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PUBLISHER James Howard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa

RAY ROA

Editorial MANAGING EDITOR Selene San Felice FILM & TV CRITIC John W. Allman IN-HOUSE WITCH Caroline DeBruhl CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bradley, Alisha Durosier, Yuki Jackson, Sebastián González de León y León, Valerie Smith, Grace Stoler PHOTOGRAPHERS Jorge Cordova, Dave Decker POLITICAL CARTOONIST Bob Whitmore SUMMER INTERNS Marleigh Brown, Jani Burden (apply for fall by emailing clips and a resume to rroa@cltampa.com) Creative Services CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora ILLUSTRATORS Dan Perkins, Cory Robinson Advertising SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Anthony Carbone Events and Marketing MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Leigh Wilson MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Kristin Bowman

A poorly kept Tampa secret .

Circulation CIRCULATION MANAGER Ted Modesta

chavagroup.com cltampabay.com cldeals.com EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa Bay is a publication covering public issues, the arts and entertainment. In our pages appear views from across the political and social spectrum. They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher.

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Creative Loafing Tampa is published by Tampa Events & Media, LLC, 633 N Franklin St., Suite 735. Tampa, Florida, 33602.

...once we see that warrant, we have to satisfy that warrant...

Cops’ 287(g) agreement with ICE differs by municipality, p.18.

The newspaper is produced and printed on Indigenous land belonging to Tampa Bay’s Tocobaga and Seminole tribes.

ON THE COVER: Photo by Dave Decker. Design by Ana Paula Gutierrez

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JORGE CORDOVA

/food Cult-like restaurant followings /music More new concerts /arts FMoPA's immigration show /news Allendale’s $10K invoice photos.cltampa.com More Pride

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SharkCon 2025 July 12-13, 2025

Presented by National Geographic SHARKFEST at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall

Purchase tickets @ sharkcon.com

SharkCon is a shark, ocean, and watersports expo that is fun for all ages! Meet stars from shark movies & TV shows, including Jaws legend Richard Dreyfuss! Hear from National Geographic SHARKFEST speakers and more!

Over 30 shark exhibits and activities from Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Mote Marine Aquarium, SeaWorld, Sea Life, Gatorland, and other partners. Over 150 booths of shark & ocean themed merchandise. Try scuba for free, ride shark themed rides and connect with a ton of educational and conservation partners. If you love sharks and the ocean, then you will love SharkCon presented by National Geographic’s SHARKFEST. cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 7

Out, loud

Photos by Jorge Cordova

rganizers said that more than 350,000 people took to the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront last Saturday as the Southeast’s largest Pride parade returned to Bayfront Drive. The celebration was one of the largest in the 22-year history of the gathering and was kicked off by the trans march celebrating the Sunshine City’s nonbinary community. See more photos via cltampa.com/slideshows.—Ray Roa

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Tampa Bay's best things to do from July 03-10

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Hufflepuff type shit

Boom by the Bay is back, and this year’s 4th of July boat parade is dedicated to the troops. For the theme “Salute to Service,” the boats floating along the Riverwalk will be decked out in red, white and blue for veterans and servicemembers. The city will also award a prize to the “Most Patriotic Boat.” A water ski show also goes down at Sparkman Wharf and Jackson’s Bistro. Registration is required to participate in the boat parade. And while there’s no cover to watch the show on the Riverwalk, butVIP tickets are available for the water ski show, parade and fireworks with indoor and outdoor seating, drinks and food. Julian B. Lane Park won’t host vendors or activities this year, but Armature Works and Sparkman Wharf will have food vendors, live country and EDM music, and a hot dog eating contest. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. and end after the fireworks around 10 p.m. FYI, Outside chairs and coolers aren’t allowed.

Boom by the Bay: Friday, July 4. No cover. Downtown Tampa. tampa.gov/ events/boom—Marleigh Brown

CITY OF TAMPA/FACEBOOK

Jobsite is putting on a play that follows the side characters, extras and alleged space fillers in a certain world of wizardry. The sorcery of “Puffs Or, Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic” has less of a focus on the boy with the scar, and more attention to the wizarding wallflowers. The off-Broadway show was written by Matt Cox started in 2015 in New York, and has been performed by the Straz Center’s nonprofit professional company for five years. “For anyone who has never been destined to save the world or anyone who has ever felt like a secondary character in someone else’s story,” the work sheds light on the characters who may not have had any screen time in the movies that rhyme with Barry Cotter, but were definitely there. Just like the famous series, Cox conjured up a trio of his own, all of whom have a very strong— slightly spiteful—opinion of a certain glasses-wearing, goldensnitch-catching wizard.

‘Puffs Or, Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic’: Opening Wednesday, July 9. 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. $30 & up. Jaeb Theater at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa. jobsitetheater. org—Jani Burden

Two Indian authors and poets explore the beauty and mystery of women’s spiritual journeys, from Mumbai to Madeira Beachk. Arundhathi Subramaniam’s newest book, “Women Who Were Only Themselves,” gives readers a glimpse into the lives of four female travelers on an unapologetically divine spiritual journey. One left home to follow a long-dead saint, another is a yoga teacher and feels she missed out on childhood, the third believes spiritual life is anchored in wisdom of the body following a car accident and the last woman found her joy in a local yoga class after resisting pressure to marry. The esteemed author received her fair share of awards including the Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry 2020 (awarded by India’s premier literary institution), the Raza Award for Poetry and the SAARC Literature Award. Her interviewer, Avni Vyas, is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at New College of Florida and poet as well. Her chapbooks include “Little God,” “When I Was A Barefoot Cloud” and “Far from Glorious Feeling.”

Women Who Wear Only Themselves—An Evening with Arundhathi Subramaniam: Wednesday, July 9. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. No cover (RSVP requested). Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. tombolobooks.com—Jani Burden

12 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

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See more (and submit your event) @ cltampa.com

Not the cannibal

Hannibal Buress, who performs three sets at Tampa’s Funny Bone this weekend, has come a long way since bombing at open mics in Chicago 20 years ago. He exposed Bill Cosby as a sexual predator, starred in dozens of movies and TV shows, got grilled by Ziwe about being a landlord, launched a comedic rap career with seriously good beats as Eshu Tune, and most recently opened an event space in NYC. His 2016 Netflix special, Comedy Camiso, is still considered one of the platform’s best.

Hannibal Buress: Saturday-Sunday, July 5-6 (two shows each night). $42 & up. Funny Bone Comedy Club, 1800 E 8th Ave. C-112, Ybor City. tampa.funnybone.com—

Jani Burden

HANNIBAL BURESS/FACEBOOK

The Fourth: Friday, July 4. No cover. St. Pete Pier, 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. stpetepier.org—Jani Burden

Democracy (Gulfport’s version)

Art can speak much louder than words, and the Brenda McMahon Gallery is showcasing the voices of over 45 artists, including painters, sculptors and photographers. As the gallery’s first themed show, “We the People” will also celebrate democracy through sound, featuring musical performances from duo Gale Tripsmith and Kirk Adams.

‘We The People…’: Friday, July 4. 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. No cover. Brenda McMahon Gallery, 2901 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. brendamcmahongallery.com—Alisha Durosier

BRENDA MCMAHON GALLERY/FACEBOOK

St. Pete Pier is once again lighting up the sky, this time in honor of America’s 249th birthday. The City of St. Pete’s traditional Fourth of July celebration is set for 4 p.m-9:30 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9 p.m. The display will be visible from the entire downtown waterfront, but the primary viewing areas are Spa Beach Park and Family Park located at the Pier. Also included in the celebration is a family fun zone, roaming entertainers and live music. Food and drinks will also be available at the festival thanks to Uncle Sam’s Market and an assortment of food trucks and craft beer garden. The fifth annual St. Pete Pier Run four-mile walk-run—because the Fourth of July—kicks off at 5 a.m. and is followed by a 9 a.m. pieeating contest at Spa Beach. Because what better way to reward yourself after running four miles than stuffing your face with pie.

CITY OF ST. PETE/FLICKR

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“Even though they say they are after criminals, that is not true—we’re seeing families being torn apart.” POLITICS

ISSUES

OPINION

Make America good again

The GOP has a new boogeyman, but local groups are fighting back. By Ray Roa

borders,” Dr. Melissa Beaudoin, Assistant Professor at Liberty University, said on the same program, in reference to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. “Are they here for malicious intents? Are they here to have a better life? You know what? We just don’t know. While the United States should be welcoming immigrants, they need to be legal, and we need to know that they’re here to have a better life.” But Thomas Kennedy, Policy Analyst & Consultant with the Florida Immigrant Coalition

WALK THE WALK: Migrants needs help beyond waving signs. points out that many of those being picked up by ICE are being met by agents as they are in courtrooms going to their immigration appointments—trying to do things the right way. Kennedy noted that it’s extremely complicated for people to adjust their status and find a path to citizenship, adding that family petitions can take up to 20-30 years. “We haven’t had a federal immigration package with a pathway to citizenship since 1986 since Ronald Reagan was president,” he said. Kennedy’s comments came weeks ahead of the development a so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” facility in the Everglades that was supposed to

And still, ordinary people are pushing back. Hundreds lined Tamiami Trail protesting the new facility last weekend. Months before that, within a couple of weeks of the inauguration, protesters started to gather in resistance to Trump’s second term. At the same time, migrant communities took to the streets in their neighborhoods to say that they are “American by birth. Mexican by blood,” and remind anyone who’d glance over that, “Mexicans ain’t going anywhere.” Locally, activists have seen and rallied against the deportation of Venezuelans, a Cuban mother in Tampa separated from her infant, and another mother in Pinellas who didn’t get to pick her kids up from daycare (p. 18). They’ve started to watch for ICE activity (p. 23), too. None of this, however, is stopping ICE from taking action as Trump and his White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller—who’s been dubbed as a white nationalist by congresspeople and think tanks alike—from starting to carry out what they hope is the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. And migrants need help beyond waving signs. A spokesperson for the volunteer-driven Pinellas hub of Florida Immigrant Coalition told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay said that some of what migrants who are in touch with their organization want is for people to come to their protests, too. Yes, allies are organizing protests, and some of the large groups may have migrant leaders, but the community itself is on the street and could use some outside presence. “Having non immigrants there, not just going to 5051 protests, but going to stuff that the community themselves are actually putting together—and making an effort to say ‘Hey, we’re going to come into your space. We’re not just asking you to come into ours,’” they added. “That is a big thing.” And if someone can’t do that big thing, there are small actions out there for the taking, too. “Another one that’s honestly really, really simple is just going out of your way to support immigrant businesses,” the spokesperson added. “Let’s say I wanted to go get tacos. Maybe, instead of going to Chipotle, go to the actual immigrantrun business.” (More on that via p. 33.) In a better world, all the little things will go a long way to making America good again. If the effort succeeds remains to be seen.

COLUMN

DAVE DECKER

lorida, once again, feels like the center of the world when it comes to how inhumanely people can treat each other. While last year’s legislative session was less-driven by culture wars over pronouns and library books, Republicans in the Sunshine State have reconnected with an old boogeyman as more pressing issues like insurance rates and costof-living increases continue to make most every Floridian’s life less bearable. Of course, turning immigrants into bad people in the eyes of the electorate is nothing new. Nativism was a tried-and-true tactic weaponized by the Ku Klux Klan, which counted Catholics and Jews in its list of undesirables as the terrorist organization peaked in the 1920s. Sorry to all the red hat-wearing MAGA patriots out there, but you guys weren’t the first to use “America First” as a campaign slogan (the clowns parading in white hoods beat you to it). And while the president’s shock-and-awe campaign to suck the air out of every news headline leaves the country’s head spinning daily, the level of cruelty associated with this zeitgeist’s current approach to immigration is still jaw-dropping. Across the Bay area, we see it in our very backyards. In Tampa two months ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis spent an afternoon bragging about how Florida Highway Patrol helped arrest 30 people on behalf of the feds. Troopers, along with other local cops, now have leeway to do that thanks to new legislation that allows local and state law enforcement agencies to enter into what are known as 287 (g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to execute immigration enforcement inside Florida. Last month, Ana Lam, a Tampa woman with connections to the local immigrant community, told WMNF public affairs program The Skinny that her people are terrorized right now. “To be Hispanic, to be undocumented right now, there is no peace. There is anxiety and fear of what is going on,” Lam added. “Even though they say they are after criminals, that is not true—we’re seeing families being torn apart.” The president’s supporters see the arrests of immigrants as part of a return to common sense. “If you look at what necessitates a country you have to have clear, definable and defendable

go online July 2 and house between 1,000-5,000 prisoners. Critics of the site (read more on p. 29) have said the site, which could cost hundreds of millions of dollars to operate, have said it should be called “Alligator Auschwitz,” not to minimize the Nazi death camp, but point out how many will end up there based on their ethnicity. Almost none will be convicted of any crime either, according to The Nation. “At least the poor souls who wound up at Alcatraz, California’s infamous island prison, got due process. They were deterred from escaping by freezing cold waters and the rumor of sharks; these prisoners will be in mosquitoinfested swampland surrounded by alligators and pythons,” columnist Joan Walsh added.

While some Republicans are already capitalizing on the prison by selling branded merchandise, former Florida State Sen. Jeff Brandes likened the project to a Japanese internment camp. “It’s kind of like a Mexican internment camp, a South American internment camp, versus an Alcatraz situation,” he said, adding that the public should know exactly who is going to run the prison. “If it’s a state facility, legislators can walk in any day and night, and you’ll have plenty of visibility there. Is it a federal facility, or is it a state facility that is leased to the feds? That’s an important distinction.”

cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 17

Hold ICE

Lawyer details peril of Pinellas mother separated from family.

illions of Floridians drop their kids off with a babysitter, go off to work, and then pick up their kids before going home. On Jun. 5, Rosa Patishtan-Gomez dropped her kids off with a babysitter, but could not make it to work or to pick up her two young children. She was pulled over and detained by a Florida Highway Patrol officer, who called Border Patrol Agents to arrest and detain Patishtan-Gomez, initially at the Pinellas County Jail, according to a Subject Charge Report obtained by San Pedro Gazette on the Pinellas County “Who’s In Jail” website. When booked, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office added a note to her report saying: “HOLD ICE,” but did not detail the charges she was arrested for. The report also omits the name of the arresting agency, just listed as “N/A.” “The arresting agency is listed as ‘N/A,’ which typically means it’s a federal agency,” a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told San Pedro Gazette on June 23, via email when asked about Patishtan-Gomez’ report. Regarding the charges, “individuals who are brought in by a federal agency on an ICE hold will not have an arrest affidavit.” An arrest affidavit is a sworn statement detailing the reason for detention and alleged charges, among other details. Pinellas County law enforcement is required to produce one upon arrest, according to a Sixth District Court administrative order. Court records show Patishtan-Gomez was supposed to have a court hearing in Pompano Beach, Florida. on June 9, but according to her attorney, she was transferred to a Texas detention center the day before and therefore was unable to appear at her hearing. Since then, advocates of PatishtanGomez have been trying to reunite her with her family.

interview on June 23. “As a passenger, at no point was she ever asked what her immigration status was. She was not asked whether she’s a US citizen or whether she had any lawful status. The only question that the officer asked her was whether she had a valid driver’s license.” Carrion explained that after being pulled over, Patishtan-Gomez and the other passengers, including her husband, were detained and unable to leave for hours, under the heat, until Border Patrol Agents arrived. “Once CBP arrived at the scene, they were immediately taken in without being asked any questions… Once she was arrested and processed at the Pinellas County Jail, the only question that an officer asked her was what country she’s from.” Carrion noted that since February 2025, the Florida Highway Patrol signed a 287(g) which allows them to conduct immigration detentions. “Immigration enforcement activities conducted by participating [Law Enforcement Agency] personnel will be supervised and directed by ICE,” states the 287(g) agreement signed in February 2025 by Dave Kerner, the executive director of the FHP, according to a copy of the memo obtained by San Pedro Gazette. “Participating LEA personnel are not authorized to perform immigration officer functions except when working under the supervision or direction of ICE.” Carrion noted, “for the detention to be legal, the officer must have a reasonable suspicion that a crime is being committed. Solely being in the U.S. and the color and looks of your skin, is not enough. Even if Immigration officers stop you, they must have a reasonable suspicion that the immigrant is here unlawfully.”

LOCAL NEWS

“Even if Immigration officers stop you, they must have a reasonable suspicion that the immigrant is here unlawfully.”

Patishtan-Gomez came to the united states to work According to Daniela Carrion, a pro-bono lawyer representing Patishtan-Gomez, the Mexican indigenous woman is in the United States thanks to a seasonal agricultural visa program. Carrion told San Pedro Gazette her client was “exploited and coerced to do work for long hours, well over 120 hours a week, without any breaks and paid far below minimum wage without any overtime.” “She was a passenger traveling in a car that was pulled over,” said Carrion over a phone

18 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

Unlawful? “[Law enforcement] have to ask, ‘Do you have any valid documentation to be in the United States?’ Failure to make these questions violate her constitutional rights, which are afforded to her regardless of her immigration status,” Carrion stated, denouncing the arrest. Carrion argues that since officers failed to have any reasonable suspicion or ask any question which would allow them to detain PatishtanGomez, she was unlawfully arrested, which violates her Fourth Amendment rights, which protect against illegal search and seizures.

SEBASTIAN GONZALEZ DE LEON Y LEON

By Sebastian Gonzalez de Leon y Leon/San Pedro Gazette

COME HOME TEAM: Activist Ruth Beltran speaks during a June 14 demonstration outside Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater. As of Jun. 19, Patishtan-Gomez was still being held at an Immigration Processing Center in Karnes County, Texas, managed by GEO Group. San Pedro Gazette learned this through a spokesperson from the detention center. Throughout multiple follow-up calls on June 30 and July 1, GEO Group changed its tune. First, it said it didn’t have the information, then shared a wrong phone number, an automated voicemail, and another extension that went unanswered. Subsequently, San Pedro Gazette used ICE’s Online Detainee Tracking System, which stated that Patishtan-Gomez is still in Texas. However, the tracker led to a broken hyperlink. Before being moved to Texas, PatishtanGomez was held for days at the Pinellas County Jail, a facility that continues to be used to house immigrants for ICE. She was transferred without any criminal charges ever brought against her, according to Carrion. “To have your client moved to a different state while she’s breastfeeding…

is outrageous,” Carrion said. The lawyer explained that during a bond hearing set on Jun. 23, bond was denied for the mother of two. A PCSO public information officer declined multiple requests for comment when asked how many immigrants are being held in the county jail on ICE holds without criminal charges. On June 30, PCSO encouraged the San Pedro Gazette to submit a Freedom of Information Act Request (FOIA) in order to garner this information. Pregnant, postpartum or nursing—and denied bond According to a 2021 archived press release from ICE, the agency has an internal policy regarding the detention of lactating mothers called Directive 11032.4. “We will not detain individuals known to be pregnant, postpartum or nursing unless release continued on page 21

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is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist. This reflects our commitment to treat all individuals with respect and dignity while still enforcing our nation’s laws,” said former Acting ICE Director Tae D. Johnson during the previous administration. The 2021 press release was archived by ICE in February, 2025, according to records shown on the Wayback Machine, a tool provided by the Internet Archive. Nonetheless, the signed directive called “Identification and Monitoring of Pregnant, Postpartum, or Nursing Individuals,” is still publicly available. “At the bond hearing, we presented the facts that she’s mainly breastfeeding her 11-monthold,” Carrion said. “We presented a US citizen sponsor who attested that they would be driving her to and from court, and provide any necessary aid.” Instead, the court ruled Patishtan-Gomez was at flight risk, arguing that she did not have work authorization, did not have a valid driver’s license, and she had not sought an immigration application to remain in the U.S., Carrion noted. Carrion argued in court that she would file a Motion to Suppress the stop and all evidence gathered after her unlawful detainment, as well as all relief available to victims of labor trafficking. “We presented evidence that she would be eligible, potentially for a T visa… she may have been a victim of labor trafficking,” Carrion said. To qualify for T nonimmigration status, and thus apply for a T visa, one must show they “are or were a victim of a severe form of trafficking,” which Carrion believes is true for Patishtan-Gomez.

deport Patishtan-Gomez without her family. However, San Pedro Gazette was unable to confirm this information independently. “Activists have said she is a lactating mother, and that ICE does not separate lactating mothers from their children, yet in this case, that seems to be happening. Can you please provide a comment on this?” San Pedro Gazette asked an ICE spokesperson via email, to no avail. As of Jun. 24, San Pedro Gazette was unable to locate the whereabouts of the family of Patishtan-Gomez or confirm their well-being. ‘Strictly housing’ and HOLD (for) ICE On May 1, ICE published a press release titled “Largest joint immigration operation in Florida history leads to 1,120 criminal alien arrests during weeklong operation.” In it, Pinellas County was mentioned. “In addition, the following sheriff’s offices also provided significant assistance to ICE during the operation… Alachua County… Baker County… Pinellas County…” San Pedro Gazette reached out to clarify the level of involvement by Pinellas County. “We did not take part in that enforcement,” a spokesperson from PCSO told San Pedro Gazette during a June 11 phone call. “We are strictly housing [detained persons]… You won’t find any Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies doing those raids.” Local authorities do collaborate with ICE through the “HOLD ICE” notice in arrest reports. To better understand how an arrest can lead to the “HOLD ICE” notice, San Pedro Gazette sat down with Chief Anthony Holloway from the St. Petersburg Police Department. The chief explained that in St. Pete, if someone is arrested for breaking a law, they are booked for that charge. And, if there’s a warrant from ICE, the municipal police department notifies the federal agency, holds the detainee for one hour (in St. Pete’s case), and if ICE doesn’t show up, releases the person. “What our job is, once we see that warrant, we have to satisfy that warrant, so to speak,” Holloway said, clarifying that each municipality in Pinellas County has its own internal policies on this matter. When asked who includes the “HOLD ICE” note on the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Subject Charge Report, SPPD noted that Pinellas County computer systems in place include that notice as soon as someone is booked. Chief Holloway said that St. Pete is part of the 287(g), just like the FHP. Moreover, Chief Holloway clarified that SPPD is not partnering for rides with ICE.

LOCAL NEWS

“What our job is, once we see that warrant, we have to satisfy that warrant, so to speak.”

Protesting PatishtanGomez arrest San Pedro Gazette learned about PatishtanGomez while reporting on a peaceful 50501 demonstration outside Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater. Over a hundred Tampa Bay Residents and members of organizations such as the Tampa Bay Immigration Coalition, local chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America, and the Tampa Bay Party for Socialism and Liberation congregated on June 14, around 4:30 p.m. to speak up against ICE operations and denounce the Patishtan-Gomez case. Backed by other activists, Ruth Beltran, a community organizer with Tampa Bay Immigration Solidarity Network and the Tampa Bay Party for Socialism and Liberation, shared the details she knew of the case. “The agency has only created more obstacles for Rosa… ICE is also putting pressure on her to sign self-deporting paperwork,” Beltran said, claiming the federal agency is threatening to

SEBASTIAN GONZALEZ DE LEON Y LEON

continued from page 18

WARRANTS ANOTHER LOOK: St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway says each municipality in Pinellas has its own internal policies on ICE warrants. The 287(g) Agreement Between ICE and Pinellas County Pinellas County also has its 287(g) agreement, signed by Bob Gualtieri, the county-wide elected official in charge of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. The agreement was extended on Feb. 22, 2025, according to a list of participating agencies published by ICE, and a copy of the agreement reviewed by San Pedro Gazette. According to ICE’s website, Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, enacted in 1952, allows the federal agency to grant some immigration enforcement powers to local law enforcement. Under the agreement, agents who participate can question individuals about their immigration status, arrest suspected undocumented immigrants without a warrant, and hold them for ICE. They are also authorized to serve immigration warrants, gather evidence, and complete processing tasks such as fingerprinting, photographing, and interviewing. ICE provides training and approvals to selected local agents, according to the agreement.

Pinellas County chooses the agents nominated for approval from ICE, and will cover costs of local agents participation, “including salaries and benefits, local transportation, and official issue material.” San Pedro Gazette learned that while there is a county-level agreement, each municipality has its own internal policies regarding its partnership with ICE. Municipalities like St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Treasure Island, and others, have their own 287(g) agreement. ICE documents show that 289 Florida agencies at the state, county, and municipal levels signed the agreement. ICE did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the Patishtan-Gomez case. San Pedro Gazette requested information on costs and revenue associated with housing immigrants, as well as details about the conditions in which they are held, and how their presence, if detained in the local jail, would impact other inmates. PCSO did not provide this information. Valerie Smith contributed reporting, factchecking, and interviews for this article.

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“This isn’t the first time misinformation about immigration enforcement activity has spread in the area.”

THINK TW-I.C.E.: The Home Depot ICE raid in St. Pete didn’t happen. Why does everyone think it did? SEBASTIÁN GONZÁLEZ DE LEÓN Y LEÓN

Cool it

Activists say there’s a better way to share information about ICE activity. By Valerie Smith

arlier this month, hundreds of Pinellas County social media users shared a warning about an impending enforcement operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a St. Pete Home Depot. The raid didn’t happen, and officials told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay it was never scheduled in the first place. In the aftermath of this warning, false reports of ICE sightings at the store spread rapidly. A few days prior, a Facebook user created identical posts in several Tampa Bay Facebook groups saying that an employee of the Home Depot on 22nd Ave. N was asked by an ICE agent what the best entrance was to use for a raid on Tuesday, June 17. It wouldn’t be a first for the hardware chain. Lately, ICE operations have started targeting day laborers—often immigrants—who wait in Home Depot parking lots across the U.S. most mornings for contractors to hire them on a daily basis. St. Pete residents circulated the post widely on Facebook and Instagram to spread awareness to anyone who might want to avoid contact with ICE. A handmade sign reading

“ICE 6/17” appeared in the grass outside Home Depot that morning. Tuesday came and went with no ICE activity at the store. There was one seemingly unrelated arrest in the parking lot conducted by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, per eyewitness accounts and pictures taken of the officers involved. The nature of this arrest was unclear, but all witnesses CL spoke with said it did not appear to be immigration related. Through social media posts being screenshotted and reposted cyclically, the story changed. Eventually, infographics were made saying that ICE was present in unmarked vehicles at multiple Home Depots across town, when in reality they were referring to a single arrest by county deputies.

LOCAL NEWS

How did the rumors start? CL reached out to the individual who first posted the alert on social media. They said that a friend of theirs, an employee of Home Depot, was working in the parking lot wearing their store uniform when an “undercover

officer” approached them. The supposed agent asked which entrance would be best to use for an ICE enforcement operation. The employee reportedly asked their friend to post it on social media so that they could remain anonymous. The manager on duty the day of the raid told CL that he was aware of the rumors of ICE but did not believe it was true, and said that he was not aware of contact between ICE and any employees. Home Depot also denies that ICE ever makes them aware of an enforcement operation before it takes place. A media representative for ICE told CL he had no knowledge of any enforcement operations taking place at that location. This isn’t the first time misinformation about immigration enforcement activity has spread in the Tampa Bay area. On several occasions this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicles have shown up on the side of the highway, prompting the spread of posts about “ICE checkpoints.” CBP denies having Florida checkpoints, and commenters on the posts say they drove past the vehicles without being stopped. One person made a post on the St. Petersburg Reddit page that read: “Heads up: ICE on US 19,” with no time or location details given. These posts about ICE activity are ubiquitous, but rarely verified. Nothing happened. Who cares? Across the country, activists have formed ICE watch groups to monitor local immigration

enforcement operations and report them to the public. The groups formed in response to an increase in ICE activities, many of which have involved unlawfully detaining or deporting people residing in the U.S. By publicizing the locations of raids, ICE watch groups aim to help individuals who are afraid of being targeted by ICE to avoid encounters with the agency. ICE watchers emphasize that this reporting is strictly informational in the interest of upholding transparency, and is not intended to encourage or promote illegal activity of any kind. Some Tampa Bay ICE watchers attempted to verify details about the Home Depot operation before it occurred, but could not get in touch with the person who made the initial social media posts. Several people showed up at the store that Tuesday to monitor it for ICE activity. CL spoke with an ICE watcher in New York City, who goes by S, to better understand law enforcement monitoring. “ICE watching and recording is really important just for the everyday citizen to understand what is actually going on when they see ICE agents in their neighborhood,” S said. She emphasized the importance of training and understanding the reasons behind ICE reporting, saying that just sharing on social media with no verification and no tact could do more harm than good. continued on page 25

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GOOD TO KNOW: Size, activity, location, uniform, time and equipment are all helpful in reporting ICE activity. continued from page 23 “The state really likes us to feel like it is ubiquitous, all knowing, all powerful, and that it’s everywhere,” S said. “That oftentimes leads us to inaction. It spreads fear, especially when we’re talking about heavily policed, surveilled and criminalized communities … That fear can end up impacting people’s ability to go out and find work, or [their] mental health.” The manager of the Home Depot where ICE sightings were falsely reported said that it had been weeks since they’d had any day laborers outside the store, though the extent to which ICE presence contributed to the absence of workers is not known. Sherman Austin is a prominent activist whose most recent venture is founding StopICE.net, a nationwide mobile alert network to report and deliver alerts about ICE sightings. “It’s important to verify because there’s a lot of anxiety and fear right now as it is,” Austin told CL when asked about erroneous ICE reports. “Eventually, [the false report] will circle back around and people will realize that the information wasn’t accurate, and they’ll have less faith in the information next time it comes out.”

immigration related or not. In cases like this, Austin says transparency and details are the best way to get accurate information across. With more details, community members in the know can help to verify the likelihood that an action is immigration related. S recommends the S.A.L.U.T.E. method to capture the most crucial details. S.A.L.U.T.E. stands for size, activity, location, uniform, time and equipment. This information helps to understand exactly what kind of activity is going on. Entering this information into online utility salute.kyr.digital will return a copyable message formatting this information as an alert that can be shared with rapid response networks like local ICE watches or StopICE.net. She says that, for example, DHS could show up at a neighbor’s door for a procedural check-in. If someone witnessing this situation posts to social media: “ICE knocking on doors in St. Petersburg,” the post could get shared and lead immigrant neighbors to become afraid in their homes. Instead, this individual could report through relevant channels, like StopICE.net, that one officer (size) knocked on a door (activity) in the Crescent Lake neighborhood (location) wearing a DHS vest (uniform) at 2:15 p.m. (time) carrying a clipboard (equipment). Community members with knowledge of the immigration system would likely recognize this as a standard check-in rather than a door-by-door enforcement. S encourages anyone who wants to help spread information to have a S.A.L.U.T.E. graphic on hand to share with anyone who shares unhelpful reports. She also said that, before sharing, people with a low risk of being targeted by ICE should consider that their personal social media may not actually be a source other people look to for information about ICE. “Too much awareness can also lead to inaction regarding fear,” S said, “[and can] lead to absorbing a lot of hurt and trauma that is not always ours to be absorbed.”

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How do I share without spreading fear? StopICE.net has a number of automated and manual verification processes to determine whether a report is legitimate. Until a sighting can be verified, it is tagged as an “unconfirmed sighting” on the alert. Austin said that due to people sharing untimestamped screenshots on social media, moderators seeking to verify ICE sightings often see alerts that are duplicates of sightings from weeks prior. Austin said that the verification process is complicated by local law enforcement collaborating with ICE through the 287(g) program. Since local officers can be deputized to enforce immigration laws, it’s difficult to say for sure whether any action by a municipal police department is

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This bites

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could ‘have all kinds of issues with staffing,’ says former Florida senator. By Ray Roa

espite environmental concerns and a lawsuit contesting its operation, construction of Florida’s so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” is well underway in the Everglades. Last Saturday, June 27, while Gov. Ron DeSantis continued gloating after the state seized land to build a 5,000-bed facility to house people ensnared in Donald Trump’s mass deportation, protesters lined Tamiami Trail outside to share their discontent. The Associated Press said that hundreds of activists— including environmentalists and Native Americans fighting for their ancestral home—stood on the shoulders of the roads while trucks hauled building materials into Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport. The facility could cost $450 million a year to operate, according to the Miami Herald, which added that funds would come from a FEMA program that the Biden administration used to support local governments and nonprofits that “house, feed, and transport immigrants released and processed by Homeland Security.” Last Friday, June 26, a day before the protests over the weekend, former Florida State Sen. Jeff Brandes was in Tampa where he told WMNF public affairs program The Skinny that folks concerned about the treatment of prisoners in the Sunshine State should be asking questions about how “Alligator Alcatraz” will be staffed.

“I think you’re going to get the National Guard back in there. I think you’re going to have all kinds of issues with staffing,” Brandes, who now leads the Florida Policy Project, said. “This is much more of a kind of a Japanese internment camp kind of problem. It’s kind of like a Mexican internment camp, a South American internment camp, versus an Alcatraz situation.” On top of that, Brandes added, is the question of who will actually operate “Alligator Alcatraz. “If it’s a state facility, legislators can walk in any day and night, and you’ll have plenty of visibility there. Is it a federal facility, or is it a state facility that is leased to the feds? That’s an important distinction,” he said. Moments before Brandes’ comments in Tampa, Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida—followed by a motion for expedited relief, seeking entry of a temporary restraining order by July 1—according to Florida Phoenix. Plaintiffs include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Florida Division of Management, and Miami-Dade County. In the suit, Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, says the site of “Alligator Alcatraz”—announced by Florida Attorney General

FLORIDA NEWS

James Uthmeier less than two weeks ago—is more than 96% wetlands all surrounded by the state’s Big Cypress National Preserve. The park is home to the endangered Florida Panther and other species specific to the Sunshine State. “The scheme is not only cruel, it threatens the Everglades ecosystem that state and federal taxpayers have spent billions to protect,” she added. Also speaking to WMNF, Marcelo Balladares, an organizing representative at the Sierra Club’s Florida chapter, said that the government takeover of the land—made possible by Florida law which says that the governor has power to take over or use private property to “cope” with an emergency—steamrolls the usual processes involving environmental environmental impact statements and other protocol. In fact, the state’s actions are already bringing more humans and traffic to the site and surrounding habitats. “Big Cypress is also one of the United States’ designated dark sky areas and having the lights that they’re going to need is going to disturb those habitats that nocturnal creatures depend on,” Balladares said. “Folks who come out there for ecotourism, for example, they’re not going to be able to get that view that they came there looking for.”

Balladares said folks are looking to state legislators on both sides of the aisle to react the way they did last year when plans to put hotels and pickleball courts in Florida State Parks galvanized voters. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity for that to happen again here because it is our Everglades. It’s something that all Floridians will feel, especially in southern and central Florida at one point or another,” he added. Signs outside the facility—which was supposed to open on July 1—reflected the environmental concerns while others took aim at “Florida’s #1 invasive snake,” DeSantis and called for the governor and Trump to be in prison. Others—like the one that said, “No cell blocks in sacred swamps” and “Indigenous homeland, not ‘empty wetland’”— spoke to the fact that the Everglades were first inhabited by tribes like the Calusa. Seminole and Miccosukee Indians are also connected to the land, with the latter taking refuge there during the Seminole War. Among the protesters was Miccosukee Tribe member and activist Betty Osceola, who can walk to the future prison site from her chickee village. “It’s a place where we come for healing, where we come to pray,” she told NBC.

“This is much more of a kind of a Japanese internment camp kind of problem.”

CAMP SITE: Will the feds or state run the Everglades’ new immigrant prison?

DAVE DECKER

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DINING GUIDES

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World tour

Tampa Bay’s best restaurants and pop-ups celebrating international flavors. By CL Staff

ampa Bay is home to dozens and dozens of tried and true places to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to the food scene. From new spots to concepts helmed by second and thirdgeneration cooks, here are 31 ways to take a trip around the world without leaving Tampa Bay. Alekos: Souvlaki & Sweets A favorite on St. Pete’s pop-up scene, musician Alex Charos (The Venus, Alexander & the Grapes) dishes an intimate menu of Greek handhelds like chicken souvlaki—straight up on a skewer or inside a homemade pita with tzatziki, tomato and onions—as well as a “Greek Cowboy Cookie” with chocolate chips, tahini, walnuts, sesame, cinnamon and flaky sea salt. We hope Charos’ spanakopita stays on the menu, too. @alekos.stpete on Instagram Antojitos Latin Cravings Antojitos features classic Colombian dishes and treats like a breakfast “calentado,” a main course “bandeja paisa” and baked goods impossible to resist, like its “buñuelos.” Break the little cheese balls apart and dip them in your coffee or hot chocolate to have them the true Colombian way. 2302 W Columbus Dr., Tampa. mantojos.com Bamboozle After 14 years at its nowdemolished flagship location in downtown Tampa, health-focused Vietnamese restaurant Bamboozle recently moved to Seminole Heights. Loyal customers of Bamboozle will recognize

the menu, however, which includes a variety of fresh spring rolls, piping hot bowls of pho, bánh mis, curries and traditional Vietnamese salads. Since wellness is at the forefront of Bamboozle’s mission, its menu caters to a variety of glutenfree and vegan diets as well. 7107 N Florida Ave., Tampa. eatbamboozle.com Barbouni at Baba Americans aren’t unacquainted with fish in a can, but let’s face it: Europeans do it so much better. Barbouni, St. Pete’s “modern ouzeri” lives at Baba and features conservas, which are known as canned seafood in European countries served with bread or crackers. There’s also an intimate raw bar that allows guests to watch their fresh oysters being shucked, but the main thing here is conservas, including mackerel, sardines, smoked mussels and razor clams. 2701 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. eatatbaba.com/barbouni Restaurant BT Mothership for the ideas of Tampa culinary icon BT Nguyen, this staple restaurant has deep French influence and so much of Nguyen’s Vietnamese roots. “... items like a sophisticated vichyssoise and Basque-inspired pink prawns are a testament to her classic French training and time spent abroad,” wrote Michelin inspectors who recommend this concept. 2507 S MacDill Ave., Tampa. restaurantbt.com

DINING GUIDE

Chile Verde This former gas station, current Mexican restaurant and grocer is hard to miss—it’s the one with the giant pair of horses out front. Chile Verde is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with menu highlights like huevos rancheros, tamales and tacos. Guests can even choose between Mexican tacos with cilantro and onion or American tacos with lettuce, tomato and cheese. 2801 22nd Ave. N St. Petersburg. chileverde22nd.com The Columbia Florida’s oldest restaurant is right here in Tampa. Covering an entire Ybor City block, the 118-year-old Columbia Restaurant spans all the bases of Spanish and Cuban-inspired dishes, like classic Cubans and massive plates of paella. Don’t skip the Spanish bean soup or Columbia’s main crowd pleaser, the 1905 salad. 2117 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. columbiarestaurant.co Cybel Cybel serves beloved French tacos and more in St. Pete’s Historic Kenwood district. The French-Moroccan eatery is the first restaurant from Taoufik Abdelmoula aka Chef Touf, who runs Cybel with several members of his family. The vaguely Mediterranean restaurant pulls culinary inspiration from African, Moroccan, and French influences, offering familiar dishes like hummus, falafel and chicken kabob alongside unique fusion options like build-your-own French tacos and seafood-filled Moroccan egg rolls. Cybel’s customizable French tacos–which Chef Touf first introduced to St. Pete while operating his ghost kitchen inside of Foodie Labs—comes with French fries and your choice of grilled meats, vegetables and sauces. 2735 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. cybelfusion.com El Puerto Restaurant & Grill Be prepared… to wait. Ybor City’s ArgentinianPueruvian staple from Chef Nelson Umana

RAY ROA

has never been famous for fast service, but the anticipation is worth it thanks to juicy slabs of churrasco (get an extra egg) ready to be served alongside tabletop chimichurri and rolls that’ll tempt you to fill up before the main event. 1623 E 5th Ave., Ybor City. elpuertoybor.com Esther’s Cafe A few steps away from street corner produce markets, this truly hole-in-thewall spot would be easily lost if it wasn’t already a hometown favorite. Esther’s is consistently one of the highest rated taco joints in Tampa, and for good reason, they make their own tortillas and the tacos are some of the best in town. There’s now a more normy brick-and-mortar down the street at 2115 Hillsborough Ave., too. 3001 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. tacosesthers.com Gorkhali Kitchen With a Bib Gourmand from Michelin inspectors, Gorkhali Kitchen has a Nepalese focus along with some Indian elements, and serves seared, pan-fried and soup dumplings along with dishes like chicken chilli momo in fiery sauce. 10044 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa. gorkhalikitchentampa.com Istanbul Mediterranean Grill & Market Clean bright flavors, generous portions, and a cozy, bust atmosphere make this market and restaurant near the corner of Busch Boulevard and Florida Avenue and easy meal for everyone to agree on. Throw down on grilled meats, go for classic gyros, and definitely don’t skip out on the fresh hummus, babaganoush and tabbouleh. And the meal always wraps with a real deal Turkish tea. 8896 N Florida Ave., Tampa. istanbulgrillfl.com Jam Dish A son of Jamaica, Mugabe Tenn, brings his Jam Dish food truck to events across continued on page 36

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Manila Eats The former food trailer has long settled into its full-service restaurant just south of Palmetto Beach. While there are so many Filipino places to put on your try-list, this one is in one of Tampa’s most undersung working class neighborhoods. In addition to making its wide spread of popular Pinoy dishes like chicken inasal, crispy pata, Filipino spaghetti, and pork sinigang, owner and chef Veronica Meneses—who was born and raised in the Pampanga province right outside of Manila—also hosts karaoke on the weekends. Make sure to check Manila Eats’ Facebook page for its menu of the day. 1601 S 22nd St., Tampa. manila-eats.com Mazzaro’s Italian Market Italians do it better. One of Tampa Bay’s most popular markets, Mazzaro’s has won a slew of Best of the Bay awards over the years, and is known for its dramatic unveilings of comically-sized foods— including a 40-foot loaf of bread it donated to the Dalí Museum in 2021 and its 854-pound hunk of

is making good on his long-term goal of opening a restaurant in honor of his grandparents' 60-year-old roti shop back in Trinidad. Guests can dive into dishes like stewed chicken, curry duck, and paratha aka “Buss up Shot.” 1701 E 4th Ave., Ybor City. peppersislandrestaurant.com Rene’s Mexican Kitchen Chef Rene Valenzuela is now a staple in V.M. Ybor, where you can get down on his famous tacos, loaded with proteins like al pastor, barbacoa, chorizo and cheese, picadillostuffed peppers and spicy shrimp, in addition to vegetarian options like oyster mushrooms and butternut squash. Various burritos, house specialties and expected sides will join its taco-heavy menu, too. 2802 N 16th St., Tampa. renesmexicankitchen.org Retro House This house dishes homemade dumplings and loaded noodle bowls out of a unique location in Ybor City. The fast casual spot slings dumplings and other handhelds that Heritage Dim Sum is known for—with co-owner Corrinne Liou incorporating her family’s 100

DINING GUIDE

RAY ROA

continued from page 33 the Bay area and is a regular at downtown Tampa’s Rock the Park free concert series on the first Thursday of every month. Tenn, who also plays bass in long-running Tampa roots reggae outfit Tribal Style, is also married to a Filipina, Lisa Tenn, and brings her influence to the truck which now features jerk chicken lumpia alongside staple dishes from the Caribbean island. jamdishcater.com La Fiesta Mexican Store Tucked deep within the working class, waterfront Palmetto Beach neighborhood, this convenience store and restaurant hybrid’s tiny dining room offers big plates and inexpensive helpings of street tacos while you shop for your Latin goods. Ask for a beer out of the fridge, and order up a full plate of build-your-own tacos by the pound. And definitely come on Saturday for the perfectly spicy seafood soup. 1202 S 22nd St., Tampa. 813-241-2477 La Segunda Central Bakery Located in a town founded on Spanish culture lies one of Ybor City’s coveted landmark buildings representing the Cuban-American community. Pretty much all of Tampa is connected to La Segunda’s bread in one way or another. Customer-favorites include café con leche, Cuban toast and, of course, the Cuban sandwich. Don’t be surprised to see a line coming out of the door, but do know that La Segunda now has multiple locations. 2512 N 15th St., Ybor City. lasegundabakery.com La Teresita The two-story Cuban restaurant—and its adjacent cantina where Anthony Bourdain once dined—serves traditional dishes of the Latin family’s roots and was recently named among Food and Wine’s “Best Diners in Every State.” Don’t skip a local favorite, “ropa vieja” (shredded beef), and get all the sides, too. 3248 W Columbus Dr., Tampa. lateresitarestaurant.com L.P.C.X. Cafe and La Pequena Colombia It’s no secret that West Tampa is a haven for flavors of the Spanish, but there’s a block and a half that straight up celebrates Colombia. Next to each other at 6204 and 6212 Armenia Ave., L.P.C.X. Cafe and La Pequena Colombia aren’t the only Colombian spots on the strip, but they’re the most legendary. The restaurant serves generous portions of tostones, arroz con camarones, all kinds of parrillada, entraña marinera, and more while the cafe and bakery has become a cult-favorite and surefire for a new generation of coffee and pastry lovers looking to plant new flags in Tampa. @lpcxcafe on Instagram and lapequenacolombia.com The Lucky Tigre This sari sari-inspired walk-up concept occupied a little SoHo parcel but moved recently and is now Tampa’s go-to spot for Filipino-American dumplings, bao buns, milk tea and lumpia. It’s also probably the only place in all of Tampa Bay where you’ll be able to find vegan and dairy-free halo halo, complete with homemade ube ice cream. This is not your lola’s food—and we love that. 1713 N Albany Ave., Tampa. @theluckytigre on Instagram

WHAT’S IN STORE: La Fiesta Mexicana lives up to its name. provolone it sliced into in 2022. Be prepared for crowds. 2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. mazzarosmarket.com Mowgli’s Tiffin Owner and Tampa Bay native, Amita Mukherjee, told CL Mowgli’s is inspired by her frequent trips to India with her parents in her early years, which helped blossom a love for Indian street food. “I would crave that street food,” said Mukherjee. “But when I went to Indian places around here I noticed that you don’t get those options. Most Indian places seem to center around curries.” The 16-seat, 526-square-foot restaurant centers around Indian fusion dishes like kati rolls, pani puri, and its signature Kolkati Roll, which is essentially a roti wrapped around a kebab. There’s also butter chicken rice bowls, grilled cheese naan, potato bhaji, paneer curds, and more. 165 Dr. MLK St. N, St. Petersburg. mowglistiffinstp.com Pepper’s Island Trinidadian restaurant Pepper’s Island is all settled into its corner of Ybor City where owner Rodney Dhanraj’s life

year-old recipes throughout Retro House’s menu with small bites like ube baos, shu mai, lemongrass chicken dumplings, pan-fried pork baos and mango shrimp wontons. Entrees offered include char sui fried rice and crispy noodle bowls with customizable proteins. 934 E Henderson Ave., Ybor City. retrohousetampa.com Saigon Deli A local favorite with a cult-like following, Saigon Deli is the place to go for classic Vietnamese meals like pho and vermicelli. The no-frills spot also offers four varieties of Banh Mi including meatballs, roast beef, pate and head cheese and roast pork. The Banh Mi is packed perfectly inside the French baguette and affordable enough to have three. Leave with a Vietnamese coffee to keep you from falling asleep on the way home—just don’t show up on Thursday, the only day Saigon Deli is closed. 3858 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-887-3888 Si-Am Thai American Restaurant Arguably the best place to grab a plate of basil chicken before a screening at the Tampa Theatre

(or a long bender at The Hub), Si Am Thai has been an iconic downtown Tampa staple for years. Chinda Chomburi and Stephen Dohack serve up classic Thai-American dishes, like panang curry and drunken noodles, and even deliver microwavable takeaway lunches to nearby Duckweed Urban Market. 713 N Franklin St., Tampa. siam-thairestaurant.com Soul de Cuba Cafe This cafe and restaurant has century-old ties to Tampa. Soul de Cuba boasts a traditional menu of lechon asado, Cuban sandwiches, oxtail stew and the Tampa classic crab shalah, a pasta dish that features lump crab in a Creole-style red sauce. All of its entrees have evolved from longtime family recipes that Executive Chef Roberto Puerto has put a professional twist on. 6428 N Florida Ave., Tampa. souldecuba.com Sunda New Asian Actor Billy Dec is working hard to honor his Filipino roots at his upscale-ish hotspot. The Chicago-based eatery brings panAsian cuisine that spans everything from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Thai food and more. Some menu highlights include sushi rolls, crispy pork belly, and bulgogi roti tacos. If this wide spread of Asian-inspired dishes wasn’t enough—Sunda also boasts a sizable sushi menu complete with specialty rolls, sashimi and nigiri. 648 Midtown Dr., Tampa. sundanewasian.com/tampa Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple This poorly kept Tampa secret is a bonafide waterfront rite of passage for any local. Grab friends, get to the temple’s Sunday morning market early, and bring cash. Stock up on to-go boxes of your favorite Thai meals (curries, desserts, fresh rolls, dumplings, and yes, noodle soup), then wash it all down with Thai teas and coffees. Please don’t fall asleep at your picnic table. 5306 Palm River Rd., Tampa. wattampa.com Ybor Seoul Sandwiched between 7-Eleven and King Corona Cigars in the heart of Ybor City is a restaurant for your favorite Koreaphile. The menu specializes in popular Korean fare—from street food-inspired bites like cheese and sausagefilled corn dogs and grilled skewers to everyday eats like kimbap (rice, veggies, protein and rice wrapped in seaweed), spicy rice cakes, dumplings, chicken wings and a variety of hearty soups. Ybor Seoul is not a typical, full-service restaurant with waiters. Instead, customers order on Wawa-style touch screens before the food is brought out by an employee. Its dining room boasts about 20 seats, a standing bar for on-the-go bar hoppers and two TVs playing non-stop K-pop music videos 1531 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. 813-248-0788 Yummy House The main location of this staple Chinese restaurant is on Hillsborough Avenue, but don’t sleep on the outpost near South Tampa (302 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa) where a weekend dim sum lunch goes down. Whichever address you end up at, don’t pass on the salt-and-pepper calamari or fish maw soup. 2620 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. yummyhouseflorida.com

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Now you see me

History exhibit shows how immigrants transformed Tampa. Photos c/o Paco Gómez García/Tampa Bay History Center

n March, Tampa Bay History Center, along“Invisible Immigrants: Spaniards in the side Spanish nonprofit Fundación Consejo U.S.” toured Spain for five years and shines a España—EE.UU., celebrated the opening spotlight on the Spanish diaspora with numerof a new exhibition as the center became the ous displays of artifacts, official forms and first U.S. museum to host this photos, allowing attendees exhibit honoring the cultural to trace their journey from impact of Spanish immigrastart to finish. Kite was tion—including how modern among those to walk special Tampa owes a lot to immiguests—including families ‘Invisible Immigrants: grants who started to arrive whose ancestors appear in the Spaniards in the U.S.’ in our sleeping fishing village exhibits—through the open-

LOCAL ARTS

Daily through Aug. 3. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the late-1800s. ing this spring. $14.95-$18.95. Tampa Bay History “Following the cigar From “Goodbye!” to “Made Center, 801 Water St., Tampa industry from Havana to Key in the U.S.A,” each section of tampabayhistorycenter.org West to Tampa’s Ybor City, the exhibit describes the couthe Spaniards, Cubans, and Sicilians who came rageous strides Spanish workers and farmers to Tampa and West Tampa helped to create made after leaving their homeland behind to not only an important industry but a vibrant head to the U.S. in search of better lives. multicultural city,” Rodney Kite-Powell, direcTampa Bay History Center’s “Invisible tor of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Immigrants: Spaniards in the U.S.” exhibition Bay History Center,” wrote in a press release. runs until Aug. 3.—Grace Stoler

38 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

“Cubans, and Sicilians who came to Tampa and West Tampa helped to create not only an important industry but a vibrant multicultural city.”

cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 39

ON VIEW NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21 Nina Yankowitz, Filmic Single Frame, 1977-78, Acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of the Artist and Eric Firestone Gallery. © 2025 Nina Yankowitz / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

UPCOMING RELATED EVENT THURSDAY, JULY 10 | 7-9 PM

SOUND IN YOUR EYES LISTENING SESSION AT THE MFA WITH THE HONOURABLE ELIZABETH A. BAKER

Join us for a truly unforgettable evening at the MFA: Sound In Your Eyes – Listening Session, a one-night-only live performance in the Hough Gallery. The evening features The Honourable Elizabeth A. Baker, new renaissance artist and visionary, performing selections from the MFA’s original album— compositions inspired directly by the work of Nina Yankowitz. This intimate concert will be the only time these arrangements are performed live and in the presence of the very artworks that sparked their creation. Experience the powerful dialogue between sound and sight in a setting where music and visual art collide.

art classes REGISTER NOW!

www.dfac.org

40 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 41

Flip the script: A blackout poem from DeSantis’s desk I made this blackout poem as a way of shifting perspective. The original text is a press release from Florida Gov. DeSantis announcing his efforts to speed up the deportation process of illegal immigrants in Florida. The press release is titled “Additional Memoranda of Agreement Between Florida Law Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” I printed out the press release onto paper, then used a Blackwing pencil and black Sharpie marker to create my blackout poem. I find blackout poetry to be the perfect medium in addressing an issue, topic or idea that we are grappling with, because it is so direct. Taking only what is actually there on the page and working within the confines of what exists, we then focus on creating new meaning. This is an expression of life, perhaps more true than drawing upon pure imagination. Because we are challenged to compose a new reality from what’s been given– or what we choose to work with. This requires an eye. Not two, but the one that allows us to see underneath and beyond.

How is this possible? Staying focused on the origin, the eternal point. I realize what I’m saying may sound like an esoteric slant to a real life horror show, where we are daily being confronted with a reality we don’t want. Even among those fortunate enough to claim an ideal personal life, undoubtedly when looking out at the world, most if not all will see an aspect of human creation that is horrifying. This is why blackout as a medium is so powerful—it reminds us of our innate ability to transform reality. Obviously, my blackout poem may not seem to directly change the fate of those people in our communities who are regarded as alien and unwelcome. This idea of who is alien and what makes them unwelcome is a complicated path to navigate. And what power does something like writing, or poetry, for God’s sake, have in guiding this path? Maybe it is to become not only a guide but the path itself. After all, everything begins with an idea.

When we review the cycles of history, we can identify patterns and common threads—some that are less obvious and some that exist on the surface level. And when I examine the history of writing, it has been dominated by the white male mind, voice and hand. This is evidenced by the top-selling and best-of lists of literature, plays and other forms of written records. I’m not saying that the white male perspective is unwelcome, even though some components of it are alien to me. So I strive to understand within the differences of experience and opinion. I commune with these aliens, while appreciating the positive attributes of their existence and all the wonderful tools, ideas and art they have provided. In fact, I learn from them and retain the beneficial aspects so that I can inform and build the reality I want, to create in my own image and from my perspective.

an advantage of the blackout medium–it demonstrates how those who come later, almost seemingly late to the table, may actually be in a prime position.

This requires, at times, flipping the script, as I have done in this blackout poem. Line by line, taking a black Sharpie marker to emphasize what I do and don’t want. This might also be

That means making our direction and duties state: aliens are community.

We are able to take what’s been done, then edit and change it to our perspective and through our pen, assert the last Word.—Yuki Jackson Blackout Poem of “Governor DeSantis Announces Additional Memoranda of Agreement Between Florida Law Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement” Enter the functions within. Restore our will to assist.

YUKI JACKSON

BOXED IN: A Blackwing pencil and black Sharpie helped create this blackout poem.

42 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

They were not all conquistadors or explorers...

No todos eran conquistadores ni exploradores...

Did you know that tens of thousands of working-class Spaniards emigrated to the United States at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries? “Invisible Immigrants. Spaniards in the U.S. (1868 - 1945)”, an acclaimed exhibition that has been touring around Spain for the last five years, now comes to the Tampa Bay History Center. Using photos and documents borrowed from family albums and archives, the exhibition tells the stories of these unsung participants in the great American saga of immigration.

¿Sabías que a finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX decenas de miles de españoles de clase obrera emigraron a Estados Unidos? “Emigrantes invisibles. Españoles en EE. UU. (1868 - 1945)”, una asombrosa exposición que ha estado de gira por España los últimos cinco años, por fin desembarca en el Tampa Bay History Center. Utilizando imágenes y documentos de archivos y álbumes familiares, la exposición narra las historias de estos participantes desconocidos en la gran saga estadounidense de la inmigración.

They were not all conquistadors or explorers...

No todos eran conquistadores ni exploradores...

xplorers...

No todos eran conquistadores ni exploradores...

s Spaniards emigrated to the United h centuries? “Invisible Immigrants. ibition that has been touring Tampa Bay History Center. Using and archives, the exhibition tells merican saga of immigration.

ON EXHIBIT NOW - AUGUST 3

ON EXHIBIT Uncover / MARCH 1 -history AUGUST 3 the hidden of the Spanish

ON EXHIBIT / MARCH 1 of - AUGUST American diaspora at the turn the 20th 3 tampabayhistorycenter.org tampabayhistorycenter.org

Organized by:

century, passed down through generations. In collaboration with:

Organized by:

With the support of: In collaboration with:

With the support of:

TampaBayHistoryCenter.org 801 Water St., Tampa • Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 43

Friday, July 4, 2025 • 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025 • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Women Impact Network Ybor Chapter @ Trellis at Buchman - Gastropub 1910 East 7th Avenue #103 Tampa Free to the admission bit.ly/WomenImpactYbor

44 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

Friday, July 10, 2025 • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Creatology Experience Conference 2025 @ 1920 Ybor 1920 East 7th Avenue, Tampa Three Day Pass - $317.44, Free to attend virtually CreatologyYbor Saturday, July 12, 2025 • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Saturday Stop-in | Wines of Portugal @ Chateau Cellars 2009 North 22nd Street Tampa Tickets - $30.66 bit.ly/WinesofPortugalYbor

Sunday, July 13, 2025 • 4:00 PM -11:30 PM EST

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Try Out These

Restaurants: Asiatic Streetfood & Noodle BAR 1600 E 8th Ave D101, Tampa

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La Terrazza Restaurant 1727 E 7th Ave, Tampa

laterrazzayborcity.com Due Amici Pizza & Pasta Bar 1724 E 7th Ave, Tampa

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Where to Live:

Places To Visit: Hive Ybor 1802 E 3rd Ave, Tampa

Rooted in community, Hive is a cozy coworking space designed for creative professional and coffee-shop hoppers in the Tampa + Ybor area.

yborhive.com Crowbar 1812 N 17th St, Ybor City

Edgy downtown nightclub & beer garden featuring live music, DJs & weekly special events.

crowbarybor.com Kress Contemporary 1624 E. Seventh Ave. Tampa

Serving the community by providing spaces for their creative pursuits, and engaging the community through public events, including film screenings, performances, exhibitions, artist talks, poetry readings, and workshops.

kresscontemporary.com

Casa Ybor

Casa Ybor offers unique retail spaces, office spaces, and apartment homes for rent or lease in both newly constructed and lovingly restored historic buildings throughout the vibrant National Historic Landmark District of Ybor City near Downtown Tampa, Florida.

casaybor.com La Union

Community, connection, and culture come together at La Unión Apartments, where Tampa’s rich history and vibrant future unite. Inspired by the historic social hall once on this site, our Ybor City apartments honor that legacy by fostering bonds among residents, the neighborhood, and the area’s deep-rooted heritage.

bit.ly/LaUnionYbor

cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 45

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CONCERTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS: FERGSEVENTS.COM MENU, FOOD ORDERS AND NIGHTY MUSIC: FERGSSPORTSBAR.COM 46 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

THU JULY 03–THU JULY 10

C CL Recommends

THU 03

C Hot Dog Party 19: Kristopher James w/Gat$/Lychee Camp/DJ Wally Rio Hard to believe, but Ybor City’s infamous Hot Dog Party—the City of Tampa’s original hot dog eating competition—will mark 20 meaty years on the scene in 2026. But first, the throwdown, which is kind of like a moviethemed Coney Island meets the best cover concert ever, hops on the tracks to solve a “Murder On the Glizzy Express.” Providing the tunes at Crowbar this year are Pinellas crooner Kristopher James, Tampa rock band Lychee Camp, the Dogfather Jeremy Gloff and DJ Wally Rios who’ll spin between sets and during the competition. The show also features a homecoming from expat Tampa rapper Gat$ who’s putting the finishing touches on his debut Roc Nation LP, Life On Film. Expect Clam Master Jay—who runs one of the city’s best food pop-ups—to get extra creative with his hot dog offering in the courtyard. (Crowbar, Ybor City)—Ray Roa C Rock The Park: The Handlers w/¡Samba! by MilaKilla/Philip Charos A superbill of homegrown talent throws down for a veritable pre-Fourth of July picnic in the park. The Handlers are Tampa’s best new country export, and MilaKilla (who’s doing a samba set) is hands down one of the most indemand DJs in the 813 right now. Rounding out the bill is towering St. Petersburg songwriter Philip Charos who’s working on a new lounge-ready dance-pop project. (Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa)—RR Stick Figure w/Stephen Marley Reggaerock meets reggae royalty ahead of the holiday when Massachusetts, dub-loving songwriter Scott Woodruff (aka Stick Figure) lands at Tampa’s now somewhat roofless amphitheatre alongside Stephen Marley, the second son of genre legend Bob and his wife Rita Marley. (MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa)—RR

FRI 04

Back 2 Brat: Jdog w/SydPlaysBangers/ MySpaceTop8/Chemical Lex/Princess Kida/HorseshoeCrab/DJ Spur Right now, the status of Brat Summer—which took off in June 2024—is a grey area for Charli XCX stans. On one hand, the pop star burned a flag of the neon green album cover during Glastonbury over the weekend, which would typically signal the end of the era. On the other hand, she encouraged fans to keep it alive at Lido Fest in London a few months ago. Regardless of how last summer went for you (Lindsey Buckingham claims to have had the brattiest one), the success behind last year’s Brat-themed Dyke Night in Ybor was

enough to bring this cluster of DJs together for a Fourth of July rave. Because you’re probably not feeling very patriotic this year anyway. (Crowbar, Ybor City) Blue Oyster Cult We’re in an era where digging into the vault and rerecording unused tracks is a fairly common practice for those that came before our time, and Blue Oyster Cult took up the trend last year. The word on the street is that Ghost Stories—the Long Island band’s latest, odds-and-ends collection—will be the boys’ final studio release, and while there are currently no plans to retire from touring, the quintet played overseas under its original moniker Soft White Underbelly earlier this year. In short, if the Cult is coming full circle, you might want to consider treading lightly around that Reaper. (Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa)

ELIZABETH A. BAKER/EPK

By Josh Bradley

SUN 06

Local Legends: Katie Costello w/Taylor Reed/Rich Anello On her bubbly latest album, Katie Costello dives into how she wouldn’t change the way she currently lives her life for anything. The indie singer-songwriter—an L.A. native—absolutely refuses to conform to the stereotype that is the nine-to-five lifestyle, and accepts that while shit definitely happens, looking after yourself makes a massive difference. One of the album’s piano-driven tunes “Unheard” is currently up for a Hollywood Independent Music Award, so you’ll probably hear it when she headlines this installment of the Indie’s Local Legends series. (Independent Bar and Cafe, Tampa) C Slum Village w/Vice Souletric/Kaelin Ellis/DJ Sandman/DJ Deacon It’s almost discomforting to know that it’s been over 20 years since J Dilla, Baatin and T3 made waves with their third album Trinity (Past, Present and Future), which would go on to be one of the best hip-hop albums of the aughts. These days, T3 is the last man standing—with Dilla and Baatin having died in 2006 and 2009, respectively—but carries on the Slum Village name in honor of them, even recording new music under that name with Young RJ, who was recruited in 2012. The duo’s latest, last year’s F.U.N proves that even in the face of adversity, it’s still possible to capture the essence of Detroit’s underground rap scene just as well as you did with your fallen brothers once upon a time. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

TUE 08

Hatebreed w/Fugitive/Malevolence/ Gridiron/Escuela Grind/Morbid Visionz Hatebreed co-founding guitarist Wayne Lozinak was diagnosed with a benign meningioma while in France last month and is preparing to undergo surgery to have it removed. Needless to say, he won’t be shredding with his bandmates at this early Tuesday night show, but with a lineup as

The Honourable Elizabeth A. Baker stacked as this, you might as well be back in that mosh pit in front of a side stage at Welcome To Rockville. Honor never dies, you know. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

WED 09

C Elvis Costello and the Imposters w/ Charlie Sexton If there’s anything that Elvis Costello has in common with Bruce Springsteen, CSNY, and Paul Simon, it’s that there’s not a single skippable song on his debut album. As we slowly approach the 50th anniversary of My Aim Is True, the 70-year-old is spending his summer looking back on the first few years of his stardom with The Attractions (which is basically the same thing as his current Imposters band, minus bassist Bruce Thomas). It’s gonna be a hot one too, so don’t be too shocked if Costello—who will be joined by longtime Bob Dylan guitarist Charlie Sexton—rocks a kilt onstage. (Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg)

THU 10

C Katara w/Animal Prince/DJ Capybara Sometimes, superstars of Florida music come together for a show that makes you feel like you’re living in the country’s best metro for original music. Next Thursday’s a little like that, with a special experimental show happening at the MFA St. Pete, and this one going down less than three miles away. R&B/ pop outfit Animal Prince, from Gainesville, is more-or-less an adopted child of the scene,

while harp-and-drum outfit Katara has long held it down as one of the tightest, thrilling live acts to come out of the area in the last decade. Chance Reynolds had to drop out of the lineup as this went to print, but multiinstrumentalist Roger Thomas has been added to the bill and will spin under the DJ Capybara moniker. (Suite E Studios, St. Petersburg)—RR C Sound In Your Eyes Listening Session: The Honourable Elizabeth A. Baker For the better part of a decade now, The Honourable Elizabeth A. Baker has refused to let herself or listeners get comfortable. Her vehicle has been a spaceship of semi-modular and analog synths, MIDI controllers, theremins, and computers, that collides with toy piano, harmonium, handmade instruments and found objects (one time, that meant vibrators). She’s bringing all of it to St. Petersburg’s Museum of Fine Arts for a one-night-only performance of new work inspired by six paintings in the MFA’s new Nina Yankowitz exhibit “In the Out/Out the In.” Like Baker's, the work of Yankowitz, a multidisciplinary artist, doesn’t just live on the fringes but blows past them. The show is a career retrospective of Yankowitz’s work, and the MFA commissioned Baker to compose and record a new album in conjunction. Recorded at Gainesville’s Pulp Arts, CDs will be available, but this gig is the only chance to hear the work live while surrounded by the very art that inspired it. (Hough Gallery at MFA St. Pete, St. Petersburg)—RR An extended version of this listing is at cltampa.com/music.

cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 47

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Marc Rebillet was viral before AI-inspired content creators ruined the internet—and he’s coming back to Tampa to show us why. The 36-year-old loop daddy brought his manic brand of dancetronica to Ybor City in 2018 by taking over the patio at Carmine’s (seriously), and then moved the madness across the street to Orpheum just a few months later. The Dallas-based artist is back in the district in a few months, and again sizing up in venues. PHIL CHESTER

Famous for his one man show, the bespectacled Rebillet is famous not just for his improvisation onstage, but also for Jim Carreylevels of facial distortion and energy that’s landed him on the biggest festival stages. And while haters may write off the schtick, Rebillet’s worked with a host of well-respected talent including Erykah Badu and Reggie Watts. Tickets to see Marc Rebillet play The Ritz in Ybor City on Saturday, Nov. 15 are still available and start at $55.80. See Josh Bradley’s weekly roundup of the best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.—Ray Roa

Tru Phonic w/Moonstone Riders Saturday, July 12. 8 p.m. $19.10. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg Ocean Alley w/Bird and Byron Wednesday, July 16. 7 p.m. $48.20. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Osceola Brothers w/Saints of Saturn/ Sevenstone Friday, July 13. 8 p.m. $15. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg Getter Friday, July 18. 10 p.m. $25.96. The Ritz, Ybor City Soul Circus Cowboys Friday, July 18. 8 p.m. $13.39. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg Betty Fox Band Friday, July 20. 8 p.m. $9. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg Broadway Rave Friday, July 25. 9 p.m. $21.55 & up. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg Liquid Pennies (album release) w/The Venus/TV Extra Saturday, July 26. 8 p.m. $12. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg 808 Day: Deezy Wee The Reaper w/ Vern Senior/Beyo/Dfaz/WldChldBeatz/ Chido Keef/Spon/Yzm Friday, Aug. 8. 8 p.m. $5. Crowbar, Ybor City Rags And Riches Saturday, Aug. 2. 8 p.m. $17.67. Crowbar, Ybor City Blair Crimmins and The Hookers Thursday, Aug. 14. 8 p.m. $10. Biergarten at New World Brewery, Tampa Zomboy Friday, Aug. 22. 10 p.m. $25.96 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City

Rudy De Anda w/The Venus Saturday, Aug. 23. 9 p.m. Free. The Bends, St. Petrsburg Selofan Saturday, Aug. 23. 7 p.m. $27.51. Crowbar, Ybor City The O’Jays Sunday, Aug. 24. 8 p.m. $131 & up. Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tampa Kai Wachi Saturday, Aug. 30. 10 p.m. $31.15 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City The Plot In You w/Northlane/Invent Animate/Windwaker Tuesday, Sept. 16. 7 p.m. $41.16. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Tank and the Bangas (opening for Michael Franti & Spearhead) Friday, Sept. 19. 7 p.m. $59 & up. The BayCare Sound, Clearwater Bone Thugs-N-Harmony w/Three 6 Mafia/Tech N9ne/DJ Quik Saturday, Sept. 20. 7:30 p.m. $57 & up. MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa B.o.B Thursday, Sept. 25. 7 p.m. $43.05 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg 60Juno w/Mr Floyd Larry Friday, Oct. 3. 7 p.m. $14.30. Bayboro Brewing, St. Petersburg Riespect Fest: The Ries Brothers & Friends w/Nick Hexum of 311 Saturday, Oct. 4. 6 p.m. $25 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Dabin w/CHYL/FrostTop Thursday, Oct. 9. 7:30 p.m. $53.27. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg Gary Allan w/Mark Mackay Saturday, Oct. 11. 8 p.m. $69.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

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Thrill of the Ace By Caroline DeBruhl

ear Oracle, I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I need to be the center of attention all the time. This happens at work, with friends, and especially with my own family. I don’t like it! I know it’s illogical and annoying and that people have other things going on in their lives, but still, I find myself doing it, and I feel hurt if I think people aren’t paying attention to me. How can I let go of this need?—Self-Centerstage Cards: Eight of Swords (reversed), Ace of Wands (reversed), Three of Wands, Ten of Swords, Four of Cups (reversed) Dear SC, thank you for your question. I think all self-aware people have a trait or two that they don’t like, and it’s incredibly brave to admit it. I want to acknowledge that you said you “need” to be the center of attention, not that you “want” to be. That makes it more of an unconscious compulsion rather than a bratty master plan. With the Eight of Swords reversed, I think you’ve felt trapped by this behavior for a long time, and all you might know is this exhausting performance of constantly being “on.” But, as I’ve written before, the Eight of Swords is an illusion. There is a way out. With all negative behaviors, it’s important to acknowledge the benefits we get from them—after all, we do them for a reason. With the Ace of Wands reversed, I think there is a thrill of potential that comes from being the center of attention. There are always new people to meet, to charm, to impress with your wit,

is to admit they happen. You’re already inching your way out from behind those swords. Best of luck, my dear. accomplishments, or beauty, and if it works, then Dear Oracle, lately, I’ve been feeling like nosyou get to be treated like you’re the most fasci- talgia has been taking over my brain. I’m moody nating person at the party. It’s a huge ego boost! and missing a past that I know wasn’t GREAT, The thing about potential, though, is that but maybe it was better than my current situation? sometimes it doesn’t pan out. Sometimes, it’s Thinking a lot about, “What could have been.” just old friends, old coworkers, and the same Any advice?—Remember When? family members who have their own lives and interests, and you have to acknowledge that Cards: Judgment, Six of Swords, Five of they’re fascinating, too. Everyone is the main Pentacles (rev.), Queen of Wands Dear Remember, welcome to Cancer season, character in their life, and sometimes, we have to be the supporting cast. That’s just how a bal- baby. It’s a time of reminiscing, overwhelming anced relationship goes. emotions, and the unshakeable urge to text The Three of Wands suggests that you are your worst ex. (Don’t.) Nostalgia can be a hell ready to let go of that behavior, to acknowl- of a drug, softening memories better than any edge the past and move on opioid and can keep us from and grow… but it’s going to viewing our past and presrequire some intense emoent clearly. tional and mental excavation. With the Judgement card With the Ten of Swords, leading the pack, now is the you’re going to have to look at Send questions to oracle@cltampa.com time to honestly reflect on or DM @theyboracle on Instagram your behaviors, good, bad, and your past. As a Major Arcana, ugly. It’s similar to step four in it’s a sign of a significant men12-step: “making a searching and fearless inven- tal shift. It’s a time for forgiveness, for owning tory” of yourself. You’re going to have to shine up to past mistakes and either deciding to be a light on when these behaviors get triggered, reborn or sticking it out in your tomb. When it how and why they started, and what harm these comes to, “What could have been,” what is it that behaviors have caused—both to you and from you. you’re ruminating about? Is it, “If the circumWith the Four of Cups, you need to give stances were different…?” If you hadn’t made a yourself lots of space to get to the bottom of mistake? If you hadn’t quit that job, broken up, these complex feelings. A therapist would also moved away? What can be corrected now, and be a great guide as you go through this process. what should stay in the past? The Six of Swords echoes this too. The only It’s hard to face our darker impulses. But the first step of addressing unwanted impulses way to cross the river of time safely is to untie

ORACLE OF YBOR

yourself from the past. There has to be a letting go in order to move on. This is, of course, easier said than done. There are many ways that your past might have been better than your current situation. But I suspect there were also ways in which it was worse. The Five of Pentacles reversed suggests to me that there was a hunger in your past— for love, for companionship, for security—that you might be glossing over. We don’t really get through this life unscathed, and when we wax poetic about how things were, we often ignore tragedies, loneliness, or the very real pain we felt at the time. You may have been happier in the past, but you weren’t always happy. You learned yourself some lessons in brutality too. It’s important to acknowledge what was good about the past and what wasn’t. It’s often a far more nuanced look than nostalgia allows. But not every “what could have been” needs to be let go. You are, after all, still alive. The Queen of Wands is a fiery, passionate creatrix. She can make what she wants out of this world. If there are things that you wish you had done and still have the opportunity too, do them now. Reach out the old friends you haven’t spoken to in a while. Go visit places you regret not seeing or learn how to do that thing you always wanted to know. Some “mistakes” can be corrected, even years later. But, also remember the Queen of Wands is a protector. Don’t open the door to past harm to see what might happen again. Look at the past with clear eyes, and go into the future with a heart full of hope. Best of luck, my dear. See more of Caroline and learn about her services via carolinedebruhl.com.

cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 51

52 | JULY 03-09, 2025 | cltampabay.com

The boyfriend experience By Dan Savage

My boyfriend went on a trip abroad with his friend (also a guy). After he came back, he showed me that he made a Bumble profile while he was there. I didn’t feel like anything was off or ask him to show me; he volunteered. He said that he was just curious to see how popular he would be in the motherland and that he had no intention of meeting any of the women he matched with. He showed me the chats, and the exchanges were short. None of the messages were sexual, flirtatious, or talked about meeting up. I still felt upset about it though, and he apologized profusely. For context, we have been together since college—almost 10 years—and I’ve never once suspected him of cheating. I have also made it clear to him many times that if he’s interested in other people or no longer wants to date me, he should tell me rather than lying. At the time he told me about getting on Bumble, I gave him the benefit of the doubt because he was transparent. I felt like if he did cheat on me, he could have just not told me. It’s been a few months since it happened, but I was reminded of it recently when I found out that you can delete Bumble chats by unmatching. That made me rethink what he told me. What if he just unmatched with people that he was flirting with or exchanged contact info with? I’m not sure what to think. If I posted about this on TikTok, I’m pretty sure everyone would say I’m being naive and that he was cheating and that I should dump him. Would you take what he said at face value?—His Upsetting Revelation That Stung Just wanna make sure I’m following you: You’re struggling to take your boyfriend’s word at face value—the boyfriend who’s been with you for nearly a decade, has never given you reason to suspect he’s been unfaithful, and made a full and free confession about getting on Bumble while visiting the motherland—but you would be willing to take the word of strangers on TikTok at face value ? People who don’t know you, know nothing about your relationship, and have never met your boyfriend—the guy who made the mistake of telling you he got on Bumble, explained why, and showed you the chats? That guy? Getting on Bumble while he was abroad— even if it was just to see how he’d do with “the locals”—was dumb, telling you about it was even dumber, and I’m sure he regrets both actions now. But if he’d walked into a bar with his friend and chatted up the locals… would that have been worse? Whatever he did on his trip, he did what you’d always asked him to do—he told you no lies, not even one of omission—and you’re thinking about dumping him. Could he have unmatched with women he flirted with more seriously? Sure. That’s possible, HURTS, but your boyfriend still deserves the benefit of the doubt here. And doesn’t his confession—his

stupid, guileless, unnecessary confession—make it seem less likely something happened? And you had to know—you had to expect— that he might flirt with other women on this trip. Even if the app was a surprise, wasn’t it a given that he and his friend might chat up the locals or run into (but not through) other tourists? If you can trust your boyfriend when he’s out of your sight at home, and if you can trust him to travel on his own, then it seems to me you can trust that you can take your boyfriend at his word when he tells you he didn’t touch someone else with his penis while he was away. As for TikTok… yeah, the TikTok mob would urge you to dump your boyfriend. Not because they care about you—they don’t know you—but because people love drama. People love telling other people to break the fuck up. And when it comes to other people’s relationships, the TikTok mob demands a level of perfection they’ve never achieved in their own relationships. (Assuming they’ve ever been in relationships; when it comes to love, the loudest, most judgmental voices online are inexperienced tweens and bitter incels.) Instead of breaking up with your boyfriend, tell him you heard about this feature on Bumble and ask him for a little more reassurance. But don’t punish him for his honesty—reward it by deleting TikTok.

a “couples” profile without the consent of half of the couple: Is this as bad as I think it is? Is there any way of seeing this as not obviously out of bounds? Can you imagine it being repairable?— Oafish Violation Ends Relationship This is just as bad as you think it is. What your long-ago/far-away boyfriend did was out of bounds, and the damage is—in my opinion— irreparable. You can’t trust a guy who would pimp you out on a dating app without your consent. Red flags don’t come any redder. In his rush to realize his fantasy—being in a throuple with a woman and another man— he revealed what really mattered to him: his dick, not you. While I think kinks are great and people should strive to be GGG for their partners and sexual adventures can bring couples, throuples, quads, and squads closer together, consent—mutual, affirmative, enthusiastic consent—is key and his willingness to violate your consent is disqualifying. And you were already on board in a way that felt safe for you! You had your long-distance boyfriend and your local friend-with-benefits. And who knows? Maybe in a year or two, your current FWB might’ve come around—he may have been open to being in a more formal throuple down the line—or you would’ve moved on to someone who was. But your long-ago/far-away boyfriend couldn’t give things a chance—he couldn’t give you a chance—to evolve. And in his rush to have everything his way, he demonstrated that you weren’t a person in his eyes, but a means to an end. So: accept his apology (if you feel like it), tell him to delete your photos, and make it clear that if you see them online again, you’ll go to the police and file a revenge porn complaint. Then block his number to avoid getting sucked into conversations about his regrets and/or manipulated into giving him another chance. Finalize your divorce, focus on your FWB, and forget about this asshole. P.S. To the long-ago/far-away boyfriend: Hotwifing and cuckolding forums are filled with guys whining about how hard it is to find a woman willing to explore these dynamics with them… and you found one, dude, and you blew it. So dumb.

SAVAGE LOVE

I’m going through a divorce and connected with a long-ago boyfriend in a similar boat. We started a long-distance relationship and were fairly serious. We were seeing each other every second or third weekend. His particular kink is he wants his partner to have other lovers. And as long as everyone involved is consenting, I’m fine with that. And since we’re long distance, I figured how convenient it would be for me and found myself a local “friend with benefits.” He is aware of my long-distance relationship and accepts it but wants nothing to do with my other guy. Here’s the problem. My long-distance partner longs for a throuple type of relationship. He decided, without my consent, to create a profile on a popular mainstream dating app with photos of me seeking a playmate for us. When I found out, I broke up with him immediately and deleted the account from his phone. I see many problems with this—lack of communication, lack of consent, coerciveness, not to mention that many people I know personally and professionally don’t even know that I’m divorcing much less that I have another partner—but he sees no harm in what he’s done and is trying to get me back. To reassure me (or not!) and to educate him and anyone else who might ever consider creating

I need advice. I met a guy on Facebook dating, and we texted nearly every day for a year before meeting this past Christmas. We live three-and-a-half hours away and have been rotating nearly every two weeks since then. It’s been great, we’re both happy and in love. We’ve even had a weekend getaway together in early April. We traveled well together. I see him in my life forever. He is still close with his ex and considers him his best friend. I’m actually fine with this. The one thing that bothers me though is he’ll compare us to when he dated him or will

say things like, “My dog hasn’t seen me having sex with a guy other than Alex,” or, “Alex said if I didn’t fool around with him the first time, he wouldn’t have started a relationship.” It bothers me he says these things, I don’t want visions of him being with other people. I’m not sure he realizes he does this, but it gets annoying and I’m not sure how to bring it up to him. I know one day he’ll want me to meet Alex cause he’s his best friend but how do I tell him I don’t want to hear about the things he used to do with him? Any help would be great!—Not Enthralled With Boyfriend’s Important Ex Your insecurity is understandable—and asking a new boyfriend to be considerate of an understandable insecurity is a good way to figure out whether he’s a “keeper,” as the kids say. Zooming out for a second: it sounds like your new boyfriend is trying to be matter of fact about Alex—his ex and best friend—because Alex is still an important part of his life. If you’re going to be an important part of your boyfriend’s life going forward (potentially the most important part), that means Alex is gonna be part of your life, too. So, your boyfriend may be mentioning Alex in an effort to normalize Alex’s presence— and your new boyfriend could be testing you. Because if you’re not the kind of guy who’s comfortable with his boyfriend being close with his ex, NEWBIE, you’re not the right guy for him. But you’re feeling what you’re feeling, NEWBIE, your feelings are valid, and it’s possible your boyfriend has been hitting Alex a little too hard. So, here’s what you can say to your new boyfriend that should cut down on the Alex talk without scaring him off: “Hey, I really like you and I’m excited about where this is going. I know it’s common for gay men to be friends with their exes and it’s a good sign about a guy—your friendship with Alex is totally a green flag—but I’m still new around here [point at boyfriend’s crotch] and hearing so much about Alex is making me feel insecure. I’m not asking you to pretend Alex doesn’t exist—not at all— all I’m asking is to ease up on the details about your history with Alex for a bit. I promise I’ll feel more comfortable hearing about Alex once the two of us have built up some history of our own.” Whatever you do, NEWBIE, don’t make the mistake of ordering your new boyfriend to choose between you and his best friend. And who knows? You might like Alex once you meet him in person. And when you and your boyfriend are ready to start having threesomes—also common among gay men—hot exes make great thirds. P.S. Hot exes make great thirds because your boyfriend is less likely to leave you for someone he’s already left. Got problems? Yes, you do! Email your question for the column to mailbox@savage.love! Or record your question for the Savage Lovecast at savage.love/askdan! Podcasts, columns and more at Savage.Love.

cltampabay.com | JULY 03-09, 2025 | 53

creative loafing puzzler

Legal, Public Notices Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com. ending on July 11, 2025 at 10:00 am for units located at Compass Self Storage 1685 Hwy 17 N Eagle Lake Florida 33839. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at time of sale. All Goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of purchase. Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. Kelly Cooper unit 1038. Run dates 6/26/25 and 7/3/25. Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that the undersigned will sell, to satisfy lien of the owner, at public sale by competitive bidding on www.storagetreasures.com ending on July 11th, 2025 at 10:00 am for units located at: Compass Self Storage 2291 S. Frontage Rd, Plant City, Florida 33563 Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the time of sale. All goods are sold as is and must be removed at the time of purchase. Compass Self Storage reserves the right to refuse any bid. Sale is subject to adjournment. The personal goods stored therein by the following may include, but are not limited to general household, furniture, boxes, clothes and appliances, unless otherwise noted. Unit 1142 Larry Burns Unit 2063 Kendra Bradshaw Unit 2087 Janeteria Mitchell Unit 2110 Crystal Bailey Unit 2271 Joel Moralez Unit 3130-3156 Lisa Long. Run Dates 6/26/25 and 7/3/25 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Pursuant to Section 715.109, notice is hereby given that the following property will be offered for public sale and will sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for cash: 1967 MIRA mobile home, VIN 1419 and the contents therein, if any, abandoned by previous owners and tenants Jorge L. Morales Martinez and Rosabel Morales aka Rosabel Morales Clas On July 18, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at 541 New York Drive, Lot 58, Fort Myers, Florida 33905. ICARD, MERRILL, CULLIS, TIMM, FUREN & GINSBURG, P.A. Alyssa M. Nohren FL Bar No. 352410 2033 Main Street Suite 600 Sarasota, Florida 34237 Telephone: (941) 366-8100 Facsimile: (941) 366-6384 anohren@icardmerrill.com smenasco@icardmerrill.com Attorney for Tice Mobile & RV Park

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