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New Farmers Market in Wright Dunbar

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Update: Due to an unwavering forecast that includes storms and more storms for the next 24+ hours, the difficult decision has been made to reschedule tomorrow’s opening night. Everyone is disappointed, but customer and vendor safety comes first! Please join us NEXT Thursday, same time same location.
Now Opening Thursday, June 2nd, weather permitting, Oak & Ivy Family Market! Located at 700 Anderson Goodrich Court in the Wright-Dunbar neighborhood. The market will be open on the last Thursday of each month, May-October, from 4-8pm.
Organizer Aimee Pleasa, who operates Speakeasy Sweets at the 2nd Street Market, was talking with her fellow merchants and they decided there was a need for a weeknight opportunity to sell. She posted on social media looking for a site and Jeff Jackson, neighborhood association president for Wright Dunbar suggested Oak & Ivy Park and they made it happen.
Pleasa shares that some merchants have signed up for all 6 of the monthly markets, while others are just doing one or two.

Shop for fresh produce, home-baked goods, jewelry, fashion, home accessories, and more as you leisurely stroll the beautiful Oak and Ivy Park. They will also be giving away herb seedlings to those in attendance, while supplies last.

Here’s the line up for the first market on Thursday, May 26th:

Speakeasy Sweets – specialize in boozy delights and sweet treats

Cabin Fever Confections – specializes in gourmet pastry cookies, candy and cakes. offers vegan and gluten free options.

Simply Samantha Boutique– jewelry, clothing and home decor

Ottila June Vintage– clothes and home decor

His & Hers Creations– kitchen & home decor

Dayton Microgreens –miniature/baby versions of your favorite vegetables

Fine art by HD– all original art work

Stillwater Valley Orchards– heirloom apples & pears

Color Street-Jennifer Harover

A few other vendors are still pending.  For more information or to inquire about a space contact the market by email.

Oak & Ivy Family Market

798-700 Anderson-Goodrich Ct
Dayton, OH 45402

Dayton Police to Conduct Juvenile Curfew Sweep

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The Dayton Police Department will conduct a curfew sweep on Friday, May 27. The sweep is in response to complaints of disruptive activities, including fighting and property destruction, by groups of juveniles in the late evening hours, particularly on weekends.
Per City of Dayton law, juveniles (anyone under the age or 18) not accompanied by a parent or guardian are not allowed to loiter, loaf, or idle on or about any public street, avenue, alley, park, or other public place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. except under specific conditions (See RCGO 137.10).
Any juveniles picked up after curfew will be transported to Central Business District headquarters (248 Salem Ave.) to be picked up by a parent/guardian. Both the juvenile and parent/guardian will receive a minor misdemeanor citation. The adult will also receive a list of potential resources in hopes of preventing the juvenile from breaking curfew again. All attempts will be made to get in contact with a guardian to pick-up the juvenile, however if no guardian is located, the juvenile will be taken to the Juvenile Detention Center where they will remain until a guardian is located.

2022 Dayton Region Walk of Fame Inductees 
Announced

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Since its inception in 1996 as a part of the City of Dayton’s bicentennial celebration, the Dayton Region Walk of Fame has recognized individuals and groups for their outstanding and enduring personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and the world. The Walk of Fame honors them by setting memorial stones in the sidewalks of Dayton’s historic Wright Dunbar District. The stones can be enjoyed year-round on West Third Street between Broadway and Shannon and on North and South Williams Streets.

“We have another year of outstanding inductees,” said Harry Seifert, president and CEO of Wright Dunbar, Inc. “They are all excellent examples of the exceptional people who made great strides in their personal lives and have remembered the Miami Valley as their home.” 

The 2022 class of inductees are:

Phyllis G. Bolds (1932 – 2018) an African American woman, was internationally known in the field of aircraft dynamics. Known as Phyllis Allen, she was a member of the High School National Honor Society and Valedictorian of her 1950 graduation class at Dunbar High School. She was the recipient of the first ever Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Debutante Scholarship. In 1954 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Central State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. She furthered her education by earning a Master’s of Science in Computer Science from the University of Dayton and a Middle Management Program Masters from Simmons Women’s College in Boston. Mrs. Bolds began her career as a physicist with the United States Air Force in November 1955. While working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, her achievements were numerous and astounding and included the publication of 30 technical documents. Bolds worked at Wright-Patterson’s flight dynamic laboratory from 1957 until her retirement in 1987. She succeeded in a field that, at that time, was predominately male and she always remarked that she did not allow that to bother her.  Bolds also said that one of the most important Air Force scientific achievements she worked on was with the over 40,000 scientists, scholars, and experts on the design, development and deployment of the B-2 Stealth Bomber.

Neal Gittleman (1955 –  ) Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, has given the Dayton region a world-class orchestra and educational programming for almost three decades. One of his initiatives was the development of the Stained Glass Concert Series which brings the orchestra to Dayton’s African American community through concerts at neighborhood churches and in conjunction with the church’s choir. Mr. Gittleman was a supporter and leader in the merger of the Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Ballet, and Dayton Opera into the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. The merger significantly broadened those organizations’ reach and offerings through collaborative efforts. Gittleman initiated the SPARK program (School Partners with Artists Reaching Kids) which integrates the orchestra’s musicians with eight area schools’ musical curriculum. Although Mr. Gittleman has spent the last 27 years in Dayton, he has conducted many of the country’s leading orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra; the Chicago, San Francisco, Minnesota, Phoenix, Indianapolis, San Antonio, and Omaha Symphony Orchestras; and the Buffalo Philharmonic. He has also conducted in Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, and Mexico.

Roger Glass (1943 –  ) is a pillar of the Dayton business and philanthropic community. As president and CEO of Marion’s Piazza, his focus on quality and consistency has created a recipe for success that has earned both national and local recognition. He is a caring leader serving as a mentor and guide to junior employees and is generous with his time and his investment in people. Glass was a founding board member of Aids Resource Center Ohio, now Equitas Health, and championed the rights and dignity of those affected by HIV/AIDS from the early 1980s on. He has been instrumental in creating an organization that focuses on care support, funding, and education for those living with the disease. Mr. Glass is an ardent supporter of Chaminade Julienne High School and the University of Dayton serving on boards and committees for both organizations. Glass believes in the power of learning and his business acumen provides vision, structure, and direction for the non-profits he serves. He also is a frequent supporter of numerous local arts organizations. His philanthropy in Dayton is not for any recognition but is truly a gift of sincerity and from the heart.

A.B. Graham (1868 – 1960) a native of Champaign County, Ohio is considered the founding father of 4-H programs which serve youth in rural, suburban and urban communities in every state in America. In 1902 Graham began holding Boys and Girls Agriculture Club meetings in the basement of a building in Springfield, Ohio. These meetings were the precursor to 4-H. In 1905 Mr. Graham became the first superintendent of Agricultural Extension at The Ohio State University. He would later serve in the Extension office in Farmingdale, NY and nationally in Washington D.C. as the Federal Extension Director. It was the Extension Service development that made it possible for the “agricultural clubs” to be unified and nationalized as the official 4-H program in 1916. Graham was an enthusiastic teacher of values of rural and farm living. Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio is named for him.

Sharon Rab (1946 –  ) writer and educator, is the founder and co-chair of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, an award known throughout the world to recognize Dayton’s role in cultivating international peace and the outstanding individuals who have done so.  Rab taught English at both Kettering Fairmont High School and Miami University, Oxford.  She earned her BA in English at Miami University and Master of Education in Curriculum and Supervision at Wright State University.  Rab was inducted into the Chester Roush Educational Hall of Fame and the Montgomery County Public Education Academy of Excellence.  She has served on numerous local, state, and national boards in the areas of arts, literature and education, including the Dayton Council on World Affairs and the Dayton Peace Process Committee.  Rab has also been the executive director of the Muse Machine’s Creative Education Institute.  For 20 years Rab produced and hosted Writer 2 Writer, a cable television show in which she interviewed hundreds of local, national and international authors.  In 2007 she was named one of the Top Ten Women in Dayton.

Guided By Voices (1983 –  ) described as “forefathers of lo-fi rock,” Guided By Voices was founded by lead singer Rob Pollard, a Dayton native and Wright State University graduate. For over 30 years, this independent band has released 35 albums and has sold thousands of records on private labels.  The group has maintained a massive cult following all over the world and has been praised as very influential by music publications including Spin, Harp, Magnet and Rolling Stone magazines, and MTV. The band made several television appearances including stints on Austin City Limits, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Late Show with David Letterman. They also played on the X-Fest stage in Dayton in 1996 and 1999. The band continues to play and release albums with its latest album Crystal Nuns Cathedral released March 4, 2022.

The 2022 Inductee Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, October 12 at Sinclair Community College Conference Center in Building 12. Tickets for the event are available now with details on the Walk of Fame website at www.daytonregionwalkoffame.org.

Gina’s Back on Dayton Radio

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Gina Ferraro grew up on an eight acre farm in rural Ohio; raising pigs, chickens, turkeys & Golden Retrievers. She showed pigs at the county fair for 10 years while playing basketball & soccer. She was offered a soccer scholarship to Urbana University, but turned it down to attend Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

After graduating from Wright State University in 2003 she began her radio career working on the morning show for WMMX with iHeartMedia. She has been on various stations hosting mornings, mid-days, afternoons & nights in Dayton & Columbus Ohio, and Chicago.

Now she returns to  Dayton’s New Country 103.9!  “I used to listen to my country music in the car with my mom growing up and that really started my love for country music,” Ferrarosaid. “The lyrics of country songs are really hard to match and have touched my soul through the years.” You can catch her on the air weekdays from 10 am to 3 pm.

Veterans Career and Resource Fair at Wright State

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Military veterans will have the opportunity to connect with employers and service organizations at the Vets Moving Forward event at Wright State University’s Student Union on Wednesday, May 18, from 3 to 7 p.m.

This is the fifth year in a row that Wright State will host the event, which is organized by the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) and the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community.

For more information or to register, visit vetsmovingforward.org.

“Vets Moving Forward was designed by veterans, for veterans,” said Cassie Barlow, Ph.D., president of SOCHE and co-chair of the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community. “We want to share the extensive resources that this region has which are specifically for our veteran community and their families. Come join us for a great afternoon.”

Some of the services that will be available at Vets Moving Forward include:

  • Veterans resource fair
  • Veterans job fair
  • Disabled American Veterans assistance with disability claims
  • Dayton VA Medical Center enrollment
  • Montgomery County veteran ID cards

The event is not only for veterans but also for their family members and veterans service organizations in the region. About 100 veterans service organizations are expected to participate to connect and network with veterans.

The Dayton Regional Transit Authority and Greene CATS Public Transit will provide free bus rides for veterans to and from Wright State on May 18. Veterans should show identification, a DD 214, or pick up a token at the VA Medical Center.

The Miami Valley is one of 50 communities across the nation to be selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create a MyVeteran Community Engagement Board. The Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community was organized under the leadership of Barlow, a retired Air Force colonel and former wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and retired Lt. Col. John McCance in late 2015.

It enables veteran advocates, service providers, veterans and stakeholders to have a voice in identifying their community goals and work to resolve issues locally to improve service delivery for veterans, service members and their families.

This article originally appeared on the Wright State University News Room.

Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Accepting Nominations

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The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes the efforts of Ohio’s distinguished men and women who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces and then continue to contribute to their communities, state and nation through exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy, professional distinction, public service and philanthropy.

The nomination packet MUST focus on achievements and contributions outside of and beyond military service. This program is not intended to focus on what Ohio military members accomplished while in uniform.

Who is eligible?
The veteran nominee must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a past or current Ohio resident

• Must have received an honorable discharge

• Must be of good moral character Common errors when submitting nomination packets:

Definition of Veteran:
Veterans means any person who has completed service in the armed forces, including the national guard of any state, or a reserve component of the armed forces, who has been discharged under honorable conditions from the armed forces or who has been transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service.

For the Nominators:

Recommendations for induction are submitted for review to the Governor of the State of Ohio. Finalists and their nominators will be notified in September. Nominators of veterans who were not selected will be notified.

All state elected officials, members of the General Assembly, members of the Governor’s staff, the director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Executive Committee, members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Foundation and members of any County Veterans Service Commission are ineligible for induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame until two years after they have left their positions.The executive committee may waive the two-year requirement for nominees over 70 years of age.

Nomination Packets For the submission process to uniformly portray the post-military achievements and accomplishments of these great Ohio veterans, the nomination packet must adhere to the following format. Please label sections accordingly.

Section 1 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Nomination Form This form requires the signature of the nominator to validate that the information is accurate.

Section 2 Verification of Veterans Status Attach a copy of the nominee’s final discharge papers such as DD Form 214.

Section 3 Summary of Post-Military Achievements Examples include exemplary professional distinction; contributions through educational, fraternal, faith, veteran and service organizations; political office; public service; volunteerism; philanthropy and more.

Section 4 Post-Military Awards and Honors Provide a list and highlights/significance of awards and honors. Examples include Presidential awards, Citizen of the Year, Veteran of the Year, significant milestones, etc.

Section 5 Summary of Education and Training Accomplishments Include a chronology of education and training accomplishments. Section 6 Narrative Detailing the Veteran’s Overall Accomplishments and Achievements Provide a comprehensive narrative detailing why this Ohio veteran should be considered for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Approximately 500 words. If space allows, letters of recommendation can be included in this section.

Nomination packet deadline: June 1, 2022. Send to Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Ohio Department of Veterans Services, 77 S. High Street – 7th Floor, Columbus OH 43215 or HallOfFame@dvs.ohio.gov or fax to 614.387.7317

BBB-Dayton Announces Winning Businesses, Nonprofits and Students At Torch Awards

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Better Business Bureau serving Dayton and the Miami Valley hosted its Torch Awards For Ethics dinner (formerly the Eclipse Integrity Awards) this evening. About 400 people joined the organization at the David H. Ponitz Sinclair Center to honor five organizations with the prestigious Torch Awards For Ethics, five Students of Integrity Award winners, as well as its Legacy Award, Community Honor and Dave Donaldson Award of Distinction-3D Award recipients. It also presented its fourth class of Spark Award winners.

BBB’s Torch Awards For Ethics are about ethics, honesty and integrity. They honor organizations whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character; ensure that the organization’s practices meet the highest standards of ethics; and consequently, generate trust with customers and the community. The Torch Award embodies BBB’s mission of advancing business trust.

The Legacy Award is dedicated to the legacy of great Miami Valley business pioneers, such as John Patterson, Wilbur and Orville Wright, Charles Kettering and Colonel Edward Deeds. It was through their ingenuity, leadership, generosity and mentorship to others that the Miami Valley has stood the test of time and recreated itself again and again. This award honors businesses, which have inspired, mentored and provided valuable support, education and guidance to staff, businesses and community leaders that have went on to make their successes in the Miami Valley.

Torch Awards For Ethics Winners

BBB’s Torch Awards For Ethics are about ethics, honesty and integrity. They honor organizations whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character; ensure that the organization’s practices meet the highest standards of ethics; and consequently, generate trust with customers and the community. The Torch Award embodies BBB’s mission of advancing business trust.

Bella Sorella Pizza Co., the winner in the 1-10 employee category, is a mobile food business serving premium, quality simple food with the freshest ingredients, which are many times harvested from its own garden and farm. Bella Sorella is unique as most of its staff doesn’t need to work; most are retired or already have well-paying full-time jobs, but they want to work with Bella Sorella. The team wants the company to have the best showing and reputation and this is evident time after time at events. They do it with smiles and good attitudes. Even though the business is small, it’s made a commitment to be involved in the community, providing support to Pelotonia, Aullwood, Kleptz YMCA and more. This family-run business is truly invested and dedicated to incredibly hard work and love of food.

 

The winner in the 11-50 employee category, NextGen Federal Systems, a national company with a local presence, provides innovative software and systems engineering solutions and services for Department of Defense and intelligence community customers. The company operates with integrity, thriving on customer collaboration and transparency. It follows industry best practices and gets customers involved in the development of systems the company builds for them. The company’s ethical culture begins with new employee orientation, is reinforced by the Employee Handbook Code of Conduct and Business Ethics and is followed up with annual trainings and check-ins. NextGen and its employees support local charities and engage in its communities. Its beneficiaries include Dayton VA Fisher House, Dayton Regional STEM School, Angel Tree and various Veteran activities. NextGen Federal Systems is focused on being an ethical company and seeks to be a trusted partner with all its constituents.

 

The winner in the 51+ employee category, Voss Chevrolet, a family-owned business, is the largest auto dealership network in the Dayton/Miami Valley area and is recognized as a leader and innovator in the industry. ‘Built on Trust, Driven by Integrity’ is the foundation of every policy and procedure created and followed at Voss Chevrolet. And, it starts with employees. The leadership knows a culture where customers are treated with respect is impossible without a culture that treats employees with respect. The leadership educates, trains and empowers every employee to carry the integrity in the organization out into the community. They give back to the community in many ways from local school events and sports to libraries, parks, festivals, parades and many other types of fund raisers. Integrity and character are more than just talk at Voss Chevrolet.

 

Miami Valley Meals, the winner in the nonprofit 1-10 employees category and formerly known as Set the Banquet Table, was founded with the intent of supporting local hunger-related charities. The team has identified and implemented best practices for fighting food insecurity and cultivated lasting connections between itself and the human services network. It’s the only organization in the Dayton area that provides chef-prepared meals in bulk to local nonprofits using recovered food. Since its inception, it has partnered with 78 distribution partners, 30 food recovery partners and numerous other community organizations. The team has never lost sight of the goal to provide a nourishing meal that provides a sense of warmth, care and dignity for the recipient. By collaborating with each other, they have created a space free from discrimination and judgment, that’s welcoming for all and provides opportunities for growth. Miami Valley Meals has a culture centered on creativity, adaptability, respect and hospitality.

 

The mission of the winner in the nonprofit 11+ employee category, The Foodbank, Inc., is to eliminate hunger and its root causes. The culture is focused on being able to adapt, continuously improve, “lead with yes”, be a leader in our community and nationally, believe in employees’ abilities to lead and lead with “grace in the gray space” for clients. The organization’s grown from distributing five million pounds of food in 2009 to distributing over 17 million in 2021. It rescues 6.5 million pounds of food annually through local food organization partnerships. Plus, it’s built a greenhouse, which can produce up to 1,000 heads of lettuce weekly. The Foodbank strives to be transparent to donors. In fact, it maintains a four-star rating on Charity Navigator and a platinum rating on GuideStar. The Foodbank is a strong servant leader, dedicated to world class excellence.

 

Students of Integrity Winners

BBB’s Center for Business and Consumer Ethics, Inc. (CBCE) recognizes the winners of the 2022 AES Ohio Students of Integrity. These five high school seniors demonstrated high moral character and outstanding ethics. All high schools in your BBB’s service area received invitations to nominate two outstanding students from their senior classes. Each of the winners is recognized as a BBB Student of Integrity and will receive a $1,000 scholarship to a college of his/her choice.

Lily Bradley from Alter High School has already used her passion for entrepreneurship to begin a nonprofit baking company, which donates its proceeds to Mission of Mary. She also demonstrates her passion for volunteerism as the student ambassador of the Mark Kreusch Memorial Fund. In her further education, she plans to focus on entrepreneurship and poverty studies so she can help marginalized communities capitalize on their own skills and resources. “I would tell a person working towards making a voice for themselves in the world to take that first step. Even if that step feels like a big stride…be courageous, trust yourself, turn off negative thoughts and make your dreams reality.

 

One of the guiding principles for Morgan Kipker from Jackson Center High School is compassion for others. This inspired her to help create several different programs at her school to help students who may have otherwise found themselves on the fringes. She also volunteers at a local nursing home. Her second guiding principle is integrity. She believes acting with integrity and following through on commitments are of upmost importance. “Integrity is a full-time job, not just a behavior to impress others or gain recognition.” After graduation, Morgan plans to become a family and consumer sciences teacher, helping future families better help themselves.

 

Caitlyn McCready from Brookville High School resonates strongly with the concept of justice – a concept she has seen applied in equal and unequal measures through her life. However, she has overcome obstacles and is now a student ranked first in her class, a passionate volunteer and a school leader. Caitlyn plans to attend law school and focus on defense of civil liberties. “Humanity is an intimidating pool to aspire to change, but with the guidance of further education and fire for societal revival, I believe I can make a powerful stance against the overlooked wrongs experienced by many.”

 

Carson Taylor from Sidney High School understands the role of a leader and the responsibilities that come along with it. He’s been a sports team captain, STEM camp leadership intern, youth sports referee, trainer at the restaurant at which he works, mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters; and generally, a school leader in all aspects. He realizes being true to oneself is key to being an effective leader. “The quality of person you are is determined by how well you live up to the values that are most important to you.” Carson plans to pursue a business finance major and continue as a leader on and off campus.

 

Emma Winkleman from Northwestern High School has been a section leader in symphonic band, drum major in the marching band, stage manager for the spring musical and co-founded the school’s first Gay-Straight Student Alliance. She recognizes the need for strong peer leaders because she feels she often felt a lack of leadership in her childhood. She credits her mother’s strength in handling two children and many other life setbacks. Emma plans to attend The Ohio State University and find a path to truly ignite her passion for leadership. “I want to go into work each day with a fiery passion. To love what I do is something I strive to have in the workplace.”

 

Community Honor Recipients

BBB’s Community Honor recognizes organizations that make significant contributions to enrich the lives of others. It spotlights the honoree’s efforts to realize not only their own missions, but their role in making the Miami Valley a thriving community, taking care of its citizens – individuals and organizations

The Community Honor Award was presented to the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community. The organization brings together local Veteran service providers, resources, advocates, and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for Veterans, service members and their families. It drives a shared understanding among stakeholders of the complex challenges Veterans and transitioning service members face and leverages its collective strengths to improve the Veteran experience.

A highlight of its efforts is the annual Vets Moving Forward event, which features a resource fair for organization to share information on their mission with Veterans, as well as hosts a job fair for organizations to talk with Veterans about positions within their companies. It also offers a Dayton VA Medical Center Enrollment Fair for Veterans to sign up for VA services. Its community involvement extends even further through its support of United Way’s VetsLink, Alzheimer’s Military Task Force and the Virtual Faith Leader Veteran Workshop. It is always looking for ways to identify and facilitate forums where service providers can connect to improve outcomes, meet with Veteran Service Organizations, and promote information sharing between service providers, facilitate feedback mechanisms for Veterans and host listening sessions to gather Veterans’ needs.

 

Legacy Award Recipient 

Think Patented is a marketing execution company that delivers its clients’ messages to their intended audiences through technology, printing, signage, promotional items, mailing and fulfillment solutions. Its team believes success is determined not only by revenue, but by the satisfaction and loyalty of employees, customers and vendors, and is only possible because of its commitment to ethics, innovation and community involvement. The company provides internship and apprenticeship programs to area youth, giving them real-world experience and helping them prepare for a career in the industry. The team also volunteers to provide mock interviews, portfolio reviews and externships for students at the Modern College of Design.

 

Giving back is integral to the culture at Think Patented. During the holidays, the company contributes to four different charities in the name of its customers and collects donations for TOYS for TOTS. It also strongly encourages and gives each employee a day off annually to volunteer for a worthy cause. It even donated 50,000 surgical masks to Children’s Hospital of Dayton during the pandemic. Its leadership has for several years served on the board of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, one owner a former chair, and the Dayton Development Coalition. Three of the owners have been through the Leadership Dayton Program. It is also proud to be a sponsor/partner with the Dayton Dragons and University of Dayton Athletics. The list of organizations benefiting from the company’s generosity is long, as is its list of industry awards and honors.

 

Spark Awards

The Spark Awards recognize entrepreneurial organizations whose leaders demonstrate a higher level of character, generating a culture that is authentic about its mission and connect with community.

Agape Media specializes in video and photo production. By using light and sound, stillness and motion, filming and editing, heart and soul, Agape Media uncovers the best versions of stories to be told. The founder strives for integrity and trust in its workplace that reflects the success of its clients. Developing the business on deep friendships mixed with pre-established trust and respect, its team has the best interest for each other as individuals and the company. The ultimate goal for the team’s production is to be that craftsman and collaborative partner that builds virtual connections through storytelling. The company hasn’t hesitated to give back to the community. It works alongside and partners with local companies or nonprofits whenever possible. It’s committed to Declare, City of Trotwood, Elija Seabrook (artist and producer), Vandalia Barbershop, as well as nine different Christmas productions during the pandemic in 2020.

Pink Moon Goods specializes in crafting a selection of home goods that combine skill, intelligence and virtue for ethical living. The founder’s goal is supporting both the local economy and global market by bringing the best products to customers. Its priority is to source goods that promote sustainable practices with natural materials, promoting its commitment to reduce the carbon footprint. It views every new project as an opportunity to build a reputation for excellent service through designing, crafting and delivering a quality experience and product for every client. Operating with dedication and personal connections, it’s always welcoming others’ input and willing to ask for help to improve. They know creating trust will allow the business to adapt a positive brand image. In its efforts to give back, the founder has partnered with YWCA Dayton on multiple projects. The owner is also involved with GoRecycle to provide battery recycling.

 

Noticing a demand for homemade baby food, Taste T Love Baby Food – a company that offers convenient, nutritious and affordable options for customers – got its start. It creates homemade food options for first time eaters, toddlers and a growing population of all other ages and genres of people. From the start of its journey, the business has grown to serve outside of just online subscribers and farmer’s markets. Focusing on feedback, communication, transparency and recognizing the constant need for improvement is vital to the success of a leader, the team and business. Allowing the team to shine in different areas is a major factor contributing to how the business thrives. Showing support for the community, the team has given back in unique ways, such as partnering with childcare centers who are under Child and Adult Care Food Program and recently securing a partnership with Dayton Children’s Hospital.

 

Tumble LLC, a minority-owned, on-demand laundry and dry-cleaning start-up in the Miami Valley, was inspired by the owners after a personal struggle with laundry and dry-cleaning while living on a college campus. The team believes empathy, dedication, passion and hard work are key factors in building relationships and making a positive impact in the community. By bettering the business, it continues to devote itself to providing excellent customer service. Creating an honest and open policy in the workplace allows new ideas, growth and value to the business as a whole. With a mission to give back to the community, it recently partnered with Clothes That Work. For every order the business receives, it donates one article of clothing to Clothes That Work. The plan is simple – the more the business grows, the more it donates.

 

John North, president/CEO of BBB serving Dayton and the Miami Valley, says, “The Torch Awards For Ethics dinner celebrated the great works of area businesses, nonprofits and students. The honorees inspire others to stretch themselves and be the best for themselves, their employees, vendors, customers and community. We applaud their efforts and salute them for the ethics and integrity they demonstrate day in and day out.”

Backwater Voodoo Hosts KISS Rum Charity Raffle

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The Miamisburg Merchants Association is holding a charity raffle, hosted by Backwater Voodoo Tiki Lounge & Creole Kitchen. This raffle will support Crew Nation, a charitable fund, created to help the touring, venue and festival crews who need support during personal hardships or crisis situations.

Backwater Voodoo are big fans of the line of premium rums launched by the band KISS® last year.  KISS® are big supporters of Crew Nation, and this collaboration creates the perfect opportunity to tie-in with their upcoming appearance at the Ervin J. Nutter Center (in Dayton) on May 12.

One entry ticket gives you a chance to win the following prize:

A bottle of limited, numbered edition KISS Ultra-Premium Monstrum Rum,

AND two (2) tickets to the KISS End of the Road Tour concert at the Wright State Nutter Center on May 12, 2022.

The drawing will be held on May 10 and the winner will be contacted by Backwater Voodoo.  Must be 21 or older to purchase a valid entry. Buy your $20 raffle ticket here. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Crew Nation, and the Miamisburg merchants Association.

Backwater Voodoo, located at 103 S 2nd St in  Miamisburg, is also hosting a KISS Rum Tasting on Tues, May 10th from 6:30-8pm. Tickets for the tasting run $55 and can be purchased online.

This tasting will feature all three of the KISS rums, including the Limited Edition Ultra-Premium Monstrum. Check them out:

KISS Black Diamond Premium Dark Rum – Taking its name and character from the closing song on KISS’s 1974 debut album, KISS Black Diamond Premium Dark Rum is an exceptionally smooth blend of Caribbean cask rums aged up to 15 years and bottled at 40%. This master-blended creation has received six internationally recognized awards since the launch in October 2020.

KISS Detroit Rock Premium Dark Rum – Just as in the fans’ favorite classic ‘Detroit Rock City’, this premium rum lives up to the song’s legacy with eight globally recognized awards for quality. Based on a selection of the finest Dominican rum casks aged between 8 and 15 years, the result is an incredibly soft rum, fantastically smooth with a nuanced spicy scent and clear oak character which is unique for a blend of 45% strength.

KISS Monstrum Ultra-Premium Rum – The Latin word for ‘monster,’ the KISS Monstrum Ultra-Premium Dark is the newest and boldest addition to the portfolio. Specially selected from Guyana and Jamaica, the rums have been aged for over 14 years in ancient arrack leggers, a very particular edition of 800 liter oak casks. The curated result is one of high quality perfection in a clean, clear and light-colored ultra-premium rum with no added sugars or flavoring.

Light snacks will be served as part of the event.

Men At Work Fundraiser Is All Virtual

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Clothes That Work is holding its eighth annual Men At Work Fundraiser, helping to fund the mission of preparing individuals for employment success. The virtual event d ends May 19 during a Facebook Live event hosted by Alexis Larsen.   

Twenty-two dedicated Role Models will compete for The Ambassador of the Year Award by fundraising, campaigning for votes and raising awareness for Clothes That Work. The Role Models are Michael Berning, Jon Blunt, Matthew Coatney, Joe Downing, Nick Eddy, Ryan Fay, Lineal Gaulding, Garrett Haggem, Aaron Jobson, Shane Juhl, Vince Lowe, Brandon McClain, Michael Newsome, Kunal Patel, Alex Smith, Damon Smith, Kirk Stager, Marc Sternberg DDS, Mark Swope, Rodney Veal, Chris Walsh, and Tim Wilson. 

There are opportunities to bid and purchase upscale, resale clothing items from brands like Lily Pulitzer, St John, designer purses from Oscar de la Renta, Brighton and Michael Kors, jewelry, bourbon and gift baskets throughout the campaign from The Clothes That Work online Boutique. To register for the event text ctwmen to 79230 or visit http://ctw.home.qtego.net. Every vote is an entry in the gift basket raffle. 

Clothes That Work launched the first Men at Work fundraiser eight years ago with a simple goal in mind: to engage the community and local businessmen in the mission and vision of Clothes that Work. For years, the organization mostly served women, but today, men make up more than 58 percent of Clothes That Work clients. Collectively, Men at Work has generated more than $200,000. support the organization’s programs and services. 

 

About Clothes That Work:

Clothes That Work is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local job seekers secure gainful employment by providing interview appropriate clothing and personalized, confidence building image services. Clothes That Work recently celebrated 23 years of success and has helped more than 34,000 men, women, and independent teens. Additionally, the organization conducts educational workshops, gives interviewing tips, and coaches on exhibiting appropriate professional behavior to meet employers’ expectations. Call 937.222.3778 or visit www.ClothesThatWork.org to make a financial donation, learn about volunteer opportunities, sign up for a workshop, or find a location to drop off donations of clothing. 

New Parking App Means No Digging For Coins At The Meter

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Street parking in downtown Dayton is easier and more convenient now that Passport Parking mobile payment is live at nearly 1,300 parking spaces.
Motorists are able to pay electronically with a credit or debit card by connecting with the Passport Parking app on a smartphone. Once an account is established using an email address or phone number, customers can begin a parking session by entering the zone and parking space identifiers posted at the parking site. Parking periods can be extended remotely, up to the time limit posted.
The Passport Parking app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. Users can also manage parking at passportparking.com. There is a $0.30 convenience fee per credit/debit card transaction.

“With the Passport technology, Dayton is dramatically improving the street parking experience for customers,” said City Manager Shelley Dickstein. “The City will also manage street parking operations more efficiently under a single, centralized system.”
“Dayton residents, workers and visitors can now enjoy what downtown Dayton has to offer without having to dig for loose change or thinking twice about a parking meter running out of time,” said Mark Schleyer, Passport regional sales director. “Passport is excited to partner with Dayton to enhance the customer experience.” The existing cash and credit card payment option installed on parking meters will continue to be available.

In addition to the added convenience for customers — not having to dig for loose change, and being able to extend parking times remotely — Passport Parking also gives businesses the option to validate parking for their customers and clients. How it works:

  1. Your business can load a balance on the validation account management site.
  2. You can then create codes for a predetermined amount to allow customers to discount their parking sessions.
  3. The customer enters the code to receive a discount on their parking session.
  4. The validation amount is then deducted from your business’ merchant balance and transferred to the parking provider (City of Dayton).

Find more information and sign up for the Validation Program at passportinc.com/validation

More than 800 cities, private operators and universities in North America use Passport’s digital platform as an end-to-end system for managing mobile pay parking, parking enforcement, digital permitting and other forms of mobility.

Summer Lunch Fun Begins at Courthouse Square

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The Downtown Dayton Partnership is excited to welcome lunchtime crowds back to The Square Is Where. Office workers and downtown residents are invited to Courthouse Square for outdoor seating and free live entertainment every weekday through the end of September.

Daily lunchtime entertainment begins Monday, May 2, with an official kickoff party planned for Friday, May 6. No programming will be scheduled during the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5.

“Our downtown workforce is returning to the office, and we’re so excited to have them back at The Square Is Where,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, President of the Downtown Dayton partnership. “The ample seating, games, and live entertainment make Courthouse Square a great place for downtown office workers to catch up with friends and coworkers they may not have seen while working from home.”

The Square Is Where runs from 11:30am to 1pm every weekday on Courthouse Square, located at 23 N. Main Street. Visitors are welcome to pick up lunch or order delivery from local eateries, or purchase food from on-site mobile food vendors.

Each week, The Square Is Where programming will be provided by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with financial support from Montgomery County:

  • Music Mondays – Request your favorite songs from a live DJ
  • Trivia Tuesday – Answer questions and compete prizes in weekly trivia games
  • Big Game Wednesday – Play a game of giant checkers, Connect 4, or cornhole with friends
  • Second Thursday of the month – Name that tune for five in a row with Music Bingo
  • Third Thursday of the month – Space Three offers lunchtime fitness classes for Tone it Thursday
  • Fridays Live – Enjoy your lunch hour to the tune of a different live band each week

Stay up to date with special events all summer long on The Square Is Where webpage. The site also features a downtown lunch map with all of the locations open during lunch hours for meals, drinks, and treats. Or, take a spin on the Lunch-O-Maticto let luck choose your menu for you.

Special giveaways will take place throughout May to celebrate the return of The Square Is Where. Stay tuned to the Downtown Dayton Partnership social media for more information.

 

 

TEDxDayton Now Accepting Speaker Applications

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The 10th annual TEDxDayton signature event will take place Friday, October 14, in downtown Dayton. Applications are now open as organizers seek local speakers and performers with big ideas to share. TEDxDayton’s mission is to bring the spirit of “ideas worth spreading” to foster deep conversation and connections within the community.

”We’re thrilled to return to a live, in-person show for 2022 after two years of virtual events,” said event co-chair Lizz Mahar. “This one will be extra special as we celebrate 10 years of TEDxDayton speakers, and look forward to what comes next.” This independently organized event will feature TED’s signature format of brief talks, demonstrations and performances.

In search of this year’s presenters, the organizers have issued a “Call for Speakers” on TEDxDayton.com. Anyone with a big idea they want to share, both with the live audience at the event and with the thousands of digital viewers who watch the talks online later, is invited to apply through the website by May 27.

The set from TEDx last year.

Applicants do not need to be professional speakers, and TEDxDayton is looking for a wide range of topics from diverse speakers who can deliver a focused, thought-provoking message in about ten minutes.

 

“We look for speakers who can teach and inspire, and who will still have people talking as they leave the theater,” said event co-chair Cory Owen. “Over the years, we’ve heard remarkable talks on everything from technology to education, design to psychology, economics, social justice, healthcare, the environment…the list of possible topics is almost endless.”

The all-volunteer organizing team will review the applications and invite selected candidates to audition in person. Participants will be notified within a few weeks of auditions if they have been selected to be a TEDxDayton 2022 speaker.

Once selected, speakers will be paired with a mentor who will help them craft their message, refine their script, and practice their performance in the months leading up to the big day. Talks are professionally recorded during the show and released on YouTube a few months later.

“These videos have a long online life beyond the actual event, so we want all of our speakers to give the talk of their lives,” said event co-chair Luther Palmer. “As a former TEDxDayton speaker myself, I know how valuable mentor support and rehearsal feedback is during this process, and we hope to guide this year’s speakers toward talks that they can be proud of for years to come.”

The organizers will host information sessions for prospective speakers throughout the application window, with details to be announced on the TEDxDayton social media channels.