Lobos Basketball Tournament

Forget about Taos and the balloon fiesta; visit the gateway to the underworld

Tourists! Come to New Mexico! Come to the Land of Enchantment. Come, spend a weekend on the world-famous slopes of Taos Ski Valley. Marvel at the vibrant colors of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Explore the shops of Santa Fe's historic plaza. And stand at the very door of hell itself - with nothing between you and all its tortured souls but a gentle breeze and the juniper-scented air.

Photos showcase oddities of medicine

Philadelphia's MÅtter Museum is one of the last medical museums from the 19th century.

Students who care about ASUNM will go to the polls

Editor, I respectfully disagree with Angel Padilla's letter in Tuesday's Daily Lobo criticizing ASUNM senators against online voting. If she suggests there is a possibility of cheating with online voting in the election process, then why would she be so supportive of this idea? Making online voting possible would allow easier access for students, but does it really get more people involved? Students who are informed and really care about campus issues are going to vote with or without online access.

Alford will bring publicity, prestige to the University

Editor, I am writing this in response to the article by Caleb Fort in Wednesday's Daily Lobo about Steve Alford's salary. The writer's premise is flawed. UNM is not paying a salary of $975,000 per year. If you take a good look at the details of his new contract, Alford is being paid only $210,000 per season from UNM and the taxpayers of New Mexico.

Local band stays true to Latin roots

There is no place like home for Stoic Frame. "For us - the Launchpad, Albuquerque, N.M. - it doesn't get any better for us, because that's our hometown, and that's what feeds the soul of this band," guitarist and vocalist Keith Sanchez said.

Coach's big salary doesn't add up to a better record

Editor, Basketball does not interest me, but a $975,000 salary does. That amounts to $37.50 per student per year, which is an increase of $18.27 over former head coach Ritchie McKay. These funds could have been used for a tuition break or a raise for faculty.

Election should be about making a positive impact

Editor, My name is Louis A. Jeantete. I wish the best of luck to all presidential, vice presidential and senatorial candidates running for ASUNM. I feel that each and every candidate running, whether on PAC, REACH, KEY or as an independent, has the ability to create positive change at UNM.

Family Dollar provides a wealth of treasures for the frugal shopper

A couple years ago, the Family Dollar stork delivered a brand-new bundle of corporate joy to my hometown of Cuba, N.M. It's true what you see on television - small-town people don't like strangers coming in and taking advantage of the land their grandfathers tilled.

Veterans won't get free tuition in N.M.

A constitutional amendment to give veterans free tuition to New Mexico colleges died on the House floor when the session ended after it passed House committees and the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 15 aimed to expand New Mexico's Vietnam Veteran Scholarship program to include veterans of any conflict or war. If passed, the amendment would go to voters in the 2008 election. It may be reintroduced during the next legislative session and appear on the ballot in 2008. Lee Pierre, a Vietnam veteran and certifying clerk for UNM's Veteran's Office, said the scholarship program shouldn't be limited.

MySpace not appropriate in pods during peak time

Editor, Having computer pods at students' disposal is one of my favorite things about our campus. These pods and ITS stations have helped me print papers, study and e-mail professors, among other things. I am used to the line that awaits me through the front door of the Lobo Lab in the SUB, though sometimes students' personal use of the computers is not respectful toward other students.

Athletics unfairly wastes students' tuition money

Editor, I find it deplorable the way UNM has been squandering students' hard-earned tuition money. The first shock was learning that Ritchie McKay was being paid $500,000 a year by UNM. Next came the $600,000 it took to fire McKay, so we could get a new coach instead of letting McKay's contract run its course.

UNM could get 225 tuitions, or 1 coach

One head basketball coach costs UNM as much as 10 full professors. "I think it seems ridiculous," student Trisstin Maroney said. "Think of what else you could spend the money for his salary on - pretty much anything else." Steve Alford's $975,000 salary could also pay for 17 assistant professors or tuition and fees for 225 students. Athletics Director Paul Krebs announced Alford's hiring and six-year contract Friday. Student Elisa Bonner said UNM should wait to see how good Alford is before giving him so much money. "I don't think it's reasonable to give him so much right off the bat," she said. "If we're to become a top-20 school, I think it would be worth it. UNM needs more light shed on it." Alford has a record of 308-183 in 16 years coaching college basketball. Maroney said no matter how well the basketball team does, it won't be worth Alford's salary.

Band's bizarre style doesn't fit any genre

Ezra Buchla and Ericka Anderson made out in a bush and then started a band. The Gowns, a trio from the Oakland-Bay area, played at a house at 1400 Wilmoore Drive S.E. on Monday as part of their tour across the U.S.

Precious metals

States do nothing to stop sexual violence in prison

Editor, I apologize for the graphic nature of this letter. Please do not let the ugliness of the truth cause it to be hidden. In 2005, the Texas Rangers documented how prison guards in Texas juvenile detention facilities would sexually abuse inmates. No charges have been filed yet.

Support the troops; bring them home from the war

Editor, Let's get rational about what we support. When I am asked, "Do you support our troops in Iraq?" I reply, "That is a two-part question - yes, I support our troops, but no, I do not support our troops being in Iraq." My support for our troops is unwavering, and I am certain that the best way I can support them is to do all I can to get them out of Iraq as soon as possible.

Variety show's antics make Downtown memorable

A Monday night of barhopping is usually a forgettable experience. But the Hodgepodge Entourage is out to change that.

Violent sequel sets the standard for video games

Every console generation has a game that will forever define how that console will be remembered when it is finally eclipsed by its successor. The original Nintendo had "Super Mario Bros. 3." Super Nintendo had "Chrono Trigger." The PlayStation peaked early with "Final Fantasy VII." And finally, the PlayStation 2 has its defining moment in "God of War II." One might even say "God of War II" is the defining moment of video games overall.

Artist's ink murals showcase urban life

Looking at a James Black mural is like walking through a crowded Downtown Albuquerque street. Faces scrawled in black on clean, white walls look at you from a thousand perspectives, each one an improvised portrait of urban life in Albuquerque. Smeared strokes and dripping ink give the exhibition an aesthetic that only a longtime graffiti writer can bring to a gallery.

The Lobo threesome

Waking Ashland The Well Available April 17 We all know about rock 'n' roll, punk rock, grunge rock and indie rock, but is there really such a thing as piano rock? Waking Ashland is, by far, one of the best candidates since Billy Joel to prove that 88 keys and strong vocals can have mass appeal. And ...