- Issue Archive for
- Dec 17-23, 2008
- Vol. 21, No. 40
News & Views
Can animals sense earthquakes?
Can animals sense earthquakes? I've heard stories about cats carrying their litter of kittens out of a building just prior to a quake. Is there any truth in it? We've had two quakes in the last three hours, and my goldfish didn't do a thing.
Noisy sex, cuckolding and an open marriage
Savage Love I am a straight, 18-year-old girl and a college freshman. A couple of months ago, I lost my virginity to my first serious boyfriend, and since then we've been having sex several times a day. Apparently we have been a bit too enthusiastic, because my boyfriend received a note from his downstairs neighbors. In crass and abusive language, they told us to keep it down. I was mortified. Post-note, I've been tense and nervous during sex, more focused on listening for the neighbors than enjoying the act. This is upsetting me terribly, and I don't know how to make it better. Even if we are both silent, the bed inevitably squeaks and thumps. There is really nowhere else on campus for us to go (I have three roommates who don't get out much). What should I do? I am so depressed by this situation.
The Fundamental clashes that led to Barack Obama
Religious conservatives rise because at least their messages are clear: Do it this way, my brethren (seldom "my sistren"), and you will be both saved and rewarded: harps, heavens and virgins await the True Believers. (Does this apply to female suicide bombers? I haven't heard anything about that.) In Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, he imagines Russia's future citizens crying, "Make us your slaves, but feed us."
George Bush, Gov. Blagojevich, Monte Kiffin and Oscar season
Bush on farewell Mideast tour Any chance he won't come back? Illinois Gov. Blagojevich faces impeachment Proposed prison nickname: "Blow me, bitch!" Arson suspected in burning of Sarah Palin's church Gov's hotness ruled out as an accelerant.
President Bush dodges shoes
"An angry journalist? Those newspaper cuts are obviously global." –--"Chuck Welch" commenting on PoHo's Dec. 15 post, "Honestly, who throws a shoe?" "I only regret that I have but two shoes to throw for my country." –--"SayItWithWookies" commenting on wonkette.com's post, "We Are All Iraqi Shoe-Throwers"
Bad management of Bethany Towers in South Pasadena leaves residents in limbo
By all accounts, the elderly residents of Bethany Towers are suffering. For months, the 17-story building in South Pasadena has lacked a functioning air-conditioning system. In most of the building's 210 units, residents cannot open their double-paned windows. When the midday sun comes through, residents use fans they purchased themselves. But without any breeze, the fans just blow hot air.
Music
Lil' Wayne, Katy Perry, Gnarls Barkley: Wade's Top 20 songs of 2008
Editor's note: We've been seeing M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" popping up on other best-of lists. The song topped Tatangelo's 2007 tally, so we told him he had to leave her off this year's list -- or else the Sri Lankan sensation would have definitely given Weezy a run for his cash money.
A&E
Sister's Christmas Catechism and Santaland Diaries strain to make merry
Two Christmas comedies are currently striving to bring holiday cheer to Bay area audiences, but neither, I'm sorry to say, will slip the most savory sugarplums into your hungry psyche. Still, Sister's Christmas Catechism is harmless and well-meaning, while The Santaland Diaries is worth a smile (and a welcome back to one of our best actors). If moderation is your thing -- moderate amusement, moderate stimulation -- you still might want to catch these decidedly mild entertainments. But if it's bellylaughs you crave, well, you're barking up the wrong evergreen. If the Grinch purloined these two shows, I doubt anyone would notice.
Peter Matthiessen and Robb White: From Shadow Country to The Lion's Paw
"This is a perplexing country. We can put a man on the moon, but we can't stop people from wearing Spandex pants to the mall. America will drive you crazy that way." I read that somewhere long ago. Wish I could remember the writer's name. It describes how I feel about Florida. At times, this place is serene and beautiful, and other times it is supremely awful. And it does drive us crazy, perhaps because we love it so.
Food & Drink
Champagne dreams: Bubblies for your budget
Rarely refused, bubbly wines are the Don Juan of refreshment, seducing the most stalwart red-wine snob, the "I don't drink" drinker and the "I have to work in the morning" denier. This time of year, everyone's partying, and everyone knows Champagne. But bubblies come wrapped in other aliases: Prosecco (Italy), cava (Spain), spumante (Italy), sekt (Germany), crémant (France), cap classique (South Africa) and, in the good ol' U.S., sparkling wine. It's decidedly easier to use the original name to describe bubblies, but outside of fizz from France's Champagne region, we're not supposed to. Is it worth the sometimes extra $30 for the "official" stuff? Sometimes, like when you seek a more refined, chalky, earthy minerality or when it's a super-special occasion. But, for everyday and every budget, less than $25 will garner good juice. This year's choices:
Z Grille: fine dining with an edge in downtown St. Pete
When I call Z Grille co-owners Zach and Jennifer Gross to tell them I'm reviewing the restaurant, the first thing Zach says is: "Oh no, I didn't throw you out, did I?" Apparently, just a few days earlier Gross had been involved in a, um, disagreement with a customer who wanted some saltines with his oysters. When the customer shoved Gross' homemade crackers back in his chest, Gross called the cops and had him escorted off the premises.
7-11's Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
I'm not sure 7-11 counts as a restaurant. Well, maybe it does because I see people getting their lunch there all they time.
$100 case of wine at Whole Foods
During my hunt to find the best $100 case of wine at Bay area retailers, I noticed Publix doesn't particularly cater to the poor and thirsty.
Movies & TV
Mamma Mia! Meryl Streep is in a world of Doubt
If you need your faith in Hollywood restored, check out what Meryl Streep's been up to lately. At a time when most over-40 actresses are banished from the screen or stuck playing thankless mother roles, the 59-year-old Streep keeps defying the odds. Think of her career as a Molotov cocktail aimed at the nearest glass ceiling.
Blogs
Recording New Music and an Overview of the Recording Process
Many new bands have no idea what it takes to professionally record their music. Here's a cursory overview of the what to expect and the recording process.
Patti Smith: Dream of Life
WMNF hosts a screening of the new doc about punk music pioneer Patti Smith.
The Short List: Wall Street rallies on Fed rate cut
Wall Street rallies on news of a Fed rate cut, introducing the new Secretary of Education, Derrick Brooks and Clifton Smith headed for the Pro Bowl, what happened to all the acorns and more on today's Short List.
Gabe's obligatory year end Top 10 albums
Being the music snob that I am, these are my favorite albums of 2008.
Do It Today
Manchester Orchestra, Dead Confederate and others play Orpheum, and more stuff to do today.
A curious movie: Benjamin Button
Last night, I caught the sneak preview of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's odd new movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Long as hell (159 minutes), it borders on chick flick...
The Short List: California about to go broke
I was dreaming of a white Christmas in Buffalo, but somehow the airlines took pity on me and got me back to St. Pete only 27 hours late. Plus, today's big stories on The Short List.
Reel Projections Podcast, episode 3
Joe and Sal and David talk Golden Globes, Sean Penn's Milk and attempt to pronounce "Synecdoche."
AC/DC greatest hits CD
Here it is.
Bombardier Manifesto's Top 10 of 2008
Bombardier Manifesto's Top 10 of 2008
Update: Ask the Obama Administration
Barack Obama answers your questions. Well, maybe not your questions, but someone just like you.
Reel Projections, Monday December 22
Megan Fox gets the role of a lifetime, more best-of 2008 picks and Tim Robbins is slated for Iron Man 2.
Bedding a bedwetter
“Dude, she pissed my bed. Twice!” These were the first words I heard this morning. Travis, my oldest friend, was calling me in a rage.
Lorna's Top 10 Least Hated Christmas Songs
Written from the artificially festive bowels of BWI, a list of 10 Christmas songs I can almost tolerate for an hour while I wait on my plane to arrive.
Reel Projections, Wednesday December 17
A Tron 2 update, Harrison Ford goes for the funny bone, and Rob Zombie is back for more gratuitous violence.
Lowry Park Zoo story continues to worsen
Right now, a bored media is waiting at the Mainsail Suites Hotel in Tampa.
Tampa Bay area leads country in fatal teenage car crashes during the holidays
Allstate Insurance does a study every year to find the metropolitan area that registers the most fatal car crashes involving teenagers between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. This year, we took the prize. In fact, the top three cities were in Florida.
The Short List: Wintry mix
It's winter everywhere except here, a Jabil Circuit exec is accused of murder, and failed Republican prez candidates are getting talk shows.
Jasmine Thai moves to new location
Jasmine Thai, for years one of the more popular Thai joints in Tampa, recently moved from their former location on Kennedy and Henderson Boulevard to South Westshore Boulevard. Here's hoping they can lift the restaurant curse from this beleagured stripmall
Playing favorites: Eric Snider’s top 10 CDs of 2008
Snider weighs in.
Food section round ups from St. Pete and NY Times
What's cooking in this week's New York Times and St. Pete Times food sections.
Free Shit: Grab a free Christmas tree!
With everyone facing strained budgets, plunking down $60 or $70 bucks on a Christmas tree can seem unreasonable. So a local businessman, Rodney Taucher, is playing Santa and giving away trees tomorrow afternoon.
The 12 Days of New Year's: A Plan-Ahead Party Guide, Day 1
The first event in our 12 Days of New Year's party planning series is Swingin' the New Year.
Project Compost
Composting is definitely the least sexy part of “going green," but it's easy.
Odds and Ends
AllMusic's albums of the year, and other music news odds and ends.
Happy Chanukah!
Kick off the Jewish holiday with a "shamash"-up.
A house divided: The paradox of football fandom
Sooner Holley and Gator Matty are back at it. Can their marriage survive the BCS National Championship Game?
State Rep. Darryl Rouson wants a 'bong tax'
Last week, State Rep. Darryl Rouson filed his first bill for the 2009 session. His focus: drug paraphernalia.
Reel Projections, Friday December 19
Reel Projections welcomes the Cranky Copy Editor into the screening room as he reviews the trailer for "Powder Blue."
Do you own a credit card? New federal rules in the horizon.
So fellow credit card owners, I have good news and I have bad news.
Highlights from the Art Institute of Tampa's "Top Chef" competition
My experience judging a culinary competition at the Art Institute of Tampa- fun and filling!
Honorable mentions: More best songs of 2008
From Metallica to Blitzen Trapper to Sonny Landreth.
Top 20 songs of 2008
From Lil Wayne to Hayes Carll; here's my list.
My favorite music from 2008
Some music I like from 2008 including Catatonic Youth and The Dirtbombs! There's room for other opinions as well!
The right wing attacks dolls. Again.
The latest plush toy to inspire the wrath of right-wingers is Mattel's Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle and Coo doll.
Lowry Park CEO Lex Salisbury resigns, wife gets in trouble and some bad news
Yes, it's true, the monkeys have been caught. Sigh.
Early buzz on Sundance
Nate Anderson scopes out this year's Sundance lineup.
Recipe for Christmas morning: Smoked Salmon and Dill Quiche
With a high fat content and universal likeability, quiche is the quintessential Christmas morning treat.
$25 off at Fleming's Steakhouse
And there's no catch
Manchester Orchestra at Orpheum (pictures)
Last night, Manchester Orchestra sold out the Orpheum (this reporter made it in only thanks to the door work of CL Marketing + Promotions Director Joran Oppelt).
Leilani's Top 10 albums of '08
Another top 10, probably with some bands you've never even heard of. Check it.
Reel Projections, Thursday December 18
More year-end movie best-of lists, including a few surprises, some overdue recognition for The Dark Knight, and the Watchmen lawsuit has a date for the trial between Fox and Warner Bros.
The Short List: GM and Chrysler talk merger
It's the last weekend before Christmas. Have you finished your shopping yet? GM and Chrysler talk merger, Mike Tyson balloons, the space shuttle is for sale and more on today's Short List.
Creative Loafing announces layoffs
Editor David Warner details the layoffs in the editorial department; cuts also made in sales, circulation and operations.
The 12 Days of New Years: A Plan-Ahead Party Guide, Day 4
A Tampa Improv NYE show with John Pinette.
Teen porn star Sasha Grey goes mainstream
She's starring in Steve Soderbergh pic.
Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi bring stew to Tampa Theatre
Duo brings big band to town for a real rock and soul revue.
Tatangelo's Top 10 albums of 2008
From Lucinda Williams to Lil Wayne to My Morning Jacket to Jamey Johnson.
Gabe's concert photo highlights of 2008
My favorite concert pics of 2008 (taken by me, of course).
The Short List: Chrysler shuts down production
Chrysler shutting down production? Yeah, that'll happen when it snows in Vegas. A wintery mix on the strip and much more on today's Short List.
The 12 Days of New Year’s: A Plan-Ahead Party Guide, Day 2
Sister Hazel plays a New Year's Eve show at Jannus Landing.
