Culture

Volcanic Enchantment

Part of what makes New Mexico the Land of Enchantment are the dozens of hot springs found all over the state. But most people don’t stop to consider that those relaxing springs are fueled by something slightly less peaceful: fiery hot magma. Tobias Fischer, an associate professor for earth and planetary sciences, said the state is rich with magmatic activity. “The youngest eruptions we have out in Grants are not that old, about 10,000 years or so,” he said.

Drive turns fur into creature comfort

There’s an animal-friendly way to get rid of the fur coat your grandmother gave you: donate it to Coats for Cubs. Coats for Cubs is an annual program started by the Humane Society of the United States in 1995.

Artist's Avenue

John Romero is a senior creative writing student and former Marine. He served three tours of duty in active combat in Iraq.

Doing it in the duke city

“Have you been tested?” It’s a question that can brutally murder the mood, especially when a new partner chooses to ask it, say, right on the verge of sex. But if you’re genuinely following a safe sex regime, you can answer easily and the evening can continue as planned.

Sweet skate spot rolls in

Roller skating is back — let the celebrations begin. Roller Skate City is open and providing hours of wholesome entertainment.

Day in the life of

Cheo Torres found me wandering around the maze that is Scholes Hall trying to find him for our interview.

Local band hits home after 2 years on the road

Most bands might not consider getting pegged in the head with a half-full beer can as a sign of musical success. But the Big Spank does. The local band is having a homecoming show on Saturday at the Launchpad after two years of national touring. Trombone player Retzen Griffith said their national tour exposed the band to audiences they hadn’t connected to before. “One summer we played in North Carolina at a big Rock-A-Billy festival,” he said.

Fashion Q&A

Bike Porn: fun and lighthearted

Albuquerque cyclists might have a little more spring in their step after Self Serve’s third annual Pornotopia, which played at the Guild Cinema over the weekend. This year’s festival featured films from Bike Porn, a touring show of amateur videos submitted to curator Reverend Phil, who compiles the footage.

Eclectic art pieces form eerie harmony

Artists seldom share a gallery, so when seven do, and they do it well, something special is going on. The show, titled “I Always Know What to Say,” features the work of seven students in an advanced interdisciplinary studio class. The exhibit will be in the John Sommers Gallery, on the second floor of the Art Building, until Friday.

Artist's Avenue

Colleen Massari is a fine arts major at UNM, double majoring in photography and Spanish. New Mexico’s landscape drives her to photography, and she aims to do something novel with her nature-oriented work.

Do it in the duke city--Nov 5

­­­­­I think we should talk about sex. Instead of sweeping it under the rug and frowning upon its discussion, sex should be about communication, education and safety.

Plague acting

“One Flea Spare” preys on the public’s latest favorite obsession: infection. Set in a house quarantined from the rest of Europe during the Black Plague, the play deals with issues such as class, distortion and repressed sexuality, said Director Ryan Jason Cook.

English 101 students to showcase newfound skills

UNM’s English Department is rewriting the traditional curriculum for its 101 courses. The department will host its first Celebration of Student Writing on Thursday in the SUB to showcase student projects that incorporate genres of writing beyond essays and stories. Freshman Meagan Halstead, a student in Rick Raab-Faber’s English 101 class, had to write memos for her class project.

Artist's Avenue

Justin Sanchez, the drummer of death metal band Immortal Prophecy, creates music for the community and audiences of all ages.

Local yogurt shop serves simple, fleeting flavors

The days of ice cream are done, or at least Ilana Slonim hopes so. Slonim is the co-owner of a new frozen yogurt shop, Ellie’s Yoberri Park, in the Bricklight District. “There’s one of these shops on every street corner in Southern California,” Slonim said.

Doing It In The Duke City-Oct 29

I’ve nearly lost count of how many guys I haven’t slept with. First, there was Edward James Henderson, Jr., who came from a fine family but preferred to stuff his trust fund in the end of a pipe.

Halloween hip-hop show features East Coast artists

Garrett Briggs, a senior and archeology major, is giving Albuquerque a whole new way to celebrate Halloween. Briggs worked for about six months to create a Halloween hip-hop show, “From Dusk till Dawn,” which will be on Halloween night at Black Market Goods in Nob Hill.

Albuquerque scream spots leave grown men in tears

Having retired from one job, Dale Ervin now spends his life doing what he loves: terrifying people. “Scaring people is an awful lot of fun,” said the owner and head operator of Albuquerque’s two largest haunted houses — Primitive Fear and 13th Street Manor.

Eerie tales revealed by gym pool lifeguards

UNM was founded in 1889, so ghosts have had over a century to come to campus, get an education and decide they like it here.