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: Dayton’s 200-Foot Tree of Light Outshines Every Other in Ohio

• Hidden Gems: Smith’s Boathouse, Brixx Ice Company, Troni’s Italian Restaurant

• Local Events: 11/18 – 11/25

• Computer Love: Ohio Debuts Eva: The AI Tool Changing How Elections Are Run

• Money: Downtown Dayton Eyes a $120M Hotel Boom

• Sports: Ravens spoil Sanders' debut, Flyers improved to 3–1, Steelers vs. Bengals, No. 1 Ohio State 48-UCLA 10

— Tom

Did you know?

Dayton’s 200-Foot Tree of Light Outshines Every Other in Ohio 🎄

Carillon Historical Park is kicking off the season with its Ringing in the Holidays Preview Party on Nov. 22, giving Dayton an early look at its famous Carillon Christmas. This year marks the park’s 75th anniversary and the 30th year of this holiday fundraiser. Guests can explore the grounds at night, enjoy live carolers, bell music, festive food, and even specialty cocktails served inside museum exhibits.

The evening ends under Ohio’s 200-foot “Tree of Light,” the largest display of its kind in the state. It’s one of Dayton’s most unique traditions part holiday celebration, part history, and part community spotlight.

Click here for more info

Hidden Gems

Sunset Reservations: Fresh Catch on Treasure Island—Smith’s Boathouse 🍣

Golden river light and the clink of glass set the tone at Smith’s Boathouse, perched along Troy’s Treasure Island Park at 439 N. Elm St, where boats drift past and conversation carries. The room feels warmly nautical, and a patio opens to Great Miami River views. Born from Treasure Island’s mid-century recreation hub, it still feels like a hometown celebration.

On the plate, signatures swing from a 12-oz NY Strip and duck fat confit fingerlings, to grilled Aukra Salmon with butternut squash puree and braised chard. Stop by to taste the Fresh Catch of the day, prepared in-house. Service is neighborly, reservations are wise, and sunsets do the rest.

Check them out on Facebook

Ballpark breeze & patio cheers: Brixx Ice Company 😋

Centerville’s Loose Ends Brewing hums with clinking glassware, copper glow, and the low purr of conversation—an easygoing anchor at 890 S Main St. Founded by father–son team Kent and John Loose, the brewery was built as a neighborhood gathering place first, beer hall second.

The taplist shifts frequently—from crisp lagers to house seltzers and seasonal one-offs—paired with scratch-kitchen crowd-pleasers like the famed crab rangoons, occasional pizzas, and rotating specials. Community energy stays high with pop-ups, car-meets, and fun runs that start and finish at the brewery. It’s relaxed, lively, and proudly local.

Check them out on Facebook

Red-sauce glow on Dorothy Lane: Troni’s Italian Restaurant 🍕

Saucy warmth meets neighborhood soul at Troni’s Italian Restaurant, tucked into the strip at 1314 E Dorothy Ln in Kettering—where booths fill with regulars and the pace feels unhurried. Family-run and proudly old-school, Troni’s has been feeding the Miami Valley for more than two decades.

The greatest-hits—baked ziti, meat lasagna, and eggplant rollatini—often land with salad and warm rolls; pizzas and calzones bring that classic corner-pizzeria comfort. Beer and wine keep conversation easy, and carryout flows alongside relaxed dine-in service. It’s the kind of spot where servers know names and sauce stories, and weeknights feel like Sunday supper.

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?

Local Events

THE BLACK CHILD BOOK FAIR – DAYTON

• What: Authors, stories, and activities celebrating literacy and culture.

• When: November 18, 10 AM – 3 PM

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

• How Much: Free

ANNUAL CHILI COOKOFF AT THE HUB

• What: Arcade community cookoff with bragging rights and plenty of spice.

• When: November 18, 2–4 PM

• Where: The Hub at The Arcade, 31 S Main St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

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: November 18–23, 6–9 PM

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

• How Much: $12+ (limited capacity; advance purchase encouraged)

WSU WOMEN VS. BELLARMINE (EDUCATION DAY)

• What: Raiders host Bellarmine in a daytime tip—bring the school spirit early.

• When: November 19, 11 AM – 1 PM

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

• How Much: $10+ 

INDIGENOUS VOICES ON FILM

• What: Films honoring Native storytellers during Native American Heritage Month.

• When: November 19, 12–2 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Miami Township, 2718 Lyons Rd, Miamisburg

• How Much: Free 

BRICK BY BRICK: AFFORDABLE HOUSING TALK

• What: Community conversation on local housing with neighbors and partners; thoughtful discussion in the Main Library forum.

• When: November 20, 6–7 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Main, 215 E 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

TWILIGHT IN CONCERT

• What: The film with a candlelit, live 12-piece ensemble score.

• When: November 20, 7:30 PM – 9:50 PM

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

• How Much: $29–$89 

CHRISTMAS IN SPRINGBORO

• What: Street market, Santa, parade, music, and local vendors in historic Uptown.

• When: November 21–23 (Fri 6–10 PM; Sat 10 AM–9 PM; Sun 11 AM–5 PM)

• Where: Uptown Springboro, S Main St, Springboro

• How Much: Free

THE GREENE TREE LIGHTING & PARADE

• What: Parade, giant tree lighting, and first photos with Santa.

• When: November 21, 6–8 PM

• Where: The Greene Town Center, 4452 Buckeye Ln, Beavercreek

• How Much: Free

TACARRA WILLIAMS LIVE

• What: Stand-up showcase at Funny Bone.

• When: November 21–22, 7:30 PM (Fri), 6:30 PM & 9:15 PM (Sat)

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

• How Much: $27–$32

KETTERING FAIRMONT HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW

• What: 200+ vendors, handmade gifts, concessions—community shopping day benefiting Fairmont athletics.

• When: November 22, 9 AM – 3 PM

• Where: Kettering Fairmont High School, 3301 Shroyer Rd, Kettering

• How Much: Free

UPTOWN HOLIDAY CONCERT

• What: Hauer Swing Band & the Mabarak Family deliver festive favorites at Town Hall Theatre.

• When: November 22, 4:30 PM & 7 PM

• Where: Town Hall Theatre, 27 N Main St, Centerville

• How Much: $10

GLOBAL ARTISAN MARKET (WELCOME DAYTON)

• What: New-American makers share culture, crafts, and stories at the Market. Shop globally, support locally.

• When: November 23, 11 AM – 3 PM

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

• How Much: Free

CENTERVILLE HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

• What: Community ceremony with performances, cocoa, and Santa visits.

• When: November 23, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

• Where: Benham’s Grove, 166 N Main St, Centerville

• How Much: Free

DAYTON METRO LIBRARY: FAMILY FUN TIME

• What: Games, crafts, LEGO & STEM for kids and caretakers.

• When: November 24, 4 PM – 5:30 PM

• Where: Burkhardt Branch, 4680 Burkhardt Ave, Dayton

• How Much: Free

MONDAY NIGHT KARAOKE @ W. SOCIAL

• What: Community karaoke powered by Limelight Entertainment; sing your heart out at West Dayton’s food hall.

• When: November 24, 6 PM – 9:30 PM

• Where: W. Social Tap & Table, 1100 W Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

A CARILLON CHRISTMAS OPENING NIGHT

• What: Millions of lights, the Tree of Light, Model Train Museum, and festive village across 65 acres—pure Dayton magic.

• When: November 25, 5–9 PM (Nov 25–Dec 30)

• Where: Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton

• How Much: $10+ ages 3 and up

Computer Love

Ohio Debuts Eva: The AI Tool Changing How Elections Are Run 🤖

Ohio just rolled out Eva, a new AI tool built to help election officials find answers fast. Instead of digging through a 524-page manual, county boards can now type a question and Eva instantly pulls the correct rule straight from state approved sources. The system runs 24/7, uses only Ohio’s official election manuals and calendars, and aims to make decisions more consistent across all 88 counties.

State leaders call it a major upgrade for accuracy and efficiency, though officials are still encouraged to double check complex responses while Eva remains in beta. Ohio’s experiment could become a blueprint for how AI can support, not replace, high-stakes public systems.

Money

Downtown Dayton Eyes a $120M Hotel Boom 💰

Dayton could soon see nearly $120 million invested into downtown hotels. The Montgomery County Convention Facilities Authority is pushing two major projects: a 130-room hotel at the old Fidelity building and a full-service “HQ Hotel” next to the convention center. Together, the developments aim to deliver the 500+ nearby rooms needed to attract larger conventions the kind that bring in high-spending visitors, packed event calendars, and millions in economic impact.

The Fidelity site alone is estimated at $42 million, while the HQ Hotel clocks in around $77 million, with a potential opening in 2028. If both move forward, this could unlock one of downtown Dayton’s biggest hospitality investments in years and a major boost for local businesses that depend on visitor traffic.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Ravens 23, Browns 16 — Andrews’ ‘Hurricane’ spoils Sanders’ debut 🏈

Baltimore’s Mark Andrews raced 35 yards on a fourth-and-inches trick play called “Hurricane” for the go-ahead score with 2:31 left, handing Cleveland a 23–16 loss on Nov. 16. Shedeur Sanders replaced Dillon Gabriel (concussion) and went 4/16 for 47 yards with a pick. Myles Garrett had four sacks, but the Browns fell to 2–8.

Dayton 91, Bethune-Cookman 82 — Marquette up next
The Flyers improved to 3–1 on Nov. 15 by beating Bethune-Cookman 91–82 at UD Arena, with all five starters in double figures; Amaël L’Etang posted 18 points and 10 boards. Dayton notched its 80th straight sellout and hit 26-of-32 free throws. Next: at Marquette on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Steelers 34, Bengals 12 — Defense, injuries tell the story
Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati 34–12 on Nov. 16 despite Aaron Rodgers exiting with a left wrist injury. Mason Rudolph threw one TD, and the Steelers’ defense scored twice—a 74-yard Kyle Dugger pick-six and a 32-yard James Pierre scoop-and-score. Joe Flacco passed for 199 yards (1 TD, 1 INT). A day after the loss, the NFL suspended WR Ja’Marr Chase one game without pay for spitting at Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey.

No. 1 Ohio State 48, UCLA 10 — Styles goes 100 yards
Even with Carnell Tate sidelined and Jeremiah Smith limited, Ohio State rolled Nov. 15: James Peoples scored twice and Lorenzo Styles Jr. housed a 100-yard kickoff—the Buckeyes’ first kick-return TD since 2010. Julian Sayin passed for 184 yards; Bo Jackson rushed for 112. OSU moved to 10–0.