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Legal Aid Gets $350,000 Grant to Support Tornado Recovery Assistance

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Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) will receive $350,000 from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to support individuals and client communities seeking to rebuild and recover from the tornadoes that devastated the community on Memorial Day 2019.

Legal aid is essential in helping survivors of the tornadoes get back on their feet. Survivors need help with the legal issues involved in securing temporary housing, filing insurance claims, replacing important legal documents, negotiating with landlords to make necessary repairs, and more.

LSC’s grant will support LAWO’s Tornado Recovery Project to identify and contact all survivors potentially eligible for legal aid. The project will provide information on legal rights and available assistance, conduct client intake, offer comprehensive legal help, and work with affected communities to help rebuild housing and restore stability.

“We greatly appreciate receiving this grant from the Legal Services Corporation. This funding will allow us to work with individuals, neighborhoods, and community partners to support those affected by the tornadoes,” said LAWO Executive Director Kevin Mulder. “Much work remains to be done, and we look forward to assisting with the long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

The funding comes as part of the $15 million LSC received to support the delivery of legal services to those impacted by natural disasters. That funding was part of the $19.1 billion Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019.

“Legal services providers are a critical component of comprehensive disaster relief for survivors facing wrongful evictions, denials of insurance claims and benefits, and consumer scams,” said LSC President James J. Sandman. “We are grateful to Congress for providing funds to ensure that low-income disaster survivors get the help they need in the aftermath of a disaster.”

Members of the Ohio congressional delegation applauded the grant.

Senator Sherrod Brown: “Every Ohioan should have access to the legal services and representation they need during financial hardships, especially those caused by natural disasters. These funds for Legal Aid of Western Ohio will help ensure Ohioans have the legal assistance to secure housing, file insurance claims, replace important legal documents and make repairs they need to get back on their feet.”

Representative Bob Latta (OH-5): “Communities across western Ohio have yet to recover from the tornadoes that devastated homes, schools, and businesses earlier this year. Ohioans need relief, and I am proud that thanks to the Disaster Supplemental Relief Act that I supported in the House, the Legal Aid of Western Ohio will be able to create the Tornado Recovery Project. This project will help restore stability to impacted communities by ensuring survivors are granted the legal resources they need in order to rebuild their lives.”

DAI 2020 Special Exhibitions

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The Dayton Art Institue special exhibition season begins with Samurai, Ghosts and Lovers: Yoshitoshi’s Complete 100 Aspects of the Moon, on view February 22–May 3, 2020, and continues with New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West, May 30–September 12, 2020 and Picasso to Hockney: Modern Art on Stage, October 17, 2020–January 17, 2021.

“We are excited with our lineup of exhibitions for the coming season,” states Dr. Jerry N. Smith, DAI Chief Curator. “We close our 2019-2020 Centennial celebration with the opening of an exhibition organized by the DAI around our recent acquisition of a rare, complete set of Yoshitoshi’s 100 Aspects of the Moon, one of the greatest achievements in Japanese woodblock printmaking. We follow this up with a look at the diverse and colorful art of the American Southwest, drawn from the Tia Collection, one of the most extensive private collections of art of the American West in the world. We close out the year with a look at what happened when major artists like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, David Hockney and many others designed sets and costumes for the stage. In short, it will be a bold and colorful year of major, internationally recognized art offerings in 2020 at the DAI.” 

Samurai, Ghosts and Lovers: Yoshitoshi’s Complete 100 Aspects of the Moon

February 22–May 3

The Dayton Art Institute will be the exclusive venue for this exhibition, organized by the

DAI from a recent acquisition of a complete set of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi’s 100 Aspects of the Moon. The series is one of the outstanding achievements in the history of Japanese woodblock prints and is a tour-de-force, combining striking designs with dramatic stories from Japan’s past. The prints depict heroism and humor, love and loss, mystery and magic, with the linking motif of the presence of the moon. This exhibition will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see all 100 prints on view together, and it is a fitting conclusion to the museum’s centennial celebrations.

New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West

May 30–September 13

This major traveling exhibition is drawn from the internationally admired Tia Collection. New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West offers the dynamic story of art of New Mexico in the early 20th century through bold colors and dramatic compositions. This exhibition features more than 110 works by 72 artists, including painting, sculptures, photographs and prints. It highlights the evolution of art in the Southwest, from the late Romantics and Classicists to the advent of early Modernism.

Picasso to Hockney: Modern Art on Stage

October 17, 2020–January 17, 2021

Picasso to Hockney: Modern Art on Stage is a traveling exhibition drawn from the McNay Art Museum’s renowned Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts. It features more than 120 objects of set and costume designs and offers fresh insights into artists and movements, from Cubism and Constructivism to Surrealism and Pop Art. This exhibition contains works by some of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, Natalia Gontcharova, Joan Miró, Louise Nevelson, Robert Indiana, Jim Dine, David Hockney, and many others.

In addition to the slate of Special Exhibitions, the DAI will present a series of smaller Focus Exhibitions, highlighting a diverse range of art.

Focus Exhibitions planned for 2020 include The Roaring (and The Quiet) ‘20s, which draws from the DAI collection and looks at the dramatic decade of the 1920s. Bukang Y. Kim: Journey to the East is an immersive installation of recent scroll paintings by the Cincinnati-based Korean artist. Archiving Eden: Dornith Doherty Photographs features images by the internationally recognized photographer of seed banks and the global preservation efforts by agriculturalists who are working to assure stable food sources despite climate change and decreased agricultural diversity. Preserving the Pure Land: The Art of Japanese Painting Conservation, will feature the DAI’s recently conserved, 400-year-old painting Thirteen Buddhist Figures, which will be shown for the first time in more than 40 years. The Focus Exhibition season will close the year with The Art of Norman Rockwell (working title), a DAI exclusive exhibition with paintings and drawings by America’s most beloved artist and illustrator. Additional Focus Exhibitions will take a deep dive into the DAI’s extensive collection to feature highlights of photography and works on paper. Watch the DAI’s website and social media for dates and more information.

“2020 will be a busy year for exhibitions at the DAI. We look forward to complementing our lineup of Special Exhibitions with a variety of Focus Exhibitions, which provide our guests multiple offerings during any visit,” added Smith. “These are visually and intellectually stimulating installations that might look at a single artist, like Norman Rockwell, or a theme, like the conservation of centuries-old scroll paintings. There will be plenty to see and enjoy throughout the year.”

“Our curatorial team has put together an outstanding selection of diverse exhibitions to kick off our second century,” said DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “It’s the perfect time to become a member and enjoy a full year’s worth of amazing art experiences at your Dayton Art Institute.”

The DAI’s centennial exhibition season is currently concluding with the Special Exhibition Maker & Muse: Women and Early 20th-Century Art Jewelry, on view through January 19, as well as the Focus Exhibitions William Preston Mayfield Photographs, on view through January 5, Mona Lisa Today, on view through January 12, and Art of Ernest Blumenschein, on view through February 23.

For more about exhibitions at the Dayton Art Institute, visit www.daytonartinstitute.org/exhibitions.

Membership to the DAI starts at just $40 and offers free admission to the museum’s collection galleries and all exhibitions, as well as discounts on many events and programs. For more information about membership, go to www.daytonartinstitute.org/membership or call 937-223-4ART (4278).

Citilites To Close- New Concept to Be Revealed Fall of 2020

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Victoria Theatre Association has announced that Citilites Restaurant & Bar will close Jan. 2, 2020, for renovations and a concept change. The space will undergo a nine-month renovation with plans to reveal a new concept in the fall.

Located in the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, Citilites opened in 2003 and has served an average of 28,235 patrons for business lunch and pre-performance dinners each year, totaling 451,760 patrons over its 16 years.

 

“It’s high time for a makeover,” comments Ty Sutton, President & CEO for Victoria Theatre Association which owns and operates the Schuster Center and the restaurant. “Very few upgrades have been made over the past 16 years. We’re excited to completely renovate and unveil a brand-new food & beverage option for performance patrons.“

 

VTA has engaged The Idea Collective, a Dayton-based design group, to assist with the new concept and renovation.

 

“Whenever we are approached to collaborate on a revitalization project in downtown, we ask a single question: ‘Does this matter to Dayton, and why?’,” stated Chris Dimmick with The Idea Collective. “The opportunity to work with VTA’s incredible team and reimagine the Citilites concept certainly checks that box for us.  We’re thrilled to help elevate the Schuster Center experience not only for our fantastic arts community and theater-goers but for Dayton as well.”

 

The new concept will be unveiled in the fall of 2020. Any patrons with upcoming dinner reservations will be contacted by management. The restaurant will not be open for lunch during the week or for any pre-performance dining until after the renovation is completed. Previously planned events will continue with Elite Catering handling all catered events. Questions on events should be directed to Elite Catering at 937-503-1715.

School Bases Health Center Opens in Trotwood

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The Trotwood community is invited to attend the Trotwood-Madison School-Based health center’s grand opening. Those who attend the ceremony will receive a tour of the facility, light refreshments, information about the eligibility process and assistance signing up from qualified faculty members. The opening will be held at the central district office, 3594 N. Snyder Rd. Trotwood OH 45426, from 5:30-7pm.

Trotwood-Madison district families and all who live in the community are invited to attend. Health Center eligibility does not depend on insurance and officials at the center can help you apply for Medicaid and still receive care that same day. The community will be able to use the center Monday through Friday, 7:30-9am and 2:00-4:00pm. Students in the district are welcome to use the center during school or community hours, Monday-Friday.

The health center will provide the following services:

    • Care and treatment for illness
    • Athletic physicals and well-child exams
    • Check-ups and annual exams
    • Mental Health Counseling
    • Dental Exams and Cleanings
    • Vision exams and glasses
    • Medicaid enrollment assistance
    • Free pharmacy delivery
    • Physicals and immunizations for (preschool, kindergarten, 7th and 12th grade)
This health center would not be possible without the dedicated support of Five Rivers Health Centers. While this health center resides in the district office, it will be ran by Five Rivers Health Centers and maintains the entities quality of medical professionals. This project was headed by Five Rivers CEO, Gina McFarlane. “We are beyond excited for Trotwood-Madison City Schools in this wonderful venture of creating Montgomery County’s first school-based health center.” Over $750,000 were raised by the 5 Rivers Health Centers, Pharma Advantage, Caresource Foundation, Dayton Foundation, Physician’s Charitable Foundation and Dayton Children’s Hospital. The district’s acting superintendent, Marlon Howard, also expressed his passion for the project. “This has been the district’s dream for many years and I am so happy to see it come to fruition. When our students and their families are healthy, mentally and physically, learning comes quickly. We hope this center serves as a foundation for the community here in Trotwood.”

$1 Deals at Taco Bell

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For a limited time only the fast food chain is bringing back one of its most popular value menu items of all time: The Double Stacked Taco. This time around it comes in three flavors — Nacho Crunch, Chipotle Cheddar and Reaper Ranch — for just $1 each.

The Double Stacked Taco, which first launched in 2016, comes with not one, but two tortillas (one soft, one hard) held together by a layer of melty cheese. Seasoned beef, lettuce, shredded cheese and your choice of sauce fill the inside. If you need something a little extra, you can also order it as part of a $5 box, which comes with a Chalupa Supreme, Crunchy Taco and medium soft drink.

On top of that, Taco Bell is staying true to its promise of bringing more munchies to the dollar menu. The following items can order the following for just a buck:

  • Double Stacked Taco (Nacho Crunch, Chipotle Cheddar and Reaper Ranch)
  • Beefy Fritos Burrito
  • Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito
  • Shredded Chicken Quesadilla Melt
  • Cheesy Roll-Up
  • Cinnamon Twists
  • Spicy Potato Soft Taco
  • Spicy Tostada
  • Triple Layer Nachos
  • Cinnabon Delights two-pack
  • Grilled Breakfast Burrito (sausage, bacon or potato)
  • Breakfast Soft Taco (sausage or bacon)
  • Sausage Flatbread Quesadilla
  • Hash brown
  • Mini Skillet Bowl
  • Mountain Dew Kickstart

Bloody Mary Showdown- The Search for Dayton’s Best Bloody Mary Returns!

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Bloody Mary Lovers will want to be at The Mandalay Banquet Center  for  the 5th Bloody Mary Showdown on Sunday, Jan 26th.  Imagine a room filled with bartenders, each offering up their own twist on the classic brunch cocktail.  Over the years we’ve had bloody mary’s made with beets, beer and even green tomatoes.  The only thing that is consistent is they will all be made with Ketel One Vodka, this year’s sponsor.    Garnishes ranged from home make pork rinds, to shrimp, chicken wings, cheese, tomatoes, pickles and some glasses will be rimmed with celery salt, spices and so much more!

Winning Bartenders walk with $500 cash and bragging rights for the year!
Past Winners include:

2014Mackenzie Manley from Mack’s Tavern
2016: tied Mackenzie and & Scott Conrad
2017: Scott Conrad from The Vue, who now is selling his winning RAD’S Bloody Mary Mix.
2018: Jenn Elsass from TJ Chumps in Miamisburg

Bartenders can enter the competition using this link.

Winning Bloody garnished with deviled egg with a candied bacon

 

2018 3rd place: The Bloody Derby made with Old Forester created by Brook Paxon of The Troll Pub

The Troll Pub’s bloody started with a splash of Old Forester bourbon, then bloody mix, and lastly Svedka vodka!

2018 2nd place: Papi’s Sassy Bloody Mary Mix by  by Vicki Wedworth of Papi Joe’s Tennessee Pepper Sauce Company

Papi Joe’s finished 3rd last year, moved up to 2nd this year!

 

Ticket for the event are $30 for general admission which include 8 tastes and entry from noon -2pm.  VIP Tickets are $50 and include one hour early entry, 12 tastes and a breakfast sandwich.

All guests will have the chance to vote for best garnish, best table decor and Best Bloody Mary, with winners being announced at 1:5opm.  Their will be a raffle for donated prizes and a 50/50, all benefitting our charity parter, which again this year is FilmDayton, our local film commission.

FlmDayton markets a 9 county region to  TV and film productions in order to drive economic development in the entertainment business sector within the Dayton region. They serve as a resource, assisting in identifying suitable venues and locations in the Miami Valley, as well as finding crew, equipment, housing and a wide variety of service providers.   also act as an advocate for growth and exposure of the local industry.

Secondarily, they assist productions on-location in the region by consulting on permitting, permissions, locations, local information, and more. Finally, FilmDayton works to grow and educate our local crew.  This base of experienced crew and companies paired with the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit is an essential part of Ohio’s success as a filming destination.

Tickets can be purchased online  or on Sunday, Jan 19th at the Fifth Street Brewpub, were event producers Jeff Jackson and Lisa Grigsby of Planned to Give will be guest bartending.

 

These ladies were decked out with Bloody Mary Glasses they made!

Bargos Agave Maria was made with a green tomato base!

 

Jazz Jam

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Jazz Jam with Kelli Campbell at Wholly Grounds.  Great night for music, other jazz musicians in the local area, food, and a great time performing for others.  Come check out Wholly Grounds and fine musicians performing for your listening enjoyment.

Urban Yoga Movement 2020

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It is time to DO YOGA DAYTON! The Urban Yoga Movement is an indoor retreat designed to bring yogis and wellness enthusiasts together for a celebration of community, learning and peace. Guests will enjoy a morning of active and educational sessions focused on a variety of disciplines of yoga, meditation and wellness of the mind, body and soul.

Active sessions will include power and restorative options while educational sessions will cover topics that challenge your perspective on life.

Registration fee includes access to all classes.

How To Create A Slam Worthy Story

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Story Slam Dayton kicks off 2020 with a “Storytelling for the Stage” workshop on January 13th  from 7 to 8:30pm.

Story Slam Dayton is Dayton’s monthly open-mic storytelling event held at Wiley’s Comedy Club in the Oregon District. Modeled after The Moth storytelling events, the open mic event welcomes storytellers of all ages and experience levels to share a story from the stage. So far Story Slam has done 40 shows, 3 clinics and spurred a half dozen Moth Storytellers, and hosted more than one hundred tellers to our stage.

Our December storytellers, with winner Sandra Combs on the far left.

Slam Producer Bryan Suddith

The January 13th  workshop, led by Story Slam producer Bryan Suddith, will cover the basics of crafting a personal story for the Story Slam stage. The class  will give you the tools to create a story, practice and take the stage with confidence under the lights.

There are few simple rules.

1) The story has to be factual / true and happened to YOU personally.
2) You can use no notes to tell your story. (Has to be conversation style.)
3) Stories must have a beginning, middle and end.
4) Time limit is 5 minutes

Space for the workshop is limited, so reserve your spot in the workshop online, just $10. Each attendee will also get one complimentary ticket for a future slam.

Story Slam happens on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and the first slam of 2020 will be on Jan 21st at 7pm.
Doors open at 6:30 and tellers are welcome to put their name in the pot and one at a time names are drawn to take the stage, with up to 10 tellers presenting.  Judges will rate each story with the winner walking away with $50 cash, a guaranteed spot at the next event and four guest passes.

YuleTide Yammering presented by Mayhem & Mystery

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Join Yule Tide as he hosts his always popular holiday game show, YuleTide Yammerings. Contestants debate holiday traditions. If they can’t convince the audience to believe their side, they choose champions to “Play It Out!”. Magi Myrrh is a huge fan and will do anything to be on the show. Noel King plans and runs the games. Are he and Yule friends or foes? Yule is hoping to get a new network deal. Is the new contestant Holi Day the one? Or is she just here because she knows one of the them from the past? Join us for the holiday fun and see. When someone suddenly can’t seem to breathe, is it natural causes or something more sinister? See if you can solve the mystery. 29.95 for dinner and the show (tax and gratuity not included. Call 937-461-3913 for tickets.

Club Masque- The End of An Era is Near

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Woke up this morning to a most distressing message posted by Luke Liakos, owner of Club Masque:

 DUE TO MASQUE NOT BEING ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A REASONABLE LEASE OR PURCHASE OF THE BUILDING WE WILL BE CLOSING THE VENUE….. LEVEL 2 LAST DAY WILL BE JANUARY 18TH…….LEVEL 1 LAST DAY WILL BE JANUARY 25TH……..I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE WONDERFUL STAFF,ENTERTAINERS, AND AMAZING CUSTOMERS WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS. WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU. WE ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR A NEW LOCATION. ANY REALTORS OR BUILDING OWNERS THAT THINK MASQUE MIGHT BE A GOOD FIT LET US KNOW. THIS NEW LOCATION WILL HOPEFULLY BE IN DAYTON,BUT WE ARE OPEN TO MOVING IT TO A NEW CITY. THANK YOU ALL….IT HAS BEEN AN AMAZING 15 YEARS HOPEFULLY TO BE CONTINUED TO A NEW VENUE!!!!!

Luke

Club Masque opened 15 years ago and blew away the standard for Gay Bars.  Drawing crowds from across the midwest, with a state of the art showroom on the first floor and the second floor open dance hall with  speakers and advanced lighting systems that take up the entire level.

They’ve hosted a variety of shows and events ranging from Male Revues, drag shows, open stages, college nights, and karaoke nights.  Winning accolades and awards from Best Dance Club, Best Gay Bar, Premier Show Club, Masque quickly established itself as “the midwest gay bar.”

Rubi Girl and Square One Co-Owner  Brent Johnson said it best in response to the news:
“Wow- what you’ve contributed to the city and it’s people has been amazing and significant. In addition, you’ve created one of the best of the best in high end nightclubs. There’s a better route for you somewhere. It’s waiting to emerge and I’m excited to support you and your new venture Luke. Thank you for being an advocate for those who couldn’t always do it for themselves.”

Here are just some of the comments being left on this thread

  • Kayla Michelle Carpenter Heaaarrttbrokennnn ? I’m so thankful to have been a part of the past 6 years. ??
    Gregg A. Montgomery Sad my friend. You brought so much to downtown
  • Anthony Stefan Omg! 15 years, I can’t believe it, so sorry to hear this, with your following I’m sure you will find a better location, this is tragic!
  • Ryan Crockett Wow! Never thought I’d see this happen. With all the recognition and popularity that comes with Masque, one would think they’d be eager to renew the lease…
    On to better things, good luck in your search!
  • Yvette Hobbs So sorry to hear this. Not only did I debut in Drag at Masque, I made a few of my best friends there, as well as had more fun during some of the events.
  • Tim Osborne This is absolutely devastating. So many memories and friendships made there. This will be a very hard goodbye.
  • Justin Chalender Miles ???? this is super sad. Everything started HERE for me.
  • Irvin Moscowitz A real shame Luke. The club did a lot of good for a lot of people for a long time
  • Manuel Belmontes Man this place was a safe haven and a home for so many lgbtq+ kids and adults. I almost feel like its unfair to take it away from the next generations… ?
  • Jenna Bowen This is so sad! Never in a million years did I ever think this would happen. Luke Liakos, you have brought so much to the downtown area and we are eternally grateful! We will continue to stand beside you! Masque WILL live on!!!!
  • Zahrah Jordan ? this is devastating. I didn’t realize my attachment to this place till tears appeared reading this. I pray that a new venue is found and the Masque legacy continues ?
    Dick Amann Fifteen years Luke Liakos! Great memories of its inception and realization. Do it again for for Dayton!

3 Days Left to Catch the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill

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The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill, a Christmas Holiday tradition for over three decades, highlighted on ABC TV’S ‘THE GREAT CHRISTMAS LIGHT FIGHT’ in 2018 winning top honors as the best Christmas Lights in the Heavyweight Division, is ON for few more days.

If you’ve been waiting for just the right moment to get in the Christmas spirit, now is time. Our 32nd year concludes December 30. We are open Christmas Eve & Christmas night 6-8pm. All other evenings 6-9pm.

Admission is $10, children 3 and under are free with paying adult. We also offer a nice variety of snacks and treats for any appetite and don’t forget to check out our gift shop with wonderful items and of course pancake mix to take home.

Gates open at 5pm, and LIGHTS turn-on at 6pm, over 4.2 million lights brighten the night instantly, transforming the mill and gorge into a shimmering world of Christmas wonder. 

The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill is an outdoor event and weather permitting. Please dress accordingly and comfortable walking shoes are encouraged. In case of inclement weather, we suggest calling beforehand 937-767-5501 or check our social media platforms for information 

Clifton is in Greene County, Ohio three miles east of Yellow Springs on State Rt. 343, six miles south of Springfield on State Rt. 72, and three miles north of Cedarville on Rt. 72.

For more information visit www.cliftonmill.com, follow us on Facebook, and now Twitter & Instagram or call 937-767-5501.

We hope you can make it out to experience this generational event full of Christmas cheer and wonderment.