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Bike Miami Valley to suspend operation of LINK Dayton Bike Share Program.

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LINK Dayton Bike Share will suspend operations this fall (September 30th). LINK Dayton Bike share is a program ran by Bike Miami Valley, a non-profit cycling advocacy organization.
Bike share systems across the nation are facing unique challenges that have proved difficult for these donor funded systems to navigate, including rising costs, operational challenges, rising expenses for insurance and a lack of insurance providers willing to cover bike share programs. These have also impacted the LINK Dayton Bike Share system and are major contributors to the decision to suspend operations.
LINK Dayton Bike Share was launched in May of 2015 in the spirit of community collaboration between and has served the Dayton core for 9 years. 120,665 Trips to date with 66,790 total unique users. LINK Dayton Bike Share was created to make biking more accessible for all, provide “last mile” transportation throughout the urban core, as well as improve livability, and provide a healthy, environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
Downtown Dayton has changed drastically since LINK Dayton Bike Share was first introduced, with increased housing, entertainment, restaurants on the positive side with less workforce active during working hours.
LINK Dayton Bike Share sees annually: over 50K rides in recent years, with 5K unique users and currently has 38 stations throughout downtown Dayton, nearby neighborhoods, and the University of Dayton campus.
The LINK system has historically been supported by donors and sponsorships, with only a small portion of revenue coming from ridership.
We want to show gratitude for all the Founding Sponsors of Link: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Bonbright Distributors and New Belgium Brewing Company, CareSource, City of Dayton, Five Rivers MetroParks, Montgomery County, PNC, Premier Health, Public Health – Dayton and Montgomery County’s Creating Healthy Communities Program, Sinclair College and the University of Dayton for their support.
Bike Miami Valley’s mission “to advocate, promote, and create opportunities for all forms of bicycling in the Miami Valley” will continue as it has since the organization’s founding in 1979. The Regional Chapters will continue to conduct advocacy and events. Bike Miami Valley will continue to support the Miami Valley Cycling Summit, held next, in Springfield in 2025.
Bike Miami Valley and LINK are currently open to other possibilities for the continuation of the LINK Dayton Bike Share system, including a transition to another community partner.

Five Guys Introduces Patty Melt

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Five Guys is excited to announce a new official menu item inspired by a popular menu hack. The Patty Melt, which combines a grilled cheese, juicy patty and the toppings of your choice, will officially join the menu at select Five Guys locations starting September 1, 2024.

Known for its customizable burgers and fresh-cut fries, Five Guys allows customers to enjoy unlimited flavor combinations. The Patty Melt evolved from customer requests and offers a delicious new way to enjoy the classic Five Guys taste.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Patty Melt to our menu at test locations,” said Jerry Murrell, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “Our customers are integral to the Five Guys story. We hope that the addition of the Patty Melt to the menu makes them feel like part of the Five Guys family, too.”

The Patty Melt will be officially available on the menu at 194 Five Guys locations. However, customers can still order a Patty Melt at any location nationwide. It has always been an option through customizations, but now ordering is easier for customers.  Before this test, it was known as a grilled cheese and add a patty, but now all stores know the name. 

Five Guys

3286 Pentagon Park Blvd.
Beavercreek, OH 45431

1004 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd
Centerville, OH 45459

5808 Wilmington Pike
Centerville, OH 45459

1143 Brown Street
Dayton, OH 45409

7781 Old Troy Pike
Huber Heights, OH 45424

10635 Innovation Drive
Miamisburg, OH 45342

1994 N Bechtle Road
Springfield, OH 45504

Duck Pin Bowling League Starting

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On Par Entertainment is hosting an 8 week Duckpin Bowling League that kicks off Tuesday, August 27th at 6:30pm. Gather your friends and family to form a team of 4 to compete in this laid back du league! Substitutions are allowed. The league runs for 8 weeks and costs just $1 per person each week. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams at the end of the league.

Duckpin bowling is a variation of ten-pin bowling, with the biggest difference between the two games being the size of the ball and pins used to play. In duckpin bowling, players roll a ball slightly larger than a softball down the alley to knock down the pins. The pins used in duckpin bowling are smaller and lighter than the pins used in regular bowling games, making it more difficult for players to earn a strike.

Duckpin bowling is a ten-frame game where the goal is to knock down as many pins as possible with the fewest number of rolls. Each player gets three rolls per frame in an attempt to knock down all their pins. The catch, however, is that the size of the ball and pins makes it a challenge for players to knock down multiple pins at once. The point system in duckpin bowling is similar to traditional ten-pin bowling in that if a player knocks down all the pins in a single roll, they earn a strike. Players receive ten points for each pin they knock down in a turn, and if a player knocks down all the pins in the first two rolls of their turn, it is scored as a spare.

On Par Entertainment

4464 Indian Ripple Rd,
Beavercreek, OH 45440
937-705-6024

Where To Get A Cuban Sandwich in the Miami Valley

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National Cuban Sandwich Day is a tribute to flavor found in a toasted pressed sandwich. It’s no secret that the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich — as the name suggests — is from the largest island nation of the Caribbean. The sandwich is mostly characterized by its delectable blend of ham, cheese, pork, and mustard and is also know as a Cubano.

Where to find one in the Miami Valley, according to our experts on Dayton Foodies:

Chino Cubans
You must add yourself to the online  waiting list and when your time comes around you’ll get a message telling you how to about how to get your order.

El Meson

 903 E Dixie Dr, Dayton, OH 45449
Bryan Suddith writes,”It should come as no surprise that El Meson, specializing in Spanish, Caribbean and South American fare should have the area’s best Cuban sandwich. The Pork is seasoned perfectly with spices I can only describe as uniquely Cuban. Oregano, cumin, parsley, black pepper, all together smells of a Cuban country kitchen. They layer the pork alongside pickle, mustard, and swiss. Finished in a press, the roll comes back with a crunchy exterior ready to handle the juicy pork. Order it with a side of black beans. Sit on the patio, enjoy the sunshine, imagine you are in a Havana cafe all for under $10.00.

La Michoacana Mexican Market #5

748 Troy St Dayton, OH 45404

Brittany Danielle Smith says, “ The portions are huge. The Cuban sandwich was bigger than my head.”

Charlie’s Deli 

429 Troy St, Dayton, OH 45404

Jim Chrissis says Charlie’s Deli makes one that is decent. Get him to customize it as you like it (I asked for a little salami and some mayo on mine, to approximate the Tampa style) and they will accommodate. He will press it as well.

We’ve also heard that Harens Market in Troy, The Cheesecake Factory, Dayton Street Eats and sometimes Chappas in  Moraine also have good Cubans.  If you’ve found one we don’t know about, please leave us a comment below.

Centerville’s Thai Village Hosts Soft Opening

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Those of us who are big fans of Thai Table on Far Hills in Centerville should be happy that the former owner there, Sue Whitted, has decided to continue to grow her presence in the Thai food scene! She also owns Thai Kitchen at 2335 Miamisburg-Centerville Road in Miami Twp and  Hello Thai at 3301 Dayton Xenia Road in Beavercreek. Thai Village at Cornerstone is quickly filling the space left behind by Core Life Eatery. Trust me, this is an upgrade.

I was able to attend the soft “soft” opening this week and we were welcomed into a refreshed space staffed by smiling faces. Our party decided to divide and conquer. We started with the wings and soft rolls for the appetizer round. The wings came out first and they were a knockout. They were cooked perfect, not very crispy, but tender and juicy under the sweet and sour glaze.
Second up were the soft rolls full of fresh veggies and shrimp. The peanut sauce is as expected.
For our entrees we ordered the shrimp pad thai at the mild spice level, the beef pho at a medium level and the Tiger Roll (tempura shrimp and tuna) was the visual star of the show.
We caught a peek of the cheese rangoon and they were huge and crispy, the folks who ordered that looked happy from our vantage point.
The pad thai was full of flavor and shrimp! They didn’t cut corners on the veggies, garnish or peanuts. We all three tried it and the heat was on point for mild as ordered. The pho was big, full of flavor, packed full of tender beef, and the accompanying sprouts, herbs and peppers were fresh. We did miss having hot sauce, fish sauce, lime wedge or hoisan on the table. But the cilantro, sprouts and peppers added that fresh punch you always want. We chalked up the lack of sauce and lime to opening night hiccups. The pho came out at medium heat and caught our throat appropriately.
Finally, the Tiger Roll. Gorgeous, full of shrimp and veggies, and just perfectly presented. The spot has a dedicated space for the rolls and I’ll be back to explore more of their custom creations.
This week they are open for continued soft opening as they work out final menu details and put on the finishing touches to the dining room. Give them a follow on Facebook to keep up with their progress as the move toward a full opening after Labor Day.
If you loved Thai Table you are gonna love Thai Village at Cornerstone.
Thai Village
5201 Cornerstone N Blvd,
Centerville, OH, 45440
(937) 739-8888

 

Soft opening hours through Sept 1:
Mon-Thursday 11am-3pm and 4:30pm-9pm
Friday 11am-3pm and 4:30pm-10pm
Saturday 12pm-3pm and 4pm-10pm
Sunday 12pm-3pm and 4pm-9pm
a limited menu during soft opening

Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Is Back

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From August 26 – November 17, 2024, Olive Garden fans can score bottomless pasta for $13.99 per person—the same price as when the deal returned in 2022 following a two-year hiatus. The promotion includes all-you-can-eat pasta for in-restaurant dining only. Olive Garden e-club members can enjoy the Never ending pasta bowl now.

The promotion includes endless pasta, endless soup, endless salad, and, the real star of the show, endless breadsticks. For an extra $4.99 (the same as before), customers can add endless toppings to their pasta, with a whopping 80 different flavor combinations to choose from. Options include:

  • Pastas: Fettuccine, Spaghetti, Rigatoni, and Angel Hair
  • Sauces: Creamy Mushroom, Traditional Marinara (vegan), Five Cheese Marinara, Traditional Meat Sauce, and Alfredo
  • Toppings: Meatballs, Italian Sausage, and Crispy Chicken Fritta for an extra $4.99.

The best part of the return is it will only cost $13.99, the price that was seen before inflation.

Now, those who want to spice up their pasta can choose from 80 different flavor combinations

According to the restaurant chain, there are 80 different combinations of sauces, pastas, and proteins that Olive Garden  fans can order.

Calling All Poets: Be Dayton’s First Poet Laureate!

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The City of Dayton, in partnership with Culture Works, is now accepting submissions for Dayton’s first-ever Poet Laureate. This role will celebrate Dayton’s culture, promote literacy, and inspire a love for poetry in the community. The Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term, participating in civic events, composing poetry that reflects the city’s diversity and heritage, and engaging youth through poetry education. Compensation for this position is $1,500 per term.

Eligible candidates must be 18 or older, currently live or work in Dayton, and have a record of published or commissioned work. Applicants should demonstrate literary excellence and a commitment to fostering poetry in the community. To apply, poets must submit an artist statement, a CV, and three original poems. The deadline for submissions is October 1, 2024. For more information and to apply, please visit cultureworks.org/poetlaureate.

Celebrate Miami Valley Craft Beer Week

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Miami Valley area breweries come together to celebrate the booming brewery scene in the Greater Dayton area with a week jam-packed full of local beer and brewery events. Miami Valley Craft Beer Week that runs through Sun, Aug 25th.

“We now have over 30 breweries in the Miami Valley region and the time was right for us to put together a week of celebration and awareness about the amazing local beer scene we have. We hope patrons will visit as many local taprooms as they can and see the creativity happening right here in our community”, said Brett Smith
Co-Founder and Head Brewer of Branch & Bone Artisan Ale

 

The following is the schedule of special events and tapping at our local breweries:

 

Branch & Bone Artisan Ales
905 Wayne Ave, Dayton |937-723-7608

free 4-9pm
Thursday- Live Music with Steven “Crash” Worley 6:30-9:30pm
Friday- Live Music with Benny Hill 6:30-9:30pm

Crooked Handle

Springboro -760 N. Main Street

Tuesday- Toofer Tuesday, Buy 6 wings, get 6 wings free 4:00-9:00
Thursday- Live Music with Steven “Crash” Worley 6:30-9:30
Friday- Live Music with Benny Hill 6:30-9:30
Sunday- Just Joshin’ Around Trivia 6:00-8:00
Piqua- 123 N. Main Street

Tuesday- Toofer Tuesday, Buy 6 wings, get 6 wings free 11:30-10:00 and
Just Joshin’ Around Trivia 6-8pm
Wednesday- Queen of Hearts Drawing ticket sales end at 7:45, drawing at 8pm. Pot is over $5300

Hairless Hare Brewery

738 W National Rd, Vandalia | 937-387-6476

 

 

 

 

 

Loose Ends Brewing Company 890 S Main St, Centerville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Warped Wing Dayton Taproom
26 Wyandot St, Dayton | 937-222-7003

Tues Aug 20th 4-10pm
Mr. Mean Imperial IPA Pilot Series Tapping + Tuesday Night Trivia (trivia begins at 7pm – free to play! no limits on team sizes)

Wed, Aug 21st, 4-10pm
Cotton Candy RadioVision Hazy IPA cask tapping

Fri, Aug 23rd 3pm – midnightl
Cuvee 1796 bottle release & tapping
+ Killer Brownie pairing!

Join us for a unique beer & brownie pairing event featuring some
unique brownie flavors

You Can Be The Star of Young’s Jersey Dairy Community Talent Show

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Are you ready to shine in the spotlight? Young’s Jersey Dairy has announced the return of their annual Community Talent Show! Whether your talent is singing, dancing, juggling, or performing magic tricks, they’re calling on YOU to bring your talent to the stage. They are on the hunt for extraordinary local talent, hidden gems waiting to be discovered in our wonderful community. The show will be Friday, August 27th from 6-8pm.

This event promises to be an evening filled with fun, laughter, and mind-blowing talent, as your friends and neighbors showcase their unique abilities. But that’s not all – the Talent Show is set to be more than just an exciting spectacle; it’s your chance to star! So, grab your props, warm up your vocals, practice your dance moves, and submit a virtual try out to take part in the grand performance. Who knows? You just might be the star they’re looking for! Apply online.

All participants will be showered with gifts of ice cream at the end of the performance. Any dessert item that you choose is on us!

Dine-In Hawaiian Took Top Prize at Springfield Rotary Food Truck Competition

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Twenty-nine food trucks rolled into Veterans Park in Springfield Saturday for the 10th Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition, but only one of them rolled out of town as the grand prize winner.

Dine-In Hawaiian, from Hamilton, Ohio, earned the $5,000 grand prize for its signature dish, soy-braised short rib with crispy korokke. The winner was determined by a panel of local chef judges, as well as anonymous roving judges during the event.

“It’s been a really humbling experience to be here with all of these phenomenal trucks and we’re truly blessed to receive this award out of so many great trucks. They deserve to have a medal, too, all of them,” said Aaron Kimura, of Dine-In Hawaiian. “Thank you so much for having me, and aloha!”

Tortilla Mexican Street Food, from Hilliard, Ohio, was named the $2,500 runner-up for its barbacoa corn tamales. Raging Bull Wood Fired Pizza, from Urbana, Ohio, was awarded the $1,500 third place prize for its Big Jimmy pizza.

Chef judges determined winning dishes based upon a combination of flavor/taste, presentation/visual appeal and creativity/originality. The panel included:

●  Elizabeth Wiley – Chef/Owner of Meadowlark Restaurant and Wheat Penny Oven and Bar

●  Jenn Disanto – Chef/Owner of Fresco

●  Lisa Freeman – Chef/Owner of Crust & Company, Salato Deli, Le Torte Dolci and

Ironworks Waffle Cafe

●  Issac Soto – Co-owner of Casa del Sabor

●  Doug McGregor – Owner of Seasons Kitchen

Over 500 attendees used the Springfield Food Truck mobile app to vote for their favorite truck throughout the event, with El Cardenal Taqueria, of West Chester, Ohio, taking home the “People’s Choice” $1,000 prize in its first year competing at the event.

“I’ve always heard good things about the event from other trucks and organizations, so I put in my application and here I am,” said Chaz Himes, of El Cardenal. “It’s been a fun event to work, the people are great and it’s a nicely-run organization.”

In addition to the competition’s extensive food truck line-up, this year’s event once again featured live music from local bands and artists, including Mike Manley and Katie Harford, Andy Fox, Add On Room and Terrapin Moon.

Attendees, both new and returning, continue to praise the Springfield Rotary Club for hosting a top-notch event enjoyed by residents from across the region.

“This was my first time attending the event, and I was really impressed by the number and quality of food trucks, the entertainment line-up and the overall atmosphere of the event,” Jack Wallace, of Grandview Heights, Ohio. “My favorite thing I tried was a gyro from Greek Street, and it was delicious. I will definitely be back next year!”

While food truck vendors kept their sales revenue from the day, all money raised from concession sales, corporate sponsorships and donations benefit the many charitable causes of the Springfield Rotary Club. The amount raised from the previous nine years of the event totals more than $300,000.

“The food, drinks and entertainment are just a piece of the equation,” said Eddie Bell, past Rotary president and Food Truck Competition marketing committee chair. “This event is really about creating a lasting difference in our community, especially for our neighbors with disabilities. We’re committed to growing this event every year, making it an essential part of Springfield’s summer and a powerful force for good all year round.”

The 2025 Springfield Rotary Food Truck Competition will return next August.

 

Chef Cece’s Burger Bistro To Be 3rd Vendor at The Silos

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The Silos, the new food hall and beer garden being built at 800 East First St., has just announced their third tenant: The Burger Bistro by Cece’s Kitchen.  She’ll be joining Kung Fu BBQ and Chef Dane’s Nood Bar when the food hall opens next month.  

Chef Centruela “Cece” Collier reveals The Burger Bistro will be serving traditional burgers and sandwiches with great attention to quality ingredients, house-made sauces and toppings, and consistent execution.
Her food is incredible and she’s versatile in her creations. She’s passionate about the food that she creates – and she’s driven to deliver exceptional food and customer service.
The Burger Bistro will offer a traditional American burger along with a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, glazed salmon filet sandwich, black bean burger, sliders, wings, fried mac & cheese balls and of course fries – cheese fries with a house-made cheese sauce that’s sooooo tasty!
Chef Cece will pop-up The Burger Bistro off her food truck before opening at The Silos this Fall. Follow https://www.instagram.com/the_burgerbistro for announcements on pop-up dates.
The Silos still have one more vendor to announce, so stay tuned.

Socialite Cafe Soft Opening

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This Kettering cafe has opened their doors this week in a limited-capacity launch before their official grand opening on Friday, Aug 30th.  Owners Scott and Rebekah Allendevaux, with the help of their five children, Chris, Tim, Chara, Adin and Elora.  They describe their business as a a European-style cafe, serving up coffee, tea and a small menu featuring salads and sandwiches as well as some gluten freesweet treats from Beavercreek’s Purely Sweet Bakery.  Ordinarie Fare will provide plant-forward foods for the cafe.

Decorated with leather couches and chairs, and a section of tables, it’s warmth just invites you lean back and read a book in a lounge chair, grab a bite at a table, sit with your laptop at the bar, or laugh with friends at the couches. There are even a few patio tables outside.

Here’s a peak at the menu when I visited yesterday, though they did mention that they are subject to change during their trial period.

The breakfast menu includes oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches, bagels and pastries.

Socialite Cafe

4011 Marshall Rd
Kettering, OH 45429
Soft Opening Hours
Mon – Fri 9am -2pm
Hours after Grand Opening 8/30
Mon – Fri 7am – 9pm

Local Filmmaker Takes on The Wright Brothers Story

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“The Wright brothers changed the world. Their story deserves to be told
with the same passion and precision they brought to their work.”

At a press conference held to day at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park,  Centerville filmmaker Allen Farst made the announcement of his next feature film: The Flying Machine! Farst has optioned the book “The Bishop’s Boys:A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright, written by Tom Crouch and will write the screenplay and direct the film.  Previous films by Farst include Triangle Park, a documentary about the first NFL game,(which will stream on Amazon Prime in Sept) and Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man, an award winning documentary film about The Rolling Stones keyboardist.

Farst shares “the story of the Wright brothers serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us that with vision, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, anything is possible. Through the medium of film, this message can reach a global audience, igniting the spark of curiosity and ambition in the hearts of aspiring aviators and innovators around the world. In nearly 125 years [2028 is the anniversary of flight] there has not been one major motion picture about the Wright brothers until now and with your support we plan to change that!

But this isn’t just about planes—it’s about the human spirit reaching new heights. Our film captures the awe-inspiring triumphs and heart-wrenching setbacks of the Wright brothers’ who dared to chase the horizon. It’s a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of the impossible.

The story of the Wright brothers serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us that with vision, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, anything is possible. Through the medium of film, this message can reach a global audience, igniting the spark of curiosity and ambition in the hearts of aspiring aviators and innovators around the world. In nearly 125 years [2028 is the anniversary of flight] there has not been one major motion picture about the Wright brothers until now and with your support we plan to change that!”

On hand to share their support, Amanda Wright Lane, Great Grand Niece of Orville and Wilbur Wright  and Stephen Wright, Great Grand Son of Orville and Wilbur Wright.  Amanda shared that basing this film on Tom Crouch’s book will give the world the big picture about the Wright Brothers.  How be used a treasure trove of Wright family correspondence and diaries, Crouch skillfully weaves the story of the airplane’s invention into the drama of a unique and unforgettable family. He shows us exactly how and why these two obscure bachelors from Dayton, Ohio, were able to succeed where so many better-trained, better-financed rivals had failed. She’s sure Farst will be able to use the book to guide his film. “We are thrilled that Allen Farst and Palmar Studios are taking on one of the greatest stories of humankind,” Wright says.

Farst continued,  “this isn’t just about planes—it’s about the human spirit reaching new heights. Our film captures the awe-inspiring triumphs and heart-wrenching setbacks of the Wright brothers’ who dared to chase the horizon. It’s a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of the impossible.

The community is invited to support The Flying Machine. Join a movement to honor the untold stories that shaped the skies we navigate today. Don’t let these tales of bravery and ingenuity fade into obscurity—help us bring them to life on the silver screen for the first time and inspire generations to come!”

To donate to the film or learn more about it, please visit www.FlyingMachineMovie.com

Hollywood Gaming 10 Year Anniversary Celebration

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Hollywood Gaming celebrates their 10 Year Anniversary this weekend with a Paradise Anniversary Party! They invite you to join them to cheer to years of winning, fun and memories that will last a lifetime. They are throwing a HUGE two day party to celebrate 10 years of being in the community with concerts, food trucks and a local vendor fair.
Concerts are FREE and open to the public! Bring a chair or blanket to kick back and enjoy the vibes of the live music! All ages are welcome to attend.

Friday night, August 16th, kicks off our 10 YEAR Anniversary Party! Get down with Dayton Funk All-Stars from 7PM – 10PM.

Enjoy a 10-year anniversary drink special at our container bar, and grab a Zombie Dog to celebrate!

Friday, August 16:
Stan the Man – 6PM – 7PM
Dayton Funk All-Stars – 7PM – 10PM

Saturday, August 17th, the party continues! Festivities begin at 4PM with live music, local vendor & charity booths, PLUS food trucks!

Saturday, August 17:
Vendor Fair – 4PM – 8PM
Food Trucks – 4PM – 10PM
The Growlers – 4PM
Ryan Mundy Band – 6PM
Parrots of the Caribbean – 8:30PM
Fireworks Sat at the conclusion of Parrots!
The following Food Trucks will be available on Saturday from 4- 10PM:

Zombie dogz
Baldhead Tones
Beach Brothers
Bellas Lemon Shake Up
Crazy Eats
Cremedelacreme Cakery
DC Burger
Delish
Jordys BBQ
Lillys Pizza
Mimis Sweet Treats
Oh Boy cafe
Poppys Smokehouse
Renny Henny Wings
Smoque House
Spin City Concessions
Tacos Jalisco Street Tacos
 A dozen vendors will be on hand Sat from  4 – 8PM their goodies:
ACJ Creations
Camilla’s Creations
Classy Niche Collections
Consider it Creations
Dinkley’s Village
Double A Crystals
Enduring Petals
Grigsby Creations
Gypsy Diva Designs
Hemp Honey Soaps
H&S Fashion
Whiff of Wax
777 Hollywood Blvd.
Dayton, OH 45414

Mark Echtner – Artist and Educator

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I visited Mark at his home in Dayton’s South Park neighborhood.  There was no answer when I knocked on his front door so I went around behind.  I walked towards a small frame building at the back of the lot that I thought that might be Mark’s studio.

People tell me that should be my studio” said a voice behind me.  “It’s an old carriage house, built in 1895.  But the light is better inside the house.  I didn’t hear you knock, but since you’re out back you can see my other artistic pursuit – this flower garden.  When I bought this house in 2001 this backyard was just grass.  I’ve planted all of this.”

We went into the house and into a small room off the dining room, with an easel on one side and a walls filled with art.  “Much of this art will be in a show at Sinclair Community College, Building 13 (corner of 5th and Perry) in the 4th floor gallery.  There’s free parking in lot K behind the building.  The show runs from August 12 to September 13 and the gallery is open 8-6 Monday through Friday and 9-12 Saturday.”

Mark’s recent paintings, the ones that will be in his show, are different from the ones I’ve seen several years ago.  I asked him about that.  “I had a desire to include more abstract images along with realistic components, much like this de Kooning image I have framed on my shelf.  This piece is a good example, with the primarily realistic images of the two men and the primarily abstract elements in the lower right.

“The colors of this series are also a change for me.  I used to work in more earth tones but in this series I’m using a lot of cooler, more synthetic tones, more blue and especially magentas.  And I use a lot of blacks to try to anchor things so the painting doesn’t get too busy.   As I work on these pieces it’s less about tightening up my portrayal of something and more about the colors – do I need more blue, not does that eye look right.”

I asked Mark is he’d always been an artist I’ve always been an artist.  “It was sort of a given since infancy.  My parents met in college.  My mother was a painter and my Dad was a metalsmith.  My grandmother was an art teacher and her father was an architect.  Both my sisters went into art as well.  I got my MFA in Miami, which brought me to Ohio from my home in Wisconsin.  Then I landed at Sinclair Community College where I’m a Professor in the Fine Arts Department.”

 

“I rework my paintings a lot.  In one piece a woman was shopping at a corn stand carrying a bag.  Now it’s a man shopping at the stand and carrying a baby.  This piece I’m painting now probably has about 5 more hours of work before it’s done.  I’ve already changed the position of the lady’s hand.  I think I’ll darken the right side, to give the illusion of looking through a screen door.  I’ll also pull the shadows a bit.  And I need to decide if the man’s pants need a pocket.  Now it sort of looks like he’s wearing tights.”

“I’ve created a lot of work for this show at Sinclair, and I’m looking forward to seeing it all up.  You’ve seen a lot of it, Bill as you walk around the house.  But some of it’s hanging beside older pieces and some is stacked two or three deep.  It’ll be fun seeing it as a body of work all hanging together.”

My First Visit to KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

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Tonight was a friends and family preview night and I’ll admit my first visit to KPOT was a bit overwhelming, so many choices to make. Be sure and let your server guide you through the experience. Guests cook their own food at the table, either in a sunken grill or in boiling pots of soup on individual burners. You order plates of raw meats and veggies that are brought to the table, and then you grill or boil them to your preference.  The menu is huge! You’ll find red meat, poultry, seafood, even delicacies like quail eggs, plus loads of veggies, both familiar and new.  You can get just hotpot or  bbq or both for just $5 more. You get two hours (you have a running clock on the tablet you order on) to cook as much meat as you can eat.

We started with the hot pot. You order your soup base, choose from Thai Tom Yum Szechuan Spicy, Tomato Soup, Healthy Herbs, Japanese Miso, Korean Seafood, Mushroom or Gluten Free.

  1. Select your base – if you don’t like the soup you choose it is OKAY. You are more than welcome to ask for a different soup and they’ll swap it out.

  2. Choose any/all proteins– Don’t throw all the meat into the pot all at once. Take a couple pieces with your chopsticks and dip them into the soup. Sway it back and forth about 2-3 times until it is just done.

  3. Order vegetables and noodles –Be prepared when adding flavor sponges (tofu, Napa cabbage) to spicy broths because they absorb heat and can become overwhelming to eat.

Each item you order gets delivered to you on a small black plate for you to add to your soup when you are ready.

Take a trip up to the sauce bar and choose sauces and toppings. You can get a small bowl to mix your own sauce, selecting chopped scallions, garlic, oyster sauce, ginger sauce  olive oils, vinegar’s, sesame seeds, and other toppings to perfect your meal.  Also some rotating appetizers, tonight there were spring rolls, kimchi, french fries, chicken wings and crab lets.

Next we ordered up some BBQ items to cook at our table. We got the spicy pork belly, finger ribs, and jumbo shrimp, with some onions, garlic and  pineapple,  Shrimp came in the shell with the legs on.  ( Tip – the garlic shrimp comes cleaned, order that instead.)
Use the tongs for raw foods once it is halfway cooked use the scissors to cut them into bite size pieces.  When cooking proteins, center heat is hotter. Sear one side and move it to the outside to finish cooking, starting new protein in the center.  Rookie mistake, we didn’t added sauces to our BBQ. If you like sweet, add a touch of sugar, oyster sauce (which is sweet and salty), kpot sauce, or sweet and spicy sauce. If you like a touch of sour, add vinegar (in the bottles on the sauce bar) or the ponzu which is a citrus soy sauce.  If you like sweet, add a touch of sugar, oyster sauce (which is sweet and salty), kpot sauce, or sweet and spicy sauce.
Be aware – you aren’t allowed to take leftovers home, and there is a food waste fee if you over-order and leave ingredients uneaten.

 

KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
South Towne Centre

 2148 Miamisburg Centerville Rd,
Dayton, OH 45459

(937) 640-3628

Sun-Thurs: noon – 10:30 PM
Fri-Sat: 12 noon – 11:30 PM