The father of supply-side economics, Arthur Laffer, speaks in Tampa
Arthur Laffer indulges before speaking in Tampa Known as the "father" of supply-side economics, 72-year-old Arthur Laffer made a short appearance in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon, giving a quick history of tax cuts throughout the last century. Laffer then introduced Herman Cain, who was in town for his Truth Tour. Supply-side economics is the theory…
Herman Cain takes on “mainstream, lamestream, lapdog media” as his Truth Tour hits Tampa
Herman Cain outside Grand Ballroom F at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Although he quit the 2011-2012 GOP presidential race a month before the Iowa caucuses, Herman Cain's quixotic journey for the White House continues to pay him dividends. Still revered by economic conservatives who loved his "9-9-9" tax reform plan, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO…
Free donuts at Krispy Kreme
krispykreme.com Grab an eye patch, a bandana, a neighbor's talking parrot, and head to the nearest Krispy Kreme for a free donut. In honor of Talk Like A Pirate Day, held on September 19, Krispy Kreme is handing out free glazed donuts for anyone rocking pirate gear or a mean "ARR".
Chuck Todd stayed at Floridan Hotel during RNC — didn’t really love it
Chuck Todd is NBC News' Political Director and host of "The Daily Rundown" on MSNBC weekdays at 9 a.m. During last month's Republican National Convention in Tampa, the Miami native stayed at the recently opened Floridan Hotel in downtown. Apparently, he wasn't enamored with the 19-story building, which opened in late July after being shut…
Chick-fil-A tries to make amends for its hateful ways
Graffiti painted on a California Chick-fil-A during this summer's protests of the chain's anti-gay views. Could it be? Is the uber anti-gay Chick-fil-A really ending its hate-filled ways? After months of an exhausting and vitriolic media firestorm and a wave of protests because of the fast food chicken chain, which has donated money to anti-gay…
HART COO Katharine Eagan named on Mass Transit’s top 40 under 40 list
Katharine Eagan Katharine Eagan, the Chief Operating Officer for HART, was listed on Mass Transit magazine's Top 40 Under 40 list. The trade publication, which touts itself as the only such entity dedicated to public transportation, made the announcement on Tuesday. Eagan has been with the Hillsborough County transit agency since 2009, when she took…
Trying the Woodchuck fall cider
BEERADVOCATE.COM It should be noted from the beginning that I love cider. There are many people who hate cider and no flavor combination could ever sway their palate. So, being forewarned, I can go on to say that Woodchuck's fall cider is pretty dang delicious.
Album review: Cat Power, Sun
For her first new album of original material in nearly six years, indie rock forerunner Chan Marshall (or Cat Power as she's better known) decided to travel back to her roots and deliver a collection of moody, plaintive songs that ranks among the best work she's created yet. A new spin on the more familiar…
Mitch Perry Report 9.19.12 -Reports that this presidential race is over are greatly exaggerated
Props to the editors at the Tampa Bay Times for headlining the article by political reporters Adam C. Smith and Alex Leary regarding the state of the presidential race, post Boca Raton. Entitled "Mitt Romney Stumbles But Don't Count Him Out", the fact of the matter is is that it's highly doubtful that the most…
Kathy Castor blasts Mitt Romney for his Boca Raton remarks
Mitt Romney took to Neil Cavuto's show on Fox News Tuesday afternoon to stop some of the bleeding resulting from his provocative comments to a private fundaiser in Boca Raton last May that were released on the website of Mother Jones magazine. Romney's comments that 47 percent of the public that are on public assistance…
Taste the Loafiness
Celebrate Best of the Bay with LoafinBräu, a special brew made just for CL.
Romney’s leaked speech receives varying responses from conservatives
John McCain in Tampa Mitt Romney's leaked comments about his beliefs that the 47 percent of Americans on government assistance (technically it's 46 percent) will vote for President Obama, thus his message of tax relief doesn't matter to them, has created an enormous buzz in the political world. At his University of Tampa speech earlier…
At UT speech, John McCain says controversial anti-Islamic video “not hateful”
John McCain was not addressing a chair during his appearance at the University of Tampa on Tuesday "I think that's an excellent question, and I think it's very legitimate in the light of recent events." That was Arizona Sen. John McCain's response — at a speech he gave on Tuesday at the University of Tampa…
Review: Elton John doesn’t let the Sun Dome down.
From a personal standpoint, no other pop artist's music can conjure up places, spaces and times from my youth as vividly as Elton John's does. Elton was my first favorite rock star. I can instantly recall the excitement and the rush I felt at age 7 when I first heard his music on the radio.…
Rowdies secure win over FC Edmonton, control destiny
With the Rowdies’ 3-0 victory over FC Edmonton on Sunday night at Clarke Stadium in Alberta, they now control their own destiny. Rowdies forward Daniel Antoniuk battles with an FC Edmonton defender in the Rowdies' 3-0 on Sunday night. Antoniuk scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Tasty TV Treats: the flava of Britney, Barney and Ava
Summer is officially over and although that means no more beach days, short shorts or summer flings it also means it's the beginning of the fall TV season. This TV season brings old favorites, new love triangles and lots of break-ups. Curious what is going on this week in TV? Want to know who breaks-up…
Latimer warns Hillsborough Democrats about lengthy ballot
Craig Latimer shows off the six page ballot Hillsborough County voters will use this fall In case you haven't heard, the ballot that Florida registered voters will use for the November election is extremely long. How long, depends on the county, though. Craig Latimer is the chief-of-staff to Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Earl Lennard.…
Mitch Perry Report 9.18.12 – Mitt makes it harder on himself
Last week Mitt Romney blasted the Obama administration for "weakness" after an initial apologetic press release was issued by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo as they were threatened by violence. Hours later U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens was dead, along with three other Americans. The mainstream media came down hard on Romney, saying it…
Secret Romney tape: All Democrats are deadbeats
With the rise of the Tea Party has been the argument from conservative that nearly half of Americans don't pay taxes. That's the real problem! And that's the response frequently used to counter the argument by President Obama and Democrats that taxes need to be raised on the wealthy in order to start balancing the…
New music Tuesday! (Sept. 18): Pink, Kanye West, Ben Folds Five, The Killers, Grizzly Bear, The Sea and Cake & more
Releases out this week, audio & video included.
Romney talks immigration in L.A., sort of
At a GOP presidential debate at USF in January, Mitt Romney was asked what he would do with the roughly 11.5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. "We're not going to round people up the way that we have in this society, to say 'look, people who've come here illegally [should] be given a transition…
The baseball diaries
Nagging questions about America’s game — like, why no cheerleaders?
10 reasons to see Tampa Bay Players’ Speed-the-Plow?
We were a little late on this one, thanks to RNC and Best of the Bay. So we'll let Rick Stutzel — a retired U.S. Marine Corps attorney, actor, middle school teacher and "a big theater enthusiast" — tell us about Tampa Bay Players' current production of Speed-the-Plow.
This means war
Romney’s policies would be a big step backward for women’s rights.
Connie Mack’s likability numbers remain upside down in Rasmussen poll
Some Democrats have "issues" with polls produced by Scott Rasmussen, but he does have a pretty solid track record. His most recent survey, out today, of "likely" voters vs. registered ones has made him a bit of an outlier in the polling world, in that he still has Mitt Romney ahead of Barack Obama (47-45…
Occupy Tampa moves on
Today, rallies are being held in more than 30 cities across the globe to observe the one year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street (OWS), where activists first gathered at Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan. This past Saturday, about 300 people observed the anniversary in New York City. Approximately a dozen people were arrested — mostly…
Mitch Perry Report 9.17.12 – Welcoming foreign policy to the presidential race
The New York Times has a story on A-1 this morning regarding an attack by the Taliban on a NATO base in Southern Afghanistan – an attack that damaged eight attack jets in what they describe as the "most single destructive single strike on Western materiel in the 11-year war." Add that to the still…
Rowdies Roundup: Rowdies’ tie with Atlanta
With due apologies to all my Rowdies faithful following, I’ve been quite the slacker this past week in terms of coverage. That being said, here is an action-packed compilation of the Rowdies’ happenings since their 1-1 tie with Atlanta last Saturday. Rowdies defender Daniel Scott makes a play in the Rowdies 1-1 draw against Atlanta…
Review: Built to Spill at State Theatre, St. Petersburg
Among the near-capacity crowd of 700 or so who came to see Built to Spill at State Theatre Wednesday night were dozens of scenesters of frontman Doug Martsch's vintage (40ish), an old girlfriend of mine, a couple hundred younger indie rock fans who'd have come whether the show was Dinosaur Jr. or The Books, and…
Netanyahu, Obama and Iran’s “red line”
The relationship between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has always been an uneasy one, which has been exacerbated by the pressures that the Israeli leader is putting on the president less than two months before the U.S. general election regarding the looming threat of Iran having nuclear weapons. Last week Netanyahu lashed…
Paul Ryan back in Florida — pictures from Oldsmar
In his first public Florida appearance since the Republican National Convention, Vice Presidential hopeful Paul Ryan appeared in Oldsmar this morning before a hot but enthusiastic crowd. Make sure to see the report from CL's Michael Newberger Romney-Ryan fans Miss Liberty, aka Lisa Ganno, and husband, Joe. Several Republican party advocates took the stage before…
Ask Dream Momma: Dreamer goes to the birds
“Dear Dream Momma, I dreamt that I was at the beach and all of a sudden, black birds were starting to fall from the sky all around me. But there was a really tall white bird right by my feet. Just quiet and still, but still would not leave his spot.”
A Clean Water Fund report says coal ash poses significant threats to Florida’s public health and water resources
TECO's Big Bend Power Plant in Apollo Beach Every year, the state of Florida produces more than 8 billion pounds of coal ash. Coal ash is the toxic byproduct that emanates from the 15 coal-fired plants in the Sunshine State. Often it's stored in landfills or disposal ponds. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency…
Peaches & herb
Skillet-roasted peaches are a decadent early fall dessert.
20 years of porn stars partying their pants off at NightMoves
Porn stars Kaylani Lei and Zoe Britton partying at Nightmoves In the three years I've covered the NightMoves Awards Show weekend in October, I've lounged in a nudist resort's pool filled with porn stars, I've gone thong shopping with Chanel Preston, I've taken shots with Ron Jeremy, I've been invited to a late-night love-fest at…
Mitch Perry Report 9.14.12 – the arrogance of unaccountable incumbents
It was officially announced on Thursday that U.S. Senate candidates Bill Nelson & Connie Mack IV will debate on October 17 at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. They'll also debate later in October in Tampa, but not with the Tampa Bay Times as sponsor. That's because Congressman Mack objects to the Tampa Bay daily's participation,…
Sounding the alarm
Nearly 60 years old, Fahrenheit 451 couldn’t be more relevant.
Two Big Mouths #113 Rewind Now Live
[audio-path:http://archive.org/download/TwoBigMouths113/Tbm09-06.mp3] Hello again friends. Show #113 was so stellar, so awe inspiring and so jovial that we've decided to let you take another listen. Please, for the love of all that is holy, have some fun would ya? Peace CLICK HERE TO VISIT TWO BIG MOUTHS!
Two Big Mouths #113 Rewind Now Live
[audio-path:http://archive.org/download/TwoBigMouths113/Tbm09-06.mp3] Hello again friends. Show #113 was so stellar, so awe inspiring and so jovial that we've decided to let you take another listen. Please, for the love of all that is holy, have some fun would ya? Peace CLICK HERE TO VISIT TWO BIG MOUTHS!
For sale by owner
Café Bohemia available on Craigslist. Plus: Creperia expands and Sloppy Pelican says goodbye.
Invest in Richard Gere
Financial drama mixes with family intrigue in the gripping Arbitrage.
Hunter Valentine’s Kiyomi talks Real L Word, new album, and life on the road
One look at Kiyomi McCloskey and you know she eats, breathes and swaggers rock and roll. Whether she's taking the stage with her band Hunter Valentine or lighting up the small screen on this season of The Real L Word, this ultra-cool singer epitomizes rock and roll attitude. This weekend, the charismatic frontwoman and divisive…
Reflections from a former TV reporter: Samara Sodos leaves Newschannel 8 for the Sheriff’s Office
Samara Sodos will soon become a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department As a press conference held by Bob Buckhorn and Police Chief Jane Castor began winding down the morning after the end of the Republican National Convention, the mayor spoke out before reporters left the first floor conference room inside the Tampa Municipal…
Retracing 9 million steps through a tropical hell in Walking the Amazon
When George Mallory was asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest after two failed expeditions, he said, "Because it's there." If you understand Mallory's logic, you'll appreciate Walking the Amazon, Ed Stafford's memoir about how he became the first person to walk the length of the Amazon River. The book sets a staggering pace,…
Spice up your coffee
On a recent rainy Sunday, a dear friend made the greatest espresso I've ever tasted. She crushed herbs and roots, pressing them into the coffee grinds. Arielle Stevenson Try different spice combinations for an extra kick in your cup.
Buckhorn dedicates updated Ballast Point Park
Mayor Bob Buckhorn tries out a slide at the refurbished Ballast Point Park with two-year-old Selah Repaskey Mayor Bob Buckhorn dedicated a newly refurbished Ballast Point Park with other city officials on Wednesday morning. The park recently received a $995,000 facelift including the tot lot, a playground designed specifically for children under 5. The project…
Conservatives bashing Obama for the rise of Muslim Brotherhood
Frank Gaffney in Tampa Mitt Romney has been consistent in one line of attack against Barack Obama: He thinks the president apologizes too much to other nations, and doesn't stand up enough for America. That was the theme of his 2010 book, No Apology. While mainstream media critics are panning Romney for the initial critical…
Mitch Perry Report 9.13.12 – Romney forces camping out in Pinellas County
While the presidential campaign now is faced with an international crisis that could redefine its current trajectory, Pinellas County seems to be one of the most sought over areas in the country where the contest is being fought on the ground. What else to make out of the fact that the Romney campaign announced last…
Eyes wide shut
Will downtown Tampa keep its surveillance cameras?
Scintillating Samba
Samba Room’s tapas are so delicious they’ll make your taste buds dance.
As seen at Fashion’s Night Out
What they were wearing at International Plaza’s annual event.
Gaze upon the Invisible Elephant
Kirk Ke Wang and Theo Wujcik team for the Asian-inspired new show.
New Poetry n’ Lotion single, “Octopoda”
Poetry n' Lotion has been working on a follow-up to their high quality 2010 debut, Kentucky Monkey, that more adequately reflects where they are now, minus mandolin player Jim Page and plus trumpeter and crowd pumper-upper Kenny Pullin. The recent addition of a fifth member, Auto!Automatic!!'s Alex Fedele on trombone and percs, puts the band…
Elton John christens the new Sun Dome, plus Girls Out Loud Fest, Yelawolf & more in Tampa Bay area live music
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Strung Out w/The Swellers/Such Gold SoCal punk-metal rockers Strung Out formed in 1989, were one of the earliest bands signed to Fat Wreck Chords (the label owned and operated by NOFX’s Fat Mike), and have continued to release recordings under the imprint to this day. The five-piece hits town on their “Twisted…
Discussion on creative ways to fund transit to take place next week in St. Pete
Some of the myriad complaints about Tampa's hosting of the Republican National Convention involved a lack of decent transportation. With a majority of the GOP delegates housed in hotels in Pinellas County, many delegates were in no mood to wander around Tampa by the time their buses delivered them to the Tampa Bay Times Forum…
“A bunch of hooey”
Dissecting a much-hyped Stanford report on organic vs. conventional foods.
Trying the Smuttynose pumpkin ale
Arielle Stevenson Smuttynose pumpkin ale This morning, for the first time in weeks, the air was cool and crisp for about 45 minutes. Even though it's pushing 90 degrees, fall can be manifested through our taste buds. As a Floridian, much of fall is created through tastes and smells, and pumpkin beer is one of…
Bill Nelson believes US Ambassador killing in Libya has “markings of revenge by Al Qaeda”
Shortly before Obama administration officials said that the killing of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other of his staff members may have been been planned in advance (vs. the initial storyline that this was the result of a spontaneous mob angered by an anti-Islamic video), Florida Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson…
Downtown’s bar shift
The Indy closes, The Bends opens.
Viva Italia!
These offerings from Rome augur well for Italian beer’s future.
GOP still haunted by George W. Bush?
Two analysts say that Romney hasn’t shaken the ghost of W.
Mitch Perry Report 9.12.12 -Middle East politics to play a part in the general election?
The campaigns of Mitt Romney and Barack Obama exchanged sharp exchanges last night after the news of the United States ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with three of his staff members in an attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi. The violence ensued over reports of a 14-minute trailer for the…
Henriquez calls for extension for citizens filing appeals to Value Adjustment Board
Bob Henriquez meets the press (UPDATE: Ronda Storms responds)Following the Rahm Emanuel dictum that a crises should never go to waste, on Tuesday, Democratic candidate for Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez called for citizens filing tax appeals to the Value Adjustment Board in Hillsborough County to be granted an extension based on the phone outage hitting…
The Force was with us at Star Wars Celebration VI
Before Tampa was invaded by the Imperial National Convention, Orlando, was taken over by Star Wars Celebration VI. The 7 million square-foot Orange County Convention Center was filled with shopping, trading, screenings, cosplayers, educational panels, laser tag, speed dating and Legos … everything a fan could want, with the added bonus of lots of chicks…
Body paint, lube, Everclear, and a canvas as big as a bed sheet
"We're going to be the Bob Ross of sex painting," my wife said as she rubbed a fresh coat of red paint on her naked chest, then topped off her wine glass with Everclear. (We both quickly became too intoxicated to be proud enough of what follows for me to use my wife's real name,…
Best of the Bay 2010 in photos by photographer Chip Weiner
The 2010 Loafies thundered into the Creative Loafing events space last night. It was an awards show, a mega-party, and a concert all rolled into one. It was… well… the Best of the Bay. Hundreds showed up for the sold-out event, which was the 20th anniversary of the Best of the Bay Awards from Creative Loafing. See more…
From the Street … with Alfie: Gasparilla and Contain It!
I knew I had created something special when women kept approaching me at Gasparilla to touch the bulge popping out of my size 3 (girls) gold pants; I had artfully enhanced my pants with what looked like a squirrel nesting on my leg. I was inspired to cram together my artistic package the night before at Contain…
