Columns | Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

Margarita Wars is coming – Get your tickets here!

Indie Bookstore Day is this weekend, and Tampa Bay needs more of them

We also need more little free libraries and louder literacy advocates.

By Chelsea Zukowski

Apr 22, 2024

Indie Bookstore Day happens this weekend, and in the spirit of a recent Creative Loafing Tampa Bay poll that asked what the area needs to be a better place in four years, I’m calling for more more indie bookstores, more little free libraries and louder literacy advocates. There are more than a dozen local bookstores in the area, and even more that are worth the drive to Polk, Pasco and Sarasota counties...

Tombolo Books in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Tampa’s growing, but its tree canopy is not—here's why that’s a problem

If the city doesn’t start seriously protecting its diminishing tree canopy, parts of it are only going to get hotter and less livable.

By Linda Saul-Sena
Apr 18, 2024
Oracle of Ybor: I’ve been experiencing anhedonia lately

By Caroline DeBruhl
Apr 12, 2024
La Gaceta: Tampa police chief's 'retirement' plan is a huge raid of taxpayers’ money

The agreement was on the consent agenda for last week's City Council meeting but due to the Council's concerns, the item was removed from the agenda.

By Patrick Manteiga and La Gaceta
Apr 8, 2024
In the wake of Florida's 'War on Woke,' Republicans return to terrorizing the underclass

Amid a home insurance crisis and soaring housing prices, the Florida GOP has brought all its power to bear on their symptoms.

By Jeb Lund
Apr 4, 2024
Oracle of Ybor: I'm thinking about officially marrying my partner

Swords can make us feel boxed in but worry that any step off the path will lead to getting your head chopped off.

By Caroline DeBruhl
Apr 1, 2024
Oracle Of Ybor: I asked my boss to stop using my deadname, but he keeps doing it

And should I tell my parents I'm bi-sexual?

By Caroline DeBruhl
Mar 16, 2024
Everyone talks about Florida’s conservation easements like they’re permanent, but they aren’t

They preserve land—until a developer needs it.

By Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix
Mar 12, 2024
La Gaceta: The City of Tampa has 10 people in code enforcement supervising 33

'That's ridiculous.'

By Patrick Manteiga and La Gaceta
Mar 4, 2024
Oracle Of Ybor: I need to convince my aging mother that it's OK to be on Medicaid

And how do I find time to make art?

By Caroline DeBruhl
Mar 4, 2024
Tampa Bay needs multimodal transit so companies like Amazon will stop laughing at us

There are too many reasons to list.

By CL Staff
Mar 1, 2024
Tampa Bay needs increased funding for the arts

David Cox chimes in on what Tampa Bay needs to be a better place in four years.

By Ray Roa
Mar 1, 2024
Tampa Bay would be a lot cooler if it was home to something like Arkansas' Railyard Bike Park

'Currently the mountain bike community drives out to Alafia or Boyette.'

By CL Staff
Mar 1, 2024
Traffic and transit among top concerns in 'What Tampa Bay Needs' survey

People are sick of having existential crises every time to go to work

By Ray Roa
Mar 1, 2024
Affordability and housing dominated responses to the 'What Tampa Bay Needs' survey

And, yes, some people want rent control.

By Ray Roa
Mar 1, 2024
Tampa Bay needs more museums to stay open on weekend nights

Thomas Hallock chimes in on what Tampa Bay needs to be a better place in four years.

By Thomas Hallock
Mar 1, 2024
'I just find myself working all the time': Affordability is top of mind for this St. Pete resident

Brian Schanck chimes in on what Tampa Bay needs to be a better place in four years.

By CL Staff
Mar 1, 2024
Tampa Bay needs to better advocate for the homeless and people struggling with drug addiction

Krystal Ralph chimes in on what Tampa Bay needs to be a better place in four years.

By CL Staff
Mar 1, 2024
Tampa Bay needs coordinated leadership on environmental, belonging, community, and cultural issues

Safeguarding affordability, and a Florida that isn't under attack would be nice, too.

By Jo Ellen Schilke
Mar 1, 2024
Tampa Bay needs more trees if it wants to be a better place in four years

'Imagine an innovative city that creates homes and buildings designed to preserve trees.'

By Ray Roa
Mar 1, 2024
Tampa Bay could use more 'giveback greenery' to become a better place in four years

Even small apartments could have herb container gardens to promote healthier eating.

By Ray Roa
Mar 1, 2024