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THE NEON is Going Strong!

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Hello Everyone,

Things are really hoppin’ at THE NEON.  Yesterday (Monday) was busier than any day over the holiday weekend…and we have more than 60 people in the auditorium for MY WEEK WITH MARILYN as I write this note (for a Tuesday afternoon, that’s incredible).

As it stands, we’re going to hold steady next week with THE DESCENDANTS and MY WEEK WITH MARILYN.  On January 6, we plan to open TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY.  (Click each title to visit that film’s official site…and watch the trailers below.)

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As we head into 2012, I’d like to thank you so much for your constant support of THE NEON.  We will end 2011 in the black, and it’s quite possible that it will be our best year ever (we didn’t think 2010 could be beat)…I’ll keep you posted.  Without your patronage and your positive word-of-mouth, we wouldn’t still be here.  Thank you so much!!

Wishing you a wonderful, fun & safe New Year’s!

We hope to see you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

 

SHOWTIMES for  Fri. December 30 – Thur. January 5:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday:  2:40, 5:00, 7:20

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (R) 1 Hr 39 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Monday – Thursday:  3:00, 5:10, 7:20

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.

Many of these dates will change.  In some cases, titles may disappear.

Jan. 6   TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jan. 13   CARNAGE

Jan. 20   THE ARTIST

TBD   THE HEDGEHOG

TBD  SHAME

TBD   A DANGEROUS METHOD

Love146 Task Force in Dayton Co-Founder Elizabeth VanDine Needs Support

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Ending Modern Day Slavery

“The first time I really heard of human trafficking was back in 2008. My husband (boyfriend at the time) was about to be deployed for a tour in Iraq when he had to take a class on human trafficking. I began researching human trafficking and the more I learned, the more I knew I had to get involved. Human trafficking is modern day slavery that takes many forms (i.e. sexual exploitation, labor, or child soldiers) My heart breaks for each and every victim, but my passion is to bring an end to child sex trafficking. Specifically, domestic child sex trafficking. Many people are aware that forced sexual exploitation is prevalent in places like Thailand and Cambodia. However, very few people know the same slavery happens in their backyard. Ohio is currently ranking #5 in the nation for human trafficking, and had over 1,070 reported cases of child sex trafficking within its borders in 2010. I have seen the heartbreak and devastation such abuse causes, and will not just stand by and let it happen.”

In October if 2009 Elizabeth co-founded the Love146 Dayton Task Force. Love146 is an international non-profit that raises awareness and fights child sex trafficking through aftercare and prevention programs both here and abroad. The Dayton Task Force is a volunteer expression of Love146 that is committed to being an educated voice in our community, raising awareness and funds for Love146, and partnering with like-minded organizations.

Elizabeth currently a Psychology major at WSU. She plans to use my future degrees to continue the fight against child sex trafficking. Elizabeth was also names on of the Top 25 Women to Watch in Dayton, this past January by WiBN.

A Journey Towards Change: Love146 Partner Trip

In May of 2012, Elizabeth will be traveling to South East Asia with Love146 to gain firsthand knowledge and experience in fighting the epidemic of child sex trafficking abroad. Elizabeth and others will be traveling 3 countries in 9 days (Thailand, Cambodia, and The Philippines).The group will be involved in the Asia aftercare and prevention programs Love146 has established.

A STORY IN AFTERCARE from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

 

Elizabeth hopes to return from this trip better equipped to lead the members of the Dayton Task Force and implement such programs for domestic aftercare and prevention.

How You Can Help

Elizabeth needs to raise funds in order to make this trip a reality. If you would like to help sponsor this trip, please send cash or a check directly to the Love146 headquarters.

P.O. Box 8266

New Haven, CT 06530

Please be sure to include a note or an earmark on the check stating the donation is ‘Intended for Elizabeth Van Dine May Partner Trip’. All donations are tax deductible.

Get Involved

If you’re interested in learning more and getting behind the cause, Love146 Dayton Task Force meets the first Monday of every month at the Dayton campus of Indiana Wesleyan University ( 2912 Springboro West Road Dayton, OH 45439). Meetings run from 6:30pm-8pm and are open to the public.

 

 

 

Dayton Memories: Pat Kilbane

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In the fall of last year, I found myself back on Kingsridge Drive behind the Dayton Mall. I was on my way to pick up an order from Prime Digital Printing and glanced over at the property across the street from Max & Erma’s. What I saw caught me off guard; “This can’t be” I thought, “It’s a vacant lot.” Sure, nothing lasts forever, and sometimes progress means doing away with the old to make room for the new, but how could they tear down Jokers Comedy Café? It wasn’t just my home as a comedian; it was part of Dayton’s proud history.

I grew up in the Dayton area, and when I graduated from Beloit College in 1990, I returned to Centerville to live in my parents’ basement and pursue lofty dreams of a career in stand-up comedy. I had about seven minutes of rudimentary material and a lot of youthful enthusiasm, but what I didn’t have was the slightest clue where to begin. Like any genius with a newly minted bachelor’s degree, I grabbed the Yellow Pages and looked under “C” for “comedy.”

Moments later, I discovered that Jokers had an open mic night every Tuesday where beginning comics could try their stuff; and even better, the club was holding a contest called the “Jokers Comedy Joke-Off” where comedians could compete to win a contract with the largest booking agent in the Midwest. That would mean (gulp) road gigs and a fledgling career in show business.

It’s important to note, for those who don’t remember, that the late ‘80s and early ’90s were a boom time in the comedy industry. Stand-ups were getting lucrative network deals left and right, and those deals were meaning millions for people like Tim Allen and Roseanne Barr. It seemed that the sky was the limit, and thanks to the Jokers open mic night, such magical things felt entirely within reach.

We members of the open mic crew became a tight-knit group, mutually supportive and coursing with creativity. Mentored by local legend Dow Thomas (the open mic host), we wrote jokes together, laughed together, drank together, and traveled together to perform at the tough “one nighters” at bars and restaurants outside of town. Those were among our first paid gigs, again, made possible by the staff of Jokers.

Pat Kilbane's comedy head shot

I was lucky enough to win the Jokers Comedy Joke-Off in late summer of 1990, and as promised, I was awarded a contract with Louisville booking agent Tom Sobol. Mr. Sobol’s company later represented me in LA and landed me a theatrical agent, and that theatrical agent gave me a thrilling career in film and television. They always say in show business that if you are going to succeed, someone has to take a chance on you; someone has to give you the opportunity to try, fail, learn and grow. For me and a whole stable of young comics, Jokers Comedy Café was that someone – the first to let us jump up there and see what we could do.

In 1996 I appeared on the “Bizarro Jerry” episode of NBC’s #1 show “Seinfeld,” and it became a local news story in Dayton.[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnXOAWoNADw&feature=related’] I remember seeing the television field reporter standing in the rain in front of Jokers saying “This is where it all began…” Indeed. That might have been the proudest moment of my life. I felt like somehow I had made good for the comedy club I owed so much to.

Dayton has a rich comedy history, which includes natives such as Gordon Jump and the incomparable Jonathan Winters; I believe that Jokers Comedy Café also belongs in our comedy Hall of Fame. During a time of exciting revolution in the entertainment industry, Jokers gave a voice to an entire generation of young comedians and helped the Gem City hold its own.

Editors Note: DMM’s Lisa Grigsby owned Jokers Comedy Cafe.  Pat also is very modest above where he breezes by his career in film and television.  Best known for his three-year run on Fox’s “MADtv” (1995), Pat Kilbane made his mark on the show with outrageous physical comedy and uncanny celebrity impressions. Among his more memorable characters were Stan the Java Man, the shady Spishak spokesman, and the floppy superhero “Rubberman. Kilbane’s impressions are too numerous to list, but notably his mimicry of Howard Stern and Lyle Lovett fooled some viewers into believing that the stars actually appeared on the show.

After the expiration of his contract with “MADtv” , Kilbane was signed to a two-year deal with Dreamworks, during which he appeared in the movies Evolution  and EuroTrip , and on ABC’s hit show “Spin City”.  More recently, he appeared on My Name is Earl and Frank TV and in the movies Meet Dave, Day of the Dead and Semi-Pro.  Pat’s latest endeavor is promoting a book he  co-authored,  The Brain Eater’s Bible.

 

Read other posts in out Dayton Memories series:

Audrey Buckman
Jill Bishop

Dayton Remembered

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In our series of guest posts of Daytonian’s that have moved away, Jill Bishop shares her memories of Dayton.  A 1975 graduate from  Vandalia Butler High School, Jill got a Communications/English Lit degree from Wright State in 2001 and a Masters in Public Admin from UD in 2006. She worked for Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence as well as Dayton Public Radio/Classical 88.1 before moving to Arizona in 2010.

Even the spectacular butterscotch/fuchsia colored skies featured in the sunsets over the Tucson Mountains aren’t enough to make me forget my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. If I close my eyes and concentrate, I can still picture myself driving down Wayne Avenue, a major thoroughfare I traveled daily for years and years. It always felt like Wayne Ave was one of the main arteries that delivered me into the heartbeat of downtown Dayton where I worked and played for 35 years. I still vividly recall the major landmarks along the way….that awkward intersection at Wayne and Wilmington, Tanks, ‘scary’ Krogers, then on down to the lovely South Park and Oregon District neighborhoods where many of my friends have lived, or still do. Coco’s Bistro is another major anchor on that journey, and a place I spent many wonderful lunches and happy hours with friends.

Then there is The Oregon District…and Fifth Street. I could write an entire book about my adventures there over the years, but one place MUST be mentioned: The Oregon Express. Back in about 1990, a small group of passionate individuals (passionate about Friday happy hours) began what is still known as The Oregon Express Beer and Pizza Club. Countless happy hours were spent there, lifelong friendships forged, tons of free pizza consumed. We celebrated birthdays, held memorials, laughed, cried, and chewed on the major topics of the day along with their delicious free pizza.

I traded the aging, industrial Midwest grittiness and deciduous tree-lined streets for the desert, saguaros and adobe houses in October 2010 when I packed my cats into my Prius and left my lifelong home to settle into a new life in Tucson, Arizona. Dayton has a sweet, soulful, funky vibe of its own, including a rich history of innovation, invention, industry, aviation, and creativity. Think chili, burning leaves, aging railroad overpasses, Orville and Wilbur, Ohio Players. Now that I am away, I can more fully appreciate the nuances of Dayton. Joni had it right when she wrote “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone.” I now fondly think of Dayton as a green space filled with friendly, sincere, hard-working, creative people, much like I have found in Tucson. Green spaces are abundant thanks to MetroParks and water is abundant thanks to the major aquifer. There are the fun, must-attend classic annual events such as the Greek Festival, DAI’s Oktoberfest, Cityfolk Festival, the music festivals at Dave Hall Plaza, and many great events at Riverscape. I miss seeing the Dayton’s great Philharmonic Orchestra and Operas at the beautiful and acoustically perfect Schuster Center. I miss those wonderful Saturday mornings at 2nd Street Market wandering among the vendors, steaming coffee in hand, waving to folks I knew. I miss it all.

Then there are the sensory, memory experiences such as Canal Street Tavern on a bitterly cold winter night crowded into its cozy space listening to an amazing musical performance, waiting in line at Flying Pizza downtown, soaking in some steamy jazz at Gilly’s, earnestly pursuing through CD’s at Gem City Records (now Omega Records), helping my friends with shows on WYSO-FM with pledge drives, and working with the great staff at Classical 88.1 FM in the Metropolitan Arts Center where I could walk around and dial up a creative, energetic conversation with someone from another arts organization. I spent countless hours walking the beautiful gardens at Wegerzyn, riding the bike paths all around Dayton, and enjoying hikes in Yellow Springs.

While I am happily settled into my new home in Tucson, I miss many people, places, and things about Dayton. I miss the fall color, the music scene, downtown, and coffee shops, family and friends. I sometimes even miss the humidity. Dayton is “the funk capital” and I miss that soulful, Five Oaks feeling. Sometimes I even miss those blustery, overcast days where you just want to curl up and read a good book. But really, it’s the people I miss the most – because it’s the people who really make up a community. I miss seeing friends and acquaintances everywhere I go. I miss people around me who know my story. However, I have embarked on a new chapter and am writing a new story…..but Dayton and the people who live there will always be my heart home and I will look forward to visiting when I can. And… who knows, perhaps someday my Dayton roots will tug hard enough to pull me back.

Read the first entry in this series from Audrey Buckman

Lash Envy Part 2

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Lash dip? Lash extensions? What are all these crazy new lash products and why do you need them? I used to think people who did these kinds of things were crazy. I couldn’t imagine adding one more beauty procedure to my monthly budget. Then a close friend got extensions and they looked AMAZING! I was still on the fence about whether I could spend the money on something so frivolous but I least knew they looked great.

It was on a rainy lonely Thursday that I was reading my new Allure and found an article about this new product called “Crybaby” it was supposed to darken your lashes as well as make them fuller and longer. Sounded good to me and the price was right at 45.00 which didn’t seem to bad for something that would last 4 to 6 weeks. I found a salon in Cincinnati that offered the service and I made an appt. I was so excited to try this out all in the name of beauty research. When I went in the lady gave me the lecture on how to take care of them and whether I was a good candidate for them. Once I signed the paperwork she began applying the product. It felt like she was applying mascara then she would turn on a little fan and cure the lashes. The total time was around 45 minutes.  The result the lashes were noticeably darker and longer but looked more like doll lashes than real lashes.  It looked to me like someone had applied several coats of bad mascara on me. The lashes appeared clumpy, felt hard and were stiff to the touch. Not to be mistaken with “Lash dip” the “Crybaby” was a big no for me.

Here is what the website promotes:

Tints fade. Extensions fall out. Strip Lashes aren’t moisture-proof. And they’re often expensive and laborious to apply. If your salon or spa could offer a durable, longer-lasting, more affordable service to your clients, why wouldn’t you?

Cry Baby Semi-Permanent Mascara is a procedure that curls and coats lashes with our proprietary lash coating. This coating adds volume, length, curl and color to lashes, is 100% waterproof/ smear-proof and lasts two weeks, often longer. It’s ideal for active lifestyles as well as special events like weddings and vacations. Better still, it’s professionally applied by your technicians and can be offered at a fraction of the cost of extensions.

So now I had these creepy spider lashes and had no idea what to do. You cant remove it yourself so I had to make the decision…..I was going to get extensions. I had received an invite to the opening of a new lash spa in Springboro and decided to call them to discuss what had happened. To my amazement they were able to get me in that day and said they could remove my bad lash product. I was so excited I was going to bite bullet and get fabulous lashes! When I arrived the lady who would be working on my lashes took one look at my “Crybaby” mistake and said I wasn’t being silly they were bad. Not only were they bad to look at it had been applied wrong! So far this entire experience wasn’t making me feel good about lash products. Once my “Crybaby” was removed she started on my extensions. For those of you who are not familiar with extensions they are synthetic lashes applied to your individual lashes with medical grade glue. You can imagine how tedious it is for the technician. The lashes stay on 2 to 3 weeks and fall out with your normally lash shedding. My first set took around 2 hours to apply and the result…….FABULOUS!! I love love love them!! They look natural are easy to care for and on most days I don’t have to wear mascara at all. I go in for fills about every 2 weeks and I can honestly say that I am a customer for life.  The initial set will put you back about 200.00 and the fills run about 45.00 every two weeks.  For me it is totally worth it and I would rather have lashes than a mani/pedi any day.  When you look in the mirror you feel completely different and personally I feel like I can get away with a lot less makeup. They don’t feel itchy or like you are wearing anything on your eyes. However, if you are the type of person that picks at your lashes, is an extreme sweater, or cries often this may not be for you. All of the mentioned habits will make your lashes come out sooner. Also you will have to avoid all oil based makeup removers. If you can afford to do this for yourself it is worth every penny. There are several salons in the area offering the service but my personal recommendation is Enhance Spa and Lash Studio located in Springboro. They offer Xtreme Eyelash extensions as well as “Lash Dip” and revitalash products.

 

Here is what the Xtreme Lash site promotes:

 

Xtreme Eyelashes are made from synthetic strands which are applied on to a person’s natural lashes. The process is a meticulous one as it involves the attachment of the lashes one by one. An eyelash extension procedure can be as long as two hours, and this depends on the number of lashes to be applied and the expertise of the stylist.

Eyelash extensions by Xtreme Lashes are only done by accredited and certified hairstylists who have gone through the company’s hands-on lash extension training. All sales of the product are available from accredited health and beauty professionals, so you can only get the extensions from legitimate individuals who have been trained to do the procedure. Eyelash stylists are trained to design and style your lashes to meet your desire and needs.

Since the eyelash extensions are attached onto natural lashes, they also fall out when the natural hair does, which is typically after sixty days. There are refills that can be used every two to three weeks, which work to replenish the lashes that have fallen on a daily basis. Procedures should be done every two to three months to maintain the thickness and length of the lashes.

 

So you aren’t ready to commit to the lash extensions but you still want to try out something to glam up your lashes. There is still one more option, “Lash Dip” Unlike “Crybaby” this is not the clumpy sticky procedure that I described above. Although I have not personally had this procedure done I have seen it on several clients and it looks flawless. Lashes are full, dark, and above all glam! Once again I highly recommend Angie at the Enhance Spa and Lash Studio in Springboro to perform this service.

Here is what the website promises:

LashDip is an innovative cosmetic application that is poised to revolutionize the mascara industry. Imagine the freedom! “Dipping” your lashes just once allows you to wake up to and maintain gorgeous lashes for up to six weeks! No hassling with mascara. No makeup remover. No mess. No more raccoon eyes! Just gorgeous, beautifully sculpted, semi-permanent painted lashes when you wake up in the morning, through your exercise routine, and when you go to bed at night.

Low maintenance, high style – the modern woman’s answer to mascara.

Lush, full, dark, long lashes are the hottest trend on the beauty scene.LashDip is ideal for any woman who wears mascara but is tired of the high maintenance of daily application. Many of our clients are busy moms, executives who travel frequently, flight attendants, and athletes, all of whom have one thing in common – they want to look and feel their best 24/7.

Just dip and go.

Most women struggle daily with one or more mascara-related issues: smearing, running, clumping, flaking, application difficulty, sensitivity, not to mention the inconvenient time factor involved in daily application and re-application.Any woman who wants to feel confident, carefree and effortlessly beautiful around the clock is a candidate for LashDip.

It’s More than Mascara.

LashDip is more than your typical eyelash color formula – it goes beyond even the most perfect application of mascara to provide color and enhancement you don’t have to fight with.Mascara is a temporary application. Lash extensions are an appliance. LashDip is the future of lash enhancement.

So now now you have the good the bad and the wonderful of lash products. Depending on the type of person you are will depend on which product may work best for you. If you have any questions about any of the above treatments Angie at the Lash studio will be more than happy to provide you with more information about what will be best for you. Happy Holidays!!

 

Downtown Pops Up and Gets Activated

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Picking the perfect holiday present doesn’t have to induce panic. Gift giving can be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday season (I won’t even get into awkward confessions from your inebriated relatives). What kind of gift should it be? How much should you spend? Will the present-getter be upset you didn’t spend more? Or will he or she be angry if you did spend a lot and it winds up being inequitable in value to the gift you received? So much pressure! Santa makes it look easy since his recipients are typically under the age of 8. Toys? Yes. Socks? No. Done. For the rest of us, there’s Activated Spaces.

What started out as an art project to give downtown Dayton properties some jazz hands has entered its second phase: pop-up retail. “The ultimate goal of Activated Spaces is to bring new life and vibrancy to downtown Dayton,” says updayton cofounder Scott Murphy. “Pop-up shops offer the flexibility small business owners need in an atmosphere that will let them ‘test drive’ a location before committing to a longer-term lease.”

For the inaugural round, three shops were chosen from a list of applicants to put their merch up for sale in selected locations. Beaute Box, located at 116 W. Fifth St., specializes in high-end nail and spa services. Situated at 519 E. Fifth St. is PEACE on Fifth, the retail arm of the Dayton International Peace Museum offering certified slave-free, eco-friendly and fair-trade products. Comfort and Joy, 521 E. Fifth St., is a warm and fuzzy co-op of women whose handmade goods are said to “get you through the coldest winter night.”

The gift you give someone is necessarily reflective of your opinion of the person receiving the present. This year, avoid the shrink-wrapped basket of “deluxe” bath items and for goodness’ sake, put DOWN the Chia pet! Choose to purchase a lovingly hand-crafted item or personal service from a local business. “I take pleasure in knowing my products weren’t mass-produced from an assembly line or concocted in some Frankenstein laboratory,” says Comfort and Joy’s Evelyn Gordon, who creates scented Mason jar candles in her kitchen to sell at the pop-up on Fifth. “In a small business, products are driven not only by retail performance, but by direct feedback from customers. If someone asks me to modify the scent of a candle—maybe add a hint of cinnamon or cloves—I can do that and come back with new, customer-driven products the next day.”

Matching local businesses with vacant storefronts, overseeing the placement process, outfitting each space with signage and décor, supporting marketing needs and helping small business owners navigate the retail industry is no small order, especially for a group of volunteers representing a variety of industries and professional backgrounds. “We are fortunate to have a good group of passionate people who care about seeing downtown succeed,” says entertainment purveyor Jay Nigro, a Generation Dayton member coordinating pop-up retail efforts. “Research shows time and again that spending money locally—purchasing goods and services from locally owned businesses—keeps that money circulating in a community. That money gets invested in schools, nonprofit groups and feeds into the tax base. Buying local helps create and support jobs and education right here in the Miami Valley.”

Taking advantage of the “try-before-you-buy” lease options Activated Spaces offers gives small business owners like Lisa Scott the opportunity to see how a location will work before committing to a longer-term lease. “Activated Spaces is a great way to get started in operating your own business,” the Beaute Box owner says. “You never know how a relationship will work out with a property owner if you’re leasing, or if your location will get the traffic you think it will until you get in a space, and I’m glad Activated Spaces offers this option to ‘test drive’ my location before I sign a long-term lease.”

“We are encouraging people to do all or part of their holiday shopping at our store instead of buying products from large companies who exploit workers,” explains PEACE’s Abigail Reed. “Our products are certified fair trade; they only come from companies that comply with the nine principals of fair trade.”

So no matter what kind of gift, large or small, take the stress out of holiday shopping and remember to buy local this holiday season. Your purchase of a handcrafted item undoubtedly will make the season merry and bright for your recipient and the families of the local merchants and artisans. Revitalizing the local economy is the gift that keeps on giving, unlike a leopard-print Snuggie.

What I Miss About Dayton

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As part of an ongoing series, DMM is reaching out to some of our friends who’ve moved away from Dayton and asked them to reflect on the things that they miss about our community.

First up is entrepreneur Audrey Buckman, who was truly a pioneer in Dayton retail.  She originally had a small store in the Oregon District, then took a bold leap and moved GO HOME!  to the corner space in the Cannery three years before the building was transformed into trendy loft apartments.  Eventually opening a second store in Centerville, then movied to  it’s final location  at the Village at Dayton Mall, which  closed this fall when Audrey moved when her husband was offered a job in North Carolina. Below please enjoy Audrey’s list of what she misses.

 

“As I prepared to move away from Dayton after living there for 21 years, I posted one thing per day on my Facebook page that I would miss about Dayton for the final 10 days. Here is my list, in no particular order.”

1. Marions Piazza – A true Dayton classic.

2. Kettering Recreation Center – An absolutely amazing facility. If you have not been recently, it is a must see. The classes, facilities, equipment and staff are top notch.

3. Tank’s Bar – Another Dayton classic that attracts a really diverse crowd. Spent time there watching the OJ Simpson white Bronco chase, had beers from around the world, popped in after the Art Ball for cheese fries with a group all decked out in gowns & tuxedos – and nobody even took a 2nd look.

4. 2nd Street Public Market – Always a good mood booster with friendly faces.

5. Hills & Dales MetroPark – Another amazing facility. Loved walking my dogs through the park. Actually, the entire 5 River MetroParks system is fabulous.

6. City of Dayton 4th of July Fireworks – Was always fortunate enough to watch from The Firefly building rooftop….the best view around!

7. Dorothy Lane Markets‘ umbrella brigade in the Kettering Holiday at Home parade. So much fun!

8. Virtually no traffic and ease of getting around.

9. The creative energy from so many diverse individuals and groups that really care about the Dayton area and making a difference in many ways.

10. Friends, family and familiar faces………so many good people and so many good times!  Dayton is an easy place to find your niche and develop great relationships.

WEEKEND This Weekend at THE NEON

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Hello Everyone,

Even though we’re going to hold both of our current attractions – THE DESCENDANTS and MELANCHOLIA – we are going to open a new film on Friday.  WEEKEND – which was the sold-out, closing film of this year’s Downtown Dayton LGBT Film Festival  – has been winning awards around the world.  In addition, it’s one of my favorite films of the year.  Eric Hynes of the The Village Voice wrote, “Naturalistic without being ineloquent, heartfelt yet unsentimental, WEEKEND is the rarest of birds: a movie romance that rings true.”  David Edelstein of New York Magazine wrote, “I hate to damage so fragile a work with overpraise, but, gay or straight, if you don’t see yourself in this movie, you need to get a life.”  This film has not screened much in Ohio…we’re hoping you’ll help support one of the small, true indie gems of the year.

Synopsis for WEEKEND:  “After meeting one lonely Friday night at a bar, Russell and Glen find themselves caught up in an lost weekend full of sex, drugs, and intimate conversation. Although they have conflicting ideas of what it is they want from life and certainly how to get it, they form a startling emotional connection that will resonate throughout their lives.” (Sundance Selects)

Click this link to visit the film’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GYFIwAURH4′]

I’m delighted to announce that MY WEEK WITH MARILYN has now been set to open on December 23.  It seems like the date might really stick this time (but I’ll keep you posted regardless).  Just remember that we’re open 365 days a year…so we hope to be part of your plans during the holidays.

This Saturday marks the last of The Holiday Family Movie Series…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON.  The film begins at noon and is free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each.  This Saturday’s movie is A CHRISTMAS STORY.  Last week’s screening was a huge success…so come early for a good seat (doors open at 11:30).  (presented via digital video projection)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvMLfSQrHKE’]

Have you tried one of our new wines?  In addition to the Woodbridge Merlot and Chardonnay, we are trying Carernet Sauvignon and Moscato.  If you want to make certain that we keep these two wines in the mix, please order a glass during your next visit.

When shopping for the holidays, don’t forget that NEON Gift Certificates are a perfect gift for film lovers…and for people who still need to be introduced to us.  For every $50 worth of gift certificates you purchase, we’ll give you a hearty-sized bag of Candy Cane Granola…making your gift all the sweeter.

NYC was a blast.  Thanks to all of you who sent well-wishes!

See you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. December 16 – Thur. December 22:  

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday,Saturday, Sunday:  12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday:  2:40, 5:00, 7:20

MELANCHOLIA (R) 2 Hr 16 Min

Friday: 1:00, 4:00, 9:30

Saturday: 4:00, 9:30

Sunday:  1:00, 4:00, 9:30

Monday – Thursday:  2:30, 5:15

WEEKEND (NR) 1 Hr 37 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 7:15

Mon-Thur: 8:00

A CHRISTMAS STORY  (PG) 1 Hr 40 Min

Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Dec. 23  MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD   THE HEDGEHOG

TBD   THE ARTIST

Jan. 13   TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jan. 20   SHAME

Jan. 20   CARNAGE

Jan. 27   A DANGEROUS METHOD

WEEKEND – One week only!  Starts Friday!

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN…Opening Next week!

MELANCHOLIA Opens Friday at THE NEON!

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Hello Everyone,

I’m sad to report it, but THE SKIN I LIVE IN did not perform well enough to stick around for a 2nd week. If you still need to see the latest from master filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, Thursday will be your last chance to see it at THE NEON.

On Friday, we will begin the latest film from Lars von Trier (director of BREAKING THE WAVES, DANCER IN THE DARK and DOGVILLE). MELANCHOLIA has received a 100% rating from numerous sources including Entertainment Weekly, Variety, The Los Angeles Times, and the cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, and Charlotte Rampling. (Dunst won “Best Actress” for this part at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.)

Synopsis for MELANCHOLIA: “In this beautiful movie about the end of the world, Justine and Michael are celebrating their marriage at a sumptuous party in the home of her sister Claire, and brother-in-law John. Despite Claire’s best efforts, the wedding is a fiasco, with family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet called Melancholia is heading directly towards Earth.” (Magnolia Pictures)  Click the link to visit the film’s official website.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzD0U841LRM’]

I’m certain that some of you will be happy to know that we’re trying out a couple new wines. In addition to the Woodbridge Merlot and Chardonnay, we are trying Carernet Sauvignon and Moscato. If you want to make certain that we keep these two wines in the mix, please order a glass during your next visit.

Current opening dates are moving all around. We don’t know when MY WEEK WITH MARILYN will be available in our market, and we’re disappointed that THE ARTIST has been bumped to sometime in January (which is going to be a very busy time for specialty cinemas). I’ll keep you up-to-date as best I can…that said, this e-mail is the best place for the latest details.

This Saturday marks the 2nd film in The Holiday Family Movie Series…sponsored by The Downtown Dayton Partnership, DP&L and THE NEON. Movies begin at noon and are free for children 12 and under; other tickets are only $2 each. This Saturday will be – THE POLAR EXPRESS. And next week, on December 17, we will play A CHRISTMAS STORY. All of these movies will be presented via digital video projection.

Last week, I mentioned a list of some of our friends and partners in the area, and I’d like to continue that list by thanking 2 additional businesses for their continued help and willingness to spread the word about what’s happening at THE NEON. Omega Music and MJ’s Cafe & Dance Bar always allow me to hang up posters.  Without grassroots marketing, positive word-of-mouth and community support, we’d be long gone by now. Thank you!

When shopping for the holidays, don’t forget that NEON Gift Certificates are a perfect gift for film lovers…and for people who still need to be introduced to us. For every $50 worth of gift certificates you purchase, we’ll give you a hearty-sized bag of Candy Cane Granola…making your gift all the sweeter.

I’m heading to NYC for a long weekend on Thursday morning. I’m terribly excited to go, and I hope you’ll keep the staff plenty busy while I’m gone.

See you soon,

Jonathan

 

SHOWTIMES for Fri. December 9 – Thur. December 15:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday,Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

MELANCHOLIA (R) 2 Hr 16 Min

Friday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45

Saturday: 4:00, 7:00, 9:45

Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:45

Monday – Thursday: 2:30, 5:15, 8:00

THE POLAR EXPRESS (PG) 1 Hr 40 Min

Saturday: 12:00 (Noon)

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative. Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

??? MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

TBD WEEKEND

TBD THE HEDGEHOG

TBD THE ARTIST

Jan. 13 TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jan. 20   SHAME

Jan. 20   CARNAGE

Jan. 27   A DANGEROUS METHOD

Caroling – at The Greene?

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“Hark how the bells – ”

“How about this note? ‘Haaaaark…'”

“Hark how the – “

“Wait, that was too high for you last time, right? Let’s, um, ‘HAAARK how the BELLS…'”

“Hark how the bells, sweet silver – “

“OK, good, let’s go. Everybody? One, and a two, and a — ”

We slaughtered the rest of the song, off-key and unsure on the timing of trickier bits. Fortunately, the ever-changing flow of admiring shoppers had hit a lull, and only one mitten-clad couple walked a little faster to escape. We had a good comeback with “Jingle Bells,” though, and then “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” our specialty.

I’ve had the honor of singing carols over the past two weeks at The Greene, the giant outdoor mall off 675 in Beavercreek. It’s a visceral joy to me, caroling, the kind of delight that rises when tickling children or falling down a snow-covered slope in a tangle of teenage friends. I love it when voices weave together to make magic of the night air, traditional songs stirring the part of our hearts that longs for tribe and ritual.

And this year, I get to do it as part of a great cause. The Beavercreek Community Theatre invited volunteers to join its Chorus and provide caroling services for three hours a day on five dates throughout the holiday season. The Theatre, in return, will receive a “generous donation” from The Greene.

It’s an amount far less, I’m sure, than it would cost to pay more professional performers to wander the grassy central square, spreading holiday cheer. Even at $5 an hour and only four carolers at a time, that’d be about $6,000 for a month of serenading shoppers, not to mention the costs of managing all the paperwork or providing liability insurance for people singing in the cold for hours on end.

So I figure, if we’re sometimes a little off-key, it’s OK. You get what you pay for. And we’re not really doing it for The Greene, or for the money.

You can get this hat for $2.99 at partycheap.com. Weird after-effects glow optional.

We’re doing it for the fun. Caroling is a LOT of fun. Getting outside with new and old friends. Laughing over songs we’ve loved since kidhood. Wearing Santa hats and elf ears and plush reindeer antlers tangled with twinkle lights.

And we’re doing it for the shoppers. Especially those achingly cute toddlers who come stumbling up in full snow gear, wide-eyed, and yelp and clap and try to sing along to “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” (We once sang “Rudolph” three times in 20 minutes, just because we kept getting fresh batches of adorable knee-highs coming by, staring at us in awe (or possibly confusion).) And the teenagers! “Too cool” at first, they stand giggling a few yards away until we lure them in, calling out banter and challenges until we convince them that yes, we really do want them to carol with us, and yes, all the cool kids really do join in.

We don’t take donations while caroling, and I doubt the other groups volunteering this year do, either. But we do welcome attendance at plays and direct donations to the Theatre. And even better? We definitely accept walk-on volunteers to join the caroling fun. Our final sessions are 5 to 8 pm Wed., Dec. 14 and 1 to 4 pm Wed., Dec. 21. You might find other groups there at other times, willing to welcome you into their circle of wassail.

Just bundle up warm, follow the lights to the giant tree at the center of the mall, and listen for the sound of (not-so-bad-for-amateurs) joyous singing. The Caribou Coffee hot cocoa’s on us.

“Here we come a-wassailing – “

(“Is that the note?” “Yes! Shh!”)

” – along the Mall so Greene…”

Buses, Deliveries, Radio Shows, Civil Rights, and History: How One Man from Xenia Spent His Time in the Sixties

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Roy S. Hieatt

“I lived through it,” Roy S. Hieatt, my father, tells me. The year was 1959, and he was on a racially segregated bus from Biloxi, Mississippi to Corbin, Kentucky, his birthplace. A year later in Greensboro, North Carolina, four black students, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and two others from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College sat in the whites only section of an F. W. Woolworth’s diner. Their seemingly small initial protest against the hypocrisy of “separate but equal” was a brushfire that ignited a civil rights movement across the nation. Although Roy was on a bus headed further north, the social and cultural flames would make their way to his eventual new home in Xenia, Ohio.

It’s common to think of “the 60s” as a time of hippies, peace, love, Woodstock, and the “summer of love,” but the early years of the decade leading up to those momentous history-makers were turbulent, violent, and uncertain. For my dad, who was on a leave from the Air Force taking that bus north, the question of what to do with his life was met with the rapid changes that flooded every part of America. Indeed, even in a small town like Xenia, Ohio and its neighboring areas, the culture caught fire as much as it did in larger cities and the South.

Years later, on the way home from the state of Washington after his service in the Air Force was finished, Roy made a stop by accident in Xenia “the summer of 1962,” on the way back home to Lebanon, Ohio, “for some reason which I don’t remember,” and suddenly his life was changed. He got a job he wasn’t looking for that same day at the Western Union office. He only “had been in the town once before, when Lebanon played the OSSO home in a football game.” By 1963, the signs of the upcoming hippie years had arrived when two Swedish college girls stopped in the Western Union office to pick up telegrams on their way to enroll at Antioch College. Roy remembered them, when he saw the two some time later again at the office, this time donning the early counter-culture fashions of the peace and love movement.

While still on the first day of the job at Western Union, Roy “met a fellow who owned the Xenia City Delivery company,” and who had stopped by the office to pick up a telegram. He was looking to retire and Roy soon bought the company. “As the business grew, we were delivering everything from telegrams to flowers, to drug prescriptions, to furniture, to appliances, groceries, and the most unique was going to the liquor store for old ladies who didn’t want to go there themselves.” Eventually he made one of his rarest of deliveries in Yellow Springs, witnessing a historic event unfold in its early moments.

March 14, 1964, Jim Fearn, a black student from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, sat in Lewis Gegner’s barber shop chair and wouldn’t move. Gegner asked him to leave, the barber stubbornly refusing to cut the hair of Fearn. The sit-ins were now here in Ohio, and Roy was making a delivery that day. Noticing the commotion from his position “a block north of the group,” Roy picked up a public phone to call the news director at WHBM, the Xenia radio station. By the time the news and police arrived, “200 people took the street . . . in front of Gegner’s shop,” the Yellow Springs News reports. Police officers from three counties were on the scene to gas and hose the crowd. It made the national news and many cite the event as a strong moment on the Civil Rights Movement timeline.

But another rare delivery was in the works. Roy delivered the internal mail for Ohio Bell, the former telephone company. “Between their buildings,” he tells me. It was during one of these trips that he met Carlotta, my future mother. A woman, who Roy says, “was one class act.”

After that, Roy moved on to other work. When he tells me about his twenties during the sixties, trying out all sorts of occupations, I recall I did the exact same thing in my twenties during the noughties. The fact that we both worked at a dry cleaners for a time makes me smile.

1963 to 1964 was a particularly interesting time for Roy. He found himself in a two-year stint at WHBM, the radio station he had called about the barber shop sit-in. For “three months every Sunday morning,” Roy would don the gear of the radio personality and put on “Historical Highlights with Hieatt,” a half-hour show for locals that “featured stories of Ohio’s history.” During the rest of his time at the station, “the weekends from sign on till noon, I played music, did the news, ran the board for the other Sunday morning shows, the church shows. When not on the air, I did the news beat, like checking the police blotter from the previous night.”

Downstairs in the station building was a bar Roy found himself in for two weeks, and not to drink, but to bartend. I ask him how that went. He laughs, and tells me not very well, that he “didn’t know what he was doing.” He was back to driving again before long, shuttling people around the city in a taxi. Roy wasn’t through with cars and newsmakers by 1965 though.

“Desperate Departure” was the headline in the Xenia Daily Gazette. Don Morrow, a friend of Roy’s, had a tiny Austin Sprite sports car. The two of them had a bit of fun when they called the paper and reported that my 260-lb dad was stuck inside the car and finally figured the only way out was by crawling. The paper ran the story and caught the moment of escape on camera.

Roy may not give himself much credit for his adventures in Xenia, Ohio in the sixties, maybe even feeling like the crawling out of a car stunt was not far from the truth, but for a man that took himself from the backwoods of Kentucky to a family that would later sprout in Beavercreek, Ohio, in a time of uncertainty and social upheaval, one where his daughter would follow in her father’s love of history to graduate from college with a degree in it, I have to sit back to ponder all the accidental connections that led to my birth. If Roy hadn’t made that stop in Xenia, I surely wouldn’t be here, and he wouldn’t have been part of a historic moment, and all the moments of change he experienced in the town of Xenia, Ohio of that famous decade.

In my conversation with Roy, we got to talking about the Civil Rights Movement and race relations, and he suddenly blurts out with passion: “People are people! I don’t care if you’re black, white, purple, indigo. There are good people and bad people in every group.”

I’m left thinking on his words for several weeks, and then I stumble on a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr., given in a speech in 1966 at the Illinois Wesleyan University: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, ‘Wait on Time.'”

And with that, I thank my dad, who I’m secure in saying is one of the good people, for his lack of “silence and indifference” in telling me his story.

T. E. Hieatt is a resident of Dayton, Ohio, a history graduate from Sinclair Community College, pursuing a bachelor’s in history at Wright State University. Her father, Roy, has also lived and worked in the city. When she’s not studying, she loves conquering limitations by kicking at the walls between her writing, music, art, and entrepreneurship.

Lash Envy Part 1

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Someone once said that a woman’s best accessory is a well dressed man on her arm. Obviously it was a man who said this because women know the best accessory is great eyelashes! Nearly every woman I have ever asked what they won’t leave the house without responds with, mascara. If eyes are the windows to the soul then we are experts on putting the best drapery’s on them. Lashes and making them look good is a million dollar industry. From mascara to false eyelashes women are willing to go the distance to make our eyes look glamorous. So what is the big difference between all the options and what will work best for you?

The first and cheapest option is mascara. If you go into your local drugstore you will find about 50 different mascaras that promise you they can change your world. In a nutshell maybe three can make a difference and the other 47 will be as disappointing as a bad date. Here’s the scoop. Drugstore brands are often made in the same labs as high end cosmetics. For example Loreal is Lancome. Are the products the same? Yes and no. There are products that are very close to department store brand and some that are a poor man’s version. Don’t despair there are mascaras out there for everyone in every price range. So where to start? Look at your lashes are they thin, curly, long, short or maybe you are lucky enough to have full lashes. Determining your lash type will make a world of difference in what you should be buying. Once you have figured that out look for a formula designed for your lashes. Here are a few that I suggest:

Rimmel London Lycra Lash Extender-This mascara gets every tiny lash then lengthens it, plumps it and darkens it until both eyes are equal.

Loreal Paris Voluminous Original – L’Oreal certainly did an [apt] job when naming this mascara ‘voluminous.’ The thick brush applicator does a great job of separating the lashes and giving great definition

Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara– Great for sparse lashes and lengthing plus it’s great for sensitive eyes!

Prescriptives False Lashes– Great for length, curl and bottom lashes

Dior Blackout– My personal favorite- Provides length, volume and lots of drama!!

Lancome Hypnose– A cult favorite lengthen’s, thickens and provides a very natural dramatic lash.

 

So you have the mascara now how do you apply it correctly? There aren’t really any secrets. You start at the bottom of your lashes and wiggle the brush to coat them. My advice don’t overcoat or you will look like a spider. As for bottom lashes gently tap the mascara brush to coat them and be careful not to get it clumpy. Women often ask me if they should coat the bottom lashes. While I prefer it, it really comes down to personal preference. As long as you are not over coating the lashes it can really enhance and frame the eye to give you a complete look.

Its Friday night and your lashes just are not enough for your hot date what to do?? False lashes of coarse! I find that women are very intimidated by false lashes. I have heard it all from throwing them across the room to poking themselves in the eye. Ladies they are not that scary I promise! The first thing you need to do is buy the correct kind to start with. I highly recommend the Ardell brand in the “babies” style. These are a great first timer lash set and they look great on everyone. You will also need glue. I suggest the DUO brand in the dark. Now how to apply them:

Where to start? Applying false lashes will be the last step of your eyes. So, make sure to prime your eyes with an eye shadow primer(Clinique touch base), apply your eye shadow and eyeliner & you’ll be ready to apply your false lashes!

 Why apply them last? You apply false lashes last because you want your lashes to be very black and clean of any eye shadow or other products. If you apply them first, you may have lashes that are full of eye shadow. If you’d like, you can apply a thin coat of mascara beforehand. But it’s not necessary. I like having a thin coat of mascara on my lashes before I apply false lashes.

Step 1: Take your false lashes out of the box. Using your tweezers (or fingers), gently peel the lashes off of the tray. You don’t want to apply too much pressure, or else you may bend or damage the band.

 Step 2: Using your pointer finger and thumb, you want to hold both ends of the eyelashes at the bottom band. Lightly move both of your hands up and down a centimeter or so. Doing this will stretch the band so it isn’t as stiff. This will help the lashes sit better on the contour of your eyelid.

 Step 3: Now we are going to test the lashes to see if they are the correct length for your eye shape. If you have smaller eyes, you may need to cut a little bit. Pick up the according eyelash to your eye. The shortest part of the lashes should be matched up near your tear-duct. The longest part should be at end. The way you will set them on your eyelid is with the curl facing up. Set the lashes down in the middle of your lash line. Look to see where your natural lashes start (inner corner) and pull the false lashes to the same spot. Look to see if the band extends farther out (outer corner) than your natural lash line. If it extends out longer, grab the end with your thumb & pointer finger and lift them off.

 Step 4: With your scissors, cut off any excess lashes. (Set it on your lash line again to see if you cut enough)

 Step 5: Squeeze a little dab of lash adhesive on a clean surface. Don’t apply it from the tube directly to the lashes. A lot of product comes out at once and you don’t want to damage the lashes.

Step 6: Using any tool you’d like for precise application of the glue, (many like to use a toothpick or the opposite side of the tweezers)pick up the glue up. Don’t worry it’s too much. You don’t want it to be too little, otherwise your lashes might not stick well.

 Step 7: Pick your lashes up with your fingers or your tweezers and drag the glue across the band of the lashes. Apply a little more to each end of the lashes, as they are the spots that tend to wear off.

 Step 8: Pick the lashes up with a tweezer, holding them in the middle – close to the band but not touching the glue.

 Step 9: It’s difficult to apply lashes while looking straight forward into a mirror. The easiest way is by sitting down or standing up and tilting your head back a little – so when you look forward, your eyes are slightly squinted. This way, you’ll be getting a better view of your lashline. Like you did in Step 3, set the lashes down on your eyelid as close as possible to the base of your natural lashes, but not touching them. They should be on your eyelid, not your lashes. Make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes before you press them down on your skin.

Step 10: Once the lashes are lined up with your lashes, grab the beginning of the lashes with your tweezers and press it down on your lid. Again, make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes. You don’t want them to be any closer to your tear-duct, or it may cause your eyes to water or a pinching sensation. There should be a small space. Grab the outer end and press it down on your skin. Work quickly before the glue sets.

 Step 11: Go along the whole band, pressing it down onto your skin with the tweezers.

 Step 12: To make sure it’s very secure, use a brush (smudge brush, eyeliner/brow brush, etc) or sponge applicator and go across the band again pressing it down on your skin.

Step 13: Wait patiently for 1-2 minutes while the adhesive dries completely.

 Step 14: For this step, you can use eye liner (liquid/pencil or gel) or a dark eye shadow (brown, black, etc). If you’re using an eye shadow, take a small smudge brush and smudge the shadow on your lid, close to your lash line – blending it into the band of the false lashes. This will blend in the band better as well as cover up any adhesive you may have gotten on your eyelid. If you’re using a liquid liner, line your eyes as you normally would – against the band of the lashes.

 Step 15: Apply a coat of mascara to your lashes, starting at the base of your natural lashes all the way up to the end of the false lashes. This will blend your natural lashes in better with the false lashes as well as make the lashes look darker.

So now you have the tools to make your lashes glam for a day at the office to a night on the town. In part two of this article I will be discussing lashes more in depth from extensions to lash dip what you need to know and if it is a good match for you.

Give without being taken (part two)

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In part one of this series, I explored a couple religious views on how and why to give to people in need this season. Continuing to examine my own conscience, I’m a little less heavenly now and floating closer to home.

It’s a serious problem – and it’s not just our problem. Art imitates life, and the recent production of Les Miserables that impressed local audiences offered us one perspective on the situation:

At the end of the day you’re another day older
And that’s all you can say for the life of the poor
It’s a struggle, it’s a war
And there’s nothing that anyone’s giving
One more day standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.

Lest you think this story encourages us to only empathize with the situation of the poor (Occupy Saint-Michel, anyone?), Victor Hugo demonstrates how people take advantage of generosity. Two of the most celebrated characters in the show are the Thénardiers – an innkeeper and his wife who (in addition to flat out thievery) lie about their situation to get more money out of people. So – it’s a problem as old as time. The poor legitimately need support, but there are people who play on those sympathies and manipulate us to get something for nothing. And those people give those in need a bad rep. Seems like Hugo’s world is somewhat similar to our own serious problems.

But back to the streets of Dayton. When the panhandling law in town was passed, local business owner Karl Williamson was a big proponent of change. You may have seen one of his two videos on the DaytonInformer site talking about panhandling. Karl owns and operates Urban Krag – a downtown climbing gym inside an old church building (seriously cool).  Karl has the perspective of a downtowner who lives, works, and plays Dayton. It’s been a little while since the law went into effect, so I went back to Karl to get his thoughts on how to approach panhandling and what he’s seeing on the streets.

Megan Cooper – Do you feel like panhandling has gone down since the new law went into effect?

Karl Williamson – I feel it has, especially at the major intersections as well as on and off ramps downtown. Shortly after the law was put in place (the panhandlers) did move into the neighborhoods and business districts a bit more, but even that has died off or at least I’m not seeing it.

MC – As a business owner, how does panhandling negatively affect your business?

KW – Around a year ago, I had a family in from Indiana. They… had food delivered and spent the day here; they spent quite a bit of money here, including big tips for employees working that day. The father talked of making it a monthly family outing. On their way out the door they were confronted by a panhandler. The father was so afraid for his children that he stepped in between the children and the panhandler. I haven’t seen that family back here since. It not only affects my business, but downtown as a whole.

MC – Do you ever personally give to people on the streets who ask?

KW – I did when I first moved down here, but not anymore. Now it depends on what they are asking for or the reason behind why they want money. If it’s for food, I offer to buy them food; if they decline then I know they are trying to pull a con. I’ve bought food for panhandlers twice since i have lived down town (15 years). If they are asking for a ride, if its within reason, I might give them a ride, but I never give them money.

MC – So this makes me wonder – is it our responsibility to have to determine who legitimately needs help and who’s pulling a con?

KW – Responsibility? That I’m not sure of, people do what they want to do; I simply don’t like being taken by someone pulling on my heart strings. How do you know you’re helping them? Maybe it’s a drug addict needing money for a fix. It’s a good idea to take a look at the person before reaching into your pocket. Usually folks that ask for money while using an iPhone and wearing $200.00 sneakers are pulling a con. It’s also not a bad idea to be aware of your environment – what’s going on around you. The instant you reach into your pocket, you’re unconsciously showing them where you are keeping your money, it may be a set up for a mugging. Bottom line: use common sense.

MC – What do you believe can be done to raise the level of living in our community without supporting panhandling?

KW – I would love to see the “kindness meters” installed downtown. People keep forgetting about the money in this dilemma. People are willing to give and they want to help – the kindness meters simply intercept that money from the panhandlers (which is always questionable) and give it to outreach programs. The only real way you’re going to know if you have really helped someone is to give to the outreach programs. Dayton has a big heart, and I’m really tired of seeing liars and cheats take the money away from folks that really need it.

Karl’s last statement is my exact dilemma – how are we as people to determine who really needs it? Although it takes some of the personal interaction away (and I’m not saying if that’s a good or a bad thing) – giving to the outreach programs does seem like a solution. Of course, there’s always questions about how much of your money goes to administrative costs – but on the flip side, these larger programs have more buying power. So your $5 may cover one meal for a person you meet on the street, but that small amount of money can make a bigger difference at a local agency. For example, it costs St. Vincent de Paul only $10 to provide 3 meals.

In pursuit of a deeper perspective, I wanted to talk to someone who works with those in need on a daily basis. I talked to Terry Williamson (no relation to Karl) from St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) and asked her about this challenge. Personally, she gives change to the person on the street who asks with the belief that it’s not her responsibility to determine how that money is used.  Rather than question how the money is used she says, “to me that’s losing faith in your fellow human being… and if you don’t have faith in your fellow man, that’s sad.”

But she can’t make that call for anyone else, and she understands that it may not be feasible to give money every time you’re asked. When approached, Williamson also communicates to those in need that there is a shelter (SVdP never turns people away although there is a limited number of beds) where hot meals and a warm environment is available. When I asked her what those of us who may be more cynical can do when we are approached for money, she recommended carrying bus tokens to offer to those in need. A bus token meets a very specific need and can’t easily be used for other purposes.

Williamson says, “Many of us don’t have to think about where that next meal comes from.” She reminded me, “The need gets greater as it gets cold out…The people that we see come from all walks of life and are each individual people with their own individual stories. It’s not just a ‘herd’ of people or a ‘class’ of people; it is all people.” Speaking of the people they serve – over 50 children go to the shelter for a warm place to sleep, staying overnight in a large dorm room with 70 women.

Speaking to Williamson reinforced the idea that regardless of those who panhandle for profit, there is still a great need in the community. And as the weather turns colder and with the end of year appeals, it is important to find a way to offer something. Maybe that’s with manpower; Williamson said of SVdP, “We use about 800 volunteers a month doing a number of different things – preparing meals, serving meals, washing sheets and towels, handing out baskets.”  Maybe it’s by giving financially to an organization you can trust (you can check out many charities through online resources like CharityNavigator or BBB). Or maybe it’s by brightening someone’s day with a smile and saying hello to the person on the street you usually walk by. It’s an individual decision, and one that I’m still struggling with finding the right thing for me.

But I will share – as I was putting this article together (it’s been a long time coming) – I thought about the people I ran into. And just this week, a man stopped me outside the coffee shop with a story of how he needs some cash to get on the bus. I lied. I said I didn’t have any cash. But since I was about 30 minutes early for my meeting, I offered to walk with him over to the bus station to buy a token. He was really grateful and said yes! Honestly, I was surprised; the cynic in me was expecting him to say no (with the thought that it wasn’t really a bus ride he needed). But we began to walk. And we talked. He told me he came from the SVdP shelter, but the one downtown is only for women and children, so he had to make his way out to Gettysburg Avenue. And we talked about the shops downtown. And we talked about the weather. And when we got to the bus station, I bought him a few tokens (and kept some for myself – to use or give away). I know it’s ridiculous, but on this sunny day I enjoyed walking with a total stranger and doing something nice and easy. It won’t always happen. I know myself well enough to know that it won’t happen when I’m cold or when it’s raining or when I’m late to a meeting. But I’m glad it happened when it did, and I hope I do it again.

So – my challenge for you, dear reader (if you’ve been able to put up with this long self-examination), is to do something just outside your comfort zone. Do it the way it feels right for you. Maybe that’s to offer change in your pocket or maybe that’s to volunteer for a few hours. Maybe it’s to work for systemic change to make Dayton a place where basic needs are met in ways that stop panhandling. But whatever it is, try something new this season and see how you feel.

Giving without being taken (part one)

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As the weather turns colder, we hear more and more appeals to give. Whether it’s because the frigid winds make life harder for people, because the religious holidays inspire us to give, or because ’tis the season to get your last tax-deductible donation in – we are asked more and more to give.

It makes me wonder – what’s the right way to give? Earlier this year, there were two women standing outside my church  holding signs indicating they needed money. Sure, I’m used to getting hit up for money when out on the town, but seldom at my neighborhood church. But you have to give them credit; it was a good strategy to either catch people who believe in seeing Jesus in the “least of my people” or make them feel guilty by walking by.

That sight in my own backyard made me wonder: What is the right answer to panhandling? And I’m not saying there’s a universal answer, I’m asking what is the right answer for ME to blend my thoughts on God, economic development, social justice, and everything else that goes into it when I hand over that dollar on the corner or the check in the envelope. DDN pal Amelia Robinson got all sorts of flak for sharing her perspective, so obviously this is something that many of us have an opinion on. So, I modestly offer my personal crisis of conscience and invite you to share  –  What do you do – and why?

So, here’s my journey…

Thought One: If I can help by offering a few bucks, I should. If I’ve done a good thing to help another human being, I can rest easy knowing that I was generous with good intentions. Anyway, it’s not my responsibility if they use it for drugs, alcohol or other vices.

Thought Two: I should focus on the “teach a man to fish” theory and say “no” when I’m individually asked. That way I can make my donations to the social services that are working to support the many people who struggle and I don’t encourage more panhandling in the city.

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Songs like “Mr. Wendal” by Arrested Development (thanks for that throwback, Slacker) simplify and beautify giving to people on the street. And Carlos from Living Philanthropic demonstrates a lot of great ways to give – like this recent FB post where he shared, “I met a very pleasant woman without a home today who was casually complimenting people walking by. I loved how much positive energy she was sending out into the world, so I shared my lunch with her and gave her some money. It’s the little joys in life.” So – giving on the street helps people and makes us feel better, but as romantic as those versions are, I’m not convinced it’s the RIGHT thing. Is giving really that complicated? Should we second-guess ourselves so much and worry about how our dollar will make the biggest impact or should we just see a need and help out a bit? I don’t know, so I’m passing the buck. I reached out to some people who are much more likely to have an educated opinion.

Up first – the religious spin.

Like I said, this article was inspired when people asked for money outside my church, so first stop – I talked to my priest, Fr. Dan Meyer at Holy Angels. He shared his experience with me of how he handles situations when approached for help. Often times, people in need will walk right up to the door of the church or the office and ask for money for food, gas and other necessities. Fr. Dan will personally purchase food or other necessities (it’s a short walk to Arby’s and Speedway), but if the push is just to hand over some dollars, he connects those in need to the agencies that can help.

But what about me – is that what he thinks I should do? Unfortunately, the Catholics are getting away from some of the “top down” mentality of telling people right and wrong in every case. He pulled out the “informed conscience” theory and instructed me to pray on it, know what the church teaches, get good advice, and make my own informed decision and see how I feel about it. Dang. No answer.

But he did leave me with the reminder that “Jesus told us that we will ‘always have the poor’ with us. We’re called as a church to help, but sometimes we have to set limits. We do what we can do.” My take-away: It’s my obligation to do SOMETHING, but it’s okay if I can’t give every time I’m asked or if I make a decision to support in other ways. Like Fr. Dan said, we do what we can do – and that’s our choice to decide what is ‘enough.’ But I can’t shake that we’re supposed to help the less fortunate. My quest continues…

David Spinrad, Rabbinic Intern at Temple Israel offered some powerful insights blending scriptural study and personal experience. He shared a quote from the Talmud that explains a biblical verse on giving as “If the choice lies between a Jew and a non-Jew, the Jew has preference. If the choice is between the poor or the rich, the poor takes precedence. If the choice is between poor who are our relatives and the poor who are strangers of the town, poor relatives take precedence. If the choice is between the poor of our town and the poor of another town, the poor of our town take precedence.”

Not being Jewish, you might ask what this has to do with me. Well – it offers a nice structure. Spinrad believes this teaching can be explained as “trying to establish concentric circles in our spheres of obligation. Never are we free to ignore the needs of others, but it is appropriate for us to establish priorities that extend from inward to outward.” Okay – I can get behind that. I’m an autonomous person and I have the right to give to people I know and causes that are close to my heart and my community. It’s my money – I can decide what I want to give to. But does that make me blind to problems beyond my personal experiences? If we all only gave to those within our church, family or neighborhood are we neglecting people in deep need that we aren’t affiliated with?

Beyond the scriptural teaching, Spinrad also pointed out how he acts in everyday life, saying “Our monies are better spent giving to lean, well-run organizations that are adept at getting help and services to those in need. I do occasionally give money to people on the street, but I have no illusions when I give it: I understand the dynamic between giver and receiver in that situation to be one of manipulation. No lasting good is done. I simply make myself feel better in the moment and reinforce the situation. Still, to turn a blind eye is a pain that leaves me feeling such remorse. And yet, I resent that this is exactly the emotional manipulation in which I am participating.”

So from both religious leaders, I received an acknowledgement that even though we come with best intentions, we may be making a systemic problem worse by giving on the street. But sometimes that makes us feel just a little bit better that we ‘helped’ someone. What a challenging paradox!

Tomorrow in part two of this column, I talk to individuals who deal with panhandling and homelessness on a daily basis and I determine how I react when approached. Until then – what influences your decisions when you’re hit up for money? Is it about religion, economic development, or personal responsibility?

World AIDS Day 2011 “Getting to Zero”

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World AIDS Day is an opportunity for all of us to learn the facts about HIV.  By increasing the understanding of how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today-we can use this knowledge to take care of our own health and the health of others.

Today, despite advances in HIV treatment and in laws designed to protect those living with HIV; many people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV or about the stigma and discrimination that remain a reality for many people living with HIV.  World AIDS Day is an important reminder to individuals and governments that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

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The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is “Getting to Zero.” After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the focus is on achieving 3 targets: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.

Zero New HIV Infections

Testing is the only way to identify the nearly 250,000 Americans currently living with HIV who do not know they’re infected – that’s 1 in 5 of all Americans with HIV. HIV testing and diagnosis are the first steps toward connecting people to life-extending treatment, as well as helping to prevent the spread of HIV to partners.

HIV testing should be a routine part of health care. CDC recommends:

  • Everyone ages 13-64 get tested at least once.
  • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) be tested for HIV and STIs at least annually. CDC data show that sexually active MSM might benefit from more frequent testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
  • Others at high risk for HIV should also get tested more often (at least annually). This includes injection-drug users and their sex partners, persons who exchange sex for money or drugs, and sex partners of HIV-infected persons.
  • Women get tested during each pregnancy.

Zero Discrimination

According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, “Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world.”

Discrimination against those infected with HIV/AIDS includes both the fear of getting the disease and also negative assumptions about people who are infected.  AIDS-related stigma has had a profound effect on the epidemic’s course. The World Health Organization cites fear of stigma and discrimination as the main reason why people are reluctant to be tested, to disclose their HIV status or to take antiretroviral drugs.

Zero AIDS Related Deaths

More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus worldwide, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.  In the US, nearly 594,500 people with AIDS in the US have died since the epidemic began.

The goal of ‘Zero AIDS Related Deaths’ signifies an increased access to available treatments for all those infected.  Currently, only one third of the 15 million people living with HIV worldwide who are in need of life long treatment are receiving it. Universal access to antiretroviral treatments for those living with HIV will not only decrease the number of AIDS related deaths, but will increase the quality of life among those infected and decrease transmission.

 

WORLD AIDS DAY CELEBRATIONS IN DAYTON:

World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil
at First Baptist Church of Dayton
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
RED Tie Affair
at Club Masque
8:00 PM – 02:00 AM
FREE HIV TESTING TODAY:

AIDS Resource Center  from 9am – 6pm  at 15 W. Fourth Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Club Masque 8-10pm  at 34 North Jefferson Street  Dayton, OH 45402

Aquarius  10-midnight at 135 East 2nd Street  Dayton, OH 45402

Until no one is infected, we are all affected!

A Handmade First Friday

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If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely heard of a little thing called First Fridays. These art walks (and in some cities, African-American business networking or conservative political events) happen in urban areas all over the United States on the first Friday of each month.

first friday logoTheir goal? Connect people with their communities.

But here in Dayton, things are getting a little out of hand. First of all, you’ve got dozens of art studios, performance venues and event leaders offering so many awesome opportunities downtown, how’s a fan supposed to see it all? Second of all, pretty much everything’s free. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned capitalism?

I’m joking, of course. The Gem City’s art scene is as vibrant as any I’ve seen outside the big metropolitan meccas. And good old greedy capitalism can go take a dose of its own medicine in a third-world factory or a Dayton factory layoff line. Because you know what? We’ve got Handmade Holiday.

On the first Friday of December, for the past three to five years (yep, even the organizers can’t remember exactly how many now), Dayton’s best knitters, photographers, crafters, painters, and urban revolutionaries pack themselves into a brightly lit storefront and offer their wares to folks who care about keeping their shopping dollars local.

Etch at work at HH 2009 - photo by Melissa Trent

You can find hand-crocheted caps for babies, joke books for 8-year-olds, edgy phone pouches for the teens on your list, and enough wildly sweet local art (and cupcakes!!!) to satisfy your friends and grandparents from here to the end of Kwanzaa. And your cash? Sure, you’ll hand out more than you’d pay for one of those plastic things from a box store, stamped out by slave kids in other countries whose bosses got our old jobs. But your extra dollars will get at least one more cycle in the Miami Valley, and it makes a world of difference to the dedicated artists sharing their creative energies with us First Friday revelers.

Want to see the wares? Check out the Handmade Holiday market at the St. Clair Lofts, St. Clair Street at 4th Street (just north of the Neon and south of the Dayton Metro Library) from 5 to 10pm Friday, then 11am to 6pm Saturday.

And yes, fans, there’s talk of making this market a monthly event in 2012. Organizer(s) and venue(s) needed!

If you don’t recognize plenty of the works and their creators this weekend, keep on coming to First Fridays! It’s all about connecting us with our communities, after all.

(Click the poster to view it full-size — how many names do you recognize?)