Columbus Curiosity - 1st August 2025

Hey Columbus crew—

Ready for a spin through summer’s strangest?

This week we’ve got 30-year-frozen embryos going viral, pro football pulling a stadium switcheroo, and a 14-day tax-free spree on everything from sushi rolls to guinea-pig sweaters.

Meanwhile, 135 suburbs are slamming the door on pot shops as you chase glowing zoo lanterns, hand-pulled noodles, and $99 omakase under the stars.

The Lineup:

🗞️ News You Missed – Frozen-for-30-years baby goes viral, pro football pulls a stadium switcheroo, Ohio’s tax-free holiday hits everything from sushi to guinea-pig sweaters, and 135 towns slam the door on pot shops.

🔍 Hidden Gems – Xi Xia’s hand-pulled noodles, Joy House’s Peking duck, midnight pizza at Borgata, Haru’s $99 omakase, plus Parlor Doughnuts and Scoops With Smiles grand openings.

🎟️ What’s On This Week – Zoo lanterns, Dublin’s Irish fest, cult-classic movie sing-alongs, IPA deep dives, lakeside chamber music, Office trivia, Nirvana tribute, and ballgames under the lights.

Let’s dive into this weeks chaos:

🚨 The Headlines

👶 Ohio’s Time-Traveling Baby: Frozen Since ’94, Thawed for TikTok

Meet Thaddeus Pierce: embryo frozen for 30 years (11,148 days!), born to Lindsey and Tim Pierce after 7 years of infertility. Science flex: Survived thawing via "complex handling" (aka embryologist wizardry).

Existential chaos:

• Record: Beats previous by 243 days.

• Sister: Literally 30 years older.

• Parent quote: "He’s so chill." Meanwhile, millennials: "ARE WE THE EMBRYOS?!"

→ Science flex

🏟️ UFL’s Stadium Shuffle: Lower.com or Historic Crew?

ESPN swore Columbus’ new pro football team would play at Lower.com Field… until they didn’t. Turns out, owner Mike Repole prefers Historic Crew Stadium’s "cozy" 21K seats. Translation: cheaper rent + louder drunk fans.

Cold hard facts:

• Capacity: 21,000 (intimate = "you’ll smell the sweat").

• Priorities: "Lively perception" > functioning bathrooms.

• Silver lining: Tailgates just got shorter walks.

→ Trust issues?

🛍️ Tax-Free Frenzy: Nachos, Leggings &… Pet Food?

Ohio’s sales tax holiday (Aug 1-14) is back! Save on anything under $500… except "fun" stuff like weed or bourbon.

Chaos checklist:

• Walmart’s Brooke Johnson: "Pencils are cheaper!" Columbus parents weeping.

• Included: Dine-in sushi, guitar strings, guinea pig sweaters.

• Excluded: Your dignity after buying 14 inflatable pool flamingos.

→ Nacho savings

🚫 135 Towns to Pot Shops: "Not in My Suburban Dystopia"

Recreational weed’s legal, but 135 Ohio towns (Powell, Westerville, Delaware) banned sales.

Powell’s been "studying zoning codes" for 2 years. Translation: "We’ll allow another self-storage facility instead."

Reality check:

• Bans/moratoriums: 135+ municipalities.

• Official cop-out: "We need more research."

→ Map of shame

🍜Our pick of Chinese spots

• Xi Xia (Kenny Rd.): Hand-pulled noodles + "crazy good meat dishes." Fresh enough to slap your senses.

• Q2 China Bistro (Westerville): Westerville’s top Chinese pick. Crab rangoons or pho? Yes.

• Joy House (Dublin): Dublin’s go-to for Peking duck magic. Crispy. Messy. Worth it.

🏆 Splurge-Worthy Legends

1. Borgata Pizza Cafe (Worthington): NY slices + boozy arcade rage = Thursday’s therapy. Open till midnight.

2. Haru Omakase (Polaris): $99 sushi séance with bluenose fish. Chef Yudi’s knife skills could split atoms.

🌮 Fresh & Local Scoop

• Parlor Doughnuts (Lewis Center): Aug 9 opening! Turtle cheesecake doughnuts + breakfast tacos = moral dilemma.

• Scoops With Smiles (Groveport): Disability-inclusive joy + caramel crunch ice cream. Happiness served at -10°F.

Friday 1st August:

Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival – Columbus Zoo & Aquarium (Aug 1)

Enormous glowing pandas, dragons, and sea creatures roam the zoo after dark.

→ Light up your night

Dublin Irish Festival – Coffman Park (Aug 1–3)

Celtic tunes, step-dancing, artisan markets, and endless shepherd’s pie under Irish flags.

→ Grab your leprechaun vibes

Dylan Bram & Gabriel Koempel’s Smorgasbord – Natalie’s Grandview

A culinary-musical mash-up of fresh local dishes and live acoustic jams.

→ Savor the set

Columbus Crew vs. Puebla (Leagues Cup) – Lower.com Field (7 PM)

MLS meets Liga MX in a one-off knockout showdown.

→ Score your seat

Saturday 2ND August:

The Princess Bride (1987) – Ohio Theatre (7:30 PM)

“As you wish” under the marquee—iconic flick, timeless laughs.

→ Claim your ticket

Rough E Rodeo – Taft Coliseum (6 PM)

Bull riding and barrel racing in a classic Ohio rodeo throw-down.

→ Rope in your pass

Poindexter Village Drum Circle – Champion Park (12 PM)

Community beats and good vibes by the old village.

→ Join the rhythm

Sunday 3RD August:

Behind the Beers – Weiland’s Market (2 PM)

IPA evolution 101 with Joshua M. Bernstein: five samples, snacks, and a free Columbus Monthly.

→ Claim your tasting glass

Demola Live – Lincoln Theatre (7 PM)

Afrobeat meets jazz fusion in a one-night sonic journey.

→ Snag your seat

Buzz & Bloom Fest – Easton Town Center (12 PM)

Local brews, artisan blooms, and live music in the outdoor plaza.

→ Taste the buzz

Summer Flea – Seventh Son Brewing Co. (12 PM)

Vintage finds and cold pours—shop, sip, repeat.

→ Hit the market

Monday 4TH August:

Igor & Red Elvises – Rumba Café (7 PM)

Surf-punk meets Soviet ska for a wild, genre-bending set.

→ Grab your spot

Punk Rock Karaoke – Spacebar (10 PM)

Belt out your Clash faves—air guitars strongly encouraged.

→ Book your mic

Sea Glass Mosaic Class – Terra Gallery (10:30 AM)

Turn beach glass into art—take home your seaside masterpiece.

→ Reserve your tile

Tuesday 5TH August:

Columbus Crew vs. León – Lower.com Field, 7:30 PM

A one-off Leagues Cup thriller as MLS meets Liga MX under the lights.

→ Grab your ticket

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra – Alum Creek Park Amphitheater (Aug 5, 7 PM)

David Danzmayr leads a radiant summer program by the lakeside—chamber classics beneath the stars.

→ Score your seat

Smells Like Nirvana

– Bicentennial Park Amphitheater (Aug 5, 6:30 PM)

A high-octane tribute to the kings of grunge—relive Cobain’s classics under the stars.

→ Grab your tickets

Wednesday 6TH August:

The Office Themed Trivia – The Bar at Echo Spirits Distilling Co. (6:30–8:30 PM)

Channel your inner Michael Scott and quiz yourself on all things Dunder Mifflin—prizes include free pours and endless “that’s what she said” jokes.

→ Book your trivia team

JGBCB: Jerry Garcia Band Cover Band – Woodlands Tavern, 7:00 PM

Relive the Dead’s groove with this faithful tribute under cozy lounge lights.

→ Join the jam

UNWELL at The King of Clubs – King of Clubs (6:00 PM)

Darkwave duo UNWELL brings brooding synths and haunting vocals for a one-night-only set.

→ Snag your spot

Thursday 7th August:

Columbus Clippers vs. Gwinnett Stripers – Huntington Park (7:05 PM)

Baseball under the lights—catch the Clippers battle the Stripers with fireworks after the game and $2 draft specials in the 9th inning.

→ Grab your bleacher ticket

National IPA Day – Columbus Brewing Co. Beer Hall, 11:00 AM

Celebrate America’s favorite hoppy holiday with rare taps and special pours.

→ Tap in

Waitress – Short North Stage, 7:00 PM

Tony-winning musical serves up pies, punchy tunes, and big heart.

→ Grab your seat

🤔 Topic of the Week

“State Fair: Nostalgia vs. New Reality”

Every summer, the Ohio State Fair feels like home, but this year, long-time fairgoers are torn. Construction’s replaced the Ag Building, favorite booths have vanished, and corn dogs shot from $1 to $7.

Some miss chasing down a $3 juice refill and the Giant Yellow Slide; others are excited for next year’s all-new Ag pavilion. Meanwhile, a haze of festival-style vaping has even seasoned attendees gasping for air.

Locals are weighing in from childhood summers selling ice cream to last week’s sky-glider reminder of the fairgrounds’ true magic asking: can this storied tradition grow without leaving its roots (and its fans) behind?

That’s a wrap on this week’s whirlwind of thawed embryos, nacho tax breaks, and arcade pizza therapy.

Whether you’re dodging suburban weed bans or debating State Fair corn dog inflation—stay weird, Columbus.

Until next week,
Stay curious. Stay caffeinated.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity