CL interview: Brandi Carlile, who performs at Capitol Theatre on Thurs., Feb. 18
If the name Brandi Carlile is unfamiliar to you, it might be because you haven’t been paying attention. Granted, her latest release Give Up The Ghost, is only her third CD (Brandi insists that it’s only her second real CD), but in the course of a few short years, this talented songwriter has managed to…
Meatloaf Involtini (Italian Stuffed Meatloaf) recipe
When I was a kid, I considered it a treat when meatloaf showed up on the menu at our house. Meatloaf isn't a typical Italian dish, and my family was typically Italian, so we didn't have meatloaf often. When my mother did make it, she did so the only way she knew how – like…
Dreaming of oral sex
"Dream Momma, I'm a young professional woman living in the Tampa-St. Pete area. I had a very upsetting dream that is ruining my relationship. In my dream my boyfriend (we've been dating almost a year) is having oral sex with his sister. Ever since the dream I don't even want to kiss him or even…
Dreams of shocking pink
"Hi Dream Momma, I live in South Beach. My friend in Tampa sent me your link cuz she knows I'm going nuts dreaming of hot pink things. The first dream had a girl falling into a lake or the ocean with a shocking pink cast on her arm. I tried but couldn't save her. The next dream…
Do It This Weekend: One at MOSI, Wimmin of the Pit, The Art of Upcycle, Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck’s Bold and Fresh tour, This is Our Youth and more
The concept of zero plagued ancient cultures; its recognition marked a leap in trade, industry and modern thought. I don't recall there ever being difficulty in mastering the idea of One, but this exhibit's dedicated to it, anyway. (It is the loneliest number, after all, maybe it deserves some love.) The enlightening press release reveals…
Me So Crazy for Misoyaki Salmon
We all dine out at restaurants from time to time, some more than others. Although, I love to cook, I also really enjoy not having to do it all the time, especially on weekends or special occasions. The problem I run into is, that so many times the food just isn’t that good. I really…
On the Radar: Wicked comes to the Straz Center
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. The first friend I made in college was Kali, an extrovert who was torn between her loves of theater and teaching, and who’s enthusiasm made up for my shyness. I’ll never forget the first time I jumped into her…
Do It Today: Studio-F opens, contemporary dance, meet author Tim Dorsey, Gangs of Central America forum, and Rabbit Hole
Two decades and nearly 20 visiting artists have made the UT Scarfone/Hartley Gallery's studios one of the most stimulating spots to see internationally recognized art in an intimate setting. Studio-F is a retrospective of monoprints by the artists (including Audrey Flack, Joyce J. Scott and Sam Gilliam) who've contributed not only their craft, but also…
Is canning the new black? Wendy and Dwight’s Garlic and Jalapeno Bread and Butter Pickles
"Some farmers hold that there’s nothing they’d rather sit down on a blowy, autumn day when they come home cold and hungry to dinner, than a deep brown pot roast or stew with a big bowl of dill pickles nearby." I feel the same way (minus the pot roast and the profession). This little Zen…
Do It Today: Twenty Minute Theater, Choice Affair seminar, and operas of The Met at a theater near you
In remembrance of the Roe v. Wade decision's recent 37th anniversary, Planned Parenthood hosts two Choice Affair Seminar luncheons with guest speaker Dr. Carol Cassell, author of Beyond Knocked Up: The Personal Dilemmas and the Price We All Pay for Unplanned and Unwanted Pregnancies. The seminar visits two locations this week: Weds., Jan. 27, noon,…
New GQ article on the potentially health hazards that cell phones and cell towers present
Democratic House candidate in District 57 Stacy Frank announced on Monday that she has been endorsed in the Democratic Primary by Tampa Fire Fighters Local #754. Cl readers might recall that we reported on Frank's candidacy when she declared she was running last November, and how some critics of her business (which has essentially been…
Sausage and Pepper Calzones recipe
I don’t usually cook on Fridays nights. After a long week of working, cleaning, cooking, blogging, mothering, wife-ing, daughtering and a lot of general running around, I’m pooped! Sometimes we’ll get take-out. And, sometimes we’ll just go out. Last Friday, though, the weather sucked. It was rainy, foggy and gross. Peering out the window in…
New music releases out Tuesday, January 26: Corinne Bailey Rae, Beach House, Four Tet, The Magnetic Fields, Mike Relm and more
This week’s new music releases; for a complete breakdown of hot new releases due out in the next several months, click here. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 , The Sea (Capitol) Beach House, Teen Dream CD/DVD (Sub Pop) Basia Bulat, Heart of My Own (Rough Trade) Blue Rodeo, The Things We Left Behind (TeleSoul) Cars & Trains,…
Photo review: Rock for Autism 2010 with Marty Balin & Friends
Photos from this past Saturday's autism-awareness benefit concert at Skipper's Smokehouse that was held to raise funds for The Children's Hyperbaric Center of Tampa Bay, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment center for kids. Singer-songwriter and Jefferson Airplane/Starship alum Marty Balin headlined; he's pictured below with fellow Starship alum, sax player and flutist Charlie DeChant. Check…
Diary of the unemployed housewife: Men and their toys
There must be something in the XY chromosome that drives men to obsess over things like big screens, lazyboys, sports, cars, trucks… (insert random obsession here). I'm sure this compulsion doesn't affect ALL men, and there are definitely some outliers, but after being with my husband for almost nine years, I've noticed a disturbing purchase…
Experts say we’re running out of water. Is “toilet to tap” the answer?
Tampa consumers use an enormous amount of water — between 70 to 75 million gallons a day, 25 percent of which is currently used for lawn irrigation. And with population growth in Florida predicted to rebound in coming decades, there's no question that we will need more. We'll either have to find a way to…
Concert review: Casiotone for the Painfully Alone at New World Brewery
It is 9 p.m. Saturday night and New World Brewery is already buzzing. At this point, the Ybor City staple renowned for its impressive beer selection and tasty pizza is mostly filled with 30-somethings that don't exactly look like they're here for the show, indie kids and hipsters in their 20’s. Sipping a Framboise and…
Sustainable relief in Haiti through permaculture
I had just finished teaching the first weekend of a Permaculture design course at Earth N Us Farm in Little Haiti, Miami, when the earthquake hit in Haiti. The response was instantaneous in the neighborhood, with fundraisers started the following day and the continued outpouring of support. Our discussion questioned how we could get aid…
Twi-lite: graphic adaptation of Twilight loses ‘baggage’ and Robert Pattinson
Harry can flash his little Potter all he wants: it's not going to stop the Twilight train. How could it? The story is a classic one. One of love. Girl moves to town, meets boy. Boy saves girl from runaway van, girl suspects boy is hiding something. Girl consults local wolf-boy, discovers other boy drinks…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Tuesday, January 26: Red Mesa Cantina Tequila Tasting. The one-year anniversary of the taqueria and ceviche bar includes seminars and tastings hosted by Bradley Hoover, President of True Blue Imports offering Tequilas El Grado and Corrido; and Dori Bryant, President of the Polished Palate samples Tequilas BooYa, Chinaco and Casa 1921 and special tastes of…
Restaurant Review: Nitally’s Thai-Mex Cuisine in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central
Nitally's Thai-Mex Cuisine 3.5 stars 2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-321-THAI or thaifoodtogo.net (photos by jamesostrand.com) I don't want to understate this: Nitally's is home to one of the most ambitious advancements in portable culinary technology I have seen in decades. From this wee restaurant in St. Pete's Grand Central district comes the simple genius…
Rubio continues to rise, Bill Young uncommitted on another run, and Tim Tebow’s Super Bowl ad is upsetting some folks: Mitch Perry Report 1.26.10
Big news today: Marco Rubio now leads Charlie Crist in the respected Quinnipiac Poll; Long time GOP Pinellas County Congressman C.W. Bill Young spoke at the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club yesterday, and but refuses to show his cards on coming back for a 40th year in Congress; And several women's groups are pissed that CBS…
Bill Young mum about future, but excited about resurgence of the GOP
As Pinellas County Congressman Bill Young begins his 39th year in Congress, speculation again is rife that this might be his last term in office. It's not an absurd notion, considering the legislator just turned 79 last month. But there was no talk of retirement at a packed Tiger Bay luncheon featuring Young Monday afternoon…
Women’s groups call on CBS to not air Tim Tebow & Focus on the Family’s anti-abortion ad at Super Bowl
The local Florida daily sports pages are filled today with a burning question for fans of University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow's pro prospects, but it's his appearance in an ad that will air during the Super Bowl that is creating some serious buzz. The Women's Media Center based in New York is gathering up…
Pinellas County Extension offers “The Basics of Climate Change” webinar (1/29)
In spite of the cold weather sweeping the country, climate change is a serious reality. On Friday, January 29, from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, the Pinellas County Extension will host an introductory program to understand what’s really going on. It’s carbon friendly,too, via the internet. Global warming has been a misleading term, which is…
Rubio leads Crist and Meek in race for Florida U.S. Senate seat
We have been anticipating the latest Quinnipiac poll on the Florida GOP Senate race, and it's come out today. It shows Marco Rubio now leading Charlie Crist 47-44 percent. This is the first time in the Quinnipiac poll that Rubio has led the Governor since they both announced their candidacies last spring. This is big…
The Diary of the Unemployed Housewife: Jazz, wine, rock and chocolate
I dragged the husband downtown to Baywalk for one of iLovetheBurg.com's events at Baywalk last Thursday night; we had a blast. Great jazz, free wine, free food and lots of interesting people to mix and mingle with. I have faith that the guys at iLovetheBurg.com as well as the handful of stores still located there…
Democrats need a leader — maybe someone like Toby Keith?
Last week, events conspired to make me question my political affiliations and the existence of a kind and benevolent God. No, I’m not talking about the success of Avatar. The Democratic Party blew it in Massachusetts, allowing an aloof and ill-qualified candidate to lose Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat to a former male model who likes…
On the Radar: Professional Bull Riders stampede the St. Pete Times Forum
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. Yep, bull riding is a sport. And not just because it has a regular season or a macho-sounding sponsor or even because riders accrue stats that could be listed on the back of a trading card. No, I think it's…
Do It Today: Renee Fleming at the opera, a jazzy Cinderella, burlesque at the Palladium, and Fulfilling the Dream: MLK to Obama
Grammy-winning American soprano Renee Fleming, known as "the people's diva," sings classical arias with a few unexpected twists, accompanied by the Opera Tampa Orchestra. Visit tbpac.org for more info. (Pictured: Renee Fleming. Photo by Andrew Eccles/ Decca.) Tues., Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m., Carol Morsani Hall, Straz Center, Tampa, $50-$125. We all know the story of…
The man hug and other signs of affection explained
The man hug: This type of hug comes in many forms. The approach shows just how much affection he's willing to offer. The pat: Some men lean in with their left arm around your shoulder while their right pats your upper back three times. Too many pats could mean he's signaling you for some foreplay.…
This week’s caption contest celebrates Brett Favre and the NFC Championship game
There’s an old proverb that reads “Every end is a new beginning.” There’s no telling whether the person to first utter those words was referring to Brett Favre’s loss on Sunday and his subsequent months of indecision over whether to return for another year. So to honor what will soon become the summer of our…
Mark Sharpe and David Caton to debate on light rail Tuesday night in Tampa
As Floridians hold their breath awaiting hopeful news about receiving funding for high-speed rail later this week when President Obama comes to town, locally, we've got our own rail issues. Sometime in the next couple of months, the Hillsborough County Commission is slated to vote on finally putting up on the November ballot the penny…
Eco-related concerns over Cypress Gardens being turned into the world’s largest ‘Legoland’
When I recently heard about the sale of Cypress Gardens to Merlin Entertainments, who were going to transform it into a Legoland theme park, I had some eco-related concerns and hesitations. Here's a little background on the company first: Merlin Entertainments is a fast-growing British entertainment company with a hand in 60 attractions and theme…
CL Feature: Orlando alt-soul artist Peter Baldwin, who performs at New World Brewery on Friday (with video)
The first time I saw Peter Baldwin perform, I was mesmerized. The Orlando alt-soul artist played a short tweener set at Broken Mold’s Christmas Party in December and held me (and most of those around me) rapt with merely an electric guitar and his sexy, silky smooth falsetto, hitting notes so high I could almost…
Psycho Killers and Rock Stars at SFF 2010
Main Street is chaotic as usual as we make our way to the midnight screening of The Perfect Host. The drunken masses are making their way to the first round of parties. “I hate Sundance,” the woman in front of us says to someone on her cell phone. Inside the Egyptian Theater, we are treated…
Musicology: I dig music
“What we provide is an atmosphere … of orchestrated pulse which works on people in a subliminal way. Under its influence I’ve seen shy debs and severe dowagers kick off their shoes and raise some wholesome hell.” ~Meyer Davis, about his orchestras. I crave all sorts of random things. Caffeine, affection from my yellow Lab,…
Obama and Biden to appear at University of Tampa on Thursday
Tampa Congresswoman Kathy Castor has announced that President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will appear this Thursday at at town hall event to be held at the Bob Martinez Sports Center on the University of Tampa campus. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. No details have come forth on what Obama and Biden will…
Photo review: A Reason To Rock Benefit Concert with Chris McCarty Band, Bootleg and others at State Theatre
A photo wrap-up of this past Saturday's concert for Parkinson's Disease research at State Theatre; featuring Gainesville-based headliner Chris McCarty Band with Bootleg from Holmes Beach, St. Pete's own Unmotivated and The Prospect of Bradenton. Chris McCarty More pictures + photo galleries after the jump.
On the Radar: Risque 4bidden Broadway
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. Opening night has already passed for production of Risque 4bidden Broadway, but there are still two sexy, entertaining shows on the schedule. Now in its fourth year, this show by the Village Players includes scenes from several Broadway shows and…
Congress for the New Urbanism 2010 Statewide Meeting this week (1/28-29): Progressive planning advocates (video)
This Thursday, January 28th and Friday, January 29th in is the 2010 Statewide Meeting for the Congress for the New Urbanism (Florida Chapter) in St. Petersburg. This years title is “Great Expectations! (even in tough times), How the current economic crisis can provide insight and opportunity for Florida and sustainable urbanism” and the outline is…
Restaurant News: Bollywood Cafe — So cool, who cares about the food?
The concept is so cool, I'm not sure I even care how good the food is at Bollywood Cafe (9648 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-926-4000 or bollywoodcafe.us). This new Westchase restaurant/cinebistro features 23-inch HDTV touch screen computers at every table, where you can peruse the menu and order your food via videochat with the servers.…
White House sounds tone deaf; Gil Sanchez campaign upset by FB remark, and hail Peyton Manning: Mitch Perry Report 1.25.10
A panoply of White House advisors flooded the Sunday morning talk shows yesterday to stay on message. But is it the right one? The House District 58 Democratic Primary just got a bit uglier, as the Gil Sanchez campaign is upset about a comment on their Facebook page that they considered threatening. And we give…
Gil Sanchez Facebook page gets comment that he calls threatening
House District 58 candidate Gil Sanchez says he has contacted the Tampa Police Department and the FBI about what his camp calls a racist comment sent to his Facebook page Sunday afternoon. Sanchez says that the comment was posted on his Facebook page in response to a YouTube campaign video ad in which the candidate…
Defined: roost*er*lol*li*pop
Roost*er*lol*li*pop: adjective 1. A polite way to call someone a cocksucker with out them realizing it until after you've walked way. 2. A delicious South American treat made from chili powder and cocaine.
Tasty Fungi: Creamy Mushroom Bisque Recipe
The weather in the city has not been kind as of late. It’s not only the misty rain, but also the brisk coastal winds which have swept the bay area in tandem for over a week now. It makes me miss the warmth of the Sunshine State, with its mild seasonality and white, sandy gulf coast. A…
Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland soundtrack revealed
Tim Burton has been creating his eccentric, pop culture re-imagining of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (about a bemused little girl lost in a curious world), and has brought on several pop, punk and rock musicians to join in on the fantastical hookah-smoking fun as well. The track listing for the film's soundtrack was released on…
Peyton Manning’s brilliance to go up against New Orleans spirit in Super Bowl 44
Yesterday National Football League fans were treated to over 7 hours of intense drama on essentially the last day of the year for pro football until next fall. Yes, there will be that little game called the Super Bowl in two weeks. That's where the New Orleans Saints sudden death victory in overtime last night…
The young and the “green”: Educating our youth about sustainable living
No, no. I am neither talking about any legal firm nor a stockbroker on Wall Street. Importantly, thank you Mr. Bell (and CBS) for the idea for my title from your wonderful (Really?) daytime soap opera. (I should admit that it’s been a while since I have witnessed the cold war between Jack and Victor,…
Concert review: Gov’t Mule at The Ritz Ybor
For someone who is commonly referred to as one of the hardest working musicians in the business, on Thursday night, Warren Haynes was late to work. Scheduled for a start time of 8:30 p.m., Haynes and company, otherwise known as Gov’t Mule, didn’t hit the stage until nearly 9:20 p.m. This didn’t surprise my friend…
Commissioner Kevin White’s problems with abstaining and difficulties sticking to one story
This Commissioner Kevin shovel-ready White, D – Turnip story just never seems to run out of dirt. Recall during my account of last week's events (where our County Commission finally voted to sue White to get some of our $500,000 back from his sexual harassment suit) I thought it was strange that White actually voted?…
White House reads a different message than MSM regarding Massachusetts
Sandwiched in between last Tuesday night's smashing victory for Republicans in Massachusetts and President Obama's State of the Union address this Wednesday night, were the Sunday morning public affairs shows, which featured members of the Obama administration maintaining that the President will not reset his agenda, despite increasing calls from Republicans and some Democrats (and…
Theater review: “Blithe Spirit” at American Stage a Cowardly treat
Nobody writes marital spats better than Noel Coward. A typical Cowardian dust-up begins with the spouses sounding friendly and respectful. Then someone slips a criticism into the cheerful banter. The victim objects, defends him or herself, and finally parries with a cutting word that’s supposed to keep things balanced. But it doesn’t: it just makes…
Bead me! The business of Gasparilla swag
Consider for a moment a string of plastic beads. Individually, there is nothing spectacular about a collection of fake jewels manufactured in Taiwan. Easily purchased from any costume or party store, they seem a curious thing to desire. They cannot be used as currency or as an escrow item; indeed, when one encounters them, the…
It Happened This Week-ish: RPatz with a beard, Scott Baio Tweets, Miranda Kerr gets naked and Tiger Woods in sex rehab
*I have a new goal, it isn't lofty but it is important to the world: Get more people to read this one blog post over the next week than bought Heidi Montag's new album last week. The magic number? 1,000. Tweet, email and Facebook the hell out of this thing so I can finally show…
On the Radar: This Is Our Youth and Wimmin of the Pit and The Danse Du Fête
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Behold! There are two stimulating reasons to go to Ybor this weekend (that don’t involve belligerent drinking and booty calls). First up, the Silver Meteor Gallery shows This is Our Youth, penned by Analyze This and Gangs of New…
Do It Today: Maria Saraceno art show, Moscow State Radio Symphony and Monday Night Jazz
At Cancelled (which ends this week), sculptor and installation artist Maria Saraceno concerns herself with oppressive policies and movements — nationalist, religious or gender-based — for this exhibit, for which the primary medium is fabric (insert myriad symbolic meanings ________ here). The highlight of the show is a large wall grouping of fabric birds "trapped"…
Simon Cowell says “Everybody Hurts” for Haiti, R.E.M. agrees (and royalty free)
Unspeakable tragedies beget all-star charity spectacles, and the earthquake in Haiti is no exception. Soon-to-be-former American Idol curmudgeon Simon Cowell (right) will flex his celebrity muscle by drawing some of the British Isles' biggest music stars to re-purpose and re-record a song by a most decidedly American band — "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. NME reports…
My f-buddy stole my condoms
Sometimes I wonder about people. Even myself. I’m the type of woman where if I want to have sex, I’m having sex. When I was younger I would go out and pick up the first sexy man I saw who I thought would be a good fuck. Now I just get online and can have…
The Green Community week in review: Drilling in the Gulf, local organic skin care business, green your diet and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: Four simple rules for a healthier, greener diet – To change to a healthy diet, we must truly understand the food we eat. Four rules can serve as our guide. Important Pinellas County Commission…
Hillbillies and Hermits at SFF 2010
It has been puking every day here in Park City. This is the snowiest it has been during Sundance in recent years and the transit system has slowed to a crawl. After a very lengthy ride, we make it just in time to catch our first midnight screening, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. This campy…
Welcome to SFF2010
It’s snowing in Park City and we have been standing in a long line at the Gateway Center to pick up our festival ticket package. The theme of this year’s festival is RE: and a blackboard in the Pass and Package office is filled with RE: words such as rebellion and revolt. At the very…
Fair Districts Florida makes it on 2010 ballot
In what many Florida Democrats hope could be the only salvation from another decade plus of Republican control in Tallahassee, the organizers behind FairDistrictsFlorida.org announced this afternoon that their two ballot measures will be on the November 2010 ballot. There will be two measures, Amendment 5 and Amendment 6 on the ballot, both dealing with…
A confession in Clearwater: She poisoned her boyfriend with an antifreeze margarita
According to an AP report, a 51-year-old woman in upstate New York poured a shotglass-full of ethylene glycol into a container of margarita mix last October and left the cocktail in the refrigerator, assuming (correctly) that her boyfriend would drink it. She says she didn't expect him to die, just get sick. But she must…
Japanese men and their pillow girlfriends
In Japan, a new subculture has developed of men carrying on romantic relationships with pillow girlfriends. As reported in a recent New York Times article, these “2-D lovers,” are a subgroup of “otaku”: the obsessive fanaticism around anime, hentai (a cross between anime and role playing video games), manga (Japanese comic-books,) and video games. These…
37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade observed in St. Pete
Thirty-seven years ago today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the seminal abortion rights case that a woman has the right to abort her pregnancy. (Pictured right: Gillian Dean and her two-year-old son Jaiden at the demonstration) Since then, pro-choice rallies have been organized each year, to remind people that the fight to keep abortion…
Nelson going to Haiti
The Tampa Tribune is reporting on their Web site this afternoon that Florida Democratic U. S. Senator Bill Nelson is flying down to Haiti early tomorrow morning in an effort to speed up the evacuation of Haitian children for life-saving medical procedures. Nelson tells the Tribune than than 200 children are eligible for quick passage…
Random Chumpservations, Vol 8: Darrelle Revis is God, LeBron James won’t dunk and conflicted Green Bay Packer fans
Security Blanket How good is Darrelle Revis? I haven’t paid this much attention to an NFL cornerback since Deion Sanders was still in the league and I don’t think even Prime Time’s instincts were this good. Sanders was just a freakish athlete. Revis seems to have an uncanny knack, not only the ball, but for…
Project Runway Podcast ep. 2: Farmland, potato sacks, the most famous pirate ever, ass flaps and nipple slips
Ever wondered what Tim Gunn would wear on a dirty, nasty farm in the middle of New York? A super-snazzy suit. Duh. Now that we have that life-changing mystery solved, let's talk about this challenge. In case you missed it, the models are the clients, the material is burlap and various agriculturally-inspired embellishments and they…
Caramel Crunch Bars recipe
If you're looking for a decadent and delectable treat that's also easy to make, look no further. These Caramel Crunch Bars are hands down one of the best things I’ve ever baked! They're cookie bars with a kind of caramelized, brown sugar shortbread base laced with a shot of espresso and studded with bits of…
London’s sustainable Olympic stadium to be made from recycled weapons
With London hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, the new super stadium and surrounding Olympic village are set to be the most sustainable structures the games have seen yet. Besides the other numerous efforts they're going through to make these games super 'green' (see below), my favorite aspect so far is the fact that the Olympic…
Restaurant News: The Refinery to open in Seminole Heights
Greg and Michelle Baker, the couple behind Culinary Sherpas and recipe columnists for the Tampa Tribune, plan to open a new restaurant in Tampa's Seminole Heights. They haven't signed the papers yet and they're under a confidentiality agreement, so they can't say where the restaurant is, but it's a turn-key operation that they plan to…
Lost podcast returns next week; Lost reimagined as 24
The Losties here at CL are busy prepping an all new season of our acclaimed (mostly by Karl) podcast dissecting the weekly mind-melter that is ABC's Lost. We'll have a preview of Season 6 on Daily Loaf next week. For now, enjoy a terrific re-edit of the moment Oceanic flight 815 crashed on the island…
Hayley Williams of Paramore comes to Tampa (97X video added!)
Our favorite spunky and oh-so-talented Hayley Williams (lead singer of Paramore) stopped into Tampa this week. Right now she's on the road visiting radio stations across the country before she hooks back up with the rest of the band and heads to Australia and Japan for the next leg of their tour. Williams paid a…
Dirt flies in House District 58 race, health care really dead? And more with Sam Gibbons: Mitch Perry Report 1.22.10
First of all, Hillsborough County Commissioners yesterday sued one of their own, Kevin White yesterday. Now CL blogger Chris Ingram has filed an ethics complaint against White, and asks local Hillsborough Democrats, where's your outrage? The BOCC also yesterday delighted environmentalists by saving Cone Ranch by paying for it with ELAPP funds, as Kelly Cornelius…
Genetic engineering: The world’s greatest scam? (video)
Earlier today, I came across this informative video (below) from Greenpeace about the scam that is genetically modified food, the harm it does to crops, and its adverse impact on biodiversity. The video also outlines other negative practices of the GMO giants (Monsanto being the largest) like the destruction of thousands of acres of rain…
Health care reform is wounded, as Democrats seem dazed
If you read any political news coverage today in some of the leading Washington journals, you can't help but realize that health care reform as presented in the current House and Senate bills appears to be dying, if not dead. The argument instead for an incremental approach on health care, mentioned by President Obama in…
Chill spot: Peggy O’Neill’s Irish Pub
Finding a bar that fits your taste and atmosphere preferences, with friendly bartenders who care you are there, is not always the easiest thing. It is, however, as significant as finding the right hair salon and stylist. (Ladies, you know what I mean.) Although I enjoy a night of debauchery out at the clubs as…
Sam Gibbons on Cuba, Iorio, and President Obama trying to repair the U.S. image overseas
On Wednesday night, the Tampa Bay History Center hosted a special birthday celebration for former Tampa Congressman Sam Gibbons. The longtime Democrat, who served in Congress representing the Tampa area for 34 years, has just turned 90. Moments before the ceremony was to begin, Gibbons sat down to talk with CL. In the second part…
A look at today’s St. Pete Times story on District 58 race
With a local Internet site alleging over the past five days that District 58 House Democratic candidate Janet Cruz has been claiming a homestead exemption for a house that she does not live in, the St. Petersburg Times today has unleashed three of their best Tampa-based reporters to report on that allegation, as well as…
Ethics complaint filed against Kevin White
Good government is a non-partisan issue; where is the Democrat’s outrage? Chris Ingram, president of 411 Communications, and publisher of IrreverentView.com has mailed an ethics complaint to the State of Florida Commission on Ethics against Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White. Ingram’s complaint stems from the sexual harassment lawsuit against White and specifically his vote of…
On the Radar: art across the Bay — One at MOSI and Studio-F at UT
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Tampa’s got a few fantastic fine arts venues, but next week brings the debut of two smaller-scale—albeit equally interesting—exhibits. First, MOSI’s ARC Gallery hosts One. The concept of zero plagued ancient cultures; its recognition marked a leap in trade,…
Vampire Weekend’s Contra ranks No. 1 on Billboard
Vampire Weekend’s second full-length LP, Contra, sold 124,000 copies in its first week out, capturing the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. Vampire Weekend is only the 12th band on an indie label to win top honors since 1991. The ranking places Vampire Weekend above mainstream sensations like Susan Boyle, Ke$ha, and Lady Gaga.…
Increased Relief Efforts in Haiti: U.S., China, EU
Little can ameliorate the unbearable images and stories filtering out of Haiti in the wake January 12’s earthquake. Countries with the capacity to contribute to Haiti’s relief efforts are assisting a devastated and enervated people. As President Obama articulated, the United States fully commits to assist Haitians because “that is who we are, that is…
Diary of the Unemployed Housewife: Who knew?
You know at the beginning of the week I posted a status update on my Facebook page that said "This is going to be the week!" Now I'm thinking I should find a career as a psychic because holy cow was I right! This has been a whirlwind of a week and I am still…
Living green in Tampa Bay profile: Autana and Nurses’ Glove organic skin care
While perusing the stands at the Ybor Saturday Market last weekend, eyeing the many unique handmade goods and looking for anything in the way of "green," I came upon a vendor selling some interesting organic soaps and skin care. A great story behind something (especially of local interest) always gets me and I have become…
Air America is off the air. Forever.
Get ready for Bill O'Reilly to chortle tonight, but for the first time since Al Franken tweaked him at a book forum in Los Angeles, this time he'll be correct when he says that Air America will be going off the air. Because it is. For real. And for good. Really soon. Established to great…
Devil’s Playground does ‘Star Wars’ burlesque style (video)
Most every heterosexual American male has fantasized about Princess Leia in that metal bikini from Return of the Jedi. While we weren't quite sure what the morbidly obese space slug, Jabba the Hutt, needed with a woman in a bikini as a slave, we had waited through the first two movies just to see Leia…
St. Pete Times endorses Socialism
Chris Ingram’s letter to the editor of the St. Pete Times (as submitted) Dear Editor: I am generally a defender of the St. Pete Times to my fellow conservatives as I believe the paper’s news reporting to be the best in the state. However, my conservative friends can’t get past the fact that your paper…
Hillsborough County Commission does something right! Two things actually!
After almost a year of battling and wasting over $50,000 of your money to study it, Cone Ranch is finally safe. Commissioners voted to have it go to ELAPP immediately without the expensive appraisal or highest and best use price tag. Recall highly paid staff member Mike Merrill had convinced the board that these were…
Interview with The Room‘s Tommy Wiseau
[Editor's Note: To learn more about The Room, check out Rabid Nick's Tuesday post on the film.] Getting inside the head of any film director — let alone one as enigmatic as Tommy Wiseau — can be a daunting challenge. Speaking to me about his cult hit The Room, Mr. Wiseau would not talk about…
Sudeep Vyapari – Contributor
Sudeep Vyapari started out with a green thumb and now has a green brain—every time Sudeep gets an idea, a compact fluorescent light appears over his head. After earning his PhD in Environmental Horticulture, Sudeep taught and conducted research at institutions of higher education for over 18 years and continues to expand his connection with…
Reel Projections podcast: The Lovely Bones
The Reel Projections podcast returns as I sit down with CL Auction Item #41: Be a Film Critic! recipient, Roger Breit. Roger wrote the CL review of The Lovely Bones, and this podcast is the the audio companion to his written take. Enjoy! Click here to listen to Reel Projections: The Lovely Bones
CD review: Lindstrom & Christabelle, Real Life Is No Cool (with video)
The new album featuring Norwegian space-funk producer Lindstrom , Real Life Is No Cool by Lindstrom & Christabelle, transforms a typical suburban living room into a Norwegian discotheque. Unlike his well-regarded 2008 endeavor, Where You Go I Go Too — which consisted of three tracks, the longest 28 minutes, the shortest 10 — Lindstrom has…
Photo review: Statesmen of Jazz at Palladium Theater
A series of shots taken at last night's Statesmen of Jazz concert at Palladium Theater; featuring jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli [pictured below], clarinet and sax player Bob Wilber, pianist Rossano Sportiello, saxophonist Antii Sarpila and bassist Nicki Parrott, among a few others. Check out the complete photo gallery after the jump.
Is oil drilling safe in the Gulf of Mexico? SAFE says so – or do they?
On January 19th, a report was issued by a corporation called SAFE (Securing America’s Future Energy). The report is entitled: Eastern Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Exploration and Military Readiness. Kudos to SAFE for this ingenious doublespeak. SAFE prepared this report in concert with a company called Commonwealth Consulting Corporation. In case you were…
A doorway to your dog’s independence
We moved recently, from an apartment to a house with a large yard. As if that weren’t enough to spoil our three dogs, the new house has a dog door. This is revolutionary to our dogs, and to us as well. No more midnight treks down three flights of stairs. No more standing out in…
This weekend’s best bets in Bay area music: Gov’t Mule, Tommy Castro, John Stowell, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, and more
A quick breakdown of this weekend’s most worthy concerts beginning with Thursday, 'cause that's when the weekend really starts, right? For a more comprehensive schedule, check out our Upcoming Concerts page. THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 An Evening with Gov't Mule [pictured] I interviewed veteran axeman and Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes right around the release of…
Ybor merchants engage in spirited discussion about annual Guavaween celebration
Even before last year's disappointing Guavaween celebration in Ybor City, there was grumbling amongst many of the bar and restaurant owners that the annual Halloween celebration had gone astray in recent years. Those feelings intensified after one of the lowest attended Guavaweens ever last October, leading the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce (who receives the…
Supreme Court rules against McCain-Feingold
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has determined that campaign finance laws that restrict donations from corporate entities are in violation of the 1st Amendment. For almost a century, the government has been working actively to regulate campaign contributions in an attempt to halt influence of unions and corporations. The most significant law…
Chumpservations, Vol. 7 starring Meryl Streep vs. Meryl Streep, Brett Favre jamming to Prince and problematic post office parking
Streep vs. Streep I’ve never been big on awards shows, particularly those of the Hollywood variety. I’ve just always felt they’re packed with stuffy, snobby, tuxedoed movie stars with whom I have absolutely nothing in common. Don’t get me wrong, I love movies. I just don’t need an awards ceremony to tell me what’s good…
Obama finally listens to Volcker, Sam Gibbons on health care, and the NY Times to charge: Mitch Perry Report 1.21.10
Later this morning, the President will make an announcement regarding a new proposal on limits to the size and investments of large banks. The idea was fostered by former Fed Chair Paul Volcker, who finally apparently has the President's ear; Legendary former Tampa Congressman Sam Gibbons was honored last night on his 90th birthday. We…
Sam Gibbons discusses health care and other issues as he is honored at the Tampa Bay History Center
Longtime Tampa Democratic Congressman Sam Gibbons turned 90 on Wednesday, and many of his best friends came out to honor him last night at the Tampa Bay History Center (including judges E.J. Salcines, John F. Germany and former USF President Betty Castor). Gibbons represented Tampa in Washington for 34 years. He was elected in 1962,…
Obama 2.0 begins by listening to Paul Volcker
Financial reform gets a new look today when President Obama announces today a proposal on new limits to the size and investments of large banks. The NY Times Jackie Calmes reports that, for the first time, the President will get behind an effort led by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker on limiting the scope…
The 30 most-anticipated films of 2010 — Part Two
[Editor's Note: This is the second part of Anthony Nicholas' epic 2010 movie preview. You should be bookmarking this! Go here to check out part one of the preview.] Yesterday, I covered numbers 30-16 in my most-anticipated films of 2010 preview. Today, the top 15 most interesting films slated for release sometime in 2010. I'll…
Club Sinn: St. Pete’s friendly neighborhood bikini bar
“I was in Girls Gone Wild,” says a grinning 18-year-old blonde who goes by the stage name Star. She leans on the bar in a sheer top with a bright bikini beneath, taking drags from her Virginia Slim. I didn't know what to expect when I strayed from the usual bars in downtown St. Pete,…
Diary of the unemployed housewife: And guilt rears its ugly head
How is it that in one single sentence a mother can spark a ball of guilt that rolls around in your stomach like bad potato salad? Apparently, my mother was not a fan of my last post and well, she let me know it. I love my mother very much and I know of very…
The Bay area’s own Have Gun, Will Travel announce tour dates with Josh Roberts, The Whiskey Gentry (with audio)
Have Gun Will Travel (recent Suburban Home adoptees) have announced a regional tour that includes some dates with The Whiskey Gentry and Josh Roberts and the Hinges. So, if you're close to one of these shows **cough**cough**February 4 @ New World**cough**cough** then you should get out, catch the band and congratulate them on their Suburban…
Seafood Pasta alla Buzara recipe
The other day I was shopping at my neighborhood Publix, looking for a little dinner inspiration. I meandered past the seafood department without a thought. Usually, I don’t even bother to look in that direction. I live in Florida, less than a mile from the Gulf of Mexico. The last thing I am interested in…
The 22 minute video of the making of Avatar proves how revolutionary the movie really is
If you are like me, and love to see the behind the scenes of movies, then you are going to love this 22-minute video showing some behind the scenes of James Cameron’s newest blockbuster, Avatar. However, if you are still under the impression there is a real planet called Pandora, and it holds blue cat-people,…
Game Review: Bayonetta – gonzo-sexy mayhem is bewitching
Bayonetta offers pleasure after pleasure designed to feel at least a little guilty. This third-person action extravaganza is a glorious, self-indulgent mass of sound, fury, and fun. You play as the sexy-librarian-looking Bayonetta who wears a skin-tight black bodysuit over her curvaceous form and has automatic pistols in the heels of her boots. Except she's…
Featured Green Site: Appropedia – The ‘green’ wiki
is a fantastic informative wiki for everything under the sun that could be considered "green". It's an "appropriate technology wiki" filled with user created content, like Wikipedia, that focuses on collective solutions in "sustainability, poverty reduction and international development through the use of appropriate technology and the sharing of wisdom and project information". What exactly…
NY Times will begin charging “frequent” Web site readers in 2011
The New York Times announced on their Web site this afternoon that they will begin charging for online access to their site next year. The paper reports that visitors to the site will get a "certain number" of articles free each month before being ask to pay a flat fee for unlimited access. Subscribers to…
Seven deadly turn-offs
1. Stupid tattoos: I'm a huge fan of tattoos, and actually have a few myself, but if you have a green alien tattooed on your chest or a bar code on your neck, you might as well get another one that reads "Don't bother having sex with this idiot." 2. A sweater of chest hair: …
Dreaming of a fabulous fish
"Hi Dream Momma, I'm a living in St. Pete and I had a very strange dream last week. I dreamed I was on a ship with my ex husband (who I haven't seen in years) and we are looking over the railing when suddenly this huge rainbow colored fish appears. I can't begin to describe its colors. It…
Paranormal Activity 2 is a go with an interesting director
In 2009, a little movie called Paranormal Activity came from out of nowhere to soundly thrash established horror franchise Saw VI in a head-to-head battle for box-office supremacy. Paranormal Activity went on to become the Hollywood success story of last year, while Saw VI simply disappeared into oblivion. With this in mind, note that it…
Tampa’s District 58 primary: Tension over issues of race and residency
Within hours of the resignation last month of Hillsborough County Democratic Representative Mike Scionti, South Tampa Democratic activist and fundraiser Janet Cruz-Rifkin (right) announced her campaign to succeed him. She released a statement announcing not only that she was running for Scionti’s District 58 seat, but that a list of high-powered Tampa Democrats like Jim…
A (slightly obsessive) response to John Mayer’s “dirty mind and lonely heart” interview in Rolling Stone
If you read anything I write or actually know me in real life, you might know a few things about me. The word "awesome" is my favorite. I like Tina Fey. I hate Heidi Montag. I want to marry John Mayer. The remainder of this foray into writing deals with only one of these many…
See St. Pete’s LEED buildings on a bus tour with the Emerging Green Builders
Join other interested professionals and students on a bus tour of local LEED buildings Saturday, February 13, 2010, 9:30am-4pm. Meet at: St. Petersburg College, SP/Gibbs Campus Student Services building (6605 5th Avenue North, St Petersburg, Florida 33710) for a 9:30am tour, the bus leaves at 10:30am Cost: $10 for Students (sign up and pay at…
Wednesday-music.com indie music profile: Bat for Lashes
Two time Mercury Prize nominee Natasha Kahn goes by the "nom de song" Bat for Lashes. Previously, she studied music and visual arts at the University of Brighton and taught at a nursery school. It was during this period that she began working on material for her first album. "Whenever I’m writing music it’s a…
3 Guys & Chuck The Podcast – “Chuck Vs. Operation Awesome”
— your cure for the normal podcast — has returned with comment on another great episode of Chuck, this one entitled "Chuck Vs. Operation Awesome." In this week's podcast, we recap the show, talk about super guest star Brandon Routh, and lament how much we missed Buy More. This week podcast was recorded in front…
The 30 most-anticipated films of 2010 — Part One
[Editor's Note: Read part 2 of this preview here.] It’s a new year and a new decade. Here’s looking forward to a prosperous decade of cinema. Will it be known for a slew of sequels, comic book adaptations and funny cat videos like the '00s were? Or will it be remembered for groundbreaking and socially…
Why I don’t like the Dog Whisperer
We all seem to love Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. Or do we? As a whole, the consensus is that the National Geographic Channel's self-taught super dog trainer is the best thing since the advent of the pooper-scooper. But some of us disagree. We think his whisper is a growl and his scooper is getting…
Movie review: Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones, starring Saoirse Ronan, Stanley Tucci, Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz
[Editor's Note: Tampa lawyer Roger Breit was the recipient of CL Holiday Auction item #41: Be A Movie Critic!, a gift from his longtime movie-going friend who thought it long past time that Roger was granted a soapbox from which to share his film criticism. Thanks to the generosity of people just like Roger's friend,…
New Granada Records gets an official SXSW showcase; Nervous Turkey, too!
After I heard the exciting news that Bay area label New Granada Records (which just celebrated its 15th anniversary) got an official showcase at this year’s SXSW festival, I called chief-in-charge Keith Ulrey to get the juicy details. “It was basically just handed to us,” Ulrey said, sounding thrilled. And he didn’t have to go…
Restaurant News: Bella Brava plans move to Beach Drive bayfront
After just a few years in its current spot — with one of the chicest modern design schemes of any St. Pete restaurant — Bella Brava is moving a few blocks away to the bayfront. The new location at 200 Beach Drive encompasses three different office and retail spots, which will require fairly massive construction…
Dems ponder strategy after Massachusetts lost, and Tampa to get red-light cameras? Mitch Perry Report 1.20.10
Everyone's wondering what's going on in the minds of Barack Obama and other leading Congressional Democrats today, less than 24 hours after Scott Brown cleaned Martha Coakley's clock in Massachusetts; Tampa maybe joining Hillsborough County in installing red-light cameras at certain selected troubled intersections across the city. But as we report, there are an onslaught…
Cone Ranch panelist calls the county’s practices “dishonest, scandalous and probably illegal”
Cone Ranch panelist and attorney Pamela Jo Hatley had some harsh words for the county's actions regarding Cone Ranch. She has already come out against the recommendation recently to get a costly appraisal on the land (which is already owned by the County) before transferring it to ELAPP (the county's own preservation land buying program.)…
Tampa going against the tide in implementing red light cameras
Both the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times are reporting this morning that the city of Tampa will soon install red-light cameras at 10 intersections considered to be vulnerable to excessive accidents and incidents. As the Trib reports, Mayor Pam Iorio considered installing such cameras three years ago, but pulled back, referencing information available…
So where do President Obama and Congressional Democrats go now?
That is the question of the moment, in the wake of Republican Scott Brown's victory last night over Democrat Martha Coakley in the election to replace Ted Kennedy as U.S. Senator from Massachusetts. Perhaps because of how quickly the news cycle works, though Brown's victory is considered an upset for the ages, the fact of…
Happily eating some crow
Brown shakes up Obamalism; trouble still looms for the GOP By Chris Ingram This morning’s news is dominated with stories about the stunning upset Republican Scott Brown managed over Democrat Martha Coakley in Massachusetts U.S. Senate election to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat. Yesterday I expected Coakley would pull it out in a squeaker — admitting…
Join the Emerging Green Builders and Tampa Bay Green Drinks for their networking social, January 27
Join the Emerging Green Builders of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council for their Winter-Spring Social on Wednesday, January 27, at USF St. Petersburg. Besides getting to mingle with the Emerging Green Builders and other ecologically minded peers, they're also offering a tour of the new, LEED Gold Certified Science…
Holiday auction winners “buy the news” for friends in need
When Brian Bailey and Dexter Fabian decided to bid on Item #03 in the CL Online Holiday Auction — "Buy the news: You decide the story, you pick the CL staffer to write it" — they figured the story they'd commission would be about, well, themselves. Or rather, about their popular website ILoveTheBurg.com and its…
The Drunken City swims in drunken babble
Gorilla Theatre goes on a bender.
The ’20s roared once more for New Year’s Eve
A high bidder with high style threw a New Year’s bash that yielded two engagements.
Buying the news for friends in need
The winners of “Buy the news” decided there were other stories to tell besides their own.
Five Stars for Lucky Dill Deli
Lucky Dill may have won our auction lot, but I end up the big winner.
‘Cause he’s the wanderer
The joys and pitfalls of the semi-itinerant life.
Three for all in District 58
A special Democratic primary in Tampa turns tense over questions of race and residency.
Vinyl diving with the Holiday Auction winner
CL’s music editor goes on a record-shopping spree with holiday auction winners Christi Atkins and Jeff Mahar.
The heart of the matter: Congo/Women at Poynter Institute
A new show at Poynter focuses on the horrfic plight of women in The Democratic Republic of Congo.
Diary of an unemployed housewife: hydraulics, baby!
I have never been a big fan of YouTube; it seems like you have to weed through a whole lot of junk to find anything of any merit. Well, that's the way I felt until last week, when a friend of mine saw this link and thought of me and my blog. Now, before you…
Life As We Blow It: Blowing It, Not Blowing It Up
On January 6, 26-year-old Briton Paul Chambers became the umpteenth English-speaking person of questionable impulse control (original descriptive language changed to skirt Britain's rather strenuous libel laws) to vastly misconstrue authorities' post-9/11 sense of humor regarding jokes about bombs. After his local Doncaster, England airport was shut down, canceling his flight to Ireland — during…
“Congo/Women”: Photos at the Poynter Institute show the shocking plight of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Given the headlines and images that emerged from Haiti last week, Americans may be in a particularly humanitarian frame of mind at the moment. By coincidence, however, an exhibition of photographs from Congo on view in St. Petersburg serves as a reminder that while our awareness of such crises fluctuates as a function of media…
Tommy Wiseau’s The Room: The art of making a bad movie
Imagine that you’re in Los Angeles, movie capital of the world, ready to take in a midnight showing of that week’s massive box office attraction. Upon arrival you’re greeted by a throng of other movie goers waiting patiently in line for their own midnight showing. But these cinema fans are not there for the latest…
CD review/Show preview: Poetry n’ Lotion, Kentucky Monkey, which is debuted this Friday at New World
In the three years since Poetry n’ Lotion first started performing around the Bay area, the instrumental foursome has evolved their old-meets-new brand of acoustic jazz and bluegrass into a plugged-in sound that incorporates elements of hard, psychedelic and progressive rock, roots reggae, samba, gypsy jazz, ragtime, and even Irish folk music. Having carved out…
The Green Community week in review: The truth about free-range eggs, retro global warming warning, ‘Hands Across the Sand’, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: U.S. green building activity to grow 146% by 2013 – The combined commercial and residential green building markets should grow nearly 146 percent from 2009 to 2013, according to research from Zpryme. In 2009,…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: ‘Reduce, Reuse, Refashion’ event, solar power workshop, markets galore and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Reduce, Reuse, Refashion Event at Creative Clay- Friday, January 15 and Saturday, January 16; 8 am-2 pm. From kayaks to canvases, we're selling our overstock and storage unit treasures! Garage sale prices! Come support Creative Clay, local artists,…
Join the ‘Hands Across the Sand’ event to help protect Florida’s coast against oil drilling
On Saturday February 13, 2010, Florida residents and tourists will be going to a number of beaches across the state to do a beach clean up and hold hands to show a united front to protect Florida's beaches against oil drilling during the 'Hands Across the Sand' event. According to the event's website: "This is…
Kelly Cornelius — Contributor
Growing up with my horse was a privilege, having to keep her at someone else’s barn was not. Realizing a lifelong dream of keeping her in the backyard came true when I moved to Lithia on 5 acres. Little did I know that there would be much more than just the physical work to keep…
