Sept. 12, 2018 - The News Record at University of Cincinnati

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

AMBITIOUS PLANS UNDERWAY FOR

BURNET WOODS

AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR

pg. 3 | Relentless rainfall pg. 7 | See what styles pg. 14 | Opinion: Gambino floods uptown campus are trending this season has no hope for you

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

NEWS

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UC celebrates bicentennial Student organizations partner for MakeUC Hackathon with virtual reality DAVID REES | CONTRIBUTOR

MITCHELL PARTON | NEWS EDITOR To celebrate the university’s bicentennial, UC Foundation has partnered with the Center for Simulations & Virtual Environments Research (UCSIM) to create a virtual reality experience designed to celebrate the university’s past, present and future.

In the simulation, participants will experience five episodes with the following themes: “Bearcat Spirit,”“Cutting Edge UC,” “UC on the Move,”“History of Diversity at UC” and “Living, Learning, Leading.”The simulation promises to give participants a glimpse into the past and a sneak peek of the university’s future.

Chris Collins, founder and technical lead at UCSIM, demonstrated two episodes to The News Record — “Cutting Edge UC” and “Bearcat Spirit.” Episodes are fully interactive and include voice acting, handson activities, music and gaming elements.

“This is just one part of [the bicentennial] celebration and is specifically the work of the legacy committee,” said Collins. “[The committee] wanted something more modern as a legacy gift.”

A staff that includes more than 30 UC students designed the simulation. Every aspect of the project incorporated some form of student involvement, Collins said.

“Cutting Edge UC” brings participants into one of the university’s first chemistry labs.

Participants play a game involving dropping medicine onto white cubes and race for the fastest time. The episode also educates participants about UC’s role in the history of medicine.

In “Bearcat Spirit,” participants play as the Bearcat mascot and are taken back to an early Nippert Stadium. To become the mascot, users must first put on the costume.

This isn’t done through pointing and clicking. Like every VR game, participants must reach out and grab each part of the costume.

Virtual reality is nothing new, Collins said. The technology has been around for decades. However, VR devices have become affordable to attract a consumer market. While current technology does not yet deliver photorealistic graphics, it is immersive enough for participants to have a fun and meaningful experience.

“For the first time, you can put yourself into someone else’s shoes,” said Collins.

The staff is continuing to research and fact-check every little detail. In the Nippert Stadium simulation, Collins said, the team had to restore an old recording of a cheer song, as contemporary traditions like Down the Drive had not yet been conceived. It is magical how much the team is learning about the university’s history, she said.

The virtual reality stations will be showcased at various locations around

campus, including a mobile station that will travel between regional campuses in Blue Ash and Clermont, said Kelly Grant, executive assistant of UC Bicentennial.

UC Foundation was unable to provide a cost estimate for the project.

A project teaser may be featured Oct. 6 at homecoming, Grant said. All stations are expected to launch during Bicentennial Charter Week in mid-January. The project will also be demonstrated at regional and national events.

Screenshots showcase the interactive episodes of the “UC Virtual Experience” exhibit, developed in celebration of UC’s bicentennial. PROVIDED BY CHRIS M. COLLINS | CENTER FOR SIMULATIONS & VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH

University of Cincinnati chapters of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) will host a 12hour UC hack day Saturday, Sept. 29.

The event extends an opportunity for participants to connect with peers and help create technological tools, including apps, robots or websites. The free event includes meals, snacks and prizes, and is open to students of all skill levels.

The Hackathon encourages students of all fields to think outside the box and code creative hacks. It also enables participants to learn something new, step outside their comfort zone and showcase their skills.

Experts will give presentations throughout the event.

“MakeUC’s goal is to build a stronger community for technology on campus, and to bridge the gap between hardware and software in a fun, engaging learning environment,” said Noah Bass, ACM chapter president.

ACM promotes popular technology through various workshops, presentations and special events including the university’s previous student hackathon, RevolutionUC. UC’s IEEE chapter hosts workshops, social events and guest speakers. The

organizations will co-host the event this year.

“Collaboration is common between IEEE and ACM nationally,” said Michael Santacroce, IEEE chapter president. “We thought it was fitting to partner with [ACM] to have a hackathon that promotes software and hardware.”

This year, IEEE will provide Arduino kits for MakeUC. These computers have a low barrier-to-entry and enable students to code whatever they please.

“Our goal for the event is to promote integration of software and hardware, which is often opaque to a person involved in one and not the other,” said Santacroce.

“By partnering with ACM, a more softwareoriented organization, we … can break out knowledge stuck in silos to the benefit of the students.”

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The hacking portion begins at 9:30 a.m, with guest presentations taking place at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Hacking continues through lunch and dinner, and judging begins at 8 p.m. Awards will be presented at the closing ceremony at 9 p.m.

“The hackathon will provide a collaborative learning environment for anyone that wants to learn about software, hardware or both,” said Santacroce.

The Hackathon encourages students of all fields to think outside the box and code creative hacks.

NEWS

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September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

Impact House opens in Stratford Heights to support first-generation students PATRICK MURPHY | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

Impact House provides first generation students with an expanded kitchen and financial and advisors. PATRICK MURPHY | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

When Tyla Thompson and Jeremiah Toney began moving into the University of Cincinnati’s newlyrenovated house for firstgeneration students, neither of them could predict how quickly their group would connect.

Impact House (stylized “1MPACT House”) officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 6 in Stratford Heights. The residential living facility expanded its 90-bed capacity to 154 student accommodations and features a new kitchen and lounge. The building also houses advisers to assist first-year students.

Suzette Combs is the director of 1-Gen, a scholarship program geared toward students whose parents did not receive a bachelor-level education within six years of graduating high school.

Combs, a first-generation graduate, said the housing

switch stemmed from a desire to increase the footprint of Gen-1’s impact and provide students access to resources that the old buildings lacked.

“In Stratford, there are no kitchens,” Combs said.

“There are ‘kitchens,’ but they are not operable in the houses.”

An agreement between 1-Gen and UC Housing required 1-Gen to fill all 154 spaces before UC Housing agreed to fund renovations.

Once the deal was finalized, stainless-steel cabinets were repurposed from old houses, a convention oven was installed, and several bedrooms were converted into office space for student advisers.

Nine of the university’s 12 colleges have partnered with the house so far.

Colleges of Law, Medicine, Pharmacy and Clermont have not yet established a partnership.

Every student that lives at Impact House is a member of the Gen-1 program, a

Pell Grant recipient or a member of an underserved community, Combs said.

“The Impact House… is for students who are first-generation, maybe underrepresented in their discipline [or] from a lower socio-economic status,” said Felicia Wallace, assistant vice president for student affairs.

Impact House provides high-demand education resources to first-generation students, including internship and FAFSA assistance as well as free access to printers and computers, Grant said.

“If you haven’t been [to college] and if you’re family hasn’t been, its not as common to you,”Wallace said. “We demystify higher education for our students that could keep up at night worrying.”

Central accommodations include a third-floor community space for students to study, hang out, watch movies or play games.

Floodwaters overwhelm UC’s uptown campus

ELIZABETH SCHMITT | NEWS EDITOR

Students struggled to move through flooding walkways at the University of Cincinnati’s campus Wednesday, causing two students to carry another student through ankle-deep water from the SiddallMarketPointe breezeway to the Calhoun stairwell, as depicted in the video above.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several flash flood alerts for the Greater Cincinnati area last week, leaving many neighborhoods in Cincinnati flushed with excess water. Road conditions were hazardous in areas throughout the city.

The ongoing, unpredictable flash storms have not only put a damper on weekend plans. High waters have left students who live in offcampus housing unable to use their washer and dryers due to flooded basements.

For Tristan Hite, a fourthyear in construction management, the

floodwaters came as a surprise.

“I was on the phone with my mom and put my feet down on the carpet when I heard splashing,” Hite said. “[I] was standing in 1 inch of water.”

The sudden storms will continue into the weekend, said John Franks, meteorologist. Franks works at the NWS headquarters in Wilmington, which oversees the Greater Cincinnati area.

The rainstorms stemmed from a tropical storm system that is passing over the Ohio Valley, producing significant precipitation and humid conditions, Franks said.

As for flooding on campus, flash storms like the ones in Cincinnati this week generate more precipitation than most sewage systems can handle, causing large volumes of water to collect in some areas, Franks said.

“The tropical storm clouds are bringing in moisture from the atmosphere, which there is a lot of — in fact, at

record highs,” Franks said.

While UC Public Safety has weather and natural disaster emergency plans listed on its website, these plans are geared toward winter weather closure and tornado procedures — not heavy rainfall.

Edward Dadosky, director of emergency management, business continuity and fire safety, advises students to avoid flooded areas, but said all three of UC’s campuses (Uptown, Clermont and Blue Ash) are in “areas with minimal flood hazards” as outlined by Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) flood maps.

While UC suffered some property damage due to rainfall this weekend, no students were reported harmed due to weather hazards on campus, Dadosky said.

UC maintenance crews performed emergency repairs over the weekend.

“Historically, [flooding] has not been an issue for us or

any of our campuses,” said Dadosky. “We have been fortunate in that respect.”

Much of the water buildup on campus and throughout the city is due to Cincinnati’s archaic Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system, which the city is in the process of updating, Dadosky said.

Nearby water treatment facilities are not powerful enough to withstand severe flash storms with heavy rainfall.

“It does not even begin to have the capacity of what an area like this would put off during a regular storm, much less what we had starting on Friday,” Dadosky said.

The American Red Cross recommends that flood victims keep away from the floodwater, as it may be contaminated by sewage, animals or insects. The Red Cross also encourages tuning in to local radio stations to get the latest information and updates.

Top: Photos of flooding in Zimmer Hall were featured on Cincinnati’s Snapchat story. SNAPCHAT Bottom: Flooding from the overwhelming amount of rain could be seen across campus. FAITH GROSSER | SNAPCHAT

“We’re like a family,”Toney said. “It lowkey doesn’t give you anywhere to go, but you’re not forced to either. You literally know everyone.”

Mitchem said this connected with her deeply.

“The first week we moved in, I was already breaking down,” Mitchem said. “I was crying, I had stuff going on with my family… so that was more reason for me to give up.”

But once the other members of her cohort saw her, they told her she shouldn’t quit; that she should look at where she had made it in her life and recognize what she had already accomplished.

“I’m happy I got the people that I got around me,” Mitchem said. “If it wasn’t for them, I feel like I probably wouldn’t be here, you know what I mean? I probably wouldn’t still be pushing through.”

NEWS

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

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Kroger and UC partner on 1819 Innovation Hub MITCHELL PARTON | NEWS EDITOR

The University of Cincinnati’s Bookstore is in Tangeman University Center. AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR

Online vendors challenge UC retailers GABRIELLA MULISANO | CHIEF REPORTER Local and on-campus bookstores are having trouble keeping prices low due to increased pressure from publishers and online retailers.

UC’s on-campus bookstore generally prices new textbooks at 75 percent of the publisher’s retail price. While many students prefer to rent or purchase used books to save cash, some professors require books with digital access codes, leaving students with no other choice than to buy new copies. Even with used books and rentals, some students are noticing higher prices at the UC bookstore than they find at other local or online bookstores.

“While I understand that the prices of new textbooks are largely set by publishers and are therefore out of control of the UC bookstore, the bookstore sets ridiculously high prices for used and rented textbooks compared to other sources,” said Ellen Haney, a first-year international business student.

Often, professors do not announce the required reading materials until days before a class begins. With limited availability at the UC bookstore, Haney sometimes finds herself on a tight deadline as she scrambles to find college textbooks from another source.

Ty Bonawitz is the operations manager of DuBois Bookstore, a small shop on Calhoun Street. Bookstores don’t get to regulate prices, but many students don’t realize that, Bonawitz said.

“A big misconception is that the

bookstores go ahead and jack-up the prices, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth,” said Bonawitz. “The publishers go ahead and set the prices for us … We order the books, they tell us what the cost is, we have very slim margins and we try to be as slim as possible on our margins.”

DuBois offers a textbook rental service as well. Bonawitz said the bookstore normally loses money in order to offer rentals to students at a reduced cost.

Assuming they can’t find the required materials online, students can go to a public or UC-operated library instead of searching for rentals.

But there are plenty of online options to choose from. Findbooksprices.com can help you find the cheapest prices for a textbook.

Chegg and Thriftbooks have rental options on their sites, and Amazon and Barnes and Noble offer new, used, and rental book options.

The online textbook market has created a dilemma for smaller bookstores like Dubois.

Bonawitz believes Amazon purchases textbooks in bulk, allowing the online retail conglomerate to sell books at the lowest cost. This business tactic can severely harm the brick-and-mortar bookstores that do not have such a large capacity.

“If I had thousands of copies of a book, I can make up whatever prices that I would like,” said Bonawitz. “Unfortunately, in the bookstore business, brick and mortar, whether that’s at the UC bookstore or here, we have to follow the publisher guidelines.

We have a little bit of play, that’s why we offer discounts.”

The Kroger Co. recently announced plans to operate an innovation lab within the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub where students and faculty can collaborate with the company’s engineers and developers to help solve a wide range of business challenges.

Kroger is working on a variety of complex retail products and services that could engage students from a wide range of disciplines, from engineering and computer science to business, design and the arts, according to David J. Adams, UC’s chief innovation officer.

“Part of creating this front door is to create a single point of contact to help [companies] navigate university resources to help solve whatever that particular organization’s problem may be,” Adams said.

When Adams and UC President Neville Pinto first met with Rodney McMullen, Kroger CEO, they asked specifically about issues the company is facing that the partnership could aid. “[McMullen] said that one of the biggest issues they had was talent and getting access to student talent,” said Adams. “He

indicated that they have all kinds of interesting, technically challenging kinds of opportunities, but students don’t always look at a Fortune 50 company and say, ‘Boy, that’s a place I want to be a part of.’”

Adams said he is working to implement days for McMullen to visit the space and engage in a questionand-answer session with students.

“You don’t get those kind of opportunities every day to talk with a Fortune 50 CEO,” said Adams. “[Kroger] really wants to leverage this to connect more closely to the university.”

The primary goal of the 1819 Innovation Hub is to create a physical space for companies to have access to all the talent UC has to offer, serving as a front door to the university. With this partnership, Kroger will have its own space and staff

Kroger is working with UC to create an innovation lab within the 1819 Innovation Hub. TNR FILE

within the hub to minimize travel for any students looking to collaborate with the retail giant.

Students may also be eligible to receive academic credit for their work at the 1819 Innovation Hub through UC Forward, a program that encourages nontraditional learning approaches.

“UC Forward supports transdisciplinary teaching, learning and research — specifically experiences that enhance our undergraduate and graduate programs,” reads the program’s website. “All UC Forward collaborations are intended to tackle real world issues — some tangible, some not — that may include problems in health care, the environment, poverty, sustainable development, or even difficult theoretical or philosophical questions in art, photography or literature.”

Adams said that the longterm vision is for the Hub to expand into an innovation district centered around UC. This concept is not unique to Cincinnati. Silicon Valley, for instance, was originally situated around Stanford University and is now the key district for modern companies to find talent.

“We want to create a destination location both for University of Cincinnati as well as Cincinnati, where future students will want to be for the opportunities to work in an innovative environment and really experience this with companies,” said Adams. “Individuals who are thinking about relocating may relocate here to get jobs with these particular companies. It’s an innovation ecosystem, if you will.”

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

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September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

NEWS

Dog walking is a popular activity at Burnet Woods. AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR

Nonprofit groups eye Burnet Woods for new development JACOB FISHER | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ambitious plans underway for Burnet Woods Nonprofits eye Burnet Woods for development Jacob Fisher | Editor-inChief Two local organizations are eager to develop a slice of land in one of the city’s oldest parks, but not without mounting opposition from the Clifton community.

Burnet Woods, an 89.3acre greenspace bounded

by Clifton, CUF and the University of Cincinnati, is no stranger to change.

Once 170 acres, its size was reduced in the 1880s when UC acquired and developed 75 acres to construct its uptown campus. In 1950, the university acquired another 22 acres to pursue further development.

In recent years, the Cincinnati Park Board has not been so liberal with the park’s remaining land.

Two plans to revamp the park — one in 1972 and another in 2008 — were abandoned amid public outcry, according to a 2014 report by the Niehoff Urban Studio.

But the Park Board is anxious to modernize Burnet Woods. That’s where the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC), a nonprofit organization that hosts classes and events, comes

into play. The group issued a proposal to reimagine Burnet Woods during a community meeting in May. “At the height of our guiding principles has been staying in a location where we can have the same type of service to diverse populations,” said Leslie Mooney, CCAC’s executive director.

For more than a decade, the CCAC leased the 1906 Clifton School Building from Cincinnati Public Schools before the CPS Board of Education voted unanimously to evict the organization last year.

Now, the nonprofit arts and culture center wants to make Burnet Woods its new home.

CCAC’s proposal outlines the construction of a new facility with indoor and outdoor programming space for classes, performances, events, exhibitions and community gatherings.

“This would be a place for people to come together and have shared experiences through arts and culture,” said Mooney. “We’re trying to bridge divides, get people out of their houses, come into a shared space that’s open and friendly and where people can bond.”

Burnet Woods is already home to some of CCAC’s seasonal programming, including an event series that offers free outdoor

concerts for 10 weeks each summer, said Mooney.

“It used to be called Wednesdays on the Green,” said Mooney. “This past summer, we had it in Burnett Woods because we were moving out of our building, and so we now call it Wednesdays in the Woods.”

The facility is expected to exceed 25,000 square feet and cost between $6.5 million and $9.2 million.

CPS will help foot the bill, as the board agreed to pay nearly $1.5 million to the CCAC in February 2018 for capital improvements made to the 1906 Clifton School Building.

Mooney confirmed that the CCAC is examining other locations for its new facility but did not disclose which sites are under consideration.

But CCAC isn’t the only entity with its eyes set on Burnet Woods. The Camping and Education Foundation (CEF), a nonprofit outreach organization, wants to construct a center to host wilderness programs for urban youth.

CEF’s proposal includes the construction of a 2,500-square-foot sustainable building estimated at $625,000. It would feature an openair workshop, outdoor classroom, canoe loading dock and office space in the

existing Trailside Nature Center.

The proposal describes the facility as a “low-profile, single-story rustic wood building” with net-zero water, energy and waste use. If approved, the facility is expected to open in fall 2020.

Representatives of CEF did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Both the CCAC and CEF face an uncertain path to approval. Community members and activist organizations, like Preserve Burnet Woods, argue that developing Burnet Woods violates the park’s ecology and sets a dangerous precedent for the privatization of public land.

“It’s a really important recreational space,” said David Stradling, UC’s associate dean for humanities and a member of Preserve Burnet Woods.

“It’s also a really important ecological space. So, we don’t want anything that will infringe on people’s use of the park as a natural retreat.”

The Preserve Burnet Woods group is encouraging the city to avoid constructing new facilities and instead devote more energy to controlling invasive species, like honeysuckle.

“Controlling invasive species is not something that requires an awful lot of monetary resources,” Stradling said. “It requires

Page 6 concerted effort labor …

We can raise money and awareness and increase volunteerism in parks without having to build a big building in the woods.”

The city has long planned to invest in the park, Stradling said, but has not made remarkable progress since 2007, when the board released a 31page conceptual master plan to improve Burnet Woods, absent funding to implement it.

“I would say it’s fair that none of it has taken place,” he said. “I’m not entirely sure that very much of it was supported by the public.

It wasn’t a planning process that was very interactive with the public.”

While both groups’ proposals would involve new development, Stradling said he takes greater issue with CCAC’s plan.

“The one that’s most problematic from my point of view, and I think for most of the activists’ point of views, is the one from the Clifton Cultural Arts Center,” he said. “It’s a building that would be dedicated to arts and not to natural resources or educating people about the environment. It just has a different mission.”

Over the next few months, the CCAC plans to assess the potential environmental impact of its proposal.

Public concerns about the disruption of the ecosystem are of high importance, said

Mooney.

“We take those concerns very seriously,” Mooney said. “Facts matter. Facts are very important, and we all need to have the facts about what the true environmental impact of CCAC being in Burnet Woods would be.”

According to Mooney, the board will likely not reach a decision until early 2019. If the decision is made early, Stradling expects it to be bad news for the CCAC. “I don’t think they’re going to reach a decision unless it’s a negative one for CCAC before the end of the year,” Stradling said. “Just a few weeks ago, we had a community engagement meeting, and 70 percent of the people who attended said that they did not want to have any buildings built in Burnet Woods. I think it was loud and clear that that CCAC’s proposal was not something that the public supported.”

It is not clear whether the potential environmental impact of CEF’s proposal will be studied.

For students interested in learning more about conservation efforts, Stradling recommends contacting Leaders for Environmental Awareness & Protection (LEAP), a student group on campus that fosters environmental awareness and education.

More information can be found on LEAP’s website.

Burnet Woods is a popular location for UC students since it is located just across Martin Luther King Drive.

AARON DORSTEN | PHOTO EDITOR

LIFE & ARTS

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September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

Hottest fall fashion trends of 2018 LINDSEY CARR | CONTRIBUTOR Figuring out which trends to follow can be a bit daunting. In the age of Instagram, it seems like a new trend pops up every day. Luckily, we’ve handpicked the best trends for you to try this season. Think bright, busy, oversized and slouchy. This season’s street style can seem a bit weird, but that’s where we come in.

When paired right, these fall trends are actually pretty fun.

Statement jackets Although statement jackets have been on the radar for quite some time, this season is all about layering. Think about that episode from “Friends” when Joey puts

on all of Chandler’s clothes.

Thanks, Balenciaga.

Animal print It’s the trend that keeps coming back. It’s not the Jersey Shore-esque prints we once knew.

Think less Snooki and more Fran Drescher from “The Nanny.” Zebra print and leopard are back and ready to be revamped. Try an oversized leopard print coat or some cheetah print pumps with an otherwise monochromatic look, and BAM — you’re high-fashion.

Wild Wild West This trend is more refined than it used to be. This time, we’re not talking about rugged leather and dried fringe. Think smooth

finishes and tamed feathers.

Like Kylie Jenner dressing as Woody for Halloween.

Clueless Plaid Cher Horowitz is back, and we’re totally ready for it. During London Fashion Week, Versace paired a plaid blazer with a plaid skirt of the same shade over some sheer black tights and a black-belted waist. This trend can stay, even though we’re still waiting for Cher’s closet-computer to be a real thing.

Glossy Glossy like Kim K’s latex dresses. This trend is all about clear. A clear jacket over a bright top? Yep. A clear bag to show off all its contents? Yep. Clear heels?

Yep. Try it from head-to-toe for a look straight out of Vogue.

Tall boots This trend seems timeless, but it’s taking a new turn.

We’ve seen overthe-knee boots make a comeback in recent years, but this fall, it’s all about the slouch.

The boots can still go over your knee, but make sure they’ve got enough room to droop for the ultimate cozychic look.

Neon Bright neon may seem excessive, but just look at Kim and Kylie’s Instagram pages. Dressing like a walking highlighter never looked so good.

Earth tones Light browns, khaki tones and taupe dusters. Think desert hues. These shades of nude will go with anything, especially if you pair them with some slouchy boots and a glossy makeup look.

Futuristic This look features those teeny sunglasses. This trend is less 90’s and more “Zenon.” Pair them with a glossy, holographic trench coat and some see-through heels and you’ll look like you came back from an alien runway (in the best way).

DSquared2 off-the-shoulder dress with suede fringe belt. DSQUARED2 | TNS

Red All red everything. From head to toe, work it in. You can even do a “red eye” look — just make sure it’s well-blended. From a red jacket to red trousers to red pumps, you’re sure to be noticed. For an even more fashion-forward look, make it red satin. Go forth and be fierce.

Let us know in the comments which trend is your favorite!

Thacker Le Pouch shearling ring handle crossbody bag. BLOOMINGDALE’S | TNS

Ulla Johnson off-the-shoulder metallic sequined peasant dress from New York Fashion Week, Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019. JONAS GUSTAVSSON | SIPA USA

Kendall Jenner modeling a DSquared2 dress. DSQUARED2 | TNS

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

LIFE & ARTS

Fall into your horoscope this season MAGGY MCDONEL | CONTRIBUTOR Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The never-ending cycle of worrying won’t slow down this month’s Virgos. At times of high stress, don’t forget about yourself.

Take the world off your shoulders and get a good night’s sleep, for tomorrow will come without you micromanaging the sun.

You are so smart and thoughtful, but this month, remember to trust your instincts and believe in your “on-the-spot” decision making.

Virgos, don’t forget to recognize your own — and the hard work of others — but most importantly, chill out sometimes.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) Don’t let others bring you down.

Know your truth and stay confident in your decisions even if those around you exude pessimism.

Things might get a little exciting at the start of the new season when it comes to Libras’ love lives as your sign meets up with Scorpio.

Libra, things are looking up for you, but don’t let distraction and negativity take you off the upward path you are seeking.

It is time to focus. Yes, your bathroom may need a cleaning, but that deadline is approaching fast. Please, dear Libra — get busy.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) Scorpio, it’s time to get a little silly. Make yourself and those around you laugh.

You may all need it.

The key for Scorpio is communication. Express yourself with honest directness while avoiding your tendency for aggression.

Be confident in your decisions and act on what you feel is right without any hint of self-doubt.

You are a Scorpio, so love is always in the air. But with Venus and Mars coming into the picture, you are sure to exude chemistry. Go with it.

Scorpio, do not forget to be yourself, and do everything with confidence.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Sagittarius, a natural leader, you are being looked to for guidance. It is necessary you act with sincerity.

Expand your friend group, evaluate your situation and look inward to see if some things need to end.

Sagittarius, be the leader you are, but act realistically.

Don’t expect too much of yourself.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) Saturn is going direct, so you know what that means, Capricorn: time get it together.

The new moon rolling is

as well — time to put that ambitious nature to work and start that project you’ve been putting off.

Look at some of your longtime friendships — perhaps romance is in the cards for you.

Capricorn, focus on moving forward; either with that paper you have been procrastinating on, or getting to class on time.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) The new moon will be good for you, Aquarius.

The mood will strike you in a way that should push you to try something new.

Try a new restaurant, see a band you have never seen, take a trip or do something to quench your thirst for adventure.

When it comes to romance, relax and let the natural flow on a relationship take over, things will work themselves out in the end.

Exploring new things should make you feel more in control of your life, restless Aquarius.

Page 8 Be willing to listen to others and, most importantly, yourself.

Find a new hobby; perhaps a new relationship or an unfamiliar show to binge.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) The sun will soon oppose Neptune, and issues that you may be experiencing will be clear.

Misconceptions will be set straight and, as a tough situation resolves itself, you may unexpectedly find the answer.

The new moon will shine a light on a new romantic endeavor. Go for it.

Pisces, your penitent for being oversensitive can often cloud your judgment.

Stop overanalyzing. It is time to go with the flow.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Taurus, remember that sometimes it is not your job to entertain everyone else.

Sometimes it is essential to make yourself happy Making a positive change in your daily routine. Even something small can make a massive difference to your mental and physical health.

You may be having some difficulties with love, Taurus.

It is time to get on the same page with not only your partner, but with yourself.

Feel good about yourself.

Try to ignore your instinct for criticism and go easy on others.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Time to get close to your friends and family, Cancer.

Nostalgia is in the air. Go and visit your parents, have a game night with your friends and spend time with those who make you happy.

Get a project done that you have been putting off, like organizing your closet, your pantry or your whole house.

This will make you feel very fulfilled.

Luck is in the stars for you, Cancer — use it wisely.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Self-care is the name of the game for you, Aries. Go for a run; resist those 3 a.m. chicken wings.

Address issues that may be pressing you, but make sure you are not overthinking and making up problems that do not exist.

Aries, do not forget to act with caution in everything you do, but feel secure about the decisions you make.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) It is Virgo season — so for you, Gemini, it’s time to get organized.

Get your planner out and fold that laundry that has been sitting in the corner for a week, but don’t be too critical of yourself.

The new moon is coming quickly and is bringing with it a new outlook for you, Gemini; it is time for something new.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) Leo, be cautious: growing relationships are going through their growth spurts.

Be confident in letting your inner child hug it out.

Your season is coming down — time to sort your life out. Catch up on your studies, make time for yourself and find a few moments for your hobbies.

Expect great news and order to find you Sept. 15, when Mercury and Pluto are aligned.

WE’LL TELL YOUR PARENTS NO, SERIOUSLY

LIFE & ARTS

Page 9

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

Headliners coming to CCM this year EMMA NICOLLS | CONTRIBUTOR The University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music produces nearly 1,000 events each year. This year, CCM’s Mainstage Series will feature eight productions from all areas of performance including comedies, dramas, musicals and operas. Over 90 percent of performances and events are free for University of Cincinnati students, and tickets for mainstage performances are heavily discounted.

“The level of passion, talent and commitment makes CCM special,” said Richard Hess, the Chair of CCM’s acting program and director of “The Government Inspector.”

CCM students follow a six-week rehearsal period.

During this time, students will rehearse four hours a day, six days a week. UC students can look forward to supporting their fellow Bearcats in the following productions, all of which will be part of its mainstage series.

Oct. 4-7 “The Government Inspector” A satire about a group of locals in a small Russian village as they learn that an undercover government inspector plans to investigate them. This leads to a case of mistaken identity when the locals begin to panic as they prepare for their surprise visitor. Richard Hess, director, describes the show as “a funny, biting comedy in the style of a farce.

Although it was written in Russia in 1836, it is still relatable to America today.”

Oct. 19-21 and 26-27 “Guys and Dolls” A classic musical that takes place in New York City. With songs such as “Luck Be a Lady Tonight,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” the show follows “guys” Nathaniel Brown and Sky Masterson, and “dolls” Sarah Brown and Miss Adelaide.

Gamblers and missionaries run amok in this 1950s musical performance.

For more CCM info, check out The News Record’s Uptown Guide next month!

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Nov. 15-18 “The Turn of the Screw” This opera presents an eerie tale of a governess and two children that are haunted by the ghosts of a former valet and his lover on their uncle’s country estate.

Note: This show is for mature audiences.

Dec. 6-9 “Birthday Variations”

CCM students have devised a new work for Scotland’s Edinburgh International Fringe Festival! Before they take it overseas, “H2O: A Play about Water” debuts in Cincinnati as the final installment of CCM Acting’s 2017-18 Studio Series on April 19-21, 2018. KAELIN BUTTS | CCM FACEBOOK

An Arpino ballet dance that showcases a variety of classic and modern works that have been choreographed and restaged by CCM dance faculty members.

Feb. 14-17 “Our Country’s Good” This show takes place in Botany Bay in 1789 and follows the production of the first Australian theatrical performance.

The play is produced by a marine lieutenant who casts the play with members of an Australian prison camp, many of whom are illiterate.

Note: This show is for mature audiences.

March 7-10 “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” This musical will include songs from the Disney animated movie such as “Out There” and “God Help the Outcasts.”This musical follows Quasimodo the bell-ringer as he embarks on a journey to the Feast of Fools. Along the way, he meets new friends like Esmerelda the gypsy and the dashing Captain Phoebus. He also attempts to escape from his evil caretaker, Dom Claude Frollo.

April 12-14 “La Clemenza Di Tito”

Written by Mozart himself, this opera centers on Titus, Roman emperor and bachelor.

While Titus searches for a bride, he must also avoid assassination by his powerhungry protégé Sesto, and Vitellia, the deposed emperor’s daughter.

April 26-28 “Cinderella” This ballet showcases the classic fairytale of Cinderella choreographed by guest artist and artistic director of the Dayton Ballet, Karen Russo Burke.

Cinderella’s timeless story comes to life in this eye-catching dance performance.

If you can’t make it to any of these mainstage performances, there will be plenty of other student performances throughout the year.

“CCM is one of the largest presenting arts centers in the state of Ohio,” said Hess.

“There’s always something to come and see.”

Along with these performances, there are some student lead events.

“The majority are produced by the departments, but for the acting students, there is a festival of new works as well as a film festival,” Hess said.

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September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

SPORTS

Page 10

Bearcats football braces for home opener with Bulldogs MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR

After utilizing an allaround attack to shutout rival Miami University 21-0, the University of Cincinnati football team turns its attention to the home opener at Nippert Stadium against Alabama A&M University at 7 p.m.

Saturday.

The Bulldogs of A&M are a NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team, which is between the elite-level Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Division II. The team is led by first-year head coach Connell Maynor, who previously had stops at Hampton University and Winston-Salem State University.

A&M enters the matchup with a 1-1 record. After dominating Division II Miles University 37-0 in

week one, the Bulldogs dropped a close contest with the University of North Alabama 25-20 last week.

ESPN is currently giving UC a 99.4 percent chance to come away with a victory.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder was given his first opportunity to start after taking over for senior Hayden Moore in the week one win over the University of California, Los Angeles.

However, head coach Luke Fickell claims the position is still subject to change.

“Hayden’s going to get some opportunities,” Fickell said during a news conference Tuesday. “We’ll have a plan this week [to figure out] which situations.

They both deserve it. It’s not like we’re saying, ‘we’re exclusive now.’ … we’re two games into the season.

There’s not many years

Thomas Geddis, wide receiver, for the Cincinnati Bearcats plays a home game during the 2017-2018 season. TNR FILE

you’re going to go through the whole year and only play with one quarterback.”

Bearcats sophomore running back Michael Warren II has rushed for 233 yards on 64 carries, providing five touchdowns.

Aside from Warren, freshman Tavion Thomas is the only running back on the roster with a rush attempt (one for 3 yards against Miami).

When addressing the expanded rushing attempts, Fickell expressed his trust in Warren’s ability to handle the heavy assignment.

Still, he seems eager to get youngsters experience.

“Mike can handle it,” Fickell said. “However, it’s a long season and we have a lot of talented [running] backs. We’ve got to find some ways, earlier on, to get them in and put them in position.”

Sophomore Gerrid Doaks, the backup running back who led UC in rushing last year, is listed as day-to-day with a nagging groin injury.

He has not dressed yet.

UC’s passing game has been relatively quiet through two games, with Ridder completing 19-of-35 attempts for 145 yards.

Due to the constant rain at Paul Brown Stadium against Miami, Ridder finished 6-of11 passing for 45 yards and one touchdown to tight end Josiah Deguara.

The Bearcats top receiver from last season, senior Kahlil Lewis, hasn’t had the opportunity for a breakout performance, mostly because of the rushing performances by Ridder and Warren. In 2017, he finished with 61 catches for 676 yards and seven touchdowns. In two games this year, Lewis has caught four passes for 20 yards and no scores.

ESPN3 will provide television coverage. For those unable to watch, 700 WLW and 102.7 WEBN FM will have full radio coverage. Tickets are available at gobearcats.com

University of Cincinnati’s quarterback Desmond Ridder carries the ball in the first quarter of their game against Miami University at Paul Brown Stadium Saturday night, Sept. 8, 2018. ABBY SHOYAT | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Bearcats rush to Victory Bell win SPENCER SCHULTZ | STAFF REPORTER The University of Cincinnati football team continued its Victory Bell dominance at Paul Brown Stadium Saturday night, defeating Miami University 21-0.

With the win, the Bearcats extended their win streak in the second-oldest National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision rivalry to 13 games since 2006.

The game was a defensive battle throughout the first half, as both teams combined for nine punts and 228 total offensive yards.

Freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder struggled to find a rhythm throwing the ball in the opening 30 minutes, passing for just 34 yards on four attempts.

However, Ridder stayed aggressive and found success on the ground. The Louisville, Kentucky, native rushed for 78 yards, including a 39-yard rush that set up the Bearcats inside Miami’s 10-yard line in the second quarter.

Three plays later, sophomore running back Michael Warren II finished off the 62-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown, giving Cincinnati a 7-0 lead heading into halftime.

The second half was much of the same, as head coach Luke Fickell consistently went to Ridder and Warren on the ground.

Although Warren received a heavy workload for the second consecutive week, he seemed to take a step back after a 142yard, three-touchdown game last week against the University of California, Los Angeles.

The 5-foot-11 Warren finished with 91 yards on 29 carries including two

touchdowns, bringing his touchdown total to five.

Ridder had himself a memorable second half as he threw his first collegiate touchdown pass to junior tight end Josiah Deguara for a nine-yard score late in the fourth quarter.

Ridder went on to finish the game with 45 passing yards to go along with his first career 100 rushing yard game.

With Ridder and Warren being the only Bearcats to show their successes on the scoreboard, Fickell praised the way his offensive line battled.

“You know what I’m most impressed with is [the offensive line] didn’t panic and the offense in general,” Fickell said in a postgame news conference. “Coach Denbrock and all those guys over there.

Things aren’t quite going, they’re stuffing the box, they’re blitzing off the edge, they didn’t panic, they didn’t go away from the game plan, and the weather conditions, and what we were going to do. I’m happy, really proud of them, but I’m most proud of the way they’re maturing and growing — not panicking on some of those situations.”

The Bearcats improve to 2-0 on the season, outscoring their opponents 47-17. Miami finds itself in an 0-2 hole to start its 2018 campaign.

Cincinnati will face Alabama A&M University in its home opener Sept. 15, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN3 and can be livestreamed on gobearcats.com.

Tickets for the game can be purchased at the UC Athletics ticket office, 2051 O’Varsity Way Suite 480, or by calling 1-877-CATSTIX (228-7849).

SPORTS

Page 11

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

College football predictions this week ZACH FRIES | STAFF REPORTER MATT HUFFMON | SPORTS EDITOR College football season is in full swing, as its third week features many crucial non-conference games. Listed below are a few intriguing matchups and our predictions on the outcomes.

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) lines up during the fourth quarter against Army at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. ADAM CAIRNS | COLUMBUS DISPATCH | TNS

No. 12 LSU at No. 7 Auburn Louisiana State University made a statement in their first-week win against the University of Miami, and it’s not just LSU’s defense that looks impressive.

Junior linebacker Devin White is an elite defensive player in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and Greedy Williams is arguably the best cornerback in college football. Ohio State transfer quarterback Joe Burrow has looked solid so far. Senior running back Nick Brosette has made the most of an opportunity, rushing for over 100 yards in each of the first two weeks.

Auburn University quarterback Jarrett Stidham has picked up right where he left off in 2017. He led a go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown drive to lead the Tigers to a win over the University of Washington in week one.

Aside from having a great quarterback, Auburn is loaded defensively. Senior linebacker Darrell Williams and junior defensive lineman Marlon Davidson are standouts.

LSU beat Auburn 2723 last year, but I think Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium will make a big difference this year.

Zach’s prediction: Auburn 24, LSU 16 No. 4 Ohio State versus No. 15 TCU Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins has lived up to his expectations so far, as the Buckeyes annihilated Oregon State 77-31 and Rutgers 52-3. Even though Oregon State and Rutgers aren’t powerhouses, Haskins has 546 passing

yards with nine touchdowns and a 79 percent completion percentage. JK Dobbins and Mike Webber spearhead one of the best running back duos in college football.

Texas Christian University’s head coach Gary Patterson has a new quarterback in 2018. Shawn Robinson, a sophomore, has looked good in two games, possessing the ability to make plays outside the pocket. Senior wide receiver KaVontae Turpin is an incredible athlete and is poised for a breakout year.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer will be serving the last game of his three-game suspension this Saturday, but it won’t matter. They’re loaded on both sides of the ball no matter who coaches.

Zach’s prediction: Ohio State 38, TCU 24 Alabama A&M at Cincinnati I made the critical mistake of doubting the University of Cincinnati

football team in week one against the University of California, Los Angeles. To my defense, my prediction did not take into account UC quarterback Desmond Ridder taking the majority of the snaps and having a breakout performance.

Head coach Luke Fickell has redefined what it means to be a Cincinnati Bearcat football player in a year and a half. The 26-17 UCLA victory and 21-0 shutout of Miami University has me believing their defense is legit. If you give up 17 points in two weeks, you deserve to be 2-0.

UC is my heavy favorite to bully the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M, who are 1-1 on the young season.

Thus far, they defeated NCAA Division II Miles University 37-0 and losing to the University of North Alabama 25-20 Saturday.

Matt’s prediction: Cincinnati 42, Alabama A&M 7

Bengals host revenge-seeking Ravens in primetime ALEX FRANK | STAFF REPORTER It was New Year’s Eve when the Baltimore Ravens — with a 97 percent chance of earning a playoff berth — appeared to be on the doorstep of playing in the January playoffs.

Their opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals, faced a 4th & 12 on Baltimore’s 49-yard line with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.

Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who had 21 receptions and one touchdown leading up to the play, caught a pass from quarterback Andy Dalton and outran the Ravens for a game-winning touchdown.

The play gave the Bengals a 31-27 victory and knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs.

Eight and a half months later, the two will meet for the first time since last

year’s regular season finale on Thursday Night Football this week in Cincinnati.

Last Sunday, the Bengals fell behind the Indianapolis Colts 23-10 before scoring 24 unanswered points to win 34-23. The Ravens decimated the Buffalo Bills 47-3.

What to watch for Thursday: 1. The first thing to watch is how the Bengals will handle playing in front of a national audience in prime time, especially against a Ravens team who should enter with confidence and a revenge mindset. Dalton is likely the reason why wide receiver A.J. Green hasn’t put up his usual numbers in those games. Now the cornerstones of a team packed with young talented players, it will be up to the veterans to lead the Bengals’ offense against a Ravens defense that knows how

to keep opponents off the board and create turnovers.

2. Running back Joe Mixon had one of the best performance of his young career Sunday against the Colts as he ran for 95 yards on 17 carries. He also hauled in five catches for 54 yards. While he split carries with veteran Giovani Bernard, taking advantage of an improved offensive line took pressure off Dalton. When Dalton threw the ball, Mixon turned simple check-downs into double-digit yard gains.

Against a Ravens defense that finished sixth in scoring and twelfth overall last year, Mixon could have his number called frequently by offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.

3. Covering tight ends has been a waterloo of this Bengals team for a long time. Those matchups were exposed Sunday as Colts

tight ends Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle combined for 111 yards on 11 receptions and an Ebron touchdown.

If the Bengals are to win, they need to make the supposedly improved Ravens wide receivers beat them.

Thursday Night’s Key Players Players like Green, Mixon and defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap can always be identified as the key players to any game.

Until he wins a prime-time game, though, Dalton is this game’s MVP. Everything in wins and losses goes back to the quarterback, and in the Bengals’ only primetime game of the season currently scheduled, Dalton must be at his best for 60 minutes if the Bengals are going to get a critical division win.

Prediction: Bengals 24, Ravens 17

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Clayton Geathers (26) strips the ball from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18), but the Bengals recovered the fumble, in the second half on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 at Lucas Oil Stedium in Indianapolis, Ind. SAM RICHE | TNS

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

OPINION

Don’t vote in college? Suffer the impact for years ARIEL CHEUNG | READER I’ll readily admit that I always found politics a tad dull. Bland figureheads churning out the same nonanswers held little appeal, and especially in college, it felt like their world was lightyears away from campus.

But the age of passive nonvoting is gone, and it’s vital that millennials and the generation that follows stand up for what we believe in and cast our votes this fall. That’s why I found it so disappointing to read a Sept. 3 opinion article titled “Voting can wait until after college.”

In the article, contributor Katarina Kemner makes the argument that college students find it too challenging to research the issues and candidates or register to vote. She argues that such students, fresh from living under their parents’ roofs, have yet to formulate their own opinions and are better served to “put themselves first and the world second” by waiting to vote until after graduation.

I empathize with Kemner’s point of view, but I disagree wholeheartedly that college students are incapable of being savvy voters.

To suppose so does you a disservice. The News Record itself has served as a guide for voting in years past, laying out candidates’ platforms and issue questions. Members of campus organizations like College Republicans and Democrats, LGBTQIA+ groups, science-based groups and organizations for students of color surely are informed about the causes they support. Female

students should be aware that their reproductive rights are consistently being curtailed or threatened. Any student or graduate who has taken out a loan to pay for school is likely aware of the financial difficulties that come with paying it back.

Voting does put you first; it gives you the opportunity to prioritize your needs by electing candidates who will enact laws that can better you, specifically and tangibly.

The governor’s race alone is reason enough to put forth the effort; in his two terms, Republican Gov. John Kasich banned most abortions after 20 weeks, pushed to expand charter schools to the detriment of public school funding, relaxed gun restrictions and opposed the Cincinnati streetcar, while also vetoing measures that would have made it harder for out-ofstate students to vote and approving the Medicaid expansion heralded by the Affordable Care Act. Perhaps you’re not up-tospeed on every race or every issue, but filling out a ballot does not require you to vote on everything. If there are issues you care about, you owe it to yourself and your community to go through the hassle of voting this fall. Need more convincing?

Political analysts following the 2016 presidential election, including Forbes columnist Omri Ben-Shahar, concluded non-voters in swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin handed Donald Trump his victory.

Not voting has real, longterm consequences that must not be ignored.

We’re given the right to vote at 18 years old — take it seriously. If not for you

own benefit, consider voting in lieu of those who might not be able to, due to physical limitations, work schedules or other restrictions.

It’s not a clear-cut system; I get it. So, here’s some tips on how to get ready for Nov. 6: How to register: If you live in Hamilton County (where the University of Cincinnati campus is located), check out boe.hamilton-co.org, where you can find out if you’re already registered or register online. You can also find your polling location and find a list of candidates and issues. Deadline is Oct. 9.

Get educated on the issues: Whether it’s in TNR, The Cincinnati Enquirer, CityBeat or another verified news source, read up on the election. Follow candidates and advocacy groups that align with your views, like Ohio Women’s Watch or Innovation Ohio, on social media. Politics In Stereo curates Twitter lists of nonpartisan, leftand right-leaning political news. Ballotpedia offers a wealth of election-related knowledge.

Vote: Want to skip the lines on Election Day? Early voting starts about four weeks before Nov. 6 at the Board of Elections office, 4700 Smith Road.

Otherwise, the BOE website has sample ballots, “where do I vote” search engines and voting FAQ. Don’t forget that you need one form of identification, which can be a driver’s license, recent utility bill, paycheck or your UC student ID. Sincerely, Ariel Cheung | TNR editorin-chief, 2011-12

Page 12

Netflix Unoriginal: How one

streaming service lost its luster SAMI STEWART | OPINION EDITOR As the consumer’s hunger for streaming grows more and more insatiable, Netflix continues churning out self-commissioned content.

Yet most of these so-called “original” shows revolve around similar themes, plots and styles. So, how original is the Netflix Original, really?

The first “Original” to really take off was House of Cards, which premiered in 2013 and will take its final bow this November. Netflix is struggling to maintain its once-unstoppable popularity. This year, the streaming provider has released more controversial high school dramedies than I can count on one hand.

Enough unrealistic nostalgia, guys. You’re not John Hughes, and no one asked you to carry his legacy. Albeit, you’re not doing a very good job.

Where Hughes recycled actors (Molly Ringwald, anyone?), Netflix is recycling ideas and motifs — and not even trying to hide it.

I can’t entirely discredit a media platform that I subscribe to and use

frequently with a clear conscience. I admittedly spend too much of my time mindlessly absorbing Netflix content, because honestly, it’s just so damn convenient.

But my faith in Netflix’s ability to produce consistently good content without double-dipping into the idea bucket is quickly diminishing.

It all started with Netflix’s gracious offer to become the foster parent of Arrested Development after FX kicked the series to the curb. Unfortunately, not all foster parents are great at raising children, and Mama and Papa Netflix really dropped the ball on this one.

The media provider has tossed around some gems and some duds, but their dud-to-gem ratio is growing increasingly imbalanced.

I’d imagine Netflix’s public relations department is eating itself alive trying to account for the company’s recent media backlash and general disconcertion following the release of several shows that rubbed the public the wrong way.

I’ll take the optimist’s side and hope that Netflix is simply experiencing a dry

spell. Perhaps its recent acclimation for overused, badly-written and offensive material is just a phase. But honestly, I’m not too sure where the future of Netflix is headed. It started out as a DVD delivery service, which was revolutionary at the time, but it seems silly today. Now, the company is producing its own swathe of shows and films with no clear direction.

It does just fine as an aggregate of others’ media.

Netflix producing stand up comedies? Sounds great. Netflix tossing up some incredibly informative, beautifully shot documentaries? All for it. Netflix beating the high school romance horse to death? C’mon, guys — stick to what you’re good at. At least Netflix documentaries are educational enough to hold their weight in salt, whereas the mere thought of another candyapple California dramedy exhausts me before I even finish this sentence.

Netflix, I love you, but stay in your lane. Recycling plastic bottles is cool and hip and fun; recycling ideas is lame.

Page 13

OPINION

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

Is going green really smooth?

in a slippery plastic cup. But hey — at least we’re saving the planet, right?

Recently, several businesses have made Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying the decision to ditch Styrofoam cups and that businesses should go back to substitute them for plastic, and for good Styrofoam. Still, there must be some sort reason. The biodegradability and health of compromise. Something as simple as effects are just two of many issues that a recyclable cover, like the ones that go go hand in hand with using polystyrene around disposable coffee cups to prevent foam products. The negative impact that perspiration and retain temperature, could polystyrene has on the planet is undeniable, be something to consider. and the switch to recyclable materials Businesses could also use an existing is long overdue. But what if this positive product. A company called Microgreen has developed a new type of disposable cup that is suitable for both hot and cold beverages.

These InCycle cups are insulated, fully recyclable and have been around for years. It’s surprising to me that these cups were not first on the list for Smoothie King. The insulation would provide for a longer-lasting, less slippery smoothie.

However, despite hundreds of complaints that have flooded Smoothie King’s social media sites, no solution has been reached and no alternative has been developed.

Many people have suggested Smoothie King manufacture and sell reusable and insulated tumblers like Jamba Juice, a competing smoothie company.

Smoothie King said it was “exploring Smoothie King is a company making the switch from styrofoam to an ecothe option” on its friendly alternative.

Facebook page, but change for mother nature negatively that was 12 weeks ago. impacts businesses?

As someone who used to go to Smoothie After countless petitions to boycott King multiple times a month, I can honestly Smoothie King began circling the internet, say that my allegiance dwindled after the the company announced that its intent to switch. Every time I go, I’m disappointed. switch from polystyrene foam to recyclable Their smoothies are still amazing, of course, plastic. The idea seemed foolproof; a new but I’d prefer to have more than 10 minutes material that’s better for the environment to enjoy them. while silencing the angry voices of the To some, this situation may seem trivial. internet? Perfect.

I just find it interesting that a successful I was even excited for the new cups until company like Smoothie King, after toying I tried them. Plastic may be better for the with several alternative materials, settled environment, but it’s absolutely terrible for on plastic — arguably the worst option for keeping things cold — especially smoothies. maintaining the condition of a frozen drink.

You feel as if you’re racing against yourself Going green doesn’t mean casting logic to finish your smoothie before it melts, and reason aside when making business and even then, your hand is dripping in decisions. It means generating a balance perspiration from the cup itself. In less between erasing your carbon footprint and than 10 minutes, you’re left with nothing doing what’s smart for your business. but a mess of separated juices and water NOELLE ZIELINSKI | MANAGING EDITOR

Mr. Lead Legs vs. Mr. Nice Guy SAMI STEWART | OPINION EDITOR With 12 years of standardized education under their belts, you’d think that college students would understand how to behave like a proper pedestrian. Few things piss me off more than getting stuck behind someone glued to their phone, mouth agape, walking slightly faster than a tortoise.

I’m naturally inclined to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they were texting their mom “happy birthday.” Or they could’ve been engaged in a diabolical plan to get people to vote in the midterms (one could only hope). Then again, I’m also blatantly aware of the lack of common sense in a population of college students.

Perhaps their directionless gate mimics their inability to settle on a major. And they mindlessly scroll through Twitter while clogging up the walkways to distract themselves from the world’s shameful gaze upon them.

What’s more frustrating is the fact that I have no

workable suggestion to remedy this issue. All I have is contempt and rage for my fellow lead-legged students schlepping their way to class.

But not all is lost in the streets. I find great joy in witnessing strangers be kind to other strangers in the street. The act of kindness could be as small as a compliment in passing or as personal as handing off leftovers to a homeless person in need of a meal.

One time, I was sitting on a bench tying my hair up into a ponytail and my last hair tie snapped. It was so hot outside and I was in desperate need of some relief. Next thing I know, a lady is walking toward me, arm outstretched. She offered me the hair tie on her wrist and said, “we’ve all been there, girl.” She laughed and went on her merry way. I had never met her before, had never spoken a single word to her, and she improved my day by leaps and bounds.

Little did I know when I woke up that morning that a stranger would do something so small and so

kind for me, and it would make my whole day. It challenged my perspective of selective kindness and made me question why I wasn’t giving the same kindness to strangers as I did my friends. Kindness doesn’t have to stay within the confines of a personal relationship. It should be distributed freely and generously like confetti, touching every dimly-lit corner and busy boulevard.

For me, concept of “driveby kindness” was sparked by a hair tie. Clearly, it doesn’t take a grandiose gesture to inspire someone to be kind. Just think of the exponential increase of drive-by kindness Cincinnati could experience if all of us were a bit more generous and jovial.

While there are people who navigate the streets with no regard to others, there are also people taking care of strangers at their own cost. My hope is that maybe, one day, the slow strollers will lend a helping hand, forward an act of kindness and hurry the hell up — people are trying to get to class.

OPINION

September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

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Feels like cynicism: Gambino has no hope for you PATRICK MURPHY | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR “I think endings are good,” Donald Glover said, Grammy in hand for best R&B performance with ‘Redbone.’“They force things to get better.”

Since confirming that his upcoming fourth album will mark the retirement of his Childish Gambino pseudonym, Donald Glover has cast aside the braggadocio themes of his early albums (‘Camp’ and ‘Because of the Internet’) for something more broadly meaningful than his own experiences.

Its an arch that’s matured into the socially conscious “This is America” music video, which now makes the execution of Gambino’s latest “Feels Like Summer” seem like an out-of-place follow-up at first glace.

Its cameo-crammed effort to strike every aesthetic

chord is a complete 180 from his previous message, which identified how fame distracts from real-world messages that we should be paying attention to.

I’ll be upfront, though — I’m always snatched by ‘90s, grainy TV filters in the same vein of a Simpsonwave mix. To watch the artistic renderings of various hip-hop icons played out in a lazy sunset cul-de-sac dream is close to my own form of ASMR. But the more I studied it, the more I understood the extent of this message. As Gambino walks through hip-hop’s who’s who, he’s disrupted by an eclipse of darkness in two critical moments when the song’s lyrics mention international threats like overpopulation, global warming and the decline of birds and bees.

The first eclipse underscores Kid Cudi and

Kanye West’s struggles with mental health, and Fredo Santana and XXXTentacion’s deaths at young ages. It paints a portrait of the pain and loss that reverberated throughout hip-hop community.

By the second, Gambino flips this message: Chris Brown is shown crying and is followed by Outkast, Rihanna, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.

These episodes are tricky to consolidate, but Gambino seems to suggest the inverse of his ‘This is America’ message. Fame distracts us from the social issues celebrities endure. Gambino ultimately suggests that redemption is possible for all people; if not in life, at least in death. The last image of Michael Jackson makes this point clear.

How do you pit Jackson’s personal sins against his

cultural success?

Childish Gambino wants everyone to reconsider their obsessive attachment to celebrities, which he illustrates by creating brief, symbolic confrontations between celebrities that only the most up-to-date rap enthusiasts could identify.

He wants us to look past gossipy headlines and treat

celebrities like people — vulnerable, flawed and capable of a second chance.

With the passing of Mac Miller, Gambino’s message is all the more relevant.

How long after the wave of his death and subsequent substance abuse awareness will we talk about solutions for mental health concerns?

And if we see these traits in

our friends, how prepared are we to help them?

Personally, I don’t think there’s a single famous person Gambino actually sees. Instead, he substitutes celebrities over a normal neighborhood, recognizing the potential for fame in unsung lives and the potential for normalcy in those we idolize.

Directed by Donald Glover, Ivan Dixon and Greg Sharp, Childish Gambino’s video for “Feels Like Summer” features the who’s who in the hip-hop community depicted in a cartoonish style.

Standards for Public Figures:

Necessary or Unrealistic

NOELLE ZIELINSKI | MANAGING EDITOR

Top: Profile image from Laura Lee’s Instagram.

Bottom: A screenshot of a tweet sent from Laura Lee’s account.

Public figures should be, and are, held to a higher standard than private individuals. The question is, how high should that standard be? Tweets, statements and everything in-between are critiqued and recorded by the public eye. It’s inescapable.

For certain public figures, these narratives can directly affect his or her career along with their reputation. For others, slip-ups are brushed under the rug and tallied up to little more than a mistake or misunderstanding. But where should the line be drawn?

A recent outbreak in the makeup industry has caused several beauty influencers to fall into hot water. Controversial, racist and insensitive tweets from these influencers’ pasts are starting to resurface,

some of which are from nearly 10 years ago. Some of the biggest names in the industry are losing their credibility and respect, and with it, their careers.

Laura Lee is a beauty influencer with millions of followers on social media. She has her own cosmetics line. Several of Lee’s racially-charged tweets from 2012 recently resurfaced, and her career has resultingly taken a huge hit.

“Tip for all black people if you pull ur pants up you can run from the police faster...”

Lee tweeted.

Since then, she has lost more than 590,000 subscribers from her YouTube channel in the last 30 days, according to socialblade.com. Though she has profusely apologized and is amid a social media hiatus, some doubt that her career will ever recover.

These influencers should

undoubtedly be held accountable for their actions. But is it fair to say that they should lose their entire career based on past use of insensitive language?

There is a distinction to be made between two types of public figures. There are those who learn from their mistakes, and those who do not and make the same mistakes again. This is where the line needs to be drawn.

Under no circumstance is the use of racist, sexist, homophobic or other insensitive language permissible. However, is it fair to hold someone who made an insensitive statement in the past and has learned from it to the same standard as someone who constantly uses the same language?

Laura Lee has not used any similar language in public since her tweets from 2012.

We are all, or know someone who is, guilty of using words or phrases that are considered insensitive.

But how often do we say something to a friend, classmate or ourselves and openly question why we say these words and phrases so casually? How often is your career or reputation compromised because of a comment or tweet you made?

We are not holding ourselves to the same standards to which we hold public figures. They are expected to lead perfectly happy lives from the genesis of their career and are allotted zero mistakes.

These standards are impossible for any human being to achieve, so why should they be attributed to influencers that are no less human than we are?

INTERACTIVE

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September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

Across 1 Outdated 6 Calf-length dresses 11 Streaming alternative 14 Let up 15 Hacienda material 16 Crew’s control?

17 High-end eye makeup?

19 Hollywood SFX 20 Part of a process 21 “Pomp and Circumstance” composer 22 Concert souvenir 23 First words of “Green Eggs and Ham” 25 Creeps 27 One sterilizing Ping-Pong equipment?

32 Supermarket chain with a mostly red oval logo 33 Con man?

34 Switches 37 Adorkable one 39 Emcee duty 42 Flute or reed, on an organ 43 Tibetan legends 45 Fireside stack 47 Org. concerned with emissions 48 Squad car for soprano Kathleen?

52 Sign of fall 54 Fish-eating eagle 55 Romp 56 Old autocrats 59 Historic times 63 Place for a bud 64 Worthless stuff from Beijing?

66 It may be financial or legal 67 Skin dye used in some wedding celebrations 68 Overdue 69 Measures for long-dis-

NEWSROOM LEADERSHIP

Editor-in-Chief Jacob Fisher

Managing Editor Noelle Zielinski

News Editor Mitchell Parton

Down 1 More than casual acquaintances 2 Touch on 3 __-Coburg: former Bavarian duchy 4 Idiotic 5 “If __ I loved her, all that love is gone”: Shakespeare 6 __ of America 7 “Got it, man” 8 Give 9 Gibraltar’s peninsula 10 Sun. delivery 11 High degrees 12 Ill-defined 13 Small amounts 18 Aden native 22 Simmers 24 Fashioned after 26 Canadian VIPs 27 Like some Christmas candles 28 Tommie of the Amazin’ Mets 29 They’re stuck in pubs 30 RR depot 31 IMDb search category 35 Bishop of Rome 36 Sail support 38 Private account

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News Editor Elizabeth Schmitt

tance runners: Abbr.

70 Mystery award 71 Entertain

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40 Mythical bird 41 Fiona, after Shrek’s kiss 44 Auto additive with a mostly red oval logo 46 __ La Table: Williams-Sonoma rival 49 Gave religiously 50 Dieting successfully 51 Stuck 52 Command to Fido 53 GEICO submission 57 “Mom” co-star Faris 58 Stern 60 Wise adviser 61 Objectives 62 Inner Hebrides isle 64 “The Motorcycle Diaries” revolutionary 65 In-flight update

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September 12, 2018 | newsrecord.org

Non-stop study sesh?

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