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Dorothy Lane Market

DLM Food Adventure Cooking Class Promises Some “Firsts”

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The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House are featured in this months DLM’s “Party Foods Class.”

 Jackie “Hungry Jax” Scanlan, LeeAnne “Chef House” and Steve “The Big Ragu” Milano promise a cooking class like no other on Friday night August 14th.   This event will be a mix of a party, a cooking demo, trivia night and some prize giveaways.  The night is going to be as wild as Donald Trump’s hair !

The “Party Foods” class marks the first time that the Food Adventures Crew will be taking over the Culinary Center at Dorothy Lane Market in Washington Township.  And it looks like a good one, filled with wine and beer as well.

Food Adventures is a popular Dayton food blog, with  over 5,400 loyal Facebook followers.  The trio of foodies is also known for their weekly articles on DaytonMostMetro .com that feature anything from mom and pop local restaurants, to festival events, recipes or foodie tips!  From time to time the Food Adventure Crew will host dinners at local restaurants to spotlight a great place that you may not have heard about.  They partner with area festivals, food happenings and even support over 50 charity events, every single year.  Much more than a free Instagram account they even have one of those (#Dayton_Foodies) and a Twitter following too (@Food_Adv) !

You can also visit their website www.DaytonFoodies.com for a list of upcoming appearances.

Hungry Jax, Chef House and The Big Ragu are proud to be a part of this year’s DLM Cooking Schedule, and due to the overwhelming response, we will be back in the fall for yet another class!

 

Party With the Food Adventures Crew – Limited tickets available at DorothyLane.com

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…..

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on the AUGUST 14th CLASS !

WHAT: Party with the Food Adventures Crew !  A cooking class featuring the secret recipes of The Food Adventurer’s favorite party foods !

WHEN: 6PM – 9PM  FRIDAY, AUGUST 14th

WHERE: 6161 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville, Ohio.  Located right next door to our Washington Square store.

COST: $75 per person, tickets may be bought by clicking HERE. Limited seats are left as we are approaching a sellout….

WHAT ELSE: You will have hands on cooking, recipe copies and tastings of the following super-secret, family favorite party foods:

 

Artichoke Garlic Cheese Dip with Homemade Melba Toasts

— GARLIC-ARTICHOKE CHEESE DIP with HOMEMADE MELBA TOASTS

— LOUISIANA CAJUN BEER SHRIMP

— TOMATO PIE

— PARTY CHICKEN

— RED CURRY MARINATED FLANK STEAK with a SWEET ASIAN SRIRACHA SAUCE

— COCONUT BREAD PUDDING

— GRILLED PINEAPPLE SKEWERS with CHOCOLATE SAUCE

— This menu will be paired with beer and wine.

Some of these recipes even feature Chef House’s, locally made,  HouseMade Sriracha which is available on Dorothy Lane Market shelves.

Come hungry and ready to have some fun.  The Culinary Center will never be the same….

 

Meet the Food Adventures Crew !

Hungry Jax

JACLYN SCANLAN aka “HUNGRY JAX”:

Jackie relocated to the Dayton area in 2006.  This Italian girl from Upstate NY found herself in a very different culinary atmosphere than what she was used to back home in Utica, NY.  However, different proved to be good a she fell in love with not only this “gem” of a city, but also the food and foodies within it! Cooking is a passion of Jackie’s.  She loves to use her husband, John, and two daughters, Coraline and Ashlyn, as her lab rats to test recipes out.  Some of her recipes have even been published in National Food Magazines!  But as much as she loves to cook, she also loves to take a night off from her kitchen and enjoy eating out and letting someone else do all the work (and the clean up)!  Other foodie interests include 8 years of volunteering at the Dorothy Lane Market School of Cooking and being an Alton Brown fan since way back when he wore bowling shirts.  Jackie is excited to be part of the Food Adventures team and is always looking forward to experiencing some new eats!

 

 

LEEANNE HOUSE aka “CHEF HOUSE”:

Chef House

Chef House or “The Sriracha Mamma” is all about the heat.  Lover of all things spicy she is constantly in the kitchen coming up with fun new ways to whip up veggies and add a little spice.  She is a Dayton native, with lifelong experience in the restaurant industry, working with some of the best chefs in the Miami Valley.  She loves to keep it local especially in the summer when beautiful produce is plentiful. She is a true foodie who knows we have a lot to offer in Ohio!  LeeAnne is also the owner of Housemade Sauces which specializes in a locally made Sriracha Sauce and a  Hot Honey Sriracha Sauce, which have won national awards.  Chef House is also the owner of the new “Bad Dog” Hot Dog Cart which features local dogs, local toppings and local buns!  She is also involved in putting on the “Night Market” events at the Yellow Cab Building.  She is definitely a foodie fixture around town, and an up and coming Chef.

The Big Ragu

STEVE MILANO aka “THE BIG RAGU”:

A lifelong Dayton resident, his early food influence was in his mom’s kitchen and his dad’s grill.  Other incredible food memories are his grandparents’ Italian and German/Scottish cooking.  Ragu’s love of food is only matched by his love of sports, travel, karaoke and just needing to be held.  An attention seeking missile, Ragu’s favorite foods include Seafood, Italian Food, and Chinese/Japanese cuisine.  Other hobbies include overeating  and a slight attraction to deep fried menu items.   Whether a locally owned business, fine dining, a dive, buffets, fast foods and even a few chain favorites, he enjoys visiting them all with a “no rules” attitude.  You can usually recognize him at festivals by the sweaty guy with the food stain on his shirt.  Emotionally eating his way through life with the Crew, they leave no plate unturned.  Most recently, his recipes have been featured in the monthly Foremost Seafood Newsletter.  This “foodie in his forties” is proud to be involved in dozens of local charity committees.

 

We hope to meet you at our Dorothy Lane Market Party Foods Class, where we will be cooking up a storm.   Seats are limited, get yours before we sellout.  Learn some new recipes,taste some fantastic party eats, and go on a full blown Food Adventure !

Tomato Pie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coconut Sauce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Adventure aprons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louisiana Cajun Beer Shrimp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Pineapple Skewers

Chef House and her Housemade Sriracha

Housemade Sauces and salt rubs

Tomato Pies out of the oven

Tomato Pie – delicious

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cajun Shrimp peeled

Louisiana Style Shrimp

DLM class in progress

Mary Cooney teaching pasta at the Culinary Center

Homemade Melba toasts

Homemade Melba toast are the secret to this recipe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DLM Offers Gourmet Grilled Cheese Menu

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Crazy-Ludwig-2014

Crazy Ludwig

Dayton may not have Melt or Tom and Chee  but  Dorothy Lane Market has a pretty amazing  Grilled Cheese Menu at their sandwich stations in each of their three stores—whatever you choose, they promise it will be cheesy, toasty, and delicious!

The Kimchi has Cheddar and kimchi together for a flavor combination that might sound a little weird but is unbelievably delicious.

The Mac Daddy is the ultimate indulgence—Cheddar cheese, a slab of our Encrusted Macaroni and Cheese, and DLM Uncured Bacon all sandwiched together and grilled to perfection.

Back by popular demand is the classic Croque Monsieur, a French-style grilled cheese with Gruyère, béchamel, and French ham.

You might want to go with The BCT: DLM Uncured Bacon, Cheddar, and tomato.

Or try their best selling Crazy Ludwig slathered with their Jarlsberg Dip and Bavarian ham.

Young and Rude – Beaujolais Nouveau Day

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Glass of Beaujolais noveau

Pinkish purple in color and fruity on the palate, Beaujolais nouveau is an incredibly popular wine.

When discussing wine, age and date are critical factors in understanding the product you are enjoying. Under the town hall in the city of Bremen, Germany lies the Schatzkammer (treasury cellar). It has twelve large casks of wine stored there, named for the Apostles. One of the casks, the Judas cask of 1727, still has a wine in it that is very drinkable. The bulk of the 3,000 liter (793 gallons) cask is still the wine from that year, but it is periodically refreshed with younger wines. The wine inside is known as Rüdesheimer Apostelwein 1727, and it is the world’s oldest drinkable wine. It is not often sold. You can visit as a dignitary or wine expert and get a taste of it, or save up around $200,000 to buy yourself a half bottle of it. People seek out the oldest of wines, and will pay top dollar for a sip of history. Or sometimes just to own it.

There is the other side of that equation. On the third Thursday of every November, the region of Beaujolais, France sends out millions and millions of bottles of Beaujolais Noveau. As opposed to long periods of fermentation and aging, this wine goes from harvest to bottle in six to eight weeks. This wine was traditionally created to be consumed at the end of harvest time, as a celebration after months of hard work. It is not a wine to be cellared; because of the high acidity and fast fermentation it does not age well. It is meant to be consumed within the first year of pressing. It is light and fruity, with hints of banana, strawberry, and pears. People looking to bridge the gap from white wines to reds find this to be the right wine to try out, with The Wine Bible going as far to say it is “the only white wine that happens to be red.” Others have described it as “young and rude” because of its fast fermentation and processing time. It is best served slightly chilled to allow the fruit flavors to emerge. Because of the thin skins and short processing time, it is very light on tannins.

Gamay grapes on the vine.

These Gamay grapes will be wine by the time you finish this article.

The grapes, Gamay noir à Jus blanc, better known as simply Gamay, are highly acidic, tough pieces of fruit that are not well suited to making a fine wine. But they do grow very fast. They are ready for picking two weeks before Pinot Nior grapes, which earned them a ban from the Burgundy region. Phillipe the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in 1395, had wines with a reputation to protect. The horrible, harsh little grape was going to ruin that. He banned them, and they moved south to the Beaujolais region, where they became a hit. They are bad wine making grapes. They go through a process called carbonic maceration to make the wine, which bucks the traditional way so the acids in the grape do not take over the flavor profile. The grapes, uncrushed, are loaded into a large, sealed container. The pressure of the weight of the grapes crushed some of them at the bottom, an important part of the process. Carbon dioxide is then pumped into the vessel, forcing the oxygen out and kick starting the fermentation process. Other varieties of Gamay grapes are also fermented through this process. The law requires Gamay grapes, much like grapes for Champagne, must be hand-picked for the wine making process.

Japanese bathing in wine

The Japanese love the wine so much they bathe in it.

Why all the celebration over a cheap red wine with white wine tendencies? Have you been out drinking on Cinco de Mayo? Or tipped back a green beer on St. Patrick’s Day? People are in for the celebration, not necessarily for the quality. The release of the wine is an event in itself, since everyone knows what day the wine is going to be released. It was November 15th every year, but was changed to the Thursday date to take advantage of weekend wine consumption. There are celebrations in the area and around France, with some in France cheating the time by celebrating it with Japanese counterparts. There have been races from Beaujolais to Paris and London over the years to see who can deliver the first case of the wine. There are cries of “Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrive!” (The new Beaujolais has arrived), fireworks (the first bottles are opened at 12:01 AM), and parties across the countries involved. The Japanese even bathe in it.  In the United States it is used as a table wine for Thanksgiving due to the two holidays having such close proximity. The wine is pairs well with food in general, so roasted turkey with tart cranberries and savory stuffing all sits delightfully with Beaujolais Noveau.

If you want to try some yourself, the fine people at Dorothy Lane Market will be celebrating it all day today with samples at their stores.  A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg also has a Beaujolais Nouveau tasting event at 7pm tonight. You can even pick up a bottle or two of it for the upcoming Thanksgiving feasts. Today is not a celebration for vintage wines in dusty cellars, or rare wines that are conversational pieces. They are celebrating the other great qualities of wine; bringing together people to drink, chat, and enjoy each other’s company. Cheers!

Introducing NEW Food Adventures Crew & Fried Chicken at Lily’s Bistro ($25 Gift Card)

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Food Adventures Just Got More Adventurous !

Food Adventures just got a whole lot more adventurous….. and you can benefit by winning a $25 gift certificate to Lily’s Bistro in the Oregon district.

*** FOOD ADVENTURES WITH BIG RAGU and THE CREW ***

Blazing the trails in the foodie forums since 2008, Food Adventures has developed a large following…

Today, we add some big players to the mix.  They include Chefs, Foodie Fanatics, royalty and an appetite for Dayton that has never been bigger.  Although we have a couple of new faces, FOOD ADVENTURES with BIG RAGU and THE CREW, is still the same FOOD ADVENTURES you have come to love.  We will continue to have the MUST EATS, killer food photos that make your mouth water, and multiple visits to a place before we write an article.  Will continue to give you “THE SKINNY” on our favorites.  Follow our relentless pursuit of the best eats in the Miami Valley!

Together, your humble Food Adventurers will seek out locally owned restaurants, unique places off the beaten path, and even give our slant on some familiar favorites. Whenever we visit a place, we call it a “Food Adventure.”  You can expect pictures of each Food Adventure we embark on. You can expect us hugging waiters, visiting mom & pop establishments, posting nostalgic blogs, tongue-in-cheek comments and emotionally eating our way through life.   We don’t take ourselves seriously, enjoying the adventure all the way.  “We are not food critics, we just love to eat!”  Food Adventures won’t limit ourselves, we try it all – NO RULES !  We will leave no plate unturned.

You know the Big Ragu already ...

You already know The Big Ragu

We will continue to set the trends, host Food Adventure dinner events, and give our unique spin on Dayton’s best “Mom and Pop” places in the Miami Valley.  Food Adventures with Big Ragu and the Crew will continue to attend and support numerous local food and charity events.   We eat it all, and the photos are ours. No stock pics here.  We aren’t a share and click site.  We are Dayton Originals, so all of our stuff is original content. Often imitated, never duplicated, accept no substitutions.

You can find us here:

Facebook Page: Facebook.com/foodadv

Website: DaytonFoodies.com 

Twitter: @food_adv

Instagram: Instagram.com/Dayton_Foodies

 

Our recent “Meeting of the Mouths” happened last Sunday at Lily’s Bistro on Chicken Dinner night.  We will get into the Must Eats from that night shortly, but first…,

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to MEET THE NEW CREW !

 

Chef House - expert foodie !LEEANNE HOUSE aka “CHEF HOUSE”:

Chef House or “The Sriracha Mamma” is all about the heat.  Lover of all things spicy she is constantly in the kitchen coming up with fun new ways to whip up veggies and add a little spice.  She is a Dayton native, with lifelong experience in the restaurant industry, working with some of the best chefs in the Miami Valley.  She loves to keep it local especially in the summer when beautiful produce is plentiful. She is a true foodie who knows we have a lot to offer in Ohio!

Chef House’s Top 5 Favorite Local Places for a Food Adventure :

(in no particular order)

1) Meadowlark (they do veggies right!)

2) Rue Dumaine (it never disappoints)

3) Fresco (best chef hands down)

4) Oregon Express (favorite pizza since I was a kiddo)

5) My kitchen ! …  duh!!!!

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JACLYN SCANLAN aka “HUNGRY JAX”:

Jackie relocated to the Dayton are in 2006. This Italian from Upstate NY found herself in a very different culinary atmosphere than what she was used to back home in Utica, NY.  However, different proved to be good a she fell in love with not only this “gem” of a city, but also the food and foodies within it! Cooking is a passion of Jackie’s.  She loves to use her husband, John, and two daughters, Coraline and Ashlyn, as her lab rats to test recipes out.  Some of her recipes have even been published in National Food Magazines!  But as much as she loves to cook, she also loves to take a night off from her kitchen and enjoy eating out and letting someone else do all the work (and the clean up)!  Other foodie interests include years of volunteering at the Dorothy Lane Market School of Cooking and being an Alton Brown fan since way back when he wore bowling shirts.  Jackie is excited to be part of the Food Adventures team and is looking forward to experiencing some new eats!

Jackie’s Top 5 Favorite Local Places for a Food Adventure:

1) Lock 27

2) The Cakery

3) Sweeney’s Seafood

4) Dorothy Lane Market

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 And our final Food Adventurer…
The King - all smilesBLAKE KING aka “THE KING”

After hopping the globe with the Air Force, The King recently touched down in Dayton with his wife and daughters. Flying recon for great local food, the Big Ragu has set the course for his newest wingman, and he is logging some serious mileage. The King is a dessert FREAK! There is no shake too shaky, pie too flakey, nor cake to…cakey for this lunatic. He wants to find the best dessert in Dayton. Please help him. He needs it, a lot.

The King’s Top 5 Favorite Local Places for a Food Adventure:

1) Taco Loco

2) Jet Freeze

3) Bill’s Donut Shop

4) Hasty Tasty Pancake House

5) Submarine House

 

 

Now to the food of the day .. not a typical article for us, this is just about one dinner …. The Sunday Chicken Dinner at Lily’s Bistro

Get your hens ready….

HERE’S THE SKINNY: 

— The dinners go from 5pm – 9pm on Sundays only

— The menu is pretty much fried chicken, with the sides, appetizers, and desserts changing from week to week.

— The prices are $9 for a 2 piece dinner, $16 for a 1/2 chicken dinner, and $28 for a whole chicken

— Sides are $3,  good prices, no clucking around

Now we ruffle our feathers and give you our patented.. Must Eats!

 

Buttered Johnnycake..

Johnny Cakes at Lily’s Bistro. Click to Enlarge the Goodness

MUST EATS:

— JOHNNY CAKES:  It might have been chicken night, but the appetizers and sides stole the show !  We couldn’t stop talking about the Johnny cakes. Pancakes, as an appetizer? This was right up our alley. The King wished he could have bottled the scent to keep by his pillow at night. Made with jalepeno, for just enough contrasting kick to the sweet buttery mapleness.   These cakes were  slathered in butter and syrup and simply amazing.  Who would have thunk it?   Crispy, sweet and spicy made for a perfect combination, and Chef House’s favorite dish of the night.

— SMOKED SALMON DIP:  Another great appetizer of the night, served with bagel “nuggets.”  We started out polite, then found ourselves thumb wrestling for the last bits.  Addicting, and addiction is an ugly thing.

— HOMEMADE MASHED POTATOES: We are talking the real deal, mashed with decent sized chunks in them.  We wondered why conversation stopped, it was as if all the Food Adventurers discovered these at the same time and were very quietly stuffing their faces.

— COOLDADDY COCKTAIL:  This spicy cocktail is a must.  Who could pass up a drink that features Chef House’s Sriracha sauce? Tequila, handmade pepper syrup, strawberries, cilantro are also among the ingredients.

— BEIGNETS:  Pronounced “Ben-yays.”   Known in some circles as “pizza frite”, “zeppole” or fried dough, these puffs of dough are a perfect end to a rich dinner.  Ever so slightly covered with sifted powdered sugar, Big Ragu had white on his “man bib vest” in no time.

 

Smoked Salmon Dip with Bagel nuggets - a must eat

Smoked Salmon dip, made in house, with Bagel Bites

Honorable Mention:  The mac n cheese and hand breaded, fried okra deserve a nod!

Thank you for reading our special  Food Adventure with Big Ragu and the Crew!

We always visit a place multiple times before we write a story, so we are ready for a trip back to Lily’s.. want to join us?  COMMENT BELOW on the story for a chance to win!

**** CONTEST **** WIN a $25 Gift Certificate to LILY’S BISTRO WITH BIG RAGU AND THE CREW !!   Just comment on the story below for a chance to win.  One entry per person, please.  A winner will be chosen at random.  We will revisit this restaurant for an another Food Adventure and you are welcome to join us !
Follow Food Adventures by giving us a like on Facebook.
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Food Adventures Crew Offers Some Last Minute Gift Ideas

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SMALL BITES for 12/22/2011:

When it comes to Christmas, do you procrastinate like The Food Adventures Crew??  Need some last minute gift ideas??

Your humble and favorite Dayton foodies offer up some food related suggestions to fix your problem in this edition of  SMALL BITES!

Winan’s White Mint Jewels

WINAN’S CHOCOLATES:

One of our favorite items to give to friends at Christmas time is chocolate and he feels nobody does chocolate better than Winan’s Candies.  There are many gift sets to choose from or you can create your own.  We love the White Chocolate Wetzels, Bourbon Cherry Cordials, and the their staple….the White Mint Jewels.

 

 

TROPHY NUT:

Got Nuts?

For those shopping for the extremely picky……buy them some nuts!  Who doesn’t like nuts?  (Excluding those who are anaphalactically challenged.)  We feel that nuts from Trophy Nut make an excellent Christmas gift.  Purchase a prepared tin of nuts or bust your nuts and create a personalized tin.  Either they will love them or “re-gift” them.

 

 

 

Boston Stoker’s Most Popular Coffee Flavor: Highlander Grogg

BOSTON STOKER:

For the coffee lover on your list or someone who fancies a high quality cigar, Food Adventures recommend heading over to the closest Boston Stoker store.  They offer a variety of whole bean coffees, cigars, sweets, and gift baskets from which to choose.  They also have coffee makers, french presses, coffee grinders, and espresso machines with a knowledgeable and friendly staff to assist shoppers. We love the Highlander Grogg!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Flavors Upon Flavors of Popcorn available

WHAT’S POPPIN’:

Gourmet Popcorn at its best!  Located in the Washington Square shopping center in Centerville on State Route 48, this place has a variety of gifts and treats.  Their popcorn comes in a multitude of flavors ranging from different cheeses, to different kinds of spices, and even chocolate covered creations!  These bags or tins make perfect gifts and guess what.. they will ship them anywhere!!  Oh, there is more than popcorn at this store.  They also have a nice selection of fudge, buckeyes, jellybeans, shaved ice and soft pretzels.  The staff is attentive and very welcoming.  If you have not tasted their items, you are missing out !  Check out their website for more info.

 

 

Esther Price’s Chocolate Covered Mikesells’ Potato Chips

ESTHER PRICE CANDIES:

The Big Ragu has always thought Esther Price has the best chocolate, and he likes the variety of gifts available at their stores.  From light and dark chocolates to chocolate covered potato chips, they have you covered.  They even offer diabetic friendly candies for your sugar free family members and friends.  You can get a great box of candy for around 15 bucks.  If your special someone lives outside of the Dayton area, they can ship your order nationwide.  Their candies are also conveniently located at many local grocery stores.  In Ragu’s opinion, you just cant beat the taste.

 

DOROTHY LANE MARKET:

Another legendary Dayton place offers great gifts for the people on your Christmas list.   Food Adventures thinks the

Killer Brownie Tray

“Killer Brownies” at Dorothy Lane Market are to die for.  We recommend the “original” kind, because we are old school.  Another tip is that you can get a platter of brownie bites that are cut into fourths so you can stretch your dollar for more small bites.  The display tray prices make it a decent option for a party or gift idea.  The bakery also offers a ton of exclusive desserts, unique items and flavors that are definitely worth checking out.

We hope these ideas may help out with a last minute gift need, or give yourself a special treat and make your own personal FOOD ADVENTURE.   Enjoy the photo album associated with this story, below.  Click on any image to enlarge and get a true taste of Christmas!

Check out FOOD ADVENTURES  on FACEBOOK and “like” our page to become an official fan.

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Small bites 122211/]

 

This Weeks Beer Tasting Bonanza

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It’s long been known that Dayton offers an array of wine tastings that rival towns twice our size, but in the last few months our local taverns have really been stepping up the craft brews they offer.

Here’s a quick round up so you can taste your way across town- be sure to click on the link for more detailed information on each event.

Tues
5-7pm Abita Beer Tasting at Rue Dumaine

Wed
7pm – Mike Scwartz from Belmont Party Supply hosts the monthly Trolley Tasting
9 beers and munchies just $20- arrive early this sells out!

5pm – Archer’s Tavern taps a new craft beer each Wed night

Thurs
6:30pm  Goose Island Beer Dinner at Dorothy Lane Springboro

7pm  Dogfish Head’s Hellbound On My Ale Tapping at Spinoza’s

7pm La Tappe Isid’or Tapping at Chappy’s

Fri

5-7pm Arrow Wine Centerville‘s Weekly Beer Tasting
There will be more posted as the week goes on, so be sure and check back.  Did you know you can choose the Dayton On Tap header under DatyonDining and you’ll get a weekly listing of beer tastings around town that’s constantly being updated located on the right column!  And if you know of a place that serves up some great beers, add it below in the comments!  Cheers!

Jane’s Best Bets (5/25 – 5/30)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Can you believe Memorial Day weekend is almost here?!?!  That means summer is right around the corner!  Be sure to make the most of these last few days in May!

On Wednesday, make your way to the Fraze Pavilion (I LOVE the Fraze!) for the Kettering Block Party.  If you want to sort of meet a former president, then head over to the Dayton Woman’s Club for the Abraham Lincoln Social & Luncheon.  Beer lovers should plan to be at Archer’s as they’ll feature a new craft beer.  Not only will you be able to think green, but you will also be able to “drink green” as part of Green Drinks May at Norton’s in Kettering.  And if you love listening to adorable kids singing their hearts out, be sure to attend the Kettering Children’s Choir 25th Anniversary Concert at the Schuster Center.

On Thursday, check out 42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse.  On the other side of town, you will be able to see the premiere of the documentary The Other Side at The Neon.  And if you want to be close to somebody, come to Right Next to Me at The Loft Theatre.  The only problem is, you really don’t know who “me” is.  If you are in the Oregon District, walk over to Dayton Theology on Tap at Oregon Express.  For all you old-fashioned book readers, check out a new option, The Nook, at Books & Co. at The Greene as part of their Nook Nights.  “Hungary?”  Make your way to Boston’s Bistro for their Hungarian Wine Tasting, which includes pizza, cheese, and chocolate!  And finally, over at the Metropolitan Arts Center, check out A Wine and Yoga Practice…which I of course think is an awesome idea!

On Friday, celebrate the weekend with Fiesta Friday at Bar Louie.  Or check out Trumpet Studio.  You may be asking, “What may ‘trump’ that?”  I’m not sure, but if you are looking to experience theater, there are several opportunities available, including  42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse, Right Next to Me at The Loft Theatre, and Mauritius at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  Then, go to bed early so you can enjoy the rest of Memorial Day weekend!

On Saturday, make your way to Dorothy Lane Market for Lobstermania.  If you’re downtown, be sure to participate in the Bike United Tour at Fifth Third Field and support the Dayton Dutch Lions’ campaign for healthy living with a fun downtown bike ride.  Plus, you will receive a ticket to the Dutch Lions’ first ever game at Fifth Third Field, and a Bike United T-shirt.  Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend by attending The Patriot Freedom Festival.  If you’re like me and love summer concerts, be sure to listen to the sounds of The Highway Junkies at RiverScape as part of the Free Summer Concert Series.  And finally, theater options for Saturday include Mauritius at Dayton Theatre Guild, 42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse, and Right Next to Me at The Loft Theatre.

On Sunday, make plans to attend the 2011 Dayton Heritage Festival at Carillon Historical Park.  It is FREE!  You will be able to enjoy exhibit buildings, special activities, and live music.  You can make it an all-day affair, as there will also be food and drinks from a variety of local vendors.  Plus, there will be fireworks following the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance featuring Live Americana music!  If there isn’t something there that suits your fancy, then too bad!  Just kidding (although that’s all I’m talking about for Sunday)!   Also, if you want to give back and volunteer there, please shoot me an email!

My Team Last Year at the "Spike Out Blood Cancer" Sand Volleyball Tournament!

Usually I don’t talk about Mondays in Jane’s Best Bets, but this week I’m making an exception with it being Memorial Day.  If you’re not having a cookout, then there are a couple options.  Start the day off early by attending the ‘Spike Out Blood Cancer’ Memorial Day Sand Volleyball Tournament at J.D. Legends.  I played in it last year and had a blast!  Even if you don’t like volleyball or can’t attend, I encourage you to support Steve VanGorder’s Fight for a Cure, which supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  There are many ways to help, including making a donation, attending the Beatles Tribute Concert by Ticket to Ride, or purchasing a raffle ticket to win a brand new Camaro!  And if you don’t feel like sweating all day long or listening to Beatles music, consider staying inside for trivia!  There will be live trivia at the Pour Haus as well as trivia at Beef O’Brady’s.

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

At first the man didn’t like his haircut, but then it started to grow on him.

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!

DLM Springboro to host a Foodie Fantasy!

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Does a room full of chocolates, pastries, beer wine and gourmet appetizers get you giddy?  Well then you may want to quickly pick up a ticket for the Dorothy Lane Market Spring Pastry & Food Show on Thurs, April 14th from 7-9pm.  According to Dorothy Lane Market’s Jennifer Dahm, General Manager of the Washington Township store,  “We’ve changed the name from the Springtime In Paris Show to reflect the fact that we sample more than just desserts at this show.  We’ll have our pastry chefs building and creating dessert showpieces.  Chef Carrie, our corporate chef, will be presenting a heavy line up of  hors d’oeuvres that are sure to balance out the sweetness from the pastry. ”

In shows past Ghyslain’s chocolate sculpture has been the center of attention.  This year the Canadian chocolatier will be there in person, with his chocolate wheel, using the sweet treat to create a decadent masterpiece.  You’ll have the chance to sample beers and wines, with local distributors on hand to guide your pairing experience.

The best part of this show is that is very intimate. Only 150 tickets are sold, and according to Dahm, as of Friday afternoon there were only about 50 ticket left.  You can reserve your ticket online or stop by the counter of your favorite Dorothy Lane Market location.  See you there!

Jane’s Best Bets (2/16 – 2/20)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

You may or may not have been with the love of your life this Valentine’s Day, but hopefully it was a great one!  Guys…now with the pressure off, hopefully you’ll be able to relax and have some fun at some of these events!

On Wednesday, all you writers can head to Books & Co. for their Second Sunday Free Writers’ Workshop.  Is your bike just collecting dust in the garage or are you going to try cycling for the first time?  If so, you’ll want to participate in Five Rivers MetroParks’ Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance.  It may not be such a secret that this is going on, but over at Wiley’s, you will be able to see the opening night of Dirty Little Secret, which is co-presented by DaytonMostMetro.com’s very own J.T. Ryder.  (There is also a DMM article on this show, so if interested, check out the following link!)  And finally, for some good beer, check out the Sam Adams Beer Samplingat Heathers Coffee & Café or Green Flash Brewing Beer Tasting at The Caroline.

On Thursday, if you’re in the doghouse because you totally forgot about Valentine’s Day, try to make it up to your significant other by arranging flowers for him/her at PNC 2nd Street Market as part of February Flowers.  Or take that special someone to Spinoza’s for their Dinner and a Movie Package.  Even if your boyfriend’s/husband’s name is Scott, Fred, or Sam, you can still have a Romantic Dinner for 2 at Christopher’s and not get into trouble.  Over at Thai 9, attend their Tapping Firkin of Bell’s Hopslamand eat some of their delicious food.  I LOVE that their food can accommodate a diverse group of people in terms of spice preferences…and they don’t make you feel badly if you order a level zero like me!  Over at Hara Arena, catch the Dayton Gems as they take on the Quad City Mallards.  Even though it may be a little too cold to have an outdoor picnic, you can see the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award–winning play, Picnic at Wright State.  Also, if you love live music, head to South Park Tavern to see Ryan Roth and the Grand Plan with Seryn.

On Friday, if you feel like having a home cooked meal but are lacking Rachael Ray’s or Emeril’s cooking genes, head to the Dorothy Lane Market in Springboro for their  DLM Family Style Dinner.  Down in the city (RiverScape), head to Gone Country, where you will be able to ice skate while listening to country music.  All you graffiti artist wannabes should branch out to Olive for their Graffiti Party.  Hopefully you are fortunate to have a ticket to the sold out 6th Annual Valentine’s Dance for Special Wishat the Schuster Center.  If not, I encourage you to support this great cause by purchasing raffle tickets or making a donation.  I know a child whose wish was sponsored by Special Wish and I am so impressed by the work that they do!  If you prefer to have dinner and see a show all in the same place, go to the Spaghetti Warehouse for their Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre ‘Tragedy in the Theater’.  Head to Cedarville University to watch High School Musicians Showcase Their Talent.  And for additional theater options, be sure to get your ticket to Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Picnic at Wright State, or The Foreigner at Sinclair.

On Saturday, start your day off at the Yellow Springs Winter Farmer’s Market.  If you became engaged on Valentine’s Day, then you’ll want to head to the DRC Bridal Show.  For some live music, go to the University of Dayton for their Jazz Ensemble, Shiloh Church for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert, or Omega Baptist Church for their Omega Black History Celebration: Song, Dance & Praise.  However, if you prefer to add a little “boogie-ing” to your music (the dancing kind, not the nose kind), check out the band Crooked Style at Talegators or head to Alex’s to listen to the band Off the Hook.  Some theater options for Saturday include Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Forbidden Broadway: Dances with the Stars at Victoria Theatre, Picnic at Wright State, and The Foreigner at Sinclair.  I know it’s not a Friday, but you will still be able to join in the fun and food at the Carroll High School – Carrolleer Fish Fry.  And finally, be sure to check out the UD Flyers as they take on Duquesne…we are definitely due for a victory!

On Sunday, start your day off right by eating great food and supporting a great cause as part of the Savor Your Sunday & Support Stivers event at Coco’s Bistro.  Some musical options include Afternoon Musicales at the Dayton Art Institute, the Dayton Philharmonic’s The Symphonic Beethoven at the Dayton Masonic Center, the University of Dayton Jazz Band’sperformance at the University of Dayton, and Omega Black History Celebration: Song, Dance & Praiseat Omega Baptist Church.  At the Dayton Marriott, all you brides will want to attend The Dayton Bridal Expo.  Those poor guys…I have yet to hear about a Groom Expo or Groom Show!   Or perhaps they might actually be the fortunate ones because it gets them off the hook!  Over at RiverScape, participate in Fundamentals of Skating if you have yet to learn how to skate.  Also, some Sunday theater options include Fat Pig at the Dayton Theatre Guild, The Foreignerat Sinclair, and Picnic at Wright State University.  And finally, if you are stressed out and don’t know what to do about it, make plans to attend the Introduction to Mindful Meditation Workshop at Practice Yoga on Fifth.

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

The wise never marry…and when they marry they become otherwise.

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (2/2 – 2/6)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Hello February…and hello icky weather!  If you’re reading this, that means you still have power, which is a great thing!  I hope you also have the power to get up off the couch and enjoy some of these events!

On Groundhog Day (a.k.a. Wednesday), eat lunch at Smokey Bones for their $5 Lunch Special.  Over at the Schuster Center, check out the Visual Voices Art Exhibit:  Dayton Skyscrapers 2011, which celebrates “women and men who stand tall as role models in the Dayton African-American community.”  There will be a sea of food at Dorothy Lane Market as part of their Oyster Bar Happy Hour, as well as at Bonefish Grill for their Bang Bang Shrimp Wednesday.  If you are a fan of environmental causes and would like to know more about the lives affected by the water industry as well as public water rights, then you will want to attend the Environmental Film Series: Tapped at Cox Arboretum.  Enjoy an adult beverage at The Wine Loft for their Happy Hour, The Wine Gallery for their Weekly Wine Tasting, or Bruning’s Wine Cellar for their Taste the Wines of Frog’s Leap event.  If you’re downtown, head to the Schuster Center to see 9 to 5: The Musical (I’m looking forward to it after my 9 to 5 job!) or to The Loft Theatre to see Twelfth Night.  Over at Clark State Performing Arts Center, watch Fiddler On The Roof…I’m hoping he doesn’t fall down with it being icy!  And finally, support the UD Flyers as they play St. Bonaventure at UD Arena…and hopefully get a victory!

On Thursday, celebrate the Chinese New Year with dinner specials at both The Nanking Inn and Kabuki.  Have you always wanted to dance, but keep putting it off?  If so, boogie your way to Michael Solomon Pavillion for International Folk Dance Lessons.  Over at the Dayton Racquet Club, attend the Go Red for Women/American Heart Month Kickoff.  At The Neon, check out Pecha Kucha Night Dayton, Volume 6, in which there will be several short presentations by noteworthy people around the city about their creative endeavors.  The presentations will be followed by a screening of the documentary DIVE, which is based on the topic of food waste at L.A. supermarkets.  For more information about Pecha Kucha, click here.  If you like meeting new people, head to Cedarville University to meet Dolly… be sure to tell her Hello, Dolly! Also, at the Schuster Center, you will be able to see 9 TO 5: The Musical, and at The Loft Theatre, you can catch Twelfth Night.

On Friday, after you get out of the shower, be sure to put on your red for the National Wear Red Day, in honor of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” Movement.  If you wish, you can continue to celebrate the Chinese New Year at China Dynasty, The Nanking Inn, or Kabuki.  Get out your dancing shoes and head to the Michael Solomon Pavilion for the Contra Dance Party – Cityfolk.  If you love a good fish fry, head to either the Ascension or the St. Mary Fish Fry.  All you art lovers will want to participate in First Friday, the fabulous art hop which happens the first Friday of each month downtown.  There will also be many wonderful shows going on in our great region, including 9 to 5: The Musical (Schuster Center), The Octette Bridge Club (Beavercreek Community Theatre), The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee (Dayton Playhouse), Twelfth Night (Loft Theatre), The Berenstain Bears Onstage; A Bear Country Musical! (Town Hall Theatre), and True West (University of Dayton-Kennedy Union Boll Theatre).  And finally, listen to The Rocket Man, The Eagles, Diana Ross, and The Beatles as you skate at RiverScape for their event, Peace, Love, and Skate: 60s and 70s.

On Saturday, bring your Valentine and go to the wonderful El Meson for their Cooking Class for Lovers.  For all you techies, head to the Dayton Diode Open House which has been called a “YMCA for nerds”…perhaps I should go then!  When tragedy strikes, it is important for a community to join together.  Over at St. John’s Lutheran Church, bring your friends and participate in the Dodgeball Tournamnet to benefit the Suzanne Waughtel Hopper fund.  In the evening, there are opportunities to support other great causes.  You can attend the 21st Annual Artemis Center Gala ‘Be a Star, a Purple Carpet Event’ at Sinclair or Sing your Heart Out For A Good Cause (the American Heart Association) at The Wine Loft.  All you “pasghetti” lovers (as many kids call it!) will want to go to the American Legion Post 598 for Franco’s FAMOUS Spaghetti.  Over at RiverScape, participate in the Star-Late Skate.  Also on Saturday, there will be a plethora of theatre options, including 9 to 5: The Musical, The Berenstain Bears Onstage; A Bear Country Musical, The Octette Bridge Club, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Twelfth Night, and True West.

On Sunday, consider going to Alex’s for their Jazz Brunch.  Or you can Savor Your Sunday & Support Stivers at Coco’s Bistro.  If it’s not too cold, perhaps you’ll want to learn the Fundamentals of Skating at RiverScape.  Sundays are a great day for the arts, so consider checking out the Wright State University 2011 Faculty Exhibition, Visual Voices Art Exhibit; Dayton Skyscrapers 2011 at the Schuster Center, Folk Art from the Collection of Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP at The Dayton Art Institute, or A Student of People Exhibit at Troy-Hayner Cultural Center.  Or check out one of the many theatre productions going on around town.  If you still haven’t done so, be sure to check out DMM’s onStageDayton, where Shane, Katherine, and Russell keep you up to date on the Dayton theatre scene!

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

How many pessimists does it take to change a lightbulb?

Nevermind.  Nobody would get the joke anyway.

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (1/26 – 1/30)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

It’s that time of year when many of us have already failed on our New Year’s resolutions.  If you fall into this category, then perhaps you’ve already been sampling some different foods as part of Restaurant Week, one of the many events going on in the Miami Valley!

On Wednesday, if you can’t find something you’d like to eat as part of the 2011 Winter Restaurant Week (which would mean you are too picky!), there are also other food specials, such as Oyster Bar Happy Hour at Dorothy Lane Market, Bang Bang Shrimp Wednesday at Bonefish Grill, and All You Can Eat-Ribs, Chicken or Pork at Bullwinkle’s.  If you would rather consume your calories through drinking, participate in the Wine Tasting at Bruning’s Wine Cellar, the Weekly Wine Tasting at The Wine Gallery, or Wine Down Weekdays at Savona Restaurant & Wine Bar.  Or check out Green Drinks Dayton at Norton’s, where the environmental manager for the City of Dayton will be speaking.  If you’re feeling overloaded with all that paperwork on the job (I know I do a lot of the time!), attend/view the online webinar, Take charge of your paperwork in 2011!  And for all you adventure movie lovers, be sure to check out the movie Ride the Divide at The Neon.

On Thursday, make a trip to PNC 2nd Street Market for their Soup Sampling and Recipes.  Attend Lunch and Learn: Incredible Edibles at Cox Arboretum to find out techniques for building a vegetable garden.  After all, spring is right around the corner.  Sorry, that was a lie, but let us at least think that!  If your New Year’s resolution involves improving your finances, attend the Dayton Metro Library’s Financial Literacy Class.  And in case you were wondering if that event would fit into your budget, you’ll be glad to know that it is free!  Enjoy happy hour and do some Networking with Dayton’s Marketing Professionals at Fox and Hound.  Hear poets and vocalists perform as part of Chris Wiley: Poetry in Motion at De’Lish.  I’m not sure if they’re talking about tape or liquor, but if you like scotch, then attend the Scotch Tasting/Class at Boston’s Bistro.  And for a couple theater options…at Wright State, you can see Jekyll & Hyde or you can go to The Loft Theatre for  Twelfth Night, which is actually taking place on the 27th night of the month.

On Friday, join fellow young professionals for the Gen D 4th Friday Lunch Speaker Series, in which former Governor Taft will be talking about Education and Innovation. In the evening, go out to dinner with friends or that special someone as part of 2011 Winter Restaurant Week.  If you’re on a budget but still want to try some good food, many restaurants are offering two dinners for the price of one!  After dinner, catch one of the many shows going on in town, including The Berenstain Bears Onstage: A Bear Country Musical (which was one of my favorite book series growing up!) at Town Hall Theatre, the Dayton Opera’s Fidelio at the Schuster Center, I Hate Hamlet at Playhouse South, Jekyll & Hyde at Wright State, Twelfth Night at The Loft Theatre, or The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at Dayton Playhouse.  I’ve always heard that Bridge is for old people, so if you’re old, check out The Octette Bridge Club at Beavercreek Community Theatre.  If you’re young though, don’t worry…I don’t think they card!  Over at Alex’s on 725, get your dancing shoes ready as the band Off the Hook will be performing.  If you love Dayton music, make your way to Canal Street Tavern for Dayton Does Dayton!  And if you’re a Rascal Flatts fan like me, be sure to get tickets to see them perform at the Nutter Center as part of their “Nothing Like This” Tour!

On Saturday, if you don’t mind being super cold, help support the Special Olympics by participating in Freezin’ For A Reason- 2011 Polar Plunge at Caesar’s Creek.  Again for some theater/musical performances, check out The Berenstain Bears Onstage at Town Hall Theatre, Jekyll & Hyde at Wright State, The Octette Bridge Club at the Beavercreek Community Theatre, I Hate Hamlet at The Playhouse South, Jekyll & Hyde at Wright State University, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at Dayton Playhouse, or Twelfth Night at The Loft Theatre.  If you want to drink wine but want to help counteract the killing of your brain cells, head to the Boonshoft Museum for the Science of Wine.  Over at the Dayton Masonic Center, join the wonderful jumpstART with their Jump into Bluegrass for discounted tickets to see bluegrass superstar Ricky Skaggs!  Or if you want to be a cowboy baby, “moooo”ve over to the Nutter Center to see Kid Rock.  If you have some “spare” time and would like to “strike” up a conversation with some other young professionals, come to Woodman Lanes for Generation Dayton Goes Bowling!  After you “split”, head to the St. Helen’s Fish Fry or to the Christopher Club for the Knights of Columbus 4022 Fish Fry.

On Sunday, take it easy with Gentle Yoga at the Sri Yoga Center.  If you still don’t know how to skate (don’t worry, I’m in that bunch too!), attend Fundamentals of Skating at RiverScape.  Again, there will be a multitude of shows to see, including Jekyll & Hyde at Wright State University, The Berenstain Bears Onstage at Town Hall Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at Dayton Playhouse, Twelfth Night at The Loft Theatre, the Dayton Opera’s Beethoven’s Fidelio at the Schuster Center, and The Octette Bridge Club at Beavercreek Community Theatre.  And finally, for a “purr-fectly” good time, help support the Humane Society of Greater Dayton by coming to the Cat Walk 2011: Diva Las Vegas, in which Dayton’s top hair salons compete on the catwalk!  There will be music, drinks, food, dancing, and live entertainment!

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

Why is a moon rock tastier than an earth rock?

Because it’s a little meteor.

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (1/5 – 1/9)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope that 2011 has many great things in store for all of you!  Hopefully some of these events can help to make it that way!

On Wednesday, for a tasty dinner at a reasonable price, head to the Bonefish Grill for Bang Bang Shrimp Wednesdays, Sammy’s El Pueblo for their Fajita Dinner for 2 for $19.99, or Champps for their 9.99 Fajitas.  If you really wanted to eat fajitas and save money, you should go to Champps since you could get two fajita dinners for a whole penny cheaper…just sayin’.  Help promote the Five Rivers MetroParks’ Outdoor Recreation Department by attending their Volunteer: Street Tream Training.  And if you are environmentally conscious, attend the Environmental Film Series: End of the Line at Cox Arboretum…which is absolutely free!

On Thursday, enjoy a glass or two of wine along with your dinner at the delicious Coco’s Bistro where they have 1/2 Price Wine Bottles.  If you are in downtown Miamisburg, head to TJ Chumps for their Three Course Thursday-All Day and/or A Taste of Wine (which is right across the street) for their Wine Tasting.  Sorry, I may not be helping your New Year’s resolution to lose weight.  And in the evening, all you Dancing with the Stars fans will want to see Mark Ballas as he performs at McGuffy’s.

On Friday, after perhaps your first full week of working in a little while, head downtown for the First Friday Art Hop!  If someone asks you about the Riverscape ice rink, say “I’ll be there” so that you can enjoy the thrill of ice skating as part of the King of Pop Skate.  For a different style of music, join the Dayton Philharmonic as they perform ‘Titanic Brahms, Vibrant Liebermann’ at the Schuster Center.  Over at the Dayton Theatre Guild, see the show Ravenscroft.  And finally, up in Yellow Springs, head to Emporium Wines/Underdog Café for a Wine Tasting accompanied by live music.

On Saturday, head to the Yellow Springs Winter Farmer’s Market – just don’t tell any secrets because remember…a corn has ears!  While you’re there, bring some items that will help you de-clutter your house, items you would like to share with others, or an unwanted Christmas gift as part of the Really Really Free Market at Emporium Wines/Underdog Café in Yellow Springs.  I have never participated in anything like this, but it sounds like an awesome idea!  For more info, check out this link.  If you got engaged over the holidays and are trying to navigate your ways through all the wedding planning, head to the Dayton Bridal Expo at the Dayton Convention Center.  With the amount of food allergies on the rise, consider attending Dorothy Lane Market’s Gluten-Free Food Lovers’ Club: How to eat your way throughout the year.  And in the evening if you are downtown, head to RiverScape for their Star-Late Skate, the Dayton Theatre Guild for Ravenscroft, or the Schuster Center for ‘Titanic Brahms, Vibrant Liebermann’.  And if you decide to head over to McGuffy’s, you’ll be swinging, sliding, and perhaps doing a little bit of monkey barring as the 90s band Marcy Playground performs.

On Sunday, chase those winter blues away by heading to the Mu Crew Pool Party at the Holiday Inn Dayton Mall.  Over at the Dayton Art Institute, participate in the two T’s – Tour and Tea.  If you love to write, get a little help by heading over to Books & Co. for their Second Sunday Free Writers’ Workshop.  And finally, over at the Dayton Theatre Guild, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out Ravenscroft.

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

“Doctor!  Something’s wrong!  I’m shrinking!”

“Take it easy, sir.  You’ll just have to be a little patient.”

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!

A Burger That’s Good For You?

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I’ve been hearing it for years, yet I’ve never actually had a buffalo burger.   Buffalo burgers have less cholesterol, less fat, and less calories than beef hamburgers and chicken hamburgers. The American Heart Association recommends buffalo burgers because they contain no hormones or antibiotics. The burger is high in nutrients such as protein, zinc, and vitamin B12. Buffalo burgers are more healthy than beef because a buffalo does not store fat.

According to a chef friend of mine, buffalo meat tastes better than beef. He says the flavor is similar but buffalo has a “lighter, sweeter flavor” and “doesn’t leave a greasy feel in your mouth.” He also reveals buffalo has a “much livelier flavor” but isn’t “gamy”- hmm -sounds worth trying!

If you’re curious about  Buffalo Burgers- you can try one this Saturday as Dorothy Lane Market hosts a cookout featuring the lean sweet meat from 11am – 6pm at all three locations. For more info.

Dorothy Lane Market Lets You Choose Who They Support

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dlmDorothy Lane Market has been supporting our community since 1948 and even include this support as part of their mission statement.  Their Good Neighbor Program is the main ways they do this. Now with three locations, Dorothy Lane Market has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to numerous local non profit organizations over the past several years through this program.

In 2010, DLM will donate $40,000 back to the community. The fun part is that you choose how the money is distributed using your DLM Club Card! All you do is simply choose an organization from the over 400 on their list to have your purchases credited. The groups span the interests of the community, including  A Special Wish, Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, the Humane Society, Stivers Seedling Fund and Project READ.  If your favorite charity isn’t included, just contact DLM to add it!

Every time you shop and scan your Club DLM card, your chosen nonprofit organization is “credited” with the purchase. At the end of the year participating charities will receive a pro-rated portion of the total $40,000, depending on the amount spent by participating customers with a Club DLM card. Sign up today and shop at Dorothy Lane Market to benefit the charity of your choice!  Neighbor Program for 2010!