March 7, 2018

Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2018

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CHAMPS

SG presidential results postponed

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AAC editor picks

News

Holika celebration helps UC students feel at home GABRIELLA MULISANO | CONTRIBUTOR

smeared the paint on the cheeks of other attendees, wishing them a happy Holi.

“The start of everything — where it goes from zero and then everyone is celebrating together [most excites me],” Lierman said.

Divyang Soni, a first-year UC grad student of Indian heritage studying structural engineering, enjoyed his first Holi at school.

“Looking at the way we celebrated today, it really felt like India,” he said.

“The music was good and the energetic Bhangra performance at [the] start was quite fun. I celebrated it with my classmates, fellow IPALS, students, some friends and a lot of people I did not know, but that’s the fun part. I also loved dancing at the end to some great Bollywood music.”

Those who gathered to celebrate all left touched by the colors, and by the community of the festival.

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

March 3 marked the annual celebration of the Hindu festival Holi. Short for Holika, the festival is a celebration of the beginning of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

There are many Indian legends credited to the creation of Holi.

Traditionally, Holi is said to have emerged from the story of Prince Prahlad, the son of demon king Hirnakashyap.

According to Hindu legend, the king declared that no one could pray to the Lord Vishnu. However, when his son became a follower of Vishnu, the king decided to kill him.

Luckily for the prince, the king’s sister Holika betrayed her brother and used her blessing of a protective shawl to save Prahlad.

The South Asian American Student Association at the University of Cincinnati

sponsored the Holi celebration at Sigma Sigma Commons on Saturday. The event was open to everyone, and students from all ethnicities were present.

The festival began with music and a group dance.

Samosas — a traditional Indian finger food — were passed out to attendees.

First-year industrial design student Maddy Lierman attended the festival in order to appreciate the cultural experience.

“This is my first one,” Lierman said, reflecting on a documentary of India she once saw which featured a shot of the festival. “It looked so beautiful.”

The beginning of the festival was filled with energy as the crowd dashed to grab the small plastic bags of colored powders.

The explosion of color and laughter began with a burst of rainbow clouds and shouts of glee. Participants

FOR RELEASE MARCH 4, 2018

THE TV CROSSWORD

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

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ACROSS Actress Reese “Fresh __ the Boat” “Never Say Never __”; 007 film Company that produced Pong and Pac-Man G-__; like movies for children Actor __ Kutcher 180 degrees from WSW __ Vogel of “The Brave” Procrastinator’s word “__ the Explorer” Sherman Hemsley sitcom Role on “The Goldbergs” Sheen or Short “Seven __ for Seven Brothers” Mayberry kid __ Patrick Harris Ryan and Tilly Moore or Patinkin “In the __ of the Night” Premium cable channel, for short “No Country __ Men”; movie for Tommy Lee Jones Boring Carey and Barrymore Solution to Last Week’s Puzzle

GABRIELLA MULISANO | CONTRIBUTOR

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SAASA hosts Holi festival Sat. March 3, 2018 on Sigma Sigma Commons.

(c) 2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

45 Fragrance 46 Charles or Romano 47 Septic tank alternative DOWN 1 “Where Eagles __”; film for Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton 2 Actor Richard __ 3 “The __ with James Corden” 4 “__ to Me”; Tim Roth crime drama series 5 “Sanford __ Son” 6 Cereal grain 7 To and __ 8 Ice-T’s role on “Law & Order: SVU” 10 “__ This Old House” 11 Longest-running program on Comedy Central 13 “Up in the __”; George Clooney movie 15 “__ Behaving Badly” 17 “What Kind of Fool __?”

18 Number of seasons for “JAG” 20 “The __ Couple” 21 Charlotte __ of “Diff’rent Strokes” 22 Mornings, for short 25 Series for Mimi Kennedy 26 “Tarzan the __ Man” 27 Big __; eighteen-wheeler 28 Jerry Stiller’s son 29 Get __ of; shed 31 Natalie Cole’s dad 33 “__ About You” 35 Golfer Ernie 37 Brit __; TV journalist and political commentator 38 Sharif or Epps 39 ...__, HST, DDE, JFK, LBJ...

40 “Are you a man __ mouse?”

41 Alejandro __ of “The Flying Nun” 42 “London __ Fallen”; film for Morgan Freeman 43 Unrefined mineral

News

Nutrients in food and drink make vitamins a money sink ZACHARY PERRIN | NEWS EDITOR ELIZABETH DAVIS | CONTRIBUTOR

KRT NEWS2USE STORY SLUGGED

Findings in a recent study out of the Cooper Institute in Dallas offer promise that a multivitamin may be a low-cost, safe option for reducing C-reactive protein, or CRP. CRP has emerged as an important predictor of future heart disease and has been identified as a major participant in the inflammatory process that causes plaque to stick to blood vessel walls.

More than 170 million U.S. adults take dietary supplements, according to an annual survey from 2016 conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs.

The 2016 Counsil for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements found that the five most popular supplements include the multivitamin, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin B. Millions of American adults and children spend almost $12 billion every year on supplemental vitamins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are a $14.3 billion-dollar industry in the U.S. Dietary supplements typically carry a certain level of nutrients which can be found in food, but often provide other benefits as well. However, consumers should be weary of overspending on supplements they may not need.

“Sometimes, people take a B complex multivitamin [which has] B vitamins in it which are actually initially in really high amounts,” said Madison Linek, a registered

dietician at the Campus Rec Center and a graduate student studying nutrition.

While some may take supplements for commonalities like iron deficiencies or pregnancy, a significant number of people take supplements simply to improve their health, despite otherwise practicing a healthy lifestyle.

Some vitamins and dietary supplements are advertised as containing over 100 percent of the recommended daily value for certain nutrients.

“Usually if it has more than 100 percent of the daily value, you don’t really want to get those kinds of vitamins,” Linek said. “Most of them are water soluble and they’ll just be excreted through your urine anyway, so it’s kind of a waste of money.”

It could also be a waste of money for some to buy supplements if they already have a balanced diet and practice healthy living. Fruits, vegetables and milk products generally contain a rich variety of nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium.

Additionally, most fruits contain healthy amounts of potassium and fiber, which helps maintain blood sugar levels and

reduces risk of hypertension.

Nuts and seeds are good sources of magnesium and iron, Linek said, and whole grains have healthy amounts iron and B vitamins.

“Eating an overall healthy, balanced diet [is important],” she said. “[Make] sure you do get those fruits and vegetables in, because that’ll have like vitamin C and … antioxidants that also help with helping your immune system function.”

At least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day should negate the need for a multivitamin in most healthy individuals.

Five percent of grocery sales come from supplements in the form of pills, capsules and powders. The profit margins for such products is roughly 10 times higher than margins for food, according to health news website Healthline.

While many supplements do provide positive nutrients to individuals that increase health quality, it should be cautioned that supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet. It would be foolish to assume that eating junk food all the time is okay, as long as you have your supplements.

UC African Student Association cultural show features African diversity DARIUS DUDLEY | STAFF REPORTER

room,” he said. “So many people came from other colleges and across the state.”

Another first-time attendee, second-year software development student Blake Schemine, said the wide variety of ethnic foods made the event a memorable experience.

“I was blown away by how meaningful everything and everyone was towards one another,” he said. “One of my favorite things about the show was the food items, which were a specialty dish from each nation in Africa.”

The event also addressed societal issues plaguing American culture. Speakers Ellen Turay and Bukay Arowsegbe delivered talks in the form of poetry and spoken word, touching upon topics concerning societal standards and conceptions of minority women in America.

“I found the event to be very inspiring,” said first-

year nursing student Sahian Torres, another first-time attendee. “Everyone was so proud just to be there, and I greatly appreciated the speech that was given by

[Turay], which was full of many truths — especially when she talked of colored women internalizing societal stereotypes.”

ABBY DREY | CENTRE DAILY TIMES | TNS

The African Student Association performs during the festivities before the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. The line dance, performed each hour through the 46hour event, showcases Penn State and pop culture from the last year.

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all the different dances from different countries, but my favorite performance was from the East African Dance Crew, because of how it represented many different dances from many different ethnicities in the area.”

For Nimubona, 2018 marked his third year attending the event.

“I enjoyed everything about the show,” said Kennedy Metcalf, a thirdyear electronic media student and previously a performer in the show. “I went with some different people this year, but it was nice, especially since I got to spectate instead of worrying about performing.”

For first-time attendees, the experience was particularly unique. Firstyear exploratory student Joseph Mak highlighted the energetic atmosphere of the event.

“I liked how much pride and energy was in the

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

The notion of Africa as a homogenous culture is prevalent amongst Americans, and many tend to consider Africa as single country rather than a continent home to many cultures and societies. To counter that perception, the UC African Student Association (UCASA) exhibited a cultural show featuring the diversity throughout Africa’s many countries to the UC community.

The show, “Made in Africa,” featured visual art, music, dance numbers, fashion and food from African nations.

The audience displayed high fashion as well, dressing in traditional garbs originating from various African regions.

Spectators’ excitement was amplified by the energetic host, comedian and YouTuber Dami Olatunde, who publishes content

under the pseudonym “AphricanApe.” The show began as Olatunde announced the African countries being represented, each with their own flagbearers walking down the aisle. As each was announced, audience members affiliated with their respective countries erupted in applause.

Various dance numbers followed, including performances from the UCASA Dance Crew, musical performances and a fashion show.

Whether it be the moving voice of Amira Righi or the impressive athleticism of the UCASA Dance Crew, the audience exhibited their palpable excitement for all the artwork displayed.

“More African nations were represented [this year] compared to other years,” said Éloge Nimubona, a third-year chemistry student from Cameroon.

“The best part for me were

News

Attorney representing Richard

Spencer’s lawsuits resigns DAVID WYSONG | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

JEAN PLEITEZ | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

CCM, Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

CCM professor talks about her role in Garner report

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Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

DAVID WYSONG | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

When University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music (CCM) division head Michelle Conda received Title IX training provided by the university, she had no idea how important it would prove just days later.

While looking at enrollment data, Conda noticed the flute department enrollment figures were down.

“We were trying to find ways to keep CCM vital,” Conda said. “I noticed [the flute department’s] numbers were down, and my [graduate] assistant was in my office at the time and he said ‘Well, I think I can tell you why.’ And I said ‘Well, why?’”

What he told her next sparked 14 months of investigations, grievances and mediation involving the upper echelons of the university.

Conda’s graduate assistant was dating a flute student whom allegedly told him that Bradley Garner, a worldrenowned flute professor who had taught at UC since 1992, often behaved inappropriately with female students.

At her Title IX training, Conda learned that she is a mandatory reporter, meaning she must report

all suspicions of sexual misconduct — even hearsay.

So, her graduate assistant got his girlfriend to speak with Conda. She then accompanied Conda and another student to UC’s Title IX office, filing the initial reports regarding Garner’s behavior.

The reports resulted in Garner’s suspension and an investigation resulting in evidence of “unwanted sexual advances and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”The findings also included allegations stating Garner made sexual advances toward high school students and sent sexually explicit text messages to students — claiming he did so unwittingly — among various other allegations.

Garner retired from UC in December 2017 but remained employed at New York University. He is no longer employed with the university after an article published by the Cincinnati Enquirer last month made them aware of the investigation.

Conda praised the Title IX training she received from UC for teaching her the proper protocol in situations like these.

“At the Title IX training, they tell you what needs to be said, what needs to be private, what is none of your business as a faculty

member and what’s the business between the student and the Title IX people,” she said. “The faculty — we’re not counselors, we’re not lawyers — but we have an obligation as mandatory reporters to report these instances.”

Conda applauds the Title IX training she received for pushing her in the right direction.

“If I hadn’t had the training, I know I probably would have just discussed the whole thing and pull into what I call ‘mother mode,’” she said. “Instead, I was able to know what direction I was supposed to go.”

Conda said that she has undergone two more Title IX trainings since her initial training session in 2016.

However, despite teaching at UC for over 24 years, Conda said she had not heard of Title IX until her first training.

“My understanding is that the university has been providing Title IX training for years,” UC spokesman Greg Vehr said. “I’m glad that our faculty and staff have access to such training.”

Bleuzette Marshall, UC’s vice president for equity and inclusion, failed to respond to The News Record’s request for comment.

Kyle Bristow, the lawyer formerly representing Cameron Padgett — a Georgia State University graduate student who has been booking events for white nationalist Richard Spencer — has resigned.

In a letter posted on the Foundation for the Marketplace of Idea’s website Saturday, Bristow wrote, “In recent weeks, journalists have published horrifically disparaging articles about me which contain acerbic, offensive, juvenile, and regrettable statements I mostly made over a decade ago while I was in college and a prominent and staunchly conservative activist, and which juxtaposed these statements with my recent legitimate and meritorious legal advocacy on behalf of people and organizations who espouse political views which happen to be controversial.”

Bristow labeled negative media attention directed at him as unjustifiable.

“The media is not whatsoever justified in vilifying me,” he said. “Just as I have stood up for the free speech rights of people on the right side of the political spectrum, I have likewise — in my capacity as an attorney — stood up for the rights of people on the left side of the political spectrum.”

Spencer took to Twitter, issuing a statement about Bristow’s resignation.

“I understand the pressure he’s under,” Spencer said in a video. “I’ve known Kyle for some time. I’ve known of him for probably more than a decade, and I’ve known him for almost as many years. He’s a good person. I respect him. He’s done a lot of great things for the movement and the broader cause of free speech, and so I support whatever path he is going to take in the future.”

James Kolenich, an attorney from Cincinnati, will be representing Padgett in lawsuits against the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University.

Kolenich was formerly Bristow’s local counsel. His role was to personally appear for Bristow when he was needed in Cincinnati.

Last year, Kolenich represented alleged neo-Nazis and white supremacists charged with crimes after the deadly Charlottesville march, according to an article published last month by the Cincinnati Enquirer.

“Mr. Bristow asked me if I would be willing to [represent Padgett],” Kolenich said. “I spoke to Padgett after that, squared away our own business relationship … I didn’t want to dump Padgett or try to find him another lawyer. It wasn’t my first choice to pick up the representation. I don’t

think I would have gotten involved with this other than his local counsel, but things happen the way they happen, so I’m going to go ahead and finish up the cases for Mr. Padgett.”

Kolenich said he has never met or spoken with Spencer.

Padgett filed a lawsuit against the University of Cincinnati Jan. 8, accusing the school of charging excessive security fees for Spencer’s visit. Spencer was originally slated to speak at the school during spring break, but the event has since been postponed due to the lawsuit.

Padgett also sued OSU for not allowing Spencer to speak on its campus. However, Kolenich told TNR via text message Tuesday that the OSU case is likely to be dismissed.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY KYLEBRISTOW.COM

Attorney Kyle Bristow.

News

SG presidential results postponed, senators announced ERIN CROUCH | MANAGING EDITOR ZACH PERRIN | NEWS EDITOR LIZZY SCHMITT | NEWS EDITOR

The results for Student Body President and Vice President were expected to be announced Friday, March 2. However, in response to an article published by The News Record (TNR) Friday morning, the Kaleb Kinebrew-James Lacey UC Student Government (SG) presidential slate filed a Student Court case against the Sinna HabteselassieUmaize Savani slate.

Though the polls closed at noon, the Election Facilitation Committee (EFC) tweeted Friday evening that the results announcement would be postponed.

“At the request of the Student Court, results for Student Body President and Vice President have been postponed,” the EFC tweeted. “Please direct any questions you have to Catherine (Caylee) Reinhart, Chief Justice of the Undergraduate Student Court. #UCVotes2018” A hearing for the case was scheduled to take Wednesday, March 7 at 8 p.m. in Steger 743, and would have marked the first case Student Court would oversee. Instead, in the evening of March 6, the case was dropped.

The Student Court — the judicial branch of Undergraduate Student Government — retains “jurisdiction over interpretation of the Undergraduate Student Government Constitution and Student Senate legislation, disputes between organizations under the jurisdiction of Student Senate (including the Boards), and any dispute in which both parties consent to the jurisdiction of Student Court,” according to Section 1, Title II of the University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Student Government Constitution.

The scheduled case concerned vice presidential candidate Umaize Savani, who falsely claimed in a town hall Feb. 26 that he volunteered for a tutoring program for Syrian refugees and their children, according to two people involved in the program.

After reading an article published previously by TNR, University Funding Board (UFB) Senator Laith Shehadeh

filed a grievance with the SG Elections Facilitation Committee (EFC) on Feb. 28, reporting that Savani had misrepresented his community involvement.

Upon receiving the grievance, EFC opted to take no further action, saying the evidence provided by Shehadeh “did not seem appropriate for submission.”The EFC referred Shehadeh to the Student Court as an alternative option.

Following the publication of a subsequent article, the Kaleb Kinebrew-James Lacey UC Student Government (SG) presidential slate filed a Student Court case against the Sinna Habteselassie-Umaize Savani slate, causing a delay to the announcement of the results.

All EFC rulings are made in accordance with the 2018 Election Rules and Outline. For opposition to EFC rulings, “a grievance hearing may be appealed in written form to the Undergraduate Student Court within twenty-four (24) hours of said decision, but prior to the announcement of the Election results,” according to the rules and outline.

After four days, the Kaleb Kinebrew-James Lacey campaign released a statement voicing their decision to drop the student court case against the opposing slate.

“Based on current rules of EFC and student court, we decided not to pursue the case,” they said in a written statement.

The election results are still pending. While the EFC has not yet confirmed an exact time for the results announcement, the Kaleb Kinebrew-James Lacey campaign confirmed the results will be announced sometime on March 7.

Meanwhile, SG released the results of the 2018 senatorial elections Friday evening. Each candidate ran on a diverse set of issues, and below are descriptions of the platforms for each winning candidate: Abby Weiler A second-year digital media collaborative student, Weiler plans to create new recycling stations, advocate for survivors of sexual assault and improve the system for notifying students about crimes around campus.

Ty Bealer

Bealer is a second-year chemical engineering student, and his proposals include increasing access to mental health resources, accommodating international and transfer students, speeding up the NightRide service and enhancing transparency between UC staff and students.

Jamie Benson A second-year allied health and sciences student, Benson aims to provide a free textbook rental service at UC, raise awareness for CAPS and the UC Wellness Center and create an outdoor workout path running through campus.

Donald Crump Jr. Crump is a third-year political science student looking to install hand-dryers in bathrooms to improve sustainability, put a sauna in the rec center and bring a Rooster’s restaurant to campus.

Caroline Lembright Lembright is a second-year political science and international affairs student who plans to implement policies for LGBTQ-friendly roommates, improve UC’s relationship with surrounding communities and livestream town halls, among other platform points.

Abbie Smith Smith is a second-year international business and business analytics student whose platform includes increasing recruitment from Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), centralizing and creating new mental health resources and bringing startup culture to UC by partnering with the 1819 Innovation Hub and Union Hall.

Sheffi Tiwari A second-year computer science student, Tiwari seeks to add more charging stations, implement dedicated napping areas and expand shuttle service to cover areas around campus on weekends, among other ideas.

Natalie Trent Trent is a third-year chemistry and operations management student and hopes to create polls on Blackboard for students to propose and vote on SG projects, include access codes to reduce tuition fees and increase seating availability in Langsam Library.

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

PROVIDED

PROVIDED

Sinna Habteselassie and Umaize Savani.

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Kaleb Kinebrew and James Lacey.

Life & Arts

JAY L. CLENDENIN | LOS ANGELES TIMES | TNS

Frances McDormand is in tears after she lost her Best Actress Oscar at the 90th Academy Awards Governors Ball on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood Highland Center in Hollywood, Calif.

The best moments of the 90th annual Oscars Academy Awards

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Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

NOELLE ZIELINSKI | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

The 90th annual Oscars Academy Awards ceremony took place Sunday, and there were several memorable moments throughout the event. From Frances McDormand’s powerful speech to her Oscar being (briefly) stolen, the night was chock-full of events that left audiences and viewers at home speechless.

Before we dive into the madness, let’s talk about the actors, actresses and directors who took home Oscars. “The Shape of Water” took home categories including best picture,

best director, production design and score. Best actor went to Gary Oldman for “Darkest Hour,” and Frances McDormand took home the Oscar for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

The animated film “Coco” also clinched the title for best animated feature and best original song for “Remember Me.” Other films that won Oscars in several categories include “Dunkirk” and “Blade Runner 2049.”

McDormand’s Oscar was briefly stolen during the post-ceremonial Governors Ball. 47-year-old Terry Bryant was photographed leaving the ball with an

Oscar, and the photographer quickly realized he did not recognize Bryant as an award recipient. The Oscar was returned to McDormand, and Bryant was arrested for grand theft.

Before her Oscar was stolen, McDormand gave an acceptance speech that left the audience speechless.

Upon receiving her award, McDormand invited every female nominee — including actresses, directors, cinematographers, designers and others — to stand. She invited sitting members of the audience to look around and recognize the women standing for

their extraordinary work.

This was one of the most empowering moments of the award ceremony.

Another attentiongrabbing moment was Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiani introducing themselves as immigrants before announcing the award for production design. Nyong’o was born in Mexico and raised in Kenya, while Nanjiani is from Pakistan. Nanjiani voiced a statement regarding the “Dreamers” — recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program — calling dreams the foundation of both

Hollywood and the United States. “To all the Dreamers out there, we stand with you,” he said in closing, according to The New York Times.

Despite the many positive statements made during the Oscars, the red carpet seemed slightly tense. Its host on the E! Network’s broadcast, Ryan Seacrest, has had allegations of sexual harassment hanging over his head since November 2017. Many thought that fellow actors — or perhaps Seacrest himself — might address the allegations, but neither of those scenarios happened.

Though Seacrest did talk to Mary J. Blige and Allison Janney, none of the five women nominated for best actress stopped to talk to him.

Dark Horse of the night, Jordan Peele, won an Oscar for best original screenplay for his film “Get Out.” “I stopped writing this movie about 20 times because I thought it was impossible,” Peele told the audience. “I thought no one would ever make this movie, but I kept coming back to it because I knew if someone let me make this movie, that people would hear it and people would see it.”

Life & Arts

Introducing ‘Lizzy’s latest looks’ beauty column ELIZABETH SCHMITT | NEWS EDITOR

Every night, I take my makeup off after a long day of gallivanting around Clifton.

It’s a routine I’ve grown to memorize — removing my makeup with a cleansing wipe, washing my face, dabbing some toner on, applying moisturizer, brushing my teeth and falling into bed.

My beauty routine has been ingrained into my day for so long, I don’t even realize I’m doing it anymore, let alone question why.

But why do I wash, tone and moisturize my

face and sometimes add makeup every day?

Perhaps it is because I’m a 20-year-old woman, or perhaps it stems from the people I know and surround myself with.

But beauty, beauty products and beauty maintenance is an everyday topic of my conversations and makes up a decent portion of the content I see on social media.

Recently, I’ve begun to question why I value beauty and allow it to be such a significant portion of my life. It wasn’t until I watched an episode of the Netflix series “Queer Eye” that I realized why.

“It’s not vanity,” Jonathan Van Hess, who is responsible for the grooming portion of the shows, said about putting effort into appearances. “It’s self-care, and there is a difference.”

It connected with me. For much of my life, beauty was something I obsessed with. It stemmed from my low self-confidence as a child, always comparing myself to the other girls at school and dance studio.

Why couldn’t I be taller? Why couldn’t I have thick curly hair? Why wasn’t I as skinny as all the other girls? I was a ballet dancer and competitive baton twirler — both spheres where physical appearance matters. I was judged not only based on my talent, but also my presentation.

As I grew older, the aesthetic aspect of my passions transformed from a source of insecurity to source of confidence and selfdiscovery. I don’t know for sure when this transition happened, but I think it when I turned 11 and my mom let me apply my own makeup at competitions.

It was a learning curve at first, but I began researching beauty products and dove

into exploring different looks, methods and techniques. Of course, my 11-year-old self did not understand the importance of researching the main ingredients of products — or even how to apply them correctly — but it became a creative opportunity I looked forward to.

As I grew older, I realized that beauty is not about how I looked or what I wore, but the quality of my character, the expression of who I am and, most importantly, an aspect of my overall health. It’s a lesson I’ve come to value now more than ever.

That is what I strive to write about in this column — how beauty is quality that everyone has. It’s an umbrella term that extends to not only the beauty industry, but to art, culture, history and even student life at the University of Cincinnati.

Individuality and variety of beauty should be celebrated. I will feature UC students and their expression of beauty, as well as explore beauty tips and hacks, hygiene, style and trends to explore beauty in all its forms.

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E.l.f. brushes and cosmetics in Market on Main on the University of Cincinnati campus on Monday March 5, 2018.

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

at

Life & Arts

National Cereal Day: The history of our beloved breakfast NOELLE ZIELINSKI | LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Cornflakes: Cornflakes were invented to decrease sexual desire.

“In 1894, Michigan-based physician Dr. John Harvey Kellogg invented the classic cereal while developing a dietary plan for his patients at the Black Creek Sanitarium,” an article from Mashable reads. “Kellogg believed spicy foods increased sexual desire, and prescribed his patients a diet of bland foods to curb it.”

Frosted Flakes: Frosted Flakes, introduced in 1952, was a success from the start. Its popular mascot, Tony the Tiger, was voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft for more than 50 years. “A Nebraska native who left for Hollywood as a teenager, Ravenscroft provided voiceovers for many Disneyland rides, including the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean,” an article from Mental Floss reads. “He also sang, uncredited, ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ in the famed cartoon film, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

A lucky charm a day keeps the doctor away. Whether eating it in front of the television on a Saturday morning watching cartoons, or before rushing out the door to catch the bus, cereal holds a special place in all our hearts. Celebrating this day is as easy as pouring a tasty, crunchy bowl of cereal to start your day off right.

However, cereal was not always the sweet, sugary sensation that we know and love today. In fact, cereal used to be quite bland and difficult to digest, as it originated during the Civil War era and was intended to balance out soldiers’ diets. The cereal that soldiers ate during those times was made of dense bran nuggets which needed to be soaked overnight, softening them just enough to make them edible and digestible.

Sweetened cereal was not introduced to the market until 1939 and, needless to say, it was an immediate success. It was called Ranger Joe Popped Wheat

Honnie, and with the help of radio and television advertisements, consumer markets found the product incredibly desirable.

Roughly 49 percent of the U.S. population begin their day with a bowl of cereal, according to data from the National Cereal Day website. They also claim that over 2.7 billion boxes of cereal are sold each year — enough to wrap around the circumference the earth 13 times.

Here are a few fun facts about the most popular types of cereal: Puffed cereal: Puffed cereals actually come from a cannon. “Unlike corn, wheat and rice lack a protective shell to trap steam,” an article from Mashable reads. “So, to create puffed cereals, makers use a pressurecooking method called “gun-puffing,” a process that Quaker Oats developed at the turn of the 20th century. The company perfected the process using an army cannon converted into a pressure cooker.”

BECKY TUCKER | CONTRIBUTOR

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Assorted cereals for National Cereal Day.

Life & Arts

RevolutionUC unites tech community with Hackathon WESLEY CARROLL | CONTRIBUTOR

MARLENA TOEBBEN | CONTRIBUTOR

Lotus Yuan, Kyle Cypher, Isaac Stamper, and Andrew Jajack of Apperception VR won second place at RevolutionUC at the awards ceremony in Zimmer Auditorium on Sunday.

“Build. Learn. Grow.”

This is the motto for RevolutionUC’s Hackathon, an event that brought in students from schools across the country to make something from scratch. Hosted by the College of Engineering and Applied Science, students had the opportunity to join teams and create at their own pace over a 24-hour span March 3-4.

“We started doing Hackathons around 2012,” said Zach Collins, a fourth-year computer engineering student and event volunteer. “Hackathons were pretty new at the time. We wanted to do the best event we could put on — kind of a big tech convention for UC.” Despite being a heavily tech-based event, the Hackathon is open to students from virtually any major and any school. Even high school students could participate with permission from a guardian.

“We get lots of business and marketing majors who participate as well,” Collins said.

“It doesn’t matter what you know. People can help you.”

Throughout the weekend, guest speakers were brought in to offer advice. Speakers were provided by companies sponsoring the event including Kroger Technology, J.P. Morgan and Major League Hacking.

The turnout for the Hackathon was the largest in UC’s history with over 300 participants March 3.

These students, assembled into groups of four, were packed tightly into rooms on Baldwin Hall’s eighth floor, working on projects of all types. One group, comprised of fourth-year computer engineering students from UC, worked to make a synthesizer out of fruit.

“The fruit will play a note when you touch it, and different fruits will have different notes,” said Spencer Christian, who worked alongside colleagues John Lodi, Jordan Ross and Justin Schneider.

The Hackathon is no stranger to inventions of all kinds. Students can develop anything they want, from websites to mobile apps.

“Last year, we had a group develop a VR game that was designed to help with depth perception,” volunteer Isiah Lloyd said.

For the student volunteers, the Hackathon

is just as fun to watch as it is to participate in.

“These are 24 hours where you can sit down and learn or build something new,” third-year volunteer Samuel Buzas said.

“You can step outside of your classes and expand your skillset.”

Volunteers were also impressed with the inventions students created given time constraints. “[It’s] incredible to see the things people can build from nothing with the given time limit,” volunteer Krysten Snyder said.

“Having a dedicated event with friends where you can build things is great.

Everyone can make times in their schedule over the weekend, [and] people get closer.”

The Hackathon is more than just an excuse to build technology. It’s also a chance to build relationships and a sense of community.

“We had a group that worked with the Unity engine that thanked me after they won,” Buzas said. “They even gave me a hug.

It’s really cool being able to connect with people at this event.”

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TOURNAMENT MARCH 9-12

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

AAC

9

Sports

PROVIDED

What viewers can expect from the American Athletic Conference tournament

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Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

The regular season is over, the bracket has been set and the American Athletic Conference tournament is ready to begin. The tournament in Orlando features 11 games over a four-day stretch, tipping-off with No. 9 seed SMU and No. 8 UConn beginning noon Thursday and culminating with the championship game at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. It’s time for some AAC basketball.

While not considered a Power 5 conference, the AAC has flexed its muscle in its five years as a conference, earning multiple bids to each NCAA tournament including a national championship.

This success has influenced many to claim that the American has become the best mid-major conference in the nation.

“I think the AAC, as far as non-Power 5 schools, is among the best in the country,” said Jeremiah Graham, sports editor for the University of Memphis student newspaper.“Teams like Cincinnati, Wichita State, SMU and Houston are in the top-25 discussion year in and year out. Not to mention schools like UConn and Memphis who are historically in that conversation, but are having down periods.”

While Cincinnati, SMU and Houston have stood atop the conference since the beginning of the season and are currently projected to comfortably make the NCAA tournament, history has proven that anything can happen come March.

Outside of the top three, every team in the NCAA will be fighting for their tournament lives. They know that anything short of a conference championship and automatic NCAA tournament berth will not cut it — and it makes them dangerous.

According to Daniel Wolff, sports editor of the University of Central Florida student newspaper, the hometown Knights are a team that could pull a few upsets.

“UCF is going to make a run,”Wolff said.“They will have the fans behind them and are starting to find some continuity.”

That said, the consensus seems to be that the top-seeded Bearcats are the favorites to take home the championship trophy.

“The Cincinnati Bearcats [are the favorites],” said Peter Scamardo, sports editor of the University of Houston student newspaper.“They have been the top team in the conference all season long, they beat every team at least once and ended the regular season with a major win at Wichita State. They have the momentum and talent to easily get past those seeded below them.”

While the Bearcats may have the best team, a deep tournament run can often be crafted by the emergence of a star.

Tyler Keating, sports editor of the University of Connecticut student newspaper, says Houston could eventually pull off a championship run behind the play of sophomore guard Armoni Brooks.

“I think Houston is going to make some noise in Orlando, and [Brooks] could be a huge part of that,” Keating said.“He’s been shooting the ball very well recently and could get hot to give the Cougars push they need to get past Wichita State and Cincinnati.”

When it comes down to what it will take to take home the conference crown, it will take more than one trait or quality in a team that helped them in the regular season — more than one dominant player or clever coach — to emerge victorious. “[It will take] a full, healthy roster of determined athletes,” said Olivia Pitten, sports editor of the SMU student newspaper.

According to Josh Fiallo, sports editor of the USF student newspaper, it will come down to whoever has the hottest hand.

“As far as winning it all, it will simply come down to who gets hot at the right time,” Fiallo said.“Just look at what UConn did in its championship winning season in 2014 as a No. 7 seed.”

At the end of the day, durability may be the biggest key to deciding this entire ordeal. Whoever is crowned champ will have to win three or four games in just as many days.

“Winning the conference tournament will take four straight days of consistent basketball,” said Evan Easterling, sports editor of the Temple University student newspaper.“Even the best teams could be due for a bad stretch of basketball within games or entire halves, so whichever team can remain consistent and survive any rough patches will win.”

Sports

Picking the AAC regular season awards JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

PROVIDED

With the regular season over, it is time to hand out awards for the year. The old men that are the powers to be have named their champions, but its time for the young bloods to provide a fresher take.

A cast of student Sports Editors from across the conference give their picks as to who deserve the AAC’s top recognitions. Wichita State, Tulsa and East Carolina were reached out to, but did not respond by the time of publication.

Jason Szelest (The News Record): Player of the Year: Gary Clark Coach of the Year: Tubby Smith Sixth Man of the Year: Armoni Brooks Most Improved Player: Melvin Frazier Most Exciting Player: Cane Broome Peter Scamardo (The Daily Cougar): Player: Jalen Adams Coach: Mick Cronin Sixth Man: Armoni Brooks Most Improved: Devin Davis Most Exciting: Shaquille Morris Jeremiah Graham (The Daily Helmsman) Player: Rob Gray Coach: Tubby Smith

Sixth Man: Armoni Brooks Most Improved: Jeremiah Martin Most Exciting: Landry Shamet Daniel Wolff (KnightNews) Player: Gary Clark Coach: Kelvin Sampson Sixth Man: Darral Willis Jr. Most Improved: A.J. Davis Most Exciting: Jalen Adams Evan Easterling (The Temple News) Player: Rob Gray Coach: Mick Cronin Sixth Man: Armoni Brooks Most Improved: Melvin Frazier Most Exciting: Shaquille Morris Tyler Keating (The Daily Campus) Player: Gary Clark Coach: Kelvin Sampson Sixth Man: Darral Willis Jr. Most Improved: Jeremiah Martin Most Exciting: Landry Shamet Olivia Pitten (The Daily Campus) Player: Gary Clark Coach: Mick Cronin Sixth Man: Armoni Brooks Most Improved: Melvin Frazier Most Exciting: Quinton Rose Grant Barnes (The Tulane Hullabaloo) Player: Rob Gray Coach: Mick Cronin Sixth Man: Armoni Brooks

Most Improved: Melvin Frazier Most Exciting: Melvin Frazier Josh Fiallo (The Oracle) Player: Gary Clark Coach: Frank Haith Sixth Man: Armoni Brooks Most Improved: Melvin Frazier Most Exciting: Jeremiah Martin The Consensus: Player of the Year: Gary ClarkCincinnati Stats: 12.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks Coach of the Year: Mick CroninCincinnati Record: 27-4, 16-2 AAC, First-place in AAC Conference Sixth Man of the Year: Armoni BrooksHouston Stats: 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.8 steals Most Improved Player: Melvin FrazierTulane Stats: 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.8 blocks Most Exciting Player: Landry Shamet/ Shaquille Morris- Wichita State Shamet Stats: 14.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.7 steals Morris Stats: 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.6 blocks

Sports editors break down AAC teams, what they bring to tourney JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

Cincinnati- Jason Szelest (The News Record)

The Houston Cougars are a team that appears to be righting the demons of the past. This team has faltered on the road against larger opponents, but put them in a neutral court and they have the talent to win on any given night.

MemphisJeremiah Graham (The Daily Helmsman)

To describe this team in one word, it would be gritty. This team is full of scrappers, especially on the defensive end. Overall, they have had their ups and downs, but Tubby Smith has done an admirable job of getting this team a five seed in the conference tournament.

The Knights have been a no excuse, scrappy, hardworking team all year.

The team has been plagued with injuries from the start.

A.J. Davis has kept this team afloat. His assortment of talents has been on full display due to all the positions Johnny Dawkins has put him in.

Temple- Evan Easterling (The Temple News)

Coach Fran Dunphy has said his group is a threepoint shooting team. Temple has some quality wins this season, like its victories against Clemson and Auburn during the Charleston Classic and its win against Wichita State. Several losing streaks have set this team’s NCAA tournament chances back.

UConn- Tyler

Keating (The Daily Campus)

UConn has a well-earned reputation for making magic in March, but there’s little reason to expect this year’s Huskies to do the same.

Jalen Adams remains a fearsome player when his shot is falling, but UConn lacks a reliable second option and can’t decide who its big men are.

Tulane has improved from previous seasons. In the second year under Mike Dunleavy’s system, the team went from six wins to 14. The Green Wave have hope in the leadership of Melvin Frazier, the AAC’s Most Improved Player.

South FloridaJosh Fiallo (The

Oracle)

With 10 newcomers and a new coach, USF was a brand-new team entering this season, and their record has been a reflection of such.

They have won their past two games, however, and are picking up steam ahead of its first-round tournament game.

SMU- Olivia Pitten (The SMU Daily Campus)

Under Tim Jankovich’s leadership, the team is a tough competitor in the AAC and the current defending AAC champions. The Mustangs season started off hot, but SMU has struggled with injuries. Playing shorthanded, the Mustangs enter the tournament with victorious hopes.

Tulane- Grant Barnes (The Tulane Hullabaloo)

PROVIDED

11

Cincinnati features the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation and has versatile

Houston- Peter Scamardo (The Daily Cougar)

Central FloridaDaniel Wolff (KnightNews)

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

The American Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament tips-off on Thursday at noon when the University of Connecticut and Southern Methodist tipoff in the 8/9 matchup.

For those of you preparing to watch the festivities this weekend, it is hard to keep up with the strengths and weaknesses of every team.

With the help from several student sports editors from across the conference, we are breaking down what each team will bring to the table in Orlando. Sports Editors for Wichita State, Tulsa and East Carolina were contacted but did not respond by time of publication.

scorers like Jacob Evans III and Gary Clark. This is the most complete team the Bearcats have had in years on both ends of the court.

Sports

Previewing the UC Bearcats AAC tournament journey JASON SZELEST | SPORTS EDITOR

After beating Wichita State University on Sunday, the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball squadron clinched the American Athletic Conference championship and No. 1 seed in the AAC tournament. With their first game set to tip-off at noon on Friday, and much on the line depending on how they play, here is everything you need to know about the Bearcats’ trip to Orlando this weekend.

The Schedule

What is on the line

Despite the Bearcats success in the AAC since the league started, they have yet to win the conference tournament.

Mick Cronin crossed “outright AAC champ” off his list already, but I am sure he would love to knock out another goal one Sunday later.

In addition to bragging rights, this weekend will have large influence on the NCAA tournament as well.

The Bearcats have long been a lock for the tournament, but where they will be seeded remains up in the air. According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, UC is currently projected to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Considered a mid-major school, the four losses UC has accrued likely rules them out of a No. 1 seed, regardless of this week’s results. However, UC seems to control their own destiny for a No. 2 seed, with a conference tournament championship likely clinching a spot on the two-line.

“Bracketology” is a lot of guesswork, and the NCAA has

certainly proven that anything can happen on Selection Sunday. However, anything less than a tournament championship likely moves the Bearcats down to a No. 3.

What it will take to win

The health of junior guard Jacob Evans III is paramount to in this endeavor. After injuring himself 11 minutes into the Tulane game — never to return — Evans bounced back and played 31 minutes against Wichita State.

However, he exited briefly at one point with a noticeable limp, indicating that he is not fully healed. Evans will need to be at full strength to be able to play three games in three days — a requirement if they make it to the championship.

The other key will be senior forward Kyle Washington.

While anyone can make a run in the tournament, this point assumes the championship matchup is against Houston or Wichita State.

The difference between those two schools and the rest of the conference is that they have multiple big men that can challenge UC down low.

In two losses to those teams, Washington averaged eight points and three rebounds; in the two wins, 15 points and six rebounds.

Cincinnati needs both of their big men to win it all.

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Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

As the No. 1 seed, UC is set to play the winner of the 8/9 matchup between the University of Connecticut and Southern Methodist University. Cincinnati is 4-0 against those teams on the season, defeating them by an average of 19.5 points per game.

In the semifinals, the Bearcats will likely face the winner of a 4/5 matchup between Tulsa University and the University of Memphis.

Like the quarterfinals, no possible contender the Bearcats could face have defeated the top dogs this year. They swept two games against Memphis and defeated the Golden Hurricane in their lone matchup with Tulsa, although they did trail at halftime of that game.

With the AAC title on the line Sunday afternoon, the

Bearcats — assuming they get there — will face either No. 2 seed Wichita State or No. 3 seed Houston. Those are the only teams to defeat the Bearcats during conference play, as UC split with both of them. All four of those games have been decided by 10 points or less.

JUSTIN HILES | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Gary Clark (11) as h approaches the line during the Men’s Basketball game at BB&T Arena on December 12th, 2017.

Opinion

Mounir’s weekly

MOUNIR LYNCH | OPINION EDITOR

1. Manktops

Spring Break is approaching fast, and that means the gym will soon be busier than ever. Everyone is trying to achieve that picture-perfect beach body, and this means we’re going to see as many manktops (or man tank tops) on campus as we would on the beach itself. They’re definitely the most comfortable thing to wear at the gym or in the sun, but otherwise, they should be left at home.

2. Baseball spring training

I recently heard someone say, “spring training is a scam” on ESPN, and I think I can agree with a lot of that sentiment.

Spring training began around the middle of February and continues until the end of this month when the regular baseball season begins. The baseball season is prepped and ready. Each of the MLB teams are divided in to two warmweather leagues. The first — the Cactus League — plays games in Arizona-based spring training facilities. The other spring training league is the Grapefruit League, with games being played in Florida. Two super corny concepts bring in our baseball season, and spring training gives us just a bit of excitement for the season to come.

3. Oscar parties

The Academy Awards — entertainment’s most lavish, anticipated affair — took place over the weekend.

Fortunately, I was too busy to attend any Oscar parties this year. I avoided getting dragged in to a room full of cheap appetizers and wannabe film experts. At most Oscar parties, people dress up as if they were actually at the awards. It’s corny, lame and unnecessary. Plus, it’s a great way to get a cheap glass of wine spilled on your nice dress shirt. It’s way more fun than watching the awards by yourself, though.

Whether you’ve seen the films or not, if you’re an American, odds are you’re watching the Oscars. Why not do it at a meh party?

4. Bar trivia

5. Keurigs

GUS RICKSECKER | STAFF REPORTER

I normally ignore the (sometimes) good-humored bashing of millennials’ life choices. Are we on our phones too much? Yes. Do we lack the personal responsibility generations before us had? Probably a stretch. But there is one particular accusation of the millennial age group I find alarming: We don’t read.

I could list off the many scientific studies appealing to scientific research which conclude that reading is a great cognitive exercise, but let’s be honest: that wouldn’t influence you to pick up a book for leisure anyway. Instead, I simply ask you look around you.

See arguments that resemble incoherent screaming matches rather than civil debates? See onedimensional people who can’t hold a conversation outside of their topic of study? Most importantly, see people so completely sucked into the drudgery of daily routine they never stop to ask the big questions?

Society is increasingly obsessed with “spectacle” — a concept which philosopher Guy Debord coined in 1967 in response to civilization’s increased psychological dependence on mass media.

He hypothesized that personal autonomy changed drastically following the post-industrial influence of mass media outlets.

Information is alarmingly condensed and packaged to fit the market demands of society and thus has gradually devolved into shorter blips which can be easily manipulated to fit a narrative.

So long as we consume — as we love to do — the system will continue to feed itself. Decisions which most assume they make independently have little defense from the multitude of mass media influences constantly force-fed through technology. Apps such as Instagram and Twitter promote the notion that the world is simple, suggesting we are worth as much as the things we buy and the appearance we maintain.

Our actions have no meaning beyond the role they play in an individual’s upkeep of the status quo. Despite our enumerated freedoms, people in this light appear less free than ever. Reality and self-identity have become so defined by the market and spectacle, it is hard to differentiate fact from fiction anymore. This world does not care about the real you, and it certainly does not care about the truth.

What does this have to do with books? Philosopher Herbert Marcuse describes liberation in the form of a “Great Refusal.”We must protest self-induced repression and struggle for the ultimate form of freedom: to live our lives unbound by the chains of society. Almost all news sources millennials frequent have become part of the spectacle. So long as the spectacle captures our mindless attention and keeps us from thinking deeply, we will not be free. Thinking critically is the path to liberation.

Good books break us free from this trance. They

take us from the bounds of reality into the world of fantasy like a work of art should. They open the mind to new experiences and thoughts beyond our current comprehensions. They have the potential to create well-rounded social beings whose expertise extends far beyond the degree or path being pursued. Most importantly, we can come closer to the true nature of the world around us and find ourselves in a good book. It’s a struggle, and sometimes we find things that challenge the status quo or our preconceived notions.

But that’s all part of the excitement.

The status quo is slowly diminishing the importance of thinking deeply and often. Just look around and you’re sure to see plenty of people — even friends — on autopilot. My sincere advice, reader, is to pick up a book — any book — and take off the chains and rose-colored glasses we all wear for a second to glimpse into a world beyond the spectacle.

A world with true meaning.

13

The Keurig is the lazy college kid’s dream. Just pop a cup in that sucker and you’re good to go. They’re also great for the person who doesn’t want to take the time to actually use a coffee machine. Still, nothing beats the flavor of freshly brewed, non pre-packaged coffee.

Reading books will give millennials the freedom, liberation they need

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

I was on a quiz team throughout high school, but only recently decided to try out trivia night at the local bars.

These young professionals show up to the local Clifton bars to get serious competing against college kids. Using your cell phone is banned in order to prevent cheating, and these people do not take that rule lightly. The rules were almost exclusively enforced by fellow trivia players who dedicate their lives to these competitions. It was a fun night with friends, and our team the “Olympic athletes from Schrute farms” pulled top-three in the competition, but we left the place feeling very meh about it all. Way too serious for something so silly.

CAROLE S POSTER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Stuart Lindle reading “The Best of Slate: A 10th Anniversary Anthology” on Monday March 5, 2018.

Opinion

SHAE COMBS | PHOTO EDITOR

Red bikes line Clifton Avenue.

Cincinnati must become more bike-friendly for commuters

14

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

MOUNIR LYNCH | OPINION EDITOR

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, I always found that the city focused significant attention, planning and funding toward cultivating a more bike-friendly city.

Bike lanes are visible around many of the cities’ busiest streets, and The Ohio State University campus is very bike-friendly and full of student bicycle commuters.

Many drivers in bikefriendly cities like Columbus are fed up about having to share the road too much, arguing that there are too many bike safety regulations in place. In Cincinnati, this is certainly not the case.

In Cincinnati, cyclists are frustrated about the unsafe environment for cyclists within the city. Bike lanes are almost non-existent, and accidents involving vehicles and bicycles are far from uncommon. For a

city with a well-established and centrally-located urban population, the lack of accommodations for cyclists and their safety is disappointing. One cyclist claimed that construction and utility companies like Duke Energy have dumped gravel over some of the few bike lanes. Another cyclist claimed that a bike lane on Victory Parkway — one of the few in the city — stops at a dead end and does not contain arrows to indicate bike lanes.

Currently, Cincinnati displays a plethora of information about biking trails in the city. There are many planned bike trail projects.

Dr. Eleanor Glass, a professor of family and community medicine at UC’s College of Medicine, is an avid cyclist who dubs herself “doc on a bike.” She said the absence of bike lanes make

Cincinnati an unsafe city for cyclists.

“Bike safety is important not just for the individual cyclist, but for the entire city,” Glass said. “Safe cycling is important not just for the individual cyclist, but for the entire city. Safe cycling means less congested roadways, less accidents, less air pollution and better physical health for many.”

In Cincinnati, many cyclists complain about the lack of city assistance to make communities safer. Steve Magas, a Cincinnati-based attorney known as “Ohio’s bike lawyer,” has protected cyclists and their families in cases ranging from traffic tickets to multimillion dollar settlements for death or serious injury.

“My main job is protecting the rights of those who ride,” Magas said. “I do this by aggressively working for my clients who are injured or

the families of those killed.”

An avid cyclist for many decades, Magas made a name him himself as Ohio’s bike lawyer after years as a trial attorney.

“I was an avid rider, but not a racer,” Magas said. “I rode with the Cincinnati Cycle Club and led some rides. I helped the club out with a weird little legal problem and then got a few calls on ‘bike’ cases.”

After researching and expanding his legal knowledge, Magas began writing about it. “[I started] writing about BikeLaw for a variety of small publications — mostly Club newsletters,” he said.

“That got picked up by a statewide monthly called Bike Ohio, which morphed into a multi-state publication called BikeMidwest.”

Although he says Cincinnati has made progress to improve bike

friendliness as a city, the urban biking infrastructure still needs help.

“Cincinnati also has a very active cycling crowd, and we’re seeing more and more commuters, but [it] needs some help at the City level,” Magas said. “The Mayor is active, and supports cycling … [but] he’d rather the cyclists take up residence in parks and ride around in circles, I think.”

If cities like Cincinnati dedicated more time and funding to supporting cyclists, we could see a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle use.

An increased in cyclists is simply better for a city. It invites people into the urban core of the city; into our parks and through our main city landmarks. It decreases vehicle traffic issues and creates less demand for public parking garages.

An increased number of

cyclists also means increased rates of exercise among citizens. Choosing to bike instead of drive means more physical activity over time. As heart disease is the number one cause of death across America, an increase in biking could do much to curb this issue.

When cities like Cincinnati invest in their bicycle infrastructure and safety, health, culture, economy and public safety benefits are bound to follow.

“Cities like getting those Bike Friendly awards,” Magas said. “Young, hip workers who may think about moving here find a vibrant bicycle culture and attractive — I think Cincinnati is on the upswing, as a city and as a cycling participant … though not a cycling ‘mecca’ by any stretch.”

Interactive

TNR staff question of the week: What are your plans for spring break?

Going to Demi Lovato/ DJ Khaled concert. Yes, really.

-David Wysong, Editor-in-Chief

Make pancakes.

-Erin Couch, Managing Editor

If I had friends, I’d have plans.

Oh well, maybe some day.

-Jason Szelest, Sports Editor

Editor’s note:

•

Managing Editor Erin Couch

Designer Gabrielle Stichweh

Copy Editor Jacob Fisher

Photo Editor Shae Combs

News Editors Zach Perrin Lizzy Schmitt Life & Arts Editor Noelle Zielinski

Chief Photographer Aaron Dorsten

Opinion Editor Mounir Lynch

Newsroom 509 Swift Hall 513-556-5912 Chief.newsrecord@gmail.com

Broadcast Reporter Emily Wilhelm Videographer Mallory Elder

Advertising 510 Swift Hall 513-556-5912 newsrecordbiz@gmail.com

University of Cincinnati 45221-0135

FC Cincinnati vs Sacramento Republic: Can you kick it? Yes, you can!

Two teams competing for a spot in the MLS square off in a preseason friendly as Sacramento Republic heads to Cincinnati to take on the hometown team. The game starts on Saturday at 4 p.m. and tickets start at $10. Nippert Stadium, 2600 Clifton Ave Disney on Ice: Who doesn’t love watching someone dress up in a mouse costume and skate around on a slippery terrain.

Come watch your favorite Disney characters conquer the ice as they leave the crowd in awe with moves reminiscent of a gold medal figure skater. You can catch them Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m. or catch the early bird special at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Tickets range from $13-85. US Bank Arena, 100 Broadway

Mar. 7, 2018 | newsrecord.org

•

15

Cincinnati International Wine Festival: If you missed National Wine Day • but you’re still craving a glad of fruity complexity, swing by the Duke Energy Center this Friday and Saturday. Debuting over 700 wines from 250 wineries throughout the world, the festival distributes proceeds to dozens of local charities throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, and since 1991 has contributed over • $5 million to charitable causes. Raise a glad to a good cause this weekend starting at $65 per ticket.

Pancakes in the Park: If you like pancakes and/or parks, head down to Beech Acres Park and enjoy the finest things that life has to offer.

Whether you refer to them pancakes, griddle cakes, batter cakes, hot cakes, flapjacks or some other crazy variation, Guiness World Record holder for fastest flipped and highest tossed breakfast cake Chris Cakes will be flipping and serving them alongside sausage, coffee, orange juice and fruit. The event runs on Sunday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and costs $6. 6910 Salem Rd

Online Editor Stephanie Smith

Sports Editor Jason Szelest

In an online postscript attached to an article published March 1, The News Record incorrectly spelled the last name of student body presidential candidate Sinna Habteselassie. This was not a deliberate attempt at misattribution; rather, it was a typo which occurred during the editing process. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused our readers.

Things to do this weekend:

Editor-In-Chief David Wysong

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