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Local Residents Hold “People’s Town Hall” in Dayton, Highlighting Urgent Community Concerns

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With the absence of their elected representative, concerned citizens of Ohio’s 10th Congressional District gathered on Thursday evening for a grassroots “People’s Town Hall” at Sinclair Community College in Dayton. Organized to address pressing local and national issues, the event offered a platform for residents to voice their concerns directly, despite Congressman Mike Turner’s decision not to attend.

Rose Lounsbury emceed the People’s Town Hall. Photo by Libby Ballengee

An empty chair on stage symbolized the Congressman’s absence, underscoring what many attendees described as a lack of accessibility and accountability to constituents.

Speakers at the event covered a wide range of issues currently affecting District 10 residents, including the impact of recent state and federal policy changes on immigration, Social Security, Medicaid, veterans’ benefits, and layoffs of government workers.

“This town hall is about people standing up for each other, especially when our leaders won’t show up to hear us,” said one local attendee. “These are life-or-death issues for many in our community. We deserve to be heard.”

Speakers from The People’s Town Hall. Photo by Libby Ballengee

The town hall drew attendees from across the district, including retirees, veterans, public workers, and families concerned about the direction of policy decisions that directly affect their lives. Several speakers called for more transparent and responsive representation in Congress, and urged community members to stay engaged and active.

While Congressman Turner declined the invitation to attend, organizers say the event marks only the beginning of ongoing efforts to bring constituent voices to the forefront.

The People’s Town Hall was coordinated by a coalition of grassroots advocates committed to elevating civic engagement and local accountability, including Melissa Rodriquez, Leslie Merry, Kim Senft-Paras, Rose Lounsbury, and Laurel Kerr. 

Attendees were encouraged to follow up with action items, including checking their voter registration status, signing the local petition against Ohio House Bill SB1, and contacting their representatives about their concerns.

Wasabi To Open in Springboro

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After much anticipation Wasabi Japanese Cuisine is ready to open it’s doors in Springboro. Owner Leona Li took a few minutes to talk with us while she was waiting on the health inspector to give them their final occupancy permit.  If all goes well, they will open Friday May 16th at 11am. Located in the former China Cottage space, the 130 seat eatery been remodeled into a serene space with lots of greenery and booth seating, though the kitchen lay out  remains the same with some new equipment.

contributed photo

Leona says she’s worked in restaurants since she was 17 and after 20 years decided it was time to open her own place.  She choose Springboro because she feels it will allow her to create a small town community feel, where she’ll get to know her customers and enjoy a slower pace than big city life.
From expertly crafted sushi and sashimi to sizzling teppanyaki and comforting ramen, the menu is a celebration of traditional Japanese dishes with a modern twist. The menu is vast, offering raw and hibachi options some  fried food and a few signature Chinese dishes as well. Here’s a peek at some of the menu:
Leona explained that all sauces and salad dressing are made in house with fresh ingredients.
Asian Dishes:
While mostly staffed up, they are still currently hiring for servers and hosts.
Wasabi Japanese Cuisine
784 N. Main Street
Springboro, OH 45066
937-907-5010
Mon – Thurs 11am -3pm, 4-9:30pm
Fri 11am -3pm, 4-10:30pm
Sat noon – 10:30pm
Sun noon – 9:30pm

Springboro, OH 45066

937-907-5010

Mon – Thurs 11am -3pm, 4-9:30pm
Fri 11am -3pm, 4-10:30pm
Sat noon – 10:30pm
Sun noon – 9:30pm

Are You Dating in Dayton?

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It’s your favorite Culture Celebrator here again with a question.

How is dating in the Miami Valley in 2025?

As a culture guy, I like discuss all facets of popular culture, including local culture. And a big part of any local culture is its dating scene. I’m genuinely curious about the social landscape of the Dayton area when it comes to meeting new people. If you are familiar with my work, I’ve written about this topic before. Dating habits can reveal other social information that can be very useful for think tank discussions among social scientist types.

So, if any of you are single, how do you date? Where do you go to meet people? What kind of potential mate are you looking for? Are you even looking? What online dating sites do you use? Is dating easy these days in the Dayton-ish area? Or is it difficult?

If you’re a fan of my content, you know the drill. If you’re a newbie, give me your answers either in the comments section of the social media site you read this article on, or, you can send them directly to me at grgsmmsjr@gmail.com. Let’s rock out…to culture.

Win a Harley, Grant a Wish!

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A stunning 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob (1746cc Milwaukee-Eight Engine, 15,600 miles) has been donated to Breast Wishes for a special raffle! This bike has had just one owner, and she’s thrilled to support our mission—helping bring joy to those living with breast cancer.

She hopes this raffle gives someone the chance to ride a Harley who might not otherwise be able to afford one.

 Raffle Details: Tickets: Buy online: $50 each or 3 for $125
Only 200 tickets will be sold—incredible odds!
They must sell at least 100 tickets or all purchases will be refunded by 6/21 Sales close: 6/14

Winner drawn live at the 16th Annual Chrome Divas Ride on June 14th Don’t miss your chance to ride away for a cause!

chrome divas.jpg
Chrome Divas Ride for Breast Wishes

Saturday, June 14, 2025

This ride starts and ends at the Union VFW Post 5434. Registration starts at 10am and kickstands up at noon.

Breast Wishes Foundation was started to honor the memory of Kelli James, who lost her battle to breast cancer at the age of 40. We granted our first wish in 2017 and now average about 100 wishes per year. Each wish is $1,500 and we rely on the generosity of our community to make these wishes come true!

Take One Small Step with WYSO and StoryCorps

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a red logo with white text that says "one small step"
Created by StoryCorps, One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us, even those with whom we disagree.

The initiative brings strangers with different political beliefs together for a conversation — not to debate politics — but to simply get to know each other as people. WYSO and StoryCorps are inviting the southwest Ohio community to join the nearly 6,000 people in 50 U.S. states who have participated in a One Small Step conversation.

In collaboration with StoryCorps and other community organizations throughout southwest Ohio, we invite you to meet someone new—a fellow resident with different perspectives from you, who you might never talk to otherwise—for a meaningful 50-minute conversation.

WYSO is one of just four stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2025.

With participant permission, these conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

We’re teaming up with civic organizations, churches, and other community groups and leaders to spread the word and connect southwest Ohio residents from all backgrounds who are ready to take One Small Step. Do you want to get your group or organization involved in the effort? Contact Ryann Beaschler for more details.

We’ll be matching participants and hosting recorded conversations throughout 2025.

Apply to be matched for One Small StepStoryCorps’ One Small Step and the Radio Station Hubs are made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Matching Partners & Preparing:

  • ​For people interested in getting matched for a conversation, the first step is to fill out the One Small Step Questionnaire
  • Your responses will help us find the best conversation partner for you. Remember: People are complex and rarely, if ever, “exact opposites.” We’ll read your answers carefully to pair you with someone with a perspective different from your own. Thoughtful  matching takes time, so thank you in advance for your patience.
  • If we find a match for you, we’ll reach out to hear more about your goals. When we schedule the One Small Step conversation, we share materials to help you prepare.
  • The One Small Step conversation takes place virtually or in person
  • Requirements for virtual participants: reliable internet connection and a computer with a video camera and a microphone.
  • A day or two before the virtual recording appointment, the facilitator will do a short “tech check” with you to make sure the StoryCorps virtual recording platform works on your device. If the recording appointment is in person, the facilitator will contact you to confirm appointment details, and  recording location.

The One Small Step Experience:

  • At your One Small Step appointment, you meet your conversation partner, and a facilitator provides an orientation, ground rules, and suggested questions.
  • When ready, the facilitator starts the recording and helps you begin the conversation by prompting four kick-off questions. After that, participants drive the conversation by choosing more questions and listening with an open mind.
  • The conversation lasts about 50 minutes, and the whole process takes 75-90 minutes (including time for addressing tech issues, the orientation, and a post-conversation debrief and paperwork).

Participant Agency and Privacy:

  • Your comfort level and consent in this process is our first priority.
  • You drive the conversation. You choose what questions to discuss, and you can decide to conclude the conversation at any time. The facilitator’s chief role is to ensure you and your partner both feel comfortable, respected and in control during the discussion. They may suggest follow-up questions, but all questions are optional.
  • After the recording ends: you decide whether you want to share it with our station, StoryCorps and the Library of Congress. There is no obligation to share. You can keep the conversation private if you wish. You can also share the conversation, but keep your name/identity anonymous. 
  • Regardless of your decision, you and your conversation partner receive a digital copy of the recording.
  • The recording can be preserved in the StoryCorps collection at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.—only if both participants agree to share it.

How WYSO Works with These Recordings:

  • A few conversations, with participants’ permission, will be edited for brevity and broadcast on the radio.
  • If your conversation is selected for editing/broadcast by the station, we will notify you, and preview the edited clip for you to ensure you’re comfortable with it before it’s broadcast.

Preservation Dayton Walking Tours

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Preservation Dayton will begin hosting weekly tours of downtown Dayton this week. The nonprofit focuses on educating and advocating for local history and architecture.

Tours will be held every Friday at 5:30 p.m., held weekly through October. Tickets are $10, with all proceeds going to Preservation Dayton’s mission.

The tours will provide a leisurely walk through historic Dayton neighborhoods, like the Oregon District, the Wright Dunbar Village and more.

Preservation Dayton also offers  self-guided walking tours of the 10 historically-zoned district areas located in Dayton, Ohio.

These walking tours will highlight a few of the architectural and historical features of each area.

These walking tours are intended to provide a leisurely walk through Dayton’s historic neighborhoods, allowing ample time to pause and appreciate the architecture, the streetscape, and the amenities of the area. We ask that you walk carefully, as streets and sidewalks can be uneven, and it’s important to observe the terrain while you appreciate the historical and architectural features of the area.

Click on the links below or in the navigation on the menu bar to get to each areas tour.

You can support Preservation Dayton by becoming a member for as little as $15/year.  Help  preserve and restore our irreplaceable architectural heritage in  Dayton’s unique National Register neighborhoods. By making a tax-deductible donation, you join in the effort to preserve Dayton’s history.

Originally founded in 1983 as the Dayton Area Coalition of Historic Neighborhoods, innumerable members and leaders have been champions and advocates for the Dayton region’s historic communities and built environment. Volunteer today to support your neighbors and community. You’ll have fun and meeting truly interesting preservationists when you volunteer for one of PDI’s committees. Indicate your volunteer interests on your annual membership form or email preservationdayton@gmail.com  

Dayton at Work and Play: Richard Lundin

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Conversation with Richard Lundin at Front Street (1001 East 2nd).
I know you came here from Chicago about 10 years ago. What brought you?
“One of the owners was getting ready to retire and I said I’d take a look at the place and give them my thoughts. I thought it would take me a few months, but 10 years later I’m still here. I became a part owner in 2020.”
“The three buildings here were built in the late 1800’s. There was a paper mill here once, with equipment powered by a canal that ran right by the place. Then it was the home of an envelope company. When they moved in 1965 the current ownership group bought the buildings and started renting space to entrepreneurs of all kinds.”
“There were a few artists who rented space back in 1965 – artists are always looking for inexpensive studio space – but it was mostly businesses. Over time the number of artists has grown. Now about 150 artists rent about 75% of the space. I think they see a benefit to being part of the community of artists here
I’ve always loved photographing here because I love taking pictures of people at work. At Front Street I’ve photographed boat builders, jewelry makers, glass blowers, painters, and many other kinds of workers. “I enjoy that too. I love to see people who are really good at the thing they do, and we have a lot of really talented people here.”

I’ve never seen a landlord get so involved in the success of his tenants. “We do what we can to support the artists here. We run a monthly party where everyone opens their studios and lots of people come. It’s the first Friday of the month and the following Saturday. And lots of people visit at other times, too. Our doors are open from 7am to 7pm and if you walk around the buildings during those hours you’ll always find some studios open and some artists who are happy to talk to you.”
“We’re doing something special here May 2 and May 3. It’s called ARTebration. We’ll have street artists from all over the country painting new murals on the walls at Front Street; plus there’s music and food and all of our art studios will be open.”

BBB-Dayton’s Community Honor Goes To Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Dayton

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The Better Business Bureau is pleased to announce the recipient of BBB’s 15th annual Community Honor Award. This year, Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Dayton will receive the distinguished honor.

The Community Honor Award was established in 2011 to recognize government, nonprofit or education organizations with proven commitment to improving all aspects of life in the Miami Valley. It spotlights the honorees’ efforts to realize not only their own missions, but their roles in making the Miami Valley a thriving community, taking care of its citizens – individuals and organizations. The honorees enhance the Miami Valley marketplace by offering their own tangible and intangible resources, making a positive impact on the evolution of the Miami Valley and the betterment of its people and industries. They demonstrate a passion for and progress towards improving the quality of life. This honor is reserved for organizations, which have shown stamina, steadfast determination and truly innovative ways of giving back to the community.

Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Dayton builds new homes and renovates existing ones to provide the opportunity for low-to-moderate income families to purchase them with zero interest mortgages. It services each mortgage, allowing the organization to work with every homeowner to ensure the mortgage is successfully paid in full, resulting in transformational financial security. It even provides homeowner education classes to all partner families to prepare them for homeownership and provides critical home repair services to income-qualified homeowners who don’t have the financial resources for major repairs or upkeep. In addition, Habitat also runs two retail stores, selling donated household goods, cabinets, appliances, construction materials and hardware to the public. Funds generated in the stores offset operational costs. The organization has also expanded to serve Greene and Clark counties.

Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Dayton has grown from a volunteer mission working from a church basement to what it is today with one simple belief — everyone deserves a decent place to live. In total, the organization has served over 1000 families locally, providing safe, decent, affordable homes.

With the current affordable housing crisis, Habitat operates with five core principles: demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ; focus on shelter; advocate for affordable housing; promote dignity and hope; support sustainable and transformational development. These principles guide everything the organization does. Its success hinges on the 4000 volunteers that come out each year to help build, renovate, and repair homes.

Norman Miozzi, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton executive director, says, “We’re so excited that the BBB selected Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Dayton as the 2025 Community Honor recipient. Since 1983, Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Dayton has served the Miami Valley with integrity; providing, preserving and protecting affordable home ownership. Receiving the Community Honor recognizes not just the hard work and dedication of our employees and board members, it also recognizes the work of thousands of volunteers, corporate partners and homeowners who have been the heart of Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Dayton for 42 years.”

John North, president and CEO of the BBB serving Dayton and the Miami Valley, shares, “The selection committee was impressed with this organization’s laser focus on serving the Miami Valley. They are a true example of how strong communities thrive when committed organizations get involved. Its efforts are unbelievable and it’s our honor to recognize them.”

The public is invited to join us at the Torch Awards For Ethics Dinner on May 13 at Sinclair Community College’s Great Hall to applaud this organization. You can reserve a table for $999 or reserve individual tickets for $99 per person. To make your reservations, call (937) 610-2277.

Dayton at Work and Play: Sandra Simi

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Conversation with Sandra Simi at Safari Treasures.  Sandra sometimes shops in Belmont at Anita Nzigiye’s Ikaze East African Market, which is how I got her name.
“I left Kenya 30 years ago but opened this shop just over 2 years ago. We sell many things from Africa but our main business is woven baskets.”
“Basket weaving is more than a craft in Africa. It represents tradition and the power of working together. Nothing shows that better than the baskets I have from Rwanda. That country suffered through a terrible genocide and in the aftermath the government started a reconciliation program. As part of that program Hutu women and Tutsi women weave baskets together.”
“I’ve traveled across Africa meeting weavers and talking about what designs might fit the U.S. market. Those baskets you’re photographing now are from Ghana and made out of elephant grass. It’s one of the strongest plants ever.”
“Those over there are from Uganda. They eat a lot of bananas in Uganda and make baskets out of banana leaves. Those are from Rwanda. They’re made from sisal. These are from Sierra Leone. They include recycled plastic to reinforce their baskets and to add color. That makes them durable, but nothing is as durable as the baskets made from elephant grass. Those can be used to carry heavy objects for decades.”
“I have been disappointed in sales at my shop, so on weekends I sell at art fairs and craft fairs. Those have been great for me. I also sell at the 2nd Street market on weekends when I’m in town. There is also one special kind of basket that I sell at the gift shop at The Contemporary Dayton. It’s difficult to make. The weaver tightens some of the strands to get a wave-like shape. Each of those baskets is special, truly one of a kind.”
Before leaving to talk with Sandra I showed the shop’s social media photos to my wife. She decided to go to the shop with me, and now there’s a basket made from elephant grass on our dining room table.
5785 Far Hills Ave
Dayton, Ohio 45429
937-608-2448

Sun – Fri 10am – 5pm
closed Saturday

Kings Island Opens Saturday

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Thrill-seekers and families alike are counting down the days until Kings Island officially opens for the 2025 season on Saturday, April 19th. With extended hours, exciting new attractions, and beloved classics returning, Opening Day promises to deliver a full day of unforgettable fun.

Park Hours for Opening Day

Kings Island will be open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on April 19th, giving guests all day to explore everything the park has to offer. Early birds can take advantage of shorter lines in the morning, while night owls can enjoy the park’s dazzling evening atmosphere and illuminated coasters. They will be opened April 26 & 27, May 2nd & 3rd and May 9 and 10 from 10am to 9pm, and on May 4th and May 11th  from 10am – 7pm and then daily starting May 14th.

What’s New in 2025

This year, Kings Island is debuting “Sol Spin,” a brand-new flat ride in the Oktoberfest section of the park. Suspended high above the midway, Sol Spin launches riders into a swirling, soaring adventure with 360-degree rotations and epic views of the park.

Also new for 2025 is the revamped Camp Snoopy area, which has been expanded with two additional family-friendly rides: “Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers”, a junior coaster perfect for little thrill-seekers, and “Woodstock’s Wagon Wheel”, a gentle spinning ride that’s great for all ages.

Can’t-Miss Attractions

Kings Island is home to over 100 rides, shows, and attractions, including:

  • Orion, one of only seven giga coasters in the world

  • The Beast, the longest wooden roller coaster on the planet

  • Mystic Timbers, a fan-favorite with a mysterious surprise ending

  • Planet Snoopy, voted the best kids’ area in the world several years running

  • Live entertainment – Enjoy a lineup of shows throughout the park, with performances suitable for the whole family.​

  • Dining and Shopping: Savor a variety of food options and shop for souvenirs to commemorate your visit.

Soak City Water Park at Kings Island will open to the public on  Saturday, May 24th.  The park is expected to feature the new RiverRacers, Ohio’s only side-by-side dual racing water coaster, and Splash River Junction, a new kids’ play area with seven slides. 

For tickets, season passes, and more information, visit the official Kings Island website: Kings Island​

Wright Dunbar Call To Artists

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Wright Dunbar, Inc. is asking for artists to submit designs that will be used to beautify the Historic Commercial District, by wrapping the “silver” utility boxes!  Four different designs will be chosen.  The designs should be Wright Brothers/Aviation inspired, Paul Laurence Dunbar inspired or an inductee listed on the Walk of Fame www.daytonregionwalkoffame.org!   

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Each artist that has a design chosen will receive $500 & credit for the design, be listed on marketing materials & receive a spotlight on the Wright Dunbar Business District Association website www.wdbd.org. The top 10 designs will be chosen through voting on social media.  The final designs will be chosen by Wright Dunbar, Inc. and then approved by the City of Dayton. 

Artists must be Ohio residents to submit. Artists under the age of 18 will need their parents’ permission to enter their design. Designs should be submitted in Resolution 300 dpi (scale image/ require) or 150 dpi resolution (full image/accepted) in PDF format.  Each utility box is a different size and the artwork will need to be resized to accommodate vents, hinges, doors and knobs. If your design is chosen we will provide a template for your particular box.  One design submitted per artist.  No logos, advertisements or names can be on the design.  We encourage artists to submit their design to info@wright-dunbar.org. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm Thursday, May 1st.  The chosen designs will be announced Wednesday, May 7th. 

This beautification project is being funded by the City of Dayton Mini Grant Program & the National Aviation Heritage Alliance Small Grant Program. 

For more information, contact Erica Hubler at erica.hubler@wright-dunbar.org. 

Sexy, Silly and Satisfying….the ‘FULL MONTY’ is FUN!

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Few musicals have humor, heart, and happiness wrapped in music that is catchy and memorable….one of those is David Yazbek and Terrence McNally’s ‘Full Monty!’ With a lot of love in tow, the show is filled with surprises and uplifting human resilience. TheatreLab Dayton‘s version is quite timely. The story is of six unemployed steelworkers in  New York, facing economic troubles, who decide to give stripping a try…for the money! Along the way, these men and their loved ones must face their inner demons and social norms. Through their journey, and heading to the ‘Full Monty‘ (Yes, the men come through with their ‘tease’ to bring the title to life,) the men learn much about themselves and the real definition of what it means to be a ‘man!’

TheatreLab has brought some strong talent to the stage for this version. The 6 men are so well suited for their roles. Zach King plays Jerry with full heart and strong vocals, as a man doing his best; Dustin Evans’ take on Dave is real and relatable; Aaron Hill, as the sweet mama’s boy Malcolm, is perfectly cast; John Woll‘s deep voice and solid persona fit well with his portrayal of Harold; Joshua Hughes, a TheatreLab staple, once again lights up the stage with his comedic timing; and Tim Wilson‘s smooth, assured ‘Horse’ provides the quintessential ‘Big Black Man.’

The show is taking place at the Dayton Convention Center, which has gone through some renovations. The stage is perfect for the factory feel, and the orchestra fits nicely to bring the score to life. The show is Directed by Philip Drennen and the Stage Manager is Jennifer Barnaba. There are definitely some stand-out performances and numbers provided by the ladies in the show. Katie Pees brings a ton of energy to ‘Life with Harold,’ and the women don’t hold back on ‘Women’s World.’

Probably the moment that will provide the sweetest of reactions will be Aaron Hill‘s heart-tugging ‘You Walk with Me’….kleenex worthy! Josh Stucky, once again playing a woman, adds levity to the tale with ‘Jeanette’s ShowBiz Number.‘ And of course, the boys bring it home with the giddy ending ‘Let it Go!’

The show is FUN. It really is….and we all need joy about now. Leave politics, angst, and ugliness at the door. Join the boys in Buffalo as they bear all….both physically and emotionally!

The show is April 18 – 19, 2025.

For tickets…go to

bit.ly/tldfullmonty

 

 

 

 

 

Dayton At Work and Play: Zach Hensley

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Conversation with Zach Hensley, manager of Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity ReStore  How long have you had this job, Zeke?
“I’ve been here for four years. Before that I was a manager at the Dayton airport. Almost everything we sell here is donated, and the profits from our sales support Habitat for Humanity. They help people who need affordable housing and who are willing to invest hundreds of hours of work alongside volunteers.”
“We sell all kinds of household goods, appliances, furniture, cabinets, building supplies, books, TVs, flooring and more. We just got a big load of new furniture from a national chain that is moving locations. The Dayton Dragons have also been sending us quite a bit lately.”
I see a sign for volunteer check in. Do you use lots of volunteers? “We do. We couldn’t operate without volunteers. Right now, quite a few of our volunteers are students. We have people from U.D., Wright State, Sinclair and a few high schools.”
“I mentioned that almost everything we sell has been donated to us. The exception is paint and painting supplies. Reselling paint that was donated to us probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“Even though it’s not donated, the paint we sell is recycled. It’s called EcoTone and it is supplied to us by a company in Van Wert. They take unused paint, sort it, triple-filter it and blend it into 18 different colors. We like offering recycled paint because it saves out customers money and it prevents unused paint from entering landfills and waterways.”

Dayton Ohio Habitat for Humanity ReStore
115 W Riverview Ave.
Dayton, Ohio 45405

Hours of Operation

Tuesday through Saturday
OPEN. 9:00 a.m.- Noon &
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Dayton ReStore is closed Noon- 1:00 p.m. daily for lunch

From Hollywood to Home Plate: Local Photographer’s Work On Exhibit

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The Centerville Arts Commission is pleased to announce the Centerville Art Gallery will feature the work of local photographer Nick Falzerano throughout the month of April. The exhibit may be viewed 24 hours a day at the Centerville Police Department, 155 West Spring Valley Road.

Falzerano is a seasoned photographer based in Bellbrook, Ohio, where he operates Nicholas Studios. A Bellbrook High School and University of Dayton alumnus, Falzerano initially honed his craft in Los Angeles, capturing images of celebrities such as Janet Jackson, Chris Farley, Ariana Grande and more.

Photo featuring Bob Saget and several kids inside a teacup ride.

Photo featuring Bob Saget and several kids inside a teacup ride

Upon returning to his hometown, he established Nicholas Studios, focusing on high school yearbook and wedding photography, as well as covering local sports events. His work has been featured in national outlets, including a two-page Sports Illustrated spread,

A motion photo showing a Dayton Dragons baseball pitcher

motion photo showing a Dayton Dragons baseball pitcher

The Centerville Arts Commission presents a gallery featuring the work of local artists. The exhibit rotates every month and features pieces from local and national artists. The Centerville Art Gallery is located in the lobby of the Centerville Police Headquarters at 155 W. Spring Valley Road. All exhibits are free and open to the public. The Gallery is staffed 24-hours per day and exhibits may be viewed at anytime, day or night. For more information, call (937) 433-7151 or visit centervilleohio.gov.

Dayton at Work and Play: Anita Nzigiye

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Conversation with Anita Nzigiye at Ikaze East African Market in Belmont. I’ve driven by this store at 2515 Smithville many times, but just stopped in for the first time and met Anita. I asked about the store and the people they serve.
“I am from Rwanda” she told me. “I left Rwanda for the U.S. in 2007 and became a citizen in 2014. I opened this store in March, 2020, just at the start of the pandemic. Most of our customers are from Africa, especially East Africa.”
“Much of the food we sell comes from East Africa. We even get our eggplants from Africa. They are similar to the eggplant you have here, but smaller. I personally think local eggplant taste the same, but people like to have the small African eggplant, the one they ate when they were growing up.”
“We sell a lot of staples like palm oil, rice, corn flour and Cassava flour. We sell most of these staples in large quantities. African people don’t like to go to a market every day. They want to buy enough when they are in the market so that they don’t need to shop again for two weeks or more, even if they have a large family.”
“Our corn flour and cassava flour is used to make fufu, which is an important part of our diet. When you’re done making fufu it looks kind of like mashed potatoes, but it’s thicker. We tear off pieces of it and use it to eat soups or stews.”
“We also carry many kinds of fish because people from the Congo especially love fish. We sell dried fish, salted fish, frozen fish, tilapia, all kinds of fish. They seem to eat fish every day.”
“We also sell green bananas here, which you call plantains. We boil them and then fry them. It’s good. We also sell a lot of ground peanuts, used to make soup.”
Anita told me about a restaurant called Soso Cuisine that recently opened in West Carrollton. The owner is from Rwanda. Anita suggested I try their sambusa. If we go to Soso Cuisine and love one of their African dishes and want to try making it at home, I now know where to buy the African ingredients.

Ikaze East African Market

2515 Smithville
Dayton, OH 45420
937) 567-0778
Mon – Sat 9:30am – 8pm
Sun 10am -8pm

Joui’s Cork-Aoke Features Nominated Host!

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Another rainy day is in store this Sunday, April 6. It’s time to get out of the house!!!  Joui Wine is offering a sing-along karaoke brunch like no other! The event, a new kind of karaoke for Dayton, features food from Salt Block and is hosted by Philip Drennen from TheatreLab Dayton. Drennen recently found out his Off-Broadway show ‘Big Gay Jamboree’ has been nominated for ‘Best Musical’ in the Lucille Lortel Awards. The awards are the Tonys for Off-Broadway shows. ‘I am so excited,’ Drennen stated, ‘I am heading to the awards event in May!’
Although Drennen’s hit show took place in NYC, he is committed to his hometown, and looks forward to having some fun this weekend!
The Cork-Aoke brunch starts with a mimosa from Joui and a buffet spread at Salt Block Biscuit Company from 10:30am to 11:30am. Then,  the
musical escapades begin. Drennen, joined by Josh Stucky of area trivia fame, will lead the crowd in group karaoke!!
Performances from TheatreLab will have you singing along as well. Participants can sing a solo, a group number, or just sit back and watch!  You can also meet members of the upcoming Full Monty musical, directed by Drennen.
Throughout the event, the hosts will be giving away tickets and discounts to the show are available.
Karaoke lasts from 11:30 am to 1 pm.
Joui Wine is located at 117 E Third St in Dayton
Proceeds benefit TheatreLab Dayton.
For tickets to the event, click the link below!