Columbus Curiosity - 12th September 2025

Hey Columbus crew,

This week’s chaos covers everything from a couple flexing a 7,200-square-foot lake house, to OSU lawyers beefing with Michigan over a cocktail, to City Council trying to future-proof a city that still can’t future-proof its potholes.

You’ll find seafood towers downtown, vinyl shops that’ll drain your wallet, bluegrass bands, fashion week struts, and yes another round of Columbus drivers vs. stationary buildings. (Spoiler: the buildings are undefeated.)

The Lineup:

🗞️ News – A $7.2M-style lake house flex, OSU vs. Michigan over “Buckeye Tears,” City Council’s 2050 plan, and 9/11 tributes across Central Ohio.

💎 Hidden Gems – Oyster Fest downtown, CHA’s matcha magic, 7Brew’s 20,000 drink combos, Izakaya Ryu’s ramen glow-up, and taco royalty across the city.

🎶 What’s Happenin’ – Sept 12–18: Jazz on the river, 934 Fest chaos, Buckeyes vs. Ohio, Trampled by Turtles, Eric Church, and Fashion Week Columbus.

🚗 Topic of the Week – Cars keep crashing into Columbus buildings—memes, “0 days since” signs, and a city still wondering who Driver Ed really is.

Let’s dive into this week’s chaos:

🚨 The Headlines

A Couple Built Their Dream Lake House

Gary and Donna Vance just dropped the ultimate flex: a 7,200-square-foot lake house on Choctaw Lake with a woodworking studio, home theater, wine cellar, and a pub.

Because why have one hobby when you can have ten?

The Backstory:

• The Vances: Went from “lake people??” to “lake PEOPLE.”

• The House: Includes reclaimed wood from a 200-year-old barn and a bean pot from Gary’s great-grandparents (because nostalgia sells).

• The Vibe: “Grandchild magnet” (their words, not mine).

→ Read the full tour

OSU Is Suing Michigan Over “Buckeye Tears”

An Ann Arbor bar called The Brown Jug is serving a drink called “Buckeye Tears,” and OSU’s legal team is not having it. They claim it could mislead people into thinking OSU endorses alcoholism (which, honestly, have they been to a tailgate?).

The Drama:

• The Bar: Posted a video saying, “We’ve been serving them for years.”

• OSU: Filing paperwork instead of, you know, winning football games.

• Me: Still waiting for “Michigan Tears” to hit Ohio bars.

→ Sip the tea

Columbus City Council Is Future-Proofing the City

With Columbus expected to hit 3 million people by 2050, the city council launched “Columbus Forward”, a plan to tackle housing, wage transparency, and public safety.

The Highlights:

• ADUs: Making it easier to build tiny homes in your backyard (because who doesn’t want a mother-in-law suite for their mother-in-law?).

• Wage Transparency: Requiring employers to disclose salary ranges (so you can finally know you’re underpaid).

• Public Safety: Modernizing crime reporting and cracking down on sketchy short-term rentals.

→ Get the details

Central Ohio Honors 9/11 Heroes

Ceremonies across the region paid tribute to the lives lost on September 11, 2001, from the National Veterans Memorial to Motts Military Museum.

The Moments:

• Bagpipes, Silence, and Tears: Because some memories never fade.

• 2,977 Flags: Displayed at the Statehouse, each representing a life lost.

• The Promise: “Never forget.”

→ Remember with us

💎 Hidden Gems & Local Legends

Oyster Festival Takes Over Downtown

Hank’s Seafood is throwing an oyster extravaganza beneath the “Current” sculpture at Gay and High. There’ll be shucking, roasting, and enough seafood towers to make you feel fancy.

Pro Tip: Bring the kids for oyster shell painting (because nothing says “family fun” like mollusks).

→ RSVP here

Spots That'll Make You Forget Your Grocery List Exists

CHA Redefine (Henderson): West Coast matcha magic meets Columbus. Chapuccinos, popcorn lattes, and enough trendy vibes to make your Instagram followers jealous.

7Brew (High Street): 20,000 drink combos and a walk-thru concept for broke-but-caffeinated students. Decision paralysis is included at no extra cost.

Izakaya Ryu (Lane Ave): Fukuryu’s glow-up: same slappin’ ramen, now with sake, skewers, and table service. No more ordering at the counter like a commoner.

Best Mexican Spots in the City

1. Cuco’s Taqueria (Henderson): Portions so big you’ll need a nap.

2. Los Guachos: Al pastor that’ll change your life.

3. Lupita’s (South High): Patio vibes and top-tier tacos.

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment

Fri, September 12th

Columbus Jazz Orchestra @ Bicentennial Park

Free riverfront concert with Byron Stripling leading the band—big sound, skyline backdrop.

→ Plan your night

934 Fest @ 934 Gallery (Day 1)

Indie art + music micro-festival with vendors, installations, and stacked local sets.

→ See the lineup

3rd Annual Olde Towne East Jazz Festival @ Blackburn Rec Center

Neighborhood fest, multiple bands, family friendly—easy vibes and great food trucks.

→ Details

Sat, September 13th

Ohio State vs. Ohio @ Ohio Stadium

In-state showdown in the Shoe. Expect wall-to-wall scarlet and the loudest afternoon in town.

→ Get tickets

Trampled by Turtles & The 502s @ KEMBA LIVE!

Bluegrass-to-folk rocket fuel; sing-along choruses and serious pickin’.

→ Tickets

Eric Church @ Nationwide Arena

Arena-size country with a deep catalog—big production, bigger hooks.

→ Tickets

Chihuly Nights @ Franklin Park Conservatory

Glass sculptures glowing after dark through the gardens—stunning walkabout.

→ Reserve entry

Sun, September 14th

Sparks: MAD! Tour @ KEMBA LIVE!

Art-pop legends with a career-spanning set—smart, theatrical, and rare.

→ Tickets

The Backseat Lovers & Sleeper’s Bell @ Newport Music Hall

Indie-rock darlings bringing the big choruses to High Street.

→ Get in

Fashion Week Columbus (Opening Day)

Runway week kicks off—designer showcases and citywide events all week.

→ See events

CREATE! Community Art Making @ Boardman Arts Park

Hands-on, family-friendly art day—drop in, make something, meet neighbors.

→ Details

Sundays at Scioto @ Scioto Park Amphitheater

Free outdoor concert series—music, sunsets, and riverfront vibes.

→ Attend now

Mon, September 15th

Deafheaven @ The Bluestone

Post-metal meets shoegaze—towering soundscapes and cathartic live energy.

→ Tickets

Adult Writing Workshop: Constructing Scenes in Fiction & Memoir @ Thurber Center

Hands-on workshop to sharpen your storytelling and scene-building skills.

→ Register

2025 ATP Columbus Challenger @ Ty Tucker Tennis Center

Top-tier tennis action with rising stars competing for the crown.

→ Get tickets

Tue, September 16th

Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert (20th Anniversary Tour) @ Palace Theatre

Relive the beloved series with a live orchestra bringing the score to life.

→ Tickets

Columbus Clippers vs. Omaha Storm Chasers @ Huntington Park

Minor league baseball, big-league fun — peanuts and Cracker Jack required.

→ Get in

PROF: Dirty Work Tour ft. Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Reeves Junya & Willie Wonka @ KEMBA LIVE!

Rowdy hip-hop showcase packed with beats, bars, and energy.

→ Details

AJ Angelo @ Giammarco’s

Local favorite serving up live tunes with your Tuesday pizza.

→ Details

Wed, September 17th

An Evening With David Byrne @ Mershon Auditorium

The Talking Heads legend brings his iconic mix of art rock, storytelling, and stagecraft.

→ Tickets

The Beaches: No Hard Feelings Tour ft. Debbii Dawson @ KEMBA LIVE!

Canadian rockers crash Columbus with infectious hooks and high-energy vibes.

→ Get in

Meet the Author: Meg Cabot @ Westerville South High School

The bestselling author of The Princess Diaries shares stories, insights, and answers fan questions.

→ Details

Taste of the Town @ Makoy Center (Presented by Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce)

Sample bites from local restaurants, sip drinks, and celebrate the city’s culinary scene.

→ See more

Thu, September 18th

Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) 2025 @ Various Locations

A citywide celebration of comics and cartoons — panels, signings, screenings, and artist meetups all weekend long.

→ See events

Etienne Charles & Creole Soul @ Wexner Center for the Arts

Trumpeter and composer fusing jazz, Caribbean rhythms, and storytelling into an unforgettable live set.

→ Tickets

Dylan Wheeler @ The Bluestone

Texas country-rock rising star bringing heartfelt lyrics and gritty energy to Columbus.

→ Grab your spot

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship @ Upper Arlington

One of the premier stops on the Korn Ferry Tour — future PGA stars compete for glory.

→ See details

🚗 Topic of the Week

Columbus vs. Cars (Round 27)

At this point, it feels like every other week a car in Columbus decides to cosplay as a wrecking ball. Houses, libraries, CVS stores no building is safe.

Reddit’s having a field day

• “Waiting for the right building to come along.”

• “Are these buildings reckless, or is it just me?”

Between the memes and the “0 days since a car has driven into a building” signs making the rounds, it’s basically become a running city-wide inside joke.

Is it bad drivers? Too many short commutes? Secret initiation rite to become a true Columbus local? Nobody knows, except maybe Driver’s Ed (whoever Ed is).

😀See You Next Week

From oyster shell painting to Meg Cabot sightings, from “Buckeye Tears” cocktails to cars redecorating libraries, Columbus somehow manages to outdo itself every seven days.

So hydrate, tip your bartenders, and maybe invest in a “0 Days Since a Car Has Driven Into a Building” sign for your front porch.

Until next week,
Stay curious. Stay caffeinated.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity