Letter From the Publisher

As I look at the blank page before me and a new year ahead, it’s a moment ripe for reflection, renewal, and re-invention. With 2025 here at our footsteps, I invite you to embrace a mantra with me: “Out with the old, in with the new.” For this new year, let’s allow ourselves to peel back the layers of tradition and step courageously into a world which celebrates the present.

It’s easy to get lost in the chaos of what has been. The past tugs at our sleeves—a familiar friend, but one who sometimes holds us back from savoring what’s fresh and exhilarating. Let us shake off those dusty old habits and make space for the brilliant possibilities of now.

Let the coming year be about appreciation – embracing each moment and celebrating the extraordinary around us. Like this month’s “Giants of Jazz” at the Loft, the Columbus Jazz Society’s biggest event of the year, which promises to be an incredible evening. The event falls on January 11, and honors local jazz legends Jan Hyatt, David Morgan, & Jim Evans. The event will be held in the Loft’s Greenroom (1032 Broadway) and you know the staff at the Loft are gonna serve up a delicious dinner alongside some stellar entertainment.

We are thrilled to see the reopening of the beloved restaurant, Deorio’s, a local staple which has captured the hearts of our community, with pizzas, pastas and salads which bring the community together.

Our local arts and entertainment scene is bursting with talent. Whether it’s local films, groundbreaking theater, or music which pushes boundaries like that of our feature BB Palmer, we are excited to share the innovators redefining our cultural landscape.

In the coming issues, we are dedicating our pages to those who embody this spirit of the present—like Bear O’Brian, a fixture on Columbus’ airwaves. Bear has been captivating listeners with his unique blend of music and humorous commentary for decades, you may know him too as the voice inside the Piggly Willy, and this month, we put the spotlight of honor on Bear as he reflects on his illustrious career.

As we bid farewell to the old and embrace the new, let’s do so with a shared sense of purpose. Let’s connect with our community, celebrate the here and now, and appreciate the present in all its complexities. Together, we can foster an environment where creativity flourishes and audacity reigns—where every page we turn and every event we attend is a testament to the beauty of living in this moment.

Here’s to a transformative 2025, where we leave behind that which no longer serves us, stepping boldly into a future rich with inspiration and unbridled possibility.

Thank you for reading,

Monica Jones

What We Are All About.

The mission of the LocaL magazine is to bring you the best in art, music, food and fun from Columbus and the surrounding area. Locally owned and operated, we work to improve and expand community relationships through promoting positive events, people and stories. When good things are happening, we will be here to help you get involved. Our monthly print issues feature stories and events that comprise and drive the ongoing surge toward a more beautiful community. This magazine exists because we who work on it believe in actively engaging with community improvement, and we invite you to join us, not only by reading these pages, but also by taking part in any of the many wonderful events we feature.