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mardi gras

Have You Gotten Your King Cake Yet?

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Fat Tuesday Buffet at Amber Rose

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Cajun food is not what you normally associate with a restaurant that specialaizes in German, Lithuanian, Polish, Hungarian, Russian and Italian dishes, but the key factor behind Amber Rose’s cajun and creole inspired Fat Tuesday menu is Chef T.J. Peterson.  He grew up in New Orleans.

“My grandmother was a master baker and she always tried to get me in the kitchen with her, but I just wanted to lick the bowl,” Peterson said. “I lived in a shot gun house with my mom and my grandparents lived next door. We cooked Cajun, Creole, Italian and so much more and food brought us all together.”

Peterson has been a chef at Amber Rose for 16 years and he looks forward to this one day a year he can serve up his family recipes. “I love giving folks a chance to get a taste of New Orleans,” said Chef T.J. “Even if they can’t travel there, they can go there through the food.”

The buffet will include Gumbo, Seafood Crepes, Red Beans & Rice, Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya, Dirty Rice, Cajun Seafood Pasta, Shrimp & Cheesy Grits,Big Easy Chicken and Steak Orlean’s.

And you’ll want to save room for desserts, which will include Bananas Foster Bread Pudding and Black Bottom Bourbon Pecan Pie.

Tickets are $40 and must be prepaid, which you can do online. The buffet will be served from 5-7pm in the upstairs banquet room on Tues, Feb 13th.  Due to the historic nature of the building, there is no elevator access.

Amber Rose

1400 Valley Street
Dayton, OH 45404

937-228-2511

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Celebrating Mardi Gras Around The Miami Valley

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Fat Tuesday is the traditional name for the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in  the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant churches. Fat Tuesday is more commonly known as Mardi Gras, which is simply Fat Tuesday in French. It’s called Fat Tuesday because it’s the last day that many people eat meat and fatty foods before Lent begins.

Laissez les bons temps rouler

The Cajun French phrase translated to “let the good times roll!”
February 21 @ 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Fat Tuesday
FigLeaf Brewing Company 
3387 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd, Middletown
It’s time to get your Fat Tuesday on with FigLeaf! We’ll be serving up gumbo, mixing up New Orleans cocktails like the Blue Voodoo, Liquid King Cake, Hurricane and French 75 and live music starts at 6pm with Chris Lucas.  Come dressed for Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras Celebration

Mudlick Tap House
135 East Second St., Dayton

Anywhere else, it’s just another Tuesday but at the Tap House, it’s Mardi Gras! Featuring New Orleans-inspired cocktails and food.  Some of the items on the Fat Tuesday Menu include:

MUFFALETTA, FRIED OYSTER PO’BOY
GUMBO, JAMBALAYA
CHEDDAR BISCUIT CRAWFISH ETOUFFE
SHRIMP & GRITS, BAYOU CAJUN PASTA
BEIGNETS, KING CAKE

 

March 21 5-10pm
Jimmie’s Ladder 11
1001 Brown St, Dayton, OH

Featuring:
King Creole Cheesecake
New Orleans Style Gumbo
Shrimp or Oyster Po’Boy
Shrimp & Grits
Red Beans & Rice
Bourbon Glazed Bread Pudding

February 21 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mardi Gras Party   Free family event
Carrollton Center Elm Street, West Carrollton
Join us at our 2nd Annual Mardi Gras! It is about music, food, King cakes, and excitement.
Dress in purple, green, and gold, and adorn yourself with long beads we will also be giving some away. You can wear crazy appropriate costumes, kids with their families, all are welcome.
Food Trucks, face painting, music and more.

Fat Tuesday Party

Backwater Voodoo & Watermark
103 S. 2nd St, Miamisburg,

– TWO live bands
– authentic Creole & Cajun food
– beads, prizes, and fun!

Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee, Dirty Rice, Red Beans & Rice, Shrimp & Grits, Fried Catfish
Oysters, Crawfish, Crab Cakes, Boudin and Bread Pudding

Mardis Gras Carnival

W. Social Tap & Table
1100 W. Third St, Dayton 
Mask and Hat competition, make your best masquerade mask or hat and be judged by the amazing Mrs.Joni Watson and Ms. Nicole Gunder (amazing art teachers from Dayton Public Schools). Winners get W.Social gift cards!!
– King Cakes
– Martinis
– Drink & Food Specials
– Live music
– Mardi Gras beads and Door prizes!
February 25 @ 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm
The Gem City Mardi Gras Threauxdown $15/advance, $2o/door
The Brightside
905 E. Third Street, Dayton

Featuring Live New Orleans inspired Music from:Phil’s Big Ass Brass Band & Solistic & LOTS of special musical guests, and a Mardi Gras 2nd Line Marching Parade! Specialty Cajun inspired menu by Kungfubbq Lansangan Special Beer Release by Devil Wind Brewery Live Painting by Megan Fiely Psychic Tarot Readings by Marta Mari

February 21 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Mardi Gras Party
Devil Wind Brewing 
30 South Detroit Street, Xenia
It’s Carnival Time, and everybody’s having fun!” That’s right, it’s time for our annual Mardi Gras party! Join us on Fat Tuesday (2/21) as we bring the spirit of Mardi Gras and New Orleans to the heart of Downtown Xenia.
We’ll be serving up New Orleans Hurricanes throughout the night, as well as a keg of our special Mardi Gras brew, Fat Brewesday. Big Al’s Speakeasy Jazz Band will be playing Dixieland and jazz from 7-9 to set the mood, and La Pampa will be here to make sure you’re feeling fat and sassy on Fat Tuesday.
The following events are already sold out:

Celebrating Fat Tuesday in the Miami Valley

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Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. It’s also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, depending on where the celebration is taking place. No matter the name, it’s a day of revelry that includes parades, parties and gastronomic indulgence before the Christian fasting season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Fat Tuesday Marti Gras Party!

Good Time Charlie’s 61 S. Main St, Miamisburg

Join the party as we celebrate FAT TUESDAY 2022!! FREE taco bar- Margarita specials- QOH drawing and live music! Come…

Tues, March 1st 5:00pm – 9:00pm.
Our Shrimp Po Boy is looking to get some beads this Fat Tuesday! Come celebrate Mardi Gras at Jimmie’s Ladder 11!
+Food and Drink Specials
+Live Jazz
+New Orleans style food
+Reservations available

Fat Brewesday

Devil Wind Brewing 30 South Detroit Street, Xenia

It’s time to throw on some purple and gold and let the good times roll! We’re celebrating Fat Tuesday in…

Mudlick Tap House

Tues, March 1 4-10pm

Can’t make it to NOLA for Mardi Gras? No problem.
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Mudlick Tap House!
Mini Muffalettas, Jambalaya, Gumbo, King Cake, Beignets, Hurricanes, Sazerac, and more!

Lucky Star Brewery

Tues, March 1st 3:30-10pm
Celebrating Mardi Gras AND TaCo TuEsDaY
$1.50 tacos every Tuesday

FAT TUESDAY EVENT

Presented by Watermark and Backwater Voodoo
Tuesday, March 1st  5 – 10pm
LIVE Entertainment in all locations
Jean Lafitte’s Voodoo Daquiri & Authentic Hurricanes!
New Orleans Mardi Gras Buffet ($50) – including:

 Muffuletta,  Jambalaya with rice, Fried Catfish, Crispy Fried Shrimp, Boudin Balls, Dirty Rice
Country Green Beans, Cole slaw, Creole Potato Salad, Mixed Greens Salad, Coca-Cola Cake

Special add-on menu items, including:
Fresh Oysters (grilled or raw), Cajun Gumbo, King Cake (win prizes!)
LIVE Entertainment featuring:
• Randy Villars Dixieland Band, Alex & Company – Acoustic Trio, The Mythical Misfits and the Mysterious Voodoo Princess
A FEW IMPORTANT NOTES –
We will be closed to the public, and will *NOT* be offering our regular menu on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). You must purchase a ticket to attend.

West Carrollton Mardi Gras Celebration

Tuesday, March 1st H 5 – 8pm

Block party with  Dayton Mobile DJ and food trucks: McNasty’s, Claybourne Grille, Cumberland Kettle Corn, and Billie Gold Bubble Tea. Mardi Gras masks, beads and King “cup”cakes will be offered.

Face painting, balloon animals and the local library will be making mini-floats for the kids.

Laissez les bons temps rouler beyond Tuesday:

The Gem City Mardi Gras Threauxdown

The Brightside Event & Music Venue 905 E. Third Street, Dayton

Dayton’s own MARDI GRAS Celebration is BACK!! ***Don’t Miss Out and Get Your Tickets Now! *** Featuring Live New Orleans…

$15 – $20

Mardi Gras Celebration Dinner!

Hidden Valley Orchards
5474 North State Route 48, Lebanon

Doors open at 5:30pm.  Live Music: TBD! Stay Tuned!  Our very own New Orleans inspired HVO Dinner Buffet will open…

$45

Dayton Family Creates Yardi Gras House Float

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Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!
Covid-19 shut down Mardi Gras parades & celebrations in New Orleans – but the city didn’t want to give up the traditional celebration, so the city created Yardi Gras & House Floats!
NOLA’s KREWE OF HOUSE FLOATS encouraged everyone to create house floats – and so THE FREAKSHOW KREWE found a house in Dayton, Ohio to have one!
You’re encouraged to drive by the house at 1326 Ruskin Rd in Dayton and enjoy the view and and find a little bit of New Orleans culture for Mardi Gras.
THE FREAKSHOW KREWE’s House Float – themed “Better Days Ahead” – will be fully lit for the final weekend of Carnival, and into Lundi Gras & Mardi Gras! We will also be playing parade & celebration music!!
There are FREE BEADS for all revelers hanging on the fence (help yourself). Drive by or walk up and enjoy. Take pictures, shoot video – and please remain masked & keep social distancing.

Five Cocktails For Mardi Gras

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Mardi Gras

A Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans from the 1890’s.

On Wednesday, Christians will begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. It is a day of fasting and reflection, complete with a trip to church and marking of the forehead with palm ashes. It occurs forty days (forty-six, if you are really counting) before Easter, indicating the time that Jesus spent in the desert fasting and meditating. Before that day is Shrove Tuesday, which is just exactly the opposite of Ash Wednesday. It is a day of all out partying, which changes from country to country. In some countries, it is a day of eating pancakes. Yes, pancakes. Or other pastries. They are made to use up the milk, eggs, and other perishables that would otherwise have gone bad after being untouched for over a month. In the United States, it is not that.

Our way of celebrating, much like Brazil, is to go on a bender for a day. There are parades, parties, and a day of getting in all the sinning we can before we work on getting rid of other sins for forty days. Parties will happen all over the country, but none will be bigger than the one in New Orleans. The city has always been ready for a good party. And Mardi Gras is their party of the year. Since the 1900’s, the city has been inviting the United States to come down and let it all go for one of their biggest days of the year.

It is also one of the biggest cocktail cities in the country. New Orleans is home to Tales of the Cocktail, one of the bartending industries top events, and the Museum of the American Cocktail. Many, many, MANY popular cocktails have been developed there, and Bourbon Street is very well known for its bar scene, among other things. If you did not make it down south for the party of parties, there is nothing stopping you from drinking like you are down there. Here are five cocktails that were invented in the Crescent City.

The Grand Daddy

Mardi Gras sazerac

The sazerac is a delicious, slow sipper to start the party.

For most people, the Hurricane is the cocktail of New Orleans. Historically, the Sazerac is older with more pedigree. It is arguably considered the oldest American cocktail. What can’t be debated is that it is named after the cognac it was originally made with. After American tastes bent towards whiskey, it became the primary spirit of the drink.

Sazerac (Adapted from The Sazerac Company)

1 sugar cube
1.5 oz. rye whiskey (or cognac if you want to be old school)
.25 oz. absinthe
3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Glass: Old Fashioned
Ice: None
Garnish: Lemon Peel

In a chilled mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube and the bitters together. Then add the whiskey, add ice, and stir. In a chilled Old Fashioned glass, pour in the absinthe. Swirl the liquid around the glass, then discard the excess liquid. Strain the cocktail into the glass, twist the lemon peel over the drink, then serve.

Milk is a Good Idea

When New Orleans comes out to celebrate, someone brings the milk punch. A cocktail that goes back to colonial times, this is a staple in the southern drinking scene. If you happen to head to Brennan’s when you are in NOLA, order one. They are very well known for their spin on this classic.

Milk Punch

1.5 oz. brandy (or bourbon, if you choose)
.25 oz. dark rum
2 oz. whole milk
.5 oz. maple syrup
1 dash vanilla extract

Glass: Mug or goblet
Ice: None
Garnish: Grated nutmeg

Pour all of the ingredients into a mixing tin over ice. Shake well for 20-30 seconds, and strain into the prepared mug. Grate some nutmeg over the top of it and serve.

Shaken…and shaken…and shaken…

Ramos Gin Fizz

Look at the foam on that Ramos Gin Fizz!

James Bond, a fan of shaken drinks, would love this one. The original preparation of this cocktail called for it to be shaken for twelve minutes. Henry Ramos, the creator of this cocktail, would hire up to thirty people for Mardi Gras just to shake the drinks. They were in high demand. Not many places will shake it for that long anymore, but some bars will employ a machine to do the shaking for them.

Ramos Gin Fizz

1.25 oz. gin
1 tbsp. simple syrup
.25 oz. fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. fresh lime juice
1 fresh egg white
1 oz. heavy cream
3 drops orange flower water
1 oz. club soda

Glass: Highball
Ice: None
Garnish: None

Pour all but the club soda into a mixing tin with ice and shake hard for 1 – 2 minutes. Strain the mixture into the top of the tin and discard the ice. Shake for another minute, then strain into the highball glass. Pour the club soda gently into the mixture, until the foam reaches near the top of the class. Stir gently, then serve.

The above technique, shaking the egg with ice, then without, is called a reverse dry shake. It fluffs up the eggs a little more, and you can just pour the cocktail into the glass when you are finished.

Bring Back Brandy

Someday brandy will come back in a big way. With drinks like the brandy crusta on menus, I am hoping that day will be sooner rather than later. It was first found on a menu in New Orleans before the Civil War. Other variations of crusta have been attempted, but none had the sticking power of the brandy version. But when you have this recipe, what more do you need?

Brandy Crusta

2 oz. cognac
.25 oz. triple sec
.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. simple syrup
1 tsp. Maraschino liqueur
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Glass: Coupe
Ice: None
Garnish: Sugared rim and lemon twist

Rub a slice of lemon around the rim of the coupe. Dip the rim into a plate of sugar, rolling it to make sure the rim is covered. Tap off the excess, then put to the side. Pour the ingredients into a shaking tin over ice, then shake well for 20 – 30 seconds. Strain the mixture into the coupe, twist the lemon over the cocktail, add to the drink, then serve.

Storm’s Brewin’

Pat O'Brien's Hurricane

A Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. Where else?

This is the popular one. Most people heading to New Orleans are going to head to Pat O’Brien’s for their famous Hurricane. It was created in the 1940’s when Pat was forced to buy an unacceptable amount of rum to get a single case of whiskey. To get rid of the rum, he added passion fruit juice and other juices, poured it into a fancy glass, and gave one away to anyone who would take one. The legend was born, and the cocktail persists.

Hurricane

2 oz. white rum
2 oz. dark rum
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. orange juice
2 oz. passion fruit juice
.5 oz. simple syrup
.5 oz. grenadine

Glass: Hurricane
Ice: Cubed
Garnish: Orange wheel and a cherry

Pour all of the ingredients into a shaking tin over ice. Shake well for 20 – 30 seconds, then strain into the hurricane glass over fresh ice. Garnish with the cherry and orange slice.

BONUS: Flirting with The Faerie

With the heavy French influence in New Orleans, it is not a surprise that absinthe made its way into the culture. It was banned in this country for decades because of myths and poor science, but it has been making a slow comeback in the new cocktail era. It is an acquired taste; absinthe has a strong anise component. If you avoid the black jelly beans, you can just skip this one.

Absinthe Frappe

1.5 oz. absinthe
.5 oz. simple syrup
2 oz. soda water
6-8 mint leaves

Glass: Frappe
Ice: Cubed
Garnish: Mint sprig

Place the mint and simple syrup into a shaking tin and muddle the mint until you can just smell the aromatics. Add the absinthe, then shake well for 20 – 30 seconds. Strain the mixture into the glass over fresh ice. Top off with the soda water, then garnish with the mint sprig.

Today is the day to let it all hang out, because tomorrow is a day of somber reflection and humility. There are many celebrations happening all around the Miami Valley, where these and many other cocktails will be flowing freely. Break out the king cake (or the pancakes) and party the day away. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

 

 

Fat Tuesday Celebrations Around Town

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Fat Tuesday, also know as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day and Mardi Gras is is considered the last day of the Carnival season, before the beginning of Lent and it has been recorded as far back as the 17th and 18th century.

According to historians,  it all began thousands of years ago as a few local celebratory events honoring spring and fertility among Roman Catholics. Then the debauchery spread to other European countries such as France, Germany, England, and Spain, and finally made its way overseas to America with early settlers at the beginning of the 18th century. The reason “Fat Tuesday” is the English translation of the French term “Mardi Gras” is because members of the Christian faith would stuff themselves with beef, bread, and anything else that was left in their homes on the last day before Ash Wednesday, which kicked off the 40 days of Lent leading to Easter Sunday.

Fat Tuesday moved throughout the U.S. in the 1800s when French settlers threw parties in New Orleans and other French settlements across Louisiana. These parties consisted of masked balls, monstrous feasts, and people going wild in the streets. Since then, they’ve added multiple parades, decorating the floats of said parades, tossing beads, and the heavenly consumption of King Cake — a colorful ring-shaped doughy cake similar to coffee cake. And the color scheme wasn’t just a random selection of hues selected by the drunken bead tossers. According to IBTimes, in 1892, Rex, the King of Carnaval (another name for Mardi Gras) chose purple for justice, gold for power, and green for faith.

 Laissez les bons temps rouler

Let the good times roll in the Miami Valley with these events:

Jimmie’s Ladder 11   Feb 28 @ 11:00 am – 11:55 pm

Celebrate Fat Tuesday at Jimmie’s Ladder 11 with Dave Greer and the Classic Zydeco Stompers! Jimmie will be featuring famous…


Amber Rose  Feb 28 – Mar 4th  Mardi Gras Menu all Week

Chicken, Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Gumbo over Rice – 7   Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage 7  …

Mudlick Tap House   Fat Tuesday Celebration Feb 28 @ 4:00 – 10:00 pm

Features of the night will include Jambalaya, King Cake and debauchery! Abita Brewing Company’s Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat and Turbo Dog Brown Ale will be flowing while we “laissez les bons temps rouler” and party to the sounds of NOLA

 

South Park Tavern  Fat Tuesday Dessert Beer Night   Feb 28 @ 4:00 – 9:00 pm

Join Us For Fat Tuesday February 28th As We Celebrate Mardi Gras. We Will Have Abita Mardi Gras Bock And We Will Have Abita Mardi Gras Bock And Abita Brewing Co. Beer Swag! Stone Brewing Co. Xocoveza Spiced Mocha Stout, Braxton’s/Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocoate Chip Milk Stout Paired with Icecream!

 

Lily’s Bistro   3rd Annual Mardi Gras Happy Hour   Feb 28 @ 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Dayton PRSA invites you to join us for our third annual “Mardi Gras” Happy Hour! Enjoy a sampling of New Orleans style appetizers, Beignets and cocktails.

 

7 Places to Celebrate Fat Tuesday in Dayton

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Fat Tuesday.inddMardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) is a Christian holiday that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival, it is celebrated in several nations across the globe — predominantly those with large Roman Catholic populations — on the day before the religious season of lent.

For most, Fat Tuesday conjures images of beads, beer, and the Big Easy. Historians believe the first American Mardi Gras occurred on March 3, 1699 when French explorers Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville landed in what is now Louisiana.  The relatively small festivities were held just south of the present day Mardi Gras capital, New Orleans. In the ensuing decades, New Orleans and other French settlements took to marking the holiday with masked balls, lavish dinners, and wild street parties.

In Dayton, we celebrate the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season with small feasts at local eateries.   Click on the links below to get specific details.

Tuesday February 09, 2016
Buck-A-Bone Event Buck-A-Bone Event

City Barbeque
Tuesday February 09, 2016 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fat Tuesday Celebration Fat Tuesday Celebration

Mudlick Tap House
Tuesday February 09, 2016 4:00 – 10:00 PM
Abita Mardi Gras Party Abita Mardi Gras Party

South Park Tavern
Tuesday February 09, 2016 5:00 PM
Mardi Gras Celebration Mardi Gras Celebration

Rue Dumaine
Tuesday February 09, 2016 5:00  – 9:00 PM
Mardi Gras Dinner Mardi Gras Dinner

The Hawthorn Grill
Tuesday February 09, 2016 5:00 – 09:00 PM
Mardi Gras Specials Mardi Gras Specials

Amber Rose
Tuesday February 09, 2016 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fat Tuesday Fat Tuesday

Chappys Tap Room & Grille
Tuesday February 09, 2016 All Day Event

Another Mardi Gras tradition is the King Cake. The King Cake is baked with a small plastic baby hidden inside, the person who gets the slice with baby in it has various privileges and obligations.  Often times when you find the prize, you are responsible for planning the next celebration.  You can pick up a king cake at many local bakeries, including Dorothy Lane Market.  I noticed Whole Foods has a display of them for abut $20 each yesterday.  

As a slight twist you can stop by the grand opening of Tasty Measures at the corner of 5th & Jefferson on Fat Tuesday and get a free King Muffin with purchase.  If you find the baby you’ll win free meat pies for a year!

The Artemis Center – Helping Victims of Domestic Violence

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Artemis LogoEVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE WHO…

“One of these days he’s going to kill me.”  The caller seemed resigned to her fate.  The Artemis Center advocate who answered the Domestic Violence Hotline assessed the level of immediate risk and made a safety plan with the victim.  Calls of this kind are everyday occurrences at Artemis Center.

Just about everyone knows someone who has been a victim of domestic violence.  Research shows that one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.  This widespread issue does not discriminate.  It cuts across all races, religions, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds.  It may be your co-worker, neighbor, friend, or even a family member.  Most commonly victims are female, but occasionally a male is victimized.  Domestic violence is EVERYONE’S problem.

Photo Credit: APV- Portugese Association for Victim Support

Photo Credit: APV- Portugese Association for Victim Support

WHY DOESN’T SHE JUST LEAVE?

Regardless of the degree of abuse, it is never easy to leave these relationships.  Although abusers may be controlling and verbally abusive early on, most abusers do not become physically abusive until they are certain the victim is emotionally invested in the relationship.  Many victims tell Artemis advocates that their partner never hit them until: they got engaged, or the honeymoon, or she was pregnant with their first or second child, or after their child was born.

For various reasons, some victims will never leave their abusers.  However, most victims leave eventually.  Before she leaves, there are many questions a victim must consider:  How can I support my children and keep them safe?  Where can we go? Can we stay in the same school district?  Can we go to the same house of worship?

Protecting the children is often of paramount concern.  Research has shown that in many households where there is domestic violence, there is also child abuse.  When the abuser is a threat to the children, the victim has to consider whether the children will be safe if she and the abuser separate and will the abuser get parenting time alone with the children.

Once the abuser learns that the victim is leaving the relationship the violence may escalate.  This phenomenon is called “Separation Danger.”  The risk to the victim can increase significantly during separation and for a while afterwards.  Research has shown that 75% of domestic violence homicides occurred during or shortly after the victims attempted to leave.  The victim has to consider:  What will happen to the children if something happens to me?

Even after a victim leaves the abuser, she often remains at risk.  The typical abuser feels entitled to continue to abuse the victim because he tells himself:  “This relationship isn’t over until I say it is over.”

5K Stampede 2012ARTEMIS CENTER CAN HELP

Fortunately, Artemis Center advocates can help domestic violence victims and their children get safe.  Artemis advocates can answer the many questions and concerns victims have and suggest options.  The Domestic Violence Hotline is operated collaboratively by Artemis Center and the battered women’s shelter.  Victims can call the Hotline 24 hours a day seven days a week.  Artemis advocates answer the Hotline weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For many victims, calling the Domestic Violence Hotline is their first step to safety.  Whether a victim intends to stay with the abuser or leave the relationship, an Artemis advocate will work one-on-one with him or her and serve as a source of support.  The advocates help victims understand that they have a right to be safe; that they are not alone; and that they have options to help them get safe and protect their children.  Artemis advocates can connect victims to community resources, assist victims with obtaining Protection Orders and accompany victims to court.  In addition, Artemis offers weekly support groups so that victims can support and learn from each other.  All Artemis Center services are confidential and free of charge.

YOU CAN HELP

If you know someone who is living with abuse, encourage him or her to call the Domestic Violence Hotline to discuss their relationship and get help with safety planning.  If you know someone with a child that is acting out as a result of witnessing abuse, encourage the parent to contact the Artemis Child Therapy Program.  An Artemis child therapist can answer parents’ questions and help children process the abuse and learn healthy ways to resolve family conflicts.

You can help victims indirectly, as well, by attending the Artemis Gala on February 23rd or another Artemis fundraiser.  Or you can simply make a donation to Artemis Center.  Artemis has a food pantry and a small fund to help victims pay for getting their locks changed and other relatively inexpensive safety measures.

Domestic violence is complicated.  Most people do not understand why a victim would stay in an abusive situation or the seriousness of the risk.   Often, victims cannot leave their abusers without outside support, resources, and the confidence to make a new life.  With your help, Artemis Center can help victims by providing support and resources and helping victims build the confidence they need to get safe and keep their children safe.

(Submitted by The Artemis Center)

2013 Mardi Gras Artemis GalaMardi Gras Artemis Gala 2013

On Saturday February 23 at 6:30pm, The Artemis Center will be holding their big Mardi Gras Artemis Gala at the Schuster Center Winter Garden with all funds raised at this signature event directly benefit local victims of Domestic Violence and help to ensure that Artemis Center can continue to provide all services  free of charge.  Tickets are $125 (table of 8 for $1,000) with raffle tickets going for $25.  Click here for tickets and more information.

Big Easy Ways to Celebrate Fat Tuesday

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Down in New Orleans  Fat Tuesday is a major event — parades, food, costumes and such run through Mardi Gras. Dayton may not have the parades and but we’ve sure  been known to get into the Big Easy swing of things itself. If you’re looking for a place to take on some Cajun grub and party down, here’s where the beads will be flying:

Rue Dumaine is letting Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!!!!  They’ve ordered in lots of Oyters, made homemade hurricanes and are hosting at ABITA BREWING COMPANY  beer tasing featuring Abita S.O.S Charitable Pilsner, Restoration Ale
and Mardi-Gras Bock -$12 includes the beers and  an Amuse-Bouche prepared by the RUE DUMAINE kitchen.

Here’s Chef Anne’s  MARDI GRAS menu 2011 for March 8th:

Louisiana oyster & Gulf shrimp gumbo $6.5
Chilled Creole poached gulf shrimp and mirliton slaw with remoulade dressing-$9
Char-grilled oysters with garlic (4 per order)-$9
Oysters on the half shell-$10.5/half dozen $22/dozen
Pepper jelly glazed chicken livers** over griddled cornbread rusk-$7.5
Smothered chicken quarter with crawfish tails and spinach, served over cheesy grits-$15
Creole braised beef & French fry po-boy dressed with cabbage slaw (y’all are gonna need a napkin or 2 with this one)-$14
Cornmeal crusted catfish with house made tasso-black eyed pea salad and Creole mustard butter sauce-$14
Grilled Andouille sausage with red beans & rice-$13
Bananas Fosters bread pudding with caramel-pecan sauce-$5
Calas (classic Louisiana fried rice fritters) with triple berry jam filling -$5

Reservations are always suggested at Rue Dumaine, locatated at 1061 Miamisburg Centerville Rd in Washington Township.    Call  610-1061 for more info.

The Winds in Yellow Springs celebrates in style with Fried Oysters, Bananas Foster, Festive Cocktails and lots of Beads.
Reservatations are suggested,  call 937.767.1144

A trip to Troy may be in order to attend the Mardi Gras Ball at LeDoux’s Restaurant.  For $20 /guest you ‘ll enjoy a Live Dixieland band, dancing, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beads, games and more. Attendees are encouraged to wear a festive costume and/or mask for a costume contest. Raffle tickets for sale for a trip for two to New Orleans. A portion of the ball admission fee benefits the Piqua Arts Council. Call for reservations at  (937) 875-2000.

The Wine Loft has joined forces with Clothes That Work to host a Fat Tuesday celebration featuring a Dayton’s Best Legs Photo Shoot to kick off the 4th annual Hunks in Heels fundraiser.  For $20 guests get admission, 2 drinks, appetizers and 2 votes for their choice of Dayton’s Best Legs!

Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District invites you to come on out for cajun food specials, hurricane shots, pub science, the malibu girls, live DJs and Ashley will have SUPER SOAKERS FULL OF SHOTS!  Food specials are available all day!

TJ Chumps is hosting a party  with “crazy drink specials” including 75 cent well drinks for the ladies and $2 domestic pints for the guys from 11am – 9pm on Fat Tuesday

Don’t worry if you already have Tuesday booked, McCormick & Schmick’s is hosting a Creole Wine Dinner on Thursday at 6:30pm  $50 includes a four-course Creole menu paired with French wines.  Reservations required, call (937) 431-9765.

If you’re not celebrating out and about, may we suggest you stop by your favorite bakery and and least pick up a King Cake!

History of Mardi Gras King Cake

Hundreds of thousands of King Cakes are eaten during Mardi Gras each year in New Orleans, Louisiana. In fact, a Mardi Gras party would not be authentic without the traditional King Cake as the center of the party.

The cake is made with a rich Danish dough, baked and covered with a sugar topping in Mardi Gras colors; purple representing justice, green representing faith, and gold representing power.

Originally objects such as coins, beans, pecans, and peas were hidden inside of every King Cake. Wealthy Louisiana plantation owners in the later 1800s would sometimes put a precious stone or jewel in their King Cakes. In the mid-1900s, a small plastic baby became the symbol of this Holy Day and was placed inside of each King Cake.

The New Orleans tradition is that each person takes a piece of cake hoping to find the plastic baby inside. The recipient of the plastic baby is “crowned” King or Queen for the day and that person is obligated to host the following year’s party and supply the King Cake.

Here’s to becoming the King or Queen! Cheers!