Culture - The Daily Lobo

Culture

Dragon's House of Horror makes adjustments for COVID-19

Hannah John | October 4

Haunted houses may seem impossible to operate within COVID-19 restrictions, but Dragons House of Horror recently opened the first drive-through haunted house in New Mexico called Miles of Terror. This haunted house is an attraction offered at the Santa Ana Star Civic Center in Rio Rancho. Tickets can be purchased online or in person, and are $40 per vehicle. According to the website, cars are limited to a maximum of five people. Nichole Harwood, a spokesperson for Dragons House of Horror Mile of Terror, said, “Normally Dragons is a normal haunted house. It’s the largest in the world. We have the Guinness World Record for that.”

Culture

How students can help save the environment

Lauren McDonald | October 3

As the world gets warmer, weather events are becoming more intense and more frequent, sea levels are rising, prolonged droughts are putting pressure on crops and many plant and animal species are quickly becoming extinct. Global climate change impacts everyone, and it’s time for students to learn about what they can do to battle this. “It’s important to think about what we can do individually as well as what we can do as a group, a force, because climate change can be so overwhelming and understood to be such a grand challenge,” said Miriam Gay-Antaki, an assistant professor in geography and environmental studies at the University of New Mexico. “It might make us think that we can’t do anything about it individually, but our individual decisions do matter.”

Culture

Reactions to #TheLastofUsDay reveals fans’ deeper seated feelings

Shelby Kleinhans | October 2

Editor’s note: This review contains spoilers. After repeated delays and major leaks, the video game studio Naughty Dog released “The Last of Us Part II” for PlayStation on June 19. While the first game, “The Last of Us,” was universally beloved, nothing has been more divisive in the fanbase than the release of the sequel. Since the initial backlash, the studio has been relatively quiet. But on Sept. 22, the studio released a statement on Twitter that recounted the difficulties that the studio had faced over the past year — including COVID-19 — and concluded with the announcement that “Sept. 26 will be known as the Last of Us Day — a name that not only acknowledges the world around us, but also reflects the growth of the community as we welcome millions of new players.”

Culture

OPINION: Online discussion posts encourage lazy repetition, not stimulating debate

Liam Debonis | October 1

As the new age of online education solidifies itself in university curriculum, students have no doubt noticed an increase in “discussion post” assignments through Blackboard Learn. While masquerading as a platform for the free exchange of ideas and organic conversation, the virtual space instead encourages nothing more than rote repetitions and buzzword-heavy responses. The shift from in-person learning to Zoom-conducted lectures has been a tough experience for students. We have been forced to sacrifice many of the comforts of face-to-face education, and our college experience has been fundamentally altered. Study groups at Zimmerman Library, group projects in class and the basic feeling of being surrounded by a diverse population with unique and differing perspectives have all been stripped from us by the coronavirus pandemic

Culture

YouTube channels to stay motivated (and entertained) during the pandemic

Sarah Bodkin | October 1

With no relief in sight as the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate the United States, it can be difficult for students to stay motivated when all they want to do is glue themselves to their phones and watch YouTube. The solution? Watching videos that are motivational enough to jump right out of bed to work out, study or try new recipes. Workout Channels: Yoga with Adriene Yoga with Adriene is a YouTube channel wherein Adriene Mishler, a certified yoga instructor, guides her viewers through yoga sessions of different lengths and topics. For example, Mishler has a video on her channel, titled “Yoga for Writers,” to help people that sit at their desk all day and need relief for their brain and wrists.

Culture

‘Boys State’ captures vitality of democracy

Gabriel Biadora | September 27

Politics is hell. There’s the systemic corruption which pervades our democratic process, as well as the Kafkaesque bureaucracy of the federal government which we’re taught, and there’s that mixed bag of stale and divisive political actors we’re forced to see and deal with. “Boys State,” however, offers refuge from the bullshit of politics without censoring it and consequently creates a window into how intimate and raw a democracy could and should be.

Culture

‘Re-education’ podcast spotlights campus Black cultural centers

Shelby Kleinhans | September 27

In a time where social justice issues are constantly in the news and at the forefront of our minds, the new podcast “Re-Educated” helps process these concerns and looks at ways to better uplift the Black community. This podcast was released by the New Mexico State Office of African American Affairs on Sept. 17, and is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. “Re-Educated” is hosted by Danni Golden and co-host Devon Williams. Golden uses her “voice, powerful conversation skills and business connections to uplift her community” and Williams “conducts community outreach for all aspects of the African American community in New Mexico, including collaboration with community stakeholders, programs and initiatives, and policy and advocacy,” according to the podcast’s website.

Culture

UNM professor spearheads project to 3D print 5,000 masks for immigrants

Megan Gleason | September 27

Dr. Christina Salas, a University of New Mexico associate professor in the department of orthopaedics and rehabilitation, was given a $15,000 grant at the beginning of September from the Con Alma Foundation to produce about 5,000 masks for the immigrant community — regardless of documentation status — in New Mexico. Salas has been leading a project with UNM staff and students, as well as volunteers, to print masks with a 3D printer since April. The actual distribution of the masks started the first week of May, according to Salas. “It’s a lot easier for us to address the immediate need of protecting people against the pandemic, so that’s why we chose this mask-making effort,” Salas said.

Culture

Best Buddies New Mexico to hold virtual Celebration Week

Beatrice Nisoli | September 27

Best Buddies New Mexico (BBNM) will host a free and easily accessible Celebration Week from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2 in an endeavor to minimize the isolation facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The event will consist of daily activities available on Zoom beginning at 7 p.m., ranging from a jobs social gathering to a multicultural celebration. While registering for the week’s events is recommended — as doing so will enable participants to receive notifications of activities and a bingo card to win prizes — it won’t be mandatory, as interested parties can simply access a Zoom link on BBNM’s website and tune in at will throughout the week.

Culture

2nd Albuquerque Junk Jog crowdsources public litter removal

Gabriel Biadora | September 24

On Saturday, Sept. 19, the City of Albuquerque had its Second Annual Junk Jog where citizens plogged — or picked up litter while jogging — to their heart’s content. What started as a fitness trend in Sweden circa 2016, plogging — from the Swedish word “plokka up,” meaning “to pick up” — has made its way into the United States as a way for communities to come together for the environment and a brisk morning of exercise, according to the Washington Post. Upon arrival at the Junk Jog, ploggers were met by a team from the City of Albuquerque and given trash bags, gloves and a mask. Participants were encouraged to pick their local routes and follow the various health guidelines concerning COVID-19, according to the City of Albuquerque’s website.

Culture

Albuquerque Museum’s Third Thursday event continues celebrating virtually

Jesus Mata | September 22

The Albuquerque Museum had its monthly Third Thursday event on Sept. 17 with a variety of organized online events open to the public. Due to the pandemic, the Third Thursday events shifted to live streams via YouTube and Facebook on April 16. The event began with museum director Andrew Connors showing psychedelic artwork from the 1960’s and 70’s, then a yoga class with YogaZo instructor Elizabeth Kivlighan and ended with a performance by the band “Let it Grow.” Connors said they were fortunate to have the support of the city during the pandemic, but they faced rough patches as well.

Culture

OPINION: ‘Avengers’ video game misses the mark by a long shot

Gino Gutierrez | September 20

Over the past 10 years, Marvel’s Avengers intellectual property has been one of the most successful franchises in the entertainment industry. So when it was announced in 2017 that Square Enix was developing an Avengers video game, anticipation around the project began to build. The thought of being able to fly like Iron Man, wield Thor’s hammer and throw Captain America’s shield had many chomping at the bit to get their hands on the game. But after playing it, I was left feeling underwhelmed. Sure, taking control of these iconic heroes was a blast, but the sheer amount of lifeless characters, bugs, uninspired gameplay design and endless grinding left me feeling more annoyed than blown away.

Culture

Historic Camino Real museum reopens after six month hiatus

Hannah John | September 20

El Rancho de las Golondrinas, located near the Santa Fe Plaza, reopened on Sept. 9 after being closed for six months due to COVID-19 measures put in place by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. El Rancho de las Golondrinas was active in the 18th and 19th centuries as a stopping point for people who were traveling the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a historic trade route between Mexico City and Ohkay Owingeh during the Spanish colonial era. It is now a museum that is dedicated to preserving an important site of New Mexican history. According to the website, the museum is meant to promote and preserve the Hispanic heritage of northern New Mexico.

Culture

UNM professor, students celebrate women’s suffrage centennial with art exhibit

Megan Gleason | September 20

The centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage is upon us in 2020, and “A Yellow Rose Project” celebrates the victories and acknowledges the losses of the historic passage of the 19th Amendment through an online photography exhibit. University of New Mexico Honors College associate professor Megan Jacobs was one artist chosen among over a hundred other women to contribute to the project, collaborating with UNM students Hyunju Blemel, Sydney Nesbit, Sierra Venegas and Tilcara Webb. A portion of the exhibit is available to view in person at the Spectra Gallery at the Honors College.

Culture

Hays Honey going strong since 1970

Adam Clemena | September 15

New Mexico resident Kenneth Hays may be the bravest beekeeper in the state. Hays was born with an allergy to bee venom, but after he was given a beehive from a friend, he picked up beekeeping as a hobby full-time. After Hays retired, he decided to turn his hobby into a business and has been running his own beekeeping and apple orchard business in New Mexico since 1970. This has been one of the best years for Hays’ bee farm — so far, his bees have produced over 500 pounds of several different types of honey. Hays said “the right amount of rain at the right time” seperates a good year from a bad year.

Culture

Prickly Pear Festival goes virtual

Jesus Mata | September 15

The second annual New Mexico Prickly Pear Festival went online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting an on-hands event to online workshops and discussions on Sept. 12. Will Thomson, the event’s coordinator, said the goals of the event were “to increase the market for prickly pear and make it a resource for farmers, food producers and food businesses in New Mexico (and) to center prickly pear’s history as an Indigenous food in the U.S. Southwest.” Attendees could order items online and pick them up at a specified drive-through location during the day.

Culture

UNM sustainability blog maintains symbiosis with community

Megan Gleason | September 15

Have you ever had to blog for your class? Students in the University of New Mexico’s “Sustainability 364: Local Food Systems Practicum” class prepare “ABQ Stew” every spring semester, a blog concerning environmental sustainability meant to benefit the community. The class is taught by Jessica Rowland, a professor dedicated to leading students in recognizing the importance of environmental concerns. In the blog, students explore topics that they have been studying in-depth throughout the semester, connecting with the community to share their work. Rowland said the goal is to “really engage them deeply with their communities so they can recognize these sustainability challenges.”

Culture

Exploring New Mexico

Nicholas Romero | September 15

Pecos River A quick day trip up north from Albuquerque takes you to one of New Mexico’s most beautiful spots for fishing, hiking, camping and endless scenic views. The Pecos River is just about an hour and a half drive from Albuquerque.The Pecos has hiking spots, fishing spots, and places for picnics all alongside Highway 63. As an added bonus, the drive over is one of the more beautiful drives in the state. As you ride alongside the river, you become immersed in wildlife, cool temperatures and some of the natural beauty New Mexico has to offer.

Culture

Into the Wild: Camping spots located off the beaten path

Lissa Knudsen , Liam Debonis and Gabrielle Ortiz | September 14

With the help of University of New Mexico outdoor recreation coordinator Charles Gwinn, the Daily Lobo team explored some incredible camping spots and compiled our favorites into this list for readers who want to give camping a try in their own backyard. Gwinn, along with recommendations for great camping spots, provided us with useful and important tips for new campers. Enjoy!

Culture

UNM’s Mikaela ‘FlyBy’ Osler breaks thru-hiking record

Gabriel Biadora | September 14

Editor's note: Mikaela Osler and the Daily Lobo recognize and acknowledge the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in Colorado and the diverse communities who have cared for and continue to preserve the land. Within ancestral Ute land, traversing eight sweeping mountain ranges, across five charging river systems and through the thickets and fields of six national forests, the 485-mile Colorado Trail asks hikers to set aside four to six weeks of backpacking to complete it. Mikaela Osler finished the trail in ten days, 12 hours and 36 minutes.