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Archives for August 2014

‘Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music’ Review – Dayton Theatre Guild – Lone Star Connections

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Colorful characters attempting connection fuels Lee Blessing’s folksy1983 comedy “Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music,” the name of the Houston bar at the center of this simplistic summertime diversion at the Dayton Theatre Guild.


Tough, hot-tempered ex-biker Jim Stools (David Hallowren) owns the bar in question which has undergone a renovation at the hands of his girlfriend Eve Wilfong (Angela Riley). Looking to appeal to the heart as well as the wallet, Eve brings a renewed sense of identity to the establishment, a more welcoming sense of purpose because she feels “there is a power in a message.” While monitoring the bar’s clientele, Eve does her best to offer words of wisdom to her worrisome, peculiar niece Catherine Empanger (Sara Naderer), a novice nun prone to profane outbursts beyond her control. While Eve and Catherine strengthen their bond, dim-witted ditch-digger Roy Manual (Jared Mola) persistently woos Catherine.

(l to r) David Hallowren, Noah Walters and Jared Mola in the Dayton Theatre Guild's production of "Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music" (Contributed photo by Craig Roberts)

(l to r) David Hallowren, Noah Walters and Jared Mola in the Dayton Theatre Guild’s production of “Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music”
(Contributed photo by Craig Roberts)

Small talk about life and love is huge in this lesser glimpse into Blessing’s character-conscious universe, which can be a source of enlightening, thought-provoking dramas (“A Walk in the Woods,” “Going to St. Ives”) or poignant family fare (“Independence,” “Eleemosynary”). The goal of “Nice People” is to merely entertain, which it does, although I wonder what this play could have been if given room to grow more cohesive beyond Blessing’s odd decision to separate genders for the majority of the action, particularly devoting the entire first act to Jim and Roy’s momentum-stalling ruminations on trucks, women and academia.


Thankfully, director Ralph Dennler’s excellently authentic cast smoothly grasps the eccentricities and nuances within this relatable tale. Hallowren, gruff yet astute in one of his strongest leading performances, epitomizes the frustration of a man who allowed a woman to change his existence for the better even though he may not appreciate it every single second of every day. The terrifically earthy Riley, injecting her dialogue with a gentle, Southern wistfulness recalling Horton Foote or Tennessee Williams, captivates as Eve honestly discusses her past heartache and ultimate liberation in an attempt to make Catherine view the world differently. In her Guild debut, the delightful Naderer brings a proper amount of reticence and perplexity to her portrayal of a tightly-wound woman yearning for more. As Roy, the splendid Mola, one of the best chameleons in the Miami Valley, avoids becoming a tiresome, backwards caricature by completely immersing himself into his gawky role physically and mentally. With charming moxie and geeky bravado, Mola keeps Roy’s quest for love incredibly endearing. As Jason, Eve’s mischievous son and Jim’s menace, Noah Walters, in his Guild debut, does an amiable job in an underwritten capacity. Additionally, Blake Senseman’s commendable scenic design is greatly accented by a weathered pickup truck center stage that seemingly becomes Hallowren’s annoying sidekick.


“Nice People” lacks impactful vim and verve, but fine acting and an engaging atmosphere keeps this breezy production fittingly lighthearted.

 

“Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music” continues through Sept. 7 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. Act One: 35 minutes; Act Two: 60 minutes. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $12 for students. For tickets or more information, call (937) 278-5993 or visit www.daytontheatreguild.org

 

 

25 Things Not to Miss at the 25th Annual Ohio Renaissance Festival

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The Ohio Renaissance Festival  welcomes you to their village with over  150 costumed characters! Rub elbows with Royalty as you cheer your favorite knight to victory in the thrilling Full-armored Tournament Joust. Enjoy a festive day in the village surrounded by dueling swordsmen, rowdy pirates, nobles, peasants, and daring jugglers. slide-01

The sprawling landscape is dotted with hundreds of unique shops in the Medieval Marketplace featuring many one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items. See time-honored crafts of glassblowing, stone carving, blacksmithing, leather tooling, boot making, and more demonstrated.

The air is filled with the scents and smells of the foods of the Renaissance period. Feast like Royalty on juicy, giant roasted turkey legs, fresh baked bread bowls overflowing with soups and stews, fish ‘n chips, steak-on-a-stake, succulent roasted corn on the cob and a wide variety of the finest ales and wines. There’s something for everyone’s taste buds!

Visitors of all ages will be amused by the games of skill and human-powered rides. Try your hand at archery and see if you’re a modern-day Robin Hood, or climb the castle tower and rescue the lovely damsel in distress.

 ORF-Logo-25-Seasons25 Things Not to Miss

  1. Jousting – The original “heavy metal” done thrice daily.
  2. Queen Elizabeth – Meet Her Majesty as she wanders through the village.
  3. Pirate Ship – See the impressive ship during the Pirate Comedy Stunt Show twice daily.
  4. Villagers – Willy Nilly wouldn’t exist without the interesting characters that call it home. Meet them in the lanes as you trek around the village.
  5. Music – Enjoy the sounds of village musicians scattered throughout the realm.
  6. Bread Bowls – Delicious soups and stews served in bowls of bread.
  7. Turkey Legs – Succulent roasted turkey legs weighing in at 2 pounds each!RVRenFestPirateDay1-1128
  8. Steak-on-a-Stake – Juicy, seasoned cut of steak cooked to perfection and served on a stick for easy eating on the go.
  9. Rides – Children of all ages will enjoy the thrilling human-powered rides.
  10. Games – Test your skill at the many games in the Gaming Area.
  11. The Swordsmen – Enjoy this duo’s quick wit and even quicker swordplay while teaching you how to become a “Master of the Manly Arts”.
  12. The Mudde Show – Don’t miss literary classics performed in the Olympic-sized Muditorium, where comedy meets Earth!
  13. Kamikaze Fireflies – Enjoy a constant series of jaw-dropping tricks, audience interaction, and hilarity.
  14. Shopping – Browse over 140 shops with unique, handmade wares with flare! Clothing, jewelry, home décor, candles, artwork, shoes/boots, leather products, and so much more.
  15. Collectable Mugs – Every year is different! What will it look like this year?
  16. Closing Gate Ceremony – At the end of each day the villagers come together to give you a serenade, thanking you for visiting the shire and well wishes for your journey home.
  17. Family Fun – There is something for all ages at the Ohio Renaissance Festival!
  18. Highland Games – Traditional Highland games are held during Highland Weekend that you can participate in!
  19. Amazing Maze – See if you can find your way through the maze but don’t be lead astray!
  20. Tower of London Dungeon of Doom – Tour the historical displays of punishment from the 16th Century.
  21. Queen’s Bloomers – Treat someone special to the gift of a beautiful, fresh rose from a rose walker in the lanes or the booth.
  22. Pub Sing – Stop by the end of the day “Huzzah!” at the Aleing Knight Pub. You never know what might happen!
  23. War Horse Rides – Don’t miss your chance to ride a knight’s horse around the lyst.
  24. Parade – Every day at noon the villagers and merchants come together to parade around the realm in honor of Her Majesty visiting their village.
  25. Knighting Ceremony – Become a Knight or Dame, Prince or Princess, as Her Majesty bequeaths title on all in attendance.

Load up the car and bring the whole neighborhood! Adults are two for the price of one AND all kids 12 and under get in free this opening weekend.  Request “two for one” at the Box Office to receive Royal savings Saturday, Sunday, and Labor Day!

General Admission Tickets

 

Adult (ages 13+) – $18.95, a $3 savings off of the gate price!

 

Child (ages 5-12) – $8.95, a $1 savings off of the gate price!

 

Season Pass – Available through August 30, 2014 – Enjoy admission every festival day for only $125!

 

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is easily accessible located just minutes off of I-71 or I-75 on State Route 73 in Harveysburg, Ohio.

 

 

 

 

AlterFest- A Labor Day Tradition!

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alterfestThe Alter Family Fun Fest,  an Alter Booster sponsored fundraiser for Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering , Ohio kicks off tonight at 7pm and hundreds of volunteers  give endless hours to raise money for the school. Rides and games for Kids, Blackjack and Texas Hold’em, Big 6 and the famous chicken dinner are all part of the fun!

Our Gem City is Known for Generosity

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I have heard over the years that Dayton has the highest giving per capita over any other city in Ohio. Then I found this Dayton Daily News Article from August 2012 that validated what I believed to be true…

Dayton Leads Ohio Metros in Charitable Giving

“Dayton is the most generous major metropolitan area in Ohio, with residents on average donating 4.6 percent of their discretionary incomes to charity, according to a new analysis.

Dayton metropolitan residents overall give less money to charity than people in Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland, but local residents give away a greater share of their discretionary incomes, which is a better measure of generosity, according to an analysis of IRS data released by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.”

“Dayton is the most generous major metropolitan area in Ohio.”

It’s not that Daytonians give more total dollars than any other city in Ohio… it’s that we give a greater percentage of our income, than those who live in any other city.

That’s pretty impressive! And that’s good news for the long list of non-profits, charitable organizations and churches here in the Miami Valley!

For the past five years I have bHope Logoeen overseeing The Hope Foundation of Greater Dayton. Hope is a member agency of The Foodbank, Dayton. Hope operates a mobile food pantry that serves 1,000 households in Greene and Montgomery counties every month.

 

First, let me clear up some confusion about the difference between a food bank and a food pantry.

There is only ONE food bank in Dayton. It serves Montgomery county, Green county and half of Preble County. There are LOTS of food pantries. The Foodbank in Dayton is an amazing resource for those concerned about the growing problem of hunger. (Now labeled as “food insecurity.”) There are currFoodbankently 88 member agencies that acquire food for their pantries from the Foodbank.

The Foodbank in Dayton is part of Feeding America, a network of 200+ food banks across the country. The Foodbank receives food donated by local businesses (Kroger, Aldi, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target and Meijer to name a few) as well as using it’s buying power to acquire large quantities of food at deep discounts from other sources, allowing them to then, in turn, provide its member agencies access to that food at a low agency fee. Over HALF of the 7.5 million pounds of food distributed by the Foodbank in Dayton is FREE to its member agents!

 

Let me put this into perspective for you…

Via the Foodbank, a member agency can acquire a one thousand pound skid of, say, canned corn for $100. At best, I might be able to otherwise purchase one can of corn for $.50. The average retail price per can is in the $1.25 range. By being a member agent of the Foodbank, we can acquire that same can of corn for TEN CENTS!

 

Groceries

Technically, Foodbank member agencies don’t “buy” food from the Foodbank… Member agencies pay a per-pound fee, based upon the pounds of certain foods received. The nominal fee is assessed primarily to help cover food transportation costs.

In other words, I can turn a $20.00 donation into $200 of purchasing power.

I’ve been attending church for most of my life… I love the story in the Bible of when Jesus multiplied a kid’s sack lunch (otherwise known as loaves and fishes) to feed 5,000 people. (And when all was said and done, there were leftovers!)

The downside is Jesus also said, “The poor you will always have with you.” The reality is we could all empty our bank accounts and this problem won’t simply go away.

 

HarleyBut we still fight the good fight… and it takes a lot of dedicated and generous people to do so. I am constantly amazed at how generous people can be! We don’t do a lot of fundraising, but from time to time an opportunity will come our way to help us raise some funds. Recently, someone donated a 1993 Harley-Davidson to The Hope Foundation. It’s a red 883cc sportster with a 1200cc “Screaming Eagle” kit. Only 17,000 miles! We are raffling it off to raise money. (Hoping to raise $20,000.)

 

Also, Hope was recently chosen to be one of the seven charities with the chance to receive a donation from the Dayton River Corridor Classic! The other charities are

A Kid Again

Culture Works

Dayton International Peace Museum

Hannah’s Treasure Chest

Safe Harbor

UpDayton

CLICK HERE for more information and to cast your vote!

I would like to take this opportunity to commend all of you for your generosity. I have been on the receiving end for many years. So, on behalf of all the charitable organizations, non-profits and churches in our region, THANK YOU!

Thank You

If you would like to get more information about how you can help fight hunger in our community, simply click on the links below.

For more information, to volunteer or to donate to the Foodbank, Dayton CLICK HERE.

To purchase raffle tickets for the Harley for Hope raffle, CLICK HERE.

For more information about The Hope Foundation of Greater Dayton CLICK HERE.

For more information about the Dayton River Corridor Classic CLICK HERE.

REVIEW: Motley Crue Say Farewell To Cincinnati

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Photo by Dave Gabbard

Photo by Dave Gabbard

All bad things must come to an end so they say. Since 1981 we’ve gotten the good, the bad and the ugly from the Sunset Strip bad boys. Drugs, booze, sex, countless nights of untold, unseen debauchery and decadence. They’ve never been shy about pushing the envelope, before setting it on fire. They’ve sold over 80 million records and have over 2500 different branded items sold in 30 countries. For all the headlines, documentaries and tales of legend and lore, it’s a miracle they’re all still alive and healthy let alone finishing their three decade plus career with a ‘final goodbye tour’. Yes, many bands have done retirement tours only to come back (in one variation or another) a few years later to give fan’s more. However, Vince, Tommy, Nikki and Mick have made good on their word signing a legally binding Cessation of Touring Agreement stating after their last show (Mick’s mentioned the idea of having their final show at or on top of The Whisky on Sunset) they will never tour again as Motley Crue with each pursuing their own endeavors afterwards.

The show itself; was over 20 songs of classics, favorites and obscure tunes from Too Fast For Love-Saints of Los Angeles, excluding possibly Generation Swine, New Tattoo and the self-titled disk. This is, the Crue giving each city one final chance to Shout at the Devil. Presented by Dodge and produced by Live Nation the 72 date tour covers the country with the band playing a fire breathing, scantily clad show at each stop till the end of the year, going overseas in 2015. Though it started off a bit rocky in Grand Rapids a few nights earlier with technical glitches and issues with Tommy’s arena wide Cruesifly kit malfunctioning and the setup being too big for some venues to hold.  You’ll still get Sixx’s bass-neck fire starter, the always present hot vixens and a solo only Mick Mars can do.

Alice Cooper (photo by Dave Gabbard)

Alice Cooper (photo by Dave Gabbard)

Touring with the original pioneer and godfather of shock rock Alice Cooper, it seems that the creator/teacher is helping say goodbye to the students and having started in the late 60’s may have ‘continuing’ bragging rights.

New York born/LA transplants The Raskins opened the show with brothers Logan and Roger throwing down their own brand of rock n roll, trying to win over the early crowd.

Opening with Hello Hooray with the huge, hypnotic, menacing gaze of Alice starring at the crowd, old black eyes still said No More Mr. Nice Guy. Quite possibly the greatest teenaged angst and rebellion anthem ever made, or at least one of the first. We’re all eighteen again and we like it. Alice pulled out the Cooper confetti cash and spread the mean green. We went from cash to Trash and tasted the bitter sweet Poison. Diamonds and pearls are a girl’s best friend, even dirty ones.

The demented ringleader emerged top hatted and snake bit. Alice haunted your nightmares way before Freddy was conceived.  The blood caked mad scientist brought out the high voltage to feed his larger than life creation. Gas masked and ready, lightning struck and his Frankenstein was alive!

A few decades before Silent Hill, Alice dressed in straight-jackets assisted and tormented by demonic sexy nurses. Good ole Dwight. He loves the guillotine as much as the dead and he’s a Killer showman.  Alice, sweet Alice, the principal every student wished they had, Schools Out…forever! He said goodbye, but unlike Motley, we will see him again.

The number of times The Sound of Music and Motley Crue were spoken in the same sentence is (probably) nary a one but the boys introduce the show with a sly, sarcastic So Long, farewell tear down the eye. If all bad things Motley are coming to an end then on Sunday July 6th it was time to kick Cincinnati’s Red, White and Crue ass.

No ride through Tommyland for Riverbend that night but it was no less the spectacle accustomed to by the Crue, even if it was scaled down a bit from the carnival and The Tour’s stage.

The biggest, baddest Mother Fucker’s of the year from Los Angeles started the show. Doesn’t take long to take a ride on the Wild Side, bathed in downtown beckoning crimson and assorted lights, the first of the night’s beastly beauties seduce on stage. The Primal Scream sent flames shooting in all directions. Nikki proudly announced it’s been 33 years, starting on Sunset Strip with four brothers and the rock n roll family. The Same Old Situation never gets old; it’s a very ‘feel good’ moment.

(Photo by Dave Gabbard)

(Photo by Dave Gabbard)

Our first chance to shout at the devil came with Looks That Kill with the tempting hot silhouette of an unnamed lady giving the crowd an early kick start. Close your eyes, its 1981 again, On With The Show! Too fast, Too Fast For Love, do you remember? Smokin ain’t allowed in school but there’s plenty in the boys room. We got an older one they hadn’t played in a while. The girls screamed as Tommy hit the first beats to Without You as dreamy, emotional confetti poured from the ceiling. Mick hit a few off notes in the solo, but it’s forgivable.

This city full of plastic angels will seduce you, welcome to Los Angeles. It’s a dirty job but they all did it after Sixx met Tommy, drunk in leopard pants at the Starwood and Mick through a fucking insane guitar player ad in The Recycler. One long persuaded audition later after singing Cheap Trick at The Starwood Vince joined and ‘a motley looking crew’ was born, drenched in Lowenbrau.

They’re no strangers to anarchy, debauchery or heresy, in the US, UK or elsewhere.  Vince asked where all the young people were at. You’re Too Young To Fall In Love. Darkness eclipsed the stage as a symbolic, subliminally faded pentagram appeared on screen. The flames of hell bellowed on stage and Nikki’s flame thrower bass shot out balled up infernos singeing the air. Come now children of the beast be strong and Shout At The Devil. Don’t Go Away Mad, Just Go Away.

Mick played a truly mind-bending solo of Pink Floyd meets Van Halen fit for a mad scientist or a vintage horror movie villain. Live Wire, the very origin of the band, was another historical feel good moment followed by the good doctor’s Frankenstein remedy. The national anthem for all the lovely ladies of the CrueNation started as the bikes revved up for the cruise. Mick kick-started the finale with the adrenaline fueled riff and an extreme assault of fire, steam and explosions as all other on stage nasty’s exploded and boomed.

Tranquil music played at the Motley’s traveled to mid-pavilion, performing Home Sweet Home on the small, rising makeshift stage.

Then all good things Motley that were bad did end, for Southern Ohio/Northern Kentucky. No matter when they finally call it quits their legend and legacy in rock n roll, metal, LA and music will live forever. Vince capped the night off best “We’re gonna miss you fuckers, man. Thank you, goodnight.”

Photography by Dave Gabbard.

 

Riff Raff Tavern Celebrates First Anniversary!

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static.squarespaceIn August of 2013 a dream and vision became a reality and Riff Raff Tavern on the canal opened its doors. What had once been a vacant building has had the entire lower floor remodeled to create a comfortable place for people to gather and have a good time while listening to live music which includes Blues, Southern Rock, Rock and Roll and Country, shooting pool, grabbing a bite to eat or just enjoying good company and a drink.  Mike and Bev spent a lot of time choosing the right décor to give it a relaxed atmosphere. The Blues Brothers are there to greet you when you arrive. An antique back bar that was shipped in from Chicago has become a conversation piece for many patrons with its historic background.

 

The Taste Takes Over Lincoln Park Commons Thursday

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TCN274447_web_TASTErgbThe 26th Annual The Taste festival takes place this Thurs, Aug 28th from 5-9pm at Fraze Pavillion’s  Lincoln Park Commons.  As the Kettering, Moraine Oakwood Chamber’s largest fundraiser and premier food event in the region will showcase more than 40 restaurants as they offer their fare to attendees.  Live music, food and networking will be included in the event. You can also win incredible prizes! You can purchase tickets  online at  www.fraze.com  or stop by the KMO office at 2977 Far Hills Ave.  Enjoy samples of delicious food from a variety of local restaurants. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event and  children under 10 are $10 at the door.

 

 Participating restaurants include:

Ashley’s Pastries
Awesome Yogurt
BD’s Mongolian Grill
Bella Sorella Pizza
Brio
Butter Café
C’est Cheese!
Cheryl’s Cookies
Chicago Gyro’s & Dogs
Cheeky Meat Pie
Christopher’s Restaurant
Dixie Dairy Dream
El Meson
Figlio Italian Bistro and Bar
First Watch
Fleming’s Steakhouse
Fresco
Frickers
Hunger Paynes Food Truck
Lindy’s Gourmet Pet Treats
MCL Restaurant & Bakery
Mohawk Free Style Grill
Ms. Riley’s Cookies
Oinkadoodlemoo BBQ
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
P.F. Chang’s
Pa’s Pork
Rib in it BBQ
Shelly’s Cheesecake Co.
Subway
Sweet P’s Ice Pops
W.G. Grinders
Webster Street Deli
Young’s Jersey Dairy
and more!

Disney’s Resourceful Young Hero & Wise-Cracking Genie Come To Miamisburg

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Aladdin-imageChildrens’ Performing  Arts of  Miamisburg is proud to present Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. Sept 12-21 at the Memorial Auditorium on South Sixth Street at Park in Miamisburg.  This current favorite Broadway  hit is popular with kids of all ages!  Music written by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman. Additional lyrics and book adapted by Jim Luigs.
With one rub of the magic lamp, you will be transported into a world of color and energy. Hitch a ride on the magic carpet and travel to Agrabah – the City of Enchantment – where every beggar has a story, every camel has a tail and every citizen can sing and dance.  When a street urchin falls for the Sultan’s daughter, it’s love at first sight!  But the power-hungry Jafar has other plans for these two and he will stop at nothing to become Ruler himself!  Enter a cunning and ingenious genie and let the fun begin!
Aladdin Jr performances are Fridays, Sept 12 and Sept 19 at 7:00 pm., Saturdays, Sept 13 and 20 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and  Sundays, Sept 14 and 21 at 3:00 pm.  Tickets are available from the CPAM website  or at the door (subject to availability)  Ticket prices are $13 for adults (19-59)  and  $11 for seniors, students and military. Discount pricing for groups of 10 or more.  All performances are at the MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM South Sixth Street at Park in Miamisburg. For more information, call 937 867 0353.
Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg (CPAM) is a non-profit children’s theater dedicated to promote, to all area youth, the appreciation of the performing arts through education, practice and performance. Our goal is to enrich the lives of those participants by strengthening the performing arts community.

 

Free FitCamp hits the Dayton area

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BC2Butterflies in my stomach – it never fails, anytime I try a new fitness class and I have no idea what to expect. The latest free fitness class to hit the block, Dayton Free FitCamp, proved to be no exception. I follow enough Dayton area gyms and fitness activities that Dayton Free FitCamp undoubtedly popped up in my Facebook newsfeed. Free? Bootcamp style classes? Outside in a park? Okay, this has to be too good to be true. What’s the catch? I decided to check out that Tuesday evening’s class to find out for myself.

 

Dayton Free FitCamp officially started in late July, and meets twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Thomas A. Cloud Park. Jake Mygatt, founder of the program, assured me I’d be in for a challenge but that the class was designed to accommodate people of all fitness levels [cue sigh of relief from yours truly]. After filling out my waiver, trainer Brent Tompkins took the class through a brief warmup before we headed into the evening’s workout. The class I attended combined HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) with tons of cardio and strength exercises using only your own body weight during the “Poker PT” workout (seriously – a deck of cards, four different exercises for each suit and each number in the deck told us the number of that exercise we’d do. Whoever thought of this was both brilliant and very, very cruel).

 

 

As I pushed myself through the class, I took a good look at my fellow campers. Brent and Jake both challenged and motivated us while providing modifications for each exercise and allowing campers to do move at their own pace. “You get to decide what you get out of this workout,” they told us at the beginning of class. By the end, everyone was exhausted. But – everyone was smiling.

 

I wanted to chat with Jake to find out more about the inspiration and people behind Dayton Free FitCamp. Jake’s fitness career took flight when he was stationed overseas in Korea and became a Modern Army Combatives Instructor. He was later stationed in Afghanistan and after returning in 2009, became a group fitness instructor, personal trainer and Herbalife Health Coach. With the growing interest in bootcamp style fitness classes, Jake wanted to present a fitness opportunity to the Dayton community without the long term financial commitment required by some programs and gyms in the area. With free access to a local community park and a group of trainers dedicated to the same vision, Dayton Free FitCamp was born. Here’s what Jake wants you to know about Dayton’s latest free fitness opportunity – and why it’s worth a visit to the park this week.
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So, what exactly is Dayton Free FitCamp, and why should I check it out?

 

Dayton Free FitCamp is an absolutely free, outdoor bootcamp style workout that caters to all ages and fitness levels. FitCampers can expect a fun and positive workout environment, where everyone is equal. You can also expect to never do the same workout twice! FitCamp focuses on stretching, mobility and flexibility – then campers will head into the “work” phase of the FitCamp with the night’s workout. And since it’s actually possible to combine working out and fun (who knew?!), Jake intends on incorporating “theme nights” into the program that include football night, 80s night and armed forces night.

 

Who is FitCamp aimed towards? What if I don’t have previous workout experience? Or what if I already attend regular exercise classes – will this program challenge me?

 

FitCamp strongly encourages people of all fitness levels and abilities to attend. They take pride in trying to cater workouts towards various workout intensities, providing modifications for each exercise and encouraging campers to go at their own pace. Coaches actually demonstrate each exercise prior to the workout, leaving those with a more novice fitness vocabulary with the right information before performing the exercise.

 

Ever walked into a fitness class and the instructor calls out “Russian Twists, 30 seconds!” and by the time you’ve actually figured out what a Russian Twist is, your 30 seconds are long gone? Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, it’s refreshing to know the instructors are wiling to take time to give you the information you need to do the exercises correctly.

 

What’s in store for the future of Dayton Free FitCamp?BC1

 

Jake and the other coaches are still working out in the park twice a week, but are well aware of the the constraints an Ohio winter will present to their outdoor workout plans. They’re currently checking out indoor facilities to continue workouts once the weather gets colder, but they want to continue to promote health and fitness within the community free of charge as long as possible.

 

The Dayton area boasts tons of opportunities for fitness, but few provide a challenge, accountability and motivation from a team of experienced trainers without the price. Dayton Free FitCamp is definitely worth a visit to the park this week – bring a water bottle, a towel or yoga mat, and most importantly, be prepared to push yourself – and have fun!

 

Want to attend FitCamp? Here are the details you’ll need:
Where: Thomas A. Cloud Park – 4707 Brandt Pike, Dayton, Ohio 45424
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.
How can I learn more? Check out Dayton Free FitCamp on Facebook, or contact Jake directly at 937-974-3479

Wright “B” Flyer Inc. Launches Replacement Project

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Wright B Flyer approaches columbus re-enacting first cargo flightWright “B” Flyer Inc., an all-volunteer organization that flies a lookalike of the Wright brothers’ first production airplane, has launched a project to replace its venerable flying machine.
The not-for-profit organization has been flying Wright “B” Flyer No. 1, also known as the “Brown Bird” or “Iron Bird,” since 1982. The one-of-a-kind airplane resembles a 1911 Wright Model B airplane, but its design meets modern airworthiness standards, and it’s built from modern parts and materials.
The airplane has made flybys of the Rose Bowl and the Statue of Liberty and has been on display in Berlin. Numerous aviation pioneers and dignitaries have flown on the airplane, including the late Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong. It’s a familiar sight in local skies at the Vectren Dayton Air Show and other community events.
The Brown Bird has been flying for a generation, thanks to regular maintenance and periodic upgrades. “We’re thinking ahead to the next generation,” said Jay Jabour, Wright “B” Flyer president and acting chair. “Eventually we will need to replace the Brown Bird with a new airplane. To ensure continuity of our mission in future years, we’re beginning the replacement process now.”
The new airplane project begins as Wright “B” Flyer’s heritage partners, the National Aviation Heritage Alliance, the National Park Service and others are working to restore the original Wright Company factory buildings in Dayton. The factory was the first in America built for the purpose of producing airplanes, and its first product was the Wright Model B.
Wright “B” Flyer is developing a fundraising plan for financial and in-kind donations. The project already has received a substantial donation by an individual. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Wright “B” Flyer Inc.25th anniversary of the Wright "B" Flyer lookallike's first flight.
Wright “B” Flyer Inc. is an all-volunteer, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit corporation that promotes Dayton’s aviation heritage by flying and displaying lookalikes of Wright Model B airplanes. It is based on Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport in Ohio, where its hangar-museum is open to the public at no charge from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Please visit www.wright-b-flyer.org for more information.

Dayton’s Newest Food Truck: Jimmie’s StrEATery

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Ht5A5mZo_400x400It’s been a long time coming, but we’re happy to announce that Dayton’s newest foodtruck, Jimmie’s StrEATery, will be debuting at Warped Wing Brewing Company this Wed, August 27th at 7:00 pm!

 Jimmie Brandell, the chef and owner of Jimmie’s Ladder 11 got started on his truck last year, thought he’d have it out by the end of last summer, then had a little back surgery and the truck was parked while he recovered.  But good things are worth waiting for and the food coming out of this mobile kitchen should be good!

Here’s the list of street eats  that will be for sale on the truck:

Sandwiches

$8 Fried Green Tomato “BLT”- Green tomatoes beer battered with Warped Wing’s Flying Rye IPA, apple wood bacon, fresh spinach leaves, and Siracha mayonnaise on toasted wheat bread.

$8 Tom’s Turkey- Thinly sliced turkey topped with, creamy coleslaw cut daily, and a sliced hardboiled egg on a toasted hoagie roll.

$9 Blackened Chicken Sandwich- Grilled blackened chicken topped with, apple wood bacon, grilled onions, tomato, Swiss cheese, and Baja white sauce, stuffed inside a toasted hoagie roll.

$9 Arugula Pesto Chicken Sandwich- Grilled chicken topped with arugula pesto, roasted red pepper, asiago cheese, and a balsamic reduction on a toasted hoagie roll.

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$3 French Fries- House cut French Fries deep fried to perfection.

$3 Creamy Coleslaw- Hand cut creamy coleslaw cut daily.

$4 Spinach Salad- Spinach leaves, red onion, cucumber, tomato, feta cheese, with a garlic vinaigrette.

$4 Jimmie’s New Orleans Style Gumbo- Chicken, Andouille sausage, shrimp, and okra

FilmDayton Festival: The Award Winners

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Award-for-Web-1-1This weekend was the 6th annual Eichelberger FilmDayton Festival  and the  second year as a submission based festival.  For the first time they honored filmmakers with audience choice awards from various shorts blocks during the festival. Members of this weekends audience  participated in the awards process by voting for their favorite films.The actual awards was commissioned by FilmDayton and designed and created by talented local glass artist Susan Cannon.

The first group of awards presented tonight are the SUN DOG AWARDS –
These awards are presented to our newest and youngest film makers who participate and compete in the annual Sun Dog film festival for Junior High and High School students. The top 4 student short films were shown at the beginning of our feature films. These award winners are in no particular order as follows:

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SunDog winner Carly Vagedes

“Surrounded” (Brian Ferenchik – Hilliard Davidson)
“Run from Risk” (Khari Anthony – Centerville High School)
“5 Seconds” (Kylee Griffin and Grace Brooks – Southern Middle School)
“Julian” (Carly Vagedes – Stivers School)

Flick My Clip, curated by Ryan Singer
Poker Noir –  By B-side comedy, a film that takes Friday night poker games to an extreme.
Accepting for the film were Caz Finnegan and Max Cothrel.

International Shorts 
Whose Afraid of The Big Black Wolf, by Janez Lapajne, Slovenia. A film set in the Alps in 1944 as a multicultural triangle between a shepherd boy and two officers from opposite sides with two tunes and one flute.

Ohio Shorts
Sinner Victim Saints, directed by Moses Flores,
Upon meeting a stranger claiming to have supernatural powers at his wife’s funeral is feted the opportunity to exchange his life for hers. receiving the award is Cody Brown and Gregory Kennedy

US Shorts 
Personal Day,directed by Philip Jessen,
The story of two disgruntled office workers who, by complete coincidence, choose the same day to bring guns to work and “resign”.

The Filmmaker Award—to honor career achievement of excellence in filmmaking – Jim Klein208259_1032329977767_1833_n
An excerpt from the nomination by Shayna McConville

“I have the great pleasure of knowing Jim as a friend, colleague and an integral part of Dayton region’s educational and creative economy. A filmmaker, film advocate and film editor for over forty years, his work has encouraged audiences to look at political and social issues through smart, important and engaging documentary filmmaking.

An educator at Wright State, Jim has impacted the careers of countless emerging filmmakers. His work has been recognized, collected and nominated by such agencies as the Library of Congress, the Academy Awards and the Emmys. Jim is also the co-founder of New Day Films, which strives to deliver “dynamic, provocative storytelling to educational institutions…ensuring access to a wide range of contemporary and classic films. Considering Jim for the Filmmaker Award this year is a great testament to his Salazarb and issues that impact our contemporary lives.

Enjoy the video retrospective produced by local filmmaker Andrew Fiscus:

 

The Key Award—to honor special service to the filmmaking community – Jonathan McNeal

Highlights about Jonathan from the nomination from Ann Rotalante

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“Many people know Jonathan because of his “day job.” For over a decade, he has managed The Neon, Dayton’s only independent movie theater.

But many people don’t realize that Jonathan is also a talented, award-winning filmmaker in his own right. He is a 1996 graduate of Wright State University’s prestigious motion picture production program. His documentary short The Rubi Girls is a joyous, uplifting chronicle of the professional men behind the comedic, charity-driven, Dayton-based drag troupe. The Rubi Girls premiered at the 2003 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and went on to win Audience and Best of Festival Awards at the Fire Island Film & Video Festival and the Out on Film Festival in Atlanta.

Each year Jonathan seeks out new, innovative, and interesting films to program here in Dayton by attending the Toronto International Film Festival, where he screens the latest independent films premiering on the festival circuit. While traveling, he writes a daily online blog to give his readers a little sneak peek to some of the films that will eventually be programmed at The Neon. His blog also allows those back home in the Miami Valley to live vicariously through his marathon movie-watching sessions, Q&A’s with filmmakers and stars, and the occasional industry party where he rubs elbows with celebrities.

Jonathan is also an ardent supporter of filmmaking and filmmakers in the Miami Valley. He offers his time and expertise on professional and student productions. He works closely with local filmmakers who need to have test screenings or local premieres of their finished work at The Neon. Jonathan volunteers his time to support FilmDayton, and has taught film production classes at both Stivers School for the Arts and Wright State University, inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.

Perhaps most notably, Jonathan McNeal is the founder and programmer of the the Downtown Dayton LGBT Festival. This festival takes place each October and will celebrate it’s ninth year in 2014. This popular festival screens the very best in contemporary LGBT cinema and offers something for everyone in the community-at-large.”

Video montage produced by local filmmaker Andrew Fiscus:

WYSO Awarded $50,000 Signature Grant from the Dayton Power and Light Foundation

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DP& L LogoPublic Radio station WYSO is pleased to announce that it’s been awarded a second “Signature Grant” for $50,000 from Dayton Power and Light Foundation to continue local economics and business reporting. WYSO used its first grant in 2013 to expand our newsroom capacity, including hiring Lewis Wallace as Economics and Business Reporter. Wallace came to WYSO from WBEZ in Chicago. Since his arrival, he has filed nearly daily stories and created innovative new programs like WYSO Curious? WYSO Curious

“This re-investment from DP&L ensures that we can continue to provide local reporting that digs deeply into issues that affect the local economy,” says WYSO Development Director Luke Dennis. “Of the dozens of Community Grants that DP&L makes every year, there are only a handful of Signature Grants each year. WYSO is honored to be chosen for such a generous investment.”

 

Public radio station WYSO 91.3 is licensed to Antioch College with studios in Yellow Springs. It broadcasts on multiple platforms: 91.3 FM, live streaming at WYSO.org, on HD radio and on the Public Radio Player, a mobile application. WYSO is the Miami Valley’s only NPR News station with programming from NPR, Public Radio International, American Public Media, PRX and the BBC as well as the the work of local and independent radio producers.

Chappys – Now Serving Lunch Daily

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chappy'sChappys Tap Room & Grille, located at 2733 W Alex Bell Rd in Moraine, is now open for lunch every day at 11am starting today!  They have a special lunch menu with most of your favorites and some new items as well that include lunch baskets, pork tenderloin sandwich and beer brined pork chop sandwiches.

 

They will offer the lunch menu Monday through Friday from 11am to 3pm and then offer the full menu starting at 3pm.  Saturday and Sunday  full menu starsat 11am. And while you’re there, be sure and check out all the beers on tap, probably the best selection in Dayton!

  • Half Pound Charcoal Grilled Burger – served Chappys way – American cheese, red onion, tomato and mayo on the side
  • Bacon, Swiss & Mushroom Burger – 1/2 lb. Charcoal Grilled Burger topped w/Bacon, Swiss & Mushrooms
  • Davey Boy – Double Decker Charcoal Grilled Burger w/American cheese, lettuce & special sauce
  • Pulled Pork Sandwich – slow smoked, pulled and mixed w/BBQ sauce
  • Boneless Chicken Breast – Charcoal Grilled – Crispy Fried – Blackened – BBQ – served w/lettuce, tomato & red onion
  • Smothered Chicken Sandwich – boneless chicken breast smothered w/cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, sautéed onions and mushrooms
  • Buffalo Chicken Sandwich – hand battered, boneless chicken breast tossed in mild or hot sauce, topped with choice of ranch or blue cheese, lettuce and onion
  • New Orleans Style Po Boys – dressed w/lettuce, tomato & mayo
  • Beer Battered Chicken or Blackened Chicken
  • Cajun Fried Shrimp
  • Fresh Fish Sandwich – Charcoal Grilled – Beer Battered – Blackened

FilmDayton Celebrates Films & Filmmakers

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FilmDayton LogoIt’s  the final day of the Eichelberger FiilmDayton Festival and the schedule includes workshops, shorts and feature films, just like it has all weekend.  Based at The Neon in downtown Dayton, hundreds of festival attendees are exposed to films made with local Dayton connection as well as ‘best of the fest” flicks from some of the countries biggest festival like  Tribeca and SXSW.  Here’s the lineup for today:

The Critics Perspective Workshop  Sunday, August 24 – 12PM – ThinkTV
What makes a great film? Filmmakers and critics Jeff Reichert and Farihah Zaman will navigate you through the complex world of film criticism. Reichert and Farihah’s documentary, This Time Next Year, will be shown Sunday evening

 

US Shorts Block   Sunday, August 24, 12:30-2:30 PM – The Neon

My Date With Adam
A wedding planner uses internet dating to find the perfect man—only to discover that he’s more than just perfect.

One Armed Man
A wealthy cotton gin executive is confronted by a disgruntled former employee demanding the return of an arm lost in the gin’s machinery, in Oscar-winning writer Horton Foote’s chilling drama, One Armed Man.

Sheltered love
In blissful 1950s suburbia, a lovestruck bobbysoxer and her no-good-nik boyfriend seek refuge from her overprotective
and hot-headed father.

Two Lines Of Vagary
Brad is forced to reevaluate his life when he finds himself caught up in a cocaine scam.

Personal Day
‘Personal Day’ is the story of two disgruntled office workers who, by complete coincidence, choose the same day to bring guns to work and ‘resign’.

Poured: a lesson in d.i.y
The official documentary profiling THE D.I.Y. skatepark underneath the I-471 Bridge in Newport, Kentucky

Auditioning for Actors workshop  Sunday, August 24 – 2PM – ThinkTV
presented by Shaunn Baker and Jason Kaufman
Are you an actor looking for great tips on how to get the attention of casting directors? Here’s your chance! Jason Kaufman and Shaunn Baker are here to help you through the auditioning process. Jason Kaufman holds an MFA from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and the Moscow Art Theatre School. He has appeared in numerous stage productions and television shows. Most familiar include CSI-Miami, Without a Trace and many major soap operas. He is currently an assistant professor at Wright State University. Shaunn Baker is Managing Partner for WorldStage Media, an award winning media and entertainment Production Company located in Dayton, Ohio. He has produced hundreds of projects for businesses in the Dayton area and worked with FilmDayton to bring to life a pro-am community filmmaking project in 2013.

Stomping Ground–      Sunday, August 24 – 3:15PM – The Neon

Ben & Annie are a young couple on a weekend trip to Annie’s small North Carolina hometown. At the local bar they run into Paul, a charming old friend of Annie’s, and Ben learns something he never new about his girlfriend: She believes in Bigfoot. In fact, she and her friends used to ‘hunt’ for the creature when they were kids. Before Ben knows it, he’s off on an impromptu Squatchin’ trip deep in the Carolina backwoods. Amidst the Squatch calls, campfire stories and beers, Ben quickly realizes that Paul may have an ulterior motive in bringing Annie to the woods. And something else out here seems to be after her as well. Everyone but Ben thinks it’s Bigfoot. But it can’t be, can it? After all, Bigfoot isn’t real… Stomping Ground is a microbudget relationship dramedy/horror hybrid feature by television producer & first time feature director Dan Riesser.
Stick around for a Skype Q & A with the director

 

This Time Next Year   Sunday, August 24 – 5:30PM – The Neon

Directed by Jeff Reichert and Farihah Zaman (with additional photography by local filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar), The documentary This Time Next Year tells the story of a community banding together to support each other after the devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to Long Island Beach, New Jersey. Both directors will be present for a Q&A Award-for-Web-1-1after the screening

The final event of the sixth annual film festival is the presentation of the  Annual FilmDayton Awards , recognizing those who make our region a fantastic place for film. Created three years ago the awards are designed to honor those who demonstrated excellence in filmmaking, devote service to the filmmaking community and display creativity and innovation in their work. The community nominates local talent, and the board of FilmDayton makes the final selections.  Award winners are celebrated with a five minute film that highlights their contributions to the film community and introduced by their nominators.  The ceremony is held at The Neon, begins at 8pm and is free to attend.  All are invited to join FilmDayton as we celebrate and thank those who make our community strong.

 

JimKleinFilmmaker Award Winner: Jim Klein

An educator at Wright State, Jim has impacted the careers of countless  emerging filmmakers. His work has been recognized, collected and nominated by such agencies as he Library of Congress, the Academy Awards and the Emmys. Jim is also the co-founder of new Day Films which strives to deliver “dynamic, provocative storytelling to educational institutions…
ensuring access to a wide range of contemporary and classic films.”

 

McNealKey Award For Special Service to The Regional Film Community Winner:  Jonathan McNeal

For over a decade, Jonathan McNeal has managed The Neon Theater, but his true talent is as an award-winning filmmaker.  He graduated from Wright State University in 1996 from the motion picture production program.  His documentary short The Rubi Girls is a joyous, uplifting chronicle of the professional men behind the comedic, charity-driven, Dayton based drag troupe; Jonathan performs as IIeasa Plymouth.  The Rubi Girls premiered at the 2003 San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.  From there, the film went on to win Audience and Best of Festival at the Fire Island Film & Video Festival and the Out on Film Festival in Atlanta. He is the founder and programmer of the The Dayton LGBT Festival, now in its ninth year.   Jonathan is an ardent supporter of filmmaking and filmmakers in the Miami Valley. He offers his time and expertise on professional and student productions.  Jonathan volunteers his time to support FilmDayton, and has more than once been a presenter at their monthly Film Connections meetings. He has taught film production classes at both Stivers School for the Arts and Wright State University, inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.

 

A Second Helping of … North China Restaurant

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Mu-Shu Pork before it goes into the "burrito wrapper"

Mu-Shu Pork before it goes into the “burrito wrapper”

The best deserves a second mention.  Our feature article spinoffs, called “A second helping of “ are made for such occasions.  You may recall our article over 3 years ago where Food Adventures proclaimed to the world that “North China Restaurant has the best damn egg rolls ever!”  We decided North China is worthy of our “Second Helping” feature.  So hop on on our Food Adventure and grab some chopsticks, as we break through the Great Wall.  Let’s dive into a second helping of one of our favorite places in the Miami Valley, NORTH CHINA !

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Things have not changed a at North China a bit since our 2011 article, and that’s how we like it.  We have visited North China dozens of times since the last article.  Whether carryout or dine-in, we are never disappointed.  The food quality is still amazing and so is the consistency.

— The service remains top notch.  Your water glass is never empty, and you will never have that “where is our server” look on your face.

— This Centerville eatery is closed every Monday.  Also, every year during July, they take a family vacation and close the restaurant for about 10 days.

— Family owned for almost 30 years, you get to know the family when you come here.   They are friendly and the place is full of regulars who have been visiting for decades.

The Big Ragu happens to be one of those regulars, and we have eaten almost every item on their extensive menu since 1987.

So now, it is time to list the one-of-a-kind, earth shattering, ground breaking… MUST EATS for North China !

 

MUST EATS:

— MU-SHU PORK:  Like little crepes from the heavens.  These delicacies are made table side and are the Chinese version of burritos.  First, the tortilla like wrapper is primed with a plum sauce.  Then, a stirfry mix of pork, cabbage and veggies are loaded and wrapped.  Be careful eating these.  The burrito wrapper can also double as a water slide, shooting soy sauce and goodness down your shirt.  Big Ragu has a closet full of stained shirts that have been”touched” by his North China Mu-Shu Pork adventures.

— ZHA JIANG MIAN:  Say what?  We just call this #7 on the Korean Menu.  It is “lo mein” type noodles served with a sauce of black bean paste and stir fried pork.  This is a special dish that you must ask for.  One of the “secret tips” at North China is that they have a Korean Menu by request only.  In the mood for an exotic and authentic Food Adventure?  Get the Zha Jiang Mian, but make sure you ask them for hot sauce and the dry hot pepper too.  Being authentic, it is a little bland but a couple of spoonfuls of hot sauce brings this dish alive !

— THE EGG ROLLS:  Handmade, freshly made, every day.  The killer ingredient is the peanut dust or peanut paste used in these egg rolls.  Dip them in a mixture of soy sauce and sweet and sour, or mustard sauce.   The Big Ragu has such a strong addiction to these that we have written letters to Dr. Phil about it.

Mongolian chicken - omg good

The Mongolian Chicken is beyond amazing.

— MONGOLIAN CHICKEN: A honey-like glaze sauce on shavings of white meat chicken, over a bed of crispy noodles.  You can ask for it “spicy” like the Big Ragu does.  It is a perfect mixture of sweet and heat.

— ORANGE BEEF: Lightly fried strips of beef that curl when cooked.  This mouth watering dish is made with fresh orange peels, and a homemade brown sauce.  The incredible taste of this entree, makes it a favorite.

— CRISPY SHRIMP:  A deep fried dish that Big Ragu dreams about every other night.  This sweet concoction has a sauce with a yellow tint, and a tiny hot pepper kick.  If you wanna play naughty, get this offering over some white rice and go downtown to China Town.

— CRAB RANGOONS or CRAB ANGLE: Hand made every day by the owners.  If you order them, you will be fighting over the last one.

Honorable Mention:

Chicken Wings – Those damn chicken wings they serve you at lunch are so deliciously sticky, but you only get one served with a small crab rangoon.  Don’t fear friends, you can actually order a plate of these tremendous, sweet wings.  Or you just be a pain in the azz and ask for two wings and no crab rangoon with your lunch.

Pot Stickers – Yet another incredible appetizer from scratch.  They are steamed, then pan fried for that brown crisp edge.  The special soy sauce served with them is the secret to bringing out the pork flavor.

Hello noodles - the Korean Menu is good - tip: It needs some hot sauce

North China’s Korean Menu is by Request Only. Our favorite is this dish, #7 Pork Noodles with Black Bean Sauce (tip: add hot sauce to this dish to enhance flavor)

House Noodle Soup – We have been enjoying this masterpiece since the late 1980’s.  It is a huge portion at a cheap cost.  The big soup bowl is filled with noodles, shrimp, beef, scallops and a few veggies.  Such a large serving that The Big Ragu always takes about half of it home.  We suggest you get the “spicy” version, but you have to ask for it.

Szechuan Chicken or Shrimp – The best in Dayton, hands down.  Deep fried and a comforting mix of hot and sweet tastes.

Sizzling Rice Soup – The only kind like it in Dayton.  Been serving it since 1987.  Chicken, broth, light veggies and rice.  Makes you feel warm inside.

It was hard for us to just name a few of the menu items, because everything is so good here.  But we gave you a decent map to the dishes “you gotta try.”  Explore the menu, we have for almost 30 years!  So please, head to North China and as we always say .. “Wok dont run.”

 

A little note on what makes Food Adventures unique:

As our fans know, we don’t go to a place, get a couple of entrees and an appetizer, then write an article.  No, no, no.. we are different, we are Food Adventurers.  That means we visit a restaurant many times, different days, different times and eat practically everything on the menu before it becomes a feature story on Dayton Most Metro.  That’s what’s needed to get a feel for a restaurant.  That’s the difference when you are reading Food Adventures.  No drive-by visits or shared photo from a restaurant’s Facebook page.  Fanatical foodies appreciate the little known secrets and the inside scoop.  We do things you won’t see anywhere else: original stories, original events, and original ideas.  No stock photos here.  This philosophy isn’t something we ripped off or started yesterday. We have been doing this since 2008.  Food Adventures isn’t our job, it is our hobby and passion, so there is no agenda.  We can be honest about what restaurants we love without worrying about advertising or if they belong to a local club.  We are independent and free to write about whatever foodstuffs we want. That being said, please LIKE US ON FACEBOOK if you haven’t already !

Also, check out our photo gallery below of all things good at NORTH CHINA restaurant in Centerville.

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