This is a pretty lovey-dovey place judging by the number of romantic books, movies and Barry White albums purchased here since January 1, according to Amazon.com.
Dayton ranks 9th on the online market place’s list of the “Top 20 Most Romantic Cities in the U.S.”
The web site came up with the light-hearted list after crunching sales data for White CDs and MP3s, sexual wellness produces, romance novels, relationship books, and romantic movie comedies.
Each city ranked has 100,000 or more residents.
Big shocker here: New York City is the least romantic place, according to Amazon.
The list will likely surprise you in other ways too.
Knoxville, Tenn. was the most romantic city.
The top ten is rounded out by Alexandria, Va.; Springfield, Mo.; Orlando; Cincinnati; Vancouver, Wash.; Miami; Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Dayton; Columbia, S.C..
Pittsburgh came in 11th place. It is followed by Clearwater, Fla.; St. Louis; Erie, Pa.; Clarksville, Tenn.; Everett, Wash.; Gainesville, Fla.; Las Vegas; Rochester, N.Y.; and Tallahassee, Fla.
The average person is expected to spend $74.12 on their spouse or significant other, according to the National Retail Foundation’s 2012 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey conducted by BIGinsight.
How much will you spend this year on Valentine’s Day?Take our poll.
Actress Blake Lively, left, and author Nicholas Sparks participate in a press event announcing Godiva’s Valentine’s Day “Sweetest Story Ever Told” sweepstake details at the Andaz 5th Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Last year’s average was $68.98.
Total per person Valentine’s Day spending is expected to be the highest in the survey’s 10-year history, up 8 percent from last year’s $116.21 per person to $126.03 this year.
The average consumers will spend $25.25 on their children, parents or other family members and $6.92 on friends, the NRF predicts.
Fido and FiFi won’t be left out in the cold.
The average person will spend about $4.52 on their pets.
Combined, Americans are expected to spend more than $17.6 billion, the NRF says.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Many of you questioned the sanity of organizers’ height and size restrictions for female models: 5’8” without heels and wear a size 0-4.
“This is absolutely disgusting!!!! But please don’t let it reflect on the City as a whole. Rather let if reflect on those individuals whom make up this disgusting organization. I wish I could sue people who use Dayton’s name to promote such discriminating events!!!!! I’m sure the individuals’ names are public knowlege…..” one reader posted.
“Really women size 0-4? Who wears that???!!! Not real people!!! - another poster wrote.”
Very thin model at the Rosa Cha spring 2007 fashion show in New York. The Council of Fashion Designers of America recently hosted a panel discussion addressing the question of how thin is too thin. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff, File)
Caressa Brown, director of operations of Dayton Fashion Week, said that while opportunities for plus size models - those size 6 and larger - have opened up since she first distributed the casting call announcement on her Dayton Most Metro Blog, the original height and weight restrictions were and are legitimate.
Designing and making clothing for smaller models is cheaper and thinner models are perceived to be more attractive, she said.
“A lot of designers want their clothes to appear on the runway the way they appear on the hanger. That means models with no curves,” the 32-year-old said. “That’s just the industry standard not that I support it.”
The inaugural Dayton Fashion Week is scheduled for July 24-29 and will feature fashion shows, networking opportunities and other events.
Founded by local Liberian-born designer Junda Morris-Kennedy, the fashion week events are designed to help nurture and showcase Dayton’s fashion industry, Brown said.
While international designers will be featured, most of the wares modeled during Dayton Fashion Week will be from local designers and boutiques.
“What we want to do is take advantage of the talent here and build a market,” said Brown, a Dayton native who began modeling professionally at age 12. “We shouldn’t have to leave the area to pursue our dreams.”
Brown acknowledges that the original height and weight requirements for the event seemed harsh, but she said they are the way of the world.
“There are some things that are going to be strict. I am not telling you to go out and starve yourself,” she said. “I don’t want to tear anyone down, but the truth is that everybody is not going to be chosen. There are restrictions for any job.”
What do you think? Is there anything wrong with requesting models who are size 0 to 4?
Seen & Overheard runs in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
UPDATE: The size and height restriction for the upcoming Dayton Fashion Week caused a stir. We chatted with organizers. Click here to find out why she says the restriction is legitimate.
Organizers of Dayton Fashion Week will hold a casting call for models 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at De’Lish Cafe, 139 N. Main St., Dayton.
Models must arrive by 10 a.m. with one full body shot and one head shot. Measurements and contact information should be included on the back of each photo. Those with modeling experience should also bring portfolios.
Organizers seek female models who are least 5’8” without heels and wear a size 0-4. Male models should be least 5’10’’ and wear a suite size 40-44.
Participants must be at least 15 years old. Mature models are welcome.
A search for child models will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 10 at De’Lish. A search for hosts to cover the fashion week for Inside Couture Television will be 10 to 1 p.m. April 7 at Sunwatch Indian Village, 2301 West River Road, Dayton. The show airs on a television station in Miami, Fla.
Dayton Fashion Week is scheduled for July 24 to 29. Organizers promise an event that gains “global exposure for Dayton’s emerging Fashion industry.”
Dayton’s Rashida Head took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday in Indianapolis, but scoring a touchdown wasn’t her goal.
The Sinclair Community College nursing student was in the 200 member choir that backed Cee Lo Green and Madonna during a rendition of Madonna’s hit “Like a Prayer” during Super Bowl XLVI.
Cee Lo Green and Madonna perform at the Super Bowl. Dayton’s Rashida Head is on the right side near the aisle in the top row. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The mother of two and wife of De’Lish Cafe executive chef Anthony Head attended Indiana University with an organizer of the elaborate halftime show.
Head’s mother is Lynne Morrow, a conductor and member of the San Francisco Grammy Chapter Board of Governors.
While in college Head preformed throughout Indiana with the IU Soul Revue. She sang professionally in California after graduating college in 2004.
Before the Super Bowl, she hadn’t performed on stage since 2006.
She couldn’t turn down such an amazing opportunity.
“It’s the Super Bowl, you need to go,” Head said.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
WROU’s Old Skool Night will have a musical guest tonight.
R&B singer Eric Benet will be at Gilly’s Jazz Club, 132 South Jefferson St., for a special meet and greet for the radio station’s monthly party. The event starts at 7 p.m.
Benet who was nominated for a Grammy for his hit song “Spend My Life With You” with Tamia is promoting his new album “The One.”
Tyler Benedict’s brain and buzzing in speed will be put to the test when he appears on “Jeopardy!” Friday.
The 2009 Miami Valley School graduate is a contestant on the college episode of the quiz show set to air 7:30 p.m. on WDTN-TV.
Tyler Benedict
The Miami Valley School, an independent, college prepatory institution, will host a viewing party for the current Columbia University junior at Lofino Atrium and Middle School Commons, 5151 Denise Dr., Washington Twp., Montgomery County.
The public is welcome to attend.
Benedict, the son of Lisa and Greg Benedict of Dayton,
is double majoring in English and Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies.
His mother is an administrative assistant at Miami Valley School.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
White shoes worn by Orville Wright and clothing from the Patterson family are among the local pieces from the early 1900s Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley will donate this week to Dayton History.
The historical artifacts from Goodwill’s vintage clothing collection will be stored in acid-free boxes in climate controlled conditions until they can be exhibited.
Orville Wright’s shoes. Kinda styling.
Pieces will be made available to researchers by appointment.
Items include:
– A pair of shoes worn by Orville Wright
– Patterson family layette gowns and baby clothing
– Wedding dress wore by Eloise (Rochester) Schenck, the wife of Dayton architect Harry Schenck of Schenck & Williams Architects
– A two-piece women’s suit, hat and hat box from the Rike-Kumler department store
– Mildred (Readnower) LeMarre’s wedding dress, portrait and desk name plate
– A complete WWII Army nurse’s uniform along with a purse, shoes, photo and Miami Valley Hospital graduation papers and official letters
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Congressman Mike Turner, R-Centerville, has a pivotal role in a film that just won the Audience Award winner for best documentary at 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
Turner appears in Kirby Dick’s, The Invisible War,” a film about sexual assaults in the military.
He attended the film’s debut at Sundance on Jan. 20.
Sparked by the case of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach of Vandalia, Turner has pushed for stronger protection of sexual assault victims in the military.
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Compiled by "Smart Mouth" columnist Amelia Robinson, Seen and Overheard is fueled by juicy tidbits, oddball tales and strange sightings.
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Please do not support the upcoming Beavercreek School Levy. Taxes in Beavercreek are already high