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 Northern Lights Could Appear Over Ohio

• Hidden Gems: Meridien Uptown, Three Birds DYT, Thai Table

• Local Events: 12/9 – 12/16

• Computer Love: Inside the $1B Move Turning Ohio Into an AI Engine

• Money: $23 Million Bet Puts Dayton Startup in Growth Mode

• Sports: Bills' pick-6 and snow angels, Ohio State's Conference title slips in Indy, Flyers split the week

— Tom

Did you know?

The Northern Lights Could Appear Over Ohio 🌌

A strong burst of energy from the sun could make the Northern Lights visible over Ohio as early as Wednesday night. This rare event happens when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating glowing bands of green and red in the sky. These lights are usually seen far north, so spotting them in Ohio is uncommon.

The best chance to see them is late at night, especially in darker areas away from city lights. Even if the glow is faint, it could be a rare reminder that space weather can turn an ordinary night into something special.

Hidden Gems

Meridien Uptown on W Franklin—tastings, trivia, happy hour 🍣

At 28 W Franklin St in Centerville’s Uptown, Meridien moves at conversation speed polished, unhurried, and built for connection. Owners Rhonda and Matt Hiatt designed it as a neighborhood salon that doubles as a date-night standby. Menus rotate with globally inspired small plates and briny-fresh oysters; the bar answers with thoughtful cocktails and a dialed-in wine list.

Weekly rhythms happy hours, guided tastings, trivia, and ticketed wine events give regulars a reason to circle the calendar. The promise stays simple and sincere: community, culture, and a place to clink, sip, and savor without pretense.

Check them out on Facebook

New on Shroyer—Three Birds DYT, a mid-century neighborhood bar 🍗

At 1025 Shroyer Rd, the team behind Sueño and Tender Mercy has reanimated a familiar corner into an elevated hangout with mid-century ease, with this year’s opening of Three Birds. Booths invite lingering, a wraparound bar anchors the room, and a street-side patio extends the buzz outside.

The menu keeps things playful and shareable: the Oklahoma-style smashburger with lacy edges, corndog shrimp with in-house mango honey mustard, and center-of-the-table rotisserie chicken.

A full bar and weekend brunch broaden the cadence. Service runs neighborly; tables flip from family gatherings to evening get-togethers without missing a beat. It feels modern and comfortably Dayton—fresh, familiar, and ready for another round.

Check them out on Facebook

Far Hills’ cozy Thai-and-sushi hub: Thai Table 😋

Thai Table greets you with warm hellos and a whisper of lemongrass at 5841 Far Hills Ave, just minutes from Dorothy Lane Market. Family-run and easygoing, the dining room moves with the feeling of “home”—faces remembered, tables set comfortably for kids, groups, and great conversation.

The kitchen cooks bright and fragrant: tangy-sweet pad thai, red curry with a slow bloom of heat, and made-to-order sushi rolls. Online ordering and delivery keep weeknights simple; catering scales up celebrations. It’s a cozy neighborhood hub where kindness and spice share the bill.

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?

PARTNER 🤝

World’s Best Matcha finally On Sale

As the season speeds up, I turn to Pique’s Sun Goddess Matcha for calm, steady energy and a natural, healthy glow. Crafted to be pure, potent, and antioxidant-rich, it delivers clarity without the crash. It’s the Pique ritual that keeps me grounded, focused, and radiant through the busiest time of year.

Up to 20% off for life

Local Events

TIDINGS OF PEACE & GOODWILL

• What: University of Dayton Continuing Education presents a one-hour community holiday program—music and meaning for the season.

• When: December 9, 7–8 PM

• Where: University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton

• How Much: Free

A COMEDY OF ERRORS

• What: Shakespeare’s slapstick mistaken-identity romp hits downtown for one night.

• When: December 9, 7:30–9:30 PM

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

• How Much: $30

DECK THE DIAMOND AT DAY AIR BALLPARK

• What: Day Air Ballpark flips the switch on Deck the Diamond, a brand-new outdoor walk-thru holiday light spectacular featuring over 1.1 million lights, music, and activities.

• When: December 9–14, 6–9 PM

• Where: Day Air Ballpark, 220 N Patterson Blvd, Dayton

• How Much: $12+ (Limited capacity; advanced purchase encouraged) 

HOLLY DAYS AT THE ARCADE

• What: Market, music, and merriment under the Arcade’s glass rotunda.

• When: December 10, 3–8 PM

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

• How Much: Free

SEASONAL SHORTS: LAUGHS AT THE LOFT

• What: Six bite-size holiday comedies by local playwrights—smart, silly, and strictly for grownups.

• When: December 10–13, 7:30 PM

• Where: The Loft Theatre, 126 N Main St, Dayton

• How Much: $23+

THE UNTEACHABLES AT DAYTON FUNNY BONE

• What: Comedy showcase that leans delightfully off-syllabus; grab dinner and laughs at The Greene.

• When: December 11, 7:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Funny Bone, 88 Plum St, Beavercreek

• How Much: $22+

BUSINESS & TAX PREP WORKSHOP

• What: Keep books, prep for filing, and ask pros your year-end questions in this entrepreneur-focused workshop.

• When: December 11, 4:30–6:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free

TREVOR WALLACE WEEKEND OPENER

• What: Social-media star brings new bits to the big stage—high-energy, fast-laughs.

• When: December 12, 7:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Funny Bone, 88 Plum St, Beavercreek

• How Much: $42+

LASER Y2K AT BOONSHOFT

• What: Millennial bangers + lasers = dance-in-your-seat nostalgia trip.

• When: December 12, 9–10 PM

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

• How Much: $15+

CHRISTKINDLMARKT

• What: Old-world German market with gifts, Glühwein, and hearty bites.

• When: December 13–14, 10 AM (Sat), 12 PM (Sun)

• Where: Dayton Liederkranz-Turner, 1400 E Fifth St, Dayton

• How Much: Free
  

HOLLY JOLLY VARIETY HOUR

• What: One-night-only holiday variety spectacular from Dayton Playhouse—music, sketches, and seasonal sparkle.

• When: December 13, 8–10 PM

• Where: Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton

• How Much: $20

DAYTON BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER (MATINEE)

• What: Clara’s timeless adventure with live orchestra and dazzling sets.

• When: December 14, 2:30 PM

• Where: Schuster Center, 1 W 2nd St, Dayton

• How Much: $21.50+

CANDY CANE HUNTS (KETTERING)

• What: Hunt for candy canes, crafts, and cocoa at Delco Park South—sweet, simple, and merry.

• When: December 14, 5–6:30 PM

• Where: Delco Park South, 1700 Delco Park Dr, Kettering

• How Much: Free

PAWS & CLAUS PET PHOTO NIGHT

• What: Bring your furry pals for Santa snapshots at the mall.

• When: December 15, 5:30–7 PM

• Where: The Mall at Fairfield Commons, 2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd, Beavercreek

• How Much: Photo packages vary

MUSE WINTER PARTY & DANCE

• What: Teen-friendly winter bash with music, dancing, and museum ambiance.

• When: December 15, 6–9 PM

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

• How Much: $20+ (tickets required)

MINI RESOURCE FAIR (DML MAIN)

• What: Meet local service providers for housing, health, jobs, and more—all in one quick-stop fair.

• When: December 16, 12–2 PM

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

• How Much: Free

LAUNCH DAYTON HOLIDAY SOIRÉE

• What: Founders, creators, and supporters toast the ecosystem; networking + cheer.

• When: December 16, 4:30–7:30 PM

• Where: The Brightside, 905 E 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: Free (RSVP)

Computer Love

Inside the $1B Move Turning Ohio Into an AI Engine 🤖

A major cloud computing company is making a $1 billion bet on artificial intelligence in Ohio, building a massive data center designed specifically for high-performance AI work. Vultr’s new facility will run on advanced AMD GPUs, allowing companies to train and operate AI models without relying on the big, expensive cloud platforms run by tech giants.

The project highlights a growing shift in the tech economy, as AI infrastructure spreads beyond traditional tech hubs. While the data center will employ a relatively small workforce, its scale and computing power signal that the Midwest is becoming a critical backbone for the next generation of AI development.

Money

$23 Million Bet Puts Dayton Startup in Growth Mode 💰

A Dayton startup is attracting serious investor confidence. Niobium Microsystems has raised more than $23 million in fresh funding, with major backing from JobsOhio Ventures and a mix of returning and first-time investors. About 70% of the new money came from investors entering for the first time, a strong sign the company’s business model is gaining traction.

The new capital will be used to scale operations, hire talent, and move the company closer to commercial production. For investors, this isn’t just a technology play it’s a bet on a scalable business operating in one of the fastest growing areas of the economy: secure data services. For Dayton, it’s another signal that high-value companies and the capital that follows them are choosing to grow here.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Bills 39, Bengals 34 — late pick-6 and snow angels 🏈

Cincinnati led by 10 in the fourth, but Christian Benford’s 63-yard pick-6 and another interception on the next snap powered Buffalo’s rally.

Joe Burrow threw four TDs (284 yards) but two late INTs proved fatal. Josh Allen totaled four TDs and 78 rushing yards as the Bills won in the snow.

Indiana 13, Ohio State 10 — Conference title slips in Indy
No. 1 Ohio State fell in the Big Ten Championship on Dec. 6 as No. 2 Indiana prevailed 13–10 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Buckeyes reached the IU 9 late, but Jayden Fielding missed a 27-yard tying field goal after a fourth-and-1 spot was overturned.

Julian Sayin went 21/29 for 258 yards and a TD; Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 144.

Flyers split the week; North Florida up next
Dayton opened December with an 88–71 home win over East Tennessee State on Dec. 2 at UD Arena, then dropped a neutral-site matchup to Virginia 86–73 on Dec. 6 at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.

Next: North Florida visits UD Arena on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 PM. A final non-conference tune-up before finals week.