💎 Happy Leap Day! (Issue #26)
PLUS: Local Talent Shines On TV
Max Carone
February 29, 2024
Good Morning,
And welcome to another issue of Miami Valley Memo. Every week we share events and news curated for the Miami Valley.
We hope you and yours are okay after yesterday morning’s storms and tornadoes. Fortunately, there appear to be no injuries or fatalities from the damage done around the base, in Riverside, and in Clark County.
This Leap Day we’re covering:
Upcoming events
This weekend’s live shows
Micaela McCall, a Centerville local, advancing on “American Idol”
Montgomery County to collect $1 billion in property taxes this year
Let’s get to it!
— Max
❓️ QUICK QUESTION
Are there any local businesses that you love and find yourself recommending?
These could be any kind of business. Like plumbers, veterinarians, realtors, restaurants… anyone that’s local and awesome.
I ask because I’ve recently started reaching out to local businesses to advertise in this newsletter. We want good partners that fit our audience and do great work.
So it seemed like a good idea to crowdsource this and ask you — our readers!
Tell us about your favorite local businesses by responding to this email. Thanks!
⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday
43° 🌡️ 47° | 🌧️ | ☔ 45% | 💨 8 mph
Saturday
41° 🌡️ 55° | ☁️ | ☔ 0% | 💨 6 mph
Sunday
49° 🌡️ 66° | ⛅ | ☔ 0% | 💨 10 mph
📅 EVENTS
⚖️ An Evening For Justice
📅 Thursday: 7 pm
📍 Victoria Theatre, Downtown Dayton
💰 $29+
Support the Ohio Innocence Project with speakers Amanda Knox and Gilbert King. They'll share insights on wrongful convictions and the media's role in justice.
Knox was exonerated after a high-profile case in Italy, and Pulitzer Prize winner King is known for his work on racial injustice. It will be an evening of powerful stories and a call for justice. Get your tickets.
✂️ Craft Supply Swap
📅 Thursday: 7 - 8 pm
📍 Miami Township Branch Library, Miamisburg
💰 Free
Crafters, clear your shelves and get ready to swap at the Craft Supply Swap! Perfect for those who love to create and make. This event lets you exchange unused materials like yarn, fabric, and scrapbooking supplies with fellow enthusiasts.
Dive into conversations about your favorite hobbies and leave with new treasures, all without spending a dime. A must-attend for the community's craftaholics, learn more here.
🎮 Micro Drone Race
📅 Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 8 am
📍 Air Force Museum, Fairborn
💰 Free for spectators
Witness 64 pilots zip micro drones through an LED course around historic planes at the Air Force Museum. The contest spans Friday and Saturday, leading to Sunday's finals.
The top 16 enter the Pro Class, while ranks 17-32 compete in the Sport Class, offering everyone a shot at glory. The top 8 finishers in the Pro Class will win cash prizes, and the top 4 of both classes will get trophies.
This event still appears to be on after the storm Wednesday morning. As of Wednesday night, officials said the museum would resume normal operations. Learn more and see the schedule here.
🎨 First Friday Art Hop
📅 Friday: 5 - 9 pm
📍 Front Street Art, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free
Dive into the creative heart of Dayton’s Arts District with a visit to Front Street! Explore studios, galleries, and boutiques, and meet over 250 artists, creatives, and curators.
Thinking about what you’ll eat? Treat your taste buds to a range of delicious options from Kool Beanz Cafe. Front Street is a family and pet-friendly space with free admission and parking. Learn more.
♣️ Casino Night
📅 Friday: 6 pm
📍 Sugar Valley Golf Club, Bellbrook
💰 Single: $65 | Couple: $120
Join the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Chamber of Commerce for a night of fun and games. Enjoy dinner while playing some classic casino games like poker and roulette, and vying for prizes.
Both dinner and chips are included with your ticket, and there will be a cash bar. Beyond fun, it's also an opportunity to connect with Bellbrook's business community. Get your tickets here.
♦️ Monte Carlo Night
📅 Friday: 6 - 10:30 pm
📍 Baum Opera House, Miamisburg
💰 $25
See Monte Carlo in Miamisburg this Friday with an assortment of games like Blackjack and Texas Hold'em. Indulge in a buffet from Bullwinkle’s, groove to a live DJ, and try your luck at auctions and raffles.
This event benefits the Miamisburg Merchants Association and its mission to support local businesses in Miamisburg. A great blend of fun, food, and philanthropy awaits, offering a unique way to engage with the community. Get your tickets here.
🍁 Maple Sugaring
📅 Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
📍 Carriage Hill MetroPark, Huber Heights
💰 Free
Step into the natural world of sweetness with a day of maple sugaring on the farm. Discover the age-old tradition of turning sap into syrup.
You'll learn everything from identifying maple trees to tapping them for sap. Then you'll see that sap boiled and transformed into syrup. Can't make either day this weekend? No worries, they'll be hosting another next weekend. Learn more here.
🖌️ Paint-A-Park
📅 Sunday: 2 - 5 pm
📍 Cox Arboretum, Miamisburg
💰 Free
Welcome spring with a burst of creativity at Cox Arboretum! Gather in the Fifth Third Conference Room, and paint natural scenes inspired by the park. Art supplies will be provided.
Post-event, everyone gets a chance to showcase their artwork in a digital gallery. A perfect blend of nature and artistry, ready to inspire and available for all ages. Learn more here.
🐯 Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live
📅 Tue, Mar 5th: 6 pm
📍 Victoria Theatre, Downtown Dayton
💰 $30+
If you are around little kids, Daniel Tiger needs no introduction. Now, your family can visit his neighborhood off-screen with this live musical coming to Dayton.
Share a magical journey with Daniel, his friends, and even a few surprise guests as they teach lessons about friendship and kindness. A great weekday event your little ones will surely love! Get your tickets here.
🥃 Ambassadors Series: Whiskey Pete
📅 Thu, Mar 7: 6 - 8 pm
📍 The Century Bar, Downtown Dayton
💰 $50
Explore the world of whiskey with Whiskey Pete. Pete will guide you through the rich flavors of Brown-Forman's whiskeys. What's Brown-Forman? They're the company behind Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, and many popular spirits.
With your ticket, you'll be welcomed with an Old Forrester cocktail and exclusive pours from private barrels of bourbon. It is a perfect gathering for bourbon fans looking to learn more about their favorite brands. Get your tickets here.
Events marked with an asterisk (*) in the “featured” section have been sponsored by our advertising or affiliate partners. Have an event you’d like to promote? Reply and let us know!
🎶 LIVE MUSIC
Friday
Uncle Rico | The Barrel | 8pm | Free
CDB | Mr. Boro's Tavern | 8pm | Free
Lo-Pan, Rattlesnake Venom Trip | Blind Bob's | 8pm | $10
Comet Bluegrass All-Stars | Yellow Cab Tavern | 8pm | Advance: $9, Doors: $12
Spungewurthy | Phone Booth Lounge | 8pm | Free
Summer Crush and Radar | Hidden Gem Music Club | 8pm | $10
Rocko and Pat Acoustic | Courtyard Lounge | 9pm | Free
Ashley Martin | Good Time Charlie's | 9pm | Free
Saturday
Dr. Chris Bingman | Bock Family Brewing | 7pm | Free
Bourbon Road | The Barrel | 8pm | Free
Jay Clark Band | Mr. Boro's Tavern | 8pm | Free
Abertooth Lincoln, Cult Friend | Blind Bob's | 8pm | $10
Doug Hart Band | Phone Booth Lounge | 8pm | Free
Moontemple, Legbone, Bone Knife, Eight Legions | Hidden Gem Music Club | 8pm | $10
Blackwater Voodoo | Good Time Charlie's | 9pm | Free
Ithika | Katz Lounge | 9pm | Free
The Pints | Dublin Pub | 9pm | Free
DIPSPIT | Yellow Cab Tavern | 9pm | Advance: $12, Doors: $15
🎭️ LIVE THEATRE
Friday
Peter Pan | Town Hall Theatre | 7pm | $16
Guys and Dolls | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
Barefoot In The Park | Actor's Theatre Fairborn | 7:30pm | $18
Shipwrecked! | The Loft Theatre | 8pm | $20+
Saturday
Peter Pan | Town Hall Theatre | 3pm | $16
Celtic Academy Of Irish Dance | Beavercreek High School | 7pm | $15
Guys and Dolls | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
Barefoot In The Park | Actor's Theatre Fairborn | 7:30pm | $18
Shipwrecked! | The Loft Theatre | 8pm | $20+
Sunday
Shipwrecked! | The Loft Theatre | 2pm | $20+
Peter Pan | Town Hall Theatre | 3pm | $16
Barefoot In The Park | Actor's Theatre Fairborn | 3pm | $18
Guys and Dolls | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
😂 LIVE COMEDY
Friday
Tony Tone | Dayton Funny Bone | 7:30pm | $22
Dave Waite | Wileys Comedy Club | 8pm | $15
Saturday
Tony Tone | Dayton Funny Bone | 6:30pm & 9pm | $22
Dave Waite | Wileys Comedy Club | 7:15pm | $15
🗞️ LOCAL NEWS
🌟 Local Talent Shines On “American Idol”
Micaela McCall, from Centerville, won herself a golden ticket on "American Idol" with a beautiful rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." Seriously, her performance gave me goosebumps. Check it out for yourself and be ready to be moved.
While the 28-year-old Micaela currently lives in Santa Barbara, where she teaches voice and piano, she grew up right here in the Miami Valley. She went through the Centerville school system and credits her musical journey to the excellent training she received from those teachers.
All through her school years, she participated in various local music groups. And her local roots go even deeper. Micaela is the daughter of Ken McCall, a longtime reporter at the Dayton Daily News.
The rendition she sang came to her while she was studying jazz piano at the University of Cincinnati. Years later, she blew the judges away with it and earned her spot to continue competing.
While being on "Idol" wasn't something she aspired to, she's seizing the opportunity. Since her debut, she's now released a new single called "Milk and Honey" on Spotify. She plans to release more music as a "folk artist with a touch of soul."
Hollywood Week should air toward the end of March. We'll be rooting for her as she represents the Miami Valley in Hollywood! [Dayton.com]
💰 Mont. County Property Taxes Exceed $1B
For the first time, Montgomery County's property tax bill will exceed $1 billion this year. Karl Keith, the County Auditor, announced that property taxes will increase by $56.6 million.
Much of this is due to record increases in property values. According to the county's valuation, property values increased by $8.5 billion in the last three years. Home values alone saw an average increase of 34%. As a result, property owners will see their property taxes increase by an average of 5.8%.
This new tax revenue is good news for local schools and governments. And naturally, higher property values increase the wealth of property owners.
But that's only wealth on paper until they sell. Whereas higher taxes are tangible expenses owners will feel immediately. While it's a worthy trade-off for many, it could pose challenges for retired folks living on fixed incomes.
Property owners can check their new tax rates online and appeal if they think their property's new value is incorrect. Appeals must be submitted by April 1st. [WYSO]
🙏 THANKS!
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading this week’s memo!
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Hope you have a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing you next Thursday!
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Disclosure: Some of the events and other links featured in this newsletter may be sponsored by our advertising partners, or affiliate links where we may earn a small commission should you sign up or purchase through them. Any sponsored or affiliate links will be clearly indicated with an asterisk (*) or a disclosure that the section is sponsored by a specific partner.