CD review: Duran Duran, All You Need Is Now
"Find Durand Durand!" That's Jane Fonda's primary mission as the sexy astronaut and title character she portrayed in the 1968 sci-fi cult classic film Barbarella. She spends the bulk of the film in search of the evil, deranged Doctor Durand Durand. In a classic case of life imitating art, the British band who swiped their…
Do It Today: Howliday Block Pawty, The Men and more
Party with your canines and enjoy drinks and live music at the Howliday Block Pawty at the Snow Circle Shops courtyard today. The event includes opportunities for Color Me Mine paw-print keepsakes and photos with Santa, live portraits by Alli Bell, mobile vet Dr. Jennifer Claxton, and representatives from Camp Bow Wow and Tailored Pet…
Help us pick the top 10 CL recipes of 2010: Vote for your favorites!
We want you, our readers, to help us pick the 10 best original recipes we've featured on the CL Food and Drink site so far this year. Take a look at the editor's picks listed below and tell us your favorites (limit 10) in the comment box below. Your picks will be listed in our…
Not dead yet! Tampa Bay Democrats elect new leadership
Moments after Hillsborough County Democrats selected Chris Mitchell to become their new chair last week, the 26-year-old business consultant addressed the internecine warfare that has plagued the local party for years. “For way too long this party, it's been divided,” he said before a rare full house at the group’s monthly meeting site, the Hillsborough…
Pinellas County approves funds for jail-annex-turned-homeless-shelter, Pinellas Safe Harbor
After much discussion Tuesday night, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved a motion for $210,000 toward utilities at the new jail diversion facility, Pinellas Safe Harbor. The decision was reached after several hours of intense debate on how the Sheriff's Department intends to run the operation, who is allowed to seek housing there,…
Movie and News links for Wed., Dec. 15, 2010: Malick’s Tree of Life, Slant’s Top 10 of 2010, Time’s Person of the Year, America Lost and Found and more …
The official trailer for The Tree of Life is finally here, and it is honestly one of the most breathtaking trailers I've ever seen! The film opens on May 27, 2011 (hopefully in IMAX). Here's the official synopsis: "From Terrence Malick, the acclaimed director of such classic films as Badlands, Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line, The Tree of…
DVD review: Sting, Live in Berlin
As I mentioned in a previous concert review, just the thought of Police tunes squashed into a symphonic mold nearly made me nauseous. All I could hear in my head were Lawrence Welk-versions of “Roxanne” and “King of Pain,” and it seemed ludicrous that these versions of classic Police songs could ever find a favored…
Where has all the oil gone? Even more updates on the BP spill from USF’s Marine Science department
Last month, I attended a public forum that was organized to explain what the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have been thus far on the environment. Three speakers from the University of South Florida each explained their different portions of study performed. The first speaker, Dr. Robert Weisberg, works with the Ocean Circulation…
Following Higginbotham’s lead, Hillsborough Commissioner to look look for alternative (i.e., non-taxpayer) funds for transportation (including light rail)
Emphasizing that he was not looking for a new way to use taxpayer funds, Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Al Higgenbotham today convinced his colleagues on the Board to support the county attorney and administrator to study possible sources of funding for the county's transportation needs that don't rely on county money. Higgenbotham was one of…
CL Holiday Auction Item #026: Guest list for every show at the New World Brewery in 2011 — bidding ends today at 6 p.m.
This is absolutely a CAN'T MISS auction item for music fans who love New World Brewery, Ybor City's popular bar and concert venue. The fine folks at New World (in conjunction with promoters New Granada Presents, THX Mgmt and Brokenmold Entertainment) will grant the winner (and a companion) a spot on the guest list for…
Be dubious about the “progress” being made in Afghanistan; Mary Mulhern says Tampa is doing something about panhandling, and Time “likes” Mark Zuckerberg as their man of the year: Mitch Perry Report 12.15.10
It was fascinating watching the dispute between local independent taxi cab drivers and the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission yesterday as a bill being promoted by state Senator Ronda Storms got watered down – by Storms. Tampa City Council member Mary Mulhern sounds off on what critics say is a lack of action on the part…
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus charges into town
The 141st edition of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is in its winter quarters preparing for the big show From Junuary 5 – 9, 2011 at the St. Pete Times Forum in downtown Tampa. The new edition, named "Fully Charged", is what promoters are calling "the most electrifying edition of Ringling Brothers ever." See…
TIME mag bails on Assange, hails Mark Zuckerberg as Man of The Year a year past his prime date
Time magazine, which has gotten a whole better since it began publishing it's new editions on Thursday instead of Monday (and completely blows away a withering Newsweek), is creating lots of chatter on the blogosphere with their announcement this morning that Facebook inventor and owner Mark Zuckerberg is their Man of The Year. The Tea…
Obama to say Afghan policy is working, despite latest National Intelligence Estimate to the contrary
So we learned last night that the late Richard Holbrooke's last words he spoke to a hospital physician just before he underwent surgery was "to stop the war," was apparently made "in painful banter, rather than as a serious exhortation about policy," according to the Washington Post. That phrase was displayed prominently at the top…
Are Gulf Coast residents consuming more oil spill-related toxins, and how safe is dispersant for consumption?
Remember the tests that were being done on Gulf seafood last summer, including the "seafood sniffers", to check for oil and carcinogens? The NOAA tested for PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) that are typically found in crude oils and concluded that there was "low potential to bioaccumulate in seafood" and "low in human toxicity." The remaining…
Mary Mulhern says Tampa IS working on the issue of pandhandling
Neighborhood activist Spencer Kass says that one reason he's trying to get signatures on a petition to get put a referendum on banning panhandling in Tampa is because the city council has refused to act on the matter when the issue came before them back in October. But Mary Mulhern thinks that's an unfair charge. …
Do our dogs miss us when we’re away?
I recently returned from a two-week trip. Jana was clearly happy to see me and did her usual extra-exuberant welcome dance. Wylie seemed very pleased to see us as well, though he seemed wistful as he watched the dogsitters leave. Oriel plunged into what looked like the deepest, darkest depression. She still lies by the…
Do It Today: (Really) old-fashioned holiday events on both sides of the bay
Take a trip around the world and back in time by way of the Baltimore Consort, who performs a Christmas concert of early music (and later eras) from England, Scotland, France, Italy and Spain, at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Members of the acclaimed ensemble play lute, flute, fife, recorder, crumhorn,…
Dissecting Dexter: Season 5, Episode 12 “The Big One”
That's it? No surprising deaths? No last-minute game changers? Maybe Team Dexter was unable to deal out a harsh finale blow this season like they did last year. Maybe they just couldn't do it again to us and Dexter, who went through a lot this season and seemed to liven up toward the end of…
Movie and news Links for Tues., Dec. 14, 2010: Golden Globe nominations, Pitchfork’s Top 100, health reform, the world’s tallest hotel, Booboo takes out Yogi and more …
The Golden Globe nominations were announced this morning if anyone cares. True Grit and Another Year were completely shut out. Pitchfork names the Top 100 Tracks of 2010, while Slant magazine names the best albums of 2010. Julian Assange may be an jerk, but he's a necessary jerk. The "death panels" are real! At least they are in South…
Holiday wrapping paper (and many other plastics) could be recycled using new technology
You're probably thinking to yourself, "But wrapping paper is made out of paper, so of course you can recycle it!" Nope, that's not the case. Unless you're buying wrapping paper that's made of 100% paper pulp, your paper is composed mainly of non-recycleable plastic. And, since only about 12% of plastics are able to be…
Hillsborough County Commissioners to decide future of Public Transportation Committee, but will they listen to Ronda Storms and angry cabbies?
Hillsborough area state Senator Ronda Storms today amended her bill that would eliminate the Public Transportation Commission in Hillsborough County that effectively puts the fate of that agency back with the county as well as Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace, and not in the hands of the Florida Legislature, somewhat neutering its power. That…
Drink up! Cigar City, Independent, Wine Exchange auction items closing today
The CL Holiday Auction marches on. Just three more days of bidding to go, and today's almost over! That's important news especially if you're a beer or wine aficionado, because Plus, you've got two getaways to bid on at local resorts, concert tickets, original band posters and more. Remember, it's all for the benefit of…
The 6 hottest places to have sex
I've had sex in a few crazy places over the years, but some of those spots were exciting purely based on the thrill of adventure. These unusual sex locations don't always turn out to be the most conducive for what would qualify as hot, or even comfortable sex. Under normal circumstances these interesting sex spots would…
Closing at 2 p.m. today!: CL Holiday Auction Items #64 & #65- Wine class at The Wine Exchange & a wine tasting party at home
One last chance to bid on these items that close at 2 p.m. (EST)! They would make great gifts for your favorite oenophile. Item #064: Learn about wine at The Wine Exchange A private wine seminar for 10 people at The Wine Exchange in SoHo's Hyde Park with Wine Director Craig Dean. The seminar will…
Golden Globe nominations: A few omissions, few surprises
As anticipated, The King's Speech and The Social Network reaped several nominations, including best dramatic picture.
‘Head in the sand’ protest at COP16 UN climate change conference in Cancun (video)
From November 29th until December 10th, world leaders and climate change activists gathered in Cancun, Mexico (yes, be jealous), for COP16, the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Continuing where they left off last year with COP15 in Copenhagen, leaders negotiated monetary costs of the…
New music releases out this Tuesday, December 14: Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Diddy & Dirty Money, Michael Jackson, Ciara, Midnight Juggernauts, Phish, and more (with video)
If there's one thing you can count on every Tuesday, it's new music! Here are the ones out today, Tuesday, December 14. , III/IV (Pax Am) Adams originally hit the studio with the Cardinals in 2007 for a two-week session; six months and more than 60 tracks later, they emerged with Easy Tiger. The rest…
Classy holiday cocktails for your festive fêtes
Whether you're hosting or attending a holiday get-together this year, you've probably already planned your food offerings, but have you given a thought as to what you'll be sipping? Forget the beer and wine, and go for something with more pizazz like a classy cocktail (or a few) to offer guests. See below for holiday-inspired…
Florida GOP rejoices over Virginia judge’s ruling on health care law; Tampa City Council candidate not supportive of recent vote on Oklahoma based health care clinics; and Pinellas Transportation tax force wants a penny sales tax referendum for light rai
A George W. Bush appointed judge in Virginia struck down the individual mandate provision of the federal health care reform law yesterday, and Republicans celebrated everywhere, including here in Florida, which has also led the way on fighting the legislation. Tampa City Council candidate Jason Wilson, an emergency room doctor at Tampa General Hospital, shared…
AltDotPop: Miley Cyrus and Her Bong, Ke$ha’s Leaked Sex Photos, Jon Gosselin Gets a Real Job, Willow Smith’s New Haircut and more
Prince William and Kate Middleton have released their official engagement photo. Apparently, no one told people in England that beige isn't great for William's skin tone. Also, oh my god they look so uncomfortable, amirite? Jon Gosselin, aka "Little Ed Hardy," is pulling me to the dark side a bit with his new-found normalcy and…
Pinellas transportation task force wants vote on rail tax, but not until 2012
We weren't at yesterday's Pinellas County transportation task force meeting in Largo, so we're relying on accounts in today's Tampa Tribune by Ted Jackovics and the Times' Michael Van Sickler to give us the lowdown on what went down – which is that the task force endorsed a penny sales tax referendum to be voted…
Bill’s Sports Binge: Fugly football, Carl’s Red Sock crock and Favre’s finished streaking
Another week, another ugly Buccaneer win over a losing team. It's getting old and predictable. If this were a TV series, Fonzi would have jumped the shark. Nothing left but for Ritchie to grow a ridiculous mustache, go to the University of Wisconsin, marry Lori Beth and send the rest of the team to Joanie Loves Chachi during…
CL Holiday Auction 2010 Item #034: Brokenmold Entertainment poster package (closes today at 2 p.m.)
Know the uber-cool concert posters you see all over town — the ones that are brilliant and graphic and generally eye-grabbing? [See right if you answered no.] Those are the handiwork of Best of the Bay 2010 winners S. Bradley Askew and AZN Mike, who took home a "Best Poster Art" award for their Brokenmold…
Tampa City Council candidate Jason Wilson has issues with recent council vote on health clinics
Monday night can sometimes be a slow night, but not last night, as Tampa City Councilwoman Mary Mulhern and candidates Carrie West and Jason Wilson all held their first major fundraisers for their 2011 candidacies. We'll write more on Mulhern and West later in the week, but we engaged Wilson, an emergency room doctor at…
Do It Today: Life As a Socialite at Spice Lounge and Arabian Nights in St. Pete Beach
Spend an evening reenacting rap videos with Cristal flowing and well-heeled crowds swaying in unison as white-suited gangstas escort an entourage of supermodels in slo-mo to a VIP booth. Okay, it's probably not quite like that, but you can add some swanky style to your Tuesday night without going broke. Tonight is the premiere of…
CL Holiday Auction 2010 Item #028: Two all-access passes to WildSplash (closes at 2 p.m. Dec. 14)
Your all-access pass to Wild 94.1's Wild Splash in March 2011 at Clearwater's Coachman Park. You and a guest will receive all-access passes, hang out with the Wild 94.1 staff, watch the show from the stage and get the chance to interview some of the artists in the media tent. Former WildSplash artists include B.O.B.,…
The Cupcake Spot celebrates their 3rd anniversary with free cupcakes, giveaways & more – Saturday, December 18
, best known for their original cupcake creations and named the "Best Place to Eat Your Feelings" in CL's 2010 Best of the Bay awards, is celebrating three years in business this Saturday. And instead of bringing them a birthday gift, your presence is present enough because they're giving back to their customers to say…
Urban Charrette’s ‘Positive Connections for 2011 Party’ – Wednesday, December 15
Join Tampa's Urban Charrette, a non-profit group aiming to educate citizens on the importance of quality urban design, for a discussion and their holiday "Thank You Party" this Wednesday at Tre Amici in Ybor. The theme of the get-together is "Positive Connections for 2011" and will focus on the positive connections this community can make…
Florida Republicans rejoice over GOP supporting Judge ruling health care mandate unconstitutional in Virginia health care suit
The responses are coming from all over the state today as Florida Republicans are rejoicing in the wake of the decision by a federal district judge in Virginia that the individual mandate provision in the federal health care law signed by President Obama earlier this year is unconstitutional. Today's ruling is the first any part…
On The Scene: Jeff Lacy battles Dhafir Smith at Jannus Live on Sat., Dec. 11, 2010 (with photo gallery)
The following photos were all shot by Terrence Duncan, who worked ringside at this past weekend's series of boxing matches at Jannus Live, headlines by St. Pete's own Jeff Lacy getting back into the ring after a torn rotator cuff nearly ended his career. (Lacy lost on points, which means his career might be over…
Movie & News links for Mon., December 13th 2010: College Republicans, The Larry Sanders Show, Robyn, Bjork, top 25 singles of 2010 and more …
College Republicans tops the 2010 Black list of the best unproduced screenplays in hollywood. Sound on Sight reports that the newly prolific John Cameron Mitchell (Rabbit Hole) has two awesome new projects in the works, one a surreal animated film called The Ruined Cast, the other an adaptation of a Neil Gaiman short story called How to…
MusicMonday, Vol. 23: Aloe Blacc, Camera Obscura, John Lennon & more (with video)
What the Creative Loafing music team is jamming to break through the Monday malaise and rocket launch the work week… Click here to check out previous entries. – Camera Obscura, Let's Get Out of This Country (2006) I pulled out this sweet twee gem from '06 to offset the frenetic goings-on of the holidays. Scottish…
Creative reuse ideas for old phone books
After you get the updated version of your local phone book, you don’t have to throw the old one away. Check out these alternate uses:
CL Holiday Auction Item #63: Brewer for a Day at Tampa Bay Brewing Company and a Pizza Party
Join forces with Tampa Bay Brewing Company Head Brewer David Doble to become a brewing apprentice for a day. You will assist David as he brews one of the house beers (and he might even let you pick which one). After you are done, TBBC will give you a t-shirt so you won't be covered…
Theater Review: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant at American Stage is surprisingly mild satire
A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant is a surprisingly mild look at the controversial religion (some would say “cult”) headquartered in Clearwater and boasting such famous devotees as John Travolta and Tom Cruise. Purporting to tell us the story of its founder L. Ron Hubbard from his own point of view, it takes a…
Petition for proposed panhandling ordinance in Tampa being pushed
Last month during a discussion regarding a possible ordinance cracking down on the homeless in Hillsborough County, Tampa resident Spencer Kass, the president of the Virginia Park Neighborhood Association, said that if the Tampa City Council didn't want to pass such a law, city residents would demand it in the form of a ballot initiative.…
The transgender glossary: a guide to the many shades of the gender spectrum
Stories of people exploring gender boundaries have been increasingly popular in the media over the past few years. From reality TV to hometown politics, trans folks are on the public radar. From this media outpouring you may have noticed that there's a whole alphabet soup of lingo related to gender bending. You may also have scratched your head wondering…
11 gay gifts to make your holidays rainbow bright!
It's mid-December, and almost everyone you know is likely to be celebrating something and expecting gifts. The holiday season is typically dominated by Christmas and all the heteronormative fantasies that go along with it. Since this annoys me, I started doing some digging. Here I share 11 of the best, gay-centric gifts I've found: 1)" 2) "Have a Gay"…
Tom Slaughter, 51-year old civil engineer, now running for Tampa City Council
Don't you even dare think that the field is set for the seven city council seats in Tampa that will be up for election next March. This morning Tom Slaughter, a 51-year-old engineer and Hyde Park resident, announced that he filed paperwork last Thursday to run for the Tampa City Council in the District 1…
Senate poised for first vote on tax cut plan today; Tampa City Council candidates get busy with fundraisers, and the Tampa Bay Bucs do it again: Mitch Perry Report 12.13.10
Good morning Daily Loaf readers. Politically the big story in Washington D.C. is what the House Democrats will do when they get the chance to vote on the Obama/McConnell tax cut compromise later this week. We saw several different Dems on the various talk shows yesterday chatting about what they're going to do, but we…
EarthTalk: China surpassed U.S. carbon emissions, producing 17% of total world carbon dioxide output
The following is from the environmental themed advice column EarthTalk®, by the Editors of the non-profit publication E/The Environmental Magazine, that we be regularly feature here on CL’s Green Community. Dear EarthTalk: I understand that China is about to overtake the U.S. as the world’s largest global warming polluter. What is China doing to address…
Local culinary students compete in gingerbread house making contest; Vote online for your favorite!
Eight students from The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Tampa are beginning construction on some festive-looking gingerbread houses today at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort. The students are competing to win a a weekend getaway for two at the hotel, the winner being chosen by the public. “Our culinary students work…
So who will the New England Patriots play against in Super Bowl XLV in Dallas?
December football can be pretty exciting, and yesterday the NFL provided some thrills and chills, as well as distinguishing who's for real and who isn't in the 2010 season – so where does that leave the Tampa Bay Bucs? But first, let's take another look at the surreal collapse of the Metrodome in Minneapolis…
CL Holiday Auction Mega-Monday: Bucs, SideBern’s, Dalí, Big Top packages and more closing today
Don't wait any longer: Some of the most-coveted items in the Creative Loafing Holiday Auction start closing out this afternoon. Check out the list of Monday closings below, read more at cltampa.com/auction, and remember: The Children's Home is the beneficiary, and your bids help nurture and protect children who have been victims of neglect and…
Dems line in the sand: estate tax rate (video)
Although Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders became a new folk hero to the left after his 8 1/2 hour filibuster speech on the floor of the Senate on Friday regarding the new tax cut plan, that still wasn't good enough to get him booked on one of the Sunday shows to explain his anger at…
Tampa City Council candidates getting busy (video)
It's the holiday season, always a busy time of year. It's also prime time for candidates running for public office in Tampa to raise funds and get their name better known in the city. Tonight, three such candidates are doing so, holding campaign events. Beginning at 5 p.m. Mary Mulhern will hold her first formal…
CL Music Issue 2010: 25 venues pivotal to the Tampa Bay area’s live (local) music scene
The 25 venues included in this breakdown are pivotal in supporting the Tampa Bay Area's local music scene, some by making sure local talent opens all their national shows, others by hosting purely local music on a regular basis. Whether they’re cramped-with-character dives, classy mid-size theaters or food and music purveyors, all of these places…
Do It Today: Santaland Diaries and Tampa’s Downtown on Ice
Award-winning local actor Brian Shea brings to life David Sedaris’ disgruntled helper elf in a staged version of the radio classic, The Santaland Diaries, at American Stage.
Concert review: Passafire at The Local 662, St. Petersburg
My eardrums take in a large amount of reggae rock sonics. I just thrive off the ocean-bathed melodies, dancehall basslines, tribal percussive beats, jamming rhythm guitars, shining horn sections and the overall look-on-the-bright-side-of-life vibes. There are swarms of bands pumping out a variety of fresh Steel Pulse-meets-Jimi Hendrix infused tunes. There's plenty of the canned…
Bloomberg says he won’t run in 2012, but don’t think the press will let it end there
Four years ago, serious rumors started being spread through the New York Media Industrial Complex media that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg was assembling a staff and seriously looking at running as an independent in the 2008 presidential election. With the possibility of a Hilary Clinton vs. Rudy Giuliani race being contemplated, the thought was that…
The Green Community week in review: Offshore drilling banned for next 7 years, ‘dirty’ clean energy, Hertz rents first EVs and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: EarthTalk: Endangered species in the plant kingdom – Habitat destruction—just one of the threats plants face—can lead to an “extinction debt” whereby even some plants that are plentiful now could disappear over time by being…
Dominant Lightning lose shootout to Oilers
After enduring a tough practice Thursday, the Tampa Bay Lightning were hoping for a much better start against the Edmonton Oilers Friday night. They got that, and a much better effort in general but still fell to the Edmonton Oilers in a shootout by a final score of 4-3. The Lightning got off to the…
A dish with an extra layer of comfort: BLT salad with chamomile-poached eggs
I'm calling this my contracts power brunch. I finished my civil procedure exam yesterday, and am now preparing for my contracts exam scheduled for Monday. Contracts is the course that I am most worried about. I think I am too mathematical in my contracts reasoning. After the practice midterm, I was told that I need…
CL Music Issue 2010: How to break out of your comfort zone and become a better promoter
Promoters have a comfort zone, and breaking out of it isn't easy. Adopting novel technology and trying new things has a price, but with some research, promoters can increase their effectiveness and build long-term success. Many promoters rely on low-return activities like handbills and posters, which have their place but are simply not enough in…
Movie & TV links for Fri., Dec. 10, 2010: Bea Arthur was a Marine, Mike Leigh’s next film, John Cameron Mitchell’s Dior ad, Bollywood Fight Club and more …
Holy Crap! Golden Girls star Bea Arther was a secret Marine! Mike Leigh next film might be about 19th century British Painter J.M.W. Turner. Contrary to popular belief, just because a movie didn't get theatrical release doesn't mean it's crap. IFC has the best straight-to-DVD releases 0f 2010.
5 million deaths predicted by 2020 and 10 million by 2030 due to climate change
Released earlier this week, The Climate Vulnerability Monitor predicts the negative impact of global climate change in the years to come. The report from the Monitor breaks down the prediction of how each country is vulnerable in different ways, whether through health, economics, or loss of land. The Climate Vulnerability Monitor was prepared by both…
CL Holiday Auction Item #58: The Casanova package – Seductive dinners from Max & Sam’s, Ceviche, The Melting Pot & Reservations Gourmet To Go
Three great nights out, one great night in — and no one has to cook! Woo her (or him) with these four special dinners: the ultimate fondue experience at The Melting Pot, where you can cozy up next to each other while dipping delicious items into vats of melted cheese or chocolate; Ceviche in St.…
Only a few minutes left! Tampa Improv, Channelside, health & beauty packages and lots more Holiday Auction items closing today at 2 p.m.
Jump into the bidding right now and you may win one of the following packages in the Creative Loafing Holiday Auction for The Children's Home — all of them closing this afternoon. Check the complete list of auction items if you want to find out what's closing in the auction's final week, Dec. 13-16. But…
An exhibit gives a voice to the voiceless for Human Rights Day
From afar, you couldn’t pick him out of the huge crowd that had come together except for the grin on his face that was so huge you could count the number of teeth in his mouth from across the room. ‘Life is wonderful,” he said. Standing next to him, he was hard to ignore. From…
BPA in canned foods report card: Which companies made the grade?
As we've discussed before here on CL Green, simply put, BPA (Bisphenol-A) is bad. It's often found in the plastic lining of canned foods and drinks, and leaches ends up leaching into them, and thus we consume it. BPA has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, reproductive issues, as well as brain development and behavior…
Some Dems want an ethanol tax credit in order to support tax cut plan? Ed Turanchik lays out his plan for Tampa, and Mark Hanisee is your new Pinellas County Democratic party chief:Mitch Perry Report 12.10.10
The fight between Congressional Democrats (mostly in the House) and Barack Obama will remain the dominant domestic political news story going into next week. We analyze what's happening with this, and also report on the disturbing introduction of ethanol subsidies becoming a "sand in the line" factor for some Senate Democrats to insert in bill…
Dining Guide: Live music venues with tasty fare
CL regularly presents focused listings of the best dining options in Tampa Bay. This week we're giving you a guide to live music venues that also serve some killer fare. BEAK'S OLD FLORIDA 2451 Central Ave., St. Pete, 727-321-9100, beaksoldflorida.com. A favorite hangout spot for locals, this quirky restaurant and bar is filled with wall-to-wall…
Congressional Democrats looking for better deal in tax cut plan want an ethanol tax credit?
House Democrats committed a mini rebellion against the White House yesterday, mocking Barack Obama with chants of "Just say no," as they committed to trying to work for a better deal than the tax cut plan proposed on Monday night between the President and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Reports are a bit different on…
Ed Turanchik delivers position paper on his vision of Tampa
Although Ed Turanchik is often referred to as a former Hilslborough County Commissioner, he's spent over a decade in the private sector, and his most recent turn as head of InTown Homes trying to develop affordable housing in West Tampa has definitely given him ideas on what he believes city government is currently doing wrong.…
Do It This Weekend: Historic Roser Park Festival, holiday boat parades, Capoeira, Artpool’s Wicked Winter Wonderland and lots more
In the Scottish musical, Brigadoon, a magical place appears for only one day every 100 years. One would think that the picturesque, European-like Roser Park was our own Brigadoon but, lucky for us, it stays right where it is — but hidden to a surprising number of lifelong Tampa Bay residents. The neighborhood was established…
Pinellas County Democrats choose Mark Hanisee to lead them for next two years
Thursday night in Clearwater, Pinellas County Democrats elected Mark Hanisee, a former Treasurer of the party, to succeed Ramsey McLaughlan as chairman of the Pinellas Democratic Executive Committee. This was his second bid for the position, after losing out to McLaughlan in 2008. He defeated Maria Scruggs-Weston. Talking about the adversity Democrats are feeling after…
Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell debate in Senate devolves into “shameful schoolyard spats”
Gay men and women in the military are willing to die for their country, but their government still refuses them the right to live openly. Most of their comrades, most of their superiors and most of the American public agree that the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy — the egregious measure that forces gay and…
Rays: Out with the Gold, in with… uh, who?
Repent! The end is near! The sky is falling! Loud noises! Sorry, had to get that doom and gloom bug out of my system. The state of the Tampa Bay Rays is one of flux, as the annual Major League Baseball winter meetings come to a close Thursday. Carlos Pena has found a new home…
Featured green site: Green Depot – Environmental living and building resource
I think the best analogy to describe Green Depot is that it's like the WalMart of a green goods retailer (well, minus the food and auto departments). This eco-friendly mega mart is the nation's largest green building supply chain, stocking everything from home goods and decor to janitorial supplies and building materials. Recyclable content, locally…
Movie and TV Links for Thurs., Dec. 9, 2010: Steve Martin on Colbert, Tron: Legacy, Obama on Mythbusters, Gloria Swanson and more …
A nice place to chill: A Swedish ice hotel has created a Tron: Legacy inspired suite. Dan Callahan relives the glory of silent film goddess Gloria Swanson. A new way to think about news: Think scale!
CL Sound Bites: The Decemberists’ musical, Beastie Boys sequel to “Fight For Your Right,” and Faith No More calls it quits (with video)
>>>The Decemberists' new album, The King Is Dead, lands on January 18. Following the conceptual sprawl of The Crane Wife and The Hazards of Love, mainman Colin Meloy promises a back-to-basics approach. Billboard reports: "For this record, I was just kind of letting the songs come naturally," Meloy says. "It was my interest, having gone through a…
Life As We Blow It: Good songs ruined
Everybody has those songs that they used to love but just can’t stand to hear anymore. A painful reminder of a previous relationship, an inextricable association with a life-changing event, the simple passage of time — it could be any reason, really. In honor of Creative Loafing’s Music Issue, here’s a brief list of a…
WTSP Channel 10 goes seriously hyperlocal on station website
Last month CL wrote about AOL Patch, the new hyperlocal news group that will soon be having websites reporting from communities all over in the Tampa Bay area (there are now 3 live sites up reporting from the Bay area; In downtown St. Pete, Bradenton and Sarasota). The term "hyperlocal" has become the hottest phrase…
The dark side of renewable energy: Solar panel manufacturers producing hazardous waste
Renewable energy isn’t perfect, it has a dark side: hazardous waste and toxic chemicals associated with manufacturing solar components like solar panels. Evergreen Solar, a Massachusetts based renewable energy company produced a million pounds of hazardous waste in 2008 while operating at only 40% capacity. According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the chemicals…
Photo review: 20th Annual Charlie Daniels Angelus Country Concert and Celebrity Golf Tournament
Celebrating the event's 20th anniversary, country legend Charlie Daniels once again hosted his annual Angelus Country Concert and Celebrity Golf Tournament last weekend, with the base of operations at Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Casino. This year's event featured a star-studded golf tournament at Hunter's Green Country Club, cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and non-stop music at the Hard…
CL Holiday Auction Item #60: Beautiful (and tasty) gift baskets for the holidays and after
This item's a cornucopia of good stuff — or actually two cornucopias. From BJ's Wholesale Club, enjoy a "Sweet Soiree" basket featuring holiday-inspired chocolates, cookies and serving accessories (wine stoppers, a three-tier buffet server) that can be used for entertaining after the holidays are over. From Amy's Fresh Deliveries, delight to a small basket of…
CL Music Issue 2010, Anatomy of a Local Music Scene: 25 local acts at the heart of Tampa Bay’s scene in 2010
In the natural ebb and flow of a local music scene, Tampa Bay is enjoying an exciting deluge, the assortment of musicians in our sprawled-out metropolis coming together to collaborate and create a diverse and lively local soundscape. Plenty of folks take it for granted that we have a music scene; others aren’t even aware…
Creative Loafing Auction Item #040: Tampa Improv tickets and meet and greet
Tampa Improv has featured the biggest names in stand-up comedy, such as Mad TV's Aries Spears, who's appearing at the club next weekend. This package provides tickets to a comedian to-be-determined (the schedule isn't finalized yet) who'll be performing at the Tampa Improv in 2011. It includes a chance to meet and greet the comic…
UPDATE: Senate closes down discussion of DREAM Act, a day after House passes the bill 216-198
This morning C-SPAN2 is airing testimony from the U.S. Senate on the DREAM Act. Listening to GOP Senators Alabama's Jeff Sessions and now Wyoming's John Barrasso, it doesn't look that encouraging. But the bill was passed in the (still) heavily Democratic House of Representatives yesterday, 216-198. Advocates are hailing that vote as the first time…
Anti-growth management SB 360 law coming back, Mike Merrill lays out priorities for Hillsborough County govt. in next year, and more, more more – Tampa City Council candidates, that is:Mitch Perry Report 12.9.10
Good morning everyone. The Florida Legislature is up in Tallahassee this week, doing things that they do when they're not officially "in" session (Don't you ever think that maybe the regular session should be longer than 2 months, by the way?) Bills are being prepped as I write, and one of them is a piece…
Undeterred by court ruling, Bradenton state Senator Mike Bennett determined to revive controversial SB 360 law
Despite calls by environmentalists, mayors and county commissions in the spring of 2009 to veto the legislation, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed SB 360, a controversial bill that re-wrote Florida's then 25-year-old growth management law, mainly by allowing developers in the most urban counties to add more housing developments without expanding roads, and allowed counties…
Sound of the smoker: Ybor’s best barbecue joint also happens to be one of the area’s best music venues
New World Brewery 3 ½ stars 1313 Eighth Ave., Tampa, 813-248-4969 or newworldbrewery.net Thursday through Saturday night you can expect to hear the growing conversational roar of a building crowd when you step into the courtyard at New World Brewery, as folks stream in to claim a space before the bands arrive. Wednesday nights —…
Theater Review: Stageworks’ God of Isaac is serious-minded comedy undermined by clichés
James Sherman’s God of Isaac is an amalgam of high and low art, featuring sincerity and stereotype in almost equal quantities. If you don’t mind the cardboard cutouts, you’ll find occasional authenticity in this tale of a young Jewish man’s search for what religion can mean in his own life. His quest is an important one; but it…
The sweetest sounds they ever saw
We asked photographers who shoot local music for CL to select some of their favorite concert photos. Here are a few of their choices, along with descriptions in their own words of what we're looking at. ENZO, by Darryl Richardson: "Known in the local hip-hop community as Enzo, Louis Junior is a good friend of…
Sound of the smoker
Thursday through Saturday night you can expect to hear the growing conversational roar of a building crowd when you step into the courtyard at New World Brewery, as folks stream in to claim a space before the bands arrive. But on Wednesday nights New World has a different vibe: calm, convivial, like a neighborhood bar…
Play local
Brass Mug Rock music (mostly harder fare) by local and underground national talent. 1441 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, 813-972-8152, myspace.com/brassmug (Capacity: 100) Crowbar A club-sized venue that's earned a rep for hosting high-quality indie shows. Local bands provide support, headline shows, perform in local showcases. 1812 N. 17th St., Ybor City, 813-241-8600, crowbarlive.com (300) Dave's…
Still standing
On Black Friday, as local and national media focused on obsessive Target and WalMart shoppers, over two dozen music fans gathered in front of South Tampa's Vinyl Fever shortly before its 10 a.m. opening, poised to exploit a plethora of deals available only at independent record stores. The Back to Black Friday promotion was put…
Looking for a place to record?
This sampling of local recording studios is purposefully incomplete: gleaned for the discriminating, aspiring local recording artist. It contains several of the worthy, for-hire places in the Tampa Bay Area where you can commit your creativity to digital (and/or analog) posterity. Atomic Audio — A fave of indie bands and others with that DIY ethic,…
A good song ruined
Everybody has those songs that they used to love but just can't stand to hear anymore. A reminder of a previous relationship, an inextricable association with a life-changing event, the simple passage of time — it could be any reason, really. In honor of Creative Loafing's Music Issue, here's a brief list of a few…
How to be a better promoter
Promoters have a comfort zone, and breaking out of it isn't easy. Adopting novel technology and trying new things has a price, but with some research, promoters can increase their effectiveness and build long-term success. Many promoters rely on low-return activities like handbills and posters, which have their place but are simply not enough in…
Ruckus in the garage: My noisy obsession
As a person who's recorded hundreds of hours of local music in my home studio, I get to hear all sorts of sonic creativity that never reaches a wider audience. In fact, none of my recordings have ever ascended beyond the level of vanity projects, other than a couple of indie releases by the Pink…
Butt what?
I am a woman in a relatively new relationship. Prior to this guy, I had a deep disgust for anything anal-related. After some dedicated work and anilingus on his part, he's helped me overcome my fears of the "grossness" of the area and made me an enthusiastic convert — as a recipient. He has expressed…
25 in 2010: The local acts at the heart of Tampa Bay’s growing music scene
In the natural ebb and flow of a local music scene, Tampa Bay is enjoying an exciting deluge, the assortment of musicians in our sprawled-out metropolis coming together to collaborate and create a diverse and lively local soundscape. Plenty of folks take it for granted that we have a music scene; others aren't even aware…
Do It Today: Margaret Cho, Human Rights Day events and Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad
Comedian/activist Margaret Cho has come a long way since her heady, pre-9/11 days of youthful dysfunction. (Read our Q&A with Cho here.) In 2005, she wrote a collection of essays on all subjects political and pop called I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight; she starred in a feature-length documentary (Notorious C.H.O.) and starred in and wrote…
Free Speech Radio News in financial trouble
Free Speech Radio News is the independently produced progressive radio newscast that airs on over 100 stations across the country, including WMNF 88.5 FM on its Evening News program every night at 6:00 p.m. The majority of the national and international news program's funding comes from the Pacifica Radio Network, which has had its own…
Is that art? Art Basel Miami Beach 2010
Last weekend, international art intelligentsia and art posers alike converged in Miami for Art Basel 2010. Thousands of artworks were on display at dozens of locations all over the city, and CL was there asking the question: Is that art? The following set of pictures invites you to see if you can tell the difference…
CL Holiday Auction: Act fast, items are closing
Waiting till the last minute to place your bids in the CL Holiday Auction? Well, the last minute is almost here. Starting Thurs. Dec. 9 at 12 noon, the first batch of auction items will be closing, and another batch follows on Friday. The remainder close throughout the coming week, Monday-Thursday Dec. 13-16. For full…
Tonight’s Top Chef All-Stars preview: Dino-mite!
Wednesday night has once again become the time that I look forward most to plopping down in front of the TV and actually watching a show live (as opposed to recording it for later viewing). And which show gets this honor? Top Chef All-Stars, of course! The first episode was a great start to what…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Permaculture yard tour, green holiday fest, markets and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Dunedin Green Market- Fridays: 8 am-1 pm, Saturdays: 9 am-2 pm (through April). 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…
Apples to Applejack: Libations that pair nicely with the nippier autumn weather
When the pilgrims toiled to make lives in what would become America, they did what folks sorely in need of a drink do: they made hooch with whatever was handy. And with transplanted apple trees doing nicely on this newly discovered continent, it wasn’t long before they were hitting the hard cider. Naturally, some folks…
Join CL’s Beer Club at Prime Bar – Wednesday, November 24
Do you like beer? How about free beer? Join in on CL’s next monthly Beer Club event at Prime Bar in The Shops at Wiregrass, this Wednesday, November 24th. Sample different craft beers and an offering from Blue Moon at no charge, then grab a pint of Blue Moon at the bar for only $3.…
