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Bill Franz’s Hidden Figures: Miguel

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This series was inspired by words – President Trump’s lies about the Haitian immigrants in Springfield.    I’ve decided that I should try to include words in the images I’m creating.  I should use my words to combat those of the president.

 

Lies and slander are part of the president’s schtick, the comedic style he uses to entertain his followers.  Wikipedia lists more than 80 of his derogatory nicknames, like calling his predecessor “Crooked Joe.”   The president uses those nicknames to demean other powerful people.  It’s different when his slurs are directed at the most vulnerable.

When powerful people direct hate speech against the vulnerable I hear echoes of some of history’s worst events. Calling Haitians criminals who eat people’s dogs and cats makes me think of the Tutsis who were called cockroaches before the killings in Rwanda, or the Jews who were called vermin before their German citizenship was stripped away. Words aimed at dehumanizing the vulnerable can be a first step towards abuse. When we hear those words we need to shout them down.

Miguel’s parents brought him here to escape the violence in his native country.  He has no documentation, so the president labels him a criminal. We cannot let that label stand.  It can be used to justify abuses, claiming they were acceptable because they were directed only against criminals.

If the president wants to label some people as criminals, we should insist that he use the word accurately.  A criminal is a person who has been found guilty in a court of law of committing a crime.  The president is a criminal.  Miguel is not.

8 Things To Do for The Anniversary of the 1913 Great Flood

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During March 1913, the citizens of the Miami Valley experienced a natural disaster unparalleled in the region’s history. Within a three-day period, nine to 11 inches of rain fell throughout the Great Miami River Watershed. The ground was already saturated from the melting of snow and ice of a hard winter. The ground could absorb little of the rain. The water ran off into streams and rivers, causing the Great Miami River and other rivers to overflow. Every city along the river was overrun with floodwater. Altogether, nearly four trillion gallons of water, an amount equivalent to about thirty days of discharge of water over Niagara Falls, flowed through the Miami Valley during the ensuing flood.

Many residents climbed to the second floor and into attics of their homes to escape death from the floodwaters that raced and swirled uncontrollably in the freezing temperatures of March. In the pitch black of night, cries for help and the eerie groaning of houses being ripped off of their foundations filled the sky as the waters continued to rise. With no functional telegraph lines, the flood survivors were completely cut off from the outside world.

Rushing torrentially, the waters swept away bridges, dwellings, and commercial buildings — and anyone who was in them. It precipitated fires at broken gas mains, which spread when fed by spilled gasoline. In Dayton, a fire erupted at a drug store, consuming nearly two blocks of business buildings (now named the “Fireblocks”). At Hamilton, within two hours the flood swept away three of the four bridges, and destroyed the fourth a few hours later.

During those long hours waiting for the waters to recede, residents made a promise to one another: Never Again.

In the Miami Valley, more than 360 people lost their lives. Property damage exceeded $100 million (that’s more than $3.2 billion in today’s economy). Despite the tragedy, the citizens of the Miami Valley, who had lost virtually everything, rallied to raise money for a plan to stop flooding once and for all. Some 23,000 citizens contributed their own money – adding up to more than 2 million dollars – to begin a comprehensive flood protection program on a valley-wide basis.

Today, reminders of how our communities overcame live on. Read below to discover eight ideas for exploring (and tasting?) Great Flood history along the Great Miami Riverway. 

1. Visit Miami Conservancy District Historic Headquarters

The three-story building, including basement, is built of Indiana (Bedford) limestone. Colonel Edward Deeds announced in July of 1915 that he would gift a headquarters building to the Miami Conservancy District. The building was designed and constructed in about six months, with staff moving in at the beginning of 1916. The lobby features original light fixtures, staircase and moldings. The first-floor ceilings are coffered and feature larger replicas of the original lighting fixtures.

In his letter to the Board of Directors, Edward Deeds wrote that “engineers from all quarters will be coming to the Miami Valley to study our work. We owe it to the people of the flood stricken valleys of the world to make this data complete and permanently available”.

While you are free to explore the exterior of the building (we recommend enjoying lunch in our pocket park), we recommend scheduling private tours of the interior. This is for the safety and comfort of our staff, who still use the building to this day. Please contact Sarah Hippensteel Hall via our contact form to request a tour!

More about our Headquarter Building

About the art exhibit displayed inside Headquarters

2. Admire ‘Fractal Rain’ at the Dayton Metro Library Main Campus
The impressive sculpture by Terry Welker is named“Fractal Rain”. It is is fashioned of 3,500 six-inch prisms on nearly five miles of stainless-steel wire. The dramatic piece, which hangs from the third floor under a skylight and cascades down to the floors below, changes as it catches the light at different times of day. One in every six of the prisms has been optically dyed in studio in Monet colors — lavender, green, blue, yellow, and pink.

The piece, according to Welker, references the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 and our city’s love/hate relationship with rain.

The 1,000-pound piece was selected by the internationally known Collaboration of Design and Art as one of the “top 100 most successful design projects that integrate commissioned art into an interior, architectural or public space” (From Dayton Daily News)

3. Explore the Great 1913 Flood Exhibit at Carillon Historical Park
The Great 1913 Flood Exhibit features stories of disaster, perseverance, and heroism. By bringing together numerous flood-related artifacts, the exhibit tells the story of a grief-stricken city banding together to rise above adversity.

4. Taste a Piece of History at the Hamburger Wagon
The famous little Hamburger Wagon in Miamisburg has some unique flood history. After the flood waters receded and disaster relief was in dire need, Miamisburg resident Sherman “Cocky” Porter used a family recipe to serve up delicious hamburgers to flood refugees for many days. When life finally returned to normal, Miamisburg residents loved the little “Porter Burgers” so much that Porter agreed to start selling them on Saturdays. The business grew from there, and ever since it has been a community staple, ranked one of the top 100 hamburgers in the United States by Hamburger America.

5. Search for Flood Depth Markers
In many riverfront cities along the Great Miami River evidence of the 1913 flood depth can be found at various flood depth markers. While you are enjoying local restaurants or retail stores in one of the historic downtowns, keep your eyes peeled for these markers and statues.

Many communities along the Great Miami River such as Troy, Dayton, West Carrollton, Miamisburg, Middletown, and Hamilton have done an excellent job maintaining flood markers to showcase the height of the flood. Markers can be found as stand-alone statues, on buildings or bridges as stone or metal plaques, or can be found wrapped on light poles and fixtures. See how many you can find!

Statue in Hamilton near the Great Miami Rowing Center

High water mark at Riverscape MetroPark in Dayton

High water mark on the Market Square Building in Miamisburg

6. Follow the remnants of the Miami-Erie Canal Along the Great Miami River
The Miami and Erie Canal was 274 miles long, connecting Cincinnati to Toledo – the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Construction began in 1825 at a cost of $8 million. In today’s money? That’s $177 million. At its peak, the canal had 103 locks and featured feeder canals, man-made reservoirs, and guard stations.

As railroad systems were introduced and found to be a more reliable and cheaper mode of transporting goods, the Ohio canals saw less and less use. Various attempts at canal revival were made between 1904 and 1910, however, the Great Flood of 1913 caused the reservoirs to spill over into the canals, destroying aqueducts, washing out banks, and devastating most of the locks.

Luckily, history lives on. Throughout the Great Miami Riverway, you can find pieces of the original canal and many other places that celebrate its history. Here is a guide to view pieces of the canal today along the river. In Piqua, you can even ride the canal in a canal boat called General Harrison.

7.  Take a walk through the beautiful Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
Many flood heroes are buried like John Henry Patterson, who shut down his cash register factory to build rescue boats and provide housing and shelter to flood victims, or James M. Cox, whose leadership helped secure state aid for flood victims and establish the Miami Conservancy District. The land of the cemetery itself was a refuge for many escaping the flood waters in Dayton due to its higher elevation.

8. Visit the 5 dry dams that continue to protect the region from flooding to this day. 

Within weeks of the Great Flood of 1913, community leaders hired engineer Arthur Morgan to develop a regional flood protection system, which was awarded the 1922 Engineering Record’s distinguished “Project of the Year,” placing it in a category with other international engineering design feats like the Brooklyn Bridge (1883), Eiffel Tower (1889), Empire State Building (1931), Golden Gate Bridge (1937), Gateway Arch (1965) and the Channel Tunnel (1994).

The flood protection system is designed to manage a storm the size of the Great Flood of 1913 plus an additional 40 percent. The drainage patterns of the entire Great Miami River Watershed are incorporated into its design. The 5 dry dams and 55 miles of levees operate without human intervention and have no moving parts, except floodgates on storm sewers along the levees. They are called dry because the dams are used only to store floodwaters after heavy rainfall. The remainder of the time, the storage land upstream of each dam – 35,650 acres – is used predominantly for parkland and farmland. The Miami Conservancy District partners with many park districts to enable outdoor recreation opportunities on these flood protection lands. Learn more about the system and visiting the dams with the links below:

Dry Dams
Germantown
Taylorsville
Englewood
Huffman
Lockington

Storage Basins
Levees
Operations & Maintenance

Hydrologic monitoring

Table 33 Presents 4 Course Wine Dinner

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Chef Keith Taylor

Table 33 is hosting an exclusive wine dinner with a special menu created by Executive Chef, Keith Taylor, and Sous Chef, Justin Gall, paired with Titus Wines on Wed, May 7th.  There will be two seatings, 5:30pm or 7:30pm. Joining them for the wine pairing will be Dinner with Napa Valley Winemaker & Owner of Titus Wines, Eric Titus.

From a young age, Eric Titus worked in the family vineyard in Napa Valley with his brothers and father, continuing the tradition until he left for college to earn his doctorate degree in Biology, where he was drawn to the dynamics of marine science and toxicology. Following this path, he worked around the world as a researcher and environmental consultant throughout the 1990’s. In 1997, he returned to St. Helena to help with the harvest at Titus Vineyards. The family business was growing, and, in 2002, Eric decided to devote himself to the winery full time to help with management of the burgeoning business. Today he is General Manager and Vineyard Operations Manager of the winery.
In the vineyard, Eric has adopted green practices that support sustainable farming. His aim is to farm with techniques that ensure minimum impact on the local environment, seeking to have as light a footprint as possible in the vineyard. Nearly all vineyard work is done by hand, row by row. He collaborates with Winemaker Stephen Cruzan to ensure that vineyard practices deliver expressive and focused fruit from their two estate vineyards. An estate-based winery allows for harvesting each row at the right moment for each wine.
Eric has served as President of the Napa Valley Grape Growers Association and is active with both the St. Helena Viticultural Society and Appellation St. Helena. He is committed to preserving agricultural land and the local ecosystem in Napa Valley. Eric works along with the local viticultural community to promote the Napa Valley as a world-class wine-growing region.
Tickets for this event run $195 and can be reserved online.

Miami Valley Meals Celebrates 5th Anniversary

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Miami Valley Meals (MVM) marks its 5th anniversary today, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, honoring five years of transforming donated and rescued food into nutritious meals for those experiencing food insecurity. What began as a small group of furloughed culinary and hospitality professionals responding to the pandemic has grown into an impactful nonprofit that now serves over 4,000 meals weekly across the Miami Valley.

Since its founding in 2020, MVM has provided over 1 million meals, collaborating with more than 129 nonprofit partners to ensure access to high-quality, chef-prepared meals. By sourcing over 90% of its ingredients from rescued and donated food, MVM not only nourishes the community but also plays a critical role in reducing food waste. The meals additionally serve as a connection to additional wrap-around services through their network of nonprofit partners.

Amanda DeLotelle

“Our journey started with a simple question—‘How can we help?’—and five years later, that same spirit of service and collaboration continues to drive us,” said Amanda DeLotelle, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Miami Valley Meals. “The need in our community has only grown, but so has the support. We are grateful for our volunteers, partners, and donors who make it possible to serve nutritious meals with dignity and love.”

As MVM celebrates this milestone, the organization remains committed to expanding its impact. Hunger persists in the Miami Valley, with 1 in 7 people facing food insecurity and a growing waitlist for their meals. MVM invites the community to get involved—through volunteerism, donations, or partnerships—to help sustain this mission for years to come.

To learn more about Miami Valley Meals or to support its work, visit miamivalleymeals.org.

Dayton at Work and Play: Kait Gilcher- Heart Co-Owner

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Several people have suggested I post about Heart Mercantile because they’ve done so many good things for Dayton, so I stopped by recently and met Kait. I asked her how long the business has been in operation.
“Brittany Smith started the business in 2015” she told me. “It wasn’t in this location but it’s always been in the Oregon District. That’s worked out well for us. People visit the area often so there are always folks walking by. People also bring out of town guests to the Oregon District, because it’s one of the areas that make our city special. While they are here they can stop in for a souvenir of their visit to Dayton.”
I see that many of your products relate to Dayton. “Our shop offers a wide variety of gifts, but we specialize in items that relate to Dayton. We say we’re Dayton-centric. All of the Dayton themed items are designed by us and to the extent possible they’re also made in Dayton.”
A lot has happened during your 10 years of operation – the day 14 tornadoes hit the city, the mass shooting on this street, the pandemic. I understand your business has done a lot to help people through those troubles.
“That’s something we’re passionate about. We try to give back as much as we can, and we have a donation center to make it easy for others to support the causes we care about. You mentioned the Oregon District shootings. Just two days after that terrible event we designed a new shirt to honor the vic

tims and the #DaytonStrong movement and donated all of the profits to a fund created by the Dayton Foundation.”
Is anything happening soon that you’d like to mention?
“Derby Day will be here soon, with a fashion show and wiener dog races. That’s always fun. And we do monthly block parties. The Oregon District is a great part of Dayton and we try to contribute in our own way to keeping the area interesting. “

Heart Mercantile

In the Oregon District
601 E. 5th Street,
Dayton, OH 45402
Open daily 11am – 8pm

Elsa’s Springboro Adds Brunch on the Weekends

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Starting tomorrow, March 22nd Elsa’s Boro Cantina will be offering  new brunch items every Saturday & Sunday from 11am-2pm! Check out the menu:
ON Sundays they’ll be offering  a Bloody Mary Bar set up during brunch! Stuffed olives, celery seeds, hot sauces, and so much more- come find out for yourself!
The breakfast tacos:

Elsa’s Springboro Cantina

774 N. Main Street
Springboro, OH, 45066
+1 937-790-1800

Upcoming NATO Parliamentary Assembly Causing Disruption to Downtown Dayton Businesses

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Downtown Dayton was supposed to be buzzing with promise and progress on the afternoon of March 20th, but instead, the Small Business Social at The Contemporary Dayton revealed deep divisions between city planners and the very community they hoped to serve.

A Promising Venue, A Troubled Agenda

In a venue usually celebrated for its art and culture, the event—organized by the Downtown Dayton Partnership—was intended to showcase how the upcoming NATO Assembly might bring opportunities for downtown businesses. But as the night unfolded, small business owners voiced their mounting frustration. The galleries, typically filled with creative energy, became an impromptu forum for grievances about decisions that could jeopardize local livelihoods.

Mixed Messages from the Top

The afternoon opened on an upbeat note. Gallery host and curator Heather Jones welcomed the crowd, highlighting current exhibitions and a raffle that momentarily lifted spirits. Yet that optimism quickly faded as Syron Townsend, Community Partnership Manager for the Downtown Dayton Partnership, thanked small business owners for their ongoing support before turning the stage over to Jason Galanes.

Galanes, Chief of Staff for Republican Congressman Mike Turner and one of the lead planners of the NATO Assembly, delivered a message that many found dissonant. “The opportunity for downtown businesses to welcome delegates and constituents to patronize shops and restaurants,” he declared. But he soon undercut his own message with a remark that struck a sour chord: “The event begins on Memorial Day weekend, many people already out on vacation…” The suggestion that local businesses might simply “take advantage” of a national holiday to close shop was met with audible grumbles—a reaction that underscored the economic pressures these businesses are already facing.

Adding insult to injury, Galanes extolled the virtues of lasting public art and beautification efforts—projects funded by state and local tax dollars. Yet he offered little reassurance that these improvements would compensate for the financial strain that a week-long shutdown could impose on struggling downtown shops and restaurants.

Updated Secure Zone Map for Downtown Dayton NATO Assembly 2025

Security and the Specter of Exclusion

The tone grew even more contentious when Major Christopher Malson of the Dayton Police Department took the floor. Tasked with explaining the design and purpose of the NATO Village Secure Zone, Malson’s presentation was a mix of policy details and offhand humor that did little to assuage the concerns of those present. “When the City Manager met with me over a year ago, she gave me the edict of ‘We will not be shutting down businesses…’” he recalled—yet the absence of City Manager Shelley Dickstein was conspicuous by itself.

Malson outlined a security plan that included designated entrances, foot-traffic only policies, and even a “Designated Protest Area” for what he insisted would be “peaceful” and “lawful” demonstrations. However, his warning that any protests outside that area might be branded as “riots” did not sit well with business owners who already feel marginalized in the planning process.

 

 

Parking Woes and a Clamor for Accountability

Questions about the logistical impact of the NATO event, particularly regarding parking, further fueled the discontent. One business owner’s query about whether the city would subsidize monthly parking costs for employees—an essential lifeline for local commerce—was summarily dismissed by Major Malson with a curt, “The city will not be providing any financial assistance to private businesses.” The response was met with growing frustration, as many pointed out that the downtown community was being expected to shoulder the burdens of an event from which they would reap little benefit.

A moment of further disruption came when an unannounced voice from the back of the room, later identified as Kristina Scott, Vice President of Strategy for The Downtown Dayton Partnership, abruptly attempted to cut off the ongoing questions. “I think this is enough, I believe we have what we need to bring this back to the broader group,” she interjected, prompting a bewildered business owner to ask, “Who are you?”—a question that underscored the disconnect between event organizers and the community they were meant to support.

Aftermath: More Questions Than Answers

By the end of the evening, many small business owners left The Contemporary Dayton not with a sense of possibility, but with more questions and a deep-seated mistrust of the process. The event, meant to highlight opportunities for downtown Dayton, instead exposed a glaring imbalance: local tax dollars were being spent to host an event that many feared would inflict financial harm on the very businesses that form the backbone of the city.

In an economic climate where every dollar counts, the promise of future benefits from beautification projects and enhanced public spaces feels hollow to a community that sees itself as an afterthought. As downtown Dayton prepares for the NATO Assembly, one thing is clear—without genuine support and transparent dialogue, the promise of a thriving, inclusive business community may remain just that: a promise unfulfilled.

If you are a small business owner who needs your voice heard regarding NATO, reach out to DowntownDayton.com and we will include your story in our next NATO Assembly update.

HBA’s Parade of Home Tours Is Back!

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The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Dayton is thrilled to announce the return of the Parade of Homes Tour, coming to the Dayton, Ohio region on March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025. This highly anticipated event will be open daily from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, offering attendees the chance to explore a stunning collection of homes across multiple sites in Sugarcreek Township, Beavercreek Township, Huber Heights, Miamisburg, and Washington Township.

The Parade of Homes Tour is the ultimate event for anyone on the journey to finding their dream home. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, planning your forever home, or searching for the perfect place to retire, this tour offers something for everyone. Discover the best in innovative design, exceptional craftsmanship, and state of the art technology that will elevate your vision of home.

– Dates: March 21-23 and March 28-30

– Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM daily  

– Location: Multiple sites throughout the Dayton region (Map of sites) 

– Admission: FREE

 

This year’s tour will feature an impressive lineup of homes built by some of Dayton’s most renowned builders, including M/I Homes, Charles Simms Development, Artisan and Oberer Homes. Each home will showcase unique floor plans, luxurious finishes, and the latest in energy-efficient and smart home technology.

 

The Parade of Homes is a signature event hosted by the Home Builders Association of Dayton, showcasing the region’s top builders, designers, and industry professionals. This event celebrates innovation, quality craftsmanship, and the art of homebuilding, offering inspiration for homeowners and enthusiasts alike. The 2025 Parade of Homes Tour is proudly sponsored by Centerpoint Energy, a trusted partner in providing energy solutions that power the homes and communities we love. Their support helps make this event possible, bringing together the best in homebuilding and design for the Dayton community.

 

M/I Homes: 682 W Spring Valley Pike Dayton, OH 45458

 

 

Charles Simms Development: 2010 Cedar Lake Drive, Huber Heights, OH 45424

 

Artisan Communities, LLC: 464 Triple Crown Way. Beavercreek Township/Xenia, OH 45385

Oberer Homes: 1001 Belfast Drive Dayton, OH 45440

 

Air Supply Returns to The Rose

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Today, Air Supply announces their return to Huber Heights, OH for a special 50thAnniversary Celebration at Rose Music Center at The Heights on Sunday, August 3.

If it’s true that practice makes perfect, then Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock – beloved by their millions of fans across the planet as Air Supply – have had nearly half a century to hone their skills, harness their passion and unleash the beautifully intimate yet rockin’ romantic energy of those instantly identifiable 80s hits that made them global superstars.

As they close in on 50 years (exact date, May 12, 1975) since they met in the chorus of the Australian touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar, the duo is ever-present on the road in North America and overseas to the tune of 130 dates a year – and look forward to a milestone 5500th live show in fall 2024. This run includes being the first Western group to tour China and several other countries who prior to their breakthrough would not allow pop music across their borders, as well as performing for a record 175,000 people in Cuba in 2005.

Air Supply’s overall sales and airplay stats are equally astounding, equaling their heroes The Beatles’ run of five consecutive Top Five Singles (“Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love,” “Every Woman in the World,” “The One That You Love,” “Here I Am”); selling a collective total of 20 million copies of their first three albums (Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever) and the 1983 Greatest Hits collection; achieving multi-million radio plays for five of their hits (including “Sweet Dreams” and the Jim Steinman-penned “Making Love Out of Nothing At All”); and having Graham honored with a BMI Million-Air Certificate recognizing three million performances of “All Out Of Love.”

2025 will bring more seemingly nonstop rousing performances of the smash hits by their powerhouse band. Under musical direction of lead guitarist Aaron McLain, the ensemble includes Mirko Tessandori (piano/keyboards/vocals), Pavel Valdman (drums) and Doug Gild (bass). Graham and Russell will mark their milestone with exciting projects in a variety of media. These include a biopic titled All Out of Love: The Air Supply Story, a Broadway comedy-drama musical featuring their songs (Lost in Love) and a yet to be titled autobiography by Graham and Russell. The duo will also be releasing their 18th studio album A Matter of Time, produced by Brian Howes, along with a very special vinyl compilation.

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, March 21 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.

Reserved Seating: $41.50* – $88.50*

Click here to view ticket prices.

Jollity’s Spring Menu Starts Today

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Spring Menu 2025

Veg

Meat

Seafood

KFC Debuts New “Dunk It Bucket”

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KFC® is dropping an all-new “Dunk It Bucket”* – the brand’s first new bucket in nearly a decade – featuring also-new Mashed Potato Poppers, available nationwide starting today, while supplies last. The quadruple-threat Dunk It Bucket is packed with KFC’s hand-breaded Original Recipe® Tenders, Secret Recipe Fries and crispy Mashed Potato Poppers with your choice of craveable sauces – because more dunking and more sauce means more deliciousness.

“Our new Mashed Potato Poppers transform a legendary KFC classic into a crunchy can’t-resist bite of perfection,” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President, KFC U.S. “And the Dunk It Bucket? Oh, it’s a dream come true for sauce lovers—dip it, dunk it, drench it, do your thing. It’s our first brand-new bucket in nearly a decade, and trust me, it was so worth the wait!”

Snag a solo Dunk It Bucket for $7* or feed family, friends or teammates for $25 with a Double Dunk It Bucket**, creating your ultimate dunk combination with juicy hand-breaded tenders, perfectly seasoned fries, crunchy Mashed Potato Poppers, with choices in the sauce squad lineup including:

  • Warm Gravy: A KFC all-star legend…gravy is officially a dipping sauce.
  • Comeback Sauce: The MVP – it’s creamy, zesty and craveable.
  • Honey BBQ: Sweet, smoky and tangy – you can’t go wrong with this fan favorite.
  • Honey Mustard: A blend of sweetness and tangy mustard, and an iconic tenders teammate.
  • Sticky Chicky Sweet and Sour Sauce: A balanced combination of sweet and tangy flavors including pineapple, garlic, vinegar and chili. If you love sweet and sour, you’re going to love this.
  • Classic Ranch: Our signature ranch…need we say more?
  • Buffalo Ranch: A perfect pairing of the classic kick of Buffalo sauce smoothed out with a creamy ranch, blended peppers, buttermilk, herbs and spices.

The new menu items are here just in time for college basketball’s ultimate tournament, so fried chicken fans can flaunt their sauce bracket and make a slam dunk pairing. Take the love for dunking beyond the KFC bucket with exclusive, limited-edition “KFC Dunk It” merch, available now on KFCShop.com. The KFC Dunk It Collection features a mini basketball hoop and ball, fun stickers, and stylish apparel such as a T-shirt and hoodie—each designed to bring the playful spirit of dunking to life. Whether you’re a chicken lover or a basketball fan, the collection is the perfect way to show off your KFC pride and join in on the dunking fun.

Before the buzzer sounds, order the Dunk It Bucket in-store, and on KFC.com, or on the KFC app for delivery or Quick Pick-Up. KFC Rewards*** customers will earn double points on Dunk It Bucket orders.****

 

Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich and New Pineapple Dragonfruit Beverages at Chick-fil-A

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Chick-fil-A® is celebrating the start of spring with vibrant new flavors to kick-start the warmer days. Starting March 17, the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich returns to menus nationwide, this time featuring three options for Guests to create their own customized smoky twist. Also making its debut – and a perfectly sweet pairing – are the new Pineapple Dragonfruit beverages, also available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time.

A Bold Twist on Backyard Flavors: Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich
This spring, the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich is back – this time with three filet options for Guests to customize their sandwich – original and spicy, alongside the classic grilled filet. The juicy chicken is paired with crispy bacon hand-tossed in a brown sugar and black pepper blend, topped with Colby Jack cheese, green leaf lettuce and a smoky BBQ sauce, served on a toasted, buttery, sweet yeast bun.

 

FPO

Spring’s Sweet Escape: Pineapple Dragonfruit Beverages

Chick-fil-A’s new Pineapple Dragonfruit beverages combine sweet and juicy pineapple flavors, along with a unique, tropical dragonfruit twist, featuring a line-up of four refreshing options:

  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Frosted Lemonade
    • This treat combines Chick-fil-A® Lemonade (or Diet Lemonade) and our signature Icedream® dessert, mixed with natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.
  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Lemonade
    • This combination is a mix of classic Chick-fil-A® Lemonade (or Diet Lemonade) and natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.
  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Iced Tea
    • Freshly-brewed daily from a blend of tea leaves, the Pineapple Dragonfruit Iced Tea mixes classic Iced Tea with natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.
  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Sunjoy®
    • This beverage combines Chick-fil-A’s Sunjoy® beverage (Chick-fil-A® Lemonade and freshly-brewed Sweetened Iced Tea) with natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.

“As warmer weather approaches, our Guests are craving flavors that are reminiscent of longer, brighter days and time spent outside with family and friends,” said Allison Duncan, director of menu & packaging at Chick-fil-A. “We’re thrilled to bring back the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich, with an expanded lineup of options for our Guests, alongside our new Pineapple Dragonfruit beverages which offer a deliciously sweet and refreshing balance to the smoky BBQ flavors.”

Testing a New Take on a Classic Treat
Chick-fil-A is also introducing two new ways to enjoy its signature Icedream® dessert with a playful twist on a classic – the Icedream Spin and Icedream® Float, testing exclusively in participating restaurants in Chicago, Salt Lake City, San Diego and Tampa, Fla.  

  • Icedream Spin
    • This new spin on a classic treat features our signature Icedream dessert hand-spun with your choice of fountain beverage for a creamy texture and delicious taste.
  • Icedream® Float
    • A classic float, with your choice of fountain beverage, made special with a swirl of our signature Icedream dessert.

Both options are available now for a limited time at participating locations in test markets.

Customers can check the Chick-fil-A® App or contact their local restaurant for availability of these menu items. To read about Chick-fil-A’s menu, innovations and more, visit chick-fil-a.com/press-room.

Bill Franz’s Hidden Figures: Elon

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I’ve always assumed that undocumented immigrants were wage earners. I was wrong. Hundreds of thousands of them have built businesses here. Those businesses tend to be small because it takes capital to grow a business, and raising capital can draw unwanted attention. That’s what happened to Elon, according to an October, 2024 article in the Washington Post. The Post interviewed Elon’s business associates, reviewed court records and got copies of company contracts to tell the following:
In 1995 Elon and his brother went to California to start a business, but the two Canadians did not have legal work status. Like most undocumented immigrants they had little capital so they slept in their office to save money. They worked hard and by 1996 the business was taking off. Investors were ready to put in money, but when they learned that Elon and his brother were undocumented they protected themselves with an unusual funding agreement. If the brothers did not get legal work status in 45 days the investors could reclaim their money. “We don’t want our founder being deported” one director was quoted as saying.
We don’t know if Elon met that 45 day deadline. People tell me getting legal work status is a long, slow process that takes years. We do know that he wasn’t deported, and in 2002 the business was sold for $300 million. Elon became a U.S. citizen that same year.
Elon denies the Post’s account but has given little detail about his journey from being Canadian to becoming a U.S. citizen. Elon’s brother is more candid. In 2013 he told interviewers that when the two brothers started their first business in the U.S. “We were illegal immigrants.”
The Post article tells us that the world’s richest man started his business career as an undocumented immigrant. What an inspiration to the hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who have built businesses here. I wish Elon would share details of his immigration journey. I’m sure that his fellow entrepreneurs would like to know how to get legal status in 45 days. Then, with the threat of deportation removed, those small businesses might grow and bring benefits to us all.

LIVE + Collective Soul Coming to The Rose

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Today, Collective Soul and +LIVE+ announced their 2025 co-headlining Summer Unity Tour with an epic video. Watch HERE. The 30-date tour includes a stop in Huber Heights, OH for a performance at Rose Music Center at The Heights on Sunday, July 20. Special guests Our Lady Peace and Greylin James Rue will join on all upcoming dates.

The 2025 Summer Unity Tour marks +LIVE+ and Collective Soul’s first tour together in 17 years, since their extended 2008 co-headline run.

“+LIVE+ is thrilled to be joining forces with the amazing Collective Soul! The great vibes between our two bands on and offstage is something we have both enjoyed for years, and here we come in 2025!  This will be a very special night of music for all of the fans; I know everyone is gonna get rocked and uplifted right along with us…come on out!” – Ed Kowalczyk

“It was August 1994, and we, Collective Soul, were on our way to Woodstock. As our van pulled up to the grounds, another one pulled up beside us and out jumped the band +LIVE+. We became immediate friends, exchanging guitar picks with each other as soon as we met. Since that day, the Ed and Ed show has been nothing but pure, genuine friendship, and rock and roll. We’re excited that 31 years later, we still not only enjoy each other’s company, but enjoy playing music. It’s going to be a fun summer sharing it with fans, friends and +LIVE+.” – Ed Roland

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, March 21 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.

Reserved Seating: $58.50* – $108.50*

ABOUT +LIVE+           

+LIVE+ have sold over 23 million albums worldwide and earned two number one albums: Throwing Copper and Secret Samadhi. Their catalog is filled with such gems as “Lightning Crashes,” “I Alone,” “All Over You” and “Lakini’s Juice,” which live on today as classics on rock radio. Throwing Copper—which the band celebrated in 2019 with a deluxe 25th anniversary edition along with a global tour across major festivals, amphitheaters and arenas–produced the band’s biggest single, “Lightning Crashes,” which was #1 at Modern Rock radio for ten consecutive weeks. Throwing Copper reached #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually surpassed sales of 10 million albums sold, with Rolling Stone honoring the album with placement on their list, “1994: The 40 Best Records From Mainstream Alternative’s Greatest Year.” Secret Samadhi (1997) immediately shot to #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually went double platinum. The release of the platinum-selling The Distance to Here (1999) turned +LIVE+ into an international powerhouse and moved the band from arenas into stadiums. +LIVE+ has been and remains today a global concert juggernaut.

ABOUT COLLECTIVE SOUL

Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Collective Soul celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 2024 with the release of their highly anticipated and critically acclaimed 12th studio album, HERE TO ETERNITY, May 17, 2024 on their Fuzze-Flex Records label. It was written and produced by E. Roland and co-produced by Shawn Grove, and recorded at Elvis Presley’s estate in Palm Springs, CA. They’re the only other music artist to ever record at the historical landmark. Very special guest appearances include Paul McCartney guitarist Brian Ray, longtime Sheryl Crow bandleader Peter Stroud, and Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship. With 11 studio albums—including 1995’s self-titled COLLECTIVE SOUL album, which went triple Platinum–and 8 #1 hits under their belt, frontman and chief songwriter Ed Roland is unwaveringly driven in his desire to double down on doing more of what he does best – making music, sweet music, both in the studio and onstage. Seeing eye to eye, and ear to ear, is part of the secret sauce of why Collective Soul continues to both record and play together at an uncompromised level of high quality. They were one of only five artists to have performed at both Woodstock festivals in ’94 and ’99. With electrifying newer material that accompanies the everlasting Collective Soul classic hits like “Shine,” “December,” “The World I Know,” “Heavy,” and “Where The River Flows,” these five fiery rockers are only just getting started with the next phase of their thriving career that has moved millions of records and wow multitudes of fans across the globe.

ABOUT OUR LADY PEACE

One of Canada’s most influential rock bands, Our Lady Peace has shaped the alternative rock landscape for over three decades. With multi-platinum-selling albums and global hits like “Superman’s Dead,” “Clumsy,” and “Somewhere Out There,” OLP has sold over 5 million albums worldwide and garnered more than 360 million streams. They are among the elite 13 Music Canada Diamond-certified artists, holding 3x-Triple and 5x-Double Platinum certifications. With 19 Top 10 radio hits in Canada—including five #1 singles – OLP has won four JUNO Awards and ten MuchMusic Video Awards, making them one of the most celebrated bands in MMVA history. Their extensive touring history includes sharing stages with The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, and Alanis Morissette. As they close the OLP30 chapter with OLP30 Vol. Three, the band looks ahead to a monumental year that includes their induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame on June 14, 2025, and a hometown show at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage on July 24. Our Lady Peace is Raine Maida (lead vocals), Duncan Coutts (bass), Steve Mazur (guitar), and Jason Pierce (drums).

ABOUT GREYLIN JAMES RUE

Greylin James Rue’s music explores the deep shifts that accompany life’s transformations. A singer and songwriter whose work blends emotional introspection with life, Greylin draws inspiration from the natural world, finding beauty in its raw, unfiltered forms. Greylin debuted in her first major show in the summer of 2024, opening for the legendary Smashing Pumpkins in Muskoka Canada. On the horizon, Greylin is set to release new music produced by Gavin Brown, who is known for his work with artists like Billy Talent and Three Days Grace. Her next single will be featured in an upcoming thriller movie, marking an exciting new chapter in her growing career. Though primarily a musician, Greylin’s talents and interests extend far beyond music alone. Recently, she finished filming a horror movie in Belize, set against the mysterious backdrop of the Mayan ruins in San Ignacio. Greylin’s diverse interests showcase her range as an artist, blending the eerie and the beautiful in both her music and visual storytelling.

McCoy on Movies: NOVOCAINE

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Jack Quaid vehicle Novocaine likely to leave fans
of his work on The Boys in stitches

“Hello … Oh me? I’m just waiting around waiting on the next season of “The Boys” like everyone else …” Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) takes a moment to phone a friend after being caught in a snare trap in a scene from co-directors Robert Olsen’s and Dan Berk’s action/comedy/romantic comedy NOVOCAINE. Credit: © 2024 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

 

CAST: 

Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid)

Sherry (Amber Midthunder)

Roscoe (Jacob Batalon) 

Simon (Ray Nicholson)

Ben (Evan Hengst)

Andre (Conrad Kemp)

Mincy (Betty Gabriel)

Coltraine (Matt Walsh)

Earl (Lou Betty, Jr.)

 

DIRECTORS: Robert Olsen and Dan Berk

WRITER: Lars Jacobson

THE PLOT: Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) is mild-mannered 30 year-old man living in San Diego. He works as an assistant bank manager where he tries his best to help those like Earl (Lou Betty, Jr.) facing hard times. He lives alone in his apartment, playing his favorite RPG online with Roscoe (Jacob Batalon) and he is fond of wearing a tie with reindeer on it during the holidays, which, since it’s Christmas Eve, seems appropriate. 

 

Nathan also has an extremely rare – and very serious – medical condition: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), which means is has the inability to feel pain or changes in temperature (and in real life, a very decreased sweating ability). People with CIPA often suffer a long road to recovery as a result of their injuries, marked by slower healing, especially when they do so incorrectly. This is why Nathan has read an extensive amount of medical books, has dummy-proofed his house to avoid running into sharp corners and even avoids chewing since he’s afraid he might bite his tongue in half – or worse. 

 

But despite living a very simple (and safe) life, there is one thing that makes Nathan wonder if he should risk it all: Sherry (Amber Midthunder), the relatively new teller at the bank where they both work. Fast-forward to a wonderful night hanging out with Sherry at an art exhibition and let’s just say why he might not be able to feel pain, Nathan is definitely feeling something.

 

What he didn’t expect to feel, however, was the terror and panic that ensues when a trio of Santa Claus-dressed bank robbers led by Simon (Ray Nicholson) enter his bank and decide to make two withdrawals: a sizable amount of cash and Sherry as a hostage. Awakening after being temporarily disposed out to discover Sherry gone, Nathan decides to do something that could change his life forever: Pursue the bad guys, save the girl and embrace the nickname that has dogged him since middle school.

And it’s a good thing he can’t feel pain – because he’s about to experience more pain than most people will in their entire life to try to save the girl of his dreams.

THE REVIEW: Far be it for me to worry about Quaid becoming typecast as as a nice guy who specializes in playing nice guys thrust into the most insane of situations given his long run on Amazon Prime’s The Boys, but … If Quaid keeps delivering performance that balance chaos, charm and great quips as he does in NOVOCAINE, it might be hard for him to escape it – not that his fans will be mad about that.

It take a true talent to play a convincing nerdy individual who can also pull off action sequences and make the cartoonish feel realistic (when it’s obvious they are absurd), but if there’s ever an actor in 2025 that excels at that, it’s Quaid. In much the same fashion his character on The Boys always has a desire to do the right thing or find a resolution for a situation, once he is forced into action, he remains a sympathetic character for whom you root. His interplay with Midthunder rivals that of his interactions with his Boys co-star Erin Moriarty; his “please don’t make me do this” to “OK, I’m going to do this and if I die, so be it” transition being on display once again.

In short, Novocaine may feel VERY familiar to fans of Quaid’s work on The Boys, but it also shows that he can be the lead in a vehicle versus a co-star (albeit in the front) of an ensemble cast. There’s nothing wrong with knowing one’s formula and sticking to it, especially when it works as well as it does in NOVOCAINE.

If that sounds like a journey you’re interested in taking, you’ll likely be a left in as many stitches as the film’s titular character.

 

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

Arrive Safe Offers $20 Uber Rides

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This program, sponsored by the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, aims to provide safe rides home for Montgomery County residents, particularly during events like St. Patrick’s Day.
  • Free Uber Rides:
    The program offers vouchers for free Uber rides, with a value of up to $30, to help people get home safely after celebrating.
  • Program Details:
    • The program is available until 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 19.
    • Vouchers are valid for rides anywhere within Montgomery County.
    • Residents can scan a QR code to add the voucher to their Uber account.
  • St. Patrick’s Day Focus:
    Dayton is known for hosting the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Ohio, and this program aims to encourage responsible celebrations by ensuring people can get home safely after drinking.
  • Promoting Safety:
    Prosecutor Mat Heck emphasizes the importance of safe travel and the program’s commitment to ensuring that anyone who needs a ride home gets one, regardless of impairment.