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What to do this weekend in Columbus: Nov. 17-19
🤣 Laugh out loud during Comedian Rhapsody, a revue by The Second City, a Chicago theater famous for launching the careers of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and more.8pm tonight at the Davidson Theatre, 77 S. High St. $34-44.🎺 Grab dinner at Budd Dairy Food Hall, then enjoy a performance by OSU Marching Band alumni.9:45pm tonight, 1086 N. 4th St. Free!🎁 Shop for holiday gifts at one of three local markets:Christmasfair: 9am-4pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday at the Ohio Expo Center. $6, plus parking. Kids under 13 free!Ohio Made Holiday Market: noon-5pm Saturday at Hollywood Casino Columbus. $5 online general admission. Kids under 11 free!Not Your Mama's Craft Market: 11am-4pm Sunday at the Exchange at Bridge Park, 6520 Riverside Drive. $5-7 early admission, free after 2pm.✂️ Create a holiday ornament at the Ohio Craft Museum.10am-noon Saturday, 1665 W. 5th Ave. Free!🎵 Sing along to Christian music hits when TobyMac, MercyMe and Zach Williams perform at Nationwide Arena.7pm Sunday. $24.🎄 Plus: Check out our list of holiday light displays kicking off this weekend.Sign up for Axios Columbus for free.
Ohio's weirdest 2023 General Election results
Every election cycle, once the dust has settled, I search Ohio's 88 counties for the most interesting results I can find.Break out the party hats and celebrate the 2023 list:🍺 Roll out the barrel: Delaware County voters want something stronger to drink with their old-fashioned dinners.They approved a liquor license (and Sunday sales) for the Cracker Barrel restaurant off I-71.🗳 No lead for weed: Issue 2 (recreational marijuana) won comfortably statewide, but the Seneca County vote was much more split.Out of 17,617 votes cast there, the "no" side had a one-vote advantage.✍️ "John Smith" would win: The city of Delphos had two write-in candidates for mayor and neither made it easy for voters — Andre McConnahea wound up defeating Wayne Suever.🙁 Sorry, Dave: It was a bad night to be named David Albright in Belmont County's Mead Township.David L. Albright lost a race for fiscal officer and Jason David Albright lost a race for township trustee.Sign up for Axios Columbus for free.
A look back on Columbus' panda-monium
As the giant pandas housed at U.S. zoos return to China, the adorable bears are captivating us again — much like when they first came stateside in the '70s.Flashback: The Columbus Zoo experienced its own panda-monium in 1992, when it housed pandas for nearly four months as part of the city's celebration of the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' first voyage to America.Qin Qin and Xing Xing, two young males, drew nearly a million visitors over the summer, The Dispatch reported.Their temporary exhibit was where the bonobos currently reside.What they're saying: "People would come in early and run down to...
Franklin County History Tour: The first Wendy's restaurant
Over the course of eight years, I traveled around the state photographing the sites of Ohio's 88 county bicentennial barns.The project led me to explore areas of Ohio I had never been to before, including cities and countrysides.What's happening: As a new travel challenge, I've decided to visit all 121 (and counting) Ohio Historical Markers located in Franklin County.The (first) marker: The site of the first Wendy's restaurant, 257 E. Broad St., Columbus.Dave Thomas opened his first location here in 1969.It closed in 2007, with pieces of Wendy's memorabilia moved to the chain's corporate headquarters in Dublin. Now, the building houses The Catholic Foundation of Ohio.The intrigue: This has to be the only historical marker in Ohio with the phrase "hot 'n juicy hamburger."View the Franklin County historical marker mapEditor's note: This story first published in the Axios Columbus newsletter on Oct. 21, 2021.Sign up for Axios Columbus for free.
Franklin County History Tour: Urbancrest Mayor Ellen Walker Craig-Jones
Our latest installment of the Franklin County historical marker tour brings us to Urbancrest, a small village of about 1,000 residents located just outside the southwest portion of Route 270.The marker: Ellen Walker Craig-Jones, 2853 Broadway St. (Route 62).Flashback: In 1971, Craig-Jones became the first Black woman elected mayor by popular vote of a municipality in U.S. history.The intrigue: She was 65 years old and already a great-grandmother while defeating an opponent two decades younger by nine votes.The Ohio History Connection credits Craig-Jones with rebuilding the village's infrastructure and spurring a $3 million housing project.What she said: "Don't sit back and wait to be asked to do something," the mayor told 100 fellow seniors at a 1972 banquet in Lima. "Offer yourself because only in giving can we love others and receive joy ourselves.""You can do anything you want to do."View the Franklin County historical marker mapEditor's note: This story first published in the Axios Columbus newsletter on March 2, 2022.Sign up for Axios Columbus for free.
Columbus mayor proposes 2024 budget with more police funding
Fresh off re-election to a third term, Mayor Andrew Ginther rolled out a 2024 budget proposing a record level of city spending.Why it matters: The city general fund, supported primarily by your income and property taxes, pays for essential services including public safety and infrastructure.State of play: The mayor's budget proposal was released days after Ginther defeated progressive Joe Motil, whose campaign highlighting socioeconomic inequalities across town earned him 36% of the vote.Ginther's list of "strategic priorities" seems to acknowledge that message, referring to Columbus as a "city on the rise" where "not everyone is sharing in our success."By the...
Ask Axios: Why did the State Auto Christmas Corner move?
Reader Kellie G. asks: Do you guys know why State Auto isn't putting up their annual giant Nativity display this year? It looks like much of the display is showing up next to St. Joseph's Cathedral.State Auto's Christmas Corner at 518 E. Broad St. has been a beloved wintertime tradition for downtown visitors since the 1930s.The Nativity display was added in 1962.And you're correct — this year, its location will move.What's happening: State Auto recently donated all 80 pieces of the corner's historic, life-size Nativity to the Catholic Diocese of Columbus' nearby Museum of Catholic Art and History, The Catholic Times reports.The gift includes $250,000 to assist in preserving the tradition for years to come.What's next: Starting Nov. 24, you'll be able to view the display a few blocks west, on the lawn of St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St.Sign up for Axios Columbus for free.
How much it costs to live in Columbus
Data: The Council for Community and Economic Research; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosIt may not always feel like it, but living in Columbus is a good deal when compared to other large cities across the country, per a new analysis.Why it matters: Columbus' relatively low cost of living is a selling point for companies and people who want to be in a big city without a big price tag.Driving the news: Each quarter, the Council for Community and Economic Research assembles a cost-of-living index designed to measure "regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services."That includes housing, utilities, groceries, transportation,...
Best Day Ever: New Albany Library branch manager Paul Boyce
Paul Boyce took over as the New Albany library branch manager last week after 22 years serving in various customer service roles with the Columbus Metropolitan Library system.Here's how he would his Best Day Ever.🎵 Music to start your day: For the past six months, I cannot stop listening to the band Geese.They only have two albums, but their music is fantastic, and I appreciate the depth of the singer's voice.🍓 Breakfast: The Original Pancake House, and I would get their Dutch Baby with strawberries and bananas and a side of bacon.☕ Morning activity: Hanging out with my wife, sipping...
Drake and J. Cole's 2024 tour is coming to the Schott
Drake and J. Cole are teaming up for an early 2024 tour with shows at the Schottenstein Center on Feb. 20 and 21, Axios Cleveland's Troy Smith writes.What's happening: "It's All a Blur Tour — Big As the What?" starts Jan. 18 in Denver and wraps up March 27 in Birmingham, Alabama.The tour is an extension of Drake's 2023 "It's All a Blur" tour that played 50 sold-out dates across North America.If you go: Tickets go on sale to the general public 11am Friday.The intrigue: Drake's latest No. 1 hit, "First Person Shooter," tied him with Michael Jackson for the most No. 1 songs by a solo male artist on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.Check out all the datesSign up for Axios Columbus for free.
Columbus taking "census" of local music scene
Columbus can't just waltz its way to a better music scene — it needs to start listening to the music makers.Driving the news: That's the take from Music Columbus, a nonprofit supporting the local music industry that is conducting a "music census" through the end of this month.Why it matters: Organizers hope the project will give insight on how to attract more industry professionals to the region and help musicians make a living here.How it works: The online questionnaire is meant for those working professionally as a musician, educator, venue operator or in some other way supporting local music. Respondents...
Columbus taking "census" of local music scene
Columbus can't just waltz its way to a better music scene — it needs to start listening to the music makers.Driving the news: That's the take from Music Columbus, a nonprofit supporting the local music industry that is conducting a "music census" through the end of this month.Why it matters: Organizers hope the project will give insight on how to attract more industry professionals to the region and help musicians make a living here.How it works: The online questionnaire is meant for those working professionally as a musician, educator, venue operator or in some other way supporting local music. Respondents...
Food Truck Tour: Cilantro Latin Bistro
The latest stop on our Food Truck Tour, Cilantro Latin Bistro, dishes delicious Venezuelan flavors from a gas station parking lot.What I ate: A queen arepa, or crispy corn cake stuffed — and I mean stuffed — with shredded chicken, giant avocado slices and mild white panela cheese ($11.99).On the side: tostones, or twice-fried plantains ($2), and an Ohio Berry Blend smoothie ($6).Quick take: The arepa I ordered is a classic Venezuelan recipe reminiscent of chicken salad, but there are options for every palate, including fried eggs, beef, pork and vegetarian.Tostones are crispy and savory, not the soft, sweet plantains...
What to do this weekend in Columbus: Nov. 10-12
🤼 Watch wrestling stars face off in the ring when Nationwide Arena hosts WWE Friday Night SmackDown.7:45pm Friday. $24.50-$129.50.♻️ Celebrate creativity and sustainability at a National Recycling Day Art Show showcasing artwork made out of reused materials.11am-8pm Thursday, 11am-6pm Friday and Saturday. 50 W. Town St. Free!🎮 Level up at the TORG Gaming Expo, featuring over 400 vendors at the Ohio Expo Center.10am-5pm Saturday ($20) and 10am-4pm Sunday ($15). $30 weekend pass.🍺 Sip super brews while watching "The Marvels" at Grandview Theatre & Drafthouse.1pm Saturday, 1247 Grandview Ave. $40, includes 10 samples and a custom glass.🫧 Dive under the sea during "The Underwater Bubble Show," a visual spectacle that'll wow kids and adults alike.2pm and 5pm Saturday at the Davidson Theatre, 77 S. High St. $27-37.🎶 Join ProMusica for a family friendly concert at the Main Library and browse books related to the show.3pm Sunday. Free!⚽ Cheer on the Crew as the team tries to clinch a spot in the next MLS Cup Playoffs round at Lower.com Field.7pm Sunday. $43-108.Sign up for Axios Columbus for free.
A quick roundup of Franklin County election results
Here's a smart, fast recap of everything you need to know regarding Tuesday's statewide and local elections, according to unofficial results.Issue 1An amendment enshrining abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution passed, guaranteeing a person's right to an abortion and other reproductive care up until fetal viability.Go deeperIssue 2Ohioans also voted to legalize recreational marijuana usage for those 21 and older.Go deeperColumbus mayor and City CouncilColumbus Mayor Andrew Ginther won a third term to lead a place he has long called America's "Opportunity City."State of play: With 63% of the vote, he defeated challenger and perennial candidate Joe Motil, who ran...
OSU Buckeyes recruiting fewer Ohio football players
Data: cfbstats; Note: Regions based on Census Bureau classifications; Chart: Simran Parwani/AxiosThe era of homegrown talent in college football may become a thing of the past.State of play: An Axios analysis of recruiting data shows that college football programs in Ohio and across the country are increasingly recruiting from out of state, Simran Parwani reports.Between the lines: The growing professionalization and commercialization of college athletics is reshaping the recruiting landscape.With the changing transfer portal system and the emergence of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, college football programs are pressured to recruit and retain the best players regardless of academic...
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