Ohio Miami Valley Restaurant Association Sneak Peek to Restaurant Week

The Ohio Miami Valley Restaurant Association Sneak Peek to Restaurant Week will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, at Watson’s, 2590 E. Whipp Rd. Centerville, OH. The event will feature food samples from 13 local restaurants that will be among Dayton area eateries participating in Winter Restaurant Week January 22 - 29, in which restaurants offer special three-course meals for either $20.12, $25.12, or $30.12, and donate $1 toward a local charities. The Sneak Peek, presented by Buckeye Vodka, will also include live music from Skip Hoyt, who performs Jimmy Buffet-style music, and tropical attire is encouraged. Restaurants serving at the Sneak Peek will include Amelia’s Bistro, Barleycorn’s, Coco’s Bistro, D’Lish, The Dock, Figlio, Fleming’s, Fresco, Joya’s Bistro, Louisiana Grill, Mamma DiSalvo’s, Meadowlark and Taste. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and are available online at www.DineOutDayton.org and may be purchased in person at Watson’s and at Day-Air Credit Union locations in Centerville, Kettering, and Vandalia.

Ice Skate in Downtown Dayton

Friday, Dec 16 7:00p

There are a number of things you don't want to hear during an inspection. Some are said by the inspector, but others could be said by the homeowner, Real Estate Agent, or even client/buyer. Here are some of my favorites:

"We had an Electrician go through the whole house and there isn't any knob and tube wiring left."

"The roof is only 7 years old and they stripped it down to the rafters when they replaced it.

"We just had all the ducts and returns cleaned."

"You can get to everything real easy. We had a new door installed last year."

In doing this one I noticed that I didn't even scratch the surface. I guess that means you'll be seeing more of these pretty soon.

I'm sure in different locales with different inspectors there are many, many more.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton

Dayton Ohio Holiday Festival

Kick off the 39th Annual Dayton Holiday Festival Friday, November 25, 4-9 p.m. with:

• The Grande Illumination tree lighting on Friday, November 25, 7:45 p.m. at Courthouse Square, Third & Main Streets. Watch the holidays light up during Dayton's traditional tree lighting. At 7:45, we'll throw the switch and approximately 50,000 colored lights will brighten the two-story-tall holiday tree on Courthouse Square.
• The Dayton Children's Parade, Spectacular in Lights on Friday, November 25, Approximately 8 p.m. Along Second, Main & Fourth Streets. Immediately following the tree lighting, the Children's Parade will round the corner of Second and Main streets to start its route through downtown, sparkling with more than 100,000 lights! Watch decorative seasonal floats, horses, drill teams and bands, and some special holiday treats.
• Holiday Village at Kettering Tower lobby, southeast corner of Second and Main Streets; on Friday, November 25, 4-9 p.m. Visit a magical fantasy village featuring free crafts, games and lots of other surprises for kids. A favorite at the Holiday Village is Time Warner Cable's 'Dial-an-Elf' phone bank, where kids can call the North Pole and share their wish list with one of Santa's official helpers!
• The following are the planned street closures associated with the Grande Illumination and Dayton Children's Parade Spectacular in Lights on November 25, 2011: Third Street will be closed between Ludlow and Main streets from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closure extends from Perry St. to Jefferson St. from 7 to 10 p.m.) Wilkinson Street will be closed between Monument and Fourth streets from 3 to 10 p.m. Second Street will be closed between I-75 and Main Street from 3 to 10 p.m. (closure extends to Jefferson St. from 7 to 10 p.m.) Perry Street will be closed between Monument and Third streets from 3 to 10 p.m. Main Street will be closed between Second and Fourth streets from 7 to 10 p.m. Fourth Street will be closed between Wilkinson and Jefferson streets from 7 to 10 p.m. Those wishing to access the Arts Garage for Schuster Center performances will be able to do so at First and Ludlow until 7 p.m. After 7 p.m., access to and from this area will be closed until 10 p.m.; however, Schuster Center ticket holders will still be able to access the Arts Garage during this time.

Oakwood (A Suburb of Dayton Ohio) Parks

Oakwood, Ohio, near Wright Patterson Air Force Base, is proud of its three neighborhood parks, Orchardly, Shafor and Fairridge. Playground equipment, landscaping and access for the handicapped have been significantly upgraded at all three parks.

	Shafor Park, Oakwood's largest recreation complex includes 3.3 acres of playground, a small ballfield, a half basketball court, six tennis courts, and an outdoor pool. A special feature of Shafor Park includes a ground-level fountain where kids can play on hot summer days. The shelter house is reservable for family or group picnics. Shafor Park is located on Shafor Boulevard and Patterson Road. Activities include summer day camp, tennis lessons, Ice Cream Social, and an annual concert. Next to the pool and Shafor Park is the Oakwood Community Center.
	Orchardly Park, Located in the southeast section of the city, Orchardly Park includes a playground for small children, a spray pool, a full basketball court, two tennis courts, and a small ball diamond. The shelter house is reservable for groups; restrooms are available on site. Orchardly Park is located in the block between Wonderly Avenue and Orchard Drive on Delaine Avenue.
	Fairridge Park, Located at the city's water tower, Fairridge Park stretches between Fairmont Ave. and Ridgeway Rd. The park consists of play apparatus, swings, a large sand box, benches and picnic tables.
	Smith Gardens, Located on less than one acre at the corner of Oakwood Avenue and Walnut Lane, Smith Gardens boasts one of the "finest tiny public gardens in Ohio. It's like a secret treasure on an ordinary side street." - Ohio Magazine, April, 1996. Various plants and flowers attract birds, small creatures and butterflies for the public's enjoyment. Blanket concerts and story hour are held once a month during the summer months. The gardens also include a garden house which can be scheduled for activities. While the gardens are supported by general fund tax dollars, membership in the Friends of Smith Gardens helps defray costs associated with the maintenance of this special place. Weddings, tours and small parties can be arranged. The public is invited to visit during all seasons, the gardens are open to the public during daylight hours, seven days a weeks. Information courtesy of http://www.ci.oakwood.oh.us/