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Eyebrows… Sisters not Twins.

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The first thing most people notice about you will be your face and as a makeup artist I notice all the little things. Now to all my friends reading this dont think I stare at you and pick you apart lol. One of the biggest things I notice that often goes over looked are eyebrows. Yeah you know the lines of fur above your eyes? Many people dont realize just how important they are to framing your face. I have done makeovers on women who are shocked by the transformation just by changing their eyebrows. There are tons of ways to manage brow fur these days and along with that are price points for every budget. I hear all the time that “I cant afford brow waxing” “my skin is too sensitive” “it hurts” Ladies there are no excuses these day and there is way for everyone to have perfectly manicured brows for a mere cost.

Plucking- Tried and True?

I cannot and have never plucked my own eyebrows or anyone elses.  In my opinion it is painful and unecessary. With that being said I have several friends and clients who do pluck and do a wonderful job. It’s just not for me. Here are a few tips:

  1. Exfoliate and apply teething gel for pain. Brush brows up and out.
  2. Situate yourself near a window with light pouring in or under a bright light with a good mirror (magnifying mirrors are best, but be sure and flip it over to see your overall effect in the regular mirror).
  3. Make sure you have a good pair of tweezers with a slanted edge. I recommend Tweezerman.
  4. Tweeze hairs in the direction they grow. Don’t grab too many hairs at a time. You can hold skin taut as you pluck.
  5. You can start anywhere, but I usually tweeze the area under my arch first, then I move above the brow and I clean up in between my brows last. It’s a myth that brows should never be tweezed from above. You want both the bottoms and tops to be smooth. So be careful, but tweeze the top AND the bottom.
  6. The best brows have a slight arch. To find yours, take a long eyeshadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of your eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of your brow should be. Tweeze the hairs underneath the arch.
  7. The space between your brows should be equal to, or a little wider than, your eyes. To find where your brow should go, take the brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of your nose. Where the brush meets your brow is where your brow should begin. Tweeze the strays in between.
  8. Stop every few hairs to step back and look at the job you’re doing. If you overpluck, you’re stuck. Unlike most hairs on your body, your brows won’t always grow back once they’re yanked. In fact I have seen many women who’s do not come back 🙁
  9. Once you’re done plucking, you can apply aloe vera gel, which will calm the redness right away.

Waxing Vs. Threading the Debate

When it comes to eyebrow grooming, many ladies debate which method is best threading or waxing. Threading is an ancient technique where a string is used to remove hair. Whereas waxing, Uses a wax-based resin that is placed on the skin and then rips off the unwanted hair.

Many women have extremely sensitive skin and are more prone to threading. Threading has little to minimum contact with the skin. Waxing however, tugs at skin when the hair is removed, and causes irritated sensitive skin making it turn pink to extremely red. Threading solely uses a string to remove the hair, unlike waxing that contains resins and preservatives; artificial fragrances and ingredients that can be a problem for sensitive skin. Sometimes having an allergic reaction is mistaken as sensitivity. Waxes are often based on a certain ingredient like: lavender, tea tree, chocolate, acaí berry and the list goes on and on. With threading eyebrows there’s no need to worry.

So who should wax?

Wax works well for skin that is not overly sensitve and should always be done by a professional. It shoud not be overly painful. Technicians will often go through after the wax and pluck unwanted hairs they were missed. You may have some slight redness and swelling but it should only last a couple hours. Here is what you can expect at your appointment:

An upscale salon or spa will lead you into a private room onto a facial bed where you will lay down, and they will wrap hair in a towel or push it back with a head band. A bright facial and magnifying light will be turned on to see the brows closely. Some salons that mostly specialize in hair services, simply clip hair back and do the waxing at the shampoo bowl.

Professional Eyebrow Waxing Consultation

At this time they should consult with you on how you want your eyebrows shaped. Do you like them full and defined, just cleaned up, or a large arch?  The technician should never just start waxing at away at your brows without knowing what you want your brows to look like.

The Waxing & Shaping

If needed, your brows will be trimmed with scissors. Don’t be scared and think they are taking your entire brows away. The excess bulk that’s removed makes for a much cleaner look.

They will cleanse your eyebrow area, apply powder and then the warm wax and strip (for soft wax). When hardened, it’s ripped off quickly. Your first wax will probably hurt a bit, but will get better each time. The hair underneath, in the middle of brows and on top (if you wish) will be removed.

Post-Wax

Wax cleanser will remove any residue, and a skin soother helps calm skin and ease redness. Any tiny hairs that were missed by the wax will be cleaned up with tweezers to fine-tune the brows.

The technician will then give you a mirror so you can see how your brows look. If they were shaped too thin, unfortunately there’s not much you can do but use an eyebrow pencil until they grow back in. But, if they are too thick then ask the technician to make them thinner.

If you like the way they’re shaped, make a standing appointment. Your brows will always look great, and never over-grown.

So who should Thread?

If you have sensitive skin or are prone to break out threading may be a better option for you. Although it is mildly painful the threading has no direct contact with your skin. It is very important to go to a reputable threading expert. If you do not you could end up with uneven brows, ingrown hairs or experience unecessary pain. I personally have never tried threading but am curious to see how it feels as compared to waxing.

Now you have the low down on what is involved these days in the brow world and this is just the beginning. There are even more options of penciling, tattooing, dying and even using laser hair removal. Here are my final tips for you:

1. Find a REPUTABLE salon for any service. If it sounds to good be true it probably is.

2. Even if you over pluck dont panic you can always pencil them in until they come back.

3. Irritation from waxing is short lived dont freak out it will go away!

4. Dont obsess over matchy matchy brows they are “sisters not twins”

5. At home waxing may seem like a good idea……it’s most likely not especially after that second glass of wine 🙂

If you have brow experiences please share them with us. We always want to hear the good, bad and the wonderful in the beauty world!

xoxo

Michelle

 

Urban Mosaics: Being Natural = Being Empowered

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As I sit here in my new salmon-colored t-shirt, sporting the word “honey” across the front (a term of endearment used for fly girls) I realize this is exactly the feeling Stacy Edey was trying to achieve when she set out to start her own innovative t-shirt company: I feel beautiful; I feel comfortable; I feel like me. According to Edey, her clothing line, Urban Mosaics “promotes the indefinable beauty of natural textured hair signified by abstract works of wearable art, and instills a paradigm shift in the conscious mind.”

What does all of that mean? It means that Stacy figured out a way to encourage African-American women to be comfortable with who they are at their roots – literally.

“I would say that the majority of black women’s hair is not naturally straight. The process of relaxing hair involves a harsh chemical called lye, which changes the chemical compound in hair and straightens it,” says Edey. Stacy explained that the process of straightening dates back hundreds of years to when it was widely believed that it was more acceptable for black women to have straight hair rather than kinky hair because it made them look more like everyone else. But Edey references a favorite quote from Marcus Garvey that she believes says it all: “Take the kinks out of your mind instead of your hair.”

With a professional background in Human Resources and a graduate degree in Management, in 2011 Stacy felt it was time for a change. She went back to her roots by making the Big Chop- cutting off all chemically-straightened hair. “It was a very liberating experience; I had about “that much” hair,” Stacy says as she pinches her thumb and index finger together. “I had what’s called a TWA- a teeny weeny Afro.” In addition to feeling liberated, Stacy explained that it was a struggle not knowing how people would react to her new shorter haircut, and as it grew out, her natural, textured hair. “There were a lot of pressures compounded on me. I didn’t know how to care for my natural hair. I didn’t even remember what my real hair texture was like- I was probably about 8 years old when my hair was introduced to chemical relaxers. I had no idea what to expect.”

As Stacy’s journey continued, she found a t-shirt online that simply said, “Love your roots.” The artwork on the shirt depicted a tree trunk in the shape of a woman’s face and leaves and branches that symbolized her hair. Edey adds sentimentally, “I thought it was so profound, and I realized how it made me feel when I wore it out in public. When I wore that shirt I felt a sense of empowerment. This is my hair. This is who I am. I love my roots-my heritage.”

Edey began to have an affinity for t-shirts with statements such as “Same Girl, Different Hair.” Edey explained, “I liked the way the shirts changed my disposition,” and claimed she wants to be able to share her perspective of natural beauty with the world while offering shirts that portray a unique type of artistry as well. To this end, Edey has enlisted the help of Cleveland, Ohio sneaker artist Van Monroe to create most of the designs, has them printed on 100% organic cotton shirts, and sells them on her website: Urban-Mosaics.com. A portion of the proceeds is then donated to Stivers School for the Arts, as Edey encourages women of all ages to believe in themselves and believe that they can impact positive change in the world through their passions and views.

Through Urban Mosaics, Edey strives to be a catalyst for change; she endeavors to change the way people feel and think about their hair, their heritage and ultimately themselves. Edey believes that despite initially appealing primarily to African-American women, her shirts will transcend nationalities- that anyone will be able to wear them, regardless of ethnicity or heritage because believing in who you are- at your roots- is a universal concept.

Edey recalled an anonymous quote she once read, “Being natural is not a statement. It’s the closest to being who I am,” and added, “I found a way to create a business that surrounds my passions. I know it’s a cliche to believe in your dreams, but if you have passion and surround yourself with the right people, you can make your dreams come true.”

 

Downtown Dayton is going to the dogs…

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"Woof!" (translation: "We want our own downtown park!")

Just over the pedestrian bridge spanning the Mad River as it converges with its sister rivers in Downtown Dayton, and past the beautiful Deeds Point where statues of a couple of famous Dayton brothers look over the downtown skyline, exists an abandoned park that is getting a new life with the help of some dedicated downtown dog owners with a mission of creating downtown dog park.  The group was started by David Hurwitz, Uli Fiedler, Karen Stephens, Darryl Demure (aka Ms. Demure from Bazzaroworld), and Aaron Sorrell – Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Dayton.

While this team of dog enthusiasts is fairly new and not yet an official non-profit organization, their goal is to obtain their 501 (c)(3) status very soon with money they hope to raise at a benefit on Thursday August 16th at Club Aquarius.  They’ve already made quite a bit of progress in cleaning up the lot and even installing a fence with a double-gate (a must in any dog park), and they have bigger plans that include transforming the existing building that sits on the lot into a hot dog and/or mocha stand.  If they win a $500,000 prize through the 2012 Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest, that could soon be a reality!

To keep up with progress, you can follow their Facebook group page called Dayton Unleashed.  And if you have a dog and live in the downtown area (or even if you don’t), be sure to come out on Thursday night for an entertaining event with Ms. Demure at Club Aquarius.  This is a group that is doing great things and deserves support from the community!

Two Dayton Seamstresses Need Your Help To Sew Their Dreams

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Sew Dayton is a fun new sewing shop located in downtown Dayton, Ohio with a modern style and a pinch of vintage inspirations. It’s not your grandma’s traditional sewing store but she would still love to shop here!

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Our Dayton, Ohio community has an amazing group of emerging crafters and artists. Dayton is thriving with creativity and it’s exciting to see the arts develop in our community. With all this talent you might be surprised to know that Dayton, Ohio is missing a place for people to learn how to sew! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced level sewer, there is a need for a space in Dayton that offers private lessons, group classes, high quality fabrics & notions, modern & vintage patterns and knowledgeable staff.

Sew Dayton is dedicated to helping clients solve problems and answer questions about sewing projects of all levels at any step in the process. Our goal is not only to be a great resource for all sewers but to offer sewing materials you can’t find anywhere else. Sew Dayton will stock both modern and vintage fabrics which is lacking in our area. If you’re looking for materials that are on target with current trends, then Sew Dayton is your store!

Core Values at Sew Dayton:

·       Customers and clients should be treated like family.

·       Every customer is welcomed with a smile (and a hug)!

·       We gladly help all clients no matter the size of the project or the experience of the sewer.

·       Your projects are important to us.

·       Customer service is a top priority. We will take time to listen and understand your needs.

Tracy McElfresh of Dresses by Tracy McElfresh, LLC will be part of Sew Dayton!

Sew Dayton is passionate and energetic about the art of sewing. We are excited to share our knowledge with others and we are dedicated to our community and to the success of arts in Dayton.

One of the goals of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan is to help launch entrepreneurs down the path of owning their own business while revitalizing Dayton’s downtown abandoned store fronts. Activated Spaces was developed as a partnership between the Downtown Dayton Partnership, UpDayton, and Generation Dayton to see this goal come to life. Sew Dayton has applied to be a part of this amazing project.

Working with Activated Spaces allows us to set up shop in an empty street level store front in Downtown Dayton. Sew Dayton will receive a reduced rate rent and a start up lease term that works for us.

Sadly, some storefronts in Dayton have been left vacant and neglected over the years. Activated Spaces requires that we give our space some TLC in order to get the doors open. With a donation from you, it will be possible for us to revitalize our storefront space and open the doors with Sew Dayton up and running within the 30 days. Sew Dayton needs your help!

Jesy Anderson of JKessel Design will be part of Sew Dayton!!

In order for Sew Dayton to flourish we will need to set up an account with a modern and trendy fabric distributor, purchase additional fabrics, notions, patterns, sewing machines for classes, and make over our storefront. This is where the initial start up cost exceeds our current savings.

Donations will help us achieve our goal of opening a new shop in Dayton! You can give now through their Kickstarter Campaign.

We want our dream to succeed and with your help it will blossom and become a reality. We want to keep our dollars local and help our community thrive while we fulfill our dream of opening Sew Dayton.

Thank You,

Tracy McElfresh and Jesy Anderson of Sew Dayton

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Dayton Home Sales Stats for June 2012

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Dayton Home Sales Stats for June 2012 - Click Image to Enlarge

Every month the Dayton Area Board of Realtors (DABR) crunches through the sales data for the previous month and publishes the stats. They compare monthly sales to the year prior. It’s a nice way to gauge the general and overall real estate health of the Greater Dayton area.

These sales are single-family homes and condominiums reported by the Dayton Area Board of Realtors, in areas that could include everything from the Indiana border to Springfield; Celina to Hamilton, so it’s a very broad picture, so as I say with nearly every post, your community and your neighborhood might tell a very different picture- talk to a real estate agent to find the data that will directly affect your home. Commercial buildings or homes sold outside the Multiple Listing Service are not included.

So how did we do in June?

Brisk sales throughout the first six months of this year produced year-to-date across-the-board improvements over 2011. From January through June, 5,412 transactions were completed, compared to 5,014 during the same period in 2011, an increase of nearly 8%.

That’s sales. What about price?

This activity generated over $647.4 million in total sales volume for the first six months, a very strong 15.8% increase over 2011. The average sale price jumped to $119,657 while the median rose to $98,500, increases of 7.3% and 10.6%, respectively, in a year-over- year comparison.

The DABR website has other charts and graphs as well to help you make sense of what is happening in the Greater Dayton Area. Take a look!

Downtown Buildings Will Be Lit Friday for Photo Contest

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Amateur winner Bruce Soifer's photo of the Dayton skyline, taken during downtown's light up night in 2011.

From 8 to 11 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 3, most of downtown’s buildings will be lit for photographers who would like to capture city nightscapes to enter in the photo contest Downtown in Focus. While photographers can enter photos taken during the night or day, tomorrow evening will be an opportunity to take shots when downtown Dayton’s skyline will be brightly lit.

The owners of 27 downtown buildings — including the Kettering Tower, KeyBank Tower, CareSource building and new Premier Health Partners Center — have agreed to light up for the evening.  A complete list follows, and photographers interested in knowing if a specific building will be lit up can visit www.downtowndayton.org or contact Anna Beyerle at 224-1518, ext. 235.

Downtown eatery Smokin' BBQ lights up near the Oregon District.

The buildings will be lit during First Friday, downtown’s free monthly art hop. This week’s event will feature a free concert by Stranger at RiverScape MetroPark from 5 to 7:30 p.m., as well as gallery openings at locations throughout downtown, a variety of roaming entertainers, and much more from 5 to 10 p.m. Click here for details about events taking place during this month’s First Friday.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership, City of Dayton, Kaplan College and Dayton Daily News are sponsoring Downtown in Focus. One amateur winner and one professional winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

  • Downtown Festivals: Images showcasing individuals or unique moments at any of downtown Dayton’s summer events or festivals.
  • Active Downtown: Photographs featuring people participating in active lifestyle activities, such as biking, kayaking, dancing and running in downtown Dayton.
  • Scenic Downtown: Creative images featuring buildings, architecture, skylines, parks, the river or any other picturesque view of downtown.
  • Best in Show (selected by the judges)

CareSource Management Group's building is a staple among downtown's bright lights.

A panel of judges will select the winners in each category and award a $250 cash prize to the Best in Show winner in each division. Honorable mentions also will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Contest winners will be recognized at the Sept. 14 Urban Nights and all entries will be displayed in a special exhibit during Urban Nights.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31. Official contest guidelines and entry forms are available at www.downtowndayton.org.

Cast Your Vote For Top Model in Hospice Style Show

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The Jungle of Life Style Show and Luncheon to benefit Hospice of Dayton will be held Friday, September 21 at the Ponitz Center at Sinclair Community College. This popular fundraiser showcases the latest in men’s and women’s fashions while raising important funds for Hospice of Dayton patient and family services and programs. Local celebrity models will share the runway with Hospice of Dayton employees. All proceeds of the event benefit patient care at Hospice of Dayton for those facing life- limiting illnesses. Vectren, Premier Health Partners and the Levin Family Foundation are title sponsors of the event, now in its ninth year. The dessert sponsor is Caresource and supporting sponsors include Freund Freeze & Arnold LLC, KeyBank, Garland Johnson Dental and Photographer Andy Snow . The program will be hosted by WDTN TV news anchor Marsha Bonhart.

Tickets are $70 per person and the deadline for registration is September 14, 2012. Tickets may be purchased online at www.hospiceofdayton.org, or by contacting Special Events Coordinator Marsha Bernard [email protected] or 937.258.5537. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For sponsorship information, please contact the Director, Community Outreach & Special Events, Amanda Burks at 937.258.5537 or email her at [email protected].

Event highlights will include a silent auction, a “wild” style show featuring fashions from Bello One, Pieces of Style, TheSecret Ingredient and Joli Boutique, and a fabulous raffle featuring unique items and experiences, including a trip to Grand Cayman. Also new this year is the online “Top Model” Contest. Hospice is asking you to cast your vote for your favorite model.  That might be Brent Johnson from Square One Salon, Kim Faris  from Lite 99.9, Bootsie Neal from Wright Dunbar, or a  dozen more choices.  Votes are $5 each and online voting in now online. The model with the most votes will be crowned “Top Model” at the luncheon and all proceeds raised will be used for patient care and services.

Hospice of Dayton is a non-profit organization serving an eight county area in southwestern Ohio providing superior care and services to over 700 patients daily. Medicare certified and accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Hospice of Dayton has earned national and state recognition for programs and innovation. Services are available to patients with a variety of life-limiting illnesses including cancer, ALS, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Heart Disease, Liver Disease, Pulmonary Diseases, Kidney Failure, Stroke and Coma. Along with the fundamental mission of celebrating the lives of patients, Hospice of Dayton is also committed to serving as a community resource for end-of-life education and an advocate for patient self-determination.

Earnest Money: Quick tips and good faith deposits in Dayton

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The Ohio Association of Realtors just produced a video regarding the legal implications of earnest money as it can be one of the most confusing aspects of a real estate transaction, and the video release is timely because I’ve seen a definite shift in seller thinking about earnest money so I thought this would be a good topic to discuss in some general terms. What is “earnest money”, what does it do, and how is it disbursed?

Please note: I’m a Realtor, I am not an attorney and I don’t play one on TV. What is included here is intended as very basic, general real estate information so if you need legal advice, please consult your attorney.

Also note: Real estate is local. If you are reading this from outside the Dayton area, please get specific advice from a local real estate agent.

In Dayton it’s called “Earnest Money Deposit” in other areas it might be called a “Good Faith Deposit” but regardless, the purpose remains the same- to let a seller know that your offer is serious and prevent a buyer from simply walking away from a home because of cold feet or a change of heart without losing something of value. An Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is an amount of cash that a buyer offers up, to be delivered upon acceptance of an offer. But it’s not given to the seller, it is held in a non-interest bearing escrow account, and is not co-mingled with a broker’s operating funds. Here’s how the EMD is explained in the Dayton Area Board of Realtors (DABR) Purchase Contract:

EARNEST MONEY; DEFAULT. Upon presentation of this offer, Purchaser has delivered to _____ Broker, the sum of $_______ as earnest money, to be (1) deposited in the Broker’s trust account promptly after acceptance of this offer or (2) returned to Purchaser upon request if this offer is not accepted. The earnest money shall be paid to Purchaser or applied on the purchase price at closing. If the closing does not occur because of Seller’s default or because any condition of this Contract is not satisfied or waived, Purchaser shall be entitled to the earnest money. If Purchaser defaults, Seller shall be entitled to the earnest money.

Sellers need to understand that the money is not a deposit for them. It does not go to them at closing, it is not theirs. Buyers need to understand that they can get that money back at closing if the terms of the contract are met. Both parties need to understand that they both have to agree on how the funds are disbursed. More from the DABR Purchase Contract:

The parties acknowledge, however, that the Broker will not make a determination as to which party is entitled to the earnest money. Instead, the Broker shall not release the earnest money from the trust account until one of the following occurs: (1) the transaction closes and the Broker disburses the earnest money to the closing or escrow agent or otherwise disburses money pursuant to the terms of this Contract; (2) the parties provide the Broker with written instructions that both parties have signed that specify how the Broker is to disburse the earnest money; (3) the Broker receives a copy of a final court order that specifies to whom the earnest money is to be awarded; or (4) the funds become unclaimed and the Broker turns them over to the Division of Unclaimed Funds. In the event of a dispute between Seller and Purchaser regarding the disbursement of the earnest money, the Broker is required by Ohio law to maintain such funds in its trust account until the Broker receives (A) written instructions signed by the parties specifying how the earnest money is to be disbursed or (B) a final court order that specifies to whom the earnest money is to be awarded. If within two years from the date the earnest money is deposited in the Broker’s trust account, the parties have not provided the Broker with such signed instructions or written notice that legal action to resolve the dispute has been filed, the Broker shall return the earnest money to Purchaser with no further notice to Seller. Payment or refund of the earnest money shall not prejudice the rights of the Broker(s) or the non-defaulting party in an action for damages or specific performance against the defaulting party.

So, once an offer is accepted, try thinking of the EMD as belonging to both the buyer and the seller and they both have to agree on what happens to that money. As the contract states, if “(1) the transaction closes … the Broker disburses the earnest money to the closing or escrow agent or otherwise disburses money pursuant to the terms of this Contract”. We always defer- we have to do what the contract states, so if the there is a successful closing, the money is disbursed at the closing table, typically to the buyer, or if there are other instructions as to how that is disbursed, then we follow those terms. But what if it doesn’t close? We still follow the contract:

(2) the parties provide the Broker with written instructions that both parties have signed that specify how the Broker is to disburse the earnest money;

There is a specific form that will attach to the contract and gives the broker specific written instructions, agreed upon by both parties. Sometimes the money is just given back to the buyer and everyone moves on, sometimes the two parties split the money and move on, or the seller could end up with the money. It’s all negotiated and agreed-to in writing, or the broker is not allowed to release the funds. But what if the buyer and seller cannot agree to how EMD should be released? Again, we defer to the contract:

(3) the Broker receives a copy of a final court order that specifies to whom the earnest money is to be awarded;

If the parties cannot agree, one of the parties has the right to take the issue to small claims court and a judge decides how it disbursed. But even that doesn’t always happen, so then our contract says:

or (4) the funds become unclaimed and the Broker turns them over to the Division of Unclaimed Funds. In the event of a dispute between Seller and Purchaser regarding the disbursement of the earnest money, the Broker is required by Ohio law to maintain such funds in its trust account until the Broker receives (A) written instructions signed by the parties specifying how the earnest money is to be disbursed or (B) a final court order that specifies to whom the earnest money is to be awarded. If within two years from the date the earnest money is deposited in the Broker’s trust account, the parties have not provided the Broker with such signed instructions or written notice that legal action to resolve the dispute has been filed, the Broker shall return the earnest money to Purchaser with no further notice to Seller. Payment or refund of the earnest money shall not prejudice the rights of the Broker(s) or the non-defaulting party in an action for damages or specific performance against the defaulting party.

The contract is very specific about EMD and it’s imperative that everyone understands how they could be impacted by an earnest money deposit. 

How much money should a buyer put down? Everything is negotiable and EMD is no different. Personally, I think the minimum they can get away with and still let the seller know they are serious is best, as a buyer you certainly don’t want to tie up your money unnecessarily as we just discussed it can be a point of negotiation and possible contention. So what’s typical? Well, foreclosures almost always ask for $1000.00, but sometimes a seller will take as low as $250.00 or $500.00 on lower priced properties. It varies from property to property and transaction to transaction, but figure between 5 and 10%. Also, while it is typical for an EMD to be a personal check, and it is customary for the buyer’s broker to hold the EMD, some sellers will want to have the EMD be a certified check and they will ask for their broker to hold the EMD, but remember, how the EMD is handled is determined by the contract, so neither broker can make an independent decision on how or when to release the earnest money.

While we see signs that the market is improving, we are a long way from the days where a seller would simply release the EMD because they knew another buyer was right around the corner. Earnest money is an increasingly critical negotiating tool, and in 2009 the Dayton Area Board of Realtors Purchase Contract changed to provide the detailed instructions you see above, so don’t be surprised if a seller asks for a large EMD to make sure a buyer is serious, or does not agree to Release of Escrow without a fight. Each transaction and each offer will hold some unique circumstances so please ask  your real estate agent or lawyer as many questions you need to feel comfortable with the earnest money.

Looking for some insider baseball? To get the nitty gritty on some legal issues regarding earnest money, check out the Ohio Association of REALTORS Attorneys Peg Ritenour and Lorie Garland as they talk to REALTORS about how to deal with earnest money accounts with regard to Ohio laws.

Image credits:
Dayton Area Board of Realtors
LuMax Art

Aug. 3 First Friday to Feature Free Kayaking and Cycling, Live Music, New Art Exhibits, and Much More

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Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3.

RiverScape MetroPark will host the final First Friday @ 5 concert in this year’s series, with Stranger performing from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The park’s concession stand will be open and beer will be sold from 5 to 7 p.m. MetroParks employees will demonstrate various kayaking skills on the river and free kayak rentals will be available, courtesy of Cox Media Group Ohio. Free bike rentals will be available, courtesy of AAA, and the Junior League of Dayton will sponsor free bike helmets and fittings.

At the event, RTA will debut its new “On the Road” bus, a hands-on, retrofitted bus available for tours. The bus has special features, including computer kiosks for website training, interior LCD monitors with video montages and an exterior monitor for outside viewing. The bus is part of a mobile community outreach program that connects RTA to special events in the Dayton community.

Kayak raffle tickets will be sold to raise money for the Last DAM Summer, the fundraising effort for the RiverScape River Run project.

Also during the First Friday @ 5 concert, guests can show they give a DAM about the RiverScape River Run project by making a donation to the Last DAM Summer fundraising campaign. Basho Apparel will be at RiverScape hand printing special I Gave a DAM T-shirts. The shirts usually are reserved for those who donate $100 or more to the project, but only during First Friday @ 5, the shirts will be available to those donating $50 or more. In addition, Whitewater Warehouse will be selling raffle tickets for $10 each or three for $20 to win a Perception Prodigy 10 kayak the business has donated, with all proceeds going toward the River Run project.

This is the last summer a dangerous low dam in the Great Miami River will stand in the way of paddlers and others who want to enjoy the river. River Run, the next phase of development at RiverScape MetroPark, includes the removal of the low dam, making a seven-mile stretch of river navigable from Eastwood MetroPark to Carillon Park. In place of the dam, two smaller drops will be installed upstream near The Landing and RiverScape. These peninsulas will span the river and be notched with two openings where water will pass — an easy pass-through for novice paddlers and a more challenging route for skilled paddlers. The River Run project has some DAM good benefits for downtown Dayton and the region, including a safer river, improved water quality and aquatic habitat, and the creation of a regional destination for outdoor recreation.  Call 224-1518 for more information.

During First Friday, saxophonist Tyrone Martin, magician Scott Miller and steel drum performer Joseph Glenn also will provide entertainment while roaming the streets of downtown.

Tyrone Martin, a saxophonist, will perform as part of First Friday's roaming entertainment.

Club Masque, 34 N. Jefferson St., will host the Theme Release Party for AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s 11th annual Masquerage from 6 to 8 p.m. Masquerage raises funds to provide HIV/AIDS outreach, prevention programs, free HIV testing and counseling to the Dayton area. The release party will feature a fashion show by the Rubi Girls, produced by Square One Salon and Spa, as well as drink specials and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $20 before the event and $25 at the door. Tickets for Masquerage will be available, and the cost of the $20 release party ticket can be applied toward the $50 Masquerage ticket. Theme Release Party tickets can be purchased at masquerage.org or by calling 461-2437.

Tap into your inner artist

Several of downtown’s art galleries will be hosting special events and openings for August’s First Friday. Blue Sky Project, will host the opening of a collection of work by Adam Parker Smith in Blue Sky’s 8 N. Main St. space and a showing of art by Charlotte Gordon in the 33 N. Main St. space. CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St, will feature mixed-media furniture and paintings by Christy Jennewein and music by classical guitarist Eric Loy. Guests can sign up for September furniture classes taught by Jennewein. Color of Energy, 16 Brown St., will display works of art by gallery owner Mike Elsass. The Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St., open 5 to 8 p.m., hosts the opening of an exhibit of landscape paintings by Sinclair Community College students and a preview of the Plein Air exhibit opening Aug. 19. Vega, Chaminade-Julienne High School’s a Capella group, will perform at 6:30 p.m.

The Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.:, open 5 to 8 p.m., will host a gallery talk featuring artists from the 21st annual Open Members Show, starting at 6:15 p.m. Artists include Matthew Burgy, Steve Hill, Kelly Joslin, Martin Hunter, Terry Welker and Jud Yalkut. Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St., will show new work by ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer. H. David Clay Studio, 33 S. St. Clair St., featuresFunctional and decorative pottery made on the premises. Lastly, K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS, 510 E. Third St., hosts the opening of “Distance,” a contemporary photography show from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition will feature more than 40 national and local artists.

Rock out with live music

Hey There Morgan performs at the First Friday @ 5 concert series at RiverScape during July 6, 2012's First Friday. This month's concert features local band Stranger, as well as free kayak and bike rentals.

The music doesn’t end after the First Friday @ 5 concert! Explore downtown’s other rockin’ live music spots. Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., will have live music at 9 p.m., featuring GB&AJ, Gold Shoes and Hazy & the Rugged Child. Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St., will host Puzzle of Light at 9 p.m. Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St., also will have live music starting at 7 p.m. Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., hosts live music by the Andy Shaw Band beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Food and drink specials

If you’ve worked up an appetite during some fun downtown activities or want to quench your thirst with a drink special, we have plenty of choices for you. Many downtown restaurants offer dinner and drink specials for First Friday patrons.  Smokin’ Bar-B-Que, 200 E. Fifth St., Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St. and Franco’s Ristorante Italiano, 824 E. Fifth St., feature 10 percent off food. Coco’s Bistro, 515 Wayne Ave. and Thai 9, 11 Brown St., both offer 15 percent off food. Sa-Bai, 200 S. Jefferson St., offers 15 percent off food and a $5 Long Island Iced Tea. Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., has no cover and 20 percent off food. Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St., features $5 for a 6-ounce glass of red or white wine.

De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St., will host “Meet the Mixologist,” a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 10 p.m., during which De’Lish’s new drink menu will be unveiled. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and wine and cocktail tastings. Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St., will have dinner specials, along with the special tapping of a firkin of craft beer. Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St., will feature Jeni’s Ice Cream and broadcast Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM. Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St, will have a happy-hour band and half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m., with additional live music at 9:30 p.m. The Vault, 20 N. Jefferson St., has extended happy hour until 10 p.m., a live band and free food.

Entertainment for all ages

If you want to experience something different – like a bike ride, walking tour or indie film – downtown has options for you as well. The Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk of Downtown Dayton will begin at 7 p.m. at Courthouse Square, Third and Main streets. All walks are $10 per person, and advance reservations are required. Contact tour guide Leon Bey at 274-4749 or email [email protected]. At Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., the monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at 5:15 p.m. for a ride through the city. Garden Station, 509 E. Fourth St., will host auditions for Dayton Out Loud, a variety show to be performed during the Sept. 14 Urban Nights. Open auditions begin at 7 p.m. for acts less than three minutes, including a Cappella, spoken word and poetry, and comedy. To sign up for an audition time, e-mail [email protected].

Visitors observe paintings at Gallery 510 Fine Art. This month, the gallery will feature ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer.

Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St. Suite C, open 5 to 8 p.m., will feature art by Scott Ryan and have information about upcoming programs for children, teens and adults in the center’s new space above the Record Gallery in the Oregon District. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities and light refreshments will be provided. To check out a movie at The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times. Urban Krag, 125 Clay St., will have the climbing gym open until 11 p.m.

The Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., will play the 1962 film “Murder on the Orient Express,” part of the theater’s Cool Films Series at 7:30 p.m. Free popcorn and soda served starting at 6:30 p.m.; tickets cost $5. Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St., will feature comedian Touchee Jackson, with opening acts by Adrian Cosby, Greg Sparks and Jack Wilson. Show begins at 9 p.m., tickets are $15. The Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St., will host an art show featuring Robert Blackwood working on a 3D installation piece called “Crystal Vision,” from 6 to 11 p.m. Visitors can watch Blackwood work on the sculpture, which will be completed in time for the Sept. 7 First Friday.

Shop ‘til you drop

Many downtown retail shops have sales and special events during First Friday. From clothing to music stores, check out these downtown deals. Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St., will have free makeup lessons. Clash Consignments, 521 E. Fifth St., is hosting a celebration of the store’s one-year anniversary and move to its new location in the Oregon District. Live music by Infidel-icious, Ronin Ichi and Black Lotus Clan will start at 6 p.m., as well as henna by Lily Whitehead. Elysian Fields Books, 436 E. Fifth St., will have a book signing and reading at 7 p.m. by children’s author Scott Mallory, who recently released “Bad-Off Boris and the Cupcake Cave-In.” Hangar18, 114 N. St. Clair St., features 15 percent off all items.

 

Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St., will host a fair-trade food tasting. Record Gallery, 16 Brown St., will feature 20 percent off collectable albums and 10 percent off general merchandise. ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St., will have a sale on select items, including new and used instruments, other music-related items, and original artwork. Amore! Designer Consignment Boutique, 16 Brown St., Bonnett’s Bookstore, 502 E. Fifth St., Feathers Vintage Clothing, 440 E. Fifth St., Found Treasures 4 You, 502 Wayne Ave., and Jimmy Modern, 605 E. Fifth St., will be broadcasting Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM.

The First Friday @ 5 concert series is sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks, Clear Channel Radio, Bud Light Lime and the Downtown Dayton Partnership. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

Call for Round 2 of Downtown Community Mural Project

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A team of downtown arts leaders and activists consisting of Lisa Helm (Garden Station), Jerri Stanard (K-12 Gallery) and Carli Dixon (Atta Girl), is spearheading an effort to beautify a section of East Third Street with a new mural project. In much the same way as the Wayne Avenue murals at the underpass next to Garden Station, this new set of murals at Third and Webster will be selected from submissions by local artists, and a stipend will be awarded to each winning artist. The project will be partially funded by a Neighborhood Mini Grant from the City of Dayton.

Due to the close proximity of the 2nd Street Market, a vegetable and fruit theme has been adopted for the murals. The theme may include, but is not limited to, large scale, colorful fruits and vegetables (local to the area preferred), and related items. Abstract and non-conventional interpretations of produce are also welcomed.

“If some of the images were inspired by famous artists that would be an amazing transition from the HAALO project, (on 3rd Street just west of the proposed murals) completed by 30 teens from the Montgomery County Juvenile Court program, and would allow the walk-by patrons to learn about art history in a fun and memorable way” says team member Jerri Stanard of K-12 Gallery. Some ideas for submission of artwork for the underpass at Third and Webster could include: Keith Haring “Carrots”, Giuseppe Arcimboldo “Vegetable Faces”, Edward Hoppers “Ears of Corn”, Mary Cassatt’s “Cucumbers”, Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Okra” or “Green Beans”, and Tripoli’s “Tomatoes”.

The spaces available for painting will include the areas on the retaining wall on the southeast side of the intersection as well as sections under the overpass. Spaces on the retaining wall are approximately 13’ x13’ and the underpass spaces are 8’x 8’ squares (see attached pictures, these can be used as a submission template by printing or tracing dimensions).

A committee comprised of artists, area business owners and city representatives will select the winning designs. Designs will be judged based on originality, appropriateness for the space and design quality.

Each artist whose mural design is selected will receive $125 upon completion of each mural. Sixteen gallons of

The 2009 mural project

exterior paint will be available to all of the artists to share. The colors will include red, orange, yellow, light and dark green, sky blue, lilac, and purple. Also, a $75 supply stipend per mural will be given to each artist to individualize his/her palette.

Multiple submissions are encouraged. Submissions may be submitted in any format or size, as long as the proposed design is clearly illustrated. Artists also are encouraged to submit a resume or letter outlining their qualifications to complete this type of project.

Submissions are due by 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 1. Winners will be announced at Urban Nights on September 14 at an event in Garden Station.

Submissions can be e-mailed  or mailed to:

Downtown Mural Project c/o Carli Dixon, 811 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402

Winning artists will have until Friday, November 2, to finish their work. The murals will be unveiled that evening at First Friday festivities. “The City of Dayton grant to create more murals along East Third Streets puts us that much closer to competing with Philadelphia’s public art and becoming the destination where tourists will stay an extra day to experience all the incredible amenities we have in Dayton Ohio”, says Stanard.

Additional donations are also being accepted to help fund the project through indigogo. “The Neighborhood Mini Grant from the city will cover the cost of about 13 murals and requires a 50% match”, says Lisa Helm. “While we will more than meet our match requirements with the value of all the volunteer hours, we need the money for paint and artist stipends. There are 37 spaces in the intersection available to paint, it would be nice to fill them all, if not with full murals at least with bright colored spaces between some of the murals “

Clean up days are scheduled for the morning of August 25 and 26.  Volunteers will be needed to clear brush, weeds, trash and to prime the spaces. Updates will be posted at www.facebook.com/GardenStation

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lisa at [email protected] or 937-610-3845.

Masquerage 2012- What’s the theme?

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The most frequently asked question of anyone involved in the planning, organizing and production of the AIDS Resource Center extravaganza known as Masquerage is “What’s the theme going  to be?”   Well, here’s YOUR chance to be one of the first to know!

An announcement of this magnitude deserves more than a simple post on the Masquerage web site.   It deserves a crowd of enthusiastic revelers to join Dayton’s own Rubi Girls at the fabulous Club Masque for a special style show produced by Square One Salon to help give you idea’s on how to dress for this year’s theme!  So join ARC Ohio  on Fri, August 3rd, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Club Masque and be amongst the first to know the theme for the 11th annual Masquerage.
In the past 10 years over 6500 attendee’s at Dayton’s Party of Parties For A Cause has helped the organization raise over $1,000,000 so ARC Ohio can continue to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS .  Specifically funding raised through Masquerage help  provide:

  • Outreach and prevention to individual at risk for infections
  • FREE HIV testing, counseling and referral services
  • Case management and support to HIV-infected individuals and their loved ones
  • Advocay concerning issues that affect the HIV community

Masque Nightclub will open it’s doors early just for Masquerage fans.  Here’s your chance to visit one of the midwest’s most talked about nightclubs to start off your First Friday.  Your $20 advance tickets include the exclusive reveal of the 2012 theme, appetizers, special drinks prices and other surprises. Tickets will be $25 at the door.  Masque is located at 34 N. Jefferson Street, Dayton, OH 45402.
As a special incentive to Theme Release Attendees, if you purchase your ticket for the Oct 20th Masquerage event at Club Masque that night, you may apply the $20 ticket to your ticket purchase price.  General admission tickets will be $50 and Red Ribbon Lounge VIP Tickets will run $150.  Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at 937-461-2437 x 2029.

Mad Molly & Batty Bonnie from Masquerage 2011

“Masquerage has become a signature event of AIDS Resource Center Ohio.  It brings people together for a spectacular evening while generating greater awareness about HIV/AIDS.  It also raises much-needed funds to benefit those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS” said Bill Hardy, executive director of AIDS Resource Center Ohio.   This year, he anticipates that the organization will provide assistance to nearly 4,000 individuals living with HIV and their loved ones, and reach thousands more at risk of HIV infection.  “We provide care and services for those already infected with the virus and help to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS”.

This year, the goal is to raise over $150,000 and and a sold out crowd is expected.  Each year a committee of dedicated volunteers work to coordinate a new theme, so that the event is bigger and better than the year before.

Guests can purchase a general admission ticket to the event for $50 in advance or $60 at the door, which includes a welcome drink courtesy of Jagermiester, dancing, entertainment and munchies. For a VIP experience, Ribbon Lounge tickets will again run $150 and include general admission amenities plus complimentary valet parking by Lexus of Dayton, the spectacular views from the 2nd floor lounge, mask painting,  open bar, appetizers and the always coveted swag bag.

Masquerage 2012 is made possible by: Levin Family Foundation, Jagermeister, Lexus of Dayton, CareSource, The Light Fantastic, Square One Salon, Premier Health Partners and MJ’s Cafe- the hosts of the official After Party.  Additional sponsorship opportunities still exist, contact ARC Ohio for more information.

 

 

Amateur and Professional Photographers – Bring Your Cameras Downtown!

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Amateur and professional photographers are invited to participate in Downtown in Focus, a photo contest aimed at finding new and distinctive shots of our downtown. The City of Dayton, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Kaplan College and Dayton Daily News are sponsoring the contest.

"Epcot, Dayton (RTA Hub)" by Robin Feld won 2011's professional "My Downtown Favorite" and "Best in Show" categories.

One amateur winner and one professional winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

  • Downtown Festivals: Images showcasing individuals or unique moments at any of downtown Dayton’s summer events or festivals.
  • Active Downtown: Photographs featuring people participating in active lifestyle activities, such as biking, kayaking, dancing and running in downtown Dayton.
  • Scenic Downtown: Creative images featuring buildings, architecture, skylines, parks, the river or any other picturesque view of downtown.
  • Best in Show (selected by the judges)

Terry Orf's "To Be Young Again" won last year's "My Downtown Favorite" and "Best in Show" in the amateur category.

A panel of judges ― consisting of professional photographers, photography editors and instructors, and community leaders ― will select the winners in each category and award a $250 cash prize to the Best in Show winner in each division. Honorable mentions also will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. In addition, City of Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell will select one photo that best represents the City’s “Dayton Originals” motto. This photographer will receive a gift basket from the City of Dayton.

Contest winners will be recognized at the Sept. 14 Urban Nights, and all entries will be displayed in a special exhibit during Urban Nights.

From approximately 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, during First Friday, many of downtown’s buildings will be lit for photographers who would like to capture night shots of the city.

Debra L. Barnett's "Waiting for Fireworks" garnered the amateur award for "Downtown at Night" in 2011.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. There is no fee for application or participation. Photographers are not required to be Dayton-area residents, but winners must be age 18 or older. Photos must have been taken in Greater Downtown ― which includes the Central Business District, Oregon Arts District, Webster Station and the ring of neighborhoods that surrounds downtown ― within the past calendar year. Official contest guidelines and entry forms are available at www.downtowndayton.org and www.daytonohio.gov.

Volunteer Box Office Coordinator Wanted

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The Dayton Playhouse is seeking a volunteer Box Office Coordinator. The ideal candidate will possess basic computer skills, good telephone skills and an understanding of Microsoft Word. This volunteer candidate would work at The Playhouse Box Office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm with some additional hours on opening nights of shows. This is a perfect position for someone with a love for the theatre arts. The Coordinator will receive season tickets for all shows.

Interested candidates should contact the Playhouse box office via email at [email protected] for consideration.

Springboro’s first Cash Mob is July 11

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 The Springboro Chamber of Commerce announced it will host southwest Ohio’s first registered Cash Mob on Wednesday July 11.This Cash Mob concept started in Cleveland Ohio, a new trend of “buy local” which is now sweeping the nation in small town and cities like Springboro, as well as some larger cities.  Downtown Dayton hosted a cash mob in the Oregon District this past March that was quite successful.

This is how it works – an organized group of business owners and members of the community, who have all pledged to spend at least $20, gather in the parking lot at the designated date and time, and then “mob” the selected local business. The majority of Chamber membership is made up of small businesses in Springboro, and the surrounding communities; the Springboro Chamber of Commerce is looking for “mobbers” who have a vested interest in saving the mom & pop stores and making an investment of their time and cash on a specific day, to show their support.

The first Cash Mob location will be the Springboro IGA on Wednesday July 11 between 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – it was chosen by the Chamber Cash Mob committee because it is a locally owned and operated retail location with ample parking, great visibility, and multiple items under $20 to purchase for men and women. Located at 15 North Main Street in the heart of Springboro, the IGA, a family tradition and local staple in town for over 60 years, meets all the criteria for a Cash Mob and also has shown great community spirit and continually gives back to the community.

The first 100 “mobbers” will receive a FREE green Bandana to wear during the Cash Mob. The Springboro Community Assistance Center will also be present to receive donated goods if people wish to donate their purchases. The Springboro IGA will donate $2 for every $20 spent during the Cash Mob to the Assistance Center to show their continued support. Join in the fun of Springboro’s first Cash Mob on July 11!

For more information about this Cash Mob, or future Cash Mobs, call the Springboro Chamber office at 937-748-0074.

Play for Change in the Miami Valley

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A CALL FOR MUSICIANS, FILMMAKERS, AND VOLUNTEERS!

Wright State University calls for community partners, musicians, filmmakers and volunteers to participate in the worldwide music initiative, “Playing for Change.”

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM’] Launched by a multi-media group; Playing for Change is a social movement that captures the voices of musicians across the globe. A dedicated film crew crosses the globe to seek music’s most creative talent. Individual stories were woven into a single story about humanity, sung and played by some of the world’s most inspiring artists. For more information, visit http://playingforchange.com/.

Wright State University will add the voice of the Miami Valley to this growing initiative. The Miami Valley Playing for Change project is in need of local filmmakers, musicians, and other volunteers to participate in creating a video, featuring a blend of positive songs to uplift and showcase our region. Like the video above – a diverse collection of musicians of all different backgrounds, genres and instruments are invited to share their talents on a song that will become greater than the sum of its parts.

Heading up the program is Dr. Robert J. Sweeney, Executive Vice President for Planning at Wright State University. Sweeney was drawn to this project based on the great cultural impact it has demonstrated; the music program is bringing together communities that would have never otherwise worked together and crossing barriers across the globe. Regarding why he’s bringing it to the Miami Valley, he says, “We had Mark Johnson speak as a part of our Presidential Lecture Series and the response from the community to his message was overwhelming.  I know our musicians, filmmakers and community of volunteers rival any region in the world.”

Musicians may be soloists or bands/groups/choirs that use voice and/or instruments; the project seeks to highlight many different genres of locally connected musicians. Participating bands/artists will perform one or more of the featured songs while filmmakers shoot the performances at locations throughout the Miami Valley between July 14 and August 3.

The featured songs include:

“Nothing Can Stop Us Now” by Starship

“Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” by Fleetwood Mac

“I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash

“We Are” by Sweet Honey in the Rock

The final product will be a video montage of the performances uploaded early September for a worldwide audience with a possible special reception to feature the songs/videos.

 

Miami Valley ‘Playing for Change’ Submission Guidelines:

Deadline: July 14, 2012

Please email submission information to Dr. Robert J. Sweeney, Executive Vice President for Planning and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, at [email protected]. In the subject of your email, please type “Playing for Change.”

Musicians: Participating musicians will need to learn one or up to all of the featured songs to participate. If interested, please submit your information including:

(1) The name of your band (or you as an individual artist),

(2) Musical Genre

(3) Instrument(s)

(4) Number of performers (soloists and groups welcome)

(5) Video, audio recording, Web site, additional information, etc

(5) Contact information, including your name, email and phone number

Filmmakers: Please submit the following information:

(1) What type of experience you have (camera, sound, edit, etc.),

(2) Length of time in industry

(3) Special equipment you may have,

(4) Reel, resume, additional information, etc.

(5) Contact information, including your name, email and phone number

 Other Volunteers: For any music lovers or champions of the Miami Valley who would like to participate in this event (i.e. donating bottled water or other snacks for shooting days, being an extra hand on set, etc.), please contact us with:

(1) What area you would like help with and

(2) Your contact information, including your name, email and phone number

 

Lowdown on the Makeup Meltdown

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It’s summertime, it’s miserable outside and you’re active. Every woman knows that leads to makeup melt. You covered up that blemish and added a perfect amount of blush to the apples of your cheeks, but the moment you stepped out into the sweltering heat, you felt like all your hard work was just running down your face. Now, you’re just hoping that your sweaty cheeks didn’t cause your mascara to run all over. I can’t promise you that the following products and tricks will work everytime or survive a workout in 100 degree weather but I can promise you that these are no fail products and tricks to get through the heat.

Face. Start with a foundation primer and moisturizer. It will give your skin a nice, smooth finish so your foundation will go on flawlessly. More important right now, though, it gives your foundation a bit of “stick” — it’s designed to outlast heat and a bit of sweat. I’ve had good luck with NARs foundation Primer, but for acne-prone skin, your best bet is probably Clear Prep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment, it is designed to give you that smooth finish while treating blemishes. I am also a big fan of tinted moisturizers in the summer and for workouts. I especially like Laura Mercier Illuminating Formula and Two Faced just came out with a new one that I am fond of.

Cheeks. If you sweat, a powder can look cakey and streaky. I am a long time fan of Benetint, which is a water-based gel that looks natural and has major staying power (especially when worn over the foundation primer).

Eyes. If you want to wear liner, your best bet is to go with a liquid.  I don’t like wearing anything actually labeled “waterproof” around my eyes. I hate trying to scrub it off and have the little flakes everywhere. If you’re wearing eyeshadow, once again, find a primer. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer, is a cult favorite but I prefer the classic Touch Base by Clinique. By using a primeryou avoid the caked-up line of shadow that always forms once your face gets a little greasy. Since there are about a million mascaras it’s hard to choose between them. If you stay away from waterproof mascaras, you might want to give Urban Decay Lush Lash mascara. It goes on well, stays in place and layers nicely. If you want a waterproof option I would recommend Dior Show Waterproof Mascara.

 Lips. I swear by CoverGirl Outlast All Day Lipcolor and Revlon All Day Colors (and, for under $10 a pop, it’s worth trying out lots of colors). When it’s hot outside and you’re constantly fighting dehydration, though, I say go with something that’s pretty and hydrating, even if you have to keep applying. Too Faced Beauty Balm Seductive Lip Balm, $11, is full of essential oils to keep your pucker plump and juicy. I also like to use the Benetint lip stain to give myself a bit of color without going over the top.

 

So you might be thinking what is with all the finishing sprays I am seeing at Sephora? Well here’s the scoop. They are like hairspray for your face. They claim to waterproof and set your makeup. Do they work? I have not had enough experience with Urban Decays line to give a review but I can tell you thanks to my fellow artist friend Nancy, I am in love with Model in a Bottle. It is a primer that does what it says. It keeps your makeup on through the toughest heat and even tears! I have had brides melting in the heat and their makeup has not moved! This product also comes in a sensitive skin formula for even the touchiest skin types. It feels weightless and although I don’t love the fragrance, many of my clients love it!

Hopefully these tips will help you and your makeup survive the coming weeks and if you have products and tips of your own please feel free to share them with us!

xoxo

Michelle