My Display and Urban Nights

 My display for Urban Nights photographed by my friend Meg from She & I Photography

If you like it feel free to vote for me here

This is a last minute post but if you have time today you should definitely come downtown and check out Urban Nights. A slew of things will be going on! One being the Activated Spaces Street Team Artists project where vacant spaces are filled with art displays. I had the good fortune of being selected to participate and I created a display! You can check out my display page here. If you like it feel free to VOTE(on the sidebar to the right) for me for the People's Choice Award!

Ruck the Vote

I haven't met him yet (fanboygirl confession: I want this to happen very much) but Dan Haug aka Ruckus Roboticus is an awesome DJ from Dayton. And currently his video is up for MTVU's (not MTV because they don't play videos anymore) best freshmen video of the week.

And you know me, I love to see Southern Ohio love especially on a national level so go RUCK THE VOTE (how cute is this play on, I squeal over branding like this).

Vote for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton

In the past, I had always put animal causes pretty low on my list of causes to support; it was still ON the list just on the bottom tier. In my mind, there were too many human causes that I thought were more pressing but as I get older, learn more of life's lessons and contemplate on my own life raised with many pets, I realize that animal causes, specifically pet causes, are really important to the human cause. Pets provide a really important connection to nature that is really hard to come by in this digital age. Pets are these simple creatures that have simple ways of expressing themselves. Being human can be complex but we can learn a lot by being simple like our pet companions. Pets teach us that when you are happy show it, when you are annoyed softly bat back and when you are sleepy take a nap. They also provide a lot of love and affection to us when we find little among our fellow man. Those of us without children, without parents, without a significant other, and/or without friends will always find love and acceptance from a pet we love and care for. Being loved by someone or something is a really important part of being human. So overall, pets help people appreciate nature, teach us how to be simpler communicators and make us feel loved. And all those things help people be happier which helps them be kinder which helps all of us co-exist more peacefully.

With all that said, help Dayton Humane Society help local animals by voting for them to win the ASPCA $100K Challenge! 

It's a competition that inspires shelters and their communities to come up with innovative ways to save at least 300 more dogs and cats within a three-month period than were saved during the same three months the year before. And we could win between $5,000 and $125,000!  Our staff and volunteers are raring to take a shot at saving more lives than we ever have before. That’s where you come in.

Your vote EVERY DAY for 12 DAYS will hep the Humane Society win the 100K ASPCA Challenge. 

Here's 5 great reason to for the Humane Society of Greater Dayton

1. Your vote will help us SAVE more LIVES
2. They are a non-profit and need your support
3. They are the area's largest NO-KILL animal center
4. They help ALL animals
5. Your VOTE will show America that WE LOVE OUR [Southern Ohio] ANIMALS!
6. BONUS I've gotten a pet from there before!

So remember to vote, vote, vote!

SoOh Spotlight: Four Ambition

I had the pleasure of meeting Shannon at Four Ambition's open house. It was an awesome space located in a refurbished factory building off Linden Ave. Shannon was screen printing free shirts for everyone there and he was also entertaining questions about screen printing and Four Ambition. Unfortunately, I was a complete bum and had no insightful questions to ask him at the time. Despite me being tongue tied then, he was kind enough to answer my many questions for today's SoOh Spotlight. Thanks Shannon!

Tell me a little about your work; and what do you enjoy most about it?

We offer screen printing, embroidery, and graphic design services to businesses, design firms, and pretty much anyone who could use printed apparel. I love getting to see new designs come in and we also get to help out other entrepreneurs who are just getting started with their ventures!

How much of your work is influenced by Southern Ohio? 

A ton, and we always try to get involved with the things in or around Dayton. Not to mention 95% of our clients are in Southern Ohio. I love my Dayton and all the surrounding areas!

What part of Southern Ohio do you live in and how long have you been here? 

I currently live in Dayton, Ohio and was born and raised so 26 years now

What are your top 3 favorite places to eat in Southern Ohio?

So hard to pick just 3! But Marion's pizza, Blind Bobs, and Milano's are my favorites..but the deli on 2nd street and cherry house cafe are quickly earning their spots on that list

What are your top 3 favorite go to events in Southern Ohio?

The Greene, Riverscape, and Carillion Park

What are your top 3 favorite places to shop/thrift in Southern Ohio?

I'd say Valley Thrift store, Great Miami Outfitters for all my hiking/camping gear, and the Greene for sure

Anything else you would like to share about yourself, your work or Southern Ohio? 

Just if you or know of anyone who needs decorated apparel, hit us up! And that Southern Ohio is awesome! You can have the urban city life here but drive 15 minutes and you can be hiking through the woods and connecting with nature. I think that's what I love most about Dayton.

BAM! presents Dayton's first Cash Mob

 I'm really excited to announce yet another venture for me; BAM! What is BAM!?

BAM! is a collective of artists, designers and urban planners who create installations in public spaces throughout the Dayton area. Our installations are interactive, informational and encourages positive social change.

And who is "we"? Well, it's me (Bethany of i love SoOh not so fame) and Erin Gillespie. My friend and colleague and all around girl-on-the-scene extraordinaire. We decided we wanted to create cool events and installations in Dayton. Candy Chang is our inspiration but we hope to add our own flair and have varied projects we bring to Dayton. And our first event is Dayton's 1st Cash Mob for National Cash Mob Day on

Saturday, March 24th 2012 at 5 p.m.

at 521 E Fifth St

DAYTON, OH

Here's a the official National Cash Mob logo

This is a very exciting time for BAM! It is just the beginning but we have drummed up some decent press that I shall list:
 

• Facebook: we have 32 (hopefully in counting) rsvps, 17 maybe and 127 invitees. Help us spread the word by re-sharing!
• Twitter: we've got twitter presence that I would love beefed up, so please follow and retweet.
• It's Great in Dayton: posted about our event
• Dayton Most Metro: we are on their calendar 

• ****LOCAL NEWS****: we will be making an appearance on FOX 45 at 8:20 am on Friday, March 23rd, 2012!! - Very excited about this and any tips on appearing on tv would be greatly appreciated!

This was very inspired by the cash mobs that started in Cleveland so I want to thank them for creating such a great idea. Speaking of idea, here is the sum up of what a cash mob is:

The general idea is to encourage people to go into small, local businesses and spend their money, en masse, to give the business owner a little bit of economic stimulus.

By and large, those that organize Cash Mobs are simply people trying to make a positive impact on the businesses in their communities (and have fun while doing it)!

So please remember to re-share, tweet, and come on out for Dayton's 1st Cash Mob presented by BAM!

Fusian - Dayton (and Cincinnati)

via Fusian

Fusian

Everyday 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

1200 Brown St.
Dayton OH, 45409

I might have lots of explaining to do when it comes to my absence lately but I don't want that to get in the way of telling you about an awesome new place called Fusian. Fusian has Southern Ohio love written all over it. It was started in Cincinnati by Oakwood natives (basically Dayton locals) and they now have a Dayton location. One of the things I've missed from Cleveland is the accessibility to lots of good sushi. It had so many great places (Pacific East shout-out!). But now, Dayton has a nice place to get sushi. Fusian is causal, affordable and the portions are phenomenally filling. The set-up feels very Chipotle like which is good because it's easy to get the hang of and fast. OinkADoodle Moo has the same set-up only BBQ style. I also like how Fusian serves beer and sake (very nice touch). I do have two personal wants from them; plum wine (it's cheap and deliciously sweeter than sake) and rice balls or onigiri (not sushi but a wonderful to go item that won't spoil quickly). I really liked Fusian and will be going again soon. It's also great to have locals bring more cool things to Dayton and Southern Ohio!

Price: $
Location: Brown St. near the UD campus
Building: Bright, clean and spacious with ample seating
Parking: I parked across the behind Panera. If there is better parking please share.
Food: For the non fish eaters they also serve chicken

Ghostlight Coffee - Dayton

 

via MostMetro

 

Ghostlight Coffee

Mo - Fr 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sa - Su 8:30 am - 7:00 pm

 1201 Wayne Avenue
Dayton, Ohio 45410

 

 

I don't often throw around the word favorite but Ghostlight Coffee is my FAVORITE coffee shop in Dayton. I love everything about it. The coffee is yummy and sweet, the atmosphere is charming and warm, and the people working there are friendly and welcoming. On top of all that, they also serve delicious treats and occasionally they are open late for music, poetry, story slams, art openings, game nights and record spins! The photo above obviously doesn't give the full picture of the interior but I can tell you that is a wonderfully inviting space that is hip but also comfortable full of vintage decor and furniture and great places to lounge. Dayton needed a hip, inviting, and welcoming coffee shop and now we have it thanks to Ghostlight Coffee.

Price: $
Location: Oregon District on Wayne
Building: Beautiful Historic building with lovely interior
Parking:Helpful "P" sign points you down a side street to their parking
Food: Coffee is delicious and their bake goods can not be beat

 

SoOh Spotlight: Carly Short from Carly Short Photography

I had the pleasure of working with Carly Short on Activated Spaces. She was consummate professional whose many talents helped make the pop-up shop pilot a great success. Her talent in photography particularly caught my interest. After seeing the amazing photos she took for Activated Spaces I knew I had to feature her. Fortunately for us, she obliged and you can read all about her and her work below.


Tell me a little about your work; what do you enjoy most about it?

I have always loved people, and think each individual has an amazing story to tell. A great photo evokes emotion and tells a story and I do my best to try and capture that when I photograph my clients. I absolutely love shooting weddings. The best part of my job is being able to be creative while also being in able to be a part of such a joyous occasion. I often get emotional while photographing weddings because I invest so much of myself into my clients and it is so great to see their love story unfold.

What is your process when you are on a shoot?

When someone contacts me and is interested in hiring me to do their photos I find a good time for us to meet. We sit and chat about what they are looking for in a photographer, who they are as people and I ask some personal questions to get to know their personality and what interests them. I love to incorporate props, heirlooms or interests into the shoots to really make their photos personal and original.

How much of your work is influenced by the Southern Ohio area?

Southern Ohio is where I was born and raised and is where I plan on staying. I love everything about Ohio and the people who live here. I would love to travel for work and meet new people and see new places but Ohio will always be HOME!

What part of Southern Ohio do you live in and how long have you been here?

I was born in Dayton Ohio and have deep roots here. I would love to see my city thrive and become the city we would all love it to be and I am actively involved in making the happen.

What are your top 3 favorite places to eat in Southern Ohio?

What a question! I would have to say in no particular order...
1. Sima (A local sushi restaurant)
2. Olive
3. Bagel Cafe

What are your top 3 favorite go to events in Southern Ohio?

1. I love going to see live music at Blind Bobs in the Oregon District in Downtown Dayton
2. Any local craft show or bazaar is great especially the Yellow Springs Street Fair
3. Urban Nights in downtown Dayton is always a good time with all kinds of events and shopping!


What are your top 3 favorite places to shop/thrift in Southern Ohio?

I am a VERY thrifty person and actually have my own vintage shop on etsy.com Magic Attic Vintage. To pick three is extremely hard for me but here it goes...
1. Goodwill
2. Valley Thrift
3. Earthfare (for yummy treats!)

Anything else you would like to share about yourself, your work or Southern Ohio?

I love what I do and love my city! I photograph events, children, weddings, families, business head shots, and anything else you could think of! At your service!