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: Bourbon, Burgers & Brews is Taking Over The Greene This Weekend

• Hidden Gems: Fatbacks, El Riacho, Burkey Family Restaurant

• Local Events: 8/25 – 9/1

• Computer Love: Meta Revealed Behind $1 Billion Data Center Near Dayton

• Money: Dayton Named One of America’s Best Cities to Start a Career

• Sports: Bleday Hits for the Cycle, Gauff + Fils Rule Cincinnati, Wk. 1 HS Football, Dragons Update

— Tom

Did you know?

Bourbon, Burgers & Brews Is Taking Over The Greene This Weekend 🥃🍔

Looking for something different to do this weekend? Bourbon, Burgers & Brews is coming to The Greene on Saturday, August 29, bringing together bourbon, local food and live music for one night.

Guests can build their own bourbon flight by choosing four samples, plus a beer, from a lineup featuring Four Roses, New Riff, Ben Holladay and more. Several local food vendors will also be serving up everything from burgers and tacos to roasted corn.

The night will also feature live music from Stranger and cigars from Double HH Cigars.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Five sauces, Pig Pops, hickory smoke: Fatback’s on Linden Ave 🐖

Some barbecue stories are about recipes; Fatback’s BBQ is also about a handoff. Dayton native Larry “Bub” Britton turned years of catering into a tiny restaurant at 1334 Linden Ave. in 2013, then closed in 2020. Curtis Fackler revived it the following March with Britton’s blessing, keeping the neighborhood spirit—and smoker—going.

Pulled pork, brisket, chicken, baby back ribs, and hickory-smoked Pig Pops do the heavy lifting, backed by five house sauces, mac and cheese, roasted potatoes, and banana pudding. Nothing feels overworked. Fatback’s remains small, smoky, and proudly focused on the barbecue that built its following.

Check them out on Facebook

Hidden in plain sight: El Riacho 🌯

The Barreto family built El Riacho around recipes from San Jose, Mexico—not a restaurant formula. Their inconspicuous spot at 143 E. Dayton Yellow Springs Rd. in Fairborn sits almost hidden in a parking lot, yet lunch crowds and longtime regulars know exactly where to turn.

Much of the cooking starts from scratch: chorizo, salsas, sauces, chile rellenos, and desserts, alongside fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, and margaritas. Homespun décor keeps the mood casual while the family story gives every plate context. El Riacho’s charm is that discovery moment: finding something deeply personal where you least expected it.

Check them out on Facebook

Burkey’s comeback came from behind the register 🍗

Burkey Family Restaurant almost became a memory in October 2023. After 18 years, the Harrison Township diner closed—until former cashier Jacki Lykins and her husband, Ken, stepped in, brought longtime employees back, and reopened 670 Shiloh Springs Rd. weeks later. That rescue story still suits the place: familiar faces, home-cooked plates, and a dining room built around everyday conversation.

Breakfast covers omelets, pancakes, and the usual griddle comforts; later meals bring pork chops, salmon patties, chicken dinners, sandwiches, and rotating favorites. Burkey’s feels less like a comeback story now than proof that a neighborhood can keep its own traditions alive.

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

INTERSECTING INTERESTS EXPLORES CULTURE THROUGH MEDIA

• What: Teens explore different cultures, creative work and ways of life through media while connecting interests across art, identity and community.

• When: Aug. 25, 4–5 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

POKÉMON CLUB POWERS UP

• What: Young trainers play Pokémon Battle Academy, tackle themed activities, build game skills, and meet fellow fans.

• When: Aug. 25, 4:30–5:30 PM

• Where: Wilmington-Stroop Branch Library, 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering

• How Much: Free; registration required 

THE THIN PLACE OPENS AUDITIONS

• What: Dayton Theatre Guild welcomes community performers for cold readings from Lucas Hnath’s eerie drama, with all backgrounds encouraged to audition.

• When: Aug. 25, 7 PM

• Where: Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free

APARTMENT INDUSTRY TAKES THE FLOOR

• What: Multifamily professionals connect with vendors, education, products, and industry resources during GDAA’s space-themed trade show.

• When: Aug. 26, 4–6:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $15 

DAYCON20 TURNS TWENTY

• What: Cybersecurity thinkers gather for summit sessions, HackSec programming, and collaborative problem-solving under the “Resistance is Fruitful” theme.

• When: Aug. 26–28, times vary

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $250

NORTHERN CHAMBERS TALK POLICY

• What: Regional leaders tackle property taxes, data centers, utilities, and public policy through panels, a federal keynote, and cross-community networking.

• When: Aug. 27, 8 AM – 12 PM

• Where: Christian Life Center, 3489 Little York Rd., Dayton

• How Much: Free; RSVP strongly preferred

BRICKY’S TURNS FOUR WITH LOCAL LAUGHS

• What: Dayton-area comics Kevin Ruppert and Jerrel Beamon help Bricky’s celebrate four years with a hometown stand-up anniversary show.

• When: Aug. 27, 7:30 PM; doors 7 PM

• Where: Bricky’s Comedy Club, 319 S. Second St., Miamisburg

• How Much: $17+

J & THE CAUSEWAYS BRING SOUL

• What: New Orleans soul-rock powerhouse J & The Causeways fills Levitt’s lawn with soaring vocals, groove-heavy arrangements, and Southern energy.

• When: Aug. 28, 7–9:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free

BROTHERS OSBORNE BRING COUNTRY FIRE

• What: Grammy-winning Brothers Osborne blend country, rock, and soul for a big Friday-night stop on Rose Music Center’s summer stage.

• When: Aug. 28, 8 PM; doors 7 PM

• Where: Rose Music Center at The Heights, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights

• How Much: $46+

ARTFEST TAKES OVER HISTORIC SPRINGBORO

• What: Historic Main Street becomes an open-air gallery with juried artists, performances, kids’ activities, local shopping, and festival bites.

• When: Aug. 29, 10 AM – 5 PM

• Where: Historic Springboro, S. Main St. between Central Ave. and Lower Springboro Rd.

• How Much: Free

GEM CITY ROLLER DERBY DOUBLEHEADER

• What: Dayton’s Purple Reign and Violet Femmes host visiting squads for two fast, physical bouts celebrating Gem City roller derby.

• When: Aug. 29, bouts 5 PM & 7 PM

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $8+

CASSIDY DANIELS TAKES LEVITT

• What: Rising Nashville songwriter Cassidy Daniels blends country, rock, and Southern soul after reaching the top three on CBS’s The Road.

• When: Aug. 29, 7–9:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free

JDM CARS MEET PACKARD CLASSICS

• What: Japanese Domestic Market cars roll beside Packard history for a laid-back morning of chrome, coffee, conversation, and local car culture.

• When: Aug. 30, 9 AM – 12 PM

• Where: America’s Packard Museum, 420 S. Ludlow St., Dayton

• How Much: Free event; museum admission separate

ZZ TOP BRINGS THE BIG ONE

• What: Rock legends ZZ Top bring five decades of blues-soaked riffs, boogie, spinning guitars, and unmistakable swagger to Kettering.

• When: Aug. 30, 7:30 PM; gates 6:30 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

• How Much: $70+

SARAP BRINGS FILIPINO FLAVORS TO SALAR

• What: Salar celebrates Filipino traditions with a five-course dinner featuring lumpia, pancit, pork skewers, kare-kare, ensaymada, puto, and biko.

• When: Aug. 31, 6 PM

• Where: Salar Restaurant & Lounge, 400 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $75 dinner; $99 with wine

DRACULA COMEDY AUDITIONS BITE BACK

• What: Beavercreek Community Theatre opens auditions for its comic Dracula adaptation, inviting local performers to step into a spooky ensemble.

• When: Aug. 31–Sept. 1, 7 PM

• Where: Beavercreek Community Theatre, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek

• How Much: Free

COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES, ALL TOGETHER

• What: Meet community organizations offering practical support and local connections focused on physical health during Dayton Metro Library’s mini resource fair.

• When: Sept. 1, 12–2 PM

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

• How Much: Free

FROM SCRATCH FOOD SUMMIT

• What: Dayton’s food entrepreneurship summit brings founder stories, panels, business resources, networking, vendors, tastings, and industry showcases under one roof.

• When: Sept. 1, 2–7 PM

• Where: Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton

• How Much: $0 – $108

Computer Love

Meta Revealed Behind $1 Billion Data Center Near Dayton 👨‍💻

Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has been revealed as the tech giant considering a massive $1 billion data center in Piqua.

The proposed project would bring one of the region’s largest technology investments to the Greater Dayton area. Meta says that if the project moves forward, it would invest $1 billion directly into the development and make a long term commitment to the community.

As part of the proposal, Meta has also pledged $8 million to help Piqua upgrade emergency services, including equipment and additional personnel for police and fire departments.

The project adds to a growing wave of major data center investments across Ohio as demand for computing power continues to climb.

Money

Dayton Named One of America’s Best Cities to Start a Career 💰

Dayton just landed near the top of a national ranking for people looking to build a career without spending a fortune on rent.

A new study from Monster ranked Dayton #3 among 100 major U.S. metro areas for starting a career. The ranking looked at both job opportunities and rental affordability two areas where Dayton performed especially well.

Dayton wasn't alone, either. Five Ohio cities made the national top 10, more than any other state. For young professionals looking for a place where their paycheck can stretch further, Dayton continues to stand out.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

BLEDAY CYCLES INTO REDS HISTORY ⚾

JJ Bleday delivered one of Cincinnati’s biggest offensive performances of the season Saturday, hitting for the cycle in an 11–5 win over Arizona. Bleday doubled in the first, tripled in the third, singled in the fifth and completed the feat with a 370-foot homer in the sixth.

It was the eighth cycle in Reds history and their first since Elly De La Cruz in 2023.

GAUFF, FILS RULE CINCINNATI

Coco Gauff and Arthur Fils left Mason with the biggest trophies at the Cincinnati Open. Gauff beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 6–2, 6–4 Sunday for her second Cincinnati title and first trophy of 2026.

Fils defeated Frances Tiafoe 6–3, 1–6, 6–0 for his first Masters 1000 crown, completing a memorable championship Sunday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

WEEK 1 OF MIAMI VALLEY FOOTBALL

Week 1 delivered plenty of drama across the Miami Valley. Alter edged Fairmont 14–7, Beavercreek slipped past Xenia 17–16, and Springfield survived Winton Woods 14–13 in overtime. Springboro rolled Mason 33–0, while Miamisburg handled Chaminade Julienne 44–14.

Elsewhere, Fairfield beat Wayne 35–25, Lakota East topped Centerville 41–14, Lebanon defeated Northmont 38–17, Bellbrook beat Tippecanoe 27–14, and Toledo Central Catholic knocked off Trotwood-Madison 27–7.

DRAGONS CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT, HIT THE ROAD

Dayton wrapped a rough six-game homestand against Quad Cities at 1–5, with its lone win a 7–1 victory Aug. 20 powered by homers from Justin Lebron and John Michael Faile. The Dragons now head to Fort Wayne for six games Aug. 25–30 before returning to Day Air Ballpark Sept. 1 to open a six-game set with West Michigan.

Dayton has already clinched a Midwest League playoff berth.