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: Oakwood’s Parks Are Entering a New Era

• Hidden Gems: Zinks Meats & Fine Wines, Mode X Modern Kitchen & Bar, Taste of Jerusalem

• Local Events: 1/27 – 2/3

• Computer Love: Dayton’s AI Future Gets a $9M Boost at Wright-Patt

• Money: This $70M Project at Wright-Patt Is Unlike Anything the Military Usually Does

• Sports: Super Bowl LX set, Centerville survives Fairmont, UD Hoops

— Tom

Did you know?

Oakwood’s Parks Are Entering a New Era 🛝

Oakwood is planning major updates for two of its most popular parks Orchardly Park and Shafor Park bringing fresh energy to some of the city’s favorite outdoor spaces. Orchardly, known for its playgrounds, splash pad, and courts, could soon see upgrades that make play areas safer and more fun for families.

Over at Shafor Park, one of Oakwood’s largest recreation spots, the city is also preparing improvements to playgrounds, sports areas, and water features to keep it enjoyable for years to come. These updates are part of Oakwood’s long term plan to invest in green spaces and give residents better places to relax, play, and connect with the community.

Hidden Gems

Butcher Shop and Wine Bar in One: Zinks in Miamisburg Since 1979 🥩

Butcher case, deli counter, and a few wine-bar tables share one roof at Zinks Meats & Fine Wines, tucked into 409 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. Family-run since 1979 and now owned by Melissa Metzger and David Hoffer, it’s where steaks are cut by the ounce, Reubens stack high on marble rye, and twice-baked potatoes disappear fast.

The calendar keeps the room social: wine tastings every Wednesday, monthly wine dinners, and live music on Fridays. Hours lean lunch and early dinner, with online ordering and catering for gatherings big or small.

Check them out on Facebook 

Mode X — modern Latin energy at The Greene 🍹

Mode X Modern Kitchen & Bar brings date-night polish to The Greene at 4492 Glengarry Dr in Beavercreek, with executive chef Ricardo Rodriguez steering a modern Latin compass. Service runs day-to-night—brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour—backed by a full bar and a soundtrack that leans “city night.”

Menu favorites include Guacamole Fresco, carne a la brasa, and salmon, and the 2025 Diners’ Choice Award adds a little shine. For groups, OpenTable lists a private suite option, and online reservations keep plans smooth.

Check them out on Facebook

Fairborn’s shawarma standby — Taste of Jerusalem 🥙

Fairborn’s shawarma standby doesn’t overcomplicate things. Taste of Jerusalem at 3800 Colonel Glenn Hwy keeps the grill busy and the spices bright—an easy stop between errands, classes, and no-cook evenings.

The lineup spotlights chicken or lamb shawarma wraps, mixed grilled kebabs, and a house favorite called the Jerusalem Delight, plus falafel pita wraps and shawarma bowls that travel well with salads, rice, and sauces on the side. Delivery partners like DoorDash and Grubhub make pickup or drop-off simple, and generous portions earn repeat visits.

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 4000+ Daytonians?

Local Events

OHIO CRAFT BREWERS CONFERENCE

• What: Three days of seminars, speakers, vendors, and beer-industry networking—perfect for the curious and the connected.

• When: Jan. 26 – Jan. 28

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E 5th St, Dayton

• How Much: Varies

LEADERSHIP DAYTON INFO SESSION

• What: Curious about Leadership Dayton? Get the scoop on Class of 2027—program overview, alumni stories, and Q&A—over early-morning coffee.

• When: Jan. 27, 7:30–9 AM

• Where: NCR Country Club, 4435 Dogwood Trail, Kettering

• How Much: Free

WOMEN IN BUSINESS NETWORKING: LUNCH & LEARN

• What: A midday networking boost with Better Business Bureau’s WiBN—practical connection-building plus a room full of Dayton doers.

• When: Jan. 27, 11:30 AM – 1 PM

• Where: Montgomery County Business Solutions Center, 1435 Cincinnati St, Dayton

• How Much: $25+

NUCLEAR CYBERSECURITY LECTURE NIGHT

• What: A Mound Museum talk on cyber threats and safeguards at nuclear facilities—big ideas, local history, and plenty to chew on.

• When: Jan. 28, 7–9 PM

• Where: Mound Cold War Discovery Center, 426 E Central Ave, Miamisburg

• How Much: Free

SINGALONG BROADWAY: BELT IT OUT

• What: Lyrics on screen + a full theater of showtune lovers—bring your biggest chorus energy.

• When: Jan. 28, 8–10 PM

• Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N Main St, Dayton

• How Much: $35+

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FATHERHOOD SUMMIT

• What: A full-day summit on creating opportunity for dads and families—speakers, resources, and community connection all under one roof.

• When: Jan. 29, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• Where: Sinclair Conference Center, 444 W 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

LAUNCHPAD: DAY OF BIG IDEAS

• What: A gather-and-build day for founders, creatives, and community doers—talks, networking, and the kind of spark that travels home with you.

• When: Jan. 29, 9 AM – 5 PM

• Where: Benham’s Grove, 166 N Main St, Centerville

• How Much: Free

SHOSTAKOVICH 5: FESTIVE MASTERWORKS

• What: The Dayton Philharmonic serves big brass and bigger emotion—Shostakovich’s Fifth is a full-body soundtrack.

• When: Jan. 30–31, 7:30 PM

• Where: Schuster Center (Winsupply Theatre), 1 W 2nd St, Dayton

• How Much: $6–$135

DON “DC” CURRY COMEDY NIGHT

• What: A laugh-heavy weekend with “Friday” movie series star Don “DC” Curry—standup in an adults-only room.

• When: Jan. 30–31, multiple showtimes

• Where: Dayton Funny Bone, 88 Plum St. Suite 200, Dayton

• How Much: $27

DUSTY SLAY BRINGS THE LAUGHS

• What: The “Neighborhood Guy” comedian hits Victoria Theatre with his easygoing, story-forward standup.

• When: Jan. 31, 7 PM

• Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: $31.75+

OHAYOCON: SUPERNATURAL ANIME WEEKEND

• What: Three-day anime convention with cosplay, panels, gaming, and vendors—Downtown Dayton turns into a fandom playground.

• When: Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 9 AM – 5 PM

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E 5th St, Dayton

• How Much: $25+

MVOC COLD-O + CHILI PUZZLE RACE

• What: Two-hour score-orienteering hunt with a Sudoku twist, then warm up with chili, soup, sandwiches, and hot chocolate.

• When: Feb. 1, 12 PM

• Where: (Start/Check-in) 2230 E Centerville Station Rd, Centerville

• How Much: $9.48

BOB POOLE: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS

• What: Emmy-winning filmmaker Bob Poole brings jaw-dropping footage and behind-the-scenes stories from elephant research and conservation.

• When: Feb. 1, 3–4:30 PM

• Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N Main St, Dayton

• How Much: $25+

HEDGEHOG DAY AT BOONSHOFT

• What: Meet a real hedgehog and learn what makes these tiny, spiky mammals so lovable—science, smiles, and winter wonder.

• When: Feb. 2, 10–11 AM

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

• How Much: Included with admission

DAYTON CULINARY ARTISTS ROUNDTABLE

• What: UD Food & Culture Festival roundtable with local chefs (Wheat Penny, Culture, Tony & Pete’s, Mazu Eats) on food, culture, community.

• When: Feb. 2, 5:30–6:30 PM

• Where: Roger Glass Center for the Arts, 29 E. Creative Way, Dayton

• How Much: Free

MINI RESOURCE FAIR DOWNTOWN

• What: Meet local support organizations and grab stability resources at the Dayton Metro Library’s Main Library.

• When: Feb. 3, 12–2 PM

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

• How Much: Free

GROWING & GIVING FOOD JUSTICE PANEL

• What: Community conversation on food growing, distribution, access, and joy in the Dayton region (UD Food & Culture programming).

• When: Feb. 3, 5:30–6:30 PM

• Where: Sears Recital Hall (University of Dayton), 300 College Park, Dayton

• How Much: Free

Computer Love

Dayton’s AI Future Gets a $9M Boost at Wright-Patt 🤖

A Beavercreek construction firm just landed a major win that puts Dayton even deeper into the future of AI. Butt Construction Co. has been awarded a $9.08 million federal contract to build a new artificial intelligence research facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The project will create a two-story, 6,000 sqft building dedicated to AI and machine learning research, helping Air Force scientists develop advanced technologies for national defense.

Construction is expected to begin this summer and wrap up by late 2027, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers overseeing the work. The new center builds on a growing wave of AI investment at Wright-Patt and reinforces Dayton’s role as one of the country’s most important hubs for defense tech and innovation.

Money

This $70M Project at Wright-Patt Is Unlike Anything the Military Usually Does 💰

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is in the middle of a rare $70 million renovation to restore some of its oldest homes and they date all the way back to the 1930s. These classic brick houses, known as the Brick Quarters, were built in a Tudor style and once housed military officers and their families. Now, nearly 90 years later, the military is carefully bringing them into the modern age without losing their historic charm.

So far, 29 homes are being upgraded, with new kitchens, bathrooms, wiring, plumbing, and insulation while keeping their original look. What makes this even more unique is that projects like this are uncommon for the Department of Defense, especially on this scale. When finished by 2027, these homes will blend history and modern comfort in a way few military bases in the country can match.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Super Bowl LX set: Seahawks vs. Patriots 🏈

Sunday’s conference finals delivered two very different classics: New England squeezed past Denver 10–7 in snowy Empower Field, with Drake Maye’s 6-yard keeper the lone Patriots TD.

Seattle punched the NFC ticket with a 31–27 win over the Rams behind Sam Darnold’s 346 yards and three scores. Next up: Seahawks–Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

Centerville survives Fairmont
Centerville protected first place in the GWOC with a 50–49 home win over Fairmont on Jan. 22. Sophomore Dash Craver missed his first free throw with five seconds left, then buried the second for the winner.

Trey Sam led with 19, freshman Julian Sam added 12, and Fairmont’s Sawyer Newman scored 17. A last-second 3 by Kaden Ralston rimmed out.

UD Hoops

The men dropped road games at La Salle (67–64, Jan. 21) and Saint Joseph’s (81–74, Jan. 24), then host Rhode Island Jan. 27, visit Saint Louis Jan. 30, and welcome St. Bonaventure Feb. 3.

The women beat Duquesne 75–58 (Jan. 21), fell to Rhode Island 79–66 (Jan. 25), and host St. Bonaventure Jan. 28 plus George Washington Feb. 1.