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: Wright State Is Investing $6 Million to Train More Nurses

• Hidden Gems: Morgan’s, Stella Bleu Bistro, Sima

• Local Events: 2/24 – 3/3

• Computer Love: Why Ohio Will Help Define How AI Is Actually Used in 2026

• Money: $10 Million Investment Brings New Jobs to Piqua

• Sports: Record gold for USA, UD Hoops, HS basketball D-I & D-II tournament brackets

— Tom

Did you know?

Wright State Is Investing $6 Million to Train More Nurses 👩🏻‍⚕️

Wright State University is making a major move to fight the nursing shortage. The school just approved a $6 million expansion of its nursing education facilities on the Dayton campus. The upgrades will include larger hands on lab spaces, two new high tech simulation rooms that mimic real hospital settings, and advanced training tools like lifelike mannequins and a 3D anatomy table.

The university plans to nearly double enrollment in its nursing program growing from about 380 students today to around 740 by the 2027–28 school year. With nursing already the most popular major at Wright State, this investment could mean hundreds of new nurses entering the workforce and strengthening health care across the Miami Valley.

Click here to learn more.

Hidden Gems

From Food Trailer to Renovated Dining Room: Chef Phillip Morgan opens Morgan’s in Wright Dunbar 🍽

West Dayton’s Wright-Dunbar has a new reason to feast: Morgan’s Fine Cuisine, Chef Phillip Morgan’s leap from catering and a 2021 food trailer to a renovated dining room at 1101 W. Third St., the former Texas Beef and Cattle Company across from W. Social Tap & Table. The vibe is celebratory—brick, low music, and a patio made for warm nights.

The menu mixes comfort and swagger: lamb chops, bourbon-glazed salmon, Cajun shrimp-and-sausage Alfredo, plus rotating specials that keep regulars checking in. A small bar rounds it out; the pride is unmistakable. Hungry smiles are common here, stop-by and join in.

Check them out on Facebook 

Stella Bleu Bistro — Springfield’s global dining room 🌎 

Stella Bleu Bistro turns the historic Bushnell Building into Springfield’s candle-warm “casual fine dining” room at 20 N. Fountain Ave. Chef Darin Mitchell and physician-investor Dr. Shawn Osterholt opened in 2019, and their menu still travels—seasonal rotations that can swing from bone-in ribeye to seafood pastas and those beloved San Francisco garlic noodles.

Art on the walls and a low-lit bar keep the mood intimate, while patio season adds an easy exhale. It’s polished without feeling precious, the kind of place where hometown regulars toast milestones—and then stay for dessert after a long week.

Check them out on Facebook

Sleek sushi meets Korean comfort at Sima 🍣

Sima Korean & Japanese Restaurant keeps a quietly loyal following on Woodman Drive—1771 Woodman Dr. in Kettering—where clean lines and the gentle sizzle from the kitchen make weeknights feel calmer. The cuisine bridges two comfort zones: bibimbap and bulgogi on one page, sashimi and house sushi rolls on the other, plus plenty of “Sima exclusive” roll options for regulars who like variety.

Service is warm and unhurried, the kind that makes you feel recognized. It’s primarily an evening stop (closed Tuesdays), with Sunday hours that stretch earlier for family dinners and date nights.

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?

HUGOS IS OFFICIALLY OPEN — MIAMISBURG, MEET YOUR NEW COCKTAIL SPOT 🍸

Hugos Cocktail Lounge (formerly known as G & J’s) is opening its doors March 1st, bringing elevated cocktails and late-night vibes to the heart of Miamisburg.

Located at 2285 E. Central Ave, the grand opening will be extra special with former owner Georgia Thompson in the building to celebrate the next chapter of this local favorite. Come raise a glass and be part of night one.

Check them out on Facebook

Local Events

OREO COOKIE CHALLENGE KICKOFF

• What: Build your most creative Oreo dessert, submit photos online, and compete for sweet bragging rights (and maybe prizes).

• When: Submissions open Feb. 23–27

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

• How Much: Free

ENGINEERING & TECH VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR

• What: Log in, meet recruiters, and explore engineering/tech roles—great for networking without leaving your couch.

• When: Feb. 24, 2–5 PM

• Where: Online (TalentAlly Virtual Events), Virtual, Dayton area

• How Much: Free

SMITHSON’S GAMBLE VIRTUAL TALK

• What: Smithsonian curator emeritus Tom Crouch shares the wild origin story behind the Smithsonian—perfect for history buffs and curious neighbors.

• When: Feb. 24, 2–3 PM

• Where: Online (hosted by Wright Memorial Public Library), 1776 Far Hills Ave, Oakwood

• How Much: Free

AI SOCIAL MEDIA POWER-UP

• What: A practical webinar on using AI tools to plan, write, and streamline social content—without losing your voice.

• When: Feb. 25, 12–2 PM

• Where: The Entrepreneurs Center, 31 S Main St, Dayton (online)

• How Much: Free

BATTLE OF THE BARTENDERS

• What: Dayton’s top shakers and stirrers throw down for bragging rights—sip, snack, and cheer on your favorite pours.

• When: Feb. 25, 6:30–9 PM

• Where: The Steam Plant, 617 E 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: $36.75+

CONSTRUCTION CAREER JOB FAIR

• What: Meet local construction employers—jobs, apprenticeships, and training paths—all in one bustling room.

• When: Feb. 26, 12 PM – 4 PM

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

• How Much: Free

PAULY SHORE AT FUNNY BONE

• What: A high-energy standup night at The Greene—classic Pauly stories, quick riffs, and a room full of laughs.

• When: Feb. 26, 7:30 PM

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

• How Much: $42+

NEXSTAR TALENT COMPETITION

• What: A packed weekend of dance and performance—families, teams, and lots of stage sparkle downtown.

• When: Feb. 26–28

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

• How Much: Free

COST OF POVERTY EXPERIENCE

• What: A hands-on simulation that builds empathy and understanding around the daily tradeoffs families face in poverty.

• When: Feb. 27, 9 AM – 2 PM

• Where: Sinclair Community College (Bldg. 7), 444 W Third St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

THE OFFICE TRIVIA: TODD PACKER

• What: A late-night The Office trivia showdown—teams, quotes, and bragging rights (21+).

• When: Feb. 27, 10 PM

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

• How Much: $42

JEFF DUNHAM: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

• What: Big arena comedy with the full cast of characters—fast jokes, big laughs, and a packed Nutter Center.

• When: Feb. 28, 5 PM

• Where: Wright State University Nutter Center, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton

• How Much: Varies

DCDC: BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

• What: Four powerhouse works celebrating Black life, love, and liberation—an electric night of movement and meaning.

• When: Feb. 28, 7:30 PM & Mar. 1, 4 PM

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

• How Much: $18+

FFA TOY SHOW IN XENIA

• What: Rows of farm toys, collectibles, and kid-level nostalgia—an easy Sunday stroll for bargain hunters and big kids alike.

• When: Mar. 1, 9 AM – 3 PM

• Where: Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center, 120 Fairground Rd, Xenia

• How Much: Free

MIAMI VALLEY COIN SHOW

• What: Buy, sell, trade, and browse 40+ tables of coins and currency—friendly collectors, dealers, and plenty of treasure-hunting chatter.

• When: Mar. 1, 10 AM – 3 PM

• Where: Hope Hotel & Conference Center, 10823 Chidlaw Rd (Bldg 823), Dayton

• How Much: Free

OHIO VEX IQ STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

• What: Middle-school robotics teams battle it out—skills runs, matches, and a whole lot of brainy adrenaline.

• When: Mar. 2, 9 AM – 4 PM

• Where: National Museum of the US Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

LUNCHBREAK SELF-DEFENSE BOOST

• What: Quick, beginner-friendly self-defense session—movement, safety tips, and practical basics.

• When: Mar. 2, 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

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

• How Much: Free

MINI RESOURCE FAIR: SUPPORT & STABILITY

• What: Quick connections to local help—housing, benefits, recovery supports, and more, all in one easy stop.

• When: Mar. 3, 12–2 PM

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

• How Much: Free

CODE FOR DAYTON HACK NIGHT

• What: Monthly civic-tech meetup—show-and-tell, then break into teams to build community-oriented projects.

• When: Mar. 3, 6–8 PM

• Where: The Hub (Dayton Innovation Hub), 31 S Main St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

Computer Love

Why Ohio Will Help Define How AI Is Actually Used in 2026 🤖 

2026 won’t be about flashy AI demos or viral tools. Ohio tech leaders say it will be the year artificial intelligence becomes useful in everyday business. The focus is shifting from hype to real-world impact, with AI being built directly into healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and other regulated industries where accuracy, security, and trust matter most. Instead of replacing people, AI will help workers move faster, make better decisions, and handle complex data that once took days or weeks to process.

Another big shift is the rise of “agentic” AI systems that can take action inside workflows, not just respond to prompts. Combined with smarter factories, robotics, and better access to clean energy to power massive computing needs, AI is becoming a true business partner. The message from Ohio’s tech community is clear: 2026 is when AI stops being impressive to watch and starts being essential to work.

Money

$10 Million Investment Brings New Jobs to Piqua 💰

Big money is flowing into Piqua. Hartzell Propeller, a historic aerospace manufacturer founded in 1917, is committing more than $10 million over the next five years to expand and modernize its local operations. The investment supports its new Innovation Center, where advanced carbon fiber propellers and next-generation aircraft technology will be developed and built.

The expansion is expected to create new jobs on top of the company’s existing 350 person workforce. The project also received a $2 million boost from JobsOhio, reinforcing the state’s push to grow high paying aerospace manufacturing jobs. For Piqua, this means more careers, stronger local spending, and another sign that the Miami Valley’s aviation economy is still climbing. ✈️

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Record gold for USA in Winter Olympics 🏅

Team USA wrapped the Milan Cortina Games with a record 33 medals (12 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze)—good for second overall behind Norway (41 total) and the most Winter Olympic golds the U.S. has ever won. Along with mixed events, USA women helped earn 21 of the country’s medals.

The headline moment: our first-ever sweep of men’s and women’s hockey gold. Ohio ties were everywhere—East Palestine’s J.T. Miller, Cleveland Heights’ Laila Edwards, and Athens goalie Gwyneth Philips on the ice, plus aerialists Connor Curran from Blue Ash, Cleveland’s Kyra Dossa and Derek Krueger in freestyle aerials.

UD Hoops

The men stayed hot, winning 82–67 at George Mason (Feb. 18) and 78–66 over Duquesne (Feb. 21). Next, they host Saint Louis Feb. 24 and visit George Washington Feb. 27.

The women fell 79–67 at Davidson (Feb. 21), then head to Loyola Chicago Feb. 25 before hosting VCU Feb. 28.

District brackets drop: OHSAA sets D-I & D-II boys tournament paths
Postseason season is officially here: boys basketball district tournament brackets for Divisions I and II were released Sunday, Feb. 22. Seeds were set using the MaxPreps RPI (locked in Friday at midnight), meaning Saturday results didn’t affect positioning. Now it’s about matchups, scouting, and surviving the one-and-done sprint that starts next week.