The Ronvoys are coming
Ron Paul supporters are planning a massive pre-convention rally in Tampa.
Green Community Calendar weekend events
Probiotic soda workshop, energy efficiency class, aquatic event and summer farmers markets!
Tampa Police Chief says public’s overall anger keeps her up at night in preparing for RNC
Jane Castor at Tampa Downtown Partnership's (de)briefing on the RNC Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor says the overall dissatisfaction about government on both sides of the political aisle is what worries her the most in preparing for the Republican National Convention. Speaking to over 200 people at the Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel in an event sponsored…
This week in food and drink
Pepper Fest, National Donut Day, IPA beer fest, brunch cruise and more!
Mitch Perry Report 5.30.12 – Is ethics reform possible in Tallahassee?
Plus: It’s Romney or bust for the GOP.
Reel Projections: Hulk smash, Lucas build and more …
Joe & Dave discuss The Hulk leaping to TV, George Lucas doing something cool (for a change) and more …
Florida’s newest good government group wants to clean up state ethics
Ben Wilcox & Dan Krassner with Integrity Florida A year and a half ago, a report was issued by a statewide grand jury that stated that public corruption is pervasive at all levels of government in Florida. It also reported that between 1998-2007, more than 800 elected officials in the Sunshine State were convicted of…
Scott Randolph and Alan Clendenin are already competing for Florida Democratic Chair position
Alan Clendenin Orlando area Democratic state Representative Scott Randolph announced Tuesday he would not run for re-election this year to the state House, but instead will devote all his time and resources on working to ensure the re-election of both Barack Obama and Bill Nelson. And he announced definitively that he is a candidate to…
Checking in on The Seattle International Film Festival
In this first installment, our traveling critic reviews Take This Waltz and John Dies at the End.
Cafe Bohemia says farewell to owner Matthew Neal and crew
Matthew Neal, owner of Cafe Bohemia in downtown St. Petersburg, is bidding his cafe adieu. Cafe Bohemia is not closing shop, but will have new owners. www.cltampa.com Cafe Bohemia is getting new owners. Neal posted this message on Facebook: "To all my friends: In less than a week the cafe will take on new owners.…
Concert review: Hitmaker of the ’70s Al Stewart plays to a grateful Capitol Theatre audience
To paraphrase one of his biggest hits, time may not be turning back for Al Stewart, but it does seem willing to stand still for that "king of historical rock" as he was introduced Saturday night to a near-capacity Capitol Theatre in Clearwater. At 66, he doesn't have the thick, flowing locks of his 1970s…
Occupy Tampa to hold regional General Assembly this Saturday
As summer approaches, stories are appearing in the press about the current state of the Occupy Wall Street movement and its affiliated groups throughout the country, eight months after Zuccotti Park in Manhattan became the epicenter for activists around the globe. On the Al Jazeera website, Arun Gupta writes "What happened to the Occupy movement?"…
Hark! The Banyan reopens in St. Petersburg
After a brief hiatus, owner Erica Allums is back in the Banyan’s kitchen and ready to open the doors once more.
Mitch Perry Report 5.29.12 – Surviving Miami’s Urban Beach Week
Well how was your weekend? Hopefully it didn't include being near a naked guy chewing the flesh off another naked guy on a bridge, as occurred on a causeway heading into Miami Beach this weekend.That's where this reporter was, ostensibly to see my hometown San Francisco Giants take on the Miami Marlins in their spanking…
Tampa to tap into federal funds for RNC insurance policy
The city needs convention insurance. Now we know who’s paying for it.
FL laws challenge U.S. Constitution, state coffers
Gov. Scott and state legislators are testing the boundaries of constitutional protections.
National Burger Day – Beer Pairing at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Burgers are a staple for Memorial Day celebrations, and today also happens to be National Burger Day! So celebrate with a great burger and pair it with a great craft beer.
Malibu Red and coconut cocktails
When you think of tropical cocktails, Malibu rum may come to mind. Cocktails made with Malibu rum may not be icy, brain-freezing creations like daiquiris, but with their rich coconut flavor, they belong on the beach as much as daiquiris and your coconut-scented sunscreen. Joining the Malibu family is Malibu Red, developed in part by…
New music Tuesday! (May 29): Regina Spektor, Scissor Sisters, Sigur Ros, The Walkmen & more
Releases out this week, with audio & video included.
Rays avenge loss to Red Sox, win 4-3
Two of three ain’t bad (but Boston’s record is).
Red Sox walk-off spoils Rays run
This just in: Fernando Rodney is mortal after all. While it's always a plus to have a super-human closer, the Rays ninth inning heir-apparent gave up the game in regulation, allowing the tying and go-ahead runs on a home run to left center by Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the Rays' 3-2 Saturday night loss to the…
Tampa’s Riverwalk keeps growing
A little more than two years ago, CL editor David Warner and this reporter were escorted by then Mayor Pam Iorio around the just completed part of Tampa's Riverwalk that ran from Channelside Drive to the Tampa Convention Center. When I informed Iorio that I ran daily along the streets of Tampa, she exclaimed, "This…
Re-Joyce!
CRACK! As sports onomatopoeia go, it doesn't get much better than that. That was the sound Boston Redsox starting pitcher Jon Lester's 3-1 pitch made on it's way out to the Sox bullpen, courtesy of the bat of Matt Joyce of the Tampa Bay Rays. That bases-loaded bomb in the top of the third inning…
Ronda Storms, Bob Henriquez file to run against Rob Turner for Hillsborough County Appraiser
Less than a week ago Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Rob Turner was sitting pretty with no serious competition for a fifth four-year term in office. But his world changed on Tuesday after he admitted to exchanging pornographic texts and emails with his department's Human Resources Director before firing her. Turner said he did so after…
St. Pete’s got Talent
America’s Got Talent auditions from the Mahaffey Theater will air Monday night.
Diaries for a sad fan
Chernobyl meltdown inspires horror letdown.
Buckhorn says violence in Chicago supports creation of Tampa’s RNC Event Zone
Protesters outside the NATO summit in Chicago Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn says that the violent interactions between police and protesters outside the NATO summit in Chicago prove that he's had the right attitude all along in preparing Tampa police for "anarchists" who could create mayhem at this summer's Republican National Convention in Tampa. Speaking after…
Mitch Perry Report 5.25.12 – Hello Summer
Welcome to Memorial Day weekend, the mythical beginning of summer in the U.S. With temperatures set to hit 93 degrees in Tampa today, we're inching closer to the weather patterns that will remain constant in the region until at least late October right now, minus the intense humidity – for now, thankfully. So what else…
Don’t say you miss me
Recently I caught myself screaming in the car loud enough for the driver next to me to take notice. I had just received a text message that read, “I miss you.” This is becoming a disturbing trend in my love life, or lack thereof. I have at least four men in my life who like…
Speed kills
Rushing to bed destroyed a potential relationship.
Your bias is showing
Jokes about minorities can be funny — except when the jokers are dead serious.
BBQ-Tips: Street inspiration
Recreating Chi’Lantro’s Korean barbecue kimchi fries.
Back in Black
Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones whoop ET (again) in Men in Black III.
All-Star voice actor panel reads through Star Wars
“As if millions of voices suddenly cried out.”
Cru Cellars: There’s a party in the back
Delicious surprises in a restaubar/wine shop.
Voting rights groups to Florida: Stop purging voters
The Brennan Center in NY doesn't approve of voting purges Over the past week it's been reported that the state is undertaking a purge of the voting rolls, which no doubt caused Florida Democrats to ask: Again? For those of you with short memories, there was that little snafu back in the extremely loud and…
The abortion wars continue: Amendment Six
It’s not just a threat to abortion rights, say opponents, but to privacy.
Tea Party Express rolling into Tampa in June
Billie Tucker at the CNN/Tea Party Express debate in Tampa Sept. 12, 2011 The Tea Party Express, the nation’s largest Tea Party political action committee, is launching its “Reclaiming Our Future” national bus tour next Friday, June 1, and climaxing in Tampa on June 11.
Ybor business community rages at idea of banning under-21-year-olds from nightclubs
Violence at the former Club Empire led to Thursday's workshop After a murder occurred at the controversial hip-hop Ybor establishment Club Empire last fall, the Tampa City Council heard from members of the public demanding that they shut down that club. But under current regulations, the city did not have the legal ability to do…
Mitch Perry Report 5.24.12 – Majority of Floridians dig Stand Your Ground law? Yep.
A day after Quinnipiac delighted Republicans around the country with a survey showing Mitt Romney up by six percentage points, those same pollsters are no doubt delighting Republicans again in the Sunshine State today with a brand new poll out this morning (link to come). That poll shows A) Connie Mack and Bill Nelson in…
Rick Scott now unpopular with only 46 percent of Floridians
Connie Mack is looking like the GOP nominee for Senate A day after Quinnipiac produced a poll of those same Florida citizens (whom Democratic strategist Steve Schale insists do not fully represent the voters in November) have more good news for Republicans: Rick Scott is at his highest level of popularity in at least a…
Review: Jane’s Addiction brings a theatric feast of sights and sounds to Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
This past Saturday night, Jane's Addiction hit town on their current "Theater of the Escapists" tour and much to my surprise, proved that Ruth Eckerd Hall was the perfect venue to showcase their high-brow alt rock talents. Jane's Addiction delivered an intimate and theatrical performance of grand proportions amid a surreal atmosphere that featured beautiful…
Good fortune shines on Tallhart
The Tampa Bay area band celebrates a triumphant year with a new EP and label representation.
BBQ-Tips: Grill & chill
What to pour when you’re cooking out.
Planet Theo
Renowned, accomplished Tampa artist Theo Wujcik targets climate change issues in our Ybor world.
Steny Hoyer makes the rounds for aspiring Florida Democrats
Steny Hoyer in St. Petersburg Steny Hoyer is one of the most powerful men in Washington, but still plays second fiddle in terms of leadership among House Democrats to Nancy Pelosi. A decade ago, Hoyer lost a bitter fight to Pelosi for House Minority Whip, easing the way for the San Francisco Democrat to ultimately…
Romney makes big gain in new Florida poll
A new Quinnipiac poll released early Wednesday has Mitt Romney up in the Sunshine State over Barack Obama, 47-41 percent. It marks the second month in a row that Romney has gained in the Q survey. Last month the two were in a statistical tie, while in March Obama held his biggest lead in Florida…
Live and Local Spotlight: Ol’ Dirty Sundays One-Year Anniversary Party
While it feels like Ol' Dirty Sundays has been building up the credibility and vibrancy of the Tampa Bay area local hip hop scene for forever, the weekly Sunday night dance party was established a mere year ago. Resident DJs Casper and LeSage spin the highest-quality old and new school hip-hop, funk, reggae and soul…
Protect your pint: Ben & Jerry’s Euphori-Lock
www.benjerry.com Ben & Jerry's new Euphori-Lock keeps strangers from touching your "precious." It happens all the time. You make the journey to buy some Ben & Jerry's. You look over every flavor, deciding whether to get a little frisky with Schweddy Balls or keep it classic with Cherry Garcia. Once home, you savor every bite,…
Jessica Ehrlich says Bill Young no longer represents the values of Pinellas voters
Jessica Ehrlich meeting with seniors at her campaign office on Wednesday In one of her first public media appearances since becoming a congressional candidate in Bill Young's recently redrawn District 13 district, Democratic Jessica Ehrlich said that after more than 40 years representing the district in Washington, the people are ready for a change. "He's…
Hillsborough Democrats seize on Rob Turner’s porn exchanges
Not surprisingly, the Hillsborough County Democratic Party thinks they may have been given a gift with the report that Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Rob Turner traded what the Tampa Tribune calls "lurid texts" and emails of a pornographic nature for years with a former employee he once dated. Turner fired Carolyn Filippone on Monday, right…
A new kind of U.S. space program: Photos from the SpaceX launch
www.starznbarz.com Launch photos taken from the roof of this building, about 500 feet up, just above the American flag. History was made at 3:44 A.M. EST on May 22, 2012 — but let's return to the recent past for a moment. It makes the future sweeter. Saturday, May 19, 4:54:59 a.m., Cape Canaveral, FL.: We're…
This week in food and drink
Charity wine festival, massages at WOB, Sweet Tomatoes Express opening, Barefoot Contessa cooking class and more!
Mitch Perry Report 5.23.12 -Friendship Trail Bridge advocates take a blow
It shouldn't be fatal, but the folks who are trying to make sure that the Friendship Trail Bridge isn't razed didn't get any favors from the Pinellas County Commission, who voted yesterday to reject the new plan put together by its advocates, instead sending money to Hillsborough County to tear it down. On Monday, HART…
BBQ-Tips: You’re grilling what?
Four ways to fire up your outdoor bill of fare.
Eating in the raw
Vegan chef and raw-conteur Doug McNish talks up the benefits of his favored diet.
TV stations sue over FCC rule that they must post political ad revenues online
Anybody who really enjoys watching political ads, please raise your hand. Although you may not like them much, there is one group out there in the community that loves them. They're the folks at the local television stations, as their ad revenues soar during campaign season. But until recently, if you wanted to know specifically…
Pinellas County votes to send Friendship Trail Bridge demolition funds across the bay
The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday afternoon to allocate the final portion of their funds towards the demolition of the Friendship Trail Bridge. The Board voted to move $515,000 to Hillsborough County to complete their $2.5 million half of the costs to demolish the bridge. In accordance with an interlocal agreement to…
New Springhill Community Center opens in Sulphur Springs
Kate Feldman Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Sulphur Springs students join in cutting the ribbon to open the new Springhill Community Center. This time, the yellow ribbon led to a splash pad, to a performance workshop, to a sports field. On Tuesday afternoon, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn cut the ribbon on the new Springhill Community Center…
HART staff discuss scenarios to raise revenues & increase services
HART officials would like to deal with less crowded buses in the future As most Tampa residents know who supported the light-rail referendum that failed in Hillsborough County, the proposal did actually pass within the city limits. However the anti-rail mood in the areas outside Tampa dwarfed that support, and the measure lost by 19…
The Gaily News: Clearwater one step closer to a domestic partnership registry (video)
Days after Gulfport approved the creation of a domestic partnership registry last week — the first municipality in Pinellas County to do so — Clearwater moved forward with similar legislation. At its May 17 meeting, Clearwater's City Council voted unanimously to create a registry for unmarried same-sex and heterosexual couples that would grant them certain…
The golden age of rock’n’roll autobiographies
We may look back on this era someday and realize that this was the golden age of rock’n’roll autobiographies.Or not. Duane and Gregg Allman as teenagers But you have to agree that we are on a roll.First we had Eric Clapton’s wonderful, soul-searching Autobiography. You could imagine Slowhand sitting at his laptop, twisting the chin…
The Amazon Trail: Thank you, President Obama
My week was looking like a trailer park after a tornado until the announcement came that the president of the United States supported marriage equality, also known as civil rights for gays. The day before, North Carolina had fallen into the hands of the morality pirates. It had been the week that was. We were…
