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Celebrate outdoor culture during The Adventure Summit

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The community is invited to The Adventure Summit, a biennial celebration of outdoor culture, skill and experience. The two-day event will be Friday, Feb. 9, 5 to 9:30 pm and Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9 am to 7 pm in the Wright State University Student Union. Produced by Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University, The Adventure Summit features more than 40 presentations, demonstrations, an outdoor adventure expo, clinics and competitions. Admission and parking are free.

Returning this year, the Summit Soiree, presented by Great Lakes Brewing Company, kicks the event off  from 6:30 to 8 p. on Friday, Feb. 9, with light bites, live music, drinks and a meet-and-greet with featured presenters. Tickets are $15/person and available for purchase online.

Additionally, guests are invited to Party with the Pros during an afterparty after the first featured presenter, Eddie Taylor, at Wright Place Bar at Holiday Inn from 9:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9. Supported by Bonbright Distributors, Party with the Pros is a chance to mingle with fellow adventurers, create new connections and share stories.

New this year, Women in the Outdoors Conversation at 8 a. m. Saturday February 10 presented by Explorer Chick Adventure Co. featuring Susan Marie Conrad, solo long-distance kayaker and author.

This year will highlight three featured presentations:

  • Eddie Taylor.

    Breaking Barriers: To the Top of Everest and Beyond by Eddie Taylor. A teacher, father and climber, Taylor is also a member of the first all-Black expedition to climb Mount Everest. From climbing the Moonlight Buttress (Zion National Park) to skiing Denali, Taylor shares his experiences outdoors to create a heritage for the Black community to fuel and inspire future generations.

  • A Journey of Illumination by Paddling into the Heart of America by Neal Moore. A canoeist writer, adventurer and storyteller, Moore recounts his 675-day journey on 22 rivers in 22 states covering 7,500 miles, becoming the first known person to complete a continuous solo paddle from Pacific to Atlantic in a canoe. He explores how rivers connect across America, as well as the ties that bind people together.

  • Dr. Brad Ryan & Grandma Joy

    Joy Drive: An Intergenerational Adventure to Every U.S. National Park by Dr. Brad Ryan with special appearance by Grandma Joy. A simple weekend camping trip with Dr. Ryan’s grandma, Joy, turned into an inspirational journey to all 63 U.S. National Parks. Learn how this intergenerational adventure went viral and how Dr. Ryan and Grandma Joy found connection, grace and healing on the open roads of America.

 

Additionally, regional and local presenters will share stories, planning and preparation tips, and regional destination ideas from their adventures both near and far. A sampling of speakers and topics are:

  • One Year… One Quest – America’s 428 National Parks by Tom Wright
  • Paddling with Gators: Okefenokee Swamp Expedition by John and Lane Abnet
  • Seeking Synchronicity: A Solo Paddle Up the Inside Passage by Susan Marie Conrad
  • Off the Beaten Path in Croatia by Heather Muhlhauser
  • Wilderness Medicine Workshop by Wright State University School of Medicine
  • Paddling the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park by Chris Landis and Amy, Brent, Oakley, and Austen Anslinger
  • Backpacking Right Here in Ohio by Jim Rahtz
  • Circumnavigating the North Sea Cycling Route by Tracy Burge
  • Riding the Katy Trail by Jordan and Camee Hart
  • From Homelessness to Accomplishing Incredible Expeditions by Julian Brown
  • Sixteen-day Expedition rowing the Grand Canyon by Amy Dingle and Cassie Lane

In addition to speakers, The Adventure Summit offers an expo featuring more than 25 outdoor recreation vendors, local clubs, organizations and more.

The public is invited to drop off their used gear ahead of the event for consignment during the Summit’s used gear sale, run by Arrow Adventure with 5% of proceeds benefiting the Beaver Creek Wetland Association’s Spotted Turtle Trail Fund.

The full schedule of presenters can be found at www.theadventuresummit.comn/schedule.

 

Online Program to Explore Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

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This free interactive online program will provide an overview of the outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the more than 16,000 acres of land Five Rivers MetroParks manages. From paddling, backpacking, fishing, camping, cycling, mountain biking and much more, you can spend a lifetime exploring each corner of the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. Register

Register Now For Miami Valley Gardening Conference

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MVGC11_Photo01MetroPark’s annual kick-off to the spring gardening season will take place Saturday March 1st at the Sincalir Ponitz Center.  This year’s theme is Gardening for the next decade.  Enjoy breakout sessions led by local experts on Plant Selections for the future, Proactive choices for a better environment, Playing in the garden, and The Most Beautiful Garden is YOUR Garden. Fee includes breakfast snack, full lunch (vegetarian options available), breaks and covered parking. Online registration $50. Walk-in and phone registration $60.

Register

Walk-in late registration will be accepted on the day of the conference for $60. Please call 277-6545 for information.

mvgc14_jeff_lowenfelsKeynote speaker Jeff Lowenfels is an international proponent of organics and the award winning author of Teaming With Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to The Soil Food Web. His weekly column has appeared in theAnchorage Daily News for over 37 years and he was once an Editor of the Harvard Lampoon, America’s oldest humor magazine, so his talks are alway humorous and witty and entertaining. He is also a reformed lawyer; the combination of garden writing and law earning him the moniker: America’s Dirtiest Lawyer. In addition to writing, Jeff hosted a statewide tv gardening show. Today, Jeff has a popular radio show.

 

mvgc14_thomas_rainer

Thomas Rainer, the second keynote speaker is a registered landscape architect, teacher, and writer living in Arlington, Virginia.Thomas is a passionate advocate for an ecologically expressive design aesthetic that does not imitate nature, but interprets it. His planting designs focus on creating a modern expression of the ground plane with a largely native palette of perennials and grasses. Thomas has designed landscapes for the U.S. Capitol grounds, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and The New York Botanical Garden, as well as over 100 gardens from Maine to Florida.

SCHEDULE:
7:30 am Check-in, late registration and refreshments
8:05 am Welcome
Carrie Scarff, Deputy Director, Five Rivers MetroParks
Betty Hoevel, Education Supervisor, Five Rivers MetroParks
8:15 am Morning Keynote: Jeff Lowenfels
“Teaming with Nutrients: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to Optimizing Plant Nutrition”
9:20 am Session One: Plant Selections for the future
  1. Tomatoes: Matt Kleinhenz, OSU Extension vegetable specialist
  2. Geraniums and begonias: Duke Stockslager, Stockslager’s Greenhouse and Garden Center
  3. Maples: Tomasz Przepiorkowski, Studebaker Nurseries
10:15 am Morning Break — door prizes, demos, book signing
10:40 am Session Two: Proactive choices for a better environment
  1. New importance of the suburban lot: Art Trese, Ohio University
  2. Turf alternatives : Cliff Deitering, President, Wengerlawn Nursery Co.
  3. Pests and diseases–is anything safe?: Joe Boggs, OSU
11:35 am Lunch — demos, door prizes, Great Hall
1:00 pm Afternoon Keynote: Thomas Rainer: “Sustainable Garden Design”
2:05 pm Session Three: Playing in the garden
  1. Healthy garden, healthy gardener: Stacey Walters-Best, Garden for the Health of It
  2. Plant a cocktail: Tim Pritchard, Five Rivers MetroParks
  3. Fun Plants, Fun Things in the Garden: Teresa Jones, Meadow View Growers
3:00 pm  Afternoon Break
  • Book signing, door prizes, previews of 2014 FRMP programs
3:35 pm Session Four: Laura Deeter: “The Most Beautiful Garden is YOUR Garden”
  • Great gardens are always impressive, and with help from Laura’s great skill and insights, you can create your own most beautiful garden and have fun doing it!
4:30 pm Pick up door prizes

PUT A LITTLE NATURE IN YOUR WORKDAY: Five Rivers MetroParks offers several ways to take a natural break downtown

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8815858704_f93941b26bWe’ve all been there. It’s lunch time. You’re hungry, but you don’t want the usual fare. Or you brought your lunch, but who wants to eat at their desk – again?!

Five Rivers MetroParks offers you plenty of options to get a real break today. With food, friends and a bit of natural wonder downtown, you could make today’s lunch spectacular!

 

Eat it Up

There are lots of places to get your eat on and enjoy a great view of downtown. Five Rivers MetroParks has added to those options this summer with the new Silver Fern8866161855_3c0e118e33 Café at RiverScape MetroPark.

Now open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, (as well as Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and special hours during festivals, concerts and other events), the Silver Fern offers a fusion of New Zealand-style treats and American fare with menu items like:

  • Individual sized savory pies stuffed with tasty meat all encased in a flaky crust
  • Wraps with your choice of freshly sliced deli meat, crisp lettuce, tomato and sauce all wrapped-up in a fresh tortilla
  • Pure beef burgers topped with a free range egg, dill pickle, salad, relish and fresh garlic aioli all on a fresh bun
  • Griddle-cooked, bacon-wrapped beef dogs in a fresh roll topped with chopped tomatoes, onions, cheese, pinto beans, mayo, mustard, ketchup, and  green chili pepper relish
  • A complete menu is available online at metroparks.org/riverscape.

Also at RiverScape, The Fountain Snack Bar features treats for park goers 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.  The Fountain offers typical snack bar fair like hot dogs, chips, cookies drinks, even ice cream for a great afternoon treat.

Get in the Mood to Finish the Day

Besides the amazing views of the Great Miami River that will bring peace to any work day, RiverScape will help you get refocused with live acoustic music Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. (also Saturdays 11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Or if you decide working in this beautiful natural scene is more productive, RiverScape now has free, public WiFi with plenty of relaxing seating and tables. Schedule an outdoor meeting to make your next big deal; who needs the golf course?!

Don’t Forget 2nd Street Market

Thursdays through Saturdays, it’s hard to beat the all the local options at the 2nd Street Market. Visit one of the delectable eateries where you will find anything from 8866763942_16c460ef2e-1European pastries to the good ole’ sandwich. The Market is just steps (or a 5-minute bike ride) from the center of downtown Dayton, or if you prefer to drive, there is plenty of free parking.

Vendors offer a variety of dishes including fresh salads featuring local and organic ingredients, seasonally rotating soups, Columbian specialties like arepas and empanadas, tasty South-Slavic & Mediterranean Cuisine like Gyros and Shish Kebabs, Pad Thai or spicy curry dishes, savory French crepes and so much more. And for that sweet tooth, why not top off your meal with dark chocolate almond toffee, or blueberry & macadamia nut bread?

You won’t go back to the office hungry. And you can stock up for dinner while you’re there with bread, veggies and more from local growers, producers and bakers.

Whether you meet friends for coffee or lunch, there is plenty of seating for dining on your market goodies. Take advantage of free wireless Internet access provided by DoNet and the tables in the rear pavilion – perfect for a department meeting.  The 2nd Street Market is open Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  So venture out of the office and stop eating at your desk. Five Rivers MetroParks wants you to enjoy what the nature has to offer every day.

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES and TRANCE at THE NEON!

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TRANCE newsletterHello Everyone,

Everything Must Go! If you still need to see ON THE ROAD, THE GATEKEEPERS or 56 UP, Thursday will be your last chance to see them at THE NEON. On Friday, we will open 2 new films…both from directors who have had successful films at THE NEON in the past. For this week’s remaining showtimes, visit our official site: www.neonmovies.com.

On Friday, we will open Danny Boyle’s TRANCE (Boyle directed SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (our biggest hit ever), MILLIONS and 127 HOURS) and Derek Cianfrance’s THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES (Cianfrance directed BLUE VALENTINE – which also starred Ryan Gosling).

Synopsis for TRANCE: “Simon (James McAvoy), a fine art auctioneer, teams up with a criminal gang to steal a Goya painting worth millions of dollars, but after suffering a blow to the head during the heist he awakens to discover he has no memory of where he hid the painting. When physical threats and torture fail to produce answers, the gang’s leader Frank (Vincent Cassel) hires hypnotherapist Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson) to delve into the darkest recesses of Simon’s psyche. As Elizabeth begins to unravel Simon’s broken subconscious, the lines between truth, suggestion, and deceit begin to blur.” (taken from Fox Searchlight) Click this LINK to watch the official trailer.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=976y9Xm6BkY’]

Synopsis for THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES: “The highly anticipated new drama from director Derek Cianfrance powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke’s (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) fateful decision to commit a crime to support his child. The incident renders him targeted by policeman Avery (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper), and the two men become locked on a tense collision course which will have a devastating impact on both of their families in the years following.” (taken from Focus Features) Click this LINK to visit the official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ew4j9xxupI’]

On Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30, Five River Metroparks will host a screening of WHERE THE YELLOWSTONE GOES. The film “follows a 30-day drift boat journey down the longest ‘undammed’ river in the lower 48. Intimate portraits of locals in both booming cities and dusty, dwindling towns along the Yellowstone River illustrate the history and controversies surrounding this enigmatic watershed leading to questions about its future. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and experience silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure.” (taken from press notes) Tickets will be $11 in advance ($10 plus $1 service fee) or $15 the day of the screening at the door (cash only). We will not be selling advanced tickets to this screening at THE NEON. Click this LINK to purchase advanced tickets. Visit the official site to learn more about the film.

Also on the horizon is The 13th Dayton Jewish International Film Festival. You can now visit our lobby to pick up a brochure for this year’s festival . To visit the website and purchase advanced tickets, click this LINK. 8 films from this festival will screen at THE NEON, and the line-up looks terrific! Here are the dates and times:
Thu, Apr 18 at 7:30 – THE OTHER SON (preceded by Opening Reception at 7pm)
Sun, Apr 21 at 3:00 – MY BEST ENEMY
Tue, Apr 23 at 7:15 – MELTING AWAY
Thu, Apr 25 at 7:15 – NICKY’S FAMILY
Tue, Apr 30 at 7:15 – NAOMI
Thu, May 2 at 7:15 – LEA & DARIA
Tue, May 7 at 10am – TORN
Thu, May 9 at 7:15 – A BOTTLE IN THE GAZA SEA

“In celebration of National Record Store Day, GHETTOBLASTER MAGAZINE in partnership with DAYTON MUSIC FEST have organized a free screening of Brendan Toller’s I NEED THAT RECORD! THE DEATH (OR POSSIBLE SURVIVAL) OF THE INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE on Saturday, April 20 at 10:15 pm. “Greedy record labels, media consolidation, homogenized radio, big box stores, Ecommerce and the digital revolution all pose threats on the very well being of our favorite record stores and the music industry at large. Will these stores die? Will they survive? Featuring interviews with THURSTON MOORE of Sonic Youth, Ian MacKaye of Fugazi/Minor Threat, activist/author NOAM CHOMSKY, MIKE WATT of the Minutemen, PAT CARNEY of the Black Keys and many indie record stores across the U.S. of A!” Bring your receipts from earlier that day from the many local businesses participating with special Record Store Day discounts and get entered to win one of two DAYTON INDIE BUSINESSES SHOPPING SPREES! This screening is FREE…first come, first serve. Sponsored by BLIND BOB’S, OMEGA MUSIC, THAI9, AND 5TH STREET WINE & DELI.” (taken from press notes) Watch the trailer HERE.

“The India Foundation celebrates One Hundred Years of Indian Cinema: 1913 – 2013 with a Tribute to Dada Saheb Phalke – Father of the Indian Cinema. The first Indian silent film produced, written and directed by Mr. Phalke was released in Bombay on May 3, 1913. A screening of selected clips entitled Silent Movies – Early Years will be presented on Saturday, May 4th at Noon (the collection includes digitized clips from Phalke’s RAJA HARISHCHANDRA and KALIYA MARDAN (1919) and clips from the only surviving Bengali silent film JAMAI BABU (Son-in-Law) by Kalipada Das). A reception preceding the screening will begin at 11:30a.m. Admission is only $5. The National Film Archives of India has graciously made the present collection possible.” (taken from press notes)

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. April 12 – Thur, April 18:

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
(R) 2 Hr 20 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45
Monday: 1:45, 4:40, 7:45
Tuesday: 1:45, 4:40
Wednesday: 1:45, 4:40, 7:45
Thursday: 1:45, 4:40

TRANCE (R) 1 Hr 41 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20
Thursday: 3:00, 5:10

WHERE THE YELLOWSTONE GOES (NR) 1 Hr 28 Min
Tuesday: 7:30

THE OTHER SON (PG-13) 1 Hr 45 Min
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

April 19 – THE SAPPHIRES
April 26 – MUD
April 26 – THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
April 26 – STARBUCK
May ? – TO THE WONDER
May 24 – AT ANY PRICE
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – NO

EMPEROR and QUARTET Continue Successful Runs at THE NEON!

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Quartet-Tom-Courtenay-and-Maggie-SmithHello Everyone,

The first quarter for 2013 has been very good for us at THE NEON. Thanks to all of you who continue to support our films! QUARTET has been huge, HYDE PARK ON HUDSON and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK were big hits, and EMPEROR is off to a very good start. We appreciate your patronage and your great word-of-mouth marketing that you do for us.  Thank you!

We will hold both of our current titles for another week – QUARTET and EMPEROR. It’s almost certain that this will be the final week for QUARTET…so if you need to see it (or see it again), hurry down. Remaining showtimes for this week are at: www.neonmovies.com.

Check out this little discussion about QUARTET with Dustin Hoffman:

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIwOlouvDhg’]

We’ve got several special events on the horizon.

On Thursday, March 28 at 7:30, “Peace on Fifth will present movie #3 for their trafficking awareness campaign – Start Freedom Dayton (Sponsored by Love146 Dayton, Stop Human Trafficking Dayton and Peace on Fifth). FLESH, a documentary about sex trafficking in the U.S., challenges our ideas of slavery, human trafficking & prostitution. The story is told by the girls who have escaped and those who are currently enslaved, former and current pimps, and modern day abolitionists. The post-screening discussion will be led by Elizabeth Ranade Janis, Ohio’s first human trafficking coordinator. Tickets: $10 day of show at The Neon. Advance tickets: $8.50 at Peace on Fifth (508 E. 5th 937-367-7215).” (taken from press notes)

This year’s edition of LUNAFEST – a collection of 9 short films made by, for and about women – will take place on Sunday, April 7 at 3:00. In addition to the nationally touring program (which you can read all about by clicking this LINK), this year’s local line-up will also feature a short film by WSU student Megan Hague – WOMEN WHO YELL. Hague will be available for a Q&A following the screening. Proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Fund and Planned Parenthood – Southwest Ohio. The suggested donation for tickets is $10 each (minimum of $5 per ticket). More ticket information will be available soon.

On Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30, Five River Metroparks will host a screening of WHERE THE YELLOWSTONE GOES. The film “follows a 30-day drift boat journey down the longest ‘undammed’ river in the lower 48. Intimate portraits of locals in both booming cities and dusty, dwindling towns along the Yellowstone River illustrate the history and controversies surrounding this enigmatic watershed leading to questions about its future. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and experience silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure.” (taken from press notes) Tickets will be $11 in advance ($10 plus $1 service fee) or $15 the day of the screening at the door (cash only). We will not be selling advanced tickets to this screening at THE NEON. Click this LINK to purchase advanced tickets. Visit the official site to learn more about the film.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAa_mvSViP0′]

Also on the horizon is The 13th Dayton Jewish International Film Festival. I’ll go into more details in the coming weeks, but you can download a brochure for the festival by clicking this pdf LINK. To visit the website, click this LINK. 8 films from this festival will screen at THE NEON, and the line-up looks terrific!

We hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. March 15 – Thur, March 21:

QUARTET (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:30, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:00, 7:15

EMPEROR (PG-13) 1 Hrs 46 Min.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30, 9:40
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 5:10, 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

March 22 – WEST OF MEMPHIS
March 22 – STOKER
March 29 – THE GATEKEEPERS
April 5 – ON THE ROAD
April 12 – NO
April 12 – A PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
April 26 – MUD
April 26 – THE COMPANY YOU KEEP
April 26 – STARBUCK

Late April/Early May – THE SAPPHIRES
May ? – TO THE WONDER