September 3, 2020

Athens loses thousands in parking revenue PG 6

Marching 110 continues on virtually PG 12

Men’s basketball secures strong recruits PG 14

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

Trimming through adversity

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

My senior year may not be what I expected, but I’m sure going to make the most of it

MOLLY SCHRAMM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A college student’s senior year is supposed to be their last chance to make lifelong memories and friendships before they are fully thrust into the adult world. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the entire world in early spring, life has been altered, and subsequently, my ideal plans for my own senior year at Ohio University have shifted.

Despite that unfortunate shift, I’m determined to make my senior year as memorable as all students deserve.

In a perfect world without a global pandemic, I’d be spending my senior year trying to grab a meal at every local Athens eatery, exploring the many attractions of Southeast Ohio and maybe I’d even be adventurous in attempting to try every shot on Lucky’s or Pigskin’s vast shot lists. Alas, that’s not my senior year reality.

In the first few weeks of classes, I’ve started to rethink my overall goals for the next eight or so months. The limitations the pandemic has brought are not ideal, but they’re understandable, and I’m a firm believer that they’re necessary to ever go back to any type of normal. These cautionary measures aren’t

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Molly Schramm MANAGING EDITOR Baylee DeMuth DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Geiger EDITORIAL NEWS EDITORS Abby Miller, Nolan Simmons ASST. NEWS EDITOR Ian McKenzie LONG-FORM EDITOR Shelby Campbell SPORTS EDITORS Jack Gleckler, J.L. Kirven CULTURE EDITOR Riley Runnells ASST. CULTURE EDITOR Keri Johnson OPINION EDITOR Noah Wright ASST. OPINION EDITOR Mikayla Rochelle THE BEAT EDITOR Madyson Lewellyn ASST. THE BEAT EDITOR Emma Dollenmayer COPY CHIEF Bre Offenberger SLOT EDITORS Eli Feazell, Anna Garnai, Katey Kruback, Molly Powers ART ART DIRECTOR Mary Berger ASST. ART DIRECTOR Olivia Juenger DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Kelsey Boeing PHOTO EDITOR Nate Swanson DIGITAL WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Brianna Lender SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Taylor Burnette DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA Ethan Sands BUSINESS STUDENT MEDIA SALES INTERNSHIP MANAGER Andrea Lewis MEDIA SALES Emily Cassidy, Ali Gifford, Kyle McCort

2 / SEPT. 3, 2020

set to ruin seniors’ last college year, but to ensure we have some final taste of youth.

So with all COVID-19 precautions in mind, I have two sappy but attainable goals for my senior year.

First, I want to appreciate the people in my life who have made my college so memorable. When you think of making memories with friends, usually those memories surround grand events and celebrations. Some of these include OU’s Homecoming weekend, spending New Year’s in Athens or a big football game happening at Peden Stadium.

While these things are all great, I’m trying to better appreciate what some may call insignificant. Going out for a cheap meal, sitting on a patio and talking into the early hours of the morning with some friends may seem minor, but these occurrences often lead to some of the best memories.

While spending time with my friends is crucial, it would be the same without the backdrop that is Athens. Athens may be a small town, but trying to experience all it has to offer in a mere four years is daunting.

From the many restaurants and bars to the

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parks and hiking trails that are only a small drive away, Athens is a pinnacle of Southeast Ohio, and I’ll be damned if I don’t try to see as much as I possibly can. Though some places may be shut down for the unforeseeable future, I’ll be jumping at the possibility to, though belated, check some Athens staples off my senior year bucket list.

I’d be lying to myself if I said I’d get to do everything I want to do in Athens prior to my graduation. COVID-19 has definitely thrown a wrench into how eventful my senior year may be, but at the end of the day, it hasn’t ruined it, and I’m sure to end my college days on a high note. So until the day I become an alumna, I’m going to use this column to remind myself to enjoy my last days in Athens.

Molly Schramm is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Have questions?

Email Molly at ms660416@ohio.edu or tweet her @_molly_731.

COVER PHOTO BY KELSEY BOEING

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NEWS BRIEFS

Man indicted on 6 counts of rape; Athens County approaches 400 COVID-19 cases ABBY MILLER NEWS EDITOR Athens County COVID-19 cases near 400 total as second week of classes wraps up As of Sept. 2, Athens County now has 399 total cases of the coronavirus as Ohio University students return to campus.

That number has gone up from the 385 total COVID-19 cases previously reported Aug. 29.

There are no new hospitalizations or deaths from COVID-19, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The last hospitalization was Aug. 22, and the last COVID-19 death was Aug. 10.

Athens is still a “yellow” county on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, which is the lowest level. The Ohio Department of Health determines what color a county is based on how many indicators that county meets. Indicators include factors such as new cases per capita, ICU bed occupancy and hospital admissions.

Newark man indicted for rape, additional crimes in Athens A Newark man was indicted Monday on six counts of rape and four other

crimes by an Athens Court Grand Jury.

Bryan Sattelmyer, 45, was charged with three counts of gross sexual imposition and possession of weapons under disability, according to a news release from the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office. Sattelmyer had a previous conviction of a violent offense that made him unable to possess a gun.

He is currently at the Franklin County Corrections Center pending extradition.

Sattelmyer was arrested Aug. 28 in Franklin County by the Columbus Police Department for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl at the OU Inn. He was working on a project in Athens during the alleged assault, according to a previous Post report.

At the time of Sattelmyer’s arrest, Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said his office was aware of the additional alleged assaults and victims. His home was searched that day by Blackburn’s office and the Newark Police Department on a warrant.

Pawpurr’s violates COVID-19 orders, receives citation Pawpurr’s Bar was issued a citation by the Ohio Investigative Unit on Friday for violating public health orders put in place due to the coronavirus.

The citation was issued for disorderly activity, according to an OIU press release.

The Athens Police Department received a complaint about crowds of over 10 people at the bar, which is against social distancing guidelines.

OIU agents entered Pawpurr’s, 37 N. Court St., where they saw about 40 people at the bar. Some of those at the bar were drinking, but others waiting to order were not wearing masks and formed a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd about three people deep, according to the press release.

Within the building, people walked around while drinking their beverages.

They also were intermingling between tables and the bar.

OIU agents explained the violations and how to fix them.

The case will be heard by the Ohio Liquor Commission and be assessed for potential penalties, including possible fines and the suspension or revocation of its liquor permits.

Your Move protest mobilizes fight for ending systemic racism Protesters met at the Athens Armory on Sunday to protest systemic racism in university and city practices and demand change.

The protest, called Your Move, began at 4 p.m. It comes off the heels of the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was left paralyzed after being shot seven times in the back by an officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Co-organizer Keshawn Mellon, a senior studying acting, said the group was there to be united and hold those in power accountable.

Those at the protest held signs reading “Black Lives Matter” and “Silence equals violence.” The group later marched down College Street and made its way back to Court Street, where they stopped at the Athens County Courthouse to chant and listen to speeches.

Mellon’s speech continued the call for change in order to end racism in Athens.

He read off facts about how Athens Police Department Officer Ethan Doerr has been accused twice in a federal court of using excessive force.

Mellon also noted the issues of excessive force and racism in Athens aren’t unique. He said it’s important to note that protests are happening and demanding change across the country.

@ABBLAWRENCE AM166317@OHIO.EDU

POLICE BLOTTER

Man arrested for OVI, reckless driving; Xbox player calls to report threats GRANT RITCHEY FOR THE POST BURNING RUBBER The driver of a pickup truck was speeding and squealing through Mill Street. The Ohio University Police Department officer pulled over the driver and concluded he was intoxicated.

The driver was then transported to The Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail pending his sobriety.

4 / SEPT. 3, 2020

XBOX LIVE The Athens County Sheriff’s Office received a call over the weekend from a minor, who wanted to file a report about threats from another minor with whom he was playing Xbox.

Deputies told the caller to block the other person.

CHECK OUT, PLEASE? The Athens Police Department received a report of trespassing Aug. 27 at Walmart on East State Street.

STOLEN WHEELS APD received a report Aug. 27 of a stolen black and blue bicycle.

SMELLY PAINT APD received a report of an odor coming from the caller’s residence on West Union Street. The odor was identified as a recent stain and paint job close to the caller’s building.

GHOSTS AT THE RIDGES OUPD received an alert of an alarm

going off at Building 16 at the Ridges.

When they arrived, the alarm panel showed the zone one basement. The basement was searched, and nothing was found.

@RITCHEY_GRANT GR619615@OHIO.EDU

Accessible Aid

Counseling and Psychological Services phone number to be added to OU IDs MAYA MORITA FOR THE POST Ohio University student IDs will now be printed with the Counseling and Psychological Services, or CPS, phone number on the back.

Student Senate helped push for the initiative in order to aid students while they complete classes remotely.

“I think right now, especially with (COVID-19), freshman students may not know some of the resources,” Senate interim president Janie Peterson said. “It is so important, and CPS has so many great counselors that I think this just makes it easier for students to be aware of those resources.”

CPS now provides services for students through telehealth due to the pandemic, along with multiple well-being services. It is providing all of the same resources remotely as they would in person.

“CPS is able to provide all its services, including drop-in appointments, individual and group therapy, single sessions, Coping Clinic, and psychiatric evaluation and treatment remotely through telehealth,” Paul Castelino, director of CPS, said in an email.

Senate has been working to make students more aware of the many resources and counselors that CPS has, Peterson said.

The new OU IDs will have a mix of the new design and the previous design, university spokesperson Carly Leatherwood said.

The initiative to add the CPS phone number to the back of IDs was put forth in part

by Senate and Graduate Student Senate.

“At the recommendation of the Student Support Review committee, which is co-chaired by our Student Senate and Graduate Student Senate presidents, the University has been working to redesign the OHIO student IDs to include critical information, including the phone number for Counseling and Psychological Services,” Leatherwood said in an email.

Last year, the Student Support Review committee looked at campus engagement for CPS, Peterson said. The committee held focus groups, where students could share their thoughts and concerns on CPS. The idea for CPS’ number on IDs was suggested in those sessions, and it then turned into a

committee recommendation.

“When I took over office back in April, we were like, ‘Let’s try and complete some of these recommendations that the committee put together,’” Peterson said.

Senate worked with the Office of Information Technology, or OIT, and Bobcat Depot to redesign the student IDs. “I would really say a lot of it comes down to people over at OIT,” Peterson said. “And we also worked with the Bobcat Depot.

They sent over a sketch of what it was going to look like to do this.”

Despite Senate’s initiative to print the phone number on IDs, the request had already been fulfilled by the OIT. “Our vice president, Danielle, looked into

it, and we talked to some of the people over at the Bobcat Depot store, and they had put the CPS phone number on the back of the student ID,” Peterson said. “And that was already done, so we were really excited that that project was almost completed before we really had to start it.”

The coronavirus pandemic slowed down the redesign process a bit, Leatherwood

“

I think right now, especially with (COVID-19), freshman students may not know some of the resources.”

- Janie Peterson, Student Senate interim president

said. As of now, only Phase 1 IDs have been redesigned and include other information on the ID other than the CPS number.

“Fall semester Phase 1 IDs are a mix of the previous design and the new design, including the phone number for Counseling and Psychological Services,” Leatherwood said in an email. “Moving forward after fall semester, all OHIO student IDs will include the phone number for Counseling and Psychological Services.”

Providing students with the CPS phone number at their disposal will aid students with emotional support and crisis handling, Castelino said.

“Having the CPS number easily available to students is a great thing,” Castelino said in an email. “When students are in crisis and need to talk to a counselor, it can be difficult to remember what number to call and who to contact. Now they can easily look at their ID card.”

@MAYACATEMORITA MM294318@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY BERGER

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5

Athens lost over $300,000 in parking revenue during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic JILLIAN CRAIG SENIOR WRITER

Parking Garage- City of Athens $100,000 $80,000

2020

2020

2019

2019

$60,000 $40,000

ch April

$20,000 May June July August March April May

June

July August

$350,000

$350,000

$300,000

$300,000

$250,000

$250,000

$200,000

2019

$100,000 $50,000

$100,000 March April

GRAPHIC BY MARY BERGER

6 / SEPT. 3, 2020

2020

$150,000

$150,000

$50,000

Street Meter-

Street Meter- City of Athens

$200,000

May

The city of Athens lost over $300,000 in parking revenue during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, largely due to social distancing policies from the city.

Among revenue made from the street parking meters and parking garage, the city of Athens lost a combined total of $315,806.31 in parking fee revenue between March and August of this year.

Last year, between March and August, street parking meters brought in $1,154,280.92. The parking garage brought in $443,752.01.

During that same period this year, the parking meters made $1,051,354.78, and the garage made $230,871.84.

“Municipalities always have concerns regarding a loss of revenue and the impact it may have on our budget,” Liana Woods, Athens County deputy auditor, said. “In this case, our biggest concern is how we can make up this loss of revenue in other ways.”

Social distancing, due to COVID-19, is the main contributor to the loss in parking fee revenue.

“Right up until the lockdown, I believe our numbers were normal to even up a little bit,” Councilman Peter Kotses, D-At Large, said. “I think we can definitely draw from the data that this is all just part of the social distancing.”

Factors stemming from social distancing, such as Athens residents having been encouraged to stay at home City of Athens and bars and restaurants closing, contributed to fewer people utilizing parking services.

2020 City Council passed an ordinance earlier this summer that helped to aid businesses and make up for some park2019 ing revenue losses.

Kotses said the city has been able to make up some lost revenue through more creative measures, like allowing businesses to rent parklets. “(Businesses) can actually rent the parking spaces to provide outdoor spaces that people can feel safer in, which might, you know, help bring a little bit more business, and, once again, more revenue back to the city,” Kotses said.

Despite the losses between March and August, there will be no budget cuts within individual city departments to make up for the losses, Kotses said.

However, there is a possibility of a cut to the city’s opJune July August erational budget.

June

March April

July August

May

@JILLIANCRAIG18 JC986517@OHIO.EDU

GAMES

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 7

2 fires and a pandemic Part I: 1 Athens barber’s third chance at survival GRANT RITCHEY FOR THE POST Hairdressing is embedded in repetition. Bantering with clients. Sweeping up the piles of blond, brown, black and gray hair. Displaying knick-knacks, such as old-time radios to add personality to the shop.

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER

8 / SEPT. 3, 2020

A barber expects to go into work and meet some new and some familiar faces until the red, blue and white pole is turned off and the day is over. Wake up the next day, and repeat.

For Dave Smart, an Athens barber and the owner of Smart Barber Shop on West Washington Street, this has been his routine for over 40 years — a routine that was stopped in 1984 when he got a call from his employer and friend, Fritz Bookman.

“Hey, Dave,” Bookman unenthusiastically said.

“Yes?” “Don’t come into work today. The shop is burnt down.”

Being a barber wasn’t something Smart planned when he was going to Rio Grande Community College. He was going to school for dentistry, an expensive investment that would reap bountiful rewards. Smart kept his head above water working at Foster Grocery in Buckeye Hills during the week while working at S. Davis Grocery back home in Nelsonville on the weekends.

Smart came to the realization that stocking produce wasn’t going to pay for tuition, especially dentistry school down the line. He didn’t have the money to sign onto a loan nor even think about paying it back. The end was there in plain sight: it was time to leave Rio Grande and head back home.

Making ends meet was a recurring worry. As a kid, Smart saw his mother work three jobs while trying to put food on the table for him, his two brothers and two sisters.

“No way the United States government is going to tell me how to raise my family,” Smart’s mother said.

Food stamps and government handouts weren’t on her mind when it came to raising her family of four.

“Pride was the reason my mom refused to be on welfare,” Smart said.

Smart had to decide what he was going to do after leaving Rio Grande. With nowhere else to go besides home, he received a call from a friend and mentor: Bookman. Finally, a sigh of relief.

Like passing the baton in a race, Bookman seeded Smart’s interest in cutting hair at an early age. When Smart was a kid, Bookman cut his hair at his own shop.

They stayed in touch and were friends ever since. When Bookman heard of Smart dropping out of college, he was there to pass the poll to Smart, knowing that he would be a talented barber.

Bookman suggested that Smart should go to Ohio State Barber College in Columbus, where he would learn how to cut hair for a year, then would follow an apprenticeship under Fritz. This sounded like a dream come true in Smart’s mind. But one fear still lingered, crawling around in his mind: money.

An archived photo from the fire that burnt down Smart’s old barbershop, Your Fathers Moustache in the spring of 1984

__ Ohio Today Spring Edition, 1984: A fire that broke out the evening of March 11 destroyed two South Court Street buildings housing six businesses and several apartments.

Loss estimates of 56 million were reported for the businesses, which included Carpenter Hardware, Your Fathers Moustache…” __ While working at S. Davis Grocery, Smart was putting canned goods on shelves while thinking about how he was going to come up with the money for barber college.

It wasn’t until the brothers/owners of S. Davis offered Smart a loan to go to school and become a barber.

“I wouldn’t have been able to go to barber school if it wasn’t for them,” Smart said.

With a hairdressing license and a mentor by his side, Fritz offered Smart a barbershop gig he couldn’t refuse: a job at one of the leading hairdressing operations in Athens. __ No one was hurt in the blaze that left only the shells of the two almost century-old structures standing. A number of Ohio University students were made homeless during exam week by the disaster, and the University and the community stepped

Dave Smart poses for a portrait in his barbershop, Smart’s Barber Shop on West Washington Street in Athens, Ohio. (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

in to offer them free housing and other assistance. __ “The place to go for quality service,” the plain white Your Fathers Moustache flyer read. “Our 10 expert stylists will style your hair the way you want it, from a conventional haircut or one of the many modern hairstyles. We even have free consultations.”

Smart was a part of a booming hairdressing business in Athens. Your Fathers Moustache was a chain of hairdressing locations, usually found in malls back in the ’80s.

Smart’s location, where Brenen’s Coffee Cafe is now, was a thriving business on Court Street.

“We had around 30 employees and 20 to 25 chairs,” Smart said. “We were really, really doing well.”

In 1984, Smart’s shop just received an updated look: new glass doors, a new outdoor lounge area with a colorful aesthetic and new hair cutting equipment. Your Fathers Moustache was expanding businesses throughout

the country by teaching up-and-coming hairdressers the tools of the trade. Smart even invested some of his newfound money in the company, something he couldn’t have imagined during his college days.

When Smart woke up in the morning and went to sleep at night, he felt an emotion foreign to him: relief. There wasn’t the fear of working two jobs to make ends meet.

The S. Davis loan was paid off. He didn’t have the fear of not being able to support himself.

Instead of fixing teeth, Smart was cutting hair for the people of Athens. And when a customer got out of the chair, Smart could look in the mirror and know he was making a customer happy. Fear was put to rest. __ The cause of the fire is unknown. Also unknown is whether the businesses will be rebuilt and what private or government aid might be available to help restore a large area in the heart of downtown Athens.

__ The next day, Smart started his day like any other. As he was putting his assortment of hair-cutting shears and spray bottles in his bag, he got a call from Bookman. Smart knew something was off as the phone ringed in his ear.

Why is he calling me this early?

He picked up the phone.

“Hello,” Smart said.

“Hey, Dave,” Bookman unenthusiastically said.

“Yes?” “Don’t come into work today. The shop is burnt down.”

This is part one of a series. Part two is coming soon.

@RITCHEY_GRANT GR619615@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

OU main, regional campuses compare COVID-19 adaptations ERIN GARDNER FOR THE POST Abbey Martin, a freshman studying undecided sciences at Ohio University’s Southern campus, knows first-hand the effects of COVID-19. Her mother tested positive after a coworker leaned over the desk and said she was sick.

“Well, it was pretty unfair because we did everything we could to prevent any of us from getting COVID,” Martin said. “We wore our masks; we washed our hands; we disinfected everything. But it was just like one little mistake …”

Although the rest of the family tested negative, Martin and her sister had to quarantine in their bedrooms with exceptions like the bathroom and food.

“We couldn’t have any contact with mom, and we had to wear masks outside of our bedroom,” Martin said.

Martin feels that Southern has been great with communication relating to the pandemic.

“We are informed about everything,” Martin said. “Anything that is coming up or something that we can’t do, they’ll let us know in advance. They sent us preparation videos, and we had to take a preparation course in order to stay safe and to help prevent us from catching COVID.” Ohio University’s main and regional campuses are handing out personal protective equipment, or PPE, bags to help students be safe.

“The bags, which include hand sanitizer, two branded masks and a digital thermometer, are available to students returning in the first or second phases this fall. One bag is available for each student. A student ID is required to pick up the bags,” according to the press release.

“Our regional campuses, which do not have on-campus housing, began fall semester 2020 with a hybrid approach,” Carly Leatherwood, a university spokesperson, said in an email. “In an effort to reduce density, we are offering face-toface instruction only for clinical, practical, or lab-based classes at all regional campuses. All other courses will be offered through remote instruction. Clinical, practical, and lab-based classes that do remain in person will be small, ensure social distancing, and face coverings will be required for all faculty, staff and students on all campuses. Our plan on regional campuses will remain the same throughout fall semester.”

10 / SEPT. 3, 2020

Martin has three hybrid classes and two online classes. As of now, all of her classes are online, but the hybrid classes may be face-to-face in the future.

There are slight differences between the main campus and regional campus. However, both require the same preventive measures. All campuses are required to do the online training module and the OHIO pledge.

All students and faculty are required to do a symptom check before coming to campus. Additionally, all campuses have access and are encouraged to call the Ohio University COVID-19 response hotline at 877-OUCOV19 (877-682-6819), Carly Leatherwood said.

Leatherwood said the main difference is the main campus has housing. Students who live in dorms and off-campus housing are at-risk for exposure, and to combat that, Ohio University implemented the phased move-in.

President Nellis issued an interim policy that de-

tails requirements that all students must comply with, including doing a symptom check before coming on campus, limiting social gatherings and participating in contact tracing.

Martin is passionate about preventing the spread of disease.

“COVID-19 is not a joke by any means,” Martin said. “I watched my mom suffer from it for two weeks, and she is still suffering from post-COVID. Take every precaution you can, and treat it seriously. It’s nothing I would wish on anyone.”

@ERINGARDNER_ EG245916@OHIO.EDU

The Ohio University Dublin Extension Campus located in Dublin, Ohio. (COLIN MAYR | FOR THE POST)

Schoonover’s green roof is officially up and running The project was finalized in early July RILEY RUNNELLS CULTURE EDITOR After over three years of brainstorming, preparation and hard work, the Schoonover Center green roof is finally finished.

Ever since the first grant for the project was written in 2017, Kim Thompson, an associate professor of instruction of environmental and plant biology, has been working tirelessly with her team to finalize the green roof.

Initially, the project was supposed to be finalized by March 2020, but was heavily delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thompson is excited to see her project come to fruition with such drastically good results.

“The installation went pretty smoothly, and the plants started coming up within a couple of weeks, which was astounding,” Thompson said. “It’s been seven-and-ahalf weeks since it was planted, and we have lots of beautiful vegetation there.”

Before the beautiful vegetation, like yellow coreopsis and bergamot, were a part of the roof, there were several steps to prep the area. First, the roofing company came in and put down foam and pads, which set the stage for the installers, who

came from Michigan to put in the five beds that reside on top of Schoonover.

The entire installation, including the intricate detailing within each bed, like pool liner to keep water in and inoculation with a microbial community, took a mere couple of days. The installers started June 30 and finished July 3.

Prior to the installation, Thompson and the green roof team took safety measures for the roof as well, like installing a fire alarm system, safety lights and electrical outlets for equipment. They also installed an ethernet cord on the roof with the intent of setting up a streaming camera so people can stream the green roof and the work being done on it. The team is finalizing the streaming camera right now.

“The whole rooftop is not planted, which, that’s one way to do it. We could’ve just planted the entire rooftop, but because we built this partly for research purposes and we want to do education on it, we set it up so that we can have some equipment there,” Thompson said.

Austin Gray, a senior studying wildlife and conservation biology, is one of the students utilizing the green roof for research purposes.

At the end of July, he began his micro-

biome project, which entails going to the green roof and collecting samples of the soil that’s laid down and handing them off to a geneticist once he has enough samples collected.

“I’ve never really done much with the microbiome, and then in the spring, Dr. Thompson actually reached out to me and said that she was looking for a student to do a project of the microbiome there, and I knew that I was getting ready to graduate next spring, so I knew this would be a really good opportunity to do a research project before I finish my undergrad,” Gray said.

Alexandra Sines, a first-year master’s student studying science in environmental studies, got involved with the green roof as a senior by writing literature summaries and programming the sensors deployed on the roof. Now, she’s working on educational materials so the green roof can be easily incorporated into class curriculum.

“I got involved in the green roof project because I had heard about green roofs before and I thought that they were awesome, so I wanted to help bring them to our campus and teach others about them,” Sines said in an email. “The thing

that’s so interesting about green roofs to me is the ability to utilize a formerly blank space while incorporating nature into the human environment and boosting sustainability.”

The green roof is only open to people who have active research projects or arts projects and will stay that way, as there is only room for about four to five people on the roof at a time. However, the green roof team is continuously working to create other resources that engage students and Athens residents in the work being done with the green roof.

That’s part of what Sines love the most about the green roof — making it accessible.

“I love how this project is so interdisciplinary, with many different departments working together to design, monitor, maintain, and share this space,” Sines said in an email. “It’s also fascinating to me how accessible we can make it using technology.”

Sines, Gray and Thompson all agree the best part of the roof is seeing the impact on OU and Athens as a whole.

“More green infrastructure means better resource use, which leads to a more prosperous community,” Sines said in an email. “Being a leader in sustainability also sets our town and University apart from others.”

@RILEYR44 RR855317@OHIO.EDU

These sisters will be more likely to grow up in the same home because they'll have a CASA Volunteer advocating for their right to stay together.

Register for the Virtual Superhero 5k happening on September 4th - 6th.

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THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 11

Marching 110 virtually plays on The “Most Exciting Band in the Land” is performing virtually LILY ROBY STAFF WRITER Ohio University’s Marching 110 has gone entirely virtual due to COVID-19.

The “Most Exciting Band in the Land” has been forced to meet and communicate through platforms such as email, Zoom and YouTube, as they take precautions to stay safe from the coronavirus pandemic.

While it may be the safest option, a number of students who participate in the Marching 110 are rightfully disappointed their semester will be virtual.

In-person performances, such as those at sporting events, have been entirely canceled for the Fall Semester’s Phase 1, at minimum.

Instead, band members are organizing times to come together virtually and create YouTube video “performances.”

The Marching 110’s plan for Phase 1, which is the first portion of OU’s reopening phase, has been to educate a select group of student leaders on marching fundamentals. These sessions, held by field commander Ryan Steere, are then broadcast live on YouTube for other students to tune in and listen.

The 110 also plans to hold live music rehearsals with the student leaders in order to give other students an opportunity to play along and practice from home. Students will also continue to meet with their sections via Zoom.

Integrated media major Maria Breckenridge, a senior tenor sax player, is optimistic for the semester but upset that the Marching 110’s 2020 Japan Tour trip was canceled for all members. Students involved with the Performance Tour were supposed to visit Kyoto and Tokyo during the 2020 Spring Semester.

“When COVID began, all I could think

about was coming back to (a normal Fall Semester),” Breckenridge said. “I was very optimistic to have a really great senior season in the 110.”

Breckenridge has been able to keep up with the Virtual 110, but she said she truly misses having everyone together because the 110 isn’t the same when virtual.

“Our hope for Phase 2 is that the Marching 110 can be back on campus better than ever,” Breckenridge said. “We want to be able to hold marching and music auditions to The Ohio University Marching 110 rehearses its routine at Pruitt Field through a virtual livestream on determine the pregame Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. Photo provided by Marching 110 Assistant Director Emily Talley. and halftime blocks so that we can begin reas a freshman was immediately having this virtual musical ensembles. We’ve seen it hearsing right away.” whole group of people that care about me all summer on the internet,” Dr. Suk said.

The Spring Semester audition process and support me. If I ever had a question “That’s great for the listener because has also seen some huge changes. The 110 or was struggling with something, I knew I they get to hear the product of music usually holds spring clinics for prospeccould go to someone in the band. It’s more being performed by various musicians. tive members to meet current members difficult to convey this feeling to our new For the participating musician, however, and get help with audition material, but members when we’ve only met through the experience of playing in an ensemble these spring clinics were canceled. the internet.” is not the final product. The experience Josh Green, a senior studying inteRichard Suk, director of marching and is in playing music along with others grated media with a minor in music, athletic bands and a professor of music gathered together in the same space. who is the section leader of the drumat OU, said he was hopeful that when the That’s when the performer’s joy occurs.” line playing snare, offered prospective high coronavirus case numbers started members an alternative to these clinics. falling in May, it was the beginning of Instead, he encouraged those auditionthe end. However, the coronavirus is still ing to send him their video auditions so spreading across the state, with over that he could provide them constructive @THELILYROBY 20 new cases reported in the past two feedback to better help them prepare for LR158117@OHIO.EDU weeks in Athens County. The Marching their auditions.

110 may just have to remain virtual for “I think the most negative thing about the rest of the semester or even the enus being virtual is the fact that we can’t fultire school year. ly connect with our new members,” Green “We’ve all seen it is possible to have said. “One of the biggest things that I loved

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Local legend DJ Barticus hosts weekly dance parties online during pandemic TAYLOR BURNETTE SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR DJ Barticus is an Athens staple and has continued to be throughout the pandemic via virtual dance parties.

For the duration of the Ohio stay-athome order and this summer, Michael Bart, known by his stage name DJ Barticus, has hosted live-stream dance parties every Friday night through Twitch. Although the live-stream shows are not the same as the real ones, DJ Barticus is still bringing music to the people of Athens and beyond.

“I found that Twitch was the best place to do the streams because they are a little more loose with the copyright laws and that DJs can DJ on there,” DJ Barticus said.

“So I had it there, and it was so much fun.

I decided I want to do every single Friday, and I just rotate the different themes that I miss doing in Athens.”

He recently carried over ’80s night, which is usually held at Casa Nueva Bar and Cantina, 6 W. State St., to his Twitch stream, playing his usual ’80s tunes. These dance parties, however, take place in the watcher’s home, wherever that may be across the globe.

“There’s a like a solid group of people that are only connected through that chat room, which is fun,” DJ Barticus said.

“There’s some people in Australia, Germany and Pakistan that are checking in … and a lot of people are just people that have connections to Athens, and maybe they graduated and moved away.”

The live-streams on Friday nights typically have around 20 to 30 viewers at any given time with a couple hundred total having checked in by the end of the evening.

Angela Adkins, a Ph.D. student studying

interdisciplinary art at Ohio University, is one of his regular watchers.

“Once the pandemic started, his livestreams have been absolutely essential,” Adkins said. “For my boyfriend and I, it’s given a rhythm to this quarantine. It happens every Friday. You can count on it. He’s always there, and you can get in the chat room and feel like you are with people, and it helps me to feel like I was still in Athens.”

Adkins, who has been going to DJ Barticus dance parties since she moved back to Athens for her Ph.D., said she misses the social aspect of the live dance parties, things like the dancing crowd and getting dressed up for the evening.

“If you’re at a DJ Barticus party at Casa, you’re up in each other’s armpits,” Adkins said with a laugh.

Adkins said when it is safe so do so, she is excited to return back to the Friday night dance parties in person.

“I’m going to be totally obnoxious,” Adkins said. “I cannot wait.”

Although the live-streams are not ideal and he wishes he could be back in person, DJ Barticus said he doesn’t have any intention to return to his normal venues until it is fully safe.

For now, the streams will continue online and will be presented as WOUB Presents virtual events and promoted by Emily Votaw, the arts and culture editor and promotional writer at WOUB. Votaw, who has been covering the regional music scene for WOUB for nearly five years, wanted to give a platform to local musicians.

“It wasn’t long until I considered the plight of regional musicians and performers given the ban on mass gatherings,” Votaw said in an email. “I had been covering the

Michael Bart (or DJ Barticus) poses for a portrait on the stairs behind The Union in Athens, Ohio, on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (ANTHONY WARNER | FOR THE POST)

regional music scene for about five years at that point and wanted to provide a platform for those artists to get word of their virtual performances to a wider audience.”

Although he misses the people involved in both his work on the radio airwaves and his dance parties, DJ Barticus feels the advancement in technology that has made working from home possible is amazing.

“The idea that I could be at home and my voice could be live on the radio and I can still pick out the music and all that stuff from my house, that would be a dream come true when I was a kid,” DJ Barticus said. “Now, the fact that it’s possible is amazing. There’s so many downsides to

this, but it’s really advanced, like workplaces in general, and accepting telecommunicating and telecommuting.”

Those interested can catch DJ Barticus’ live-streams Tuesday, Friday and Sunday nights starting at 9 p.m. at @bartykutz on Twitch and Instagram.

@THATDBEMYLUCK TB0940917@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 13

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Bobcats secure strong future with talented recruiting Jeff Boals looks to lead his dream program to new heights J.L. KIRVEN SPORTS EDITOR Ohio head coach Jeff Boals has big aspirations for the Bobcats. He hopes that Ohio will soon hang Mid-American Conference championship banners in The Convo rafters. But if Boals wants to compete in a conference as deep as the MAC, he’ll have to be able to recruit star talent — which is something he’s done quite well during his short time in Athens.

With the basketball season hopefully only months away, The Post thought it would be fun to look at some of the most talented recruits Boals and his staff have secured for the future. It’ll be some time before a few of these players play in The Convo, but their time should bring happy tidings to Bobcat fans.

MARK SEARS Class: 2020 Position: Point guard Height: 6’1 Ranking: 4 stars (ESPN) 3 stars (247Sports) Ohio already has a great point guard in Jason Preston, but Boals was wise to find his eventual replacement in Sears. Sears, a product of Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, is the highest-rated recruit the Bobcats have had since DJ Cooper in 2009.

Sears has uncanny finishing ability around the rim. At 6 feet, 1 inch, and 165 pounds, he’s undersized, but his quickness gives him an advantage against larger defenders. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s left-handed, making him awkward to guard.

During his time at Hargrave, Sears played with some of the best talent in the country. Playing in an offense with multiple double-digit scoring threats will be nothing new to him.

It’ll be exciting to see Sears suit up this season in Athens, but make no mistake: he is the future of the program. Players like Jason Preston and Ben Vander Plas will be who Boals trusts to lead the Bobcats. Sears will provide the Bobcats a bucket and could bring energy to the second unit.

SAM TOWNS Class: 2019 Position: Power forward Height: 6’9 Ranking: 2 stars There’s a lot of talent that comes out of Columbus, and Boals has spent years mining it. He may have found gold in Towns. Towns, a graduate of Pickerington Central, played last season at Winchdendon Prep School in Massachusetts to polish his game.

And that game got some shine on it. In one season with the 14 / SEPT. 3, 2020

Head coach Jeff Boals cheers during a conference game against Central Michigan University at the Convo on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 (NATE SWANSON | PHOTO EDITOR)

Wapiti, Towns averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds and four assists a game. He’s another player who’s going to have to earn his minutes amid the talented Bobcat roster, but Boals is very excited about his addition to the team.

“We are excited to add Sam to our program,” Boals said in a release. “He can play multiple positions and is very skilled.

Every time I’ve seen him, from high school to AAU to prep school, he has gotten better. He comes from a great family and fits who we want in our program.”

AJ CLAYTON Class: 2022 Position: Forward Height: 6’7 Ranking: 3 stars 2022 feels like a lifetime away, especially with how this year has gone, but Boals is definitely looking forward to what that year will bring.

AJ Clayton is very talented for a junior in high school. The 6 feet, 7 inch, forward who plays for Philo can stretch the floor

and protect the rim. In his sophomore season, he scored 18.1 points per game and added 8.9 rebounds and three blocks.

And he’s just scratching his potential.

It was a surprise when Clayton verbally committed to Ohio. He already had six offers, two of which were from Ohio’s MAC rivals Akron and Kent State, and could certainly see more in his next two seasons.

Clayton said the campus felt like home in an interview. A lot can happen in the next two years, though, but if Boals can keep Clayton interested in wearing the green and white, then the Bobcats will be much better because of Clayton’s presence.

Jeff Boals has done great work with a team that was mostly put together by Saul Phillips. Preston and Vander Plas will play a large role in Boals plans for the near future. But soon Boals will have a team full of players he recruited. They will be long, versatile and talented and poised to bring Ohio back to the top of the MAC.

@JL_KIRVEN JK810916@OHIO.EDU

JUST LISTEN TO JL

This weekend, the NBA returned to action following its 48-hour players strike (not boycott) earlier in the week. And while it was nice to see the Los Angeles Lakers end Portland’s season, I must say, as a Black man, I was a bit disappointed to see LeBron James and Anthony Davis take the court.

Now, let me make this clear, in no way was I rooting against the NBA season. I — like many — love sports. It’d be strange if I didn’t, considering that I’ve based my livelihood on them. But when the Milwaukee Bucks decided to spend their time advocating for social justice instead of playing in a closeout game against the Orlando Magic, I felt pride.

When the entire league decided not to play, I felt inspired.

But soon, those feelings disappeared.

Days later, the games were back on. What had been a monumental sacrifice soon became another symbolic gesture.

And I think I’ve had my fill of symbolic gestures.

In an era where social media reigns supreme, the Black Lives Matter Movement has dominated the timelines of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, you name it.

This is a good thing. In the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement thrived in part to the growing popularity of television.

But the main reason the Civil Rights

Sacrifice over Symbolism have started to lose. Now, you can have the Movement worked was the sacrifices countless people — including athletes — burger and the nuggets, and you can advocate for social change from the comfort of made to achieve the goal. your couch.

On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa You can call it evolution, Parks said “no” when asked but I’ll call it what it is: cutto move to the back of the ting corners. bus. That act was symbolic The ball was in the hands and powerful. But it wasn’t of the NBA stars, but when impactful.

Impact was the clock started to tick, the caused by the 381-day bus players ultimately decided boycott that followed. to pass on a chance of makThat’s what’s missing ing history. The players had today. You can wear “Black the chance to force change Lives Matter” on your rather than influence it but chest. You can kneel as the J.L. KIRVEN decided that the game was National Anthem starts to is a senior studying too important. play. You can throw your journalism at Ohio When you really want fist in the air, but without University something, you have to be sacrifice, you’re only doing willing to lose something half of the job. to have it.

There goes that word again, “sacrifice.”

I understand what I’m saying is easier Sacrificing is the act of giving up something for the sake of another. It can be as said than done. But it’s been done. And we should remember those who talked the talk simple as sacrificing the choice of chicken and walked the walk even when the journey nuggets so you can have the cheeseburger or as difficult as sacrificing your job so you was hell.

Maya Moore, the four-time WNBA can uplift the voices of your people. champion who gave up her season to help It is something that, as a society, we

overturn the conviction of Jonanthan Irons, understands sacrifice.

Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t played a down in the NFL since 2017 but is the reason why athletes kneel, understands sacrifice.

Muhammad Ali, who would have rather gone to jail than enlist in a war he didn’t believe in, understood sacrifice.

History will look back and romanticize this struggle. Years from now, there will be movies and documentaries about what sports tried to do. Details will be exaggerated, characters will be made up and stories will be edited to show a more heroic tale.

But we know the truth. The NBA had the chance to change the world, and it choked. Players will continue to post and retweet while their peers really make the hard choices.

I just hope they make the movies about them instead.

J.L. Kirven is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. He also serves as Co-Sports Editor of The Post. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let J.L. know by emailing him at jk810916@ohio.edu.

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SO LISTEN

Let’s talk about corrupt politicians

Mikayla Rochelle

is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University

Corruption in politics happens so often that when it shows up in the news, no one is incredibly surprised by it. Whether it is national, state or local, our politicians engage in corrupt scandals such as bribery, extortion, nepotism and cronyism.

Recently, the state of Ohio has seen examples of political corruption at the state and local levels. In a huge political bribery scandal this summer, Ohio Statehouse Speaker Larry Householder and his polit-

ical allies were charged with 162 counts of campaign finance violations that total up to nearly $61 million. This bribery scheme was tied to FirstEnergy Corp, and is a great example of how cronyism and racketeering can so easily penetrate our legislators. The scandal is tied to House Bill 6, a bill that would essentially bail out certain energy companies, including FirstEnergy. Several house representatives received campaign money from this situation in exchange for voting “yes” on House Bill 6. This is a clear-cut example of corrupted politicians selling out in exchange for a better chance at staying in power.

Another recent example of political corruption in Ohio happened in Toledo. Several Toledo City Council members took personal bribes for votes in a years-long scandal that included four City Council members who were federally charged. These Council members were supposed to vote and represent the citizens of Toledo, and instead, they only cared about their personal interests.

These political sellouts not only harmed their constituents, but harmed the relationship of trust and reliability that Tole-

do citizens had put in their Council members for so long.

In Athens, we are lucky that our Council members are not corrupt in this way, but they are not all free of conflict of interest. Several Athens City Council members are either business owners, landlords or both. When Athens residents bring forth landlord-tenant issues or employment issues, there is no way we can be certain that those Council members will put the interests of the common people over the interests of the property owners — themselves.

This issue of political corruption shows up in our national politics, too.

In the past few years, President Donald Trump’s lawyers, Michael Cohen and Roger Stone, have both been called to testify for campaign finance violations and witness tampering, respectively, among other things. Not only are these abhorrent examples of political corruption from people that have direct ties to President Trump, but Trump used his presidential pardoning powers to grant clemency to Roger Stone. It is worth noting the witness tampering was surrounding Trump’s impeachment.

Corruption in politics is present at the local, state and federal level, in every branch of government and at every size. This isn’t breaking news to anyone.

These are all situations that most people are aware of in one way or another, but it’s time we stop accepting this. We need to better vet our politicians that we elect and keep a closer eye on them while they are in office. Voting shady politicians out of office as a way of holding them accountable will help ensure that they won’t engage in corruption — especially since usually their corruption is tied to getting re-elected. If we as citizens show our discontent with these actions when we enter the voting booth instead of letting them blow under our radar, maybe we will start to see a change with the levels of integrity from our politicians.

Mikayla Rochelle is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts?

Tell Mikayla by tweeting her at @mikayla_roch.

WORDS I MIGHT HAVE ATE

Tyler Childers asked God to bless him. God already has.

Shelby Campbell

is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University

Tyler Childers sings for his life. From his three increasingly impressive studio albums to the live album that is making him famous, Childers knows what true grit sounds like.

16 / SEPT. 3, 2020

There’s not one song he sings where he doesn’t sound like he’s put everything he has into it. He admits that, while it might not be good right now, it’ll get better.

His lyrics, raw and emotional, are deeply personal but emblematic of the time and place he grew up. “Nose on the Grindstone,” a hopeful depiction of a generation marred by drug deaths, is a reminder of country music’s real spirit.

His accent, thick and plenty, doesn’t overshadow his music, nor does it pander for listeners. It is just a spice in Childers’ barbeque sauce, along with a whining fiddle and well-placed bouts of banjo, just to let you know where he came from (Say “thank you, Appalachia”). It’s raw beauty, not overproduced nor arranged. He’s just a man and his guitar, and it gets harder every day. He sees the beauty in life, even if it’s hard.

In the live “Charleston Girl,” he says the

girl he is with has “flaming hair, bloodshot eyes and skin so fair.” That wild type of beauty runs through all of his music, a tinny guitar behind Childers’ strong, solemn call.

Popular country music will sometimes glorify rural living. But Childers doesn’t ignore the realities of living in Appalachia: It’s sloppy, drinking moonshine and smoking cigarettes, like in “Whitehouse Road.” It’s working at grandma’s house and mourning her real, true love after she dies when you go back home, like in “Follow You to Virgie,” in which he sings “I reckon we were heathens, but in her eyes, we were saints.” At that moment, his grandmother could be my own. The purity in that line, that song, is what Tyler Childers does best.

There’s moments where Childers questions himself. But need not, Tyler. There is something so special about a musician

who can take his listeners to his grandma’s house when he was 12, and he takes his listeners with him every time he goes back.

Tyler Childers’ poetry and deep reflection negates any elitism toward rural living. He’s lived it, he loves it, and he’s currently country music’s biggest defender.

Anyone, anywhere, can find and create beauty. It just takes grit.

Shelby Campbell is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it?

Let Shelby know by tweeting her @bloodbuzzohioan.

HONEST ADONIS

Long live the king ADONIS FRYER FOR THE POST On Aug. 28, the world lost Chadwick Boseman, one of the most important actors of his generation. Immediately, eulogies poured out from across the internet from vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris to Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and countless other celebrities and fans alike. A common theme emerged across those eulogies: those who knew him paid tribute to a quiet, confident man whose intellectual curiosity and wit impressed everyone with whom he crossed paths.

I was not blessed enough to cross paths with Mr. Boseman, but still, he had a profound effect on me through his performances on screen, especially this year. Like many across the world, I’ve spent much of 2020 mourning the death of Black people.

Kobe Bryant died in January. Ahmaud Arbery was murdered in February. Breonna Taylor was murdered in March. George Floyd was killed on video in May. Then, of course, there are the countless deaths that have occurred during the pandemic,

where a disproportionately large number of those buried have had melanin. Most of these cases have been viral and have forced Black children to face their mortality at younger ages.

It’s because of this that Boseman’s life on- and off-stage was so important. You don’t need to look far to find negative, racist stereotypes and depictions of Black men in the media regardless of their success or lack thereof. While those images are promoted endlessly, positive depictions are often relegated or discredited.

Considering we live within this world of racial negativity, Boseman’s excellent performances gain more cultural significance. He’s portrayed some of the greatest Black men throughout American history, giving them dignified performances few others could have managed.

His breakout role featured him as Jackie Robinson in 42, the legendary athlete who was a Black superstar in the Jim Crow era, shattering racist perceptions along the way. He would take on the mantle of James Brown in the 2014 biopic Get on Up, giving life to the titular musical giant. In 2017’s Marshall, he played Thurgood Marshall, a Howard Law School alumnus who famously won the Brown v. Board of Ed-

ucation decision and became the nation’s first Black Supreme Court justice.

He embodied their personas so well that you could envision them smiling from above, joyful that someone came along who did them justice.

Besides the historical roles, he captured audiences in 21 Bridges and embodied male strength and leadership in his role in Da 5 Bloods, a masterpiece by Spike Lee that shows the Black perspective of Vietnam veterans in a gripping drama.

While these roles were powerful, there’s no denying that Black Panther’s King T’Challa was his greatest triumph. It’s near impossible to fully explain the effect that the blockbuster had on young Black kids everywhere.

For me, I grew up loving animated shows and comic books, but those characters scarcely looked like me. I remember loving Iron Man, Batman, Superman and Spiderman when I was younger, but I always questioned whether those heroes could truly relate to me.

I have no doubts about T’Challa and me getting along, though. Boseman played the character with such elegance, grace and power that a whole generation of kids won’t share my struggles. They finally

have a hero who looks like them.

To play that role while battling colon cancer, getting into tip-top Marvel shape and delivering an impactful performance, shows that Boseman was a superhero off the screen, too. He often visited kids who had cancer, championed Black arts students from his alma mater and advocated social justice.

I never met him, but I imagine that as he was fighting cancer and still acting, he knew how important and impactful his art was, that, in some ways, he knows that his roles affected people in ways that he couldn’t see yet. For that, we must be eternally grateful.

Boseman’s death adds to the horror story of 2020, but his life was a remarkable tale of heroism that will live on for ages.

Long live the king.

Adonis Fryer is a sophomore studying communications at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you agree? Tell Adonis by emailing him at af414219@ohio.edu.

FILM REVIEW

‘Tenet’ is a confusing masterpiece BRANDON BOWERS FOR THE POST Have you ever pondered how current actions impact the events of the future, or how one different variable can alter the events going forward? Maybe you’ve contemplated if it were possible to use time to go back and eradicate a moment from happening? There are so many questions about it, but time truly is an unknowable concept, and the possibilities it creates may never be fully controlled.

Christopher Nolan’s new film, Tenet, takes everything you know, and everything you think you know, about time and changes it by offering a glimpse at the potential of the power the construct of time holds.

Whether accurate or not, this film hammers a new question into your mind that cannot be erased: Can the future interact with the past? In the film, John David Washington and Robert Pattinson act as agents who work for a secret organization that operates on the rim of time and society. Their goal is simple: stop the end of the world. More specifically, they are after a Russian nationalist and arms dealer (Kenneth Branagh), who is using infor-

mation from the future to harm the societies of the present.

While too many concepts reviewed would spoil some of the plot reveals in the film, it is important to understand that while Tenet is a secret society, it is also a passphrase that would “open the right doors and some of the wrong ones, too.”

Nolan is a master at creating new concepts and expanding existing ones, but most of the time, he does it with dialogue and events that make it understandable to the viewer. This is not the case in Tenet, as there are many concepts related to time that are forced into the minds of the viewers in ways that are not as obvious; blink, and you’ll miss it type of explanations.

On top of that, this film demands the utmost attention from its audience, as it gives you the puzzle pieces but requires you to complete it. Mix this type of delivery with the multiple concepts it introduces and you get a film that can be confusing to think about during the viewing.

However, this is not a critique, for, unlike some of my colleagues, I was absolutely floored by the film. Through the ways in

which my mind works, what some found confusing nonsense, I found as brilliantly articulated. The process of filming is incredibly mind-boggling, as there are scenes where everything is normal, everything is backward or some things are moving forward while others are moving backward, both shown in the same shot.

Also, the writing is masterful, as it sets up ideas in the beginning that aren’t fully realized until the end of the film, leaving the audience with different reactions for a single idea repeated multiple times.

Washington and Pattinson are perfectly cast, and while their performances won’t be in the running for awards, they are irreplaceable and essential to the success of this film.

Their best scenes are when they are acting beside each other, as the writing gives them the best moments and plot twists. In regards to the villain, Branagh plays him quite well, but through no fault of the actor, he is more used for spectacle scenes than for dialogue scenes, giving him a more forgettable role.

Other supporting actors, such as Michael Caine and Elizabeth Debicki, are good for

their limited appearances, but it is felt that the removal of their characters would do little to stop the progression of the protagonists.

There is this idea of recency bias, which is the principle that someone who just experienced a great event will choose it as the best thing they have experienced, even if in hindsight it isn’t. While tempting to fall for the lure of recency bias, it is not the case, in this situation, when I say that Tenet is a masterpiece and one of the best films in recent memory. I foresee this as becoming instantly recognizable with the identity of Christopher Nolan, as it is the product of the mixture of many of his previous concepts/films.

It is true that this film can be over-thetop confusing and a sensory overload, but I would argue that it is purposefully this way, for time itself is not something that can be easily grasped and understood. So, with my mind blown and my appetite for Nolan’s ideas growing, I humbly recommend that everyone should witness this film, if you have the time.

@UNABASHEDLYBMB BB175716@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17

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10 songs to get through working and studying from home LEXI LEPOF FOR THE POST

Class is finally back in session. Unfortunately, for most Bobcats, this means working and studying solely from home. Although it is nice to stay in pajamas all day and maybe not brush your hair, working from home comes with many distractions. With disturbances from your noisy roommate or annoying sibling, putting on headphones and using music to tune out the world helps with getting work done. Whether you’re in need of background beats for intense studying, chill vibes for easing anxiety or a good tune to push through an assignment, here are 10 songs to help get the job done: “JUBEL” BY KLINGANDE To start off with some background beats, “Jubel” is an instrumental and radiates nothing but good vibes. The track is excellent for focusing on reading, yet it also has a killer saxophone sound that will make one bop their head along to the beat while doing so.

“ARE YOU BORED YET?” BY WALLOWS FEAT. CLAIRO “Are you bored yet?” our professors may ask. Although the answer is probably “yes,” this song will definitely not leave you bored. This catchy, light-hearted tune is a surefire way to brighten your day. This track is superb to sing along to while you study away.

“ONE FOOT” BY WALK THE MOON Often, it can feel like some projects or chapters of textbooks are never-ending, making us feel like we are drowning in work. But WALK THE MOON reminds us with this track to just keep working by stepping “one foot in front of the other,” and we will make it through.

“QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS” BY JUDAH & THE LION It is definitely not uncommon for a college student to feel like they are going through a quarter-life crisis. Judah & Lion hit the nail right on the head with the lyrics in this track. Sometimes recognizing that we are not alone in the way we feel is all we need to just keep working hard.

“WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND” BY LOVERBOY This ’80s upbeat hit is just what everyone needs to keep chugging along and finish that assignment because, really, “everybody’s working for the weekend,” right? @LEXILEPOF LL653118@OHIO.EDU

“MERIDIAN” BY ODESZA Same as “Jubel,” “Meridian” is an instrumental and ideal for deep studying. “Meridian” is just one of the many magical tracks from ODESZA that is great to vibe to as background music and white noise. ODESZA’s 2018 album, A Moment Apart, is filled with other great tunes to also add to your studying playlist.

“LOVERS” BY ANNA OF THE NORTH “Lovers” is perfect for when you need to take a break.

Anna of the North’s soft voice is soothing on this track.

Just put on this smooth song and sit back, take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to relax to the unique sound before diving back into your work.

“YOUNG FOLKS” BY PETER BJORN AND JOHN Whistle away and tap your feet along to the beat while jamming out to “Young Folks.” This fresh tune has a catchy whistle melody that allows you to whistle along while you work, making it more bearable to do school work.

“HELENA BEAT” BY FOSTER THE PEOPLE You can always rely on Foster The People for a groovy track with a fun beat. “Helena Beat” is a song you can jam along to but also relate to the deeper meaning embedded in the lyrics. The tune touches on being overcome with internal struggles, leaving us unmotivated. However, lead singer Mark Foster reminds us that we all have those days and to “hold on tight,” and it will be OK. “JUNK OF THE HEART (HAPPY)” BY THE KOOKS This fun track will be sure to keep you motivated and ready to work. This song shines with positivity and good vibes. Don’t let a long day of studying put you in a bad mood. Refresh your mind with this track.

ILLUSTRATION BY EMMA DENGLER

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 19

Ways to make online learning a positive experience MADDIE BUSSERT FOR THE POST Starting off the first year of college online wasn’t the experience first-year students hoped for, but now, it’s time to make the best of it. Without the responsibility of attending in-person lectures, it can be a challenge to adapt to a full-time online work schedule. Here are a few ways to shape your online learning experience, wherever that may be, into the best one it can possibly be: INVEST IN YOUR WORKSPACE First things first: getting out of bed before logging on

to Blackboard or a Zoom call is so important. Moving out of bed and to a workspace that you love allows you to be comfortable yet professional and will help you be more productive. Investing in your workspace doesn’t necessarily mean spending a ton of money. Print out cute pictures to hang up behind your computer or laptop, get a cushion to make your chair comfier or buy a small laptop tray for your bed if that’s where you work best. You’ll be surprised at how much more work you can get done when you love your workspace.

PUT DOWN SOCIAL MEDIA Being successful in online courses takes a lot of self-discipline. It’s best to treat your time doing on-

line work as if you are in a physical class setting. This means putting down your phone and not checking social media while you’re getting work done or in class.

You can try to set a goal to be off your phone for an hour increment at a time, like you would during a lecture. This will keep you focused on your task at hand and help to minimize distractions.

GETTING SOME MOVEMENT IN EARLY Getting some movement in early in the morning can sometimes help combat restlessness later on in the day. Instead of immediately checking your inbox when you wake up, try getting a workout in or going for a morning walk. You’re more likely to feel energized and refreshed after moving your body, and then you’ll be ready to sit down and start your work for the day.

CREATE YOUR WORK SCHEDULE THE WAY YOU WANT Take advantage of the flexibility that online classes allow. Some professors opted to make their courses asynchronous, which allows students to watch lectures or do the assignments whenever they want. Use this to your advantage, and mold your schedule how you prefer.

Make a weekday your rest day, or try to get things done on weekends if those are the days you work best. As long as your work is done on time, it’s now your choice when you do it.

CHANGE UP THE SCENERY Lastly, if you’re finding yourself getting bored at home, sometimes it can be beneficial to change up the scenery and do your work somewhere else. Take your laptop outside if you can, and enjoy the last few weeks of nice weather. If it’s a rainy day, try going to your local coffee shop to get some work done. Find what works best for you.

@BUSSERTMADDIE MB901017@OHIO.EDU

ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXANDER GRAHAM

20 / SEPT. 3, 2020

5 podcasts to listen to for every mood, interest Whether you need advice, a laugh or a true crime story, one of these podcasts is destined to fit your interests.

EMMA DOLLENMAYER ASST. BEAT EDITOR With classes being predominantly virtual and remote, having motivation to do schoolwork may seem tough at times.

Staring at a laptop all day can be more than strenuous, so finding time for oneself is crucial. A considerable way to do this is to listen to podcasts.

Podcasts can be listened to while driving, exercising and doing just about anything else. Often, people forget about them and, instead, watch a show or movie, but truthfully, one can usually find a podcast that covers just about anything anyone may be needing to hear at the time, whether it be motivation, dating advice or a good laugh. With that being said, here are five podcasts to listen to, depending on one’s interests and desires: “THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL” Our first podcast on the list is one to listen to when needing motivation. Married hosts Lauryn Evarts Bosstick and Michael Bosstick are entrepreneurs and brand builders, who clearly are more than credible to be speaking on the topic of bettering yourself and lifestyle. According to their site, tscpodcast.com, on their show, one can find “a mix of audio entertainment including interviews with celebrities, entrepreneurs, influencers, experts, and thought leaders” where they discuss “wellness tips, business advice, relationship insight and much more,” while keeping the conversation genuine, funny and natural.

“WHY WON’T YOU DATE ME? WITH NICOLE BYER” When it comes to dating advice, most would tell you to not listen to a girl who has been single for decades, yet here we are telling you to do exactly that. By interviewing comedians, friends and ex-flings, Byer tries to answer the question many of us have as to why we are single. Hopefully, while listening to Byer attempt to figure that one out, maybe you can, too. Nonetheless, this podcast is also hilarious and incredibly raunchy at times and will leave you belly laughing.

“THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE” In need of a good laugh? Joe Rogan

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA JUENGER identifies on his site as a “stand up comic, mixed martial arts fanatic, psychedelic adventurer (and) host of the joe rogan experience podcast.” With new guests every week from comedians to television hosts, laughs are sure to be shared. Although they’re usually lengthy episodes, they are more than worth it.

“SERIAL” If you’re looking for something of more substance that tells a subsequent story, “Serial” is the podcast for you. From the creators of This American Life, host Sarah Koenig reveals all of the events that led up

to the death of Hae Min Lee, leaving viewers with the task of deciding whether convicted murder Adnan Syed is guilty. With new information revealed each episode, Koenig takes listeners on a roller coaster of apprehension, confusion and disbelief as to whether he is guilty or not.

“CODE SWITCH” Lastly comes a podcast from NPR that takes the conversation about race a step further. With new episodes that are a quick listen every Wednesday, journalists of color “explore how (race) impacts every part of society — from politics and pop

culture to history, sports and everything in between,” according to NPR. Ultimately, the podcast is a complex and profound listen for individuals who want to educate themselves and stand with those who have experienced racism and have dealt with the repercussions of it from the beginning of time.

@EMMADOLLENMAYER ED569918@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

the weekender Superhero 5K to raise money for a great cause RILEY RUNNELLS CULTURE EDITOR

Adorned with superhero gear, capes and all, the 5K participants take to the streets with one goal in mind: to help local foster children.

The Athens CASA/GAL program, or Court Appointed Special Advocate/ Guardian Ad Litem, is hosting its seventh annual Superhero 5K with virtual adaptations due to COVID-19.

Each year, the overall mission is to train more CASA volunteers to represent the best interests of children who are involved in the court system because of abuse or neglect. But this year, the format is slightly different.

Jenny Slotts, executive director of Athens CASA, feels this year’s race is much more accessible and inclusive than in years past. In light of following social distancing and other safety protocols, they are promoting a “5K your way” to let individuals choose the avenues to complete the distance.

“Not everybody can or wants to run,” Slotts said. “We have people that are telling us they’re going to do kayaks or canoes and get their 5K that way, or riding a bike. Of course, we have people who use wheelchairs and things like that to do their 5K. I know my dad is doing his on horseback, so it’s really justified for everyone.”

Slotts encourages 5K participants to get creative, with the only rule being that they must dress like a superhero.

Once people finish the 5K, they can share their results through the Superhero 5K website, or they can just post pictures of themselves participating in the 5K on social media with #AthensCASA and possibly win a small gift.

Those who want to register are free to do so until the race begins Sept. 4.

It’s a $35 fee to register, but people also have the opportunity to donate beyond the race fee, as 100% of the donations go toward the Athens CASA/GAL program 22 / SEPT. 3, 2020

volunteers, technology and supplies.

Carly Leatherwood, president of the Friends of Athens CASA board, loves the family-friendly aspect of the race.

“It’s a really cool way for families to walk together, to run together,” Leatherwood said. “It’s a really nice way for families to get some exercise and support a really important cause in our community.”

Leatherwood has been overjoyed to see so much support from various Athens residents and businesses, including David White Services, Stephanie Wood from Ohio Realty, Class A Sounds, Shawna Stump State Farm, Oakview Dermatology, Southeast Beverage Company, Secure Title Services and more.

Many OU students are also participating in the 5K. Jessie Hartman, a senior studying social work, is on the cross country and track teams and is participating with several of her teammates.

Hartman had been an intern with Athens CASA and still remains a CASA volun-

and help these kids. So if you’re participating in the 5K, your money is going directly towards helping better the lives of the kids that CASA serves, so it’s just a really, really great nonprofit ,and I personally enjoyed interning with them, and I’m still a CASA volunteer now, so it’s been a really great experience.”

Leatherwood and Slotts know not everyone is able to participate in the 5K, but they hope that people will still donate to Athens CASA. “We’re a small enough organization that we feel that every contribution that someone makes to us, whether it’s $5 or whether it’s $5,000, every conPhoto provided by Athens CASA Facebook. tribution, and every bit of support that someone teer. Last year, she volunteered at the 5K, gives to us, we can feel it,” Slotts said. and this year is her first time running in “We recognize it, and we are so grateful it. Though the run won’t be particularly and appreciative for it.” challenging for the athlete, she and her More than anything, Slotts and the teammates are taking the opportunity to rest of the Athens CASA team are excited wear their capes and post a lot on social to see their work come to fruition with media to promote the event. the virtual adaptation to the 5K. “I’ve been with CASA for about seven years now, and the amount of love and IF YOU GO support that we get from our community is just incredible, and it’s cool, just to get WHAT: Virtual 5k to be even a part of that, let alone get to work for CASA and work with all of our WHEN: Sept. 4-6 CASA volunteers,” Slotts said. “It really does make an incredible impact on our ADMISSION: $35 to register work and an incredible impact for the children that we will serve.”

“I’ve just been pushing it to everybody to participate because CASA does great work for the kids that they serve,” Hartman said. “It’s all relied upon by volunteers that decide that they want to help out and go through the training

@RILEYR44 RR855317@OHIO.EDU

WHAT’S GOING ON? TAYLOR BURNETTE SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

FRIDAY, SEPT 4

Happy Hour @ The Dairy Barn at 5 p.m., hosted by The Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Ln. Looking to relax after a long week?

Head over and see the Dairy Barn’s current exhibition, “Art of our Appalachian Woods.”

Bring some friends and a deck of cards or a

picnic for your family. Parking is free, and the patio is a great space to kick back and enjoy the evening. To view the gallery, tickets must be reserved in advance. Admission: Price of food and drinks Shabbat To-Go at 4 p.m., hosted by Hillel at Ohio University. Although Hillel cannot host Shabbat in person, they still want to make your Shabbat dinner experience enjoyable.

Sign up each week to receive a delicious kosher Shabbat meal with everything you need to bring in Shabbat to your residence with roommates or loved ones. Don’t forget to join them on Zoom every Friday at 6 p.m. EST for services. Admission: Free

SATURDAY, SEPT 5

Pop-Up Vinyasa Class: IN Studio! at 4 p.m., at Athens Yoga, 77 ½ E. State St. Stop by for an all-level flow based yoga class set to chill-down tempo music to relax your mind. The studio requests you bring your

own mat and props to class. Admission: $10 Jackie O’s Bakeshop at the Athens Farmers Market at 2 p.m., hosted by Jackie O’s. After a summer off, Jackie O’s is back at the Athens Farmers Market to bring you an array of tasty, fresh-baked goods. Admission: Price of baked goods

SUNDAY

“The Art of Our Appalachian Woods” Exhibition at 12 p.m. at The Dairy Barn Arts Center, hosted by The Dairy Barn Arts Center.

This exhibit highlights contemporary artists and woodworkers in the Athens region and exhibits a vast variety of materials and techniques in woodworking. Admission: Free

@THATDBEMYLUCK TB0940917@OHIO.EDU

The Dairy Barn at 8000 Dairy Ln., Athens, OH 45701 (KELSEY BOEING | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 23

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