicius, pianist Allan Armstrong and SPO Artistic Director Mark Sforzini present "sizzling quartet arrangements" of "Mister Santa," "Carol of the Bells" and "Do You Hear What I Hear," solos like "Ave Maria" and "O Holy Night," and arias from Handel’s…
This health care bill sucks and it’s Obama’s fault
I’ve noticed a lot of people piling onto Senator Joe Lieberman this week. They seem to blame the Senator for the unforgivably weak health care bill that’s about to pass, the one that’s laden with insurance company giveaways and devoid of nearly any meaningful attempt to rein in the morally disgusting practices of the industry. …
OMG…Food! How has social media changed the food world?
In the beginning, there were no recipes: food preparation methods were handed down from parent to child. A 3,500 year-old clay tablet from Babylon is thought to be the first recorded recipe, and the first printed cookbooks were prepared for the chefs of royalty. In the 18th century, Jean Brillat-Savarin wrote about food in a…
James Cameron’s Avatar: Separating fact and fiction
In the hype leading up to today's release of James Cameron’s Avatar, there has been a heady mix of truth and bullshit flung concerning the latest flick from the self-proclaimed “King of the World.” In an effort to clear the air, here are four of the most eye-catching claims about Avatar and the truth behind…
Pelican Pub re-opens today in St. Petersburg
The first phase of the Jannus Landing overhaul makes its public debut today when the newly remodeled Pelican Pub stages its re-opening. The interior of the longtime downtown watering hole, located next door to the Jannus courtyard entrance at First Avenue and Second Street N., was gutted and rebuilt from the ground up. Certain features…
Alcoholic monkeys in the Caribbean mimic human drinking habits
were brought to the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean over 300 years by slave traders. Their species proliferated on the island and made themselves quite at home. The monkeys also became quite fond of the fermented sugarcane on the island that had been used for producing rum (this is the Caribbean, after all,…
Tampa right wing radio host’s stunt goes horribly awry
Deep frying turkeys has become the rage in recent holidays seasons; mix that in with a stunt that local radio stations like to do, and "voila", you've got yourself there a life fire, there. Apparently, a radio station in Tampa attempted to deep fry a frozen turkey in a van resulted in the vehicle catching…
Do mood-stabilizing drugs take away the very feelings that make us human?
Knowledge is power. When you know something, you have control over it. Not knowing, however, produces quite a different reaction. The feeling of not knowing is, perhaps, the scariest feeling we as human beings can feel. The feeling that gives us anxiety and keeps us up at night. The feeling we go to the doctor…
In defense of cheating, Tiger Woods style
sure by now you've read or heard repeatedly about the current insanity that is Tiger Woods' life. Questions continuously surround his lack of fidelity and honesty. The thought of this man cheating on his wife seems dastardly at best, but he's not alone in his cheating ways. After being asked many times for my thoughts on the Woods…
Mitch Perry’s top 10 movies of 2009
In Cl’s year end issue, coming out on December 30th, I will publish what I consider the top ten stories that rocked the Tampa Bay area in the aughts. But until then, being the cinephile that I am, I’ve always made my own top 10 movie lists, but never had the opportunity to publish one…
Innocence Project kicks ass
I've nothing too significant to add to the social justice success that occurred yesterday in Polk County, where after 35 years spent in jail for a rape he did not commit, James Bain was released from custody. He was freed on DNA evidence that was researched and worked on by the Innocence Project of Florida.…
The progressive left is revolting against Obama on health care
Many progressive friends have been critical of President Obama and Congress' goals towards health care reform since the debate began in earnest back in late spring. They were angry that a single payer form of government supported health care had been taken off the table. But many of those liberals held their noses as at…
Collapse: Prophecy of our economy’s impending doom?
is a fantastic film that encapsulates the driving dark skeletons of our economy and shows how they combine to undertake our society. I first became aware of Michael Ruppert when I was introduced to peak oil in the film- End of Suburbia where he was introduced in a few sections discussing peak oil and geopolitics.…
Operative: “Greer is functionally dead.”
Operative: “Greer is functionally dead.” RPOF Chairman will likely be gone by Christmas By Chris Ingram The latest from the Jim Greer fiasco is more rumors that he has resigned and Charlie has accepted his resignation. Certainly between Charlie and Greer, the two of them must have enough gray matter between their ears to figure Jim…
On the Radar: Moscow Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. It’s a longstanding Weddington family tradition to see The Nutcracker ballet (which visits the Mahaffey next weekend) each holiday season. So my dad and grandfather (who would rather be home watching football), my mom (who would rather be cashing…
Iron Man 2 trailer is here
The official Iron Man 2 trailer is here, and it's amazing. The trailer pretty much describes most of the movie, showing the relationship between Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), James Rhodes/War Machine and the villains Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) and The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). If this is what we…
Top Chef Las Vegas Podcast Special Edition: Interview with Robin Leventhal
Just because the latest season of Top Chef is over doesn't mean we here at the Top Chef Podcast are ready to give up doing what we do every week. That's why we'll be around for a few more weeks analyzing and kvetching about Top Chef Las Vegas, but with an extra surprise – interviews…
Ferre tries to make noise in Senate race, and Crist talks about Rothstein
Earlier this week much was made in some political circles (like conservative blogs) about a Rasmussen poll showing Marco Rubio tied with Charlie Crist in the race for the GOP Senate nomination. As I wrote at the time, I believe that Rasmussen skews a bit towards the right, and thus I will wait until the…
Changing downtown St. Petersburg: Art in the Park becoming Art in the Park(ing Lot)?
After three seasons in Williams Park, Art in the Park coordinator Christine Silvia has decided, as of Dec. 8, to move the weekly arts and crafts fair permanently out of Williams, to an as-of-yet undetermined location. As recently as Dec. 11, Silvia considered housing the weekly event temporarily in the parking lot between Interior Motives…
CL Holiday Auction raises close to $12,000 for The Children’s Home
Thanks, everybody! The Creative Loafing Online Holiday Auction concluded yesterday — and thanks to the organizations that donated their services and the readers who bid on them, we raised $11,972.32 for The Children's Home. That's a pretty nice sum for our first time out, and we can't thank all of you enough for taking part.…
The volatile combination of children and music (with video!)
The original idea was to find videos of cute kids dancing to music. Instead, it turned into a marathon session of weeding through embarrassing home videos, clumsily performed choreography at midwestern pageants, and strange endless close-ups into faces only the grandparents of the parent holding the camera could appreciate. This bleak episode in my life…
Lessons in online dating: the Internet is a small world
You can learn a few life lessons by joining a dating site. There’s the age old lesson of never trusting someone’s online picture. A quick glance through Psychotic Letters from Men reveal why it's always a good idea to approach the first few dates with caution. And of course, I must keep in mind that…
Do or Dye: The only salon that cuts and tats
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m fairly certain that Do or Dye Hair Salon and Tattoo Parlor of Tampa is the only place where you can dye both your hair and your skin in the same sitting. You might recognize owners Mike and Leah “Vanity” Moore from their long-time participation in Tampa’s music scene,…
Holiday Goodness: Ryan’s Ginger Cookies recipe
I happened onto this classic family recipe when a friend came over for a cookie baking project a couple of weeks ago. What I found was the yummiest ginger delicacy on the planet, with hints of spice and sweetness that balance perfectly. I’ll be making more for the holiday season- likely for work friends, and definitely with…
A holiday feast of books that digest well … and a recipe that will change your life
‘Tis the season for many things, and I bet one of them is over-eating. If you’re going to be a glutton, do it right – and get some food for thought while you’re at it. Feast on some great food books. Some are cookbooks and some are books about food. Stay tuned to the end…
This weekend’s best bets in Bay area music: The Gills, Tori Sparks, The Semis, Charlie Louvin and more.
A quick breakdown of this weekend’s most worthy concerts beginning with Thursday, 'cause that's when the weekend really starts, right? For a more comprehensive schedule, check out our Upcoming Concerts page. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 The Gills [pictured, photo by Cook Images] w/Alexander/Proud Iron Lion/Beardsley The Gills of Pensacola, Fla. produce hard-hitting vintage psychedelic rock ‘n’…
Leave it to the US to have a comedian represent us in Copenhagen
I'd heard last week, during the beginning of the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, that Grist.org was sending a comedian, Eugene Mirman, who had only a basic knowledge of what was going on there to cover the events. At first I thought this was ridiculous and just giving us a bad name there (though I…
Health care flatlining? Is McCollum one to talk about banking issues? And all types of fun with the Hillsborough County Commission:Mitch Perry Report:12.17.09
Howard Dean has been all over the media declaring the Senate health care bill a piece of dung- will it be the final blow to Obama and fellow Democrats?; Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has been trash talking Alex Sink on her work at Bank of America. That is, until the press brought up his…
RPOF members to Greer: resign or be forced out!
State Executive Committee shows it has what Charlie lacks: spine, integrity, leadership skills, etc. By Chris Ingram In case you missed it, I have it from multiple sources that Charlie Crist (who is already looking at his political death but who has the chance to avoid said death from becoming a suicide by dumping Jim…
Neanderthals prevail and Commissioners will spend another fortune on Cone Ranch and lobbyists
If the Wednesday morning BOCC meeting was a let down with Commissioners quietly supporting developer welfare and keeping embattled County Administrator Pat Bean, then let me assure you the afternoon proved to be a bit more interesting. Commissioner Kevin Beckner, the voter's answer to Brian Blair, once again tried to drag the County out of…
McCollum’s potentially risky strategy in dissing Sink on finance matters
Yesterday in Washington, U.S. Senators John McCain and Maria Cantwell proposed reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act that split commercial and investment banking, as a way to rein in Wall Street firms in response to the financial crises. McCain said at a D.C. news conference that, “Under our proposal, too-big-to-fail banks would be forced to return to…
Top 10 hottest IT girls of the 2000s (pictures)
Constructing a system for ranking the sexiest women of the decade is complete bullshit; beauty is too subjective. So instead, I've focused on a much more quantifiable quality: the "IT factor." The IT factor is popularity on a global scale. It's "hotness" in the Paris Hilton sense of the word. And while popularity isn't an…
Health Care on the precipice?
As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tries desperately to placate Joe Lieberman and a stray Maine GOP Senator without losing any Democrats in support of a health care bill, the progressive wing of the party is being told by Howard Dean not to support the bill. In an op-ed in Thursday's Washington Post, Dean writes:…
Hillsborough County Commission rejects extending non-discriminatin protections to LGBT community
Although the television cameras were down at the County Center on Wednesday to cover the potential public firing of County Administrator Pat Bean(which did not happen), the BOCC kept up their not so proud record when it comes to gay rights. Several months ago, Commissioner Kevin Beckner suggested during discussions about the Kevin White saga…
December Chumpservations, Vol. 2: The injured Greg Oden, Tracy McGrady and Troy Polamalu
Portland’s Kneed Two and a half years ago, Ohio State’s Greg Oden was the consensus number one draft pick of the Portland Trailblazers. It was hoped the seven-footer would bring the franchise back to prosperity. Since that day, Oden has been a mainstay on injured reserve. Unfortunately for the Portland big man, his season was…
Solutions to make the holidays more environmentally friendly
The Issue -Approximately 37 million Americans purchase disposable holiday trees annually. -Americans send at least 2.6 billion holiday cards annually (most ending up in the garbage). -During the holiday season, holiday lights in each home produce enough carbon dioxide to inflate 12 balloons. -A typical holiday party of thirty guests can create 80 pounds of…
Save yourself — and your friends — with these better bottles of American wine for holiday parties
It is true that the holiday season is a time for fellowship and sharing. Trouble is, for those of us who like wine, it’s also a time to receive some truly bad gifts. You know what I’m talking about. The probably re-gifted porcelain cheese cutting board and knife set. The bottle of white zinfandel that…
Bean hangs on, developer welfare survives and HDR gets yet another million bucks
One look at Wednesday's agenda for the Hillsborough County Commission meeting and it was shaping up to be one of the most interesting shows meetings of the year. Recent meetings have made Ringling's 3 rings appear dull and this one had potential. Would Commissioners give embattled County Administrator, Pat Bean, her walking papers? Or would…
Ruth Eckerd Hall’s SchoolTime series brings performing arts to local kids
For a concert photographer accustomed to late nights and loud music, covering two guys playing classical music for a bunch of school kids is not exactly where I expect to find myself at 10:45 on a Tuesday morning. But there I was; standing in my regular spot inside portal one at Ruth Eckerd Hall, watching…
Tonight’s Top Chef Reunion preview: Reunited and it feels so good (videos)
For this week's preview, we get a sneak peek of the Top Chef Las Vegas Reunion epsiode: Laughs! Drama! Contestants we barely remember! Of course, they'll be highlighting Michael's win (as seen in the clip below), and further adding to his ego. Bryan doesn't seem too upset about it, but then again, he never expresses…
The latest news from the Copenhagen climate talks (video)
With only a few days left at the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, it looks like there's been a lot of talking…but not much action. Little action, that is, concerning agreements over curbing carbon emissions. The larger, developed nations don't seem to be budging much over emissions reductions, especially China who doesn't want…
Band spotlight: Florida’s own Black Violin
If I were asked to describe Black Violin, my response would be innovative, fun and like nothing you’ve ever heard. This talented trio fuses funk, hip-hop and classical music to create a sound and style that very nearly defies traditional genre categorization. Some might call it revolutionary. Based out of South Florida, Black Violin consists…
Restaurant Review: St. Pete Brasserie
St. Pete Brasserie 4 stars 539 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-823-3700 or stpetebrasserie.com The space that's home to St. Pete Brasserie, on Central Avenue in downtown St. Petersburg, has been fraught with difficulties over the past couple years. It started when The Table — formerly a highly-regarded Sarasota restaurant — opened a second location there.…
Wednesday-music.com indie music profile: The Antlers
The Antlers began in 2006 as the solo gig of Peter Silverman (pictured right, in the middle), who, upon moving to Brooklyn, began writing his first several albums: Uprooted, recorded while moving; The February Tape, recorded over 60 minutes in a bathtub; In the Attic of the Universe, a single song stretched into an album;…
“Gentle Ben” Time Person of the Year, Marco’s tied with Charlie? And Dan Gelber hangs in Ybor: Mitch Perry Report 12.16.09
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is Time magazine's Person of the Year. The honor comes as some members of Congress would like to him lose some of his power as Fed Chair, as he is about to be renominated for four more years; According to a new poll, Marco Rubio has tied Charlie Crist in…
Cafe Volcano (aka Good Personality) Cookies
I remember when I was in high school, my mother once tried to convince me to go out with the dorky son of one of her bridge buddies. “What does he look like?” I asked. She replied, “Looks aren’t everything. He’s got such a great personality!” I knew I was doomed. Trust me. When words…
Commentative poetry of the times
The zeitgeist is a German world for "the spirit of the times; the general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time". Here are some poems that ring true for the current times by American poet Louis Daniel Brodsky. Dubai World Dubai World, Fronted by the oil-inebriated United Arab Emirates, A…
Time mag names Ben Bernanke Person of the Year at the same time opposition to him grows in Congress
Time magazine announced today that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is their 2009 Person of the Year. The editors explained that: But the main reason Ben Shalom Bernanke is TIME's Person of the Year for 2009 is that he is the most important player guiding the world's most important economy. His creative leadership helped ensure…
Crist to sign rail bill in Tampa as one poll shows him tied with Marco Rubio
Fresh off his visit to Alabama to discuss water woes with fellow GOP Governors Bob Riley and Georgia's Sonny Perdue, Governor Charlie Crist is due in Tampa Wednesday morning to sign Florida's rail legislation bill. Of course, we shouldn't feel so lucky; Crist is replaying the signing at events in Tallahassee, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale…
Dan Gelber on the rail vote: an imperfect deal
Democratic Attorney General candidate Dan Gelber was in Ybor City last night. The Miami Beach State Senator was hosting a fundraiser at Bernini’s. CL spoke to him about a number of issues, including his somewhat nuanced “yes’ vote on rail last week. “It was an imperfect deal,” he admits, referencing the issue of liability with…
The loneliest job in the world: Florida Democrat Mike Scionti
It’s tough being a Florida House Democrat — but redistricting may not be the answer.
Christmas Trio is a fine memorial to its author
There's nothing more surprising, more unpredictable and more interesting than the truth. This is what the late Susan Hussey knew, and this is the main attraction of her play Christmas Trio, currently being given a first-rate production at Tampa's Gorilla Theatre. This story of a family rent by all sorts of divisions is often bleak…
It’s a bullseye for new restaurant St. Pete Brasserie
The re-do of a St. Pete storefront brings classic, inexpensive fare to downtown.
Artistic partnerships yield an impressive show at Morean Arts Center
Since I went to see Visual Unity, an exhibition at the Morean Arts Center in St. Pete, I've been thinking about it in terms of that old candy slogan: "two great tastes that taste great together" (a reference to the marriage of peanut butter and chocolate in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, as candy fans and…
My girlfriend doesn’t like my foot fetish
Hardly the best foot forward I am a 23-year-old male who has been in a relationship with a great woman for four years now. She is an amazing person, and we oftentimes talk about marriage. The issue is this: I have a foot fetish and she is fully aware of it. She doesn't like the…
The road gets rougher for Marco Rubio
He’s being called a flip-flopper, but he’s still in touch with the Republican zeitgeist.
Avatar immerses audiences in an alien ecosystem
Every 3-D movie has at least one pokey part. Even a smart, visually intriguing film such as Henry Selick's Coraline or Robert Zemeckis' Beowulf eventually goes out of its way to thrust something like a conspicuous needle or spear tip at the audience. As if the glasses weren't reminder enough, the filmmakers invariably make a…
Pointy-headed tree lovers
Our front yard is full of them.
Is bloodletting effective?
Plus: Did Kane Kramer invent the iPod in 1979?
Ferlita Factory escapes wrecking ball – for now
This piece is written by CL Contributor Manny Leto It’s 9 a.m. in City Council Chambers and Ken Ferlita sits listening to attorney Michael Labarbera rattle off the list of maladies associated with the building Ferlita’s immigrant grandfather once owned. The roof is gone, the grout between the bricks is crumbling, the walls are bowing.…
Last minute gifts for your favorite geek chef
Cheesecloth and enameled cast-iron are great gifts for your average home-cook, but what about the folks who like to have a fun in the kitchen while producing tasty treats for friends and family? For them, look to odd resources for clever and surprising gifts that will help them create food while delighting their playful sides.…
Top Chef Las Vegas Podcast, Ep. 14: Mama’s boys, bacon for dessert, and the winner is crowned
The finale of Top Chef was a nail biting, rollercoaster ride. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but it was by far the most engaging episode of the season (as it should be). Personally, I was a little surprised by the outcome (don't worry, no spoilers in the post – you'll have to listen to…
Kitchen Scenes: Dinner, brought to you by strung-out and hungover dealers, addicts, and ex-convicts
There is a common misconception. Some choose to believe that the upscale dining business is run by an upscale workforce; a highly coordinated team of Johnson and Wales graduates with pristine knife skills, starched chef's coats and metal briefcases containing professional grade cutlery straight out of Bavaria… (pause for laughter). Lets be honest, inside Tampa's…
CL Auction Item #60: Surrender to SoHo Package
Arguably Tampa’s premier collection of restaurants and bars (sorry, Ybor), the SoHo district is not only the go-to nightspot for beautiful Bay area partiers in search of fun and adventure — it’s also a great shopping destination. Fortunately, the CL Auction has both activities covered with our Surrender to SoHo Package. First up is a…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Holiday raw foods class, ‘Surviving the Holidays’ wellness workshop, farmers markets, and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Dunedin Green Market- Every Friday (through April); 8 am- 1 pm. 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 Market is…
The Green Community week in review: Tampa Bay Green Gift Guide, upcoming sustainability discussion with Edgar Mitchell, ULI’s Tampa Bay Trends Conference, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: Expectations of the Copenhagen international climate change conference – Find out exactly what will be going on during this international negotiation that begins next week. The Urban Land Institute’s upcoming Tampa Bay Trends Conference…
CL Holiday Auction Item #23: The Ultimate Green Gift Basket, er Barrel
We’ve packed so much good green stuff into this one item that you’ll have to get a barrel, not a basket, to carry it all. Luckily, that’s the first item on the list: • Rain barrel: Is keeping your lawn lush and green taking a toll on your water bill? Quit wasting the city’s water…
CL Holiday Auction Item #5: Buy a band profile and a photo shoot
Are you a local musician who feels like your band hasn’t gotten the break it deserves? Music Editor Leilani Polk has just the solution: a band profile tailored to your specifications along with a photo (like this one of Geri X) taken by professional photographer James Ostrand. This auction item closes Wednesday, Dec. 16 @…
CL Holiday Auction Item #16: Indie record shopping spree (plus turntable!)
Go indie music store shopping with CL Music Editor Leilani Polk and get six records plus a player for the price of a charitable donation. Three local independent record stores — Daddy Kool in St. Petersburg, Mojo Books & Music in North Tampa and Vinyl Fever in South Tampa — offer two records apiece. At…
CL Holiday Auction Item #07: A Wonderland of TBPAC tickets
A fabulous sampling of the 2009-2010 season at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center (recently renamed the Straz Center), beginning with two tickets to one of the most anticipated theater events of the year: the world premiere of Wonderland, the new Frank Wildhorn musical based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. That’s not all. You also…
CL Holiday Auction Item #03: Buy A Story in Creative Loafing
Buy A Story in Creative Loafing. You decide the story, you pick the CL staffer to write it, and we print it in the issue of Jan. 20, 2010. This auction item closes Wednesday, Dec. 16 @ 1:30 p.m. EST. Current Bid: $305 Place your bid below:
CL Holiday Auction Item #1: Buy the cover of Creative Loafing
That’s right. We’re selling the cover of our January 20, 2010 issue to the highest bidder. It could be a picture of you. Or your artwork. Or a political statement, or an ad. Whatever. If you’re the highest bidder, it’s yours to do with as you please, and it’s up to our designers to make…
CL Holiday Auction Item #4: Buy a five-star restaurant review
In five years of reviews, CL Food Critic Brian Ries has never awarded a restaurant five stars. Now he will do just that in a review of your favorite restaurant for the issue of Jan. 20, 2010. He will laud the food, decor, service, napkins, even the bathroom, all while refraining from tongue-in-cheek praise or…
CL Holiday Auction Item #2: Buy Mitch Perry
Join CL’s political editor for a lunch interview with a surprise guest. (Hint: It’s a politician, currently in office.) Ask the politician anything, and see the questions and answers become part of a story in CL. Then join Mitch to talk about the interview on his podcast, the Mitch Perry Report. And finally, as a…
