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Response to Mayor Leitzell’s Occupy Dayton Article

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(The following was submitted by Shawn Cassiman – a member of Occupy Dayton since its inception. She is involved in the education working group, the process and facilitation group, and others as the need arises and time allows.)

Reading Mayor Leitzell’s perspective on Occupy Dayton illustrates the nature of truth as partial (i.e. there are many truths) and contextual. My version of the truth bears some similarity to Mayor Leitzell’s, but not much. However, before I address the content, I would like to address the tone.

The Mayor begins his missive by describing “truths, half truths, and outright lies”  associated with the events that lead to Occupy Dayton leaving Dave Hall Plaza, and then declares his narrative the truth. He goes on to discuss his efforts to “educate” Occupy Dayton on local government and permitting processes, while referring to the “mostly” young people of the movement. In fact, as he may have noticed at the General Assembly meeting he attended, the average age of our members is probably somewhere in the mid-thirties. There are retired people, working professionals, students, working–class and under and unemployed people that identify with Occupy Dayton. Some of the youngest members of our group might be the “campers” that were arrested after not being given a chance to leave their location-despite claims otherwise.  It is unsurprising that campers would be young, since frequently young people are more willing and able to endure the physical conditions required by the camp experience. It is also unsurprising that many young people would be attracted to the Occupy movement, since we, as a society, have gone busily about the business of criminalizing youth. There are few safe spaces for young people to gather without drawing suspicion. It is no wonder that young people seek a space that offers them a sense of community and equal participation in decision-making when they have few other places to turn. However, to dismiss the movement as “mostly young people” serves distinct discursive purposes; it trivializes the experiences and contributions of young people, while continuing to perpetuate the stereotype of young people as dangerous.

It is true that Occupy Dayton did not apply for a permit. Perhaps Mayor Leitzell is unaware of the symbolism associated with this occupation movement? By eschewing the permit application in the process of occupation the movement draws attention to some of the very problems identified in the Occupy Wall Street Declaration such as the erosion of our rights, for instance, the right to peaceably assemble. The occupation also draws attention to the continued privatization of public space-the relationship between corporation and government. This is why many chants you might overhear at Occupy events include phrases such as, “Whose streets? Our streets!”  Ours. The people’s. Not the corporation’s.

The Mayor also condescendingly suggests that Occupy Dayton’s “complaint is with the federal government”. While I certainly agree that there is much to complain about in relation to the federal government, our local government must not attempt to absolve itself of responsibility to its citizens. Some of the same practices we might identify at the federal level certainly occur locally. In fact, after the campers voted to move to Dave Hall Plaza (at the suggestion of the DDP, City and County) in order to ease the minds of the public and not interfere with the “Grand Illumination”, they were then served, simultaneously, with two documents; 1) a ‘reminder’ of city park rules, and 2) a notice that the county was in the process of changing the ordinance on Courthouse Square in order to ban any activity between the hours of midnight and six am. The ACLU has registered a complaint as a result and had a representative in attendance at the second meeting of the County Commission dealing with this topic. Despite many people speaking out against the new regulations of Court House Square the vote passed unanimously in less than a minute. The erosion of rights is not only a federal problem. Occupy Dayton did not have an opportunity to move back to Courthouse Square. Perhaps you’ll pardon me for thinking that was the plan all along. As for “understanding the system”, I believe this sort of practice contributes all to well to our understanding of the system.

Harrigan’s 5k Wants You to Race or Volunteer

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The annual Harrigan’s 5k will take place on Sat, March 10, 2012. For some it’s a competitive timed race, for others it’s a walk with strollers, anyway you look at it, it’s a day  a fun day of exercise, food, and door prizes.  Participants are even encouraged to dress up in zany St. Patrick’s Day costumes!

For serious runners, the race features chip-based professional timing by Speedy Feet which is  state-of-the-art, and are vastly more accurate with virtually instant race results. Door prizes will be posted in the registration area while the race is being run, so be sure to check the board AFTER you finish to see if you have won.   Up and Running will award the fastest male runner and the fastest female runner each a pair of new running shoes.  Gold, silver, and almost-bronze for males and females in each age catergory: 9 and under; 10-14; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; … 65-69; 70 and up, PLUS top 3 overall and top Master.

Harrigan’s will open at 9:00 am to accommodate the runners before & after the race.  Technical running shirts for the first 150 runners to sign up- last we checked over 60 folks were already signed up!

 

Do you want to help out with the event? If so, send an email to  [email protected] and include  how many of you there are including name, phone #, and e-mail address for each and let them know  what your preferences are (see below) and who you want to work with (minimum of two volunteers per corner, for example). Volunteers are encouraged to come dressed up in costume in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day if you wish.

Here are are the Volunteer needs:

  • Parking: With over 1000 runners, getting all the cars directed to the available parking area is important. 4-6 volunteers are needed to direct traffic before the event starts. After the parking is finished, these volunteers will move to the finish line and help collect timing chips from the runners’ shoes right after they come through the gate. The traffic volunteers need to be available from ~7:30 – ~9:30, and the runners will be through the finish line not later than 11:30.
  • Corner teams at each turn on the course: Volunteers at each corner (a) make sure the runners stay on course; (b) cheer the runners & walkers and make them feel GREAT; (c) can present a banner or signage if your organization is interested in doing that; and (d) after the majority of runners/walkers have passed by, gently urge the slower ones to move to the sidewalk to open passage for auto traffic (the Course Marshall tells volunteers when the time comes to move onto the sidewalks). We have 20 corners, four of which are committed to our charities and a couple more to sponsors, and we need to volunteers for the rest.
  • We also have a water stop that needs to be staffed – 6 – 10 people.

Corner & water stop staff will meet with the responsible course personnel at 8:45, then move to their corners/water stop for a Course Marshall inspection beginning at 9:10. The event is over for all practical purposes by 11:30.

The event is a total blast, and Harrigan’s opens early for beer for those intereste

When: Saturday, March 10, 2012 – 9:30 start
Where: Harrigan’s Tavern, 4070 Marshall Rd, near the corner of Stroop and Marshall Road, Kettering, OH 45429. Harrigan’s plans to open at 9:00 a.m. and remain open after the run for runners’ warmth & fun.
On-line registration: www.speedy-feet.com available until midnight, Monday March 5th.
Mail-in registration: Send registration forms to: Harrigan’s 5k Race 1340 Laurelwood Road Kettering, OH 45409. Make checks payable to Harrigan’s 5k Race  – mail registrations must be received not later than Monday, March 5th to be processed for early packet pick-up.
Early packet pick-up Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before the race, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at: Up and Running 6123 Far Hills Ave Dayton, OH 45459 (937) 432-9210 http://www.upandrunningindayton.com/
Race day registration: Opens at 7:30 a.m. at Harrigan’s under the big tent.
Cost: $20.00 for registrations received by Monday before the race; $25.00 day of race
T-shirts: Technical shirts to the first 150 that register, and cotton shirts to the next 450 participants that register. The sizing on all shirts is Men’s sizing, so when you register please bear that in mind.
Contact us: [email protected]
Sponsors: Harrigan’s Tavern, Up and Running, The Bagel Cafe, Young’s Dairy, K&G Bike Center, and many more
Charities we support: Alzheimer’s Association of Dayton, United Rehabilitation Services of the Dayton Area, South Community (behavioral healthcare), and our local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Dignified Transfer

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Tonight I attended a Dignified Transfer at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. A Dignified Transfer is a ceremony that is conducted on the tarmac of an airfield, during which the bodies of fallen military members (aka Heroes) are transferred from a vehicle onto an aircraft for transport back to the United States. Though I served on active duty and spent time in “hostile territory,” I have never been closer to the truth about the mission of the military, nor the truth about war, than I was tonight. Tonight I witnessed firsthand what it means to serve one’s country.

Oddly, last night I was chatting with a friend online. He asked me if I had been to a building called “The Ark”—a large plywood structure that serves as the camp’s command center. I knew where it was, but had not been there. He said that I would find a Hall of Heroes in The Ark. This is a place where numerous photographs are displayed along the walls and hallways; the photographs depict fallen military members from US and foreign services, as well as civilians serving with the military, who were killed in action. My friend asked me to visit the photograph of one of his fallen Marine brothers. As I stared into the eyes of the young Marine in the photo and touched the frame, I knew that I could not begin to understand the sacrifice that he had made, nor the impact of his sacrifice on his family and friends. Though I am now a civilian, I rendered a hand salute in the silent hall, and I offered the unworthy sentiments that echoed in my heart. It was not the last time I would feel unworthy.

Five of my team members plus a young Marine piled into a vehicle that we affectionately call “HIMAR” and headed for the ceremony. We laughed and joked along the way, like we always do to pass the time, and to help alleviate the weight of living under such unusual circumstances. Oblivious to the deep dark and dusty haze, our minds far from the circumstances ahead, we crawled along at the mandated pace of twenty-four miles per hour, and I watched other vehicles join a procession that wound its way to the flight line.

We pulled to a stop in a parking area near the flight line and hopped out of the vehicle still laughing and joking. As we walked toward the entrance to the tarmac I noted a stillness and silence that lay just ahead of us. The silence descended like night soaking into us with the cold—slowly and deliberately. As we rounded the corner onto the tarmac everything changed. We no longer laughed and joked, rather we accepted the mantle that had descended and fell silent too.

Two long lines of people stretched from the edge of the tarmac to where we entered. Military members from all services and other countries, as well as government civilians and contractors, stood facing one another over a space of about thirty feet. Not a word was spoken, and every person stood with their feet shoulder-width apart, hands behind their backs, as if at the position of parade rest. Heads bobbed this way and that. Some faces held stoic expressions, while others showed curiosity about who was arriving. Some trucks passed through the procession. We shifted to allow more people to join our ranks. And then the lines began move.

People turned toward the tarmac and began to move forward haltingly. As we finally started onto the tarmac the two lines pushed together, and we snaked our way toward a C-130 transport aircraft that waited with the rear cargo hatch open pouring light onto the cold, hard cement. As we arrived we split off into two formations on either side of the cargo door and faced each other again, this time five or six ranks deep. As I looked over the shoulders of those in front of me and into the faces of those opposite our formation I saw expressions harden behind clouds of steamy breath. Every one of us was determined to honor our dead warriors—our heroes—with stoic pride befitting a warrior.

We stood for a long while in the cold. Everybody now stood stiffly at parade rest. Every head faced forward. Every eye looked straight ahead. I was no longer a civilian. I was a part of a military formation. We were rooted together in our cause as the seconds ticked past. The soldier in front of me shivered uncontrollably as he stood coatless, without gloves—his weapon slung over his shoulder. We waited.

A voice growled out, “Dee-tail…Ah-ten-TION!” Both formations snapped to attention in unison. The voice growled out again, “Paaah-rade…REST!” and both formations fell to parade rest with practiced ease. Another voice called out for prayer. Once again, in unison, every head was bowed.

“The Lord is my Sheppard; I shall not want,” the voice began. During the prayer the voice called out the names of the three airmen who had been killed in action:

Matthew Schwartz

Bryan Bell

Matthew Seidler

He did not call them by rank. He did not name their unit. He did not speak of their deeds. He said only their names. They were human beings, like us—it was the only thing that we had left in common with them.

Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz and his wife, Jennifer Schwartz

As the prayer ended I looked up. Over the shivering bodies and through the haze of breath I saw cold pale faces with eyes now soft. Each face showed now the compassion and sorrow that hung heavy on hearts beneath. Each body still stood tall and resolute, but the humanity of the moment infused each of our souls, as the cold bit into our fingers and faces. I wiggled my bare digits as I held back a tear that I felt was not mine to shed.

“DEE-TAIL…AH-TEN-TION!” the hardened voice growled out again, and we all snapped too like a massive machine

Ever so slowly the detail of six uniformed men stepped forward in carefully measured steps carrying their precious cargo. I could feel everybody in both formations straining to achieve proud, rigid form. These fallen heroes—these men—would be given every ounce of honor that could be squeezed from sinew and bone. Every thought in every head—every intension in every heart—was concentrated in holy unison on the cold body that passed, prone and flag covered, toward its destination on the plane, as if our united and resolute might could rekindle the warmth in that body.

The soldier in front of me shivered on.

Bryan Bell

“PREE-SENT…ARMS!” Without thought for my civilian status, my arm rose in defiance of any rules and in unison with every other right arm there. Every arm snapped and then rose slow and steady to the position of a proper hand salute. As the detail passed each row turned slowly toward the plane in order to follow the procession and maintain some sort of contact with the passing hero through the cold, dark night.

The detail reached their destination inside the plane. I tried to imagine this young man’s parents sitting at home only hours after learning of their son’s death. The detail turned and shuffled the casket into position. I attempted to picture the faces of his brothers and sisters as they wept for their lost sibling. The detail lowered the casket into place and stood slowly. I thought of my own children. I thought of the sea of eyes staring back at me in the Hall of Heroes and the young Marine who I passed a message to from his still living marine brother. The detail rendered a painfully slow hand salute. I thought of the cold, still body in the casket, and I wondered who he was. I felt thankful and selfish for the cold air in my lungs and the tingling in my fingers. The detail turned and exited the aircraft.

“ORDER…ARMS!” We dropped our salutes slowly and followed another command to face center. Two more times the detail passed. My mind went numb along with my fingers and face, and I watched the passing each time with sadness. My body lied about the truth of my soul as it followed each command without question. I honored the dead, but I also mourned them. I felt pride and shame all in a single moment.

And then it was over.

Matthew Seidler

We walked back to the car. Some people spoke in hushed tones as we moved across the tarmac. Voices raised in conversation as we left the flight line. Smiles and jokes returned to our mouths as we pulled away in the crowd of vehicles and headed onto the dust choked avenue. Our hearts and minds returned to us as we stepped out of the vehicle and walked back to the warmth of our work centers.

I looked at the young marine who had accompanied us. He had never said a word. I didn’t know his name, where he was from, or even what football team he liked. I wondered where he was going. I wondered what he would do tomorrow. I wondered if he ever went out on patrol. As we passed through the Entry Control Point the Marine walked off in another direction and left my vision—and my mind—like so many Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airman do every day when they leave home behind.

When do we remember them? When should we remember them?

(submitted by Chris Rowley – a resident of South Park in Dayton currently working in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor)

In With the New, Out With the Old (blue eyeshadow)

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If you’re anything like me, you love to collect make-up! Sometimes you buy things in a store and end up hardly using it. Or maybe you are waiting for the perfect time to wear that shade of red lipstick. Those ‘some days’ just may never come. We all do this and end up with a pile of makeup that we will never end up using.

Just as everything has a shelf life, so does make-up. Now is the perfect time to go through your make-up collection and see what has passed it’s expiration date or that is just not being used. Anything that has passed it’s date needs to be tossed. And anything that you aren’t using, go ahead and toss. More than likely, you won’t miss it! Be ruthless!

  • Foundation – You’ll need to check the ingredients on this. Anything water-based will last about 12 months. Oil-based can last up to 18 months. It can separate or dry up and it is hard to use at this point.

 

  • Eyeshadow – Powders: It’s good to replace every 2 years. Creams: It’s good to replace 9-12. Check for when they start to dry out.

 

  • Eye liner – This should be replaced every 2 years. It needs to be sharpened regularly.

 

  • Concealer – Up to 12 months.

 

  • Lipstick – It’s good to replace this every year as bacteria can collect and live on the stick. A change in the way it tastes or smells means to toss it!

 

  • Lip liner – This should be replaced every 2 years. It needs to be sharpened regularly.

 

  • Mascara – Up to 3 months. This is the product that will need to be tossed as soon as it dries out or at the 3 months mark.

 

  • Nail Polish – Up to 12 months or when it starts to get thick.

 

  • Powder – Up to 2 years.

 

  • Blush – Replace every 2 years. Cream blush needs to be replaced 9-12 months. Check for it being dried out.

 

Let’s face it! Professional makeup brushes are an investment.  And, like any other investment, we want a great return on that investment.  One of best ways to ensure that will happen is proper brush care. One of the best things you can do for your brushes is to clean them – regularly.  Clean them when they are first purchased and clean them on a regular basis to remove:                                                                                              

 

Old makeup
Dirt & debris
Bacteria
Oils
Dead skin cells

 

One of the greatest benefits to keeping your brushes clean is softness! Did you realize that makeup buildup, especially foundation, makes your brushes feel scratchy? If you have sensitive skin, cleaning your brushes regularly will help them stay soft and lush and your skin will thank you!

How often should you clean your brushes?  Ideally, everyday. But, who has time for that? So, here are a few guidelines:

Foundation Brushes – minimum once a week
Brushes used for finishing powders and bronzers – once a week
Blush Brushes – one a week
Eyeshadow Brushes – every 2-3 days
Eyeliner Brushes – after every use especially if you use an eyeliner sealant.

 

For those that suffer with acne, you will greatly benefit from keeping your foundation brushes clean at all times. To cut down on cleaning time, rotate brushes so you always have a fresh clean one to use.

How to clean your brushes:

First, you want to wet the hairs under the faucet with tepid to warm water with the hairs pointing downwards – this will help prevent any water getting in to the ferrule (metal part) or down in to the handle for brushes that don’t have ferrules.

Next you want to use a mild shampoo, liquid hand soap, pure castile soap or my favorite baby shampoo.  Squirt a little soap on your fingers and apply it to the hairs from ferrule to hair tips. Gently squeeze the hairs from ferrule to hair tips over and over adding a little water at a time.  Rinse and repeat until the water runs clear.  Make sure when you are rinsing to keep the brush hairs pointing down.

After your brushes have a good bath, brush them off a little on a clean paper towel and lay them to dry on their side on a paper towel or a regular towel. It is also a good idea to reshape the brush at this point in time to prevent splaying. Lay kabuki’s and any other stand-up brush on their side. Never leave them to dry brush hairs up in a brush holder.  The water can run down in to the ferrule and loosen the glue holding the brush together over time.

Lastly, let brushes dry completely before using.  Dry time will depend on size and brush density.

Keeping your brushes in good condition by washing frequently will provide you with years of beautiful makeup application!

 

Get Jazzed Up for Live Music, Art Exhibits and Ice Skating at First Friday

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Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6. Galleries and other venues throughout downtown will host art exhibit openings, live music and other special events. Restaurants, retail shops, bars and clubs, and other establishments throughout downtown also will be open. Click here for an up-to-date list of events.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

Art Exhibits and Events in the Central Arts District

• Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St.: Complimentary facials and nail polish changes, as well as a display of work by a local artist. Call 903-3165.

• Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St.: Live music by Emily & the Lost Cat Ramblers and Fox and Hounds at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. Call 461-9343.

• De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Coffee tasting from Stoney Creek Roasters and live jazz entertainment featuring Wade Baker and guest performers. Call 461-2233 for cost.

• RiverScape MetroPark, MetroParks Ice Rink, 111 E. Monument Ave: Ice skate from 5 to 9 p.m.; $5 includes admission and skate rental. The park’s concession will be open to purchase hot chocolate and more. Call 278-2607.

• Schuster Performing Arts Center, Second and Main streets: The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will present a concert in its classical series that includes works by Debussy and Brahms with guest artist William Wolfram, along with a piece titled “Rockwell Reflections” in which projected works by the American artist will accompany the music. A Take Note Talk begins at 7 p.m. prior to the 8 p.m. show. Call 228-3630 for tickets and cost.

Art Exhibits and Events in the Oregon Arts District


• Amore!, 16 Brown St.: Sip wine and nibble hors d’oeuvres while shopping for designer labels on re-sale and vintage clothing, accessories, jewelry, household items and one-of-a-kind gifts at affordable prices. Call 367-5941.

• Boulevard Haus, 328 E. Fifth St.: $1 off tap beer for those who mention First Friday. Call 824-2722.

• Color of Energy, 16 Brown St.: Works of abstract architectural photography by Larry Faulkner and the new Sedona collection of paintings by gallery owner Mike Elsass. Call 266-3491.

• Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave.: Opening performance of Heroes, the musings of three aging WWI French Army veterans; 8 p.m. Click here for tickets or call 278-5993.

• Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St.: $5 for a 6-ounce glass of red or white wine. Call 225-9463.

• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Live music and 20 percent off food for those who mention First Friday. Call 224-7822.

• Gallery 510 Fine Art, 508 E. Fifth St.: A selection of work by local artists and handmade items perfect for gift giving. Call 672-6717.

• Jimmy Modern, 605 E. Fifth St.: Showing work by more than 30 artists. Call 520-3782.

• The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St.: Call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times.

• Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St.: Live music by Mount Caramel and Andy Gabbard, together for one night only, at 8 p.m. The store will offer 10 percent off a purchase with a receipt from any Oregon Arts District business. Call 275-9949.

• Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St.: Tasting of a fair trade food, plus fair trade, slave-free and eco-friendly merchandise on sale at this satellite of the Dayton International Peace Museum’s store. Fair foods tasted will include Rumi and Nabali oil with bread from Rahn’s at the PNC 2nd St. Market, along with sun-dried tomatoes and Nabali olive tapenade. Call 367-7215.

• Press, 257 Wayne Ave.: One-year anniversary art show featuring work by local artists, a DJ and raffle; open until 11 p.m. Call 231-7107.
• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: Live music by The Fun Size at 9:30 p.m. Call 461-1101.

• Urban Krag, 125 Clay St.: Climbing gym open until 11 p.m. Call 224-5724.

• Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St.: Dow Thomas at 9 p.m.; tickets are $10. Call 224-5653.

• Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St.:  A variety of multi-media arts at the inaugural First Friday at Yellow Cab event from 7 to 11 p.m. Call 789-0591.

 

Art Exhibits and Events in the Cannery Arts District

 

• K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS, 510 E. Third St. (open from 6 to 9 p.m.): 2-D artwork by students from and graduates of Wright State University. Call 461-5149.

• Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St.: Serving dinner and dessert until 11 p.m., featuring new flavors of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and Esther Price hot chocolate, along with an exhibit of work by local artist Lea Wise-Surguy made from sugar paint specifically for viewing at Olive, and playing Rev Cool’s “Around the Fringe” radio show that airs on 91.3 WYSO-FM. Call 222-DIVE (3483).

(from Downtown Dayton Partnership)

Dayton Remembered – From Prague

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Emily Ochs Carlile

(the following was submitted by Emily Ochs Carlile – a Daytonian now living in Prague, Czech Republic)

I was born and raised in Dayton… Well, born at Kettering hospital and raised in Oakwood. But I am definitely a Dayton native. From minute one, I lived in Dayton all my life.

Then I moved to Prague, Czech Republic. It was a spontaneous move, but I have now been here for a little over 11 years and am raising my two sons (age 6 and 8 ) bilingually… Most people think because I live in Europe I have this exotic life, but I have to admit, things are pretty much the same, except completely different…

Apart from the obvious differences, such as language, culture, architecture, history… the first thing I missed when moving here were the American grocery stores. My first job when I was 15 was as a cashier at Dorothy Lane Market on Far Hills. Being a kid in Oakwood, it was the only grocery store I knew. But little did I know it was the most fabulous grocery store. Ever! I would have paid a million dollars for a Killer Brownie or some Chicken and Grape salad… and pecans! The unavailability of simple things (or what I thought were simple things) was unbelievable to me. I couldn’t find a pecan in the entire city. Peanut butter, no way. Luckily things have a changed a lot since 2000, but I promise you, when I visit Dayton the first place I go is DLM.

Then I head directly to The Pine Club. Still the best steak ever! Dave Hulme watched me grow up.  Saturday night was Pine Club burger night at our house. I had my first house account at age 22. They serve dinner until midnight. Perfection. And since they are kind enough to put a few of their yummies in jars, I am able to bring some House and Blue Cheese Dressings and Stewed Tomatoes back to Prague with me. Too bad I can’t bring the onion rings….

After finishing school at Oakwood and Wright State University, the next natural step for me was to move to the Oregon District. My mom moved from Oakwood to the OD when I graduated from high school, so for the first few years out of school, it became my hangout. I had my coffee at the Oregon Emporium, my pizza at the Oregon Express, the Trolley Stop still had build your own sandwiches, Feathers  filled my apartment with bric-a-brac, and I had a Goodwill wardrobe. Over the years I rented apartments, houses and half-doubles on Green St. (3 different places just on that street alone!), Hess St., and of course The Samu on 5th St. By age 20 I had a job at Gem City Records, and at 21, Pacchia (and I continued with jobs at Coco’s, Blue Moon and Jay’s Seafood), was a regular at the Southern Belle (the original one on the corner of Green and Brown), ate at Wimpy and went to the movies at The Neon… I’ve missed the past 11 years of the Oregon District morphing – luckily some things still remain – Urban Krag, Coco’s, Thai 9… I miss them ALL!!! Every time I visit, I look forward to seeing the new things developing in Dayton – 3rd St, Atta Girl Art + Gardens, Press, Riverscape…

But of course, what I miss the most are my family and friends… It can get lonely living abroad, but knowing that Dayton is always there, waiting patiently for my visit or return, eases the homesick blues … I have to admit, there isn’t much I don’t miss about good ol’ Dayton, Ohio. Regardless of where I am in the world, Dayton will always be my home. After all, it’s where my heart is.

 

Stivers School for the Arts Jazz Orchestra – Bound for NYC

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(from The Seedling Foundation)

The Stivers School for the Arts Jazz Orchestra is going to New York to perform at Lincoln Center as distinguished student artists with the New York City Jazz Festival.  The festival features the best of college jazz performers plus four selected high school ensembles, and as winners of the 2010 Berklee College of Music National High School Jazz Festival, Stivers was not required to audition for the spot on the New York City Jazz Festival lineup. Festival managers heard the Dayton group in Boston and extended the invitation.

Produced by Manhattan Concert Productions, the New York City Jazz Festival will feature Kurt Elling, the Grammy-winning male vocalist, and Bob Mintzer, multiple Grammy Award winner, composer, arranger and Yellowjackets big band leader. The Stivers Orchestra will participate in pre-performance workshops under the direction of  Festival Artistic Director Steve Zegree – internationally recognized as one of the most respected jazz conductors and active as a pianist, conductor and jazz clinician.

Benefit concert scheduled

The trip depends upon the orchestra raising funds for travel and registration. A benefit concert featuring the Stivers Jazz Orchestra is scheduled for 8:00pm on Saturday, January 21 at Stivers Centennial Hall. The concert will feature one of America’s finest jazz trumpeters, Derrick Gardner. Gardner, who travels with Harry Connick, Jr. and the Count Basie Orchestra, is a distinguished composer, arranger, performer and teacher.  For over 20 years Gardner has headed the Jazz Prophets, a distinguished sextet in the tradition of the funky, soulful jazz sound Cannonball Adderly and Horace Silver. Gardner has also performed with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

General admission tickets for the benefit concert are $10. They can be ordered online at www.theseedlings.org or by calling 937-546-1675. Patron tickets are available at $50. Patrons are invited to a pre-performance reception with Derrick Gardner and will receive reserved seating. Patron tickets qualify for a $25 tax deduction.

Stivers Jazz Orchestra director Claude Thomas said of the Festival invitation, “In September, the Stivers Jazz Orchestra was invited to perform at the New York City Jazz Festival at Lincoln Center’s Allen Room. The invitation followed years of national performances by our Jazz Orchestra at Boston’s Berklee High School Jazz Festival. We have competed at Berklee 3 times and won 3 times,  including 2011.  How do you get to Carnegie Hall? ….. practice. In the jazz world, you ask how do you get to Lincoln Center? The same way, plus playing for the Dayton community like in our January 21st concert to raise travel and registration funds. The Stivers Jazz Orchestra is one of only 4 high schools in the country invited to perform, an unbelievable opportunity and honor for theDayton community, our school and students, past and present who have worked so hard to make this invitation a reality.”

The concert is sponsored by the seedling Foundation, a 501 [c] [3] non-profit organization that supports arts programs at Stivers School for the Arts.

For more information call Bill Pflaum, 937-469-2662.

Dayton real estate 2012: Prognostications, trends, and silver linings.

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2011 brought some changes to the Dayton real estate market. These type of crystal ball posts are sometimes difficult to write because my business might be very different than another real estate agent’s business. Some of us specialize in condos, or foreclosures, or investment properties. There are agents who specialize in lease-to-own, or upscale, or new builds. I’m sharing the things I’ve noticed, but as always, talk to a real estate agent for your specific needs.

A few things to keep in mind if you are buying a home: some markets are being driven by foreclosures or short sales. One of trends that seems to be emerging among foreclosures or cosmetically flipped homes is that are being listed at below market prices which creates a bidding war. In other words, a home hits the market priced lower than other homes and within days there are multiple offers on the property. It’s a good strategy for a seller to get at or above asking price so be prepared if you are looking at foreclosures- you may need to act fast, and might end up paying full price or more to get the home you want. Now this isn’t horrible in and of itself as long as the price supports updates you will be making so don’t panic, but also don’t get sucked into more for a home than its worth. Know what the neighborhood will support.

Short sales are a different beast altogether and while the process for buying and selling short sales has improved over the past year, you should still expect that they could take months to close. However, because short sales account for a large percentage of homes on the market, it’s worth it to plan ahead and take them into consideration. In many communities, distressed properties are driving the market, so if sweat equity doesn’t bother you, this is a good market for you. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, there are a few loan options available for owner occupants who would prefer to finance any repairs or upgrades. Programs like the 203k financing require preparation, organization, and stick-to-it-tiveness on your part, but the repairs have to be made by contractors and professionals. These trends will continue for quite some time in this area as housing stock ages and becomes more distressed.

The other big trend this year is in rentals and seller financing. People need a place to live, and while interest rates have hit record lows and there are lots of homes on the market, if you can’t get a loan, you can’t get a loan. Enter seller financing like land contracts and lease-to-own, and a market for rentals. If you are considering being a landlord, this is a good time to do that, if you are a seller looking for a way to create a niche seller’s market within this broader buyer’s market, this is a remarkable time to do that.

Speaking of trends, I want to point out that a few weeks ago it was reported that National Association of Realtors (NAR) got it wrong:

“All the sales and inventory data that have been reported since January 2007 are being downwardly revised. Sales were weaker than people thought,” NAR spokesman Walter Malony told Reuters. “

If you’ve been paying attention to what is happening in your own neighborhood, this should not be news to you. There are few established neighborhoods in the Greater Dayton area which haven’t taken a hit the last 4 years in particular, but for a number of neighborhoods in Montgomery County, this has been going on for years as those neighborhoods have been bleeding population for decades. It’s supply and demand and I don’t see us picking up in population for awhile. Now, shrinking should no longer be confused with dying, but it is a trend and that’s what we are concerned with for this post. So expect inventory to stay up. Land banking and planned demolition will be part of life in the Miami Valley. Again, this may or may not be doom and gloom, but it is change.

Still, the NAR is the national organization that is tasked with representing its members and they have become one of the most important lobbying groups on K St. When the NAR talks, our elected officials pay attention, but that doesn’t mean you should. If you want to know what is going on in your community, ask a local real estate agent to pull the stats for a particular area, because for us the market talks and in order to serve our clients, we listen to the market, not the NAR.

One more possible trend to be aware of: Because the real estate market has changed, many agents have left the business, some numbers suggest as much as 40-50% and I see this as positive. It’s anecdotal I know, but it seems that those agents who are left are highly professional and some of the best I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and to me, this is good news for everyone.

All the best to the entire DaytonMostMetro.com family- editors, readers, contributors, and here’s to finding more silver linings in 2012!

 

‘Dayton ready to help greet 1932’

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Eighty years ago, the Dayton Daily News gave the following report as Daytonians weathering the Great Depression made plans to celebrate the New Year holiday. The “clarion blasts” and “owl cars” have passed along with the heyday of hotel parties and public dances, but it’s likely their great-grandchildren will also see “many whistles made wet as usual.”

Dayton ready to help greet 1932 new year

Many public and private parties arranged for annual event

A few more hours and Dayton residents will greet a new year.

Indications Thursday were that the event which comes with the ushering in of a new cycle will be observed about as usual, with the celebrants finding their pleasure during the later hours of the evening.

All of the uptown hotels were prepared to greet little 1932 in a big way, with dances holding forth in some of them and with reservations having been received for dinner parties which will last through midnight.

‘Gaiety and splendor’

At the Biltmore the custom which was established with the opening of that hotel will be pursued, that of holding a dance to which the public is invited. The management of the hotel reported Thursday that a large number of reservations have been made and that the usual scene of gaiety and splendor is expected to prevail.

At the Miami, the Van Cleve and Gibbons there will be no public dances held, although there were numerous reservations made for private parties. On the roof of the Miami a dinner party will be given by Oscar Pryor.

All of the uptown theaters have announced that special late shows will be given. Some of these will begin at 11 p.m., some at 11:30 p.m. and a few not until the magic hour has struck.

Hangovers, ’30s style

The greater portion of the reception to the new year in Dayton, however, will have its setting in private homes. With Friday, New Year’s, a holiday on which most factories, offices and stores will be closed, the celebrants will be privileged to enter into the spirit of the occasion without the dread of what must come the “morning after” when otherwise another workday would beckon.

There have been indications for the past week that the usual noisemaking devices again will be in evidence. Bells will ring, whistles sound their clarion blasts, pistols and cannon will be fired and the new year will be given the greeting common with age-old custom.

So much for discouraging drunk driving

The managements of some of the street railway companies were undecided during Thursday as to whether extended service would be given on their lines for benefit of the merrymakers. Definite announcement was made by the City Railway Co. that its latest cars would leave Third and Main sts. at the usual hour of 12:10 a.m. The Peoples Railway Co. was not certain whether owl cars would be operated and the same was true of Oakwood and Dayton Street. The last Peoples cars under regular schedule on the Main st., Valley and Cincinnati-Leo divisions leave the center of the city at 12:10 a.m. north and south. On the Oakwood line the last car departs from Third and Main sts., south at 12:34 a.m. and north, 12:10 a.m.

When dancing actually meant dancing

The various night and dinner (venues) have announced special (merri)ment at the midnight hour. These, like the hotels, have reported that they have made heavy reservations. In all of these places dancing will be the principal attraction of the evening, with floor shows prevailing in some of them.

There were no evidence, on the surface at least, of a scarcity of some of the liquid adjuncts which go with a New Year’s celebration. Reports were to the effect that, in spite of the current economic depression, demands have been in keeping with previous years since prohibition, with every indication that there will be as many whistles made wet as usual. With it, reports say, the quality will be improved over former years and at the lower prices which have prevailed for the past few months in Dayton.

Women Vs. Glitter-New Years Eve Guide

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It’s that time of year again when all things shiny are brought into stores. Like most of you I am similar to a ferret and will grab anything glittery and want it. There is so something so mezmorizing about all that color and shine but as we become women and not little girls there is a fine line on what it exceptable to put on our faces. I have been found guilty more than once of adding a little too much sparkle to my face but there is one time of year that it’s okay right??

New Years, that one day where we think we can throw glitter and sparkle everywhere and get away with it. Although you can be sparkly one must be careful not to over do it and age ourselves. Glitter is one of those things that if applied correctly can be super cute and if applied incorrectly can make you look like an extra out of Twilight. Relax I am here to give you some easy tips on how to wear it, keep it on, and look glam all night long. For those of us who are not going to be rocking the glitter this New Years I also have some looks for you to make you fabulously flawless.

So you’re feeling glam enough to wear some sparkle? I think many of us have had the unfortunate nights where we leave the house with beautiful glittery eyes only to go into the bathroom at a party and see a melted mess. This is a common problem that can leave you feeling less than pretty. There are lots of good products now that can prevent this makeup mess and better yet some are at your local drugstore!

Here are some simple tips for how to wear glitter:

  • Play With Placement “It’s really easy to go over the top with glitter, so experiment with how much and where you put on product,” says NYC makeup artist Tina Turnbow, “If you want to balance out a glittery  dress but still have fun with your eye makeup, keep shimmer to the center of the lid or inner corner of the eye.” We’re not the biggest fan of glittery lips for a New Years look, but if you love the effect, stick with rosy pinks or ruby reds and apply in the center bottom of the lip.
  • Experiment with Technique Glitter is known for fallout, but who wants sparkling cheeks? “There are many ways to keep glitter sticking onto the surface of your skin,” Tina says. “Lash glue gives something for the glitter to adhere to, and it’s perfectly eye safe since you already use it for false lashes.” For a quick stick, dab a bit of tacky lip gloss onto the center of the lid or the inner corner of the eye before patting on glitter with fingers. For bedazzled lashes, use clear mascara and stick glitter onto the lash tips.
    • Choose Color Wisely Just like any eye shadow, it’s important to find a color that complements your coloring and your outfit. “If you choose glittery and sparkle shades with matching undertones, it looks more organic on your skin,” says Tina. Cool skin tones tend to favor silvers, mauve pink, and navy glitters, while warm undertones like yellow, bronze, and white gold glitter. “Taupe, platinum, or opal glitter are the greatest colors if you’re stumped on what shade to choose,” Tina says. “The mix of warm and cool is universally flattering.
    • Use The Correct Brushes If you’re not using your fingers, you should stick to flat synthetic brushes for application. Taklon brushes made for concealer are the best and most affordable choice because they apply a concentrated amount of glitter with precision. Conversely, use a fluffy eye shadow brush like a MAC 224 for a sheer wash of sparkle on the lids, brow bone, and tops of cheekbones.
    • Clean Up Stray Shimmer What’s the best way to clean up glitter (whether there’s fallout on your cheeks or at the end of the night)? Scotch Magic tape. Gently press the tape on skin and when you peel it off, glitter will stick to it (and not your face). You must use the Magic type because it peels off more easily than typical tapes. Of course, if you’re dealing with the delicate eye area, make sure to do as much clean up with an eye makeup remover first, then fine tune with the Scotch tape, being extra careful to avoid the lashes.

 

Product Recommendations:

 

    • NYX Loose Glitter
    • Makeup Forever Glitters
    • Loreal High Pigment Shadows
    • LA Splash Loose Glitter
    • MAC High Pigment Loose Powder

 

 

Now for those of you that arent exactly thinking that glitter is for you; there are plently of options for a New Years glam look. I am personally going with purples and golds this year. If you are still thinking that you maybe want a natural look think about going for a brighter lip color. There are plently of all night wearing lip colors that will prevent you from constantly touching up and getting it all over. My personal favorite is Revlon Long Lasting lipcolors.

Purple is an easy color to build on such as this one in the picture. The drama is added with the winged liner and then the shades of pinks and purples are built on one another to give a dramatic effect. Purple is more versatile than you may think and works on nearly every eye color. For this particular look start with an eye shadow base (Clinique Touch base) then add an off white all over the lid (MAC Shroom) Next start building the pink all over the lid. (Any pink will do Dior makes a fab purple and pink palette) Once you get the pink all over to an almost sun kissed shade grab a medium shade purple and begin tapping around the arch of the eyelid. Start off light and build to your desired shade. If you mess up and make it too dark grab your off white and lighten it up. When mixing shades it is easy to blend things out and make them work. Finally line your eye with black liquid liner starting in the inner corner with the thinest point and gradually making the line fatter until you wing it out. Dont fear the liquid liner! Loreal and Lancome make artliners that are like felt tipped pens and are very easy to control. Finish off with some false lashes and mascara and there you have it!

 

So maybe glitter and purples are not your thing but you still want something different. I am a huge fan of the copper/brown smokey eye. It’s dramatic enough for evening, something we all have in our makeup bags, and doesnt make us look like a Jerseylicious extra. Again you are going to start with both your eyeshadow base and an off white shadow. Now this may scare some of you but pick your darkest brown and begin tapping on the eyelid and building the color. It looks scary in the case but it takes alot once you start tapping on the color to build it up. Also be sure a tap your brush in the sink before applying to your eye to avoid a messy face. Once you get the lid to your desired shade take the coppery medium shade and use on the arch of the eye. Be sure and blend into the dark to get the blended effect. Now to finalize the eye take either the off white or a white and apply from the arch up to the brow to finish it with a frosty look. Now the other great thing about this is that there is not any liner on the top but shadow on the bottom. Using the same technique with the dark brown use a q-tip or small brush to guide along the bottom of the eye to create an easy smokey look.

To finish up our New Years guide there is one thing I always hear from clients, “will this last all night?” The answer is, it can with the right product. There are two makeup sealers that I recommend and personally use. One is “Model in a Bottle” and the other is “Ben Nye Makeup Sealer” once you apply all your makeup, spray either of these all over your face to make your makeup last until the ball drops. I hope all of you have a fabulous New Years!! xoxo

 

 

 

THE NEON is Going Strong!

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Hello Everyone,

Things are really hoppin’ at THE NEON.  Yesterday (Monday) was busier than any day over the holiday weekend…and we have more than 60 people in the auditorium for MY WEEK WITH MARILYN as I write this note (for a Tuesday afternoon, that’s incredible).

As it stands, we’re going to hold steady next week with THE DESCENDANTS and MY WEEK WITH MARILYN.  On January 6, we plan to open TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY.  (Click each title to visit that film’s official site…and watch the trailers below.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHNXJ1K4yA’]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJygETCXpR8′]

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aco15ScXCwA’]

As we head into 2012, I’d like to thank you so much for your constant support of THE NEON.  We will end 2011 in the black, and it’s quite possible that it will be our best year ever (we didn’t think 2010 could be beat)…I’ll keep you posted.  Without your patronage and your positive word-of-mouth, we wouldn’t still be here.  Thank you so much!!

Wishing you a wonderful, fun & safe New Year’s!

We hope to see you soon at THE NEON,

Jonathan

 

SHOWTIMES for  Fri. December 30 – Thur. January 5:

THE DESCENDANTS (R) 1 Hrs 55 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:20, 9:45

Monday – Thursday:  2:40, 5:00, 7:20

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (R) 1 Hr 39 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday:  12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30

Monday – Thursday:  3:00, 5:10, 7:20

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.

Many of these dates will change.  In some cases, titles may disappear.

Jan. 6   TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY

Jan. 13   CARNAGE

Jan. 20   THE ARTIST

TBD   THE HEDGEHOG

TBD  SHAME

TBD   A DANGEROUS METHOD

Love146 Task Force in Dayton Co-Founder Elizabeth VanDine Needs Support

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Ending Modern Day Slavery

“The first time I really heard of human trafficking was back in 2008. My husband (boyfriend at the time) was about to be deployed for a tour in Iraq when he had to take a class on human trafficking. I began researching human trafficking and the more I learned, the more I knew I had to get involved. Human trafficking is modern day slavery that takes many forms (i.e. sexual exploitation, labor, or child soldiers) My heart breaks for each and every victim, but my passion is to bring an end to child sex trafficking. Specifically, domestic child sex trafficking. Many people are aware that forced sexual exploitation is prevalent in places like Thailand and Cambodia. However, very few people know the same slavery happens in their backyard. Ohio is currently ranking #5 in the nation for human trafficking, and had over 1,070 reported cases of child sex trafficking within its borders in 2010. I have seen the heartbreak and devastation such abuse causes, and will not just stand by and let it happen.”

In October if 2009 Elizabeth co-founded the Love146 Dayton Task Force. Love146 is an international non-profit that raises awareness and fights child sex trafficking through aftercare and prevention programs both here and abroad. The Dayton Task Force is a volunteer expression of Love146 that is committed to being an educated voice in our community, raising awareness and funds for Love146, and partnering with like-minded organizations.

Elizabeth currently a Psychology major at WSU. She plans to use my future degrees to continue the fight against child sex trafficking. Elizabeth was also names on of the Top 25 Women to Watch in Dayton, this past January by WiBN.

A Journey Towards Change: Love146 Partner Trip

In May of 2012, Elizabeth will be traveling to South East Asia with Love146 to gain firsthand knowledge and experience in fighting the epidemic of child sex trafficking abroad. Elizabeth and others will be traveling 3 countries in 9 days (Thailand, Cambodia, and The Philippines).The group will be involved in the Asia aftercare and prevention programs Love146 has established.

A STORY IN AFTERCARE from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

 

Elizabeth hopes to return from this trip better equipped to lead the members of the Dayton Task Force and implement such programs for domestic aftercare and prevention.

How You Can Help

Elizabeth needs to raise funds in order to make this trip a reality. If you would like to help sponsor this trip, please send cash or a check directly to the Love146 headquarters.

P.O. Box 8266

New Haven, CT 06530

Please be sure to include a note or an earmark on the check stating the donation is ‘Intended for Elizabeth Van Dine May Partner Trip’. All donations are tax deductible.

Get Involved

If you’re interested in learning more and getting behind the cause, Love146 Dayton Task Force meets the first Monday of every month at the Dayton campus of Indiana Wesleyan University ( 2912 Springboro West Road Dayton, OH 45439). Meetings run from 6:30pm-8pm and are open to the public.

 

 

 

Dayton Memories: Pat Kilbane

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In the fall of last year, I found myself back on Kingsridge Drive behind the Dayton Mall. I was on my way to pick up an order from Prime Digital Printing and glanced over at the property across the street from Max & Erma’s. What I saw caught me off guard; “This can’t be” I thought, “It’s a vacant lot.” Sure, nothing lasts forever, and sometimes progress means doing away with the old to make room for the new, but how could they tear down Jokers Comedy Café? It wasn’t just my home as a comedian; it was part of Dayton’s proud history.

I grew up in the Dayton area, and when I graduated from Beloit College in 1990, I returned to Centerville to live in my parents’ basement and pursue lofty dreams of a career in stand-up comedy. I had about seven minutes of rudimentary material and a lot of youthful enthusiasm, but what I didn’t have was the slightest clue where to begin. Like any genius with a newly minted bachelor’s degree, I grabbed the Yellow Pages and looked under “C” for “comedy.”

Moments later, I discovered that Jokers had an open mic night every Tuesday where beginning comics could try their stuff; and even better, the club was holding a contest called the “Jokers Comedy Joke-Off” where comedians could compete to win a contract with the largest booking agent in the Midwest. That would mean (gulp) road gigs and a fledgling career in show business.

It’s important to note, for those who don’t remember, that the late ‘80s and early ’90s were a boom time in the comedy industry. Stand-ups were getting lucrative network deals left and right, and those deals were meaning millions for people like Tim Allen and Roseanne Barr. It seemed that the sky was the limit, and thanks to the Jokers open mic night, such magical things felt entirely within reach.

We members of the open mic crew became a tight-knit group, mutually supportive and coursing with creativity. Mentored by local legend Dow Thomas (the open mic host), we wrote jokes together, laughed together, drank together, and traveled together to perform at the tough “one nighters” at bars and restaurants outside of town. Those were among our first paid gigs, again, made possible by the staff of Jokers.

Pat Kilbane's comedy head shot

I was lucky enough to win the Jokers Comedy Joke-Off in late summer of 1990, and as promised, I was awarded a contract with Louisville booking agent Tom Sobol. Mr. Sobol’s company later represented me in LA and landed me a theatrical agent, and that theatrical agent gave me a thrilling career in film and television. They always say in show business that if you are going to succeed, someone has to take a chance on you; someone has to give you the opportunity to try, fail, learn and grow. For me and a whole stable of young comics, Jokers Comedy Café was that someone – the first to let us jump up there and see what we could do.

In 1996 I appeared on the “Bizarro Jerry” episode of NBC’s #1 show “Seinfeld,” and it became a local news story in Dayton.[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnXOAWoNADw&feature=related’] I remember seeing the television field reporter standing in the rain in front of Jokers saying “This is where it all began…” Indeed. That might have been the proudest moment of my life. I felt like somehow I had made good for the comedy club I owed so much to.

Dayton has a rich comedy history, which includes natives such as Gordon Jump and the incomparable Jonathan Winters; I believe that Jokers Comedy Café also belongs in our comedy Hall of Fame. During a time of exciting revolution in the entertainment industry, Jokers gave a voice to an entire generation of young comedians and helped the Gem City hold its own.

Editors Note: DMM’s Lisa Grigsby owned Jokers Comedy Cafe.  Pat also is very modest above where he breezes by his career in film and television.  Best known for his three-year run on Fox’s “MADtv” (1995), Pat Kilbane made his mark on the show with outrageous physical comedy and uncanny celebrity impressions. Among his more memorable characters were Stan the Java Man, the shady Spishak spokesman, and the floppy superhero “Rubberman. Kilbane’s impressions are too numerous to list, but notably his mimicry of Howard Stern and Lyle Lovett fooled some viewers into believing that the stars actually appeared on the show.

After the expiration of his contract with “MADtv” , Kilbane was signed to a two-year deal with Dreamworks, during which he appeared in the movies Evolution  and EuroTrip , and on ABC’s hit show “Spin City”.  More recently, he appeared on My Name is Earl and Frank TV and in the movies Meet Dave, Day of the Dead and Semi-Pro.  Pat’s latest endeavor is promoting a book he  co-authored,  The Brain Eater’s Bible.

 

Read other posts in out Dayton Memories series:

Audrey Buckman
Jill Bishop

Dayton Remembered

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In our series of guest posts of Daytonian’s that have moved away, Jill Bishop shares her memories of Dayton.  A 1975 graduate from  Vandalia Butler High School, Jill got a Communications/English Lit degree from Wright State in 2001 and a Masters in Public Admin from UD in 2006. She worked for Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence as well as Dayton Public Radio/Classical 88.1 before moving to Arizona in 2010.

Even the spectacular butterscotch/fuchsia colored skies featured in the sunsets over the Tucson Mountains aren’t enough to make me forget my hometown of Dayton, Ohio. If I close my eyes and concentrate, I can still picture myself driving down Wayne Avenue, a major thoroughfare I traveled daily for years and years. It always felt like Wayne Ave was one of the main arteries that delivered me into the heartbeat of downtown Dayton where I worked and played for 35 years. I still vividly recall the major landmarks along the way….that awkward intersection at Wayne and Wilmington, Tanks, ‘scary’ Krogers, then on down to the lovely South Park and Oregon District neighborhoods where many of my friends have lived, or still do. Coco’s Bistro is another major anchor on that journey, and a place I spent many wonderful lunches and happy hours with friends.

Then there is The Oregon District…and Fifth Street. I could write an entire book about my adventures there over the years, but one place MUST be mentioned: The Oregon Express. Back in about 1990, a small group of passionate individuals (passionate about Friday happy hours) began what is still known as The Oregon Express Beer and Pizza Club. Countless happy hours were spent there, lifelong friendships forged, tons of free pizza consumed. We celebrated birthdays, held memorials, laughed, cried, and chewed on the major topics of the day along with their delicious free pizza.

I traded the aging, industrial Midwest grittiness and deciduous tree-lined streets for the desert, saguaros and adobe houses in October 2010 when I packed my cats into my Prius and left my lifelong home to settle into a new life in Tucson, Arizona. Dayton has a sweet, soulful, funky vibe of its own, including a rich history of innovation, invention, industry, aviation, and creativity. Think chili, burning leaves, aging railroad overpasses, Orville and Wilbur, Ohio Players. Now that I am away, I can more fully appreciate the nuances of Dayton. Joni had it right when she wrote “you don’t know what you got till it’s gone.” I now fondly think of Dayton as a green space filled with friendly, sincere, hard-working, creative people, much like I have found in Tucson. Green spaces are abundant thanks to MetroParks and water is abundant thanks to the major aquifer. There are the fun, must-attend classic annual events such as the Greek Festival, DAI’s Oktoberfest, Cityfolk Festival, the music festivals at Dave Hall Plaza, and many great events at Riverscape. I miss seeing the Dayton’s great Philharmonic Orchestra and Operas at the beautiful and acoustically perfect Schuster Center. I miss those wonderful Saturday mornings at 2nd Street Market wandering among the vendors, steaming coffee in hand, waving to folks I knew. I miss it all.

Then there are the sensory, memory experiences such as Canal Street Tavern on a bitterly cold winter night crowded into its cozy space listening to an amazing musical performance, waiting in line at Flying Pizza downtown, soaking in some steamy jazz at Gilly’s, earnestly pursuing through CD’s at Gem City Records (now Omega Records), helping my friends with shows on WYSO-FM with pledge drives, and working with the great staff at Classical 88.1 FM in the Metropolitan Arts Center where I could walk around and dial up a creative, energetic conversation with someone from another arts organization. I spent countless hours walking the beautiful gardens at Wegerzyn, riding the bike paths all around Dayton, and enjoying hikes in Yellow Springs.

While I am happily settled into my new home in Tucson, I miss many people, places, and things about Dayton. I miss the fall color, the music scene, downtown, and coffee shops, family and friends. I sometimes even miss the humidity. Dayton is “the funk capital” and I miss that soulful, Five Oaks feeling. Sometimes I even miss those blustery, overcast days where you just want to curl up and read a good book. But really, it’s the people I miss the most – because it’s the people who really make up a community. I miss seeing friends and acquaintances everywhere I go. I miss people around me who know my story. However, I have embarked on a new chapter and am writing a new story…..but Dayton and the people who live there will always be my heart home and I will look forward to visiting when I can. And… who knows, perhaps someday my Dayton roots will tug hard enough to pull me back.

Read the first entry in this series from Audrey Buckman

Lash Envy Part 2

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Lash dip? Lash extensions? What are all these crazy new lash products and why do you need them? I used to think people who did these kinds of things were crazy. I couldn’t imagine adding one more beauty procedure to my monthly budget. Then a close friend got extensions and they looked AMAZING! I was still on the fence about whether I could spend the money on something so frivolous but I least knew they looked great.

It was on a rainy lonely Thursday that I was reading my new Allure and found an article about this new product called “Crybaby” it was supposed to darken your lashes as well as make them fuller and longer. Sounded good to me and the price was right at 45.00 which didn’t seem to bad for something that would last 4 to 6 weeks. I found a salon in Cincinnati that offered the service and I made an appt. I was so excited to try this out all in the name of beauty research. When I went in the lady gave me the lecture on how to take care of them and whether I was a good candidate for them. Once I signed the paperwork she began applying the product. It felt like she was applying mascara then she would turn on a little fan and cure the lashes. The total time was around 45 minutes.  The result the lashes were noticeably darker and longer but looked more like doll lashes than real lashes.  It looked to me like someone had applied several coats of bad mascara on me. The lashes appeared clumpy, felt hard and were stiff to the touch. Not to be mistaken with “Lash dip” the “Crybaby” was a big no for me.

Here is what the website promotes:

Tints fade. Extensions fall out. Strip Lashes aren’t moisture-proof. And they’re often expensive and laborious to apply. If your salon or spa could offer a durable, longer-lasting, more affordable service to your clients, why wouldn’t you?

Cry Baby Semi-Permanent Mascara is a procedure that curls and coats lashes with our proprietary lash coating. This coating adds volume, length, curl and color to lashes, is 100% waterproof/ smear-proof and lasts two weeks, often longer. It’s ideal for active lifestyles as well as special events like weddings and vacations. Better still, it’s professionally applied by your technicians and can be offered at a fraction of the cost of extensions.

So now I had these creepy spider lashes and had no idea what to do. You cant remove it yourself so I had to make the decision…..I was going to get extensions. I had received an invite to the opening of a new lash spa in Springboro and decided to call them to discuss what had happened. To my amazement they were able to get me in that day and said they could remove my bad lash product. I was so excited I was going to bite bullet and get fabulous lashes! When I arrived the lady who would be working on my lashes took one look at my “Crybaby” mistake and said I wasn’t being silly they were bad. Not only were they bad to look at it had been applied wrong! So far this entire experience wasn’t making me feel good about lash products. Once my “Crybaby” was removed she started on my extensions. For those of you who are not familiar with extensions they are synthetic lashes applied to your individual lashes with medical grade glue. You can imagine how tedious it is for the technician. The lashes stay on 2 to 3 weeks and fall out with your normally lash shedding. My first set took around 2 hours to apply and the result…….FABULOUS!! I love love love them!! They look natural are easy to care for and on most days I don’t have to wear mascara at all. I go in for fills about every 2 weeks and I can honestly say that I am a customer for life.  The initial set will put you back about 200.00 and the fills run about 45.00 every two weeks.  For me it is totally worth it and I would rather have lashes than a mani/pedi any day.  When you look in the mirror you feel completely different and personally I feel like I can get away with a lot less makeup. They don’t feel itchy or like you are wearing anything on your eyes. However, if you are the type of person that picks at your lashes, is an extreme sweater, or cries often this may not be for you. All of the mentioned habits will make your lashes come out sooner. Also you will have to avoid all oil based makeup removers. If you can afford to do this for yourself it is worth every penny. There are several salons in the area offering the service but my personal recommendation is Enhance Spa and Lash Studio located in Springboro. They offer Xtreme Eyelash extensions as well as “Lash Dip” and revitalash products.

 

Here is what the Xtreme Lash site promotes:

 

Xtreme Eyelashes are made from synthetic strands which are applied on to a person’s natural lashes. The process is a meticulous one as it involves the attachment of the lashes one by one. An eyelash extension procedure can be as long as two hours, and this depends on the number of lashes to be applied and the expertise of the stylist.

Eyelash extensions by Xtreme Lashes are only done by accredited and certified hairstylists who have gone through the company’s hands-on lash extension training. All sales of the product are available from accredited health and beauty professionals, so you can only get the extensions from legitimate individuals who have been trained to do the procedure. Eyelash stylists are trained to design and style your lashes to meet your desire and needs.

Since the eyelash extensions are attached onto natural lashes, they also fall out when the natural hair does, which is typically after sixty days. There are refills that can be used every two to three weeks, which work to replenish the lashes that have fallen on a daily basis. Procedures should be done every two to three months to maintain the thickness and length of the lashes.

 

So you aren’t ready to commit to the lash extensions but you still want to try out something to glam up your lashes. There is still one more option, “Lash Dip” Unlike “Crybaby” this is not the clumpy sticky procedure that I described above. Although I have not personally had this procedure done I have seen it on several clients and it looks flawless. Lashes are full, dark, and above all glam! Once again I highly recommend Angie at the Enhance Spa and Lash Studio in Springboro to perform this service.

Here is what the website promises:

LashDip is an innovative cosmetic application that is poised to revolutionize the mascara industry. Imagine the freedom! “Dipping” your lashes just once allows you to wake up to and maintain gorgeous lashes for up to six weeks! No hassling with mascara. No makeup remover. No mess. No more raccoon eyes! Just gorgeous, beautifully sculpted, semi-permanent painted lashes when you wake up in the morning, through your exercise routine, and when you go to bed at night.

Low maintenance, high style – the modern woman’s answer to mascara.

Lush, full, dark, long lashes are the hottest trend on the beauty scene.LashDip is ideal for any woman who wears mascara but is tired of the high maintenance of daily application. Many of our clients are busy moms, executives who travel frequently, flight attendants, and athletes, all of whom have one thing in common – they want to look and feel their best 24/7.

Just dip and go.

Most women struggle daily with one or more mascara-related issues: smearing, running, clumping, flaking, application difficulty, sensitivity, not to mention the inconvenient time factor involved in daily application and re-application.Any woman who wants to feel confident, carefree and effortlessly beautiful around the clock is a candidate for LashDip.

It’s More than Mascara.

LashDip is more than your typical eyelash color formula – it goes beyond even the most perfect application of mascara to provide color and enhancement you don’t have to fight with.Mascara is a temporary application. Lash extensions are an appliance. LashDip is the future of lash enhancement.

So now now you have the good the bad and the wonderful of lash products. Depending on the type of person you are will depend on which product may work best for you. If you have any questions about any of the above treatments Angie at the Lash studio will be more than happy to provide you with more information about what will be best for you. Happy Holidays!!

 

Downtown Pops Up and Gets Activated

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Picking the perfect holiday present doesn’t have to induce panic. Gift giving can be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday season (I won’t even get into awkward confessions from your inebriated relatives). What kind of gift should it be? How much should you spend? Will the present-getter be upset you didn’t spend more? Or will he or she be angry if you did spend a lot and it winds up being inequitable in value to the gift you received? So much pressure! Santa makes it look easy since his recipients are typically under the age of 8. Toys? Yes. Socks? No. Done. For the rest of us, there’s Activated Spaces.

What started out as an art project to give downtown Dayton properties some jazz hands has entered its second phase: pop-up retail. “The ultimate goal of Activated Spaces is to bring new life and vibrancy to downtown Dayton,” says updayton cofounder Scott Murphy. “Pop-up shops offer the flexibility small business owners need in an atmosphere that will let them ‘test drive’ a location before committing to a longer-term lease.”

For the inaugural round, three shops were chosen from a list of applicants to put their merch up for sale in selected locations. Beaute Box, located at 116 W. Fifth St., specializes in high-end nail and spa services. Situated at 519 E. Fifth St. is PEACE on Fifth, the retail arm of the Dayton International Peace Museum offering certified slave-free, eco-friendly and fair-trade products. Comfort and Joy, 521 E. Fifth St., is a warm and fuzzy co-op of women whose handmade goods are said to “get you through the coldest winter night.”

The gift you give someone is necessarily reflective of your opinion of the person receiving the present. This year, avoid the shrink-wrapped basket of “deluxe” bath items and for goodness’ sake, put DOWN the Chia pet! Choose to purchase a lovingly hand-crafted item or personal service from a local business. “I take pleasure in knowing my products weren’t mass-produced from an assembly line or concocted in some Frankenstein laboratory,” says Comfort and Joy’s Evelyn Gordon, who creates scented Mason jar candles in her kitchen to sell at the pop-up on Fifth. “In a small business, products are driven not only by retail performance, but by direct feedback from customers. If someone asks me to modify the scent of a candle—maybe add a hint of cinnamon or cloves—I can do that and come back with new, customer-driven products the next day.”

Matching local businesses with vacant storefronts, overseeing the placement process, outfitting each space with signage and décor, supporting marketing needs and helping small business owners navigate the retail industry is no small order, especially for a group of volunteers representing a variety of industries and professional backgrounds. “We are fortunate to have a good group of passionate people who care about seeing downtown succeed,” says entertainment purveyor Jay Nigro, a Generation Dayton member coordinating pop-up retail efforts. “Research shows time and again that spending money locally—purchasing goods and services from locally owned businesses—keeps that money circulating in a community. That money gets invested in schools, nonprofit groups and feeds into the tax base. Buying local helps create and support jobs and education right here in the Miami Valley.”

Taking advantage of the “try-before-you-buy” lease options Activated Spaces offers gives small business owners like Lisa Scott the opportunity to see how a location will work before committing to a longer-term lease. “Activated Spaces is a great way to get started in operating your own business,” the Beaute Box owner says. “You never know how a relationship will work out with a property owner if you’re leasing, or if your location will get the traffic you think it will until you get in a space, and I’m glad Activated Spaces offers this option to ‘test drive’ my location before I sign a long-term lease.”

“We are encouraging people to do all or part of their holiday shopping at our store instead of buying products from large companies who exploit workers,” explains PEACE’s Abigail Reed. “Our products are certified fair trade; they only come from companies that comply with the nine principals of fair trade.”

So no matter what kind of gift, large or small, take the stress out of holiday shopping and remember to buy local this holiday season. Your purchase of a handcrafted item undoubtedly will make the season merry and bright for your recipient and the families of the local merchants and artisans. Revitalizing the local economy is the gift that keeps on giving, unlike a leopard-print Snuggie.