Vote today for Best of the Bay!
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Wearable Art: back for a 7th year and hauter than ever
After six successful years, the Dunedin Fine Art Center is ready to wow guests once more with its Wearable Art fashion show, displaying locally-made duds surely edgy enough to make a meat suit-wearing fashion queen's head spin. Wearable Art has been known to challenge and push the limits of form and style — you won't…
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Habitat for Humanity fundraiser, aquaponic farm tour, markets and more.
Pinellas County wants citizen involvement in their Alternative Analysis
A year ago Hillsborough County transit officials were working constantly on their AA, or Alternative Analysis, a transit study that the federal government requires a community undertake as a first step to qualify for capital investment funding on a transportation project. Now it's Pinellas County turn, as members of the Pinellas Transit Alternative Analysis team…
Activists protest Scott’s workday at local donut shop
Gov. Scott serves donuts as part of his "workday" in Tampa. While Governor Rick Scott served donuts inside Nicola’s Bakery as part of his “workday” program, a group of activists were not convinced that Scott’s “workday” was anything more than a gimmick to schmooze with community members and the press. Florida Watch Action, Pink Slip…
How to make a perfect Pisco Sour (video)
Raw egg whites and all.
Electricity-free “light bulbs” made from repurposed water bottles (video)
Bringing sustainable lighting solutions to homes in the slums of the Philippines.
Antiwarpt in Review, Part I: The Film
Check out my short film produced with footage I shot at the second annual Antiwarpt Festival in downtown St. Petersburg [still at left, video after the jump]. I'm only one person, however, so what you see is what I saw and what you get. I'm sure I missed as much greatness as I witnessed, but…
Advertising skewing editorial coverage at St. Pete Times?
As we strolled through the lobby of the Marriott Waterside Hotel in downtown Tampa to catch the beginning of the three-day summer meeting of the Republican National Committee, we couldn't help but notice the men and women adorned in moisture-resisting attire scattered throughout the spacious terrain. Yes, folks, the World Dragon Boat racing championship is…
Angry Citizens property insurance customers will show their rage by …holding up signs?
Last week's revelation by Citizens property insurance that they are proposing rate hikes for those in the Tampa Bay area who have sinkhole insurance with the company of (in some cases) 2,000 percent have outraged nearly everyone in the state who doesn't have some link with insurance companies. Even Governor Rick Scott, who supports the…
A review in photos: Selena Gomez at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Photos from Selena Gomez’s Saturday night performance.
DIY Green: Using coffee grounds as an all-natural wood stain
No harmful fumes!
This week in food and drink
WaZoo, Abilities Foundation fundraiser, tastings and more.
Mitch Perry Report 8.3.11 Pawlenty in town
Good morning everyone. Several hundred members from the Republican National Committee are in Tampa this morning, where they'll be meeting all week. Hope y'all enjoy the weather, since it'll be just as miserable for you next year when you hold your convention here. Speaking of miserable, we're feeling this way right now, as our post…
Hours after supporting debt ceiling plan, Bill Nelson announces his support for a balanced budget amendment
Bill Nelson Hours after he was assailed by one of his Republican would-be opponents for voting for the "largest debt increase in American history," Florida Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson announced that he was signing on as a co-sponsor for a balanced budget amendment being sponsored by Colorado Senator Mark Udall. Nelson was with the…
Organic aloe lube review & giveaway!
Aloe Cadabra My usual mentality when it comes to lube is to go with the cheapest product. It is easy to forget that using these lubes during sex can be just as detrimental as if you had ingested them. Sugary lubes never taste like the flavors they are advertised as and their high sugar content…
Tips for environmental volunteerism during the sweltering summer months
Help the great outdoors from inside!
The Taco Bus to open third location in Downtown Tampa
With a proper store front, will they still have room for the iconic bus?
Local officials to convene Thursday in Largo to discuss job growth
Despite its dominance in the news over the past month, the number one concern for Americans is actually the lack of jobs, and not the size of the deficit. And as unemployment sits at over 9 percent nationally (and over 10 percent in Florida) some progressive economists (such as Paul Krugman) suggest the new debt…
Pick a new job for Rick Scott
He’s doing a “workday” in a Tampa donut shop. What other jobs should he try?
New Music Tuesday! (August 2)
New from Bassnectar, Fountains of Wayne, Mariachi El Bronx + more (w/audio & video)
Debt-for-nature swaps
Agreements where a portion of a developing nation’s foreign debt is forgiven in exchange for local investments in environmental conservation measures.
Mitch Perry Report 8.2.11 debt deal almost done
Good morning everyone. Aren't we excited from a Senate vote on the debt ceiling taking place around noon today? You're not? Mitt Romney's not. And even though "Mittens" is embracing a tea party stance on the plan that Congress is about to approve, it's questionable if that will help him with that group. Stunningly, a…
Study: Drinking wine could prevent sunburn
Ditch the sunblock and grab some vino.
WSJ columnist shows little faith in GOP presidential candidates
Amongst the GOP contenders for president discussing the plan to pass the debt ceiling, only Jon Huntsman has come out in support of the proposal passed by the House on Monday and expected to pass the Senate Tuesday. It fits into his character that the former Utah governor would support the plan, which as most…
Sam Rashid says he’s willing to pay more taxes, but only if Congress passes Balanced Budget Amendment
Sam Rashid Valrico businessman Sam Rashid has the reputation of being one of the premiere power brokers of the Hillsborough County Republican Party. And like nearly everyone in the GOP in 2011, Rashid strongly adheres to the adage that no new taxes is a firm mantra that can never be violated. In fact last year…
Hasner & LeMieux take time away from bashing each other to bashing debt deal
As we write this on Monday afternoon, it's still not known if the debt ceiling deal struck by Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell on Sunday night will pass through Congress. We know Bill Nelson has indicated he will vote for it in the U.S. Senate, but the two front-runners who hope to take his job…
Falling Skies review: “What Lies Beneath”
Captain Weaver (Will Patton) is ready for battle … This week on Falling Skies, we learned that the Skitters are regrouping at the huge metal structures parked in cities all over the country. The resistance sees this as a chance to go on the offensive and launch an attack to destroy the alien ships by…
Momiji + Hello Kitty “collision of cute” hits U.S.
Sanrio-philes, take note: Each doll has a name and is accessorized.
#MusicMonday, Vol. 43
What the CL Music Team is jamming this week, from Reptar to Fruit Bats to Bob Seger (w/audio)
10 restaurants that provide “fresh from the roof” ingredients
Restaurants across the world are reinventing the idea of ‘farm-to-table’ food.
Who’s Tampa Bay’s favorite politician? And its worst?
Well, it's that time of year again – no, not about the Democrats getting rolled again (that happens more than once a year!) The latter part of next month brings us a Tampa Bay area tradition, the annual Best of the Bay Issue, and this is where you come into play. That's because there are…
Location of Tampa redistricting meeting changes
Four weeks from today the roving state meetings on redistricting congressional and legislative districts will be coming to the Tampa Bay area, with an event scheduled for Tampa on August 29, followed up in Pinellas County on August 30 in Largo. However, the actual location of that Tampa meeting has now been changed.
Tale of Two Republicans manifested at HART meeting
Sandra Murman As we've noted on various occasions, last November's rejection of a transit tax in Hillsborough County not only killed the possibility of a light rail system being built anytime soon, but nine months later, there aren't any plans now over the next 10 years to revisit the issue. However, members who serve on…
Eat a peach: It’s National Peach Month
Sweet and savory recipes for a favorite summer fruit.
Gardening in August
Tips to help plant or upkeep a perfect garden in late summer.
MTV turns 30: Remember when we wanted our MTV?
I wish I could belt out a heartfelt Happy Birthday, MTV! MTV's 30th is bittersweet and overwhelming to think about, comparable to watching an adorable and gifted nephew grow up to be a schizophrenic and obese crack addict, a loudmouth who got rich peddling brain cell-erasing garbage to our nation's youth. Letdowns aside, I say…
Debt ceiling worries averted? 1 Florida House Republican says he won’t vote for it
Connie Mack Although it's mostly the political left who are apoplectic about the broad deal agreed to between President Obama and congressional leaders to raise the government's debt ceiling while cutting spending by about $2.4 trillion, there are more than a few Congressional Republicans who say they won't go along with it, such as Fort…
Mitch Perry Report 8.1.11 debt deal coming?
Happy Monday everyone, and welcome to August, which means only three more months of unbearable weather? Although it's mostly Democrats who are steamed about the deal that will extend the debt ceiling, one Florida House Republican says he won't be voting for it. The man whose job in the White House is to do whatever…
Frank Reddick doesn’t appreciate Buckhorn comment on budget
Tampa City Councilman Frank Reddick represents District 5, the most concentrated area of blacks in the city. He's been feeling increased pressure from some of his constituents as their frustrations with the closure of Williams Park Pool has continued for three years now. When city funding was found in the city's budget to repair and…
Big Cheese scores a big win
Last month, local hip-hop hero Big Cheese was nominated for Best Original Song or Jingle in IFC’s The LoCos Awards for his Car Credit Tampa commercial. The good news keeps coming for Car Credit Tampa and the Cheese. Following the month-long entry period after June 24 in which fans were able to upload and vote…
WH political strategist David Plouffe to fundraise in Tampa this Wednesday
David Plouffe All sides in Washington say a deal must be done by August 2 on the debt ceiling issue, otherwise our economy will be at greater risk as the government may struggle to pay some of its obligations. The political arm of the White House would also like a deal done because Thursday, August…
Book review: The Mimic’s Own Voice by Tom Williams
Buy direct from the publisher Douglas Myles, the main character of Tom Williams’ novella, The Mimic’s Own Voice is a man perpetually out of context. Or a man with no context at all, looking for surroundings which can define him in a legible way. A man of mixed race, born in a time and place…
Brandon’s Regent Community Center: a publicly funded Ponzi palace which the public can’t get access to
George Niemann is a daily loaf contributor & UCAN, RLAND, FSP member.The views expressed are my own and may not be the same as organizations to which I belong. Since the Regent first opened its doors in January 2011 it has gotten bad press. It appeared that the publicly funded Regent was being run as…
St. Pete Pier review committee narrows list of applicants for new design to 9 options
Based on our reporting, there is still a considerable amount of St. Petersburg residents who don't want to change the St. Pete Pier's inverted pyramid structure for a new design. But nevertheless, the move to convert the Pier into something that city leaders hope will make the site more friendly to tourists and locals is…
Bright idea: Solar panel-clad bikini charges small electronics
Utilize those sun rays while soaking them in.
The debt ceiling debacle and the presidential election
It seems we're getting closer to August 2nd without getting closer to a deal. Each day brings new developments on the negotiations which, invariably, go nowhere. The President has addressed the nation, Harry Reid and John Boehner have held press conferences, the gang of six blitzed the TV and radio talk-shows, and an endless number…
Michelle Williams goes West in Meek’s Cutoff
A harrowing but slow-moving tale set in the Oregon desert, c. 1845.
Forgo the air fresheners: Tips to make your home smell tasty
…without having to slave over a stove all day.
Why are recycled plastics sorted?
Disposable packaging has increased by more than 10,000 percent over the past 50 years.
Is this B.J. Upton’s last weekend as a Ray?
B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria During the middle of last night's MLB broadcast of the Giants-Phillies game, announcers Bob Costas and Jim Kaat speculated about whether Tampa Bay Ray centerfielder B.J. Upton will be traded before the trade deadline expires this Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET. In Oakland yesterday, where the Rays rallied to…
Where to “wine down” in Tampa Bay
Bacchanalian delights
Mitch Perry Report 7.29.11 Buckhorn special
Congratulations to Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who turns 53 this Friday, July 29. The mayor also gets a notice by Politico as 50 Politicians to watch for being the host of the Republican National Convention coming our way in 13 months time. Okay, now that we've gotten that out of the way, welcome to your…
Punk nostalgia converges with Tony Patino’s The Road
The Tampa native has written a book about legendary punk bands on the road.
5 things to do this weekend
Kingpins for Kids, Wrecked, AntiWarpt, Loni Love and The African Queen.
Panhandling vote delayed in Tampa
After months and months of discussion, the Tampa City Council appeared poised to pass an ordinance dealing with banning panhandling next week. But the seemingly never ending saga will continue on for at least another month, when the council voted on Thursday to delay next week's presentation of two different potential bans, and instead will…
Tampa City Council lashes out regarding neglect at East Tampa pool
Frank Reddick In the four months since Bob Buckhorn was elected Mayor of Tampa, he's avoided controversy of any sort, exemplified by his smooth presentation to the City Council on his new budget earlier Thursday morning. But the bonhomie between the council and the mayor – or at least his staff – took a break…
E.T. in the Old West
Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford battle invaders from space in Cowboys & Aliens.
Head over heels for Crazy, Stupid, Love?
This cute but one-dimensional summer rom-com fails to impress.
Tampa City Council wants an investigation on PricewaterhouseCoopers tax break
A week after the Tampa City Council voted to provide a tax subsidy for an unknown company that they were informed might bolt the region, the council on Thursday called for an investigation about why they were informed that was the case, as it was reported in recent days that in fact that company -PricewaterhouseCoopers…
Baked cherries and Tallegio: Easy summer appetizer
Ripe for the picking.
Cherish your local bookstore
Inkwood and Haslam’s survive in the face of a declining book culture.
Buckhorn presents his 2012 budget to Tampa City Council
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn presented his $765 budget to the City Council today, a budget that he was happily able to present without any jobs being cut or taxes being raised. "It’s a difficult time for every municipality and every jurisdiction," he began. "We are better off than most, but we still have to face…
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Vegetarian cooking class, community garden project, compost workshop and more.
Fasano: Let’s have special session to deal with radical Citizens sinkhole increases
Mike Fasano Pasco County Republican state Senator Mike Fasano agrees with the notion that the Florida Legislature should convene a special session to deal with the radical rate increases for those with sinkhole policies with Citizens Insurance. Fasano has already written a letter to Insurance Secretary Kevin McCarty calling for meetings to be held in…
The evolution of Mise en Place
An iconic Tampa restaurant celebrates 25 years of wine, food and friends.
New study says cellphones don’t increase kids cancer risk
A new European study has found no link between cellphone use and the cancer in children and adolescents. The study which looked at 1,000 participants is the first of its kind to focus on the effects of cellular phone usage on children, including 352 with brain tumors and 646 without. The study was published online…
St Pete City Council candidates weigh in on car allowances for top administrators
The St. Pete Times Michael Van Sickler has followed up with his scoop from last Sunday on the fact that 141 administrators inside St. Pete's City Hall receive a car allowance that totals up over $200,000 annually. In the new piece, Mayor Bill Foster defends the controversial program, saying: "In light of the fact that…
Warped Tour Invades St. Petersburg
Plus: Antiwarptd, 100 Monkeys and more of the week’s best upcoming concerts.
Breaking Bard
Good performances redeem Jobsite’s Taming of the Shrew — but bring earplugs.
Amy Winehouse dies, the NFL Lockout ends and more …
Shit happened from July 21-27, 2011.
Democracy for America: Winning!
Tampa Bay progressives get trained in campaigning.
Family secrets
What do I tell my fiancé about my complicated past?
Sit at your own risk
Scaremonger alert: Your sofa wants to kill you.
Antiwarpt Festival 2011
Warped Tour doppelganger Antiwarpt takes over downtown St. Petersburg.
Something borrowed, something blue
The Smurfs march into theaters singing a happy, if familiar, song.
Hillsborough Commissioners kill after-school program
Rebecca Wainright Les Miller A divided Hillsborough County Commission voted Wednesday morning to eliminate their after-school program on a 4-3 vote, ending a service that had dozens upon dozens of parents and children begging last week to the board not to kill (Ken Hagan, Victor Crist and Les Miller dissented). County Administrator Mike Merrill says…
Getting a feel for what’s real with Penthouse Pet, Taylor Vixen
Penthouse.com It’s never clear what is on, or off, the record with 2010 Penthouse Pet of the Year, Taylor Vixen. My voice recorder is turned off where it sits on her plate at the Penthouse Club in Tampa. While we tear into the dinner rolls, we play a modified version of Hangman in which we…
Mitch Perry Report 7.28.11
Cuban-Americans who are able to fly to their homeland have had to drive down to Miami to make that trip – won't have to do that anymore starting in September. Hillsborough County Commissioners bummed out a lot of kids and their parents on Wednesday killed an after-school program for kids. And the St. Pete City…
CNN anchors mystified to Rick Scott’s response on debt ceiling issue
Derrrrr … Duhhhhh … Ummmm … Financial experts warn that the consequences of a U.S. default on its financial obligations are huge, from higher interest rates on car loans and credit cards to dramatic cuts in government programs that affect every aspect of American life. House Speaker John Boehner believes that, as do most Congressional…
Joan Wood dies – Her life was never the same after Lisa McPherson case
Joan Wood Former Pinellas-Pasco medical examiner Dr. Joan Wood's death was noted on page 8B of the St. Petersburg Times Metro section on Wednesday that takes up all of six paragraphs. The brief obituary notes her involvement regarding the death of Lisa McPherson, the Scientology member whose controversial and tragic death in 1995 laid a…
Lark Eden: Stories from a versatile actor/playwright
An interview with Natalie Symons, whose play is now at New American Theater.
The Gaily News: Miley Cyrus gets inked in support of gay rights
Miley Cyrus, who has spoken out in support of LGBT rights before, has started a Twitter war after posting a photo of her latest tattoo, an equal sign on her right ring finger, with the caption "All LOVE is equal" underneath.
What is 8-3-11.info and what’s with the strange USF connection? *UPDATED*
Have you seen this girl? Over the weekend, my brother hipped me to the website 8-3-11.info. Click it, and you'll land on a sparse white page with the image of a young girl staring back at you. Turn up the volumn on your speakers and you'll note odd noises playing in the background. Below the…
Surfing for hard core porn on Netflix Streaming: a guided tour
(Check out an updated list of the top 25 films with hardcore sex scenes available through Netflix Streaming here.) Netflix Streaming is my favorite new media innovation. It's been around for awhile, but this year Netflix came to my X-Box 360 (and the Roku box and other devices). This means I can watch the streaming,…
