Columbus
Axios Columbus
AEP Ohio electricity bills are going up
AEP Ohio customers will pay more to stay cool this summer, with standard bills expected to increase by about 28% starting Thursday.Driving the news: Rising demand and energy prices worldwide are making it more expensive for power plants to generate electricity โ a cost they charge to providers like AEP Ohio, which then pass it on to customers.AEP spokesperson Scott Blake tells Axios the increased cost to consumers is the "dollar for dollar" increased price they're facing.Be smart: Energy is deregulated in Ohio, meaning customers can shop around for electricity providers that offer the best prices.If your city offers...
Franklin County planning DEI conference
Franklin County is planning an inaugural conference later this year to promote the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in local workplaces.Driving the news: County commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution to spend just over $45,000 for rental space at the Hyatt Regency Columbus.Why it matters: While diversity training is taboo among those in the GOP-led Statehouse, DEI is a central priority for the Democratic-led county.The county's Office of Equity & Inclusion says it has worked in recent years to establish DEI standards at public agencies and make connections with minority-, LGBTQ+- and female-owned businesses.Details: Per the resolution, the Nov. 9 conference will be designed "for all who are looking to learn about best practices in DEI strategy, collaboration and education."Interactive workshops will help workplace leaders develop more inclusive cultures at local businesses and organizations.A spokesperson for the commissioners told Axios the county is in the early planning stages and did not yet have details on presentations or who will attend.Separately, commissioners plan to vote on a resolution to invest $20,000 toward Stonewall Columbus' upcoming Pride festivities.
Undeterred, the class of 2023 looks ahead
As area graduates toss their caps and look forward to the next chapter of their lives, they're hoping for more normalcy in the years ahead.Why it matters: The class of 2023 is the first to have had every year of high school impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Flashback: As freshmen, their "extended spring break" in March 2020 didn't exactly go as planned, and a majority of their sophomore year was on computer screens.Junior year was a whirlwind of uncertainty after COVID's omicron variant spiked.By comparison, senior year has felt fairly normal โ even with an August teachers strike in Columbus.Yes, but:...
Best Day Ever: Dublin Coffman grad Will Smialek
With summer break nearly here, we asked a graduating senior how he'd spend his time off for the latest entry in our Best Day Ever series.Before he heads to Harvard to study government and economics, here is Will Smialek's perfect day:๐ต Music to start your day: I love listening to positive, uplifting songs that get me going, including Metro, Brent Faiyaz and Macklemore.๐ Breakfast: I would probably go to First Watch and order their good watermelon drink during the summer, and the french toast. If I'm feeling particularlyย adventurous, I'll try the chorizo omelette, or another seasonal specialty.๐๏ธ Morning activity: Head...
Our Buckeye Country Superfest playlist
Buckeye Country Superfest is back at Ohio Stadium tomorrow, with the King of Country himself, George Strait, headlining.Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton and Warren Zeiders round out the bill.What's happening: Whether you're pregaming before the show or want to pretend you're there, we've made a Spotify playlist of their hits for your listening pleasure.Reality check: Country music isn't our specialty, but we consulted with an expert who gave us some great suggestions. (Address your thanks to our editor, Lindsey Erdody!)If you go: 4:30pm Saturday. It's nearly sold out, but Ticketmaster resale tickets start at $85.๐ต Give our playlist a listen
What to do this weekend in Columbus
๐โโ๏ธ Dive into a community pool โ many are opening for the season this weekend.Check with your local pool for hours and admission.๐ฝ Watch classic films with fellow movie buffs at the Columbus Moving Picture Show at Renaissance Downtown.Screenings start 9am daily through Sunday, 50 N. Third St. $25 daily, $80 for the weekend.โฉ๏ธ Enjoy live music, folk dancing and martial arts performances at the Asian Festival.10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday, Franklin Park. Free!๐คฟ Make a splash at Zoombezi Bay and meet new mascot Sam Pelican.10:30am-7pm, Saturday-Monday. $37-40, includes zoo admission.Afterward, dry off and ride the brand new Ferris wheel...
What to do this weekend in Columbus
๐โโ๏ธ Dive into a community pool โ many are opening for the season this weekend.Check with your local pool for hours and admission.๐ฝ Watch classic films with fellow movie buffs at the Columbus Moving Picture Show at Renaissance Downtown.Screenings start 9am daily through Sunday, 50 N. Third St. $25 daily, $80 for the weekend.โฉ๏ธ Enjoy live music, folk dancing and martial arts performances at the Asian Festival.10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday, Franklin Park. Free!๐คฟ Make a splash at Zoombezi Bay and meet new mascot Sam Pelican.10:30am-7pm, Saturday-Monday. $37-40, includes zoo admission.Afterward, dry off and ride the brand new Ferris wheel opening Saturday. $5.๐ต Listen to jazz and patriotic music at the Grove City Community Winds outdoor concert.7pm tonight, Town Center Park, 3359 Park St. Free!๐ Kick off the unofficial start of summer at Jeni's Strawberry Jam Festival.11am Saturday and Sunday, Land-Grant Brewing Co., 424 W. Town St. Free!๐ Celebrate Black culture and businesses during the Ohio Black Expo's Riverfront Culture Fest.11am-11pm Saturday and 11am-8pm Sunday, Genoa Park. $20 daily, $35 weekend.Plus, don't forget: Memorial Day events, the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival at Historic Crew Stadium, and Monday's Memorial Tournament practice round.
A weekend guide to visiting Columbus
Hey there, fellow Midwesterners. The Axios Columbus crew invites you to visit the "biggest small town in America."Whether you're here for a work convention, your kid's sports tournament or simply have a deep affinity for Wendy's and ranch dressing โฆ here's how to spend a great summer weekend in Columbus.What to doHead to the Arena District for lunch at our historic North Market, catch some pro soccer or minor league baseball (Wednesday is dollar night!), and then end the night with a drink and a stroll.If you're looking to beat the heat, peek inside King Tut's tomb at nearby COSI...
Brace for a Memorial Day weekend travel boom
If you're planning to leave Central Ohio this Memorial Day weekend, add some wiggle room for traffic and delays into your travel plan.Why it matters: AAA estimates this will be one of Ohio's busiest Memorial Day weekends ever, with more than 1.6 million Ohioans traveling over 50 miles โ a 6% increase over last year.The big picture: That's in line with a national increase of 7%, with some 2.3 million more people traveling compared with 2022, writes Axios' Sareen Habeshian.By the numbers: 11% more Ohioans are expected to fly to a destination this year and 5% more are expected to...
Brace for a Memorial Day weekend travel boom
If you're planning to leave Central Ohio this Memorial Day weekend, add some wiggle room for traffic and delays into your travel plan.Why it matters: AAA estimates this will be one of Ohio's busiest Memorial Day weekends ever, with more than 1.6 million Ohioans traveling over 50 miles โ a 6% increase over last year.The big picture: That's in line with a national increase of 7%, with some 2.3 million more people traveling compared with 2022, writes Axios' Sareen Habeshian.By the numbers: 11% more Ohioans are expected to fly to a destination this year and 5% more are expected to...
Memorial Day events in Central Ohio
Some free activities honoring U.S. military members this weekend:๐บ๐ธ Walk among 3,000 flags memorializing veterans at Westerville's Field of Heroes, a 24-hour display illuminated at night.Friday-Monday, 325 N. Cleveland Ave. Events schedule.๐๏ธ Visit the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, offering free admission on Monday.10am-5pm, with a rooftop Remembrance Ceremony at 10am.๐ชฆ Tour the historic Green Lawn Cemetery during an open house, including a cookout and picnic lunch.10am-4pm Monday, 1000 Greenlawn Ave.๐ฅ Watch a community parade, stepping off Monday unless otherwise noted.Dublin (11am), Grandview (10am Saturday), Groveport (1:30pm), Grove City (11am), Powell (10am) Worthington (10am).
2023 Memorial Tournament brings top pros back to Dublin
The world's best golfers return to Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin next week for the annual Memorial Tournament.State of play: The event, founded by local golf legend Jack Nicklaus, dates back to 1976 and benefits a number of local children's charities.Practice rounds are scheduled for Monday-Wednesday, with the four-day tournament beginning Thursday.The intrigue: The PGA Tour increased the prize pool to a whopping $20 million, by far the most in its history โ a major jump from last year's $12 million purse.Driving the news: The top five players on the Official World Golf Rankings are all headed back to Muirfield: Scottie Scheffler, John Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, along with Masters Tournament winners Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama.Cantlay (2019 and 2021), Rahm (2020) and Matsuyama (2014) are all past Memorial winners.If you go: Practice round tickets (sold in a set of three) are still available for $50 and a weeklong course entry badge is $240.Children 18 and under admitted free with a ticketed adult (registration required).Of note: You can also catch each round live on the Golf Channel and CBS Sports.
OSU backs Republican plan to create new student civics center
Ohio State University trustees support creating a new civics education center on campus, a plan pitched by Republican lawmakers as a counterweight to what they say is a left-leaning academic setting.Why it matters: The recent endorsement could be an olive branch to the GOP-controlled Statehouse, which is also pushing for a broader higher education overhaul that OSU and other universities oppose.State of play: Sens. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) and Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) want the proposed center to teach students the "ideas, traditions, and texts" that have shaped American history.It would be named for Salmon P. Chase, a famed 19th century lawyer,...
Columbus restaurants add "inflation fees" to bills
Take a close look at the receipt the next time you dine out.What's happening: Some local restaurants have started adding "inflation fees" to bills to mitigate rising food and labor costs, rather than increasing menu prices directly.Zoom in: Pizza Cottage, with several local locations, is charging 3% to all bills, while Forno in the Short North is charging 3% for all credit card transactions, WBNS-TV reports.What they're saying: "Put quite simply, it is helping many restaurants survive," Ohio Restaurant Association president and CEO John Barker tells Axios in a statement.The other side: Columbus Redditors criticized the move in some lengthy threads, alleging a lack of transparency regarding the charges.The big picture: Though unpopular, the trend has been happening for a while nationwide, Axios' Kelly Tyko reported last year.The number of restaurants adding service fees increased by 36% from April 2021 to April 2022, Lightspeed, a global developer of point-of-sale software, told The Wall Street Journal.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Columbus restaurants add "inflation fees" to bills
Take a close look at the receipt the next time you dine out.What's happening: Some local restaurants have started adding "inflation fees" to bills to mitigate rising food and labor costs, rather than increasing menu prices directly.Zoom in: Pizza Cottage, with several local locations, is charging 3% to all bills, while Forno in the Short North is charging 3% for all credit card transactions, WBNS-TV reports.What they're saying: "Put quite simply, it is helping many restaurants survive," Ohio Restaurant Association president and CEO John Barker tells Axios in a statement.The other side: Columbus Redditors criticized the move in some lengthy threads, alleging a lack of transparency regarding the charges.The big picture: Though unpopular, the trend has been happening for a while nationwide, Axios' Kelly Tyko reported last year.The number of restaurants adding service fees increased by 36% from April 2021 to April 2022, Lightspeed, a global developer of point-of-sale software, told The Wall Street Journal.
Sonic Temple returns to Columbus this weekend
Columbus will host some of the biggest names in rock music over the next four days.Why it matters: After a three-year hiatus, the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival is back.What's happening: The show starts tomorrow at Historic Crew Stadium. Tool, Avenged Sevenfold, KISS and Foo Fighters will each headline a day alongside dozens of other solid acts.Four-day passes are still available: Field admission ($474, fees included) grants main stage pit access, while stadium admission ($296) offers first-come, first-served seating in the stands.Pro tip: Cheaper single-day tickets are also an option, but field admission for Thursday (Tool) and Sunday (Foo Fighters) is already sold out.The festival offers a secure waitlist and exchange system, though, and we saw a few secondhand tickets on StubHub selling close to face value yesterday.๐ The intrigue: The weather forecast looks downright pleasant, which almost never happens.Go deeper: Tickets, schedules and our Spotify playlist.
Luxury apartments planned for downtown Chase Tower
With JP Morgan Chase now gone from its namesake tower near Capitol Square, developers have plans to replace the former offices with luxury apartments.Why it matters: The proposed Chase Tower project at 100 E. Broad St. involves the convergence of several local trends: a rise in luxury housing and the transformation of underused office buildings as many workers still clock in from home.Plus, the redevelopment helps the city with its goal of quadrupling the downtown residential population by 2040.State of play: JP Morgan Chase moved its local office workers to a separate campus in Polaris in 2021.Building owner Lingerfelt CommonWealth...
Ohio's favorite baby names in 2022
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration; Charts: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsOhio's Class of 2040 will be dominated by Olivers and Charlottes.Driving the news: These were the most popular baby names in Ohio last year, per the Social Security Administration.Liam, which has been No. 1 or 2 for boys every year since 2012, remained in the two slot.Olivia, the top girl name from 2019-2021, became runner-up.Rounding out the top five: Noah, Henry and Theodore, and Amelia, Sophia and Ava.The intrigue: As seen in the chart above, a boy is twice as likely to be named Crew in Ohio than the rest of the...
Another boozy bike tour is coming to Columbus
Columbus will soon have competition in the pedal-powered party bike industry with the arrival of Trolley Pub next month.State of play: Founder Joe Kapferer, a Buckeye State native and OSU grad, promises an "enriching and enlightening experience" atop his trolley bikes.He previously worked for the similar company Pedal Wagon Columbus.How it works: Up to 15 revelers can fit on a Trolley Pub rental for two-hour tours of the Short North, Italian Village, Arena District and downtown.The group cost runs $349-469, with stops at riders' bars of choice.Or you can purchase individual tickets ($25-33) for a "mixer tour."The intrigue: Drivers will offer historical tidbits on various landmarks along the route.๐ค That gives us a great idea: start charging for a snack-based tour of Franklin County's historical markers.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Another boozy bike tour is coming to Columbus
Columbus will soon have competition in the pedal-powered party bike industry with the arrival of Trolley Pub next month.State of play: Founder Joe Kapferer, a Buckeye State native and OSU grad, promises an "enriching and enlightening experience" atop his trolley bikes.He previously worked for the similar company Pedal Wagon Columbus.How it works: Up to 15 revelers can fit on a Trolley Pub rental for two-hour tours of the Short North, Italian Village, Arena District and downtown.The group cost runs $349-469, with stops at riders' bars of choice.Or you can purchase individual tickets ($25-33) for a "mixer tour."The intrigue: Drivers will offer historical tidbits on various landmarks along the route.๐ค That gives us a great idea: start charging for a snack-based tour of Franklin County's historical markers.
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