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Crafters Lodge to host two-day t-shirt quilt workshop

In Business, Children and Family, Education, Entertainment, Health, Holiday, Local News, Senior Lifestyle, Uncategorized on April 16, 2014 at 1:20 pm

CLLOGOSugarcreek Twp., OH – Nearly every event a student attends as he or she goes through school is commemorated by a t-shirt. Crafters Lodge in Sugarcreek Township, is providing a two-day course on transforming those keepsake tees into a cherished family heirloom – the t-shirt quilt.

On Sunday April 27th and Sunday May 4th, Crafters Lodge, located at 6056 Wilmington Pike, just behind Fazoli’s, will host a t-shirt quilting class. The two-day class will provide complete instruction, from start to finish, for a fee of $35 for both days, not including materials. Participants must purchase their own supplies and costs vary based on the materials chosen.

A t-shirt quilt is made up of the artwork from cherished t-shirts commemorating everything from a student’s first day of school or high school prom to concerts and extracurricular events. The artwork is cut from the fronts and backs of the shirts and sewn together to make a quilt. Jo Beth Bryant is co-owner of Crafters Lodge.

“Registered students should stop by the store at least two or three days prior to the first class for instruction on how to prep the T-shirts,” Bryant says. “Having the shirts prepped prior to class will allow the student to begin the layout and design process sooner and thus finish the quilt in a shorter amount of time.”

Teaching the upcoming class is life-long needleworker, Wendy Crawford. A veteran of 4-H and Girl Scout sewing competitions, Crawford started making baby quilts while in junior high school.  She turned to hand quilting after inheriting a quilter’s estate and is now a certified Gammill (Long Arm) operator with more than 350 quilts under her belt. Today, she enjoys sharing her knowledge with the local community after an absence from teaching.

Crafters Lodge opened in September of 2013 and offers high-end supplies and expertise to the serious crafter. In addition to the t-shirt quilting course, the store also offers classes in fiber arts (knitting, weaving, tatting, etc.), tole painting, stained glass and more.

Registration for the t-shirt quilting class is limited and participants are required to bring their own sewing machines. Crafters Lodge is open Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 am to 8:00pm, Sunday noon to 6:00 pm and closed on Monday. For more information and a schedule of classes, visit the store’s website, http://www.crafterslodge.com or call (937) 470-2649.

 

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Campaign educates drivers about distracted driving

In Children and Family, Education, Environment, Health, Local News, Technology, Uncategorized on April 2, 2014 at 7:19 pm

DDXENIA, OH – In an effort to make our roads safer, the Greene County Safe Communities Coalition announced today that it has joined the “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All” campaign to stop distracted driving.  April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Coalition has pledged its support to help spread the message that distracted drivers are not only a danger to themselves, but everyone else on the road.

“We all know that talking on our cell phones while driving is distracting, but that doesn’t stop most people from continuing to do it,” said Laurie Fox, Safe Communities Coordinator.  “This effort is intended to educate our community about the dangers of cell phone use and other distractions while driving.  We hope that once people see the statistics and realize the danger involved, they will change their driving habits to help protect themselves, their families, and others on the road.”

In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 421,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. That same year, eleven percent of fatal crashes were reported as distraction-affected crashes.

While anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, there is heightened concern about the risks of texting while driving because it combines all three types of distraction – visual, manual and cognitive.

The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness and education – the same activities that have curbed drunk driving and increased seat belt use.

“Every driver in Greene County has a role in this effort,” said Fox.  “However, we especially want to reach out to parents with teen drivers because we know that statistically, the under-20 age group had the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes.”

The Coalition’s goal is simple – save lives by getting drivers to remember that “One Text or Call Could Wreck It All.”  All drivers are encouraged to put down the phone and arrive alive.

For more information about distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov, or you can contact Laurie Fox at 937-374-5669 or lfox@gcchd.org.  

LIVE! With Michael and Kelly announces Gery L. Deer as guest host.

In Environment, Local News, television on April 1, 2014 at 10:14 am

Gery_Live_April_FoolNew York, NY – April 1, 2014 – Producers of the hit daytime television program, Live! With Michael and Kelly, announce the newest guest host. Writer, entrepreneur Gery L. Deer will join the list of guest hosts to head up the popular morning entertainment show after a successful run as a regular guest on the popular Dayton, Ohio talk show, “Living Dayton.”

An award-nominated writer and marketing expert, the Jamestown, Ohio native is no stranger to the national television stage, having appeared on programs like America’s Got Talent, The Bonnie Hunt Show and Steve Harvey’s Big Time.

An attempt was made to contact Deer, but the only word from his representative, one Bray T Cat, was, “Meow.”
YES THIS WAS AN APRIL FOOL’S DAY JOKE. THANKS FOR PLAYING! (But if Kelly and Michael are reading, I’d be happy to co-host! – Gery D.

 

 

 

 

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Long-running BNI chapter to hold visitors day April 3

In Business, Dayton Ohio News, Economy, Local News, Media, Technology, Uncategorized on March 30, 2014 at 2:18 am
Greater Dayton Professionals BNI Chapter was originally established more than 14 years ago.

Greater Dayton Professionals BNI Chapter was originally established more than 14 years ago.

BEAVERCREEK, OH – The Greater Dayton Professionals Chapter of Business Network International (BNI), will hold a visitors day event from 7:30 am to 9:30 am on Thursday, April 3, at the Event Connections, 4140 Linden Avenue in Dayton. The free, no-obligation networking event is open to all entrepreneurs, business managers and sales professionals in the Dayton/Miami Valley region.

The Greater Dayton Professionals BNI Chapter is one of the oldest of 23 in the Miami Valley region, having been established early in 1999. Founded in 1985 by professional networking guru Dr. Ivan Misner, BNI has more than 6,400 chapters world-wide.  According to the leadership team of the Greater Dayton Professionals chapter, BNI’s purpose is to help members create a wide-reaching, profitable referral network free of internal competition, something unavailable from chamber organizations or service clubs.

Along with the open networking opportunity, each participant will have the chance to introduce themselves to the group and give a one-minute sales presentation. Many of the Greater Dayton Professionals BNI members will feature table displays and there will be a special presentation on referral-based marketing by BNI Executive Director Darrel Bender.

Greater Dayton Professionals Chapter Vice President and Public Relations Coordinator, Gery L. Deer.

Greater Dayton Professionals Chapter Vice President and Public Relations Coordinator, Gery L. Deer.

Gery L. Deer, of GLD Enterprises Commercial Writing, is the vice president and public relations coordinator for the chapter. “We are interested in meeting highly motivated, professional business leaders who want to increase their sales as much as 30-percent from referral marketing,” Deer says.

“This event provides our visitors with the opportunity to observe the process first-hand and see the success achieved by our members.” He also added that in 2013, his chapter members passed between them nearly a half-million dollars in closed business and just under $100,000 since January 1st of this year.

Using the organizational philosophy called “Givers Gain” members trade in fully-qualified, outside referrals rather than open-ended, unchecked leads. “In order to pass a referral to another member of our chapter, the giver is required to have already communicated with the subject beforehand,” Deer explains. “Qualifying the referral in this way before passing it, rather than giving random leads is what separates BNI from other organizations and nearly assures a closed sale.”

At present, the Greater Dayton Professionals BNI Chapter is looking for applicants to fill a host of classifications including electrician, printer, banker, health insurance provider, property title agency and more.  Visitors to the chapter are encouraged to bring plenty of business cards and invite others to accompany them to the event.

A brief visitor orientation will be held immediately following the business meeting. For more information go online to http://www.greaterdaytonpros.com or contact chapter public relations coordinator, Gery L. Deer, at (937) 902-4857 or email gdeer@gldenterprises.net.

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Possible meth lab explosion in downtown Jamestown

In Dayton Ohio News, Local News, National News, News Media, Uncategorized on March 21, 2014 at 8:42 am
Jamestown home at 10 S. Buckles ripped apart by possible meth lab explosion. Photo courtesy WKEF-22 News Video.

Jamestown home at 10 S. Buckles ripped apart by possible meth lab explosion. Photo courtesy WKEF-22 News Video.

JAMESTOWN – Authorities say an explosion in Jamestown on Thursday was possibly caused by a man in a home-based meth lab.

Firefighters were called to a house at 10 S. Buckles St. in Jamestown  around 1:30 pm on Thursday, March 20 where an explosion had rocked the neighborhood. Police say Shaun Minney was air lifted to an area hospital to be treated for severe burns. Minney is suspected to have been cooking meth in the home when the explosion occurred.

Nearby homes were evacuated and streets blocked off as HAZMAT crews were called in to clean up the residue and firefighters are investigating the exact cause of the explosion. Residents were let back into their homes later in the evening.

Jamestown Police Chief Roger Tyree told WKEF-TV news, “They discovered there are multiple propane tanks inside the residence, which we want to err on the side of caution.  It’s not a normal situation to find 4-5 propane tanks inside someone’s residence. It’s a very scary thing.  We know that he’s doing something in there improper.  Normally you don’t have propane tanks inside your home.”

According to authorities, police were not originally called to the home for an explosion. Family members from the home were taken to an area hospital with suspicious burns and police were notified by doctors. Upon arriving at the home, they discovered the aftermath of the explosion.

At last report Minney was in critical condition and a full investigation is ongoing.

Resources:

What is a meth lab?

What are the potential hazards of exposure to a meth lab?

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Jamestown native Fred Claire announced as special advisor to Baseball New Zealand

In Business, Dayton Ohio News, Jobs, Local News, National News, News Media, Sports News, Uncategorized, World News on March 18, 2014 at 3:16 pm
fredclaire1

Fred Claire

PASADENA, CA – Baseball New Zealand this week has secured the services of Jamestown, Ohio native, Fred Claire, former Executive Vice-President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball organization, as a special advisor to the organization.

Besides his long tenure with the Dodgers, Claire is a longtime mentor for many executives in the professional and international sports communities and Baseball New Zealand CEO Ryan Flynn is one of Claire’s baseball “disciples.”

“We’ve just scored a large victory with the addition of Fred as a key advisor and stakeholder in our program,” said Flynn. “Securing the services of someone with such a lengthy baseball pedigree, someone as respected in the sport as he is a huge coup for the sport in this country.”

Flynn said Claire has been advising the country’s national body unofficially for some time, but added that the program is now at a critical juncture and the timing is right to formalize this key relationship and take it to the next level.

In a distinguished 30-year career with the Dodgers, Claire served the team as a publicity director; vice president of public relations, promotions and marketing; Executive Vice President in charge of day-to-day operations; and Executive Vice President and General Manager in charge of player personnel.

A shop keeper’s son starting out at the tail-end of the Great Depression, Fred Claire was born on October 5, 1935 in Jamestown, Ohio. His mother, Mary Frances Harper, was born and raised in Jamestown where her father operated Harper’s Drug Store.

Ironically, given the town’s modern history, his grandfather’s store was eventually destroyed by fire. Claire’s father, Marston, later opened another drug store on the opposite corner of the village. “My Dad’s drug store was simply known as Claire’s Corner Drug Store,” Claire said.

As a young boy, he lived in the apartment above the store with his parents, his brother Doug and one sister named Lynn. With his family, Claire enjoyed fishing trips to Canada and nearby Indian Lake and began his business career as a young entrepreneur. “My brother and I trapped muskrats,” Claire recalled. “And I had a newspaper route delivering the Xenia Daily Gazette.”

Claire suggested that his passion for sports came from early summer mornings in Jamestown when friends would throw pebbles at his second-floor apartment window. This was, according to Claire, “the indication that it was time to get up, get the baseball equipment and head out to the diamond at Silvercreek School.” He was referring to the historic school at the corner of SR 72 and South Charleston road in Jamestown which was razed in 2013 but, for many years, served as the Greeneview primary and junior high building.

Claire joined the Dodgers in 1969 and he proved to be an award-winning executive at every stage of his career. Claire was directing the team’s marketing efforts when the Dodgers first hit the three-million mark in attendance and established a period of record-setting attendance figures.

In April of 1987, Claire was named general manager of the Dodgers and when the team won the World Series in 1988 he was selected Major League Baseball’s “Executive of the Year” by The Sporting News. Claire became the fifth Dodger executive in the team’s history to win the award, following Larry MacPhail (1939), Branch Rickey (1947), Walter O’Malley (1955) and Buzzie Bavasi (1959).

Since his departure from the Dodgers in June of 1998, Claire has maintained an active schedule as an educator and as a consultant to a variety of businesses in addition to an on-going civic involvement. He is a partner in the baseball analytic company AriBall.com.

“Having someone on board with the experience and expertise that Fred Claire has is a huge win for this country and our fast-growing baseball program,” Flynn said. “Bouncing ideas and strategy off of a man with a great history of baseball experience and successes in the game, plus his ability to bring key people and organizations together, will pay dividends for many years for Baseball New Zealand, and we couldn’t be more fortunate with this development.”

“I’ve always had an interest in growing the game of baseball and to have the opportunity with Baseball New Zealand and to work with Ryan Flynn and his group is very exciting,” said Claire. Claire had made a trip to Australia in the late 1970’s and helped to set the stage for a connection between the Dodgers and the Australian Baseball Federation.  Dodger coaches Monty Basgall, Red Adams and Guy Wellman traveled to Australia a few years after Claire’s visit to give clinics and promote baseball.

“I liked the fact that the baseball officials in Australia were growing the game from the standpoint of placing an emphasis on youngsters learning and playing the game  and this is what I see happening in New Zealand today,” said Claire.

During his 12 seasons as the Dodger general manager, the team signed pitchers Hideo Nomo from Japan and Chan Ho Park from South Korea. Nomo was one of five consecutive National League Rookies of the Year during Claire’s tenure, joining Eric Karros, Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi and Todd Hollandsworth.

For more on Fred Claire, Reference: Fred Claire, “30 Years in Dodger Blue”

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Crime can happen to anyone, anywhere

In Children and Family, Crime, Education, Local News, Opinion, Uncategorized on March 10, 2014 at 9:48 am

DIH LOGOIn the early morning hours of Thursday, March 6, in the close-knit, rural resort lake community of Shawnee Hills in Jamestown, Ohio, the unheard-of happened – a home invasion. According to reports, four adult males and one juvenile broke into an occupied home, stealing electronics and video games adding up to less than $500.

All five were arrested in Xenia later the same day. The four adult suspects were charged with one count of aggravated burglary, which is a first-degree felony. At the time of this publication, there was no information available on the status of the juvenile.

Incidents like this happen all over the country, nearly every minute of each day. Burglary and home invasion are more common in the inner city regions, but they can occur anywhere. As urban development spreads into suburban and rural communities, the likelihood of crime increases, probably more because of a rise in concentrated population than most other factors. Suburban and clustered rural developments tend to be inhabited by people with more money and, thus, become an attractive target for various kinds of crime from robbery to drug trafficking.

Many people still believe this kind of thing does not happen in sleepy, country communities. It does, it’s just not as common and often it’s an inside job. That is, the person who commits the crime has some connection with the residents of the home so they are privy to the money or property situation.

The false sense of safety offered by country life encourages people to leave windows open, entrances unlocked and garage doors up, essentially painting a big sign on the house saying, “Come on in and take our stuff.” Robbery, burglary or home invasion, armed or otherwise, can happen anywhere – to anyone. In fact, people might be surprised at the statistics related to who is committing crime and against whom.

For example, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime, overall, crime is disproportionately committed by males. Although it tends to have a greater affect on minorities (both as victims and offenders), most crimes are committed by whites against whites.

The Center’s website states that, “Certain populations are disproportionately affected by crime, not necessarily because of the sheer numbers of victims but as a result of crime’s greater impact on these.” It goes on to point out that young people, for example, aged 16-24, are the population group most victimized by crime and this is also the age group that commits the most crime. Not surprising in the case of the Shawnee Hills incident, since all of the men involved incident were 19 years old and younger.

Additionally, as one might expect, there are some types of crimes such as stalking, domestic violence, and sexual assault that are predominantly committed by males against females. It also seems, as was the case in Jamestown, many home invasions and robberies are committed by someone acquainted with one of the residents. People can help minimize the potential for these kinds of incidents, however, with a few basic precautions.

Always keep doors and windows locked, particularly at night or when leaving the house. Close and lock garage doors and don’t hide spare keys in obvious places. Don’t flaunt expensive possessions, guns, tools or electronics. These are the top of the list for burglary targets, and it only takes a word from a friend to someone you don’t know to set the wheels in motion to have your home robbed.

Wait until you return home to post vacation photos and other information on social media. Broadcasting to the world that the whole household is out of town begs for an unwanted visitor.

Be sure to include the whole family on crime prevention education. Parents need to teach kids everything possible to help keep them safe in and out of the home. Make it a point to get to know the people that kids bring into the house, particularly high-school agers, including names, addresses and parent contact information. If they are unwilling to provide that information, then they don’t get to be there, plain and simple.

Some simple prevention and common sense can keep you from becoming the next statistic.

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The Jamestown Comet Editor, Gery L. Deer, is an independent columnist and business contributor to the WDTN-TV2 program, “Living Dayton.”

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Five arrested in connection to Shawnee Lake home invasion

In Crime, Local News, Uncategorized on March 8, 2014 at 9:43 am

JAMESTOWN – The Dayton Daily News reported Friday that 5 people were arrested in connection with a home invasion at Shawnee Hills in Jamestown.  Among them were Daveon Cortez Black, 18; Singleton Matthew Sweeney, 19; Kendric Bailey, 18; and Mavrick Price, 20, each charged with one count of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, according to jail records. They are being held on $20,000 bonds.

According to the story, “The men are accused of stealing electronic devices, including an XboX game system valued at less than $500, and other property from a house on Cheyenne Trail just before 1 a.m. Thursday, said Capt. David Tidd, sheriff’s investigations section.” A man and woman living at the home were not injured.

Tidd also told reporters that the men arrested are said to be known acquaintances of the male resident of the home. The arrests were made over several visits to a home on W. Second Street in Xenia between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday. All suspects taken into custody are Xenia residents. The fifth individual taken into custody was a 17-year-old male.

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GCCOA upcoming events for seniors; Artisans and Workshops

In Charities, Education, Health, Local News, News Media, Senior Lifestyle, Uncategorized on March 7, 2014 at 8:29 pm

Greene County Senior Artisan Show

March 2 through March 19, 2014
Grand Opening: Sunday, March 2nd ~ 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Sundays, March 9th and March 16th ~ 1:00pm to 3:30pm
Wednesday, March 19th ~ 11:00am to 2:00pm

gcsasFairborn Art Association Rear of Fairborn Senior Housing 221 North Central Avenue Fairborn, Ohio

Age is not a factor for artists, especially those in Greene County! Please bring a friend and enjoy the amazing work of senior citizens ~ from 60 to 90 something. This event showcases some of this talent and reinforces the importance of promoting our own creativity and activity as we age.

The show will include a variety of mediums, including oil and acrylic, watercolor, pastel, charcoal,
pencil, pen and ink, woodcarvings, hand-thrown pottery and ceramics, and photography.

Refreshments provided by the Fairborn Senior Center

The Senior Artisan Show is co-sponsored by the Fairborn Art Association and the Greene County Council on Aging.

HEALTHY U WORKSHOPS 

healthyuHealthy U is a free, six week, community-based workshop offered by the Area Agency on Aging and the Greene County Council on Aging that helps participants learn proven strategies to manage chronic
conditions.
 Live with long-term health conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, lung disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and more;
 Feel limited in your daily activities
 Feel tired, alone, or fearful because of your health; or
 Are looking for better ways to manage your symptoms.

Healthy U workshops are conducted in your community by two trained facilitators who have learned to take control of their health and want to help others do the same. They are held in six weekly, interactive, small-group sessions that focus on ways to better manage your own conditions.

 Strategies to deal with stress, fatigue, pain, weight management, and depression
 Using physical activity to maintain and improve strength,flexibility, and endurance
 How to use medications safely and appropriately
 Better ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health
 Using good nutrition to improve health and control symptoms
 Setting and achieving personal health goals

For more information, please call 376-5486 or 1-888-795-8600 or e-mail carol@gccoa.org

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But Wait, There’s More, on a Smartphone Near You

In Business, Media, Opinion, Uncategorized on March 5, 2014 at 1:30 pm

From the DIH Archives. Originally published, April 24, 2012.

dih-logo-SEAccording to a recent survey by CBS News, there are more than 4.6 billion cell phones in the world and the potential for perspective mobile marketing is virtually unlimited. Experts believe that soon mobile marketing will likely become the most influential advertising medium of all time, surpassing even television.

Mobile marketing utilizes the data capabilities of smart phones, tablets and other portable devices as advertising media. The concept originated around 1999 with subscription-based text messaging services that were free to the customer but paid for by sponsors.

Since then, mobile ads have blossomed from short text message blasts to detailed ads, complete with video and sound, sent directly to the smart phones and tablets of buyers when they are closest to shelling out their cash. Sometimes the ads reach potential customers while they are standing in front of the product display in the store. Many ads encourage the viewer to scan the 2-D, block barcode in order to take advantage of special offers.

Sometimes, it can take decades for a new process like this to catch on, often failing on the drawing board. But, with the feverish demand for more and better mobile technology, the field has advanced from in novelty to practical application in only a few short years. Improvements on quality, signal, delivery and service by wireless integrators has only served to increase the response by the consumer to buy more and better smartphones and tablets.

The more devices there are in the hands of the users, the more advertising opportunities exist for business. Some estimates suggest by 2015, more than $163 billion of worldwide sales will come as a result of mobile advertising, in part because of the potential pinpoint accuracy of customer targeting.

It may seem as if advertisers are the only beneficiaries of mobile marketing, but that’s not the case. Consumers are in a unique position today to save money on products and services that they are likely to buy anyway. Often mobile advertising offers on-the-spot, and in some cases exclusive, savings directly through a smart phones – the modern equivalent of an in-store coupon.

Mail order online shopping may also be irrevocably changed by the mobile revolution. Consumers can get an ad for an item on their smart phone, touch the screen a few times, and the product is on its way to their home; quick, easy, and effortless.

For retailers, the advantage is being able to reach a more direct market, giving them more for the dollars spent. But that doesn’t mean it is cheap.

Continuous innovations in technology will require sellers to spend millions more every year just to keep up with the competition. As each company strives to outdo the others, those innovations will grow exponentially to meet the demand and the consumer will be hit broadside with an onslaught of ads on everything from cell phones to blue tooth headsets.

Even in the grocery store, we are bombarded with digital messages!

Even in the grocery store, we are bombarded with digital messages!

Avoiding such a barrage of mobile ads may be near to impossible but the best way seems to be by opting out of every possible source of marketing. For example, free applications (aps) for cell phones and tablets often require the user to be subjected to advertising – that’s how the providers pay for the free ap. Users need to carefully read each screen as the product is installed and used for the first time. Often additional options for the receipt of special offers can be declined only at that time. Once a marketing ap has entrenched itself in your mobile device, there may be no way to remove it.

As an ever increasing number of ads light up the screens of smartphones and tablets, at some point the buying public will begin tuning them out and, indeed, insisting they stop. At present, though, advertisers have their feet firmly planted in the trenches of mobile marketing and they’re not likely to change their tactics anytime soon.