Review: Magadog, Ybor City
Tampa's Magadog is back with a new CD that honors the fine tradition of classic Ska music while managing to make it sound fresh, innovative and fun. Ybor City the band's brand new self-released disc is brimming with bouncy rhythms, bold, brassy horns and lead singer Ed Lowery's infectious unique vocal delivery. While lovingly paying…
Tips to improve your grilling skills
Summer grilling ‘101’.
Can a ten year old incident at the Vinoy in St. Pete save Roger Clemens?
Jury selection in the trial for baseball great Roger Clemens began Wednesday. The legendary Texan, owner of 7 Cy Young Awards, is being prosecuted for allegedly lying to Congress about his use of performance enhancing drugs (i.e. steroids) back in 2008. It's the U.S. Government's latest case of going after a celebrated athlete for 'roids.…
Today Show watches CL watch the Casey Anthony verdict (video)
We were just as shocked as you were.
UK airline to launch aircraft powered by cooking oil
From fryer to flier
LWV honors Charlie Crist this Friday night
Perhaps as a reflection of the lack of stars in their own party, Florida Democrats recently have talked up Charlie Crist, now in political exile, as possibly joining their gang for the first time officially in 2012, perhaps as Congressional candidate or in 2014, as their standard bearer going up against Rick Scott (who announced…
Will Weatherford latest Republican to attack critics of redistricting process
Florida GOP lawmakers who have been hosting public hearings on redistricting have been getting an earful since those hearings began two weeks ago. Chief among them have been the League of Women Voters, who have wondered why there aren't any maps to review during the series of meetings (which will take place in Tampa and…
This week in food and drink
More wine tastings than you can shake a stick at!
Honeymoon Island campground proposal angers residents
The state shouldn’t privatize public parks, many residents say.
Clarity, Big Bottom, iPhone-Ready: Coloud’s C22M Series Headphones
Coloud C22M (Flag Series)also available – Jamaican and Brazilian models These star-spangled doo-hickies arrived on our way out the door last week, just in time for the long July 4th weekend. It turns out the timing couldn’t have been better, as we had (and made) plenty of time to test these in a number of…
Casey Anthony: The Dexter/Law & Order crossover
Starring… Kristen Wiig!
DIY Green: Build a dining table from reclaimed wood
Build a one-of-a-kind, functional work of art for your dining room.
Pop-tails: Icy new cocktail trend
Have your drink and eat it, too!
Ybor City gets a bike patrol officer thanks to GaYbor businesses and Hampton Inn chipping in
Carrie West, Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Tampa Police Officer Sean Mahabir Community policing has become a major force with local law enforcement over the years, and one way that it's done effectively is by having officers patrolling on bikes. But the Tampa Police Department haven't had the funds in their budget to purchase new bikes,…
New Music Tuesday! (July 5)
New this week from Lloyd, Old 97’s, Brian Eno, Gardens & Villa + more
Top “beer geeks” and brands to follow
Spreading the gospel of craft beer and kicking social media ass.
DLC type group names Bob Buckhorn as top pro-growth progressive leader
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, approaching his first 100 days in office, received a nice boost today when a national group calling themselves NewDEAL, a newly launched national network that is committed to "highlighting innovative ideas from state and local elected leaders who are pro-growth progressives," selected him as one of their "rising leaders." Although the…
The brave new world of “green chemistry”
Reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances.
Story that Obama will dump Biden for Cuomo a case of NY media gone astray
Whether Barack Obama wins re-election next year or not, it's doubtful that any consideration whatsoever will be placed upon the fact that Joe Biden is his running mate. But that's the theory that some Democratic analysts have been peddling for awhile, and it acquired new legs over the weekend after Fred Dicker in the New…
Craig Latimer is running for Hillsborough Supervisor of Election- not a surprise to some
On Friday, Craig Latimer, chief of staff for Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections head Earl Lennard, filed paperwork declaring that he is a candidate for the position in 2012. Lennard himself has not indicated if he will run again after being selected by former Governor Charlie Crist to finish the term of the late Phyllis…
Huntsman to invade Tampa Bay area this Saturday
If the GOP nominee for president could be voted on just by member of the press, former Utah Governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntman would be sitting pretty right now. But the early media darling has a long road to hoe for the nomination, because A) he's not that well known, B) is…
Big American pride at a small-town parade
Lutz, Florida is a small town, but they show their pride in American Independence in a big way. This 4th of July celebration held at the historic Lutz rail station had it all – booths of local vendors showcasing local crafts, great food, and games for kids big and small. There were also booths for…
Tampa Bay T-Party group: “We will not give Governor Scott a pass” on his approving SunRail
As CL noted in our story announcing that Rick Scott would allow the controversial SunRail project to continue, the outrage from tea party members was rather deafening in its silence. Not universally, as Karen Jaroch of the Tampa 912 project was quoted in Saturday's Tampa Tribune: "We will not give a pass to the governor…
Protestors voice disapproval of Scott in St. Pete
Keeley Sheehan Protestors called for Gov. Rick Scott's pink slip in St. Petersburg on July 1. Chants of “pink slip Rick” and, “Where are the jobs?” greeted Gov. Rick Scott at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg where he spoke at the 2011 Florida Society of Newspapers and Florida Press Association Annual Convention. Florida…
Avoiding spray sunscreens
Little known about sunscreen chemicals effects on the body, even less known about effects when inhaled.
Dessert and booze: One awesome combination
Cocktails to sate your sweet tooth
Buckhorn declares July 4 “Independence from Oil Day” in Tampa
As Tampa and the rest of the nation celebrate by doing what Americans traditionally do on the 4th of July, or any holiday for that matter – eat heart attack inducing meat products washed down by copious amounts of alcohol, Mayor Bob Buckhorn is signaling out America's independence by declaring it "Independence from Oil Day"…
Gov. Scott braves press convention for 18 minutes
Lydia Harvey Pulitzer Prize winners and attendees at the FSNE/FPA convention listen to Gov. Rick Scott's stance on Florida's public records law. Gov. Rick Scott addressed the Florida Society of News Editors and Florida Press Association convention for four minutes this afternoon, spending an additional 14 minutes answering questions from highly regarded reporters, editors, publishers…
Mommy’s Nipple Piercing: the kinky parent adventures continue (NSFW)
I've been thinking about getting my nipples pierced for quite some time. Now that I'm in my forties I'm ready to finally go through with it. In the process of researching the piercing, looking at pictures of nipple jewelry, and talking it over with friends, naturally the subject of mommy's nipple piercing came up with…
Chase away the blues with Spanish cheese
Fantastic flavors from the islands and mountains of Spain.
Scott approves SunRail
In a decision that would be criticized regardless of how he came down on it, Florida Governor Rick Scott has come out in support of the controversial SunRail commuter rail project. The much anticipated announcement was made this morning by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad. Sunrail is the $1.2 billion, 61-mile Central Florida…
Amtrak receives funding from DOT for 70 electric trains (video)
Creating cleaner transportation and new jobs in the U.S.
TDP launches new summer savings card
Attention all you extreme coupon-ers and Groupon groupies. Here's another round of discounts that will ease your financial stress and boost local commerce. The Tampa Downtown Partnership's Summertime Savings Card program launched today, offering a detachable discount card that's included with a promotional brochure. TDP says that customers will be able to identify participating venues…
Cheap Eats: Tasty bargains in Tampa Bay
CL’s occasional guide to restaurants with money-saving menus.
Falling Skies: “Grace” Preview
After pretty much everything went wrong last week — Mike ruining the mission to get Ben for the sake of his own son; Karen getting kidnapped and probably harnessed; Hal being traumatized — this week’s Falling Skies episode, “Grace,” explores some of the aftermath. Tom tries to coax Hal through his guilt over Karen, making…
Google+You
androidguys Your new BFF Google wants to be your friend. The guys who brought you such services as Google Maps, Google Search, and the priceless Gmail thinks you should ditch your old friend like you did Yahoo, and Microsoft, and to somewhat of a lesser degree, Apple. Your newest ex is Mark Zuckerberg, and his…
GOP Senate candidates speak to Florida newspaper editors
Now entering the red corner, a retired army colonel joined Florida's three Republican U.S. Senate candidates as the frenemies addressed a ballroom full of newspaper editors Thursday. Hesitant to stray far from party lines, retired Army Col. Mike McCalister, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, former state Rep. Adam Hasner and former U.S. Senator George Lemieux patted…
Awake Pinellas protests against Scott and his “puppet” Haridopolos
Different activist groups gather to protest Gov. Scott and Sen. Haridopolos While Republican contenders for the U.S. Senate —Mike Haridopolos, Adam Hasner and George LeMieux— were speaking to the Florida Press Association inside the Vinoy Renaissance hotel, Awake Pinellas, an active branch of the Awake the State movement, held a rally outside. Whether to promote…
The Green Report Card: Does your college make the grade?
Grading U.S. colleges on environmental sustainability.
Class up your pasta salad
Sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella make the difference.
Sustainable beers from Blue Point Brewing
A Long Island brewery that’s committed to going green.
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Outdoor activities, farmers’ markets and more.
Haridopolos: the anti-war candidate in Florida GOP Senate race?
A Public Policy Polling survey released Wednesday shows that Florida Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Bill Nelson still maintains a sizable lead over the three main candidates for the GOP nomination in 2012 – Adam Hasner, George LeMieux and Mike Haridopolos. The poll comes out on the day before those candidates will be appearing in St.…
Mark Halperin said WHAT this morning?
To his critics, Time magazine and MSNBC contributor Mark Halperin is the embodiment of the establishment, mainstream media. The work that made him most famous, his former blog called "The Note" on the ABC News website, was designed for, as he called it, "The Gang of 500," the top political folks in Washington D.C., New…
Florence + The Machine, Deleted Scenes & more of this week’s best bets in live music
THURS 30 Soft Opening/Month Mind/Alien House Asheville, N.C.'s Soft Opening purveys shambling, drawn-out doom and psyche-drone rock, filling up the spaces with haunting vocals, crashing and buzzing and wildly warped and sustained guitar notes, slow-pounding drum beats, and a sinister layer of heavy organ. Soft Opening just released their first official recording, a self-titled six-song…
Poet’s Notebook: Level the scales of power
Like Athens in 6th century B.C., America needs reformers.
St. Petersburg’s neglected past
Will the city find a way to commemorate its civil rights history?
Thinking big with a little cash
Hampton Arts Management comes through with microfunding for the arts.
Bob Graham talks fact, fiction and Florida
An interview with the former U.S. Senator and FL governor turned novelist.
Dollars to doughnuts at The Palm Tampa
Wait till you taste what’s in the bag.
My partner was hiding a secret kink
Now he tells me he wants to be spanked?
Profile: The multi-talented Roxanne Fay
She’s making her mark as actor, director and playwright.
Concert review: Afrojack makes the dancing happen at Amphitheater, Ybor City
Holy crap. What a party. Even after a shower, I still feel sweaty. My feet are still tapping to the beat. My heart is still pumping from all the excitement and bass thumping. Last night in Ybor City's fully packed Amphitheater, R3hab opened up for Afrojack and they cranked out an all night dance party.…
Skooling us with big laughs: Dear Aunt Gertrude’s latest improv show
For a third summer in a row, the Dear Aunt Gertrude Improv group has offered family-friendly improvisational fun at The Box, a studio theater located in the heart of Ybor City. This year's theme is "Summer Skool", and the team has created an atmosphere unlike any summer school program you could have wished to flunk…
Tasty summer watermelon recipes, plus how to choose and store them
Drinks, desserts and everything in between!
Obama scoffs at charge that he’s not a leader, asks Congress why they’re never in D.C.
A month or two ago CL asked local Congresswoman Kathy Castor about the fact that it appeared she had been back home in Tampa more this year than any other since she began serving in Congress in 2007. She said that it was part of the plan of the GOP House leadership led by Speaker…
Top 20 most carbon-efficient airlines: Who’s number 1?
Many of us are trying to cut our carbon footprint by walking and biking more, using public transportation more often, purchasing locally produced food, etc. But have you ever considered "greening" your airline travel? The research group Brighter Planet recently completed a 10-year study on the carbon usage and efficiency of popular airlines, studying 4.5…
Live and Local Spotlight: The Funky Seeds
The Funky Seeds infuse their infectious music with swaying reggae grooves, hip-shaking funk, organ-driven blues rock, and sax-drenched Latin jazz, their sound marked by the gruff and gritty vocal stylings of Steve Scarcliff and the expert keywork of Funky D. The sextet has been in and out of the studio recording their second studio album,…
Early Adam Sandler flicks Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore now out on Blu-Ray
They're as funny as they were back in the '90s, and now you can view them on Blu-Ray. Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore are two Adam Sandler classics, and mark the beginning of the comedian's rise to cinematic fame and fortune. I don’t remember when I first saw Billy Madison, but I do recall watching…
The Psychedelic Furs endure
The seminal New Wavers bring their Talk Talk Talk tour to Clearwater.
July 4 weekend flicks: Sparklers or duds?
Transformers long and loud; Hanks and Roberts sparkle
What’s the beef with angus?
Photo credit: Harold Seltzer. Filet Mignon Oscar. With Memorial Day behind us and many more celebratory holidays to come, many of us are preparing for the most wonderful time of the year (and I'm not talking about Christmas.) It's barbecue season! Steak and burgers, some of our faves, have been the catalysts to a recently…
