Good morning, Franklin County. The laughter of Hollywood is making its way to Columbus as Oscar writer Laurie Kilmartin, fresh from collaborating with Conan O'Brien, brings her refreshed comedy set to the intimate 70-person Hashtag Comedy Club this Saturday. The veteran comedian describes these small venues as "magical" for comedy—offering Franklin County residents a rare opportunity to experience award-winning humor in a setting where every chuckle reverberates.
Meanwhile, artistic expression continues to flourish across our community. The Columbus Arts Festival is gearing up to transform downtown into a creative haven this June, with over 230 artists from across North America showcasing their talents. As these cultural celebrations take center stage, our libraries face sobering challenges with potential funding cuts threatening institutions that provide far more than books—they offer the very foundation of community connection and democratic values.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🎭 Oscar writer Laurie Kilmartin brings comedy to Columbus this weekend. The veteran comedian, who recently worked on the 97th Academy Awards with host Conan O'Brien, will perform at the intimate Hashtag Comedy Club in the Short North on Saturday. Following her 2024 special "Cis Woke Grief Slut," Kilmartin has refreshed about 80% of her material for this tour. She expressed excitement about the small 70-person venue, calling it "the sweet spot" and "magical" for comedy. Before Columbus, she'll perform at Findlay's much larger Donnell Theater on Friday.
🎨 Columbus Arts Festival prepares to dazzle with creative talent in June. More than 230 artists from 31 states and Ontario will showcase their work during the three-day event running June 6-8. The festival, presented by the American Electric Power Foundation, includes 20 artists selected through the Emerging Festival Artist program, which supports creators with limited national festival experience. All 12 of last year's award winners are returning to the event, which was curated from over 1,000 applicants. Visitors can enjoy the artistic displays Friday through Sunday with extended hours on the weekend.
📚 Libraries face devastating funding cuts across America. The potential dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services by Trump's administration threatens the largest library budget reduction in a century. In Ohio, Republican proposals could slash $100 million in state funding compared to the governor's plan. Libraries provide far more than books—they offer community spaces, internet access, educational programs, and services for all generations. The author argues that libraries are fundamental to democracy and personal development, making them essential institutions that should never face budget cuts.
🎤 Featured Event of the Week
Blooms & Butterflies
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens 1777 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43203
When: February 22, 2025 - July 6, 2025
🦋 Experience the magical dance of hundreds of exotic butterflies at the beloved Blooms & Butterflies exhibition, returning to Franklin Park Conservatory in 2025. Visitors can stroll through the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome, a warm tropical paradise filled with vibrant nectar blooms and fluttering wings from February 22 through July 6. Watch in wonder as colorful butterflies soar overhead, bask on lush plants, and sip nectar in this immersive natural experience. This long-running favorite offers a perfect escape into nature's beauty, making it an ideal outing for families, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike.
⚾ Baseball Scoreboard
Eastmoor Academy Warriors remained perfect at 5-0, overwhelming Briggs 8-1 in Monday's league showdown. The Warriors continue their dominance while the Bruins dropped to 2-2, proving once again that in baseball, as in life, not all bears have the same bite.Upper Arlington delivered a baseball clinic against Hilliard Bradley, cruising to a 15-0 demolition that left the Jaguars wondering what hit them. The Golden Bears improve to 4-0, showing they can not only hibernate through winter but also dominate spring.Olentangy Orange's bats were working overtime in an 18-8 slugfest victory over winless Hilliard Davidson. The Pioneers remain perfect at 4-0 while the Wildcats are still searching for their first win—perhaps they should consider changing their mascot to the Phoenix.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Briggs (2-2) | ||
vs Eastmoor Academy | L 8-1 | |
Beechcroft (1-3) | ||
@ Whetstone | L 15-0 | |
Centennial (2-2) | ||
vs Columbus International | W 17-7 | |
East (1-2) | ||
vs Mifflin | L 19-4 | |
Independence (1-2) | ||
@ West | W 16-2 | |
Linden-McKinley (0-2) | ||
@ Northland | L 14-4 | |
Mifflin (3-1) | ||
@ East | W 19-4 | |
Northland (2-1-1) | ||
vs Linden-McKinley | W 14-4 | |
Whetstone (6-0-1) | ||
vs Beechcroft | W 15-0 | |
Upper Arlington (4-0) | ||
@ Hilliard Bradley | W 15-0 | |
Thomas Worthington (2-2) | ||
@ Olentangy | L 6-2 | |
Hilliard Bradley (3-2) | ||
vs Upper Arlington | L 15-0 | |
Hilliard Davidson (0-4) | ||
@ Olentangy Orange | L 18-8 | |
Dublin Coffman (1-3) | ||
vs Olentangy Liberty | L 7-3 | |
Hilliard Darby (2-2) | ||
@ Olentangy Berlin | L 3-2 | |
Dublin Jerome (1-2) | ||
@ Marysville | L 4-2 | |
Lincoln (2-0) | ||
vs Central Crossing | W 16-0 | |
Dublin Scioto (1-2) | ||
vs Westerville South | W 5-4 | |
Westerville South (3-2) | ||
@ Dublin Scioto | L 5-4 | |
Grove City (1-3) | ||
@ New Albany | W 6-3 | |
Central Crossing (1-5-1) | ||
@ Lincoln | L 16-0 | |
New Albany (1-1) | ||
vs Grove City | L 6-3 | |
Reynoldsburg (1-2) | ||
@ Canal Winchester | L 3-1 | |
Bexley (2-3) | ||
vs Buckeye Valley | L 8-2 | |
Grandview Heights (2-1) | ||
@ Columbus Academy | L 9-2 | |
Whitehall-Yearling (0-3) | ||
@ Franklin Heights | ||
Canal Winchester (1-2) | ||
vs Reynoldsburg | W 3-1 |
🥎 Softball Scoreboard
Olentangy's Braves survived a wild 10-7 shootout against Thomas Worthington's Cardinals on Monday, improving to 4-2 in league play. Meanwhile, Dublin Scioto unleashed an absolute offensive tsunami against Westland, drowning the Cougars 22-0 to improve their impressive record to 8-1 on the season. In another nail-biter, Central Crossing edged Lincoln 7-6, giving the Comets their third win while Buckeye Valley showed no mercy in a 16-0 demolition of Whitehall-Yearling that ended before the scoreboard had time to warm up.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Beechcroft (1-2) | ||
@ Whetstone | L 14-2 | |
Centennial (5-1) | ||
vs Columbus International | W 8-5 | |
Whetstone (5-4) | ||
vs Beechcroft | W 14-2 | |
Thomas Worthington (5-2) | ||
vs Olentangy | L 10-7 | |
Hilliard Davidson (3-2) | ||
@ Olentangy Orange | L 6-5 | |
Dublin Coffman (3-4) | ||
vs Olentangy Liberty | L 17-6 | |
Dublin Jerome (0-4) | ||
@ Marysville | L 13-1 | |
Dublin Scioto (8-1) | ||
@ Westland | W 22-0 | |
Lincoln (3-2) | ||
@ Central Crossing | L 7-6 | |
Westerville North (3-6) | ||
vs Westerville South | W 14-4 | |
Westerville Central (3-2) | ||
vs Pickerington North | W 6-5 | |
Westerville South (1-4) | ||
@ Westerville North | L 14-4 | |
Grove City (6-2) | ||
@ New Albany | W 12-1 | |
New Albany (1-4) | ||
vs Grove City | L 12-1 | |
Central Crossing (3-2) | ||
vs Lincoln | W 7-6 | |
Whitehall-Yearling (4-3) | ||
@ Buckeye Valley | L 16-0 | |
Canal Winchester (3-3) | ||
vs Newark | L 11-7 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Mystery home needs TLC: The no-frills property offering at $149,998 lacks description details, making it a mystery listing that requires potential buyers to investigate further or contact the listing agent.
Mysterious investment under 310k: Rare investment opportunity offered at $309,900. The current description details are unavailable, so inquire directly with the listing agent for full property features and potential.
Affordable blank canvas needs you: This modest property, listed for $139,700, is a blank canvas awaiting your personal touch. No description provided means you get to write your own story in this affordable space.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
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