Pinellas Commissioners and their opponents still fighting over fluoride
Republicans and Democrats take sides on the county’s water supply.
Mitch Perry Report 10.3.12: The real tape that Team Obama should worry about
While some conservatives were giddy with excitement about a five-year-old tape of Barack Obama giving a speech in the house of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright last night, the tape that they ought to be using for material going forward was the one recorded of yet another verbal screw-up by Vice President Joe Biden yesterday in…
Review: Fiona Apple rocks the keys at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
I've appreciated Fiona Apple since she released Tidal when I was in middle school. I read her interviews, watched her videos, even grew my hair long so I could pretend to look like her in the "Never Is a Promise" video, but I didn't talk about her. Although she never came off as a pop…
Some Pinellas Republican lawmakers not good with RPOF stance on merit retention of judges
Jeff Brandes (Updated). The organized campaign against retaining the three Florida Supreme Court justices on the ballot this year has already become more political than any previous merit retention vote in the state's history, but the decision last week by the Republican Party of Florida's executive board to enter the fray is turning off a…
Sweet Publications is a treat for Tampa Bay literati
SWEET TEAM: Katie Riegel and Ira Sukrungruang. Tampa Bay is known for many things: Hurricane dodging, café con leche, and awful drivers come to mind. But a thriving literary scene? Between YellowJacket Press, the Bluebird Book Bus and MFA programs in creative writing at the University of South Florida and University of Tampa, the Tampa…
Review: M83 at House of Blues, Orlando
You can't help but wonder what an M83 show would sound like after listening to their 2011 opus, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. As the group's most ambitious album to date, this collection is a sonic landscape so completely its own, so decidedly thematic it's easy to understand why Anthony Gonzalez and company indulged themselves with…
Florida Dems release schizophrenic ad in House District 69 race in support of Josh Shulman
There aren't that many Democrats holding legislative seats in Tallahassee, so one of the priorities for the Florida Democratic Party is to maintain the seats that they do possess. Rick Kriseman has represented the South St. Petersburg/Pinellas area for the past six years in the state House of Representatives. But he opted not to run…
New Music Tuesday! (October 2): Tori Amos, The Mountain Goats, Matt & Kim, The Vaccines, Muse & more
New releases out this week; audio & video included.
Review: Adam Ant proves as audacious as ever at Hard Rock Cafe, Tampa
It's not uncommon for me to poll other nearby concert-goers after witnessing a really good rock show to get their reactions. I'm always curious to know if a performance that's just floored me has had the same impact on those around me. "What'd ya think??" is a common question I pose to those I run…
Karl Rove’s Super PAC gets personal on Bill Nelson
With five weeks to go and with Bill Nelson seemingly in control of his race against Connie Mack, here comes another television ad in the Sunshine State courtesy of Karl Rove's American Crossroads Super PAC. It's called "Farmer," and it's rather humorous as it attacks the Florida Democrat for exploiting a tax loophole to avoid…
A short history of interesting moments in presidential debates, 1976-2008
It was exactly eight years ago this past Sunday when John Kerry debated George W. Bush on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables. The debate was as hyped as this Wednesday night's encounter in Denver. I fondly remember it because I was able to cover it for the Pacifica Radio network. Kerry was…
Mitch Perry Report 10.2.12 – Why is Jim Lehrer hosting tomorrow night’s debate?
Tomorrow night finally comes the first of the four presidential and vice-presidential debates that will take place throughout October, and it will be moderated by former PBS NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer. The Commission on Presidential Debates named Lehrer, Bob Schieffer of CBS, Candy Crowley of CNN and Martha Raddatz of ABC News to moderate this…
Good god: look who’s sleeping with his neighbor’s wife
When many people think of swingers, they picture orgies of hot women in lingerie mixing it up with muscular men to the music of Barry White. Others picture underground clubs full of couples with an abundance of body hair, body fat, and gold chains. The reality may be far more surprising, as swingers are far…
A year after its birth Occupy Tampa brings out the passionate…and few else.
One year after its inception, Occupy Tampa returned to Curtis Hixon Park. About 20 diehards to the cause met in Tampa’s Gaslight Park Monday, where the protesters gathered and made signs. Expecting a larger turnout, those who attended seemed to have made more placards than people actually present, featuring the usual slogans bemoaning “corporate greed”…
What’s the best lube for slipping in the backdoor?
A reader emailed me with the below question, but it's one I get often from friends, followers, and fans: Can you be specific what kinda lube you recommend to use for a first timer, to open the butthole easily? -C The best kind of lube to use as a butt sex beginner depends on several…
Brewery Dining Guide
Beer brewed right in our own backyard? We say “cheers!” to that.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announces $9 million for research on stopping and preventing transmission of citrus greening
According to a study from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences released earlier this year, since 2006, the bacterial disease known as citrus greening has reduced orange juice production, costing Florida’s economy an estimated $3.63 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs. Greening causes citrus trees to prematurely drop fruit and…
Florida Democratic Congressman calls on Rick Scott to appoint a task force on Strategic Allied Consulting voter fraud debacle
Ted Deutsch This is a bit ironic, isn't it? While Republicans — stateside and nationally — have pushed voter fraud to the top levels of importance since the 2010 elections, what's one to make of the situation involving Strategic Alliance Consulting? The management consulting company, founded by GOP operative Nathan Sproul, was fired by the…
Charlie Crist embraces open primaries, calls Citizens United a “catastrophe”
Over a third of the country — 17 states — use an open primary format for voting. An "open primary" is one in which voting is not restricted only to the registered members of a particularly party. In Florida, for example, when the GOP presidential race was at its apex back in late January, only…
Mitch Perry Report 10.1.12 – More reflections on CityScape’s plan for a new Rays ballpark
It's been nearly three days since the team at CityScape made their pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays to seriously consider a proposal for a 35,000 seat stadium on the Carillon property in North St. Petersburg. Rays management was represented at the presentation by Vice President of Development Michael Kalt, who was extremely tight lipped…
Obama surrogate Jamal Simmons says recent Democratic convention the most successful in the modern era
Jamal Simmons 10 days before the October 9 deadline to register to vote in November's election, the Obama for America campaign held a series of events in the Tampa Bay area to mark the opening of their 100th campaign office in the Sunshine State on Saturday. That included stops in Tampa and in Pinellas County…
Paul Ryan a drag on the GOP ticket?
Five weeks to go before the general election, there is consider question about how effective a choice Paul Ryan has been for Mitt Romney. Sure he's energized a base that wasn't totally enamored of their presidential standard-bearer, as was the case for the Republican Party in 2008. But Sarah Palin was a risk that didn't…
First Lady of Puerto Rico Luce Fortuno rallies support for Mitt Romney in Tampa
Puerto Rican First Lady Luce Fortuno stopped into the La Teresita Café Friday morning in order to drum up support for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The crowd gathered was primarily made up of Puerto Rican supporters of the Massachusetts Governor, waving signs in Spanish in support of the candidate as well as calling for…
CityScape LLC announces its detailed proposal for a new Rays stadium along Carillon Parkway in St. Pete
St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster said he was "blown away" by CityScape's presentation on Friday At the beginning of their two-hour presentation to build a 35,000 seat baseball stadium in the Carillon area of St. Petersburg, Susan Johnson, the Executive Vice President of CityScape LLC, said there were three key questions that needed to be…
Two Big Mouths #114 Rewind Now Live
[audio-path:http://archive.org/download/TwoBigMouths114/Tbm09-20.mp3] Hello again Mouthy friends. Dennis went to the Adam Ant concert last night and Gia is off gallivanting Lord knows where with Lord knows who, so they're going to rewind the fun that was show #114 for your listening pleasure this week. We will for sure see you next week for big #115. Talk…
Two Big Mouths #114 Rewind Now Live
[audio-path:http://archive.org/download/TwoBigMouths114/Tbm09-20.mp3] Hello again Mouthy friends. Dennis went to the Adam Ant concert last night and Gia is off gallivanting Lord knows where with Lord knows who, so they're going to rewind the fun that was show #114 for your listening pleasure this week. We will for sure see you next week for big #115. Talk…
Florence sets her Machine in motion at the USF Sun Dome, Tampa
At first glance, the massive sparkly harp at the lip of a posh, all-black stage flanked with enormous art deco facades gave the impression that you were entering a regal opera house. It was easy to forget this sophisticated display was actually smack dab in the middle of a basketball arena. But when left to…
Get out your LGBT planner (video)
Looking for some LGBT fun this weekend? There's a ton going on in our area for you to choose from. Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg is celebrating a Country Western Weekend. Tonight, take some line dance lessons from 7 to 9 p.m., and then enjoy the Dolly Parton classic The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,…
ObaMazzaro’s
Plus: Battle of the Burg(er) ends, Tap House reopens.
Smaller is better
SpoonForkBacon bloggers write a cookbook of tiny foods.
Florida Democratic Party calls on state GOP to return $10K in illegal funds from Vern Buchanan contributor
Friday morning, both the Tampa Bay Times and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that Tampa real estate developer Timothy F. Mobley plead guilty to making illegal campaign donations to both Sarasota Republican Congressman Vern Buchanan and the Republican Party of Florida. Mobley admitted to reimbursing $84,300 to Buchanan's campaign and $10,000 to the party. The Florida…
Deluna Fest brings Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band & many others to Pensacola Beach
A humorous CL on the Road wrap-up of the Sept. 21-23 fest, with photos.
Mitch Perry Report 9.28.12 -Rays Stayin’ Alive
It's a seriously foggy morning in Tampa today. I know it's a tired subject, so I won't mention how surprised I am that the Tampa Bay Bucs couldn't sell out (or get 85 percent of their tickets sold) Raymond James Stadium as they host the Washington Redskins and one of the most dynamic rookies of…
League of Women Voters against all 11 amendments on the Florida ballot
Deirdre Macnab, president of League of Women Voters of Florida There are 11 different constitutional amendments that Floridians will find on their November ballot. According to the Florida League of Women Voters, not one of them is worth your support. Deirdre Macnab, the group's president, said all 11 of the amendments on the ballot are,…
Psy 101: Deconstructing a viral hot mess
SEOUL BROTHA: A shot from the video by the ballin' and mysteriously gyrating Psy. His video and its dance were a summer viral sensation. About a month ago a couple of friends posted about Psy's "Gangnam Style" on Facebook (below). Since I have an immense amount of time on my hands (broken leg has confined…
Mulhern said the buck stops with Buckhorn regarding Ybor tree cutting issue
Earlier this week, Tampa workers remove tree stumps on 13th Street in Ybor As has been well documented this week, there was genuine surprise and outrage in Ybor City last Friday when workers with the city's Parks and Recreation Department tore down more than 100 trees in the historic district, with little to no public…
Michio Kaku talks about the future at MOSI
Courtesy of Michele Dye/USF He's the rock star of science, and the MOSI parking lot looked like the Times Forum during a sold-out Radiohead concert when Dr. Michio Kaku visited Tampa on Wednesday night to sell and sign his new book, Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives…
Tampa City Council approves task force to study EB-5 program
Today, the Tampa City Council approved (with a 5-2 vote) a task force that will study the pros and cons of establishing an EB-5 "Regional Center." The group will be led by local immigration attorney William Flynn. EB-5 is also known as the Immigrant Investor Program. It was created by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration…
Amendment 8: Some religions might be more equal than others
Is Florida’s Amendment 8 a mandate for religious freedom? That was the theme of a public meeting last held last Saturday at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Americans United for Separation of Church and State organized the gathering. The three keynote speakers and the roughly 40 people in attendance painted a foreboding picture…
Obama meets Romney direct-to-camera ad and doubles it in length
Trailing in the polls, Mitt Romney responded earlier this week by releasing a direct-to-camera ad that attempts to move the needle in his direction. Thursday morning the Obama for America campaign announced a new unusually long two minute ad featuring President Obama staring into the camera will begin airing in Florida and six other battleground…
Mitch Perry Report 9.27.12 – Tampa Trib sticks with incumbents in its BOCC endorsements
There were very few competitive races in Hillsborough County in last month's primary on either side of the political aisle, but that's not the case for the November ballot. There are two county commissioners facing challenges – District 4 Republican Al Higginbotham and District 6 countywide commissioner Kevin Beckner. In today's Tampa Tribune, the generally…
Surface tension at Domani Bistro
Beautiful presentations, but some tweaking needed still.
A mountain retreat from political noise
Turning off the TV and listening to the loon.
Looper’s daze of future past
Willis and Gordon-Levitt have time to kill.
Nicole Shannon takes her jewelry from St. Pete to NYC
Sustainable accessories from the Old Northeast.
You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! is ordinary fun
Average problems make for average theater, Mark says.
Live and Local Spotlight/Album Review: Red Room Cinema, Apsis
Red Room Cinema members Anthony Maltese and Brian Burleson have been working diligently on a follow-up to their 2008 Black Friday Session EP and debut full-length Apsis finally hit national shelves via New Granada Records on Tuesday, with a record release party this Saturday night. The post rock duo instrumentally navigates through themes of loss,…
The whitewash of artist Allen Leper Hampton
His latest creation stirs controversy on St. Pete’s 600 block.
Album review: The Helio Sequence, Negotiations
Following the exhaustive touring the duo undertook in support of 2008’s Keep Your Eyes Ahead, drummer/keyboardist Benjamin Weikel and vocalist/guitarist Brandon Summers returned home to discover their Portland practice pad had flooded. It's impossible to guess just how much new gear and a new rehearsal space influenced the style of The Helio Sequence's fifth album,…
Cat fight: A battle over the future of exotic felines
New legislation may change the rules for owners of lions, tigers and other big cats.
Album review: Ben Folds Five, The Sound of The Life of The Mind
The piano rock trio rose from the '90s plying smart, jazz-and-pop sensible piano rock that packed a powerful instrumental punch, and featured lyrics with both emotional depth and cheeky humor. When the three musicians re-united last year and began recording their first album in 13 years, fans were abuzz and some even pitched in to…
Album review: Bob Dylan, Tempest
Dylan's 35th studio recording is not the best work of his 50-year career, despite what critics are saying. Tempest is not Blood on the Tracks or even Time Out of Mind. There's nothing life-altering or canon-defining here. But the album is far from bad. From the first listen on, Tempest is comfortable and comforting, like…
This week in Tampa Bay area live music: Metric, Fiona Apple, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros + more
Concerts, Sept. 27-Oct. 3.
Check in to the Hotel Transylvania
Adam Sandler manages to not annoy.
