Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Getting Involved

Volunteer for the Senior Visiting Program and you may find out that “the oldest trees often bear the sweetest fruit”

By Leave a Comment

The Senior Visiting Program is a friendly service for seniors who are socially isolated and live alone or are homebound. Trained volunteers provide weekly visits about two hours, offering friendship and support, and at times provide help with small tasks such as watering plants, writing letters or organizing photo albums. Clients often enjoy activities such as reminiscing, watching a movie, listening to music, playing cards or a game with their volunteers.All volunteers are trained through Catholic Social Services and undergo a background check.

For more information, please contact Carol Harman at 937.223.7217 ext. 1140

One Pencil, One Crayon, and one Notebook

By Leave a Comment

That is what Dayton’s Crayons to Classrooms (DC2C) believes helps disadvantaged students to succeed!  Basic school supplies are a luxury for thousands of students in our community.  In light of the back to school season, I met with Steve Rubenstein, Executive Director, to learn more about this organization and what they are doing to better our community.

DC2C is a free school supply retail store that serves teachers and students in 88 Dayton area schools where more than 70% of the students live at or below the poverty line.  The organization opened their doors to teachers from selected schools in January, 2009, but not before an abundance of work and research was completed to ensure the success of the organization.

Research began in 2006 when a group of Dayton businesses and nonprofit organizations began learning about the 38 resource centers across the U.S. that support student learning by collecting surplus, close out, and other useful materials for distribution to classroom teachers in schools serving lower-income families.  “If parents are struggling to provide for their children, they clearly have difficulty buying notebooks, pens, and crayons – the items all kids expect to have for school,” said Steve Rubenstein, Executive Director.  These civic leaders saw the need for such an organization in the Dayton area and began planning.  By 2007, an Executive Director had been hired and the organization had committed financial support from the Mathile Family Foundation and the Dayton Foundation.  Under a collaborative effort with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (GESMV), DC2C was given warehouse, retail, and office space at their facility located at 1511 Kuntz Rd. in Dayton.  The partnership with GESMV provides the organization with over 12,000 sq. ft. of warehouse storage, retail store space, office space, use of GESMV telephone system and technology network, and access to a fleet of trucks for pick-up services.

Currently DC2C serves 34 area schools that are ranked based on need, which is up from 23 schools served in 2009.  The retail store is open on Monday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for teachers from approved schools to shop.  The collaborative effort with Goodwill extends even further with the DC2C Classroom Solutions program, which aims to provide teachers with useful, hands-on products.  Community volunteers and/or individuals in the GESMV’s Work Experience Program create shaped pieces for student learning tools using die-cut machines.  Paper, cardboard, felt, and plastic can be transformed into many shapes and sizes for classroom purposes including alphabet letters, numerals, and geometric forms.

You can be a local hero to a child…DC2C is doing big things for our community with their small staff of 4!  They could really use our help to spread their mission and help them with day to day operations!  DC2C seeks friendly, compassionate people to help out in the retail store from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays assisting teachers with shopping and check out.  Have a small group that would like to give back in a big way?  Groups of 4 to 6 people are needed to process donations and re-stock the shelves of the store.

Cash and In-kind donations make it possible for DC2C to keep the shelves of the teacher free store stocked for our local classrooms in need.  Local businesses, organizations, and community groups can host a school supply drive for basic supplies.  To learn more about donating and ways to get involved, please visit www.dc2c.org.

This article is the first in a series that will be compiled by DMM.com contributor Jennifer Dean.  If you’d like to suggest a local nonprofit for her to write about,  just comment below!

Tour Guides Needed for Oct 7-9 Conference

By Leave a Comment

The Regional Neighborhood Network Conference is quickly approaching and we are in NEED of VOLUNTEERS for the Neighborhood Tours. We are looking for friendly ambassadors that can help acquaint the attendees with all of the fabulous things that Dayton has to offer!

RNNC Conference
October 7-9, 2010
Dayton Convention Center and Crowne Plaza Hotel

Needed:

1.      Nightlife Tour Leaders (4) – Looking for energetic souls that can lead small groups to various hot spots in the Oregon District on Thursday evening from 8-10 p.m. A list of establishments will be provided and all arrangements will be set ahead of time. All you have to do is lead the way and enjoy a wonderful evening in the Oregon District. Must be 21 to be a tour leader.

2.      Tour Assistants (5 morning / 5 Afternoon) – Looking for assistants for each scheduled tour on Friday. Assistants will ride on the bus with the participants, attend the tour, and return with attendees to the Dayton Convention Center. The assistant will be responsible for ensuring that the tour stays on schedule, all participants return to the conference, and be the point person for any possible issues with the participants during the tours. Tour Assistants will need access to a cell phone during the time of the tour.

3.      Saturday Morning Market Tour Leader (5) – Can you think of a better way to start your Saturday morning? Tour leaders will lead small groups of participants to the 2nd Street Public Market Saturday morning from 9-10:30 a.m. Some groups will walk to the Market, others will be transported via Trolley. Participants and Tour Leaders will be able to enjoy everything that the 2nd Street Market has to offer on a bustling Saturday morning.

If you would like to fill any of these positions please let me know by September 29th by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 333-3814. All help is greatly appreciated!

Local Non Profit Seeking New Board Members

By Leave a Comment

Children with life-threatening disorders deserve wonderful chances such as a trip to Disney World, meeting a celebrity, or going on a shopping spree. A Special Wish Foundation is determined to make these dreams become a reality. With incredible support from local organizations and individuals, we have brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of children and their families.

A Special Wish Foundation has been granting wishes to local Dayton area children since 1983. Our goal is to provide unique, once in a lifetime opportunities for children diagnosed with life-threatening disorders. Our organization is wholly dedicated to granting such wishes. We operate on minimal expenses so that over 90 percent of contributions go toward granting wishes, not overhead costs.

A Special Wish Foundation is seeking out dedicated professionals within the community to serve as members of the Board of Directors.

Interested individuals will be required to participate in monthly meetings, assist in fundraising efforts, lend professional expertise, and serve as an ambassador to the Dayton Community.

Past and present Board of Directors have had the privilege to participate in granting over 1,400 wishes to local Dayton children birth through age 20.

You can make a difference in the life of a Wish Child. To inquire about the Board of Directors please email [email protected].

Scan Your Way To Masquerage

By Leave a Comment

Dayton’s Party of Parties is just 5 weeks away -Masquerage, AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s (ARC Ohio) annual masked party for a cause fundraiser.  But for one lucky winner, visiting the sponsors of this year’s Masquerage will pay off in a big way- they can Scan Their Way to a $500 Red Ribbon Lounge Ticket package that includes VIP event tickets, an overnight package at the Dayton Marriott with breakfast on Sunday and  transportation to and from the event.

In a unique partnership with Dayton-based Comtactics, participants can use their smart phones to scan a QR code from a poster at each sponsor’s business and when they visit at least 10 sponsors, they will automatically be entered in a drawing to win the Red Ribbon Lounge ticket package.  Participants can download a free code reader for their smartphone on the ScanDayton.com site.  Participants can even enter the drawing by texting the word “SCANDAYTON” to 41411 and then follow the instructions.

Comtactics, LLC, a multiplatform communications company based at Dayton’s Tech Town, developed the “ScanVenger Hunt” idea as a creative way to introduce the technology to the Dayton-area.  They’ve successfully hosted ScanVenger hunts at The Greene and during Urban Nights. “This will be our first partnership with a nonprofit fundraiser and we’re excited about using 2d technology for this dynamic interactive contest, says Sean Fields, President and CEO of Comtactics.

Since Masquerage’s inception in 2002 , this party for a cause has raised more than $650,000 in unrestricted funds in support of HIV/AIDS case management, education, prevention, testing and advocacy; allowing attendees to have a unique and entertaining experience while supporting ARC Ohio and its mission of impacting those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.  With offices in Dayton, Lima, Mansfield and Toledo, ARC Ohio is recognized as the leading provider of HIV/AIDS related programs within a 40 county region of Ohio. For more information about ARC Ohio, log onto www.arcohio.org or call (937) 461-2437.

To be entered in the drawing to win a $500 Red Ribbon Lounge Ticket package you’ll need to visit at least 10 of the sponsors- but since we like our friends at DaytonMostMetro.com you can scan the code pictured here and you’ll only need 9 more!

You can visit American Family Insurance, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Better Business Bureau, Coco’s Bistro, Digital Fringe, The Flower Shoppe, Lexus of Dayton, MacTown,  any of the Marion’s Piazza, Masque, Meadowlark Restaurant, Preen Apothecary, either of the Square One Salons and Urban HandMade.  Keep checking the Masquerage website for more additions!

Tickets for the Masquerage party can be reserved online at www.Masquerage.org or charged by phone by calling 461-2437 x 2029.  General Admission tickets include welcoming cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, and nonstop dancing and entertainment for $50, while entry to the Red Ribbon Lounge runs $150 per guest and includes heavenly delicacies created by The Meadowlark, valet parking courtesy of Lexus of Dayton, a swag bag full of sinful delights, and, for the first time ever, a complimentary array of lustful libations!

Ronald McDonald House Radiothon

By Leave a Comment

Press Release

On September 23rd, 2010 from 6:00am to 7:00pm Mix 107.7 will hold the second Radiothon to benefit Dayton’s local Ronald McDonald House.  Throughout the 13 hour Radiothon, we will be broadcasting LIVE from McDonald’s on Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek, and McDonald’s on Stroop Road in Kettering.  Not only will listeners be entertained by Mix 107.7 DJ’s Jeff Stevens, Kristi Leigh and Sean Vincent, but they will also get a chance to learn more about RMHC as we bring our mission to life on air!  This year we are asking the generous Miami Valley community to help us KNOCK OUT our goal of $30,000!

There are several ways you can help support the Radiothon and RMHC’s mission!  1) First and foremost, tune in to Mix 107.7 on September 23rd!  2) Encourage your company, department, school or club to collect spare change for donation RMHC.  Groups that collect over $250 will be mentioned live on-air! Thanks to the generous support of Wright-Patt Credit Union, donations can be counted for free at any WPCU location from Sept. 13th – Sept. 18th.             3) Listeners can also Pay-2-Play and dedicate songs throughout the day for a good cause (Available soon via http://rmhcdayton.org/donate.php).  4) Also, for the music fans out there, bid on the SummerFest guitar signed by Blondie AND Cheap Trick at http://www.mix1077.com/pages/Radiothon2010.html .

Thank you Mix 107.7 Radiothon partners and sponsors for helping to raise much-needed funds for families with hospitalized children; these include Miami Valley Hospital, ClearChannel, McDonald’s, Wright-Patt Credit Union, WDTN-2, McFall & Son Insurance Agency, Grange Insurance, and more.  If interested in sponsorship opportunities which include dedicated time-slots, please call Kevin Tibbs at 937.224.0047 ext: 40 or go to http://rmhcdayton.org/sponsorship.php.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Miami Valley Region, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization. Funds raised help cover the expenses associated with nights of stay for families with critically ill, or injured, hospitalized children.  Each chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities is autonomous, with its own Board of Trustees, responsible for the governance of the organization. Ronald McDonald House Charities is not owned by Dayton Children’s, or by McDonald’s, and is responsible for its own fundraising.

Wine, Washes And Wet Noses

By Leave a Comment

Wine, Washes, & Wet Noses

Sunday, September 12, 2010

1:00-5:00 pm

A Taste of Wine

90 South Main Street

Miamisburg, OH 45342

Join us for our 2nd Annual wine-tasting and dog wash event! Enjoy a relaxing glass of wine while Square One Salon & Spa washes your dog. There will be a raffle with items such as a Square One Salon gift basket, an iPod Nano, and a Dog Lover’s gift basket. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Visit www.humanesocietydayton.org for more information.

YP Roundup – September 2010 Happenings

By Leave a Comment

August went out with a bang with great events like First Friday with updayton’s Street Buzz, Generation Dayton’s Volunteer Speed Matching, the Ballet Barre British Bash and the Litehouse Tour and Firefly Afterparty.  But if you missed these great events, there’s lots lined up for September.  Back to school means back to action for a lot of local YP groups with only 30 days in the month, but almost 20 events planned!  There are great options to find the events you’re interested in and get involved.

Wednesday, September 1 – The Dayton Ballet Barre hosts their monthly meetup at the Dayton Racquet Club with food, drink and fun at 5-6:30 PM.
Friday, September 3 – Generation Dayton invites local newsman Dan Edwards to present Body Language 101 at this free event (lunch at your own expense).  Learn what your body language is giving away about your thoughts and learn how to read others, too!
Friday, September 3 – FIRST FRIDAY! All sorts of great events filling the streets of downtown. Official info here.

Thursday, September 9 – Generation Dayton hosts Thirsty Thursday – an after work get-together at Beef O’Brady’s in Centerville for great happy hour drinks and your opportunity to network and meet new people in a casual atmosphere.
Thursday, September 9 – The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals presents International Protocol with Leah Hawthorn from 6-8 PM at the Dayton Urban League building.  You’ll learn proper etiquette and the importance of image when dealing with international clients.
Friday, September 10 – URBAN NIGHTS – so, So, SO much going on.  It’s like you take First Friday and “turn it up to eleven!”  Urban Bikes (with a Dragons game), Tap Factor (don’t miss this great troupe), Karaoke with the Human Race Theatre Co. (and your chance to sing before one of their shows), view the winners of the Downtown In Focus Photo Contest, and more.  Just come downtown and you’ll find all sorts of action.  Even better – Join the updayton Street Buzz as they catch some live acts and grab some great food or the Dayton Creative Syndicate;s Poker Crawl (because You, Too, Can Hold ‘Em Like They Do in Texas) to check it all out with other YPs
Friday, September 10 – Hit Therapy Cafe during Urban Nights to join the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals at YP @ Play.  It’s kids games in a grown up way – Twister, Musical Chairs, Wii, Jenga, Cards, and more keep your attenti0n while sharing great drink specials and good times with friends.  $10/person
Friday, September 10 – The Montgomery County Young Republicans host a fun social at Elsa’s on Stroop.  This is your chance to get together with like minded YPs and get revved up for the upcoming election season.

Monday, September 13 – The Young Republicans have their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings in Town and Country in Kettering starting at 6 PM.
Thursday, September 16 – HYPE hosts their Third Thursday social at the Caroline in Troy – it’s a great opportunity for YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to socialize with food and drink specials.  All invited – regardless of if you live north or south of 70!
Thursday, September 16 – JumpstART hosts their monthly jump into arts activities by highlighting the Dayton Art Institute and their newest exhibit, Modern Masters.  For $10, you get two drink tickets, food, a special viewing of the exhibit, a great way to meet YPs from all across the region and your ticket to Oktoberfest!
Friday – Saturday, September 17-18 – Check out Taste of the Miami Valley for a great selection of fabulous local foods!

Tuesday, September 21 – Generation Dayton hosts Business and Breakfast at the Bob Evans on Miller Lane
Tuesday, September 21 – You got to check out Speed Volunteer Match last month; need more speed?  Hit the Gen D annual speed networking event.  Meet new people in a structured atmosphere and make introductions so quickly that if you don’t like them, they’ll be gone soon enough!  Coco’s at 5:30 PM.
Tuesday, September 21 – Do you want to know how to take your exuberant, creative energy and translate it to a long-term career?  Join the Dayton Creative Syndicate for guest speakers Tony Neary and Tom Kisker from Traction.
Wednesday, September 22 – HYPE invites you to learn more about how health care is changing in our nation and how it affects you at a special event – Demystifying the Nation’s Health Care Bill at the Troy Chamber of Commerce with conversation continuing at the Caroline.
Friday, September 24 – Breakfast not fit into your schedule?  No worries – Generation Dayton fits into your schedule with lunch on the fourth Friday of the month for good food and great conversation at Murray’s Place in Moraine.

As always, if I missed anything – please post your info to the DaytonMostMetro.com Event Calendar and click on Young Professionals so we know what’s happening!  And let us know in the comments below where you plan to be…

Party Planners Habitat Needs You!

By Leave a Comment

Dayton Habitat is recruiting skilled volunteers to help plan and organize our 2011 Spring Gala “Dancing With Our Stars”.  A variety of committee members are needed to serve on the silent auction, public relations/media, decorations, and sponsorship committees. If you are interested in donating your time and talents, please contact Jen by email at [email protected] or by phone at 937.586.0860 ext. 16.

Habitat for Humanity serves as a hand up, not a handout, for families in need. Families apply to us to earn a house of their own. Once accepted into the program, our “Partner Families” work alongside our many volunteers to build their house. They put in 275 to 550 hours of “sweat equity” before earning their home, which is then sold to them on an affordable, interest-free mortgage. Partner families make a down payment toward the purchase of their home.

Mortgage payments from Partner Families are put back into the Fund for Humanity to build future homes. Other funding sources include revenue from our ReStore, corporate and church sponsorships, individual donations, government and foundation grants, and fundraising events.

HYPE in the Northern Miami Valley

By Leave a Comment

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.

JumpstART Announces Upcoming Events

By Leave a Comment

As the 2010-2011 arts season starts to get underway, JumpstART – the YP activity arm of Culture Works – announced some new deals and upcoming events.  This is a group dedicated to providing great arts opportunities to plug local young professionals into the arts scene.  From their email:

Lots of great arts opportunities abound in Dayton – ranked #1 for arts and culture in midsized cities.  But sometimes YPs have a hard time knowing about what’s happening and finding events that fit well into the pocketbook.  That’s where JumpstART comes in – a no-membership/no-commitment way for YPs to get great deals on arts events and stay in the know.  All you have to do is “like” us on Facebook for all the latest updates.

JUMP INTO MODERN MASTERS at the Dayton Art Institute – Thursday, September 16 at 5:30 PM.
RSVPs are requested for this event to get a proper food count – Email Claire at [email protected].  For only $10 (payable at the door), each YP gets:

  1. a tour of the special exhibit, Modern Masters (featured in the Columbus Dispatch here and highlighted on Bucher’s Beat here),
  2. two drink tickets,
  3. appetizers from Elegant Fare,
  4. a ticket to the upcoming party – OKTOBERFEST,
  5. and great networking with other YPs from many different groups.

PORGY AND BESS at the Dayton Opera with music by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

(Note – This is not an official “jump,” but it is considered THE Great American Opera, so we wanted to provide ways to get a great ticket deal and encourage YPs to check it out together.  JumpstART will be attending on Saturday, October 23, but your group can use this discount for any performance.)

Porgy and Bess is celebrating its 75th Anniversary, and Dayton Opera is honoring this George and Ira Gershwin classic with an extraordinary international cast of rising opera stars. Neil Gittleman conducts the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the production includes Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and chorus members from Central State and Wilberforce Universities.
Here’s the DEAL: Order your Porgy and Bess tickets now before they go for sale to the public and save 15% on groups of 10 or more. Mention the JumpstART group deal for the group discount when you call Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630.

COMING UP:

  • Saturday, October 16 – Pre-party with other YPs and enjoy dinner and drinks as we meet DCDC company members and then use a special JumpstART discount to enjoy their Fall show, JazzArtistically.  More info coming soon.
  • November (Date TBA) – Finish holiday shopping at the Dayton Visual Arts Centerwith “Art to Buy” – a selection of accessible and affordable gifts created by local artists.  Buy some prints, beautiful glass ornaments, jewlery and more to take care of those hard-to-buy-for friends and family members.  Join us for some music, food, drink, shopping and then an after-party.
  • Saturday, December 11 – JumpstART joins with the Dayton Ballet Associate Board/Ballet Barre to invite YPs to a Night at the Nutcracker.  Includes a great ticket deal for this holiday classic plus “cocktails with Santa” – it’s a great way to celebrate!
  • In 2011 – Join us for theatre, music, dance, and more!  Become a fan on Facebook for all the updates.

    • Want To Help?

    By Leave a Comment

    The Ronald McDonald House provides a temporary home-away-from-home for families of critically ill, hospitalized children and supports efforts that improve children’s health within our region.

    Over the next 4 weeks they are in need of volunteers to help them on a large upcoming project.  Volunteers are needed between 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday.  If you’ve got as little as 2 hours to help, you’ll be put to work on a mailing project or perhaps making phone calls.  Minimum age is 16 and small groups are welcome to volunteer together.

    If you are available please contact Brandy McFall at 937-224-0047 x 20 or email her.

    The Ronald McDonald House in Dayton, Ohio is able to keep the doors open for families in the Miami Valley Region because of generous donations from individuals, groups, businesses and corporations in our community.

    They are an independent, not-for-profit organization. The families that utilize our facilities while their children are hospitalized do so at no cost. There are many ways you can help provide this home-away-from-home for families in their time of need. If you are not available at this time, please keep them in mind for future volunteer projects.

    Be a part of the Mu Crew!

    By Leave a Comment

    This article written by Mu Crew member Matt Grimm.

    The Mu Crew is a Mpowerment program with AIDS Resource Center (ARC) Ohio.  This LGBTQ group is designed for young gay men between the ages of 18 and 29, however all are welcome. Founded in 2004, the program’s mission is to create a happy, healthy and united gay community through education and empowerment.

    The Mu Crew hosts meetings the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Kuhn’s building in Downtown Dayton; where the group has an official meeting place that they refer to as the Pi House. The meetings consist of crew member discussions around a variety of topics including upcoming events, social events and fundraisers; relative “hot” topics for gay men and anything else the group feels is important.

    The group holds annual outings and events such as a weekend-long retreat held every year in May at the Glen Helen nature preserve in Yellow Springs Ohio. They also host an all-day LGBTQ conference at the Pi House each year called the Blue Conference.  The Blue Conference brings in a variety of speakers to share information and hold discussions on a variety of relative subjects for the group.  From performing in Drag shows, organizing an internet based reality show, organizing parties and various other outings, the Mu Crew knows how to have a great time!

    The Mu Crew also participates in fundraisers and activities hosted by the LGBT Center of Dayton, as well as local bars such as Masque, Aquarius and MJ’s. The Mu Crew has marched in the Pride parades of Dayton, Cincinnati, and even Columbus.

    The Mu Crew’s meetings are held at the Pi House, 15 West 4th Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402. They start at 7:30, but don’t feel pressured to be on time. Many participants come and join in throughout the entire meeting. After the meetings end, the Mu Crew will go out for a bite to eat or head out for some Karaoke!

    Coming events include a weekend camping trip at Cedar Point August 13th-15th. The cost is $60.00 and includes admission to Cedar Point on Saturday.

    The Mu Crew’s next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, August 17 at 7:30pm. Make sure to mark your calendars now!

    For more information on the Mu Crew or to contact the coordinator please refer to the links listed below:

    Coordinator: Ben Adams
    Telephone: (937) 461-2437 ext. 2015
    E-Mail: [email protected]

    Home Office: AIDS Resource Center Ohio
    Web Site: http://www.arcohio.org
    Myspace: www.myspace.com/TheMuCrew
    Also Online At: Facebook

    updayton releases Year Two Report

    By 2 Comments

    updayton asked young creatives why they are sticking around (Photo by Joel Spitsnaugle and Val Smith)

    Cities across the nation (or at least the people who acknowledge the theory of the Creative Class) are battling to attract creative, professional talent.  Local volunteer organization and DaytonMostMetro.com partner updayton has zeroed in on the next generation of these creative professionals and focuses on retaining and attracting those they term the “young creatives.”

    On Tuesday, updayton released their Year Two Report to highlight the latest data on the region’s “brain drain,” actions taken by updayton volunteers and others in the community to plug it, and the latest things they’ve heard from young people at the 2010 Young Creatives Summit.

    The statistics they present tell two stories.  One is of a brain drain gap that is growing.  The Dayton region has a larger number of students attending college here – we’ve added 22,000 college students from 2005-2008.  However, the number of adults with a college degree in the region has only grown by less than 8,000.   This discrepancy demonstrates that students are still leaving the region after graduation.  However, the data isn’t all gloom and doom.   American Community Survey published that in 2008 the region gained 4,000 individuals aged 18-34.  For the first time in years, the Dayton region has a positive net increase in attracting these young creatives. The gap is closing.

    The American Community Survey published that the Dayton region is finally showing a net increase in young people aged 18-34,

    Also included in the report, updayton takes a look back at progress made over the past few years.  They update the community on the success of action plans from 2009 (including the Wayne Avenue Corridor and DaytonMostMetro.com), but they also recognize the important work done by numerous organizations throughout the region.  In the 2009 report, updayton listed recommendations to address issues of utmost importance to young creative.  Although they recognize that much of this work was in motion before updayton even existed, they take time in the 2010 report to acknowledge the important projects that are making Dayton more welcoming and accessible to young creatives.  But although the region has advanced significantly in urban vibrancy and connectivity, there are still important steps that must be taken in cultivating greater diversity and better connecting college students to the job market.

    Summit attendees discuss important issues (Photo by William Murdock)

    The Year Two Report also focuses on the 2010 Young Creatives Summit.  They provide the community with the complaints and concerns of the young professionals who attended the Summit, and they highlight the possible solutions brainstormed by those same YPs.  For each topic: Entrepreneurship, The Dayton Scene, Neighborhoods / Community, and Diversity – updayton presents the common themes that recurred in each breakout session and recommendations for future progress.  Although some of these recommendations require implementation at a higher organizational or government level, there are many steps that businesses, nonprofits, and individuals can take to make a difference.

    Finally, updayton utilizes the Report to spotlight the Action Plan projects that volunteers are undertaking to make a difference in the community.  Updayton prides itself on connecting young creatives back into the system to be a part of the solution.

    Read the full report here or at http://updayton.com.

    Meet Generation Dayton’s Spotlight Member of the Month

    By Leave a Comment

    A program of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Generation Dayton encourages talented young professionals who live and work in the Dayton region to meet, network, learn, grow and establish themselves as integral components in the future success of the region. Each month we’ll introduce you to one of their members with a spotlight interview. So meet our next young professional:

    PUSH Scotch & Cigars Social

    By 2 Comments

    Professionals United for Sexual Health (PUSH) will host a scotch and cigar evening on Thurs, Aug. 6th from 6-8pm at Sidebar in the Oregon District.  Billed as more than a tasting – you will learn about both of these devilish delights from the experts!  And if that’s not enough to convince you, how about this:  burlesque dancer – Champagne Shock of Timeless Entertainment will make a guest appearance!

    Buy your tickets online – $30 gets you the scotch sampling and a choice of your favorite cigar. Tickets at the door will be $35, if still available.

    PUSH  is a group of Planned Parenthood Advocates who demonstrate their interest and commitment for the organization in unique and exciting ways. Made up of women and men from the Miami Valley, PUSH members support the use of prevention to promote sexual health and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
    PUSH is committed to making sure individuals in the Miami Valley have access to the information and healthcare they need to stay safe and healthy.