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A Midsummer’s Reading Bash

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Have you been working hard to “Color Our World” for the Teen Summer Reading Program recently? If so, come relax and hang out with us at the Franklin Branch on Thursday, June 19th, for our Midsummer Reading Bash! Enjoy some pizza, play some board games, and talk to other teens about what you’ve been reading this summer!

When registering for the event, please let librarians know about any dietary restrictions your teen may have so we can plan accordingly!

  • Date: Thursday, June 19
  • Time: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Franklin Branch
  • Ages 11-18
  • Registration is required. To register, call (937) 746-2665

Rock Bands Unite to Help Beat Cancer at Blind Bob’s

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I say it often: the Dayton music community is full of the most generous people I know. It’s often a two way street, and this weekend, musicians take care of three of their biggest supporters, who are currently battling cancer. If you love rock’n’roll, this show is a win-win all around!

Night of the Beat (Cancer) takes place at Blind Bob’s on Saturday January 25th, to benefit Jaime Testa, Amanda Hensler and Tyler Gilcher. All three of them have been major supporters of the Dayton music community, staples in the Oregon District, and have huge hearts! They absolutely deserve a fantastic party in their honor, raising money to help them continue their fight.

Music is of course on the agenda! Four area rock bands that are donating their time and talents to this party, including: Abertooth Lincoln, Weathervein, Business Casuals, and We Are The Movies.

Sabrina Cox, one of the organizers of this event, explains what makes this event so special: “Last year was really hard for Oregon District, and Dayton as a whole. In the midst of all the tragedies, three beloved members of the Oregon District community were also fighting cancer. We are a community that comes together to love each other in every situation – and this is no exception. The Cancer Cuties, as we lovingly call them, are our friends, family, and neighbors. All the money collected at the door goes directly to them.”

Amander Hensler is one of the “Cancer Cuties” who is benefiting from Saturday night’s Night of the Beat concert.

How to Go?

Saturday January 25th at Blind Bob’s

Doors 9pm

$7 at the door (additional donations encouraged!)

21+

FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1022647121404471/

Local Soaper Creates Storybook Line to Support Dayton Children’s Hospital

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When a rep from Dayton Children’s Hospital approached entrepreneur Katie Hall about having a coin jar at her 2nd Street Market booth, Katie saw an opportunity to make a much larger impact.

Next month, the founder of Fox in Socks Soapery will release a new line of storybook soaps to support the institution’s work.

The soaps — locally made and sourced, true to Fox in Socks’ mission — will be packaged to look like children’s books. Katie will open up sales Nov. 2 with a faux book launch party at 2nd Street Market that will feature face painting & a scavenger hunt through the market.

Katie will also be accepting children’s book donations during the launch party — and she’ll match every book donated with a bar of storybook soap that will be delivered to a patient at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

“I knew I wouldn’t make an impact with a coin jar,” Katie said, reflecting on her foot traffic. “I said, ‘I want to make you a specific line.’”

The solopreneur made the jump from hobbyist to small business owner about five years ago. She tapped the knowledge she gained studying biotechnology to create her formulas, then she set off visiting Ohio Proud farms to locally source as many of her ingredients as possible.

“I want to build community one bar at a time,” she said. “When you buy a bar of my soap, you’re supporting up to 15 small businesses. My dream for my business is to source enough product that I can impact other small business owners to reach their dreams, too.”

Katie will donate 25 percent of the proceeds from the upcoming storybook line to Dayton Children’s Hospital.

LAUNCH PARTY:

Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 8am – 3 pm

Stop by the 2nd Street Market on Saturday, November 2nd. The party starts in the Market Pavilion with family storybook activities, face painting, an Instagram photo booth and then you’ll be on your way to hunt for sweet treats throughout the market.

Your treasure hunt will end at the shop where you will get the chance to see (and smell!) the new children’s Storybook Soap. 25% of all Storybook Soap sales will go directly to Dayton Children’s Hospital. Still want to give more to Dayton Children’s Hospital…for every children’s book that is donated during the launch party, I will donate a swag bag full of goodies to a child at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

 

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A Look At This Year’s Oscar Nominees

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Hello Most Metro!

I love good cinema.  And for all of my college years and days in retail, Oscar season was a time for speculation and preparation for watching (and cheering and jeering) the event on the big night.  But for most of the last 18 years, I have been so consumed with preparing for THE NEON’s Annual Oscar Party, I’ve hardly stopped to think who would win and who would lose.  That is until Dayton Rotary stepped in.  For the last four years, I’ve been asked to give a short presentation regarding the upcoming Academy Awards.  This forces me to reflect on the year’s nominees and to think about who will take home Oscars.  Below are some of my thoughts regarding this year’s big contenders.

Amy Adams – 6th Oscar nomination (5 supporting, 1 lead).

Marina de Tavira – 1st Oscar nomination, lots of accolades in Mexico.

Regina King – 1st Oscar nomination…lots of TV accolades.

Emma Stone – 3rd Oscar nomination…won for LA LA LAND.

Rachel Weisz – 2nd Oscar nomination…it’s been 13 years since nomination for CONSTANT GARDNER.

WHO WILL WIN?  This year’s “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar will almost certainly go to Regina King.  Her performance in IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK is heartbreakingly wonderful.  I recently heard King speaking on NPR’s “On Point” about how she rarely watches her own work…but a friend convinced her she had to see this film on the big screen.  Within the first five minutes, she knew this Barry Jenkins film was something special…and it turns out that I was just a few rows behind her at The Toronto International Film Festival.  (If King doesn’t get it, Adams is a good second bet.)

 

 

Mahershala Ali – 2nd Oscar nomination…won for MOONLIGHT!

Adam Driver – 1st Oscar nomination…has won awards for GIRLS on TV.

Sam Elliot – 1st Oscar nomination EVER.  Hard to Believe!!

Richard E. Grant – 1 Oscar nomination (though years of brilliant work).

Sam Rockwell – 2nd Oscar nomination…won for THREE BILLBOARDS…

WHO WILL WIN?  Mahershala Ali appears to be the favorite at this time, but Sam Elliott could sneak in and get it.  (That said, I’m rooting for Richar E. Grant.)

 

Yalitza Aparicio – 1st Oscar nomination, 1st film role ever!

Glenn Close – 7th Oscar nomination (4 leads, 3 supporting)

Olivia Colman – 1st Oscar nomination (lots of TV accolades and will be the Queen in next season of THE CROWN)

Lady Gaga – 1st Oscar nomination

Melissa McCarthy – 2nd Oscar nomination (1st was for BRIDESMAIDS)

WHO WILL WIN?  It’s Glenn Close’s turn.  The nominations show a diverse canon of work (DANGEROUS LIAISONS, FATAL ATTRACTION, ALBERT NOBBS, WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, THE BIG CHILL)…but the brilliance doesn’t stop there – what about 101 DALMATIANS, PARADISE ROAD and more!  The upset in this category would be Lady Gaga…who does have a lot of fans and support in the business (but I think it would be a posthumous “slap in the face” to Judy Garland – who did not win for her incredible work with this role).

Christian Bale – 4th Oscar nomination…won for THE FIGHTER

Bradley Cooper – 7th Oscar nomination (3 of these nominations are for this film)

Willem Dafoe – 4th Oscar nomination…recent nomination was for last year’s FLORIDA PROJECT, 1st nomination was in 1987 for PLATOON

Rami Malek – 1st Oscar nomination (lots of accolades for TV’s MR. ROBOT)

Viggo Mortensen – 3rd Oscar nomination

 

WHO WILL WIN?  This is a tough one.  Many folks are banking on Christian Bale (think of that range – from EMPIRE OF THE SUN as a kid to THE MACHINIST to BATMAN to Dick Cheney).  The other big contender is Rami Malek – who has garnered a lot of love this award season.  I’m going with Bale.

 

ROMA has one big thing going against it.  Netflix!  Will the Academy be kind to a film that has been released by a company that wants to completely change the way films are consumed by the public?  Netflix knew they had to get this film into cinemas in order for it to get serious Oscar consideration…and we played it at THE NEON because I consider it the best film of the year.  But Netflix rarely wants cinemas to play their films…they want consumers to subscribe to their service.  They are not team players and the integrity of how a film is viewed is low on their list of priorities.  Big corporate profits over artistic integrity seems to be the order of the day…even when filmmakers ask for their films to get more theatrical exposure.  So we’ll see what happens…do members of the Academy care about all of this…or will they base their votes on the power of this film?

THE FAVOURITE divided our audience at THE NEON like no other film this year.  We had people see it numerous times and we had people complain that the film was “pornographic” or “stupid” or “wasn’t funny at all.”  It’s my opinion that this very dark comedy has a lot to say about the lengths people will go to gain power…and it also speaks about the disconnect by many of those in power and the people they represent.  I think it’s a brilliant film (although one with a very grim worldview).

A STAR IS BORN – this is the 4th version of this story.  The 1937 version won a special award for its use of color and also won a “Best Screenplay” Oscar.  The 1954 Cukor version (with Garland) did not win any Oscars (and is the strongest version of this story).  The 1976 version with Streisand won “Best Song”…and this latest version will also win Gaga an Oscar for “Best Song.”

One special note about the other nominees is that Hannah Beachler, a woman who grew up in Centerville and attended Wright State University for Motion Picture Production, is the first ever African American to be nominated for “Best Production Design.”  BLACK PANTHER has broken a lot of barriers this season, and it’s exciting to see Beachler get such wonderful recognition (she’s had an incredible career – working on such wonderful films as FRUITVALE STATION, MOONLIGHT and many more…including Beyonce’s LEMONADE).

A couple quick notes:

It’s hard to believe that this is Spike Lee’s 1st Oscar nomination!

Alfonso Cuaron is nominated for 4 Oscars this year…not only did he write and direct ROMA, he also shot and produced it.  All four of these roles have received recognition.

Foreign films have received a lot more love than usual this year.  In addition to ROMA’s 10 nominations,  COLD WAR received 3 nominations (WARNING…BIG PLUG AHEAD…COLD WAR is currently playing at THE NEON), NEVER LOOK AWAY has two nominations, and BORDER is nominated for “Best Makeup.”  And speaking of foreign films (ANOTHER BIG PLUG), CAPERNAUM, one of my absolute favorites of 2018, opens this Friday at THE NEON.

WHO WILL WIN?  The only way ROMA won’t win this year would be for “political” (aka Netflix) reasons.  I feel pretty confident that it will win regardless.  But if it doesn’t, the Oscar could go to GREEN BOOK – a film that despite some controversy, has received a lot of awards and admiration this season.

Neon Movies on Fifth Street. Photo by Lew Hann

As for our Oscar Screening Party...as always, it’s FREE!  The Academy Awards will be screened in our large auditorium this Sunday, February 24 – and you could win awesome prizes throughout the night…including our grand prize from our friends at Square One Salon & Spa. Ballots are available in our lobby and must be turned in before the first award is presented.  We hope you’ll join us!  We’ll be seating as close as possible to 7:00pm for the pre-show.

Hope to see you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

The Brightside Celebrates its Grand Opening

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The renovated Vodvil Ballroom will be revealed at The Brightside’s Grand Opening on October 12, 2018.

The much anticipated grand opening of The Brightside Event & Music Venue is happening this weekend, Friday October 12th, 2018. Lots of love and labor has gone into this once forgotten space near the corner of 3rd & Keowee. Now this renovated industrial event space is ready for parties, weddings, concerts, art shows, and community events, right in the heart of downtown Dayton.

Owners and artists Carli & Hamilton Dixon started this project a decade ago, drastically transforming the space into multiple businesses, The Brightside being the final installment. They are ecstatic to invite the community to celebrate with them as they reveal their finished Vodvil Ballroom, in addition to the cozy bar space that has been open for events the last year. (To learn more about their story, click here)

The grand opening party will kick off with a two-hour VIP party, from 5:30-7:30pm, which requires tickets and will feature a ribbon cutting! Then the space is open to the public from 8pm-12am. Please feel free to drop in to check out this newest multi-use space in downtown Dayton!

HOW TO GO?

Where: The Brightside Music & Event Center, 905 East Third Street Suite B, Dayton, Ohio
When: Friday October 12, 2018. VIP Party 5:30-7:30pm (tickets here). General public 8pm-12am.
More Info: https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/
https://www.thebrightsidedayton.com/video-the-brightside-story

Join “Influencers for Action” Launch Party on October 5th

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October 5, 2018 marks the launch of Influencers for Action, an Instagram Influencer-led register to vote project based in Dayton, Ohio. The organization features a team of 80 Influencers, of which approximately 2/3 are from the Dayton-area, who will use their platform on social media to relay useful information about the upcoming voter registration deadlines to their followers.
Cumulatively, the Influencer team possesses an audience of over 200,000 followers. Notable Dayton Influencers include Lauren White, the new executive director of UpDayton, and Libby Ballengee, co-host of Gem City Podcast. Other Influencers from outside of Dayton such as Julianna Van Golen, a high-fashion model who was featured in NYFW, have also joined the project.
To celebrate the start of this unique project, Influencers for Action is hosting a launch party at W.O Wright’s Pub on October 5th. Doors open at 9pm, and is a free event until 11pm. Entry is $5 after 11pm as live music will be provided from two Dayton Influencers, Ty Spacely and Tony Splvsh. Drink specials include $3 draft beers and $2 well shots. To RSVP or get more information, click here.
How to Go?
When: Friday October 5, 2018. 9pm. Live music starts at 11pm.
Where: W.O. Wrights at 3979 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Beavercreek.
Cost: Free 9-11pm. $5 at the door, after 11pm.
Who: 18+

Don’t Fear The Reaper at Pisanello’s

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We got a Reaper Pizza and divided it in 4 flavors !

In the Dayton suburb of Franklin, one pizza reigns supreme, Pisanello’s Pizza .  This restaurant has quietly been spinning out pies for the past 30 years.  Inside the community of Franklin, they have gained a loyal, cult following.  Pisanello’s makes hundreds of pizzas each weekday and thousands of pizzas on the weekends.   Outside of Franklin, this place is a well-kept secret.  But now, The Food Adventure Crew is letting the masses know about this.

One of their biggest attractions, literally, is the Reaper Pizza  – a 34 inch monster with your choice of toppings.  They even have an eating challenge called the “Reaper Challenge” where 2 people must eat the pizza in 30 minutes to succeed.  But we say, order the Reaper pizza with a group and let the Food Adventure begin!

Now to learn a little bit about the Pisanello’s secret….

 

Welcome to Pisanello’s in Franklin

HERE’S THE SKINNY on PISANELLO’S PIZZA:

—Pisanello’s Pizza started in Alliance Ohio in the early 1960’s.  It branched out to Kent, Ohio and eventually Bowling Green, Ohio, in October 1964.   Jerry Liss, of Kent, Ohio, started the Bowling Green business  after working for Ron Pisanello.   Jerry chose Bowling Green, because of the growing student population of Bowling Green State University.  With his wife Sylvia, they ran the store for 50 years, to great success. It is still a success today.

—With over 15 franchises in Ohio and Michigan, the chain is strong.

— The Franklin Pisanellos is celebrating their 35th year in business.  Owner Tom Combs and Marketing director Bruce Horstman run a well oiled machine.  Busy weekends are no problem, as the staff is always hustling with great service.

— Staying with a family theme and atmosphere, no alcohol is sold or allowed on site.

Spicy Asian Wings – the best on the menu

— The pizza dough is made from scratch every day and the sauce is made in-house, with the famous San Marzano brand tomatoes from Italy.

— Sharing the restaurant with sister company TLC Catering, Pisanello’s hosts parties in any of the 3 floors of their building and the party rooms are incredible.

 

MUST EATS at PISANELLO’S PIZZA:

—THE REAPER PIZZA:
Behold the Masterpiece. This behemoth, 34 inch pizza is sliced into squares, although you can ask for pie slices. The one topping Reaper starts at $34.95 and the deluxe gets up to $54 bucks. You can get up to 4 different sections with different toppings.

—SPICY ASIAN WINGS:
An amazing combo of tang and heat, these are the best wings we have had at a pizza joint in the Dayton area. Although they are baked, they maintain a crisp crunch and stay true to the Buffalo Wing style.

—LOADED TATER TOTS:
Who doesn’t love tater tots? Jackie and Ragu devoured these on the spot during our visits. Get them loaded with cheese and bacon. Sour cream? YES ! or…. dip them in ranch or ketchup !

—ANY PIZZA:

Loaded Tater Tots

We were very impressed with the pizza on our visits. They have a nice selection of toppings and we have loved our pies from cheese, to loaded deluxe. The Hand tossed is our favorite style, aka the traditional style. Great Crust, great sauce, the foundations of what makes great pizza, and they have excelled at both.

—MILD WINGS:
The slight tang to the Buffalo Wing. Mild, yet a bit of flavor, this is the perfect wing to compliment pizza. They are great, and you could eat ton of them.

—CHEESEY BREAD:
A must eat appetizer at Pisanellos.The cheese topped crust is great for dipping and savoring. A solid choice to open the meal.

—KIDS MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA OPTION:
The most fun a kid can have is making their own pizza, right? This is an ingenious meal where they serve the kids raw ingredients, of crust, cheese, and sauce, and the child makes their own pizza. You then give the pizza uncooked to the server who pops it in the oven and in a few minutes, the kiddos are eating their own creations.

Don’t forget the pizza by the slice deal “2 huge slices and a drink for $5.95.”  

Also, we cannot stress enough the amazing beauty of this building.  The upstairs floor are refurbished party rooms.  They are perfect for your next meeting or get together.

So many great tastes, so little time.  Although this place has been here 35 years, so you have all the time in the world….

The bottom line is that this is a great pizza pub, with delicious pies.  Go there with some friends and try the REAPER… or go with your immediate family and get a pizza of your choice.  We are sure you will find it a tasty stop with friendly service.  It isn’t just Franklin’s little secret anymore ….

Love food?  Then check Food Adventures out on Facebook HERE.  We write a feature article every week right here on Dayton Most Metro.  See you next week !

Top that

Main Dining Area

more tots and a sandwich

perfect for meetings and parties

by the slice

More upstairs rooms

Dough fixer

Party time

Busy Kitchen

Pizza by the SLICE

Philly Cheesesteak

Cheese and onion

Mild wing

Taking on the REAPER !

Fun times – Franklin Ohio

Murals

Cheseey Bread

The 34 inch REAPER PIZZA !

Pizza with Green Peppers

Make your own pizza

Logo

Spicy Asian wings

Kids make your own pizza

Box it

 

 

Halloween Drink Recipe: Yellow Zombie

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The Yellow Zombie

Hosting a party?  Looking for a chilled, laid back drink to serve guests that will will keep them howling?  Just need something to sip in between trick or treaters?

Each month we share a seasonal recipe, and this month, we have a quick, easy, and fun tip.

Big Ragu has a little Halloween cheer in this month’s Food Adventure recipe.

We think you will like it, like a Walking Dead Zombie loves a good shoulder.

Need a hand with this recipe ?

Let us exspleen…

We call it …

THE YELLOW ZOMBIE

 

In a blender,  spin:

8 ice cubes
12 ounces of rum 
4 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
4 ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
4 ounce pineapple juice
4 ounce cream of coconut
4 ounce triple sec
1/2 banana

Blend until consistency of a smoothie

Makes 4 drinks

Eye hope you like the drink

 

Rots of luck …

Stay tuned each month as Chef House, Big Ragu,  and Hungry Jax share monthly recipes.

Also, check back for our feature food articles on Dayton food spots, right here on MostMetro !

HAPPY HALLOWEEN  ………… enjoy !

Yellow Zombie

Whatcha gonna garnish it with

Dayton’s Food blog since 2008

Stick it to your guests

Beach

Zombay … zom bay .. za hombay bay bay bay

 

 

 

Local Winery to Host Hog Roast June 3rd

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Get your tickets for June 3rd’s Wine and Swine Hog Roast with Live Music

Each attendee gets their own bottle of wine… (over 21 only)

Does that get your attention for this event at Kennedy Vineyard in New Madison Ohio, near Arcanum?

Well, what else? A Hog Roast with all the fixins and Live music featuring local talent.  From Acoustics to bands, this day promises to be a special Food Adventure.

Directions are easy just get to 70 west out towards Greenville – hit US-127 North to OH-722 W and you are there.  THATS IT !

Beautiful outdoor and indoor seating, Wine Tasting Room and more

Tickets are on sale online for just $25 and include an itinerary from 2pm – 10pm.

You may want to bring a folding chair, as there is limited seating.  Attendees can mingle on the patio, inside the tasting room, around the Vineyard and in the concert barn.

KENNEDY VINEYARD is a locally owned, family run business featuring wines using Niagara and Concord grapes grown on site.  They have a Riesling that is a little champagne like and delicious as well.  Feel free to browse the menu below and check out the various wine choices. Most are sweet with a fruitty finish, again due to the Ohio grapes.

White, Blush, and Red wines available

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKET FOR SATURDAY JUNE 3rd’s EVENT 

Why waste 4 hours driving to Put in Bay when you can have a local party with a group of friends right here at the Vineyard??

This is a perfect chance to get a car full of friends and make the short jaunt to the winery and spend a day full of fun.  Good food, vino and music.  The price is a great deal.

 

HERE IS THE ROUGH SCHEDULE  (Subject to change – not set in stone)

*** SATURDAY JUNE 3rd ***

2pm WINERY OPENS – Guests arriving between 2pm-5pm get to choose their own bottle of wine

3pm – 5pm – LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC

4pm  – 6pm – DINNER IS SERVED – Hog Roast , Pulled Pork, Potato Casserole, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans

7pm – 9pm – LIVE BAND

Wine slushies also available for purchase

10pm – WINERY CLOSES

NOTE: Winery bar will also be open from 2pm-10pm if you want to buy additonal wine, wine slushies, etc…

 

Join us for a laid back, relaxing day of food, music and wine.  This is a great, one time only event you do not want to miss.  Drink some Ohio wine, visit with friends and enjoy some local musicians.  Browse the gallery below and see what to expect on the the grounds of Kennedy Vineyard.

Also – take a moment to “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here.  It is the best way to stay on top of the best local eats and drinks.

 

Owners Louisa and John Kennedy are hosting the wine dinner

The comfortable tasting room

Tasting Room

part of the Farm

Lots of good views and comfortable seats

Fruitty wines white and red

Wonderful wines

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW !

Join us at WINE AND SWINE ! JUNE 3rd

TIFF 2016 – Day #1

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a-quiet-passion_poster_goldposter_com_1personal-shopper-poster

Hello Everyone.

With the pass that I have, I can screen as many “press/industry screenings” that I’d like during the festival.  That said, those screenings are just screenings.  It’s awesome to have the opportunity to see so many films with an audience, but part of the reason I come to a festival (people come for a variety of reasons) is to hear filmmakers talk about their craft.  Thus I have the opportunity to obtain two “public screening” tickets per day.  Public screenings are the fun, glamorous screenings where they roll out the red carpet and hold Q&A’s with directors, producers, screenwriters and actors. These tickets are only available two days in advance of each screening, so I find myself in line every day during the festival…usually before 7am.

This morning, I was out to obtain tickets for Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT and a curated interview with Isabelle Huppert.  Both take place on Saturday…and I got both!

Then I was off to my first screening at 9:00am – Kenneth Lonergan’s MANCHESTER BY THE SEA.  This film had a lot of tonal qualities of Lonergan’s first feature – YOU CAN COUNT ON ME.  With a wonderful central performance by Casey Affleck (and a spectacularly touching small role by Michelle Williams), the story is about a man who seems to lead a rather thankless life of mundane routines (he’s a janitorial handy man for an apartment complex).  When he gets a call that his brother has passed away, he is forced to confront lingering pain from his past – told through a series of flashbacks.  Though I thought the film was a bit overscored, the drama really works and the story unfolds in a lovely way.  There were a couple moments of schtick that I thought seemed a bit out of place – but so is life.  I think this film will go far.

Olivier Assayas’ PERSONAL SHOPPER was next on my list.  This non-traditional ghost story had me teetering back and forth throughout…I was invested, I was raising my eyebrows, I was intrigued, I was disappointed…and then I ultimately was sold by the final 10 minutes.  Kristen Stewart gives a great performance as a woman who shops for high-end designer clothing and jewelry for a wealthy client who is always on the go.  She’s also a medium.  While trying to connect to the spirit world for a client, she’s also hoping to catch a sign from her recently deceased brother.  Assayas’ previous work included THE CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (with Juliette Binoche as well as Stewart) and of my favorites from TIFF in 2008 – SUMMER HOURS.  This film won’t go down as one of my favorites, and I know many people will be quite disappointed, but I was a fan by the end.

The third film of the day for me was Terence Davies’ A QUIET PASSION – a film about Emily Dickinson starring Cynthia Nixon.  The film opens in a sort of parochial school.  A teacher asks students who have given themselves to Christ to go to one side and for students who are still working toward giving themselves to Christ to the other.  Left in the middle is one student – a young Emily Dickinson (at this point played by Emma Bell).  The dialog is sharp and thoughtful (one of the best strengths throughout the film), and the teacher eventually tell Dickinson, “You stand alone in your rebellion.” This telling line haunts the remainder of the film.  Though I found some filmmaking devices to be odd choices (one superimposed was particularly weird), it’s ultimately a thoughtful and visually stunning film with wonderful performances and some very funny moments due to razor sharp dialog.

The official “Opening Night Film” was a big Hollywood remake – THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, directed by Antoine Fuqua (SOUTHPAW, BROOKLYN’S FINEST) and starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and many more.  Here’s the point that some of you might find disappointing…I left 20 minutes into the film.  (I almost never write about films that I don’t finish.)  I went to the Opening night with my friend Glenn Kiser – a great filmmaker who attended The Dayton LGBT Film Festival with his short film SABBATICAL.  We had “great” seats – very close to the stage…only paces from all of the stars and director.  The movie started an hour late and the speakers were above us – thus pushing the sound far behind us and bouncing off the back walls.  Having difficulty understanding any of the dialog, we decided to leave.  Not being a film I would seek out under any other circumstances, I wasn’t disappointed…it gave me a great opportunity to catch up with Glenn and finally grab dinner.

 

At the end of the day, I’ll simply say I’ve seen 3 films (and a dozen stars) so far.

Thanks for reading!

More soon,

Jonathan

Secrets of Cassano’s and The Dough Plant

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Chip Cassano inspects the hi-tech equipment in the dough plant

***** WIN A FREE PIZZA WITH THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW ***** JUST COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN – winner will be chosen at random on Monday
For decades Daytonians have taken pizza for granted.  We don’t realize that Dayton, Ohio is one of the most important cities in the world when it comes to the history of pizza.  And it is all because of Vic Cassano and his mother-in-law Caroline “Mom” Donisi.

Now, 63 years later, The Cassano’s franchise is going strong, and not just in the pizza restaurants.  Cassano’s headquarters on Stroop Road in Kettering is also a facility for dough production.

Vic Cassano Sr. in his early Pizza Days during the 1950’s

— SECRET 1: What most Daytonians don’t know is their dough is produced here, and sold nationwide.  Whether balls of dough or sheeted pizza crusts, hundreds of restaurants serve products made with Cassano’s dough.  We are not allowed to name the companies, but let’s just say they are some big wig, national restaurants, that you definitely would recognize.  There are also hundreds of small restaurants that use Cassano’s, dough as a shortcut for great pizzas, calzones, breads and more.

After a year of preparation, Food Adventures is ready to tell you a story, much of which is unknown to Miami Valley residents.  It is the untold insight into the dough plant, the history and personal triumphs of the Cassano family.

Hand cutting hundreds of pounds of dough from the mixer

Before we get to secrets inside the dough plant lets get the scoop on Cassano’s history:

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON CASSANO’S

— JUNE 4th, 1953 – At the urging of a friend in New York, Vic Cassano decides to sell pizza at the Kettering grocery store of his in laws, Mom and Pop Donisi.  Using a thin crust recipe developed by Mom Donisi from her days in Italy, they make pizza available for the public.  It is a huge hit, and they sell 400 pies the first day on Schantz Avenue.  It is Dayton’s first introduction to pizza.  Needless to say the grocery store, soon became a

The Cutter presses 6 inch to 18 inch crusts for freezing

pizza shop.

— SECRET 2: THIS SUMMER DATE in 1953 ALSO MARKS THE INVENTION of THIN CRUST PIZZA in THE UNITED STATES.  Don’t let anyone tell you different, Dayton, Ohio is the center of that storm.  That would have been a hell of a day for a Food Adventure.   

Dough Balls are produced through a mostly automated system

— SECRET 3: Vic Cassano decides to cut the pieces in tiny squares.  WHY?  Because in 1953 it wasn’t “lady like” to be holding and handling big slices of pizza in your palm.  Cassano’s square slices were the polite and dainty way to enjoy the Italian treat.
— SECRET 4: Vic Cassano was not only a pizza genius, he was a mechanical genius.  He patented the first self cleaning oven.  To this day, his family  still finds dozens of papers in the office, detailing patented inventions from cooling and refrigeration systems to appliances.

Vic Cassano Jr. streamlined operations efficiently

 — SECRET 5:  Cassano’s was the first franchised restaurant in Ohio and possibly the United States.  The early 50’s were a time of business and law challenges, as many scenarios were never seen before.  Cassano’s was instrumental in the development of what we know today as franchising laws.  This allowed Cassano’s to steadily grow in the 50’s and 60’s.

Heart Shaped Pizza option in February

— SECRET 6:  Vic Cassano’s company was the first to ever freeze dough on a large scale.  He experimented with recipes and developed a full Italian menu.

— Owners of the local iconic pizza places like Marion’s Pizza and Ron’s Pizza, originally had affiliations with Cassano’s.

— In the 60’s and 70’s,  Cassano’s added affiliated restaurants like Sandy’s Hamburgers and London Bobby’s Fish and Chips.  They now had over 100 stores in total.  They served pizza on a cardboard slate, and “to go” orders were slid into bags and crumpled at one end, while leaving a”puff” in the bag, so not to damage the pizza or its toppings.

Unforgettable Tour of the Dough Plant – and Dough Samples !!

 — Here comes THE BIG CHEESE: In the early 80’s Cassano’s introduced their masterpiece pizza, the Big Cheese Pizza.  This was their deluxe pizza with double the cheese on top.  This became a menu staple and you can still order the Big Cheese “Vic’s Way” (with black olives) or “Mom’s Way” (with green olives).   During this time, Cassano’s started serving their “to go” and delivery pizzas in boxes.

—  In 1986, Vic Cassano sold the business.  A year later Mom Donisi passed away.  As the family saw their former business struggle in other people’s hands, so Vic Jr. decided to buy it back in 1989.  It was a short hiatus and the pizza business atmosphere was saturated with saturated with national and local companies.  To say it was extremely competitive is an understatement.

Side view of a legendary Cassano’s Pizza in the making

— With Vic Cassano Jr. at the helm, the 90’s were the start of a new, efficient direction of cutting waste and streamlining the business.  It worked.

— Vic Cassano Sr passed away in 2002, at the time his son kept rebuilding the brand and would expand operations at the dough plant.

Sheeted Pizza Crusts, stacked and ready to be packaged

— The amazing strides and improvements in efficiency, allowed more investment in equipment.  A centralized call center was finished in 2003.  Vic Cassano Jr. had turned the corner and was working on bringing back some nostalgia back to Cassano’s like the Pizza King logo, the London Bobby Fish and Chips and more.  In, 2010, Vic Jr. unexpectedly passed away.  To his credit, he had prepared his children Lora, Chip (aka Vic the 3rd), and Chris over the past decades to take on the new leadership role.  They did just that, carrying on the vision of their father and adding even more to the legendary name.

An up close look at the one and only BIG CHEESE PIZZA !

— Today, under the management of the third generation Lora Cassano-Hammons, Vic Cassano III, and Chris Cassano, there are almost 40 pizza shops and over 600 employees.

— Product developments included bringing back “Pizza Packs to go” and a new “Home Edition” Frozen Pizza line found in stores and available to be shipped nationwide.   The Stroop Rd. location has gone back to carry the “London Bobby Fish and Chips” meals again.

London Bobby’s Fish and Chips available at the Stroop Rd. Cassano’s

— About 3 years ago, The Cassano’s Cares Foundation  was set up.  It is the charitable arm of Cassano’s set up in memory of Vic Cassano Jr.  Their purpose is to give back to local charities and organizations.  Memorable events included an evening with Pete Rose and a Corvette giveaway.  There is also an annual golf outing to support the foundation as well.  There is even a Vic Cassano Health Center on Edwin C Moses Blvd.

— In June 2016, almost 63 years to the day after the first pizza was sold, the Ohio Historical Connection declared the Cassano’s Stroop Rd. office a historical site.  Now your Food Adventures on Stroop Rd, can be truly historical !

 

Now, let’s go from modern history to secrets inside the Dough Plant …..

These two flour silos hold 75,000 pounds of flour… EACH !

INSIDE THE DOUGH PLANT:

— SECRET 7:  The dough plant, located at 1700 East Stroop Rd.  produces approximately 50,000 – 70,0000 pounds of dough daily.  Only about 20 percent of that is for Cassano’s restaurants.  The remaining 80 percent is sold to other food establishments.

— SECRET 8:  The plant uses 30,000 pounds of flour each day.  The facility is equipped with 2 huge flour silos that each hold 75,000 pounds of flour.  WOW,  this place would make Willy Wonka proud.

Caroline “Mom” Donisi. Her recipe from Italy was the spark

— SECRET 9:  The plant has a capacity to produce about 8,000 pounds of dough in an hour.  Depending on the size, that can equate to 100-200 dough balls per minute during the morning shift.  In the afternoon shift, the plant switches gears to produce pizza crusts from 6 inches to 18 inches in diameter.  The crusts are shrink wrapped to prevent breakage and boxed and loaded into a freezer or  refrigerated delivery trucks.

The Chopped Steak Sub

— SECRET 10: The dough recipe has been tweaked slightly over the past 20 years.  When making pizzas these days they even “tack” the dough with a docker to control bubbling of the dough.  Remember those bubbles in the 70’s and 80’s on Cassano’s pies ?  You don’t see those anymore.

All this talk about dough has us a bit hungry.. may Food Adventures suggest some “Must Eats” from our decades of devouring Dayton’s original thin crust pizza?  CASSANOS !

Cassano’s Headquarters is named a Historical Site, June 3rd 2016

MUST EATS:

— THE BIG CHEESE “VIC’S WAY”:  Mounds of cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, Mushrooms, Onions and Red & Green Peppers, Black Olives and more cheese!  This is it.  This is the Cadillac of the Cassano’s menu.  So good, it will make you sleepy afterwards.  A flavorful, filling, and unforgettable pie.  As Vic used to say.. “It’s one heck of a pizza!”

— THE CLUB CASSINI: Ham, Pepperoni, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Provolone Cheese and Italian dressing on a Mediterranean flat bread bun.  This was a great

Packaged Dough, ready for the freezer

surprise and has such a meaty and creamy, delicious flavor.  This is an unknown menu gem.

— PEPPERONI PIZZA WITH EXTRA SAUCE:  The Big Ragu has been using this trick since 1986.  He suggests you always order your Cassano’s pepperoni pizzas with extra sauce. They take their time and spend a little more time on your pizza.

— THE CHOPPED STEAK SUB:  Get your messy groove on with this Steak patty, topped Provolone Cheese, Pizza Sauce,  dripping with Mushroom Gravy, sprinkled with Onions and Banana Peppers.

Dough off the conveyor belt

— THE 30 INCH PARTY PIZZA:  Get it, you only live once.  Perfect for parties – birthday or super bowl.  $100 gets you a deluxe and 80 bucks gets you a one topping pizza pie.   This humongous pizza is a party in a box…. a pretty big box.

We are honored to be able to take a behind the scenes view at the Cassano’s pizza and dough plant.   The factory employees and management are always friendly and

Top it with sauce and you got something going….

accommodating.  Thank you for letting us see the legendary Dayton magic firsthand.  Congratulations to the Cassano family on all of their accomplishments.  They are a great family and we are lucky to consider them friends.  We are excited to see what the future holds for this Dayton original.

Honorable Mention: The Spaghetti Dinner:  Sometimes we just crave the simple pasta and sauce combo.  So pure, so peasant, so good….

Don’t forget to check out our weekly Food Adventure feature articles on MostMetro. com

For daily Food Adventure updates, hit us up on Facebook and LIKE US HERE….

Pizza Kings and the Hit King – Pete Rose

1970’s pic of Mario Andretti with the famous pizza pie in a bag – old school

Now available frozen – cooked 80% for you to finish cooking at home

Frozen Dough ready to go

Chip has given us a few tours of the plant,.

Stroop Rd Headquarters

Part of the Cassanos Call Center

Chicken Parm

Trimmed dough gets recylced

Sheet Pizza Dough

Dough cutters

Sauce it up

Compressing the Dough to crust thickness

Look at those pallets

True dat

Hungry Jax’s kids were Cassano kids for a day !

THE BIG CHEESE – VICS STYLE

Dough balls

Pepperoni pie

Chip, PIzza King and Chris Cassano

Pizza with Pete Rose

London Bobby Fish and Chips Dinner

Did you know Cassanos has hand tossed pizza ?

Our friend Mike explaining the dough process

sealed !

Shrunk wrapped to prevent breakage

All those pizza crusts …..

The Big Cheese is the way to go …

Cassanos ships these all over the USA

Into the freezer

The Pizza King, Lora Cassano and Big Ragu !

Chip talking about the automated processes of the plant

Ravioli app

Dough coming through

Cassanos – always testing the dough

A pepperoni Cassini – Ragu loves them….

Archer’s Celebrates 6th Birthday! All Week!

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Half off all bar drinks all week (beer, wine, liquor)

The uber popular eatery, Archer’s Tavern will celebrate it’s 6th birthday starting tomorrow with a week long celebration of activities.

The restaurant located at 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike,  is also known by the intersection of 48 and Sheehan Rd., across from the Mega Kroger in Centerville.

Food Adventures has loved this place since this place since the get go.. Why?  It is a simple formula, good food, good service , good prices.  They also have a great draft beer list.  Whether you are a regular customer, or havent tried the place, this upcoming week is a great time to catch some fun events at Archer’s Tavern.  

 

HERE IS THE SKINNY ON THE 6th BIRTHDAY WEEK PARTIES:

SATURDAY JUNE 25th– Their famous CRAWFISH BOIL for $7  plate.  It goes from noon – till its gone.  This is a MUST EAT !!   Can you eat more plates that than the Big Ragu who will be stopping by?  Also, featuring Louisiana Brewery, ABITA beers that pair perfectly with the “mud bugs.”

 

Crawfish $7 a plate Saturday at noon

SUNDAY JUNE 26th– They will feature a BLOODY MARY BAR, CORNHOLE, LADDER BALL, and GIANT JENGA. All day Sunday.

 

MONDAY JUNE 27th– It is a BEACH PARTY on the patio. Hawaiian shirts are a must !

 

From MONDAY JUNE 27th thru FRIDAY JULY 1st – you get half-priced bar drinks from 11am-9pm (beer, liquor, wine).

Happy 6th Birthday !

 

TUESDAY JUNE 28th– Archer’s Tavern’s official birthday! There will be BIRTHDAY  CAKES and it is PATIO POUNDER DAY where you can MAKE YOUR OWN SANGARIA CONCOCTION.

 

Owners Dan and Mike have a lot planned next week

WEDNESDAY JUNE 29th– ALICE IN WONDERLAND THEME.  Dress up as your favorite character as Archer’s taps kegs of MAD HATTER BEER !

 

THURSDAY JUNE 30th– Sports day! All kids wearing a sports jersey get a FREE COOKIE !!  Also, BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS, 9am – pancake breakfast – FREE !  All young athletes and parents are welcome to the motivational seminar from former Buckeyes Tim Williams and Donnie Avege.  Also former Philadelphia Eagle, Andy Harmon will be in attendance.

Keg tappings and more

 

FRIDAY JULY 1st– SUPERHERO DAY – BATMAN AND BATGIRL will be on hand to meet the kids. You are welcome to take photos.  We have a feeling Hungry Jax’s kids will take advantage of this one…

 

The Big Ragu will see you at Archer’s

It is a great week to eat and drink to your heart’s content.  Stop in and you may see some of the Food Adventures Crew at some of these events.

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY ARCHERS TAVERN !! – we wish you many more years of success.

 

Want more food scoop on the Miami Valley?  Follow Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here…

Over 300 articles on Dayton Most Metro and 7,000 followers on FB.  Since 2008, we are your foodie news source.

Flown in Crawfish from Louisiana !

Beers and Crawfish boils – this Saturday

Look at those crawfish

Crawfish Boil

Archers – good food, good service , good prices

The Burgers at Archer’s really stack up

1/2 off all drinks all week

it is worth repeating half off drinks ! ALL WEEK !

Archer’s – 6 years of success in Centerville

Plenty of seating – see you there !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Michael Moore Film Now Playing at THE NEON!

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Where_to_Invade_Next-727341632-largeHello Everyone,

We just opened a documentary that is insightful, optimistic and terribly funny – Michael Moore’s WHERE TO INVADE NEXT. Knowing Moore’s work, you might look at the title and feel as though you already know where this film is going…but it’s actually quite a different tone (more below). In addition, we’re holding ANOMALISA as well as the OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS (we’ve even brought back the documentaries for a few screenings). On February 19, we will open the new highly-anticipated Maggie Smith film – THE LADY IN THE VAN.

Synopsis for WHERE TO INVADE NEXT: “WHERE TO INVADE NEXT is an expansive, rib-tickling, and subversive comedy in which Moore, playing the role of ‘invader,’ visits a host of nations to learn how the U.S. could improve its own prospects. The creator of FAHRENHEIT 9/11 and BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE is back with this hilarious and eye-opening call to arms. Turns out the solutions to America’s most entrenched problems already existed in the world – they’re just waiting to be co-opted.” (taken from Drafthouse Films) Entertainment Weekly wrote, “Where to Invade Next is so heartfelt and sincere, it’s tempting to say that Moore’s mellowed with age. But beneath its innocent-abroad optimism, the film has a stinging truth that’s hard to ignore.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Our friends at ThinkTV are helping us once again to get a signal for our Annual FREE Oscar Party! This year’s telecast will happen on Sunday, February 28, and Ballots (where you can predict the winners for awesome prizes) are now available in our lobby. Our friends at Square One Salon & Spa are once again donating a fantastic prize that will part of our Grand Prize – “The Star Treatment.” Keep tuning in for more details!

“The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton will sponsor a screening of OPPOSITE FIELD on March 5, 2016 at Noon. This is the club’s fifth annual fundraiser at THE NEON, and this movie is a classic underdog sports story about an Ugandan Little League team. This documentary is inspiring and will have the audience displaying a wide range of emotions as the team makes history as the first African team hosted by the Little League World Series. This is a great film for adults and our youth. The funds raised will go into the Junior Leaguers Club scholarship fund. The tickets are $30 for adults (which include movie, glass of wine, glass of soda, and popcorn) and $15 for students (which include soda and popcorn). Tickets can be purchased at THE NEON. Guest speakers for this screening will be Mr. Ron Johnson, president First Dayton Little League and Mr. Keith Byars, former NFL professional player and a little league player in his youth.” (taken from press notes)

Due to the upcoming holiday, we will have later hours on Sunday and earlier hours on Monday. Please see all of our upcoming showtimes below.

We hope to see you soon!
Thanks for your continued support!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Saturday, Feb. 13 – Thursday, Feb. 18:

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: ANIMATION (NR) 1 Hr 26 Min
Saturday, Sunday (Feb 13-14): 9:30
Monday (Feb 15): No Screening
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Feb 16-18): 3:15

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: LIVE ACTION (NR) 1 Hr 47 Min
Friday – Thursday (Feb 12-18): 5:10

ANOMALISA (R) 1 Hr 30 Min
Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Feb 13-15): 12:00, 7:30
Tuesday (Feb 16): 7:30
Wednesday (Feb 17): No Screening
Thursday (Feb 18): 7:30

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS: DOCUMENTARY (NR) 2 Hr 44 Min
Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Feb 13-15): 1:50
Tuesday (Feb 16): No Screening
Wednesday (Feb 17): 7:30
Thursday (Feb 18): No Screening

WHERE TO INVADE NEXT (R) 1 Hr 59 Min
Saturday, Sunday (Feb 13 & 14): 11:50, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 9:50
Monday (Feb 15): 11:50, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (Feb 16-18): 2:50, 5:20, 7:45

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Feb. 19 – LADY IN THE VAN (Maggie Smith – need we say more?)
Mar. 4 – JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE
TBD – 45 YEARS (Oscar Nomination for Charlotte Rampling)
TBD – SON OF SAUL (Oscar Nominated “Best Foreign Film”)
March 25 – KNIGHT OF CUPS
April 1 – I SAW THE LIGHT
TBD – THE LOBSTER, DEMOLITION, THE BRONZE

Aug-tober Fest hits Dayton, August 21st

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The premier beer dinner event in August, is the new AUG-TOBERFEST, a Food Adventure  being held at THE AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT on Friday August 21st at 7pm.    There is limited seating for this beer swilling and fork flinging good time.

 

Amber Rose is again partnering with the Food Adventures Crew and Dayton Most Metro for this one night only bash that promises prizes, giveaways, and more.  Tickets are only available online through DaytonMostMetro .com.    Tickets are $30 each and that includes the tip!  Tickets are Pre-Sale Only and may be purchased by clicking HERE!

 

Celebrate early with this sneak peek at fall called AUG-TOBERFEST, a celebration of great food and Oktoberfest beer, held in the upstairs, private banquet room of Amber Rose Restaurant.

Joe Castellano and his staff have come up with an incredible 4 Course Feast to celebrate AUG-TOBERFEST

 

 

WHAT:   AUG-TOBERFEST BEER DINNER: 4 Food Courses, 4 Beers, 1 Night only

WHERE:    THE AMBER ROSE RESTAURANT, 1400 Valley Street in Dayton 

WHEN:   FRIDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 21st, 7pm 

COST:   $30 each, includes gratuity – PRE PAY ONLY

Without further ado, we present the 2015 AUG-TOBERFEST MENU:

 

— COURSE 1 : 

Hunter Schnitzel will be served at Aug-toberfest !

SAUERKRAUT BALLS and REUBEN DIP with AYNIGER OKTOBERFEST BEER

 

— COURSE 2:

HUNTER SCHNITZEL with SAUERKRAUT and SAM ADAMS OKTOBERFEST BEER

 

— COURSE 3:

BRATWURST AND KNOCKWURST with HOT GERMAN POTATO SALAD and HOFBRAU OKTOBERFEST BEER

 


— COURSE 4:

BLACK FOREST STRUDEL with ERDINGER DUNKEL BEER

 

 

But that’s not all

Amber Rose promises a huge 4 Course Meal at Aug-toberfest !

AFTER DINNER SPECIAL TAPPING: There will be a special after party keg tapping of yet another German beer.  This beer to be named later will have special draft prices as the party continues downstairs at the bar!

Don’t forget – there will be giveaways, trivia, prizes and an overall great party.  Come join us , but please  note, there are limited seats available and once we are sold out, that’s it …

Hungry Jax, The Big Ragu and Chef House hope to see you at this Food Adventure.  We look forward to lifting a mug with foodies and cheering Aug-toberfest.

Remember, tickets are pre-pay only and $30, which includes gratuity. BUY TICKETS HERE

 

Please check out Food Adventures on Facebook and “like” us by clicking HERE. 5,000 fans can’t be wrong

Look for our  food article features every single week on Dayton Most Metro…. until then, see you where the food is…

Our last Food Adventure at Amber Rose was SOLD OUT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ayinger Oktoberfest and an after party keg tapping !

After Dinner there will be Drink Specials on a mystery keg tapping !

Chef TJ and Restaurant Owner Joe Castellano deliver with a fantastic menu EVERY TIME !

Amber Rose hosts AUG-TOBERFEST !!!

 

If you have not been to AMBER ROSE, this is your perfect chance to get a great sampling of their food.

Amber Rose Restaurant is located on Valley Street in Dayton

UPSTAIRS BAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oscar Nominee TIMBUKTU Opens & FREE Oscar Party Details at THE NEON!

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TIMBUKTU-newposter-Oscarnom_{d5704ff5-075b-e411-9d0b-d4ae527c3b65}_smHello Everyone,

The response to STILL ALICE was really terrific this weekend. Most customers agree that Julianne Moore’s performance is honest and beautifully done…and that she will deserve the Academy Award this Sunday. STILL ALICE will stick around, and on Friday, we will open a contender for this year’s “Best Foreign Film” Oscar – TIMBUKTU – the first time a film from Mauritania has ever received a nomination.  The last day for TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT will be Thursday, Feb. 19.  MR. TURNER is slated to open on Feb. 27 and THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is set to open on March 6!

Synopsis for TIMBUKTU: Currently rated 98% Fresh on Rottentomatoes.com, this stunning film is as important as it is beautiful. “Not far from the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu, now ruled by the religious fundamentalists, proud cattle herder Kidane lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima, his daughter Toya, and Issan, their twelve-year-old shepherd. In town, the people suffer, powerless, from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Music, laughter, cigarettes, even soccer have been banned. The women have become shadows but resist with dignity. Every day, the new improvised courts issue tragic and absurd sentences. Kidane and his family are being spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes abruptly in this stunningly rendered film from a master of world cinema.” (taken from Cohen Media) Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal wrote, “If Timbuktu – a nominee for this year’s foreign-film Oscar – were politically astute and nothing more, it would still serve a valuable purpose. But the film throbs with humanity, and abounds in extraordinary images.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Many thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association for their help in spreading the word about our engagement of STILL ALICE. “More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and the the signs of Alzheimer’s are often dismissed as typical aging. Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not normal – it’s one of the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. If identified, these signs should be taken seriously and a doctor should be consulted. Early detection is important so that individuals and families can seek possible treatments that may provide relief from symptoms and allow more time to plan for the future. The Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter is here to help! You can contact their 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or alz.org/dayton.” (The Alzheimer’s Association has literature available in THE NEON’s lobby during our run of STILL ALICE.)

“The Junior Leaguers Club of Dayton will sponsor a special screening of DEAR WHITE PEOPLE on Feb. 28, 2015 at noon. DEAR WHITE PEOPLE is a 2014 American satirical film written and directed by Justin Simien. The film focuses on African American students who attend a predominately white university. This is the fourth annual movie sponsored by the Junior Leaguers of Dayton as a fundraiser for scholarships. The film will be followed by a community discussion led by Jeannette Taylor, program coordinator for NCCJ. The cost is $30 per ticket which includes the cost of movie, soda, a glass of wine, popcorn and the discussion.” (Taken from event press notes.) Tickets can now be purchased at THE NEON’s box office.

The Oscars are this Sunday, and you’re invited to our Annual FREE Oscar Party! Oscar ballots and details are now available in our lobby. Many thanks to the folks at ThinkTV for agreeing to help us get a broadcast signal for the event! Additional thanks to our friends at Square One Salon & Spa for donating a special gift for our grand prize of the night!

The ReelAbilities Film Festival is happening at numerous venues around Cincinnati, but one special screening is coming to Dayton on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30 – ON BEAUTY. “Rick Guidotti, who after 15 years of working for clients such as Yves Saint Laurent, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, grew tired of seeing the same ideal of beauty ‘spit up at us constantly.’ In a moment of serendipity, Rick walked by a young woman with Albinism at a New York City bus stop, and wondered why she wasn’t considered beautiful in his other world. This exploration resulted in a show-stopping magazine spread for Life Magazine called ‘Redefining Beauty.’ The Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival, organized by LADD and presented by Macy’s, is our region’s largest film festival celebrating the stories, lives and art of people who experience disability; all of the film screenings benefit local nonprofit organizations.” For more information or to order advanced tickets, click this LINK to the official site.

On Sunday, March 8 at 3:20 (Please Note – the date in last week’s newsletter was incorrect!), Taller Trees Productions will premiere THE FALL LEAGUE – a locally produced documentary about seniors, softball and life. “This heart-warming documentary captures the story of a Dayton senior league (all players are over age 63), but it goes much further, exploring the impact of the sport in regard to family relationships, the bonding and camaraderie between players, and topics of aging that are necessary considerations for active seniors…the movie has been accepted for the Indy Sports Film Fest Experience in Toronto…and Louisvilles’ International Festival of Film.” (taken from press notes) To read more about the film and its production and to view the trailer, visit the film’s official site by clicking this LINK. Tickets, just $7 each, will be available at THE NEON’s box office beginning this weekend. Many people involved with the production of the film will attend the screening.

“On Sunday, March 15 at 3:00, The Turkish American Society is proud to present a special, one-time screening of director Hasan Kiraç’s TWO HEARTS AS ONE (Birlesen Gönüller). This powerful film – one of the most expensive productions in Turkish film history – is based on a true story. Starting in 1940’s Soviet Russia, and continuing into 1990’s, this is the story of four hearts which couldn’t be stopped by distances and years. Newlyweds Niyaz and Cennet are forced to separate when war rears a violent and chaotic head. Niyaz is taken to Red Army to fight on the Soviet side, while Cennet is sent to a camp when the Nazis took over their village…Woven into the narrative is the story of Yunus and Dilek, a loving couple from Turkey who leave for Almaty, then the capital of Kazakhstan, in the 1990’s. Ambitious Yunus is planning to build a school, but he has no resources at all. His wife Dilek sympathizes and supports him, but their enduring poverty wears her patience and resolve – until a chance encounter provides some much-needed perspective. Tickets for this special event are $10 and will be available on the day of the event (to purchase tickets in advance, visit The Turkish American Society – 2601 East Fourth Street). Presented in Turkish, with English subtitles.” (Taken from press notes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=154LpFZZBnI

Thanks for your continued support.
We hope to see you this weekend – at the movies and our Oscar Party!

Stay warm,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Feb. 20 – Thursday, Feb. 26:

TIMBUKTU (NR) 1 Hr 37 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:45, 2:50, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Sunday: 12:45, 2:50, 5:00
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:15, 7:30

STILL ALICE (PG-13) 1 Hr 41 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
Sunday: 12:40, 3:00, 5:15, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:15, 5:30, 7:45

OSCAR PARTY (NR) Runtime: Who Knows?!
Sunday: Seating begins at approximately 7:00

COMING SOON:

(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

Feb. 27 – MR. TURNER
March 6 – THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL
March ? – WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS
March ? – LEVIATHAN
March ? – RED ARMY
April 3 – WOMAN IN GOLD
TBD – MOMMY
March ? – WILD TALES
TBD – GREY GARDENS

Free Summer Party Downtown

By

Photo PosterThe Dayton Metro Library is inviting the whole community to a Summer Party.  There will be free entertainment, games, contests and hands-on activities for the whole family on Saturday, August 9, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Main Library and in Cooper Park, downtown Dayton.
Chuck Duritsch from the Dayton Metro Library says, “We want to celebrate not only our summer readers who worked hard and met their goals, but also have a fun afternoon for everyone!”

 

What’s in store?

 

Visit the Technology Petting Zoo to see the latest gadgets, then pet puppies from the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Make your own cotton candy, then ride a blender bike and make a smoothie. Time the Rubik’s Cube champ, learn break dancing skills from Deja Kru, and meet a young Yo-Yo Master. Book swaps, henna tattoos, physical challenges, chess games, storytimes, oh my! There’s too much to mention. Suffice it to say there are activities throughout Cooper Park and inside the Main Library as well – plenty for adults and children to have a fun, free afternoon. Food vendors will be on hand for the purchase of food and beverages, but all other activities (from the Active Zone to the Zoot Theatre puppets) are FREE.

 

“This is a chance for families to come together for a fun, free event to celebrate the summer,” said Diane Farrell, Director of External Relations for the Library. The Library invites you to come enjoy an afternoon with your friends, family and neighbors at the Dayton Metro Library as we wrap up a super summer and get ready for a fabulous fall!

 

More details from the Library:

 

The event features:
  • Hands-on activities, crafts and experiments
  • The Kids BookMobile
  • The Batmobile with Batman and Robin
  • Curious George, The Cat in the Hat, Heater and Gem from The Dayton Dragons and costumed Star Wars characters
  • The Zoot Theatre Company puppets
  • Music by DJ Dan Edwards
  • An active zone with hula hoops, jump ropes, Frisbees, bubbles and bikes
  • A Book Swap for all ages, plus more!

 

 Partner organizations and guests include:
  • Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission teaching bike safety
  • Humane Society of Greater Dayton showcasing pet adoptions
  • Boonshoft Museum of Discovery meeting animals up close
  • Muse Machine – leading active story and dance
  • Ohio Virtual Academy and Chaminade Julienne High School – getting hands on with STEM labs and slime
  • Rosewood Arts Center – exploring comic book art
  • ThinkTV – PBS Kids Island
  • Time Warner Cable – science behind cotton candy
  • Dayton Mom-Spot Blog – book and swag bag giveaways
  • Welcome Dayton – language activities
  • Prevent Blindness Ohio – coloring and eye health
  • EarthFare – Sun Safety
  • Yo-Yo demonstrations, break dancing and the national Rubik’s Cube champion

 

Admission and all activities are free.  Food trucks will be on hand for the purchase of food and beverages.  Summer Reading Club participants of all ages can bring their completed folders to the Party for special prizes.
For more information, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s External Relations Department at 937-496-8901.