Beer gear
From beer books to homebrewing, suggestions for the perfect gifts for beer lovers.
Connie Mack is out of Congress, but his legislation carries on
For the first time in eight years, Connie Mack will not be living in Washington D.C. — at least part of the time — when the new Congress convenes in early January. The 44-year-old Fort Myers Representative gave up his safe Congressional seat to run for U.S. Senate, and we all know what happened there…
Photo review: 93.3-FLZ Jingle Ball with Justin Bieber, Ke$ha & more
Some shots from Sunday night's poptastic Jingle Ball showcase, with young Canadian superstar Justin Bieber headlining the festivities. Tracy May Justin Bieber at Jingle Ball 2012 More photos after the jump…
Yes, she can
Tampa’s top female bartenders shake it for charity.
The art of manliness
Joel Stein talks about getting Randy Couture’s balls in his face, and how to sound like a slutty female turkey.
Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization director says it’s time to talk about light rail again
In the dark: Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization Chair Ray Chiaramonte said politicians in Tampa and Hillsborough need to start talking about the light rail again This fall, Ray Chiaramonte — the executive director of the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization — has been making the rounds before various local government agencies, as well as other…
Mitch Perry Report 12.11.12 – Activists still targeting Bill Young
A branch of organized labor targeted Pinellas Congressman Bill Young this year in his bid for re-election, which is why you've seen targeted attacks against the Representative from the group FCAN, the Florida Consumer Action Network. Even though the election ended with Young now representing Pinellas in Washington for the 42nd straight year, FCAN is…
New Music Tuesday! (December 11): Big Boi, the Glee cast, Bruno Mars, Green Day & more
Not alot out for the second week of December. I've included info and links for the ones you want to know about most below, plus some other ones you may not have heard of (but should know), with audio & video for your listening and viewing pleasure. Click here to check out releases that dropped…
Deaths from distracted driving accidents increased 2 percent in 2011
It's no secret that Florida, and in particular the Tampa Bay area, possess some of the most dangerous roads and streets in the country when it comes to cyclists and pedestrians. A report released last month by Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows bicyclist deaths in Florida increased 58 percent from 2010…
Consultant study says HART-PSTA merger could save $2.4 million, but concerns abound
Sen. Jack Latvala said the savings could be larger than the estimate from the consultant The consulting group hired by HART and PSTA said a blending of the two transit agencies could save approximately $2.4 million in years to come. The savings would come from eliminating 22 redundant positions. But that doesn't mean a merger…
Marshall Debuts Major 50 FX Headphones
courtesy of Marshall Headphones Marshall guitar amplifiers, known for their trademark black and gold design, have come to exemplify “rock 'n roll.” Not only are they known among guitar aficionados for their Super Lead series of amps, but the words “Marshall stack” have become a household name among musicians looking for that loud, hard rock…
Mitch Perry Report 12.10.12 – Bucs’ playoff hopes fizzle
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on the last play of the game yesterday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium, 23-21, and with it, probably any realistic shot of making the playoffs in 2012. This reporter was among the 64,941 people who packed into Raymond James for the game that apparently everyone thought…
Feedback: Thanks, Claridge
You wrote it, we printed it.
Poet’s Notebook: No exceptions
America as Chosen Country, an idea whose time hasn’t come.
Advocates say Florida government accountability website may shut down
Does the state budget reflect the priorities of all Floridians, or just the priorities of campaign fundraisers and special interest groups? Should Floridians have the same opportunity to follow their money with the same information that legislators have? Or are the rules different for lawmakers? Those were some of the questions posed by Dan Krassner,…
Charlie Crist officially becomes a Democrat. Now what?
Charlie Crist became a Democrat Friday night, making it official at the White House Christmas Party. The only surprising part of this development is that it occurred in December. The former Florida Republican governor told reporters in Tampa a few weeks ago that he was going to lay low through the holidays and announce his…
Hello My Name Is Hashtag
Baby naming and what it says about the parents.
Along came poly
A recent column provoked strong reactions from readers.
Hope floats: the Tampa River Lights Festival
Imagine 10,000 river lights illuminating the Hillsborough River, floating freely and signifying a greater cause. North of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, distinctive in its unique urban design and vast open space, will be the release point of the lights during the Tampa River Lights Festival. This one-of-a-kind event will benefit Voices for Children of Tampa…
Bill Young at Tiger Bay: My mandate was bigger than Obama’s
Bill Young at Tiger Bay on Friday How long has Pinellas Congressman Bill Young been serving in Washington? According to the less than hagiographic introduction he received at the Suncoast Tiger Bay meeting on Friday afternoon at the St. Pete-Clearwater Marriott, the soon-to-be-82-year-old Representative has been around longer than "Hamburger Helper, the Partridge Family, Egg…
Get out your LGBT weekend planner
With the holiday season upon us, there's plenty of festive LGBT events in the Tampa Bay area to choose from this weekend. Tonight, Friday, Dec. 7, the Gaybor District celebrates the season with its fifth annual holiday party from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bradley's on 7th in Ybor City. The group's holiday decorating contest…
Mitch Perry Report 12.7.12 – Both Obama and Romney spent more than a billion dollars for their campaigns
In 2008, Barack Obama broke all previous fundraising records for a presidential candidate when he raised roughly $743 million, blowing away John McCain in his 7-percent point national victory. But going into 2012, nobody from Team Obama was predicting he'd raise more — not with a persistent recession, and all the shine off the man…
Henri Cartier-Bresson: Looking, with a twist
Tampa Museum of Art hosts a retrospective on the famed street photographer.
Behind the scenes at Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza
The hard work that goes into making magic under the Grand Chapiteau.
St. Pete City Council approves funding to advance The Lens
Shanna Gillette Critics and supporters of the Lens filled St. Pete's City Hall Knowing there is a viable petition drive that could stop the motion for a new Pier, the St. Petersburg City Council voted on Thursday to approve spending $4.75 million to continue to bring The Lens concept to fruition. The vote came one…
The rise of Le Mouton Noir
The downtown bakery brings fresh bread to the Channel District.
Tampa City Council to review RNC surveillance cameras — next August
Last winter, the Tampa City Council authorized the use of $2 million in federal money for surveillance cameras to cover downtown Tampa during the Republican National Convention. That was the last time the Council had serious control over the cameras. The Council debated the continued use of the cameras after the convention, with the ACLU…
Celebrate with A Holiday Party of One
Stageworks’ new show offers diversity, cheeky humor and talent galore — just in time for the silly season.
Anthony Hopkins goes Psycho
Hitchcock offers a fluffy take on The Master of Suspense.
Playing for Keeps stinks
The new Gerard Butler-Jessica Biel flick is a dud — even by rom-com standards.
Mitch Perry Report 12.6.12 – Pier Pressure
The St. Pete City Council will hear from the public today on whether or not they should approve spending $5.4 million to continue the path toward the razing and ultimate reconstruction of a new Pier with a design called The Lens. The discussion and vote come a day after a judge ruled that the city…
LED streetlights: A bright idea for Tampa Bay
It’s time for Florida streets to leave the dark ages behind.
Doing things the Dent May way
The Mississippi indie-pop artist embraces a style change for his second album.
The kitchen gypsies of Kooza
Cooking for a Cirque du Soleil troupe is an international challenge.
Hillsborough County Commissioners punt on package for Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shop in Orlando Today, Hillsborough County Commissioners voted to delay a decision on providing $8.25 million in road improvements as an incentive for retail giant Bass Pro Shops to build a store in Brandon, at the intersection of I-75 and the Selmon Crosstown Expressway. The vote was 6-1, with Mark Sharpe dissenting. The…
Bill’s Sports Binge: Better Bucs, USF “skips” Holtz’s contract and Longo loves us long time
Keith Allison $100 MILLION MAN: Rays 3B Evan Longoria will be with us for many years to come. The Buccaneers lost another game they may very well could have won, this one in the Mile-Stoned City and by only eight points, the most Tampa Bay has been beaten by all year. (I know, right?) And…
Review: Eddie Vedder goes solo at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
It takes a truly gutsy performer to step outside his comfort zone as celebrated rock 'n roll frontman and pull off a one man show. Performing with sturdy back-up from a tight, closely-knit rock band helps to deflect the attention from the guy out in front and allows the focus to be shared. Performing solo…
Activists who want to maintain St. Pete Pier excited about court ruling
Last summer, the St. Pete City Council rejected the bid by the folks at VoteOnThePier.com to place a referendum on the ballot that would allow St. Pete residents the chance to weigh in on whether the aging iconic St. Pete Pier should be razed as currently planned, or simply refurbished and then maintained in its…
Florida Democrats get in GOP’s face regarding lack of education funding
As meeting with the heads of the new Legislative committees taking place this week in Tallahassee, Florida Democrats have released what they're calling a Pop Education Quiz — five questions for members of the Legislature on what they say has been the GOP's "failed policies." Policies that they say have prioritized tax giveaways to corporate…
