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We tried bubblegum deviled eggs at the State Fair
If you're searching for the perfect Ohio State Fair snack and have an adventurous palate, I think I've cracked the code. It's deviled eggs, with 16 flavors including espresso, bubblegum and hot dog. I know, I know … but hear me out. What I ate: A "new flavor flight"...
Central Ohioans to watch at the Olympics
LeBron James will carry the American flag during today's opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but he's not the only Ohio athlete to root for in the weeks ahead.Why it matters: Fourteen Ohioans will compete for Team USA, including two who live in our region. Other competitors also have ties to Central Ohio.Case in point: Ohio State University announced that 24 of its current, former and incoming student-athletes are competing, representing 10 countries — its second-largest contingent ever.Seven are on Team USA.How to watch: Today's opening ceremony begins at 1:30pm. The games are on NBC and Peacock...
What to do in Columbus this weekend
🎶 Enjoy live music and food trucks during Bicentennial Park's weekly summer concert series.5:30pm Friday, 223 S. Civic Center Drive. Through Sept. 13. Free!🎭 See Shakespeare in the park as the Actors' Theatre of Columbus performs "Twelfth Night," a wild comedy of mistaken identity, lovesick servants and revenge.8pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Schiller Park, 1069 Jaeger St. Through Aug. 11. Free!Pro tip: Bring your own chair or blanket.🎺 Welcome TBDBITL to Picnic with the Pops, with fireworks and fight songs played alongside the Columbus Symphony at the Columbus Commons.8pm Friday and Saturday, 160 S. High St. $43 general admission.🩰 Take...
Ohio's purged voters can register again
Ohioans purged from the voting rolls for inactivity have the chance to register again and cast a ballot in the November general election.Catch up quick: Nearly 160,000 voters faced cancellation this summer, including 23,265 registered in Franklin County.The state regularly removes voters who died or moved away, but the system also flags those with four consecutive years of voting inactivity.Counties sent letters to flagged voters in May urging them to respond by July 22 or else face removal.State of play: Use this online tool to check the status of your voter registration.If you are no longer registered — or never were — you can register online or by visiting a county board of elections office.The state website also allows you to quickly update your listed address.What's next: Eligible voters must register by Oct. 7 to cast ballots in the November general election.
A guide to the 2024 Ohio State Fair
The deep fryers are sizzlin' and the butter cow is mooin', which can only mean one thing: The 169th annual Ohio State Fair has arrived.Driving the news: The fair opens this morning, with 12 full days of live entertainment, animal wrangling and food-truck munching.Heads up: Organizers announced a new chaperone policy for young fairgoers.After 6pm, all children under 18 years old must be accompanied by someone 21 or older to enter the fairgrounds.An exception: Concert attendees under 18 can enter with a valid concert ticket and must leave the fairgrounds once the show ends, or meet up with their responsible...
Former Columbus Zoo CEO pleads guilty
Tom Stalf, former president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, pleaded guilty yesterday to 15 felonies for his role in its financial scandal. Why it matters: The plea deal ahead of his Aug. 6 trial date includes an agreement to pay nearly $315,600 in restitution, in addition to $400,000 already paid on his behalf in 2021, reportedly by his current employer.
Where to watch the MLS All-Star Game in Columbus
The MLS All-Star Game kicks off at Lower.com Field tomorrow at 8pm.Here's where to watch the MLS' best for free if you aren't headed to the stadium.🍺 See it on the big screen in Land-Grant's beer garden while drinking Glory, a Crew-themed brew.8pm, 424 W. Town Street.🥳 Play Nordecke bingo at Endeavor Brewing and Spirits to win free swag before kickoff.6:30pm, 909 W. 5th Ave.🎰 Get a $25 gift card to Fanatics' online store if you're one of the first 50 people to enter a watch party at Fanatics Sportsbook.6pm, 401 N. Front St.Plus: Stream the game live exclusively on...
We're back with another Local Matters meal
Alissa here, reporting back after completing my second monthly meal kit from the nonprofit Local Matters.How it works: Order kits online and a bright green Veggie Van will deliver them for free within the I-270 outerbelt.It's similar to HelloFresh or Home Chef but at a cheaper price of just $10 per meal.This month's meal: Rice and a creamy Thai coconut soup with carrots, mushrooms, onion, bok choy and lots of curry.💭 My thought bubble: The meals continue to be worth the cost, with fresh ingredients and good portions — but I continue to struggle with following the directions.Unlike last month, I...
Everything you need to know about the MLS All-Star Game in Columbus
Major League Soccer's best players are headed to Columbus for next week's All-Star Game, but some fans may be disappointed, as the biggest star may not play.Why it matters: Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi, one of the most talented soccer players and famous people on the planet, was expected to participate in the game for the first time and make his Columbus debut.Yes, but: Messi has suffered an ankle injury. He didn't play in Miami's match on Wednesday and is being evaluated on a weekly basis, his coach said that night.As of Thursday, it wasn't clear if he'll appear in...
MLS All-Star Week events kick off this weekend
In addition to the big game, there are plenty of other activities for fans of all ages.🎉 Kick off the fun at the Soccer Celebration, with music, games, player appearances and more at McFerson Commons Park.4:30-9:30pm Saturday and 3-7pm Sunday, 218 West St. Free!🍺 Watch the Crew take on Atlanta United FC during Land-Grant's watch party.7:30pm Saturday, 424 W. Town St. Free!🎵 Get "Happier" at Nationwide Arena, where Marshmello and PinkPantheress will perform.7:30pm Sunday. $35.❤️ Make a difference by packing meals for families in need, with a celebration to follow.9am-2:30pm Monday, Nationwide Arena. Sign up for a volunteer shift.😮 See...
Jeni's debuts special MLS All-Star Game flavor
Heads up, Jeni's fans: a new limited-edition ice cream flavor, "Cookies & Cleats," is debuting this weekend.Dig in: The flavor "combines dark chocolate and truffle-like cookies with white chocolate flecks in a vanilla-scented cream," per a news release.Where to find it:Attend this weekend's Soccer Celebration at McFerson Commons Park (4:30-9:30pm Saturday and 3-7pm Sunday, 218 West St.).Visit Jeni's in the Short North (714 N. High St.) and North Market (59 Spruce St.) Monday-Wednesday.Plus: A truck will travel the city on Monday giving it away for free.👀 Email columbus@axios.com and let us know if you find it! For … journalism purposes, of course.Go deeper: Everything you need to know about the MLS All-Star Game in ColumbusA list of MLS All-Star Week events for fans of all ages, beyond the big game
Columbus' fastest-growing age group is 65+
Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Alice Feng/AxiosGrowth among the 65-and-up population in Columbus far outpaced that of other age groups from 2020-2023, according to the latest census estimates.Why it matters: As our city's population surges, much of the focus is on young professionals, but this data is a reminder to be mindful of older residents' needs, like health care, transportation and affordable housing.State of play: In 2023, 13.5% of Franklin County's population was over 65, or over 172,000 people, per census data.That group made up just 10% of the county's population in 2010.It's expected to grow to over 15% by...
Earn free swag, prizes before the MLS All-Star Game
A few days remain to earn free Major League Soccer merch and other prizes ahead of the All-Star Game at Lower.com Field.How it works: Sign up for the All-Star Rewards program here, then take your phone to one of more than 50 participating local businesses.Find the QR code pictured above and scan it.Earn points by playing an augmented reality game — it might involve scratching a virtual lottery ticket or kicking a virtual soccer ball into a goal.By the numbers: Players can earn eight points daily per site, for a total of 456 per day.That means there's still time to snag prizes like a hoodie (175 points), T-shirt (90), scarf (40) or pennant flag (20).🤯 The top player has racked up roughly 3,000 points since the program started June 20.What's next: Sunday is the last day to redeem points.Go deeper: Our data team created an interactive map of all participating sites.
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