Green Community Calendar weekend events
Workshops, beach cleanup, farmers’ markets and more
Greenpeace reveals “Bulldozer Barbie’s” environmentally destructive habits (video)
Ken “doesn’t date girls into deforestation.”
Castor continues to hammer away at GOP/Ryan plan for Medicare
Tampa area Congresswoman Kathy Castor has been as relentless a critic as any Democrat in the country in bashing the Paul Ryan led GOP House budget plan that would end Medicare as its currently constituted and turn it into a voucher program. She still feels that way, as she referenced a new report on Wednesday…
The Monkees: still zany after all these years…
Before we begin, full disclosure: while I should have been scribbling the names of ALL 40 songs The Monkees performed live this past Saturday night, I was a little overcome by the sheer joy and nostalgia of the experience. I felt like a child again, reliving the music of a band I've loved since I…
Top Chef Masters preview: Plating blind
On the next episode of Top Chef Masters: During the Quickfire, the remaining chefs must give instructions on plating and cooking a dish to their partner behind a screen whom they can't see. To say the least, things get messy. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs have to cook a meal for 400 service men…
Tonight at Cappy’s Pizza: Sleepy Vikings tour kick-off
Kelley Jackson Local alt roots/folk rock "Southern shoegaze" sextet Sleepy Vikings have led a charmed 2011. Their lush, thoughtful, well-produced debut full-length, They Will Find You Here (New Granada Records), has secured them an upward spiral of positive attention; cover stories in Creative Loafing and later, the Friday Extra, glowing reviews on AbsolutePunk.net and Chromewaves.com,…
Tim Pawlenty’s utopian tax plan get pooh-poohed by conservative economists
Recent poll numbers have confirmed what this space has felt all along to be the case – Barack Obama's re-election chances are tied directly to the state of the U.S. economy, which right now appears to be backtracking from the modest gains of earlier this year. Our thoughts are that the problems with the economy…
Take some Pride in St. Pete Beach and help clean it up this Saturday
Free after party for volunteers at The Postcard Inn!
Hillsborough anti light-rail advocate wants to insure that county leaders never revisit issue
David Caton When Hillsborough County voters overwhelmingly defeated the penny transit tax last fall, local supporters said that the idea would definitely come back – they just couldn't predict when. But if one anti-rail advocate gets his way, that will never happen. In Wednesday's St. Petersburg Times, reporter Jodie Tillman alerts the citizenry that though…
Porn star, Chanel Preston, is obsessed with me and my Zamboner
Chanel Preston Going to a porn convention is a lot like speed dating. The difference is that the amount of time a porn star spends with you is directly dependent on how much of her merchandise you buy, or how much press you can give her. With that said porn stars do occasionally fall in…
This week in food and drink
Tastings, benefit events, cooking demos and more.
Permagrin power!
Matt & Kim’s combo of earnest song delivery, antics and humor made for an awesomely well-rounded show at Czar June 7.
Does Pasco vote on panhandling ban provide guidance for Tampa?
The Tampa Tribune's Laura Kinsler reports that Pasco County Commissioner's on Tuesday passed a measure that would ban panhandlers and newspaper hawkers from the county's roads and intersections, except on Sunday. That's an important distinction that has been proposed in the past by the Tampa City Council in one of their many attempts to find…
The Voice Recap: Live Show, Quarter Finals 1
The Voice finally went live this week with an opening performance by the coaches… which in my humble opinion, could have gone a little better. Besides that, this was an amazingly fun episode. The only teams competing tonight were Blake and Christina; we have to wait till next Tuesday for Cee Lo and Adam's kids…
Label this guy a winner: Congrats, Eric Swanson!
Congratulations to Eric Swanson, the winner in Hampton Arts Management's 2011 Label Design contest with Cigar City Brewing.Bottles of the Tocobaga Red Ale, featuring Eric's art, are now avaialble. Also: Go by the brewery, grab a bottle, and check out the display of all 10 finalists' labels on display in the tap room through the…
An Evening with John Waite at The Capitol Theatre
If you turned on FM radio anytime in the late 1970's, there's a good chance you were exposed to the fine vocals of John Waite. Whether fronting power rock band The Babys, supergroup Bad English or throughout his long solo career, Waite's clear, soaring vocals have always been his defining characteristic. His flawless ability to…
Eating out is in. CL Restaurant Week returns!
$25 and $45 prix fixe menus at over 50 restaurants, June 16-26.
Green clean: Polish silver with non-toxic, household items
No need for toxic cleaners to polish the “good” silverware.
Rick Scott budget signing controversy has legs – House Dems call on Bondi and Atwater to investigate
Although a spokesman for Governor Rick Scott late last Friday said his boss "took responsibility" for the ejection of approximately two dozen people during Scott's budget signing ceremony at the Villages late last month, Florida House Democrats aren't satisfied with that response. Calling the actions by the Governor's staff to be "disappointing" and "shocking," 15…
Concert review: Luke Preston at Hideaway Cafe
At first glance, it's hard to believe that Luke Preston has such a great voice inside that tall and scrawny frame. But this 18-year-old definitely has the soul of a musician, and a smile that will melt any girl's heart. Preston played for a large crowd of friends and family at the cozy Hideaway Cafe…
New Music Tuesday (June 7)
Cults, Frank Turner, Sondre Lerche, The Postelles + more issue LPs today (audio, video)
The kombucha craze: Word to your “mother”
Alleged health benefits and risks of this popular fermented drink
State redistricting public hearings set for Tampa, Largo in late August
As per every 10 years, Florida's legislative & congressional districts are scheduled to be revised in the coming year, and with the passage of Amendments 5 & 6, Democrats are hoping that the new law will force the creation of districts to become fairer and less gerrymandered, and with that, the possibility that they may…
George LeMieux survives Ray Junior interview, ignores Charlie Crist slur
Ray Junior St. Augustine-based conservative talk show host Ray Junior made a name for himself throughout the world of Florida politics last week when he savaged Senate President Mike Haridopolos, kicking him off his afternoon talk show after the GOP U.S. Senate candidate could not give a straight answer about whether he supported the Paul…
Count of the Sunshine State
Guy de la Valdene, a French count and Florida writer, shares his memoirs.
Bill’s Sports Binge: Bye, Tom
I've always said, show me somebody born and raised in Tampa and I'll show you a tree. There are, of course, a few notable and honorable exceptions. By now, anyone who's ever known or cared about anything involving local sports knows about the passing of former Tribune sports editor Tom McEwen. People from local politicians…
“Waiting for Relief” benefit event for disaster victims: Wed., June 8
Eat, drink and shop for a cause in Dunedin!
Cleaning up the dirtiest coal-fired power plants
Thinkstock The Environmental Defense Fund reports that the top 25 emitters of mercury, a potent neurotoxin and a nasty by-product of coal-fired electricity generation, contribute only eight percent of the U.S. electric supply but account for nearly a third of all mercury emissions by the U.S. electricity sector overall. Courtesy of: EarthTalk®E — The Environmental…
John Sugg on the legendary Tom McEwen
The former CL/Planet editor on the late Trib sportswriter — and dealmaker.
HART board approves budget that will raise taxes and reduce some services
Sandy Murman said she didn't want to balance HART's budget on Hillsborough homeowners When Hillsborough county voters rejected the penny transit tax last year, officials with HART knew it would have a major impact on their budget going forward. That impact was felt directly today after the HART board approved the 2012 budget that included…
Refreshing cocktails to help beat the heat
TheCulinaryGeek via Flickr Even though it may not officially be summer, the heat is definitely making it feel like we're in the middle of it already. Besides grilling, what's the other thing synonymous with the season? Ice cold, refreshing drinks — namely, those with alcohol (as it helps us forget how hot it really is).…
MusicMonday: What we’re listening to
What the CL team is spinning this week, from Vetiver to Danzig.
Rick Santorum latest GOP hopeful in it to win it
For Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum became the latest official entrant into the 2012 Presidential sweepstakes, announcing his candidacy for the GOP nomination first on ABC's Good Morning America.
“Beefed down” burgers for summer grilling
Healthier, beef-free alternatives
Digby County wind farm: A $9.2 million clean energy investment
Ottawa has announced that they will be funding a $9.2 million dollar wind farm in Digby County. The government has chosen to invest in alternative sources of energy, and of the many different options, the Nova Scotia wind farm is a way for the country to test new energy sources and contribute to the productivity…
Stand-up comedian Jason Canning at the Hard Rock Cafe on June 12
Jason Canning isn’t funny because of his uncanny likeness to Jim Carrey, nor because of his quirky foreign accent, rather because he always tells the truth. The truth that we all know but don’t want to mention. And he asks the hard questions like, “Why does everyone look so happy on those genital herpes commercials?”…
Celebration for Fox-13 reporter Warren Elly brings out big names
Howard Troxler isn't the only Tampa Bay area media institution calling it quits after 29 years in the local business. Fox-13 television reporter Warren Elly is also stepping away from his gig in local journalism, and on Saturday night at Tampa's Four Green Fields, over a hundred of his friends, colleagues and sometimes competitors paid…
GOP would be smart to heed Haley Barbour’s pragmatism as presidential race begins
On several occasions in this space we've written about how the Republican Party's patron saint, Ronald Reagan, might have a difficult time succeeding in the party that puts him on a pedestal in our current times. Reagan cut and raised taxes in the 1980's as president. You don't hear too much about the latter, because…
South Philly’s big cheese: Dom Irrera “steaks” his claim in Tampa Bay
The comedian discusses Florida, nuns and Daniel Tosh.
AntiWarpt announces the lineup for its second annual event
The music fest expands with national talent, added venues and a launch party.
CL on the Road Review: 2011 Hangout Fest, with photos
A wrap-up of the Gulf Shores music fest
TBARTA members says funding cut will not affect its mission
Chair Ronnie Duncan The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority opened its public hearing on the organization’s master plan on June 3, and will take public comments on it until the June 24 meeting, when it will vote on adopting the latest version of the plan. When Gov. Rick Scott vetoed budget items on May…
Chinese government to start proactive measures for cleaner air, soil and water
The current age is the most dangerous in terms of environmental threats to air, water, and soil according to the Chinese government. China has, in the past, taken a more hands off approach to environmental controls and limitations, but with they have since declared that the environment is suffering a great deal from the impact…
More than a mind-reader: Eran Raven’s “Almost Strangers”
Mental master Eran Raven will blow your mind and then bend it. Three area nonprofits, including Feeding America Tampa Bay, Creative Clay, and Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project will receive the proceeds from by the world-renowned mentalist June 2-4 at freeFALL Theatre. His "Almost Strangers" shows begin at 8 p.m. each night and tickets for the…
Review: Steve Aoki at The Venue
Calling Steve Aoki a multi-tasker would be the understatement of the year. Not only is he a globally-known electro-house musician, but he's also a record producer and owner of Dim Mak Records, a label he started in 1996. Aoki stopped by The Venue in Clearwater last week to perform another mix-masterpiece. This was my first…
Friends of L. Ron Hubbard organize “Clean Ybor!” event on World Environment Day
This Sunday marks World Environment Day — a day to where the United Nations, "stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action." It also marks the anniversary of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment that began on June 5, 1972. In honor of World Environment Day, the Friends of…
Magic Hat gets seasonal with its summer sampler
Summer sippin’
Photos: Pop-punk rocker Avril Lavigne plays a post-Rays show at The Trop
While no North American dates are currently on her calendar, Canadian pop-punk rocker Avril Lavigne slipped into the U.S. over the Memorial Day weekend for a show in St. Petersburg. Lavigne threw out the first pitch at Saturday's Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Indian's game, then hung around to play a post-game concert. More pics…
What the Mississippi River flooding means for those organic farms
Lance Cheing, U.S. Department of Agriculture/flickr.com An aerial view of farms flooded alongside the Mississippi River. Courtesy of: EarthTalk®E — The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What will be the effect of all the flooding along the Mississippi River for organic farmers, given all the pollutants in the water? When they recover, can they still certify…
Elton John calls on Rick Scott to preserve HIV-AIDS funding- Scott says funding not in danger
It was 30 years ago this week that the federal government first reported on a new disease that was affecting young "active homosexuals." It will be 20 years this fall when the world was shocked as Magic Johnson announced that he had contracted HIV. And it was 15 years ago when the first protease inhibitors,…
Gulfport eats (and drinks)
Dining Guide
Are Mitt Romney’s chances a test of the Tea Party’s power in GOP politics?
Sticking with an economic-based theme, the man considered by Conventional Wisdom as the establishment choice for the GOP nomination for president, Mitt Romney, officially declared his candidacy Thursday in New Hampshire. Commentators noted that unlike his announcement in 2007, the former Massachusetts Governor refrained from talking about social issues, which based on his reputation as…
Real life Gossip Girl gets Lively nude pics (NSFW)
Blake Lively Nude Pics Gossip Girl fans are getting a sneak peek at what Serena van der Woodsen would really do if she wasn't on network television – take nude pictures of herself with her iPhone. Although she has repeatedly denied their authenticity, nude photos allegedly of Lively have been circulating around the Internet. Her…
Florida’s unions to host organizing event Saturday in Orlando
Believe it or not, there are some liberal activist organizers who say they want to thank Rick Scott. That's because they say that the controversial new GOP Governor has been the greatest catalyst in bringing together the disparate elements of the progressive community as one – in opposition to his policies, and those of the…
Forging Dante’s Inferno
A spicy new creation at Wood Fired Pizza
Tampa City Council plans a summertime ban on fertilizer
On Thursday, Tampa City Council members approved on first hearing an ordinance that could impact Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough River, Tampa's drinking water and most importantly, Tampa’s residents. The second hearing, scheduled for June 23, will propose a law that will ban the summertime sale and use of any fertilizers that are treated with phosphorous…
Going a deeper shade of “green” is ridiculously simple
There are many minimal effort, low- or no cost ways to be kinder to the environment
Kardashians get extraterrestrial
The Kardashians are famous for having a variety of talents, creating bestselling sex tapes, top-rated reality TV shows and saying and doing outrageous things — thankfully for us — often in the presence of a camera. Well Kardashian lovers add lip-synching to the klan's long list of fabulous talents! The least famous members of the…
West Palm Beach Democrat demands answers from Rick Scott regarding controversial budget signing event
West Palm Beach House Democrat Mark Pafford says he's heard enough from his constituents about some of the questionable actions by Florida law enforcement officials who removed Democrats from Governor Rick Scott's signing ceremony with the state budget last week in the Villages. So he's written a letter directly to the Governor (and c.c.'d the…
Renee Lee terminated by Hillsborough County Commissioners
As anticipated, the Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners voted Thursday morning to terminate County Attorney Renee Lee after nearly seven years of service, after press reports surfaced over the past several weeks of a secret meeting she had with former County Commissioner Kevin White, who the county is currently involved in litigation with. As part…
MyQmunity launches social buying site
Looking for fabulous shopping deals at local LGBT-friendly businesses? Yesterday, MyQmunity, an LGBT resource for the Tampa Bay area, launched MyQpons, a social buying site, similar to Groupon or Living Social (or Creative Loafing's own CLDeals) but specifically geared toward the gay community. And it's not too late to sign up and take advantage of…
Migas aren’t just for the morning
Try this simple, tasty Tex-Mex favorite at any hour of the day.
Photo review: Seven Mary Three at Hard Rock Cafe, Tampa
Some shots from last week's Seven Mary Three show at Hard Rock Cafe at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. Check out more photos after the jump.
The minds behind A Billion Wicked Thoughts
They studied the Internet to find out what’s turning us on.
St. Pete’s Westy Grille and Pub: Fine fare or pub grub?
Neither. And both.
Charlotte County Congressman introduces resolution declaring President Obama in violation of War Powers Act
In case you forgot, the U.S. has been engaged in shooting war with another Middle Eastern country over the past couple of months – you know, that NATO led affair in Libya? But unlike any other previous military action that lasted more than a few months, this President has not gone before Congress to get…
The last space shuttle (photos)
Space shuttle Atlantis sits on the launch pad as it is prepped to fly the last shuttle mission. Atlantis STS-135 will end the shuttle program when it lands in July 2011. Early in the morning of June 1, less than two miles apart, shuttle Endeavour was landing at the same time shuttle Atlantis was making…
Beginners starts in theaters
Plus: X-Men: First Class and the best of what’s still playing at the multiple.
The monogamy straightjacket
The Governator’s tabloid troubles could have been averted.
Howard’s end
Tampa Bay’s best columnist is heading for the hills of NC. Why, Howard Troxler, why?
Magadog CD Release Party
For nearly 20 years, Tampa music scene staple Magadog has led Florida's Third Wave ska revival with their bright, brassy, intoxicating sound. The eight-piece — fronted by boisterous singer/percussionist Ed Lowery — has finally completed their fifth and latest studio LP, Ybor City. The buoyant horn-saturated album ranges from the slinky-jaunty Latin-tinged groove of the…
A half-year in review
A selection of record reviews culled from CL’s weekly MusicMonday posts.
Bling is the thing
Hip-hop meets the art museum at Sarasota’s Ringling
The eye of the needle
If our country wants to talk the talk of Christianity, it needs to walk the walk.
And the winner always was …
Along with such Tampa Bay institutions as Bern's Steak House, Tampa Theatre and Fort DeSoto Park, Howard Troxler has been a perennial winner in the Weekly Planet/Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Readers' Poll. As of 2010, he had been voted Best Local Columnist 10 times, as well as being given such distinctions by CL…
This week: Primus, Matt & Kim, and more!
The best in live music, June 2-6, 2011 THURS 02 Combichrist w/iVardensphere/Star Killer/Deadstar Assembly Fresh off playing a string of dates supporting German industrial metal heavyweights Rammstein, Atlanta-based aggrotech outfit Combichrist hits town as part of their 2011 next headlining tour following the release of 2010's Making Monsters. The band's fifth studio album is marked…
Hot Trox
A Troxler sampler
Despite deficit, Florida voters draw line at cutting Social Security
Most Florida voters vehemently oppose cutting Social Security benefits to reduce the federal deficit. A poll released Wednesday showed that three-quarters of likely voters — including Democrats, Republicans, Independents and even Tea Partiers — object to reducing spending at the expense of Social Security. The issue may potentially play a major role in the 2012…
X-Men: First Class doesn’t live up to its title
The acting almost saves this 1960s-set prequel.
Alternative Summer Movie Preview — Part 2
[Editor's Note: If you missed part one of Anthony's epic Alternative Summer Movie Preview, you can find it here. And now, here's part two …]Beginners Christopher Plummer (left) and Ewan McGregor in Beginners. Official Synopsis: From writer/director Mike Mills comes a comedy/drama about how deeply funny and transformative life can be, even at its most…
TV review: Franklin & Bash
When you combine the charming, pull out all the stops attitude of Peter Bash with the witty, fight for the little guy mentality of Jared Franklin, you get Franklin & Bash, TNT’s newest team of legal eagles. Lawyer dramas like Law and Order have long provided us with a serious take on the legal system…
