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Blush Boudoir Photography in Dayton – Ooh La La!

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Most of you SHOULD be aware that Dayton has more artistic talent than many cities even two or three times our size, and that talent includes some amazing photographers.  We will be featuring many of these amazing Dayton photogs over the coming weeks, starting with this one – Tracy Abston of Blush Boudoir.  Tracy’s traditional photography that focuses on portraits, weddings, etc. is amazing in and of itself, and she has many happy clients that rave about their experiences with her.  However, it is the ‘other’ type of photography that has helped Tracy make a name for herself – not only in the Dayton Region but in southwest Ohio!  Ladies and gents – welcome to the world of Blush Boudoir…

Boudoir (which comes from the French word for ‘pout’) is a growing trend in photography today.  Sensual yet classy would be a good phrase to describe these photo sessions, with female clients who might be looking for a unique gift to give their significant others.  Interesting, you say?  We couldn’t agree more (of course) so we sat down with Tracy to get to the bottom of this boudoir business (so to speak)…

Dayton Most Metro: What got you started in boudoir photography?

Tracy: “I have always had a passion for photography and making people feel beautiful. As a wedding photographer my clients started asking about intimate images for their husbands to be. After several sessions I received countless cards and emails expressing what an amazing time they had with comments such as ‘I never felt more gorgeous’, ‘I’ve never felt so confident before’ & ‘these images brought me to tears’. I knew that I was on to something amazing so I started Blush-Boudoir 4 years ago because I really want to encourage other women to have the same experience. At Blush-Boudoir we feel strongly that EVERY woman is absolutely beautiful and we will work with you to find your inner supermodel.”

DMM: Tell me a little more about this niche market – are there others in the region doing this?

Tracy: “Yes, boudoir photography is becoming very popular and although a hand full of other photographers are offering this as an optional session I believe that we are the only studio in the area that specializes in this type of photography. The Blush-Boudoir experience typically starts out as gift for a spouse or significant other but most often becomes an unexpected gift for them too….I would say it is like a rite of passage or a great way to celebrate milestones. In these cases a creative and classy Blush-Boudoir photograph is not just another pretty picture, it is more of a tangible memento reminding women of what they have gone through and what they have achieved in life. Blush-Boudoir photography is sexy, glamorous, fun and can be shared with your significant other in a very intimate way.”

DMM: How do you make your clients feel comfortable? What are common concerns that clients have and how do you address them?

Tracy: “My clients’ comfort is of the utmost importance and our studio is all female staffed in a very relaxing chic downtown studio. During a typical session we’ll start by going over their ideas and I’ll ask a few of my favorite questions like ‘Tell me a little about your best features’, ‘Do you have any concerns or is there anything you want to hide?’. I reassure my clients that they don’t have to have the “perfect body” to look absolutely and positively sexy in their photos. It’s my job to bring out your flirty and beautiful side by coaching you through your session. I’m always very excited to hear all the wonderful experiences my clients share with me after the shoot and how relaxed they feel throughout their session.”

DMM: Who is your average client?

Tracy: “My clients are generally new brides, married women looking for that unique gift for their spouse, and stay at home moms looking for an empowering beautiful experience . As far as professional experience, my clients are women in the medical field, business owners, teachers and so many other professions that it would take me days to list them. What always amazes me is how far some of my clients have traveled for the Blush-Boudoir experience….. We have had clients from Michigan, Chicago, Lexington (KY), Columbus, Cincinnati and Indiana travel to our studios because of recommendations by their friends.”

DMM:  I’m guessing this is something easier for young women to do, but what about those who (how do I say this without getting hate mail)… those who might not be so young?  (whew)

Tracy: “I would say that our clients average around 30 percent in their 20’s, 30 percent in their 30’s and over 35 percent in their 40’s+ (a growing segment). I think that some women turn to our Blush-Boudoir photography as a means to launch their new outlook on life. At 40+ years a woman is dealing with running a household, managing work, raising kids and just life in general. It’s nice to take time out and do something special and rewarding like a Blush-Boudoir session. During their sessions they will receive a day of pampering at our private downtown studio, a professional make-up artist and a photographer who is experienced in making every client feel and look like a supermodel . A Blush-Boudoir photography session is one day out of your life resulting in a gorgeous, stunning, sensual, treasured photograph that you’ll have for a lifetime.”

DMM:. Have you ever gotten criticism for doing boudoir photography?

Tracy:  “I believe that God created women to be beautiful, and that there is a reason the female form has been painted, sculpted, drawn and photographed for centuries.  I’m sure that there is some criticism about my photography but frankly I don’t care because our photos are classy and professional. My entire career has set me on the path to operating Blush-Boudoir and with every session I’m excited to make my clients feel beautiful inside by showing how beautiful they can be on the outside. I firmly believe that every woman that comes into our studio can be magazine cover-worthy.”

DMM:. Tell me an interesting story about a particular session.

Tracy: “A recent Blush client was in tears after her session. I sat down and asked what was wrong…. she  exclaimed… ‘Nothing! I’m just sooo happy. I’ve never felt more beautiful in my entire life’.  A few weeks later she sent me this.”

DMM: Run me through a typical session.

Tracy: “When you arrive we’ll chat about the lingerie and outfits you’ve brought for your session while you enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or bottled water. Once we determine which outfits you will wear then we’ll start your hair and make-up (if you choose this option). Getting your hair and makeup done sets the tone for your session and gives you time to relax while you’re pampered for the next hour. I have worked with the same fantastic makeup artist for over three years and love her! Michelle Richardson from Avoge Idea is simply amazing and you can completely trust her to create your vision. After you are all glammed up we will turn up the music, turn on the camera lights, and begin shooting.”.

“One of the most common things I hear from clients is ‘I’m nervous,’ quickly followed by ‘I have no idea how to pose!’ Don’t worry – it’s normal to be nervous so we’ll start with some warm-up poses to get you in your supermodel frame of mind and by the end of your session you will look and feel gorgeous !!!!!”

DMM:  What is your studio like?

Tracy: “I LOVE my new chic downtown Dayton loft studio! It has elegant exposed brick, a cool staircase and the abundance of yummy natural light. Since our studio has a focus on the Blush-Boudoir session we can offer several scenes that are not only super sexy but are also a very private experience.”

DMM:. What other photographers do you admire?

Tracy: “Tiny Sparrow Foundation and others like her that are providing memories through photography to families with children who are facing life threatening illnesses. This is something I do as well whenever I get the chance because giving back is good for the soul.”

DMM: What other types of photography do you specialize in?

“I also specialize in wedding and lifestyle photography. At one point I was shooting 35+ weddings a year but have since cut back with my growing Blush-Boudoir business.”

DMM: How do you feel about the future of this niche market?

“I started Blush-Boudoir over 4 years ago and I’ve seen steady and incredible growth. Thanks to all of our wonderful clients who continue to recommend us to their friends we are seeing an increasing buzz throughout the Dayton, Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky regions. People seem surprised when I tell them how popular Blush-Boudoir photography is getting but my busy studio is proof that the demand is there!”

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Two-Way Streets Equal All-Way Confusion

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Photo by jamestraceur on flickr

So, if you haven’t noticed, construction crews are busy messing up converting 18 blocks of downtown Dayton’s one-way streets into two-way streets.

Am I the ONLY one who doesn’t like this idea?? (Don’t answer that, no one asked me anyway.)  But seriously.  WHO are they doing this for?  If you already live, work, or frequent downtown Dayton, like moi, then you already know which streets are one-way and you drive accordingly. It’s not that hard.  If you don’t already live, work, or frequent downtown Dayton, GET A MAP or a GPS!  Again, not that difficult.  I mean, were there a HUGE rash of crazy traffic accidents downtown because people didn’t know which side of the street they should be driving on???  If so, there must be a cover-up because as you know the local news around here covers every fender-bender and flat tire in the region.

2nd Street in the good ol' days. *Sniff* Photo by DDFic on flickr

So, my dear City Commissioners or whoever the heck decided this was a good idea – here’s what you have done.  I, Jenny Rapson, a life-long resident of Dayton who drives through downtown several times a week, NO LONGER KNOW WHERE THE HECK I AM GOING.  At 32 years old, I am already set in my ways, and one of my ways was ONE-WAY streets downtown.  Now, we may have a rash of fiery traffic accidents because the routes I have been driving my whole life are now totally different. AND?  MY GPS DOESN’T KNOW IT YET, EITHER!

Let me reiterate: you have confused and irritated the people who were already frequenting downtown.  Good luck luring all those new customers with your shiny two-way streets.  I’m sure your really good idea will work.

I’m just a *smidge* grumpy about the directional street changes downtown.  How do you feel about them?

Summer Fun for Kids: Wegerzyn Children’s Garden

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DSC04384Two years ago, my kids and I discovered the fun that is the Children’s Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark.  Located on Siebenthaler Ave., this Metropark offers not only a gorgeous display of glorious gardens, but a real opportunity for your kids to play, learn, and have fun!  The Discovery Garden features a world of water play – there’s a man-made safe wading creek and fun waterfall.

DSC04407

There’s also a man-made cave to chase your friends (or your sister) through:

laughing at brother

The fun is completed with sand pits and tables to learn how to plant plants in, a play house, a musical maze, and so many more ways to have fun at the Children’s Discovery Garden. It’s a great place for a playdate and to take a picnic lunch. My kids and I love it there – head over to their website and check it out!

Where Am I – July 21, 2010

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The answer to Where Am I – July 14, 2010: Eastwood MetroPark. The photo is of the lagoon.

The Lake held two functions: one was to provide water recreation for the community and also to help protect the city’s water supply by acting as a recharge basin for the aquifer.

It’s a beautiful park with some of the best recreational options in Dayton Ohio: Power boats, sailboats, kayaking, fishing, picnicing, and a popular bike trail. Mountain Days is held there every summer with some nationally known traditional, bluegrass, and country music acts. Check the calendar, here.

Highlights of Eastwood MetroPark include a 185-acre lake, Mad River, picnic shelters and a playground. The 3-mile loop trail offers hiking opportunities on mostly level terrain. Try fishing in Eastwood Lake or the Blue Lake or the Mad River. Bring the family and the boat out to Eastwood MetroPark for a fun-filled day on the water, or just enjoy a serene sojourn on the trails.

This week’s Where Am I?:

Hint: Lampyridae

Get Outta Town: What to Bring Along

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Now that you have picked a place you want to go for your trip, you need to think about all the essentials you need to bring along.

It’s really up to you to pick exactly what you need to bring, but I’m going to try and suggest some things that are important to not forget, and maybe some things you have never thought about.

Emergency Road Kits

A lot of people would probably just push this one aside because they think they will never need them, but who wants to be stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire in the middle of the night during a rainstorm without any help? So for any trip where a lot of driving is inevitable, a simple emergency road kit might just be a smart option. Make sure to include the following when putting one together:

  • A small blanket for warmth
  • A first-aid kit and a spare tire
  • Extra car fuses
  • Jumper cables, roadside flares
  • Duct tape, extra antifreeze and oil
  • A few bottles of water and energy bars

This simple list can help you out if you are in a jam while on the road!

Food and Beverages

If you are planning on going to a warm place like Florida or the Carolinas, chances are you’ll not have the same grocery store options you do back home. A lot of the places I’ve been to on vacation only have a few general stores (the Outer Banks comes to mind first), which often jack up the prices of everything in the store that visitors need. With this in mind, it is smart to bring some food and beverages you can buy at home to save you a lot of money, not only from high store prices, but from the very high price of going out to eat.

Leisure Equipment & Active Equipment

Bring all your own leisure items, like bicycles, chairs and beach umbrellas. These can prove costly to rent, and are a good investment. If you are going to a camping area, bringing your own camping gear is of course a good idea, as whatever you rent or borrow many not be fully-equipped or fully-functioning.

Exercising on your vacation may be the last thing on your mind, but bringing along a pair of running shoes is a great idea. Going on a quick run in the morning will not only wake you up for the day, but can also give you some time to check out the surrounding area.

Navigation

Of course some of you are just stubborn and don’t think you need the aid of GPS navigation, but most of us can really benefit from purchasing one. With many modern features like detour alerts, a GPS will probably prevent this from happening.

For some input on which GPS devices are the best check out some reviews here.

Become a AAA Member

Being an AAA member has many benefits, besides the 24 hour free roadside assistance, they provide many useful services. You can walk into one of their offices and they will make a TripTik for you, which will detail how to get to your destination in a thick booklet, as well as places to see and go once you get there. Many discounts can also be achieved at certain stores and restaurants just by showing your membership card. For more information on pricing and the benefits of AAA, check out their web site

Whatever else you bring is up to you now! Be sure to read next week’s post from me detailing my own road trip. I will be embarking on my own trip this weekend, and will be back next week to deliver what went well, what happened and some tips for if you are ever in the same areas.

Where Am I – July 14, 2010

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I get to see a lot of the city; Realtors can log hundreds of miles a week over the entire Dayton area. We also become good at seeing bits and pieces of buildings and paying close attention to details: An interesting light fixture, a beautiful door, an architectural detail that’s 25 feet above the ground. To us, these are clues to the value, potential appeal, and condition of a property, but on an emotional level, on a daily basis, looking for the little details around us means we get to be delighted and surprised when we take the time to pay attention.

It’s with this in mind that DaytonMostMetro.com is starting a new weekly column called “Where Am I?”  The DMM contributors will grab a photo of something in the Dayton area: A sculpture, a sign, a gargoyle, or an interesting entryway, little gems around the Dayton area that you might miss if you aren’t paying attention or something lovely that you might take for granted if it’s become so much background.

We invite you to share your guess of the location in the comment space. Then on the following week we’ll give the answer and some information about previous “Where Am I”. Some might be easier than others, but mostly we hope it’s fun and it encourages us to see Dayton as a little more interesting. We also hope you might share your own thoughts, stories, and memories of the places we highlight, whether you are a long time resident, or have just moved into town. DaytonMostMetro.com works best the same way the Dayton Ohio area works best- as a community- each of us contributing and sharing what we know so don’t be shy.

Our first week’s “Where Am I” is this:

Hint: Lagoon

Gettin’ geeky with Super-Fly Comics

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Super-Fly Comics at 132 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs.

Remember 7-Eleven in the 1980s? The ubiquitous convenience-store chain was something of a temple of sorts for kids like me who grew up during the era of Pac Man and Reaganomics.

Was it the day-old hot dogs that lured me into the brightly-lit snack shack?  Nope.

Was it the allure of  icy smooth flavorful Slurpee’s that drew me back to the orange and green?  Wrong again.

The thing that I saved my quarters for was not Big Gulps or Snickers bars (well, maybe a few Snickers bars).  What I craved –  even more than the sugar – was comic books.  The comic book was somewhat of a deity to me back in the day.

And the spinner rack was a shrine.

Comics specialty stores popped up in the 1990’s and they quickly became the new destination for geeks to get their weekly fantasy fix.  Though the comic industry peaked in the mid nineties, and independent comic book stores started to disappear, you could still find your favorite funny books in national bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Border’s.

However, it became harder for the loyal, die-hard comic book fans to locate a shop that understood them, attended to their nerdy needs and didn’t have associates that resembled ‘Comic book Guy’ Jeff Albertson from the Simpsons animated television show.  A good comic shop needs to cater to that resiliently loyal fanbase who loves comics, yet still be inviting enough for the casual customers who don’t know the difference between Kryptonite and a cryptogram.

True believers, I have found such a place:  Super-Fly Comics in Yellow Springs.

Thacher Cleveland and Anthony Barry, co-owners of Super-Fly, talked to DMM about their love of the comics medium, the mechanics of a good ( and bad) comic book movie and the future of the industry.

DMM: Tell me about how you got started selling comics?

TC: We both used to work over at Dark Star Comics and Used Books.  We made the owner an offer to buy her new comic business –her subscription services and the stock — and move it over here into a separate store.  She wanted to focus more on used books, and things of that nature.  She accepted, and we brought it over here. It’s grown since then.

Thacher Cleveland (left), and Anthony Barry of Super-Fly Comics.

DMM: When was this?

Thacher Cleveland: This was August of 2007.

DMM: So, were you guys always comic book fans?

TC: Yeah, definitely.

Anthony Barry: I don’t even remember a time in my life when there weren’t comics around.

TC: We actually have what I am 98% sure was my first comic that I had ever got on display [in the store]:  An issue of Batman that my mother had bought for me when I was home sick from school one day…I was probably 8 or 9 years-old.  That’s sort of my first distinct memory of getting and reading a comic.  It sort of grew from there.

DMM: When did you start working at Dark Star?

TC: I started working there in 2002, and began managing in 2004.

AB: [2004] was when I got hired over there.

DMM: Is it safe to describe you guys as comic book geeks?

AB: Oh yeah! [Laughs.]

TC: Yeah, we’re pretty much into a lot of geeky stuff  in general.  When you’ve been around them and enjoy reading them as much as we do, it just becomes sort of a lifestyle.

DMM: Comic books have always had a stigma as being for kids.  What’s the average age of the people who walk through your doors?

Super-Fly's ample lighting, bright colors and open layout create an inviting atmosphere for browsing

TC: It’s hard to say.  I would say that a lot of our regulars are guys over 18.  We don’t see as many younger kids as we would like.  For the most part, its become less of a “Hey, comics are for kids” and more of the notion that comics are for people that enjoy reading them.  Even a lot of our casual guys are of the older variety.

DMM: What was the concept for the store early on?

TC: We wanted a comic shop that was really inclusive for everyone.  There’s a stereotype of comic shops as being, you know, dark and dungeous.  It couldn’t be a comic shop just for “us”  or people that weren’t willing to devote every second of their day to comics.

Comics aren’t just superheroes.  There’s so much other stuff out there.  There’s all kinds of fun genres being explored. There are historical stories being told.  Autobiographical stories being told.  It’s so diverse.  We wanted a shop to be as diverse as the comics medium is.  That was pretty much our goal going into it.

So far, people seem to be responding to that.  And we appreciate it.

DMM: We’ve seen a lot of comic book movies, in the last decade or so.  What’s your opinion of Hollywood’s love affair with comic book characters?

TC: I think it’s great when [the studios] treat the source material respectfully.  I think a lot more movies, nowadays, are being made by people who understand and enjoy the comics.  You have more people working in the entertainment industry that grew up on comics than the previous generations.

When they’re done well with a keen eye towards staying true to the source material, then it’s fine.  In a lot of cases, it increases people’s exposure to comics.  When the Watchmen movie came out, we had so many people wanting to come in and get the graphic novel to read before they saw the movie.

AB: It’s a mixed bag.  We saw exponential sales with the Watchmen film.  We don’t tend to see as much of a bump with movies like Iron Man.  Those are characters that are already known.  Sometimes, and I’m looking at the movie Wanted, for example, the movies can do a disservice when they change the story so much that it’s almost unrecognizable.  People come in and go,”Hey, I want to read the book that the movie was about.”  And, the movie was dramatically different from the book.  That’s not doing anyone any favors.

Super-Fly hosts art shows, in-store gaming events like HeroClix and HeroScape and dance parties featuring live music.

DMM: With devices — like Apple’s iPad– distributing comics electronically, are there any concerns from you guys regarding the future of the bricks-and-mortar comic book retail store?

TC: That’s probably the number one question that comic retailers across the country are wrestling with.  I think what it comes down to is this:  If you have a good shop– a shop that people like coming to– then you’ll be fine.  If you’re providing them a good experience, have a good selection of product and you’re friendly, then people will come back.

There are always gonna be people that want something for free…or for less.  But I like to think that we provide a really good experience and a good environment.  I hope that people browse through the free and cheap stuff [on the iPad] from the ‘Big Two’ (Marvel and DC) and see something they like and start looking for a good shop.

AB: I’ve yet to see a digital reader I’m satisfied with…although, it’s just a matter of time before that comes along.  Also, a lot of comics readers are into the ‘collectability’ of comics and possessing [the books.]  There’s really no replacement for coming into a store and talking to people who know what they’re talking about.  They ability for someone to recommend books or just have someone to share your experiences with…you can’t replace that.  The customer/shopkeeper relationship that develops over time is certainly better than any computer.

DMM: What, do you think, is Super-Fly’s competitive advantage over other comic shops?

TC: Again, I would say selection and customer service.  We’ve also received a lot of feedback from our customers that they like the way our store looks; they like the way us and our staff treat them.  We special order for people.  We ship, for free, within Ohio for people who can’t make it to Yellow Springs.  We try to put in as much effort as we can to making the entire experience really good.  I hope that all shops are doing that.

AB: We provide a quality experience.  The competition isn’t just other comic shops — it’s online,  digital retailers and sites like Amazon.  You really have to provide a unique experience.  Like Thacher said, we special order things for people all the time.  But even if we can’t get it for them, we’ll tell them where they can.  We’ll at least make the connection for them.  I feel, that’s what people value the most; we assist them in finding what they’re looking for.

Super-Fly Comics is located at 132 Dayton Street in Yellow Springs, Ohio. You can reach them at (937) 767-1445 or [email protected].
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday Noon – 7pm
Wednesday through Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday Noon – 7pm

facebook.com/superflycomics

superflycomics.com

“Tell ’em DaytonMostMetro.com sent ya!”

The author wishes to thank these two gentleman for their time.  He would also like to add that, despite his attempts, he has yet to successfully develop a method of irradiating spiders in an effort to gain super strength.  He also believes that microwaving spiders was probably not a good idea.

Help the Humane Society of Greater Dayton win $20,000

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The Humane Society of Greater Dayton is a top five finalist in the Jump START Your Nonprofit contest from Modern Office Methods. The winning organization will receive new office equipment valued at $20,000. The second prize is valued at $10,000 and the third prize at $5,000.

This is a great opportunity for us, as you know firsthand the time it takes to raise this amount of money. This makeover would allow us to be more efficient in providing services for those who need it most. And, typically, money raised tends to support our mission, rather than offset business technology costs.

We need your vote! The more votes, the better chance we have to win. Go to www.momnet.com and vote for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton once a day beginning Monday, July 12 at 8am through Sunday, July 25 at midnight. We need this makeover to help us run better and serve our communities better!

Please share this with any friends or colleagues who you feel would be willing to vote for us.

Happy voting and thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Megan Moon
Humane Society of Greater Dayton
1661 Nicholas Road
Dayton, Ohio 45417
Phone: (937) 262-5929
Fax: (937) 267-5227


Choosing the City Life

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When my husband and I began to look for our first home almost ten years ago, we never thought of looking anywhere but the city of Dayton.  We lived in an apartment in Grafton Hill, and my parents had a lovely old house in Five Oaks.  We wanted an old house of our own, we wanted character, we wanted more for our money than we could get in the ‘burbs.

Most of our contemporaries thought we were crazy.  But we were thrilled when we found a big fixer-upper on a busy street in Belmont.  We had ourselves a “Belmont Beauty”.  At first we thought we might fix it up and sell it for a profit, but we soon discovered that we really liked living there.

So we’re still here, nine years and two-and-a-half kids later.

And we still really like living here!

We have super-nice neighbors, both with young kids, who have lived in their homes even longer than we have.  We have a double lot, so there is plenty of yard for our kids to play in.  Each spring we do something more to fix it up – this year it was a sweet swing set.  Next year, we’ll be gating off our driveway – the downside of the busy street we live on being that my kiddos can’t run free like I did when I was a child living on a lazy cul-de-sac.

There are other downsides of living in the city, of course: our old, uneven sidewalks and busy street make it difficult for bike riding and wagon-pulling.  But you know what?  Neither of my kids seem to think anything of that at all.  They have a safe, happy home full of fun, a nice big yard and a big front porch to play on.

And on every spring and summer date that even kind of qualifies as a holiday, they also get a free illegal fireworks show. 🙂  What more could a city kid want?

Dayton in the Thick of the Battle for Baby Vanessa

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A hotly-contested custody case that has garnered national attention is heading from Orange County, California,  back to where it started – here in Dayton.

Stacey Doss, a single woman from Orange County, adopted daughter Vanessa at birth  in June 2008. Vanessa was born in Dayton and her birth mother had been matched with  Doss through a California adoption agency.  Although the birth mother signed a document under penalty of perjury stating that she did not know who the birth father was, she was lying.  While Stacey took Vanessa back home with her to California, thinking all was well, the child’s birth father Benjamin Mills, Jr., began taking steps to try and get her back.  Because of this, Stacey’s adoption of Vanessa has never been finalized, and now Vanessa is in danger of being taken from the only home she has ever known.

If the facts about Benjamin Mills, Jr. were not the facts, I might be outraged for him.  After all, his biological child was put up for adoption without his knowledge.  But the facts are these: Mr. Mills has four other children, none of whom he has custody of. (His mother has custody of Vanessa’s two full-siblings). Mr. Mills has a felony criminal record, (which if you’re so inclined you can look up on Montg0mery County’s website) including a conviction for domestic violence against the birth mother for which he served eight months in prison.  (It has been reported by several media outlets that in this instance Mr. Mills pulled the birth mother around by the hair so violently that police found clumps of bloody hair strewn about when they arrived.) Mr. Mills has a child endangerment charge on his record.  Mr. Mills has a very long misdemeanor record.  The Dayton Daily News has reported that Montgomery County Children Services currently has an open case involving Mr. Mills’ older children.  With these being the facts about Mr. Mills, it seems clear to me that he never would have received custody of Vanessa at the time she was born – so why should he receive it now?  And why is he fighting to have his daughter taken away from a loving, stable home, when he clearly cannot provide this for her?

On July 2, California courts ruled that this case belongs in Ohio – and so does Vanessa.  Stacey Doss has been told she has until July 16th to surrender her daughter, who will then be taken by Montgomery County officials and placed in foster care here.  This, to me, is the truly mind-boggling element of this case – why traumatize a two-year-old child by putting her in foster care when she has a perfectly happy home to live in while this case is decided?  It is cruel and unusual punishment to take this child from Stacey Doss’ home – temporarily or permanently.

Doss has filed an emergency appeal to keep Vanessa with her in California with hopes that it will be heard before the 16th.  In support of Stacey and Vanessa Doss, some Dayton locals, including myself, will be holding a candlelight vigil on Thursday July 15th (the eve of the deadline for Vanessa to return to Ohio) from 8:30-9:30 at the Deeds Carillon.  I hope that many of you can join us for what is a support rally not only for Vanessa, but for the best interests of the child in cases like these.

Vanessa’s custody case will be heard in Montgomery County courts on July 29th and 30th, and tensions in the community, and between the the parties involved will surely be heating up between now and then.  The question is, who will Montgomery County law and judges protect – the “rights” of an unfit biological parent, or the best interests of an innocent child?  Only time will tell if justice will be done for Vanessa.

Get Outta Town

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While the ideal road trip may not be as crazy as the movie versions, you can still have a lot of fun if you know where to go, what to bring and what kind of things to expect along the way. This will be the first of a few posts in which I’ll be talking about how to have the perfect road trip, culminating in me sharing with you my own road trip experience with a few of my friends.

Deciding where to go for your road trip may be the toughest thing to do but I hope these suggestions can help you figure out which is best for you.

Great Summer Spots

Niagara Falls on the U.S. side (photo taken by Nicholas Bruce)

Niagara Falls, Canada. Now you are required to have a passport to get into Canada, but it is still an inexpensive vacation spot. The area is tailored to tourists and has basically everything you need to enjoy the experience.

Virginia Beach, Virginia Great for the younger crowd but also very family-friendly. There are lots of things to do in the area, besides the miles of beautiful beach. For more info check out the visitors site http://www.vbfun.com/visitors/default.aspx

Any national park with camping. A lot of national parks have reasonable camping rates which can add to the experience of enjoying a national landmark. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is a great example. This is a great time to make smores, pitch a tent in the woods and tell ghost stories while taking in the wonders of the cave.

Washington, D.C. Obviously our nation’s capital is filled with museums and countless historically important statues and buildings, but be sure to check out the rich food culture that engulfs the area. There’s even a detailed web site to attest this

Don’t forget to consider what is on the way to your destination. If you choose Niagara Falls, you can make a stop in Buffalo, NY where you can try the world famous buffalo chicken wings at Anchor Bar. The places I listed are all within reasonable driving distance from Dayton, Ohio as well!

Luray Caverns in Luray, Va. (photo taken by Nicholas Bruce)

In debating where to go, my group decided on the Virginia area. My dad lives in northwest Virginia in the small resort town of Massanutten. D.C. is only about two hours away and Virginia Beach is a little over four, which make for easy day trips. The best part about this decision is we will save money by not having to get a hotel!

After deciding where you want to go, a timetable for your trip has to be chosen. Major holidays should definitely be avoided, as they create insane traffic jams and overcrowded vacation areas. When traveling during the summer, for example, Sundays tend to have bad traffic as people are returning home from vacation. So if possible, try to leave for your trip on a Thursday or early Friday and return very early Sunday or even Monday.

As for deciding when we wanted to go and for how long, we had to pick a time period that would allow us to include everything we wanted to do. After much debate, July 22-26 was chosen. We will begin our trip on a Thursday and return on a Monday, giving us hopefully clear roads.  We chose to go to Virginia Beach on Saturday and D.C. on Sunday, leaving Friday to enjoy the local activities of Massanutten.

Be sure to read the next piece of this series which will detail what to bring during your road trip.

When Street Art & Government Clash

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OD Knit Graffiti - photo credit: Delectable Dayton

The City of Dayton seems to be stuck somewhere between two forces.  The first is a government mired in an old bureaucratic attitude and uncreative culture with strict rules that focus on regulating instead of facilitating, perhaps from a different era when old captains of industry controlled things in the community.  The other is a new generation of a few progressive-thinking city staffers & officials, a citizenry made up of those who create music and art, and those who enjoy living where creativity (sometimes spontaneous) is embraced and encouraged.  The same subset of city residents that actually CHOOSES to live in the city for the love of an urban environment, despite the enormous challenges that the city faces.

Last month, the Delectable Dayton blog did some great reporting on the spontaneous “knit graffiti” (or “yarn bombs”) that popped up in the Oregon District, and the subsequent heavy-handed reaction by public works employees who allegedly responded to a few complaints by removing this spontaneous street art and threatening to bill the “offending artist” for said removal.  The final chapter in this saga ended with the issue moving from the stand·pat publics works department to the more progressive planning department and a call for this kind of situation to be resolved in the future by community stakeholders instead of city staff.  This was a great example of an issue going viral on the social networks (Facebook, individual blogs, etc.), and the social network reaction is what caused the change in this incident’s trajectory within the city government.  Yes, the more progressive factions of the city government are very plugged into online social networks and I predict we’ll see more actions and reactions come from these online discussions.

Getting back to the OD yarn bomb incident – it is my opinion that we must have a major shift in attitude when it comes to street art in this town.  While the old guard tends to favor more planned, less risque and established out-of-town artists when it comes to public art, the new generation of creatives wants public art to be more spontaneous, thought-provoking, unique and most importantly – done by local artists.  This isn’t to say that city government has always come down against this new generational attitude as Garden Station is a perfect example of city government acting as an enabler.  But other efforts such as c{space have run into a strange combination of conflicting attitudes within city government; regulators vs facilitators, squashers vs champions, traditional vs progressive.  And then there is the OD Yarn Bomb Incident.

Street art can be controversial yet it is important to any urban environment – it differentiates an authentic downtown from the more sterile environments found in typical suburban shopping malls and corporate-driven lifestyle-centers like The Greene.  Nothing against those environments – different strokes for different folks.  But the more diverse lifestyle options a region can offer, the stronger it will be in attracting a talent base necessary for economic growth – and a strong, viable and authentic urban core is an absolute necessity to any region’s economy.  So how do we strike the proper balance between encouraging our local artists when it comes to spontaneous public art, and ensuring that we are creating a truly inspiring urban environment that doesn’t offend the sensibilities of the average resident or visitor?

A possible solution to the public art dilemma could come in the form of a public street arts council – a group of community stakeholders (local artists, residents, business owners) that could be responsible for evaluating potential planned public art installations and quickly approving permits to local artists.  Organization and communication could be done easily, cheaply and rapidly online as opposed to traditional committee meetings and public townhalls.  And this same council and communication system could be used to handle spontaneous street-art incidents, perhaps with online polls that empower citizens to evaluate – hopefully with a sensible yet more laissez-faire attitude than a government bureaucracy.  Whereas typical vandal graffiti would get a majority thumbs down, completely harmless street art like knit graffiti would likely get a pass (as can be seen by the quick poll set up at Delectable Dayton).

As our city continues its transition from old to new economy, we must be looking forward and implementing solutions such as these – lest we lose for good those who make our city more interesting and those who truly appreciate our urban core.

UPDATE: In case some of you haven’t actually clicked on the links in this post, check out the simple solution that Bristol implemented to deal with rogue street art after the fact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/aug/31/graffiti-art-bristol-public-vote

Arrive Safe = Free Ride Home For Partiers

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If you celebrate Independence Day with alcohol, celebrate your freedom; don’t spend the holiday in jail for a DUI. If you don’t have a designated driver, call ArriveSafe at 449-9999 for a FREE cab ride home in Montgomery County.  This program runs until Monday, July 5th at 6am.

Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck, Jr., with support from AAA Miami Valley and Heidelberg Distributing Company, have offered this program for the last several years over major holidays that traditionally include drinking.  Since starting the program, they estimate that 1000 people have taken advantage of these no questions asked rides.

This year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has arrested more than 340 people in Montgomery County for DUI. In just the first four months of this year, there were 87 alcohol related traffic crashes in Montgomery County.

So celebrate the holiday, but  have a designated driver or call 449-9999 and request a free ride home. ArriveSafe will pay the cab fare up to $50.

Dayton Mayor Responds to Brookings Institute Ranking, DDN Reporting

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(the following was written by Gary Leitzell – Mayor, City of Dayton)

The June 16, 2010 article ‘Dayton metro area gets 9th worst ranking in U.S.’ does nothing except give citizens yet another out-of-context, “the sky is falling” dose of misinformation about our region’s economic health.

First, the Dayton region’s demographics are unfairly represented by the Brookings Institute. The Dayton Region trade area (Metropolitan Statistical Area) lists the population as 839,000 – focusing only on the four counties Jennifer Bradley mentions in the report. However, the total trade area population for the Dayton Region is 1.2 million, encompassing all or portions of seven counties.

When all statistics from these counties are added together, the region becomes much stronger statistically. Between 2000 and the end of 2008, both the City of Dayton and Montgomery County lost population, yet the Dayton Region as a whole gained 1.8% in population. The constant news reporting about the exiting of Mead, General Motors and National Cash Register would lead citizens to conclude that we have lost population in the double digits. Not the case. Additionally, hundreds of small companies have opened or relocated into the Dayton Region, even as those larger, newsworthy companies moved out.

Despite the economic pain resulting from the loss of GM and NCR, our region is making up for it with large, successful corporations like Wright-Patterson AFB, UDRI, Premier Health Partners, Kettering Health Network, Care Source, and others, along with the many small and medium-sized businesses that are continually forming in support of these large corporations and institutions. The Austin Road interchange development should turn the population numbers positive for Montgomery County in three to four years, and the Dayton and Cincinnati regions are currently in the process of merging as we speak. All of this bodes well for the Dayton Region.

Mrs. Bradley compares Dayton to Rochester and Buffalo, NY, Madison, WI, and Des Moines, Iowa, claiming they fared well with no big corporations. However, 39% of the Top 300 Cities in the US are successful because of significant amenities such as being located near an ocean or lake, in a warm climate, near mountains, or being a capital city. As any economist can tell you, capital cities are in a class by themselves and cannot be compared to other municipalities. Madison and Des Moines are both capital cities located next to large lakes, while Rochester is on Lake Ontario and Buffalo on Lake Erie. Not only can these four cities not be compared to Dayton, but taking a three-month window and predicting Dayton’s untimely demise makes it obvious that the Brookings Institute does not have an in-depth understanding of our region’s true health.

Shame on the DDN for not investigating the Brookings Institute report more thoroughly. Dayton did not deserve this headline.

Gary Leitzell
Mayor, City of Dayton

YP Roundup – July Events

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YP groups across the region are keeping busy this summer.  Here’s a look at some great events coming up through July.  Sometimes events get added/announced later – so – if I missed anything, I may add it in the comments to keep it up-to-date.  If you’ve attended any of these events or are planning on going – let us know what you like about it.

July 2- Okay – it’s not specifically YP, but it is BOTH First Friday and the kick-off of the City Folk Festival.  And if you visit City Folk Festival on Saturday night, say “Hi” to the big group of Generation Dayton members who are volunteering at the beer tent!  OR – you can join up with STREET BUZZ to get a unique YP view of the action hitting the Fest, the Wine Gallery, Sidebar and Garden Station.

July 2-5: Dayton Active is going backpacking in the Great Smokey National Park!  What a way to spend the 4th of July weekend – enjoying the nature that has inspired numerous anthems about our country!  This is a group of outdoor enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s who want to provide a great way for people to meet new friends and explore the rec opportunities around our region.

Wednesday, July 7  at 5:30 PM: Dayton Ballet Barre hosts their monthly Associate Board meeting.  Their Associate Board is currently accepting new members – join them at The Wine Gallery and Cafe along the river on Monument and Main for happy hour drink specials, appetizers provided by the Barre, and some new friends.

Thursday, July 8:  Generation Dayton hosts their Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour.  It’s an opportunity to mix and mingle with other YPs in a casual setting.  Members and non-members welcome.  Drinks at your own expense.  Join them from 5:30-7:30 PM at TJ Chumps, 12 East Linden Ave in Miamisburg.

Friday, July 9: Dayton Urban League Young Professionals host their monthly YP @ Play from 8-11 PM.  This is a great opportunity to enjoy some great drink specials at Therapy Cafe, meet some new friends, and enjoy some throwback games from when you were younger.  Free to members, $10 for nonmembers.  Food and fantastic games included, but drinks at your own cost.

Wednesday, July 14: The Dayton Creative Syndicate – the professional organization that provides creative young professionals with networking, professional development, and social activities – is hosting the Summer Social and Networking event upstairs at Adobe Gilas at the Greene from 5:30-8:30.  This is an event in conjunction with the GDAA.

Thursday, July 15: HYPE 3rd Thursday Social at The Caroline in Troy from 5:30-7:30 PM.  This is a great event designed to provide a way for YPs in the northern Miami Valley to network, meet friends, and get involved – but it’s open to everyone.  Check out a fun venue with great drink specials and fantastic food.

Friday, July 16: The Montgomery County Young Republicans invite you to their July Social at Valley Vineyards.  Join them to learn more about the group, discuss how to build the party locally, learn how you can get involved in the upcoming elections, and have some food and drink with like-minded YPs.  PLUS – if you join or renew your membership between now and then, your first drink is on them!

Monday, July 19: And the Young Republicans keep going – they host their monthly meeting with a new twist!  Check out the new events planned and be a part of the summer action.  6:30 PM at GOP Headquarters (8534 Yankee Street).

Tuesday, July 20: Generation Dayton hosts their monthly Business and Breakfast from 7-8 AM at Mimi’s Cafe at the Greene.  This event is free to attend, but breakfast is at your own expense.

Thursday, July 22: TWO GREAT EVENTS!

Generation Dayton is golfing!  Join in this shotgun start, scramble format to have a great time.  Register individually or as a foursome and have a great afternoon (1-6PM) at the Miami Valley Golf Club.  All are welcome (discounted costs for Gen D members).

The Junior League of Dayton is hosting a Membership Outreach event at Coldwater Cafe in Tipp City from 6-8 PM.  If you’re a woman interested in getting involved in this long-standing and highly recognized national organization focused on volunteerism, come talk to your local Junior Leaguers about getting involved.

Friday, July 23: TWO GREAT EVENTS!

HYPE continues their wine education seriesat the Piqua Country Club from 6-7:30 PM.  Learn the science and art of wine as it makes its way from the grapes on the vine to the wine in your glass.  Light hors d’oeuvres served.  $25 for advance registration and $35 at the door.

Generation Dayton knows how to make your Friday go faster – meet up with friends for lunch on the fourth Friday of every month!  This month they’re meeting at Sweeney’s Seafood in Centerville.  Meet with other YPs over an enjoyable lunch.  The event is free, but lunch is at your own expense.

Saturday, July 24: Looking for a classy, fun, and tasteful night out?  Join the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals as they host a Chocolate Affair at the Doubletree Hotel from 7PM – 1 AM.  The Chocolate Affair is an upscale evening event for professionals of all levels to network, dance and have a good time for a good cause. The proceeds from this very glitzy, yet chocolaty fund raising event will support 1,200 youth in the education programs at the Dayton Urban League.  $30 for members, $40 for nonmembers, and $50 for special VIP tickets.

Sunday, July 25:  The Dayton Ballet Board picnic is coming up this month!  You bring a covered dish to share and they provide the hot dogs and hamburgers.  Join the Barre at Delco Park Shelter 2 from 12-3 PM for this fun family-friendly event.  Ever think that YP events exclude young parents?  This is the event for you to bring the little ones and enjoy the summer.  The park has a lake where people can fish, a playground and several sand volleyball courts. There will also be a Corn Hole set or two so anyone who wants to play Corn Hole can do so. Since this is a family event there will be a Fourth of July themed piñata for the kids to play with.

Monday, July 26: LISTENING TOUR.  Do you want your voice heard?  Do you want the inside scoop on the happenings with the City’s finances?  This event is specific to YPs.Even if you’re not a Dayton resident, the health of the City is important to all of us.  Join with YPs all across the region (coordinated between the City, DULYP, GenD and updayton) – this event is so valuable that major outreach is occurring to get you there!  Breakfast is served, parking is validated, and you can share your ideas for ways to improve the City’s financial situation.  7AM at the Dayton Convention Center.  RSVP to be there.

Thursday, July 29 – The last Thursday of every month you can meet up and mingle with the Young AFCEAns – a group of young professionals working in technology, intelligence, electronic, information systems and communication.  Location and place TBD – check back here for the update.  Or better yet – check out their Web page and get involved!

Well – That’s what I could track down before July 1 in hopes to get you hooked into the events happening.  As more events pop up – post there here to let us all know.  And if you go to an event or have more details, feel free to share in the comments.  Enjoy your summer!