15 ways gaming is good for you (plus diet tips!)
Everybody says games are bad for you, but everybody is a total jerk, because games are in fact awesome for you. I think. Maybe. Well, some of the time anyway. Games are awesome anyway, and they might well have some real world benefits as well. Edge had this thought provoking rundown of 15 things they…
Are vitamin supplements actually killing us?
The New York Times published a piece (sure to piss off the industry) about how vitamins supplements, a $23 billion industry, might be hurting, not helping us. An excerpt: "…are vitamins worth it? In the past few years, several high-quality studies have failed to show that extra vitamins, at least in pill form, help prevent…
New Elliott Smith rarities surface, available for download
Another year, another posthumous release from Elliott Smith. An album’s worth of unfinished recordings and outtakes from From A Basement On The Hill has leaked. Among the 17 songs is a Beatles cover for the song I’ll Be Back. Considering how much material has been uncovered, we'd expect to be hearing really rough and diluted…
Trent Reznor announces tour with Jane’s Addiction and NIN’s impending end.
Yesterday afternoon, Trent Reznor posted a note to the Nine Inch Nails forum announcing a forthcoming co-headlining tour with Jane's Addiction while reflecting on the band's past, present, and future as they approach the 20th anniversary of their first official releases. In his note, he casually drops the fanbomb, revealing Nine Inch Nails' plans to…
What are the 10 best Smiths songs?
Recognizing the release (and very good reviews) of Morrissey's new album, Years of Refusal, out today, Paste has released a list of the 10 best Smiths songs. Let's see if we at CL agree with it: 10. “Bigmouth Strikes Again”—One of three Queen Is Dead songs on this list, “Bigmouth” features a nice anachronistic lyric…
Food and Wine events
Thursday, Feb. 19: St. Petersburg Wine and Food Festival Stroll through downtown St. Pete and experience fine wines and spirits, food samplings and jazz music. $75 VIP, $50 general. 5:30-9:30 p.m. (727-347-6133) Thursday, Feb. 19: Vino 100 St. Pete Hosted by Vino 100, Massage Envy and Let's Eat, "Ladies Night Out" is designed to pamper…
A-Rod ‘takes his medicine’ with the press in Tampa
He said he had been "young and stupid." He said he didn't really know what he was putting into his body. He told the throng of reporters, with a straight face, "I'm here to take my medicine." Irony aside, Alex Rodriguez faced the full media at the Yankees Spring Training Complex in Tampa today, holding…
Tournament of Tacos, CL’s third annual culinary showdown, needs your help
Two years ago, CL challenged 64 pizza places to enter tournament-style culinary combat, slice versus slice, the deserving winner crowned best pie in the Bay area. Last year, burgers took center-stage in our quest for gustatory greatness, one patty reigning supreme. This year, the tradition continues. It's Taco Time, baby! Such a basic recipe: one…
Love WoW, Diablo, StarCraft: BlizzCon 2009 is on
If you're all about spending your holidays vacationing in Azeroth, battling the Zerg in StarCraft or slaughtering demons in Diablo, then you're in luck! Blizzard has announced today that they'll be bringing back the immensely popular BlizzCon this year, which will be held on Friday, August 21st and Saturday August 22nd at the Anaheim Convention…
MOSI presents mural-sized images of Messier 101
Today, Museum of Science and Industry commemorates the International Year of Astronomy 2009 — a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Galileo first using a telescope — with an unveiling of new mural-sized images of Messier 101 (aka the Pinwheel Galaxy) taken from all three of NASA’s Great Observatories: the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space…
Chimp attack: Travis’ death is today’s top useless media story
Our Media Watch vote for the top useless story of the news cycle goes to the tragic demise of Travis the fun-loving-but-human-attacking chimp. It was prominent on the morning news shows, it will be replayed over and over again on the cable nets and expect it to show up no lower than the B-block on…
Ingredient basics: Ostrich
These days everyone is looking for the next health gimmick/trend. Any way that we can become healthier, lighter and smaller without starving or cravings. Healthier, more sensible meat options are coming to light – one good example is buffalo. Ostrich, however, might be a stretch for most folks, but it may be a stretch worth enduring. Ostriches are…
Local foods: Naturally-raised pork in your metaphorical backyard
I need my meat! To continue with last week's theme of where to find local food, it's time to look at the proteins available. Vegetarians and vegans, you may want to stop here. My intention is not to offend your diet of choice, and I respect your decision, but I believe we are the caretakers…
The Short List: Florida tourism numbers down
Was yesterday a slow news day or what? Guess that explains how a video of a woman screaming in the Hong Kong airport because she missed her flight was the biggest story of the day. Florida tourism numbers fall for the first time in 7 years. Now that the stimulus plan is done, what's next?
New Releases: Tuesday, February 17
Abe Vigoda, Reviver EP (PPM) …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, The Century of Self (Richter Scale) Asobi Seksu, Hush (Polyvinyl) Beirut, March of the Zapotec/Holland EP (Pompeii/ Ba Da Bing) Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Lightning Rod Records) Annie Lennox, The Annie Lennox…
Do It Today: Frost/Nixon on stage
Frost/Nixon: With timing that could either be viewed as fortuitous or unfortunate, Tampa gets to see Frost/Nixon the play just a few days before we see whether Frost/Nixon the movie (based on the play) wins any Oscars. How will the Richard Nixon of Best Actor nominee Frank Langella compare with that of Stacy Keach, who's…
Free green filmfest at Eckerd
Talk about timely. Not only green, but free! Entering its 11th year, Eckerd College's Environmental Film Festival may not be the most renowned film festival in the area. However, the festival's achievements and program lineup remain simply stellar, and its themes more than ever appropriate for our times. The officially titled Environmental Film Festival 'Visions of Nature/Voices…
Breaking: Bucs to part ways with Jeff Garcia
If you've been paying attention to the Bucs at all this off-season, you probably saw this one coming. The Bucs let out word today that they would not be resigning QB Jeff Garcia. Again, not all that shocking. And yes, Garcia deserves better. Still, did you really ecpect the rebuilding Bucs to hang on to…
Wolfgang Puck cooks again for 2009 Oscar Governors Ball
This Sunday, while we're munching on chips and dip, the VIP invitees to the Governors Ball, the Oscars official after party, will be dining on food prepared by celebrity chef and foodstuffs entrepreneur Wolfgang Puck. This is his fifteenth round of cooking for 1,500 Hollywood elite and this year, he goes Zen with tuna tartare in sesame…
Me and My Boyfriends at Pro Star Recording Studio on Friday, 2/27
If you missed our show at Ruth Eckerd Hall this past November, you've got one more chance to see a little lesbian folkie like me rock the hell out with my five piece balls-to-the-wall rock n' roll band, My Boyfriends. We're playing Pro Star Recording Studio on Friday, 2/27 at 8pm. Here are 5 reasons why you (yes, I mean *YOU*) should totally be…
Former MST3K host Michael Nelson vows to eat only bacon for one month
Michael Nelson, host of the hilarious pop culture phenomenon Mystery Science Theater 3000, vowed on January 31st to consume only bacon during the entire month of February. Maybe he's bored, now that he's relegated to doing the same hilarious movie commentary tracks strictly in audio format. Or maybe he's insane. We'll likely never know, since…
Palm Pre wants to fill the holes in Apple’s iPhone
Copy and paste, data tethering, and now Flash support — it looks like the yet-to-be-released Palm Pre will fill a lot of iPhone's missing features, like copy and paste, and oh yeah, Flash. Palm has joined Adobe's Open Screen Project. From their press release: The Open Screen Project will help deliver Adobe Flash Player for…
Yet another Watchmen preview
Come on, Warner Bros.! How many of these Watchmen sneaks are you going to put together? We get it. There's lots of brooding in slow-mo. Things explode. Glass shatters. Just release the frickin' movie already! In any event, if your appetite still needss whetting, check out the latest Watchmen trailer after the jump …
Jane Isaacs – Contributor
Jane Isaacs? Well you’ve seen her before. She’s that girl at the corner table of the coffee shop reading a book not paying any attention to what’s going on around her. She thinks long walks on the beach are silly, but that Scrabble is sexy. She’s 23, living in Tampa, and contemplates getting a cat…
Rachael Ray names Bern’s Best Steak House in the country
Our own humble little steak joint Bern's Steak Emporium (they have a great wine selection, if you didn't know) was just named Best Steak House in the country by Rachael Ray's Every Day with Rachael Ray. Ray is a television cooking show host who recently branched out into publishing and donut promotion. Ms. Ray sent…
Oscar Preview: Best Supporting Actor
Note: We'll be counting down to Oscar night with a daily look at the major awards up for grabs on Sunday. Today, we get started with: BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR And the nominees are: Josh Brolin in Milk, Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, Michael…
Is the day after Valentine’s the loneliest of the year?
Singles will debate which night of the year is the loneliest-Valentine's Day or New Year's eve. But people tell me of more dreams about lost love and loneliness on Valentine's Day than any other. After a while the dreams started to fall into themes. Dreams about missing a train, being alone in a car, seeing…
Top 100 Google search terms on Valentine’s Day: Restaurants dominate
How'd your Hallmark V-Day go? The only thing I learned out of the experience was that all-natural grape soda and low-end sparkling wine makes for a pretty snazzy little spritzer. But, at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night, Feb. 14, I happened to go online for a few minutes and noticed some alarming results on Google…
Late night music Feb. 16-21
A regular weekly bulletin on musical guests playing the five-nights-a-week late night talk shows (and SNL); set your TIVOs or DVRs. The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Monday, February 16: Willie Nelson with Asleep at the Wheel Tuesday, February 17: M. Ward (pictured) Wednesday, February 18: Antony and the Johnsons Thursday, February 19: David…
The Short List: Nationalize it!
And now, a message from the President of the United States of America. When Sen. Lindsey Graham advocates nationalizing banks, you know we've got a crisis. President Obama to sign the $787 billion stimulus bill into law on Tuesday in Denver.
Do It Today: Del Tredici, Red Molley and God’s Trombones.
The finale of the fourth annual Also that night at TBPAC, all-female acoustic roots trio Red Molly — made up of three singing, string-plucking-and-strumming songstresses with Appalachian folk leanings, pictured at right — perform in the Jaeb Theater. 7:30 p.m., $25.50. Tampa Bay Writers Network honors the life, words and activism of Florida native Johnson…
Songs about Love: the 21st Century Edition
We all know the standard classic mixtape love songs – “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton,” Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love,” Stevie Wonder's “Golden Lady,” "I Will Always Love You," (Dolly or Whitney, you pick the version), "At Last," by Etta James, most of the Beatles' early catalog. But what about modern, 21st century love songs, i.e.,…
Lily Tomlin at TBPAC: Younger than ever
It's no wonder Lily Tomlin can embody bratty, precocious Edith Ann with such ease: She was that kid. And even though she's now pushing 70, she still is. Among the many charms of the one-woman show she brought to Tampa Saturday night were her reminiscences of childhood in Detroit. She talked about being free to…
The Simpsons jumps to HD
America's first family finally upgrades to high-def on tonight's episode of The Simpsons. Here's the fancy new main title sequence: I don't know about the whole "chasing the couch into space" bit, but overall I think the creative team did a solid job. dded bonus: It was nice to finally find out the Simpson family…
Pictures of creepy guys taking pictures of pretty girls
In a similar way to how watching 2 Girls, 1 Cup pales in comparison to watching other people watch 2 Girls, 1 Cup, pictures of people ogling barely-dressed people can surpass ogling barely-dressed people yourself. Gizmodo has an entire gallery devoted to just that (NSFW):
See rare Buddy Holly pictures from new photography exhibition
Last week we covered the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly's death with a rare tape of a Buddy Holly phone call to Decca Records and some mp3s from the original master tapes. Here are some really cool pictures, all from a new photography exhibition at Proud Galleries, called simply "Buddy Holly." See more pics below…
Bachelorette, Interupted – Contributor
Bachelorette, Interrupted is an engaged twenty-something who enjoys researching wedding reception centerpieces while simultaneously perusing singles ads on Craigslist. A committed bride-to-be waist-deep in the throes of love and impending matrimony, she never acts upon her urges to leave her 1-carat ring at home collecting dust, but instead lives through faint memories of nights she…
Top 5 Bass Players of All Time
I've always wanted to write a post like this. I have been a student of the Bass Guitar for around 15 years and have always fought the "apparent unimportance" of bass players in contemporary music. Through this post I hope to once and for all assert the position of bassists everywhere in the highest echelons…
Kinky sex goes mainstream
The internet has created a sexual revolution, giving the most conservative eyes a voyeuristic glimpse into the wilder sides of sex. Apparently many are finding that they like what they see and are increasingly trying out kinkier types of sex in their own bedrooms. What is abnormal may not necessarily be unnatural, according to sexologists…
Obama wants (gasp) contemporary art in the White House?
If so, it would be a good omen for the art world. Dreams that the Obamas would usher in a new era of cultural savvy in Washington took a beating last week when the Senate voted against including funding for the arts in the economic stimulus bill, calling theaters and museums "wasteful" and "non-stimulative." The…
Interview: Southside Johnny
At straight-up 3 p.m., the appointed hour, a man on the other end of the line announces himself: “Heyyyyy, it’s Southside!” And so begins a spirited 40-minute conversation with one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most undervalued artists, Southside Johnny Lyon, who has fronted a horn-heavy R&B band called the Asbury Jukes for more than three…
Food and Drink weekly round-up
It's been a busy week, folks, so here's an easy list of all the top stories in CL's food and drink coverage. Eat it up! Nosh Pit Episode 4 is up! Corkscrew cover wine and chocolate. Ocean Prime and Restaurant BT build better cocktails. Restaurant News: Bern's and Zack Gross of Z Grille make Beard…
Parlor Mob at New World Brewery (photos)
About 50 folks came out to New World Brewery Thursday night to see Parlor Mob, B.L.O.R.R., Gasoline Heart and The Sheaks. New Jersey based Parlor Mob play what best can be described as a mashup of Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin and Bon Jovi, without a hint of irony. They converted a few local skeptics with…
Australian winery to release Osama bin Laden label
Wine Spectator reported that Moorilla Winery in Australia's Tasmania region is releasing a line of wines with Osama bin Laden's likeness on the label. Could be a publicity stunt to get their wines imported to the U.S., but it could also be an exercise in pissing people off. What Wine Spectator said: "… Moorilla Winery, owned by art collector David Walsh, has…
The Rock Report: Old Crow Medicine Show at Tampa Theatre
On the way to the show, I kept thinking that I needed to keep my wits about me. This was the first show that I'd acquired the tickets through Creative Loafing and it would be nice to impress them with lucid recollections on our first shot at this show review thing. Kind of like dating,…
When the recipe is always right, even when wrong: Chicken Piccata
Do you remember your first dish that worked? Worked, as in people raved about it and wanted it again? Worked, as in you tucked that little recipe into your mental rolodex knowing you'd be making in the future? I have one of those. Last year I wrote about my first cookbook and its impact on…
House approves stimulus plan with no Republican support
In keeping with their Obama-inspired "No We Can't" strategy – that is, flat-out no-compromise obstructionism because it's the only way they have left to make any political hay – the Republicans unanimously voted against the $787 billion economic stimulus package, despite earlier indications that there might be a few Republican defectors. Now, in addition to…
Eminem’s single with 50 Cent and Dr. Dre, “Crack a Bottle,” sets a new digital record.
Was there ever any question the trio's collaboration would be anything but golden? The proof is in the 418,000 download sales for its opening week, which surpasses T.I. and Rihanna's record of 335,000 for their single, "Live Your Life." For details, numbers and more info, click here. So, is "Crack a Bottle" fantastic or what?…
The Admiral Ackbar Show
It's a trap! Well, not really. Just a funny vid from the folks at College Humor. Man, those Skywalkers are some interstellar WT.
Nude Madonna photo fetches $37,500 at auction
Just yesterday it came out that Madonna was the music artist who made the most money in 2008, nearly a quarter-billion bucks, and now a nude photo of her has prompted an unnamed European to plunk down $37,500 for a photo of her nekkid. The photo session was in 1979 when she was 20. The…
Bern’s, Zack Gross of Z Grille, and Derek Barnes of Derek’s Culinary Casual make semifinals for Beard Awards
Traditionally, smaller cities and less atypical chefs rarely make the Beard Foundation's short list for their annual restaurant awards. This year, that seems to have abated a bit. Bern's Steak House has made the grade for Outstanding Restaurant — a national award that includes mostly established, big name restaurants. But they also picked Zack Gross…
Free shit: “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye (mp3 d/l on Amazon)
Just in time for Valentine's Day, THE song for romance is available for free. Amazon.com is giving away Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in mp3 format for download – and it is even a nice 256 kbps file. Go here to get your groove on. Available 2/13 & 2/14 only. Word to the wise,…
Kama Sutra: The Advanced Black Bee
For those of you who have always thought the Black Bee as just too laid back. As a reminder in case you don't know the Black Bee by heart, it starts with the man in the seated position with both hands behind him, holding himself upright. The woman then enters the picture and rides him…
Beer Review: Nordic ale adventures with Nøgne Ø Brown
Nøgne Ø Brown English Style Brown, 4.5% Norway Norway: home of freaky death metal, smoking hot models, and user-friendly light lagers. Who knew they could produce such multidimensional ales? The Nøgne Ø (pronounced non-yay) brewery truly breaks the typical Scandinavian beer mold, turning out a line of big, bold beers, all of which I find…
Artsqueeze Weekend Roundup, Feb. 13-14
Target by photographer Ryan Prado. This weekend's visual art prospects include a solo exhibition of work by photographer Ryan Prado, the David LaChapelle of Tampa's burgeoning fashion scene, and DFAC's annual Contain It!, inspired by Art Positions, the shipping container showcase at Art Basel Miami Beach. Friday 6-9 p.m. – Opening reception for the Juried…
Peter Gabriel dumps the Oscars
Musician Peter Gabriel has decided to drop out of performing at Feb. 22nd's Academy Awards telecast due to a dispute over performance time. Gabriel thought he was performing his song "Down To Earth" from WALL-E in its entirety, but was informed by the Academy that he would only get 60 seconds. Per Variety: [Gabriel] does…
Total Wine and More wine coupon
Normally, case discounts only apply if you buy 12 bottles of the same wine. This coupon gives you 10 percent off a mixed case. Print it out and present the coupon before you ring up. Valid until March 1, 2009 at the Tampa and St. Pete locations.
Chocolate-Rum Truffles: Wow your valentine with these decadent homemade treats!
Forget buying overpriced chocolates and goodies for your sweetie or friends this Valentine's Day. Why not give them a more personal way of saying "You're Special" by making them a sweet gift yourself? These rich and decadent chocolate truffles are sure to please any chocolate lover. Believe it or not, chocolate truffles are not difficult…
Do It This Weekend, Valentine’s Edition: Body art, love songs and more
Kick off Valentine's Weekend by painting the town, or yourself, red at the MUSE art/music/body art show at ArtPool. Watch artists at work as they paint their masterpieces onto live human canvases; purchase sculpture, paintings and mixed media by the likes of Diana Leavengood, Bradley Ennis (that's his photograph at left) and many more; sample…
Madonna nude photo fetches $37,500 at auction
Just yesterday it came out that Madonna was the music artist who made the most money in 2008, nearly a quarter-billion bucks, and now a nude photo of her has prompted an unnamed European to plunk down $37,500 for a photo of her nekkid. The photo session was in 1979 when she was 20. The…
Plane crashes into house in Buffalo, 50 killed
"The sky was red," say one witness in the New York Times report on the crash of commuter flight 3407 out of Newark, NJ.The National Post gathers Twitter records of in-flight audio, a YouTube video of the crash aftermath and detailed information about the flight path and the plane. Forty-four passengers, four crew members and…
The Short List: Republicans not happy with Charlie Crist
I can't believe Obama appointed Judge Dredd to his cabinet in the first place. Have a good weekend everyone. Gov. Crist's bipartisanship leads to a Republican backlash. Court rules Autism not caused by vaccines. Don't we have doctors for this? Chris Brown and Rihnna after the jump.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ It’s Blitz!: Best album cover of the year?
How's that for action photography? It's Blitz!, due April 14, will be the third album from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The trio recorded with producers David Sitek (TV on the Radio) and Nick Launay. According to a press release, the band began the writing process "in the middle of a snowstorm, in a hundred-year-old barn…
Living next door to Gonzo
OK, let’s get that disclaimer stuff out of the way. I’m about to tell you about a book and you should know that I blurbed on the cover. No, I didn’t puke on it. That just means that I said nice stuff about it, in an effort to get you to buy the book. I did…
Worst public service announcement ever!
Whoever thought that throwing Casper Van Diem into a Starship Troopers-themed PSA to raise awareness of child abuse was a good idea really needs to start looking for other work. I've got two major problems with this:
Anna Nicole Smith: The Opera
Yes, you read that right. Britian's Royal Opera is planning to adapt the life and times of Anna Nicole Smith. Per Variety: The company says the show will have music by respected British composer Mark-Anthony Turnage. The libretto is by Richard Thomas, co-creator of "Jerry Springer: The Opera," an earlier merger of highbrow and lowbrow…
Foxy Shazam goes batshit nutso at Orpheum
My ears are still ringing from Foxy Shazam's show at the Orpheum Tuesday night, where I stood mere inches away from the stage, close enough to see the burning embers on lead singer Eric Nally's cigarettes before he swallowed them. That was just one of the highlights of the night. Before Foxy Shazam delved into…
Yonder Mountain String Band cancels their show at Jannus Landing.
The newgrass jam quartet has postponed several upcoming tour dates, including their Saturday, February 14, stop at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg. From the YMSB website: Feb. 11- 15 Postponed Due to circumstances surrounding the band, Yonder Mountain String Band will be unable to perform the shows scheduled for February 11 – 15. We apologize…
Tickets on sale for spring wine events
Although there's a frickin' wine and food tasting practically every weekend, most blend in like weak pinot in a sea of bullying cabernet. But a few manage to float to the surface to become worthy of your limited cash. March 7: Abilities Wine Tasting and Auction Abilities Wine Tasting has gotten a bit tired in recent…
Food and wine events
Thursday, Feb. 12-Friday, Feb. 13: PRP Wines International Take advantage of this Valentine's Warehouse Sale — PRP is opening its warehouse to the public for the first of only four times this year. Stock up on their all-natural, no added sulfite wines in time for Valentine's Day. Free. 5-9 p.m., 5910 Breckenridge Pkwy Suite F,…
Florida Craftsmen Panel: Collecting Contemporary Ceramics
This life-sized work by UF alum Matt Schaffer is featured in Florida Fire at Florida Craftsmen Gallery. Dunedin collector Mindy Solomon, who curated Florida Fire: the UF Ceramic Faculty Experience, currently on view at Florida Crafstmen Gallery, will speak tonight on a panel about collecting contemporary ceramics with UF professor Anna Callouri-Holcombe, whose work is…
And you thought LeBron made big money…
What musical artist made the most dough in 2008? Madonna. How much? How 'bout — ta-da! — $242,176,466. The rest of the Top 5 goes like this: 2. Bon Jovi: $157,177,766 3. Bruce Springsteen: $156,327,964 4. The Police: $109,976,894 5. Celine Dion: $99,171,237 To see the remainder of the Top 20, click here.
Kitchen knives as works of art: Japanese Blademaster photo-essay
FXCuisine.com, a site loaded with culinary video and articles, put up a photo-essay of a Japanese blademaster lovingly hand-making the kinds of kitchen knives you won't see in the stores, from forging, to sharpening, to carving the handle to engraving the blade. A lot of work, but that's just the kind of labor I expect…
Do It Today: PrintReady
Collecting art is an extravagance that too many people are willing to do without and when the economy is floundering, artists are among the first ones to feel the squeeze. As a result, more and more of them are turning to printmaking, a process that allows artists to produce multiples of the same piece and…
This week’s grocery store deals
The good deals at Bay area grocery stores, all in one place. Seems to be a cheap steak week in Tampa… mmm… Publix (prices good through 2/18): Choice ribeye steaks, $5.99/lb. (what does "Choice" mean? ) Farm-raised salmon fillets, $6.99/lb. Fresh asparagus, $2.49/lb. Dunkin Donuts coffee, $5.99/lb. Whole chicken roasters, $1.09/lb. Ground round, $3.49/lb. Buy…
Video: Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman, looniest guest ever?
Move over, Cher, Madonna, Farrah Fawcett…. there's a new loony Letterman guest in town. Joaquin Phoenix, ostensibly making an appearance to hype his new movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, "Two Lovers," instead carved himself a spot at the top of the list of unforgettably awkward TV talk-show appearances. (Sad thing is, the buzz for this movie…
The horror and delight of Sam’s Club Pizza
I have always thought the people who eat inside Sam's Club, Target or Wal-Mart are a little….odd. (Like the people in this picture to the right. I don't know who they are, but they appear to be enjoying themselves.) It's strange that these large stores have restaurants inside them in the first place. They aren't…
Free shit: TGI Friday’s – buy one entree get one free
Grab a friend, the folks at TGI Friday's are giving away a free dinner. Get the BOGO coupon here and head down. They even have the foresight to save your relationship – the coupon is not valid on Valentine's Day. expires 3/1/09 enjoy!
Hungry Housewife’s Roast Pork With Black Beans and Yellow Rice
Soon after moving to Tampa, I discovered a whole new world of Cuban food. Tampa has a large Cuban community and their food is a staple in this town. Growing up, I had never heard of chicken and yellow rice, cafe con leche, deviled crabs, plantains, etc. I was missing out on a whole bunch…
Restaurant review timing: Curse you Laura Reiley!
This week, St. Pete Times restaurant critic Laura Reiley reviewed Ocean Prime, which had been open for just over two weeks. That just sucks. I like Reiley quite a bit, although we've never managed to get together for that lunch we've emailed each other about (call me, Laura!). And no, I'm not accusing her of some sort of…
And you thought A-Rod made big money …
What musical artist made the most dough in 2009? Madonna. How much? How 'bout — ta-da! — $242,176,466. The rest of the Top 5 goes like this: 2. Bon Jovi: $157,177,766 3. Bruce Springsteen: $156,327,964 4. The Police: $109,976,894 5. Celine Dion: $99,171,237 To see the remainder of the Top 20, click here.
The Short List: Stimulus compromise reached!
This is a great Daily Show segment, i which Jon takes apart Bill O'Reilly yet again. Bill-O's hypocrisy practically melts the screen. The Simulus Bill That Will Not Die tops out at $789 billion. What do you think? Too big, too small or just right? Bank CEOs swear to Congress that they are lending cash…
A Real Live One — Soulfound’s New Live EP Drops February 17
Click here to download podcast version of this press release ›› Soulfound's newest release, "Live at Zen Recording," drops February 17 on all major online music retailers Worldwide. CDs will be handed out as promo by each of the participating bands and the Mohawk Bomb Records Street Team. This five-song EP is the latest release…
Phish Saves America: Bonnaroo, ticket woes, Pollock show and contest.
A weeklyish column about Vermont's jamband super group; art by Phil Bardi. For the past eight years, I’ve avoided getting sucked into the musical glamour of Bonnaroo. The majority of my friends have attended at least once, some of them several times, and all extol its stupefying virtues like they’re the ones trying to sell…
Damon Fowler debuts on Billboard blues chart at No. 12
Tampa's (actually Brandon's) own Damon Fowler's national debut CD, Sugar Shack, makes its first appearance on the Billboard Blues Chart this week at #12. This from a release by his record label, San Francisco-based Blind Pig: Audiences and critics alike are responding to the young guitar phenom's exciting, soulful blend of Southern rock and swamp blues. In an…
New trailer for Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds = lots of Brad Pitt
Anybody else slightly perturbed by the accent?
Indie 101: Guillemots
My understanding is that Guillemots are pretty well known in the UK. Because I live in the states, where they aren’t as famous, I think I can stretch this a bit and call them “underground.” Either way, I am absolutely willing to jeopardize my notoriety as a “music discoverer” for them. That really should be…
Free flicks on Friday the 13th: Asian Hitmen Double Feature!
Eckerd College's International Cinema series is back this week with a double feature, loosely tied together around the theme of Asian hit men. Ashes of Time Redux The free action starts at 7pm at Eckerd College's Miller Auditorium. Wong Kar-Wai's wuxia delight Ashes of Time was redone for the big screen as Ashes of Time…
Concert announcement: North Mississippi Allstars
Hot off his tour serving as lead axeman for the Black Crowes, Luther Dickinson returns to the band he calls home, the North Mississippi Allstars with drumming/percussionist brother Cody and bassist Chris Chew, for a tour in support of Do It Like We Used to Do. The two-disc retrospective (out Jan. 20 on Red) traces…
We can’t afford to be careless anymore…with our wallets or bellies
Broccoli here, aka John K. I am not going to start a rant with my first blog, but I can't take CNN anymore (or FoxNews, for my righteous right wing friends out there). Frankly, they both constantly blather on about more jobs lost and how politicians can't figure out where to stimulate the economy (anywhere,…
Did I really just watch Melissa Ferrick eat macaroni and cheese?
I've been averaging around 4 hours of sleep a night for the past several weeks. Combine the subtle, creeping delirium that accompanies such chronic sleep deprivation with modern time-wasting tools like the internet and it is no surprise that I found myself on Youtube last night watching singer/songwriter Melissa Ferrick's video blog. I have counted myself amongst Melissa Ferrick's fans…
The Godfather Wars
For the Godfatheraphiles among us, and I count myself as a big one (in more ways than one), the latest issue of Vanity Fair does not disappoint. In a long story, author Mark Seal details the Hollywood and real Mob fights behind the making of the film. The story's tease pitches it this way: In…
Q&A with the Grateful Dead
The band's publicity firm, the Mitch Schneider Organization, sent out a missive hipping us to sit-down interview with Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. Check it out.
Move over blondies, Redheads will excite your sweetie with a spicy kick!
Move over brownies and blondies- here comes their more fabulous and feisty cousin, the Redhead! It's my personal take on a blondie/brownie — a little sweet, a bit nutty, with a spicy little kick at the end! If I were a baked good, I'd definitely be this one (and I'm a redhead too, coincidence?). I…
Q&A with Axl Rose
Axl Rose rarely gives interviews, as you may have heard, but when he does, he has a lot to say. Billboard scored a Q&A with the mercurial Guns N' Roses frontman, and he gives plenty of insight into the making and marketing of Chinese Democracy (including a detailed slam on record companies), and talks freely…
Best frickin’ chocolate on the planet
I eat a lot of chocolate… not mounds of it at one sitting like a PMS'ed tub of lard, but a a few squares of rich dark chocolate beautifully strokes my sweet tooth. So I'm particular about what enters this mouth – it better be amazing. I've spent easily hundreds of dollars – and about two…
Your momma don’t dance …
……….but she can rap like a grand m*f*! Ms. Terry Moore, GIFF's 2009 Opening Night honoree, appears to be making a career comeback of sorts- some 40 years in the making — on the Canadian TV reality show Old Skool with Terry and Gita. Apparently, VH1 passed on the show after a couple episodes, but there's no stopping a dream,…
The late Bill Hicks was on David Letterman two weeks ago — wuh??
Thanks to Dave at Re/Creating Tampa blog for this story, about how David Letterman finally made good on his mistake in pulling a 1993 standup routine by Bill Hicks, who died a year after the censorship. From the blog: In 1993 David Letterman cut Bill Hicks performance from the show because he felt it was…
Valkyria Chronicles Review: It’s World War II, anime style!
This is how I like my war: animated, turn based and with mini-skirts. Valkyria Chronicles for the PS3 offers all of that, and adds the additional bonus of being a really good game. It's also an overlooked game, and the fact that it's a PS3 exclusive means that even fewer people will have a chance…
How Gasparilla Film Festival scored Nothing But the Truth
[Editor's Note: John Rosser blogs for the Daily Loaf about the local filmfest scene. He was Executive Director of the Gasparilla International Film Festival in 2007-2008, but is no longer affiliated with the festival.] With a $12m production budget and a host of stars (including Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Alan Alda, David Schwimmer, and Angela Bassett), Nothing…
Meet The Fusionistas…
Say "Hello!" to your newest resource for all things fashionable, entertaining, and eye-opening in the great Bay area! The Fusionistas are made up of three local girls who call themselves the Fusionistas because together they combine the elements of art, fashion, hair,performance, and local life. They have avid appetites for all things interesting, underground and…
Mosaic Dance Collective: The Jobsite of Dance?
This past weekend the Mosaic Dance concert hit the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, performing on stage in the TECO Theater. I had a chance to talk with Co-Artistic Directors, Ashley Evans Hilton and Tina Tidwell, as well as two of their featured dancers, Claire Elbrink and Amanda Roa. About halfway through composing my notes…
Do It Today: Pretty Paul Parsons, Skywalker and “Money Madness”
The St. Valentine's Massacre of Pretty Paul Parsons at Side Splitters Comedy Club is billed as "12 comics and 1 dirty, perverted, ugly old man." Parsons ain't pretty (see photo), but this roast by his fellow comedians should offer ample evidence to back up his status as Tampa's dirtiest old man. Wed. Feb. 11, 8:30…
The Short List: Eight arrests in Michael Phelps bong incident
Good morning, South Carolina. Good news! There's no more real crime in your state. How do I know? The cops spent time yesterday arresting eight college kids for being at that party where Michael Phelps was caught on camera sucking on a bong. Phelps was not among the incarcerated. (Of course.) Late-night bargaining in The…
John Wesley is Tampa Bay music’s hidden treasure
The most successful Tampa Bay music guy nobody in Tampa Bay knows about.
Brandal 2007 Albarino
Mmm… white wine in the winter. Might seem counter-intuitive but you you’ll be surprised how a little crisp tongue tingle can revive a dull day. Albarino, a grape from a cold, rainy region in northwest Spain called Rias Baixas, delivers the energy. This Brandal version is similar to sauvignon blanc in texture, light-hearted with tart lime and grapefruit…
Valentine’s Day Memory: Naked lunch at Hamilton College
Just make sure you’re surrounded by naked people.
An introduction to sour beer: Petrus Oud Bruin
Petrus Oud Bruin (Old Dark), 5.5% ABV, Belgium For the salt and vinegar potato chip loving, malt vinegar French fry craving, sour apple candy enthusiasts, imagine a deeper, darker version of that tart, tangy goodness, served in a tulip glass. Enter Petrus Oud Bruin, an ale crafted in the Flemish tradition by Belgian brewery Bavic…
The International
The International overdraws on financial espionage
Martial Solal: I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
No piano aficionado should be without this CD. French pianist Martial Solal has always been, to use crude jazzbo praise, a motherfucker — but at 81, he now has to be considered something beyond that. Motherfucker laureate? This solo set was recorded live at the fabled Village Vanguard jazz club on Oct. 12, 2007, and…
Pairing wine and chocolate
Enjoying the sweet stuff this Valentines Day.
A smarter martini at Ocean Prime and Restaurant BT
In search of the Bay area’s most innovative cocktails.
Australian winery to release Osama bin Laden label
Wine Spectator reported that Moorilla Winery in Australia’s Tasmania region is releasing a line of wines with Osama bin Laden’s likeness on the label. Could be a publicity stunt to get their wines imported to the U.S., but it could also be an exercise in pissing people off. What Wine Spectator said: “… Moorilla Winery, owned by art collector David Walsh, has…
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Dance, dance, dance
Three of the Bay area's largest performing arts institutions host modern multicultural dance programs this week, each with its own distinctive flavor. Luis Bravo's Forever Tango is celebrating its 12th year of bringing the sensuous music and dance of Argentina to audiences around the world. The current program — which stops at Mahaffey Theater on…
Why Dürer endures
Between offerings at the Arts Center and the Museum of Fine Arts, downtown St. Petersburg is practically a print-lovers' paradise this season. While Johns takes over the Arts Center, the MFA features engravings and woodcuts by Renaissance virtuoso Albrecht Dürer drawn from the Hessisches Landesmuseum in Darmstadt, Germany. To complement the Dürer exhibition, the museum…
The Week That Was: Racist GOP email, Ken Hagan’s seat switch, big job losses
The Week That Was Gasparilla distracted us, albeit briefly, from the nightmare that is our local and national economy. Funny what a few six-packs and some cheap beads will do for a person's spirit. And in the meantime, local politics began heating back up again as the jockeying for 2010 began. But first, a bit…
Beer Review: Nordic ale adventures with Nøgne Ø Brown
Nøgne Ø Brown English Style Brown, 4.5%Norway Norway: home of freaky death metal, smoking hot models, and user-friendly light lagers. Who knew they could produce such multidimensional ales? The Nøgne Ø (pronounced non-yay) brewery truly breaks the typical Scandinavian beer mold, turning out a line of big, bold beers, all of which I find thoroughly…
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Put this one back on the shelf, and walk away. Sophie Kinsella’s vapid chick-lit novel about a working woman and her mounting debt has been pulled this way and that by action producer Jerry Bruckheimer in an effort to turn it into The Devil Wears Prada. The book lightly satirized the various rationalizations we all…
Uncle Sam wants your sex toys!
Well, not really … I’m a 27-year-old bi girl, with a lovely fiancée. I’m a top; she’s a sub. I’m trying to be responsible, so this weekend I sat down and wrote my will. I hope I won’t need it anytime soon, but it makes me feel better to know friends and family will get…
Jasper Johns prints at the Arts Center
A show of prints at the Arts Center by a seminal 20th-century artist.
Sex. Love. What more could you want?
Tired of scouring the Internet for serious content on sex and love, only to wade through a clusterfuck of FREE adult sites feeding you Trojan viruses and male enhancement pop-ups? Your adult dreams have been answered. Introducing CL’s newest site: cltampa.com/sexandlove.Sex & Love is a one-stop portal for everyone from highbrow voyeurs researching what’s new…
$10 bottle of wine at Ruby Tuesday
Three times wholesale cost has been the unfortunate standard for restaurant bottle pricing for years. But Fred Franzia (who vehemently denies any relation to the same-name boxed wine) and his Bronco Wine Company have worked out a deal with the Ruby Tuesday 800+ location chain to sell their Bronco Coastal Vines Chardonnay for $10 on the wine list. It’s…
“One for the Road” concert helps BAAMO send Tampa bands to SXSW with
In what has become a laudable tradition, each year BAAMO (Bay Area Arts and Music Organization) organizes an unofficial concert at SXSW in Austin called "Florida Bandango." This year marks the seventh sojourn. A major part of the initiative is One for the Road, a show designed to raise money to go toward the chosen…
Layoffs, buyouts and a DUI in Tampa Bay media news
The St. Petersburg Times isn't a public company, so it doesn't have to bear all the SEC-required disclosures and subsequent negative headlines that the Media General-owned Tampa Tribune does. But that doesn't mean that the Times isn't hurting, perhaps just as badly, as the Tribune is financially. The Times told its employees (and its online…
Like wine for chocolate
Valentine's Day: Romance, flowers, wine, and best of all… the world's tastiest, creamiest aphrodisiac: chocolate. I'm not talking about the leftover Halloween stash cached in the PMS/diet crash/sin drawer. I'm talking about the rich, pure, adult flavor of well-made milk, semi or bittersweet chocolate. Adult chocolate, savored nakedly without the distraction of cookies or cakes,…
Free shit: Dunkin’ Donuts coffee on Wednesdays in Feb – Chick Fil A breakfast (ymmv)
Great way to start hump day… free coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. According to television ads, the remaining Wednesdays in February, Dunkin' Donuts will be handing out a free medium coffee with no additional purchase required. Mark your calendars… 2/11, 2/18 & 2/25 I haven't personally confirmed this in Tampa, but many Chick Fil A's across…
Late night music, Jan. 26-30.
As a service to those who like to know what bands are playing on the five-nights-a-week late night talk shows, I've decided to offer a regular update. Make sure to set your TIVOs or DVRs if you don't stay up late enough to catch the performances on your own. The Late Show with David Letterman,…
