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Actually it is. Again, where is the local record store? I think you know the answer, Jeffery. One, owned by an out-of-town company that has a poor track record and debt issues and that was overrated in your words, is closing. Another popular local store closed a couple of years ago after the founder died of a heart attack. I just don't see the correlation between these sort of events and a lack of interest in Dayton's music scene, but I guess only the future will really tell. Hopefully a place like Second Time Around or Omega Music or even a new place steps up to better serve the Dayton indie music scene. And if Gem City Records sucked as bad as you said they did, their closing could be an improvement if someone else is able to do it better; and they may be able to now--with a competitor gone, they won't have to take as big of a risk. But whether it is someplace in Dayton, Shake-It Records in Cincinnati, or Ear X-Tacy in Louisville, I think they are all going to face an uphill battle being in a declining business. Last week a college student that works for me said, "I bought a CD yesterday! It felt like I was in junior high all over again." That doesn't bode well for any music store's future. In other words, Dayton..city & suburbs...is just fakin' it. I'm not going to go too much into this here since it is getting off topic, but it is a damned if you do, damned if you don't sort of thing. Leaders put the pieces in place and then people complain its not organic. People wait for things to happen organically and then nothing happens and then people complain that our leaders aren't doing anything. The Oregon District's plan, although maybe not completely organic, doen't really seem like fakin' it, either. Either way, I'm just going to enjoy it.

Just a quick list of some of the stores owned by Value Music Concepts that have announced they are closing within just the last month: Bart's CD Cellar in downtown Boulder Cotati's Backdoor Disc & Tape in Sonoma County Vinyl Fever in Tallahassee Record & Tape Traders in Catonsville (Baltimore) Sound Shop in the Jacksonville, NC Gem City Records in Dayton A few other facts about Value Music Concepts: Value Music Concepts files for Chapter 11 in 2003 Value Music Concepts announces the closing of 34 stores in 2003 Gem City Records will join 25 other stores owned by Value Music Concepts that have closed during the past year. In 2006, the company operated 61 home entertainment stores. Now, the company operates 31 locations. So it looks like they have closed about 64 stores in six years. EDIT: It is closer to 100 stores they have closed in the last 6 years. To me the closing of Gem City Records seems to be more of an indictment of Value Music Concepts as a company than it does of the Oregon District or Dayton. Right, like all the "organic" entertainment at The Greene that people seem to love. The Greene isn't my thing, but people seem to love it so I just see this as the Oregon District creating one more amenity to be competitive.

Also, a video of the NCR HQ building at this link: http://news.udayton.edu/News_Article/?contentId=25721

Press release from UD: University Buys NCR Headquarters The University of Dayton has purchased 115 acres, including NCR Corporation's former world headquarters and Old River Park, for $18 million from the global technology company. December 21, 2009 - The University of Dayton has purchased 115 acres, including NCR Corporation's former world headquarters and Old River Park, for $18 million from the global technology company, University of Dayton President Daniel J. Curran announced today. The University will move its expanding world-class Research Institute into the building at 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., providing a signature facility for its research arm. UDRI conducts nearly $100 million annually in sponsored research and just received its largest contract in history — $49.5 million to develop advanced jet fuels and combustion technologies for the Air Force. The 455,000-square-foot, five-story building along the Great Miami River also will provide a prominent home for a proposed Alumni Center envisioned in the University's master plan, as well as for graduate classes, executive development programs and conferences. One of the largest office buildings in the region, the furnished facility includes offices, classrooms, an auditorium, a dining facility and a 1,600-space parking lot. "This is an exceptional opportunity for the University of Dayton to invest in our future — and this region's destiny," Curran said. "This striking facility offers a tremendous venue for education, research and National Alumni Association programs. It's a real statement about the forward-thinking nature of the University of Dayton." NCR officials believe the transfer will provide continued momentum for the University of Dayton and a boost for the Dayton region. "NCR is proud to complete this transaction with the University of Dayton," said Jeff McCroskey, NCR vice president of global operations. "The prominence and unique nature of the property make this sale beneficial for the University of Dayton, and we are confident that this property will provide benefit to the community of Dayton for years to come." The Research Institute has added 35 employees over the past year and has been constrained by space for several years. This acquisition provides the institute with much-needed space for expansion, and the consolidation of operations will provide opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research. Approximately 260 researchers, support personnel and students are expected to move out of Kettering Laboratories, Caldwell Street Center and other campus locations and into the building over the next three years. About 160 researchers will continue to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and leased space around Dayton. The institute will maintain the Shroyer Park Center, though some operations may move to the new building while others replace them to take advantage of synergies. The vacated space in Kettering Laboratories will allow the School of Engineering to expand and provide space for the Ohio Research Scholars; the ETHOS program that sends engineering students to developing countries to provide technical know-how; and, potentially, a STEM Center envisioned in the University's master plan. UDRI's move will allow for more parking on the historic portion of campus. University officials say the Fortune 500 company's former headquarters also will provide consolidated space and ample parking for graduate classes and an administrative office. This fall, graduate enrollment climbed 11 percent — a 12-year high for fall semester enrollment. The University enrolls approximately 3,000 graduate students and is projecting future growth. A portion of the building will be renovated for an Alumni Center — providing a highly visible venue for alumni events, lifelong learning programs and chapter meetings. "This will be a new landmark location for the University of Dayton's 100,000 alumni," Curran said. "Alumni value and cherish their alma mater. This center will engage them in powerful ways. We'll be able to tell our story in an outstanding way in this building by having a venue to showcase videotaped oral histories and memorabilia." Above all, the facility will build upon the University of Dayton's momentum in research growth. The University is ranked as a national research university and has turned into an advanced technology powerhouse in the state. Sponsored research has nearly tripled in the past decade, rising from $37.1 million to $96.5 million. During a down economy last year, the University of Dayton experienced a double-digit jump in research revenues and remains second in the nation in materials research, according to the National Science Foundation. No other Catholic university performs more sponsored engineering research. "The University of Dayton's research prowess and reputation — particularly in areas such as high-performance materials, sensors, nanotechnology and energy — attract excellent students, scholars and researchers to Dayton, where we are working hand in hand with the region to create a future of innovation and invention," Curran said. The University, primarily through its Research Institute, has built a strong reputation for combining technology development with economic development. This reputation gave the University and its partners — the city of Dayton, Montgomery County, the Dayton Development Coalition and CityWide Development Corp. — a competitive edge in securing the state's first Ohio Hub of Innovation and Opportunity. The Aerospace Hub will focus on growing technology jobs in the areas of materials, advanced manufacturing, sensors and sensor integration — all areas of research strength for the institute. The new facility has the potential of serving as a collaborative research enterprise similar to the University's successful IDCAST venture at Tech Town. A portion is envisioned as innovation space for start-up technology companies focused on high-performance materials. The 48-acre Old River Park will continued to be managed by Dayton History through an operating agreement. University officials say a portion could be used as an environmental lab for faculty and students. NCR will lease its former headquarters through part of 2010. It will continue to own and maintain a data center located near the former headquarters building. With the new purchase, the University of Dayton's campus now spans 373 acres. In 2005, the University acquired from NCR Corporation a 50-acre parcel of property that extended the core campus from Brown Street to the Great Miami River. Since then, the University of Dayton has purchased an additional five acres from the global technology company. In the past decade, the University has invested more than $200 million in new construction and renovations. Since 2002, the University has raised more than $175 million in private support for scholarships, endowed faculty positions and facilities while increasing first-year applications to record levels.

Interesting... October 12, 2009 - The University of Dayton has entered into discussions with NCR Corp. to purchase its former world headquarters and the surrounding 105 acres. The University can release no other information while discussions are ongoing. http://news.udayton.edu/News_Article/?contentId=25452

If these are the ones I think they are the plan was to actually save one and remodel it into leasable space. Then there was some news that the cost was high and Citywide was "considering" demoliton. Now, this statment lets the cat out of the bag that they are going to demolish it after all. Different buildings (I imagine they will all meet the same fate, however).

Dayton airport to start music offerings By John Nolan, Staff Writer Friday, June 13, 2008 DAYTON — Montgomery County's economic development director and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company are among the first music acts planned when the Dayton International Airport starts up its schedule of live music in the lobby of the terminal building. Joe Tuss, the county official, said he plans to appear solo at the airport for the June 27 startup of the live music, although he is a guitar player in a trio called the Jaywalkers that performs twice a month at Cafe Boulevard, an Oregon District nightspot. Iftikhar Ahmad, who manages the airport as Dayton's director of aviation, has been organizing the addition of live music as part of what he has said is an effort to make the airport a more pleasant environment. Ahmad said the schedules for the live music acts are still being worked out, but he hopes for regular performances, at least during weekdays. Ahmad has said the airport plans to feature performers from local and regional arts groups and bands. Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/06/13/ddn061308airportmusicweb.html

I"m not sure what has taken DDN so long to report this because it is old news... AirTran has ended Dayton-Las Vegas direct flights By John Nolan Staff Writer Wednesday, May 28, 2008 DAYTON — AirTran Airways has ended the Dayton-to-Las Vegas direct air service it started last year, because the increased prices of jet fuel have made the route unprofitable, a spokeswoman for the airline said on Wednesday, May 28. Iftikhar Ahmad, who oversees Dayton International Airport as Dayton's director of aviation, said AirTran had notified the airport of its decision and that the airline could reconsider if fuel prices were to decline later on. The Dayton-Las Vegas flights were popular last year, Ahmad said. AirTran ended the Dayton-Las Vegas service in April. Graham-Weaver said the airline is also ending direct Las Vegas service from Bloomington, Ill.; Akron-Canton, Ohio; Moline, Ill.; Flint, Mich., Rochester, N.Y. AirTran will continue its direct service to Las Vegas from Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Atlanta. Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/05/28/ddn052808airtranweb.html

DHL deal with UPS could leave ABX Air out By John Nolan Staff Writer Wednesday, May 28, 2008 The Germany-based owner of DHL said Wednesday, May 28, that it will hire United Parcel Service to handle its air cargo deliveries in the United States, which could eventually end or substantially reduce ABX Air and ASTAR Air Cargo delivery flights from DHL's Wilmington hub. Deutsche Post World Net, owner of DHL, said the $1 billion-per-year, 10-year contract it expects to conclude within months with UPS would cover airport-to-airport cargo deliveries only. DHL said it will still compete with UPS as an air delivery company in the United States. More at: http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/05/28/ddn052808dhlweb.html[/size]

which site is thee old original one exactly? i dont remember. is it the one that's tanks now? Someone else probably knows better, but I believe that is the original location (hence the name). Then for some reason I think they moved downtown, and then to the location at Brown and Wyoming. Then the owners parted ways a couple years ago and one kept the location and renamed it Jimmy's Cornerstone and other got the name and opened a new Walnut Hills bar behind Nothing But Noodles (or whatever it is called now). That Walnut Hills has since closed and been replace by Bargo's, but according to the Walnut Hills website, there may be yet another location for Walnut Hills in the future.

DDN article... Air Canada is returning to Dayton International By John Nolan, Staff Writer Tuesday, May 20, 2008 DAYTON — Air Canada is returning to Dayton International Airport to offer two non-stop daily flights to Toronto beginning July 15, city officials said on Tuesday, May 20. The flights to Toronto Pearson International Airport will be operated using 18-seat, Beech 1900 D aircraft, said Iftikahr Ahmad, Dayton's Aviation Director. It marks a return of international service to Dayton for the first time since 2002, when Air Canada last offered flights to Toronto, Ahmad said. Ahmad said he expects that Toronto will be a popular destination because of its attraction as a business center and tourist spot. Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/05/20/ddn052008airportweb.html

Although this press release is a couple years old, I figured I would post it because it is a good example of a program that can be developed as an alternative to the traditional payday lenders... In the Interest of Justice A professor and two local credit unions created ''StretchPay,'' which undercuts what payday lenders charge by nearly 80 percent. It's become a national model. October 4, 2006 - Brother Victor Forlani, S.M., a University of Dayton management lecturer, wants to put some payday lenders on notice. “We're going to be out there fighting you. Charging an excessive interest rate is wrong.” Forlani and two Dayton, Ohio, credit unions created StretchPay, a credit union advance alternative that undercuts what payday lenders charge by nearly 80 percent. Now, they've extended StretchPay to 11 other Ohio credit unions. The Consumer Federation of America says payday lenders charge an average of 195 percent to 1,092 percent interest on a $100, 14-day loan. Borrowing $250 a month for a year through StretchPay costs $75 compared to $450 at a payday lender, according to Bill Burke, president and CEO of DayAir Credit Union. http://www.udayton.edu/News/Article/?contentId=2145

Someone I know is currently going through the police academy and he said that they, as a department, expect some of these gang issues to really boil over this summer. I have no idea how much credence this has and what exactly that means, but is seems to go along with some of what the article says.

Although relatively new, what do you make of the lack of really any new development along the Trotwood Connector? Is it just too early to say to say? Too little too late? Lack of necessary infrastructure? Reinforce hypothesis about racial steering? It's amazing how easy it is to identify where the major roads and highways are. I expected that to be the case, but I am surprised how pronounced it is. Do you think sprawl would be more compact (in overall area), or just more centered around downtown (a la more compact relative to downtown])? Might just be semantics on my part.

Don't you mean basically all counties get money for doing nothing (with the exception of Clinton County)?