💎 Happy New Year! (Issue #18)

Good morning,

And welcome to the first issue of Miami Valley Memo in 2024! Every week we share curated news, events, and live shows for the Miami Valley.

We hope you had fun and restoring holidays that are giving you a great start to the New Year! 2024 is going to be an especially exciting year, and we can’t wait to share it with you — week after week.

Speaking of, here’s what we’ll be covering today:

• Upcoming events, from arts to calzones

• This weekend’s live shows

• Vesper Energy trying to bring solar to Greene County

• Blue Berry Cafe succeeding Golden Nugget in Kettering and upcoming temporary closure in Bellbrook

Let’s get to it!

— Max

📣 FOR ADVERTISERS

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There are so many ways to advertise nowadays: Facebook, Google, YouTube, Direct Mail, etc. Picking one is just the beginning. 

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And all you want to do is promote your brand.

Consider a simpler option: advertising with a local newsletter like ours. We’ll create ads for you that resonate, and put your brand or events in front of an engaged local audience. Our readers call the Miami Valley home and could be your next loyal customers.

Click the button below and learn how we can help you reach them in 2024.

⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

32° 🌡️ 39° | ☁️ | ☔ 0% | 💨 6 mph

Saturday

34° 🌡️ 39° | ☁️ | ☔ 15% | 💨 6 mph

Sunday

33° 🌡️ 38° | ⛅ | ☔ 15% | 💨 12 mph

🎨 First Friday Art Hop

📅 Friday: 5-9pm
📍 Front Street Art, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free

Dive into the creative heart of Dayton’s Arts District with a visit to Front Street! Explore studios, galleries, and boutiques, and meet over 250 artists, creatives, and curators. Don't miss 'Bible Road', a solo show featuring the work of folk artist Pilgrim Fairchild. Treat your taste buds to a range of delicious options from Kool Beanz Cafe. Front Street is a family and pet-friendly space with free admission and parking. Learn more.

🎾 Beginner Pickleball Clinic

📅 Friday: 6-7:30pm
📍 Dayton Sports Complex, Dayton
💰 $35

Looking to pick up pickleball in 2024? Join this fun, beginner-friendly class to learn everything you need to be game-ready. Get familiar with the rules, basic shots, court positioning, and scoring. It's the perfect opportunity to dive into the fastest-growing sport in the US, popular across all ages. Register for this weekend's class here.

♻️ Styrofoam Recycling

📅 Saturday: 9-1pm
📍 Activity Center Park, Centerville
💰 Free

Reduce landfill waste by bringing your Styrofoam to Activity Center Park this weekend. Just drive up, and their volunteers will unload your car for you. Ensure your Styrofoam is clean (no food containers) and free of stickers or tape. All collected items will be taken to a facility in Mason, where they'll be recycled into products like surfboards and picture frames. This easy, eco-friendly recycling event is open to everyone in the Miami Valley. Learn more.

🏷️ Waynesville Winter Clearance

📅 Saturday & Sunday: 11-5pm
📍 Downtown Waynesville
💰 Free

Hunting for post-holiday deals? Head over to Waynesville this weekend for their annual clearance sale. The village's shops are marking down their goods to make room for new inventory in the New Year. Don't miss your chance to snag fantastic bargains and unique finds. It's never too early to stock up on great gifts! Learn more.

🍸 Distillery Tour & Cocktail Class (Gin)

📅 Saturday: 3-5pm
📍 Dayton Barrel Works, Downtown Dayton
💰 $30

Learn the art of crafting cocktails with Barrel Work’s mixologists and get an exclusive tour of their distillery. The tour and the cocktail class can be bought separately, but why settle for a single when you could have a double? This class is all about gin. Although the cocktails of the night have yet to be announced, one could assume citrus and tonic will make an appearance. Get your tickets here.

🍷 Winter Wine Dinner

📅 Thurs, Jan. 11th: 5:30pm
📍 Schuster Center, Downtown Dayton
💰 $158

Experience an evening of elegance at Schuster's Wintergarden with a four-course fine dining experience. Enjoy each dish perfectly paired with select wines from the 2023 American Winery Of The Year, Black Stallion Estate Winery. Savor vegetarian or meat-focused dishes, topped off with a decadent Dark Chocolate Tart. Take home your favorite wines and enjoy them in your complimentary souvenir glass. Get your tickets here.

🏀 Flyin’ To The Hoop

📅 Fri, Jan. 12th: 5:30pm | Sat-Mon, Jan. 13-15th: 10:30am
📍 Trent Arena, Kettering
💰 Single Day Pass: $10-$35 | Weekend Pass: $65

Experience top-tier high school basketball in the Miami Valley! This nationally-ranked showcase is now in its 21st year. Annually, it attracts over 20,000 fans, 100+ national media members, and countless college coaches. Watch teams from local, state, and national levels battle it out on the court. It's a basketball enthusiast's dream, promising intense matchups and unforgettable athletic prowess. Don't miss this high-energy, high-skill event over MLK weekend! Get your tickets here.

🔬 STEM For All

📅 Sat, Jan. 13th: 9am
📍 Boonshoft Museum, Dayton
💰 Free

This free science festival offers an exciting day of learning and fun for the whole family. Gain access to special exhibitions, captivating Space Theater shows, and engaging public programming. This event is one of the four free events Boonshoft hosts throughout the year, demonstrating their commitment to providing the Miami Valley with enriching, science-focused experiences. Don't miss out on this educational adventure for the scientists in your family, both big and small! Learn more.

👰‍♀️ Dayton’s Wedding Show & Expo

📅 Sat & Sun, Jan. 13-14th: 11-3pm
📍 Nutter Center, Fairborn
💰 Online: $6 | Door: $10

Are you planning your big day as a soon-to-be-wed? Then this wedding expo is a must-visit, filled with everything you'll need. Meet experienced vendors, from photographers to DJs, and taste delicious catering samples. You'll also have chances to win fabulous prizes, including a 7-day dream vacation. It's a good place to plan your entire wedding, find style inspiration, and match up with great vendors. Learn more and get your tickets here.

🤌 Calzone & Stromboli Workshop

📅 Weds, Feb. 7th: 6:30-8:30pm
📍 Hidden Valley Orchard, Lebanon
💰 $80

Embark on a culinary journey with an interactive class on crafting calzones and strombolis! Gain hands-on experience kneading homemade dough, adding tasty toppings, and baking your creation to perfection. While yours cooks, sample expertly prepared versions and enjoy the company of fellow "chefs". Come hungry and ready for fun; leave with a full stomach, new skills, and a handmade meal to savor. As we've mentioned before, these workshops often sell out quickly, so reserve your spot today if you're interested.

Events marked with an asterisk (*) in the “featured” section have been sponsored by our advertising or affiliate partners. Have an event you’d like to promote? Get in touch with us here.

🎤 LIVE SHOWS 

Friday

🪩 Boonshoft Museum | Laser Elton John | 6:30pm | $6 - $9

🎭 Springboro Community Theater | Bedtime Stories | 7pm | $10+

🎶 Yellow Cab Tavern | The Shady Pine & Friends | 7pm | Online: $9, Door: $12

🎶 Bock Family Brewing | Illini Mick | 7pm | Free

😂 Dayton Funny Bone | Andy Woodhull | 7:30pm | $20

🎶 Jayne's On Main | Ben & Pete | 7:30pm | Free

🪩 Boonshoft Museum | Laser Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon | 8pm | $6 - $9

🎶 The Trolley Stop | The Nautical Theme | 8pm | Free

🎶 Phone Booth Lounge | Coalshine | 8pm | Free

🎶 Hidden Gem Music Club | The Reckoneers | 8pm | $5

🎶 Hidden Gem Music Club | The Weekend Effect | 8pm | Free

🎶 Good Time Charlie's | Matt Clarkson | 8:30pm | Free

🎶 Dublin Pub | FinTan | 8:30pm | Free

🎶 The Pour Haus | Angela and Rob Olsen | 9pm | Free

Saturday

🎭 Springboro Community Theater | Bedtime Stories | 7pm | $10+

😂 Dayton Funny Bone | Andy Woodhull | 7pm & 9:45pm | $20

🎼 Schuster Center | Huddle Up: Music Of Sports | 7:30pm | $22+

😂 Wileys Comedy Club | Campfire Comedy | 8pm | $15

🪩 Boonshoft Museum | Laser Lizzo | 8pm | $6 - $9

🎶 Phone Booth Lounge | Summer Highway Band | 8pm | Free

🎶 Yellow Cab Tavern | ENMY | 8pm | Online: $9, Door: $12

🎶 Hidden Gem Music Club | The Filthy Heathens | 8pm | $5

🎶 Kingspoint Pub | Velvet Crush Unpluggged | 8:30pm | Free

🎶 The Brick Tap & Tavern | The Blue Leaf's | 8:30pm | Free

🎶 Katz Lounge | Ithika | 9pm | Free

Sunday

🎭 Springboro Community Theater | Bedtime Stories | 2pm | $10+

🎶 Hidden Gem Music Club | Dave Greer's Jazz Stompers | 7pm | $10

🎶 Hidden Gem Music Club | Shutter Step | 7pm | $10

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🗞️ LOCAL NEWS

☀️ Vesper's Second Solar Attempt in Greene County

Texas-based Vesper Energy is trying again to develop a solar farm in Greene County. Last year, the Ohio Power Siting Board shot down their first proposal due to public opposition. A large argument from opponents is that the land is better used for farming instead of solar. They argue that other spaces such as former industrial sites (aka 'brownfields') and roofs should be used.

However, according to Hannah Larkin from Vesper, those sites lack sufficient space to produce significant power. Vesper's new project, the Aviation Energy Center, aims to produce 175 megawatts. For context, that's enough energy to power almost 30,000 homes per year.

Greene County offers great real estate for utility-scale solar. It's sunny, has plenty of land, and easier access to the electrical grid. That last part is very important. Easy connections to the grid are not easy to come by and often limit utility-scale solar development.

That's why Vesper isn't abandoning Greene County. They've already secured an agreement with the grid operator (PJM), which would take a new developer years to get. And they've already secured lease agreements with local landowners. Now, they need to submit the project to the Power Siting Board and navigate evolving local zoning rules. It will be interesting to see how their second attempt plays out. [Dayton Daily News]

🥞 Golden Nugget’s Successor: Blue Berry Cafe

Back in October 2023, we shared a story about Winsupply's efforts to revive the Golden Nugget site. At that time, they teased talks with local restaurateurs but didn't disclose who. Now, the news is out: they've decided to partner with Blue Berry Cafe!

They'll be opening this second location in Kettering, where Golden Nugget once stood. This move revives one beloved breakfast spot with another. After all, Blue Berry Cafe has consistently won 'Best of Dayton' for their breakfast and brunch, including in 2023.

It's been a busy week for Blue Berry Cafe. This announcement came just a day after they shared their temporary closure after Jan. 19th. They are planning to open a new location down the street in Bellbrook at 129 W. Franklin Street, but they have to vacate their current location by the end of this month because their current lease is up. No firm dates have been provided for either new location, though it seems the Bellbrook location will open much sooner than Kettering. [Dayton Daily News]

🙏 THANKS!

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