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Archives for December 2015

Why Auld Lang Syne?

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auld_lang_syneYou might be concentrating on New Year’s Resolutions and finding somebody nearby for a celebratory kiss at midnight, but as the clock strikes 12 you’ll probably end up singing at least part of Auld Lang Syne.
But what does it really mean and why do we sing it?
In short, it is a reminder to remember and cherish old friendships, good deeds and toast health and good will for the year ahead. But we decided to do a deeper exploration into this traditional New Year’s tune.

 

1. Where did the song come from?

Musicologists and folklorists have been debating this one for years. Some give credit to Scotland’s Robert Burns, others say it was a traditional Scottish folk song that had been handed down for years, and  he was the first person to write down a much older Scottish folk song. In 1788 he sent a copy of the song to his friend, Mrs Agnes Dunlop, exclaiming: “There is more of the fire of native genius in it than in half a dozen of modern English Bacchanalians!” Five years later he sent it to James Johnson, who was compiling a book of old Scottish songs, The Scottish Musical Museum, with an explanation: “The following song, an old song, of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man.”

2. It has global significance…

And not just for five minutes per year.   In France it is the song which eases the pain of parting with the hope that we will all see each other again – “Oui, nous nous reverrons, mes frères, ce n’est qu’un au revoir.”  In Bangkok and Beijing it is so ubiquitous as a song of togetherness and sad farewells, they presume it must be an old Thai or Chinese folk song. The tune was used by the Maldives and Korea for their national anthems, while Japanese department stores play it as a polite reminder for customers to leave at closing time.

 

3. …and meaning beyond New Year’s Eve

Auld Lang Syne’s championing of passing time and goodwill means it is often chosen to mark funerals (like that of Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau), graduations and, in It’s A Wonderful Life, at Christmas.

 

4. The song sung the world over isn’t the original tune

There is another, reportedly more traditional tune, that Auld Lang Syne is set to. If sources are to be believed, it’s the version featured in the Sex and the City film in 2008 and a more haunting, nostalgic and beautiful version of the jaunty singalong everybody is used to. Traditional Scottish folk singers still perform this version, and who can blame them – it’s far more refined.

 

5. It’s soundtracked some of the most memorable film scenes ever

In 1972’s The Poseidon Adventure, the playing of Auld Lang’s Syne was a harbinger of doom: it was during the luxury ship SS Poseidon’s December 31 celebrations that a tidal wave capsized the boat. As she begins to sink, you can hear the recognisable tune ringing out.

Seventeen years later, the song played as one of cinema’s best-known couples got together. While many have heard of the famous “I’ll have what she’s having!” scene in When Harry Met Sally, the film’s charming climax is set against a cocktail-dressed crowd singing along to Auld Lang’s Syne. After Harry and Sally finally declare their love, Harry ponders the meaning of Auld Lang Syne, and they both decide that…

Tinseltown loves this song. Check out this montage devoted to the song appearing in movies during New Year’s Eve scenes:

 

6. “For Auld Lang Syne” means “for the sake of old times”.

Granted, you probably won’t care by this point in the evening, and it will certainly mark you out as a party pooper if you do correct your fellow revellers, but: the final line of the chorus isn’t “For the sake of Auld Lang Syne”. It’s just “For auld lang syne.” This is because, as mentioned above, Auld Lang Syne already means “for the sake of old times.” But it does fit pleasingly with the tune.

And just so you’ll be prepared, here are the lyrics:

 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

 

And surely ye’ll be your pint stowp!
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

 

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
Sin’ auld lang syne.

 

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.

 

And there’s a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.

 

The Great American Trailer Park Musical Comes To Schuster

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Dare to DefFB_IMG_1451397854445y Productions presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical. The Great American Trailer Park Musical is a hilarious musical featuring music and lyrics by David Nehls and book and direction by Betsy Kelso.

 

There’s a new tenant at Armadillo Acres–and she’s wreaking havoc all over Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, “the stripper on the run,” comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband, the storms begin to brew — and this storm ain’t any old Florida hurricane. This show is raunchy, packed with fun and adult humor. This show is not appropriate for children!

 

Trailer Park ran off-Broadway at the Dodger Stages in New York City and has toured and played regionally across the U.S.

 

The incredibly talented cast includes Angie Thacker as Jeannie, Eric Julian Walker as Duke, Hayley Penchoff as Pickles, Lisa Glover as Pippi, Rob Willoughby as Norbert, Tia R. Seay as Betty and Tori Kocher as Lin.

The production is directed/choreographed by Matthew Smith, Music Directed by Lorri Topping, Assistant Directed and Stage Managed by Zach King and features Nick Garvin on Keyboard.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical will be presented in the Mathile Theatre, located in the Schuster Center, at 8 PM on January 8th and 15th and 2 PM and 8 PM on January 9th and 16th, 2016. Tickets can be purchased online at my.ticketcenterstage.com or by calling the Box Office at 1-888-228-3630.

ABOUT D2D
Dare to Defy Productions is a new non-equity professional theatre. We produce shows of the highest quality utilizing local artists. We are committed to the development and support of the talent in our community and the opportunity to present affordable, quality shows to our audience. Through continued collaborations we are determined to be an economic, educational and entertainment organization that Dayton can be proud to support! Dare to Defy Productions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

It’s Not Too Late!

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Daytonians it’s not too late to squeeze some activity into 2015! It is time for the New Year’s Eve 5K events, and this year there are two very special races. Take a break from the parties and do something that will actually benefit your health! You will be finished in time to watch that famous ball drop and you can rock your new race shirt as well, major props!

 

Screen Shot 2015-11-13 at 10.18.14 PMThe ever popular New Year’s Resolution Run in Beavercreek will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. at Beavercreek High School. The cost for this event ranges from $10 – $28. Race day registration is available from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. This 5K run/walk and Kids’ Fun Run is a family friendly event where everyone from experienced runners to beginners join together to end the year on the right foot! All proceeds benefit the Beavercreek High School Cross Country team. This is the 29th Resolution Run, and it only happens once a year, definitely a do not miss experience!

 

The Kettering Recreation Complex will also host The New Year’s Eve Dash & Bash on New-Years-Eve-Dash-Bash-5K-flyer2015_Page_1-232x300Thursday, December 31, 2015. This extravaganza begins at 5:00 p.m. and lasts until 9:00 p.m. The cost for the event is $5 per participant or $15 per family and includes snacks, skate rental is an additional $2. Enjoy swimming, ice skating, open gym, and inflatables for children all in a family-friendly atmosphere. DASH, walk or roll in a 5K or 1 mile race followed by a BASH to ring in the New Year!  Race entry includes t-shirt, refreshments, and a free ticket to the family after party for you and one guest.  You do not have to participate in the Dash to be able to enjoy the photo booth, skating, swimming, open gym, bounce house, games and music. This is one unique and incredibly fun way to celebrate the New Year with the whole family!

 

Two very different events to ring in 2016 with friends and family while doing something active and healthy! The Resolution Run in Beavercreek or The Dash & Bash in Kettering, either way you will be starting the New Year off right. Let’s get out and get moving Dayton, it’s not too late!

New Year Musing: “You’re never too old, never too bad, never too late, and never too sick to start from the scratch once again.” ~ Bikram Choudhury

Top Ten for Dayton Visual Arts, 2015

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The Dayton region is alive with visual art—and every year I am amazed at how much took place, and regret not attending all the art exhibitions, performances and studios throughout the Miami Valley. And from what was seen, it was an amazing year in contemporary art. Well done, Dayton!

Mallory Tay: Malaise
ArtStreet White Box Gallery
University of Dayton
January 15 – February 19, 2015

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Mallory Tay gallery talk, January 2015

Mallory Tay transformed the ArtStreet’s White Box Gallery into a landscape of figurative/abstract, decorative/functional textiles. Her solo exhibition Malaise focused on family dynamics, both positive and negative. Tay, an alumna of the University of Dayton, crocheted walls, fabricated figures, and even made blankets to crawl under. Interaction was in full swing: visitors couldn’t stop taking selfies and kids (and adults) were delighted to weave through the textile maze. Learn more about the exhibition here.


Digital Abstraction and Nathanial Smyth: The Higgs Field in Pictures
Dayton Visual Arts Center
January 20 – February 27, 2015

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Nathanial Smyth, “The Higgs Field in Pictures”

Two exhibitions at the Dayton Visual Arts Center explored digital technologies and artmaking, utilizing video, photography, print, animation, and more. The group exhibition Digital Abstraction, curated by the late Jud Yalkut with co-curators, Tom Baggs and Tess Cortes, featured artists Tom Baggs, Benjamin Britton, Lisa Britton, Netta Bits, Wynne Ragland, Jr., Ansen Seale, Jim Shupert, Andy Snow, Nancy Willman, McCrystle Wood, Sherman Walter Wright and Jud Yalkut. Concurrent to Digital Abstraction, Nathanial Smyth’s photo collage installation The Higgs Field in Pictures featured hundreds of images stapled together into a structure resembling a series of water drops, all depicting familiar Dayton hangouts. Learn more about the exhibition here.

Julie Green: The Last Supper
Dayton Art Institute
February 21 – April 12, 2015

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Julie Green, “The Last Supper: 600 Plates Illustrating Final Meals of U.S. Death Row Inmates”

Hundreds of plates lined the white gallery walls in Julie Green’s The Last Supper: 600 Plates Illustrating Final Meals of U.S. Death Row Inmates. Green immortalized illustrations of final meal requests from hundreds of death row inmates in blue glazes on ceramic plates. Spanning decades and cities, the series is a jarring humanization of people’s end of life rituals in our judicial system. The exhibition was part of the yearlong symposium “Human Rights, Faith and Reason” through the University of Dayton. Learn more about the exhibition here.

Landon Crowell: Constructed Landscapes
Rosewood Arts Centre
April 13 – May 8, 2015

Landon Crowell, "Constructed Landscapes"

Landon Crowell, “Constructed Landscapes”

Landon Crowell presented a series of sculptures reimagining building blocks. Highlights included the plywood sculpture “Score and Curl,” a seemingly simple manipulation of a massive sheet of plywood, displayed horizontal with a curled edge, scored surfaces, somehow adding a delicacy to a rough material. “This work is meant to be stark and, in some cases, even feel unfinished,” said Crowell. Exploring issues including memory and landscape, Crowell strives to “create an inner tension between the artwork and the viewer.” Learn more about the exhibition here.

Colleen McCulla: Daily Collages
Rollins/Welker Studio
May 2015

Colleen McCulla, “050615”

Colleen McCulla has been impressing the Dayton art world with her hand cut collages, one made every day since 2012. From floor to ceiling on every available wall in the Rollins/Welker Studios, McCulla’s collages are powerful images that evoke charm, wit, humor and mystery, further intriguing by the seemingly infinite process of being creative daily, no matter what each day’s circumstances. Learn more about her work here.

HWD Sculpture Exhibition
Rosewood Arts Centre
August 10 – September 11, 2015

Rob Millard-Mendez, “Vest for a Precocious Futilitarian”

HWD began at Rosewood Gallery as a celebration of ceramics, and has since expanded to include all three-dimensional artworks.  This year’s exhibition included a range of fibers, wood, metals, paper, organic materials, clay, and so much more. The magic of a group sculpture show continues to be the relationships between techniques, materials and content—and the way individual sculptures can relate to each other through this 3D language. Learn more about the exhibition here.

Holdfast
Dayton Visual Arts Center
September 4 – October 17, 2015

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“Holdfast” installation at Dayton Visual Arts Center

From a house boat anchored in the gallery to drawings and sculptures adorning the walls both inside the boat and out, Holdfast was a refreshing journey of sorts from the artist collective Four-Footed Fellows Correspondence Club (Travis Head, David Dunlap, Zach Stensen and Josh Black). In residence for several weeks to create the installation, the result was a diaristic approach to travel, artmaking and observations of the world around us. Learn more about the exhibition here.

Mychaelyn Michalec: No accounting for taste
Welker Rollins Studio
September

Mychaelyn Michalec installation

A mash-up of familiar American furniture and domestic environments in a muted palette, Mychaelyn Michalec’s paintings are incredibly seductive, comforting and offer a constant re-examination into each piece’s many layers. Learn more about Michalec’s work here.

WISH MOUNTAIN
Blue House Gallery
October 10 – 31, 2015

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VanHecke, “Glitterettes” detail

Walking through dangling balloons under the glow of a neon sign reading “Katy Perry,” Blue House’s latest exhibition Wish Mountain brings new context to everyday objects. Featuring the work of Chicago-based artists Brian Edward Selke and Casey VanHecke, humor, material exploration and unexpected dichotomies are joyously abundant. Learn more about the exhibition here.

KP Project 1
November 15 – 17, 2015
Front Street Warehouse

Arjan Zazueta, “I’ll Be Your Horse, If You’ll Be My Rider,” 2014

Tucked into the downtown Front Street Warehouse was the inaugural pop-up exhibition “Project 1” of Kelsey Projects. Project 1 featured paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and sculptures work of 16 artists from Dayton and beyond.  Installed on the rough white walls of the industrial warehouse studio, the exhibition was hinged on relationships between each artwork linked by color, form and patterns. Learn more about the exhibition here.

BONUS PICKS

Enchanted Forest
September 2015

bonus pick - enchanted forest
On a farm outside of Dayton, artists Christina Pereyma, Jane Black and Leesa Haapapuro led participants on an adventure in collaboration, spectacle and incredible creativity. Using sticks and wire, a wooly mammoth sculpture emerged in the forest and performances in both Ukrainian tradition and music were highlights, but the pleasure of enjoying the arts through making it with a group of folks that might not venture to do this for fun was the best part.

Downtown Dayton Murals

bonus pick - murals

Etch and Tiffany Clark mural at Toxic Brew Company

Dayton had an incredible year for murals. From the massive, 1,000 foot long “River Run Mural,” designed by Amy Deal, to the K12 Gallery and Tejas building façade, to murals by the collaborative team Etch and Tiffany Clark at Toxic Brew Company in the Oregon District and East End Community Services on Xenia Avenue, these murals are adding new color and character to Dayton’s urban spaces.

Terry Welker: The Consent
September 21 – October 16
Rosewood Gallery

P1010803The amazing architect, city planner and sculptor Terry Welker created an incredible kinetic installation inspired by the poem by Howard Nemerov of the ritual of ginkgo leaves each autumn. Kids and adults couldn’t stay away from the pillow pile at the installation’s center.

From the poem:

Late in November, on a single night
Not even near to freezing, the ginkgo trees
That stand along the walk drop all their leaves
In one consent, and neither to rain nor to wind
But as though to time alone: the golden and green
Leaves litter the lawn today, that yesterday
Had spread aloft their fluttering fans of light.

I want to dress better next year. But how?

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Imagine a guy who wants to dress better in the New Year. He’s not happy with his style or his default to oversized jeans and t-shirts. He can’t seem to get out of his sartorial rut even though it makes him feel miserable. He looks at other guys out on the street and says to himself, “why can’t I put something like that together?”

“2016 is going to be my year,” he says. “Starting January 1st,” I’m going to dress better. I’m going to buy new clothes, get a haircut, and I’m going to look like a grown man instead of a middle school child when I go out.”

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January 1st rolls around and he goes shopping. He’s not afraid of investing a little money in his new endeavor, but he doesn’t really know where or how to start. He goes to his old standby stores that carry the clothes in which he’s most comfortable. Though he spends a lot of money and it feels good in the moment—he’s finally doing something about the style that’s been bothering him for some time—when he gets home the aura wears off just a little. He branched out a little with his purchases, but it still looks like more of the same.

The next day he tries on some of his new clothes, but he’s a little surprised to see that not much has changed. The jeans don’t quite fit right. He’s no more stylish really than he was last year. Within a week or so he’s right back to his old t-shirts and jeans. Worse, he’s beating himself up for “failing” at yet another New Year’s resolution.

Where did he go wrong?

1.) He understood that he didn’t like the way he dressed, but he made the wrong diagnosis. The most stylish people I know don’t just dress well, but also their homes are well-planned, their taste in books and movies is interesting, and they are meticulous about their grooming. In other words, style is a lifestyle, and it’s not a lifestyle that can be bought because it’s primarily about paying attention to details. (We’ve all met people with plenty of money but very little taste.)

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2.) He didn’t seek help. Our straw man character thought there would be something different about 2016 because the six replaced a five on the calendar. But while he may have wanted to be more stylish, the difference between December and January was negligible because he didn’t make it a point to take in new information. If you’re trying to change your lifestyle, you need help. That can be in the form of an expert friend willing to help, a paid expert, or significant time learning online. Our straw man might have spent some time perusing Instagram accounts for the BK Circus and Street Etiquette for ideas, or he might have subscribed to GQ, Esquire or an interesting art magazine. But he just waited for January 1st to come around and ended up right where he started.

3.) He didn’t use the tools he already had at his disposal. Most of us are good at something, but fewer of us think about what makes us good at whatever thing that happens to be. The process of living a healthy lifestyle can be broken into digestible chunks just like any other endeavor. You have to troubleshoot, you have to be realistic, and you have to be clear-minded.

Don’t Make Resolutions, Refine Processes

It’s fashionable now in fitness circles to make fun of New Year’s resolutions, and I’ve definitely been critical of the whole idea that one can “jumpstart” fitness with longterm success. But that’s almost beside the point. The fact is, a lot of people are thinking right now about how they would like to be different/better/more of/less of in the New Year. If you fall into that category, then I encourage you to identify an area of your life in which you are proficient and learn from that. Chances are you already know how to troubleshoot, you already know how to learn, and you already know how to break things down into processes. All you have to do now is apply those things to your health and wellness.

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It is my sincere hope that you can learn to live well in 2016, that you can learn to love your body, and that you can learn to slow down a little and pay more attention to the people all around you. Don’t think about losing weight or getting lean. Think about living. Learn to live.

As for me? Well, that straw man and I have a little something in common…

Cocktails with Champagne: A New Way to Ring in a New Year

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Champagne in a coupe

New Year’s Eve means champagne, champagne, and more champagne!

No one appreciates champagne like they used to. The bubbly wine was created, accidentally, in England in the 16th century. The process was developed over the next two centuries, first to get the bubbles on a regular basis, then to create a bottle with the strength to contain the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the wine. Once the bottles stopped exploding, this treat became a favorite in the French courts. The French leaned to the sweeter sec and demi-sec varieties, while the English preferred the drier bruts. The wealthy were the only people that could afford it initially, turning it into a status symbol for extravagance and a rare treat for the working class. Champagne and all of its sparkling white wine compatriots have become much more common since the beginning of the 20th century, but the effervescence of the liquid and the pop of the cork kept the drink in celebratory circles.

New Year’s Eve is here, and champagne corks will be exploding for the evening. Most people will just enjoy the bubbles and the flavor out of either a toasting flute or a coupé. Experts and extreme lovers of champagne will drink it out of a white wine glass, which combines many qualities of the flute and coupé. This is a fine way to enjoy any sparkling wine, but it is not the only way. There are many cocktails over the years that have been developed with champagne as a co-star to other flavors being created. The cocktail, and your tastes, should dictate the type of champagne you choose to add. The list of champagne cocktails is a long, long one, so I have selected a handful that include spirits people usually have on hand or are easy to find.

BOURBON – Seelbach Cocktail

The Seelbach is named after the Louisville, Kentucky hotel it was created in. Most cocktails ask for a dash or two of bitters. This one calls for multiple dashes of two different bitters. They help balance out the sweetness of the champagne and the Cointreau (orange liqueur).

1 oz. bourbon
1/2 oz. Orange liqueur (Cointreau is what the recipe suggests)
7 dashes Angostura bitters
7 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Champagne

Pour the orange liqueur, bourbon, and bitters into a mixing glass over ice. Stir, and then strain into a champagne flute. Fill with champagne and enjoy.

Belle of Dayton Distillery

Our very own Belle of Dayton, providing something to mix with champagne!

RUM – Sparkling Rum Punch (courtesy of My Recipes)

There are two great reasons to go with a punch when it comes to rum. First, from a traditional standpoint, rum is very common in classic punch drinks. Rum and brandy were very popular libations in the heyday of the punch in the late 18th century through the middle of the 19th century. Second, having a punch cocktail at a party allows guests to help themselves to something delicious as they arrive.

2 c. fresh, low pulp orange juice
.5 c. orange liqueur
.5 c. dark rum (Belle of Dayton has a 1775 Colonial Reserve that looks perfect)
2 750 mL bottles of chilled champagne

Blend the orange juice, orange liqueur, and rum into a medium bowl. Place in the refrigerator to chill and allow the flavors to marry for an hour. Before guests arrive, move the mixture into a larger bowl and add the champagne. Serve chilled.

GIN – French 75

The 75 mm field gun the French used at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century was a massive anti-personnel weapon. It delivered a variety of ammunition to the enemies of France, from shrapnel filled explosive shells to canisters of toxic gas.  When Harry’s New York Bar in Paris blended gin and champagne into one glass, many said the cocktail had the same kick as this powerful weapon. Like the versatile weapon this is named after, it can be made with gin or cognac.

.5 oz. lemon juice (about half a lemon)
.5 oz. simple syrup (1:1 mixture of sugar and water)
1.5 oz. gin
3 oz. champagne

Combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin in a mixing glass over ice. Shake, and strain into a champagne flute. Add the champagne and enjoy!

Tequila Champagne Cocktail

Tiny bubbles…dancing with my cocktail.

TEQUILA – Lime Sparkler (courtesy of She Knows)

This is something like the marriage of Jesse James and Sandra Bullock: you are not sure how it happened or why it worked, but it did. For a while, at least. Fortunately, liquors stay together for a longer time. The tequila-lime-sweet combination is a classic, and the champagne adds an extra burst of flavor.

1 oz. blanco (silver) tequila
.5 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
.5 oz. agave nectar (you can use simple syrup, but the nectar adds some richness)
Champagne

Combine the lime juice, agave nectar, and tequila in a mixing glass with ice. Shake, and strain into a champagne flute. Fill with champagne, and serve.

BEER – Black Velvet

When Prince Albert of England passed away in 1861, the country went into mourning. His wife, Queen Victoria, was inconsolable, and mourned the loss the rest of her life. At the time of his death, everything was draped in black. Clever bartenders at the time poured some Guinness into the champagne served at royal events, giving it the same black covering the rest of the décor had. It did not, however, make the people who drank it sad.

Stout (Guinness is the traditional selection, but any will do)
Champagne

Fill the champagne flute half way with champagne. GENTLY float the stout on top of the champagne. If you pour too quickly, the champagne will foam up and over the edge of the glass.

VODKA – Sparkling Cosmopolitan (courtesy of Inspired Taste)

Champagne cork popping

Happy New Year! And happy cocktailing!

There is a wide variety of cocktails that incorporate vodka and champagne. Vodka is neutral enough to just add some kick to the cocktail and allow any other flavor, usually fruity, to shine through. This is another champagne concoction that modifies a base cocktail by adding some sparkle.

1.5 oz. vodka (Buckeye Vodka fans, this one’s for you!)
.5 oz. orange liqueur
.5 oz. cranberry juice
.5 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
Champagne

Pour the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice in a mixing glass. Shake well, and strain into a champagne flute. Fill with champagne, and serve.

Whether you are christening a boat or celebrating a major event, champagne’s traditional hold on the celebration market is far from over. There will always be a thrill when the cork pops out and the bubbles start to fly. Keep the cork flying to a minimum, though. Shooting someone’s eye out is not the best way to start the new year. For them or for you. Cheers!

13th Annual HoliDayton Showcase at Blind Bob’s

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12248130_10207194947329540_4805671199528857035_o-1The 13th annual HoliDayton showcase will be held on Saturday December 26th, 2015 at Blind Bob’s, 430 E. 5th Street, Dayton, Ohio.

As with years prior, there will be two stages of performances alternating throughout the evening.

Come early, stay late and celebrate another year of great Dayton music.

THE 2015 LINEUP:

The Story Changes
PJ and Tommy (of The Motel Beds)
Moira
The 1984 Draft
The New Old-Fashioned
Manray
Bribing Senators
Jetty Bones
Tombstone Tremblers
Goodnight Goodnight

Learn to Meditate on New Year’s Day!

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Heartfulness_Meditation_with_white_spaceNew Year’s Day is of course the prime time that we all try to start anew with good habits and intentions for the new year. Making meditation a part of your regular daily routine is scientifically and philosophically one of the best habits you can establish for stress relief, inner peace and self acceptance. Who couldn’t use some of that?

Starting a meditation practice can be very challenging, especially in our hustle and bustle modern society. Meditating with a group can be a very encouraging way to learn and get started. You can do just that this New Year’s Day with the Natural Path Meditation Center in Beavercreek. They are a non-denomination group that teaches a silent, heart-based meditation, that is easy for anyone to do. They invite you to join them for a presentation on how to meditate with the help of Yogic transmission from their Heartfulness program. Come and tap into the silence of your heart and rejuvenate with this meditation.

When :   January 1st 2016 at 11 am.

Where:   Natural Path Meditation Center

3153 Lantz Rd

Beavercreek, OH 45432

All are welcome! meditation sessions are offered FREE of charge.

Program: 11 am to 11.30 am is the presentation, followed by practical guided relaxation and meditation for half an hour. It is important to be at the presentation at sharp 11 am to learn the techniques of meditation. Meditation hall can host 200 people. Feel free to bring your family and friends to this event.

Please join them and make your new year’s resolutions a reality!

RSVP to [email protected] – Or Feel free to drop by to the event without notice.

 

Crooked Handle Brewing Co. Opens For Christmas

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11049571_448306348684413_3345127755144033815_nThe Miami Valley’s newest brewery opened their doors up tonight for a friends and family preview in the Springoboro Settlers Walk shopping center.  Crooked Handle owner and head brewer Jason Moore he and his partner Jeff Pedro Jr started shopping their business plan for the micro brewery about 2 and 1/2 years ago.  They found two Springboro investors and signed a lease for their  Crooked Handle Brewing Co. location at 760 N. Main Street, just around the plaza from Dorothy Lane Market, on May 1st and began ordering equipment soon after.  11231902_528348907346823_1487370294404874524_n

And then they waited.  Equipment they expected in a couple of months didn’t arrive in full until November, pushing their opening back.  While waiting they finished all the construction of the 3,600 square foot brewery and tap room.   Their occupancy has been set at 104, with plenty of seats at the bar and a small lounge area of leather couches and come spring they’ll add another 20 seat on a small patio.

Jason and his wife Kristy, who will run the tap room, used some of that waiting time to get their Cicerone Server certifications.  The certification  requires competent knowledge of beer storage and service issues as well as modest knowledge of beer styles and culture and basic familiarity with beer tasting and flavors and basic knowledge about brewing process and ingredients.

With all of the equipment finally in place, they began brewing. Tonight for the preview they had 3 beers tapped, one they called Batch #1, which Jason admitted wasn’t exactly what he planned, but that’s typical when home brewers go from 5 gallon batches to a 7 barrel brewing system.

The Farm Saison seemed to be the crowd favorite at tonight’s tasting.  Coincidene that the Saison is Jason’s favorite beer style?  We think not.  Beers were available in 5 oz tasters, pints or growlers to go.  The other beer on tap was Your Mom’s Oatmeal Stout, rolled oats with a chocolate, nutty finish.12240059_525598510955196_7053248934684660598_n

Moore says the next to be added to the taps are an IPA and an Amber Ale. By then end of January he predicts they’ll have all 10 tap handles filled with their beers.  A quick tour of the cold room filled with kegs and 26 six barrels, Jason shared they’ll be doing some local distribution.  Later on they will add bottling or canning and down the road they will be looking for a larger production facility.

Dorothy Lane Market and Milano’s have already signed on to carry Crooked Handle brews.  While the Tap House will not have a kitchen , a notebook of to -go menus was seen on the bar tonight.

You’ll get your chance to check out Dayton’s 12th brewery this Christmas, when they will open the tap room at 4pm.  They will have limited hours during the holidays and start working a regular schedule after the New Year.  Cheers to Crooked Handle!

 

 

How Important Is Your Body?

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Ta-Nehisi (pronounced TAH-nah-HAH-see) Coates won the National Book Award this year for his book “Between the World and Me,” written in the form of a letter to his son. The book is an extraordinary exploration of what it means to be black in the United States of America. As I sat down to write this week’s column, I found myself returning to the text because of Coates’ emphasis on the cumulative effects of racism on the black body.

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Coates uses the word body (or its variants) from the opening sentence of the book to the very last paragraph, and the repetition is intentional. He recounts a scene in which his young son is inconsolable following the announcement that the police officer who shot Michael Brown would not face punishment.

“What I told you is what your grandparents tried to tell me: that this is your country, that this is your world, that this is your body, and you must find some way to live within the all of it.” (emphasis mine)

As far as I know, Coates hasn’t devoted much time in his writing to fitness and health in the traditional sense. But this emphasis on the word “body” betrays an intuitive understanding of what it means to be a healthy human being. One of the great things about literature–and art generally–is that we bring our life with us into the piece. So I read “Between the World and Me” as one of the great arguments in favor of holding policymakers accountable for the health of the citizens they lead. And I read it in part as a rebuke to those of us who don’t treat our bodies with the respect they deserve, especially given how easily some people’s bodies can be destroyed in an instant.

Too deep for a fitness blog? Maybe. But I’ve been having a lot of conversations with people lately about their bodies, and I’m disheartened to hear the way many people think and talk about the one body they’ll ever have.

“I don’t have time to cook,” they say.

“Working out feels like a waste of time,” they say.

“Why would anyone work out five days a week?” they’ll ask.

With each statement and each question, my interlocutor suggests that they don’t take their body seriously. They they think the food they put into it is only an afterthought; that ensuring proper movement of the vessel that will carry them along in their existence on this planet is time better spent on other things; that the spreadsheets at work are more important than having the strength and energy to spend quality time with the people that they love.

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When I respond to their questions and statements with reason and fact, usually people agree with me. Their body IS important. Nutrition IS important. Movement IS important. So more people share Coates’ intuitive understanding of the human body’s primacy than it would appear given how most of us choose to spend our time. The question becomes, then, how do we close the gap between what we know to be important and the values we exhibit on a daily basis?

I’m not sure I know the answer. I wouldn’t call myself a cynic necessarily, but I know the stubborn tug of job, television, and eating out can be difficult to surmount. I know this because I’ve had the same struggles even while I work as a fitness professional. To say that I’m well-known in certain Oregon District restaurants would be a colossal understatement, for example. I happen to hate our kitchen and the dishwasher we inherited doesn’t appear to have been operational within the last ten years. (It only “sort of” cleans the dishes). So I get it: cooking doesn’t always seem like a fun option. But when I find myself slipping into the abyss, I remind myself of my body. It’s my body.

Normally I’d end a column like this with a numbered list of things you can do starting right now to turn your life around. Today I just want to ask you to do this. Take off all of your clothes. Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Be honest with yourself about what you see–and what you’d like to see.

This is your body. It’s the only one you’ll ever have. Contained within it is your emotional health and memories; contained within it is your ability to interact with the world around you and the people that you love; contained within it is your capacity for expressing the physical manifestation of love. How ought you to treat such an important and impressive vessel? What choices could you make right now to reflect that?

Imagine Yourself Living in This Historic Dayton Home

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Imagine yourself living in the The Brooks House, a handsome Greek Revival,  City of Dayton Historic Landmark property, thought to be the oldest residential property downtown; built between 1827 & 1832.  Here’s the home at 41 E. First Street in the 1920’s.

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The home was divided into 3 condos in 2003.  The distinguished townhome real_estatein the front, which is now for sale for just over $200,000, incorporates the formal part of the original structure. Ornate plaster ceiling moldings adorn living room & kitchen, while intricate patterned wood floors are featured both upstairs & down.

The 2000 square foot condo includes two 18 x 18 bedrooms, two full baths upstairs, a half bath downstaris an 18 x 18 kitchen-dining ara and 18 x18 living romm and a 9 x 32 entry way which can also be used as a library-bar-dining area. Black and white tile in the entry and bathrooms, with hardwood everywhere else.  There are 12′ ceilings throughout.

real_estate-1 The elegant kitchen features 1 of 2 twin marble fireplace mantles with cabinetry designed to look like fine furniture; granite topped island/bar, butcher block surrounds stove, microwave tucked out of site beneath counter & stainless appliances. Owner’s suite features a dresser turned vanity made in Dayton & 2 walls of closets & shelves.

Fireplace in living room has gas line for insert.  All windows historic reproduced in 2004.  All HVAC and electric is completely up to date.  And 2 parking places are included.   For more info contact Kamela & Co Realty.

 

 


Gluten Free Holiday Dayton Area Restaurant Guide 2015

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gluten-free1Having family in town for the holidays can be stressful, finding a place to eat that everyone agrees on, worse. Add to the mix that someone in the family has food allergies, finding a restaurant can be a nightmare. Heck, finding food at the grocery can be a headache.

Dayton has become a great place to eat, for all foodies, including those with sensitivities and allergies. The movement toward small and local has benefited Dayton and its large community of food sensitive eaters. We have a plethora of restaurants, breweries, farmer’s markets, and mom and pop shops from which to choose. Sometimes you just have to know which rock to look under to find the perfect cozy spot, but isn’t that the joy of a small niche place that nobody else knows about?

Maybe with this list of Dayton’s best kept secrets for the food sensitive, I will lift up a rock you may not have noticed before. Enjoy eating with your family this holiday season!

Local Restaurants:

Archer’s Tavern– offers a gluten free pizza

Arepas – simple yet flavorful Colombian comfort food. All  dishes are prepared on site from scratch with fresh ingredients. Most dishes are gluten free.

Bad Dog Nice Taco – Chef Leeanne is happy to suggest her GF options

Boston’s Bistro – specialize in pizza’s with a GF option

Butter Cafe  –  You can order one of their sandwiches with gluten-free bread or have gluten-free toast with your breakfast order.

Christopher’s Restaurant & Catering –  Providing traditional and innovative fare at reasonable prices, with many vegetarian and vegan options.

City BBQ – meats are smoked on-site at each restaurant, hand rubbed with spices.

Coldwater Cafe – Chef Nick is happy to prepare you many GF options.

Company 7 BBQ – nationally award winning BBQ

Corner Kitchen – this finer diner has a gluten free menu option

Crepe Boheme – if you call ahead they will make Gluten Free batter for Crepes

Dorothy Lane Market – check out their Gluten Free Support Group

Dublin Pub – Sunday Brunch – lots of options full of flavor and Gluten free

El Meson  – A mainstay of West Carrollton, this upscale restaurant specializes in Spanish and Latin American food.  Many of the dishes are naturally gluten-free, and the staff is gluten-free conscious.

Flying Tiger – satisfying Asian Fusion and American Chinese.

Fronana– a delicious, healthy frozen treat free of dairy, gluten, added sugar & artificial ingredients!  They also have cones that are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and made out of bananas!

Fusian – very good at explaining what all they do and what proteins are or can be gluten free.

Giovanni’s – offers a gluten free pizza

Hawthorn Grill  – Plenty of gluten-free options available and can modify a dish to fit within the guidelines of any of your special needs.

Hot Head Burrito – check their allergen chart to make your order work for you

Lihn’s Bistro – the premier spot for Vietnamese cuisine which

Lucky’s Tap Room & Grille  – A hip joint in the Oregon District serving up fine craft beers, soup, salads, and sandwiches.  They have many gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Meadowlark – great options for healthy eating and very familiar with gluten restrictions

Pasha Grill – An oasis for diners seeking gluten-free meals

Penny Lane art gallery

PF Chang–  has gluten free menu and uses gluten free soy sauce when asked.

Rue Dumaine Restaurant  American-meets-French cuisine from expert chef, Anne Kearney.  They are gluten-free aware and happy to assist people with special dietary needs.

Salar Restaurant and Lounge – Vegan Friendly, French, Latin, Mediterranean Restaurant

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Sinfully Gluten Free – Dayton’s only 100% dedicated gluten-free restaurant that serves pizzas, sandwiches, quiche, chicken wings, and dessert items.

Spinoza’s – Much of the food is locally sourced and the gluten free pizza’s are awesome and save room for the GF chocolate chip cookies.

Sunrise Cafe

Sushi Club

Sweeney’s Seafood

The Caroline: This Troy restaurant offers a complete Gluten Free Menu

The Chef Case: Located in the 2nd Street Market, The Chef Case offers conscious cuisine with a focus on local, healthy dishes.  They serve individuals who follow a variety of special diets including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and casein-free.

TJ Chumps – with 4 locations, this locally owned chain offers a GF menu

Wheat Penny – This upscale pizza place offers gluten free pizza and desserts offered

Local Desserts:

Communitea  – always a gluten free and a vegetarian option for our dining guests.new_banner_with_ph

Ella Bella Gluten Free – Ella Bella Cookies sells muffins, banana nut bread, lemon bars, whoopie pies, cookies, and other tasty treats.  You can call or email Ella Bella with your orders.

Neighborhood Nest – home-based bakery in New Carlisle that makes just about anything you can think of in gluten free

Oven Street

Purely Sweet Bakery

Stone House Sweets

 

*As with any food sensitivity, please talk to your server. You are your own best advocate.

This guest post written by Mandy Groszko,  the owner of Ella Bella Gluten Free, a lover of food and all things local.

Dublin Pub & Belle of Vodka Team Up For Perfect Pairings

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x3rlrewq0n4zz9mppxzyhkn5sydj7rgtFeaturing Belle of Dayton Signature Cocktails

First Course – The Vesper – Paired with a Potato Crusted Cod with wilted spinach and tomato topped with a lemon, caper butter.

Second Course – French 76 – Paired with pan seared chicken breast stuffed with toasted walnuts, white wine poached pears and creamy blue cheese topped with a pear infused white wine cream sauce

International Trail Symposium Awarded To Dayton In 2017

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NationalAwardSeal-200Just announced, the International Trail Symposium will be coming to Dayton, Ohio May 7-10 2017! Congrats to all of the organizations that collaborated to bring this together. ‪The 2015 Symposium, held in Portland, Oregon hosted 760 attendees from 48 states and 17 countries!

American Trails sponsors the International Trails Symposium every two years to bring together trail and greenway advocates, managers, planners, and users, as well as tourism and business interests.

The Symposium is the premier opportunity for the worldwide trails community to come together to communicate and experience an inspirational and educational conference. This is the largest gathering of all trail interests who believe their combined voices are the best way to strengthen trails for everyone.

The Symposium includes numerous educational sessions covering the broad range of trail issues, internationally prominent speakers, a state-of-the-art, trail-related exhibit hall, informative and interactive mobile workshops and much more.

“The event will showcase not only the Dayton region but the Midwest as a destination for outdoor recreation and a place where it’s fun and easy to have an active, healthy outdoor lifestyle,” said Amy Dingle, Five Rivers MetroParks director of outdoor connections. “Dayton was selected as part of a competitive bidding process for its convenient location and rich array of trail-based assets. Indeed, the Dayton region is becoming synonymous with outdoor recreation, as its collection of amenities puts it on the map as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest.”

Those amenities include cycling, mountain biking, river, hiking, backpacking, equestrian, motorized and ADA-accessible trails, all of which will be featured during the International Trails Symposium. Partnering organizations and volunteers have created a system in which most residents live within 10 to 15 minutes of a trail.

Dayton is home to a wide range of outdoor amenities. Those include:
•       the nation’s largest paved trail network, with more than 330 miles to explore
•       three of Ohio’s State Water Trails (the Stillwater, Great Miami and Mad rivers) and two of Ohio’s State Scenic Rivers (the Stillwa­ter and Little Miami rivers)
•       the Little Miami Riv­er, designated a National Wild and Scenic River — one of the first in the country to achieve the designation
•       the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Buckeye Trail
•       Dayton Regional Rowing, the nation’s only Community Olympic Development Program for rowing
•       outdoor adventure festival Midwest Outdoor Experience
•       the Mad River Run at Eastwood MetroPark and the now-under-construction RiverScape River Run in downtown Dayton
•       Link Dayton Bike Share
In addition, the League of American Bicyclists has named Dayton a Bronze-Level Bike Friendly Community, the Buckeye Trail and North Country Trail associations designated it an official Trail Town, and Outside Magazine awarded the region with an honorable mention in its 2015 “Best Towns” list.

The International Trails Symposium will be presented in Dayton by the following partner organizations:
·        Five Rivers MetroParks
·        Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau
·        Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission
·        Miami Conservancy District
·        City of Dayton
·        Greene County Parks & Recreation
·        Miami County Parks District
·        Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Planning for the event will begin in earnest in January 2016. The host partners will reach out to the community to ensure the Dayton region’s rich and diverse residents are involved with hosting the best International Trails Symposium to date.

American Trails sponsors the International Trails Symposium every two years to bring together trail and greenway advocates, managers, planners and users, as well as tourism and business interests. The Symposium is the premier opportunity for the worldwide trails community to come together to communicate and experience an inspirational and educational conference. This is the largest gathering of all trail interests who believe their combined voices are the best way to strengthen trails for everyone.
 

 

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ Review – Sinclair Community College – Love and Goodwill

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Jonathan Kelly stars as Charlie Brown in Sinclair Community College’s return engagement of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (Photo by Patti Celek)

Welcome back, Charlie Brown. You’re still a good man and just as endearing as before as evidenced in Sinclair Community College’s delightful return engagement of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Eric Schaeffer’s faithful adaptation of Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson’s humorous, touching and inspiring 1965 Emmy Award-winning holiday special of the same name by “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz.

 
As the frenzy of the holiday rush escalates, it’s great to be reminded of the beautiful simplicity within this terrific tale frankly pinpointing the true reasons for the season. Disappointed and extremely bothered by Christmas growing increasingly commercial, Charlie Brown takes it upon himself to get to the heart of the matter despite cynics and his own reservations. And in doing so, he ultimately discovers the power of goodwill wrapped in the enduring value of love, friendship and faith.

 
“Charlie Brown Christmas” retains much of the same splendid artistic team that impressively conceived Schulz’s wonderfully relatable world last season. Gina Kleesattel’s breezy, astute direction excellently complements the vibrant, expertly cartoon-inspired visuals of scenic designer Terry Stump and costumer Kathleen Hotmer. Choreographer Rodney Veal also adds appealing familiarity ensuring the cast dances Vince Guaraldi’s iconic “Linus and Lucy” with unique glee. Music director/keyboardist Katherine Frauman’s three-piece band (including bassist Briana Pepilascov-Childers and drummer Kerry Kennard) also handles Guaraldi’s timeless jazz score with ease.

 
Kleesattel’s committed, entertaining 11-member cast, a mix of returning players and newcomers, effectively captures the physicality and expressions seen in the cartoon while incorporating their own nuances. Jonathan Kelly, in a strong Sinclair debut, supplies an amiably worrisome aura befitting the troubled Charlie. Greyson Calvert, spunky and animated, is a comically mischievous Snoopy. An appropriately demanding Erin Waldon brings a funny, frantic energy to the opinionated Lucy. The magnetic David Brandt, a sensitive and compassionate presence, meaningfully recites the Gospel of Luke with tender delicacy. Spencer Boden charms as the perturbed, introverted Schroeder. Bryana Bentley, a memorable Janet Weiss earlier this season in Sinclair’s “The Rocky Horror Show,” scores laughs as the peppy Sally. Thomas Puckett (Pig Pen), Marley Judd (Frieda), Chelsea Overman (Violet), Brooke Watson (Patty), and Jesse MaGill (Shermy) are equally carefree and lighthearted.
Whether you saw it last season or would like to see it again, “Charlie Brown Christmas” is a family-friendly, adorably nostalgic experience you’re bound to enjoy.

 

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” continues today at 12 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. in Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third St., Dayton. The production is performed in 35 minutes. Tickets are $8. For tickets or more information, call (937) 512-2808 or visit www.sinclair.edu/tickets. In addition, a special “shadowing” ASL performance will be provided for today’s performance (interpreters follow actors onstage while interpreting instead of being located off to the side of the action). Interpreters include Katie Fritz, Maria Vecchi, Laura Wild, and Amy Sabin. Also, the regular house policy of “no children under 6” has been lifted. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

Let’s Talk About TRID

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TRIDWe know from the real estate crash of 2008 that there were a lot of people who bought homes without a thorough understanding of their mortgage. We know that some lenders were not forthcoming about disclosing the details of mortgages to their clients. All that has created new lending regulations in which lenders are now required to disclose details, make certain that clients understand their loans as best they can, and have documentation that shows clients were given details of the loan requirements and penalties. That’s all well and good. What this means for you as a home buyer or seller, is that starting in October, loans might take longer to process than before, and you might need extra time to close the loan than real estate professionals are typically accustomed to. The changes are known in the industry as TILA RESPA Integrated Disclosure, but your lender and Realtor are likely to call this, TRID.

Real estate contracts have a closing date written into them. This date is negotiable, is typically based on time needed for buyers and sellers to move, and on the ability of the buyer to obtain financing. In the past, as a rule of thumb for the Dayton area, barring any moving deadlines, sale contingencies, or specific directives from a lender, we were able to plan on a cash purchase taking about 2 weeks, a conventional loan 30-45 days, and a standard FHA loan about 45-60 days. More complicated loans do exist and we would work closely with the lender to try to determine a closing date.  Once that closing date has been agreed to, to change it requires more negotiating and new signatures of all parties. It can get very difficult to renegotiate this date once it has been agreed to so we need to be as accurate as possible about this from the beginning. Having a knowledgable and communicative lender is crucial to getting solid closing information from the start, and with TRID changes, having a good lender is even more critical.

What TRID changes is how the loan and all costs associated with it, are disclosed, how the lender complies with those new rules, and the timeline for final delivery of the loan details to the buyer. This timeline can be fluid, creating difficulty with moving dates, same-day closings, and other logistic problems, and that’s why Realtors and lenders are advising building in extra time for closing. Borrowers will have three days after receipt of the Closing Disclosure to review the information, any changes that need to be made will start a new three day period. This could get tricky and that’s why you need a lender who will be proactive, and communicative with you and your agent from the very beginning. Check with your Realtor to make sure they have a closing cushion in the purchase contract.  Some Realtors, myself included, are using an addendum that speaks directly to TRID regulations and discloses that government regulations must be met and any lender-required extensions will be agreed to, but in the end, this will compel all of us to work more closely than we might have in the past, which is great for buyers and sellers, and having the loan details spelled out to you so can be as informed about it as possible is something that should have been done all along.

Originally posted at www.TheBrickRanch.com

(Illustration by NicName, used with permission, text added by author.)