MARCH 31-APRIL 06, 2022 (VOL.35, NO.13) $FREE • CREATIVE LOAFING - CLTAMPA.COM
o d s u t e L g n i k o o c the OR
e h t g n i r B ! u o y o t Bus Contact your local location for more information.
www.Taco-Bus.com 2 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 3
PUBLISHER James Howard EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ray Roa DIGITAL EDITOR Colin Wolf STAFF WRITER Justin Garcia
ADAM COLE BOEHM
FOOD and THEATER CRITIC Jon Palmer Claridge FILM & TV CRITIC John Allman IN-HOUSE WITCH Caroline DeBruhl CONTRIBUTORS Josh Bradley, Kyla Fields, Dan Savage, Eric Snider, Ken Storey
ory
PHOTOGRAPHERS Adam Cole Boehm, Dave Decker
stion ................. 5 tory
EDITORIAL INTERNS Brandalynn Nuñez
García Vargas SeaWorld in Cepeda, February,Sofia animal rights Apply for summer via rroa@cltampa.com claiming the practice of keeping wild CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jack Spatafora d dangerous. But even though public atmany SeaWorld animal rights don’t in seeFebruary, a parallel kind ILLUSTRATORS Joebetween Newton,the Dan Perkins, claiming the practice of keeping wild k, and the practice ofCory displaying animals Robinson nd dangerous. But even though public asking for too much? Or is it time for a SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES d, many don’t see a parallel between the kind t” animals?Anthony Carbone, Scott Zepeda
stion ................. 5
ck and the practice of displaying animals s asking for too much? OrPROMOTIONS is it time for a AND MARKETING, ent” animals? EVENTS DIRECTOR
The market is a breath of fresh air. And that air smells like spicy Vietnamese beef soup.
Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
MARKETING, PROMOTIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Lauren Caplinger Music Week ................................................... 42 EUCLID MEDIA GROUP Music: Tampa Fest ........................... Concert review:Bay ArticBlues Monkeys ..........................40 42 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Andrew Zelman Music ................................................... The ListWeek .......................................................... 46 CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS42 Concert review: Artic Monkeys .......................... Chris Keating, Michael Wagner42 Movie reviews ..................................................... 63 VP OF DIGITAL SERVICES Stacy Volhein The List .......................................................... Free Will Astrology .........................................46 64 DIGITAL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Movie ........................................................... reviews..................................................... 63 Puzzler 66 Jaime Monzon
A Pinellas Asian food paradise, p. 35.
Music: Tampa Bay Blues Fest ........................... 40
Free Will Astrology......................................... 64 Savage Love ...................................................... 69
euclidmediagroup.com cltampa.com Savage Love ...................................................... 69 cldeals.com Puzzler ........................................................... 66
non scs
Creative Loafing Tampa is published by Tampa Weekly, LLC, 204 E. Henderson Ave., Tampa, FL, 33602. The physical edition is available free of charge at locations throughout Tampa Bay and online at cltampa.com. Copyright 2021, Tampa Weekly, LLC.
MUSIC ����������������������������������43 MUSIC WEEK ������������������������46 SAVAGE LOVE ����������������������� 53 CROSSWORD ������������������������ 54
Busch Gardens insists classic coaster isn’t going anywhere, p. 39.
cltampa.com/movies How was your Date?
Our main number: cltampa.com/movies (813) 739-4800 Letters to the editor: comments@cltampa.com Anonymous news tips: cltampabay_tips@protonmail.com
ON THE COVER: Photograph by Adam Cole Boehm. Design by Daniel Rodriguez.
Creative Loafing is printed on a 90% recycled stock. It may be recycled further, please do your part.
Ybor Festival of the Ybor Festival of the Moving Image Moving Image A MEMBER OF: cltampa.com/arts cltampa.com/arts Follow us on
twitter�com/cl_tampabay
mpa pa
cts, s, .
A&E �������������������������������������� 39
Kumba brought in a new generation of thrills with its massive three-and-a-half-acre footprint.
The newspaper is produced and printed on Indigenous to Tampa Bay’s Howland wasbelonging your Date? Tocobaga and Seminole tribes.
_tampa. . cl_tampa
itors ors
FOOD ������������������������������������ 35
facebook�com/cltampabay
/food Get your Taco Week on T CHARLES ERICKSON
cltv
m/cltv
EDITORIAL POLICY — Creative Loafing Tampa 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.
NEWS+VIEWS ����������������������� 11
instagram�com/cltampabay
4 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
/music Because you can’t hear newsprint /news We’re sinking
/arts Broadway at Straz Center
cltampa.com/slideshows Tourist traps that are worth it
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 5
Relax responsibly . ®
Corona Extra , Corona Light® and Corona Premier ® Beers. Imported by Crown Imports, Chicago, IL Corona Light: Per 12 fl. oz. serving average analysis: Cals 99, Carbs 4.8 g, Protein 0.8 g, Fat 0.0 g. Corona Premier: Per 12 fl. oz. serving average analysis: Cals 90, Carbs 2.6 g, Protein 0.7 g, Fat 0.0 g. ®
6 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Old town
Seminole Heights home tour happens this weekend. By Kyla Fields
T
he Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association’s annual home tour is the best way to get to know the historic district, and it returns for its 22nd year on Sunday, April 3. The tour will start at the Seminole Garden Center at 5800 N Central Ave. in Tampa. In addition to visiting homes throughout the neiborhood, this year’s tour will also include stops at Front Porch & Bart’s Tavern and the Seminole Heights United Methodist Church—which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Tickets for this year’s tour cost $20 and can be purchased through Paypal at oldseminoleheights.org. To buy a ticket, you must select a scheduled time from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., as tours begin every half-hour. The self-guided walking tour will feature historic bungalows, mid-century, and new-build homes that date from the early 1900s to the mid-20th century. And to make things a little safer for cyclists, TPD Bike Patrol will be stationed in the neighborhood while the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club will provide maps to those who prefer to bike the tour. Masks will be required at all indoor locations—whether you’re inside of someone’s home or grabbing a drink at the tavern. Notably, this year’s rendition will include a stop at the office of Timothy Burke, a Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contributor who the New York Times once said is “known among sports journalists for his ability to capture the moment — whether as a still, a video clip or in his favored format, a GIF — better, faster, more
frequently and from more sports events than just about anyone.” For more information on this year’s OSHNA home tour, visit oldseminoleheights.org or its event page on the @ OSHNA Facebook. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Gracepoint’s Coffee Shop, an outreach and engagement center that helps those struggling with homelessness. Tampa Bay Taco Week is back, and it’s stacked with savory deals Creative Loafing Tampa Bay and WUSF Public Media are teaming up for this year’s Tampa Bay Taco Week—set for March 31-April 10—to make sure you get the best taco and drink specials in the Bay. Each participating restaurant or cantina will offer its own taco special, as well as deals on booze like Corona, Hornitos and Tres Generaciones tequila plus Zing Zang cocktails—the four sponsors of 2022’s Tampa Bay Taco Week. More details will be announced on tampabaytacoweek.com as the event nears closer. A full list of locations and special details, ordering information, a map, social media contest info, and how to vote on Tampa Bay’s Ultimate Taco will also be available on its website. Restaurants participating in this year’s Tampa Bay Taco Week include: 7th + Grove, American Social, ATO Lakeland, Jake’s Coastal Cantina, Red Mesa Cantina, Sea Dog Cantina, Taco Dirty, Zukku Sushi and Zukku San.
OSHNA/FACEBOOK
HEIGHTS THERE: A portion of proceeds from the OSHNA home tour benefit Gracepoint.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 7
Loudly proud Photos by Dave Decker
I
n a state where the rights of the LGBTQ+ community seem to be under attack every week, thousands of Tampeños and their families took to the streets of historic Ybor City to say “gay” loud and clear for the governor to hear. See all the photos from Tampa Pride 2022 via cltampa. com/slideshows.—Ray Roa
8 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 9
10 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Across the bay at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, 28 administrative level employees have left—56 percent of HART’s amount of turnover. POLITICS
ISSUES
OPINION
Hart burned
Over the last year, at least 50 administrative level employers have left Hillsborough’s transit agency. By Justin Garcia
E
The Director of Operations support also resigned this month, as did a contracts specialist and accountant. HART’s senior project planner resigned in September of last year, followed by the senior planner in November. The director of government relations also left in November. On top of this, three high-level financial positions resigned last year, and another left due to personal reasons. Across the bay at the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, 28 administrative level employees have left—56 percent of HART’s amount of turnover.
LOCAL NEWS
Le Grand responds During a phone call, Le Grand, who has more than two decades experience in the transit industry, said that the organization is taking a direction that everyone might not agree with, but that it’s all part of a process to transform HART. “We definitely want to turn HART into the best public mobility provider that we can be in Hillsborough County, and that also requires us to operate like a business,” Le Grand said. “I know we’re not for profit, but we still need to operate as a business, and we’re transitioning to do that. And there’s a lot of excitement here about it.”
Le Grand said that she respects the decisions that some employees have made to leave, and it “was expected that everyone is not going to be a willing participant.” “I feel good with the progress that we’re making,” Le Grand said. “And it’s gonna take us some time because make sure we have the right fit and the right folks, and even the people who have left here you know, they’re well qualified, they’re talented. They just weren’t the right fit for right now. So we have to move forward and continue to build and grow.” She denied ever name calling anyone at the organization, saying, “I definitely wouldn’t agree to that.” She added that she’s not very involved with the public records request process, and that HART hasn’t had complaints from other media outlets about not getting their requests in a timely manner. She said that during her time at HART she’s continued on page 15
HART/TWITTER
mployees are leaving in high numbers from the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), documents show, and some claim it’s due to a caustic work environment. Records obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay show that HART has lost 50 administrative level employees—including several high-ranking employees—from January of 2021 until March 21 of this year. Of those employees who left during that time, 37 resigned. Last week, Director of Communications and Marketing Nikki Frenney resigned from HART. Frenney leaves after just four months at the organization; she was hired in December of last year. She is the second communications director and third high-ranking communications professional to work under CEO Adelee Le Grand since she started the job in January of 2021. CL received a tip that Frenney had resigned from her $147,000 a year job at HART this week. Over the phone she confirmed the tip and said that she is leaving for another position, but did not elaborate further. Frenney has more than 20 years of media relations and public affairs experience, primarily in the public transit industry. Other employees who have left HART over the past year and did not want to be named, told CL on background that there were a number of issues that led them to part ways with the organization. Some alleged name calling and being verbally berated by Le Grand. A former employee alleged a lack of transparency with the press under Le Grand, including the purposeful tying up of public records requests made by journalists. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay had difficulty getting a list of how many administrative level employees have left HART through a public records request, but after contacting all of the county commissioners, HART released the information. What the documentation shows is that several important employees have left the organization in recent months. Earlier this month, the Director of Legal Services suddenly resigned from his $150,000 a year position. The Senior Litigation Staff Attorney also resigned last November.
As of now, HART’s website shows that 25 positions, mostly at the administrative level, are open for applications. A follow-up records request to see how many of the positions have been re-filled and how many administrative level employees have resigned as of March 25, has not yet been responded to.
WHEELS GO ‘ROUND: 25 positions, mostly at the administrative level, are open at HART.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 11
L I V E E VE RY DAY L I K E I T’S
TACO TUESDAY
10 days of taco specials
at pa rt i c i pati ng Ta m pa Bay a rea locat ions A P O RT IO N OF PROCEEDS BEN EF I TS W U S F
12 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Fe aturi ng
TACO & DRINK SPECIALS AT:
#TAMPABAYTACOWEEK cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 13
WAN T TO W I N FAN TAS- TACO LOCA L P R IZ ES FO R E AT I N G TAC O S UN TI L YOUR H EART’S C O NTE NT!? Share a photo of your Taco Week experience on Instagram to be automatically entered to win $300+ in gift cards from Taco Week restaurants, $400 in CL Deals, & more!
Step 1. Ta ke a p h oto o f yo u r d el i ci o u s Tac o W e e k exp e rie n ce: taco s, d r i n ks, f i esta ! Step 2. P o st you r p h oto o n I n stagr a m by tag g i n g your locat i o n for ta k eou t or di n e- i n . Step 3. Tag @clta m pa bay & u s e t he has htag #Ta m pa Bay TacoW e ek Step 4. Sh a re you r p h oto to b e au to m at i ca l ly en t e r ed to w i n ! Each location you visit and tag on Instagram automatically gets you an additional entry into the contest! Winner will be chosen at random & DMed via Instagram after Taco Week ends.
W h o d o YOU t h ink m ak es Ta m pa Bay’s U lt im at e Taco?
We’re letting you decide during Tampa Bay Taco Week! All participating locations are up for the coveted title, and we want to hear from YOU!
Vot i ng b eg ins at 9 a. m . o n M arch 31st.
14 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
continued from page 11
makes $288,000. At the same time, union workestablished a focus on excellence and making ers struggle to get HART to bargain with them improvements. over their contract. “We’ve fixed our route schedule so that CL contacted Pat Kemp, Chair of the HART they’re more dependable and accurate,” Le Board of Directors, who said Le Grand is highly Grand said. “But that takes change and people qualified, and that funding problems are the working a little differently. So I would say over- main source of the issues at HART. all is in keeping with what we see nationally, “I attended the American Public Transit Association meeting in Washington, DC last statewide and within the industry.” Le Grand multiple times refweek,” Kemp wrote in an email. erenced the “Great Resignation,” “Among 500 of her transit colwhich entails people in all indusleagues across the nation, Adelee tries leaving their jobs for various Le Grand was singled out by the reasons brought on by the COVIDAPTA Chair for her significant con19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis. tributions to the organization.” Kemp continued that Hillsborough County Several sources, including a Pew Research study say that the main reasons for people leaving has the most underfunded transit agency in the their jobs during the Great Resignation include nation for a metro area this size, “not by just low pay, a lack of opportunities for advancement, a little, but by a lot.” She said that in funding, and feeling disrespected at work. HART has continually ranked dead last out of The former HART employees said that the 20 against competitive metro areas. She pointed alleged toxic work environment didn’t come out to a move earlier this week that could change of a vacuum. The fallout that situation. from the past two CEO On Wednesday in scandals helped create a 6-1 vote, the coma volatile situation. missioners decided HART has seen to revive a 30-year, 1% transportation its share of controversies over recent years. sales tax, which Last year, an inveswas previously shot tigation found that down by the Florida the company’s former Supreme Court. They CEO Carolyn House asked county staff to report back on April Stewart had partici6 with the language pated in “abuse, hostile, for a proposed balhumiliating and bullying behaviors.” HART lot referendum. If the paid nearly $100,000 in language passes, the vacation pay, severance, vote would take place in November. settlement and attorney’s fees for Stewart to HART board resign from the agency. member and county Ben Limmer, Commissioner Mariella HART’s CEO before Smith agreed with Stewart, was fired by Kemp that more fundthe agency in 2020 after ing is the key to solving an investigation found important problems he violated eight agency LE GRAND GESTURE: HART CEO Adelee with the local transpolicies, including giv- Le Grand addressed allegations against her. portation system. ing a contractor unfair She said that the advantage on a massive contract and misusing county has several priorities, including road a company purchasing card. repair, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and of Le Grand was selected by the organization’s course, helping fund HART so it can operate board of directors on Nov. 4, 2020 following a more efficiently. national search of more than 160 applicants. “As we keep saying, and everybody knows The financially strapped organization paid her our transit system is woefully underfunded,” $250,000, after she had requested $288,000, Smith said. “But this transit referendum will which was beyond the ceiling of pay for her posi- address all those things.” tion. She then asked for a 15% raise should the Le Grand also hopes the funding meaFlorida Supreme Court pass the countywide sure passes, saying the funding is crucial for transportation surtax, a request that the Tampa HART’s future. Bay Times Editorial Board said made “no sense.” “It will do a lot of things for morale, for people This year, Le Grand got her raise from to be excited and to understand that this agency Hillsborough County Commission and now has funding to be sustainable,” she said.
LOCAL NEWS
HART
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 15
1 Tequila, 2 Tequila, 3 Tequila... Your favorite tequila battle is back.
$ 5 O T P U E SAVEARLY BIRD PRICING N3 OW!
Screening Helps Save
More Lives.
At Moffitt, we have the expertise to diagnose and treat all types of cancers. Early detection can lead to better health outcomes and help save more lives. Let Moffitt be your trusted partner for expert cancer care. Learn more about screenings. Call 1-888-456-2839 or visit Moffitt.org/Screening
WITH
Be Courageous
During COVID-19, your safety is a priority at Moffitt.
THURSDAY, MAY 19TH, 2022
TAMPA RIVER CENTER MARGARITAWARSTAMPABAY.COM #MARGARITAWARSTAMPABAY 16 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
spotcrime.com
Send help
Tampa City Council asks for more legal protections. By Justin Garcia
O
n March 24, Tampa councilmen motioned what you have to do, take this pills’ and I say to have a city attorney investigate bringing ‘no, no, no.’ What are you gonna tell me to do? more legal protection to council if they are Get another doctor,” Miranda said. sued under a public records law. The motion In a recent Creative Loafing Tampa Bay came in the wake of former councilman John story, local attorney James Michael Shaw Jr. Dingfelder’s resignation, with some in the com- pointed out that in Sarasota, city officials who munity saying he was targeted by a are sued have more protections developer’s public records lawsuit, than in Tampa. which forced him to leave council Last week, he elaborated on the sunshine law and its merits, as part of the settlement terms. “I think we have a city council but also the potential drawbacks attorney and that’s his job is to look into these when used improperly. issues,” Councilchair Orlando Gudes said. “I “Every year, the Attorney General pubthink [he can] look and see what other cities lishes a manual to help public officials comply with the Public Records Act. This year’s ediare doing.” Council tasked tion is 377 pages its attorney Martin long,” Shaw wrote Shelby to do the in a text. “Make just research, specifically one mistake, and you in regards to Chapter could become liable 119 of Florida pubfor hundreds of thoulic records law, which sands in legal fees, Dingfelder was sued and batting a thouunder, and report back sand on compliance to council on April 7. is virtually impossi“I’ll reach out to ble. If you get enough the local government public-records section of the Florida requests, you’ll eventually miss a Bar and just pose the question to see what dance step, and now other municipalities the requester has and other local govleverage to bargain ernments are doing for your resignawith regard to that,” tion. It’s a good law Shelby told council. that keeps the pubCouncilman Bill lic informed about Carlson put the motion government, but it forward. He said that ONE DOWN: The forced resignation of a City was never meant to Councilman has the remaining body on edge. be used to carry out under the law, public officials are susceptifinancial assassinable to lawsuits, and wondered where protections tions. And it could be used by anyone against for city officials currently end and begin. any public official.” “I met with the city attorney the other day The councilmen also commented on the issue and asked the question, which wasn’t answered, of misrepresentations in the media. They said what’s the fine line?” Carlson said. “If any one that while Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s office of us accidentally deleted has a media team that supone text message, we’re in ports her, they are largely violation of the rules. And left to defend themselves so then as the city attorwhen they face such issues. ney not going to protect “The house next door us? I think it makes sense has tons of people that do because it also would procommunications and defend tect the mayor.” the Mayor on any issues, Councilman Charlie which, that’s what they do, Miranda argued against the motion with a con- because those are her people,” Gudes said. “But fusing analogy. this council has no one to defend them, or to be “If I have an attorney, or I have a doctor, and able to ask questions to, or anything, at any I go to the doctors office and he tells me, ‘Here’s time.”
LOCAL NEWS
BBPHOTOS, CC BY-SA 4.0
“It’s a good law... but it was never meant to be used to carry out financial assassinations.”
The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number NAVCA210430-01-00 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of HHS or any of its agencies.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 17
FRI • Apr 4-8pm ($5, buyiltic1
kets che727.com)
at vintagemar
SAT • April 2 9am–6pm (free )
SUN • April 9am–5pm (free3 )
TAMPA BAY’S LARGEST MONTHLY VINTAGE MARKET
NAve. E WS., St Pete, 33712 vintagemarche727.com • 2200 2nd
NEW
NEW
WNER N E W LNNYEO EW W
NEWLY
OWNER O W N EVintageMarche727 R NEW
OWNER
In the Warehouse Arts District across from 3 Daughters Brewing
AUTHENTIC C IRISH CUISINE NE AUTHENTIC
IRISH CUISINE AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC IRISH IRISH CUISINE CUISINE AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC IRISH CUISINE
IRISH CUISINE IRISH CUISINE
NEWLY
NEW REMODELED O OO W W N NLEE EYRR N ED W R E M L E D R E M O D E L E D ON W E WN E R
REMODELED CLEARWATER R R E E M M O O D D E E L L E E D D C L E A R W A T E R F L N E W L Y NEWLY R E M O D E L E D CLEARWATER R F EL M O DCELLEEADR W A T E R F L R MODELED NEW
NO EEW WLLN YY E R W O W N EN NR EWLY
CCLLEEAARRW WAATTEERR FFLL CLEARWATER FL
$ 65" 65" TV'STV'S
CLEARWA L ATE $R F L C TL EE RA RF W
65" $TV'S 65"
FL
65" $TV'S
$$ 65" 65" TV'S $TV'S 65" TV'S TV'S $ 65" TV'S
$
• WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S • WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S - HALF OFF BOTTLES
• WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S - HALF OFF BOTTLES
• THURSDAY LADIES • THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE NIGHT (FOR LAD
• THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUYWEDNESDAY'S GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) • •WINE WINE DOWN DOWN WEDNESDAY'S - -HALF HALF OFF OFFBOTTLES BOTTLES
WINE DOWNWEDNESDAY'S WEDNESDAY'S - HALF OFF BOTTLES •• WINE - HALF BOTTLES • OFF FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S $8 D • DOWN FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S - $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF- BEER
• FOOTBALL •SUNDAY'S $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEERWINE -DOWN WEDNESDAY'S
HALF OFF BOTTLES
•THURSDAY THURSDAY LADIES LADIES NIGHT NIGHT - -BUY BUY GET GET ONE ONE FREE FREE (FOR (FOR LADIES) LADIES) •• •THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) COME ON BY&&ON WE'LL CARE OFTAKE THE COME ON BY WE'LL TAKE CARE OF REST! THE REST! COME BYTAKE & WE'LL CARE OF THE REST! •FOOTBALL •FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S SUNDAY'S $8 $8 DOMESTIC DOMESTIC PITCHERS PITCHERS OF OF BEER BEER • ••THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR SUNDAY'S $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEER SUNDAY'S - $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEER Happy Hour Weekly Specials • WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY'S HALF OFF BOTTLES COME COME ON ON BY BY & & WE'LL WE'LL TAKE TAKE CARE CARE OF OF THE THE REST! REST! COME ON BY & WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THE REST! Happy Hour Weekly Specials COME ON BY & Happy WE'LLHour TAKE CARE OF • FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S - $8 DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF B Live Music & FULL Bar Weekly Specials Daily Drink Specials
DrinkHappy Specials Live Music & Specials FULL BarMusic & FULL Bar• THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT - BUY GET ONE FREE (FOR LADIES) Daily Specials Live HourDrink Weekly & WE'LLDaily TAKE CARE OF THE REST! Happy Happy Hour Hour Weekly Weekly Specials Specials Happy Hour Weekly Specials More information, visit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net
Daily Drink Specials Live Music & FULL More information, visit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net Daily Daily Drink Drink Specials Specials Live Live Music &&&FULL FULL Bar Bar Daily Drink Specials LiveMusic Music FULL Bar Bar
More information, visit usDUNEDIN, at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL FL! ur Weekly DOWNTOWN Specials
RE OF THE REST! ATED IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL! More information, visit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net
More More information, information, visit visit us usus at: at:at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net www.FlanagansIrishPub.net More information, visit www.FlanagansIrishPub.net
POOL TABLES
1717 Drew Street Clearwater, FL. 33755
k Specials Live Music & FULL Bar LOCATED BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL! LOCATED ININ BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL! LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, OCATED OCATED IN IN BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, DUNEDIN, FL! FL! 465 Main St - Dunedin, FL - 34698 cials
sit us at: www.FlanagansIrishPub.net
18 |Bar MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com & FULL
UL DOWNTOWN DUNEDIN, FL!
DARTS
SHUFFLEBOARD
SPORTS
SPECIALS
• FOOTBALL SUNDAY'S - $8POOL DOMESTIC PITCHERS OF BEERSPORTS TABLES DARTS SHUFFLEBOARD POOL TABLES #DREWSTREETPUB
(727) 442-5642
POOL TABLES
POOL POOL TABLES TABLES POOL TABLES
DARTS
DARTS DARTS DARTS
SHUFFLEBOARD
1717 Drew Street Clearwater, FL. 33755
SPORTS
SHUFFLEBOARD SHUFFLEBOARD SHUFFLEBOARD
SPECIALS
SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS
(727) 442-5642
POOL TABLES
(727) 442-5642 (727) (727) 442-5642 442-5642
DARTS
SHU
SPECIALS SPECIALS SPECIALS
#DREWSTREE
1717 Clearwater, FL. 33755 1717 Drew Street Clearwater, FL. 33755Drew Street (727) 442-5642 #DREWSTREETPUB
1717 FL. 33755 1717 1717Drew Drew DrewStreet Street StreetClearwater, Clearwater, Clearwater, FL. FL. 33755 33755
SPECIALS
DARTS
(727) 44
#DREWSTREETPUB #DREWSTREETPUB #DREWSTREETPUB
SHUFFLEBOARD
SPORTS
SPEC
presents
Bubbles & Brunch Fest
APRIL 9, 2022 11A-4P ST. PETE PIER 90s R&B LIVE PERFORMANCE BY J'NELLE
DJ SANDMAN vs DJ LADY SHAY BRUNCH BUBBLY, WINE & SPIRITS TASTINGS MOTHER'S DAY VENDOR VILLAGE
FASHION SHOW
FEATURING ELIZABETH CARSON RACKER & DELYX SWIMWEAR
OUTDOOR ADULT GAMES
VIP LOWCOUNTRY BRUNCH
Advanced Tickets On Sale Now BENEFITTING EMPOWHERMENT.ORG
VIP 100 GA Benefits +
Chef Lennise Germany lowcountry Brunch PRIVATE winE presentation by wSET III Wine Educator Stephanie Miller Love
GA 42
Commemorative glass included entrance at 11aM
GET TICKETS
Early entrance at 10am Priority STAGE Seating
BUBBLESANDBRUNCHFEST.COM cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 19
10 DAYS. YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANTS. MULTIPLE-COURSE PRIX FIXE MENUS.
June 16 t h -
26 t h, 2022
For a limited time, participating Tampa Bay area restaurants will be offering multiple-course prix fixe menus and more at exclusive pricing!
TACO TU EsDAY 200 E MADISON ST • DOWNTOWN TAMPA • 813-221-TACO
TAMPABAYRESTAURANTWEEK.COM #TAMPABAYRESTAURANTWEEK
A the 32" PIZZ Introducingst in Tampa Bay! ...the bigge
ople llenge: If 2 peA in a h C g n ti a E New ping 32" PIZZ can eat a 1 top ceive a Free Pizza, re 1 hour... they t and $100!!!! a T-Shir
esaidpizza
sh #thatswhat
“Old school Florida” restaurant featuring unique “Taste of St. Louis” menu served alongside small batch, house-brewed and other local craft beer!
923 72nd St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710 (727) 302-9600 • peskypelicanbrewpub.com 20 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
“I’m glad that a lot of people at least recognized how misleading the Times story was.”
Lead the way
St. Pete housing advocates still focused on City Hall. By Justin Garcia
M
embers of a local housing rights group say a “misleading” story from the Tampa Bay Times was incorrect for nearly a week and is causing confusion. On March 18, a Times article titled “St. Petersburg group wants to bargain with landlords for affordable housing” said that after the housing rights activist group was denied a permit for a sleep-in protest at City Hall, People’s Council of St. Pete (PCSP) was instead concentrating on a new tactic. “The group demanding that City Hall declare a state of emergency to address steep rent increases is now shifting its focus from local government to landlords,” the lede of the Times story said. The story claimed that now, the group wants to focus on organizing tenants to collectively bargain with landlords. PCSP organizer Karla Correa says that the group is not shifting focus, but participating in an ongoing multi-faceted approach to helping tenants. “The people’s council is going to keep concentrating on City Hall, because not enough
DAVE DECKER
HEAR THIS: PCSP organizer Karla Correa says that the group is not shifting focus.
is being done. And if the people decide they want to protest in any way shape or form at city hall, that’s what we’ll do,” Correa told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “I’m glad that a lot of people at least recognized how misleading the Times story was.” The landlord bargaining tactic discussed with the Times has been used since 2020 with the St. Petersburg Tenant’s Union (SPTU), which the people’s council shares members with. Correa forwarded an email to CL that she sent to the corrections desk at the Tampa Bay Times on March 19, which included several corrections, and has not yet been responded to. Correa also texted the reporter that the information was inaccurate. The reporter defended the story saying that’s not what she was initially told, and said that the story emphasizes that the plan is still to push for rent control. But buried at the bottom of the story, it says that the the separate group SPTU wants to continue to push for rent control, not the People’s Council.
HOUSING
Getting City Hall to declare a housing state of emergency and enact rent control is still being concentrated on heavily by the council, several of the group’s members told CL. The group has recently met with Mayor Ken Welch and future tenant protection tactics are set to be discussed at an upcoming PCSP meeting on April 6, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Allendale United Methodist Church. Karla said that the PCSP member who was interviewed for the story, Aaron Dietrich, also contacted the Times with concerns about the article, claiming that what he said was misinterpreted. Dietrich has not responded to request for comment but William Kilgore, who was also interviewed for the Times piece, did comment on the situation. Kilgore said that at first, the framing of the story bothered him, but thought maybe it would pass without much notice. But it was when he and others in the group started getting contacted by other local media outlets, who were led to believe the group was shifting its focus away from council based on the content of Times piece, he then became more concerned about the story being misleading. “The protest permit getting denied doesn’t mean that kind of protest at city council is off the table,” Kilgore said. “I made it clear when I was talking to the reporter about collective
bargaining, that it’s just an expansion of our efforts that the members of the people’s council were already participating in.” Kilgore said that the story caused confusion within his group and from the outside as well, which disturbed him. “It didn’t sit right with me,” he said. Jack Wallace, an organizer with PCSP said that the framing of the story was the most misleading part. “The story was framed in a way that made it seem like people’s council was like changing tactics, or, you know, changing what it was doing, and abandoning pressuring City Hall,” Wallace told CL. CL contacted the reporter, who is currently out of the office, along with the media desk at the Times, but has yet to receive a response to the groups’ claims. For now, both the PCSP and the SPTU will continue to use their multi-faceted approach to protect renters in Tampa. “In reality, two representatives from the People’s Council met with Mayor Welch and we are having a People’s Council meeting on April 6th,” Correa wrote in her unanswered email to the Times’ correction desk. “Rent control is not off the table. Tent city is certainly not off the table. Our organizations have been mentioned in the Tampa Bay Times many times, but we have never been misrepresented to this degree.”
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 21
The Only Locally Owned
RESTAURANT PATIO BAR
Blocks from the Stadium
PRIVATE DINING EVENTS LARGE PATIO AREA
OPEN ‘TIL 3AM
ON THE WEEKENDS
W CHERRY ST
W PALMETTO ST
LIVE MUSIC SCRATCH KITCHEN BEST LUNCH IN TOWN LATE NIGHT FOOD
RIVETERS PARKING
N DALE MABRY HWY
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! SPORTS ON 17 SCREENS! PLENTY OF PARKING OUT BACK!
2301 N Dale Mabry Hwy • Tampa, FL • 33607 • (813) 559-1450 • riveterstampa.com RECEIVE EVEN MORE GREAT OFFERS! CONNECT WITH US: 22 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
@RivetersTampa •
/RivetersTampa
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 23
24 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Headstrong
Tampa lawmakers say they’ll keep fighting for lost Black cemeteries. By Amy Galo/Fresh Take Florida
T
he state senator who proposed a bill to catalog and restore abandoned African American cemeteries across Florida said she is disappointed the legislation died in the just-ended session at the Capitol but isn’t giving up the fight. Sen. Janet Cruz, D- Tampa, said she was very frustrated her bill was not taken up in the Republican-led Senate and plans to reintroduce the “Abandoned and Historic African American Cemeteries Act” during the next legislative session. “There may be over 3,000 abandoned African American cemeteries across the state, sites forgotten and cruelly erased by history,” she said. A companion House bill, sponsored by Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, passed unanimously in three House committees, with support from Republicans and Democrats. But it died last week after never coming to a full House vote. The stalled measure was not taken up in any Senate committees.
Cruz said that was aggravating and blamed Republicans, even though GOP support would be necessary next year for her to succeed. “As was shown this past legislative session, the Republican majority in the Florida Senate was more focused on fanning the flames of their culture wars instead of working on meaningful legislation that would find and honor abandoned African American cemeteries,” Cruz said. It’s not clear why the legislation failed, although Democrats in Tallahassee always have an unusually difficult challenge in the Capitol. No lawmaker publicly expressed opposition to it. “The speaker could have brought it up (for a House vote), but he chose not to,” Driskell said. The measure would have enacted some recommendations of a statewide task force that held public hearings last year on the lost burial grounds, including establishing the Office of Historic Cemeteries within the Department of State. The office, funded with $200,000 a year and
LOCAL NEWS
three full-time employees, would have focused on restoration and research efforts for all abandoned cemeteries, not just those of African Americans. The bill that created the task force on abandoned cemeteries last year took two sessions to pass. That makes Driskell optimistic. “We’re already rethinking our strategy for next year,” Driskell said. “We’ll come back with additional bipartisan support next year.” In recent years, Cruz and Driskell have been working to bring attention to the issue of abandoned and neglected Black cemeteries – many of which have been rediscovered across Florida under recently built parking lots, schools, housing complexes and other infrastructure. In Tampa, Driskell and Cruz’s hometown, Zion cemetery was recently found under warehouses, a tow lot and public housing. Meanwhile, not far from the Capitol, another abandoned cemetery was found behind a church in Tallahassee. Though Cruz and Driskell’s bills did not pass, the pair managed to secure $750,000 in the new state budget to start an African American cemetery education program in Tampa Bay. Originally, the lawmakers had asked for $1.2 million for the program. “Thankfully, there was a small victory in this year’s legislative budget… to preserve local African American history in Hillsborough
County and begin educational programs about these abandoned cemeteries,” Cruz said. According to the funding request, the program is intended to “preserve local African American history and cemeteries through placebased educational programming, curricular material to be embedded in K-12 classrooms, teacher professional development, and community workshops.” “It’s been wonderful to see the public interest in this bill even after it didn’t pass,” Driskell said. “It’s encouraging. We know many communities rediscover abandoned cemeteries and need guidance, and they want to know they can look for the state for guidance.“ In the meantime, Cruz and Driskell remain committed to pushing the “Abandoned and Historic African American Cemeteries” bills forward when lawmakers return to Tallahassee for the 2023 legislative session, which is scheduled to begin about a year from now. “I proudly stand next to Rep. Driskell in this fight and will work with committee staff and my fellow senators to bring this issue home next session,” Cruz said. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The reporter can be reached at agalo@ufl.edu.
TRY AGAIN: Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa sponsored a bill to honor and protect lost Black cemeteries.
STATE OF FLORIDA
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 25
USA TODAY 10 BEST
Gluten Free Restaurants in Tampa Bay
hand crafted • inventive eclectic • health conscious vegan cauliflower crust gluten free & vegan options
DINING ROOM NOW OPEN! Hours: Sunday - Closed / Monday - Saturday • 12-9pm 610 S. Armenia Ave • Hyde Park /SoHo • (813) 258-1999 Curbside Carryout & Delivery Available / gourmetpizza-company.com
Tampa’s Best Kept Secret for 40 Years
1502 E Sligh Ave • Tampa, FL • 33610 / (813) 232-1482 / cornerclubtampa.com
26 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Obey the Law
Rhea Law to become the USF’s eighth president. By Ryan Dailey/News Service of Florida
U
niversity of South Florida trustees on March that will give the university “alternative revenue 22 selected interim leader Rhea Law to streams” to recruit faculty and “support these become the school’s eighth president. Law, things that are important to us.” an attorney who has longstanding ties to the Law threw her support behind USF builduniversity, has been interim president since ing a new on-campus football stadium, The USF August, after former President Steven Currall football team has played games in Raymond stepped down two years into the job. James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Saying that becoming president would be Buccaneers, since 1998. “the privilege of my life,” Law laid out some of “It’s time that we have a stadium on our camher goals Tuesday during an interpus that our students can access, view with trustees. that we can create as a gathering “I think because of where we’re place. To get not only our students located in a metropolitan area, we on campus but our alums that are have a leg up on all of our other state coming from all over the place to universities. And we have the ability to make a be excited about games,” Law said, adding that difference here that might not be possible any athletics are “the front door to a university.” other place,” Law said. Trustees interviewed one other finalist for Specifics about Law’s contract, including the position. Jeffrey Talley, an Army veteran who her compensation, were being negotiated. The also has experience in academia and the private trustees approved a sector, was praised as compensation range an “impressive” canof between $764,311 didate by trustees. and $1,177,394. Alberto Pimentel, The initial conwho leads the firm tract will last up to that assisted USF in five years and will its search, said that need approval from Law and Talley came the state university highly recommended. system’s Board of “Both received Governors. not only high marks, Law is paid a not only for their $575,000 base salary leadership skills, in her current role, but … for their abilthe same amount ity to engage people that Currall received. wherever they may Law said interbe and every walk of acting with students OBEY THE LAW: Rhea Law is the new boss at USF. life,” Pimentel said. and faculty was a “Two very different, highlight of her experience as interim presi- but very solid candidates.” dent — an experience that included challenges Michael Griffin, vice chairman of the USF during the COVID-19 pandemic. trustees, said Law’s experience leading the uniGoing forward, Law said, one issue will be versity and her history with the school were part competing for talent in an increasingly competi- of what won her the job. Law is a graduate of tive environment. USF who also previously “The first challenge served as a trustee. that I see is really sup“Rhea Law, I believe, porting our faculty, staff deserves to be our next and students. And I mean president. And candidly, this in the way that, it’s (she) has earned the more than just providing opportunity through her funding for salaries and transformative work in this support. It’s those things role over the last seven and that actually encourage and (put) them in a place a half months,” Griffin said. where they can be their very best self,” Law said. Four other state universities—the University “And we need to be creative about how we do of Florida, the University of North Florida, this. There is a huge war for talent out there.” Florida International University and Florida Law also is eyeing the recruitment of a new Gulf Coast University—are in various stages provost and said she wants to increase research of looking for new presidents.
LOCAL NEWS
XoChitl Handcrafted Modern Mexican
Daily Happy Hour: $5 WELLS $8 CLASSIC DOBEL MARGARITAS
Taco Tuesday:
3 TACOS AND A CLASSIC DOBEL MARGARITA - $15
Brunch @ XOCHITL:
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 11AM-4PM BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS - $15 307 West Palm Ave Tampa, FL • 33602
(833) 962-4485
ilovexochitl.com xochitl_tampa FURNITURE | MEN’S • WOMEN’S • KID’S CLOTHES | KNICK KNACKS | HOUSEWARE | ELECTRONICS & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
“We have the ability to make a difference here that might not be possible any other place.”
10,000 SQUARE FEET OF SAVINGS!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK | MON - SAT 10-8PM | SUN 10-6PM | 5800 54TH AVE N ST. PETE | 727.548.8872 cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 27
Happy Hour TUE-FRI • 4-6PM 2 FOR TUESDAY Tuesday Wednesday WINE WEDNESDAY Thursday THIRSTY THURSDAY Half Off Appetizers + $2 Off Alcoholic Beverages
(CAN'T BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS)
2 Margaritas and a Margherita Pizza for $20
1/2 Off Wine All Night
1/2 off House Old Fashions (choice of 6) and Spaghetti and Meatballs for $11.99
718 BROADWAY STREET • DUNEDIN • 727-754-2573
DINE IN • PICK UP • CURBSIDE
HAPPY HOUR IN THE BAR AREA TUESDAY-SUNDAY 5-7 WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY HALF OFF SELECT BOTTLES • DAILY HANDMADE PASTA AND BREAD • FRESH LOCALLY-SOURCED PRODUCE AND SEAFOOD • VEGAN CHICKEN PARM AND VEGAN PIZZAS WE ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS.
7 1 8 S O U T H H O W A R D A V E N U E , TA M P A | 8 1 3 . 5 1 2 . 3 0 3 0 | A V ATA M P A . C O M 28 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 29
HAPPY HOUR AT AMSO cozy, modern, Italian-American eatery thin-crust pizza & Italian classics
Monday - Friday, 4pm-7pm Saturday 3pm-6pm
FULL LIQUOR BAR - HAPPY HOUR - OUTDOOR DINING
MONDAY-THURSDAY: 11AM-9PM • FRIDAY: 11AM-10PM • SATURDAY: 4PM-10PM 5901 4TH ST N • ST. PETE • 727.526.2400 • AMANOITALIAN.COM
$4, $5 & $6 Liquor, Beer & Wine $8 Hand-Crafted Cocktails
Smoked for hours. Served in minutes. Willie Jewell’s is the Fast Casual sister concept of the 71-year-old Southern Pit Bar-B-Q legend Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, and like Bono’s, Willie Jewell’s smokes all their BBQ the oldfashioned way, the low and slow method. Largo: 9040 Ulmerton ROAd • Largo, FL • 33771 Seminole: 7724 113th StREET NO. • Seminole, FL • 33772 Riverview: 10787 Big Bend ROAD • Riverview, FL • 33579 Carrollwood: 12004 Anderson ROAD • Tampa, FL • 33624
williejewells.com
30 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
God save this Court (or smite it instead)
Last week proved just how illegitimate the Supreme Court is—and how much damage it can do. By Jeffrey C. Billman Four and a half months in Wisconsin is just fine. Then again, candidate filing in Wisconsin begins on June 1, the candidate petition process starts on April 15, and the state elections commission told the Court that “any delay” beyond March 15 “would increase the risk of errors.” Whatevs, the Court ruled eight days later. It’s hard to look at what happened in Wisconsin and Alabama and not draw the conclusion that the rulings were outcomes in search of justifications. It’s especially hard to do that in light of the Court’s recent moves to gut abortion rights and overturn vaccine mandates. This is nothing we don’t already know. The Supreme Court has always been a political entity, and this iteration is proving more ideological—more activist—than its predecessors by orders of magnitude. The Court’s legitimacy—already strained from the ruthless tactics Mitch McConnell employed to get Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Gorsuch onto the bench and the shamelessness Republicans displayed during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings—reached its breaking point. That was before we knew that Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas (pictured above), is a fucking nutjob. And not just any fucking nutjob, but a fucking nutjob connected to the Trump administration as it plotted a coup. Last Thursday, the Washington Post and CBS News reported that they had obtained 29 text messages from Ginni to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in the days after the 2020 election: “The majority knows Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History,” she told him. “This is a fight of good versus evil,” Meadows, one of the most powerful men on the planet, said a few weeks later. “Evil always looks like the victor until the King of Kings triumphs.” Ginni, who went to the Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally that preceded the Capitol insurrection, also sent Meadows QAnon classics—“Watermarked ballots in over 12 states have been part of a huge Trump & military white hat sting operation in 12 key battleground states”—and paranoid hallucinations: “Biden crime family & ballot fraud co-conspirators (elected officials, bureaucrats, social media censorship mongers, fake stream media reporters, etc) are being arrested & detained for ballot fraud right now & over coming
INFORMED DISSENT
The Supreme Court has always been a political entity, and this iteration is proving more ideological.
days, & will be living in barges off GITMO to face military tribunals for sedition.” Worth mentioning: While the wife of a rightwing Supreme Court justice was texting the White House chief of staff whatever she saw in Hell’s Chatroom, the White House was telegraphing plans to take its election-fraud fantasy to the Supreme Court. Also worth mentioning: Thomas was the only justice who objected to giving the Jan. 6 committee access to Donald Trump’s White House records, which might have contained communications from his wife to White House officials. To recap, then: The wife of a Supreme Court justice, who apparently belongs in a rubber room, pleaded with the president’s top aide to illegally overturn an election, and that justice tried to stop those communications from becoming public. Top Republicans—including House
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy—say there’s no need for Justice Thomas to recuse himself even from Jan. 6 cases, let alone resign in ignominy. Keep this in mind when you watch Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley and Lindsey Graham beat their chests because Ketanji Brown Jackson didn’t personally castrate an 18-year-old who watched kiddie porn, or berate her for having— in the words of Thom Tillis—”a level of empathy … that some could view as maybe beyond what some of us would be comfortable with,” or spit Fox News sound bites on abortion, critical race theory, and transgender athletes. None of this is serious. These aren’t serious people, and they don’t care if the public views the Court as illegitimate. So what if Americans think the justices are a bunch of political hacks, so long as they’re their hacks?
STEVE PETTEWAY
A
mid the racist spectacle of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing and Ginni Thomas’ wackadoodle insurrectionist text messages, the Supreme Court’s alarming decision in a Wisconsin redistricting case didn’t get the attention it deserved. The unsigned shadow-docket edict was an exercise of raw power. The Court’s conservatives inserted themselves into a conflict between Wisconsin’s Republican legislature and Democratic governor, overruling the state supreme court to achieve the desired result. This marked the second time the Roberts Court helped Wisconsin Republicans consolidate power. After punting on the legislature’s obscene gerrymander in 2018, the Court, in a 5–4 ruling, decided a year later that partisan gerrymandering is not “justiciable.” So after the 2020 census, the only thing standing between Wisconsin Republicans and complete control was a Democratic governor’s veto. The stalemate went to the state’s supreme court, which invited submissions while specifying that it wanted districts similar to what already exists. The court sided with Gov. Tony Evers’ maps. The governor’s congressional map, according to the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, has a “significant Republican advantage,” with Republicans likely to win four to six of the state’s eight seats every election. Evers’ legislative maps, on the other hand, were “fair.” Guess which one the U.S. Supreme Court let stand. Republicans argued that Evers’ legislative maps constituted a racial gerrymander because they added an additional minority-majority district in Milwaukee. Not that they raised that issue in state court. The Wisconsin court selected Evers’ maps because they most closely matched the existing ones. But the Supreme Court said the state court should have an analysis no one asked for. The result: a summary reversal that will lead to less Black representation. The Wisconsin decision was appalling in another way, too. As a rule—the so-called “Purcell” principle—the Court isn’t supposed to upend elections already in progress. Wisconsin’s primary is Aug. 9. Last month, the Court reversed a court order to block Alabama’s racial gerrymander. The three and a half months until Alabama’s primary was not enough time to draw new maps, the Court’s conservatives ruled.
JUST US: These aren’t serious people, and they don’t care if the public views the Court as illegitimate.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 31
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST FRIED CHICKEN 3 YEARS IN A ROW!
o c ta s ’ it Let ut o ‘b
YOU ASKED FOR IT! YOU GOT IT!
street tacos baha mexican fare Melts & munchies 2 for 1 Beer specials
685 CENTRAL AVE • ST PETERSBURG • 727-851-9862 32 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
KingOfTheCoop.com
911 Central Ave. | St. Petersburg, FL | 33705
buyaramen.com | 727.202.7010
NOW OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK LUNCH SERVICE: WEDNESDAY THRU SUNDAY • STARTING AT 11AM
MADE TO ORDER... CHOP CHOP FAST! 4603 N FLORIDA AVE • TAMPA, FL • 33603 • (813) 770-7306 CHOPCHOPSHOPTAMPA.COM
THANK YOU TAMPA BAY FOR VOTING US
BEST WATERFRONT DINING THREE YEARS IN A ROW!
YOUR FIRST STOP BEFORE THE PIER!
Celebrating 23 years in Downtown Dunedin. ~ Asi es la Vida! ~
CHECK OUT OUR SPECIALS ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM LUNCH & DINNER MENU – MON-THU:11AM-10PM FRI: 11AM-11PM /SAT: 9AM-11PM / SUN: 9AM-10PM
Expanded bar, additional seating and small gift shop. 365 Main St • Dunedin • 727-734-9226 • www.CasaTinas.com
300 2ND AVENUE NE•DOWNTOWN ST. PETE•727-894-4429 cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 33
NOW OPEN
ON
THURSDAYS
4 - 9 PM
NEW TASTING MENU | NOW AVAILABLE DINE WITH US TONIGHT.
4815 N Nebraska Ave Tampa, FL 33603 nebraskaminimart.com @nebraskaminimart 34 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Each course will surely keep everyone at the table engaged. Call us at 813-374-8940 or make your reservation online. roosterandthetill.com • @roosterandthetill
FARMER’S MARKET Pinellas Farmers Market
Icot Center. 13501 Icot Blvd., Clearwater Pinellas Farmers & Flea Market on Facebook
RESTAURANTS
RECIPES
DINING GUIDES
Paradise found
Pinellas farmers and flea market is also Asian food heaven. By Kyla Fields
W
And the weekly market’s customers come from places throughout Tampa Bay and beyond as well. Market organizer Shawn Yang tells Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that its patrons travel from places as far away as Ft. Myers and Lakeland to shop there, as many of its merchants sell specialized products vital to certain types of Asian cuisine.
ADAM COLE BOEHM
ith Tampa Bay flea markets closing at a rapid rate, Pinellas Parks’s recentlyrelocated farmers market was a breath of fresh air. And that air smelled like spicy Vietnamese beef soup. At 7:30 a.m. on any given Sunday, the Pinellas Farmers Market—first at 5010 81st Ave. N and now at Clearwater’s Icot Center at 13501 Icot Blvd.—is already bustling with hundreds of customers, up early to get first dibs on locally-grown produce, fresh seafood, second hand wares, and everything in-between. Most of the produce and readymade food vendors are of Asian heritage. These merchants have immigrated from a wide range of countries like China, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia and beyond. Folks balancing long sugarcane stalks on their shoulders weave in between tables filled with jackfruit and grandmas pulling roller carts filled with leafy greens. The sound of a machete thwacking coconuts open melds into a rhythmic Thai song playing out of a nearby portable speaker. Smells of fresh BBQ pork from Masarap Bowls and freshly-fried spring rolls from Thuy Cafe’s stand fill the air. Language barriers are overcome by universal hand motions—pointing, forming numbers, and swapping cash. With over 200 vendors packed into Pinellas Park’s England Brothers Park, this year-old market grew exponentially and has moved to Clearwater. What started out in January 2021 as a way to support Tampa Bay-based Asian farmers, has evolved into a hybrid farmer-and-flea market that provides shoppers with a multifaceted experience. While one side of the park is stacked with a variety of Asian vendors selling fresh produce—typically grown in their own yards—the other is full of folks selling secondhand goods, used items and anything else you’d expect to see at a typical flea market. Many of these non-food vendors used to sell at Pinellas Park’s Wagon Wheel Flea Market, which unexpectedly shuttered its doors in mid 2020, and Clearwater’s 49er flea market, which closed in 2017. The England Brothers Park bandshell served as a headquarters for the market’s organizers, while the vendors’ stalls— which are typically 10x10 tents—take up every inch of the park’s 11-acre space.
others work full-time jobs Monday through Friday in addition to the Sunday market. A Thai woman named Suki Prasanesy has worked as a full-time fruit cutter at a Publix in Tampa for decades. But on the weekends, she cooks fresh Thai sweets for market-goers. “I sold food at the Wat Mongkolratanaram temple in Tampa for almost 20 years,’’ she tells CL, while squatting over a large wok of fried bananas. “But now my family and I come here instead.” The conversation quickly ends as the bananas start to overly brown. She’s joined by her husband and daughter as they cook fresh desserts like mango with sticky rice and stuffed buns, while her sister
TASTE THE RAINBOW: Merchants at the Pinellas Farmer’s Market have immigrated from a wide range of countries. “Many of our Asian customers grew up with this kind of market, and they like the opportunity to shop like this again—to be able to touch, smell and taste everything. The Asians—we’re all about freshness,” Yang says with a laugh. Pinellas Park’s MD Oriental, a popular Asian grocery, doesn’t even sell some of the goods available at the market. With stands specializing in smoked fish, Southeast Asian fruit and vegetables that thrive in Florida’s tropical climate, and even cultural clothing and accessories—this farmers market is a one-stop shop for a variety of Asian folks. While some vendors are elderly and use their weekend profits to supplement social security,
greets their customers. Somewhere across the market, Prasanesy’s elderly mothers sells fruits and vegetables. Like with many other vendors at the Pinellas Farmers Market, the weekend hustle is a family affair. Kia Xiong ,originally from Cambodia, sells a variety of homemade Thai jellies, candies, fruit juices and fresh produce with her daughter. She lived in Thailand for 17 years before coming to the U.S., and decided to sell Thai treats instead of her own country’s cuisine due to the large number of people already serving Cambodian food at the market. She’s only been vending at the market for three weeks, but says that their drive all the
way from Lakeland is definitely worth it. Xiong sells leafy greens and garlic from her own garden, and tries to make her booth as diverse as possible, as vending is currently her only source of income. Although the market has grown exponentially in the last month due to Snowbird season’s beautiful weather, Yang said when this story published that the market will soon move. The significantly larger park allows vendors to sell on Saturday as well as Sunday, a request that many of the merchants have made to him. The larger space will make parking much easier, and Yang and his team will be able to add more vendors to their weekly roster—as there are over 100 of them on a waiting list. Although England Brothers Park was an ideal location due to Pinellas Park’s high Asian population, the upcoming location will not subject vendors to blackout days when the city needs the space for another event. According to recent census data, about 8.3% of Pinellas Park residents are Asian—compared to lower percentages in surrounding areas, like St. Pete’s 3.5%. Yang currently works as an environmental specialist for Hillsborough County, but also has vast experience organizing cultural events for different groups like the Florida Hmong Community—often at Pinellas’ England Brothers Park. When he first started the market last year, he reached out to many of the original produce and food vendors personally. Since then, the number of vendors have increased exponentially, due to word of mouth and popularity on Facebook. Yang also tells CL that he’s working on getting SNAP benefits or EBT accepted at the farmers market, to make its fresh produce and goods as accessible as possible. The Pinellas Farmers Market hosted a traditional Chinese dragon dance to celebrate last month’s lunar new year, and Yang says that more cultural programming is set for mid-April, for the Lao new year. The market is constantly evolving, and Yang and his team (which also includes his wife and two kids) sees no end in its growth—especially with its massive upcoming location. If you’re interested in vending, contact the market on Facebook or Yang personally at 727644-2899. An event permit is required to cook food at the market, while food prepared residentially—like baked goods—falls under the FDA’s cottage food operations and doesn’t require any licenses or permits.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 35
36 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Post-Game Special: $5.00 Off All Sandwiches
Late Night is Back! Wine, Cocktail and Pizza Specials
Friday & Saturday 11 pm–12 am 1413 S. Howard Ave, Ste 100 Tampa, Florida 33606 813-254-3355 bellasitaliancafe.com Open Thurs – Sat and Game Days! Follow us on Instagram! turntabletampa Located on Florida Ave, steps away from Amalie Arena
Dine-in only. Additions & substitutions at full price.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 37
38 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
“Kumba’s not going anywhere, but we still definitely recommend riding it ASAP.” MOVIES
THEATER
ART
CULTURE
Kum-bye-a?
Busch Gardens insists it’s not killing off famed coaster. By Ken Storey
A
elephant habitat sits the park’s off-the-shelf wild mouse coaster, Sand Serpent. Previous rumors called for this coaster to have a protective warehouse shell constructed around it. This low-cost solution would allow the coaster to operate while most of the park would be closed during Florida’s afternoon rain showers. It would also help extend the lifespan of the coaster.
Gardens has remained steadfast in its insistence that Kumba will remain, it seems likely that the coaster will need significant work or be closed in the coming years. Unlike many parks, Florida’s theme parks remain open yearround. That, along with the state’s extreme weather, forces many attractions to have shorter lifespans than they would typically see in other markets. At Islands of Adventure, B&M’s Incredible Hulk coaster was fully rebuilt a few years back. That coaster opened six years after Kumba. In the U.K., another B&M coaster, Nemesis, which opened the year after Kumba, is expected to receive a similar complete rebuild in the coming years. According to the email posted by Hart, SeaWorld leadership no longer believe Kumba drives ticket sales as much as other attractions at the park. With that in mind, they’ve opted to replace the coaster with new attractions instead of rebuilding it like Universal chose to do with the Hulk. The move wouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Kumba takes up a large footprint in a section of the park that has seen few improvements in recent years. When viewed together, the various alleged additions at Busch Gardens represent a wholesale reworking of the back third of the park with likely updates to the inadequate guest flow through this area. It also follows a similar expansion plan as what SeaWorld Orlando saw with the company working clockwise around that park’s central lake. For Busch Gardens Tampa, the updates would energize numerous pockets of the park that currently are underutilized while also helping to address maintenance issues some of these older areas now face. With marketing for Iron Gwazi still fresh, it’s too early to expect any solid announcements from Busch Gardens regarding future plans, but as permits begin coming in, we should start to learn what the rest of this decade holds for the Tampa park.
THEME PARKS
JEREMY THOMPSON/CC BY 2.0
fter a two-year delay, Busch Gardens Tampa was finally able to open its highlyanticipated Iron Gwazi coaster earlier this month. With that project now welcoming guests, the park is looking at its next significant investments. In late 2019, public documents showed the park was moving forward with an update to the long-dormant Rhino Rally area. The ambitious off-road adventure only lasted a few seasons due to constant issues with various ride systems. Since its closure in 2014, the site has sat untouched. Permits filed just prior to the pandemic showed the park planning to use much of the existing queue and entrance plaza for a new flat ride. The layout of the load area is similar to the Screamin’ Swing attractions SeaWorld has installed at SeaWorld San Antonio and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It’s believed this thrill ride will be the next addition to Busch Gardens Tampa and the first major non-coaster addition since the Falcon’s Fury drop tower opened eight years ago. The new attraction, known as Project Jethro, now looks to be slated for 2023, as it requires less build time than the coasters Busch Gardens Tampa has added in recent years. Encouraged by a strong comeback from the pandemic, SeaWorld is now pushing forward with multiple capital-intensive projects. That includes a renewed interest in adding hotels to their parks. Previous plans called for a hotel just across the savanna from the Project Jethro site in Tampa. It’s unclear if these projects will eventually connect. It’s also noteworthy that two other strongly rumored projects at Tampa park are close to the Project Jethro site. Just across the
world’s tallest vertical loop. With its classic B&M roar, Kumba activated a corner of the park that was previously undeveloped while also solidifying Busch Gardens as Florida’s top thrill park. That size and age are now why rumors are swirling of its impending demise. First reported by theme site Screamscape, the rumored closure of Kumba quickly filled coaster fan message boards. Busch Gardens Tampa, which typically doesn’t respond to rumors, tweeted a cryptic message that included a video of the coaster with a note that “Hear this roar? It’s not going anywhere.” The park also replied to a tweet by Screamscape stat-
NO MORE ROAR? Busch Gardens Tampa recently took a step to address Kumba rumors. On the opposite side of the train tracks from Sand Serpent sits Kumba. While the park already had two coasters, Kumba brought in a new generation of thrills with its massive three-and-a-half-acre footprint. When the sitdown coaster by Swiss design firm Bolliger & Mabillard opened in 1993, it held the title of the
ing, “PLOT TWIST—the doc pulled the wrong patient files. Kumba’s not going anywhere, but we still definitely recommend riding it ASAP.” This then led Lance Hart at Screamscape to make the unprecedented move of publishing the actual email he received with details of the planned closure of the coaster. While Busch
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 39
PLEASE VISIT TBJFF.ORG TO VIEW ALL CURRENT FESTIVAL COVID PROTOCOLS
WHERE MOVIEGOING IS AN EVENT! FILMS LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: OPENING DAY EVENT RED CARPET HOUR CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH – 11:30 AM OPENING CREDITS – 1:00 PM THE TATTOOED TORAH & TIGER WITHIN (1 HR 50 MIN) English | 1:15 PM DIRECTOR & FILMMAKER TALK-BACK DIRECTLY AFTER THE FILMS l Sunday, April 3 | Bryan Glazer Family JCC
THE ONE AND ONLY JEWISH MISS AMERICA
(1 HR 25 MIN)
English
l Sunday, April 3 | 4:30 PM
Bryan Glazer Family JCC
WET DOG (1 HR 43 MIN)
German with English subtitles
April 3 | 6:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC TEEN NIGHT FEATURING GRAFFITI ART & AUCTION l Sunday,
1618 (1 HR 25 MIN)
Portuguese with English subtitles
l Wednesday, April 6 | 2:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday, April 12 | 3:00 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole
PLAN A (1 HR 49 MIN)
English
l Wednesday, April 6 | 4:30 PM
AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa
200 METERS (1 HR 36 MIN)
English, French, Italian with subtitles
l Wednesday, April 6 | 7:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa
l Monday,
April 4 | 2:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa
tbjff.org PERSIAN LESSONS (2 HR 7 MIN)
English, French, German, Italian, Persian
l Saturday, April 9 | 7:30 PM AMC Sundial 12 – St. Pete
FAMILY FUN DAY! l Sunday, April 10 | 12:00 – 4:00 PM
CARNIVAL GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT GREENER PASTURES
MAVERICK MODIGLIANI
(1 HR 37 MIN)
For movie information and tickets visit
Arabic, Hebrew with English subtitles
(1 HR 30 MIN) Hebrew with English subtitles
l Sunday, April 10 | 12:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC l Tuesday, April 12 | 5:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole
THE RAFT (1 HR 36 MIN)
Hebrew with English subtitles
DOUBLE FEATURE BLACK FLOWERS (59 MIN)
Hebrew with English subtitles
April 4 | 4:30 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Monday,
AND 8000 PAPERCLIPS (1 HR) Hebrew with English subtitles
BERENSHTEIN (1 HR 50 MIN)
Hebrew with English subtitles
April 7 | 3:00 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Monday, April 11 | 4:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa
l Thursday,
THE ADVENTURES OF SAUL BELLOW
(1 HR 25 MIN)
English
l Sunday, April 10 | 2:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC FAMILY FILM. SUGGESTED AGE: 10+ OR AVID READERS
AMERICAN BIRTHRIGHT
(1 HR 25 MIN)
Hebrew with English subtitles l Monday,
April 11 | 2:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa
April 7 | 5:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole
l Thursday,
HAPPY HOUR: SHORTS & SHOTS PORTRAYAL (1 HR 36 MIN)
English
April 4 | 7:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Saturday, April 9 | 10:00 PM AMC Sundial 12 – St. Pete l Monday,
VALIANT HEARTS (1 HR 32 MIN)
French with English subtitles
April 5 | 4:00 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Monday, April 11 | 7:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday,
NEIGHBOURS (2 HR 4 MIN)
Arabic, English, Hebrew, Kurdish
April 5 | 6:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Friday, April 8 | 1:30 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday,
Sponsors as of 3-9-22
40 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
BETRAYED (2 HR)
Norwegian with English subtitles
April 7 | 7:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole
l Thursday,
l Wednesday, April 13 |
5:30 – 7:00 PM Bryan Glazer Family JCC
Ticket includes hors d’oeuvres and Tito’s Vodka shots! Presented with Gasparilla International Film Festival FEATURED SHORT FILM
THE SCHNOZ
(12 MIN) English
THE AUSCHWITZ REPORT (2 HR)
Along with a compilation of the greatest shorts this year!
English, Czech, German, Polish, Slovak
April 8 | 11:00 AM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa
l Friday,
CLOSING FESTIVAL FIESTA
l Wednesday, April 13 | 7:30 – 10:00 PM
Bryan Glazer Family JCC
Ticket includes entertainment, dessert & margaritas!
MY DEAREST ENEMY (1 HR 40 MIN)
Hebrew with English subtitles
April 8 | 4:00 PM AMC Veteran’s 24 – Tampa l Tuesday, April 12 | 7:30 PM Studio Movie Grill – Seminole l Friday,
Tampa JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS & FEDERATION
The Jewish Federation OF FLORIDA’S GULF COAST
TANGO SHALOM
(1 HR 55 MIN)
English
Learn traditional printmaking Workshops in - Etching - Lithography - Letterpress - Silkscreen and more. Our gallery space has local and handmade gifts Drop by during normal hours Tuesday thru Friday 11-4 Saturday 11-6 • Sunday 12-4
Jerry Uelsmann, Leaf Over Water (detail), 1977, Gelatin silver print, Extended loan from Collection of Carol A. Upham
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 41
R ES TAUR A N T | BA R | M U S I C V E N U E | PR I VAT E EV E N T S
EST. 1995
810 SKAGWAY AVE | TAMPA
LOCATED NEAR BUSCH & NEBRASKA
813.304.0460 | newworldtampa.com | OPEN TUE-SUN FRI
4.1
THU 3.31 NO SHOW | RESTAURANT & BAR OPEN @ 11AM
DEAN JOHANESEN FOLK / HOT JAZZ 7:30-9:30 | FREE | BIERGARTEN
HELP ALEX FIGHT CANCER FUNDRAISER SAT
4.2
IN THE MUSIC HALL 8 - THE HENLEYS AS "LED ZEPPELIN" IN THE BIERGARTEN 9 - GROWLER AS "TOM PETTY" W 4.13 10 - KING OF DENMARK 6 - KEVIN SIEBEL F 4.15 AS "FOO FIGHTERS" 6:30 - JULIA BODWELL Sa 4.16 7 - DAVID BURR 11- THE EASY BUTTON 7:30 - NAT LEE AS "WEEZER"
S! TWO STAEGSE! RAFFL
VELOFIX | City Bike Tampa | Coast Bike Share | New Belgium Brewing
SUN
4.3
TUE
4.5 WED
4.6
UPCOMING SHOWS
Th 4.7 Laugh Lab COMEDY F 4.8 Jamie McElman & Steve Prince Sa 4.9 Latin Night Sa 4.9 Alex Borst Su 4.10 Rob Osenton
NEW WORLD BICYCLE BASH
MAK / Pandapaws Blonde Gentlemen Youth Antics Sa 4.16 Andy Dale Petty
W 4.20 F 4.22 12-5 | FREE | BIERGARTEN Su 4.24 C L O S E D M O N D A Y S F 4.29 MUSIC HALL BIERGARTEN Sa 4.30 TAMPA HOUSE OF CORNHOLE HOSPITALITY NIGHT Organized ride at noon from downtown Tampa (City Bike) to the New World, followed by food, drinks, music, and a swap meet!
INDOOR CORNHOLE BOARDS SET @ 6 | BAGS FLY @ 7
20% OFF FOOD • DRINK SPECIALS RETRO BOARD GAMES • LIVE MUSIC
OLIVIA CARR 7-9 | FREE
PREREGISTER VIA SCOREHOLIO B
B
Q
U
S
T
I
C
SHAUN HOPPER FINGERSTYLE GUITAR 6:30-8:30 | FREE | BIERGARTEN
UPCOMING CONCERTS
UNCLE JOHNS BAND
SNOH AALEGRA
THU, MAR 31
TUE, APR 05
THU, APR 07
Wicked Weed Brewing Guianna Sam Williams Deb Ruby
WMNF 88.5 PRESENTS
WHEN DOVES CRY Tribute To Prince
Su 5.1 Cormac Kavanagh Th 5.5 Laugh Lab COMEDY Sa 5.7 Ninet Tayib BOLD shows are in the Music Hall
more info at newworldtampa.com
42 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
Matthew McCartney Pangaea Steel Pan
JANNUSLIVE.COM
BROTHERS OSBOURNE
FRI, APR 08
VIP EXPERIENCE
SAT, APR 09
SUN, APR 10
727.688.5708 - KENDALL@JANNUSLIVE.COM
“There is no causal relationship between Morris’s line of work and his affliction.” REVIEWS
PROFILES
MUSIC WEEK
Turning down
Citing hearing loss, revered recording engineer Tom Morris has decided to hang up the headphones. By Eric Snider
T
om Morris agreed to do a phone interview with me, which is yet another example of how warmhearted and generous he is. The longtime recording engineer, producer and co-owner of Morrisound Recording in Tampa is suffering from severe hearing loss—to the extent that he has decided to step away from the console. Phone conversations, he said, are particularly difficult because they increase the distortion in his hearing, which is already burdened by acute tinnitus—not just the ringing-in-your ears sort, but tinnitus that, “is more wideband and includes low-frequency stuff,” he said. “There are times when it’s so roaring that I can hardly hear anything that’s spoken.” Yet there he was, on the phone—for 25 minutes. He asked me to talk slowly and clearly, and I had to repeat a few things. In turn, he gave candid and thoughtful answers to my questions. Morris, 66, announced his retirement from studio engineering—effective immediately—via social media last month. It was met with a welldeserved outpouring of love and support from the music community and beyond. During the four decades he has owned and run Morrisound with his brother Jim, Tom has recorded a remarkably eclectic array of music, from big-band jazz to thrash metal. And Morrisound has its share of gold and platinum records on the wall. Tom Morris suffers from an auto-immune disorder called Meniere’s Disease, which manifests in a variety of forms. Morris’s will “likely cause me to lose my hearing completely,” he said, almost matter-of-factly. “How long that takes varies from patient to patient.” There is no causal relationship between Morris’s line of work and his affliction. “It’s purely due to an infection of the inner ear caused by a virus,” he asserted. “It has had nothing to do with [being exposed to loud music]. In fact, most of the artists I worked with thought the music was too quiet. They’d want me to turn it up. When I did live mixes, I wore custom ear earplugs. There was no way I was going to stand there and mix in front of 110 db.” Jon Oliva, a founding member of TransSiberian Orchestra and, before that, the metal band Savatage, added, “Tom Morris is the one
guy who taught me how to work at low volumes. Whenever I’d turn a playback way up, he’d leave the control room. I remember him saying to me, ‘if it sounds good quiet, it’s only gonna sound better when it’s cranked.’ Tom and Jim are like my brothers. They got such a great sound for the first Savatage record [Sirens] that a lot of metal bands wanted to use the studio.” Morris first detected problems with his hearing back in the 1990s while recording Cheap Trick singer Robin Zander for a movie soundtrack. “I picked up the telephone to call the movie company about what format they needed the product delivered in,” he recalls. “I had to
LOCAL MUSIC
“reverts to normal,” he said. “But it’s getting worse and worse, and it’s not fair to the artists when I tell them I can’t work on any given day.” When his condition is in full effect, Morris cannot hear the sonic details necessary to evaluate music. Plus he can no longer depend on being able to gauge pitch. “It’s gotten to the point where I can’t tell when someone is sharp or flat,” he said. Having one’s hearing gradually deteriorate would be devastating for anyone, let alone a recording engineer. Morris looks at his condition this way: “I’m not happy about it, but I’m not depressed. I’ve had a long time to process that this was somewhat inevitable. If it happened
I asked him if he has considered his legacy. Morris paused, then said, “I’ve always loved working with musicians. I’ve gotten so much out of it, and I’ve never really thought about what they got out of it.” Chuck Owen, composer and leader of the big band Jazz Surge, has employed Morris as an engineer on nearly all of his recording projects. He offered this bit of perspective in an email: “The things I’ve appreciated most about Tom are his shared commitment/dedication to musical quality, his willingness to try and understand and support the client’s artistic sensibilities rather than his own, his seemingly endless patience, and his coolness under pres-
GROUNDED CONTROL: Tom Morris has stepped away from the mixing booth. switch ears to grab my notepad and noticed that the pitch of the dial tone had changed from one ear to the other. It really freaked me out.” That first bout with the virus lasted a month and then receded. Morris said that the disease was kept in check for nearly 15 years with antiviral medication, but it’s efficacy ultimately wore off. Some days are worse than others, and on occasion, usually early in the day, his hearing
overnight or in a week, I’m sure I’d be depressed. But this is something I’ve been dealing with for the last 20 years, so I feel I’m prepared. I’m blessed to have the career that I’ve had.” Morris will continue handling Morrisound’s business affairs. “I’ll be spending more time behind an office desk now that I’ll be moving away from the recording desk,” he wrote on Facebook.
sure. There have been no end of unanticipated challenges that have arisen over 40 years—electrical outages, fire alarms, data losses, computer crashes. I’m staring calamity in the eye and Tom’s calmly looking for a solution.” Short of a major medical breakthrough, there is no solution for Tom Morris’s hearing loss. But judging by our phone call, he is taking the news calmly. And bravely.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 43
DAILY HAPPY HOUR!11AM-6PM
$2.50 YUENGLING & BUD LIGHT DRAFTS $3.50 WELL DRINKS / $4.50 CALL DRINKS & HOUSE WINE
FRIDAY 4/1
SATURDAY 4/2
MATT PLAISTED
SOLAR CRUSH
LIVE MUSIC • 7-10PM
LIVE MUSIC • 7-10PM
SUNDAYS
LIVE EVERY TUESDAY MUSIC W/ Matt PlaistED 6-9PM BLOODY MARYS, MIMOSAS OR SANGRIA
471 MAIN STREET, DUNEDIN FL • 727-736-2BBQ (2227) • THEDUNEDINSMOKEHOUSE.COM
ATTENTION MUSICIANS, DJ’S, BANDS, RECORDING ARTISTS
BENZ-MUSIC a division of BENZ TALENT AGENCY
IS NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR MUSIC (ALL STYLES AND GENRES) FOR AGENCY REPRESENTATION CONSIDERATION. BENZ-MUSIC REPRESENTS MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS FOR LIVE BOOKING, SESSION WORK, SYNC-LICENSING AND BRAND EXPANSION. PLEASE SUBMIT EPK’S & DEMOS USING WWW.WETRANSFER.COM TO : SHAWN@BENZTALENT.COM 44 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
'S SKIPPER SMOKEHOUSE
NO CLUBS PRESENTS
FLYING IN THE FACE OF CONVENTION SINCE 1980
FRI APRIL 1 • 8PM - $10/15
BILLY PRICE BAND
JANNUS LIVE
FOR 2 S / R&B
(Nominated For 2 Blues Music Awards, R&B)
04.05 04.16 04.28 05.03 05.06 05.11
SAT APRIL 2 • 7PM - $30/35
Alzheimer’s Music Fest:
CRACKER SOUTHBOUND 75 BROTHER BROWNLOW
THE RITZ YBOR
05.21 05.24
SUN APRIL 3 • 5-9PM - $5
UNCLE JOHN'S
04.10 04.20 05.12 05.16
Grateful Dead Night
HAPPY HOUR
Glasses of House Wines:
Veterans 5555 W. Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, FL 33634 (813) 884-1475
Midtown 4847 N. Armenia Avenue Tampa, FL 33603 (813) 877-7418
East Pasco 6816 Gall Boulevard Zephyrhills, FL 33542 (813) 782-5511
$3.50 NOW SERVING BRUNCH SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS ONLY!
SKIPPER'S SMOKEHOUSE SMOKEHOUSE
910 SKIPPER ROAD • TAMPA Bowling Classes: Pin Chasers makes it easy to learn with our 4-week “Have a Ball!” program for adults. Sign-up as an individual, couple or a group.
Make a FastLane reservation at
pinchasers.net
813-971-0666
SKIPPERSSMOKEHOUSE.COM
TICKETS & MORE INFO: WWW.NOCLUBS.COM
#theupcomingness
$4.00
2 hours of bowling for up to 4 people.
COLD BRETT DENNEN THE AFGHAN WHIGS THE WARNING
THURSDAY & FRIDAY • 4-8PM SATURDAY•ALL DAY! *UNTIL SHOW TIME*
Domestic Drafts poured in a BIG Twenty Oz cup:
$65.96 of bowling for $32 at CL Deals .com
LIL TECCA T-PAIN
THE ORPHEUM
BAND
PLAY TOGETHER
SNOH AALEGRA PI'ERRE BOURNE KOFFEE ALL THAT REMAINS DYING FETUS THE DEAD SOUTH
aestheticized presents >>>
04.02 - vacations 04.09 - tonstartssbandht 04.25 - adult. 05.18 - laney jones 06.11 - strand of oaks 07.11 - the mountain goats 09.13 - broncho tix & info = aespresents dot com
LIVE MUSIC VENUE RESTAURANT CATERING TALENT AGENCY TA LICENSE #438 cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 45
THU MARCH 31–WED APRIL 06 singer-songwriter Liam Bauman, and his friends Leon Majcen, and Taylor Raynor are all moving to Nashville together next month, and they didn’t just want to leave Tampa Bay hanging. So before they go, the friends are scheduled to host a goodbye performance at St. Petersburg’s Hideaway Cafe. While we wish the three artists the absolute best of everything, part of us hopes that this is just a massive April Fool’s Day prank waiting to unfold. In the meantime, tickets are still available. (Hideaway Cafe, St. Petersburg)
Fantastical Tigers
JACK CYMBRYLA
Michael Glabicki and Dirk Miller Rusted Root members Michael Glabicki and Dirk Miller aren’t ready to get the band back together, but they will keep its legacy alive when they bring their “Uprooted” project to the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center (SHAMc) next week. According to a press release, the ever-evolving Glabicki is going to challenge himself to rearrange, and then perform, Rusted Root tunes as you’ve never heard them before. This run of shows takes place in primarily intimate settings, so perhaps the rearrangements will be acoustic-based. Right now, tickets are $30, but if you want to wait until the day of the show to buy your tickets, they’ll cost you $35. (Safety Harbor Art and Music Center, Safety Harbor)
FRI 01
By Josh Bradley C
CL Recommends
THU 31
C Fantastical Tigers w/Christian Stewart/Kat the Duchess/Shelby Sol Best of the Bay nominee Fantastical Tigers hasn’t been around for long, but the husband and wife duo is already off to a hell of a start. The two have headlined shows at the Floridian Social Club, and member Jordan Chronister already has a guitar with a purple tiger skin that the duo commonly uses. Most significantly, Fantastical Tigers played Gasparilla Music Festival with Mike Mass & Wave Theory in 2021, and a little less than six months later, a new eponymous album is set to emerge on April 1. The day before, Fantastical Tigers hosts an album release party at The Attic,
located at Rock Brothers Brewing. Opening will be Christian Stewart of Sun Signs, Kat the Duchess, and Shelby Sol. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing Co., Ybor City) Janis Ian Singer-songwriter Janis Ian is ready to call it a day. After over 50 years of making albums, as well as writing columns for The Advocate, the LGBT icon is heading out on the road for her final “Celebrating Our Years Together” tour. In January, Ian put out her final album, The Light At The End Of The Line, featuring guest spots from Vince Gill and Viktor Krauss, so it’s only natural for the tour to be the end of the musical road for her as well. Ian does plan to write more books, though, so at least she’s not disappearing into the dark. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater) C Liam Bauman w/Leon Majcen/ Taylor Raynor St. Petersburg-based
46 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
C Drivin N Cryin w/Lore Over 35 years after formation, Atlanta-based Southern rock band Drivin N Cryin doesn’t have any new lockdown masterpieces to showcase. On the other hand, the band was one of the last acts hosted by The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing before the world went to shit. Before frontman Kevn Kinney heads for the Netherlands on a solo venture, he and his friends are mainly keeping their schtick in the Southeastern portions of the U.S., including a grand return to The Attic. Special guest Lore will open the show. (The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing Co., Ybor City) Girl Named Tom Harmony groups are on the verge of extinction. Crosby, Stills, and Nash won’t even talk to each other, The Everly Brothers are dead, and not only is Paul Simon retired, but he hates Art Garfunkel. Yes, there are young artists touring under the monikers of, say, The Drifters or The Temptations, but will anything else new or innovative ever release from names popular 60-plus years ago? Probably not. Enter Girl Named Tom. The trio of siblings is the first of its quantity to win “The Voice,” just a few months ago. They lost their father a few weeks back, but the siblings still plan to carry on with their first full-scale tour, which kicks off this Friday in downtown Clearwater. Bring some tissues, too, just in case the group performs “Helplessly Hoping.” Right in the feels, man. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
SAT 02
Chasco Fiesta: Chase Bryant w/Drew Baldridge After years of mainly performing, and the occasional EP, country singer-songwriter Chase Bryant finally released his debut album last summer, Upbringing. His family life has always been tied to music in one way or another. His grandfather performed with Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings, and his uncles co-founded Ricochet. This generation of the family, however, Bryant will be kicking off the 100th anniversary of Chasco Fiesta, which will take place at New Port Richey’s Sims Park this weekend. Joining him will be fellow country artist Drew Baldridge. If country ain’t your bag, hit the Fiesta on Sunday and catch Night Ranger and Fire & Ice gracing the stage. (Sims Park, New Port Richey) C Vacations w/Dreamgirl/Mustard Service Aussie-based indie band Vacations has finally arrived in the States for the first time ever, having opened its U.S. tour at The Roxy in L.A. As much as we wish we could have been there to witness that historic evening, the band also confirmed a set of Florida dates, occurring in Orlando, Miami, and Ybor City. This Saturday, Vacations makes its Tampa debut at Crowbar, with support from Dreamgirl and Miami purveyor of primo, ultra-smooth indierock, Mustard Service. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
SUN 03
Fit For A King w/Silent Planet/Hollow Front/Avoid Orpheum seems to be making its final season before shuttering in Ybor City something to remember. Texan metalcore band Fit For A King is no stranger to Tampa Bay, having performed here on a practically annual basis in the pre-COVID years. With a handful of Warped Tours under its belt, Fit For A King has hired Trey Celaya as its new drummer, ultimately replacing Jared Easterling, the last remaining co-founding band member still playing under its name. Nonetheless, the band has embarked on its “Dark Path” tour, partially in promotion of its new album, The Path, and a stop will be made this weekend in Ybor City. Opening up the show will be fellow metalcore groups Silent Planet, Hollow Front, and Avoid. (Orpheum, Ybor City) C Livingston Taylor And Tom Chapin The brother of James Taylor also happens to be one of America’s most poignant songwriters, having spent 55 years in the music industry so far. In the latter half of the 2010s, Livingston Taylor has had a documentary, a box set, a new album, and his own mayordeclared day in Boston. Not to mention his ongoing career as a professor at Berklee College of Music, having taught the likes of John Mayer (in town on April 5) and Charlie Puth. Along with children-centered singersongwriter Tom Chapin, Taylor will perform
continued on page 49
Karaoke
7 Nights a Week! AT
with KJ's
BARB YOUNG & MARTY DJFX DOLAN DINE IN & TAKE OUT
DINE IN & TAKE OUT • OPEN 8AM-3AM STRICTLY FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINES! 2116 E2116 BAY DR • LARGO, FL • 727-584-3126 E BAY DR • LARGO, FL • 727-584-3126
thecornerbarandgrill.com thecornerbarandgrill.com
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 47
48 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
continued from page 46
Vacations
COURTESY
at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater, a few nights after Janis Ian does the same. If you really want a treat, drive out to Ft. Lauderdale the day before, and see all three of them together. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
TUES 05
C John Mayer w/Yebba Mayer’s new album, Sob Rock, finally emerged over the summer, and the 44-year-old songwriter and guitarist is bringing it to Tampa for a show at Amalie Arena next week. Mayer was supposed to have performed with Dead and Company
songs from out of the ‘70s and ‘80s, along with a few modern hits. PMJ stopped at Tampa Theatre literally days before COVID-19 shut everything down, and for the first time since then, Bradlee and friends will make a Tampa Bay appearance next week, this time at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall. Don’t forget to eat at Safety Harbor’s Gigglewater’s before the show, a BOTB-winning speakeasy-style restaurant located minutes away from the Hall. It’ll help you get in the mood to Charleston the night away, and you’ll be supporting local. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater) MARK SELIGER
C Drug Church w/One Step Closer/Soul Blind/Lurk Albany-based hardcore quintet Drug Church celebrated 10 years together last year, and released a new album this month. In promotion of Hygiene, its fourth record, the band behind “Weed Pin” arrives at Ybor City’s Crowbar next week. The other two times Drug Church came around here— at the same venue, no less—were in 2018, and in 2013 at Big Pre-Fest (RIP). Joining the bill is hardcore group One Step Closer, fellow New York band Soul Blind, and fairly new punk rock band Lurk. (Crowbar, Ybor City)
last October at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, but due to “routing and production logistics” (cough cough DeSantis’ ban on vaccine requirements), shows in both Tampa and West Palm Beach ended up getting outright canceled. As a result, Tuesday night’s event will mark his first headlining show in the area since having played Amalie Arena in 2017. No word if Mr. Sob Rock is going to down his sorrows in mini-doughnuts again, but we’ll be on the lookout. (Amalie Arena, Tampa)—Ray Roa
Postmodern Jukebox Last year, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox celebrated 10 years John Mayer of turning today’s hits C Snoh Aalegra into ragtime jigs and speakeasy-esque jams. w/Ama Lou The day after what appears to be her Florida debut, Snoh Aalegra—forDuring lockdown, the group challenged itself merly known as Sheri—will celebrate the by recording OK Crooner, which included
12th anniversary of her first record being released to the world. One of Prince’s last mentees is up for two Grammy awards this year, both in the R&B category, and while we’re really hoping that she absolutely sweeps, even a loss won’t turn away Snoh’s fans. Two days after the Swedish singer wins or loses, she’s bringing her “Ugh, These Temporary Highs” tour to Jannus Live, alongside special guest opening acts Ama Lou and Ogi. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg) The Zombies w/Bruce Sudano It took a long time to come, but Tuesday night, Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, and The Zombies circa 2022 are bringing its “Life Is A MerryGo-Round” tour to downtown Clearwater. Tom Petty’s all-time favorite band just finished a new album, which will hopefully be on shelves–and digital libraries–by the end of the year. In an interview with Creative Loafing Tampa, Blunstone mentioned that he even penned a song for the album, which isn’t a common occurrence in Zombieland. Opening the show will be singer-songwriter Bruce Sudano, who has worked with everyone from Dolly Parton to Snoop Dogg. (Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 49
BUY LOCAL HALF OFF!
DOUGH $30 FOR $15
DATZ $30 FOR $15
Q: Who is having thoughts of suicide? a.
b.
c.
d.
DONOVAN’S MEATERY $40 FOR $20
Refer Three Friends, Get Yours Free Once you make a purchase from CL Deals, you will receive a referral link to share. Simply pass on your link to friends and family and, if three people use your link and purchase the same Deal within 30 days, your deal will be completely free! 50 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
A: It’s not clear, is it? People of every income level, race, gender, sexuality, and religion think about suicide. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is the community’s gateway to help, hope and healing. Last year alone, we assisted over 5,000 callers struggling with thoughts of suicide.
CALL 2•1•1 Be Heard.
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 51
After t h g i N e t a L 1 mpa’s #
Party
E V I L s U Watch .com e v i L 1 0 0 2 M Ta
PARTY TILL 6A
with over
s r e n i a t r e t n E 300 Hottest
Voted Best Of The Bay
#1 NUDE CLUB IN TAMPA BAY
www.Botava.Life COME IN FOR A:
FREE FREE Kava/Kratom TEA KRATOM Powder Oz. of
OUNCES $5 • KILOS $99 • MON-SUN 12-8pm
177 9TH ST N ST. PETERSBURG
52 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
727.851.6774
1616 GULF TO BAY BLVD CLEARWATER
Only for now I’m a 28-year-old queer woman. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a relationship, as it was impossible for me to make a physical or emotional connection with anyone after I was raped four years ago. I finally found a very, very, very nice fella. He’s 36 years old, and pretty basic. He’s a cis white man who isn’t into anal, which is good, not too good at oral, which is bad, with a medium-to-low sex drive and an average-togood cock. Here’s the problem: I like the warm feelings of love and lust I’m finally experiencing after a long time, but I am nevertheless unsatisfied with him. There are so many things that I feel he is lacking. We don’t share fantasies, he doesn’t take the initiative, there’s no sense of seductiveness, and the cunnilingus is underwhelming. I’ve talked to him about it and he listens, he says he hears me, but he does not implement any of my suggestions. Instead, he tells me to focus on the things that are wonderful about our relationship rather than what’s lacking. Maybe I’m being too critical and should try to focus on the positive. Or should I leave him and go find an idealized sex God who may or may not be out there?—Idealized Dick Katharsis P.S. My question requires a thoughtful response, not a savage answer. So, maybe I should talk to my psychologist and not to you?
would be unhappy in the long run. You’d never get to act on those fantasies, you’d never get seduced the way you want, you’ll never get eaten the way you want. But if instead of asking yourself, “Is he the right guy forever?”, you were to ask yourself, “Is he the right guy for now?”, the answer might be different. You had a traumatic experience four years ago and haven’t dated anyone since. Easing back into sex, dating, and relationships with a nice fella who isn’t great but isn’t awful… yeah, that might be just what you need. Not forever, IDK, for now. So, don’t move in with this guy, don’t make any promises, and don’t stay in this relationship one minute longer than you want to. When you’re ready to end it—when you’re ready to go searching for an idealized sex God—then you can and should end it. You’re not going to have a successful long-term relationship with this guy, IDK, but you could have a successful short-term relationship with him. Welcome back to sex and dating, take care of yourself, and feel free to write me anytime.
SAVAGE LOVE
First and most importantly, I’m so sorry you were raped. I’m glad you sought professional help, IDK, and I’m happy to hear you feel ready to start making connections again after taking four years off to heal. And I’m gonna go out on a limb here to say you don’t have to choose between talking with me about this and talking to your psychologist. You can talk to both of us. Zooming out for a second, I’ve always thought of this column (and my podcast) as a conversation I’m having with friends about our love and/ or sex lives after we’d had a few drinks. (Or, these days, shared an edible.) Friends are there to listen, to challenge us, and to call us on our bullshit. And friends are there to be heard, to be challenged, and to be called on their bullshit. But friends aren’t pros. When it comes to the kind of trauma experienced, ideally, we would seek help from a pro and—when we were ready for it—advice from our friends. And as your supportive friend, IDK, as your thoughtful friend, I would advise you to stop thinking forever and instead concentrate on now. Basically, IDK, you’re looking at this guy and asking yourself, “Is he the right guy forever?” And the answer to that question is obviously no. If you were with this guy forever—if you married a guy who wasn’t that great in bed and refused to listen to feedback and make changes—you
I’m a 32-year-old poly woman in Canada. Last spring and summer I worked a contract job a few hours away from where I live, and I was hooking up with one of my co-workers who is a 40-year-old poly man. He’s great and we had great sex. When I started to have more romantic feelings for him, he made it clear that he was polysaturated and didn’t want to be in a relationship with me. Now that winter is ending, I’m about to go back and start working near him again. I talked to him recently, and he is eager to keep hooking up, but he made it clear—again—that he doesn’t want more than that. I feel conflicted because while I really want to keep having sex with this guy, I’m scared of getting hurt. Even if I go in with the intention of having casual sex, there’s a chance I might fall in love with him, and he has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be with me. Do you have any suggestions for how I can enjoy this guy and the great sex without getting too attached?—Constantly Amazing Sex, Unwilling About Love Nope. Catching feelings for someone isn’t a conscious choice we make, CASUAL, and typically by the time we start worrying we might be catching feelings for someone… it’s too late. Feelings have already been caught. The only thing we can do if we’re worried that we might catch feelings for someone or have already caught feelings for someone is to stop seeing that person, CASUAL, in the hopes that their absence (or someone else’s presence) will make
JOE NEWTON
By Dan Savage
those feelings go away. But if the sex is great and the risk of heartbreak is worth it, no one would blame you for continuing to fuck this polysaturated guy. (Funny he can find the time to fuck you on the regular, but doesn’t have the bandwidth to date you, not even a little bit.) But go in with your eyes open: if you keep fucking this guy, CASUAL, you’re gonna get more and more attached to him, you’re gonna catch more and more feelings, and then wind up getting hurt in the end. I enjoy your column and I think your advice is usually spot-on; however, your advice to TITE last week—the man who wanted to end things with his FWB—was not good. You encouraged TITE to lie to their fuck buddy by saying that their partner wants to close things up. That’s terrible advice. Not the lying, Dan, but the blaming it on the partner. First of all, that lie makes the partner the villain even though they had no part in this, so TITE is lying to one person and lying about another! Second, it’s just setting everyone up to get bitten in the ass—and not in the good way. Suppose TITE is out some time with someone
other than his partner and his former fuck buddy happens to see him? I get wanting to spare someone’s feelings, but at some point we have to take responsibility for our relationship, including the ending of them. Using, “Oh, my partner wants to close things up,” is the ENM version of a woman saying, “I have a boyfriend,” to get some guy to stop harassing her (except that in that case it is sometimes necessary for safety). Now, if TITE wants to get their partner’s permission to use them as an excuse, at least then they’re not lying to two people. But really, isn’t a better solution to have clear and honest communication and treat everyone as an adult?—Communicate Honestly And Tactfully They can’t all be winners. So, to you and everyone else who wrote to tell me my advice for TITE was off the mark, CHAT, I wanna say: you guys were right, I was wrong. Thanks for calling me on my bullshit, friends. Send letters to questions@savagelove.net, listen to Dan on the Savage Lovecast, and follow @ fakedansavage on Twitter! Columns, podcasts, books, merch and more at savage.love!
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 53
creative loafing puzzler 109 HAPPY HAUNTING 61 Munchies from Mañuel GROUND 63 Pudding type by Merl Reagle 65 German article 1 ACROSS 66 Game show icon 1 Poets, old-style Trebek 2 7 Happy refrain 68 Accommodates, 12 Harry of the SFPD as a portraitist 3 20 Specialized groups 70 Wooley of “Purple 21 Trap in the People Eater” 4 garment district? fame 22 Study of Mars 71 Damage 5 23 With 45 Across, a 73 Dudgeon 6 query put to Bob 74 Cartoon oldie, ___ Hope in 1939’s Quest 7 The Cat and the 75 With 102 Across, 8 Canary Bob Hope’s reply 9 25 Medicinal solution 79 Christmas time 10 26 Wall climbers 80 One of the “if-I11 27 Keen and lively only-hads” from 28 Witch doctor The Wizard of Oz 12 whammies 81 Big name in 29 Where to trawl theaters 13 the line 30 Act shamelessly? 82 Goes across, in 14 Italian 31 Math pioneer Karl 15 84 Bottlenecks 32 Disease fighters 85 Queen Mary’s 35 Two-hulled vessel, 16 subjects for short 87 Chopper 36 Je, in the objective 17 88 Effort: abbr. case 89 Arizona Indian 37 Vergil guided him 90 “___ be praised” 18 down 19 91 Out of touch 38 Tries on the set 24 94 Mutt’s medic 39 Luxury 95 1988 Dan 42 Rock legend Aykroyd film, My 28 Hendrix Stepmother Is ___ 30 43 $500-a-plate attire 31 97 “___ after the 44 Fluctuates 33 show” 45 See 23 Across 34 98 Set ___ (have 49 Upright 36 something 50 Ways and ___ 37 to work toward) Committee 38 51 “Hitman” of boxing 100 Balcony scene? 40 52 Torture chamber or 102 See 75 Across 104 50 below and 120 41 pool hall gizmo 42 above, for 53 Co-star of The 43 example Bodyguard 46 105 Gropes 55 Queue after Q 56 Monogram of one 106 Wine sampler 47 107 Mecca for kids of the “3 Bs” 48 59 He played Mary’s with cash boss 108 ESP, for example 50 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
20
11
40
45
49
65
66
13
54
67
68
17
56 63
64
69
70
73
74 79
81 85
16
18
19
33
34
57
58
48
78
84
15
55 62
72
89
14
43 47
61
80
82
86
83 87
90
101
12
Y O U T H S
42
77
95
L E G I T
51
71 76
F L A B
R E D L A T I UM I N E A S A C L AM OWN P I L I NGON R I A NON A S E D R AMB L I NG OA HU U P R A N S P I R E S MA K E S T H E CU T T E AM HORN W I S H BON E B A D T E D E A V E D E L I A R T A K E SWA I N R MOD E L T O T T O OV E R SOHO T I RON Y WA S HME DGE E A RN S E E L U I T HRU S H S AM B L EW I NG MA P S S AO T A URU S S T H E CH A RGE R S O A R T WO R K A E S L T S E T S E S DR S
32
46
53 60
O A T H
F L OO A I R L S I NGD A R T RC S C A N T E T OU T I C T A T H I C E PO T MS R E A B N E T URN M I RO I N GWE N S Q E DOU A R I A E B I L L L A V E T S T E RO
38
50
59
C P A S
I N S T A N T R E P L A Y
28
41
52
O N A S L D A A N S T
37
44
PUZZLE FANS ! For info on Merl's Sunday crossword anthologies, visit www.sunday crosswords.com.
Solution to Soup or Sundae P A P A
31
36
39
86 John of Monty Python 90 San Antonio fort 91 One-thirteenth of this clue number 92 Rings out 93 Lighten the mood of 96 Perform without ___ 97 Snick-and-___ (machete) 98 Pertaining to grandparents 99 Nucleus 100 Word after get or jet 101 Prefix meaning “outside” 102 Possibilities 103 Landing time, approx.
25
30
35
53 1956 Jayne Mansfield film, The Girl Can’t ___ 54 Later 56 Actor from Englewood, N.J. 57 Cute kid or dog, cinematically speaking 58 Future terrors of the desert 60 Informants, sometimes 62 Len Deighton novel 64 “This ___ of those songs ... ” 67 Greek letters 69 Podiatry concern 71 Fantasts 72 Give “temporary” money to a third party 74 Baloney 75 Poet Ogden 76 “You’re kidding!” 77 Revel of 1773 78 Bible verb 79 Like sconce troughs 83 Zoomed 85 Baseball pitch or skidding player
22
27
29
54 | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | cltampa.com
10
24
26
100
9
DOWN Found by a whole new generation Harold Arlen song of 1931 Matchbox vehicle, e.g. Kitchen or luncheon ending Lee’s legions Govt. funds for the disabled On ___ (busy) Pay Abundant Dieting buzzword Word before how or hoo Let the ___ (spill the beans) Melodic Gives for a time Touched in the cabeza Bluesy instruments Welcome mat’s secret Farming: abbr. Scientific Bill Requiring fertilization Go “poof!” Loads of lifetimes Tag, for one Overhaul Not care ___ Contact in person Severs relations Find or be found Has at a lollipop Irish exclamation Post-coup regimes Seafood sauce Tobacco-drying kiln Pulpit talk: abbr. Part on a dolly Actress Jeanne
21
23
75
8
Marriage sites
91
96
92
88
93
94
97
98
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
99
y
ort h of ber
ood
out
_
t or
ng
S! rl's ord sit
m.
N E H R U
D U E T
A D L I N T O
ME E L AM S U S R S E S R S
9
4
8
cltampa.com | MARCH 31 - APRIL 06, 2022 | 55