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Ride the Flyer Bus with Santa

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Those looking for a little holiday cheer need look no further than a free ride downtown on the Greater Dayton RTA’s Flyer bus service as the agency will be celebrating the season with trips with Santa and onboard carolers.

This year the RTA is debuting two “Festive Flyer” buses in constant circulation on the downtown route. The two buses are decorated with snowflakes on the outside and include holiday decorations on the inside. Also included is a custom “selfie photo booth,” where riders can take pictures and share their experience. The Flyer is RTA’s free downtown shuttle, offering rides every 10 minutes between RiverScape MetroPark and the University of Dayton campus, Monday through Saturday.

Santa will ride one of the “Festive Flyer” on select afternoons, including Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 4-6 pm, Saturday, Dec. 14 from 4-5 pm, and Saturday, Dec. 21 from 4-7 pm. Riders can meet with Santa, take pictures, and enjoy free candy canes while aboard.

In addition, carolers will be riding every Flyer bus, including the “Festive Flyers,” on Dec. 6 for downtown Dayton’s First Friday events—more info at www.downtowndayton.org. Carolers from a variety of Miami Valley churches will be onboard singing a variety of holiday music from 5:30-7 p.m. The Flyer will feature carolers again on Dec. 20 aboard all buses from 5:30-7 p.m.

For more information on The Flyer and these special events, visit iriderta.org/TheFlyer.

“Santa, We’ve Been Naughty with Food”

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Has this face been nice?

Has this face been nice?

Dear Santa,

“You see us when we are sleeping, and know when we’re awake. /We know we better be good, but some shortcuts we just had to take.”

The Food Adventures Crew admits it.  We made the naughty list.  Today we come clean about our secret shortcuts we use from time to time while in our kitchens.

THE BIG RAGU HAS BEEN NAUGHTY: 
The Big Ragu has a secret. It is a blemish on his Food Adventure career… Yes it is true, sometimes he fakes it. Sometimes, when in a pinch and he needs some marinara sauce, he turns to a locally jarred sauce. It is one of the only ones

The Big Ragu gets help on occassion

The Big Ragu gets help on occasion

he trusts. Mamma DiSalvo’s Marinara Sauce has saved him in many a tight spots.  From parties, to last minute luncheons, it has saved him from Manicotti to Mostaccioli.  When faced with hours and hours of cooking down a home made spaghetti sauce, sometimes he gets a little help from Mamma!  The sauce is the closest thing to The Big Ragu’s family recipe that he has tasted in a jar.  Ahh and the stress it saves.  Seriously, Foodies out there, this is the best jarred sauce in the WORLD.  Honorable mention to 2 other sauces:  Schiavione’s and Zappia’s, both made locally! I’m sorry Santa, shhhhhh  no one knows!

 

HUNGRY JAX HAS BEEN NAUGHTY: 
Jax has a secret.  Yes, this impeccable home cook has a naughty short cut.  Not even her Elf on a Shelf knows about this one.  Her bad Food Adventure act?  Sometimes she uses American cheese in my mac and cheese.  To top it off, she uses

Jax Mac n Cheese

Jax Mac n Cheese

the Boar’s Head Sharp American Cheese instead of Kraft.  (This is actually a great tip for you cooks out there who love a rich Mac n Cheese.  Hint #2 add maple sausage crumbles into your mac n cheese.)  Ahem .. Dear Santa, I am sorry I have been bad, and if you think I deserve coal in my stocking, I will use it for summer cookouts.

 

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Adopt puppies like me through Miami Valley Pit Crew

CHEF HOUSE HAS BEEN NICE:
Dear Santa, I have been nice.  I would never do anything like those culinary shortcuts, as you know.  If you need a wooden spoon to spank the other two, you can borrow one of mine.  Now to reiterate my Christmas list, let’s go over it again shall we Santa?  To start with, I want a HUGE de-stemming machine, something that can really breakdown the peppers for my sauces.  Also, an endless supply of empty glass bottles would be nice.  And a cleaver, remember? A BIG cleaver. One last thing… how about one more little sweet puppy from the Miami Valley Pit Crew, who rescues local dogs?  (Miami Valley Pit Crew is a great organization that has helped place dozens of dogs into loving homes.  Locally owned, it is a great Dayton area charity to support this holiday season). That’s all, Santa.  (Here is a tip though…  the frozen gnocchi at Trader Joe’s  is a great product if you don’t have time to make your gnocchi from scratch).

 

Have you been naughty or nice this year?  Do you have any shortcut culinary confessions you want to share below?

Please comment and tell us about your naughty Food Adventures!

From all of us at Food Adventures, we with you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a very prosperous New Year.

Have you been naughty ?

Have you been naughty ?

Chef House needs some pepper peelers, Santa !

Chef House needs some pepper peelers, Santa !

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Big Ragu uses Mamma DiSalvos Jarred sauce when he doesnt have enough time for his own sauce

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Chef House has been nice – she wants some more cutlery, Santa

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Jax uses Boars Head instead of Kraft for her Mac n Cheese

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Jax is a whiz in the DLM Culinary Center

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Chef House at a Spicy Olive Cooking Class

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Mac N cheese with Maple Sausage – Hungry Jax made it

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More empty bottles please !

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When it is gonna take hours and you got minutes.. Ragu fakes it

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Manicotti from Ragus Kitchen – he didnt use DiSalvos Sauce this time

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Kitchen Perfection

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A scoop of Hungry Jax Mac N Chese

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Dear Santa – maybe one more play pal for these guys?

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Dear Santa – a pepper processor would be great, thanks !

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Hello .. my name is Big Ragu and this is my manicotti

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Sometimes Ragu is nice …

 

WOODLAND LIGHTS – WALK THE PATH TO HOLIDAY FUN! **Ticket Contest**

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Lights, Santa, action! …. Woodland Lights returns for its 22nd season with the traditional lights and sights people have come to love and a full month loaded with holiday activities.

Visitors to the nightly event can enjoy the beauty of lights sparkling along a half-mile wooded path and reflecting against a woodland pond. Along the trail, whimsical characters and illuminated critters prepare for the holidays, while a real-life Santa Claus visits with children inside an historic log cabin decorated for the holidays.

“Woodland Lights is a place that’s magical and enchanting. Every year, we do our best to stay true to that vision,” says Linda Madden, Woodland Lights coordinator. “The front area feels more like a festival with lighting and animation. The mood at the back is quieter, more pristine, and emphasizes the park’s natural beauty.”

December 5 – December 30, 2014        6 – 9 pm Nightly
Closed Dec. 24 & 25

Nostalgia Nights                                      December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
View the lights, enjoy refreshments & bonfires, and visit with Santa in an historic log cabin through Dec. 23.
COST:  $3     Free for kids 2 & under

Activity Nights on All Other Nights
For visitors who want the most that Woodland Lights offers. Lights, Refreshments & Santa Visits PLUS carriage rides, amusement rides, costumed characters, live deer, games and activities.    COST:  $7     Free for kids 2 & under

Favorite stopping points include nine holiday window displays, interactive lights, the 14th annual collection of home-made gingerbread houses, and a lookout point at a scenic pond that offers a panoramic view of lights and displays reflection off the water. Bonfires, hot chocolate and other refreshments are offered nightly.

FESTIVAL NIGHTS

Festival Nights offer all of the fun of Woodland Lights, plus a full range of festivities including carriage rides, live deer, amusement rides, costumed characters, games and extra activites such as face painting. Kids can play on a fun slide and enjoy seven amusement rides including a small train, Santa swing, twister and pony carts. All nights are Festival Nights except for Dec. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17.

A WARM AND INVITING PLACE TO
VISIT WITH SANTA CLAUS

It’s easy to find Santa at Woodland Lights. Just walk down a sparkling path to an historic log cabin decorated in lights and festooned with greenery. Everything about the historic log home is authentic — from the large beams overhead to the old limestone fireplace. A fire burns each night in a large hearth near Sant’s chair, greenery is draped across the mantle and beams, and a holiday tree sits in the corner.

Santa welcomes children to his cozy cabin every night through Dec. 23. His annual arrival to Woodland Lights takes place at 6 p.m. opening night, Dec. 5, atop a fire engine, with flashing lights and a siren.

The historic Woodland Lights cabin offers an inviting alternative to more commercialized visits with Santa. Parents are invited to take their own pictures, or photos may be purchased for $5.

After Christmas, Santa returns to the North Pole but his cabin stays open for visitors to stop and warm themselves by the fire.

SPECIAL EVENT NIGHTS

For complete details, check the calendar here.

There are dozens of ways to be jolly at Woodland Lights — whether you’re looking for loads of festivities, a quiet walk, a bit of culture, or family activities. Depending upon which night you attend, you can …

Be Silly … Wear a holiday hat or an ugly sweater for a free cup of hot chocolate.

Enjoy Your Pet … Walk the path with your favorite canine at two Bow Wow Walks.

Play Together … Combine Woodland Lights with a Family Fun Night or a Holiday Family Dance Party.

Be Theatrical … Combine Woodland Lights with the Town Hall Theatre production of “Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells.”

Swap for Fun … Participate in a holiday book swap or a Secret Santa Exchange.

Enjoy a Film … Sink into soft seating and warm up with a 30-minute holiday film on the big screen at Rec West.

Be Creative … Make a holiday ornament or enter a holiday coloring contest.

Give Back … Bring a donation for the Firefighter’s Boot Drive to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Contact Us
937-438-7985 or 937-433-0130

How to Find Woodland Lights:

895 Miamisburg Centerville Road; Dayton, OH 45459

Directions from North or South I-75

I-75, to I-675 North (Exit #43), Right turn onto OH-725 (Exit #2) 1 mile to 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road (Left side of the road)

Directions from Northbound OH-48 (If south of Centerville)

OH-48 North, left onto OH-725, 1.5 miles to 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road (Right side of road)

Directions from Southbound OH-48 (If north of Centerville)

OH-48 South, right onto OH-725, 1.5 miles to 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road (Right side of road)

Directions from the East

West to I-675 South, Left onto OH-[form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”] (exit #4), right onto OH-725, 1.5 miles to 895 Miamisburg Centerville Road (Right side of road)

DMM Ticket Contest
We’re got a family four pack of tickets to send a lucky winner to enjoy the lights.  Just like this post, fill out the entry below and leave a comment on why you should win! We’ll post the winner here Thursday night!

Tis The Season To Dine with Santa

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If your children cannot stop talking about Santa Claus, you are not alone.  That’s why restaurants all over town have put together some special opportunities  to allow your kids to meet one of Santa’s helpers.

But here’s a tip for you.  Don’t spring Santa on them. Let your child know they are going to meet a very special visitor. Ask them what they think Santa will wear and talk about how he has a big beard.  Sometimes children will feel more secure of they have siblings or friends accompanying them, however you are the best gauge of your child’s needs.  And be sure and have fresh batteries in the camera!

Here’s a round up of events:

Sat, Dec 4 & 11, 9am
Rusty Bucket
Includes breakfast, special holiday gits, and the opportunity to meet Santa and his holiday friends.  $5 each, advance tickets required- seating will sell out..  


Sat, Dec 4, 9am
Pollen Farms

Santa will join us for this special breakfast at Polen Farm. After eating you’ll have some individual one-on-one time with Santa. Seating is very limited so register early. Everyone must register including parents.  $6 for Kettering residents, $10 for all else.

Sat’s in Dec 4, 11 & 18, 11am
Have a special lunch with Santa and then visit the Tike’s Shop at the Schuster Center. Reservations required. Call for cost and reservations. 910-8000.
Every year for the past 30 years L’Auberge has been proud to present our traditional pre-Christmas brunch for the whole family. There will be one seating at 12:00 – 12:30 pm starting with Santa Claus and gifts for the kids and adults followed by our carol singers.  $39.50 per person
Sat, Dec 19th 8am
anta Claus will be here December 18 at 8:00 a.m.  He will be checking everyone’s list.  Be sure to mark your calendar and reserve your spot for breakfast with Santa Claus.  Space is limited!  Activites for the morning include breakfast, crafts, a special story and time to share that important wish list with Santa.  Photo opportunity available, please bring your camera.

The menu includes:  Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, breakfast breads, cereal, fruit, juices, milk, and coffee. Children 2-12 years $7, all others $10


Mon, Dec 20th 5-8pm
Dinner with Santa on Monday, December 20th (that was the only date he was available)
Pictures, candy canes and one of Santa’s elves will be here to help!
Kids Menu for the evening:
**Pasta with Red or White Sauce
**Cheese Pizza
**Grilled Cheese Sandwich with fries
**Mini Burger with fries
**Chicken Fingers with fries
If I’ve missed any, please feel free to add them in the comments below!