Archives for December 2013
Sometimes love is waiting for us right where we live.
Last Saturday, we all woke up early to a crisp, cool day.
As I made my cup of tea and folded the laundry I had left drying overnight, I got thinking about the Tedx Dayton Talk by London Coe. She talked about Dating Your City – getting out there and finding all the amazing people and amazing things happening at any time in any town. She said she went from thinking her town was grey and dying (all the news stories said so) to being madly in love with Dayton, Ohio.
So, after we were all dressed and had eaten a little something, we took off for a little local adventure.
I had been hearing about a fabulous pretzel kitchen for years and years, but had never been able to figure out where it was. These pretzels were supposed to be world class – the kind that people ship to their kids when they move away from home. It was supposed to just be some third generation pretzel guy making them in his garage and you had to drive through an alley and know a code to get in. But no one could tell me an exact address or hours or even a real name (“It’s like Schmales or Smalls or Smaylees… or something like that.”).
For whatever reason, everything fell into place this time. I Googled Dayton + pretzel + awesome + downtown. And there – where there had never been any information before, I swear – was the name “Smales” with an address and hours and everything. It was only open from 8:00am to 1:00pm and there was always a big line, so get there early.
We drove straight there and everything I had heard was true. We turned into a narrow alley and parked in a three-car dirt lot. We walked back along the alley to a small door under a decrepit metal awning and walked right into pretzel heaven. There was a giant mixer kneading a big ball of dough, there was a layer of flour over everything, and an otherworldly smell in the air.
We bought a dozen hand-twisted pretzels, still warm and liberally sprinkled with chunks of salt and walked back out into the crisp, cool air with our treasure.
Thanks, Smales!
Still in the mood for adventure, we hopped on down to the 2nd Street Market. This is a Dayton institution and always good for people watching and local shopping. We picked up sweet potatoes the size of Hani’s head, fresh eggs, local raw honey for my morning tea, Brussels Sprouts on the stalk, and Amish butter, and Dave found a beautiful leather bracelet made by VintageLiz.
This beautiful day was right there, just waiting for us to notice it… like a brilliant jewel under a leaf.
What jewels are waiting right there for you to notice them? What seems grey and dying that actually just needs some attention and love to come to brilliant life?
love.
Editors Note:
We found this great post on facebook, clicked through and found the Fierce Mothering blog. Written by two dynamic and passionate women, April Fine and Robyn Moore, who are both moms and friends. The post above written by Arpil just screamed with the mission of MostMetro (sharing the love we have for our town) we asked for and were granted permission to reprint this here. We hope you enjoy as much as we did!
And thanks to London Coe for inspiring so many Daytonians to “date their city.” If you’ve got a story about a date you’ve had with Dayton and would like to share it with us, please contact us.
Santa Arrives At Woodland Lights Tonight ** Ticket Contest**
When the flashing lights and siren of a fire truck go zooming down St. Rt. 725 tonight, it will be Santa making his way to the Washington Township’s Woodland Lights! Celebrating their 21st year with the traditional lights and sights people have come to love, they’ve added some extra sparkle to their month long activities at 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road. There are movie nights, coloring contests and even nights to bring your dog.
Visitors to the nightly event can enjoy the beauty of lights sparkling along a half-mile wooded path and reflecting against a woodland pond. Along the trail, whimsical characters and illuminated critters prepare for the holidays, while a real-life Santa Claus visits with children inside an historic log cabin decorated as a candyland.
“Woodland Lights is a place that’s magical and enchanting. Every year, we do our best to stay true to that vision,” said Linda Madden, Woodland Lights coordinator. “The front area feels more like a festival with lighting and animation. The mood at the back of the park is quieter, more pristine, and emphasizes the park’s natural beauty.”
Nostalgia Nights on December 9, 10, 16, 17
View the lights, enjoy refreshments, and visit with Santa before Christmas in an historic log cabin. Musical entertainment in the cabin the day after Christmas.
COST: $3 Free for kids 2 and under
Festival Nights on All Other Nights (except Dec 24 & 25)
For visitors who want the most that Woodland Lights offers. Lights, Refreshments & Santa Visits PLUS carriage rides, amusement rides, costumed characters, live deer games, and activities musical entertainment after Christmas. Festival Nights offer all of the fun of Woodland Lights, plus a full range of festivities including carriage rides, live deer, amusement rides, costumed characters, games and extra activites such as face painting. Kids can play on a fun slide and enjoy seven amusement rides including a small train, Santa swing, twister and pony carts.
COST: $7 Free for kids 2 and under
Woodland Lights & Movie Nights
After walking the Woodland Lights path, head to the Rec West building at 7:30 p.m. to see a free holiday movie, Polar Express. All movies end by 9 p.m.
December 7 – Polar Express
December 14 – Santa Paws 2
December 21 – Jim Carrey’s Christmas Carol
December 28 – The Rise of the Guardians
For more information about their special events visit the Woodland Lights website.
A WARM AND INVITING PLACE TO VISIT SANTA
At Woodland Lights, it’s easy to find Santa. Just walk down a sparkling path until you see an historic log cabin decorated in lights.Turn right at the split rail fence and Santa will welcome you to his cozy cabin every night through December 23.
The setting is an inviting alternative to more commercialized visits with Santa. While young visitors whisper their wish lists in Santa’s ear, parents are invited to snap a picture. Photos also may be purchased for $5.
“This is a real, historic log home that originally was located in Hillsboro, Ohio,” says Woodland Lights Coordinator Linda Madden. “Everything about it is authentic – from the large beams over head to the old limestone fireplace.” A fire burns bright each night in a large hearth near Santa’s chair, greenery is draped across the mantle, and a tree is decorated in the corner.
After Christmas, Santa returns to the North Pole but his cabin stays open for visitors to stop and warm themselves by the fire until December 30th.
TICKET GIVE AWAY
Most Metro wants to treat some of our readers to a family night out to see the lights. If you’d like to be entered in our drawing for a family 4-pack of tickets, just like this article, and fill out the entry form below. Feel free to add a comment below, it might sway the judges when we pick a winner! We’ll announce a winner on Saturday.
And our winners are:
Lauren Olgiate
Joanna Soehner
Margie Rivera
VTA’s Starring Role Online Auction Benefit Discovery Series for Kids
The 4th annual Victoria Theatre Association online auction runs from Monday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 8. Titled, Starring Role, the auction features more than 200 one-of-a-kind items such as theatre memorabilia, restaurant gift certificates, unique travel experiences, and much more! Proceeds from the auction will support The Frank M. Tait Foundation Discovery Series, which offers live theatre experiences for schoolchildren.
Looking for the perfect gift? Look no further! Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction offers a myriad of items including:
- 4 day trip to California’s Wine Country
- Cooking class for 8 w/ Chef Tim Schonsheck of Citilites at the Schuster
- Gift certificates to local restaurants
- Theatre Packages to SISTER ACT, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALTON BROWN: THE INEVITABLE EDIBLE TOUR and more!
UPCYCLED HANDBAGS TO BENEFIT ARC OHIO
Do you love the Broadway musicals WICKED and THE LION KING or know someone who does? Bid on handbags and totes created from a Broadway WICKED or THE LION KING banner. Local artist Tim Titer creates functional items by upcycling materials that were headed to the landfill and has transformed the banners hung outside the Schuster Center into beautiful and functional messenger bags and totes. Each one is unique in design! 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the bags will go to benefit AIDS Resource Center Ohio!.
Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction is the perfect way to get your holiday shopping done and support Victoria Theatre Association at the same time.
With a goal to raise $35,000, the online auction committee has been working hard to create creative and meaningful packages for Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction. Every item purchased through the auction will support The Frank M. Tait Foundation Discovery Series which reaches more than 30,000 students throughout the Miami Valley. Your support helps local kids experience the arts through Victoria Theatre Association. Be a hero this holiday season and buy the perfect gift through VTA’s Starring Role Online Auction!
Prices of the auction items range from $15 to $5,000 and all purchases will be received mid-December for holiday gift giving.
“Our committee worked hard to have a wide variety of auction items that appeal to a variety of interests,” says Karen Meade, VTA Advancement Director. “It’s fun to think of it as convenient, one-stop shopping in the comfort of your own home – or office – that benefits Victoria Theatre Association’s extensive education and outreach programs.”
Visit http://victoriatheatre.com/support/auction and view all the auction items in advance of the auction start date. Or simply follow these steps:
- Step 1: Go to www.biddingforgood.com.
- Step 2: Find the “bidders” tab in the upper right corner of the homepage and click “Register.”
- Step 3: Fill out the free and no obligation personal information fields.
- Step 4: Once you have registered, enter your username and password in the upper right corner and click the “Sign In” button.
- Step 5: When you are signed in, using the search field, search for Victoria Theatre Association.
- Step 6: Bid on items you like.
- Step 7: Check back and check often to make sure you aren’t outbid!
Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction ends at 8 p.m., December 8, 2013. Winners will be contacted regarding details of collecting their purchases. Dave Ahlstrom (Sebaly Shilito & Dyer) serves as the 2013 Online Auction Chair with committee members: Nina Anglin (Oakwood Florist), Jocelin Baker (Logos@Work), Mimi Combs (Oakwood Florist), Jennifer Enseleit (Harris Systems, Inc.), Kris Hopkins (Community Volunteer) and Regina Menza (Premier Health Partners).
For more information about Victoria’s Starring Role Online Auction, visit http://victoriatheatre.com/support/auction, call Karen Meade at 937-228-7591 ext. 3063 or email her at [email protected].
Loose Meat: The Mystery of MAID-RITE Sandwiches
Usually when someone says “loose meat” it has never been a compliment, until now. On the outskirts of the Miami Valley, in the town of Greenville, a legendary burger joint has existed since 1934. It is called Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe.
Over the years it has developed a cult following. People drive miles, and even come from out of state to taste their ‘burgers.’ They aren’t even burgers, they are “loose meat sandwiches” or “Maid Rites.” Why are so many people coming to eat these sandwiches and why are they so good ?? The Big Ragu and Crew set out to solve the mystery.
We have a had a handful of Food Adventures to Maid Rite either after the Darke County fair, or on a whim, or to satisfy an insatiable craving.
Over the years we realized that there are 2 types of people, those that have never tried Maid Rite Hamburgers, and those who have tried it and cant figure out how they make them.
HERE’S THE SKINNY:
— The main attraction is the maid rite loose meat sandwich. The sweet taste of the meat has developed three major theories of how they are prepared 1) Some think they are steamed in pepsi or coke 2) Some claim they are steamed in beer 3) Others say that sugar is added to the meat before cooking.
— The eatery is a small, no frills, brick building located at 125 N. Broadway St. in Greenville, Ohio and worth the trip. Locally owned they claim no relation to the MAID-RITE sandwich shop franchises in Iowa etc…
— Limited menu with 4 sandwich choices which include loose meat, chicken salad, egg salad or ham salad sandwiches. Shakes, sundaes, beer, soft drinks and chips are available too.
— The employees are very protective of the recipe and process of the sandwiches. We were unable to get the secret recipe after badgering the employees and managers. We were threatened with spatulas and told we would be picking shards of Little Kings bottles out of our rumps for a week. Sorry for the letdown, folks.
— For some unknown reason, it is now customary to stick your gum on the outside of the building. Literally thousands of wads of chewed gum have been stuck on every outside wall of the establishment.
— Bathrooms are located in a separate building around back, adding even more uniqueness and oddness to this place. They also have a drive up window for a quick meat fix.
MUST EATS:
— THE CHEESE RITE SANDWICH: This is the classic maid rite sandwich with cheese. What is a Maid-Rite Sandwich? Think of it as a sloppy joe but with no sauce. It is served on a soft bun, slapped with meat and toppings, and wrapped tightly in wax paper. The meat has a sweet taste to it. This sandwich is topped with a squirt of mustard, a couple of pickle slices and a slice of cheese. They run about $1.95 and the average person could eat 2 or 3 of them. You can get the Big Jim version which adds ham, but we prefer the original Cheese-Rite. Eating one is a unique experience, and you have to try it. Warning: once you unwrap one, we hold no responsibility for future addiction.
— CHOCOLATE MALT: Creamy, sinful and made just for you. You cant go wrong with this delicious, cool classic.
— LITTLE KINGS CREAM ALE BOTTLES: Oh come on , you gotta make it a full blown Food Adventure and wash it down with a icon from Schoenling Brewery. Ok, wanna be a snob? Then grab a Heineken instead.
— MIKESELLS POTATO CHIPS: No fries in this establishment, so choose your hometown chip instead. They have a nice selection of Dayton’s favorite potato chip. It is a good pairing with the simple, classic sandwich.
A couple of sidenotes: Make sure you bring cash, because that is the only form of payment they accept. Also, hours are 10am-10pm except Fri and Sat when they stay open until 11pm.
Amazing isn’t it? A formula for success being a squished, sloppy joe like sandwich served in a small diner with people sticking gum to the walls outside. But people come back every day in droves. WHY?? It is the curiously sweet tasting, delicious loose meat sandwiches. The workers feverishly tossing the ground meat, stuffing buns, wrapping it quickly, and tossing across the counter. It is the personality of the place. If you have never visited this spot, make sure you put it on your “Food Adventure hit list.” Maid Rite is one-of-a kind.
Want more One-of-a-Kind foodie fun? Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE !
PHILOMENA and DALLAS BUYERS CLUB Are Hits at THE NEON!
Hello Everyone,
For the second week in a row – Wow!! We had one of our best Thanksgiving Weekends ever at THE NEON! Audiences are loving both DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and PHILOMENA, and I want to Thank YOU for being such loyal and wonderful patrons at THE NEON. Even though other theaters jumped in on PHILOMENA, you made us come out on top! Thank You! (To visit the official site for each of our current titles (which we will hold), click on the titles above.)
Though we are doing well with our current titles, I’d suggest hurrying down if you still need to see them. We have other titles we need to get to before the end of the year – including Alexander Payne’s new film NEBRASKA and the star-studded AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.
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This year’s Family Holiday Film Series starts this Saturday! Tickets are FREE for children 12 and under, and all other tickets are $2 each. We will screen RISE OF THE GUARDIANS on December 7, on December 14 we will screen HOME ALONE, and on December 21 – the holiday classic – WHITE CHRISTMAS. Each film will only screen one time – at Noon. Tickets will only be available starting 45 minutes before each show.
Dayton-native Toni Dixon will premiere her new short film on Sunday, December 15 at 7:30. “FROM HIDDEN PAIN TO FREEDOM is an emotional depiction of the life of Tia. It is a powerful story of survival against all odds – the story of a little girl caught up in a world of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The setting takes place in the inner-city projects of Ohio where Tia resides with her grandmother because her mother chose the company of men over family. There, she quickly realizes how cold and cruel the world can really be. Gaining strength from within, she grows up to overcome her pain to new found freedom.” (taken from Press Notes) Tickets are $10 each and are now available at THE NEON’s box office.
Thanks for your continued support!
We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan
SHOWTIMES for Friday, Dec. 6 – Thursday, Dec. 12:
PHILOMENA (PG-13) 1 hr 38 min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:20, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R) 1 hr 57 min
Friday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Saturday: 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday: 12:10, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:10, 7:45
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
Saturday: Noon
COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
TBD – KILL YOUR DARLINGS
Dec. 20 – NEBRASKA
Dec. 25 – AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
TBD – THE ARMSTRONG LIE
2013 Dayton Holiday Festival Continues Downtown Throughout December
The Grande Illumination and Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights kicked off the Dayton Holiday Festival this past Friday, but events continue throughout the season as part of this month-long celebration that has been kindling the holiday spirit downtown for 41 years.
In addition, a special holiday edition of First Friday will be held throughout downtown from 5 to 10 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 6. Shop for unique and locally made items, view festive window displays that are part of the first Downtown Holiday Decorating Contest, enjoy live holiday-themed entertainment, and take advantage of discounts and special deals. A complete list of this Friday’s activities is available online.
The Dayton Holiday Festival’s Family Weekends, sponsored by DP&L, include:
Family Movie Series
Dec. 7, 14 & 21 — noon
The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St.
Bring the family for fun, festive films. Enjoy the following movies during this year’s series: Dec. 7 – Rise of the Guardians, Dec. 14 – Home Alone, Dec. 21 – White Christmas. Titles subject to change. Free for kids 12 and younger, $2 for adults. 937-222-7469.
MUSICAL WONDERLAND
Dec. 7 — 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Dec. 8 — 11:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Schuster Center DP&L Stage, Second and Main streets
Enjoy several talented music groups performing during the first weekend in December. 937-228-7591.
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 22 — 11 a.m.
Dec. 9 and 16 — 6:30 p.m.
Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St.
Have a meal with Santa before or after visiting The Tike’s Shoppe and other downtown holiday attractions. Reservations required. Call for cost. 937-910-8000.
Virginia Kettering’s Train Display
Through Jan. 6 — Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Chase Bank lobby, Kettering Tower, Second and Main streets
View this one-of-a-kind model train display, given to the community by Mrs. Virginia W. Kettering. The train can be viewed through the building windows at Second and Main streets at any time.
Wonderland Windows
Through Jan. 2 — 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed for private functions some days)
Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second and Main streets
Experience the magical Rike’s holiday displays. 937-228-7591.
The Tike’s Shoppe
Through Dec. 23 — hours vary
Schuster Center Wintergarden, Second and Ludlow entrance
A special shop run by kids, for kids ― and priced within a kid’s budget. Santa is available for pictures from 2-5 p.m. each day of the Tike’s Shoppe. Managed by YES! For Youth. 937-212-1878.
The Dayton Holiday Festival is presented the Downtown Dayton Partnership, the City of Dayton, Montgomery County and the Mrs. Virginia W. Kettering Dayton Holiday Festival Fund. A complete list of festival events is available online, as well as a calendar of other downtown holiday events.
The DDP’s website has a complete list of downtown’s events, a dining guide, parking map and more at www.downtowndayton.org. Follow the DDP on Facebook to keep up with downtown events and news.
Do You Know A Women of Influence?
The YWCA Dayton is seeking nominations for its 2014 Women of Influence Awards. This award honors women in the greater Dayton/Miami Valley community who have made a positive influence on the lives of others, as part of their careers, as volunteers, as role models or mentors.
Nominations are accepted from the community and honorees are selected by a panel of community leaders. Nominees do not have to be active in the YWCA and nominations cannot be accepted for current YWCA Dayton staff or board of directors. They should reflect the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Additionally, nominees should also exemplify community spirit, leadership, volunteerism and making a difference in the lives of others.
To nominate a Woman of Influence, go to the YWCA Dayton website and complete the online nomination form. Deadline to submit a nomination is Sunday, December 15, 2013.
A luncheon celebration will be held on March 13, 2014 at the Dayton Convention Center to honor the award winners. For more information on tickets and sponsorship, please call 937.461.5550, ext. 107.
Multimedia Artist J-Walt’s Spontaneous Fantasia Comes To DAI
The Dayton Art Institute’s visual arts theatre series, Fifth Third Bank Arts Night Out, wraps up its 2013 season on Thursday, December 5, with the visual spectacle, Spontaneous Fantasia.
Spontaneous Fantasia is a live, musical visual experience that incorporates elements of animation, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, and interactive art into a seamless new art form that amazes audiences.
Spontaneous Fantasia is the digital live performance work of pioneering multimedia artist J-Walt. He utilizes the latest in interactive computer graphics techniques to bring paintings to life. The result is an improvised real-time immersive animated movie that unfolds before audiences.
“With my performances, I take literally the meaning of the word ‘animation’: making images come to life,” says J-Walt. “I use my drawing skills to give directions to computer programs I’ve written. I aim to capture the sensitivity of gesture, but I also use techniques which amplify and augment the gestures. The wave of the arm or the stroke of the pen is my foundation, but the effect is much more. My creative process for these pieces is to continually shift between painting, programming, composing music, and performing. My goal is to create a wholly integrated experience for the eye, ear, and mind.”
J-Walt is a performer, interactive designer, filmmaker, graphic artist, and composer. For 25 years, he has been at the forefront of interactive art and computer performance, expanding the uses of computer animation into uncharted territories. He is an award-winning pioneer of computer-generated puppetry, having created many digital puppets over the years. In March of 2006, he won a Technical Academy Award for his development of a real-time pre-visualization system.
For a sample of J-Walt’s work, go to www.spontaneousfantasia.com/videos.
Spontaneous Fantasia takes place in The Dayton Art Institute’s NCR Renaissance Auditorium on Thursday, December 5, at 8 p.m.
The Dayton Art Institute’s Leo Bistro will be open for dinner on December 5, 4:30-8:00 p.m., offering a special menu for the show. Advance reservations are recommended, by calling 937-512-0146. Go to www.leobistro.com for more information about the menu.
Tickets for Spontaneous Fantasia are $30 for adults and $26 for seniors. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by phone, at 937-223-4ART (4278), in person at The Dayton Art Institute’s Guest Services Desk during regular museum hours, or online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/artsnightout.
For more information about this and other programs at The Dayton Art Institute, please visit www.daytonartinstitute.org or call the museum at 937-223-4ART (4278). Be sure to also connect with The Dayton Art Institute on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive offers.
An Urban Nutcracker
An Urban Nutcracker brings together dancers from throughout the Dayton, Ohio area as well as some out of town guest performers from the tri-state area. The ballet is performed by a cast of approximately 50 performers which is comprised of professional dancers, students and volunteers. Funk Lab Dance Center is among this season’s guest performers. An Urban Nutcracker is SMAG Dance Collective’s largest seasonal offering and is only made possible by the generous support of people like you and grant funding from the Ohio Arts Council in addition to the immensely appreciated in kind donations from volunteers and local businesses.
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This production is very much representative of the company’s mission which is to provide opportunity for dancers and choreographers, educate and entertain diverse audiences, and to bridge the gap between artists, arts organizations and the community. SMAG Dance Collective also collaborates with other organizations as a part of our mission, and the company has spearheaded an effort to dialogue with other arts producing organizations and develop collaborations which push the impetus of the region toward being an arts and cultural destination. SMAG Dance Collective is a contemporary fusion dance company founded by Michael Groomes in 2003. The company’s eclecticism in movement, choice of venue and its dancers pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance.
There are two performances at the Dayton Playouse on Sat, Dec 21st: 4 & 8pm and tickets are $15 for general admission and $15 for VIP seating. Seniors and students rates are just $10. Tickets can be purchased online.
2014 Hoopla Ticket Program: #GivingTuesday Update
The 2014 Hoopla Ticket Program, which launched in conjunction with the NCAA Cyber Monday, runs through today Wed, Dec. 4.
“The highly successful Hoopla Ticket Program has proven once again to be A SLAM DUNK after just 24 hours! We are excited to announce the Dayton Development Coalition has stepped up their commitment by pledging an additional 200 tickets to support students and the Airmen at Wright-Patt,” said JP Nauseef, Local Organizing Committee Chairman. “Jeff Hoagland and the Coalition continue to be the Region’s principal advocate for Wright- Patterson Air Force Base.”
All members of the community can participate in the Hoopla Ticket Program! For each 2014 NCAA First Four ticket purchased on #GivingTuesday, TWO students or Airmen stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will attend the NCAA Tournament at UD Arena on March 18 and March 19, 2014!
Nauseef continued, “Montgomery County has announced that in addition to their annual commitment to the First Four, they will be matching the DDC commitment of 200 tickets; furthering the existing evidence that the Dayton Region is home to America’s most passionate and dedicated college basketball fans.”
Organizations and businesses interested in group ticket blocks and/or interested in supporting the community activities held in conjunction with the 2014 NCAA First Four in Dayton, Ohio are asked to contact the Local Organizing Committee by calling 937-723-2046 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Be sure to use promo code “FANIAM” for special discounts on select 2014 First Four tickets.
Santa Claus & Friends Coming To Town To Benefit Toys for Tots
Lebanon Raceway to Close Saturday, After 65 Years
Like many of you saw in our RESTAURANTS CLOSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN ARTICLE, all good things must come to an end. Today, The Big Ragu & Crew add another name to this list .. sort of. Some of our favorite Food Adventures have been at sporting events. It is with sadness that we announce that one such place, Lebanon Raceway, will be closing this Saturday after 65 years of harness horse racing. The reason for the closing is to make way for a new racetrack and casino in Monroe. We are going to miss this place and the years of memories it gave us.
Last week at the track, we said our goodbyes. We savored the sights and the memories. We bought a program and a pen (superstition), and sat in the front row behind the glass, cheering for our horses to come in. It takes some dexterity to hold a beer, hot dog, and program while watching the race and hollering. The crowd was sparse, but enthusiastic. We had some winners, and some losers, but loved every minute of the 13 races that night.
We have placed bets to win, place and show. We even knocked out a daily double or a trifecta here and there. But, to us, the live horse racing was just half of the story. We also loved the cheap food and beer. From must eats like hot dogs and pork tenderloin sandwiches to popcorn and hamburgers, Lebanon Raceway had more than just concession stands. They had some good sporting event eats that became a tradition for us over the past 20 years. The characters that serve the food are also a big part of the experience. The bar area was always interesting, with the bartenders pouring bottled beers into a plastic cup, sometimes two or 3 at a time. Foam? …sometimes, just deal with it…
Opened in 1948, the race track facility is showing its age a little, but there is something special about this place. Maybe it is the sound of the horses whizzing past, or the trumpets before each race. Lebanon Raceway is known as the “cradle of drivers,” having produced some of the best harness racing jockeys in the nation. Their other motto is “pace baby pace,” referring to the trotting horses. This place is full of personality from the announcers to the bet window workers. We wanted to share our Food Adventure memories and let people know that this Friday and Saturday are the final days of live racing at Lebanon.
Yes it is true, this weekend is your last chance to experience Lebanon Raceway, so saddle up and visit this Dayton area icon one last time. Races will be Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 6:30pm. Literally – “down the stretch they come !!” Need directions? CLICK HERE. Want more horsing around with THE BIG RAGU, CHEF HOUSE and HUNGRY JAX? Then ‘like’ FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE !
Check out our photos and memories from Lebanon Raceway in our gallery below:
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Fellow Passengers to Take Audiences on a Journey ** Ticket Contest**
Let’s play a game.
Name this line:
“I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round… as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on their journeys.”
This fresh adaptation was written by Greg Carter, director of the Strawberry Workshop in Seattle, Washington. Performed by Chuck Larkowski, Megan Cooper, and Franklin Johnson, each playing multiple roles. Nostalgic Victorian Christmas carols performed by local musicians Michael and Sandy Bashaw, will be featured throughout the production along with original pieces developed by the Bashaws for this presentation. Dodie Lockwood is directing the production assisted by Richard Brock. Set design by Chris Newman; Light design by Anita ; Costumes by Robin Farinet; Produced by Kelli Locker. Sound and Light support from Josh Davis and Greg Nichols.
SPECIAL DAYTON MOST METRO DEAL! For the Thursday, December 12 performance ONLY – you can attend for only $10 if you mention that you saw it on Dayton Most Metro. Also – see below for a great ticket giveaway opportunity.
Fellow Passengers will open Friday, December 6 and will run through December 15. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Dayton Playhouse is at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, OH 45414. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Special discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more, with an additional group discount on Thursday, December 12. Reservations are encouraged and may be made at www.daytonplayhouse.com, or by calling the Dayton Playhouse box office at 937-424-8477. The box office is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., however, messages may be left at any time and calls will be returned. Group sales must be done directly through the box office.
Chaminade Julienne’s Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week A Success
Chaminade Julienne will be providing tangible help to those who need it most this holiday season, thanks to generous community-wide support for the school’s annual Thanksgiving donation drive.
During the week of Nov. 18-25, students raised $2,682.58 for Oxfam International and Catholic Relief Services, and collected 2,271 non-perishable items for Dayton non-profit organizations St. Vincent de Paul and The Foodbank.
The drive was just one part of a six-day event known as Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (HHAW). Service learning and co-curricular activities throughout the week allowed students, faculty and staff to take an active role in caring for the plight of others.
The week’s activities included:
- Special presentations and visits by guests including: Kathie Stevens, a dietician from Good Samaritan Hospital; Dr. Dennis Heldman, professor of food science at Ohio State and a CJ STEMM Idol Speaker; and Sr. Rita Sturwold, SNDdeN, U.S. director of mission integration.
- A Hunger Banquet hosted Tuesday by members of FLIGHT and Marianist LIFE. Sixty students were randomly divided into three groups and fed meals of varying nutritional value and proportion depending solely on the luck of the draw. The event is designed to demonstrate the differences between those living in poverty and prosperity in our world.
- A faculty and staff service project in the cafeteria and Foods Lab before school Wednesday morning. Volunteers packed lunches to donate to St. Vincent de Paul and cooked a hot meal for the House of Bread.
- A REACH service site visit after school Wednesday to The FoodBank, where students packed take-home meals in Good-to-Go Backpacks for children.
- And an optional “Fast Day” for all members of the school community on Thursday. Those who abstained from all or part of a meal in order to be in solidarity with the hungry could pack lunches for St. Vincent in the cafeteria during lunch periods instead of eating. Religion teachers were invited to teach mini-lessons about the tradition of fasting in their classrooms.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.cjeagles.org/thanksgiving-drive-helps-hungry-homeless
Experience a Medieval Holiday at WSU
Join your fellow guests for hot wassail and eggnog before dinner. As the trumpeter leads you into the Great Hall to await the royal party, you will be transported back to the 16th century where you will be surrounded by a wave of talented performers—musicians, singers, dancers, the puppet master, and the jester. The bountiful feast will please both your stomach and your heart. Whether it’s your first visit or your 31st, the Madrigal Dinner
will fill you with the joy of the holiday season!
During the Middle Ages and continuing well into the Renaissance, the holiday season was a time when guests traveled great distances to the castles of wealthy friends and family members to feast, dance and exchange news in a celebration that lasted several days. After the rigorous fast of the Advent season, elaborate preparations were made to ensure a truly festive event.
The banquet at Christmas, as on other great holidays, was not an isolated meal, but rather a series of celebrations filled with pageantry and circumstance. After prayers in chapel or at the table, trumpet fanfares signaled the service of specific courses and dishes within the feast. Guests danced, told stories, and sang in enthusiastic outbursts of merrymaking.
Since 1983, the annual Madrigal Dinner, produced each December by the Wright State University Student Union with the Department of Music, has provided the greater Dayton community with a musical and dramatic interpretation of these fabulous medieval ceremonial feasts. What began as a single performance has become an established tradition that spans four evenings and entertains over 1,300 guests.
So, come one, come all, and enjoy traditional English fare, amidst the antics of jesters and manorfolk, dancing and revelry, the Puppet Master, and the wonderfully interwoven lines of the madrigal song. See the Student Union Apollo Room transformed into the Great Hall of Wright Manor where guests are treated to the voices of the Wright State Chamber Singers, medieval dances choreographed by the Tudor Rose Performing Troupe, and the music of Wind in the Woods Early Music Ensemble.
Wes Hale!
Dinner Menu:
Wassail
Medieval Sallat
Beefe and Leeke Pie
Appyl Almynde Stuffed Turkey Breast
Wylde Ryse Blend
Honey Glazed Carrotes and Parsnips
Brannbrede
Bûche Noël
Plomme Poddyng