Happy Tuesday Daytonians!

Thanks for spending another week with The Gem, where good times aren’t hard to find. Let’s take a look at what we’ll be covering in this edition…

• Did You Know: Dayton Goes Greek This Weekend

• Hidden Gems: Coach House Tavern, Pepe’s Mexican Flavors, Crossroads Biryani & Grill

• Local Events: 9/8 – 9/15

• Computer Love: Dayton Is Helping Build the Navy’s First of Its Kind Flying Robot

• Money:  A Mystery Donor Just Dropped $15 Million on UD

• Sports: Buckeyes Blast Ball State in Opener, Raiders Outlast Flyers, Dragons Update, Elly Powers Reds

— Tom

Did you know?

Dayton Goes Greek This Weekend 🇬🇷

The Dayton Greek Festival is back September 11–13, bringing a taste of Greece to the Miami Valley.

Visitors can dig into Greek favorites like gyros and pastries while enjoying live music, traditional dancing, shopping from vendors and plenty of Greek culture throughout the weekend.

The festival takes place at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church near downtown Dayton and has become a longtime local tradition.

Whether you’re going for the food, dancing or just something different to do this weekend, Greek Fest is an easy addition to the weekend plans.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

A dining secret worth sharing: Coach House Tavern 🤫

Coach House Tavern feels like one of Hamilton’s best-kept dining secrets, tucked onto the Berkeley Square campus at 100 Berkeley Drive in Hamilton. The renovated restaurant welcomes the public, with Executive Chef Phil Wong, formerly of High St. Café, leading a scratch kitchen focused on local ingredients.

His returning Chicken Berry Salad combines berries, candied pecans, and bleu cheese; filet with herb butter and salmon bring heartier options. Wine flights encourage a little exploration. For celebrations, the private Flamingo and Waterfront rooms give birthday dinners and reunions their own setting, with catering handled by Wong’s team rather than another vendor.

Check them out on Facebook

Pepe’s has a sweet side 🌮

Jazline Gomez saved up while working in her father’s business, then opened Pepe’s Mexican Flavors in 2018 and named it for him. Her Huber Heights shop at 6114 Chambersburg Rd. gathers Mexican street-food traditions under one roof. Gorditas and cheese-filled empanadas share space with creamy Mexican ice cream and popsicles, giving the colorful setting equal appeal for a meal or a sweet stop.

Gomez also serves as president of the Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, extending that entrepreneurial connection beyond her own counter. The family inspiration remains close, even as she builds something unmistakably hers.

Check them out on Facebook

Crossroads Biryani & Grill: Spice Starts Here 🍛

Hyderabadi chicken dum biryani begins with layers of marinated chicken and basmati rice, sealed together in a pot. At Crossroads Biryani & Grill, that slow-building aroma has company: palak chaat’s crisp spinach, yogurt, and tamarind, plus Andhra-style chicken with chili, ginger, and curry leaves.

The family-run, women-owned restaurant at 1888 Colonel Glenn Hwy. in Fairborn makes its own masalas, or spice blends, drawing on South Indian traditions. Its relaxed dining room serves students and local families, with an entirely halal selection. Vegetarian choices span curries, appetizers, and biryanis, offering considerably more than a single meatless alternative.

Check them out on Facebook

THE BULLETIN 📌

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 5000+ Daytonians?

Local Events

MAGNETIC ORGANIZATIONS START WITH FOUR STEPS

• What: Leadership coach Chris McClure shares four practical steps for building organizations that attract, inspire and retain great people.

• When: Sep. 8, 11:15 AM – 1 PM

• Where: Sinclair Ponitz Conference Center, 444 W. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: $23+

COMPUTER BASICS BUILDS DIGITAL CONFIDENCE

• What: New computer users learn essential mouse, keyboard and navigation skills in a friendly hands-on introduction to everyday technology.

• When: Sep. 8, 3–4 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Electra C. Doren Branch, 701 Troy St., Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required

MAKE, PLAY, AND MEET GAME CREATORS

• What: Share your game project, swap feedback, and meet local developers at this monthly gathering welcoming board-game makers and digital creators alike.

• When: Sept. 9, 5:30–7:30 PM

• Where: The Hub Powered by PNC, 31 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

EXIT THE KING AT SINCLAIR

• What: Sinclair stages Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist drama about a king confronting mortality and power. Seating is first-come, first-served.

• When: Sept. 9–11, times vary

• Where: Sinclair College, Building 2 Black Box Theatre, 401 W. Fourth St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

HOT TODDIES, COOL SEPTEMBER SWING

• What: Bring a lawn chair—or your dancing shoes—for Hot Toddies Jazz Band’s playful mix of hot jazz and swing.

• When: Sept. 10, 7–9:30 PM

• Where: Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

VANDALIA SISTER-CITIES OKTOBERFEST

• What: Celebrate sister-city friendship with German fare, craft vendors, music bingo, dancing, and weekend entertainment.

• When: Sept. 11–12, times vary

• Where: Vandalia Sports Complex, 1111 Stonequarry Rd., Vandalia

• How Much: $7 daily; free for children under 10

MANGIA! ITALIAN FALL FESTA

• What: Italian favorites, live music, bocce, and heritage displays turn Bella Villa’s grounds into a welcoming neighborhood celebration.

• When: Sept. 11–13, times vary

• Where: Bella Villa Hall & Grounds, 2625 County Line Rd., Kettering

• How Much: Free admission, parking, and shuttle service; food sold separately

OPA! DAYTON GREEK FESTIVAL RETURNS

• What: Greek food, pastries, traditional dancing, and church tours bring neighbors together for a weekend of culture, hospitality, and plenty of opa!

• When: Sept. 11–13, times vary

• Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park North, Dayton

• How Much: $5 weekend admission; free before 3 PM Friday. Free for ages 12 and younger, active-duty military, and veterans

HAMLET UNDER THE SOUTH PARK SKY

• What: Shakespeare in South Park brings Hamlet outdoors for three evenings of live theater. Pack a lawn chair or blanket.

• When: Sept. 11–13, 8 PM nightly

• Where: South Park Green, 601 Hickory St., Dayton

• How Much: Free; donations welcome

ONE CITY, MANY TEAMS: WORLD SOCCER

• What: Cheer on Dayton’s international community through soccer, a Parade of Nations, food trucks, and family activities celebrating sportsmanship and neighborhood pride.

• When: Sept. 12, 8:30 AM parade; matches begin at 9 AM; adult championship at 6 PM

• Where: Kettering Field Sports Complex, 502 Helena St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

MARCHING BANDS BRING THE THUNDER

• What: Feel the rhythm as marching bands bring music, movement, and hometown energy to The Midwest Showdown at Welcome Stadium.

• When: Sept. 13, 2 PM – 7 PM

• Where: Welcome Stadium, 1601 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton

• How Much: $15+

VETERANS, GET ANSWERS TO LEGAL QUESTIONS

• What: University of Dayton School of Law offers veterans help with civil legal questions at this community legal clinic.

• When: Sept. 14, 8:30–10:30 AM

• Where: Dayton VA Medical Center, 4100 W. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

HISTORY UNRAVELED: RARE ARTIFACTS UP CLOSE

• What: Air Force Museum specialists share rarely displayed treasures, including astronaut memorabilia and a World War I combat diary, during this community history presentation.

• When: Sept. 14, 7–9 PM

• Where: Brantley Carriage House, 199 N. King St., Xenia

• How Much: Free 

BIG IDEAS AT DAYTON STARTUP WEEK

• What: Connect with Dayton’s founders, makers, and small-business owners through workshops, expert talks, and networking. All experience levels welcome; register ahead.

• When: Sept. 15–17, 8 AM – 5 PM daily

• Where: The Hub Powered by PNC, Dayton Arcade, 31 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS: RESOURCE FAIR

• What: Meet community organizations connecting neighbors with housing, employment, mental-health support, child care, legal aid, and other resources for a stronger tomorrow.

• When: Sept. 15, 12–2 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library, Main Library, 215 E. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

Computer Love

Dayton Is Helping Build the Navy’s First of Its Kind Flying Robot 🤖 

The Dayton region is getting a piece of some seriously futuristic tech.

Boeing recently received a $12.7 million U.S. Navy contract upgrade for its MQ 25 Stingray an unmanned aircraft designed to launch from aircraft carriers and refuel fighter jets in midair.

About 15% of the work will happen in Fairborn, including engineering tied to the aircraft’s electronics, secure data systems and mission computer.

The work is expected to continue through 2029, putting the Dayton area directly into the development of the Navy’s next generation of autonomous aircraft.

No pilot. Aircraft carrier. Midair refueling. And part of it is being built right here in the Miami Valley.

Money

A Mystery Donor Just Dropped $15 Million on UD 👀💰

The University of Dayton just received a $15 million anonymous gift to help build a new home for its School of Business Administration.

The planned 153,000 sqft building will feature new classrooms, collaboration spaces, event areas and a student run coffee shop.

UD is now raising the final $5 million needed before construction begins, with groundbreaking possible as early as spring 2027.

It’s another massive investment in Dayton’s future helping prepare the region’s next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

BUCKEYES BLAST BALL STATE IN OPENER 🏈

No. 1 Ohio State opened its season with a 56-3 rout of Ball State on Sept. 5, piling up 671 yards while holding the Cardinals to 165. Quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 320 yards, while Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the first half of the game.

The win gave Ryan Day his 83rd victory, tying Urban Meyer for fourth-most in Buckeyes history.

RAIDERS OUTLAST FLYERS IN FIVE

Wright State won the local volleyball showdown Sunday, rallying past Dayton in five sets at the Nutter Center. The Raiders took the deciding set 15-7 to finish a 3-2 victory and move to 3-3.

Mya Ayro powered Wright State with a match-high 23 kills and 14 digs, while Kamryn Hunt led Dayton with 21 kills in a tightly contested crosstown battle.

DRAGONS TURN THEIR FOCUS TO THE PLAYOFFS

Dayton split its final six-game series with West Michigan, finishing 67–63 after wins Sept. 3–5, including John Michael Faile’s franchise-record 31st career homer. The Dragons open the Midwest League East Division Series at Great Lakes Sept. 8, then return to Day Air Ballpark Sept. 10, with Game 3 if needed Sept. 11.

A championship berth would bring another Dayton home game Sept. 15.

ELLY POWERS REDS TO SERIES WIN

Elly De La Cruz drove in four runs Sunday as Cincinnati beat Milwaukee 12–8 to capture its first home series against the Brewers since 2022. De La Cruz launched a two-run homer in the fourth and added a two-run double in the fifth.

The Reds improved to 69–74 and finished the week having won four of their previous five games.