We must face the harsh reality that it's winter in Dayton. Students throwing flying discs no longer fill Humanities Plaza on sunny afternoons, and the faithful porch sitters of the Ghetto have retreated to the warmth and comfort of their living rooms. As the days stay short and the temperatures stay low, we eagerly await the sunny days of spring. Luckily, in the Dayton area there are plenty of different places that cater to a myriad of interests and budgets. The following is guide to local entertainment, so you can beat those winter blues.

Those craving a physical activity should check out the Kettering Ice Arena, located on Stroop Road, just a few miles south of campus. According to the City of Kettering Web site, this rink is host to youth and adults involved in figure skating, ice hockey, ice skating lessons and leisure skating. Amenities include a skate-changing room, a warming pit with a wood-burning fireplace, a skate rental shop, lockers, a concession area and restrooms. For more information about hours and fees, call the Kettering Ice Arena at 296-2542 or e-mail arena@ketteringoh.org. An encouraging statistic: For the average 130-pound person, ice skating can burn about 400 calories per hour!

If artistic inspiration is what you desire, consider an evening at The Neon. The Neon, located just outside the Oregon District on East Fifth Street, is Dayton's own five- star independent and foreign film theatre. The cinema offers a mix of well-known films (currently showing 'Brokeback Mountain') as well more obscure films, like 'Breakfast on Pluto.' A competitive advantage, The Neon offers a matinee price of only $5.50. Call 222-7469 for show times, or visit The Neon's Web site at http://www.neonmovies.com.

The creative type will no doubt enjoy a trip to Kil'n Time Caf??, a 'paint your own pottery studio' on West Town and Country Road. Kil'n Time is a full service studio where you can come to make your own works of art. As their Web site states, 'we provide all the materials you need; you simply provide the imagination.' For those who wish to explore other art forms, classes in Mosaics, candle making and silver jewelry making are offered. Prices are based on the material chosen and time spent in the studio. For more information about the studio, call 296-9621, or visit their website at http://www.kilntimecafe.com. Make sure to print off a coupon redeemable for a half price studio fee!

Got a funny bone? A night at the comedy club will do the trick. Joker's Comedy Caf??, near the Dayton Mall, is a great place to check out rising comedians. Catch a show for $7 during the week, and $12 Friday or Saturday. Show and dinner packages are also available. Visit http://www.jokerscafe.com for more information, or call 433-LAFF.

Everyone deserves some special treatment every now and then, so why not give yourself a little salon treatment. The staff at Square One, Dayton's downtown salon and day spa, will cater to your mind's and body's needs. Square One offers services and products for both male and female clients. Hair, nail, waxing, massage, as well as skin and body treatments are among the services available. After a day of pampering, you will thank yourself for this experience. Call 461-2222 to schedule an appointment. Visit their Web site for a detailed description of their services at http://www.squareonesalon.com/.

Dayton is the home of aviation, so why not check out the world's largest air force museum. The National Museum of the United States Air Force houses nearly 300 aircraft and rockets, such as the Sopwith Camel, the B52 and B-1A bombers, the F117A 'Stealth Fighter' and the Apollo 15 space capsule, which circled the moon in 1971. While you're there, be sure to check out the collection of over 6,000 personal artifacts, documents, photographs and mementoes of air force history from the early 1900's. The museum is free and open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/ for more information.

The Dayton area has a great deal of entertainment options to offer. Recreation, comedy, art and history'they are all there for you to discover and chase those winter blues away!