Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Archives for June 2020

4 Course Porterhousre Dinner for Two at Lily’s

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Lily’s Bistro, in the Oregon District, will host Super Dad’s Backyard BBQ Porterhouse for Two this Friday, July 3rd.  This special event will feature a four course, summer themed, menu with Executive Chef Don Warfe grilling up the main course, a 22oz porterhouse for two, on their back patio.

 

“We’re very fortunate to have three patios at Lily’s that allows us to spread people out in a safe way.” said Emily Mendenhall, Partner and Managing Owner. “We wanted to use these patios as an opportunity to throw a special event and grilling out seemed to fit the season!”

 

Guests are invited to enjoy a summer centric menu for two that includes Buffalo Deviled Eggs, Antipasto Salad, 22oz Grilled Garlic Herb Porterhouse Steak, and a “Super Dad Brownie.” Cocktail and wine specials will be available for purchase at the event.

 

“We brought on Chef Don Warfe right before all businesses were shut down,” Mendenhall said. “He was incredibly helpful to get us through our transitioning phases with carryout and delivery but we’re excited to start showcasing his creative skills. This event will focus on his love of summer ingredients and cooking techniques.”

 

Super Dad’s Backyard BBQ Porterhouse for Two will happen this Friday at Lily’s Bistro with two seatings, 6:00pm and 8:30pm.

First Course:  Buffalo Deviled Eggs
Blue Cheese, celery and spicy tangy buffalo sauce.

Second Course:  Antipasto Salad
Pepperoncini, grape tomato, red onion, kalamata olives, ham, salami, artichoke hearts, feta, fresh parsley, with red wine herbed vinaigrette over chopped romaine.

Main Course:  22oz. Grilled Garlic Herb Porterhouse Steak
Flame grilled to temperature Porterhouse Steak with garlic basil compound butter. Served with roasted Cajun potato salad, and a side of Mexican street corn.

Fourth Course:  Super Dad Brownie
Double chocolate stout brownie, house made vanilla ice-cream with amarena cherries, topped with a Caramel drizzle.

Tickets are $85 for two people (tip included) and seating is limited to 20 tickets total. Tickets can be purchased at lilysbistro.com

DAI To Reopen, Oktoberfest Cancelled

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The Dayton Art Institute (DAI), closed since March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced it will reopen to members on Friday, July 10 and to the general public on Friday, July 17. The museum will reopen with limited hours of 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, noon–5 p.m. on Sundays.

“After nearly fourth months apart, we are thrilled to finally welcome our members and the community back to the museum,” said DAI Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. “The safety of both our staff and guests has been of the utmost importance, and the public will see a number of measures in place to ensure that everyone has a safe and positive experience at the museum.”

 

The museum also announced that, due to ongoing uncertainties related to COVID-19 and large gatherings, it will cancel all three of its 2020 Signature Events–Art Ball, Bourbon & Bubbles and Oktoberfest. Art Ball and Bourbon & Bubbles had previously been postponed, and Oktoberfest was scheduled to take place September 25–27.

“The decision to cancel our Signature Events, especially Oktoberfest, was a tremendously difficult one to make,” Roediger said. “Not only do they bring together so many people from throughout the region, but they are also our biggest fundraisers and contribute significant income to our operating budget each year.”

The DAI is asking those who purchased Bourbon & Bubbles tickets to consider donating the value of the tickets to the museum; the financial impact of COVID-19 on the museum is expected to exceed one million dollars this year. Ticket holders who would like to receive a refund should send requests via email to[email protected].

 

Roediger added, “Rest assured that Oktoberfest, as well as Art Ball and Bourbon & Bubbles, will be back, bigger and better than ever, in 2021. Oktoberfest, which was established in 1971, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. Through all of this, our event sponsors have continued to show tremendous support for the museum, and we will not let this setback diminish these community traditions.” The cancellation of the museum’s Signature Events does not affect wedding and event rentals at the museum.

The museum will launch a special “Virtual Oktoberfest” fundraiser in August, offering a limited-edition 2020 Oktoberfest package that includes an exclusive t-shirt and mug, as well as other unique items. More details will be announced in July, with updates and additional information posted at daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest. The DAI extends a special thanks to Bonbright Distributors, which will continue as Presenting Sponsor of the Virtual Oktoberfest.

 

When the museum reopens on July 10, new policies and safety measures will be in place to protect staff and guests, as recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health. These include:

 

  • Physical distancing measures to ensure guests remain six feet from others not in their group
  • All staff and guests will be required to wear face coverings while visiting the museum
  • Enhanced cleaning procedures in place throughout the museum
  • Protective shields installed at the museum’s Guest Services Desk

 

All museum tours will be self-guided, in-person programs and interactive activities will not be available at this time, and The Lange Family Experiencenter will remain closed.

 

More information about museum policies and procedures, as well as planning a visit, will be available at daytonartinstitute.org/visit and posted to the museum’s social media pages.

 

The DAI’s Museum Store will also reopen on July 10, and the Special ExhibitionSamurai, Ghosts and Lovers: Yoshitoshi’s Complete 100 Aspects of the Moon has been extended through September 13. The Focus Exhibitions Photographs from the Collection, Swashbuckling Samurai and In the Company of Friends: The Kettering and Patterson Legacy will also be on view when the DAI reopens.

 

“We’re especially excited to be able to extend the Samurai, Ghosts and Loversexhibition, which had been on view for less than three weeks when the museum closed,” said DAI Chief Curator Jerry Smith. “Many expressed disappointment about not having gotten a chance to see it, and we look forward to welcoming the community back to explore this amazing collection.”

 

Advance tickets are not required to visit the museum, but capacity may be limited in some collection galleries and the Special Exhibition. Museum general admission, which includes the collection galleries and all exhibitions, is $15 adults, $10 seniors (60+), active military and groups (10 or more), $5 students (18+ w/ID) and youth (ages 7-17), free for children (ages 6 & younger) and museum members.

 

Corner Kitchen Shuts Its Doors

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After just having reopened with a quick-serve concept earlier this month, the husband and wife owners who opened  Corner Kitchen five years ago have decided against operating during the pandemic and posted this on their Facebook Page today:

 

It is with a profoundly heavy heart that we write this, but we cannot ignore the situation in which we find ourselves. We are officially closing Corner Kitchen indefinitely.

Throughout the Miami Valley, we have felt so much love and support from the day we opened five years ago. We know that the passion of our hard-working staff provided so many memorable dinners and led to many, many friendships. However, the challenges of the current pandemic and the affect that it has on restaurant businesses has made us analyze the viability of continuing to operate. While we reopened with a change to our concept, we realize that we had to make a departure from what has come to be expected of us and the Corner Kitchen dining experience.

A restaurant operates with a tacit public trust that the top priority is the health and well-being of the guests that they serve and the staff that they employ, and that has always been paramount for us. Neither our new model nor our previous model can survive in this current climate with our expense load and reduction in volume. We simply cannot find a financial model in any iteration of the dozens of scenarios that we have explored without either operating in an unsafe environment or incurring insurmountable debt.

Although this is the hardest decision that we have ever made, it is one that would be irrational to delay or foolish to ignore. Our initial hiatus and reopening planning during stay-at-home provided us with precious time as a family, a challenge for all restaurant owners, and that perspective has also made us rethink and focus on our future at home.

We implore you to continue to support our local, independent restaurants. They need you more than ever.

We shall cherish all of the memories that our community shared with us. We are sorry that we couldn’t do more, and we are utterly heartbroken, we will miss all of you – we will miss the joy that you brought to our lives. Thank you for helping make our dream come true.

With great regret we say goodbye to Corner Kitchen,
Jack and Natalie

 

We can’t imagine what an agonizing decision this must have been, and we wish the Skilliter family the very best for their future.  A true loss for the Dayton culinary world.

An Interview with Jared Grandy- Former Community-Police Relations Coordinator

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Daytonians joined activists around the country at the end of May in rising up against police brutality following George Floyd’s state-sanctioned murder in Minneapolis over Memorial Day Weekend. All of this led to an awakening of sorts, wherein white people rather suddenly seemed to come to an understanding that racism hadn’t, in fact, been eliminated in the 1960s and anti-Black racism continues to be a driving force in every imaginable sector of American life.

In the absence of a robust organized resistance, Dayton city leadership and police were able to squash local discontent by Sunday, May 31st, when a 7 PM curfew enforced by armored military vehicles, helicopters, and eerily fascist police announcements threatening arrest cleared the streets, paving the way for Mayor Nan Whaley to declare “Black Lives Matter” even after her city government used the very tactics activists have been marching in the streets to dismantle.

It was against the backdrop that I wanted to speak to someone who’s been at the forefront of trying to solve the problem of municipal police states since well before white people began paying attention. Jared Grandy is the former community-police relations coordinator whose resignation coincided with the national unrest over police brutality. The story he told me over a nearly 90-minute talk holds stark lessons for how high the mountain is that we must climb in Dayton if we care as much about equality and justice as public proclamations and social media say we do.

Jared Grandy

Grandy was the type of civil servant every Daytonian should want out of a city worker. Born and raised in Dayton and a graduate of our public schools who found his passion for learning at Sinclair Community College before undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati and law school at Northern Kentucky University, he represents the best of who we can be as a city. 

What he found, however, when he assumed the community-police relations coordinator role, however, wasn’t a welcome mat rolled out for someone with deep roots, a solid legal understanding, and a passion for the city. Instead he ran face-first into Dayton’s bipartisan white supremacist foundation.

Jared Grandy: The reason I was interested in that particular position [community-police relations coordinator], is because at the time I was naive enough to think that, you know, there was a difference that could actually be made locally.

By that time, I mean, that was 2016, so we’ve seen Trayvon Martin, Alton Sterling, Michael Brown, John Crawford, on and on and on, and I just thought this was an opportunity to make a significant difference in my local community, in my hometown, the town I know and love so much, and you know over time it just became apparent that it wasn’t the case that we were there to make any significant change. 

Jason Harrison: What made you think that? Well, how quickly did you make that realization?

Grandy: Relatively quickly. Within a few months I realized that [Dayton Police] Chief  [Richard] Biehl and the Commission to a certain extent wasn’t interested in having the difficult conversation. You would hear Chief Biehl even say to this day that the CPC (community-police council) was about mutual accountability which is another way of saying that you know the community is responsible for ending its own gun violence and we’re here to help with that process. And I don’t necessarily disagree with that, right? That idea of mutual accountability, yes, we are responsible for our community but don’t make that assumption that there aren’t people working on those issues. You know there’s pastors and youth leaders and private organizations that’s been working on gun violence in the urban environment for years across the country.

Harrison: It’s the old trope about “black on black crime.” Just because you’re not aware of the work that’s being done—

Grandy: Correct. That’s exactly it. And Chief is smart enough and savvy enough to not say “black on black crime,” you know he just says “mutual accountability” instead.

Harrison: It’s rebranded.

Grandy: Yeah. It’s just rebranded. That’s my issue with Chief Biehl specifically is he’s so good about using the same old tropes, rebranding them, sounding progressive, sounding liberal, and I think the community gets confused about what they got. With Trump, we know exactly what we have. When you tweet “when the looting starts, the shooting starts,” that’s a pretty clear message, right? But when you say, you know, we’re working on this issue, we care, you think you have somebody who’s listening and progressive but in reality the policies that are implemented are no different than what a conservative like Trump would implement. And that’s what we get stuck with. 

The Dayton Daily News reported Grandy’s resignation as the community-police relations coordinator on June 3rd, just hours before Mayor Nan Whaley held a press conference announcing five police “reforms.” The timing of the city’s press conference—just hours after the Dayton Daily report on Grandy’s resignation—raises questions about whether that press conference was intended not to begin a process of reform but to distract us from Grandy’s message. (Two of the five reforms are mere continuations of existing policy).

Aside from Grandy’s eloquent rage, what I found most interesting about the article was how Chief Biehl used time-honored tactics intended to silence, dismiss, and discredit. But the quotes attributed to the chief fail to puncture Grandy’s arguments and instead serve to highlight just how steeped in supporting status quo white supremacist notions of “objectivity” the Dayton city government is.

Responding to Grandy’s contention that the Dayton police have a “warrior-like” mentality—an accusation I’ve heard from other people close to police officers—Biehl didn’t offer a substantive response, and instead chose only to offer that “Grandy’s three-year experience doesn’t compare to the decade-long relationship his department has with the Community Police Council.”

This is the part of Grandy’s story that I think is worth every Daytonian considering, and it’s a story that every Black person in this country will find familiar. The city was hostile to the idea of meaningfully transforming the police, Grandy recognized this quickly, and left when his conscience wouldn’t allow him to continue giving the city cover for its anti-Black policies. Then that resignation is used as proof that somehow Grandy isn’t serious about making positive change, despite the fact that he’s dedicated his entire professional life to the uplift and security of Black people. 

Grandy simply wasn’t “objective” enough to do his job—which led to two separate write-ups in his personnel file—but the problem is how that objectivity has been traditionally defined in Dayton and around the country. White people have always been in charge of defining who is objective and who isn’t. They’ve even been able to define what data are and are not objective. 

When Grandy and I spoke at my personal training studio, the tense protests that had swept through the country were still fresh. So I brought up an infamous moment from Buffalo when police officers brazenly pushed an elderly man, causing him to fall, hit his head, and sustain serious injuries. Here’s how a police spokesman initially described the event:

“…a 5th person was arrested during a skirmish with other protestors and also charged with disorderly conduct. During that skirmish involving protestors, one person was injured when he tripped & fell.”

Tripped and fell. Thankfully there was a viral video to show otherwise.

Harrison: The passive language is how they’ve been able to get away with it.

Grandy: So, okay. While I was with the CPC, for two years in a row we commissioned and released this data report. Right? And the findings were that the vast majority of use of force incidents that were reported were investigated by the professional standards bureau and those officers were exonerated, right? You could look it up, but I think it was 847 instances of use of force and 841 of the incidents were exonerated.

Harrison: 841 out of 847.

Grandy: Yes. Meaning that, you know, yes, the use of force happened, but the use of force was sanctioned and all was good, right? 

Harrison: Honestly when you said that I was thinking it would be like 80 percent or something like that. That’s damn near 100 percent. 

Grandy: Almost 100 percent. I mean, for statistical purposes that’s 100 percent.

I did look it up, by the way. Grandy’s recollection was exactly right: 841 out of 847 exonerations. You can read the 2018 report here.

Grandy: I was no longer interested in commissioning that data report because the data itself was so biased and it told a false story. Because the data suggests that yes we arrest people and yes we use force but the force is necessary. If the police determine what force is necessary then of course there is going to be a bias.

Which is why I talked to Dr. Richard Stock from the University of Dayton who we paid to do the report, and he said “I can’t figure out how to account for that bias.” So I’m like I’m not doing it anymore because I’m not advancing the narrative that cops are using force legitimately for all practical purposes 100 percent of the time. 

Harrison: This is like the racist claim that like, well Black people commit more crime. 

Grandy: Yeah. For sure. For sure. It advances that. And if you read the FOP response to my resignation they use that in there. They say well Jared Grandy praised the police and reported that most use of force was legitimate. And that’s such a mischaracterization of what happened. Yes, I did at the time praise the professional standards bureau for the way they do their investigations. It was very transparent. It seemed to be thorough. But they left out the part, which never made it to Commission because Commission is this Disney presentation, you know, it’s not meant for hard-hitting conversation. It’s a PowerPoint slide for goodness sakes. Right? But you know, to take that presentation without the context of the conversations that had prior to that presentation and prior to that report where we discussed at length the implicit bias and favor of the police department in this data. So I was frustrated.

Harrison: Did you find that a tension between being a city employee and doing that work?

Grandy: Yeah. I mean, yes. 

Harrison: That’s a perfect example of like, that was a big part of a conversation, but then when it comes to present it publicly there’s pressure—

Grandy: For sure. For sure.

Harrison: There’s a machine here now.

Grandy: Correct. That’s what I’m getting at. There’s a machine. Everything is hunky dory coming out of the commission. Everything is hunky dory when the mayor speaks. So as a city employee, as somebody who works directly under the commission as an HRC employee, of course. Of course I feel the pressure to get on board with that culture, because if I’m the one dissenting opinion then I am the one who is, you know, you have to get rid of that right? 

Jared Grandy is one of the rare people who has been willing to sacrifice the comfort of his public service job to sound the alarm for the rest of us, all the while offering a discomfiting glimpse inside the Democratic Party machine that stands in the way of the transformation necessary to build equality for Black people in the city of Dayton.

I asked Grandy about those personnel write-ups mentioned in the Dayton Daily News article. He said that people were more upset that that was included in the article about his resignation than he was. 

Grandy: People were a lot more offended on my behalf than I actually was. I’m like “Yes! I had a problem being objective. Like, sure, I’m a Black man, of course I’m going to side with the people every time. The thing is they wanted me to be an objective facilitator of conversation. Which at times I tried to be, but over time I realized that some of these people [from the community] wanted me to open the door for more contentious conversation so as to feel like we were making some progress because beforehand, my first year-and-a-half in, I’d invite people to CPC and kid you not, I quote, “Jared this is bullshit I don’t want to be a part of this,” right? “Because why are we here? We’re not talking any of the things that really matter to the community.” 

What Grandy did was even the playing field for ideas, such that the voice of the people was elevated to be equal to those of the officials in power. He had the temerity to declare their lens of the world as critically important in a city and a country that views the white lens as normative. 

Grandy: I wanted to give them permission to talk about the issues that they really cared about. Prior to that moment what we had, was, you know, even though we had very smart courageous people on the CPC, it’s intimidating to have the chief of police, the city manager, the commissioners, sitting there, and they took advantage of that power dynamic and they really controlled the narrative.

The Dayton Daily News article about Grandy’s resignation was a case study in attempting to control the narrative. “Grandy has struggled to maintain neutrality in his role as community-police relations coordinator and serve as a facilitator, instead of an advocate, according to a January 2020 performance improvement plan in his personnel file.”

But Grandy isn’t ashamed of those write-ups. He’s proud. And we should be too. 

Grandy: That whole article to me was like, yes, indeed, I did all of this stuff. When my grandkids read this article they’ll be proud because I’m on the right side of history.

Springboro Summer Concert Series in On!

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Springboro is bringing the heat with their Concerts in the Park Series at the North Park Amphitheater, 195 Tamarack Trail. Sing along to your favorite tunes as the City of Springboro and Park Board present a terrific lineup that includes 7 FREE concerts on Tuesday and Friday evenings.

In response to COVID-19 restrictions and the ongoing risk of coronavirus, the City will follow all recommendations from Warren County Health District and the State of Ohio. Please stay at home if you don’t feel well. The City will monitor the number of attendees, the seating area will be marked for social distancing and the following procedures will be implemented:

  • Facial coverings are recommended but not required;
  • Seating is open one hour prior to the start of the concert (6 p.m. for Tuesday concerts and 6:30 p.m. for Friday concerts);
  • No chairs may be placed at the amphitheater in advance;
  • Hand sanitation stations will be available in the concert area;
  • Social distancing is encouraged in the seating areas and food and beverage lines;
  • There will be one entrance and one exit for the seating area.

Please note that approvals for large gatherings along with other events may change, per the direction of the County or State. If new restrictions or orders are issued, they will update their Facebook page and website.

Tuesday concerts start at 7 p.m. and feature an eclectic mix of music along with concessions by the Rotary Club of Springboro.

Friday concerts start at 7:30 p.m. We’re keeping the classic rock flame burning with tribute bands. In addition, enjoy concessions by the Rotary Club of Springboro and food trucks by El Meson, Craves, Dickey’s BBQ and Kona Ice. Beer sales—supporting Wee Panthers Football will be available if approved by the State of Ohio.

Bring your own seating—we’re ready for summer!

July 10: The Little Mermen

July 14: Velvet Crush

July 17: The Heart of Rock & Roll—Tribute to Huey Lewis & The News

July 21: Drive

July 24: ABBA MIA—Tribute Band

July 28: MAD Women

July 31:  Resurrection—Tribute to Journey

Young’s Jersey Dairy Offering Independence Day Family Value Week

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Young’s Jersey Dairy is offering a  special Family Value wristband good for all day, unlimited family fun at Young’s Jersey Dairy valid now through July 5th. Play Udders & Putters miniature golf, batting cages, driving range, Moovers & Shakers, Cowvin’s Fast Slide, and Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral. Each wristband is good for all day fun on the date purchased.

Each wristband is good for all day fun on the date purchased. Cost is $15 (ages 12 & over), $9 (ages 11 & under).

1993 - Original Miniature Golf Course

Udders & Putters

10am-10pm Daily

(Miniature Golf, Driving Range & Batting Cages)

11am-7pm Daily

(Moovers & Shakers, Cowvin’s Fast Slide & Cowvin’s Kiddie Corral)

feeding goats

Farm Animal Petting Area & Barn

11am-7pm Daily

 

 

Covered Batting Cages

The nine position batting cage was added in 1996 is the best in the area.  It features slow & fast pitch softball as well as 4 different speeds of baseball.

Cowvin’s Fast Slide

An exciting addition to the fun at Young’s is a three-lane slide at Udders & Putters!  The location of the slide is between the batting cages and the driving range.  Cowvin’s Fast Slide Ride is just another reason to visit Young’s this summer for family fun. Children must be 42” tall to ride Cowvin’s Fast Slide.

 

Young’s Jersey Dairy
6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd
Yellow Springs, OH 45387

General Information/The Dairy Store: (937) 325-0629

Tour de Donut and Donut Jam Cancel 2020 Event

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The 2020 Tour de Donut and the Donut Jam are cancelled due to the Coronavirus. The Tour de Donut was originally scheduled for Saturday, August 29th, and Donut Jam was to take place on Friday, August 28th and Saturday, August 29th.

The cancellation of these events is due to the restrictions that the State of Ohio has placed on large mass gatherings and the uncertainty of when these restrictions will be lifted. There are a lot of moving parts with an event of this magnitude and many people travel from all over the country to participate. The committee felt this was the best decision to keep Miami County communities and residents safe.

“This was not an easy decision to make, but the safety of our riders, runners, volunteers and Miami County residents is our top priority right now.” said Roger Bowersock, Tour de Donut Event Owner. “We are excited to begin planning for 2021 to bring the Donut back bigger and better than ever.

For 2021, the Tour de Donut will take place on Saturday, August 28th with the Donut Jam on August 27th and 28th. Any registrations purchased for 2020 will be honored at the 2021 event.

Dayton at Work and Play: Sue Eckert, Greive Hardware Owner

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One thing that makes an area unique is its small businesses. Everyplace has Walmart, Lowe’s and McDonald’s, but the local businesses give a place character. One of my favorite local businesses is Greive Hardware, owned by Sue Eckert.

“This business was started by my father in 1955,” Sue told me. “I worked here a lot as I was growing up, and when I graduated from U. D. Dad asked if I would manage one of our locations for a while. I never left.”

“We’ve been busy throughout the pandemic. People who were stuck at home have been doing projects, and we’ve been selling them the supplies they need. Some of our older workers are staying home for their safety, but the younger workers stepped up and we’ve been fine. Our main challenge now is getting new product to keep our shelves stocked.”

“My dog Sadie only works with me part time. She’s here on Thursdays. The weekends are too busy for her, but Thursday is just right.”

Greive Hardware has two Kettering locations – 3089 Far Hills and 1219 East Stroop. If you haven’t been there you should stop in. They are a great old fashioned style hardware store where you can get the advice you need and where you can find things you can’t get at chain stores.

Downtown Dayton Retail Lab Now Accepting Applications

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The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP), along with its small business development partners, is inviting business owners to apply to the first session of the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab, an intensive 12-week experience for business owners aiming to launch or grow their first-floor business in downtown Dayton.

 

The Retail Lab has two main goals: Continue energizing downtown with vibrant storefronts and unique restaurants, and provide a supportive pathway into the downtown market for emerging first-floor entrepreneurs, especially women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

“The small businesses that line our streets and sidewalks provide the amenities that make downtown so attractive to residents, visitors, and employers,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, president of the DDP. “We are excited to offer the Retail Lab to support and accelerate these businesses as they emerge from the economic shutdown.”

Each round of the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab will provide a series of workshops, pitch events, and pilot opportunities that connect the participating businesses to the people, ideas, capital, and resources that will help them thrive and grow in downtown Dayton. Workshops will generally be held virtually and include facilitated instruction, work sessions with mentors, and occasional in-person activities with appropriate health precautions.

Eligible businesses include boutiques, shops, cafes, studios, and restaurants – any consumer business that adds to the vibrancy of downtown’s sidewalks. Applicants should either be located in downtown Dayton or aiming to launch downtown in the next 6 to 12 months. Interested small business owners can find more information, including the program application, at DowntownDayton.org/retail-lab. Applications for the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab will be accepted through July 14, with the program slated to begin in August.

 

The Retail Lab leverages support from many business resource partners including The Entrepreneurs Center, the Miami Valley Small Business Development Center, Five Rivers MetroParks – 2nd Street Market, Launch Dayton, CityWide Development, and The Hub at the Dayton Arcade.

 

“Our community has an exceptional network of resources and mentors who are ready to help business owners succeed,” said AJ Ferguson, project manager with the DDP and coordinator of the Retail Lab program. “The Retail Lab assembles them into a course that will challenge business owners to make a substantial push to improve or launch their downtown store.”

 

The Retail Lab is offered at no cost for these small businesses. In addition to the support businesses receive through the workshops, each participant is eligible for up to $2,500 in professional services from creative, legal, and financial firms to advance their business.

 

Questions about the Retail Lab should be directed to AJ Ferguson, fer,[email protected] or call (937) 681-9793.

 

Hans Unser named Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame inductee

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Hans Unser, who has been involved with local theatre for nearly 20 years, is the 2020 Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame inductee.


Unser, 86, currently serves on the Beavercreek Community Theatre Board of Directors and is the organization’s facilities manager as well. His theatre associations include Dayton Theatre Guild, Town Hall Theatre, Sinclair Community College, Dayton Playhouse, Dare to Defy Productions, and Springfield Arts Council. He has notably assisted in the construction and painting of nearly 100 sets, served on stage crew for numerous shows, and has stage managed others. In particular, he is typically seen atop a 12 foot ladder painting a set, hanging teasers or changing light bulbs.

He moved to Dayton in 1996 from California after retiring from the film industry, first as a film editor. In fact, the Beach Blanket genre contains his handiwork. He eventually formed his own subtitle company. He is also a veteran and received a purple heart during the Korean Conflict.

Due to COVID-19, this year’s DayTony gala and Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame ceremony has been canceled. However, Unser will be honored at next year’s gala. The DayTony Awards for excellence and merit will be announced Saturday, July 25. Organizers say recipients will be able to pick up their awards at the theatres where the performances took place. “We will miss the opportunity to celebrate together this year,” said DayTony President and Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame member Debra Strauss. “But I look forward to how wonderful it will be to honor our friends and colleagues next year.”

McCoy on Movies: Irresistible Skewers Modern Politics

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“Hmmm … Do you think that the NFL is going to have a season this fall or no?” Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell) and Diana Hastings (Mackenzie Davis) ponder their next move in a scene from writer/director Jon Stewart’s political satire IRRESISTIBLE. Credit: Daniel McFadden / Focus Features.

 

WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:




KEY CAST MEMBERS: Steve Carell, Chris Cooper, Rose Byrne, Mackenzie Davis, Topher Grace, Natasha Lyonne, CJ Wilson, Brent Sexton and Will Sasso DIRECTOR(S): Jon Stewart

WEB SITE: www.watchirresistible.com

THE BACK STORY: A story of politics and tricks, Irresistible stars Steve Carell as Gary Zimmer. A strategist for the Democratic party, Gary is seeking a candidate that can galvanize the party — and more importantly, the general public – as a potential future presidential candidate.


And that’s when he comes across a viral video shot in Deerlaken, Wisconsin featuring Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper).


A retired Marine colonel, Jack’s speech at a local city council catches Gary’s attention as it has everything he could want in a candidate: Passion, emotional appeal and all American values with compassion for his fellow man. Intrigued, Gary heads to Deerlaken to convince Jack to run for office while getting to know his daughter Diana (Mackenzie Davis). Problem is, once Gary sees the opportunity to turn Jack into a star, his Republican strategist rival Faith Brewster (Rose Byrne) arrives on the scene to help the town’s incumbent mayor (Brent Sexton) win at any cost. 


So, what happens when small town America becomes the center of the political universe? A story that, as the events are set to prove, makes politics as unusual irresistible. 

THE REVIEW: Written and directed by Jon Stewart (yes, the former host of The Daily Show), Irresistible is a classic slow build comedy where sitting through the lead up to the payoff can at times feel a little like a chore – until the payoff hits.Carell is much like a smarter, savvier version of his former Michael Scott persona from The Office days with Byrne serving as a very Kellyanne Conway-esque foil to his character. Likewise, Cooper – ever great at playing the older everyman – turns in another solid performance to add to his extensive resume while showing a softer side than he typically gets to exhibit. And Davis is competent enough to do everything her character needs to do in a believable fashion to keep things moving along.

The thing, as alluded to above, that makes Irresistible a solid watch is the film’s last 15 minutes in which the point of the film hits home. Given Stewart’s knowledge (and well-known) critique of the American political system as it stands today, Irresistible sharply skewers everything from cable news, viral videos, the selling of a candidate’s image versus what they actually believe and of course, the two party system as a whole. While not re-inventing the wheel in any sense, Irresistible‘s biggest joke comes in showing how much the current setup is primed to show the joke is on all of us.

In doing so, the film packs enough laughs to show why, without major change, our current political system is quite possibly no laughing matter.

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

 
 

Today is a “Day of Giving” For the Arts

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Today is the first-ever Day Of Giving for Dayton’s performing arts! Our stages have been dark for more than three months. That means Dayton’s performing arts organizations have canceled or postponed hundreds of performances and are facing a multimillion-dollar loss through the end of the calendar year. The Day of Giving is a completely online fundraiser that will feature updates from your favorite performing arts organizations: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Dance Initiative, Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, Dayton Live, Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, Dayton Philharmonic), and The Human Race Theatre Company. You can donate now at daytonlive.org/giving or by texting CREATE to 243 725!

Make a difference in the future of performing arts in Dayton and donate today!

NEON Newsletter: Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Nighy & ReOpening News!

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Hello NEON Fans.
Once again, we’re moving right along in our Virtual Cinema.  Today marks the start of a new, charming & stylized dramedy starring Bill Nighy – SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER.  On Friday, we will open a fantastic new documentary about the “First Lady of Song” – ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
Also this Friday, we’re doing a very soft, quiet reopening.  Just 2 shows per day for one week so we can get our feet wet again and introduce some new mechanics of our operations. (Below, I have outlined some of our new procedures.)  For one week only, starting this Friday, you can come see MISS JUNETEENTH or WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR on the big screen for just $5.

 

On July 3, we’ll open two brand new films in person. First off is the inspiring documentary JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE.  We’ll also open THE TRUTH – starring the powerhouse talents of Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche, and Ethan Hawke – directed by Hirokazu Koreeda (director of SHOPLIFTERS).

 

Synopsis for SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER in our VIRTUAL CINEMA: “Alan (Bill Nighy) is a stylish tailor with moves as sharp as his suits. However, he’s spent years searching for his missing son Michael, who stormed out over a game of Scrabble and hasn’t been seen since. With a body to identify and his family torn apart, Alan must repair his relationship with his youngest son. Worst of all, he must solve the mystery of an online player who might just be Michael–and find the right words before it’s too late.” You can watch this film on your computer or mobile device as well as some smart TVs.  For more details about available devices, please visit the Eventive’s HELP page. Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.
Synopsis for ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS in our Virtual Cinema: “Ella Fitzgerald was a 15 year-old street kid when she won a talent contest in 1934 at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Within months she was a star. ELLA FITZGERALD: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS follows her extraordinary journey over six decades as her sublime voice transforms the tragedies of her own life and the troubles of her times into joy. The film uses never-before-seen images and unheard interviews to bring Ella Fitzgerald to life and to tell the story of her music – a black woman who makes her career in the face of horrifying racism. Here is an Ella the world never knew – tough, thoughtful, funny, a dazzling musical innovator. The film also uncovers Ella’s commitment to the battle for Civil Rights; and it explores the conflicts that always haunted this intensely private woman: the struggle to reconcile her hunger for adoring audiences with her longing for a domestic life with her husband and son. At a time when she was the biggest singing star in the world, her pianist and friend Oscar Peterson said Ella was ‘the loneliest woman in the world.’ But as Jamie Cullum says ‘her music is one of the reasons it’s worth being on this planet.’ Featuring interviews with: Tony Bennett, Jamie Cullum, Laura Mvula, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Cleo Laine, Andre Previn, Norma Miller, Patti Austin, Izsak Perlman, Margo Jefferson, Will Friedwald and a rare interview with Ella’s son, Ray Brown Jr.” (Eagle Rock Entertainment) Here’s a bonus for our virtual fans: Join us for a live video conversation on Sunday, June 28 at 7PM with author & music critic WIll Friedwald, the film’s producer Reggie Nadelson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author/journalist Margo Jefferson and composer, multi-instrumentalist & vocalist Camille Thurman.  Click this LINK to sign up for this special Q&A.  You can watch this film on your computer or mobile device as well as some smart TVs.  For more details about available devices, please visit the Eventive’s HELP page. This film will be available starting this Friday, June 26 in our Virtual Cinema.  Click the image below to watch the trailer and pre-order 72 hour access to the film for $12.
Synopsis for MISS JUNETEENTH – In-Person Screenings: “Turquoise Jones is a single mom who holds down a household, a rebellious teenager, and pretty much everything that goes down at Wayman’s BBQ & Lounge. Turquoise is also a bona fide beauty queen — she was once crowned Miss Juneteenth, a title commemorating the day slaves in Texas were freed – two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Life didn’t turn out as beautifully as the title promised, but Turquoise, determined to right her wrongs, is cultivating her daughter, Kai, to become Miss Juneteenth, even if Kai wants something else.” (Vertical Entertainment) Click the image below to watch the trailer!
Synopsis for WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? – In-Person Screenings: In the summer of 2018, we opened this quiet and lovely film…and it quickly skyrocketed to becoming our biggest hit of the year and our highest grossing documentary of all time at THE NEON.  We’re bringing it back…because we need Mr. Roger’s wisdom and compassion more than ever. “For over thirty years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, MISTER ROGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life’s weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn’t been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn’t been since. Though he may be best known today as a soft-spoken, cardigan-wearing children’s television host, in reality, Fred Rogers’ career represents a sustained attempt to present a coherent, beneficent view about how we should best speak to children about important matters and how television could be used as a positive force in our society.” (Focus Features) Click the image below to watch the film’s trailer.
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We are delighted to keep the following films available in our Virtual Cinema for another week (they will only be available until June 30):
 
Don’t Miss This Film starring WSU grad Jasmine Batchelor!  Local critic Russell Florence calls this film the “First best film of 2020.” THE SURROGATE: “Jess is thrilled to be the surrogate for her best friend and his husband, but when a prenatal test comes back positive, it creates a moral dilemma that threatens their friendship.” (Monument Releasing)  You can watch the film on your computer or mobile device as well as AppleTV, Roku and Chromecast. Click the image below to gain 72 hour access to this film for $12.
Synopsis for MISS JUNETEENTH: You can watch the film on your computer or mobile device as well as AppleTV, Roku and Chromecast. Click the image below to gain 72 hour access to this film for $6.99.
Synopsis for QUARANTINE CAT FILM FEST: “QUARANTINE CAT FILM FESTIVAL is a compilation reel that brings together the cutest, funniest, bravest, and most loving cat videos from more than 1,200 submissions filmed during the COVID-19 Quarantine.” This collection is available to watch on your computer or mobile device.  It is also available for your SmartTV via mirroring or via an HDMI hookup.  Click the image below to watch the trailer and gain 72 hour access for $12.
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The DAYTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL has already nearing an end…how is that possible?  That said, there are still a few films for you to see, and you can gain FREE access to their virtual selections and on-line events! Though we certainly miss hosting this fantastic festival at THE NEON, we think they’ve made a wise decision to move forward virtually this year!! Check out their awesome line-up by clicking the image below!  It’s their 20th anniversary, and they’re making all the screenings and on-line discussions FREE (including talk-backs & comedians)…and it’s very easy to sign up!
Wanna know what’s coming down the road in our virtual cinema? (Click any title to watch that film’s trailer.)  On July 1, we will open a powerful Sundance film about a young Black man exploring his roots and struggling with what it all means – THE LAST TREE.  On July 8, we plan to open ONE SMALL STEP – a collection of animated short films that are family-friendly!  On July 17, we hope to open THE TOBACCONIST – both virtually and in-person – a film I saw and loved at The Cleveland International Film Festival last year. And sometime later in July, we will open a film called CREATING A CHARACTER – a film about a famous Julliard acting instructor who has helped many incredible performers reach greatness.  We’re also hoping to pair this with a community discussion from a handful of directors & performing artists with local ties.

 

Due to new guidelines for keeping staff and customers healthy during the current crisis, we are in the process of “figuring out” reserved seating.  If you want to sit next to someone, you’ll need to purchase tickets in the same transaction.  The software we are using will automatically block off three seats between parties – so if you buy a single ticket, there’s no chance for someone to sit next to you. If you’re the first person to reserve a seat in a row (on-line or in-person), we ask that you choose a seat that’s on the aisle or along the wall…this will allow us to maximize our capacity.  This is going to be a big learning curve for us – a full house will now be approximately 35% of our actual capacity.

 

Here is some of what we’re initially doing TO ENSURE THAT STAFF AND GUESTS STAY HEALTHY:
  • Masks are required for all staff and guests except when eating in an auditorium.
  • Our entrance to the building has moved to THE NEON’s patio doors.  This will streamline transactions and separate ticketing from food purchases.  Additional time between screenings will also minimize lobby traffic.
  • Commonly touched surfaces (door handles, will be sanitized every 30 minutes.
  • Floor markers will assist with social distancing, and hand sanitizers are located throughout the lobby.
  • Please arrive before the scheduled showtime.  Seating will begin approximately 40 minutes before each show.
  • In the auditoriums, every other row will be unavailable. Groups may sit together, but 3 seats will be required between parties in each row.
  • We have increased the time between screenings to allow us sufficient time to sanitize the auditoriums.  For additional assurance, seat wipes will also be available for customer use.
  • Please stay home if you have any of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, sore throat or new loss of taste/smell.
After all these weeks and hurdles, we finally have a DONATE button on our website.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to our non-profit, please visit this LINK.
We hope to see you soon!
Be safe & well.
My best,
Jonathan

MetroParks Cancels Its Annual Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience

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Due to the uncertainty of precautions that will be in place to slow COVID-19, particularly when it comes to gatherings of large groups, and concern for the health and safety of MetroParks staff, volunteers and community, MetroParks’ annual Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience has been cancelled.

 

A Five Rivers MetroParks event, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is the region’s premier outdoor adventure festival and a celebration of Dayton as the outdoor adventure capital of the Midwest. The event — previously scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, at Eastwood MetroPark — features dozens of exhibitors and food trucks, live entertainment, competitions and more than 20 hands-on, outdoor activities. Last year, MetroParks welcomed 25,652 attendees to Eastwood MetroPark for this event.

“Families can still enjoy many of the activities that make the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience special in their favorite parks or neighborhood greenspace,” said MetroParks Event Coordinator Angela York.

 

With 18 clean, safe parks, 160 miles of paved and natural surface trails, and dozens of outdoor recreation amenities, Five Rivers MetroParks offers parkgoers opportunities to spend time in nature hiking, backpacking, cycling, camping, mountain biking, playing disc golf and more. MetroParks encourages people to explore the parks and trails by participating in the new MetroParks Trails Challenge. Those who need gear to help them get outside can find additional information at www.outdoordayton.com.

 

The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience encourages attendees to experience outdoor recreation activities so they can find new ways to connect to the natural world and adopt healthy, active lifestyles. MetroParks’ staff, trained volunteers and local recreation clubs host hands-on activities, such as fly fishing, paddling, mountain biking, cycling, climbing, slacklining and more. These activities often require use of shared equipment that’s not easily sanitized between uses in an event format and instruction that makes social distancing impossible.

 

“An event of this magnitude takes a year to plan and hundreds of MetroParks staff, volunteers, exhibitors, partners, sponsors and recreation professionals who travel from across the country,” York said. “To be good stewards of taxpayer funds, we have to consider the time and resources it takes to successfully plan and host a large-scale event that may ultimately have to be cancelled per CDC and Ohio Department of Health guidelines.”

 

MetroParks is one of many national and regional parks agencies that has cancelled large events, in addition to local organizations that have cancelled large annual festivals.

 

“In addition to connecting people to nature through outdoor recreation experiences, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is a celebration of all nature can do for your physical and mental well-being,” York said. “Nature is open year-round for everyone to enjoy.”

 

Five Rivers MetroParks encourages people to spend time in nature, whether it’s their back yard, local greenspace or favorite MetroPark. Activities, resources and ideas that help the public access the outdoors, can be found at metroparks.org/natureisopen and MetroParks’ Facebook page.

 

“Your MetroParks and trails remain open, and we are encouraged to see households out and about in nature, exploring old favorites and finding new trails,” said Five Rivers MetroParks Executive Director Rebecca Benná.

 

The public can help keep their outdoor parks and trails open by always following the CDC’s recommendations, particularly for social distancing, and taking preventative actions when in any outdoor space. For the most current information please visit metroparks.org/covid and MetroParks’ social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).

City Auctions Items From Two Former Golf Centers

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The City of Dayton is auctioning surplus materials from two now-closed golf centers, including 100 golf carts, golf course components, landscaping equipment, commercial kitchen equipment and more.
The auction is online at www.govdeals.com/cityofdaytonohio. Bidders can complete a free registration at www.govdeals.com/register.
In May, the City of Dayton announced the permanent closure of Kitty Hawk and Madden Golf Centers. The closures presented the City with a special set of assets–the entire contents of two regional golf complexes.
The surplus features 100 Yamaha golf cars in a variety of ages, conditions and colors. Other golf items offered include granite tee marker holes, golf bag stands, flags, golf cups and more.
Additional golf center surplus includes a 12-ft tall gazebo with its contents (two chairs and a window air conditioner), plus several commercial lawnmowers, landscaping tools, commercial kitchen equipment, bar equipment, picnic tables and park benches.
Several auction clusters will go live, continuing well into July. Bidding is open to anyone with an interest, including businesses, vendors, contractors, restauranteurs, homeowners, and collectors.
“Lots of items are up for auction, from course supplies to memorabilia. Be sure to check back often so you don’t miss a great find,” said Kelly Pressel, City of Dayton Golf Division manager.
Since 2008, Dayton has utilized the online auctions of GovDeals.com to sell City equipment including cars, trucks, and vans, as well as computer and laboratory equipment, and more. GovDeals offers a platform for state and local agencies to sell surplus and seized items.

Starbucks to Offer Impossible Sausage Sandwich

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Starbucks has announced it will begin selling a plant-based breakfast sandwich made with Impossible sausage as part of its summer menu. The sandwich will also contain a cage-free fried egg and aged cheddar cheese and will be served on ciabatta bread.

The new sandwich joins other menu options Starbucks has released in recent years as more consumers seek to reduce their meat consumption. “Over the years, in response to customer interest, we have added plant-based milk alternatives such as soy, coconut, almond, and oat milk. We are thrilled to expand our plant-based menu into food with this new breakfast sandwich,” Michael Kobori, chief sustainability officer at Starbucks, said in announcing the sandwich.

Also on the summer menu are two cold-brew coffee-based beverages with almond milk foam flavored with either cinnamon or dark cocoa. In California and the Midwest, Starbucks will also sell Cold Brew with Cinnamon Oatmilk foam, expanding the availability of oat milk to new markets.

The new cold brew beverages will cost between $4.45 and $4.75, while the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich will be priced between $4.95 and $5.25.