Do It Today: Craig Ferguson’s stand-up, St. Paddy’s day across Tampa Bay, Tea Leaf Green onstage at the State and more
It’s that time of year again: time for green beer, shamrocks, and kissing strangers who claim to be Irish – and a whole host of venues get in on the celebration. Check out our round-up of events across the Bay here. Johnny Carson was famously regarded as the man millions of people chose to go…
Do It Today: AFI onstage at the Ritz, Things Doll Apart at St. Pete’s Super7 and Art in Bloom
California’s AFI have evolved much over the past 19 years, from the unstructured and manic numbers of Very Proud Of Ya to the experimental pop song craft of Decemberunderground, their most commercially-successful effort to date. AFI is currently celebrating the release of their eighth album, the Joe McGrath and Jacknife Lee-produced Crash Love. Leader Davey…
Singer/songwriter Mat Kearney co-headlines a concert with Ingrid Michaelson at Ruth Eckerd Hall on March 25
Although singer-songwriter Mat Kearney didn’t put musical pen to paper until late into his college years, he’s managed to make up for such a late start. Bullet, his 2004 debut release, was quickly followed up in 2006 by Nothing Left to Lose, which brought Kearney some much needed promotional help in the form of major…
A dream poem for a contemplative day
Dream Momma is a closet poetry reader. She adores the dark side of poetry the European poets do so well. She hears of and reads many dreams about skeletons. There was a blog on one a few weeks ago. Today her energy is dedicated to the 1980 Nobel Prize in Literature, Poet Czeslaw Miloz and…
St. Paddy’s Day Dinner Revisited: Apricot-Mustard Glazed Corned Beef, Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon, Colcannon
Whether you just stepped off a boat from Dublin or don’t have an ounce or Irish blood in you, you’ll most likely be doing some kind of celebrating when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around next week. I’m not much into the whole green beer thing, but I must confess that this Italian girl loves a…
Thank Heaven for Little Girl Scouts Samoa Cheese Tart recipe
It’s cookie time, folks! Girl Scout Cookies, that is. Thin Mints, Do Si Dos, Trefoils and my most favorite GS cookie of them all – Samoas. They’re everywhere! You couldn’t escape them, even if you wanted to. But, why would you want to? Who doesn’t love Girl Scout Cookies – or Girl Scouts, for that…
Flan Fest highlights
On Saturday, the Ybor Market put on its yearly Flan Fest, an event centered around celebrating the creamy dessert with everything from a bake-off to a flan-eating race.
Do It Today: The Boondock Saints 10th anniversary screening, Nobelist Elie Wiesel and John Prendergast at the Mahaffey, The Florida Orchestra’s Coffee Concert and more
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The MacManus brothers, Agent Smecker and Rocco – some of cinema’s most beloved bad-ass vigilantes – return to the big screen for The Boondock Saints 10th Anniversary exclusive one-night screening. The movie shows in more than 450 theaters and special features include an introduction by creator, writer and…
On the Radar: American Lung Association’s Fight for Air stair climb
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. The American Lung Association is hosting the fifth annual Fight for Air Stair Climb at the Bank of America building in downtown Tampa on Saturday, March 20. The "vertical road race" up 42 flights of stairs translates to just over…
Dreaming of murderous rage
">White Wedding"Dream Momma, had another dream recently, headless body came into the ER &on my way home I found the head in a letterbox. tried dumping body in deserted industrial ground with shelters on it, but there were people all around. V strange. was a male body, I didn't kill him, dream started in CSI…
Portugal. The Man releases new album, stops in Tampa tonight
En Route to this year’s Harvest of Hope festival and on the heels of their newest release American Ghetto, Portugal. The Man graces the Crowbar in Tampa Wednesday. Portugal’s bassist Zack Carothers credits front man and guitarist John Baldwin Gourley’s experimentation with outtakes and edits from their previous album as the inspiration for the latest…
Do It Today: Driving Miss Daisy, Portugal. The Man, and lessons on art, relationships and Greek mythology
Plays like Driving Miss Daisy remind us why theater is so powerful — sans preachiness, and without fairly beating the audience over the head with a message (albeit, a few tears are probably in order). American Stage produces the Pulitzer-winning Daisy, which tells the post-WWII story of a wealthy, sharp-tongued Jewish woman who forges a…
On the Radar: Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson’s stand-up comedy
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. Johnny Carson was famously regarded as the man millions of people chose to go to bed with each weeknight. And as we approach two decades since Johnny took his final bow, Letterman’s ever-increasing grumpiness, Leno’s gladhanding and Conan’s shameless doofus…
Greenberg survey bad news for Democrats on security and terror issues
Stan Greenberg is Bill Clinton's former pollster. He's partners with famed celebrity political strategist James Carville in Democracy Corps. On Monday night, the group released a survey called, The Politics of National Security, A Wake Up Call. The report has plenty of depressing news for Democrats when it comes to an issue in which they…
Lilith Fair revival headed to Tampa with Mary J. Blige, Emmylou Harris, Cat Power and more + the latest additions
You can practically smell the estrogen in the air. There were hints of it for years, but a confirmation with Nettwerk CEO and tour co-founder Terry McBride via Twitter early last year made it official. Lilith Fair is returning in the summer of 2010. The tour recently announced plans to stop in 33 North American…
Commissioner Ken Hagan calls for Pat Bean, Renee Lee and Jim Barnes to resign
Saying they have created a culture that is "toxic" and "dysfunctional, Hillsborough County Commission Chair Ken Hagan is calling for County Administrator Pat Bean, County Attorney Renee Lee, and Internal Auditor Jim Barnes to resign by next Tuesday, March 16 by noon. If they do not, he writes, he will ask and "encourage" the full…
Get your geek on with this video of a 1975 Star Trek convention
Coming to us via Moviefone and the always-on-the-hunt Stephen Hammill is this admittedly fascinating video from a 1975 Star Trek convention in Chicago. The silent film is narrated by cameraman Rich Portnoy, and it will make you long for bell-bottoms and key parties. One final thought: Never have so many flashbulbs all popped because one…
Another Orlando must-see show this weekend: Eric Clapton with Roger Daltrey at Amway Arena
If you don't already have plans on this jam-packed weekend of music and want to get out of town for the night to see two rock music icons, Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey play this Saturday, March 13, at Amway Arena in Orlando. Tickets available via Ticketmaster are $45, $65, $85 and $125. [To check…
3 Guys & Chuck The Podcast: “Chuck vs. The Beard”
The 3 Guys are back this week to take on "Chuck vs. The Beard," which turned out to be one of the greatest episodes of Chuck the 3 Guys have ever seen. This episode had it all: comedy, drama, plenty of action and, of course, plenty of those geeky moments Chuck fans have come to…
The Cove Oscar speech cut off because of activist message (video)
The controversial documentary The Cove took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Sunday night, so why was their speech cut short? The film's producer Fisher Stevens took the stage to claim their award along with director Louie Psihoyos, fellow producer Paula DuPré Pesman, and one of the film's stars (and former Flipper actor), Rick…
The Top Five Tim Burton Movies (No, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure isn’t one of them)
Love him or hate him, director Tim Burton has made some incredibly popular movies in a very long, impressive career. With his latest movie, Alice in Wonderland breaking box-office records this weekend, I decided to look back at some of my favorites. 5) Edward Scissorhands — One of Johnny Depp’s best-known roles, Edward Scissorhands is…
CL Feature: The Fightin’ Malones introduce their Celtic roots rock to the local scene with a St. Paddy’s Day show
The Bay area doesn't have much in the way of homegrown Celtic roots rock, but The Fightin' Malones [pictured, photo by James Ostrand] are about to change all that when they make their formal debut this St. Patrick's Day. "We play the music of the people who work hard all week and want to have…
Previously on Lost: “Sundown”
[Editor's Note: Former CL Intern (and current Lost nut) Michelle Stark will be joining the CL Lost team, adding written reviews for the rest of the episodes in Season 6. Enjoy tonight's episode, "Dr. Linus," and check back late Wednesday or Thursday for more from Michelle and for our Lost Podcast.] Hello, fellow Lost fans.…
Tampa Foodways: Seabreeze By The Bay Cookbook devil crab recipe
Andrew Huse visited the owners of the historic — and sadly closed — Tampa restaurant Seabreeze to learn how they make their classic devil crabs, one of the Bay area's iconic culinary creations. See his pictures, read the story, then try to make your own using a recipe from the Seabreeze By The Bay Cookbook.…
DVD Review: The Fourth Kind, starring Milla Jovovich, Will Patton and Elias Koteas
The Fourth Kind, the title a reference to the ranking of alien encounters, is a movie unlike any other. The DVD of this “documentary” hits stores today, and I took a look back to see if I truly do believe — or at least if the movie is worth $15 worth. The film begins with…
Tampa Foodways: The “Conquistador Complex” and the lost art of the devil crab
Set aside the fast food novelty and newfangled fine dining pomp for a moment. Even as consumers and writers begin to take local produce and heirloom varieties seriously, local Florida food traditions often go unappreciated. Some of our local culinary treasures have languished in relative obscurity for years. It's time to give proper due to…
It’s now time for Charlie Crist to run as an independent – now down 32 points to Rubio
Charlie Crist has steadfastly denied that he has any intention of leaving the Republican Party, though recent polls show that he is losing more and more support inside his own Republican party when it comes to his race against Marco Rubio for the nomination for U.S. Senate. But he may need to rethink that. After…
Tampa Bay food, wine and beer events
Wednesday, March 10: The NoHo Bistro Wine Wednesdays. The wine and tapas change weekly, so come back regularly and bring your BFFs, blind dates, co-workers, boy/girlfriends or, hell, someone else’s boyfriend. $15 for two glasses of wine paired with two tapas. 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691) Thursday, March 11: Michael Murphy Gallery M TAPA…
Energy efficient Smart Grid appliance market on the rise (video)
Whether you’re looking for a job or wondering what might be a career move, you’ll want to learn the latest about Smart Grid appliances. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), "The term 'Smart Appliance' with respect to the Smart Grid refers to a modernization of the electricity usage system of a home…
Salt-Crusted Potatoes recipe
I have seen the whole salt-crusting thing done with fish, done with meat etc. But I have never seen it done with potatoes. So when I came up with the idea the other night I thought I was a genius. But then there is this new thing called Google. You heard of it? It is…
Drama at Hillsborough County Commission? Orlando area Congressman bashes on TIA, and speaking of TIA-the city’s investigating e-mails between Louis Miller and his wife, who works for the city of Tampa:Mitch Perry Report 3.9.10
There could be high (or low) drama tomorrow after in Tampa as the Hillsborough County Commission holds a special meeting regarding internal auditor Jim Barnes report about Pat Bean and Renee Lee looking into his e-mails; Orlando area Congressman John Mica is a somewhat powerful guy when it comes to transportation issues; he met with…
Gossip Girl recap: A mother Chucker of a secret
"With enough time eventually we all see what was right in front of us and realize no matter how long it took it was worth the wait, but for some that time never comes. Instead of healing old wounds the wait just opens new ones time after time." -xoxo Gossip Girl Today is the day…
Book review: ‘The Swinger Manual’
Newbie swingers and seasoned swingers will find the book The Swinger Manual by Just Ask Julie a line by line instruction guide to the swinger lifestyle. Just Ask Julie begins her story with a few definitions of swinger terms to make newbies understand exactly what is meant by the terms. What exactly is swinging? "A broad…
Ginger Ale’s Nude Nite 2010 experience (NSFW photos)
Three of my girlfriends and I had the pleasure of attending Nude Nite 2010, and we had a fucking fabulous time. The art was breathtaking and at times arousing. While I enjoyed every media of nude art—-paintings, digital art, video, metal, people—-the burlesque show was the best. If every woman could put on a show…
Channel 10 reports that Tampa attorneys are investigating e-mails between Louis Miller and Cyndy Miller
WTSP 10 Connects's Mike Deeson reported last night that the city of Tampa is now investigating potential Sunshine law violations at Tampa International Airport. Specifically, e-mails that were sent from outgoing TIA director Louis Miller to his wife Cyndy, who serves as the city of Tampa's Director of Growth Management, regarding airport height restrictions and…
On the Radar: The Lark at Gorilla Theatre and boom! at Jobsite
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. Two local theaters are vying for your entertainment dollars this weekend. My suggestion? Splurge on both – you’ll need some comic relief after seeing The Lark at Gorrilla Theatre, about the ever-fascinating and controversial “Joanie on a Pony” as she’s…
Do It Today: Queer Eye’s Carson Kressley hosts Fashion Funds the Cure, Sherwood onstage at Crowbar and more
You might have thought Ted Allen was the last Queer Eye standing, and that the rest of the flamboyant team had faded into the rum-soaked pages of reality TV history. Well, you'd be wrong. Everyone's fave blonde bombshell, Carson Kressley, former Queer Eye guy and now host of Lifetime's How to Look Good Naked, hosts…
Orlando GOP Congressman comes to Tampa to hear Bay area’s upcoming transportation projects
Orlando area Congressman John Mica said today it was important that a rail component be centered at Tampa International Airport, which he said would increase flight traffic for the airport for those who would like to visit the Orlando area. Saying that Orlando's airport took in more than 35 million people last year, Mica told…
Hillsborough County Commissioners and Pat Bean: The saga continues
Wednesday afternoon Hillsborough County Commissioners will hold a special discussion in which the fate of County Administrator Pat Bean's career with the county may be ultimately resolved. The latest controversy involving Bean erupted last week, when the St. Pete Times reported that a report by internal performance auditor Jim Barnes said that Bean and County…
Meek & Rubio gang up to attack Crist on Everglades story
Today's New York Times story on Florida seemingly getting swindled in the Everglades/U.S. Sugar deal from 2008 has been a nice gift to both the Marco Rubio and Kendrick Meek's campaigns today. Rubio went on Glenn Beck's radio show this morning to blast his GOP Senate opponent, saying, "We have an issue here in Florida…
National Coffee Party Day this Saturday: Change the political culture from fixing blame to fixing problems
Americans who want to see cooperation in politics and government are stepping out and speaking up. They are asking questions about collaboration and cultivating a collective will to participate in the democratic process. The Coffee Party movement started just last week and is popping up all over the country. Why not all over Tampa Bay?…
Photo review: Dropkick Murphys at The Ritz Ybor
A series of shots featuring the Dropkick Murphys from their show this past Friday, March 5, at The Ritz in Ybor City.
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Shamacs Barbeque versus Crab-BQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: E&E Steakout Grill versus Quick Q BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Big Tim’s Bar-BQ versus Lee Roy Selmon’s
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Connie’s Bar-BQ versus Foxy’s Cafe
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Buffy’s Southern Pit Bar-B-Que versus Old Man’s Smokin’ BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Fat Fred’s Famous BBQ versus Angry Pepper
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Baker’s Hogley Wogley Barbecue versus Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Kelly’s versus Rumba Island Bar and Grill
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Spoto’s Steak Joint versus Big Jim Bar-B-Q
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Rib City versus Heavenly BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Eli’s Bar-B-Que versus Primo’s Pasta and Ribs
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Tony Mac’s BBQ versus Cafe Al Fresco
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill versus Pit Boss BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Ozona Pig versus Brady’s Backyard Grill
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Butler’s Barbecue versus Smokin’ Rib Shack
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
Dreaming of Avatar blue
“Dream Momma, ever since I saw Avatar I’m dreaming in blue. When I was a little girl I dreamed in red after seeing The Wizard of Oz. What do colors in dreams mean and why am I dreaming in blue now. I’m not a little girl anymore. Can you help me figure things out?” (sic)…
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Jimbo’s Pit BBQ versus New World Brewery
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Al’s Finger Licking Good BBQ versus Ribit’s BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Kojak’s House of Ribs versus Nephew’s BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Wholly Smokes BBQ versus Smokin’ A’s BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Shane’s Rib Shack versus Mike’s Southern Classic BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Smoke Barbecue and Grill versus Soo Good Southern BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: BJ’s Alabama BBQ versus Uncle Rodney’s Rib House
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Big John’s Alabama BBQ versus Bar B Que King
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: First Choice BBQ versus Kennedy Barbecue
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Hot Rods Country BBQ versus Robert’s Meat Market
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Cally’s Sticky Bones BBQ versus Hungry Harry’s BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Bubbaque’s versus Jaymer Que
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Alex’s BBQ versus Smokey Bones BBQ
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Lupton’s Fat Man BBQ versus Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Down to the Bone BBQ versus Tolson Barbecue
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! Round 1 Voting: Jazzy’s BBQ versus Georgia Boy’s Bar-B-Que
We're pitting Tampa Bay's best ribs against each other in our RIB-OFF! 2010 Tournament of Ribs. Follow the tournament, see the competitors and brackets, and vote in head-to-head matches at cltampa.com/ribs. But first: Vote in this matchup!
RIB-OFF! The competitors in CL Tampa Bay’s 2010 Tournament of Ribs
Follow all of the RIB-OFF action, as we find out who serves the best ribs in Tampa Bay, at cltampa.com/ribs. Vote now! ALEX'S BBQ 5362 West Village Drive, Tampa, 813-269-0050 AL'S FINGER LICKING GOOD BBQ 1609 Angel Oliva Sr. St., Tampa, 813-956-0675 ANGRY PEPPER 4330 Duhme Road, St. Petersburg, 727-391-0800 or angrypepper.net BAKER'S HOGLEY WOGLEY BARBECUE…
RIB-OFF! CL Tampa Bay’s 2010 Tournament of Ribs begins
For carnivores, there are many barriers between animal and plate. It's easy to forget that your prim filet mignon topped by herbed butter was once attached to a massive beast that lived solely for the dinner table. At the grocery store, deboned, skinned and plastic-wrapped cuts from chickens and pigs are so sterile, they may…
A Q&A with Nicolas Godin of Air, a French duo that plays Hard Rock Live in Orlando this Sunday (with video)
Seminal French electro pop duo Air (made up of Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel, pictured) have been pioneers in the electronic music genre for the past 15 years, bringing an organic feel to their atmospheric explorations and evolving without losing their inherent sense of style. Air’s sixth and latest full-length, Love 2, is a mesmerizing,…
CD review: These New Puritans, Hidden
Hidden, the new album from These New Puritans, begins with a two-minute interlude of woodwinds sounds haunting upon the first few listens, but changes in the context of the album as a whole. still sounds haunting, but after hearing the entire album, the context changes and opener “Time Xone” becomes more a warning of the…
Local climbers bring Mt. Everest to Tampa for “An Evening with Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa”, this Thursday
It has been called the most inhospitable place on earth. It is a place so dangerous that over 120 bodies currently remain upon it, unclaimed and unreachable for burial. It is a place so cold and so devoid of life that three quarters of a century after his death, climber George Mallory's body was found…
FOX reality channel’s The Academy: unfortunately nobody gets burned
One of the latest offerings from the vast wasteland of Reality Television land is The Academy, which follows the 18 weeks of training recruits must endure to become members of the elite Orange County Fire Authority. It wasn’t total shit. The show is set, predictably, in Orange County, California – the warm, moist, sloppy birthplace…
It Happened This Week-ish: oops, Megan Fox isn’t a whore, Adam Lambert unplugs, The Gosselins are back, The Hills are alive with girls in bikinis: Audrina Partridge v. Lauren Conrad
I may or may not have called Megan Fox a whore at some point in time. I would like to redact that statement. She just likes to dress kinda like a whore and allow people to take pictures of her in basically nothing buuuuut doesn't have sex with a whole buncha dudes so "whore" was uncalled…
Two major stories look at the U.S. Sugar/Everglades sale, Brian Blair is suing a local blogger and could health care reform hurt Mitt Romney in 2012?Mitch Perry Report 3.8.10
The New York Times this morning has produced a large story that Charlie Crist probably didn't enjoy reading while sitting at his breakfast nook today; Mitt Romney is in South Florida today, trying to sell copies of his new book. Yesterday on Fox News, the would be GOP presidential candidate in 2012 got grilled as…
Building Green, thinking green
For the past month or so I’ve been reading books and watching a series titled Building Green which documents California builder Kevin Contreras’ efforts to build his new dream house using green and sustainable building practices. The series is a great overall primer to green building, although I have to admit that the green building…
Could health care reform hurt Mitt Romney’s chances in 2012?
Although it's way too early to make such predictions, we all know that President Obama and Congressional Democrats have struggled on trying to craft a health care bill over the past year, and some of them may very well pay the price for whatever happens with this legislation with their jobs come November. But could…
CL Sound Bites: Jane’s Addiction’s new bassist, Dead Kennedys, Gogol Bordello, and more! (with video)
*What does the current Jane's Addiction lineup now have in common with every other reunion they've staged? No Eric Avery. At least Avery gave the latest round with Jane's the old college try, but he made his long-rumored departure from the band official Monday on his twitter feed. thats it. with equal parts regret and…
NY Times takes down Charlie Crist over Everglades-U.S. Sugar deal
It was 21 months ago when one of the biggest conservation deals in U.S. history was announced; The state of Florida would buy U.S. Sugar's holdings in the Everglades south of Lake Okeechobee, including its cane fields, mill and railroad line. U.S. Sugar would be allowed to farm the 187,000 acres for six more years,…
Do It Today: The Rat Pack Is Back! at the Mahaffey, Hunt for the Angel of Death at the Holocaust Museum and Soulfly at the State
Pardoll Family Lecture Series: The Hunt for the Angel of Death is a discussion with Howard Safir, who led the US effort of a tri-country task force formed by Israel, Germany and the U.S. to search for Dr. Joseph Mengele, an SS physician infamous for his experimentation on prisoners at Auschwitz. Visit flholocaustmuseum.org for more…
Live-blogging the Academy Awards: And the Oscar goes to …
Welcome to Creative Loafing's live-blogging of the 2010 Academy Awards. Make yourself at home, and please vote in our Best Picture poll below. When you're done with that, and if you're in a voting mood, pick the winners of Best Supporting Actor & Actress, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director. I'll be announcing our…
The Green Community week in review: The Roosevelt art gallery, 7-Eleven’s first LEED building, electricity-free water heating system and more
What’s the buzz on the latest issues in the Green Community? Check out what you may have missed this last week: Upcoming film screening and discussion about the creation of sustainable communities hosted by Code Green Community – Join Code Green Community at this upcoming event where the organization's director Eric Stewart highlights an emerging…
Brian Blair campaign says they want to sue blogger Peter Schorsch for “defamatory ” blog post
Attorneys for former Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair have sent a letter to St. Petersburg based political blogger Peter Schorsch, threatening to sue him after the blogger wrote recently about Blair's arrest last summer on child abuse charges on his blog, St. Petersburg 2.0,. Blair was arrested on Father's Day last year, and held overnight…
Theater Review: Eliza Jane Schneider’s “Freedom of Speech” at the HCC auditorium
Maybe it was growing up on a Chippewa reservation that made Eliza Jane Schneider care so much about people. Or maybe it was her mother, an attorney specializing in Native American law. Or her adopted Vietnamese brother, who always took their war games just a tad too seriously. Whatever the case, make no mistake that…
Countdown to the Academy Awards: Who will get the Oscar for Best Director? (With Poll)
[Programming Note: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards telecast is this Sun., March 7 at 8 p.m. and Movies & TV Editor Joe Bardi will be live-blogging the event. Come share your thoughts and help Joe celebrate the movies by mercilessly picking on people much more famous and good-looking than he is.] Yesterday I covered the…
Reel Projections podcast: Academy Awards Special Edition
For more movie news and reviews, check out the CL index of movie posts. Click here to listen to Reel Projections' Oscar Special And we're back for another installment of the Reel Projections podcast, the only CL podcast detailing the week's biggest theatrical movie releases, DVD and Blu-ray offerings and any movie news that catches…
Featured green site: ‘The Seven Sins of Greenwashing’
It seems more and more companies are jumping on the 'green' bandwagon these days, touting their products as "eco-friendly" and "all-natural. But did you know the majority of those companies are just making 'greenwashed' claims? What is green washing exactly, you ask? 'The Seven Sins of Greenwashing' says: "Green?wash (gr?n’w?sh’, -wôsh’) – verb: the act…
Salvation Army looking for volunteers in Tampa for help sending food to Haiti
You mind have forgotten it, or been distracted by the epic earthquake in Chile last Saturday, but there is still a massive humanitarian crises in Haiti following the January quake. The Salvation Army in Tampa needs volunteers tomorrow morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 930 E 139th Avenue. That's just off of Nebraska Avenue, north…
Nimby week in review: Remember Florida, watching officials threaten our state with offshore drilling and bureaucrat watch is back on!
1. This commentary in Sunday's Tribune regarding natural Florida should be required reading for every elected official in the state that ever has a vote on land use. 2. Obviously Mike Haridopolos, R- Melbourne never read that editorial considering he has filed a bill (SB622) to allow drilling just three short miles off Florida's coast. This excerpt…
Movie Review: Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway
I never read either of Lewis Carroll's Alice books, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or Through The Looking Glass, and yet I feel like I know these characters. I guess that's what happens when a work of fiction embeds itself this deeply into the culture — the details become detached from their source and float like…
Project Runway Podcast Ep. 7: The Hardware Store Challenge with hammering, taping, painting, blood, sweat and tears
Finally, we have arrived at my second favorite challenge of every Runway season. Second only to the group challenge, of course, is the "make a garment with weird s*!%" challenge. This year we have the hardware store challenge, which started out as a cool idea and then spiralled into a mess of hammering, taping, painting,…
Paying it forward with online reviews
How do you plan your vacations? Your mom's birthday dinner? How do you find a new dermatologist or babysitter for your kids? Buy a new book or find new music? If you're anything like me, you ask around. You look for referrals. And you spend a lot of time reading online reviews. For restaurants, for…
Dreaming of a crushing semi
“Dream Momma, I’m a guy in Tampa. This dream keeps coming back. In the dream I am crossing the street when suddenly my legs won’t work. A semi is coming and I can’t get out of the way. I finally can move a little but it’s like wet cement. When the truck is about to…
Christopher Mitchell out as candidate in House District 47 Democratic race
Christopher Mitchell, a young Democrat who was aspiring to political office for the first time this year in the hotly contested open District 47 House seat being vacated by term limited Republican Kevin Ambler, announced today that he was withdrawing from the primary election. In a press release, Mitchell says he now supports former Hillsborough…
Gotham Bay, FL: Q&A with Tampa graphic novelist Joshua Smeaton
Comic books and graphic novels have been thriving since long before Bea Arthur (rest her soul) picked out her first jock strap—but only within the last decade have they emerged on a more mainstream front. Hollywood’s hottest are lining up to don a cape or cowl, and you can find a comic review anywhere from…
Concert review: The Moody Blues launch their 2010 tour at Ruth Eckerd Hall
The Moody Blues kicked off their U.S. tour on Thursday night with a sold out performance at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall. Remaining original members Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge anchored the stage, with an extremely talented backing band there to fill in the missing parts. Included in the current touring band are keyboardist…
Five reasons why Always Sunny is oh-so-funny (with video)
Maybe it's because I am a complete Netflix junkie that I started watching it. Or maybe it's because several of my good friends would not shut up, telling me over and over that I had to watch it. Maybe it's because I felt left out of favorite coworker conversations because I didn’t know who "green…
CD review: ALO, Man of the World (with video)
Animal Liberation Orchestra (ALO) needs to get famous already. It’s frustrating to see a band with this much potential sucked under the industry rug by underexposure. Hopefully, the third release of the self-acknowledged funkateers, 2010's Man of the World, will find ALO reaping the rewards they deserve. The opening and closing tracks of Man of…
Nectar of the gods: Vin Santo, a centuries-old Italian dessert wine tradition
When you think of Italian wines the first that usually come to mind are the reds: the Super Tuscans, chianti classico, sangiovese, nebbiolo, montepulciano. Italian whites bring to mind pinot grigio and trebbiano. But when it comes to dessert wines, thoughts tend to stray from Italy to the sauternes of France, and the wonderful “stickies”…
Recycled chic: Turn a broken umbrella into a handy tote bag (video)
Here in Florida we know a thing or two about heavy rain, strong winds and the effect they can have on an umbrella. I can't even count how many umbrellas I've broken over the years, either from the wind being too strong or from them being cheaply made and falling apart. Umbra Fisk from Grist.org…
Oscar rundown, Bean in hot water again? And “Game on” cop in St. Pete speaks out:Mitch Perry Report 3.5.10
Sunday night is of course, the Academy Awards. The Report gives our jaundiced view of "Hollywood's biggest night"; The St. Petersburg Times has another story that puts County Administrator Pat Bean in a bad light, to say the least: And in the current issue of CL, we write about the controversy in St. Petersburg about…
Times story paints Bean in bad light – but will Commissioners act?
This morning's local papers provides many interesting stories to discuss. In Tampa, the Mayor and City Council have cut tens of millions of dollars in the budget in recent years, but increased park fees have aroused the ire of the populace, and yesterday the city council voted 4-1 to support John Dingfelder's motion to have…
Morphine tribute show this Sunday at New World Brewery (with video)
While you may not miss the deep, mournful vocals of late singer-songwriter and slide bass player Mark Sandman — the frontman of pivotal jazz rock ensemble Morphine who died of a heart attack on stage in Italy in 1999 — the rest of us mourn his untimely passing and wonder how different the indie music…
How I told my boyfriend I was straight: A Taylor Swift concert review (with pics added!)
All photos by Tracy May. I wanted it to suck. Not because I dislike Taylor Swift. I've always found her singles cute, catchy and downright enjoyable. Not once have I ever turned off the radio if one came on the air, and I've even had a few on my iPod. I wanted it to suck…
The art of being naked: Photos of Tampa Nude Nite 2010
Tampa Nude Nite 2010 kicked off its three-night show Thursday at the old Tampa Armature Works building in Tampa Heights. A delicious mix of art lovers, voyeurs and curious onlookers enjoyed a night of entertainment including live burlesque, body painting and dozens of works of art displayed by nearly 100 artists. The atmosphere in the beautiful red brick "Trolley Barn"…
Do It This Weekend: Oscar Night 2010 events in Tampa Bay, Nude Nites, Hyde Park Home Tour, Guinness Pour the Perfect Pint, Gasparilla Festival of the Arts and more
Sunday’s 82nd annual Academy Awards will gather Hollywood’s most glamorous denizens in one place so that we normal people can better assail their fashion sense. If you’d rather take the mocking public, check out the Oscar Night® America event at downtown Tampa’s historic Tampa Theatre. The only officially sanctioned event, Oscar Night® will include limo…
On the Radar: Picnic in the Park at the Henry B. Plant Museum
Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview upcoming events to mark your calendar for. What better way to celebrate the beginning of springtime here in Tampa than to enjoy a picnic on the banks of the Hillsborough River, under the oak trees of the historic Tampa Bay Hotel? The University of Tampa hosts the…
Instant-runoff voting comes to Hollywood
Okay, to quote Ross Perot, here's the deal: Oscar's, Sunday night, 8:30 p.m. ABC. Hollyweird''s biggest night, and all that jazz. As your political columnist, what do the Academy Award nominated films and performances tell us about the Zeitgeist, circa early 2010? First of all, though much has been written about the fact that academy…
“Game on” Sgt. in St. Petersburg explains his thoughts on St. Pete Policy chase policy
Last month, after St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster said he was going to change the Police Department's pursuit policy, Sgt. Karl Lounge was quoted in the St. Pete Times as saying, "It's game on now." That comment has angered people like Ray Tampa, president of the St. Petersburg NAACP, who wrote in a letter to…
Photo review: Hoots & Hellmouth at Skipper’s Smokehouse
A series of shots from the Hoots & Hellmouth show at Skipper's Smokehouse last Sunday, February 28.
CD review: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Brutalist Bricks (with audio)
Ted Leo's art is indissolubly bound in my mind to the first administration of George W. Bush and the Iraq War. Leo tunes, like 2003's "The High Party" and "The Ballad of the Sin Eater," provided evidence that our indie rock heroes could still offer rousing and enraged commentary on the state of the union,…
American Idol top 20 recap: Sawyer’s doppelganger, battle of the blondes and a starter mullet
Oh, American Idol, here we are again…this is the ninth time and clearly we have learned sooooooo little in these past eight seasons. I didn't say much about the top 24 (or anything at all, even though I promised our editor I would cover Idol…oops? Sorry), because to be honest it was a huge mess and I…
Electricity-free water heating system developed by one of USF’s first alumni
A dirt road and a “swampland better fit for ants and alligators than for students and faculty”, these were the humble beginnings of the University of South Florida. Nevertheless, the doors opened on September 26, 1960 when fewer than 2,000 students attended classes in only five buildings. The University was founded in a time of…
This weekend’s best bets in Bay area music: Taylor Swift, AZ and Cormega, The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Chrisette Michele and more
A quick breakdown of this weekend’s most worthy concerts beginning with Thursday, ’cause that’s when the weekend really starts, right? For a more comprehensive schedule, check out our Upcoming Concerts page. THURSDAY, MARCH 4 Taylor Swift [pictured] w/Kelly Pickler Country pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift – the waify blond who became the unfortunate victim of Kanye…
The libertine’s guide to gallantry: why penis size matters
Despite what anyone says, penis size matters, but not in the way you think. American boys are indoctrinated into a culture that celebrates big dicks. Before we hit puberty, we've told exponentially more dick jokes than the number of dicks we've actually seen. We joke about what we're uncomfortable with. So, when it came time…
Victims of domestic violence find help and hope through local services
Domestic violence does not respect social economic status. It can be found anywhere and everywhere, from the home of the wealthiest to the most religious family in the Tampa Bay area. Victims of domestic violence live in fear, thinking there are no other alternatives other than to remain with their abuser. Each year there are…
Countdown to the Academy Awards: Who will get the Oscar for Best Actor? (With Poll)
[Programming Note: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards telecast is this Sun., March 7 at 8 p.m. and Movies & TV Editor Joe Bardi will be live-blogging the event. Come share your thoughts and help Joe celebrate the movies by mercilessly picking on people much more famous and good-looking than he is.] Yesterday I covered the…
Concert announcements: Matisyahu at Push Ultra Lounge, OK Go and Earl Greyhound at Crowbar (with badass video)
Just got a show announcement last night that arrived too late to make it to print. Hasidic reggae rap artist and singer Matisyahu will perform a rare acoustic set at Push Ultra Lounge next Wednesday, March 10, at 8 p.m.; tickets are $10 and available at the door (ages 21 and up only, please). LA-by-way-of-Chicago…
El Nuevo Mundo (The New World): Uruguay and Peru are the new Argentina and Chile of the wine world
The fame of wines from South America grows like a wild fire. Argentina and Chile have made such incredible headway into the wine world that it’s now uncommon to find someone who doesn’t know about Argentine Malbec or Chilean Carmenére. Even as recently as three years ago that would have been the reverse, eyes glassing…
ninebullets.net throws a St. Paddy’s Day SXSW party in Austin (with audio)
Local blog, ninebullets.net, is throwing a party out in Austin for SXSW. So, if your musical tastes tend to lean towards the alt country, then this might be a perfect way for you to kick off your weekend. On Wedneday, March 17 at Opa! (2050 S. Lamar Blvd.), ninebullets.net will host its first-ever SxSW Party…
Strawberry Shortcake recipe, just in time for the Strawberry Festival
It’s strawberry season here in Florida. Every year at this time, Florida strawberries dominate the markets throughout the country. We Floridians also find these, plump, ripe and sweet little red orbs in profusion at our local farmers markets and at the roadside stands that dot the landscape along our roads. For the more adventurous, there…
‘Trashion’ designers needed for Trashy Fashion Show
Amateur eco-fashion designers of all ages will showcase their wears at the Third Annual Trashy Fashion Show, a recycled fashion show at the Largo Cultural Center. In celebration of Earth Day, the Trashy Fashion Show will be held on Thursday, April 22 at 6pm and will feature a runway 'trashion' show and Green Expo. Participants…
Republicans in full attack mode as Obama calls for reconciliation, light rail ballot language won’t be ready until April in Hillsborough: Mitch Perry Report 3.4.10
Orlando-area Congressman Alan Grayson was on Larry King Live last night. But for once, the controversial Democrat played second fiddle to another member of Congress who tried to create headlines on health care last night; The move to get ballot language for the referendum on light rail and transit in Hillsborough is moving at a…
Maurice Ferre and his changing budget numbers
Although Kendrick Meek supporters decry his lack of media attention as the world focuses on the daily give and take of the Charlie Crist/Marco Rubio rumble, part of the problem for the Miami Democrat is that he is substantially running against himself for the Democratic nomination. That's not meant to belittle either former North Miami…
Florida GOP Senator on ObamaCare : “America will not stand for this..”
Florida's accidental juinor Senator, George LeMieux, issued out a statement and video press release last night condemning President Obama, after the commander in chief yesterday urged Congress to "finish its work" on health care and, though he did say so explicitly, gave his endorsement of the parliamentary procedure known as reconciliation in the Senate, meaning…
Movie Review: Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer, starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Catrall and Olivia Williams
[Note: The Ghost Writer opens Fri., March 5 at Regal Cinemas' Park Place Stadium 16 in Pinellas Park before expanding into more theaters next week. (You can check showtimes here.) For more reviews of the biggest new releases, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.] It's impossible to talk about The Ghost Writer, the…
Do It Today: Nude Nite art and performance show, Evenings with the Maestro, and meet Wives of Henry Oades author Johanna Moran
Ever since humans first chiseled images on cave walls and sculpted clay figurines, art has celebrated the nude form. In modern times, little has changed; now, we simply appreciate nude art while sipping wine. Unleash your carnal art connoisseur when Nude Nites, the largest event of its kind in the country, returns to Tampa with…
CL’s Lost Podcast: Season 6, Ep. 5 “Sundown”
This week on CL's Lost podcast, Host Joe is joined by London, Ham Gravy and David Warner as they attempt to shine a light on Tuesday night's excellent episode, "Sundown." If you missed the episode, you can watch it (courtesy of Hulu) after the break. And as always, talk back in the comments section. We…
Screening of food documentary InGREEDients plus dinner and Q&A with the filmmakers this Friday (3/5)
Here's your chance to see the award-winning food documentary, InGREEDients, that will have you questioning what you know about the food you eat (and it ain't pretty).(Read more about the film here.) In addition to watching an exclusive screening of the film, you'll get to meet the filmmakers and dine on healthy, delicious food provided…
Liar, liar Jeffrey’s pants on fire!
The B.S. meter broke trying to measure all of Jeff Atwater’s lies on this one… By Chris Ingram If you ever had any question about what is wrong with American politics, Jeff Atwater who is the Florida State Senate President and is a candidate for Chief Financial Officer should erase any doubt. This guy is so full of…
Academy Awards preview: If I ran the Oscars
[Note: Check out Joe Bardi's Oscar preview and vote in our online Oscar poll here. For more movie news and reviews, check out the Daily Loaf Movies Index.] This may be the year the Oscars break out of its ratings slump. The expanding of the Best Picture category from five nominees to 10 was a…
Commissioners Hagan & Ferlita question why anybody in South Hillsborough would vote for transit project
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said on Wednesday that with the removal of six different road projects in the South County area that were on a list to be funded by a percentage of the sales tax referendum on transit, there was now little incentive for anybody in that part of the county to approve…
Wednesday-music.com indie music profile: Laura Veirs
Laura Veirs arrived at Portland by way of Seattle, by way of Colorado (where she grew up). In fact, she says her Colorado upbringing provided much of her songwriting inspiration. Actually as a child she didn’t focus on music; she casually listened to whatever was playing on the radio at home. She really didn’t start…
How to swing outside of a swinger club
While the swinging lifestyle is booming in some cities, smaller communities lack the big city perks of public places to meet and plenty of fresh faces. Smaller communities have less to offer an adventurous couple out for a night of experimentation (otherwise known as fucking your friends). Although lifestyle related clubs are an excellent resource for…
Caption contest celebrates anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points
This week’s caption contest celebrates one of the most recognizable sports photos ever taken: Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain holding up a piece of paper with “100” written on it after just torching the Knicks for 100 points. Wilt took 63 shots that night, making 36 of them. He also went 28-32 from the free throw…
Pay “rent” to Mother Earth: Giving some love back to the trees
I recently came across an article in my favorite website, Treehugger.com, that began with a quotation from one of the bookmarks that I sell in the activist area of my It’s Our Nature® mobile store by E.B. White: "If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would…
Florida Strawberry Festival headline entertainment: Julianne Hough, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sam Moore, Patty Loveless, and more
Every year, the Florida Strawberry Festival brings top-name traditional and pop country acts and the odd mainstream performer and rock bands to entertain the Plant City masses (and those who make the journey out to BFE to hang with the PC masses). This year’s schedule is not as strong as years past, but the formula…
Countdown to the Academy Awards: Who will get the Oscar for Best Actress? (With Poll)
[Programming Note: The 82nd Annual Academy Awards telecast is this Sun., March 7 at 8 p.m. and Movies & TV Editor Joe Bardi will be live-blogging the event. Come share your thoughts and help Joe celebrate the movies by mercilessly picking on people much more famous and good-looking than he is.] Yesterday I covered the…
Concert review: Bowling for Soup with The Dollyrots and Neglected Superhero at Orpheum
I’ve only had a few celebrity sightings in my life, and one was three years ago in the Las Vegas airport during a layover. I was admiring the many slot machines and stretching my legs between flights when I glanced to my left and spotted said celebs. I did a double take and an investigative…
Rangel saves Florida Dems embarrassment by stepping down
New York Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel this morning announced he was temporarily stepping down from his post as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, after an ethics committee admonished him last week for violating Congressional gift rules by accepting corporate-sponsored trips to the Carribbean. Florida House Democrats like Kathy Castor, Kendrick Meek and…
Review: Ybor’s Cigar City Tattoo Convention celebrates the ink-on-skin art medium (with pics)
Expanding through the four floors of downtown Ybor’s Cuban Club, The Second Annual Cigar City Tattoo Convention was an enticing art exposition that celebrated the ink-on-skin medium with three days of tattoos, contests, music and more. Visitors were served a buffet for the senses. Taste was covered as food and beer were provided, and the…
Momofuku’s Bo Ssäm recipe
Okay, I'll admit it. I'm beginning to develop an unhealthy fascination with Chef David Chang of Momofuku fame. After I got my feet wet with Chang's Ginger Scallion Noodles, I caved and bought the book. And, I’m so glad I did! It’s a beautiful book and a very entertaining read. As I forked over my…
Interview with comedian Pablo Francisco, the “movie trailer guy,” onstage at the Tampa Improv this weekend
"Oh yeah, that guy!" That's the reaction many people get when they hear stand-up comedian and master impressionist Pablo Francisco do his signature voice, Don LaFontaine. Who is Don LaFontaine, you ask? If you ever sat through a movie preview, you know Don Lafontaine. More widely known as "the movie preview guy," LaFontaine was best…
7-Eleven opens its first LEED building
Environmentally friendly building design is becoming more and more mainstream in Central Florida. On February 24, 2010 7-Eleven opened a new store in Deland, FL that they hope will be their first to earn a LEED® Certified rating. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, developed by the United States Green Building…
Charlie’s last State of the State, Fla. Republicans looking to end teacher tenure, and Bloomberg for President in 2012?:Mitch Perry Report 3.3.10
Last night Governor Charlie Crist delivered his final State of the State Address. How is Marco Rubio handling it? His press people are issuing out newspaper quotes about how much Democrats liked the speech; The legislative session has just got underway, and state Republicans are fired up and ready to reform state govt. The same…
Michael Bloomberg to run for President as an independent in 2012?
Last night the late night comedy shows featured potential GOP candidates that might face Barack Obama when he comes up for re-election in 2 1/2 years time. Sarah Palin appeared on NBC's Tonight Show with old host Jay Leno, while Mitt Romney went on David Letterman's Late Show to hawk his new book, No Apology:…
New GOP reform plan in Tallahassee would rid collective bargaining right for most state workers
On the first day of the legislative session yesterday, House Republican leaders unveiled wish list of reforms. Some of the roughly two dozen items on the list are controversial, Speaker Larry Cretul admits. The Associated Press lists some of the proposals: – Establishing a Florida Savings Fund to guarantee that the state maintains adequate cash…
The prize-winning Ruined, now playing at Sarasota’s Studio Theatre makes the Pulitzer committee look good
Lynn Nottage's Ruined, winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is that rare thing among American plays, an intelligent and passionate examination of personal and political life in a foreign country, in this case the war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. The many characters Nottage puts on the stage, from bar-and-brothelkeeper Mama Nadi to…
Tampa’s Nervous Turkey trotting to SXSW
Tampa’s own blues rock trio Nervous Turkey gets an official SXSW slot.
Polanski’s Ghost Writer is taut fiction; Brooklyn’s Finest fails to achieve the same heights as its actors
Plus: Brooklyn’s Finest doesn’t quite live up to its name.
More cavities in our dental care system
There’s no teeth in national health care legislation, either.
Toothless in Florida: How oral care gets lost in the health care crisis
Can’t afford to see a dentist? Don’t expect to get much help from Florida.
Restaurant review: Nice novice nosh at Dunedin’s The Living Room on Main
A visit to Dunedin’s The Living Room on Main changes my mind about restaurant newbies.
Poor excuses: poetry and poverty mix
The long Republican tradition of demonizing poverty.
Can coconut juice be used as blood plasma?
I've heard coconut juice is almost identical to human blood plasma, and has been used as a plasma substitute during wartime. I asked a friend from Vietnam who lived there during the war about this, and she was very matter-of-fact about the use of coconut juice as a substitute for blood plasma during the war…
Fast and furious: The decision to cease police car chases in St. Petersburg
Mayor Foster causes an outcry with his change to St. Pete’s policy on high-speed police chases.
A $60M Pinellas County funding cut? Now what?
With Pinellas County budget cuts looming, arts organizations must adjust.
The plight of “good pedophiles”
They know it’s wrong and thankfully don’t act on it.
Do It Today: Little House On the Prairie at the Straz, Twiztid at the State and an LGBT Relay for Life Bingo night at Hamburger Mary’s
For much of the 1970s, Little House on the Prairie was a mainstay of prime-time television and remains an iconic series. It also gave Melissa Gilbert the role with which she will always be identified – spunky little Half-Pint, Laura Ingalls. Now, some 28 years after Little House went off the air, Gilbert returns to…
Charlie Crist speaks proudly about the stimulus at his State of the State address
In his weakest position as governor since he was elected 3 1/2 years ago, Charlie Crist delivered his final State of the State address in Tallahassee this evening. In his 45-minute address, perhaps the most interesting moments came when he addressed his acceptance of the federal stimulus money, which he proudly mentioned, while knocking critics…
CL’s Lost Podcast: Season 6, Ep. 4 “Lighthouse”
This week on CL's Lost podcast, Host Joe is joined by London, Fat Jesus and David Warner as they attempt to shine a light on Tuesday night's above-average episode, "Lighthouse." If you missed the episode, you can watch it (courtesy of Hulu) after the break. And as always, talk back in the comments section. We…
Sex and love events around Tampa: Feb 19 – March
Sat. Feb. 20. Cops & Robbers Theme Party. Caliente Resort. 21240 Gran Via Blvd. Land O Lakes, FL 34637. Sat. Feb. 20. Amateur Bikini Dancer Night. Have you ever wanted to swing around a stripper pole without having to take off your clothes? Come out to Club Sinn every Saturday night for amateur night. Each…
Local artist Kirk Palmer paints himself into the homeless image
Kirk Palmer rubbed elbows with jungle tribesmen and their families as a child growing up in Bolivia. He traveled to the Middle East as a foreign area officer in the Marines and witnessed some of the most abject poverty that exists on this planet. He once walked through the streets of the City of the…
Jason Green – Contributor
Jason Green, a licensed architect and LEED AP, serves as St. Petersburg College’s Sustainability Coordinator. The St Petersburg College Office for Sustainability works to incorporate sustainable values and practices into the global culture of the college and that of its stakeholders through environmentally focused continuing and higher education programs, energy and natural resource conservation, sustainable…
