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-Patt Is Flying 150 Veterans to D.C.

• Hidden Gems: Mudlick Tap House, Treasure Island Supper Club, Jimmie’s Ladder 11

• Local Events: 8/12 – 8/19

• Computer Love: Join Dayton’s Women 4 Technology

• Money: Major Family Fun Spot Eyes Dayton

• Sports: Middletown’s Schwarber Hits #42, Wright State Women’s Bowling Joins C-USA, Buckeyes Start at #3

— Tom

Did you know?

Wright-Patt Is Flying 150 Veterans to D.C. — Then Throwing Them a Free Concert ✈️

On September 21st, the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will fly 150 veterans and former POWs to Washington, D.C., then welcome them home with a free concert featuring Lee Greenwood, Ricky Lee, and Stranger. The event celebrates the Honor Flight program, which gives long-overdue recognition to veterans, especially those from the Vietnam War.

In a symbolic tribute, one of the unit’s C-17s will be named the “Spirit of Hanoi Taxi,” honoring the aircraft that brought the first American POWs home from Vietnam. The concert is open to the public with a 3,000-person limit.

Click here to purchase tickets

Hidden Gems

New Uptown Patio, Same Downtown Soul: Mudlick Tap House 🌮

Dayton’s scratch-kitchen pub didn’t just move—it matured. Mudlick Tap House brings its bright dining room and breezy patio to Uptown Centerville at 110 W. Franklin St., keeping the original downtown space at 135 E. Second St., for private parties and milestones. The midday-to-evening hours (Tue–Sun, 11 AM–10 PM) make it a reliable lunch stop and an easy date-night call.

Start with a Brauhaus Bavarian pretzel dunked in house bier cheese; follow with buttermilk fried chicken that’s crisp outside, tender inside. The bar swings from standards to signatures try the citrusy Gem City Lemonade plus a rotating draft list that keeps regulars curious. It’s the same Dayton heart, now a few miles south, and still engineered for gathering with friends in that golden-hour light.

Check them out on Facebook

Prime Rib, Flashbacks, and Fritters at Treasure Island 🍝

First you notice the glow wood-paneled walls, a bank of booths, the kind of hush that makes a Friday night feel like an occasion. Then dinner lands. At Treasure Island Supper Club in Moraine, located at 4250 Chief Woods Ln., the cut-to-order prime rib still steals the show, but the broasted chicken and the Seafood Platter (deviled crab, frog legs, shrimp, scallops, cod) hold their own.

Owners Nancy Zechar who ran the floor for years and husband Mike Leach have kept the 1961 spirit intact while tightening service and little touches. Sides are pure comfort: Lyonnaise potatoes, corn fritters with syrup, and the house potato boat with baskets of fresh bread. A separate banquet room makes birthdays simple, reunions easier, and wedding-week dinners blissfully low-stress. Come hungry; leave with leftovers and a new family tradition.

Check them out on Facebook

Ladder 11, Still on Call 🥖

Some Dayton landmarks tell their story the moment you walk in. Jimmie’s Ladder 11 housed in an 1892 firehouse at 936 Brown St. answers with brick, brass, and an easy hum from two levels of dining. Opened on 11/11/11 and now led by the next generation of the Brandell family, the place doubles as a gathering hall: The Greenhouse for sun-splashed lunches; the upstairs Party Loft when the guest list grows.

The menu leans deli-classic: the Dayton Classic (Romanian-style pastrami on rye), Harold’s five-cheese grilled cheese, and a thick-cut BLT on Texas toast. From the bar, the Flyer Margarita and the Dayton Mule mix local love—Belle of Dayton vodka, Warped Wing ginger beer into crowd-pleasers. History on the walls, comfort on the plate, and plenty of room for one more chair.

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 3000+ Daytonians?

Local Events

EAP WORKSHOP: OVERCOMING ANXIETY

• What: Interactive EAP training to build resilience and coping strategies for workplace and daily stress.

• When: August 12, 1–3 PM

• Where: Montgomery County Administration Building, 451 W Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

• What: Join the Community Overdose Action Team for a compassionate evening of remembrance, harm-reduction resources, and support services at Levitt Pavilion.

• When: August 12, 5–8 PM

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

• How Much: Free

MANNA UPTOWN: AUGUST WINE TASTING — LAST SIP OF SUMMER

• What: A four-course, end-of-summer tasting with thoughtful wine pairings—think Asparagus & Petit Pois Salad with Graves Blanc, chilled roast beef tenderloin with Cannonau, pork tenderloin with Crozes-Hermitage, and a strawberry parfait with LVE Sparkling Rosé.

• When: August 13, 6 PM

• Where: Manna Uptown, 61 W Franklin St, Centerville (event on the second floor)

• How Much: $79

GET THE LED OUT AT FRAZE

• What: Zeppelin anthems under the stars—faithfully re-created.

• When: August 13, 8 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd, Dayton

• How Much: $30–$35 (prices increase day-of)

CULTURE KITCHEN: TASTE OF FARM TO TABLE @ 2ND STREET MARKET

• What: A four-course, seasonal tasting led by Market vendors—limited seats; registration required.

• When: August 14, 5–8 PM

• Where: 2nd Street Market, 600 E 2nd St, Dayton

• How Much: $36; registration required (financial assistance available)

BIG BAND NIGHT: TOM DAUGHERTY ORCHESTRA @ RIVERSCAPE

• What: Swing under the pavilion as the 17-piece band fires up classic charts—dancing encouraged, sunset views included.

• When: August 14, 7–9 PM

• Where: RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton

• How Much: Free

INCENDIO AT LEVITT PAVILION

• What: Latin-based world-fusion guitar fireworks on the lawn—bring blankets/chairs; family-friendly.

• When: August 15, 7–8:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free

THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW

• What: 70s–80s arena anthems; big-hair singalongs galore.

• When: August 15, 8 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd, Dayton

• How Much: $10

6888 SUMMER MARKETPLACE

• What: Shop makers and food startups—only on 1st & 3rd Saturdays.

• When: August 16, 11 AM – 3 PM

• Where: 6888 Kitchen Incubator, 32 S Ludlow St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

GREAT AMERICAN BEER TASTING @ DAY AIR BALLPARK

• What: 100+ beers, ciders & seltzers on the field; Regular Admission includes 15 samples, souvenir pint glass, T-shirt, games & raffles (21+).

• When: August 16, 2–6 PM

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

• How Much: $50 Regular / $15 DD

DAYTON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

• What: Two-day celebration of African American culture. Saturday features an African Village with drumming and storytelling, displays of paintings plus authors/illustrators, and live R&B, hip hop, jazz, and blues; Sunday caps the weekend with a Gospel Explosion.

• When: August 16, 12–8PM; August 17, 12 PM–6 PM

• Where: Island MetroPark, 101 E Helena St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

ART FOR ALL DAY (FREE ADMISSION)

• What: Explore galleries free of charge—perfect family outing.

• When: August 17, 12–5 PM

• Where: Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton

• How Much: Free

SKILLET AT FRAZE PAVILION

• What: Arena-ready rock from multi-platinum Skillet under the stars; gates 6:30 PM.

• When: August 17, 8 PM

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

• How Much: $40–$50 (prices +$5 day-of; fees may apply)

SOCIAL PINBALL LEAGUE AT DK EFFECT

• What: Flip for fun—league night for all skill levels; prizes awarded.

• When: August 18, 7–9 PM

• Where: DK Effect, 1600 E 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: $25 entry

ENGLEWOOD HEART HEALTHY HIKE (FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS)

• What: Easy, guided 1.2-mile loop on the Heart Healthy Trail—great for beginners, with waterfalls nearby and birding along the route; registration required.

• When: August 18, 1:30–2:30 PM

• Where: Englewood MetroPark (West Park Entrance), 100 E. National Rd, Englewood

• How Much: Free

SING DAYTON! — COMMUNITY SINGING AT THE TANK

• What: Guided group sing with song sheets and light snacks; drinks available for purchase; all ages welcome.

• When: August 19, 6:30–8:30 PM

• Where: The Tank at the Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St, Dayton

• How Much: $10 general admission

DAYTON DRAGONS VS. PEORIA CHIEFS

• What: Cheer on the hometown High-A Dragons in a weeknight matchup at Day Air Ballpark.

• When: August 19, 7:05 PM

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

• How Much: Prices vary by section (see box office)

Computer Love

Join Dayton’s Women 4 Technology for an AI-Powered Guide to Beating Burnout 🤖

On August 26, 2025, Technology First’s Women 4 Technology and Women in AI are teaming up for a powerful lunch-and-learn at Dayton’s Digital Transformation Center. Led by Ashima Sharma of Ayuka Consulting, this session will reveal how to harness AI to boost productivity, cut stress, and avoid burnout.

Sharma will share real-world strategies for streamlining tasks, setting healthy tech boundaries, and choosing tools that help you work smarter not harder. You’ll also learn how to spot burnout before it hits and create balanced workflows that support both career and personal well-being.

Lunch and networking start at 11:30 a.m., followed by the program from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Click here to register

Money

Major Family Fun Spot Eyes Dayton for Its Next Big Adventure 🦘 

Launch Entertainment, known for its indoor fun parks packed with trampolines, arcade games, climbing walls, ninja courses, and virtual reality, is looking to bring the action to Dayton. The company, which already operates in several states, is planning a major expansion and is actively scouting franchise partners in Ohio.

If plans move forward, Dayton families could soon have a new go-to spot for birthday parties, weekend outings, and group events plus, the project could create new jobs and boost nearby businesses.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

MIDDLETOWN’S SCHWARBER HITS #42 IN CINCY TO SEIZE NL HOME RUN LEAD ⚾️

Local product Kyle Schwarber keeps mashing. The Middletown native launched his 42nd homer — a two-run shot — to cap a four-run eighth inning as the Phillies stunned the Reds 4–1 in Cincinnati.

With No. 42, Schwarber moved past Shohei Ohtani for the National League lead in homers; Seattle’s Cal Raleigh still tops MLB. It was Schwarber’s 13th career homer at Great American Ball Park, his most at any road venue.

RAIDERS LEVEL UP: WRIGHT STATE WOMEN’S BOWLING JOINS CONFERENCE USA

Wright State women’s bowling is leveling up: the Raiders will join Conference USA as an affiliate in 2025–26 alongside Nebraska and Sacred Heart, expanding the league to 12 bowling members.

A Top-25 program last season, Wright State enters a conference for the first time in program history. It’s a powerhouse fit—CUSA produced three of the four teams at the 2025 NCAA finals, with Youngstown State claiming the title. Coach Jeff Fleck called it joining the “best of the best,” a milestone for a fast-rising Raiders squad.

BUCKEYES START #3, AND OPEN AGAINST #1 TEXAS IN BLOCKBUSTER

Ohio State will start 2025 at No. 3 in the AP preseason Top 25, behind No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Penn State. The reigning national champs open with a blockbuster: Texas visits Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30 at noon, setting up a rare top-three Week 1 showdown.

Expect a playoff-caliber atmosphere as Ryan Day’s championship defense meets Texas, led by starting quarterback Arch Manning.