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Spring 2010 @ WSU

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Wright State UniversitySpring break is over and now it is time for the students of Wright State University to hit the books for another ten weeks.  The week break never seems long enough compared to the six week break we get between the fall and winter quarters, but what is nice is that it is a “break”.  We don’t have tests or homework to worry about or work on, just selling back books and buying new ones with that money.  So watch out, Colonel Glenn Highway is going to be busier this week than it was last week due to students frantically driving to campus to get to class on time.  We’ll try not to cause too many problems.

We are starting the quarter out strong with two speakers next week as a part of the WSU:  Presidential Lecture Series.  On Wednesday April 7 at 7:00 pm, Mr. Greg Mortenson will be speaking in the Apollo Room in the Student Union.  Mr. Mortenson is the co-author of Three Cups of Tea One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time.  This book was the chosen text for the 2009 Common Text Program that is offered here at WSU for incoming freshman students.  Then Friday April 9, Mr. Frans Johansson (author of The Medici Effect) will be speaking in the Apollo room in the Student Union at 9:15 am.  Mr. Johansson’s bestseller book has been translated into 17 different languages and explores innovation through diversity. His speeches have been known to be exciting and an inspiration to all.  With so much diversity amongst us all today, what a beneficial speech to attend!  All events are posted free and open to the public unless posted otherwise!  For more information check out the Wright State website.

LCP Presentation at Pecha Kucha

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There’s a fabulous group of people, led by South Park’s Jill Davis, hosting Pecha Kucha Night in Dayton. The Living City’s Kate Ervin had the chance to present at PK Vol. 3 and you can see her slides below. But what is Pecha Kucha?

“PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of conversation (“chit chat”), it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.”

PK1

Welcome to The Living City!!!

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The Living City Project is a club open to anyone who is actively working to make Greater Downtown Dayton a vibrant place, or who pledges to start. It is a network of the people and partner organizations who truly care about downtown, and it will soon be a physical place with a storefront office, lounge, and community room.Lecture

Click here to learn more about the concept.

The Living City is being revived from its original incarnation in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, when it was led by John Gower and other staff in the City’s planning department.

Click here to browse the archives.

Want to get involved? Please fill out our Membership Form to enter our database and tell us more about your interests. If you represent an organization that wants to help downtown Dayton thrive, we have a separate form for Partner Organizations.

The new Living City Project is being coordinated by Kate Ervin. E-mail Kate.

Check back often; we’re just getting going!

Dayton Native Returns to Miami Valley with Corigliano Quartet

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headshot-MELIADayton native Melia Watras will soon be returning to the Miami Valley for two performances with the critically-acclaimed Corigliano Quartet, of which she is a founding member. The string quartet, named in honor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer John Corigliano, will perform in Yellow Springs on Sunday, March 21, and again at the University of Dayton on Monday, March 22.

Melia, a graduate of Colonel White High School, also served as chair in the viola section of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and in the Dayton Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. After high school, she attended Indiana University, where she co-founded the Corigliano Quartet in 1996. The group has since performed in many of the nation’s leading music centers. In fact, Corigliano himself has said that this quartet is “truly one of the great quartets of the new generation.” Anything but average, the Corigliano Quartet is dedicated to presenting new American music as well as the standard classical repertoire. To preview their performance, check out the audio clips at http://www.coriglianoquartet.com.

The Chamber Music Yellow Springs performance will be held Sunday, March 21, at 7:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church (314 Xenia Avenue in Yellow Springs). Tickets are $18 ; $6 for students. For more info, call 937-374-8800.

The University of Dayton Arts Series performance will be held on Monday, March 22, at 8 pm in Sears Recital Hall on the UD campus. Tickets are $14; $8 for seniors, University faculty, staff and alumni, and non-University of Dayton students, $5 for University of Dayton students. For more info, call 937-229-2545 or 937-229-2787.

Photo from http://www.coriglianoquartet.com.

UD to Host 9th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference

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ATWLCEvery woman needs a little “me” time, so why not take this opportunity for a day of networking, self-improvement and rejuvenation?

If you have not yet registered for the Annie T. Thornton Women’s Leadership Conference, to be held at the University of Dayton on Saturday, March 27th, it is not too late to do so.  This annual one-day event is named in honor of Annie T. Thornton to recognize her 44 years of leadership and dedication at the University of Dayton. During her time at UD, she  mentored hundreds of students, changing lives and empowering women.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Women, Community, Action and Leadership.”  The conference officially begins at 9:15 am in Kennedy Union; registration begins at 8:30 am. Dr. Donna Cox promises to be inspirational with her keynote address, and the schedule includes workshop sessions covering topics such as career development, race and gender issues, health and wellness, financial strategies, work/life balance, and much more.

To learn more about the conference, or to register, please visit  http://campus.udayton.edu/~udwlc. Conference registration is $20 ($10 for students) and includes a continental breakfast and buffet-style lunch. See you there!

UD Celebrates the Arts with Free Schuster Center Performance

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COA_smallThis article was written by guest columnist Julie Roth. Julie is a singer, songwriter, and graduate student at the University of Dayton.

Originally established to showcase the academic successes at the University of Dayton, the Stander Symposium celebrates the unique talents and abilities of all students. Unsurprisingly, many of these academic successes incorporate the arts in the form of dance, music, visual art, and theatre. Taught both inside and outside the classroom, the arts at UD contribute to a rich and unique culture in the community of Dayton.

On Tuesday, March 16th at 8pm, the Schuster Center, located at 1 West Second Street in downtown Dayton, will be hosting a  “Celebration of the Arts”  performance to open the Stander Symposium events. Designed to succinctly showcase achievements that UD students have made in the arts, this event provides an evening to experience several genres of the arts in one sitting.

While some students use the arts to fulfill their coursework and pursue an arts degree, others participate in the arts more informally. Majors and non-majors alike use the Celebration of the Arts to showcase their love for artistic expression and demonstrate their participation in the artistic opportunities at UD.

Whether you have significantly experienced the arts at the University of Dayton or are new to performances and exhibits, the Celebration of the Arts provides a fast-paced and diverse showcase of student work, including singing, instrumental music, dancing, videos, and drama.

The performance will include the University’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, a  selection from the modern stage adaptation of the Moliere comedy Scapin, the First Flight saxophone quartet, the University of Dayton Chorale; a new world music choir, a lively percussion ensemble, and the University of Dayton Dance Ensemble. The evening will conclude with a performance by the Dayton Jazz Ensemble and the Ebony Heritage Singers; they will perform two pieces arranged by saxophonist and 2002 UD music graduate Bobby Streng.

EVENT AT-A-GLANCE:

Admission is free, but tickets are required. Contact the UD Box Office at 937-229-2545 or reserve online at http://stander.udayton.edu. Tickets will also be available at the Schuster Center on Tuesday evening.

Performance begins at 8 pm at the Schuster Center; a pre-show in the Wintergarden will feature visual arts displays by students of the Department of Visual Arts, as well as music performances by students of local artist Michael Bashaw.

The University of Dayton’s annual Stander Symposium will continue with a series of events in April, including a visual arts reception and open studios, and keynote speaker Blake Mycoskie of Tom’s Shoes. Visit http://stander.udayton.edu for more information.

Photo by Lauren Tomasella

Dayton Theatre Guild presents ‘Kimberly Akimbo’

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the cast of Kimberly AkimboLooking for something to do this weekend? Then check out Dayton Theatre Guild’s latest production, Kimberly Akimbo. The play, directed by Saul Caplan, runs now through March 14th at the Dayton Theatre Guild’s new location in the Oregon District (430 Wayne Avenue). Showtimes are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.

This dark comedy follows the story of Kimberly (played by Ellen Finch), a teenager with a rare condition that causes her body to age four times faster than it should.  Finch is joined by Troy Lindsey and Teresa Connair as Kimberly’s dysfunctional parents, Megan Cooper as her scam artist aunt, and Jeff McCracken as her gawky classmate. Due to strong language, this play is most appropriate for adult audiences only. Tickets are $17 for adults, $10 for students; visit http://daytontheatreguild.org or call 937-278-5993.

Need even more of a reason to escape cabin fever and spend a night in the Oregon District? Then check out the great deal being offered by JumpstART, a new group from Culture Works dedicated to connecting young professionals to great arts events across the region. Their first event will be held on Friday, March 12. The evening starts at Coco’s Bistro, followed by Kimberly Akimbo, and concludes at the Trolley Stop for some post-show fun. As part of the deal, Coco’s (515 Wayne Avenue) is offering $10 off two entrees; make a reservation by calling 228-COCO and mention the JumpstART deal. After the show, join the cast and crew at the Trolley Stop (530 E. Fifth Street); bring your ticket stub and skip the cover charge! For more information about this event, call Culture Works at (937) 222-2787. (Please note: participants are responsible for their own dinner reservations and tickets to the show.)

Photo from http://www.daytontheatreguild.org

When to Take a Dump at the Elevator

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All the farmers flock to the elevator for Poop Day!Agricultural Terminology 101

Hello, I’m Holly Michael – farm wife, mother, blogger , DMM crazy headline writer and communications professional who has worked at some of Dayton’s largest companies. I straddle the sometimes equally stinky worlds of agriculture and corporate life, so you don’t have to.

Every industry has its own lingo. Let me take you behind the scenes of agriculture to better understand our language and culture. This way, you’ll have something to say to that guy who shows up on the undeveloped edge of your cul de sac with a tractor.

Livestock:
Cattle – cow (female that has had a calf), heifer (virgin cow), steer (future steaks), bull (big daddy with all his parts intact), also bovine

Sheep – ewe (female), weather (future gyro), ram (see bull), also dumbest animals ever

Pigs/hogs – sow (female that has had a litter of pigs), gilt (virgin pig), barrow (future sausage), boar (see bull), also swine

Crops:
Corn – grown in fields to be used as livestock feed and for commercial products. Field corn is vastly different from sweet corn grown in gardens.

Soybeans – short bushy green plants that produce pods. Harvested in the fall for livestock feed. Endamame is the name of the fresh green soybeans eaten in Asian cooking – they are a separate plant, not commonly raised in greater Dayton.

Wheat – grain harvested on the hottest day of the summer when the term “amber waves of grain” starts to apply. Straw is the stem of the wheat plant, commonly baled and used as livestock bedding or to keep your grass seed from blowing away.

Hay – grasses and clover grown in fields and mowed and baled multiple times over the summer. Each harvest is referred to as a “cutting.”

Equipment:
Livestock Trailer – used to haul farm animals. Farmers are contractually obligated to peer inside trailers they pass on the highway to see what’s inside.

Combine – harvester used for corn, soybeans and wheat. Uses different heads, depending on the crop. Some combines are so large that they haul their head behind them on a trailer when they use the roads.

Gravity wagon – tall-sided wagon built wide at the top and narrow on the bottom—uses gravity to dump its cargo of grain at the elevator.

Where to find a farmer:
Grain elevator – easily located facility, the hub of small town America, where farmers bring their grain to be stored in giant bins. The elevator usually sells feed and serves as a local hangout for farmers, offering free pancake breakfasts and celebrating “poop day.” (A real event I did not make up.)

County Fair – A weeklong celebration of all things agriculture. Farm families don’t visit the fair—they live it. An important time for farm families to celebrate their heritage and show off their livestock, crops and gardens. The Montgomery County Fair is always on Labor Day weekend.

4-H Meeting – Most farm kids are involved in 4-H, a national youth organization founded in Ohio more than 100 years ago. The four H’s are head, heart, hands and health – part of the 4-H pledge. 4-H’ers are not only farmers these days, including kids who take a variety of projects like art, cooking, sewing, and science to be evaluated at the fair.

You might not be ready for the Farm Science Review but this guide should help you converse with any farmers you run into while waiting in line to buy organic couscous at Dorothy Lane Market.

So just remember, during harvest you can dump your gravity wagon at the elevator, but follow this advice: never stay for the pancake breakfast when it falls on poop day.

NYFA to Offer Free Presentations for Artists

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Miami Valley native Rory Golden, Program Officer for External Affairs, Fiscal Sponsor Programs at the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), will be returning to Dayton to present on the extensive professional development programs available to artists nationwide through NYFA.

The presentation, geared to individual artists across disciplines and small/emerging arts organizations, will focus on NYFA’s extensive fundraising and support programs available to artists nationwide. Visual, performing, literary artists and filmmakers are all encouraged to attend.

Golden will present at the University of Dayton’s ArtStreet on Friday February 12th from 3:30 – 5:30PM. ArtStreet is located at the intersection of Lawnview Avenue and Kiefaber Street on the University of Dayton campus. For directions or parking information, call 937-229-5101 or visit http://artstreet.udayton.edu.

On Saturday, February 13th from 1 – 3PM Golden will present at Dayton Visual Arts Center. Contact Patrick Mauk, DVAC Gallery Manager,  for more information: 937-224-3822.

Both presentations are free and open to the public. The talk will allow additional time for Q&A and follow up with participants.

ABOUT THE EVENT

Golden’s presentation will include information on two of NYFA’s main fundraising and support programs:

NYFA Source is the most extensive national online directory of awards, services, and programs for artists. Listings include over 4,200 arts organizations, 2900 award programs, 4,200 service programs, and 900 publications for individual artists across the country.

Fiscal Sponsorship is a critical way for individual artists, artists’ collaborative projects, and emerging arts organizations in all disciplines to apply for funding usually available only to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.NYFA_Logo

ABOUT NYFA

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) was founded in 1971 with the mission to empower artists at critical stages in their creative lives. Each year NYFA awards close to $1 million to individual artists and small organizations.   NYFA Learning programs serve thousands of artists through workshops, panel discussions, and individual mentoring on topics ranging from grant writing and budgeting to creating an artist portfolio and audience development.  The NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship program is one of the largest and most established in the country and helps artists and organizations raise and manage over $3 million annually.  The NYFA website, NYFA.org, received over 4.4 million unique visits last year and contains in-depth information about more that 8,000 opportunities and resources for artists in all disciplines.

For more information about the New York Foundation for the Arts, visit http://www.nyfa.org.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Miami Valley native Rory Golden brings strong experience in supporting artists and an active artist’s professional practice to his position at NYFA. As Executive Director at the Center for Book Arts (2000 – 2004) in New York, Rory established various new programs to support artists. These include a new exhibition series, a letterpress broadsides poetry reading series, a workspace artist-in-residence program for emerging artists, and a tuition-free class for emerging writers. He left the position in 2004 to pursue his own challenging creative projects.

Rory has exhibited his artwork widely in both solo and group shows at venues such as the Spruill Gallery in Atlanta, the Denver International Airport and both the San Francisco and New York Public Libraries. His work has been recognized with fellowships from Yaddo, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, the Blue Mountain Center and the National Academy of Fine Arts. Recent grants include an Idea Capital Grant, a Puffin Foundation Grant and a recent research grant from Duke University Libraries Special Collections.  A 1984 graduate of Tecumseh High School, Golden holds an MFA from the University of Alabama, a Master of Humanities from Wright State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Miami University.

The Last Truck: An Interview with Filmmakers Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert

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The Last Truck PosterThe workers of the General Motors SUV assembly plant in Moraine, Ohio, must have woken up on Christmas morning of 2008 with the feeling that they just got a lump of coal in their stockings. Two days prior, on December 23rd, the GM plant shut its doors for good, leaving its 2,500 workers and 200 management staff members without jobs.

With so many people affected by the foreclosure, two filmmakers wanted to tell the story of the final months of the GM plant through the eyes of the workers. Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert are the writers, directors, editors, and producers of a 40-minute documentary called The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant, which will be screened at UD on February 2nd.

As both Yellow Springs residents and independent filmmakers, Steve and Julia bring a unique perspective and philosophy on life that is reflected in their career.

Julia’s attraction to photography first spawned her interest in communicating social issues with a large group of people. Her first documentary, Growing Up Female, was released in 1971 and considered the first film to come out of the modern women’s movement.

“It wasn’t until later that I realized the power of film as an art form and not just a medium of communication,” Reichert said.

Steve’s journey into the world of independent film similarly started when he was introduced to the photography book The Americans by Robert Frank.

“It opened my eyes to the power, the poetry, and the meaningfulness of documentaries,” Steve said.

Their first directorial film project together was a documentary called A Lion in the House, which followed five families each with a child diagnosed with cancer. After six years of filming and 525 hours of footage, Steve and Julia were able to shape the story into a four hour long movie that premiered on PBS over two nights.

“It was the toughest film we’ve made by far, but as both humans and filmmakers, it was also the most profound thing we’ve been through,” said Bognar.

A Lion in the House had its world premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and is considered the longest film to be presented in the documentary category. To Steve and Julia’s delight, many of the families and doctors featured in the movie came out to see the film.

While at the festival, however, Julia felt ill with what she thought was emotional and physical exhaustion as a result of her tireless efforts to complete the documentary. But in a stroke of cruel irony, Julia was diagnosed with cancer and had to leave the Utah screening early to undergo treatment.

With the help of the many people who came out to support the film, A Lion in the House finished its run at Sundance and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. Steve and Julia even won a prestigious Primetime Emmy for their documentary in 2007; an award that has since been overshadowed by Julia being cancer-free for three and a half years now.

On June 3, 2008, Steve, Julia and the Dayton community were shocked to hear about GM’s decision to close the local assembly plant.

“We both had seen the plant and knew it was a huge part of the Dayton community,” Steve said, “so it was devastating news to hear that the plant was going to close. Dayton is in a tough situation. Our city has been hit hard with job loss and I think we all have to do what we can to help each other out.”

Together Steve and Julia set out to help the thousands of people who considered themselves more family than GM co-workers by telling their story.

“Your job as a documentarian is to find and feel the story, open your heart to people, and throw away your own preconceptions,” Bognar said.

For six intense months, Steve and Julia shot 100 hours of footage and interviewed many workers who would prove the factory worker stereotype to be completely inaccurate. The Last Truck uses these revealing interviews to portray the emotional toll of not only losing a job, but a sense of self as well.

Since its HBO premiere on September 7, 2009, Baltimore Sun film critic David Zurawik named the documentary as one of the top ten television programs of 2009. In October, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences listed The Last Truck as a possible contender for the Documentary Short Subject Oscar at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. And now this powerful documentary will be featured at the University of Dayton.

Presented by ArtStreet, Film Dayton, and the University of Dayton Initiative on Sustainability, Energy and the Environment (SEE), The Last Truck will be screened on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7 p.m. in the Science Center Auditorium on the University of Dayton campus. This event is free and open to the public.

Be sure to stick around following the film as Steve Bognar, Julia Reichert, and one or more workers portrayed in the film will be having an open discussion about the documentary for all in attendance.

“My life has been enriched so much to be a part of such a creative medium,” Julia said. “Just going out into reality is such an adventure.”

“I feel so lucky to work, grow as a documentarian, and try to tell meaningful stories,” Steve said. “Bearing witness to the human experience is the best thing we can do with our skills.”

For more information about the February 2nd screening, please call (937) 229-5101. For a campus map, click here. A parking permit is required and can be obtained at the main visitor center on the University circle or parking booth at Lot C on Evanston Avenue.

Barbara Kowalcyk to Speak at UD Screening of ‘Food, Inc.’

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FoodIncCincinnati resident Barb Kowalcyk, who is featured in the documentary, Food, Inc., will be at the University of Dayton on Friday, January 15, to discuss her involvement in the film. After her 2 1/2 year old child died from E. coli, Kowalcyk has since become a food safety advocate, fighting to give the USDA the power to shut down plants that repeatedly produce contaminated meats.

The pre-film discussion and reception will begin at 8 p.m. in ArtStreet Studio B. The film, directed by Robert Kenner,  will immediately follow the discussion, starting at 9 p.m. Seating is limited, so be sure to get there early! This event, sponsored by ArtStreet, Film Dayton and the University of Dayton’s Initiative on Sustainability, Energy and the Environment, is free and open to the public.

ArtStreet is located on the 300 block of Kiefaber Street on the University of Dayton campus. For directions and parking information, visit http://artstreet.udayton.edu or call (937) 229-5101.

Who’s having sex with the chicken?

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Hampshire piglets stay warm under a heat lamp.

Hampshire piglets stay warm under a heat lamp.

Answers to your most pressing agricultural questions from a real Dayton area farm wife

Hello, I’m Holly Michael –  farm wife, mother, blogger and communications professional who has worked at some of Dayton’s largest companies. I straddle the sometimes equally stinky worlds of agriculture and corporate life, so you don’t have to.

So how did you end up living on a farm near Dayton? Where did you meet a farmer?
I grew up in Jackson Township (contrary to popular belief, people living on the outskirts of Centerville did not invent townships), which is near Farmersville and Valley View Schools. I was a 4-H member but didn’t live on a real farm. I met my husband, a full-time farmer, where else, but the Montgomery County Fair. We live on a 100-acre crop and hog farm only 15 miles from the Dayton Marriott. We have three adorable children who have long ago gotten over giggling every time a pig poops.

How many pigs do you have on your farm? Do you sell them to Bob Evans?
The number of pigs on the farm varies by season. In the winter, many of the piglets are being born, so we swell to about 500 pigs. We raise purebred hogs that have papers through a registry, just like dogs or horses. Farms like ours are the “quality control” of the swine industry. We focus on raising lean, muscular, easy-moving hogs that we sell to other farmers and exhibit at the State Fair and other national shows. These pigs will go on to be the breeding stock (parents) that produce the pigs that end up in the grocery.

I love pigs. Will you let me have a baby pig to be my pet?
Pigs grow fast. They weigh about two pounds when they are born but in six months, with proper nutrition, they are fully mature and weigh 250-280 pounds.

Why are pigs always so muddy?
Pigs are actually quite neat and can be easily trained. If they have a basically clean pen, pigs will designate one area for sleeping, one for eating and one for pooping. Unlike sheep and cattle, pigs can be trained to open their own feeder to eat when they wish and push on a nozzle with their nose to get water. Pigs can’t sweat, so when they get hot they need to cool off and get their skin wet. When pigs were kept outdoors in open lots, the best thing they had was shade and a mud hole. Our pigs love to get sprayed with the hose when they are really hot and so do the farm kids.

What do you raise on your farm besides pigs?
We raise corn to use in making our own pig feed and we raise soybeans as a cash crop. We also grow hay. Note that hay is clover and other grasses, grown in a field and mowed and baled multiple times over the summer. Hay should not be confused with straw which is a by-product of wheat and by some unwritten law of agriculture must be harvested on the hottest day of the year.

Is it difficult to work in a corporate environment by day and be a farm wife on evenings and weekends?
I try to be an ambassador of agriculture as the “token farmer” that many people have ever met. Once I held a contest among my co-workers in three states to name our new boar (male pig). I have had many bosses who were puzzled when I said I needed time off to travel to the World Pork Expo. My kids love living on a farm and I can’t think of any better environment to raise them to be curious and independent.

That’s all the time we have folks. Tune in next time when we will  have the balls to discuss the difference between a boar, a ram and a steer. Got any pressing agricultural questions? Leave them in the comments and I will try to answer them as honestly and humorously as I can.

Wait! Before you go, who is having sex with the chicken?
The rooster has sex with all of them.

My thanks to Seinfeld’s Mr. Costanza for the inspiration for this column and confirmation that no agricultural fact is too minor to share.

Pottery for a Cause

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Pots for CharityLooking for a way to give a great handmade gift while also giving back to the community? Local potters David Chesar, Kate Chesar and Geno Luketic have combined their skills to create twelve unique ceramic pots that will be up for auction on eBay now through December 11th. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Miami Valley Foodbank, which provides hunger relief efforts throughout Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties.

This is the fifth year for the charity pottery auction; each year, event organizer David Chesar has selected a different organization to benefit from the auction. Past beneficiaries have included Daybreak and Dayton Southwest Weed and Seed.  The firing costs for this year’s pots were donated by John Bryan Community Pottery.

Pots for CharityThe pots are on display at the University of Dayton’s ArtStreet Studio D Gallery until December 9. ArtStreet is located on the 300 block of Kiefaber Street; for more information, visit http://artstreet.udayton.edu or call (937) 229-5101.

To view the pots online or place a bid, please visit http://www.ebay.com and search “ArtStreet pots.”

Joanne Dugan: On Seeing What’s Right in Front of You

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According to Joanne Dugan, art is all around us. The key to discovering it is careful observation.

As a photographer, artist, designer, and writer based out of New York City, Joanne has taken this philosophy to heart and incorporated it into every aspect of her diverse career. And now, Dugan is going to share her experiences and collection of work to the community this month.

“The exhibit is thought-provoking and challenges the viewer to stop and look closely at what’s in front of you,” said Jayne Matlack-Whitaker, the curator of Joanne Dugan’s exhibit for the Rike Center. “I’ve been familiar with the transformation of her work for awhile and I think her exhibit will be beneficial to the Visual Arts Department. It’s going to be a different show than what we’ve had in awhile.”

Joanne Dugan Exhibit 1Joanne Dugan’s exhibit, On Seeing What’s Right in Front of You: ABCs, 123s and New York City, will be on display in the Rike Center gallery from October 1–29. The collection of photographs reflects Joanne Dugan’s experiences of seeing art everywhere in Manhattan and also encourages others to do the same throughout their daily lives.

Her images of New York City have also appeared in six award-winning books, including her own photographic children’s book ABC NYC: A Book About Seeing New York City and its sequel 123 NYC: A Counting Book of New York City.

“She blurs the lines of distinction that may exist between a designer, photographer, artist, and writer,” Jayne said.

On Wednesday, October 28th, Joanne Dugan will be leading ArtStreet’s Wednesday Workshop session, which runs from 7-9 PM in Studio E. For more information about ArtStreet’s Wednesday Workshops, go to http://artstreet.udayton.edu.

“The fact is that her work does present a real mixture of ways to use ones eyes and photography. She’s doing the workshop to help people understand that her images are inspired from New York, but that anyone can do that anywhere.

The end of the exhibit will conclude with a closing reception on Thursday, October 29 from 5-7 PM in the Rike Center. This will be an amazing opportunity to not only see On Seeing What’s Right in Front of You one last time, but to also speak with Joanne Dugan herself.

“She is encouraging people to look at their surroundings,” Jayne said, “and to see the potential of making images possible. All you need is wonder, interest, and a keen observation for what’s right in front of you.”

Be sure to check out Joanne Dugan’s exhibit throughout the month of October. For more information about the On Seeing What’s Right in Front of You exhibit, contact Todd Hall, the Rike Center gallery coordinator, at 937-229-3261 or [email protected].