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Author behind movie ‘Precious’ to speak at WSU

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SapphireThe author of Push, the novel that became the Academy Award winning feature film ‘Precious’, will visit Dayton this month.

Novelist/poet Sapphire, is scheduled to speak at The Ervin J. Nutter Center, Wright State University on Monday, April 12 at 7 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public.

A few days before the presentation, the Neon Movies in downtown Dayton has two free screenings of ‘Precious’ scheduled for April 10 at noon and 3 p.m.  Tickets are required and will be available on April 2 at the theater.

untitledPush, Sapphire’s 1996 debut novel, tells the story of Precious Jones, an obese, functionally-illiterate 16 year-old mother struggling to escape a harsh life of neglect, abuse and incest.

In 2008, the book was adapted into the film ‘Precious’, and premiered (with much acclaim) at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.  The film attracted the attention of Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, who signed on as executive-producers of the project in an effort to boost the project’s visibility in Hollyood.

After being picked up for distribution by LionsGate Entertainment, the film was released on November 6, 2009. Though the film was originally slated for limited theatrical release, critical acclaim, positive reviews and the star power of Perry and Winfrey propelled ‘Precious’ into the national spotlight.

‘Precious’ received six Academy Award nominations and won in the Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress categories.

Sapphire’s presentation is part of Wright State University’s celebration of Minority Health Month.  For additional information regarding this event, please visit here.

No spelling required for this volunteer opportunity!

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images-103 But you will need some basic math skills, as you’ll be assigned to keep score for a table at the Literacy Council’s annual Scrabble Tournament.  The event will take place on Arpil 22nd at the Engineers Club, starting with cocktails at 5:30pm.

If you’re interested in finding out more, there will be a 1 hour volunteer orientation meeting on April 17th at the Literacy Council, located at 333 W. First Street, Suite 130,  in downtown Dayton.  Contact Brian .

Young Talent Have Their Say (While Furthering Their Careers)

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Make a difference, make connections and build you skills on April 16

Make a difference, make connections and build your skills on April 16

Here at updayton we made a name for ourselves last year with the inaugural Young Creatives Summit. This year, we are streamlining and updating the Summit in a lot of ways – including professional development.

Sure – you can call it professional development for the great networking opportunities. And we all know that volunteer and community involvement is a great way to further your career (people you meet, learning new skills, leading initiatives), but we’re not stopping there either. When we say professional development – we’re talking serious skill building.

Maybe you’re a brilliant designer or a razor-sharp lawyer or a ground-breaking engineer. But have you ever tried to coordinate and inspire volunteers (it’s like herding cats)? Or maybe you can project manage the hell out of something, but how about utilizing the best forms of communication to get your message out to your stakeholders, sponsors, team members, or media partners? Or as much as you believe in the mission of your volunteer organization – do you know the best way to approach someone and ask them to hand over their hard-earned cash for your cause? We each have great skills, but when it comes to making a difference in the community, it’s nice to be a Jack (or Jill)-of-all-trades. That’s where updayton is upping the stakes for this year’s Summit.

Like last year, the 2010 Young Creatives Summit offers idea-generating breakout sessions (streamlined voting process – yes, we listened) and a unique Resource Fair opportunity over lunch. But NEW this year are the Skills Workshops; these are “crash courses” to cover valuable topics to help you make a difference in your community. Expert panelists from across the community offer hints, tips, and insights on Entrepreneurship, Fundraising, Leading in the Community, Communication, Event Planning, and Demystifying Local Government.

We all know that making a difference in the world is about what you know and who you know. So, this is a great opportunity to enhance both. Panelists include community leaders as well as CEOs, VPs, Executive Directors, government leaders and serious movers-and-shakers in business and the community – they’re sharing practical knowledge and helping you make connections with the people you need to know.

So – take a half day on Friday, April 16 to make your mark on the community and further your career. Wondering how to convince your boss that it’s a good use of company time? Tell him or her that you’ll be giving a Friday afternoon to build your skills, network with other young leaders, and create a region where you’ll want to stick around. (And if you ARE the big boss – consider the Summit as a great employee retention opportunity!)

Registration is open NOW and more information is available at http://updayton.com.

Top Ten Lessons I Learned The Hard Way

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There Is No Learning Curve In Life

  1. Don’t laugh when a woman asks you if you have ever thought about marrying them.
  2. Don’t eat any food that the aforementioned woman might serve to you if in fact you did laugh.
  3. Even though it is sometimes referred to as the “Muscle Of Love,” Ben-Gay should never be used on it.
  4. Never assume that your friend turned off the correct breaker before you start working on the electric.
  5. You will always hear the click of the lock at the exact moment you realize that your keys are still inside.
  6. All fat people are not jolly.
  7. Zippers are not forgiving…they play for keeps.
  8. If an African-American man is using the urinal next to you, don’t say, “So! It’s not true what they say about you guys!” He will not find it amusing at all.
  9. Don’t assume that a woman holding an iron skillet just wants to cook you something.
  10. Never ask a random stranger on the street, “Hey! Do you know where I can cash a winning lottery ticket at?”

Top Ten Reasons Why I Am Not Working

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I Will Tell You Why I Procrastinate…Later 

  1. The Conan/Leno debacle has me all verklempt. At least Conan got custody of Andy Richter, so I can sleep a little better tonight.
  2. While doing research for an article, I accidentally misspelled Hadron Collider on Google Search and now my computer inundated with pop ups for gay porn.
  3. After the aforementioned disaster, I have also inadvertently found a new meaning for “teabaggers,” which has not allowed me to stop simultaneously vomiting and laughing at the same time.
  4. While cleaning up the vomit, I noticed a rust stain in the sink, which I scrubbed out using an SOS pad. Not wanting to waste a whole pad on such a small job, I looked for something else to clean. Three and a half hours later, the oven is clean, the windows are washed, the kitchen floor is swept and mopped and for reasons I don’t feel I need to explain, I shaved the cat.
  5. A really attractive Jehovah’s Witness knocked at the door and it became a battle of wills as to which one of us would convert who.
  6. I had to sob on the couch for some time, realizing that I am older and extremely off my game and have now been corralled into passing out Watchtowers.
  7. I noticed that it was around noon, which meant that I only had two hours before I had to leave to pick up my kids, and anyone knows that is not enough time to actually get anything done, so why start something that you’re not going to finish.
  8. I notice that the cat was cold after being shaved and decided to cut five holes in a sweat sock for her to wear as a coat. Making the coat took no time at all, but cats are pointy at four of their five ends and don’t take kindly to being shoved inside a sweat sock.
  9. I had to rest after the above-mentioned ordeals, so I sat down and contemplated how I was going to meet my publisher’s deadlines. I came to the conclusion that all I needed to do was outsource the work, but since I don’t know anyone inBangladesh, I had to settle for a local crackhead.
  10. The crackhead said that he needed ten bucks for supplies, so I’m just waiting for him to get back and then we’ll be on a roll! He should be back any minute now…anytime now…

National Rebuilding Day is Sat, April 24th

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banner_rtd_logoThe annual signature event of Rebuilding Together,  brings volunteers and communities together to rehabilitate the homes of low-income homeowners. Through in-kind labor and donated materials, Rebuilding Together Dayton is able to expand every dollar raised into $4.

Rebuilding Together Dayton provides home rehabilitation for low-income Dayton homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so they may live in warmth, safety and independence.  Since it’s creation in 1996, they have repaired over 900 homes in neighborhoods across the city .

Rebuilding Day applicants must own their own homes in the City of Dayton and have a combined household income of less than 80% of the area median income. Preference is given to homeowners who are elderly and/or disabled and have lived in their homes for a minimum of 10 years. The 2008 recipients’ average income was 34% of median (around $14,000 annually) and average time in their home was 30 years.  Nominations are often made by neighborhood groups, churches, neighborhood development corporations, city housing inspectors, priority boards as well as individuals.

TOP 10 reasons to volunteer for  REBUILDING TOGETHER DAYTON

10. Take Action and Make an Impact – It beats being a couch potato. Get out of the house and be a part of what is happening in your city. Get in tune with your own skills and talents without someone telling you what they are. You have a voice and it needs to be heard. No one listens to the guy on the sidelines.
9. Food – Who says there’s no free lunch? Not us! We serve free lunches to everyone who volunteers. And if you’re lucky, your volunteer coordinator just might bring donuts for breakfast.
8. Leadership – Gain leadership skills and be the boss of your own community service project. Build a sense of responsibility.
7. Experience – Community service looks great on applications and resumes. Get “real world” experience right in your own backyard.
6. Guilt – Hey, is there anything wrong with a little soul cleansing? Besides, if you don’t do it, who will?
5. IT’S FUN!! Need we say more? Didn’t think so!
4. Friends – Meet new and interesting people. Who knows who you might meet?
3. Adventure – Go to new places. Learn a new skill. Get a little dirty!
2. New Wardrobe – Well, okay, it’s just a free T-shirt – but it’s COOL!
1. And the No. 1 Reason — IT’S FREE!! – Volunteer on Rebuilding Day and you can have a great time at no cost to you!


Ready to volunteer? Click here or  call Amy at 229-4893.

UD to Host 9th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference

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ATWLCEvery woman needs a little “me” time, so why not take this opportunity for a day of networking, self-improvement and rejuvenation?

If you have not yet registered for the Annie T. Thornton Women’s Leadership Conference, to be held at the University of Dayton on Saturday, March 27th, it is not too late to do so.  This annual one-day event is named in honor of Annie T. Thornton to recognize her 44 years of leadership and dedication at the University of Dayton. During her time at UD, she  mentored hundreds of students, changing lives and empowering women.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Women, Community, Action and Leadership.”  The conference officially begins at 9:15 am in Kennedy Union; registration begins at 8:30 am. Dr. Donna Cox promises to be inspirational with her keynote address, and the schedule includes workshop sessions covering topics such as career development, race and gender issues, health and wellness, financial strategies, work/life balance, and much more.

To learn more about the conference, or to register, please visit  http://campus.udayton.edu/~udwlc. Conference registration is $20 ($10 for students) and includes a continental breakfast and buffet-style lunch. See you there!

Feed Dayton: Urban Farming

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farmers marketImagine, if you will, an urban farming program that grows food exclusively for those who need it most.

Now picture this program growing large quantities of only a small variety of crops chosen specifically for their high nutrition value and quantity of harvest, rather than simply based on popularity or marketability.

What if this program engaged the residents from the nearby low income communities to come in and do the harvesting in exchange for keeping a portion of what they picked . . . 80% given to the agencies that feed people . . . 20% kept by those doing the picking.
What if this program dramatically lowered expenses by collecting valuable compostable materials from throughout the community such as leaves, grass clippings,  and wood chips, as well as horse manure,  fish from the nearby rivers, and other  organic fertilizers.

Want to know more? Feed Dayton is a local Urban Farming Program that is growing fresh produce for members of our community who are struggling during today’s difficult times.There will be a volunteer meeting on Thurs, March 18th at 6:30pm at the Life Enrichment Center on 425 North Findlay Street in Dayton.

Purpose of this meeting:

To inform and/or update everybody on what is happening with Feed Dayton at the start of the 2010 planting season. This is a great opportunity for all of us to meet each other, face to face. We will also be providing information on what we are looking for from our volunteers and the community, as well as what you can expect from Feed Dayton.

Letters for Literacy- Scrabble Fest 2010

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Save the Date_Page_1The Miami Valley Literacy Council will host it’s 4th annual team competition on Thurs, April 22nd at The Engineers Club. Starting at 5:30pm with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, this event is a very mission-centric fundraiser. Teams of of to eight  play a slightly altered game of Scrabble that makes it fun to raise funds. Teams can buy extra letters, peeks in the dictionary or expert advice! After 2 rounds of game play, the team with the highest combined score is declared the winner of the huge traveling trophy and retains bragging rights.

Get your team together and come out and join this unique event. Single players will be matched with a team. Cost per player is $50, a table of eight is $500. For more info, contact the Miami Valley Literacy Council at 223.4922.

2010 Aviation Heritage Speakers Series: Dayton’s Air Show History

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dayton-air-show-1The annual Dayton Air Show took off in 1975, but air shows and flying exhibitions in Dayton go back 100 years to the Wright Company’s exhibition team, which trained at Huffman Prairie and made its flying debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in June 1910.

Aviation writer Timothy R. Gaffney will discuss Dayton’s air show history and highlight past major Dayton aviation shows, including national military shows and a national women’s air race. It all takes place at the Engineers Club, Wednesday, March 17, 7:00 pm.

Gaffney_tightMr. Gaffney is a former Dayton Daily News aviation writer, publisher of AviationDayton.com, and author of Dayton Air Show: A Photographic Celebration, which features photos by Dayton Daily News photographer Ty Greenlees.

The Aviation Heritage Speaker Series offers the public a variety of speakers addressing topics related to aviation history through engaging discussion and first-hand accounts.

All programs are on Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. at the Engineers Club, 110 East Monument Avenue, Dayton, Ohio. These events are free and open to the public.

Community Leaders Encouraged To Apply

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LDLogoLeadership Dayton, a program of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, is a premier leadership development program designed to identify, educate and motivate a network of community leaders and increase the individual’s capacity to serve the Dayton region.  Each year about 40 applicants are selected to  learn through seminars, small work groups, panel discussions, direct interaction with community leaders, and a variety of experiential activities. Candidates must commit to attend an all day session one day a month,  as well as the kickoff retreat.

Leadership Dayton is the fourth oldest continuously operating community leadership program in the United States. This regional program and program participants live, work and serve in a number of counties throughout the Miami Valley including: Darke, Butler, Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby and Warren.

If you are looking to increase your capacity to serve the Dayton region and learn about the challenges facing your community, The Chamber urges you to apply to Dayton’s premier leadership development program.  Participants are selected based on a variety of criteria including the applicant’s leadership potential and demonstrated commitment to the community. 

If you’d like to be considered for the class of 2011, you’ll need to fill out an  application by Monday, April 5, 2010.


For more information about Leadership Dayton contact the Dayton chamber at 226-8256 or visit Leadershipdayton.org.

PS- As a graduate of the class of 2000, I highly recommend this program.  Feel free to contact me if you’ve got questions about Leadership Dayton- Lisa

Afternoon of Spanish Cuisine & Culture for Planned Parenthood

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ppIt’s the second annual Tour the Globe fundraising event for Planned Parenthood.  This year’s featured country is Spain. Enjoy a festive afternoon packed with authentic Spanish entertainment and cuisine. Live Spanish music and Flamenco dancing will be provided by Flamenco Louisville. Special guest, Dr. Juan Palomar will conduct a Spanish wine presentation and tasting of his award winning Veleta/Dominio Buanavista Wines grown and produced in Dr. Palomar’s vineyard in Ugijar, Granada, Spain. A cooking demonstration and delicious Spanish feast will be prepared by El Meson.

Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: El Meson Restaurant, West Carrollton, Ohio

Ticket Price: $75 (includes tax-deductible donation of $45)

Tickets include one complimentary Sangria, a Spanish feast consisting of Spanish Tapas, a Paella Buffet, Flan for dessert, and an afternoon of Spanish entertainment!

You can purchase tickets at: www.ppswo.org
Questions?  Contact Karen Meade with any questions at 937-528-4678

Wanna Propose With A $20,000 Ring?

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EDC_ROCKS_LogoOn Sat, April 24th Elizabeth Diamond Company and AIDS Resource Center of Ohio  join forces to raise much-needed funds and help one lucky couple take home a $20,000 Tacori engagement ring with a one and a half carat EDC diamond.

Theme and clues for the scavenger hunt will incorporate the Dayton region’s rich musical history. The winning couple will be announced at the EDC Far Hills Avenue location following the scavenger hunt .

The hunt will take place in downtown Centerville. Only 200 couples are eligible to participate. Couples can register right now in person at EDC or online at www.shopedc.com/huntfortherock. The registration fee is $25.00 with all proceeds benefiting ARC Ohio. In addition, every couple that participates will receive a gift bag featuring a $250.00 gift certificate to use towards the purchase of an engagement ring at Elizabeth Diamond Company. In addition to Tacori, other local businesses such as, Square One Salon, Heidelberg Distributing, Erika’s Photography, Visceral Gallery, Coolidge Wall Law Offices and Grapes Wine Lounge will be participating as sponsors to help truly make this a community wide event.

 

The EDC Hunt For The Rock will take place Saturday April 24th 2010 from 11 AM to 3 PM. Check-in starts at 10 AM. Theme and clues for the scavenger hunt will test participants knowledge of music including, the Dayton region’s rich musical history. EDC will announce the winning couple at its’ Far Hills location after the scavenger hunt has concluded. For more info, eligibility requirements and to register please visit www.shopedc.com/huntfortherock.

 According to Sonu Singhvi, owner of Elizabeth Diamond Company, “In the current economy, most couples have a lot of financial fears about how to take that next big step. That’s why we devised this with a $20,000 engagement ring as the prize, so they can take that step free from the burden of having to pay off a large loan. So, we hope that whichever couple wins, they’re ready to propose!” Mrs. Singhvi went on to state, “We’re also really excited to be partnering with ARC Ohio for this event. They do such incredible work in the community and it’s an honor to help ensure that it continues.”

 Elizabeth Diamond Company was voted best jewelry store by a recent poll conducted by activedayton.com. The company is locally owned and operated. Located one-quarter mile south of I-675 on Far Hills Avenue in Centerville.

ARC Ohio is geographically the largest AIDS Services organization in Ohio today. In the midst of growing complacency, difficult financial times, and still no cure or preventative vaccine, the need to raise funds and awareness has never been more crucial! 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to provide services to those infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS.  They provide comprehensive support services, HIV testing & counseling, prevention education, linkage to care, and advocacy.


In Which a Huber Home Holds the Key to Happily Ever After

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100_3889They were the Cutest Couple In The World. That’s the name I gave them (I give my clients names, it’s true. It’s part of the confidentiality I owe. There are plenty of reasons someone might want to transact property, and Dayton is a small town. I can’t assume that anyone I work with wants anyone else to know their financial transactions. If I give my clients aliases, when my husband asks me, “What’s going on today?” I can say “The Cutest Couple In The World, or The Doctor, or The Farm, is closing”. It’s a way of sharing basic information with my family, without sharing confidential information).

The Cutest Couple In The World had all the energy and excitement that youth on the threshold of new life brings. It’s infectious and I love working with 1st time home buyers because of that. This couple was relocating to Dayton Ohio- he was a newly graduated Air Force pilot. She was graduating in a month, they were buying a home, then they were getting married, then they were moving her to Dayton. That’s a lot of change in a short time, but for this couple, it was an exciting new chapter of their lives about to be written. I was honored to be part of that.

They were in town for 2 weeks to find a home. Yikes! And they wanted to look in Beavercreek and Bellbrook, because “That’s where my Air Force buddies tell me to look.” That’s not unusual. The military creates surrogate families and they rely on each other to get local information. So off we went to look in Beavercreek and Bellbrook, in their price range, with their list of wants and needs… And we came up short.

This was 2005. The real estate market was different then and they found themselves priced out of Beavercreek and Bellbrook for a home they might like, so we went back to the Dayton Area Board of Realtors MLS and took another look. “I have a friend who lives in Huber Heights”. Ah-ha! Huber Heights, home of the ubiquitous and humble brick ranch.

Daytonians often turn their noses up at Huber homes, and that’s a shame. Everyone’s gotta live somewhere and not everyone wants to paint their home every five years or run up and down steps. A nice Mid-Century Modern home is an easily maintained use of space. In Huber, it’s a space that is close to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, but won’t break your budget, and there’s no shame in any of it. We started looking in Huber Heights. We saw plenty of homes, but they were drawn to the area commonly known as “North of 70”, and it fit them- new life, new city, newer home.

We looked at a few different models- big, small, ranch, split-level: A great room appealed, formal spaces did not. Space for guests was a priority, a gourmet kitchen, not so much. Easy to care for landscaping and a place for a grill? Nice. We found a home, put in an offer, the bride-to-be went back to Virginia.

The offer was not accepted. The Pilot was concerned. The Bride had loved that home and now he had to find a replacement without her. The beauty part of buying a home in Huber Heights is that there are others out there, so off we went.

Staging a home is important. You often hear that you should remove personal items from a listed property- don’t doubt the power personal items have on potential buyers. I’ve had too many clients make decisions about the owner of a home, and the care and feeding of that home by proxy, based off of what they can find out about you from the belongings you leave out. Clients always look over your bookshelves, your cd and video collections. They bend down to see your grandkid’s photos on the side table. They stand and wonder about the giant Last Supper print hanging over the dining room table- (even more so if it’s in black velvet). They refuse to step foot in the house that does (oh yes it does!) smell like cats the minute you open the door.

The Pilot and I were charged with finding a home the Bride would love. In 2005, finding a home for someone who is out of town was much more difficult than it is today. Today I use software to share tons of photos and lots of information, but back then we emailed MLS sheets and talked on the phone, and hoped for the best.

It was a small three bedroom, two bath, split floor plan with an eat-in kitchen, and a great room. Nothing fancy, but clean, and full of love. A young family lived there but mom had an “eye” and the property was nicely staged by her. I’m sure the birthday cake scented candle that was always burning when we visited, helped create that sense of home as well. There is a home for everyone and Realtors understand that what each client needs and wants is unique, but also that each client is allowed to have their own goals- my job is to honor and respect that, not to pass judgment. The Pilot put an offer, it was accepted.

Once they were married and settled, I went back to visit the Cutest Couple in the World. They had made that little Huber home an adorable honeymoon suite- so charming and cool. She loved it, they both loved it. They thoroughly enjoyed living in Huber Heights where they could be here or there within minutes of home, entertain friends and spend time alone together. Like all well loved homes, that plain Jane cookie cutter house now had another special layer of ownership to it’s history, turning a brick ranch into the place one couple will fondly remember as their first home.

Photo: Teri Lussier, TheBrickRanch.com

Improve Dayton neighborhoods through the 2010 Dayton Mini-Grant Program

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Dayton1442Dayton neighborhood groups are encouraged to think creatively and collaboratively to propose neighborhood improvement projects for possible mini-grant support.

The City of Dayton’s Department of Planning and Community Development will accept applications through May 14 for projects such as neighborhood Web sites, home tours, physical improvements and more. Neighborhood associations, block clubs, Priority Boards and other established community improvement organizations are eligible to apply.

For complete information, go to www.cityofdayton.org.

Information provided by The City of Dayton.