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UNM Art Museum eagerly anticipates late-August reopening

Megan Gleason | August 16

Creativity is in the air as the University of New Mexico Art Museum looks forward to reopening on Aug. 31 after an 18-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum staff are currently working on preparations to ensure that they are ready to welcome back visitors shortly after school starts. The museum will follow the University’s COVID-19 guidelines, which currently require that masks are worn indoors regardless of vaccination status. During the closure, the museum developed various scenarios for how the museum could cope during the pandemic and has different protocols ready in the event of a campus-wide change in mandates. A current project that the UNMAM is focusing on is their upcoming exhibition entitled “Visionary Modern: Raymond Jonson Trilogies, Cycles, and Portrait.”

Culture

Q&A with UNM museum director: Museum of Southwestern Biology

Megan Gleason | August 16

The Daily Lobo talked to the Museum of Southwest Biology to get updates on how it’s doing amid the COVID-19 pandemic along with the start of school coming up. The Museum of Southwest Biology continues their focus on research and education through their collections rather than public exhibitions. This Q&A addresses current and future happenings at the museum with director Christopher Witt. Q: Can you discuss the museum’s current and future operations? CW: With respect to COVID, we’re in a real state of transition, I think, as everybody is right now, where we’re just figuring things out in the new reality with the vaccine mandate and the start of the semester.

Culture

Friday Night Live kicks off UNM’s Welcome Back Days

Emma Trevino | August 16

Before the fall semester starts on Aug. 23 at the University of New Mexico, the Student Activities Center is kicking off the University’s Welcome Back Days with Friday Night Live on Aug. 20. After a year and a half of virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be the first time for not only incoming freshmen but also rising sophomores to physically attend these events. This in-person event is being held from 7-10 p.m. in the Student Union Building, with events including “karaoke, a DJ, henna tattoos, laser tag arena, photo booths, student organization tables and UNM sports teams,” according to the SAC’s website.

Culture

Q&A with UNM museum director: Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

Megan Gleason | August 16

The Daily Lobo talked to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology to get updates on how it’s doing amid the COVID-19 pandemic along with the start of school coming up. Maxwell is gearing up to reopen to the public on Aug. 17 with some new exhibits and opportunities. This Q&A addresses current and future happenings at the museum with director Carla Sinopoli. Q: Can you discuss the museum’s current and future operations? CS: We will see what they will be as the pandemic continues to develop. So when we were shut down in March 2020 we shifted … to a lot of online activities...

Culture

OPINION: Sci-fi comedy “Star Trek: Lower Decks” makes way for another memorable season

Megan Gleason | August 12

This review contains spoilers for “Lower Decks” seasons 1 and 2 Trekkies were in for a treat on Thursday with the arrival of the season 2 premiere of “Star Trek: Lower Decks.” The show continues to go where no man has gone before as creator Mike McMahan, former “Rick and Morty” writer and producer, intertwines this adult animation with science fiction, comedy and sleek references to the entire “Star Trek” universe, setting up for yet another season that’s definitely worth watching. If you haven’t seen the first season yet, I’d recommend watching that before diving into the second one.

Culture

OPINION: 2021’s ‘The Suicide Squad’ outshines the original

John Scott | August 10

If you went to the movie theater this past weekend or logged into your HBO Max account, you most likely saw something relating to James Gunn’s most recent directorial outing, “The Suicide Squad.” And like many, including myself, you probably said to yourself, “I really hope this isn’t as bad as the first one.” Luckily, the series is much better this time around with the help of Gunn’s direction and creative freedom. From the fantastically outlandish characters to the disgustingly satisfying amount of violence to the quality comedy, Gunn’s iteration of Task Force X is far more focused and coherent than the original, with a couple of standout performances to boot.

Culture

OPINION: Top 5 Insta-worthy spots on UNM campus

Joseph McKee and Shelby Kleinhans | August 8

After not being on campus for a year and a half, you might’ve forgotten about some of the more aesthetic spots that the University of New Mexico has to offer. If you’re seeking interesting locations for your future Instagram posts, look no further — the Daily Lobo has you covered. Here’s our list of the top five most Insta-worthy spots on UNM’s main campus. Center of the Universe #SculptureArt #BruceNauman #I’mTheCenterOfTheUniverse #LookUp Built in 1988 by artist Bruce Nauman is the immersive Center of the Universe, which can be found between Mitchell and Ortega Halls. This towering sculpture perfectly mimics the multidimensional architecture of Ortega Hall and the Humanities Building.

Culture

OPINION: Top 5 best things about an in-person fall semester

Emma Trevino | July 25

With August quickly approaching, it’s time for a lot of us students to start thinking about the changes we’re facing with an in-person semester after the virtual semesters we’ve had in the past year and a half. Although some anxieties come with the territory, here are five things that you can look forward to as we say goodbye to Zoom. 1. Group study sessions at Zimmerman Library If there’s one thing I learned from a year and a half on Zoom, it’s that studying for a test or working on a group project from the confines of my room is painfully difficult compared to the steady, bustling atmosphere of the comforting Zimmerman Library.

Culture

Coping with back-to-school nerves after the pandemic

Megan Gleason | July 25

After over a year of attending online school in a global pandemic, students are facing anxieties about returning to an in-person education. Questions about vaccinations, masks, social distancing and more float in the air, but the Daily Lobo spoke with the University of New Mexico’s Student Health and Counseling center about how students can cope with all of the unknowns as we enter an in-person fall semester. “The permeating anxiety will alter the atmosphere of the campus; it will just be a different environment,” SHAC case manager Margaret White said. “So I would say drop the expectation of normal, whatever that was, and embrace that this (environment) will be new, it will be different.”

Culture

Marginalized students at risk due to loose mask mandates

Annya Loya | July 25

As we gear up for a mostly maskless fall semester at the University of New Mexico, students in marginalized communities who are at a significantly higher risk than others during the COVID-19 pandemic are worried about the additional health risks that could affect them now that there is not a campus-wide mask mandate. Going along with UNM’s “Bring Back the Pack” initiative, the University announced in early July that individuals who have been fully vaccinated have the option to no longer wear a mask on campus (except for the Health Sciences Center campus buildings); individuals that are not fully vaccinated will continue to be required to wear one on campus grounds, following nationwide CDC guidelines.

Culture

OPINION: “Space Jam: A New Legacy” works as a revival for a new generation despite poor reviews

Matthew Salcido | July 20

This review contains spoilers for “Space Jam” Now that “Space Jam: A New Legacy” has been out for almost a week, we should be able to recognize it as the perfectly passable and outright fun family movie that it is. While watching it, I felt reassured that this wasn’t the terrible rehash that many feared but instead a natural revival of a childhood cult classic. The concept of “Space Jam” would make anyone incredulous at first: this movie franchise is about a film production company pairing an all-time basketball legend with Looney Tunes teammates that are forced to play a basketball game with twisted physics. That is such an easy marketing sell that, to the uninitiated, it can seem cynical.

Culture

OPINION: “Black Widow” top-tier acting saves it from disappointing villains

Maxwell Minty McGrael / Daily Lobo | July 18

This review contains spoilers Finally, after two years of no theatrical releases, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) returned with its 24th installment, “Black Widow.” This film is an action-packed spy thriller starring Scarlett Johansson as the title character. With well-acted protagonists and a heavy focus on family, it’s a genuinely good time from start to finish, despite some villain development problems. Soon after the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) is on the run when she receives the antidote to the mind control that she and the rest of the Widows have been subjected to.

Culture

Albuquerque senior attempts to break Guinness World Record for her culture

Megan Gleason | July 18

For Albuquerque senior and retired nurse Hiddekel Sara Burks, breaking a Guinness World Record isn’t just for fun — it’s an expression of her culture. Currently sitting in the Holocaust Museum is a nearly 4,000 foot long textile braid that still isn’t done. This long array of colors won’t be finished until Burks, founder of the National Braiders Guild, braids 6,000 feet and breaks the Guinness World Record for the longest handmade textile braid, which currently stands at about 5,217 feet. Burks estimates that she’ll finish in about six to eight more weeks, and will basket-weave all of the braids into a double helix.

Culture

Grow the Growers program supports farmers in the South Valley

Rebecca Hobart | July 15

Grow the Growers is a program in Albuquerque that provides farm training and business development education for emerging farmers, even amid the current historic drought. This program seeks to strengthen the food sector in the South Valley, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Historically, the South Valley has experienced a lot of environmental injustice, so it’s really important to keep the land that’s been in agriculture here in agriculture for the well-being of the ecosystem and community,” Alicia Robinson-Walsh, a manager for La Cosecha Community Supported Agriculture, said.

Culture

National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation receives $30,000 grant

Emma Trevino | July 13

On Tuesday, the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation announced that they had received a $30,000 grant back in March from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) to help support their Circo Latino program. Circo Latino is an educational class for children and teenagers ages 7 to 18 to learn about the circus arts. The program has equitable tuition payments from participants, and this grant allows the department to create scholarships for those who can’t normally afford tuition. “Spanish-language and Latin American culture are taught alongside juggling, stilt-walking, clowning, movement, aerial, mask-making, leadership, environmental stewardship, compassion, empathy, community vibrancy and healthy lifestyles,” the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs press release states.

Culture

OPINION: The new “Gossip Girl” makes no sense

Emma Trevino | July 11

Last Thursday, the first episode of HBO Max’s “Gossip Girl” reboot premiered and it was … weird. While the hierarchical energy of its predecessor was evident, this new iteration lacked the charm and intrigue that gave the original version from 2007 its massive success. The new series revolves around a group of friends that rule Constance Billard School for Girls, the same school that Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodson ruled 14 years ago. The highly exclusive private institution is riddled with money, drugs and frantic power grabs from anyone and everyone.

Culture

5 and Why: 5 best things to do over summer break

Megan Gleason | July 6

Lounging in the shade of the Duck Pond on a sunny Monday afternoon were two UNM students, Rose Hurlow and Margaret Glasgow, who agreed to let Daily Lobo readers in on their idea of the best five things to do over summer break. As a second-year master’s student and a Ph.D. candidate respectively, both agreed that this summer is a time for relaxation. Listed below are their top five favorite activities this summer break. River Surfing River surfing is an exciting way to explore different parts of the state, and Glasgow said they both enjoy surfing in New Mexico and Colorado. “It’s the desert and you can go surfing, which is kind of awesome,” Glasgow said.

Culture

OPINION: Dessert in the desert: Top 5 frozen treat destinations to beat ABQ’s heat

Annya Loya | July 5

College students continue to drift lazily through summer break as the heat waves keep rolling in. As Albuquerque’s temperature heads back into the 90s this week, along with lowered COVID-19 restrictions, it’s time to enjoy a sweet treat. Here are the top 5 ice cream and frozen yogurt spots you can find in the city. 5. Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt If you’re looking for something cold but ice cream isn’t the right fit for you, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt is the way to go. This spot is among the best frozen yogurt places in Albuquerque, with over 70 flavors of delicious froyo. Far more refreshing and healthy than ice cream, frozen yogurt is a must-have this summer.

Culture

LOBO PRIDE: UNM Alumna Larissa Romero continues fight for inclusion at UNM

Rebecca Hobart | June 29

As a former resident advisor of the University of New Mexico’s Gender Neutral and Allies Living Learning Community (LLC), recent graduate Larissa Romero has encouraged and empowered LGBTQ+ students on campus both while attending and after graduating from the University. After finding herself in life, Romero wants others to be able to do the same. “She’s such a loving and caring person and just wants everyone to feel comfortable and confident being their true, authentic self no matter what sexual orientation,” Romero’s close friend, Natalie Carson, said. Romero worked to facilitate essential discussions on queer experiences as a resident advisor in the dorms, according to Carson. This motivation to start conversations didn’t stop at graduation, though.

Culture

Locally-produced pilot by UNM alumna showcases exclusively New Mexican cast and crew

Matthew Salcido | June 29

“Capitol Barbie,” a locally-produced pilot written, directed and produced by UNM alumna Riley Del Rey, premiered on Sunday at the Guild Cinema in Albuquerque. Boasting an entirely New Mexican cast and crew, it is based on Del Rey’s alleged experiences working as a transgender Latina congressional intern for Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, a former U.S. house representative. The fictional pilot, labeled as an episode based on a true story, follows a new congressional intern, Dolly Golightly, as she navigates the realities of working in Washington, D.C., facing constant reprimands over her dress and relationships with fellow Latinx interns. When an unwanted advance by a congressman reveals that Dolly is transgender, her boss, Representative Melissa Lopez-Gaffney, terminates her.