Issuu

NOW ACCEPTING COTA.COM/TAP

[‘PLAS] FOOD & DRINK

EVEREST

LIBERTY TAVERN

SMOKED LICK BBQ

101 CRAFT KITCHEN

FADO IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT

LINCOLN SOCIAL

SOCAL

FADO PUB & KITCHEN

LINDEY’S

SOUTH VILLAGE GRILLE

LITTLE WEST TAVERN

SOW PLATED

LOCAL CANTINA

STONE BAR & KITCHEN

MACKENZIE RIVER

SUBOURBON

MARCELLA’S MARTINI

THE AVENUE STEAK TAVERN

MASTRO’S

THE BARN AT ROCKY FORK

MATT & TONY’S

THE BOAT HOUSE THE BREW BROTHERS

17 ARROWS CRAFT KITCHEN + BAR AAB INDIA

FIGLIO

AGAVE & RYE

FIREBIRDS

ALADDIN’S EATERY

FLOUR

ALQUERIA

FORBIDDEN ROOT

AMPERSAND

FOURTH STREET

ASTERISK

FRONTERAS

ASUKA RAMEN

FUKURYU RAMEN

BAR ITALIA

GALLA PARK

MAZAH MEDITERRANEAN EATERY

BAREBURGER

GOGI

MEZZO

THE GOAT

BEER BARREL PIZZA AND GRILL

GOODALE STATION

THE GUILD HOUSE

GOOOD FRIENDS

MILANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

GROVE CITY BREWING

MITCHELL’S STEAKHOUSE

THE MELTING POT

GUY FIERI’S TRATTORIA

MOLLY WOO’S ASIAN BISTRO

BELLAWOOD FARM BENDI WOK ‘N BAR BENIHANA BLUE AGAVE

GRANDVIEW CAFE HANGRY CITY

MTM TAVERN STEAKHOUSE

THE CAPITAL GRILLE

THE KEEP THE PEARL THE ROSSI

ONE POT

THE SPORTSBOOK AT HOLLYWOOD CASINO COLUMBUS

HANK’S TEXAS BBQ

OSTERIA PIZZA

THE TOP STEAKHOUSE

CAFE ISTANBUL

HAVELI

PARIS BAGUETTE EASTON

THE WINE BISTRO

CAMERON’S AMERICAN BISTRO

HERENCIA JALISCO

PARLAY

THE WOODBURY

PAT & GRACIE’S KITCHEN

CAP CITY FINE DINER

HIGH BANK DISTILLERY HILTON DOWNTOWN - FYR

PBR COWBOY BAR + SMOKEHOUSE

TOMATILLOS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT

BONIFACIO BRASS EYE

HANK’S LOW COUNTRY SEAFOOD & RAW BAR

BRU BURGER

CASA JALISCO

NAPA

TUCCI’S

CHOUETTE

HOFBRAUHAUS COLUMBUS BREWERY & RESTAURANT

CILANTRO LATIN FUSION

HOMEFIELD

POLARIS GRILL

COLUMBUS FISH MARKET

HUBBARD GRILLE

CONDADO

HUDSON 29

RAIL CRAFT KITCHEN & BAR

COOPER’S HAWK WINERY

HYDE PARK

RODIZIO

URBAN MEYER’S PINT HOUSE

J LIU DUBLIN

ROOH

VALENTINA’S

CUT 132

RUSTY BUCKET

VITTORIA

DEL MAR

J LIU WORTHINGTON J. GILBERT’S

SAUCY BREW WORKS

VOODOO BREWING CO

DOS HERMANOS

SEAFOOD SHAKE

WOLF’S RIDGE BREWING

EDDIE MERLOT’S

JT’S PIZZA KHAAB

ELEVATOR

KONA GRILL

SERVICE BAR // MIDDLE WEST SPIRITS

WORTHINGTON TAVERN

EL VAQUERO ETHYL & TANK

LEMONGRASS

CENTO

PHO SOCIAL

TUPELO HONEY

PIES & PINTS

TWO RIVERS RESTAURANT & BAR

SLURPING TURTLE

UNDERSTORY

YELLOW BRICK PIZZA

SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS Attention treasure hunters and vintage lovers! One weekend a month from November to March, the Scott Antique Markets will be live from the Ohio Expo Center just north of downtown Columbus. Step into a one-of-a-kind experience, where a vast selection of antiques, vintages, and collectibles await you curated by vendors from across the region for your discovery and enjoyment. You never know what hidden gems you’ll uncover at Scott’s, so don’t miss out — join us this winter for an unforgettable adventure!

2026 SHOWS

OHIO EXPO CENTERS

JAN

24 - 25

717 EAST 17TH AVE, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43211

FEB

21 - 22

MARCH 28 - 29

NOV

28 - 29

SHOW HOURS:

SATURDAY: 9am - 6pm SUNDAY: 10am - 4pm FIND OUT MORE AT OUR WEBSITE: www.scottantiquemarkets.com OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA: @SCOTTANTIQUE MARKETS (740) 569-2800 P.O. Box 60, Bremen, OH 43107

DEC

19 - 20

CONTENTS

33 15 28 60 8

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C O V E R PA C K A G E LOCAL INFLUENCE

10 of Central Ohio’s Biggest Social Media Stars

MAKERS SPACE: TREASURE IN THE TRASH

KAPÉ COLUMBUS

MIDDLE EAST IN THE MIDWEST

THE RAMEN MASTER

MOVING MOUNTAINS

MAN ABOUT TOWN: SLIPPERY SLOPE

STAYING COOL

ON THE COVER: Design by Andrew Thomas, Photos by Emma Mortellaro

CRAFTED CAREFULLY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. WOODFORD RESERVE KENTUCK Y STR AIGHT WHISKE Y, 4 3.2%- 4 5.2% ALC. BY VOL ., THE WOODFORD RESERVE DISTILLERY, VERSAILLES, K Y. WOODFORD RESERVE IS A REGISTERED TR ADEMARK. ©2021 BROWN - FORMAN.

Opening Volley PUBLISHER Wayne T. Lewis CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lindsay Press EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jack McLaughlin

J AC K M C L AU G H L I N Editor-In-Chief

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sav McKee

Network Connection

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Hannah Anthony, Emma Mortellaro, Jen Brown, Polly Sellers, Steven Rankins

Did you know that the long tail of the luna moth is most likely used to confuse the echolocation of predacious bats? How about the fact that the Upper Peninsula was given to Michigan as a consolation prize for Ohio keeping Toledo and the surrounding area? Or that the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. I learned all of these things, and countless others (some useful, others not at all) on the internet. In 2025, I think the internet gets a bad rap. Sure, cell phone addition is real, and I’m sure a lot of our attention spans are pretty much shot to shit. But I also think we don’t talk nearly enough about the good it brings. I am insatiably curious. I love learning. Particularly about the things I’m interested in, but I could take almost any topic, and feel motivated to simply learn as much as possible about it . And, luckily for me, the internet is home to a functionally infinite trove of information. About moths, U.S. history and unicorns, sure, but also useful information, like what to do if someone is choking, how to change your oil, or what flour to use for pizza crust. Information aside, the internet is also a place that fosters genuine human connection. I’m not only talking about HelloCupid relationships here either (although a lot of people are now happily married thanks to it), as people have made lifelong friends on forums, through Reddit, or while playing video games online. And then there’s the focus of our January issue: content creators. The term parasocial gets thrown around a lot in this context, and while the internet absolutely does create its fair share of parasocial relationships (I’m looking at you, Ricardo Lopez), I have a more humanistic perspective of the topic. How cool is it that you can find someone in Utah, or Canada, or South Korea who really speaks to you, inspires you, or entertains you? What I find so interesting is the fact that, while the quality of information or production is always important, we gravitate toward certain content creators in large part because we like them as human beings. This says so much about our ability to connect despite the boundaries of race, age, and even, sometimes, language. There’s no doubt that people believe the internet and content creators are damaging the way we connect with each other. But I don’t buy it. I think in some ways it’s changing how this happens, but if we’re just talking numbers here, it’s also opening the door for so much more human connection than there would have been before. That means more knowledge, more fun, and, hopefully, more understanding of one another. Wherever we are at the time.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura Jones, Abigal Jump, Jackson Hall, Jordan Abbruzzese, Jack McLaughlin, Sav McKee, Melinda Green, John M. Clark, Matt Mahoney CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Brooke Sheridan, Savon Hawkins, Kathleen Singer, Dylan Predmore, Hiro Passalacqua CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrew Thomas CREATIVE DESIGNERS Liann Trahey Abby Nocera MARKETING MANAGER Emma Mortellaro SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Zoe King ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Meggin Weimerskirch SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mindy Wilhite Anna Gerhard ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Meghan Chapman

Questions about advertising? Scan here!

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(614) Magazine 458 E Main St., Columbus, OH 43215 Office: (614) 488-4400 | Fax: (614) 488-4402 Email submissions to: editor@614now.com www.614now.com ©Copyright 2026 by Lewis & Clark Media LLC. Reproduction of any content, in whole or in part, without written consent of publisher is strictly prohibited. 614 Magazine is not responsible for return of unsolicited materials, manuscripts, or photographs. "614 Magazine" is a registered Trademark of Lewis & Clark Media, LLC

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THE ARTS ARE ALWAYS HAPPENING IN COLUMBUS! Find Hundreds of Arts Events at

ColumbusMakesArt.com/Events ArtMakesCbus

ColumbusMakesArt.com is a project of:

Background image: Mansee Singhi’s Kulture & Konnection presented at Madlab Theatre. Photographer: SLB Photography. Design: Formation Studio

� S TA F F P I C K S Consider Us #Influenced It’s a new year, sure, but we’ll probably still be sticking to the same ol’ content we know & love. We asked our staff here at 614 Magazine, who may or may not be chronically online, who their favorite influencers are, and here’s what they said:

@randsanity by far! —Meggin Weimerskirch, Advertising Director

@goodnews_movement is soooo refreshing to see in my feed. —Anna Gerhard, Senior Account Executive

I’m a sucker for anything and everything that @levicoralynn posts. —Sav McKee, Associate Editor

@the_plant_sant is a favorite of mine! —Meghan Chapman, Account Executive

@greenladyofbrooklyn on Instagram is one of mine! —Abby Nocera, Creative Designer

I love @mkbhd’s videos on the newest tech products and the crazy video gear he uses! —Andrew Thomas, Creative Director

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ON t h e W E B Every day we’re posting Columbus’ top news, entertainment, and sports stories throughout Central Ohio. Check out all the Columbus news online, including the new ones below, at 614now.com and subscribe to our daily email!

145 Easton Town Center Columbus, OH 43219

Columbus.FunnyBone.com Visit our site to see the entire lineup of shows!

Damon Williams FOOD & DRINK

CULTURE

International BBQ chain opens first Central Ohio location

$19 million outdoor public pool complex coming to Central Ohio

Meat Moot opened its first Columbus-area location in Hilliard on Dec. 19, bringing its Middle Eastern– inspired, charcoal-smoked meats to Central Ohio.

Worthington is set to open a new $19 million outdoor public pool complex in summer 2027, featuring a splash pad, extra water slide, and upgraded seating.

Lady Bunny Sam Tallent Andrew Dismukes

EVE N TS C A L E N DA R We know the urge to hibernate is strong, but in case your New Year’s resolution is to get out more, here’s some ideas: JAN

13 JAN

18 JAN

23 JAN

Ryan Goodcase

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames $20+

Kel Perez

Barry Manilow Concert

Jess Hilarious

Nationwide Arena 7:00 p.m.

Don McMillan

$46+

Electric Feels: Indie Rock + Electric Dance Party

Josh Blue

Newport Music Hall 9:00 p.m. $24+

Family-Friendly Library Concert 96 S. Grant Ave. 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Damon Darling

Free

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JANUARY 2026

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Treasure in the

How a “reuse” studio on South High is finding vibrant new life for previously-owned craft supplies and more

By Laura Jones Photos by Hannah Anthony Story Design by Brooke Sheridan

raft Raccoon, a new creative reuse studio on the South Side, is not just a store, it’s also a person. Owner Rachel Wallis to be exact. Craft Raccoon was her nickname, as she was known for digging through the “trash” for gently-used supplies. Now she’s sharing her joy of donated crafting materials with Columbus. A quick tour of her High Street store reveals racks of fabric, spinning fiber, sewing notions, and multi-colored ribbon trims and beads. There’s a button bin giving major grandma vibes where you pay just $2 for a deep scoop. There’s fine art supplies, and even vintage sewing machines for sale. And on a wooden triangular shelf, there are found trinkets, too precious to part with: a tiny blue monster, a green plastic skateboarder (midOllie), and a souvenir enamel pin of Juno, Alaska. →

← Rachel Wallis, owner of Craft Raccoon

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As the Raccoon knows, treasures come in with the trash. “I keep joking that my mood is entirely dependent on the quality of the donations,” Wallis said. “If we get something really cool, I’m just gonna be over the moon for the rest of the day.” Wallis rediscovered the joy of crafting ten years ago, after burning out on her career as a nonprofit professional. She began teaching sewing and making and “made it the center” of her life. While living in Chicago, she frequented a creative reuse shop. Then reuse reappeared when she moved to Columbus, and began working at a Worthington craft store. “We would get calls from people who were moving or their loved ones had passed and they had these great totally usable craft supplies that they just didn’t know what to do with. I would take as much as I could and store it in my garage until I could match it to people and community organizations. My friend pointed out I was essentially running a creative reuse store. It was just called my garage,” she noted. When a space opened up serendipitously next to Dye Mad Yarn, Wallis moved in, offering more affordable reuse options, classes, and a membership program, available on a sliding scale between $30$60 month. Perks of membership include access to sewing machines, discounts, and members only events like weekend community brunches. Craft Raccoon classes are taught by a variety of talented local makers. Current offerings include introductions to knitting, ← Donated yarn, racks of second-hand fabric, and so much more await you at Craft Raccoon

”There’s something really primal about making with our hands that we as a species want to do and don’t do enough anymore.”

appliqué, drop spindle or linoleum block, as well as more specialized sessions like felt pickle ornament creation or holiday stockings. Moving forward, Wallis wants to expand the store’s community reinvestment with class scholarships and free material to qualifying organizations. “All of this stuff comes from the generosity of the community and I want it to go back to the community. I’m really lucky that I can support myself by doing this, but I think anything else that’s left over needs to be reinvested in supporting creativity and making it accessible and affordable here in Columbus,” she said. She continued, “There’s something really primal about making with our hands that we as a species want to do and don’t do enough anymore. It fulfills a really fundamental need. Crafting has been a space for people to be creative who have been told that they’re not artistic or good at art, but they can still make things and bring joy. And I think a big part of it and a big part of what has made this space successful has been community.”♦ Craft Raccoon is open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 AM - 6 PM, with evenings reserved for classes. Monthly mending nights are free and open to the public.

h 1526 S. Hig is located at re o st ft a reuse cr Village ↑ The new and Merion man Village er G n ee tw be

St.,

↑ Craft Ra members coon offers vin ta hip opti ons to u ge sewing m a se the in -house m chines for sale or achines

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Happy 2026! With the new year in full swing, it’s time for resolutions. Whether it's perfecting your crocheting technique or running your first marathon, the goal is to make life better. So, how about improving your skin? We all want that vibrant, healthy glow, and we are here to tell you: it’s totally achievable. It just takes a little knowledge, a little consistency, and a little self-love. Here are our top 3 tips for embracing a “New Year, New Skin” mantra:

Mastering Your Skincare Regimen First, and most important, is a consistent skincare regimen. Think of skin care as an 80/20 split. 80% of your skin health is based on your at-home regimen, while the remaining 20% comes from professional treatments. A customized routine is essential for maintaining the results of in-office procedures and protecting the skin from daily stressors. Our Nurse and Skin Bosses can help you curate the perfect regimen tailored to your specific concerns, ensuring proper skin health with as many or as few steps as you prefer.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY BOSS GAL BEAUTY BAR

One’s a Treat, Three’s a Treatment While a single treatment can certainly provide an immediate boost to your skin, stubborn skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, acne, or textural issues require a structured plan. When focusing on correction, we always recommend a series of 3 to 6 professional treatments. For instance, undergoing a series of chemical peels, microneedling, or laser treatments every 4 to 6 weeks allows us to dive deeper, effectively targeting and correcting concerns that home care alone may not fully resolve.

a h S a u G

Prioritizing Your Self-care Make self-care your top priority this year because you deserve it! Remember, self-care is all about you—it can look different for everyone, but at its core, it’s about taking those little steps to boost your health, happiness, and well-being. One way to dive into selfcare is by turning your skincare routine into a daily ritual. Try adding a little facial massage with your hands or a gua sha tool to give your skin some love. Go ahead and indulge in a super-hydrating jelly mask or sprinkle in some aromatherapy to melt away stress and lift your mood. Take this self-care one step further this year and consider joining Boss Gal’s Beauty Bank Membership—it’s the ultimate way to treat yourself and stay consistent with your skin goals! Your monthly fee deposits into your Beauty Bank that you can use toward any service (such as injectables, lasers, and facials) or roll over and save toward a product or service you’ve been eyeing. Receive exclusive pricing on services and products, and get a free facial ($69 value) just for signing up!

you reach your skin goals? If Ready to let 2026 be the year skin consultation today so, book a complimentary tonville, Easton, Grandview, at any of our four locations—Clin prioritize your skin this year! or Powell—so we can help you We can’t wait to see your face!

Kapé Columbus From ube lattes to matcha and more, “Ohio’s first Filipino coffee shop” is already in expansion mode

By Abigail Jump Photos by Emma Mortellaro Story Design by Savon Hawkins

olumbus loves coffee, but aspiring local restaurateur Fi Timbuleng understands that everyone already has it. What the city wants, she came to realize, was a fresh new take on caffeinated consumption. “I really want to be an entrepreneur,” shared Timbuleng, founder and C.E.O. of Koffee Paradise. “My husband told me, ‘If you’re going to go into business, I think we can do the coffee shop, but we’re going to need to be different from anyone else. What’s your niche? What are you good at?’ And I said, ‘Well, Columbus doesn’t have a Filipino coffee shop.’” Nestled quietly in Reynoldsburg, her new cafe Koffee Paradise brings flavors from the Eastern Hemisphere all the way to the Buckeye State. Born and raised in the Philippines, Fi hails from a family of chefs, which helped to lay the seeds of her culinary interests. In the United States, Fi found herself intrigued by the cultural differences between America and the Philippines. Specifically, the dissimilarities in how they view their brew. “In the Philippines, coffee culture is so different. There are only a few drive-thru shops; coffee shops are where people in the community go, even until 11:00 p.m. or midnight, because it’s the place where they can hang out and talk. There, Starbucks was so popular—it’s on every street, like in New York City—and Filipinos said, ‘Hey, we can make our own coffee and pick our own flavors; why not start local coffee shops?’” said Fi. ↑ The Tiramisu Latte from Koffee Paradise

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↑ The Twinzilla allows you to get two different flavors all in one cup

The Philippines saw a rapid increase in local coffee shops, and those flavors made their way overseas, which is exactly how the “first Filipino coffee shop in Ohio” came to be. Koffee Paradise opened its doors, and its drive-thru window, at 6308 E. Main Street on July 15, 2023, and the positive response was swift. The shop receives so many good reviews, in fact, that Google has reached out to Fi twice to ensure none are coming from bots. There’s a quote Fi shared on Good Day Columbus that she feels captures the essence of the shop: “Koffee Paradise is not just a coffee shop; it’s a celebration of Filipino heritage, flavors, and hospitality.” The support means the world to her, but nothing means more than the opportunity to share a piece of her culture with the Reynoldsburg community. In the midst of an extraordinarily exciting phase of growth for Koffee Paradise, Fi attributes the success to the person who was with her from the beginning. “I’m forever grateful to my husband, Erick,” she shared. “He believed in me long before I believed in myself. Without his faith and support, Koffee Paradise wouldn’t exist.” Koffee Paradise sources beans from local roaster Crimson Cup and adds its own touch with housemade flavors flavors like Dalgona and Vanilla Cotton Candy. Their coffee flight went viral on TikTok and Instagram for its engaging presentation and variety, but it’s the lilaccolored Ube latte that brings customers from around the world through their doors. Balancing creamy sweetness and a slightly nutty taste, the purple yam is native to Southeast Asia and a staple in Filipino cuisine. →

Charlie’s Barbershop

Upscale independent barbershop located at 1794 West 5th Avenue. Scan here to book!

↑ Fi Timbuleng and her husband Erick, owners of Koffee Paradise

614.732.0073 charliesgrandview.com IG: @charlies.grandview

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“We put different kinds of flavors in the coffee, but you can still taste the coffee. It’s just more fun, more playful. I think all of the other local coffee shops are being more brave now, too,” Fi shared. In November 2025, Koffee Paradise announced its upcoming second location at 2285 W. Dublin Granville Road in Worthington, which is expected to open sometime in the spring or summer of 2026. For Fi and the Koffee Paradise team, this expansion is so much more than a larger space; it’s an opportunity to experiment more with their flavors, reach a new batch of customers, and expand their bakery offerings, including the addition of gluten-free pastries. “We want Koffee Paradise to be a household name, and I want everyone in America to know that the birthplace of Koffee Paradise is Columbus,” Fi explained. “I’m so proud of my Filipino heritage; I want everybody to experience the drinks and pastries. I feel like everybody here in America is ready for it.” ♦

Koffee Paradise is known for their trendy flavors made with Ube, Dalgona, and even real Cotton Candy ↓

To try an ube latte or coffee flight for yourself, visit Koffee Paradise at 6308 E. Main St.

“I want everyone in America to know that the birthplace of Koffee Paradise is Columbus.”

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Can’t decide on one flavor? Try one of Koffee Paradise’s flights ↓

By Jackson Hall | Photos by Jen Brown | Story Design by Liann Trahey

Farooj Abo Al Abed makes its U.S. debut with charcoal-grilled chicken, imported spices and a cult-favorite pink sauce

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harcoal grills fire throughout the day at Farooj Abo Al Abed, where chicken and kebabs are cooked over open flame and served with a bright pink sauce that stops first-time diners in their tracks. The restaurant opened in Dublin in late September and has quickly built steady crowds, marking the first U.S. location for the globally popular concept. Farooj Abo Al Abed is a brand with more than 150 restaurants worldwide and roots in Kuwait. It is operated by local owner Ibrahim Al Mahara, who brought the concept to Central Ohio through his hospitality group, Juice Time. Al Mahara said the menu and cooking process remain unchanged, with meats cooked entirely over charcoal and spice blends imported to replicate the flavors of the brand’s international locations. Unlike many Mediterranean restaurants that rely on gas or flat-top grills, Al Mahara said the charcoal cooking method is central to preserving the flavors of the original concept and mirrors how food is traditionally prepared in many Middle Eastern homes. The menu centers on grilled chicken and kebabs, along with wraps and shareable platters served with a range of housemade sauces. That focus on authenticity extends beyond the grill. Al Mahara said the restaurant imports pre-mixed spice blends from the Middle East rather than sourcing substitutes locally, a decision he said is essential to maintaining the flavor profile of the brand’s international locations. “The shipping is sometimes twice the value of the product,” he said. “But that’s one of the main reasons it tastes like back home.” →

↑ The “build-your-own” concept that opened in September is already building a loyal fanbase

One of the restaurant’s most recognizable elements is its bright pink sauce, which has become a signature of the menu, with it’s tangy, garlicky, and lightly spicy taste. Al Mahara said the sauce stands out because its appearance challenges diners’ expectations and invites them to rethink what they assume about familiar flavors. “If you see a white sauce, you think garlic,” Al Mahara said. “If you see something yellow, you think mustard. But when people see the pink sauce, they really want to know how it tastes, and they come back for it.” Bringing the concept to Central Ohio also came with logistical challenges, particularly when it came to cooking over charcoal. Al Mahara said securing approval to use charcoal in the city of Dublin required additional planning and adjustments to meet local fire and ventilation codes. “We were the first to get approved to use charcoal in Dublin,” he said. “It was new for the city, and it was new for us, so we had to go through everything by the book.” Despite the hurdles, Al Mahara said the response since opening has exceeded expectations with repeat customers quickly becoming a regular part of the restaurant’s daily flow. “Our weekdays look like other restaurants’ weekends,” he said. “And on the weekends, it gets really busy.” Looking ahead, Al Mahara said plans are already underway to expand the concept locally, with a new Farooj Abo Al Abed location expected to open in Easton. The expansion is part of a broader effort to introduce globally rooted food concepts to Central Ohio. Al Mahara said his goal is to preserve cultural traditions while building spaces that bring people together. “Those authentic restaurants, they protect the history and the food from disappearing,” Al Mahara said. “As long as we have them, that culture stays alive.” ♦ ↑ The delicious bright pink sauce at Farooj Abo Al Abed is causing lines out the door

Visit Farooj Abo Al Abed at 7721 Sawmill Rd. in Dublin, OH, and yes, it’s worth the wait in line.

Charcoal-grilled meats stuffed inside a pita sandwich ↓

“Those Authentic Restaurants, they protect the history and the food from disappearing. As long as we have them, that culture stays alive.”

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Tonkotsu Ramen, one of Kyushu’s most popular dishes →

MEN MAS

By Jordan Abbruzzese Photos by Jen Brown Story Design by Liann Trahey

E T

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After training throughout Japan, Leon Zhu recently opened his third installment of Kyushu Ramen Bar location in Columbus 614NOW.COM

hen Leon Zhu first tried ramen in Columbus, he knew he could do things differently. For instance, he personally thought the ramen was a bit too salty, and found the noodles too firm. In pursuit of comparison, he went to New York. “They say, ‘Well you’re Chinese, why are you doing ramen?”’ said Zhu with good humor, summarizing a typical reaction he gets. “First of all, I am a noodle lover. I love any kind of noodle soup, and eat some kind of noodle soup every single day.” Zhu’s family has been in the restaurant industry for over 30 years, starting with his parents opening Happy House on West 5th Avenue (which Zhu took over in 2012). Once he sampled ramen in New York City, Zhu began experimenting with the dish at home in 2018, knowing he wanted to expand his restaurant offerings. From there, he looked for guidance in Japan to take his cooking to the next level before officially opening his first ramen shop in 2022. “I went to Japan just for the ramen, for ‘The Ramen School,’” explained Zhu. “Every year I went to Japan for training purposes. Last time I was there was last summer—July 2024.” Throughout the years, Zhu has attended specialized training for ramen and noodle dishes in Tokyo, Osaka, and Shikokou— a small island known for their udon noodles. His learnings (and culinary tourism) resulted in Kyushu Ramen Bar, his ramen restaurant that is quickly growing in Columbus. Kyushu Ramen first opened in 2022 at 1280 W. 5th Ave. in Grandview, in close proximity to Happy House. The second location quickly followed in Lewis Center in 2024, with the newest Kyushu Ramen Bar recently opening at 784 Bethel Rd. in the fall of 2025. Through construction delays caused by the pandemic, and perfecting his ramen recipe (including training with an American Ramen School in LA), Kyushu has been a journey of love, resulting in a ramen that feels uniquely Columbus. “So, we made adjustments balancing the stuff we learned from Japan and the American Ramen School, and combined it together,” said Zhu. “Customers might complain that it’s not traditional Japanese ramen and I say, ‘Yes, this is American—all the ingredients, the water, and the meat are different from Japan.”’ → 614NOW.COM

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“The ramen in Japan is only fit for a typical city, and the flavors in Tokyo and Osaka are different,” added Zhu. “Every city has their unique ramen, so there is no way to tell us which one is authentic.” The ramen restaurant’s signature dish is the Tonkotsu Ramen, made with both pork and chicken broth. But once you enter the cozy bar and slide into your seat, it’s hard to resist not ordering one of everything. In addition to offering 12 types of ramen, Kyushu also serves Karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken), both pork and veggie gyoza, Yaki Soba and Yaki Udon, sushi and sashimi, Katsu Don (deep fried and breaded pork cutlet), and Japaneseinspired desserts like matcha cheesecake. Ramen noodles can also be swapped with a rice noodle, making many dishes gluten free upon request. Kyushu is one of the only ramen spots in the city to offer vegetarian and vegan ramen, including a brandnew vegetarian Tonkotsu ramen. And as expected, Zhu learned his veggie-style cooking from the very best—Chef Kusumoto Katsumi. The Japanese chef’s Tokyo restaurant SAIDO has been named “The World’s Best Vegan Restaurant” by HappyCow, the widely popular vegan restaurant website and app. Chef Kusumoto Katsumi is also known for his notable Los Angeles pop-ups, cooking innovative vegan food. Zhu sees Chef Kusumoto Katsumi as the standard for vegan Japanese cooking, remaining in close contact with his mentor. “In Columbus by far, we are the only one serving a vegetarian Tonkotsu with a creamier broth,” “I got this idea from one of the vegan chefs in Japan, because he came to our school to make the noodle for us to taste it,” “And I said ‘That’s pretty cool and it tastes very flavorful!”’ Zhu said of Chef Kusumoto Katsumi. On the meatier side of things, Zhu aims to one day debut a Japanese Hamburger Steak concept in Arch City. The juicy dish requires a specialized technique that will take time to properly roll out and teach local cooks before scaling to a full eatery. Until then, the beloved dish could be featured as a special on Kyushu’s menu. “I learned a lot of stuff from Japan,” said Zhu. “Not just from Ramen School, but going out to eat in a lot of locations and trying new stuff.” From speaking with Zhu, one thing is clear: he will continue training, traveling, and exploring cuisines to help serve innovative, thoughtful takes on traditional Asian dishes here in Ohio. We can’t wait to see what he thinks of next—and how he will put a Columbus twist on it. ♦ Follow Kyushu Ramen Bar on Instagram at @kyushuramenbar, and visit their newest location at 784 Bethel Rd.

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Kyushu Ramen just opened their third location on Bethel Rd. →

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nfluence itself is nothing new. Fashion, politics, sports, makeup, film—there have always been figures whose taste and opinions shaped culture. What’s changed is access. We didn’t once have Jackie O’s wardrobe at our fingertips, or “Get Ready With Me for The Game” videos posted by Michael Jordan. What makes this current generation of influencers so powerful is their proximity. They’re no longer untouchable celebrities glimpsed only through grainy paparazzi shots. Instead, we know what they’re cooking for dinner, where they’re spending their weekends, what they’re wearing on a random Tuesday, almost instantly. Technology has collapsed the distance between audience and subject, giving us a constant, intimate window into living rooms, kitchens, and closets. There’s something undeniably brave about offering yourself up in that way. In this issue, we’re spotlighting ten Columbus influencers who are unapologetically passionate about not just culture, but this city itself. Yes, they’re showing us the best places to eat and making us laugh until we cry, but more than that, they’re modeling what it looks like to take up space. And in doing so, they’re giving the rest of us permission to do the same. →

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Ross Smith @rosssmith

← Ross Smith and Granny prove that the best partnerships— and the best laughs—only get better with time

Meet the Olentangy Orange grad—and his grandma—turning out skit comedy that ranges from flaming archery to crossovers featuring 50 Cent

ou might be pretty cool, but chances are Ross Smith’s grandma is cooler than you. She listens to Snoop Dog. She’s smoked with Wiz Khalifa. She’s even been blessed by The Pope. And she’s 99 years old. Smith, the 33 year-old Central Ohio-based comedy creator who now boasts 80 million cumulative followers across all platforms, started as a content creator in 2013, but the debut of “Gangster Granny,” now a staple in his content, came about a bit by chance. “We filmed this video of me swatting a basketball out of the air when she went to shoot it, and it ended up all over the

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place, even on ESPN,” Smith said. “So I kept making content with her.” He says the “Gangster” part came later. “For me, it felt more entertaining if we flipped roles, if she was the ‘young’ one who listened to rap and acted out,” he said. Ever since, the two have churned out a massive amount of content together, including videos of Granny giving Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson a Christmas present, playing with Jack Black’s beard and performing as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader for a day.

Smith does find time to create content without Granny too, whether he’s flying the “world’s largest paper airplane” from a Metro Park sledding hill or ochestrating a fake fall at the Cleveland Browns helmet reveal over the summer (one that went viral, of course). And while you might think international fame would be enough for Smith, an Olentangy Orange graduate, to leave his Central Ohio roots behind, you’d be wrong. Not only does staying in Ohio mean far lower costs than New York or LA—allowing him to build his “fantasy factory” here for vidoes—it also comes down to good old Midwestern kindness in the form of business and restaurant owners often allowing Smith to shoot on their premises free of charge. Naturally, there’s a component of Ohio pride as well. “I love that if you see someone else from Ohio, you say something to them about it, no matter where you are. There’s a passion for being from this state, people from this state just love each other, they love Ohio. Look at Lebron. Look at Machine Gun Kelly still supporting Ohio,” he said. Smith also acknowledges anyone at his level of fame will have to deal with haters, trolls and negative comments (yes, they even get to him from time to time), but ultimately, he sees his following as an opportunity to make the world a better place, whether that’s by making someone laugh or inspiring them to follow their passions. “With my platform, I have the ability to change peoples’ emotions for the good, and that’s really cool. I like to be a breath of fresh air, and to have a positive outlook on things,” he said. “I also want to be an example, to inspire people. I had no skills in the film industry, my grandma worked in factories her whole life. With zero film industry and no money, we were still able to make it.”

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Kathleen Martin

Meet the local artist stealing the hearts of Columbus and America alike by hand-painting thrift store finds

@kathleenillustrated

Kathleen Martin dons the thrifted, hand-painted pieces she’s built a platform on →

athleen Martin had a very specific vision: a plaid outfit with a soft, almost dreamy look—something Vivienne Westwood– tartan adjacent—but, of course, nothing like it already existed. “So, I made it myself,” she shrugged. “I found a white Oxford shirt and white skirt at the thrift store and used a type of tye-dye paint. Whenever I see a white piece of clothing in a thrift store, I have a compulsion to get it.” That impulse has paid off. It’s what helped her build a dedicated

YouTube and Instagram following, though she’s quick to say that fame isn’t the point. “It’s about meeting people that love the same things I do, and getting to talk about our shared interests,” she explained. Kathleen is an illustrator by training—she graduated from Columbus College of Art & Design—but she doesn’t draw in her corporate day job. After bouncing between Ohio and California, she found herself craving a creative circle again: people who love thrifting, drawing, and making things just for the joy of it.

2025 “I asked myself, ‘What if I started making things that fill me creatively and helped build a community?’” Five years ago, she began posting drawing videos. As thrifting became a bigger part of her life, she blended the two. “White clothing is just paper you can paint on,” she laughed. On YouTube, she shows people how to thrift, how to draw, and how to turn secondhand pieces into something personal. She’s funny, approachable, and honest about her process. “I show a lot of trial and error in my work, and people tell me it’s really freeing,” she said. Her instant online growth confirmed what she suspected from the start: people really just want to connect. “I’ve found people I would have never met inperson or at events. That’s what I find the most powerful,” Kathleen emphasized. And unlike many creators, she doesn’t feel weighed down by the pressure to constantly stay online. “That feeling of needing to stay relevant isn’t true for me,” she said. “I try not to scroll—instead of chasing trends, I make what I love, and start my own. When you make the content that actually speaks to you and through you, well, that’s when the cool opportunities come.” After living in California—the unofficial influencer capital—it’s funny that her creative momentum really hit its stride in Columbus. “There’s a lot of color here,” she said. “People are kinder here, and they have their eyes open here.” Followers often tell her they never realized Columbus could be so cool. “I didn’t know the Midwest was like this,” they say—and to her, that’s one of the best compliments (second only to “I love your outfit,” of course).

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Favorite restaurant: Joya’s Favorite bar: Savor Pint Favorite coffee: Blackened Coffee Co. Shopping: The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop Neighborhood: Clintonville Favorite thing to do with friends: Thrifting

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f you had Instagram seven years ago, there’s a good chance you came across a photo of Maaria Deek head to toe in a perfectly styled outfit, posing at brunch or wandering the Short North for Columbus Street Style, the fashion account she cofounded with a friend. “We used to take photos on the weekends before we even knew what a content creator was,” Maaria laughed. “I was working full-time in corporate fashion and just wanted a creative outlet that was all mine.” She was one of the first few in the city to be invited to the newest bars and restaurants, which we would all later start referring to as “influencing.” Years later, she’s still working in corporate fashion and still posting her outfits. The difference now is you’ll find a baby bump peeking out from a Skims dress, or a toddler balanced on one hip and a Louis Vuitton on the other. That juxtaposition of motherhood and fashion has earned her not only more followers, but more purpose. “Three years ago, when I first got pregnant, things really started ramping up for me on social media,” Maaria said. “I guess I’m a ‘mommy blogger’ now, if you want to call me that.” But only on her own terms.

“I’m defining motherhood the way I choose to,” she emphasized. “I want moms to see that you don’t have to stay in a box. You can be a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, a fashionable mom—or all of the above.” Scrolling through the mother of two’s TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram makes it clear why she’s remained relevant for nearly a decade: she adapts without losing herself. Early on, she and her husband—she’s Kashmiri, he’s Palestinian—filmed comedic skits poking fun at their cultural differences, drawing in a growing audience of South Asian and Arab followers who finally saw a relationship that looked like theirs. ← Maaria Deek’s content blends fashion and motherhood, with tens of thousands of followers in tow

One of Columbus’ first influencers is defining motherhood and content creating on her own terms

@maariadeek

Maaria Deek

Her husband, she says, was the first to recognize the potential beyond a hobby. He filmed her content, handled accounting, and managed the business side of things. “He saw that this was something I truly wanted, and that I could build my own brand from it,” she said. Then came her “Get Ready With Me Pregnant” videos, which quickly took off. When her son arrived, the content shifted yet again. “I wasn’t getting ready nearly as much,” she admitted. “So it became more lifestylefocused.” Her audience kept up without hesitation. Today, Maaria’s content reflects all the aspects that fulfill her: motherhood, marriage, travel, brand partnerships, her corporate job, restaurant outings (now with kids in tow), and a lifelong love of fashion. And if you’re wondering how much of it is “real,” Maaria clarified what authenticity means to her. “My content is authentic in the sense that I do have good days,” she said. “I just don’t show the bad ones. I’m choosing to share the positive instead of the day where all I’ve had is a protein shake and both my kids are crying.” She’s mindful about what parts of her children’s lives live online. “I don’t want to rewatch those hard days,” she explained. “And I don’t want my kids to see that one day either. Before I post them, I always think, ‘When they’re older, would they want this online?’” On days she does film, she’s prepared—hair done the night before, a meal plan, a thoughtful outfit. It may read as curated, but it’s honest in its own way. “I do these things for myself every day anyways, even when I’m not filming,” she said. We first met Maaria as a street-style standout. Now, she hopes people see the fuller picture: “A trendy mom,” she said, “but more than anything, a genuinely loving one.”

Favorite restaurant: Comune Favorite bar: Antiques on High Favorite coffee: Fox in the Snow Shopping: Easton Neighborhood: Victorian Village Favorite thing to do with friends: Checking out new restaurants

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Jeanette @jeanetteyconfetti

This fashion icon isn’t afraid of a colorful life, and she’s inspiring others to feel the same

Jeanette Burchfield wears colors as a tool of empowerment →

t’s probably no surprise that when Jeanette Burchfield showed up to the photoshoot for this issue, she pulled a bag of confetti straight out of her purse. “I always keep some on me, just in case,” she said casually, shrugging beneath a hot pink fur coat. Bringing color and light into every space is kind of her thing—both online and in real life. The makeup artist by day and content creator by night says her commitment to bold hues is almost a form of resistance. “The fashion industry wants people like me to wear certain clothes,” Jeanette explained. “Especially with this downward spiral of diet culture and GLP-1s…but I’m not hiding.” “I want people to know it’s okay to wear color. It’s okay to express yourself,” she continued. “There’s no outfit you shouldn’t wear. We only get this one life, so let’s enjoy it—and uplift the people around us while we’re at it.” Motivated by her stepchild to embrace a more colorful way of living—both in fashion and at home— Jeanette began documenting her head-to-toe pastel outfits a few years ago. Her hope was simple: that other plus-size women would feel confident taking up space, too. “I didn’t see many people who looked like me in the media—Black, plus-size, short, with natural hair,” she said. “So I thought, ‘Why not me?’”

Burchfield

For Jeanette, it’s never been about free reservations or PR packages, but rather the relationships built along the way. “With influence comes great responsibility,” she said. That doesn’t mean it’s always rainbows and butterflies. Online trolls occasionally make themselves known. “Someone once commented on one of my videos, ‘Big people do the most,’” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Okay—well, I’m doing more than you!’” There’s also the ongoing fight to push brands to offer inclusive sizing, a challenge she’s more than willing to take on. As Jeanette put it, quoting Dolly Parton, “If you want the rainbow, you’ve gotta put up with the rain.” With a personality as vibrant as her wardrobe, it’s no wonder local restaurants, bars, and brands want Jeanette in their spaces. Influencing came naturally, but her love for Columbus runs deeper than content creation. She’s drawn to the city’s fashion, its international flair, and the creatives who surround her—and she’s grateful to be part of it. Still, she’s careful to draw a line between someone who’s “here for the stuff” and someone who’s actually invested. “I’m more of a community organizer,” she said. “People call me an influencer because that’s the word they’re comfortable with. But my influence is really about how we grow our neighborhoods, our arts programs, our organizations.” She paused, then laughed. “But I do love to shop.”

Favorite restaurant: Brass Eye Favorite bar: Law Bird Favorite coffee: Matari Shopping: Small Talk

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Neighborhood: Old Towne East Favorite thing to do with friends: Going to a show or a museum

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Katie Santry @katiesantry

hen the first cadaver dog hit, Katie Santry was nervous. When the second did too, and in the exact same location, above the rug buried in her backyard, she was terrified. Santry made headlines across not just Columbus, but the entire country, in the fall of 2024, when she and her husband discovered a rug buried in their yard while attempting to put in a fence. The saga that followed involved a Columbus Police homicide team digging up her backyard to remove the rug, while the whole world watched on TikTok. And while it shot her followers from around 5,000 to two million in just a number of days (at the time she created fertility and motherhood content as a hobby and as a way to heal and connect with others after a miscarriage), the entire ordeal also proved to be incredibly stressful. “There were two simultaneous things happening: I might be digging up a dead body, and I also have two million people watching me…I didn’t want my house to become a crime scene. It was so overwhelming,” she said. The vast majority of content creators are lucky to see even a fraction of Santry’s success once in their lives, but this is actually her second foray into social media stardom.

Katie Santry gained millions of followers in just several days’ time in the fall of 2024, after she discovered a suspicious rug buried in her lawn →

Local mom-vlogger and “car crashout” creator finds social media fame twice in life—going viral recently for a “murder rug”—and keeps it 100 all the way through 42

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A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Santry and her sister started a celebrity gossip YouTube channel when they were teenagers, which took off. So much so that Santry was homeschooled for much of her high school career, in order to pursue the channel she oversaw. This led to her being hired by the Jonas Brothers’ team when she was just 20, and a stint working among celebrities in LA. She was eventually burnt out on showbusiness through a combination of working in LA and a later career as a radio station DJ, and she “retired from entertainment at the age of 23.” Or so she thought. After the “rug incident” helped her land millions of followers across multiple platforms, she’s decided she’s not trying to fight the career that appears to have chosen her. “I actually ended up getting laid off [from her 9-5] a month after everything with the rug happened,” she said. “After I got laid off I started getting all these brand deals…so then it just became my full time job and it has been since.” At first she tried to lean into rug-related content and went the true crime route, although this didn’t feel quite right. She quickly learned that people responded the most when she was herself, whether that meant talking about the pits and peaks of motherhood, or engaging in her new Car Crashout sessions, where she sits in her (parked!) car with takeout and a bottle of wine while venting to her viewers. “I’ve asked people how they’d describe my content and they always tell me that I’m just a very real person, they feel like they’re FaceTiming their friend,” she said. “And I think it resonates with a lot of people.”

Favorite restaurant: El Vaquero Favorite bar: Short North Pint House Favorite coffee: I don’t drink coffee! Shopping: Easton Neighborhood: Bridge Park Favorite thing to do with friends: Comedy shows

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Johnny The Columbus funnyman opens up about his complex relationship with pranks, and his ambition to do good on the platform he built

West Jefferson Johnny Hamcheck donning the 6.5foot link of chains he often incorporates into his pranks →

ohnny Hamcheck’s rise to social media stardom began with a few strangers and some raw salmon. A YouTube post from 2015 captures audio of Hamcheck, the West Jefferson native, offering strangers raw salmon to share their life stories. And while Hamcheck’s channels—he now boasts just under one million followers on Instagram— have come a long way since 2015 (“I didn’t even capture any video for the salmon one,” he said), these unique and hilarious stranger interactions laid the foundation for his social media stardom. His videos—which never show Hamcheck’s face—are typically stranger encounters, wherein Johnny pretends to know them (often using the moniker Steve Balboni), leading to awkward and hilarious encounters. For Hamcheck, this sort of thing is second nature. “I‘ve been doing stuff like this since 7th grade,” he said with a laugh. “I used to go around with a camcorder, when I was a kid, recording stuff like that. I was a class clown and getting in trouble, getting in trouble since kindergarten. I just remember always wanting to make people laugh.”

@johnnyhamcheck

Hamcheck

The Columbus content creator is excelling at this goal, but Hamcheck himself is also uniquely thoughtful and self-aware, pointing out that his videos are often more complicated than they appear. “And even though I know my pranks are more lighthearted than a lot of them out there, I still end up feeling bad for the person and end up taking a lot of them down,” Hamcheck said. While he’ll keep creating the prank videos that created his platform, he plans to start actively using it to showcase other sides of himself. “I consider myself an artist—I draw, paint, film; everything art, that’s what Johnny Hamcheck is,” he said. He’s shown his music and drawings occasionally on his channel, but plans to do so more often. He’s currently in the process of releasing his first solo album (after being part of a band that performed around OSU’s campus in the late 90s and early 2000s). Johnny also plans to start showing his face. He’s refraining from a dramatic “face reveal” production, insisting on “slowly letting it happen” this year. In fact, he’s currently undertaking a meet-and-greet tour for fans, where they can get to know, and get to see, the real Johnny Hamcheck. However people take him showing his face, just like however people take him displaying his art, Hamcheck has more ambition, but he’s just as willing to appreciate the position he’s in today. “I’ve already won because all I ever wanted was respect for my art, whether it be music or comedy, or whatever. And now that I have this platform, I’m going to give it everything I can artistically, and leave as much I can for everyone,” he said.

Favorite restaurant: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Favorite bar: The Keep in The Leveque Favorite coffee: White Castle coffee Shopping: Saks Fifth Avenue Neighborhood: The Scioto Mile

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Kareem I

f you refer to Kareem Jackson as an “influencer,” he might push back. “I’m just sharing information that everyone needs to know,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s influencing.” Still, Kareem wields real influence in Columbus—just not in the way most content creators do. Rather than spotlighting cocktail bars or the city’s best pasta dishes, the D.C. native is teaching locals, especially young folks and people of color, that buying a home here is not only possible, but increasingly necessary. “There’s no class for this, and no one teaches you this in school,” Kareem explained. “One day I thought, ‘I should make some videos about the programs through the City of Columbus that help you buy a home, and show people how to actually understand market trends well enough to purchase one.’” Growing up, Kareem’s family was the only one on their block who owned their home. He watched neighbors get pushed out of rented houses—a pattern he’s now seeing repeat itself in Columbus, and one of the reasons he’s so passionate about people owning their own property. “The city is changing, and it’s time to make a move,” he said. “You have to if you don’t want to get left behind.” Too often, he added, it’s middle-class residents and people of color who are the most vulnerable. As a Black man himself, Kareem believes that shared experience helps build trust. “People think, ‘He knows the struggle, and he still owns property. He must know what’s going on,’” he said. His Reels make homeownership feel attainable, whether he’s breaking down how to secure loan funding

or explaining down payment assistance programs. “People get scared that they’ll never be able to own a house,” he said. “I’m here to remind them that deals still exist. I hope my content gets people moving, thinking, ‘I don’t have to sit on the sidelines anymore.’” Kareem was already somewhat of an institution in Columbus before becoming a realtor. He teaches Muay Thai in the Short North and co-owned the bygone clothing store Milk Bar, which earned him both credibility and a devoted following across the city. That reputation, amplified by Instagram, means he doesn’t have to pay a dime for advertising. Word-of-mouth referrals and his Reels do the rest. Of course, Kareem is compensated when clients buy homes with his help, but that’s not the sole driver of his work. He loves Columbus and is deeply invested in its growth. “It’s the land of opportunity. If you have an idea, it can thrive here,” he said. And he’s living proof of that sentiment.

Favorite restaurant: La Tavola Favorite bar: Law Bird Favorite coffee: Third Way Shopping: FERA Neighborhood: Westgate Favorite thing to do with friends: Exploring German Village

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@kareem_jackson_

← Kareem Jackson is empowering potential Columbus homebuyers through his informative content

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Arianny Damian @arianny.atm

Arianny Damian lets her own shifting interests and curiosity determine her content, and the internet is loving her for it →

The influencer who does it all teaches us that it’s okay to do it all—and she looks amazing doing it all, too

t started with an ashtray. When Arianny was selling her ceramics on social media, one piece——a 1950s-inspired flower ashtray where each petal comes apart to create mini ashtrays for everyone in the room— went viral. As orders came in, she began filming herself at work, documenting the process almost instinctively. Somewhere along the way, she noticed something unexpected. “I realized I loved making and editing videos,” she said. “And I started to enjoy making content more than making ceramics. I started to see how much further my world could expand if I didn’t limit myself to making videos about clay.” She began creating content about how she was doing it all— working, creating, getting dressed, showing up, and advocating for immigrants in her community—letting curiosity, rather than a niche, lead the way. Today, she describes her corner of the internet as “lifestyle, looks, and local treasures.” Arianny might host a local Hispanic festival one day and show up to a photoshoot the next. She wears floral dresses and sharp suits, sometimes both at once, and spotlights everything from hot date-night spots to Columbus’ immigrant-owned restaurant scene. “I don’t have to stick to one thing,” she said. “I want people to see that I’m multidisciplinary and multifaceted—and that they can be, too.” She has a metaphor for it: origami. “I’m folding myself into all these different places,” she explained. “And I’m creating different pieces of myself that are still very me.”

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In the midst of her queer journey, Arianny’s style began to shift—from colorful, high-femme silhouettes to more unexpected combinations that disrupted the binary. “That’s when I felt gender euphoria,” she said. “Through style, I came more into myself. And I could show my community that you don’t have to pick one thing—you can keep transforming as you transform as a human.” For a long time though, that self-expression came with some tension. She wasn’t out to her parents, extended family, or even some close friends. “It felt strange showing so much of myself on social media while hiding so much of myself, too,” she reflected. “Eventually, especially with how I was dressing and presenting, I just thought, ‘This [queerness] is coming out of my body in ways I cannot stop.’” When she began embodying her queerness openly on Instagram, people reached out. “They’d tell me they were still figuring things out themselves,” Arianny said. “That seeing spaces and fashion and looks through me helped them realize they didn’t have to be fully this or fully that—that there’s a spectrum.” Where some find social media overwhelming—an infinite scroll that invites comparison and self-doubt— Arianny holds a more complicated view. Yes, there’s boundless access. Yes, it can make you question whether you’re doing enough or being enough. “But it’s important that we still do it,” she said. “It matters that people see different kinds of people. When we continue to express ourselves instead of falling deeper into what the powers that be want, we take our own power back.” Besides, she said, “There’s something special about being the star of your own movie. About learning to centralize ourselves and our stories. It’s like being the CEO of my own company.”

Favorite restaurant: Huong’s Vietnamese Favorite bar: Cobra Favorite coffee: Two Tigers Coffee Shopping: Heart of Ohio Antique Mall Neighborhood: Clintonville Favorite thing to do with friends: Antiquing

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From historic homes in German Village to European landscapes, Phil Mealer is letting the world see through his eyes →

With just an iPhone and an eye for historic homes, this creator is letting the world see Columbus—and beyond—the way he does

ith nearly 80,000 followers on Instagram alone, Phil Mealer, the man behind Occasionally in Ohio, is likely one of Columbus’ best-known photographers. And he doesn’t even use a dedicated camera, as Mealer chronicles the Columbus homes that he encounters on daily walks. And it’s all done with a phone. “When I first started, I tried to use a real camera, and a point and shoot, but it never really worked for me,” Mealer said. “I just want to capture what’s immediate and quick, and what was in front of me that day, so it feels like you’re on that walk with me.” Posting 20-30 Instagram stories daily, relying on a smartphone also lets him create content on the fly, astutely noting that it would be “impossible” for him to keep track of all his content otherwise. Every day, Mealer takes a walk, whether that’s through German Village, Olde Towne East or another country entirely (he travels internationally once a year), and his content is simply a curated version of what he sees on his walks. As a man who’s always been drawn to historic homes, it makes sense that these are what he sees first. “I could be in a neighborhood with new, beautiful homes, but they won’t have character. Homes in older neighborhoods are like people in their own way; they each have their own soul,” he said. “I see a lot of them day after day, and to me it feels like I’m walking past an old friend.” The soft-spoken but intentional Mealer said it wasn’t “wasn’t a shock” that his content took off when it did, as it affords us a minute to slow down to unwind. And in the face of a pandemic, and a world today that demands immediate validation and a constantly quickening pace to survive, his content seems just as useful. “When I got into this, I wasn’t doing it for anybody else. But people told me it helped them wind down, and that’s what I wanted to be,” he said. “You could have the complete opposite worldview as me, and we agree on nothing, but I still hope you enjoy my walk.”

Favorite restaurant: Lindey’s, Old Mohawk, or Club 185 Favorite bar: Olde Towne Tavern Favorite coffee: Stauf’s Grandview Shopping: Ohio Thrift Neighborhood: German Village Favorite thing to do with friends: Make dinner, sit around, and catch up

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Daniel Moroyoqui How a Columbus-based foodie and recipe creator uses food as a tool for connection, bridging gaps in language, culture and more

aniel Moroyoqui was born in Sonora, Mexico, and has lived in Italy, Phoenix, Wisconsin, Nashville and more. Wherever he’s located, though, he’s always found common ground with food. For the Columbus-based content creator, whose life has taken him across multiple countries and a plethora of U.S. states, food is a way to bridge gaps, whether they’re in physical space, culture, or language. “Food for me is a connector. It’s the easiest way for me to socialize and to make new friends,” he said. “Other people have other things. I have food.” Now boasting nearly 70,000 followers on Instagram alone, his culinary journey began on a smaller scale. After he was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at the age of 17, Moroyoqui knew he had to make a change. He started by eating healthier, and cooking his own food in the early days of social media’s rise, which organically led to a significant following. “That was when Facebook was a thing. I would take a picture and people would ask me for recipes. I would message them privately, and I just kept getting more questions,” he said with a laugh. In addition to his social media pages, Moroyoqui operates a popular blog that features local food takes, news, and, of course, plenty of his unique recipes. While there are quite a few recipes near to his heart, he definitely has a favorite: his barbacoa. “I use non-traditional ingredients, mole powder and beef chunks, which shouldn’t be there. It’s something that I created that even my family uses now. But that gives me so much happiness, like when my friends tell me, ‘I made your barbacoa recipe and it was great.’” he said. Ultimately, Moroyoqui sees cooking and eating—and sharing recipes, for that matter—as a social experience. He also sees food as a unique way to appease both his need to be

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creative and the analytical side of his brain, as he’s an engineer in his 9-5 career. “I’m a social person, I like talking to people, I’ll go up to my friends and ask them, ‘What are you eating? What are you drinking? What’s your favorite ingredient? Why do you use Mezcal versus vodka here, something versus something else there?’ I’m always intrigued by how peoples’ tastes are different across countries.” And even though Moroyoqui boasts an international following, and he’s moved around the United States, he currently feels most at home in Columbus. In fact, after previously living in Central Ohio, he took a position in Nashville, but ultimately felt Ohio’s Capital City calling to him. “It didn’t feel like home [in Nashville], so we moved back,” he said. “I’ve lived everywhere basically, and it’s very important to me that wherever we choose to live we feel like we’re home. I like that people in Columbus are friendly, happy, open to explore, and smart. I was also lucky enough to find good friends I call family, and I don’t imagine myself living anywhere else.”

Favorite restaurant: Isla Favorite bar: Law Bird Favorite coffee: I make my own at home Shopping: FERA Short North Neighborhood: Bexley Favorite thing to do with friends: A dinner party with good cocktails; that’s my jam

@danielmoroyoqui

Foodie and renowned recipe-maker Daniel Moroyoqui sees food as a way to bring people together →

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MOVING MOUNTAINS After summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, backpacking through the Grand Canyon and more, Columbus plastic surgeon Dr. Susan Vasko finds parallels in surgery and outdoor adventures By Melinda Green Photos by Hannah Anthony Story Design by Hiro Passalacqua

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← Dr. Susan Vasko, known for her meticulous preparation, is one of Central Ohio's few female plastic surgeons

oal setting. Planning. Dedication. Focus. Training. For more than 40 years, plastic surgeon Susan Vasko, MD, has found the great outdoors to be both antidote and complement to a busy surgical practice. The Columbus surgeon holds 30 years of experience, specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery at CAPS here in Central Ohio, has research published in The Aesthetic Surgery Journal, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. And yet, there’s so much more to her. Vasko is an avid backpacker and hiker. With her family or with friends, she’s hiked Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the San Juan Mountains, the Pyrenees Mountains, Hadrian’s Wall, and parts of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain—and that’s just the highlight reel. → 614NOW.COM

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“It’s a GOAL ORIENTED mindset. You prepare, and even though it’s hard, you have a goal at the end that you need to achieve.” She began backpacking during medical school in the 1980s at the University of Arizona. A classmate invited her on a trip, and she never looked back. Their first big hike was the Grand Canyon, and since then, she’s continued hiking and backpacking. Last year, Vasko and her husband took on the Sheltowee Trace Hiker Challenge. Participants complete the 343mile Sheltowee Trace through the Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest over the course of 11 months, with monthly hikes of around 30 miles. And, over Christmas break in the early 2010s, she, her husband, and their two college-age sons summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.

“The hike itself isn’t bad from a trail standpoint. It’s really very beautiful. We did it over five days,” she continued. “You’re required to have porters—that’s part of the economy, so you’re really not carrying much. And the trail is very well marked. But the challenge is the altitude. When you live in Ohio, that’s more of a challenge than the hike itself.” So how does she go about preparing physically for such a hike? “You just have to figure out, in a relatively flat environment, how you can get trained. We go to the gym at 5:30 when they open. Putting miles in. Lots of cardio. Probably six months ahead, just start on the evil stair climber,” she laughed.

↑ A trail in Kentucky's Red River Gorge, which Vasko thru-hiked while completing the Sheltowee Trace Hiker Challenge

↑ Dr. Vasko

er Range 's Wind Riv

in Wyomin

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She’ll also arrive at a destination a few days early and walk, or even go on a ski trip, along with staying hydrated, to start acclimating to altitude. The balancing act between surgeon and hiker seems tricky, but Vasko–now in her 60s– sees parallels that bridge the gaps. “Training is perseverance. Career-wise, there [were] a lot of years of residency,” she said. “It’s different now; back then, it was a lot harsher in terms of the hours that you worked and things like that. But it’s a goal oriented mindset. You prepare, and even though it’s hard, you have a goal at the end that you need to achieve.”

↑ Vask Nationo poses for a al Park photo in Yellow stone

She continued, “And then just planning. In surgery, you have to walk in the OR with a plan in your mind. You have to be organized. If it’s something complicated, say a rhinoplasty, a lot of times I’ll have that all written down step by step of what my plan is, and review photos, so that I kind of go through it ahead of time, what I’m hoping to achieve.” So what are the payoffs for all the planning, hauling all that gear, and sleeping in a tent? They’re exactly what you might think. “In terms of being a surgeon, it’s important to have outside things that you love doing, so you can relate to your patients. I have patients that are hikers or backpackers. You kind of understand each other. I also think that to have something with your spouse that you enjoy doing together, as a common hobby, has been really pretty cool.”

And then, she noted, there are the payoffs that only a dedicated few can celebrate. “I hiked in Wyoming in the Wind River Range, which is kind of the middle of nowhere, east of Jackson Hole, south of Cody. A lot of people say, ‘I would never sleep in a tent’ and ‘I would never do that and carry that,’ and all that sort of thing. But I think that’s how you get to some really spectacularly beautiful places that you’re not going to drive in your car,” she explained. Vasko reflected, “But [there’s] also that sense of accomplishment. You finally get to the top, and there’s this glacial lake, and it’s so spectacular. It’s just something that I fall in love with.” ♦

Book an appointment or consultation with Dr. Vasko by visiting experiencecaps.com.

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A “small-er but mighty” piece of all The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center has to offer can be found in Dublin ← Jacki Bartolo, RVT, Supervisor Urgent Care and patient, Harper

ACCESSIBLE CARE Photos by Polly Sellers Story Design by Andrew Thomas

hen you enter the doors of The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center at Dublin (VMC-Dublin), you immediately feel welcome and no longer alone in your concern for your pet. All team members share a sense of pride that is unique to being part of Ohio State’s Dublin operation. Pride that comes from our commitment to providing the best, most compassionate, and comprehensive care for your dog or cat, just like we would for our own. Another customer benefit? OSU’s Dublin veterinary hospital brings both advanced specialty care for dogs and cats, and an afterhours urgent care closer to you, without having to travel to Ohio State’s campus. Established in March 2020, our urgent care

was the first of its kind in the Central Ohio area and now serves over 9,000 dogs and cats annually. We act as an extension of your family veterinarian when health issues or injuries occur after-hours, when your veterinarian may not be available, and you need the best care for your pet in that moment. “We treat the things that are unpleasant, but not life-threatening. Things like ear infections, minor injuries, vomiting, or diarrhea that’s not to the point that your pet is incapacitated,” explained Dr. Emily McConnelly, staff veterinarian in the urgent care. Our urgent care veterinarians bring not only general practice but full-on emergency experience to ensure your pet receives the right care or can be stabilized

and transported to the emergency center at our campus location, should specialty care be needed. “One important benefit of coming to this urgent care is that we’re all a part of OSU. We can quickly connect you with any specialist your pet may need, which is truly awesome. In addition to our urgent care, we can find you a primary care doctor, if you don’t already have one, emergency critical care or any sort of specialist, because Ohio State’s Veterinary Medical Center hospitals meet every single niche of veterinary medicine. You just can’t beat it,” shared Dr. Katherine Bechtel, staff veterinarian in the urgent care.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

In addition to after-hours urgent care, Ohio State’s Dublin location offers advanced specialty care in the areas of orthopedic surgery and ophthalmology. Offering these services through our Dublin facility provides greater accessibility to specialty eye and orthopedic care without having to travel to our campus location. As with many eye, bone or ligament-related cases, it’s difficult to know if the issue is emergent or not until the pet is evaluated, so having the ability to be seen quickly, as is possible within our Dublin facility, is a key benefit for pet parents. Our board-certified specialists have advanced training and extensive experience in medical and surgical procedures. “If someone has achieved specializations, it really shows their dedication to what they’re doing and a certain level of expertise that is not necessarily available elsewhere,” said Dr. Ryan Butler, orthopedic veterinary surgeon. VMC-Dublin eye care professionals work on an outpatient basis, with appointments for a variety of conditions. “We have three rotating doctors on our ophthalmology team,” said ophthalmologist Dr. Anne Metzler. “We treat glaucoma, corneal abrasions. We get some allergic conjunctivitis. You know, like, people get dry eye. There’s a lot of similar conditions to what humans get, and that always surprises a lot of people.” Our orthopedic surgery advanced care team treats conditions including cranial cruciate ligament tears, angular limb deformities, patella luxation, and fractures, with procedures that include TPLOs, FHOs, and minimally invasive arthroscopy. Our Dublin facility is fully equipped to handle any orthopedic case with our full diagnostic imaging capabilities. Unlike our campus location, Ohio State’s Dublin specialty services do not have students present, so appointments and surgeries are completed in a manner consistent with your family veterinary practice. “The building is approachable and welcoming because it’s a smaller space with a smaller team,” Dr. Metzler said. “There’s the comfort of knowing exactly where your pet is and that they’re being taken care of.” The same holds true for our urgent care teams. And, it isn’t necessary to have a referral to visit any of our Dublin services, however, appointments are necessary for our specialty services. Walk-ins are welcome in our urgent care, but a phone call before coming in will allow us to more quickly assess your pet’s needs. We’re here to get urgent care, eye and orthopedic cases in as quickly as we can, while providing the same excellent standard of care as our OSU campus location, as well as the simple luxuries of easy access, free parking and Care Credit. ♦ To learn more or to make an appointment visit vmc.vet.osu.edu/dublin.

HOURS OF OPERATION URGENT CARE Monday-Friday: 3p-10p Weekends/Holidays: 9a-10p

OPHTHALMOLOGY Tuesday-Wednesday: 8a-5p

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY Monday-Thursday: 8a-5p

“THERE’S THE COMFORT OF KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE YOUR PET IS AND THAT THEY’RE BEING TAKEN CARE OF.” ← Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Anne Metzler and patient

(614)’s “Man About Town” Matt Mahoney takes on Columbus’ massive new indoor slide park, Slick City, throwing caution to the wind

“Man About Town” taking a ride on “The Big Wave” →

By Matt Mahoney Photos by Polly Sellers Story Design by Kathleen Singer

’ve been told that kids these days are soft. Coddled. Afraid of the world and the dangers that lie within. Supposedly, this so-called “Generation Alpha” has little interest in the society outside of their iPads. Of course, history will show that virtually every generation has complained about the wimpiness of successive generations. Even then however, I find myself wondering: Have the youth of today’s world gone soft? Has the technology and relative safety that characterizes the youth today led them

to complacency? I’m thinking someone should look into this. And what better place to find an answer than Slick City? With its waterless slides as a primary attraction–which feature imposing names like Python, Dragon and Tailspin–the new North Columbus spot operates a bit like a trampoline park that’s been turned up to 11. I remember being blown away by Discovery Zone when I was growing up, and Slick City makes that look like, for lack of a better phrase, child’s play.

I arrive to the Polaris-area attraction on a Wednesday afternoon, and am immediately struck by the size of the facility. And then the noise. The slides are big. The screams, albeit intermittent, are very loud. I don’t exactly suffer from megalophia, but I could certainly see this being intimidating to someone half my size. “Some can be dangerous if you aren’t going down properly,” manager David tells me, before continuing to explain the proper form for descending the slides. Indeed, at the foot of each slide there stands a sign with a set of rules and the bold warning: “PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK WITH EXTREME CAUTION”. Extreme caution you say? Maybe I’ll give this a try. I approach the most intimidating slide I can find (with extreme caution, mind you), and mentally prepare myself to test out the Mega Launch slide. As its name suggests, the ride ends in a ramp at the bottom that launches the rider toward a giant landing pad. The children riding before me are able to propel themselves several feet in the air, and despite the apparent danger, they seem to be having a blast. Cautiously, I ascend several levels of stairs, and with a gulp, I fling myself downward. I had assumed that my comparatively larger frame would limit my airtime, but as anyone with a basic knowledge of physics will tell you, this was in fact not the case. Like the voices I heard upon first entering, I too let out a shriek as I flew through the air. In a split second, I land in a less-thangraceful manner, halfway between a splatter and barrel roll. →

← Slick City’s gigantic “waterless slides”

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Matt Mahoney trying out Columbus’ newest indoor attraction, Slick City ↓

And while none of the other slides offer the same level of raw excitement, each of them bring something new, and potentially dangerous, to the table. The Big Wave is essentially a giant halfpipe, and while I was unable to match Tony Hawk’s twoand-a-half rotations, I did find myself completely backwards by the time I reached the bottom. The long, winding slide appropriately bearing the name Python offers a slower ride than some of the others, and yet even here I find myself flying well beyond the stopping cushion and onto the ground. As I keep going, I begin to feel a sense of confidence build. Cruising down the Fast Lane slide, I throw extreme caution to the wind and take my hands off the mat as I slide down. In a braggadocious gesture, I try to shoot out a quick pointer finger at my photographer, but very quickly pay the price for my arrogance. I was hot-

Visit Slick City at 1170 Polaris Pkwy.

“EXTREME CAUTION YOU SAY? MAYBE I’LL GIVE THIS A TRY.” 62

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dogging, and it came back to haunt me. Without both hands clutching the mat to support me, I go over a bump towards the bottom and slam my face down on the slide. Here I learn an important lesson about Slick City: you must respect the slides and the rules that govern their operation, because if you don’t, you may find yourself in a world of pain. I am somewhat surprised that such a thing is even allowed to happen given my preconceived notions about how padded and danger-free today’s world is for kids, but as I conclude the day’s outing and begin my drive home, I come to see this as a good thing. It’s only natural to protect our children from harm, but in some cases, I wonder if there might be some benefit in adding a little danger to the equation. As my time at Slick City highlights, dangerous situations can be especially exciting, and the lumps we (myself included) take when we ignore danger—despite numerous warnings— are an important teaching tool. Sure, the world around us may have grown relatively safer over the past several centuries, but are today’s children any less inclined towards danger than previous generations? After spending an afternoon alongside said youths, I can confidently say that —at least for some of them—youthful carefree recklessness is still alive and well. ♦

Along with a giant collection of giant slides, Slick City offers arcade games, air courts, obstacle courses, and more →

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By John M. Clark Story Design by Dylan Predmore

This OSU professor, described as “The real life Indiana Jones” by Rolling Stone, has spent decades drilling into remote glaciers across the world to combat climate change

he angry tribesmen accused Lonnie Thompson of wanting to drill into the head of their god and steal its brain. Thompson, the renowned OSU glaciologist, took a deep breath and spoke softly, “Yes, we want to drill into your glacier,” he said. “But it’s the only way we can preserve your god’s memory because the glacier is melting.” The tribesmen backed down and allowed the team to do its work. Thompson, who is largely responsible for the groundbreaking work of Ohio State University’s acclaimed Byrd Polar Climate Research Center, has faced many obstacles in his 50-plus years of collecting critical ice cores from the world’s tallest mountains. And his work has come at just the right time—watching from year to year as solid ice is replaced by pools of water. Growing up in tiny Gassaway, West Virginia, in the 1950s, Thompson and the other boys in town were warned to

not dream “too big,” that their futures had already been determined by coal. More than likely, they would follow their fathers’ footsteps into dangerous and backbreaking work in the nearby mines. But Thompson refused to believe that was his future. He was inquisitive, naturally talented and loved science. Inspired by one of his teachers, he studied hard and worked multiple jobs, earning enough to enroll at Marshall University and study geology. There, in 1970, he met his future wife and research partner, Ellen Mosley, both of whom went on to pursue further studies at OSU. They still work together. Ellen began leading expeditions to recover glacier samples in the polar regions, including Antarctica and Greenland. Lonnie decided to follow a road less traveled, studying ice caps and glaciers in the tropics and subtropics.

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↑ Professor Lonnie Thompson stands besides hundreds of

ice samples at OSU’s Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center. Photo by Steven Rankins

“THEY ALL THOUGHT IT WAS AN IMPOSSIBLE MISSION.”

From the start, the greater scientific community dismissed Thompson’s plan. “For one thing, no one thought ice from these regions would show us anything new,” he remembered. “For another, they all thought it was an impossible mission.” Thompson applied for just about every grant he could, and in 1974 was finally awarded $7,000 by the National Science Foundation. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. The bold young paleoclimatologist hit paydirt on his first try—discovering evidence of climate change in ice drilled from the Quelccaya ice cap in Peru. That first discovery put him on a path to lead almost 80 expeditions over his long and storied career. But the work has been a great deal harder than Thompson ever imagined. Aside from run-ins with villagers willing to defend their land with violence, there’s also the logistics of getting hundreds of feet of drilled ice back to Thompson’s freezers on OSU’s west campus. →

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↑ Professor Lonnie Thompson has led more than

expeditions over his career

“NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THAT SAME ICE MAY REVEAL IN ANOTHER

In Peru, for example, this might involve putting the ice in insulated boxes, to be carried down the mountain on horseback; then a string of refrigeration trucks, temporary freezer units, cargo flights to the States and more refrigeration trucks for the final few hundred miles to Columbus. OSU’s freezers are packed with fourand-a-half miles of ice, including samples Thompson helped collect in 16 countries on five continents. Some of it is from glaciers that have since melted. Amazingly, some samples are close to a million years old. And that preserved ice continues to reveal secrets. “When we first gathered it,” Thompson said, “we could test for just one thing, like a dust particle. Now, we can look at 15 different things. And no one knows

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what that same ice may reveal in another 10 or 20 years.” Watching glaciers melt before his eyes caused Thompson to quicken the pace of his work. But there was one setback in 2011 that stopped him in his tracks. A diagnosis of severe congestive heart failure led to doctors telling him he needed a transplant. At first, he was in denial—just, as he said, climate skeptics live in denial. It took a severe attack on a subsequent expedition for the daring explorer to admit he needed help. He was put on a wait list, and the following year saw him, with a new heart, training for his next climb. Today, Thompson is something of a rock star among climate researchers. Not long ago, he was given so many awards and

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honorary diplomas in South America that he had to use extra luggage to get them all home. Rolling Stone has called him the closest thing we have to a “real-life Indiana Jones.” He’s been featured in countless magazine articles around the world. And in 2023, his life story was told in an award-winning documentary called Canary. The coincidence is not lost on the 77-yearold Thompson. Back in his rural West Virginia, canaries were used to warn coal miners of the presence of dangerous carbon monoxide. Today, he is seen as a modern-day version of the same bird, warning us that global warming—of which he has found ample evidence—threatens the very lives of everyone on Earth. ♦

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