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Masquerage 2012- What’s the theme?

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The most frequently asked question of anyone involved in the planning, organizing and production of the AIDS Resource Center extravaganza known as Masquerage is “What’s the theme going  to be?”   Well, here’s YOUR chance to be one of the first to know!

An announcement of this magnitude deserves more than a simple post on the Masquerage web site.   It deserves a crowd of enthusiastic revelers to join Dayton’s own Rubi Girls at the fabulous Club Masque for a special style show produced by Square One Salon to help give you idea’s on how to dress for this year’s theme!  So join ARC Ohio  on Fri, August 3rd, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Club Masque and be amongst the first to know the theme for the 11th annual Masquerage.
In the past 10 years over 6500 attendee’s at Dayton’s Party of Parties For A Cause has helped the organization raise over $1,000,000 so ARC Ohio can continue to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS .  Specifically funding raised through Masquerage help  provide:

  • Outreach and prevention to individual at risk for infections
  • FREE HIV testing, counseling and referral services
  • Case management and support to HIV-infected individuals and their loved ones
  • Advocay concerning issues that affect the HIV community

Masque Nightclub will open it’s doors early just for Masquerage fans.  Here’s your chance to visit one of the midwest’s most talked about nightclubs to start off your First Friday.  Your $20 advance tickets include the exclusive reveal of the 2012 theme, appetizers, special drinks prices and other surprises. Tickets will be $25 at the door.  Masque is located at 34 N. Jefferson Street, Dayton, OH 45402.
As a special incentive to Theme Release Attendees, if you purchase your ticket for the Oct 20th Masquerage event at Club Masque that night, you may apply the $20 ticket to your ticket purchase price.  General admission tickets will be $50 and Red Ribbon Lounge VIP Tickets will run $150.  Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at 937-461-2437 x 2029.

Mad Molly & Batty Bonnie from Masquerage 2011

“Masquerage has become a signature event of AIDS Resource Center Ohio.  It brings people together for a spectacular evening while generating greater awareness about HIV/AIDS.  It also raises much-needed funds to benefit those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS” said Bill Hardy, executive director of AIDS Resource Center Ohio.   This year, he anticipates that the organization will provide assistance to nearly 4,000 individuals living with HIV and their loved ones, and reach thousands more at risk of HIV infection.  “We provide care and services for those already infected with the virus and help to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS”.

This year, the goal is to raise over $150,000 and and a sold out crowd is expected.  Each year a committee of dedicated volunteers work to coordinate a new theme, so that the event is bigger and better than the year before.

Guests can purchase a general admission ticket to the event for $50 in advance or $60 at the door, which includes a welcome drink courtesy of Jagermiester, dancing, entertainment and munchies. For a VIP experience, Ribbon Lounge tickets will again run $150 and include general admission amenities plus complimentary valet parking by Lexus of Dayton, the spectacular views from the 2nd floor lounge, mask painting,  open bar, appetizers and the always coveted swag bag.

Masquerage 2012 is made possible by: Levin Family Foundation, Jagermeister, Lexus of Dayton, CareSource, The Light Fantastic, Square One Salon, Premier Health Partners and MJ’s Cafe- the hosts of the official After Party.  Additional sponsorship opportunities still exist, contact ARC Ohio for more information.

 

 

Volunteer Box Office Coordinator Wanted

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The Dayton Playhouse is seeking a volunteer Box Office Coordinator. The ideal candidate will possess basic computer skills, good telephone skills and an understanding of Microsoft Word. This volunteer candidate would work at The Playhouse Box Office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm with some additional hours on opening nights of shows. This is a perfect position for someone with a love for the theatre arts. The Coordinator will receive season tickets for all shows.

Interested candidates should contact the Playhouse box office via email at box.office.dayton.playhouse@gmail.com for consideration.

Play for Change in the Miami Valley

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A CALL FOR MUSICIANS, FILMMAKERS, AND VOLUNTEERS!

Wright State University calls for community partners, musicians, filmmakers and volunteers to participate in the worldwide music initiative, “Playing for Change.”

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM’] Launched by a multi-media group; Playing for Change is a social movement that captures the voices of musicians across the globe. A dedicated film crew crosses the globe to seek music’s most creative talent. Individual stories were woven into a single story about humanity, sung and played by some of the world’s most inspiring artists. For more information, visit http://playingforchange.com/.

Wright State University will add the voice of the Miami Valley to this growing initiative. The Miami Valley Playing for Change project is in need of local filmmakers, musicians, and other volunteers to participate in creating a video, featuring a blend of positive songs to uplift and showcase our region. Like the video above – a diverse collection of musicians of all different backgrounds, genres and instruments are invited to share their talents on a song that will become greater than the sum of its parts.

Heading up the program is Dr. Robert J. Sweeney, Executive Vice President for Planning at Wright State University. Sweeney was drawn to this project based on the great cultural impact it has demonstrated; the music program is bringing together communities that would have never otherwise worked together and crossing barriers across the globe. Regarding why he’s bringing it to the Miami Valley, he says, “We had Mark Johnson speak as a part of our Presidential Lecture Series and the response from the community to his message was overwhelming.  I know our musicians, filmmakers and community of volunteers rival any region in the world.”

Musicians may be soloists or bands/groups/choirs that use voice and/or instruments; the project seeks to highlight many different genres of locally connected musicians. Participating bands/artists will perform one or more of the featured songs while filmmakers shoot the performances at locations throughout the Miami Valley between July 14 and August 3.

The featured songs include:

“Nothing Can Stop Us Now” by Starship

“Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow” by Fleetwood Mac

“I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash

“We Are” by Sweet Honey in the Rock

The final product will be a video montage of the performances uploaded early September for a worldwide audience with a possible special reception to feature the songs/videos.

 

Miami Valley ‘Playing for Change’ Submission Guidelines:

Deadline: July 14, 2012

Please email submission information to Dr. Robert J. Sweeney, Executive Vice President for Planning and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, at robert.sweeney@wright.edu. In the subject of your email, please type “Playing for Change.”

Musicians: Participating musicians will need to learn one or up to all of the featured songs to participate. If interested, please submit your information including:

(1) The name of your band (or you as an individual artist),

(2) Musical Genre

(3) Instrument(s)

(4) Number of performers (soloists and groups welcome)

(5) Video, audio recording, Web site, additional information, etc

(5) Contact information, including your name, email and phone number

Filmmakers: Please submit the following information:

(1) What type of experience you have (camera, sound, edit, etc.),

(2) Length of time in industry

(3) Special equipment you may have,

(4) Reel, resume, additional information, etc.

(5) Contact information, including your name, email and phone number

 Other Volunteers: For any music lovers or champions of the Miami Valley who would like to participate in this event (i.e. donating bottled water or other snacks for shooting days, being an extra hand on set, etc.), please contact us with:

(1) What area you would like help with and

(2) Your contact information, including your name, email and phone number

 

McKenzie’s Annual Lemonade Stand – Fighting Childhood Cancer

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Update– It’s time for McKenzie’s 7th annual lemonade sale.  With a goal to raise $20,000, this is the first year she’s got local business sponsors! So far Elizabeth Diamond Company, Houser Asphalt, Howell Chiropractic, Possert Construction, Select Signs and the Mills Family Foundation have stepped up to help.  There’s still time for your help to.

This story originally ran June 26, 2011:

McKenzie has been holding lemonade stands since she was four to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Inspired by her dad sharing the story of  Alex and her amazing Lemonade stand. Alex was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was a year old.  When she was just 4 years old she told her parents she wanted to have a lemonade stand and send the money to doctors to help find a cure.  Alex passed away in 2004 at the age of 8 after raising over a million dollars by selling lemonade.

McKenzie has been hosting her own lemonade stand since 2006.   This year, with the help of the Centerville Noon Optimist,  McKenzie  hopes to have the biggest fundraiser ever. Her stand will be set up at the Centerville Americana Festival on the 4th of July from 11am – 5pm.  You can also donate online to help her reach her goal of $15,000.

McKenzie's first Leomonade stand in 2006

In addition to lemonade there will be four  raffle baskets including a wii gaming system, dining out in Dayton (gift cards from all over town), rest and relaxation (massage & spa cards) and Family Fun (Dragons Tickets & More).

If you’d like to share the story with other children you know or find out about other fundraising events visit the website.  Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents after her death,  truly exemplifying the saying “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade”—they have raised more than $40 million. That money has helped to:
• Fund more than 200 cutting-edge research projects
• Create a travel program to help support families of children receiving treatment
• Develop resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer

Wonder Weaving – Culture Builds Community

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As I stood in a sunny alcove at Stivers School for the Arts, watching a group of young ladies arrive for the Culture Builds Community course (part of the Dayton Summer Arts Camp) it was easy to imagine the beautiful wonder weaving that would follow and the transformations that would take place.

Course descriptions can only take you so far. Words share the ideas, the tasks of the course, maybe something about what leaders hope will take place. Families sign up based on the descriptions that sound most engaging. Truth be told, it is more likely that the power of arts camp on individuals and groups is exactly what they don’t read in short pithy sentences, the stuff talked about but not yet in the room. Let’s call that “wonder”.

Merriam Webster defines wonder as something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience. See also: marvel, miracle. Yes. It’s that connection with something new, something that moves us. Wonder breeds transformation. The action of art, the doing what could only be described: this “other” connection, beyond the directions and the tasks: here is where a journey begins.

As the children entered the space for the CBC course, I watched their eyes wander from thing to thing on the presentation table. Day 1: sand mandala and dance styles from India. They sat in the bright, warm space, responding quietly to the greetings of their instructors. Slowly, the leader invited them into ceremony for the beginning of the Mandala. The cacophony of voices: kids, parents and teachers at registration tables had diminished, leaving, at this moment, the sound of Tibetan chimes and the quiet breathing of a new group of “wonderers”.

Next, the table, the paper, the pattern, each thing interesting in it’s own right, combined to be a receiver of color, texture and promise – the new moon mandala, appearing like magic out of sand, pigment and paper, carefully arranged by a group of children who knew nothing of each other, the artists or the process just 30 minutes earlier. On they went without lapse of attention, with intensity and calm. After an hour, it was time for dance. A short completion ritual of the day’s progress, a break and then into a large classroom, desks removed and space created for dancers.

Onward into the rhythmic, mysterious music of India, vibrant young women wearing beautiful fabrics, and more wonder! This bunch of campers, ranging from age 8 to 15, stood ready to learn. By the end of the first day, they had learned an entire Bollywood-style dance. Day two: they jumped right into Bhangra style dance, confident and full of pride. Transformation was well underway. These young ladies will join their teachers, dancing at the Cityfolk Festival, to the live music of Red Baarat!

A terrific first week ended in true, wonderous fashion, with the ceremonial destruction of the mandala (very moving), the distribution of sand to all the makers and a walk to the river to return the remaining sand to the natural world, flowing all the makers’ intentions throughout the city. I joined the group in their walk down to the river. The melancholy of sweeping away the mandala turned into a joyous celebration walk, culminating in an unexpected and magical way. When we arrived at Webster St. bridge and walked down the path to the water, the fountains came on, all of them, creating a brilliantly colored rainbow with cool, misty refreshment for the weary walkers as they gave the sand back to its source.

Wonder weaving: taking the threads of rich, new experiences that delight and shape us, weaving them together and building the vibrant fabric of our lives. When we share fabrics, one with another, the tapestry of community is woven. When tapestry upon tapestry, fill the rooms of our cities, states and countries, our world is unified: one big colorful house of wonder! May these young students at summer camp be inspiration for us to wonder weave. Culture Builds Community is for everyone. It’s the art of us!

 

United Way’s Day of Action Mobilizes Hundreds of Volunteers

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United Way of the Greater Dayton Area’s Volunteer Connection will mobilize nearly 450 people in our area to participate in Day of Action – a community-wide day of service and volunteering. Volunteers will work on various projects throughout Montgomery, Greene, and Preble Counties on June 8th with additional projects in Preble County on May 31st.

United Way’s Day of Action is an annual day of volunteerism mobilizing hundreds of local volunteers to complete community service projects. Last year’s event attracted nearly 500 volunteers who contributed 1,877 hours of service. Volunteers are individuals and groups from local companies, organizations, and the community. Volunteers already committed to this year’s event come from AFL-CIO, Battelle, Bullen Ultrasonics, CareSource, Chapel Electric, Coldwell Banker, Fifth Third Bank, GE Aviation, Henny Penny, PNC, Preble Shawnee Local School District, Silfex, Teradata, Thorn Lewis and Duncan, UPS, Vectren, and the community.

Projects include such activities as neighborhood clean-ups, landscaping, festival preparations, clothes-sorting, etc. for nonprofit organizations including: Bellbrook Family Resource Center, Community Action Partnership, Campfire USA, Catholic Social Service of the Miami Valley, CIRGV, Community Blood and Tissue Services Center, Compassion 1st, Daybreak, Dayton Christian Center, Eaton Daycare, The Foodbank, Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, Garden Station, Graceworks, House of Bread, Kid’s Learning Place, Life Enrichment Center, Life Resource Center, Ronald McDonald House, St. Clair Academy Daycare, United Rehabilitation Services, Xenia Adult Recreation & Services Center ,YWCA Dayton, and YWCA Preble County.

Those interested in participating may still sign up at www.LiveUnitedDayton.org. Many of this year’s volunteers will be seen wearing United Way’s LIVE UNITED shirts. The shirts were donated by Dayton Power & Light and Logos@Work.

In addition to Day of Action, United Way of the Greater Dayton Area’s Volunteer Connection also coordinates four other community-wide volunteer service days throughout the year including: Join Hands Miami Valley, Global Youth Service Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and 9/11 National Day of Service. United Way of the Greater Dayton Area supports local health and human service programs provided by over 70 Partner Agencies in Montgomery, Greene, and Preble Counties.

Volunteers at The Heart Of Cityfolk Festival

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On June 29 – July 1, The Cityfolk Festival, returns to RiverScape MetroPark. It takes thousands of hours of volunteer time to pull together the three-day celebration of music, dance, culture and the City of Dayton Fireworks. Volunteer leadership has already worked months to get the festival ready from a production standpoint. Organizers are now looking to sign up volunteers for three- or four-hour shifts during the festival as well as during set-up and tear-down. People interested in helping out can visit the Cityfolk website or call (937) 223-3655, ext. 4006.  The performance schedule will be available in late May, if you want to schedule your volunteer shifts around your favorite performers.

Many volunteers have such a good time that they return year after year. Elvita Harris has been volunteering with her now-grown children for almost a decade.  “Volunteering is part of community service,” she said. “It gives us a sense of belonging and giving back. Plus, they’re exposed to different cultures, different foods – they’re broadening their horizons.”

Volunteer opportunities for the festival range from helping the Green Team encourage festival patrons to recycle, to serving soda and beer, to selling t-shirts and CDs, to helping monitor stage areas for handicap accessibility. A full list of positions is listed at www.cityfolk.org.

Long-time volunteer Judy McCormick  says, “The Cityfolk Festival is one event where our city truly comes together. And it simply doesn’t happen without volunteer participation. You can have fun, meet old friends, make new ones and play a part in what is a one-of-a-kind celebration for our community.”

Hunks in Heels Race for a Good Cause

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Photo by Andy Snow

Clothes That Work presents its fifth annual “Hunks In Heels” fundraising event on Saturday, May 12, at The Greene Town Center in Beavercreek. Nearly 100 men will become “Hunks” as they don a pair of high heels and race around The Greene in support of the women in their lives.

“Hunk” racers will participate as individuals and teams. There will be approximately 10 Racing Heats. Each Heat winner will participate in the Final race in a heated competition to be named Hunks In Heels Race Champion.

In addition to Racers, the winner and runners-up of the Hunks in Heels, Best Legs Online Competition will be revealed. In this contest, local men slipped on heels, had their photos taken and then pranced around the Wine Loft to garner voters at a Kick-Off Party in April. Since then, their photos have been posted on the Clothes That Work website where they have been campaigning for votes of $5 each which will also raise money for the organization.

Clothes That Work, Executive Director, Lindsay Ackley says about the event, “I have so much respect for the men in our community who are willing to step into a pair of heels to honor a woman in their life and help a job seeker put their best foot forward. Hunks In Heels participants raise awareness for Clothes That Work programs and generate funds that provide area job seekers with interview appropriate clothing and image coaching. What an amazing gift to give to a man, woman or teen who is hoping to make their one and only first impression count!”

Event festivities start Saturday at 1:00 as the “ hunks” select their running heels. Races begin at 2:00 with the award ceremony starting around 3:15. There is still time to become a Hunk; men can register onsite for a $100 donation. A team of 5 men can register for a $400 donation and a team of 10 for $700. All fees are fully tax deductible.

Event emcees are Jim Bucher of WDTN, and Hunks in Heels Committee Member Lisa Grigsby of Dayton Most Metro & ARC Ohio.  DMM publisher Bill Pote will also be running in his second year!

For more information about the event or to cast a last minute vote for a Best Legs Hunk, visit: www.clothesthatwork.org. Voting for the Best Legs Competition closes at Midnight tonight!

(Submitted by Clothes that Work)

 

Get Out & Give Back Day Improves Community, Engages YPs

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Thanks to Carly Short Photography for covering last year's event!

They’re coming. On Friday, May 4, a sea of blue shirts will roll through downtown Dayton, leaving a wake of good karma in its path. That’s right, the annual Get Out & Give Back Dayton day has returned! The event is hosted by Generation Dayton but young professionals from all walks of life and varying professional organizations are participating. More than 100 volunteers will take up their shovels, hammers, dust mops, work gloves and other tools of do-goodery to spruce up the area. This event is important because it not only connects young professionals directly to the Dayton area, it reminds local residents of the positive attributes young professionals have and the amazing contributions we make to the city. In other words, us whipper-snappers do more than prop up the economy via beer and taco sales.

This is my second year participating in Get Out & Give Back Dayton day, and the aspect I enjoy most about this event is the opportunity to meet other YPs in a non-professional setting. How many networking events have you attended where you sit through one lame, Internet-template elevator speech after another? I like to loosen the ol’ corporate necktie every now and then and get to know someone on a more intimate basis. You find out a lot about someone when you have to trouble-shoot trash hauling or develop a synchronized mulch distribution strategy! OK, the happy hour at the end also helps meet new people, but we earned it, gosh darn it!

Volunteers will be mulching, planting, scrubbing, wiping, sweeping and digging their way across nearly 30 locations in the greater Dayton area. The event kicks off with lunch at the Excelsior Building (off Sixth Street in the Oregon District behind Jay’s Seafood), and later the mottled motley crew will convene at The Vault for well-deserved refreshments and regaling the day’s events.

***Updated with new rain date: Can’t make it to Get Out & Give Back Dayton day? You can participate in another cool project, this one by updayton’s Unifying the Divide bridge painting project taking place this Sunday, May 6. This service group is working to connect two adjacent neighborhoods—South Park and the Oregon District—via a pedestrian bridge that goes over U.S. 35. Sign up online for a shift.

Get Out & Give Back Dayton day is about more than donating a few hours of your time to a worthy cause. For lots of YPs, this is an introduction to many of these organizations and for some, their first foray into downtown Dayton. Engaging this group of people is an investment in Dayton’s future. Retaining young talent isn’t about members of any single professional organization—it’s everyone’s prerogative. What better way to help retain people than giving them a reason to care about their community? Now each time they walk past that landscaping (or drive past that overpass), they’ll remember the personal investment they made in Dayton. They’ll tell their friends about this cool place they visited for the first time (“yeah, it’s called the Dayton Visual Arts Center and they have some really cool exhibits right now. Want to check it out tonight?”). Most importantly, they’ve got one more reason to stay.

I can’t wait for Get Out & Give Back Dayton day; it’s a reminder for me that, even though I feel inundated with bad news about terrible people, I can and will make a difference in my little corner of the universe. I can fix something, I can make it better, and it feels great to know I have a couple hundred people who are on my team.

Volunteer For Dayton’s Premier Wine & Gourmet Food Fest

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On Sunday, May 20th over 1000 folks will converge on Carillon Park for one of Dayton’s most anticipated wine festivals, Fleurs et Vin. Now in it’s 20th year, the fest has proved to be a spectacular party in the park.  This years event will benefit AIDS Resource Center Ohio and Dayton History.

To pull off this event, that features over 300 wines and 25 of Dayton’s finest independent restaurants,  hundreds of volunteers are needed.  From helping to direct parking, checking ID’s, handing out glasses and plates, distributing ice and water, helping in the beer garden and monitoring the live and silent auctions, there are lots of jobs to do.

And one of the fringe benefits for volunteers at this event, free tasting.  That’s right, once you’ve completed your work, you can get a glass and enjoy!    Of course all voluteers do need to be 21 or over.  So grab your friends and sign up today.

Simple Steps: Paint a Bridge for Community Vibrancy

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***This project has been postponed to June 2 on account of rain! Please follow the event Facebook page for updates!***

On Saturday June 2, 2012, updayton, will be holding an event at the Burns-Jackson Park to paint the pedestrian bridge spanning highway US 35.  The event invites everyone from the Dayton area community to assist in painting a colorful mural onto the 2,800 sq. ft bridge deck.

Titled “Unifying the Divide,” this team strives to bring positive attention to a bridge that was built to unify the South Park and Oregon District neighborhoods when they were divided by US 35.

On July 16, 2011, the Creative Communities committee held its first event to clean-up the bridge. Approximately 20 volunteers attended to cut bushes, and remove trash and debris off and around the bridge. After further brainstorming, street painting projects in other cities got the groups’ attention, and thus, the idea for the “Unifying the Divide” project was born. In February, the committee placed a call for mural designs to grace the floor of the bridge, and received a dozen submissions from local artists. After a public online poll, ‘Dayton Wags’ provided the winning design which features a stained glass and floral motif to represent the history and aesthetics of both the South Park and the Oregon District.

The committee used the fundraising website Kickstarter.com to help collect funds for paint supplies and over $1,500 was raised in less than 30 days. The Creative Communities Team also received help from various community partners including Citywide Development, South Park Historic Inc., Oregon Historic District Society, Emerson Academy, and DJ What Not. An aerial photo of the completed paint project will be provided by Perfect Perspectives Aerial and posted on the updayton website once the project is completed.

“It’s been an amazing year of effort on this project,” Laura beamed with pride. “I am so proud of our team and can’t wait to celebrate the successful completion of this project.”

With a design selected and funds raised, only one component remains to implement the Unifying the Divide project: the community. The Creative Communities Team needs the people of Dayton to volunteer on May 5th to paint the mural. The first shift begins at 8am with other sift times throughout the day. Groups or individuals can sign up for a job based on their skill level. The event is expected to end by 8pm.

For more information on how to register to volunteer for the Unifying the Divide project, email updaytoncc@gmail.com.  Get involved and paint the town!

Square One hosts Hair Show Sunday to Benefit Sierra Club

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The stylists of Square One Salon will have some hair raising do’s on parade this Sunday, April 29th, to raise funds to help the Sierra Club of Ohio.  Aveda’s April 2012 Earth Month campaign has inspired its network of beauty professionals and consumers in more than 30 countries to raise $4.5 million for the protection of clean water — a basic human right that nearly 900 million people worldwide fight for daily.  

In support of achieving this goal, the Aveda Square One Salon And Spa will host a Hair Show to raise money for clean water.  Guests will enjoy a welcome cocktail compliments of The Venue, lite hors d’ oeuvres’ compliments of Olive, Coco’s, and Roost, a hair show put together by the staff of Square One, as well as a silent aution.

There will also be a a DJ playing great music, a cash bar, and each guestleaves with a goodie bag. The event will run from 1 – 3pm at The Venue, located at 905 East Third Street in Dayton.   Guests can RSVP at 937-461-2222 or daytonsquareone@aol.com.  Guest can purchase tickets for $15 at either Dayton Square One location or at the door the day of the event

 



Escape to the Island’s for Hannah’s Treasure Chest

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On Sunday, April 29th El Meson hosts the annual fundraiser for Hannah’s Treasure Chest, a local charity that provides clothing, furniture and toys to enhance children’s lives.

Your $60 reservation includes:

  • Mojito or Margarita Tasting Flight*
  • Tapas Buffet
  • Islands of Indulgence Dessert Bar
  • Treasure Digs* – sponsored by Centerville Coin & Jewelry –   Dig for $10K in gemstones and coins, including a pair of dazzling diamond earrings and a genuine gold coin, sponsored byCenterville Coin & Jewelry (Coins4Me)

Enjoy the Silent Auction, Salsa Dancing, Limbo Contest, Cooking Demonstration, Live Entertainment, and a Cash Bar!

* You may purchase additional Mojito and Margarita Tasting Flights for $12 (will be $15 at the event) and additional Treasure Digs.

Advance reservations can be made for $60 through Thursday online or call (937) 438-5039.

Change is in your hands with updayton

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It’s almost time for the annual updayton Summit!

What? You’re not excited? Well, maybe it’s because you don’t know what it is or how much it’s impacted the Dayton area. Allow me to fill you in!

updayton was conceived in 2007 as a way to attract and keep young talent through engagement, connection and empowerment of the young creatives in the Miami Valley. The organization partners with and is sponsored by other local organizations and businesses.

Current updayton Director Yvette Kelly-Fields says, “The Summit provides a platform for people to use creative thinking and problem solving to address issues that affect the attraction and retention of young talent to the region. We are starting to see the fruits of our labor as we see more young professionals moving into the downtown, opening businesses and filling local jobs.”

Former Director Scott Murphy said he believes the summit has helped to spotlight critical issues to help keep more young people in the region. He enjoys the energy and excitement associated with the event and said he’s “particularly proud of how we’ve been able to take the feedback we receive from Summit attendees and turn that into recommendations for local leaders.”

As a graduating college student, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard my fellow students complain there isn’t enough opportunity for them as young entrepreneurs around Dayton. They’d rather try their luck in a different city, or even a different state that seems to have better employment options.

But as the updayton site says, we can be the change we want to see, and it has been successful in its endeavors for community and economic change.

“Each project last year created both community and economic impact,” said Maria Norman, in charge of public relations for the organization.

In fact, the current iteration of this very website (Dayton MostMetro.com) was born out of the first updayton summit three years ago, when summit participants in a live survey of various community project ideas voted overwhelming for a comprehensive online resource for the Dayton Region.  Since then, the site has grown with the help of over 40 volunteer interns, writers and editors, and has become the go-to site for tens of thousands of people in the region wanting to connect with things to see, do and get involved with.

Winner of the "Unifying the Divide: Bridge Paint Project" - Dayton Wags

Currently, the Creative Communities project is continuing to work on a major beautification project between the Oregon District and South Park neighborhoods called “Unifying the Divide: Bridge Paint”. “This will raise the visibility of both areas and serve as a new attraction and destination point for the City for native Daytonians and visitors,” said Norman.

The focus this year is on increasing residents’ use of alternative transportation, aiding the integration of diverse immigrants in the area, reviving the Twin Towers neighborhood, and developing a sustainable program to improve community’s college students’ perceptions of downtown and encouraging them to participate in and experience all downtown has to offer. Also, for the first time, updayton will present a panel of experts in urban revitalization and who will show how they are changing the game in their community. They’ve been appropriately named, Game Changers.

“It  has been said, if you want to change the world, start with your city, start with the updayton Summit. Change starts there,” says Director Kelly-Fields.

The updayton Summit will be held on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Dayton Art Institute. For more information or to register to attend, visit their website at updayton.com or check them out on Facebook.

Doors of Compassion Open for 2012!

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Helping our community

What would you do to get a chef to cook you a private meal? Not just any chef, but the likes of Chef Jen DiSanto from Fresco? Perhaps Chef Wiley and Chef Liz from the Meadowlark? Maybe Chef Dominique Fortin from C’est Tout? Or any of the other delightful culinary experiences we have in Dayton? Not only do you get an exquisite meal, you get to eat with friends and some of the top community leaders in Dayton. You do not have to think that hard about it, because the Ronald McDonald House has made it easy for you! They are once again presenting the Doors of Compassion on April 21st, an incredibly unique event where all proceeds will go to guest families who have children in the hospital with critically ill or injured.

You will get your notification of where you will be dining on April 21st about a week before hand. The evening begins at someone’s home with a dinner prepared by one of the top chefs in the area. They will all be given the same ingredients, add a little of their own flair, and create a one of a kind dinner for you and the other guests at your location. That is just where the night begins. After you have enjoyed fine food and company, you will be invited to attend the After Party Twenty Twelve, the location of which will be revealed at dinner.

The After Party will have a whole new round of delights for you! While you are enjoying an array of sumptuous desserts, coffees, and refreshing cocktails, you can enjoy music from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s provided “Rodney the Band”. Make sure you take a look through all of the items and packages at the live auction being run by Bobbie Roland. One lucky guest that evening will also win the raffle to go home with a gorgeous James Free Jewelers’ piece, created by Charles Krypell. You will also be able to chat with all of the other attendees who enjoyed a dinner that night, and trade stories about the evening. All of this will be emceed by community icon Kim Farris from 94.5!

Dinner, desserts, dancing and donations to a great cause that strengthens our community. The window to make reservations closes on April 6th, so gather your friends and call 937-535-CARE or visit www.RMHCdayton.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

Cash Mob the Oregon District this Saturday!

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Looking for a fresh way to support local businesses and meet new people at the same time? Be a part of Dayton’s first ever Cash Mob this Saturday, March 24th in the Oregon District! Show up at 521 E. Fifth Street at 5:00 PM and be ready to spend up to $20 at a nearby locally-owned retail shop! Afterward, Cash Mobbers are invited to show off their new purchases at Lucky’s Taproom! Mobbers will receive 20% off food and $1 off draft beers at Lucky’s.

What is a Cash Mob?

Cash Mobs create quick economic stimulus for local shop owners. They are similar to flash mobs but instead of dancing, you spend a few bucks supporting home-grown retailers and socialize afterward at a local watering hole (where some celebratory dancing may still occur). These events were started in Cleveland in 2011 and have since been held all over the world. Every Cash Mob shares the goal of supporting local businesses. March 24,2012 is the inaugural International Cash Mob Day and Dayton’s Cash Mob will be one of over 200 other mobs happening this Saturday. For more information on Cash Mobs, go to: www.cashmobs.wordpress.com

What can I buy at the Dayton Cash Mob?

To find out what retail shops are participating, you’ll just have to show up at 521 E. Fifth Street at 5 pm. Rest assured, you will be able to find whatever you are looking for and probably something you’re not, too! Products that will be available for purchase include: new and vintage clothing; original artwork; posters; jewelry; new and used books, music, and movies; new and vintage housewares; posters; specialty food items; unique gifts and accessories; bags, t-shirts, scarfs, bandanas, and more!

The first 25 Cash Mobbers will receive a free t-shirt from MerchFITS.  There will also be other free swag from participating retailers and MerchFITS. All participants will receive 20% off food and $1 off draft beers at Lucky’s.

How can I find more information?

Follow the Cash Mob on Twitter @CMDaytonOH and RSVP to the Facebook event. If you can’t make it but still want to support the event, retweet us to all your friends and share our Facebook event!

For more information, contact BAM! at BAMDaytonOH@gmail.com. The first ever Dayton Cash Mob is presented by BAM! Find more info on this new artist collective in Dayton at www.bamdayton.blogspot.com