Quick Dismissals, I Mean Looks: HAWX and Onechanbara: Samurai Bikini Squad
I really like the word stymie. I think I first came across it while playing an old tabletop role-playing game called TORG, where it was a game mechanic that happened to your characters, setting them back from beating the bad guys. Games, especially video games, are of course all about putting up challenges and having…
At the bottom of Pandora’s Box, a pleasant surprise
After reading about Shawn's misadventures in a local sex shop, I knew it was my duty as your faithful Pro-Sexplorer to bring you the news about one of my more recent discoveries. I was tipped off by a friend about a rare creature (maybe even mythical) in Tampa Bay – the tasteful sex-toy shop. And…
South by Southwest 2009: Day 4 (Interactive, Film + Porn Karaoke)
Right now, according to the Tweet I just got from @SXSW, Seth Rogen and Anna Faris are in Room 16AB of the Austin Convention Center – I'm sure, hyping their new film, Observe and Report. I am across town, sitting on an overstuffed couch after a long (first) night of drinking. Yesterday morning's walk into town was beautiful as it's…
The sexy girls of Saint Patrick’s Day
Because no holiday these days passes without some portion of the female population dressing up as "sexy" versions of whatever theme the holiday may comprise, we bring you the sexy girls of Saint Patrick's Day. Does it matter if most of them aren't Irish? See more pics below the jump.
How to make green beer for St. Patrick’s Day, in video
If you want to be pissing green in your personal Erin Go Bragh! celebrations tonight, it isn't difficult with a little green food coloring and some mass market brew. But for anyone who's scared of experimentation (hint: one drop of coloring per glass usually works fine), here's the down and dirty, via the fine people…
Beer Store Roundup: Luekens Liquor, Dunedin
Off State Road 580 near downtown Dunedin, a mountain of beer joy lies in a rather unassuming strip mall. Luekens Liquors is rated by Beer Advocate as one of the best places to buy snobby brew in the Bay Area. A quick survey of the copious beer selection reveals that inventory is scattered everywhere, with…
Tonight’s Willie Nelson concert postponed
This just in from Ruth Eckerd Hall: It was announced today that due to illness, Willie Nelson has unfortunately postponed his concert in Clearwater at Ruth Eckerd Hall scheduled for tonight at 8 pm. The concert will be rescheduled for October, 2009. The exact show date will be announced soon. Willie regrets any inconvenience to…
A couple of videos to help get your Irish up
Gonna be bendin' an elbow, turnin' a few up for St. Patty's Day tonight? (Don't drink the green beer, pleeeze.) To get yourself in the proper mood, have a look at a couple of videos by THE BEST Irish rock band ever, the standard-bearer, a group not from Boston or Chicago, but Ahhr-land: The Pogues.
Pixies ain’t dead yet!
You know when you learn something pleasantly unexpected? For instance, a favorite band you wrote off as finished because its principal members blame each other for stupid shit through music blogs announces their first tour in years? What's that feeling called? Oh, yeah… hope! The Pixies return to action this summer with a series of…
Apple unveils new iPhone OS 3.0 today with cut, copy and paste added
Apple's iPhone OS 3.0 "advance preview" event took place today at 1 p.m. Here are the highlights of the new iPhone features, what Apple is calling a "major update": 100 new features, 1,000 new APIs. In-app purchases P2P connectivity built-in Maps for developers Push notifications finally arrive cut copy and paste landscape mode for Apple…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #14: Taqueria Mi Mexico vs. Algusto
Taqueria Mi Mexico is one of the many Mexican, Columbian, and Puerto Rican joints on the Armenia corridor between I-275 and Waters. Algusto is a South Tampa Mexican haven that won a Best Of award from Cl in 2006. Can a non-descript, makeshift restaurant beat out an established favorite? Check them out for yourself and…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #13: Zurritos vs. Agave
Zurritos is the brainchild of Beard Award nominee chef Zack Gross, who turned the spot into a quick burrito and taco joint after moving his Z Grille down the street and around the corner. Agave is a St. Pete Beach Mexican restaurant that's more authentic than most, with regulars and tourists lining up outside the…
Win a Top Chef trip to New Orleans
To many foodies, attending the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience is like trekking to Mecca. Some of the best food in this country originates from this home of Cajun and Creole goodness. The folks from Bravo's Top Chef and New Orleans Online are giving away an all-expenses paid, weekend vacation for two to New…
Do It Today: Michael Londra, BAIT, WEDU and survival seminar
An Irish singer performing on Saint Paddy’s Day? Who’d-a thunk it? Theoretically, Michael Londra Londra is a Celtic-influenced “classical crossover artist” like Enya or Loreena McKennitt, but all I hear is adult-contemporary smooth — it’s sincere but cheesy as hell. The former Riverdancer will do a bit of dancing, too, and he'll be backed by…
New Pete Doherty album streaming on MySpace now.
Doherty's latest, Grace/Wastelands, is currently streaming on MySpace Music right now. And it's rather nice from what I've heard so far. None of that bad-boy-does-copious-amounts-of-drugs-and-trashes-things feeling. To check out the album, click here.
Festive Irish Soda Bread Scones for St. Patty’s Day
It's that time of the year again: St. Patty's Day! I've been reminded of my fondness for Irish soda bread from the bombardment of St. Patty's themed emails from various foodie websites. I also have a deep love and a hankering for scones lately, too, so I was happily surprised when I stumbled upon this recipe…
This is how album reviews should be done.
"Breakfast at Sulimays" has three saucy old folks reviewing albums; this edition features Young Jeezy and Animal Collective. I found it particularly amusing as you can well imagine. Props to aestheticized blog (and by default, Bee-Eezy) for passing it along.
SXSW 2009 Web Awards Winners
Last night's Web Awards honored sites that have been launched or completely redesigned in the past year. Um, looks like CL slept on that nomination, although I don't see a Media category. Here are all the winners. Here are some highlights: Blog: The Bygone Bureau Film/TV: Hulu Activism: Tweet Congress Classic: Flickr
Beer Blurbs: Quotations on fermentation
People have been documenting their thoughts on beer since the development of written language. In my quest to gain higher levels of brew appreciation, I've undertaken extensive data digging, which has yielded many timelessly relevant snippets of beer wisdom. So break out your email options and get ready to snazzy up your signature line. Behold…
Steve Martin’s Picasso: A scandal of La Grande proportions
Jobsite Theater's hit production of the Steve Martin comedy Picasso at the Lapin Agile raised nary a disapproving eyebrow in Tampa Bay. So it was something of a shock to hear that the play has caused enough of a scandal at an Oregon high school that Steve Martin himself had to step in. I guess…
Kim Colvin – Contributor
Kim Colvin is a USF advertising program grad and makeup artist. She author's Mode Maven, a CL beauty blog. email: colvin.kim@gmail.com
My deployment in Qatar: Homecoming joy, 9/11 memories
[Editor's Note: Jennifer Huntsman is a US Army Reserve Signal Captain stationed at MacDill Air Force Base with Joint Communication Support Element (JCSE). She is currently deployed in Qatar. Jenny will be writing for The Daily Loaf about life in the military.] I am home. I have been back in Tampa for about a week…
Community gardens get zoned
St Pete City Council's Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee went to work last Thursday towards adding language to their zoning regulations about community gardens. Given that more and more people want to grow their own food and green up their neighborhoods these days, it may come as a shock that technically speaking, right now community…
Beautiful vibrators: Motorized mascaras
The season's newest vibrators are available in Tampa Bay department stores. New, motorized mascaras claim to vibrate at upwards of 7000 oscillations per minute to create hyper-extended, multiplied lash looks. And for $34 and a trip to a department store, your puny human hands can vibrate involuntarily too. The season's hottest vibrators It would take more than…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #12: Sabor Latino vs. Maya’s
These two small, strip mall Mexican joints dish out tacos in traditional way, but one does it with a little more power and flavor than the other. Check them out for yourself and vote now. Which taco deserves to move up to the Savory Sixteen? I'll reveal my pick tomorrow, but you still have a…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #11: El Toro Negro vs. Los Mariachis
You may not know these places, but the glory they find today will enshrine them in the hallowed halls of taco-construction. At least for a week. El Toro Negro is a drab corner spot with classic pastor and barbacoa. Los Mariachis is an Americanized dining hall with seasoned ground beef. Which taco deserves to move…
Do It Today: Boston Pops, Boston Red Sox, David Brenner
Boston Pops. It's a convergence of matinee idols at Ruth Eckerd tonight. Keith Lockhart is the heartthrob who conducts the Boston Pops Orchestra. His guest stars, Marin Mazzie and Jason Daniely (pictured), are a glamorous married couple with two of the best voices on Broadway, their combined credits ranging from Spamalot and Kiss Me, Kate…
Tournament of Tacos: Day 3 Results – Mema’s, Miguel’s, Peg’s, Burrito Boarder
The third day of CL's Tournament of Tacos featured only one actual Mexican joint — Miguel's — and three other places with their own take on the possibilities presented by the taco. Second seeded Mema's Alaskan Tacos faced Miguel's in Tampa South and Peg's Cantina battled Burrito Boarder in Pinellas South. Who advances to the…
Fusionistas podcast#2: Save the coral reefs, get a tan
Did you know that the coral reefs are being suffocated by sunscreen?! Going to the tanning bed sets up a controlled environment so you can regulate your light absorption and then have a base tan that will help you avoid sunburn and use less sunscreen, therefore preserving the coral reefs and other oceanic life affected…
Late night music, March 16-21
A weekly bulletin on musical guests playing the five-nights-a-week late night talk shows (and SNL); set your TIVOs or DVRs. The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Tuesday, March 17: Bell X1 Wednesday, March 18: Modest Mouse (pictured, photo by Wendy Lynch Thursday, March 19: Kara DioGuardi (rerun, Jan. 12) Friday, March 20: David Sanborn…
South by Southwest 2009: Day 3 (Video)
Sunday. Laid low today. Resting up for the long week ahead. Took another nice long walk this morning to HEB (Texas' answer to bad grocery stores). Definitely no iPhones at HEB. Actually, there was a Cricket and Boost Mobile kiosk in the entryway next to the Coke and holographic sticker machines. Spent most of the day…
South by Southwest 2009: Day Two (Interactive)
There's something magical about waking up to strange birds singing unfamiliar songs. In the quiet of Austin's East Side, this is how day two began. And the morning of day two was difficult. My lower back was definitely still in pain and my right ear wasn't fully functioning yet. (Later, a passing ambulance would prove it…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #10: Chihuahua vs. Estela’s
In what may be the most unexciting battle in the entire Tournament of Tacos, today we have two moderate, Americanized Mexican joints duking it out over who has the best of the bland. Can you tell Ihow I feel about this one? Check them out for yourself and vote now. Which taco deserves to move…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #9: Red Mesa Cantina vs. Zapata’s
Red Mesa Cantina is a downtown offshoot of St. Pete's ever-popular Red Mesa (which has already moved to the the Savory Sixteen). Zapata is another downtown spot that wants late-night traffic to its tequila bar. Can Red Mesa Cantina's pan-latin fusion tacos get the job done? Which taco deserves to move up to the Savory…
Heroes Haven: beer and comics are a great combination
By Ben Luongo Daily Loaf contributor Ben Luongo is a USF political science graduate student. He will be graduating this spring. Everybody catches themselves daydreaming while at the office or at school, usually at some place where we’re supposed to be productive. You might imagine yourself on a great adventure, maybe some place exotic discovering…
Peter Meinke – Contributor
Peter Meinke has published fifteen books of poems, seven in the prestigious Pitt Poetry Series. He has received two awards from the National Endowment from the Arts, and three from the Poetry Society of America. His writings have appeared in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, The New Republic, Yankee, and many other magazines. His stories…
Dream interupptus response part II
In my handy-dandy Jungian book there are two full pages on the meaning of the number three. To say it is a magical number is the grossest of understatements. Where to begin? Well, it's nearing Easter so how about Father, Son and Holy Ghost? Or, if that's too heavy for you, try three blind mice,…
Game review: Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard is no Arrested Development or Dr. Horrible
I say this a lot: "Comedy is hard." I don't do comedy in my own writing. I throw in some funny here and there, sure, but usually to relieve the tension or because some amusing moment grows out of the larger narrative. But I can't imagine writing a full on piece of comedy. It's just…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #8: Mekenita vs. Vallarta’s
Mekenita was opened way up in north Tampa by the former chef partner of our local Roy's. Vallarta's is a local mini-chain dishing up Mexi-food to families for years. Will the modern upstart beat out the old guard? Which taco deserves to move up to the Savory Sixteen? I'll reveal my pick tomorrow, but you…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #7: Casa Tina vs. Mexico Lindo
Casa Tina is a revered Dunedin dining spot known for tasty Mexican with modern flair. Mexico Lindo is a bodega with more square feet devoted to phone cards than taco menu options. Can a downtown Dunedin restaurant beat out a place with a butcher shop on the premises? Which taco deserves to move up to…
South by Southwest: Day One (Interactive)
It's 40 degrees outside, drizzling non-stop and Austin has just become ground zero for every hipster with an iPhone. It's 10 a.m. and registration at the Austin Convention Center has just begun. Already the lines are starting to form down the surrounding hallways and escalators and the entire building is buzzing with people camped on the floor in clusters around the power…
Indie 101: Geoff Koch
In my opinion, SXSW made a Gigantosaurus Rex mistake in 2008 by not accepting Geoff Koch’s (pronounced like ‘coke,’ not ‘cock’) offer to play at the festival. The way that he handled the rejection: he banded together with a huge group of musicians in Austin that do not support the event–and they all played at…
The National, Bad Brains, Lucero, KRS1 and more!
Where to begin? Last Thursday seems like so long ago, the start of a very long weekend of incredible music. With the Harvest Of Hope festival bringing bands by the boatload to Florida, many of them played shows throughout the state before and after the weekend. I (with my girlfriend and a few other friends)…
Phish Saves America: Contest winner
Thanks to all those who entered the Phish Saves America reunion setlist contest. Unfortunately, none of the entrants managed to guess the opener – and why would anyone guess that Phish would make our dreams come true and kick things off with "Fluffhead"? I even fantasized about it in my last post, never actually thinking…
Tournament of Tacos: Day 2 Results (Taconazo vs. California, Cabana del Tio vs. Carambas)
The second day of CL's Tournament of Tacos featured the undisputed popular favorite — El Taconazo, the Taco Bus — up against a newcomer hawking San Diego-style fare off the beaten path. Day 2 also gave me some of the best tacos I've tasted so far — and they weren't from Taconazo. First seeded El…
Slather it on: Basil-Balsamic Barbecue Sauce recipe
Barbecue sauce is one of my favorite things on the entire planet. I don't discriminate on any one type either- sweet, tangy, thick, runny, you name it and I'm a fan. It's the main reason I go out for barbecue in the first place. This versatile condiment is not only great for grilling, there are…
Wine for pizza night: Melini 2006 Chianti Classico Isassi
A perfect wine for anything tomato-based since the acidity and fruit meld nicely together. Chianti is made predominantly from the sangiovese grape (at least 80 percent) and nowhere on earth does it produce better wines than in Italy's Tuscany. The Isassi moniker indicates the grapes originated from a single vineyard and the Classico part of this equation…
Do It This Weekend: Venom by Ben Chmura, Comedian Brian Posehn and more.
Bay area fashion designer and CL '07 Best of the Bay winner Ben Chmura presents his new "Venom" collection of vibrant handmade cocktail dresses inspired by venomous snakes this Saturday night at Czar Bar. (Pictured at left: A diamond back dress made of gunmetal silk taffeta with black cotton nylon overlay; modeled by Soleil.) Sat.,…
Killzone 2 Review: Pretty, Deadly, A Little Dull
Killzone 2 is an expertly made, AAA video game. It's one of the best looking game I've played. The models and animations are fluid and life-like, the details gritty and immersive. This is just a flat out, no denying it, impressive visual experience.
Not-so-openly gay UF student gets bumped from Survivor
Spencer Duhm, the UF student from Lakeland who was bumped last night from Survivor, says on the TV show's website that the only thing that he wouldn't do for a million dollars is "Snakes. I just don't do snakes." Apparently, he also doesn't do coming out; though billed as "openly gay," he was anything but…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #6: Mema’s Alaskan Tacos vs. Miguel’s
Mema's used to be a hidden gem off of Ybor's main drags, but the success of their fried, "Alaskan" tacos allowed them to move into a bigger space in the thick of things. Miguel's is a typical, south Tampa Mexican joint that specializes in seafood. Can Mexican via Alaska beat out an old standby? Which…
Stewart vs. Cramer: The face-off
Is it ironic or merely logical that the most cogent questions about the current financial crisis are being asked by a fake-news host on a network devoted to comedy? Jon Stewart eviscerated Mad Money-man Jim Cramer on The Daily Show last night using Cramer's own background against him: He showed clips of Cramer from 2006…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #5: Peg’s Cantina vs. Burrito Boarder
Peg's Cantina serves Midwestern pizzas and surprising Southwestern fare in the midst of Gulfport's quaint main drag. Burrito Boarder is a prototype chain in downtown St. Pete that dishes out assembly-line quick-Mex. Can the surf and skate chain beat the bungalowed independent? Which taco deserves to move up to the Savory Sixteen? I'll reveal my…
Interview: Irma Thomas (performing at the Tampa Bay Blues Fest)
Irma Thomas headlines the Sunday (March 22) portion of the Tampa Bay Blues Fest. Here's my feature/interview with the Soul Queen of New Orleans Look for it in Wednesday's CL print edition. (By the way, Irma Thomas is awesome.) Let's see, Irma Thomas. Lots of stuff to ask her. The music biz kicked her around…
Deerhunter does Czar: Another perspective, with new pics.
With arrival of folksy revivalists like Iron and Wine, Devendra Banhart and Bon Iver, it would seem that the charge of the minimal guitar is relentless. Deerhunter is proving wrong those that believe loud guitars are on the fritz. An ambient, post-punk band with a scotch of garage finesse took over Czar's stage late Monday…
Hot on YouTube: The Mother of All Funk Chords
Thanks to Joe for providing this brilliant little video that took my head out of the Phish clouds and prompted me to post. The vid is the result of a music project by the latest internet sensation, Israeli musician and producer Kutiman. His "Thru You" experiment includes seven music tracks/videos created exclusively from samples from…
Artsqueeze Weekend Roundup, Mar. 12-14
Still from Léche Vitrine (music by The Pigtails, visuals by Bluelucy), one of many short video/film/animation works to be screened at ARTpool's 2nd Annual Local Film Festival & Hollywood Fashion Show. Courtesy Bluelucy. Thursday 7-9 p.m. – Lecture by Dr. Sean Roberts, assistant professor of art history, University of Southern California, at USF Tampa, FAH…
Diplo to Deerhunter: a Czar Bar Bookend
Pictures by doubleHH Friday night saw the return of Diplo – the DJ name of Thomas Wesley Printz – to Ybor's Czar Bar. Friday nights are better known as Pulp the Party, an electro hip-hop party hosted by the Orlando based DJ Pauly Crush. It's a quite the scene, though not your typical Ybor douche…
Tournament of Tacos: Day 1 results
The first day of Tournament of Tacos competition saw some fierce competition, although the outcomes for both the readers' polls and my critic's picks could perhaps have been predicted. First seeded Red Mesa faced dark horse El Tenampa in Pinellas South, while first seed Acapulco Grocery faced unknown Florence La Mexicana in Tampa South. Who…
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ruins 11 more Army careers
Does anyone not agree that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is an incredibly stupid, destructive, counter-productive policy? (Thanks for nothing, Bill Clinton.) An indication of its hypocrisy: Discharges under the policy have steadily decreased as America's need for cannon fodder has increased. But that doesn't mean such discharges have stopped. Today brought a fresh reminder that…
Joaquin Phoenix in stage-dive brawl
America's favorite white "rapper" got into a tussle with a mouthy fan in Miami last night. Fortunately, someone with a video camera was there and got the footage up on YouTube. After Phoenix hits the floor, pandemonium breaks out and it's hard to tell if any punches are actually thrown. Still, gotta love the chaos.
TMA cuts include curator of contemporary art
A rendering of the new TMA, currently under construction in Curtis Hixon Park. Image courtesy tampamuseum.org. Times are tough. This morning the Tampa Museum of Art announced that its finances were in enough of a bind to merit slashing the institution's budget for the 2009 fiscal year by 29%, including the elimination of three full-time…
How do you evacuate a space station?
Crew members climb into a Soyuz TMA-13 escape capsule, of course. A chunk of errant space junk almost clipped the International Space Station today, sending two astronauts and one cosmonaut into the escape capsule just in case. Fox News has the report: That was a close call. The two astronauts and one cosmonaut aboard the…
Spider-Man 4 gets a release date
A quick release-date update: Sony has revealed that Spider-Man 4 will be hitting theaters on May 6, 2011. Director Sam Raimi is on board, and I'd expect that with the original director back, Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst would sign on if asked. (Of course, Dunst may be on the outs.) With two years to…
Don’t Miss: Joe Buck and .357 String Band @ Dave’s Aqua Lounge
In an effort to take all of your drinking money this weekend, Dave's is following the Mojo Guru's CD release party on Friday night with a double bill of magnificent proportions; .357 String Band and Joe Buck on Saturday night. The last time Joe came to town I wasn't really that much of a fan.…
Mid-life dating: Back in the saddle again
Here you are, suddenly single. Your long-time girlfriend finally tires of your insatiable need to alphabetize. Your wife walks out after years of you cheating on her with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Maybe you got tired of slipping on the panties she leaves lying on the bedroom floor. Whatever the cause, it’s daunting to be single…
Scar-Jo, Mickey Rourke cast in Iron Man 2.
A double-whammy of casting news for John Favreau's follow-up to last year's blockbuster Iron Man. First, Scarlett Johansson has signed up, replacing Emily Blunt as Black Widow. Per the story at /Film, Blunt had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict, opening the door for Scar-Jo. If this works out, expect to see the…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #4: El “Taco Bus” Taconazo vs. California Tacos To Go
El Taconazo is the end all, be all of Tampa's taco world, the undisputed popular favorite in this tournament. California Tacos To Go is a dark horse that recently received a warm — if not glowing — write-up over at Laura Reiley's blog. Can the little Baja taco stand upset the Taco Bus? Which taco…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #3: La Cabana del Tio vs. Carambas Restaurante
La Cabana del Tio is a locals' favorite with classic versions of the glorious taco. Carambas has items like jalapeno poppers and "Mexican" rice. But appearances may be decieving at both of these north Pinellas spots. So which taco deserves to move up to the Savory Sixteen? I'll reveal my pick tomorrow, but you still…
Do It Today: Yogi Berra, Coffee Concert, China photos
Nobody Don't Like Yogi. As Yogi Berra prepares to revisit Yankee Stadium for Old Timers Day in 1999, he asks himself why he is breaking his vow never to step foot in the stadium again. Has his rocky relationship with volatile owner George Steinbrenner been overcome by his dedication to baseball fans? C. David Frankel…
Obama signs the bill nobody likes
Including Obama, it seems. Making sure to decry the evil of "earmarks" — even though they amount to only a tiny percentage of the total spending in the $410 billion omnibus bill — the president signed the bill away from the cameras, apparently quaking with shame. Or at least that's the way it's being portrayed.…
Infinite Skillz Loves the White Girls (SMAsh Radio: Episode 30)
In Episode 30 of SMAsh Radio, Joran, Stephen and special guest Infinite Skillz discuss Black History Month, our new black president and Infinite's love of white girls. Click the PLUS SIGN to stream the show Here's the playlist: 1. Dynasty – Truth 2. Laws & DJ Knucklez (feat. KG) – Top Spot 3. Peaches feat. Shunda K…
Mojo Gurus CD Release Party this Friday night at Dave’s Aqua Lounge
Way back in the beginning of ninebullets.net, I wrote a piece about the band Roxx Gang. There was a period in the late '80s when I thought they were quite simply the bees knees. Flash forward 20 years or so to former Roxx Gang frontman Kevin Steele's newish band, Mojo Gurus, which is celebrating the…
Does listening to Lil’ Wayne make you stupid?
According to California student Virgil Griffith, listening to Lil' Wayne makes you stupid. Alright, you caught me. That's a complete misrepresentation of Mr. Griffith's conclusions. I was just trying to get your attention. Now that I have it, here's a more accurate summary of Griffith's "research": Griffith compared aggregated Facebook data about favorite bands among students at 1,352 colleges with the…
Chris Brown avoids getting slimed
In what is probably a wise move on his part, accused Rihanna-beater Chris Brown has opted to take himself out of the running for the Kids' Choice Awards. Since the festivities at the KCAs often involve dumping large amounts of greenish slime onto participants, Brown probably figured he'd be a prime target. Anyway, it'd be…
Food and wine events
Tuesday, Mar. 17: Vino 100 Brandon Learn about the elegant white wines of Germany – like Riesling – at The Wines of Germany class. $20 per person, $35 per couple. 6- 7:30 p.m., 1038 Bloomingdale Ave, Valrico (813-654-8466). Wednesday, Mar. 18: Whole Foods Market Every Wednesday in March, stop by Whole Foods for the Wine…
American Idol’s big rule-change “surprise”
Simon Cowell teased it last night: During tonight's show an announcement will be made about a "surprise change to the rules that could alter the face of the competition." Alter the face of the competition? You mean forbid Paula from wearing sparkly eye makeup? Apparently not. The change is procedural, not cosmetic: Once during the…
Kitty Fantastic on Sex, Health, and Wealth
The name's Kitty Fantastic (that's right frat boy, Super Pussy to you), and I'm just your typical Pro-Sex feminist, data junkie, and sex toy tester. I love video games; new and different information; Camille Paglia and Audre Lorde; coffe ice cream; anything having to do with sex and sensuality (sometimes including coffee ice cream); the…
The lock filled with juices and opened its gate – a poem
Two years is probably long enough to wait for the inevitable. Two years of furtively locked eyes during talk of their "open" relationship wrote history through premonition. Even the two years in between couldn't spoil the meat that was stewing in our minds. The next time our eyes met that meat was as red as…
Sayroo West Indian Market and a recipe for Cassava Pone
In Miami — where I recently spent the holidays consuming massive amounts of food and drink — West Indian shops and markets abound to support the needs of large ex-pat social groups eager to preserve their way of life. However, Tampa also has a significant West Indian population. Look hard enough and you will find…
Ybor FoMI announces schedule
The Playhouse, starring Buster Keaton (above), will be paired with a postmodern film score during Ybor FoMI 2009. The seventh annual Ybor Festival of the Moving Image (what the hell— let's call it FoMI) has released its schedule of events. The always interesting film-art-performance showcase takes humor and satire as its theme this year, and…
Under the Influence at CEFA
Patrick Fatica. Somehow I Thought You'd Save Me, Somewhere in January. 2009. Oil on panel. C. Emerson Fine Arts' latest exhibit, Under the Influence, showcases the genre of contemporary art often dubbed 'pop surrealism' and occasionally 'lowbrow' because it bridges practices including illustration, screen-printing, custom toy production (or decoration), and so on. As such, the…
Lucero Lights Up New World Brewery
Lucero played a long, raucous set Friday night at New World Brewery, plowing steadfastly through their extensive catalog while managing to thoroughly engage a sold out audience. Lucero’s regular band members are Roy Berry (drums), Ben Nichols (vocals/guitar), John C. Stubblefield (bass) and Brian Venable (guitar). On this tour, they are joined by Todd Beene (pedal steel)…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #2: Red Mesa vs. El Tenampa Mexican
Red Mesa is the one spot in the Bay area that serves Mexican cuisine with a little upscale style, while Tenampa is a classic combo-plate joint. But don't judge a book by its cover — the best tacos in town can come from most low-down spot and fussy food doesn't always equal success. So which…
Do It Today: White mystery, Greek comedy, green Tampa
Randy Wayne White The Florida favorite returns to discuss and sign his latest mystery, Dead Silence. White introduces another crowd-pleaser with the return of Doc Ford, who follows a trail of intrigue from Manhattan back to the Sunshine State. Wed., March 11, 7 p.m., Tampa Tribune Auditorium, Tampa. Lysistrata No sex till the war is…
Tournament of Tacos Matchup #1: Acapulco Grocery vs. Florence la Mexicana
Acapulco serves tacos from the back of a bodega crammed with Mexican ingredients and phone cards. Florence la Mexicana is an aged lunch counter near the docks. Neither has any atmosphere to speak of, so it's down to the nitty gritty: Which taco deserves to move up to the Savory Sixteen? I'll reveal my pick…
Tournament of Tacos: The Contenders
Acapulco Grocery 1001 N MacDill Ave., Tampa 813-873-3665 Agave 6400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-367-3448 Algusto 912 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa 813-250-3500 Burrito Boarder 17 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg 727-209-0202 California Tacos to Go 1450 Skipper Rd., Tampa 813-971-TACO The rest are after the break:
Welcome to the Tournament of Tacos!
Two years ago, CL challenged 64 pizzerias to enter tournament-style culinary combat, slice versus slice, the deserving winner crowned best pie in the Bay area. Last year, burgers took center-stage in our quest for gustatory greatness, one patty reigning supreme. This year, the tradition continues. It's Taco Time, baby! Like pizza and burgers, the fundamentals…
USF students Dahlia Legault and Zo Vallejo-Bryant perform in Bobby and the Chimps
Bobby and the Chimps is a play about a campaign for school board in a small Pennsylvania town where a believer in evolution — the Bobby of the title — is running against a creationist. Unfortunately, the first act of the play is exceedingly slow-moving and almost entirely without dramatic interest, so that we’re hardly…
Starbucks unveils “savory” food choices
It’s as bad as you might expect.
Savage Love: He loves my blowjobs, but won’t kiss me after
My boyfriend of 16 months and I have a great relationship. He loves my blowjobs, but he will not kiss me if I have his come in my mouth. It grosses him out. We have talked about this, and he won’t even try. I have no problem if he kisses me after going down on…
Translating winespeak
Explaning a few of the trendier terms.
John Updike: Voice of the average guy
John Updike was painfully honest about money, sex, race and American dreams.
New chefs and new restaurants: Pizzaiolo Bavaro, Posh 27
Changes at The Table and International Plaza
Soju: A Korean martini in a bottle
Get a glow from Ty-Ku
St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Scott Wagman: Crime-fighting tools being ‘stripped away’
An interview with St. Pete mayor candidate Scott Wagman
Drake’s Crude Oatmeal Stout (with bonus beer chili recipe)
Florida Micro Beverage has been putting in serious work. This local distributor of beer, wine, and soda has picked up a slew of new products for the coolers of local beer bars and shops. Among these exciting brews — extensive lines from North Carolina’s Highland Brewing Company, Fort Collins Brewery out of Colorado, and Erie…
Bistro Burger blowout
How you can make your own tasty burger.
Tips for proper wine storage
What’s the best way to keep your vino?
Best beer in Florida? I’ll be the judge of that.
As I walked the dusty path toward the front entrance of Skipper’s Smokehouse, the festive sounds of Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes mingled with the heavy aromas of cigar smoke and Cajun spices. The occasion is the 10th Annual Best Florida Beer Championships Brewer’s Ball. It’s kind of a big deal in the beer…
New Belgium beer Flat Tire is overrated
But that doesn’t stop people from ordering it.
CL’s 2009 Tournament of Tacos Readers’ Poll
This is your one-stop spot for all the current Tournament of Tacos news, including updated brackets (check out the image on the right), daily results and where to go to vote for your favorite local taco stand. VOTE NOW for the 2009 CL Tournament of Tacos Readers' Poll Champion: Casa Tina vs. Mekenita Mexican Grill…
Smarty-pants lack romance
When I initially read this post by thought I finally figured out why I wasn't the Don Juan I pretended to be: my massive intellect was cock blocking me. Unfortunately, involuntary abstinence can't always be attributed to smarts. There are other factors to consider, such as my intimidating bulge. Yeah, that must be it. I…
Vote now for your favorite Sensory Overload student artist
Here's your chance to decide which student artist will win a $1,000 scholarship at Sensory Overload 4.0! To submit an entry, visit our student artists' submission page. Browse the works below, choose your favorite and vote in the poll at the bottom of the page. Check back as more artists and works are added. Submission…
