Nov. 22, 2017

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017

pg. 6

Tips to optimize your Black Friday quest pg. 10

Update from Bearcats’ Cayman Islands tourney pg. 14

Pumpkin pie: as good as you think it is?

Happy Thanksgiving from TNR

Interactive

FOR RELEASE NOVEMBER 19, 2017

THE TV CROSSWORD

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

FIND YOUR HAPPY. Join us weekdays from 3-6pm for our Happy Hour!

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• PBR Pints – $1 • Appetizers – $2 off • House Wines & all Drafts – $1 off

ACROSS 1 “__ for All Seasons”; Oscarwinning film 5 Series for Catherine Bell 8 Easy stride 9 Em and Bee 12 Had supper 13 Ferrer of “NCIS: Los Angeles” 14 Heartburn cause 15 Hanks and Selleck 16 “The __ Adventures of Old Christine” 18 Next month: abbr.

19 “__ Improvement” 20 New thought 21 Sherman Hemsley sitcom 23 Pitfalls 24 Small horse 25 Gentile of “The Goldbergs” 26 Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks 28 Howard and Perlman 29 “__ Plus 8” 30 “Eyes Wide __”; Tom Cruise film 32 “__ Big Girl Now” 35 Suffix for differ or exist Solution to Last Week’s Puzzle

Open Daily for Lunch & Dinner! www.PIESandPINTS.net

(c) 2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

36 Oxford, for one 37 “The Man Who __ Too Much”; James Stewart movie 38 “Little House on the Prairie” role 40 Book spine info 41 “The Suze __ Show” 42 Arthur of tennis 43 “Bill __ the Science Guy” 44 “__ dead people”; Cole’s line in “The Sixth Sense” DOWN 1 Waitress at Mel’s Diner 2 “Wisdom of the Crowd” actress 3 Ridiculed 4 “__ and Stacey” 5 __ Pressly of “Mom” 6 Summer months: abbr.

7 Wildebeest 10 “__ Valley”; Kyra Sedgwick series 11 “The Big __”; film for Bogart and Bacall 12 “American __!”

13 June, to the Beaver 15 Actor Danza 17 “How the West __ Won” 19 Egg producers 20 “__ Man”; Robert Downey Jr. film 22 “The __”; Anderson Cooper adventure game show 23 Horse’s gait 25 “__ Grit”; Jeff Bridges movie 26 Storekeeper on “The Waltons” 27 “Book ’em, __” 30 Glow 31 Garden implement 33 Free-for-all 34 Sense of wonderment 36 Kill 37 “__ the Girls”; film for Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd 39 File drawer, perhaps 40 Skater Babilonia

News

Medical marijuana: Coming to a dispensary near you PARKER MALATESTA| NEWS EDITOR

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy announced Monday that they have received 370 applications to operate 60 medical cannabis dispensaries across the state.

17 of the applications were from Hamilton County. Names of some of the county applicants’ businesses include Curaleaf Ohio INC, Medical Marijuana 513 LLC, Nature’s Apex LLC, Ohio Releaf III LLC and Black Diamond Investments LLC. Nature’s Apex represents Rhinegeist Brewery’s attempt to install a medical marijuana farm and cultivation site in Camp Washington. The site would also include a beer warehouse, a brewery and a dog park.

Students at the University of Cincinnati are curious to see how the medical marijuana landscape develops, and could possibly question buying cannabis illegally from campus dealers.

“It all depends. I’m a smart consumer and for me the only thing that matters is price,” a third-year arts and sciences student that smokes cannabis every day said.

“Whatever option is the cheapest while not compromising the quality is the one I’ll go with.”

The application fee for parties interested in a dispensary was $5,000.

According to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program, certified physicians may recommend medical marijuana only for the treatment of a qualifying medical condition.

All medical marijuana patients and their caregivers are required to register with the State Board of Pharmacy.

Some of these conditions include cancer, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, hepatitis C and multiple sclerosis.

“I would much rather buy medical marijuana if I could,” a first-year student that labels herself as a regular smoker said.

“Consciously, I feel better knowing my money is going to companies that would pay heavy state taxes benefitting schools, pension programs, public works — rather than encouraging a harmful cycle in local communities.

Earlier this month, state officials granted licenses to cultivators to grow medical marijuana.

The only location in the Greater Cincinnati metro area to earn a license is in Monroe, a small city in Butler County. Before they can begin production, a state team must visit their facility.

“As an epilepsy patient, I know that I’m one of the first on the list of eligibility for medical cannabis when it comes out in Ohio,” a third-

MARIAJUANA PLANT (DREAMSTIME/TNS)

year student that smokes every day said.

“Smoking dry cannabis bud is not legally protected by Ohio’s medical law, so I’ll have to buy that from dealers nearby.”

The student went on to discuss how intaking cannabis has benefited him physically and mentally.

“I know that I’m going to have to shy

away from smoking as well, so utilizing the resources that will be legal like edibles and oils will not only prevent seizures, but prevent me from the dangerous behavior of smoking,” the student said. “Ever since I started smoking marijuana, I haven’t had a seizure. It works.”

Title IX coordinator search back to drawing board JUSTIN REUTTER | NEWS EDITOR

The University of Cincinnati is going back to the drawing board in its search for a new Title IX coordinator.

UC has gone almost two years without a full-time Title IX coordinator after the departure of Jyl Schafer in 2016.

According to the listed job description, the Title IX coordinator handles day-to-day application and review of

resolution and grievances, experience collaborating with departments to develop campus/company-wide strategies for the implementation of prevention programs, experience dealing with the specialized needs and concerns of marginalized communities and their experiences with gender-based violence, with trauma informed training preferred.

The university is still facing two separate U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights lawsuits to determine whether it is a sexually hostile environment.

This is an example that the university cares only about its image, said McKenna Corey, a Students for Survivors (SFS) member, in a forum Thursday.

Corey said the university has shown through failure to hire a coordinator or rewrite a sexual misconduct policy that it would rather sweep negative things under the rug than deal with them.

“The university cares a lot about their image, and a lot about profit. They profit off of us as bodies here. And it’s been evident by the fact that they’re encouraging rape culture — and encouraging white supremacy — that they don’t care about the way that we feel in response to these things.”

Grace Cunningham, co-founder of SFS, said she was “not surprised, but disappointed.”

“UC’s complacency in rape culture has been clear,” Cunningham said. “This is just another example. UC has and continues to fail survivors on this campus. Survivors deserve to have support at the university they pay to attend.”

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university policies and practices as it relates to Title IX, Title VII and other Equal Opportunity laws at both the state and federal levels. They also coordinate response, prevention and education initiatives pursuant to Title IX and related statutes.

The position is also responsible for handling regulations and disseminating information of implementation requirements.

“My hope was to have a person hired at the beginning of this semester; however, it didn’t work out,”Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Bleuzette Marshall said. “I messaged members of our community [those who participated in oncampus interviews] that I made an offer to a finalist, but it was declined because she wanted to pursue other interests by joining a law firm. Our search committee is back to the drawing board and continuing the search.”

The university is working hard to find a coordinator, with the search being led by Marshall.

“Bleuzette is really beating the bushes to find a candidate,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Debra Merchant. “As soon as she has someone qualified to fill the position, she will let us know. I know it is very high on her priority list.”

The university is looking for a candidate who has a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of ten years of progressive experience in student personnel, student affairs, higher education administration, legal studies, counseling, human resources, equal opportunity, social work or a related field, according to a job description provided by Marshall.

Other qualifications include: experience or training in responding to complaints of gender-based harassment and gender-based violence as well as complaint investigation,

News

Possible tax bill could impact students struggling with student loans PARKER MALATESTA | NEWS EDITOR

Currently being debated in Washington, the Republicansponsored tax bill could have massive implications for many Americans struggling with student debt.

According to the Pew Research Center, roughly four in 10 people under the age of 30 have student loan debt. The tax bill going around in the Senate would keep most student loan policies intact.

However, the House bill would make large policy changes compared to current law.

If Republicans succeed and get a plan to President Trump’s desk, it is likely that the bill will be a mesh between the two House and Senate bills. It is possible that this bill will affect all students that deal with student loans.

Current U.S. policy allows individuals with incomes below a certain level to subtract up to $2,500 of student loan interest each year. The House bill on taxation wants to eliminate this deduction to clear room for the national deficit.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student debt totaled $1.34 trillion nationally at midyear 2017.

“Try not to get into [student debt],” a Fifth Third Bancorp investment executive said. “You have to research the options that you can get, and you’re much better off if you can get someone to cosign. If a student can avoid taking on any loans whatsoever, it’s going to benefit them in the long run.”

The median bachelor’s degree borrower owes a median of $25,000, while those seeking graduate degrees owed a median of $45,000, according to the Pew Research Center.

The Institute for College Access and Success has several recommendations for recent graduates to keep in mind regarding paying back student debt.

“It’s important to keep track of the lender, balance and repayment status for each of your student loans,” the institute writes. “When federal loans come due, your loan payments will automatically be based on a standard 10-year repayment plan. If the standard payment is going to be hard for you to cover, there are other options, and you can change plans down the line if you want or need to.”

If you are looking for someone to talk to about your student debt situation, visit the One Stop Student Service Center on the second floor of University Pavilion. Each regional campus has their own version of One Stop as well.

You can email One Stop at onestop@uc.edu or call them at (513)-556-1000.

If you want to file a complaint about your student loan servicer, contact the Department of Education or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

“There are various programs that will forgive all or some of your federal student loans if you work in certain fields or for certain types or employers,” the institute writes. “Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a federal program that forgives any student debt remaining after 10 years of qualifying payments for people in government, nonprofit and other public service jobs.”

To find out more about Public Service Loan Forgiveness, visit IBRinfo.org.

Celebrating the harvest: Holiday traditions around the country people have different ways of celebrating a bountiful harvest.

BEN REES | CONTRIBUTOR

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International students at the University of Cincinnati are spending the upcoming Thanksgiving break in their own ways, sharing their native traditions that most closely resemble the holiday we’ve come to know as a time to share the harvest.

Thanksgiving began in the 1600s as a way for the pilgrims to celebrate their first harvest in America. It became a national holiday during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and was a time of giving thanks to God for the bountiful harvest.

Today, Americans spend Thanksgiving with family and a traditionally large dinner, watching football and giving reflecting on what we are thankful for. In America and Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving but all around the world,

China

The Chinese celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival.

The Moon Festival has been celebrated in some form since at least 1000 B.C. The celebration is thought to have originated as a way to thank the gods for the harvest.

Today, the celebration is quite similar to Thanksgiving in North America. The Moon Festival is celebrated by gathering with family to give thanks for the successful gathering of wheat and rice.

The Chinese use this time to celebrate with many popular cultural aspects like eating mooncakes, making lit lanterns and performing traditional Chinese dances. In addition, the Moon Festival is also a time for romance where marriages are celebrated and new couples often emerge.

The Moon Festival is also celebrated in Vietnam, The Philippines and Taiwan.

Argentina

KENNETH STEINHARDT | TNS

While America and China celebrate harvesting vegetables and grains, the people of Argentina celebrate the gathering of fruit.

Argentinians celebrate “Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia,” translated to “the Grape Harvest National Festival.”

The first celebrations of Vendimia date back to the 17th century and had its first official festival in 1936 in Mendoza, Argentina.

The holiday is celebrated with wine, traditional foods, dancing and spectacular parades. First, there is a Blessing of the Fruit ceremony. Next, there is a parade of chariots carrying the elected Reinas or queens where one Reina will be elected the Queen of the Grape Harvest.

Finally, the traditional “Acto Central” takes place. In this event, over 100 performers and dancers perform in a show of

light and music with a fireworks finale.

Germany In Germany and Austria, there is a celebration called “Erntedankfest,” which translates to “Harvest Festival” in English.

Originating in the early 1900s, the holiday was first celebrated by farmers and eventually gained the interest of other citizens in the region and today, the celebration brings in thousands of tourists.

Like the other celebrations, this holiday is spent giving thanks to God for the gift of a bountiful harvest. This is an annual weeklong celebration consisting of parades, church services, live music, traditional foods and traditional clothes.

International Student Celebrations:International students often partake in their own customs themselves, spending the holiday with friends or family if they can.

Selena Dinh, a sophomore international studies student, hails from Cambodia. The Cambodian New Year is the most comparable aspect to Cambodian culture that resembles Thanksgiving.

“A lot of thanks is given in bringing in the Cambodian New Year in April,” Dinh said. “I plan on spending Thanksgiving with my family.”

Some international students, however, plan to partake in the American tradition.

“Australia doesn’t have anything like Thanksgiving or any kind of harvest holidays,” sophomore journalism student and Australian native Clare Spratt said.

Pratt plans on spending the holiday with a close friend and her family in a traditional American Thanksgiving meal.

All over the world, people are celebrating the gift of the harvest in spectacular and diverse ways. The main aspect that all these celebrations share is that the community comes together to give thanks for the blessings we have received.

News

Americans to possibly get taxes cut, Senate’s turn to debate

PARKER MALATESTA | NEWS EDITOR

This week in Washington, both the House and the Senate introduced plans that cut American taxes.

Most notably, the bills seek to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20

percent.

“For too long, this broken tax code has put the needs of the people second, propping up Washington special interests at the expense of hardworking Americans,” said Kevin Brady, Republican of Texas, who is a chair on

ALEX EDELMAN | TNS

President Donald Trump, flanked by Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), left, and House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), speaks with reporters about his proposed tax reform plan in the cabinet room during a meeting with congressional GOP leaders at the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 2, 2017.

the House Ways and Means Committee and introduced the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Senate plan has strong diversions from the bill in the House that was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee.

The House bill is structured with four tax brackets, while the Senate plan stays with the current seven brackets.

Both chambers approving a plan and sending it to the White House, would give the president the landmark legislative victory that he has been looking for this year.

“Corporate business tax reform is always advantageous to encouraging business,” said economics graduate student Trenton Davis.

Per the Joint Committee on Taxation, 80 percent of tax filers that earn from $50,000 to $75,000 would earn a tax cut in 2019 from the bill. In 2027, only 60 percent of citizens in that tax bracket would earn a cut.

“It is a provable lie to say that lowering corporate taxes will not create more jobs,” said Davis.

According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the proposed tax reform could increase the national deficit by approximately $3 trillion to $7 trillion.

Republican officials have stated that they will slash all deductions except mortgage

and charitable deductions. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, this could raise $4.5 trillion.

“The personal income taxes that he wants to do, are provably going to favor the rich,” said Davis.

Before the House voted on the bill last week, President of the American Council on Education, Ted Mitchell, wrote a statement to officials urging second thoughts.

“The House tax reform proposal released today would discourage participation in postsecondary education, make college more expensive for those who do enroll, and undermine the financial stability of public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities,” Mitchell said.

It’s now the Senate’s turn to debate and alter their bill, where Mr. Trump has had the most trouble pushing his goals.

“According to the summary of the legislation provided by the House Committee on Ways and Means, this bill would increase the cost to students of attending college by more than $65 billion between 2018 and 2027.

This is not in America’s national interest,” said Mitchell.

SG and RAPP collaborate to make social justice education available for student leaders JUSTIN REUTTER | NEWS EDITOR

SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR

External Holdover for Student Governmant, Vineela Kunapareddi worked to create a bill called the Intersectional Leadership Collaborative.

component of this program, so that students can learn not just the Silo that they are in, but the silo that their friends are in, and really end up demolishing the silos and really create an intersectional understanding of why [Diversity and inclusion] is so important.”

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huge improvement since a few years ago in terms of diversity, they still have a lot of room for improvement, said SG VP Dana Drage.

“At times we get very siloed in terms of what issues are important,” Drage said.

“RAPP does a wonderful job creating intersectionality, which I know is a big

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An Intersectional leadership collaborative has been created in collaboration between Student Government and UC Racial Awareness Program (RAPP).

The collaborative was made to make social justice education available to student leaders who are unable to attend RAPP because of the time, as many leadership organizations have meetings on Wednesday nights, said Vineela Kunapareddi, co-writer of the bill.

In addition, summer training for supplemental instruction leaders and resident advisers often conflicts with RAPP’s August five-day intensive.

“Both sides have expressed frustration at this conflict, and ideas have been tossed around of moving either the senate meetings or RAPP meetings,” read an initial outline for the program obtained by TNR. Both Student Government and RAPP stand to benefit with Student Government receiving important social justice training and RAPP getting to collaborate with influential student leaders, according to the outline.

Anahita Sharma, a fifth-year liberal arts student and student worker at RAPP, came up with the curriculum, and Kunapareddi wrote the bill after gathering feedback from SG and student leaders.

“When Anahita and I were talking about how a lot of student leaders promise to advocate for all students but don’t

necessarily put themselves in the hard conversations or communicate with the underrepresented constituents, we started playing around with the idea of having a discussion based educational program on intersectionality specifically tailored to the needs of student leaders,” Kunapareddi said.

The program will be a weekly two-hour program that consists of RAPP student-led facilitated group discussions.

“The program is split into three units: intersectionality, privilege and oppression, and allyship,” Sharma said. “The intersectionality unit goes over identities like race, gender, sexuality, ability and so on through interactive workshops, activities and facilitated discussions.”

“The privilege/oppression unit is more about dominant and subordinated group dynamics, systemic and systematic oppression, etc.,” Sharma said. “The allyship unit focuses on advocacy for marginalized groups while in leadership positions and turning education into action.”

Dates and times will be decided based on participants availability, and will be based off their schedules, said Kunapareddi.

“It took a while to solidify the program but now after getting everyone on board, we’re building the cohort and will be piloting the program in the spring semester,” she said.

The application is currently being circulated in SG and the boards. It will soon be sent out to other student leaders.

While Student Government has made a

Life & Arts

CARL JUSTE

Stores advertise Black Friday sales to draw the attention of shoppers on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 at Dolphins Mall. Shoppers headed to the mall for their holiday shopping and savings. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald/TNS)

Tips and tricks to optimize your Black Friday shopping NOELLE ZIELINSKI | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

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Black Friday is just around the corner. For many people, this is an exciting time and for others it can be seen as a nightmare. There are certain ways, however, to strategize and optimize your Black Friday experience.

Make a plan: If you go into Black Friday blindly and just plan to “wing it,” it’s not going to work. Making a plan a couple of days before can make the experience much easier and less stressful. Some key things to plan out are who you’re going with, where you’re going, what time you want to go and what you’re looking for. Planning the small things can make the day less stressful and more enjoyable. Try writing it out or even making a list and cross things off as you go.

Do your research: Several stores release their Black

Friday deals way before Black Friday. Look up the ads online and see if there are any coupons you can print off beforehand. Trust me, you don’t want to be relying on pulling up the coupons on your phone while you’re standing in line. Printing off coupons and taking the store ads can help prioritize what you’re looking for and help you compare the prices among different stores.

Amazon is a lifesaver: Amazon has amazing deals the entire week leading up to Black Friday. Many people think that they have to wait until Cyber Monday to get the greatest online deals but many companies and stores start their sales on the weekend of Black Friday as well. Amazon currently has a “Black Friday deals week” tab that takes you directly to all of their highlighted deals of the week as well as their specified deals of the day. Amazon is a great way to save money on bigger items such as houseware gifts for your friends and loved ones. It also allows you to compare different brands and prices and read customer comments so you are sure to pick the right gift for the best price.

Tackling the mall: The mall can be an absolute madhouse of Black Friday. One of the main things to remember is that the earlier you get there, the best parking spot you’ll get. If you get to the mall any time after 9:30, you will not be likely to get a parking spot. Also, parking close to a main entrance can be very beneficial especially if you are planning on purchasing a lot of things because then you can easily find your car and you won’t have to carry all of your bags around trying to search for it. Planning is going to come in handy when

tackling the mall because this can cut down on the amount of time you spend in each store. Making a list of the stores you need to buy gifts or items from should be the ones that you go to first, especially if what you’re searching for is having a sort of special sale. Going to the stores you need to go to first can make the entire trip less stressful.

Walmart: Walmart is a different kind of beast. Taking on Walmart can be a challenge in and of itself but if you know how to shop, you can easily find several gifts for your friends and loved ones for a great price. The key to shopping at Walmart on Black Friday is looking at the sales ad days before you go shopping, and yes, I mean days. By doing this, you can compare to other stores to see if Walmart is really the best option for what you’re looking for. Once you actually get to Walmart, I recommend you focus shop for exactly what you intend on buying. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shoppers at Walmart on Black Friday but staying focused can help you find what you’re looking for quicker and can make shopping at Walmart as stress free and painless as possible.

Life & Arts

Thanksgiving TNR’s Quiz

ANNE SIMENDINGER | STAFF REPORTER

Thanksgiving Quiz: “Predict How Your Thanksgiving Dinner Will Go and We’ll Predict What You’re Doing Afterward” Okay, the rules are pretty simple. For each question, choose A, B or C and keep track of how many of each you have. At the end of the quiz, tally up your answers and read your results.

1. First things first, where are you at for Thanksgiving dinner? a. My parents’ house. b. With my significant other’s family. c. At one of my distant relative’s house whom I only see on Thanksgiving.

2. Who are you forced to strike up a conversation with? a. Your grandmother who you were supposed to call six months ago. b. Your cousin who you only speak to at family gatherings to make things less awkward for the both of you. c. Your snappy aunt who just wants to know when you’re finally going to get your life together.

3. Time to grab a plate and get in line.

Where in line are you? a. At the front so I can claim all of the best food for myself. b. Toward the middle. I don’t want to seem rude but I don’t want the leftover scraps. c. Dead last. I want to see what everyone else is getting before I make my decision.

5. What vegetable are you going for on the first round? a. Corn. b. Green beans. c. Carrots.

9. Dessert time! What dessert do you have your eyes set on? a. Apple pie. b. Pumpkin pie. c. No dessert for me, I’m still in a food coma.

10. You awaken from your food coma and get a second wave of hunger.

What leftovers do you seek out first? a. A turkey sandwich. b. Another slice of pie. c. Literally anything and everything.

Time to tally up your answers!

Mostly A — You’re falling into a deep sleep almost immediately after you finish dinner. You’ve had your fill of Thanksgiving deliciousness and now you’re ready to find an empty spot on the couch, curl up with a pillow and start hibernating until Christmas.

Mostly B — Time to get ready and go shopping to get the best deals. You had a filling dinner and you’ve relaxed for a little bit with the family but now it’s time to go and face the shopping crowd.

Mostly C — You’re hanging out with the family for the rest of the night.

You’re tired, but not too tired to hang out with your family and catch up on what’s been going on the past year. You find a cozy spot on the couch or in a chair and talk for hours and reminisce about old memories.

OLIVER DOULIERY | TNS

Thanksgiving Turkey after a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House November 21, 2017 in Washington, DC.

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6. Okay, now you have your plate.

Where are you sitting? a. Next to my significant other. I need to protect them from my crazy family. b. With my sibling so I can steal their food when they’re not looking. c. At the kids table because I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with the questions my family will ask.

8. Are you going back for seconds? a. Absolutely. b. No, I’m fine for now. c. I’ve already eaten all of my plate plus all of my sibling’s plate.

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4. Turkey or ham? a. Turkey. b. Ham. c. Neither.

7. Speaking of questions being asked by your family, which question are you absolutely dreading this year? a. “When are you finally going to start dating someone?” b. “What do you plan to do with your degree, again?” c. “So, do you even use the rec center at your school? Because you definitely should take advantage of that.”

Life & Arts

PROVIDED

Marvel’s ‘The Punisher’ looks at serious issues, gives viewers an exciting ride

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JUSTIN REUTTER | NEWS EDITOR

One batch. Two batch. Penny and dime.

“The Punisher” has debuted on Netflix, in the most brutal, gritty showing put on by Marvel Television yet.

At the beginning of the series, having finally tracked down everyone involved in the deaths of his family, Frank Castle grows a beard and takes up a job as a construction worker, taking out his rage in swings of a sledgehammer.

However, Castle cannot stay away from bloodshed for long, and is soon dragged back into the mantle of the punisher in being hunted as a witness to CIA sanctioned war crimes his unit was involved in in Afghanistan.

The gritty realism is what originally attracted Jon Bernthal to play the part in “Daredevil” season two.

“He ain’t got a f---ing cape. He ain’t got any superpowers. He’s a f---ing tortured, angry father and husband who’s living in this unbelievable world of darkness and loss and torment.”

“The Punisher” does not feel at all like a superhero show. It is stripped of fancy superpowers and the martial arts mysticism that has permeated the previous collaborations between Netflix and Marvel, particularly in the cases of Daredevil and Iron Fist.

Instead, it tells the tale of a broken, traumatized soldier whose war never ended. It is visceral in a way that no other Marvel show has been allowed to be.

However, as much as it revels in Castle’s violence, it is also cynical toward it at the same time.

It is hard to imagine a better actor for the role than Bernthal; he is convincing in his extremely violent behavior, yet is still believable as the family man he used to be.

As much as “Punisher” revels in violence, it is also cynical toward it. It goes out of the way to criticize jingoism, unquestioned loyalty and the way soldiers are used and discarded when they come home from war. This is explored mainly through the plot arc of Lewis, a soldier haunted by post-traumatic stress disorder who turns to terrorist actions.

Like many soldiers, Castle himself never really came

home. Much like Garth Ennis’ interpretation of the character in “Punisher MAX,” Jon Bernthal’s “Punisher” is ultimately a tragic character, a traumatized figure who is addicted to death. Castle always justifies his violence with a cause, such as avenging his family or bringing war crimes to justice. But a viewer must ask: When Castle has no targets left to kill, no war left to fight, what then?

“Where does it stop, Frank?” asks Karen Page (played

by Deborah Ann Woll) at one point. He is a man of violence, capable of visceral brutality, and you can expect a lot of hyperviolence and gore.

But we are also allowed to see a different, softer, caring side of Castle, especially in his interactions with Karen, and with the family of partner, Micro. Like Castle, Micro faked his death. At heart, he is a good man who wants to protect those he loves and make the world a better place.

All in all, “The Punisher” was an exciting ride that took a surprisingly mature look at serious issues.

Life & Arts

FIND THE

BEST RENTALS AROUND THE UC CAMPUS AVAILABLE NOW! SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR

Get crafty this Holiday season with the simple and easy ideas from Life and Arts Editor Noelle!

Three easy holiday crafts you can give as gifts NOELLE ZIELINSKI | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

The holidays are a time of giving and receiving. Many times, making a present can be even more sentimental that buying one. Here are a few ideas of crafts that can be turned into gifts for anyone and that are reasonably affordable and incredibly fun to make.

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“JOY” Sign: For this craft, you’ll need wooden letters (a “J”, an “O”, and a “Y”), more glitter, regular glue, a cheap holiday wreath (I got mine from the dollar section at

Homemade Christmas Cards: Everyone loves sending and receiving Christmas cards from their friends and family. Here’s a fun way to personalize your Christmas cards this season. You’ll need different colored cardstock, different colored paper, regular glue, and plastic colored rhinestones.

1. First, you’ll want to cut your pieces of cardstock into small, card-like sizes which are easy to fold and easy to fit in an envelope.

2. Now, it’s time to get creative. You can take the regular glue and use it to write words such as “Joy” or “Noel” across the front and while its drying, sprinkle glitter on it and let it dry.

3. Another idea is to glue different colored plastic rhinestones at random places on the front of the card, and after it dries, use a fine-tip black pen to draw lines connecting to each rhinestone to make them look like hanging lights or ornaments.

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DIY Mason Jar Snow Globe: Snow globes are such a fun decoration, but they are even more fun if they are personalized.

One really simple craft that doesn’t take a lot of time is a mason jar snow globe. For this craft you will need a mason jar, colored glitter of your choice, some plastic pine trees or other small figurines to put in your snow globe, and some hot glue.

1. First, you’ll need to remove the lid from the mason jar and arrange your trees/figures onto the lid. After you have arranged them in the way you like the, hot glue them to the lid and allow it to dry completely.

2. Next, fill the jar almost completely full and add your choice of glitter (I know it may be tempting to pour all of the glitter into the jar but trust me, it will get clumpy and make a mess).

3. Now for this next step you’ll have to move quickly. Put a thin layer of hot glue around the mouth of the mason jar and then quickly put the top on with your figurines glued on it and twist it very, very tightly to seal the lid to the jar. Allow to dry completely.

4. Now it’s time for the fun part. Flip your snow globe over and give it a shake to see the glitter swirl around the jar. (Tip: if your jar is leaking in any places, just take your hot glue gun and fill the leaks with hot glue.

Once it dries, it will fill the leak)

Target), more hot glue and pain (optional).

1. Layer the letters on top of each other (I recommend putting the “O” on top of the other two letters, since that one will be covered in a wreath).

2. Now, trace where the “O” overlaps on the “J” and the “Y” with a pencil.

3. Next, take the holiday wreath and cut pieces of the wreath and shape them around the “O”. Once they are placed, hot glue them and allow them to dry completely. Repeat this until the “O” is completely covered and looks like a wreath itself.

4. Next, take the “J” and the “Y” and line the borders of each letter with regular glue (Avoiding where you previously outlined with pencil) and while the glue is drying, pour glitter over the glue and tap off the excess.

5. Once all of the letters are dry, place hot glue on the “J” and the “Y” where you outlined with a pencil and layer the “O” on top and allow to dry overnight.

Sports

Bearcats headed to Cayman Island Classic championship game

10

Nov. 22, 2017 newsrecord. org

JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team will play in the championship game of the Cayman Island Classic after winning their first two games of the tournament.

They kicked off the action with a 73-67 win on Monday night against the University of Buffalo, and followed that performance with a 75-48 beat down of the University of Richmond on Tuesday night.

The six-point win against Buffalo was the Bearcats first real test of the season, as they won their first three games by at least 30 points.

“Buffalo was picked to win their league. The game was going to be unbelievably physical,” head coach Mick Cronin said. “I thought it got out of control early and often, and became more of a football game. Fortunately, I had one guy who was tough enough to go out and win the game, and we rode him to victory.”

That “one guy” Cronin was referring to was senior forward Gary “The Problem” Clark, who finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Bearcats in both categories.

According to Clark, the key to his success was maintaining an aggressive style throughout the game.

“You just have to play aggressive and stay aggressive,” Clark said.

“Knowing a team is behind like that, trying to foul and get steals, no matter what you do, you have to be strong with the ball around the rim, finish, get fouled and knock down free throws.”

UC’s game against Richmond featured much less drama, as the Bearcats were up by 26 at halftime, leading 40-14.

They held the Spiders to 38.1 percent from the field, while they shot a season best 54.3 percent, while knocking down 13-of-24 shots from three-point range.

The bench also played a big role after registering a season low 11 points against Buffalo.

The second unit put up 38 points against Richmond, led by 13 from junior guard Cane Broome, who was benched after putting up two against Buffalo.

One problem that continued against Richmond were the turnovers, as the Bearcats committed 20.

Cronin has harped on the turnover problem consistently throughout the year.

“You have to take care of the ball,” Cronin said after the victory over Buffalo. “Our perimeter guys have to do a much better job of taking care of the basketball. You can’t win games when you turn the ball over.”

Cincinnati will meet the University of Wyoming in the championship game.

Wyoming is 4-0 on the season, and has defeated South Dakota State University and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in the first two rounds of the tournament.

The Cowboys are led by senior forward Hayden Dalton, who averaged 23.3 points and 9.0 rebounds in their first three games, before being limited to two points by the Ragin’ Cajuns on Tuesday night.

The Bearcats and Cowboys tip-off at 7:30 p.m. at John Gray Gymnasium in the Cayman Islands. As with every other game in this tournament, it will not be televised.

JUSTIN HILES | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Gary Clark (11) flies over his matchup for two during the men’s basketball game against Coppin State on Nov. 17, 2017 at BB&T Arena.

Sports

Bearcats look to finish losing year on high note JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Cincinnati football team will play their final game of the season Saturday against the University of Connecticut.

After losing their last two games, the Bearcats (3-8) have now shattered any chance of making a bowl game this season, making this the second straight year that UC will not play in the postseason, and ensuring their streak of seasons without a bowl victory will extend to five years.

However, they still have plenty to play for.

If the Bearcats were to lose this game, they would finish the season 3-9 — their worst record since 1998.

Head coach Luke Fickell would also like to let his senior class — whose 23 victories during their time at UC total the lowest since 2002-05 — end on a high note.

“Really, I want to make sure we put the focus on [the seniors],” Fickell said. “We want to celebrate them and do things the right way. In order for us to do that,

we need them to lead. We need them to be at the forefront, we need them to be the guys who are really emotionally driven, especially this week. I am going to pull at them to make sure that they can be remembered the right way.”

The Huskies, who are also 3-8, offer a solid opportunity for the Bearcats, who are favored by 5.5 points, to finish with a victory.

According to Fickell, there are a lot of comparisons between the two programs.

“They are in a very similar situation,” Fickell said. “They have a new coaching staff and they have kind of risen and fallen, had the ups and downs as well.”

Connecticut started off the season 3-4, before dropping their last four games by an average of 26 points per game.

On the season, they have struggled with both scoring and stopping the other team from scoring, ranking No. 101 in points per game and No. 125 in opponents points per game. The Bearcats also rank in the 100s in both of those categories.

Despite UC’s overall struggle to win games throughout the year, the running game has seen drastic improvements over the closing stretch of the season.

Through their first seven games, the ground attack averaged 100.4 yards per game, but that number has jumped to 195 per game in the last four contests.

While Fickell did not speak much about UConn in his weekly press conference, his emphasis kept shifting back to one focus: one game to end the season.

Fickell said that despite the game not having much meaning in terms of standings or bowl games, the fact that it will be the final time with that team means everything to him.

“One of the most important games, no matter what, is your last game,” Fickell said. “It’s kind of eating at my stomach that I want to make sure every kid in the room knows that this is a really important football game.”

Cincinnati and UConn kick off at noon at Nippert Stadium. The game airs on ESPNews.

SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR

Cincinnati Bearcats coach Luke Fickle stands on the sideline during the game against the Marshall University Herd Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 at Nippert Stadium.

Bearcat student-athlete graduation rates rising despite abysmal basketball numbers JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

The Bearcats have athletic graduation rates on the rise, but not without a bizarre anomaly in the process.

Every year starting in 1998, the NCAA has released a graduation rating for athletes, which includes every scholarship athlete that has enrolled in the program. It factors in a

four-year cohort, and allows a six-year period for the athlete to graduate. The 1998 rate factors scholarship athletes who enrolled in the university from 1988-91.

It is no secret that UC has never exactly had a reputation for strong academics. In the initial 1998 release, they graduated 66 percent of their scholarship athletes — way

11

“We were very excited for them,” Luckey said. “We have built a model that allows every team to share in the same success as these four teams.”

While 14 of the 15 NCAA programs on campus experienced at least a 74 percent graduation rate in the 2017 cohort, men’s basketball finished at only 47 percent.

Along the lines of improvement, that was still considerably up from the 31 percent they garnered in the initial 1998 release, and that rise has come in line with the firing of Bob Huggins and the hire of current head coach Mick Cronin.

“Well it all comes back to the head coach, his staff, and their recruiting efforts,” Bohn said. “Mick has not only recruited talented basketball players, but talented people and talented young men who are committed to doing all the things right, and that includes their academic performance.”

According to Luckey, that number should continue to rise in the future.

“Men’s basketball has graduated nine straight seniors, and 17 of the last 19. This streak will continue with Gary Clark and Kyle Washington, who will graduate in April.”

Bohn said the ultimate goal is to continue this academic success, which he believes these programs have been set up to do.

“We want to sustain the high level that we are at,” Bohn said. “We want to continue to win academic achievement awards, both within the conference and nationally.”

Nov. 22, 2017 newsrecord.org

PHOTO FROM THE UC.EDU

below the NCAA average, which sat around 83 percent.

However, since that initial report in 1998, the Bearcats’ graduation rates have skyrocketed, and in 2017 they graduated 86 percent of their cohort.

For UC Athletic Director Mike Bohn, he is thrilled that the work himself, his staff and the athletes have put in is starting to show.

“It is beyond satisfying,” Bohn said. “I think it is really a tribute to so many people that are collective aligned to make that happen.

Coaches who recruit student-athletes and student-athletes who engage in embracing the opportunity they have to receive a degree from the University of Cincinnati.”

Bohn believes that this shift is only the smaller picture of what the university is doing as a whole, and said that the strong academic showing UC is starting to make will significantly help all of the Bearcats.

“It helps us in recruiting,” Bohn said. “I think whether it is you or anybody else coming to UC, the value of your degree is enhanced by that academic standing.”

Four programs — lacrosse, tennis, volleyball and men’s golf — graduated every athlete from 2007-10, which is the span that factored into the 2017 percentage.

Joe Luckey, senior associate athletic director and director of student-athlete support services, said that these teams are leading the way to success for the rest of the athletic programs.

Sports

PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

Squires looking to take UC’s golf team to new heights

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Nov. 22, 2017 newsrecord. org

MATT HUFFMON | CONTRIBUTOR

While growing up in Kentucky, University of Cincinnati standout golfer Austin Squires was not surrounded by childhood expectations of wearing the red and black.

“I really didn’t know too much about Cincinnati’s golf team,” Squires said. “Once I began talking to coach [Doug] Martin and realizing the scholarship opportunities in front of me, it became clear that UC was the right choice for me.”

Now in his junior season, he has quickly made a name for himself on the national level.

His next step: Get the entire squad involved in the success.

“As a team, our goal is to make the NCAA tournament,” Squires said. “We want to be the first UC golf team to do that. At this point, we’ll either have to win a couple tournaments during the spring or win the American Athletic Conference championship.”

In two-and-a-half seasons for the Bearcats, Squires has seen tremendous individual success. During his 2016-17 season, he was a NCAA tournament participant as an

individual, a unanimous first team-all conference selection and the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

To follow up his impressive sophomore campaign, Squires spent his summer months conquering his next challenge: qualifying for the 2017 U.S. Amateur tournament in Los Angeles, California with UC teammate Davis Baxter.

“As I’ve gotten into these bigger tournaments, it’s really been a good opportunity to test my game against players that will most likely go on to the PGA Tour, which is my dream,” Squires said. “Being able to test my game against them was very beneficial because I could see what I do well — and what I don’t do well — and how to improve within that level of competition.”

Squires attitude toward the game revolves around staying humble and recognizing the room for improvement.

“Recently, I’ve made a lot of improvements to my putting because that was the part of my game that held me back from having a great fall of 2017,” Squires said. “I was kind of exposed to my weaknesses. The only place I putted really well in the fall was Firestone Country Club (Akron, Ohio)

where I won individually. In general, I struggled around the greens and couldn’t get anything going when it mattered.”

The future is bright for the finance major, as he envisions transforming himself from an amateur to a professional if his game continues to progress at this rate.

“If everything works out, I plan to turn professional after graduating in the spring of 2019,” Squires said. “Playing golf as a profession has always been a dream of mine.”

Calm and confident are two good, descriptive words for Squires, who is enjoying his transformation into one of the golf team’s vocal leaders.

“When I was a freshman, there was a senior named Emerson Newsome who was a great team leader and someone who I could look up too,” Squires said. “I enjoy being the one that the younger guys can come to if they aren’t comfortable talking to Coach Martin about something.”

Squires and the rest of the Bearcats golf team open up their spring season in Houston at the All-American Intercollegiate on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018.

Opinion

Mounir’s weekly MOUNIR LYNCH | OPINION EDITOR

1.

Apple Pie on Thanksgiving

2.

Black Friday

3.

Mashed Potatoes without Gravey

Apple Pie is the spirit of America. Anyone who says they don’t like it is either lying or has never had a quality apple pie. But, it just doesn’t really belong on that thanksgiving dinner table. It is pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato pie’s time to shine. For all my Kentucky kin, you cannot beat a home made cream pie, especially chocolate, after thanksgiving dinner. If your granny makes a mean apple pie, though, it can legit make your thanksgiving Personally, I’ve never had the guts to show up to the mall on Black Friday. I’m usually much too tired from a long day of cooking, eating, and watching football to wake up early or stay up all night to get good retail deals. But I think the whole concept is a load of meh for everyone involved. Employees are now losing their Thanksgiving because of Black Friday sales starting during Thanksgiving day. Many retailed do offer time and a half for employees, so those who are faced with working black Friday often get paid extra. For shoppers, you’re essentially putting your lives at risk walking (or usually running) in to that Target at 2am, but a 200-dollar plasma screen TV is always cool. Classic AMEHrica.

My mother and I have perfected the home-made turkey gravy recipe. While making the turkey, you’ve got all the tools you need to make a perfect gravy. There is a big debate around my house about whether the mashed potatoes are better with or without it. In my opinion, if they don’t have that artery-clogging goodness on top, they’re pretty meh. Just not enough love for me.

4.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

5.

Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

TIM GOLDENBERG | STAFF REPORTER

Hysteria. Panic Buys. Camping out in front of stores. If it weren’t for the deceptively low prices, you would think a disaster scenario was occurring. In reality, it’s just the busiest shopping day (and-ahalf) of the year, fueled by more and more spending. While Black Friday can feel like a great opportunity to find a low price on that one item you’ve been trying to get, many times you buy something that you didn’t know you wanted and certainly didn’t need.

I’m as guilty as the next person of watching Black Friday deals. Even on a near-broke college student budget, there’s a certain allure to window-shopping all these deals. It’s a nationwide hysteria that you get swept up in, despite attempts to resist it. What I’ve found, though, is that you justify spending money with the savings you accrue, although that’s not the most logical way to look at it.

On Black Friday 2015, I bought a Nintendo 3DS because it was half-off.

I didn’t particularly need it, nor was I particularly looking to get one, but when I saw that bold “50 percent off” label, I instantly justified to myself that this is a fantastic deal and I’d be stupid not to buy it. While playing Pokémon and reliving childhood nostalgia wasn’t a bad experience by any means, it highlights the danger of the Black Friday experience.

My wallet certainly felt the effect, but I still wrote it off mentally as saving money.

While talking to friends and family about this, many had the same conclusion.

While many did utilize it to get something they needed at a much lower price, buying a plethora of other discounted goods led them to spend more than they would have if they’d just bought that needed thing at regular price.

Wallets and Account Balances aren’t the only losers on this day, though.

With major retailers like Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target all stretching their Black Friday hours to include Thursday evening, retail workers are paying the price for the unbridled

consumerism of the American culture. On a day where most Americans generally spend time with their families and give thanks for what they have, retail workers at these stores are being deprived of the same opportunity. Furthermore, historical criticism of the holiday aside, Thanksgiving itself is being hijacked by a passenger looking to cut back on the good times with family and push forward with more spending.

It is this very hysteria that fuels Black Friday as a feedback loop around the illustrious shopping day forms. The more people hype it up, the more people will spend. As people spend more, it’ll get hyped up more. The cycle continues, and Black Friday ingrains itself further in American culture.

So, if you were planning to go Black Friday shopping this year, give it a second thought. Think of the retail workers, your wallet and what you actually need. Odds are, you’ll save money and have a more enjoyable time over your Thanksgiving Break.

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A few years back, I learned that a huge tradition among American households is to eat sweet potatoes with torched Marshmallows on top.

An overly sweetened dish that, if not eaten with anything else for the entire day, is pretty good. I’m not even sure what category we fit this dish in to.

Should we eat it for dessert? Should it be on the plate with the rest of the side dishes? I think my family avoids it, outside of the fact that it is a total meh, because of that question of when and where to eat it. I’ll have my sweet potatoes without the artificially sweetened candy on top, thanks.

Reasons you should avoid Black Friday and enjoy your Thanksgiving

Nov. 22, 2017 newsrecord.org

Most American households watch the parade in the morning before the football games and dinner.

My entire life, I feel that Matt Lauer and Al Roker have been a part of my family with their cheeky banter throughout the parade. As I’ve gotten older, though, the whole thing has become pretty meh. Usually the same floats, Christmas music performances and huge balloons every year. At the end of the parade, Santa waves America hello and brings in the Christmas Holiday with style. As I’ve grown in to a bitter young adult, I’ve realized that the parade just doesn’t really change every year.

For that, I deem it a meh.

HYOSUB SHIN | TNS

Early Black Friday shoppers stand in line as they wait for the door to open at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 at Toys R Us at Town Center in Kennesaw, Ga.

Opinion

Steal from the poor to give to the rich: GOP tax plan PARKER MALATESTA | NEWS EDITOR

CHRIS KLEPONIS | TNS

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, listens to President Donald Trump speak during a meeting with other members of the Finance Committee and Trump's economic team at the White House in Washington, D.C., on October 18, 2017.

When congressional Republicans return from Thanksgiving recess, they have a lot of work to do to execute on their goal of passing tax reform legislation by Christmas.

The House and the Senate are working on separate bills that will most likely eventually create a hybrid bill to reach President Trump’s desk.

Critics of the bill have largely cited tax reform of the 1980s and Ronald Reagan’s implementation of “trickledown economics.”

The basic concept is that personal tax cuts will allow the wealthy to spend more, with liquidity eventually funneling down to the middle and lower class.

It’s an elegant theory in syntax, but it doesn’t work as beautifully as it sounds.

However, the most important variable in this bill is the change in the corporate tax code.

Mr. Trump and Republicans are looking to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent. The impact of this change would be felt by every firm across the country.

If the bill passes, capital spending will increase, but it contradicts one of President Trump’s fundamental arguments during the campaign.

Trade deficits and the national deficit were key elements of his prose when he attacked establishment politicians.

This new tax code will only make the national deficit worse, and while congress is doing everything they can to mitigate the loss, in the grand scheme of things it will be a massive loss.

This is largest economic expansion this country has seen in decades. The unemployment rate is incredibly low.

Being realistic, we are on the verge of another recession.

It’s so important for politicians — especially Republicans — to be delicate with the U.S. economy.

President Trump’s nomination of Jerome Powell for the Federal Reserve chair was a step in the right direction.

Increasing the national deficit and eliminating fundamental social services in the tax code is a step in the wrong direction.

Investors will remain bullish as long as talk of the bill is present, and if it is

implemented, stocks will soar.

Short-term rewards will not grant long-term return. In fact, it will most likely be the opposite. If the bill passes and is possibly implemented by 2018, it will be a massive legislative victory for President Trump.

This is something he will freely tout up until 2020, and the reactionary effects are sure to play in his favor.

The negotiations in the Senate will be interesting to watch, as Republicans struggled there earlier this year with health care reform.

Senators to keep an eye include Susan Collins from Maine and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.

These are two influential GOP members that will play a strong role if the bill does not pass.

At a time when China is rising as a geopolitical power, domestic economic policy is crucial in spurring growth.

Mr. Trump, if you’re not going to tackle to national deficit through the tax code, please deal with our reeling trade deficits with China and Germany.

Why oh why, did I eat that whole (pumpkin) pie?

14

Nov. 22, 2017 newsrecord. org

JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

Where to begin?

Simply saying that pumpkin pie is the king of the pie family does not do justice to the beloved fall treat.

The biggest reason every basic white girl goes nuts when the leaves begin to fall is not for the pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks, as you may believe it to be. It is for the delicious goodness baked into a warm and crispy crust, which accommodates that latte on a brisk autumn day.

While pumpkin pie is great on every occasion, it accompanies the weather of fall to a near perfection, rivaled only by the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

This is all before Thanksgiving Day rolls around.

Once that special day — made famous by Native Americans offering their feast to the hungry pilgrims, who gave thanks by killing them all and taking their land — comes to the forefront, pumpkin pie takes center stage.

Pumpkin pie actually made its debut on the table at the second Thanksgiving in 1623, according to the American Pie Council.

Pumpkin pie is by far the most popular desert dish, meaning two things:

1. If you do not have pumpkin pie on your Thanksgiving table, there is something wrong with you.

2. If you come to my Thanksgiving table and complain about the absence of any pie other than pumpkin, you will be promptly removed from the house.

It is so popular around the autumn holidays, that 13 percent of Americans identify it as their favorite pie, slightly behind apple, despite the fact that it is only in season for a couple months.

With all this being said, it still baffles me to this day that there are un-patriotic, pineapple-on-pizza, sock-and-sandalwearing Americans who refuse to eat the spiced dessert.

“I don’t like that it tastes like pumpkin,” local communist Jacob Gable said.

“Pumpkins are earthy and slimy. Pumpkin pie is just a sweetened version of it.”

Gable went on to say that he believes most Americans simply fake their enjoyment of pumpkin pie to be a part of the majority.

“I don’t believe that as many people enjoy pumpkin pie as much as they say they do,” Gable said. “I believe that it is a mixture of tradition and wanting to eat whipped cream without judgement. People are creatures of

habit and just think they should eat pumpkin pie at thanksgiving [sic] because everyone else has.”

Other than the fact that Gable did not capitalize the first American holiday when reached out to for comment, the other flaw in his comments was that he failed to recognize

why it became a tradition in the first place.

Pumpkin pie is just that good that it has maintained its place as America’s favorite post-turkey indulgence for nearly 400 years.

Everyone is entitled to your opinion, but if you do not like pumpkin pie, you might as well move to Canada, where they celebrate

SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR

Sports Editor Jason Szelest shares his thoughts on pumpkin pie.

Interactive

TNR staff question of the week:

What is the worst question you’ll inevitable be asked at Thanksgiving?

“What’s your take on the “National Anthem” protests?”.

-David Wysong, Editor-inChief

“How much longer do you have in school?” and “When are you guys getting engaged?”

- Shae Combs, Photo Editor

“Journalism, huh? So, what are you planning on doing with that?”

- Noelle Zielinzki, Life & Arts Editor

“What are you going to do after school?” I. -Claude Thompson, Managing Editor

“What are your grades like?” and “Have you been losing weight? Finally.” Most likely.

-Mounir lynch, Opinion Editor

“Are you still liberal?”

-Erin Couch, Copy Editor

“So, are you dating anyone?”

“Any job prospects?”

-Justin Reutter, News Editor

“When are you going to stop drinking so much?”.

-Jason Szelest, Sports Editor

“How’s your girlfriend?” - We broke up this summer.

-Parker Malatesta, News Editor

“How’s school going?” About the same as it was last year, thanks for the ambiguous question.

-Jacob Fisher, Chief Reporter

Chief Photographer Aaron Dorsten News Editors Justin Reutter Parker Malatesta Managing Editor Claude Thompson Broadcast Reporter Emily Wilhelm

Life & Arts Editor Noelle Zielinski Designer Alexandra Taylor Sports Editor Jason Szelest Online Editor Stephanie Smith Chief Reporter Jacob Fisher Copy Editor Erin Couch

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• Relax with your family – Take advantage of your long weekend and genuinely just relax with your family.

• Go Black Friday Shopping – Get a head start on your holiday shopping and take advantage of all of the great deals happening on Black Friday.

• Catch up with your friends – Take this time to plan a lunch date with some of your friends who go to other schools. It’s a great chance to catch up with each other and have a great time while you’re all home.

• Be lazy – Sleep in until 2 p.m. Don’t change out of your pajamas, watch Netflix all weekend.

15

• Macy’s Light Up the Square – On Friday, Macy’s is lighting up the square at Fountain Square starting at 5 p.m.

• La Salle Holiday craft show – La Salle high school is hosting a holiday craft fair on Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m. There will be over 100 booths there.

• Life Aquatic Family Festival: The Contemporary Arts Center is hosting an event featuring two artists whose work is reflected around aquatic life. There will be aquatic themed snacks and a photo booth. This event starts on Saturday at 12 p.m.

• Take this weekend to yourself and enjoy all of the food.

Editor-In-Chief David Wysong

Photo Editor Shae Combs

Nov. 22, 2017 newsrecord.org

Things to do this week & weekend:

Opinion Editor Mounir Lynch

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