💎 Your Valentine's Day Guide (Issue #22)
PLUS: Memo Membership Is Here!
Max Carone
February 01, 2024
Good morning,
And welcome to another issue of Miami Valley Memo. Every week we share events and news curated for the Miami Valley.
Last week we teased an update, and I’m incredibly excited to share it with you today. We now have a paid membership program! But we’ll get to that in a moment…
First, here’s an overview of what we’re covering today:
Upcoming events from hedgehogs to pickles
A special Valentine’s Day events roundup to give you an early jump on your romantic plans
Live shows you can catch this weekend
Caesar Creek supplying water to Honda’s battery plant in Jeffersonville
How the Dayton community rallied to help The Ugly Duckling move
Let’s get to it!
— Max
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⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday
27° 🌡️ 42° | ⛅ | ☔ 0% | 💨 10 mph
Saturday
28° 🌡️ 44° | ☀️ | ☔ 0% | 💨 6 mph
Sunday
30° 🌡️ 48° | ⛅ | ☔ 0% | 💨 10 mph
📅 EVENTS
🦔 Hedgehog Day Celebration
📅 Friday: 9 am
📍 Boonshoft Museum, Dayton
💰 Adults: $15 | Seniors (60+): $13 | Kids (3-12): $12 | 2 & Under: Free
Did you know that February 2nd is National Hedgehog Day? This celebration honors a tradition predating Groundhog Day, tracing back to the Roman Empire. Like groundhogs are famed for "predicting" winter's duration in North America, hedgehogs historically served a similar role across much of Europe.
Celebrate this ancient tradition and these cute prickly critters with Boonshoft. You'll meet Walnut, their four-toed hedgehog, and other animal ambassadors. A fun activity for animal lovers of all sizes. Learn more.
🦖 Dinosaurs In Dayton: Jurassic Quest
📅 Friday: 12-8 pm | Saturday: 9 am - 8 pm | Sunday: 9 am - 7 pm
📍 Dayton Convention Center, Downtown Dayton
💰 $22+
Marvel at the largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit, where lifelike giants roam. Kids can dig for fossils, bounce in dino-themed inflatables, and even ride some of these ancient beasts.
It's a thrilling adventure for all ages that's 65 million years in the making. Perfect for dino enthusiasts and aspiring paleontologists. Get your tickets 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. This month’s special performance will be Phil's Big Ass Brass Band.
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.
🗡️ Knife Making Class
📅 Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm
📍 Wright-Patt Arts & Crafts Center, Fairborn
💰 $60
Learn the craft of knife-making and walk out with a handmade straight-edge knife. Blades will be provided, so this class is only focused on making and setting the blade.
A fun activity for those into crafts and the great outdoors. To attend, you'll need to register and pay in advance by calling 937-257-7025. Learn more.
🥒 Pickle Wars
📅 Saturday: 11 am - 2 pm
📍 Jungle Jim’s, Fairfield
💰 Free
Nine contestants are putting their pickle recipes to the test to see whose is best. And you can help pick the winner from the rest. Hell, you could even be the critical vote. So carefully taste and try before you decide.
Beyond this main event, there'll also be a pickle-eating contest and a Bobbing for Brine game. All around, this seems like a very silly event and a fun excuse to make an excursion down to Jungle Jim's. Learn more here.
🤌 Calzone & Stromboli Workshop
📅 Weds, Feb 7th: 6:30 - 8:30pm
📍 Hidden Valley Orchard, Lebanon
💰 $80
Embark on a culinary journey with an interactive class on crafting calzones and strombolis! Gain hands-on experience kneading homemade dough, adding tasty toppings, and baking your creation to perfection. While yours cooks, sample expertly prepared versions and enjoy the company of fellow "chefs".
Come hungry and ready for fun; leave with a full stomach, new skills, and a handmade meal to savor. These workshops can sell out, so be sure to secure your spot if you’re interested.
🎵 Benefit Show For Pam Mitchell
📅 Thurs, Feb 8th: 6 - 11 pm
📍 Dublin Pub, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free
Support Pam Mitchell's stroke recovery at a fundraiser featuring a 50-50 raffle and silent auction. Pam's husband, Nick Mitchell, is a beloved musician who regularly plays at multiple local venues.
These two are significant parts of the Miami Valley live music scene, a community that has supported them through this tough time with a GoFundMe. For its part, Dublin Pub will be donating 20% of total sales from the evening. Learn more 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!
❤️ VALENTINE’S DAY EVENTS
Valentine’s Day is less than 2 weeks away. So we wanted to give you some uniquely romantic events to check out with enough time to get your tickets!
🍷 Valentine’s Wine Tasting
📅 Thurs, Feb 8th: 6 pm
📍 Manna Uptown, Centerville
💰 $69/person
Looking to celebrate Valentine's Day early? Check out this 5-course meal with wines curated by local wine specialist Michael Schiaparelli.
Enjoy pairings like Famille Dubard Sauvignon Blanc with seared scallops and Stolpman Syrah with pork filet mignon. Finish with a delightful chirimoya mousse, making it a night to remember. Get your tickets here.
🍷 February Wine Dinner
📅 Tues, Feb 13th: 6 pm
📍 Salar, Oregon District
💰 With Wine: $99/person | No Wine: $75/person
Indulge in a romantic five-course dinner at Salar. Start with a shrimp and lemongrass bib lettuce wrap followed by a polenta cake with grilled chicken. Then, savor red wine braised beef cheeks and seared duck breast medallions.
Conclude with a cassis and pink peppercorn chocolate tartelette. Get your tickets here and choose to have your meal with or without wine.
🍽️ Valentine’s Day Cooking Class
📅 Tues, Feb 13th: 6 pm
📍 Manna Uptown, Centerville
💰 $79/person
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a cooking class from Manna Uptown's Chef Margot. You'll learn to make four exquisite dishes as you wine and dine. These include fried queso fresco and a sole filet with champagne sauce.
This adds a fun twist to your celebration, giving you romantic recipes to recreate at home. See the full menu and get your tickets here.
✨ Valentine’s Under The Stars
📅 Wed, Feb 14th: 6:30 pm, 8 pm
📍 Boonshoft Museum, Dayton
💰 $75/couple
Enjoy Valentine's Day under the stars (and in the warmth) in the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater. Relish gourmet charcuterie and sweet treats, then toast with champagne. The night includes a memento of that night's sky, a keepsake photo, and a long-stem rose.
If you register by 5 pm on Feb 7th, you'll get your and your sweetheart's names displayed on the dome! Water, lemonade, and a cash bar are also available. We expect these tickets to go quickly, so be sure to snag yours if you're interested.
🎶 LIVE MUSIC
Friday
Pink Floyd - The Vision Bell (Laser Show) | Boonshoft Museum | 6:30pm | $6-$9
Ben & Pete | Jayne's On Main | 7pm | Free
Pink Floyd - The Wall (Laser Show) | Boonshoft Museum | 8pm | $6-$9
Jenny Walker & Spellbound | Yellow Cab Tavern | 8pm | Advance: $9, Doors: $12
Uncle Rico | Mr. Boro's Tavern | 8pm | Free
Tyler Wayne Band | Good Time Charlie's | 8:30pm | Free
The Rogues | The Dublin Pub | 9pm | Free
Carmen Clouse | Courtyard Lounge | 9pm | Free
Saturday
Pink Floyd - Welcome to the Machine (Laser Show) | Boonshoft Museum | 6:30pm | $6-$9
Matt Scholp | Jayne's On Main | 7pm | Free
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (Laser Show) | Boonshoft Museum | 8pm | $6-$9
Linus Tate | Mr. Boro's Tavern | 8pm | Free
Rowdy Around Midnight | Good Time Charlie's | 8:30pm | Free
Subterranean and Visitor | Yellow Cab Tavern | 9pm | Advance: $9, Doors: $12
Liars for Hire Back | Katz Lounge | 9pm | Free
Bucket List Players | Courtyard Lounge | 9pm | $5
🎭️ LIVE THEATRE
Friday
The Marvelous Wonderettes | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
Cher Show | Schuster Center | 8pm | $29+
Private Lives | Beavercreek Community Theatre | 8pm | $15+
Saturday
Cher Show | Schuster Center | 2pm & 8pm | $29+
The Marvelous Wonderettes | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
Private Lives | Beavercreek Community Theatre | 8pm | $15+
Sunday
Cher Show | Schuster Center | 1pm & 6:30pm | $29+
Private Lives | Beavercreek Community Theatre | 3pm | $15+
The Marvelous Wonderettes | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
😂 LIVE COMEDY
Friday
Greg Morton | Dayton Funny Bone | 7:30pm | $20
Derik Zoo | Wileys Comedy Club | 8pm | $15
Saturday
Greg Morton | Dayton Funny Bone | 7pm & 9:45pm | $20
Derik Zoo | Wileys Comedy Club | 7:15pm & 9:45pm | $15
Ryan Hamilton | Victoria Theatre | 7:30pm | $29+
Boston Comedy Club Tour | Bock Family Brewing | 8pm | $20+
🗞️ LOCAL NEWS
💧Caesar Creek Lake Tapped For Honda Plant
Honda and LG's new EV battery plant in Jeffersonville is gearing up for a big water demand, and Caesar Creek Lake is set to meet it.
Drive along I-71 near Caesar Creek, and you'll spot the construction. Crews are busy installing a 20-mile-long water line that will connect to Wilmington's existing line near the I-71 and OH-73 junction.
Wilmington currently draws its water from Caesar Creek, capped at 7 million gallons per day, using only 2 million. Now, they'll channel an extra 4.5 million gallons daily to support the new battery plant in Jeffersonville.
Announced in 2022, the construction of Honda and LG's plant began early last year. This $3.5 billion venture promises 2,200 jobs and a $140 million payroll. The batteries produced will power Honda's vehicles across North America. The plant's doors are set to open this fall, with full production kicking off in 2025.
But this project's reach extends beyond the plant. With over $140 million in infrastructure investments, it's Fayette County's largest ever. This includes enhancing the wastewater treatment facility and building a new water tower.
Yet another reminder that manufacturing is coming back to the Miami Valley, and all of Ohio, in a big way. [Dayton Daily News]
🥞 Community Supports Beloved Breakfast Spot
A popular breakfast spot in downtown Dayton, The Ugly Duckling, is on the move, and it's all thanks to incredible community support.
Last week, the owners announced that their landlord was selling their building, and they needed to move. But securing a new location required some help. So, they set up a GoFundMe, offering donors special perks (like free coffee for a year), and took to social media. In less than 24 hours, they reached their goal of $15,000.
Their new spot will be downtown on 5th Street in the St. Anne's Hill neighborhood. With it, they promise a bigger kitchen, more space for diners, and an expanded menu.
But they're still keeping the classics. These include Uncle Boof's World Famous Pancakes and Blazin' Dayton Hot Sauce. These items are so popular that they're sold at local stores, including Dorothy Lane Market and Gem City Market.
You know they're doing something right if a few hundred folks showed them this much love. We can't wait to try them out when they open their new location! [Dayton 24/7 Now]
🙏 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.