Dayton Most Metro

First Friday Food Truck Rally at 5th & Jefferson, The Start of Something More!

July 2, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 4 Comments

Ever wondered how many food trucks Dayton has? We’ve got 22 listed in our DMM Dining Guide. This Friday, July 5th you’ll have the chance to dine at over a dozen of them , as Synergy Incubators hosts a Food Truck Rally at 200 S. Jefferson Street from 5 -9pm. After producing food truck rallies at Urban Nights and June First Friday, which attracted many thousands of patrons, the hope is that the new location will generate vibrancy and foot traffic to the benefit of the brick and mortar business nearby.

Mobile eateries participating include: Zombie Dogz, Go Cupcake, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery,Caribbacanas LLC, Fressa Truck, G’s CUE BBQ, Horseless Buggy Eatery, La Pampa Grill, Tik’s Thai Mobile, The Monchon, Kona Ice, Missouri Avenue BBQ, McNasty‘s and Cold Stone Creamery. In addition, local artisans will be on hand selling jewelry, pottery, arts and crafts. Scheduled to vend will be ReVamped Jems, Cherry Fullam Art, Barmaid Soap Company, Miss Motley’s, No Place Like Nerd, Open Road Art Show, Lissa Lush Makes Stuff and Urban Reclaimed.

Event organizer Tonia Fish, has been working with the Miami Valley Mobile Food Association and shares, “the people of Dayton are embracing food trucks with open arms and the 200 Jefferson location is a perfect place to bring vibrancy to a corner of downtown Dayton that has been lifeless for too long. Our hope is that this is the first of many events we’ll host at this location.”

Synergy Incubators, Dayton’s first Kitchen Incubator, has submitted a proposal for use of the City owned property at 200 S. Jefferson Street. Synergy intend to establish a “food pod” or all-amenities location for food vendors to gather for the benefit of local eaters. If Synergy is successful in our bid to lease the space, food truck rally’s will become a regular event downtown. 200 Jefferson Street has all the necessary elements for a successful food pod are in place with very little need for physical alteration. Additionally, the interior of 200 S. Jefferson is perfectly suited to serve the community as a rentable banquet space, a demonstration-ready classroom, and a shared use certified commercial kitchen.

A rentable banquet space, available to all. Many local food businesses, lack on-sight banquet space and have expressed interest in hosting events. In addition to the food pod, Synergy proposes to offer 200 Jefferson Street as banquet event space.

Pilot shared commercial kitchen. The kitchen at the Jefferson space will serve the as a Synergy Incubators Pilot Project offering shared certified kitchen space for rent by the hour. Synergy has a waiting list with many new and growing enterprises ready to launch new food businesses in Dayton today. Early in the week a group of over a dozen scratch bakers met to talk about the need for a community kitchen and how that could increase their entrepreneurial efforts.

Beauty, vibrancy and engagement. Jefferson Street space is full of promise and the Synergy plan is one of beautification. Plenty of lovely greenery and demonstration food plants will bring nature back to the corner of Jefferson and Fifth Street. Synergy’s design plans to encourage a kind of old-fashioned humanity and togetherness that is so often missing from urban centers.

IMPACT: Healthy Food and Foot Traffic

Of the myriad advantages of placing 200 S. Jefferson Street into service as a community shared asset, perhaps the most important is it gives our entire food community access to kitchen and banquet space, helping all, rather than helping one.

Another is its potential to act as a gateway to nearby destinations. As a center of gravity for street food, the food pod attracts people to a place that’s within walking distance of the Oregon District, 5^th 3^rd Field even RiverScape. Situated as it is on the bike path, it can connect bike riders to 2^nd Street Market, destinations north of the river or south to the University of Dayton area. Available case studies show that street food has a positive impact on surrounding businesses and neighborhoods and a food pod is an effective means of increasing foot traffic.

Synergy Incubators is a developing non-profit aimed at offering certified commercial kitchen in addition to support services and programs, which encourage the successful development and growth of food businesses in Dayton. For more information on Synergy Incubators please visit synergyincubators.com.

One Week Training & Interview With PNC Financial Services Could Lead to New Career

July 1, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Sinclair Workforce Development, in partnership with PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., has created a week-long training program in response to a growing need for appropriately-skilled individuals to perform entry-level customer service and mortgage servicing roles in a call center environment. Each segment of this program focuses on introducing time-tested, effective concepts to increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of these future financial services and customer service employees.

In addition to collaborating on the course content, PNC has committed to
interview all interested participants that successfully complete the course.

With the successful completion of this course, along with the submission of your online application, students are guaranteed an interview with PNC for one of the following areas: Customer Service, Collections, or Single Point of Contact. The STARTING WAGES for these 3 roles are $15-$16 per hour PLUS an incentive that can be up to a max of $450 per month!

According to Hope Arthur, Director of Workforce Development at Sinclair Community College, ideal candidates for this program “have recently graduated high school or are in college, but are not sure what they want to do for a career AND with people interested in transitioning into a customer service career.”Successful graduates of this program will receive a Sinclair Community College Workforce Development Certificate of Completion and the nationally recognized Customer Service Certification (CSC) Designation endorsed by the International Customer Service Association.

The upcoming class will run August 19-23, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sinclair Conference Center, Building 12, on Sinclair’s downtown Dayton campus. Free parking provided to all participants.

Class topics will include the following:

• Banking and Mortgage Industry Basics and Terminology
• Nationally recognized Customer Service Certification (CSC) Training
• Thriving in a Call Center Environment
• Preparing for Success in the Job Search, including Resume Writing and Interview Skills

Program Requirements:

• Participants must be 18 years of age on or before class end date
• Participants must have a high school diploma or GED
• Participants must be able to pass a criminal background check and a drug test
• Participants need basic math, reading, and computer skills and good interpersonal and communication skills.

Certification Requirements:

To successfully complete the program, participants must attend all scheduled classes. Participants are expected to:

• Arrive on time and remain in class until dismissed
• Actively engage in class discussions and complete all assignments
• Pass the course evaluation with a minimum score of 85%

Any participant not meeting the attendance and the evaluation requirements will be dismissed from the program.

Fee: $99 per person. A limited number of scholarships are available. Sinclair will assess, prioritize, and award these $99 scholarships based upon financial need and a review of each applicant’s resume to determine which education and experience most closely align to this program.

Interested individuals, please contact Sinclair Workforce Development at 937-252-9787 or workforcedevelopment@sinclair.edu for more information or to register.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Will Have Cityfolk Swinging Saturday Night

June 27, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Celebrating their 20th anniversary on the music scene, famed neo-swing outfit Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will hit Dayton this weekend to headline the Cityfolk Festival from 9:30 – 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 29.

Founded by lead singer/guitarist Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren in 1993 Ventura, California, the band was at the forefront of the ‘90s swing revival. Much of the credit for that craze—which suddenly found horn-heavy bands like the Brian Setzer Orchestra, the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Royal Crown Revue, and the Squirrel Nut Zippers selling millions of albums—can be traced back to the indie cult film Swingers, Jon Favreau’s 1996 character study of throwback lounge lizards in modern-day Los Angeles. For years, BBVD played every Wednesday night at Hollywood’s Brown Derby, and Favreau tapped the band to lend some tunes to the soundtrack and cameo in the film. The band shot to nationwide fame, and their songs from the film, “You & Me and the Bottle Makes Three” and “Go Daddy-O,” were being blasted by teens, seniors, and every age group between.

The band never looked back and maintains a busy schedule, releasing numerous albums since (including the platinum selling Americana Deluxe and their most recent, 2012’s Rattle Them Bones), making television appearances, and touring constantly, playing more than 150 dates a year. They’ve played for three of the last four presidents and at both Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Other highlights include halftime at Super Bowl XXIII with Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan in 1999, sellout shows at Lincoln Center and the Hollywood Bowl, stints with symphony orchestras all over the country, and, since 2008, an annual performance at Walt Disney World’s Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The band is currently working on its second full length Christmas album, a follow up to 2004’s terrific Everything You Want For Christmas to be released later this year.

Glen “The Kid” Marhevka

“Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a great live show band,” said trumpeter Marhevka. “The tunes are great all by themselves, but the band live onstage takes it to a whole new level. Every member of the band is a great performer with lots of energy. We’re not just bunch of cats behind music stands. We’ve got wireless mikes and we’re all over the stage. It’s a really fun, uplifting, high-energy show.”

California native Marhevka picked up the trumpet in fifth grade, playing in marching and concert bands and majoring in classical trumpet in college (“Because they didn’t really have jazz majors yet,” he said) and landing in Big Bad Voodoo Daddy soon after.

“Our original trombonist, Jeff Harris, is the only member who’s not still with us,” Marhevka began. “We played together when we were in school, in a Jamaican band and a ska band, actually. When this band was getting started, they needed a trumpet player, and he mentioned my name. I met the guys and we hit it off. It was 19 years ago, and I was in my early 20s but I looked about 19 myself. I went on a road trip with the guys and we headed up to Northern California. We stopped before the gig at a pretty nice restaurant, and everyone else got fancy food and I ordered a hot dog and fries, and Scotty looked at me and said, ‘Wow, you really are the kid, man.’ I started calling myself that onstage and people would yell it out, and the audiences loved it, so it kind of stuck.”

Of the newly formed swing bands that went big during the 1990s, only BBVD and the Brian Setzer Orchestra remain prominent in exposure. Marhevka attributes the band’s staying power to the integrity of the musicians.

“I think you can imagine it’s pretty hard,” he said, “to keep any group together, and to do it for this long with a band this large feels pretty amazing. We have a group of guys who wanted to play a certain style of music and kept playing it, but even when we were super popular and selling big and playing movie premiere parties and on all the late-night shows, it was never about wanting to become the ‘next big thing’ or even get as popular as we were during that period. We’ve dedicated ourselves to honoring the music from the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, that great, rich period in American music. It turns out we have something cool and maybe even special, and we just want to get better and better at what we do—keep touring and creating new music and having fun without rehashing the same thing over and over.

“I don’t think we’ve really thought about it any more than that,” he said. “We just finished 20 years with the same guys that started together, and we want to do 20 more.”

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays the Main Stage Cityfolk Festival from 9:30 – 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 29. The Cityfolk Festival takes place at RiverScape Metropark (111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton) from Friday, June 28 – Sunday, June 30. Daily admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2. Discounted weekend passes are available for $17 per adult and $6 per child. Purchase at the gate or at cityfolk.tix.com. For more information and complete festival lineup, visit cityfolk.org.

City of Dayton Proposes Commercial Development of Garden Station, Organizers Plead To Save Community Garden

June 26, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 3 Comments

The following letter was published late tonight on Garden Station facebook page:

Warm Greetings, Supporters and Volunteers of Garden Station,

It is with a heavy heart that I must let all our supporters know of plans of the City of Dayton to potentially destroy Garden Station in its current form to make way for future “development”.

Last year the City purchased the whole block south of us, the old HD building, and I was leery of their intent. I invited City officials on tours of Garden Station and inquired about future plans that might affect us. I was assured that they were looking at the block south of us for development and not the property we lease. In January I was informed of the posted RFQ “as a courtesy” by the Assistant City Manager Shelley Dickstein and asked for meetings with her and Nan Whaley. Their position was that we are on development property and in order to attract the best developers they had to include our property as an option, but developers may choose not to use it. They were supposed to let me know who submitted proposals after the January 31st deadline but I have not heard back.

Recently I have heard through the grapevine that a developer has been selected and plans are made. I do not know what those plans are but have heard from many community leaders including priority board members that once the city announces their plans it is often too late to act.

I am asking you, our supporters and creators to ACT by calling, emailing and mailing our officials to ask for:

1. Garden Station to remain on the site we currently occupy as an amenity to potential housing/retail developments on the block south of us as well as existing residents.

2. Furthermore that our property be preserved as green space under a land trust organization, with occupancy by Garden Station as long as the property is maintained at an acceptable level.

3. Include your reasons for keeping Garden Station and tell what your personal connections are to Garden Station

A group of HS students from Ginghamsburg church planted 2 figs, 2 chestnuts, a persimmon, 1 apple, some yarrow, bee balm and fennel and 1 serviceberry.

I know there are over 1000 of you who personally have done physical labor to build Garden Station and over 100 community groups and businesses who have contributed to its creation! Garden Station uniquely represents the heart and soul of Dayton better than any other place in our city, through unique local artwork, music, community events and connecting our citizens to each other! Like the Whos in the beloved Dr. Seuss book “Horton Hears a Who” we need to make our voices heard that WE ARE HERE!

SOME BENEFITS OF OUR “DEVELOPMENT” AS GARDEN STATION TO THE COMMUNITY:

We are a unique attraction in downtown Dayton and have had visitors from all over the world stop to see us. We are on several travel sites including Roadside America and Trip Advisor. So many other “attractions” seem like cookie cutter copies that every city has. We have unique outsider art from all kinds of residents, examples of sustainable building techniques, demonstration gardens including a new food forest, a permaculture fixture that other cities brag about http://www.weather.com/home-garden/beacon-food-forest-20130620 , and we host all kinds of community groups from elementary students to UD and Sinclair student to the AARP.

We are providing education and demonstration of sustainable living practices in a time where more and more people are realizing the environmental frailty and nutrition-lacking aspects of our current food system. Our EarthFest was the largest Earth Day festival ever held in Dayton with over 30 free workshops for the public and over 30 local organizations participating. We are educating our neighbors to become more food secure and developing a more resilient local food system by training urban farmers in partnership with Omega CDC, Antioch College and Miami University. We are providing fresh, local organic food from our gardens to the public on Sundays when there is no other outlet for local food available in Montgomery County. We are providing fresh local organic food to seniors at Jaycee Towers and have the only rentable wheelchair accessible community garden plots in the area. Over 20 neighbors have community garden plots at Garden Station as well, including many urban dwellers without green space of their own.

We serve as an outdoor community center hosting all kinds of community organizations including meetings and non-profit fundraisers, art and music festivals, free music for First Friday featuring local bands, the Really Really Free Market, workshops, community potlucks, bonfires, rallies, weddings and more. Students from all over the Miami Valley from Elementary School to University have come for tours and volunteer days to learn gardening, art and green construction techniques.

We are an urban green space that serves all our area residents, created entirely by over 1000 community volunteers and donations, and over 100 community organizations and businesses.

Garden Station is created BY the community, FOR the community!

Please let our officials know you support keeping Garden Station as a community-created green space and the reasons you want to keep us!

Thanks for all your support! Garden Station exists because of support from our whole community!

Humbly,

Lisa Helm

Volunteer Garden Station Manager

www.facebook.com/gardenstation

www.daytongardenstation.org

[email protected]

937-610-3845

Please write, email AND call!

Mayor Gary Leitzell

City Hall, Second Floor

101 W. Third Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-333-3636

Fax: 937-333-4297

[email protected]

City Commission Office

City Hall, Second Floor

101 W. Third Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-333-3644

fax: 937-333-4297

[email protected]

Commissioner Matt Joseph – [email protected]

Commissioner Dean Lovelace – [email protected]

Commissioner Nan Whaley – [email protected]

Commissioner Joey D. Williams – [email protected]

City Manager – Timothy Riordan 937-333-3600 [email protected] City Manager Shelley Dickstein – [email protected], [email protected] (937) 333-3600

Planning & Community Development Director – Aaron Sorrell – 937.333.4209 333-3670 [email protected] [email protected]

Outdoor Dinner Theater in Dayton

June 24, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Zoot Theatre Company is taking advantage of their new preforming home by introducing a summer outdoor series at The Dayton Art Institute! This casual, dinner theater concept makes use of the recently renovated Hale Cloister and guests can order tickets a boxed lunch or dinner and a bottle of wine from Leo Bistro.

A Box, Bottle, and Play will consist of three outdoor productions: A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Dr. Faustus; and The Tempest. All three plays are written and adapted by noted local artist Brian McKnight. The Series opened June 19th with one of Shakespeare’s best known plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Famous for its comedy, Midsummer is the story of a pair of young lovers who plan to cast all aside and elope, but are interrupted when they are followed into the woods and become mixed up in a love triangle..er..quartet. The night goes comically awry when the four are caught in a quarrel between the fairy queen and king. A Midsummer Night’s Dream will run through Sunday, June 30.

The second show in the Series, Dr. Faustus is by Christopher Marlowe and is about a notable mind within academia, Doctor Faustus. As he pursues his studies so rigorously he becomes bored with the limits of theory, feeling that he has attained all the wisdom that is possible in the earthly realm. He continues his pursuit of power and knowledge elsewhere, ultimately making a pact with the devil. Dr. Faustus will open on Wednesday, July 10 and run through Sunday, July 21.

The Series will end with another Shakespearean classic, The Tempest. The show follows Prospero after he has been deposed from his dukedom by his own brother and cast to sea. After being deposed, he and his daughter Miranda live stranded for years on an island filled with spirits. When Prospero discovers that a ship carrying his brother and the King of Naples is near, he uses his skills as a powerful magician to crash their boat onto the island’s shores and orchestrates a plan to regain his rightful position. The Tempest will open on Wednesday, July 31 and will close on Sunday, August 11.

Audience members may choose from Leo Bistro’s two meal options; a smoked turkey, provolone, and sundried pesto Panini; or a roasted Portobello and brie Panini with apple arugula salad. All meals include kettle chips or a side salad and a chocolate chip cookie. Meals also include lemonade, iced tea, or water.
Show Times:

Wed, Sat & Sun 1pm,

Thurs & Fri 7pm

Tickets run $20 per show, subscriptions are available for all three shows for $51.00 per person. In addition, audience members are able to purchase a delicious boxed meal for an additional $10.00 per person and a bottle of wine for $15.00 per bottle. Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale. A limited number of $10 “Tweet Seats” are available for Saturday & Sunday performances. For more information, call 937.223.4ART or visit www.zoottheatrecompany.org.

The Zoot Theatre Company was founded in 2006 as a professional puppet and mask company. Based in Dayton, OH, Zoot is the resident theatre company in the NCR Renaissance Auditorium at the Dayton Art Institute where it produces both its Summer Series and MainStage Season, consisting of professional puppet and mask shows. In addition, Zoot offers puppetry and mask workshops for children and adults typically at schools and community centers. Proud to be a Dayton Original, Zoot also maintains studio and rehearsalspace in downtown Dayton and partners with many local schools, colleges, and arts organizations. In the past, Zoot has worked with Alter High School, Oakwood High School, Central State University, The Muse Machine, The Dayton Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, and designed and built original puppets for The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Avenue Q in the Spring of 2013.

Tuesday Tasting Event Highlights Vandalia Area Eateries

June 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The annual Vandalia Butler Chamber of Commerce Tasting event will feature samples from over 20 area restaurants as well as Craft beers from Dayton Beer Co, Yellow Springs Brewing Co, Ohio Brewing Co and Jackie O’s Brewing Company.

Expected Restaurants and Caterers:
A Fat Boyz Pizzeria, Boston’s Bistro, Cardinal Catering, Creatif Catering, Fricker’s, Hickory River BBQ, Hooters, Kohler Catering, Kroger’s Bakery, Max & Erma’s, McDonald’s, Oscar’s Sports Bar & Grill, Panera Bread, Papa John’s Pizza, Shen’s Szechuan & Sushi, Skyline Chili, Walmart’s Bakery and Winan’s Fine Chocolates.

Besides the food you can enjoy the live music, ice sculpting a photo booth as well as a home beer making demonstration.

Advance tickets are only $10, at the door they’ll be $15. Events take place under tents.

PFLAG Dayton Announces 2013 Scholarship Winners

June 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Left to right: Ann Marie Finrock, Allison Cleaver, Bradley Alexander, Robin Hughes, Jenny Caden

PFLAG Dayton announced the five winners of its 2013 scholarships at a special banquet held the evening of Tuesday, June 11, at Harmony Creek Church, 5280 Bigger Rd. in Kettering. All of this year’s scholarship winners are from the Dayton area.

The Dayton chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) awards scholarships each year, including:

· A $2,000 scholarship awarded to an LGBT student who exhibits courage and leadership within the LGBT community.

· A $2,000 scholarship awarded to a straight ally who promotes acceptance within the straight and LGBT community. This year, two Straight Ally Scholarships were awarded.

PFLAG Dayton also awards annual $1,000 scholarship(s) offered by the Greater Dayton LGBT Center to a deserving LGBT student(s).

“PFLAG Dayton’s mission is to promote the health and wellbeing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, as well as their families and friends, through advocacy, education and support,” said Fred Moore, PFLAG Dayton president. “This scholarship program allows us to meet all aspects of our mission while supporting the next generation of leaders. Our past PFLAG Dayton scholarship recipients have included future nurses, doctors and lawyers — students who will go on to benefit everyone in society.”

This year’s winners are:

Straight Ally Award ($2,000): Allison Cleaver of Dayton

Cleaver graduated from Chaminade-Julienne High School and now is a student at the University of Dayton majoring in special education. She’ll graduate in 2016 from UD, where she is a member of the Marianist Leadership Scholars program that requires community service and includes an examination of social justice issues. Last fall, Cleaver trained to be an LGBT ally, learning how to effectively advocate for the LGBT community and fight stereotypes. These issues affected Cleaver’s family personally when her uncle came out and she witnessed her family’s the love and acceptance for her uncle, as well as the process one family member underwent to arrive at that acceptance.

“My mom always instilled in my sister and me an appreciation for all views, so being an ally is something I’m passionate about,” Cleaver said. “This scholarship will help me stay at UD and allow me to grow as a straight ally. I am proud to go to UD and want to continue as an advocate and take on more leadership roles.”

Straight Ally Award ($2,000): Robin Lynne Hughes of Dayton

Hughes is pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. She will be taking her prerequisites at Sinclair Community College and then transferring to a four-year school. Every year, she participates in PFLAG Dayton’s fundraiser “When the Stars Come Out!”

“PFLAG Dayton is not only important for the LGBT community but for the Dayton community as a whole,” Hughes said. “They advocate equality for everyone. It gives people, especially young adults, an opportunity to find a safe haven of acceptance and support where they might not find it in their own community or even within their families.”

LGBT Scholarship ($2,000): Anne Marie Finrock of Piqua

Finrock recently graduated from Piqua High School and will be attending Wright State University majoring in biomedical engineering. She is the valedictorian of her class with a 5.3 GPA, which is the highest on record at Piqua High School. Finrock is involved in many leadership positions and feels she’s helped create a more accepting community at Piqua High School.

“When I fell in love with my best friend, I realized I needed to come out,” Finrock said. “A very proud moment for me was when my partner and I were nominated for the ‘cutest couple’ for the high school yearbook.”

LGBT Scholarship ($1,000): Bradley Alexander of Kettering

Alexander recently graduated from Fairmont High School and will be attending The Ohio State University in the fall majoring in physics. He has been an active member of the Boy Scouts and, although he completed all the requirements of to become an Eagle Scout, he declined the honor because of the Boy Scouts’ stance on homosexuality.

“It felt good to accomplish all those things and know I’ve done right by myself, and then be able to step back and take a stand for something I believe in,” Alexander said. “I hope my stance will help send a message to the Scouting organization to be accepting and inclusive of everyone.

“It’s an honor to receive a scholarship from PFLAG Dayton,” Alexander added. “When there’s an environment that’s not conducive toward gays and lesbians, it can become mentally challenging, so having a support group like this that makes people feel proud to be who they are is really helpful.”

LGBT Scholarship ($1,000): Jenny Caden of Dayton

In fall 2014, Caden will graduate from Wright State University, where she is majoring in English and professional and technical writing. Her minors include computing and information technology and LGBT and sexuality, and she’s taken a great deal of coursework in women’s studies. Five years ago, Caden joined the board of Equality Ohio — the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered advocacy organization — and now is its board chair. At WSU, she served on the university’s Transgender Policy Committee.

“I was approached by student affairs because I helped develop a gender workplace transition policy when I worked for NCR,” Caden said. “Our committee drafted a transgender policy update that should go to the Wright State University trustees for their approval this fall. We also gathered information for the student health insurance policy, which I expect to move forward about a year from now when that contract is up for renewal.

“I’m putting myself through college by working three part-time jobs, so scholarships have been a godsend,” added Caden, who also received a LGBT Scholarship last year. “I’ve been able to focus more on my studies and have made the dean’s list the past two semesters.”

The Dayton chapter of PFLAG is affiliated with the national organization. PFLAG chapters are located in more than 360 communities throughout the United States and in 11 countries. PFLAG Dayton offers a variety of programs to support the LGBT community, as well as their family and friends. The group holds monthly meetings at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Harmony Creek Church, 5280 Bigger Rd. in Kettering. Each meeting offers both a program and a support group.

For more information about PFLAG Dayton, visit http://pflagdayton.org, email [email protected] or call 937-640-3333.

Miamisburg celebrates the 9th annual Tour d’Burg

June 21, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Tour d’Burg will host the 9th Annual Bike Tour starting at Library Park in historic downtown Miamisburg, Ohio.
All ages & abilities are invited to participate in this Ride that heads west through the well marked roads of Montgomery and Preble counties. The Ride includes routes of 25, 50 & 75 miles with water & food stops.

This Ride is not a race, so you can enjoy the countryside and camaraderie. On your return to Miamisburg, you are invited to stay for the Tour d’ Burg amateur and professional criterium bike races. There will be food, activities for the kids plus your favorite media personalities competing in the famous “Celebrity Race”.

Registration Location:
Library Park – Gazebo
Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 8:00 AM
3 miles west of I-75 (near the Dayton Mall) on Route 725
For more info: John Good 937-776-0481

This family-friendly event features a food and vendor court, and this year the Kids zone IS BACK!
There will also be a petting zoo, a bike rodeo and police bike helmet give away on the Backside on the course in River-view Park.

Bike Rodeo
Safety Village
Food Court
Free Bike Helmets
Decorate Your Bike!
12:20pm — Ride Your Bike in a race!
Check Out Cool Stuff

The first Sunday of Summer means Women In Jazz Festival

June 21, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

A day of soul and swing returns to downtown Dayton on Sunday, June 23, as the 31st annual Women in Jazz Festival kicks off the City of Dayton’s Downtown Summer Music Series. The free-admission event takes place at Dave Hall Plaza (Fourth and Jefferson Streets), from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The line-up includes Chicago-based headliner the Petra van Nuis Quartet, featuring guitarist Andy Brown. Also appearing will be: Hott Number, Valeria Lark, Tony’s Hotel, Heidi Reynolds & Jazz Karma, a special guest band to be announced and the Jazz Central Band featuring the Ladies of Jazz Central.

A variety of food and merchandise vendors will be present. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Alcoholic beverages and pets are not permitted. Free valet parking for bicycles will be available.

Women in Jazz is presented by the City of Dayton Department of Recreation and Youth Services and Michelob, with support from the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Heidelberg Distributing, Crowne Plaza Dayton, WROU Radio and Martin Romie Talent.

The City of Dayton’s Downtown Summer Music Series will continue with the Dayton Blues Festival on Sunday, July 21, and the Dayton Reggae Festival on Sunday, September 1, also at Dave Hall Plaza and with free admission.

Dayton Habitat for Humanity ReStore Celebrates Grand Opening in New Facility

June 19, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity kicked-off the grand opening celebration of the new location for its ReStore retail outlet at 115 West Riverview Ave. in Dayton to better serve local families. The ReStore is a discount store that sells building materials, home improvement products, appliances, furniture and home decor to the general public. Find unusual, discontinued, new and gently used products at a great discount. Whether you are looking for that special bathroom sink, kitchen cabinets, doors, windows, paint, lighting fixtures or anything else for your home or rental property… shopping at the ReStore is a must. New inventory arrives daily. Customers save at least 66% off normal retail prices and many products are recycled, keeping them out of the local landfills. ReStore is open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm and Sat 9am – 3pm.

“We are so excited to open a bigger store with more inventory in our new space,” said Dayton Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Diane Graham. “We have always had a great selection of products and a solid customer base, but now our store is much more consumer-friendly and we have more items and can now accept additional donations. If you haven’t seen our new facility, you are in for a treat!”

Founded in 1983, Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, volunteer-driven Christian ecumenical housing ministry dedicated to providing decent, affordable housing to families in need throughout Montgomery County.

Habitat for Humanity serves as a hand up, not a hand out, for qualified low income families. Families apply to earn a home of their own. Once accepted into the program, our “Partner Families” work alongside our many volunteers to build their house. They put in 275 to 550 hours of “sweat equity” and take approximately 40 hours of classes to prepare for responsible homeownership before earning their home. Partner families make a down payment toward the purchase of their home, which is then sold to them through an affordable, interest-free mortgage held by Dayton Habitat for Humanity. Mortgage payments are put into a revolving fund to build future homes. For more information, visit www.daytonhabitat.org.

Mythbusters: Behind the Myths + TICKET CONTEST

June 18, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

This all-new, live stage show stars Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Emmy®-nominated Discovery series, “MythBusters.” Get ready for an unexpected evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories. For the first time ever, fans will join Jamie and Adam on stage and assist in their mind-twisting and not always orthodox approach to science. MYTHBUSTERS – BEHIND THE MYTHS brings you face to face with the curious world of Jamie and Adam as the duo matches wits on stage with each other and members of the audience.

One of the Discovery Channel’s most highly regarded and watched series, “MythBusters” is now in its ninth season. Co-hosted by Hyneman and Savage, “MythBusters” mixes scientific method with gleeful curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity to create its own signature style of explosive experimentation–and the supporting or de-bunking of urban myths that we live with day to day.

AGE RECOMMENDATION:
Ages 6 and up. MYTHBUSTERS – BEHIND THE MYTHS is family friendly and appropriate for all ages, but parents should only bring young children if they can sit through a two hour theatrical show. For the consideration of all patrons, children on laps and/or babes in arms are not permitted at Victoria Theatre Association Star Attraction presentations.

YMCA Hosting Socks & Underwear Drive For Crayons to Classrooms

June 18, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Through Friday, June 28th, a sock and underwear donation drive will be held at the YMCA of Greater Dayton branch locations in collaboration with Crayons to Classrooms.

Crayons to Classrooms is a nonprofit teacher resource center that helps under-funded teachers from low-income schools in the Dayton region obtain free school supplies and basic clothing items at no cost to the teachers, families or schools. Many students and families in our Greater Dayton area are unable to afford basic necessities such as socks and underwear.

A large collection bin will be available at each of the ten area YMCA of Greater Dayton branch locations to gather new socks and underwear for Dayton area boys and girls from pre-kindergarten to 4th grade.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact Jennifer Mueller at 937-223-5201, ext. 1023.

Fifth Street Brewpub’s Birthday Bash on June 22 to Celebrate One Year as a Co-Op

June 18, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

Fifth Street Brewpub (FSB), the first co-operatively owned brewpub in Ohio and the second to open in the nation, announced today that they will be celebrating their first birthday on Saturday, June 22 from noon to 12PM. The event will be open to both member-owners and the general public.

Fifth Street Brewpub’s birthday bash will include a variety of craft beers on tap, a raffle fundraiser, live music by local musicians, food provided by Dayton’s own food trucks, cupcakes made with beer and so much more.

Money raised via the raffle will go toward the purchase of the brewpub’s custom seven-barrel brewing system. “Tickets will be sold for $1 each or 6 for $5” said Membership Director Maureen Barry. “We are also asking attendees to bring in a new baby item if possible that will be donated to Catholic Social Service’s Teen-Parent Link Program. The first 100 people to donate a new item will receive a baby cupcake provided by High Spirits Cupcakes, a local business owned by our members-owners Roxanne and Mark Gabbard.” Attendees can bring in any of the following items: baby wipes, baby shampoo, baby lotion, and diapers (size 4 or larger).

FSB’s birthday bash will be a great celebration where anyone can eat, drink, socialize, catch a game on any of the HD TVs and listen to live music provided by local artists Ally Lewber and Dustin Vincent. FSB-branded apparel will also be available for purchase. The Brewpub will be open to the public and members Thursday, Friday, and Sunday as well, but the big party is Saturday… our birthday! For a detailed schedule of events, visit Fifth Street Brewpub’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FifthStreetBrewpub. “This may be the last chance for non-members to join the brewpub at the one-time fee of $100 and own a share of the co-op before the price goes up to $125 and still take advantage of the membership gift set: one Fifth Street Brewpub-branded pint glass and four coasters” Barry stated. For more details visit www.brewpubgifts.com.

The grand opening of the brewpub is set for July 13^th, but may be open a couple weeks prior to that for training and fine tuning. Co-founder and president Brian Young stated, “We are very excited to open in July and hopefully be brewing our own beer by late July. It’s been a long time coming! In the end, Fifth Street Brewpub is a community built by community. Our motto is ‘building a community… one beer at a time.’ It’s an exciting time in Dayton!”

Ohio Hip Hop Awards Summer Showcase Tour Stops in Beavercreek

June 15, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Eight years ago, the founders of the Ohio Hip Hop Awards & Music Conference came together with a mission to recognize those making a contribution in the Ohio urban music industry. This ground breaking event has since grown to span a three day weekend every September, bringing together thousands of industry professionals, artists and fans for networking socials, talent showcases, expert panels and industry parties. The finale of the weekend is the red carpet awards show that recognizes Ohio’s best of rappers, singers, DJ’s, models, dancers, media outlets and numerous other contributors to a growing Ohio music scene.

The Ohio Hip Hop Awards board takes special pride in their several month process in which they directly interact with urban music scenes across the state to accurately represent the who’s who of each market and give credit where it is due. This is done through the website www.ohiohiphopawards.com where fans can nominate and vote in many different categories, such as best live venue, best college radio show, best club DJ, best album, best video and many, many more. In addition, every June the board members travel to eight different cities with the Ohio Hip Hop Awards Summer Showcase Tour, allowing local artists to compete in live performance showcases.

This year, the Dayton stop of the Ohio Hip Hop Awards Summer Showcase Tour will take place Saturday, June 15 at the live music venue One Eyed Jacks. Local artists are given the chance to compete for several valuable prizes that benefit their music career and exposure. The winner of the showcase will be given the chance to perform at either the Ohio Hip Hop Awards Show or Pre-party, an automatic nomination in the best live performance category, and inclusion in the Ohio Hip Hop Awards promotional material. The winner in the best live performance category will also headline the entire 2014 Ohio Hip Hop Awards Summer Showcase Tour.

The Dayton stop of the Summer Showcase Tour is hosted by local entertainment resource company Razdabar Sound & Management in conjunction with the Ohio Hip Hop Awards. Dayton’s very own nationally known DJ SKNO of the Core DJ’s will spin for the event, keeping the party live at all times. Urban music enthusiasts and supporters are warmly invited to come out and see the best that the Dayton music scene has to offer this Saturday. One Eyed Jacks is located at 2638 Colonel Glenn Highway in Fairborn, across from Wright State University. Doors open at 8pm, live performances to begin at 9pm. Admission is $10 at the door.

Garden Station Sunday Market To Launch This Sun, June 16th

June 14, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

Garden Station Sunday Market will start this Sunday as the only local produce outlet in Montgomery County which is open on a Sunday. It will start in a more compact version until more urban farmers and artists join us and consumers create more demand. It will run 11am to 2pm and will start with one booth combining produce from the Greater Dayton Urban Farmer’s group, including produce from the NEW market/demonstration farm at Garden Station.

Garden Station feels that demand for local, organically grown produce is increasing and are encouraged by the turn out of over 1000 people for our EarthFest and almost 300 for the local March against Monsanto, but we need more individuals to step forward who are committed to help us work towards a more vibrant local food system. Please comment below if you’d like to help Garden Saation.

Our famers have too many family and other work commitments that need to take priority this year so our larger market events will occur for First Fridays this year for “Local Day at Garden Station”. Local Day will feature at least 2 free sustainable living workshops every month as well as live local music and our Greater Dayton Urban Farmer’s Market. Local Day will run from 5:30pm to dusk on the First Friday of every month through October. The Sunday Market will run weekly from June 16th through mid October on Sundays from 11am-2pm.

The AARP is supporting the production of local produce at Garden Station by helping fund our market/demonstration gardens and arranging for a portion of the produce grown at Garden Station to be donated to seniors at Jaycee Towers, just a block from the gardens.

Please show your support for our local farmers and local, organically produced foods by shopping local!

This information originally appeared on Garden Station’s Facebook event page.

Bridgett from Savings Lifestyle Shares Father’s Day Deals

June 14, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Our guest post today is from Bridgett Thaxton Miller, publisher or Savings Lifestyle ~ Dayton. She is married with 2 boys, ages 9 and 6. Bridgett has a BS in Business and Marketing and worked for Mead paper (now NewPage) in customer service for several years. She is passionate about saving money because she likes being able to stay home with her boys. Bridgett saves where she can so the couple doesn’t depend on a second salary. Also, she doesn’t like having any debt!

Today she shares some great deals that local Dayton Area restaurants and businesses will be offering for Father’s Day. What do you have planned for Dad on Sunday?

Cake, Hope, Love – Free Cupcake for Dad
Valid 6 pm – 9 pm on 6/15/2013

Cincinnati Zoo – Free Admission for Dads
Valid 6/16/2013

Penn Station – Free 6″ Sub with Sub Purchase
*be sure to print coupon*
Valid 6/16/2013 only

Poelking Lanes South – 3 Free Games for Dad
Valid from 1pm – close on 6/16/2013

Skateworld of Kettering: Free Admission for Dad w/paying child
*I saw this while we were there yesterday*
Valid 6/16/2013

The Magic Castle – Free Round of Miniature Golf w/paying son or daughter
Valid 6/16/2013

Yankee Trace Golf Club – 25% off Golf Apparel for Dad in Pro Shop
Valid through 6/16/2013

Be sure to check out National Father’s Day’s Deals along with Gift Card Promotions!