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Archives for September 2016

Be A Part of The Foodbank’s Food Fight!

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The week of September 12-18 a few of Dayton’s best restaurants are coming together in a competition to fight hunger through a FOOD FIGHT.

The public is encouraged visit any of the participating restaurants and partake in the special deal they’re offering to raise meals for The Foodbank. Participating restaurants include Corner Kitchen, Meadowlark Restaurant, and Wheat Penny. More restaurants are being added before the start of the Food Fight.

The restaurant raising the most money will win bragging rights and a trophy.

Michelle L. Riley, CEO of The Foodbank, says, “We thank everyone participating in the Food Fight. It takes an entire community to work together to fight hunger in Dayton and with money raised through this event, we will be able to further support and serve our neighbors in need.”

September is Hunger Action Month, which is the Feeding America network’s nationwide awareness campaign designed to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger. The feeling of running on empty is a reality for over 127,000 people in the Miami Valley. We need to make sure that no child, adult or senior in America ever runs on empty, so this September, we’re asking everyone to come together to help end hunger. FOOD FIGHT is a great way to become involved in the fight against hunger.

For more information, visit the Food Fight  Facebook Event Page  or call The Foodbank at (937)461-0265 x13.

Casting Call for Neil Simon’s Proposals at Dayton Playhouse

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proposals-fjkertis-yd3The Dayton Playhouse is pleased to announce auditions for the comedy-drama Proposals to be held on Monday and Tuesday, September 19 & 20, 2016. Auditions will be at 7 pm each evening at the Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45414. The director of this production will be Jim Lockwood. The play is written by Neil Simon. Performances will be November 4 through 13, 2016.

Proposals, which is Neil Simon’s 30th play, takes us back to 1953 with the Hines family, in the yard of their modest Poconos cottage. Family may be a misnomer; businessman Burt Hines and his wife, Annie, are divorced and Annie has remarried. Their daughter, Josie, is still resentful of the time Burt spent building his business, and not paying attention to her. The African-American caretaker of the cottage, Clemma, literally takes better care of the family than they take of themselves.

Of course, Clemma has her own tragedy, having been left by her man, Lewis, seven years before. It now appears that Lewis is headed back to the cottage to try to make up for lost time. Burt’s daughter Josie has just broken her engagement to Ken, an intense Harvard law student, and she yearns for his buddy, Ray, an aspiring writer with whom she had a brief affair. Ray shows up with a striking but dim-witted model on his arm, and Vinnie, a young Miami gangster adds a note of hilarity to the gathering.

The director will be seeking to fill the following roles:

Clemma Diggins mid 40s African-American. She is the story’s narrator, maid and caretaker of Hines family.

Burt Hines mid-50s, a heart attack survivor, a successful businessman, and a failed family man, his wife Annie has divorced him and remarried.

Josie Hines Burt and Annie’s early 20s daughter; dumps her fiancé at the beginning of the play; worries she may be becoming her mother; her dad.

Ken Norman Mid-20s Harvard law student, Josie’s recently dumped fiancé.

Ray Dolenz mid-20s, acting golf pro, an unpublished author, and Josie’s former boyfriend.

Annie Robbins Late 40s, but still trim. Burt’s former wife, now remarried.

Vinnie Bavasi Josie’s young mob-connected friend and would-be suitor from Miami. He has a language all his own.

Sammii Early 20s, Ray’s girlfriend, model-like beauty, not too bright.

Lewis Barnett early 50s African-American, Clemma’s man who left seven years ago, and has returned intent on re-establishing the relationship; now blind in one eye, with one crippled hand.

Auditions will consist of readings form the script. If possible, bring a resume and definitely be prepared to list all conflicts between September 19 and November 13. For further information contact Jim Lockwood at [email protected].

The Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, OH 45414. For additional information regarding the Dayton Playhouse visit www.daytonplayhouse.com. The Dayton Playhouse is a community theatre providing outstanding theatrical productions to Miami Valley audiences of all ages for more than fifty years. The Playhouse is nationally recognized for FutureFest, an annual festival of new plays.

 

TIFF 2016 – Day #4

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julieta620x709-1461716694Hello Everyone,

I’m up to my old TIFF tricks now.  Long days/nights…minimal sleep.

My first film today was The Weinstein Company’s big Oscar hopeful for this year – LION, directed by Garth Davis and starring Dev Patel.  This is the story of a little Indian boy who gets lost in the streets of Calcutta – hundreds of miles away from home.  After eventually being adopted by an Australian family, 20+ years later he begins a trip to find his birth family.  Once again, I found myself interested in trimming this film down.  Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I’m watching dozens of movies…but I’m finding most material would be better if trimmed down.  This film shouldn’t be 2 Hrs & 10 Min…it should be 20-30 minutes shorter.  That said, what it accomplishes is indeed lovely, and the story is wonderful.  The final bit of archival footage at the end resulted in even more tears.

I met up with a friend to catch the next film on my list – A UNITED KINGDOM, directed by Amma Asante (director of BELLE).  This is the film about the relationship between Seretse Khama (a former African royal) and his wife Ruth Williams.  Being a black man, alarm bells go up on each side of the fence when he courts and eventually asks for a white Englishwoman’s hand in marriage.  This film feels old-fashioned in a good way.  The storytelling is very direct – nothing edgy here, just solid storytelling, and I came away feeling as though I’d just had a good (and entertaining) history lesson.  David Oyelowo is fantastic as Khama – his speeches are particularly moving and seem like they could stand alone as inspirational messages about race and patriotism.  Rosamund Pike plays Williams, and she’s lovely as usual.

After lunch with a friend from Dayton I hadn’t seen in almost a decade – who now works at Almo Drafthouse (in Austin), I took a little nap before heading to my two evening screenings.  Next up was a film I had already seen at an exhibitor screening.  I almost never see a film at TIFF that I’ve already seen…but because I got a tip that Pedro Almodovar was in town, I got a ticket to JULIETA.  Unfortunately, the tip was some bad intel. He wasn’t there. That said, I had tweeted a hopeful message that I wished Rossy de Palma would attend…and imagine my giddiness when she was introduced – her first time to Toronto.  The film was even better with a second viewing – it’s richness in color and layers of storytelling all the richer.  This is the story of a woman who decides to stay in Madrid in hopes that her daughter will return – someone who left her side 20 years before.  With an exceptional score and great performances (Julieta is played by three different actresses in different stages of her life), this film is lovely.  It’s hard to let an Almodovar film stand on its own without comparison.  When compared to his other work, it falls short of being one of Almodovar’s masterpieces…if it stood alone, it would be heralded as superb.  And P.S.  The Q&A was delightful…and Rossy was so funny, warm and personable. I got my picture taken with her at the stage door, and my day was made!

Tom Ford’s second feature film NOCTURNAL ANIMALS was my final film of the day.  I’ve been waiting 7 years since A SINGLE MAN to see what Tom Ford would do next, and this new film is exceptional!  Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon, this is the story of a woman who receives an advanced reading copy of her ex-husband’s novel which is a terrifying story that hits a little too close to home.  The film uses certain visual devices to distinguish three different stories happening at once – the present story, the story of the novel and flashbacks to the relationship that spurred the novel.  The costume design, sets and photography are stunning, the performances are incredible, and the story is intense and emotional.  With a late 2016 release in store, I think this film will certainly begin to create some award buzz. (no trailer is available yet)

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I then went out to meet up with a bunch of industry folks for a couple beers.  That 5:50am alarm is gonna be hard.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #3

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moonlight_2016_filmHello Everyone,

I got the tickets I needed this morning (for Monday), so the day was off to a great start.  I hightailed it to the Scotiabank multiplex for my first screening of the day – a movie I know we won’t play (but I felt like I wanted something ridiculous) – Christopher Guest’s MASCOTS (which will soon make its debut on Netflix).  It’s been a long time since we saw Guest and his crew, and I was delighted by the opening scenes.  I thought “he’s back!”  The set-up is an competition for mascots from around the world – and it lends itself to some really fun material.  Unfortunately, the material lost some steam…and though the movie is sprinkled with a few gems, I felt like it didn’t quite live up to previous films (though the return of one of Guest’s most famous characters was a moment that made me feel like applauding).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hqYhcPFvw

ALL I SEE IS YOU, the new film by Marc Forster (FINDING NEVERLAND, MONSTER’S BALL) starring Blake Lively, was next on my list.  This is a dramatic film with Lively playing a woman who lost her sight in an accident when she was a child. The first 20 minutes of the film has a certain experimental tone – as Forster has us experiencing many moments as the lead character “sees” them.  It’s a lovely, interesting approach, and the film works in setting a tone (though I never understood why it was set in Thailand).  An operation is available for Lively’s character to have her vision restored, and everything changes.  With sight, she is surprised by how the world around her looks…and her husband quickly becomes disappointed in how their lives are changing.  The movie then shifts tone and becomes more of a quiet thriller.  I won’t give away more of the story, but I did feel like the tonal shift was surprising and the final 6 minutes of the film wrapped things up in a very frantic pace from what started as a slow and methodical first 90 minutes.  The sound design is incredible, and the photography is lovely. I think this film will find an audience, but it’s not incredible.

 After a short nap and a bite to eat, I went to an event – IN CONVERSATION WITH ISABELLE HUPPERT.  This 80 minute curated Q&A was incredible.  Accented with clips of Huppert’s body of work (she’s made over 100 films/television appearances), she sat with Piers Handling and talked about her craft.  From insight to how she doesn’t feel like she truly “prepare” for roles to inside stories about movies like HEAVEN’S GATE to the fact that sometimes she takes a role because she reads the script and falls in love with one line,  it’s a wonderful inside look at one of the greatest actresses working today. Here’s a treat…you can watch the taped event by visiting this LINK and clicking the image of Huppert. 

My final film of the day was also the highlight of the festival so far – Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT.  This gorgeous, poetic look at the life of a black man growing up in Miami, is based on the play IN MOONLIGHT, BLACK BOYS LOOK BLUE.  The film is told in three chapters – with the protagonist played by three different actors (each giving incredible performances).  We see him grow from a bullied, guarded young boy to a hyper masculine drug dealer.  This examination of masculinity is one of the most thoughtful and beautifully told stories I’ve seen in recent years.  Performances are incredible across the board, the photography is lovely, and the screenplay is touching and heartbreaking and honest.  I think this film will see a lot of love this award season.  (Janelle Monae, one of my favorite music artists, has a small role in this film…and seeing her on screen seemed like a natural extension of her talents.  She sat across the aisle from me at the screening, and though I contained myself, I was a giddy schoolgirl inside.)  The cast, director and playwright had a Q&A after the screening, and it was also incredible.

After the screening, I met up with a friend from NYC for a couple beers and a bite to eat.  I returned to my apartment at 2:00…so my alarm going off at 5:50 will not be a welcome sound.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

TIFF 2016 – Day #2

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Hi Everyone,

I was in bed by 12:30 last night, so getting up by 6:00am wasn’t so rough today (it will get much worse later in the festival).  That said, the line was already about 15 deep when I arrived at the industry box office at 6:40 (by 7:30/7:45, it was at about 100).

BURN YOUR MAPS, directed by Jordan Roberts, was my first film of the day.  This is a film with Jacob Tremblay (the little guy from ROOM) & Vera Farmiga, and they give really wonderful performances…unfortunately, I can’t say the same for everyone else. This is a story about how a kid begins to say that he’s actually Mongolian. He becomes “obsessed” with wearing traditional costumes and shepherding his make-believe goats.  His parents are having marital problems after the loss of a child, and the desire for the boy to connect with his “true heritage” is a pleasant distraction for his mother…and a source of frustration for his father.  The story eventually “takes” us to Mongolia, and budget restrictions rear their heads.  There were some lovely moments in this film, and it will certainly find its fans – but overall, it wasn’t a big success for me.  (There is no trailer currently available, so a photo is all I can post.)

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FRANTZ was up next for me.  Francois Ozon is a French director who has made some of my favorite films (I adore UNDER THE SAND, 8 WOMEN, SWIMMING POOL, TIME TO LEAVE and IN THE HOUSE).  That said, he’s quite unpredictable and difficult to nail down as an auteur, and he’s made a couple magnificent clunkers, too.  Tone, themes and genres are often in flux, and this film lends itself to that sentiment quite well – as it’s his most accessible work.  Gorgeously shot in black and white, this post WWI story is about a German woman who meets the French man who has been visiting her fiancee’s grave.  The film is shrouded in mystery, and and to tell you more of the story is to reveal too much.  In both setting and a story with twists-and-turns, this film had me thinking of A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT – a film that I admire much more than critics did.  This film has found American distribution with Music Box Films, and I hope the timing works for us to be able to bring it.

A MONSTER CALLS, directed by J.A. Bayona, was next on my list.  People may immediately want to dismiss a story about a pre-teen boy who is visited by a monster as being too fantastical or juvenile…but this lovely film connects and works on so many levels and is certainly not for children.  Dealing with repeated nightmares and constant fear of the declining health of his mother, the boy summons a monster who comes to tell him stories…and potentially save his mom (played by Felicity Jones).  Though I thought the film could use some trimming, it’s ultimately quite wonderful (albeit a challenge to market).

AMERICAN PASTORAL, the directorial debut of Ewan McGregor (based on the novel by Philip Roth), was my final film of the day.  With a story that spans from the late 40’s to the early 90’s, this beautifully shot and gorgeously art directed film stars McGregor and Jennifer Connelly.  Examining the breakdown of American society via looking at an American family who has to deal with the radicalization of a daughter who eventually becomes an underground terrorist, this film sadly falls a bit flat and didn’t live up to my hopes for the material.  Though the look of the film and the performances are solid, I came out feeling like the film never really hit the mark.

Tomorrow morning is an important one for me.  There are two tickets for Sunday that I really want to make sure I get for Monday – LOVING and LA LA LAND.  Wish me luck.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

Downtown Dayton Seeks Artists to Help Enhance Cityscape

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call-for-artistsA new program will use public art as a way to connect local artists with the community and engage downtown Dayton residents, workers, and visitors with their city in a unique way. This new civic engagement project, Urban Art Intersections, will enliven downtown’s streetscapes and build upon the success of other recently completed public art projects.
Local artists are invited to submit their ideas to activate blank or otherwise inactive outdoor wall space downtown. The project scope includes identifying potential mural sites and color scheme. These locations could include downtown buildings, bridge underpasses, or other “blank” surfaces.

“Urban Art Intersections supports initiatives identified by the community in the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan,” said Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) President Sandra Gudorf. “Urban vibrancy has long been a part of our city’s strategic plan for attracting investment and create a thriving downtown.”
mural
Urban Art Intersections is a joint program with the DDP, the Dayton Visual Arts Center (DVAC), and K12 Gallery and TEJAS. Similar to another successful public art project featuring the River Run Mural at RiverScape MetroPark, DVAC is coordinating the artist submission process, using the Call for Entries website. K12 Gallery and TEJAS will execute the application of the selected design(s).

An information meeting has been scheduled for 11 am to 12 pm on Saturday, Sept. 17, at DVAC, 118 N. Jefferson St. in downtown Dayton. Anyone who has questions about the project, how to apply, or any other inquiries about the program may attend the free session.

Submissions are due by 11:59 pm. EST on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Here’s the link to submit.

For details on the proposal requirements, eligibility, site selection, guidelines and evaluation criteria, and other specifics about Urban Art Intersections, visit the Call for Entries site. Urban Art Intersections was made possible with support from a grant from the Ohio Arts Council as well as support from project partners DVAC, K12 Gallery & TEJAS, and the DDP.

OPA! Dancing, Music, Gyro’s and Pastries

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maxresdefault-1The 2015 Greek Festi val is here. The families of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church welcome you to the annual Greek Festival, Friday-Sunday Sep- tember 11, 12 and 13. The church and festival grounds are located at 500 Belmonte Park North, next to the Dayton Art Institute.!

Hours: FridayandSaturday,11a.m.to11p.m.,andSunday11a.m.to6p.m.

Admission is: Free on Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the rest of the weekend, admission is $2 per person; children under 12 are free. Folks who wish to beat the crowds will want to visit the festival in the afternoon hours of any of its 3 days.

!Free Parking and Bus Shuttle Service: Parking is available on the streets surrounding the church. Take advantage of the FREE parking and bus shuttle service which begins on Friday at 5 p.m. at the Grandview Hospital Employee Lot on Shaw Avenue or top 2 floors of hospital’s in- door parking garage; Grafton Medical Center Lot, Forest & Grand; or Schrimpf Eye Center Lot at 330 Forest.– shuttles will run during festival hours every hour on the half hour and drop you off at the door.

!What to do at the Festival? For starters – you’ll enjoy traditional foods from the treasured recipes of our parishioners: pastitsio (the Greek version of lasagna), moussaka (eggplant casse- role), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), lamb and chicken dinners slow-roasted in a flavorful sauce, and delicious gyro pita-wrapped sandwiches. If meatless dishes are preferred, try our vegetarian pastitsio, spinach and cheese pies in phyllo dough, veggie gyros, Greek salads topped with feta cheese and Kalamata olives. Always a hit with the kids are Skyline Chili Coneys, Greek fries and Greek Pizza. Enjoy craft beers, imported beers and wines with a va- riety of hors d’oeuvres. For dessert, numerous pastries, including the always-popular baklava and honey puffs are available.

Take a tour of our beautiful Byzantine-style church which includes a short presentation on the Eastern Orthodox faith. Our Grecian Boutique carries jewelry and other imported items including coin skirts, headbands and wristbands.

Cooking demonstrations are held throughout the weekend. The Zorba Zone will entertain children beginning at 5pm on Friday, throughout the weekend.

!It’s all about the Music..The “Greek Tycoons” and dancers in traditional costumes will entertain all weekend and encourage YOU to join in on the fun.

!We are pleased and honored to bring our culture, heritage and traditions to the Miami Valley. Come be a Greek for a day! OPA!

!Visit: www.DaytonGreekFestival.com,ourFacebookpageorcallchurchoffice937/224-0601.

TIFF 2016 – Day #1

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a-quiet-passion_poster_goldposter_com_1personal-shopper-poster

Hello Everyone.

With the pass that I have, I can screen as many “press/industry screenings” that I’d like during the festival.  That said, those screenings are just screenings.  It’s awesome to have the opportunity to see so many films with an audience, but part of the reason I come to a festival (people come for a variety of reasons) is to hear filmmakers talk about their craft.  Thus I have the opportunity to obtain two “public screening” tickets per day.  Public screenings are the fun, glamorous screenings where they roll out the red carpet and hold Q&A’s with directors, producers, screenwriters and actors. These tickets are only available two days in advance of each screening, so I find myself in line every day during the festival…usually before 7am.

This morning, I was out to obtain tickets for Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT and a curated interview with Isabelle Huppert.  Both take place on Saturday…and I got both!

Then I was off to my first screening at 9:00am – Kenneth Lonergan’s MANCHESTER BY THE SEA.  This film had a lot of tonal qualities of Lonergan’s first feature – YOU CAN COUNT ON ME.  With a wonderful central performance by Casey Affleck (and a spectacularly touching small role by Michelle Williams), the story is about a man who seems to lead a rather thankless life of mundane routines (he’s a janitorial handy man for an apartment complex).  When he gets a call that his brother has passed away, he is forced to confront lingering pain from his past – told through a series of flashbacks.  Though I thought the film was a bit overscored, the drama really works and the story unfolds in a lovely way.  There were a couple moments of schtick that I thought seemed a bit out of place – but so is life.  I think this film will go far.

Olivier Assayas’ PERSONAL SHOPPER was next on my list.  This non-traditional ghost story had me teetering back and forth throughout…I was invested, I was raising my eyebrows, I was intrigued, I was disappointed…and then I ultimately was sold by the final 10 minutes.  Kristen Stewart gives a great performance as a woman who shops for high-end designer clothing and jewelry for a wealthy client who is always on the go.  She’s also a medium.  While trying to connect to the spirit world for a client, she’s also hoping to catch a sign from her recently deceased brother.  Assayas’ previous work included THE CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (with Juliette Binoche as well as Stewart) and of my favorites from TIFF in 2008 – SUMMER HOURS.  This film won’t go down as one of my favorites, and I know many people will be quite disappointed, but I was a fan by the end.

The third film of the day for me was Terence Davies’ A QUIET PASSION – a film about Emily Dickinson starring Cynthia Nixon.  The film opens in a sort of parochial school.  A teacher asks students who have given themselves to Christ to go to one side and for students who are still working toward giving themselves to Christ to the other.  Left in the middle is one student – a young Emily Dickinson (at this point played by Emma Bell).  The dialog is sharp and thoughtful (one of the best strengths throughout the film), and the teacher eventually tell Dickinson, “You stand alone in your rebellion.” This telling line haunts the remainder of the film.  Though I found some filmmaking devices to be odd choices (one superimposed was particularly weird), it’s ultimately a thoughtful and visually stunning film with wonderful performances and some very funny moments due to razor sharp dialog.

The official “Opening Night Film” was a big Hollywood remake – THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, directed by Antoine Fuqua (SOUTHPAW, BROOKLYN’S FINEST) and starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and many more.  Here’s the point that some of you might find disappointing…I left 20 minutes into the film.  (I almost never write about films that I don’t finish.)  I went to the Opening night with my friend Glenn Kiser – a great filmmaker who attended The Dayton LGBT Film Festival with his short film SABBATICAL.  We had “great” seats – very close to the stage…only paces from all of the stars and director.  The movie started an hour late and the speakers were above us – thus pushing the sound far behind us and bouncing off the back walls.  Having difficulty understanding any of the dialog, we decided to leave.  Not being a film I would seek out under any other circumstances, I wasn’t disappointed…it gave me a great opportunity to catch up with Glenn and finally grab dinner.

 

At the end of the day, I’ll simply say I’ve seen 3 films (and a dozen stars) so far.

Thanks for reading!

More soon,

Jonathan

TedXDayton Speakers Announced

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tedx-dayton-marvTEDxDayton organizers have released the speaker lineup for the 2016 signature event, which will take place on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton. As in previous years, organizers anticipate a fast sell-out. Only 16 percent of unsold tickets remain.

“There’s a lot of energy building in our community,” said TEDxDayton co-chair Ron Rollins. “People want to have challenging conversations about where we’re headed, and they’re looking for new ideas. This event brings new perspectives to the table and asks questions we haven’t thought to ask.”

Nineteen speakers will present on this year’s theme—SEARCH. “This year’s theme really captures the spirit of TED,” said TEDxDayton chair Diane Farrell. “We attract an active audience. They inquire. They investigate. When they enter the theatre on Oct. 14, they won’t just be expecting entertainment, they’ll be seeking information, inspiration, and connection—and with this year’s powerful speakers, that’s what they’re going to find.”

Speakers include:
Salma Albezreh, Student, Morton Middle School
Tyler Back, CEO, Mitosis & Meiosis
Joe Deer, Professor and Musical Theatre Initiative Director, Wright State University
Neenah Ellis, General Manager, WYSO
Scot Ganow, Attorney, Faruki Ireland & Cox P.L.L.
Cassie Guard, Owner and CEO, Femme Fatale Fitness
Ambassador Tony Hall, Executive Director, Alliance to End Hunger
Ryan Ireland, Publicity and Marketing Coordinator, Greene County Public Library
Moriba Jah, Director, University of Arizona Space Object Behavioral Sciences
Linda Jones, Vice President of Finance and Administration, Software Solutions, Inc.
Darren Kall, Co-founder, Specific Clarity
Heidi Landes, Parent Coach, Courage for Parents.com
Deanna Murphy, Co-founder, Brigid’s Path
Robert Owens, Educational Consultant, Signature Educational Solutions
Lance Salyers, Senior Director, LexisNexis Legal & Professional
Jo’el Thomas-Jones, Community Support Coordinator and Co-founder, Neighborhoods Over Politics
David Webb, President and CEO, The Funk Music Hall of Fame & Exhibition Center
Brenden Wynn, Operations Manager, Providence Medical Group
Jonah Yokoyama, Executive Director, Heartland Trans Wellness Group

 
TEDx is a global program of independently organized events licensed by TED. Visit www.tedxdayton.com or follow TEDxDayton on Facebook or Twitter for more information.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

Donut Haus Hosts Fundraiser for Kettering Family Who Lost Their Son

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10398567_964194763666000_5978069240728879199_nAll of us have heard about the senseless, tragic killing of the Kettering Fairmont 16 year old last weekend.  Ronnie Bowers was the young man that lost his life with a gun shot to his head over the weekend.

Mike Hemmert, owner of Springboro’s Donut Haus Bakery, just announced on his facebook page, a plan to help the family deal with some of the costs they’ve incurred due to this tragedy.

“The Donut Haus is a long time supporter of the Springboro School District. When I heard last night that Ryan Combs (who works at the high school)  is the stepfather of the young man that was tragically killed, I wanted to help. There is also a second connection, as Ryan’s Mom (Julie Marconi Combs) is a long time School Bus Driver for our School System as well. My daughter has been teaching for 8 years in an area School District and I know first hand the sacrifices they make,”  says Hemmert. 

On Saturday, Sept. 10 from 6 AM-NOON they will donate $1.00 for every dozen donuts they sell along with 50 cents for every cup of coffee.  They expect to make a nice donation to try and help this family with the support f their  loyal customers.

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16 year old Ronnie Bowers

 

 The days ahead will be very hard for this family as they plan the funeral. A Go Fund Me campaign set up for the family  when Ronnie was on life support has already raised over $10,000.  According to his Aunt Shannon, “Ronnie has made the lives of several people possible through the donation of his organs. His heart will beat on, his eyes will still shine, and laughter will still be heard through the air in his lungs. My family’s tragedy is another family’s miracle. I wish there was a way to take away the pain.”

If you’d like to help support the Bowers family :

Visit The Donut Haus Bakery
305 W. Central Ave, Springboro   Sat 6am-noon

They will be  featuring the~~”FOR RONNIE VARIETY PACK.” This is a dozen donuts that will be pre-boxed and ready for you that will feature our top sellers~~glazed rings, jelly filled, cream filled, custard filled, choc yeast ring, sour cream, blueberry, glazed twist, cinnamon sugar twist, The advantage of this is upon entering one of my staff will move you to an “Express Line” for a quick check out.

Of course, you can move through the normal line to pick out your own variety dozen. They expect to be very busy and the staff is working around the clock to meet expected demand.

THE OFFER:

DONUTS–A variety dozen runs $8.75. For every variety dozen sold, the Donut Haus will donate $1 to the family. LIMIT 2 dozen variety packs per customer

COFFEE~~for every cup of coffee you purchase, they will donate 50 cents per cup. LIMIT 2 per customer. We have 3 custom blends–KONA, HIGHLANDER GROGG and DECAF

There is a sealed donation bucket for those that wish to contribute. They’ve have had $100. + dropped off so far.

 

Library Presents Writers Programs Presented by Authors

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septocthightlightsAccomplished local authors will share their best writing advice with novice and experienced writers at the Dayton Metro Library this fall. Adults and teens currently writing, or interested in writing, are welcome to attend any or all of the programs in the Series.

“The Library is the perfect location to bring aspiring writers together with successful authors,” said Jennifer Spillman, Chair of the Library’s Programming Committee. “These programs will inspire and motivate writers of all sorts.”

The Writing Series is intended for adults, although teen writers are welcome as well. Author Katrina Kittle will lead programs geared specifically toward teens each month. All programs are FREE.

Basics of Plot Development with Rob E. Boley
SAT., 9/10 | 10-11:30 AM | WILMINGTON-STROOP, 3980 Wilmington Pk.
Are you a plotter, or a pantser? Find out the difference and learn the key components of a solid story that will keep your reader turning the page.

Moving a True Story to Fiction with Kathryn Lang-Slattery
TUE., 9/13 | 6:30-8 PM | VANDALIA, 500 S. Dixie Dr.
Learn how to turn a real life story into engaging fiction, so your book is more than just “based on” historical events.

Bust Out of your Writing Rut! with Nancy Christie
THUR., 9/22 | 6:30-8 PM | NEW LEBANON, 715 W. Main St.
Get some rut-busting tips to move toward your writing goals. Identify your objectives, overcome self-imposed barriers and get out of your writing rut!

Dialogue: Tips & Traps with Katrina Kittle
SAT., 10/1 | 1-2:30 PM | HUBER HEIGHTS, 6160 Chambersburg Rd.
Bad dialogue can sink an otherwise promising story, and good dialogue can make a story fly. Here’s a crash course in strengthening dialogue, whether in fiction, memoir or nonfiction.

Inventing (and Reinventing) Yourself as a Writer with Sandra Gurvis
SAT., 10/8 | 1-2:30 PM | NORTHWEST, 2410 Philadelphia Dr.
Aimed at both novice and experienced writers, explore the many ways you can use writing skills to boost your career or earn income as a freelancer.

Learn to Edit Your Own Writing with Carol Cartaino
SAT., 10/15 | 2-3:30 PM | WILMINGTON-STROOP, 3980 Wilmington Pk.
Editing your own work is difficult, but essential. With 10 years’ experience as Editor-in-Chief of Writer’s Digest books, Carol Cartaino can show you how.

The Art of Word: A Practitioner’s Approach to Writing with Sierra Leone
THUR., 10/27 | 6:30-8 PM | NORTHWEST, 2410 Philadelphia Dr.
Poet, author and educator Sierra Leone shows you how to take ownership of your muse and strengthen your personal writing rituals.

TEEN WRITING PROGRAMS
with Author Katrina Kittle

NaNoWriMo Prep
THUR., 10/20 | 3:30-5 PM | BROOKVILLE, 120 Blue Pride Dr.
Determined to give National Novel Writing Month a try? This workshop will give you a clear roadmap for your novel!

Jumpstart Your Writing
SAT., 11/12 | 1-3 PM | WEST CARROLLTON, 300 E. Central Ave.
Get the inspiration you need to finally start (or finish) your project! Lots of prompts and exercises to help you keep a story moving.

Empathy and Antagonists
THUR., 12/15 | 3:30-5 PM | KETTERING-MORAINE, 3496 Far Hills Ave.
A variety of exercises will help you consider others’ points of view, “humanize” your villains, and help you see the difference between understanding and condoning someone’s actions.

Italian Lunch-To-Go Friday From The Fall Festa

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zeropoint_logo-1With so many festival this weekend to get to, the Sons of Italy have come up with a way for you to kick off your weekend with an Italian lunch before the festival even gets under way.

Just phone in your lunch order between 9am and 11am on Friday at 258-3600 and they’ll have your order packed and ready for pick up between 11am – 1pm at Bella Villa Hall at 2625 County Line Road.

Single orders or lunch for the entire office are welcome, but please bring cash- no credit cards will be accepted.

The Lunch Menu includes:

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Club members making cannoli’s!

Pasta dinner with 2 meatballs and a side salad                    $7.50

Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza
(whole only)          $13.00

Meatball Sandwich                                                                $5.00

Italian Beef Sandwich                                                         $6.50

Small side salad
$1.50

Pop/Water
$2.25

Cannoli
$3.25

And don’t worry, if you don’t get enough for lunch the Italian Fall Festa runs all weekend long, celebrating the best in authentic homemade Italian dishes, family fun and Italian heritage!  Admission and parking are free and there’s a free shuttle running to the Reynolds & Reynolds parking lot.

Festa Hours:

Fri:
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sat:
12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sun:
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

There will be live music all weekend and the Bengals and Browns games can be viewed on large screen TV’s.  Join the Meatball Madness 5k Sunday at 10am, or perhaps Sunday’s spaghetti eating contest at 3pm is more your style.  For a map of the grounds, so you’ll know what food is where,  click here.

 

Fast Food’s 5 Monster Burgers

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The Super Big Boy from Frisch’s is the Best

Food Adventures leaves no plate unturned.  We eat it all and have no rules.  Sure, most of our stories highlight locally owned eateries with food that we have fallen in love with.   From time to time we will go off track and do our tongue in cheek take on chain restaurants, or in this case the dreaded “fast food chains”

Fast food is a guilty pleasure for many, and a way to grab a quick bite in a pinch…. even these chains go crazy touting deals or big specials.   Today, we go all out and try  some of their biggest creations and we don’t count a calorie.  These are the “Monsters of the Meatway” if you will.  These are the “Big Daddys of the burger industry,” and we aren’t afraid to rank ’em in order.   They are the always huge, sometimes sloppy, sandwiches that will never have you asking “where’s the beef?’

Sit back, loosen your belt, and indulge on these must eats.  Food

The Double Whopper from Burger King is a good one

Adventures presents the jaw dropping, must eat, top 5 “monster” burgers of the fast food industry:

FAST FOOD’S 5 MONSTER BURGERS:

1) “THE SUPER BIG BOY” at FRISCH’S RESTAURANTS:
The supersized version of the American favorite “Big Boy” burger. This one has the same amount of cheese, but 2 bigger patties, more lettuce and most imporantly, more of that unbelievable Frisch’s tartar sauce. It is a 1/2 pound of beef on the signature double decker bun, and it aims to please. It does just that and makes the grade as our #1 pick!

 

The Triple Cheeseburger from Wendy’s

2) “THE DOUBLE WHOPPER SANDWICH” from BURGER KING:
Another giant version of a popular burger, the flame broiled “double whopper” is a very filling sandwich. Over the year’s the regular whopper has been shrinking in size. This burger is a push back towards yesteryear. The hearty, sesame seed bun finally gets challenged and does the job, strongly holding the lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, cheese and mayo together. The secret to this sandwich is the griled taste that is unmatched in the fast food world.

 

3) “DAVE’S TRIPLE CHEESEBURGER” at WENDY’S:
Not one, not two, but THREE patties, each one weighing a quarter of a pound make up this masterpiece. This “brick of beef” is packed with cheese and loaded with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles, ketchup, and onion. The soft bun holds this massive monster together. This sandwich is bursting with flavor but is not for the squeamish, as it has the most amount of meat in our list.

 

4) “THE BIG BUFORD” from RALLY’S:

The Big Buford from Rally’s

Two “seasoned and seared” beef patties on a bun with all the fixins. That means cheese, mayonnaise, ketchup, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes and onions served on a premium, sesame seed bun. Grab a napkin, this fast food freakshow likes to drip condiments on your hands and shirt. Probably the most bang for your buck on the list, as Rally’s is known for good prices.  It is a Food Adventure on a bun.

 

5) “THE 2/3rd POUND MONSTER THICKBURGER with CHEESE” from HARDEE’S:
We were surprised to find out this burger had the word “monster” in its name. It must be fate, so it rounds out our list.  This is the only “bacon burger” on our list. It features two 1/3 lb. charbroiled 100% Black Angus beef patties, 4 strips of bacon, 3 slices of American cheese and mayonnaise. The bun is heralded as “fresh baked.”  It doesn’t matter though because the lack of condiments on this one makes the burger pretty much uneatable.  This sandwich is just all meat, no toppings.  Pretty gross unless you are a pure carnivore.

Hardee’s Monster Thickburger – just gross…

There you have it.  The “plumpest patties on a bun,” the “biggest boys of the drive thru” ranked in order.

How did we do?  Did we nail it, or did we leave out one of the gargantuan bundles of meat on a bun?

Give us your feedback and remember this list was for FAST FOOD chains only ….

Did you have enough to eat?  Still hungry for more?  Then “like” the Food Adventure Crew on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Join the 7,000 fans following Chef House, Hungry Jax and the Big Ragu.  We are not food critics, we are Food Adventurers. We just love to eat.

Also, remember to check out our weekly featured articles on MostMetro.com

Super Big Boy from Frischs with sauce seeping out…

Frisch’s Big Boy

Home of the Whopper

Double Whopper

Hardees sucks

All that was on the Hardee’s Thickburger was bacon, cheese and 1/4 tsp of “secret sauce” that wasn’t noticeable

Big Buford from Rally’s

Wendy’s Triple Cheeseburger – WOW

The Super Big Boy from Frischs !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIFF 2016 – Arrival & Prep

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tiff_logo_cmykHello Everyone.

I made it to Toronto with minimal delays…and made my way to the Industry offices to pick up my credentials and begin the madness.  This is just an intro!  Watching movies actually starts tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 8).

I always give myself a buffer day when traveling to Toronto for TIFF.  It can come in handy if you have flight delays, ridiculous lines in customs or you’re carrying an expired passport (that was a nightmare 2 years ago)…that extra day can make certain that you don’t miss any of the good stuff.

If all goes as planned, tomorrow will be a busy day with 4 films – including the splashy Opening Night film with a friend who I first met when he was a guest of The Dayton LGBT Film Festival.  If all goes as planned, tomorrow’s screenings include new work by Kenneth Lonergan, Terence Davies and Olivier Assayas.

In the next couple hours, I’ll grab a bite to eat, check into my apartment and continue to plan my schedule for the next 9 days.

Here are trailers for a few films I can’t wait to see:

Check back in Friday morning…that’s when I’ll have my Thursday wrap-up posted.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan

On strength: Just Go and Learn To Be

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Fitness is full of meaningless platitudes, and I try to avoid trafficking in them as much as possible. So when I use social media to post some turn of phrase, I try my best to ensure that there’s meat behind it.

We have a chalkboard at Present Tense Fitness that I use to convey different messages. Sometimes it’s just exposition like, “hey we’re doing this thing on Sunday.” Other times I just try to write something that’s been on my mind.

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This week I changed the chalkboard to say “You’re quite likely exponentially stronger than you perceive yourself to be.” I posted the picture to Instagram while cleaning the gym, and I woke up to find such an incredible response that I thought I’d explore the chalkboard idea a bit more in this space.

I tend to think about fitness metaphorically, though I try to avoid that as much as possible because connections between the gym and life can become overwrought very quickly. (No, you’re not a warrior just because you worked out hard in the gym.) But I want to tell you about specific experiences I’ve had as a trainer that I think are directly linked to the sentiment expressed on that chalkboard and why that messaging resonated so much with people.

Women have asked me about training just as they were escaping abusive relationships. The language they’ve used in explaining why they were interested in getting stronger was strikingly similar, so much so that these conversations have stayed with me in a truly meaningful way.

“I want to get stronger because I’ve been abused and I want to feel strong. I want to do something for myself.” It’s as if these women wanted to express their physical strength to remind themselves how strong they can be everywhere else. They’re not living some Wonder Woman fantasy in which they beat up their abuser. But they understand the connection between their own physical being, their emotional being, and their health.

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I was speaking to a client recently about a big promotion for which he’s aiming, the kind of promotion that makes careers. He’s close to getting it, but he has a a time-intensive application and interview process looming. He told me that while we’ve been working out recently he’s been thinking about that promotion. Each difficult repetition and the focus required to complete it successfully teaches him, he said, how to focus on what he wants outside of the gym. His physical being is one with his intellectual and professional being. There is no separation.

I’ve had older clients tell me about how strength training has reminded them how to be alive (!). I’ve had parents of adolescents I’ve worked with tell me that strength training changed their children’s lives forever.

Understand that this extraordinary feedback isn’t about me, and also understand that I’m not trying to be falsely modest. I was having a conversation with someone this week who attends Speakeasy, and they described a transcendent experience. Your coach or yoga teacher needs to be competent; I’ve seen terrible training or direction in yoga destroy someone’s drive to exercise. But assuming you have a competent and engaged teacher, these experiences that people describe go beyond the teacher. These experiences are about discovering the self, the connectivity between mind and body. The coach is there sometimes just to give you a nudge here or there, but mostly he’s there to allow you to find that connection yourself.

If you’ve never experienced what it feels like to be strong, I’m writing this for you. You feel like you’ve never been strong, and therefore you can’t be strong. But there is strength in you. I know this from working with countless people who viewed themselves as too fat/weak/thin/black/gay/female/clumsy/average/damaged/scatter-brained/smart/stupid/broken/abused/distracted who eventually discovered their own strength. Sometimes it takes only one session. Sometimes it takes half a year. But it’s in there.

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I think that Instagram post resonated because people actually know this to be true already. They’re just waiting for someone else to recognize it too before taking the leap into running/yoga/strength training/Crossfit/Pilates. Maybe that’s you. I know it’s me on some days. But you’ll never know how strong you can be until you lace up the shoes and go.

Just go, and in the process you’ll learn to be in a way you previously thought unimaginable.

The Classical Musical Camelot Open Dayton Playhouse Season

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A shot from rehearsal with Chuck Larkowski (left) playing Pellinore and Mark VanLuvender playing King Arthur.

The Dayton Playhouse will open its 2016-2017 season with the classic musical Camelot, book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. According to Dayton Playhouse Board Chair, Brian Sharp, “We are excited to introduce director Ranger Puterbaugh to the Dayton Playhouse audience. We love adding bright, young talent with fresh ideas to our directing pool.” Puterbaugh is a Language Arts teacher and director of the Drama Club at Northmont High School. His recent directing credits include The Addams Family, Moon Over Buffalo, and Children of Eden. Musical director for the production will be Brennan Paulin. Production dates for Camelot are September 16 – October 2 (Fridays through Sundays).

 

Camelot is the timeless legend of King Arthur brought to the stage. Based on the classic work The Once and Future King, Camelot was a successful Broadway show before being turned into a musical movie in 1967. The story begins with a young Arthur nervous to meet his new wife, Guinevere. Before disappearing forever, Merlin offers some last advice, and Arthur sets out to build the ideal society of knights. With the help of Guinevere, Lancelot, and Pellinore, Arthur begins his quest to establish the Knights of the Round Table. However, it’s not long before old sins and new betrayals threaten to undo all the things they’ve built. This musical blends humor with drama in a wonderful story of chivalry and the legacy we leave behind.HPIM3729

Performances will be September 16 – October 2, 2016. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. The Dayton Playhouse is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45414.

Tickets for the production are available at www.daytonplayhouse.com. The cost is $18 for adults and $16 for seniors, students and military.   You also have the option to purchase a season pass for all 5 shows of the season for $75 for adults, $70 for students.  Group rates are available when purchasing 10 or more tickets.

Season subscriptions may be purchased through the box office, 937-424-8477, which is staffed Mondays, Wednesdays 1:30pm-4:30pm. Messages may be left for the box office at any time  and calls will be returned.

The rest of the shows for the season include Neil Simon’s Proposal in November, Xanadu will be this winter, The Women will be a March show and Ragtime will wrap the season in May.

The Dayton Playhouse is a community theatre providing outstanding theatrical productions to Miami Valley audiences of all ages for more than fifty years. The Playhouse is nationally recognized for FutureFest, an annual festival of new plays.