Dec 31, 2020 – Jan 6, 2021
In this week’s issue. CL’s remaining staff and contributors look back say goodbye to a year to a year that felt like getting kicked in the crotch. That’s it. Get the fuck outta here, 2020.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to Tucker Carlson: ‘I don’t seek validation by the media’
A heated exchange between the Governor and a CNN reporter Monday dragged Florida back into the national spotlight.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will not allow local governments to mandate lockdowns
“We will categorically not allow any local government to lock people down. We will not let any local government kick anybody out of their job.”
Tampa Bay Times announces printing plant closure, loss of 150 jobs
The Times says it will attempt to sell the St. Petersburg printing facility to help pay off debt and contribute to its pension fund.
‘NSync’s Joey Fatone and ‘Impractical Jokers’ star James Murray will meet fans at Tampa Topgolf
UPDATE: This is postponed.
Florida regulators approve Duke Energy plan to build 10 new solar power plants
The costs of each plant would range from $102 million to $113 million.
Jazz ensemble Katara Trio books two Tampa outdoor concerts for January
The gigs are on Jan. 7 and Jan. 17 in downtown and Seminole Heights.
FWD Thinkers kicks off ‘Finest In Funk’ all-vinyl event at Tampa’s New World Brewery
Give it to me, baby.
Florida Gov. DeSantis says select Publix locations will administer COVID-19 vaccines
The Lakeland-based grocer said it will start taking reservations for the vaccine through an online registration program later this week.
Yummy House owners open Phở 813 Vietnamese food restaurant in South Tampa
It lives where The Local used to be.
New restaurant Santelli Pizza & Pasta opens next week in Odessa
With gluten-free and cauliflower crusts for pizza as part of the menu loaded with Italian family recipes.
Ybor City’s 7th + Grove featured in national Pepsi ad during NFL playoffs
Part of the “Dig In” campaign to support Black-owned businesses.
Flower Crown Kombucha coming soon to former Foundation Coffee space in Tampa Heights
Billing itself as Tampa’s first and only kombucha taproom brewery.
Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will begin distributing coronavirus vaccines to seniors this week
After this morning’s announcement, the Hillsborough website briefly crashed, but as of now it appears to be back online.
Ybor City favorite 7th + Grove among new restaurants opening at Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf
Along with Murph’s BBQ, both open this month.
Three Florida members of Congress say they won’t certify Joe Biden win
Reps. Kat Cammack and Byron Donalds both appeared on Fox & Friends on Monday and said they will challenge the vote total.
Tampa Bay’s vegan concept Good Mood Food shifts focus to Community Table project
The vegan dining series sparks connection and conversation through food.
Florida-based chain Canopy Road Cafe opening in former South Tampa Taco Bus location
The cafe is taking over the home of a former Taco Bus location.
The Tampa Bay Bucs have a chance to secure 5th seed against the Falcons
The Bucs have outscored their opponents 78-14 in the last six quarters. Yes, you read that correctly.
Find something to hold onto as 2020 slips away, Tampa Bay
From Asher, hope.
This year in Tampa Bay headlines was like getting kicked in ye old bare ass and dong
One last look at the most popular stories of CL’s big dumb 2020.
Largo’s MAGA coffee shop, restaurant owners behaving badly, and more of CL’s most-read food and drinks stories of 2020
Oh, that Hooters where guys can work was popular, too
CL’s food critic says ‘bye’ to Trump and a depressing 2020
‘Stay safe until we eventually reach that distant light finally glimpsed at the end of the tunnel.’
CL’s top A&E stories of 2020 prove you either really love or hate Tom Brady
They also suggest you’re possibly interested in beheading politicians.
Skipper’s Smokehouse closing, Sandman’s iHeartRadio layoff and more of our most-read music stories of 2020
That Cardi B Carole Baskin clapback ranked, too.
‘American Chopper’ restaurant coming to Pinellas Park, Black-owned coffee in Ybor, and more in local foodie news
Plus, Tampa gets a new piano bar, BurgerFi opens in in St. Pete and more.
Oracle of Ybor: Quit work to start selling art, and definitely go ahead and retire in 2021
So many new things on the horizon.
Savage Love: The myth of ‘lesbian drama’ should not be confused with the sure signs of an abusive relationship
And, it’s time to kick your sister out, sister.
Tampa Bay nurses, and the Grinch, deliver coal to local headquarters of HCA Healthcare
The healthcare workers were protesting unsafe staffing and other issues during the pandemic surge.
Tampa Bay’s live music scene withstood the pandemic, but venues say the future is uncertain
Here’s the live music outlook, straight from operators of local venues large and small.
