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Archives for February 2014

How to drink beer in the shower

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via The Nate Green Experience

Beer has been around longer than showers have. Way longer, actually, which means people were getting drunk and smelly well before it was commonplace to bathe every single day. Considering all the black plague and polio going around, who could blame them for wanting to be wasted all the time? Nowadays, we have so much clean water in our society that we literally poop in it (I’m not above toilet jokes here, folks). We even waste gallons of the life-saving stuff each time we shower. Yet, with all of these modern marvels of sanitation technology, we seldom do anything in the shower other than wash ourselves, urinate down our legs, procreate, and mentally relive embarrassing situations. Fortunately, people from all around the world have been stepping up their shower game lately. But drinking beer in the shower is nothing if not confusing… probably. I’m here to finally end the confusion and prevent you from ending up with soapy shards of glass in your cornea or, even worse, spilled beer.

Make sure your beer is cold

This whole article probably goes without saying, but you’re going to be in a tiny room with hot water cascading towards you at a rapid rate. It’s going to heat things up, so you need to be prepared by maximizing the chillocity of your beverage. Canned beer is perfect for this. Toss one of those bad boys in the freezer for a few minutes while you commence the bathing preparations. Before you know it, you’ll be experiencing the luxury of drinking an ice cold beverage and warming your entire body at the same time. Isn’t this country awesome? U-S-A! U-S-A!

Stock up on beer geek street cred

Let me explain; you can easily drink right out of the bottle or can like a normal person. However, if you want to be a super awesome beer geek then you shouldn’t be afraid to go the whole nine yards. Plus, it’s kind of awkward to be naked and to put something brown and phallic-shaped up to your lips. Grab some appropriate glassware, artfully pour it into the glass, and savor the beer just like you would at a tasting except you’ll have shampoo in your hair. And you’ll be naked, unless of course you go to naked beer tastings, in which case you can add the next one to the Dayton Most Metro calendar. The point is that you need to look like a true beer geek at all times, even if nobody else is around. Otherwise you’re just a poser. Beer Geek? More like beer weak, am I right?

via The Daily Dot

Leave your morals at the door

Drinking alcohol opens the door for other, um, activities. While there’s no shame in innocently chugging four of five brewskis in the shower by yourself and passing out on the couch with a towel barely wrapped around you, we all know that drinking leads to debauchery. I encourage you to bring a friend or two along and have a shower party. Did I mention you’ll already be naked? I’m not going to suggest anything explicit on here (other than riding a moose with a loved one), but keep in mind that drinking alone is one of the signs of alcoholism. Although, on the other hand…

Wallow alone

Both drinking and showering are great ways to indulge in self pity and reflect on all your mistakes in life, especially first thing in the morning. Remember when I said there was no shame in drinking by yourself? I was lying. At the risk of completely dismissing this whole article in one sentence, if you’re drinking solo in the shower then you’ll probably end up dying alone. You know that one special person that got away? They never actually loved you. They never actually needed you, and they are better off without you. Think about that and drink up. Remember, tears are harder to spot in the shower.

Pics or it didn’t happen

What’s the point of doing anything unless you post hundreds of pictures of it to facebook? Take a whole bunch of photos of you getting your drink on in the wash room, slap some Instagram filters on’em, and put them all over the internet. Check in on untappd and let everyone know you’re showering. Remember, you’re only worth as much as the number of likes you get. People will love how outside-the-box your mind works, and before you know it your Klout score will go up a point or two.

By the way, don’t forget to share this article on facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, Tumblr, Instagram, Snapchat, Live Journal, Xanga, and Myspace.

Victoria Theatre Association Announces Additional CELTIC WOMAN Performance

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CelticWoman-150-New-October

Victoria Theatre Association announces the addition of a 7 p.m. show for the global music phenomenon CELTIC WOMAN on May 18, 2014 at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton. Tickets for the 3:00 p.m. show are going fast and are nearly sold out.

“The ladies of CELTIC WOMAN were so impressed with the Dayton audience and the Schuster Center in May 2013, they announced they were coming back from stage,” said Ken Neufeld, President & CEO of Victoria Theatre Association and The Arts Center Foundation. “We are excited to welcome them back on May 18, 2014.  The show is selling so well, we have had to add a second performance to meet demand.”

Tickets are available in person at Ticket Center Stage, located in the Wintergarden of the Schuster Center, by phone at 937-228-3630 and online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.  Tickets start at $46.50.

 

Growlers, maybe you’ve heard of ‘em?

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Seems like months ago I was sitting around chatting growler editabout ‘things’ with a friend. She says I should write a piece about growlers. I say it’s been done and it’s old news. DMM has a list of all the local places that offer fills and such, what is there to write about? Then I notice thread after thread of rants and various local observations based on the perceived State Laws. In the mean time I got sucked into a swirling vortex at work and I am only now able to sit down and try to sort out, what I believe, may be the heart of the issue.
So today I belly up to the computer, and one Google search later I am at this article:
http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/breweries-growler-stations-confused-on-state-law-1.461460

While I follow the Ohio Beer Blog, due to my busy-ness, I haven’t been keeping up. Clearly! (Now I wonder if the patron at the brewery in this article may have spawned one of those threads on the Beer Geek page…?!)

It seems like the question of the year in the craft beer scene, especially with all the great local breweries popping up, Must i buy your growler to get your beer? The short answer is no. So here is my train of thought based on the question of where different interpretations of the law may be coming from.

[Full Disclaimer here: This is simply my opinion regarding what may be part of the miss-information.]
If you Google ‘growler law ohio’, you will find this:

Summary of House Bill 243
(Effective March 22, 2012)

Growlers For Carryout (D-8 permit) – Allows D-8 permit holders to fill and sell “growlers” of beer for carryout. A “growler” is a reusable glass container whose capacity does not exceed one gallon into which beer is dispensed.
• Products must be registered for sale in Ohio by the Division;
• The growler must be a glass container not to exceed one gallon;
• Containers must be cleaned and sanitized by the retailer immediately before it is filled;
• Containers must be sealed and transported according to Ohio’s open container laws.

This is the entire law…, in its entirety!
Nothing vague, nothing cleverly, obtusely worded.
Boom. Done.

Now, if you do a Google search for ‘refilling bottles ohio law’, one will find this:

4301:1-1-47 Ban on refilling bottles or selling brands not ordered.

(A) No retail permit holder authorized to sell alcoholic beverages by the glass or container for on-premises  consumption, or any agent or employee thereof, shall refill any bottle that formerly contained alcoholic beverages.  Manufacturers authorized to sell at retail for on-premises consumption may refill their own bottles in their  manufacturing process, in accordance with federal labeling requirements and local health department regulations.

(B) No permit holder, or any agent or employee thereof, shall sell or deliver to any consumer any brand or variety of alcoholic beverage other than that which was ordered or requested, without the consent or approval of the consumer.

(C) If a retail permit holder authorized to sell alcoholic beverages by the glass or container for on-premises consumption, or any agent or employee thereof, shall store or keep any premixed alcoholic beverage in any dispenser, must label the dispenser to show any brand of alcohol used in the premixed alcoholic beverage as well as the percentage of alcohol of each brand used in the premixed alcoholic beverage, except for containers of premixed alcoholic beverages sold by a manufacturer.

Effective: 01/24/2011
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/08/2010 and 01/01/2015
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4301.03
Rule Amplifies: 4301.03 , 4301.68
Prior Effective Dates: 8/8/05

Clearly this is sooooo very much not the correct law. Right?! Considering this law has nothing whatsoever to do with growlers, or filling of such bottles, it makes me question if this could be part of the problem?
Maybe, just maybe, it’s a matter of who searched for what info…? If one simply grazes the verbiage here, they could walk away with the notion that their name has to be on the container. This is a large part of the entire argument. And frankly, one is in fact refilling a bottle.

Maybe it’s a huge stretch and I have no idea what I’m talking about…?
Yet, almost daily, there seems to be confusion over the laws and or restrictions of growler fills.
Sorry, check that. Law. Singular law.

Bottom line, any store can certainly establish their own policies. Such polices should be stated clearly and publicly. This will help avoid any issues of employees miss-communicating the facts and/or store policy (which is another recurring rant on a particular social media platform) Yes, it’s an additional sale for the store. No, it’s not a high profit item. An argument could be made by the retailer regarding sanitation. This is one of two things covered in the law! If you bring your bottle in, the store should, by law, clean it. Yellow Springs Brewery does this with a quick swirl of Star San, and boom, you’re in and out without question.

Personally, I look at as a marketing point. Getting your brand/logo out there is extremely important. I have a small collection of them. If I visit a brewery, I want one (hopefully with beer! although that isn’t always possible).
When I take a growler in to be filled I give it the ol’ sniff test before I even leave the house. I also typically do not take in the cap, to insure that I get a fresh new one. I keep a bottle in my truck, and one in my wife’s car at all times. You know, just in case.
I have seen stores that urge you to take pictures with their bottle out and about. Asking you to post your pictures, not only helps promote their brand, but it is relatively painless.
And let’s be honest, you were gonna do it anyway…, right?
I have jokingly said that at my store, if you are a tourist, you have to buy my bottle. If you are local, it’s not an issue. I say this in jest because what are the odds that someone is traveling with a bottle?

These days, those odds get less and less.
Which is a good thing! Good for the sake of craft beer lovers everywhere.

Here is a link to the DMM list of growler locations:                                                                                                      http://mostmetro.com/dmmcalendar2/events/index.php?com=venues&c=228

Sprinting into Spring

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runnerI’d love to lie to you and tell you I love winter – that I’m a “glass half full” kind of girl who can find the silver lining to the ninety thousand snow storms we’ve had this winter. But I can’t. I can’t even pretend to like anything about cold weather, the grey skies and the fact that going outside now means I’m sporting gear worn by Dennis Quaid in The Day After Tomorrow. I’ve pretty much quit winter. Given up. Stopped watching Jamie Simpson on WHIO tell me we’re going to have another “polar vortex.” Gone on strike. Done.

So, in an attempt to wish myself into an early spring and warmer temperatures, I’ve started planning ahead to my favorite part of the year: race season. I’m not ashamed to admit that this winter has definitely had an impact on my waistline. I think it’s safe to say that everyone has a little cabin fever lately, and we’re all aching to get outdoors. Soon enough, we’ll be dusting off those gym shoes (oh, is it just me whose been a little lazy on those resolutions?), and peeking outside like bears coming out of hibernation.

I can’t promise spring will come any sooner, but I can guarantee you that there are some pretty awesome races this spring worth getting off the couch for. Here are the races worth checking out this spring:

The Big Hoopla 4-miler
When: Sunday, March 16
Info: http://www.daytonhoopla.com/
Why it’s awesome: This is the ultimate area fun-run for the basketball lover. Held on Selection Sunday, the race kicks off the March Madness mayhem we’ve all come to love. Dayton hosts the NCAA First Four games, making this race an excellent excuse to pull that basketball lover in your life off the couch and right into the action.

Harrigans 5k
When: March 22,
Info: http://www.harrigans5k.com/ 
Why it’s awesome: Harrigans generously donates 100% of event proceeds to four different charities. And for the runners? St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t end after the green beer runs out on March 17. After a quick 3.1 miles on a fairly flat neighborhood course, runners pack into Harrigans for early morning beers. Why? Because running validates drinking before noon, of course.

Run For The Health Of It
When: April 12
Info: http://www.speedy-feet.com/race-entry.php?id=1116
Why it’s awesome: Join the Junior League of Dayton at this chip-timed 5k or 10k event that starts downtown at RiverScape. Stick around after the race – in conjunction with the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, the Junior League of Dayton will run informative healthy lifestyle stations sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Panerathon 5k
When: April 27
Info: http://www.panerathon.com/index-dayton.html
Why it’s awesome: Panera’s race proceeds go towards The Children’s Hunger Alliance. The course winds through Centerville’s flat neighborhoods, and the Panerathon boasts some of the best post-race eats around. Panera pastries and sandwiches are in abundance at the finish line.

Furry Skurry
When: May 10
Info: www.hsdayton.org
Why it’s awesome: This pet-friendly event boasts lots of four-legged running companions at its 5k and 1 mile walk benefiting the animals at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Local vendors flock to this event, now in its 23rd year, so be sure to stick around and check them out!

There are tons of charities and organizations out there worth lacing up those tennis shoes for – not to mention the fact that getting outdoors and moving your feet is just good for you. If it’s not one of these fine races, find something that inspires you and challenge yourself to run for it. In the meantime, keep dreaming of warmer temperatures, more green and less grey, and for the day the Elsa’s patio opens for spring.

THE NEON – Oscar Nominee THE GREAT BEAUTY Opens and FREE Oscar Party News!

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thegreatbeauty.poster.wpHello Everyone,

Every now and then I hear people say “I wish you’d bring more foreign films to town”…well now’s your chance. Between the Oscar Shorts, THE PAST, and GLORIA, we’re having a nice run of foreign material at THE NEON. And starting this Friday we’ll have THE GREAT BEAUTY, the Italian picture nominated for “Best Foreign Film!” In addition to it, we will hold all of our other current attractions – PHILOMENA, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and GLORIA!

Click this LINK to visit the official site for PHILOMENA. Click this LINK to visit the official site for DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. Click this LINK to visit the official site for GLORIA.

Synopsis for THE GREAT BEAUTY: “Journalist Jep Gambardella has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city’s literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly taking stock of his life, turning his cutting wit on himself and his contemporaries, and looking past the extravagant nightclubs, parties, and cafes to find Rome in all its glory: a timeless landscape of absurd, exquisite beauty.” Nominated for “Best Foreign Film” at this year’s Academy Awards. Click on this LINK below to visit the film’s official site.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyt430YkQn0′]

I’m happy to report that the latest tugg request we received will move forward! Special thanks to those of you who got on-line and reserved your ticket! On Thursday, March 6 at 7:30, the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National MS Society will host a screening of WHEN I WALK. “In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when, suddenly, he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His legs had stopped working; his disease could no longer be ignored. Just a few months earlier doctors had told him that he had multiple sclerosis…Jason tried exercise to help cope, but the problem only worsened. After his dispiriting fall on the beach, he turned to his Mom, who reminded him that, despite his disease, he was still a fortunate kid who had the opportunity to pursue the things he loved most: art and filmmaking. Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery, and love.” Read more about the film, watch the wonderful trailer and reserve your ticket at this LINK.

We’re ready for you this Sunday! THE NEON’s Annual Oscar Party has been a success for more than a decade, and we’re excited that ThinkTV has once again agreed to help us get a signal for the broadcast. On Sunday, March 2, seating will begin as close to 7pm as possible (which is when the pre-show begins). Ballots for guessing the winners are now available in our lobby…and must be turned in before the first award is given (guests must be present during our party to be eligible for prizes). Prizes will be given throughout the evening for correct guesses…and the Grand Prize – “The Star Treatment” (courtesy of Square One Salon & Spa and THE NEON) – will go to the person with the most correct guesses. This party is FREE and YOU are Invited! Come in anytime on Sunday, March 2 to turn in your ballot. Upon turning in a ballot (one per person), you will be given a number – which will result in the seating priority later that night.

We hope to see many of you this weekend!

Thanks for your continued support,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Feb. 28 – Thursday, March 6:

PHILOMENA (PG-13) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:40, 5:10
Monday – Thursday: 3:00

GLORIA (R) 1 Hr 50 Min
Friday, Saturday: 2:50, 7:20, 9:45
Sunday: 2:50
Monday – Wednesday: 5:15, 7:45
Thursday: 5:15

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R) 1 Hr 57 Min
Friday, Saturday: 4:30, 9:50
Sunday: 4:30
Monday – Thursday: 5:30

THE GREAT BEAUTY (NR) 2 Hrs 22 Mins
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 7:00
Monday-Thursday: 2:30, 8:00

THE NEON’S ANNUAL OSCAR PARTY (NR) Who Knows?!?
Sunday: Seating begins at 7:00

WHEN I WALK (NR) 1 Hr 24 Min + discussion
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.
March 7 – OMAR (Nominated for Best Foreign Film)
March 14 – ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME
March 21 – GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
TBD – TIM’S VERMEER
TBD – LE WEEK-END
April 18 – THE LUNCHBOX

Celebrate National Kahlúa Day!

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kahluaOriginating in Veracruz, Mexico in 1936, Kahlúa has become the number one selling coffee liqueur in the world.   It’s a rich dark Mexican coffee flavored liqueur, with a hint of vanilla and dark chocolate and caramel  undertones that seem to mix well,  making it extremely versatile.  It’s name  was  derived from the Arabic slang for coffee, kahwa. Over the years Kahlúaa has introduced flavored versions, including French Vanilla, Mocha, Hazelnut and a limited holiday edition Peppermint Mocha.  In 2002 they launched Kahlúa Especial, boasting a richer coffee taste and extra kick. This intensely flavored dark espresso liqueur is made from the purest Arabica coffee beans has almost twice the alcohol content of the original.

Kahlúa is perhaps most popular served up in a Black Russian cocktail- where it’s mixed with vodka, or for a smoother taste add cream to images-9make it a White Russian.  You can even find these sold as pre-mixed cocktails to go at the package store. A great after dinner drink is a B52, which mixes equal parts of Kahlua, Grand Marnier and Bailey’s Irish Cream.  Add some vodka to that and mix it on the rocks and you’ll have my favorite dessert cocktail- a Screaming Orgasam!  And you’ll find plenty more great recipes here.

With only 77 calories per serving (1 1/2 oz) and no fat it’s a great staple to keep in your bar.  But don’t just use it for cocktails- it adds a great kick to your baking as well! Kahlúa brownies, Kahlúa Fudge Cheesecake Brownies, and even Kahlúa Pork are just some of the recipes you’ll find on the internet.  But don’t worry if you’re bottle sits on your shelf for a while, an open bottle can be good for a couple of years and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

Feb 27th is National  Kahlúa Day!
Feeling adventurous? Make your own coffee flavored liquor!kahlua-ingred

Things You’ll Need:
2 cups water
1 ½ cup dark brown sugar
1 ½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup instant coffee
1.75 liters high quality vodka
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 whole vanilla bean
  • Combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar and water in a small sauce pan. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until sugar is dissolved.
  • Remove from the heat. Stir in the coffee. Allow to cool completely.
  • Pour into a large plastic container with a lid. Add the vodka, vanilla flavoring and vanilla bean.
  • Cover and let stand for two to three weeks or until fully aged. Kahlua, when properly stored, can last safely for up to a few years.
recipe courtesy of ehow.com

Second FUSIAN Location Coming to Centerville

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1662075_802077903140940_58978525_nFUSIAN, a fan-favorite fast-casual sushi restaurant, will open a Centerville location in the Spring of 2015.  The new location will occupy 1800 square feet at Oak Creek Crossing, a mixed-use retail development on SR-725 that will also be home to Whole Foods.  “When finding real estate it’s all about timing,” said Co-Founder, Zach Weprin. “We’ve been very patient and strategic in the Dayton area, and we think we’ve found the perfect spot for our brand. It’s been worth the wait.”

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Founders Stephan C. Harman, Zach Weprin and Josh Weprin.

Founded in 2010, by Dayton natives Josh Weprin, Zach Weprin and Stephan Harman, FUSIAN has become a favorite not only for its new take on sushi, but also for it’s commitment to the local community, sustainability, and a superior sushi dining experience. In the last year-and-a-half, they have created a Sushi in Schools program which serves sushi to 18 regional High School cafeterias. “It’s created an amazing bond between us and our communities,” says co-founder Josh Weprin. “We created something that has united kids, their parents, school administrators, and FUSIAN through something that is very familial; food. It’s been nothing short of amazing!” “Dayton is where we grew up!” said co-founder Stephan Harman. “With our store on Brown Street and now a store in Centerville, our roots are only getting stronger here.”

FUSIAN positions itself in the fast-casual arena as an accessible option for both sushi veterans and newcomers alike. Diners are offered traditional and modern sushi rolls with signature proteins such as raw tuna, salmon, and yellowtail as well as roasted chicken and braised steak. “We like to tell people, if you love sushi, you’ll love FUSIAN, if you’ve never had sushi, you’ll love FUSIAN!” says Josh Weprin, “It’s our way to encourage people to rethink sushi.” FUSIAN is committed to sourcing superior ingredients, promoting positive health, and affirming social responsibility. Additionally, FUSIAN accommodates diners with most food allergies and dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, as well as offering vegan, and vegetarian options.

479852_607056205976445_1263526897_nThe founders set out to create a place where discerning diners could eat everyday. They sought a place that broke down sushi stereotypes and misconceptions in an engaging and interactive environment. On the FUSIAN experience, co-founder Stephan Harman expressed that, “It starts with what your eating but it doesn’t stop there…” he adds, “You’ve got five senses, and we feel that the FUSIAN experience is best crafted when you use all of them. We like good music, great food, and great attitudes… it’s what unites our customers with our team, our food, and our community.”

FUSIAN has accrued many accolades regionally including, “Dayton’s Best Sushi” in 2012, 4 Best of Cincy mentions and one of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “Top 10 under 10” in 2011.

Follow FUSIAN’s journey at facebook.com/eatfusian and fusian.com

Dayton BBQ Entrepreneur Tackles DMM’s 10?’s

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Lea-Richards-BBQ-Pit-Master-for-Pig-of-the-Month-BBQ1-880x1024Growing up Lea Richards and her family would go on family vacations every year and turn each trip into one big barbecue hunt. They literally went to every so-called BBQ hot spot and had their fingers deliciously smeared from digging into A LOT of different kinds of barbecue. As Lea describes it, “we went through some tough ones (pun intended), but we also found some authentic, finger-lickin’ good ones—usually from mom-and-pop restaurants and other hole-in-the-wall dining places. And after scouring every town, city, state, or region, our search has finally ended. Guess where?  Right in our kitchen. But, we realized that we need not continue the hunt, fun as it was. We didn’t have to go anywhere for the best barbecue. We had all the experience, tips, and recipes from around the country to make the best barbecue in the country, right in our house!”

Thus began the Pig of the Month BBQ business in 2010. Lea left her hectic life on Wall Street in 2010 and began the mail order barbecue company.  Recreating her favorite barbecues from different regions, she makes  smoked barbecue ribs, award winning pulled pork, specialty sausages, gourmet bacon, BBQ sides, and lip-smacking Award Winning BBQ sauces—and share the53055 goodness with you! Pig of the Month offers ribs just the way all barbecue lovers want them: perfectly seasoned, tender-on-the-inside but crispy-on-the-outside, smoky, and mouthwatering—just tear-off-the-bones good barbecue.

This 2009 UD grad has grown her business into a successful company and has been featured on Good Morning America, been written about in Forbes Magazine and had her BBQ featured in Playboy Magazine.  She’s won awards for her Mustard based BBQ sauce and Martha Stewart Magazine recognized Pig of the Month as a Best Gift, while Southern Living Magazine awarded them with the Best Ribs title.  They’ve filled orders for Whoopi Goldberg, Iron Chef Michael Symon, Paula Deen, Stephen Colbert and Chelsea Handler.

Pig of the Month has been nominated as one of 100 finalists in the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest and will find out at the end of March if she’ll be awarded a grant to help her “expand her product line and offer her customers even more delicious items to choose from.”  In the meantime Lea agreed to answer our Chef 10 Questions:

1. What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?581514_10151109621059611_1649510167_n

Well, I think this may be a bit obvious, but Bacon!

2.  What ingredient do you dread?

Personally, anything I don’t like to eat: shrimp, fennel, or oysters mainly.

3.  What’s your favorite dish to make?

For an easy weeknight meal, fish tacos. For something dressier I make a killer wild mushroom bread pudding.

 

4.  What’s your favorite pig out food?

 

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches made with pulled pork, pimento cheese, and extra BBQ sauce

 

5.  What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

 

I’m obsessed with Roost, I love the patio at Lily’s, and you can’t beat lunch at Coldwater Cafe.

 

6.  What’s your best advice for home chefs?

 

Follow the recipe to the T the first time, and then experiment to make it your own once you know what its supposed to taste like.

 

7.  If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?leasguests

 

Winston Churchill for the commentary, George Clooney to seduce, Anna Kendrick because she’s Anna Kendrick, and Grant Aschatz to help me cook.

 

8.  Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

Since our business is mostly mail order, I tend to be more in the business side of things nowadays.

I do admire what Kim at Olive, An Urban Dive has done though – she sticks to all natural ingredients, uses local suppliers, and works hard to make sure everything is cooked from scratch. That’s something I try to replicate at Pig of the Month

 

9.  What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

I love the MetroParks! I go trail running with my puppy at Englewood and Wegerzyn all the time. And then I head to Roost for a cocktail and some truffle fries 🙂

10.  Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

When I first started my business we were lucky enough to be asked by Michael Symon to be on Good Morning America as a last minute segment. At that time I was still cooking all the ribs and everything all by my lonesome, and I found myself with 4,000+ orders to fulfill all at once.

Since I had never cooked so many ribs at one time, I didn’t realize that when I flipped them that all of the grease would hit the charcoal all at once….yep, you guessed it. Big flames!

I had to call everyone and let them know their orders would be late, and it took a week for pro’s to clean it all up! Lesson learned!

 

After School Tuesdays at The Human Race Theatre’s Creativity Center @ The Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center

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After School TuesdaysKids, spend an afternoon The Human Race Theatre Company’s Creativity Center and you will be transported into the imaginative world of theatre. Each week will be designed to introduce a new skill or theatrical area. Develop your skills in improvisation, explore stage makeup technique, write a dramatic script, choreograph a new dance, act out your favorite myth or tall tale. Learn monologues, rehearse scenework and participate in mock auditions. And best of all, make new friends! Healthy afternoon snacks will be provided. This activity is for kids ages 8 – 13.

Event Details:

When: Tuesday February 25, 2014  03:00 PM – 06:00 PM

Cost: $15 pre-reg/$18 at the door

Event Contact Info: Marilyn Klaben
Phone: 461-3823 x3132

New Space Shuttle Exhibit Open Feb 26th at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

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140131-F-IO108-002National Museum of the U.S. Air Force visitors will be cleared for liftoff when the museum’s new Space Shuttle Exhibit opens to the public on Feb. 26.
The exhibit, which features NASA’s first Crew Compartment Trainer, allows visitors to experience the size and shape of an actual space shuttle orbiter by entering the payload bay and looking into the flight deck and mid-deck levels.

Following the arrival of the Crew Compartment trainer in summer 2012, work began on the design and construction of a full-scale representation of a NASA shuttle payload bay, engine, and tail sections, along with a 60-seat dedicated educational area or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Learning Node, by Display Dynamics, Inc. of Clayton, Ohio.

These portions of the exhibit, along with visitor observation and access structures, have been completed and the Teal Ruby satellite has been placed inside the payload bay. In addition, space-related videos will be available for viewing in the STEM Learning Node (when it is not in use for other scheduled programs).

Future plans call for the museum to continue populating the exhibit with additional artifacts such as space suits and provide interpretive information about topics such as astronauts, space science, living in space, and the Air Force’s role in space. Eventually, the exhibit will be moved to a new Space Gallery in the museum’s fourth building as part of a multi-phase, long-term expansion plan to house the museum’s growing space collection, as well as the Presidential Aircraft Gallery, Research & Development Gallery and Global Reach Gallery.

According to Museum Director Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson, the exhibit is truly unique and will serve as an important educational tool.

“We are very pleased to open this one-of-a-kind Space Shuttle Exhibit and STEM Learning Node, and we thank Display Dynamics, Inc. for their hard work in helping us make these structures a reality,” Hudson said. “This exhibit will inspire us all to learn more about space and the role of our Air Force in space, and we hope that when you visit – whether that be in-person or online – it will inspire you, too, and become one of the vehicles that launches a new generation of Americans who are well-educated about space and STEM.”

Other components of the Space Shuttle Exhibit include two interactive space shuttle landing simulators, which were added last summer and allow visitors to test their skill at landing a space shuttle orbiter. Designed by Historic Space Systems of Danville, Ohio, the simulators are representative of a space shuttle commander’s and pilot’s stations, and feature a reproduction of the forward portion of the space shuttle flight deck with internal cockpit dimensions that replicate its actual size.

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The National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the service’s national institution for preserving and presenting the Air Force story from the beginning of military flight to today’s war on terrorism. It is free to the public and features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year more than one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Some museum exhibits have special hours. The 8th Air Force Control Tower andNissen Hut, located in the Air Park, are open from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday from January through March (closed Monday through Thursday) and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily April through December.

The Presidential and R&D Galleries are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Click here for requirements on visiting those galleries, which are located on the controlled-access portion of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

Story by Rob Bardua
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Dayton Most Metro Brew Tours

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logo-1 Sun, 3/2 – 1pm meet at Lock 27 Brewing, then Eudora, 5th Street Brew Pub and  Warped Wing.  

This tour will visit four local breweries. We will spend approximately 40 minutes at each location. We’ll set you up with  a flight of beers at each brewery, so you’ll get a taste of what each brewery is doing. Feel free to order a pint of your favorite, or get a growler to go and we’ll keep it cold for you on the bus!

Your ticket includes bus transportation, beer samples at each stop as well as snacks and water on the bus.

The cost is $55 per person.  All participants must be 21 or older.  No exceptions.

Book a ticket for the 3/2 Tour

 

 

Brew Tour Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much beer will I get on the Brewery Bus Tour? We want you to sample beer on our tours. You get beer samples at every brewery included in the ticket price, and we’ll have some growlers on the bus to quench your thirst between breweries!

Will you feed me on the Brewery Bus Tours? Beer, Water and snacks will be provided on the bus as well as a cooler to store purchases.  Many of the breweries have food trucks visiting and snacks available.

What if I am late for a Bus Tour? We operate on a specific timeline. Please be at the designated departure location at least 10 minutes prior to the tour’s start time. Tour start times are firm; however ending times may vary slightly due to weather and traffic. Call the number listed on your ticket with any issues.

What should I bring on the bus tour? All you need is yourself. While no additional purchases are required, we encourage you to purchase beer from our breweries while you are on the tour. We will provide a cooler for keeping the beer cold on the bus. All of the breweries we visit will be offering beer in growlers and six packs to go.We ask you to not bring any alcohol onto the bus that wasn’t purchased from our tour stops. DMM  Brew Tours follows all state of Ohio liquor/consumption laws. Participants must be 21 years old to consume alcoholic beverages on the tours.

What happens if I need to cancel?  If you are unable to attend an event, tour tickets can be transferred to another guest..  If you cancel 48 hours in advance we will refund you 85% of purchase price.   DMM  Brew Tours reserves the right to cancel a tour. Should this occur, your reservation fee will be transferable toward another event or fully refunded.

How old do I have to be to attend an event? Since our tours will involve alcohol, we only offer our tours to adults aged 21 and over. Please bring your State Identification or driver’s license to present to your tour guide upon arrival.

What if I need a ride home after a tour? We want to offer you a safe environment to tour and sample beer with us. Our commitment to your safety extends after the tour as well. We’ll partner with Divine Services  who can get you and your car home for $40 within 20 miles of downtown.
Do you offer private tours? We are available for private tours such as bachelor parties, birthdays, girls night out, work and holiday parties, fund raising and charity events and more. We can customize anything to meet your needs! Please email us:Lisa@MostMetro.com to send you our private tour packages  or call: 937-572-1376. We will respond promptly to discuss your event.

 

Your Visit To Local Submarine House Could Be Worth $10,000

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italian_0What good healthy living guru doesn’t like sub sandwiches? Actually, whether you are into healthy living or not–who doesn’t love subs?  Okay, so we’re clear–everyone loves subs.

Now riddle me this: who wouldn’t want to win $10,000?  Answer: no one.
Submarine House is giving you the chance to enjoy two good things all in one visit to their restaurant.  Enjoy a delicious sub sandwich and stick your name in a drawing for $10,000.  Or don’t eat the sandwich–because technically, no purchase is necessary to enter.  But seriously–how can you pass up their Philly Cheesesteak sandwich? That might not be the healthiest pick on the menu (I’m sure it isn’t) but if you ask me, healthy living is all about balance. So eat the Cheesesteak. Just don’t eat one every day.

Stop into any local Submarine House store between now and April 5 and simply fill out an entry form for your chance to be entered to win $10,000.  If that isn’t reason enough, Submarine House is also donating a portion of their sales from now until April 5 to Dayton’s Children’s Medical Center.  Repeat after me: Good food. Good cause. Chance to win cash. Done and done.

cheesesteak

Finally, if you want an additional chance to win some cash, you can attempt to qualify for the Super Duper Cheesesteak eating challenge.  I’d recommend running at least a 10k before you attempt to eat the thing–that way, you’ll be totally famished and it might help your chances! But seriously, to qualify for the eating challenge and win first prize of $1,000, contestants have until March 23 to attempt to become a store champion at any Submarine House location. Contestants will attempt to eat a 16-inch Super Duper Cheesesteak — more than three-and-a-half pounds of food — in 16 minutes or less. Successful participants win their sandwich for free, along with a T-shirt. The 10 top qualifying times from each location will win a spot in their store’s semifinals during the week of March 24. At the semifinals, a store champion will be crowned by determining the person who can eat the 16-inch Super Duper Cheesesteak in the fastest time.

So whether you’re interested in vying for the Super Duper Cheesesteak crown this year or just dropping your name in for a chance to win $10,000, take a minute and drop into your local Submarine House before April 5.

 

Spend an Evening with Oscar + ***Ticket Giveaway***

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FD Oscars2As movie makers celebrate their biggest night, FilmDayton will join the Academy Awards action by hosting “An Evening with    Oscar” March 2 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3520 Pentagon Park Blvd., in Beavercreek.

As the nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the Dayton region’s film community, FilmDayton will welcome guests to watch the broadcast on multiple screens, mingle with friends, film lovers and area filmmakers while also enjoying savory treats created by local chefs. The Academy Awards are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., and the party’s doors open at 7 p.m.

FD Oscars1Tickets for the “An Evening with Oscar” party are $25 ($20 for FilmDayton members). A package of six tickets is $125. Tickets are available at filmdayton.ticketleap.com.  But through Dayton Most Metro, you have a chance to win tickets below!

“Our ‘Evening with Oscar’ party is a unique way to watch the Academy Awards,” said Megan Cooper, FilmDayton’s executive director. “Imagine a huge living room with all your friends watching the Oscars — chatting, eating, drinking and enjoying the night. Plus, we’ve got great silent auction prizes from major movies sets and fun local entertainment options.”

Attendees to “An Evening with Oscar” can watch the Academy Awards show in a relaxed, cocktail setting with friends and fans. Tickets will include games of OsFD Oscars3car Bingo, a chance to cast a ballot to pick the evening’s winners, a cash bar, a silent auction of film-inspired packages, and a range of food items created by area chefs to represent the best picture nominees. The chef at the Hilton Garden Inn will be providing savory treats to represent American Hustle, 12 Years a Slave, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club and the Wolf of Wall Street. Sweet treats representing best pictures include a molecular gastronomy mastery by Scratch Event Catering for Gravity, Perfect Mom Cupcakes presented by Baked. for Her and Irish Cream Cheesecake Bites topped with Chocolate for Philomena & Vanilla and Corn Mousse topped with Caramel Popcorn for Nebraska, both presented by Ovations Food Service.

The silent auction includes multiple prizes attendees will want to bid high to win. Film related packages include a set visit to the upcoming Cate Blanchett movie that is filming in the region this spring and a package from Piper Eressea Kerman, writer of Orange is the New Black. Attendees can also bid on great sports packages (from the Dayton Dragons and Dayton Dutch Lions), arts prizes (from the Dayton Ballet, Dayton Philharmonic, Human Race Theatre Co. and more), great food gift certificates, massages, pet packages, auto detailing, jewelry, books, and so much more!

Get tickets now or learn more at filmdayton.com or at Facebook.com/FilmDayton.

 

FilmDayton’s “AN EVENING WITH OSCAR”

FD Oscars4When: Sunday, March 2, Show starts at 8 p.m.; Doors open at 7 p.m.

Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 3520 Pentagon Park Blvd., Beavercreek

Cost: Tickets are $25, ($20 for FilmDayton members); $125 for package of six. Purchase tickets online and learn more at www.FilmDayton.TicketLeap.com.

More info: Attendees can learn more about the chefs and great silent auction prizes at filmdayton.com or at Facebook.com/FilmDayton.

Ticket Give Away

DaytonMostMetro.com has a pair of tickets to give away for the Evening with Oscar.  If you’d like to enter our ticket giveaway, fill out the form below and comment below who you think will walk away with the Best Picture Oscar![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Dayton’s Roller Girls Season Starts **Ticket Give Away**

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gemcityThe Gem City Rollergirls (GCRG) are Dayton’s only skater owned and operated flat track roller derby league. Like a lot of other leagues around the country, the formation of the Gem City Rollergirls was inspired by the airing of the A&E series “Rollergirls” about a banked-track derby team out of Austin, Texas. Many of our players saw “Rollergirls” and knew that they wanted to play derby. It all began in 2005 when founding skater Helen of DesTroy scoured the internet for other girls interested in starting a team in Dayton. The team had its first Meet & Greet at the Skateworld of Kettering on January 22, 2006, and its first practice on February 19, 2006.

Since then the team has had a variety of changing line-ups. They have skaters from all walks of life, from ages 18 to 60, single gals to moms with kids, medical assistants to teachers to accountants to cosmetologists.   Meet a few of the girls:

Reckless Ratchet

Why did you pick your name?: I picked Reckless because when I first started scrimmaging with the team I was out of control… I still enjoy skating at reckless speeds toward the back of the pack. Ratchet was a nickname given to me in school many years ago. Thus was born Reckless Ratchet

What is your pre-game ritual?: Feeling sick to my stomach. I like to distract myself with cleaning the house until it’s time to head to Hara.

What do you “geek out” about?: Spending time with my awesome husband and three wonderfully rotten and precocious kids… and derby!

Demolition Curvy

Why did you join derby?: I joined after watching my first bout back in 2010. As soon as the whistle blew and both teams started hitting each other, I knew this was something I had to do! After that, I showed up at the next practice and have been doing it ever since.

Why did you pick your name?: Because I demolish anything my way and I’ve got some wicked curves 🙂

What advice would you give someone new to derby?: It takes a lot of work-off and on the track so be prepared. Don’t get down on yourself and stay positive!

 

Diva Vin Detta

Why did you join derby?: I have been a rink rat my entire life, I ran into the Gem City Rollergirls on Myspace, lol. I went to my first practice just to check it out in April 2009 and was immediately told to strap on some skates. I got to hit some girls and they definitely hit me back. I have been dedicated to this kick ass sport ever since.

What is your pre-game ritual?: Bathroom, banana, bathroom, red-bull, banana, choose game day bandanna, skate.

What advice would you give someone new to derby?: You will know immediately if this sport is for you. Don’t force it. If you think it is for you, don’t quit.  Don’t rush your name. Names are not the sport, they are cute and fun and sometimes, a little bad ass but they do not make you a better skater, practice does. So just keep skating the name will come, eventually.

Outer Spacey

Why did you join derby?: Growing up, I was a rink rat. I’ve skated for as long as I can remember, so it wasn’t very hard to talk me in to trying it! After joining, I realized it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I feel so lucky to have found this *amazing* team.

Why did you pick your name?: I actually didn’t choose my own name. You see, if you can’t decide on a name, one will be given to you. Apparently I have a tendency to “space out” 🙂

What is your pre-game ritual?: Burger King. Enough said.

What advice would you give someone new to derby?: It isn’t easy, but IT’S WORTH IT. Please, please, please don’t give up. Because, in the end, all of the bruises/blood/soreness is worth it.

 

The ladies  season opener is this Saturday night, Feb 22nd in the Ball Arena at the Hara Arena Complex! Get 1536487_10152144993619920_114805570_nyour tickets for this double header against Chemical Valley and A-Town. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets for only $10! At the door prices are $12 for adults and $7 for ages 8-12. Doors open at 4:30 and game time is 5:30. They will lead off with the ladies of Violet Femmes vs A-Town and finish the night off with Purple Reign vs Chemical Valley.

Do you want to be part of the Gem City Rollergirls? We can’t blame you. There are several ways to get involved.

NSO

The best way to help our organization and learn more about derby at the same time is to volunteer. An “NSO” is a Non-Skating Official. You may spot them in pink shirts at bouts keeping stats, managing the penalty box, selling tickets, keeping score, and more. Everyone who works our bouts does so on a volunteer basis, and we can always use more volunteers! NSOs gain free entry into bouts they work and get an inside look at the organization. If you plan to skate with the team when boot camp rolls around, this is a great place to be in the meantime.

Referee

Those folks in stripes are also volunteers. Is bashing and crashing not your cup of tea? Does your schedule not jive with our practice times? You may prefer to learn your way around a whistle. Referees often attend regular team practices and the skating is equally intense. Contact us to learn more.GCRGbanner

Skate

We are always looking for new skaters for our team. No skills? No gear? No problem! All you need to start is some dedication and a fierce desire to get out on the rink and kick some butt!

Do you think you have what it takes to be a roller girl? If so, mark your calendars. Gem City will hold two boot camps this year to bring in new talent. To skate, you must be a female age 18 or older. High skill, low skill, never strapped wheels to your feet…Gem City welcomes you. You bring the will and we’ll show you the way.

Tentative dates for 2014 boot camp are as follows:

Mid-season boot camp: June 30th, July 1st, 3rd, & 6th.

Off season boot camp: October 13th, 14th, 16th, 19th.

Ticket Give Away

DaytonMostMetro.com has a pair of tickets to give away for Saturday’s season opener.  If you’d like to enter our ticket giveaway, fill out the form below and comment below what your “roller – name” would be!   Winner will be drawn Friday evening and posted here.

Congrats to Gretchen Henrich, our ticket winner- enjoy the roller derby!

 

Yoga offered at Westminster Presbyterian Church

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YogaInterested in calming the mind and feeling your stress melt away? Yes, it IS possible in just an hour. You will practice/learn how to maintain that feeling throughout your day. Yoga will be offered each Tues 12:30-1:30. Beginners Basics. No previous Yoga experience needed. Open to all ages of adults, body types and genders. (Real men do Yoga too)! Yoga isn’t about being flexible or already fit. It’s about breath work, community and allowing the body to release. What to bring: a mat if you have one, (there will be a few loaner mats available), and a light blanket or throw. Most importantly: bring your true self with an open heart AND a friend or two (the community part). Open to the public. Location: Stargazer Theater. Enter the church thru Wilkinson St side. Press intercom button, say you are there for Yoga. When inside head down the stairs. Theater is at bottom of stairs on your left. The theater is on the same side of church you will enter. Each student’s first class is free. $8/class or a 5 class pass for $35. Parking is free – use the church lot (on First across from church) and tell attendant you are going into church.  Questions? 937-609-6759 [email protected]

Yoga will also be offered:

Tuesday March 04, 2014
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Tuesday March 18, 2014
Tuesday March 25, 2014

Come out and do something good for your mind, body and spirit!