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Compiled by "Smart Mouth" columnist Amelia Robinson, Seen and Overheard is fueled by juicy tidbits, oddball tales and strange sightings.
Home > Blogs > Seen and Overheard > Archives > 2011 > April > 12 > Entry
Why Dayton’s OK even without a shuttle
NASA is obviously not “winning” on this one.
Its officials clearly don’t recognize the tiger’s blood coursing through the Miami Valley’s veins.
It dissed Dayton by awarding space shuttles to the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space in New York, the California Science Center in Los Angeles, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
A space shuttle would have been the hot girl in the room in Dayton if it would been selected for the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
In those communities it will, for the most part, be small fish among whales bloated on small fish.
A space shuttle would have been a shiny necklace in the Gem City’s jewelry box, but it wouldn’t be the only glittery object.
No, we are not New York or Los Angeles - our traffic jams are decidedly less jammy - but Dayton is far from mud.
Here are just a few things the Dayton area has going for it:
Arts - The arts community might struggle at times - in the economy, many things do - but it is vital. Communities much larger than Dayton would kill to have amenities like CityFolk, The Dayton Art Institute or the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sports - There are no major league professional sports, but Miami Valley residents have plenty of reasons to cheer. The Dayton Dragons are among the biggest draws in minor league baseball, and University of Dayton Arena has hosted the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament.
Education - The Miami Valley is strong with institutions of higher learning. Just consider University of Dayton, Wright State University, Wilberforce University and Central State University. Sinclair Community College offers the lowest tuition rate in the state of Ohio.
Something to do - Those who think there is nothing to do in Dayton should think again (visit ActiveDayton.com). There are plenty of places to catch a show a show and a new restaurant seemingly opens up daily. Entertainment centers include Dayton’s Historic Oregon District and The Greene in Beavercreek.
Great people - Dayton area residents are known for their charity and resiliency. And as history shows, they are also industrious. One only has to turn to the airplane or car for proof.
What do you think?
Say something positive about the community you live in. Don’t be negative.
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Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Good to Know
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By Still Proud
April 12, 2011 8:33 PM | Link to this
While we may not have received a shuttle, the people do have plenty to be proud of. OUR Air Force Museum still continues to grow and show off the Dayton area and all that it has to offer. We cannot forget that we have the only museum out of the bunch that is FREE which is amazing in its own right as it is such a great place to visit. I applaud all those that played a part in trying to make this happen.
By folladamoney
April 12, 2011 10:24 PM | Link to this
It is rather hard to count attendance at a place that sells no tickets for admission. I have a feeling the museum had a lot more visitors than they estimated. I know of a lot of people that envy us this jewel.
By folladamoney
April 12, 2011 10:27 PM | Link to this
It is rather hard to count attendance at a museum that sells no tickets, estimated attendance is usually lowballed. I know many people that envy us this crown jewel.
By fred
April 12, 2011 10:46 PM | Link to this
Still Proud - The Smithsonian is also “free” like the Air Force Museum (tax dollar supported).
By Charles
April 13, 2011 8:21 AM | Link to this
Let’s build a replica of the shuttle, it would probably cost less that the bringing one of the original shuttles. I am new to the Miami Valley and think this is a great place.
By Passa on Nasa
April 13, 2011 8:49 AM | Link to this
Would we have a space shuttle without Wilbur & Orville Wright, I think not. Since no more shuttles flying then dismantle NASA.
By who cares
April 13, 2011 9:02 AM | Link to this
At this point I have no interest in the shuttle. The reason that I read for NY and Cali was to attract international visitors!?! What about the people who already own it…..the tax payers! At this point I would not want to see the shuttles up close even if I were standing outside of the building that they were in…I’m bitter, NASA can gth!!
By Eugene
April 13, 2011 11:16 AM | Link to this
Sorry to hear that my favorite museum won’t be getting an orbiter. A frequent vistor to Dayton
By Dave
April 13, 2011 12:51 PM | Link to this
If not for AFRL, nobody would have a shuttle!
By Boo to NASA
April 13, 2011 1:14 PM | Link to this
I’m bitter too. New York and LA already have so much to do and see that I doubt visitors to those cities will have time or want to go see a space shuttle at a museum. People go to these cities do the touristy things. The city of Dayton would have taken a lot of pride in having the space shuttle, like we already do in the Air Force Museum. Most people in NYC or LA could probably care less that they have one more “attraction” to their city, if they even know that a space shuttle is there. It’s too bad that Dayton has to suffer for NASA’s wrong decision.
By Darrell Wacker
April 13, 2011 3:01 PM | Link to this
That Dayton does (or does not) have a lot of things going for it ignores the basic issue at play here-NASA chose availability to foreign tourists over the interests of the American taxpayers who paid for the shuttles and the historic ties of Houston and Dayton to the space program. Tack on the fact that two of the shuttles are just 200 miles apart on the east coast, the folks in Dayton and Houston have every right to be livid over this decision.