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: Goodyear Blimp Visits Dayton

• Hidden Gems: Cinco de Mayo at Sonora, Wheat Penny Oven’s Win, Underground Chuck’s Opens

• Local Events: April 29th - May 6th

• Computer Love: Code For Dayton

• Money: Sinclair’s $545K Electric Flight Simulator

• Sports: Flyers Land Maliyah Johnson, Butler High Unbeaten, Buckeyes NFL Draft Record

—Tom

Did you know?

First Time in 20 Years! Goodyear Blimp Visits Dayton 💫

The Goodyear Blimp is making a special visit to the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show on June 21–22, 2025, at the Dayton International Airport. This marks the first time in over 20 years that the iconic blimp will appear at the show, celebrating 100 years since Goodyear introduced its first helium-filled airship in 1925.

At the air show, the blimp will be part of the ground displays. While visitors won't be able to board it, they can get close, take photos, and even touch the blimp.

The air show will also feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the B-29 “Doc” bomber, and Red Bull aerobatic performances . Last year's event attracted around 80,000 attendees, highlighting its popularity.

For more information and tickets, visit the official Dayton Air Show website: DaytonAirShow.com

Hidden Gems

CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA AT SONORA GRILL 🌮

Sonora Grill Seafood Steak Bar & Grill at 5438 Burkhardt Rd in Dayton will host a Cinco de Mayo Weekend Fiesta all weekend, welcoming locals to join the celebration. On Monday, May 5, guests can enjoy half-priced 20-ounce house margaritas all day, a festive offer that highlights the bar’s handcrafted cocktail creativity.

Sonora Grill’s menu spans fresh Gulf seafood and premium cuts of steak, cooked with Sonoran grilling techniques and seasoned with bold flavors. The restaurant’s Mexican-inspired design features vibrant tile, rustic wood accents, and lively artwork, creating a warm, community-focused atmosphere.

Since opening its doors, Sonora Grill has invested in a dining experience that fuses regional Sonora traditions with local Dayton pride. Whether you’re craving coconut shrimp, hand-cut steaks, or a tangy margarita, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is an ideal chance to connect over shared flavors and festive fun. Gather your amigos and make it a celebration to remember.

WHEAT PENNY OVEN’S TIKI COCKTAIL TRIUMPHS

Wheat Penny Oven & Bar, a rustic-chic spot at 515 Wayne Avenue in Dayton, OH, celebrated a major win on April 23 when bar manager Thomas Morris took first place at the Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders at the historic Steam Plant downtown. Morris’s tiki-inspired “The Queen Stays Queen” blends pineapple lavender-infused vodka, falernum, ginger, clove, lime zest, passion fruit, almond syrup and white chocolate foam. He matched it with signature coconut shrimp and spicy bang bang sauce for a vibrant balance of tropical sweetness and savory heat. This marks Morris’s second Battle crown after winning in 2023 with “Stop and Smell the Roses.” 

Since opening in 2012, founders Liz and Wiley perfected American-style pizzas using 48-hour scratch dough and deck-oven baking learned at Tony Gemignani’s International School of Pizza. Their char-pocked, chewy crusts feature toppings like fried garlic, fresh herbs and lemon zest. Beyond pizza nights, Wheat Penny fosters warm community gatherings with handcrafted cocktails and friendly service that embody Dayton’s spirit.

UNDERGROUND CHUCK’S TO OPEN NEAR DAYTON MALL

Underground Chuck’s, a new brick-and-mortar concept from the operators of O’Charley’s, will officially open on May 6 at 2260 Miamisburg-Centerville Road in Miami Township. The menu features wings, handcrafted Angus burgers, USDA Choice steaks, a rotating roster of craft beers and signature cocktails in a relaxed, sports-bar setting.

Hours will be 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 11 a.m.–midnight Friday–Saturday. A formal grand-opening celebration—with live music, giveaways and VIP specials—is planned in the coming weeks.

Visit undergroundchucks.com or follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.

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 500+ Daytonians?

Local Events

FAMILY PROGRAM: BLACKOUT POETRY!

Transform recycled book pages into unique blackout poems celebrating National Poetry Month. 

• Location: Main Library, 215 E Third St, Dayton, OH 45402 

• Date/Time: April 30, 4:00 PM–5:00 PM 

• Price: Free

PUZZLE FEUD

Teams race to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle in under two hours at Dayton Beer Company, pairing problem-solving excitement with food and drink specials for a friendly community challenge atmosphere.

• Location: Dayton Beer Company, 41 Madison St., 45402

• Date/Time: April 30, 7:00–9:00 PM

• Price: Free

YOUTH JOB FAIR

Designed for ages 16–24, this fair brings dozens of companies ready to hire on the spot—so bring your resume, dress to impress, and get ready to launch your career with confidence.

• Location: Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45402

• Date/Time: May 1, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

• Price: Free (registration required)

BRICK CITY MURAL AND ARTS FESTIVAL

Dayton’s streets burst with color as 80+ local and visiting artists create massive murals, pop-up galleries, live demos, food trucks, and free family fun across Front Street’s two-day art celebration.

• Location: Front Street Studios, 1001 E. Second St, Dayton, OH 45402 

• Date/Time: May 2, 5:00 pm–9:00 pm; May 3, 11:00 am–4:00 pm 

• Price: Free

AROUND THE AMERICAS WITH 123 ANDRÉS

A family-friendly musical adventure teaching geography and Latin culture through song, dance, and interactive lessons with Grammy-winning duo 123 Andrés.

• Location: Victoria Theatre, 138 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402 

• Date/Time: May 2, 9:30 AM 

• Price: $5 

SPRING FLING CARNIVAL

Hop aboard the LED-lit gondola ferris wheel, dive into bounce houses, and win big at midway games for unforgettable family fun. 

• Location: The Mall at Fairfield Commons, 2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd, Beavercreek, OH 45431 

• Date/Time: May 2, 4:30 pm–9:00 pm 

• Price: $25 ride wristbands (other days $20–$30; $5 off Sundays with canned food or military ID) 

A WORLD A’FAIR

Immerse in global cultures through dance, cuisine, crafts, and interactive demonstrations celebrating international unity and Dayton’s diversity.

• Location: Greene County Fairgrounds, 120 Fairground Rd., Xenia, OH 45385

• Date/Time: May 2–4, 2025; Fri 5–10 PM, Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–6 PM

• Price: Free (parking $5)

K-12 ALL CITY ARTS FESTIVAL

More than 500 K–12 performers, from student jazz bands and spoken-word poets to a collaborative mural, come together at RiverScape for an arts celebration—lawn chairs welcome. 

• Location: RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402

• Date/Time: May 3, 11:00 am–2:00 pm

• Price: Free 

ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY

Tony-nominated singer-songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway joins the Dayton Philharmonic for an evening of iconic pop and jazz classics. 

• Location: Schuster Center (Winsupply Theatre), 1 W Second St, Dayton, OH 45402 

• Date/Time: May 3, 7:30 PM 

• Price: $27.50 – $118.50 

2025 HOTDOG EATING CONTEST FOR DERBY DAY IN THE OREGON DISTRICT

Grab your bib for a spirited showdown at Ned Peppers—down as many hotdogs as you can in minutes and join Dayton’s Derby Day fun.

• Location: Ned Peppers, 419 E. 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402 

• Date/Time: May 3, 5:00 pm 

• Price: Free

DAYTON TACO FEST 2025

Join over a dozen food trucks serving classic and creative tacos at The Brightside’s free family festival.

• Location: The Brightside Music & Event Venue, 905 E. 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402 

• Date/Time: May 4, 2025, 11:00 am–6:00 pm 

• Price: Free

BOOTCAMP WITH THE UNIT

Certified trainers lead resistance-band and body-weight circuits for all levels; bring water and a mat. 

• Location: RiverScape MetroPark, Festival Plaza, 237 E. Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402

• Date/Time: May 5, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm

• Price: Free

DRAGONS VS. GREAT LAKES LOONS

Cheer on Dayton’s High-A baseball team in this Midwest League contest, complete with mascot antics, promotional giveaways, and post game fireworks.

• Location: Day Air Ballpark, 220 North Patterson Blvd., 45402

• Date/Time: May 6, 2025, 7:05 PM

• Price: $6–$10

Computer Love

Code For Dayton: Using Tech to Help the City 👨‍💻 

In the heart of the city, a group of tech enthusiasts gathers monthly at the Arcade Innovation Hub. They're part of "Code for Dayton," a community-driven initiative focused on using technology to improve the city. Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

At these meetings, participants engage in "hack nights," where they discuss ongoing projects and collaborate on new ideas. This time, they're revisiting the Preservation Dayton dataset. Janet, a dedicated member, has connected with the original researcher from studies conducted in 1996 and 2012. The team plans to use Python programming to update the report with fresh insights.​

Code for Dayton is part of the larger GemCity TECH community, which supports various tech-focused groups in the area. From software development to machine learning, these groups provide opportunities for learning and collaboration.​

If you're interested in technology and want to make a positive impact on your community, consider joining Code for Dayton. It's a welcoming space where your skills can contribute to meaningful projects.​

For more information, visit Code for Dayton's website

Money

Sinclair Students to Train on $545K Electric Flight Simulator ✈️

Sinclair Community College is getting ready for the future of aviation! The school is spending $545,000 on a brand-new electric flight simulator made by BETA Technologies. Most of the money comes from a special grant from the state of Ohio, while Sinclair is covering the rest.

This new simulator will help students in the Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aircraft Systems programs learn how to fly electric planes — which are cleaner and quieter than traditional aircraft. With this exciting new tool, Sinclair is making sure students are ready for tomorrow’s high-tech aviation jobs!

Sports

Flyers Land Houston Transfer Maliyah Johnson 🏀

On April 25, the University of Dayton women’s basketball program welcomed 6-foot forward Maliyah Johnson, a graduate of Africentric Early College in Columbus, OH, to next season’s roster as the third spring transfer addition. Johnson, who missed all of last year recovering from a knee injury, averaged 8.6 points and 3.2 rebounds across 30 games for Houston in 2023–24 after initially posting 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game at Pittsburgh.

A two-time state champion at Africentric (2018, 2019), she concluded her high school career with 18.5 points and 12 rebounds per contest. Johnson joins fellow transfers Fatima Ibrahim from North Dakota and Jordyn Poole from Purdue, boosting Coach Tamika Williams-Jeter’s frontcourt depth. Fans can track her progress this fall as Dayton aims to make a splash in Atlantic 10 play.

Unbeaten Aviators Soar With Homegrown Formula

Vandalia Butler High’s baseball team has opened the season 10–0, leading the Miami Valley League with a .392 batting average, 55 stolen bases, a 2.03 team ERA and top fielding percentage.  Senior Hunter Richardson has delivered on the mound and at the plate (3–0, 1.16 ERA, .429 average, 13 RBIs), joined by Mason Reckner (.425, 14 RBIs) and Max Rubins (perfect 1.000 fielding).

Head coach Trent Dues—at the helm since 1995—credits winter training on hitting, baserunning and defense for the Aviators’ trademark consistency. Facing fellow unbeaten Tippecanoe this week, Butler aims to keep its winning tradition rolling as it eyes another MVL crown and deeper postseason run. 

Buckeyes Tie Record With 14 NFL Draft Picks

On April 26, Ohio State tied its own record with 14 NFL draft selections, leading all programs in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Buckeyes matched their 2004 mark, marking the fifth time since 1994 they've had 10-or-more picks and setting a Big Ten draft record. OSU saw four first-rounders—Emeka Egbuka to Tampa Bay, Donovan Jackson to Minnesota, Tyleik Williams to Detroit and Josh Simmons to Kansas City—alongside standouts like Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland), and JT Tuimoloau (Indianapolis) among its 14 draftees.

This draft haul validates Ohio State’s player-development blueprint, especially for running backs and linemen. Coach Ryan Day credited the program’s focus on strength training, position-specific coaching and championship experience for the Buckeyes’ draft success. With half of the NFL picks coming from last season’s CFP title team, Ohio State confirms its reputation as a pro-ready talent factory.