“We have a draining system that is consistently aging and can only hold so much.” Stephen Willoughby, director of emergency communications, preparedness and response
Amidst heavy rain, Richmonders to prepare for emergencies
ELLIE WALTMAN
Contributing Writer
The City of Richmond collaborated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to urge residents to plan and prepare for potential emergencies yearround as part of National Preparedness Month, which took place in September, according to a press release.
NPM is an annual campaign sponsored by FEMA to raise awareness about steps individuals, families and communities can take to prepare for disasters. NPM has emphasized the importance of taking protective measures to help reduce the impact of hazardous weather conditions as hurricane season approaches, according to Ready.gov.
“Start a Conversation.” FEMA encouraged Richmond residents to prepare an emergency kit with all their essentials,
according to a press release. Residents were encouraged to develop a plan with their families and practice it so they will be prepared for a weather-related emergency.
Stephen Willoughby, the City of Richmond’s director of emergency communications, preparedness and response, said flooding is Richmond’s main natural disaster threat.
“With climate change, we’re getting more increased and intense rainfall. We have a draining system that is consistently aging and can only hold so much,” Willoughby said. “Flooding on roadways
the hurricane itself,” Willoughby said.
John Bernier, an adjunct faculty member of the center for environmental studies at VCU, said heavy rainfall and high-speed winds pose the most significant threat.
“High wind speeds can bring down the trees and power lines,” Bernier said. “Hurricanes bring a tremendous amount of rain. Heavy rain upstream of the James River causes the flooding.”
Flooding poses a significant risk to the city due to its storm system, which quickly backs up and cannot drain at the same rate as rainfall, according to Bernier.
alert during a possible emergency.
“I wouldn’t be prepared personally — because we’re in a city, we have fewer natural disasters to worry about,” Shields said. “I think people should be prepared in the event of emergencies.”
Violet Fraunfelder, a first-year art foundations student, said she is unprepared for a disaster due to a lack of studentgeared information.
“I haven’t been given the resources to know what to do, so I haven’t thought about it,” Fraunfelder said. “I think staying up to date on the basics of what you need to do to
Richmond’s floodwall near the Pipeline Trail. The city participated in FEMA’s National Preparedness Month initiative in September to raise awareness about natural disaster preparation that can be taken by residents. Photo by Anthony Duong.
The Manchester Bridge and the Richmond floodwall behind. Photo by Anthony Duong.
Stories of the week
national: Hurricane Helene made landfall on Sept. 26, causing massive flooding and killing over 150 people.
international: Israeli soldiers invaded southern Lebanon on Sept. 30 following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike on Sept. 27.
Virginia governor, legislators work to ban cell phones in schools
ANNABEL GRANGER
ABDULLAH KARABATEK
Contributing Writers
Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 this past summer to keep phones out of the classroom to create a more focused and successful educational environment for Virginia students, according to a press release.
The goal is to “protect the health and safety of students in Virginia’s K-12 public schools,” according to the order. It allows school districts to implement a cell phonefree environment, which will go into full effect in January 2025.
Executive Order 33 was motivated by concerns from parents, educators and public health professionals on behalf of students’ mental health, according to the order.
“This essential action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn,” the order stated.
It highlighted recent studies by the American Psychological Association, showing a correlation between time spent online and poor mental health. Spending over three hours a day on social media increases the chances of poor mental health for youths, the studies found.
“Creating cell phone and social mediafree educational environments in Virginia’s K-12 education system will benefit students, parents, and educators,” Youngkin stated in the press release.
Students’ mental health and academic success are affected by cell phones, according to the order.
“This issue extends beyond mere distraction; substantial phone and social media use can have a cumulative, lasting, and detrimental impact on adolescents’ ability to focus and engage in their
studies,” the order stated.
The National Assessment for Educational Progress assesses the nation on academic achievement by tracking test scores, and found a drop in the NAEP scores beginning in 2012 which is likely related to the presence of phones in school, according to the order.
Richmond Public Schools had been working toward creating a cell phone-free learning environment before the order was finalized, according to its website.
As a preliminary measure to this policy, three middle schools and three high schools in Richmond experimented with a policy that required students to place their phones in pouches, starting in January 2024. The schools who adopted this policy plan to keep it, according to the website.
“Teachers, staff, and principals noticed that, with cell phones securely put away, students tended to be more focused and engaged in classes,” the website stated.
In addition to Executive Order 33 and in an effort to try and create a cell phone-free learning environment, Virginia Senators Stella Pekarsky and Ghazala Hashmi introduced Senate Bill 738 on Sept. 18.
The bill, like the order, directs school boards to develop “age appropriate and developmentally appropriate” policies for student cell phone use. However, SB738 aims to reduce actions like expulsion and suspension for cell phone use in schools.
“The bill clarifies that no violation of any such student cell phone possession and use policy shall alone constitute sufficient cause for a student’s suspension or expulsion from attendance at school,” the bill states.
The bill protects students who bring phones to school for other personal reasons. The bill also serves as a buffer for those who are not informed on cell phone policies, according to a press release from Senate
Majority Leader Scott Surovell.
Jesse Senechal, a professor at the VCU School of Education, said he used to teach high school English before phones had such a hold on adolescents. He said he noticed how phones and social media have affected students’ learning and social interactions.
Teachers, staff, and principals noticed that, with cell phones securely put away, students tended to be more focused and engaged in classes.”
Richmond Public Schools website
“From working with teachers and from observing classrooms I think cell phones have become a big distraction and disruption to the process of teaching and learning,” Senechal said.
Senechal said although a cell phone ban in schools would have positive outcomes, he is concerned about equity in school policies.
“Certain schools might have money to implement cell phone lockers or little pouches, where other schools might not,” Senechal said.
He and his colleagues are in favor of the order but are also aware of the potential harm it could bring, and wish that the plan is executed correctly, according to Senechal.
Drew Charankar, a third-year business administration student, said he thinks RPS needs to improve on its steps in implementing a phone policy that gives students time to adjust to a phone-free environment.
“I do not personally agree with the steps they are taking, but I am sure they are doing the best they can,” Charankar said.
Charankar said he also uses technology as a means to connect with his classmates.
“Having a cell phone has allowed me to engage with fellow classmates more than being in a cell phone-free environment,” Charankar said.
Improper use of cell phones is a problem that Charankar said he is aware of.
“While it can be a distraction if used in improper ways, it has been really advantageous in my learning environment,” Charankar said.
Ahmed Mahjoub, a third-year biology student, said he thinks phones are distracting, but eliminating them completely isn’t necessary.
“Nowadays, the use of cellular devices in school should be limited, but they shouldn’t be banned,” Mahjoub said.
Mahjoub said his phone wasn’t much of a distraction when he was in high school due to rules prohibiting phone use in class, but he is experiencing the distraction in college.
Mahjoub said everyone has a right to privacy, and having a phone to contact parents when needed is important for students.
“A lot of things can happen, and sometimes it’s a lot better, especially in bad situations, to have that lifeline,” Mahjoub said.
Illustration by Gabriella Denney.
City closes Pipeline Trail citing safety concerns
MOLLY MANNING
Contributing Writer
The City of Richmond announced on Sept. 13 that the Pipeline Trail, located west of 14th Street behind the flood wall, will be closed indefinitely to the public due to safety concerns noticed during repairs to the sewage pipe, according to an announcement.
The trail is in fact a maintenance catwalk that the city Department of Public Utilities installed to access the actual pipe, according to Friends of the James River Park. The trail is located under a rail line owned by CSX which also owns the land beneath the pipeline, according to Axios.
The city has an easement, a legal provision that grants the right to use without ownership, from CSX for the catwalk and the land, according to Axios. It is technically considered trespassing for the public to use the trail regardless of whether or not that is enforced, complicating the issue of reopening the space to the public, as stated in the FOJRP article.
The trail closed briefly in July when a water advisory was issued, according to ABC8. Shortly after the advisory was lifted, the city approved a new plan to fix the combined sewer and stormwater overflow to improve and maintain water cleanliness, resulting in its closure, according to a previous report by The Commonwealth Times.
Gates were installed and “no trespassing” signs have been posted at the entrance and throughout the catwalk trail following the announcement on Sept. 13, according to NBC12. However, when visiting the Pipeline Trail entrance on Sept. 25, the gates were open.
The city and stakeholders are unsure of a solution or how long the closure will last but has said that city council members will continue to receive updates. The public will be able to access updates at the city’s public utilities webpage, according to the city.
The spot is a favorite for many Richmonders because of the scenery and beaches, and there is already a petition with over 2,000 signatures to “Give Us Back Our Pipeline Trail!,” according to RVAMag.
FOJRP released an article on Sept. 18 addressing frequently asked questions about the trail. James River Park Executive Director Josh Stutz wrote that there is “no way to effectively” close a trail in Richmond because people will find a way in regardless.
Stutz stated in the article his concern is that because the trail is closed to the public, the organization can no longer clean up the area — and because people will still use the trail and beaches — litter and pollution may potentially increase and spread from the river to the Chesapeake Bay.
Stutz stated in an email he thinks it’s great how motivated people are to save the Pipeline and that the petition is a good way to quantify that, but the city and railroad are both well aware that the community feels strongly about it.
“There just is not a simple solution to making the area safe enough that the land/easement holders are comfortable with public access,” Stutz stated.
S. Preston Duncan, author of the
petition and writer in Richmond for the past 22 years, said the Pipeline has a certain uniqueness because of the proximity to both beautiful natural scenes and the urban industrial feel of the train trestle as well as the positivity of the space.
“We don’t have a lot of common spaces anymore and the pipeline is one of those few magic spaces where you can go down there and it’s not homogeneous, there’s not a specific demographic, it’s all kinds of
people, and they’re all interacting with each other,” Duncan said.
Duncan said the Pipeline holds personal significance to him as a space where he’s shared many memories and honored friends that he’s lost.
“I understand that there are safety issues with the Pipeline right now, but indefinite closure doesn’t instill a lot of hope that they are prioritizing resolving those safety issues,” Duncan said.
I understand that there are safety issues with the Pipeline right now, but indefinite closure doesn’t instill a lot of hope that they are prioritizing resolving those safety issues.”
S. Preston Duncan, author of Pipeline Trail petition
Richmonder Grace Johnson frequents the Pipeline Trail and said she thinks it’s one of the best spots in the city.
Johnson said she comes to see the herons in the spring and that it’s a great place where people can come together to swim and “do the Richmond thing.”
“It’s awful, I feel like the railroad has too much power and that this is an important thing to have in the community,” Johnson said.
The Pipeline Trail, an unofficial trail located downtown, was closed to the public on Sept. 13. The city closed it for safety reasons following a sewage leak in July. Photo by Anthony Duong.
Stat of the week
VCU
scored two goals and had an assist in the 4-0 win against Lock Haven on Sept. 27, according to
Quick on their feet: A goalkeeper’s guide to saving a penalty
ALEXIS WASHINGTON
Contributing Writer
Shot stop ability, ability to handle crosses into the box and a great communicator are qualities of an efficient goalkeeper, according to VCU women’s soccer head coach Lindsey Martin.
A goalkeeper must be both physically and mentally prepared to stop goals, particularly during penalty kicks, according to University of Richmond staff psychologist Rachel Turk.
A penalty kick is a free kick given to the player who has been fouled in the penalty box, according to Soccer.com.
Here are four key components that goalkeepers need to save a penalty:
A keeper’s stance is a key part in stopping a PK. It is all about body position and reaction time, according to VCU women’s fourth-year goalkeeper Allison Karpovich.
“I keep my feet shoulder width apart and like to be light on my toes ready to go,” Karpovich said.
Now that the body is set, it’s game time. Karpovich said she sits on the line and messes with her gloves. She takes her time and makes the opposing team wait until she steps up.
Once a keeper steps up to the goaline for a PK, their body should have a good
center of gravity to receive the striking ball, according to men’s redshirt sixth-year goalkeeper John Ermini.
It’s simple, just “stay balanced and stay forward,” Ermini said.
PKs occur 11 meters away from the center of the goal, according to the Olympics website.
Keepers have limited time to react to the ball during a PK, according to Ermini.
“You have half a second before you can make a decision if you’re gonna dive, move your feet or catch it,” Ermini said.
Reaction time requires making fast split decisions, according to Ermini.
“Should I stay for a ball to come out?” Ermini said. “Should I go down for one or stay up?”
You can read the opponent’s body language in the way their hips are positioned, according to Karpovich.
“Once they step up, I look at their hips to see which way they are facing,” Karpovich said. “If their hips are closed, they are going to the right and if their hips are open they are going to the left.”
It’s also necessary to study and scout the opposing team’s penalty kicker before every game, Ermini said.
“If they shoot 60% of the time to the left and 40% to the right, then I am going to want to go to the left hand side,” Ermini said.
Reading a player is a mind game, Ermini said. A lot of them like to fake you out, but you have to ignore it, and focus on how their body is facing, according to Ermini.
Not only does a keeper have to be physically trained, but mentally as well. They hear a lot of different voices from fans to coaches and referees, according to University of Richmond staff psychologist Rachel Turk.
There are three exercises goalkeepers can do to relieve stress during a game, according to Turk:
1. Stay calm. Keepers should keep their heart rate under control because it will affect some of their fine motor skills. You can do that with deep breathing exercises.
2. Keep your mind clear. Do not focus on what is going wrong in the present moment. Instead, focus on what decisions need to be made.
3. Control the game. There are going to be a lot of things a keeper cannot control, especially in a PK. It’s important to focus on what you can control and trust in your training.
I think goalkeepers are in a really unique situation where they are kind of that last line of defense, and if it’s in a penalty kick situation, they are the only line of defense.”
third-year field hockey player Morena Macera
VCU Athletics.
Illustration by Zoë Luis.
Rachel Turk, University of Richmond staff psychologist
CT Sports staff predict World Series
The 2024 MLB playoffs started on Oct. 1 as six teams have officially clinched a playoff spot. Here are some of the CT Sports’ staff predictions on who will win the World Series.
DAN ELSON
Contributing Writer
The New York Yankees will beat the Philadelphia Phillies in seven games to win the World Series.
The Yankees only have one year with superstars Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Gerrit Cole all on the same team. The Yankees know they can’t mess it up this year and fans can count on them to play with urgency.
Soto and Judge are the best two-three punch in baseball. Soto is postseasonproven already and will pose a huge threat to pitchers. Soto, who hit .288 with 41 home runs and drove in 109 runs according to Baseball-Reference, already won a championship with the Washington Nationals in 2019. He hit .277 and belted five home runs in the 2019 postseason. Soto has a career .845 OPS in the playoffs according to StatMuse.
Judge hit .322 with 58 home runs this season and hasn’t gotten the job done in the playoffs in recent years but this is the postseason where he puts it all together at the plate. Judge produced 144 RBIs this year, is a better hitter now than he was two years ago and his plate discipline gets better by his age.
There isn’t another really great team in the American League. The Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals are really good teams, but they’re young with very little to no playoff experience, and that matters. The Cleveland Guardians are good but can never get over the hump in the playoffs.
The Houston Astros aren’t nearly the great team they once were, but still pose a threat to the Yankees because of postseason experience.
The last two postseason runs from the Phillies, who play with a slow heartbeat, proved they are built for deep playoff runs now. Their lineup is as deep as it gets. The Phillies, who ranked 11th in ERA, according to MLB, have a good one-two punch in the starting rotation in pitchers Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.
Both teams are really good, but this is the Yankees time to shine and they know it. Their lineup is deep and built for a long postseason run. It’s World Series or bust as usual for the Yankees.
KYLER GILLIAM Contributing Writer
The Los Angeles Dodgers will defeat the Baltimore Orioles in five games to become the 2024 World Series champions.
The Dodgers are led by designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, a three-time winner of the league’s Most Valuable Player award, who is making history as the first player to eclipse 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, according to ESPN.
Ohtani is coming off an elbow injury that has forced him into a hitting-only role for the Dodgers. He took that role and had his best offensive season to date, hitting career highs in hits, runs, runs batted in, home runs, doubles, stolen bases, batting average and total bases, according to Statmuse.
Ohtani’s game-shattering offensive production, combined with an experienced roster of shortstop Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Teoscar Hernández, have the Dodgers ranked in the top five for runs, home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, according to the MLB.
The Orioles are a young team with an explosive bat. They are led by shortstop Gunner Henderson, the former Silver Slugger award winner who is only 23 years old. He is surrounded by other young hitters who have Baltimore in second place in home runs this season, according to MLB.
The average age for an Oriole batter is 26.9, which is the fifth youngest in the entire league, according to baseball reference.
The Orioles inexperience has led to some setbacks throughout the season, leaving them in the wild card. However, with an unpredictable American League, the Orioles can ramp up their bats and bring themselves to the World Series. But, the Orioles’ chase for the Commissioner’s Trophy will be thwarted by the experience and talent of the Dodgers.
MALACHI KEYS Contributing Writer
The 2024 World Series will be a heavyweight battle between the two biggest names in baseball: the New York Yankees out of the American League and the Los Angeles Dodgers out of the National League. Both teams are formidable in every aspect of the game. However, expect the Dodgers to add their fourth Commissioner’s Trophy to their display case in this seven-game series.
Favored repeat Most Valuable Players New York Yankee Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani will go head to head in a matchup for the history books, and will likely shatter all-time World Series viewer ratings.
While the Yankees have diverse and versatile hitting out of their dugout, namely outfielders Judge, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton, I trust the Dodgers pitching staff, bullpen and manager Dave Roberts’ prior World Series experience to make adjustments accordingly.
Los Angeles also has a plethora of hitters who can get hot at any moment, including Ohtani, arguably the greatest baseball player ever.
Although New York has a daunting pitching staff, their ace Gerrit Cole has been known to fumble in high-leverage moments. Yankees’ Manager Aaron Boone also has made questionable decisions under pressure.
At the end of the day, the Dodgers have been on the World Series stage before and have been successful. Experience will be the X factor in this matchup.
JENNY ALLEN Contributing Writer
The AL East champions, the New York Yankees, will face off against and defeat the NL West champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the 2024 World Series.
This matchup will be a showdown between Yankee star outfielders Aaron Judge and Juan Soto versus Dodgers elites Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández.
Although Ohtani has had a remarkable season at the plate, Yankees pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil and Carlos Rodon have been a force from the mound which will challenge Ohtani and the Dodgers. The Yankees’ bullpen gives the team reassurance, allowing them to take advantage of pitching rotations.
With a team batting average of .248 and a regular-season record of 94-68 the Yankees have had a dominating season, according to Yahoo Sports. Their ability to produce runs in times of need will be intimidating for the Dodgers.
Judge currently leads the team in both batting average and runs batted in, as well as the MLB in total home runs, making him not only a team leader but a major threat to opponents, according to MLB.
This battle will be an extreme test of not only skill but strategy. Both teams will rely on their key players to dominate, but the Yankees versatility and adaptability will give them enough leverage to be the 2024 World Series champions.
Illustration by Killian Goodale-Porter.
VCU women’s field hockey breeze past the Bald Eagles, 4-0
ETHAN YORK
Contributing Writer
The VCU Rams dominated the Lock Haven University Bald Eagles, 4-0, on Sept. 27, pushing them above the Bald Eagles in the Atlantic 10 women’s field hockey standings.
VCU’s win over Lock Haven sets them in fifth place in the A-10 Division rankings, according to the A-10’s website.
The Rams started the game off offensively strong almost immediately. They kept the ball on Lock Haven’s half for the majority of the first quarter, with Lock Haven struggling offensively.
VCU was able to keep possession and pass around the Bald Eagles’ defense and take multiple shots on goal in the first quarter.
VCU had recorded six shots, five shots on goal and one save, while Lock Haven only had one shot, one shot on goal and five saves by the end of the first quarter, according to StatBroadcast.
VCU head coach Stacey Bean said she was confident in the way her team performed and proud of the way the Rams competed.
“For the most part we played very disciplined in terms of ball possession and forced their goalie to make a ton of saves,” Bean said.
The Rams started the second quarter with the same energy as the first, keeping the ball upfield and taking multiple shots on goal.
VCU had multiple shots set up by fourthyear midfielder Ava Radel, many of which came from penalty corners.
The Rams kept the offensive onslaught up in the first half ending it with 17 shots and 13 shots on goal, according to StatBroadcast.
Camila Rosenbrock, a fourth-year midfielder and forward, had a season high of five shots on goal.
Rosenbrock said the win over Lock Haven was important for the Rams and she is proud of how her team performed.
It is a great push up for us, it just gives us good energy and keeps us working hard for the A-10 championship”
VCU started the second half off with the same rhythm as the first, putting more shots on goal, however, Lock Haven’s goalie stood strong.
Lock Haven’s goalie, Kelsey Felix, a
redshirt third-year, put up 18 saves and 28 shots faced, according to Lock Haven University Athletics.
The Rams scored their first goal of the game in the third quarter, from third-year Morena Macera who scored off a penalty stroke.
Macera had an impressive game against Lock Haven, recording a season-high of two goals and one assist, according to VCU Athletics.
Macera scored her second goal in the 40-minute mark off a foul and corner shot, and was assisted by VCU second-year player Josefina Ventimiglia and Radel, according to StatBroadcast.
VCU continued their attacks in the fourth quarter, only allowing Lock Haven to have two more shots in the game.
The Rams got their third goal from Ventimiglia off a well worked corner routine in the 48th minute.
With a minute and a half left, Lock Haven was able to push forward and drew a defensive foul from VCU, which resulted in a penalty corner, but they couldn’t capitalize on the offensive opportunity.
The Rams finished the game strong with second-year player Manuela Secundo scoring a goal with only 30 seconds left on the
SEPTEMBER 27
FIELD HOCKEY VS. LOCK HAVEN WON 4-0
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL AT GEORGE MASON WON 3-1
SEPTEMBER 28
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL AT GEORGE MASON WON 3-1
I think today we had a pretty good game, I think we just need to improve a little bit on shooting and finishing but I’m happy, I think we are a good team.”
Ventimiglia, VCU second year player
The Rams finished the game strong with an impressive performance, recording 29 shots, 23 shots on goal and two saves, with Lock Haven having four shots, only two of which were on goal, according to StatBroadcast.
VCU will play against Davidson College at Carol Grotnes Belk Turk Field in Davidson, NC on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.
clock.
VCU third-year field hockey player Morena Macera receives a pass. Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics.
Camila Rosenbrock, fourth-year midfielder and forward
Josefina
Sept. 6, 2024–March 9, 2025 601 W. Broad St. Tuesday–Sunday | 10 am–5 pm
On this day
In
Poe is for ‘everyone, evermore’: Artist, author exhibits new work
BRAXTON HARE Contributing Writer
Local artist and nonfiction author Chris Semtner’s most recent collection of paintings and prints, “Mystery of Mysteries,” is available for viewing at anne’s Visual Art Gallery in Richmond.
The gallery is located at 208 W. Broad St. and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12-5 p.m., and on First Fridays from 4-9 p.m., according to its website. This marks Semtner’s first show at anne’s Visual Art Studio gallery since 2019, according to Anne Hart Chay, the owner of the gallery.
The collection creates a sense of mystery by blending dream and reality into images that hint at open-ended stories or
unresolved mysteries, Chay said.
“The paintings present ambiguous, elusive and indecipherable mysteries not to be solved or understood, but to be contemplated, inviting the solitary viewer to explore and to imagine. They are simply just meant to be,” Semtner said.
“Mystery of Mysteries” was influenced by 19th-century art and literature, specifically the works of Edgar Allan Poe, silent horror films and historic Virginia architecture, according to the gallery’s press release.
Semtner’s main goal in his work is to “think of innovative ways to share the strange but true story of Edgar Allan Poe to new audiences.” He feels that Poe is for “everyone, evermore,” according to The Poe Museum’s website.
By sharing his art and literature,
Semtner aims to preserve and celebrate the rich literary and historical legacy of Poe in Richmond, he said.
Using Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” story to further his creative imagination, Semtner’s work in “Mystery of Mysteries” blends dreamlike and realistic elements into images that suggest unresolved narratives or enigmatic stories, he said.
“These paintings explore a dreamscape populated by half-forgotten dreams, false memories, oversized insects and silent film stars. They are tales that tell nothing and symbols that symbolize nothing,” according to Semtner’s website.
During the opening reception of the “Mystery of Mysteries” exhibition, Semtner also signed copies of his latest book, “Haunting Poe: His Afterlife in Richmond & Beyond.”
The book tells the “stranger-than-fiction story of Poe’s ghost, drawn from legends, lore and firsthand accounts of those who claimed to have seen the disembodied spirit of the 19th-century horror author in houses, forts, libraries, museums and even bars, spanning from Providence to Charleston,” according to a press release on Semtner’s work.
“I thought that it would be a really interesting thing to have just one book all about Poe’s ghost since whenever I go to a different city to give a talk or something, I hear a different ghost story about Poe,” Semtner said.
Semtner said his book covers how ghost stories about Poe are popping up everywhere. He is seemingly haunting seven different cities, three different bars, multiple library museums and even the Fairmount Water Works.
“The sources of my imagery are hazy memories, half-forgotten dreams, dusty old books and seldom-seen black-and-white movies,” Semtner said.
Director of retail and guest services at the Poe Museum, Jake Taylor, said whenever he goes to Semtner with a question about Poe, he knows the answer, which impresses him.
Taylor said he goes through Semtner’s books pretty regularly when he needs to fact-check something or wants specific information on Poe.
“I have also been to his most recent gallery at anne’s where I got to see some of his pieces. It’s really cool to see his artwork,” Taylor said.
Self-taught street artist and Richmond native Lewis Jones said they were able to go to anne’s Visual Art Gallery during Sempter’s First Friday event.
“I loved how eclectic and extensive the galleries were at anne’s. It was cool to see local artists from the community have the opportunity to showcase their art somewhere,” Jones said.
Jones said he usually doesn’t enjoy things related to horror or the supernatural, but something about Semtner’s paintings and his technique changed that for him.
1869, Mahatma Gandhi, Indian leader, politician, social activist and writer was born in Porbandar, India.
Chris Semtner’s latest book, ‘Haunting Poe: His Afterlife in Richmond & Beyond,’ tells a stranger-than-fiction story of Poe’s ghost. Photo by Cameron Powell.
Chris Semtner’s paintings are available for viewing at anne’s Visual Art Gallery. Photos by Cameron Powell.
‘The
art of the tease’: Body positivity, self expression at burlesque bingo
CAROLYN SLINGLUFF
Contributing Writer
Burlesque performer Ellie Quinn hosted a monthly “Burlesque Bingo” at Basic City Beer Co. in Richmond on Sept. 27. The event takes place on the last Friday of every month and has been a fixture for about two years, according to Curtis Lee, owner of Basic City.
“Burlesque Bingo” combines a live burlesque performance with a showthemed game of bingo, according to Lee. Instead of numbers, audience members must check-off things like “did the splits” and “played a Lady Gaga song” to get bingo. A mix of local and visiting burlesque artists rotate performing at the event, so each week varies.
Lee said “Burlesque Bingo” attracts fun crowds that are also great for business. Basic City provides free parking and a bar where guests can get food and drinks before enjoying the show in a private event space. The venue
We’re inundated with all
these images of people on Ozempic and diets and things like that, and it’s just not the reality of the world that we live in.
I love the mirror that burlesque uses to reflect true society back.”
Ellie Quinn, burlesque performer and event host.
plans to continue holding the event for months to come.
“There’ll be good music, good dancing, laughing and good times had,” Lee said.
Drawing inspiration from similar productions around the country, this iteration of “Burlesque Bingo” is organized and produced by Quinn. She aimed to make the event more interactive by making bingo spaces show-themed, Quinn said.
Burlesque is most simply known as “the art of the tease” because it combines striptease with all kinds of storylines and narratives, Quinn said. Performances can be funny, sexy, scary or sad, subtle or notso-subtle.
“It’s really hard to fully explain it without someone seeing it — people probably don’t take a chance on it because the stigma of nudity, especially of the female body in our society, and just the unknown,” Quinn said.
Quinn, who has always had the “entertainment bug,” fell in love with the art of burlesque because it empowered her to become
happy in her own skin, she said. Hoping to spread body positivity and her love of the art, her favorite memories as a performer are when audience members said they felt represented by what they saw.
“We’re inundated with all these images of people on Ozempic and diets and things like that, and it’s just not the reality of the world that we live in,” Quinn said. “I love the mirror that burlesque uses to reflect true society back.”
The show on Friday consisted of two acts, with an intermission in between. Each performer brought their own piece of art to the stage, complete with music, costumes and choreography. During the acts, the performers interacted with the audience, embracing the joy of live entertainment, Quinn said.
“We’re in front of screens all the time, and the beauty of being able to be in a space, gathering with others, is not something that should be lost in the world,” Quinn said.
Attendee Katie Zanowicz is a fan of burlesque but a first-timer at Friday’s event. By the end of the first act, she had already won “tatas,” the “Burlesque Bingo” equivalent of a bingo, and was in good spirits awaiting the second act, Zanowicz said.
“I love the energy, I love the body inclusivity — lots of different shapes and sizes that I think is great,” Zanowicz said. Richmond local, Brent Wood, also attended with a friend, he said. It was their first burlesque show, but not their last.
“It was just fun. They were able to kind of express themselves, and nobody cares, and they were having fun too,” Wood said.
The next Burlesque Bingo is Oct. 25 at Basic City Beer Co. in Richmond. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Open to all adults ages 18-plus.
A burlesque performer in black takes the stage. Photo by Carolyn Slingluff.
Burlesque performer dances with an umbrella prop. Photo by Carolyn Slingluff.
Quote of the week
“We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other’s children.” — Former President Jimmy Carter
Rethinking screen time: Discovering benefits for students
JESSICA HOLGADO Contributing Writer
Screens often take priority over real-life interactions in today’s world. Many people spend hours absorbed in their devices, scrolling through social media or bingewatching shows, often overlooking the people around them.
It is interesting to see how screens have become a part of my daily life. Whether I am in class, writing an essay or completing a project, screens are always a part of my routine. From watching the latest episode of “Emily in Paris” on Netflix while on the stairmaster to communicating with my coworkers through Microsoft Teams, my eyes are constantly on a screen.
Even when I am taking pictures of what is in front of me or reading a book on my phone, screens are an integral part of my day.
As our attachment to our phones grows, we risk missing out on valuable experiences and endangering the depth of our connections with one another.
Many people, including parents and teachers, worry students are becoming less intelligent due to their screen time spent on video games, movies, texting and social media, fearing these activities distract from learning and reduce critical thinking skills. They are also concerned about the effects on attention spans, physical health and social skills.
But what if there is another perspective?
What if screen time, when used wisely, can actually help students?
For instance, playing video games can enhance problem-solving skills and foster strategic thinking. Watching movies introduces complex narratives and themes, sparking discussions and critical thinking. Texting and social media can improve communication skills and help students connect with diverse perspectives.
Moreover, screen time can complement traditional learning. Educational games and interactive content can make challenging subjects more engaging, while mediums like documentaries and podcasts provide in-depth knowledge and stimulate curiosity.
I enjoy listening to true crime podcasts or watching horror documentaries, as they pique my interest and teach me fascinating historical facts.
Educational apps, virtual classrooms and online courses have created new learning opportunities that I could not have imagined before. For instance, apps like Khan Academy and Duolingo offer personalized learning, letting me go at my own pace and revisit difficult topics. I used Duolingo to try and learn Italian when I studied abroad in Italy, and it helped me understand the basics.
Virtual classrooms have also become a
staple in modern education, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams enable students to continue their education remotely, ensuring that learning is not disrupted by external circumstances.
These virtual environments offer interactive features such as breakout rooms, polls and real-time collaboration tools, fostering a sense of community and active participation among students.
Beyond education, screen time can also have positive impacts on students’ mental health. Contrary to the belief that screen time is solely detrimental, certain digital activities can provide emotional support and stress relief.
For example, mindfulness and meditation apps like Headspace and Calm offer guided sessions that help students manage anxiety and improve their overall well-being. Additionally, online communities and social media platforms can serve as valuable support networks, allowing students to connect with peers who share similar interests and experiences.
These connections can foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation, especially for those who may struggle with face-to-face interactions.
Skill development is another area where
screen time can be highly beneficial. Being digitally literate is essential in today’s world, and students who know how to navigate digital tools are better prepared for future jobs.
I have been using multimedia tools like Adobe Creative Cloud to explore my creativity and develop skills in graphic design, video editing and digital storytelling. These skills have been valuable not only in my academic settings but are also highly sought after in the job market.
Screen time has also been crucial for my career preparation. I have used online platforms like LinkedIn Learning to take courses on various professional skills, such as project management and public speaking.
These resources have helped me gain practical knowledge and improve my resume, making me stand out in the job market. Additionally, virtual internships and remote work opportunities have allowed me to gain real-world experience and build professional connections, all from the comfort of my home.
I have a good balance between the real world and my screen — using screen time positively makes me who I am. It helps me stay connected, productive and entertained, and I would not have it any other way.
Illustration by Viktoria Fisher.
Another day, another celebrity beauty brand
LAUREN PRATTIS
Audience Editor
It seems like every time I turn on my phone, another celebrity is launching their “new” and “never-before-seen” beauty brand. From singers and movie stars to TV personalities, the beauty industry is one long red carpet rolled out for famous people who want to attach their names to a blush or a brush.
These brand launches no longer feel special when everyone and their mother are doing it. For every “groundbreaking” new product, thousands more will take its place next week.
From what I have seen online, celebrities conveniently team up with brands at the same time a new project of theirs is released. They know when the most eyes will be watching, so why not take that as an opportunity to make even more money?
The most recent example of this phenomenon I can think of is the launch of actress Blake Lively’s hair-care brand, Blake Brown. The press tour for her newest film, “It Ends With Us,” a movie about surviving domestic violence, was overshadowed by interviews about her brand — turning the conversation away from the film and into an infomercial.
While I have to admit Lively has gorgeous hair, I highly doubt it is because she only uses Blake Brown products. For every public appearance she makes, there is a team of people whose job it is to make sure she looks and stays camera-ready.
It is even more unrealistic when it comes to the makeup and skincare brands of Hollywood’s biggest names. It is one thing when a popular makeup artist launches a product line — it is another when a megastar
I am not suggesting it is some grand scheme by the wealthy to make people feel the need to change — but it undeniably fuels insecurity.”
invents an “exclusive” formula.
One of the pioneers of capitalizing on insecurities through the lens of a “passion project” is Kylie Jenner. Her brand Kylie Cosmetics has hundreds of beauty products for physical self-improvement.
Her claim to makeup fame was the launch of her lip kits near the end of 2015. At the time, she was most well known for her colorful makeup looks, specifically those on her lips. Capitalizing on a market of insecure people who wanted to look like her, she successfully launched a $35 lip liner and lipstick combination.
Famous people like Jenner insinuate their products make them look the way they do, instead of the thousands of dollars worth of procedures and treatments. Those products are advertised as miracle solutions that promise to give everyday people a small taste of the “glamorous life,” but they always fall short.
I am not suggesting it is some grand scheme by the wealthy to make people feel the need to change — but it undeniably fuels insecurity.
Normal people like myself do not have immediate access to miracle means of shapeshifting — so a more approachable solution is to dig in our pockets and try to achieve the newest trending look. Always trying to keep up with the newest trends can be damaging for one’s self esteem and bank account.
More often than not, it feels like I am paying more for the names attached to the merchandise and the promises they hold instead of buying a new lip gloss because I ran out.
Illustration by Nathan Varney.
Joke of the week
“I don’t think the important question is whether aliens exist or not but why they never stop and hang out. They don’t stop to hurt us. They don’t stop to help us. They don’t stop to refuel or nap. They seem to just hover and split.”
— Marc Maron
DYLAN HOSTETTER
Opinions and Humor Editor
Living with a stranger is hard. You may have different tastes, different schedules or even different opinions on how long milk is good for after the expiration date. As long as it’s not solid, I’m drinking it — I hate to waste.
The worst roommate I ever had was during my freshman year. He slept on the bottom bunk wrapped in a blanket like a mummy and would awake violently whenever you got near him. Several late night trips to the bathroom landed me with a black eye and a busted lip.
It’s hard living with a stranger, but it’s even harder when they also happen to be an extraterrestrial. OK, OK, I know that sounds crazy, but I swear I’m not making this up.
It all started when I got a VCU Alert about a potential UFO sighting. It was the scariest alert I had received since that guy’s electric scooter was stolen. He found it a few minutes later a couple of yards down the street, but for a time it was a real nail biter!
I can’t believe it was a coincidence that the same day my new roommate shows up with nothing but a duffel bag and the shirt
on his back. What kind of shirt, you ask?
An E.T. T-shirt. I never trusted that weird looking alien — I’m convinced he wanted to eat Drew Barrymore.
Aside from the T-shirt, his disguise couldn’t have been more obvious. He introduced himself as Albert Ian — “Al Ian.” That’s like if my name was “Hugh Man” — or if Michael Rao was named “Over Pade.”
I wouldn’t have minded so much that he was an alien if he wasn’t such a bad roommate. He was constantly holed up in his room with bright lights and loud sounds emanating from the crack below his door. Whenever I would knock, all I would get in return were angry yells in some strange tongue.
His diet was unlike anything I had ever seen. Our fridge smelled heinous and was constantly filled with cartons of strange looking fried bugs and colored pastes — and to think he once had the gall to complain about my tuna and cottage cheese.
There were so many other small things that made me sure he was an alien. For instance, one day I was able to sneak into his room while he was away. There, I found several posters of UFOs and maps of
My alien roommate
planets. Look, I get it — just because he has posters of UFOs on his wall doesn’t mean he’s an alien. I have a poster of Margot Robbie on my wall, but that doesn’t mean I’m Barbie.
But you can’t deny the pile-up of coincidences. His clothes, his diet, his choice of decoration — they all pointed to him being not from this Earth. I had to do something. I didn’t have the number for any Men in Black, so my best bet was the VCU Police.
Of course, they didn’t believe a word I said. Granted, it was the fifth time I called them complaining that my roommate was some kind of mythical creature. During my sophomore year, I was sure I was rooming with a werewolf. Once a month right around the full moon she would get really moody for a week for no apparent reason, and one time she even tried to bite me.
I had to take matters into my own hands. As I kicked down his bedroom door, my fears were confirmed. There, I found a small gray alien holding his human mask in his hands. If I’m being completely honest, I was shocked I was right. Most of my accusations turn out to be completely wrong — like that one time I thought my Uber driver was
kidnapping me but really I just told him the wrong address.
He tried to play it off like it wasn’t a big deal that he was a three-foot-tall gray alien walking around every day in a human skinsuit. I told him I didn’t care so much that he was an alien so long as he didn’t try to probe me and promised to clean out the fridge.
From that moment on, we were the best of roommates. It turns out all we needed was to clear the air. I also found out the whole probing thing was a smear campaign created by the MIB. Aliens are less interested in probing and instead much more fascinated with the question of why human men still have nipples. I mean, would we look weird without them? Or would we not care because we never knew any different?
These are the questions that keep us up late at night now as we share a bowl of fried bugs — turns out they taste like chicken — and binge watch our favorite show: “Alf.” We’re pretty much best friends.
Editor’s Note: The characters and events depicted in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Illustration by Ivy Saunders.
Basic Art Vender Experience by Bryce Griego
Weak Back Weak Job Prospects by Anthony Duong
By Gary Larson & Doug Peterson
BE OR NOT TO BE
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
By Gary Larson & Doug Peterson
By The Mepham Group
Los Angeles Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle
Edited by Patti Varol
Edited by Patti Varol
Ad by Victor Romanko.