Femme Visuale: Margaret Conte
She’s the badass, drill-wielding Grandma you wish you had.
Femme Visuale: Heidi Clapp-Temple
She puts all of our childhood “shoebox projects” to shame.
Sweet spot: Chocolate haven hits Tampa this weekend
On Saturday, the Ybor City Chocolate Fest will invade Centro Asturiano with local tastes.
Thunderstruck: Carmada rolls into the Florida State Fair
Tucked between bear shows and pig races, a regional art car program makes its way to the Florida State Fair.
On the menu: Roots community share, Soils to Suds in one place
At The Ale and the Witch, farming and gardening will intersect with beer and live music Saturday.
Femme Visuale: Penelope Livingston
Paint-By-Numbers, you’ve met your match.
Deadpool: The Asshole Superhero
Remember Ryan Reynolds’s character from Waiting? Now picture that guy as a superhero. Yup.
Sweet spots: Where do you go when your spirits need a lift?
We all have our favorite places where we feel good, our “sweet spots.” I asked some savvy friends where they like to go, with the following caveats: The places they chose had to be public (not their backyards) and local (not the Taj Mahal). Their responses were inspirational. Now I want to expand my horizons…
An open letter to Daryush “Roosh V” Valizadeh
Hey, pro-rape guy. I’m a teacher; and, in this course we call LIFE, I’d like to offer you a bit of unsolicited feedback. Because I can. Don’t worry — I won’t step outside my sex role, as you deem it. I have plenty of eggs should I want to bear a child. I’ve reviewed your…
Game of Drones: New Hampshire edition
It’s been a whirlwind week in the political realm. Here’s our take, as viewed through the lens of the Seven Kingdoms. (Spoiler alert: If you haven’t read the books or seen Season Five, you may want to skip the last one.) MARCO RUBIO The U.S. Senator from Florida seemed to be the anointed one after…
The Heavy Petting Issue: Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue’s senior savior
Many of us, at one point or another, have lamented the fact that we don’t have the time to do everything we want to do. Sometimes, part of the “everything” that gets cut from the program for lack of time is volunteering for a cause about which we feel passionate; there just aren’t enough hours…
The worst offenders: Hillsborough may become the first county in Florida to adopt an animal abuser registry.
During a meeting on a recent Wednesday morning, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner warned that the litany of heinous acts he was about to recite might upset many in his audience. All were acts of abuse or torture committed against animals somewhere within the county — animals bound and left to die, or beaten so…
The Heavy Petting Issue: A therapy dog’s calling
A cherub-faced girl in a hospital gown sinks into her recliner, an IV pole towering over her like a palm tree offering shade. She’s crying. Her parents look tired. Creeeak. Ollie and his cotton-ball paws peek around the door. He’s smiling. Following, leash in hand, Bonnie Morgan smiles, too. The goldendoodle nestles his muzzle on…
The Heavy Petting Issue: Beyond cats and dogs — alternative animal sanctuaries
Stuck with a croc? Looking to adopt a goat? Check out these options. Big Cat Rescue Tours of different varieties are offered Mon.-Wed., Fri.-Sun., with admission starting at $36 for adults, $19 for kids under 10. 12802 Easy St., Tampa. 813-920-4130, bigcatrescue.org. Croc Encounters Few people who purchase croc hatchlings are capable of properly housing…
The Heavy Petting Issue: Exotic pets — there’s a place for them
Though most prospective pet owners stick to cats and dogs when seeking a new four-legged companion, the trend of alternative pet-keeping has become increasingly popular, with birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and even farm animals like pigs and goats materializing in urban environments more and more often. So what happens to pets like these when…
The Heavy Petting Issue: Distant relatives
We stepped off of our klotok in Borneo (the boat gets its name from the sound it makes traversing the Sekonyer River) and ventured into the forest in search of wild orangutans. Into the jungle we trekked until we arrived at a wooden platform piled high with bananas and listened to rangers make orangutan calls,…
In good spirits: Polish family distillery prepares for St. Pete debut
The family-run Kozuba & Sons Distillery is bringing vodka, whiskey and more to St. Petersburg.
Christie, Fiorina to drop presidential bids
Nobody knew who was going to drop out of the race, but we did know when some were likely to exit — the day after the New Hampshire primary. And that's what happened, as both Carly Fiorina and Chris Christie announced today that they were departing the race. Fiorina, the Hewlett-Packard CEO, issued a statement…
NRA’s Hammer: right to shoot guns trumps right to clean water
As the Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday, passionate gun rights advocate Marion Hammer has called for the disbanding of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (a.k.a. SWFWMD, or Swiftmud) over its dispute with a gun range that’s adjacent to Sawgrass Lake, a Pinellas Park preserve the state agency manages. The decades-old battle stems from the…
The case against (and for) pit bulls
Our love and hate affairs with pit bulls.
Doggie dining: Where to eat out with Fido
The days of leaving your canine kid behind are over.
Tonight in live music: Diana Ross, Joshua Powell & the Great Train Robbery, Decapitated
A look at some concert highlights for this Wed., Feb. 10.
Restaurant review: Hog Island’s salty Southern charm
The down-home menu and atmosphere at Dunedin’s Hog Island Fish Camp shouldn’t be missed.
Sit, stay, drink: What to expect from the soon-to-open Dog Bar
The pup-centric Dog Bar is set to open this month in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District.
On the Sauce: Boozy Hot Chocolate
An adult hot chocolate that doubles as a Valentine’s Day and cold weather treat.
These dogs were made for walkin’
Need a dog-walking fix? Shelter dogs are waiting for you.
The Laugh Tract — Who’s Bringing the Funny
Valentine’s Day is another good reason to catch a comedy show this weekend.
Sh*t happened 2/10/16: New Hampshire Bern’ed, Chihuly returned, Chip Carter, um, retiring-urned
Two down. Forty-eight to go. *Sigh* New Hampshire went down as expected for Trump and Sanders. Unexpected: Kasich rising through the silty effluent of the GOP field to take second; Sanders taking a dig at Trump in a little post-SNL-appearance levity. It's over now, right? Please, God, tell me it's over. That piece of Chihuly…
“Draping” the town to raise awareness of TBX
Several months ago I was part of a Tampa Bay Creative Time Summit at the Tampa Museum of Art, which asked provocative questions: “Who do we, as a community want to be, and what forces shape who we are? Who gets a voice in the formation of a collective identity for Tampa?” The controversy about…
Bern adequately sensed in N.H.; Trump also clears as polls projected
Whelp, it looks like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and his supporters have a little more wind in their sails as of Tuesday night, given his defeat of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic establishment favorite, in the New Hampshire primary. On the GOP side, billionaire Donald Trump took first with 34 percent of the vote and Ohio…
On NH primary day, Rubio camp tries to beat down his robo-brethren
Needless to say, it's been a rough few days for U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, one of the Florida Men who is trying to convince us to let him be the next leader of the Free World. His snaredrum-esque messaging, which we've been observing since his 2010 Senate race, was a source of ridicule at Saturday…
Big Storm Brewing opens Pinellas taproom’s doors
In Clearwater, Big Storm Brewing Co.’s new taproom has debuted just south of Ulmerton Road.
Local Tampa Artists meet Nationally Acclaimed Print Maker to Create “Scapes”
Cutting Edge Gallery to Premier this Valentine’s Day Weekend
Sierra Club plans Saturday protest against more state attacks on parks
To help raise awareness of what they say are short-sighted, special interest-pandering environmental policies at the state level, environmental activists are planning demonstrations in state parks throughout Florida, including Hillsborough River State Park. Given that it's the day before Valentine's Day, they titled the event "Have a Heart, Save Our Parks." "On Saturday, February 13,…
TBX opponents aren’t giving up
Since the Tampa Bay Express project first entered local consciousness this past summer, residents from the neighborhoods most affected by the project have questioned whether the cost of destroying historic buildings and stifling the growth is worth the trouble. The project, which would affect parts of the Tampa Heights, Seminole Heights and Ybor City neighborhoods,…
Five Courses: Asian fusion, truck-turned-restaurant & more
Port Richey’s Spice Asian Fusion, more pizza to anticipate and other food and drink news.
GoFundMe created to help Black Fox Meadery owner
Fans and friends of Black Fox’s Bob Lasseter are donating to support his cancer fight and meadery.
Sh*t happened 2/9/16: Chihuly heist, Competitive Workforce Act, Tampa tourism soars
Welcome to Tuesday, a day of the week whose popularity has soared in recent years due to its sharing of the hard "T" alliterative sound with a certain Mexican staple food. A custodian at downtown St. Pete's Chihuly Collection discovered that one of the glass artist's pieces was missing. The piece, an 8" x 6" hunk…
In the Blood: Grim reality at Stageworks
An unrelenting vision of a woman discarded by society.
Weekly Tune-Up: Tunes for your week by Beacon, Diiv, Junior Boys, Animal Collective + more
A playlist of 15 tunes to launch you into the week. Spotify playlist included.
Tonight in live music: Birds of Chicago, Robert Ellis, Agent Orange
A look at three concerts happening this Mon., Feb. 8.
JusThai offering free boba, more for a year Monday
The first 100 guests outside JusThai in St. Pete will land one free menu item a week for 365 days.
Sh*t happened 2/8/16: Tampa talks to the Rays, nightclub shootings, something something football
Some weekends feel more like work than the usual work week, don't they? FRIDAY, FEB. 5: Bay area political and business leaders met with Rays reps for the first time to talk about the team's search for an alternative stadium site. Bob Buckhorn jokingly said the meeting was akin to a first date — we…
Down the aisle: Stillwaters chef wins big on Guy’s Grocery Games
Sunday night, Triple G served as Stillwaters Tavern chef Jeffrey Jew’s latest kitchen battle.
Concert review: Barry Manilow performs “One Last Time” at Amalie Arena, Tampa
The top 40 crooner delighted a huge crowd with decades worth of hits on his farewell tour.
On the subject of creepy-ass white vans
With so much disagreement amongst the people in our nation, it can seem like we have little in common with those with whom we disagree, but on some human level we can still see eye to eye on certain indisputable things. One of those things: the innate creepiness of the white van. Nothing gets our…
Reasons to Watch: Sex, zombies and Martin Scorsese
You’ll be glad you stayed in this Valentine’s Day.
Do This: Localtopia
Today’s the day for Keep Saint Petersburg Local’s biggest community event.
This Saturday in live music: Legendary Shack Shakers, Southern Soul Assembly + more
A look at concert highlights for this Sat., Feb. 6.
Do This: Sounds of Clay makes music out of art in St. Petersburg
A special performance staged as part of CraftArt’s Role Models exhibition.
It’s true: Donald Trump will rally in Tampa next week
An official with Donald J. Trump's presidential campaign has confirmed that, yes, Donald J. Trump is coming to Tampa, and, yes, he is rallying at the University of South Florida Sun Dome on Friday. Donald J. Trump is the gentleman currently leading in all of the polls, and has been for months. What does the…
Memorial for teen killed during Florida State Fair set for Saturday
Andrew Joseph III was just 14 when he was hit by a car while trying to cross I-4 in 2014. Police had just ejected Joseph and dozens of other teens from the Florida State Fair after violence broke out on the event's annual Student Day. Two years later, his family is still seeking answers. This…
Gasparilla Music Festival adds Lucero, The New Deal, Stephen Marley to the 2016 lineup
Some fine new additions have been made to the March music fest.
Weekend Platter: You, mead, cider & more
Jazz with brunch, chili recipes face off and more during these weekend food and drink events.
Sh*t happened 2/5/16: Uhurus disrupt the city council, Zika panic, RIP Dave Mirra
You made it to Friday! And just like in grade school, your reward is a forced look back at what you've learned. There was quite the hubbub in yesterday's St. Pete City Council meeting, during which members of the African People's Socialist Party (aka the Uhurus) disrupted the proceedings and a package was left behind,…
Tonight in live music: Yonder Mountain String Band, Wild Child, On the Edge Anniversary Party + more
A breakdown of shows happening Fri., Feb. 5, as well as a peek at the weekend ahead.
Get lost in the Poly-Graph
An online data miner tracks the history of hip hip hits, from 1995 to 2015, among other
Poet’s Notebook: All the world’s a stage
You’ve got to be taught To hate and fear, You’ve got to be taught From year to year, It’s got to be drummed In your dear little ear… In 1949, for my 17th birthday, my parents changed my life. They took me to see South Pacific, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that had opened on…
Nine Grand Central, EDGE eateries take on bacon battle
A monthlong contest will determine which St. Petersburg restaurant delivers the best bacon dish.
Activists storm St. Pete council chambers, leave package that spurs evacuation
St. Petersburg's City Council members were plodding through a discussion over the possible development of a green parcel of land at 66th Street and Ninth Avenue North when there was a sudden commotion. Activists from the African People's Socialist Party, better known as the Uhurus, had stormed council chambers, and immediately began shouting about the…
Sh*t happened 2/4/16: Animal abuser registry, King Scott, Bucs ticket price hike
This isn't the Thursday you're looking for. While the state legislature continues to work itself into a frenzy over absurd bills, at least more beneficial things are going on closer to home: The Hillsborough County Commission, in an effort spearheaded by Commissioner Kevin Beckner, took some early steps toward creating a database of people convicted…
Orange alert: How Florida’s citrus industry is fighting to stay alive
Ever seen a ponderosa lemon? They’re almost the size of your head, or at least as big as a large grapefruit. There’s a handful of ponderosa lemon trees growing in what remains of Ben Tillett’s citrus grove just off the Sunshine Skyway in Terra Ceia. He recommends using them in lemon pies. Tillett has owned…
Tonight in live music: Black Tusk, Barry Manilow, Michal Menert and the Pretty Fantastics + more
A look at some concerts happening this Thurs., Feb. 4.
Sunshine City Songwriters Festival launches in St. Petersburg with Kinky Friedman, Patty Griffin and others
The inaugural fest hits multiple downtown area venues Feb. 9-14.
Love Af-FAIR
Get off the midway and find your Florida at the fair.
