- Issue Archive for
- Jan 7-13, 2009
- Vol. 21, No. 43
News & Views
Darryl Rouson's anti-drug crusade at the State House
Florida's 2009 legislative session doesn't begin until March, but Rep. Darryl Rouson is not wasting time in renewing his battle against drug paraphernalia. The newly re-elected Democrat -- who represents parts of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota and Manatee counties -- filed a bill (HB 201) last week that would charge a 25 percent tax on any items listed or viewed as paraphernalia as defined in Florida statutes, regardless of whether the "paraphernalia" was sold for legal purposes or not. The proceeds of the tax would go to drug abuse prevention and treatment programs. (Rouson initially filed a bill with a 5 percent tax but withdrew it to up the ante to 25.)
Will the economy improve in 2009?
USA Today cheerfully thinks it will. Three days before Christmas, it wrote, "It may come as a surprise, given all the bad news of late, but the U.S. economy is expected to emerge from the recession sometime around mid-2009." That's the rosy scenario. More and more, however, dire predictions are surfacing.
Florida's GOP: No new taxes, cut the budget
As you read this, the Florida Legislature is meeting in Tallahassee, ostensibly to plug a $3 billion gap in the state's ailing budget because of losses in sales tax and other collections in this recession. The real purpose is to continue the Republican-led dismantling of state and local governments in a quest to fulfill the 1990s mantra of "less government, fewer taxes and more personal responsibility." State lawmakers are set to work on the continued gutting of Florida's public infrastructure -- health care and education foremost among them -- through Jan. 12.
What's the best way to launder money?
I'm confident you're not contemplating anything illegal, Ben. However, it's helpful for us law-abiding folk to understand the workings of the criminal mind. So let's start at the beginning. Suppose you have a couple grocery bags full of ill-gotten cash. What do you do?
Music
Musician Geri X comes home
She appeared on the Bay area scene about four years ago, an exotically pretty, shy girl with an acoustic guitar and a mysterious name: Geri X. She had a nebulous backstory: A Bulgarian immigrant, it was said, with some kind of trauma in her childhood. Even her age was up for debate; rumors spread that she could be as young as 15 or as old as 30 (a very young-looking 30). She wouldn't tell. Nor would she reveal much about her past. It was as if a talented kid had been dropped into the scene by a spaceship. She played countless local gigs and was amiable enough, but remained somehow remote.
Jazz 101: 10 recommendations
A couple of weeks ago, my brother in Seattle called and asked if I could recommend a few jazz CDs for his 20-year-old son who had expressed an interest. A starter kit, if you will. I've had like requests many, many times over the years, and so it dawned on me: Why not publish one?
A&E
Chris Holcom stars in Picasso at the Lapin Agile
With his boyish good looks and overall nice-guy aura, Chris Holcom may seem like an unlikely choice to play arrogant, self-obsessed Pablo Picasso. But Holcom (Titus Andronicus, Bloody Poetry, Look Back in Anger) thrives on playing against type, just as his sidelight in the theater -- creating gruesome bloodbaths for violent, over-the-top plays -- isn't at all what you'd expect from such a sunny personality.
NPR's StoryCorps Mobilebooth pulls into Ybor City
As NPR fans know, each Friday the radio network broadcasts a special two-minute segment. For that brief interlude, news in the conventional sense is set aside, and listeners are treated to a bite-sized oral history -- snippets of a conversation between two "average" folks. What you'll learn if you catch a StoryCorps segment on the air -- or listen to the archive at npr.org -- is that their stories are hardly average. (Indeed the premise of the program seems to be that no one's story is.)
Lights on Tampa 2009 art show: A downtown street party
It's a balmy Monday morning after Christmas, and Chris Doyle has his eyes fixed on the front of the Tampa Convention Center. There, in the portico that leads to the entrance of the shell-pink building, a line of glittering mirror balls hangs from the roof overhead. The low morning sun, barely kissing them at first, suddenly lets rip -- and light bursts into dancing fragments inside the space as people walk by.
[5]art moves to a larger gallery; Three04 takes its place at WTCA
What Tampa Bay can claim in the way of museum growth (e.g., at the Tampa Museum of Art, Salvador Dalí Museum and The Arts Center -- each currently building a new facility -- or the recently expanded Museum of Fine Arts), it generally lacks in buildup at the gallery level. That's why it's especially exciting that Tampa-based artist collective [5]art (five-art.com) has doubled its gallery space by acquiring a new, much larger exhibition area adjacent to their existing space inside the West Tampa Center for the Arts.
Food & Drink
Best of the food blog
Don't read the food and drink posts on CL's Daily Loaf? Here's your guide to the most recent stories you should be reading.
Swishing and swirling opens up wine
You've seen 'em in the bars, swirlin', sniffin' and swishin', haughtily practicing this sacred wine snob ritual and coaxing a wine to its pinnacle of deliciousness. Is it over-emphasized and overdone? Probably. But does the act improve the flavor of the wine? Absolutely.
New Soho wine bar opens
Although I’d love to report that SoHo’s new wine bar, Cork, was packed at a tasting this week, it wasn’t. But not due to a lack of desirous customers
The Bungalow: Casual dining in SoHo
There's something about South Tampa restaurants, especially those clustered in and around SoHo, that makes you think more of style than substance. Partly, it's the pretty people that populate this area, filling barstools and pouring drinks. When it comes to the Bungalow, a new casual bar and restaurant a block from Howard on Kennedy, it's also the restaurant itself.
Refreshing sake cocktail for a fresh start on the new year
Sake is one of those underrated alcoholic beverages, in my opinion, that most people only drink when going out for sushi.
Movies & TV
Let the Right One In
Let the Right One In
Blogs
Satellite 2009: Surprises in the dark during Lights On Tampa
Lights On Tampa stays on through the Super Bowl, but you've only got one more chance to see the mesmerizing Satellite 2009 project in Channelside.
Geri X's novel way of accumulating fans
She goes to them instead of waiting for them to come to her.
Sundance goes green?
Sundance has had a green streak for a long time. It goes deeper than the new line of organic cotton festival wear, and the reliable influx of hybrid vehicles into town for the week.
The Short List: New Sarah Palin video
Sarah Palin pops up in a new video saying outrageous, Sarah Palin things, the UN passes a resolution calling for a cease fire in Gaza, Salmonella, Polaroid cameras and more on today's Short List.
Clean Scores Site for Restaurant Hygiene
An easy way to check out the inspection scores for your favorite restaurants.
The joy of Tally Hall
A meandering blog about NYC fun rock fivesome Tally Hall.
Why is Impact Florida offering to buy David Duke a round trip bus ticket to DC?
Impact Florida is at it again. The GLBT rights group made headlines last month when they staged an anti-Amendment 2 demonstration outside of Florida Governor Charlie Crist’s wedding. Apparently, they’re gluttons for controversy because their latest action is even more outrageous.
The $100 Case of Wine
In a new, semi-regular feature, I'll be shopping for a $100 case of wine at Bay area retailers.
A happier Geri X returns, releases new CD
Her Record Release Party happens Saturday at State Theatre
Traffic Court Dining
I received a parking ticket at the beginning of December for parking the wrong way on the street in front of my house. I think I was 30 feet away from my car when this cop pulled up to my house where I have lived for the past 10 years and he wrote a $44 dollar ticket. I decided to fight it.
Why is Impact Florida offering to buy David Duke a round trip bus ticket to DC?
Impact Florida is at it again. The GLBT rights group made headlines last month when they staged an anti-Amendment 2 demonstration outside of Florida Governor Charlie Crist's wedding. Apparently, they're gluttons for controversy because their latest action is even more outrageous.
Refreshing sake cocktail for a fresh start on the new year
Try this easy and refreshing sake cocktail!
NPR's Morning Edition: Economy forces some to change their wine habits
NPR segment discusses how wine lovers are finding ways to get their fix
Grapefruit Avocado Salad, plus more great grapefruit recipes
Elevate a Florida citrus staple with this elegant recipe.
Minty Fresh Beats presents Jaydiohead, a new mash-up.
Radiohead meets Jay-Z. Preview it here.
Anticlimatic 'Sound' off.
BBC concludes its 'Sound of 2009' series with a baffling number one selection.
$100 Case of Wine: Vintage Wine Cellars
Good, cheap wine to be had at Vintage Wine Cellars
Songs about women murdering men
There sure are a lot of really great songs about women murdering men. Why do seem to write, record and enjoy them so much?
The Short List: Dick Cheney thinks he's "loveable"
Crazy video of guys who can fly (sort of), Blago facing impeachment, Dick Cheney thinks he's all warm and fuzzy, Chris Matthews will stay on television and much more on today's Short List.
Free advice from a famous playwright
You've heard of Mark Medoff's plays — Children of a Lesser God, When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder — and now you can take a playwriting class with him — for free.
"My name isn’t Jeeves" and seven other waiter peeves
Also, the answer to "Hello! How are you today?" is not "Ketel and tonic with lime."
Five days in Miami for a West Indian Christmas
Do you eat a
Florence continues the 'Sound.'
Florence and the Machine makes the BBC Sound of 2009 cut.
Weekend in music
A smorgasbord of musical offerings on both sides of the Bay.
$100 case of wine at Whole Foods
Great wine deals can be had at Whole Foods.
Stoner rock supergroup Shrinebuilder exists! Starts recording!
The long-rumored doom/sludge supergroup Shrinebuilder actually exists! And they're recording! And they have a publicist!!! That makes them pretty serious for a bunch of dopesmokers.
Times' Food Sections Round Up
A round up of this week's food sections in St. Pete Times and the New York Times.
Soho wine bar Cork opens
Although I'd love to report that SoHo's new wine bar, Cork, was packed at a VIP tasting this week, it wasn't. But not due to a lack of desirous customers.
Wine as an elite class
Vinography wine blog's piece on the travesty of wine and social class in America
PBS tackles the history of funny
A public TV network walks into a bar… and orders up a promising new documentary series on American comedy.
Ron Asheton, nostalgia, age, generation, Stooges and death
Ron Asheton died for our sins and the word generation is a marketing tool.
The Short List: Norm Coleman sues over Senate seat
Norm Coleman sues to try and win back his lost senate seat, Joe Biden starts talking again, Barack Obama gets a new whip, the Bucs Raheem Morris is a popular guy, and more on today's Short List.
My Morning Jacket releases new digital EP today
The six-song live EP is offered exclusively through iTunes.
A House Divided: Would a Gator win really be a good thing?
What is the better outcome for me? These are going to be tough choices. No sex for a week or the image of Tebow hoisting the BCS Trophy ingrained in my memory forever?
Roy's winter menu deal
Just in time for your recessionary palate, Roy's has a prix fixe menu worth $35. Available January 12 - March 31 at Roy's Restaurant across from International Plaza.
Cork and Olive Retail Chain Changes Ownership
The new guys are giving the failed concept a drastic makeover
Creative Loafing's new Food Section is live, local, and damn tasty
It's a cornucopia of the Bay area food scene. All day. Every day.
The 'Sound' countdown reaches number two.
White Lies makes the cut.
What 275 will look like after the construction (finally) ends
Not sure when the nightmare will end, but see the full video of what it will look like.
Do It This Weekend: Food & Drink Edition
A slew of tasty events for the weekend.
The Short List: Obama caves on stimulus plan
Obama's latest message to the masses hits YouTube, meanwhile the Prex-elect is already caving on his stimulus plan, Heath Ledger wins a Golden Globe, yet another Super Bowl parties gets canned plus much more on today's Short List.
Half-smoke-gate! Obama gets more free food, and a new enemy in Bill Cosby
Big Obama supporter Bill Cosby may be recanting, thanks to grilled sausage.
Jury duty as gigantic waste of time
The gigantic waste of time, money, labor, energy and brains that is expended on taking a single individual to trial for the alleged crime of "trafficking in cannabis."
Food. Porn. Two great tastes that taste great together.
Want to satisy your curiosity for food porn? Then look no further.
Four teams left: What's the best Super Bowl matchup?
Do you follow your heart or your wallet?
The Short List: Bush plans Thursday night speech
Bush plans to address the nation Thursday night in prime time, Tony Dungy retires, Obama battles congress over $350 billion, plus a special editorial after the jump on today's Short List.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona returns to Tampa Theatre
Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona makes a return engagement to the Tampa Theatre.
Suicide Girls: Beauty Redefined is a big book of naked ladies
All it redefines, however, is SG's trademark softcore porn style. For the worse.
Leaking Reznor
More than 400 GB of video, for free?
A House Divided: Sooner Holley live blogs the BCS Championship Game
Join us as we live blog the national championship game between the Florida Gators and Oklahoma Sooners. Coverage starts before 7 p.m.
Free Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuit every Wednesday in January
Want free chicken biscuits? Here's how.
Constellation to sell off more than 40 liquor brands
Beloved hangover-producer Skol Vodka gets a new family.
"Kurt Warner is worried you're going to hell"
Arizona Cardinals quarterback spreads The Word to all you sinners out there.
