Ask Dream Momma: helpless at work
“Dear Dream Momma, I had this upsetting dream last night. I dreamed I was standing on the deck of the cruise ship. The wind was blowing…. there was a slight chop in the water. Then I turned around to the left and saw tons of surfers out in the ocean. But the weird thing…
Call to Artists: Tampa Bay’s Third Annual Chalk Walk
The Tampa Bay Business for Culture and the Arts invites local artists, students, and groups to participate in the third annual Chalk Walk. The event will be held March 18-20 in Hyde Park Village. $3,000 in total prizes will be given to the best artwork. Application fees vary between $15 and $35, depending on the…
Attention “outdoor drinkers”, don’t forget your whisky in a can
Ever picture the Western movie star actor John Wayne drinking whisky in a tin can? To all you whisky connoisseurs, picture a world where shot glasses include a tin ring. Earlier this month, Scottish Spirits launched their first whisky in a can, coined “dram in a can.” The company promotes the new package to “outdoor…
Hillsborough County Judge Chet A. Tharpe’s life inside the courtroom and at home
We see him on the news and read his words in the paper. He’s responsible for the lives of people who have committed brutalities affecting the victims, as well as the rest of society. Circuit Judge, Chet A. Tharpe, presides over many high-profile cases in Florida. In 2010, he sentenced Stephanie Ragusa, a Hillsborough County…
Turanchik proposes armory building in West Tampa as potential home for Raymond James satellite office complex
The St. Petersburg based financial services company Raymond James has announced that it's looking at expanding its offices into Pasco or Hillsborough county. Though they say they have no intention of leaving their Carillon office park headquarters, officials say they'd like a satellite office to mitigate concerns about their prime location being situated in a…
An unlikely pair: Cheese paired with coffee is a buzz for your taste buds
If you like coffee and you like cheese then keep reading; — the two make an amazing pair! You have had them together already without much thought about what you were combining. We drink coffee for breakfast and add cheese to items like eggs, bagels and croissants. Most of us use dairy creamers in our…
Surfrider Foundation is at it again: “No new offshore drilling”
Offshore drilling is an inherently risky activity which directly threatens marine life, fisheries, and coastal economies. The Presidential Oil Spill Commission recently reported the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico was not an accident, but rather a systemic failure in industry and government. Florida’s coasts provide billions of dollars through recreation, tourism, and healthy…
Pénedes and Priorat: A Spanish wine journey at the foothills of the Pyrenees (Part I)
A vineyard in the Penedès region. “Ladies and gentlemen: if you look out the windows on the left side of the plane, you will see the Pyrenees Mountains.” Luckily, I found myself on the left side of the plane; my usual is to be on the wrong side. As I slid open the plastic window…
Must-click links: Take Shelter rocks Sundance, Project Nim, Banksy on his Oscar nom, the state of the union and much more …
Sundance update: Jeff Nichols' (Shotgun Stories) sophomore effort, Take Shelter, dazzled and is being touted as a serious contender for the grand jury prize. Star Michel Shannon is being talked up as a possible 2012 Oscar contender, and IndieWire's Eric Kohn is calling the film an "American epic." Another film generating buzz is Man On Wire director James…
SOLD!: A holiday auction winner interviews Rick Burch of Jimmy Eat World, which plays The Ritz Ybor on Wed., Feb. 2
When we contacted “Interview Your Favorite Band” CL Holiday Auction winner Derek Weiner to find out the bands he was most interested in talking to, he responded with a shortlist of picks. “Admittedly, I may be dreaming a little too big,” he wrote, “but I figured why not give you the wish list and let…
Rocco retires
Amid the collective clapping and cringing of the recent Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon acquisitions, another change in the Tampa Bay Rays organization may occur with less spectacle but is certainly worthy of fans’ attention. Today, in a press release, the team announced that beloved Rocco Baldelli has filed his retirement papers with Major League…
Senator Fasano tells Governor Scott: Look, I didn’t support amendments 5&6, but it’s wrong to delay a federal review
Rick Scott made news when he put a freeze on all state regulations and contracts that had been approved by now former Governor Charlie Crist in his first day in office. Though a bit starting, it was fulfilling his state goal to streamline state government. But until earlier this week, no one that also meant…
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival: The story so far
If you haven't been keeping up with the reports out of Park City, Utah by Eckerd College prof Nathan Andersen and his merry band of festival-going students, you're missing the full story of this year's Sundance Film Festival. The group from St. Pete has already rubbed elbows with big stars, seen outraged audience members escorted…
Spoiler Corner: Big Love, Glee, Vampire Diaries and more!
Curious about your favorite shows? Is someone dying? If your favorite couple getting engaged? Hook-ups? Break-ups? Well, here you will find the answers to your burning questions! Enjoy television lovers! Big Love The Biggest Big Love secret ever is about to come out, and it's going to happen in the next episode! Margene's big secret…
Obama all about American exceptionalism in SOTU; Tampa mayoral & City Council candidates -21 of them- speak in Seminole Heights, and nudity being used to sell politics? Mitch Perry Report 1.26.11
Well, we hope you enjoyed last night's State of the Union address Florida, though unlike last year, you didn't get any $1.25 billion gift for high-speed rail — so in that respect it might have been a letdown. We're not huge fans of the genre, but it would be malpractice not to observe — and…
Obama echoing Marco Rubio in SOTU?
Well, as usual the State of the Union address is taking ups up gobs of media attention, though it's debatable how much of what this president (or others before him) will actually accomplish vs the goals laid out last night. But hey, it keeps everybody who covers politics busy for a couple of days! In…
Clean energy goals in Obama’s State of the Union address
During President Obama's State of the Union Address last night, he stated that investments need to be made in technology to benefit this country's future. He called this our "Sputnik moment" (referring to the space race against the Soviets in 1950) and claimed that Congress would be provided with a budget authorized for, "investing in…
Tampa Bay food and drink events
Wednesday, January 26: Pollo Tropical The Latin-inspired fast food chain Pollo Tropical is getting in the spirit of this month dedicated to soup by offering their Caribbean Chicken or Split Pea Soup for only $1 on National Soup Day, January 26th. There is one catch to get this deal, though: To get the discount you…
Seminole Heights candidate forum a lengthy affair
Mama told me there'd be forums like this. Tuesday night in the very politically aware Seminole Heights district of Tampa, over 100 people crammed into the Seminole Heights Garden Center, just as a driving rain storm was abating, to hear 21 different mayoral and city council candidates introduce themselves, five weeks before election day. Although…
Swinger date gone wrong: part 2
In "Swinger date gone wrong: part 1," we last left our fledgling swinger and his wife at a couple's house, stewing in a garage hot-tub illuminated only by a disco ball. "Then he [the other husband] turned the lights out on the ball and said something to the effect of, 'This is what I call…
The Gaily News: State of the Union, Wyoming bill, Rihanna lesbian rumors, Doritos’ gay Super Bowl ads, Skins loses advertisers
Though including the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” on a laundry list of his administration’s accomplishments, President Barack Obama failed to mention the hot button issue of gay marriage during the State of the Union address.
Movie review: Blue Valentine, starring Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling (with trailer video)
At its conclusion, Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine leaves the viewer with mixed emotions. There’s an almost triumphant swelling of music played over a gorgeous end credits sequence — a seeming mismatch to the downbeat ending of the film. This clash of despair and joy is intentional, the culmination of two parallel stories. The emotions of…
CD review: Social Distortion, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Two phrases have been running through my mind as I formulate my thoughts on the new Social D album: "It's got a few great songs, but …" and "not that there's anything wrong with that." Okay, so let's back up. Social Distortion, the god-like, greaser-billy-punk band from California, released their new album last Tuesday, and…
Do It Today: St. Pete for Peace movie night, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Tokyo Police Club
St. Pete for Peace Movie Night offers an opportunity to see a political/socially conscious film for free, and it happens every Wednesday night in the outdoor patio of Cafe Bohemia. This week's installment of the series features a documentary that's a little shorter, but it's followed by a provocative discussion. After the 30-minute doc Imperial Geography…
Lightning shut out Maple Leafs, win 5 in a row
On a night where the mention of Lightning was more a refection of the weather outside than the hockey team inside the St. Pete Times Forum, the Bolts looked to extend their winning streak to five straight games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs entered the game in the second of back-to-back games…
On the Radar: Vinyl Fever Send-Off
Vinyl Fever enjoyed a nearly 30-year run as the bay area's most popular independent music store, and over the years I have enjoyed it more than any other record shop I visited or wore a name tag for (yeah, I worked at a few — the much less cooler mall ones).
St. Pete house where officers were killed completely razed – some question why
The last place that I generally would ever look for insight is the comments section of the St. Pete Times generally. Actually, that's not fair. The level of racist comments against blacks, Arabs and Muslims is relatively low in the Times compared to what you'll see on any quasi-controversial story on the Tampa Tribune's TBO.Com.…
CD review: Cold War Kids, Mine Is Yours
From the first bars of the title track, it’s easy to tell that a darkness has been lifted off of the Cold War Kids’ shoulders. Synthy blips crescendo over the intro and Nathan Willet coos “Whoa-oh-oh” before declaring that something is “changing colors like the leaves in Fall.” On the surface, it does indeed seem…
Photo review: Barry Manilow brings a bit of Vegas to the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa
More than 2,360 miles due west of Tampa is a little place called Las Vegas. And this past Friday night, Barry Manilow was kind enough to bring a slice of Vegas-style glitz and showmanship with him to the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. If you're not a fan of Mr. Manilow, you won't appreciate…
Bare breasts and picket signs: marketing politics with female nudity (NSFW)
Sex sells. Advertisers learned long ago that marketing a product with sex appeal works. This strategy can be as blatant as having a sex-tape starlet like Paris Hilton in a bathing suit eating a Carl's Jr. burger, to something as subtle as having an attractive politician like Sarah Palin help sell your presidential bid. Whether…
Matthew Snyder named Executive Director for Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee
Last month Christopher Mitchell became the new chair for the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee, replacing Pat Kemp, who opted to step down after two years on the job. Monday night the party announced that they had selected a new Executive Director, Matthew Snyder, who is perhaps best known for his involvement in Democrat Bill…
Tampa Public Works Dept.’s investigation on water bill crises – 8 homes have leaks, 4 resolved by billing, actual use or explanation
In recent weeks a mini-crises has evolved at Tampa's City Hall, as hundreds of people have complained about excessive charges on their recent water bills. Last Thursday, just some of those people affected by this curious phenomenon spoke out at the Tampa City Council's weekly meeting, leading Steve Daignault, the city's Public Works & Utility…
Slow Food Tampa Bay general membership meeting – Sunday, January 30
Are you passionate about food, your community and the environment? Concerned about where where your food comes from? If you said yes to any of those questions and are curious about becoming a member of the Slow Food movement, then this event is not to be missed. Join the Tampa Bay chapter of Slow Food…
New music releases out this Tuesday, January 25: Corinne Bailey Rae, Deerhoof, Iron & Wine, Young the Giant, LCD Soundsystem, and more (with audio & video)
The last series of new music releases for January. Click here to check out new music releases that dropped last week (January 18) and here for new releases in the past several months… , Lives And Treasure (Hot Sand) The Almost, Monster Monster EP (Tooth & Nail) Apex Manor, The Year Of Magical Drinking Games…
Must-click links: Oscar nominations announced, Attenberg, Red State and The Future at Sundance, and more …
The Oscar Nominations have been announced! All I can say is three cheers for Banksy, John Hawkes and Michelle Williams!! Best of all: This movie got a nomination for best foreign film: Sundance fans: Follow along with Nathan Anderson's Sundance Coverage for Creative Loafing.
AltDotPop: Skins is terrible and too trashy for advertisers, The Bachelor has a mugshot, Charlie Sheen loves hookers and coke… and more!
Advertisers are pulling out (pun most definitely intended) of MTV's racy new show Skins. Taco Bell, among others, has decided that the British remake is too child-porny for its brands. Is Taco Bell — a business that makes its fortune off drunk/high teens and 20-somethings driving at 3 a.m. — really taking a moral stand?…
RippleLife.org offers the world’s first cigarette butt redemption and recycling program (video)
You're probably familiar with getting cash for turning in recyclables like bottles, cans, and some plastics, but what about cigarette butts? Think about it, cigarette filters are made of plastic (cellulose acetate) that currently isn't able to be turned in to be recycled and definitely isn't biodegradable. With over 176 million pounds of cigarette butts…
Konichiwa, whisky: Japanese whiskies bring a taste of Scotland from the far East
The Japanese have been suckers for Scotch since the 1980s, although their fascination for whisky dates all the way back to the 1800s. Even then, however, most of this liquid gold was made to mimic the spirits of Scotland, an imitation that has for many years found an audience primarily in its domestic market. Until…
Ivory Wave: “Soothing bath salts” or dangerous drug?
In the past year or so, America's Southeastern speed freaks have been exposed to a new synthetic stimulant that's been raising heart rates, druggy online forum hits and concern among law enforcement organizations in Europe. You know, just something to take the edge off when one can't get one's hands on the latest batch of…
Sadness in St. Pete; Carol Browner’s departure means nothing will happen on climate change for two more years; and Oscar nominations announced: Mitch Perry Report 1.25.11
The deaths of St. Petersburg Police Officers Thomas Baitinger and Jeffrey Yaslowitz made huge news in the Tampa Bay area (and across the country) on Monday, and will continue to do so throughout the week. As has been reported nationally today, there has been a spate of police officer killings just in the last week. …
A lot on the line for Barack Obama in his SOTU Speech
Supporters of Barack Obama who want to cheer with like minded supporters can meet up in a couple of locations before tonight's speech at 9 p.m. (A helpful hint however; the speech is going to probably last an hour. Time your drinking accordingly). Organizing for America, the offshoot of the Democratic Party that is all…
Pollo Tropical offers $1 soups to celebrate Nat’l Soup Day – Wednesday, January 26
I don't think they could have picked a better time of the year for National Soup Month, seeing as January can be the coldest month of the year and nothing is more warm and comforting than a bowl of soup. The Latin-inspired fast food chain Pollo Tropical is getting in the spirit of this month…
Mission (NOT) accomplished on climate change: Carol Browner departs the White House
It was announced Monday night that Carol Browner, the White House's coordinator for energy and climate change policy, will soon be leaving her gig, and there are no indications that there will be a successor to the position. Translation: Any serious effort at combating greenhouse gas emissions (i.e. global warming) is dead for the next…
Do It Today: National Geographic Live: Polar Obsession and free screening of Billy Elliot at Tampa Theatre
This sounds way cool. National Geographic photographer and biologist Paul Nicklen appears in Ferguson Hall as the inaugural presentation in National Geographic Live: Polar Obsession, the new National Geographic Live! speaker series. The presentation, suitable for ages 12 and older, includes exciting stories from under the ice and Nicklen's recounting of four days spent with…
Photo review: Linkin Park at the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa
Although back-lighting and sporadic blasts of strobes might produce a visually appealing performance, its a nightmare for photographers. Luckily, however, I was able to salvage a few pics from Saturday's Linkin Park show at the St. Pete Times Forum. Lead vocalist Chester Bennington pictured above. Check out my complete photo gallery after the jump.
10/100/1000 Update: Shakespeare, Sweetwater, Friendship Trail Bridge proposals and more — vote now or submit your own great ideas for Tampa Bay
We're less than two weeks into the 10/100/1000 Challenge, a collaborative project of Creative Loafing and Creative Tampa Bay. On Jan. 13, we launched a 100-day search for great ideas to make Tampa Bay a better place to live, which will culminate in the announcement of the Top 10 ideas and the $1,000 winner in…
Tampa Bay Rays acquisition of Manny Ramirez will put this fan’s ass in a seat — for a couple of games at least
As several baseball pundits have commented, the Tampa Bay Rays signing of Manny Ramirez to a one-year, $2 million contract for the 2011 season could be one of the absolute steals of the off-season, or quite possibly, a monumental bust. On Friday night news broke that the Rays had signed Ramirez and former Royal/A/Red Sox/Yankee/Tiger…
CD review: The Get Up Kids, There Are Rules
Review by new CL Music Team Contributor Ray Roa. They haven’t released an LP of new material since 2004’s Guilt Show, so it’s really easy to get excited about a brand full-length from The Get Up Kids. In fact, the first few sonic moments of There Are Rules are enough to make you feel like…
Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman to speak at USF Tampa Wednesday, January 26
Chef Duff Goldman, chef/owner of Baltimore's Charm City Cakes and star of the Food Network's reality show Ace of Cakes, will be speaking at USF's Marshall Student Center this Wednesday, January 26, as part of their University Lecture Series. This free event will feature an informal interview with the multi-talented chef/artist/musician and will also include…
Donate your old auto batteries to benefit Friends of Clean City Tampa
College Hunks Hauling Junk has partnered with Friends of Clean City, a non-profit group dedicated to "to make Tampa one of the cleanest cities in America", in an effort to raise funds for the upcoming Tampa Clean City Day. If you have a battery from an old car, boat, RV, or any type of lead…
#MusicMonday, Vol. 25: Iron & Wine, The Rolling Stones, Mogwai, Greenland Is Melting, and more!
Find out what the Creative Loafing music team is jamming to break through the Monday malaise and rocket launch the work week… Click here to check out previous entries. Ray Roa – Iron & Wine, Kiss Each Other Clean (2011) Everyone is worried that Sam Beam is going to alienate fans by leaving Sub Pop…
West Tampa Center for the Arts blesses the start of 2011 with Sacrosanct
The historic former Santaella Cigar Factory, better known these days as West Tampa Center for the Arts, threw their first building wide-art event of 2011 last Friday. The popular non-profit WTCA is known among the art crowd in Tampa for their support of local artists and throwing great parties, and it looks like 2011 won’t…
Hitachino Nest beer review: Red Rice Ale and Japanese Classic Ale
Lately, you may have noticed the craft brew renaissance has started to sweep into your local pub, restaurants and supermarkets. More and more people are embracing these unique styles of brews that the normal macro beers can’t hold a candle to. More recently, older craft brands that have been around since the late '80s and…
Temple Terrace history highlighted in new book
Temple Terrace, one of only three incorporated municipalities in Hillsborough County, has a new history book in print titled Images of America: Temple Terrace by Arcadia Publishing, 2010. The three co-authors of the book, Lana Burroughs, Tim Lancaster, and Creative Loafing contributor Grant Rimbey (all board members of the Temple Terrace Preservation Society) trace the…
A Q&A with Bobby Burg, from Joan of Arc (which plays New World Brewery on Thursday), Love of Everything, Vacations, Make Believe
Joan of Arc bassist Bobby Burg is a busy guy. In the last five years he’s been apart of at least ten albums, a slew of 7”s, four or five bands, and even records as a solo project called Love of Everything. Now that Make Believe is (hopefully only hibernating) on hiatus, he also focuses…
Police officers killed in St. Petersburg first for that department since 1980
Although there have been several law officers killed in the act of duty in the Tampa Bay area over the past several years, the St. Petersburg Police Department has not had to deal with such a situation since 1980. But that changed this morning at 7:15 when two officers (still not identified) were shot and…
Mary Mulhern’s brother Dan – husband of former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm – to co-author book & teach in Berkeley with his more famous wife
As Mary Mulhern fights an aggressive challenge to her bid for re-election to the Tampa City Council District 2 seat, things are looking pretty good for her brother, Dan, and his wife and Mary Mulhern's sister-in-law, the now former Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm. Granholm recently was term-limited out of office after governing one of…
The Florida Orchestra to lower ticket prices next season
One of our most under-appreciated and accomplished cultural institutions, The Florida Orchestra, is perennially coming up with inventive and generous ways to bring classical music to a broader audience. Lowering admission to their performances might be the ticket. Beginning with the 2011-12 season opening in October, ticket prices will range from $15 to $45, which…
Dance Review: Monica Bill Barnes and Company
I attended the Thursday night performance of Monica Bill Barnes and Company and Wow, did they ever rock the house. Ms. Barnes has a reputation for creating witty choreography and it was that, but I found it to be so much more. The work was intelligent, quirky and unpredictable. It can be joyful or angry,…
The Price of Pleasure: Talking with a vocal critic of the porn industry
The Price of Pleasure raises a number of strong objections to the porn industry and its potentially negative impact on sexuality and relationships. In this unedited interview, I question one of the film's creators, Dr. Chyng Sun, on the possible functions and benefits of porn in modern society. As a clinical associate professor of media…
Top Republicans skeptical about Obama’s calls for investment in SOTU; Ed Turanchik clarifies with CL his thoughts on light rail, and NY Times op-ed asks: why not more Representatives in Washington? Mitch Perry Report 1.24.11
Good Monday morning to all of you, and my best to New York Jets fans crestfallen today (I don't feel that way about the Bears, however – good 2nd half comeback but never a true contender in my humble opinion). Big political week of course because President Obama delivers his State of the Union tomorrow…
One for the books: O Pioneers!!! and New Bruises melded into a memorable megaband Saturday night at Transitions (with photos by Nicole Kibert)
If you ever feel jaded about the lack of support in the music scene, head to a show at the Skatepark of Tampa's Transitions Art Gallery space, where punk rock-DIY spirit is indeed still alive and well; where talented, hardworking national touring bands with loose change for food and gas expenses get love from young folks…
The Gaily News: All-gay Jersey Shore, NBC’s lesbian romantic comedy, three states debate gay marriage, Jason Mraz, gay cats
In a battle to the death of stereotypes, MTV is planning an all-gay version of Jersey Shore. Auditions for the tentatively titled Under the Boardwalk will take place next month.
As the battle will soon begin for redrawing Congressional districts in Florida, what about more members of Congress overall?
Reapportionment in Florida's Congressional and Legislative districts was already destined to be an interesting political story over the next year and a half, and it certainly got potentially more interesting after Florida voters strongly supported amendments 5 & 6 last November, which aim to amend the current practice of drawing of those district lines to…
Restaurant rituals: Sizing up the wine list
Do you have rituals you perform when you go to a restaurant? Most people do. Ever notice that person who, after being seated, unrolls the napkin and inspects the silverware piece by piece? What about the guy that turns the bread plate just so and the water glass slightly and moves the silverware askew to…
EarthTalk: Energy efficiency tax incentives for 2011
The following is from the environmental themed advice column EarthTalk®, by the Editors of the non-profit publication E/The Environmental Magazine, that we’ll be regularly featuring here on CL’s Green Community. Dear EarthTalk: A number of federal energy efficiency related tax incentives expired at the end of 2010. Will any such programs remain in force and…
McConnell, Cantor skeptical about Obama’s call for “Investment” in SOTU (video)
Although every year the mainstream media tries to pump up interest in the annual State of the Union Address in Washington, this Tuesday night's speech by President Obama should definitely be Must See TV if you're interested to see how the President tries to finesse the new reality in Washington, as there are now nearly…
Colin Powell on CNN:You can’t balance budget by cutting NPR
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell still carries some gravitas, and he definitely shifted some independent and Republican minds when he endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 for President. But Powell says he's not willing to commit to doing so again for 2012, giving him the ability to basically become a respected political pundit who occasionally…
Sex: the good, the bad, the ugly
I've been sexually active since my teens. Over those *gulp* 23 years of sex I've had my share of interesting sexual experiences. While only a few are worth labeling as outstanding, all fall into one of three categories: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I wouldn't say that having numerous sex partners makes me…
Do It Today: Kurt Piazza’s The Future Belongs to Ghosts at HCC-Ybor and the Rocketz at the Orpheum
Most museums and galleries are closed today, but you can head to HCC-Ybor's Performing Arts Building for a visual art experience that's truly unique. If you've missed Kurt Piazza: The Future Belongs to Ghosts, this week is your last chance to see a haunting and memorable show. In Piazza’s prints, the black silhouettes of decomposing…
Lightning slaughter Thrashers 7-1, sweep season series
The season series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Atlanta Thrashers this year was the equivalent of Wile E. Coyote chasing the elusive Roadrunner. On this night, the Thrashers, playing the part of the Coyote, fell off the cliff before they knew what happened to them, and the Tampa Bay Lightning rolled to an…
CD review: The Doors, Live in Vancouver 1970
The previous archival release from the Doors (Live in New York) spelled the end of the professionally-produced, multi-track recordings, according to official sources. So now we are left with bootleg-quality releases like this latest, Live in Vancouver 1970. Of course, I fully expect additional high-quality recordings to be "discovered" soon enough. Please pardon my cynicism.…
Christmas resale values: What you can get for a Kindle, an XBOX 360, Guitar Hero 5 and more
Buying Christmas gifts is a tricky thing to master. They seem to fall into two categories: the kind of presents you love, and the kind of presents you pretend to love. You want to like all your gifts equally, but you can’t like something you never wanted, or have no use for. The good news…
Theater Review: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom by August Wilson at American Stage
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a wonderful play about a few hours in the life of the fabled blues singer and her accompanists, and if the uneven production at American Stage doesn’t often do it justice, still it offers a few moments of inspired and inspiring theater. Most of all, it brings us the talented…
A People’s History of Gasparilla: What is it we’re celebrating exactly?
It’s fun to be a pirate. Then there’s the rest of us. To my knowledge, no one has ever explained why we’re expected to celebrate the invasion of Tampa. In 1904, Tampa’s city fathers and captains of industry were in an expansive mood. The Florida State Fair had moved to Tampa that year. Tampa’s good-ol'-boy…
Report from Sundance: Rutger Hauer rocks in Hobo with a Shotgun, says “Hi” to Eckerd College
We've been here in Park City a few days now, and my students are loving it. A highlight for them so far has been the wildly over-the-top Hobo with a Shotgun. Here's what David Font had to say about it: Most of the time, you can describe a film with one word. Not Hobo With…
The Green Community week in review: Florida’s first all-EV dealer in St. Pete, Earthship Florida, interview with Sweetwater Farm’s Rick Martinez and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed last week: An Inconvenient Truth presentation at SPC: Wednesday, February 9 – Adrian Brunari, personally trained by Vice President Al Gore and charter member of The Climate Project, will present the updated information as seen in the…
Celebrate National Pie Day with a classic American apple pie (recipe)
January 23, 2011 is National Pie Day. Seriously. The National Pie Council has declared it so, and that's good enough for me. So, what exactly is National Pie Day? Well, according to the NPC, its a day "dedicated to the celebration of pie", and they hope that we all take this opportunity to pass on…
Ed Turanchik clarifies his thoughts on light rail’s potential in Tampa Bay with CL
In the current issue of CL, we write about Tampa mayoral candidate Ed Turanchik – well known as one of the region's biggest boosters of improving public transportation – as being critical of light rail. Specifically, we wrote that "he bitterly criticized the idea a week after the vote, telling CL that he now believes…
Sundance Day Two: Strange celebrity encounters (Steve Carell, Elijah Wood) and intriguing flicks
My first full day at Sundance this year began with a strange encounter. Steve Carrell offered to give me a ride into town and I turned him down. At least, that's how I took it. Crunching on the ice-covered sidewalks from our condo to the Prospector Square theater, I came to a crosswalk, and looked…
The Manny Ramirez you don’t know
Just like that, on a Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rays have dramatically changed the make-up of the team and the line up alike. They have brought in the veteran presence and respectability that few in baseball display like Johnny Damon. Then the Rays surprised many by bringing in another veteran presence that most describe…
Theater Review: The Lion in Winter at Gorilla Theatre
The best thing about The Lion in Winter at Gorilla Theatre is Caroline Jett’s spectacular performance as Eleanor of Aquitaine. I’ve seen Jett on local stages several times, but even so I was unprepared for her splendid work in James Goldman’s play. Jett’s Eleanor is clever, regal, coy, self-possessed, untrustworthy, funny, indomitable and in despair.…
Sundance Film Festival 11 begins: A Pariah and a Chimp
So we made it out to Park City, and things are just beginning to kick into high gear. Snoop Dogg's at the famous Harry-O's Bar, Lou Reed's rumored to be around somewhere. Minor swag's everywhere — hats with logos, flavored waters, Luna bars, Brita bottles and cans of Red Bull. Decked-out stars and gazers stroll…
Lightning get elusive win in Sunrise, beat Panthers 2-1 in shootout
Sometimes there are things in sports that are beyond explanation. The Lightning beating Atlanta in ten straight games, for example. Or the Bolts' struggles against the Panthers in Sunrise. The Bank Atlantic Center has been a house of horrors for the Lightning, with the team sporting a 13-26-4 record in their trips to South Florida.…
As if it were possible, Oprah aims to spread influence even further with new network, OWN
Hold onto your Best Life fitness plans and those Secret vision boards because the queen of daytime is bringing her brand of television to viewers anytime, with the launch of her very OWN network, The Oprah Winfrey Network. After spending 25 years scoring the crème de la crème of interviews, launching careers, bringing countless people…
CL Sound Bites: Trent Reznor’s film scores, Ramones finally get a Grammy, Pearl Jam, Flaming Lips, and more
>>>Congrats to Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor (right) on his Golden Globe trophy [UPDATE: and Oscar Nomination] for Best Original Score for The Social Network! The recognition followed news that Reznor snagged scoring duties for the upcoming American remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. (The Swedish original has been sitting in my Netflix streaming…
When desserts collide: Mocha pie with white chocolate mousse (recipe)
Does anyone really know what goes on behind the doors of a closed refrigerator? Do you think the eggs and the milk just have a platonic relationship? Or how about the left over salsa and the cheese. Do you think they silently stare at each other from across the dark, cool shelves? I mean, does…
Tampa city council candidates in districts 4,5 & 7 talk about excessive water bills, panhandling and dwindling resources
There are an extraordinarily large amount of candidates running for office in the seven Tampa City Council seats up for election this winter, and 12 of them, running in districts 4,5 and 7, participated this afternoon in a forum held by the Tampa Tiger Bay Club at Maestro's restaurant at the Straz Center. In the…
The Gaily News: Effect of DADT on military spending, Florida adoption, Iowa Republicans take on gay marriage laws, HRC names LGBT-friendly employers
The Government Accountability Office has reported that the military has spent nearly $200 million replacing troops discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy over the past six years. Between 2004 and 2009, approximately 3,660 troops were discharged for being gay.
SOLD!: Indie music store shopping spree
A few weeks before I was due to take the winner of the indie music store shopping spree out for some record riffling (the package included two records each from three indie record stores along with some expert shopping advice and picks by yours truly), 30-year-old mainstay Vinyl Fever announced it was closing its doors…
CL Profile: Dr. Charles McLaughlin, plastic surgeon and connoisseur
I didn’t quite know what to expect when I agreed to interview Tampa plastic surgeon Dr. Charles McLaughlin. I knew that his family friend Gina Flynn-Carmack had been enthusiastic enough about him to place the winning bid for “Buy the news” in the Creative Loafing Holiday Auction, ensuring that CL would do a profile of…
Dining Guide: Cheap eats in Tampa Bay
CL regularly presents focused listings of the best dining options in Tampa Bay’s neighborhoods. This week we’re giving you a guide to the spots in Tampa Bay that are best known for their tasty fare that also won't leave your wallet hurting. AL'S FINGER LICKING GOOD BAR-B-QUE 1609 N. 18th (Angel Oliva Sr.) St., 813-956-0675.…
Bringing the city up to par: The 5th Annual Tampa Clean City Day Golf Tournament
The Friends of Clean City, along with the City of Tampa Clean City Division will be holding their 5th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, February 11, 2011. Pebble Creek will host the event, with registration beginning at 11 a.m. According to the City of Tampa's website: All proceeds go towards Tampa’s 5th Annual Clean City…
The CL Sold! Issue: Content bought or inspired by winners of the Creative Loafing Holiday Auction
On their way to helping us raise $19,000 for The Children's Home in the 2010 Online Holiday Auction, several lucky readers snagged a spot for themselves (or their friends and families) on the pages of Creative Loafing. In the print edition of CL that hit the streets Jan. 19, they got to see the results…
A Q&A with unconventionally elegant choreographer Monica Bill Barnes, whose company performs at HCC Ybor Jan. 21-22
Monica Bill Barnes, creator of Monica Bill Barnes and Company, is an exuberant woman, all smiles and expressions, especially when she's talking about dance. On this night, she was very articulate and enthusiastic, despite the fact that she had just finished a nearly two hour dance performance. She is extremely well-toned, the sinews visible when…
Must-click links: Glenn Beck on The Daily Show? Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Sundance, The Housemaid, Watch Exit Through the Gift Shop for free, Winona Ryder’s bedroom habits, and more …
Sundance Day 1: The big film opening that night was Joe Swanberg's highly- anticipated Uncle Kent. The House Next Door blogger Nick Schager and IndieWire's Eric Kohn have put out reviews. The film is also part of the Sundance Selects program and will be available to watch On Demand Saturday January 22nd. IndieWire had a Complete Guide to all the…
M.A.D. Theatre’s Zanna, Don’t runs through January 23 at HCC in Ybor
Sometimes the best way to tackle heavy subjects is with laughter. And that's exactly what M.A.D. Theatre's current production, the edgy Zanna, Don't, does. Imagine an alternate universe where being gay is considered normal and heterosexuality is looked down upon.
Political pressure changes panhandling vote in Tampa? Turanchik & Buckhorn release new policy proposals, and Tampa water bill woes: Mitch Perry Report 1.21.11
Apparently it's going to get a bit colder once the rains wash away later on Friday, but hey, it ain't Chicago. But though it won't reach near freezing temperatures, if you live in Tampa, you better check your water pipes, since that appears to be the lesson coming out of the debacle of thousands of…
Four Loko controversy continued: Are the newly formulated drinks worth drinking anymore?
Over the last several months, the creators of Four Loko have been getting slammed with bad media. Enraged parents have put the blame on the alcoholic and caffeinated drink as a reason for teenage causalities in underage drinking. Police and government officials alike have even moved to ban the product in numerous states. Ultimately, the…
EarthTalk: “Greening up” professional sports
The following is from the environmental themed advice column EarthTalk®, by the Editors of the non-profit publication E/The Environmental Magazine, that we’ll be regularly featuring here on CL’s Green Community. Dear EarthTalk: What’s being done to “green up” professional sports? I know that the last two Olympic Games both made some effort, but are there…
Kelly Benjamin takes a shot at Charlie Miranda in new campaign video
Saying that when it comes to a long time vision, his opponent in the Tampa City Council District 6 race, Charlie Miranda, "hasn't been there, " Kelly Benjamin has released what he says is the first of three campaign videos. This one, called "West Tampa," highlights a bit of his family roots in the area,…
Movie Review: No Strings Attached starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher (with trailer video)
Since I walked out of the theater showing No Strings Attached, I have strongly considered writing an open letter to the writers of these rom-coms. But I am pretty sure it won't make much of a difference, and the truth is I am not sure if I want these terribly awful films to be changed.…
Do It This Weekend: Gasparilla Children’s Extravaganza, UT’s Electronics Alive, Monica Bill Barnes and Portlandia on IFC (with video)
Three great art parties Friday night: First, digitally enhance your weekend at University of Tampa’s Electronics Alive VI, a biennial invitational exhibition of high-tech wonders. An opening reception 7-9 p.m., allows visitors to view animated shorts and experimental films and 2-D/3-D digital art. The exhibit’s lecture series begins Thurs., Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. with…
Lightning beat Atlanta 3-2 in shootout
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had more success against the Atlanta Thrashers over the past ten years then they have against any other opponent, winning nine straight games. They were hoping to extend that run to double digits when they took to the Phillips arena ice Thursday night. They were also hoping to keep pace…
Turanchik, Buckhorn add more details to their campaign platforms in Tampa mayor’s race
In the past couple of days, several Tampa mayoral candidates have released position papers reflecting their priorities if elected to office. Ed Turanchik, who produced his initial public policy position paper in December, has now come up with a new proposal which he's calling TBNnet, which would be establishing a 5-mile transit, building and new…
Art Review: Video and large-scale prints by Kurt Piazza at HCC Ybor are utterly engrossing
Because the attention of art audiences seems harder than ever to capture these days, I was surprised when I showed up last week at Kurt Piazza’s solo exhibit at HCC Ybor to see a room full of mostly college students (the generation most often accused of having a kind of cultural ADHD) utterly engrossed in…
Tampa Bay communities join together for a regional showing of eco-film “Home”
Turn your heart green for Valentine’s Day! “Green” organizations from all over Tampa Bay are joining together in solidarity to show their love for the Earth. Be a part by attending the Tampa Bay-wide showing of the breathtaking film Home by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Through visually stunning aerial footage from more than 50 countries, this poignant…
Still splashy after all these years: Famed director John Waters appears at USF Thurs., Jan. 27
Just about anyone who digs outsider moviemaking has drunk from the deliriously demented well of Baltimore filmmaker John Waters.Dubbed the Pope of Trash by William S. Burroughs, Waters helped pioneer the midnight movie genre in the '70s with twisted classics like Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble and Desperate Living, and spawned the celebrity of lovable drag queen/best…
Top Chef Podcast – All-Stars Ep. 7: Pop-up showdown
It was a pop-up restaurant showdown in NYC on the latest installment of Top Chef All-Stars! The episode began with a fillet-o-fish-off at Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin restaurant with, surprise — Anthony Bourdain! Yes, kids, he's still here. After hacking away at the fish, the four chefs who did the best — Jersey Mike, Angry…
The Tampa Six Pack: The rich field of candidates vying to be Tampa’s next mayor
Moments before Dick Greco was to give a speech announcing his unprecedented fifth campaign for mayor of Tampa last November, it was difficult to navigate through the swarm of bodies in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel. Acknowledging the size of the crowd, Greco political consultant Vic DiMaio observed that John Kerry didn’t draw nearly…
Tampa citizens irate about water bills — and City Hall’s failure to address the problem
The city of Tampa's government has a major problem on its hands — and it's not panhandling. No, the problem is that thousands of citizens, mostly clustered in the New Tampa and Dana Shores regions, have received whopping and disproportionately high water bills over the course of the past few months, and though the city's…
Must-click links: Facebook, Wall Street, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, Tarantino’s lost first film, Gregg Araki’s Kaboom, and much more …
Here's a map of every Facebook friendship in the world. Peter Shankman on why you need to get up earlier (and how to do it.) Wired magazine: Algorithms take control of Wall Street. Interesting take on how advanced math has made the market more volatile and unpredictable. Plus, here's a Fresh Air interview with article author…
The Gaily News: Southern gay families, Rick Scott, hospital visitation rights, GLAAD nominees, Proposition 8 benefit
The Census Bureau has found that the South is home to more gay families than other regions in the country. And Jacksonville has one of the biggest populations of gay parents — about 1/3 of gay couples there are raising children. Florida Governor Rick Scott said that he remains opposed to gay adoption, but that…
Tampa City Council votes on “partial” panhandling ordinance that will ban the practice on major city streets
After several months of debate about panhandling on city streets, the Tampa City Council today voted 4-3 on a "partial ban" of panhandlng, on major Tampa roads like Dale Mabry, Gandy, Kennedy, Fowler & Fletcher Avenues. Voting for the ordinance was Chairman Thomas Scott, Curtis Stokes, Gwen Miller and Mary Mulhern, who had been a…
A diner’s rant about a lack of restaurateurs’ integrity
I had a recent unpleasant dining experience and feel inspired to rant about some deceptions that happen all too often in the restaurant world. While this is certainly not the first disappointment in a meal that I have had, and it surely won't be the last, it affected me deeply on many levels. Being a…
The Earthship Florida Project (video)
Watch the video below about the construction of the Earthship Florida, which is made out of recycled materials and old tires filled with dirt. Bryan Roberts of Eco-Tech Construction discusses how it all works and answers questions.
Golf tips: putting your woes away
Good putting is by far the most important element in the game of golf. Proper mechanics, combined with an individual’s particular style, will result in consistent putting and lower scores. Putting styles vary from the type of putter to a person’s stance. Depending on preference, a square stance is the most common, although an open…
Friends with benefits: Is it worth a try?
Friends with benefits (FWB), describes two mutual friends who hookup for casual sex with no strings attached. I've played nookie with more friends than I'd like to admit and I’m sure I'm not the only one. There are plenty of things we wouldn't want to admit to doing after getting a few drinks in us.…
Buckhorn does live Facebook meeting; Tom Scott on the issues, and Dick Greco on Cuba: Mitch Perry Report 1.20.11
Good morning, y'all. We're going heavy with Tampa mayoral news. First, we checked out Bob Buckhorn's Facebook Town Hall meeting, so you didn't have to. Actually about 600 of you did. We chatted with mayoral candidate Tom Scott last week, and have published excerpts from that discussion. We caught Dick Greco on the radio talking…
Dick Greco said what? (video)
WMNF News radio reporter Kate Bradshaw recently interviewed several of the Tampa mayoral candidates, and has posted video of excerpts from some of those conversations. A reader suggested we watch Kate's exchange with Dick Greco regarding Cuba, during which the former mayor appears to deliver what still is considered one of the 7 words you…
Tampa mayoral candidate Bob Buckhorn does live “town hall” on Facebook
Wednesday night, Tampa mayoral candidate Bob Buckhorn reached out to potential voters in a different way, conducting what he called a "Town-hall" meeting on Facebook. The hour long production was pretty basic but went off without a hitch technologically speaking. Buckhorn, wearing a white shirt and dark striped tie sitting directly in front of the…
Total Tap Takeover: A Sarasota beer bar devotes all its taps to Cigar City and gives the public a chance to brew beer with Tampa’s craft brew heroes
When Mark Tuchman moved to Florida from New York two years ago, he almost immediately came into contact with Joey Redner. Both of them had long been serious members of ratebeer.com, and the two met at a beer rating party at Redner’s house. Right then, Tuchman realized that Redner’s fledgling Cigar City Brewing was something…
Record deals
A few weeks before I was due to take auction winner Jessica Hellman on an indie shopping spree (the package included two records each at three stores, along with advice and picks by yours truly), one of the three businesses, 30-year-old mainstay Vinyl Fever, announced it was closing its doors. Owner Lee Wolfson was still…
John Waters, role model
Talking with the Pope of Trash about Justin Bieber, TV remotes and Tucson.
Total Tap Takeover
When Mark Tuchman moved to Florida from New York two years ago, he almost immediately came into contact with Joey Redner. Both of them had long been serious members of ratebeer.com, and the two met at a beer rating party at Redner's house. Right then, Tuchman realized that Redner's fledgling Cigar City Brewing was something…
Austin’s bright and shining light
No indie rock band has ever banked on the marketability of a mustache quite like The Bright Light Social Hour. The handsome handlebar of bassist/singer Jack O'Brien earned the Austin foursome a good chunk of the money to record their 2010 eponymous debut. "We'd heard about a lot of bands doing donation campaigns," O'Brien said…
Sound and fury
The best thing about The Lion in Winter at Gorilla Theatre is Caroline Jett's spectacular performance as Eleanor of Aquitaine. I've seen Jett on local stages several times, but even so I was unprepared for her splendid work in James Goldman's play. Jett's Eleanor is clever, regal, coy, self-possessed, untrustworthy, funny, indomitable and in despair.…
The Tampa Six Pack
Moments before Dick Greco was to give a speech announcing his unprecedented fifth campaign for mayor of Tampa last November, it was difficult to navigate through the swarm of bodies in the lobby of the InterContinental Hotel. Acknowledging the size of the crowd, Greco political consultant Vic DiMaio observed that John Kerry didn't draw nearly…
Crushed
I am a 23-year-old straight female. A year ago, I moved across the country after college to live with my boyfriend of four years. He is in graduate school and is the only person I really know here — I am working two part-time jobs, and my coworkers are either much older than me or…
Connoisseur
I didn't quite know what to expect when I agreed to interview Tampa plastic surgeon Dr. Charles McLaughlin. I knew that his family friend Gina Flynn-Carmack had been enthusiastic enough about him to place the winning bid for "Buy the news" in the Creative Loafing Holiday Auction, ensuring that CL would do a profile of…
On the Radar: St. Pete Soul Revue this Friday at The Local 662, Downtown St. Pete
The third installment of the St. Pete Soul Revue takes place this Friday at The Local 662 in Downtown St. Pete. Founded by local musician and multimedia marketing freelancer Nick Hinckley, the event features old-school and modern soul and funk. Playing hits like "Sign, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," "September" and "Higher Ground" are: Brian "B"…
Must-click links: Hathaway to purr-form for Nolan in The Dark Knight Rises, Michel Gondry, more Gervais fallout, Poetry, religious donations and much more …
Didn't see this one coming: Anne Hathaway has been cast as Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. In light of The Green Hornet's successful opening weekend, this week's IFC Podcast takes a look at the career of inventive filmmaker Michel Gondry. Ricky Gervais tells Conan about the shocking sketch that was cut from…
Top Chef Podcast – All-Stars Ep. 6: Go fish!
On the newest episode of Top Chef All-Stars, they did things a little differently — no Quickfire Challenge! Egad! Instead, they had to split up into four teams of three, get on boats and head out to Montauk to fish for their dinner. Well, they had to fish for the dinner they'd be cooking for…
Ed Turanchik first mayoral candidate in Tampa to lash out against Hillsborough transit tax
In our report on a Tampa Downtown Partnership forum Wednesday on the failed Hillsborough transit tax, we literally downplayed comments made to us by Ed Turanchik at the end of the 90-minute forum. But upon further review, we realized that they deserve to be revisited. Turanchik is noted for being a big transportation advocate, and…
