Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Hint: 
Woof
Where Am I? September 1, 2010 is the stack of books sculpture in front of the Washington Centerville public library located at 111 W. Spring Valley Rd. The name of that sculpture is “The Record” by Michael Frasca and is 22′ tall. My own children are too old (read cool) to be outwardly impressed by this sculpture, but I can imagine the impact it must make on the youngest library patrons.
Previously, I wrote an article about starting a business with little capital and smart business plan. Here is a great case study:
Bill Daniels has been in the pizza business for a number of years. He has a degree from Wright State University and the business savvy and technical knowledge of the food (pizza) industry. This is a great combination for an entrepreneur.
After starting the successful Pizza Factory years earlier, Bill acquired a building a few blocks away on Wayne Avenue in the South Park neighborhood and began to lease the space on the top floor to tenants. Then slowly he built the success of South Park Tavern. At first, he found Shane, who is a sharp bar manager who had experience in the industry. He gambled on Shane and Shane gambled on him. He opened only on weekends and served no food. The neighbors were thrilled to have a place and so they supported the tavern. Service was terrible and there was no food. But each weekend, the place got better. Bill invested everything earned from those early days back into the business. He began to offer pizza by transporting it from the Pizza Factory store down the street. He extended the hours each time business picked up. The neighbors relentlessly promoted the tavern. If there was a special event, Shane would open the tavern.
Next, the great marketing promotion and understanding of the customer took off. Shane opened through the week. They had open mic nights to bring in bands. They had half price pizza nights on Monday. Bill built a patio outside and remodeled the tavern, installing 12 micro brew taps in the process. Instead of offering the same beers and pizza that most other chains offer, the South Park Tavern offered exotic seasonal beers with unique and flavorful pizzas.
The South Park tavern offers only beer and wine. By not offering hard liquor the establishment identifies itself as family friendly tavern. Many would be tempted to increase revenue by offering hard liquor, but Bill and Shane understood the importance of their market positioning.
So, Bill used a formula that involved several trends in the industry.
As a result, the South Park Tavern has become a popular and successful business. It did not start with a million dollars of capital. The business stretched the capital and grew in small increments. The business tried to differentiate itself and it created loyal customers. Bill and Shane are not done. They plan to carefully expand the business further.
There are some lessons for entrepreneurs in the growth of the South Park Tavern…
August went out with a bang with great events like First Friday with updayton’s Street Buzz, Generation Dayton’s Volunteer Speed Matching, the Ballet Barre British Bash and the Litehouse Tour and Firefly Afterparty. But if you missed these great events, there’s lots lined up for September. Back to school means back to action for a lot of local YP groups with only 30 days in the month, but almost 20 events planned! There are great options to find the events you’re interested in and get involved.
Wednesday, September 1 – The Dayton Ballet Barre hosts their monthly meetup at the Dayton Racquet Club with food, drink and fun at 5-6:30 PM.
Friday, September 3 – Generation Dayton invites local newsman Dan Edwards to present Body Language 101 at this free event (lunch at your own expense). Learn what your body language is giving away about your thoughts and learn how to read others, too!
Friday, September 3 – FIRST FRIDAY! All sorts of great events filling the streets of downtown. Official info here.
Thursday, September 9 – Generation Dayton hosts Thirsty Thursday – an after work get-together at Beef O’Brady’s in Centerville for great happy hour drinks and your opportunity to network and meet new people in a casual atmosphere.
Thursday, September 9 – The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals presents International Protocol with Leah Hawthorn from 6-8 PM at the Dayton Urban League building. You’ll learn proper etiquette and the importance of image when dealing with international clients.
Friday, September 10 – URBAN NIGHTS – so, So, SO much going on. It’s like you take First Friday and “turn it up to eleven!” Urban Bikes (with a Dragons game), Tap Factor (don’t miss this great troupe), Karaoke with the Human Race Theatre Co. (and your chance to sing before one of their shows), view the winners of the Downtown In Focus Photo Contest, and more. Just come downtown and you’ll find all sorts of action. Even better – Join the updayton Street Buzz as they catch some live acts and grab some great food or the Dayton Creative Syndicate;s Poker Crawl (because You, Too, Can Hold ‘Em Like They Do in Texas) to check it all out with other YPs
Friday, September 10 – Hit Therapy Cafe during Urban Nights to join the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals at YP @ Play. It’s kids games in a grown up way – Twister, Musical Chairs, Wii, Jenga, Cards, and more keep your attenti0n while sharing great drink specials and good times with friends. $10/person
Friday, September 10 – The Montgomery County Young Republicans host a fun social at Elsa’s on Stroop. This is your chance to get together with like minded YPs and get revved up for the upcoming election season.
Monday, September 13 – The Young Republicans have their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings in Town and Country in Kettering starting at 6 PM.
Thursday, September 16 – HYPE hosts their Third Thursday social at the Caroline in Troy – it’s a great opportunity for YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to socialize with food and drink specials. All invited – regardless of if you live north or south of 70!
Thursday, September 16 – JumpstART hosts their monthly jump into arts activities by highlighting the Dayton Art Institute and their newest exhibit, Modern Masters. For $10, you get two drink tickets, food, a special viewing of the exhibit, a great way to meet YPs from all across the region and your ticket to Oktoberfest!
Friday – Saturday, September 17-18 – Check out Taste of the Miami Valley for a great selection of fabulous local foods!
Tuesday, September 21 – Generation Dayton hosts Business and Breakfast at the Bob Evans on Miller Lane
Tuesday, September 21 – You got to check out Speed Volunteer Match last month; need more speed? Hit the Gen D annual speed networking event. Meet new people in a structured atmosphere and make introductions so quickly that if you don’t like them, they’ll be gone soon enough! Coco’s at 5:30 PM.
Tuesday, September 21 – Do you want to know how to take your exuberant, creative energy and translate it to a long-term career? Join the Dayton Creative Syndicate for guest speakers Tony Neary and Tom Kisker from Traction.
Wednesday, September 22 – HYPE invites you to learn more about how health care is changing in our nation and how it affects you at a special event – Demystifying the Nation’s Health Care Bill at the Troy Chamber of Commerce with conversation continuing at the Caroline.
Friday, September 24 – Breakfast not fit into your schedule? No worries – Generation Dayton fits into your schedule with lunch on the fourth Friday of the month for good food and great conversation at Murray’s Place in Moraine.
As always, if I missed anything – please post your info to the DaytonMostMetro.com Event Calendar and click on Young Professionals so we know what’s happening! And let us know in the comments below where you plan to be…
Hint: For the Record
Last week’s Where Am I? August 25, 2010 was the Hindu Temple of Dayton, at 2615 Temple Ln, Beavercreek. That photograph doesn’t do the building justice- it is much more lovely in person.
Last month we kicked off our DMM Artist Spotlight with Amy Kollar Anderson. Today we’re happy to introduce a friend of DaytonMostMetro.com and our next artist spotlight – Carli Dixon! Many of you know Carli’s husband Hamilton (or at least his work that can be seen in many local places). But Carli is an amazing artist in her own right, not to mention a mother and savvy business woman with a strong love for her neighborhood (South Park) and her city – Dayton, Ohio. We recently caught up with Carli to find out what makes her tick…
Carli Dixon – In Her Own Words
It was nearly 17 years ago that I sat at my desk as a freshman at the American University, searching for an inspiring business idea for my Small Business Development class. I wanted to care about the project, even though it was only a test-run in business plan writing. During the weekly phone date with my Mom, back in Ohio, I lamented my lack of enthusiasm for most of the ideas generated for the project so far. She had her own worries, strapped to her 8th year in what felt like a dead-end corporate job that was suffocating her. We talked about what life should be about, what passion should feel like, and what we could do to change our lackluster circumstances.
It was during that conversation that we decided to make a change. That small but powerful part of the psyche that is fueled by passion was speaking to us both, and we chose to listen. Within 3 months, we had discovered a small company that manufactures machinery used for preserving flowers. We researched the business, visited the machine manufacturer, and purchased our first machine in March of 1993. While my Mom spent that Spring experimenting with the machine, I enjoyed the exhilarating process of researching and writing the plan for a business idea I actually believed in.
In the 17 years since that ground breaking conversation, we have grown to become one of the nation’s premier floral preservation
companies. We have expanded our capacity with the purchase of 4 additional machines, and we now service all of Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Indianapolis, as well as any clients nationwide who discover our company via FreezeFrameIt.com or word-of-mouth. We have 9 full-time employees, with specialities in graphic design, custom framing, floral design, customer sales and support, accounting and marketing. We have developed a patented floral shipping cooler called an E-Z ship kit, which we distribute to our clients through our over 100 partnering locations.
In 2008, we expanded our floral preservation options to include Bloombeads, our exclusive flower-petal jewelry line made for a client’s actual flowers. After months of product development, testing, and system building, we launched the product line in Spring of 2009. Since then, the line has grown to include Bracelets, Pendants & Necklaces, Earrings, Rosaries, Rings, Men’s accessories, and even Pandora-style charm beads. Each jewelry item is custom-made by hand, using the actual flower petals mounted in sterling silver findings.
It’s been a wild ride, a passionate process, a bonding mother-daughter experience, and in the 17 years, we’ve never looked back.
And now – here’s Carli’s answers to our 10 questions:
Where are you from originally and/or what brought you to Dayton?
I was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio; I’m the granddaughter of a Sicilian stone mason and nature lover, Carmelo Ricciardi, who spent 12 years working with Hugh Taylor Birch to build what is now the Glen Helen Nature Preserve . My grandfather actually formed the “yellow spring”, built the original swinging bridge, and hauled in the slabs of stone to make the 150+ steps at the Cory Street entrance to the Glen.
What is the most surprising thing about living in Dayton?
How at peace I feel here, as opposed to any other place I’ve lived in or visited. I attended college in D.C., and when my college friends ask what’s here that makes me want to stay, I say “Time…and breath.
Atta Girl Art & Gardens
Have you reinvented yourself in your life, and if so, how?
Oh yeah, 5 years ago I bumped into the love of my life, Hamilton Dixon, at the Oregon District coffee shop, and since then, I am a new and improved version of myself. Our partnership has set the stage for me exploring the glories of motherhood and family life, has urged me to pursue my craziest ideas (i.e. AttaGirl Art & Gardens Complex), and pushed me to the limits of what I can accomplish as a business person and life partner.
If you weren’t in Dayton, where would you be?
Living on a farm/homestead in Kentucky, surrounded by wildflowers and vegetables, and farm animals…oh, and I’d have a big ‘ol tractor, and a powder blue pickup truck.
What do you think Dayton needs most?
When I think of what makes other urban settings seem alive and exciting, I picture PEOPLE…people sitting in cafes and restaurants and strolling the streets…Dayton has plenty of people in and around it, and it has enough (ideally, we would have more) attractions, cafes, galleries, restaurants, bars, etc….So what if Dayton focused on bridging that gap…daily transportation from U.D., Sinclair, Wright State, WPAFB, etc. to participating downtown locations that offer group specials or incentives. Fill the current venues and businesses with people, which might make downtown a more interesting market for other businesses. Point being; build momentum by creatively working with what you already have at your disposal, and funnel that momentum in a direction that encourages more people to engage in downtown.
What has been the most challenging part of starting your business?
Learning to become a human resource manager, while learning the art of delegating. Both are crucial in a growing business; you can’t grow without the ability to delegate tasks effectively, and you need staff members to delegate to, so a growing business requires proficiency in both areas. Having never held another full-time position in any other company during my career, I was starting from ground zero in both arenas.
What’s the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Lead climb a 5.10 rock climbing route in Mallorca Spain; It was the hardest lead route I have ever attempted. I made it to the top, thanks to tenacity and a solid dose of terror.
Who inspires you?
My kids; I am so much more capable and motivated now that they are in my life.
Who helps you make your business succeed?
We are a team, and each team member truly does make a unique contribution. Nanci, my mom and business partner, is the jeweler, as well as our accountant and systems analyst. Our sales and production team is made up of Angie Poland, Laura Clark, Mandi Osborne and Coral Bruss, and they each bring unique skills to our organization. Tommy Cooper (bassist for the Motel Beds) is our custom framer and graphic designer. Susan Riley, former custom framer for the Rutledge gallery, is our full-time floral designer. Brittney Williamson is our full-time fresh flower processor and mini-memento designer. Lastly, my step-dad John Hames (the current Executive Director of the American Wine Society) is our building engineer and expert at machine maintenance.
What is your favorite quote?
“It’s the choices you make when no one is looking that ultimately define you.” -Hugh O’Brian Leadership Conference (I was 12).
Dayton Habitat is recruiting skilled volunteers to help plan and organize our 2011 Spring Gala “Dancing With Our Stars”. A variety of committee members are needed to serve on the silent auction, public relations/media, decorations, and sponsorship committees. If you are interested in donating your time and talents, please contact Jen by email at [email protected] or by phone at 937.586.0860 ext. 16.
Habitat for Humanity serves as a hand up, not a handout, for families in need. Families apply to us to earn a house of their own. Once accepted into the program, our “Partner Families” work alongside our many volunteers to build their house. They put in 275 to 550 hours of “sweat equity” before earning their home, which is then sold to them on an affordable, interest-free mortgage. Partner families make a down payment toward the purchase of their home.
Mortgage payments from Partner Families are put back into the Fund for Humanity to build future homes. Other funding sources include revenue from our ReStore, corporate and church sponsorships, individual donations, government and foundation grants, and fundraising events.
The single biggest problem for startup businesses is the lack of startup capital. It is very challenging to start a business with few resources. Many experts state that under-capitalization of a business is one of the large reasons for failure.
I started my business with $500. How did I do that? First, I prepared for the event. I planned to draw no income for the first year, so I reduced my lifestyle, increased my savings and built a buffer to handle that early dry period. Next, I focused on getting to cash positive as quickly as possible. That meant lining up customers early. Pre-selling is a technique that entrepreneurs don’t do often enough. I kept every expenditure low. I wanted to prove that the product was going to be successful, before ramping up investment. How did I know if the product was a success? The customers and marketplace told me.
Was it easy at first? No. It was brutal. When the business began to grow, I took out bank loans and used my home as collateral. The business was almost 10 years old, before I was able to able to remove the home pledge from the business loans. I never spoke to a venture capitalist. It took a lot of sacrifice to my lifestyle, but it paid off more than I could ever imagine. My main engine for growth was customers.
The best part about customers is that their only interest is buying your products or services. Customers don’t receive equity or interest on their purchase. So, in terms of capital, selling products and services is the BEST way to raise capital. Banks want lots of collateral; such as your home. Venture Capitalists want very large returns, equity and control. Customers don’t want your home or control of your business. They simply want you to deliver what you promised to them at the agreed price. Make a profit on the agreed price and use that profit to invest and grow your business.
A mentor told me one reason that my business was successful was because I did not spend time chasing capital. I have seen businesses spend all of their time trying to woo investors. The investors become the customer, instead of the customer being the customer. The business owner thinks that capital investment solves all problems. It does not. Profitable sales solves problems better than anything else.
One final thought. Keep your expenses under control. You don’t need the fancy office or car when you start up. You don’t need excess staff or over-engineered products. Managing expenses is a challenge. In start up phase, capital is so precious. Protect it.
Meet my friend Nikki Nett. She’s sassy, she’s single and she’s a shopaholic. She can hold her own whether we’re drinking cosmos or tequila, and she can do it all in 4 inch heels! She’s always up on the latest gossip, the hottest night spot and the newest boutique in town. And now she’s telling you about it, too!
There are a couple philosophies that I live by.
1.) There is no situation in life where lipgloss is inappropriate.
2.) Rockin’ shoes really CAN make your life better (just ask Cinderella).
This week, we are going to delve into the wonderful world of shoes. Not just any old ordinary shoes, no ma’am (or sir)! We are going to talk about the sexy stilettos. The kind that you put on and instantly become more glamorous, more confident, maybe even a little naughty. The kind that make you look like you have legs for miles, that give your booty that extra lift, and that make you walk a bit taller (literally AND figuratively). These shoes are my weakness. Some people dream of vacations, winning the lottery, an amazing house- I dream of Carrie Bradshaw’s closet. Although I don’t live in Manhattan with my Mr. Big, I’m working on the shoe collection, slowly but surely.
I have found a little slice of heaven here in the Miami Valley, a glimpse into the closet of my heart, if you will. 
Integritas in the Dayton Mall! Perhaps you have seen or heard the commercials with their slogan “Life’s too short for boring shoes!“, well those words are what owners Manish & Stacy Agarwal believe wholeheartedly and they want to make sure YOUR life is never boring! (Ok, they can’t go to the grocery store for you, or help you find a date for Saturday night, I’m pretty sure they don’t want to do your laundry for you, but they can at least provide you with the extra 4 inches in a hot color to make all of the above seem more bearable)
Recently, I had the chance to speak with Manish about Integitas. He just returned from a buying trip and I have to say, I know I’m excited about what’s in store for this season!
What made you decide to open a shoe store here in the Dayton area?
We opened the store in 2004 because we saw the need for good, fashionable shoes in the Dayton market.
What’s your favorite aspect of owning a shoe store here?
Being able to bring a little of the big city looks here to this smaller town. (THANK YOU!!)
What is the best fashion advice you’ve ever been given?
LIFE’S TOO SHORT FOR BORING SHOES!! (I concur, I really, reeeaaallly do!)
Integritas is located right next to Victoria’s Secret in the Dayton Mall. In addition to carrying so many of the current styles by Guess, Jessica Simpson, BCBgeneration and Coach for women, they also carry men’s styles. 
Admittedly, the men’s section only got a glance from me seeing as how I was mesmerized by a silvery, sparkly, fabulous shoe from Guess. Oh, then there was the sexy suede one to the right of it with the same style in fuchsia as well. Oops…getting sidetracked, ok, back to the men. Cole Haan, Robert Wayne, Mezlan, Steve Madden for Men are just a few of the brands you will find at Integritas. Soon they will also begin carrying a denim line as well as some fashion forward shirts for men.
Integritas is not ‘just’ a shoe store. You can top off your look with a pair of designer shades from D&G, Versace, Burberry, and Prada (ok, I don’t mind if I do!) or grab one of this season’s ‘IT’ bags. I couldn’t decide which one I couldn’t live without, Looks like another trip is in order (I’ll make up any excuse). There are shoes there that need a good home, MY home. The leopard print peep toe with the red bow needs to be worn with my favorite LBD. The red suede ones with the spikes should make friends with my skinny jeans & black t-shirt. Thigh high boots?? MUST HAVE.
The next time you have the perfect outfit on, look down, need a little extra ‘oomph’ in your step? Swing by Integritas, you’ll be glad you did. And tell them Nikki sent you!
Stay tuned for Nikki Nett’s next adventure into the world of shopping, make up, partying and fabulosity! We never know where she’s headed, but we always know there will be a story about where she ends up!
Hint: Swagatum
Where Am I? for August 18, 2010 was exactly where Matt said it was: “Yellow Springs, OH. Entry to the village along Dayton-Yellow Springs Road.” I’m impressed. Y’all know Dayton.
HYPE stands for Helping Young Professionals Emerge and is the centralized way for YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to meet new people, have fun with creative social events, and volunteer together to make a difference in the community. I spoke to HYPE chair, Doug Eakin to get the scoop on this “new” YP group. Doug grew up in Columbus, but spent most of the last 10 years in Indiana. A job opportunity as a Business Banking Representative for Unity National Bank brought him to the Miami Valley.
There was no HYPE for a long time. Doug was contacted by the Executive Director of the Piqua Chamber of Commerce and invited to get involved with this new initiative. In January 2009, the EDs from Covington, Tipp City, Piqua and Troy invited a group of young people together to come up with a way to represent YP interests in the Northern Miami Valley. Eakin dove as the chair of this new organization in and started planning. In May 2009, the group launched with their official kick-off and have been going since then. According to Eakin, “HYPE is a group developed for and by young professionals who are dedicated to Social Opportunity, Professional Development, and Community Involvement, and have a shared interest in promoting the Northern Miami Valley as a place to live, work and play.” And they have grown substantially since the beginning – social events (like monthly happy hours and a successful canoeing collaboration with Gen D), volunteer opportunities, and really creative networking events (like their wine education series) have helped them gain momentum.
HYPE members volunteer at Habitat for Humanity Miami County
But although they are growing quickly and getting more people involved, one of their greatest opportunities is in the newness of the organization. According to Eakin, “Given that we’re still such a young organization, people still have the opportunity to get on at the ground floor and really have an active role in shaping the organization.” And it’s in the leadership opportunities that Eakin has found some of the greatest rewards. He says being in a leadership position give him “the chance to make a difference. It lets me see how my ideas and thoughts play out to the members of the organization… it’s very rewarding.” And beyond Eakin’s leadership role, just being a part of the organization has “absolutely” helped him professionally. He’s a big believer in the tried-and-true argument that “success in the business world relates directly to the people that you know.”
Similar to the downtown Dayton region, the Northern Miami Valley struggles with some negative stigma about what’s available for people. Eakin is adamant about where it comes from; he says, “I don’t think for a second that this negative stigma comes as a result of lack of opportunities. Some of the bad feedback we’ve gotten about our organization has come from people that show up at an event and take no personal responsibility for involving themselves in what’s going on. Getting involved is an attitude – you have to make the decision to do it, it’s not going to happen if you’re not open to the possibility.”
Steering Committee at Holiday Kick-Off Party 2009
Final words regarding his mission with HYPE and involvement? Eakin shares that “The world doesn’t stop at I-70; there’s plenty of things to do and places to see up north.” HYPE doesn’t cost a penny to ‘join.’ So, for any YPs who are interested in learning more about what’s going on – check it out! If you want to know more, visit www.hypenmv.org.
As the 2010-2011 arts season starts to get underway, JumpstART – the YP activity arm of Culture Works – announced some new deals and upcoming events. This is a group dedicated to providing great arts opportunities to plug local young professionals into the arts scene. From their email:
Lots of great arts opportunities abound in Dayton – ranked #1 for arts and culture in midsized cities. But sometimes YPs have a hard time knowing about what’s happening and finding events that fit well into the pocketbook. That’s where JumpstART comes in – a no-membership/no-commitment way for YPs to get great deals on arts events and stay in the know. All you have to do is “like” us on Facebook for all the latest updates.
JUMP INTO MODERN MASTERS at the Dayton Art Institute – Thursday, September 16 at 5:30 PM.
RSVPs are requested for this event to get a proper food count – Email Claire at [email protected]. For only $10 (payable at the door), each YP gets:
PORGY AND BESS at the Dayton Opera with music by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
(Note – This is not an official “jump,” but it is considered THE Great American Opera, so we wanted to provide ways to get a great ticket deal and encourage YPs to check it out together. JumpstART will be attending on Saturday, October 23, but your group can use this discount for any performance.)
Porgy and Bess is celebrating its 75th Anniversary, and Dayton Opera is honoring this George and Ira Gershwin classic with an extraordinary international cast of rising opera stars. Neil Gittleman conducts the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the production includes Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and chorus members from Central State and Wilberforce Universities.
Here’s the DEAL: Order your Porgy and Bess tickets now before they go for sale to the public and save 15% on groups of 10 or more. Mention the JumpstART group deal for the group discount when you call Ticket Center Stage at 937-228-3630.
COMING UP:
Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District of Dayton, Ohio will host Jeff Pulver, Internet celebrity and 140 Character Conference organizer, this coming Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010.
Dayton was selected as one of the stop-over cities by Pulver for his road trip leading up to the Detroit 140conf in October, 2010.
The Dayton meetup is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. at Blind Bob’s, 430 E. 5th St. in the Oregon District. Attendees work in many fields of interest, including technology, youth sports tournaments, photography, journalism and business.
You can RSVP and see who else is attending here.
Pulver is an internationally known technology leader is is co-founder of Vonage, the company that provides telephone service over the Internet.
Pulver asked followers on Twitter to suggest places to stop during his road trip. Several dozen Dayton-area residents replied back with pleas to stop in Dayton. Within minutes, Pulver decided that Dayton, Ohio was on his 140conf Road Trip map, along with Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Dayton is home to a growing community that uses social media for personal communication and business. Social media includes Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs and various other community websites and Internet tools. Leading the charge in the Dayton area is a group known as New Media Dayton (http://newmediadayton.com/) which hosts regular ‘tweetups’ at local restaurants to share ideas, techniques and build connections among participants.
For more information about the Dayton 140conf Road Trip, including a short welcome video by Blind Bobs, visit http://www.dogwalkblog.com/
ABOUT JEFF PULVER
Jeff Pulver is the Chairman and Founder of pulver.com, and one of the true pioneers of 
the VoIP industry and a leader in the emerging TV on the Net industry. Leveraging well over a decade of hands-on experience in Internet/IP communications and innovation, Mr. Pulver is a globally renowned thought leader, author and entrepreneur. He is the organizer for the 140 Character Conference.
CONTACTS for more information:
Carole Baker-Hicks, Owner
OH! Social
937-620-2320
Chris Celek, Owner
Celek Media Consulting
937-681-4120
Gerard McLean, CEO
Rivershark Inc
937-836-6255
Jeff Pulver
140 Characters Conference
http://140conf.com
http://140roadaug22l.eventbrite.com/
###
Hint: Helen, John, and Dave.
Last week’s Where Am I? August 11, 2010 was the clock tower at Dayton Children’s Medical Center. The best nurses in Dayton work at Children’s, and parents can find a world of helpful information on their website.
In 1985, Father Tandoh completed his Novitiate year in the religious order of the Holy Sprit Congregation in Ghana. He took his first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a layman before he began his studies at the School of Philosophy in Insukka, Nigeria.
Dayton became Fr. Tandoh’s home in 2000 when he became the Religious Education Director at Resurrection Catholic School. By the end of the year, he was appointed the Pastor of Resurrection and St. James parishes. Today, he is the pastor of five parishes in Montgomery County: St. Mary’s Camden, St. Mary’s Dayton, Holy Family, St. Augustine and St. Benedict the Moor.
To improve the quality of life for the first community that welcomed him, Fr. Tandoh lead a $4.5 million fundraising campaign to build a new church for the 500 families of St. Benedict the Moor parish. Completed in 2005, it stands as the only predominantly African-American Catholic Church in Ohio built by African-Americans. During this time, Fr. Tandoh continued to serve the children of the Dayton urban area by teaching at Mary Queen of Peace School.
Fr. Tandoh’s civil rights service has been greatly demonstrated by his work with Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton (L.E.A.D.). One of his first acts with L.E.A.D. involved working with the city commissioner to increase the removal of dilapidated homes from 75 in 2004 to 800 abandoned structures in 2008. He called upon the Dayton Police Chief in 2008 to outline a plan to implement a Community Problem Oriented Policing (CPOP) program in the city. Chief Richard Biehl has reported that the first steps of the program have begun.
Montgomery County has no publicly funded medical detox program for the thousands who suffer from drug addiction. Fr. Tandoh asked Dayton Commissioner Dan Foley to create a comprehensive plan to provide effective, quality treatment for those suffering from substance abuse. Commissioner Foley and his task force have devised a plan and started implementing it.
Throughout his service to the community, Fr. Tandoh has used the power of his vows to help him, “Vows make your life easier. In every situation, you know the right thing to do because of the vows. No confusion. Just do the right thing.” His 25 years of spiritual service will be celebrated during the Sunday service on August 22 at 12:30pm at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, followed by a reception.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a temporary home-away-from-home for families of critically ill, hospitalized children and supports efforts that improve children’s health within our region.
Over the next 4 weeks they are in need of volunteers to help them on a large upcoming project. Volunteers are needed between 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday. If you’ve got as little as 2 hours to help, you’ll be put to work on a mailing project or perhaps making phone calls. Minimum age is 16 and small groups are welcome to volunteer together.
If you are available please contact Brandy McFall at 937-224-0047 x 20 or email her.
The Ronald McDonald House in Dayton, Ohio is able to keep the doors open for families in the Miami Valley Region because of generous donations from individuals, groups, businesses and corporations in our community.
They are an independent, not-for-profit organization. The families that utilize our facilities while their children are hospitalized do so at no cost. There are many ways you can help provide this home-away-from-home for families in their time of need. If you are not available at this time, please keep them in mind for future volunteer projects.
Hint: It takes a village
Last week’s Where Am I? August 4, 2010 was Winston Heat Treating. You’ve seen the sign, 711 East 2nd Street- right across the street from the 2nd Street Public Market. What do they do? They heat things up for food processing, medical tooling, aerospace industries to name a few. Kinda cool, er, I mean, hot, right?
