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: The Montgomery County Fair Returns This Week

• Hidden Gems: Pappa’s Pizza Palace, Bushido Ramen Shop, Mel-O-Dee Restaurant

• Local Events: 7/14 – 7/21

• Computer Love: Dayton Startup Raises $6M to Power the Future of Space Tech

• Money: $12.5M GE Aerospace Property Sale Signals Confidence in Dayton's Future

• Sports: RedHawks Join the Pro Ranks, Flyer Fielding in Diego, Dragons Update

— Tom

Did you know?

The Montgomery County Fair Returns This Week 🎡

One of Montgomery County's longest-running summer traditions is back. The 174th Montgomery County Fair runs Tuesday, July 14, through Sunday, July 19, bringing six days of rides, livestock shows, live entertainment, fair food, motorsports, and family fun to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Dayton.

New attractions this year include laser tag, bounce houses, a Tin Smith Show, and Fast Traxx Motocross, giving returning visitors even more to experience. Whether you're craving a funnel cake, cheering on 4-H competitors, or just looking for an affordable family outing, the county fair remains one of the biggest events of the summer in the Miami Valley.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Pizza flights and palace-sized cravings: Pappa’s in Miamisburg 🍕

A pizza flight tells you plenty about Pappa’s Pizza Palace: this Miamisburg favorite respects the classics but leaves room for surprise. From 412 S. First St., ovens turn out thin-crust and hand-tossed pies alongside Hot Honey Pepperoni, pickle pizza, subs, wings, and family-sized specials.

Food & Wine once singled out Pappa’s while surveying Ohio’s pizza culture, but hometown loyalty is the stronger endorsement. The dining room stays relaxed, online ordering keeps weeknights manageable, and hearty portions suit tables with competing cravings. Independent, cheerful, and built around community, it’s the kind of palace where nobody needs to dress for court.

Check them out on Facebook

Black Garlic and Bushido Spirit in Kettering 🍜

Bushido Ramen Shop brings the Way of the Warrior to 2607 Wilmington Pike in Kettering, where glowing lights and rising steam create a focused but welcoming mood. Chef-owner Victor Wang opened the restaurant in May 2025 inside the former Blossom Juicy Bar, drawing on a family he describes as “ramen people.”

The menu centers on creamy broths and handcrafted noodles, including black-garlic Bushido Black, spicy Bushido Red, chicken, miso, and vegan bowls, plus curry rice and milk tea. Beyond the bowl, Bushido feels polished yet playful—a neighborhood spot where careful details, friendly energy, and a little samurai spirit give Kettering something distinctly its own.

Check them out on Facebook

Four generations, one familiar tune: Mel-O-Dee 🍳

The roadside sign sets the tune before anyone reaches the door. Mel-O-Dee Restaurant has welcomed New Carlisle to 2350 S. Dayton-Lakeview Rd. since Virgil and Sarah Childers bought the still-unopened landmark in 1965. Four generations later, the family keeps its home-cooked identity intact: bread and pies baked in-house, fresh-made coleslaw and dressings, Broaster chicken, and rotating comfort-food specials.

Breakfast regulars share tables with multigenerational family dinners, all moving to the same familiar cadence. Nothing chases trends here. That constancy is the charm—a piece of local life preserved through recipes, conversation, and decades of return 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 4800+ Daytonians?

Local Events

BLUE STREAK BIKE TRIAL

• What: Cyclists chase the clock in a 10-mile Wright-Patt ride, bringing friendly race-day grit to Tuesday evening.

• When: Jul. 14, 6 PM

• Where: WPAFB Tennis Club Parking Lot, Skeel Ave., Wright-Patterson AFB

• How Much: $15

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR FUN

• What: Six days of rides, Jr. Fair shows, live music, track events, petting zoo fun, and Montgomery County summer tradition.

• When: Jul. 14–19

• Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Rd., Dayton

• How Much: $10 admission (kids 6 and under free); weekly pass $40 

FEDERAL FUNDING IDEAS GET AN SBIR BOOST

• What: Entrepreneurs learn eligibility, agency fit and application basics for federal SBIR/STTR research funding during this practical summer innovation webinar.

• When: Jul. 15, 10–11 AM

• Where: Online, hosted by Launch Dayton, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

RAIN BARRELS MAKE EVERY DROP COUNT

• What: Learn how rain barrels conserve water, trim utility costs and support healthier yards with Montgomery Soil and Water Conservation District.

• When: Jul. 15, 4:30–5:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free

YACHT ROCK DOCKS IN HUBER HEIGHTS

• What: Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, Peter Beckett, Walter Egan and Parrots of the Caribbean deliver smooth ’70s and ’80s favorites.

• When: Jul. 15, 6:30 PM; doors at 5:30 PM

• Where: Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Boulevard, Huber Heights

• How Much: $38.50+ 

COLLAGE NIGHT CUTS LOOSE CREATIVITY

• What: Cut, layer and experiment beside fellow makers during a relaxed open studio with materials supplied and no experience necessary.

• When: Jul. 16, 5–8 PM

• Where: The Contemporary Dayton, 25 W. Fourth Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free

LARRY MCCRAY LIGHTS LEVITT WITH BLUES

• What: The powerhouse bluesman brings soul-soaked vocals, fiery guitar and hard-earned storytelling to downtown Dayton’s welcoming outdoor stage.

• When: Jul. 16, 7–9 PM

• Where: Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 South Main Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free

BLUEGRASS SUMMER FEST PICKS THREE DAYS

• What: National and regional pickers fill three days with workshops, main-stage sets and late-night jams celebrating bluegrass tradition and fellowship.

• When: Jul. 16–18, 12 PM

• Where: Greene County Expo Center, 120 Fairground Road, Xenia

• How Much: $56.50+

MICHAEL JACKSON HITS LIGHT UP THE DOME

• What: Michael Jackson hits pulse through animated laser imagery, with museum exhibits and Eco Eatery access included before the sold-out evening sessions.

• When: Jul. 17, 4:30 PM

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

• How Much: $20; $15 for members

OHIO CHALLENGE HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

• What: Hot-air balloons, skydivers, live music, drone shows and family attractions fill Smith Park, capped by nightly fireworks.

• When: Jul. 17–18

• Where: Smith Park, 591 Tytus Avenue, Middletown

• How Much: $10+

DRAGONS 5K RUNS THROUGH WATER STREET

• What: More than 3,000 runners chase a timed downtown course, finisher swag and future-game lawn tickets from Day Air Ballpark.

• When: Jul. 18, 8 AM – 12 PM

• Where: Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Boulevard, Dayton

• How Much: $20+

REC YOUR HOOD CELEBRATES INNER EAST

• What: A DJ, kids’ games, creative challenges, refreshments and neighborhood connections bring Dayton recreation directly to the Historic Inner East.

• When: Jul. 18, 1–4 PM

• Where: Bomberger Park, 1300 E. Fifth Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free

GEM CITY COMIC CON POWERS UP

• What: Comic creators, collectors and families connect through artist tables, guest illustrators and affordable browsing centered on art and reading.

• When: Jul. 18–19

• Where: Marriott at the University of Dayton, 1414 South Patterson Boulevard, Dayton

• How Much: $5+; children under 12 free with adult

PORSCHE COMMUNITY PARKS AT LOOSE ENDS

• What: Porsche enthusiasts showcase every era of the marque while neighbors mingle over brewery food, drinks and family-friendly conversation.

• When: Jul. 19, 12–3 PM

• Where: Loose Ends Brewing, 890 S. Main Street, Centerville

• How Much: Free; RSVP requested

HARRY CONNICK JR. SWINGS INTO KETTERING

• What: Harry Connick Jr. brings big-band polish, jazz piano, pop standards and magnetic stagecraft to Fraze Pavilion.

• When: Jul. 19, 7:30 PM; gates at 6:30 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Boulevard, Kettering

• How Much: $79+ 

“ANNIE” YOUTH AUDITIONS SEEK LITTLE STARS

• What: Performers ages 6–17 audition for Dayton Playhouse’s “Annie” through a welcoming, low-pressure process focused on fun and preparation.

• When: Jul. 20, 7–8 PM

• Where: Dayton Playhouse, 301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton

• How Much: Free to audition

WARREN COUNTY FAIR OPENS SIX-DAY RUN

• What: Livestock, rides, exhibits, food and family entertainment launch six days of Warren County agricultural pride and summer tradition.

• When: Jul. 20–25

• Where: Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway Street, Lebanon

• How Much: $12+ 

RESOURCE FAIR CONNECTS NEIGHBORS TO SUPPORT

• What: Community organizations connect adults with housing, employment, mental-health, legal-aid, child-care and crisis-recovery resources during a welcoming drop-in fair.

• When: Jul. 21, 12–2 PM

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

• How Much: Free

DAYTON’S SUSTAINABILITY FUTURE NEEDS YOUR VOICE

• What: Residents help shape Dayton’s next sustainability plan through conversation about climate impacts, public health, equity and neighborhood resilience.

• When: Jul. 21, 6–7:30 PM

• Where: Northwest Recreation Center, 1600 Princeton Drive, Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration requested

Computer Love

Dayton Startup Raises $6M to Power the Future of Space Tech 🛰️

Dayton based Ravee Optics has secured $6 million in seed funding to accelerate development of its breakthrough laser communication technology for satellites. The startup is building ultra compact optical terminals that can transmit 10 to 100 times more data than today's traditional systems, helping solve one of the biggest challenges facing the rapidly growing space industry.

The investment will fund engineering, product development, and future in space testing, further strengthening Dayton's reputation as a hub for cutting edge aerospace and defense innovation.

Money

$12.5M GE Aerospace Property Sale Signals Confidence in Dayton's Future 💰

Dayton's aerospace industry continues to attract major investment. Two Beavercreek buildings leased by GE Aerospace have sold for $12.5 million, highlighting strong confidence in the region's growing defense and advanced manufacturing sector.

The 142,400 sqft campus on Heller Drive supports aerospace research, engineering, and manufacturing, making it a key part of Dayton's innovation economy. For the Miami Valley, the deal is another sign that companies and investors are betting on the region's long term future as a national hub for aerospace technology, advanced manufacturing, and high paying tech jobs.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

REDHAWKS JOIN THE PRO RANKS ⚾️

Miami baseball sent three names into the professional ranks. The Yankees drafted All-MAC closer Austin Berggren in the 12th round after he posted seven saves and 61 strikeouts.

The Cubs selected incoming freshman Emanuel Hernandez in Round 13, then signed RedHawks infielder Dominic Krupinski as a free agent following his .472 on-base percentage season.

FLYER SPEEDSTER HEADED TO SAN DIEGO
Flyer outfielder Michael Smith Jr. heard his name called Sunday, going to the San Diego Padres in the 13th round, No. 395 overall, of the MLB Draft.

In his lone Dayton season, Smith appeared in 53 games, set the program record with 38 stolen bases and earned second-team Atlantic 10 and All-East Region honors.

DRAGONS RESET AFTER TOUGH ROAD TRIP
Dayton entered the All-Star break after a difficult six-game trip to Great Lakes, dropping five contests despite Peyton Stovall’s four-hit, home-run performance in the lone victory.

The Dragons return July 17–19 for a three-game visit to Lake County, then come home July 21 to open a six-game series against Cedar Rapids at Day Air Ballpark.