For the Record 12.3.14 - The Holiday Issue

DEC. 3, 2014 — JAN. 11, 2015

Happy Holidays

Holiday Issue

December 3, 2014

ASK S R O THE EDIT How will you celebrate the winter holidays?

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given or received?

On Christmas Eve, my family serves up the Feast of the Seven Fishes — it’s what our TNR news editor calls “being Italian.” We stuff ourselves with clams, salmon, calamari (squid), shrimp, tuna spaghetti, cod and smelts. It’s my favorite meal of the year, topped off with red wine and lots of laughing.

When I was 10, I wrote a Christmas letter to my parents as part of a class assignment. We had to tell them what we wanted most for the holiday; I asked for a puppy, never expecting that we would bring our dog Gizmo home later in the year.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR

Elizabeth DePompei @edepompei

Emily Begley @egbegley

For a sixth grade English assignment I had to write a paper about my hero, which we then wrapped in Christmas paper and were instructed to give to said hero on Christmas. I chose my oldest brother Drew as my subject. However, I figured my brother would not appreciate the gesture, so I hid it under my bed. It wasn’t until five years later when my brother stumbled upon the wrapped box addressed to him while helping me move my bed, and my whole family cried except me. Lol.

In my family, everyone knows what their gifts will be come Christmas Eve so we decided to make a game of the packing. One year, I got a bunch of UC gear packed into a plastic jar that once held animal cookies. Another year, there were no gifts waiting for me, just a handful of walnuts in my stocking. It took me hours to realize there was money resealed into the nuts.

PHOTO EDITOR

NEWS EDITOR

Madison Schmidt @madiesch

Katie Coburn @_katiecoburn

Since my mother recently moved to New York City with her partner, I spend my holidays wandering the snowy white streets of the city. We buy blueberry pies from Bell Aire diner in Astoria and order in takeout. I used to spend my holidays in northern Ohio, but now I get to wake up on Christmas to see the iconic NYC skyline.

My grandma is a bit ... eccentric. She usually writes us a check for $5 for Christmas. One year, she gave me leopard print pants but wrapped inside of the pants was another gift. She also gave me “The little prayer book for African-American children.”

NEWS EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

Natalie Coleman @_nataliecoleman

A new emerging tradition involves taking a Sky Dragon to New York City. That’s the name of the Chinese bus company that, for $60 and the price of sanity, will take you across the Pennsylvania Turnpike in under nine hours. The service is a bit skep (it may or may not be a drug-laundering service) and the driver is always frightening, but it feels like home.

ARTS EDITOR

Zack Hatfield @hatzack (Instagram)

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Becky Butts @rebelee_92

The best Christmas present I ever got was when I was 15.

I got some smaller gifts and the last present was a little box and when I opened it there was a car key inside.

I ran outside and started crying when I saw my new silver 2000 RAV-4 with a big red bow on the hood. I named her Janice.

SPORTS EDITOR

Ellen Hadley @ellenhadley

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December 3, 2014

Holiday Issue

OPINION: Zoo’s Festival of Lights continues to dazzle Longtime employee admires displays while conducting train full of passengers CASSIE LIPP | SENIOR REPORTER

As the bright red train I’m steering glides over Swan Lake at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, I slow the vehicle down so passengers can enjoy the thousands of multicolored lights synchronized with music by the Trans Siberian Orchestra.

I’ve seen this display every night during the holiday season for three years, and I’m still mesmerized by the beauty of it all.

Swan Lake, located in the exact center of Cincinnati, is special during this time of year because it is home to our Wild Lights Show — a display of lights all around the lake flickering in tune to holiday music.

Each time I drive the train over the lake, I see hundreds of visitors stopping on the Swan Lake bridge to watch the show.

The reflection of the lights on the lake, the cheer of the children in the seat behind me, the mouthwatering smell of cinnamonroasted almonds filling the cold air — driving the zoo train is almost dreamlike.

I work as an Adventure Guide, and although my job gets stressful at times, it is definitely a very rewarding experience, especially during our annual Festival of Lights. You can feel the holiday magic begin when the sun goes down and thousands of eager visitors enter the park.

I love watching the maintenance department begin to set up over two million lights on Aug. 1 every year. All of the lights are solar powered, we like to boast that we work at “the greenest zoo in America”— an official title we have on behalf of our various

conservation efforts.

Aside from our animals, visitors’ favorite attractions at the festival include the carousel, the Winter Wonders puppet show presented by the Madcap Puppet Theatre, The Polar Express 4D experience, and of course, the train ride.

“It’s almost like a holiday tradition for a lot of people since it’s been going on for over 30 years,” said Scott Wingate, manager of the zoo’s Department of Visitor Experience and Fun. “It’s really great because we have music playing, peoples’ spirits are high — the holiday feel or emotion are sort of infused in them.”

As employees, we are always finding innovative ways to infuse the holiday spirit in every visitor. Whether we’re directing traffic in the parking lots with toy lightsabers or pretending to push the train as it pulls out of the station, there is no doubt that the zoo is a fun place to be this winter.

Every other employee I work with has their own favorite part of the festival, from Santa’s reindeer in the Safari Camp to the holiday carolers from the School for Creative and Performing Arts.

Both Wingate and I think that getting to know the zoo staff is the best part of the festival. This is because we all share an incredible bond working toward the same goals — spreading holiday cheer.

Even the visitors who arrive frustrated because all the parking lots were full can leave with great memories after they spend an evening at the zoo.

“It seems like everyone just clicks and has fun together,” Wingate said. “I love seeing people mixing it up and having fun and really enjoying each other’s company.”

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

The Cincinnati Zoo’s signature red train skates around Swan Lake during Festival of Lights. The body of water comes to life during the Wild Lights Show, which is synchronized to holiday music.

MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR

McKinley Gier, left, rides the carousel with her grandmother Linda Cook during the Festival of Lights.

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Holiday Issue

December 3, 2014

BAILEY DOWLIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LEFT: The German Hunting Horn Group plays at the market’s opening ceremony. RIGHT: Festival-goers come to Christkindlmarkt to enjoy authentic German traditions and eat and drink German cuisine and beer. Live music, performances and visits from Santa Claus all take place at the event, which runs through Dec. 14.

City celebrates cherished heritage with Christkindlmarkt Annual winter tradition continues on Fountain Square, German culture recognized with music, beer, food KYLEY FREDRICK | STAFF REPORTER

German music will fill the air around Fountain Square for the next two weekends as the Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt opens for the third consecutive year.

Cincideutsch is a group of German-speaking residents in Cincinnati who are committed to celebrating their German heritage.

They practice the German language through various events such as a weekly Regulars’ Table (“Stammtisch”).

On Monday nights at Mecklenburg Gardens, Cincideutsch meets with 15 to 40 people to speak German and engage in a favorite German pastime — drinking beer.

This group is committed to bringing its love for German heritage to Cincinnati through community development and involvement in the arts. Christkindlmarkt — which translates to “Christmas Market” — is another way the group unites the community with a passion for the German language and customs.

The co-founder of Cincideutsch, which was founded in 2011, is former University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music student Linda McAlister.

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“A lot of us have lived in Germany or are native to Germany,” McAlister said. “One thing we really missed in the states was a traditional German market always held in the center of town. We thought it would be really great to have our new group have it in the heart of the city.”

Fourth-year German studies and communications student Charlie Lindsey recently visited Germany over the summer and was taught about how important Christmas is to the German culture.

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One thing we really missed in the states was a traditional German market always held in the center of town. Linda McAlister, co-founder of Cincideutsch

“Christmas is Weihnachten in German, it is a similar holiday to what we have with presents under the tree but their biggest holiday tradition is the Advent calendar where they fill each day with different candy — usually German chocolate, which is amazing,” Lindsey said.

Christkindlmarkt will run through Dec. 14 to display

authentic German traditions.

Music groups that will perform include Germania Jagdhorn Blaser, Kolping Sängerchor, Young Professional Choral Collective, Ohio River Brass Quintet and Queen City Sisters.

There is a wide range of vendors participating, from Katharina’s Café’s German sweets to Indigo Hands Pottery. Christian Moerlein Brewing Company is one of the sponsors of the event, and will offer a selection of its beer.

If a local brew does not quench your thirst, glüwein, a hotspiced wine, is also offered.

The event is unique because of its niche vendors, which include Little Patch Alpacas handcrafted knits and a custom paper designer offering intricate paper ornaments.

This German celebration is a family affair — kids are welcomed to engage in activities and may have a chance at meeting the man himself, Santa Claus.

“Our event looks like a little village with traditional German style hut,” McAlister said. “Our members designed and built them on their own — we do everything ourselves.”

McAlister stressed that people of all backgrounds are welcome.

Although they want to bring attention to the German traditions surrounding Christmas, Fountain Square is a great place to immerse yourself into the holiday spirit.

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December 3, 2014

GIFT GUIDE

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Rock Paper Scissors, a semi-new art shop on Main Street, seems like a haven for DAAP students. Beautiful handmade journals, local art, crafty drawing utensils and an impressive collection of CDs from local bands make this small shop one of a kind. It doesn’t hurt that the staff is always incredibly friendly and knowledgable, either (there’s also a dog). In addition, a membership to the Contemporary Art Center is a mere $25 for students, and allows access to all exhibits as well as discounts on performances, films and programs for the year.

Supplies from homegrown Ohio Valley Beard Supply seem appropriate to keep beards trimmed as the madness of No-Shave November and Movember comes to a close. The two-man company uses its website (ohiovalleybeard.com) and a few local shops to spread its facial hair elixirs, balms, washes and shaving utensils. There are elixirs bearing Lincoln’s name as well as Hemingway’s. Know someone who is growing out a “yeard”— a year-long beard — or a counterculture beat poet? Try gifting them with the “Ginsberg” elixir, sure to make them howl.

If your friend’s clean shaven, another gift option lies in the rugged-chic aesthetic of Article’s flannels and sweaters in OTR (above) which provides a casual-yet-dapper wardrobe as the polar vortex begins to take over our lives. Secure the Urban Lumberjack’s friendship with a French press (Coffee Emporium) and coffee beans from Rohs Café (Colombian is the best), or better yet, local craft beer from Rhinegeist or MadTree, which is of course the true key to staying warm this winter.

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Holtman’s Donuts, a family-operated business since 1960, recently opened up an OTR location in addition to Williamsburg and their established presence in Loveland. Made entirely from scratch, each dense donut, doughssant and fritter is like a trip to sugary heaven. Buy a box for your parents during the holidays one morning and let them know the power of the legendary bacon donut, one of their unique specialties, or the chocolate yeast donut.

And hey, if your parents don’t like gorging themselves on amazing pastries, Cincinnati offers a great array of yoga memberships, including Northside’s Yoga ah!, which offers professional classes seven days a week, and Modo Yoga, a yoga venue that recently opened on West McMillan.

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Homage, a new retail store in Over-theRhine focusing on spirit wear and collegiate logos with retro designs, is the perfect place to shop for friends with strong loyalty to a specific local sports team or college.

Showcasing a wide array of interests, the sports teams displayed on apparel range from baseball and football to cycling, running, boxing, surfing and many more.

The clothes are indeed a bit pricey — sweatshirts average around $50 — but the quality stands out, and there are cheaper options for gifts like vintage-looking pennants and keychains. Overall, Homage offers distinct styles and fashions that let you stand out while still supporting your school or favorite sports team.

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ZACK HATFIELD | ARTS EDITOR HANNAH SELLERS | LEAD DESIGNER PHIL DIDION | PROVIDED NATALIE COLEMAN | NEWS EDITOR

Instead of making fun of your friend’s English major during the holidays, gift them with the greatest gift of all: a good book.

While the safest route would be a gift card to Joseph-Beth Booksellers (the nearest one is located in Rookwood Pavilion), it’s more fun to hunt for the perfect novel in the storied passageways and endless floors of Ohio Book Store on Main Street, browse the dusty shelves of West McMillan’s Duttenhofer’s Books, where rarer editions and literary obscurities can be found. A subscription to The Cincinnati Review, edited at the University of Cincinnati and nationally renowned, would also make anyone with literary tendencies happy.

And let’s be real, people with ebooks probably don’t deserve a Christmas.

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Holiday Issue

December 3, 2014

UC researchers predict holiday spending increase from 2013 Ohio sees higher retail sales with lower unemployment rate, lower gas prices CASSIE MERINO | CHIEF REPORTER

Consumer spending in Ohio is expected to increase by 4.5 percent over the holidays, according to research conducted

by University of Cincinnati professors.

The UC Economic Center has conducted the consumer-spending forecast for five consecutive years on behalf of the Ohio Council Research Merchants. The data was compiled from the Ohio Department of Taxation.

The projected spending increase in Ohio is slightly higher than the nation’s forecast 4.1 percent increase. Researchers credit this year’s high forecast to the nation’s consumers having more confidence in the economy, especially in Ohio.

“One of the things we’ve seen is that the unemployment rate has improved quite dramatically in the state,” said Michael Jones, research assistant professor and director of research for the economics

department. Jones helped oversee the report’s execution. “We have also seen lower gas prices, and overall consumer confidence in [the] state of the economy is up.”

The holiday season increases seasonal employment and serves as a strong indicator that the economy is improving, according to the report.

Retail sales in Ohio’s three largest metropolitan areas — Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland — are expected to increase in holiday spending and produce more than half of the state’s total sales.

Columbus is expected to have the highest percentage of spending, 6.3 percent higher than the 2013 holiday season. Cleveland and Cincinnati are expected to have a 5.1 percent and 3.9 percent increase in spending compared to 2013.

One city in Ohio that is expected to have the least in holiday sales is Dayton.

Dayton’s forecast of holiday spending is .8 percent less than 2013 spending.

With retail stores at the touch of your fingertips, Internet shopping is the largest revenue builder in retail sales. Forty-five

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percent of consumers are expected to purchase items online this holiday season while 44 percent are expected to shop at discount or value department stores.

“So far this year in the first six months, retail sales were up 3.6 percent [in Ohio] relative to the previous year,” Jones said.

“We have seen an improvement in this year’s retail sales relative to last years.”

The economics center projected a total of $14.5 billion in retail spending in Ohio, which is $630 million more than the holiday spending in 2013.

The economics center determined that in the 2013 holiday period, consumers spent nearly one billion on websites that do not collect taxes. As a result of this, Ohio lost $70 million in sales tax revenue.

Along with lost tax revenue, Ohio retail stores lost $200 million in revenue due to Internet shopping.

Since last year, Ohio’s unemployment rate has decreased two percent and now sits at 5.7 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase of jobs keeps the economy at a steady growth. Wages in Ohio have increased, which prompts workers to spend a little

more when they see an increase in the check, according to the report.

The decrease in gas prices is also projected to help increase disposable income spending. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas prices in the Midwest are 2.8 percent lower than last year.

“There are several [factors that affect the forecast] from gas prices, consumer confidence and employment levels,” Jones said. “

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

Black Friday shoppers at the Glendale Galleria crowd the escalators in Glendale, Calif., Nov. 28.

UC trades tickets for toys ELYSSE WINGET | STAFF REPORTER

Between Nov. 19 and Dec. 10 students and faculty can have their parking tickets and citations dismissed in exchange for donating toys to needy children.

For the third consecutive year, Toys for Tickets is a donation drive conducted by the University of Cincinnati Parking Services.

“It’s been a way for the UC Parking Services to give back,” said Lisa Bunkley-Boyd, director of Parking Services.

Toys for Tickets works in conjunction with Toys for Tots, a national program led by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that distributes gifts to children in need during the holidays.

It is a campaign that the staff and faculty of the UC Parking Services are happy to support.

Much of the staff donates to the cause even if they do not personally obtain parking tickets.

“You can still make a donation, regardless,” Bunkley-Boyd said.“I’m thankful to give back and have a few things to give the children as well.”

After presenting a receipt for the purchased toys as proof, ticket holders can receive a pardon from their ticket or citation.

Bunkley-Boyd said she thinks students and faculty prefer to donate to a worthy cause rather than just pay their tickets. Each year the program grows.

“We’ve counted up the toys in the past, and I do believe that the first year we had about 140-something toys and last year we were close to 200,” Bunkley-Boyd said.

Bunkley-Boyd expects that this year’s donations will also increase.

Those interested in participating in Toys for Tots can visit uc.edu/parking.

DAN SULLIVAN

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December 3, 2014

Holiday Issue

Basketball teams spend holidays away from home ALEXA SPARTIS | STAFF REPORTER

For most students, holiday breaks mean traveling back to their hometowns to spend the extended weekend in November and four weeks in December and January with family and friends. But for student-athletes, holiday plans are a different story.

The University of Cincinnati men’s and women’s basketball teams do not get the privilege of spending winter holidays with family. Athletes are required to stay with their team throughout the season, meaning that family-oriented holidays take the back burner and the game of basketball becomes a priority.

The men’s basketball team played North Carolina Central Nov. 25 before traveling to Florida to play against Middle Tennessee State in the Emerald Coast Classic Friday during Thanksgiving break.

Sophomore guard Troy Caupain’s family took the journey with him, following the basketball team over Thanksgiving.

“When I was in high school, we used to go to my family’s house [for Thanksgiving] and we had a special thing where we would line up in a circle, say what we were thankful for and say our grace together and eat together,” Caupain said.

“The past few years, I haven’t been able to get to do that.

My mom hasn’t been able to either. She’s been coming to all of the games with me, but I still don’t get to really celebrate with her.”

Instead, the men’s basketball team eats Thanksgiving

dinner together each year. It is one of the traditions that makes the team a family, Caupain said.

Junior guard Farad Cobb, who is from Florida, returned to his hometown for the Thanksgiving tournament. Cobb, who previously attended a junior college before transferring to UC, said that he is used to spending the holidays away from his family.

“This year I had some family and friends come to the games, and it also helped that we played at the school I used to play at, so I got to see old teammates and coaches as well,” Cobb said.

The women’s basketball team played Creighton University in Berkeley, California, on Nov. 28 for the first of two games of the weekend as a part of the Cal Thanksgiving Classic. Like the men’s team, the women had Thanksgiving dinner together Thursday night.

Junior guard Jasmine Whitfield said that her family is understanding of the fact that she cannot go home for the holidays like most students.

“My family does miss me spending the holidays with them but they understand my obligations and are happy that I have the opportunities that I do,” Whitfield said. “Although I really miss having holidays with my family, I think that the experiences I have traveling with my team are something that will last a lifetime.”

The women’s basketball team will play three games during the last two weeks of December. The two home games are slated for Dec. 23 and 28 before hitting the road

on New Year’s Eve. The Bearcats will face the University of Detroit, Tulane University and the University of Tulsa.

On Dec. 23, the men’s basketball team will host Wagner College before they travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Dec. 30 to face North Carolina State University.

BAILEY DOWLIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Troy Caupain, a sophomore guard, is a contributing factor to UC’s 5-1 record and undefeated record at home so far this season.

Women’s soccer forward prepares for training over break TAYLOR JACKSON | CONTRIBUTOR

The ensuing holiday break promises little solace for the University of Cincinnati women’s soccer team.

Even though soccer is technically a fall sport, every player must work year-round to stay in optimal condition. Every athlete knows that success during the regular season is a result of the work done in the offseason.

“Champions work hard when no one is watching,” is a saying every competitor should live by.

Some may dread the offseason because it is less exciting, the workouts are longer and harder and the mornings are early, but the UC women’s soccer team looks at the offseason as an opportunity to improve.

After having the best season in over a decade, we are as eager as ever to get better and have an even more successful season next year.

Things have slowed down since the end of our season in early November. We now only have lifting scheduled three days a week with weekends off, instead of the usual one-day off per week.

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With the extra time off, the team is expected to focus on schoolwork and to finish the semester strong. Not only are our grades important, but it is also the time to focus on fitness.

The team’s athletic trainer, Rachel Harris, is one staff member that stresses health and fitness the most. Harris often refers to our bodies as Ferraris, meaning that we need to fill ourselves with ‘premium gas’ for an optimal performance. It has taken some time, but everyone has finally taken these words to heart and started to make improvements in our daily lives.

In an effort to better ourselves, many of us keep in constant contact with our nutritionist as well as regularly go to the weight room on off days for extra work.

“It is really nice to see that everyone is buying into the mentality of moving into a new, more successful direction,” said sophomore midfielder and team co-captain Katy Couperus.

Being a college athlete is like having a full time job and winter break is by no means a complete break for our team.

While we do get a break from the coaching staff and the teammates, it is not

FILE ART

The University of Cincinnati women’s soccer team finished 18-8-2 this season and 4-5 in conference play.

a time to let go and sit on the couch while eating holiday treats.

Our strength and conditioning coach David Neill provides every member of the team with a packet of various workouts to follow over the break to ensure the team returns fit.

Even though we are trusted to make fitness a priority over the break, we run various fitness and strength tests before and after the break to compare numbers.

Numbers and times are recorded for our vertical jump, bench press, back squat, 40-yard dash and more. Our regular fitness tests, the “shuttles” and “gassers,” will also be run upon our return, with the same time requirements as in preseason.

In individual meetings as well as team meetings, head coach Neil Stafford has made it clear that there will be consequences for a lack of commitment in the fitness department.

Stafford is not often lenient with fitness because, as athletes, we have complete control over it, and it is the basis for all other aspects of the game.

He instills a certain professional mentality in the program, and we are most definitely on the right track to what he wants.

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Holiday Issue

December 3, 2014

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