Hey there, Columbus crew—

This week’s news cycle hit us like a rogue BB gun pellet—unexpected, slightly painful, and very Ohio.

We’ve got lawmakers cosplaying as comic book fans, a YMCA getting a millennial makeover, and a kerosene spill that turned ducks into tragic oil slicks.

Oh, and someone’s serving serial killer last meals as a dining experience. Just another Tuesday, right?

Here’s the rundown:

• 🦸 Superman, Officially Ours? House Bill 270 wants to crown the Man of Steel as Ohio’s official superhero.

• 🍦 Gas Station? More Like Ice Cream Palace. A retrofitted Sunoco in Pickerington now dishes rooftop cones and small-town nostalgia by the scoop.

• 🔪 Horror Museum = Dinner + Ghosts. Coming soon: Haunted artifacts, serial killer last meals, and trauma tees.

• 🗓️ Events: May 23–29: Festivals, splash zones, farewell concerts, and drunk PowerPoints. We picked 3 can’t-miss events per day.

🚨 The Headlines

 🦸 Superman vs. Ohio Lawmakers: Dawn of the Bill

Ohio’s legislature is fighting harder for Superman’s statehood than Lois Lane fights for headlines.

House Bill 270 wants to crown Clark Kent’s alter ego as Ohio’s official superhero by 2033—because nothing says “cultural legacy” like waiting until the copyright expires.

Why it’s wild:

• Cleveland’s already flexing hard in the new movie trailer. Superman’s dog Krypto is now literally the only thing cuter than a Cavs win.

• Lawmakers quoted the “cultural significance” of Superman. Translation: “We saw the movie poster and lost our minds.”

• Fun fact: Superman was created by two Glenville High teens in the ’30s. So really, this bill is just Ohio claiming credit for procrastination turned genius.

→ Watch the trailer here (Ohio’s new claim to fame)

🏚️ YMCA’s Glow-Up: From Dorm Vibes to Doormen Vibes

The 100-year-old Downtown YMCA is trading sweaty gym socks for affordable housing chic. Developer Woda Cooper’s turning this relic into 121 apartments, because nothing says “modern luxury” like removing fire escapes and adding a stairwell that isn’t haunted.

Hot takes:

• 33 units for folks making 80% AMI (aka “I can almost afford avocado toast”).

• The rest? For incomes between 30-60% AMI (aka “avocado slices”).

• Mayor’s quote: “The facade stays, but the interior won’t look like a Depression-era dorm.” Translation: “We’re adding Wi-Fi and calling it artisanal.”

→ Tour the future home of $1,500 “micro-lofts”

🦆 Kerosene vs. Ducks: Ohio’s Saddest Standoff

A 2,500-gallon kerosene leak in Whitehall turned a family of ducks into real-life Deepwater Horizon extras. Spoiler: The ducklings didn’t make it. Cue the Sarah McLachlan music.

Why it’s bleak but (kinda) hopeful:

• ODNR agents tried to save them with a Netflix true crime doc level of urgency.

• Expert quote: “The creek’ll recover in a year.” So, just in time for the next spill!

• GFL Environmental’s response? [Crickets]. Classic.

→ Pour one out for the ducks

👩💼 Columbus Moms: Working Hard or Hardly Working?

Columbus ranked #6 for working moms, beating Cincy by a whole $2k in median income. Let’s unpack:

• 78.1% of moms here are employed (the other 21.9% are too busy Googling “how to mute PTA emails”).

• 5.1 coworking spaces per 100k people. Translation: “We see you, laptop warriors hiding from your kids in coffee shops.”

• Shoutout to Akron/Dayton/Toledo for also making the list. Midwest moms: over-caffeinated and under-slept since 1825.

→ Flex your mom superpowers

💦 Scioto Mile Fountain Reopens

Columbus’ splashiest summer ritual is back! The revamped fountain at Scioto Mile kicks off its season with LED light shows, jets that could double as a car wash, and a soundtrack stuck in 2001 (NSYNC included, no refunds).

🔥 Fountain fast facts:

• Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily (avoid 3 p.m. unless you enjoy toddler cannonballs).

• New features: Jets that hit like a middle-school dodgeball squad.

• Soundtrack: “Bye Bye Bye” on loop (because irony is dead).

→ Plan your splash attack

🍦 Johnson’s Ice Cream: Gas Station Turned Sugar Palace

The Bexley-born legend just opened its 9th location in a retrofitted Pickerington Sunoco station. Rooftop patio? Check. Mayor-approved vibes? Check. Flavors that’ll make you forget it ever sold unleaded? Double-check.

🔥 Cone-worthy highlights:

• Rotating “Dairy Dare” flavor: This week’s? Gasoline Swirl (kidding… probably).

• Rooftop views: Perfect for pretending you’re fancy (spoiler: you’re not).

• Mayor’s pitch: “Elevate Pickerington” = “Eat ice cream higher up.”

→ Climb for custard

🔪 Ohio Museum of Horror: Death Row Dinners & Ghostly Regrets

Opening July in Galion’s definitely haunted 1900s building, this museum pairs cursed artifacts (haunted Ouija boards, human bones) with a restaurant serving serial killers’ last meals.

🔥 Nightmare fuel:

• The Last Meal menu: Dahmer’s “Meatloaf Surprise” (don’t ask).

• Ghost tours: Because Ohio’s history is 10% corn, 90% trauma.

• Gift shop: “I Survived” tees for that cousin who loves true crime podcasts.

→ Pre-book your trauma

🎉 Dulce Vida Grand Opening: Sugar Bomb Incoming

The Mexican ice cream shop’s 5th location on Hamilton Road is bribing kids with free popsicles (first 50 only) while parents drown in agua fresca and regret.

🔥 Sweet rebellion:

• 40+ flavors: From mango-chamoy to “diablo chile” (RIP your tastebuds).

• Parent hack: Let kids OD on paletas, then “lose them” in the horror museum’s gift shop.

• Secret agenda: Prove sugar is a food group.

→ Claim your chaos

Friday, May 23

🍴 Food Truck Festival & Shop Hop @ Grove City Town Center

Roll deep with your crew and snack your way through local food trucks, vendors, and live tunes.

→ Bring the appetite

🎸 Logan Halstead & Willy Tea Taylor @ Rumba Café

Folk and Americana energy at its finest. Come for the heartfelt lyrics, stay for the cold drinks.

→ Catch the vibe

🎶 Trouble @ Ace of Cups

A gritty night of hard rock and guitar grit. Perfect for letting loose and headbanging out the week.

→ Get details

Saturday, May 24

🎏 Asian Festival @ Franklin Park

Cultural showcases, authentic food, live music, and 100,000+ people showing up for the vibes.

→ Join the celebration

🌮 Columbus Taco Fest @ Goodale Park

Tacos, tequila, and the ultimate weekend mood. Your Cinco de Mayo do-over starts here.

→ Taco 'bout a party

🎤 The Scratches Farewell Show @ Rumba Café

Columbus alt-rock staples The Scratches are calling it a night—with a stacked lineup of Huge Euge, The Out, and Prime Directive to send ‘em off. Expect loud guitars, big feels, and one last singalong.

→ Say goodbye in style

Sunday, May 25

🍓 Strawberry Jam @ Land-Grant Brewing Co.

Berries, brews, and bands—this Memorial Weekend tradition is summer in a pint glass.

→ Sip the season

🎶 Hoodoo Holiday @ Rumba Café

End your weekend with gritty blues and soul-soaked guitar licks. Hoodoo Holiday hits Rumba with the kind of energy that makes Mondays irrelevant (temporarily).

→ Catch the groove

⚽ Columbus Crew 2 vs. New York Red Bulls II @ Historic Crew Stadium

Local footy fans, this one’s for you. Come cheer on Crew 2 as they take on Red Bulls II—expect high-energy play, future MLS stars, and plenty of yellow-and-black pride.

→ Score your seat

Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)

🎖️ Memorial Day Ceremony @ National Veterans Memorial

A powerful tribute to those who served—because this day means something.

→ Pay your respects

🎺 Worthington Memorial Day Parade

Floats, flags, and marching bands down High Street. Classic, wholesome, essential.

→ Wave the flag

🌭 Memorial Day Service + Cookout @ Green Lawn Cemetery

Honor the fallen, then fill your plate. This annual tradition blends reflection with community spirit—come for the ceremony, stay for the grilled goodness and conversation.

→ Pay respects, then pass the ketchup

Tuesday, May 27

🌱 Hilliard Farm Market

Fresh produce, handmade goods, and your excuse to finally cook dinner.

→ Shop local

🎸 The Wonder Years & Little Kruta String Ensemble @ The Bluestone

Pop-punk meets strings? Yep. It's going to be loud, emotional, and surprisingly elegant.

→ Get wrecked (emotionally)

🎤 Hippo Campus w/ Hotline TNT @ KEMBA Live!

Alt-rock anthems and dreamy visuals that’ll pull you into a different dimension.

→ Float away

Wednesday, May 28

🎭 Peter Hook & The Light @ The Bluestone

Joy Division + New Order hits played by the OG bassist himself.

→ Feel the nostalgia

⚽ Columbus Crew vs. Nashville SC @ Lower.com Field

Midweek match? Perfect excuse to ditch responsibilities and yell with strangers.

→ All for the badge

🧠 Drunk PowerPoint @ Taft’s Brewpourium

PowerPoint + pints = chaos. Watch brave (and probably tipsy) souls deliver wild presentations on the most random topics imaginable. No slides are safe.

→ Sip and LOL

Thursday, May 29

🛍️ Bexley Farmers Market

Local vendors, summer blooms, and fresh-out-the-ground eats. Real main character energy.

→ Browse the booths

🎸 Gyasi w/ Dagger Polyester @ Woodlands Tavern

Glam rock revival hits the stage with style, sweat, and shredding solos.

→ See the sparkle

🎨 AUTHOR VISIT: Michelle Young – The Art Spy Book Release @ Bexley Public Library

Author Michelle Young discusses her latest novel about the art world’s biggest secrets. Bookworms and art nerds, this one's for you.

→ Snag a seat & a signed cop

📸 Picture of the Week

Columbus skyline went full pastel flex this week. Snapped from the Grandview area, the city lit up in lavender tones like it was trying to win a mood board contest.

Got a snap that rivals this?

Whether it’s your neighborhood’s best angle, a weird sign, or a perfectly timed photobomb—we wanna see it.

Reply to this email or tag us on IG @ColumbusCuriosity for a chance to be featured next week.

That’s a wrap, Columbus.

This week served us superhero politics, YMCA gentrification, and ducks who deserved better.

Seen a kerosene-covered squirrel? Found a coworking space with free daycare? Slide into our inbox—we’re here for the chaos.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity