TNR opens Editor-in-Chief applications | pg. 2
New nutrition bar opens on Calhoun Street | pg. 6 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Sorolla leaving to turn pro SHELBY SCHOLL | CONTRIBUTOR Jaume “Jay” Sorolla, a graduate transfer center on the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team, announced he will be leaving to pursue a professional career overseas Monday evening via Twitter. “It’s been a pleasure USA...my beloved Europe here I come,” Sorolla tweeted. Sorolla averaged 3.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.6 rebounds in 15 games this year. After suffering a foot injury in December, Sorolla saw his stats decrease upon his return. He scored a season-high 11 points against East
Carolina in January. Before transferring to UC, Sorolla played three seasons at Valparaiso University. In three seasons, he finished with 424 points, 42 assists and 328 rebounds. Sorolla is not the first player to leave UC this year. In December, junior guard Trevor Moore entered the transfer portal before signing with Morgan State. Sorolla will return to Europe in hopes of playing professional basketball. His father Paco Sorolla played professional basketball in Spain, and his brother Joan is currently playing in Spain as well.
The Cincinnati Bearcat strikes a pose at Clean Up Cincy. PROVIDED | BROOKE LYMAN
UC student group to clean up city DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR University of Cincinnati student Brooke Lyman first got involved on campus as a freshman when she decided to attend a meeting for a club focused on picking up trash. Now a fourth-year biology student, Lyman is president of Clean Up Cincy — an organization dedicated to the beautification of the Cincinnati area. “Our mission is to engage and impassion every student and resident within UC and also the Cincinnati community to keep Cincinnati safe and clean,” Lyman said. Founded in 2015, Clean Up Cincy is Cincinnati’s largest student-lead beautification program and has grown from 350 volunteers to over 1,000. Each semester, the organization carries out multiple events and sends their volunteers to different work sites around Cincinnati to pick up trash off the streets.
For smaller cleanups, Lyman and her team correspond with Cincinnati councils to organize lots that need cleaning and how many volunteers will be needed for the job. For each lot cleaned by the crew, the city of Cincinnati gives Clean Up City $100. Along with university funding, the money earned goes toward their largest cleanup of the semester. For its largest event, Lyman and her team spend the entire semester prior planning for the cleanup and expect more than 1,000 volunteers. On March 28, students will meet on McMicken Commons before beautifying neighborhoods in and around Cincinnati from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students can get up to five hours of service and can sign up here. Clean Up Cincy is not just about cleaning up trash. The group also does different activities like clearing invasive Continued on Page 5
UC center Jaume Sorolla (35) goes up for a shot during the second half of the men’s basketball game against ECU at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020.. ALEX MARTIN | ART DIRECTOR
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 January 29, 2020 September 4, 2019
SG releases fall report SHANNON SMITH | NEWS EDITOR The University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Student Government (SG) released its Fall 2019 report Jan. 21, summarizing and detailing what the organization achieved last semester. Student body president Chandler Rankin and vice president Abbie Smith reflected on the accomplishments of their administration, which will come to an end in March following the 2020 elections. “We’ve tried to think through the lens of long term advocacy and also short term successes and wins for the organization and for the overall student body,” Rankin said about his and Smith’s running platform. “Our term isn’t that long, so we advocate for what will last well beyond our term and what things we can tangibly accomplish in our 12 months.” The administration has followed through with many of its platform promises since being elected to office in March 2019, including expanding mental health resources, providing free menstrual products in university bathrooms, addressing issues with sexual assault on campus and more. Over the summer of 2019 SG developed a partnership with FC Cincinnati to provide discounted tickets for UC students, making $25 tickets available to students for $10. They also voted to establish a program to provide free chargers for students to rent from Langsam Library in November, which started last month. Rankin and Smith’s Mental Health Champions initiative officially began at the beginning of the spring semester and has already received positive feedback from participants. The program consists of student-nominated faculty and staff members who go through special education and training about mental health to better recognize emotional distress and how to approach students who may be struggling. “We are already hearing about the impact that some faculty and staff members
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have been able to make through their interactions with students because they learned better language to use or they gained the confidence to do so through this program,” Smith said. Before the end of its term, the administration hopes to effectively implement the Survivor SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Exam) Fund, which was a central aspect of its platform. The fund would essentially centralize financial resources for victims of sexual assault and cover additional medical costs that may arise after administering a rape kit and other necessary services at UC Health. There is currently a small working committee consisting of Women Helping Women advocates, the victim services coordinator from Public Safety and representatives from the Student Wellness Center and University Health Services. Rankin and Smith plan to present a bill to the senate within the next few weeks to secure an allocation of SG’s budget for the initiative. Another platform position they hope to make progress toward is establishing a larger composting system on campus. Health code restrictions have previously prevented SG from being able to expand this service to MainStreet or other parts of campus outside dining halls, Smith said. “We recognized that this might not be something we able to accomplish within the term,” she said. “But this is apart of the larger conversation in an effort to address sustainability.” There is a task force in place working on smaller initiatives to roll out before the end of Rankin and Smith’s term. They are also working to release a guide to lay out opportunities for students to learn how to live more sustainably on campus. Rankin and Smith hope to see the work of their administration carry over to the next duo that will take office and maintain a continuous, positive growth within the organization. Student government elections for the 2020-2021 school year will take place March 4-6.
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ACM to host hackathon
KATHLEEN HORNSTRA | DIGITAL PRODUCER The University of Cincinnati Association for Computing Machinery student chapter (ACM@UC) will host RevolutionUC, a 24hour student hackathon, Feb. 22-23. A hackathon is an event where people get together, form teams and build something new to solve a problem. Previous projects ideas have consisted of websites, mobile apps, robots and hardware hacks. RevolutionUC has been a leader in the Cincinnati hacker community since 2014. Over the course of 24-hours, students will work together with friends — new or old — to create something from scratch, with the inspiration of “tech talks” and industry partnerships. There will be over 300 students across the Midwest gathered for a weekend of coding, community and self-improvement. All coders must be at least 16 years of age; if you are under 18, a parent/guardian will need to sign a waiver. Teams are formed at the event. If you already have a team, every individual in the team must be registered before the event. The maximum team size is four. If you are not a part of a team, a networking and brainstorming session will be held after the opening ceremony to help attendees find a team and/or project. It is not required to be a computer science
student, an engineering student, or a student enrolled at UC to attend the event; it is meant to be a learning experience for students of all skill levels. Building, learning and growing are the three key concepts of RevolutionUC. “RevolutionUC is all about building the tech community on campus, and we want to strengthen this awesome community with meaningful events like these,” said Aashka Raval, a third-year computer science student. “RevUC is a tech event open to all students, regardless of programming experience or major.” The event is an all-inclusive environment with the hopes of learning something new and meeting others who are passionate about technology. RevolutionUC is run by AMC@UC, UC’s computer science and programming community. The student run organization educates students about popular technology through workshops, presentations and informational lectures by professors, guest speakers and students. AMC@UC hosts biweekly meetings, weekly office hours, social events and is open to all majors. Official ACM membership is not required to participate. The hackathon is free to all students and will be held in Rhodes Hall room 801. If you are interested in registering for the hackathon, visit RevolutionUC’s website.
The University of Cincinnati Assocation for Computing Machinery student chapter will host RevolutionUC, a 24-hour student hackathon, Feb. 22-23. TWITTER | @REVOLUTIION_UC
Applications open for EIC NOELLE ZIELINSKI | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Chandler Rankin and Abbie Smith. PROVIDED | CHANDLER RANKIN
The University of Cincinnati’s independent student newspaper, The News Record, is now accepting editor-in-chief applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Applicants should be well-versed in AP style and familiar with journalistic writing. Applicants should also possess strong communication, management and
leadership skills. Potential applicants are not required to be a student in the journalism department. Those interested can contact the current editor-in-chief, Noelle Zielinski, at editor@ newsrecord.org to receive an application or to ask further questions about the position. Applications are due by Wednesday, Feb. 19, at midnight.
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 September 4, 2019 January 29, 2020
International students struggle to rent books TAWNEY BEANS | STAFF REPORTER DuBois Book Store requires semi-official documentation of a student’s local address in order to rent textbooks, which raises the question: are international students able to rent from them? JD DuBois, the bookstore’s general manager, said there are options that local and international students can use to check that box, including cellphone, utility, credit card or tuition bills. “Anything from student housing,” DuBois said. “Or any kind of documentation from an official department from the university which would state your local address, I’m OK with that, too.” For international students, applying for a certificate of enrollment from the UC International Services office is also an option. The document confirms their address and that they are a UC student. The certificate can be found on students’ iBearcatsGlobal account, where they can have it printed out at the UC International Services office or receive it as a digital copy. While it is not stated on its website or rental contract that students must show their ID when renting books, this is a standard procedure for bookstores not affiliated with a university, said DuBois. He also compared the situation to renting a movie. “You couldn’t have walked into Blockbuster and said, ‘Hi, my name is Joe Smith and I live at 123 Main Street. Can I open an account?’” DuBois said. While that may have been true at
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Blockbuster, other rental options like Amazon don’t require identification. Additionally, the UC Bookstore only requires students to show a state ID if they don’t have their Bearcat card and don’t remember their M number. While DuBois said there are many ways international students can still rent books, Pritika Arinana — a third-year international student from Dubai — had a conflicting experience. When attempting to rent a book, Arinana was asked for an ID and (after explaining that her only IDs were her Bearcat card and passport) was told that she couldn’t rent the book. “They didn’t give me any other options,” Arinana said. “I was talking to [my cashier] and the manager was beside her and he told me ‘Yeah, international students can’t really rent books.’ I know about the international student services, but I didn’t know I could talk to them and somehow rent books from DuBois.” Passports and Bearcat cards aren’t valid forms of ID because they dont contain a local address, said DuBois, who continued to explain why the rule remains necessary. “It gives me at least a starting point for collections,” DuBois said. “When I have bad debt and I’ve called the person and I’ve emailed them and I’m getting nowhere, I’m classifying that as bad debt on my books. I send it to a collections agency, and they have to go through certain steps. Without an address they don’t have somewhere to mail a certified letter to for example.”
DuBois Bookstore is located on Calhoun St. and has been open to UC students since 1955. TAWNEY BEANS | STAFF REPORTER
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E-media student wins national reporting award
Earthworks, George Washington’s house and 3D-printed prosthetics at UC. A University of Cincinnati CollegeHer most recognized project is a video — Conservatory of Music (CCM) student “How a 3D-printed hand gave this girl the was selected as “Student Journalist of gift of play” — that tells the story of a young the Year” at the Nationals Educational girl who was provided prosthetic hands by Telecommunications Association ceremony EnableUC, a program in UC’s engineering in Washington, D.C. department that supplies children with Mary Williams, a second-year prosthetic devices. electronic media major with a minor This was Williams’ first story she directed, in communications, won the award filmed, produced and narrated solo. The for her video reporting and mentoring video was showcased at the National contributions over the previous year to Institute of General Medical Sciences the PBS council NewsHour meeting in Student 2019. Reporting “It felt Labs (SRL) amazing Jan. 28. to win the SRL is a award. It nationwide, made me high school feel like I based, was a part of broadcast something journalism bigger than program myself and created that the to help things I do students and say have make news an impact stories on the world for the around me,” network’s Williams evening said. “I didn’t news expect to broadcast receive that — PBS award since NewsHour I’m not in — that the PBS connects NewsHour to their anymore so lives and to know my the back- UC student Mary Williams at work behind the camera at the PBS Student videos are still Reporting Lab. grounds being played PROVIDED | JOSEPH FUQUA II of other and thought of students. amazes me.” Members This is are mentored by volunteer teachers, also not the first time Williams has been graduates and PBS professionals at 150 recognized by PBS. In 2018, she was schools nationwide. appointed a PBS Gwen Ifill Fellow, an In 2015, Williams started at Hughes esteemed fellowship founded to honor STEM High School, part of Cincinnati journalist Ifill — an African American PBS Public Schools (CPS). Newshour co-anchor, managing editor, “I got introduced to the PBS NewsHour pioneer and mentor to new journalists. in my ninth grade year of high school and The fellowship provided her first I’ve been in love ever since,”Williams said. opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. “My first video was about youth in poverty, where she got to meet young journalists like being about to speak for my community her. and reaching out to Mayor Cranley really Williams plans to be a part of the PBS sparked my love for media and storytelling.” Student reporting labs as a youth media When an opportunity arose, Williams producer, she said. She wants to work volunteered to learn everything she with students to create content at their could about multimedia to master the school just like the producers she had the skills of producing and directing news or opportunity to work so closely with. feature video stories. Her work on PBS NewsHour involves stories on the Hopewell KATHLEEN HORNSTRA | DIGITAL PRODUCER
FEATURES
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Lambda Society to sell Living Openly: Professor valentine’s candy grams is beacon of possibility advertising, marketing and promo, and the evolution of TV comedy. The latter course While working in California at Fox Belperio developed for UC and many of Broadcasting Company, Nicholas Belperio the shows discussed Belperio worked on spent his free time volunteering at the Los himself. Angeles LGBT Center, facilitating monthly Belperio worked for the Fox Broadcasting transgender groups, bisexual groups and a Company as an executive in the marketing men’s coming out workshop. department from 1997 to 2013. His role Having underwent significant training oversaw the marketing and promotion of all before leading a group on his own, Belperio the Fox affiliates in the United States, which was confident in his abilities to support any included shows like “American Idol” and individual who “Glee.” walked into After 16 the center. The years, Belperio first time he decided to had a group leave Los to himself, Angeles Belperio and was became approached acquainted by a professor with an from CCM 18-year-old about the boy from possibility of Montana. teaching at After UC. Having graduating grown up in high school, Cincinnati, the boy Belperio felt decided to fortunate to come out to get to teach in his parents. city where he The next could be with morning, the his family. boy was told Coming he would be out as a gay taken out of man at age the will, and if 32, Belperio he was going fosters an to make this environment “decision” of inclusivity then he be in and forced to move outside of the out. After classroom. no support “The thing from his that keeps Nicholas Belperio, an adjunct professor in electronic media at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). most of us in the four sisters, PROVIDED | NICHOLAS BELPERIO the boy hitch closet is fear,” he hiked to Los said. “It doesn’t Angeles where he found the center. He occur to us that everything might be better came to Belperio’s first mens’ coming out and that the people around us might be workshop feeling shattered, after having awesome, and really supportive and happy lost everything. for us. That was certainly my experience.” Belperio walked out after that first Over the years, Belperio has had meeting feeling way over his head and numerous students come out to him and he unqualified to try and offer support. In that deeply appreciates the gesture of respect moment, Belperio was reminded that the it takes to come out to someone, he said. best thing one can do is to sit, listen and Looking back, Belperio wonders how he hear them. could have benefited had he had a gay Now as an adjunct professor in electronic role model and hopes he can be beacon of media at the University of Cincinnati’s possibility for others. College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), “It is really important to see examples Belperio uses that same approach to his of what’s possible,” he said. “[Coming out] students to give their work the attention it feels like a mountain to climb every day. I deserves. think it is really important for everyone to Belperio teaches two courses: writing understand that it is manageable.” for media, with a focus in writing for DAVID REES| FEATURES EDITOR
The Lambda Society at the University of Cincinnati will sell Valentine’s Day candy grams. PROVIDED | MAKAYLA BOYD
DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR An on-campus black women’s honorary, The Lambda Society, at the University of Cincinnati is hoping to aid in funding scholarships for black women attending UC through selling Valentine’s Day candy grams. “The Lambda Society was founded to recognize black women on campus who are outstanding academically and in the organizations they are in,” said Makayla Boyd president of The Lambda Society. “We wanted to recognize [black women] because we aren’t always recognized by other honorees on campus.” On campus, Boyd has been a pioneer as the first black woman to host Bearcats TV, a mentor in the African American Cultural Resource Center’s (AACRC) mentorship program and a volunteer for the Black Arts Collaborative where Boyd wrote and directed plays that focused on subjects like mental health in the black community. “The Lambda Society is really important to me and I would say it is one of the most important things that I am currently involved with,” said Boyd. “We help raise money for black women to give back to this community that has done a lot for us, and we’re able to help people who may not be as financially sound as others.” The society builds a culture of support for black women through events like its annual Lambda Lock-In in which black women are invited to stay overnight and hear from guest speakers, participate in interactive sessions and community building activities. Every spring semester, the society hosts
the Week of Excellence with its brother organization, Collegiate 100. The week celebrates and promotes black excellence through daily programs and various awards. In addition, the society raises money every spring semester for scholarships for black women who are currently attending UC, in addition to a scholarship for a high school student who has committed to UC. The scholarships will be presented at the society’s annual Blue Jean Brunch. Every year, the society finds creative ways to fundraise for the scholarships, like selling head scarves. This year, it is selling Valentine’s Day “Lambda Grams.” Lambda Grams are to be passed out Feb. 14 in the AACRC from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants can choose from a variety of Lambda Grams: •Lindt Chocolate Assorted Lindor Truffle $1.99 •Godiva Masterpieces Individually Wrapped Assorted Chocolates $1.99 •Lindor Strawberries and Cream White Chocolate Truffles $2.99 •Ghirardelli Premium Chocolate Individually Wrapped Assortment $2.99 •Russell Stover Strawberry Creme in White Fudge Candies $1.49 •Kit Kat Chocolate Candy Bars $2.49 •Snickers $2.49 To send someone a Lambda Gram, students must fill out a required form and send the appropriate monetary amount to the Lambda Society’s cash app ($LambdaSociety2).
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 September 4, 2019 January 29, 2020
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UC celebrates first laser cancer treatment anniversary QUINLAN BENTLEY | CHIEF REPORTER The University of Cincinnati recently celebrated the 56th anniversary of the world’s first cancer treatment operation by laser, performed by surgeons from the UC Medical Center. Housed at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Laser Laboratory, the operation was successfully performed by UC surgeons and was the first use of an Argon laser to bloodlessly remove a tumor from a human patient, according to an excerpt from a 1966 edition of Cincinnati Alumnus — now UC Magazine. The patient, a 45-year-old man transferred to Cincinnati from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, was treated for a rapid spread of tumors caused by melanoma. Argon lasers are used to make precise cuts into the tissue, vaporizing tumors with little to no blood loss, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The operation requires surgeons to guide the high intensity beam of light around the tumor with a curved mirror. While there are clear advantages to
this kind of operation, including better precision, less scarring and faster healing, many doctors are not trained to use laser technology – that paired with serious safety concerns for surgeons and medical staff, says the ACS. Dr. Leon Goldman, then director of the Laser Laboratory and head of UC’s department of dermatology – one of three surgeons who assisted on the operation – is considered by many to be the father of laser surgery. Despite his work to make laser surgeries more mainstream, Goldman also understood the potential physical harm this type of operation poses to surgeons. “In 1961, as Consultant to the Bureau of Occupational Dermatoses of the National Institute of Health, I was concerned about the hazards to those who were making and using lasers,” wrote Goldman. “It was thought that the eyes might be damaged by exposure to the laser.” The use of medical laser equipment is also associated with severe radiation burns to the hands. Throughout the course of their career, a surgeon can expect to receive approximately 210 operation related injuries, research shows.
Born in Cincinnati and graduating from UC’s College of Medicine in 1929, Goldman spent most of his long career working for the university, getting appointed to head of dermatology in 1945. Goldman was considered a trailblazer in the field of laser surgery, having founded the nation’s first Medical Laser Laboratory at UC in 1961. 20 years later, Goldman also helped found the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. The organization began with 150 members now has over 4,000. “He has continued to pioneer [laser surgery’s] research and development for us,” wrote Dr. Walter Lobitz, a friend and colleague of Goldman’s, in a 1988 tribute. Goldman died of heart failure in his San Diego retirement home in 1997 at the age of 91, he was survived by his three children – two of which are doctors – and six grandchildren. “I have learned so much from Leon,” wrote Lobitz. “And most important, I learned by watching his every action and deed to take work, but not self, seriously; and above all to keep self-respect and good humor.”
TWITTER| @UC_HEALTH
Clean Up Cincy prepares for next volunteer event species from parks like Burnet Woods, landscaping and other methods of keeping Cincinnati clean and beautiful. This semester, Clean Up Cincy will be partnering with a local business for the first time, Sam Adam’s Brewery, to clean around Findlay Street. For Lyman, the best part of being president has been the letters and phone calls she has received from Cincinnati residents thanking her for the organization’s work. “Getting feedback from people telling us that our group is doing something is so rewarding,” she said. “It makes me feel like I’m making my time here at UC worthwhile — I’m not just spending it on myself and doing it on my own degree, in my own time but putting it towards the community that has become my new home now.” Looking toward the future, Lyman would like to establish more cleanup crews on other university campuses such as Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University. Students and Cincinnati residents can learn more about Clean Up Cincy’s events and leadership University of Cincinnati admires a snail while volunteering at Clean Up Cincy, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. ALEX MARTIN | ART DIRECTOR positions here.
LIFE&ARTS
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 September 4, 2019 January 29, 2020
Get out and do something: Feb. 7 to Feb. 9
EMMA BALCOM | STAFF REPORTER As you get back into the swing of school and managing your classes each day, it’s time to take a break for the weekend. Here’s some fun things to occupy your free time when you’re done with your work for the week.
FRIDAY, Feb. 7 BOB MARLEY CELEBRATION: Ludlow Garage presents The Ark Band, the “number one reggae band in the whole Midwest,” to perform some of their most suave and soothing tunes. Bask in the sway of the music in celebration of one of the greatest names in reggae — the wildly talented and undisputedly exceptional — Bob Marley. 7 p.m., The Ludlow Garage, 342 Ludlow Ave. DANCING WITH THE STARS: One of the most popular shows of ABC is coming to our very own Cincinnati. The Emmy-award winning show, Dancing with the Stars, is playing in Taft Theatre this Friday, with popular contestants performing some of their most iconic dances from seasons of the past. Take advantage of this chance to witness famous performers show off their moves and let the stardom of the show take
a whole new light when it moves from the television to the stage right before your eyes.7:30 p.m., Taft Theatre, 317 E 5th St.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8 USED BOOK SALE: There’s no better escape from the bitter winter cold than curling up with a good book. The Friends’ Winter Book Sale will sell hundreds of the best titles this weekend with a spectrum of genres so vast it’s certain to appease just about any of your indulgences. With
discounts at 20% off of the original price, in addition to other surprise and special sales, allow yourself to stock up on your favorite books to add to your collection. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., The Friends Warehouse, 8456 Vine St. PLAY OF LIGHT: RAVEL’S L’ENFANT: Behold a “fantastical tale of childhood” that tells the story of a young, temperamental boy and his experience in building bridges between reality and fantasy. Soloists from the University of Cincinnati’s very own CCM will take the stage alongside Grammyaward winner Isabel Leonard. Follow this unique journey as the Cincinnati Music Hall
Emmy-award winning show, Dancing with the Stars, will play AT Taft Theatre Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. TWITTER | @TAFTTHEATER
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presents a robust performance, emphasized with incredible light displays and a powerful orchestra.8-10 p.m., Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St.
SUNDAY, FEB. 9 SUNDAE FUN-DAY: Only one thing tastes better than an ice cream sundae from Graeter’s, and that’s a free ice cream sundae from Greater’s. These delicious creations will be passed out at Arlington Memorial Gardens for all to devour while enjoying the upbeat swing of The Cincinnati Brass Band. It’s a day to get in the spirit of all things central to Cincinnati.2- 3 p.m., Arlington Memorial Gardens, 2145 Compton Rd. BADFISH: A Tribute to Sublime: Recall some of the greatest hits of your childhood with the music of Sublime and his beachy and cheery music, presented by Badfish. Channeling the spirit of the late singer, Badfish performs some of Sublime’s most well-loved songs by “encompassing the sense of place and purpose” many associate with the tunes, and encourages their audience to get swept up in the magic of the music. 7 p.m., Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St.
Insanity Nutrition honors owner’s late son MEG BOLTE | CONTRIBUTOR
At quick glance, the storefront could be mistaken for a quaint science supply store with blue and orange atoms decorating the sign. However, inside Insanity Nutrition, blenders are whirring up tasty mealreplacement shakes for health-conscious students at the University of Cincinnati. Mylissa Johnson, the owner of Insanity Nutrition, opened the nutrition club in honor of her late son, with the hope of giving UC students a healthy hang-out spot. Located across from Panera Bread at 129 Calhoun St., Insanity Nutrition crafts meal-replacement shakes that only contain 200-250 calories and keep you full for over three hours. Since opening in December, the shop has been doing “really great,” said Johnson, with student athletes as its biggest customers. Johnson was a surgical assistant at UC Health for over 15 years, before following her dream of keeping her son’s memory alive through a business. The extensive menu, with nods to each of her four children, consists of “Nate’s Heavenly Specials,”“Luke’s Legendary Teas,”“Seth’s Shakes” and “Emma’s Extras.” With 25 vanilla-based shakes, 14 chocolate varieties and four peanut butter, there’s a shake that meets everyone’s
preference — especially with both vegan and gluten-free options available. The most popular flavors, according to Johnson, are cake batter, iced animal cookie and brownie batter. The teas, which come in various fruity flavors, are just as energizing as a cup of coffee. The classic selection offers flavors like lemon and peach, while the legendary teas kick it up a notch, with flavors like Jolly Rancher and Blue Gusher. “Emma’s Extras” offers shake additives for additional charges, like apple fiber — which is linked to lower cholesterol — and Prolessa, to help control hunger. Johnson’s son, Nate, was a science major at UC. Nods to Nate are found throughout the décor inside Insanity Nutrition, from the massive periodic table hanging across from the kitchen to the giant, cartoonish cut-out of Albert Einstein standing proudly in the front window. “[Nate] loved his coffee and he loved his books,” Johnson said. But Johnson isn’t the biggest fan of coffee, and with the intention of providing a healthier option, she found that mealreplacement shakes and energizing teas were just the things she wanted to sell. The front of the store holds couches and tables for students to study over shakes, using the free Wi-Fi, or to pick a board game
off the shelf. The back houses a drink bar with all the ingredients necessary for the shakes and teas, and just beyond that sits the oxygen recovery room. While working at UC Health, Johnson befriended nurse Lydia Shivers, who now offers recreational oxygen to relieve headaches, fatigue, and most notably, hangovers. The recovery room allows customers to relax in a massage chair with their drink as oxygen is delivered via a cannula. Customers can either buy just one drink — shakes are $6, basic teas are $2.50 and legendary teas are $5 — or they can choose
to do a combo with both a shake and a tea for $8-$13. Pop over to Insanity Nutrition Jan. 29 for an “Office”-themed trivia night. There’s room for five groups of four and a $15 cover fee provides each person with a reserved spot as well as a shake and a tea. With its convenient location, Insanity Nutrition’s shakes and teas are perfect for those looking for a healthier option to boost study sessions. Insanity Nutrition is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The most popular flavors at Insanity Nutrition are cake batter, iced animal cookie and brownie batter. MEG BOLTE | CONTRIBUTOR
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 September 4, 2019
LIFE&ARTS
‘Just Mercy’: a tale of perserverance ALEX GELDART | CONTRIBUTOR “Just Mercy” is a powerful and thoughtprovoking film depicting the struggle of being African American in the south as recently as the 1990s. Based on a true story, Bryan Stevenson (Michael B Jordan), a recent African American Harvard Law grad, decides to move from Delaware to Alabama to represent black Death Row inmates for free who were not properly represented during their original trials. Walter “Johnee Dee” McMillian (Jamie Foxx) is one of said inmates. Johnee Dee was convicted of the murder of an 18-year-old white girl in dry cleaners in broad day light and sentenced to death. The only evidence presented against him is a singular testimony from a convicted felon saying he was kidnapped at gunpoint by Johnee and forced to drive to the dry cleaner, wait in the car (while waiting in the car he drove to the store and bought a pack of cigarettes and then came back to his kidnapper), and came into the cleaners to see Johnee Dee standing over the dead girl with a gun in the front of the store.
There are a few obvious problems with this case, all of which cause controversy and uproar. The body was found in the back of the store instead of where the witness stated, Johnee’s car was having work done on it the morning of the murder, and Johnee was at a fish fry with over 20 people at the time of the murder. Despite this evidence, the prosecution did enough to convince the all-white jury of Johnee Dee’s guilt. What makes this film so powerful is how the information about the case was presented to the audience. You don’t realize how egregious the treatment of the inmates and African Americans in general is. Despite this film occurring during the late 1980s and early 1990s, it is shocking how institutionally, racially, and thoroughly the law enforcement ignores the law and justice in favor of discrimination and hate. One of the men who is friends with Johnee Dee on death row was only arrested even though the officers knew he was innocent and told him, “Think of it as taking one for your homies.” The time period of this case, which is based on a true story that occurred only a few decades ago, was jarring. The
movie “The Breakfast Club” had already hit theaters by the time Johnee Dee was arrested. The police and prosecution unjustly persecuted him because he was caught cheating on his wife with a white woman. The police forced a white felon to frame a black man for a horrific murder because he was having an interracial affair. I never realized how truly problematic to this day the institutional problems are with the police. This film made me think more than any movie I’ve seen in a while. From a cinematic perspective, this movie was dynamite. Michael B Jordan and Jamie Foxx were so wonderful that it was enough to bring a tear to anyone’s eyes. The cast as a whole put in moving performances making for a fully immersive experience. The only real shortcoming of the movie was that it felt as though it was going to end for about the last 30 minutes. If you asked one of the writers, I am sure they would tell you that it was a device used to show how truly endless Johnee Dee’s odyssey for justice was — however, it felt long winded. Overall, “Just Mercy” was a fantastic movie everyone should see.
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Michael B. Jordan stars in the film “Just Mercy,” a film about the struggles of being African American in the south in the 1990s. FACEBOOK | JUST MERCY
SPORTS
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 January 29, 2020 September 4, 2019
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Vogt on expectations, relationship with Brannen LOGAN LUSK | SPORTS EDITOR
UC center Chris Vogt (33) goes up for a shot during the second half of the men’s basketball game against Houston at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. ALEX MARTIN | ART DIRECTOR
University of Cincinnati junior newcomer Chris Vogt, who plays center for the men’s basketball team, has already made a big impact just halfway through his first season as a Bearcat since transferring from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) in May 2019. The astoundingly tall 7-foot-1 big-man leads the team in field goal percentage (67.7%), as well as blocks (1.5) and is second in points per game (12.8, behind Jarron Cumberland’s 15) and rebounds (6.2, behind Tre Scott’s 9.3). Vogt enjoyed an illustrious high school career at Graves County High School in Mayfield, Kentucky. There, he averaged 5.1 blocks per game as a senior and recorded 488 career blocks, finishing second all-time in state history. It’s worth noting that Vogt once posted 17 blocks in a game against Webster County, tying the Kentucky state record while earning a triple-double (12 points, 16 rebounds, 17 blocks). “Every kid that plays basketball dreams of playing college ball one day,”Vogt said, reflecting on his mindset while moving to the Division-I level. “I was happy to be playing college ball, but at the same time, I learned to be patient. I wasn’t playing a lot my freshman year, so I decided to keep my head down and trust the process that one day my time will come.” At NKU, Vogt was placed in a role off the bench for his freshman and sophomore
seasons. This was largely due to Norse legend Drew McDonald, who holds school records for points, rebounds and other categories, practically having the starting position locked down. Coming off the bench, Vogt remained impactful and consistent in all 35 games last season as part of coach John Brannen’s previous team and averaged 4.5 points per game, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 12.8 minutes of action. Since coming over to UC with Brannen, Vogt has started every game with an average of 28.2 minutes. “I’ve taken on a bigger role and more responsibility,”Vogt said. “Everyone wants to have a bigger piece of the pie, and I’ve been enjoying the responsibility this year. I think that [Brannen] has a lot of faith in me, and I intend on fulfilling that faith.” It’s no coincidence that Vogt transferred to UC soon after Brannen was appointed to be the Bearcats new head coach. The two of them formed a bond before and during Vogt’s time as part of the Norse, and both of them saw the move across the river as an opportunity to shine. “I’d say it’s personal,”Vogt said about his relationship with Brannen. “I’ve known him for about three or four years now. He recruited me out of high school, I talked to him a lot, in fact a large part of why I committed to NKU was because he was the one doing a lot of my recruiting and I was hearing from him a lot.” Brannen changed the course of NKU’s basketball program, making history by
leading the Norse to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in the 2017-18 season when Vogt was a freshman. By putting his expertise on the map, Brannen was well sought-after and ultimately decided to fill UC’s void that was left by Mick Cronin leaving for UCLA. Cronin led the Bearcats for 13 seasons, the second longest tenure in program history. According to Vogt, Brannen’s approach and basketball philosophy hasn’t changed much, if it all, since making the switch to the red and black. “I’d say more stuff is the same than it is different,”Vogt said. “Brannen’s been the same coach he was over at NKU — very consistent. Really, it kind of surprised me how much of it was similar in terms of practice and preparation as it was over at NKU.” While both Vogt and Brannen’s introductory years have been welcomed, the Bearcats incurred a rocky first half to this season. “It was expected to have some bumps early,”Vogt said. “It’s just because we’re getting used to a new system and we had some new guys coming in. It takes a while for that chemistry to build. There were still some losses we shouldn’t have lost, but that’s part of the transition.” However, things are starting to turn in the Bearcats favor. In a massively important 64-62 win over No. 21 Houston Saturday, Vogt posted a season-high five blocks and 10 points. UC moved to second in the American Athletic Conference standings and increased its win streak to four games. These results couldn’t have started coming at a better time. Last week, UC has a 42% chance to make the NCAA Tournament, according to Teamrankings.com. With the win over Houston, it shot up to 70%. “We’re going to continue to send right now and keep on playing our best basketball,”Vogt said. “To keep on getting better and better, that’s our goal right now.” UC will look to continue their win streak against another conference opponent in the form of Wichita State Thursday evening. Tip-off is 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.
UC center Chris Vogt goes up for a shot during the first half of the 2019 Crosstown Shootout against Xavier at Cintas Center in Cincinnati Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 ALEX MARTIN | ART DIRECTOR
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 September 4, 2019 January 29, 2020
SPORTS
Behind the scenes with the UC dance team MACRCELLO JONES | CONTRIBUTOR
The University of Cincinnati dance team is notorious for winning, having won seven national titles and ten world titles in its illustrious history. The team is regarded as one of the best in the nation, but despite its success, there is still a lot that remains unknown behind the scenes. The dance team’s season is more or less over after finishing sixth in both the Pom and Hip- Hop categories at nationals in January. The team’s season begins in July, when all team members arrive on campus and stay at each other’s houses. “The freshmen on the team usually sleep on couches or air mattresses,” fifthyear senior Amber
Roberts said. “During the summer, there was 18 girls in one house. It’s pretty ridiculous.” Training starts immediately for the girls, with incoming freshmen being required to know 32 dances before even arriving at UC. The whole team spends time learning the dances you see performed at various UC sporting events, and they also learn halftime routines, which are geared toward crowd appeal and entertainment for the students. The University of Cincinnati dance team came in sixth at the While these most recent nationals. performances MARCELLO JONES | CONTRIBUTOR are engaging to the average spectator, this
The University of Cincinnati dance team are required to learn over 30 dances before even being a UC student. PROVIDED | CASSIDY BRAGE
is the root of a major misconception of the team. “I feel like the community thinks we just want to be in the spotlight, that we just want to curl our hair and be at all the games,” Roberts said, referencing the sacrifices dance members have to make. “But we are on this team to kick some butt, get a ring and work our butts off, no matter what it takes.” The team grinds for the national showing, which is comprised of a single two-minute routine. All the late nights practicing from 6-10 p.m. three times a week in Fifth Third Arena, along with four weekends of 12-hour days all come down to a single routine that determines whether they leave the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando with or without a ring. This year, the team practiced its full routine in the 30 days prior to leaving for Orlando, which amounted to 60 to 70 times, Roberts said. The team possesses a work ethic that is unparalleled within the collegiate world, according to Haley Barber, a sophomore on the team. The team prides itself on being mentally tough and resilient to whatever is put in front of them. In a single fivehour practice, the team may only get four moves of the whole routine done. For five hours, they will repeat it over and over until head coach Maureen Housum, deems it acceptable. The built-up tension that comes while waiting backstage before they enter the mat to compete for a national title is unlike anything, and although many emotions
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run through their minds at that point, this is what makes it “so addicting,” according to Roberts. “You spend so many hours in a gym, just for this one show-out. This one time you have to be perfect. There’s just something about that.” This mental fortitude is something that all 16 members who compete can carry into their lives outside of dance. The team’s schedule is formidable, performing at all home football and basketball games, as well as dancing at men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball — all on top of training and class commitments. While the average studentathlete has an academic adviser who can assist in dealing with the pressure, the members of the dance team do not. They are pretty separated, Roberts claimed. While they have a strict commitment to be at every varsity game and a significant amount of time devoted to their sport — they do not receive the respect, help and benefits that other student-athletes may receive. Another misconception the community struggles with is the team’s association with its student-athlete counterparts — the cheer team. The dance team aren’t cheerleaders, and while they may do specific cheers and frequently dance with the cheer team and shake their pom-poms, they are reluctant to be classified as the same. “Dance is such an obscure thing,” Roberts stated. “I understand that it is really hard to understand something that you’re not involved in at all … We almost do all the same things [the cheer team] does to the average person’s eye.” But once again the derivative of this misconception, like all of them, comes from the fact that not enough of the studentbody see them perform in their actual environment. All the average student would see is the entertaining minute-long routine at half-time. The team has a national send off every year the Sunday before the spring semester starts. The problem lures that this is the only chance a student gets to see the team perform its national’s routine outside of the Orlando competition. Roberts feels that if students were to sit down and watch the full routine, they would understand, and the misconceptions of the dance team would start to fade away. While the dance team may not be competing for another world title this year, it will still be out supporting the varsity sports this semester.
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 September 4, 2019 January 29, 2020
OPINION
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Opinion | The Space Force is no joke Opinion | The Oscars needs diversity SM SALAM | CONTRIBUTOR For a second, let’s just step back a little and think about how many separate military forces we have dedicated to the seas; the Navy, the Marines and the Coast Guard. But for air and space, we have only one? That doesn’t make sense. It has been over 50 years since we put a man on the moon. Why do we not have a Space Force already? If you consider the Space Force a joke, then the Air Force is an even bigger joke. Up until 1947, the Air Force was merely a branch of the U.S. Army after all. So much so that the person who first suggested the creation of an independent air force was ridiculed and court-martialed out of the Army. The man I’m talking about is General Billy Mitchell. He was put on the cross for giving that “blasphemous” suggestion. Yet ironically after his dismissal, it was his blueprints that were used to set up the organization that is today known as the U.S. Air Force. He died a full-bird Colonel, but was promoted posthumously to Major General for those contributions, once again proving the old notion that the only hero the Army will take, is a dead one. The truth is no disciplined military establishments takes kindly to the introduction of major changes or shuffles in their administrative structures because of the nature of their strict training and indoctrination. And as such, just like “Billy Mitchell’s Airforce”, Space Force is not a widely liked idea in the U.S. military at the
FACEBOOK | UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE
moment. But what Mitchell’s plan lacked, the Space Force has plenty of. And that is presidential support. Then-President Calvin Coolidge scoffed at the idea. Now, we have the full force of President Donald Trump behind the proposal. Any criticism of setting up a new force for space is easily debunked by justifications for having a separate air force. Common criticisms of Space Force and their rebuttals are as follows: 1. “We already have USAF space command. Why have a new force?”: Well the same thing can be said about the Air Force. It used to be part of the Army. So we should have simply let it be that way? By the same token, we already have the Navy, so why have the Coast Guard or Marine Corps? 2. “New uniforms, new people, new equipment means more money.”: Still not anything that the “separate Airforce” logic, can’t refute. 3. “Just because President Trump suggested it means it has to be something silly.”This is not a real argument. The Russians had one in 1992. They beat us to the punch. So what? I say better late than never. In conclusion, I would like to say the only adequate reason needed to set up an independent Space Force is simply, “the age demands it.” For God’s sake we are living in the 21st century and space is the final frontier. Give us that Space Force already.
On the other side, there was only one female producer on the higher-up The Oscars, yet again, are so white, and, production teams of both of these films in the best films category, so male. On Jan. combined. Movies speak to truths in 25, Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) Melissa our lived experiences, and women and Villasenor mocked the Oscars’ best picture underrepresented communities remain nominees’ common themes and called out isolated from powerful background roles as their ‘white well. male rage’ Even this focus. Her year, with cynically funny great female commentary directors like reminded us of Greta Gerwig the annually taking the white-washed entertainment cultural industry regulator that by storm, is the Oscars. they are During the overshadowed “Weekend during awards’ Update” season, which segment, Villasenor Villasenor sang pointed out in about “The her skit. Irishmen,”“Jojo People who Rabbit,”“Once fit the “default Upon A Time, person” In Hollywood,” standard “Toy Story explain to us, 4” and more through this taking over the “white male best picture rage” trope, category. She that privilege joked that just does come about every at a cost. film in the Generalized category were anxiety essentially disorder stories about (GAD), a white men mental health creating disorder conflict, as is characterized typical. by persistent Melissa Villasenor, an American actress, comedian, impressionist, In fact, and excessive visual artist and singer, performs in Venice, California in June 2013. beyond best worry, is most FLICKR |CLEFT CLIPS picture, every prevalent and other category impairing in combined recognized only one non-white rich, developed countries like the United nominee, not unlike years past for the States. Life simply is not perfect, even for Oscars. people with more consistent statistical Only one both non-white and non-male advantages than others. person has won an Oscar for best actor/ Privilege pervades all of this, however. It actress ever in history, reflecting a deeply has less to do with someone’s day-to-day engrained lack of diverse representation in stressors and more to do with a system film, or at least “critically-acclaimed” film. that inherently values one person and their Without validating female and non-white experiences over another’s. successes in film, they miss out on the It seems that those least affected by diversity of American experiences. systemic oppression commonly receive In some ways, however, film and media the spotlight for their grievances, does echo and inform our reality. “Toy even in a world where “#MeToo” and Story 4” tells a recognizable story about “#BlackLivesMatter” constantly trend, both friendship and identity despite its focus on and offline. on, well, white-guy toys. “Joker” resonates Although more and more people with those who feel misunderstood, despite clearly want to have more representative the murderously unhinged white-guy conversations about not so “default” human main character. We all connect to film and beings, the white man’s world is still very popular culture in these ways, but so often much the white man’s world. This year’s we don’t see our identities reflected onOscar nominees show us that pretty clearly. screen, distorting our cultural assumptions of what is normal and who is worthy of our attention. EMILY CHIEN | CONTRIBUTOR
INTERACTIVE
FEBRUARY 5, 2020 September 4, 2019 January 29, 2020
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Sudoku By The Mepham Group
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square. Does it sound complicated? Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in; the more spaces filled in, the easier the game – the more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in.
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