Dreaming of a white stallion
"I hope you can help me. I keep dreaming of a white stallion. Sometimes it is running across a field, other times it is flying (but without wings). Usually it is just staring at me stamping its foot. I looked it up and the book said it was a sexual symbol but I don't think…
Beef Barley Soup is Good Food
Remember the old Campbell’s Soup advertising slogan, “Soup is Good Food”? It was a brilliant stroke of marketing genius. Unfortunately, the company was forced to pull that ad campaign in the late 80's as a result of a legal issue, partially due to the products’ high sodium content. Since then, Campbell’s has launched a whole…
Dreaming of a hidden object
'Dream Momma, I had a dream last week that I can't get out of my mind. I think about it all the time. I guess that means it means something but I don't have a clue. Here's the dream, I hope you can help me. I dreamt I was a little girl again playing with…
Do It This Weekend: Wing Fest, Led Zeppelin rock symphony, Lipizzaner stallions, lingerie football league and more
It may be the dead of winter (which, here in Florida, just means a brief respite from triple-digit heat indexes) but at this weekend's Aegon Wing Fest, we're gonna party like it's summertime, anyway. More than a dozen wing joints — including Hooters, Wing Zone, Mugs Grill & Bar, Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill and…
Classic Carrot Cake
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” -Ecclesiastes 3:1 Do you categorize your food by season? I do. It makes sense to cook with ingredients that are at their peak of freshness. Certain foods, by their nature are also more suited to particular times of the…
Game Review: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories — my Wii is screwing with my mind
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is not the kind of game you're used to seeing on the Wii. This is not the kind of game you're used to seeing anywhere, unless you seek out obscure and disturbing PC games from indie developers. It's certainly not what you're used to seeing if you played other Silent Hill…
Do It Today: Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Tampa Bay career fair, Gulfport: The Musical and more
Tonight, see Love, Sweat and Tears by Complexions Contemporary Ballet, which was founded 15 years ago by two dance demi-gods from the Alvin Ailey company, Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden. The company’s choreography has been celebrated as “amazingly fast-paced and sensual” and criticized for being a little bit “overwrought,” but osbservers seem to agree on…
Dreaming of a roomful of cats
"Hi Dream Momma, I'm a FSU student in St. Pete. I've been having this annoying dream on and off for about a month. In the dream I'm in a house and I hear a bunch of cats meowing. I look all over but cannot find them. The meowing gets lounder and louder and I get…
Upcoming concerts announcement: Jucifer, They Might Be Giants, Mercury Program, Fruit Bats, Air, Carol King & James Taylor, Tropical Heatwave, and more
A breakdown of upcoming shows, several just added while others added a little while back but included in this post as a reminder in case you missed them. To see the complete list, visit our Upcoming Concerts page. Thursday, Jan. 21 Supersuckers (State Theatre, St. Petersburg) Saturday, Jan. 23 Casiotone for the Painfully Alone w/Sleepy…
On the Radar: ARTpool’s I Love St. Pete
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. You love the ’Burg, you really, really do. So get out of the house next Saturday and show your pride at ARTpool’s fourth annual I Love St. Pete art show. The vintage boutique hosts a night-long celebration and showcase…
Do It Today: NoHo Bistro’s winter wine dinner and The Visionary World of Vladimir Yoffe
Tonight, wine aficionado Taylor Eason hosts NoHo Bistro's Winter Wine Dinner. The five-course meal is paired with selections from NoHo’s expansive wine collection, and includes: eggplant agrodolce and herbed goat cheese crostini paired with sparkling wine or Riff 2007 Pinot Grigio; Urban Oasis Farms local greens, butternut squash and pomegranate with maple vinaigrette paired with…
Solar Power workshop at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm this Sunday (1/17)
Seeing as we live in the Sunshine State, it'd be economical to take advantage of this free power resource. If you'd like to know more about buying and installing a solar power system in your home, then you're in luck because Sweetwater Organic Community Farm is hosting a Solar Power Workshop this Sunday, January 17,…
Valrico attorney to take on Ronda Storms in GOP primary
Ronda Storms is making news in a couple of places today. We'll get to her connection with Tiger Woods, but first, the Eastern Hillsborough legislator now has some competition in her bid for re-election in Senate District 10 this August. Meet attorney Paul Phillips. In an interview with CL Tuesday afternoon, Phillips stressed that the…
Concert Review: Kim Richey at Jaeb Theater, David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
While it might have been cold outside on Monday night, songwriter Kim Richey managed to keep the Jaeb Theater toasty with a mix of great music and a warm, outgoing personality. At approximately 7:30pm, Kim took the stage, armed only with an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar accompanist, but the lack of band or…
Not even hundreds of millions of dollars can reunite Guns N’ Roses.
Excluding the Weird Al Yankovic phase of my youth, the first album I ever purchased was Guns N' Roses Use Your Illusion I ($5 used on cassette from Sound Exchange of Brandon). GNR always held a place close to my heart, despite the punchline Axl Rose and his revolving door backing lineup have become. Since I…
CD review: The Chicken Chasers, Beggars Can’t Be Schmoozers (with video)
Don’t let the name deter you – the St. Pete-based sextet may have taken their handle from notorious “chicken chaser” Chico Marx, but The Chicken Chasers are inspired by his high-spirited piano playing, not by his womanizing ways. And there’s no doubt Marx would be pleased by his influence on Beggars Can’t Be Schmoozers, a…
Movie review: The Spy Next Door, starring Jackie Chan
Any movie that cuts away to family pets for reaction shots to jokes can't be aspiring beyond pleasing children as its one and only go. As a corollary, any covert intelligence agency that employs George Lopez and Billy Ray Cyrus in key management positions is not meant for a moment to be taken seriously. Thus,…
Nelson says “body language” of top White House officials signals Florida getting funding for high-speed rail
Senator Bill Nelson, Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio were some of the top name officials at a news conference held at Union Station in Tampa this morning, heralding the beginning of a public campaign to inspire Floridians to contact the White House to have them support the state's bid for getting over…
The A-Team movie trailer: guns, mohawks and skydiving tanks
Man, I loved The A-Team. It was a simpler time back in 1983. I was 7 years old, and the exploits of a gang of soldiers for hire driving a bad-ass van were simply too much for my young brain to process. Jump ahead 27 years and here comes Hollywood to further crap all over…
Photo review: Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa at The Ritz Ybor
A series of shots featuring Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa this past Saturday, January 9, at The Ritz Ybor in Ybor City. Dweezil was joined by multi-instrumentalist Scheila Gonzalez (sax, flute, keys, vox), bassist Pete Griffin, percussionist/marimba player Billy Hulting, guitarist Jamie Kime, drummer/vocalist Joe Travers, and the latest addition, new lead vocalist Ben Thomas.
Curtis Stokes will run for Tampa City Council as a Democrat
Curtis Stokes, the former head of the Hillsborough County branch of the NAACP, said today that he will run as a Democrat for Tampa City Council in 2011 in District 2 (the seat is term limited out for Linda Saul-Sena next year). Stokes was named to head the local branch back in 2006, but quit…
David Letterman to NBC: Make it The Tonight Show with Jay and Conan
Leave it to David Letterman, a man who has lived this particular passion play himself, to break down the entire NBC/Leno/Conan mess — and he does it all in 5 minutes flat.
Who made Hillsborough County a better place in 2009? (part two) the public officials
Photo credit: wolfsavard@flickr.com I already gave you a rundown of 2009 in local politics with scandals, spending sprees and even a few highlights. I also thanked those volunteers who work hard at making Hillsborough a better place for us all with regard to the environment, sprawl, and transportation issues. There are also a few public…
More details on the deleted ‘The Avatar’ sex scene
It's breaking every box office record it can get its little blue hands on, but the film everybody is talking about left some pretty interesting stuff on the cutting room floor. Namely an inter-species sex scene deemed too extreme for film goers. Let's get it on, Avatar style.
CD box set review: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Live Anthology
You’ve heard a lot of Tom Petty. I don’t care who you are. If you are reading this, his songs have entered your brain through your earholes and have lodged themselves there in one fashion or another. That’s because he writes impossibly catchy songs and he delivers them with relentless skill. He is a consummate professional songwriter and…
Pate de Fruits recipe
What is it about ringing in a new year that makes everything seem so fresh, possible and…well, new? I mean, it’s not like the world just magically changed in the span of 24 short hours, at least not my world. All of the problems and issues in my life that existed on December 31 were…
Restaurant News: Gallery Rasika — Indian tapas restaurant and bar — to open in Centro Ybor
A new restaurant is already planned for the former L'Olivier Cabaret space in Ybor, promising Indian tapas, a bar, and a full-service public relations/marketing firm. Gallery Rasika owner Nick Volpe calls it "a unique concept, an attraction as compared to just a restaurant, nothing frozen in the restaurant, all fresh ingredients, more of an experience."…
Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace: A review of the review to end all reviews, or, why the prequels suck
There are some that say the Internet was created to share porn, while others say it's for pirating music. Those are both wrong. The real reason the Internet was created is to bash Star Wars and the guy who created it, Mr. George Lucas. Despite Phantom Menace being more than 10 years old, there seems…
Top 10 comic book moments of 2009
2010. Just typing it makes me feel weird, like it's something out of Star Trek. Twenty-ten: it just sounds like the future. And if it is the future, then the future is now. And while the future may, as always, remain uncertain — it's not entirely unwritten. At least not for comic fans. (Solicits for 2010…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Tuesday, January 12: SideBern's Winter's Wonder Seasonal Dinner feat. Clos Pegas Wines. If it means hearty, sumptuous wine dinners like tonight's, created and prepared by SideBern's Chef Chef Chad Johnson, I'm willing to endure the ungodly cold weather we've been having. Pairings for the six-course meal are hand-picked by dinner host and Clos Pegase’s assistant…
Controversy in House District 58 race, Charlie Crist loses another straw poll, and high speed rail: Mitch Perry Report 1.12.10
Two weeks from today, voters in Florida House District 58 will go to the polls to select Democratic and Republican candidates to run in February to replace Mike Scionti in that seat. Though turnout will probably be low, the intensity is high. And the issue of race is playing a part. Charlie Crist lost another…
Beer Review: Dupont Foret Organic Saison
In the farmhouse laden, French speaking regions of Belgium, a special sort of ale was traditionally brewed during winter and preserved through till the warm weather of summertime. Translating to season in French, Saison is a brew characterized by the earthy, rustic essence of the countryside areas where the style originates. These top fermenting ales…
Some Hillsborough Democrats say District 58 should stay Latino
In the three-person race to replace State Rep. Mike Scionti in the special primary election taking place in two weeks, Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee Chair Pat Kemp proudly says she's the only Democrat who actually lives in the district. But some Hillsborough Democratic insiders say they have a problem with her running in the…
Smart grid market poised to double by 2014 in US
From GreenBeat: The race to build a cleaner, more efficient electrical grid has sparked a diverse, rapidly-growing industry, including traditional utilities, titans of the internet boom like Cisco Systems and Intel, and a crop of startups hoping to hit it big. Now a new report from research firm Zpryme says that if this market stays…
How serious is Charlie Crist’s straw poll loss in Pinellas?
Charlie Crist's loss last night to Marco Rubio in the Pinellas County GOP Straw poll was just the latest in a series of straw polls losses held throughout the state in the past year, but it will be tough for the Crist camp to shrug it off, coming as it does on his home turf.…
Pinellas County GOP Straw Poll Results
A must win for the governor goes to… By Chris Ingram Charlie Crist’s 2009 was a really bad year. It started last spring when the governor decided he’s really a Democrat and fully embraced President Obama’s nearly trillion dollar (that’s 12 zeros) stimulus spending plan. This was followed by countless gaffes, scandals, ethically challenged supporters,…
On the Radar: “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions stampede the St. Pete Times Forum
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. A horse is a horse, of course. That is, of course, unless the horse is one of the “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions, who gallop into Tampa this Sunday. During the two-hour show at the St. Pete Times Forum, audience-goers are…
Do It Today: musicals galore, including South Pacific at the Straz and A Stephen Sondheim Cabaret at American Stage
Despite fears that a traditional book musical from 1949 might seem as corny as Kansas in August to contemporary audiences, Bartlett Sher’s 2008 Broadway revival of South Pacific turned out to to be some enchanted evening, winning rapturous reviews, seven Tonys and renewed respect for the musical’s unforgettable score, powerful love story and subtle treatment…
Who made Hillsborough County a better place in 2009? (part one) the citizens
You might already know what I think needs to be changed in our community by my 12 NIMBY Christmas wishes or my year in review post. There are many people, volunteer and elected, that are working to make Hillsborough a better place for all of us. It isn't always easy or popular to do the…
Mark McGwire admits he did steroids
To the shock of probably nobody, former Oakland A's and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire today admitted he did steroids throughout his career, including in his record breaking 1998 season, in which he hit 70 home runs (only to be eclipsed by Barry Bonds, who hit 73 in 2001 and has been under a…
Tampa company offers free electronics recycling and e-waste disposal
is a Tampa-based business that offers to help you get rid of your old computers, electronics, and e-waste for absolutely no charge. What is e-waste, you ask? E-waste is used electronics such as computers, monitors, printers, peripherals, cell phones, etc. Florida E-Waste Recycling will take anything from old CPU towers and DVD/VCR players, to computer…
Politicians and members of the business and labor community to rally for high speed rail in Tampa
The Florida Legislature met in a special session last month to approve a controversial plan to provide for commuter rail in Orlando, as well as provide funding for a South Florida rail project, ostensibly to show the Obama administration that the state is serious about high speed rail. On Tuesday, local leaders in Tampa, including…
Vans Warped Tour 2010; the 16th annual festival returns to St. Petersburg’s Vinoy Park this summer
What: Vans Warped Tour 2010 When: July 23, 2010 Where: Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg Amongst all the holiday season hullabaloo, the people behind one of the biggest music festivals in North America released the list of bands for the St. Petersburg stop of the 16th annual Vans Warped Tour. As of New Year's Eve there…
Top Chef News: Hallelujah! Top Chef Masters returns this Spring
I don't know about the rest of you, but my Wednesday nights have been pretty dull ever since the end of the last season of Top Chef. I miss making fun of critiquing and learning from the program that has brought me so much culinary joy these past few years. Fortunately, we'll be getting our…
The truth about ‘free-range’ eggs (video)
, author of Eating Animals, charges agribusinesses with being guilty of "the worst kind of manipulation" for deceiving consumers into paying more because of misleading labels and producing increasingly lower quality food. Below is a clip from one of Foer's talks where he talks about the "bald lies" that big name food companies tell about…
Homeless in St. Petersburg, part 3: Pinellas Hope
She tells me she’s 57 years old and mostly deaf, ineligible for Medicaid and unable to work because of her learning disability. A slew of other medical problems keeps her in perpetual discomfort and prevents her from sleeping comfortably. Linda Mariano has wanted to get off the streets since she landed on them seven years…
Project Runway podcast: interview with Ben Chmura, season 7 designer and Tampa local
If you haven't heard, because you live under a fashion-smothering boulder, or are male and therefore do not watch Lifetime to see the 100 commercials per hour for it, Project Runway is about to premiere and this season is going to be the best yet. Doubt me? If you do, you're insane and clearly haven't…
On the Radar: Michael Jackson Tribute Benefit Concert
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming events to mark your calendar for. For all of you devoted fans of this musical genius (who are not tired of honoring his work) tell the naysayers to beat it, and gear up for the Michael Jackson Tribute Benefit Concert that pays homage to MJ and…
It Happened This Week-ish: Tiger’s manly affairs, another semilebrity death, breaking news on Michael Cera, Mariah Carey’s drunk speech and engagements galore (including Marilyn Manson)
*Hey boys, now you too can claim you had an affair with Tiger Woods! I am just waiting for Lance Bass to get on this train of mistresses…or misters? I think it's misters. *My favorite washed-up pop princess, though she is probably at queen age now, Mariah Carey, gave us the best acceptance speech we…
A delivery man for Ginger Ale
This year, I’m spending more time flirting with men I meet in person, like one of the guys who delivers food to my job. The first time I saw him, I started to drool on myself. He’s 23, 6’2, 210 pounds, shaved head, tattoo’s on his neck—Big, Bald & Sexy. Every time he comes in he…
Harry Reid’s “Negro comment”, Adam Putnam, Marco Rubio & Charlie Crist, & Kendrick Meek: Mitch Perry Report 01.11.10
A new book on the 2008 presidential campaign is dominating the news cycle this morning. Selected parts of the book were leaked this weekend, but none excited the Sunday morning television news shows producers than Harry Reid's comments about Barack Obama; The Florida Republican Party had their annual meeting in Orlando, where officials say they…
U.S. green building activity to grow 146% by 2013
According to the Environmental Leader: The combined commercial and residential green building markets should grow nearly 146 percent from 2009 to 2013, according to research from Zpryme. In 2009, the combined markets represented $52.3 billion, but by 2013 the total should be $128.6 billion. Link after the break:
Florida Republican Party plans to try to recruit tea baggers
Polk County GOP Congressman Adam Putnam is in a fiery race for the Republican Party nomination for Agriculture Commissioner with State Senator Carey Baker. But the 4-time elected Representative still has a job in Washington D.C., and this weekend he was in Orlando, along with the rest of the Florida GOP establishment for their annual…
Reid gaffe makes for diverting Sunday morning chatter
One of the most anticipated books from the 2008 presidential campaign, Game Change, written by Time magazine’s Mark Halperin and New York Magazine’s John Heilman is being published today. There are a number of juicy excerpts that made the rounds this weekend (such as Ted Kennedy allegedly saying that Bill Clinton had said of Barack…
Florida Senate race continues to be most watched in the nation
We were unsuccessful in getting to speak with Democratic Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek last week for our upcoming story on a new attempt to alter the 2002 Class Size Amendment law. However, the Miami Congressman did speak about the issue yesterday on his appearance on Bay News 9's Political Connections, saying that the Legislature does…
Do It Today: art across the bay at Congo/Women, So You Think You Can Paint? and Gummie Bears: Outside the Package
This month, St. Petersburg’s Eckerd College launches an ambitious, yearlong program of events designed to spur public conversations about Africa, global interconnectivity and social justice. While Eckerd students will reap the benefits of special classroom and travel opportunities—like humanitarian trips to Malawi and Ethiopia—many of the offerings associated with The Plight & Promise of Africa…
Northern Ireland’s real life Mrs. Robinson: is she really that bad?
Northern Ireland is going wild over a real life reenactment of the 1968 film, The Graduate; a 58 year old Mrs. Robinson, a member of Parliament and wife of Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland's government leader) has been having an affair with a 19-year-old stud. While this may be in poor taste for a career in…
Concert review: Clock Hands Strangle, Palantine, and Alexander and The Grapes at New World Brewery (with video)
I came to the show pretty much unaware of the first two acts and expecting to be blown away by the band I came for, Clock Hands Strangle [pictured below, photo by Nicole Kibert]. That's not exactly what happened. The opener, Tampa's own the best band of the night. They sounded like Tallahassee's fantastic Holiday…
The new ‘hands-on’ approach to coaching: The unfortunate cases of Mark Mangino, Mike Leach and Jim Leavitt
Bobby Knight used to manhandle players. In his days at Indiana University, Knight was known for throwing chairs, roughing up the occasional athlete and melting down at the random post-game press conference. Despite his success, Knight was known as much for his temper tantrums as he was for his titles. When you sent your kid…
USF explains why they canned Jim Leavitt
At a news conference this afternoon on the USF campus, President Judy Genshaft confirmed that that the school had fired the only coach its Division I football program has ever had, Jim Leavitt. In her brief address to reporters, Genshaft said, "Sadly, at the end of his tenure at USF, Coach Leavitt committed serious violations…
Local comic writer Josh Sullivan has way more than 52 Friends
He’s stood on the banks of the Potomac, ridden a bike 11 miles through the hills of northern Maine to the Canadian border, looked out over the valleys of San Diego all the way to Tijuana, and walked through the ghettos of Saginaw, Michigan at 3:30 in the morning clutching a bottle of pepper spray.…
More musical mayhem by The Muppets: Dr. Teeth & the Electric Mayhem covers Phish
The last time, it was Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." I just got a new link to the latest musical awesomeness featuring The Muppets — Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem wailing on Phish's fast-paced number "Llama," with actual audience footage cut into it for good measure. This is YouTube gold. Enjoy!
Alyssa Milano raises over $92k for clean water charity through Twitter
, best known for her roles in Who's the Boss and Charmed, started her own fundraising efforts in late November for charity: water – a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. (Over 1 billion people in today's world don't have access to clean drinking water.) This article from Tonic…
CL interview: Eddie Money, who performs with Foreigner at Ruth Eckerd Hall on January 15
The following is a transcript from a telephone interview with Eddie Money, conducted on January 7, 2010. Your publicist mentioned that I should ask about your never-ending tour and workaholic personality. Well, you know, I’ve got five kids and I’ll do anything to get out of the house. (laughing) Is that what keeps you going?…
Netflix and Warner Bros. ink deal to delay DVD rentals
Are you looking through the lists of upcoming DVD’s for hot titles to add to your Netflix queue? As of this month, you may have to wait a bit longer beforethat magical red envelope arrives in your mailbox. Netflix has announced a deal with Warner Bros that will delay the availability of WB titles on…
USF fires football coach Jim Leavitt
Multiple news sources are reporting that USF has fired Coach Jim Leavitt, and the university has scheduled a 12:30 press conference to make the announcement. Stay tuned for more … H
Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Roasted Tomato Rice Soup
In order to get my daughter to school on time, we need to leave the house by around 7:00 am. An ungodly hour, I know, but I don't make the rules. I just follow them. Usually, things go along pretty smoothly. This morning, however, there was an unexpected glitch. The windows of my car were…
Woman jailed in Dubai after reporting rape
Originally reported in the guardian.com, a 23-year-old London woman of Pakistani descent was arrested in Dubai after being raped by a waiter at a luxury hotel. The woman was staying in Dubai for a three day New Years vacation when her 44-year-old boyfriend proposed. Celebrating the engagement, the woman became inebriated and lost consciousness in…
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm hosts gardening workshop this Sunday (1/10)
This Sunday, January 10, Sweetwater Organic Community Farm in Tampa is hosting a gardening workshop, 'Organic Gardening in Central Florida', presented by Willow LaMonte, an herbalist and experienced organic gardener. The class will discuss composting and mulching practices, frost protection, as well as water saving techniques and the best practices to promote healthy soil.
Trib rips on Tampa Police, more fireworks at Hillsborough Aviation Authority, and there’s a Latino candidate in the House District 58 race:Mitch Perry Report 01.08.10
On Thursday morning, there was much anticipation about the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority's monthly meeting, as a study looking at potential opportunities for Tampa International Airport to pick up more direct nonstop international flights was on the agenda. That was an interesting discussion, and we will write a more detailed post on that. But the…
Tampa Tribune takes on Tampa Police Union
As we reported on Tuesday, Tampa City Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena's official campaign declaration ceremony took place while approximately 20 members of the Tampa Police Department stood outside Union Station carrying signs that in some cases read, "Linda Saul-Sena. The Criminals Best Friend." The Police Benevolent Association is steamed at the Council, who voted 5-1 late…
Your government at work: only in America
Chinese drywall cleaned up with taxpayer dollars financed by…China of course. By Chris Ingram I just read in the newspaper that the Hillsborough County Commission (Tampa, Fla.) is considering making federal “community block grant” money available to local homeowners who have Chinese drywall. If you’re not familiar with Chinese drywall it’s drywall that was made…
Gil Sanchez says he’s the Democrat of choice in the Florida House District 58 election
There has been relatively considerable local media coverage of Janet Cruz-Rifkin and Pat Kemp, two Democrats who have declared their candidacy to replace Mike Scionti in the Florida House District 58 election, taking place on January 26. Less attention has been paid to a 3rd Democrat in the race, local attorney Gil Sanchez, a 33-year…
A texting fiesta starring Boise State, John Cena and Air Supply?
As many of you already know, it’s the simple things in life that tickle the sportschump’s fancy. One such glory includes sitting at a neighborhood pub, watching a relatively meaningless football game, sipping whiskey and texting friends while the locals stare at me, wondering if I have Tourette’s as I laugh out loud. As I…
Do It This Weekend: Jobsite’s What the Butler Saw, Cirque du Surreal art show, Barnum’s FUNundrum, Fernando Botero at the MFA, Orpheus and Eurydice and more
Anyone who likes Austin Powers (and admit it; you’re out there) owes a big fat “thank you” to Joe Orton, the writer of What the Butler Saw. Beginning this week, Jobsite Theater puts on the "swingin' 60s British sex farce," full of lewd humor and lascivious acts — so it should be right up your…
On the Radar: The Music of Led Zeppelin – A Rock Symphony
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. Last year, The Florida Orchestra dipped its toe in the classic rock waters with a tribute to Pink Floyd. As an encore, TFO plans to show a whole lotta love to ’70s hard rock titans Led Zeppelin by mixing…
Caption contest featuring the NBA’s flippant, gun-toting Gilbert Arenas
You know you run a sports website when your mom calls and asks you “So… what do you think of that Arenas character?” Mom, you make me proud. For those of you unfamiliar with the goings-on in the NBA these days, Gilbert Arenas, aka Agent Zero, aka the Hibachi, allegedly brought firearms into the Verizon…
Eco-friendly cell phone replaces batteries with soda
It's pretty obvious that batteries, especially phone batteries, are expensive and not great for the environment. Chinese designer Daizi Zheng says of them in this article from Dezeen: "Through out my research, I found that phone battery as a power source, it is expensive, consuming valuable resources on manufacturing, presenting a disposal problem and harmful…
Flashforward: Predictions for the Tampa dining scene in 2010
Looking ahead is a lot like looking back, when it comes to the Bay area restaurant scene. Here are four predictions for 2010 that might look eerily similar to what happened in 2009. And 2008. And 2007… 1. Tampa's fine dining restaurants will continue to strive for mediocrity I'll be generous and assume that most…
2009 in Hillsborough: The scandals, the spending, and even a few good things
Well, I am pretty sure Santa had a lot of coal to deliver to Hillsborough officials in 2009 for their efforts to promote developer welfare, government waste and stick taxpayers with the bill for some very expensive skirt chasing. A train might have come in handy to help Santa deliver all that coal. This is…
Controversial demolition of airport property adds more tension at Hillsborough County Aviation Authority meeting
For the second straight meeting, tension between Hillsborough County Aviation Authority head Louis Miller and board member Steve Burton broke out into the open , as Burton questioned Miller about his unilateral decision to demolish an office building owned by Tampa International Airport valued more than $4 million without any input from the Authority board.…
This weekend’s best bets in Bay area music: Obituary, Trombone Shorty, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa, Seth Walker, Ottmar Liebert and more
A quick breakdown of this weekend’s most worthy concerts. For a more comprehensive schedule, check out our Upcoming Concerts page. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 [pictured] Tampa’s own purveyors and pioneers of death metal have been blasting and shredding since 1985, and enjoyed some minor commercial success (along with two other seminal Florida hardcore acts, Morbid Angel and…
CD review: The Semis, Back to the Beach
The third disc from Tampa Bay veterans The Semis, Back to the Beach, feels like a comeback record. The problem is, they never went away. In the past decade, frontman Billy Summer has gained a certain reputation as a user, abuser and all-around buffoon. However, Summer has been clean and sober for 11 months now,…
Kama Sutra: the female showoff
This position is basically a back-bend meets fellatio. It demonstrates the woman's athleticism while giving the man a very nice top-down view. The position begins with the man and woman standing while facing the same direction with the woman four feet in front of the man. The woman then bends backwards into an arch until…
Theater Review: An Evening With Lucille Ball: Thank You For Asking
Lucille Ball, that icon of comedy, didn’t think she was funny. “I don’t think funny,” she says. “If you write something down on a piece of paper I can do it. Otherwise forget it.” As Suzanne LaRusch utters these words in An Evening with Lucille Ball: Thank You for Asking (now playing at the Straz…
Florida GOP: onward to the slaughterhouse
Talk of Thrasher as next Chairman means more doom for Flori-duh GOP By Chris Ingram The so-called “leaders” of the Florida Republican Party have all but anointed former big-bucks lobbyist and State Senator John Thrasher as the party’s next chairman. This of course follows on the heels of soon-to-be former Chairman Jim Greer’s fiasco of…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Thursday, January 7: Publix Apron’s Cooking School It's a Southern Tradition. Whether you're a Southerner by birth or by choice, some dishes offer down-home comforts, like tonight's menu of: jalapeño cornbread; hoppin’ John; pot liquor greens; chicken fried steak with country gravy; and molasses pecan pie. $35. 6 p.m., 7835 Gunn Highway, Tampa (813-926-4465) Friday,…
A roaring New Year: 2010, ’20s style (pics and video)
It was one of those timeless, 1920s nights. The big daddy boss man himself, Ian Ippolito, turned his pad into the swinging speakeasy, Elysian, hosting an open bar hootenanny to rival the Great Gatsby. Just as the Jack at the door was about to throw me out on my ear for being a crasher, I…
Dodd’s depature a good thing for Democrats? And lack of direct international flights at TIA : Mitch Perry Report 1.7.10
Much teeth gnashing has ensued in the past 24 hours by some Democrats, concerned about their chances of maintaining a 60 vote majority in the Senate, after Byron Dorgan and Chris Dodd announced they won't run for re-election next year. But Dodd's departure is probably the best thing that's happened to Harry Reid for awhile. …
What have they done to my Pelican Pub?
The cool, stained-glass Pelican sign is still out front. And so ends the positive portion of this column in regards to the nausea-inducing redesign of the pub formerly known as the Pelican. If you liked the old pub, it's hard to imagine a worse fate could have befallen it. Gone is one of the best jukeboxes in…
Under construction: The Neighborhood Project — Ybor City
With the new year comes new initiatives for the Creative Loafing staff. For 2010, we're kicking off something called "The Neighborhood Project," in which we CLers dig deep into one Bay area 'hood, seeking the character of the place and the people who call it home. If that sounds to you a bit like our…
Energy efficient tips to conquer the cold without breaking the bank
When temperatures dip to frigid, wintry levels (at least by Florida’s standards), it’s difficult for many to resist the urge to turn up the heat. That’s why Floridians tend to use the most energy when it’s cold outside. While Progress Energy anticipates being able to produce and deliver the power to meet our customers' increased…
Cheap Eats Restaurant Review: La Pollera Colorada
La Pollera Colorada III 2315 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-930-8826 Sun.-Thur., 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Fri.- Sat. 9 a.m.- 11:30 p.m. The translation La Pollera Colorado is subject for debate. One person says “the red chicken,” another “the red dress,” and the staff even offers "the red chicken cage.” At least the food is not…
Soupe au Pistou — refined vegetable soup — for a cold January day
When I woke up this morning, it was 32 degrees outside. The wind chill factor made it feel like 27 degrees, or so said the Weather Channel. Yikes! I peeked out from under the covers, trying to muster up the courage to get out of bed and scurry over to turn up the heat. I…
The new green economy: Aligning science, education and markets
What does it mean for an economy to be green? How do green investments and green jobs help the short-term economic recovery and long term transition? If you’re asking these kinds of questions, consider attending the National Council for Science and the Environment’s expert- and information- packed conference , January 20-22, in Washington D.C. The…
Tampa lifestyle clubs
The greater Tampa Bay area is home to a large community of swingers. But, the legality of semi-public sex in a club setting has been a controversial topic in the courts for the past few years. The majority of those who engage in alternative lifestyles, like swinging, are normal law abiding citizens. Unfortunately many swingers…
Greening your New Year’s resolutions
We are a week into 2010 and you still don’t have your New Year’s resolutions in order? Have no fear and commit to a few of the following suggestions. These small changes can result in huge personal and environmental impacts (not to mention reduced utility bills). Pledging to even a few of the following simple…
Funny girl: Hilarious Caroline Jett steals Jobsite’s What the Butler Saw
The hilarious Caroline Jett steals Jobsite’s What the Butler Saw.
See the shows, buy the CDs
Check out these locally produced CDs by Bay area artists and pick one up at a show near you.
Class (size) warfare in Florida
The battle lines are being drawn again in the fight over class size.
The state of healthcare services for the homeless
… but half the battle is finding them.
Keeping tabs on Careme’s Market in Lutz
Can you get restaurant-quality meals at a business devoted to takeout?
Is mass transit a waste of energy?
Are electric trains and other forms of mass transit an energy loser compared to driving a car? What with energy transmission costs and poor ridership (especially in California), we supposedly waste energy on subways and buses. I know it's not going to be a popular concept, and it may be best to ignore it, and…
Monogamy: It’s just make-believe
Perverted play is OK if legal and consensual
CL Feature: RJD2, who plays Crowbar next Thursday, January 14 (with new video added!)
RJD2 has come a long way since he first started making beats in his bedroom more than a decade ago. Back then, he couldn’t get any labels to pay attention to his sample-driven instrumental funk hop. Nowadays, the Philly-based DJ, producer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist (aka “Ramble” John Krohn, RJ for short) is celebrating freedom from…
The Green Community week in review: 10 ways for Tampa Bay to get greener, breaking our addiction to oil, and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: 10 ways for Tampa Bay to get greener in the next decade (videos) – Grant Rimbey explores 10 green and sustainable directions for Tampa Bay in the next decade. Join Code Green Community for…
Green Community Calendar weekend events: Screening of Fresh at Cafe Hey, green markets, and more
Looking for something green-related to do this weekend? Look no further than our own Green Community Calendar. Ellenton Farmers Market- Saturdays; 8 am – 1 pm (year-round). Ellenton Farmers’ Market will be the largest year-round market in florida that specializes in “green” natural, organic and environmentally friendly products that makes for a healthier lifestyle and…
