Green Community Calendar weekend events
Kids Pioneer Night, cooking class, farming and canning workshops and farmers markets!
Caveman serves dreamy indie psyche rock at New World, blues songstress Beth McKee swamps it up at Skipper’s + more concerts this week.
Tampa Bay’s live music offerings, March 8-14
Castor can’t believe Rick Scott rejected $438 million in federal health care money
Kathy Castor Everyone knows that Rick Scott rejected over $2 billion in federal funds for high-speed rail last year — and that other states have been happy to take the rejected money for their own rail projects. But did you know that Scott apparently is the only governor in the nation who has rejected over…
Promises kept? Rick Scott boasts about putting the billion dollars back into education that he cut a year earlier
Months after he was elected in November of 2010, Rick Scott called for a 10 percent cut to education, a flagrant flip-flop from his campaign promise to keep state education funding whole. The GOP Legislature later passed a school spending cut of nearly 8 percent, or $542 per student. Less than a year later, the…
What is KONY 2012?
If you don’t know now, you will. Watch the video.
Countdown to Tropical Heatwave 2012: The Growlers
CL spotlights our top 10 favorite Heatwave acts in the 10 weeks leading up to the WMNF fest (w/audio & video).
A look inside Ybor’s Buildings Alive! tour
The tour was titled "Buildings Alive! An Architectural Hop Through Ybor City," and boy, were those buildings — alive! The owners of some of Ybor's most iconic historic buildings opened their doors last Thursday to show off the exquisite details that helped make the social clubs shine and cigar factories function. The Hoppers could travel by…
Live and Local Spotlight: SXSW 2012 Fundraiser Show
Looming on the near horizon is SXSW, and several Bay area bands are hitting the long road to Austin to perform in the renowned citywide music festival. New Granada Records has hosted unofficial day parties at the fest for the past several years and stages its third official label showcase next week. But before the…
Dennis Kucinich: End of a progessive icon’s era?
The Tampa Tribune's William March, this reporter, and Dennis Kucinich at Mise en Place in 2007 Cleveland area Congressman and former Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich lost badly in his primary election Tuesday night to fellow liberal Marcy Kaptur. Because of redistricting, Kucinich ran in a district that was stretched more than 100 miles from…
This week in food and drink
Tampa Bay Beer Week festivities, Strawberry Festival, Renaissance Festival and culinary classes!
Romney looks stronger to be the man in Tampa — but weaker in November
In the biggest political night of the season, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum both won multiple contests on Super Tuesday, but Romney was the big winner, edging out Santorum in the crucial battleground state of Ohio, as well as being declared the winner in Alaska early Wednesday morning. In all, Romney took six states, Santorum…
Mitch Perry Report 3.7.12 – Biden visits St. Pete
It's over. No, not the GOP race for president. That's going on for a long, long time. Despite the constant comparisons to the Democratic 2008 race, it's questionable whether this grind it out season is actually making Mitt Romney a stronger candidate to run against Barack Obama in the fall. That may happen, but it…
Jeff Ross entertains at Straz, albeit with Glee-ful discomfort
Comedian and Roastmaster General Jeff Ross performed in front of a not-so- packed house last Thursday night at Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall. Opening the show, Los Angeles comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who warmed up the crowd nicely and put a couple hecklers in their place. Nothing too political or over the top, just some good ol’…
Do This: Psychedelic pooches tonight at Crowbar!
The twisted VHS-splicing Everything is Terrible returns to Crowbar to screen its opus with the mostest, DoggieWoggiez! Poochie Woochiez! — a reworking of Alejandro Jodorowsky's ’73 trippy cult classic, The Holy Mountain — but — using only dog-related found footage. Adding appropriately to the insanity, EIT members entertain and host the Aestheticized Presents event in…
StartupBus launches from Tampa to compete at SXSW
Arielle Stevenson Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn with the Florida StartupBus crew before their departure Tuesday. A motley crew of 20 hackers, hustlers and hipsters boarded a bus this morning from Tampa, headed for SXSW Interactive in Austin, Texas, where they'll have 72 hours to think up, plan out and launch a business startup. It's all…
It’s not just Muslim groups who oppose anti-Sharia bill
David Yerushalmi The Florida Senate could vote on Wednesday on a bill that bans the use of Sharia in the Sunshine State. Sharia is a code of law based on the Koran and the teachings of Mohammed. Similar laws have been introduced in 20 states nationwide, although in Minnesota on Monday, a proposal to enact…
Bill’s Sports Binge: N.O. “Saints,” March Madness and oh those Boltz
New Orleans and the term "Saints" have always been an incomprehensibly humongous example of in-your-face uber-irony. Imagine, such a holy and virtuous symbol used to represent a city known for epidemics, voodoo, natural disasters, death, debauchery, strippers with more than one pole between their legs, a collective mentality that thinks waiting out a Cat-5 hurricane…
Tallahassee judge strikes down mandatory pension contributions
Rick Scott originally wanted state workers to contribute 5 percent of their salaries to their pensions. A Leon County Circuit Court Judge has ruled unconstitutional the Florida Legislature's vote last year that public employees make a mandatory pension "contribution" of 3 percent. The Florida Education Association and other state and local government unions sued last…
The Amazon Trail: The gift of being out
I always fear bad consequences when I come out to other people. How will they react? Will there be more pain than gain for them, for me? Coming out may be easier for some in 2012 than it was 50 years, 20 years, even a dozen years ago, but for most it’s still tough. I’m…
New Music Tuesday! (March 6): Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Andrew Bird, Kaiser Chiefs + more
New releases out this week, with lots of audio & video.
Florida Brewers Guild Brewfest Rocked Centro Ybor
What a kickoff to the first annual Tampa Bay Beer Week, as Centro Ybor transformed itself into a three-block veritable beer garden this past Saturday! Craft beer lovers sniffed, swirled, tasted and pondered an array of brews from both local brewers as close as Tampa Bay Brewing Company (on the premises) to out-of-state establishments like…
Mitch Perry Report 3.6.12- Super Tuesday edition
Well, it's the biggest day of the GOP political calendar this year, right? If big is the number of states and delegates, then yes it is. But big is not always better, and as we report in our preview of tonight's nationwide primary, this show is getting worse with age, not better. I have to…
Latin soup and rice is nice
Living in Florida means that Latin cuisine is never too far from our minds or our mouths. For example, how often do you see Cuban sandwiches on deli menus and deli platters throughout Tampa Bay? If you are craving some Latin flavor but cooking a Latin feast is out of the question (lack of time,…
Emily Nipps latest Times reporter to bolt for PR gig
Times reporter Emily Nipps They're dropping like flies over at the Tampa Bay Times — reporters, that is. On Monday, Emily Nipps, a 10-year-plus veteran at the paper, became the latest staffer to announce she is leaving the industry to go into public relations — in her case, working for Bayfront Medical Center in St.…
Are you ready for Stupor Tuesday?
Tuesday is the Super Bowl of the Republican race for president. Or so we're told. Ten states. 419 delegates. And four candidates who still haven't shown individually that they're ready for prime time. Or, as Saturday Night Live performer Jason Sudeikis said, playing Mitt Romney in the opening skit of last weekend's program, "Michigan was…
Beckner denounces bill that would repeal wage theft laws
Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, in concert with officials from the AFL-CIO and other activist groups, held a news conference Monday night to denounce a bill working its way through the Florida Senate that would repeal local wage theft laws — laws that help low-income workers collect overdue wages without having to go to court.…
Mocktails for expecting moms
Learn how to create non-alcoholic cocktails, especially suited to expecting moms.
HART members slam Latvala/Brandes bill on transit merger
Last Friday St. Petersburg House Republican Jeff Brandes offered a substitute amendment to a bill (HB 1399) that would back a study analyzing the pros and cons of merging the transit agencies of Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties. A day earlier, his bill would have required that the agencies merge. But the change hardly mollified members…
Lemon Cupcakes with Orange Liqueur Icing
Nicholas Trobiano My good friend Kathleen just moved into a new place across town, and she invited me over this past weekend to see it. I knew she would be running in the Gasparilla 5K, so I thought I would congratulate her on her run and her new home with a batch of deliciously light…
#MusicMonday, Vol. 61: Parliament, Jane Jane Pollock, Vacationer + more
What the CL Music Team is listening to this week.
Raspberry Mascarpone Turnovers
Nicholas Trobiano I first discovered this recipe after watching an episode of “Everyday Italian” with Giada De Laurentiis. The original recipe calls for blueberries, and wow, is that version delicious. So when my friend Emily asked if I could make the same turnovers with raspberries, I decided to give it a go. I also wanted…
Mitch Perry Report 3.5.12 – El Rushbo bows down to corporate pressure
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the first full week of March Madness. Hope y'all had a great weekend. Yours truly did, in part because we saw A Separation this weekend at BayWalk in St. Pete. The Iranian film not only won the Oscar last week as Best Foreign Film, but made many U.S. film…
Tribune takes on Times editorial on…postmarks?
On Sunday Tim Nickens, the editor of editorials for the Tampa Bay Times, wrote a blistering take-down of St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster. The piece started out by mocking St.Pete's leaders, none bigger than the mayor, for celebrating the saving of the St. Petersburg postmark. But Nickens wrote that the whole battle showed that officials…
Help out and browse at the FICS First Annual Clothing Swap
Have baby clothes your toddler has outgrown? Shirts, pants, skirts and dresses that no longer fit your school-age boys or girls? Bring them to the FICS Multicultural Family Center and exchange them for a different size. The center's first annual children's clothing swap on March 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, will offer for trade…
Blown away (literally) at Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
Foul weather trashed the hard work of several artists early Sunday morning before sunrise at the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. Sculptures, tents and art were all blown around Curtis Hixon Park during the overnight storm. It was the same cold front that caused severe damage and death in several states on Friday and Saturday.
Occupy Tampa activists protest hype of war on Iran
anti-war activists met at the corner of Dale Mabry & Gandy in Tampa With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington D.C. this week, talk of possible military action by his nation against Iran for its growing nuclear ambitions has reached a fever pitch. In addressing AIPAC, the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, President Obama…
Tee off for Wounded Warriors Project
Golfers take to the green for injured and disabled veterans in Brooksville on March 19. This event at the Southern Hills Golf & Country Club benefits the Wounded Warriors Project, hosted by the Dan S. Campbell Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. See the flier below for information for details on how to support…
Another Nude Nite Photo Review: The Models
Our hats (and clothes) off to the models of Nude Nite! They remained friendly and extremely professional despite the stifling heat inside the Ybor warehouse venue. They graciously allowed themselves to be photographed, hammed it up with the guests and were, as you can see, exquisitely painted and attired. Kevin Tighe
Rush Limbaugh apologizes on Saturday night – but will he on Monday morning?
(UPDATE: Limbaugh did apologize again on his show Monday, saying, " I've always tried to maintain a very high degree of integrity and independence on this program," Limbaugh said. "Nevertheless those two words were inappropriate, they were uncalled for. They distracted from the point I was trying to make and I again sincerely apologize to…
Today: Kids get in free to the Strawberry Festival
Racing pigs is just one form of free entertainment at the 77th Florida Strawberry Festival If you want to go to the Florida Strawberry Festival with a child or young adult, today is the day to do it: As part of Kids' Day, all children through high school age get in free.
Review: A splendidly sung, surprising Samson et Dalila from St. Petersburg Opera
Holly Sorensen plays Dalila. On first glance as you enter the Palladium, the set for St. Petersburg Opera’s Samson et Dalila doesn’t look like much: big fake boulders, white fabric hanging from the rafters, little piles of what look like abandoned rags scattered across the stage. But once the action starts, the transformation is a…
Bare naked ladies (and gents): Photos from Nude Nite 2012
Miss Polly Wood performs on the Burlesque stage at Nude Nite in Ybor City Nude Nite 2012 is in full swing just east of Ybor City this weekend. The annual show, now in its fourth year in Tampa, is a three-day art celebration of everything nude. Paintings, sculpture, photography, live burlesque, and live nude art…
Nina Hayden likes her chances in Pinellas’ Congressional Democratic primary
Nina Hayden Nina Hayden surprised a lot of folks when she decided to challenge GOP heavyweight Jack Latvala for the state Senate in 2010, instead of running for re-election for the school board in Pinellas County. She ultimately lost to Latvala 64 to 36 percent. There were similar expressions of surprise this week when Hayden…
A great American trailer park epic
It’s a hard road for the first-time novelist. First of all, you're confronted by a general lack of interest in fiction, unless you’re James Patterson or Stephen King. Then there’s another Everest in your way: How do you get attention for your writing, unless you’re a serial killer, disgraced politician or a pregnant reality-show sleaze?…
Project X sets the teen sex comedy aflame
Thomas Mann and company are burning down the house party.
Carol Kurdell attracts a crowd opposing her re-election bid for Hillsborough County School Board
Carol Kurdell On Tuesday, Hillsborough County school board members agreed to hold a session on policies and guidelines regarding guest speakers in schools. Some members of the community have expressed indignation that a member of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) was allowed to speak at Steinbrenner High School last fall. Reacting to the…
Mitch Perry Report 3.2.12 – spring training games begin
The first real live pro baseball spring training games begin on Saturday, with Dunedin and Clearwater being the local sites hosting major league action. With no fewer than seven big league teams training within an hour or so of downtown Tampa (Sarasota might take you a little longer), it's not exactly March Madness, more like…
Get a sweet buzz from a chocolate “bomb” stout float
It’s the bomb.
Tampa City Council can’t stop Trinity Cafe’s move into V.M. Ybor
Two weeks ago, dozens of residents of Tampa's V. M. Ybor neighborhood told Tampa City Council in no uncertain terms that they were against the proposed move into their area of Trinity Cafe, which serves free lunches to the homeless. When the issue came up for a second time this Thursday, Trinity rallied supporters to…
Not-so-sloppy seconds
In a world where dating websites are becoming a common way for couples to meet, many of us still feel more comfortable dating someone within our social circle. Even if we do not know the "prospect" personally, we like it if at least one of our friends can give him a nod of approval. Unfortunately…
Editor’s Note: Congratulations, procrastinators!
You now have two more weeks to enter the CL Visions Photo & Video Contest.
The Lorax is no laughing matter
A serious lack of humor makes this Dr. Seuss adaptation a kids-only affair.
New England company “soups up” soup
I recently had the opportunity to sample soups from my native New England roots. Of course, New England doesn’t have their own cuisine per se, but they do have trademark dishes that come to mind when you think of New England, such as baked beans and clam chowder, or chowdah. (By the way, although Boston…
Tampa Tea Party activist Sharon Calvert to run against Victor Crist for Hillsborough County Commission
Sharon Calvert Tea Party politics is coming back to the ballot box this summer in Hillsborough County. Sharon Calvert, a prime critic of the light-rail proposal that went down to defeat two years ago, has announced that she is running to oppose Victor Crist in the Hillsborough County District 2 Republican race this August. When…
Matt Drudge responds to Breitbart’s passing, reminisces about flashing at the office
In case you missed it, Conservative firebrand Andrew Breitbart died this morning in Los Angeles, Ca. (You can get up to speed by reading Mitch Perry's report here.) Though the medical examiner labeled it "natural causes," the investigation is ongoing. Knowing how the right-wing media that Breitbart pioneered works, I eagerly await the "Obama Death…
Radiohead leaves a lasting impression in Tampa
The UK art rock outfit delivered 23 songs and a stunning display of lights and video
The Bill Foster Interview: Complete transcript
More from CL’s one-on-one with St. Pete’s mayor.
Breaking Dawn Part 1 is a fans only experience
We tortured the intern by making him review the DVD release of the latest Twilight flick. He survived to write this …
Why you should go to Buildings Alive! in Ybor
The lowdown on Buildings Alive — tonight!
Neighborhood Dining Guide: Outdoor Seating
Take advantage of the Bay area’s great winter weather at these restaurants.
Against HART’s wishes, Jeff Brandes files bill to force merger between HART & PSTA
On Wednesday, St. Petersburg House Republican Jeff Brandes filed an amendment that mandates a merger between the transit agencies of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. That's despite the repeated statements by HART officials over the past half-year that they want no part of such a proposal. The discussion to have a merger began last year, pushed…
Get ready for Tampa Bay Beer Week March 3-10, 2012
Tampa Bay is completely hopped out for the inaugural Tampa Bay Beer Week!
The Raw Story: Let’s Get Things to Trend on Twitter
Welcome to this week's edition of The Raw Story. Before we begin, here are a few notes as usual: • The live crowds have been really good as of late. With the exception of a few shows, the excitement in the audience this year has made the product feel more special. • Question: Where are…
After lengthy discussion, Tampa City Council approves $2 million for surveillance cameras for RNC
The Tampa City Council voted today to pass a resolution that granted the Tampa Police Department $2 million to purchase the use of approximately 60 cameras for surveillance around downtown for the Republican National Convention — but also voted to host a workshop in September to determine what would happen with the cameras after the…
Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart dead at 43
Love him or loathe him, Andrew Breitbart made a big impact over the past few years. News broke early Thursday morning that the conservative blogger, a disciple of Matt Drudge, had passed away overnight from "natural causes," at his Hollywood home. He was 43. With so little news about how or why he died, the…
Kinky Negotiations
When first venturing into the bdsm scene you might be intimidated by the emphasis put on negotiation. This is very important when it comes to kinky sex; after all, if you're hoping to get tied up and beaten it's good to feel secure that your partner isn't going to do anything to you that you…
fun. indie rock explosions at State Theatre, a burlesque listening party with The Mojo Gurus at Dave’s + more concerts this week
Tampa Bay’s live music offerings, March 1-7
Mitch Perry Report 3.1.12 – a crowded race for 1 Hillsborough County school board seat
February 2012 and its series of hot, humid days are mercifully history. Welcome to March, 2012, with even more humidity to take you through the last 19 days of winter. I know complaining about the Florida weather can be considered futile – but this native Californian will never cease doing so! (At least during the…
Biden to do fundraiser in St. Pete
Although Florida political reporters like to hype the power of the Sunshine State in presidential elections ad nauseam, that doesn't mean the state isn't still the epicenter for deciding who may be the next leader of the free world. Barack Obama's poll numbers haven't been great in Florida for awhile, but judging by how the…
Raise a mug to the first Tampa Bay Beer Week
It’s all about the beer.
Beer Tasting 101
Tips for getting the most from your brew.
Race to the past
You don’t even have to read between the lines to see what drives much of the anti-Obama sentiment.
I’m with stupid
My husband couldn’t follow our threesome ground rules and now I feel violated.
Beer week: What’s your style?
Beers come in so many more styles than just “light” and “dark.”
Separation anxiety
Frustration builds as the pressure mounts on residents of Tehran in A Separation.
Bill Foster: Getting over the hump
A wide-ranging interview with St. Pete’s mayor as he enters his third year in office.
Belly up to the Tampa Bay Beer Week schedule
Seven days of beer.
Do This: Buildings Alive!, Nude Nite and Cigar City movie
Events range from educational to sexy tonight.
Tampa Museum of Art: Forward and back with Romare Bearden
At the TMA, two artists who translated past struggles into indelible art.
USF’s BRIT Program works the student Body
The Brits bring another satisfying dose of non-traditional dance theater.
Students to protest tuition hikes at USF and across Florida March 1
USF students marching to the administration building last fall Students at USF and every other state university in Florida will be demonstrating on their respective campuses on Thursday, as will university students around the nation, protesting tuition hikes, escalating student debt, and massive cuts to higher education. Florida House and Senate members are currently debating…
Mitch Perry Report 2.29.12 – Leap Day Radiohead edition
Mitt Romney won Arizona easily and the key state of Michigan by 3 points last night — but we've got nothing deeper to add to the general commentary than what we wrote 24 hours ago — that both candidates, by the nature of some of their public comments, were diminished over the course of the…
Activists to protest Shawn Harrison’s support of bill to speed up foreclosures
Last week in Tallahassee, the state Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Florida Fair Foreclosure Act, getting it one step closer to passage in that body. The bill, sponsored by Pinellas County's Jack Latvala, would reduce to one year the time a foreclosing financial institution has to pursue a deficiency judgment (the current limit is five…
A plan for something to do in Ybor in the daytime
Last summer the Hillsborough County Commission approved $2 million for preservation of Ybor City's most significant buildings: the Italian Club, the Cuban Club and Centro Asturiano, and later received another $2.5 million for other historic preservation areas. Now what to do with it? La Gaceta editor and publisher Patrick Manteiga has an idea. Speaking at…
Sarasota Congressional hopeful Keith Fitzgerald unveils his “Solemn Pledge” to the voters
Keith Fitzgerald The New York Times reported last week that agents for both the F.B.I. and the I.R.S. have recently contacted former employees alleging financial improprieties by Vern Buchanan, the Republican congressman representing Sarasota. The Times reported that a federal grand jury in Tampa is also hearing evidence about charges that Buchanan, who also owns…
CD review: Air, Le Voyage Dans La Lune
Last year, French electro duo Air was drafted to compose music for a painstakingly restored hand-colored print of Georges Méliès' 1902 silent sci-fi short, A Trip To The Moon (Le Voyage Dans La Lune), an apropos pairing as Air has been drawing inspiration from the cosmos ever since their 1998 debut, Moon Safari. After the…
TV Review: More to Love — I’ve heard this fat joke before
Warning: To the casual observer, this article may seem cruel. But unfortunately at this point, I don’t give a shit. I’ve had quite enough — a thought the folks involved in this reality program have apparently never had themselves. Tuesday night's Rays game wasn’t televised, so I decided to flip around the boob-tube for a…
