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Free Relaxation, Meditation & Yoga offered at Fairfield Commons Mall

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Recently I interviewed the three Dayton Police Majors, asking them what we can do to preventatively to help defeat the opioid crisis. “Teach people coping mechanisms,” was the resounding response. They explained that often they encounter good people who simply don’t know how to handle life’s disappointments, so they turn to drugs. It made me wonder what coping mechanisms are best, and really work?

In today’s heated and divisive political climate, again, people are searching for ways to de-stress and get perspective. Again, what is the best way to do just that? Turns out, whatever reason you may be seeking inner peace, meditation is far and away, one of the easiest and most effective ways to handle these difficulties.

In the Dayton area, accessing meditation and yoga (a physical form of meditation), just got a whole lot easier! The Heartfulness Institute, an all-volunteer non-profit organization associated with the United Nations, has expanded their facility to include a space in the Fairfield Commons Mall. There, they are offering free Relaxation and Meditation sessions and donation-based Yoga classes! This is the Institute’s first location inside a mall in the United States!

What is their motivation? To provide those coping mechanisms people so

desperately need. The Heartfulness group feels it is part of their service to humanity, to teach these relaxation and meditation techniques, so that each individual, and ultimately the world, can find peace.

Heartfulness Meditation is practiced in over 110 countries around the world. The Beavercreek center at 3153 Lantz Road has been open since 2000. This will be a 2nd location for them inside the mall in Beavercreek. Please make a point to stop out for either the grand opening this weekend, or anytime you need some relaxation, peace and harmony. This is the perfect way to unwind!

Agenda for the Grand Opening of the Heartfulness Center in the Mall at Fairfield Commons:

Saturday, July 22nd, 2017 from 12-6pm. Lower Level near Elder Beerman.

12:30pm Inauguration and Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Bob Stone and Vice Mayor Julie Vann

1:00pm Dr. Gary Huber from Cincinnati to speak on Benefits of Meditation

1:30pm Brian Jones, Cleveland Heartfulness trainer to present on Heartfulness

2:00pm Experience of Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation

4:00pm Yoga with Janae Christopher (Ayurveda Yoga style)

4:45pm Experience of Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation

PS… Mark your calendar for their upcoming Heartfest Wellness Event at the Lantz Rd location on August 19th! Free! For more info click here.

Luminaries of Dayton: Frederick Olt

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Frederick Olt was born in Dayton on September 25, 1874. He was the son of John and Philipena (Linxweiler) Olt. After becoming a partner in the butchering business with his father, Fred decided that office work was more to his suiting and obtained employment with the Schantz Brewery as a bookkeeper. Frederick’s sister, Mary, was married to Adam Schantz. In 1904, he advanced to the position of cashier and in 1906, he decided to go into the brewery business with his brothers and started the Olt Brothers Brewing Company.  Mr. Olt married Laura H. Greve on April 6, 1902.

Fred Olt died August 28, 1958 at the age of 83. He is located in Section 101 Lot 2712.

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.

Nominate a Woman of Influence

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Do you know an outstanding woman in the Dayton region who: demonstrates a commitment to YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women; provides leadership in her profession and community; and gives back to the community through her time, talent and/or resources? Nominate her for the 2018 Women of Influence Awards which traditionally take place in March at the Dayton Convention Center.

Since 1998, YWCA Dayton has set aside one special day to recognize and honor women in our community. They celebrate Dayton’s most influential women, all of whom have made a difference in our community through their dedication to the YWCA mission of empowering women, eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

Selection Criteria:

To be considered for the Women of Influence award, nominees must:

•Demonstrate a commitment to the YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women
•Provide leadership in her profession and community
•Give back to the community through her time, talent and/or resources
•Not currently serving on the YWCA Dayton board of directors
•Not be employed by YWCA Dayton, including contract work

Before you nominate, check here to make sure they have not already been honored.

You can complete this nomination online here.  Deadline for nominations is September 15, 2017.

DVAC turning the CSA on Its Head

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Summer crops are popping up all over Ohio.  Tomatoes are finally red and sweet, the corn has grown six feet high, and summer squash is rising from the earth.  Summer is a time of plenty, but all the glorious produce you see around you didn’t just happen by accident.  Farmers and gardeners across our region put in the time many months ago to ensure a bountiful season.  They tilled and planted, and watched over their crop with intention.  Because of that hard work and commitment to their crops, many of us are lucky enough to have fresh produce, vegetables and flowers delivered to our door direct from our farmers through CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture.

 

Now flip your perspective and imagine instead of a tomato, a painting. Instead of an ear of corn, a photograph, instead of a squash, a limited edition print.  You, as a community member, buy into your “farmer”, but instead it’s a group of artists, and at the end of the harvest you have a beautiful bounty of local, fresh, organic, humanely-raised art work. Annnnd like a traditional CSA, you don’t know exactly what veggies you’d get until you pick it up!

 

The Dayton Visual Arts Center has harvested the talents of four local artists, Amy Powell, Danielle Rante, Francis Schanberger, and Andrea Starkey to create 50 works each to be offered as a “share”– a portfolio of 4 artworks –2 photographs and 2 prints—to the public. Shareholders are invited to pick up their works at the DVAC CSA Harvest Pick-Up Party, on August, 8, at The Dayton Beer Company. But the best part is, everyone’s invited to see what all the fuss is about! Whether you’re already a shareholder or you want to just check it out , the party will be a blast—featuring live R&B oldies from the Old Skool Duo, and Brixx Ice Company pizzas. Admission is free for shareholders (and includes 1 DBC beer ticket) and $10 for all others.

What a unique opportunity to fall in love and bring home four beautiful, signed, limited edition 2D works of art by local artists!

 

This is the second year DVAC has invited art-lovers to be personally involved in nourishing the creation of art by some of the region’s most collectible emerging artists.  Last year’s round included six works of art by six artists and was a great success. This year, each CSA share guarantees four works of art by four talented local artists with the option for unframed, or framed work. DVAC still has shares available, and now is the chance to get the freshest artsy crops before the harvest is over.

 

With 25 years of innovative programming under its belt, DVAC continues to remain on the cutting edge by presenting exciting ways to connect artists and art lovers. The art CSA concept has been sweeping the nation for just a few years now, with cities including Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Chicago, and Raleigh, harvesting their local artist’s works and offering them up to hundreds of art fans. Dayton has long been known as an art town that rivals many others, even bigger in size, but with the development of DVAC’s CSA, DVAC joins a dozen other creative cities that are known for cultivating talented, emerging artists. How cool is that?

work by Andrea Starke.

With the purchase of a DVAC CSA you will receive one original artwork each from four exciting local artists whose work is not only coveted by Dayton friends and collectors, but who have shown in galleries from New York to Copenhagen, and been published in Elle, The New York Times and Time. Since February the artists have been posting works in progress, #dvaccsa #wip pics on their Instagram accounts. Take a look to get a glimpse of the artworks sprouting this year created solely for the DVAC CSA.  Just as farmer’s crops are grown specifically with the consumer in mind, your work of art is created just for you to hang on your wall with pride enjoyed for years to come.

 

An investment in your community, the creative artisans who capture nature, and our living world happening around you, and four new pieces of art for you to have in your home.  This opportunity won’t stay on the vine for long, so be sure to grab a share and enjoy the fruits of your community’s labors with the help of the Dayton Visual Arts Center CSA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dayton Rotary Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant

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The Rotary Club of Dayton has awarded its first Signature Grant in the amount of $50,000 to The Gem City Market project, which is part of the Greater Dayton Union Cooperative Initiative (GDUCI). The check will be presented to Lela Klein, Director of GDUCI and will take place at the Dayton Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon on Monday, July 17, 2017, Noon, at Sinclair College Ponitz Center.

The Signature Grant was the first grant award of this type made by the Club’s Foundation. The Grant’s funding priority is to support a larger project or initiative in the City of Dayton that will make a meaningful and sustainable impact and long-term change in the community.

The goal of the Gem City Market project is to significantly improve food access and related health outcomes for families and individuals living in Northwest Dayton by opening and operating a full-service grocery store that provides access to healthy and fresh foods.

“We are excited about making this first award to such an exciting project and one that will have a significant, positive impact on the residents of Northwest Dayton and many residents in the surrounding area,” said Dona Vella, President of the Dayton Rotary Foundation. The Dayton Rotary Foundation received letters of interest from 60 organizations. The other finalists for the Signature Grant were East End Community Services and Catholic Social Services.

The Rotary Club of Dayton Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the City of Dayton. The Dayton Rotary Foundation also accepts applications for non-profit program grants of $3,000 each quarter of the year.

The Rotary Club of Dayton is a fellowship of diverse business and professional leaders who commit their time and talent to staying informed and serving the club, the community and the world.

The Books Are Back- Won’t Be Long For New Library Opening!

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The New Main Library in downtown Dayton is in the final weeks of preparation before the Grand Opening & Community Celebration on Saturday, August 5, 12-5 pm.

Nearly three miles of fixed shelving have been installed in the new Library. Now, more than 335,000 volumes will be put in place. Collections that had been stored at the Westwood Branch and Gentile Building during construction, as well as the collectionthat had been available to the public at the Temporary Downtown Branch, are taking their places on the shelves.

 

The Temporary Downtown Branch was closed last week in order to move the collection out. It reopened on Monday with service limited to public computer access and pick-up of materials on hold only. It will close permanently to the public on Wednesday, August 2, at 6:00 p.m.

 

Special Collections (Local History and Genealogy materials) are being settled into their new space in The Dayton Room on the Main Library’s second floor. Special Collections include vintage books and materials that require special care in handling. The Dayton Room also features flatbed and cradle scanner/copiers that visitors can use to digitize and preserve their own family documents.

 

“At the old Main Library, Special Collections were tucked away in the basement,” said Jamie McQuinn, Special Collections Manager. “We are looking forward being in the new Main Library, where Genealogy and Dayton History have a prominent, convenient location on the second floor. Researchers will love our new spaces.”

 

Also this week, more than 2,200 pieces of new furniture are being set up and arranged throughout the building. From desks and tables to comfortable chairs and couches, the new Main Library will be filled with bright, functional new furnishings.

 

For more information on the Dayton Metro Library’s facilities improvement projects, go to DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call (937) 463-BOOK.

 

Belmont Grows Together with a Party in the Park

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The Mural Machine’s Wayne Avenue Mural

After a great response from their South Park community mural along Wayne Avenue, The Mural Machine will be working with the Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council for a Mural Painting Party in the Park at Nordale Park in Belmont on Sunday, August 13.

“It was so exciting to see their murals being painted all over Dayton,” said Kim Petro, member of the Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council. “We’d already been talking with Etch and Tiffany about doing a mural on the pavilion at Nordale Park and we’re even more excited to have them come to Belmont now!”

More than just a day of community mural painting, the Mural Painting Party in the Park will feature sports tournaments, local artisan vendors, door prizes, a 50/50 raffles, and popular local food trucks.

“Doing a mural in the park, we wanted to make the day into a party for the whole community,” said Reggie Swickard, board member of the Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council. “In addition to the mural painting we’re going to have vendors, sports tournaments, food trucks will be on hand, door prizes, raffles and a whole lot more!

The Mural Machine and Volunteers working hard on the Wayne Avenue Mural

Belmont is an amazing neighborhood and we want to take a day to celebrate that while beautifying one of our great parks!”

Zombie Dogs and The Drunken Waffle will be serving food all day long and local artisan vendors are encouraged to submit applications at https://daytonfun.wufoo.com/forms/zu3q7110dk837z/.

Basketball, kickball and disc golf tournaments will be announced in advance, in addition to other details, all at www.facebook.com/BelmontEastmontHearthstoneCommunityCouncil/.

“Belmont is affordable and friendly. Not only is it close to a number of great businesses and recreation areas in Dayton, it’s home to quite a few of them,” Petro said. “We’re putting the spotlight on all of that. It’s going to be an awesome event!”

The first raised beds of the Nordale Community Garden

Money raised will be used to offset mural costs in addition to help fund the growing community garden in the park.

A park clean-up will be held on Aug 12th in preparation for the Mural Painting Party in the Park. Volunteers are needed and you can contact Reggie Swickard at [email protected] for more details.

This is a free event that is open to anyone of any age! For more information check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BelmontEastmontHearthstoneCommunityCouncil/

Tropical Escape

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The first Hilton outside the U.S….and home of the original pina colada.

In 1979 the song “Escape” was written by a man named Rupert Holmes. He wrote in on a lark, about a man who is unhappy with his marriage, and goes seeking a woman through the personal ads in his local paper. After some correspondence, they agree to meet at a local bar. To the man’s surprise, the woman that he meets is his wife that he is so unhappy with. They realize that they have more in common than they thought, and live happily ever after. The song also lived happily ever after, being one of the most popular songs in the 1970’s, and one of the first number one songs of the 1980’s. It is the only song to be a number one hit on Billboard in two different decades. The writer of the song was proud of the fame and money that the song brought to him, but horrified that it was the only song he is known for. It was renamed shortly after it came out (with his reluctant permission) as “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” July 10th is National Pina Colada Day, and while you may want to enjoy the song over and over on your iDevice, I suggest you try the drink that made the song such a hit.

Pina coladas (in Spanish, “strained pineapple”) are one of the few cocktails we have a solid date as to when it was introduced. On August 16, 1954 the pina colada was introduced to the world by a bartender named Ramón “Monchito” Marrero at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was tasked to create a signature cocktail that would service the high end clientele that was coming to hotel on a regular basis. The hotel already had a drink that involved coconut juice, Bacardi rum, and the newly introduced Coco Lopez, served in a coconut. The coconut workers went on strike about that time, and so they had run out of coconuts. Instead, the decision was made to serve the drink in the husk of a pineapple, adding the final flavor and giving birth to a new drink. They also substituted the traditional Bacardi for Don Q Gold rum. It was by most accounts originally shaken and strained over cracked ice. In 1978 the drink was named the national drink of Puerto Rico.

A taste of the tropics.

That is not the only story, but it is the most popular and consistent one. It is rumored that a pirate named Roberto Cofresí invented a similar drink at the beginning of the 19th century that he shared with his crew.  He did not write it down or tell anyone the recipe, so the drink died with him in 1825. The name of the drink was also mentioned in the magazine TRAVEL in 1922, without the coconut but adding some lime juice. Restaurant Barrachina, also in San Juan, claims to be the birth place of the modern pina colada. Bartender Ramon Portas Mingot added heavy cream to the mix and blended it with ice, creating the frozen libation we all know and love today. That was in 1963, and the restaurant has a plaque on the outside on the restaurant to commemorate the event.

When you order it today, it comes out frozen in a fancy glass, possibly with whip cream on top of it. Most places follow the same recipe, and there are very few variations on the drink. They do exist, like the Miami Vice (strawberry daiquiri layered on top of a pina colada), the Chi Chi (substitute the rum for vodka), or the Kahula colada (substitutes the rum for coffee liqueur).  If you want to make one at home, here is the recipe:

Pina Colada

2 oz. of light rum
2 oz. Coco Lopez (or other cream of coconut)
4 oz. pineapple juice
1 cup of ice
Maraschino cherry and pineapple wedge for a garnish

Add the rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and ice into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a hurricane or other tall glass, and garnish with the pineapple wedge and cherry. If you want to make it a little sweeter, add .5 oz. of heavy cream. There are also recipes with some Angostura bitters for some extra spice. To make the non-frozen version, put all of the liquid ingredients into a glass over ice, and shake well. Then strain the cocktail over ice into the hurricane glass. You can even take out the rum entirely if you want to.

Rupert Holmes may have regrets about his pina colada adventure, but a well made one is delicious and refreshing in the summer months. It is also a lovely reminder of warm Puerto Rican beaches and cool breezes coming off the Caribbean. Find a patio on July 10th, order one up, and relax. Salud!

 

Fair-well to S. Main Street – Free Ticket Offer

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Montgomery County Fair opens this week

Next week will be the end of an era in Dayton.  The 165th Annual Montgomery County Fair will be historic, because it marks the last time the event will take place on 1043 South Main Street.  

2017 is the last time the fair will be held here

For multiple generations, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds has hosted this event. That all ends next Saturday July 15th.   So one last time, smell the funnel cakes and listen to the kids on the ferris wheel at the corner of main street.   But cheer up, this is one heck of a place for a Food Adventure.  So… Corn Dog lovers unite, this is your type of festival.  Farmers, carnival rides and special events will fill an action packed week.

 

Here are some old facts for you foodie history buffs….

FIRST FAIR HOSTED IN 1874
After Dayton failed to win a bid for the Ohio State Fair, the City decided to put on their own fair.  Dubbed the “Southern Ohio Fair,” the event started September 29th, 1874 at the place we all know as the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds’ saw over 100,000 vistors that week.

Now for this year’s event ….

FAMOUS VISITORS to the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR:
President Lyndon B Johnson in 1966, with First Lady – Ladybird Johnson

HERE’S THE SKINNY on THE 2017 MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR:

Lots of good food


— WHEN: Monday July 10th thru  Saturday July 15 (8am- 10pm, except Monday ends 8pm)

— WHERE: 1043 South Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45409  (It is on South Main between Stewart and Apple Streets).

— COST: $8 per person, ages 6 and under are free, but the really BIG NEWS is FREE ADMISSION from 11am – 1pm Monday – Friday so you can eat lunch every day at the fair!    Also DMM has a $2 off coupon good on Thursday – just print and present at gate!

FREE TICKET OFFER:  Like and share this story and leave a comment below about your favorite fair food and we’ve got a few pairs of FREE ADMISSION tickets we’ll randomly give to those that comment below.

— WHAT: There will be swine, and horse races.  There are pie and cake auctions.  The fair even has  live bands, sheep judging and goat judging!  Rabbits, poultry, kiddie tractor pulls, a demolition derby, garden club and the list goes on and on.

 

Craft Booths

— FULL SCHEDULE:  For a list of EVERYTHING going on and to find what tickles your fancy, click on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENT
S

So what is happening in 2017’s fair?  You know the usual, livestock contests, pie contests, and 4-H activities. But we like to point out some of the favorites we are anticipating.  Horse races and Demolition Derby to name a couple!

HERE IS THE SKINNY on THE BIG EVENTS:

MONDAY – JULY 10th 
—7:00pm  501 Diesel Dirt Drags – at the Grandstands

TUESDAY – JULY 11TH

165th year

Good Food

—7:00pm TUG-A-TRUCK, at the Grandstands

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12TH
—7:00pm Truck/Tractor Pull, at the Grandstands

THURSDAY – JULY 13TH
—6:00pm Harness Racing, at the Grandstands
—7:00pm Live Music/Band “Shelby County Line,” in the Entertainment Tent

FRIDAY – JULY 14TH
—7:00pm Live Music/Band “Rolling Stone Rodeo, at the Grandstands”
—7:00pm Live Music/Band “Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers,” in the Entertainment Tent

SATURDAY – JULY 15TH
7:00pm: Demolition Derby at the Grandstands

 

This is a food blog. we would be remiss if we didnt give you our often imitated, but never duplicated “Must Eats.”

MUST EATS at the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR:


— THE ASIAN CHICKEN WINGS at DAVE’S CONCESSIONS:
You can’t miss the huge “Broasted Chicken and Broasted Potatoes” sign that drapes this

Asian Wings

amazing booth.  Also, a huge grill teases the crowd with incredible aromas of chicken cooking.  But the thing to get here is the Chicken Wings.  Deep fried, served whole and drenched in any sauce you can’t go wrong.  Our suggestion is get the Asian Sauce.

 

The Donut Grilled cheese

— THE DONUT GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH at THE GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE BOOTH:
A glazed donut with cheese, pan grilled and with pickles and tomatoes.  It is sweet and a tad salty, but surprisingly good!  This kind of stuff is what Food Adventures is all about.  No rules, no whiners.


— THE BLACKBERRY COBBLER from JEAN’S HOME COOKING: 
Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this literally made our day.  It was like being

Cobbler

transported to your grandma’s house and the cobbler had just come out of the oven.  Get lost in this dish, and take in the taste.  The warm cobbler and the sun, melt the ice cream slowly for a creamy experience.  We promise you will be impressed.

 

— THE HUGE SWEET TEA’S:  
It is gonna be warm and humid, and nothing zaps that like an ice cold sweet tea.  They have a 99 cent size and a huge ass mega size.  Get the biggest one they have … you will kneel with thanks for this

99 cent Huge Sweet Teas

day saving item.

 

Don’t miss your chance to attend the event and say farewell to the memories in your own way.  Go ahead, party like its 1899.

In 2018 the  fair will move to Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Twp.   Go area and out it on your calendar for July 9-14, 2018.

Are you a Dayton Foodie? Then follow the food related antics of The Food Adventure Crew:  Chef House, Big Ragu and Hungry Jax as they open and explore every nook and cranny of Dayton related eats.   Love Food Pictures?  Then our Facebook site is your Graceland! – CLICK HERE TO “LIKE OUR PAGE

Dont Miss this chicken stand

 

 

 

Luminaries of Dayton: Leaving Pennies on a Grave

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There are many traditions that involve placing objects, specifically money, on graves. These traditions  are usually regional or customary practices and do not necessarily have religious connotations.

Large amounts of pennies which are thrown onto Benjamin Franklin’s grave by visitors each day are a symbol of good luck, and a nod to Franklin’s motto that “a penny saved is a penny earned.”

Some people hold to the tradition of leaving something of yourself when visiting a grave. If nothing else, a coin from your pocket serves as a marker of the passage and your esteem for the departed. It also signifies to any that pass by that the grave was visited and that the deceased is well loved and esteemed and has not been abandoned or forgotten. Coins are also an older form of leaving flowers, a practice prompted by the heavy Romanticism of the Victorian era.

Some believe that to leave a coin on a grave brings good luck. Students in some areas are known to leave pennies on the graves of their school’s founder in the hopes of good luck with exams.

Some are, perhaps unwittingly, mimicking the ancient tradition where gold coins were buried with the corpse in order to pay the toll charged by Charon, the boatman of the Underworld, for passage to the other side of the river Styx. It was considered sinful not to leave this toll with the dead as it would condemn them to forever wander the shores without end.

It is an old tradition to leave a penny at the grave site of a loved one as a gesture of deep love and understanding. Some coins have distinct meanings when left on the headstones of those who gave their life while serving in America’s military, and these meanings vary depending on the denomination of coin.

A coin left on a tombstone or at the grave site is meant as a message to the deceased soldier’s family that someone else has visited the grave to pay respect.

Leaving a penny at the grave means simply that you visited. A nickel indicates that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together, while a dime means you served with him in some capacity. By leaving a quarter at the grave, you are telling the family that you were with the solider when he was killed.

In the United States, this practice became common during the Vietnam War, due to the political divide in the country over the war; leaving a coin was seen as a more practical way to communicate that you had visited the grave than contacting the soldier’s family, which could devolve into an uncomfortable argument over politics relating to the war.

No matter what type of item you leave at a grave site, it is seen by others that the person is not forgotten.

At Woodland Cemetery, you will find that the grave sites of the Wright Brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar receives the most coins. The coins are picked up periodically and are deposited to the Woodland Arboretum Foundation to care for the grounds and gardens of the cemetery.

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the University of Dayton Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum website.

Celebrate July- National Parks & Recreation Month at RiverScape

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The community is invited to enjoy an entire month of free, family-friendly outdoor events and activities this July at RiverScape MetroPark, located at 237 E. Monument Ave. July is also National Parks & Recreation month, an opportunity for individuals and families to get outside and celebrate nature and outdoor recreation together.


Music @ Lunch: Grab food from a rotating selection of food trucks, enjoy live music and free WiFi. Hours are 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on Monday through Friday through Sept. 29.

 

Fitness in the Park: These free exercise sessions are held most Saturdays from 10 to 11 am. Participants should bring their own water bottles and towels or mats. Classes vary between Zumba and Yoga, and the class schedule can be found online at metroparks.org/RiverScape. Yoga sessions are sponsored by Bridge Credit Union.

 

R&B Hot Summer Music: On Friday, July 14, KICK-N-FLAVA takes the RiverScape Pavilion stage from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Sponsored by Bridge Credit Union, R&B Hot Summer Music features the best local and nationally-known R&B acts.

 

Big Band Nights: The public is welcome to enjoy classic instruments, upbeat tunes and dancing during two Big Band Night performances in June.

  • July 6, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm: The Kim Kelly Orchestra
  • July 20, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm: Barry Campbell Big Band with vocalist Elaina McCormick

 

The RiverScape Summer Music series concerts are free and for all ages. During R&B Hot Summer Music and Big Band Nights, the Café will be open from 7 – 9:30 p.m., featuring Jeni’s Ice Cream and a variety of beverages and snacks. Concertgoers should bring a lawn chair for seating.

 

Make your calendar for future RiverScape Summer Music Series concert dates atwww.metroparks.org/RiverScape.

 

Festivals: There are a myriad of community festivals and activities at RiverScape MetroPark throughout the summer. The public is welcome to enjoy the following festival this July:

  • Sun., July 16 (1 – 9 pm): Dayton Blues Festival

 

RiverScape Rentals helps riders explore the Dayton region’s more than 300 miles of paved recreational trails—the nation’s largest paved trail network—with cruisers, road bikes, tandems and child attachments available for rent. Push bikes are also available for toddlers so they can learn to ride. RiverScape Rentals is open weekends through Labor Day, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm Visitmetroparks.org/riverscape-rentals for more information.

 

The Fountain Snack Bar offers ice cream and snacks through Labor Day weekend, 11 am to 6 pm, with extended hours during special evening events. Visit metroparks.org for additional information.

 

The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights and interactive fountain also will be open through Labor Day.

 

While enjoying summer activities at RiverScape MetroPark, visitors also are welcome to watch paddlers in the new RiverScape River Run. Those who are interested in experiencing the feature may grab their gear and enjoy the beautiful seven-mile paddle from Eastwood MetroPark on the Mad River, through downtown to the Carillon Historical Park and University of Dayton area.

 

Masquerage Theme Release Party — Ticket Giveaway

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Since 2002, Masquerage has earned the reputation as Dayton’s Party of Parties, attended by hundreds of costumed guests for a an evening of dancing, drinking and decadence to benefit Equitas Health (formerly ARC Ohio).
Decor, costumes and entertainment for this extravaganza center around a theme each year, and that curiosity about the theme spawned an annual theme release party staring back in 2010.  The first Masquerage in 2002 , was dubbed A Celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Love.  It wasn’t until 2005 that specific themes shaped the masks required ball.

 

Here are to the best of my recollection the themes of Masquerage past:

Masquerage 2006

2015:  Viva Las Vegas
2014:  Dirty Little Secrets
2013: Once Upon A Time
2012: Vixens & Villains
2011:  A Decade of Decadence
2010:  Heavenly Pleasures & Sinful Delights
2009: An Evening of Fantastical Oddities and Astonishing Wonders!
2008:  A Sexy intergalactic Adventure
2007: A Glam Rock Odyessy
2006: An Evening of Divine Pleasure
2005:  Tribal

 

You can be amongst the first to find out the theme for the 2017 event on Wed, July 12th as The Dayton Racquet Club sponsors the reveal party from 6-8pm.  You’ll even get inspiration for costumes from the Runway Show produced Mary Kathryn Burnside of Clash Dayton.  Tickets are $25 and include light appetizers and a complimentary cocktail/beverage.

 

DMM TICKET GIVEAWAY: We’ve got 2 pairs of tickets for the theme release party (a $50 value).  You can enter the drawing for our giveaway by liking and sharing this post and leaving a comment below on why you should win.

Welcome cocktail from 2012 Masquerage

Party guests will also have the opportunity to get a $10 discount on tickets for the 2017 Masquerage, which will be held on Saturday, Oct 21st at the Roundhouse at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

Masquerage Tickets:

General Admission tickets — $65 presale/$75 @ door includes specialty welcome cocktail, complimentary appetizers, entry into the main event with night-long dancing and entertainment on the Main stage.

Red Ribbon Lounge tickets — $150 presale/$175 @ door includes all the benefits of the main event ticket PLUS exclusive VIP lounge with open bar, specialty food, VIP SWAG bag, and entertainment throughout the venue.

This year’s event represents one of the largest public opportunities to raise awareness and critical fund for HIV/AIDS medical care and treatment, HIV prevention (which includes PrEP), and a variety of other services like primary care, behavioral health counseling, and dental care – one of the highest unmet needs for those living with HIV.

Full Disclosure:  From 2009-2014 I was the Special Events Director at ARC Ohio and produced Masquerage. 

Local Personalities Lip Sync For SICSA

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Inspired by the popular Spike TV show Lip Sync Battle, SICSA Pet Adoption Center  is staging a 3 round battle on Wednesday, July 12th at The Dublin Pub. As a part of the fundraiser, Pub owner Steve Tieber has agreed that the restaurant will generously donate 20% of sales all day long, just write SICSA on your receipt and that will signal the Pub to include your sales in the donation.

Local personality’s have agreed to take the stage at 6pm and lip sync to their favorite tunes as a fundraiser for the local animal shelter. Competitors will start the first round with a song selection of their choice.  The audience will buy their votes, starting at $2, and thereby pick the winners advance to the second round, where they’ll spin the song wheel for their selection, perform and  again the audience will vote two performers on to the finals. In this last round, both finalists will be give the same song to perform, the audience will again vote and the winner will be declared by 8pm.

Signed up to compete:

From Left to right:  Gina Ferraro  from Channel 99.9, local stand-up comedian Keith Irvin and Dayton.com’s own Amelia Robinson

Rodney Veal, host of Think TV’s “The Art Show, Steve Milano aka “The Big Ragu” food blogger and Zac Pitts, host of WDTN’s Living Dayton

 

And we still have two spots open!  If you’d like to compete send us an email.

How you can help SICSA:

Dine at Dublin Pub – 20% of lunch, dinner and late night donated to SICSA

From 6-8pm Vote for your favorite performer

 

Mammogram Comes To You- Schedule Your Appointment Now!

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Premier Health is making it easier for busy women to get their annual mammogram screening with its mobile mammography coach that travels to businesses, public venues and events throughout Southwest Ohio.

 

Equipped with advanced imaging equipment, the coach offers traditional 2D and Genius™ 3D Mammography™ technology to detect breast cancer.

 

Schedule a mobile mammogram by calling 844-453-4199. For more information about the process and locations, visithttp://www.premierhealth.com/mammo.

 

The following dates and times are open for appointments:

 

  • July 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dixon/McKinley Community Festival and Health Fair,196 Hawthorn St., Dayton OH 45402;
  • July 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Coffman Family YMCA, 88 Remick Blvd., Springboro, OH 45066;
  • July 13, Noon to 2 p.m. at Terrace Ridge Apartments, 1312 McKaig Ave., Troy, OH 45373;
  • July 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CVS Health, 710 N. Main St., Springboro, OH 45066;
  • July 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Miami Valley Hospital Medical Imaging- Springboro, 630 N. Main St., Springboro, OH 45066;
  • July 26, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Miami Valley Hospital Jamestown Emergency Center, 4940 Cottonville Rd., Jamestown, OH 45335;
  • July 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dorothy Lane Market Washington Square, 6177 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp., OH 45459;
  • July 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for The Glover Foundation Inc.’s Football 101 for Women at West Carrollton High School football stadium, 5833 Student St., West Carrollton, OH 45449; and
  • Aug. 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at SureCare Medical Center, 360 W. Central Ave., Springboro, OH 45066.

 

Premier Health welcomes partnerships with area businesses and event organizers to bring the mobile mammography coach to their locations in the community. For more information, call 513-974-4794 or visit premierhealth.com/mammo.

 

Miami Valley Access To Justice Awards Nominations Wanted

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Individuals, organizations, and businesses in the Miami Valley will be recognized for providing extraordinary assistance to low-income and disadvantaged people in our community by helping them to gain access to justice and secure stability in their lives. Nominees may be an attorney or other advocate who has demonstrated concern and dedication to assisting individuals in need.

Honorees will be selected for the following: Lloyd O’Hara Public Interest Law Award that recognizes attorneys; Patricia Rousseau Community Advocacy Award for activism; and Community Impact Award for long-term enhancements for low-income area residents. (All nominees must reside in the Miami Valley and may not be employed by ABLE, GDVLP and LAWO.)

The awards will be presented at the Access to Justice Awards Celebration! to be held Thursday, November 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sinclair Community College Ponitz Center. The event is presented by Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (GDVLP) and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO), organizations that provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families facing foreclosures, domestic violence, elder abuse, disability, public benefits and consumer issues, foreclosures, and immigration concerns.

Fill out the online nomination form here.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, July 21, 2017.

A selection committee, comprised of community representatives, will choose the honorees. If you have questions regarding the nomination process, please contact Karla Garrett Harshaw at (937) 535-4432.

Scene75’s 5th Anniversary Bash!

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Starting on July 5th, Scene75 will be celebrating 5 amazing years of making lasting memories, and we have plenty of awesome things in store for whoever decides to walk through our doors! We would like to thank all of our fans, guests, and the Dayton community as a whole, because without all of you, we would not be where we are today.