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No Foolin’ – Great YP Events in April

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FEATURED EVENT

Friday, April 15th:
updayton’s Young Creatives Summit

Dayton Convention Center
Friday, April 15; 3-6 PM
$15 ($5 for Students)
Info Packet (agenda, breakout descriptions, etc) HERE

The Summit has been slightly revamped to meet the needs of the busy young creative while maintaining the mission of giving YOU a say in the direction of the Dayton region.  This year’s features include: a shortened Summit (3-6 PM), a great “speed networking” professional development opportunity, and established regional organizations such as the Downtown Dayton Partnership, CityWide Development, the Human Relations Council, and the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) adding their strength to make YOUR projects even more impactful and sustainable.

Don’t miss the 2011 Young Creatives Summit. REGISTER NOW!

A few April YP Highlights:

April 1, 5-10 PM – Sure, it’s the day for practical jokes, but no kidding – don’t miss First Friday! This month, enjoy roving musicians, jugglers and breakdancers, new art installations at the Southern Belle and two locations off Courthouse Square, a preview of the DVAC Art Auction, the monthly Courteous Mass bike ride and more. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership. For more information, including specific event details, visit the First Friday Web page or Facebook page.

April 7, 5:30-7:30 PM – Come join the Young AFCEAns at the Fox and Hound near the Fairfield Commons Mall for a Networking / Social Event. Bring a friend that may be interested in learning more about AFCEA.  Appetizers, beer and soda will be provided by Young AFCEAns.  Please contact Casey Weinstein at cweinstein@microstrategy.com if you have questions.

April 8, 6PM – The Great Escape is back! The Red Cross Associate Board hosts this fantastic party in the Schuster Center Wintergarden featuring live music, dancing, an exciting silent auction, and great food resulting in a memorable and fun-filled evening. Everyone who attends will have a chance to win a fabulous door prize of a weekend trip for two valued at $1,000 to anywhere in the US -generously donated by AAA Miami Valley. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door.

April 13, 7-9 PM – Kick off the soccer season by joining the Dayton Dutch Lions FC at the PreSeason VIP Party! $11 gets you a Dayton Dutch Lions FC calendar, finger foods, and a cash bar in the Patterson Room of the Dayton Racquet Club. Come enjoy a great networking opportunity AND your chance to bid to win a day with the DDL players and owners (dates include a massage & pedi from Square One and dinner at McCormick and Schmicks!)

April 13, 5:30-9 PM – Get ready for a happy hour extravaganza! It’s all sorts of creative when Dayton Creative Syndicate (DCS)  welcomes AAF-Dayton and AIGA Cincinnati colleagues  to the Gem City for a networking and socializing super event at Harrigan’s South. Come out and rub elbows with some of the most creative folks in southwest Ohio! (Or at least stop by for the $2 special on domestics and well drinks.) They’ll be at Harrigan’s South location, 671 Lyons Road, Centerville.

April 15, 6:30 PM – Post-Summit, Pre-Party with JumpstART as they check out the Stivers Photography Auction. Free to attend, cheap to bid, pay what you want. Professional photographers from across the nation donate works to be auctioned off to benefit the arts program at Stivers. Hang out with other arts-minded YPs, support a great cause and get some art on your walls.

April 20, 5:30 – 8 PM – Back by popular demand is Generation Dayton’s Speed Networking. It’s your chance to effectively network one-on-one with other young professionals. There will be a cash bar and complimentary appetizers. Free for members, $15 for nonmembers.  Bring plenty of business cards and be ready to connect!  Registration required; contact lwulfeck@dacc.org to reserve your spot, seating is limited!

April 23, 8AM – Noon – HYPE (Northern Miami Valley) is getting it’s volunteerism on as they donate a Saturday morning to a Habitat for Humanity Service Project.  Don’t miss this opportunity to make a major difference in the community while meeting some great local YPs. More info on the Web page.

That’s just a small selection of the great events available in April – check out the Web pages of each group to see all they have to offer – including socials, networking, professional development and more!

YP Roundup – Here Comes the Spring

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Wow – a few days into March and I’m just publishing this now.  I guess that’s what happens when February is the shortest month and the sun starts luring people (me) outside and away from computers.  Anyway – just in time for First Friday (btw: check out the fab listing of galleries, bands, outdoor rec events and more on the event calendar) – here is a shortened edition the YP Roundup.  Since you’ve got the handy-dandy DMM calendar, this Roundup will start to feature just one or two events each week from our great local YP organizations.  Check out organizational Web pages or the DMM calendar for a more comprehensive list.

March is the month that launched the Young Guns vs. Old Pistols for the Wright-Patt Junior Force Council.  Not on Base?  Keep up with their events on their new Facebook page.  Want more info on YP events behind the gates?  Check out the story on DMM.

Week One:

Check out First Friday.  Some really cool opportunities there include a story telling session, live music in a music store, a new art exhibit (or two), zumba, an 80’s skate party, a bike ride, and general frivolity and fun.

Join the Dayton Ballet Barre at Norton’s on Sunday, March 6 for… ballet? NO!  It’s to get in the mood for March Madness.  They’ll be watching OSU take on Wisconsin.  They don’t call it the “big dance” for nothing – of course the Ballet Barre is getting into that action.

Week Two:

Wednesday, March 9 gives you a chance to join the members of HYPE for lunch at Kanoe Cafe.  It’s an informal lunch to meet a few new friends and learn about upcoming HYPE events.  RSVP by March 8 to guarantee your spot.

Wednesday night brings you the chance to check out Lucky’s Taproom, the Oregon District’s newest tavern, with the Dayton Creative Syndicate.  This Happy Hour brings together professionals from design, copy writing, and other creative fields for a good time.

Week Three:

Get the Montgomery County Economic Update when Generation Dayton hosts Commissioner Debbie Lieberman on Tuesday, March 15 for the Business and Breakfast Speaker Series.  A free event to attend (breakfast at your cost) with good friends and great information.

Week Four:

On Thursday, March 24 JumpstART is going to campus for a great deal on String Theory featuring the Richter Uzur Duo at UD.  Of course, it’s not a full Flyer experience without first checking out Milano’s for some great food and drink specials as well as some great door prizes.

On Saturday, March 26 the American Heart Associate answers the call for YPs who wanted to be included in the Dayton Heart Ball (without the Heart Ball price).  Join them at the Red Heart Lounge After-party!  Geared toward YPs, it’s a chic event that offers a discounted rate, food, dancing, wine/beer, red carpet photos and a chance to mix and mingle with other YPs making a difference in the lives of others.  Contact sybil.martin@heart.org for details.

AND:

Other great events tagged for YPs in the region include the Dayton AMA presentation on how to turnaround a downtown, a healthy and tasty wine/yoga combo, and the chance to bring your friends together to Bowl for Kids’ Sake.

“Like” some YP pages online, keep an eye on the DMM calendar and let us know here if you’ve got other great YP events coming up!

YP Roundup – February

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We’ve made it through the longest day of the year and now we’re into the shortest month; fingers crossed that the pesky groundhog misses its shadow and spring is just around the corner.  Groundhog or not, time seems to be flying by, but before it gets too far away from us – we can enjoy a lot of great YP events coming up this month.

Wednesday, February 2: Start off February by making a commitment to better your city!  A way for YPs to get involved is the “Street Level” committee for the Vacant Storefronts Project.  The Downtown Dayton Partnerhsip (in collaboration with many community leaders, businesses, volunteers, and organizations) has been crafting the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan.  They handed over control of this important project to any and all young people in the region who want to make a significant visual impact on the vibrancy of the region.  There are three committees working hard to fill the empty storefronts in different ways.  Contact Sherri to learn how to get involved.

UPDATE:  CANCELLED!  Also, the first Wednesday of the month brings the Ballet Barre/Associate Board meeting at the Dayton Racquet Club.  As always, they start with a social and an opportunity to check out the view from the top of the DRC, then they get into the business of the meeting.

Have you checked out Meetup yet?  If you’re a 30-something in the region and interested in meeting some new people while checking out some fun venues, maybe this is for you.  Their schedule changes often as new events are added as people decide to host a party or schedule a dinner out.  They’re planning a couple fun ones on Friday, February 4 (downtown with First Friday as the setting) and Saturday, February 5 to watch the UFC fight at Champps down south.

To keep with the Meetup spirit, the Dayton Young Professionals are hitting Meadowlark for a fun, social, and casual brunch on Sunday, February 6.

Are you a reader?  Or do you love the social aspect of a book club?  Either way, join Generation Dayton on Monday, February 7 at Books & Co. at the Greene for their monthly book club meeting.  They are discussing The Little Black Book of Leadership written by Dr. Todd Dewett.  Who’s going to be there?  Oh yeah, Dr. Dewett himself!  Don’t miss this chance to get great insights on an inspiring book from the author himself.

Head up north on Wednesday, February 9 from 12-1 PM to have lunch with HYPE.  They’ll be at The Backyard Bistro in Piqua where you can meet some new friends, keep up with some upcoming events, and check out a great location in the northern Miami Valley.  New members welcome!

Thursday, February 10 brings a collaboration for all networking, social, and arts minded YPs.  JumpstART hooks up with Generation Dayton during their monthly “Thirsty Thursday” to make it bigger and better than ever.  Get some free appetizers, happy hour drink prices, and 1/2 off small plates at downtown’s newest hot spot, De’Lish.  THEN head across the street to the Human Race Theatre for half price tickets to Twelfth Night.  Stick around after the show to meet the cast and get a special YP backstage tour.  It’s a big night open to ALL young people in the region.  Details on the whole night here.

Did you know that one of the local YP groups – Generation Dayton – is actually a program of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce?  It just demonstrates how much local businesses value the role of young professionals in the region.  Learn more about it from Phil Parker, the President and CEO of the Dayton Chamber, at the Business and Breakfast Speaker Series on Tuesday, February 15 at the Dayton Racquet Club.  Free to attend, breakfast at your expense.

So, you got your breakfast YP fix – now get those creative juices flowing on the evening of February 15 as the Dayton Creative Syndicate presents speaker Brian Hoff from The Design Cubicle. Time: 6-7 PM – Only $10 for DCS members, $20 for nonmembers, $5 for students.  Learn more about Brian and the DCS here.

Are you a 20-something in the region looking for some new people to hang out with?  There is no shortage of great events with the 20-somethings of Dayton Meetup.  On Wednesday, February 16 they are partying it up at the Soft Rock Cafe for Karaoke and drink specials.  No worries if you’re a non-singer, you can shoot pool, throw darts, or make fun of cheer on the signers.

The 20-somethings love their mid-week get togethers.  Wednesday, February 23 they test how many brain cells they’ve kept since college with trivia at Harrigan’s South.  These and lots more meetups for the 20-somethings at: http://www.meetup.com/20somethings-of-Dayton-Ohio/#upcoming

Generation Dayton often opens its events to all YPs in the region.  But this month’s Lunch Speaker Series on Friday February 25 is for dues-paying Member’s Only.  If you’re a member of GenD or want to consider joining, check out the Web page for details on this lunch topic.

Et. al: Not specifically YP events (oh, no – I’m breaking the rules!) but some great options for YPs include:
Pecha Kucha night on Thursday, February 3 at the Neon, a graffiti party at upcoming downtown restaurant Olive during First Friday, Dayton Diode (self-described as a YMCA for nerds) open house on Saturday, February 5, the YMCA Valentine’s Ball on February 11, WYSO’s silent auction on February 12, and EVERY Sunday in February you can enjoy brunch to benefit Stivers School for the Arts at Coco’s.  For these (and so many more) great Dayton events, keep an eye on the weekly Jane’s Best Bets.

So – those are a handful of events keeping you busy in February and introducing you to lots and Lots and LOTS of new YPs who are active and involved in having a great time in Dayton.  Go to everything and you’ll average an event every other day.  Check out something new and let me know how it goes.

YP Roundup – January 2011

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Happy New Year!

December went out with a bang with special discounts for big YP New Year’s Eve parties and a lot happening.  Not to be outdone, there are some great events coming up in January.  Also – make sure you look into the meetups that are popping up.  In additional to the Twenty-Somethings group and the Young Professionals I’ve told you about – a new group has emerged just last month, the Thirty-Somethings.  So – there are professional groups, social groups, networking groups, arts groups, recreation groups, and lots of overlap among them all.  Check out something new this month!

First up: HYPE – the YP group nestled in the Northern Miami Valley invites you to join them for an informal lunch on Wednesday, January 12 at the Tin Roof in Troy.  It’s a great chance to meet new friends, keep up with their events, and enjoy lunch together.  New members always welcome, but RSVPs are required by Noon on January 11.

Thirsty Thursday on January 13 gives you a way to wet your whistle with other YPs and meet new people without any membership requirements.  Join Generation Dayton at The Wine Loft at the Greene from 5:30 – 7:30 PM for a cash bar with special happy hour prices.

Have you been Ice Skating on RiverScape yet this season?  Now’s your chance – Saturday, January 15 from 3-5 PM.  With a tiny cost of $5 for admission and skate rental, you get plenty of fun.  Skate, enjoy some hot chocolate, and sit around the fire pits with friends from Generation Dayton.

You can count on Generation Dayton to bring you great conversation over good food with the Business and Breakfast Speaker Series. In January, hear from Andy Snow – a top regional photographer sharing his experience catching the action for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.  Tuesday, January 18 at the Panera on Main Street in Centerville from 7-8AM.  No cost to attend (food at your own expense), but you need to RSVP.

Third Thursday of the month brings you the Dayton Ballet Barre’s monthly Wine and Ballet at the Wine Gallery on Monument and Main in Dayton.  Get together with other arts-minded YPs for conversation, drinks, and fun.

Dayton has a major history and future of invention.  Former Governor Bob Taft has been leading discussions and actions regarding the partnership between education and innovation.  He’ll share his insights at a Generation Dayton Fourth Friday Lunch at the Stars Restaurant on top of the Crowne Plaza in downtown Dayton on January 28 at Noon.  RSVPs required.

The final Gen D event of January gets everyone together for bowling at Woodman Lanes in Kettering on Saturday, January 29 from 6-8 PM.  Only $12 includes 2 hours of bowling, shoes, and pizza.  Pay at the door and everyone will be assigned to lanes as you arrive.  Remember to RSVP!

January 29 is also your chance to “Jump into Bluegrass” with JumpstART.  It’s a great deal on a arts opportunity that may be new to you, so check it out with other YPs.  Grammy-winning bluegrass superstar Ricky Skaggs and his fire-breathing band Kentucky Thunder return to the Dayton Masonic Center stage to headline an outstanding traditional bluegrass double-header.

***New on the radar!  Did you graduation from the University of Dayton in the last 10 years (or you’re under 35)?  UD now has a special YP alumni group – Day10.  There’s a whole list of events they have coming up, so if you’re a flyer grad – check them out.

Between professional and social networking, volunteer opportunities, food, education, and arts – there’s something for everyone.  What kinds of events get you excited to try something new and meet some new people?

Jane’s Best Bets (12/15 – 12/19)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

If you had one, I hope you enjoyed your 2-hour delay or day off due to the snow this week!  If not, I’m sorry!  There are again lots of things to do this week, so even if jackfrost is nipping at your nose, don’t make it a big deal…bundle up and get out of that house!

On Wednesday, start the day at Taco Bell for Free Breakfast Wednesday. At lunchtime, there are several events going on downtown.  You will be able to hear yuletide carols being sung by a choir if you attend the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment or the Noonday Carol Singat Westminster Presbyterian Church.  If you work or volunteer for a non-profit, you’ll want to attend Results Now for Nonprofits at the main branch of the Dayton Metro Library.  The colors of Christmas are red and green, so get in half of that spirit by attending the ‘Green’ Social Networking event at Franco’s.  For you winos, attend the Wine Tasting at Dorothy Lane Market or the Weekly Wine Tastingat The Wine Gallery.  If you’re a beero, attend the Mt Camel Beer Tastingat A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg.  At the Spaghetti Warehouse, attend their Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre ‘Hollywood Holiday’…if it’s too scary, you will find it hard to sleep tonight.  For you corny folk like me, attend the Customer Appreciation Christmas Partyat Barleycorn’s, where it will be happy hour all day and there will be visits and gifts from Santa. And finally on Wednesday, at The Loft Theatre, attend 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s or catch The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre.

On Thursday, visit Santa at the PNC Second Street Market.  Again at your lunch hour, attend the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment going on downtown.  If you are a young professional who lives/works north of town, join HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) at The Caroline as part of their Third Thursday.  In order to try a new beer or two, attend the Sierra Nevada Celebration at Spinoza’s or the Christmas Beer Dinner at Thai 9.  I’m talking to you about beer, so I’m offering this simple phrase:  Don’t drink and drive.  Over at the Dayton Art Institute, watch as the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Presents African Americans in American Life.  While there, take advantage of their Free Third Thursdays.  Or crank out some tunes by attending Karaoke with DJ Carlat Therapy Café.

On Friday, there are many options for your lunch hour.  If you would like to have lunch with an awesome group of young professionals, RSVP to the wonderful Andy Hickey and attend Generation Dayton’s 4th Friday lunchat Rue Dumaine (it’s actually the third Thursday this month because of Christmas!).  Or, attend Bach’s Lunch feat. Carillon Brass, a band of brass instrument musicians, whose members are all part of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.  Plus, the concert is absolutely FREE!  According to my schedule, fish fry season doesn’t officially start until the Holy Angels fish fry in January, but you don’t have to wait that long for a little fish as you’ll be able to have an All You Can Eat Fish Dinnerat Romer’s Bar and Grill. For those of us who still need to finish our Christmas shopping, we’re in luck as there is a Holiday Bazaar at Valeria’s Beauty Center and Day Spa.  Don’t feel like cooking?  Attend the Christmas Candlelight Dinner at the Dayton Woman’s Club.  Or attend the December Wine and Food Extravaganzaat Kroger Fresh Fare.  I looked at the menu and it sounds absolutely amazing, as there are many foods whose names I don’t know how to pronounce!  To burn off all those calories, grab your ice skates and head over to RiversScape for their DJ Skate: Holiday and Top 40.  Or if you feel like just kicking back, consider purchasing tickets to one of the many shows going on in the area, including Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, The Nutcrackerat the Schuster Center, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre, Christmas Belles at the Dayton Playhouse, the The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, or Irving Berlin’s White Christmasat La Comedia.

Plan to make Saturday a day with your kids…or at least part of it.  And if you’re like me and don’t have any kids, you can just act like one, or perhaps give somebody’s parents a break and borrow one.  (My mom said she wished somebody would borrow me.  Yep, she actually said that…luckily followed by a just kidding!)  So with kid/s in tow, attend Breakfast with Santa at Carillon Park or stop by the PNC 2nd Street Market as Santa Visits the Market, where he has probably loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh!   While there, drop off your non-perishable items for Food for Friends.  In addition to helping those who are less fortunate, you’ll also be setting a great example for the little ones!  You can then visit the Wonderland Windows and do a little shopping at The Tike’s Shop, which are both at the Schuster Center.  At Kettering Tower, check out Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display.  A little later, take those kiddos to The Neon to watch ‘The Grinch’ as part of their Family Movie Series.  Looking for a pet?  Consider attending the Iams Home 4 the Holiday Pet Adopt-a-thon Event.

There are many other options for Saturday as well!  If you’d like to see a show, consider seeing Christmas Belles at the Dayton Playhouse, The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, The Nutcrackerat the Schuster Center, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at the Loft Theatre.  Help to make the season bright by attending the Musica! Christmas Seasonal Concertat Fairhaven Church.  I have heard that Musica! has been working hard to put on a great performance!  All you “Flyer Faithful” will want to be at the UD Arena as the Flyers take on Western Carolina.  And although I have never been to one, you can also attend The Mu Crew Christmas Drag Showto benefit the AIDS Resource Center…there might not be folks dressed up like eskimos, but I am sure they will be wearing some interesting clothes!  I didn’t mean for it to, but that sort of rhymed…I guess I’m a poet and didn’t even know it.

On Sunday, have a Victorian Christmas Brunch at the Dayton Woman’s Club. You will also have the opportunity to take your child to the Schuster Center to have Some-Fun, see the Wonderland Windows display, and shop at The Tike’s Shop…I’m sure there will be lots of tiny tots with their eyes all aglow!  If you love architecture, then you will definitely want to attend the Architectural Church Tour which will take you through four different churches built in the late 19th/early 20th century.  This shuttled tour is 100% free!  If you didn’t get a chance to see Musica! perform on Saturday night, consider checking them out at the Lutheran Church of our Savior for their Christmas Seasonal Concert.  And for some theater options, go to the Dayton Playhouse to see Christmas Belles, the Victoria Theatre for The Wonder Bread Years, the Schuster Center for The Nutcracker, Town Hall Theatre for Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, La Comedia for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, or The loft Theatre for 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s.  And if you would like somebody to hit your funny bone, see Latin Kings of Comedy- Alex Reymundo at Dayton Funny Bone.  I have two funny bones, but I think Dayton only has one.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why does Santa have three gardens?

So he can hoe hoe hoe.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Although it’s been said many times, many ways, have a GREAT week Dayton!

Jane’s Best Bets (12/8 – 12/12)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

So we got some of that white stuff on the ground this past week, which is starting to make me dream of a white Christmas!  I love Dayton, but I could definitely do away with this cold!  Anywho, here are some mostly indoor options for the week so you don’t have to depend on the crazy weather!

On Wednesday, check out the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment at various building lobbies downtown.  Groups from around the Miami Valley will be performing holiday music, so it might be a good thing to check out during your lunch hour!  If you’re up in the northern part of the area, consider having Lunch with HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) at Coldwater Café.  In the evening, head to the Oregon District for their Holiday Tour of Homes.  If you have never experienced Christmas on Campus – Music at the University of Dayton, it is definitely something you want to check out!  There are a variety of festivities, including live music, displays, food, and much more!  If you are “wonder”ing whether there are any theater options, you are in luck!  Catch The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre.

On Thursday, there will again be musical entertainment during the lunch hour at both the Key Bank Tower’s lobby and the Liberty Tower’s lobby as part of the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment.  Ladies, there is a day just for us at the PNC 2nd Street Market.  Pamper yourself by participating in a variety of activities, including flower arranging, make-up hints, healthy eating tips, and more as part of Ladies Day at the Market.  If you can take the afternoon off work, head to the Dayton Art Institute for their Tour and Tea.  In the evening, ALL young professionals should definitely attend Generation Dayton’s Thirsty Thursday at the Dayton Racquet Club!  If you’re active and would like to learn how to cook, consider registering for Backcountry Gourmet Cooking presented by Five Rivers Metro Parks.  And if you love free live music, attend the UD Gamelan Ensemble performance.

The Nutcracker

On Friday, attend Kids Flower Arranging (make sure your children listen!) or December Centerpieces at PNC 2nd Street Market.  If you didn’t get a chance to check out one of the many holiday music performances downtown during your lunch hour the past few days as part of the Dayton Holiday Festival’s Noontime Entertainment, now is your chance.  And even if you already did, there will be new groups performing!  There will be plenty of performances/shows to check out, including Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, A Christmas Carol at the Beavercreek Community Theatre, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, the UD Jazz Ensembles at the University of Dayton, The Nutcracker at the Schuster Center, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre, Precious Heart at the Dayton Theatre Guild, and The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre.  If it’s not too cold, join other skaters (or wannabe skaters) at the Star-Late Skate at River Skate…I mean Scape.  No goats allowed.

On Saturday, get a healthy start by participating in the 2010 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at the Dayton Mall, where I’m sure you’ll see treetops glisten if you go in some of the department stores!  With every Christmas card you write, you get some of that carpal tunnel stuff, so this will be a good opportunity to start moving your legs instead of your hands!  Still trying to catch up on your holiday shopping?  Check out the Yellow Springs Holiday Festival.  At The Neon, see the movie Elf as part of their Family Movie Series.  Heat up your holidays without that expensive airfare by checking out the Parrots of the Caribbean (a Jimmy Buffett cover band) as they play at Norton’s in Kettering.  There will also be tons of performances in the Dayton area that continue to go on, including The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, Precious Heart at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, A Christmas Carol at Beavercreek Community Theatre, 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s and at The Loft Theatre.  Also, join jumpstART, the Dayton Ballet Barre, and the Young Lawyers Division as they partner up for Jump into Ballet (A Night with the Nutcracker).  Click on the link to see how YOU can get a ticket at half-price!  Plus afterwards, attend the JumpsART Afterparty at The Wine Gallery!  If you’re not into the theatre scene but would prefer to do some bar hopping (for a good cause of course!), get out your Santa or Mrs. Claus suit and participate in the Santa Pub Crawl to benefit Toys for Tots in the Oregon District.  Just be sure to drink responsibly!  Love, Your Mom.

On Sunday, take the whole family to the Schuster Center to hear sleigh bells in the snow as part of Wonderland Windows.  While there, you can also shop in The Tike’s Shop, have “Some-Fun”, and check out a performance of The Nutcracker.  For some beautiful music, head to the Dayton Art Institute for the Afternoon Musicales: Holiday Performance, Westminster Presbyterian Church for the Dayton Philharmonic’s ‘Handel’s Messiah: The Composer’s Cut’, or Kettering Fairmont High School for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert.  There will also be additional performances of many of the shows that have been going on this week, including The Wonder Bread Years at Victoria Theatre, Junie B. Jones; Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at Town Hall Theatre, Precious Heart at the Dayton Theatre Guild, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at La Comedia, or 8-Track: The Sounds of the ’70s at The Loft Theatre.  And finally, you may want to be sitting at “The Dock” (of the bay), for 79 Cent Draft Beer Football Happy Hour.  It will definitely be happy if the Browns are winning!  And if not, I’m sure a beer will help!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Did you hear about the guy who sent his girlfriend a huge pile of snow?  He called her up the next day and asked her, “Did you get my drift?”

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

May your days be merry and bright this week Dayton!

December YP Roundup

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December brings holiday parties galore for people already involved in various YP organizations, and plenty of opportunities for the casual observer to network, get involved, and explore some of the many YP groups in the region.

Kicking off December’s activities, you can join Generation Dayton at their holiday wine/chocolate tasting at Winans Coffee and Chocolates at the Dayton Mall; for $20, you can try 5 wines and 5 chocolates. YUM! Another option to kick-start your December is Karaoke night at Blind Bob’s with the 20-somethings of Dayton. This meetup utilizes events of interest that are already happening around town and gets a group together to make it a party. Then Thursday brings the Young AFCEAns Holiday Party at the Pub (at the Greene). From 5-7 PM, they provide the food, soda, and beer – you come ready to network with other local defence contractors. Don’t know if this group is for you? Contact cweinstein@rhinocorps.com for more info. And the launch of the new group Culture Mash is also on December 2 at Wright State – this is a new organization dedicated to bringing together young leaders to give back to the community.

First Firday conveniently fits in right here – although not an official YP event, local arts group JumpstART has been highlighting a lot of great places to buy local art to finish up your holiday shopping – hit downtown and explore the galleries for some unique shopping. Continue your weekend with the Generation Dayton Annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 4. At the Old Courthouse, this semi-formal event is a great time to reflect back on the accomplishments of GenD members, announce the winners of the election, and generally have a lot of fun. Free for members and $25 for nonmembers (RSVP required). If you’re up north of town this Saturday, you’ll want to party it up with HYPE as they try out Cosmic Bowling from 9PM – Midnight; cost is only $13 for shoe rental and all you can bowl.

Second week of December starts slow but then ends with a lot of great activities. Midweek HYPE gets things started with a Wednesday lunch to catch up with your fellow Northern Miami Valley YPs – free to attend, but lunch is at your cost.  Also on December 8, you can learn more about the Dayton Ballet at their monthly meeting at the Dayton Racquet Club. Starting with a happy hour, they discuss business, break into committees, and talk about how to better connect YPs with the ballet scene.  Then, join your friends from Generation Dayton for their Thirsty Thursday starting at 5:30 PM at the Dayton Racquet Club (Kettering Tower) – open to all YPs in the region. Also on December 9, the Dayton Creative Syndicate joins up with the Greater Dayton Ad Association for their Holiday Party and Auction. Learn more about this young professional creative group online and see if this might be the party for you.

Friday kicks off your weekend with the fun brought to you by YP @ Play – The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals provide a creative alternative to the typical club scene! It’s a supercharged ‘play date’ for adults; a nostalgic night of fun including familiar games such as Twister, Uno, Spades, Dominos, Monopoly, along with today’s flyest games such as Wii, XBOX…all with an adult twist! On Saturday, a great collaboration between the Dayton Ballet Barre, JumpstART, and the Young Lawyers Division provides all YPs – regardless of membership affiliation – with a fantastic deal to enjoy a holiday classic. Jump into Ballet with A Night with the Nutcracker. Get 1/2 price tickets (that’s only $30) to this popular holiday show and enjoy an afterparty at the Wine Gallery. (NOTE: Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling Kathy at 937-449-5060 for this deal.)

The third week of this month is packed with events as your local YP groups make holiday adjustments. The 20-something meetup has a handful of great events on their calendar – like shopping, shooting, eating and drinking – that you can check-out. Then join HYPE for their regularly scheduled monthly happy hour on the Third Thursday of the month at The Caroline in Troy. Also on the third Thursday, the Dayton Ballet Barre meets for a happy hour with Wine and Ballet at the Wine Gallery at Main and Monument starting at 5:30 PM. Generation Dayton makes a slight adjustment as they move their Fourth Friday lunch to December 17. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to catch up with some friends, pass around a business card or two, and enjoy some seriously delicious food from Rue Dumaine.

Rounding out the list of YP events for December is Generation Dayton’s Business and Breakfast on Tuesday, December 21 at the Brunch Club from 7-8 AM.

Hope you have a great December and get a chance to get out there and explore some of the great groups providing fun events for YPs to mix and mingle.   Don’t forget to add any events I may have missed in the comments section and to the DMM Event Calendar.  Finally, happy holidays whenever and whatever you may be celebrating this month!

Jane’s Best Bets (10/20 – 10/24)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

If you haven’t yet, it’s time to begin celebrating Halloween…or at least time to begin thinking about your costume!  I had my first Halloween party this past weekend, and although I don’t like to brag, I was definitely someone you could count on (my mom, not so much, as evidenced by the picture below).  So hopefully you were counting on me and not my mom to give you an update as to what is going on in Dayton this week!  And for the record, in real life, my mom is someone you can totally count on!

On Wednesday, find out the Keys to Character at the Dayton Metro Library’s Main Branch as part of their fall writing series.  If you are worried about your health (or someone else’s), get a fitness assessment/consultation as part of Holten Wellness Center’s promotion in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as it is estimated that many cancer cases are linked to things like poor diet and physical inactivity.  (If you don’t like going to the doctor, just reward yourself afterwards with one of their wonderful massages!)  In the evening, be sure to use your La Comedia discount in your Entertainment book before it expires at the end of this month and see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  And if you have cold feet, you’ll be in like company at Oregon Express, as the band Frozen Feet will be playing.  While there, be sure to experience some of their amazing pizza!

On Thursday, get in the spirit of Halloween by creating a Pumpkin Flower Arrangement at the PNC 2nd Street Market.  If fashion is your thing, consider supporting Clothes That Work by attending their 10th Annual Fashioning Futures Luncheon at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center.  Are you looking for something fun and educational for your kids to do?  If so, consider taking them to the 9th Annual Mad Scientists’ Lab @ Wright Library, where they will be able to see some wacky science experiments demonstrated by Oakwood High School Students.  In the evening, all young professionals in Miami County will want to join HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Emerge) for their Third Thursday at The Caroline.  And finally, be sure to head to downtown Miamisburg, costume in tow, for Boo in the Burg!, a super fun, great people watching, adult pub crawl.  Just to warn you, there might not be “two” many people you can count on there.

On Friday, come out to Generation Dayton’s ‘4th Friday Lunch’ at Amber Rose.  In the evening, take the kids and head to Hallow’s Eve at Patterson Homestead.  If you would love to see an outstanding musical performance, experience the sounds of Guitarist Robert Belinic when he performs at the Dayton Art Institute as part of the Vanguard Concert Series. If theater is your thing, you have several options, including The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs at Town Hall Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia, Moon Over Buffalo at Playhouse South, Once On This Island at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater, The 39 Steps at the Loft Theatre, and The Sugar Witch at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  Couldn’t they have all agreed to spell “theater” the same way?!?!  I’m just sayin’.

My Mom (someone you "can't count on") and I

On Saturday, start your day off right with Centerville Rotary Pancake Day at the Hithergreen Center.  Afterwards, all you shoppers will want to go to the ATM so you will be able to “check out” at the Shop ’til You Drop event at Hara Arena.  If you’re interested in doing some Halloween-esque activities with the kiddos, depending on their ages, there are many events from which to choose.  Cowvin’s Corny Maze, Pick Your Own Pumpkins, and Haunted Wagon Rides are all things you will be able to do at Young’s Jersey Dairy.  Also happening on Saturday are Hallow’s Eve at the Historic Patterson Homestead, Howl-O-Ween at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, the Windmill Farms Fall Festival at Windmill Farms, and Salem’s Lot Haunted Carnival at the Old Salem Mall.  In the evening, drive your Porsche on over to the Taj Ma Garaj for opening night of Miracles & Magic 2010, a premiere variety show, where all proceeds will benefit A Kid Again, an area non-profit whose mission is to enrich the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.  And finally on Saturday, if you’re like me and love to laugh, you’ll definitely want to see Second City’s performance Fair & Unbalanced at the Victoria Theatre.  Any extra tickets can be sent my way!

Now to Sunday…in the morning/afternoon, enjoy a delicious Sunday Brunch at Yankee Trace Golf Club.  If you are fascinated by all the gorgeous older homes in Oakwood, head to the Wright Memorial Public Library for a talk entitled, The Classic Architecture of Oakwood Homes.  If you enjoy classical music, you’ll want see the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert at Kettering Fairmont High School’s Auditorium.  At Fairmont’s rival, Centerville High School, you will be able to have another opportunity to see A Kid Again’s Miracles & Magic 2010.  And to end the weekend on a really sweet note, there is no other place to be except for the Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe for their All You Can Eat Chocolate Party!  Plus, the money raised will help fund mammograms for those in need through the Kettering Health Network Foundation’s Women’s Wellness Program!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why did the ghost go into the bar?

For the booze.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

YP Roundup – October Events

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As the weather turns cooler, events keep heating up..  Check out one (or many) of the great options for YPs in the month of October.  And be sure to check the DMM event calendar for more details.

Okay – to start out the month, I’m plugging a few events that aren’t specifically YP, but c’mon – these hit pretty close to the home of awesomeness…
Friday, October 1: FIRST FRIDAY – General fun and festivity – you know how that goes.
Saturday, October 2: Dayton Music Fest – $10 to see 20 bands all across Dayton.

Wednesday, October 6: Ballet Barre welcomes new associate board members at their meeting at the Dayton Racquet Club at 5:00 PM
Thursday, October 7: The Generation Dayton Golf outing from this summer was rescheduled for a great crisp, fall day.  Members $60 and nonmembers $65.  RSVPs required.
Thursday, October 7: The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals host a Professional Development Leadership Lunch featuring WSU President Dr. David Hopkins at the Dayton Racquet Club at 11 AM.  $20  RSVP by October 1!
Thursday, October 7: The Archdiocese of Cincinnati presents Theology on Tap at the Oregon Express in the Oregon District.  Join with other singles and couples in their 20s and 30s to discuss topics.  7:30-9PM
Friday, October 8: The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals present YP at Play at Therapy Cafe.  This monthly event is gaining in popularity as grown-ups get together to play kids’ games.
Friday, October 8: The Young Republicans of Montgomery County enjoy a social night out at the Melting Pot.  More information here.

Monday, October 11: The Young Republicans host their regular monthly meeting at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Town and Country.
Wednesday, October 13: JumpstART (aka the Culture Works Associate Board) is hosting an open meeting to welcome new associate board members and answer questions for anyone interested.  At the Culture Works offices at 5:30 PM
Wednesday, October 13: HYPE hosts an informal lunch to welcome new members, highlight upcoming events, and have a good time.  Join them at Night Sky in Troy at Noon.
Wednesday, October 13: updayton hosts their second annual Candidates Night at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  Last year, this was one of the most popular candidates forums hosted by the League of Women Voters.  Again they’ll challenge candidates with questions about revitalization, jobs, and budget issues as they relate to young people.  6 PM.
Thursday, October 14: Generation Dayton hosts Thirsty Thursday at Sidebar at 5:30 PM – free to attend, cash bar.
Thursday, October 14: The Archdiocese of Cincinnati presents Theology on Tap at the Oregon Express in the Oregon District.  Join with other singles and couples in their 20s and 30s to discuss topics.  7:30-9PM
Saturday, October 16: JumpstART invites you to Jump into Dance with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.  Discounted tickets for the show and a fantastic afterparty at Sidebar.

Tuesday, October 19: Generation Dayton continues their monthly Business and Breakfast series with grub at First Watch in Town and Country at 7 AM.
Tuesday, October 19: The Dayton Creative Syndicate, the YP arm of the GDAA,  is focused on all things creative.  Now they present SummitUP – This is your chance to get the inside scoop on all things social media.
Wednesday, October 20: The Dayton Urban League YPs host their monthly meeting at 7 PM at the Urban League offices downtown.
Thursday, October 21: HYPE- the YP organization for the Northern Miami Valley invites all YPs from the region to their Third Thursday social at The Caroline in Troy.
Thursday, October 21: The Ballet Barre hosts a Happy Hour at the Wine Gallery in downtown Dayton – just a great time to get together with other arts minded YPs.
Friday, October 22: On the fourth Friday of every month, you can count on Gen D to introduce you to a great new lunch spot and throw in some networking and friends.  This month – check out Amber Rose at Noon.
Saturday, October 23: A major initiative of HYPE is service and they show it at HYPE Make a Difference Day.  Volunteer and see the major impact that people can have when they work together.

Monday, October 25: Generation Dayton has a book club!  Get your literary groove on with them at 7 PM at the Cannery – no number 2 pencils required as there are no pop quizzes.
Tuesday, October 26: Dayton Creative Syndicate invites you to get creative with pumpkin carving and join them at Harrigan’s Tavern South at 6 PM for some drinks, socializing, and pumpkin fun. 
Thursday, October 28: Every Fourth Thursday, the Young AFCEAns host a social  – join them and chat them up to get the dish on communication, technology, and contractor stuff around the mysterious WPAFB.
Thursday, October 28: Generation Dayton has a hard-knocks workshop for anyone interested in entrepreneurship – “When Reality Bites” presented at The Entrepreneurs Center.  Get the inside scoop on launching your business.

So – that’s what I was able to dig up from the approximately 20 YP groups that are floating around Dayton.  If you’re already an active member in an organization specifically for people in their 20s and/or 30s, I encourage you to use the DaytonMostMetro.com online event calendar to promote your events – it makes it a whole lot easier for people to know what’s going on in the community and maybe, just maybe someone who didn’t know about a cool recreation group, 20-something group, or professional group may find that it’s a good fit.

And if you haven’t checked out one of these organizations yet – what are you waiting for?  Most have pretty small membership requirements (if “official” membership is even required) and hook you up with a lot of great people to build your social and professional contacts.  Whatever you’re looking for – there’s a YP group out there for you.

Jane’s Best Bets (9/22 – 9/26)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Wow, it’s hard to believe that it is officially autumn!  And in Dayton, do you know what “falls” in autumn?  If your answer is leaves, sorry, you only get partial credit.  Although leaves do fall in the autumn, there are also many fun festivals and events that fall during this time of the year!  So let’s not waste anytime in checking out our options for the first week of fall!

On Wednesday, head to the Community Blood Center to Give the Best Pint in Town, as blood donations are vital to the health of our community.  Whether you’re a pessimist or optimist, it really doesn’t matter.  You can “B Negative” or “B Positive”, as the Community Blood Center is accepting of all types!  Plus, you get a cool Octoberfest shirt for donating, which will be just in time for Oktoberfest going on at the Dayton Art Institute this weekend!  Speaking of blood/health issues… are you tired of hearing biased opinions when it comes to our nation’s health care bill?  If so, join HYPE (Helping Young Professinals Emerge) and the Troy, Tipp City, Covington, and Piqua Areas Chamber of Commerce for the presentation, Demystifying the Nation’s Health Care Bill, which will discuss an un-biased, non-partisan view on this important issue.  In case anyone is wondering, I am by no means a politician (my friends tell me I’m too honest), nor do I have any political agenda.  Also on Wednesday…if you enjoy outdoor activities and would like to volunteer at GearFest this year, make sure you attend the GearFest Volunteer Orientation.  Or, if you had a rough day, perhaps you need a glass of wine, so check out the Pina Winery in Napa Valley Tasting at the Wine Gallery downtown.

On Thursday, put away your iPod for the day and tune into Mix 107.7 for their Radiothon for RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities).   The event is happening all day (6:00AM-7:00PM), so even if your boss doesn’t let you listen to music at work and you work the standard 9-5 job, you still have 5 hours to be listening!   You will also be able to make donations online and at some McDonald’s locations.  Also Thursday…if you enjoy the theater scene, there are several plays from which to choose:  Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at Town Hall Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at La Comedia (dinner and a show), and August: Osage County at Wright State’s Festival Playhouse, which is about an Okalahoma family.  I’m not sure why they didn’t just call it Oklahoma.

On Friday, if you don’t already have lunch plans and enjoy networking with other area young professionals, head on over to Murray’s Place for Generation Dayton’s ‘4th Friday Lunch’.  If you are a UD grad like me and are itching for an excuse to make it back on campus, check out the ArtBeat Festival of the Arts, which will feature local and student performing groups, as well as food and art vendors.  In downtown Tipp City, check out the Tipp City Mum Festival.  Although the theme of this year’s festival is Law Enforcement, “Mum’s the Word!  You Have the Right to Remain Silent”, you can see I’m not good at keeping mum about it…I just hope I don’t get in trouble for mentioning it here.  If you’ve decided to spend Friday night at The Greene, be sure to check out the 80s cover band Stranger.  And if you want to preview the Dayton Art Institute’s Oktoberfest, listen to the band Velvet Crush, and avoid the crowds, be sure to purchase tickets for their Preview Party, which is also happening on Friday.  And, if you have extra tickets, feel free to send them my way!

On Saturday, get your walking shoes out to support one of two great causes.  Participate in the St. Vincent de Paul – 2010 Friends of the Poor Walk or the Great Strides – Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.  After getting your exercise in, if you’re the “sweet” type, head to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds for the Chocolate Festival.  And if you’re the “salty” type, the Germantown Pretzel Festival is the place to be.  Or, if you’re the healthy type, head over to Lebanon (the city, not the country) for the Country Applefest or to the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm for the Aullwood Apple Fest.  If you’re the shy type, head back to the Tipp City Mum Festival.  If you enjoy Hispanic food and breaking piñatas, then check out the Hispanic Heritage Festival and Flea Market at College Hill Community Church in North Dayton.  And, the “must attend” festival of the week is the DAI Oktoberfest, which will feature live entertainment, unique arts and crafts, and a variety of beers and international foods.  Plus, if you attended the jumpstART event last week, you will be able to get in free with your admission pass!  Or, check out this article to find out more about Oktoberfest AND how to win tickets from DMM!  Also, just in case outdoor festivals are not your thing and you’d instead prefer to kick back and watch movies, make a trip to The Neon for the LGBT Film Festival, where several films will be featured, including Top Drawer Shorts, A Marine Story, and Violet Tendencies.

On Sunday morning, head to The Winds in Yellow Spring and then to The Little Art Theatre for Brunch and a Movie.  Or, check out one (or more!) of the festivals you missed or liked so much that you want to explore again!  The Aullwood Apple Fest, the Tipp City Mum Festival, the Pretzel Festival, and DAI’s Oktoberfest will still be happening places to be!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why did Humty Dumpty have a great fall?

He wanted to make up for a lousy summer.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it – it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

HYPE in the Northern Miami Valley

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HYPE stands for Helping Young Professionals Emerge and is the centralized way for YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to meet new people, have fun with creative social events, and volunteer together to make a difference in the community.  I spoke to HYPE chair, Doug Eakin to get the scoop on this “new” YP group.  Doug grew up in Columbus, but spent most of the last 10 years in Indiana.  A job opportunity as a Business Banking Representative for Unity National Bank brought him to the Miami Valley.

There was no HYPE for a long time.  Doug was contacted by the Executive Director of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce and invited to get involved with this new initiative.  In January 2009, the EDs from Covington, Tipp City, Piqua and Troy invited a group of young people together to come up with a way to represent YP interests in the Northern Miami Valley.  Eakin dove as the chair of this new organization in and started planning.   In May 2009, the group launched with their official kick-off and have been going since then.  According to Eakin, “HYPE is a group developed for and by young professionals who are dedicated to Social Opportunity, Professional Development, and Community Involvement, and have a shared interest in promoting the Northern Miami Valley as a place to live, work and play.”  And they have grown substantially since the beginning – social events (like monthly happy hours and a successful canoeing collaboration with Gen D), volunteer opportunities, and really creative networking events (like their wine education series) have helped them gain momentum.

HYPE members volunteer at Habitat for Humanity Miami County

But although they are growing quickly and getting more people involved, one of their greatest opportunities is in the newness of the organization.  According to Eakin, “Given that we’re still such a young organization, people still have the opportunity to get on at the ground floor and really have an active role in shaping the organization.”   And it’s in the leadership opportunities that Eakin has found some of the greatest rewards.  He says being in a leadership position give him “the chance to make a difference.  It lets me see how my ideas and thoughts play out to the members of the organization… it’s very rewarding.”  And beyond Eakin’s leadership role, just being a part of the organization has “absolutely” helped him professionally.  He’s a big believer in the tried-and-true argument that “success in the business world relates directly to the people that you know.”

Similar to the downtown Dayton region, the Northern Miami Valley struggles with some negative stigma about what’s available for people.  Eakin is adamant about where it comes from; he says, “I don’t think for a second that this negative stigma comes as a result of lack of opportunities.  Some of the bad feedback we’ve gotten about our organization has come from people that show up at an event and take no personal responsibility for involving themselves in what’s going on.  Getting involved is an attitude – you have to make the decision to do it, it’s not going to happen if you’re not open to the possibility.”

Steering Committee at Holiday Kick-Off Party 2009

Final words regarding his mission with HYPE and involvement?  Eakin shares that “The world doesn’t stop at I-70; there’s plenty of things to do and places to see up north.”  HYPE doesn’t cost a penny to ‘join.’  So, for any YPs who are interested in learning more about what’s going on – check it out!  If you want to know more, visit www.hypenmv.org.

YP Roundup: August Events

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So much to do this month around the region – and SO many groups to explore.  Here’s the round-up:

Wednesday, August 4:

Thursday, August 5:

  • The Young AFCEAns host a Social Hour at The Melting Pot in Centerville.

Friday, August 6:

Sunday, August 8:

Monday, August 9:

Tuesday, August 10:  

Wednesday, August 11:

Thursday, August 12:

Friday, August 13:

Saturday, August 14:

  • Dayton Ballet Barre British Bash at the Packard Museum ($19 members/$26 nonmembers)

Tuesday, August 17:

Thursday, August 19:

Friday, August 20:

Friday, August 27:

Monday, August 30:

Tuesday, August 31:

SO much to do!  Click on the links for further information about each opportunity.

June 1: YP this Week

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With First Friday ending the week, there is a lot happening in Dayton.  Although this column highlights events specifically for YPs, I encourage you to check out all this weekend has to offer including First Friday , Paddle in the Park, or the kick-off to Pride Week.  We play well with others right?  It doesn’t HAVE to be all YP all the time.  But you have the DMM event calendar for additional events.  If you’re looking to socialize with the specifically under 40 crowd, here are some YP activities this week:

Tuesday, June 1: HYPE is hosting a membership meeting at The Caroline tonight at 7 PM to welcome new members and plan upcoming membership events. If  you’re looking for YP action in the Northern Miami Valley – stop by.

Wednesday, June 2: First Wednesday of every month is your time to check out the Dayton Ballet Barre/Associate Board Meeting – Want to know more about this great group?  Join them for their meeting and find out how you can get involved.  Meeting starts at 5:30, but come early for the social/happy hour at 5 PM and meet some new people.

Thursday, June 3: Calling all printers, designers, artists and anyone interested in the magic of 2D/3D imagining.  The Dayton Adobe Group (discovered through the Dayton Creative Syndicate) hosts Bart and Michael from EskoArtwork for a free meeting/demo from 6-7:30 PM.

Take your pick when to see Rent as performed by Encore Theatre Co.  Gen D will be going on Thursday, June 3 and Sunday, June 6 if you want to know that they’re be a bunch of other YP’s in the crowd.  Speaking of YPs – ETC is a young, vibrant and exciting theatre troupe based right here in Dayton.

Friday, June 4: HYPE is hosting a TGIF lunch at Tin Roof this Friday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP’s for this lunch are due to Nikki at nwinner@councilonruralservices.org by noon this THURSDAY.

FIRST FRIDAY!!! Want a specifically YP way to check out First Friday?  Hook up with updayton’s Street Buzz and “Get Buzzed.”

Finally, this Sunday is the deadline to RSVP to the great DULYP event – National Day of Service.  Make a difference with other YPs by building a brand new playground in the East End neighborhood.  Event is on Saturday, June 12 – but RSVP deadline is this Sunday!

Hope everyone had a fantastic and meaningful Memorial Weekend and is ready to get out there and have fun in June!  As always – if I missed an event sponsored by YP group – post it in the comments.

Your “Traditional” YP Groups: Contemporary and Fun

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When people think of YP groups, I think it’s organizations like DULYP, GenD, and HYPE that come to mind.  Groups of young people – whatever jobs or interests – in a certain region working together to advance professional development, volunteerism, and fun.  There are many YP groups that specialize in serving specific professions or interests, but the Dayton region is the proud home to a few of these comprehensive and more traditional YP organizations as well.  I spoke to Demarus Crawford-White (chair of the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals) and Shanon Potts (chair of Generation Dayton) to get their take on the YP situation in the region – and they had a lot to share.

Crawford-White is Dayton born and bred, and will tell you that she was “tricked” into becoming the chair of the DULYPs.  A friend invited her to a couple of events, asked for help with some event coordination, and before she knew it –  she was the marketing chair andthings have grown from there.  Although she didn’t know what she was getting into, Crawford-White will tell you that the “trick” was one of the best things her friend ever did for her.  Potts moved to Dayton for work from a small Ohio town after a stay in Columbus for college and law school.  She was referred to the Dayton Young Professionals Association (a group founded in 2004 when many YPs determined there weren’t enough networking opportunities) right before a merge with Generation Dayton created the current program affiliated with the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.  Potts has been an active member of GenD since May 2006.

Both women tout the value that a YP org provides anyone who wants to get involved – professional networking, meeting new people,

A group of YPs enjoys YP@Play sponsored by the DULYPs.

and the value of being connected to something larger than the self.  Potts shared that her involvement with Generation Dayton opened the door for her to serve as the young professional representative on the Executive Committee for the successful Five Rivers MetroParks levy campaign in 2009.  Also, the chair of GenD holds a seat on the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees.  Those external leadership opportunities have proved invaluable to Potts as she continues to expand her network and meet new people.  Crawford-White also spoke about the value the YP organizations provide for people looking to grow professionally; being a member provides an opportunity to showcase skills in leadership, management, relationship-building, andso many more traits that employers look for.  Beyond that, membership demonstrates a commitment to community, and that drive based on passion and not the paycheck is important to employers.  Crawford-White has seen many DULYP members receive promotions due in part to the skills they’ve demonstrated through community involvement.

And it’s so easy to get involved – many events for GenD, the DULYPs, and HYPE are open to both members and non-members.  And if you’re not really a “joiner,” the ladies have some advice for you as well.  Potts explains that the benefits received by membership in GenD far outweigh the individual investment.  But if you don’t want to lose that valuable “friend time,” bring your friends along, too!  Crawford-White knows that time is an issue for all of us, but she refers back to the old adage: “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”  The DULYPs provide an easy way to stand with other YPs in the region and bring voices together to make a difference in the community.

Although their missions differ, members of both these organizations are working toward a better Dayton region for young professionals.  I asked both women why Dayton has such a negative stigma in the view of YPs.  Crawford-White knows there are valuable events happening in the region, but says it can be tough for YPs to filter- even though she has been here her whole life, she still is amazed by the great opportunities she learns about every few months.  Crawford-White believes it only takes visiting a couple YP groups and getting on some email lists until you find a group that you “click” with.  Potts agrees with the wide selection of YP opportunities in the region.  A downtown resident and frequent visitor around all parts of the region, Potts explains that Dayton is a very easy community to navigate once you are willing to become actively involved and engaged in an organization like Generation Dayton.  She expresses a specific gratitude to the many businesses and community leaders who are working to open doors to better involve and engage YPs.

A group from GenD enjoys networking and fun at a Dragon's game.

Although the passion these ladies demonstrate for their YP organizations are clear, they both demonstrate a similar passion for the region.  Potts picks Downtown Dayton as her favorite place to hang out, explore and experience.  She most enjoys walking to and from restaurants, Dragons games, the theater, art galleries as well as being at epicenter of the region’s growing system of bike paths with easy access to Yellow Springs, Xenia and Miamisburg.  Crawford-White highlights the MetroParks as her favorite Dayton spot(s) – from Riverscape to the 2nd Street Market, Cox Arboretum and Wegerzyn Gardens – she appreciates that the “the whole system is really a neat and wallet-friendly place to spend the day.”

Hopefully, this expanded highlight of a couple of the region’s most comprehensive YP organizations – and the women who are currently at the helm –  has demonstrated the ease and important value of getting engaged in the opportunities our region offers.  Whatever you’re looking for – social activities, new friends, professional development, volunteering, education or more – could be found with the programs sponsored by Generation Dayton and the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals.  For a final thought – Crawford-White reminds us that Dayton was made famous by individuals who thought outside of the box.  The Wright Brothers, Charles Kettering, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Erma Bombeck all started their fantastic careers here in Dayton while they were “young professionals.”  She asks, “What potential does yet another Dayton YP have to make and impact?”

NOTE: Schedules didn’t work out and I was unable to speak with a representative to HYPE, but if you’re a YP in the Northern Miami Valley area and want to stay a little closer to home – check out this org that provides great opportunities. HYPE will be featured in the future.

Generation Dayton (YPs ages 21-40) is dedicated to connecting young professionals with one another and to the community so that together YPs can become integral components in the future of the success of the region.  GenD offers many unique opportunities  – popular ones include Generation Dayton Day (a community-wide volunteering opportunity), volunteer speed matching, an annual holiday party, and regular “Thirsty Thursdays” for business and social networking.

The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals (YPs ages 21-44) are the auxiliary association of the Dayton Urban League; the DULYPs work to further the five empowerment points of the League.   The DULYPs are affiliated with the National Urban League, and that partnerhsip provides great national experiences for members.  Popular local activities include the professional development series, the Next Level Entrepreneurship Conference, the monthly YP @ Play evenings, and opportunities to volunteer in the community.

YPs This Week: Eggs, Merlot, Kites and Dancing!

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YP Events coming up THIS WEEK:

GenD hosts their monthly Business and Breakfast on Tuesday, May 18 from 7-8 AM at the First Watch by the Dayton Mall.  Everyone is welcome; the event is free to attend, but breakfast is at your own expense. 

HYPE:  HYPE stands for Helping Young Professionals Emergeand works to connect YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to great opportunities.  Thursday, May 20th is the One Year Anniversary Bash!  Have a great time with old and new friends and make new contacts with special features including a dj with music videos, year in review news and photos, and much more!  5:30 PM at Club 55 in Troy.

HYPE keeps up the fun on Friday, May 21 as they dispel the mystery of wine through our upcoming Wine Education Series.   Join the fun and education at The Piqua Country Club as they feature an amazing line-up of wine and culinary expertise. 

Dayton Creatives Syndicate: Looking for something fun do do? Why don’t you go fly a kite?  No, really — join your friends at the Dayton Creative Syndicate from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at Possum Creek MetroPark for the Go Fly a Kite Regatta.  Everyone is welcome to participate or just enjoy!

The Dayton Ballet Associate Board/Ballet Barre is holding a recruiting event on Saturday, May 22nd @ Champs by the Dayton Mall at 5 pm.  Check it out for a casual and fun way to learn more about what this group is doing to get people under 45 engaged in the region’s arts.

Did I miss anything?  If you know of a specific YP event happening between now and May 23 – post it here!