Lisa Grigsby

Stacker Subs & Grub Now Open

July 9, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Local beer guru Mike Schwartz has been incredibly successful as the operator of Belmont Party Supply on Smithville. His love of beer, homebrewing and sharing his knowledge with others turned into a second business next door, BrewTensils. When Grandma Virgis Pie Shop moved out of her space at the end of the strip mall, Mike started storing his wine making supplies into that spot. After about a year and a half, Mike’s wife Donna put her foot down and said that he needed to start paying rent or find a tenant that would. Which lead to the idea for a sub shop.

Partnering with Mike’s cousin Doug Magoch, a 25 year veteran of the restaurant business from

Chef & Manager Doug Magoch

Bob Evans and New Carlisle’s Studebaker’s Country Restaurant, the plans began this past winter. A concept that would include Mike’s homemade marinara, freshly made sausage, options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free customers and a deep commitment to the community, and hence Stackers Subs & Grub is now open.

As I attended the sneak peek event this past Saturday, Doug was busy on the grill, training his new staff of 8 and Mike shared with me that the shop was decorated in blue and red, the colors of the local high schools. He went on to share his excitement about plans to start a high school student of the month program that would feature local youth who excelled in academics and community service.

Ellie and Mike Schwartz on opening day

The first sandwich served up off the grill at Stackers was the Rockin’ Reuben– Corn beef, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing & Swiss cheese on marble rye. It was served up to Mike’s mom, who couldn’t have beamed any more as she wished her son good luck on the new venture, while sporting a t-shirt promoting Mike’s beer business.

The Byron Bomb

The menu features over 20 choices of subs, wrap’s and paninis, with the option for all to be served up as a salad for the same price, which ranges from about $6 to $9 dollars. An array of appetizers including cheese sticks, pretzels, fried pickle chips and veggies are also on the menu. Kid’s can order up The Mini, served on a slider roll with their choice of ham, roast beef or turkey, chips and a soda for $4.99. I sampled The Byron Bomb– a grilled chicken breast with a honey chipotle sauce with grilled onions & habanero jack cheese on an Italian roll and it had a great tangy flavor and was served up with housemade chips that could easily become addictive. Adding a sweet treat to the menu- Deep Fried Oreo’s- dipped in a sweet batter, fried and then sprinkled with powdered sugar!

As a grand opening special this week, all soda’s (Pepsi products) will be just $1. The shop is carryout and you can phone ahead to place your order, and the register system will que it up in the kitchen based on your desired pick up time. Schwartz shared that a mobile app for ordering is in the works. Stackers Subs & Grub is open daily at 2615 Smithville Road at 11am and will close at 10pm Sun- Thurs and at midnight Fri & Sat.

Mad Hatter Bar Crawl Takes on Oregon District

June 29, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Michigan’s New Holland Brewing Company is celebrating their 15th anniversay by hosting their 2nd annual Mad Hatter Bar Crawl this Saturday, June 30th in the Oregon Arts District. Each of the five scheduled bar visits will tap a different style of IPA. Since the first year of New Holland Brewing Company’s existence, “Mad Hatter” India Pale Ale has been a flagship for the brewery. It is the top-selling beer and Gold Medal winner in the 2004 Great American Beer Festival for Strong Pale Ales.

Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite hat to get in the spirit of things! The tour kicks off at 2pm at Thai9, where the White Hatter which brings spice, hops, and fermentation notes together flavorfully and goes great with seafood, fennel, and mushrooms will be the first beer tapped on the tour.

At 3pm the party moves down to Blind Bob’s where the dark malted Black Hatter will be tapped. One reviewer describes the aroma of pine, citrus rind and roasted malt, arising from the glass. Pine and citrus rind dominate the opening of this brew which transitions to a mild dark chocolate roastiness, and then finishes dry with citrus-like bitterness and a touch of roasted malt.

The 4 o’clock hour will bring on an IPA that’s been aged in bourbon barrels- Oak Aged Hatter at Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery. Round, smooth wood character brings a new dimension to dry-hopped, aromatic hoppiness.

As 5pm rolls around it will be time to tap Rye Hatter at Trolley Stop. This beer showcases it’s grain-bill, made up of rye and barley malt. The rye adds a slight spiciness to the caramel-malt base, while also creating a creamy texture. Dry-hopping contributes a fresh citrus finish

The final stop on the tour will present the Belgian-styled Farmhouse Hatter at South Park Tavern! Farmhouse Ales were originally brewed as “Provision Beers” by farmers in Belgium and France, brewed in the winter months to be consumed during hot summer work days. They were traditionally brewed light and refreshing to aid in both hydration and energy. Wheat and Pilsner malts were used to lighten up the body of this Mad Hatter version. It was also fermented hot with a strain of Belgian Saison yeast to develop flavors of green apple, pepper and fresh cut hay.

No reservations or pre-registration is necessary to participate in the Mad Hatter Crawl. Just grab some friends, arrange a designated driver and meet up at Thai9 to kick things off. Or feel free to just show up at one of the other stops!

Wicked Watermelons for Summer Fun

June 27, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

What screams summertime refreshment more on a hot, humid day but a watermelon. And if you’re like me, you’ll feel the need to have an adults only watermelon. I think my friends are disappointed if I show up at a summer party now without a Watermelon in my hand. Here’s another thing about the melon you might not know- scientists say watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels and may even increase libido.
I’m not making that up- check out the June 30, 2008 issue of ScienceDaily. Anyway, below please enjoy some fun ways to get your fruit and some fun for the summer!

Tips For Spiking Your Watermelon:

Locate the bellybutton of your seedless melon (where the stem was attached) and cut a hole big enough that your liquor bottle will fit in.
Use a skewer to poke down into the melon in all directions to create channels for the liquid to run down.
Insert your bottle in the watermelon and let it absorb as much of the liquid as it can. This works best with a plastic liquor bottle. If you have a glass bottle, you may need to support the bottle so it doesn’t fall out. The alcohol choices are endless- I’ve done this with flavored vodka’s (I’ve used peach raspberry and tutti frutti-if you haven’t been to the liquor store lately- the flavor choices are amazing) rum, tequila and everclear. You could also use a watermelon schnapps. I don’t recommend spiced rum, but it’s all personal preference. I’m thinking about trying a champagne or prosecco next.
Ideally you’ll allow the absorbing to go for about 24 hours in arefrigerator or ice it down in a cooler if space is an issue. Of course, when I don’t plan in advance, I’ve done this about an hour ahead, but you’ll usually only get about a cup or two of liquor in the watermelon- but it’s still pretty good!
Put the watermelon in a pan when you go to cut it, so you can keep all the yummy juice to drink!

If you’d prefer your watermelon in a cocktail format, well by all means. A quick google search will find you zillions of concoctions but I can vouch for these as being tasty and pretty easy to make. These recipes are also a great way to use up leftover watermelon.

Watermelon Sangria from Food & Wine

- 1 bottle dry white wine
- 6 oz vodka
- Ice
- 2 pounds seedless watermelon, peeled and cubed, plus 1/2 pound watermelon cut into balls with a melon baller and skewered on picks
- 4 ounces triple sec or Cointreau
- 4 ounces Citrus Syrup (equal parts sugar and water boiled down with 2 inch strip of lemon zest and 2 inch strip of orange zest

In a blender, puree the watermelon cubes. Pour through a fine strainer into a pitcher. Add the white wine, vodka, triple sec and citrus syrup. Stir and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Stir again, then pour the sangria into ice-filled white wine glasses and garnish with the skewered watermelon balls. Makes about 6 drinks

Vodka and Watermelon Cooler from epicurious.com

3 pounds watermelon, rind and seedsdiscarded and the flesh cut into pieces,plus thin slices of watermelon for garnish
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup Triple Sec
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

In a blender purée the watermelon pieces and strain the purée through a very fine sieve set over a pitcher, discarding the solids. (There should be about 2-1/3 cups juice). Stir in the vodka, the Triple Sec, and the lime juice, pour the cooler into long-stemmed glasses filled with ice cubes, and garnish each drink with a watermelon slice. Makes about 8 drinks.

Summer Hoedown from CHOW

- 1 (6-pound) seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into large dice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup maraschino liqueur- a relatively dry liqueur with a subtle bitter-almond flavor

4 (12-ounce) bottles white beer, such as Hoegaarden, chilled

Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl; set aside.Place half of the watermelon in a blender and blend until liquified, about 1 minute. Pour through the strainer into the bowl and scrape a rubber spatula against the inside surface of the strainer to push the juice through until only pulp remains. Discard the pulp and set the strainer back over the bowl. Repeat with the remaining watermelon. (You should have about 6 cups of juice). Add the sugar to the juice and stir until dissolved, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 1/2 hours, or until ready to use. When ready to serve, transfer the chilled juice to a 3-quart container. Add the maraschino liqueur and beer and stir gently to combine.

Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails
From Bobby Flay

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
8 cups diced seedless watermelon (1 pound)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 3/4 cups blueberries
3/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves, plus 8 sprigs for garnish
1 1/4 cups silver tequila
Ice

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a simmer with the sugar and stir over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute; let the sugar syrup cool. In a blender, puree the watermelon until smooth. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the watermelon juice, pressing gently on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the pulp. In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the lime juice, blueberries and mint leaves. Using a wooden spoon, lightly muddle the blueberries and mint Add the watermelon juice and tequila. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Pour the cocktail into tall ice-filled glasses. Garnish with the mint sprigs and serve. Makes about 8 drinks.

Watermelon Margarita

4 cups (1-inch chunks) seedless watermelon
3/4 cup tequila
1/3 cup Triple Sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 cups crushed ice
Lime slices for garnish

Place frozen watermelon, tequila, Triple Sec, sugar, and lime juice in a blender, process until smooth. Add ice, and process until smooth.

Cheers!

We’d love to hear about your favorites, too. Please share your favorite recipes with us in the comment section below!

Fireworks and Celebrations Across the Region

June 26, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

July 4, 1776 was the day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. While the official signing didn’t take place until later, July 4th is our official celebration of Independence. The legacy of the revolutionary celebration was cannonfire and bonfires. Today we’ve evolveed to pyrotechnics to patriotic music in small towns, celebrating family and community.

There will be no shortage of celebrations this year, and due to the mid-week holiday, the fun starts this weekend and continues to mid-week.

Here’s a quick round up of where you’ll find booms and bling in the sky this week:

Fri, June 29th

Courtesy of WPAFB and in recognition of all our military and their families, the 8th annual Air Force Materiel Command Tattoo is a free show featuring Eddie Money. Gates open at 4pm, with a family fun zone, bands, and more. An official ceremony takes place at 8pm, headliner at 9pm and a world class fireworks display launches at 10pm. Directions and Parking info here.

Sat, June 30th

The 18th Annual Old-Fashioned Country Fireworks at the Clark County Fairgrounds include K99.1FM and WHIO News Talk Radio broadcasting live from 7pm. Fireworks start at dusk.

Enjoy the Star Spangled Huber Heights celebration that includes a parade, half marathon and car show, topped off with fireworks that are slated to start between 9:45 and 10pm at Thomas Cloud Park on Brandt Pike.

Waynesville hosts a parade at noon to Pack the Pantry, asking all to bring non-perishables to stock the Waynesville Food Pantry and shoots off fireworks from the high school at 10pm. Rain date: July 1

Enon celebrates at VFW Post 8437 George Rogers Clark Memorial Post with food, games and fireworks at dusk.

Sun, July 1

The City of Dayton will take advantage of the CityFolk crowds to light up the sky at 10pm. The action takes place over the river and will be accompanied by a patriotic music track.

Tues, July 3

Vandalia’s Star Spangled Celebration at the Sports Complex at 1101 Stonequarry Road kicks off at 7pm and feature family fun, food and a concert by Stranger capped off by fireworks at 10pm. (In case of rain, fireworks will be on Fri, July 6th)

Wed, July 4th

Centerville’s 39th annual Americana Festival features a fun run, parade, street fair featuring 300 craft and food booths, artists, musical entertainment and a children’s game and activity area (be sure and visit McKenzie’s Lemonade Stand) and at 10pm enjoy the Famous Rozzi Family fireworks with synchronized music on Fly 92.9 FM. Rain Date July 5th

Beavercreek’s Fun on the 4th starts at 6pm with a Parade which runs along Dayton-Xenia Road from Meadowbridge Drive to the High School. Then join us at Rotary Park for more fun and fireworks at 10pm.

Englewood’s Celebration will start at 7pm with patriotic tunes from the Englewood Civic Band followed by fireworks at 10pm at Centennial Park off West Union Road.

Fairborn kicks the holiday off with a block party on July 3rd, followed up by a parade on the 4th with a concert by Austin Hicks and firewoks at 10pm at Community Park

Kettering’s 35th Go Fourth at Delco Park starts at 6pm with family fun and music by the United States Air Force Band of Flight. Followed by a one-of-a-kind 35th Anniversary fireworks display beginning at 9:45 pm accompanied by patriotic and popular music.

Moraine’s Annual Event includes amusement rides, free concert, food, youth/teen talent show, and of course, fireworks at dusk at Wax Park, which is locate at 3800 Main Street.

Troy has a parade which begins at 10am and fireworks at 10 PM above the Great Miami River Levee.

Yellow Springs has a parade through downtown that starts at 3:30pm and fireworks at dusk at Gaunt Park at 500 West South College Street courtesy of the Lions Club.

Enjoy the Rocket’s Red Glare!

McKenzie’s Annual Lemonade Stand – Fighting Childhood Cancer

June 26, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby 2 Comments

Update– It’s time for McKenzie’s 7th annual lemonade sale. With a goal to raise $20,000, this is the first year she’s got local business sponsors! So far Elizabeth Diamond Company, Houser Asphalt, Howell Chiropractic, Possert Construction, Select Signs and the Mills Family Foundation have stepped up to help. There’s still time for your help to.

This story originally ran June 26, 2011:

McKenzie has been holding lemonade stands since she was four to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Inspired by her dad sharing the story of Alex and her amazing Lemonade stand. Alex was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was a year old. When she was just 4 years old she told her parents she wanted to have a lemonade stand and send the money to doctors to help find a cure. Alex passed away in 2004 at the age of 8 after raising over a million dollars by selling lemonade.

McKenzie has been hosting her own lemonade stand since 2006. This year, with the help of the Centerville Noon Optimist, McKenzie hopes to have the biggest fundraiser ever. Her stand will be set up at the Centerville Americana Festival on the 4th of July from 11am – 5pm. You can also donate online to help her reach her goal of $15,000.

McKenzie's first Leomonade stand in 2006

In addition to lemonade there will be four raffle baskets including a wii gaming system, dining out in Dayton (gift cards from all over town), rest and relaxation (massage & spa cards) and Family Fun (Dragons Tickets & More).

If you’d like to share the story with other children you know or find out about other fundraising events visit the website. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents after her death, truly exemplifying the saying “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade”—they have raised more than $40 million. That money has helped to:
• Fund more than 200 cutting-edge research projects
• Create a travel program to help support families of children receiving treatment
• Develop resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer

The Oakwood Club Celebrates 50 Years with $19.62 Meals

June 18, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Nestled in the streets of Oakwood, in a very unassuming building, one of Dayton’s most successful family run restaurants will be celebrating their 50 years of service all week long. The Oakwood Club will be giving back to the community that has supported them since 1962 with incredible dining deals tonight through Saturday for just $19.62. Owner Lance Stewart says these represents favorite menu items of their guests:

Shish Kebob– Soy marinated Filet Mignon, red and green bell peppers, Vidalia onions, tomato wedge, portabella mushroom, served on a sizzling platter of grilled pineapple rice.

Salmon in Puff Pastry– complemented with shrimp sauce laced with brandy

Lemon Sole with Maryland Lump Crabmeat – baked in white wine, lemon and parsley

Owner Lance Stewart with Chef Nate Young

Oakwood Club Famous Hot Brown– roasted breast of turkey, apple wood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese sauce and button mushrooms

All menu items served with salad and a choice of side for just $19.62

Live music will add to the festivities with jazz guitarist Time Berens playing Mon – Wed, guitarist Tom Downs will play Thursday and the 4 piece jazz band WindJammer will play on Fri & Sat night. a 1962 Cognac tasting will be offered Mon – Sat and special commemorative wines will be offered from the Rodney Strong vineyards.

The restaurant is open for dinner Mon – Sat at 4:30 and serves until 11:30pm Mon – Thurs and reservations are accepted. On Fri & Sat they’ll serve until 1am and you can make reservations for parties of 5 or more by calling 293-6973. While The Oakwood club is always pretty busy, expect record crowds this week. But sometime the best part of the night is the conversation you strike up at bar, where your always sure to see the who’s who of Dayton.

The Oakwood Club is located at 2414 Far Hills Ave.

See you there!

Dining Deals for Dad’s

June 16, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Father’s Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June in many parts of the world. The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora’s father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. President Nixon, in 1972, established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. So Father’s Day was born as a token of love and gratitude that a daughter cherishes for her beloved father.

There are an estimated 70 million father’s in the United States and the most common Father’s Day gifts include ties, sporting items, electronic gadgets, outdoor cooking supplies and tools. The most frequent celebrations of Father’s Day include a family cookout, but if you’d prefer to take Dad out here are some deals just for Dad:

Treat Dad this Sunday to a great Lasagne or Spaghetti & Meatballs meal at Spaghetti Warehouse! While you are there, take a photo and upload it to our 40th Anniversary Photo Wall and get a chance to win. We are giving away over $10,000 in free food, gift cards and cash prizes. Plus, dads born in 1972 get a FREE brownie sundae!

LaRosa’s Pizzeria is offering dad’s a free calzone all day long on
Sunday, June 17th at any of these locations:

Beavercreek- 2453 Esquire Drive
Kettering – 2801 Wilmington Pike
Centerville – 291 East Alex Bell Road
Hujber Heights – 7375 Old Troy Pike

Caribou Coffee will send you a Buy One, Get One Free coupon if you text DAD to 70626, they’ll send you back a coupon to your cell phone.

Quizno’s is letting Dad’s eat free for Father’s Day when you purchase a Q kidz club sub and print the couponat this link

Beef O’Brady’s will treat Dad to a free meal (valued up to $10) with the purchase of another meal of equal or greater value. Valid at either Dayton location:
Centerville – 953 South Main Street
Beavercreek – 3347 Seajay Drive in Beavercrek

Denny’s wants you to send a Father’s Day e-Card and you’ll both receive a coupon for a free Pancake Puppies Sundae when you purchase an entrée.

Take Dad to a brunch or dinner at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar on June 17, and he’ll walk away with a free $25 gift card to use on a later date.

Know of other deals, feel free to add them in the comment section below.

Farmers’ & Artisans Market to open in Huber Heights

June 14, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

The Heights Cafe and The Huber Center are collaborating to bring a new Farmers’ Market to The Huber Heights Community. The Heights Farmers’ and Artisans Market will be located at the Huber Center 6178 Chambersburg Road. The market will be open to the public every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm starting on June 16th. And will run until October. 27th rain or shine.

Market Manager Jeff LaFollette, of The Heights Farmers and Artisans Market, said the market has three initial goals:

1. To help increase access to fresh, locally grown produce in Huber Heights and surrounding neighborhoods

2. To promote local, talented Artist, Artisans, Civic Organizations.

3. To create an enjoyable, safe event that brings people in the community together.

The market expects to feature vendors, artist and artisans who produce and sell vegetables, fruits, baked goods, prepared foods, plants, flowers, honey, seeds or Artisan homemade crafts. “During this initial season, we’ll collect information from customers to determine if there is a demand for more market days in the future”.

Could You Be The Next Tater Tot Eating Champ?

June 6, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Bar Louie at The Greene will host their 5th Annual Rock the Tot contest this Thursday, June 7th at 8pm. According to GM Justin Steel, all 68 Bar Louie restaurants across the country will be hosting the chow down. The rules are quite simple, you have 6 minutes to eat as many tater tots as you can. Steel says he expects that about 15 folks will compete in the annual eat off.

Defending champ Jeff Dunn from Centerville, a former employee of Bar Louie, ate 3.5 pounds of tots to claim his 3rd consecutive championship last year. The Tot champ will claim a trophy, a $250 Bar Louie gift card, a tot T-shirt and free loaded tots for a year! If the winners time puts them in the top 5 nationwide, the winner will be flown to the Championships in Cleveland, where they can compete for $500 and free tots for life!

To enter you must be at least 18, sign a waiver and be ready to eat! There’s still room to enter, it’s free to compete aand you can still sign up here. Contestants will need to check in by 7:30pm

New this year is a 4 Person Team Tot Relay. The first team member eats a pound of tots, then tags off to the next, until all each of the 4 has consumed their pound. The team that finishes first will win a $200 bar tab for the team , Tots T-shirts and FREE loaded tots for a year for all!

Contact Bar Louie Beavercreek if you are interested in joining or want more info at 937-427-3900.

Greater Dayton LGBT Center Celebrates 25 Years of PRIDE

May 31, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

The Greater Dayton LGBT Center is celebrating Dayton’s 25th PRIDE weekend with the annual PRIDE Dinner this Friday night at Sinclair’s Pontiz Center followed by a Parade and an expo on Courthouse Square on Saturday. Friday’s 80’s themed festivities begin at 5:30pm with a cocktail hour and business expo highlighting many gay friendly business in the area. In a bold move of support, LexisNexis,a leading global provider of content-enabled workflow solutions designed specifically for professionals in the legal, risk management, corporate, government, law enforcement, accounting, and academic markets. has signed on as the 2012 Pride Presenting sponsor. Earlier this year, LexisNexis was recognized by The Human Rights Campaign with The Corporate Equality Award, which recognizes a company each year for outstanding efforts in promoting equality for LGBT people in the workplace.

Alyce Clark, Vice-President of Human Resources at LexisNexis and PRIDE President, stated, “Reed Elsevier and LexisNexis Executive leadership strongly support all LexisNexis Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), including our PRIDE group which was established in 2010. This is a key reflection of the company’s commitment to build a culture that embraces diversity and fosters an inclusive environment in which all employees can contribute to their fullest potential in the workplace and in their communities.”

Kevin Mabrey at the Pride booth on Courthouse Square

For LN Pride Community Outreach Chair, Kevin Mabrey, the Pride Celebration is all about “allowing me to be who I am, because I spent so many of my early years hiding who I was. I’m glad I can finally be who God made me! To have the support of my employer and know that we’ll have over 50 co-workers and their families walking in the parade is powerful.” Mabrey shared that the LexisNexis Pride ERG has members in New York City, Atlanta, North Carolina, Amsterdam and is continuing to grow. As a company LexisNexis has offered domestic partner benefits for years and the open arms they’ve given the Pride ERG has been encouraging and makes Kevin want to help recruit his other gay friends to work in an openly inclusive environment. Their presence at Dayton’s Pride will be the first time the company has officially participated in a Pride parade. Kevin credits their ERG sponsor, Doreen Tyburski from their New York corporate headquarters as the executive that is helping their group gain visibility.

Mabrey also shared that LexisNexis has declared June pride month at the company and will present educational messages and seminars throughout the month. On June 21th LexisNexis will present a bullying conference, that will help educate their employees on the effects of bullying, how to tell if your children are being bullied or if they are the bully.
This was especially exciting to Kevin, as he shared he was that kid who was thrown against the lockers in school and made fun of for being gay. He’s proud to be part of company that is working to prevent that for future generations.

Kris Jackson

Kris Jackson, Development Director for the Greater Datyon LGBT Pride committee says ,” the whole focus of the Pride weekend is to celebrate our lives in an open atmosphere. Corporate sponsors like LexisNexis and American Family Insurance prove we’ve come along way. Dayton unanimously approving the domestic partnership registry is another big win we’ll be celebrating. We’ve worked through so much adversity in the past 25 years that we can finally celebrate in an open, family friendly atmosphere. On Friday night we’ll be honoring Sue Spiegel with our Frontier Award for outstanding support for our community. As the ARC Ohio RED Gala chair in 2010 and 2012, she’s helped to raise over $875,000 for education and prevention of HIV/AIDS and support of those infected or affected by the disease.” Jackson also shared that other awards will include the Impact Award which will go to City of Dayton employee Kery Gray, a Lifetime Achievement award to local historian and former Gay Center Board Member, Leon Bey and the Celebrating 25 years award to John Zimmerman.

Parade Grand Marshall, Sue Spiegel

On Saturday Sue Spiegel of Dayton Bag and Burlap, will be the Grand Marshall of the Pride Parade, which steps off at noon lfrom the Natalie Clifford Barney Historical Marker in Cooper Park on Saint Clair Street and travels through the streets to end with a celebration at Courthouse Square for a fabulous festival of entertainment, food, and frivolity. Food, beer, and craft vendors alike will be on hand until the festivities end at 5:30pm. Which allows you just enough time to go home and freshen up before the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus big show at 8pm at the Victoria featuring the music of Abba.

With so much to celebrate this year, be sure to show your Dayton PRIDE this weekend!

Meet Culp’s Cafe’s Chef Jose

May 30, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Chef Jose Calzada is originally from Chicago. He graduated with a culinary degree from Kendall College and spent a lot of his early years in the kitchen at Italian and French eateries. He took over as Executive Chef at Culp’s Café at Carillon Park last year. The historic restaurant was originally opened in 1902 by Charlotte Gilbert Culp, a young widow with six children, began baking and selling bread, cakes and rolls by having her children go door to door in their West Third Street neighborhood. Soon they had a stand at the South Main Street market with the “Culp’s Cake” being a best seller. Her eldest son, Howard Gilbert Culp, leased space in the Arcade, and expanded the business selling poultry, eggs, cheese, and dill pickles at three lunch counters where downtown workers could purchase a complete lunch for 35 cents!

In the 1930s, the Culps opened a cafeteria in the Arcade across from Keith Theater. The cafeteria specialized in home-

Chef Jose and his wife Carol

cooked food and was famous for its pies and pastries. Dayton’s population boomed in the 1940s and Culp’s cafeteria served as many as 5,000 customers a day. Culp’s was the first restaurant in Dayton to have air conditioning and the first electric Hammond organ in the area. As the downtown area changed due to the development of suburbs and the popularity of television, the Culp family reluctantly sold the business in 1960.

The spirit of this family-operated restaurant lives on at Carillon Historical Park with Chef José Calzada managing Culp’s Café 7 days a week and working daily with his wife Carol. Starting June 2nd Culp’s Cafewill be serving up breakfast, Sat – Mon from 7:30am-3:00pm. They are also open for lunch Tues- Fri 11am – 3pm. Culp’s is located at 1000 Carillon Blvd, at Carillon Park.

DaytonDining wants to treat one of our readers to a FREE breakfast at Culp’s Cafe. Just leave a comment below telling us why you’d like to have breakfast at Culp’s and a random winner will be drawn on Friday from the commenters.

And now Chef Jose answers DaytonDining’s 10 questions:

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

I love to cook with fresh herbs, like Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary and especially Basil – I love the taste and the smell of it. Using fresh herbs brings out a better flavor on soups, meats and sauces.

What ingredient do you dread?

I really dread working with kale I don’t like the taste and the smell. If I had to use it I would only use it as a garnish. No offense to kale lovers.

What’s your favorite dish to make?

I love to make soups, a nice chicken noodle soup or corn chowder on a cold day or a chilled avocado soup with fresh crab meat on a hot summer day . 10 or 15 years ago I would have said pates or terrines . When I first started cooking I used to love making duck liver pate and vegetable or meat terrines.

What’s your favorite pig out food?

I love cheeseburgers, here in Dayton I like to go to Smashburger. My favorite place to go for a burger is Illinois Bar and Grill in Chicago , their one pound burgers are the best I have ever had.

What restaurant, other then your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

My wife and I love to go to Tony’s Italian Kitchen on North Main Street in Englewood, it is a very small neighborhood restaurant with great food, but most of all authentic. We have tried everything on the menu and we are always satisfied.

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Have fun doing what you love! Like one of my chef instructors would always say “It is not rocket science, just have fun and enjoy it!”

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

I wouldn’t know were to start there are a lot of people to choose from like by brother who passed away 12 years ago, my mentors Chef John Hogan and Chef Mike Greagson. There are also my chef instructors, my collies, my favorite athletes and actors and actresses . It would be very hard to just pick 4 guests.

Who do you look up in the industry and why?

I look up to a lot of people in this industry, from a chef I have had the pleasure to know like, Priscilla Satkof, who has been one of the top female chefs in Chicago for over 15 years, Michel Coatrieux who is a chef instructor for over 25 years, Georges “Kiki” Cuisance who has been in the restaurant business for over 35 years and still doing a great job. To the celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Emeril Lagasse who have educated many people about food.

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off ?

In my day off I like to spend as much time with my family as I can, in this business you don’t have many days off. So we go to the movies, out to dinner or just to the park.

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story.

The best time I had ever had in the kitchen was when we cooked a dinner for Julia Child and a group of friends. I was working at Kiki’s Bistro as a sous chef at the time. The chef and I prepared a 5 course dinner for them with the main entrée of Roasted Squab ( that’s what she order in advance). After the dinner the waiter came to the kitchen and said that she wanted to meet the chefs who prepared the wonderful meal. That was one of the best feelings I ever had as a chef – cooking and meeting someone I idolized growing up, and a person I watched on TV. It was an experience I will never forget.

Dayton Beer Company Now Open!

May 17, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

John from Centerville was the first guy in line today at 4:30pm for the opening of The Dayton Beer Company. He says he’s a craft beer fan, who used to brew in the 90’s and has passed his passion on to his daughter who now brews in Knoxville. He says he’s never had a bad beer yet and upon sampling his first brew at the new Kettering Brewery he proclaims the Broken Trolley Blonde Ale as “wonderful.”

Kevin trying out the sampler

Kevin Kreig of Centerville is also a big fan of craft beers and he started his experience off with a flight of beer, which is four 4oz samples for $5. Pints run $4 and growlers are $17 with refills available for just $13. On it’s opening day, the intimate tasting room was at capacity with about 40 folks standing inside and a line out the door, with a few groups enjoying their beers on the small patio.

John from Miami Township says he’s “not a chemist or a brewer, but I know what I like and I’m proud to support an Alter grad. Peter Hilgeman, the 25 year old Daytonian who founded The Dayton Beer Company says he’s always been interested in beer, but working at The Party Source in Covington, KY during his college days at University of Cincinnati really peaked his interest. “I really wanted to restore the brewing tradition,” Dayton once had. He spent five months traveling through Europe educating his pallet before returning home to create great tasting beers.

Jon, Dan & Mike enjoying opening day

In naming his beers, Pete pays homage to Dayton history with brews like Patterson Pale Ale, Hawthorn Hill Hefeweizen and the Inventors IPA, which was a favorite of Kettering resident Dan, who is just happy to support a Dayton Brewery for the first time in 62 years!

Mike, who’s vising from Durham, North Carolina truly enjoyed the Rising River Porter, and was surprised at it’s lightness, but proclaimed it “perfect for summer.” Coming tomorrow a Stout and a Smoked Ale will be added to the menu. Speaking of menu, according to a price list on the table chips, soda’s, Red Bull, bottled water, pretzels and beer nuts will be available, but on opening day it was all hands on deck to just get the beers out.

If you plan on frequenting the brew pub, you might be interested in joining the Flying High Club. Basic membership is $20 and offers 50 cents off tastings, pints and 6 packs as well as a 10th free option and mailings. The intermediate level adds a DBC Pint Glass, t-shirt and 2 koozie’s and everything from the basic package. For you big rollers out there, you’ll think nothing of dropping $125 which lets you sport a DBC Polo shirt, 2 DBC Pint Glasses, 2 koozies and the basic benefits, too.

The Dayton Beer Company is located at 912 E. Dorothy Lane and will be open Wed – Saturday 5-10pm.

Fleur et Vin

May 12, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Vail Sr, Vail Jr, Mif and Mike Frank

Twenty years ago Vail Miller, Sr of Heidelberg Distributing and Mike Frank of Arrow Wine got together to plan an event that would make drinking wine more fun and less formal. They figured if they could convince folks to have a glass of wine with dinner at home they’d both make more money. They also agreed that the event should benefit their local community and that’s how Fleurs was created. The event has continued to flourish and now the 2nd generation of Vail Miller, Jr and Mif Frank are at the helm of Dayton’s Premier Wine and Gourmet Food Festival.

On Sunday, May 20th from 1- 4pm at Carillon Park, 24 restaurants will be on hand to compliment the over 300 wines that will be served up by local distributors. Restaurants scheduled to participate include: Amber Rose, Brock Mastersons, Carvers, Central Perc, Christopher’s, Culp’s Cafe, Dark Horse, De’Lish, Dewey’s Pizza, Giovanni’s, Hawthorn Grill, Jay’s Seafood, LeDoux’s, Louisiana Grille, Mamma DiSalvo’s, Meadowlark, Neil’s Heritage House, Oakwood Club, Sa Bai, Scratch Event Catering, Thai 9, The Dock, Top of the Market and The Wine Loft,

As you arrive you’ll be handed a plate and souvenir Fleurs et Vin wine glass. The tent is set up so you can

Photo by Teesha McClam at 2010 Fleurs et VIn

grab a plate, and then cross over to the middle where the wines are and match up wine to compliment your food. Wine will be poured by area distributors, as well as VIP’s from Firelands Winery, E & J Gallo, Easley Winery, St Michelle Wines, Veleta Winery, Treasury Wine Estates and perhaps a few more. Take advantage of these experts knowledge to learn about their wines and ask for recommendations.

Several years ago a Belgian Beer Tent was added to the event, and this year you’ll be able to sample Leffe- sweet and silky beer with aromas of clove, vanilla and smoky caramel, Hoegaarden-a Belgium white, Stella Artois- a European-style pilsner, Duvell- a strong golden ale, Ommegang Hennepin- a hoppy, farmhouse-style ale and Chimay Triple- the ﬁrst Trappist Triple beer. While supplies last, you ‘ll be able to take home a souvenir glass from your favorite beer. Jump’s Gourmet Peanuts have donated their nuts for snacking on, while in the beer tent.

This years musical entertainment will be provided by The Eric Jerardi Band. Jerardi has a long affiliation with Fleurs, for many years serving up treats from his Little Store on Peters Pike. New this year, the Wall of Wine – for only $20, guests will get to choose a mystery bottle of red or white. Stocked bottles will range from a value of $10 – $85. If you’d prefer to know what you’re getting, you’ll want to check out the silent auction that will feature art, theater tickets, restaurant gift certificates and much more. At 4pm the live auction will begin, with an array of wine collectibles, chef dinners and more. Even if you don’t plan on bidding, you’ll want to stick around and watch this- it’s always a high energy, competitive, fast moving part of the fest.

Tickets are and are $60 in advance, available online or at your favorite wine store: Arrow Wine , Bella Vino, Brunning’s Wine Cellar, Cuvee, Rumbleseat , The Wine Gallery, Jerardi’s Little Store, Miami Valley Wine & Spirits , A Taste of Wine and The Wine Loft. Proceeds from the day will benefit AIDS Resource Center Ohio and Dayton History.

Ticket Contest

As a media sponsor for Fleur et Vin, Dayton Most Metro has two pairs of tickets to give away to this very popular event! Justthis article (to help us spread the word on FB), fill out the form below and then comment below and tell us what your favorite wine is – even if it is just “Red” or “White”. And if you are a non-drinker, then tell us which of the participating restaurants you are most looking forward to trying. We’ll draw two lucky winners on Tuesday May 15 after 2pm – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Jenna Johnson and Bill Tatalovich – they each won a pair of tickets to Fleur et Vin! CHEERS!

Big Brews & Blues (Ticket Contest)

May 9, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

National Craft Beer Week is May 14 – 20 and the 3rd annual All Draught Beer Tasting hosted by Diabetes Dayton is the perfect way to celebrate. It’s an evening of craft beers, and local blues at Carillon Park. Starting at 5pm on Friday, May 18th brews from Akron’s Thirsty Dog and Ohio Brewing Companies, Columbus based Elevator Brewing, Mount Carmel and Riverton from Cincinnati. Also on site will be Wooden Shoe Brewing Company of Minster,who began in 1860, survived prohibition and became one of the most desired brews of it’s era. In all there will be over 30 craft beers to select from.

Purchase your early bird ticket for Big Brews and Blues for just $30 until May 15th, which includes event entry and 20 beer sampling tickets with a commemorative tasting glass. On May 16th ticket price increases to $35. If you are there just for the music, you can purchase a $5 entry ticket and beer will be available by the pint for $5. This event happens rain or shine and ticket are nonrefundable. Tickets can be purchased online.

General Admission Ticket: $35 available from may 16-18 includes event entry and 20 beer sampling tickets with a commemorative tasting glass buy your ticket online: click on the shopping cart at the bottom of the page! tickets are nonrefundable and the event will go on- rain or shine just want to come check out the event

Noah Witherspoon

The Silver Kings Blues Band will start the night out at 5pm, Uptown Blues Players hit the stage at 6pm, Miss Lissa and Company begin at 8pm and the evenings headliner, Noah Witherspoon will come on at 8pm and the event concludes at 9pm.

In honor of American Craft Beer Week Dayton DRAFT will be on hand demonstating the craft of homebrewing up close and personal throughout the evening of Big Brews and Blues.

Attendees will be able to dine on offerings from Boston’s Bistro & Pub, Brock Masterson’s Catering, Hickory River Smokehouse and Kaimelsky’s.

Providing camps for children living with diabetes is one of the most important programs at Diabetes Dayton. Their goal is to offer a safe, fun filled week of resident camping under the supervision of medical staff. 100 % of the funds raised at thisevent are used so that any child living with diabetes can attend camp, regardless of their ability to pay. Camp for these kids means making friends with other children living with diabetes, becoming more independent, receiving the best medical care 24/7, and enjoying all the fun camp can offer.

Ticket Contest

Dayton Most Metro has TWO PAIRS of tickets to give away to Big Brews & Blues! Simply fill out the form below and comment below with your favorite craft beer. We’ll draw two winners this ~~Friday May 11~~ Saturday May 12 at 2pm – good luck!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Troy Lindsey and Tamera Geesling – they are both winners in our ticket drawing for the Big Brews & Blues Festival! We do hope to see most of the rest of you there – there will be awesome beers, music, and DMM will be there pouring beers! CHEERS!

A Lawyer Walks Into A Comedy Club…

May 7, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

Many of you may know that for years I owned a comedy club here in town. Folks are always asking me who’s funny and to tell them when someone good is coming to town. That’s hard for me to do, for a couple of reasons. One- after 20+ years of seeing comic’s I became very jaded, what makes me laugh tends to be the obscure or the sick deviant stuff. Another is that I really prefer to know what you like before I recommend someone. I can send you to see a squeaky clean show, political satire or silly song parodies, but not every show is for everybody. Every now and then there’s an act that I think is pretty all encompassing and this week the Funny Bone at The Greene has him, Paul Mecurio. He’s an emmy winner for his work on The Daily Show!

Here’s what the Huffington Post has to say about Paul:

Paul Mecurio took an interesting route to becoming a comedian, beginning his career on Wall Street as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer and moonlighting in the clubs. Now he headlines comedy clubs around the country. Most recently, Paul launched Got No Game with Paul Mecurio, a new web series on HBOSports.com which tackles the world of sports with a comical look at the compelling stories and outrageous events away from the field through original sketches and one-on-one interviews. New episodes of Got No Game with Paul Mecurio will post each Friday through September 4.
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JHDaq1yU9U&feature=relmfu’]
Mecurio has been featured on his own “Comedy Central Presents” half-hour special and has made numerous TV appearances including Late Night with Conan O’Brien,The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn, CNN, MSNBC, and many others. For his work as a writer on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Paul won both an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award (the Pulitzer prize for broadcast journalism). When he’s not on the road, Paul frequently opens for live tapings of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? Paul can also be heard on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Radio Show. As the “Image Makeover Guy” on Bob & Tom, Paul doles out advice on how public figures can improve their images. Paul’s “Consumer Man” pieces about life as a frequently aggravated consumer have been featured on Bob & Tom and in The New York Times Magazine.

You probably know I do an interview with local Chefs called 10 ?’s. Paul wanted to know if I could interview him to help get the word out that he’d be here, so I sent him my 1o ?’s. Here ‘s what he shot me back in 2 minutes. And that’s a record for quickest answers!

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

Bob Costas interviews Paul as an "asterisk"

OXYCODONE–IT TRANSPORTS THE FOOD … AND YOU!

What ingredient do you dread?

URANIUM, VERY DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH AS A REDUCTION SAUCE

What’s your favorite dish to make?

CHEF BOYARDEE RAVIOLI … NOW IF I CAN JUST FIND SOMEONE TO OPEN THE CAN FOR ME, IT WOULD BE PERFECT

What’s your favorite pig out food?

PIZZA, ICE CREAM AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES, ALL AT ONCE … I;M A BUSY MAN

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

THERE’S S A GREAT DUMPSTER AT FIFTH STREET & WAYNE AVE

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

FLAME RETARDANT JOCK STRAP.

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

3 GANG MEMBERS AND DONALD TRUMP, SO I COULD WATCH THEM BEAT UP DONALD TRUMP WHILE I EAT — DINNER AND A SHOW.

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

THE COLONEL –COME ON ELEVN HERBS AND SPICES? ELEVEN! THE MAN’S A GENIUS

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

READ THIS BLOG POST AND WEEP.

(though I seem to remember some nights we spent at Diamonds with the Jokers staff…)

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

I WAS COOKING PASTA AND FORGOT TO PUT WATER IN THE POT-THE PASTA WAS A LITTLE UNDERCOOKED.
So go check Paul out this week at Funny Bone, make reservations, shows do sell out and tell ’em Lisa sent you! But remember there’s a 2 item minimum and don’t heckle, you’re never gonna be as funny as the pro’s and Paul is one of the best!

Architecture Week 2012 – Dining by Design

May 7, 2012 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

AIA Dayton, a chapter of the American Institute of Architects, has been celebrating Architecture Week with 2 full weeks of events and invites the public to join them for 2 events this week that will highlight the urban culture of some of our favorite bars, restaurants and galleries.

Join a historic Bar Hop on Tues, May 8th from 6-9pm. You’ll Laugh and Learn as your tour guide, Terry Welker, AIA and Alexis Larson (former culture writer for the DDN and now with the Dayton Art Institute) give you a history of some of

Dayton’s oldest bars, artifacts, brewing and distilling history. Tour will start at The Century with a history of the bar, bourbon history and tasting. Next you’ll

go to Jay’s for more Dayton bar history and the new Dayton Beer Company tasting. Lastly we’ll head to the Oregon Express to see the famous train bar and relax on the upper deck as we watch the sunset with some craft beers and OE Pizza. Cost: $45/person. RSVP with form located here.

Perhaps you’d prefer to “Sustain that smile” as your local art guides give you the highlights of Dayton’s art scene, give insights on collecting art and help you tap into the creative side of life over a private dinner at the acclaimed “Olive – an Urban Dive” whose locally sustainable food sources are magically transformed into seasonal masterpieces on Thurs, May 10th. This tour will start at DVAC with the opening of Art & Arias where we see the new show and connect with the Dayton Opera over a glass of wine. Next you’ll head to the New CADC and the Oregon District for a short stop at the Color of Energy on the way to Gallery 510 where gallery owner Loretta Puncer shares her insights on collecting for beginners and long standing patrons over a glass of wine. Finally, we’ll stop briefly by Press, a coffee house gallery on our way to Olive for a relaxing private dinner party starting at 9:00pm.