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: This Dayton Hidden Gem Has Been Making Art for 61 Years

• Hidden Gems: Wildflower Café, Piccolo Orsetto, Pizza Dive

• Local Events: 9/1 – 9/8

• Computer Love: This Dayton Area Tech Company Just Scored $60 Million

• Money:  A $1 Billion Bet is Being Made Just South of Dayton

• Sports: Flyers Sweep Opening Volleyball Weekend, Reds Go Deep Four Times, Dragons Update

— Tom

Did you know?

This Dayton Hidden Gem Has Been Making Art for 61 Years 🎨

One of Dayton’s longtime creative hubs is throwing a birthday party. Front Street Art & Culture Hub is celebrating its 61st anniversary on Friday, September 4, with live entertainment, food trucks and plenty to explore.

The celebration lines up with First Friday, when visitors can check out 150+ artists, studios and vintage vendors throughout Front Street.

It’s an easy way to support local artists, grab some food and explore one of Dayton’s creative communities all in one night.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Ohio farms meet the plate at Wildflower Cafe 🍅

Before dinner reaches the table at Wildflower Cafe, part of it may have traveled only a few miles. Chef-owner Todd Hudson and wife Jenna built the Mason restaurant at 207 E. Main St. around regenerative farming and relationships with nearby growers, giving “eclectic Ohio dining” a literal sense of place.

Seasonal plates shift with what’s ready: beet “wings,” truffled mushroom fonduta, local asparagus with a farm egg, and house desserts all fit the philosophy. A boutique wine shop deepens the experience without making it fussy. Since 2008, Wildflower has made refinement feel rooted—more Ohio harvest than special-occasion theater.

Check them out on Facebook

Little Bear wakes up Wayne Avenue 🥞

A dog nickname became Dayton’s newest daytime gathering place. Piccolo Orsetto—Italian for “Little Bear”—opened at 521 Wayne Ave. in July 2026 from Liz Valenti and Dave Rawson, the team behind Meadowlark and Wheat Penny. Inside the restored Dietz Block, breakfast and lunch get a chef-driven spin: biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, peach toast with zoug, fresh pastries, and playful brunch plates.

But the ambition reaches beyond the table. A cooking school, cookbook library, and private event room give food lovers reasons to return after the plates clear. Bright, curious, and community-minded, Little Bear brings fresh morning energy to Wayne Avenue.

Check them out on Facebook

Pizza Dive doubles down on Beavercreek 🍕

Pizza Dive doubled down on Beavercreek in 2026, adding a roomier shop at 2760 Towne Dr. to its original 4021 Dayton-Xenia Rd. Owners Amy and Michael Jones, who took over in 2022, kept the offbeat personality intact while creating more breathing room for families, parties, and game-day crowds.

New York-style pies still lead the charge, including the cultish pepperoni-and-cream-cheese combination, alongside calzones, sandwiches, salads, and take-and-make kits. The formula is cheerfully uncomplicated: hot pizza, playful specials, and a team that clearly likes its hometown. Two addresses now share one proudly unfussy Beavercreek personality.

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

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 

AUDIOBOOK VOICES TAKE CENTER STAGE

• What: Narrator Jeremy Carlisle Parker pulls back the curtain on audiobook performance, recording and building a career behind the microphone.

• When: Sep. 2, 4–5 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

NINJA KIDZ LEAP INTO HUBER HEIGHTS

• What: The Ninja Kidz leap from YouTube to the stage with audience-driven challenges, games, battles and family-friendly high-energy adventure.

• When: Sep. 2, 6 PM (doors 5 PM)

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

• How Much: $43+ 

HARRY POTTER TRIVIA CASTS SPELLS

• What: Potterheads test their Hogwarts knowledge during an outdoor trivia showdown covering magical creatures, characters, spells and wizarding-world lore.

• When: Sep. 3, 6–7 PM

• Where: Atherton Amphitheater, 691 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn

• How Much: Free 

DCDC TAKES DANCE TO THE STREETS

• What: DCDC fills downtown with music, movement and soul in a free outdoor performance celebrating rhythm, creativity and community connection.

• When: Sep. 3, 7–9 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

WAIT WAIT GOES LIVE

• What: NPR’s comedy-news quiz records live in Huber Heights with Peter Sagal, rotating panelists, listener contestants and celebrity guests.

• When: Sep. 3, 7:30 PM (doors 6:30 PM)

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

• How Much: $19+ 

BRITISH LEGENDS LIGHT UP THE ROSE

• What: Squeeze celebrates 50 years with Adam Ant and Haircut 100, bringing a stacked night of British pop-rock favorites to Huber Heights.

• When: Sep. 4, 7 PM (doors 6 PM)

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

• How Much: $58+ 

ALTER FEST TAKES OVER KETTERING

• What: Alter’s longtime community festival returns with rides, food, games and entertainment filling campus throughout Labor Day weekend.

• When: Sep. 4–6, times vary

• Where: Archbishop Alter High School, 940 E. David Rd., Kettering

• How Much: Free admission; rides and activities extra 

DAYTON HOME EXPO OPENS THE DOORS

• What: Remodelers, builders and home-service experts gather for three days of renovation ideas, demonstrations and conversations with local professionals.

• When: Sep. 4–6, times vary

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

• How Much: Free 

REGGAE ROOTS ROCK THE LEVITT

• What: Roots reggae legends The Meditations headline a free lawn party built around live music, unity and good vibrations.

• When: Sep. 5, 5:30–9:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

HOLIDAY AT HOME: 100+ MAKERS

• What: More than 100 artisans fill Lincoln Park with handmade goods, food, entertainment and a lively Labor Day weekend atmosphere.

• When: Sep. 6–7, times vary

• Where: Kettering Government Center / Lincoln Park Civic Commons, 3600 Shroyer Rd., Kettering

• How Much: Free admission 

LABOR DAY PARADE GOES BIG

• What: One of the Miami Valley’s biggest parades rolls up Far Hills with bands, civic groups, veterans, car clubs and hometown pride.

• When: Sep. 7, 10 AM – 12 PM

• Where: Holiday at Home Parade Route, Far Hills Ave. & Stroop Rd., Kettering

• How Much: Free 

MAGNETIC ORGANIZATIONS START WITH FOUR STEPS

• What: Leadership coach Chris McClure shares four practical steps for building organizations that attract, inspire and retain great people.

• When: Sep. 8, 11:15 AM – 1 PM

• Where: Sinclair Ponitz Conference Center, 444 W. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: $23+ 

COMPUTER BASICS BUILDS DIGITAL CONFIDENCE

• What: New computer users learn essential mouse, keyboard and navigation skills in a friendly hands-on introduction to everyday technology.

• When: Sep. 8, 3–4 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Electra C. Doren Branch, 701 Troy St., Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required

Computer Love

This Dayton Area Tech Company Just Scored $60 MILLION 🚀

A local company just scored a massive national win. A Beavercreek based firm has been awarded a $60 million federal contract focused on strengthening STEM education across the country.

The project puts technology, science and workforce development at the center of an effort designed to help prepare the next generation for careers in high demand fields. And while the work will reach far beyond Ohio, the company behind it is based right here in the Dayton region. Another reminder that some pretty big things are being built in our backyard.

Money

A $1 BILLION Bet Is Being Made Just South of Dayton 💰

One of the biggest industrial investments in the region is coming to Middletown. Cleveland Cliffs is moving forward with a $1 billion investment at its Middletown Works steel plant, part of a major push to modernize its operations and strengthen domestic steel production. The project is expected to upgrade the massive facility while helping protect good paying manufacturing jobs in Southwest Ohio.

For the Dayton region, investments this large matter. Middletown sits along the I-75 corridor connecting Dayton and Cincinnati, meaning another billion-dollar bet is being placed right in our backyard. Big money. Big industry. And another major investment in Southwest Ohio.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

FLYERS SWEEP OPENING VOLLEYBALL WEEKEND 🏐

Dayton volleyball opened 2026 with a perfect weekend, sweeping the Flyer Invitational at Frericks Center. The Flyers beat Marquette 3–1 on Aug. 28, then topped Santa Clara 3–1 and Eastern Illinois 3–0 the next day.

Newcomers Sidney Sprada and Charlotte Vinson earned all-tournament honors after combining for 78 kills, helping Dayton begin the season 3–0.

REDS GO DEEP FOUR TIMES AT WRIGLEY

Cincinnati’s bats erupted Sunday in a 7–5 win over the Cubs, launching four home runs to take the three-game series. Héctor Rodríguez hit a three-run shot, Tyler Stephenson added a two-run blast, and Dane Myers and Sal Stewart each went deep.

Chase Burns improved to 15–3 with seven strikeouts, although Elly De La Cruz exited with left quad tightness.

DRAGONS ROLL INTO FINAL HOMESTAND, PLAYOFFS AHEAD

Dayton won four of six at Fort Wayne from Aug. 25–30, highlighted by Ty Doucette’s extra-inning grand slam and John Michael Faile tying the franchise record with his 13th home run.

The Dragons return to Day Air Ballpark Sept. 1–6 for their regular-season finale against West Michigan. Then it’s playoff time: Dayton opens the Midwest League East Division Series on the road Sept. 8 against the second-half champion.