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Activism
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Lens approved by City Council as new Pier design
Posted by Arielle Stevenson on Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Every member of St. Petersburg City Council except one approved Michael Maltzan Architecture's Lens design today, officially ending the design competition for The Pier. But the Council prefaced the vote with a number of pointed questions about the multiple phases of the project presented by Maltzan.
"I won't vote for something that is $50 million for the first phase," Councilman Karl Nurse said. "My anxiety is it'll be $100 million for the rest of the phases... The rest could be interesting and pretty, but I don’t know where the money would come from."
Mayor Bill Foster stated there was only one phase to vote on.
"Strike the word 'first' from every document, this is the phase," Foster said. "Unless manna falls from heaven, it is unlikely we'll see future phases in our lifetime."
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
GOP Debate Night at USF: Photos from the fringe
Posted by Chip Weiner on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 at 11:24 AM
The USF theater building where the debate was held was surrounded by emergency service personnel and media vehicles.
I couldn't get into the debate in the theater building. I couldn't even get into the watch party in the tent. But as a photojournalist, I found the activity outside last night’s debate at the University of South Florida to be much more interesting than what was happening on the stage inside. I’ll let CL’s Mitch Perry tell the inside story. I suppose the protests outside are a preview of what’s to come this August when the Republican National Convention comes to town.
Security was tight and the people in charge did a good job of handling the crowd. I only saw a couple of “hands on” confrontations, one in which an occupy protester threw water on someone standing in line for the convention watch tent. The exchange, which followed some verbal jabs, was over in seconds. Overall the crowd was loud but orderly.
A spirited debate breaks out in line to get in; the man in orange is defending the GOP. There was a lot of verbal sparring, as many different interests came to the USF campus to take advantage of the national media coverage.
More photos after the break
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Mitch Perry Report 1.10.12
Posted by Mitch Perry on Tue, Jan 10, 2012 at 4:09 AM
Hey now, y'all excited about tonight's New Hampshire Primary?
Why should anyone? Unless the voters of New Hampshire (who we're told take their first-in-the-nation primary status seriously) stun the world, we're looking at another Mitt Romney victory in his inevitable rise to the nomination in Tampa. Will this still be a race in Florida in three weeks? A poll out Monday says Mittens is now the Man down here in the Sunshine State as well.
There was a very interesting meeting held between the Pinellas and Hillsborough County transportation agencies on the whole idea of them consolidating. The verdict? Not much interest by the main players.
Congresswoman Kathy Castor and USF officials were in downtown Tampa Monday boasting about the economic benefits coming the Tampa Bay area's way with the opening of a new medical education facility next month.
And we listened to Dick Greco's new radio show yesterday, where he and current Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn told each other for an hour how great they both are.
Friday, December 23, 2011
The fugliest political happenings of 2011
A Hillsborough government watchdog looks back at a year of bad politics and bad decisions.
Posted by George Niemann on Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 7:10 AM
Daily Loaf contributor and R-LAND, UCAN, FSP activist
The ideas expressed are my own and not necessarily those of the organizations to which I belong
This was a tough year, both economically and politically. We’ve had some bad decision-making locally, as well as around the state. I’ve compiled a 2011 Fugliest List: Hillsborough and Beyond, with the help of my community advocate colleagues at UCAN (United Citizens’ Action Network-Hillsborough) and other diligent county watchers.
Here's a list of things that we wished never happened:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Remembering the Globe Coffee Lounge, a creative safe haven
A force for good — and for good coffee — the Globe closes Dec. 21 as owner JoEllen Schilke takes a full-time job at WMNF.
Posted by Arielle Stevenson on Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 3:07 PM
- Michael Conway
- JoEllen Schilke, the Lady Madonna of the Burg — at The Hub in Downtown Tampa.
The first time I walked into the Globe Coffee Lounge, I was 14. Looking around at the menagerie of tchotchkes and art, I imagined this must be what the inside of someone's brain looks like. I used to sit outside the front doors, smoking Black Djarums and getting an early start to my coffee habit. Each of the mismatched coffee mugs had a different story; the white coffee cup covered in dinosaurs demonstrating various sexual positions was considered something of a good-luck charm.
But the Globe will be closing Wednesday, December 21, after 12 years. The Globe's owner/chef/baker/barista/security/DJ/events coordinator, JoEllen Schilke, recently was hired by WMNF Tampa to be their volunteer coordinator. Schilke has hosted Art in Your Ear on WMNF for many years and has worked at the station as a reporter, DJ and volunteer voice for the community. She has had her lovely pinky on the pulse of the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay community for quite some time.
"I have gotten my dream job as volunteer and outreach coordinator at WMNF, 88.5 FM, the community radio station in St. Pete. This will give me a bigger venue for creating community and making the world a better place! Plus there will be sleeping, much sleeping," Schilke told the New York Times in an interview Monday.
The Globe served more than just a good cup of coffee, or a strong iced chai. With Schilke as guiding force, the Globe became a space for creativity and community for many in St. Petersburg and beyond. I saw my first Geri X show at the Globe in November of 2006. The same night, former WMNF/Creative Loafing writer (and now my friend) Dawn Morgan interviewed me for the Sticks of Fire blog about raising children around music:
Friday, December 2, 2011
Best of the Bay winners bring some Laundry Love
Posted by David Warner on Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 6:18 PM
One of the more inspiring Best of the Bay winners of recent years was Current of Tampa Bay, named Best Young Hopefuls in BOTB 2011.
A nonprofit founded by former youth pastor Jason Sowell, Current is an almost entirely student-run organization that assists low-income families through initiatives like home makeovers and the Laundry Love Project, a unique solution to a basic human need.
Laundry Love crews turn neighborhood laundromats into ad hoc community centers, putting coins in the slot for those unable to pay for clean clothes themselves and providing activities for families while they wait.
The next Laundry Love Project will take place tomorrow, Dec. 3, at Big Wash Coin Laundry, 908 E Waters Avenue in Tampa from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jason says volunteers are always needed, so stop by and join the fun. While you're there you can learn more about Current's upcoming Laundry Love road trip to Orlando and its annual Christmas trip to help the needy families of Las Vegas.
Friday, November 25, 2011
#OccupyBlackFriday
CL's Dave Russell braved the crowds and lived to tell about it on video.
Posted by David Russell on Fri, Nov 25, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Ho-ho-holy shit! Creative Loafing Tampa was starting their Secret Santa a little early this year so I decided to get a jump on it and brave the merciless human void that is Black Friday.
Join me as I bring along my "Tonto with a Camera," the indomitable Matthew Michael Awesome, and proceed to jump into the Black Friday fray to see if I can incite a little Holiday riot!
What you won't see in this video:
• Discussing the proper ways to clip someone's Achilles tendon with a shopping cart.
• The proper way to do a "holy shit, I'm cold" dance.
• Me with my shirt off... (PS, it's gross)
• My disappointment when I realize you can't bring cases of Four-Loko to hand out to a crowd as it violates certain open container laws.
• A very nice lady rubbing my exposed belly and telling me how my baby was going to be fine.
• My competing "serious reporter's" monologue as people filed in to Toys 'R' Us.
• A slew of VERY awesome people that took the time to talk to me about their Black Friday!
(like they had anything better to do...)
I'm out! </Dave>
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
When Occupy met Chilllounge…
A silent protest during Saturday's Chillounge event targeted local mogul Bill Edwards.
Posted by Arielle Stevenson on Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 7:20 AM
Thirty-somethings in rhinestones and heels sipped $10 cocktails as they maneuvered Straub Park Saturday during the fourth annual Chillounge. Amid live music, cigar-rolling, fashion shows, an outdoor cocktail bar and fireworks, rumors swirled that Occupy St. Pete might show up. And they did: About 15-20 people marched quietly down Beach Blvd., signs in hand, in a silent protest that targeted local mogul Bill Edwards.
Edwards has been much in the news of late. St. Pete City Council awarded him the contract to manage the Mahaffey Theatre, which re-opened with much hoopla on the same weekend as the Chillounge event. Edwards' recent purchase of the beleaguered Baywalk complex has also brought him new attention. But the protesters on Saturday were more interested in Edwards' Mortgage Investors Corporation, which deals in refinancing for veterans.
- Arielle Stevenson
- Occupy St. Petersburg marching against Bill Edwards at Chilllounge Saturday.
With "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" playing in the background, Occupy St. Pete members talked to partygoers and passersby on the sidewalks outside the event.
They handed out small flyers with this message:
Monday, November 7, 2011
Music Fest rocked for ALS: an inspirational day in photos
Info on becoming an ALS advocate can be found webfl.alsa.org.
Posted by Kevin Tighe on Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 11:29 AM
MusicFest for ALS took over England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park this past Saturday, with rock and blues bands entertaining the crowds to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — aka Lou Gehrigh's disease — an affliction of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. ALS has taken more than 30,000 lives.
The lineup included Tampa Bay native Damon Fowler along with The Gregg Billings Band, Amanda Drake and the Barn Burners, Josh Lamkin and Automatic Heat and Adam Nicholas. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Holly Lamar also performed.
The festival, staffed entirely by volunteers, was organized with the support of the ALS Association Florida Chapter for the purpose of raising awareness and funds to tackle ALS.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Participate in Haiti relief this weekend
Posted by Julie Garisto on Wed, Nov 2, 2011 at 5:47 PM
Feeding Children Everywhere will work with The Crossing Church in Brandon and Celebration to package 500,000 healthy meals in a 3-day timespan to help the global fight against hunger.
Feeding Children Everywhere has developed a way to package and send a nutritious meal across the world for only 25 cents. Thousands of volunteers of all ages will get the chance to make a tangible difference and package these meals consisting of rice, lentil protein, dehydrated vegetables, sea salts and minerals — a combination scientifically formulated to combat the effects of malnutrition.
