Community

Help A Girl Out!

July 12, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Your invited to an Open-House Fundraiser to Help Support the New RubiGirl Clubhouse!
Please join us Friday July 12, from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at our new pad. The Clubhouse is located at 1207 Wayne Avenue right next to Ghostlight Cafe! This will be your chance to see the magic behind the curtains, check out the closets and even see the wig wall,

In exchange the Rubi Girls are asking for a ‘Whatever You Can Do To Help’ Donation at the door to help us keep our mission of ending HIV alive and well! Comprised of elementary school teachers, a clinical counselor, a filmmaker and business owners, the group began performing for one another in an attic during college. What started on Rubicon Street has turned into a group with a cult following that have raised over $1,000,000 for HIV and LGBT causes with their annual Show Must Go On and performances and even a film!

Come join the Fun!
Bring your camera as we will be in full face!
‘Help A GIRL OUT!’
and see this magnificent new Home to Dayton’s Fabulous RUBIGIRLS!

New Kettering Health Network Hotline Helps Cancer Patients Find Their Way

July 10, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The hours and days following a cancer diagnosis are emotional, frightening, and confusing. With appointments to arrange, doctors to visit, and tests to run, it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s why Kettering Health Network’s oncology program is offering a unique service for cancer patients – a specialized hotline for those looking for help.

A new cancer call center serves as the first point of contact for many who are on their first steps in their cancer journey. The call center, which opened on July 1, helps patients navigate through the services Kettering Health Network offers at all of its hospitals, including oncologists, social workers, dieticians, financial guidance, and support groups.

“A newly diagnosed cancer patient is overwhelmed and not sure where to start,” said Rae Norrod, oncology service line manager at Kettering. “A person further along in their cancer journey may not be aware of all Kettering Health Network has to offer at all of our locations. When they call, the trained professionals at the call center help to connect these patients with the right people, resources, and information.”

Although call center experts cannot give medical advice, they can direct the patient to the correct Kettering Health Network resource, greatly reducing multiple call transfers and frustrations. The experts start by assessing the needs of the caller and provide as much information about Kettering Health Network cancer services as possible. The experts direct the caller to the appropriate resource such as a physician referral, social workers, registered dietitians, financial counselors, or certified oncology nurses.

“While we’ve provided compassionate cancer care at our hospitals,” explained Ken Chaij, network oncology director, “this is the first time we’ve combined our resources into a comprehensive service for the community, and are calling them Kettering Cancer Care.”

Cancer is the second leading cause of death. “That’s why Kettering Cancer Care is so important to our community,” said Chaij. “Kettering Health Network has put a deliberate emphasis on cancer services in 2013.. In addition to establishing the new call center, Kettering Cancer Care has reached out through mailings, Facebook, and a new commercial that debuts later this summer.”

Two cancer care experts are available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 1-855-500-CURE (2873).

Annual Downtown Dayton Photo Contest

July 8, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to participate in Downtown in Focus, a photo contest aimed at finding new and distinctive shots of our downtown. The City of Dayton, Downtown Dayton Partnership, Kaplan College and Dayton Daily News are sponsoring the contest.

One amateur winner and one professional winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

Downtown Living: You know that place you and your friends go to every Saturday night downtown? Now is your chance to win some money for being a regular! Take photos showing off Dayton’s vibrant dining and nightlife scene, urban housing or anything else unique to living and playing downtown.
I Heart Downtown: The architecture of one of the historic buildings you have always admired. Your favorite spot along the river. That coffee shop where you buy your morning brew — this category is wide open to photograph anything and everything you love about downtown Dayton.
Skyline: It’s hard to single out the best thing about Dayton, so why not just capture the whole city? Show us your best shot of our downtown Dayton skyline!

A panel of judges ― consisting of professional photographers, photography editors and instructors, and arts community leaders ― will select the winners in each category and award a $250 cash prize to the Best in Show winner in each division. Honorable mentions also will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. In addition, City of Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell will select one photo that best represents the City’s “Dayton Originals” motto. This photographer will receive a gift basket from the City of Dayton. Contest winners will be recognized at the Sept. 20 Urban Nights, and all entries will be displayed in a special exhibit during Urban Nights.

From approximately 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, during First Friday, many of downtown’s buildings will be lit for photographers who would like to capture night shots of the city.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. There is no fee for application or participation.

Photographers are not required to be Dayton-area residents, but winners must be age 18 or older. Photos must have been taken in Greater Downtown ― which includes the Central Business District, Oregon Arts District, Webster Station and the ring of neighborhoods that surrounds downtown ― within the past calendar year. Official contest guidelines and entry forms are available at www.downtowndayton.org and www.daytonohio.gov.

For more information, contact:

Kristen Wicker: 937-224-1518, ext. 228, or [email protected]

Courtney Deutsch: 937-224-1518, ext. 231, or [email protected]

For contest submission details and entry forms: www.downtowndayton.org

Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Wedding Gown Sale

July 6, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Brides Against Breast Cancer contributes to programs for cancer patients, their families and caregivers. They are bringing the “Nationwide Tour of Gowns” to the Hilton Garden Inn in Beavercreek on July 19th & 20th to help ensure that people impacted by cancer have the resources and information they need in their battle with cancer. Funds raised Durning the Tour of Gowns fund programs and services that are FREE to cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Some of the programs include support groups, children’s programs, exercise classes and more. Their goal is to ensure that no one in this country has to face cancer alone.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUSLzmK67e4′]

There will be a VIP ‘Unveiling of the Gowns’ Reception Friday, July 19th from 6-9pm for a $20 tax deductible donation .
Enjoy coffee, tea, entertainment and giveaways. You will be among the very first in the Dayton area to browse through, try on and purchase your selections from our large inventory of gowns, before general admission begins!

The show Saturday, July 20th opens at 10am and runs through 5pm and admission is a$5 donation. It will provide brides-to-be with an opportunity to find their dream gown – at an incredible savings, while contributing to services that provide education, information and outreach to men, women and children affected by cancer. Show sales include hundreds of new, name brand and designer gowns, as well as lovingly worn gowns in various styles and sizes, and they also offer a convenient layaway plan. More than half the gowns presented during each event are new designer gowns that arrive directly from designers, manufacturers and bridal retailers. Most gown prices range from $99 to $799 with designers gowns valued up to $3,900. Gowns are available in sizes from 2 to 24and they also offer accessories including veils and tiaras.

If you have already said “I Do,” please consider donating your gown to BABC, and your donation is tax deductible. Please download and complete this form to include with your donation. Your donation will help contribute to programs for cancer patients and their families.

You can also volunteer to work the event, with shifts including set up which includes moving racks, setting up displays and more. Or you can experience the joy of assisting a new bride as she chooses her “dream gown” during the shopping event. Groups of friends, co-workers or families are encouraged to sign up together.

Brides Against Breast Cancer will contribute $2 million dollars this year to help people impacted by cancer. Among the numerous free programs supported are children’s programs, support groups, exercise, and nutrition classes. Other programs include Camp No Worries, Cancer Education Series, and Ask the Doctor. 71 cents of every dollar raised from the Tour of Gowns goes to programs and services for those impacted by cancer.

“Fashion in the Mystic Garden” Runway Show to Feature 10 Designers

July 5, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator [DE-FI] is pleased to announce the designers and boutiques that will be participating in the runway fashion shows at DE-FI’s “Fashion in the Mystic Garden” Launch Party at SunWatch Indian Village, 2301 W. River Road, on Saturday, July 13, 2013:

• Misti Leigh

• Brenda Marone (B. Marie)

• Sonya Mills (Kerapa Klothing)

• Shann Cortes

• Nakeisha Maroney (J’Norreh)

• Laura Kirkpatrick (Grumbage)

• Joli Boutique

• American Pi

• Tegan King (Temiki Jewelry)

Be The Match^® will be on-site at the Launch Party, registering bone marrow donors.

General admission tickets are $45 per person. Parking will be at the University of Dayton Arena, with free shuttles transporting guests to SunWatch beginning at 7:00 p.m. The doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the fashion show starts at 8:00 p.m. (VIP parking is at SunWatch, but VIP tickets are completely sold out.)

A limited number of general admission tickets are still available, and can be purchased at four area locations: Joli Boutique, 27 W. Franklin Street, Centerville; Sew Dayton, 16 E. Brown Street, Dayton; Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth Street, Dayton; and SunWatch Indian Village, 2301 W. River Road, Dayton.

Because this event is scheduled to take place outdoors, a rain date of August 10 has been set. If the July 13 event is canceled due to inclement weather, DE-FI will make an announcement via Facebook, Twitter and our website.

The mission of the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator [DE-FI] is to lay a strong foundation for a viable and profitable fashion industry in the City of Dayton. For more information, visit www.daytonemergingfashionincubator.com or send questions via email to [email protected].

Podcasting in the City

July 2, 2013 By Tiffany Shaw-Diaz Leave a Comment

Podcasts are undeniably popular, and they are also astoundingly diverse. Take a quick peek through the iTunes store, and you’ll find podcasts about any topic that you imagine including news, comedy, art, food, natural living, and science, among other categories.

Thankfully, there is now a podcast exclusively about Dayton—its culture, people, businesses, politics, and lifestyles–to add to that burgeoning roster.

Launched just a few months ago, the Gem City Podcast is the brainchild of Eric Ruiz, a native of Tampa and Austin. While Dayton is his adopted city, he feels a strong impetus to connect and grow with it. “Dayton is my home; therefore, I feel obligated to make it an oasis of great people,” he stated.

Inspired by the popular comedy podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, Eric set out to create a show that was equally expressive and candid, all with the aim of boosting Dayton’s morale and promoting peace and good vibes. He attributes this to a radical inner transformation that he had a few years ago, which changed his perception of this world in and his place in it. “My motivation is to take whatever place I’m at and set up a beacon of positivity,” he offered. “From there, I want to help promote that and push away all the negativity I see in this world.”

To help him with the show’s production, he teamed up with Chris Jones, Russ Cope, and Chad Wells. Ruiz notes that they all bring different strengths and perspectives to the table. “I believe that with the four of us contributing and putting love into the show, we can only get better,” he offered.

Their teamwork is evident. Even though the weekly podcast began in early May, they have landed some impressive guests, including business owners and Tommy Jones of The Dayton Scene. They plan to add even more notable Dayton denizens to their line-up as they continue to reach out to Dayton’s multi-faceted community.

“I’m really excited about the amount of people we will be meeting and interviewing,” commented Chris Jones, the podcast’s tech guru. “I love meeting and conversing with people who may have a different perspective than me. I feel that when you see the world through someone else’s eyes, it makes you a more diverse person. Even better, we get to share those stories and emotions with our listeners.”

Added Russ Cope, their producer, “Gem City Podcast’s goal is to connect our audience with the individuals who are making Dayton this unique blend of creativity, ingenuity, moxie, and tenacity. We want to support and promote Dayton’s journey from a grassroots perspective, one interview at a time.”

The Gem City Podcast crew leisurely conducts each interview, often spending up to an hour with each guest, all with the intent to give him or her the opportunity to open up and share their thoughts. While the program has an explicit rating on iTunes (where you can download episodes for free), the content is mostly tame, although the team doesn’t shy away from discussing mature topics or employing adult, albeit good-natured, humor.

Because it is a weekly production, there is an incredible amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into designing the show. This includes researching potential guests, securing interviews, and uploading episodes to various sites. The team also maintains Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages with the latest podcast updates and city news.

Considering the impressive amount of work that is involved in making the program a quality product, Ruiz noted that he is always looking for people to help share the load with their talents. “We are a family, so anyone who has something to offer is welcome to do so, and together, we can accomplish more.”

Even though the Gem City Podcast is still in its infancy, it has cultivated quite an active following with both social media followers and downloads. In fact, their first episode was so popular that they encountered some interesting complications as a result.

“The response has been more then we had expected,” said Ruiz. “We overloaded our server, which was bad, but really great, too, in the sense that we found out people really are listening. This makes me feel obligated to give them the best show I can.”

Given the outpouring of support, the Gem City Podcast is on the path to making an indelible mark in the Dayton community. When asked about his plans for the show, Russ Cope, the producer, is adamant about the podcast’s role in promoting Dayton’s significance to a larger audience, especially its scientific and artistic impact.

Ruiz shares Cope’s admiration for Dayton, as well, and aims to change people’s perception of his chosen city, “I hope the podcast makes people more aware,” he said. “Getting more positive thinking is my goal.”

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

July 1, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

Class topics will include the following:

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

Program Requirements:

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

Certification Requirements:

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

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

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

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

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

Why??

June 27, 2013 By Scott Sliver 30 Comments

Why??

I have been asked that question a hundred times. “Why would you sell your house in Beavercreek and move to Dayton?”

I have been around Dayton for most of my life. I grew up in Eaton, just 25 miles west of Dayton. I attended the Montgomery County Join Vocational School (now Miami Valley Career Technology Center) my junior and senior years of high school. Then off to the big city I went, to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where I earned my degree in Visual Communication.

Soon after graduation, I landed my first ad agency job at Flynn/Sabatino located at Fourth and Ludlow Streets in downtown Dayton. My first apartment was on Grafton Ave., just across the river. I remember running into one of my high school buddies during that time. He asked what I had been up to. When I told him I was working at an ad agency in Dayton, he responded with, “Oh… Hit the big-time, eh?”

I literally laughed out loud.

Times Square circa 1985

After two years I quit my job, sold everything and moved to New York City. I had a friend that had moved there after college.

Most would agree that I had a pretty charmed agency career. I was hired as an art director at Bozell Jacobs just a few days after I moved to the city, where I was assigned toMerrill-Lynch and Holiday Inn accounts. I also met my wife Bonnie there. She was from upstate New York, but had migrated to the city to attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, earning her BFA with a Minor in Art Education.

I remember people assuming that because I was from Ohio that I must have grown up on a farm. My standard answer was, (with the blankest expression I could muster up) “My dad was a State Farm agent… we lived in town… but I did milk a cow once on a field trip in the third grade.”

I know they viewed me as this helpless kid from the middle of nowhere. (Often referred to in the city as “fly-over!” (New York, L.A., maybe Chicago. Everything else you just fly over.) I was 22.

With my bride Bonnie, May 24, 1986 in New York, NY.

After a year and a half in New York City I was offered a position at an agency back in Dayton. (Back then I used to say I had been exiled to Dayton.) I had married and my wife we were expecting our first child.

What all those New Yorkers didn’t realize was that I considered myself to be the George Baily of my hometown. (Jimmy Stewart’s character from “It’s a Wonderful Life.) “I’m shakin’ the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I’m gonna see the world!”

By the time I was in high school I was telling people I was from Dayton. Who had ever heard of Eaton, Ohio?

As a child I can still remember riding into Dayton and the thrill of seeing the I-75/35 interchange! All those layers of overpasses climbing higher and higher! I remember my grandfather telling me stories of helping with the recovery effort from the flood of 1913. My mom grew up on Cleveland Ave. in Dayton, just off Smithville. She graduated from Patterson Co-op. My older sister got a job at Wright Patterson Air Force Base after high school and married a guy from Old North Dayton who attended grade school at Our Lady of the Rosary.

Obviously our family always had one foot in Eaton, one foot in Dayton. My orthodontist’s office was on Salem Ave.! After bouncing around from city to city (Cincinnati, Tipp City, Brookville, Beavercreek), we find ourselves in a new season of life. We are officially “empty nesters.”

3½ years ago we had this idea… to sell our house in Beavercreek and return to our urban roots. (Granted, Dayton is not Manhattan, but it is our home… And it’s the hub of this region.) Our youngest daughter still had one year left of high school, and plans to wed the following summer. And we had a house to sell.

We spent the next 3½ years heading down this path. We weren’t all that interested in McPherson Town, Oregon District or South Park. All great options, but we wanted to live right downtown. In November of 2012 we sold our home. $20,000.00 in repairs and upgrades over two years, and six months on the market. And we had to take $6,000.00 to the closing table. (Obviously we were really committed to this idea.)

Our home at FirstPlace

Once it sold, we were faced with, “What do we do now?”

Our dream has been to purchase a building downtown and renovate it into a really cool loft apartment. But it became painfully obvious that wasn’t going to happen in any reasonable timeframe. So, after crashing at my sister’s house behind the Art Institute for a few months, we elected to settle into an apartment at FirstPlace on West First Street and give ourselves a chance to catch our breath.

We love living downtown.

I remember the exact place and time when I felt the coin drop and I realized I really do love Dayton… Driving through downtown on I-75 about to merge onto 35. (At that time the Reynolds and Reynolds clock tower was still at that location.) I turned to my friend and began talking about how much I love Dayton and how there are so many people in need and how our city needs revived!

The western view from my window

We now have front-row seats for the I-75 construction through downtown! It’s active with over 90,000 cars passing by each day. We get to watch the weather roll in, and the sun set every night from our 7th floor domicile! I can tell you every time there’s a Dragon’s home game, or when the Life Flight takes off from Miami Valley Hospital. We have discovered some great places to eat, and they aren’t all on Fifth or Brown Streets. (Tank’s, Coco’s and Olive to name a few.) We love walking around RiverScape! Especially when the fountains are turned on!

Sure, Dayton pretty much shuts down early in the evening unless there is an event at the Schuster Center or Victoria Theater… But those events happen pretty frequently! In the few months we have lived downtown, Shrek the Musical, the Addams Family and Mary Poppins have come to town. Not to mention Rock of Ages, Dreamgirls and Myth Busters-Behind the Myths! On the first Friday of every month there is a FirstFriday Art Hop, and in the spring and fall, Urban Nights. Countless festivals and other events at Courthouse Square sprinkle the calendar.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

Again, Dayton isn’t Manhattan… I get that. I also get that some of my urbanite friends poo-poo places like the Greene. I understand that when some refer to Dayton, it’s boundary-specific. But I’m not one of those people. I love all that this region offers. (Did you know seven counties border Montgomery County?)

I love that Dayton holds a major league record for consecutive sell-outs (Dragons/Fifth-Third Field.) I love that Dayton holds more patents per capita than any other city in the country! I love that Dayton topped the list of “Happiest City to Work In” by Forbes in 2012! I love that when President Obama wanted to take the British Prime Minister to a basketball game, they came to Dayton’s own U.D. Arena! I love that we are home to the National Museum of the United States Air Force! (Even though we didn’t get one of the retiring space shuttles… I’m still bitter about that!) Did you know that Martin Sheen recently stopped by the Foodbank? I could go on…

I would be amiss if I failed to mention the Wright brothers in this diatribe.

And, have you seen the new 50+ million dollar GE Aviation Research facility being built near U.D.?

The view at sunset from our highrise.

Yes, I am well aware most of our automotive industry dried up and blew to Mexico. I realize that our only remaining Fortune 500 Company (NCR) moved to Atlanta, GA. Such is life. At the time, it felt like the final nail in the coffin.

But I am so tired of hearing people say, “Dayton is dying.” Dayton is NOT dying. It is reviving. There are signs of life everywhere you look. Dayton is no different than any other small-to-mid-sized-city in the U.S. Most cities like Dayton are struggling to keep businesses alive and keep kids in school. Most inner cities are constantly fighting crime or the perception of being unsafe. Many businesses relocate to more suburban areas. I get that… I do.

But there is a movement abroad to see Dayton flourish again. To see Dayton become the innovative city for which it once was known. We have some great up-and-coming young leaders in our community via Generation Dayton.

You may not love Dayton the way I do, but I would challenge you to step outside your comfort zone a bit and give Dayton a chance. Take in a show at the Schuster or take a stroll though any of the amazing Five Rivers MetroParks scattered across the Miami Valley. Come downtown on a Friday or Saturday night. Or better yet, stop by the PNC Second Street Market on a Saturday morning. You may be pleasantly surprised!

And, maybe… just maybe… you’ll love Dayton, too!

@ScottSliver (Sly-ver)

The voice of I Love Dayton! on Facebook. Executive Director of The Hope Foundation of Greater Dayton. Pastor at the Vineyard Church in Beavercreek. New media enthusiast with a degree in visual communication. http://hope4dayton.com [email protected]

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

June 26, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 3 Comments

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

Warm Greetings, Supporters and Volunteers of Garden Station,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humbly,

Lisa Helm

Volunteer Garden Station Manager

www.facebook.com/gardenstation

www.daytongardenstation.org

[email protected]

937-610-3845

Please write, email AND call!

Mayor Gary Leitzell

City Hall, Second Floor

101 W. Third Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-333-3636

Fax: 937-333-4297

[email protected]

City Commission Office

City Hall, Second Floor

101 W. Third Street

Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-333-3644

fax: 937-333-4297

[email protected]

Commissioner Matt Joseph – [email protected]

Commissioner Dean Lovelace – [email protected]

Commissioner Nan Whaley – [email protected]

Commissioner Joey D. Williams – [email protected]

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

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

July 5 Event to Feature Dance Lessons, Classic Movies, Contests, and Live Music

June 24, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Downtown’s next free First Friday event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 5. To celebrate the holiday weekend, many restaurant and stores are offering a variety of activities and entertainment for downtown visitors to enjoy. Events include art exhibits, live music, dinner and drink specials, retail sales, and special events will be featured at a variety of downtown venues.

Some of the highlights for the July 5 First Friday are listed below. A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website.

Food Truck Rally – 200 S. Jefferson St. (near the Dayton Convention Center): Synergy Incubators hosts the July First Friday Food Truck Rally, featuring Zombie Dogz, Go Cupcake, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery Caribbacanas,Fressa Truck, G’s CUE BBQ Horseless Buggy Eatery, Tik’s Thai Mobile, @The Monchon, Kona Ice and Missouri Avenue BBQ from 5:00pm – 9:00pm

American Pi (37 S. St. Clair St.) is celebrating a new collaboration with “Life in Letters,” a local handcraft décor store. Visitors can create unique and personal pieces using photos taken in the Dayton area that resemble letters. For First Friday, the owners of “Life in Letters” will be at the store to meet with anyone who comes by. The store is open until 8:30 p.m. Call 937–938-7890.

Cincinnati artist Gregory Sitg will be showing light paintings at Clash Consignment (521 E. Fifth St.). Call 937-241-9434.

The Collaboratory (33 N. Main St.) will feature an exhibition by artist and designer Misty Thomas-Trout that is a visual representation of her personal journey into self-awareness. Enjoy drinks and food with while getting to know the artist. The Collaboratory will be open until 8 p.m. Call 937-732-5123.

The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet for two rides this month at Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, (220 N. Patterson Blvd.). The first will ride leaves at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m. The July ride will include a tour of the McPherson, Grafton Hill, Five Oaks and Santa Clara District neighborhoods.

As part of the First Friday Salsa Music Series, Latin band Cla’ve Son will play live music from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark (111 E. Monument Ave.) on the MetroPark Pavilion Stage. Visitors can learn some salsa steps while listening to great music. Call 937-274-0126.

Sew Dayton (16 Brown St.) will offer treats from the PNC 2nd Street Market and showcase work by fiber artist Pat Weaves. Those who stop by are encouraged to partake in a DIY “Make It Work” contest. Participants will be given three pieces of textiles and given the challenge to create something new from them. The contest will run through the end of July. Call 937-234-7398.

Kicking off the Cool Film Series at Victoria Theatre (138 N Main St.) is the classic comedy “The Apartment” starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine and directed by Billy Wilder. Free popcorn and soda are offered in the lobby and an old-fashioned sing-a-long begins 30 minutes before show time. Tickets are $5. Call 228-3630.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association and Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show that airs on Fridays from 8 p.m. to midnight on WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

PFLAG Dayton Announces 2013 Scholarship Winners

June 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This year’s winners are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dayton Habitat for Humanity ReStore Celebrates Grand Opening in New Facility

June 19, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

YMCA Hosting Socks & Underwear Drive For Crayons to Classrooms

June 18, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

Bridgett from Savings Lifestyle Shares Father’s Day Deals

June 14, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friends of the Dayton Arcade Claim There’s A New Deal and Restoration Will Start Soon

June 13, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 3 Comments

The following email was sent out yesterday, and promises more news will be revealed soon….

Dear Patient Friend of the Dayton Arcade,

It is with the greatest joy and excitement that we share with you the news from Dayton Arcade LLC-Gunther Berg which we received this morning. This is truly an historic day for Dayton!

An agreement between Gunther and the newly formed Dayton Arcade Development Group (DADG) has been reached which will allow the Arcade plan to move forward. The partners and members will be named in the next few days.

An additional agreement concerning the unpaid property taxes on the Arcade Complex has been reached between the Dayton Arcade LLC and Montgomery County.

A timeline for work on the Arcade complex has been developed and it is anticipated that the long awaited restoration will begin soon.

Because of your interest in the future of the Arcade, your past support and great patience, Gunther wanted you to be among the first to hear this important news!

We anticipate more activity for Friends and will keep you as aware as possible as the project develops.

With great appreciation for your loyalty,

Sincerely,

Joanne Granzow, Maribeth Graham, Susan Gruenberg and Leon Bey, Founder and President

Apply Now for Activated Spaces’ Pop-Up Fall Project

June 11, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

For those who have dreamed of opening their own business, now is the time to give it a try and the place to try it is downtown Dayton.

Activated Spaces, an initiative to fill downtown storefronts, is accepting applications for temporary retail and service businesses to open downtown this fall as part of the fifth phase of its Pop-up Project. The project matches business owners and entrepreneurs with downtown property owners who have first-floor storefront space available for occupancy.

Interested retailers should fill out an application, which can be downloaded at www.activatedspaces.org, and email it to Jen Cadieux at [email protected]. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, July 19. Tenants will be selected the week of July 29, and retailers must be ready to open no later than Friday, Sept. 20, in time for the fall Urban Nights.

Lease lengths will range from three to six months. The spaces will have varying lease rates, but will be leased below market value. Activated Spaces volunteers will connect retailers with commercial property owners, help make the space move-in ready, and promote the business during such events as First Friday and Urban Nights. Selected businesses will negotiate leasing terms directly with the selected property owner, but flexibility for the tenant is a priority.

Activated Spaces volunteers hope to build on the success of the Pop-Up Project’s first four phases. Six of the businesses that have opened as part of the Pop-Up Project are still open: Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St.; Peace on Fifth, 508 E. Fifth St.; American Pi, 37 S. St. Clair St.; Vintage Barbershop, 110 W. Fifth St.; Sew Dayton, 16 Brown St.; Green Baby, 31 S. St. Clair St.; and All Pilates, 27 S. St. Clair St.

Commercial property owners interested in offering space to Pop-Up Shop owners should contact Jen Cadieux at 937-224-1518. Participating property owners are on the Activated Spaces website. Once a match is made, a limited amount of money is available to be distributed at the discretion of the Activated Spaces team for such purposes as offsetting utility costs, making cosmetic improvements to the space or other necessities for making the space operational.

Activated Spaces, a volunteer-led initiative spearheaded by young professional organizations Generation Dayton and UpDayton, has three main goals:

• reactivate and beautify vacant storefronts with creative displays

• encourage entrepreneurs, artists and community groups to occupy space for short- and long- term uses

• showcase downtown properties and increase interest and investment in available space

Activated Spaces is part of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, a strategic blueprint for the future of downtown. Those interested in volunteering with Activated Spaces should e-mail [email protected].