Archives for October 2016

Dayton Gets Perfect Score on LGBT Equality Index!

October 17, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

In an email sent today from Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley she shared that she’s “proud and excited to announce that Dayton has received a top score of 100 on the 2016 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index! Dayton is one of just 3 cities in Ohio and 60 nationwide to earn a perfect score. Dayton is also just one of 37 cities to be named an All-Star City, representing a high score in a state lacking supportive state-level laws.”

The Municipal Equality Index is based upon a set of 44 criteria that fall into five broad categories: non-discrimination laws, municipal employment policies, inclusiveness of city services, law enforcement and municipal leadership.

I am so proud of what this award represents. Dayton is truly moving forward as an open, progressive and welcoming place.”

“Despite another year of legislative attacks on LGBTQ equality, we are not merely holding our ground; we also continue to make significant gains across the country,” said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of the Equality Federation Institute. “The opportunity for further progress is huge, and we are proud to partner with HRC on the Municipal Equality Index, a powerful roadmap for elected officials and community advocates who want to continue down the path to full equality.”

Since the MEI’s debut in 2012, the number of cities earning perfect scores has more than quintupled, and today at least 24 million people now live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state. And cities that have been rated all five years of the MEI have improved their scores by about 20 points over that time.
Progress on transgender equality has been particularly noteworthy in cities across America this year, continuing a positive trend that the MEI has tracked — and encouraged — since 2012. Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits are offered to employees of 86 municipalities this year — up from 66 in 2015 and 5 in 2012 — and the growth of cities offering those benefits to their employees outpaces the growth in the number of cities rated. The MEI’s Issue Brief on Transgender-Inclusive Health Benefits is available here.

You can see the complete Dayton report card here.

Mystery Monday: Monday, Oct 17th

October 17, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Welcome to Week 36 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 35’s Mystery Photo is The Leaders Bench located on the south end of Riverscape along the walkway area by the rectangle fountains, behind the The Enormous Information Universe .

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Joy D of Dayton- Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below. We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 36:

Dia de Muertos Dayton — A Movable Celebration of Life

October 17, 2016 By Guest Contributor

The fifth annual Dia de Muertos celebration and parade kicks off Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 pm with pre-parade family activities at K-12/Tejas Gallery. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to make colorful parade accessories, learn traditional Mexican folk dance moves and transform your face into a sugar skull with the help of professional artists and students from Decoy Art Studio. An exciting element of Dia de Muertos is being a part of the action, so plan ahead and bring strollers and wagons for young children. An El Meson food truck will be on hand for tasty choices until the parade lines up.

The parade will take off from K-12/Tejas Gallery toward Fifth Street at 4 pm, travel through the Oregon District and stop at Missing Peace Art Space, located across from Stivers School for the Arts at Fifth and Dutoit streets. St. Mary’s will be there serving up traditional Mexican food and Pa’s Pork will offer other eclectic choices.

Entertainment will begin as soon as the parade arrives, with the legendary Rev. Cool Carter as master of ceremonies spinning records between acts until 9 pm. Ballet Folklorico Orgullo Mexicano will be back to delight the crowd with traditional dancing, and returning storyteller Alicia Pagan will capture the imaginations of both young and old. This year, guitarist Ramon Perez El Alacran de Durango will perform with his daughter, and the Lucha Libre rock band Team Void will bring a new sound to the celebration.

The Missing Peace Art Space will display personal ofrendas, traditional altars recalling the lives of loved ones who have passed. Artist Tiffany Clark will offer a community ofrenda for families and friends of heroin loss, and the Tree of Life congregation will honor the lives of those lost at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. A general outdoor altar will offer the opportunity to leave memorial notes and light candles for loved ones.

Be sure to put us on your calendar for a day of celebration and healing as we honor the traditional Mexican memorial holiday of Dia de Muertos, recalling the beauty of lives gone before us, and including all cultures in a celebration that is uniquely Dayton.

Dia de Muertos Dayton — A Movable Celebration of Life – Sunday, Oct. 23,

2 to 4 pm: Pre-parade activities at K-12/Tejas Gallery, 314 S. Jefferson St., Dayton

4 pm: Parade leaves K-12/Tejas Gallery and travels toward Fifth Street

4:30 pm: Celebration at Missing Peace Art Space, 234 S. Dutoit St.

Story contributed by Joy Levett

Doors Open at Table 33 Monday

October 16, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

Co-owners Chris Harrison and Charlie Carroll posted this on their Facebook page this weekend:

Finally! After seven long months, Table 33 is finally ready to tell the world “We’re Open!” Beginning Monday, October 17th, Table 33 will open it’s doors for business.

To ensure the outstanding quality and customer service we aim for, the restaurants opening will be progressive. The Coffee Bar / Grab & Go Menu will be up and at it Monday, with the full-service sit-down side of the restaurant opening in late November.

Beginning October 17th, hours of operation will be from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. Make sure you check out the Grab & Go Menu to see what’s available.

Let’s get this party started… the right way. To have a little fun, which is part of who we are, Table 33 is going to equip each of our first 10 guests, Monday – Friday, with a High-Quality Custom Table 33 t-shirt. That’s Right! For the first 10 customers through the door each day, Monday – Friday, Table 33 will give them one of our new t-shirts. That’s a total of 50 t-shirts for the week.

Thanks again for all of your support thus far and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Table 33 is located at the corner of 2nd and Wilkinson, in the spot that was formerly Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers and before that Sidebar. Located so close to the Schuster Center, future plans include some evening hours and they do have a full liquor license.

Dayton Has A New Event Space

October 15, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

When you plan on hosting your own wedding in a building you own, finishing out the event space takes on a very special importance. For building owner Matt Dieringer, that work will be showcased today when he weds his school teacher love, Amanda. Dierineger purchased the 160,000 square foot Davis-Linden Building in spring of 2015, which was the home of the Davis Sewing Machine Co. in the 1920’s. In 1924 the company changed it’s name to Huffman Manufacturing Company and started to manufacture bicycles.

The building is now filled with creative tenants that include woodworkers and cabinetmakers, a screen printing and graphic design company, a manufacturer of laser dyes, a nationally recognized sculptor/musician, a television studio, an interior design firm, and more.

The event space located on the 2nd floor is over 10,00 square feet with the original wood floors which for over 100 years old, are in pretty good condition. Large windows line both sides of the venue letting the natural light just bathe the room.

All decked out with 8 foot rounds the room should easily seat over 400 guests. A freight elevator just inside the entry way makes load in pretty easy and the building has plenty of carts to help and there is even a lift on site to assist with decorating.

Bathrooms have been updated with double sinks and 3 stalls in the ladies room and one stall and 2 urinals in the men’s room. Future plans call for a partition to make the room more intimate for smaller events. Other plans call for an improved entry to the space, that will give a direct walkway from the sizeable parking lot .

A moveable bar has been installed on one end of the room, just in front of a set of barn doors that make way for a perfect space for a buffet line for serving food. Several crystal chandeliers have been installed to add an elegance to the space.

For more information or to reserve the space for your special event contact Matt Dieringer at 937.489.8635 or [email protected]. The building is at the corner of Davis & Linden, street address is 400 Linden Ave, Dayton, OH 45403.

Upcoming events in the space include:

Sat, Oct 22 at 7:30pm Dare To Defy Showcase

This theater company will showcase they will be performing bits from their upcoming season, as well as interacting with the audience to give them a taste of what it’s like to be on stage. Tickets at the door will cost $20 for General Admission and $25 for the VIP Experience.

Nov 4 & 5th at 8pm Sound Sculpture Concerts

Michael & Sandy Bashaw will present the first concerts in this building in over 10 years! The concerts will feature new music composed for the Sound Sculptures, as well as some favorites from past concerts, and several new Sound Sculptures. Michael & Sandy will be joined by musicians John Taylor, Erich Reith and Dick Roll. Dayton Visual Arts Center will be hosting the bar with beer & wine available. Proceeds from the bar will go to DVAC. Admission is $20.

DP & L Offering Free LED Light Bulbs

October 15, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

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Dayton Power and Light wants to help you conserve energy by offering free replacement LED light bulbs in exchange for your old incandescent light bulbs. LED bulbs use 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 years. The LED replacement bulb is a standard, 9 watt (60 watt equivalent bulb). Any incandescent bulbs will be accepted.
If you bring your incandescent bulbs to the parking lot of Walmart between 10am and 2pm on the following dates, you’ll get free LED bulbs as replacements:

Dayton to Punta Gorda, Flights Starts Nov 17th

October 14, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

As Ohio temperatures begin a downward trend, Dayton International Airport is preparing to begin new flights to its newest getaway destination: Punta Gorda, Fla.

“Allegiant is known for providing affordable flights to many popular destinations,” said Airport Director Terrence Slaybaugh. “By offering this new flight to Punta Gorda, Allegiant is able to give travelers even more options at the Dayton International Airport when they want to get away.”

The first flight from Dayton to Punta Gorda will take place at 8:33 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, so there is still plenty of time to book tickets and escape the frosty air.

The inaugural flight will be sent off in the traditional DAY airport manner, with balloons, refreshments and giveaways for passengers, along with a water cannon salute from the airport’s fire engines.

“We like to send off new flights in a fun way,” Slaybaugh said. “It’s our way of letting passengers know they are a part of something special at the Dayton Airport.”

The new nonstop flights will operate twice weekly out of Dayton.

Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com. Allegiant is known for its low-cost leisure travel. The company provides customers with low base fares averaging nearly half the cost of the average domestic round-trip fares.

Making A Difference In Dayton: Debbie Fox

October 13, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

By day Debbie Fox is the Grants and Operations Director for Levin Family Foundation. She also has served on the board of Artemis, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Dayton, and the WSU Non Profit Leadership Alliance. But she spends her nights and weekend drumming up support for the The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley, a program that impacts young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Debbie’s husband is a head coach for the program as well. We asked her to tell us a little more about her involvement with First Tee.

How did you get involved in The First Tee?

There’s one word to describe why I got involved in The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley… Passion.

Passion for our youth that would not necessarily have the opportunity to experience life skills such as our nine core values and nine healthy habits.

Passion for sport.

Passion for inspiring children.

Passion for education.

Passion for being a dependable mentor that our participants can count on.

Every person involved with The First Tee has an individual reason for being a part of it–whether they love the sport, they want to be an important role model, or they want to make a difference helping to shape young lives.

The First Tee programming provides a learning environment with positive reinforcement from our coaches while focusing on values and life skills that the participants will take with them well after they leave the program. Golf is just the means to demonstrate these values and life skills. It is the vehicle to lead by example. The emphasis is on inspiring young people and making an IMPACT, and who doesn’t want to be a positive reinforcement?

If you think back about role models in your life and who inspired you, why did they impact you? How did they shape you? Not everyone necessarily has those mentors in their lives, and The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley provides that inspirational core to inspire our participants to make a difference throughout their lives–Enriching lives.

Tell us how this organization impacts our community?

The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley is proud to partner and collaborate with many organizations in the Butler, Warren, and Montgomery county areas. Currently we are in 13 elementary schools in the Dayton Public School District thanks to the Brian Hafer Foundation with our National School Program that is impacting over 4500 students.

The First Tee Life Skills program offered 295 participants scholarships in collaboration with the City of Dayton Golf Courses and nearly 700 participants total in our Chapter for 2016.

Dennis Walters and his dog, Bucky,

On Wednesday, October 12, in partnership with TPC River’s Bend, we welcomed Dennis Walters from The Dennis Walter Show. He spent the day visiting three Kings School District Elementary Schools sharing his story of overcoming obstacles, reaching for your dreams, and never giving up with over 275 second and fourth graders.

Through partnerships such as these, as well as The First Tee Life Skills Experience, National School Program, and DRIVE, The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley is able to continue making an IMPACT on young lives.

How can folks get involved?

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Top Golf West Chester – entertainment complex

Volunteer. Attend Events. Sponsor an Event. Participate in Programming. Spread the Word!

Join us on Dec 1st: Tee It Up With First Tee of Greater Miami Valley & Top Golf!

Great Team-Building Event and Holiday Fundraiser at Top Golf in West Chester to benefit The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley! B2B Network, Silent Auction, Golf Competition, Dinner and Open Play! Plus “Meet & Greet” First Tee Participants!

You don’t have to know the game of golf to be a part of this organization. It’s about inspiring our children to be better people–Good golfers…Better people.

To learn more visit www.thefirstteegmv.org or contact Brian K. Parkhurst, PGA Executive Director for more information on how to get involved with fundraising: committees, events etc.

Preview The RED Table Design Gala

October 12, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

The RED Dayton Table Design Gala benefitting Equitas Health (formerly AIDS Resource Center Ohio) is returning this year with the theme “Idols and Icons.” With the recent passing of artists and actors like Prince, David Bowie, and Alan Rickman, breakout moments from Beyoncé with her video album “Lemonade” and Super Bowl “Formation” performance, and launch of the first PRIDE flag into space, there’s plenty of inspiration for the 16 table designers at this year’s event. Some of the designs you’ll want to see in person; like the one by Mark Breuninghaus, long-time supporter and owner of The Flower Shoppe, who is creating a Liberace-themed table using a baby-grand piano as the table!

On October 14^that 5:30pm, a special Preview Party hosted by the Equitas Health Dayton Associate Board will take place at the Dayton Masonic Center. You’ll get to stroll through each designer’s uniquely decorated table while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. The preview party is a great opportunity to get a first look at the tables, meet the region’s most inspiring designers, and enjoy music by local artists Kris N. and Paige Beller. If a casual, dance party is your style, then the preview party is for you. Tickets are available at reddayton.com.

“The Equitas Health Associate Board members are excited to present yet another fun, fabulous party. Now that we’re switching to the biennial format, alternating RED Dayton Table Design Gala and Masquerage, hosting the preview party gives us a break from pulling out a showstopper year after year, but we still get to throw a fantastic event,” says Val Beerbower, Dayton Associate Board Member.

Brenden Wynn

Associate Board Vice Chair, Brenden Wynn, will be one of the featured speakers at the annual TEDxDayton signature event, also taking place Friday, Oct. 14, at the Victoria Theatre. His talk will focus on empowering healthcare consumers to seek out better care at lower cost. Wynn will be speaking to a packed house at the fourth consecutive sell-out for the locally organized TED event. Wynn’s role with the board and in his professional career at Providence Medical Group demonstrate his commitment to improving the health and wellness of Dayton-area residents.

Another way to support Equitas Health is by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win an iconic trip for two to your choice of Havana, Maui, or London. Each trip is valued at over $10,000 and includes air fare or air fare voucher. Raffle tickets are 3 for $100 or $50 each. Purchase raffle tickets at reddayton.com/raffle.

With Masquerage moving to a biennial event the RED Dayton Table Design Gala Preview Party is a great opportunity to enjoy a fun evening all for a charitable cause.

All funds raised will benefit Equitas Health’s diverse healthcare and support services focused around primary care, specialized HIV and LGBTQ medical care, behavioral health, HIV/STI prevention, advocacy, and community health initiatives.

Old Fashioned Diner With Old Fashioned Prices

October 12, 2016 By Bryan Suddith

Dayton is good at keeping secrets. I’ve been searching for little out of the way diners for years in Dayton and am always happy to find a hidden gem. Over at Dayton Diners and Dives I have chronicled my love for East Dayton’s Hasty Tasty, Abner’s, East 5th Grill and other old school breakfast and lunch spots.

This week I discovered another. Located near the yogurt and ice cream at the end of aisle 1 inside Dot’s Market on Patterson is The Bullpen. Originally an ice cream and soda fountain spot, it opened in 1964. I’ve been there two times in the last 5 days and I will be back again sooner, rather than later.

Consider getting a burger hand made from Dot’s famous ground beef. Or a bowl of chili made with the same top cuts. What if you could enjoy a turkey club with big slices of Dot’s hand sliced bacon on top? You can in the Bull Pen.

The Bull Pen is a no-frills diner. It seats 10 at the U shaped counter and has space for another 40 in seats and booth backed tables. Little has changed since the 70’s included the regulars and staff. My waitress Brenda has been serving regulars in the Bullpen for more than 30 years. The average tenure of the men at the counter was no less than 25 years as regulars. I was there for lunch this week and the dining room was half full with retirees and lunch hour workers of all stripes.

The menu is simple and yet meets every need. Salads, sandwiches, and signature burgers round out an affordable lunch menu. I had the Queen sized cheeseburger, with a cup of chili and chips for under 7 bucks. They offered a King size and Bison burger as well. The Club Sandwich I spotted was overflowing with turkey and topped with thick sliced bacon on toast. Broasted Chicken, a fried fish plate, chili dog lunch, tenders and wings makes the lunch menu big enough for everyone.

Dinner specials include those old favorites, fried shrimp basket, liver & onion, chopped sirloin and the roast beef or turkey hot shots. These dinner plates are served with two sides and a roll, all under $10.00.

I stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning. I was the 7th one in the door and I arrived 5 minutes after opening. I enjoyed a great biscuit and gravy with a scrambled egg. My coffee cup was well attended to and my entire bill was under $7.00.

The breakfast menu is simple, affordable and straightforward diner fare. Two eggs, toast and home fries are only 3.99. The Big Bull Breakfast, 3 eggs, home fries, meat, toast is under $6.00. Biscuits and gravy, omelets and fried mush are standard offerings alongside waffles, pancakes, potato cakes and grits. I’ve got my eye on the country fried steak breakfast next time.

Dot’s Bull Pen restaurant is the kinda place you are treated like a local on your first visit. Top notch service, great ingredients, and low prices make this a standout on my list of go-to Dayton Diners. A few additional notes: Pies by Dayton’s Mehaffie pies filled the glass case and the Red Velvet Cake was calling my name as I left to get back to work.

Somehow this little corner diner, at the end of Aisle 1 has been a hidden gem for over 50 years. Next time you are shopping for ribs, brisket, burgers or tenderloins at Dot’s meat counter, treat yourself and stay for lunch. The Bull Pen, located at 2274 Patterson Rd in Kettering, and is open Monday to Saturday 7am – 7pm and Sundays 8am to 2pm.

Cowork at A Local Brewery

October 12, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

On Thursday, November 3, The Dayton Beer Company will be transformed into a coworking space!

Bring your laptop, notepad, and coffee mug for a day of working alongside some of Dayton’s most creative entrepreneurs, designers, developers, and change-makers!

Schedule for the Day*
8:30 am to 9:30 am – Meet November’s “Featured Entrepreneurs” and learn from their startup stories
9:30 am to 11:30 am – Open office hours (experts in legal advice, marketing, accounting, funding, and more)
11:30 am to 1:00 pm – Lunch with Nucleus; Dayton’s coworking pioneers talk about how the coshare has impacted their businesses
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Open office hours (experts in legal advice, marketing, accounting, funding, and more)
3:00 pm – Startup Grind with Pete Hilgeman; Q&A with the founder of Dayton Beer Co.
4:00 pm – Happy Hour

*open coworking available all day

November’s Featured Entrepreneurs
Jason Harrison, Present Tense Fitness
Jeff Graley, Mile Two
Theresa Steele, The Hathaway Group, LLC
Juanita Darden-Jones, Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar

Amenities: high speed wi-fi (powered by AT&T), free coffee from Third Perk, lunch, shuffleboard, arcade games, patio

Event Partners: Downtown Dayton Partnership, AT&T, Dayton Startup Grind, Dayton Tech Guide, Minority Business Assistance Center, Nucleus, Ohio SBDC Network

Please RSVP to Colleen Turner at 937.224.1518 ext. 221 or [email protected]

Patty Wagstaff: Preserve Wright Brothers’ Factory

October 11, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Air show legend Patty Wagstaff made her mark on aviation history by breaking gender barriers in aerobatic contests. Now, Wagstaff has added her voice to those urging the restoration of America’s first airplane factory—the Wright Company factory in Dayton.“I’m completely honored to be standing here,” Wagstaff says in a new video filmed inside the historic but unrestored factory. “I want to know what it was really like, and I think the only way you can do that is to make this place as real as it was, and bring it back to its original space.”

The National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA) announced the video on Tuesday, Oct. 11, as part of its continuing campaign to save the historic buildings for use as a national park. Wagstaff toured the factory in June when she was in town to fly in the annual Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger. The video is available on NAHA’s YouTube channel. Wagstaff’s video message follows one by David McCullough, author of the best-selling book The Wright Brothers, in which he declares the factory “important to the world” after touring it in April.

Wilbur and Orville Wright formed the Wright Company in 1909 and built the first of two factory buildings near their West Dayton bicycle shop in 1910. They added a matching building in 1911. The factory was the first in America built for the purpose of manufacturing airplanes. Besides the Wright brothers themselves, famous visitors to the factory have included such pioneer aviators as Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, later to become the first general of the Air Force, and Calbraith Perry “Cal” Rodgers, who made the first U.S. coast-to-coast flight in a Wright airplane dubbed the “Vin Fiz.”

About Patty Wagstaff:

First woman to win the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship in 1991, Wagstaff has garnered many aerobatic, air show and other awards in her flying career. The airplane she flew to win her first national is in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In 2004, she joined the company of Arnold, Rodgers and the Wright brothers as an enshrinee of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Restored to its original state, the Wright factory could spark new interest in aviation, Wagstaff says in the video. “Of course these buildings are worth saving. I really feel that aviation is under appreciated, and anything that we can do to highlight it, and (show) how important it is, and get people to understand it, and think about it, and appreciate it, is really, really important.”

NAHA is negotiating to buy the factory, several attached buildings and surrounding acreage from the current property owner. The property is the site of the former Delphi Home Avenue Plant, a 54-acre auto manufacturing complex that began with the original two Wright buildings. The site has been razed except for the row of buildings that includes the factory.

“I want to walk in and have a feeling for the way things were.… Who were these people that actually built the airplanes, and how were they the same as people today, and how were they different than people today?” Wagstaff says.

NAHA has raised approximately $2 million toward a goal of $4 million in public funds and private donations to acquire the site and begin restoration. Its plan is for the factory to become the Wright Factory Unit of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and to guide the redevelopment of the surrounding property in ways that complement the factory. Dayton Metro Library has committed to buy approximately seven acres of the site for its new West Branch library.

Help Choose The Next Big Read Book

October 10, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

Ballots will soon be cast not only for President, but also for the next Big Read title. Each spring, the Big Read invites Miami Valley residents to read and talk about the same book, which is chosen by popular vote.

Over the course of the summer, a selection committee of local librarians and volunteers narrowed an initial list of 48 titles down to four finalists. Votes can be cast at public libraries, academic libraries, Books & Co., or online at BigRead.org from September 12-October 23, 2016. The winning title will be announced at the end of October.

The four finalists for the 2017 Big Read are:

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters In the End by Atul Gawande
(Nonfiction) Gawande, a practicing surgeon, argues that quality of life is the desired goal for patients and families of the terminally ill. Full of eye-opening research and riveting storytelling, Being Mortal asserts that medicine can comfort and enhance our experience, providing not only a good life but also a good end.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
(Memoir) In a bold and personal literary exploration of America’s racial history, Ta-Nehisi Coates has written a series of essays to his adolescent son, exploring both personal and historical events. From his analysis of the concept of race, to the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement, Coates sums up the history of black people in the United States.

Lock In by John Scalzi
(Science Fiction) Written by a Hugo Award-winning local author from Bradford and set in the not too distant future, a virus has swept the globe causing 1% of the world’s population to become “locked in” – fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus. This is the background for a murder investigation that becomes something much more.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
(Biography) Drawing on nearly 1,000 letters of family correspondence plus diaries, notebooks and scrapbooks in the Library of Congress, McCullough tells the extraordinary American story of the two Dayton brothers who changed the world.

The Dayton Metro Library launched the Big Read in 2005 and it has been growing larger ever since.

“With the recent additions of Bradford Public Library and Wright State University, the Big Read now includes 11 public library systems and three academic libraries spread across eight counties, as well as a bookstore and a nonprofit literacy organization,” said Ben Murphy, Materials Selection Librarian at the Dayton Metro Library and co-chair of the Big Read. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to get people across the Miami Valley reading and talking about the same great book.”

Visit BigRead.org to cast your vote and get more information on the next Big Read, past Big Read books and scheduled activities. Voting closes October 23, 2016.

Dayton Philharmonic is looking for soul singers!

October 10, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra is looking for two singers to join them, along with Gavin Hope and our good friends Jeans ’n Classics, to perform on stage at the Schuster Center on January 28, 2017.
Official Judges (along with Dayton Residents) will select two talented winners, each of whom will sing lead vocals on a soul song—backed by the full Dayton Philharmonic and Jeans ’n Classics on January 28, 2017—for an audience of 2,000 music fans. The specific songs to be performed at the concert will be selected by Jeans ’n Classics, and both winners will sing with Gavin Hope and Jeans ’n Classics on the first half of the concert. Each Winner will receive four front-row tickets to Soulful with Gavin Hope.

FIRST, YOU NEED A VIDEO!
Post your video on YouTube and then complete the form on their website. Contestants must be 18 years or older and must have a permanent residence in Dayton, Ohio area counties (see list on pull-down menu below on form).

FIRST ROUND—A display web page of vocalists entering online will go live starting Sunday, October 16, 2016. These entrants will be vetted by Dayton Philharmonic staff. There will be a voting feature on the display page, and residents from the Miami Valley are encouraged to vote for their favorite candidates beginning Sunday, October 16, 2016. The Dayton vote tallies will be used, in concert with the Judges’ votes, to select a field of Finalists who will be identified and notified on November 3 by e-mail. All other contestants will be notified at that time as well. Finalists will be announced from the Schuster Center stage on Saturday, November 4 during the DPO Rockin’ Orchestra concert Landslide: The Music of Fleetwood Mac.

IMPORTANT—You may list only one YouTube video, and to qualify, it must show you singing. Demonstrate your vocals, either with a background track or a capella, if you like. Of course, Dayton residents and Judges may choose to take into consideration any other videos or sound files currently on the web: other YouTube videos, your site if you have one, your Facebook page, etc. But the key starting point is the YouTube video URL that you provide below.

SECOND ROUND—Finalists will be invited to sing live on November 12, 2016 for a panel of Judges (competition starts at 7:00 pm and ends as late as 11 pm). This event will be held at The Dayton Beer Company; Beer Hall & Production Brewery (Downtown Dayton, 41 Madison Street, Dayton, OH 45402) and will be open to the general public. Contestants will be provided a background track, microphone and sound equipment. Judges will attend personally. The Final Winners will be selected at this time by the Judges on the basis of vocal talent, stage presence, general demeanor, and overall grasp of the soul and R&B genres.

FINAL WINNERS—Public announcement of the two Final Winners will occur on December 9, 2016, 8:00 pm at the Hometown Holiday SuperPops concert with Dayton Philharmonic and announced via WROU and in the Dayton Daily News on Sunday, December 11. A press photo opportunity for Dayton Soul Singers Search will be scheduled at 7:30 before the Hometown Holiday concert on December 9.

PERFORMANCE DATE: JANUARY 28, 2017—Two Winners will perform at the DPO Rockin’ Orchestra concert Jeans ’n Classics presents Soulful featuring Gavin Hope at 8:00 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2017.

OFFICIAL JUDGES
. Peter Brennan—arranger, guitarist, Jeans ’n Classics founder
. Neal Gittleman—artistic director and conductor, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
. Faith Daniels—WROU Program Director and On-Air Personality

Chocolate For The Cause

October 10, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

All month long Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe is spotlighting Breast Cancer Awareness and raising funds for the cause! They will be donating 20% of a different item sold each week. Proceeds from these sales will go to the Kettering Medical Center Foundation to provide mammograms for local under/served and under/insured. You can help them make a difference in women’s lives with early detection!

Remember those pretzel rods with the caramel, toffee chips and chocolate that you dream about? Well, this weeks fundraising efforts involve just that pretzel! 20% of all sales of their famous Bellbrook Pretzel will be donated to KMC Foundation for use in local breast cancer screening. This is a great time to stock up ~ these pretzels make great little gifts for Teachers, Hair Stylists, Friends and more! This discount runs through Oct 15th.

Next week (Oct 16th – 22nd) the family owned business that has operating for 32 years will apply the 20% donation to all boxed chocolate. Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe takes pride in their special blend of light and dark chocolates and hand dip all their chocolates.

WEEK 4: Double Dipped Strawberries! (Oct. 23rd – 31st)

This week, 20% of all Double Dipped Strawberry sales will be donated to KMC Foundation for use in screening for breast cancer for the locally under/served and under/insured. We can make a difference with early detection!

FYI: October is our last month for strawberries this season. They will start up again in February! (Just in time for Valentine’s Day!)

You can visit Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe in the Cross Pointe Shopping Centre just off of I 675 at 101 E. Alex-Bell Rd., Suite 144, Centerville, OH 435459. And tell them MostMetro.com sent you!

Mystery Monday – October 10, 2016

October 10, 2016 By Tom Gilliam

Welcome to Week 35 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 34’s Mystery Photo is: Garden Station in Downtown Dayton along with a special appearance by my late beloved Scottish Terrier (aka Scottie) Lucy. I took this photo on September 22, 2016 during our final adventure together, the morning I had to have her put down after a short but painful illness. She would’ve been 12 years old on November 1, 2016.

Lucy Scott Terrier Gilliam

November 1, 2004 – September 22, 2016

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Like S of Beavercreek. Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!