Many of us have been to art gallery hops where people wander about, looking at various works of art while sipping wine and discussing art with their friends and often the artists themselves. Sometimes you may even get to watch an artist in action – my artist friend Mike Elsass comes to mind. But it is typically a passive experience that demands little of the audience other than their attention (and for those with disposable income for buying art – their wallets). What if you went to an art studio and enjoyed the same cocktails, the same social interactions and the same inspiring art – but YOU and your friends (and fellow gallery hoppers) were the artists in action? Laura Carter, a UD grad and Dayton area native, imagined such a scenario after getting laid off from her art teaching job of twelve years in Vandalia due to a levy failure. Soon she and her husband Andy did some research and fell in love with this idea for a social art studio as a way to move on and do something different for their growing family (son AJ was on the way). While popular in the south, the concept did not currently exist in Dayton so they decided to open their own version in Centerville called RAISE YOUR BRUSH – opening next week!
As their Facebook page states, they “offer no-pressure, step by step instructed paintings and projects for an unique evening out with friends. Popular beer, wines, and drink of the day specials will be available to help get the creative juices flowing!” According to Laura, “we’ll have nightly events that are open to the public. Anyone can register for these through the calendar on the website. There is a featured painting for every evening session, and there will be step-by-step instructions that are very easy to follow. No experience is needed to paint at Raise Your Brush! Canvases are pre-sketched to make it simple for everyone, even beginners, to create a masterpiece.”
Raise Your Brush can host private parties – for a birthday, retirement party, wedding shower, or even just a girls’ night out. They do private parties for kids as well, minus the alcohol, that feature kid-friendly paintings.
“What makes us different from other paint and wine places,” Laura continued, “is that we will have crafting nights as well. Having taught art for so long, I realize the endless possibilities! There are also so many people who are into DIY, especially with the popularity of Pinterest. We want to help people get things off of their pin boards and into their homes!”
“Fundraising is what I am especially excited about. We want to have all sorts of groups come in, from non-profits to PTOs. Groups will get $10 donated to their organization for every person registered. You will have a great time, go home with a unique painting, and help out your community as well!”
“So many people are intimidated to do painting or crafting themselves because there is so much involved. You have to go to three or four stores to find all of the materials, you don’t know how to use the tools, there is no one there to answer questions, it’s difficult to set aside time… and the worst part: set up and clean up! We take care of all of those problems (all of the materials in these sessions are included), and we put a drink in your hand as well!”
When I asked Laura about their future plans, she said, “we want to offer more sessions as our business expands, and be able to hire additional artists. I would love to have ‘upcycle’ furniture for sale, as I enjoy reworking old chairs and other furniture into contemporary pieces. And we want to offer more crafting sessions as well. If our business takes off like we think it will, we would like to open another location somewhere in the northern Dayton suburbs.”
For those interested in checking out Raise Your Brush, be sure to go to their open house next Tuesday 1/29 at 5:30-8:30. They’ll have free appetizers for guests and the bar will be open for business, plus they’ll be giving away $10 coupons for any sessions in February. The official opening for Raise Your Brush is Thursday 1/31, and regular sessions run $30-$35.
Tickets on sale: Jan 28, 2013 (Mon) 10:00 AM
On Thursday, February 7 through Sunday, February 10 at 8 p.m. in the
The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Soin family are partnering to offer the 
Nobody likes to pay taxes, but if we truly value education we have to pay for it somehow. Everyone is entitled to have their own political views, but people who have a moral opposition to the way in which schools are funded should make that argument in Columbus, not by using the children of our community as pawns in a political game. What I want for my tax dollars is accountability, or stated differently – I want to know that my money is being used wisely. Springboro currently has the lowest expenditure per pupil in the region and in the top three districts in the Dayton region. This indicates to me that we are spending the least and getting the most for our money. Thus we have an extremely efficient and effective system of education in Springboro. Logic would dictate that you would build upon such a system, but that is not the direction our board has chosen. Instead they perpetuate a myth that our schools are failing in order to accomplish political gain.
Why are they doing so? Because, perpetuating the myth manufactures a crisis situation, and such a situation often calls for radical action. Perpetuating the myth is the sheep costume that disguises the wolf. Perpetuating the myth keeps people from getting involved. Perpetuating the myth squashes civic pride. Perpetuating the myth helps levies fail, builds public discontent, forces talented employees to leave, and uses fear to justify the need for extreme actions. Perpetuating the myth is the lever needed to tip the domino – the first domino. If it falls, others will follow.
(from Sony Pictures) The hunt for Osama bin Laden preoccupied the world and two American presidential administrations for more than a decade. But in the end, it took a small, dedicated team of CIA operatives to track him down. Every aspect of their mission was shrouded in secrecy. Though some of the details have since been made public, many of the most significant parts of the intelligence operation––including the central role played by that team––are brought to the screen for the first time in a nuanced and gripping new film by the Oscar®-winning creative duo of Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal.
Holy Angels Church Fish Fry
Our Lady of the Rosary Fish Fry
St. Albert the Great Fish Fry
St. Henry Monte Carlo Fish Fry
Carrolleer Fish Fry
Saint Peter Catholic Church Fish Fry
Irish Club Fish Fry & Monte Carlo
Alter Knight Out Fish Fry
St. Francis of Assisi Fish Fry
Corpus Christi Fish Fry
St. Charles Monte Carlo Fish Fry
If you read fashion magazines you have probably noticed a growing exercise trend called the “barre” method. It is a combination of ballet, pilates and yoga promised to sculpt your arms, thighs, abs and give your back end a boost. From Allure to the New York Times fashion section women have suddenly started flocking to this new routine.
It is important for me to stress that I am in no way a dancer and my flexibility is very limited so I was nervous. The only kind of dance I ever did was jazz class when I was 8, even then I couldn’t keep up. I had no idea what to expect. Would it be like the time I tried aerobics and I got so frustrated that I just sat on my step because I couldn’t get the steps? Most women will agree going into a new exercise place without a friend can be very intimidating. I arrive to nice modern building decorated for the holidays and I walk into a room selling Lululemon and grippy socks for twelve dollars. First I should note that I was late and the website stresses never be late but alas I got lost. The woman at the front desk was very nice and had already set up my stuff for me in the main room. The class had already began and I jumped in with the hopes of not being noticed. It started out easy enough some stretching, light weights and a 90 second plank (this is where you need the grippy socks) then we headed to the bar to do some thigh work. Right hand on the bar, right leg slightly bent, left leg back and up with toes pointed. Then we began doing small movements like circles and moving the leg up and down. Seems easy? Suddenly my right leg that was bent began shaking like it was going to run away! Apparently that is a good thing according to the instructor who keeps saying 30 seconds. You can do anything for thirty seconds. After the bar torture we return to do some stretching before going back to the bar then on to the ab work. Many of the exercises require you to hold a ball between your thighs while tucking your hips and trying not to fall over. I finished the class with mixed feelings. Some things were difficult and some were easy but I didn’t really feel like I did that much until the next morning.
I called my husband who of course assured my I was not fat and that I was there to get in shape. I decided not to give up and I am now on class 7 . My overall opinion is that the class is working. I feel good about myself when I leave and I am starting to notice that every class gets a little easier. Sure my abs are still shaking during the tiny up and down movements but the instructors are always knowledgeable and help me with my position. I am finding that I am actually starting to look forward to working out again. I still cannot do some of the exercises but I am guessing in time I will be able to. Unlike my previous experience mentioned above I am now seeing more normal size people in the classes, which is nice. My next step will be to try the unlimited month and see where it goes from there. Maybe one of the biggest lessons I am learning is to accept my body for the way it is. I am not the woman who can do the splits or stretch my leg back to my nose. I am not the graceful ballet dancer but I am in there trying and having fun while pouring with sweat. I guess you could say for now I am hooked on the Pure Barre Method.
