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Archives for February 2010

Running the Sahara;111 Days, 4300 Miles, & 6 Countries Across the Desert

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Even the Outdoor Evangelist has his limits.

Can you imagine running across the desert for 111 Days, covering approximately 4300 Miles, and traversing 6 countries?  I can’t either, so I’m excited to attend this FREE showing of “Running the Sahara,” a National Geographic film narrated by Executive Producer, Matt Damon. I hope you will too. Running the Sahara Poster

The screening of “Running the Sahara” is a kick-off to the Adventure Summit weekend.  The Adventure Summit is one of the largest expositions of outdoor skill, culture and experience in the Midwest. On March 4th, at 7pm,  you can witness this documentary covering the amazing adventure of Charlie Engle, the Keynote Speaker of The 2010 Adventure Summit at the Wright State University Student Union.   Charlie will be delivering his keynote on Friday night at 8pm.

From RunningtheSahara.com, “The Running the Sahara documentary explores the physical and emotional impact of this tremendous test of strength and determination. The film will allow us to relive the runners’ life-changing experience as we watch them brave the elements in one of the most extreme environments on Earth and meet the unique people of the Sahara, struggling with immense daily challenges. The film’s narrative follows the runners on their quest, each step toward the finish line building in great anticipation of answering the question: Can this amazing human feat truly be possible?”Runner Plus

The screening of “Running the Sahara” is brought to you by Runners Plus and The Adventure Summit.  The first 50 people in attendance will receive a free sub and refreshments thanks to Runners Plus.

Cabin Fever Have You Fiending For Adventure?

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If you aren’t a snow lover like the Outdoor Evangelist and are waiting for the weather to clear to get out and live then I have just the event for you.   Come out and see just one more reason why Dayton is a great place to live, even when we are snowed in!  REC-10-100_COP_ad

The Adventure Summit is one of the largest expositions of outdoor skill, culture and experience in the Midwest showcasing Dayton, Ohio as The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest.

The Adventure Summit weekend is filled with inspiring presentations, a bustling expo, competitions and cultural activities like an art gallery, live music and beer tastings, yes I said BEER!

All for FREE.  Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University have scheduled this weekend of inspiration for March 4 – 6, 2010 at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

For a complete schedule visit www.theadventuresummit.com

The 2010 lineup of featured personalities is one of the best in Adventure Summit history led by Charlie Engle.  Charlie is a renowned ultra endurance athlete and humanist.  His signature adventures are a 4,500 mile trek across the Sahara Desert and a run across America. We are kicking off the weekend on Thursday March 4th with a Running the Sahara screening at 7:00 pm highlighting Charlie’s Sahara adventure.  Charlie will give a keynote presentation chronicling his life of adventure on Friday March 5th at 8:00 pm in the Wright State University Apollo Room.  Learn more about Charlie at www.charlieengle.com

Saturday’s lineup of speakers is just as star-studded with Andrew Skurka (Long Distance Hiker and Backpacker), Jon Dorn ( Editor in Chief Backpacker Magazine) and Philip Nagle (local resident who complete a 48 state in 48 day bike ride).

How can you get involved?

  • Enter a competition:  Triathlon, Bouldering, Indoor Triathlon
  • Explore the expo:  visit local, regional and national outdoor related exhibitors
  • Attend a outdoor culture event:  beer tasting, artventure gallery, party with the pros
  • Attend an inspiring presentation, workshop or fitness session

Mark your calendar for March 4-6th for Adventure Summit weekend at Wright State University

He stood tall by sitting down: A noted civil rights protagonist vists Dayton

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13Fifty years ago this month, four African-American college students entered a Greensboro, North Carolina Woolworth’s retail store, walked up to the segregated lunch counter, and calmly sat down in stools reserved exclusively for white patrons.

Although they were refused service (blacks had to stand and eat) and the police were called in, the students sat quietly for the remainder of the day until the store closed.  The men returned to the counter for the next three days –  each day facing increasingly difficult, often violent, opposition from many who attempted to disrupt their efforts.

By the fourth day, over 300 students from area colleges and high schools had joined the demonstration, protesting the segregation practices of the department store, and asserting their rights to equal treatment for African-Americans.  Tensions escalated between black demonstrators and many white citizens and a bomb scare resulted in the closing of the store for two weeks.  The store desegregated the lunch counter several months later.

Inspired by the Greensboro sit-in, neighboring towns throughout North Carolina initiated their own sit-ins. The Woolworth protest had attracted national media attention, and ignited a trend of non-violent collective activism against racial injustice, particularly in the southern states.

mccain_linkFranklin McCain, Sr., one of those “Greensboro Four”, will present “He Sat Down So That We Could Stand Up,” an intimate retelling of his memories of those historic days that ignited a movement.

McCain will speak on February 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Wright State University, Millet Hall Atrium.  The event is free and open to the public.

“He Sat Down So That We Could Stand Up,” is sponsored by Wright State University’s Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center and Office of Enrollment Management, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, and the Greater Dayton Baptist Pastors’ and Ministers’ Union.

For additional information about this event, please contact Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center at (937)775-5645.

Adventure Summit Volunteer Orientation, Feb 17 or 22

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images-78Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University are seeking dedicated, enthusiastic individuals to help at The Adventure Summit. Volunteer opportunities are available for everyone from the novice hiker to the expert outdoor person. The only requirement is that you are willing to have a great time while being immersed in outdoor culture. Volunteers will leave knowing they have promoted an active, healthy lifestyle in the region and have contributed to making Dayton “The Adventure Capital of the Midwest!”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the event, please attend one of thse Adventure Summit Orientations:

Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Monday, Feb. 22 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Held at the Outdoor Recreation Department office at 224 N. St. Clair Street, Dayton, Ohio. Pizza will be served. Registration requested; walk-ins welcome.

Contact Rachel Brand at (937) 564-5431.

Shifts available within the following windows:
Thursday, March 4, 10 am – 5 pm
Friday, March 5, 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday, March 6, 9 am – 8 pm

Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Autograph Session Support
Classroom Ambassador
Exhibitor Support Team
General Event Set-up
General Event Tear Down
Headquarters
Volunteer Registration
Exhibitor Registration
Presenter Registration
Volunteer Getaway Supervisor
Information Central
Merchandise Sales
Greeter
Guide
Key Note Program Usher
MetroParks Booth Ambassador
Pool
Registration/Waivers
Program Support
Spirit Crew

Thanks to Lefty, the Gems Play Today.

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The Dayton Gems pt. 2

The Dayton Gems were originally established in 1964 by local business man Edgar “Lefty” McFadden. Discussing the team of that day may sound an awful lot like describing them today, for many similarities exist between that team and the one that now plays for Dayton. The Gems played then where they play now, at Hara Arena, which also opened its doors for the first time in 1964. The original team also played in the International Hockey League.  The IHL similarly folded (though much later), but has been re-established as a new entity carrying on the same name. Though eventually growing to immense size, the IHL was considered a bus league for mostly Midwestern teams who could easily ride a couple hours to each game, which is again true today. The IHL in its current incarnation was once the Colonial Hockey League, a smaller league that adopted the IHL name in 2007.

Blade warms up the crowd before the game.

Blade warms up the crowd before the game.

It’s a wonder all the similarities that exist between the two, but if it has any bearing on the future of the new franchise, it may bode well for the Gems. In the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons, they won back to back championships, and again in 1976. They produced several NHL players in that period as well, and frequently filled Hara to capacity for games, with local fans dazzled. The Gems did eventually fall on hard times, as we all know, and folded in 1980, but exactly thirty years later they play for Dayton again.

In their first year they have proved themselves to be competitive in the league. Struggles are expected as the team learns to play together, but they stand only one spot out of playoff contention, with plenty of games left in the season. With John Marks coaching the team, hopefully for years to come, it seems a very likely possibility. Coach Marks left the ECHL as the winningest coach in the League, with 523 wins, and 3 championships to his name since 1993*. Prior to his time there, he coached in the former IHL, with another 240 wins. Most of coach Marks’ professional hockey career was with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he started as a defenseman but eventually changed over to the left wing position, where he scored 129 goals.

During last Saturday’s tribute to Lefty McFadden, Coach Marks spoke in front of a crowd about his own experiences in the NHL and how he coaches his team. He thanked the loyal supporters in Dayton and those who work so tirelessly for the team before discussing how they are fairing so far. He acknowledged they still have some work to do, and discussed in quite a bit of depth how he likes to train his team, giving those present a crash course in basic hockey strategy. Teamwork, he said, was the key to any team’s success. Discussing some of the Gem’s heartbreaking losses this year, which have frequently been only by a difference of one goal, he explained how a team playing together and playing their role can come out victorious. Later on in the evening he recalled that when he was playing in college, a friend of his, who played basketball, discussed the similarities of the games with him. He said the principles of protecting the net were the same; a good defense will make the opposing team shoot from the perimeter. Likewise a good offense can dissect that defense, get in close and make the shot; but only, he stressed, when working together.

The Gems played good defense in last Saturday's 4-2 win against Port Huron

The Gems played good defense in last Saturday's 4-2 win against Port Huron

The night continued on the ice with a pre-game ceremony that honored Lefty McFadden with a banner that will now hang in Hara Arena, as well as distribution of a plaque and flowers to his family members who were in attendance at the game.  After the Star Spangled Banner, the Gems came out fast against Port Huron in the first period.  They struggled for the first five minutes to keep the Icehawks away from their own net, but Dayton then flashed down the rink and scored two goals in less than one minute.  John Ornelas, with an assist from Preston Briggs and Pierce Norton, fired the first shot past the Port Huron goal tender, and only 19 seconds later, Joe Van Culin slipped another one by with the help of Corey Courturier and Matt Auffrey.  Keeping the aggressive pace going, Mike Olynyk scored yet again, with assists from Preston Briggs and Justin McCutcheon.

Following a late first period goal by Port Huron’s Adam Maccarone, the Gems went into the second period up 3-1.  An increase in penalties as well as no score on either side, showed it was heating up between these teams, and it could be felt in the crowd whose cheers, despite their lack of numbers, echoed loudly throughout the entire arena.  It wasn’t until the third period that things really got interesting though, as Port Huron scored again to bring the game within one goal.  A fight broke out between Matt Auffrey of the Gems and Daniel Tetrault of the Icehawks in the middle of the period, and 28 minutes of penalties were wracked up between both teams in the 3rd as well.

Justin McCutcheon sealed the game however with a late goal that brought the final score to 4-2.  Coming from the Johnstown Chiefs in Pennsylvania, McChutcheon has only been with the team for about a month. He has proven himself a valuable player already, scoring 3 times in the 9 games he’s played with the Gems, including 2 in the difficult loss to the Quad City Mallards last Wednesday. Having a quick word with him, I asked how well he was adjusting to Dayton.  He smiled and laughed a bit, saying he was enjoying it so far but hasn’t had a lot of down time since he’s been here, as their schedule has kept the whole team rather busy.

I embarassingly stutter through some questions with Wingman Justin McCutcheon

I embarassingly stutter through some questions with Wingman Justin McCutcheon

This weekend the Gems will take on the Muskegon Lumberjacks Friday at 7:30pm and also also play the Quad City Mallards again on Sunday at 5:00pm.  The Lumberjacks are first in the league right now, having only lost 10 games all season, but the Gems are responsible for 3 of those losses earlier in the year.  Don’t forget $10.00 adult tickets and $7.00 tickets for children 12 and under, makes for a cheaper night of entertainment than going to the movies, and on Friday nights, beers are only $2.00 a piece.

* information taken from hockeydb.com

**All photographs courtesy of Andrea Ivey.

Future Land Use Policy in the Dayton Region

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gpP2CalendarIconThe Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) is seeking public input for the second phase of the Going Places Initiative – an exploration of future land use opportunities for the region.

Phase II of Going Places – An Integrated Land Use Vision for the Miami Valley Region will build future land-use scenarios and evaluate scenario impacts. MVRPC will host seven upcoming community-based workshops in Montgomery County.

Workshops will be held at the Centerville Police Department on February 18; at the Englewood Government Center on February 25; at the Huber Heights Board of Education building on March 4; at the West Carrollton High School Auditorium lobby on March 10; at the Fairmont High School commons area on March 18; at the Center for Regional Cooperation on March 31; and at the Friendship Village Convocation Room on April 7. All these meetings will run from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Julie Black, a regional planner for MVRPC, said the aim of the workshops are to engage the general public in the future land use themes and scenarios development project.

Please visit www.mvrpc.org/rlu or www.facebook.com/GoingPlacesMV for additional information.

Want to know which Dayton neighborhoods fly the Rainbow Flag? Don’t ask a Realtor.

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Image by: theodoranian; used with permission, Wikimedia Commons

Image by: theodoranian; used with permission, Wikimedia Commons

“I don’t want to get beat up because I have a rainbow sticker on my car.”

My client was sharing some concerns when looking for a neighborhood in Dayton, and this was an issue for him, to be sure. We all want to feel safe being who we are, in our own homes. He was relying on my knowledge of Dayton to help meet his needs, that’s one reason Realtors get paid, right?

One of the first DMM posts I ever commented on was regarding steering, or the perception of steering at any rate, and it’s a very delicate issue. My client wanted to feel safe- that’s pretty cut and dry, isn’t it? But what if a client said to me “I don’t want to live around any of those people”. Does that change the picture? I know, it’s complicated. So how do you and your Realtor find a neighborhood to love, that will love you back?

On the one hand, we want to be happy, safe, and comfortable in our own neighborhood. On the other hand, steering is illegal. Lawyers.com describes steering as:

… a practice used by real estate brokers and agents to preserve and encourage patterns of racial segregation by ”steering” or directing members of racial or ethnic groups to buildings or areas occupied primarily by members of their own racial or ethnic group and away from buildings and neighborhoods inhabited by members of other races or groups. Though not specifically prohibited under the FHA, the means through which steering is most commonly accomplished, such as unlawful refusals to sell or rent and discrimination in terms or conditions, are prohibited.

Sometimes people mask other concerns by looking for “good schools”. Fair question? Maybe, but the problem with me directing you to this or that school district, aside from the legal aspects, is that I have no idea what you really want from a school district. The question is way too vague.

This year, due to a serious health issue, one of my kids unexpectedly needed Special Services in our school district. We live in a district that tends to score average as a district on standardized testing although some specific schools score in the Excellent range. It’s a very large high school, and I feared she would fall through the cracks. We were put in touch with the Special Services Director who set up home tutoring for her. This particular tutor is an independent contractor who works throughout the Greater Dayton area, with multiple school districts, and was a godsend for us. At our first meeting, she told us how lucky we were to be in this district, because in another district- one that is generally held in high regard due to test scores- home tutoring isn’t really an option. In her words, “They won’t work with a student’s individual needs.”

Standardized tests measure some things, but I encourage clients to look deeper: Do you have children who have special needs? Do you have children who play sports? Are they into the arts? Are they academically inclined? All these issues are going to have to factor into what makes a school “good” to one family and not a good fit for another, and wouldn’t you want to be the one to make that decision?

So how can we legally help clients? By providing a ton of information from a variety of sources. If you have specific- and legal- needs, we can help you discover sources of information to meet those needs, but we can’t be the source of the information itself. It’s not wise and in some cases it’s not legal for the Realtor to be the decision-maker, as tempting as it might be to transfer this responsibility to them. The best way to find a neighborhood you like is the simplest way- spend time time there. Almost always, spending time in a neighborhood is the only way you will know if you are going to feel comfortable.

There is really no substitute for looking around a neighborhood when people are moving about- at rush hour, after school lets out, on the weekends. Check out the neighbors. Talk to the neighbors- yes, you can do that, why not? You can chat up the person washing their car, or planting the bulbs, or if it’s today, shoveling their walks. If they don’t want to talk, that says something about the neighborhood too, and it’s okay to either feel comfortable or uncomfortable with neighbors who like their privacy. It’s a matter of finding your own comfort zone and in the end, you really truly don’t want a Realtor deciding that for you, do you?

Realtors are bound to their clients as fiduciaries. We have a duty to follow your legal instructions. In the same way “I don’t want to live around those people” is an illegal instruction with which we can’t help you, if you ask to see properties in a specific area, and your Realtor refuses or disuades you, ask why. If you feel you are being steered, please, take action. You can find out more about steering, and how to protect yourself, at the Miami Valley Fair Housing site, here.

In the case of my client, he spent time researching websites and at local restaurants, driving streets in different areas, and talking to neighbors about what they love about their neighborhood. He’s loving his house, in the middle of a Dayton neighborhood that doesn’t care what kind of flag flies from the front porch. He found a place he’s happy to call “home”.

Ed vs. Radio is Back

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EVR--Flyer-2-13-2Ed vs. Radio was a big name in local music between 2004 and 2006 when band members decided to pursue individual interests.   Toward the end of last year, there were rumblings of the band’s return, and I’m happy to report that Ed vs. Radio is indeed back in action.  Original members Jason Gilmore (guitar and vocals) and Jeff Coates (drums) will be joined by James Daniels on bass and Jasper the Colossal’s Paige Bellar on vocals.

Ed vs. Radio will be playing an all-ages show at the Attic in Kettering on Saturday, February 13. The following Friday (Feb 19th), they’ll hit the stage at Blind Bob’s with Me & Mountains, The Javeline Dance, and 8-Bit Revival.  As a prelude, the band will be playing live on Kaleidoscope on Wednesday, February 10 beginning at 8pm on WYSO.

Volunteers Needed to Resurrect Arts Comimission

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hhtsResidents of Huber Heights with an interest in the performing and visual arts are being encouraged to apply for 9 openings for the Arts Commission Board. This board has been inactive in recent years and is currently being reconstituted!

Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2010 and can be obtained at City Hall, 6131 Taylorsville Road or from the City of Huber Heights website, www.hhoh.org. (Click on the city “Employment Job Openings” link, then look under “Volunteer Opportunities”

Applicants must be a resident and elector of Huber Heights (registered to vote). Boards and commissions advise the City Council on issues important to the city of Huber Heights. Most positions do not require extensive expertise, just an eagerness to serve. The Arts Commission has nine (9) vacancies with staggered terms expiring from 2011 through 2014.

The Arts Commission is charged with studying and developing a program for the development and encouragement of all forms of art within the City, including the fine arts; performing arts; historical arts and interests in community heritage; folk arts; and cultural arts. The Arts Commission will make recommendations to the City Council on the implementation and operation of a City arts program. The Arts Commission will also have planning and operational responsibilities related to City-sponsored festivals, events, parades, etc.

It will meet once a month at a date and time yet to be determined.
Applications should be sent to the Huber Heights City Council, c/o Anthony Rodgers, Clerk of Council, 6131 Taylorsville Road, Huber Heights, OH 45424.

Help Create Xenia’s future!

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xenia_logo_02There is a vacancy on the Xenia Planning and Zoning Commission! If you would like to be a part of planning for Xenia’s future and are interested in serving, keep reading:

The Planning and Zoning Commission is established by Xenia City Charter Article VIII, §8.01, and governed by Xenia Codified Ordinance Chapter 1220: Xenia Planning and Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall be an advisory commission to the City Council. In the interest of public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity or general welfare of the public, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall make recommendations to City Council upon the following: a Xenia Urban Service Area Land Use Plan for dividing the city or any portion thereof into zones or districts; limitations and regulations as to the height, bulk and location of structures; percentage of lot and dwelling unit occupancy; setback building lines; area and dimensions of yards, courts and other open spaces; uses of land, buildings and other structures in zones and districts; appropriate zoning for land surrounding the city; and such other things as City Council may deem appropriate. In addition, the Planning and Zoning Commission may make recommendations as to amend the Planning and Zoning Code and the zoning map. The commission consists of five volunteers who are residents of the City and are appointed by the City Council to staggered terms of four years each. One Council member serves as chair as appointed by the Council President at their second regular session in January of each year. Staff representatives include the City Planner ([email protected]) and/or the City Engineer ([email protected]).

Frequency of Meetings: Regular sessions are held once per month on the first Thursday, with occasional special sessions on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Those who would like to relay a question, comment or concern to the Planning and Zoning Commission may do so at the meeting during Audience Break or by contacting the Chair of the Commission or the staff representatives through the links on this page. Citizens interested in placing an item on the agenda for discussion should submit their requests to the City Clerk, 101 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, OH 45385. Requests must be received no less than 10 days prior to the meeting date.

Meeting Location: Regular/Special Sessions are held in the City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 101 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, unless otherwise noted on the published agenda.

Printable Meeting and Application Deadline Schedule: [click here]

Xenia Planning and Zoning Commission Application: To view and/or print the XPZC application, click here. To view and/or print the instructions, click here.  The Planning and Zoning Department staff is available to assist applicants during every phase of the application process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule a pre-submittal meeting during which the applicant can learn about the Board and Commission process. A pre-submittal meeting also affords the applicant and staff the opportunity to address any initial concerns with the application. For more information or to schedule a meeting, please call the City Planner at (937) 376-7285 or e-mail [email protected].

For information on Planning and Zoning Commission Agendas and Meeting Minutes: Please call the City Clerk at (937) 376-7235 or e-mail [email protected].

Your current Planning and Zoning Commissioners are as follows:

  • Joshua Long, Vice Chair
  • Jim Kennedy
  • Sarah Amend
  • (vacancy)
  • Everett Ross

The Planning and Zoning Commission is chaired by Councilman John G. Caupp ([email protected]).

Vacancy Information: Thank you for your interest. There is currently a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission.  If you are interested in serving, please contact Michelle Johnson, City Clerk, at (937) 376-7235.

Spinoza’s hosts Sierra Nevada Beer Dinner

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spinoza'sThis gourmet pizza parlor may be located in a mall, but don’t let that stop you from checking it out. Proprietor Glen Brailey is creating a suburban mecca for fans of California style pizza’s,  artisan salads, live music and craft beers.  With 120 seats, additional patio seating (eventually spring will be here and you’ll appreciate this), and an outside entrance so you don’t have to go into the mall, it’s the kinda place that could easily become a great date destination. Checkout the upcoming live music schedule.

ddn061209godineSpinoza’s next beer dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Beer expert Lee Hill from Sierra Nevada Brewery (Chico, California) will be on hand to talk about craft brewing and the unique Sierra Nevada beers featured that evening. This is a reservation-only event. Their first beer dinner last month sold out quickly so reserve early if you want to go! Call 937-426-7799 or email reservations. Cost is $24.95 per person plus tax & gratuity. Four-course dinner and six (6) different Sierra Nevada beers are included. Vegetarian options will be available.

Follow this link to REGISTER ON LINE

MENU:
Welcome Beer
Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen
Served with fresh, house-made Soft Pretzel and
Mustard/Garlic Aioli Dip

Appetizer
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (draft)
Cheddar Cheese & Pale Ale Soup with Romano Croutons

Salad
Sierra Nevada Glissade (draft)
Organic, locally grown Arugula Lettuce, Cluster Tomatoes, Toasted Nevada Pine Nuts, and Parmesan/Asiago Shavings

Intermezzo
25th Year Bigfoot Barleywine Ale

Entreé
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA
Spinoza’s Hearth-baked Italian Meat & Cheese or Roasted Veggie Stromboli with Creamy Italian Gorgonzola Sauce

Dessert
Sierra Nevada Porter
Italian Tiramisu Parfait

Spinoza’s is located  at the corner of North Fairfield Rd and Pentagon Parkway- at The Mall at Fairfield Commons.  Head to entrance B near Sears.

Hours Of Operation:
Mon – Thurs: 11:30 am – 9 pm
Fri – Sat: 11:30 am – 10 pm
Sun: Noon – 7 pm


PROFILE: Title Tracks//John Davis: Part I

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title-tracks-jd-2…Over the last decade, DC native John Davis earned an impressive reputation within indie rock circles with his bands Q and Not U and Georgie James. While the former channeled much of the DC music scene’s storied musical legacy into its records, the latter seemed like a radical departure for Davis into electro-pop territory. With his unrepentant desire to follow his muse wherever it may call, Davis seems to have maintained something that most who follow fleeting trends have long since surrendered: integrity. With his new outfit, Title Tracks, Davis leaves behind the sounds of Georgie James for a vintage guitar pop sound that could have easily landed them on the roster of Stiff Records circa 1977. We recently spoke via telephone with John Davis from his DC home as Title Tracks prepares to release their debut album, It Was Easy, on Ernest Jennings Record Company and head out on tour in support of the album…

The Buddha Den: Following the demise of Georgie James, to what degree did you seek to depart from or retain elements of that band? What did you feel would be the defining feature of Title Tracks?

John Davis: I think that when we started working on these new songs, I wasn’t really…I didn’t have an agenda. I think it was just that I was gonna write whatever I wanted to do and not worry about anyone that I was collaborating with because it was just me. It was good for me to just be able to do whatever I wanted and not worry, “Well, we’ve got this song and I don’t hear keyboard or piano in it. How are we gonna do this?” Or, “I don’t hear a second vocal.” Maybe things that I had to worry about in the past. In this case, I just didn’t care about that. I’m just writing whatever I want. I knew it was gonna sound fairly different from Georgie James, though not dramatically, not quite as big a difference between Title Tracks and Georgie James as there was between Georgie James and Q and Not U. As much as I like Georgie James, there were things about it that I was never that comfortable with, so I was kinda happy to be able to move on, dump some of those things, and just do something that was completely on my own. I really like collaborating with people within a band and other writers and stuff, I think it’s something I’ll definitely do again. Just for now though with the album I did and the album I’m working on now, I’m still really enjoying just doing things by myself.

TBD: So you’re already working on something new for Title Tracks on your own?

JD: Yeah, I started writing more songs again. I’m finishing up some of the different parts and fragments I’ve had floating around for a little while that I didn’t use. I’ve had a fair amount of off time like from the road and such for the past six months to a year. I had sorta hoped to use that time a little better, meaning that I’d hoped to write more songs but I just didn’t really spend as much time as I should have. Now I finally started focusing and getting some songs finished and I’m really excited about the stuff I’ve been able to finish so far and the direction the songs are taking now. It’s something that I’m even more proud of.

TBD: Title Tracks started out by putting out the “Every Little Bit” 7” single on Dischord Records. How did that come about? Did you feel that connection with Dischord helped raise the profile of the band at such an early stage?

JD: I’ve worked with Dischord before, with my old band Q and Not U, three records and a bunch of singles, it’s an easy label for sure. I’m friends with Ian [Mackaye, Dishcord Records founder and leader of Fugazi] and the people there. I knew I wanted to get a single out first and have something available out there. I recorded those two songs and talked to Ian about it over a period of a couple of months, he was willing to do it. That was pretty much it: I know them, I’m friends with them, and wanted to work together again on that single and we did and I’m really glad that it came out on Dischord. I just really wanted to get a single out and have something out for this new project that would be available to people because I knew it would be a little while before the album was gonna be out. That was pretty much it. It was just a really natural fit working with them again.

TBD: So you did the single with Dischord and now you’re going to be releasing the full-length album It Was Easy on Ernest Jenning Recording Company. How did the materialize?

JD: I actually didn’t really know them at all before this album. My booking had suggested I send them the record after I’d finished it. He thought they would like it. So I said, “OK” and sent it to them. They did like it and they wanted to put it out. I talked to them and it turned out that the guy that works for the label was somebody that I interacted with repeatedly over the years in various ways. He used to do a webzine that I knew and he used to work at CMJ and he had promoted a show that I had played, so it was just kinda funny there was all these ways that we had already interacted in the past. The more we talked and hung out, the more I go to like him and the people at the label. They’re really, really enthusiastic about the record and about the band. It’s probably the most enthusiastic response I’ve ever had from a label in my years of putting out records. It was just really nice to feel supported that way. I’ve always felt supported by the labels that I’ve been on, but these guys in particular just seem really, really excited.

So yeah, I didn’t really know them, but we’ve gotten to know each other over the last six months or so and I’m really glad I’m working with them on this record. I feel really lucky to have met them and be able to get to work with them. I’m really satisfied so far with the way it’s been.

TBD: So I’ve seen three different release dates for the album. When does it actually come out?

JD: We’ve had to change it repeatedly because there’s been some issues with the distributor. I the vinyl and the digital will be out on February 9 and then the CD will be in stores on February 23. We’ll be selling it at shows though and I think DC stores will have [the CD] on February 9.

TBD: The timing of this tour is impeccable hitting the road really hard right as the album is released. How much coordination on your part and with your label and your booking agent to get the timing of the tour right as the album was coming out? Was there a plan to maximize the impact of that?

JD: Definitely. There was definitely a plan. We hadn’t really been playing many shows over the last few months because it was like, “Let’s just wait until the album is available.” With Georgie James, we toured a lot before we had an album out. We worked really, really hard for like a year, year-and-a-half, before the album finally came out in terms of touring and flying out to the West Coast and playing shows, all this stuff where we had no album to sell. So if somebody liked us, they still couldn’t really go buy anything. It put a real strain on the band because we spending a lot of money to go do all these things, but we weren’t really bringing in much money. We decided [with Title Tracks] to just hold off until we had the full-length available. We can sell it at shows, it will start getting around. I think that’s something we learned from the Georgie James experience.
[This tour] was definitely a coordinated thing. We knew the album was coming out in February, so we knew we could hit the road and start playing because we’ve all been very excited t about getting out and playing again. We haven’t toured in at least a year-and-a-half, and that’s pretty strange for me considering over the previous nine or ten years, I would tour for a lot of the year. It’s been really awesome being home, having this amount of time to spend at home, but I do miss playing music every night and that’s what tour provides you. It gives you the chance to be playing music every night in different places, and see places, and there’s a lot I really like about that. So yeah, it was definitely a plan to get this album out and hit the road right at the same time.

…tune in tomorrow for Part II of our interview with John Davis. Have a listen now of the track “Black Bubblegum” from the Title Tracks debut, It Was Easy…

MP3: Title Tracks “Black Bubblegum”
Download audio file (Black_Bubblegum.mp3)

Parks Employ More People Than Walmart!!

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To quote the last line of the article, “It’s imperative we let our legislators know they can’t let the landscapes that enrich our lives – and, as it turns out, contribute so much to the bottom line – be the primary victims of future reductions. For in the end, it’s us who wind up being the true victims.”
The following article, written by Ned Sullivan, can be found on www.thedailygreen.com.
Parks jobs generate real money for the economy, but leaders rarely invest in this surprising source of employment during tough economic times.

Two New York Times articles published earlier this month illustrate the highs and lows of land protection right now. One, “Preservation Groups Find Bargains in Housing Bust,” described how plummeting real estate prices have provided once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for land-conservation organizations to protect irreplaceable natural treasures once destined for sprawling development. From Idaho to Florida and Virginia to Oregon, groups have preserved fields and forests, marshland and ocean waterfronts that as little as a year ago were slated for massive housing projects. Many of these scenic wonders now will be turned into parks.

That’s the high. The low, “New Year but No Relief for Strapped States,” noted the challenges many state governments face to rein in skyrocketing deficits. Actually, the earlier article hinted at this dilemma’s environmental implications: dedicated funds for protecting land and creating new parks already have been a casualty of fiscal belt-tightening in statehouses from Olympia to Albany – just when they could do the most good. With red ink continuing to rise, even more drastic cuts are likely. There’s a trickle-down effect, too. With less state support, county and municipal governments are being forced to slash their own budgets, so land preservation and parks often take another hit on the local level.

Why are these initiatives such easy deficit-reduction targets? Because there’s a presumption they are luxuries. Sure, parks make us feel good and wildflower-filled meadows are pretty to look at, but they don’t pay the bills. That’s the all-too-common perception among legislators and even the public at large. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth.

For proof, take a look at Conservation: An Investment That Pays, a study released last year by The Trust for Public Land. It’s one of the most comprehensive looks yet at the myriad benefits land protection offers our cash-strapped economies.

The report compiles a wealth of statistics offering incontrovertible evidence that:

  • Parks increase surrounding property values and hence local revenues, while protected open space such as farms keep the costs of municipal services low. (Remember, cows don’t go to school);
  • New parks spur economic development and boost nearby businesses, often providing the catalyst for downtown revitalization. This point was driven home forcefully in Poughkeepsie (headquarters of Scenic Hudson, the organization I head) with the October opening of Walkway Over the Hudson, which transformed a rusting railroad brwalkway-over-hudson-3-lgidge into a dramatic park. In its first two months of operation, it attracted 400,000 visitors, while local restaurants have enjoyed a spike in business;
  • Those of us who live near parks are more likely to exercise, which helps us ward off medical conditions responsible for out-of-control health care costs;
  • Preserved forests and fields naturally purify our air and water while conserved floodplains prevent property loss from natural disaster – all reducing the need for costly manmade protections;
  • By enhancing our quality of life, parks and open space attract new jobs and residents. (A healthy local environment is among business executives’ top concerns when looking for a place to relocate or set up shop.)

Photo: Walkway Over the Hudson State Park (pre renovation), by Fred Schaeffer

Parks aren’t freeloaders. Far from it, they provide communities with direct economic benefits. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has calculated that Americans who engage in hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching spend nearly $125 billion annually, supporting an industry responsible for 1.6 million jobs – more people than are employed by Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer. The National Parks Conservation Association reports that for each $1 invested in our national parks, there’s a $4 return in local spending. In New York, figures are comparable for state parks; I bet the same holds for other states.

In many states, including New York, funds for land protection already have taken disproportionate cuts that fail to take into account these far-reaching economic and environmental benefits. It’s imperative we let our legislators know they can’t let the landscapes that enrich our lives – and, as it turns out, contribute so much to the bottom line – be the primary victims of future reductions. For in the end, it’s us who wind up being the true victims.

Read more here…

Gem City Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty

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daytonballetGood versus Evil, a beautiful Princess, a fearless Prince, fairies, roses and incredible dancing… What more could you ask for?

Gem City Ballet (GCB), Dayton’s premiere pre-professional ballet company, will bring all this and more to the Victoria Theater on March 6th and 7th in The Sleeping Beauty, a full length classical ballet.

With gorgeous costumes, an imaginative set designed and built by GCB Production Stage Manager David Shough and painted by Master Scenic Designer Chris Harmon, and, of course, brilliant dancing by the talented young members of Gem City Ballet, this promises to be a fantastic weekend of dance. Topping it off are Kristi Capps, principal ballerina of the Cincinnati Ballet, and her real life fiancé Dmitri Trubchanov of Colorado Ballet, performing the leading roles of Princess Aurora and Prince Desiree.

The beloved fairy tale opens with the christening of the baby Aurora. Six fairies offer the gifts of beauty, energy, grace, song, precision and wisdom. Then the evil fairy Carabosse, angry at not being invited to the celebration, offers a curse: on her sixteenth birthday, Aurora will prick her finger on a spindle and die. The Lilac Fairy, the most powerful fairy in the world, offers hope, promising that Aurora will not die, but will sleep until awakened by the kiss of a handsome prince.

Aurora’s sixteenth birthday arrives, and the Princess tests the devotion of four suitors in the virtuosic and famous “Rose Adagio.” Then tragedy strikes as Carabosse tricks Aurora into pricking her finger, and she collapses. The Lilac Fairy is true to her word, though, and Aurora only sleeps, as the castle is engulfed in vines to protect her until her Prince appears.

One hundred years later, Prince Desiree comes to the forest and the Lilac Fairy shows him a vision of the beautiful Aurora. Determined to find her, Desiree battles the evil Carabosse, discovers the hidden castle, ascends the staircase and, with a kiss, brings Aurora back to life.

Aurora’s wedding is attended by many of the fairy tale characters from long ago, Puss ‘n Boots and the White Cat, Princess Florine and the Blue Bird, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, and Cinderella and her Prince. Capps and Trubchanov end the evening with a stately and loving pas de deux, a special dance for the wedding couple.

There will be two chances for you to see The Sleeping Beauty. On Saturday night, March 6, the evening gala performance at 8 p.m. will be an especially festive night as GCB premieres this fantastic ballet. The Sunday, March 7, afternoon matinee at 2 p.m. will be family-friendly with reduced children’s tickets and a chance to meet the Act Three wedding characters in the lobby of the Victoria following the performance. Bring the entire family; it will be a magical weekend! Tickets are available at Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or ticketcenterstage.com and from Gem City Ballet at (937) 222-6880.

Also, be sure not to miss the Sleeping Beauty Birthday Bash, a family fundraising party, on February 27th at the Dayton Women’s Club.  AND if parents call the studio to order tickets by February 18th, they will pay $30 per child and only $20 per adult (for Birthday Bash).  Call Gem City Ballet for more details.

The Masterpiece Ball- An Evening With The Great Chefs

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MasterpieceBallIt so seems like the name of a special you’d see on the Food Network, doesn’t it? While it certainly could be, it’s also something you can attend right here in Dayton!  The exquisite five course dinner, with each course prepared by one of the Miami Valley’s most celebrated chefs and  complemented with sommelier-selected wines, will happen Sat, March 13th in the historic Dayton Masonic Center.  Just recently opened to the general public, the two story grand dining room is itself an architectural masterpiece.  The chefs for the evening will be:

750_Chefs-crop_small♦ Chef Keith Taylor of Savona
♦ Chef Dominique Fortin of C’est Tout
♦ Chef David Glynn of the Wright-Patterson Club
♦ Chef Anne Kearney of Rue Dumaine
♦ Chef Jared Whalen of L’Auberge

The inspiration for The Masterpiece Ball is due in large measure to Chef Dieter Krug, who passed away this past fall.
Dieter, who left Germany in 1953, worked in hotels in Rome and Madrid before moving to the U.S. in 1956. Chef Krug worked for the Comisar family at The Maisonette in Cincinnati and the King Cole in Dayton before co-founding L’Aubere.  A mentor to many working chef’s today, his guidance during the creation of this event is being honored with  the menu for the ball.

Following dinner, guests can dance to the incomparable Marygolds show band, play a hand of blackjack in The Balcony Casino, or head to Après, our “cigars under the stars” venue featuring an extensive selection of single malt scotches, liqueurs and fine cigars.

Dayton Operan Guild Event Co-Chair, Katie Mitakides was so enthusiastic in explaining, “this isn’t some stuffy old ball -it’s an amazing party with spectacular food and lots of fun. We’ve even got a special price for first time attenedee’s and those under 40.”  Patron tickets start at $175/person and the discount for newbies is indeed significant- $50/person.  Click or more info or to reserve tickets.

Proceeds from the event help fund high school and college vocal competitions sponsored by the Guild.

A series of preview Happy Hour parties have been planned to show off the menu inspirations called Tempting Tastes. Tease your appetite by sampling the fabulous food prepared by our esteemed chefs at preview parties.

Join us at one or all of the remaining tastes from 5 to 7 p.m.

*Rue Domaine, Thursday, February 11

*L’Auberge, Tuesday, February 23

*C’est Tout, Monday, March 1

Cost is $15 per person in advance or $20 at the door. A cash bar is available.

Click here to make a reservation online. You can also contact Kimberly Robinson for more information or to make a reservation at [email protected] or on 937/294-6742.