Castor, Pallone fret about NIH cuts
When Congress invoked the sequester in 2012, one of the big losers was funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). There were 722 fewer grants offered in FY 2013 than in FY 2012, including cuts to USF and Moffitt Cancer Center. NIH Director Francis Collins said potentially groundbreaking medical projects could be dismantled or…
What a racket: International racquetball invades Harbour Island
One of the most popular events on the International Raquetball Tour (IRT) comes to Tampa this weekend, when the Harbour Island Athletic Club hosts the IRT Florida Spring Break Pro-Am Tournament through March 9. Not only does this tournament feature a plethora of the world's best racquetball talent, it also is one of the most…
Bob Hackworth is seriously contemplating another run to become Dunedin’s mayor
In 2012, Bob Hackworth engaged in a spirited battle to oust Dave Eggers in the race to become Dunedin's next mayor, losing 52-48 percent. It was his third consecutive defeat at the polls, and running for office did not appear to be in his future anytime soon. But the longtime public servant now admits he is…
Cellophane to Udon: A primer on Asian noodles in the grocery aisle
From cellophane to soba.
Do This: Ringling Underground, USF CAM’s dance party and UT Composers Festival
Eclectic arts and music events can be enjoyed this evening in Tampa and Sarasota.
Rick Scott proposes nearly $200 million for Tampa International Airport expansion
It's good to be running for re-election with a budget surplus on hand. In his latest Bay area press conference to announce where he is showering tens of millions of dollars on transportation projects, Governor Rick Scott today said he is recommending the largest infusion of cash for infrastructure improvements to Tampa International Airport since its…
From BCS to baseball: Jameis Winston plays in Tampa today
For those wanting to get a glimpse of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston in a baseball uniform, this afternoon might be your last opportunity. Winston, who helped the Florida State Seminoles capture the 2014 BCS National Championship over Auburn in January, is in his second year on the 'Noles baseball team and played a few…
Climate Change Lobby to open new chapter in Tampa Bay area this Saturday
Chipotle customers may soon have to deal with consuming their burritos without guacamole. That's because the Mexican fast-food chain has announced that it could temporarily suspend sales of guacamole and some salsas due to an increase in food costs brought on by climate change. "Increasing weather volatility or other long-term changes in global weather patterns,…
Hillsborough County Commission approves tax incentives to lure 2 motion pictures to film in Tampa
The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners today voted unanimously today to provide a total of $300,000 in financial incentives to ensure that two major film productions make their movies in the county. Responding to what Commissioner Ken Hagan called an urgent request, commissioners approved $250,000 to go toward producers of The Infiltrator, an adaptation of the book,…
Mitch Perry Report 3.5.14 – Can Rick Scott ride his state of the state address all the way to re-election?
Yesterday was the first day of the 2014 regular legislative session in Tallahassee, kicked off by Rick Scott's rather personal – and cutting – state of the state address, in which the Florida Governor made clear that he believes he has quite a bit to boast about going into his re-election campaign later this year.…
Get lost in The Casket Girls’ new video, “Chemical Dizzy”
Phaedra & Elsa Greene headline the “Graveface Road Show” at Crowbar on Wed., March 19
Awake the State Rally brings out a crowd in Ybor City
The progressive rallies have become a ritual on the opening day of the Florida legislative session.
French Quarter: High on Style in New Orleans
The people of New Orleans don’t just dress up for Mardi Gras.
Rick Scott savages Charlie Crist in his State of the State address
And you thought Matthew McConaughey was a bit immodest in his speech after taking home Best Actor at the Oscars? Florida Governor Rick Scott kicked off the 2014 Legislative session this morning with his annual State of the State address which featured some major boasting about his accomplishments over the past three years. It was written to…
Commentary: 2 Live Crew and promoters that don’t suck
There are tons of articles about promoters that suck. This is the opposite of that.
Spring Binge: New Rays, new Bucs uniforms and new quarterback?
It's Spring Break, bitches. (Bitches … that's punk/bimbo-speak for "Ladies and gentlemen", right?) The time of year when the young men and women who represent the future of our country take a well-deserved break from not studying on campus to not study on the beaches of sunny Florida. A time when lazy parents turn an…
Eastern Hillsborough County activist Elizabeth Belcher to run for BOCC in District 2
Well, it looks like there are some Democrats in Hillsborough County willing to run for County Commissioner after all. With the recent departures of Mary Mulhern and April Griffin from the countywide District 7 race, the pickings have been slim for Democrats in challenging the GOP incumbents on the Board of County Commission. But this…
Do This: Storytellers exhibits at Morean Arts Center
The Morean Arts Center invites visitors to explore narrative flights of fancy via three distinct exhibitions.
Arts Council of Hillsborough County awards $20,000 to local artists
Projects include dance, photography, music, painting, visual art and installations.
New Music Tuesday! (March 4): Pharrell Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Rick Ross, Bob Dylan, Eagulls & more
Releases out this week; audio & video included.
Watch Hundred Waters’ new video, “Cavity,” grab Skrillex-approved sophomore LP on May 27
The Gainesville-based electro outfit broke out nationally after a 2012 appearance at downtown Tampa’s Rock The Park
HCC conference encourages a look “Beyond Sustainability”
Stephen M. Koontz At the 2014 edition of the Beyond Sustainability conference, experts from around the country discussed not only what is causing climate change or how to rectify it, but also how to solve the issues in a way that would be appealing from an economic perspective. Through ideas discussed at the conference a…
Mitch Perry Report 3.4.14: The state legislative session begins with opposition rallies across the state
The 2014 regular session of the Florida Legislature begins this morning. Tax cuts, gambling, school vouchers and reining in retirement benefits for public employees are among the biggest topics to be debated over the next 60 days. Raising the minimum wage, expanding Medicaid or repealing parts of Stand Your Ground? Not happening. Governor Scott kicks…
Watch You Blew It! shake up public TV in their new video for “You & Me & Me”
The rising Orlando punk outfit presents a sophomore LP at a Tampa release show on Saturday.
Clearwater landscaper sticks up for Alex Sink
Francisco Cruzcruz, Felix Mendoza & Elena McCullough A week after Republicans pounced on Alex Sink's comments at a CD13 candidates forum regarding immigration, Felix Mendoza, president of Migrants United of Hidalgo and owner of Mendoza Landscaping for the past 12 years, told reporters that Sink said nothing wrong at the debate. "They never felt offended,"…
The Laugh Tract — who’s bringing the funny
Alumni from Saturday Night Live, Whose Line Is It Anyway? and MadTV are among the comedy options this week.
Poet’s Notebook: Japanese Bourbon
Peter Meinke waxes philosophical on Jim Beam, Suntory and how good whiskey brings people together.
Review: Iron & Wine delivers an intoxicating solo set at the Straz Center, Tampa
A solo set from Sam Beam, the driving force behind Iron & Wine
HART Board will hire interim replacement for outgoing CEO position
Outgoing HART CEO Phillip Hale says a hefty raise won't be enough to stop him from leaving the agency A month after learning that HART CEO Phillip Hale intends to step down later this spring, board members today discussed the idea of hiring an interim replacement rather than a full-fledged successor within the next few…
Bill Young II will run for state legislature in Pinellas County
Bill Young II Talk about strong name recognition. For over four decades, Pinellas voters regularly checked the box next to C.W. "Bill" Young's name when voting for Congress. Now the name returns in a bid for a state house seat later this year. That would be Bill Young II, the eldest son born to Bill…
Do This: Journey to Madagascar
The Florida Aquarium’s new exhibition brings an ecological hot-spot to Tampa.
Seminole’s Rapp Brewing wins big at Florida Beer Championship
Rapp Brewing took home three gold medals.
Super PAC designed to end Super PACS now running radio ads for Alex Sink
Jonathan Soros is co-founder of Friends of Democracy A Super PAC that was initially designed to "end all Super PACS" is making its presence felt in the CD13 race. Saying that the campaign to replace Bill Young in Congress has become a "moratorium on how disgusted voters are with outside money," the D.C. Super PAC…
Mitch Perry Report 3.3.14: Time for Rubio “comeback”?
CPAC begins later this week in Washington D.C. That's the annual late-winter conservative confab put on by the American Conservative Union. The three-day event (Thursday-thru-Saturday) brings together thousands of activists to hear dozens of Republican leaders speak about everything from economics and foreign policy to social issues. In addition to a lot of policy wonks,…
Album Review: Schoolboy Q, Oxymoron
The major label debut from the hard-buzzing LA-bred emcee
Brewers Guild Beer Fest shows off Florida’s thriving craft beer scene
Over 60 breweries came out for the 18th annual Florida Brewer’s Guild Beer Fest.
2014 Academy Awards: CL team’s Oscar picks
See who we’re rooting for and if your picks match up — if you care.
DNC says Rubio “trying to have it both ways” on Arizona anti-gay proposal
Marco Rubio was the main politician featured on NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday, where he was booked to talk specifically about his strong reaction to Russia's use of military force in Ukraine. But being a national GOP figure, host David Gregory asked the Florida Senator about some domestic issues, including his thoughts on that…
Marco Rubio says Russia is acting like an enemy of the U.S.
As the West and President Obama contemplate exactly how to react to the Russian military's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, Senator Marco Rubio on Saturday laid out eight specific steps he said Obama should take against what he calls a "grave violation of a nation’s sovereignty" that "cannot go unpunished." He followed up on that…
Do This: Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, famous comedians and more
Art, comedy, an indie market and more.
Downtown Tampa celebrates Bike Month for 7th year in a row
Downtown Tampa to kick off National Bike Month with complimentary safety checks at the downtown market.
Rummagers flock to Ybor this weekend
New World Brewery says goodbye to a longtime employee, and we get to rummage through her “crap.”
Final CD13 debate contains only a few strong moments between Sink & Jolly
Despite the best attempts by WEDU-TV moderator Rob Lorei, there was little buzz that evolved out of the final debate in the CD13 contest between Republican David Jolly, Democrat Alex Sink and Libertarian candidate Lucas Overby. The broadcast, to be aired on the Tampa PBS affiliate on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. and repeated Sunday…
The Hip Hop ABCs: Letter F
Who’s your favorite hip hop artist beginning with the letter ‘F’?
The Florida Orchestra celebrates 100 years of the Tramp
The musicians provide accompaniment to Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush tonight.
Do This: Whoopi, Scott & Patti, Shine wrestling and so much more
You know when they say there’s something for everyone. Never truer.
Buckhorn questions activist on immigration proposal
Tampa activist Jared Hamil On Wednesday night a group of Latino activists stood in the rain in front of City Hall, calling on local Tampa officials to support the idea of providing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. Jared Hamil with Raíces en Tampa said that he has contacted Mayor Bob Buckhorn about the symbolic proposal,…
The Gaily News: Majority of Floridians support marriage equality
A new report says 57 percent of Floridians support same-sex marriage. A new report shows that the majority of Floridians support marriage equality. According to the report — “A Shifting Landscape: A Decade of Change in American Attitudes about Same-Sex Marriage and LGBT Issues” from the Public Religion Research Institute — 57 percent of Florida…
Oscar party to benefit Metro’s LGBT Welcome Center
Celebrate the Oscars in style while giving back to a good cause. Metro Wellness and Community Centers’ March 2 Gold Party at Treasure Island’s Bilmar Beach Resort will benefit its planned LGBT Welcome Center. The historic-bungalow-turned-LGBT-haven in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District will cater not only to tourists visiting the area, but to residents as…
Talking about movies, not necessarily Oscars
CL’s News Editor reluctantly ruminates on the upcoming Academy Awards.
Mitch Perry Report 2.28.14: The legacy of the Tea Party at age 5
Norm Roche Unlike some political analysts, I learned a while ago that it was foolhardy to predict the imminent demise of the Tea Party, which turns 5 years old this week. Although most polls (like the New York Times poll from earlier this week) show the Tea Party members representing at most a quarter of…
The Well-Played List, 02-28-2014: Tobacco, Stephen Malkmus, Solids, Morgan Delt & more
This week’s favored jams; audio, video & Spotify playlist included.
Tampa Bay Beer Week kicks off with a Meet The Brewers Party
Creative Loafing hosted an amazing evening of craft beer and eats.
Non-Stop lands hard
Liam Neeson searches for a killer at 30,000 feet.
Watch Bruce Springsteen show Aussies how to twerk, then pray it happens (or doesn’t) again in Tampa
He cuddled a wombat Down Under, too.
Buckhorn premature in shutting down Tampa bid for 2016 Democratic convention?
There actually wasn't that much activism at the 2012 RNC in Tampa It has been noted more than once that when Tampa hosted the Republican National Convention in 2012, the GOP was partying in a town with a Democratic Mayor and seven Democratic City Council members. So it might be puzzling to learn that Mayor…
Last Call for Shots
Do you want to drink, or do you want to get drunk?
Buzzed
Is it time to get off BuzzFeed? Last week, I took BuzzFeed’s “Which Boss Ass Rap Chick Are You?” quiz. I got Trina: a rapper from Miami whose albums include, among others, Da Baddest Bitch, Diamonds are Forever, and Back 2 Business. Sure: Trina. Not mad at that. I don’t mind being called a bitch…
The Gaily News:Federal judge slams Texas’ gay marriage ban
Texas is the latest state to take on the fight for gay marriage. A federal judge in the Lone Star State has struck down Texas’ same-sex marriage ban, deeming the prohibitive measure unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia then immediately stayed his decision because of the likelihood that anti-gay rights groups will appeal. In his…
Anger Issues
Dan Savage responds to a depressed virgin and a young woman with a hankering for same-sex action.
A Q&A with the fabulous Scott & Patti
CL chats with the mother-son cabaret duo. See them perform at GASP! Friday night.
St Pete attorney Scott Orsini to challenge GOP in HD 69 race
Scott Orsini St. Petersburg-based attorney Scott Orsini has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in Pinellas County's House District 69 seat, currently held by Republican Kathleen Peters. In a press release, Orsini says, "I am running because I can make a difference for middle class families. As a small business owner and active member…
Latino advocacy group calls on Tampa officials to support drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants
Raices In Tampa rallied in front of City Hall in Tampa Wednesday evening On Wednesday morning, supporters of a state House bill that would grant in-state tuition rates to the children of undocumented immigrants received a major shot in the arm when Clearwater state Senator Jack Latvala announced he is sponsoring a similar bill in…
Mitch Perry Report 2.27.14: Republican lawmakers out of step with public, according to survey
The latest the New York Times/CBS News poll shows plenty of interesting nuggets. Let's start with Barack Obama's approval ratings. They're low. He's now at 41 percent approval, with 51 percent disapproving. The 2014 midterm elections look favorable for Republicans as well, with independents leaning toward the GOP, though admittedly only about a quarter of…
Album review: Wolf-Face, Still a Son of a Bitch
The debut full-length from the Teen Wolf-vibing punk foursome
Son of God preaches to the choir
This narrative of the life of Jesus offers little that is new, uplifting or inspiring.
Listen & Download: Navigateur’s Breathe Resurfaced EP
The Jacksonville-bred electro artist teams up with American, Dutch, and English producers for a remix EP
