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A Vibrant Dayton Music Scene

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Motel Beds - Tango Boys

I am often asked by music fans outside of this area if there is still much music to love from this city.  So, rather than denounce the question, I demonstrate the great music that we have here.  One reason that Dayton continues to have a thriving music scene is illustrated in the fact that in one weekend we have three great independent shows to attend.

One of the shows from this past weekend, featured the vinyl release of Tango Boys by The Motel Beds at The Canal Street Tavern this past Friday. The ‘Beds played a blistering set with the Buffalo Killers (Cincinnati) and Chocolate Horse (Cincinnati).  It was a powerful show.  The crowd was so moved by the energy of the performance that they chanted the name of one band member, Deryl. To which, the lead voice of Motel Beds replied, “well, that has never happened before!”  This demonstrated the connection between band and audience.  No prefabricated sets, no blinding lights, just lovers of music coming together and creating community.  The ‘Beds were energized by the release of their great new record, Tango Boys and an appreciative crowd.  The Motel Beds played a strong set that focused on their new record but had a few standouts from this prolific band’s earlier work.  The ecstatic jumping and swaying of the band was captivating and contagious for the crowd.

Vanity Theft - Get What You Came For

Vanity Theft - Get What You Came For

And in the same night that Motel Beds were playing, you have Vanity Theft, Okay Lindon, and Good Sir Con Artist at Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District.  “Bob’s” has become another important venue in providing independent bands a place to play in Dayton.  If there is stronger frontwoman in a rock band than Alicia Grodecki, I might have to disagree.  She reaches out to everyone in the venue.  The band is fantastic!  They connect with their crowd on a level that is tactile, you feel it in your bones.  The crunch of Brittany Hill’s deft guitar playing resonates with you long after the song has ended. Attending a Vanity Theft show is like being invited into a secret club where the music and the feeling that it creates makes you feel unique and interconnected at the same time.  The show was opened by Okay Lindon who from the beginning with energy and conviction.  Okay Lindon is a band that has simply not gotten its due.  The band played several songs from their Rotating Dates and Everything in Moderation CDs.  The twin guitar attack of O-Lindon is more than ably backed up by a strong bass and amazing drummer.  They ended their set with a muscular version of Fastball’s “The Way.”  That song has rarely sounded as urgent.

Bonneville - Amy's House

Bonneville - Amy's House

If that was not enough, you then have Bonneville releasing their new CD, Amy’s House with a show at Canal Street this past Saturday.  Although the set focused on the new music, the band demonstrated their versatility, tight harmonies, and deft playing.  It is incredible to think that this band is as young as they are and play so damn well.  Again, the crowd feels a bond with the players and in those musical moments, we connect with one another in the sincere joy of music.  You can hear the new album at http://www.bonnevilleband.com/

So, the question is not whether or not music that matters is being created in Dayton.  Oh no.  What we have here is an embarrassment of musical riches.  Dayton has a vibrant music scene indeed!  And we have not even begun to talk about The Rebel Set, Guided By Voices, and Me & Mountains who are all working on new music for your listening pleasure in 2012!  Or the vast list of terrific bands that you can go see on almost any given weekend.  What are you waiting for?

Buses, Deliveries, Radio Shows, Civil Rights, and History: How One Man from Xenia Spent His Time in the Sixties

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Roy S. Hieatt

“I lived through it,” Roy S. Hieatt, my father, tells me. The year was 1959, and he was on a racially segregated bus from Biloxi, Mississippi to Corbin, Kentucky, his birthplace. A year later in Greensboro, North Carolina, four black students, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and two others from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College sat in the whites only section of an F. W. Woolworth’s diner. Their seemingly small initial protest against the hypocrisy of “separate but equal” was a brushfire that ignited a civil rights movement across the nation. Although Roy was on a bus headed further north, the social and cultural flames would make their way to his eventual new home in Xenia, Ohio.

It’s common to think of “the 60s” as a time of hippies, peace, love, Woodstock, and the “summer of love,” but the early years of the decade leading up to those momentous history-makers were turbulent, violent, and uncertain. For my dad, who was on a leave from the Air Force taking that bus north, the question of what to do with his life was met with the rapid changes that flooded every part of America. Indeed, even in a small town like Xenia, Ohio and its neighboring areas, the culture caught fire as much as it did in larger cities and the South.

Years later, on the way home from the state of Washington after his service in the Air Force was finished, Roy made a stop by accident in Xenia “the summer of 1962,” on the way back home to Lebanon, Ohio, “for some reason which I don’t remember,” and suddenly his life was changed. He got a job he wasn’t looking for that same day at the Western Union office. He only “had been in the town once before, when Lebanon played the OSSO home in a football game.” By 1963, the signs of the upcoming hippie years had arrived when two Swedish college girls stopped in the Western Union office to pick up telegrams on their way to enroll at Antioch College. Roy remembered them, when he saw the two some time later again at the office, this time donning the early counter-culture fashions of the peace and love movement.

While still on the first day of the job at Western Union, Roy “met a fellow who owned the Xenia City Delivery company,” and who had stopped by the office to pick up a telegram. He was looking to retire and Roy soon bought the company. “As the business grew, we were delivering everything from telegrams to flowers, to drug prescriptions, to furniture, to appliances, groceries, and the most unique was going to the liquor store for old ladies who didn’t want to go there themselves.” Eventually he made one of his rarest of deliveries in Yellow Springs, witnessing a historic event unfold in its early moments.

March 14, 1964, Jim Fearn, a black student from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, sat in Lewis Gegner’s barber shop chair and wouldn’t move. Gegner asked him to leave, the barber stubbornly refusing to cut the hair of Fearn. The sit-ins were now here in Ohio, and Roy was making a delivery that day. Noticing the commotion from his position “a block north of the group,” Roy picked up a public phone to call the news director at WHBM, the Xenia radio station. By the time the news and police arrived, “200 people took the street . . . in front of Gegner’s shop,” the Yellow Springs News reports. Police officers from three counties were on the scene to gas and hose the crowd. It made the national news and many cite the event as a strong moment on the Civil Rights Movement timeline.

But another rare delivery was in the works. Roy delivered the internal mail for Ohio Bell, the former telephone company. “Between their buildings,” he tells me. It was during one of these trips that he met Carlotta, my future mother. A woman, who Roy says, “was one class act.”

After that, Roy moved on to other work. When he tells me about his twenties during the sixties, trying out all sorts of occupations, I recall I did the exact same thing in my twenties during the noughties. The fact that we both worked at a dry cleaners for a time makes me smile.

1963 to 1964 was a particularly interesting time for Roy. He found himself in a two-year stint at WHBM, the radio station he had called about the barber shop sit-in. For “three months every Sunday morning,” Roy would don the gear of the radio personality and put on “Historical Highlights with Hieatt,” a half-hour show for locals that “featured stories of Ohio’s history.” During the rest of his time at the station, “the weekends from sign on till noon, I played music, did the news, ran the board for the other Sunday morning shows, the church shows. When not on the air, I did the news beat, like checking the police blotter from the previous night.”

Downstairs in the station building was a bar Roy found himself in for two weeks, and not to drink, but to bartend. I ask him how that went. He laughs, and tells me not very well, that he “didn’t know what he was doing.” He was back to driving again before long, shuttling people around the city in a taxi. Roy wasn’t through with cars and newsmakers by 1965 though.

“Desperate Departure” was the headline in the Xenia Daily Gazette. Don Morrow, a friend of Roy’s, had a tiny Austin Sprite sports car. The two of them had a bit of fun when they called the paper and reported that my 260-lb dad was stuck inside the car and finally figured the only way out was by crawling. The paper ran the story and caught the moment of escape on camera.

Roy may not give himself much credit for his adventures in Xenia, Ohio in the sixties, maybe even feeling like the crawling out of a car stunt was not far from the truth, but for a man that took himself from the backwoods of Kentucky to a family that would later sprout in Beavercreek, Ohio, in a time of uncertainty and social upheaval, one where his daughter would follow in her father’s love of history to graduate from college with a degree in it, I have to sit back to ponder all the accidental connections that led to my birth. If Roy hadn’t made that stop in Xenia, I surely wouldn’t be here, and he wouldn’t have been part of a historic moment, and all the moments of change he experienced in the town of Xenia, Ohio of that famous decade.

In my conversation with Roy, we got to talking about the Civil Rights Movement and race relations, and he suddenly blurts out with passion: “People are people! I don’t care if you’re black, white, purple, indigo. There are good people and bad people in every group.”

I’m left thinking on his words for several weeks, and then I stumble on a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr., given in a speech in 1966 at the Illinois Wesleyan University: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, ‘Wait on Time.'”

And with that, I thank my dad, who I’m secure in saying is one of the good people, for his lack of “silence and indifference” in telling me his story.

T. E. Hieatt is a resident of Dayton, Ohio, a history graduate from Sinclair Community College, pursuing a bachelor’s in history at Wright State University. Her father, Roy, has also lived and worked in the city. When she’s not studying, she loves conquering limitations by kicking at the walls between her writing, music, art, and entrepreneurship.

A Simply De’Lish Experience

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 Some would consider honesty within a business’s practice an important component, and as a customer, you want what you were promised, right? So what if I told you that this downtown Dayton café and bar fulfills the promise it holds within its title? That this restaurant literally holds true to its name? Well, let me enlighten you. De’Lish is both the description of this venue, as well as the cuisine they serve as part of their entire dining experience. And “experience” may not even do justice to what really happens behind those lovely curtained front doors of De’Lish on the corner of Main and First. After having their doors open FOR A WHOLE YEAR, they are ready to throw a royal celebration! Details to come…

            On a recent chilly Friday, I had the opportunity of sitting down (in front of their gorgeous bar) with Jasmine Brown, one of the co-owners of De’Lish along with Tawana Knight. “My fiancé and I had always wanted a lounge and bar,” described Jasmine, and when they came across the space downtown, they fell in love with it immediately. Jasmine explained that running your own restaurant is like everyone warns: “it is a very demanding business, but it’s worth it for the look on people’s face when they taste the food. And then you see your first repeat customers and eventually, you see regulars, and you just know you’re doing something good.” They started business last December, and this Saturday, December 3, marks their one year anniversary! Congratulations are in order.

This venue is known for their dining experience, in every sense of the word. While enjoying their wide selection of cuisine, De’Lish also provides the entertainment. They host poetry readings twice a month, from local poets. Local comedians even had a chance at the stage just a few Sundays ago for their second comedic night. They have even hosted a night full of Reggae musicians, where groups from Columbus traveled over to Dayton to share an evening with the guests at De’Lish. When discussing this, I could really feel Jasmine’s emphasis on supporting local people. Even all the art within the room was unveiled specifically for De’Lish by a local artist named Amanda Sue Allen. As much as possible, the wonderful staff at De’Lish tries to incorporate people within the surrounding community into their events. They feature a variety of local talents, as well as serving up their own variety within an average week. Below is a map to the endless celebration taking place within this relaxed, yet elegant setting:

Monday: Monday Night FootballTuesday: A very laid back evening
Wednesday: “Wind down” with 50 cent wings and wine specials
Thursday: Another relaxed evening
Friday-Saturday: When the party is happening!! Live entertainment begins at 9 PM
Sunday: Delicious brunch, where the chefs feature different food than usually on the menu
Bonus: Complementary Valet ParkingWednesday-Sunday

De’Lish is known for its dining atmosphere. It is fine dining, but by no means has that stuffy feeling some restaurants carry. The setting is close enough that you can get to know your neighbor and interact with those around you if you so choose, but is also private enough that it’s the perfect date night. Jasmine commented about how she has had the privilege to observe complete strangers build relationships over dinner or coordinate business transactions from the table across the way. It truly is a community, where every member is welcome and invited in with welcoming smiles. Numerous customers have commented on De’Lish’s “ambiance” and the live entertainment allows the guests to see a show while they enjoy their meal. So it’s pretty obvious that these folks like to have a good time, right? And now you must be wondering what’s “under the table” for their anniversary this Saturday.

A celebration for their guests. That’s what Jasmine and her lovely crew at De’Lish have decided to cater to for this celebration of the anniversary of their opening, one year ago on December 3rd. The main purpose of this celebration is “to give back to the customers”. So what’s on tap? A radio station will be broadcasting at De’Lish from 5 PM to 7 PM. Hor’deurves will be passed throughout the celebration and a medley of local bands will also be performing, each having an hour set. “We have some really great bands coming in,” gleamed Jasmine, who should definitely be excited for the anniversary of a truly beautiful lounge and bar. Interviewing her, I could really see her passion for the success of this restaurant and for the relationships she holds with her customers. The guests represent all parts of Dayton—all ages, all demographics. “There is such a wide spectrum of guests from day to day, and I have been told by many of them, ‘I just feel so comfortable here.’” I definitely could feel that same level of comfort as I sat with Jasmine in the elegant lighting of De’Lish, conversation flowing as if we were old friends. I asked what knowledge this one year has bestowed upon her, and she responded, “I have learned to be patient, to wait for things. Also, I cannot please everyone.” These words of wisdom most definitely apply to our everyday lives, too.

 On to the eats? Now that we have been welcomed into such a dazzling venue, feel at home with the friendly faces around us, and a show is available for our entertainment, it’s time to discuss the real reason you came to De’Lish. It is a restaurant—so what about their menu? When I asked Jasmine her favorite item, she genuinely had a hard time picking just one, because she “absolutely love[s] so much on the menu.” She finally narrowed it down to three, still teetering among their delicious Lamb Chops, the best Turkey Burger, and the great seafood De’Lish offers (they have served Sea Bass three different ways, all of which have wowed taste buds of countless guests over this past year). And their roasted hummus, made in house and served with crispy pita bread is a must-try. Honestly, with De’Lish’s “pretty awesome team,” including celebrity Chef Mark Brown and “Chef of the Year” sous chef Anthony Head, it’s not surprising their wide selection is nothing but spectacular.

So why De’Lish? Think back to when TV dinners started taking the nation by storm. Dinner + a show = a pretty good time. The major negative thing about these TV dinners were that they took away important bonding time for American families during dinner. De’Lish offers even better entertainment than any television show would be able to cook up and thrives on the bonding and interaction between its guests over a most delicious meal. A sense of belonging ensues from such a dining experience, and the fact that there’s great cuisine is the kicker. Such a variety is embodied within the menu; no one will be disappointed. All in all—it’s great food, a chance to get involved in the Dayton community, and entertainment all comfortably placed within this bar and lounge on First and Main. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience waiting for you, especially ushering in De’Lish’s new year this Saturday, starting at 5 PM.

All that’s left to do is get your party hat on!

 

Address: 139 N. Main Street Downtown Dayton, Dayton, OH 45402

Hours: Tues: 11AM – 7PM

Wed-Thu: 11AM – 10PM

Fri: 11AM – 2AM

Sat: 5PM – 2 AM

Sun: 11AM – 4PM

Reservations and Catering: (937) 461- CAFE (2233)

Food Adventures – judging who makes the “Most Delightful Dessert”

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The crisp night of November 19th, The Food Adventure Crew were preparing their tummys for some of the most incredible sweets in the Dayton area. Your humble Food Adventurers had been invited to use their tastebud expertise to judge a dessert contest at the Carrillon Park /Dayton Heritage Museum’s “Ringing in the Holidays” gala.  Five top area chefs were competing for “Most Delightful Dessert” which included two categories, Best Dessert and Best Presentation.

As we entered the museum, we were greeted by Christmas Carolers who lined the entranceway.  The wonderful aroma of the food displayed in the lobby was also music to our ears.  As we entered the party, we were greeted by the organizers of the event which included local attorneys Nicole Mitchell and Mark Engling.  They gave us the VIP treatment!  We were given nametags, and asked to mingle among the people, open bar and hors d’oeuvres.  If you know us, we gladly participated.  Eating among many local socialites and the movers and shakers of Dayton’s society, we enjoyed some incredible appetizers from the caterers, which included Scratch Catering owned by Chef Matt Hayden.

We Loved Culp’s Cafe’s Rustic Hot Chocolate

Besides being our first time as celeb taste testers, we had another “first” at this event.  We both had our first martini, which was a fantastic Candy Cane Martini, prepared with the holiday spirit in mind.  We were chastised in fun by an older gentleman  who asked when we were going to drink something more “manly,” so we quickly went back to beer.  The Big Ragu was very happy to see that the open bar included Sam Adam’s Winter Lager.

As we made our way to the dessert area we saw our pal Lisa Grigsby from DaytonMostMetro.com and Dayton Dining.  She introduced us to fellow judges Amelia Robinson the “smart mouth” from Dayton Daily News, and local TV personality Jim Bucher from WDTN Channel 2.   Glancing at the desserts, we noticed some other appetizer areas that we decided to hit before finally getting to the “expert judging.”

Our job, if you will, was to taste 5 premium desserts and rank them 1 through 5.  This was like trying to rank your children, as the plates were all amazing.

The first dessert we tried was Culp’s Cafe’s Rustic Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Covered Churro.  This was one of our favorites and believe us, all the desserts were top rate!  The chef Jose Calzada had some incredible chilli powder spices that gave a unique and addictive twist to the drink.  Something simple, a classic that was reinvented.

Dessert number two was the Champagne Chocolate Truffle Tart made by chef Justin Mohler from Olive, an Urban Dive  restaurant in Dayton.  It was a sinful, rich tasting dessert.  This was a favorite of the judges, and we could have eaten the whole tray.  Our mouths were definitely in heaven.

Winning Dessert from Olive, an Urban Dive

The third dessert we tried were Mini Peppermint Cupcakes and Mini Egg Nog Cupcakes from Cake, Hope and Love.  Chefs Shannon Teague and Connie McFarren had a beautiful display to match the cupcakes addictive taste.  Big Ragu was seen sneaking back for seconds, as they were awesome.

Dessert number four was the Dayton Women’s Club‘s Holiday DuJour which featured a carrot cake.  This was one of our favorite presentations, and the delicate, creamy taste of this dessert showed chef Joseph Ragno really knows his stuff.   Again the simple classic was taken up a level, and the garnish of a dried apple slice lended to the taste for the eyes as well.

The fifth dessert we ate was a unique twist offered by chef Marcus Montreuil from Amelia’s Bistro.  This inventive dessert was called Sugar Plum Fantasy and featured a marshmallow, bacon peanut brittle, and brownie with a “shooter tube” of caramel that you actually squeeze into your mouth.  Again superb presentation and taste.

The desserts left us speechless and after the extremely close voting, we had a tie.  We conferred with the other judges and finally emerged with the winners.  Best Presentation went to the Dayton Women’s Club dessert, and overall Best Dessert was awarded to Olive, an Urban Dive.

Best Presentation Winner: the Dayton Women’s Club

In summary, we took something else away from this party besides the sweets.  The event was held in the tastefully informative Dayton Heritage Museum at Carrillon Park.  Displays included lots of antiques and pictures about Dayton’s business history and more.  We even rode the antique Merry Go Round If you have not been to this museum, you have to visit.   Your Food Adventurers were as blown away as much by the museum as we were by the desserts.

Finally, Food Adventures would like to thank Carrillon Park and DaytonMostMetro.com for the privilege of being part of this “Ringing in the Holidays” extravaganza.  Like the desserts, you are all VERY SWEET !!!

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[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Ringing in the Holidays/]

Jane’s Best Bets (11/23 – 11/27)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

It’s that time of year when you get asked the question, “What are you thankful for?”  I am thankful for the many blessings in my life, including such things as my family, friends, food, shelter, etc.  In addition, I am thankful for the fact that there are always great things going on in Dayton…and I’m here to share a few of them with you.   

On Wednesday, head to the 2nd Street Market to get some of your last minute Thanksgiving items for their Stock-Up Wednesday.  If you didn’t get to catch opening night of Les Miserables at the Schuster Center, you will still have an opportunity on Wednesday (as well as a few other opportunities later in the week).  Also, many people say that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the biggest party day of the year, so if you are heading out to the bars (or anywhere, for that matter!), please remember to be safe! 

On Thanksgiving/Thursday, perhaps you’ll be one of the brave runners out there for the 33rd Annual Turkey Trot in downtown Miamisburg, which I am told is sold out!  I am also told that if you participate in it, you can eat WHATEVER you want on Thanksgiving and the calories don’t count!  If nobody in your family is cooking, then you can make your way to the Dayton Convention Center for Thanksgiving in Dayton: ‘A Feast of Giving’.  Or head out to one of several great restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner, such as McCormick & Schmick’s, L’Auberge, Amelia’s Bistro, C’est Tout, or Carver’s.  In addition, Neil’s Heritage House will be having their Grand Opening celebration on Thanksgiving Day!  Whatever you do, I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 On Friday, I’m sure many of you will be out there bright and early to get some of those Black Friday deals!  After you go back to sleep for a few hours, be sure to make your way downtown for the Dayton Holiday Festival.  The Tike’s Shop and Wonderland Windows at the Schuster Center, as well LES MISÉRABLES November 22 – 27, 2011 – Schuster Centeras the Ice Rink at RiverScape will be open.  There will be the The Grande Illumination at Courthouse Square and the Dayton Children’s Parade Spectacular in Lights.  Also, you will be able to see Les Miserables at the Schuster Center and The Blue Moon Dancing (by the way, that is a great beer!) at the Dayton Theatre Guild. 

On Saturday, sit down and enjoy Les Miserables at the Schuster Center.  Do you have an old instrument that is just collecting dust in the garage?  If so, take it to the 2nd Street Market for “It’s Instrumental,” where the market is collaborating with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in collecting instruments for Dayton Public Schools’ music programs.  Enjoy UD’s annual exhibit of international nativities as part of the At the Manger: World Nativity Traditions Open House.  Make your way to Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm for Candle Dipping and their Holiday Art Fair and Open House.  At Hara Arena, watch the Dayton Gems as they play Fort Wayne.  And finally, if you’re a boxing fan, head to US Bank Arena for HBO Boxing After Dark.   

On Sunday, enjoy a little R & R after the craziness of the holidays!  Be sure to check out Les Miserables at the Schuster Center if you haven’t already done so!  Prior to the show, check out some of the great things going on there, including The Tike’s Shop and Wonderland Windows. Or make your way to the Dayton Art Institute to see American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell. 

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week.  Drum roll please…

Why can’t you take a turkey to church?

Because they use such “fowl” language. 

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

The Best FUN You Can Have While FREEZING!!

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Broomball.

(coming…)

(coming…)

AND here we are. Broomball. Around this very time last year, I was asked by Lorka Munoz-Daughtery if I would be a commentator when FiveRivers MetroPark’s RiverScape began hosting Monday Night Broomball.

“Sure,” I told Lorka. “But… uh… just what is… uh… Broomball.” (Okay. That’s not a TRANSCRIPT of the conversation we had; rather, it’s kind of the transcript of what was going on in my HEAD.) In essence?

I had no clue what Broomball was… and I certainly had no idea I would fall in love with this exciting, light-speed fast sport played on ice.  And no, Broomball is NOT ice hockey. Hmmm… Best to say that Broomball is not exactly ice hockey. That, I guess, would be a much more accurate description of the sport.

In fact, to get your head around Broomball and to understand how incredibly addictive the sport is, try and imagine a version of soccer played on ice… with a round ball being hit towards this goal with one hand and with that other hand using…

Yep: BROOMS.

Yep: you hit a BALL with your BROOM

And better – Broomball is being played by an equal number of women AND men, many of whom are wearing jeans, sweatshirts and running shoes. Oh, yeah. And they are having the time of their lives, sweating in their sweatshirts and running the soles of their running shoes off.

But all this understanding came to me slowly early this year, when I arrived at my first Broomball gig at RiverScape, to that brand new and beautiful ice rink. There I found… ta da!… Broomball teams with Broomball players eager to get out on that ice and play their matches.

Me, I’m a kind of a curious person, so I started talking to the closest player I could find; I’ll protect his anonymity because I believe in that, and I don’t think I ever got his real name… just his Broomball game – which, when the game was going well, was “CheeseHead” (I think the Green Bay Packers may have had something to do with that) and his Broomball nick name when things had gone awry was – BlockHead.

What he told me that night stunned me… and made me pretty happy about getting to be the commentator to… well, let’s just admit that over the course of the season from January (first week) to March (maybe the second or third week), my “commentator” job was to talk to the two or three folks who maybe roamed up from Monument to see what was going on in the rink.

So here’s what CheeseHead/BlockHead told me: most Broomball players in the U.S. of A. come from places like Wisconsin and Minnesota where it snows in August (well… maybe) on until like June or early July. (I am — I hope — exaggerating. For effect.)  “But,” he went on to say, “Broomball is a HUGE SPORT on college campuses. Like at Miami University down SOUTH in Oxford of Ohio”. There, he told me, a couple of THOUSAND students play intramural Broomball.

Right there in Oxford, Ohio. Right under our Dayton, Ohio noses.

But HOORAY and HALLELUJAH! because watching Broomball (bad knees… ice rinks would have me crawling the instant my left knee joined my right knee on the ice) is about as wonderful an experience in the bitter cold weather of Midwest winters as a person can have.

It’s FAST: ice does that, and the players go like the wind. The “soccer” part of it is like a thousand times more exciting than soccer on dirt and grass… and soccer played on those summer grounds is fast and exciting in itself. (I’ve already fessed up on these electronic pages to being from St. Louis, where there used to be only two sports: soccer and baseball. Football? What’s that? Basketball??? That’s for the Protestants who don’t know any better… Keeping in mind that even those “”proper and pious” followers of Methodism or the folks who go to the Temple every Saturday will identify their neighbors as being in, like Holy Innocents or Our Lady of the Pillar of… Well, the PARISH where their homes are located… because, well, Saint/St. Louis has a LOT of Catholics. And all those Catholic kids are usually playing… soccer of baseball.

(These days, probably even in St. Louis, Methodists and atheists probably are playing soccer.)

Oh and by the way – way to go St. Louis Cardinals. You guys had fun the whole baseball season (driving fans NUTS), and then you went to work in time to win the World Series. Sorry Reds fans. Whether a person lives in Dayton or Hong Kong… always a Cardinal fan. You go, Stan Musial.

Broomball, though. Ah… Broomball is a sport that must be enjoyed from close up. As close up as you can get, to appreciate the speed, athleticisim and the great manners with which the game is played.

Yep. Good manners. “Foul” somebody and you get sent off the ice for a minute or two (LONG MINUTES, it must be noted) and on the way off the ice, shake hands.  The intent of Broomball is not to hurt the other players: it’s to have fun.

To have fun. Not to “kill ’em” like in football or to “wing ’em” like in baseball and not to like those phony fouls in basketball… and my GOD… not even close to the “I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out” mentality of… Well, you get the comparisons.

Broomball will be played again, beginning right away in January on Monday and Wednesday nights. Wrap yourself up with every layer of clothing and outer wear you own (and borrow some more of that stuff just to be careful) and come down for Broomball. Really. You will be freezing and loving every frozen minute… Loving it all, in fact.

Really. Would I lie about freezing in January in Dayton?

Even Procrastinators Can Have A Fresh, Local Feast

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I have no excuse. It’s not as if Thanksgiving occurs on a rotating basis. It’s the fourth Thursday every November. Even leap years. Nevertheless, the weekend descends upon me and I wind up in an annual scramble to assemble a side dish with enough picky-eater consensus and stability to be transported across state lines. But even I, with my short-sighted meal planning capabilities, can give friends a family a taste of Dayton with the cooks’ last call known as Stock-Up Wednesday at the PNC 2nd Street Market.

Get your last-minute local feast fixins at Stock-Up Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. November 23.

The Market is usually open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; however, on Thanksgiving Eve, the vendors hoist their booth curtains to accommodate perpetual procrastinators (such as yours truly), as well as home chefs in search of reprieve from meal preparations before they’re saddled with the responsibility of preparing enough eats for the Super Bowl of gluttony. Plucky shoppers will use this special day to pick up their turkeys, appetizers, desserts and other items they pre-ordered from their favorite vendors. Don’t kick yourself if you missed making a pre-order; the vendors will do another round of in time for Christmas.

Nothing makes up for a charred turkey better than a trip to the 2nd Street Market! We're closed on Thanksgiving Day, but stop by 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Market will be closed on Thursday, November 24, but will re-open on Friday, November 25. Great time to grab some lunch before you head out to MetroParks Ice Rink for opening weekend. Or “dinner” if you hit the department stores almost immediately after snapping the wishbone.

If you’re one of the “lucky” ones hosting out-of-town guests instead of being one yourself, the Market would be a dandy place to bring the relatives. Even persnickety Aunt Pauline will be charmed by the quaint atmosphere, browsing the handmade wares of local growers, producers, bakers and artisans in a restored, century-old railroad freight house.

So whether you’re in need of a loaf of fancy, crusty bread, a bottle of wine (or two) for your host, or just want to avoid your mother’s condescending glare as you meekly set the pizza box down among other buffet options, muttering something about paying tribute to your family’s fractional Italian heritage, get the goods you need to pull a holiday “Hail Mary” during Stock-Up Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. November 23, at the PNC 2nd Street Market.

Martha Moody – Sometimes Mine

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Martha Moody, a prominent fiction writer in the Dayton area, was kind enough to talk about her recent novel in depth over dinner. Sometimes Mine, which is now in paperback, is about Genie – a middle aged woman that finds love with a man that is anything but available. This touching love story is more about learning to open your heart rather than the simple fairy tale of most love stories on the shelves. Sometimes Mine is a story of love, loss, and this rollercoaster called life. While Moody is proud of her recent novel, she opened up about a new novel she’s been working on that she hopes will allow her to break into the young adult fiction genre.

“I have two novels that I have finished. One of them is more of a dystopian fiction novel. It’s set in Dayton in the future, during the years 2047-2048 during a war,” said Moody about one of her new projects, “I’ve been working on it since around 1998!”

Moody has a lot to look forward to with her two new novels going in for editing and her four sons pursuing their careers and educations, but she finds time for a program that takes students to Israel to learn more about the culture.

“I now volunteer in an Arab village and we teach English to children there in the summer. And last year six students went over and stayed with host families. It’s in the Galilee,” said Moody excitedly about the opportunities she’s experienced.

Martha Moody

Before dinner is over she points to a large packet that she has next to her and tells me that she has some editing on her other novel to do before the speaking event she’s attending that evening.

“My other novel is a multi-generation family saga about two families joined by marriages over 30 odd years,” said Moody about her work that is soon to hit the shelves.

Martha Moody is considered one of the most popular authors in Dayton, and there’s no wonder why with her insightful novels and beautifully written tales of friendship, family, and love. Make sure to check the shelves for more to come from this great author!

 

Biking In The House with Melissa Fay Greene (with a helmet, of course)

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Melissa Fay Greene’s new novel has just hit shelves. The novel, No Biking in the House Without a Helmet, is something of a memoir, though Greene would hate to admit that because of her previous academia experience. But we don’t fault her at all for her use of the memoir simply because of the heartfelt and beautiful description of her family’s incredible story.

During the annual Dayton Jewish Cultural Arts and Books Festival, Greene came to speak at Books & Co., about her new novel. While being charismatic and charming Greene read excerpt from the novel and told her own person stories about raising four of her own children and adopting five more.

Greene’s novel is about her family’s experience of adoption with one child from Bulgaria and four more from Ethiopia. The rocky start of adopting their first child didn’t dissuade them from opening their family three more times as they adopted two more children separately and then two brothers at the same time.

While there are some hilarious moments in the book that make you laugh until you cry, the true story is the love and acceptance that was shown by all members of the Greene household. The Greene family, with all its lovable add-ins, is the true definition of a loving home.

Not only was Greene wonderful to listen to but the novel is a definite must read.

Read a book review on the novel No Biking in the House Without a Helmet at NPR.org

 

New Location, More Great Wines At Brunings Wine Cellar

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Bruning’s Wine Cellar has recently moved to a new location and they are better than ever! From the exclusive and exotic wine and beer selection to private events and parties, Bruning’s can offer you and your friends an experience that is one-of-a-kind.

Bruning’s started out as clock repair shop, which soon transformed into a clock retail shop. When clockmakers began manufacturing wine cabinets and bars as well as clocks, Bruning’s wasted no time in updating their stock. Customers responded well to the new selections of wine accessories, but they wanted a little something more.

“People would jokingly ask, ‘Now are you going to help me fill it up?’” said Dan Craven, the manager of Bruning’s Wine Cellar. Craven refers to himself as the “wine and beer dude” and  was happy to take on that challenge.  So Bruning’s  opened their Wine Cellar shortly after the introduction of wine accessories, in order to give local residents a nearby place to buy “stuff you can’t get in grocery stores.”

Bruning’s Wine Cellar focuses largely on wines that are cannot be easily found in other places and come from family-owned wineries. They keep the same thought process when it comes to their beer selection, offering many beers from Europe that cannot be found at your local Kroger.

“Our niche is small, family-owned, boutique-y wineries,” said Craven.

Bruning’s Wine Cellar offers wine tastings twice a week, with an updated menu every Wednesday. Customers can typically taste 4-6 wines for $10-$20, depending on the types of wine are being offered.

“The goal of tasting is to get people to buy something new,” said Craven.

Tastings are very casual and do not require a reservation or a pre-sold ticket. They are held every Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. and every Saturday from 2-5 p.m. All wine and beer is sold at the state minimum, with a 10% discount on all cases of wine. Free delivery is available on cases of wine within a 10 mile radius.

This Saturday, Bruning’s will be offering wines from France, Spain, and Germany for $12. For more information on wine tastings and menus, or if you are interested in scheduling a private wine-tasting party, visit their website.

Bruning’s recently made their move from North Fairfield Road to 2476 Commons Boulevard in Beavercreek. They plan on celebrating this new location and kicking off the holiday season by hosting their first annual Grand Opening and Holiday Party!

On Friday, December 2nd, Bruning’s Wine Cellar will be holding their First Annual Grand Opening/Holiday Party at 8:30 p.m. Catering will be provided by Wellington Grill and three different distributors will be offering tastings of 20-25 wines. Tickets are all inclusive and cost $50. Be sure to come out and welcome Bruning’s to their new home! For tickets or more information, stop into the store or call 937-426-4950.

Jane’s Best Bets (11/16 – 11/20)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Life is busy with the holidays drawing near, but hopefully you still can find time to get out and enjoy some of these events! 

On Wednesday, you’ll have an opportunity to eat some delicious food!  In the morning/mid-morning, eat some made from scratch waffles at Christ Episcopal Church for their 82nd Annual Waffle Shop.  In the evening, make your way to the Greenfire Bistro for a dinner to benefit Aullwood, Giuliano for their Lasagna Dinner, or to Jay’s for their Kokomo Wine Dinner.  Afterwards, make your way to The Loft Theatre to see Caroline, or Change or to the University of Dayton, as Cityfolk will be presenting Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba. 

On Thursday, attend the Junior League of Dayton Town Hall Lecture & Luncheon at Sinclair entitled, 55 Years in the Making: A Celebration of Tradition and Transformation with Daryn Kagan.  Head to Deaf Monty’s Wine, The Wine Loft, A Taste of Wine, or Arrow Wine in Centerville for “Beaujolais Noveau”.  I figured “Beaujolais Noveau” was important since it was happening at so many of the places around town where you go to get wine, but I had to google what it meant.  For those of you wondering, it’s a special type of wine whose arrival means that Thanksgiving is one week away…gobble gobble!  If you love the movies, be sure to make your way to The Neon for the Media That Matters Short Film Festival.  At the Schuster Center, catch the DBJ Business of the Year Awards.  And if you’re interested in theater, check out Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre.

On Friday, chocolate lovers should make their way up to Greenville for the Greenville Chocolate Walk.  And beer lovers should get their fill at the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club’s Fall/Winter Bierfest.  If you love theater, there are plenty of opportunities for you, including The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School; The Ladies Man at Centerville Schools Performing Arts Center; Violet: The Musical at Hugh G. Heiland Theatre (Wilmington College); and Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre.  At the Schuster Center, listen to the sounds of the Dayton Philharmonic with Promethean Exploits.  And if you are a young professional, you can get a special “Encore Friday” deal!  And finally, even though it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet, you can make your way to Springboro for their famous Christmas in Historic Springboro Festival. 

On Saturday, take your kids to the Dayton Art Institute for their Family Workshop with Children’s Book Illustrator Tim Bowers.  If you’re a yogi (not the bear kind), then make your way to Practice Yoga on Fifth for GROOVE + FLOW: Power Yoga with live beats by DJ HyFi.  At UD, check out their Dance Ensemble Fall Concert.  Theater options include The Ladies Man (Centerville Schools Performing Arts Center), The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet (Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School), Violet: The Musical (Wilmington College’s Hugh G. Heiland Theatre), and Caroline, or Change (The Loft Theatre). At the Schuster Center, you will still be able to listen to the Dayton Philharmonic’s Promethean Exploits.  You will also again be able to attend the Christmas in Historic Springboro Festival.  The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center is also starting Christmas early, so bring the whole family there for Christmas at the Kroc 2011: Believe.  And finally, if you enjoy good food, good drinks, and Dayton history, be sure to get your tickets to Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park, which I am told is an awesome event! 

On Sunday, get moving for the Hometown Holiday Walk in the heart of Centerville.  If you have or know someone who has a child with autism and would like to get his/her picture taken with Santa, bring him/her to the Dayton Mall for Sensitive Santa for Children with Autism.  You will still be able to catch a couple shows you may have missed over the weekend, including Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre and The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School.  And finally, don’t miss your opportunity to see American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell at the Dayton Art Institute!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week.  Drum roll please…

What do you call a deer with no eyes?  No ideer…

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Roost Modern Italian: The New Kid on the Block in the Oregon District

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13hs8lz520xiogyqmpr70hmjzjeikcfaYou know what goes well with Tuesdays? Italian. More specifically, a refreshing, upscale take on traditional Italian dishes. And I can tell you the perfect place to get just that—Roost Modern Italian, a brand new restaurant opening today at 524 E. Fifth St. in the Oregon District. The owners, Dana Downs and Beth Hirschbach, had a dry run last Friday, and Dana was “beyond pleased it went so well.” This event allowed the owners to completely perfect the menu in time for their opening today. According to Dana, whom I had the pleasure of speaking with over the phone this afternoon, “you have to be a little crazy to open up a restaurant!” But this “crazy” duo seems to have a copy of the recipe for success; the ingredients consist of an original idea, a great location, and a lot of hard work and dedication.

Dana and Beth started off this journey in the food industry in 2009, when they opened their own catering business, Veritas Foods. They decided to get their name out by using a booth at the Second Street Market, but unfortunately, no booths were available so they began selling frozen Italian food. Today, Black Rooster Pasta Bar consists of two booths at the Second Street Market, where they create a variety of pastas catered to the customers’ wishes. The next rung in the ladder consisted of opening their 397844_312391075470636_1815886819_nown restaurant. And thus, Roost Modern Italian was born on this Tuesday, the fifteenth of November.

Roost? Yes, that’s correct. The rooster theme of both Black Rooster Pasta Bar and Roost Modern Italian originated from Dana’s love of Italian wine. On the foil of a bottle of Chianti Classico wine, the label includes a picture of a rooster. So from this spun the memorable and unique theme of a rooster in both eateries’ names.

Capesante in Crosta

            Why Italian, you may ask? Well, Dana spoke of having experience cooking Italian for years, but she and Beth aspired to create something unique—a modern twist on Italian. “The dishes go beyond traditional pasta and pizza,” explained Dana. Roost’s selection has been described as “refreshing” when referring to the new techniques and presentations of their cuisine. This eatery also offers an adult beverage list that was specifically selected to complement the food being served; this includes craft beers and high-class Italian wine. The owners specifically focused on featuring Italian wines connoisseurs will enjoy. And although this is considered a high-class restaurant, the prices are reasonable across the menu.

Alright—so we’ve got great cooking and beverage selection. Check. But in order to truly enjoy a venue’s selection, the dining

Sorbetto Stuffed Lemon

experience must be superb as well. This is something Dana and Beth truly understand. When I was speaking with Dana, she emphasized how Roost has a great location; the neighboring restaurant owners have been very supportive and welcoming, and Roost is in a great position to inherit a lot of foot traffic. The setting within the restaurant itself is very quaint, but “[felt] like big-city” to many attendees this past Friday. The energy within the space makes the dining area seem larger than it really is, while the inside eating scene is complemented by a great patio, which will eventually become the site of spring wine tastings. This ideal setting adds class and comfort to Roost Modern Italian, providing a great atmosphere for the enjoyment of great food.

Lastly, the recipe for success could not be complete without a lot of dedication and hard work put in by the owners. Dana described opening a restaurant as “building a concept you need people to fall in love with. In the end, it’s all you. You receive tons of help, but you have to get it off the ground exactly the way you want it while on a budget.” Dana and Beth have put in many hours preparing for this day, and soon it will all be worth it.

Black rooster statue in Chianti, Italy

“You just have to trust your gut on things.” This piece of advice Dana has acquired from her success in the food industry thus far. It has brought Beth and her to this day, a completely different world than where they were just two years prior. Roost Modern Italian is officially open for business, providing a delicious modern take on Italian dishes, while also presenting a comfortable, high quality dining setting. Roost will be accepting a few reservations (so call in quick!), while also providing catering services and gift certificates. So come join the festivities! Crack open a bottle of Italian wine and enjoy a dish, such as the Capesante in Crosta (Crusted Sea Scallops) or Arrosto alle Erbe T-Bone (Herb roasted T-Bone Steak). No matter your choice, you are sure to bite into a savory bit of unique Italian cuisine.

And in the words of Porky the Pig—“Th-th-that’s all, folks!”…But only after dessert. I’ve got my eye on the Créme Brule del Giorno.

Roost will be open Tues – Thurs for dinner from 4pm – 10pm, and stay open an hour later on Fri and Sat.  Sundays they’ll serve brunch  from 10am – 3pm, appetizers from 3-5pm and a dinner menu from 5-8pm.   They will be closed on Monday.  Call for reservations at 937.222.3100.  And yes, you can still visit them at the 2nd Street Market Thurs- Sat.

CJ Chan: Embodying the True Trifecta of a Quality Dining Experience

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“CJ Chan provides delicious food with a smile and serves the best sushi in Dayton,” testified Alex DeJulius, a University of Dayton senior studying Finance and Economics, who definitely can be considered a regular at this venue since its opening last November. From the outside, it may appear like your typical take-out Chinese restaurant, but step inside their doors, and you realize this experience is anything but typical.

CJ Chan has been open for exactly one year this month. This cozy little restaurant is owned by Him Chan and Juan Zhang; I had the pleasure of sitting down with Juan this last Friday to get some behind-the-scenes perspective. The couple is very hospitable and truly cares about providing for the customer’s needs. Because of this, their restaurant focuses on three main aspects: the best selection, the in-house dining experience, and affordable prices. All three of these things bundled into one enjoyable meal makes for some pretty good eats.

ONLY THE BEST—that’s what you can expect from the selection at CJ Chan. This restaurant is both Chinese and Japanese. Juan explained to me that the name CJ Chan actually stems from this: C for Chinese, J for Japanese, and Chan for Him’s family name. In offering this dual cultured cuisine, CJ Chan stands apart from any other restaurant in the Dayton area. The couple decided their restaurant needed to offer the customer with more choice. Their menu offers over eighty dishes “ranging from the traditional Chinese favorites and innovative specialties to classic from across Asia.” The kitchen at CJ Chan also prides themselves on using only the freshest, most natural ingredients, which further enhances the quality of their selection. The menu also gives customers the option to create-your-own dish, ensuring satisfaction. Located up the hill from the University of Dayton, the owners’ choice to include beer and wine on the menu was also very intuitive. Their food—arguably the most important part of a restaurant—is only complemented by the dining atmosphere this eatery provides.

QUALITY SERVICE—CJ Chan’s in-house dining experience offers you just that, the second key to running a successful restaurant. Juan and Him didn’t want a typical Asian restaurant; they wanted to provide unbeatable service in a setting that is comfortable and enjoyable for the customer. CJ Chan is mainly a sit-in restaurant, though they do provide call-in and pick-up service for those with busy lifestyles. Okay, who am I kidding? We all have busy lifestyles nowadays, but the festive wooden furniture and Chinese and Japanese decorations that line CJ Chan’s walls, as well as the employees’ smiling faces, coax you to sit down and stay a while; and believe you me, you won’t regret it. When I had the chance to sample some of CJ Chan’s selection, I was amazed at how quickly the food was brought to our table. The presentation, by no means, looked rushed, either. Their timely service, as well as accommodating staff make you feel at ease and satisfied, which quite frankly makes it a lot easier to truly enjoy their food. Sure, it may be nice to go to a fast-food restaurant where you can get your grub and go, but those restaurants only care about that one thing: fast service. Wouldn’t it be more worth your time and money to be able to have timely service at a restaurant where the quality of their cuisine is just as important as the time it takes for your meal to be placed in front of you?

AFFORDABLE PRICES—The last of the trifecta embodied at CJ Chan. The owners wanted their customers to be fully satisfied, and this really wouldn’t be possible if they were being offered the best service and best food, but their wallets were still being torn to shreds. So CJ Chan focuses on providing affordable prices for quality meals. Juan emphasized how they specifically focused on making sushi affordable, it being something that many people love but can’t afford to eat on a regular basis. For busy families and the average poor college student, CJ Chan’s prices won’t rob your piggy bank and the food and service will be more than worthy of the price.

As is expected of any business, competition is present for CJ Chan, but “within this first year, the business has been pretty good,” explained Juan. As the word spreads about the whole package this cozy eatery is offering, their consumer base continues to grow. Juan mentioned how they are hoping to expand their restaurant to include the next door property sometime next year; this would offer more dining space for customers and allow their kitchen to grow as well. I’m excited to watch the size of this restaurant grow in the upcoming years, but it is questionable if it is even possible for CJ Chan’s physical size to match the size of the amount of care that truly goes into this business.

Many say, “Good things happen in three’s.” This holds true for CJ Chan, but the only true way to understand the excellence of this trifecta is through experience. So next time you’re craving Asian cuisine, stop on in and stay awhile. They are located conveniently on Wilmington Avenue, and their healthy, affordable Chinese and Japanese concoctions are sure to put a smile on your face and keep some green in your pocket.

In the words of my wise father—“That’s all I got to say, and I’m stickin’ to it!”

CJ Chan is located at 536 Wilmington Ave Dayton OH 45420.

Homemade Deliciousness and Genuine Care: The Perfect Recipe

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The warmth of the sun’s rays kissing my cheek, the smell of homemade goodness embracing me as I push open the entryway, and the friendly smile of the woman behind the counter all contribute to my gentle coaxing into this cozy shop in the middle of Oakwood. This woman, Theresa as I will come to know her, is the owner of Ashley’s Pastry Shop, and located all around her is heaven on earth—homemade pastries.

Now, I’ve always been blessed with a very intense sweet tooth (…or is it a curse?), so as you can imagine I was more than overjoyed to have the chance to “do my homework”, as we shall say, in order to write this article. But it wasn’t only the sweet treats that will bring me back to this bakery in the future; it’s also the people. The friendly environment and observable relationship between their customers and workers contribute to the little shop’s homey character. I felt like I wasn’t just another dime in the bucket, but an actual person whom they were excited to treat with the most satisfying treat possible. Once I arrived, Theresa very kindly offered me her most recommended pastry—a cheese Danish—which I can honestly say is the best I have ever tasted. It didn’t have that pre-packaged quality we have all experienced when biting into a mass-produced name-brand goodie. This Danish was the real deal. And shortly after I found out exactly what the secret is to the decadent sweets made exclusively in house at Ashley’s Pastry Shop.

The owners, Greg and Theresa Hammons opened this shop twenty-nine years ago and named the bakery after their first daughter. Greg’s family had owned bakeries throughout his life and when the opportunity arose for the Hammons to open their own in Oakwood on Park Avenue, they jumped at the chance. “It has allowed us to bake, be creative, and show our passion for the love of baking, while being part of the community,” explained Theresa. And over the years, this cute little shop has definitely become sewn into the fabric of the community. Ashley’s Pastry Shop now supplies many surrounding restaurants with pastries, such as the delicious bread at The Pine Club and Old Hickory Bar-B-Que. Ashley’s also gives all of their unsold bakery items to Catholic Social Services daily. This bakery may be little, but it has the biggest heart. When I spoke to Theresa, she emphasized how she believed we all have an obligation to give back to the community: “it is much better for a lot of people to do little things, because when it comes down to it, we may not have the means, time, or talent to do one big thing if we wait.” And let me tell you, these gifts that Ashley’s is giving to deserving charities and non-profit clubs are no little thing—a lot of time and effort goes into each pastry made in their kitchen.

Ashley’s Pastry Shop is very fortunate to have a great group of employees, most of them considered family now after being together over twenty-five years. A crew comes in at 11 o’clock each night and begins to bake for the next day. There are no cake mixes or prepackaged crescents behind those kitchen doors. Every item in their display cases and every wedding cake that appears on that couple’s special day are baked from scratch on site. Now that’s an amazing, and delicious, feat. Ashley’s is one of the few remaining bakeries that offer such a large homemade selection, ranging from Danishes to cookies to wedding cakes to donuts—anything catered to the customer’s desire. That’s another wonderful thing about this quaint, cozy shop; they are more than willing to work with the customer to fill any need, just itching for the opportunity to put their creativity to use. They are truly at your service, and trust me, you really can’t go wrong with any pastry you choose.

So next time you have a special occasion, or maybe you need something sweet to brighten your day, or hey, maybe it’s just a Tuesday, I highly recommend meandering over to Ashley’s Pastry Shop.  You could have the pleasure of sinking your teeth into a sand-tart cookie—a classic favorite that was actually shipped to three different coasts just last Friday! Or you could start your morning off right with a breakfast treat, like their cheese pocket (I know…I’m getting hungry, too). With the season being fall, Ashley’s is also featuring a lot of homemade pumpkin pastries. I assure you whichever you end up choosing will be pristine and truly a treat. Really, your taste buds might not be able to take the deprivation much longer, which is truly what it is considered if you haven’t yet savored a pastry from Ashley’s. It’s homemade goodness away from home, baked with love and care, and probably even a hug if that’s what the customer needs.

Doesn’t it just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

Ashley’s Pastry Shop
21 Park Avenue
Dayton, OH 45419
937.293.1719

Hours
Tuesday-Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday  7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday-Monday  Closed

Jane’s Best Bets (11/2 – 11/6)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Happy November everyone!  I hope everyone had a fabulous and safe Halloween…and that your kids (or your neighbors’ kids) shared their candy with you!  Even though there may not be any more opportunities to dress up in costume for a while (unless you’re an actor), there are still plenty of opportunities to have fun in Dayton this week!

On Wednesday, get a jump start on your holiday shopping by visiting the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery at the Dayton Visual Arts Center or the Give Art! Gift Gallery at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  Or make your way to the Oregon District for some good fun – head to the Trolley Stop for the Old Time Acoustic Jam, Oregon Express to listen to The Doug Hart Band, or to Blind Bob’s for Karaoke with DJ Nancy.

On Thursday, purchase a holiday gift or a piece of artwork for your home or apartment at the 9th Annual Holiday Student Art Sale at Sinclair.  Listen to the music of Khalid Moss and Michael Bashaw as part of the Vectren Just Jazz Series at the Dayton Art Institute.  Have you ever wondered what a near-death experience is like?  Learn Everything You Wanted to Know about Near-Death Experiences from someone who has been researching this topic for over 20 years.  If you feel like your day has gotten off to a “rocky” start, then make your way to Bullwinkle’s in Miamisburg for Guilty? Or Not – A Mystery Dinner Theatre, to benefit the Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg.  Does the thought of dating and relationships leave you feeling confused like the rest of the world?  If so, make it to Sinclair’s production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.  Yes, I know love sometimes “cuts like a knife.”  Others are “all for love.” Regardless of your attitude towards love and relationships, you will not to want miss seeing music legend Bryan Adams perform at the Taft Theatre!

On Friday, make your way downtown for First Friday, the fabulous art hop that occurs once per month.  They always say men won’t go to the doctor, so please help raise funds and awareness for men’s cancer/research by participating in the Movember Mustache Ride.  And men – if your lady doesn’t like a little stubble on your face, just let her know it’s for a good cause!  In addition to growing a mustache for a good cause, you will also be able to drink some great beer for two great causes!  Attend the AutoberFest Craft Beer Tasting at Taj Ma Garaj to support Dayton History and the Epilepsy Foundation.  There are lots of theater options throughout the weekend, including I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Sinclair Community College;  Pinkalicious the Musical at the Schuster Center; ‘Master Harold’ …and the Boys at the Dayton Playhouse; Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre; and Lost in Yonkers at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  And if you enjoy music, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well!  Check out the Pride of Dayton Marching Band at UD; Lynda Carter: The Wonder of Song at the Schuster Center; or Chamber Orchestra Kremlin as part of the Vanguard Concerts at the Dayton Art Institute.

On Saturday, participate in Hospice of Dayton’s 7th Annual 5K Remembrance Walk (which means you don’t have to be a runner!).  Get a start on your holiday decorations by participating in the Gingerbread House Making Workshop at the Dayton Cultural Center.  If you’re a train fanatic (not the music group kind, although you can like them too), then chugga chugga choo choo your way to the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show at Hara Arena.  Visit We Care Arts’ art gallery and gift shop as part of their Holiday Open House.  There are several theater options including those mentioned under Friday, as well as My Fair Lady at Kuss Auditorium in Springfield.  If you would like a show that will have you rolling (hopefully with laughter!) and dancing, then make your way to Victoria Theatre for BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show.  Halloween may be over, but at the Schuster Center, you will be able to see “Wonder Woman”  Lynda Carter perform.  And at the Taft Theatre, Lily Tomlin will be performing…and that’s the truth.

On Sunday, you will still be able to check out some of the events/shows that have been going on throughout the weekend, including the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show (Hara Arena), BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show (Victoria Theatre), Caroline, or Change (The Loft Theatre), and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Sinclair).  At UD, attend the Family Pops Concert featuring the University of Dayton Symphonic Wind Ensemble.  Or get in the spirit of the holidays by attending Holidays in the Heartland at the Schuster Center.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What do you call a train loaded with toffee?  A chew chew train.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Jimmie’s Last Call

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The iconic ceiling at Jimmie's Cornerstone

Last call…

(And… Soon…Welcome HOME)

Last Call at Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar and Grille… and all that history at Brown and Wyoming!

Last Call for Jimmie and sons, and the whole wonderful gang of friendly wait staff, cooks and… who knows… a coupla’ ghosts and goblins who show up ONLY at Hallowe’en… Las Call at Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar and Grille is… well, Hallowe’en. October 31st. The “evening and “morning” before” All Saints Day.

Get your drinks and food one more time… before… silence falls at Brown and Wyoming.

That silence… that’s gonna be… Well, complicated.

For Jimmie and Sue Brandell and their sons Nick and Jason… Well. For them it’s been a sort of virtual second home: dad Jimmie shows up at 5:30 a.m. or so (that, of course, won’t change in the NEW home) and maybe leaving at… Gosh: a visitor to the “Bar and Grille” will find Jimmie still around at 5:00 or 6:00 or… whenever he can lead. And that ALSO won’t be changing. Wife Sue helps out with — well, handles, in lots of ways — things like radio/TV advertising, wine selections and… WeeElks football players, too. Oh: and the “real” home, too.

Plus saying “hello” to old friends while she walks to a meeting about… things like radio/TV advertising, wine selections. Oh: and let’s not forget making sure Jimmie, Jason and Nick are happy, too.

The “total family effort” is what it takes to keep me ‘n’ you and all the rest of his steady customers. In this “high tech” world we’re getting used to, there’s now “double click” to get a hamburger just right or get the “french” in the potato fries on the tables. For all of us folks waiting for the “just right” burger or the hot from the deep fryer…

Hmmm… If we’re on a tight schedule to get back to work, we might be just a “tad” annoyed. For Jimmie and company and for the whole rest of the “food industry” getting it out of the kitchen and on the tables in just… business as usual.

But last call. Last call: like we said: that’s complicated. All that silence that’ll never end, even as what was once the home of good food, good company, some music and that weird, weird ceiling that you had to know about to even look up at it… Well, the next noises that will come from that building after last call will be the sounds of workers taking that building apart so that all that wonderful activity… the good food, good company, loud music and all… That will gone.

Something will turn in to… Nothing. No patio. No pool tables or posters on the wall, no “band stand” doubling as an elevated eating area when the music ends.

And Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar and Gille and all that history beginning in 1868 when liquor was first tipped and from the 1930’s when it was “Stoecklein Cafe and many other bar/restaurants) will be gone. (Oh: and if you’re reading this and remembering the “1001 Club” or any others, just add your memory to the “Comments section” of this website!)

So back to that “virtual home” concept. Jimmie lives at the “Bar and Grille” probably a bit more than he gets to relax at this “real” home. Oh: and another thing about that “virtual” home? Talk to Jimmie and Sue and you get to hear the stories of pratfalls involving hidden accesses to the basement for beer and such, stories of tiny couches that offered a night’s sleep to Jimmie… And on and on and on.

Again: it has been sort of the family’s virtual home. For the record, for the past seven years. Coming to an end on Hallowe’en…

So, finally: NEXT.

“First Call: In the Company of Heroes.”

Yep: Ladder 11. A whole new place… a place for new memories to begin… A place with old memories, by the way, and we will begin to learn about those. About those heroes, too. And if you can contribute a story or two… or THREE… about the days when it was “just” the firehouse at Brown and Wyoming: well, add those to the “Comments Section” as well.

So now we’re here at “Last Call” and soon…

First Call.

See you there.