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Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Lisa Grigsby

Chocolate Tasting To Benefit Dog Fostering Program

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jehuektsszmbl61hjuvx0tw1zk99wpl6Give into your sweet tooth cravings and enjoy an event where you can eat all the chocolate you want!

Join us on Sunday, October 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Miami Valley School, 5151 Denise Drive in Dayton. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and children younger than 12 are half price.

Once you have a ticket you can enjoy the all-you-can-eat event filled with candies, cookies, cakes and more from local chocolatiers and home bakers.

In a chocolate coma? Wash is away at our milk bar, enjoy some live music or take a stroll through our silent auction.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Humane Society of Greater Dayton’s Foster Program!

This is a people-only event. Since chocolate is involved, we ask that no guests bring their animals with them.

Big Name Comedy Invades Dayton This Weekend

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2outof3As many of you may know about me, I spent over 20 years running comedy clubs.  I’ve seen literally thousands of comics over the years and people often ask me why I don’t write more about the comedy scene.  I often say it’s because after all those years, not much is funny to me anymore. But  looking at the talent playing Dayton this week, I felt the urge to throw something together here to share with you all.

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Sean Morey

With Poundstone, Pauly  and Brian Regan all in town, my first thought was two out of three ain’t bad.  Then just to be fair, I decided to look up who was playing at Wiley’s Comedy club,  Well, I’m betting the folks at Wiley’s wish I hadn’t. Sean Morey is the headliner there this weekend.  He may be the only comic I ever fired before he took the stage.  He was a regular on the Bob & Tom show, and seemed to do well with crowds.  On a recommendation from Heywood Banks, I booked him at Jokers.  He was just starting to become a draw at clubs, due to his Bob & Tom appearances, and he really seemed impressed with himself. It was his arrogance and attitude that did him in with me.  Long story short, the day of the show, he insisted I not put on an act ahead of him, or he wouldn’t go on stage.  Which made my decision easy, he never set foot on stage at my club.

Comedy Portrait Session With Paula Poundstone At The Ice House Comedy ClubComedian Paula Poundstone  was a regular on the comedy club circuit in the 80’s and 90’s, s a political correspondent for “The Tonight Show” during the 1992 presidential campaign.  Best known for her quick wit, her love of cats, Poundstone is a regular on NPR’s weekly news panel game show “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” She holds the show’s record for not answering a single right question.  But whether she’s right or not, she’s always makes me laugh.  Poundstone sums up her act best by saying, “I have jokes I’ve told before and will tell again, but my favorite part of the night is talking to the crowd.”  She’s a rare stand up talent, with the ability to charm a room, be funny off the cuff and generally works pretty clean.  I saw her do an entire show at Jokers,  just working off an audience and highly recommend this show. And I also think she was mildly tortured hanging out in my club office, that was stacked floor to ceiling with headshots, tapes, cds and more and put her OCD on high alert.

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Paula performs Friday, October 11th at 7:30pm at the Victoria Theatre.  Tickets run $28-$38 and can purchased  online.

images-2Brian Regan is another comic that I’m proud to have worked with at Jokers Comedy Cafe back in the day.Brian has been brilliantly funny for years.  He’s like that goofy friend you have who’s not the obvious  class clown, but just consistently funny.   He has the  ability to take common occurrences and everyday observations  and stretches them out into major chunks of his act.  A stand up for over 25 years, Brian is a rare breed. He never used the club as a stepping stone for a sitcom or movie career, stand up has always been his thing. From the minute he hits the stage, Brian has the crowd laughing consistently, and often closes his show with a run of his “greatest hits” often adding favorites called out by the audience. I can remember sitting at the Dayton airport with him, waiting on his delayed flight out of town, laughing hysterically as he entertained me over a bowl of cereal. He’s a great guy and I highly recommend this show!

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Brian performs Sunday, October 13th  at 7:00pm at the Victoria Theatre.  Tickets run $39.50 and can be purchased online.

 

imgres-1Pauly Shore is in town playing the Funny Bone at The Greene.  I booked Pauly three times (maybe four, can’t remember) at Jokers and I’ll tell you the same thing I said then when people asked me if he was funny.  If you’re a fan of Pauly’s, you might enjoy the show.  In the early MTV “Totally Pauly” years, he’d show up on a tour bus, with an entourage in a cloud of smoke, living up to the drunk and stoned reputation he earned on tv as “The Weasel.”  He’d be lead to the stage, where he’d lean back against the brick wall,  slur out 40 minutes of  something that was supposed to  resemble an act.  Mildly amusing at best, it was his star power that was intoxicating to those who were enamored to be in the same room with a “TV star.”  He always sold lots of merchandise and was pretty good about signing it and taking pictures with the crowd. On one of his bookings he showed a slide show of him growing up at the famed Comedy Store, owned by his legendary mother Mitzi.  Sharing pictures of him being taught to ride a bike with Jay Leno, telling stories of Sam Kinison taking him under his wing to learn comedy and watching Pryor light up a crowd (with laughter, not literally).  I actually enjoyed that show.  Over the years, I did see Pauly grow up some,  and leaving behind the MTV character, but I’d still say Pauly’s talents are better used on tv and movies than at stand up.  But that’s just my opinion, you may find him funny.

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Pauly will appear Friday & Saturday, 7:30 & 10pm with tickets running $22-$25 and available online.

 

And now you know why I don’t often write about comedy.

 

Ele’s Karen Thomson GRAND CHAMPION of the 13th Annual Pillsbury Bakers Plus Decorating Competitionin Las Vegas!

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Karen Thomson, Grand Champion

Imagine a Las Vegas exhibit hall filled with cake decorators competing for  12 hours over a three day period, creating decorated cakes in five categories: Floral Cakes, Wedding Cake, Fondant Cakes, Custom Design Cakes and Sculpted Cakes.Twelve contestants  competed head-to-head for the coveted Pillsbury Bakers’ Plus championship title and $14,000 in cash prizes.  The highest scoring individual, as determined by a panel of professional judges, was awarded the coveted Pillsbury Bakers’ Plus Grand Champion Trophy, sponsored by General Mills.  Representing the Ohio Bakers Association from Ele Cake Company in West Carrollton,Karen Thomson was today crowned  the Grand Champion, placing first in Wedding Cakes, Custom Designs, Fondant Cakes and Sculpted Cakes.  She placed second in Floral Cakes.

In one exhibit hall, fondant-wrapped cakes depicting themes such as Tinkerbell, Halloween and surfing were on display, while ingredient suppliers 1383371_10151924997581399_1944698750_nshowed products from gelato mix-ins to vivid food coloring agents in another in section. In the other hall, large-scale machines for packaging, assembling, cutting and baking grain products dominated the landscape, whirring with every move they made.

The $102 billion baking industry held its largest North American gathering, the 2013 International Baking Industry Exposition, this week in Las Vegas.  IBIE is held every three years., and this year covered more than 500,000 square feet in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Attendees included wholesale and retail bakers, tortilla producers, food-service professionals and in-store bakeries. Bakers, product wholesalers and retailers directly or indirectly employ about 707,000 Americans.

 

553789_10151929887481399_970029397_nCongratulations to Karen Thomson, lead decorator at  elé Cake Co., who created 11 cakes, and a set of 12 cupcakes for the win. elé  kept all their friends and fans updated day by day with pictures on their facebook page, which we’ve shared here:
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Day 2

Day 3
Day 3

 

 

El Meson Celebrates 35th Anniversary with $6.99 Lunch

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$6.99 35th Anniversary Lunch Specials
@ El Meson

6.99 CELEBRATION LUNCH
(tax, gratuity, and beverages not included)
Celebrate our 35th Anniversary with lunch!1393499_10151894685649730_2090299855_nEntree (Choose One)
Cuban Pork and Ham Sandwich
Roasted Pork, Ham, Swiss cheese, Pickle, & Cumin Mayo grilled on Cuban Press
Colombian Chicken Empanada
Baked turnover stuffed with Colombian Pollo Sudado (Chicken, Yuca, & potato)
Arepa
Sweet corn and grilled cheese corn cakes

Select soup and salad:
Cup of Cuban black bean
Cup of Argentine white bean
Red Quiona Salad OR El Meson House Salad

October 7th-19th
Monday-Friday 11:00am-2:00pm

Cinnamon and Vanilla Add Spice To New Jagermeister Limited Addition Flavor

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Jagermesiter-SpiceThe seventh-largest spirit brand in the world and the number one imported liqueur in the US introduced the new flavoured variant to the US through Sidney Frank Importing Co, and it’s on the shelves today at Belmont Party Supply for $23.20 for a 750ml bottle, as well as at  Little Farm, Handy One and Air City Wine & Liquor.  Look for it at Arrow Wine and other stores by Monday.

A blend of Jägermeister’s traditional herbal liqueur recipe with additional vanilla and cinnamon for a “warmer taste”, Jägermeister Spice is a limited edition expression bottled at 25% abv designed to be drunk neat, mixed with cola, or – unlike the original Jägermeister which is suggested to be served as an ice-cold shot – taken as a shot at room temperature.

“From our conversations with Jägermeister consumers, we know new flavours and unique experiences allow them opportunities to bond with their friends,” said Adam Rosen, executive vice president of marketing for Jägermeister at Sidney Frank Importing Company. “Jägermeister Spice offers both new drinkers and our long-time fans an innovative product that can be enjoyed in any setting  We’re expecting to sell more than 100,000 nine-liter cases in the first limited edition rollout, which will be from October to December.”.

Jägermeister Spice is the first major product extension in the US for the German liqueur brand in more than 40 years.

“Although Spice is certainly a unique take on our signature recipe, it also stays true to the original blend of Jägermeister, recognised as one of the most iconic spirits brands in the world,” said Michael Volke, member of the executive board at brand owner Mast-Jägermeister SE.

 

Cheers to Oktoberfest Weekend & Your Chance To Win Preview Party Tickets

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Oktoberfest Chairs Marty Beyers and Lacie Sims

It’s the 42nd  Oktoberfest weekend, the artisan’s have set up their tents, over 25 food vendors have stocked their kitchens, two stages have been set up for the  dozen bands that have been booked, the crafts are ready for the kids tent,  the craft beer tent has been expanded and the tv’s are tuned to football.

Many of us will head over and grab a beer and a brat for a few hours but for a dedicated group of volunteers, this weekends party is a lot of hard work. The DAI Associate board is made up of thirty two couples, who have all made a four year commitment to work and fundraise on behalf of the museum. With 2 major events to work on (Art Ball and Oktoberfest) the average board member puts in over 100 volunteer hours each year and will help raise over $20,000 during their four year term.

As 4th year Associate Board Members and Oktoberfest Chairs, Lacie Sims and her husband Marty Beyer have dedicated themselves to creating a bigger and better festival this year.   Check out these new additions to the schedule:

 

Young Professional Happy Hour:  Thursday,  Sept  26    5-8pm Network and hang out with colleagues and friends on the grounds of The DAI at our first Oktoberfest Young Professionals Happy Hour event on Sept. 26! Get the FIRST pour of Oktoberfest beers and wines and grab a bite to eat from  the hottest food truck in town – Zombie Dogz!  Admission is $20 and includes two drinks, as well as a ticket for admission to Oktoberfest on either Saturday, Sept. 28 or Sunday, Sept. 29.

Oktoberfest Business Lunch : Friday, Sept  27   11am – 2pm With free admission and free shuttle service courtesy of RTA, you’re invited to grab a brats or mett for lunch, pick up a mug or souvenir t-shirt.  Shuttle service starts at 10:30am and will run along  Main Street, Fifth Street and Second Street. Check out the shuttle route here.

They’ve taken their positions very seriously, scouting bands, tasting beers and even hosting this writer for a spazmaticsbeer  and band preview. Lacie is especially excited with the Preview Party band,  The Spazmatics –  who perform 80’s,  new wave and today’s popular music complete with “nerdography” and “spaztic” movements.  You’ll hear live music all weekend long, both on the Main stage and in the food tent, with many of Dayton’s favorite bands, like Skilless Villans, Good English, Spungwurthy and Kick-N-Flava.  And as you’d expect at any event called Oktoberfest, their will also be Polka and Accordian Bands in the mix, too! brauhaus

Marty was most proud of the variety of beer being offered this year, including some Oktoberfest exclusives, like Harpoon Imperial Pumpkin, which will make it’s Dayton debut at the festival.  You’ll also want to be sure and try a brew from Brauhaus Riegele, a small German brewery that began brewing in 1386 in Augsburg,  which just happens to be Dayton’s sister city in Germany.  A special cask tapping of Dry Hopped Nosferatu from Great Lakes Brewing  will take place Saturday afternoon about 1pm.  For true beer aficionados, you’ll want to check out these special scheduled tastings:

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1 p.m. – Hoppy Beers, presented by Bonbright Distributors Five different styles of hoppy beers
3 p.m. – Unibroue tasting, presented by Cavalier Distributing
5 p.m. – International Beer Tasting with five International favourites, hosted by Larry Leonhardt of Chappys Tap Room 

Sunday
 1 p.m. – Ohio Breweries, presented by Cavalier Distributing, featuring Jackie O’s, Hoppin’ Frog, and Fat Head’s
3 p.m. – Crispin Cider Tasting, hosted by Chris Fritz of Bonbright Distributors

There will even be some special seminars for Wine and Whiskey fans as well.  All the seminars require you to purchase a tickets and will be limited to 40 attendees and will take place in the Leo Bistro.

Saturday
Seminar 1, 2 p.m.  “BYOB” – Build Your own Bourdeaux
 Seminar 2, 4 p.m.    American Whiskey, presented by Heidelberg Distributing

Sunday
Seminar 1, 2 p.m.  Presented by Heidelberg Distributing & Banfi Wianery
 Seminar 2, 4 p.m. “Art Andalucian” – Tasting Wines from Spain   Hosted by Nola Palomar Veleta Wines

For more information about Oktoberfest, please check the DAI website.  And as a special treat, DaytonMostMetro wants to send a lucky reader and their guest to enjoy the Preview Party, this Friday Night.  This exclusive sneak peek runs from 7-11pm and includes complimentary beer, wind and soft drinks, and the opportunity to buy the best of the artisans goods. These tickets are $45 for member, $60 for non-members and are quite limited. To be eliblible to win these tickets, like and share this article and fill out the form below. Winner will be randomly drawn at 11pm Thursday night.

Thanks to all who entered!  Congratulations to Sarah Carter of Kettering – we’ll see you at the preveiw party!

 

California Coffee Company Comes to Dayton

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Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Inc.  founded in 1966 in Berkeley, California will host two Dayton area opening this week, in locations that were formerly Caribou Coffee locations.  With a menu full of coffee,  espresso, organic teas and brewing equipment, Peet’s has over 200 stores in the United States.   Complimenting the beverages, Peet’s features an array of Artisan baked goods that will include blueberry, cranberry and bran muffins, chocolate and orange scones, assorted danishes, cookies and pumpkin, banana and zucchini chocolate chip breads.  You’ll also find assorted brownies and flavored pound cakes.

You can meet Peet’s this Monday, 9/23 at 6am for the  Grand Opening at 5839 Far Hills Avenue.  If you’re one of the first 25 customers of the day, you’ll  win a free month of coffee and a limited edition Peet’s tumbler.

The following day, Tuesday, 9/24 at 6:30am the Peet’s at The Greene will open.

 

 

 

 

10?’s with Chef Mariah Gahagan of Lily’s Bistro

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970001_197252487103678_165622139_nLily’s Bistro, located at 329 E. Fifth Street in Dayton’s Oregon District, has expanded hours to include Saturday lunch and Sunday brunch from 11am-3pm.

 

General Manager Emily Mendenhall says the restaurant decided to add these hours to offer more weekend choices in the Oregon District. “Our lunch menu is simple and elegant, offering healthier items, and our Sunday menu balances traditional brunch food with creative, higher end cuisine.  I think folks who dine in the Oregon District are looking for these options.”

 

Executive Chef Mariah Gahagan says brunch is a chance for her Sous Chef, Eric Dunn, to be creative. “Eric completely understands that we’re all about seasonal food utilizing fresh ingredients in a manner that is serious while being accessible. We collaborated on brunch, but I gave him room to do his thing, and I’m very proud of what our brunch menu offers.” She adds that the District on Sunday is very different than that of Saturday night. “It has a different feel on Sunday morning. I think our menu encompasses that laid back, neighborhood vibe.”

 

Highlights include New Orleans style beignets; baked eggs and smoked trout over sautéd spinach with dill cream sauce; and croissant French toast stuffed with sweet cream cheese, topped with fresh fruit and local maple syrup. Prices range from $5-14.

And finally with brunch being taken care of by  Sous Chef Eric,  Chef Mariah Gahagan couldn’t come up with an excuse to put off an any longer our  Chef’s 10 Question interview we’ve been after her for months to do!

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Chef Mariah with her favorite lunch option: the Vietnamese rice noodle salad!

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with? 

It’s hard to pick one,because my approach to cooking is all about using seasonal ingredients when they’re at their peak.  But coming into fall, I’m really into butternut squash, apples, pumpkins—all the things that typify fall.

 

What ingredient do you dread?
Green peppers! They impart their flavor onto everything, and to me, they taste like metal.

 

What’s your favorite dish to make?

Right now, it’s soups, braises, just slow-cooking everything.

 

What’s your favorite pig out food?

Mac and cheese—preferably enjoyed in bed with my French Bulldog Lulu.

 

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Meadowlark, because Wiley is amazing, all the staff is really friendly, and everything is so legit.  They use great products when they’re at their best and they don’t make things too fussy—it’s what we strive to do at Lily’s too.

 

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Don’t rush things.  I know everyone is always in a hurry, but allow yourself the time to focus on making the meal right. And use real garlic! That stuff in the jar is abysmal.

 

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

  1. Alice Waters because she’s an amazing chef whose style I admire.
  2. Lou Reed because he’d be really interesting.
  3. Tina Fey because I’d like somebody funny there.
  4. David Sedaris because he’s neurotic and I appreciate that in a person. And he’s also funny.

 

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

Julia Child because so changed and expanded American cooking for the better.  And Mary Kay Smith and Kim Korkan from the Winds and Wiley from Meadowlark (and now Wheat Penny!) because I’ve learned so much from working with them.

 

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

I just bought a great house in St. Anne’s, so I mostly just want to garden, work in my yard, and hang out with my husband and dog.  And once in awhile I try to go out and eat.

 

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

That’s hard. Every day there’s something, and it’s always interesting. I think that’s one reason I’m drawn to this profession.

 

 

Rue Dumaine Dinner Features Treme Cookbook Author

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9781452109695_custom-4331a2e53a7b47d2fb9f771e6d6d15db22938971-s2-c85If you’re a fan of  the HBO series TREME  or just a  fan of New Orleans food,  you are in for a treat on Wed,  Oct 2nd when Rue Dumaine welcomes  Lolis Eric Elie,  a writer for David Simon’s Treme,  who has compiled a cookbook of traditional and contemporary recipes titled Treme: Stories and Recipes from the Heart of New Orleans. Recipes come from NOLA restaurants and celebrity chefs who appeared on the show, including Anthony Bourdain, Eric Ripert and David Chang. Broudain wrote the introduction to the book. The cookbook is divided into sections, each told in the voice of one of the characters — from Janette Desautel, the chef, to Antoine Batiste, the trombonist. Elie says he wanted them to have their own chapter so they wouldn’t interrupt each other.

“These are the voices I hear when I walk down the street: ‘Boy, you gotta soak your red beans the night before or otherwise they’re going to take forever to cook. Or you need to put pickle meat in those beans — I don’t know what all this vegetarian stuff is about,’ ” Elie says. “People talk about the fact that they’re sitting in the supermarket line in New Orleans, and people say, ‘How you gonna fix that? White beans and shrimp? What you gonna do with that?’ I don’t think that happens as much in other cities.”

Before writing for the show, Elie produced other projects focused on food and the Treme neighborhood. He authored Smokestack Lightning: Adventures in the Heart of Barbecue Country, which he wrote while working as a road manager for Wynton Marsalis. He also edited Cornbread Nation 2: The United States of Barbecue.

Rue Dumaine is currently taking reservations for the $50 dinner created around the recipes featured in the cookbook including:

Ruth Fertel’s garlicky white shrimp remoulade
Poppy Tooker’s crawfish calas with green garlic mayonnaise
Cochon’s braised pig with stewed turnips and cabbage
Bayona’s Cafe au lait pots de crème with mudslide cookies

 

Author Elie wil be on hand to chat as well as sign copies of his cookbook, which will be available for purchase.

 

Land of Illusion Provides The Perfect Fright Night

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Land-of-Illusion-LogoEvery now and then being part of DMM has its perks.  Thursday night was one of them.  The Land of Illusion in Middletown hosted a bunch of media folks for a pre-opening night of fright.  We were to arrive at 7pm and as I was driving out to the middle of nowhere, I was really hoping google maps was going to get me there, because as I drove through residential neighborhoods, I was really doubting my decision to attend.  Finally I saw a Land of Illusion sign and sighed with relief.  And then I drove right past the entrance and entered at the exit.  Though I’m told that the traffic on nights they are open will be a good sign you’re heading to the right place, and you are probably more likely to find the entrance than I was.

Upon arrival we were warmly greeted, given a goodie bag and got a little history of the park.  Darren, our guide is the son on the owner, and he was quick to point out that he’s only a volunteer, his real job includes building roller coasters for amusement parks (he showed us some construction shots of the new Banshee being built at Kings Island). The LOI started 16 years ago in the  backyard of Brett Oakley.  Originally called The Middlwtown Haunted Trail,  Brett  just thought it would be cool to do an event in the woods behind his house and hang out with his friends.  Which they did for six years before adding the Temple of Terror.  Then they moved to their current location,  adopted the  the Land of Illusion moniker and started adding attractions.  Dr. Pyscho’s Haunted Estate was created from the original house on the land, and is truly haunted.

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Then there’s the Temple of Terror with  pitch-dark passageways and  a host of rabid bats, spectral skeletons, and monstrous madmen. Scream through a nightmarish labyrinth as hideous horrors claw behind you…next to you…above you…beneath you…all sharing one twisted, bone-sharp wish: that you will remain their ghoulish guest for all eternity.

Land-of-Illusion-Killer-KlownsKiller Klowns came along next, and lets just say these aren’t the kind of clowns that juggle or hand out happy meals!  This 3D adventure is full of murderous klowns lurking around every corner with laughing leering faces that will make you rethink your next visit to the circus.

The Voodoo Bayou Shanty  was our next stop and while I know I have some creepy relatives, they are nothing like Jim Dubois, great-grandson of Bloody Bill. Dubois tipped his hat, showed us a mouthful of bloody teeth, and pushed open the door to welcome us inside. And what we saw… well you’ll just have to experience it for yourself.

The most know attraction at LOI, The Middletown Haunted Trail, has continued to evolve from it’s 1997Land-of-Illusion-Haunted-Trail debut. This walk through the woods is filled with eery screams, whining chainsaws, ghouls and ghosts looking for their souls, and zombies wanting to eat you.  Twisting and turning through the mile and a quarter of foggy, with blowtorch-wielding madmen in hot pursuit will make you think twice before you take your next walk.

Also new this year, The Vodoo Lounge, which was still getting finishing touches and hadn’t been stocked yet for our visit, looked like a great place to chill between attractions.  But by far the addition that will be most appreciated are the brand new bathrooms.  A huge upgrade from the wall of port-o-potty’s of years past, the ladies room had 24 stalls and I was assured the men’s room was equally elegantly finished.

Land-of-Illusion-Zombie-Sniper-PatrolOn our tour, they saved the best for last, and after 3 hours of walking scares, the thought of a seated attraction was welcomed.  As described on LOI’s website:

You just spent the evening running from the worst monsters and demons
of your wildest imagination.  Now, it’s time to fight back!

The new Land of Illusion Zombie Sniper Patrol ride gives you the power to actually hunt down and shoot Zombies before they can escape the woods and run wild in the village.
Climb aboard our retrofitted US Army Cargo Truck, settle in behind one of the paintball
gun turrets and take aim and fire at the Zombie invasion as your unit navigates the treacherous woods. Turn back the Zombie Apocalypse!  Protect the town from the undead!  And pick off these freakish mutants before they pick on you.

The Zombie Sniper Patrol is a separate ride from the cost of your admission ($12.99).  While your standard admission ticket gets you unlimited access to four haunted houses and one haunted trail, you’ll need a separate ticket to join this elite hit squad.

I’m not a video gamer, not a huge fan of paintball, but this was a total blast and I can see loi12reviewwhere it could be addicting!  Overall, I have to say I was totally impressed with the entire expereince at Land of Illusion.  The “talent” are totally into their characters, the exhibits are elaborate and creative and I have to admit, my heartbeat was on high alert most of the night, and not just from the 3 miles we walked during the tour.

We didnt have time to stop by the Stage of Rage, which will be programmed with entertaiment nightly- bands, escape artists, magincians and more.  You can also grab a bite at the Creepy Cafe Concessions.

Admission Rates for LOI:

$34.99 – Friday and Saturday night  8pm -2am
$24.99 – Sunday night (October only) 8pm – 11:30pm – Middletown Haunted Trail closed on Sunday.

Fast Pass (optional)

$15.00 – Allows access to shorter, faster lines on all features including Zombie Sniper Patrol.

Parking is $5 per carload in the gravel lot.  Parking proceeds donated to the following non-profit organizations: Somerville Volunteer Fire Department, Madison Athletic Gro LOI may even have some openings for local nonprofit groups to work the parking lot as a fundraiser.  If you’ve got a group of 20 or more, you may want to contact them at (513) 423-9960 to schedule your group.  Directions to the land of evilness can be found here.

Special thanks to Nate, who held my hand through the scariest parts, Bryan, who screamed louder than anyone  and Jodi who squealed and jumped her way through the night with me!

owns and this season they’ve added The Voodoo Bayou Shanty and Club Zombie….along with

Sew Dayton Approaches First Anniversary Announcing New Location

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sewdayton_logoSEW DAYTON, another success of the Activated Spaces program, has announced it will be moving into a larger storefront in the Oregon District at  26 Wayne Avenue.  The new location resulted from a collaborative effort between Randy Handler, the previous lessee and Midtown Development Corp. The parties were brought together through the efforts of Mary Kathryn Burnside, owner of CLASH retail at 519 E. Fifth Street.

SEW DAYTON’s new location is only a few steps from PRESS COFFEE, which has been ranked in the top 10 independent coffee houses in the United States.

The location holds significant promise from a streetscape renovation of Wayne Avenue in 2014 and a strategic mixed-use development plan for the northeast corner of Fifth and Wayne in the near future. The storefront in the 100-year-old Schaefer building at the corner of Fifth Street and Wayne Avenue previously housed notable occupants including Otis Elevator Co., Fleishman Yeast Co., and Dayton Industrial Supply.

SEW DAYTON is a fun fabric shop, specializing in sewing instruction, fun fabrics and custom orders. Owners Tracy McElfresh and Jesy Anderson instruct sewing classes to all ages and skill levels.

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Owners Jesy Anderson (left) and Tracy McElfresh (right).

They will be celebrating their first anniversary at their current 15 E. Brown Street location on Sat, Sept 14th from 11am -8pm with giveaways and special discounts on patterns, fabrics and even a chance to pre-register for sewing classes for 10% off.  There will even be a visit from the Zombie Dogz food truck.

Sew Dayton carries fabric that cannot be found anywhere else in the Dayton area, focusing on small independent designers and companies. Sew Dayton also provides light alteration services. For more information visit; www.sewdayton.com or call 937-234-SEW8.

Dayton’s Newest Night Club Now Open: Riff Raff on the Canal

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riffIt’s been a long time coming, but for owner Mike Schmidt, the five years it’s taken to remodel the building, and wrestle with city  codes will be well worth it when he sees his Patterson Street Tavern filled with people enjoying the live blues music.

Mike credits his wife Bev for keeping him going when the rules and regulations of the zoning and the costs incurred to do things right became overwhelming. The bar is vintage, the original floor has been restored and Mike proudly calls his cook, Chef John Pope, the Pope of Riff Raff Village.  Just barely open, he’s already in competition for the best wings in town, up against longtime favorites Bunkers and Frickers according to DDNews Ken-yon Hardy.

Mike is quick to admit his food isn’t fancy, he calls it blue collar food, saying  it’s good and inexpensive.  The Tavern will offer burger baskets, ribs, sandwiches and of course wings.  No menu item is over $10.50.  And you can wash it down with $2 drafts specials every day.

Riff Raff Tavern on the Canal  will feature live music every Friday & Saturday without a cover charge, rb stoneexcept perhaps for some major special bookings.  The Hathaways are the featured opening band and Labor Day Weekend Nashville’s RB Stone will perform Fri & Sat night starting at 8pm.
Schmidt says he’s aligned himself with the Dayton Blues Society and plans to feature the best in local and regional blues and jazz.  But that’s not all- for football fans, starting Sept 8th, Sunday’s will be all about football, with the NFL Ticket allowing the bar to feature your favorite teams games.  As a Redskins fan I made need to be careful when Chef Pope’s Cowboys are playing, but hopefully by then the Sunday buffet they’ve planned will be the way to go.

The grand opening celebration for Riff R Raff Tavern on the Canal is this Friday night from 5-9pm.  You’ll be welcomed to the building, which is next to Southern Belle, by statues of the Blues Brothers.  Mike says he and his best friend from his Army days earned the nicknames Jake and Elwood, for their fun loving spirit and the pranks they used to pull.  He says that attitude is exactly what you’ll find at Riff Raff- great attitudes, fun and good times for all!

The hours of the tavern are still being worked out, but for now the plan is Wed – Sat, until football starts with lunches rolling out soon.  They’ll be open til midnight Wed & Thurs and til 2:30am on Fri & Sat.

 

 

 

 

 

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Experience Wheat Penny at their Sneak Peek For Charity!

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wheat penny

DaytonDining has partnered with the brand new
Wheat Penny Oven & Bar
to present a truly unique opportunity for you to have a sneak peek of this cool pizza-centric restaurant featuring rustic, creative dishes and a bar that serves up fresh, handmade cocktails-brought to you by the culinary-minded folks at Meadowlark Restaurant!

Wheat Penny is opening their door to local charities, to allow them a  fundraising opportunity while working with their new staff to perfect their service.  If you’d like the opportunity to attend one of these nights, you can contact the charity’s listed below:

Tickets are $35/person of which $25 is tax-deductible.  Guests will be able to order pizza an appetizer (like a salad or eggplant fritters) and a pizza entrée (you’ll have your choice of hhite, wheat or gluten free dough).  Guests will also receive a special Wheat Penny dessert treat.   Tea and Coke products are included.  There’s a 90% chance the liquor license will arrive by Tues/Wed, so guests should be able to buy cocktails as well.  Servers will drop checks and collect at the end of the meal (gives them register practice).

 

Wed, August 21st    Artemis Center
Leading the community in its commitment to end domestic violence
For reservations email

Thurs, August 22nd     SICSA Pet Adoption Center

A limited admission animal shelter which strives to place adoptable dogs and cats in loving homes.
For reservations email   Kira Petrykowski

 

Friday, August 23rd The  Food Bank
Leading the charge to relieve hunger for our Miami Valley Neighbors
Sold Out – email Ann Roberts to be put on the waiting list.

Please do not contact Wheat Penny- each charity has their own reservation list and Wheat Penny will not have any information on open spots.

Noodle Bowls debut at Tropical Smoothie Cafe

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 spicy noodlesNoodle Bowls  made their debut today and will be in all 6 Dayton Tropical Smoothie Cafés through October 27th.

Spicy Mongolian Steak Noodle Bowl (pictured here) is prepared with noodles, steak, green and red peppers, baby spinach, scallions, and sesame seeds topped with a delicious Mongolian barbeque sauce.

Thai Peanut Chicken Noodle Bowl is made with noodles, chicken, edamame, shredded carrots, baby spinach, scallions, and peanuts layered in a mouthwatering Thai peanut sauce.

Each noodle bowl is a reinforcement of Tropical Smoothie Café’s “Eat Better, Feel Better” mantra, where it’s believed that good food that’s good for you doesn’t have to sacrifice taste.  “We are introducing our noodle bowls at a time when consumers are ready to try something a little different in our cafes, but while also maintaining our firm belief that when you eat better, you feel better,” said Doug Ruggles, owner of Tropical Smoothie Café in Beavercreek and Fairborn. “We think our customers will love the wide variety of fresh vegetables and quality ingredients in each bowl.”
Here’s where you can find Tropical Smoothies in the Region:Tropical-Smoothie-Cafe
3195 Dayton-Xenia Road  Beavercreek, OH 45434
6241 Far Hills Avenue   Centerville, OH 45459

988 Miamisburg Centerville   Centerville, OH 45459

2307 Far Hills Ave.  Dayton, OH 45419

2642 Colonel Glenn Hwy.   Fairborn, OH 45324

6221 Old Troy Pike   Huber Heights, OH 45424

and there is one planned to open in Springfield soon.

 

Rusty Bucket Prepares For Remodel

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rustybucket Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern at the Dayton Mall  will begin a remodel to incorporate new design enhancements and an updated dining room. Rusty Bucket will be closed for business starting Monday, August 19 and will reopen on Saturday, September 7, beginning with lunch service.  A Grand Opening event will be held that day with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Crayons to Classrooms, an organization that provides school supplies at no cost to teachers of students in need.

 

The neighborhood gathering place will feature new wood tables and chairs in the dining room along with black leather booths and upgraded lighting. Additional design enhancements include, a “video wall” big-screen projection television, which can be used as one large screen or individual screens. At the bar, 12 additional draft handles will be added offering guests 24 draft beers to choose from. There will also be a new private dining room that will seat up to eight guests. Additionally, the patio will receive a makeover and will become an all-season space including heaters and a fireplace.

 

Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is located at 2812 Miamisburg Centerville Rd just outside the Dayton Mall and is open for lunch and dinner daily.  Rusty Bucket offers a kid’s menu, a gluten-free friendly menu, as well as Blue Plate Specials available all day, a weekday happy hour and daily drink specials featuring house made cocktails. Call-ahead seating is available by calling 937-436-2426.

 

 

Volunteers Wanted: A Special Wish, Bike Miami Valley & Garden Station

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volunteerVolunteering is the perfect way to feel connected to your community. The simple act of offering your skills and enthusiasm will positively impact the lives of others, as well as your own.  Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

Check out these groups looking for volunteers:

 

  • A Special Wish Foundation, the wish granting organization located in the Dayton 601135_10151341921313398_331282029_nregion, is looking for 25 volunteers to help with the 4th Annual Glow Fore Wishes night time golf scramble on Friday, August 23. The event is from 6 – 11PM at Community Golf Course. “Midnight” Breakfast Buffet provided. Call Mariesa Stock at 937-641-4263 if interested in helping

 

  • Bike Miami Valley is looking for a group to handle bike valet parking at Oktoberfest229483_153810538019141_3893354_a for Sunday, 29 September! Want to support cycling? Love beer? Here’s your chance! Bike Miami Valley encourages all local festivals to have bike valet parking – and Oktoberfest is out front! We need a group to provide people to handle bike valet parking – racks provided. You have a chance to set up a table, sell t-shirts, promote your organization – and get free admission (a $12 value) to Oktoberfest! Send an email  if interested!

 

  • Garden Station is looking for  some volunteers to help organize events for Urban 183242_10150090412812971_3773463_nNights on Friday, September 20th! Garden Station is transforming a two acre lot on the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Wayne Avenue that was vacant for more than 40 years into a vibrant art park and community garden.Who wants to help showcase Garden Station as one of the coolest spots in the city? Email if interested/

 

  • FilmDayton‘s 5th annual festival is coming  Aug 23-25th, headquartered at The filmdaytonfestNeon, and they  could use a few more volunteers to cover all the bases.   They need folks for set-up, ticket takers, greeters and odd jobs, too. Fill out the online form and volunteer for a shift – you get a free movie ticket out of the deal, too!

 

MostMetro will be updating these opportunities each week.  If your organization has a need for volunteers, email us your info and we’ll include you in the next update.