Dec. 4, 2019 - The News Record at University of Cincinnati

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pg. 6 | How to destress for pg. 8 | UC football returns finals week to Memphis for revenge Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Professor researches Madagascar wildlife DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR Brooke Crowley grew up at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by Boulder, Colorado’s lush green and yellow foliage.

Raised by parents who were teachers, Crowley was encouraged at a young age to explore the natural world. Now, as an associate professor of geology and anthropology at the University of Cincinnati, Crowley is researching how species interact and human effect on natural systems.

Collecting rocks since she was a child, Crowley

earned her Bachelor of Arts in geology from Vassar College in New York. She continued her education at the University of California, Santa Cruz to earn her Master of Arts in physical anthropology and holds a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology. It was there where Crowley learned she wanted to investigate ecological interactions, the causes and consequences of recent extinctions as well as the ecological repercussions of habitat fragmentation and degradation.

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The city of Cincinnati’s second phase of massive renovations to the sewer systems is a proposed $12 million renovation could plague Burnet Woods. QUINLAN BENTLEY | STAFF REPORTER

Students speak out on effects of $12M Burnet Woods sewer plan QUINLAN BENTLEY | SENIOR REPORTER

As the city of Cincinnati prepares for phase two of a massive renovation of the city’s outdated sewer system, University of Cincinnati students are expressing concern over a proposal to replace sewer lines in the nearby park of Burnet Woods.

On Nov. 19, a group of UC students attended a meeting of the Cincinnati City Council’s Education, Innovation and Growth Committee to address their concerns over an

approximately $12 million proposal by the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) to reduce overflow in and around Burnet Woods by renovating the sewer system there.

As part of the “Green New Uptown” interdisciplinary course series, which debuted this semester, students from departments across campus have investigated key ecological problems pertaining to the university as well as the neighborhoods and parks that surround it.

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Lemurs photographed by Brooke Crowley while researching in Madagascar. PROVIDED | BROOKE CROWLEY

December 4, 2019

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Local councilman creates new legislation hoping to ease burden on student renters KEELY BROWN | NEWS EDITOR A member of Cincinnati City Council has proposed new legislation to remove what he has called a significant barrier to housing for University of Cincinnati students who rent homes in Clifton and throughout the city.

Cincinnati City Council will consider the measure

by Cincinnati councilman P.G. Sittenfeld — dubbed Renter’s Choice — this month, which allow a tenant within the city of Cincinnati to choose between making a traditional security deposit or purchasing a security deposit-like insurance that provides full coverage for both tenant and landlord when applying for a home or rental unit.

“If you’ve graduated from UC, let’s say you’ve worked hard and you’re going to be starting a $40,000 a year job, but you don’t have $750 or $1000 sitting around,” said Sittenfeld. “That shouldn’t be the barrier to housing. I want to remove this from housing, and [Renter’s Choice] puts that money back in your pocket immediately.”

The legislation would provide full coverage for the tenant and landlord, for as little as $3 a month, according to Sittenfeld. This monthly premium would provide the same level of coverage as a cash security deposit required by a landlord, he said.

“An alternative to the traditional, significant, upfront past security deposits is to have a low dollar monthly insurance premium,” Sittenfeld said.

“And in doing that, it gives the tenant, the renter and the landlord all of the same protections, as though they actually did have the security deposit.”

The provider of the insurance would come from the private sector, and Sittenfeld said he drafted the legislation so the cost of the insurance premium cannot be predatory. The monthly insurance rate would vary from tenant

Rec center to build new circuit workout area

Cincinnati councilman P.G. Sittenfeld.

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to tenant, depending on certain circumstances.

“There are other considerations, like person’s credit history and things like that,” Sittenfeld said.

“But the entire point on the legislator side is a low-cost alternative. So, on a $700 a month one bedroom — that $3 number absolutely could be realistic. But the number could change if it was a $1,200 two bedroom.

It depends on a number of factors.”

“Renter’s Choice” would also make moving easier, he said, as the insurance can be transferred from one place to another. This differs from the current model, where a renter’s security deposit may be tied up with their current landlord, and the renter has to come up with another amount of cash to provide as security deposit to a new landlord.

Members of the local community have been very supportive since the introduction of the legislation because it gives tenants the choice to choose what works best for them, Sittenfeld said.

“I think on the tenant side, people have been very excited, because at the end of the day, it’s giving them a choice,” he said.

“No tenant or renter is forced to do anything — it just empowers them to say, ‘Yeah, I would rather have my security deposit back in my pocket right now and replace that with a low dollar insurance premium.’

They’re empowered to make that choice.”

Landlords are digesting

“Renter’s Choice,” as it is a stark contrast to the traditional security deposit, said Sittenfeld. Although change may be daunting, the councilman sees the proposed legislation as a win-win for both tenant and landlord.

“Just because the tenants and the renters are ‘winning’ doesn’t mean the landlords are losing,” he said. “The whole point of this is that they have all the same protections. In fact, I think the argument can logically be made that landlords and property owners are actually better off because by removing that barrier to housing, you’re actually increasing the pool of potential renters.”

Cincinnati would be the first city in the U.S. to implement such legislation.

After Sittenfeld unveiled the concept to hundreds of leaders around the county at a conference in Washington, D.C., elected leaders across the country are looking to bring the concept to their cities as well.

“The benefits that I’ve laid out removes a barrier to housing, puts money back in people’s pockets and immediately churns money through the economy,” Sittenfeld said. “[I thought] ‘How can I as a policymaker, and as a city leader in Cincinnati accelerate those outcomes?’

This is where we’re taking an innovation from the private sector and marrying it with smart progressive legislation to help move this along.”

The University of Cincinnati’s Campus Recreation Center will be building a 30-minute workout center.

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QUINLAN BENTLEY | SENIOR REPORTER The University of Cincinnati’s Campus Rec Center (CRC) is constructing a 30-minute workout area that will help students to create time for fitness in an increasingly busy world.

This spring semester, CRC plans to unveil a strength and cardio intensive workout area aimed at convenience, which will allow members to incorporate health and fitness into their already busy schedules.

Currently under construction on the CRC breezeway, the area is the newest addition to the more than 200 cardio and strength workout areas and nearly 200,000 square feet of recreation space offered by the facility.

With time being a precious commodity — making it hard for some to get out and go to the gym — it was important that CRC adopt an area for people with such time restrictions, said Kim Schmidt, director of the center in an email to The News Record.

“For that reason, our desire was to create an easily accessible, full body workout area for students and members that didn’t require a significant time commitment,” she said.

This new workout area will consist of 20 additional strength and cardio workout machines. To make it more welcoming for new members, the area will be located near the member services desk, according to Schmidt.

“The CRC is a great facility which has many features that our students and members love, but it can take time to navigate the building and by its very nature, can be intimidating for some

individuals,” she said.

Schmidt also noted that the space will offer its own changing and storage area.

“We realize that some individuals are at the beginning stages of their fitness journey and we wanted to create an area where they could feel comfortable in a more private area,” she said.

Research shows that those in the early stages of developing a workout routine are less likely to be physically active when faced with stress.

While the new space offers a very intensive and compacted workout, each piece of equipment will have a one through 20 intensity setting with instructions for how to use it. CRC staff will be on-hand to assist anyone having difficulties with operating the equipment, according to Schmidt.

Each station will be time limited with a green-light, red-light system that will give members only 60 seconds to complete as many repetitions as possible before moving on to the next workout.

The workout area will also offer walking desks for those who really do not have time to break away from the office or library.

“After all, some exercise is better than no exercise,” Schmidt said.

The university plans to unveil this new space as early as February, just as the spring semester is kicking into full gear.

“My hope is that the entire campus community will benefit from this new space,” Schmidt said. “Whether it’s someone who wants to begin working out or an individual who exercises regularly, my hope is that everyone will see how this new space can benefit them and their desire to be more physically active.”

December 4, 2019

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Students warn of Burnet Woods sewer renovation This Story Continued from Page 1 In reporting its findings to city council, the group noted that renovation of the existing sewer at Burnet Woods is necessary due to its age and inadequacy, coupled with potential for increased incidence for intense rainfall caused by climate change. At the same time, the group also found that construction of a new sewer line in the park could disturb an area of old-growth forest approximately three times larger than the area of where the sewer line is being installed.

“Construction itself can cause a lot of issues,” said Mallin Blaxall, a fourth-year environmental studies student who is part of the group analyzing the MSD’s proposal. He also noted the environmental footprint of construction is often larger than the project itself.

While it may be hard to monetize the value of an old-growth forest like Burnet Woods, it does offer a number of benefits to both wildlife and the surrounding communities, Blaxall said.

“Just from a social perspective, green space is really important for individuals and for communities,” she said.

As parts of the city’s sewer system date back roughly 180 years, some sewer lines still combine stormwater with sanitary sewage from residences, businesses and schools.

When this system is overwhelmed by excess rainfall, it leads to combined sewer

overflow, which causes sewage to spill out into waterways, homes and parks, said MaryLynn Lodor, deputy director of the MSD. The sewer’s capacity can be thought of as a glass of water, she said.

“However big your glass is, is how much water that glass can hold,” she said. “You can always try to pour more water into that glass, but it’s going to overflow.”

Besides flooding, overflow can contribute to the pollution of waterways.

Due to a federal mandate from the Clean Water Act, the City of Cincinnati and MSD are in the midst of a multibillion-dollar initiative to reduce the prevalence of overflows, dubbed “Project Groundwork.” MSD has completed nearly a decade’s worth of improvements totaling approximately $1 billion worth of renovations and is gearing up for the second phase of this project beginning in 2020.

The city has already managed to reduce overflow by approximately 6 billion gallons per year, said Lodor.

The stormwater coming from UC is all collected in a combined sewer just upstream of the park, according to Lodor. The Burnet Woods proposal aims to reduce overflow by separating the combined sewer beneath Martin Luther King Drive and creating a storm infrastructure leading from UC to Burnet Woods — revitalizing a stream in the process.

Work also needs to be done on the

The city of Cincinnati’s second phase of massive renovations to the sewer systems is a proposed $12 million renovation could plague Burnet Woods.

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existing sewer in the park, as parts of it are undersized and outdated. Water from the stream in Burnet Woods will be routed through another storm line to Mill Creek, said Lodor.

While she notes that MSD’s planned stream revival and other green

infrastructure projects are positive additions to the park, Blaxall wants the city to be mindful of its impact on the ecosystem.

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SG approves rental charger program at Langsam SHANNON SMITH | CHIEF REPORTER The University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Student Government (SG) will soon provide free phone and laptop chargers in Langsam Library for students to borrow.

The details of the initiative will be finalized in the next month and SG plans to have the charger service available in the library by spring semester.

UC has provided phone charging stations around campus in the past, but now students will have the flexibility of taking chargers with them, to class or somewhere else around campus.

“We hear a lot from students about just the convenience of having a phone charger available, so we wanted to work to provide them that amenity,” said Chandler Rankin, student body president.

Rankin and student body vice president Abbie Smith have worked on the initiative throughout the course of a 5-month period. The student senate passed a bill to fund the program Nov. 20, allocating approximately $2,400 from SG’s budget.

The rental program will include a variety of charger models for iPhones, Android phones, MacBooks and Microsoft Surface laptops. SG will additionally provide multiple universal chargers, which include 10 different chargers in one device.

The bill also commits $400 of SG’s budget annually to

keep the program intact for years, even after Rankin and Smith leave office. Rankin said creating a pool of funds to sustain the initiative was one of the parameters given by the university to establish the program.

There have been similar programs implemented in universities across Ohio as well as other schools in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), Rankin said.

When creating this initiative, SG benchmarked these institutions’ programs to expand the library’s inventory of available devices to lend to students.

“We looked at schools that were able to implement a program like this successfully and found that the product offerings we decided on aligned well with them,” Rankin said.

Students will be able to borrow laptop chargers for up to 5 days and phone chargers for 4 hours. Rankin said he and Smith hope the initiative will be a convenience for students who may have forgotten a charger at home or lost it by being able to temporarily provide one until they are able to get another one.

“Our hope is that maybe the rental gives them a little bit of time for one to get shipped in for them, to retrieve one from home or go buy a new one,” Rankin said.

The University of Cincinnati’s Student Government is looking to allocate $2,400 of its budget to provide phone and laptop chargers for rent at Langsam Library. FLICKR | JOSE FONSECA

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December 4, 2019

The ‘silent killer’: Fighting muscular dystrophy

Left: Phillip Witcher, who is completing a doctorate at the College of Medicine, muscular dystrophy a condition that affects one in every 5,000 males. PROVIDED Right: The University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute. PROVIDED | MARK HERBOTH

PAYTON MARSHALL | STAFF REPORTER It’s known as the silent killer. Symptoms begin with muscle weakness until eventually one’s muscles are completely deteriorated. It’s called muscular dystrophy, and it affects one in every 5,000 males.

Because it is rare, muscular dystrophy has not received the attention and research funding of more common diseases, according to University of Cincinnati researchers.

“My experience is that if a person does not have a family member or relative or friend affected by muscular dystrophy, then they typically do not know about [muscular dystrophy],” says Hani Kushlaf, associate professor of neurology and pathology, who sees patients with the disease.

UC researchers are trying to change this lack of transparency by sharing their experiences with the disease. They understand that the goal of finding a cure for muscular dystrophy begins with awareness.

Living beyond the chair One person who truly understands the disease from both a medical professional standpoint and from personal experience is John Quinlan, director of the neuromuscular center at UC’s Neuroscience Institute, who teaches as a professor and sees patients as a practicing neurologist with UC Health.

In an interview with UC Health, Quinlan said he chose neurology because he believed it was a field where there was a lot of puzzle-solving of complicated diagnoses such as his own muscular dystrophy.

“Because I have some physical limitations, I saw when I was a medical student that I wasn’t going to go into surgical areas, and so that made me think of the more internal medicine and subspecialties,” Quinlan said.

Phillip Witcher, who is completing his doctorate at the College of Medicine, had Quinlan as a professor. He said he didn’t know Quinlan had muscular dystrophy when he met him.

“I just knew that he was in a wheelchair and that he was

a smart professor,” Witcher said.

Witcher himself is doing research on muscular dystrophy. He is in his first year of research on muscle cell fusion in the Doug Millay lab at Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital.

Witcher’s research focuses on the myomaker and myomergerm — the proteins within muscular cells — with the hope of helping patients with muscular dystrophy through cell therapy.

The ‘silent killer’ Muscular Dystrophy is caused by genetic mutations that interfere with the production of proteins that are needed to build and maintain healthy muscles, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Imagine running a race. Your muscles are tired, and to recover they need to build new proteins to regain strength. The feeling for patients with muscular dystrophy is similar, except they never regain it. The reason muscular dystrophy is known as the “silent killer” is that this muscle deterioration is a slow process. The body gradually evolves into a physical shell.

Muscle weakness often leads to the curving of the spine, forcing many with it into a wheelchair — if their failing muscles didn’t force them into one already. It leads to the shortening of muscles and tendons and severe breathing issues. Eventually this advances to paralyzed mobility in most of the body. There is no cure.

One of the most intense and aggressive forms of muscular dystrophy is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Muscle loss and weakness is caused by alterations in a protein called dystrophin, which helps keep muscle cells whole. Symptoms for those who have DMD first present themselves in children at an early age and progressively get worse.

But today, people with DMD have a longer lifespan because research breakthroughs have created drugs and treatment options. Symptoms can kill. These treatment options help with treating the symptoms from muscular dystrophy. According to MDA, the life expectancy for those born with DMD is in the early 30s because of

advances in cardiac and respiratory care.

“We live in an exciting time for (treating) muscular dystrophies,” Kushlaf said.

Moving foward UC researchers agree: to find a cure, awareness needs to be shared and stories need to be told.

Witcher said diseases with more physical and behavioral cues, such as breast cancer, get media attention. Millions of people see the physical signs of chemotherapy of breast cancer patients, such as hair loss and are the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the largest and best-funded cancer organization.

“I don’t think it is just the lack of awareness,” Kushlaf said. “Federal funding for research is typically allocated for common disorders more than rare disorders.

Therefore, researchers of common diseases are more likely to get funded than those who study rare diseases.”

Still, Kushlaf said awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) increased during the viral ALS bucket challenge, which led to significant philanthropy and funding of ALS research projects.

Kushlaf said researchers are hopeful of a cure. The FDA approval of gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy offer hope for a cure or significant improvements, he said. The next steps are to find out the effect of gene therapies on muscular dystrophies.

“Curing muscular dystrophy is a complex dilemma, as the problem lies in the genetic makeup of the individual,” Kushlaf said. “The advent of gene therapy offers hope for a cure.”

Previous therapies have had limited success because they only helped slow the progression of the dystrophy, according to Kushlaf.

Witcher said therapies for muscular dystrophy have evolved, but most are only treating symptoms and not the disease itself.

“And that’s where we’re really stuck right now — figuring out how to move forward as far as treating the disease and not just the symptoms,” Witcher said.

December 4, 2019

DJ Etrayn brings energy to Bengals, Reds, Bearcats fans

DJ Etrayn, the DJ at Bearcats games, also works other events in Cincinnati, from the Reds to the Bengals..

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CORBEN BONE | STAFF REPORTER It started out as a hobby, but DJ Etrayn has established himself as one of the most popular DJs and personal brands in Cincinnati, holding down the booth for the Bengals and Reds as well as UC’s football and basketball teams.

Eddie Traynor grew up around music and found inspiration through his relationship with it. His dad was in a band during his childhood, traveling back and forth from Nashville, and his mom would always have music playing in the car. Later, music quickly would become an area of professional interest.

Traynor started his career involved in event planning and promotion. He enjoyed curating events for people to enjoy themselves and loved promoting the community it involved. As he began planning and promoting around the city, he started to build a group of friends in the industry and followed his curiosity for musicians.

“I began borrowing equipment and practicing at home,”Traynor said. “I had a few influences in the city that I would go watch and learn from. As they were DJing, they would show me different styles and tricks. This became a passion of mine, as I would practice all of the time, very similar to learning a new instrument — repetition.”

Traynor practiced incessantly and eventually became a professional, but he said there were plenty of ups and downs along the way. The many facets of becoming your own business created hurdles.

“While taking the time to practice your craft you have to also focus on bringing in business, growing your social platforms, researching music and trends,” he said.

Traynor credits his entire team, Self Diploma, for the success he is now finding, and has realized ups and downs provide learning opportunities. Further, the connections along the way are the most crucial.

Those connections are what keep Traynor moving forward, and he is reminded of them during his experiences at UC. “I enjoy the energy, the fan interaction, and the overall atmosphere,”Traynor said. “Here’s a special type of feeling at a sporting event when a big play happens, and being involved in that “moment” is special to me. There is always the excitement of what to play or what comes next during the sporting event that keeps me hyped.”

A lot goes into those moments for Traynor — his preparation is extensive through researching trending songs, personal song choices for players, and curating playlists for the proper demographic.

He said the energy that a moment needs is what inspires him to find the perfect song or playlist.

“There are many parts in a game that require different tracks given that certain moment,”Traynor said. “For hype portions, I have a list to go off of, for more subtle, time filling situations I have a list also, so it depends on what is happening. I would say that I do like to switch it up and improvise on the fly, it keeps me on my toes.”

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A&S professor shares passion for nature through photography, research This Story Continued from Page 1

Crowley teaches in both the geology and anthropology departments at UC and is researching the environmental history of southwestern Madagascar. While Crowley has not been to the island in close to 10 years, her team excavates items such as bones or fossils and brings them back to Cincinnati to analyze. Through an active grant, Crowley is able to process these samples in her lab.

Crowley is also looking at longer-term change in central Madagascar. The grasslands of Madagascar have created a divide in the community — there is very little natural vegetation left on the island. Some say the land was forested and then destroyed, while others say native grasslands were always widespread.

Crowley said she hopes her technique of isotope ecology can help establish

an understanding of how prevalent the grasslands actually were 20,000 years ago.

In northern Madagascar, Crowley also analyzes bats.

“Most of the critters on Madagascar are pretty endangered at this point or threatened to be endangered,” she said.

“As much as we can learn about [bats] the better. So, I have collaborators from all over the world who send me samples and then I send them data.”

On top of teaching and research, Crowley was invited last December to participate in a video series to promote science and make it interesting for high school students.

Released last month, an episode of Science Around Cincy showcased Crowley’s lab and her research on Madagascar.

Closer to home, Crowley is examining the recent past of Hispaniola beyond Madagascar. It remains unknown whether the

island was the center of rodent radiation in the Caribbean. Fifteen rodent species have recently been present on Hispaniola, and the community knows nothing about them other than their names.

Enveloping herself with the natural world, Crowley has also developed a deep interest in photography.

She began taking photos when she was 9 and got formal training in high school. Now, Crowley takes photos everywhere she goes.

“I like that side of who I am, and I’m proud of it,” she said. “The world is a beautiful place, and so many people don’t get to see it or have strong opinions about what it’s like out there without any foundation. I’m hoping to show other parts of the planet that are really fantastic.”

Lemurs photographed by Brooke Crowley while researching in Madagascar. PROVIDED | BROOKE CROWLEY

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CCM sound engineer creates successful recording studio CHLOE ROSENBERGER | STAFF REPORTER

Starting a business can be a major undertaking for anyone — the amount of time, money and organization involved in running a company can take a toll on even the most put-together person, nevertheless a full-time college student.

Nolan Monigold, a third-year commercial music production student at the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music (CCM), thrives under pressure.

Despite a continuous load of coursework and a college student budget, he managed to open up his own recording business, Monigold Studios, on West Clifton Avenue in 2017.

Monigold grew up in Canton, Ohio, and originally wanted to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. He said an experience with a friend’s band during high school was a turning-point moment for his long-term plans.

“I fell in love with the sound board,” Monigold said. “After the gig, all the parents came up and told me, ‘that’s the best they’ve ever sounded, how did you do that?’ and from there, the rest is history.”

Monigold’s path to music was further aided by his parents, both high school band directors. He says that he was lucky to observe them in action at a well-funded program, but ultimately seeing his parents jump through the hoops that accompany jobs in education led him to other facets of the music field.

After beginning his studies at CCM, Monigold decided the best option for living out his dream of producing music was to take matters into his own hands.

“I had a little setup in my basement back home, but it was realizing I wouldn’t be able to utilize CCM’s studio until my junior year that really pushed me towards committing to the build,” he said. “Countless people have bedroom studios with a small two-input recording interface and some monitors. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that setup, but I never felt any level of professionalism

Third-year student Nolan Monigold opened Monigold Studios in 2017.

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from having someone stand in your bedroom and sing into your closet.”

From there, Monigold discovered having ample space was the key to running a successful operation. He drew inspiration from fellow students Drew Sliger and Jake Kricket of Leftfield Recordings who had turned their apartment into a multi-room studio with a sound booth in the living room.

“My landlord is absolutely amazing and has trusted me to renovate one of the empty apartments in his building and turn it into a studio with a live room, control room and extra storage space for gear,” Monigold said, emphasizing the freedom that came with the location. “The nicest thing

about having my own space is that I can use it whenever I want, it’s always there and it’s my stuff and I know how all of it works because I set it all up.”

Since its opening, Monigold Studios’ Clifton location has taken on a life of its own. It now operates as a small concert venue in addition to acting as a recording studio, where Monigold has hosted shows, karaoke nights and a memorable Halloween Spooktacular event.

He affectionately refers to the space as “Grandpa’s Attic,” derived from a joke between his friends and an appreciation for his grandfather.

“My grandpa, Nick Liossis, is one of the best people that I’ve ever known,” Monigold said. “When I got to college, he would sporadically send me money in the mail to ‘buy beer.’ Little did he know, he was funding the building of this space.”

After graduation, Monigold plans to keep Grandpa’s Attic open permanently with the hope that it could someday be run by student interns. He also envisions a move to the west coast.

“It’s my goal to move to LA, opening another branch of the company in a similar way — finding a broken down space and breathing life back into it to create a studio that has character,” he said. “I love the concept of music resurrecting a building.”

For now, Monigold intends to keep his business geared toward a Cincinnati customer base, which includes many startup acts that come out of CCM. To accommodate, Monigold Studios charges an affordable rate of $20 per hour, including free consultations.

“I charge what I feel I’d be comfortable paying,” Monigold said. “I’m the first to admit that my gear is not the best, my space is not the best and I don’t know everything about the industry. However, I’m learning and constantly getting better gear, and whenever I’m working with a client I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure they receive their money’s worth.”

Worried about finals? These seven ideas might help you destress minute breaks every hour so your brain doesn’t burn out.

EILEEN BOND | STAFF REPORTER As the impending doom of finals week looms over us, students everywhere are pulling out their hair as they prepare for the most stressful season of all. Here are a few tips and tricks to minimize your stress levels and help you do well on your exams.

Put down the junk food Even though you may be tempted to reach for the Hot Cheetos or Ben & Jerry’s in the midst of stress, try to eat healthier foods to nourish your brain cells. Junk food may give you short bursts of energy, but in the long run it only impairs your focus and your memory. Carrots and ranch are a great study snack, and also still give you the crunch you crave. Try to eat a protein-rich snack before heading into an exam to keep your brain fueled for the duration of the test and make sure to drink plenty of water.

Hit the Rec Feeling overwhelmed by a heavy load of coursework? Take a break and exercise at the rec center to alleviate stress and regain focus and concentration. Exercise is proven to boost blood flow to the brain, which can help you stay sharp and improve your memory while studying.

Get plenty of sleep A common college tradition is to stay up all night before an exam for a cram study session. Scientifically, the brain is unable to retain a majority of the information it takes in during late-night studying. It is better to study up ahead of time and get a good night’s sleep so your brain is sharp and ready to recall information.

Plan ahead The life of a college student can be pretty irregular, but when it comes to finals week it is best to stick to a study schedule. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to absorb information before an exam. Prioritize your tasks

Exams can be a stressful time for college students. FLICKR | ALBERTO G.

to make the most of your time — time management is key when you have so many due dates so close together.

Take a break Don’t let yourself get wrapped up in your workload, breaks are crucial to review and to digest information. Studying non-stop will only break your concentration and make it harder to motivate yourself to keep going. Rather than studying for three hours straight, take short five-to-10-

Get a study buddy Take advantage of study groups and get together with classmates to help you study more efficiently. Studying with someone else will help you stay motivated to get through all the material and two brains working together is always better than one. Study buddies are also great because you can ask for help if you are having trouble understanding a topic.

Breathe Yes, final exams seem pretty monumental and important right now. But five years from now you won’t even remember why you were so stressed out. Keep your head up and keep your mental health in check.

December 4, 2019

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Review: Frozen 2 sets new standard for Disney animation, storytelling DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR

The cold never bothered us anyway, and we cannot let it go because Disney has released “Frozen 2.”

Taking place three years after Elsa unleashed her powers upon Arendelle, “Frozen 2” begins with Elsa hearing a call. Reluctant to bark on another adventure and jeopardize the life she now has, Elsa continues to hear this secret siren and it cannot be silenced. After an earth-shaking wind and a mysterious fire drive the people of Arendelle out of their homes, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf must travel to the enchanted forest to answer the call Elsa has been hearing. In their quest, the truth of Anna and Elsa’s family history will be revealed.

After the release of recent animated film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” there was an unspoken precedent that other animation studios would need to follow.

“Spider-Verse” was the first non-Disney or Pixar film to win Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars in 6 years, beating “The Incredibles 2” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”

“Spider-Verse” brought a new sophistication and innovation to the medium and proved that much more could be done than the traditional computer animation style of Disney and Pixar. “Frozen 2” is Disney’s first release after losing at the Oscars and proves that its animation style can have the depth and visual creativity

Frozen 2 premiered in theaters Nov. 22, 2019.

THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

to compete with films like “Spider-Verse.”

Not only has Disney created a new instant classic, “Frozen 2” goes beyond anything the studio has done before. The animation on display is some of the most beautiful animation ever created that provides for a lush fantasy that you would expect from a Disney film. Each

character is elevated to unimaginable heights, which provides for tremendous growth and transformation.

Elsa has two new power ballads that both rival the gravitas of the famous “Let it Go,” with jaw-dropping vocals from Idina Menzel. The second song, “Show Yourself” showcases one the most jaw dropping moments in Disney history. Accompanied by stunning animation, this song marks the of end of Elsa’s transformation from isolated princess to proud queen.

“Frozen 2” allows for Anna to climb to new heights for a Disney princess. Like Elsa, Anna undergoes a transformation of heart and form. It is Anna that saves the day, which earns her a new status in Arendelle.

Likewise, Kristoff challenges the expectations for his character with an emotional song that fights toxic masculinity.

As always, Olaf is hilarious and each of his jokes land with audience members of all ages. He is also given a new song, “When I Am Older,” which is far better than “In Summer” from the original.

This sequel not only matches the fantasy, emotion and show-stopping depth of the original, but creates a more sophisticated and intriguing universe that makes it better than its predecessor. It is truly a piece of art that has especially surprising messages for a Disney animated film. “Frozen 2” completely raises the bar for Disney classics going forward and the impact they can create.

Get Out And Do Something: Dec. 6 to Dec. 8 EMMA BALCOM | STAFF REPORTER Take a break from studying for finals and check out what the city has to offer this weekend.

FRIDAY, DEC. 6 2019 RedsFest Bingo: If you combine the age-old game of bingo with the thrill behind the Cincinnati Reds, you’ll bring together people of all ages seeking to win this competitive tournament. Players will take part in 18 games of bingo for the chance to win special Reds products or the ultimate cash prize. It’ll certainly be the most intense game of bingo you’ve taken part in yet. 5 p.m. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St. Caroling at Fountain Square: The Mariemont Junior High Girls’ Choir will be at Fountain Square this Friday to spread the holiday spirit through caroling performances. Feel free to sing along to the jolly tunes amidst the frozen temperatures, creating the perfect combination to bring out the festivities of the season.

1-1:30 p.m. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St.

SATURDAY, DEC. 7 Downtown Dazzle: Macy’s holiday celebration will light up the skies this weekend as Santa actually takes flight,

rappelling along the Cincinnati skyrise.

Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, bursting bright and vivid colors above your head. There’s something to look at in every direction, and a new activity to partake in any way you turn. 5:30 p.m.

Fountain Square, 520 Vine St. Holiday Market: Struggling to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list?

Worry no more. Findlay Market is here to save the day with a special selection of products from accomplished vendors. The market will contain holiday highlights in the form of seasonal snacks and lively music, as well as surprise visits by Santa and his elves. Give back to the small businesses of Cincinnati this holiday season and let them give back to you with gifts just ready for wrapping. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Findlay Market, 1801 Race St.

SUNDAY, DEC. 8 Holiday Concert:The Taft Museum of Art is bringing a merry mood to the room with the voices of the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers. The skillful artists are described as specializing in an “intricate and emotional” four-part harmony “jubilee” style that sounds certain to lift spirits. Savor the sense of happiness and merriment spread throughout the audience during this brisk winter day. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St.

Findlay Market will be hosting be hosting the Holiday Market Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m TNR FILE ART

Brunch. Art. Music: The title of the event could describe it no better. Platters of delicious brunch foods to be purchased from a delectable cafe, a fantastic hour of song performed by both the Cincinnati Opera and baritone Junbo Zhou as well as the fantastical works of the Cincinnati Art Museum. This month, the East

Asian art collection is on full display, highlighted in its glory by the Chinese song cycle of Zhou. Take advantage of this lovely afternoon amidst the wonders of brunch, art and music. noon-1 p.m.

Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive.

December 4, 2019

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Seven theater events in the city to see this holiday season

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will be putting on a production of “2 Pianos, 4 Hands,” through Jan. 5, 2020. FACEBOOK | CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK

ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park “2 Pianos, 4 Hands” Through Jan. 5, 2020 Piano wizardry and laugh-outloud comedy come together to tell the story of Richard and Ted’s life-long pursuit of becoming concert pianist superstars.

They work tirelessly to master legendary music from Beethoven and Bach to Billy Joel, enduring endless practice, stage fright and

agonizing competition along the way. Two performers tickle the ivories (and your funny bone) while portraying dozens of characters like their naïve childhood selves, the eccentric piano teachers who guide them and the demanding parents who push them. Laughter and music abound in this riotous show about Richard and Ted’s humbling quest for musical greatness.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati “The Frog Princess” Dec. 4-Jan. 4 It is time for Prince Ivan to marry, but when he discovers his brideto-be is actually a frog, he is toadally disappointed. Vasilisa is more than your typical hoppy-go-lucky frog, though…she’s a kindhearted princess under a curse! When the villainous Old Bones takes Vasilisa to a far-away land, Ivan sets out to find her, discovering along his journey that love sees beyond outside appearances. With a revitalized script and score, this modern, musical spin on the classic beloved Russian fairy tale celebrates the beauty within each of us.

Aronoff Center “Hello, Dolly!”

Dec. 3-15 Put on your Sunday clothes and head to the Aronoff for the new production of this old classic. Follow matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi as she tries to balance her own love life with that of her clients. The Tony Awardwinning uproaringly hilarious comedy broke box office records

during its run on broadway, so make sure you don’t miss it when it comes to Cincy!

“Awaited” Dec. 20-23 Experience the wonder of Christmas in a completely new way. “Awaited” is the creative retelling of the Christmas story brought to life on stage by over 80 performers. Featuring original choreography and music, along with favorite holiday classics, this family-friendly production reminds you why Christmas is the ultimate season of hope.

Music Hall “Holiday Pops Featuring Megan Hilty” Dec. 13-15 Music Hall becomes a winter wonderland as you make memories of a lifetime with friends and family. This year’s concert features vocalist Megan Hilty, star of TV’s “Smash” and Broadway’s “Wicked.”

“The Nutcracker” Dec. 19-29 Celebrate the holiday season

with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they journey to the Land of Sweets. Join us for Cincinnati’s favorite family tradition: “The Nutcracker.” Let your imagination transport you to a land of dancing snowflakes and childhood dreams. Artistic Director Victoria Morgan’s whimsical choreography accompanies Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Share the magic of the season with the ones you love at “The Nutcracker.”

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)”

Dec. 13-29 What begins as another annual production of “A Christmas Carol,” soon devolves into a slightly irreverent look at all of our favorite “Beloved Holiday Classics” including “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Frosty, Rudolph,”“Charlie Brown” and more! Three actors (with the help of Santa) send up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss in 90-plus minutes of high octane jollity and frivolity.

UC football: Bearcats head back to Memphis for title game to the game.

It was senior wide receiver Antonio Gibson who gashed the Bearcats for 75 yards on six carries, including a 29yard touchdown with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

“It’s not just speed, it’s also physicality,” Fickell said in a Tuesday news conference. “I’m not saying we didn’t expect it, but they were much more physical on the defensive line and offensive line than you could assume just watching the film.”

ZACH FRIES | STAFF REPORTER It’ll be a rematch of the regular-season finale in the American Athletic Conference Championship game Saturday afternoon, as the No. 20 University of Cincinnati football team faces No. 17 University of Memphis, who defeated UC, 34-24, last Friday.

Cincinnati is still hoping for a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl game (Cotton Bowl). The Bearcats will need to win and get help, as No. 19 Boise State plays Hawaii in the Mountain West Championship Saturday evening.

Below are three observations for round two of Cincinnati versus Memphis: Ridder is still the guy UC redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Bryant started last week, as Desmond Ridder was sidelined due to a shoulder injury suffered against the University of South Florida (USF) Nov. 16. Bryant showed promise in his first career start, completing 20-of-32 passes for 229 yards.

Bryant had three second-half turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble).

UC head coach Luke Fickell turned to Bryant after Ridder threw for 140 total yards against USF and Temple. Fickell said last week he thought it was going to be Bryant’s time against the Owls, but Ridder progressed throughout the week. Ridder hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards in a game since Oct. 12 against Houston.

Fickell confirmed Tuesday Ridder will start Saturday.

A pass intended for UC wide receiver Rashad Medaris (17) fall incomplete during the fourth quarter of the football game against Temple Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.

ALEX MARTIN | PHOTO EDITOR

Stopping the run game UC’s defense held Memphis freshman running back Kenneth Gainwell in check in the loss, as he rushed for 87 yards on 15 carries. The Doak Walker Award semi-finalist rushed for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns leading up

Limit explosive plays Memphis has churned out explosive plays all year, averaging 6.8 yards per play, which ranks sixth in all of college football. They are 11th in total offense (475 yards of offense per game) and finished with 432 last week.

UC allowed five plays of over 20 yards with wide receiver Damonte Coxie having six receptions for 145 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown. Bearcats freshman cornerback Ahmad Gardner said preparation will play a key role in fixing the prior mistakes.

“We had to change the game plan up a little bit,” Gardner said. “They won, so I don’t think they’ll prepare as hard we are preparing this week. We want to win a championship real bad… We play through the seniors and will go as far as they take us.”

Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. E.T. on ABC.

December 4, 2019

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UC student’s journey to jump roping on national stage

Ridge Robson, a student at the University of Cincinnati, has collected 51 jump roping medals.

PROVIDED | RIDGE ROBSON

SPENCER SCHULTZ | SPORTS EDITOR Fifty-one jump roping medals and three first place World Championship trophies adorn the shelves in the bedroom of 21-year-old UC student Ridge Robson. Having represented the U.S. in Shanghai, China, and also performed on TV shows like “America’s Got Talent,”“Italia’s Got Talent” and “Das Supertalent” in Germany, the awards demonstrate the unimaginable heights jump roping has taken the third-year student.

The Cincinnati native specializes in jump rope freestyle, which can involve a single person, pairs, or three- and four-person routines with one or more ropes. Robson has been part of a team every year he’s jumped rope, joining an afterschool program called the Shooting Stars in first grade and the Comet Skippers in fourth grade — a competitive traveling team he remained with through high school.

“I jump rope for fun and just enjoy it,” Robson said. “In high school I trained a lot more and had to go to all these set practices that were five days a week. Now, I try to practice three hours a week. I run through my routine and sometimes get a group together.”

Growing up, jumping rope provided an unexpected outlet for Robson, who was diagnosed with dyslexia in first grade. Robson was a talented kid — he could draw and tell creative stories as early as first grade, always looking at everything from a creative standpoint. But he struggled at times doing smaller things, like remembering letters of the alphabet. He even noticed himself falling behind in school — his classmates moved on to higher reading levels without him.

His mother, Lori Robson, is a former schoolteacher and principal. She knew something wasn’t quite right with the way her son worried at a young age. Robson went through awareness testing and was diagnosed with dyslexia. Learning at a slower pace was difficult for him, but working through the struggles taught him a lot about succeeding in life.

“After school I was a part of all these different programs and was constantly behind in academics,” Robson said. “It taught me to always work hard, and if you really want to achieve something, you can put in the work and overcome it… It’s gotten me to where I am today.”

Robson’s jump roping prowess has drawn the attention of a much larger audience than those who attend national competitions or train back in Mason — he currently has over 52,000 followers on Instagram (@ridgerobson).

Videos he originally posted for fun drew so much attention they were featured on sites like WorldStar (22.1 million followers) and Barstool Sports (7.4 million). Robson now feels the need to post more often.

“I started to get positive comments and messages from everyone when I posted,” Robson said. “I felt I had to keep posting every week since people always expressed how big of a motivation I was to them. I love that Instagram has allowed me to help

and connect with so many different people.”

Robson’s skills were evident early. Like so many other kids, he began jump roping in kindergarten at recess with his classmates. Lori didn’t think anything of him saying he could do a double under (swinging the rope twice under his feet in one jump) and double dutch (two long jump ropes turning in opposite directions with one or more people jumping simultaneously) until she met the gym teacher at school, Susan Hiestand, who ran the Shooting Stars. The blue-eyed first grader had a quick tryout, performing the double under and double dutch for Hiestand and was offered a spot.

He joined immediately.

“Ridge had not shown me what he could do before he performed in front of [Hiestand],” Lori said. “He stayed on that team and loved her… Ridge was actually really, really good and was at the top of the afterschool program.”

Jumping rope remained an escape — Robson practiced with people he met on the Skippers, most notably Dane Robinson, who became his best friend. Robinson is a year older than Robson, but they were still able to be a part of groups in competitions, teach younger kids at Mason High School and simply hang out. Robinson never let Robson feel different than anyone else.

“The year he joined I wasn’t on the team, but I watched him, and he was pretty good,” Robinson said. “I started talking to him and just accepted who he was. I never made fun of him and wanted him to feel accepted and not any lesser. We became best friends in middle school and hung out every weekend and bounced tricks off each other ever since then.”

Although he had the support of family and friends as a teenager — and respect from athletes in more traditional sports like football and wrestling at Mason — Robson still felt different in the back of his mind. That all changed after he performed solo in front of 4,000 students his senior year during a homecoming pep rally.

“Ridge was one of the more talented jumpers, so they featured him,”Yvonne Hill, the former high school Comet Skippers coach, said. “When the team went out onto the football field, the student body cheered for them, but when Ridge came out flipping across it, the crowd literally roared for him…”

Things had come full circle for Robson — he went from watching his classmates being applauded to everyone cheering him on. Since then, he’s become an inspiration to the kids coming up behind him on the Skippers and still takes time to help out — as does his mother, who has been helping coach since Robson was in fifth grade. The younger Skippers are inspired by the decorated jumper — Lori Robson says they try their hardest when he’s around.

Robson continues to work hard but he also has higher goals: representing the United States in the Olympics. The sport is slowly making its way into the games — it needs a rulebook in place for a certain duration of time in order to get approved.

It may take five to 10 years, Robson estimates, but he plans on being a part of it when the time comes.

The 2011 World Jump Rope Championship.

FLICKR | CELINE AUSSORD

December 4, 2019

Opinion: Why socialism is a flawed form of government

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Opinion: The allusion of the War on Christmas SAMUEL SCHELL-OLSEN | OPINION EDITOR

Candidate Bernie Sanders stands with one of his supporters at the opening of a campaign office in Des Moines, Iowa. FLICKR | GAGE SKIDMORE

SAMUEL SCHELL-OLSEN | OPINION EDITOR Socialism, in particular democratic socialism, has been rising in popularity in recent years. When Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) ran in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, he introduced a lot of socialist beliefs to the Democratic party, such as a single payer health care system, free college and radical environmental policies.

Even though he lost (unfairly), it’s clear that Sanders will have a larger impact on the party than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ever will.

Socialism is looked more favorably than capitalism in the Democratic party, according to a 2018 Gallup poll.

With the rise of Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), democratic socialism has been given the limelight.

According to MerriamWebster socialism can be defined as, “Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.”

While democratic socialism according to the Democratic Socialists

of America is, “At the root of our socialism is a profound commitment to democracy, as means and end. As we are unlikely to see an immediate end to capitalism tomorrow, DSA fights for reforms today that will weaken the power of corporations and increase the power of working people.”

It seems as democratic socialism is less about the government taking control of the economy and more about having the government give the people it’s most basic needs and giving everyone an equal opportunity.

Democratic socialism is attractive in some aspects, especially on its stance on The War on Drugs and equality. However, it is socialism, and being socialist comes with the same flaws.

Socialism at its core, is against the concept of individuality and if you disagree with whatever the collective deems right, you will suffer.

Socialism fails by confusing the notion of all people should be treated equally with all people are equal. We are all human beings, but every individual is unique.

Even twins have different strengths and weaknesses.

The end goal of socialism that everyone should have an equal starting point and at least have a living wage seems morally right, but realistically cannot happen because free will enables people to make unwise decisions. You can’t have an equal starting point for everyone and a living wage unless you enforce it, which is why socialism always becomes authoritarian. With any form of socialism, the government will inevitably have to force what it deems equality on society.

While I admire Sanders for his honesty, the truth is that “Free Health Care” and “Free Public College” is not free. Instead the cost of these free programs are hidden away behind taxes; the cost of these programs are no where near eliminated. Add to the fact that these programs become government-run monopolies, the very thing socialists decry.

If you believe in socialism or democratic socialism, more power to you. It’s honestly a great part of society to have differing views. If you want to write a critique of capitalism, I encourage you to do so. I just believe socialism is a failing method.

It seems like ever since John Lennon released the single “Happy Xmas” in 1971, there has been a controversy over the conceived notion that the title of “Christmas” is under attack. From time to time, you’ll see a “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper sticker on a car. Exchild star turned Evangelical activist Kirk Cameron even made a movie “Saving Christmas,” which received a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes.

President Donald Trump has apparently won The War on Christmas since 2017, when he announced “People are proud to be saying Merry Christmas again. I am proud to have led the charge against the assault of our cherished and beautiful phrase. Merry Christmas!!!!!”

Well, there has been the irrational folks who consider it offensive to say “Merry Christmas” however it strikes me just as irrational to refuse to say “Happy Holidays” if someone asks.

There is a notion that former President Barack Obama made “Merry Christmas” politically correct by continually saying “Happy Holidays.” However, this isn’t true. For example, in 2016, Obama literally entitled his weekly address on Christmas Eve, “Weekly Address: Merry Christmas from the President and the First Lady.” In fact, Obama didn’t have a problem with “Merry Christmas.”

While there is discrimination toward Christianity in the forms of demonizing private religious schools and the recent policy proposals in the 2020 Democratic primary that would go against the faith of most Christians, discrimination toward

Christmas is a fantasy.

If Christmas was really under attack, would we really see constant commercials of Santa Claus? You know, the guy based on St. Nick? If Christmas was really under attack, would we have music artists release Christmas albums, which promotes Christmas? If Christmas was really under attack, would we be able to give presents on the 25th? You know, Christmas?

In 2013, blogger Rachel Held Evans came up with a useful chart to determine if your faith is being discriminated. Based on that chart, you can easily determine that the holiday of Christmas is not under attack.

The truth of The War on Christmas is that it was a culture war created by who else – Fox News. In 2005, Fox News promoted the book “The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday Is Worse Than You Thought” by John Gibson.

However, even the author was apparently flabbergasted about the impact of his book.

The book was apparently about the mistakes made by officials banning nonreligious symbols like Christmas trees out of misreading of the Constitution. It wasn’t an intentional effort to rid the country of saying “Merry Christmas”.

Overall, The War on Christmas is just a bunch of nothing.

As Fox News Host Tucker Carlson said, “I’m a foot soldier in the war on Christmas. And the war on puppies and sunshine.”

The War of Christmas has become a topic of debate for past holiday seasons. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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December 4, 2019

Sudoku

By The Mepham Group

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces.

Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

Does it sound complicated? Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in; the more spaces filled in, the easier the game – the more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in.

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