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Hamming it up

Leo DeLuca — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:00:24 +0000

Ham radio’s Hamvention invades Dayton

By Leo DeLuca

photo: Examining the tools of the trade: the biggest amatuer radio event in the world, Dayton Hamvention takes place at Hara Arena May 17-19

Dayton Hamvention celebrates its 62nd anniversary at Hara Arena May 17, 18 and 19. The long-running amateur (ham) radio convention got its start in the Gem City back in 1952 and has since become the largest in the world. Amateur radio operators (hams) travel from all corners of the globe to participate in the historic event.

While much of ham radio revolves around recreation, the pastime can also be a very serious endeavor. According to Dayton Hamvention Committee Member Henry Ruminski, “Hams are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and participate in a variety of radio activities. While much of it may be for personal enjoyment, such as talking to someone in a distant country or to another ham traveling through the area, it also has a serious side. It is called the ‘Amateur Radio Service’ because hams provide important emergency communications when other systems fail or are loaded during a crisis. When all else fails, amateur radio can get the message through.”

In fact, ham radio has come to the rescue during many of our nation’s gravest emergencies. Ruminski noted, “When cell phone systems crashed on 9/11, hams stepped in to provide communication. They also provided vital life-and-death capabilities until systems could be rebuilt after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma destroyed other communications. To prepare for real emergencies, many hams provide communication to a variety of public service activities such as races, walks, parades – any event where trained communicators are needed to ensure vital information is passed quickly and efficiently.

“However, most of the time, the 700,000 amateur radio operators in the United States are just enjoying their pastime, transmitting voice, data and pictures through the air without depending on commercial systems,” Ruminski added.

The Dayton Hamvention is the prominent avenue by which hams can enjoy their pastime. I had the chance to conduct a more extensive interview with Dayton Hamvention Committee Member Henry Ruminski in anticipation of the event.

How long has the Dayton Hamvention been the world’s largest amateur radio gathering?

Hamvention may have been the largest amateur radio gathering from the beginning. It definitely has been the largest for the last 40 years or so. – Henry Ruminski

Were there other ham radio conventions before Hamvention?

There were hamfests before the Dayton Hamvention. However, none gained the size and reputation of Hamvention. -HR

Dayton’s John Willig had the idea for a Ham Radio Convention in 1950, but was turned down by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA). It wasn’t until Frank Schwab was elected President in 1952 that the convention got off the ground. Do you know why there was apprehension about starting the Dayton Hamvention (then called the Southwestern Ohio Ham-vention)?

There was hesitation because some wondered if enough people would attend to cover the costs. -HR

Are any of Hamvention’s founders or first attendees still involved?

I do not believe any of the original founders are still around, but Ron Moorefield, W8ILC, who is on this year’s committee, has attended every one and been actively involved for many years. -HR

This year’s theme is “DX Hamvention.” Can you elaborate on what that means?

“DX” is a symbol that refers to the distant contact. A Dayton ham talking to someone in Australia would be “working DX.” The 2013 theme, “DX Hamvention” reflects this important part of ham radio. “Hamvention is often an important DX destination for amateurs from all over the globe. Working DX is often a mix of magic, conditions and the diligent application of radio theory,” according to Charles Kaiser, KD8JZR, general chairman for the event. Kaiser noted that many attendees return each year to Dayton to meet other hams they have talked to on the radio. “The quest for that distant contact advances amateur radio on many levels so the Hamvention team is honoring DX in all of its forms this year,” Kaiser said. -HR

What’s the farthest you’ve seen someone travel to be part of Dayton Hamvention?

We have had people from Australia, China, New Zealand, India, Japan, etc. -HR

In addition to hobby, ham radio can also be used during emergency situations, when regular communication channels fail? Have you ever had to use ham radio during an emergency? If not, do you have any uplifting stories regarding the employment of ham radio during emergencies?

I personally have only participated in “minor” emergencies such as the ice storm that blacked out most of eastern Ohio 25 years ago. Hams rode along with the emergency crews from outside the area who could not communicate with each other. Hams ensured that all crews were clear before an attempt was made to restore power. -HR

Do you have anything else you would like to add about Dayton Hamvention 2013?

Sales of flea market, inside exhibit spaces and advance tickets are running ahead of last year. The 400+ volunteers are working hard to provide our visitors with another pleasant Hamvention experience. -HR

The 62nd Annual Dayton Hamvention takes place May 17, 18 and 19 at Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Rd. For more information, please visit hamvention.org

Reach DCP freelance writer Leo DeLuca at LeoDeLuca@DaytonCityPaper.com

An old-fashioned rumble for charity

Mark Luedtke — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:30:14 +0000

Knockout Dayton comes back to Memorial Hall for round two

By Mark Luedtke

Photo: 2013 Knockout Dayton fighters training at Drake’s Downtown Gym; photo credit: Mark Luedtke

Boxing swings back into Memorial Hall with the presentation of Knockout Dayton by Drake’s Downtown Gym and Dayton History. This is the second year for the event, and it promises to be even more entertaining than the last. John Drake, owner and president of Drake’s Gym, describes what visitors can expect at the event, “They’ll come into a very cool venue at Memorial Hall, and we’ll have beer, wine, liquor and food. Before the fights, there will be a bar set up in the orchestra pit along with a betting window. The betting window is essentially a donation to Dayton History.”

There will be no real betting on the fights, nor will there be winners and losers. The fights are all exhibition fights, for entertainment purposes only.

Last year’s fighters put on a great show, but Drake is even more impressed with this year’s fighters, “Everybody in this group is doing real well. What we have this year is more experienced people. There’s far more people who have been here. This year we have more people who went to the gym. They went to the event last year or they volunteered at the event, loved it and I had people tell me the next day to sign them up. They wanted to do it. So they’ve trained longer.”

Drake trains all the fighters and he puts them through a serious regimen. The fighters started training in December, but that training was spotty because of the standard distractions of the holiday season. Some fighters trained more than others, but beginning in January, Drake introduced a more regular schedule, “In January, we started having scheduled workouts Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. And then the second week in January they started throwing punches at each other. We have the red corner team working together and the blue corner team trains together and we build some camaraderie within the teams. It’s pretty cool. We have a good energy in the gym when everybody’s training.”

Terry Saylor recently retired as a Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff. The author watched Drake train him at Drake’s old-school gym. The workout went from cardio training on the treadmill to speed and accuracy drills in the ring with Drake. Saylor worked on the heavy bag next, then circled the gym doing lunges. He finished with several sets of sit-ups. Most of the exercises were timed to coincide with the length of a round and the rest period between rounds. Fighters can chose their round time: either one minute, 90 seconds or two minutes. Saylor was training for two-minute rounds.

Saylor was impressed with his workout and he knows a thing or two about training, “I’m a challenge-driven personality. For example, in October I ran two marathons.” He has trained with Drake a couple of years and he wanted to take his boxing training to the next level by fighting in the Knockout exhibition. Saylor compared boxing to the difficulty of running a marathon, “It’s right up there. It’s different though. You’re going against yourself in a marathon. In the ring you’re going against another person.”

Drake believes all the training and experience of this group of fighters will produce competitive, entertaining fights because boxing builds people’s constitutions and this event puts them on display. “People don’t know how much they can take. We’re not often tested like this. I’m really proud of everybody who does this. Anybody who steps in and wants to spar and wants to experience it, I think they rock because, number one, they’re willing to risk looking silly or getting punched in the face.”

But the fighters aren’t the only attraction at the event. Memorial Hall is an attraction in itself. Memorial Hall was dedicated in 1910 as a memorial for local veterans of the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. During boxing’s heyday through the 1940s, Memorial Hall hosted boxing nearly every Friday night. The Knockout promoters chose a Speakeasy theme to celebrate that history and Memorial Hall will be decorated appropriately.

One of the inspirations for the Speakeasy theme is a famous 1924 photograph of Gene Tunney in the ring with Jack Dempsey at Memorial Hall. Dempsey, the most famous athlete in the world, was fighting a five round exhibition against two opponents. Tunney met Dempsey to set up a fight.

Tunney ended up defeating Dempsey twice. The Dayton Herald wired Memorial Hall with radio speakers for the rematch in 1927. One reporter described the broadcast, “For the more recent Dempsey-Tunney bout, also broadcast by Major White, the Dayton Herald, of Dayton, Ohio, arranged a party in Memorial Hall of that city, and invited the public to hear the announcements, blow by blow. The hall was filled and reports have it that the impersonal loud speakers, giving forth the details of the fight, 800 miles away, held the crowd tense.”

Knockout Dayton takes place on Saturday, March 2, at Memorial Hall, 125 E. First St. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Doors at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit knockoutdayton.com.

Reach DCP freelance writer Mark Luedtke at MarkLuedtke@daytoncitypaper.com

One

Gary Spencer — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:30:44 +0000

Rockstar Pro Arena celebrates its first year of independent wrestling

By Gary Spencer

Photo: Ron Mathis versus Benjamin Kimera at Rockstar Pro Arena; photo credit: Shane Bucher

We all have dreams as kids as to what we want to be when we grow up. Some want to be doctors, some want to be firefighters, some want to be teachers. As a child, I wanted to become a professional wrestler. While it never materialized for myself, a few of my peers have not only become pro wrestlers, they’ve founded their own wrestling promotion that has been extremely successful in a very short period of time. This coming Friday marks Rockstar Pro Wrestling’s one-year anniversary. While it was years in the making for organizers Gee Gee Bradley and Chadwick Parker, they never gave up on their aspirations and eventually the time was right to pursue their own pro wrestling dreams.

“My longtime friend and fellow concert promoter C.W. Scott (Parker) and I had started training to become pro wrestlers,” said Bradley. “We trained for a while under WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose. Ambrose’s career was taking off so training became sporadic. (He) suggested we hook up with his trainer Cody Hawk. With our years of experience promoting concerts, we approached him and said, ‘If you train us, we’ll help you run shows.’ We found a warehouse in the Oregon District and trained ‘Rocky IV’-style in the freezing cold! No water, no heat! Then we started throwing events at Aquarius – pro wrestling with live rock bands playing at intermission. After a series of successful shows, including being part of the Oregon District’s Hauntfest on Fifth and even taking it to Chicago, we decided to launch our own promotion – Rockstar Pro Wrestling was born.”

But in order for Rockstar Pro Wrestling (RPW) to become a tangible entity, Bradley and Parker wanted to find a place to put on their events that they could call their own. “We wanted to find a building to use as our home base,” Bradley said. “C.W. teamed with the Downtown Dayton Partnership to find a huge building on (East) Third Street near Keowee. It was easy to find with plenty of parking.”

With the Rockstar Pro Arena secured, Bradley and Parker set up their ring, recruited other local wrestlers and started having weekly live wrestling shows on Wednesday nights beginning in February 2012. Shortly thereafter, RPW launched its own Youtube channel and began producing their Internet series called “Amped,” featuring footage filmed at the promotion’s live events that can also be seen on DATV every Tuesday at 6 p.m. With television exposure, strategic promotion and word of mouth, RPW built a sizeable fan base and soon was able to expand with special weekend wrestling events, as well as hosting nationally touring punk and metal concerts at their venue. Additionally, and perhaps most impressively, Rockstar Pro has been able to attract internationally known wrestling stars such as Mick Foley, Jimmy Wang Yang, Shark Boy and Nigel McGuinness to come perform alongside its homegrown roster of skilled and eager wrestlers. And if that wasn’t enough to accomplish in just one year’s time, Rockstar Pro has its own wrestling school where both men and women are encouraged to come learn the craft of professional wrestling.

“A lot of the top wrestling talent in the country has contacted us about wrestling for Rockstar Pro,” Bradley said. “What sets Rockstar Pro apart is the high-standards we hold ourselves to. Our head trainer Cody Hawk demands the best. Several of our wrestlers have been ranked among the best in the world by Pro Wrestling Illustrated and are known on a national, and even international, level.”

With such a prosperous first year under its collective championship belt, RPW will be celebrating its first anniversary with a very special event this coming Friday, Feb. 8 at the Rockstar Pro Arena. “The anniversary show is built around the Best of 2012 Awards as voted on by the Rockstar Nation,” explained Bradley. “Fans vote on our Facebook page for their picks for Wrestler of the Year, Match of the Year, Feud of the Year, etc. Plus, of course, there will be an action-packed card of matches featuring all the Rockstar Pros.”

With one year of Rockstar Pro Wrestling in the books, Bradley and Parker are making plans for growing their audience outside of the Miami Valley by getting their TV show aired in outside markets and taking their wrestling show on the road. In the meantime, Bradley is happy with RPW as it exists today and is proud of its ability to entertain both hardcore wrestling fans and newcomers alike.

“It’s family-friendly – you can bring the kids and we sell concessions,” Bradley said. “I’ve had friends that aren’t wrestling fans but once they’re in the building and the action is only a few feet away, they get sucked in! Girls like seeing buff, shirtless dudes in spandex and guys like seeing people getting hit in the face with steel chairs. Give it a chance, I promise you will be entertained!”

Rockstar Pro Wrestling presents “ONE: The One Year Anniversary of Rockstar Pro Arena” this coming Friday, Feb. 8 at the Rockstar Pro Arena, 1106 E. Third St. Tickets are $7 at the door and the show is all ages. Doors open at 7pm, bell time at 7:30pm. For more information please visit rockstarprowrestling.com.

Reach DCP freelance writer Gary Spencer at GarySpencer@daytoncitypaper.com

Ain’t that tough enough?

Mark Luedtke — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:30:44 +0000

The Original Toughman Contest returns to Hara Arena

By Mark Luedtke

The Original Toughman Contest swings back into Dayton’s Hara Arena Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19. The Toughman Contest is exactly what it sounds like: two contestants get in a ring and slug it out until one wins a decision or knocks out his opponent. The winners advance to fight again until one fighter is crowned champion. And this contest is not just for tough men. It’s for tough women as well. This is an opportunity for the toughest people in Dayton to get in a ring and prove their toughness to their family, friends and the entire city and take home a portion of the almost $3,000 in prize money.

Promoter Stephen Coppler has worked for Toughman since he graduated college. He traveled the world for 16 years with Toughman and boxing star Butterbean, who got his start in Toughman. Coppler explained why Toughman is a Dayton tradition: “[Toughman in Dayton] started in 1979, and this will be the 35th event held at Hara. We have sons and grandsons of former fighters competing.” To celebrate this event, ten former local champions from Dayton, Springfield, Middletown, Eaton and Richmond, Ind. will attend the fights on Saturday.

Coppler described what spectators can expect at the show: “Fans can expect the most action-packed entertainment experience they will ever see live. With three one-minute rounds, the fighters don’t have time to dance. Toughmen go straight forward. We bill the event as a great competition, like in the Wild West or gladiator days, man versus man, who is the Toughest in Town!” Not to mention the ring girls.

But Coppler pointed out the event isn’t just for adults, “It is definitely a family event as younger siblings of the fighters, mom, dad and grandma and grandpa come along with co-workers to support their favorite fighters. With fighters wearing 16-ounce gloves and headgear, there is little blood, and the State of Ohio Athletic Commission provides doctors and all officials to oversee the event. The Toughman Contest is basically ‘Golden Gloves for grown-ups’ and is designed to give the armchair athlete a chance to test himself or herself in a boxing ring.”

Toughman was started in 1979, and over 100,000 contestants have fought in the contest. Almost one-third of all boxing matches in the U.S. are Toughman fights. And because of the equipment supplied by Toughman, rules and professional staff, the organization boasts the best safety record in boxing. Coppler explained why: “Toughman uses shorter rounds, bigger gloves, headgear and groin and kidney protectors. State of Ohio doctors conduct pre-fight and post-fight physicals and do drug testing. Toughman has been safer than pro boxing and amateur boxing over the same time. Just like high school football, auto racing and even cheerleading, Toughman is a contact sport, however we, along with the state, do everything to make it safe by utilizing the best officials and rigid rules.”

According to Coppler, profession is no limitation: “Fighters come from all walks of life, including police officers, firemen, teachers, bar bouncers, farm boys, etc. The fights are very competitive with, as we often say, not who can throw a punch, but who can take a punch. Some nights there are plenty of knockouts, and some nights most of the fights are decided by the judges.” Judges score fights based on boxing’s 10-point must system.

However, there are limits to who can compete. Contestants must be between 18 and 35 years old, inclusive and in good health. Those over 35 can request special consideration. Anyone who has won five or more amateur fights in the last five years cannot compete. Anyone who has ever fought professionally cannot compete. Previous champions can only compete against other champions.

Toughman has launched many professional careers besides Butterbean’s. Promoter Jim Morris told a story about the most famous Toughman alumni: “Mr. T came to Dayton to help promote the event and we had a little time, so we went to Dayton Children’s Hospital. At that time he was very famous from the “Rocky” movie and the TV show “The A-Team.” Mr. T met with the kids that were able to come to a meeting room. He gave pep talks and signed autographs. There was one young man – maybe 5 or 6 years old, very smart but very sick with cancer – who would not leave Mr. T alone. He asked question after question and tugged at his pant legs. Finally Mr. T put one of his chains around the boy’s neck and put him on his shoulder and went room to room. We stayed for five hours. We did not leave until he went to every room in that hospital.”

Morris described a public service announcement Mr. T recorded for the hospital: “‘I pity the fool who does not help these kids. Dig deep and dig now,’ he said. It was very powerful to see this grown man with tears running down his cheek, a huge TV star, pleading with folks to help these sick kids.”

Maybe this event will launch another career. As of this writing, the promoters are still taking applications for fighters. One woman, Anna Stevens, has signed up. She plans to use her MMA skills to win prize money to make an album, so she’s looking for competitors.

The Original Toughman contest takes place Jan. 18-19 at Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Rd. Fights begin at 8 p.m. both nights. For registration and ticket information, call 937.278.4776 or visit haracomplex.com.

Reach DCP freelance writer Mark Luedtke at MarkLuedtke@daytoncitypaper.com

The pleasures and pain of non-pornographic porn

Jennifer Hanauer Lumpkin — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:30:30 +0000

By Jennifer Hanauer Lumpkin

A San Francisco blogger recently hired a woman to slap him every time he veered off track and headed for social media sites such as Facebook (I can empathize; this article would have been in last week’s issue if not for Buzzfeed, that fiendish hoarder of all things interesting). There was once a time when the only thing on the computer screen that a distracted office employee was trying to hide from their manager was a thwarted game of solitaire. Now desk-jockeys are positively inundated with a glut of virtual distractions, a new genre of which is being called Non-Pornographic Porn (NPP).

NPP is not meant to sexually excite. It is merely an image meant to arouse a quick and intense emotional reaction. These images are popping up all over people’s weapon of choice, be it Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest or any other of the myriad social networking sites. The rage seemed to start with food, images of a masterfully put together meal that someone was exceptionally proud of or a delicately ornate dessert that someone was treated to on a special occasion. Then came the deluge of indulgent imagery. The breathtaking landscapes, the mind-boggling breakthroughs in technology, the vintage finds, basically every image that screams, “I can make you want to be a part of this!” And hours, consequently days and weeks, have been lost in our complete surrender to these stimulating visuals.

Ask around any international watering hole, and you’ll soon find out that the rest of the world sees Americans as somewhat … repressed. Perhaps stemming from our puritanical heritage, when the Pilgrims arrived in a flurry of sensibly-dyed wool and pragmatic footwear, this part of the world has seemed a bit buttoned-up when it comes to all things involving pleasure.

Has this perhaps resulted in a swing toward excess, a hyper-sensationalizing of everything we can get our hands and eyes on, intemperance for all consumables? Or are we merely appreciating the beauty and bounty of the earth, celebrating the triumphs of humanity and basking in the glow of wonderment that comes from witnessing the truly remarkable? Or is it really as simple as straight up procrastination? In the opinion of a member of the clergy whom I know personally (and would rather remain anonymous), the light or the dark of the situation lays in as much the intent of the viewer as in the viewed, a sort of Rorschach of intention. A rabbi I spoke with had a similar take on the subject, using as an example how a knife can be both good and bad, depending on how it is used. If we are looking for beauty, we will find it.

That said, let’s tick off some of the top NPPs saturating the Internet at the moment. See how many you can add to the list.

VINYL PORN

They don’t just sound good. Upon spotting records for sale, vinyl enthusiasts will willingly cross hot coals in bare feet while simultaneously salivating and mentally calculating how much money they can part with and still pay rent (close to) on time.

Suggested websites:

http://www.dustandgrooves.com/

http://www.amoeba.com/music/cd-and-vinyl/#page-1

http://dopejams.net/

MAP PORN

Vintage maps are, of course, fascinating and naturally lend themselves to a certain decorative quality that just begs to be framed and displayed in a prominent area of the home. New maps, though, ohhhhhh new maps. Traffic maps. Weather maps. 3D maps. Maps of the lights on Earth at night as seen from outer space. MAPS THAT TALK TO YOU AND TELL YOU HOW TO GET TO THE NEAREST CUP OF COFFEE. And the map that builds itself during the opening credits of Game of Thrones? Fuhgeddaboudit.

Suggested websites:

maps.nationalgeographic.com

http://booksadventuresandlife.blogspot.com/2012/01/just-couple-weird-maps.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8 (Game of Thrones credits)

FOOD PORN

You may not like it. You may hate it. You may have noticed that it’s fully capable of inciting each and every one of the seven deadly sins, and all while you’re trying to diet. But shoot, you are what you eat, and I want everyone to see how pretty I am.

Suggested websites:

http://www.thecoolist.com/sydney-international-food-festival-ad-campaign/

http://abduzeedo.com/yummy-dessert-photography

http://veganyumyum.com/2008/09/food-photography-for-bloggers/

CEMETERY PORN

Every headstone tells a story, some more provocative than others.

Suggested websites:

http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/dargavs-russias-city-of-the-dead.html

http://www.squidoo.com/BizarreGraves

http://www.doaaraku.com/culture/tourist-information-indonesia-toraja-cliff-tombs-unique-in-caves-with-stone-tombs/

SPACE PORN

Did you watch Felix Baumgartner’s space jump like it was your job? I watched it like it was my job. I actually watched it at my job, and I remember thinking, “Wow, I could not do his job.” The occasion did provide for some awe-inspiring photos, however, as do most newsworthy events that drop in from beyond the troposphere.

Suggested websites:

www.redbullstratos.com

apod.nasa.gov

www.vizworld.com/tag/hubble

BOOK PORN

“You have a first edition of The Hobbit signed by J.R.R. Tolkien?! Gimme gimme gimme let me just smellllllll it,” is how I would imagine my end of the conversation would go with a rare books collector.

Suggested websites:

http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/tolkien-book-store/rare-signed-Tolkien.htm

http://www.baumanrarebooks.com/rare-books/autographs-signed/1/10/price/desc

http://for.theloveofbooks.com/2009/01/rare-book-of-the-day-signed-albert-einstein/

CAR PORN

Powerful and phallic, sports cars are easy to mount on a pedestal and admire. Given that the economics of owning and maintaining them put them out of reach of the average enthusiast, these wanton objects of desire have spurred mass production of calendars and the like to encourage the dreamers to keep on dreaming.

Suggested websites:

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/index.xhtml

http://www.motortrend.com/multimedia/photos/27/sports/

http://www.gtspirit.com/2012/05/20/gallery-mille-miglia-2012-sports-cars/

COG PORN

Deserving of an honorable mention based on the name alone. Whether you’re tricking out your vintage Schwinn or comparing gear ratios with fellow fixies, the cog is the thing, and they can get pretty fancy. What’s your RPM?

Suggested websites:

http://www.velorbis.com/

http://purefixcycles.com/

http://www.bikeforums.net/picall.php?

NOSTALGIA PORN

Maybe things aren’t the best right now, or, at least, not as good as they could be. You may find yourself yearning for a simpler time, a time when decisions were easier to make, a time that may or may not have existed in the pure form it takes in your memory. Whatever the reason for the resurgence of items from times gone by, I’m just happy my future children haven’t missed their opportunity to watch Thundercats on Saturday mornings.

http://collections.nrm.org/highlights.jsp

http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/tobacco-ads-1960s

http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id177.htm

Reach DCP freelance writer Jennifer Lumpkin at jenniferhanauerlumpkin@daytoncitypaper.com

Clash city rocker

Zach Rogers — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:59:08 +0000

Dave Ackels: Love for Dayton more than just simple admiration

By Zach Rogers

In the last two decades, the underground sport of skateboarding has certainly risen above ground, and a new culture has emerged in the city of Dayton. From its humble beginnings to now, skateboarding and the urban landscape of this city have often gone hand in hand for the people here, and nobody else has been sitting as close to the action as Dave Ackels. The name should ring a bell for anyone submersed in Dayton’s skateboarding community, but for those of you who don’t let’s get a little more familiar…

You recently won the 2012 Innovation Award from FilmDayton for all the hard work and excellent things you’ve done over the years. What do the award and the recognition mean to you?

It was amazing – I was completely blown away. FilmDayton is awesome, and I wish I had something like that when I was younger. It’s a pretty amazing group of people, and if you are serious about filmmaking in Dayton, they are the perfect place to get started, make connections and find support. I urge anyone who is into film to attend a meeting and see what they are all about. – Dave Ackels

What is it about Dayton that makes it such an interesting place for you?

I just love it. I hear a lot of people dogging Dayton, but I think it’s awesome. I think the landscapes here are amazing and I love the industrial feel. The people are interesting characters – they are just real and themselves, not hung up on ego. There are a lot of talented people running around this city, so it gets me hyped to go film it all. I just don’t understand how people don’t see the beauty in Dayton. I don’t even want to take a vacation, that’s how much I love it. – DA

Some have described your work as holding up a mirror to Dayton. Are you trying to show a specific side of the city?

I think of it as more of an insider’s perspective of the skate scene. As a skater, it’s all about finding new and interesting spots. That’s why the city landscape becomes so integrated with the Absorb series. The surroundings become a character in itself. A lot is going on here if you pay attention. – DA

You’ve been doing the Absorb skate videos for a couple of years now, but before that you started off with skate films like “Dayton Ohio 2,” “Not Liable” and “Observe.” What made you change focus and start your own series, and what makes the Absorb stuff different?

The Internet really changed everything for me. I have so much more freedom to do whatever I want. I can do short pieces, long pieces, soothing pieces, crazy pieces, whatever. Making DVDs was a pain in the past, but now I can film an episode and have it uploaded that day and it’s accessible to everyone for free. I couldn’t ask for more. – DA

How do you think the skateboarding scene has changed in Dayton since you’ve been filming?

The kids are way better now. I mean, we’ve had some great skaters, but this new crop of kids is amazing. It’s mainly because they have access to great spots now where they can practice all day without worrying about getting kicked out. The parks bring skaters together too, so if you start skating with better people you will naturally get better. Kettering built the Plaza in 2005, and the kids that skated and grew up there are so good. To see that kind of progression happen before my eyes is really incredible. – DA

What’s the importance of skating and the culture it creates for the city?

If Dayton would embrace skateboarding by building safe spots throughout the city, it could have a huge impact. Everybody wants Dayton to be successful, so we just need to think outside the box. We want to attract talented professionals here, but we need to do things to make the city a desirable place to live. I know doctors, cops and teachers who skate – skaters are everyday people. If you build something cool, they will come and spend money. Why don’t we have a cool spot in Riverscape? It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, it just has to be fun. It would bring more people to the downtown area, too. They could stop for a drink, a bite and gas, whatever. They spend money here and that’s a win-win if you ask me. The Plaza in Kettering has generated so much revenue for that town and it gave back to the community by being a public park. Dayton’s MetroParks could make a few obstacles throughout the parks on the bike path too. Think about how cool that would be! – DA

Besides film, you also have a unique approach to art. Describe the method you use for your paintings, and how did you discover your knack for the art world?

I was always into art, and I liked drawing, too. It’s always been another creative outlet for me. I was broke in college so whatever I had lying around would be the canvas. I found an old window out skating one day and thought it would be cool to paint on. I started playing around with it and that was that. I discovered all these different things I could do: painting backwards, scraping, refilling, scraping off again and developed my own thing I guess. Having no money is much better because it forces you to be more creative. – DA

You certainly do seem like a highly creative person. Could you imagine yourself doing anything else in life?

Not really, any suggestions? – DA

For more information on the work of Dave Ackels, visit vimeo.com/absorb.

Reach DCP freelance writer Zach Rogers at ZachRogers@daytoncitypaper.com

Pedal to the metal

Kevin Gray — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:52:04 +0000

Big city-style promotions hit the streets of Dayton

By Kevin J. Gray

Robert Weyrauch had been working in construction for nine years before the industry, often the canary in the coal mine of bad economic news, took a rapid slowdown. This was in late 2007/early 2008 and it had Weyrauch pondering, “What’s next?” His answer would come from an unexpected place. It literally strolled right past him.

One day, while working in his yard, Weyrauch noticed a man walking down Main Street in Harrison Township with a placard on his back. The sign was urging people to donate blood. Several days later, Weyrauch saw the man with the sign again, and a few days later, yet another time. That’s when Weyrauch realized the man was either a very strong advocate for the blood bank, or more likely was being paid to advertise for them. Weyrauch’s question had been answered, and he said to himself, “That’s what I want to do for a job.” His next thought was, “Except I’m a cyclist, and I want to incorporate cycling.”

The early seeds for Weyrauch’s company, Pedal Promotions, LLC, began to take root. Weyrauch, a car collector, sold one of his cars to buy a recumbent trike – a three-wheeled cycle that rides low to the ground. He outfitted the trike with a six foot by four foot overhead banner and was ready to roll.

He then realized that he didn’t know much about starting a business, let alone running one. So Weyrauch looked around for local resources. He found a micromanagement class at Sinclair. One of Weyrauch’s class requirements was to conduct a competitive analysis of his business idea. Not much competition in Dayton, so Weyrauch looked to bigger cities. There he found several other companies that offered cycle-based advertising. Weyrauch contacted one particular company that was very helpful. Weyrauch filled out a non-compete and began talking to them about possible franchise options.

Unfortunately, before Weyrauch could sign on, he faced a setback. He had injured his knee and his shoulder doing construction work and had to go on disability, awaiting surgery. The bicycle promotion business would have to wait.

It took four years and five surgeries before Weyrauch was able to start considering his business in earnest again, but he didn’t spend that time idly. Unable to work, he pushed on at Sinclair, moving toward the completion of a business management degree. Several times he tried to go back to work, or to take job-training programs, but disability would not allow it for fear of re-injury.

Weyrauch waited, continuing to chip away at his degree at Sinclair. He met instructors like Marcus Jenkins and Sarah Gross, people who have continued to help Weyrauch build his business. Eventually, Weyrauch deemed himself ready – healthy enough to waive disability and with enough knowledge to move forward with the business completely.

His non-compete expired, Weyrauch reached out again to the company he had been in discussions with earlier. This time, instead of considering franchising, Weyrauch purchased several of the company assets. He flew to Brooklyn and hauled back three bikes. Weyrauch discovered that the bikes had been stored in an outdoor facility and were rusty and a bit worse for the wear. With the help of his girlfriend and his son, Weyrauch began refurbishing them. After several months of hard work, Pedal Promotions was finally in business.

Fast-forward to today and you may see Weyrauch and one of his billboard bikes around town. The bikes are both literally and figuratively green. The bright green paint helps them stand out, and the pedal power keeps the advertising environmentally friendly. And although a few folks have discouraged Weyrauch, noting that his concept might be too “big city” for Dayton, Weyrauch is not dissuaded. In fact, he notes that the response when folks see him on the streets has been very positive. A lot of people take pictures with him and his leaf-green bikes, or ask how they can get a job doing the same thing.

The company offers a wide array of services for local businesses and other groups. In addition to traditional advertising for local companies, Weyrauch is targeting fairs and festivals, parks and recreational facilities, non-profits, issue awareness campaigns and public service announcements. He works with his advertisers to determine routes and lengths of campaigns, and advertisers can track his progress via GPS listings on the Pedal Promotions website. The bikes are also outfitted with audio systems and employees on bikes can distribute flyers, brochures and/or other promotional materials.

Eventually, Weyrauch hopes to refurbish his third bike and outfit each bike with motors. He also plans to incorporate backpack billboards, with team members on foot so that he can provide a “bombard the street” option – two bikes with billboards and five backpack billboards to canvas an area.

In the meantime, look for the bright green bikes at Dayton-area events. For more information, check out the Pedal Promotions website at www.pedalingpromotions.com, or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pedalingpromotions.com.

Reach DCP freelance writer Keven J. Gray at KevinGray@daytoncitypaper.com

Get the point?

Rusty Pate — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:30:45 +0000

Local dart world champion headlines Marriott event

By Rusty Pate

It seems like such a simple concept – throwing a dart at a target. It seems even simpler after a few drinks at the local pub, which is where most people first come into contact with the game. Yet, for a select few, darts becomes more than just a time killer between beers. The elite compete for national and world titles and prize money.

And one of the premier dart players in North America calls Dayton his home.

Larry Butler currently ranks number one in the American Darts Association’s point race. It is a spot he has grown accustomed to, finishing each of the last five years in the top spot. A sixth points-title would be unprecedented, but Butler is no stranger to breaking new ground in this sport.

In 1994, he became the first U.S. player to go to an individual-invite tournament, a world-ranked tournament, in England and earn first place. He brought home the title in England’s World Matchplay, and he remains the only North American player to ever win.

Europeans view the sport much differently than Americans. Multiple big-money tours have created a competitive atmosphere lacking in the U.S. A boom in the late 1960s and early 1970s brought darts into seemingly every American home. In the early 1980s, the National Sporting Goods Association listed darts as the fifth most popular activity in America.

Last year, it ranked 28.

Butler and a band of passionate believers in the game hope to change that with the New World Dart Series (NWDS), which holds its first event on Oct. 12-14 at the Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Blvd.

“We’re trying to give people a reason to want to play darts again,” Butler said.

While local leagues remain popular, Butler said a lack of quality purses have stifled the growth of the sport in this part of the world. Organizers seem to care more about upping the number of entry fees rather than creating an environment where players can not only improve their game, but actually earn a living.

Butler, along with his wife Sharron, began putting the pieces into place for a more serious and professional circuit here in the states. Helping to organize is Anthony Eugenia, president and founder of the Dart Players of New York (DPNY). Eugenia will serve as tournament director for the NWDS.

“We want to change the culture and the way darts are played in North America,” Eugenia said. “We’re going to have a longer-format series with higher prize money for the players so people can start to earn a living at this.”

Where many American tournaments cut down on the number of games, or legs, to facilitate more entries, the NWDS will employ a round robin format on Saturday to determine pairings for Sunday’s main event and consolation brackets. Men’s finals will be a race to nine legs in the early rounds and will culminate with a race to 15 legs for the finals. Women will start with a race to 9 and culminate in a finals match race to 13.

This structure more closely resembles the European model, which will hopefully lead to more competitive contenders on the worldwide stage.

“You tend to see players from this side of the pond, kind of run out of gas,” Eugenia said. “They don’t seem to be well prepared. So, what we’re trying to do with an event like this is to present longer formats for the players to train them, to get them more acclimated to a longer format, a more professional style of play.”

The event will also be available for live stream on the Internet by a professional broadcast team, helmed by L. David Irete. Irete has worked in TV for years and has served as associate director of “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” in between his efforts to make darts more popular in the U.S.

“I saw the hearts of the dart players,” Irete said. “I realized it’s more than just a game. It’s a sport.”

Perhaps no North American player exemplifies that heart quite like Butler. He found a home in Dayton after a stint in the Navy and travelling the country playing the game he loved. His main motivation for moving to the Gem City came from National Darts Hall of Fame members Bill and Elli Nicoll.

Nicoll crafted a custom set of darts for Butler just days before his death. The next tournament Butler played was the 1994 World Matchplay, where the English commentators dubbed him “The Eagle,” a nickname that remains with him to this day. Though the broadcasters were just attempting a clever turn of phrase, Butler couldn’t help but smile at the moniker.

Bill Nicoll owned a company called Eagle Darts.

Butler has tried and excelled at many competitive forays over the years, such as pool and bowling, but nothing can replace the challenge and reward of throwing the points.

“Personally, I don’t think there’s a truer test of eye-hand coordination than to put a needle in a quarter-inch space, eight feet away,” Butler said.

The New World Dart Series kicks off on Oct. 12-14 at the Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Blvd. Friday will feature a “Luck of the Draw” doubles tournament, which is open to the public. Entry is $20 with an $800 prize for the winner and payouts for the top 32. Saturday and Sunday’s main events will require pre-registration to play, but the public is welcome to attend the event. The championship webcasts will be streamed online at 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.newworlddartseries.com.

Reach DCP freelance writer Rusty Pate at RustyPate@daytoncitypaper.com

Women on wheels

Jen Hanauer — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:52:27 +0000

Artemis Center’s Second Annual Girlfriend Ride

By Jennifer Hanauer

Who doesn’t like massages, luaus and bike rides? The Artemis Center’s Girlfriend Ride on October 6 has all of these things and more while also being the kick-off event to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Dayton. So ladies, grab your best gal pal and sign up for what is sure to be one of the most rewarding rides you will take this season! Sorry gents, this ride is just for the girls; you’ll just have to go get your manis/pedis somewhere elsewhere.

This year marks the second annual Girlfriend Ride for Dayton. Last year’s event attracted 170 riders and raised over $5,000 for the Artemis Center, the Dayton area’s domestic violence resource agency. More important than the fundraising is getting the word out to people that domestic violence is an issue and that there is help available for victims. “The big thing is awareness,” added Sarah Throckmorton, Development Associate at Artemis Center. “Everything goes back to the clients.”

The Ride

This year’s event is looking at a huge swell in the number of participants, the youngest of whom is eight, the oldest of whom is 63. This year has also marked significantly larger responses from sponsors. Three major stops on the ride will be sponsored by individual organizations, and give participants an opportunity to rest, hydrate and party before heading on to the next stop. Back at the starting point, a celebratory cookout, raffle and costume contest awaits those returning from the ride.

This year’s starting point will be at Miami Jacobs Career College at 110 North Patterson Boulevard in downtown Dayton. Registration will take place from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. with all riders needing to be on the path by 9:15 a.m. The three major stops that riders will make along the Great Miami River Trail are spaced to allow riders their choice of taking a 10, 22, or 35-mile ride.

The first stop will be at Kitty Hawk Golf Course and will have a luau theme. The stop, sponsored by One Lincoln Park, will have music, bottled water and tropical fruit to refresh the riders. “Our employees have been supporters of [the Artemis Center] for many years,” said Ana Paner-Johnson, Executive Director of One Lincoln Park, on their involvement with the event. Heading back to the start from this point will make the ride roughly 10 miles and will take most riders about an hour and a half to complete.

The second stop will be at Taylorsville MetroPark where some serious pampering will begin. Hand massages, nail painting and henna tattoos will be available for riders at this 22-mile turn-around. Belly dancing and cornhole will be additional recreational options for those riders who need a little extra leg-stretching before continuing the ride. Riders turning around at this stop should expect their total ride to be around three hours.

Big rewards are in store for the dedicated riders who make it to the 35-mile turn-around at Kyle Park in Tipp City. This stop, sponsored by Harmony Farm, a wellness-retreat center located in Tipp City, will feature chair massages, smoothies, cookies from Coldwater Café and a raffle that will feature a new bicycle. Well worth covering the distance, most riders should expect their adventure to take them about five hours.

The Great Miami River Trail is meant for all levels of cyclists. Many of last year’s participants are looking to push themselves further this year. “I plan on riding the 20-mile route this year. Last year I did the 10-mile,” said Jane Keiffer, Clinical Program Director at the Artemis Center. “I had such a great time riding last year!”

The safety of the riders is a top concern for the event’s organizers. Most of the ride will be on the bikeways with only a few miles of road riding. Well-labeled signage will guide riders along the path, and safety riders will be riding along to help as needed. There will also be wagon drivers available to assist those who are unable to make it back downtown.

Whatever the total distance riders choose to make, all will finish back at Miami Jacobs Career College for the post-ride festivities. Awards will be given out for the winners of the costume contest and also to the group of riders that had the most members. The raffle will feature items from places like Mary Kay, Pampered Chef and Gigi’s Cupcakes, and of course the cookout, which is sponsored by Miami Jacobs, will ensure that no rider leave unhappy.

Artemis Center

Artemis Center has been helping victims of domestic violence in the Miami Valley for 27 years. In this time they have helped more than 85,000 victims. Advocates are made available to clients to help them with the legal aid they need to get protection orders and to go to hearings. The support groups that they offer provide childcare. “That’s a big thing,” said Throckmorton. “A lot of them wouldn’t be able to come because they wouldn’t have anyone to watch their kids.” Artemis Center also has a food pantry and a “need pantry” that has items such as diapers, shampoo, and toiletries. “A lot of these victims are coming from unsafe places, so we try to have what they need when they come to us,” said Throckmorton.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Tie on a purple ribbon, sign up for the Girlfriend Ride, and make a difference in the lives of victims in your own community.

At a Glance

What: Girlfriend Ride, hosted by the Artemis Center

When: Saturday, October 6, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Where: Begins and ends at Miami Jacobs Carrer College in downtown Dayton with stops at Kittyhawk Golf Course, Taylorsville MetroPark, and Tipp City

Cost: early registration is $30; day of registration is $40

For more information or to pre-register for the ride, go to www.girlfriendride.org or www.artemiscenter.org.

Reach DCP freelance writer Jennifer Hanauer at jenniferhanauer@daytoncitypaper.com

Don’t look down

Miss Maha — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Local philanthropists go “over the edge” for Big Brothers Big Sisters

By Maha Kashani

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be Spiderman? On the day of Urban Nights, a handful of adventure-seeking philanthropists who are raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Miami Valley (BBBSMV) will know. Key Bank Tower, the second tallest building in downtown Dayton, will play host to our spider men and women, creating lifelines by raising a minimum of $1000 each to support BBBSMV, who will get the chance at the ultimate adrenaline rush by rappelling 27 stories down on Friday, Sept. 14. This is as extreme as it gets in downtown Dayton!

This is the second year for this unique and action-packed fundraiser for BBBSMV. Last year, I was one of the inaugural rappellers who raised enough money to qualify to rappel with a team of friends during Urban Nights. It was awesome!

People always ask me, “Were you scared?” I wasn’t. As we were standing on top of the Key Bank tower – which stands 384 feet tall – overlooking the Miami Valley, I felt slightly invincible, regardless of the fact that just a few moments earlier I signed my life away on a waiver. I’m pretty sure it was the adrenaline. When we got to the top, all I could remember thinking about on that rooftop was: 1) “Hurry up, guy before me who is obviously scared of heights, because I’ve been waiting forever,” and 2) “Wow, this is a great view … we should have parties up here!”

Ok, I’ll be honest … It was a slightly different story once I was finally mounted and standing up ready to go “over the edge.” They had me harnessed up, safety checked and told me I was good to go. I turned around and looked down. You’re not supposed to do that, but I couldn’t help but take a peek. Everyone looked like little ants. I still felt fine, until they said, “Now stand up straight and lean back like you’re falling over but keep your body straight” “What? Lean back, where is the resistance? Can’t I slowly crawl off the side of the building?” Well, the answer is “No.” You have to stand up and lean back like you’re falling off the building so your weight will catch and you can start working the gears. Now THAT was scary. Imagine no resistance and feeling like you’re trying to free fall off a building. Once I finally caught the resistance, I was good to go. The rest of my trip down was smooth sailing.

Catching Urban Nights from a bird’s eye view? Priceless.

The event was such a huge success its inaugural year that they have added a third rope so that three rappellers can go over the edge consecutively. So far, over 80 people have signed up and organizers expect to raise at least $80,000, far outpacing last year’s numbers of 58 rappellers who raised $52,000.

New this year is the Executive Challenge. Local daredevil executives like Phil Parker, CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, have stepped up to the plate to compete in a challenge to see who can raise the most money in support of Dayton-area youth.

Back again is Hunter Johnson, an inaugural-year rappeller who said “I’m going down the tower with LexisNexis (again!) so that BBBSMV can do more good for kids right now, which pays even more dividends down the road.”

Last year’s entertainment was provided by Jay Nigro, owner of Liftoff Entertainment. This year, he’s taking the plunge. “I am super excited to rappel off of Key Bank Tower. Not only is it for a great cause, BBBSMV, but it will take me back to the days of being a Boy Scout. I DJed the event last year and it was a blast seeing all of the rappellers and their friends/co-workers who came out to support them.” Nigro said.

Do I have any advice for all the first time rappellers out there?

Just don’t look down!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of children facing adversity and transforms the communities in which they live, by providing strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 mentoring relationships. For more information, please visit: www.bbbsgmv.org.

Reach DCP freelance writer Maha Kashani at MissMaha@daytoncitypaper.com