Got a bright idea for Tampa Bay? Enter to win $1,000
You saw them here first. Since winning The 10/100/1000 Challenge last year from Creative Loafing and Creative Tampa Bay, the guys who dreamed up Swings Tampa Bay have been pretty much ubiquitous. They pop up in the press (a profile this week in Tampa Bay Times, a recent review of Hunter’s underwater paintings in CL);…
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Make ice cream, attend an organic charity dinner or visit a farmers market!
This week in food and drink
Tampa Bay Beer Week festivities, charity events and dinners, culinary classes and more!
How trivial are you?
Take this quiz by Tampa Bay’s top trivia mavens.
Photo review: The Doobie Brothers at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Some shots from Sunday night's show at Ruth Eckerd Hall featuring classic rock vets The Doobie Brothers. John Cowan, Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston More photos after the jump…
Investment advice: Plastics (by the number, that is)
Here’s some investment advice that won't set you back. In the movie The Graduate, Mr. McGuire (Walter Brooke) said to Ben (Dustin Hoffman): “I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Are you listening? Plastics.” That’s my investment advice to you in 2012. Buy plastics. I don’t mean to go out…
U.S. men’s soccer kicks it in Tampa
KICK THE BALL. Try not to get kicked in them. Stop the presses: soccer is coming to Tampa! Ok, now stop the crickets. The U.S. men’s team will be in town June 8 to take on Antigua and Barbuda to open the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers; the U.S. has never faced the island nation…
Photo review: The Whiskey Gentry and others at New World Brewery
The Whiskey Gentry, from Atlanta, returned to New World Brewery for their third time last Thursday night. Opening acts Andy Brey (who frequently sits in with Bradenton's Have Gun, Will Travel) and Colombia, S.C.'s Josh Roberts & The Hinges laid down a solid folk/bluegrass/alt country foundation, and by the time Whiskey Gentry came on around…
Mitch Perry Report 2.28.12 – GOP follies resume, Sharia law a problem in Florida?
Good morning y'all. It was four weeks ago today that Florida Republicans went to the polls and gave Mitt Romney a smashing victory over Newt Gingrich, but in tonight's main event in Michigan, it's Rick Santorum trying to tag a major loss onto Romney, with the polls showing the race to close to call from…
Michigan, finally
It's been three long weeks since the last GOP primaries, the elections that boosted Rick Santorum and created a new narrative about who will accept the Republican presidential nomination in Tampa in late August. What's happened since then? Well, nothing much, delegate-wise, but there's a whole lot more anxiety among Republicans about dethroning Barack Obama…
Activists to protest anti-Sharia bill in Tally
Ahmed Bedier Several hundred activists, many of them Muslims, journey to Tallahassee on Tuesday to protest HB 1209. The bill would prohibit certain provisions of foreign laws, including Sharia law, from being considered by Florida courts if they "do not afford the same liberties, rights and privileges guaranteed by the Florida and US Constitution." The…
Album review: Various Artists, CTI Records: The Cool Revolution
I think it’s fair to say that CTI Records contributed little if any truly important music to the jazz canon — certainly not in the vein of Duke, Bird, Monk, Trane, Miles, et al. But the independent label, founded and run by producer/A&R man Creed Taylor, did play a vital role during a pivotal period…
New Music Tuesday! (Feb. 28): Nneka, The Cranberries, Plants and Animals, Lyle Lovett + more!
A beefy summary of this week’s new releases, with audio and video included!
Review shows Ron Paul seldom says a nasty word about Mitt Romney during debates
We may have seen and heard the last of the GOP presidential debates this year (though we're not quite convinced of that, even if there aren't any scheduled in the immediate future). Mitt Romney's wife Anne said over the weekend that if it were up to her, there'd be no more debates and if there…
Bill to regulate Florida high school sports faces opposition
A coalition of high school sports officials held a conference call Monday morning to denounce Republican-sponsored legislation that would make changes to the Florida High School Athletic Association, the state body that regulates public and private school sports in the state. HB 1403, sponsored by GOP Representative Kelli Stargel from Lakeland, would require the FHSAA…
#MusicMonday, Vol. 60: Sleigh Bells, Gayngs, Delta Spirit + more
What the CL Music Team is listening to on this fine Monday to rocket launch the work week.
Technology is brewing at Buddy Brew
The latest technology brewing in the coffee industry is the LaMarzocca Strada EP espresso machine. This marvelous machine is also a rarity. Currently, only eight coffee shops nationwide have acquired one. But guess what? Buddy Brew Coffee in Tampa is the proud owner of a LaMarzocca Strada EP. This is cutting-edge technology at its finest.…
Democrat Jessica Ehrlich announces run against Bill Young in Pinellas County
Jessica Ehrlich Over the decades (four of them, actually), Pinellas County voters have selected C.W. Bill Young to be their representative in Washington D.C. Although there have been rumors for many years that the 80-year-old Congressman might be stepping down at some point, he's steadfastly refused to do so. A year and a half ago…
Revisit the grand dame of Cross Creek — and Florida literature
Celebrate the stately legacy of Yearling author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
LeMieux keeps up Charlie Sheen theme in new web ad bashing Connie Mack IV
For most of 2011, the GOP race for U.S. Senate in Florida was a relatively somnolent affair. Not anymore. Last week George LeMieux called Senate rival Connie Mack IV the "Charlie Sheen of Florida politics" because of past run-ins with the law, and kept up that theme in an extremely negative (and somewhat funny) web…
Mitch Perry Report 2.27.12 – Post Oscar edition
Good morning, America. Hope you're happy about "The Artist" taking all the major Oscars last night. And Meryl Streep, too. You are happy about that, yes? Okay, let's try to regroup. There are just two weeks left before Florida Legislature calls it a session, so there's plenty of mischief possible. One bill pending would cut…
Former Tampa Trib City Hall reporter gets gig at Newsday
Over the past few years, Christian Wade broke news and consistently did a solid job reporting on Tampa City Hall for the Tampa Tribune. His reward for that in December was to get shipped out to a reporting gig in Carrollwood. But he's getting the last word, landing in New York City to work for…
Activists & food servers picket outside Outback Steakhouse, protesting a bill that will drive their wages down
Activists protest in front of an Outback Steakhouse restaurant Activists and food servers who would be affected by a bill in the Florida Legislature that would reduce the minimum wage for servers from $4.65 an hour to $2.13 protested against the proposed bill on Friday afternoon in Temple Terrace. They gathered outside an Outback Steakhouse…
IHOP National Pancake Day
Flip for free flapjacks!
A chat with openly gay radio personality Miguel Fuller
Toward the end of summer 2011, Play 98.7 introduced a new morning show to the Tampa Bay area. The '"That Guy' Kramer Show" features three shining radio personalities: its namesake, Steve Kramer, Holly O’Connor, and Miguel Fuller. From the start, the obvious chemistry between these three individuals made it a morning commute standout. And as…
The Tampa Lookbook: Special Edition, Oscars 2012
I imagine the only thing better than winning an Academy Award is winning an Academy Award and then giving a speech looking better than all the other women in your category who are pretending to clap for you. If it were up to me, the final award of the night would go to the evening’s…
Oscars 2012: LIVE!
We’ll say all the awesome things that everyone else at your stuffy Oscar party doesn’t have the balls to say.
Santorum plays class card, calls Obama a “snob” for promoting higher education
Rick Santorum has been taking issue with the news media in recent days, claiming they are seizing on a few particularly (provocative) passages in his speeches, and ignoring his main message, which is how he can revamp the economy if elected president. But he does seem to make some pretty strong charges on the campaign…
Mixed Messages: US 19 & Ulmerton
Kevin Tighe Mixed messages is an ongoing photographic feature that captures intriguing, and often contradictory, communications throughout Tampa Bay. Have you spotted a mixed message? Let us know!
Imagination Movers moving Ruth Eckerd date
The colorfully rocking Imagination Movers' March 3 performance scheduled at Ruth Eckerd Hall has been changed to Saturday, Sept. 22, at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Tickets purchased will be honored at the new date, new tickets are on sale now for the rescheduled show. For a complete list of tour dates, visit imaginationmovers.com.
Ricky Wayne: Improv genius on the spot
He’s thriving as a character actor in film and TV, but Ricky Wayne’s first love is improv.
Interview: Jesse Tabish of Other Lives, which opens for Radiohead tonight at the Forum
Jesse Tabish is a soft-spoken man. It's probably just a result of his people scheduling him a relatively early phoner, but I can barely make out the words that he is uttering into his end of the receiver. No matter, though, because as you read this, his band — Other Lives — are embarking on…
Concert review: Kelly Clarkson at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
The American Idol star proved her worth at her Tuesday night performance.
Salute the Girl Scouts with Thin Mint-inspired cocktails
Girl, you’ll be a saleswoman soon.
This Wanderlust goes nowhere
Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston deserve better.
Act of Valor aims high
Active duty Navy SEALs put on a good show but fall short on substance.
Another win for marriage equality
It's been one win after another for marriage equality this month. Shortly after we posted yesterday about a second federal judge in two weeks declaring DOMA unconstitutional, the Maryland State Senate passed a gay marriage bill. The House had already passed the legislation, and Gov. Martin O'Malley, who has long been a supporter of marriage…
Donor challenges community to match $80,000 for St. Peter Claver Catholic
Fundraising to maintain the viability of St. Peter Claver Catholic School, a private urban facility located just west of Ybor City, has been on the upswing in recent months. Last fall, the school, the oldest African-American school in the five-county Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, received a $30,000 contribution that was announced at a…
Oscar preview: Rivalries, surprises and the best film not nominated
Arguably the best American film of the year wasn’t nominated.
Mitch Perry Report 2.24.12 – Oscar weekend, and domestic partners benefits coming to Tampa?
In the 12 years I've lived here, there's always been a bit of a cultural clash evident between the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County. Though it's becoming clear that elected officials in both local governments get along and are working together productively much better than in the recent past, the divide on certain issues,…
Does great sex compensate for a man’s other dysfunctions?
it's always sunny in philadelphia I am not one for long-term commitment. I cringe anytime a boyfriend comments on how cute our future children will be. But, every so often I find myself in a long-term situation. Recently I realized I was counting the duration of a relationship in terms of months instead of days.…
La Cage aux Folles: Musique to your ears
The Broadway revival bedazzles the Straz through Feb. 26.
State Senator Norman finally admits to guilt on state ethics charges
Following an official finding of Probable Cause by the Florida Ethics Commission on February 3. 2012, Senator Jim Norman has formally signed off on an admission of guilt. The charges stemmed from a 2006 gift of $500,000 given by businessman and political powerbroker Ralph Hughes to Norman’s wife, Mearline. The Ethics Commission had charged him…
DOMA dealt another federal blow — by a conservative judge
A second federal judge in a matter of weeks has ruled in favor of marriage equality. This time, though, the judge who ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is discriminatory against same-sex couples is a conservative.
Where there’s smoke: Changes at WTCA’s factory space
The latest chapter in the saga of a cigar factory turned artists’ mecca.
Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County raises funds, consciousness in Tampa
Mark Block now works at the Salvation Army in Tampa Since the city of Tampa enacted a ban on panhandling late last year, there has been a concentrated effort on the part of different groups of citizens to do something significant to help the homeless. Historically such social services are the domain of Hillsborough County.…
Tampa City Council to examine domestic partner registry
Tampa City Councilwoman Yolie Capin The Tampa City Council voted on Thursday to have its legal department draft an ordinance that would establish a domestic partner registry for city residents. The proposal was brought forth by Council member Yolie Capin, who told CL after the meeting that she had been thinking of bringing the issue…
Spice up your Asian cooking with a Korean rice bowl
Everyday exotic
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Check out a green campaigning vessel, environmental film festival or visit a farmers market!
Live and Local Spotlight: Takin’ It To The Streets: A Tribute To Yacht Rock
The latest surge of retro appreciation has been lovingly devoted to yacht rock, those soft and polished AC sounds from the late ’70s and early ’80s churned out by the likes of Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan, Toto and Gerry Rafferty. Ten local bands — including 8 Kinds of Thunder (post-Nessie rock),…
The final (?) GOP debate: Ron Paul fakes out Santorum, big questions go unanswered
The headlines coming out of Wednesday night's CNN GOP debate from Mesa, Arizona say Rick Santorum failed in his first time in the klieg lights — and to an extent that was definitely true. But I would argue that, in more than any other debate, Barack Obama received a boost from the two-hour proceedings. One…
Bill’s Sports Binge: Bucs staff completed & currently undefeated, fightin’ Lightnin’ and Danica does Daytona
Dead horse alert! I miss football. So, with the season just seven short months away, we begin with our beloved can't-go-anywhere-but-up Bucs. Don't worry, PETA. Mr. Ed can't feel a thing (kick, kick, kick). Wait, why the hell are you reading a sports article? Are you lost? Shouldn't you be at an anti-Raid rally with…
Mitch Perry Report 2.23.12: Debate letdown, Trib rumors and more
The 20th and possibly last GOP presidential debate was held last night in Arizona, and how do we put this? We weren't really impressed with the whole show. The conventional wisdom is that Mitt Romney got the best of Rick Santorum, but what is that really saying? You can read our take here.Lots of other…
The official CL Academy Awards® drinking game
Hide your liver!
Tampa Bay’s gone to the hot dogs
There are quality dogs and brats to be had all over the Bay area.
Gamers will save the world!
In many ways, they already doing it …
Think your cell phone is the future of gaming?
Call someone who cares.
Bike polo: Ralph Lauren it’s not
It’s a lot like regular polo — except for the wheels. And the lack of horses.
Find the Toxic Activist
You can easily spot one, whether you’re looking to the right or the left.
As seen on TV: The Voice, American Idol and more.
A survey of today’s reality talent shows.
The pros and cons of shuffleboard
Two fans of St. Pete Shuffle get into a friendly debate about the game.
Rays Spring Training: Take me down to the ballgames
Match-ups worth a trip to Port Charlotte, plus good games closer to home.
Bathroom break
My boyfriend’s fetish has our love life in the toilet.
Get your LARP on
Live Action Role Playing has been a gamer favorite since the 1970s.
FC Heights Tampa Bay: Kicking it old school
A soccer league that mixes international sport, neighborhood pickup and hipster hobnobbing.
On target: Kids’ archery lessons
Raising a new generation of straight arrows.
It’s game over for video game consoles
The era of console gaming is finished, but the future remains bright for the players.
Aiming for the Summer Olympics
A local phys ed teacher and champion shooter is aiming for his fifth Olympics — and his first for the U.S.
An athlete turned poet considers a new racquet
After a lifetime of sports injuries, he’s seeking a lower-impact pastime.
Indie folk pop by Blind Pilot at Crowbar, experimental alt rock by Radiohead at the Forum + more concerts this week
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23Floor w/Set and Setting/headless dogs Floor is an on-again, off-again sludge and doom-ridden metal outfit from Miami originally established in 1992 by lead droner/guitarist Steve Brooks and guitarist Anthony Vialon, with drummer Anthony Vialon joining the heavy fold in ’96. Their last split was in 2003; Brooks went on to play in Torche…
Tampa Tribune on the market?
After corporate owner Media General fired 165 Tampa Tribune staffers in December, rumors grew louder about the fragility of the Trib's future prospects. Rumors will continue to circulate with Media General's press release today, which confirmed that the company "is exploring the potential sale of newspaper operations." The statement said the company has received inquiries…
Marco Rubio attempts to humanize Republican stance on immigration
Jeb Bush has been consistent over the past few years in wishing that members of his party could be just a little more sensitive in discussing Mexicans and illegal immigration. Although Marco Rubio hasn't himself employed the kind of vitriolic language Bush criticizes, he also hasn't been very sympathetic to comprehensive immigration reform. He has…
Hillsbough Commisioners reject effort to add extra single-member district
Les Miller A plan proposed by Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller that would potentially increase the chances of getting Latino representation on the board died on a 5-2 vote Wednesday morning. Miller's plan was to have the BOCC allow citizens to vote on changing the current structure of the commission — four single-member seats and…
The Gaily News: Indiana Rep. Bob Morris vs. the Girl Scouts
Be careful the next time you order a box of Thin Mints — you might be tricked into supporting the gay agenda. At least that's what an Indiana lawmaker would like you to believe. Republican Indiana State Rep. Bob Morris sent a letter to the state's Republican Caucus opposing the celebration of the Girl Scouts…
Album review: Sleigh Bells, Reign of Terror
The second Sleigh Bells album retains every bit of their debut's bombast amid less migraine-inducing noise, the metal riffage and heavy beats augmented by added melody and better production. Reign of Terror is definitely more listenable and a little bit more diverse, too. Derek Miller capably restrains his axe on the mostly tender "End of…
Springer sprung! Photos from the 2012 Knight Parade
The bead-grabbing frenzy at Saturday's Knight Parade. OK, let's see. February night in Ybor City, check. Middle-aged men and women dressed in odd outfits, check. Screaming adults and children and it's hard to tell who acts more the fool, check. Add some dignitaries and Jerry Springer — yes, THE Jerry Springer — check. And yup,…
