For the next several editions of The Well-Played List, music tastemakers participating in the ongoing listening series (the CL Music Team and select staffers along with local music promoters, record store and venue owners, music fans and scenesters, DJs, musicians, and a radio personality or two) will be reflecting on our favorite albums of the year — the Best of 2013. Since we're off on consecutive Wednesdays (for Christmas and New Year's), and make up such a large group with varying tastes, I'll be breaking our lists up into four parts, running two this week (today and Friday), and the last two next week. Hopefully, all four will give you something to fill your ears while you enjoy your holiday breaks... and as always, a Spotify Playlist will be included at the end of each post, for your listening pleasure.

Check out past editions of The Well-Played List here. And on that note, what are your favorite albums of 2013? Tell us in the comments…

GABE ECHAZABAL
David Bowie, The Next Day

Arcade Fire, Reflektor

Johnny Marr, The Messenger

Arctic Monkeys, AM

Daft Punk, Random Access Memories

Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City

Joan Jett, Unvarnished

Elvis Costello & The Roots, Wise Up Ghost

Mavis Staples, One True Vine

Manic Street Preachers, Rewind the Film

More selections after the jump...

KEITH ULREY | owner, Microgroove, New Granada Records
I honestly couldn't come up with a Top 10. I chose to only include albums released this year that truly impressed me, or had some impact.

1. Superchunk, I Hate Music

2. The Ocean Blue, Ultramarine

3. Permanent Makeup, The Void... It Creeps

4. Yuck, Glow & Behold

5. Minor Alps, Get There

6. Tracy Shedd, Arizona

7. Lemuria, The Distance Is So Big

ADAM KUHN | music fan and scenester with discerning taste

Deafheaven, Sunbather

Yuppies, Yuppies

Parquet Courts, Light Up Gold

Kvelertak, Meir

Disappears, Era

Nails, Abandon All Life

Jacuzzi Boys, Jacuzzi Boys

Thee Oh Sees, Floating Coffin

Hookworms, Pearl Mystic

Dick Diver, Calendar Days

Honorable Mentions: Jesu, Every Day I Get Closer to the Light from Which I Came; Perfect Pussy, I Have Lost All Desire for Feeling; Sandrider, Godhead; Run the Jewels, Run the Jewels; Bare Mutants, The Affliction.

ALEX FEDELE | Local musician in Auto!Automatic!!, Poetry n’ Lotion, The Fix Up, The Apes.

A Wilhelm Scream, Partycrasher

Local Natives, Hummingbird

Junip, Junip

Foals, Holy Fire

Iron and Wine, Ghost on Ghost

Emancipator, Dusk to Dawn

Queens of the Stone Age, ...Like Clockwork

Toro y Moi, Anything in Return

Atoms for Peace, AMOK

Charles Bradley, Victim of Love

Dillinger Escape Plan, One of Us Is the Killer

Portugal. the Man, Evil Friends

PHIL BENITO | Brokenmold Entertainment

The National, Trouble Will Find Me

Adrian Younge presents Ghostface Killah, Twelve Reasons to Die

Portugal. the Man, Evil Friends

Queens of the Stone Age, ...Like Clockwork

MIA, Matangi

Futurebirds, Baba Yaga

Volcano Choir, Repave

Poliça, Shulamith

Deap Vally, Sistrionix

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

The holiday season is officially upon us, and Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is ready with seasonal exhibits and great deals on tickets that will have your brood ho-ho-hoing all the way home.

MOSI's big holiday draw is Santa’s Workshop, a reimagining of MOSI's Idea Zone into one of Santa’s "satellite toy workshops." There kids of all ages can think, design and create cool stocking stuffers and gifts for their parents and grandparents in preparation for the big day. Santa's Workshop is a great way to kill a few hours with the little ones while giving them the opportunity to make something special for the holidays.

The museum is also offering some killer ticket deals that are sure to get parents caroling. Every Wednesday at MOSI is "PeeWee Wednesday," which means kids 4 and under get free admission to MOSI between 10:30—11 a.m. for a fun science activity or demonstration tailored to the little ones. In addition, general admission passes are currently BOGO (buy one, get one free) for all Bay area County and City employees. (The offer is good for employees of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Citrus, Hernando, Hardee, Sarasota and Manatee counties. Must present employee badge at time of purchase to receive offer. Other restrictions apply.)

Best of all, MOSI is also participating in the Rough Riders Teddy Bear Round-Up. Bring a new (i.e., unopened) teddy bear to MOSI to donate to the Rough Riders and you'll get a child’s general admission ticket for free. It's too good a deal to pass up: Your kid gets free admission, a child in need gets an awesome Christmas gift. (Fine print: Offer can't be combined with any other coupons, discounts or previous purchases, and it excludes special engagement films, events and Sky Trail Ropes Course and Zip Line. Limit four tickets per group. Other restrictions may apply.)

And finally, parents know that admission is one thing, but feeding the little ones at attractions like MOSI can be expensive. It's a good thing kids eat free in the MOSI café on Wednesdays with the purchase of an adult meal. A tasty lunch and the piece of mind in knowing you got a great deal? Delicious!

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

37 months after Hillsborough County voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to raise the sales tax by a penny to fund the construction of a light-rail system, the Pinellas County Commission late last night approved a measure that would give their residents that same opportunity in November of 2014.

In approving the ballot language last night, Pinellas legislators again demonstrated how much they've learned from Hillsborough's failure in 2010. For one thing, the Hillsborough board didn't approve such language for their ballot measure until May of that year, a little less than six months before voters would go to the polls. Pinellas registered voters won't cast a ballot on the measure for nearly 11 more months.

Also Pinellas Commissioners have spent money (something not everyone in the county approves of) on a marketing campaign with the Tampa PR firm Tucker-Hall. That ultimately resulted into the creation of Greenlight Pinellas, who have created a branding and education campaign that has led to organized support for the measure.

So in effect there's already been a campaign to champion the initiative. But now there's a real live measure on the ballot. Last night's vote on the Commission was 6-1 in favor of the referendum, with Norm Roche the one holdout. That wasn't surprising. Nor is it that there is certainly opposition from Tea Party affiliated groups and other fiscal conservatives who don't want to have their (sales) taxes raised. But how organized will those foes get? They're already behind, but they have plenty of time to spread the word on why they think the measure is ill-advised. But perhaps we are now one step closer to getting construction on some sort of mass transit created in the Tampa Bay area, the 14th biggest media market in the U.S., and by far the biggest without any such system.

Speaking of transportation, remember Louis Miller, the former head of Tampa International Airport who had a sparkling reputation until it all went horribly south in the waning months of his 14-year tenure here? He's only been in Atlanta for three years leading the world's biggest airport, but that gig is ending soon.

Meanwhile while Kathleen Sebelius is now calling for an investigation into the administration's botched rollout of HealthCare.gov., her minions are working across the country to give updates on how the system is working so far. Yesterday Sol Ross with HHS came to Pinellas Park, and got an earful from supporters of the plan who had a number of questions about the rollout.

And remember immigration reform? A coalition of Latino advocacy groups handed out "report cards" to various members of Congress on how they've dealt with the issue in 2013. Both Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson got approving grades from the groups, ostensibly for supporting the comprehensive bill in the Senate this past summer.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

TIME magazine has named Pope Francis theirPerson of the Year for 2013.

Editor Nancy Gibbs writes in this week's issue that the publication chose the new pope (the first pope selected as Person of The Year since Pope John Paul II in 1994) because , "In his nine months in office, he has placed himself at the very center of the central conversations of our time: about wealth and poverty, fairness and justice, transparency, modernity, globalization, the role of women, the nature of marriage, the temptations of power."

Coming in second was the man that we wrote yesterday should be the Person of the Year, Edward Snowden. TIME's Michael Scherer discusses in this video why he's worthy of such attention:

In an interview with Time conducted with Snowden earlier this month, the former Booz Allen Hamilton contractor for the NSA says he believes that the privacy of regular citizens is a universal right, and says the dangers of mass surveillance litter the dark corners of the 20th century.

“The NSA is surely not the Stasi,” he argued, in reference to the notorious East German security service, “but we should always remember that the danger to ­societies from security services is not that they will spontaneously decide to embrace mustache twirling and jackboots to bear us bodily into dark places, but that the slowly shifting foundation of policy will make it such that mustaches and jackboots are discovered to prove an operational advantage toward a necessary purpose.”

The President,” Snowden wrote, “could plausibly use the mandate of public knowledge to both reform these programs to reasonable standards and direct the NSA to focus its tremendous power toward developing new global technical standards that enforce robust end-to-end security, ensuring that not only are we not improperly surveilling individuals but that other governments aren’t either.”

Coming in third in POY is Edith Windsor. She's the "Windsor" in the U.S v. Windsor lawsuit that came before the U.S. Supreme Court last year challenging the U.S. federal interpretation of "marriage" and "spouse" applying only to heterosexual unions in Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In late June the Court ruled that Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional "as a deprivation of the liberty of the person protected by the Fifth Amendment."

Coming in fourth for POY is Syria's "lethal tyrant" as Time describes him, President Bashar al-Assad.

And fifth is Ted Cruz. Enough said there.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Flipping conventional wisdom upside down, a new report says that high school-aged teens report using their phones or texting while driving substantially less often that adults do.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says while the public often cites teens as being the most common offenders, a recent survey found that adult drivers ages 25-39 were the most likely to admit engaging in these risky behaviors behind the wheel.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety collected the data as part of the 2013 Traffic Safety Culture Index. The data are from a sample of 2,325 licensed drivers, ages 16 and older, who reported driving in the past 30 days.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one out of every ten fatal crashes involves distraction, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths per year, though AAA says that "experts agree the numbers are likely underestimated."

The report's release comes as Floridians are now subject for the first time to sanctions if they are caught texting while driving, though critics say the bill doesn't go nearly far enough. The new legislation that went into effect on October 1 makes texting while driving a secondary offense, meaning drivers must be stopped for a separate alleged traffic violation before being ticketed for texting while driving. A first offense ticket comes with a $30 fine plus court costs and that rises to $60 for a second offense.

In Florida, over 4,500 accidents last year were attributedto drivers being distracted by their cell phones or other electronic communication devices. Two hundred and fifty-five of those crashes were directly linked to texting, although law enforcement officials say that the actual number of crashes caused by texting is probably much higher.

And there is still dispute about whether such distracted driving laws actually work. A study released earlier this year in the American Economic Journal by University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee professors Rah Abouk and Scott Adams concluded that such laws "appear moderately successful" if universally applied and enforced as a primary offense.

But secondary offenses like the one Florida has in statute? The professors says at best such laws have "no effect on accidents." They write:

Any reduction in accidents following texting bans is short-lived, however, with accidents returning to near former levels within a few months. This is suggestive of drivers reacting to the announcement of the legislation only to return to old habits shortly afterward.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

There's a only a short time left to vote in CL's Fiction Contest, and if you haven't voted yet, better hurry — the tallies have been very close so far, and you might be able to send your favorite over the top.

The theme of this year's contest was "Wild," which writers were free to interpret any way they liked. The contest judge, award-winning writer Karen Brown, has made her pick for the #1 story. But readers can continue voting today, Dec. 11, until 5 p.m. at cltampa.com/FictionContest2013.

The winners of both the Judge's Pick and Readers' Choice will be announced at our CL Fiction Contest Reading and Reception on Wed. Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at CL Space. Not only will you find out who wins the cash prizes, you'll get to hear the winning writers — as well as Karen Brown — read from their work. That might be a prize in itself.

And be sure to look for the CL Fiction and Books Issue online and in print Dec. 19. We'll be publishing the winning stories, and also reporting on some of our favorite books and authors of 2013.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
Travis Scott A young Houston-bred, LA-based rapper who’s got friends in all the right places; he was signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label as a producer, appeared on the label’s 2012 comp, Cruel Summer, and at the same time, was due to issue his debut EP Owl Pharoah on T.I.’s Grand Hustle imprint, but held it back for more re-tooling. He’s named Kanye, T.I. and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon as inspiration, and each artist makes an appearance on Owl Pharoah, as do Toro Y Moi, 2 Chainz, Wale, Theophilus London and A$AP Ferg among others. The album was ranked among Spin’s “40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2013.”(Orpheum, Ybor City)

AURA Concert Series: Papadosio w/Earthcry AURA is among Florida’s myriad of jam band-geared festivals, held in February at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park, and specializing in live electro acts with sonic branch-offs into funk, jazz, rock and reggae territories. This concert series spotlights select acts due to play the 2014 edition. Asheville-based Papadosio heads up this bill, their dance music sound ranging from ambient to propulsive and driven by the sonicscaping of synth/keys/programming brothers Billy and Sam Brouse. For fans of Disco Biscuits. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
Unknown Hinson w/6 Volt Radio Despite an announcement last year that he’d be hanging up his touring boots for good due to the rising costs of being on the road, the bug has taken a bite of tongue-in-cheeky and vampire freaky country n’ western troubadour Unknown Hinson (aka Stuart Daniel Baker) and he returns to the Skipperdome with his trademark brand of campy twang, new tunes off 2012 album Reloaded (“Human Oddity,”“A Smart-Ass Yankee (In A Rebel Court)”), and some of the regular Unknown standards (“Baby, Let’s Play Rough,”“Rock ‘N Roll Is Straight from Hell”). (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)

The Beauvilles Revival Show w/Good Graeff/Sun Signs In the grand scheme of scenes, The Beauvilles haven’t been absent for too long — less than two years, more than one — but there’s no telling when Shawn Kyle will get a wild hair up his ass to play his potent, howling, riff-raging Beauvilles material again (this is allegedly a one-time thing), so why not enjoy the fleeting moment while it lasts? Jason Dudney returns on bass, Matt Rose picks up on drums where Max Norton left off, and two solid area acts — Sarasota’s sublime sisters-led folk pop outfit Good Graeff and experimental rockers Sun Signs — support. The $10 admission includes a CD. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)

Set and Setting/Wolf-Face/Jensen Serf Company/Cosm A four-pack of local indie bands touching on heavy instrumental post rock (set and setting), cheeky Teen Wolf-inspired punk (Wolf-Face), lo-fi beach-garage noise (Jensen Serf Company) and sludgy stoner metal (Cosm). (Octave, St. Petersburg)

Operation Coexist Unplugged Holiday Showcase w/Billy McKnight/Bars and Guitars/Will Erickson/Forrest Hoffar Local nonprofit music therapy organization Operation Coexist stages special concert events featuring local rising talent to raise funds and awareness for its community efforts. Among the highlights at this special acoustic holiday party are Billy McKnight, frontman of Southern rock outfit Soul Circus Cowboys, and Bars and Guitars, a trio that blends acoustic rock instrumentation with boy-girl pop hooks and hip-hop rhymes. (Hideaway Cafe and Recording Studio, St. Petersburg)

Mix 100.7 Acoustic Christmas w/Goo Goo Dolls/The Fray/Michael Franti/ZZ Ward/Colbie Caillat I remember attending an Acoustic Christmas back in ’02, when it was hosted by the late Star 95.7-FM and held at Mahaffey Theater; that bill featured Lisa Loeb, Duncan Sheik, Tonic and Sixpence None the Richer. (My husband was working the radio station back then — don’t judge.) This year’s 100.7-FM edition (same venue, different Hot AC station) is headed up by alt pop-rock trio Goo Goo Dolls, best known for 1990’s hits like “Iris,”“Name,” and “Slide,” currently touring behind 10th studio album, 2013’s Magnetic. Also of note: Spearhead visionary, activist and folk-reggae-pop rock fusionist Michael Franti, and bluesy singer-songwriter ZZ Ward. (Mahaffey Theater, St Petersburg)

The Rap Up w/Dynasty/The Rukus/Mike Mass/Jinx/Eyeznpowa/Queen Of Ex/Genolexis A showcase of all-star hip-hop talents from the Tampa Bay scene. Seriously, this is a show you don’t want to miss if you consider yourself a fan of the genre and aren’t already familiar with the spitters and rhyme-slingers that call our city home — and if you are familiar, you probably don’t need to read this plug ‘cause you’ve already made plans to go. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

GMFridays Music Series w/Thomas Wynne and the Believers/Damion Suomi The second installment of the free concert series hyping up Gasparilla Music Festival features two Central Florida acts with roots-imbued sounds. Thomas Wynne & crew lay down the spirited, heartening, soulful Southern rock ’n’ roll anchored by the strong soaring lead vocals and masculine-feminine harmonies of Wynn (who has a very John Fogerty-like rustiness to his intones) and sister Olivia. Damion Suomi delivers a more folk strolling and stomping mix. (Grand Central, Tampa)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
2-Year Ventureversary: Pornojumpstart w/Sammy Satic/BlkMas/Otolathe/Hovering Humanoids/Nequam Sonitus/Smith Lavender/Mark Castle/Fevers/Lovebrrd When Jesse Vance opened Venture Compound in St. Pete’s Warehouse District a few years ago, I’m not sure even he knew that his nonprofit mixed-use studio space would grow into one of the most well-attended venues of the underground scene, both for visual media, music and the odd alternative cultural events that don’t seem to fit properly anywhere else. Vance & Co. celebrates Venture’s two-year anniversary in typical fashion — with a diverse bill of performers ranging from the beat-thumping, analog synth pushing instrumentals of Pornojumpstart (Adam Shlon), from South Carolina, to the heavy math-prog complexity of Hovering Humanoids. (The Venture Compound, St. Petersburg)

Joe Nichols A country music artist whose eight albums include an abundance of material about women (“Just Let Me Fall in Love with You,”“She’s All Lady,”) and alcohol (“Open Up a Can,”“My Whiskey Years”), sometimes in the same song at once (“Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off,”“She Only Smokes When She Drinks,”“Let’s Get Drunk and Fight”). (Dallas Bull, Tampa)

Suncoast Blues Society Holiday Party w/Nick Moss Band/Lauren Mitchell Band Central Florida’s 16-year-old blues music organization spreads a little yuletide cheer, lick ’n’ shuffle style. Chicago-bred Buddy Guy-approved Nick Moss headlines, his rooted in the traditional blues of his home city but shambling into soul, jam rock and R&B-oriented territories with healthy doses of dueling guitars, funky organ, and vocals interchanging between the smoky intones of Moss (on lead axe and harmonica), and the soaring, classically-trained howls of guitarist/singer Michael Ledbetter. (Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa)

Jon Oliva Storytellers Tour 2013 w/Herman Nebula Jon Oliva is the founder of locally-spawned heavy metal staple Savatage; the prog-metal maestro also fronts namesake act Jon Oliva’s Pain in addition to having spent a period of his guitar-shredding tenure in Trans Siberian Orchestra. During this intimate presentation, Oliva shares stories about his experiences in the context of three significant periods of his career, plays material spanning these periods (including alternate versions of classic songs), and is joined by JOP bandmate, drummer/producer Christopher Kinder. Kicking things off is Herman/Nebula, the “evoca-rock” project fronted by former Savatage vocalist Damond Jiniya. (State Theatre, St. Petersburg)

Andrea Bocelli Italy’s crossover tenor has maintained his appeal with an expressive delivery and prolific output that ranges from pop-classical AC to opera to Latin-fused pop as with the amorous material in 14th studio full-length Passione. Here, Bocelli performs select love songs, many from the Mediterranean, with the exception of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender,”“Quizás, Quizás, Quizás” by Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farrés (performed as a duet with Jennifer Lopez), and “Sarà Settembre,” a version of Neil Diamond’s “September Morn” with Italian lyrics written by Bocelli. Conductor Eugene Kohn, soprano Svetla Vassileva and guest vocalist Heather Headley accompany Bocelli on this tour, and the program will likely touch on Passione and various tracks from 2009’s multi-platinum My Christmas. (Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa)

Geri X Video Release Party w/Luxury Mane/Lushbudget/The Dags In her brand new video for skulking and grooving roots-blues number “All the Money’s Gone,” St. Pete songstress Geri X and percs n’ drums bandmate Charlie Douglas Wells pose in a series of creatively arranged time-lapse portraits — fixing hair, switching out accessories, getting painted, blowing up balloons, drinking … The track comes off White Light, Geri X’s forthcoming album and follow-up to Loyalty Sport, due out Jan. 18; this date hypes the album, video and a new Kickstarter campaign. (Local 662, St. Petersburg)

Bombadil w/Cats in the Basement/DieAlps! Bombadil delights and uplifts with rambling folk-pop melodies lightly steeped in psychedelia, and marked by charming multi-part vocal harmonies. Fourth and latest album Metrics of Affection (Ramseur Records) finds the quartet’s offbeat, sentimental narratives and observations covering topics varying from love and reincarnation (“When We Are Both Cats”) to the importance of gratitude and self-worth (“Thank You”). (New World Brewery, Ybor City)

Pusha T A G.O.O.D. Music-repped artist, Virginia Beach rapper and one-half of hip hop duo Clipse hits town on the heels of releasing his solo full-length debut, My Name Is My Name, its production overseen by Kanye and the guest list encompassing Rick Ross, Jeezy, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell and Kelly Rowland. The album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. (Amphitheatre, Ybor City)

Dev w/Darnaa/Kid Sister Dev has a slinky or snotty sing-song rhyme style and sexy dulcet vocals that she pits against hip-hop shaded synth pop. She enjoyed a come-up after a verse from her track “Booty Bounce” was sampled for the chorus in Far East Movement’s No. 1 charter “Like a G6” (“Poppin bottles in the ice, like a blizzard / when we drink we do it right, gettin slizzard / Sippin sizzurp in my ride, like Three 6 / Now I’m feelin so fly, like a G6”). A follow-up to her debut LP The Night the Sun Came Up is expected in 2014. (Jannus Live, St. Petersburg)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
Hip Hop Against Hunger One more solid local hip hop bill brings the weekend to a close while benefiting two nonprofits — Feeding America: Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries. To date, the Hip Hop Against Hunger Benefit Show (co-presented by Indigenous Ways Music and THX MGMT) has gathered more than 2, 000 pounds of food and 200 boxes of clothing for families in need. The fourth annual edition will build upon that number with performances by Samurai Shotgun, Indigenous Ways, Imagiin360 and Logic ForBeatz; DJ sets by Rahim Samad, Fader and Shafiq; and live painting and artworks on display by Lana Nonstop and Mishou Sanchez. Admission is $5 with one non-perishable food donation or a new/gently used clothing donation, $7 without. This is an early (4 to 8 p.m.) event, which means you’ve got time to grab a bite, then catch DJ Scratch make up for his too-short last set in October. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)

Ol’ Dirty Sundays: DJ Scratch The last time DJ Scratch was scheduled to play ODS, his flight was delayed and the Brooklyn turntablist/hip-hop icon didn’t roll into Crowbar until around 2:45 a.m. Crowbar co-owner Tom DeGeorge faced a tough decision — fines and possible jail time for letting Scratch go on, or the utter disappointment (and loss of credibility) with the people who’d shown up to see him. The compromise: Scratch delivered a seven-minute set that ended right at 3 a.m. for the few hundred devoted followers who’d stuck around, and DeGeorge promised to bring him back for a full set. This date lives up to that promise. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16
John McCutcheon Prolific multi-instrumental folkie John McCutcheon has been active since the 1970s; he’s versed on something like a dozen instruments (guitar, banjo, autoharp, fiddle, jawharp, mandolin, piano, accordion) but shows off his finest chops on hammered dulcimer. His storytelling style that has been likened to Will Rogers and Garrison Keillor. (Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center, Tampa)

A Peter White Christmas A program of smooth and fused holiday sounds from contemporary jazz guitarist White, joined by sax mistress/vocalist/songstress Mindi Abair and trumpeter Rick Braun. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Slow Magic w/Spies On Bikes/Young Egypt/The Soft Rock Renegades Slow Magic is an indietronic DJ/producer who keeps his identity a mystery (no aka’s here), dons a hand-crafted glow-in-the-dark tribal mask when performing live (ala SBTRKT), uses symbols in place of album titles (see last year’s ∆), and delivers shimmering chillwave instrumentals studded with samples, treated with effects and carried on mid-tempo beats. All in all, the perfect preface to All Good Tuesdays. (Crowbar, Ybor City)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
Michael McDonald: This Christmas, An Evening of Holiday and Hits Justin Timberlake appeared as a guest on Jimmy Fallon for several episodes and one of the musical skits they put together featured a surprise appearance by Michael McDonald that made for a classic moment in late night television, which found the former two impersonating McDonald in an epic rendition of “Row Row Row Your Boat,” finally joined by the man himself so that all three McDonalds (the real and the faux) are singing in hilariously accurate falsetto harmony. The snowy-haired, high octave-hitting soft rock singer-songwriter (who recorded with Steely Dan and played with the Doobie Brothers for several years before he went on to enjoy a fruitful solo career) draws from his extensive catalog on this night; Doobies-era hits (“It Keeps You Runnin’,”“Minute by Minute,”“What a Fool Believes”), solo charters like “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” (so memorably sampled by Warren G in “Regulate”) and “Sweet Freedom” (tapped for 1986 buddy cop flick Running Scared), and select seasonal fare (dude has three Christmas albums, so you could hear virtually anything). (Capitol Theatre, Clearwater)

Trace Adkins Christmas Show This ain’t your typical country concert — and it’s not really a typical holiday concert, either, although it is billed as “reverent” and “for the whole family.” Patriotic country musician Trace Adkins supports new album The King’s Gift, made up of a dozen classic holiday hymns and carols re-imagined Celtic style. “The Christmas Show Tour” is a theatrical production that turns his stage into a cozy living room, combining narrative elements (Adkins telling stories and sharing personal anecdotes) with performances of material off Gift. The 12-piece ensemble that joins him includes a string quartet, female vocalists and various traditional instruments (weissenborn, mandolin, uilleann pipe, penny whistle). (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)

93.3 FLZ Jingle Ball 2013 w/Miley Cyrus/Robin Thicke/Enrique Iglesias/Flo Rida/Paramore/Austin Mahone/Ariana Grande/Jason Derulo/Fifth Harmony/Travie McCoy Yeah, you can wait another three whole months to see Miley Cyrus when she hits the Forum in March on her solo “Bangerz” tour … or you can get an early taste of her tongue-wagging amid a widely eclectic Top 40 bill presented as part of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2013 Tour. Cyrus is joined by fellow MTV Awards controversy maker-in-arms, “Blurred Lines” groove pop star Robin Thicke. Other noteworthy artists on the bill include Latin pop sensation Enrique Iglesias, Southern bred rapper Flo Rida, Hayley Williams-fronted emo-punk pop outfit Paramore, and R&B crooner Jason Derulo. A “Pre-Show Free Show” from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on the West Plaza features additional performances by Fifth Harmony, Travie McCoy, Austin Mahone and Tegan & Sara. (Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa)

BBQ Wednesday Acoustic Series: A Holiday Hootenanny w/Andrew Brey, Will Quinlan & Friends Mandolin picker ’n strummer Andrew Brey is joined by singer-songwriter and guitar player Will Quinlan for an unplugged presentation of seasonal-hued tunes at the free New World hump day with various TBA guests cycling on and show off the patio stage; past Brey collaborators have included lap steel player Scott Anderson (Have Gun, Will Travel), and Quinlan is frequently seen teaming up with Rob Pastore and Rebekah Pulley, among many others. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)

CLICK HERE to see a complete rundown of shows taking place this week and in the coming weeks.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

I will admit to a certain amount of trepidation when settling in for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, director Peter Jackson’s second of three planned Hobbit films. I found the first one (subtitled An Unexpected Journey) to be a big tease, and wasn’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of enduring another 160 minutes of fantasy frolic that’s ultimately just a set-up for yet another movie. Added to that, I don’t really remember the first flick all that well.

Oh, sure, there was Richard Armitage as Thorin, leader of a bunch of dwarves with names that all sound the same (Kili, Fili, Nori, Ori — yikes!) that have been displaced by a nasty (and largely unseen) dragon living in a foreboding mountain. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) was involved, as was the hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who pilfered a special ring from Gollum and started calling himself a burglar. They were all chased around by a baddie with a barbecue poker for an arm, though for the life of me I can’t recall why.

The first Hobbit ended with our heroes gazing upon the still-off-in-the-distance Lonely Mountain — a place they had been trying to get to for the whole movie — and basically declaring, “OK, halfway there.” Good grief.

It comes as a relief that The Desolation of Smaug is a far more enjoyable experience than The Unexpected Journey. Though it still suffers from bloat and overkill (this wouldn’t be a Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movie without them), Smaug maintains a clear forward momentum, sprinkles in some rip-roaring set pieces, and culminates in a thrilling showdown with a dragon that makes the extra few bucks for the 3D glasses worth it. I still may not have a clue which dwarf is which, or understand the evil plan of the Necromancer (the youngish version of Rings antagonist Sauron), but at least I was smiling at the on-screen action this time around.

And action is where The Desolation of Smaug really shines. An early encounter with a nest of giant spiders is but a prelude to an exhilarating chase involving the dwarves floating in barrels down a raging river while pursued by deadly Orcs and even deadlier elves. Jackson has always had a schoolboy’s gross-out wit, and here he engages in some of his most spectacular (and hilarious) arrow piercings, limb hackings and decapitations — and yes, I mean that as a compliment.

The director keeps the titular Smaug off-screen for the first two hours, but when the dragon finally shows up to toy with Bilbo (the hobbit is trying to find a specific gem that the dwarves need for some inscrutable reason) you know immediately that the wait was worth it. Looking like a massive winged sea serpent and voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch on Quaaludes (evil, apparently, speaks … very … sloooowwwllllyyyyy), Smaug is a triumph of special effects artistry that carries the last 45 minutes of the movie to its satisfying though torturously unresolved conclusion.

I suspect that fans of the previous Lord of the Rings movies will love The Desolation of Smaug, while diehard J.R.R. Tolkien fans will probably bristle at the variations from the source material. (For example, I thought Evangeline Lilly was quite good, but her role was created specifically for the film and may cause consternation among the traditionalists.) And for those who don’t know an orc from a hole in the wall? I wish you good luck on what’s sure to be an unexpected journey to the multiplex.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

This is it: The fourth and final week of Creative Loafing's 2013 Holiday Auction for the benefit of The Children's Home. The auction closes at 5 p.m, Thurs., Dec. 12.

That means you've only got a few more hours to place your bids on one-of-a-kind gifts that keep on giving, with proceeds from each winning bid supporting The Children's Home and its programs for abused and neglected children.

And you really can't miss with auction items like these:

• For craft beer lovers: One massive barrel-aged bottle of Cigar City brew, chosen by you

• For families: An amazing package from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, including a chance to wade with the dolphins and get your photo taken with Winter of Dolphin Tale fame

• For everybody: The most hotly-contested prize of all: The cover of Creative Loafing.

• For sports fans: Miller Lite Party Deck tickets to the Bucs-vs.49ers game

• For music lovers: A vinyl shopping spree with CL's Music Editor or a customized rap song written about you by hilarious rapper Big Cheese

• For movie buffs: Tickets to every advance movie screening of 2014

Plus: Packages from MOSI, Dunedin Fine Art Center, ThinkTank, FMOPA, Ybor City Wine Bar, The Hub, Design Buy Consign, The Rowdies, Bayshore Animal Clinic, Jannus Live, Squeeze Juice Works, City Bike, Sherry's YesterDaze, Rick's Home Theatre Store, Hawk & Wayne, Warehouse Arts District, Cleanse Apothecary and much, much more

And: The CL Editors' Swag Bag: You won't believe all the cool stuff you could snag!

Bid now or regret not bidding for the rest of the holiday season — and maybe the rest of the year.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

We'll leave aside the question of who may be getting spayed or neutered in the Congressional District 13 race in Pinellas County, but David Jolly has received the first celebrity endorsement in his campaign against his fellow Republicans in next month's special primary election, and it's none other than former Price is Right host Bob Barker. The ad will play Thursday on WTSP's broadcast of the game show.

Speaking of the game show that Barker hosted for 35 years, Barker will be appearing on Thursday's edition to celebrate his 90th birthday. The longtime animal rights activist is still very involved in supporting animals, having recently donated acool million dollars last month to bring three elephants to a sanctuary in Southern California.

Roll Call reports that Baker and Jolly have worked together for the last decade on various causes, including honoring military veterans.

Jolly faces state Representative Kathleen Peters and retired brigadier general Mark Bircher in the January 14 primary.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Polk/Hillsborough County Republican Congressman Dennis Ross said tonight he's "inclined" to support the $85 billion compromise deal forged between Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that would fund federal agencies through the fall of 2015.

The deal has been criticized by many conservatives (as well as some liberals), and Ross admitted during a telephone town hall meeting Wednesday night that it's certainly not an ideal plan, but said that Congress cannot keep on passing continuing resolutions every three to four months, and admitted that the government shutdown in October led by his colleagues in House was a disaster.

"The last government shutdown cost us $24 billion," he said. "The threat of a government shutdown leads to panic, leads to chaos and bad legislation."

The House is scheduled to vote on the deal on Thursday, a day before they are scheduled to leave the capital for the rest of the year. The Senate is scheduled to vote on the matter next week.

Conservative and Libertarian organizations have blasted the deal. The Cato Institute calls it a "huge Republican cave-in. Tea Party favorites like Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have also criticized the deal, which reworks the sequester, which members from both parties wanted to do.

The plan calls for spending for the Pentagon and other federal agencies to be set at $1.012 trillion for fiscal 2014, which the Washington Post reports is midway between the $1.058 trillion sought by Democrats and the $967 billion championed by Republicans. The Pentagon would get a $2 billion increase over last year, while domestic agencies would get a $22 billion bump, clearing space for administration priorities such as fresh investments in education and infrastructure.

For fiscal 2015, spending would increase only slightly, to $1.014 trillion, for a total of $63 billion in sequester replacement.

That cost would be covered through a mix of policies to be implemented over the next decade. They include $12.6 billion in higher security fees for airline passengers, $8 billion in higher premiums for federal insurance for private pensions, $6 billion in reduced payments to student-loan debt collectors and $3 billion saved by not completely refilling the nation’s strategic petroleum reserves.

Ross says that the deal is not something he would have conceived. "It doesn't give me great relief, but it moves us in a step in the right direction.,"he said, adding that it shows Congress can get something done.

Regarding other issues, the CD15 Representative agreed with a caller who said it he wanted U.S. troops to pull out of Afghanistan, saying "It's time to bring our boys and women home."

But Ross remained silent when a woman identifying herself from Tampa said that the reason that President Obama wants to cut defense spending because "He doesn't want to fight the Muslims," adding, "I know he's Muslim."

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

It’s Alex Sink vs. a Republican to be named later in the race to succeed Bill Young.

For years, Democrats in Washington have believed that once the late Bill Young retired from his congressional seat representing Pinellas County in Congress — a status he maintained from the time of Richard Nixon’s heyday — it’d be an opportunity to move the district from red to blue in the always fierce battle for control of the House of Representatives.

That’s because Congressional District 13 is a rarity these days — a truly “swing” district that could go either way under neutral conditions.

With Young’s death in October at the age of 82, the prospect of a change in representation became a reality. His announcement shortly before his passing that he would not run for re-election in 2014 set off a scramble that has now left a set of candidates that are definitely “not the usual suspects,” to quote former Pinellas County Commissioner Nancy Bostock.

Those not running on the Democratic ledger include Pinellas County Commissioners Ken Welch and Charlie Justice. Most poignantly, the list also does not include Jessica Ehrlich, the 39-year-old attorney and former congressional staffer who ran a credible campaign against Young in 2012. Though she lost by 16 percentage points, it was actually the second best performance by a Democrat against Young since he was elected in 1970.

But Ehrlich saw the writing on the wall after Sink announced she would run. The Democratic establishment in Washington bailed on her, a subsequent poll showed her getting creamed by the former CFO — and voila, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had their ideal candidate, and without a nasty primary.

But don’t be surprised if the eventual GOP nominee ends up talking about Ehrlich’s sad demise, with allegations that Democratic bully tactics from Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman Schultz et al took out an indigenous figure.

Across the aisle the early consensus formed around former St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker. But he opted to stay in the private sector, where he toils under one of the city’s most powerful corporate players in Bill Edwards. Into the void immediately came David Jolly, a 41-year-old Dunedin native best known for his longtime work as a staffer for Congressman Young in Washington and in Pinellas County. His coronation seemed apparent after he was immediately endorsed by the late congressman’s wife Beverly, as well as by Baker.

By all accounts Jolly and Young were extremely close. “I think Bill Young almost looked at David Jolly as another one of his children,” says former USFSP political scientist Darryl Paulson, who knew Young well.

“Without question we were family,” Jolly told CL in an interview last week. He describes Young as both a father figure and professional mentor, starting from the time he began working for him in June of 1995 in a variety of roles, including district director.

He then left in 2007 for a career that some say he’s now running away from — a Washington D.C. lobbyist. In 2013, it’s not the most popular thing to have on your resume, even though he says his Washington experience makes him most qualified.

The “D.C. lobbyist” epithet hasn’t been thrown at him by Democrats (some of whom have received campaign contributions from Jolly over the years) but by Pinellas GOP major domo Jack Latvala, who declared after Jolly entered the race that “I really don’t think the timing is right for a Washington lobbyist to move to our district and run for Congress.” For good measure he added, “I will guarantee you there will be another candidate besides him.”

But when the next potential nominees in line, Pinellas County Bob Gualtieri and Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard, also declared they wouldn’t run, Latvala called State Representative Kathleen Peters, saying, “Everybody’s out. And nobody from Pinellas County is represented who truly understands our community.”

Peters says that after consulting with her advisers, the most important voices giving her encouragement weren’t Latvala but Gualtieri and the late congressman’s son, Bill Young Jr., who unlike his mother, isn’t backing Jolly.

Peters officially filed to run the day before qualifying ended. And somewhat unusually, after concluding her announcement speech in Pinellas Park, she handed the mic to Latvala, who then introduced all of the officials standing behind him who had come out in support of Peters.

But she bristles when asked about the perception that she is Latvala’s hand-picked choice, saying, “It was by no means a coronation kind of concept.”

Former Pinellas County Republican chairman Paul Bedinghaus says he believes the compressed election schedule is one reason other candidates didn’t get into the race. “It’s a daunting task.” And he says they may also have been put off by the perception that Washington is simply too dysfunctional.

With a little over a month to go before the January election and the holiday season in full gear, the Republican primary candidates face a challenge in getting their message out, and differentiating themselves from each other. That appears to be why Peters is seizing on her local roots as a reason Pinellas Republicans should vote for her.

Not true, counters Jolly, who says he’s been active in quiet but effective ways over the years. He says he “regrets” having to fact-check Latvala, but says the criticism would be valid if he had worked for, say, a California congressman over the past two decades, rather than a representative of Pinellas County.

Former County Commissioner and School Board member Nancy Bostock supports Jolly and says she doesn’t subscribe to the Latvala-Peters narrative on who’s the more grassroots candidate. She met Jolly 10 years ago while on the school board, and first encountered Peters in 2010 when she was working with the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce advocating against Amendment 4. “So the story is supposed to be she’s the hometown girl and he’s the DC lobbyist?” she questioned.

So where do these candidates stand on the issues? Both call themselves “Bill Young Republicans,” which can be translated into representing traditional mainstream conservative values — more Bob Dole than Ted Cruz. But Young was no moderate, as he annually scored high as a conservative in rankings from publications like Congressional Quarterly. “Bill Young was a pragmatic conservative who always saw that the big picture was winning,” says Paulson, who adds that the congressman wasn’t always a purist who followed ideological lines.

That was never more apparent than in September of 2012, when Young stunned many by saying in a Tampa Bay Times editorial board meeting that the time had come for the U.S. to pull its troops out of Afghanistan.

When asked if he agrees with Young’s awakening, Jolly defers. “The important thing is to stay on mission” and “if there are terror cells in Afghanistan and Iraq that provide a threat to the U.S., then we need to be there.”

But the U.S. pulled out of Iraq in 2011 and doesn’t appear to have any intentions of returning. What about getting out of Afghanistan now? “It’s easy to go back 10 years and reexamine the intelligence and we always have a responsibility to do that, but we can’t lose the fact that their sacrifice made us safer.” Still no response, so I move on.

Jolly admits that no one can replace Young’s experience on Capitol Hill, and in fact Republicans have now come to disdain “earmarks,” congressional funds designed for specific projects or districts, at which Young was considered a master. But while saying those days are gone, Jolly says he’s the next best thing for Pinellas County and the defense industry.

“The ability to know how to work the process in Washington to protect regularly funded programs that directly impact industry and jobs here in Pinellas County — we can’t lose that. So when people use the term ‘powerful’ with Mr. Young, I like to use the term ‘effective’ when it comes to talking about the next member of Congress.”

Jolly straddles the Republican hard line, trying to sound reasonable in a party that has gone far to the right. On immigration, an issue that the next Pinellas Representative could be voting on next spring, he talks tough. “If I break a law down the street, I expect to be penalized for it. Immigration is no different.” But he adds that we can do this without being inhumane. He doesn’t support the Senate’s bill passed this summer that would create a lengthy pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, but says, “We’re a loving, caring nation. We can’t tear families apart.”

On immigration, Peters sounds a little less harsh, saying she supports a comprehensive solution.

The 52-year-old state Representative is intense in explaining to me why she opposed Medicaid expansion in Florida. Although the program covers low-income and financially needy people, including those over 65 who are also on Medicare, Peters chooses to focus on Medicaid as a benefit for children and the disabled, and thus called several pediatricians to get their opinions last spring. She said most of them told her they did not take Medicaid patients because of delays in payment and the degree of administrative burden involved in getting paid.

She segues from that discussion into why she disdains the Affordable Care Act, calling it “government overreach.” That’s the same term she uses in describing why she joined with Democrats in Tallahassee earlier this year in voting against two anti-abortion measures.

Not to be discounted is Retired Marine Brigadier General Mark Bircher, making his first run for elective office. He’s only 10 points behind the two better-known candidates according to a recent poll — and he may provide an alternative for the Pinellas Patriots crowd. At last week’s Tiger Bay meeting, Bircher said he thought the Republican Party had lost its way in recent years, claiming the choice now for most voters is “big government vs. bigger government.”

Waiting in the wings while the Republicans settle their internecine battle is Sink. Although the GOP will hit her hard on a number of fronts, Democratic political consultant Mitch Kates says the Republicans had better be ready.

“This congressional race is going to be yet another example of the organizing that we’ve learned as a party since 2008,” he says. Kates ran Charlie Justice’s unsuccessful congressional campaign against Young in 2010 but says that Democrats throughout the state are now running much more effectively in Florida. “That whole field mentality is going to show up in this race, and it’s going to be awesome to watch.”

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

The following are shops that don’t specialize in mass-produced generic fashion. They sell original, handmade pieces and repurposed clothing created by local designers and entrepreneurs. In other words, these are the places to go if you “buy local.”

Albisia’s Jewelry Looking for a handmade but tasteful and unique bracelet, earrings or necklace? Albisia’s is the place. Owner Albisia Ipek and her team design and handcraft each piece of jewelry from raw materials. Their focus is to create “simple, timeless yet modern jewelry that can be playfully mixed together.” 1623 W. Snow Circle, Hyde Park. albisiasjewelry.com.

All Sewn Up“I love your dress, where’d ya get it?” That’s what you’ll hear when you shop at All Sewn Up on Central Avenue. Edgy, bohemian, hipster, hippie shoppers can find their favorite one-of-a-kind piece. Denim, dresses, custom shoes, and brands like Motel Rocks, Upper Playground, Kill City and more. The purchasers shop smart — they only buy one size in each item — so you can have the satisfaction of knowing you’re one of the few who owns the piece. Plus, the store treats students and those in the hospitality industry to a 10 percent discount on Mondays and Tuesdays. 621 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-289-7034, allsewnupboutique.com.

Anarchist Closet Sheena is a punk-rocker now, and that means she’ll need some punk-rock threads. If you’re less punk and more goth, Anarchist Closet has something for you too. Gently used rockabilly, punk, and goth garb for the devil in all of us. Even if you’re only wading into the shallow waters of the alternative lifestyle, there are plenty of “everyday” clothes, with an emphasis on full-figured ladies. Get your platform books, corsets, and fetish gear here, too. Prices are extremely fair and they have a great selection of accessories too. 12830 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace, 813-280-9805, anarchistcloset.com.

Black & Denim Tampa-based fashion brand Black & Denim aims to create apparel that embraces a bold, cool, and most of all, timeless image. The menswear line features stylish crew T-shirts, V-necks, woven shirts, and denim jeans with classic Americana appeal. Hoffman Porges Gallery, 1907 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-333-6905. blackanddenim.com.

ArtPool Marina Williams's carefully curated selection of vintage fashion, handmade jewelry and collectibles is augmented by a full service home décor shop, vinyl record store, and café serving delicious treats and craft brews (there’s an outdoor patio, too). The shop also features evening art parties with a wide array of art, fashion, performance and music. Coming up just in time for holiday shopping: the Crafty Fest Winter Shopping Spree Spectacular, Dec. 21-22 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 2030 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-324-3878, artpoolrules.com.

Baubles & Bubbles/Bella Moda Two boutiques have partnered up in one space in the heart of Beach Drive. Bella Moda sells trendy new threads from top Brazilian designers like Morena Rosa, while Baubles & Bubbles offers up a beauteous array of fine jewelry and timepieces, including the distinctive creations of local designers Spathose. 30 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, 727-623-9981, lovebellamoda.com.

Bijou’s Boutique Browse a balanced selection of sleek clothing and accessories at this Crislip Arcade shop, which has a sister location in Orlando. Open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 645 Central Ave., Unit 8, St. Petersburg. 727-209-6506, facebook.com/BijousBoutique.

The Chameleon Located south of the Skyway, this shop offers an array of tops, dresses and other pieces made of natural fibers, plus unique jewelry and accessories. 2801 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, 941-747-4477, thechameleonboutique.com.

Classic Gentlemen Boutique Snazzy fashions for men with unpredictable pairings that make a debonair statement. 5407 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-234-3459. classicgentlemenboutique.com.

Cozette’s Boutique Anchoring one side of the Crislip Arcade, Cozette’s carries an eclectic mix of local and international fashion. Find k.hendrix clothing and jewelry by Albisia Pojani hanging alongside fashion by emerging Parisian designers and brilliantly colored pieces from India. 645 Central Ave., Unit 1, St. Petersburg, 813-317-1241, cozettesboutique.com.

Couture Shoes A Tampa boutique specializing in new and gently worn, high-end designer shoes. Owners claim a savings of up to 75 percent on Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Guesippi Zanotti, Diane Von Furstenberg, and many more. The boutique is approximately 600 square feet and decorated in highly contrasting colors with crystal chandeliers. 4025 Henderson Blvd. (intersection of Henderson and Neptune), Tampa. Shop page on Facebook; 813-398-8080; Coutureshoez.com.

Disco Dolls Studio Whimsy, fun and function epitomize the Dolls’ designs. Sisters Kristine Bush and Leigh Anne Balzekas, and hairstylist Nikki Rice create new looks in the studio, an artistic space equipped with hair, styling and tailoring services. Made entirely of vintage and recycled fabrics, their new collection marries style and sustainability. Whether you’re looking for vintage cocktail dresses, colorful tees or gypsy skirts, the Disco Dolls have you covered. 408 N. Howard Ave., Studio A, 813-641-4367, thediscodolls.com.

Don Me Now This is where you’ll find staples every woman should own — black trouser pants, fitted blazers, women’s Shapewear, gold hoops, etc. You can also find pieces designed by Elizabeth Carson Racker, a featured designer in the 2013 CL Style Issue. Personal shopping guides, private parties and other services are offered. 1627 W. Snow Ave, Tampa. donmenow.com. [page]

Evander Preston Contemporary Jewelry Design From sterling silver pop-top bracelets to a golden ring adorned with a glass eye, ZZ Top lookalike Preston has cornered the market on elegantly quirky jewelry design. And if you’ve never visited his gloriously eccentric headquarters in Pass-A-Grille, complete with Great Danes and a 1930 Russian motorcycle, you’re missing out on a key Tampa Bay experience. Look for the Preston-designed electric train: its headlight shines so bright because it's a half-carat diamond. 106 8th Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-7894, evanderpreston.com.

Fresh Threads Dip into a unique, designer label contemporary consignment boutique that offers subtle elegance and kicky style. 1543 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-449-3578. shopfreshthreads.com.

Georgette’s With multiple awards under its belt, this 30-year family-owned boutique uses one-on-one service and multiple collections to give every buyer a unique look. Specializing in black-tie events, pageants and proms, this store can make anyone feel like a celebrity. 141 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-254-1141; georgettesfashions.com.

Graphi-ko Gallery Wilmer Vergara is a serial artist and he’s got an art gallery/jewelry shop on The 600 Block to prove it. Find Wilmer’s original paintings and jewelry designs alongside pieces imported from exotic places. All of the credited jewelry in the 2013 CL Style Issue fashion editorial was sourced from Graphi-ko Gallery. Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sunday. 669 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, graphi-ko.com.

A. Haley Located in the plaza with Starbucks and Panera, they are 2 years old, have another location in Arkansas, and only carry six of each item in the store to keep things fresh. Also, they host different events for women such as babysitter swaps and wine tastings. 128B S. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. 813-207-0400. ahaleyboutique.com.

Heavenly Heels The women’s online shoe retailer and St. Pete boutique specializes in women’s designer shoes, Badgley Mischka, Bernardo, Diana Kelly, Sasha London, Poetic License, Bacio 61 and hard-to-find designers such as Morena Rosa, Luz da Lua and more. Parkshore Plaza Shops, 300 Beach Drive N.E. (corner of Third Avenue North and First Street North), St. Petersburg. 727-498-8871. heavenlyheels.com.

Illume Eco Boutique The Indian Rocks Beach/Largo area is not the retirement haven it used to be. As this shop’s name suggests, it stocks mostly eco-friendly new clothing and some vintage but should be best known for its outstanding selection of vintage jewelry. “Hands-down the best collection I’ve ever seen,” said fellow Belleair Bluffs business owner Carol Cortright. “It’s like crack to those of us with a vintage bling fixation.” 784 Indian Rocks Road N, Belleair Bluffs, 727-422-3630, ecolunatic.com.

Junque from the Trunque The “little shoppe of treasures old and new” has furniture, collectibles with some clothing, jewelry and accessories thrown into the mix. Deep in the heart of Pasco County. 2334 Seven Springs Blvd., Trinity.

Kina Kouture Head to this stylish li’l haven for vintage savoir faire, classic lines and edgy trendiness. Shop for that Mad Men party, browsing figure-flattering looks of the ’50s and ’60s with repros by Lucky 13, Bernie Dexter, Stop Staring and Bettie Page brands — in addition to formalwear and choice accessories. The shop in Pinellas’ quaint Valhalla of retail, downtown Dunedin, has been featured in DFAC’s Wearable Art and offers something for any woman who likes some swagger in her style. 447 Main St., Dunedin, 813-734-2900, kinakouture.com.

La France The Tampa Bay area’s most popular and well-established vintage shop has won multiple Best of the Bay awards for its wide-ranging selection, which includes rack upon rack of vintage and retro clothing — from ball gowns to Hawaiian print shirts to pencil skirts — as well as hats, shoes, belts and other accessories, several cases worth of jewelry, and various retro-fied odds and ends such as postcards, magnets and coasters. The staff is perfectly willing to style you for your special event. 1612 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, 813-248-1381.

Little Brooklyn Vintage Eclectic home-wares, clothing, furniture, art, jewelry, whimsical baubles and “general knick-knackery” cultivated by Corey Galeano and her staff. 120 Second St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-827-2832. littlebrooklynvintage.com.

Love That Here’s a sweet retreat with unpredictable goodies. Blousy blouses, snazzy dresses, denim, distinctive jewelry and nifty accessories round out a selection that lives up to the shop’s name: It’s truly lovable. 4109-B S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-902-0500, lovethatonline.com.

McB’s The place for fashionable men, and we won’t call you out on being metro. Just smart. CL sales exec and clothes horse Anthony Carbone purchased a brown plaid Hugo Boss sport coat (original value estimated at around $600); the ticket was marked $39 but he got 20 percent off to cover alterations. Total investment: $44. 1045 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-258-4932. [page]

MISRED Outfitters Unlike what many “vintage” clothing stores have to offer, MISRED’s racks hold more than the regurgitated remains of your granny’s closet. With options to buy, sell or trade in-store, you have plenty of opportunities to snag some slammin’, one-of-a-kind duds without compromising your wallet. Owner Sara Stonecipher is an expert at reconstructing threads from thrift finds into new fashionable items. 615 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-827-8310, bemisred.com.

Monstruosite by Dolly Donshey Designer/creative director Dolly Donshey designs four collections, including seasonal designer ready-to-wear items, corsets and custom-made couture millinery (hats and headpieces). Donshey works with clients on custom-made orders by appointment only. A standout is her stunning corsets, which can also be made to order. Limited edition luxury T-shirts are available through the online shop and through select boutiques. Monstruosite’s new by-appointment showroom is at 540 N Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, and Donshey will host an open house every third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting in January. Contact sales@monstruosite.com, visit monstruosite.com/shop or call 212-470-6954.

Nook’s Apparel Browse, buy and trade some badass hand-crafted goods, boots, outerwear, vintage-inspired clothing, jewelry and novelites. 347 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-331-4640.

1 of 1 Customs Need an extra something-something on your apparel? This unique shop specializes in hand-painted footwear, shirts, hats, purses, belts and more. 1701 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 1of1customs.com.

Peaches and Pearls Boutique and Gallery This consignment shop is in love with local love. They want to carry as much local fashion and art as they can fit! Besides that, Peaches and Pearls features a color-coded mix of contemporary clothing with a touch of vintage fashion. Much of the merch comes in from Cory’s customers dating back to her 12-year stint at Neiman Marcus. Open Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 12-5 p.m. 5897 Memorial Hwy., Tampa, 813-886-7029.

Penelope T The SoHo spot combines urban sensibility and bohemian aesthetics. With one-of-a-kind finds in clothing, jewelry, shoes, swimwear, handbags and lingerie. 1413 S. Howard Ave., Suite 104, Tampa, 813-254-5740, penelopetboutique.com, facebook.com/penelopetboutique.

Pink Petticoat The place to shop for pretty underthings in Hyde Park Village. 714 S. Village Circle, Tampa. 813-253-2244. thepinkpetticoat.com.

Pippa Pelure Contemporary and sophisticated women’s apparel. 50 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, pippapelure.com, 727-623-0926.

Poppy Boutique A smart little Hyde Park Village boutique, Poppy’s has women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry, as well as furniture and home accessories. 704 S. Village Circle, Tampa, 813-374-9270. facebook.com/ThePoppyBoutique.

Ramblin’ Rose The local merchandisers’ and artists’ co-op known for funky events and enviro-friendly repurpose-ification has set up shop in Star Booty. Once you’re there, you might just fall in love with the conscious retailers for their “great clothes, knickknacks and energy.” 681 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-557-5812, ramblinroseupcycle.wordpress.com.

Ravens and Rockers Going to the Castle for industrial night? Shop here. The shop has a wide variety of gothic, cyber, metal, punk, vampire, industrial, rockabilly, hardcore, steampunk, fetish, pin-up and rocker styles. Name brands include Lip Service, Hell Bunny/Spin Dr, Tripp NYC, Demonia and Shrine. 14815 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-443-0826. ravensandrockers.com.

Rehab and Rehab Exchange Say you want to go to Rehab and I say, “yea, yea, yea.” Feed your fashion addiction with an inspired selection of buy/sell/trade merchandise on both sides of the Bay. The South Tampa location tends more towards trendy and luxury brands while St. Pete offers more original, indie-style with a refreshing splash of vintage. 4525 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa, 813-830-1811 and 951 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-512-5190, checkoutrehab.com.

Revolve Clothing Exchange A funky treasure trove of vintage threads, new fashions and accessories, with locations on both sides of the bay. Three locations: Ybor, 1620 E. Seventh Ave., Ybor City, 813-242-5970; South Tampa, 4023 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-406-7788; 2000 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-399-7788; revolve.cx.

Roadside Attraction Curiosity Shop and Gypsy Craft Lounge Buy cute fashion accessories and handmade jewelry and occasionally make items of your own at this cute, funky-fun new outpost owned by writer/former library maven Carol Cortright. 596 Indian Rocks Road. N, Suite 1, Belleair Bluffs, facebook.com/ShopRoadsideAttraction.

Sherry’s YesterDaze For the past 14 years, YesterDaze has been serving up a wide variety of vintage clothing and accessories for ladies and gents alike. Can’t seem to find that perfect pair of 1960s tapestry hot pants? Look no further than YesterDaze. 5207 N. Florida Ave., 813-231-2020, yesterdazevintage.com.

Saturday Downtown Indie Market Designers, artists, horticulturists, crafters and nonprofit groups take over the sidewalks of the 600 block in a younger, cooler DIY outdoor bazaar than what’s typically offered in the Bay area. Noon-6 p.m., first Saturday of every month. Between Sixth and Seventh avenues Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. sixhundredblock.com

The Shop This simply named shop in Northeast St. Pete gets kudos for “unbelievable prices” (actual quote) and stylish West Coast-inspired looks. Balancing timeless classics and trendy sass. 3440 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-821-6905, enjoytheshop.com.

Simple Graces Artisan Jewelry Boutique If your dresser is an island of broken misfits, bring them in for repair or a new custom design. Owner Daphne McDowell is très helpful and creative. At McDowell’s shop you’ll find handmade pieces made with semi-precious gem stones, Swarovski crystals, and more. 3642 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-503-9863, simplegracesjewelry.com. [page]

Singing Stone Gallery Singing Stone deserves props for promoting the arts in Ybor. Owner/artisan Daniel Balk incorporates the natural world, anatomy, psychology, philosophy and anthropology into his designs. 1903 N. 19th St., Tampa, 813-247-2787, singingstoneart.com

Star Booty Salon It’s a wicked-cool rock ‘n’ roll boutique and hair salon all in one — a St. Pete favorite. 681 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-895-STAR (7827), starbootysalon.com.

Skatepark of Tampa/The Bricks of Ybor Browse a slew of quality brands online or at the SPoT’s two locations: The SPoT Bricks of Ybor Skate Shop, 1327 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa, and the main skatepark location at 4215 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa 813-621-6793, skateparkoftampa.com.

Strands of Sunshine So much personality is packed into this itsy-bitsy shop on The 600 Block. Find colorful, handcrafted, dainty jewelry and local soy candles to brighten up your life. #4 6th St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-823-2878, strandsofsunshine.com

Squaresville A goldmine of retro fashions for both men and women, plus funky mid-century home furnishings. 3224 W. Bay-to-Bay Blvd., Tampa, 813-259-9944, squaresvilletampa.com.

Urban Body A mainstay for men since opening in SoHo 12 years ago, the boutique is now making women happy, too, with a carefully edited selection of separates and dresses that share the same body-conscious, casual flair of the men’s collection. 711 S. Howard Ave. #100, Tampa, 813-251-5522, urbanbody.com.

432 Westside Boutique The small eclectic boutique offers personal service, product knowledge and creativity. 100 Indian Rocks Road N, Belleair Bluffs. 432westside.com.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

When we set out to plan this year’s Style Issue, one question lingered: How do local designers make a living at what they do? Surely, it must take a special kind of resourcefulness, drive and moxie to make a name for yourself in a world where shoppers default to corporate-manufactured fashions.
As CL interviewed the designers in this issue, we learned that two things were essential in establishing oneself as a fashion designer: Getting pieces out to other markets and being Web-savvy.
“People cannot make it as a designer in the Tampa Bay alone,” Monstruosite’s Dolly Donshey said. “If you are a designer, you cannot rely on good designs and charm to get you by. The business needs to be of utmost importance and knowing how to network and sell in many different markets. Tampa Bay can make a design career, but getting buyers in LA, New York, Miami, Chicago and internationally will help you get there.”
Donshey and other fashion designers in this issue filled us in via email on their selling points, revealing a little about themselves and why they stand out in a highly competitive market.

Dolly Donshey, Monstruosite
What her customers purchase most:“Custom hats and headpieces,” Donshey says. “And I’ve just recently had a boom in sales with our new line of body cages.”
One word to describe her line:“Unapologetic.”
The secret to her success:“The only way to make it as a designer is to never stop fighting, always learn from your mistakes, and never be satisfied with what you are currently doing.”
Not so much into jewelry …“I deal mainly with accessories, but I don’t wear jewelry. I feel trapped and weighed down when wearing jewelry, and I found that I don’t like designing jewelry either. I don’t have any favorite jewelry designers but I thoroughly appreciate a great piece when I see one.”
Where she shops:“There is this thrift shop in New Port Richey that is tax free and is located in a dying strip mall next to a sad laser tag place. It smells like boiled eggs and tennis shoes, but tax free is for me!”
Secret wish:“I’ve always wanted to be a ballerina… but alas … I’m not built for that.”
How you find Monstruosite: monstruosite.com and a new showroom at 540 N. Pinellas Ave. in Tarpon Springs, open by appointment only. She’ll be holding an open house every third Saturday from 9 to 6 p.m. starting in January. For more info, call 212-470-6954 or email sales@monstruosite.com

Kimberly Hendrix, k.hendrix
Who’s buying her designs?“Mostly I sell custom dresses for weddings, red carpet events and more, and RTW (ready-to-wear) pieces wholesale to retailers,” Hendrix says. “I sell in various retailers from LA to NY to Mexico City, Mexico. And locally I sell out of Cozette’s in St. Petersburg.”
k.hendrix rocks:“My aesthetic is a mix of soft, ethereal and a little rock-and-roll edge, yet very bohemian. I am a surfer girl at heart, but I like to dress up like a princess, too.”
What got her here:“k.hendrix has really been built on my relationships in the fashion world, from celebrities to photographers to stylists. I have been building friendships with talented people for quite some time and we work together as much as possible.”
A kiss may be grand, but … When it comes to jewelry, Hendrix says she loves the classics: “Cartier, Tiffany, Bulgari, but I also love independent designers who go against the grain to create beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces. My favorite designer has always been my friend Melissa McLure — she always inspires my designs.”
Where she shops:“I love MISRED for the staff and the pieces. I shop at Cozette’s, where I also sell, because her pieces are one-of-a-kind, and I’m addicted to her Parisian designers she carries. Thrifting anywhere and everywhere.”
Talents and obsessions:“I speak Japanese and pig Latin, of course. I love to play chess and well, I have an addiction to chairs. I used to buy every interesting one I ever saw; then I learned how to edit.”

Rachana Suri, Accessuri
What turns her on:“I love luxury, silk, glamour,” Suri says. “I like to wear things that make me feel good about myself.”
Minding her business:“Right now I work hard at making a living at this as I use the revenue I make to grow the business. So I rely on my finance and business consulting experience for income to live. Anyone out there looking for someone give me a holler.”
Favorite jewelry:“Taylor Busgith. We are going to collaborate on a jewelry line that matches my dress line.”
Where she shops:“Heavenly Heels for shoes, of course, but the 600 Block on Central has great designers.”
Oh, what fun: She just finalized an event at Heavenly Heels on Sat., Dec. 21, from 3 to 7 p.m., where local artists will be showcasing jewelry and scarves, guests will be entertained by Christmas music, live guitar and wine, and 10 percent of profits will go toward stopping human trafficking.
Her advice to other designers: Just keep working at it.
Where to find Accessuri: accessuri.com and Heavenly Heels at 300 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg. [page]

Rhonda Shear
The queen of underneath:“I have been designing intimates, shapewear, sleepwear and apparel for over 10 years now,” Shear says, “and I’m having a blast! I also just launched my first fragrance, I’m working on collaboration lines for Crystal Hefner, Kato Kaelin and Anthony Sullivan, writing my first book, and booking tour dates with my Comedy PJ Party! Busy, busy!”
Celebrating all women:“I love comfort, color, and figure-flattering silhouettes. In the fashion world so many designers create lines that look amazing on a size 0-2, but just don’t work for everyone. My line inspiration comes from my own ever-changing body, and is meant to enhance assets, embrace curves, and fit properly whether you are a size 2 or a 2X. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s my goal to allow women to be comfortable and still have some fun with fashion!”
Establishing trust:“I only sell things that I believe in. When you are talking bras and panties, it’s pretty intimate, so the customer really needs that trust level.”
Where she shops:“I love Apropos in Tampa and Entrada Designs for statement evening wear — fabulous!”
Doggone smitten:“I’m pretty much an open book, but one thing would be that I hand-feed my four dogs, Chicky, Tiki, Sweetie and Lexie. They are ridiculously spoiled!”
Where to find her intimate wear: RhondaShear.com.

Sandra Hagen
What she sells: Primarily women’s clothes plus patterns and sample pieces for people who want to create their own looks.
Her aesthetic:“Feminine pieces that are classic, sophisticated and with a vintage touch.”
Favorite local jewelry:“I really like what Scott Durfee and George Medeiros are doing at Spathose.”
Cool irony:“I go to the Goodwill or Salvation Army to find something new and unexpected.”
Eastern promises …“I lived in Japan for 3 and a half years … where I met my husband.”
Her advice:“You always have to be aware what’s going on in fashion. You also need to keep pushing the envelope, and have a great sense of style. Be able to set yourself apart from the rest.”
Where to find Sandra Hagen: etsy.com/people/sandrachagen or on Facebook.

Elizabeth Carson Racker
Dressed to impress: Racker is a ready-to-wear designer who specializes in evening wear.
For the everyday woman: She designs “fashion forward, high quality, and affordable garments.”
Her mission:“To always apply the highest standards of creativity, honesty, quality and innovation,” Racker says. “Continuous research allows me to stay in front of the latest trends while applying the highest standards of fabrication and constantly creating new and fresh silhouettes for that everyday woman.”
Survival skills:“Hard work and staying true to who you are I feel are important. Going back to my philosophy, I continuously research trends, new silhouettes, and fabrication which allows me to create new and fresh designs that women want.”
Favorite local jewelry:“I really don’t have a favorite jewelry designer. I love to hunt for unique pieces at art festivals, antique/thrift stores, or even better local designers like Dana Judge of Tampa.”
Where to find her:“I sell my garments on elizabethcarsonracker.com and I will soon be debuting my spring/summer 2014 Collection in Don Me Now Style Lounge in Hyde Park.”
Where she shops:“Being a Tampa native, I have grown to love and appreciate La France in Ybor City. La France is an amazing vintage house, it just makes you feel good when you walk in. Last year I bought vintage fabric which developed into one of my strongest pieces for my S/S 2014 collection.”
Sibling revelry:“I come from a family of talent, my brothers are musically gifted. My older brother is Shock G from Digital Underground (Humpty Hump).”

Audrey “Pat” McGhee
A double life:“Besides fashions, I love impacting the lives of young people to assist in developing programs for youth to reduce juvenile delinquency,” McGhee says. “Fashion designing is what I love, but working for the state is my full-time job. I work for the state Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the evening hours and weekends I burn the midnight hours creating something fabulous. This would include custom designing for clients that want to look hot and not like anyone one else.”
Her designs:“A masterpiece because of its construction, boldness and color patterns.”
How she keeps it up:“Having faith is key and believing strongly in myself and my work and never giving up. Quitting is not an option. In addition to having a good business plan, financial backing/investments, resources and a good relationships.” (She’s also savvy about media promotion and marketing strategies.)
Favorite local jewelry: Monique Pean International and Leslie of Accessoriz and Nancy of Najea Designs.
DIY to the bone:“I create/design my own clothes because it’s better to promote myself than anyone else.”
Where to find her: audreypat.com, Facebook or at fashion shows. [page]

Lorena Knezevic, Lolodaisy by Lorena
Off to an early start:“Currently, I am still a high school student during the day and a fashion designer by night. The more I develop my brand Lolodaisy by Lorena and gain exposure to a larger client base, the closer I am to the goal of making a steady income with my designs.”
Her looks:“Transitioning between tumbling layers of silks and chiffons and the hard edge of leather, my aesthetic teeters between being modern and romantic. I hope to strike a balance between designs that are made to make a woman feel like she is beautiful, both being herself and the woman she had always hoped to be. Elegance, grace, a buoyant sense of freedom — these are things all women wish to embody, and these are things I wish all of my garments to embody as well. My designs at times are ornate and soft and delicate. There is a difference, though, between femininity and fragility. I call my aesthetic a modern romance because I believe in women being completely confident in their own sense of feminine beauty. (They) can be both soft and strong.”
From thin air:“Doing the impossible seems to be a requirement in the fashion industry … foreseeing the future, deciphering the desires of the masses, producing wearable works of art — it sounds like only magicians and dreamers would be capable of such tasks. Designers are both dreamers and magicians. Personally, I know of no other way to live other than to just keep on dreaming and turning those dreams into reality. I suppose that that is how I ‘make it’ in the fashion industry.”
Favorite jewelry:“Ranges from vintage finds to the ultra-innovative 3D printing designs of Ixism.”
International:“I was born in Torino, Italy and my family is from Croatia.”
Where to find Lolodaisy: lolodaisy.com and her Etsy store, lolodaisy.etsy.com.

Stephen Ogaga, SW8
He’s come a long way, baby: Ogaga was born in Nigeria and raised in London.
His goods:“Clean-cut, high-end street wear,” Ogaga says. “So you’ll see traditionally streetwear pieces with a more tailored cut to them.”
Globally conscious: His clothing line is named after the postal code of his stomping grounds in the London borough of Lambeth, in Vauxhall, and his upbringing and surroundings have influenced his aesthetic. Leather and clothing styles from Africa and around the world have crept into his modern streetwear. “My hottest-selling item is my leather Brixton jogging pants.”
Functional:“My line is unique because I feel like I design timeless pieces that everybody needs in their closet,” Ogaga told Fashion Week Tampa Bay.
Where to find SW8:“Right now we mainly use Instagram for promoting the brand.”
Self-taught: Ogaga began his foray into fashion design as a teen, sewing designer fabrics on the pockets of his jeans.
Go, Bulls! He graduated from the University of South Florida in 2008.
Controversial: His bio says he’s achieved “much success” in Internet marketing. He is facing questions, however, about the payday loan businesses he operated out of Tampa. The Federal Trade Commission halted the companies’ operations in September, charging that Ogaga and a partner used the promise of fast loans to gain access to consumers’ private financial information. Asked to comment, Ogaga responded, “It’ll be resolved soon. Our lawyers won’t allow us to comment on any issues. Sorry.”
If he weren’t a designer:“If I wasn’t in fashion, I would probably be in politics lol.”

(Information from Fashion Week Tampa Bay was used in this report.)

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

“The reality is, for Tampa Bay’s fashion scene to exist, we have to claim it. Make it so.”

That’s what I wrote in my first High on Style column for CL last year. Think of the following pages as proof positive that the Tampa Bay fashion scene is not only alive, it’s thriving.

Every look featured in “The Locals” was freshly picked off the runway at this year’s Fashion Week Tampa Bay. Nine designers showed Spring/Summer 2014 collections, and every one of them is represented in a shot from this editorial.

The local love extends beyond the clothing. All of the credited jewelry was sourced from Graphi-ko Gallery on the 600 Block of Central Avenue, and we clutched a clutch from Eugenia Woods in St. Petersburg, too. The creative team behind the shoot is entirely local, and our cosmopolitan models hail from Tampa, Clearwater and Plant City.

Downtown Tampa served as the backdrop. If pictures are worth a thousand words, these, by Brian James Gallery Photography, should speak volumes about the talent residing here. Get down with The Locals — or shout about them from the rooftop like we did.

Elizabeth Carson Racker

With its innovative rope detail and plunging neckline, Elizabeth Carson Racker’s dress raised the roof at the runway show. It was only fitting for us to photograph it on the rooftop of The Franklin Exchange.

Necklace and earrings from Graphi-ko Gallery

Model: Mary Butterly, Level Talent Group

This street-savvy leather ensemble is cool at every angle. Lorena Knezevic lives in Ocoee, FL, but she qualifies as an honorary local as far as fashion goes. Before launching her design career at the tender age of 17, she’d been modeling here for other designers like Sandra Hagen for years.

Necklace and bracelet from Graphi-ko Gallery

Clutch by Eugenia Woods

Model: Emily Kenyon [page]

Monstruosite by Dolly Donshey

When this black dress (with a red zipper up to there) hit the runway, it was featured with a detachable crimson train. Upon the dramatic reveal, it became instantly clear that this dress would end up here.

Earrings, ring and cuff from Graphi-ko Gallery

Model: Mary Butterly, Level Talent Group [page]

SW8 by Stephen Ogaga

Leather keeps its cool in shorts. Add peek-a-boo pocket details and a shiny, gold collar, and SW8’s looks turn up the heat on the street.

Models: Mary Butterly and Nate Johnson [page]

Audrey Pat McGhee

Audrey Pat McGhee paired up with Classic Gentlemen Boutique, a local haberdashery, to present “Adam”— a menswear collection featuring tailored suits and this platinum tuxedo, ideal for illustrating the menswear-for-women trend of the season.

Photographed at The Vault [page]

Accessuri by Rachana Suri

Wear your heart on your sleeve or some skulls and roses on your halter dress. This little number is from Accessuri’s premier clothing collection, “The Rockanrolla.” [page]

Rhonda Shear
Lingerie designer Rhonda Shear made a scene this year by unveiling bicoastal collaborations with Crystal Hefner and Kato Kaelin. These “Slacker” pants from the Kato KouchPotato Wear line cozy up to the idea of laid-back style.

k.hendrix

Twinkle, twinkle, k.hendrix. Kimberly always brings sparkle to the runway, and this year was no exception. In addition to her beloved dresses we were happy to find something fresh to feature. These shorts, paired with a barely-there melting sequin capelet from her Naked Cadence collection, did the trick. [page]

Sandra Hagen

Sandra Hagen’s “Between the Lines” collection dripped with jewel tones, and this graphic look with cropped, pleated pants captured the street style vibe brilliantly.

Bracelet from Graphi-ko Gallery [page]

CL Style Issue Credits

Art Director: Leslie Joy Ickowitz

Photographer: Brian James Gallery Photography

Stylists: Leslie Joy Ickowitz & Pamela Bloomgren

Hair: Bill Baker

Makeup: Pamela Bloomgren, MOD Productions

Models:

Emily Kenyon

Mary Butterly, Level Talent Group

Nate Johnson

Assistants: Becca Barton, Cristina Casiano, Donna Green, Joe Sale

Special thanks to The Vault for hosting the shoot.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Republicans in the Florida Legislature have their reasons for rejecting the federal government's money to expand Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act. Though the argument that the feds don't live up to their obligations always seemed like a flimsy one, you could argue (as Pinellas Representative Kathleen Peters has) that the system currently is struggling, with many doctors refusing to see such patients already. Add 800,000 more to the rolls, they say, and the infrastructure won't be able to support it.

But Rick Scott disagreed. That's why in February he announced that he wanted the state to take the feds money. In that regard, he was like several other Republican governors throughout the country who faced resistance to buying into the ACA. But unlike Arizona's Jan Brewer, Ohio's John Kasich and Pennsylvania's Tom Corbett, Scott failed to lift a finger in advocating that his legislature support it this past spring. That's not a criticism, per se. That's simply a fact.

But the governor doesn't want to talk about that these days, though he will continue to bash Obamacare. Yes, it's an old story, but it's still a very relevant one. The fact is that 800,000 people or so had the opportunity to get health insurance this coming year, with no cost to the state of Florida. Yesterday in Tampa the governor focused on those who will be losing their insurance due to Obamacare. But those people in Florida who can't qualify for Medicaid right now? They don't have anything either. Too bad he doesn't pity them.

We'll find out today how what the Tampa Bay area House delegation thinks about the budget proposal announced Tuesday by Republican Paul Ryan and Democrat Patty Murray. Last night on a telephone town hall meeting, Polk County Congressman Dennis Ross said he didn't love the plan, but was inclined to support it.

Hey did you know today was Bob Barker's 90th birthday? He's not laying low today, appearing later today on an episode of The Price is Right that was taped last month. During that show this ad he cut for David Jolly will air - Barker and Beverly Young, Bill Young's widow, are allies in the animal rights movement.

When discussing distracted driving, often the focus is on teen drivers. But a new survey by AAA says that it's actually their elders (those between the ages of 25-39) who do more texting while driving.

And TIME magazine announced Pope Francis as their Person of the Year yesterday. Our choice, NSA leaker Edward Snowden, did come in second.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Rick Kriseman officially takes over as Mayor of St. Petersburg three weeks from today, and he continues to add new staffers as his inauguration approaches.

Sally Everett has been selected to serve as the Director of Legislative, Education and Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of St. Petersburg.

"It is vital that we have an experienced, in-house professional tracking state and federal legislation, identifying opportunities and challenges, and representing our City when other government bodies are meeting," Kriseman said in press release. "St. Petersburg will benefit greatly from Sally's breadth and depth of experience and longstanding relationships with area officials."

Everett will also work on education issues.

Her resume most recently includes a stint as Director of Community and Government Relations at Hillsborough Community College. She also spent spent four years as the Manager of Intergovernmental Relations for the Board of County Commissioners in Pinellas County, and 12 years as a Public Affairs Manager for Progress Energy, where she was the company’s liaison to state legislators in the greater Tampa Bay area.

Kriseman also announced that Robert Danielson, who has been the Marketing and Communications Assistant Director for years, will become the Interim Marketing Director for the City.

"Robert's years of service and enthusiasm for St. Petersburg make him the ideal person to lead our marketing efforts at this time," said Kriseman, making no mention of why Danielson is being named only as an interim choice at this time.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

With less than two weeks until Christmas, a coalition of progressive groups brought their wish list for the New Year to Senator Bill Nelson's district office in Tampa Thursday morning.

The list included supporting legislation that would close corporate loopholes, as well as two specific pieces of legislation that, according to an economic think tank, would result in the creation of over 3 million jobs nationwide and more than 170,000 in Florida.

But first Tim Heberlein with the Florida Consumer Action Network (FCAN) said he wanted to thank Nelson for his support of the just-announced bipartisan budget proposal that the House is voting on today. The bill doesn't touch liberal sacred cows like Social Security and Medicare.

The specific bills that FCAN and the other groups want Nelson to support include Senator Carl Levin's (D-Michigan)Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act (S. 1533), which raise $220 billion over 10 years by closing some tax loopholes that encourage corporations to shift profits, operations and jobs overseas.

Heberlein called on Nelson to also support a financial transaction tax, which some are dubbing "The Robin Hood Tax," since it aims to charge Wall Street investors a fraction of a penny for each stock trade that they make, based on the dollar value of the transactions. Over 160 local and national organizations support the measure, recently introduced by Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison, including the National Nurses United, Friends of the Earth, and National People's Action.

And the groups say they'd like Congress to pass The Fairness in Taxation Act, which would call on the very wealthy to pay "their fair share" by enacting tax brackets for income starting at $1 million and ending with a $1 billion bracket. That bill was introduced in the House in 2011 by Illinois Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky and has gotten little traction.

Also appearing at the press conference was the Reverend Russell Meyer the Florida Council of Churches. Speaking on the first relatively cold day in Tampa Bay this month, he began by saying that "There's a cold wind blowing into Tampa today and it's going to get really cold for a lot of Floridians when unemployment runs out on them."

That was a specific reference to the fact that unless Congress acts quickly, some 1.3 million workers will lose their extended jobless benefits on December 28. The budget agreement that the House will vote on today (the Senate takes it up next week) does not address the expiring Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

The final speaker today was Savanah Goodland, a recent USF grad who has just begun working with Community Connect to help uninsured people get through the application process associated with the Affordable Care Act. She took her moment in the spotlight to lobby for members of the Florida Legislature to consider expanding Medicaid — a position supported by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, but one that still appears to lack the political juice to get through the GOP-led House anytime soon.

Other groups listed as participating in today's press conference included the Community Business Association, American Federation of State, City and Municipal Employees, Florida AFL-CIO and PICO.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Join CL and the International Academy of Design & Technology tonight as we celebrate local designers at the CL Style Issue Release Party and IADT Fashion Show.

IADT students made quite a splash at Fashion Week Tampa Bay this year. CL Style Editor Leslie Joy Ickowitz particularly liked the work of Alexandra Lin and Gigi Guerra, whose black and gold full-length coat was, in Leslie’s words, “swoon-worthy.”

Equally swoon-worthy are the nine local fashion designers Leslie spotlighted for this week's Style Issue: Dolly Donshey, Sandra Hagen, J. Hendrix, Lorena Knezevic, Audrey "Pat" McGhee, Stephen Ogaga, Elizabeth Carson Racker, Rhonda Shear, and Rachana Suri. The fashions of all nine walked the runway during Fashion Week Tampa Bay.

There will be complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and beverages at the party. Arrive early and take a tour of IADT’s new campus to see where fashion happens.

Thurs. Dec. 12. Open House mixer, 6 p.m. Fashion show, 7 p.m. IADT Tampa campus, 3725 W. Grace St., Tampa.

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

The FDA recently approved an appeal for the drug, Flibanserin, which is designed to treat low libido in women. Originally the FDA rejected the drug on the grounds that it only had a "modest" effect in correcting low sex drive in women. In light of new clinical trials, the FDA agreed to reexamine the drug.

Viagra, the first FDA approved drug for erectile dysfunction, ED, hit the shelves 15 years ago. Since then, ED drugs have become big business, commanding a $4.4 billion market in 2012. Many companies have tried to duplicate this success by creating similar drugs for women. An estimated 2 in 5 women experience some form of sexual dysfunction, and 1 in 10 women report having a low sex drive that results in personal distress. The problem these companies discovered is that low libido is a psychological issue as opposed to a physical one like most forms of ED.

Pfizer, who pioneered Viagra, ended its search for a female equivalent in 2004. The privately owned Sprout Pharmaceuticals Inc. acquired the rights for Flibanserin from another company in 2011 after the FDA ruled that the drug hadn’t been proven safe or effective.

Sprout recently gave the FDA data on 11,000 women who participated in clinical trials on Flibanserin. These women counted the number of satisfying sexual encounters they experienced each month. The average number of satisfying sexual events women recorded increased by 2.5 encounters in a 28-day period compared with 1.5 for those who received a placebo.

Flibanserin is a non-hormonal drug that works similar to antidepressants. It lowers serotonin while boosting dopamine and norepinephrine. It is only meant for pre-menopausal women, and common side effects include fatigue, nausea and sleepiness.

The FDA is expected to rule on the drug in the first few months of 2014.

Follow Alfie on Twitter or Facebook and email him here

[ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]