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Archives for September 2018

TIFF 2018 – Day #4

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Hello NEON Fans,

Thanks for checking out my Day #4.

My first film of the day was SKIN, directed by Guy Nattiv.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Jamie Bell stars in the true life story of Bryon Widner, a young man raised by skinheads, for whom turning his back on hatred and violence meant undergoing painful and expensive operations to remove the tattoos that signified his terrible past life — a process only possible with the support of a Black activist.”  This powerful story is a grim reminder that hate isn’t just something on TV in a far-away rural landscape (or public office)…it lives right next door.  With opening shots of a white supremacy group in Columbus, Ohio, the film constantly reminded me that Ohio is home to some of the most hate-fulled groups in the nation…and that’s terrifying.  This film is a tense and disturbing look into a cult of white supremacists, and it’s a reminder of how any cult can organize and assemble their followers.  They’re looking for the disenfranchised, the lost and angry, or even just the hungry – and they brainwash these people until they become lackeys.  The images are horrific, the mind-sets are intolerable, and actions  of these groups need to be made more and more public.  That’s one reason I think this film is successful…and this story in particular provides a small ray of hope and will hopefully also serve as a call to action.

THE WEDDING GUEST, directed by Michael Winterbottom, was next on my list. “A mysterious British man (Dev Patel) with a hidden agenda travels to Pakistan to attend a wedding, but things take an unexpected and dangerous turn when his plans begin to unravel.” Patel is quite good in this tight little thriller.  I know that critical response has been mixed, but I was engaged and often on the edge of my seat for this tight storytelling from the director of more recently well-known films like TRISTAM SHANDY, THE TRIP and THE TRIP TO ITALY.

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, directed by Tom Donahue, was next on my list.  Here’s what TIFF had to say about it: “In this timely follow-up to his documentary Casting By, Tom Donahue explores the insidious and systemic sexism in Hollywood through the voices of marquee celebrities, including Geena Davis, Meryl Streep, Sandra Oh, Jessica Chastain, and many other ambassadors of the #TimesUp movement.”  This film is a powerful exploration (with data collected by an initiative by Geena Davis) of women’s roles in the film industry…and the lack of representation (as well as the boys’ club mentality that keep them from having a place at the table).  There is some very interesting data presented in this film – particularly from the CEO of FX.  Ultimately, the film makes us understand that if we bring more women into the filmmaking fold – we’ll get better content as well as a better and stronger self-image for women and girls on a national and global scale.  The glaring issue I had with this film was the fact that it was directed by a man.  Huh?

The next film was one that I’ve been looking forward to for quite a while. IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – directed by Barry Jenkins. Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “Director Barry Jenkins’ ambitious follow-up to Moonlight adapts James Baldwin’s poignant novel about a woman fighting to free her falsely accused husband from prison before the birth of their child.”  This striking film is about love (as well as an unfair judicial system and the black experience in America).  The production design is sublime and the performances are incredible.  I fell in love with this love story and the strong sense of family.

A friend of mine who works in PR convinced me that I needed to check out CLIMAX, directed by Gasper Noe…so I went to my first midnight screening of the festival.  Here’s what TIFF wrote about the film: “Set in 1996 and inspired by real-life events, the latest from art-house agitator Gaspar Noé (Love, Enter the Void) depicts the malevolent madness that envelops a dance troupe’s post-rehearsal party after a punchbowl of sangria is spiked with LSD.”  The film opens with a high energy dance performance that elicited a round of applause from the audience…then it went into a series of two-shots where people talked as though being interviewed about various life experiences (this went on way too long)…and eventually the party happened (with the aforementioned spiked sangria).  Though I appreciate the craft that goes into creating such an effective nightmare, I absolutely loathed this film.  I wanted to leave multiple times, but I also wanted to make sure I could tell you all about it.  On my way out, I heard one audience member say, “The thing that really depressed me about it [this film] is that I haven’t tripped balls like that in years.”  That response made me think, “I’m happy to be as square as I am.”

Before my last film of the day, I stopped by the Fox Searchlight party – a celebration of their two films in the festival – CAN YOU EVERY FORGIVE ME? and THE OLD MAN & THE GUN.  I met a handful of folks in the industry, caught up with a couple old friends and was within arm’s reach of Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Casey Affleck and Sissy Spacek.  It was a fun little respite (with great appetizers and delicious cocktails), and I always appreciate being invited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ3Dc3poDJQ

Thanks for reading!  18 films in 4 days.  Let’s see what the next days hold…I’m trending to set a personal record.

Jonathan

TIFF 2018 – Day #3

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Hello NEON Fans!

I started off Day #3 with some big star moments.

My first film of the day was GLORIA BELL directed by Sebastian Lelio.  Lelio has remade his film GLORIA (which played at THE NEON 4+ years ago) for an English-speaking audience…this time with Julianne Moore in the lead role.  During the Q&A, Moore admitted that she had been approached to play the role, but she said she’d only do it if Lelio was attached.  (Lelio is most recently know for directing DISOBEDIENCE as well as the Oscar winning film A FANTASTIC WOMAN.)   Folks wondered why he would want to remake his own film, and he told our audience today that musicians shouldn’t be the only artists who get to re-work their art over and over “with a different band.” Here’s the brief TIFF description of the film: “Academy award winner Sebastián Lelio (A Fantastic Woman) directs Academy Award–winning actor Julianne Moore (Still Alice) in this English-language remake of his 2013 film about a free-spirited, middle-aged divorcee hoping to find love on the dance floor.”  I had an interesting response to this film.  I was completely invested, I laughed at times, I felt hurt for our lead at times.  Though engaged from beginning to end, I wasn’t 100% connecting with the material…until the last 10 minutes.  It was the final scene that completely took my emotions by surprise.  I already knew how the film would end, but I suddenly felt a connection with Gloria that made me love the entire film.  I felt a sisterhood with her, and I had a small breakdown in the theater.  This is a film for all the single people who keep putting themselves out there.

Next up was CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? directed by Marielle Heller.  Here is the TIFF description of the film: “A jaded, out-of-work biographer (Melissa McCarthy) resorts to selling forged historical letters on the black market, and grapples with the ethical complications that arise, in Marielle Heller’s charming biopic about bestselling writer Lee Israel.”  Melissa McCarthy is a complete gem in this film…and it is her best work to date.  She’s still able to give us comedy, but it’s so much more human than anything I’ve seen her do before.  This touching movie has you rooting for a criminal, and she’s someone you probably wouldn’t like if you just met her on the street.  This film is polished and endearing, and I think it will find a good audience.  (I’ll attend the Fox Searchlight party for this film as well as OLD MAN AND THE GUN tomorrow night.) In person, Melissa McCarthy is smart, funny and clearly in love with the character she played and created with her co-star Richard E. Grant.  The Q&A after the screening was wonderful.

TEEN SPIRIT, directed by first-time feature director Max Minghella (son of Anthony), was my next film.  Not being a fan of any of the pop-star-creation shows (like The Voice or American Idol), my expectations weren’t terribly high.  But Elle Fanning & Zlatko Buric delivered.  Here’s TIFF’s brief synopsis: “A shy teenager dreams of pop stardom and enters an international singing competition as an escape from her small town and difficult family life, in actor Max Minghella’s (The Handmaid’s Tale) feature debut.”  I was pleasantly surprised by how invested I became in this film.  Though not without a couple eye-rolls and moments where I felt like story arcs shifted too quickly, I was ultimately a fan of this film (though the last 2 minutes left me a little flummoxed).

SPLINTERS, directed by Thom Fitzgerald, was my last film of the day.  In a word, it was terrible.  Here’s the TIFF synopsis: “Two decades after his inspired feature debut The Hanging Garden won best Canadian Feature at TIFF, Thom Fitzgerald again explores interconnections of sexual identity, family, and small-town Nova Scotia life, in this intimate drama about a young woman reassessing her relationship with her mother following the death of her father.” In most circumstances, I would have simply left the screening after 20 minutes.  But when I leave a screening early, I don’t feel like I have the right to write poor criticism.  However, because there weren’t other options for screenings this late at night and because I didn’t have any concrete post-screening plans, I stuck it out and watched the entire film (even though 90% of the audience walked out).  Though there are a couple good scenes (which come really late) and some great agricultural landscapes, this film is full of some really poor, on-the-nose performances with lots of “indicating” and over-the-top body language.  The screenplay was at times quite trite and there were moments when I wish a camera could have been on my face to show my bafflement as to what was happening on screen.  Overall, I can’t imagine this film ever getting picked up for American distribution.

I stopped for a quick beer before coming back to my Airbnb apartment, and I ended up running into a couple industry folks that I knew.  Upon hanging out with them for a few moments, I was then introduced to someone who I have been e-mailing for years.  It was fun to put a face with a name, and we chatted for about an hour before I decided I needed to get back to all of you.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my rundown of Day #3.

More tomorrow!

Jonathan

Branch & Bone Introduce Stein Club

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The Wayne Avenue Brewery that opened in South Park last June has just introduced a Stein Club.   Membership in the Branch & Bone Stein Club is limited to 60 members. Membership includes the 25oz glass pictured here. Thursday nights are designated Stein Night. Take your members only glass home and bring it in with you on Thursdays to receive a ~23oz pour (allowing for appropriate head) of any beer available in a 14oz pour for the 14oz pour price for the entire year.
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Additional benefits include:
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Monthly email newsletter with advanced information about upcoming events and releases before the public announcements.
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Annual members only party with special tappings.
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First right of refusal on yearly Stein Club membership renewal.
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Other benefits added over time like additional non-Thursday random Stein Nights and possibly a members only merch item.
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Membership is $50 and includes the glass. Membership period starts September 13th 2018 and goes until September 13th 2019. Purchase of membership must be made in person in the taproom. Members must provide name, phone number, and email address at time of purchase.

Branch & Bone Artisan Ales

A large focus and  passion is funky, alternative fermentation.  Sour beer, saison, and mixed fermentation styles as well as spontaneous fermentation will be a staple among the ever rotating offerings from Branch & Bone Artisan Ales.

905 Wayne Ave, Dayton, OH 45410

Hours:
Saturday 12–10PM
Sunday 12–8PM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 4–10PM
Thursday 4–10PM
Friday 12–10PM

TIFF 2018 – Day #2

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Hello NEON Fans,

I caught four films today.

My first film of the day was DUELLES (MOTHERS’ INSTINCT), directed by Olivier Masset-Depasse.  This domestic, period thriller has made an interesting choice in renaming itself for English speaking audiences.  Whereas the French title actually means “dual,” they’ve gone a different direction by calling it “Mothers’ Instinct” for English speakers. Here’s the short synopsis from TIFF: “When a sudden tragedy uproots the lives of two women and their families, they begin to question the relationships they once held so dear, in this psychological thriller from Olivier Masset-Depasse (Illégal).”  This doesn’t really tell you much of anything…so I’m going to spoil the first 12 minutes.  A little boy is involved in an accident that results in his death, and the neighboring mother who witnessed the accident begins to feel as though the boy’s mother blames her for not saving the day.  As the story progresses, more unfortunate circumstances occur, and the mother in question begins to feel more and more suspicious.  We often wonder “is this maternal instinct at work…or is this just paranoia (bordering on mental illness)?”  Some of the score at the beginning of the film sets up the idea that we might not have the most reliable narrator, so we as audience members have to doubt whether or not we are always shown the truth.  Though the film works on a number of levels, there’s ultimately something missing. I’m glad I saw it, but it’s not a masterpiece.

FIRECRACKERS, a French Canadian film from director Jasmin Mozafarri, borrows a lot of spirit and tone from FISH TANK and AMERICAN HONEY.  Here’s TIFF’s short synopsis: “An intense drama about two young women desperate to escape their repressive small town, whose friendship is challenged after a night of debauchery threatens to undo their grand plans for freedom.”   The yearning to escape their current life is honest, the performances are rich, and the camera is restless.  But I couldn’t help feeling that we’d seen this before (and better) from Andrea Arnold.

And finally…a Masterpiece.  CAPERNAUM, directed by Nadine Labaki, is a film that will clearly be a highlight for me at this year’s festival.  I fell in love with Labaki with her film CARAMEL that played at the festival (and at THE NEON) several years ago.  She’s a gifted director and a talented actress.  Here’s the brief synopsis from TIFF: “Nadine Labaki (2011 TIFF People’s Choice Award winner Where Do We Go Now?) explores the lives of children living on the fringes of Lebanese society, in this political and heartbreaking story of a young boy who sues his parents for bringing him into the world when they couldn’t properly care for him.”  This film is about so many things, and it’s Labaki’s call to action for us to help the disenfranchised children of the world…and for the people who need paperwork to prove their worth.  This film is heartbreakingly honest, and I couldn’t avert my eyes.  The central performance is so strong – among the best child performances ever on screen.  With over 500 hours of material shot for this film, the documentary-like style helps create a realism that is so refreshing in a narrative film.  This movie has been picked up by Sony Classics.  That means THE NEON will almost certainly play it…and I have a feeling it will almost certainly be nominated for “Best Foreign Film” this year.

BEAUTIFUL BOY, directed by Felix van Groningen, was my last film of the day.  Though van Groningen was the only person to introduce the film, the audience was in for a treat when the cast and authors of the source material all came onstage after the screening for a Q&A.  Here is the brief TIFF synopsis: “Based on the bestselling pair of memoirs by father and son David and Nic Sheff, Felix van Groeningen’s film chronicles the heartbreaking and inspiring experience of survival, relapse, and recovery in a family coping with addiction over many years.” Timothée Chalamet gives another Oscar-worthy performance as a boy dealing with drug addiction, and his performance along with Steve Carell’s, are what help to keep this film above water – they are both magnificent.  The repetition of using, recovery, relapsing, recovery is all part of  how recovery from drug addition often works, but it becomes a little exhausting as a narrative device (as I’m certain it does for the families dealing with this very issue).  I think this film could be used as a tool, and I think as the death toll rises annually for drug overdoses, it’s a much-needed topical film about an epidemic that is plaguing us.

I met up with a friend for a couple drinks after my screenings this evening, and it was good to catch up (and realize that he’s even working with more people I know).

Looking forward to a couple even bigger films tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

 

McCoy on Movies: PEPPERMINT

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Jennifer Garner returns to her badass heroine roots with violent-yet-consumable Peppermint

“Tell me one more time how Ben Affleck is the worst Batman ever … I dare you!” Riley North (Jennifer Garner) pries information out of Judge Stevens (Jeff Harlan) in a scene from PEPPERMINT. Photo Credit: Tony Rivett; Motion Picture Artwork © 2017 STX Financing, LLC. All rights reserved.
 


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:
 



KEY CAST MEMBERS: Jennifer Garner, John Gallagher, Jr., John Ortiz, Clifford “Method Man” Smith, Juan Pablo Raba, Tyson Ritter, Annie Ilozeh, Ian Casselberry, Jeff Hephner and Cailey Fleming

WRITER(S): Chad St. John

DIRECTOR(S): Pierre Morel

WEB SITE: https://www.peppermint.movie/HERE’S THE STORY: Like many women her age, Riley North (Jennifer Garner) is a happily married woman with a husband (Jeff Hephner) and precocious 10 year-old daughter (Cailey Fleming) she loves. But what she doesn’t know is that her husband is considering doing something less-than-legal to help get his family out of their current financial binds …


Problem is, Diego Garcia (Juan Pablo Raba) – the man Riley’s husband and his friend Mickey (Chris Johnson) thought about ripping off – catches wind of their scheme and decides to make the pay. Dearly. Riley survives the attack, only to see her receive no justice due to a dirty system that lets Garcia’s associates responsible for the attack get off while trying to punish Riley for seeking justice.


Then she goes off the grid for 5 years … And now, Riley North is back. But the Riley North that LAPD detectives Carmichael (John Gallagher, Jr.) and Beltran (John Ortiz) is dead. And a lot of people that wronged her and her family are about to be, too.

WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST? Taken fans; people who used to love Alias but always wish it was more violent; feminists; independent women; Jennifer Garner fans; people who like action movies that actually worry about their plausibility a little bit; people who thought if Hollywood was going to remake Death Wish remixing it up a little bit would be a good thing

WHO WON’T (OR SHOULDN’T) LIKE THIS MOVIE? People not wanting to a watch a movie where guns are used basically without any thought to recourse in the wake of (seemingly) weekly mass shootings; people who don’t like gratuitous violence; anyone who’s over the concept of Death Wish-style revenge movies; anyone who cannot buy into the concept of the Garner’s character doing what Garner does for an 90 minutes-plus

SO IS IT GOOD, BAD OR JUST AWFUL? Peppermint – which takes its name from a scene that does exactly what you think it’s going to do in terms of setting up the rest of the flick – is one of those movies that you watch the trailer, you hear the catchphrases and go ‘Well, that’s pretty much all that’s going on in this joint.” Then you actually watch it and end up going “Well, that was better than I expected.”

As someone who’s seen it, I can tell you without a doubt that Peppermint – which features the most interesting version of anything Jennifer Garner has done character-wise in ages – is a nice 1970s-era exploitation flick with a 2018 flair that is much more enjoyable than you’d expect.

Peppermint works because Garner is fully-committed to the role, looks the part and plays it as straight as one can with a supporting cast that does the same. Much like Eminem on his latest effort Kamikaze, Garner’s North is a woman who feels she has lost everything and now has found a new purpose in life and is determined to make her foes suffer her wrath. But as opposed to going on a rampage with no humanity, North’s new environment makes her feel necessary, a feeling reflected in the film and in turn, is successfully projected to the audience. 


Further helping the film are some minor twists, turns and gunplay/fight sequences that avoid being both hacky and add intensity to the film. Likewise, whereas veteran actor John Ortiz (not to be confused with cast mate Johnny Ortiz) adds a solid creditability factor as Beltran by keeping you guessing who is allegiance is to while making sure the film stays on course, Raba’s performance as Garcia – a villain who actually recognizes the danger Riley presents as opposed to instantly writing her off in classic “you’re gonna regret that!” fashion – makes the build to their eventual showdown equally appealing. 


Make no mistake, however, watching Garner transform from loving soccer mom to basically Ronda Rousey in her UFC heyday coupled with a Seal Team 6-like focus is entertaining and empowering at the same time. Again, she doesn’t play the role with a “I’m gonna show them what a woman can do” fake coolness, she simply is cool because of what she does and how she does it. There is a reason that despite everything that happens in the world, we still will flock to a movie full of gratuitous violence.


If you’re in the mood to watch Jennifer Garner stomp out a seedy Los Angeles full of lowlifes, Peppermint will deliver a sweet treat – with quite a kick.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

TIFF 2018 – Day #1

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Hello!

Thanks for checking out my daily TIFF blog.  I hit the ground running on the first day of TIFF…I saw 5 films.  4 of the screenings were strictly with press & industry folks, and one was public screening that had all the glitz and glamour of the fest (red carpet, big stars, etc.).

First off was DOGMAN directed by Matteo Garrone.  Here’s the festival’s brief synopsis: “In the latest from Matteo Garrone (Gomorrah), mild-mannered Marcello spends his days grooming dogs, hanging out with his beloved daughter and, like most of his neighbourhood, trying to avoid Simoncino, a former boxer and resident bully with whom Marcello uneasily coexists — until a double-crossing prompts an ugly act of vengeance.”  This was the first of two Italian films I saw today – both shot in rather desolate locations that aren’t the Italy we’ve come to know in classic cinema.  This little film started out with some glimmers of hope, but it got really dark really fast.  I loved the protagonist, and I believed his trajectory, but this film isn’t for everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI2JE_xjAaY

NON-FICTION, directed by Olivier Assayas, was next on my list.  Here’s the festival’s brief synopsis: “French auteur Olivier Assayas probes the promises and pitfalls of art in the age of digital communication, in this comedy about a Parisian publisher (Guillaume Canet) and his successful-actor wife (Juliette Binoche) adapting to the new-media landscape.”  This film covers all the bases in the debate/discussion of whether the digital age is helping or hindering society/artists/publishers/basic human communication.  Though it certainly has some insightful and funny moments, I found it to get tedious after a while.  When it comes to Assayas, I think my favorite is still SUMMER HOURS.

BURNING, directed by Lee Chang-dong, was next on my list.  Here’s TIFF’s brief synopsis: “In this thriller from director Lee Chang-dong, based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, a young man grows suspicious about the motives of a deceptive interloper who is hanging around with his childhood friend–turned–burgeoning love interest.”  This slow burn thriller is heavy on the “slow”…I could easily remove 40 minutes from its 2 Hr 28 Min runtime.  There were certainly some moments that worked, but I looked at my watch one hour in and couldn’t believe we weren’t at the half way point yet.

GRETA was my first public screening of the festival.  Here’s the brief synopsis from TIFF: “Isabelle Huppert teams with writer-director Neil Jordan to play the title role in this psychological thriller about a lonely, mysterious widow whose friendship with a naïve young woman (Chloë Grace Moretz) takes on an increasingly obsessive and sinister air.”  I was delighted that Jordan, Huppert and Moretz were all in attendance…as was Maika Monroe – a supporting star who stole several several scenes while on screen.  (Interestingly, Chloë Grace Moretz is the lead actress in the Opening Night Film of this year’s Dayton LGBT Film Festival – THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST.)  The film is glossy and full of some fun choices…but it’s perhaps the most over-the-top and campy thriller I’ve seen in years.  At one moment, when a major plot point is revealed, the audience burst into laughter and I immediately thought “Is that what Jordan intended – or was that supposed to be a gut-punch?”  Some of the music cues are so big, and some of the decisions are so on-the-nose – I couldn’t decide how I was feeling for most of the film.  But by the end, I was rooting for the protagonist and laughing along with the brilliant Huppert.  (I’ll post a picture I took of the cast on our FACEBOOK page.)

VICE OF HOPE, directed by Edoardo de Angelis, was my last film of the night.  This was the second film of the day set on the bleak seaside of Italy.  Here’s the brief TIFF synopsis: “To support her family, Maria works as a trafficker of surrogate mothers, transporting them from place to place along a river — but when one disappears, Maria is left with the task of finding her and must enter deeper into a world she wishes to escape.”  This film had more walk-outs than any film I can recently remember.  Granted, it was late at night and there were lots of parties going on, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave.  This was a world I’d never seen before, and Maria, the lead character (played by Pina Turco), was someone I really wanted to see overcome the odds.  Given the subject matter, you can’t escape the overall sad and desperate and humiliating tone of the film…but there were always glimmers of hope – and that’s what kept Maria going (as well as the viewer…well at least for me).

No parties tonight for me.  I’m going to bed early and looking forward to another full day tomorrow (though maybe only 4 films).

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

Have You Heard About The Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail?

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Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail

This trail provides the ultimate opportunity to devour Ohio’s most beloved candy tradition – the buckeye! Named after the nut from the buckeye tree, this delectable treat is simple and sweet with just two components – peanut butter and chocolate!
 The Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail actually features 31 sweet shops statewide “throughout Ohio’s major cities and charming towns.” If you follow the numbers on the map, the route starts with a single Cincinnati destination before working its way north through Dayton all the way up past Bowling Green. From there, about a half-dozen stops are tightly packed in the Columbus area before splitting off toward Cambridge up through Walnut Creek. Then it’s over to Ashland, back toward Canton, and over toward Youngstown before wrapping things up with a few final stops along Lake Erie, including, of course, Cleveland.
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE VERSION

Haute Chocolate

Haute Chocolate is located in the heart of Montgomery. They have been creating freestyle chocolate treats since 1979.

 

9424 Shelly Lane

Cincinnati, OH 45242

513-793-9999

https://www.haute-chocolate.com/

 

Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory

At Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory, premium chocolates have been prepared by master candymakers since 1982. Their chocolate temptations will satisfy the most discriminating tastes.

 

120 S. Broadway Street, #1

Lebanon, OH 45036

513-932-1990

http://goldenturtlechocolatefactory.com/

 

Holly B’s Sweets

Located in the picturesque antique village of Waynesville, Holly B’s Sweets is a family-owned business that takes pride in creating delicious, quality handmade chocolates and fudge.

 

33 S. Main Street

Waynesville, OH 45068

513-897-2112

https://www.facebook.com/hollybsweets/

 

Friesinger’s Chocolates

Friesinger’s is a family owned business which manufactures the finest quality nuts and candy in two facilities in Dayton and Springboro.

 

45 N. Pioneer Boulevard

Springboro, OH 45066

937-743-4377

http://www.candyandnutstore.com/

 

 

 

Esther Price

As distinctive as Esther Price’s gold box, so is the taste of our chocolates. Esther Price Candies continues the tradition of old-fashioned quality using the same recipes that Esther Price herself perfected since 1926!

 

1709 Wayne Avenue

Dayton, OH 45410

800-782-0326

http://www.estherprice.com/

 

Winans Chocolates + Coffees

Established in the early 1900s and located in the quaint, historic setting of downtown Piqua, Winans creates premium chocolates, handmade the same way for generations.

 

310 Spring Street

Piqua, OH 45356

937-773-1981

http://winanschocolatesandcoffees.com/

 

Marie’s Candies

Marie’s Candies opened its doors in 1956, and its reputation for old-fashioned, high quality candies spread across the countryside.

 

311 Zanesfield Road

West Liberty, OH 43357

937-465-3061

https://mariescandies.com/

 

Jack-B’s

Jack-B’s is at your service with home-cooked goodness-to-go including their Peanut Butter or Cookie Dough Buckeyes dipped in white or milk chocolate.

 

124 E. Sandusky Street

Findlay, OH 45840

567-294-4234

https://jackbsfindlay.com/

 

Dietsch Bros Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream

In 1937, Dietsch Brothers began producing fine chocolates and ice cream using original family recipes and have been producing delicious, quality products ever since.

 

400 West Main Cross Street

Findlay, OH 45840

419-422-4474

https://dietschs.com/

 

Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes

For over 30 years Marsha’s has specialized in manufacturing Peanut Butter and Chocolate Candy Buckeyes. The Buckeye is the only candy that they make so their goal has always been to produce the perfect one.

 

25631 Ft. Meigs Road, Suite H

Perrysburg, OH 43551

419-872-7666

https://marshasbuckeyes.com/

 

 

 

 

Sweet Tooth Cottage

Sweet Tooth Cottage is a family-owned bakery in Powell, Ohio. Everything they sell is made by hand and from scratch in their kitchen.

 

10221 Sawmill Parkway

Powell, OH 43065

614-361-6166

http://www.sweettoothcottage.com/

 

 

Eagle Family Candy

Operating in the same location, with the original equipment and recipes, Eagle Family Candy takes pride in making quality, local, delicious chocolates.

 

4590 N. High Street

Columbus, OH 43214

614-262-2255

https://www.eaglefamilycandy.com/

 

Tremont Goodie Shop

The Tremont Goodie Shop is a full-line, family-owned bakery nestled in Upper Arlington, Ohio. For over 60 years, they’ve hand-made their products from scratch and served their customers – who are more like friends – with a smile.

 

2116 Tremont Center

Upper Arlington, OH 43221

614-488-8777

http://www.theoriginalgoodieshop.com/

 

Anthony Thomas

Anthony Thomas is one of the largest family-owned and operated candy companies in the mid-west. They produce an average of 50,000 pounds of chocolates daily.

 

1777 Arlingate Lane

Columbus, OH 43228

877-226-3921

https://www.anthony-thomas.com/

 

 

Chocolate Cafe

Serving the area since 2007, at the Chocolate Cafe, you can order your hand-rolled buckeyes to go in an edible chocolate box.

 

1855 Northwest Boulevard

Columbus, OH 43212

614-485-2233

https://www.chocolatecafecolumbus.com/

 

Pure Imagination Chocolatier

Pure Imagination Chocolatier was founded by Master Chocolatier Daniel Cooper in 2001. It has been awarded the finest chocolate in Columbus since 2002.

 

1205 Grandview Ave.

Grandview Heights, OH 43212

614-488-3070

http://pureimaginationchocolatier.com/

 

Schmidt’s Fudge Haus

At Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, they only offer the finest fudge and chocolates made with the finest ingredients. Their buckeyes will make you scream OH-IO!

 

220 E. Kossuth Street

Columbus, OH 43206

614-444-2222

http://www.schmidtsfudgehaus.com/

 

Wittich’s Candy Shop

Celebrating 178 years in business, Wittich’s Candy Shop is the nation’s oldest family owned and operated candy shop.

 

117 W. High Street

Circleville, OH 43113

740-474-3313

http://wittichscandyshop.com/

 

Buckeye Creations

Buckeye Creations offers the classic Ohio candy with a unique and creative twist of flavors. From Coconut to Smores, each one has their own personality and unique taste.

 

6962 Willow Bloom Drive

Canal Winchester, OH 43110

614-209-1617

https://www.facebook.com/BuckeyeCreations/

 

Candy Cottage

The Candy Cottage is a locally owned confectionery and their legacy dates back to the 1960’s. They specialize in unique holiday treats, custom favors for any occasion, baskets, corporate gifts, chocolate boxes and more.

 

2271 W. Fair Avenue

Lancaster, OH 43130

740-653-6842

http://candycottageltd.com/

 

Goumas Candyland

It’s always buckeye season at Goumas Candyland and people can’t get enough. Aside from using only the best ingredients, the secret lies in traditional recipes, passed down through the generations.

 

19 Claren Drive

Heath, OH 43056

740-345-7440

https://goumascandyland.com/

 

Nothing But Chocolate

Nothing But Chocolate is a chocolate business located in historic Cambridge, Ohio. Our most popular item is an Ohio tradition.  Each box of Buckeyes is made to order to ensure delicious fresh Buckeyes dipped for you.

 

731 Wheeling Avenue

Cambridge, OH 43725

740-439-5754

https://www.nothingbutchocolate.com/

 

Coblentz Chocolates

Coblentz Chocolate Company began in 1987 and is nestled in Ohio’s Amish Country. They hold true to the local traditions of doing things the old-fashioned way. We use the freshest ingredients.

 

4917 State Route 515

Walnut Creek, OH 44687

800-338-9341

https://coblentzchocolates.com/

 

Sweeties Chocolates at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn

With over 40 years in the business, they continue to welcome visitors from all over the globe to savor the experience of their sweet dream come true.

 

668 U.S. Highway 250 East

Ashland, OH 44085

419-281-3202

https://grandpascheesebarn.com/

 

 

 

Waggoner Chocolates

At Waggoner Chocolates, they continue their timeless devotion to the worlds most distinguished chocolate connoisseurs by providing quality chocolates and confections that will be cherished for generations to come.

 

1281 S. Main Street

North Canton, OH 44720

330-433-1834

https://www.waggonerchocolates.com/

 

Harry London Candies, Inc.

For nearly a century, Fannie May Chocolates has been bringing their customers the finest gourmet chocolates, fudge, and candies that have kept them as a favorite traditional chocolate store.

 

5353 Lauby Road

North Canton, OH 44720

800-999-3629

https://www.fanniemay.com/store/harry-london/

 

Honadle’s Fine Chocolates at Hartville Kitchen

Just like the corner candy store you remember as a child, our Candy Shop features creamy, homemade fudge and a variety of hand-dipped chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth.

 

1015 Edison Street NW

Hartville, OH 44632

330-877-9353

http://www.hartvillekitchen.com/candy-shop/chocolates/

 

Butter Maid Bakery

Family owned and operated since 1955. They make old fashioned, handmade products in small batches.

 

425 Boardman Canfield Road

Boardman, OH 44512

844-688-7655

https://www.buttermaidbakery.com/

 

Malley’s Chocolates

Now in the third generation of family business, Malley’s Chocolates is committed to offering quality confections made with the same special-recipe milk and dark chocolate they’ve earned their stellar reputation providing.

 

1685 Victoria Avenue

Lakewood, OH 44107

216-226-8300

https://malleys.com/

 

Campbell’s Sweets Factory

The heritage at Campbell’s Sweets begins over four decades ago in the roots of candy making excellence. Campbell’s feels good about getting behind all of their products with the quality of ingredients they use!

 

2084 W. 25th Street

Cleveland, OH 44113

216-965-0451

https://campbellssweets.com/

 

Buckeye Chocolate Company

In its second generation, the Buckeye Chocolate Company is devoted to providing customers with fresh and quality confections.

 

510 Water Street

Chardon, OH 44024

440-286-5282

https://www.buckeyechocolate.com/

 

This story originally appeared on the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau website.

2018 Dayton Survey results show improvements, citizen concerns

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Community response to the 2018 Dayton Survey indicates several areas of improvement in residents’ opinions about City government and living in Dayton, as well as areas identified as needing improvement.
The Dayton Survey measures residents’ opinions of City services, programs and performance, as well as neighborhood life and other matters.
Public safety, neighborhood satisfaction, and customer service are areas where City government and life in Dayton received improved marks by survey respondents when compared to earlier surveys. Highlights of the survey findings include:
  • A majority of residents say they feel safe out in their neighborhood at night. The number of residents who say they feel safe alone in their neighborhood at night has risen five percentage points since 2016, from 48 percent to 53 percent. Additionally, those indicating they feel unsafe has also fallen, from 50 percent to 44 percent. The number of residents who report seeing drug transactions regularly has dropped seven percentage points, from 38 percent in 2016 to 31 percent today.
  • Residents’ overall satisfaction with neighborhoods rose three percentage points, from 45 percent to 48 percent. Dissatisfaction has dropped five points over the same period.
  • Satisfaction with park and green space maintenance increased from 41 percent to 44 percent since 2016, tracking closely to the City’s “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” investments in park mowing and park facility improvements.
  • Among residents who had an issue that needed to be resolved by the City, 54 percent said they were satisfied with the City’s handling of the issue, compared to 49 percent two years ago. Dissatisfaction with the City’s handling of the issue dropped eight percentage points over that period, from 23 percent to 15 percent.
  • The survey found residents expressed greatest satisfaction for services they ranked as being most important to them: Fire and EMS services, water and wastewater services, and police services were ranked as the most important services to residents; all had satisfaction ratings well above the average. Satisfaction with and support for waste collection and recycling services was also high among residents.
The 2018 Dayton Survey also underscores areas for improvement:
  • Satisfaction with street maintenance remains low, with 60 percent of residents reporting they were dissatisfied with the condition of roads and streets.
  • The percentage of residents who said police are generally respectful in their dealings with people has dropped seven points in the last two years, from 74 percent to 67 percent.
  • Dissatisfaction with Dayton Public Schools has increased since 2016:  39 percent of residents say they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with Dayton Public Schools, compared to 31 percent last year.
In addition to questions about City services, the 2018 Dayton Survey included questions about well-being for the first time:
  • One in four residents are “always” or “usually” worried or stressed about having enough money to pay vital expenses such as rent, mortgage and food.
  • One in three residents reported they do not have access to fresh groceries.
  • One in five residents reported they do not have access to adequate health services.
The survey was conducted from May 16 through July 9, 2018, by OpinionWorks, LLC. More than 9,000 survey packets were mailed to randomly selected Dayton households, with 1,503 responses. Another 300 residents completed a public online survey.
For a report of survey results, go to daytonohio.gov/2018daytonsurvey.

6 Course Wine Dinner at Sky Asian Cuisine

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Sky Asian Cuisine has just announced a six course wine dinner for Tuesday, September 11th starting at 6pm.  Each course will be expertly paired with wine by Robb Vonderbrink, the Fine Wine Manager at Heidelberg Distributing Company. 

The pairing are as follows:

Lobster Salad with  Attems Pinot Grigio
Chef Special Roll with  Bibib Graetz Blanco Cassamatta
Chilean Seabass with  Cakebread Chardonnay
Ahi Tuna with  Rochioli Pinot Noir
Steak Negimaki with  Darioush Caravan Red
Mango and green tea Mochi with  Pacific Rim ice wine


Tickets run $55/person.
Please call for reservations as seating is limited
(937) 949-9883

Sky Asian Cuisine
4090 Wilmington Pike,
Dayton, OH 45440

LUNCH

Monday To Friday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

DINNER

Monday To Thurday 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Friday 4:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

A Dozen Festivals To Choose From This Weekend!

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Don’t you dare say there’s nothing to do this weekend.  It’s actually one of the best weekends of the year  for festival food, free music and browsing the crafts tables. If you plan it just right, we think you can visit them all.  But then you’l need a vacation to recover from your weekend!

DAYTON GREEK FESTIVAL

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
September 7 @ 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
September 8 @ 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
September 9 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Please join the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton, Ohio as we celebrate our 60th annual Greek Festival the weekend…

Find out more »

Art & Wine Festival – 20th Anniversary

Vinoklet Winery
September 7 @ 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
September 8 @ 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm

September 9 @ 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm

The 20th Anniversary of the Art & Wine Festival is going to be just as Awesome as the past 19…

Find out more »

Taste of Egypt

B. St. Mina & St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church

September 7 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

September 8 @ 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
September 9 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Free

FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING! The festival will feature Middle Eastern  cultural displays, craft booths and Authentic hand-made Egyptian food including…

Find out more »

Springboro Oktoberfest

Springboro United Church of Christ
September 7 @ 6:00 pm – 11:59 pm
September 8 @ 7:30 am – 11:00 pm

Don’t miss the Oktoberfest events and entertainment being provided to you in one of Dayton’s best fall festivals.

Find out more »

Italian Fall Festa

Bella Villa Hall
September 7  Lunch to Go order 9am – 11am, pick up 11am – 1pm   6:00 pm – 11:00 pm Festival
September 8 @ 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
September 9 @ 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Meatball Madness 5K run 10am, Spaghetti Eating Contest 3pm
Free

A weekend of wonderful Italian music, great Italian food, good friends, and a fun game of Bocce on the beautiful,…

Find out more »

Vandalia Oktoberfest

Vandalia Rec Center
September 7 @ 6:00 pm – 11:59 pm
September 8 @ 12:00 pm – 11:59 pm

Come out early for German food, cold beer, arts & crafts and some gambling. Featuring Amber Rose Cabbage rolls, German Bands, Bratwurst and Mettwurst, German Potato Salad, Pretzels, Beer, Arts and Crafts, Children’s Games and more

Find out more »

Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

downtown Beavercreek
September 8 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

September 9 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Free

Located at Dayton-Xenia Road between Fairfield and Meadow Bridge , this not-be-missed family affair  has over 200 booths with festival foods, tantalizing treats, special services, creative crafts, and sensational specialties made with Popcorn

Find out more »

Ohio Renaissance Festival

September 8 @ 10:30 am – 6:00 pm

September 9 @ 10:30 am – 6:00 pm
and every weekend through Oct 28th
$23

Queen Elizabeth and over 150 costumed characters invite you to this 30-acre re-created 16th Century English village where you can see  over 100 shows daily on 12 stages. Hold your breath watching the dueling swordsmen, daring fire jugglers.

Find out more »

Cyclops Fest 2018

The Lawn at John Bryan Center – Downtown Yellow Springs
September 8 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Free

Cyclops Fest Returns! Saturday, September 8th 2018 – 9AM – 6PM! After taking 2017 off, we’re baaaaaaack! This festival showcases some of Ohio’s best artisans, musical acts and creative contemporaries. The event is always free to the public and happens rain or shine!

Find out more »

Street Faire in Historic Waynesville

Downtown Waynesville
September 8 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Free

Waynesville Ohio will host it’s annual Second Saturday Street Faire on Main Street in the historical village (between Miami St…

Find out more »

Huber Heights Marigold Festival

Eichelberger Amphitheater
September 8 @ 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Free

Food, Music and Fun   Come out and enjoy a full day of live music, food trucks, kids zone, vendors…

Find out more »

Middletown Arts Festival

Downtown Middletown
September 8 @ 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Free

Join us in Downtown Middletown on Saturday, September 8 for this free arts festival, which will feature local artists, musicians,…

Find out more »

Guitar Fest

Stubbs Ampitheater
September 9 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Free

GuitarFest  has been held in the Miami Valley for over 30 years, with the past decade or so at Stubbs Park. Bring friends and chairs- free admission!!

Find out more »

DLM Cheese Show **Ticket Giveaway**

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C’est cheese and taste the world one cheese at a time at the Dorothy Lane Market Cheese Show, 7-9 pm on  Thursday, September 13 at the Springboro location.

 

This cheese festival features unlimited samples of artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses of every imaginable style and flavor profile ranging from sweet to savory. You’ll also be able to taste some of the most exciting cheeses, from around the world. So if you love cheese as much as we do, this night is for you!

 Highlights we remember from the show last year include the fondue tasting table, the mac ‘n cheese bar and the grilled cheese creations . Who knows what the chefs and cheesemongers will create to wow us this year!

This event sells out each year, so reserve your ticket online now: $50 per ticket (or $25 with 2,500 Club DLM points). Ticket price grants you unlimited access to the cheese-y creations as well as a selection of wines and beers.

DMM Ticket Offer:

Like and share this post (be sure to share it publicly so we can see you’ve done it)  and leave a comment below for a chance to win a pair of tickets to The Cheese Show.  That’s a $100 value, so make those comment entertaining!  Winner will be posted here on Thursday night.

Congrats to Sandra Combs – she’s going to The Cheese Show!

Thanks for all who played along!  Keep following us, we’ve got more tickets to give away for future events!

 

 

TIFF 2018 – Preparing For The Festival

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Hello NEON Fans,

Thanks for checking in with me as I prepare to immerse myself in new cinema for the next several days.  I’ve toiled over the line-up and come up with a list of about 15 must-see films.  I’ve also got over 40 “possible” titles that I will continue to explore and try to fit into my 30+ films that I’ll cram in between Sept. 5 and Sept. 14.

I’m now in Toronto, I’ve picked up my credentials, and I have secured a handful of tickets that were high on my list…but the next step is to start listening to buzz, check in with friends from the industry and structure my first few days at the festival.

Here are a few trailers for a smattering of films that I’m excited to see:

Check in again soon at www.mostmetro.com/tag/tiff for new entries.  I’ll blog each day so I can try to keep my thoughts straight!

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

 

Artist of the Week: Tricia Calvert

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Looking around Tricia’s studio you might think it was a space shared by several artists. There is a table top obviously used to make jewelry. There are charcoal drawings and oil paintings. There are abstracts painted on both glass and metal hung alongside portraits. But all of this art was created by one talented artist.

Tricia Calvert working in her studio at The Front Street Building Co..

 

As I talked with Tricia I learned that her MA is in Integrated Art Studies. I guess that means she’s been interested in a broad range of types of art for quite a while. Tricia also has a degree in creative writing, but I didn’t notice any drafts of short stories as I looked around her studio.

I asked Tricia how she sold her art and she said a lot of it is done on commission. She likes to get to know a person and then develop a unique and appropriate piece of art for that person.

When I visited, Tricia was painting a portrait of one of The Rubi Girls. Her Rubi Girls paintings will be shown at Square One Salon (506 East Third Street). The show opens Friday, September 7 from 5-8 pm.

If you go to the opening, ask Tricia how she managed to be a contestant on both Let’s Make a Deal and Price is Right.

Lily’s Bistro Garden Party To Benefit Gem City Market

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On Wednesday, September 5 Lily’s Bistro is partnering again with the Gem City Market to host the Garden Party: A Summer Preservation Class.

“We love doing this annual interactive event with our customers,” Emily Mendenhall, owners of Lily’s Bistro said. “From the bar and kitchen, we’ll be walking you through how to do your own shrubs and pickling of all sorts of produce! It’s a great chance to get creative and preserve some wonderful flavors for the colder months and it’s all vegetarian and vegan friendly too!”

As a partner for the event, Lily’s will also be donating $10 from every ticket sold towards the development of the Gem City Market, a community member- and worker-owned and operated full service grocery store.

“We strongly support the work of Gem City Market and it’s great that an event like this gets to promote the use of fresh produce, while also helping increase access to these food for our neighbors,” Mendenhall said.

For those interested in attending the Garden Party, the event costs $29 and takes place at Lily’s Bistro on Wednesday, September 5 from 6-9pm. The event cost includes all of the jars and produce needed, samples of shrubs, the class, and all guests will take home a jar of their own pickle and shrub.

Additional cocktails utilizing Lily’s own shrubs as well as a snack menu incorporating Lily’s housemate pickles will be available for purchase.

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-garden-party-a-preservation-class-tickets-49395977699?aff=efbeventtix