Columbus Curiosity - April 18th, 2025

Your Weekly Dose of Columbus Events, News, and Fun

Author

Nathan Griggs
April 18, 2025

Hey there, Columbus crew —

If this week had a theme song, it’d be a mashup of coyote howls, airplane engines, and the sound of a thousand Easter eggs hitting pavement. Buckle up—we’ve got:

  • Coyotes turning Grove City backyards into their personal buffet 🐺

  • A farmer-turned-hero who turned his cornfield into a runway 🌽✈️

  • Columbus ranking as a top-10 city for safe driving (yes, really) 🚗

  • The Messenger newspaper chain closing after 50 years 📰💔

  • And a brand-new Italian restaurant in the Short North that’s all about fire (literally) 🔥

🚨 The Headlines

🌽 Farmer Saves Pilot by Turning Cornfield into Runway

Move over, Superman—Joe Bauman just became Reynoldsburg’s newest hero. When a pilot ran out of fuel and landed in his cornfield, Joe didn’t panic.

He plowed a makeshift runway like it was just another Tuesday to help the pilot take off.

The deets:

  • Pilot was flying from Tennessee to Akron (guessing his fuel gauge was optimistic).

  • No injuries, just a very relieved pilot and a farmer who’s now the star of his own Yellowstone spin-off.

This isn’t even the first time a plane’s landed here. The 1960s called—they want their aviation drama back.

🐺 Coyotes vs. Grove City: The Neighborhood Showdown

Grove City residents are dealing with some uninvited guests—coyotes are prowling backyards like they’re auditioning for a gritty Columbus reboot of The Jungle Book.

The drama so far:

  • Neva Hoover caught them on camera snatching a kitten (RIP, little dude).

  • The Division of Wildlife’s advice? “Shoot ’em.” (Cool, except that’s illegal in city limits.)

  • Neva’s now using vinegar bowls as a deterrent. Move over, Home Alone—this is Home Howl.

If you see one, wave your arms and clap like you’re trying to scare off a bad Tinder date. Aggressive? Call the pros. (But fair warning: trapped coyotes get euthanized. This story got dark fast.)

🚗 Columbus is a Top-10 Safest City to Drive In

[Checks rearview mirror for the guy tailgating me on 270.] Wait, what?

Despite our roads being 50% potholes, 50% construction, Columbus ranked #8 in the U.S. for safe driving. Boston and NYC took the top spots, but let’s be real—they’ve got subways. We’ve got… checks notes… car dependency and hope.

Fast growth = more chaos. Enjoy the ranking while it lasts, folks.

📰 Columbus Messenger Newspapers Close After 50 Years

RIP to the Grove City Messenger and its siblings—the latest victims of the “why buy a paper when my phone yells at me?” era.

The legacy:

  • Founded in 1974, back when newspapers were thicker than a Columbus winter.

  • Covered the ‘burbs with love, even when the ‘burbs were just cornfields with dreams.

Owner Phil Daubel blamed “the changing nature of the newspaper industry.” Translation: Internet won.

🥚 Egg Hunts for Everyone This Weekend

From toddlers to pups to the 21+ crowd—this year’s egg hunts are as extra as your aunt’s deviled eggs. Here's a few of the best ways to go full egg-splorer:

  • Pre-Teen Egg Party @ Wyman Woods Shelter (Grandview Heights)
    April 18 | 6–8PM

    Not your average egg hunt. Tweens (ages 8–14) get pizza, games, music, cotton candy from Cotton Sugar Co., and a glow-in-the-dark candy chase.

    → Register here  

  • Columbus Zoo: Eggs, Paws & Claws
    April 18–19 | 9 AM–5 PM
    Meet characters like Eggbert and Oh-No 🐣, ride the Character Express, and collect eggs for prizes.
    → More info

  • Pataskala Easter Egg Hunt @ Thomas J. Evans Park

    April 18 | 4–7PM

    This one’s no yolk. With over 40,000 eggs hidden across the park, this free hunt is one of the biggest in town. Egg collection kicks off by age group at 5:45PM, but come early for pre-hunt fun.

    → Map it

🥪 Ohio’s Best Sandwich? It’s Meatloaf, Baby.

Move over pastrami—Yelp says Ohio’s top sandwich lives in Bexley and it’s made of… meatloaf.

Newfangled Kitchen took the crown with their thick-sliced, spicy mayo-dripped, portobello-stacked loaf creations. Yeah, you heard right—meatloaf. The thing your mom made when she was out of ideas? They turned it into a gourmet banger.

Here’s how wild it gets:

  • The “Joe Cool” is cold meatloaf. And it slaps.

  • They serve it on pillowy bread like it’s a hug from your Midwestern aunt.

  • Reubens, tuna melts, even egg salad—everything hits.

If Guy Fieri walked in, he’d say “this is a meatloaf temple and I’m just living in it.”

Sandwich chains wish they had this kind of chokehold.

🍝 New Openings Worth a Forkful

Metsi’s – Italian fire kitchen from Chapman’s Eat Market team
Opening soon in the Short North (36 E. Lincoln St.), this wood-fired Italian spot will feature mozzarella, grilled fish, and a “dancing flame” design split across two floors.
→ More about the concept

Cafe on 5th – All-day eats in Weinland Park
From the duo behind Press Grill and Frezno comes a café offering short-rib tacos, loaded French onion fries, grilled cheese paninis, pizza by the slice & more.
→ Check it out

Wawa’s First Ohio Location Now Open
Liberty Township’s now got gas ⛽ and gourmet hoagies. Wawa has arrived—expect 60 locations by 2030.
→ Details on the grand opening

👕 New Tenants Coming to Easton Town Center

These clothing brands are setting up shop this summer:

Friday, April 18

🎤 Alex Edelman: What Are You Going To Do @ Davidson Theatre

One night only. Award-winning comedian dishes out a sharply funny and personal story about anti-Semitism, awkward situations, and why he showed up at a neo-Nazi meeting.

🏐 Columbus Fury vs. Orlando Valkyries @ Nationwide Arena

This Friday, the Fury face off against Orlando in what’s shaping up to be a high-energy volleyball showdown. Crowd’s wild, atmosphere’s electric.

🎭 Backstage at the Lincoln: Chrissy T - Metamorphosis Experience @ Lincoln Theatre

A blend of music, spoken word, and storytelling that explores healing and transformation. Deeply creative, deeply Columbus.

Saturday, April 19

🎬 Ohio Shorts 2025 @ Wexner Center for the Arts

The best short films from Ohio’s brightest indie creators—funny, dramatic, weird, and all proudly local. Great way to catch tomorrow’s Oscar winners today.

🎤 Fortune Feimster: Takin' Care Of Biscuits Comedy Tour @ Palace Theatre

A night of feel-good laughs from the Southern comic with charm for days. Fortune brings her Netflix-fueled fame to Columbus for one night only.

🎺 'EL PUEBLO UNIDO... ' @ Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts

A bold and moving performance that explores community, protest, and resilience through music. Expect horns, heart, and something powerful.

Sunday, April 20

🍻 Beers & Bluegrass feat. Bourbon Legend @ Combustion Brewery

Foot-stomping bluegrass and small-batch brews—this monthly Sunday session hits just right. Perfect for chill vibes and top-tier banjo solos.

🎨 Qor Watercolor on Aquabord @ Studios on High Gallery

A vibrant one-day feature showcasing the wild texture of watercolors on aquabord. Come curious, leave inspired (and maybe a little artsy).

🧠 Sunday Cinema Club @ BrewDog Franklinton

Cult films, casual convos, and craft beer. This Sunday: a surprise screening that’ll get the cinephiles buzzing. No spoilers—just vibes.

Monday, April 21

🎥 Ohio State Department of Dance Film Student Showcase @ Wexner Center for the Arts

Catch original films created by OSU dance students—expect movement, emotion, and unexpected twists through the lens.

🎸 Mt. Joy: Hope We Can Have Fun Tour @ KEMBA LIVE!

Indie rock + warm weather = recipe for vibes. If you like singalongs and standing shoulder to shoulder, this is your night.

🧱 Exclusive LEGO ‘Build the Thrill’ Event @ LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Mini bricks meet max adrenaline. Kids (and kids-at-heart) can dive into F1-themed builds all week long.

Tuesday, April 22

🎤 Denzel Curry: Mischievous South Tour @ KEMBA LIVE!

Brace for high energy, deep bass, and a mosh pit or two. Curry’s in town—and he’s not here for a quiet night.

📚 WeREAD 2025: Author Visit with Rajani LaRocca @ Otterbein University

Award-winning author and physician talks storytelling, creativity, and the cross-section of science + literature.

🎨 2025 Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition @ McConnell Arts Center

The best student artists in Ohio show off the kind of work that makes you question your life choices (in a good way).

Wednesday, April 23

🎬 Visiting Filmmaker Screening: James Baldwin

A rare chance to see Baldwin’s life through archival footage + filmmaker Q&A. Powerful, urgent, and timeless.

🎺 Jazz Ensemble & Combo Performance @ Michael D. Eisner Center

Bringing big band energy and smooth solos to your midweek slump. Expect toe taps, head nods, and musical surprises.

🎤 BRENN! Live @ A&R Music Bar

Up-and-coming alt rock band making noise on tour. If you want the “I saw them before they were huge” moment, this is it.

Thursday, April 24

🎻 A Soulful Musical Evening with Amjad Ali Khan & Sons @ The Fawcett Center

Legendary sarod master and his sons bring centuries of classical Indian music to life in a deeply moving performance.

🎭 ‘About My Friend, or the Parking Lot Play’ @ Eisner Center for the Performing Arts

An original, student-driven production that’s as offbeat as the name suggests. Perfect for indie theater lovers.

🎧 Wooli, EAZYBAKED, Capochino @ Newport Music Hall

Bass lovers, assemble. This lineup promises enough drops to loosen a molar—don’t forget your earplugs.

How'd We Do This Week?

We’re always cooking up new ways to make your inbox the best part of your week. Be honest—how’s this one stacking up?

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📸 Picture of the Week

POV: You sneak onto the 26th floor of OSU’s new hospital... only to stumble into the skyline shot of the season. No tripod. No warning. Just vibes.

Shoutout to the mystery elevator ride that led to this view—lights stretching to the horizon, 315 glowing like a lava trail, and the Target lot looking oddly majestic.

Caught just beneath the helipad, this phone pic proves: sometimes the best shots aren’t planned.

Add #ColumbusCuriosity to your city snapshots for a chance to be featured next week. 🏙️📷

That’s a wrap, Columbus.

Whether you’re dodging coyotes, mourning lost newspapers, or just trying to figure out if that “safe driving” ranking was a typo—we’re here for it.

Got a coyote story? A favorite sandwich spot? Hit reply. We’re all ears (and slightly concerned).

Until next time, stay wild, stay curious, and maybe don’t feed the wildlife.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity

P.S. Forward this to someone who still thinks Columbus is “just Ohio State and corn.” Then take them to a meatloaf sandwich. 🥪💥