Here’s what to do with your pumpkins

Here’s what to do with your fall pumpkins and leaves

Turn this year’s pumpkin into next year’s fertilizer. | Photo by @millerscountrygardens

Now that Halloween is over, you might have a slightly soggy jack-o'-lantern sitting on your porch. Don’t throw it away just yet — the City of Columbus and surrounding suburbs are hosting pumpkin drop-offs to encourage composting and recycling. Plus, here’s what to do with the fall leaves in your yard.

🎃 How to make some pumpkin compost

Save More Than Food, a Central Ohio food waste initiative, reports that “41 billion gallons of water are used every year to grow and make food that is never eaten in our community.”

You can help change that by dropping off your pumpkins, gourds, or carved jack o’lanterns at collection locations to be composted.

Browse drop-off locations for Columbus and other suburbs like Grove City, Grandview, and New Albany.

Pro tip: Pumpkins that have been drawn on or painted won’t be accepted.

🍁 Take it or leaf it

Fall is the biggest season for yard waste, but that doesn’t have to always be the case — there are simple steps to easily recycle leaves, sticks, grass clippings, and shrubbery.

Place all organic recyclables in biodegradable paper bags marked with “yard waste.”
Ensure each bag is no more than 50 lbs.
Look up your city collection day or call (614) 645-3111 to find out.
Place bags on the curb — there’s no limit to the number of bags a household can recycle.

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Today

Big Ten Field Hockey Championship | Friday, Nov. 4 | 1:30 p.m. | Buckeye Varsity Field, 2491 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus | $10
RENT | Friday, Nov. 4-Sunday, Nov. 6 | Times vary | Garden Theater, Columbus | $55+

Saturday, November 5

Art of Yoga | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 10-11 a.m. | Wild Goose Creative, 2491 Summit St., Columbus | Free | Donations of $5-$10 are encouraged.
Dirty Dancing in Concert | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 8 p.m. | Palace Theatre Columbus, 34 W. Broad St, Columbus | $85
Kevin Hart: Reality Check | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 7 p.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 West Nationwide Blvd, Columbus | $59.50-$159.50

Sunday, November 6

Community Day | Sunday, Nov. 6 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus | Free

Monday, November 7

Punk Rock Karaoke | Monday, Nov. 7 | 9 p.m. | The Spacebar, 2590 N. High St., Columbus | Free

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Fact or Fiction: Think you know what prevents hair loss? Think again. 👀

A woman puts hair loss treatment into her hair part.

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50% of women will experience hair loss in their lifetime. You might think you know what causes it — but do you really?

Test your knowledge. Are these Fact or Fiction?

Thinning hair should be washed less. Fact or Fiction?
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COVID-19 causes hair loss. Fact or Fiction?*

THIS SERUM CAN HELP

Weather

72º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Opening

Any Aldi fans out there? The grocery store’s new north Columbus location is officially open at 5455 N. High St. Shop from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, plus enter to win a $500 gift card this opening weekend. 🛒 (NBC 4)

Development

Picture this: A historical campus stretching between 540 and 570 W. Broad St. featuring an 1890-built fire house, artifacts related to Abraham Lincoln, and a history park. Such are the plans of The Columbus Historical Society, with a first round of renovations (costing $800,000) beginning soon. (Columbus Business First)

Civic

Yesterday, president and CEO of Center City District in Philadelphia Paul Levy visited Columbus to share strategies for revitalizing downtown after COVID-19. Columbus’ Downtown Strategic Plan calls for 40,000 residents + 120,000 workers by 2040. Read about ideas the city might adopt like free after-work drink tickets. (The Columbus Dispatch) 🏙️

State

Ohio is turning out to vote. This election, 50% more early in-person ballots have been cast than in 2018, with 817,644 total ballots cast as of this week. Here’s your guide to voting this Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Columbus Dispatch)

Theater

Hairspray starts next week at Ohio Theatre, running Tuesday, Nov. 8-Sunday, Nov. 13. Get tickets for the musical starring Andrew Levitt, who finished sixth place in season 11 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as drag queen Nina West. 🎤

Community

Reminder: You can still apply for CARES Act emergency funding for assistance paying water, sewer, stormwater, or power bills. Eligible residents could receive a one-time payment of $500-$750 from the city depending on the bill. Apply before funding runs out by end of 2022.

Try This

Want to meet Rudolph in person? The Columbus Zoo’s Reindeer Experience is the perfect holiday activity for anyone ages 5+. Get up close with the reindeer in their habitat and learn about care and conservation from the animal care team. Book through Saturday, Dec. 31. 🦌

Answered

Some additions to our donut guide: Reader Jessica wrote in about the hot + fresh donuts from Donna’s Delicious Dozen, reader Jill recommends DK Diner in Grandview, while reader Rebecca has been getting donuts from Resch’s on Livingston Ave. for fifty years. 🍩

Announced

Show your support for local journalism by joining the CBUStoday membership program. Membership has some awesome perks like exclusive birthday deals, discounts from our online shop, Six & Main + more. Plus, 100% of membership funds help support our local editors — that’s us, Hanna + Mitch. Learn more + sign up. 💻

Travel

Dreaming up a trip to the Bahamas? This Spanish Wells private cottage might just be your new happy place. It’s steps from the turquoise water, fully air conditioned, and is rated five stars. Book it as a January getaway or the best holiday gift ever for $299 avg/night. 🌊*

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Your outdoor bucket list

5 activities hosted by Columbus Metro Parks this November

You can glow fish, moonlight hike, and do thankful yoga in the fresh November air. | Photo by @djgonzownci

Looking for some extra outdoor time ahead of winter? Columbus Metro Parks is hosting a wide array of November events to be held rain or shine. Bonus: All events are free. 🌳

Full Moon Fitness Hike | Monday, Nov. 7 | 5:45-6:45 p.m. | Sharon Woods | Take a fast 2.8-mile hike under a full moon. Pro tip: Be ready to move since the hike will conclude in an hour or less.

Glow Fishing | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Prairie Oaks Darby Bend, Lake 3 | Fish in the dark at a peaceful lake — all equipment and bait will be provided.

Building a Backyard for Bats | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Inniswood Metro Gardens | Learn about native bat species and their habitats, history, and biology while you make a homemade bat box.

Fall Fungi | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 3-4 p.m. | Blacklick Woods | Enjoy a 1.5-mile hike while learning about and searching for native mushrooms.

Lantern Hike | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 6-7 p.m. | Blendon Woods | Hike gravel surface trails for 1.5 miles with lanterns leading the way.

MORE PARK EVENTS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sarah L.

Editor’s pick: Speaking of Aldi. This Aldi Quarter Keeper is handmade by a Columbusite and might just be the cutest holiday gift ever.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Here are some delicious local donuts to try.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Mitch Hooper, Hanna Williford, Sarah Leonhardt, Sarah Olsen, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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