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: A $5 Bus Ride Is Connecting Dayton to the Rest of Ohio

• Hidden Gems: Whiskey Yard, Ellie’s Restaurant & Bakery, Ajanta India Restaurant

• Local Events: 2/10 – 2/17

• Computer Love: Ohio Takes Flight: Sinclair Brings Electric Aviation to the Classroom

• Money: $10.7B Flows Through Wright-Patt as Small Businesses Cash In

• Sports: Seahawks win Super Bowl LX, UD Hoops, Harden Debuts in Cleveland

— Tom

Did you know?

A $5 Bus Ride Is Connecting Dayton to the Rest of Ohio 🚍

A new affordable bus service is coming to the Miami Valley. GoBus is launching new routes in March, adding stops in Dayton, Springfield, Middletown, and Yellow Springs as part of a major expansion across Ohio. The move adds 27 new stops in 25 cities, giving residents more ways to travel without needing a car.

GoBus offers low-cost tickets, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and power outlets at every seat, with service running seven days a week. Fares can start as low as $5, making it an affordable option for students, workers, and travelers. The new Toledo to Cincinnati route will pass directly through the region, connecting smaller communities to bigger cities and opening the door to easier, cheaper travel across Ohio.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Build Your Own Whiskey Flight at Liberty Center: The New Whiskey Yard with Live Piano Nightly 🥃

Piano chords drift across the bar at Whiskey Yard, a new global bistro inside Liberty Center at 7524 Bales St. in Liberty Township. Behind the signature jackalope wall sits a 200+ bottle whiskey library, and the program invites curiosity—build-your-own flights, curated sets, and an “ask a whiskey guide” nudge when you want the backstory.

The menu is shareable and chef-driven, from a smoke-revealed Filet Mignon au Café to whiskey-braised short rib and lighter globe-hopping plates. Live piano and vocals run nightly during dinner service. Only open since Feb. 8—be one of the first to enjoy this new gem.

Check them out on Facebook 

Ellie’s in Yellow Springs — porch seats and a wood-grain backstory 🍰

Yellow Springs’ porch culture has a home base at Ellie’s Restaurant & Bakery, perched on the lobby level of Mills Park Hotel at 321 Xenia Ave. The best detail is under your coffee cup: each table and the bar were handmade from trees harvested on the property, streaked gray-silver by the limestone below. Brunch runs daily 8 AM–2 PM, with seasonal dinners on select evenings.

The kitchen leans comfort-forward—chicken & waffles, shrimp and grits, and the Mills Park Burger—backed by espresso drinks and a small, playful cocktail list. It’s a bakery-case stop that somehow becomes an hour-long catch-up.

Check them out on Facebook

Ajanta India — a 1996 family recipe for weeknight calm 🍲

On Woodman Drive, Ajanta India Restaurant has quietly held down the spice trade since 1996. The family-run dining room at 3063 Woodman Dr. in Kettering is led by father-and-son Jaswinder and Rocky Sidhu, and it keeps the vibe friendly and low-key.

Cuisine stays aromatic and classic: saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, tandoori platters, and fragrant biryani, with breads and sauces built for sharing. Dine-in, takeout, and delivery make it easy to fit into the calendar. Open seven days, it’s a steady anchor for quick lunches and relaxed dinners.

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 4500+ Daytonians?

Local Events

DAYTON CITY PLAN BOARD

• What: A public planning meeting—land use, development, and the behind-the-scenes work of shaping Dayton’s growth.

• When: Feb. 10, 4:30–6 PM

• Where: Planning & Resource Room (Mezzanine, City Hall), 101 W 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

HEALTHY HEART TALK

• What: Free heart-health chat with Obsidian Physical Therapy—cardio basics, timing, and benefits, plus Q&A.

• When: Feb. 10, 6–7 PM

• Where: Vandalia Recreation Center, 1111 Stonequarry Rd, Dayton

• How Much: Free

HANDS FOR MOM BABY SHOWER

• What: Donation-friendly baby shower drive—drop diapers, wipes, and baby essentials to support local families stocking the nursery.

• When: Feb. 11, 12–2 PM

• Where: Dayton Right to Life, 425 N Findlay St Suite 2, Dayton

• How Much: Free

DATE MY FRIEND DAYTON

• What: Pitch your single friends to the crowd—part comedy show, part matchmaking mischief.

• When: Feb. 11, 7–9 PM

• Where: Two Social, 123 E 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: $5

WSU CAREER CRAWL

• What: Drop into Career Services for bite-size help—resume tweaks, internship leads, and a low-pressure confidence boost.

• When: Feb. 12, 12:30–1:30 PM

• Where: Wright State University (Student Union—Career Engagement Suite), 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton

• How Much: Free

JAZZ & BEYOND GROOVES

• What: Indie neo-soul-fusion band crabswithoutlegs brings big brass, warm grooves, and a cozy cloister vibe (doors at 5 PM).

• When: Feb. 12, 5:30–7:30 PM

• Where: Shaw Gothic Cloister (Dayton Art Institute), 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton

• How Much: Included with museum admission (members free)

GALENTINE’S DAY 2026

• What: Annual Galentine’s improv show—big laughs, bold bits, and a night out with your favorite crew.

• When: Feb. 13, 8–10 PM

• Where: The Black Box Improv Theater, 518 E Third St, Dayton

• How Much: $16.88+

VALENTINE’S UNDER THE STARS

• What: Planetarium date night with sky storytelling and music—choose a 6:30 or 8:00 showtime (Friday & Saturday).

• When: Feb. 13–14, 6:30 PM & 8 PM

• Where: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Pkwy, Dayton

• How Much: $60 per pair

AFTER DARK SWING PARTY

• What: Dress up and dance among the planes—an after-hours swing night that turns the museum into a big, sparkling ballroom.

• When: Feb. 14, 6–10 PM

• Where: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St, Wright-Patterson AFB

• How Much: $45

VALENTINE BAND SHOWCASE

• What: Female-fronted band lineup fills the room with guitar sparkle and singalong energy—Valentine’s weekend, indie-style.

• When: Feb. 14, 6:30 PM

• Where: The Hidden Gem Music Club, 507 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton

• How Much: $10+

TECHFEST DAYTON STEM WEEKEND

• What: Free two-day, hands-on STEM fest with 80+ exhibits and demos—robots, engineering, drones, and more—built for curious kids and adults.

• When: Feb. 14–15, 10 AM – 5 PM

• Where: Sinclair Community College (Building 12), 301 W. Fourth St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG SCREENING

• What: One-time big-screen screening of the recorded Broadway revival—Sondheim fans, bring tissues and joy.

• When: Feb. 15, 3 PM

• Where: THE NEON, 130 E 5th St, Dayton

• How Much: $10

TEACHING BLACK HISTORY AS RESISTANCE

• What: Black History Month learning session on teaching resistance and social justice—an in-person community conversation hosted at Sinclair.

• When: Feb. 16, 12:30–2:30 PM

• Where: Sinclair Community College, 444 W Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

PRESIDENTS DAY 3-ON-3

• What: Fast-paced hoops all day—teams, brackets, and gym echoes that sound like pure Dayton winter sports energy.

• When: Feb. 16, times vary

• Where: Bales Arena, 1321 Research Park Dr. #100, Dayton

• How Much: $120 per team

WEST DAYTON TRANSPORTATION MEETING

• What: Community meeting on West Third Street & Gettysburg safety/aesthetic upgrades—come ask questions and weigh in.

• When: Feb. 17, 5–7 PM

• Where: City Hall, 101 W. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

SLEEPER AGENT: ATOMIC SPY WHO ESCAPED AMERICA

• What: Ann Hagedorn unpacks the Manhattan Project spy George Koval in a community history night with refreshments.

• When: Feb. 17, 6:30 PM (program starts at 7 PM)

• Where: RecPlex West Theater, 965 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton

• How Much: Free (donations welcome)

Computer Love

Ohio Takes Flight: Sinclair Brings Electric Aviation to the Classroom ✈️

Sinclair Community College is giving students a hands on look at the future of aviation with a new electric aircraft flight simulator from Beta Technologies. The simulator, showcased at Springfield Beckley Municipal Airport, lets users experience what it’s like to fly an electric plane without ever leaving the ground. It’s designed to mirror real flight conditions, helping pilots, students, and industry partners train safely while learning how electric aircraft operate.

The simulator is part of Sinclair’s growing focus on advanced air mobility, a fast-emerging field that includes electric and autonomous aircraft. Next year, Sinclair is expected to receive a full scale Beta electric plane, giving the region a rare chance to train on cutting-edge aviation technology.

As electric flight gains momentum for being quieter, cleaner, and cheaper to operate, Sinclair’s program positions Ohio as an early leader in the next wave of aviation innovation.

Money

$10.7B Flows Through Wright-Patt as Small Businesses Cash In 💰

Big money flowed through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base last year — and small businesses were the big winners. The Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), headquartered at Wright-Patt, spent $10.7 billion with small businesses in fiscal year 2025, setting a new all time record. That’s up from the year before and signals growing opportunity for entrepreneurs working with the military.

Ohio businesses captured a major share of that spending, pulling in about $1.38 billion, with roughly $1.27 billion going directly to companies in the Dayton region. The money supported everything from aircraft maintenance and logistics to advanced research and technology development. AFMC officials say small businesses play a key role in innovation, especially through research programs that help turn new ideas into real-world defense solutions. For the Dayton economy, it’s another reminder that Wright-Patt isn’t just a military hub it’s a massive economic engine.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Seahawks win Super Bowl LX 🏈

Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense delivered another Lombardi, throttling New England 29–13 in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. The Patriots went scoreless for three quarters as Drake Maye was sacked six times and turned it over, while Kenneth Walker III powered Seattle’s offense and earned Super Bowl MVP honors.

The game also set a marketing mark: 30-second national spots reportedly cost about $8 million.

UD Hoops: men steady, women surge on the road
The men snapped a skid with a 72–70 win over St. Bonaventure (Feb. 3) before falling 99–73 at VCU (Feb. 6). Next: Davidson comes to UD Arena Sunday, Feb. 15.

The women went 2–0 on the Philly swing—68–60 at La Salle (Feb. 4) and 75–73 at Saint Joseph’s (Feb. 7)—then host George Mason Feb. 11 and Saint Louis Feb. 14.

Harden debuts, Cavs close to beat Kings
James Harden’s Cavaliers debut came with fireworks: 23 points and back-to-back late threes as Cleveland closed on an 18–5 run to beat Sacramento 132–126 on Feb. 7.

Donovan Mitchell scored 35, and the duo accounted for Cleveland’s final 16 points as the Cavs went 29-of-32 from the free throw line.