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WYSO – Movin’ On Up

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Public Radio station 91.3 WYSO in Yellow Springs began broadcasting from new studios on Tuesday May first at noon.

Since 1995, the station has been housed in Sontag Fels Hall on the campus of Antioch College.  The new studios are located across the street in the former Kettering Laboratories at 150 East South College Street.  The building belongs to Antioch University and until recently housed their central administrative offices.   “The new studios will expand our capacity to make local programs, and we’re totally focused on that,” says Neenah Ellis, WYSO General Manager.  The new broadcast studios were funded by Antioch University with supplementary funds the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program.

WYSO began broadcasting in 1958, with studios on the second floor of the College student union building.  The new facility is its third location.

On Tuesday May first, the switch to the new studios will take place at noon, during “Excursions”  hosted by WYSO Music Director Niki Dakota.  “Listeners will be able to hear the old studio transmitter link shutdown and the new one start up,”  says Ellis.  “We expect to be off the air for less than a minute.”

91.3 WYSO is licensed to Antioch University.  It carries  programming from NPR, Public Radio International, American Public Media and others, in addition to 40 hours of locally- produced programming weekly. It distributes programs on multiple platforms: FM, HD,  via on-line streaming at www.wyso.org and on the Public Radio Player for iPhone users and the NPR News App for Android users.

National Open House Weekend 2012

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For at least a few years now, the National Board of REALTORS has held a National Open House Weekend. REALTORS across the country are encouraged to hold their listings open on the same day or weekend, typically during the height of home shopping season. This year, National Open House Weekend is April 28-29, but our local custom in Dayton is to hold Open Houses on Sunday, so for Dayton, today is the day.

Some people love Open Houses, it’s a bit of a hobby for them. Some people would love Open Houses if only they didn’t have REALTORS attached to them. Well, can’t do anything about that. We are there to show off the home and answer questions about the home. Last year in this space I wrote a post called 4 Quick and Dirty Tips for Making the Most of an Open House and that advice still holds up today:

1)Don’t try to avoid the Realtor. We do need a record of who is visiting the home, it’s something we are obligated to do for the sellers.  You wouldn’t want random folks walking in and wondering around your home, would you? No one does, and an Open House doesn’t change that. We know there are a plethora of reasons why people visit Open Houses- we are okay with that, but realize you are a guest and will be expected to sign in with at least a name.

2) About the reasons you are there? Whatever they are, it’s fine. The best thing to do, as always, just be honest about why you are there: You are a neighbor and always wanted to see the home; or you are looking for decorating tips; or you are looking for a home for yourself or a family member- whatever your reason, it’s okay for you to admit it up front. The Realtor will appreciate the honesty, and then she can be helpful. If you are there for decorating tips, the Realtor can find out where items were purchased, what the color the master bedroom walls are painted, and who does the landscaping.

3) If you are working with another REALTOR, tell the hosting REALTOR upfront. Realtors have cooperating agreements with each other, which means that even if you are working with another Realtor, we will be happy to give you details about the property, because ultimately we are there to sell the home. Just remember that hosting Realtors work for the seller, so be careful about what you say- it could be shared with sellers.

4) If you are not currently working with a Realtor, you can use Open Houses to interview them. When an Open House is busy, you may not get the time to talk in private or indepth, but you will certainly get a good indication of whether or not you want to have that Realtor help you with such an important transaction.

Go have fun today at an Open House! Enjoy yourself and do a little dreaming. A complete list of homes in the Dayton area that are participating in National Open House Day, or any given Sunday, can be found via the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS Open House search link.

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 [email protected].  Get involved and paint the town!

New Businesses Popping Up Downtown

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Peace on Fifth in the Oregon Arts District is a success story from the pilot phase of Activated Spaces' Pop-Up Project.

Peace on Fifth in the Oregon Arts District is a success story from the pilot phase of Activated Spaces' Pop-Up Project.

Three businesses will be up and running by May 4, the next First Friday art hop downtown, as part of the second phase of the Pop-Up Project, part of an initiative to fill downtown Dayton storefronts called Activated Spaces. The businesses selected for the second phase of the project are:

• American π, 37 S. St. Clair St.: This gift and accessories boutique will carry items made in the United States, including handbags, greeting cards, candles and food items. The store will be open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Arin, 27 S. St. Clair St.: Shop owner and jewelry designer Brooke Medlin will collaborate with Dayton artists and other creatives to showcase beautifully designed goods for self and home, along with Medlin’s line of jewelry that includes rings, earrings, personalized necklaces and more. Visitors will be able to watch the creation process in action in Arin’s on-site studio. Rotating guest artists will set up mini-studios in the store and spend two weeks working on a collection of products to be launched at every month’s First Friday art hop. The store will be open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 937-640-0117.

• Vintage Barbershop, 110 W. Fifth St.: This old-school, classic barbershop will offer haircuts, hot steam towel shaves, facials and more. Haircuts will be $12 and shaves and facials will be $16, with special pricing for seniors. “Our goal is open a classy, professional barbershop while doing our part to make downtown a better place and trying to influence other businesses to follow suit,” owner Ron West said. The barbershop will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 937-321-6165.

The women who participated in the pilot phase of the Pop-Up Project.

The entrepreneurs who participated in the pilot phase of the Pop-Up Project. Lisa Scott (far right) of Beaute Box extended her lease, as did London Coe (second from right) of Peace on Fifth.

These businesses have three- or six-month leases, although the hope is the business owners will extend those leases ― as happened in the pilot phase of the Pop-Up Project. Indeed, the second phase of the project builds on the success of its pilot, launched in November 2011 for the holiday shopping season. Two of the three business owners in the pilot extended their leases: Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St., and Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St. In addition, Amore! Designer Consignment Boutique, 16 Brown St., which opened at the same time as the Pop-Up pilots, plans to remain open on a long-term basis, and Basho Screen Printing and Apparel, 521-523 E. Fifth St., opened in a space occupied by a Pop-Up retailer after becoming interested in the location due to the buzz surrounding the project.

Activated Spaces’ Pop-Up Project, which helped fill 2,300 square feet of retail space during its pilot phase, is led by volunteers from the young professional organizations Generation Dayton and updayton. The project is a strategic effort to fill vacant street-level space and spur interest in opening a business downtown that’s part of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, a strategic blueprint for the future of downtown.

“The Pop-Up Shops have helped enliven downtown while building on growing momentum for the center city,” said Tom Razauskas, who owns the building housing Beaute Box and the Vintage Barbershop. Razauskas and other participating downtown property owners have supported the project by providing reduced rental rates. “It has been refreshing to work with volunteers and business owners who really believe in downtown and are excited about its future.”

A kickoff event for the Pop-Up Shops will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 18. It will start at Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St., and end at Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St., with stops at all the Pop-Up Shops in between.  Raffle tickets will be sold that night $5 each, with all proceeds benefiting Activated Spaces, and prizes will be drawn at each stop. Additional details will be available soon at www.activatedspaces.org.

Basho Apparel

Basho Apparel was attracted to open a downtown location in part due to the buzz surrounding the Pop-Up Project. (Photo courtesy of Carly Short)

“The Pop-Up Project provides a low-risk, low-cost, flexible way to showcase local businesses while adding vibrancy to downtown,” said Shanon Potts, past chair of Generation Dayton and Activated Spaces volunteer. “The long-term goal of the project is to convert temporary leases into traditional leases, while establishing downtown as a regional destination for shopping for one-of-a-kind items and retail services.”

“This project also supports local, creative entrepreneurs as they take a risk and test out their business concepts while bringing renewed life to downtown storefronts,” said Scott Murphy, immediate past chair of updayton and Activated Spaces volunteer. “Visitors who support these pop-up shops will help to spur a more permanent retail environment in our downtown ― the next step in downtown revitalization.”

Visit www.activatedspaces.org or e-mail [email protected] for more information about Activated Spaces.

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 [email protected].  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.

Luke Dennis joins WYSO

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Luke Dennis (photo by Andy Snow)

(from WYSO)

Public Radio station WYSO in Yellow Springs has hired Luke Dennis as its Director of Development. Dennis is the former executive director of the Muse Machine in Dayton.

Most recently Dennis was the curator for the Harvard University Theatre Collection. He will return to the area and assume his role at WYSO on May 14.

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Luke to the WYSO staff. His skills will help us solidify our recent successes into greater financial sustainability,” says Neenah Ellis, WYSO General Manager.”

“What an honor to be chosen to join the amazing WYSO team. The next few years are going to be an exciting time of growth and innovation at the station – I am ready to jump in and start raising dollars to support the new directions WYSO is heading.”

WYSO is poised to move into new studio facilities at 150 E. South College in Yellow Springs on May first and recently announced a major collaboration with Academy Award nominated filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar that will be housed in the new facility.

A graduate of Wittenberg University and a native of Wilmington, Ohio, Dennis was a member of the first WYSO “Community Voices” class in 2011 and the story he created for his final project was singled out by “This American Life” producer Ira Glass from the stage of the Victoria Theater during a presentation last June.  He was a participant in the Dayton Chamber of Commerce’s “Leadership Dayton” program in 2010-201, and a lecturer and director of school programs for the Dayton Opera Association.

 

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.

Real Estate Featured Home: 237 Morton Ave, Dayton Ohio

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How does home feel? It feels like 237 Morton Ave- the graciousness and quality of a bygone era, the amenities and convenience of a modern life, beautifully combined to create a one-of-a-kind space, as unique as you are.  Add the charming, income-producing Victorian cottage, and prepare to fall in love.

Glorious soaring ceilings and rich Eastlake woodwork grace the first floor parlor and dining room, both of which feature an abundance of natural light from the tall windows. In the parlor, the fireplace mantel is white marble- stunning against the red walls, and the ambiance is adjustable with a trey ceiling and recessed lighting in addition to a beautiful chandelier. Wood floors? Of course.

The dining room is large, welcoming, comfortable. Family and friends will love lingering around the table. South facing windows bath this room in sunlight.

What about the kitchen? Open and clean, featuring lots of cabinets, a pantry for storage, and a small computer room that is a sunny wall of windows. A comfortable place to enjoy coffee and the paper. All appliances stay.

Upstairs are two bright and airy bedrooms, both with large windows and natural woodwork, and attic storage.

What is perhaps the pièce de résistance of this beautiful home is the luxurious bathroom. If you long for a bath that is a place of relaxation and indulgence, look no further. This bath was recently gutted and completely redone to extraordinary results. Double sinks with vanities, a huge glass-enclosed shower with modern, clean subway tiles, and what every historic home needs- a clawfoot tub for soaking away the cares of the day. The laundry is tucked away in the bath as well, washer and dryer stay. That stunning tile floor is more than beautiful to look at- it’s heated. Yes, those cold Dayton winters are a pleasure to face with toasty toes, and the exposed brick wall is its own textural work of art. So much to love!

The brick exterior of 237 Morton is equally as charming as the interior. Cozy corners and delightful surprises await you. The wrought iron fence immediately creates a welcoming atmosphere, and the landscape borders are the perfect place to indulge your green thumb. The covered front porch makes a nice place to watch the neighborhood activities, but this home also has another cozy porch in the backyard for more private relaxation. Tucked away from the street, is the patio- professionally installed slate pavers create a place to party and play. There’s enough lawn to have a brilliant green carpet, but it’s small enough that you could get away with using either an eco-friendly electric or a reel push mower.

Let’s look at the Victorian Cottage- 239 Morton Ave. This charming shotgun bungalow style home is another reason why this is such a unique property. This is a fully contained cottage with living room, one bedroom, eat-in kitchen, and a full bath. It has its own tiny yard tucked within the backyard of the main home. The Cottage is well-maintained by a long-term renter, currently on a month-by-month lease at $425.00 per month. If you need an in-law suite, combined generations, an artist’s studio, a guest cottage, or continue as rental income to pay part of the mortgage, the two homes together create flexibility that is hard to find anywhere in Dayton. There is also a two car garage on the property, so you don’t have to utilize street parking if you’d prefer not to.

Exteriors of all three buildings- home, cottage, and garage- have had a fresh coat of paint, making this home a showcase in the neighborhood. In fact, this home has been on several of South Park’s famous neighborhood tours.

2/9/13 Note: Listed for sale at $147,000.

Ready for a tour? Call Theresa Lussier, Realty Central, 937-343-1411.

How to use an FHA 203k renovation loan to Eco-Rehabarama your own Dayton home

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When you head off to the Eco-Rehabarama in May (details here), you might go to find your next home- the homes will be for sale- but seeing as there are 10 homes on the tour and they are expecting a couple hundred guests, obviously not everyone who visits is going to buy one of those homes. Many guests will be looking for inspiration for either their own home, or, information on how to turn a classic brick ranch into a stunning dream home. You will find it all at the Eco-Rehabarama, but today I wanted to share some information that might help you finance not only a home, but the renovations as well.

This can be done through a relatively unknown loan called an FHA 203k loan. It’s basically mortgage and renovation

financing rolled into a single loan and a single closing. I spoke with Mortgage Banker, Jerry Stewart, of Evolve Bank & Trust in Dayton, 937.528.6881, to find out how home buyers in Dayton can benefit from using the FHA 203k renovation loan. Here’s what Jerry said:

There are several things that make these renovation loans so great and often they are the only option for home buyers.

By renovating an existing property you are really choosing location over property specifications and we all know the three rules of real estate, location, location, location. So you can now buy that distressed or obsolete home in that desired location.

Sometimes buyers want to live in a specific community, but the price of a move-in condition home make that area off limits to them. The buyer may not have the cash on hand, or skills to do renovations on a distressed home themselves.
The FHA 203k loan can help with that. This is going to be important factor for older cities like Dayton and the first-tier or inner ring suburbs, which have a tremendous stock of aging homes and distressed neighborhoods. What better way to get those homes updated and the neighborhood values stabilized than by renovating existing housing stock, like the homes you will see at Eco-Rehabarama. The photos used in this article are before-and-afters from the same home, pulled from the Dayton Area Board of Realtors. While the 203k loan wasn’t used to finance these updates, this is an example of the type of work the loan could cover. Jerry explains another way home values are improved through this loan:

The other factor is value. When bank foreclosures or REOs are placed for sale, if they do not meet the minimum home standards that conventional and government loans require, they can only be bought with cash. This severely limits the amount of potential buyers. Lowering the number of buyers in turn lowers the eventual sales price. This gives you a great advantage to come in and buy these homes at a substantial discount and finance the needed updates.

Think about the ramifications for older neighborhoods: this can increase the number of owner occupants and decrease the number of investors, absentee owners, and negligent landlords that can devastate communities. But a buyer’s financial stability is also increased when the renovations are financed through a renovation loan. Jerry explains it like this:

With upgrading the major mechanicals you provide a certain level of certainty for years to come. The majority of home buyers in our area are doing so for the first time. Finding a home is the first part of home ownership but staying in the home is the most difficult part. Why not renovate the major mechanicals at purchase, and make the process that much more enjoyable, not to mention the tax credits.

A number of the short sales and foreclosures we see are being sold in mid-remodel, in other words, the buyers simply ran out of money or their financial situation changed and they are unable to finish needed upgrades or cosmetic improvements to the home. Sadly, it’s back on the market and it’s distressed, and the neighborhood is suffering as well. The FHA 203k loan can help get these homes mechanically sound at the time of purchase so the families do not have to come up with the money for those repairs later.

Ultimately though, for anyone who is looking for a renovation loan, this is a labor of love, with all the benefits of creating the home you’ve always wanted. Jerry talked about the emotional benefits of making a house, a home:

By doing it this way you make it yours. You pick the kitchen, the carpet, the square footage, not the previous owner. In 15 years of originating these loans the majority of projects I’ve done didn’t require renovations but the owners wanted to make it their own at the time of purchase.

So your home doesn’t have to show a need for renovations- it does not have to be distressed, you can simply finance your wish list using this loan as well.

Meanwhile, over the past few years the big box home improvement stores have made it easier for buyers to get the 203k renovations done with a minimum amount of hassle. As an example, you can see Lowe’s REBuildUSA program here for some general information about the process.

This loan is not going to be for everyone. It takes patience, organizational skills, and tenacity, but if you are looking for a way to finance your home and the renovations you’ve dreamed of, talk to your own lender, or Jerry at Evolve, to see if you qualify for the FHA 203k loan.

Fail Or Slop – The Unfortunate Fate Of The Sinclair Library

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The Unfortunate Fate Of The Sinclair Library

            Sinclair Community College, whose sprawling campus takes up much of the Western portion of Downtown Dayton, began as a two roomed bookkeeping and mechanical drawing class located at the local YMCA in 1887. Many in the region have grown up with the legacy of Sinclair Community College and are well versed in its history and influence within the area, but few are aware of the bizarre feat of engineering that had to be undertaken shortly before the original seven buildings were set to be opened to students in September of 1972.

The board of regents signed on New York architect Edward Durell Stone and the Dayton architectural firm of Sullivan, Lecklider and Jay to make reality the vision of John Vernon Wormer, the dean of Sinclair at the time. Wormer envisioned a campus that would be an oasis of education in the midst of Downtown Dayton.

Since the campus would not be facilitating dorms, the architectural group decided it would be best to eschew some of the traditional areas found on most college campuses, most notably, a quad for students to gather. Since all of the students would be living off campus and many were natives of the Miami Valley region, it was concluded that the campus would be constructed with a more utilitarian layout, concentrating more with the ease of going back and forth between classes rather than superfluous areas for the students to congregate in.

Originally, the Learning Resource Center (LRC) Library was set directly in between the other original seven buildings, connecting them all together with awning covered sidewalks, which, viewed from above, gave the library the symbolic look of holding the whole campus together with outstretched arms. That was until, through a series of miscalculations and oversights, the library would become the focus of a year long excavation and engineering feat that would not only change its location dramatically, but would also make it an invisible orphan, buried under the shadows of the rest of the college grounds.

In early 1972, the bulk  of the eight main structures were already built and were being fitted with HVAC equipment and state of the art communications and technological apparatus. Carpets were being laid, tiles set, fixtures mounted and paint applied. The library was the first structure to be fully completed, which was fitting for the building that was the to be the focal point of the campus. Through grants and donations, the library had a massive array of shelving units erected and shipments of books were arriving daily to be placed thereupon. This library, in the eyes of the regents and Dean Wormer, was to be the envy of all the colleges in the area and would become a repository of the written word far surpassing even the whole of the local county libraries collections. It was barely a month after the library was finished and stocked that a severe problem arose.

“At first, there was a portion of the Northeastern wall that showed signs of stress, cracking in portions.” said Dwayne Schnieder, superintendent of maintenance for Sinclair at the time. “You could tell something was shifting. The masonry around the window frames was pulling away towards the corners. From the inside, you could tell that the building shifted towards that corner of the building.”

Structural engineers were called in and consulted. After taking innumerable measurements and comparing them to the original blueprints, it was quickly determined that the building was sinking. Emergency meetings between the architects, county agencies, engineering consultants and the board of regents were called. The first rounds of meeting were rather heated with different groups laying blame for the structural defect on the other. The core questions, however were, ‘What caused the problem in the first place?’, ‘How bad would it get?’ and ‘What could be done to fix it?’

The answer to the first question came rather quickly and stunned everyone involved. A mathematician, Leonard Hofstadter, who was hired on to aid the structural engineering consultants, found that, after poring through all of the preliminary plans and blueprints, that no one had adjusted the soil compaction and amount and depth of the footers to compensate for the weight of the books. By Hofstadter’s calculations, he determined that, within the year, the building as a whole, would sink a full forty-three inches on the Northeastern corner of the building and thirty-eight inches on the Southwestern corner, giving the building a -7° tilt. Over a three year projection, factoring in average rainfall and such, it was established that the building would sink yet another fifty-two inches on the Northeastern side and forty-nine inches on the Southwestern side giving the building an almost 15° list. Along with this, the building would also shear laterally at least one and a half feet towards the Northeastern corner. Taking all this into account and by using algorithms to determine the load stresses of the building, it became apparent that the flooring would crack and separate, creating schisms several inches wide at some points, and that the walls and roof would suffer similar fates as well.

Jones Excavation of Indiana was tapped to head up the project, which was to turn out to be a monumental task indeed. It was agreed upon that the best, and most cost effective option, would be to excavate under the building, tamp the ground to a higher compaction rate, pour new footers and moorings and, as the final step, the building, as a whole, would be lowered into the ground onto its new foundation. Above and beyond the logistical nightmares that this project would entail, there were many municipality laws that would have to be bent or outright ignored to meet these ends.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, project manger Lisa Froprol said, “So many laws and safety regulations were flouted in order for the project to be seen to its completion. Not only was the act of excavating under the building in the manner in which it was done a hazard in of itself, everything was kept in place inside the building to give the illusion that nothing was wrong.”

After a Herculean effort, the plan was completed in late August, after a marathon construction process that defies belief. Beginning on a Saturday night, the building was lowered and moored into its newly dug vault and large concrete pavers were placed on top of the roof, with glass bricks aligned with the original skylights. Visitors gave blanks stares when they looked about and wondered aloud as to the location of the library that they clearly remembered being in the center of the complex. They were told that the library was part of an underground labyrinth of hallways and tunnels that connected the buildings together, as the blueprints had called for all along. Visitors were left scratching their heads and questioning their sanity up until the time of the school’s grand ribbon cutting ceremony, whereupon, the commotion and congratulations overshadowed any seemingly disparate recollections of the hidden library.

 

 

 

 

 

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!

New Artist Gallery coming to Troy Square- Artists Wanted

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Local Troy business woman Patty Rose is ready to bring art to the Square in Troy.  The 1908 building was originally the First National Bank of Troy, and most recently was a cabinet shop.        In her first attempt as a fine art gallery owner she is offering local artists booth rental space for With up to 32 spaces/booths artists can  rent for as little as $25/month for a 3 ft x 9ft space u up to 150 square feet for $300 month.  The vignettes from the building previous tennat help divide the space into rooms. Rent will cover all utilities and expenses, but artists will be asked to volunteer up to 4 hours per month.  Artists will be asked to make a 6 month commitment and there will be no commission to pay.  Rose says “some of the larger spaces have large picture windows and great light and this building just screams to be a gallery.”
There will be a party on April 5th from 6-8pm at the site to

Patty Rose as Grand Marshal for the 2011 Hometown Holiday Parade

view the gallery and by April 10th Rose will know whether their are enough tenants to make The Art Vault Gallery venture a go. While not an artist herself, Rose says she keeps hearing about the need for a space from artists and she’s willing to make this happen.

If the success of her Allstate insurance business, her other commercial properties and the Leaf & Vine  she and her husband own in Troy are any indication, I’d say if it can be done, Patty will make it happen.

Interested artists are welcome to contact Patty by email or at 524-6443.

 

 

Dayton Fashion Week Lands Major Endorsements

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The Gucci Fiat will be arriving in Dayton just in time for Dayton Fashion Week

Things just keep getting bigger AND better for Dayton Fashion Week so much so that I don’t even know where to start!! Wait–Scratch that– I do know where to start! I am VERY EXCITED to announce that luxury car brand Bob Ross Fiat has come on board as the Presenting Sponsor! “We welcome the Fiat Brand into the Dayton fashion world. As an elegant, sophisticated brand, it is the perfect fit with Dayton Fashion Week in terms of leveraging the profile of Dayton designer’s internationally.” says Junda Morris-Kennedy the founder of Dayton Fashion Week. The Fiat brand is regarded as the pre-eminent brand associated with international fashion events – including New York and Milan Fashion Weeks and the attendees of Dayton Fashion Week will have the opportunity to preview the most fashionable style of the Fiat Brand the 500C by Italian Fashion Label Gucci which is currently being endorsed by Jennifer Lopez! Special thanks to Janelle Ross of Bob Ross Fiat of Centerville for all of her hard work and dedication to the Miami Valley area and her support of Dayton Fashion Week.

Though Dayton Fashion Week isn’t taking place until July, we are officially kicking off our celebration on March 31 with a Pre-Launch Party and Soiree taking place at the Twin Base Golf Club at Wright Patterson Air Force Base located at Bldg 893 Area A Wright Patterson Afb, OH 45433. This event will be hosted by journalist, 2011 CW Star Contestant, business woman, and Queen of Dayton’s Social Scene Maha Kashani and 2011 CW Star Contestant, singer/song writer, and celebrity party host Donald Stamper. The Pre-Launch Party will also feature DJ Adam Spangler and performances by Spoken Word Artist Miss Purity and singer Erin Manderchied. Those in attendance will have the exclusive opportunity to meet the models of Dayton Fashion Week! Along with some great door prizes from our sponsors Milani Cosmetics and Coins 4 Me, there will be light hors d’oeuvres served, and a cash prize for the person wearing the most Fashionable outfit! Buy your tickets today.

Of course we already know that Inside Couture Television based out of Miami, FL is looking for 4 Host to Cover DFW, the Casting Call for this is April 7 from 10a-1p at SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park located at 2301 West River Rd, Dayton, OH 45418. But did you know that Dayton Fashion Week also made international headlines a couple of weeks ago when London based Fashion Magazine Fashion Politique named us one of the must see fashion events of the year and listed us as a partner! We also have the national media all a buzz and we welcome Atlanta, New York, and Miami based radio station 106.5 FM COLLABO who will be broadcasting live from Dayton Fashion Week. Last but certainly not least New York City based fashion magazine Just Off 7th Ave. will also be in town to cover DFW!
We’re 2 weeks into our Cover Model Contest and the competition has been stiff since day one! There have been over 5,000 votes cast so far and daily changes in the Top 5! If you haven’t voted yet you can do so by visiting our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/daytonfashion click on “photos” then go to the album labeled 2012 Cover Model Competition, “Like” your favorite photo(s) and it counts as a vote! The winner of this contest will grace the cover of the first Dayton Fashion Week Magazine. Now of course with all of this going on with DFW we are growing our staff as well! We are looking for photographers, makeup artist, and wardrobe stylist to add to our team! If you would like to join our team please contact us at [email protected].

Tan Envy..What To Know And How To Get It!

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First thing is first, I dont want this article to scare people. Any of my friends and family who know me well will all say I can be intense about suncare and skin cancer. While I am overly cautious about my skin it also very important to me to make people aware that there is a real risk with our thinning ozone layer of skin problems. Now I am not going to sit here and type the A,B,C,D’s of moles to you in fact if I went by that chart I would covered in scar’s from skin removals. What I will tell you is what I have learned about skin/sun care and also safe ways to have a golden glow.

Dr. Magdy Migally and his brother Nabil have been my long time dermatolgists. I started getting skin checks when I was a teenager with my mom. When my mom was in her early thirties she went to the ER for an asthma attack while she was there a nurse pointed out a spot on her back that she suggested be checked. Thats when the Migally brothers came into our lives. He quickly removed it but with confident assurance said, “even if it is cancer we removed deep into the tissue and it will be fine” That was my first experience with a doctor that seemed so calm about something that could be very serious. He has such a calming manner and makes you feel like its really going to be okay. It turned out my mom’s mole was not cancer but it was pre cancerous which meant from now on not only would she get regular checks but also be more careful in the sun. As a kid that was very impressionable to me and I cant lie that I have an intense fear of skin cancer. With that in mind I will also admit that I have used tanning beds and laid in the sun my fair share but I do go get my body checked head to toe every August and I am now tanning bed free.

Dr. Migally has always been very straight forward about skin issues with me. Everytime I go in I am convinced that I have an evil mole waiting to ruin my life. I have had one removed in 15 years and it was fine. “It’s not the snake in the grass, it is the lion in the far distance” that is what Dr. Migally has drilled into my brain. Skin Cancer is a very slow growing disease that can easily be prevented with yearly checks. It also important to do your own checks at home to watch for changes. Color is the most important thing to look for anything black, purple or bluish needs to go for sure. Also watch for dry patches of skin that dont go away with treatment, sores that wont heal and moles that are getting bigger, changing, bleeding or itching. Again the thing to remember is that these are the warning signs, just make an appointment, get it removed and go on with your day.

So how do you still get that healthy tan we all love? There are lots of ways now and it’s easier than ever! My first rule is tanning beds are not good for you! I dont care what the companies and lotions say, the World Health Organization has stated that people who tan in tanning beds are 75% more at risk for skin cancer than the average person. The fastest growing group of people affected by this are women 15 to 25. Teenage girls are 80% more at risk for skin cancer than any other group and have a 1 in 5 chance of finding a melanoma on them before the age of 30! This is a scary statistic and is reflected by the tanning industry. So yes tanning beds are bad for you even the occasional session is equal to 10 hours in the sun.

What about self tanning? I used to self tan and it requires dedication. The exfoliating and mositurizing just never works out for me. I know people who are great at it and never have an uneven spot. I always seemed to have a darker elbow or a strange line on my neck. There are lots of great product lines out there now that even have paint rollar type applicators so you can get your back. I am a fan of the Sun Labratories product line for both self tanning and airbrush tanning. The color is very natural and has never appeared orange on my skin plus they have that nifty rollar lol. The other great thing about the company is that you can go on their website and get samples to try before you buy. Visit http://www.sunlabsonline.com/index.html or you can purchase the line at Enhance Spa and Lash Studio in Springboro.

My choice of tan is now the airbrush. I was nervous the first time having never been fully airbrushed and hearing the horror stories of the spray tan. Susan, my airbrush artist was quick to answer all my questions and assured me I would not turn orange. She had me put lotion on my feet and hands and I could either just wear underwear or tuck my bra straps for the application but lets face it I work at a boudoir studio so I went for just the bottoms lol. You stand in a little tent and the artist will direct you when you when to turn and move to get an even application. I ended up doing three rounds on my entire body which gave me more color than I could have ever achieved myself and it was stunning. The color was natural, didnt streak, and was dry within seconds. I got the tan at 2:00 on a Saturday and that evening around 8:45 boxed in the Dayton Knockout in front of a thousand people. No streaks, no orange shirt, just a perfect glowing tan that my opponent Jen Dean from Dayton History also got earlier in the day. Her result was the same, perfect glowing tan. It lasted for me about 3 to 4 days but I shower twice a day and exfoliate regulary. This service will run you about 45.00 but the price is worth it if you have a special event and many times spas will run specials on airbrush tanning. Tips before you go: dont wear makeup, dont use lotion and be sure and shower/shave before hand. Many places offer this service but since I am a fan of the Sun Lab line I get mine done at Enhance Spa in Springboro with Susan.

Finally the spray tan or the poor man’s airbrush as I call it. I recently tried this for the first time and did the same prep as I mentioned above. Once again I have friends who have had it done and it looks great but for me it was a little intense. I went to LA Tan for mine and was instructed to put way more than I thought I could even need of the barrier cream on my hands and feet. I stood in front of this giant spraying machine and waited for the magic. A friend of mine had told me to do a twisting motion so that the application was more even. I did everything right…..I thought. I went home and went to bed once it dried and in the morning I looked like a mess!! Orange lines on my arms, hands that were orange and my face looked like a bad jersey extra. What to do? Google of coarse! I searched and found out lemon juice, exfoliating and showering would help. I went to get in the shower and watched as the orange ran down the drain and I frantically scrubbed away at my skin. Once I got out it was better and managable but it was uneven. It has been a week today and the fading tan looks kinda like leprosy on me lol. I have patches on my legs and arms that are dotted orange and pale underneath. Maybe it works for some people, maybe I will try it again but for now the spray tan is not for me.

So the moral of this article is that there are plenty of safe ways to tan. You can get a healthy tan without baking yourself. Use an SPF with at least a 30 in it. (I use an 80) to keep your skin from getting burned or damaged,  I prefer the kids spray brands because they smell better. Get your skin checked!! I dont care if youre pale, tan, freckled or dont have a spot on you go and get a yearly exam.(most insurances cover this as preventive care)You dont have to avoid the sun you just have to be careful and like everything use moderation. Dr. Migally was very supportive of this article and would be more than happy to do body checks on anyone who is interested. He is located at 5212 Brandt Pike Suite A. Huber Heights , OH – 45424. 937-233-0748.

Air Camp Grows Future Aviation Leaders

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(Editor Note: the following was submitted by Scott Murphy)

Over the past few years, community leaders have a launched a number of new efforts that are helping put Dayton back on the map.  Initiatives to help our community become more immigrant friendly, secure Dayton as the Ohio hub for aerospace technology, and solidify our city as the starting place for the Road to the Final Four are big ideas (and many more) that help distinguish us from other cities.  We’ve realized that if we want people to think of Dayton, then we’ve got to give them something to think about.

Air Camp is another effort uniquely Dayton.  Started by local educators and retired Air Force and business community leaders, this program introduces middle school students from around the country to aviation and aeronautics.  Think Space Camp at Huntsville, AL, but for aeronautics and aviation at the birthplace of flight.  The intensive one week Air Camp combines the principles of aeronautics with hands on experience.  The program’s packed curriculum pulls together the many assets around the region that together distinguish Dayton as a world-leader in flight.

Want to get a young person excited about flight?  Show them airplanes… really cool ones.  Students visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force on the program’s first day and see firsthand how Dayton has been at the cutting edge in aviation since Orville and Wilbur made their historic flight in 1903.  Dayton remains on the cutting edge with the research that happens every day at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  Air Camp shows students that almost all new developments in aerospace technology get their start or are at least impacted by researchers at Wright-Patt.  In Dayton at the Air Force Research Lab, new aerospace technology goes from theory to application – ideas turn into reality.  Program participants interact with these Air Force researchers and get a glimpse of what their future career could be like in science and technology.

Air Camp inspires and challenges its students with hands on learning in the principles of flight.  Participants get the unique opportunity to learn the basics of aeronautics by actually designing and testing a wing in a wind tunnel.  At Sinclair they participate in a half-day course on how to fly an airplane and get a thrill they’ll be sure to remember by piloting a motion-based flight simulator.  It’s one thing to understand the physical principles of how planes fly; it’s another thing to actually feel it by flying one yourself.  All Air Camp students get this opportunity at Wright Brothers Airport as a capstone activity near the end of the week.

Air Camp’s founders saw a nation-wide need for more scientists, engineers, and technicians.  People like Vince Russo, a retired Air Force Executive who chose to make Dayton his home after retirement, hope Air Camp will inspire middle school students to choose a research and technology related vocation.  Says Russo, “Our vision is to inspire students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).  Air Camp is a ‘wow’ experience grounded by a solid academic curriculum to help create a technology savvy workforce for the future.”

Thanks to Air Camp, when these students grow up they’ll not only be more likely to pursue a career in aviation and aeronautics, they’ll know that Dayton, OH is the place to do it.

Air Camp applications are being accepted now for the 2012 summer sessions scheduled for June 17-22, July 8-13, and July 22-27. Up to 40 students will be chosen for each session by a competitive application process. Applications are being accepted online through April 30 at www.aircampusa.com from students entering the seventh through ninth grades in fall 2012.

Questions?  Contact Tom Severyn at [email protected] to learn more.