observer.case.edu A&E: First African nation represented at Cultural Gardens (pg. 6)
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opinion 1 friday, august 30, 2019 volume LI, issue 2
Observer The OL experience
Construction project at Maltz approved for expansion Grace Howard News Editor
Orientation leaders cheering on their first-year proteges. Courtesy of the Case Western Reserve University Facebook Nihal Manjila Staff Reporter Entering college can be a daunting task. Incoming students have to leave their families and homes and join a new community in a new place. Discover Week plays a vital role in integrating new students into the Case Western Reserve University community before the academic year starts. This is due in great part to the efforts of the orientation leaders in charge of executing the programs planned by the First-Year Experience office. The process of becoming an orientation leader takes preparation that happens months before Discover Week begins. Applications must be completed, interviews held and a retreat at Beulah Beach attended. Orientation leaders must also move in a week before Discover Week to get trained. The training can last from nine in the morning to nine at night. Becoming an orientation leader is a significant time investment. The students who become orientation leaders must therefore be driven and inspired to pursue this program. What drove this year’s orientation leaders to join the program? “I met my lifelong friends in my orientation group,” said Omar Roman, a second-year student and orientation leader. He was impacted by the meaningful friendships that had formed between orientation leaders and wanted to facilitate that opportunity for new students. Alyssa Lobb, a second-year student and orientation leader, had similar sentiments. She expressed how she met her close friends during orientation week and wanted to give back to the program. “I wanted to meet the incoming class and help them through the transition to college like my orientation leaders did,” said Anna Giubileo, a secondyear student and orientation leader. A commonality in the driving factor behind assuming the role is being inspired by their own orientation leaders and wanting to help new students have a positive experience as well. While Discover Week is for the new class of CWRU students, it can be just as meaningful for orientation
leaders. “It brought people together through vulnerability and emotion,” said Roman, speaking about Dear World, his favorite Discover Week experience. Giubileo expressed that her favorite part of Discover Week was getting to know people through shared activities such as CCEL Service Day. “I really liked the Boogie,” said Lobb. “We practiced for one and a half hours every day during training week.” She also spoke about how getting to know her fellow orientation leaders was a memorable part of the experience. Being an orientation leader during Discover Week is not only a time for first years to gain insights into how the campus works and get to know other students, but also a time of growth for the orientation leaders as well. Giubileo said that she gained a better understanding of how to communicate with shy and outgoing people, as well as an appreciation for the efforts of everyone who helped ensure that the week was successful. Lobb spoke about how she gained leadership experience and new friendships. “I’m more understanding of Case as an institution,” said Roman. He also added that he was happy to be helpful to a new class of students and felt more open. When asked to give advice to students considering becoming orientation leaders in the future, Lobb said that you don’t have to be extraverted to be an orientation leader. “Being adaptable and good at communication is important,” said Roman. Giubileo said that she was very happy with her experience and is already planning on applying again this coming year. Orientation leaders are an incredibly important part of Discover Week and crucial to helping the newest Spartans feel at home on campus. Students who feel that they want to give back or have a new experience should definitely consider applying to become orientation leaders.
Earlier this August, the final plans to construct an addition to the Maltz Performing Arts Center were approved by both the city of Cleveland’s Euclid Corridor Design Review Committee and its planning commission. The project has been in the works since 2015. The addition to the building will add a 250-seat proscenium theater, a 100-seat studio theater, faculty offices and costume and scene shops. Christopher Panichi, director of planning, design and construction for Case Western Reserve University told cleveland.com that the addition should be complete in time for 2021 fall classes. The addition to Maltz was designed by DLR Group | Westlake Reed Leskosky, a firm specializing in healthcare architecture that also has a reputation for its cultural and performing arts facilities. They were responsible for the renovations done on the Playhouse Square theaters dating back to the 1970s. Ron Reed, architect for DLR Group | Westlake Reed Leskosky, made it clear that they wanted their design to highlight the pre-existing features of the building. Notably, the brilliant gold dome that rises above the rest of the buildings in the area. The intention of the addition is to avoid drawing attention away from the dome and instead complement the motif of the building. It is suggested that the end goal for this expansion will be to move the dance, theater and music departments completely off campus and into the new building. This came as a surprise to Kathleen Horvath, director of orchestras at CWRU. When asked what she knew about the construction project, she said, “Very little. We were told that they are doing some theater work. In addition, there will be a green room space for ensembles before concerts.” The music department faculty made no contributions to the construction plans or designs. She continued on to say, “There is supposed to be some improved traffic things, and they are going to continue to work on the parking,” which has been an issue in the past. The original 2015 renovations to Maltz were supposed to add more music venues than were actually constructed. The music department was supposed to have the facility space to completely move to Maltz then. TO MALTZ | 2
news Miso opens in Tinkham Veale University Center Matt Hooke Executive Editor “I don’t know why I’m getting emotional about this stuff,” said Bon Appetit Campus Executive Chef Vincent Gaikens when talking about Miso, the new Asian food concept in Tinkham Veale University Center (TVUC). Gaikens’s emotion was spurred by him talking about going to local Asian markets. Miso will source many of the ingredients from local stores, like Rumi’s Market on Carnegie Ave. “People don’t realize how lucky we are in Cleveland. We have such a fantastic representation of some great cultural foods,” said Gaikens. Miso opened on Monday, Aug. 26, replacing Naan in the main atrium of TVUC. Miso is the result of student feedback at last year’s food forum, where students are able to speak directly to Bon Appetit staff. “We had a really resounding call for good Asian food,” said Gaikens. “When I worked in this building, I would see the bags coming in from the restaurants on Euclid, so obviously people wanted that.” Gaikens said recipes featured at Naan will be used once or twice a week as specials at Pinza’s. Miso consists of two different concepts combined: a quick service location of pre-made meals and a build your own ramen station. The station will feature kung pao tofu, orange
chicken and pepper steak. The steak will come from local farm New Creations in Chardon, Ohio. Each protein comes with a choice of white or brown basmati rice, or lo mein. The soup section is based around a miso broth with shiitake mushrooms. The vegetarian and gluten-free broth is poured over baby bok choy, red cabbage, regular cabbage, carrots and a lightly hard-boiled egg. One of four protein options, tofu, chicken, flank steak or a rotating seafood special can be sauteed in garlic and ginger and then added to the bowl. “We’re using exclusively Tamari, [a Japanese sauce made from fermented soybeans like soy sauce without wheat] so we can make dishes gluten-free,” said Gaikens. “There’s a significant price difference in that but it’s more important that we broaden the spectrum and let it be more accessible.” To accompany the two types of main dishes, the restaurant will feature several sides such as cucumber salad, full edamame in pods and egg rolls. Gaikens plans to tweak the menu and recipes based on student feedback and critiques. Student reception to the new restaurant has been mixed. “The sauce was too watery on the Mongolian beef, and the dish overall was bland,” said Ryan Yoo, The Ob-
Miso opened on Monday, Aug. 26. Courtesy of Bon Appetit server’s director of design. There are already several Asian restaurants on Euclid Ave, such as Phusion Cafe, Chopstick and NuJoy. Facing such competition, Miso will heavily rely on students using meal swipes. There will be three meal swipe options: one for a chicken or tofu entree from the quick service station, a
chicken or tofu miso bowl, or a choice of egg fried rice or lo mein. “Especially here at CWRU there’s so many times where food service providers might say ‘this is going to be our Asian dish.’ But are you taking the time to research and understand and appreciate it and to honor it,” said Gaikens. “That’s what I’m trying to do with our chefs here.”
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The new additions to the Maltz Performing Arts Center will directly affect students in the music and theater departments. The Observer Archives
However, Horvath is ultimately happy with the department’s current locality. “This is a more centrally located facility for students … I think that students would be happier staying here [Denison Hall].” Currently, the music department uses Maltz as a concert venue for most ensemble performances. Typically the ensembles have a couple of rehearsals in Silver Hall, including a dress rehearsal the day before the concert. Otherwise, the space is not used by the department. Regular ensemble rehearsals will likely continue to occur in Denison. The new Maltz addition will greatly affect the day-to-day of theater students. Many in the theater department anticipate making use of the new facilities. Lauren Harrison, a third-year theater major with a concentration in design, said she thinks that “[the addition to Maltz] will be a fantastic opportunity for upcoming theater majors because of all the technology it’s supposed to have that maybe we haven’t worked with yet. It’s also going to have much larger spaces that will give students more of an idea of the size of the industry they are working towards.”
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New freshmen discuss their first week of classes Anna Giubileo Staff Reporter With the first week of classes for the new year wrapping up, first years share their experiences during Discover Week and about what the college transition process has been like for them. “I remember going up to my mom and saying ‘This is it. I have to go here.’” First-year student Adele Frankel of St. Louis found she was drawn to the sense of community and resources offered by the university. It was after a campus tour that she knew Case Western Reserve University was the school for her. She also found that the academic
rigor is another factor that excites her about the school. “I’m most excited for my first year seminar,” Frankel shared. “The topic Pursuit of Happiness is something I’m really looking forward to knowing more about.” “I chose [CWRU], because it is a school that empowers its students to push the limits of what was previously thought to be possible.” Melissa Ely is a potential psychology pre-med major from Baldwin, New York, who fell in love with the school’s motto, “Think Beyond the Possible.” When searching for schools, Ely knew she “wanted to be in an environment
that not only supports learning but also the discovery of new ideas.” “The community here has already made college feel like home,” Ely shared. “Between my professors, RA, advisors and orientation leaders, CWRU has provided me with a wealth of support to make my transition into college as comfortable as possible.” Though they haven’t been on campus for long, the students have already received some sage advice from their orientation leaders and other students. Frankel shared that her most beneficial piece of advice so far has been to not go to Constantino’s Market if pos-
sible, since there are cheaper options nearby. Ely was inspired by the advice she received to not be afraid to step out of her comfort zone, since it is “a chance to start over completely, in a place with thousands of new people and a million new opportunities waiting for you.” The individuals comprising the newly oriented class of 2023 were chosen from the largest pool of applicants to date. These students have already proven they have what it takes to be Spartans, and their journey at CWRU is just beginning.
Constitution Day Roundtable: Q&A with Madeline Myers Katharine Toledo Staff Reporter Each year to celebrate Constitution Day, students from Case Western Reserve University put together a student-led discussion forum with two guest speakers to debate various constitutional issues pertinent to current events. This year’s Constitution Day Forum is entitled Battle for the Ballot Box, and centers around voting rights in America. The event will take place on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the Moot Courtroom at the CWRU School of Law. The two featured speakers are Alora Thomas-Lundborg, J.D., senior staff attorney at the American Civil
Liberties Union voting rights project and Hans von Spakovsky, J.D., senior legal fellow at the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation. In preparation for this year’s Constitution Day Roundtable (CDR), Madeline Myers, a second-year student in political science and philosophy as well as the Secretary, Mistress of Ceremonies and one of the CoChairs of this year’s event sat down to talk to The Observer. According to Ms. Myers, “CDR is an organization that was created to give a balanced discussion on issues related to the Constitution. Our
work informs the CWRU community on the Constitution, which as citizens and non-citizens of the United States is incredibly important.” Q: How did you get involved with CDR? A: Last year, I went to a meeting with Phi Alpha Delta (the pre-law fraternity) where I was introduced to members of the committee. After discussing what CDR did, I wanted to get more involved, so I asked if they needed help with the forum. I was then offered the role of being a timekeeper, and the rest is history. Q: How did you come up with this
year’s idea for CDR? A: We discussed many ideas, however, the issue of voting and voter suppression kept coming up in conversation. Eventually, we all came to an agreement on the topic and it was set. Q: What do you hope becomes of CDR in the future? A: I hope CDR eventually will be considered a main event for CWRU, not just for the Department of Political Science and the Center for Policy Studies. More importantly, I would like to see high-level elected officials come and speak at the event.
fun
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fun page | 5
Ken Ken Easy
Horoscopes Hard Horoscopes as things that happen during the first week of classes
Aries Not getting a seat next to your crush Taurus Ordering everything you forgot off of Amazon Gemini Bumping into your ex
Sudoku Easy
Medium
Cancer Losing your CWRU ID Leo Buying the wrong textbook Virgo Getting locked out (again) Libra Dressing nicely before giving into sweatpants
Hard
Very Hard
Scorpio Going into the wrong class Sagittarius Getting Mitchell’s Ice Cream for the first time in months Capricorn Working out at Wyant and Veale once Aquarius Finding out all your tests are in the same week
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Pisces Sleeping through all of your alarms
arts & entertainment Desiigner? I hardly know her! “Panda” rapper comes to Tinkham Veale University Center Chris Heermann Photo Editor and featured his hit single “Panda.” The success of “New English” led to his spot on the XXL cypher the following year. “Panda” was such a hit in fact that not only did it return the #1 billboard spot to New York for the first time since Jay-Z’s 2009 “Empire State of Mind,” but it also got him in a room with Kanye West. He signed Desiigner to the GOOD Music label and featured him along with his “Panda” hook on the long-anticipated album “The Life of Pablo” on the song “Pt. 2.” Soon after “Panda” came “Tiimmy Turner,” another high-energy, highlypraised bop. Many listened to the original and were happy to dance along to the thunderous bass and ignore the lyrics. Others, however, attempted to decipher the complex lines and metaphors within the song. Kanye actually hopped on this track in a remix that is wildly different from the original, but still excellent in its own right. Most recently, Desiigner released a song with Lil Pump called “Overseas” that is backed by some of the heaviest
bass I’ve heard in a long while. “Drip” is his most recent release, featuring Boombox Cartel and Dillon Francis. “Drip” is a mosh pit song — no way around it. The intro is a quick repetition of high hits with a strong EDM build up to an explosive drop. There is not much in the way of lyrics in “Drip,” but that is not what Desiigner is known for. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Many criticize Desiigner for being unintelligible, to which the proper response is: “So what?” Desiigner is not a lyrical genius; instead of deep thoughts and powerful words, he brings an incredible energy to his songs that will have Tinkham Veale University Center ballrooms roaring with noise as students shout along to all their favorite ad-libs.
UPBEATS: DESIIGNER August 31, 2019 at 8:45 PM @TVUC Ballroom
Desiigner offers a variety of songs outside of fan-favorites “Panda” and “Tiimmy Turner” Courtesy of Flickr
When I first heard Desiigner was coming to campus, I was really excited but also a little confused. As far as I knew, he had dropped “Panda” and “Tiimmy Turner” then ghosted. Sure, those two songs are absolute bangers, but until now I hadn’t bothered to check out his past discography or newer releases. For the uninitiated, I’d recommend starting with the legendary XXL 2016 Freshman Cypher. The class of 2016 is one of the best XXL has featured. The
soon-to-be infamous class included Anderson .Paak, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty and of course, Sidney Royel Selby III, better known as Desiigner. The cheerleader effect may play a part, but Desiigner does excel in his cypher. He brings a fun energy to the video and has an interesting hook that sets up Paak’s verse well. His first project, the 14 song mixtape “New English,” premiered in late 2015,
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regionally inspired cuisine featuring miso broth bowls and daily chef specials!
NOW OPEN INSIDE TINKHAM VEALE UNIVERSITY CENTER!
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What to do this weekend
Chris Heermann Photo Editor Everyone has a summer playlist. Mine is 6 hours and 47 minutes long and full of both classic and modern hits, it’s called “White Claw Summer” on Spotify but that’s for another article. The summer playlist up for review this week is by none other than Barack and Michelle Obama. Let’s look at the artists. Some are obvious, like Jay Z and Beyoncé, who are longtime friends and supporters of the Obamas. Others, like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, were famous long before the pair were born, making their inclusion unexpected, but not surprising. Their songs are classics for a reason and their spot on this playlist is absolutely justified. More recent artists like Lil Nas X, Lizzo, SZA, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello were also featured on the Obama’s playlist. Their recent songs command the billboards and radio stations, and now can lay claim to spots on
the presidential summer playlist. On Twitter, president number 44 described his mix as “a sampling of what Michelle and I have been listening to — some new, some old, some fast, some slow.” While the mix seems a little eclectic, giving it a listen proves that the songs have more in common than you’d think. Some might believe a playlist that ranges from Lizzo to Steely Dan might not work, but the song selections all have that easy-listening vibe that makes a great summer playlist. Despite the variety of music genres, the playlist is fairly seamless. Within the first few songs, the mood is quickly established when Beyoncé does her thing and everyone is having a good time. Even with the genre diversity, there is no whiplash until Frank Sinatra comes on with his slow, jazzy rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” directly after Raphael Saadiq’s up-tempo soul/ funk “100 Yard Dash.” If Sinatra had
been placed elsewhere, maybe around Fitzgerald, the playlist would have been smoother, but that is my only qualm with the flow of the playlist. As for song choices, it is hard to find fault with anything specific. Personally, I might not have featured every artist the Obamas did, like Robin Thicke, or even specific songs from each artist, like “Shining” by DJ Khaled. I find these choices very interesting, as it gives us a glimpse into what sort of people the Obamas are, based solely on their musical taste. While listening, I found myself wondering if the song playing was chosen by Barack or Michelle, or if the two had agreed in its inclusion? Generally speaking though, these are easy listening songs, many of which are perfect to sing or dance along to. This summer playlist would fit any outdoor occasion, be it a beach day or barbeque. 44/45
Cultural garden unveils new monument Sunayana Jampanaboyana Staff Reporter Without immigrants, there would be no Cleveland. Since the 1870s, a diverse influx of immigrants flowed into Cleveland from over 25 different nations. This inflow significantly defined and catalyzed much of Cleveland’s early development and shaped the ethnic communities that continue to exist in the city today. In 1916, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens were founded to bring attention to the colorful mosaic of people making up Cleveland, and it now features 32 different cultural gardens. In its 103 years, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens has not had a garden representing an African nation. This only changed on Saturday, Aug. 24, when phase one of the Ethiopian Cultural Garden was officially dedicated, coming to fruition after the idea was introduced six years ago. In addition to supporting the EthiopianAmerican community of Cleveland, the Ethiopian Cultural Garden represents efforts to strengthen collaboration between Cleveland’s sister city of
Bahir-Dar and the rest of Ethiopia. Not only is the garden a symbol of bridging the gaps between these communities, it is also thought to be the only monument in the United States dedicated to Ethiopia. Honored guests such as Fitsum Arega, Ethiopian ambassador to the United States, and Frank Jackson, mayor of Cleveland, presented at the dedication. Additionally, those involved with direct efforts and development, Cleveland’s Ethiopian community, other dignitaries and members of the larger Cleveland community were in attendance. The focal piece of the garden is a five-paneled ceramic mural offering a succinct summary of Ethiopian culture and history, a rich story of “One Ethiopia.” Ethiopian artist Zerihun Yetmgeta designed the mural concept, while artist Ernesto Spinelli converted the design to a mosaic and assembled the beautiful work of art. The five panels represent the following topics: 1. Lucy, discovered in Ethiopia and
of a species considered to be the oldest potential ancestor to humans; 2. ethnic diversity, reflecting the diverse ethnic makeup of Ethiopia; 3. early civilization; 4. period of emperors; 5. and the present era of globalization. The back of the mural presents “When the Sun Gets the Moon,” a reproduction of an original painting by Yetmgeta to bring attention to how we continue to affect the environment. The plaque reads “Despite modern technology, the Earth is being devastated.” After the piece was unveiled, members of the community spent time taking pictures and appreciating the installation. There are already plans in place for future installations. The dedication was followed by an engagement meeting with Arega and then a reception at Ethiopian restaurant Empress Taytu. This dedication was a precursor for One World Day on Sunday, August 25, where the Ethiopian community led the parade.
Yvonne Pan A&E Editor
Friday, Aug. 30 What: Big Bounce America Where: Victory Park Ohio When: Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jump into the Guinness World Record holder for World’s Biggest Bounce House this weekend. Thirsting for a challenge? Victory Park will also be hosting The Giant, the country’s biggest inflatable obstacle course and airSPACE, a spacedthemed attraction with moon crater ballpits and a 60ft tall maze. What: Cleveland Oktoberfest Where: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds When: Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday and Sunday noon to midnight, and Monday noon to 8 p.m. Come to Northeast Ohio’s largest annual outdoor festival this weekend featuring family-friendly fun! This year features Carl Jara, 2008’s World Champion in sand sculpting, the largest glockenspiel in the United States and an arts and crafts market. What: Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour Where: Cleveland Institute of Art When: Friday 9:10-10:50 p.m., Saturday 7:10-8:50 p.m. Do you love a good film? Come watch seven at this year’s Sundance Film Festival tour, held at the Cleveland Institute of Art. The lucky seven feature directors from all over the world and range from fiction, documentary and animation. They’re guaranteed to satisfy any palate.
Saturday, Aug. 31 What: Cleveland National Air Show Where: Burke Lakefront Airport When: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Come celebrate the Cleveland National Air Show’s 55th anniversary this year with breathtaking aerial displays this Labor Day weekend. An estimated 100,000 attendees will be watching iconic aircraft like U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. What: UPBeats: Rap Night ft. Desiigner Where: Tink Ballroom When: Saturday 8:45 p.m. Intrigued by Chris Heermann’s article on Desiigner? Come to University Program Board’s first concert of the year this Saturday. Doors open at 8:45 p.m., and student artists A.N.I and Toyin will be performing at 9 p.m.!
Sunday, Sept. 1
A five-panel mosaic and ceramic mural depicting Ethiopian history was revealed along with the Cultural Garden. Sunayana Jampanaboyana/ The Observer
What: Shape Up Sundays Where: Toby’s Plaza When: Sunday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. New semester, new you, new workout routine? Next Level and Tremont Athletic Club can help you with that this weekend. Come to Toby’s Plaza this Sunday for free yoga, cardio and strength classes, and walk away energized and refreshed.
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F is for Murder: Fall 2019 TV previews Ryan Yoo Director of Design Fall is here — at least according to Starbucks — and with that, a new television season. Here are some of our favorite murder-mystery TV shows coming back or premiering this season. Beware of spoilers for the following shows.
“How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC) “How to Get Away with Murder” enters its sixth and final season. At the end of season six, Emmett Crawford (Timothy Hutton), Annalise Keating (Viola Davis)’s boss, is blamed for the murder for Nate Lahey Sr. (Glynn Turman). Crawford then falls to the floor after pouring himself a drink, presumably poisoned. Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza), one of Keating’s law students, disappears and Keating is unable to find her; it is speculated she was kidnapped under orders of her incarcerated father. Considering the 15-episode season will be the last season of the show, it’s exciting to see how the writers will wrap up each of the character arcs developed over the last six seasons. Will they get away with murder? The new season will premiere on Sept. 10 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC.
“Why Women Kill” (CBS All Access) “Why Women Kill” is a black comedy show premiering on CBS All Access that follows three couples across three decades (1960s,
“Why Women Kill” couples comedy with intrigue as viewers untangle the three related storylines. Courtesy of CBS
1980s and 2010s) living in the same house. The series follows the events leading up to a murder in each timeline, although the victim is not revealed to the viewer. The show boasts an all-star cast, including Lucy Liu, Ginnifer Goodwin (of “Once Upon a Time” fame), and Reid Scott (of “Veep” fame). The series has strong “Desperate Housewives” vibes, which was also produced by Marc Cherry, with its
never-ending drama and twists and turns. You can stream the entire first episode online for free.
“Elite” is a Spanish language Netflix original show following the events leading up to the murder of the Marina Osuna (Maria Pedraza), revealed at the end of the first sea-
son to be Polo (Alvaro Rico), her brother Guzman Osuna (Miguel Bernardeau)’s best friend. The murder is blamed on Nano Domínguez (Jaime Lorente) because of his previous criminal record. Will Osuna get the justice she deserves? Not a lot has been revealed about the second season of this award-winning show, so all we can do is to wait for the second season to drop on Netflix on Sept. 6.
active displays and seating areas to provide customers a unique experience. It is also reported that in 2021, Target will open up a new store at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Unfortunately for us, the nearest Target-Disney store is just under three hours away, in Brighton, Michigan. Target has accounted for this and plans to release a digital website available on Oct. 4 as well. There are also special promotions that come with this enterprise partnership. Target RedCard members can save five percent on all items.
Despite the novelty of the idea, Target is not the first store that Disney has partnered with. Since October of 2013, more than 600 J.C Penney stores have Disney shops, selling Disney merchandise exclusive to J.C. Penney. In fact, this is not an anomaly for Target either, as some of its stores operate with a CVS pharmacy or Starbucks. Target is also working with Disney to get a two-day shipping policy on Disney products sold by Target. That shipping policy is reported to be ready by October this year.
“Elite” (Netflix)
A dream come true David Pietrow Staff Reporter Chances are you’ve seen at least one Disney movie. If you haven’t, you should probably do that after reading this article. Well, let nostalgia hit you after this: Disney and Target are teaming up. Starting on Oct. 4 of this year, there will be Disney shops within Target retail stores in 25 different locations. 40 more Disney stores are planned to launch in October 2020. The partnership was announced at the D23 Expo 2019 in Anaheim, California last weekend, by Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, with Tar-
get CEO Brian Cornell. Chapek explained the rationale behind the collaboration in a call to reporters. “We believe that by extending our Disney footprint to Target stores we’re going to be able to give our guests that opportunity.” These stores will include more than 450 items with a variety of different Disney-themed products such as games, clothes, toys and other accessories. These themes will mostly tie into fan favorites such as Disney Princesses and Marvel and will include different Disney songs, inter-
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Cleveland Asian markets reviewed Ryan Yoo Director of Design For those of us who grew up on our family’s homemade Asian foods or are adventurous eaters, it’s hard coming to a place where finding good Asian food is rarer than a Browns win. Luckily, we found some great Asian markets where you can find your favorite Asian ingredients, snacks and home goods.
Asia Food Company Asia Food Company is located in the Asian Town Center, at the intersection between East 38th Street and Superior Avenue, and is in the same building as Miga, a Korean restaurant. Asia Food Company sells a variety of goods covering many Asian countries. The store has a well-stocked produce section with a variety of vegetables and fruits that are hard to find at Dave’s Supermarket, such as daikon, durian and dragonfruit. The store has a good condiment section, selling a variety of Asian spices and ingredients. The store, however, is located in a dimly lit storage area and loses points for the overall shopping experience. Asia Food Company does not offer a wide variety of goods overall compared to stores like Park to Shop. The home goods section is small and is less organized than Park to Shop. Nonetheless, it’s still a good choice to go shopping for ingredients or snacks. Rating:
Kim’s Oriental Food Kim’s Oriental Food is a short walk from Asia Food Company, located next to Korea House, a Korean restaurant. This store is your one-stop-shop for all your Korean food needs. You can get your essential Korean ingredients from dried pollock to golbaengi-muchim, also called moon snail salad. Kim’s sells a variety of Korean snacks and a variety of flavors of soju, a Korean alcohol. In addition, the store sells one of the best kimchi you’ll find in Cleveland. The prices at Kim’s Oriental Food, comparable to those of the other restaurants on this list. The store, however, mainly sells Korean goods and it can be hard to find products from other countries here. If you’re looking for stinky
tofu or ginger, you’d find better luck looking for it at either Asian Food Company or at Park to Shop. The store does not sell any fresh produce. Rating: (for Korean goods) ( for all other Asian goods)
Park to Shop Park to Shop is the biggest of the three Asian goods store and is the store most frequented by students. The store is located at the Asian Plaza and is a short walk from Li Wah, a dim sum restaurant. Like Asia Food Company, the store has a good selection of Asian sauces and spices. In addition, Park to Shop stocks a variety of Asian home goods like earthenware pots and pink rubber dishwashing gloves. The store also has a large ramen section perfect for any college student, with different types of ramen for everyone. The store also sells fish and meats, many cuts and types of which are not sold at other stores such pork belly or tongue. If you’re looking for a general Asian market, this is the best place to go. Rating:
Asian markets in Cleveland offer many Asian students a taste of home and a new culinary world for adventurous eaters. Ryan Yoo/The Observer
Streaming services are the new cable: is that a good thing? Henry Bendon Staff Reporter Last week, Disney announced that Hillary Duff would return to the role of Lizzie McGuire in a new show for Disney Plus, the subscription video service the company launched to compete with the likes of Netflix and Hulu. ”Lizzie McGuire” is one of many shows that Disney has announced; there will also be new stories set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the new expanded Star Wars universe and other places across the number of franchises Disney has acquired. The return and expansion of popular television and movie programs to streaming services isn’t a Disney-only venture. CBS has been working on its CBS All Access platform for several years drawing on the popularity
of Star Trek, among other programs. Hulu, Netflix and Amazon all have video streaming services of their own, and with WarnerMedia set to release HBO MAX as its addition to the streaming universe, the TV landscape is getting more convoluted every day. For consumers, this represents a pretty significant new tradeoff. The dispersion of content along company lines has created a glut of new shows, many of which are returns to popular favorites meant to inspire subscriber growth. Issues arise with the number of services and the actions companies are taking to create growth. None of the services are particularly expensive on their own — they range
between six and 20 dollars a month, but as companies take back shows like Friends (WarnerMedia) and The Office (NBCUniversal), the total cost for what used to be available centralized on Netflix is rising dramatically. In many ways, this new media landscape marks a paradigm shift from the way cable bundling changed tradition television years ago. With so many media companies and only so much market space available for them to play with, it seems unlikely that all of them will succeed. This sentiment was perhaps best described by The Verge reporter Laura Hudson writing about Star Trek: Discovery, on CBS All Access. “So you got me, CBS. I’m paying
for your subscription service — at least until this season of Discovery ends — but I’m doing it reluctantly and resentfully, and feeling like a rube every step of the way.” As more and more companies bring new shows to new platforms, the question remains whether consumers will be willing to put up with feeling cheated in order to watch the shows they are interested in. There are a number of big players entering the streaming field, which makes it feel like on-demand is the next place television is going to go. But should it? And when it does, what will that mean for television viewers without 50 dollars to spend on different monthly streaming services? Only time will tell.
opinion 9
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EDITORAL
University Circle’s branding problem How high rent and incorrect targets are ruining Uptown Editorial Board In recent years, University Circle has lost many of its staple restaurants. From the Happy Dog Euclid Tavern to the Falafel Cafe, many university favorites have closed down. Other notable mentions include Ninja City, Dynomite Burgers, Crop Kitchen, the Accent restaurant, the Corner Alley and most recently, Simply Greek. What these restaurants and locations all shared was a cultural connection to the local area and a menu that featured affordable food items. Ultimately, the issue can be pinpointed to the fact that a significant number of relatively cheap food options in a college town closed down almost all within two years in favor of newer, shinier and most importantly, more expensive restaurants. In the case of the Falafel Cafe, the restaurant had been open since 1997, moving from Beachwood to University Circle and serving both students and staff members for over two de-
cades. However, when the owners of the cafe, Hani and Mae Elassal, did not renew their lease last year, it signaled the end of a cafe older than some of the students attending the university it served. For context, University Circle Incorporated (UCI) is the company that has a major impact upon what businesses can open in the area, and holds control over the rents in the area. Mr. and Mrs. Elassal did not receive a notice to renew their lease, nor did they have the opportunity to keep their restaurant at their Euclid location. Even when Elassal offered more money for the location, their request to continue renting at this location was denied. As rents continue to skyrocket in the University Circle area, rising 44 percent in the last year alone, we must ask why UCI and other authorities continue to increase rents. Students and doctors living in the area
A safety reminder for bicyclists and pedestrians alike Asking the real questions Jason Richards Staff Columnist Every year I’ve written for The Observer, at least one of my articles has been about bikes or biking on campus. Going into my third year at Case Western Reserve University, I figured I might as well make it a tradition. As a biker, I feel it necessary to remind bikers and pedestrians alike about the responsibility of getting around campus safely. If you’re a biker, you can sleep in later and get to class faster than students who walk. However, biking comes with the responsibility of being courteous to pedestrians since they won’t see or hear you coming most of the time.
“The bike lane situation has not gotten better in my time here at CWRU.” -Jason Richards, on biking on campus Bikes are a great way to get around campus, and there are a lot of support for biking around campus if you do choose to cycle. However, it’s always a good idea to keep it slow, and it’s especially important to walk your bike in the crosswalks and dedicated walk zones signified by signs in heavy pedestrian traffic areas. Keep in mind that cyclists are prohibited from bik-
ing down the Binary Walkway. If you’re a walker, you can do your part by being aware of your surroundings and trying to not take up the entire width of the sidewalk when walking in larger groups. If you need one, the CWRU Police Department offers free bike U-locks with the registry of your bike into their system. This is to aid them in locating your bike with a unique ID number sticker should it get stolen. For more information, you can read more and submit a bike registration form online on CWRU’s Public Safety website. CWRU also has its own Cycling Club, which you can find more information about on CampusGroups. Unfortunately, the bike lane situation has not gotten better in my time here at CWRU. Bike lanes are now completely nonexistent on the quad, and the current sidewalk infrastructure does not scale well with the influx of pedestrian traffic before or after classes. As an increasing student population takes up more space on smaller sidewalks, cyclists should try and take roads when possible or walk bikes in highly populated areas to make sure everyone stays safe. This leaves it to each and every one of us to be conscious of the decisions we make when getting around campus. We must be sure to respect the space that we have to get around, the safety of those around us and be cautious whenever possible. Jason Richards is a third-year computer science student. He enjoys cooking, listening to music and taking ridiculously long naps.
are the likely reason for this rapid increase, but only one of those demographics seems to be the target for the sudden change in the food scene in University Circle. The closing of multiple affordable restaurants implies that UCI is seeking to either promote University Circle as a hip, new location or that this is an attempt to revitalize the local economy. Either way, closing these restaurants will not act as a stopgap, nor will it efficiently rebrand University Circle. If UCI is seeking to reach a different audience than students, they are ultimately looking in the wrong location. Almost all of the restaurants that have closed have been located in the center of campus. By pushing affordable locations from the area, students are no longer able to easily afford eating off-campus, reducing the amount of money that students inject into the University Circle economy.
While students are clearly not the target audience of more expensive restaurants like Tacologist or BurgerIM, which have both opened within the last six months, it seems that University Circle is pushing for more doctors or other hospital employees to visit these locations. However, since these locations were student hotspots in years prior, it is hard to understand this change in the target demographic. The neighborhood is even named for the university. For now, we must consider whether University Circle intends to preserve the local restaurants it has cultivated and integrated into campus, or to seek a new direction and rebrand itself as a culturally distinct borough of Cleveland. Regardless, good luck to any students looking for cheap meals around campus; for those wondering where those are, we hear Leutner is still in business.
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10 opinion
8/30/19
Taking stances on the top polling Democratic candidates David Pietrow Staff Columnist Who will champion the Democratic party for the next presidential election? Well, the answer is unclear. Based on polling numbers alone, former Vice President Joe Biden stands out among the crowd, leading by 13 points over Sen. Bernie Sanders. However, this is not a good metric to determine the future president, and one only needs to look to the 2008 Democratic primary to see why. Hillary Clinton was leading in the polls up until early February 2008, only for former President Barack Obama to sweep the polls and win the nomination. Instead of only looking at the top polling candidate, it would be wise to instead consider all five top polling candidates: Biden, Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Kamala Harris and the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg. Biden’s focus lies in strong investment in clean energy and climate research while incentivizing deployment of clean energy innovations across the entire economy. This is a decent start to pushing climate change, which I believe to be the most important issue at the moment, to the forefront of the nation’s agenda. If he gets elected, it will be interesting to see how exactly he will execute this plan, as he fails to specify or estimate the amount of money that would be spent. In terms of health insurance, Biden stands for universal health care, increasing tax credits to lower premiums for health insurance to expand coverage to low-income Americans. On the surface, this seems to be a narrow plan to address health care, but it still appears to be a great start to a solution to the health care problem. Even though the idea of a universal health care system is very appealing, it will cost a great deal of money. As both these plans require significant financial planning, it should be worth observing to see how Biden manages them if he is elected. Behind Biden in the polls is longtime Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Some of his main points for climate change is to invest in infrastructure to protect frontline communities most vulnerable to natural disasters and end exports of coal, natural gas and crude oil. I believe his idea about investing in infrastructure for vulnerable communities is brilliant, but I heavily disagree with outright banning exports of fossil fuels. Our exports of fossil fuels bring in over billions, potentially trillions, of dollars. Sanders should have a proper w
substitute immediately ready or ease the ban into effect over a few decades. On the topic of health care, Sanders advocates for universal single-payer health care, while allowing the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to bring drug prices down. This is part of exactly what health care needs, especially with lowering drug prices. Sen. Elizabeth Warren from California, on the other hand, sees the solution to the health care issue as the establishment of a universal single-payer health care system while abolishing private health care companies. In my estimation, making a
“I do like the fact that [Harris’s Green New Deal] is a gradual approach to climate change, but I do not believe it is detailed enough to provide a deep analysis on its effectivness yet.” -David Pietrow, on Democratic candidates universal single-payer system is even better than a universal system, but I struggle to convey how much I disagree with abolishing private health care companies. Nationalizing health care will have detrimental impacts on the long-term health of the medical field as it would lose a source of funding, or risk becoming subsidized at a cost to taxpayers. Warren also advocates a two trillion dollar investment for researching and manufacturing clean energy technology. I cannot say that I dislike this plan. She is the only candidate out of the five that has given a hard number of how much she plans on investing into clean energy. Two trillion, when devoted to climate change, should have a profound, beneficial impact. Former Attorney General of Cali-
fornia Kamala Harris writes on her website that in addition to lowering the price of prescription drugs, she wishes to improve Medicare buyin to achieve the goal of universal coverage while also keeping public or private Medicare plans alive. I consider this a moderate approach. I like the idea of having both private and public options available to the people, but it would be interesting to see how a single-payer system can accomplish her plan. While discussing climate change, Harris states that she would like to create a Green New Deal for modernizing transportation, upgrading clean energy infrastructure and investing in technologies to gradually eliminate carbon emissions. In comparison to the other candidates’ plans, there is nothing in this plan that makes it unique. I do like the fact that it is a gradual approach to climate change, but I do not believe it is detailed enough to provide a deep analysis on its effectiveness yet. On the idea of health care, Mayor Peter Buttigieg states that he will provide a public buy-in option affordable enough to pressure private companies to drive their prices down. Buttigieg is the only one of the five to mention using a capitalistic idea to make health care affordable, for which I give him massive credit. It is unique and should get support from opposing sides of the aisle if he provides details as to how he will implement the public option. While discussing climate change, Buttigieg claims that he will implement a Green New Deal that will include increasing energy efficiency in urban and rural homes and getting back into the Paris Climate Agreement. Getting back into the Paris Climate Agreement should be an expectation; I am far more intrigued by his implementation of making rural and urban homes more energy efficient. That is quite a challenge and will definitely span more than two presidential terms. On the record, I am not a partisan person. I evaluate candidates, not parties, but I appreciate the candidates the Democrats have produced thus far. In my opinion, a huge element missing in the present day United States is the objective use of information to form nation-wide policy. I have faith that these candidates will bring back that missing element to America.
There were two misprints in the previous issue of The Observer. The article “Bon Iver makes a solid return, but gets stuck in the middle” was falsely attributed to Aura Rossy instead of Jackson Rudoff. In the article “University Circle coffee houses reviewed,” a paragraph about Fluffy Duck cafe was printed twice under both the Fluffy Duck header and the Algebra Teahouse header. The Observer apologizes for these errors. The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer at (216) 302-4442 or e-mail observer-ads@case.edu. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be e-mailed to observer@case.edu or submitted on our website at observer.case.edu. Letters can be mailed to Thwing Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, Suite 01, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. For policy and guidelines related to the submission of Letters to the Editor, refer to observer.case.edu/submit-a-letter. The Observer is a proud member of CWRU’s University Media Board. Follow The Observer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @cwruobserver.
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established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of case western reserve university executive editor & publisher MATT HOOKE directors of print WON HEE KIM & NATHAN LESCH directors of design RYAN YOO director of web & multimedia JACKSON RUDOFF director of business operations SARAH PARR layout designer LESLIE SERN web editor PRESTON WILLIS photo editor CHRIS HEERMANN adviertising manager JUSTIN HU accounts manager SHIVANI GOVANI marketing manager BRADLEY SCHNEIDER
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National basketball team in shambles? David Chang Staff Reporter Australia surprised the sports world by defeating the U.S. men’s basketball team for the first time ever, snapping the U.S. team’s 78 game winning streak. Prior to this loss, the U.S.’s most recent loss happened against Greece at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. Australian point guard Patty Mills scorched the U.S. by scoring 30 points, which contributed to the team’s comeback from a ten-point deficit in the last two minutes of the game. The Australian Boomers were led by forward Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers’ fan favorite Matthew Dellavedova, who brought his signature scrappy defense. Not only did the team lose the game, but the U.S. also lost Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma to an ankle injury that occurred while he was in Australia. With the World Cup starting next week, should the team be worried? More importantly, should the fans be worried? The U.S. men’s team does not boast many big names. The typical stars opted not to participate, choosing instead to rest and prepare for the upcoming NBA season. That is not to say that there isn’t any talent; it is just young talent. The team combines for five allstar appearances, which pales in comparison to the combined 33 all-
being cut. Center Myles Turner, who averaged 2.7 blocks for the Indiana Pacers, will be the defensive anchor of the team. Instead of panicking, viewers should be encouraged. As seen in recent NBA seasons, the sport itself is not as enjoyable when watching LeBron James or the Golden State Warriors reach the finals every year. Fans are drawn to the excitement
value, and a young team has the potential to provide just that. After all, superhero stories must contain a struggle through the most adverse situations. With all the young players on the squad hungry to prove themselves, one of them is bound to step up. Expect the young Celtics duo of forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to explode on the scoring side. Brown gave a glimpse into his capabilities by scoring 19 in the team’s last exhibition game against Canada. The biggest competition for the coveted gold medal is Serbia, who is led by Denver Nuggets all-star Nikola Jokic, while also boasting three other NBA names, shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, forward Nemanja Bjelica and center Boban Marjanovic. Spain still has fresh NBA champion Marc Gasol as well as guard Ricky Rubio and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will represent Greece. It’s on the young Team USA players to not be haunted by the high expectations of being compared to past Olympics teams. At the end of the day, the U.S. team will definitely qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and we will get to see our young stars battle it out on the international stage in the World Cup.
the men’s and the women’s team came in first at the meet and will hopefully repeat their performance this weekend. For the rest of the fall sports, fans will have to wait until September when football and men’s and women’s tennis start their seasons. In
the meantime, Spartan athletes will continue to prepare for their coming games. To pass the time, anxious fans can continue to attend other sports around campus or simply work on perfecting their game-day spirit wear look. Fridays aren’t the only spirit day around here.
The U.S. men’s basketball team’s defeat at the hands of Australia leaves some pessimistic about the future. Courtesy of usab.com star appearances of the U.S. team that competed in the last Olympics. Leading the squad are guards Kemba Walker and Donovan Mitchell, who will have to rely on San Antonio Spur’s coach Gregg Popovich’s tough coaching to get the team ready. The roster still has a gaping hole on defense, caused by forward P.J. Tucker withdrawing due to a minor injury and forward Thaddeus Young
Fall sports preview Emily Young Development Editor
Last week, we told you where to watch your favorite campus sports. This week, we’ll help you decide which ones to watch. In the coming weeks, a number of classic fall sports will be kicking off here at Case Western Reserve University: football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, cross country and women’s volleyball. One of the first teams to start their season is the women’s volleyball team. This Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday, Aug. 31 mark the annual Spartans Invitational held in Horsburgh Gymnasium and the Veale Center. The Spartans will face off against Kenyon College at 5:30 p.m. on Friday to start a hopefully successful season. Last season, the team finished with an overall record of 18-14, finishing seventh in the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championships. The 2018 team was led by a strong squad of third and fourthyear players who earned many honors both on and off the court. Looking forward to the 2019 season, it will be interesting to watch some of the younger players step into leadership roles. Next up are the men’s and women’s soccer teams. Men’s soccer will start the season at home on DiSanto Field against Heidelberg University at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. This game will mark the first game played on DiSanto Field for the 2019-2020 school year and should be an exciting start to the year. Last year’s men’s soccer team left the field with an impressive re-
cord: 53 goals, 16 overall wins and a place in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championships. Two standout stars from the 2018 team include current fourth year players Garrett Winter and Zachary Senft. The two players were top scorers and are expected to step into leadership roles in the coming season. With the majority of the team returning to the field this year, fans can be hopeful that the Spartans will be making an appearance at this year’s championship. The final game played this Friday will be played off campus at Oberlin College by the women’s soccer team. However, the athletic department will be streaming video and posting live stats all night on their webpage so avid fans won’t have to miss a minute of the game. The Spartans finished their 2018 season with 7-10 overall record, which left many fans disappointed. There is hope for the coming season, as the team consistently demonstrated a strong defense and only failed when it came to consistently scoring. With only five members of the team having graduated last year, it is safe to say that the Spartan women will be coming back with a vengeance, older, wiser and ready to win. Saturday, Aug. 31 will mark the start of the cross country season at the Sudeck Classic Stampede at Squire Valleevue Farm for both the men’s and women’s teams. This meet traditionally starts the cross country season and serves as a great way for both new and old runners to ease into the season. Last year, both
Men’s and women’s cross country have their first meet on Saturday, Aug. 31. Chris Heermann/The Observer
sports Luck shocks the football world Why more players should follow his example Andrew Ford Staff Reporter On Saturday night, while my roommate and I were watching the first college football game of the season on ESPN, the red “Breaking News” sign flashed across the bottom of the screen with a sentence that flipped the football world on his head: Andrew Luck has retired from the NFL. We made eye contact and simultaneously yelled, “What?” It might have been the most shocking retirement the league has ever seen. One of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, with a legitimate shot to compete for a Super Bowl, decides to walk away from the game in the middle of the preseason. It left many scratching their heads, while Colts fans booed their former franchise quarterback. Luck has dealt with a plethora of injuries the last few years. He did not play at all in the 2017 season due to a labrum tear, and has also had torn cartilage in his ribs, lacerated kidney, a concussion and has currently been battling a calf and ankle injury. In total, Luck has missed 26 games since 2015. However, the Colts star returned in 2018 to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year after throwing for 4600 yards and 39 touchdowns. Obviously, despite the injuries Luck has performed at the highest level. Luck told reporters on Saturday night that the mental toll of constantly rehabbing and dealing with the pain had just become too much to handle. Still, it was an extremely difficult decision to walk away from his team. The abrupt decision raises the ques-
Andrew Luck retired from the NFL at the age of 29. Courtesy of Flickr tion, again, of the dangerous nature of football and the impact the game has on players’ long-term health. When a star like Luck leaves the NFL in his prime, it reminds us all just how dangerous football actually is. Recently, though, brain injuries have dominated the news cycle off the field, with players like Chris Borland retiring very early in their careers. But the majority of Luck’s injuries have not been head related, which is why his decision has confused many sports fans. He is defying the status quo that injuries are a normal part of the game to be fought through.
While Luck has raised a huge controversy among those involved in the league, the Stanford product needs to be praised for his decision. It takes great courage, heart and confidence to walk away from millions of dollars and face the immense backlash that comes with retiring early. More importantly, Luck is saving his body from further breakdown and rescuing his mind from the stress, anxiety and depression associated with constantly dealing with pain. He will definitely appreciate his decision more in the decades to come. More players should follow Luck’s
example and put current and future health higher on their priority list. The fact of football is that the physical toil caused by a decade in the league leads to a lifetime of pain for many players. For those with the financial security to do so, they should consider their families and their health, and retire earlier than what they originally planned. Luck should be hailed as an example of someone who realized life is more than just football; living healthily and investing in the most important relationships at a younger age will reap benefits for those players for years to come.
Cleveland Indian’s 2019 playoff chances Medha Nayak Sports Editor The Cleveland Indians are in the middle of a very unpredictable season. The 2019 season is the 119th season for the Indians, the seventh season under manager Terry Francona and the fourth season for general manager Mike Chernoff. The Indians play in the American League Central (ALC). Current standings have them in second place, trailing only the Minnesota Twins’ 80-51 record. The Indians are closely followed by the Chicago White Sox, and the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers take fourth and fifth place, respectively. The Cleveland Indians have a winloss record of 77-55. According to Sports Illustrated News, the Minnesota Twins are predicted to come out on top of the ALC division. Website FiveThirtyEight predicts the same. FiveThirtyEight utilizes current statistics to predict the likeliness that a team will make it to the World Series. They
use Elo ratings, which combine several factors and are a “measure of team strength based on head-to-head results, margin of victory and quality of opponent.” According to this compilation, the Cleveland Indians have a 22 percent chance of winning the divisional finals compared to the Twins’ 78 percent. Although the Twins are ranked higher, the Indians beat the Twins’ team rating of 1539 with a team rating of 1555. The World Series is set to begin on October 22, and the Indians’ calculated chances of winning are about four percent. However, the Cleveland Indians have been making a strong comeback in the second half of the season. They gained tremendous ground against the Twins in the last few weeks and now currently hold the top wildcard spot. Despite losing third baseman Jose Ramirez, the Indians have still been making steady progress. Ramirez, who has played as a
shortstop, third and second baseman, recently underwent surgery after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand. He is predicted to be out for the rest of the regular season. Ramirez was hitting 0.254 with 20 home runs, 33 doubles, and 75 RBI. He was an integral part of leading the Indians back to victory in the second half of the season. The Indians replaced Ramirez with shortstop Yu Chang. According to fangraphs, before Ramirez’s injury the Indians were predicted to win 57.2 percent of their remaining games. Now, they are predicted to win 55 percent. Because Ramirez was a critical part of the team, it will be interesting to see how the Indians will play in their upcoming games and if they will make it to the playoffs. mate bone in his right hand. He is predicted to be out for the rest of the regular season. Ramirez was hitting 0.254 with 20 home runs, 33 doubles, and 75 RBI. He was an integral
part of leading the Indians back to victory in the second half of the season. The Indians replaced Ramirez with shortstop Yu Chang. According to fangraphs, before Ramirez’s injury the Indians were predicted to win 57.2 percent of their remaining games. Now, they are predicted to win 55 percent. Because Ramirez was a critical part of the team, it will be interesting to see how the Indians will play in their upcoming games and if they will make it to the playoffs.
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