The

Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Campuses Advance-TitanVol. 128, No. 13 Dec. 3, 2020 advancetitan.com ‘We may see very high mortality rates in prisons’ Correctional facilities in WI struggle to contain COVID-19 By Joseph Schulz [email protected]

The Oshkosh Correctional Insti- tution (OSCI) recently passed a grim milestone, becoming the Wisconsin prison with the most COVID-19 cases since March, as criminal jus- tice reform advocates plead with the state to change procedures. The prison had 957 total con- firmed cases of coronavirus with 16 active cases as of Tuesday, accord- ing to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC). On Nov. 20, however, the DOC dashboard showed OSCI having 248 active COVID-19 cases. But the recent outbreak at OSCI was not the prison’s first, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. In fact, the prison had an outbreak of 341 active cases on Oct. 5, dipped below 100 cases and then rose to 288 active cases by Oct. 19. By the end of October, OSCI only had 39 active COVID-19 cases, according to the State Journal. Beyond OSCI, six other prisons reported more than 100 active coro- navirus cases on Nov. 20, including Columbia Correctional, Dodge Cor- rectional, Fox Lake Correctional, Racine Correctional, Robert Ells- worth Correctional and Taycheedah Correctional. In a Nov. 25 Facebook post, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Photos courtesy of Esther - Fox Valley said it found four COVID-19 cases Protesters gathered outside the Governor’s mansion call for prison among inmates on Nov. 13, and fol- reform in Wisconsin. OSCI had 957 cases as of Nov. 25. low-up testing that day had revealed 27 additional cases. doctor or go and get tested, but in ing everyone, but the terminally ill, Since March, the sheriff’s office prison that doesn’t happen; you may those who are almost at the end of says it has been isolating all new have to be in a really bad situation to their sentence and people in on tech- arrivals by requiring them to quar- be hospitalized.” nical violations,” Van Lopik said. “It antine for two-weeks, while also en- Van Lopik attributed the out- would be a tragedy if someone dies, forcing masks for inmates and staff, breaks in Wisconsin prisons to who’s months away from being re- restricting access to the facility and over-capacity, meaning there is no leased.” stockpiling supplies. room to practice social distancing. Esther organizers spent the last “Similar to the community at Because prisons have limited in-per- five weeks holding sit-ins at the large, most affected inmates are ei- son visitations, he says the outbreaks governor’s mansion in Madison, ther asymptomatic or experiencing must be originating with the guards. advocating Gov. Tony Evers to take mild COVID-19 symptoms,” the In fact, the DOC COVID-19 action to address Wisconsin prisons’ sheriff’s office said. “All positive dashboard states that as of Tuesday COVID-19 situation. inmates remain housed within the a total of 111 employees at OSCI “We’ve been sitting out there for Winnebago County Jail, and we are have tested positive since the pan- the last five weeks and he knows monitoring their welfare. Subse- demic began. we’re there, but we haven’t heard a quent testing has already been coor- His organization advocates for the word,” Van Lopik said. “We’re go- dinated.” “compassionate release” of inmates, ing to keep sitting there until there’s However, if correctional facilities which would allow prisoners near- some sort of acknowledgement that do not work to reduce populations ing the end of their sentence or those there’s a problem in our prison sys- to increase space for social distanc- with underlying health conditions tem with COVID.” issues than putting people in jail, said. “We are one of the worst in ing, advocates fear that for many to be released early to increase their Even after the pandemic, Van because it fractures the family struc- the country as far as the racial dis- inmates, their time in prison could ability to social distance. Lopik says the overcrowding prob- ture,” he said. “It especially harms crepancy of our prison population turn into a life sentence due to the OSCI’s design capacity is about lem in Wisconsin’s prisons will not people with a lack of resources.” as compared to our general popula- pandemic. 1,494 inmates, but the prison’s pop- go away until the system of mass in- Winnebago County has a drug tion.” Frankly, we may see very high ulation was roughly 1,970 in June, carceration is reformed. Many peo- court program and is establishing At the end of the day, Van Lopik mortality rates in prisons,” said Wil- according to OSCI’s 2020 annual ple filling Wisconsin’s prisons and a mental health diversion program, says Esther will continue assem- liam Van Lopik, a community orga- report. Of those inmates, 22% have jails “are not hardened criminals” — but Van Lopik believes more action bling outside of the governor’s nizer for Esther-Fox Valley, a faith- less than a year left of their sentence they are doing time for non-violent is needed to ensure justice is doled mansion until it sees some kind of based advocacy group that supports and 18% have only one year left, per offenses, Van Lopik said. out fairly. change. criminal justice reform. “Out in so- an OSCI fact sheet. “We have to come up with more “There’s a huge racial discrep- ciety, you’re encouraged to call your “We’re not talking about releas- creative ways of dealing with those ancy in Wisconsin prisons too,” he

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COVID in prisons Lunch Ladies Thanksgiving meal The Astronomers talk upcoming EP 2 | AdvanceTitan.com Dec. 3, 2020 Advance-Titan Consulting firm hired to evaluate courses Phone: 920-424-3048 By Sophia Voight plans, which involve changing the Email: [email protected] [email protected] names of colleges and move depart- Website: ments and programs to colleges that www.advancetitan.com UW Oshkosh is partnering with are more closely aligned with each the consulting and analytics firm other. Editor in Chief Carter Uslabar Gray Associates to assist with their Restructuring plan No. 1 would be [email protected] ongoing academic structure explo- to maintain the current four-college ration that involves consideration system. Ad Manager Collin Tuchalski of restructuring the current college Restructuring plan No. 2 would be system and revising academic pro- to maintain the current four-college [email protected] grams. system but realign departments and 262-391-8452 Gray Associates is a consulting programs. firm that focuses on evaluating uni- Courtesy of UW Oshkosh Flickr Restructuring plan No. 3 would be Managing Editor versities’ academic catalogs and cre- UW Oshkosh is partnering with a consulting and analytics to assist a five-college system with STEM: Joseph Schulz ating program strategies that adapt in the consideration of restructuring academic programs. colleges would be, Science, Technol- [email protected] to student demand and employment ogy, Engineering and Math (STEM); opportunities. This includes presenting data on presented by Gray Associates will Business and Media; Arts and Hu- News Editor UWO has been engaged in an aca- potential programs for the university help inform the academic planning manities; Nursing and Health Sci- Amber Brockman demic structure exploration over the to invest in, update or shut down. process, but not drive it. ences; Public Leadership. [email protected] last year to consider restructuring the Koker said in a facultywide email While academic planning is an Restructuring plan No. 4 would current four-college system and as- that the firm is merely presenting annual occurrence, in his charge be a five-college system with stand- Asst. News Editor sess its degree programs. suggestions for the growth of the of PACUAS, Koker said now is an alone Fine and Performing Arts: col- Sophia Voight The process of reviewing the ac- university and will not make any opportune time to spearhead new ac- leges would be FAPA; Humanities final decisions on what programs ademic plans because it will lead to [email protected] ademic program array is something and Interdisciplinary Studies; Busi- that the university typically does ev- should be added or cut from UWO. more effective marketing and better ness, Technology and Media Inno- “Gray Associates does not and budgeting for the future of UWO. Sports Editor Cory Sparks ery five to seven years, Provost John vation; Nursing and Science; Educa- will not make decisions for us,” The consideration of restructuring [email protected] Koker said. tion and Public Leadership. Koker initially charged the Aca- Koker said. “UW Oshkosh faculty, the college system is also intended Restructuring plan No. 5 would demic Structure Exploration Team, staff and leadership will make the to “position our University to grow be a five-college system with global Opinion Editor Owen Peterson judgments and the decisions.” and succeed over the next genera- [email protected] or ASET, in the spring 2019 semester studies: colleges would be, Global to develop proposals for reorganiz- Koker said the university is not tion,” according to the ASET report. Studies and Humanities; Business ing the current four-college system, currently suggesting cutting any ac- PACUAS and ASET were formed to and Technology; Performing Arts Copy Desk Chief ademic programs. address the uneven balance between Kaitlyn Scoville which has an uneven faculty and stu- and Media Innovation; Nursing and dent representation among the col- Associate Dean of the College of the College of Letters and Science Science; Education and Public Lead- [email protected] leges, especially within the College Business Jakob Iversen, who was a and the remaining three colleges. ership. of Letters and Science. part of both academic structure com- “It was created to balance out the Restructuring plan No. 6 would be Graphic Designer ASET submitted six potential re- mittees, said the data being used from size of the colleges and also to pro- a four-college system with STEAM Amanda Hollander structuring plans back in September Gray Associates is not being used to vide more visibility to some of the and Health and Education: colleges [email protected] 2019, which were meant as a con- consider closing or diminishing any programs inside the letters and sci- would be, Science, Technology, En- versation starter for the ongoing ac- programs. “It’s really about how to ence,” Iversen said. gineering, Arts and Math; Health Photo Editor April Lee ademic planning process. grow and create programs that are UWO has four academic colleges: and Education; Business and Media; [email protected] The provost then charged the Pro- going to be attractive for students in College of Business, College of Edu- Liberal Arts and Society. vost Advisory Committee on Uni- the future,” Iversen said. cation and Human Services, College The ASET report does not include Web Editor Grant Hunter versity-wide Academic Structure, or Gray Associates held a workshop of Nursing and College of Letters a ranking of the structures or a rec- [email protected] PACUAS, in fall 2019 to generate for faculty and staff back in Octo- and Science. “While our four-college ommendation. feedback on the planning process ber to present their data on student structure once provided a logical ar- PACUAS was then charged with Asst. Web Editor Olivia Oz- and make a recommendation to the demand and market research that rangement for grouping departments gathering university-wide feedback baki provost regarding the college struc- UWO can use to develop their aca- and programs, it is no longer clear on any potential academic restruc- demic program plan. that this structure best reflects all [email protected] ture. turing, not just the ones proposed in Koker announced in his opening The firm presented its Program that UW Oshkosh has to offer,” the ASET. PACUAS is now responsible Evaluation System (PES), which ASET report said. Copy Desk Editors: day remarks this semester that UWO for creating an official report on the Heidi evaluates how academic programs For example, the history depart- Docter, Kira Moericke, Lexi hired the consulting firm to assist in university’s feedback of the restruc- the ongoing academic planning pro- can be fixed to tailor to career- de ment is in the division of social sci- turing and make a recommendation Wojcik-Kretchmer, Michaela mands and what programs to poten- ences despite the fact that it is tradi- Branagan cess. to the provost on UWO’s college Koker said Gray Associates was tially cut or startup. tionally in humanities departments. structure. hired to provide data on employ- Iversen said PES looked at job Likewise, the journalism department Journalism department chair Staff Writers: Andrew Hansen, outcomes of specific majors, where is in the humanities division when it Lexi Langendorf, Nolan Fulling- ment and student demand that could Sara Steffes Hansen, who is a part help guide the university’s academic students’ interests lie and compet- is rarely categorized as such at other of the committee, said PACUAS’s ton, Lexi Wojcik-Kretchmer planning process. ing degrees in the region. “The tool colleges. intention is to facilitate communi- The work being done by Gray As- pulled together a large number of COLS currently houses nearly cation and a collaboration of ideas Faculty Adviser Barb Benish sociates is a separate initiative from data points and presented that to help half of all majors and minors offered on UWO’s current academic plan- [email protected] ASET and PACUAS but is all simul- us evaluate which UWO programs at UWO. This gives COLS greater ning process. The Gray Associates taneously being done for the current might be good candidates to evalu- governance representation on uni- workshop, ASET and PACUAS are About the Newspaper academic structure exploration pro- ate,” he said. versity committees and creates sig- all separate initiatives to help the uni- The Advance-Titan is an in- cess. Based on the regional data pre- nificant administrative overlap. versity improve its academic struc- dependent student newspaper The consulting firm is providing sented by Gray Associates, partic- The report noted that due to ture, she added. published on campus since 1894. the university with program portfo- ipants of the workshop looked at COLS’s large size, smaller depart- “I see a lot of deep communica- The paper is written and edited lio strategies that reflect the current good programs to potentially add to ments are not as known and are tion and discussion,” Hansen said. by students at UW Oshkosh who degree demands of students and em- UWO, such as cybersecurity and re- overshadowed by larger departments “We’re all kind of going through a are soley responsible for content ployment opportunities in the area. newable energy degrees. Koker said in the college. big process.” and editorial policy. Any UW in a facultywide email that the data ASET proposed six restructuring Oshkosh student from all three campuses is welcome to work Campus food service workers adapt to new precautions on the newspaper staff. The Andrew Hansen the cafeteria staff have been holding Advance-Titan is published on [email protected] an increased number of meetings re- Thursday during the academic lated to health and safety to ensure year. The COVID-19 pandemic has proper practices are maintained. taken its toll on UW Oshkosh food “It’s about making sure you’re Correction Policy: services workers still adjusting to changing your gloves constantly The Advance-Titan is com- the new regulations. and not touching your mask and mit-ted to correcting errors of “There’s a lot more rules with staying as far away from the stu- fact that appear in print or online. masks, glove-changing and clean- dents as possible,” said Lorie Win- Messages regarding errors can ing,” Blackhawk Xpress employee kler, who works at the Sub Stand in be emailed to [email protected]. David Zeh said. “We’ve always Reeve Memorial Union. done a decent bit of cleaning as a Winkler says that she and her Andrew Hansen/Advance-Titan Latest Awards: part of the job, but it’s a lot more co-worker Lynn Bender still have Lorie Winkler and Lynn Bender are food service workers at UWO. First Place Best of Show News- intense than it has been in previous not fully adapted to the more strin- paper, Associated Collegiate years.” gent precautions. still getting used to smiling with my Bender said. “We’ve got a lot of The cafeteria workers have to en- They said that the toughest part of Press (ACP), 2020 eyes, which is weird.” compliments so far.” sure that everyone who enters the the stricter guidelines is the loss of Third Place Best of Show Web- Given the circumstances, the The pair said they are doing their building is properly wearing their connection to students. “We’re used site, ACP, 2020 two are still doing what they can to best to ensure student safety. masks. to giving the kids hugs when they’re brighten students’ days. “You never know who may have Fifth Place Best of Show Special Zeh said that he has not had any having a bad day, but we can’t do Edition, ACP, 2020 “We’ve been writing nice little an underlying condition,” Winkler backlash yet from students for en- that anymore,” Winkler said. messages on the GrubHub bags, said. “So everybody’s just gotta be forcing the rule. In addition to this, Meanwhile, Bender said, “I’m just something to make their days,” careful.” Dec. 3, 2020 AdvanceTitan.com | 3 Rural-urban divide in Winnebago County By Sophia Voight and local election on this year’s much of its republican base. [email protected] ballot and offsetting the high dem- “It has become a postindustrial ocratic vote in urban areas like Os- city and become more white-col- On an election map of Win- hkosh and Neenah. lar, more professional,” he said. nebago County, Oshkosh typically Due to the rural, urban divide Simmons said the increase of stands out like a blue island in a between Oshkosh and Winnebago racial minorities in Oshkosh has sea of red. County, Republicans have been also contributed to the shift in our Like many urban areas in the able to maintain a stronghold in voting patterns. country, the city of Oshkosh tends every county-wide elections. While Winnebago County re- to lean heavily democratic in pres- Rural parts of the county are so mains predominantly white giving idential and local elections, while overwhelmingly Republican and them a republican edge, Oshkosh’s the surrounding rural areas remain make up a substantial amount of minority populations tend to be securely republican. the county vote that Democrats more favorable to Democratic can- “Across the state, the big divide usually won’t even run candidates didates. is between the metropolitan areas in county elections because they “[Oshkosh] is still overwhelm- and small towns in rural Wiscon- know they won’t win, Simmons ingly white but we’re becoming sin,” UW Oshkosh political sci- said. somewhat more diverse and that’s ence professor James Simmons The Winnebago County clerk, more favorable to the Democrats,” said. treasurer and district attorney all he said. Oshkosh’s classification as an ran unopposed this election, and Simmons said UW Oshkosh urban area with a university and a all were Republicans. plays a large role in the way white-collar dominated workforce Rural areas are primarily Oshkosh residents vote as the gives it a democratic edge against composed of white people and third-largest employer in the city. the Republican stronghold in the blue-collar workers who tend to “The university is one of the ma- more rural areas of the county. vote Republican, but in the city jor employers in the city,” he said. In this year’s general election, of Oshkosh, Democrats have the “So, the city is much less manufac- President Donald Trump and Re- advantage due to ties to the uni- turing and more professional.” publicans performed well in rural versity and the more white-collar White-collar workers often lean small towns, especially among professionals in the city. blue in national and local elections Courtesy of James Simmons white men, Simmons said. Simmons said the city hasn’t as Democratic candidates are typ- Winnebago County voting patterns in the 2016 presidential elec- Biden and Democrats, on the always been this way though. Os- ically more supportive of higher tion show the rural-urban divide between Oshkosh and the rest of other hand, carried the city of Osh- hkosh used to be far more Repub- education, Simmons said. the county. kosh fairly easily. lican but has slowly become deep A number of the Democratic pus. Clinton wasn’t able to score as Oshkosh residents leaned dem- blue over the past few decades. candidates in this election had di- Simmons said Biden won the large of a margin for the Demo- ocratic in every red/blue race on Oshkosh has lost a lot of its rect ties to the university. U.S. con- presidential vote among students crats in 2016 among UWO stu- their ballot, according to official manufacturing employers which gressional candidate Jessica King by a substantial margin of roughly dents as Biden was able to do this election results. tended to attract Republican voters graduated from UWO and state 58% of the vote while Trump only year. But if you zoom out to the coun- and the industries that have stayed senate candidate Aaron Wojciech- got 39% of the student vote. Clinton won roughly 47% of ty, Republicans were able to win unionized whose members tend owski is a recent political science This is opposed to the total the student vote while Trump got by substantial margins in many to vote democratic, according to and economics graduate of UWO. city vote where the margins were 41%, according to Simmons. voting districts, often winning by Simmons. College students also tend to slightly smaller, allocating 52% “One of the most democratic over 40% of the total vote, accord- Simmons said with the loss of vote more democratic, Simmons of the vote to Biden and 44% to sections of Oshkosh in presiden- ing to official election results. manufacturing industries that once said. Some of the heaviest blue Trump, according to official elec- tial election years is in the student This deep rural red helped Re- heavily employed large portions of voting districts in the city were the tion results. districts,” Simmons said. publicans score wins in every state Oshkosh residents, the city has lost ones surrounding the college cam- Democratic candidate Hillary What is the register of deeds? By Sophia Voight main things that attracted her to day, she and her staff are dealing [email protected] the position. with daily document recordings “The register of deeds offices and vital records requests. Every four years, voters across houses hundreds of thousands of “My main responsibility is the state have the opportunity to records,” she said. “How easily ensuring that the duties of the elect their respective county reg- you can access that information office are carried out accurate- ister of deeds. depends on the organization.” ly, efficiently and in accordance As a smaller, locally-elected The office is responsible for with state statutes,” she said. Joseph Schulz / Advance-Titan position, the register of deeds filing and recording all land As the county register of Volunteers collect food donations for Father Carr’s Place. office doesn’t attract the same ownership and transfer of any deeds, Strohmeyer also serves as attention in general elections as property in the county. They es- the liaison between the ROD of- the more glamorous presidential sentially provide the who, what fice and the county board of su- Food drive for Father Carr’s and congressional campaigns. and when of all properties, play- pervisors to approve any county Joseph Schulz Carr’s or in the facility’s kitchen, Because of this, you likely ing a crucial role in the histori- ordinances that would benefit [email protected] Stieg said. mulled over the ROD position cal and economic records of the the ROD office and for budget Wisconsin Solidarity formed this without putting much thought county. approval. Volunteers assembled in the year, after Stieg’s husband, Cody, into it when filling out this year’s Having an elected official in She’s also a part of WRDA, parking lot of the Oshkosh Con- made an album with 10 artists from ballot. Maybe you stuck with charge of real estate records is where she serves on the vitals vention Center on Nov. 21 to col- across the state. It features covers your party preference to help especially important considering committee as well as vice-chair lect non-perishable food donations of 1960s Civil Rights protest songs with the decision or maybe you property taxes are based on the of the Winnebago County Land for Father Carr’s Place 2B. to raise community awareness by noticed the “Reid for Deeds” records held by the ROD. Information Council, and a Father Carr’s Place 2B is a life shedding light on the issue. signs in the area and were com- The ROD’s other primary member of the Electronic E-Re- enrichment center in Oshkosh, Brittany explained that Cody pelled to vote for the indepen- function is filing all vital records, cording Council of Wisconsin. ministering to the poor and provid- had distributed the album digitally dent candidate. which consists of all marriages, This year Strohmeyer won ing family and community activi- for free. Cody and she then brain- Despite the lack of attention to births and deaths that occur in her second term as Winnebago ties. stormed other ways their organiza- the position in an election year, the county. County ROD against political Wisconsin Solidarity, a non-po- tion could benefit the community, the register of deeds plays an im- Strohmeyer said she really en- newcomer Seth Reid in a near litical community organization leading to Saturday’s food drive. portant role in local government. joys the historical aspect of her landslide victory. focused on helping struggling The food drive was Wisconsin “The register of deeds office job, being that she is able to look Of all the county-level elec- families based in Oshkosh, orga- Solidarity’s first hosting event, but provides a crucial service for back at the family genealogy and tions in Winnebago County, the nized the food drive, collecting un- they are planning other activities to Winnebago County residents historical records of the people register of deeds was the only expired goods and nonperishable help those in need as well, Brittany given that we record and keep who lived in the county over the contested race. food items. said. real estate-related documents years. Strohmeyer was elected to the The event aimed to help families One example, she said, is the toy as well as issue birth, death and The Wisconsin Register of Winnebago County register of struggling with how to celebrate drive they are planning next month marriage certificates,” Winneba- Deeds Association (WRDA) de- deeds office back in 2016 after the upcoming Thanksgiving holi- before Christmas. go County register of deeds Na- scribes the duties of the register serving in the register of deeds day, the organization’s co-founder, Brittany and Cody seem to aim talie Strohmeyer said. of deeds as “a way of putting the office in Outagamie County for Brittany Stieg said. toward uniting as a community, The ROD office is the official world on notice that something over three decades. “We want to bring the commu- instead of dividing. Brittany said repository of real estate and vital important has happened or will Strohmeyer took over the of- nity together by any means nec- Wisconsin Solidarity does not view records for the county and is in happen.” fice after the previous ROD Julie essary,” she said. “If that means the community as “red or blue, charge of archiving the records ROD plays a critical cog in the Pagel retired in January 2016. standing here in the cold, so be it.” black or white.” and providing public access to wheel of county government by Pagel had served as Winnebago The food drive was successful “We’re all in this together, after them. issuing these important records County register of deeds for 11 — the group received plenty of all,” Brittany said. “We are com- Strohmeyer said she enjoys and archiving them online for years and had worked for the food donations, which will be used mitted to expanding knowledge this organizational aspect of the easy access. county for over three decades. either in the food pantry at Father and accessibility of resources.” role, and that it was one of the Strohmeyer said on a typical 4 | AdvanceTitan.com Dec. 3, 2020 Sports New year, new Milwaukee Bucks roster By Lexi Langendorf the 2019-20 Twyman-Stokes “Eric and George were major “D.J. brings a wealth of expe- runner up and an All-NBA G [email protected] Teammate of the Year last season. contributors to our winning cul- rience to our backcourt and will League First Team selection after “Jrue is an incredibly high char- ture in Milwaukee,” Horst added. provide us with depth at guard,” averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 assists, This season, the Bucks will ac- acter person and one of the premier “They are talented players but said Bucks General Manager Jon 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals over quire nine new players, including guards in the NBA,” said Bucks even better people.” Horst. “D.J.’s proven to be a pro- 33 games. Jaylen Adams, Mamadi Diakite, General Manager Jon Horst. “He The Milwaukee Bucks have lific shooter and an excellent ball- He knocked down 48.6% of D.J. Augustin, Torrey Craig, Bryn will make us better on both ends also signed forward Torrey Craig, handler throughout his career and his shots, including 40.7% of his Forbes, Jrue Holiday, Sam Merrill, of the floor, as he’s an elite- de guard Bryn Forbes, forward Bob- we’re thrilled to have him in Mil- 3-point attempts, last season with Jordan Nwora, and Bobby Portis. fender and a proven playmaker on by Portis and guard D.J. Augustin. waukee.” the Herd. 6’4 Pelicans guard Holiday and offense with the Craig, a 6’7 Milwaukee additionally gained Diakite, a 6’9 forward, aver- 6’5 guard Merrill will join the ability to score, forward, played second-round draft pick Jordan aged a team-high 13.7 points with team as part of a four-team deal in- shoot and facil- the last three Nwora in exchange for two future 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per cluding the Oklahoma City Thun- itate.” Jrue is an incredibly seasons with the second round draft choices in a game as a senior last season with der and the Denver Nuggets. Sam Merrill, high character per- Denver Nug- draft day trade with the Orlando the Cavaliers. Diakite also shot The Bucks will send guard Eric in his four sea- gets, holding ca- Magic. 47.8% from the field and 35.7% Bledsoe, two first-round draft sons at Utah son and one of the reer averages of Nwora, a 6’7 forward, was a from three last season and was a picks (2025, 2027) and the right to State, knocked premier guards in 5.3 points and Third Team All-American and semifinalist for the Naismith- De swap first-round draft picks (New down 42.0% of the NBA. 3.4 rebounds First Team All- fensive Player of Orleans’ for Milwaukee’s) in 2024 his 3-point at- per game while ACC selection the Year award. and 2026. tempts, 47.0% - Jon Horst, Bucks General shooting 45.1% last season as The Milwau- Milwaukee also loses guard of his shots Manager from the field. a junior after kee Bucks will George Hill to the Thunder and overall and Forbes, a 6’2 averaging 18.0 play a three- draft rights to 2020 first round pick 89.1% of his guard, played points, 7.7 re- game 2020 pre- and point guard R.J. Hampton to free-throw attempts, while averag- the last four seasons with the San bounds and 1.3 season schedule, Denver in the trade. ing 16.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and Antonio Spurs, holding career av- assists per game with the first Holiday, entering his 12th sea- 3.6 assists over 131 games. erages of 8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds while shooting game set for Sat- son in the NBA, is a two-time “Sam is someone we’ve had our and 1.5 assists in 21.7 minutes per 44.0% from the Courtesy of Bucks News urday, Dec. 12 All-NBA Defensive Team honor- eye on over his last couple seasons game. He’s a career 43.1% shoot- field and 40.2% The Bucks lost to the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum, ee (2017-18, 2018-19) and 2013 at Utah State,” Horst said. “He has er from the field and has knocked from three. in the Eastern Conference semifi- as announced NBA All-Star who has appeared in demonstrated the ability to shoot down 40.0% of his 3-point at- Nwora was also nals four games to one. by the NBA on more than 700 career games with at a high percentage and we like tempts throughout his career. the runner up Nov. 27. New Orleans and Philadelphia. his size and overall feel for the Portis, a 6’10 forward, spent for ACC Player of the Year last The Bucks will play back-to- Holiday started all 61 games for game. We’re excited to get him the 2019-20 season with the New season. back games against the Dallas New Orleans during the 2019-20 into camp and watch him compete York Knicks and holds career av- Pat Connaughton, a guard for Mavericks on Saturday, Dec. 12 season, overall holding career av- at this level.” erages of 10.2 points, 5.9 rebounds the Bucks, has resigned, and guard and Monday, Dec. 14, before fin- erages of 15.9 points, 6.4 assists, Bledsoe appeared in 210 games and 1.2 assists per game while Adams and forward Diakite have ishing the preseason schedule with 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 713 with the Bucks over the last three shooting 45.6% from the field and also been signed to Two-Way con- a matchup against the Pelicans in career games. He is a career 45.3% seasons and averaged 16.3 points, 36.0% from three. tracts, which essentially stipulate New Orleans on Friday, Dec. 18. shooter from the field, 35.4% from 5.3 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 Augustin played in 57 games that these players will spend most Each game will tip-off at 7 p.m. three and 77.7% from the free- steals per game. last season with the Magic, hold- of their time with the G League. CT. throw line, leaving as the fran- Hill played in 106 games with ing career averages of 9.9 points, Adams, a 6’2 guard, spent the Milwaukee Bucks will also chise’s all-time leader in career the Bucks and averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds per majority of the 2019-20 season debut new “great lakes blue city three-pointers made with a total of 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 41.2% from with the Bucks’ G League affil- edition” uniforms for the 2020-21 628. game while shooting 47.9% from the field, 37.9% from three and iate, the Wisconsin Herd, where season, launching on Dec. 3. Holiday was additionally named the field and 38.5% from three. 86.5% from the free-throw line. he was the NBA G League MVP NFL stumbles through season, combats COVID By Cory Sparks least three times in a row. Hinton was a backup quar- [email protected] Upon hearing the news that the terback at Wake Forest College, game would be postponed, Ebron where he completed 133 out of As the NFL makes its way tweeted, “The only time we look 251 passes for eight touchdowns through the 12th week of its reg- forward to some rest was after and seven interceptions over four ular season, it is not filled with the one of the biggest PRIMETIME years of eligibility. Hinton did reassurance that was in the air in games we no longer have. We not attempt a single in-game pass mid-September at the beginning of keep getting screwed this year.” during his senior season in 2019. the football season. As December, Steelers star wide receiver and The 23-year-old suited up for NFL the last full month before the play- offensive rookie of the year candi- starting QB debut, and it wasn’t offs, nears, there are numerous date Chase Claypool also tweeted, pretty. unique circumstances going on “What a joke” in response to the Hinton completed one of nine thanks to the spread of COVID-19. game being moved. pass attempts for 13 yards while For starters, the game between One team that did not have throwing two interceptions. The the Baltimore Ravens and the un- enough positive COVID cases to Broncos lost the matchup 31-3, but defeated Pittsburgh Steelers was get their game canceled was the the team had nothing but praise for Graphic by Cory Sparks moved from Thursday, Nov. 26, to Denver Broncos, and unfortunate- their last-minute quarterback. Ac- Shortly after numerous Pitsburgh Steelers players complained Wednesday, Dec. 2 due to the Ra- ly for them, their entire quarter- cording to the NFL’s instagram, about the abundance of Ravens players having COVID and the vens having more than 20 players back room was not able to play in Hinton was working sales as re- game being postponed, starting Steelers running back James Con- who tested positive at one point, the game that proceeded. Backup cently as a month ago before his nor also tested positive for the virus. according to BaltimoreRavens. quarterback Jeff Driskel suppos- unexpected NFL start. The Bron- two games against the Buffalo cisions to be made by the NFL if com. edly tested positive for the virus, cos’ players must be tested numer- Bills on Dec. 7, and the Washing- a football season is to go through Some of the Ravens players according to ESPN Senior Writer ous times before the team’s next ton Football Team on Dec. 13 in to the Super Bowl in February, and who have been put on the team’s Jeff Legwold. game against the defending Super State Farm Stadium, the Arizona the league is doing all that it can COVID list in the last two weeks As a result of Driskel’s positive Bowl champions, the Kansas City Cardinals’ home stadium. to preserve the likelihood of that are starting quarterback Lamar test, Broncos quarterbacks Drew Chiefs. Multiple players and even head happening. Jackson, running backs Mark In- Lock (the starter), Brett Rypien Another odd situation that has coach Kyle Shanahan expressed a There have been murmurs of a gram II and J.K. Dobbins, starting and Blake Bortles were all listed recently come to surface thanks to great amount of disappointment 16-team NFL playoff bracket if tight end Mark Andrews, starting as close contacts and were deemed the rapid uptick in COVID cases when they first heard the news. some teams who have already had defensive tackle Calais Campbell, ineligible for the team’s game is the change of scenery for the Starting running back Raheem a bye week, like the Steelers, have and many more of the team’s key against the New Orleans Saints San Francisco 49ers in the coming Mostert got emotional in a post- to miss an additional week due to players. last Sunday. weeks. game interview when talking an uptick in the team’s number of Numerous Steelers players, This cause of events resulted According to NFL writer Nick about how he hasn’t seen his fami- positively tested players. including linebackers Avery Wil- in one of the oddest quarterback Shook, Santa Clara County, the ly all season in order to keep them As the league flounders to finish liamson and Alex Highsmith, predicaments to date; the Broncos county the 49ers play in, an- safe during the pandemic. what is continuing to be a season defensive tackle Cameron Hey- ended up giving practice squad nounced new COVID regulations “It’s really tough, I miss them so full of struggles to stay healthy, ward and tight end Eric Ebron wide receiver Kendall Hinton the that do not allow the 49ers to play much,” Mostert said. “It’s a fight fans will have no choice but to disapprove of the NFL’s decision call to come in and serve as the in their home of Levi Stadium for every day, you’re fighting for your sit and hope that the amount of to continuously postpone the divi- team’s temporary quarterback for the next couple of weeks. life.” leaguewide positive cases drops to sional matchup for what will be at the week 12 matchup. The team will play their next There are an abundance of de- a containable amount. Dec. 3, 2020 Opinion AdvanceTitan.com | 5 How Oshkosh mishandled the pandemic By Joseph Schulz tion, signaling the conservative The EAA announced its sig- described COVID-19 activity have had a local COVID-19 or- [email protected] court’s initial objections to the nature AirVenture event, bring- in the county as “significant” dinance in June. governor’s executive authority ing 600,000 people to Oshkosh and “uncontrolled,” while Os- If we had an ordinance Oshkosh’s economy is to manage the pandemic in ear- each year, would be canceled in hkosh moved onto the New months ago, and if our lead- strained because of the ongoing ly April. 2020. York Times top 10 list of cities ers gave us a unified message coronavirus pandemic. Iconic While nonessential business- where COVID-19 was spread- supporting the facts — trust- events have been canceled, em- es closed, essential workers June ing the fastest. ing science — our hospitals ployees laid off and both small braved the pandemic, keeping Rock USA and Country USA The Outlet Mall went into wouldn’t have been pushed to and large businesses face finan- the city running, and corpora- music festivals, traditionally foreclosure as a result of the the brink and lives could have cial shortcomings. tions doled out temporary rais- held in June and July, were can- pandemic in September, too. been saved. Wisconsin coronavirus cas- es as a public relations stunt. celed due to COVID-19, too. “Pretty much every health es continue to increase since Many of those laid off during The New York Times and October leader has said that there needs March, further straining busi- the lockdown struggled to get USA Today warned Osh- City and county officials to be a unified public message nesses. Business owners are unemployment benefits, al- kosh was primed for a major met with local leaders to be- on this issue and they’re not bracing for further econom- though some of the state’s low- COVID-19 outbreak spike. gin brainstorming a unified ap- seeing that,” Milwaukee Jour- ic struggles as of last month, est paid employees received As Winnebago County proach to battling COVID-19. nal Sentinel Politics and State according to UW Oshkosh’s wage increases. worked to give the health of- Still, the Oshkosh Chamber of Government Reporter, Molly COVID-19 business survey. Evers eventually extended ficer more power to issue re- Commerce and the local Tavern Beck, said at a Nov. 12 virtual Some business leaders had a the Safer at Home order, caus- strictions to limit the spread of League affiliate remained defi- event. “From their view, they hand in creating this environ- ing protests throughout Wis- COVID-19, it faced significant ant, saying people need to reg- think it would go a long way, if ment, though. consin, demanding an end to pushback from the community. ulate their own behavior. the leaders of both parties got Here is a timeline of the the restriction. Evers issued an executive together on the same page on events and their impacts on our The Oshkosh Chamber of July order limiting capacity on bars a message, not necessarily on community caused by the pan- Commerce signaled an opposi- Much of that pushback, how- and restaurants to 25%, which policy, but just on a message.” demic on local businesses, and tion to government restrictions ever, was the result of misin- the Tavern League has fought Moreover, businesses how the actions of some indi- aimed at combating the pan- formation from local officials. tooth and nail. wouldn’t be facing possible viduals’ undermined the com- demic around the same time. Specifically, state Rep. Mi- Fox Valley hospitals near ca- closure or staffing shortages munity’s response: The Tavern League of Wiscon- chael Schraa, R-Oshkosh and pacity and health officials warn due to employees contracting sin was a vocal opponent of the owner of Leon’s Frozen Cus- the situation could get even COVID-19 if we had kept our March order. tard. The Oshkosh Chamber worse if the community does positive case rate down. March marks the month of Commerce also fed into the not change its behavior. “For businesses, it’s a dou- when many people first became May misinformation frenzy. The Winnebago County ble-edged sword because you aware of COVID-19 and its Restrictions on non-essential The community felt the Board of Supervisors post- can say, ‘Keep this open be- devastating health and econom- businesses began to ease, and weight of losing AirVenture, as poned a vote on giving the cause they’re struggling, they ic impacts. Oshkosh businesses worked to- businesses did not see the annu- health officer power to enforce really need those customers;’ UWO sent residential stu- ward reopening. al revenue boost the event usu- COVID-19 restrictions. [but] whether they’re forced dents home and moved class- The Wisconsin Manufactur- ally brings, as unemployment to close or not, the market — es online halfway through the ers and Commerce lobbying began returning to pre-pandem- November or coronavirus cases — will month. group pushed a reopening plan, ic levels. Wisconsin remains a keep their business down dra- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers publicly opposing the Safer at Schraa claimed masks are in- COVID-19 hotspot. Some busi- matically,” Greater Oshkosh closed bars and restaurants for Home order. State GOP leaders effective and publicly pushed nesses have recovered, while Economic Development Corp. dine-in service mid-month as embraced it. back on efforts to create a local others are still struggling. CEO Jason White said. “That’s well, and employers began lay- The Wisconsin Supreme mask mandate. To date, the state has not the Catch-22, there’s really no ing off workers while commu- Court struck down Evers’ Saf- passed any bill aimed at lim- other way around that.” nity groups rallied to support er-at-Home order weeks before August iting the spread of COVID-19 Unfortunately, party politics Oshkosh. non-essential businesses were City officials hosted a budget since the Safer at Home order and misinformation seeped into Evers issued a statewide initially supposed to reopen. planning workshop, revealing expired. Its embrace of the the Oshkosh community, pre- “Safer at Home” order, closing Almost immediately, Osh- the city was projected to face a WMC plan was a smokescreen. venting a timely and effective nonessential businesses by the kosh bars were flooded with $500,000 revenue shortfall and The whole pandemic did not response to the pandemic. end of March. customers. They were quickly even larger cuts to expenses as have to be this horrendous. While Oshkosh leaders have forced to close, however, as a result of the pandemic. If Republican lawmakers had come together for the “Love April Winnebago County issued its not undermined Evers at every Oshkosh” campaign, it may be The Wisconsin Supreme own Safer at Home order. Al- September turn, and if certain business too little too late. Court blocked Evers’ attempt to though, it was quickly rescind- The Winnebago County groups had not undermined move the state’s primary elec- ed. Health Department (WCHD) local officials, Wisconsin may Letters to the Editor Changes coming for Black Friday The best coverage By Jackie Korth wherever and buy gifts from Black Friday came, the inside early anyway, since their sales [email protected] their homes, especially with the of the stores was not as packed have been going on for a while. pandemic going on. as the previous years. People On the other hand, it’s the in the city It’s one day of the year when This year hasn’t been a very had space to walk around with one day a year you’ll be able to people go crazy over unbeliev- memorable or good year since their carts without it being so shop throughout the night into By Dan Rylance able prices; this day is known the start. With that, a lot of crowded and people didn’t the next day; so why stop the [email protected] as Black Friday. Black Friday things have changed and had to have to wait in the checkout tradition? I know people who always happens the day after be adjusted. lines that wrapped around the would go Black Friday shop- This is a response to Sophia Thanksgiving, but most stores One of these things was store. ping just for the experience; Voight’s article “How did Osh- open Thanksgiving evening. the stores participating in the Also, the stores most likely they like to get up early, sit in kosh vote in the election?” This event has been going on Black Friday sales. The dif- had more shoppers come out the long lines and see every- It was published in the Nov. for many years, but this year ferent stores had to come up during the week worth of sales one go crazy over the deals. 19, 2020 of The Advance-Titan. may be different due to the with a new way to keep their since they didn’t have to come But this year was different, it I liked the article. No. I really COVID-19 pandemic. With be- customers and employees safe out for only one day and stand wasn’t like the past years. liked the article. ing a yearly Black Friday shop- from the spread of the virus. in the long lines waiting. With the changes of Black It was the best reporting of per, I noticed that over the past Most of the stores started Like I’ve mentioned before, Friday this year due to the the recent state wide election in couple of years, the number of their sales early so the stores Black Friday usually starts the Covid-19 virus, how will the Oshkosh. people going out has decreased, wouldn’t be so crowded during evening of Thanksgiving; but future Black Friday’s be run? It was better than both the even before the COVID-19 out- Black Friday; some stores start- this year, most stores didn’t Will they go back to how it coverage in the Oshkosh North- break. ed their sales a whole seven open until Black Friday. This used to be? Or will it be similar wester and the Oshkosh Herald. This is most likely due to days before Black Friday, and gives the employees time to to this year since it seemed to Whoever did the graphics de- people having more access to some did the Fridays leading up spend with their families be- work out well? I guess we will serve a compliment as well. It the internet and online shop- to Black Friday starting at the fore they have to go deal with have to wait and find out next was well done. ping; it’s more convenient for beginning of November. the rush of the people. Most year! people to sit in their beds or With stores doing this, when stores didn’t need to open so 6 | AdvanceTitan.com Dec. 3, 2020 UWO Thanksgiving meal was a box o’ boring By Kaitlyn Scoville “They taste about average for [email protected] sweet potatoes,” Hailey added. However, the dunce of the meal Thanksgiving this year looked was the green bean casserole. It was severely different for those who dry and didn’t taste like much at all. chose to remain safe from the coro- “It’s a no from me,” Hailey said. navirus, or avoid putting those they The stuffing gained some points love at risk. back for the meal, though. It was This year, UW Oshkosh offered a delicious. Hailey rated it a 7 out of complimentary Thanksgiving meal 10. with all of the stereotypical fixins: Now, what I was looking for- turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed pota- ward to the most: the roll. I picked toes and gravy, mashed sweet pota- that sucker up and thought I could toes, green bean casserole, rolls, sal- bounce it. However, the inside was ad and the illustrious pumpkin pie. soft. It’s the kind of dinner roll you “Thanksgiving is a time of fami- would get at a cheap family restau- ly, and nothing has disrupted ‘fami- rant. As a bread connoisseur, it was ly’ more than COVID-19 in the last great on taste. nine months,” Chancellor Andrew Last but not least, the pumpkin Leavitt said in a Nov. 17 email. pie. The dessert everybody looks “But the actions we take today will forward to at the end of the meal; help preserve our families and help the dish that everybody saves room us move toward a time where we in their stomach for. can be together again.” Hailey and I both took a bite and Pickup was located in Black- Kaitlyn Scoville / Advance-Titan agreed that it was very strong on the hawk Commons between 1 and 3 UWO offered students a complimentary meal on Thanksgiving Day. cinnamon. So much so that it kind p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Leavitt of left a bitter taste on our palates. and Associate Director of Student turkey. With the roll on top, I could First up was the salad. I men- chunk, so I knew it was going to be “You taste more cinnamon than Involvement Missy Burgess greet- hardly shut the container. The salad tioned before that I was a glutton, on the sweeter side. However, when pumpkin,” Hailey said. ed each student, wishing them all a and pie were provided in two sepa- but salad is the bane of my exis- I tried a bite, I couldn’t taste that The crust left something to be de- happy holiday. rate plastic containers. tence. Hailey dressed it all with sweetness at all. But I love ham, so sired; it didn’t taste like anything. At Burgess handed over a reusable Since I had already eaten break- ranch, closed the container and I let that slide too. least that isn’t the star of the dish. green container, and off I went fast with my mom and planned din- shook it up. Hailey took a bite of the turkey Overall, it was a stereotypical through the Thanksgiving buffet. ner with my dad, my girlfriend Hai- After having a few bites, she said, and noted that it didn’t really taste Thanksgiving meal. The presenta- Of course, being the glutton that ley Vadnais and I decided to tackle “It’s very salad, 10 out of 10. Actu- like anything special. tion was below average, and every- I am, I had to ask for everything: the school’s meal that evening. So ally, it would be better with cheese.” “I don’t know what to say other thing tasted as one would expect it especially the rolls and mashed po- I’ll admit, it wasn’t as “fresh” as it We continued watching TV, and than it tastes like turkey,” she said. to. Nobody should complain about tatoes. could have been, but it sufficed. a few bites later, she redacted her However, the mashed potatoes the fact that it was free and even an However, I didn’t want to hoard I hadn’t thought of the presen- statement. “Nobody wants to eat a saved the show by being the best option from UWO. everything; I was one of the first tation when I first got the food quarter of a tomato,” she said, hold- thing on the plate. The skin was That’s what I’m thankful for this people to pick up, and I didn’t know from Blackhawk, but when Hailey ing one up on her fork. still on, and there was a strong taste year — UWO taking time to pro- how many more were going to opened the container, she said it After that, we moved on to the of garlic, which was a plus to both vide a good meal for students who come in the following couple hours. was a zero. However, I can let the main portion of the meal. I went for Hailey and I. perhaps could not have or chose not The kind server offered generous presentation pass as I had them fit the ham, Hailey went for the turkey. The mashed sweet potatoes tasted to otherwise spend their breaks with half-spoonfuls of everything scoop- so much food in such a small con- When I picked up the food, the as you would expect — like sweet the ones they love. able, and one slice of both ham and tainer. ham was served with a pineapple potatoes. Nothing special again. ‘Mulan’ is just another soulless Disney rehash By Nolan Fullington ing Jedi backflips that it ruined the these characters are not speaking to her character that gets paid off [email protected] sense of realism this film needed to their native languages. during the end climax or her discov- really distinguish itself from its pre- Especially if the point of this film ering to unleash that power during “Mulan (2020)” is another prod- decessor. was to ground the narrative in real- the climax. Instead, there is nothing uct from Disney that you’re meant “Mulan (2020)” is standing on ism. Having these characters speak and characters just wack swords at to consume, then praise this corpora- the shoulders of giants in the mar- English versus any other language each other for a climax. tion for representation in a film that tial arts genre to self-proclaim itself is Disney acknowledging that they Cri-Kee from “Mulan (1998)” is was already perfect and diverse 22 as this “bold,” new re-imagining of understand what will make more a human being in this remake and ago. Except this time, most of it was “Mulan” when the film’s action is money, so they decided to go the they do absolutely nothing with filmed in a room-temperature sound not inventive. “marketable” route. (Disney thinks that character. Take him out of the stage in front of a green screen. For the average audience mem- you’re stupid). film and nothing changes. Literally However, I did not forfeit any ber, yes, the action is something This is also another one of those nothing. Cricket (Cri-Kee) is only money to Disney to see this film, they may have never seen before, Disney films where everything there in another desperate attempt to but rather waited for a fortuitous but if you’re at all familiar with even looks perfect and feels so calculat- make you care about what’s happen- opportunity where I could watch it base-level martial arts films, you’ll ed. All of the edges are sanded off, ing on screen. for free. find that “Mulan (2020)” is just tak- everyone’s clothing looks shiny and Donnie Yen was also tricked into “Mulan (2020)” is about Mulan ing whatever elements it wants from washed, their hair is always perfect, another Disney production. I’m sure doing the exact same thing we al- other great films and using it with- green screens are incredibly obvious he just didn’t care anymore and took ready saw her do twenty-two years out acknowledging those great films to spot as well. the paycheck. Good for him and Jet ago, except this time it’s more bor- pletely unattainable in real life to do it took from. It is reminiscent of the I just utterly hate those kinds of Li though who are legitimate martial ing, blunt and overt. anything worthwhile. “Jungle Cruise” movie Disney is re- movies because they don’t have artists, but the film made no attempt This film and “Captain Marvel” This “Mulan” remake just took all leasing soon and will probably not character. It doesn’t feel like some- at highlighting their abilities. have the exact same problem, and I of the subtext from the original film acknowledge how they are blatantly one’s vision is on the screen. It feels The villain, Bori Khan, is also don’t know what it is with Disney, and made it text, in case you didn’t stealing from “The African Queen.” like a bunch of suits were behind the boring. He is an evil man who wants but they have no idea how to write understand the original film’s inten- Still, having taken from “Crouch- camera with clipboards checking off to take over the kingdom because strong female characters anymore. tions for some reason. There are so ing Tiger Hidden Dragon,” “Mulan boxes and looking at the market re- he wants revenge and he dies in the They’re characters who inherit a many scenes where someone says, (2020)” still was still an awful action search. most hilarious way. It’s like a subpar magic power that makes them do “But Mulan, you’re a woman. You film. It’s not just that the drama and The actress who played Mulan “Game of Thrones.” anything and everything while men can’t be a warrior because you’re everything else didn’t work, but it’s here is also so boring. There is noth- This film just got more and more specifically attempt to suppress that not a man. Go be a good wife.” That edited with a weed wacker. It’s that ing to her character when the 1998 pathetic as it went along to the point power. Each film is about the female was the literal dialogue at times. kind of quick-cutty, CGI nonsense version of that character had a pinch where I was laughing at what was protagonist unleashing that power One other major issue I had with that nobody likes, but then some- of whimsicalness. And because that happening and this $200 million to become overly powerful halfway the film was this magical force pow- one occasionally runs on a wall and version of the character worked hard production turned into schlock. through the film and be that way for er called the Chi. It’s essentially the stabs someone without a single drop to achieve her goals, there is a great In six months, everyone will for- the next hour. Force and it allows you to do every- of blood being spilled because this is deal of care for her. Mulan in this re- get this film exists and just go back So “Mulan (2020),” Rey from thing, including the kind of floaty a Disney film. make feels like a stand-in. As “Mr. to talking about how wonderful the “Star Wars” and “Captain Marvel” action that ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden One other thing that complete- Smith Goes to Washington” would 1998 film is. Nothing about this are not about working hard or stay- Dragon’ features, which completely ly bothered me from the start was put it, “just filling a seat.” remake is impressive and it has no ing dedicated to achieve your goals, destroys the sense of grounding that that everyone spoke English. In the In fact, halfway through the film, redeeming elements. It’s the illusion like “Mulan (1998)” did. It’s instead this live action remake is trying to original “Mulan,” it’s a cartoon and Mulan learns to unleash her power. of grandeur, but it’s really a ploy to about relying on a magic power you achieve. from the 90s; it gets a pass. But in So not even an hour into this film, get people to spend thirty dollars to luckily possess to do all the work The animated “Mulan” film had this world of progressive thinking she is already super powerful and watch it on a streaming service you for you because you’re a woman more realism to it than this remake. and increased representation in film, can do everything, which makes for already have to pay monthly for. and in order to be a strong woman, Characters are snatching arrows out then also having this be a live-action such a boring character. you need a magic power that’s com- of mid-air, running up walls and do- remake, it’s bothersome that all of You need that emotional element Dec. 3, 2020 AdvanceTitan.com | 7 Arts & Entertainment The best of Tiny Desk

NPR has been filming and - re polished, leaving the emotion con- cording their famous “Tiny Desk veyed unconstrained by stress or Concerts” for over a decade. The perfectionism. concerts, typically performed be- Erykah Badu’s jazzy set is dom- fore the desk of “All Songs Con- inated by her stunning vocal qual- sidered” host Bob Boilen, span a ity, and her accompanying band vast range of artists, as you’ll see breathes as one. showcased here. The Mountain Goats’ set spans Billie Eilish’s performance re- decades of recordings, some loud, veals her incredible, raw talent as some quiet and timid, but all punc- a musician, her vocals clean and tuated by powerful emotions. haunting with no help from tech- T-Pain’s set is... something else. nology. Despite being known for his liber- The Blue Man Group’s set al use of autotune, T-Pain’s voice showcases their musical creativity is rich and a marvelous juxtapo- and unmatched performative skill. sition to his lyrics about strippers Car Seat Headrest’s set is un- and clubbing.

Billie Eilish

Aug. 26, 2020 Two-song set list

Blue Man Group

Oct. 3, 2016 Three-song set list

Photo illustration by Carter Uslabar / Advance-Titan UWO juniors Ben Baker (left) and Michael Stensland (right) make up the pop duo, The Astronomers. ‘The 2000s:’ The Astronomers’ next odyssey Car Seat Headrest By Carter Uslabar cals.” Stensland said. “There’s a lot of Feb. 8, 2016 [email protected] As a result, they’ve been able cool stuff people aren’t going to Three-song set list to hone a more unique, consistent be expecting, but if they’ve heard The Astronomers, a pop-duo style for their vocals, which they ‘Overthinking’ or ‘Drinking on a comprised of UWO students Ben think will lead to a more authentic Tuesday,’ they can kind of start to Baker and Michael Stensland, sound in their upcoming EP. see we’re changing some stuff up.” talked to The Advance-Titan about “Overthinking’s” success isn’t The EP will showcase their their new song which has been limited to Spotify or the internet, overhaul of their production style. picked up by local radio stations, though. It’s been picked up by Not only have Baker and Stensland their upcoming EP release and pro- 101.01 WIXX-FM in Appleton distilled their vocal productions, duction during the pandemic. and 97.7 WFDL-FM in Fond du their entire songwriting process Erykah Badu “We dropped our debut EP back Lac, as well as UWO’s student-run has flipped. in July, and that was like our first radio station, 90.3 WRST-FM. “For most of the songs on our sound that we were going for, so “I knew they had this ‘Ya er No’ last EP, I’d make a cool produc- Aug 22, 2018 all the songs up until then had a segment where people could tweet tion, and he’d be like ‘Oh, I’ll Two-song set list kind of distinct, different sound to or go on Facebook or whatever write on that,’” Baker said. “But them,” Stensland said of “Sinking and say whether or not they liked basically for this whole EP it’s Ships and Story Tales.” “But since it, and it’s kind of like a one-time been like ‘Check out this song I then, we’ve been evolving into thing,” Baker said. “So I found the wrote,’ and I’ll get really inspired what we want to sound like; we email for [WIXX disc jockey] Otis and be like, ‘That’s sick, let’s make like this indie, jazzy, funky kind of Day, and a few weeks later I got this right now.’” sound, and it’s definitely the sound an email saying they were going to The pair’s growing experience we want to go for.” add it to their station.” producing music has also given The Mountain Goats This rings true for their recent Baker said “Overthinking” is them a better understanding of one release, “Overthinking,” which still in a ‘spike category,’ so it’s not another’s musical styles. has racked up over 100,000 plays in WIXX’s full rotation yet, but is “Because I know where Ben Jan. 3, 2010 on Spotify since its release. “Over- in a sort of trial phase where it’s wants to go with production, I’ve Four-song set list thinking” is dominated by an ener- played about 15-20 times a week. been kind of tailoring my style — getic piano track and head-nod-in- The success they’ve seen locally whether it’s lyrics, rhythms or mel- ducing drums. on the airwaves and on the internet odies — to what I’m assuming he’s Another noticeable difference is a good omen for The Astrono- going to produce to it,” Stensland in “Overthinking” is the quality of mers as they continue working on said. “We’re writing more interest- the vocal production. Prior to the their next EP, “The 2000s,” slated ing topics, and it goes better with pandemic, Baker and Stensland to be released in late February or an interesting production.” had outsourced their vocal mas- early March 2021. For now, The Astronomers are T-Pain tering to various artists with more Baker and Stensland said pushing full-steam ahead on “The expertise. they’re aiming for an overarching 2000s.” “Every song [on “Sinking Ships theme of nostalgia in “The 2000s,” “It’s gonna be kind of like a Oct. 29, 2014 and Story Tales”] kind of sounded hoping to capture a bit of both the surprise attack,” Stensland said. Three-song set list stylistically different,” Baker said. universal and the specific in each “It’s gonna be like, ‘bang: single,’ “With COVID, we’ve really been song. ‘bang: EP;’ we’re not going to be able to sit down and figure out our “The production is really go- waiting two months to drop some- kind of production chain for vo- ing to catch people off guard,” thing.” 8 | AdvanceTitan.com Dec. 3, 2020 Farmers market continues indoors By Joe Schulz doing business, it is not the same cessity” for him; it is where he ers Market we were last year,” not taking [the pandemic] seri- [email protected] experience for vendors and shop- finds most of his customers and she said. “I’m grateful that we’re ously.” pers as before the pandemic. helps build word-of-mouth for still open, but it does sadden me Attendees have been forced The Oshkosh Convention Cen- “I don’t think there’s going his Creekside Farms brand. He that we aren’t what we were last to take the pandemic seriously ter Ballroom fills with vendors to be a normal for a while,” she believes farmers markets play an year.” when strolling the convention selling fresh fruit, baked goods, said. “I won’t even say it’s nor- important role in building fledg- For vendors like Terry center, because of the winter crafts and a host of other wares mal, but it’s just nice to have ling businesses. Schmoldt of Fremont, who has market’s mask mandate and oth- every Saturday morning through someplace else to go.” “I’ve been going to different been selling produce and baked er social distancing guidelines. Dec. 19. There were several reasons for markets and selling my products goods at the market for the last With the guidelines in place, The Oshkosh Winter Farm- keeping the market open — the for about 20 years; I’ve built a decade, just having the market Schmoldt feels safe interacting ers Market continues to provide main one being supporting the pretty good customer base,” he open at all has been a blessing. with customers and educating vendors from all over the region market’s many vendors, who are said. The market provides “a good them about sustainability, which a space to make a living, despite all small business owners in their Aside from serving the ven- place for people to get fresh, lo- is his favorite part. the COVID-19 pandemic. own right, Schmid-Schultz said. dors, the market helps provide a cal produce,” Schmoldt said. “People have distracted them- The pandemic has forced the Many of the vendors are pro- sense of normalcy for the com- He grows all of his own toma- selves so much from the farm market to make some adjustments ponents of sustainable agricul- munity, Schmid-Schultz said. toes, pumpkins, peppers, pickles and where their food comes in order to keep both shoppers tural practices, and the market “People are just grateful that and cucumbers. While Schmoldt from, so it’s fun talking to them and sellers safe, Market Manager provides a “needed place to sell we’re here, and that’s why you hesitates to call his produce “true about how it’s grown,” he said. Michelle Schmid-Schultz said. their goods,” she said. see the positive vibe,” she said. organic,” he describes it as “sus- At the end of the day, keep- This includes requiring at- “A lot of the vendors are do- “The vendors are happy to have a tainably grown.” ing the market open and giv- tendees to wear masks, limiting ing this not because it’s fun, but place to sell, and the people com- “We treat the soil like a living ing the vendors a place to sell capacity to 50% and enforcing because they depend on the in- ing here are happy to be able to organism,” Schmoldt said. their products — amid a time of other social distancing proce- come,” the market manager said. connect with their favorite ven- When many area farmers mar- great uncertainty — is enough dures provided by the Wisconsin One of those vendors is Mike dors.” kets were temporarily closed incentive to continue persever- Department of Health Services Stadler, who has been selling jel- Even so, the market has seen due to COVID-19 in March, ing throughout the pandemic, (DHS). ly at the Oshkosh Farmers Mar- an estimated 50% dip in both Schmoldt was able to donate Schmid-Schultz said. The market is also “regulating ket for about a year. vendors and attendees, which much of his produce, avoiding “I love the market, so I’m just people at the door” and placing He had a simple answer as to Schmid-Schultz attributed to waste. This generous act unfor- elated that we can be here and hand sanitizer dispensers at each why he decided to continue sell- both the restrictions designed to tunately caused a financial hit. that we aren’t shut down,” she booth in efforts to “control social ing at the market amid a pandem- limit the spread of coronavirus “It impacts the bottom line,” said. “The people that come here distancing and make it as safe as ic. and the general uncertainty of he said. “The summer market do welcome us because they see possible,” Schmid-Schultz said. “I gotta eat,” Stadler said. being out in public. was a help, but I was really sur- what we offer the community.” Although the market continues The farmers market “is a ne- “We’re not the Oshkosh Farm- prised by the amount of people UWO theatre, radio- TV-film departments adapt to COVID The UW Oshkosh theatre de- Angwall directed the Christopher partment has teamed up with the Durang play “Vanya and Masha radio/TV/film department to bring and Sonya and Spike.” shows to the campus and commu- By utilizing a pay-to-view fea- nity at large through online distri- ture on the theatre department’s bution during the COVID era. YouTube channel, both shows are Despite live performances being available to be viewed at any mo- out of the picture, the stage at the ment. UWO Theatre Arts Center hasn’t The theatre department’s online been empty. Students performed video adaptations of these shows and recorded productions of two is just one more example of pro- plays, both of which are available grams throughout the university to be streamed online for one price rising to meet the unrelenting cir- until Dec. 6. cumstances brought about by the Acclaimed playwright, direc- coronavirus. tor and UWO professor Richard Tickets are $2 for UWO stu- Kalinoski directed a production dents, faculty and alumni, and of Tennessee Williams’ famous $8.50 for non-UWO-affiliated work, “The Glass Menagerie,” and community members. theatre department chair Merlaine