💎 MLK Day Weekend (Issue #19)

PLUS: Treasure Island Returns

Good Morning,

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

Monday, January 15th, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year the holiday is actually on his birthday (he was born in 1929). The holiday honoring him was first observed in 1986.

Later in today’s issue, we cover his visits to the Miami Valley. But we also wanted to share an amazing resource about his philosophy from the King Center. His ideas are ones we should strive to live by every day, and this weekend feels like a great time to remind ourselves of them.

In today’s issue we’ll be covering:

  • A wide array of upcoming events

  • This weekend’s live shows (psst... please take the poll to let us know which types you like)

  • MLK’s visits to the Miami Valley

  • Treasure Island’s reopening

  • Kettering’s $8.66 million for city improvements and upgrades

Let’s get to it!

— Max

⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

29° 🌡️ 45° | 🌧️ | ☔ 90% | 💨 25 mph

Saturday

17° 🌡️ 29° | ☁️ | ☔ 0% | 💨 22 mph

Sunday

10° 🌡️ 17° | ⛅ | ☔ 0% | 💨 15 mph

📅 EVENTS

🐮 Young’s Dairy 155th Bday

📅 Friday: 11am-9pm | Saturday: 9am-9pm | Sunday: 9am-8pm
📍 Young’s Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs
💰 Free entry

Join Young's Dairy in celebrating their 155th birthday! Enjoy 50% off farmstead cheese samplers, made from Jersey cow milk. Save $1.55 on all cones, burgers, cheese curds, ice cream, and kids' meals. Plus, receive a free souvenir bottle with your purchase.

Don't mind the cold? Play miniature golf or get medium buckets of golf balls for just $1.55. A perfect mix of delicious treats and family fun. Learn more.

 

🏀 Flyin’ To The Hoop

📅 Friday: 5:30pm | Saturday-Monday: 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

📅 Saturday: 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.

 

🕊️ MLK Memorial March

📅 Mon, Jan 15th: 9:30am
📍 Near Drew Health Center, Dayton
💰 Free

Honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by joining a march for equality and justice. This march will start near Drew Health Center at 1323 W. Third Street, then proceed down Third Street, ending at Sinclair.

An event for reflection, unity, and community — a meaningful way to celebrate Dr. King's enduring impact. Monday morning is going to be very cold (in the low teens), so be sure to bundle up if you’re participating! Learn more.

 

🥃 Blind Bourbon Tasting

📅 Mon, Jan 15th: 6:30pm
📍 Mr. Boro’s Tavern, Springboro
💰 $65

Dive into an evening of mystery and flavor with a blind bourbon tasting event! Enjoy a welcome cocktail and five unique bourbon pours. Savor the experience with a hand-selected charcuterie spread by Gather & Graze.

There are only 20 tickets so be sure to score yours while you can. You can purchase your tickets by sending the money to @Marci-Johannes on Venmo. Marci is the owner of Mr. Boro's Tavern. Learn more.

 

👀 Winter Restaurant Week Sneak Peak

📅 Wed, Jan 17th: 6:30pm
📍 The Steam Plant, Downtown Dayton
💰 General Admission: $45 advance, $55 day of | VIP: $65

Savor multiple local flavors in one exciting evening. Sample offerings from 11 renowned restaurants, such as Salar, Coco's Bistro, and Greek Street, previewing their Winter Restaurant Week menus.

General admission includes tastings from each restaurant, while VIP tickets offer early entry at 6pm and two complimentary drinks. Get your tickets.

 

🐦 Winter Bird Walk

📅 Sat, Jan 20th: 9-11am
📍 Woodland Cemetery, Dayton
💰 Free

Join your guide, Jason Antonick, for a birdwatching stroll through Woodland's serene grounds. Spot Carolina Wrens, Black and White Warblers, and the crimson icons of our state — Cardinals.

The walk begins at Eichelberger Plaza. Remember to dress warmly and bring your camera. Reserve your spot for this peaceful birdwatching adventure.

 

🎣 Intro To Fly Fishing

📅 Sat, Jan 20th: 2-3:30pm
📍 Miami Township Branch Library, Miamisburg
💰 Free

Looking to get into fly fishing in 2024? Check out this free introductory class by Miami Valley Fly Fishers. This local non-profit not only shares a passion for fishing but also advocates for protecting the streams they cherish.

Ideal for beginners, this class is a great opportunity to learn and develop a new hobby. Learn more.

 

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 | Beatles (Laser Show) | 6:30pm | $6-$9

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

🎼 Schuster Center | Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony | 7:30pm | $18+

😂 Dayton Funny Bone | Dale Jones | 7:30pm | $20

🪩 Boonshoft Museum | Sgt. Pepper's (Laser Show) | 8pm | $6-$9

🎶 Phone Booth Lounge | Suburban Riot | 8pm | Free

😂 Wileys Comedy Club | Triple Threat Comedy Show | 8pm | $15

🎭 Victoria Theatre | 9 To 5: The Musical | 8pm | $34+

🎭 Dayton Playhouse | Is There Life After High School? | 8pm | $18+

🎭 Dayton Theatre Guild | True West By Sam Shepard | 8pm | $21

 

Saturday

🎭 Victoria Theatre | 9 To 5: The Musical | 3pm & 8pm | $34+

🪩 Boonshoft Museum | Taylor Swift (Laser Show) | 6:30pm | $6-$9

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

😂 Dayton Funny Bone | Dale Jones | 7pm & 9:45pm | $20

😂 Wileys Comedy Club | Triple Threat Comedy Show | 7:15pm & 9:30pm | $15

😂 Bricky's Comedy Club | Jerrel Beamon | 7:30pm | $15

🎼 Schuster Center | Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony | 7:30pm | $18+

🪩 Boonshoft Museum | Queen (Laser Show) | 8pm | $6 - $9

🎶 Phone Booth Lounge | Desert Wind | 8pm | Free

🎭 Dayton Playhouse | Is There Life After High School? | 8pm | $18+

🎭 Dayton Theatre Guild | True West By Sam Shepard | 8pm | $21

 

Sunday

🎭 Victoria Theatre | 9 To 5: The Musical | 2pm | $34+

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

🎭 Dayton Playhouse | Is There Life After High School? | 2pm | $18+

🎭 Dayton Theatre Guild | True West By Sam Shepard | 3pm | $21

🎶 Phone Booth Lounge | Ira Stanley and Timer | 3pm | Free

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

Which type of live shows do you enjoy seeing most?

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🗞️ LOCAL NEWS

📜 MLK’s Miami Valley Visits

Did you know that Martin Luther King Jr. visited the Miami Valley on three occasions?

In 1958, he gave the commencement speech to graduates at Central State University — Ohio's only public HBCU. In his speech, he declared the beginning of a new era, saying, “You are graduating at the time of the dying of an old world and the birth of a new one.”

In 1964, he spoke at the University of Dayton fieldhouse. This was weeks after he won the Nobel Peace Prize and following the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act earlier that year. His arrival was marked by protesters opposing the Civil Rights Act, yet he was welcomed with a key to the city. His speech, addressing the challenges and progress in the fight for equality, resonated with over 6,500 attendees, interrupted 26 times by applause from the crowd.

Almost two weeks after that, he gave the commencement speech at Antioch College. His wife and Antioch alumna, Coretta Scott King, joined him. In his speech, he said, “All men of good will are indebted to this institution for its heritage. I am indebted to Antioch for having given me a marvelous wife.” Unbeknownst to many, this visit was the target of an assassination plot by Daniel Wagner, which was ultimately abandoned due to logistical issues.

MLK's visits to the Miami Valley remain a testament to his enduring legacy — the ongoing struggle against injustice, and the creation of a beloved community. [Dayton Daily News]

 

🍽️ Back In Business: Treasure Island

Treasure Island is reopening on January 16th! This local gem is opening under the ownership of former general manager Nancy Zechar and her husband, Mike Leach. The restaurant closed suddenly last December, which we covered here.

Zechar came out of retirement to help the old owner, Duane Isaacs, navigate the situation. Not only did she help navigate it — she became the new captain!

She's treating it like launching a new restaurant but is keeping the beloved menu, with one tweak. They're now making lunch items available in the evening.

And they've given the building some love with upgraded equipment, new floors, and a fresh coat of paint. Zechar is committed to bringing the spot back to its glory and welcoming back its loyal customers.

Treasure Island will be open Monday to Thursday from 11 am - 9 pm, and Friday to Saturday from 11 am - 10 pm. Will you be paying them a visit? Reply and let us know! [Dayton Daily News]

 

🚧 Kettering Approves $8.66M City Upgrades

On Tuesday, Kettering's City Council approved an $8.66 million budget for city improvements.

Over 75% of that is going towards key infrastructure upgrades. These upgrades include repaving major roads like East David Road, South Dixie Highway, and Woodman Drive.

They'll also be putting in new sidewalks on West Stroop Rd, a Research Boulevard bike path connector, and a pedestrian bridge on Wilmington and Wingview Lane.

About $1.94 million is also allocated for buying 20 vehicles and equipment, mainly for the street and public safety departments. City Manager Matt Greeson views these purchases as routine for maintaining the city's services.

In total, these investments make up 64% of Kettering's $13.5 million capital improvement fund for 2024. [Dayton Daily News]

🙏 THANKS!

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Hope you have a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing you next Thursday!

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Disclosure: Some of the events and other links featured in this newsletter may be sponsored by our advertising partners, or affiliate links where we may earn a small commission should you sign up or purchase through them. Any sponsored or affiliate links will be clearly indicated with an asterisk (*) or a disclosure that the section is sponsored by a specific partner.