Oxford Maker's Market raising funds for Haiti

The Oxford Maker's Market is one of the hottest venues to find locally handmade crafts, art and gifts in Oxford, Mississippi.  At the first market of 2010 last weekend at The Lyric Oxford, artist Andrea Thomasson sold handmade flower-shaped hair pins for $10 each, with half of the proceeds going to Haiti, and the Maker's Market sold donated rings for $2 each (that were not handmade) with 100% of the proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders. 

Andrea's table, see flowers for Haiti on the far left side

The Oxford Maker's Market's RINGS FOR HAITI - these rings were donated to the Maker's Market.  Because they are not handmade AND they were free, the Maker's Market is selling them for $2 each with funds going entirely to Doctors Without Borders.  They raised $22.00 at the first market, and they hope to continue to raise funds for their charity of choice at upcoming markets.

The Oxford Maker's Market will make it's next appearance Friday night, February 12th at the Vaudeville show at the Powerhouse in Oxford.  They will be selling Valentine's-themed art and gifts.  Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

Honey Bee Bakery's Valentine's Day Gift Menu

Yum.

If you are headed to the Vaudeville show on Friday night at the Powerhouse, be sure to check out Honey Bee Bakery's station!  I can't wait to see what they've got for us!

Empty Bowls - A Grassroots Movement to End Hunger

Oxford, Mississippi Empty Bowls

The 7th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010
at the Oxford-University United Methodist Church
North Ninth & University Avenue in Oxford, MS 38655

Reserved parking-at parking lot onTyler Avenue & 10th

11:00 a.m until 1:00 pm
$15.00 for soup, piece of bread and bottle of water

All proceeds will go to the Oxford Food Pantry of
Oxford, Mississippi

The latest wine pairing from Ravine...

Hello again,

It is that time again for ravine's monthly wine and food pairing. For those of you that missed last month's, the display of local food that we are accessing now was fantastic. Dr. Juergens made some wonderful pairings of wine, and it was a great overall experience. I hope this month's somewhat different approach will stimulate your curiosity.

This month's pairing will be held on Thursday, February 18th, starting at 6 p.m., the cost will be $25 per person. Now I realize the conflict with the basketball game, but this day seemed to work best for us in this busy month. I hope you will consider joining us, seeing as how Ole Miss will most definitely pound Vanderbilt thoroughly.

The theme this month will be of the German persuasion. Dr Juergens, Joseph, and myself had talked about a German wine pairing before, but it was not until a regular client of ours mentioned it that we said, "Why Not?" The main focus of the theme will be the wines, but I will be pushing my culinary limits and making some German cuisine to pair with the food. Dr Juergens will certainly emphasize the brillant white wines of Germany, but has also hinted at least one fabulous red will make the cut. It should be exciting to see what he comes up with that night.

So please, if you are interested, call early, and remember-- cancellations less than 48 hours in advance will be charged in full to your credit card. Please use the telephone to make reservations, as email notices are more difficult to confirm in a timely manner.

Danke,

Joel+Cori+Henry


Joel Miller ravine 53 cr 321 oxford, ms 38655 oxfordravine.com 662.234.4555

Opportunity for artists in Mississippi to sell handmade art at the Oxford Maker's Market

Dear artists and friends,

I am Lizzie Oglesby, the new keeper of the Maker's Market Artists' Roster for Winter and Spring 2010. I am thrilled to join the team, and I hope that I can be most helpful to you all. On behalf of Oxford's own Maker's Market, I wish you a very Happy New Year! We are starting our winter 2010 season with a Boom Boom!

The market will resume in February with our regular schedule - every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. Our regular 1st and 3rd markets will be held at the Lyric - unless we inform you of a location change. Winter market hours are from 10am to 5pm. Please email me if you would like to sell at either of these upcoming markets - Feb 6th or Feb 20th. Booth fees are $20 for pre-registration, and $25 on a market day (space permitting). After you have confirmed your interest in selling with me, please drop your selling fee off at David Molina's office on the University of Mississippi's campus (101 Vardaman Hall) or mail your fee to David Molina at 907B Cleveland Ave. Oxford, MS 38655. If you are paying with a check, please make your check out to David Molina. (We are still in the process of figuring out legal stuff so we can establish the Oxford Maker's Market as an entity, after which we will open a bank account for the organization).

Start making some Valentine's themed artwork!
We have been invited by Southern Lush and Lace to sell Valentine's themed art at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center on Friday night, February 12th at 8pm during the burlesque show, A Night at the Boom Boom Room - Vaudeville Burlesque Revue. We are very excited to be invited to participate in this event, and we hope to have a couple of tables representing Valentine's or Love-themed work from many different artists. THERE IS NO FEE TO SELL AT THIS VENUE. Please volunteer to help us sell your art! This event will not be a full-blown market, just a few tables with mixed items. PLEASE DO NOT BRING MORE THAN 3 - 5 ITEMS DEPENDING ON SIZE - SPACE IS LIMITED AS THERE WILL BE OTHER VENDORS. A few of our Maker's Market committee members will be staffing our tables, if you would like to sell but cannot attend. Tickets for the burlesque show should be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, January 26th. Please spread the word and tell people to buy tix for the show! NO FREE TICKETS TO THE SHOW FOR SELLING ART AT THIS VENUE. Tickets must be purchased in person at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center - tickets are not available online. Please email me, Lizzie Oglesby, if you are interested in selling/volunteering for the burlesque show.

We are working on updating our website, http://www.oxfordmakersmarket.com/. If you sold art at the market in the past, please send us a photo and/or description of the art that you sold at the market. If you are an artist who is planning to sell at an upcoming market, please also email us a photo and info. Please email this info to oxfordmakersmarket@gmail.com so that David Molina can upload it to the website.

Can't wait to see you all in February!
- Lizzie Oglesby

Art Show at Ravine!

Hello,

I thought I would take a moment and update everyone on our latest happenings. This Thursday, February 4th, we are having a new art show up on our walls here at ravine.

The artist is Keith Wiseman, who has done some fabulous photography of Oxford and Lafayette County past and present. He is truly talented, and we are lucky to have his work displayed here at our place.

There will be complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres during the art show as well. The food will be a preview of our new tapas menu that will be our regular Wednesday offering. All the small plates will range from $3-10, and offers everyone a chance to sample/graze through the menu without being too costly. As well, we will have wine and cocktail specials each Wednesday to compliment the tapas.

So stop using the weekend as an excuse to go out and eat, and come join us this Thursday for a great art show. The added bonus will be the yummy bites and complimentary wine. The show is from 5-7 pm this Thursday, February 5th-- see you then.

Thanks,

Joel


Joel Miller ravine 53 cr 321 oxford, ms 38655 oxfordravine.com 662.234.4555

A Year In Photos From Doctors Without Borders

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/alert/articlefull.cfm?id=4130&cat=alert-article

Click the link above to see a year in photos from Doctors Without Borders - they have some incredible images and text from their continuing work in Haiti, Pakistan, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Gaza, Latin America and beyond.  Donate if you can - this is such an important organization.

So many folks in need...

International need is SO important on a global scale - but we must not forget that we are also surrounded by neighbors and friends in Mississippi who need our help. 

A message from Janet Barnes, secretary of the Oxford Artist's Guild:

St. Peter's Episcopal Church and St. John's Catholic church are having a joint fundraiser for the Interfaith Compassion Ministries, which is desperate for funds since so many people are out of work and needy. It will be from 9 to 12 on Saturday Feb 6th and they are asking for donations of art items from anyone that can contribute anything. Large or small items are needed. They can be brought to the St Johns Student Center at 410 South 5th Street from 9am to 12 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the sale. This is a very worthy cause and if you can help, please do. Our Oxford Artist's Guild Library Show reception is during the sale time, but maybe you could run by there at 9 to shop. There will be other contributed items as well.

University of Mississippi's Dean of Students Office Coordinating Haitian Relief Efforts

A message from the Ole Miss Dean of Students:

Several in the university community have expressed a desire to help the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake there.

Because disaster response officials have identified certain limitations on
what can be done and what is needed, the university needs to centralize
response efforts by members of the UM community. Doing so will not only
enable us to respond more effectively but also maximize our assistance to
the Haitian people.


Therefore, we are asking that all efforts to assist the people of Haiti or
to organize fundraising events be communicated and coordinated through the Office of the Dean of Students. Assistant Dean of Students for
Multicultural Affairs & Volunteer Services Valeria Ross is leading this
effort. Please contact her at 662-915-7247 or vross@olemiss.edu and share
your disaster relief plans.


Many thanks to those of you who have already asked how you can help the
people of Haiti.

Several members of our university family are from Haiti or have friends or
family there. If you are among this group, members of the university
family will continue to keep you, your family members and friends in our
thoughts and prayers.

A lot of news from the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society...

First things first, tomorrow, Friday, January 15th, at 1 PM at the shelter there will be a meeting about this year's Paws For Art - the biggest fundraiser that the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society puts on each year. Stop by, pet some cats and attend the meeting if you are available and interested in helping with the event this year.

Secondly, I got the email on Tuesday night that OLHS rescued 33 dogs from a puppy mill on Monday night, January 11th.  I am so glad that OLHS could step in and take care of this situation.  Sadly, this sort of thing happens frequently in North Mississippi, and all over our nation.  If you don't know what a puppy mill is, click here for more info.  The OLHS shelter in Oxford is in need of dog & puppy food (no red dye), laundry detergent, bleach, foster families, and donations for those that are sick and need vet treatment!
Pass the word,  the dogs that they rescued are rotties, daschunds, maltese, poodles, westies, boston terriers, pit bulls, shih-tzu, pomeranians.

In other, more happy news, please support our shelter at their next event:

Whiskers and Wine

to benefit the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society

at Lenora’s Monday, January 18th 6-8 PM

Their goal is to honor the cats and kittens in our community and to raise money for

Cat Kennels ($250) and Cat Rooms ($3,000) for the new shelter.

Enjoy food, wine, and door prizes!

Tickets are $25 a person, $40 a couple & can be purchased at Lenora’s, OLHS, and The Frame Up!

Another Belgian Delight ... Biscru!

Coming to a Whole Foods near you soon!  Biscru Organic snacks are super yummy!  I discovered these in Belgium - they are little crackers made from dehydrated vegetables.  Insane!  All different flavors and combinations, I can't wait for these to take off in the States!  Check out the English page of their website!

It was a Green Pan Christmas...

We were very spoiled this Christmas - I'm so glad these 4 pans made it back in my suitcase!  Packing up all of my old pans and getting rid of them!  If you are in the market for new pans, you should definitely consider Green Pan technology!

Check it out - Green Pan - The Original

I love Belgians and all of their amazing inventions!

Holiday Gift Menu at Honey Bee Bakery and New Year's Eve at Ravine - is this a great town or what? Read on, read on...

Holiday Gift Menu from Honey Bee Bakery - THE Best Bakery in Oxford!

Sweets $25 (one dozen)
Iced Holiday Cookies
"Present" Petit fours
Belgian Chocolate covered Rum Balls
New Orleans style Pralines
Variety Sweet Box

Breads $12
Sweet Potato Pecan
Pumpkin Spice
Pear & Cinnamon

Tarts $25 (9 inch)
Southern Pecan
Chocolate Truffle
Pumpkin

Gift Certificates in all denominations!!!

Orders must be placed by 10am for pick-up the following day

Honey Bee Bakery
2305 W. Jackson Ave
662.236.2490
http://www.thehoneybeebakery.com/


And if that wasn't the most delicious holiday-inspiring list you've ever read ... read on, my friend, just read on...

Season's Greetings from ravine,



I hope this email finds everyone well and in the Christmas spirit! I know most of you are concentrating on the holidays, but I thought I would take a moment to talk about New Year's Eve at ravine.


Certainly, many of you will be going to Texas to watch Ole Miss pummel Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl on January 2nd. For the fortunate people who will count down 2009 in Oxford, allow me to tempt your tastebuds with the event we are putting together.


For the third year, we are putting on our Truffles and Bubbles NYE event. The menu will be structured similarly to years' past, with four full courses, and some smaller, surprise courses thrown in throughout the meal. There will be choices at each of the full courses, ranging from foie gras, to lobster, to racks of venison. The menu can be found online at our website, oxfordravine.com.  I've just copied and pasted it below:

New Year's Eve Ravine Menu


Amuse Bouche
a little something extra from the kitchen to get your palate excited


First Course
duck three ways—roasted breast, confit of leg, seared foie gras, cherry star anise gastrique
or
Coldwater langoustines butter poached and served with a corn, bacon, and celery root custard, finished with bacon and roasted garlic aioli


Second Course
jumbo lump crab and sweet potato bisque, seasoned with curry and coconut milk
or
salad of mache lettuce, with lobster, mango, cucumber, and avocado, coriander vinaigrette


[Intermezzo]
champagne and raspberry sorbet


Entree
chargrilled rack of venison with red wine braised chanterelle mushrooms, atop crispy cumin and goat cheese polenta
or
sautéed hawaiian escolar atop butternut squash risotto, finished with a meyer lemon and white truffle emulsion

Dessert
chocolate espresso cake with chocolate hazelnut ganache and dark chocolate mousse
or
tart tatin tower of apples braised in caramel jus, filled with apple pastry cream, pecan sable cookies


Truffles and Bubbles

We are even more excited about the prospect of pairing wine with our amazing food this year for the first time. Unlike some other restaurants here in town, the wine pairing will not be mandatory and is completely optional. However, we will have some fantastic vino available to be properly paired with each full course, as well as some surprises throughout.


Many of you that know us are aware that we usually do not brag or blow our own horns much. However, in this case, we feel that we will have the best gastronomic event in Oxford, if not the state, this New Year's Eve.


So, if you are going to be in town, call and make reservations soon before we fill up on our time slots. We will not be overbooking, as the night should be leisurely and relaxed.


Seating times will be 6-630 or 8-830, and you are more than welcome to ring in the New Year at ravine if that is your wish. We will have plenty of bubbly on hand for those that wish to stay. The cost will be $65 per person, and the optional wine pairing a mere $20 extra.


Thanks, and Merry Christmas to each of you.


Joel+Cori+Henry

Joel Miller
ravine
53 cr 321 oxford, ms 38655
http://www.oxfordravine.com/
662.234.4555

The YAC Holiday Party and Ornament Auction were awesome! Thanks to all the local vendors and artists who donated!

The Jingle Bell - best new drink of the season made with TY KU Asian Spirits!!! 

TY KU Liqueur

Splash of Club Soda

Squeeze of Lemon

Cranberries

Film ornament by Michelle Emmanuel of the Oxford Film Festival!

Silent Auction!

Honey Bee Bakery table!  I parked myself there for quite a while...

Shannon Adams of Honey Bee Bakery

Snowbunny ornaments by Laurie G. Fisher!

It was an awesome party!  Thanks so much to Wayne Andrews, Becky Tettleton, Alice Walker and volunteers for organizing and putting on such a great holiday bash!  Thanks to all of the vendors who donated all of the food and spirits for the party - and thanks to all of the artists who donated handmade/decorated ornaments for the silent auction!  Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.

Bid on handmade ornaments by local Oxford artists at the 2009 Annual Holiday Party & Ornament Auction

Proceeds benefit the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and the Powerhouse Community Arts Center.  Party is free for YAC members and for artists who donated an ornament.

A selection of the handmade ornaments that will be for auction are on display in the windows of Neilson's on the Oxford square.