Volume 72, Issue 17

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, February 20, 2024

VOL. 72, ISSUE 17

SPORTS

est. 1954

THE KENYAN’S DEATH MARKS A TRAGIC END TO A SHORT YET INCREDIBLE CAREER ENDED TOO SOON.

Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and coach Gervais Hakizimana killed in car crash KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

Kelvin Kiptum and his Gervais Hakizimana were killed in a car crash last Sunday as millions were watching the Super Bowl around the world. Members of the global athletics and the marathon running community have paid tribute and mourned the loss of an exceptional athlete in the infancy of his prime. Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, described the loss of Kiptum as “an extraordinary athlete with an extraordinary legacy, whose presence will be profoundly missed …

On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.”

The Kenyan, who was only 24 years old at the time of his death, was one of the marathon’s rising stars, after bursting onto the scene in 2022 at the Valencia Marathon with a time of 2:01:53. This made him only the third man ever to break the sub 2:02:00 mark and was done using a negative

split strategy. What was more incredible however was that with this performance, Kiptum had set the fourth fastest time of all time in his first marathon race ever.

Kiptum’s next race marked his World Marathon Major debut at the London Marathon in April of last year. There he broke his personal best with a time of 2:01:25 in rainy conditions beating the second place runner by almost three minutes, another decisive victory. This marked the second fastest time in history in only his second marathon ever, all at only 23 years of age.

Kiptum’s third and final marathon before his untimely death was the Chicago Marathon in October of 2023. In this race while still only 23 years old, Kiptum smashed the World record time set by Marathon Legend Eliud Kipchoge by 34 seconds with a time of 2:00:35. It was the first time in history that an official non-

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► SEE KIPTUM PAGE 15

RADAR A FREE SHOW, IN-STORE SIGNING AND SOULFUL SOUNDS ON A SATURDAY. The Charities grace the Penrose Record Room stage BOBBI MONAE MANDOUR Contributing Writer

As the leaders of creating a more eclectic, happening music scene in Downtown Riverside, the Penrose Record Room, hosted a live, in-store performance with the funk & soul band, The Charities on Saturday, Feb. 10. The band originally hails from Hermosa Beach, California, with its members currently being dispersed throughout various groovy coastal cities. It was an afternoon of firsts for many: the first time for The Charities to play a show in Riverside, the first time for some showgoers visiting the Record Room and the first celebration for The Charities’ release of their debut 7-inch record on Nu-Tone Records with “Bring Your Love” on the A-side and “Angel Eyes” on the B-side.

OPINIONS

CALIFORNIA’S 2024-2025 BUDGET IS FUNDING LEGAL SLAVERY.

The prison industrial complex is a blight on California YSABEL NAKASONE Opinions Editor

The Charities played on the shop’s red-curtained corner stage, tucked into the room just enough to provoke the curious wanderers outside the basement entrance to be allured by the music and come on in. The six musicians hit the stage at 4 p.m., starting their set with stripped-down renditions of some earlier singles from their “Alma” EP. Two microphones, five singers, and minimal drums throughout the set highlighted the group’s talent, which made the performance feel like an episode of 1990s’ “MTV Unplugged.” By the time they started playing the new singles, the shop was at maximum capacity, with fans, new and old, grooving and swaying to Brock Van Pelt’s sweet vocals, and the whole band’s charming vocal harmonies.

The state of California incarcerates its citizens at a rate of nearly 550 persons per 100,000 people in prisons, jails, immigration detention centers and juvenile justice facilities. California is imprisoning a greater portion of its own population than nearly every other democratic country on the planet. The issues caused by the continued expansion of the prison industrial complex are not only harmful to prisoners but to Californians, and it is a system that takes advantage of the public’s unfeeling attitude towards prisoners.

Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved approximately one billion dollars in raises for corrections officers and hundreds of millions towards prison building. Prisons are costing Californians

► SEE CHARITIES PAGE 14

an arm and a leg when there is a $38 billion budget deficit. Meanwhile, climate programs were slashed, funding for addressing homelessness and earmarked for universities was delayed and social services were hit with budget cuts.

The state of American prisons is horrifyingly appalling, so it would not be objectionable if this money were going towards bettering the living conditions of prisoners. In fact, the U.S. and its population are making money off of prisoners in a stunning violation of basic human rights. A recent investigation by the Associated Press tied major brands and food companies, like McDonald’s and Walmart, to prison labor. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of agricultural ► SEE PRISONS PAGE 7

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

20

Men’s Tennis vs. Hope International 10:30 a.m.

SRC Tennis Courts

Emotional Eating: The Connection Between Food and Mood 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Virtual Event

21

Wellbeing Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grad Time 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

HUB 268

Application Workshop Hour 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Virtual Event

Men’s Basketball vs. UC San Diego 7 p.m.

SRC Arena

23

Women’s Tennis vs. New Mexico 9 a.m.

SRC Tennis Courts

BHM Flashback Friday Movies 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Costo 133

24

Women’s Basketball vs. Cal Poly 6 p.m.

SRC Arena

Softball vs. BYU 7:30 p.m.

25

Softball vs. San Diego 2 p.m.

Amy S. Harrison Field

Blacklandia Writing Workshop 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Virtual Event

26

CARE Act Panel & Podcast Recording 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

HUB 269

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

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The Struggle of Women and Girls in STEM

PRESIDENT DR. JILL PENTIMONTI OF THE SCIENCE COALITION GIVES COMMENTARY AND SOLUTIONS TO ONGOING DIFFICULTIES WOMEN IN RESEARCH AND INDUSTRY MAY FACE. ALEXANDRA ARCENAS Contributing Writer

The gender gap within science has been common through the years, but gender equality has always been a “core issue” for the United Nations (UN). According to the UN, there has been a substantial increase in participation of women and girls in science-related spaces; however, they are still underrepresented in the science and technology fields. To spread awareness of the issue, the UN established Feb. 11 as International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

The ninth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly was held on Feb. 8-9, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year’s theme was “Women and Girls in Science Leadership – A New Era for Sustainability.” The event centers around acknowledging women and girls as important resources of scientific and technological advancements. Gathered at the UN assembly were “women in science leaders and experts, high-level government officials, representatives of international organizations, and the private sector,” where their topic of discussion was “women’s leadership” to accomplish “Sustainable Development.”

The UN General Assembly created the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015 to celebrate the talent and contributions of female scientists and recognize the ongoing gender-based challenges in scientific fields.

One of the goals of commemorating the day is to encourage the inclusion of the female perspective and female talent in order to accomplish international economic progress. The day is also a reminder that women play a “critical role” in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and their “participation should be strengthened.”

Dr. Jill Pentimonti, President of The Science Coalition, which is an organization of the leading research universities in the United States that informs legislators of the importance of research in order to generate federal funding for various projects, comments that it “is such a good sign” to have a day drawing attention to “diversifying the STEM workplace.” She states that The Science Coalition

COURTESY OF STORYSET VIA FREEPIK

“works hand in hand with the Women in STEM Caucus” on Capitol Hill to discuss “the challenges of being a female in STEM.” Thus, by calling attention to these issues, they are able to receive “full funding opportunities” geared towards “building diversity in graduate and undergraduate students and faculty,” Dr. Pentimonti believes “we’re moving in the right direction.”

However, to better understand the underrepresentation of women in STEM, the UN found that women are only 33% of all researchers, and women are only 12% of the members of national science academies. Labiotech, an online journalism platform covering the biotech industry in Europe, released an article in 2023 that compiled a list of STEM professionals’ personal struggles and challenges they had to overcome during their careers. A common theme was a lack of representation and Imposter Syndrome in higher-level positions.

When observing the hierarchy of power in the STEM field, an article by Anne Phelan, Chief Scientific Officer of BenevolentAI, states that “women make up 67% of junior level roles,” but “the real issue lies in getting them up the ladder” because only 26% of executive level managers are women though they “represent over half” of the high-potential employees. This coincides with the UN’s statement that female researchers tend to have “shorter, less well-paid careers,” and they are “underrepresented in highprofile journals” and are not promoted as often. Pentimonti also sees that “women are cited less in professional papers.”

In order to recognize female research accomplishments, Pentimonti believes that we should first “formalize” some of the issues to have “clear programs and initiatives” as solutions. The Science Coalition tries to combat the grant gap and overall gender gap by “storytelling” the works of female researchers to generate “more federal funding” for research and mentorship initiatives. She claims that evidence shows “mentoring” helps girls in STEM progress in their careers; however, there are few willing and able to

become mentors for future female researchers.

Women who may be able to become mentors in research fields will leave their positions once they start a family. The 2019 research article, “The Changing Career Trajectories of New Parents in STEM,” by Erin A. Cech and Mary Blair-Loy, claims that 43% of women leave their full-time jobs within the year of having their first child. The eightyear study looked at the percentages of men’s and women’s employment patterns within the first year of having a child.

Only 23% of men ended up leaving their role after having a child. The article reasons that traditional societal roles and values may leave women to be the main caretakers of children, and with a lack of paternal leave policies, it is even a greater challenge to keep women in the STEM fields.

To resolve these issues, Dr. Pentimonti suggests that “structural barriers are [to be] taken down” at “agencies and universities.” She explains that it can “get exhausting” when women in STEM must complete other obligations that “aren’t actually your measurement of success.” Therefore, she is advocating for a “change structurally” within the field. Therefore, incorporate and incentivize mentorship directly into professional research jobs. And not just for the professionality of it, but for the societal guidance of other problems women must face within their personal life.

In the end, Dr. Pentimonti and concerned parties want to “ensure all people have the ability to do both” in regards to having a personal and professional life, in addition to having “a strong STEM workforce.”

In their own efforts to help female students in STEM accomplish their goals within the field, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) has the Women’s Resource Center Graduate Mentorship Program and Women in Leadership Program to “receive guidance” and “engage and uplift each other.” Both programs can help women become connected with mentors and each other for professional H development. ■

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NEWS

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ASUCR elections committee prepares for record-breaking elections

ASUCR SENATE RECEIVES ELECTIONS UPDATES AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE UCR TITLE IX OFFICE. EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

A record-breaking 94 candidates have filed for Associated Students of University California, Riverside (ASUCR) elections, according to Elections Director Alexandra Arias, more than doubling the previous record of 42. In the 13th ASUCR Senate meeting of the year, Elections Director Arias delivered updates and context regarding the upcoming elections, and efforts to improve upon last year’s “infamous” low turnout. The Senate meeting also saw concerns raised about the University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Title IX office.

In a presentation to the ASUCR Senate, Elections Director (ED) Arias covered election history, election numbers, and the current election plan. Based on data going back to 2010, ED Arias called attention to recent decreases in voter turnout. According to ED Arias, since a record 38% voter turnout in 2014, there has recently been a “significant drop” in that number, with only 9% voter turnout last year. ED Arias named multiple factors that impact turnout, including public perception of ASUCR, stating that ASUCR had accumulated a “negative stigma” over the years. She also mentioned that referendums, candidate quantity, and the past existence of political parties have driven turnout. However, ED Arias stated that “on the one hand, political parties meant more marketing, which did increase voter turnout. But on the other hand, candidates had a much more negative campaign experience.” On referendums, ED Arias noted that this year’s election would not see any on the ballot, claiming this decision came from Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Brian Haynes.

ED Arias pointed to multiple initiatives she hopes will improve elections; she announced that Qualtrics will no longer be used as the software for voting, that presidential debates would be reintroduced, and that only endorsements from officially recognized University of California, Riverside (UCR) organizations will be accepted as valid endorsements. ED Arias also announced polling locations in first-year housing in an effort to increase turnout.

ED Arias highlighted the fact that there were no applicants for School of Education (SOE) senator and stated this position would instead be filled in a special election. Throughout these announcements, ED Arias emphasized the work of the election committee and urged respect and integrity surrounding the elections.

Afterward, a presentation by Senator Teesha Sreeram voiced concerns regarding sexual violence on campus and the related offices and processes involved.

Senator Sreeram noted that multiple organizations on campus deal with this issue, including the University of California, Police Department (UCPD), Title IX, and the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) office. Senator Sreeram claimed that the CARE office, which provides support to those dealing with sexual violence, does not receive permanent funding. Senator Sreeram stated this lack of funding makes it difficult to support professional staff positions in the office and could lead to inconsistent support for survivors, stating, “If they don’t consistently have an advocate for them, they’re not necessarily receiving the justice or support that they need.”

Senator Sreeram brought up more concerns that students have had regarding the UCR Title IX office, claiming that “while they are supposed to be a neutral office, unfortunately, Title IX does tend to side with being pro-protecting the University,” and that the office does not “seem confident in the protection of survivors.”

Senator Sreeram claims that the office’s retaliation policy, which states that retaliation is prohibited in a Title IX case, overlooks the possibility that since, as Senator Sreeram puts it, “they’ve already broken one policy so who’s to say they’re not going to go and break another policy again.” Senator Sreeram also said she had concerns brought to her that Title IX does not take cases of sexual violence against the same sex as seriously. Senator Sreeram also brought concerns regarding whether Title IX was using “trauma-informed practices,” and what she characterized as a lack of collaboration with the CARE office. Senator Sreeram characterized Title IX as “very focused on policy, but they don’t realize that there [are] people behind the policy.”

Senator Sreeram vocalized that she “Want[s] to push for more consistency and more trauma-informed practices.” Senator Sreeram emphasized that anyone with questions or concerns about the issues discussed in the presentation could reach out to her, stating, “Here in student government, we want to hear your voices … So know this space is here for you, for your story to be heard and for your voices to be heard.”

ASUCR President Ankita Ahluwalia thanked Senator Sreeram for the presentation and urged students with concerns to reach out to ASUCR or fill out ASUCR’s anonymous student feedback form so that ASUCR can “effectively hold specific offices [at UCR] accountable.”

Other business heard by the senate included an announcement during public forum from a senate intern

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regarding a blind date thrifting event being held at the Highlander Union Building (HUB) on Wednesday from 2-3 p.m.

The senate also unanimously passed Senate Meeting Minutes #12, Finance Meeting Minutes #5, and Green Grant: HUBxGCAP Punch Cards. The Green Grant proposal would introduce a punch card system for bringing reusable cups/utensils/plates to the HUB, where participating students would get their 10th meal free.

The Senate also considered an update to the elections code which allowed for the elections committee to change polling site times to meet peak traffic hours.

After concerns regarding which senators were allowed to vote on the legislation, considering that some senators are running for reelection, the Senate moved to a closed session. Upon returning from the closed session, it was announced that the legislation passed in closed session 3-0, with eight abstentions.

During senator reports, President Pro Tempore (PPT) Abby Choy, announced that two months ago in a Student Health Advocacy Committee (SHAC) meeting, they considered whether to continue coverage of an obesity medication, which she claimed was used by six students throughout the University of California (UC) system, and Lyra, a mental health app. The committee decided to remove the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) coverage of the medication in order to “drop premiums” and keep Lyra.

Senator Anjana Narasimhan announced a global fair event would be occurring on Feb. 23 and stated that the Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) has been working on bike lane and scooter legislation.

Senator Narasimhan asked students to fill out the feedback form on the BCOE Instagram, @ucrbcoe, in order to inform future legislation regarding bike and scooter accessibility. Senator Narasimhan also announced work on sustainability legislation with Senator Amariah Peedikayil and the Executive Fellow for the Vice President of Sustainability.

The 13th ASUCR Senate meeting of the school year was called to order on Feb. 15 at 7:06 p.m., with PPT Abby Choy, Senator Ray Khan, Senator Alex Lu, Senator Juan Campos, Senator Rachit Shah, Senator Natalie Trutalli, and Senator Grace Su being excused. PPT Choy and later joined the meeting at 7:47 p.m. The Senate adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. ■ H

Opinions

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

California learning loss suit acknowledges the inequities faced by Los Angeles and Oakland students

SCHOOL CLOSURE POLICIES HARMED STUDENTS FROM LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC DISTRICTS THE HARDEST, JUST LIKE MOST THINGS IN THE U.S. DO. The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

Cayla J. v. California, a case brought in 2020, was recently decided. The case, brought by 14 low-income students of color from Oakland and Los Angeles, landed on a settlement of two billion dollars, which will go towards California children whose education suffered during school shutdowns. The money will specifically be allocated to students whose education was most harmed during the pandemic. State officials are also committed to compelling districts and schools to implement tactics, such as in-school tutoring, that have been proven to help students. This lawsuit is a part of addressing the inequities that existed in education before the pandemic that were painfully exacerbated by online and home learning.

Public education funding in the U.S. already needed a desperate revamping due to sharp differences between money allocated to high- and low-poverty districts.

Districts with higher rates of poverty, with a higher percentage of students of color, receive less funding per student in comparison to school districts in more affluent communities that serve mostly white students. Currently, the system is ripping off students living in poverty as the funding is too dependent on state and local resources. The federal government has to play a bigger role to help eliminate not only county-to-county inequities, but inequities in different states.

While in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 202425 state budget, the $128 billion for education remains largely unimpacted, there are concerns that it was only by the skin of the government’s teeth that this funding was maintained and is not as stable as one might think. Legislative analysts have explained that this was made possible by certain maneuvers such as

“delay[ing] recognizing the budgetary cost of payments the state provided to schools in 2022-23,” which will do more harm down the line to Califonia’s budget while also setting a terrible precedent. Funding is likely to be billions less than the budget makes it appear.

There was concern about education funding in 2023 overall as experts predicted a “looming education funding crisis” that state and federal governments were unequipped to address. A 2022 report released by the Southern Education Foundation, Economic Vitality and Education in the South (EVES) showed that Black, Brown and low-income students were significantly more likely to face academic disadvantages due to a lack of funding and resources. The report also highlighted how students’ access to nutritional food, up-to-date technology, reliable internet service and professional support was cut off, to the detriment of their academic development.

Cayla J. v. California was brought specifically after the slow dispersal of student resources during school shutdowns and the significant differences in the allocation of those resources. There was also a notable difference in the quality of remote education between districts.

These inequities left many students boxed out of their own education as schools were not meeting minimum instructional times as the state refused to enforce them.

In Oakland and Los Angeles Unified, students missed over 200 in-person days of instruction each. With their refusal to intervene and lack of follow-through, the state did and has, for long before the spread of COVID-19, failed in its constitutional mandate to prevent educational inequities.

Writing fat checks without ensuring they’ll

make a difference is negligence.

Adding insult to injury, learning at home presented many of the same challenges faced by adults who struggled with remote work. Beyond the lack of access to resources, being at home poses pressures that students had distance from at school.

Many students with increased family commitments and caretaker commitments had to balance those demands with their education simultaneously without the support of professionals. It’s far easier to be distracted in a home environment versus a more controlled classroom.

The effects of state failures came to a head with the release of standardized testing scores that paint a discouraging picture of California students. Reading scores declined to only 46.7%, meaning less than half of the students could not meet grade-level benchmarks. Despite slight improvement, approximately 66% of California students do not meet their grade-level math standards. Even worse, there was a three-point increase in students from families facing “socioeconomic disadvantages” as compared to the year before. The scariest part is the fear that these students may not be able to catch up and increased struggles will discourage students from finishing their education or pursuing higher education.

California may have irreparably harmed these students, and there’s no set playbook for how to undo the damage. The money from this suit can help bridge the gap and serve students most affected by the pandemic and learning loss, but there are no guarantees. These students deserve more than two billion dollars, and while helpful, it is nowhere near what is needed H to fill the gaps in the education system.■

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK

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TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2023

OPINIONS

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Community colleges warrant more recognition and respect from donors AAZAM KHAN Contributing Writer

While prestigious universities receive a vast amount of donations and funding, affluent people should consider investing in local colleges.

Every year, elite American universities receive massive admiration from the general population and students who attend prestigious institutions are glorified by their parents and friends’ parents. These exclusive establishments attract many wealthy citizens for donations and endowments, while many community colleges remain taken for granted. Community colleges are the gateway many people utilize to get an Associate degree, transition to a four-year institution and improve their socioeconomic status. Donors should consider giving their money to educational institutions that will improve more people’s social mobility, rather than focusing primarily on private and prestigious universities.

There are many reasons why people choose to attend community college, including the expensive costs of a four-year institution or the flexibility of class schedules offered at community colleges. Whatever the case may be, community colleges serve as a lifeline for countless Americans to improve their life circumstances and achieve a better future since the level of education directly correlates to financial stability. The median annual income for an individual with an associate's degree is

thousands of dollars more than the median annual income for a high school graduate.

Attending community college is also a direct pathway to a four-year university. In California, many public universities offer a wide range of opportunities for community college students to transition into. At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 93% of transfer admits attended a California community college. Many other University of California (UC) and California State Universities (CSU) also open doors to community college students. At UC Berkeley, more than 90% of transfer students went to a California community college. Since attending community college is a direct line to a four-year institution, social mobil-

ity increases drastically. The difference in the median income of an associate's degree and a Bachelor's degree is nearly $15,000.

While attending community college is beneficial for many people, students still face many barriers. Community colleges have high dropout rates at 39%. A large swath of the American population still hasn’t completed their education.

Within community colleges, there is a massive underinvestment in academic advising. In C a lifor ni a, this leads many students to take, on average, 26 more credits than necessary before they go to a fouryear institution. There are also many programs that are underfunded. Critical nursing courses have “long waiting lists because of a lack of instructors and capacity." Other

factors, such as “under-preparation, high tuition costs, non-academic barriers, and institutional barriers,” have contributed to high dropout rates. This is why wealthy donors should look more intensely at local colleges. Since higher education is vital for economic mobility, community colleges are crucial to expanding the American middle class, lifting people out of poverty.

Prestigious universities already have the financial support system they need. In 2022, Out of the thousands of universities in America, only 20 received a whopping 26.4% of the total financial donations. Students graduating from those schools already have top-paying jobs at the tips of their fingers. On the other hand, more funding for community colleges allows more investment into student resources that can help numerous students struggling outside of the classroom. With more of these personal obstacles solved, there will be a greater chance that underprivileged students are provided a better leg up to a betH ter future for themselves and their families.■

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK

Taiwan’s politics are growing further from China’s control TOMAS ALVES Distribution Manager

The election of William Lai in Taiwan signals that the Taiwanese people are not only emboldened to find independence but also exposes China’s failing intimidation tactics.

On Jan. 13th, 2024, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, Lai Ching-Te, also known as William Lai, won Taiwan’s presidential election by a decisive margin securing a third consecutive term in power. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has labeled Lai as “an extreme danger” to cross-strait relations due to his party’s appeal and rhetoric. This election has seemingly demonstrated that Taiwanese citizens prefer self-governance over closer relations with the PRC. However, Lai’s commitment to maintaining this status quo does not progress Taiwan at the needed pace.

University of California, Riverside (UCR) student and Intern for the Democratic Progressive Party Mission (DPP) in the Unit-

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ed States, Angela Chien, explains that Lai, “represents a younger voice” in Taiwan to explain his rise to the presidency despite his party’s loss of seats in the Taiwanese Yuan or Legislature. The divided legislature will pose a significant obstacle to the passage of multiple pieces of Lai’s key domestic agenda. Although the DPP boasts three consecutive presidential victories, Chien claims that the 2028 election in Taiwan will be even more difficult for the DPP to adjust its platform to shifting Taiwanese politics and the appeal of rival opposition parties.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won by a decisive margin with William Lai after an initially close race to win a third consecutive term in power. The President-

Elect’s list of election promises needs no further search than his victory speech to a raucous crowd on election night in Taiwan, which included comments that he would “walk side by side with democracies from around the world.” Yet, he softened his stance in aspiring for Taiwan’s independence, previously describing himself to be a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence,” as he largely replaced this sentiment with overwhelming uniting rhetoric amidst election celebrations.

The DPP’s continuation of military deterrence, diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation with Taiwan’s allies thwart Beijing's goal of reunification of its “rogue province” and rejection of the “One China, One Taiwan” perspective. China has repeatedly reasserted its claims over the island nation and rejects the current status quo. Since 1949, Taiwan has maintained its self-governance after its citizens under Chiang Kai-Shek lost a civil war to Mao Zedong’s communist party, who fled from mainland China to settle in Taiwan.

This civil war has influenced cross-strait relations until today as China has employed various intimidation tactics to win in what it views as an existential struggle to reunify the Chinese people, cement their national identity and bolster their reputation on the world stage.

As a historical pattern often invoked by Chinese President Xi Jinping, China’s history is marked with political frustrations and embarrassment as dynasties have fractured, its people divided, and its government belittled by foreign powers. To China, Taiwan means more than gaining a piece of territory — it signals a historical, cultural and national victory for the Chinese identity.

Internationally, fears rest on the prospects of a major and costly war between the United States and China. This hinges on the speculation that if China were to invade Taiwan, the United States would come to its defense based on its policy of “strategic ambiguity.” The status quo promised by the new Taiwanese President will not be enough to guarantee the safety and security of the Taiwanese people, especially with the possible victory of a neoisolationist Republican candidate in the United States and an increasingly more aggressive Beijing. Instead of sticking with the status quo, a more ambitious Taiwan needs to clearly define its relationship with China, reinforce its alliances and keep a possible conflict too costly for the aggressor to prevent the worst.

As the Taiwanese people continue to choose democracy over dictatorship, the success that either China or Taiwan will have in fulfilling each of their respective promises to their people remains to be seen. But, even as China utilizes tactics of fear and aggression to convince the Taiwanese of their government’s ineffectiveness, they have been going on for years as Taiwan remains unflinching.

Instead, China’s malfeasance has only shown the Taiwanese people that their democracy is valuable. Just as much as it is an existential desire for China to reunify, the stakes are clearly the same for the Taiwanese and their independence. Instead of relying on the status quo, Lai Ching-te should find a path of H conviction rather than a path of ambiguity.■

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TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

7

The prison industrial complex is a blight on California YSABEL NAKASONE Opinions Editor

CALIFORNIA’S 2024-2025 BUDGET IS FUNDING LEGAL SLAVERY. The state of California incarcerates its citizens at a rate of nearly 550 persons per 100,000 people in prisons, jails, immigration detention centers and juvenile justice facilities. California is imprisoning a greater portion of its own population than nearly every other democratic country on the planet. The issues caused by the continued expansion of the prison industrial complex are not only harmful to prisoners but to Californians, and it is a system that takes advantage of the public’s unfeeling attitude towards prisoners.

Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved approximately one billion dollars in raises for corrections officers and hundreds of millions towards prison building. Prisons are costing Californians an arm and a leg when there is a $38 billion budget deficit. Meanwhile, climate programs were slashed, funding for addressing homelessness and earmarked for universities was delayed and social services were hit with budget cuts.

The state of American prisons is horrifyingly appalling, so it would not be objectionable if this money were going towards bettering the living conditions of prisoners. In fact, the U.S. and its population are making money off of prisoners in a stunning violation of basic human rights. A recent investigation by the Associated Press tied major brands and food companies, like McDonald’s and Walmart, to prison labor. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of agricultural products sold on the open market were

linked to unpaid labor.

These are workers who cannot advocate for themselves if they refuse to work for wages that most people wouldn’t get out of bed for, it can be met with cruel retaliation. It can jeopardize their eligibility for parole or get them put in solitary confinement. They do not have the protections of American workers and have been purposely left vulnerable to physical and emotional abuse by their government.

This punitive measure goes too far, even though it is legal. The 13th Amendment, outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude, does not apply to these individuals as this labor is considered a criminal punishment. Despite the legality of this labor, technicalities don’t change the simple truth that they are being used and violated by their government.

Imprisonment, for nearly two million people, means being “warehoused in cramped spaces that lack fresh air, healthy food, natural light, proper health care, and connection to loved ones.” This goes beyond the temporary denial of liberty and goes as far as abusing inmates for their crimes. Solitary confinement, a terrifyingly common punishment for prisoners, has, in recent months, come under the spotlight. Data released in 2023

indicated that over 122,000 people were placed in “restrictive housing,” which is simply a euphemism for inhumane and empirically harmful solitary confinement for 22 or more hours on a given day.

In immigration detention centers, solitary confinement is called “segregation” in a horrifying callback to American racial segregation. They can be left isolated in small cells anywhere from days to years.

International human rights law would define their treatment as torture.

Research has shown that solitary confinement causes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self-harm, sleep disruptions and harm to cognitive function, among other deficits.

Despite this, as well as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 2013 directive to limit the use of solitary confinement, government audits and whistleblowers have revealed how little solitary confinement has been reduced.

President Biden, despite a 2020 campaign promise to end the practice of solitary confinement, remains inactive in addressing the continued use of solitary confinement in ICE detention centers, to no one’s surprise. In fact, a report by the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), Harvard Law School’s Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program (HIRCP) and

researchers at Harvard Medical School (HMS) found there was an increase in solitary confinement in 2023. Solitary confinement has been shown to be deeply harmful; it cannot continue to be a punitive measure.

Despite all of the evidence pointing in one direction, Newsom has closed only three prisons while California Democrats and budget analysts call for at least five more, with a predicted surplus of 20,000 state prison beds in 2027. Despite a 30year low in crime, these budget decisions have been legitimized by an overblown and exaggerated focus on retail crime.

This money is not going where it is needed: investment in housing and mental health measures. Preventative measures take time, and investing in prisons is hauling California in a painful direction that will lead to the continued marginalization of ethnic minorities, intergenerational trauma and economic hardship.

It’s a sad fact that Americans do not feel sympathy for prisoners, putting their wellbeing at the bottom of California’s list.

The belief that incarcerated individuals are deserving of poor treatment persists despite the widespread belief that the justice system often fails defendants and the people. California’s continued and increased support of the prison industrial complex is a major violation of its supposed values and the needs of all Californians. ■ H

Employees should not be overlooked and deserve to be fairly compensated for their time SONALI WHITTLE Staff Writer

JANITORS AT THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY WORKERS WERE FORCED TO WORK EXTRA HOURS WITHOUT FAIR COMPENSATION, AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT WILL HAVE FAR REACHING LEGAL IMPLICATIONS. Many working individuals have families and other responsibilities in addition to work, making their time valuable, which should not be disrespected and taken advantage of.

It is important to pay workers every cent they are owed for their time, not to mention a legal responsibility. Recently, the restaurant chain The Cheesecake Factory and some contractors paid a settlement in a California wage theft case in which janitorial employees were blatantly disrespected and should have been initially compensated for the extra time spent working at the Cheesecake Factory. Companies and businesses need to emphasize bettering work conditions for their employees to prevent injustices such as wage theft.

Janitors at eight Cheesecake Factory locations in Orange and San Diego counties were forced to work up to 10 extra hours a week and were not fully compensated for their time. They were not paid overtime and were tasked with labor, such as cleaning the kitchens and dining rooms of the restaurant. It is disappointing to witness a large company such as The Cheesecake Factory fail their employees, especially because they have the funds to compensate for the time

the janitors spend cleaning. Neglecting overtime payments shows how willing the restaurant was to cut corners.

According to the Orange County Register, workers advocates have talked about the increase in contracting and subcontracting in the janitorial industry affecting workers in a negative way with increased wage theft. Big companies can deflect responsibility legally, and small companies can change names or file for bankruptcy when accused of wage theft.

There needs to be a better system in place to prevent injustices like this from occurring again; companies should be willing to take more responsibility for the role that they play in wage theft. The loophole of contracting should not take away from accepting accountability.

The State Labor Commissioner’s office formally announced the settlement and handed out checks to former workers.

The office now wants to find others who might have been taken advantage of and qualify for a payout for unpaid work. The partnership between the Labor Commissioner’s Office and the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund was formed to persuade workers to cooperate with the state. This wage theft case against a large employer such as the Cheesecake

Factory highlights the injustice taking place throughout the industry. This sends a message to big companies that they should pay closer attention to how their employees are treated.

The settlement of one million dollars came with the condition that none of the companies admitted any fault. While the settlement is a win and can lead to greater accountability, there remains a problem that leaves employees vulnerable to wage theft. This is not the only instance in which people were wrongfully used for their time and labor. A 2014 report by the Economic Policy Institute estimated that workers lose over fifty billion a year to wage theft from employers. The large settlement paid by The Cheesecake Factory should be a warning to all major companies that they will not get away with exploiting workers for their labor to cut corners and save money forever.

The tide is shifting in workers’ favor, and major employers need to get on board.

Larger companies cannot keep cutting corners and taking advantage of their employee’s services. Those who do take advantage must be held accountable by any means necessary. The Cheesecake Factory settlement is a testament to the result of unfair exploitation of janitorial

services. It should be viewed as a cautionary tale on how to treat employees better to prevent these abuses from ever happening again. ■ H

IMAGES COURTESY OF PEXELS

FEATURES 8

TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

FEATURES

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Find out what is in the cards post-Valentine’s

After a time of celebrating love, comes a time of reflection on your loneliness.

ARiES: SEVEN OF CUPS MARCH 21 - APRiL 19 You’ve taken a chance at face value.

You let yourself get tricked by all the bells and whistles while forgetting about what’s important and simple.

You set yourself up for failure by searching for a fantasy.

CANCER: FiVE OF SWORDS REVERSED JUNE 21 - JULY 22 This is a time of reconciliation. You have people you need to apologize to and make amends with. You have royally messed up and hurt the people around you. You have refused to take responsibility or even acknowledge it. It’s time to step up.

TAURUS: THE FOOL APRiL 20 - MAY 20 You’re feeling uncharacteristically free, Taurus.

A weight has been cut out of your life and is no longer a factor. You envisioned this as being painful and fracturing, but it’s been easier than you expected to move on.

LEO: PAGE OF WANDS JULY 23 - AUGUST 22 You have recently discovered a new opportunity, one that conflicts with your current path. This opportunity is significantly different from what you expected of your future, and it would mean picking an entirely different end goal. You need to make this shift now, or it will be too late and you’ll find yourself being stuck.but life itself.

LiBRA: PAGE OF CUPS REVERSED SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22 There is someone emotionally immature in your life, Libra. It is painfully obvious that they are draining you and causing turmoil. They refuse to live in reality, and so neither can you. They won’t act like an adult, so you’re going to have to.

SCORPiO: NiNE OF CUPS OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21 A wish is about to come true. It’s unclear whose wish, though. It is either your wish or someone’s wish for you. Try to be gracious as things unfold; your reaction to the outcome will be under far more scrutiny than the outcome.

CAPRiCORN: TWO OF WANDS REVERSED DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19 You’re both scared and unprepared. As you start a new project or relationship, you are approaching it with fear and without trying. You think that by not getting invested, you can get away without emotional damage. Instead, your solution will only damage others.

AQUARiUS: FOUR OF CUPS JANUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 18 No is a full sentence, Aquarius. You feel you’re being pushed into something you want nothing to do with.

You need to look inward and decide if you really want to be a part of this and then stand your ground. The people and forces around you are pushing you towards this, and without pushback from you, it’s going to happen.

Ysabel Nakasone, Opinions Editor

GEMiNi: NiNE OF PENTACLES REVERSED MAY 21 - JUNE 20 You are in the thick of it. Work is piling up, and you are deep in the weeds. It’s just thing after thing, and it doesn’t let up. The road is still a ways to go before you can take a breath. You will complete everything, but it is going to exact a toll you have no choice but to pay.

ViRGO: THREE OF CUPS AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22 The dancing women pictured on the Three of Cups speaks to friendships. The place you need to find solace is with your friends. Relying on them is what is going to see you through this time, as they will provide you with the perspective and the information you need.

SAGiTTARiUS: KNiGHT OF CUPS NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21 The Knight of Cups points toward romance. After the lovey-dovey aura of Valentine’s Day, you might be finding yourself ensconced in a romantic story. You will be the subject of someone’s affections, and you might not even notice. Love doesn’t always come from the people we wish it would.

PiSCES: ACE OF WANDS REVERSED FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20 You are distracted and cannot stick to your purpose. As time progresses, you are becoming more and more unfocused.

Without direction, you are falling behind your peers. You have to realize that new elements in your life need to be managed and cannot take up all of your time and energy. You have to set those boundaries and expectations because no one is going H to do it for you. ■ IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

9

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TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

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Get back on your grind at this aesthetic uplifting study spot Back to the Grind coffee shop review.

SENNA OMAR & BRENDA JOVEL Managing Editor & Editor-In-Chief

Midterm season is upon us, ladies and gentlemen. The desperate need to have a proper study sesh spot can be overwhelming, but look no further. Back To The Grind offers a wide variety of menu items, from luscious swirls of coffee and cream to delicious sweet treats.

Located in downtown Riverside, this coffee spot presents a cozy environment upon entry. Their intricate paintings and little knickknacks in every corner invite you to a whole other world. If you go in the early morning, there is barely anyone there, and you have a chance to sit on their comfortable couches by the entrance or their wooden, painted tables.

In the late afternoon, the coffee spot is hustling and bustling with customers and focused students. If there are no spots available inside, do not fret; there is a quaint space in the back that is filled with plants and garden decor.

Regardless of where you sit, Back To The Grind’s intimate atmosphere will make you relaxed for those difficult midterms. It is a comfortable space where you can even cry over that block of unanswered equations from your OChem class and not feel judged. If you need a distraction every so often for study breaks, there is a large wall of books and minigames that you can enjoy at any time.

For those nights that you’d like to just chill and forget about anything related to work or school, Back To The Grind also offers an array of events throughout the week. If you need a space to air out your thoughts — those intrusive thoughts be stressin’ — Back To The Grind hosts RUPO Open Mic every Monday from 7-9 p.m. Or maybe you’re feeling a little jazzy and cool; their weekly Friday Jam Jazz performed by Riverside City College (RCC) Jazz Musicians is the perfect getaway for a musical adventure.

Caffeinated Beverages: The Back To The Grind As the name suggests, this is the signature drink of the coffee shop. Unbeknownst to us, the Back to the Grind was a mocha-based coffee drink. If you want to feel like you’re sipping on caffeinated chocolate milk, this is the beverage for you! Although it has a good chocolate flavor, if you are looking for a coffee experience, do not get this drink; the chocolate from the mocha overtakes the coffee flavoring giving you a deep and rich chocolate taste. Chocolate milk is good, but this drink is advertised as a coffee, leaving us with a rating of 7/10.

The Red Eye This beverage is the exact opposite of the Back to the Grind; the red eye is freshly brewed coffee over a shot of espresso, with cream mixed in. If you love coffee, then this is the perfect beverage for you — the rich flavor from the espresso paired nicely with the sweet pastries the coffee shop has to offer. Not to mention, the ice cubes in all the Back to the Grind beverages are the perfect coffee ice cubes; their size makes them just right so as not to overtake the coffee or water it down. If you are searching for a sweeter coffee, I would suggest trying out one of their other flavored lattes (or the chocolate milk Back to the Grind). Overall, this is a solid coffee drink, almost tasting like Folgers coffee (a classic for any coffee enjoyer), that deserves a 10/10 rating.

Matcha Silky and smooth in texture, their Matcha latte is a sweet beverage, perhaps a little too sweet. The taste of vanilla oat milk complemented the matcha flavor, but it, unfortunately, overpowered the essence of true matcha. If you like your matcha on the sweeter side, order this little bevy the next time you go to this cafe (and perhaps pair it along with their sweet s’mores bar). For those who prefer a stronger flavor of matcha, this is not ideal for you and results in a rating of 4/10.

Dirty Chai You can never go wrong with a dirty chai! This beverage is the perfect combination of cinnamon sweetness and smooth espresso. Imagine dropping cinnamon toast crunch inside and an espresso shot, that is the dirty chai. Dirty chai’s are simply the perfect beverage, earning it a rating of 10/10 would recommend it to a friend (my homies like it too).

Flavored Lattes — Caramel This is a simple drink that cannot be messed up, and Back To The Grind makes it so effortlessly that it’s enviable. Their heavenly espresso mixed with the sweetness of caramel is a pleasant experience. As someone who consumes espresso shots like an alcoholic does with vodka, their caramel latte

is a must-have if you’re struggling to pick a drink. This item deserves a well-earned 9/10 rating.

Smoothies: Champagne Smoothie — Peach Flavored (Note: only the 21-year-old writing this drank and bought this bevy) The Champagne Smoothie is the definition of a gym girly mimosa. Its vibrant yellow color mixed with the sudds of champagne and crushed ice is a beauty to the eye. Upon first taste, the instant flavor of champagne is the first thing that greets your taste buds. The consistency is also a bit on the thinner side for the smoothie and has a water-like texture that could have been thicker. In addition to the champagne, there is a hint of peach juice and bits of sliced peaches at the bottom; the overwhelming taste of alcohol could make you have a distasteful drinking experience. If you do like alcohol with your juice (shoutout to the legal adults), this is the perfect drink for you for a cute brunch out with the gals without getting too tipsy. This earns a rating of 6/10.

Radical Raspberry Back to the Grind is a coffee shop, do not order their smoothies. If you are an avid smoothie enjoyer, you will not like this beverage. The smoothie was rather thin, and despite it being a raspberry smoothie, you cannot taste the raspberry at all; in fact, it does not even have raspberries in it, just raspberry juice. As you sip on this smoothie, contemplating what possessed you to order a smoothie at a coffee shop, you will only taste straight bananas. As someone who has personal beef with bananas, I found this beverage repulsive and traumatizing, garnering it a rating of 3/10. Calling this a raspberry smoothie is false advertisement; there is not even a semblance of raspberry flavor in this pink banana beverage.

So if you are a raspberry lover, this smoothie will disappoint.

I suggest going literally anywhere else for a solid smoothie.

Lemon Tart Lemon Lovers unite for this deliciously creamy tart. This beautiful lemon tart, topped with a mini lemon wedge, is the ideal combination of sweet and sour. The filling has the perfect lemon flavor. If not for the lack of crunch in the crust, this tart would be a 10/10. However, the filling is her saving grace, providing an immaculate lemony flavor that any fan of sour foods is sure to enjoy. The delicious lemon filling, in conjunction with the soft crust, earned this tart a nearperfect rating of 9/10.

Fruit Tart As someone who detests raspberries, the raspberries on this cute fruit tart were fresh and sweet. It was a welcoming addition to the creamy flavor of the cream below the fruits (which included kiwis, blueberries and a few bits of strawberries), which wasn’t too sweet. The crust was probably the best compared to the lemon tart, as it complemented its soft fruits and a hidden layer of delicious chocolate. The chocolate was a sweet surprise, but made it a bit difficult to cut through the tart. Still, it added a rich flavor of cocoa that can never go wrong. If you’d like a fresh start to your morning or maybe a refreshing girl dinner, order the fruit tart. This cute treat H earns an 8/10. ■

Salty Snacks: Stuffed Pretzel — Spinach and Feta Flavored Sometimes you are craving bread in the middle of the day, or maybe you are like me and crave it every godforsaken minute. If this is you and you find yourself at this lovely cafe, their stuffed pretzel with spinach and feta is a go-to order.

The pretzel itself is hefty, and once you slice into it with a knife, the inside is a little disappointing. It seems great, but the spinach and feta filling is barely there in the pretzel. After that first bite, the saltiness and creamy texture of the filling are delectable, but it unfortunately makes you want more on the inside. The dough itself was also a bit hard, and the longer it stayed out, the more tough it became to enjoy. This stuffed pretzel deserves a 6/10.

Vegan Puff Pastry — Spinach and Artichoke-Flavored Don’t be fooled by the fact that this is a vegan item; words cannot describe how shocked we were by the deliciousness of this light and airy puff pastry. There were three different filling options for this vegan delight; we opted for the spinach and artichoke flavor, and although it could have used a little more filling, this puff pastry is the perfect savory snack for anyone to enjoy (not just the vegans). The crunchy dough, coupled with the smooth and savory filling, earned this pastry a solid 8/10 rating.

Sweet Snacks: Smores Bar This exquisite dessert is mouth-watering and delectable; it is probably one of the best sweet treats that Back to The Grind has to offer. The top is coated with melted and stretchy marshmallows that dissolve instantly in your mouth. Beneath it is a layer of chocolate and a tasty graham cracker crust that’ll leave you licking your fingers. It’s a rich dessert with simple flavors and can be the perfect afternoon pick-me-up for a long night of studying. The s’mores bar earns a 10/10 score.

Lemon Bar If you want a semi-healthy treat with a sour taste, the lemon bar is the perfect option for you. At first glance, it has the perfect crumbly exterior with powdered sugar sprinkled over its yellow squares. The bar itself is tart in flavor, and not as sweet as expected. I quite literally felt healthy eating this bar. Unfortunately, the lemon essence of the treat itself was lacking a bit and could have been used more for a better sour punch. The lemon bar is a quick treat for those busy days and earns a 7.5/10.

BRENDA JOVEL / THE HIGHLANDER

10 TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

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A peek into some of Riverside’s best thrift stores ASHLEY CARRANZA Contributing Writer

Best places to find your next outfit of the day.

In the famous words of Macklemore, “Can we go thrift shopping?” Check out these cool spots to shop in Riverside!

Our first stop is Savers! This large thrift store is off Tyler Street and five minutes away from the Galleria Mall. Its location makes it a perfect spot to plan a day of thrift shopping, lunch with friends and errands at the mall. When you first walk in, you are greeted with racks and racks of clothes ranging from women’s pants and sweaters.

On the left side, you will find books, vinyls and a large selection of DVDs from the early 2000s. As you explore deeper into the store, the men’s department is on the far right, followed by shoes and accessories. A few designer bags like Chanel and Marc Jacobs hang on display next to the shoe racks. If you are looking for a spot to donate clothes, Savers is your spot, and you may receive a store discount for it!

Next on our list is Another Thrift Shop.

This thrift store is across the street from Savers, which makes it a great place to stop by if you want to hit up a few different spots in the same trip and are looking for more vintage clothing and accessories. This small thrift store is perfectly hidden away in a secluded spot, and just like its location, it

has hidden treasures inside, including vintage gaming systems (like old Game Boys in mint condition) and beautiful antique furniture. The deeper you walk into the cozily cramped store, the more things you tend to find in every corner. Stop here for amazing jewelry finds and more.

If you are looking for a spot that’s close to the university, The Thrift Bar is the perfect place to stop in between lectures. Its small venue is perfect for those who feel overwhelmed by Goodwill and Savers. This locally owned mom-and-pop shop is new in town and has only been open for around a month and a half. Shop small and visit Thrift Bar for amazing prices and genuine connections with the staff, as their customer service makes it easy to ask questions and feel welcome in the store. You’ll discover great finds like brown leather jackets by Joseph Barry and dress pants by Ralph Lauren, and their women’s boot collection also makes it a great find for your next “outfits of the week” post.

Down Magnolia Center, there’s a small corner store called Liberty’s Buy, Sell, Trade. Here you will find hand-picked clothes and amazing fashion finds. The prices are a bit more expensive due to the fact

that you can trade your clothes or sell them there for store credit. Fun fact: the owner was inspired by an old boss who owned a trade store. Now, Liberty’s Buy, Sell, Trade is part of the vintage movement on SunnySide St. Every month on this street, the vintage market sets up camp on this street, which makes it a great place to grab a cup of coffee at Condron’s Coffee and walk down the street to Liberty’s to thrift shop.

The owner, Liberty, states that she plans on bringing music in the store and is a big supporter of kids that are into fashion. Liberty is a 2008 graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and uses her fashion expertise to bring in clothes and jackets that are trending. The store is more of a vintage store than a thrift shop and accepts all forms of payment, so stop by this Chicanaowned store to support small businesses and women entrepreneurs.

Circling back to our large thrift stores, Goodwill is a good pick for lots of options.

It’s located near Magnolia Center and is another great spot to hit if you are doing a vintage store crawl since the shopping center has at least three thrift stores in its vicinity.

The large room that makes up this shop is filled with shopping carts and many racks of

clothing. If you are looking for jackets and pants, take a look at their men’s sections for great finds. You never know what vintage leather jacket for $9.99 you’ll find! Look for special days to come in, like Thursdays, where certain tags are $1.99.

Last but not least, take a peek at the Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store. This is a medium-sized store that sells items like dog collars, leashes, pet bowls and pet clothes at affordable prices. Basically, anything that is for pet care and accessories can be found here; even dog books by the famous Susan Conant, who is known for her Dog Lover’s Mysteries Series, can be found next to the doggy bows. But don’t be frightened by the dog paraphernalia, as the store is also packed with amazing finds like goodcondition bikes, Grey’s Anatomy DVDs and numerous CDs. The store also carries classic Disney movies on VCR and DVD. The store labels their prices through color, and I was able to find a beautiful wooden jewelry holder for only $5.99! The friendly staff and wide range of purses and glassware make it a great place to stop by on a thrifting date and then cross the street for some tacos.

Make sure to check out these thrift stores H on your next visit. Happy Thrifting!■

COURTESY OF PEXELS

11 TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2023

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How to: Winter Dress Code Edition There is no right way to dress for winter.

GILLIAN ONG Contributing Writer

The fundamental phrase of a winter dress code implies that there is a standard of style that we have to abide by, but that is simply not true. There are no rules to fashion, let alone a dress code. With the winter chill creeping in, here are some tips for not sacrificing warmth and style this winter.

If skirts and dresses are an essential staple of your closet, to stay warmer, wearing fleece-lined tights can be a huge game-changer. This way, you can stay warm during the frigid weather while still sporting a sleek dress or short skirt.

Maxi skirts and maxi dresses are another way to stay warm, especially with tights or thigh-high socks worn underneath to maximize warmth. Paired with a cream cardigan and a pretty bow, you’ll stay warm while still being stylish.

Another way to ensure warmth without sacrificing your style this cold winter is to layer. Layering does not necessarily mean having to bulk up. One way to layer a dress or a skirt with the already added warmth from the fleece-lined tights is to pair your dress/skirt with a thick knit sweater, a scarf and, to complete the outfit, a leather jacket or trench coat. Additionally, leggings under jeans — especially flare or mom jeans — are a sneaky way to add an extra layer without adding bulk. For men who also want to layer with more options and less bulk, insulated compression shirts are key. These are skin-tight and thin, while still offering all the benefits of a thermal.

Accessories are often underutilized, especially during the winter. Your head is where you lose the most heat, and winter is the perfect time to experiment with hats: not only to

keep your head warm, but also to elevate your outfit to the next level. Rather than opting for a baseball hat, which will do little to insulate your head, beanies are best for the wintertime as they are not only cute but warm too. Balaclavas are also a super cute way to keep your head insulated. There are many different varieties of balaclavas, and the ones with

wintertime, gloves are often overlooked. Especially with the prevalence of e-scooter riders on campus, cold hands can be combated with a warm set of gloves.

Lastly, ear muffs have been forgotten in the past years, but recently have risen in popularity. Ear muffs have many different styles, some even adorned with Sanrio characters.

These will protect your ears from the frigid cold while adding an extra element to make your outfit pop.

Ultimately, fashion is about wearing whatmakes you feel good and what you like. While certain trends come and go, there shouldn’t be any pressure to follow them. The most important thing this winter is to stay warm and wear what H makes you feel the best. ■

thinner fabric also allow for layering.

Despite cold hands being a common problem during the

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ visualizes the life of a mystical musician H

Bob Marley’s Legendary Story Finally Graces the Silver Screen.

MAXEN OLVERA Contributing Writer

Bob Marley was a revolutionary reggae musician that stood as a symbol of hope. Marley faced multiple obstacles during his life. He used his trials and tribulations as an inspiration for his music. His songs transcended borders as they brought reggae music to mainstream media. At some point, everybody around the world could name at least one Bob Marley song. This was because people connected with his music as each song held lessons in morality. The film “Bob Marley: One Love” strived to show Marley’s experiences with his message of peace.

“Bob Marley: One Love” focuses on Marley’s life during the turbulent times of 1976 to 1978. The opening depicts an infamous 1976 assassination attempt on Marley. Eight armed assailants broke into Marley’s residence while he was practicing guitar and shot him in the arm and chest. While his wife, Rita Marley, had a bullet inches away from her brain. Rita’s dreadlocks were strong enough to slow the bullet’s impact. The violent assassination attempt was a response to Marley’s peace concert, Smile Jamaica. The concert was designed to curb gang violence in Jamaica. Marley’s peaceful intentions spawned a target on his chest.

Two days after the shooting, Bob and Rita Marley went on to perform at the Smile Jamaica concert. Bob would end the concert by showing the crowd his scars from the gunshot wounds. Marley’s brave action enraged rival gangs in Jamaica. The bulk of the film takes place after the concert when the reggae singer relocated to London for safety. He immediately found a studio to start playing music with his band, The Wailers. Constant studio time led to the creation of his album, “Exodus.” The album then became one of the greatest of all time thanks to hits such as “Three Little Birds” and “Jamming.” “Bob Marley: One Love” shows the audience the importance of “Exodus” in Marley’s life and career.

The film is made by the stellar performances of the two leads, Bob and Rita Marley. Kingsley Ben-Adhir and Lashana Lynch play the two influential reggae musicians, respectively. Ben-Adhir had no idea how to play guitar or

speak Jamaican before he took on the role of Marley; phrases Marley liked to use were confusing for Ben-Adhir due to his British accent. The actor had to study Marley for over two years just to get his dialect down. According to Marley’s son Ziggy, his performance captures Marley’s humanity.

Ben-Adhir’s co-lead is just as spectacular as Lynch’s expertly played Rita Marley. Lynch is Jamaican herself and wanted to give Rita the justice she deserved. She plays Rita with an undeniable sincerity that was given praise by the real-life Rita. The performances of both actors made “Bob Marley: One Love” an enjoyable experience.

Costume design is an integral part of every film, especially for biopics, because of the pressure to recreate ensembles worn by the particular lead. Each clothing piece in the film was designed by Anna Biedrzycka-Shepppard. Marley had a vapid style when it came to his live performances. For his famous One Love Peace Concert, Marley donned a long sleeve cover up in his nation’s colors of red, yellow and green. Marley was ahead of his time when it came to fashion and music, intending to embody a symbol of unity at a time when Jamaica was entrenched in a civil war. Marley wanted to repair the dismembered nation with the power of his music.

Marley’s songs have connected with countless people over the years. His songs made a huge impact because they held a deeper message embedded in peace and love. The biopic surrounding Marley’s life is no different. “One Love” wants audiences to walk away with the determination to spread peace throughout their community.H

DISTRIBUTED BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Verdict:

“Bob Marley: One Love”

will go down as one of the most inspirational biopics with its ideology of peace and love. ■ H

12 TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

RADAR

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The 2024 Writer’s Week Festival: A celebration of contemporary literature The longest-running free literary event in California features the greatest authors this year.

BRENDAN VO AND BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor and Editor-in-Chief

COURTESY OF UCR

Tuesday Session 3

Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 3:30 p.m., began with Rilla Askew, author of five novels and recipient of various awards, including the Oklahoma Book Award, Western Heritage Award, Violet Crown Award and more. She read from her most recent October 2022 novel, “Prize for the Fire,” a historical piece detailing a young woman’s life under the rule of Henry the Eighth, who was burned at the stake for being a heretic. Askew writes about Anne Askew’s life as a 15-year-old forced into an abusive, fixed marriage that she is unable to get out of due to the status of her sex.

Author Lou Berney followed, diving into his novel, “Dark Ride.” Published in Sept. 2023, the book explores the life of 21-year-old and pot-smoker, Hardy “Hardly” Reed, who adopts the children of a drug ring lord. Berney narrates Hardy, finding the young kids and reading, “On my way out, I see those two little kids still sitting by themselves on the big bench. It’s kind of weird that they’re sitting all by themselves, right? I look around for a likely parent or guardian … but everyone is wrapped up in their own world.”

The session ended with Robert Roensch, an Oklahoma City writer who read his November 2023 novel, “In the Morning, the City is the Prairie.” Roensch explained that the story is centered around the 2018 teacher protests in Oklahoma City. “And I wanted to write about that time because I found it really inspiring,” said Roensch. The central character, Matt, is a college dropout who witnesses the protest firsthand as his girlfriend, a fifth-grade teacher, is partaking in it. Roensch began his reading with Matt visiting his girlfriend at a protest in Oklahoma’s capital. Matt experiences the unity of the protest as they stand in solidarity with each other. “It’s mesmerizing, biological, less a parade than a waterfall pouring into a lake,” described the setting of the large protest.

Tuesday Session 4

Concurrently, session four was being held and began with Marie Alohalani Brown, Professor of Hawaiian Religion at the University of Hawai’i-Mānoa, known for her books and short stories of Hawaiian gods and humans, inspired by traditional motifs. She read from her book, “Ka Po‘e Mo‘o Akua: Hawaiian Reptilian Water Deities,” exploring Hawaiian aesthetics, history and methodologies for conducting research in Hawaiian-language newspapers. Going into the mythology of the “Mo’o” and how it offers a compelling case study of gendered power in Hawaiian culture.

Megan Kamalei Kakimoto, Japanese and Kanaka Maoli writer from Honolulu, followed after and is known for her published collection, “Every Drop is a Man’s Nightmare,” a USA Today national bestseller in a September Indie Next title that has appeared in the Guardian, Granta, Joyland and elsewhere. She reads the titular book of the aforementioned collection, which portrays the experience of a cast of mixed native Hawaiian and Japanese women, delving into themes of sexuality and feminism: “[Sadie] learns that blood and tissues are peeling from her uterine wall… [and] marks the start of puberty which is a word that boys in her class spit with laughter.”

Member of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe of the Pacific Northwest and a two-time winner of the Samuel Mockbee Award for Nonfiction, Leah Myers ends the session with a reading of a few sections and an excerpt from her book, “​​Thinning Blood: A Memoir of Family, Myth, and Identity.” In these readings, Myers illustrates her life through the symbolism and significance of the totem in Native culture, connecting her ancestral past and history to her family and exploring Native culture through contemporary lens.

Wednesday Session 1

The next day, Wednesday, Feb. 14th, session one first featured Laird Hunt, an author of eight novels which includes a 2021 National Book Award finalist, “Zorrie,” and a teacher in Brown University’s Literary Arts program. He began with a reading of his opening story from his new collection, “Float Up, Sing Down,” which is a story of a single day full of life and a portrayal of a nuanced community. The rituals, gossip, grudges and joys of the every day are highlighted in this work.

Matthew Shenoda, author of several books, winner of the 2015 Arab American book award, editor of “Bearden’s Odyssey: Poets Respond to the Art of Romare Bearden” and the founding editor of the African Poetry Book Fund, professor and chair of the Department of Literary Arts at Brown University followed after Hunt.

Shenoda read some poems from his new book, “The Way of The Earth,” which focuses on the beauty of our lives contending with loss and climate change. In his poem, “Glimpse,” he asserts, “How, then, do we thrive in this, this long-divided place? A constant recollection of our own skin freeing us with the crack of remembrance.”

Eleni Sikelianos, poet, writer and “master of mixing genres’ thirdly follows and presents her works that deal with the urgent concerns of environmental precarity and ancestral lineages. She read her tenth book of poetry, “Your Kingdom,” in the session, which combined poetics with scientific prose that incorporated genealogy, phenotype and syntax. Before that, she starts with a quote from her great-grandmother’s (Eva Plamer Sikelianos) autobiography: “On that day, they will not advance with the deafening din and fifes cunningly contrived to stupify all man’s faculties of reason … Their faith will not be in their bombs and bayonets and bullets … They will advance in a very wind of beauty, singing to their enemies that they cannot kill the men they love.”

Following Eleni, the last writer Mark Vinceness, an author who has published over 30 books and won the 2023 Massachusetts Book Award for translated literature with translations of Klaus Merz’s selected poems, reads a book he has been working on, “No More Animal Poems” which is a “testament witness and awakening of what’s going on with climate change.” These poems were inspired by stories of animals in space (primarily the story of “Ham,” an ape that experienced space travel) and the mythology behind animal figures.

The 47th Writer’s Week Festival, an annual event hosted by the creative writing department, returned to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) this past week, starting on Feb. 10 and ending on Feb. 16. The event incorporates a plethora of writers, from new to distinguished authors that are given the opportunity to share their works to students and staff. The festival is free of charge to all who attend and has both virtual and in-person recorded sessions featuring readings from the authors and discussion panels that ensue.

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RADAR

TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

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Wednesday Session 2

On the same day, at 1:00 p.m., the program welcomed an array of female voices to the stage. The session was offered both virtually and in person, with an American sign language (ASL) interpreter assisting onstage. The host, Allison Moon, a secondyear MFA candidate in creative writing for the performing arts, described the session as “The cinematic potential of poetry.”

Moon introduced the poets, starting with Elena Karina Byrne, recipient of various accolades including the 2016-2018 Kate and Kingsley Tufts Poetry Awards and “a freelance editor, professor, programming consultant and poetry stage manager for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.”

Byrne’s reading began with her first poem in her collection of poems, “If This Makes You Nervous.” She noted, “[It is] based on an artist Rachel Whiteread who casts negative space underneath tables, under chairs.” Byrne highlighted how Whiteread’s work made her want to connect it to a childhood experience about grief, “a negative space,” described Byrne. The poem titled, “Rachel Whiteread: It’s So,” consisted of lines spaced out from each other, creating space in between the lines where grief and pain are explored throughout. Byrne described herself as a “densely lyric poet” and aims to write simpler narratives about reallife experiences, most notably in her most recent poem, “All The Bullies on the Playground.”

Moon then introduced Marsha de la O, winner of the Isabella Gardner Prize for her poetry book, “Antidote for Night,” and has published two recent poems in The New Yorker. De la O described her five poems from her poetry book, “Creature: Poems,” representing “the sentients of the non-human world and the human world and the connections between them. Like what might happen if our skin wasn’t on so tight.” De la O recalled how she wrote these poems during the last five years of her father’s life, and his presence remains heavy throughout her poetic writing. De la O’s narration was heavy with emotion as her writing drew upon images of death, sensations and reflections of her daughter’s childhood memories.

Poet Melissa Studdard, unfortunately, was unable to attend the session, but a small tribute was paid to her by Byrne. Studdard has earned awards such as the “Penn Review Poetry Prize, Poetry Society of America’s Lucille Medwick Award and the Tom Howard Award,” as announced by Moon. Byrne read her poems, “Modus Operandi” and “Planted My Shame in the Backyard.”

The final reading of the session was by Lisa Teasley, author of the award-winning short story collection, “Glow in the Dark;” Teasley is also a visual artist who has released various exhibitions of her work. She stated, “The common thread throughout [these stories is] the characters, who are very diverse in culture, race, gender [and] sexuality. They’re all at significant moments in their lives.” Teasly noted that the story she chose for her reading follows a couple walking through the woods and focuses on the woman’s part of the “wreckage of the relationship.” It is a deep look into a couple’s connection and the eventual ruin of it within the heart and soul.

2024 Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB) and UCR Department of Creative Writing 9th Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards Ceremony On Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7:00 p.m., the LARB 9th Annual Lifetime Achievement Awards Ceremony was held, celebrating writers Dave Eggers, Rigoberto Gonzalez and Quincy Troupe. Dave Eggers is the founder of “McSweeney’s,” an independent publishing company based in San Francisco that produces books and co-founder of the literacy project “826 Valencia.” Rigoberto González is the author of 18 books, and his honors include the American Book Award, the PEN/Voelcker Award in Poetry, the Poetry Center Book Award, the Shelley Memorial Award of the Poetry Society of America and a University and College Poetry Prize from the Academy of American Poets. Quincy Troupe is an award-winning author of 21 books, with some of his many achievements being the Paterson Award for Sustained Literary Achievement, the Milt Kessler Poetry Award and three American Book Awards.

Alison Hedgecoke opened the session with the UCR Land Acknowledgement and expressed gratitude to multiple UCR departments, programs and organizations for supporting the event. Afterward, in a sequence of recorded videos, renowned literary community members Tyler Meier, Juan Felipe Herrera, Ishmael Reed and Cornelius Eady all congratulated the awardees.

Hedgecoke then took over with Tom Lutz and expressed the celebratory aspect of the 9th year of partnership between the Los Angeles Review of Books Creative Department of Writing, where they jointly honor distinguished writers for their lifetime achievements. She would also announce that Dave Egger’s appearance would be postponed to spring due to COVID-19.

Hedgecoke and Lutz would share remarks about the awardees and comments about literature. A discussion panel ensued with Gonzalez and Troupe, along with them reading their works. Gonzalez shared a poem about his abuelita and disability, and Troupe recited, “My poem has holes sewn into them.” The awardees and audience were thanked, ending the UCR 47th Writer’s Week Festival. ■ H

DAVE EGGERS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

TOM LUTZ COURTESY OF UCR

ALISON HEDGECOKE COURTESY OF BLACK EARTH INSTITUTE

QUINCY TROUPE COURTESY OF CHESTER HIGGINS JR

RIGOBERTO GONZALEZ COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

14 TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2023

RADAR

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The Charities grace the Penrose Record Room stage A free show, in-store signing, and soulful sounds on a Saturday.

BOBBI MONAE MANDOUR Contributing Writer

As the leaders of creating a more eclectic, happening music scene in Downtown Riverside, the Penrose Record Room, hosted a live, in-store performance with the funk & soul band, The Charities on Saturday, Feb. 10. The band originally hails from Hermosa Beach, California, with its members currently being dispersed throughout various groovy coastal cities. It was an afternoon of firsts for many: the first time for The Charities to play a show in Riverside, the first time for some showgoers visiting the Record Room and the first celebration for The Charities’ release of their debut 7-inch record on Nu-Tone Records with “Bring Your Love” on the A-side and “Angel Eyes” on the B-side.

The Charities played on the shop’s red-curtained corner stage, tucked into the room just enough to provoke the curious wanderers outside the basement entrance to be allured by the music and come on in. The six musicians hit the stage at 4 p.m., starting their set with stripped-down renditions of some earlier singles from their “Alma” EP. Two microphones, five singers, and minimal drums throughout the set highlighted the group’s talent, which made the performance feel like an episode of 1990s’ “MTV Unplugged.” By the time they started playing the new singles, the shop was at maximum capacity, with fans, new and old, grooving and swaying to Brock Van Pelt’s sweet vocals, and the whole band’s charming vocal harmonies. Flexing their musical range, they also performed covers of Brenton Wood’s “I Think You’ve Got Your Fools Mixed Up” and The Beatles’ “Baby’s In Black.”

The set concluded with praise, applause and a whole lot of love. The band invited the crowd to stick around to chat, laugh and get their 45s signed (for the unfamiliar, this is the colloquial term for a 7-inch record with two singles on either side). Originally, The Charities were nearly sold out of their inventory of “Bring Your Love/Angel Eyes'' vinyl while on their recent So-Cal tour run with Penrose artists, The

Altons and The Sinseers, but the shop owners were able to secure a limited quantity of colored first-pressing copies for the Record Room performance. The line to buy a copy and get a chance to thank the band snaked through the shop, and the energy overflowed into the streets above Riverside’s brightest gem.

The Charities are part of the familial, rapidly growing scene around Penrose Records, and though they aren’t signed to the label, their shared affinity for Oldies-inspired compositions puts them in the same playlists and rotations as big names like Thee Sacred Souls. Their Spotify lists over 28 thousand monthly listeners. In their artist biography, they illustrate the mechanics of “Bring Your Love,” which is “about finally getting the courage to share how you truly feel for a lover…it’s a melancholy minor tone with an upbeat tempo to reflect that nervous, anxious feeling when you’re about to be vulnerable.”

After the show, the band’s bassist, Derek Doszkocs, shared his love and appreciation for the special space the Penrose Record Room has carved for Riverside’s souldies music and vinyl-collecting scene. “The stripped-down store performance was a long time in the making, and it really was a full-circle thing for us, getting to produce our single in the Penrose studio upstairs with Anthony Masino and then celebrating its physical release in-store downstairs – that’s the beauty of a spot like Penrose.” Derek reminisced on the moments that stood out that day, like the fact that many people just stumbled in to browse records like any other day and were stoked to hear and meet the band and have a whole insulated experience of organically seeing an artist and supporting their craft like the days of yore before digital streaming was the norm.

The band’s next gigs will be in Solana Beach on Mar. 15 and 16 at Belly Up. To get in the know about future performances at Penrose Record Room, following their Instagram

page (@penroserecordroom) is your next best bet besides becoming a regular at the shop (which you should do anyH way). ■

COURTESY OF PEXELS

UCR Chambers Singers presents a compilation of talent UCR Chambers singers host their annual Valentine’s Day concert.

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

On Monday, Feb. 12, the University of California Riverside (UCR) Department of Music presented its annual Chamber Singers Valentines concert. Conducted by Ruth Charloff and accompanied by pianist Jonathan Keplinger, the remarkable solo performances, alongside the breathtaking choir performances, wowed the audience with every note.

On theme with the concert, members of the choir dressed mostly in black with hints of red to commemorate the Valentine’s Day holiday.

The show opened with an enchanting all-choir performance of “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” from the musical “Guys and Dolls;” this performance set the tone for the first

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATA ELANGOVAN/THE HIGHLANDER

half of the concert, which circulated around musical theater performances. As each note progressed, different sections of the choir were able to showcase their extraordinary talent.

Tenor Pierre Godison opened the solo performance with “Some Girls” from “Once Upon This Island,” a comingof-age musical telling a story of love, grief, hope and faith.

Godison was a wonderful way to kick off the solo performance; their powerful voice captivated onlookers into the performance.

Tiffany Chen followed Godison with her rendition of “I’m a Part of That” from the musical “The Last Five Years,” the story of two twenty-somethings falling in and out of love with each other. Although her voice was a little raspy at times, Chen captivated the audience with every note she sang. As she belted lines such as “and then he smiles, his eyes light up, and how can I complain,” the audience could feel the emotion behind her voice.

Also performing a piece from the musical “The Last Five Years,” Zayda Pilcher put on a dramatic and expressive performance of “See I’m Smiling.” Not only was her voice demonstrative of the anger that the song commanded, but her utilization of hand gestures and facial expressions captivated the true meaning of the piece. Pilcher’s voice changed depending on the mood of the lyrics, and near the end of the performance, she even started crying to depict the deep sadness that the piece commanded. Her conveyance of deep emotions all throughout the performance had the audience at the edge of their seats with every note she sang.

Sohini Chatterjee followed Pilcher with her rendition of “Think of Me,” from “Phantom of the Opera.” Her breathtaking opera voice truly did the song justice as she beautifully flowed between the highest of high notes to the more chest voice parts. Near the end of the piece, Chatterjee sang in acapella, and although her diction could use some work, the Snow White quality of her voice left the audience speechless.

Soprano, Janeia Aguayo, wowed the crowd with her beautiful rendition of “My Man’s Gone Now” from the musical “Porgy and Bess.” Similar to Chatterjee, Aguayo had a breathtaking Snow White quality to her singing. As she smoothly slid up and down the octaves, her voice truthfully conveyed the sadness of the piece with every note. Alden

Duquette followed Aguayo with “Being Alive” from the musical “Company;” this song told the story of the forever single member of a friend group’s deep yearning for love. Duquette’s emotive facial expression, along with the theatrical quality of their voice, conveyed the loneliness and longing of the piece.

Although he struggled a little on the higher notes, the audience could truly appreciate the way his voice glided smoothly on the deeper notes that were more suited to Duquette’s vocal range.

After Duquette’s performance, the Chambers Singers reassembled for their second group song, performing “Send in the Clowns” from the musical “A Little Night Music.”

The combination of all the performer’s voices provided a dreamscape-like performance that could lull the audience into a deep sleep. Although, overall, the choir could work on their diction, the beautiful flow between each note provided a relaxing performance that anyone would be satisfied with. H Continued online.

Sports

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

15

Marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and coach Gervais Hakizimana killed in car crash KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

The Kenyan’s death marks a tragic end to a short yet incredible career ended too soon.

Kelvin Kiptum and his Gervais Hakizimana were killed in a car crash last Sunday as millions were watching the Super Bowl around the world. Members of the global athletics and the marathon running community have paid tribute and mourned the loss of an exceptional athlete in the infancy of his prime. Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, described the loss of Kiptum as “an extraordinary athlete with an extraordinary legacy, whose presence will be profoundly missed … On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.”

The Kenyan, who was only 24 years old at the time of his death, was one of the marathon’s rising stars, after bursting onto the scene in 2022 at the Valencia Marathon with a time of 2:01:53. This made him only the third man ever to break the sub 2:02:00 mark and was done using a negative split strategy. What was more incredible however was that with this performance, Kiptum had set the fourth fastest time of all time in his first marathon race ever.

Kiptum’s next race marked his World Marathon Major debut at the London Marathon in April of last year. There he broke his personal best with a time of 2:01:25 in rainy conditions beating the second place runner by almost three minutes, another decisive victory. This marked the second fastest time in history in only his second marathon ever, all at only 23 years of age.

Kiptum’s third and final marathon before his untimely death was the Chicago Marathon in October of 2023. In this race while still only 23 years old, Kiptum smashed the World record time set by Marathon Legend Eliud Kipchoge by 34 seconds with a time of 2:00:35. It was the first time in history that an official non-assisted marathon had been run under 2:01:00.

In his short time as a marathoner, Kiptum set three of the top seven ever times in marathon history, including the record. What was incredible about Kiptum was how he was able to burst onto the scene in a sport where older athletes are generally dominant.

The former world record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, was 37 when he set the time of 2:01:09 at the Berlin Marathon. This is another reason why Kiptum’s death is incredibly tragic, there was no manner of things he could not have accomplished in the sport had he lived.

Kiptum’s compatriots have mourned his loss with many offering their condolences to his family and friends. Another who mourned his loss was former World Record holder, Kipchoge who wrote on X, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Marathon World record holder and rising star Kelvin Kiptum. An athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness. I offer my deepest condolences to his young family. May God comfort you during this trying time.”

It was clear to many why Kiptum was so beloved; his humility and philanthropy were among what garnered him support. He had used some of the money he earned to send 20 local girls to secondary schools in his native Kenya. He had also planned to build a house for his family shortly before his death, a plan which was undertaken by the Kenyan government as President William Ruto promised to finish the home for Kiptum’s family.

Kiptum was sure to have had a career of dominance and records had he lived. He could have very well been the first person ever to break the sub two hour marathon mark unassisted. Regardless of what his tragic death leaves to the imagination it is important to remember and tribute an incredible athlete and human being who was taken from the H world way too soon. ■

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

SPORTS

16 TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2024

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Highlanders start fast and finish strong in 81-73 win against Cal State Fullerton ISAAC SOLNICK Staff Writer

UC Riverside win their first game on the road of the season against the Titans.

Going into this game, the Highlanders strung together an impressive two-game winning streak at home. The quick homestand featured an ESPN Top 10 worthy buzzer beater from graduate forward Kyle Owens against Cal State Bakersfield and a doubledigit victory against top-seed UC Irvine. The back-to-back wins have lifted UC Riverside to a 5-8 conference record. While the Highlanders have enjoyed success at home this season, the same can’t be said on the road.

UCR’s ugly 0-12 away record has dragged them down into the bottom half of the Big West standings. With the Cal State Fullerton Titans on deck, getting a road win was twice as important. For whatever reason, the 2022 Big West Champions haven’t replicated the same success from past seasons. With the Titans sitting at 4-8 in the Big West, this game could have major implications as to which teams secure the last few spots in the Big West tournament.

UCR head coach Mike Magpayo looked to space the floor from the get-go. Unafraid to go small, Magpayo started guards Isaiah Moses, Barrington Hargress, and Nate Pickens. Magpayo’s decision was validated from the beginning. Moses and Pickens got the Highlanders off to a quick start with a pair of 3-pointers.

While both sophomore guards attacked from the outside, redshirt freshman Barrington Hargress looked to get inside to score. With the Titans worried about the 3-ball, they were eager to bite on pump fakes. Hargress and Moses especially used this to their advantage.

Despite starting a trio of guards, the Highlanders weren’t overmatched on the boards.

Forwards Kyle Owens and redshirt freshman Kaleb Smith showed they were up for the task. Smith was particularly a force on the offensive glass. Smith’s hustle helped create extra chances for his teammates and himself.

It was safe to say everything was clicking for the Highlanders early on. After Pickens knocked down a corner triple, the visitors found themselves up 18-4. However, the Titans would snatch the momentum in an instant. They subbed in Grayson Carper, and the junior guard would make an instant impact. He drilled back-to-back 3-pointers and forced Magpayo to use a timeout.

Coming out of the break, the Highlanders continued to shoot from behind the arc.

Magpayo made a series of substitutions, but the strategy remained the same. Off the

bench, juniors Luke Turner and Ben Gristchi joined the fun with 3-pointers of their own.

Nevertheless, the Titans refused to be put away.

It appeared the Highlanders were in control until Smith was denied at the rim by senior Vincent Lee. Lee’s block gave the Titans the jolt of energy to claw back into the game. A corner 3-pointer from freshman Antwan Robinson cut the lead to just two.

Riding the wave of momentum, the Titans got over-aggressive on defense. They tried to double-team Moses, but he found Pickens for a wide-open dunk. Then with just 0.6 seconds left in the half, Lee fouled Gristchi on a 3-point attempt. The Australian sank all three free throws to put UCR up 40-33 going into halftime.

Just like the first half, the Highlanders jumped out of the gates in the second half. A pair of three-pointers from Smith and Hargress restored a double-digit lead for UCR. The Highlanders remained in the driver’s seat until after a Smith putback; he was rewarded with a technical foul for some choice words.

UCR’s grip on the game loosened, and the Titans looked to take advantage. Senior guard Tory San Antonio swished a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 1. A couple of possessions later, a pair of free throws from junior Max Jones gave the Titans their first lead of the game. Then, San Antonio and Jones combined for a corner 3. With his team falling behind, Moses drilled a deep 3-pointer to put the Highlanders back in front.

With the game entering clutch time, San Antonio proved he likes big moments. The Moreno Valley native had been using his long wingspan to disrupt the Highlanders all game, but he really stood out late in the second half. After a block on Hargress’s layup attempt, San Antonio swiped the ball on the next two possessions. The reigning Big West defensive player of the year gave his team every opportunity to win this ball game.

However, the Titans squandered their extra offensive chances. After a Hargress bucket put the Highlanders ahead, CSUF was forced to intentionally foul. Hargress and Pickens each knocked down free throws as UCR finally pulled away from the Titans.

The Highlanders earned their first road win of the season in a back-and-forth 81-73 win against CSUF. Just two days later, UCR won their second away game and improved their winning streak to four games. After downing the Aggies 67-61, the Highlanders will head home and host UC San Diego on Feb. 22. ■ H

Puppy Bowl 2024 NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

The 20th annual edition brought both joy and excitement.

The 20th annual edition of the Puppy Bowl, which aired on Feb. 11, was broadcast on Animal Planet as an alternative to the Super Bowl. The Puppy Bowl features adorable puppies from animal shelters playing on a small football field and aims to raise awareness about pet adoption and promote the importance of animal welfare. The event includes playful competition, loads of commentary from the ref, and plenty of adorable puppies for viewers to enjoy.

In Puppy Bowl 2024, Team Ruff and Team Fluff competed fiercely for the Lombarky Trophy. This year marked a milestone as the largest Puppy Bowl yet, boasting 131 adorable puppies from 73 shelters and rescues across 36 states and territories. Among the competitors were Sweetpea, the tiniest pup weighing just 1.7 pounds, and Levi the Great Dane, the largest at 70 pounds. The furry athletes scored touchdowns by dragging chew toys into the end zone. (In this competition, when dogs carry a toy across any goal line on the field-line-painted carpet, they score touchdowns.)

Dogs from diverse backgrounds showcased their skills, navigating penalties that are often hard to anticipate as the referee usually makes them up on

the spot. Awards were presented for the Most Valuable Puppy and, new to this year, the Underdog Award celebrated the quieter contenders. Moosh, hailing from Troy, VA, and representing Team Ruff, emerged as the official MVP for his outstanding performance on the field.

And as always, there was a halftime show featuring cats to draw in other audiences.

Since its beginning in 2005, the Puppy Bowl has emphasized pet adoption, urging viewers to choose shelters or rescues over breeders. While most puppies find homes by airtime, the event underscores the availability of similar animals in shelters year-round.

In the end, Team Ruff emerged victorious over Team Fluff after a threehour thrilling matchup, with a final score of 72-69. In a dramatic finish, Cookie, a charming Siberian Husky and Pitbull Terrier mix, secured the winning touchdown for Team Ruff in the closing seconds of the game. Tragically, Sweetpea, a beloved 1.7-pound Cavapoo, passed away shortly after the game due to a congenital kidney defect, so the game was dedicated to her short five-month-long life.

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

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COURTESY OF KEN LANE VIA FLICKR