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Culture

On the run: The chase crew of the Balloon Fiesta

Justine Lopez | October 9

Thousands of visitors packed into Balloon Fiesta Park last Saturday for the opening day of the 47th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Hundreds of balloons of all shapes and sizes took to the morning sky as spectators cheered on the pilots and bid them a safe trip. The work of a balloon pilot is no easy feat. Pilots and chase crews arrive to the park well before dawn to take part in the event. Keith Lutz and his crew have been participating in the fiesta for the better part of a decade. Lutz and his wife Michelle first took an interest in ballooning as spectators. Later they became participants on a chase crew until Lutz decided he wanted to become a pilot. Now Lutz and his crew, named The Flying Monkeys, help him fly his balloon, High Maintenance II.

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News

Centennial Library to temporarily close for repairs

Ahmad Yar Ranjha | October 9

The University of New Mexico Centennial Library will be temporarily closed from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13 because UNM Facilities Management will be replacing sewer lines in the surrounding area. The maintenance work was planned because of a severe water leak last month. According to Karl Benedict, an associate professor and director of Research Data services at UNM libraries, there was a water leak during the week of Sept. 22. The leak impacted staff and faculty offices.

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News

Bus Routes to change for Fall Break

Madison Spratto | October 9

The University of New Mexico shuttle service is tapping on the brakes this week on Thursday Oct. 11 and Friday Oct. 12. As students gear up to celebrate the beginning of the fall season, or just enjoy two days without classes, they can expect their usual commute to look just a little different during Fall Break.

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Culture

Movie Review: "A Star is Born" shows Gaga at her best

Veronica Apodaca | October 9

“A Star is Born,” the latest adaptation of a story that has been told in Hollywood for decades, is a deeply affecting film showcasing the darker side of life in the spotlight. The film, which opened on Oct. 5, marks the directorial debut of Bradley Cooper, who stars alongside Lady Gaga. Cooper plays Jackson Maine, a successful country-rock musician who tries to hide his alcoholism and hearing loss from the public. After a concert which leaves him visibly drained, Jackson stops at a bar where he encounters struggling singer Ally, played by Gaga. Jackson instantly recognizes Ally’s talent and encourages her to come on tour with him. As they travel and perform together, they bond over their love of music and begin to form a romantic relationship. Although they clearly love each other, Jackson’s drinking problem and declining career continuously drive a wedge between them.

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News

UNM students react to Kavanaugh's confirmation

Megan Holmen | October 9

University of New Mexico students have shared their opinions on recent confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who recently received confirmation from the United States Senate. Kavanaugh was sworn into the Supreme Court on Saturday, Oct. 7. Like the rest of the country, UNM students had a variety of opinions to share on the matter. Grace Leishman said no one should be confirmed to the Supreme Court with such allegations, particularly because some of his friends corroborated the stories about his drunken behavior.

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Sports

Women's Soccer: Lobos score three unanswered in second half to stun Utah State

Robert Maler and Cameron Goeldner | October 8

Things weren't looking very promising. The University of New Mexico women's soccer team trailed 2-0 to the Utah State Aggies on Sunday afternoon at the UNM Soccer Complex, despite outshooting its opponent in the opening 45 minutes. Two goals allowed and just one save on the UNM side, while Utah State's keeper saved both of the rare attempts on goal on the other. But after halftime, the Lobos' fortune quickly flipped and the team rode the wave and overcame the odds to earn a 3-2 win over the Aggies and pick up an important Mountain Conference victory. UNM head coach Heather Dyche said the win was obviously important in the standings and the halftime message focused on the women having faith in themselves and their abilities. She said they really played for each other, which makes it fun to be around.

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Culture

On the rise: The 2018 International Balloon Fiesta

Shayla Cunico | October 7

The 47th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off this weekend with hundreds of balloons and thousands of spectators, with some balloons ascending and some remaining static due to weather limitations. Balloonists from all over the world gather in Albuquerque every year to celebrate the unique story that each balloon tells, featuring balloonists from Great Britain and Ireland, with a big flight of local Albuquerque balloons. Each group of balloonists gives out collectable cards that state the home of the balloon, the balloon’s name and sometimes including information on the pilot. Another popular collectable item that attendee’s sport are traditional enamel pins.

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News

Deadline: How to make sure you're registered for the midterms

Anthony Jackson | October 7

The last day to register to vote for the November 2018 Midterm Election is Tuesday, Oct. 9. The midterm election is less than 30 days away, and according to the New Mexico Secretary of State Website, there are more than 1.25 million registered voters in New Mexico as of Sept. 2018 — 45.8 percent registered as Democrat, 0.7 percent registered as Libertarian, 30.4 percent as Republican, 22 percent registered as Independent and 1 percent registered as Other. New Mexico state law requires voting registration to cease 28 days before the election.

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Sports

Men's Soccer: Lobos lose to UAB in four-game skid

Cameron Goeldner | October 7

The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team (3-9-0, 1-3-0 C-USA) lost its fourth straight game on Saturday against the UAB Blazers (3-6-2, 1-3-1 C-USA), 4-0. The Blazers opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Aidan O’Hara drilled a ball past Lobo goalkeeper Ford Parker thanks to a through ball from Tarnue Tyler. It was the first of three shots that the Blazers would put on the goal in the half. The Lobos had their only shot on goal of the match at the end of the half, as a Nick Barreiro free kick nearly deflected off a player and into the net before a save from UAB keeper James

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Sports

Football: Lobos dominate UNLV on the road in Mountain West opener

Matthew Narvaiz | October 7

The University of New Mexico football team put on a dominant performance behind junior QB Sheriron Jones and stellar defensive play, as they defeated the UNLV Rebels 50-14 in Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon. Jones threw for 250 yards on 13-of-20 attempts, including four touchdowns through the air. His offense, in a well-balanced affair, had 252 yards on the ground. Jones rushed for 72 yards. Meanwhile, New Mexico’s defense forced eight three-and-outs during the game, and didn’t allow the Rebels’ offense to pass the 100-yard threshold until halfway through the fourth quarter.

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Culture

Chinese culture celebrated at Dragon Lights Festival

Macey Rose | October 7

Beginning Oct. 5, the Dragon Lights Festival, previously called the Chinese Lantern Festival, made its return to Expo New Mexico. Vibrant lantern displays were powered by more than 15,000 LED lights, accompanied with captivating performances and vendors. The festival was able to offer a piece of a China to our city. New Mexicans from all over the state gathered for opening night. As the sun was beginning to set the curtains of the main stage drew back, revealing the performances for a night of cultural radiance. Plate spinners, China jar juggling, contortion, face changing and other performances were all presented to the public to enlighten the community on the elements of Chinese culture. “We have a small, but vibrant and very important part of our city that is Chinese,” said Tim Keller, mayor of Albuquerque. “What a wonderful bridge to the Chinese people of Albuquerque that is the Dragon Lights Festival, which we are so happy to have in our city.”

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News

UNM students start denim recycling program

Alyssa Bitsie | October 7

The University of New Mexico’s Environment Coalition partnered with the Blue Jeans Go Green program to kick off a denim recycling for insulation campaign on Friday afternoon in the Student Union Building atrium. The kick off campaign included a jean ribbon cutting ceremony by Emily Wilks, the vice president of the Associated Students of the UNM. Formed in 2017, UNM’s Environment Coalition consists of seven student organizations committed to organizing projects that aim to promote sustainability and an eco-friendly campus and community, according to a press release addressing their goals and partnership with Blue Jeans Go Green.

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News

Crime briefs for Oct. 8, 2018

Elizabeth Sanchez | October 7

Criminal Trespass and Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer On Sept. 23, two officers were sent to a bathroom on the third floor of the University of New Mexico Student Union Building because of a man’s disorderly conduct, according to a UNM Police Department report. SUB staff and UNMPD know the man well, due to many other past incidents. He was given a letter that banned him from campus on April 5, 2018. He has returned to campus multiple times since the ban and has been reminded that he cannot be on campus. When the officers arrived, a custodian said he saw the man in the men’s restroom on the third floor washing dishes in the sink. The custodian saw there was water on the counter, placed a washcloth there and told the man to clean the mess when he was done.

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Culture

Movie Review: Michael Moore's wit delivers on "Fahrenheit 11/9"

Kyle Land | October 7

Life under President Trump’s administration has been anything but boring. Every week for the past two years, it seems the news has been infested with stories about the insanity that is current American politics. If anyone was to create a documentary encapsulating this crazy period in American history, there is probably no one more controversial, zany, lauded and irreverent than Michael Moore. From his work on documentary films like “Bowling for Columbine” and “Sicko,” it’s little wonder the director from Flint, Mich. has now decided to take on President Trump and a multitude of other conservatives in his latest doc “Fahrenheit 11/9,” a play on his 2004 Palme d’Or winning film “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

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Sports

Volleyball: Lobos first place in conference after pair of wins

Alanie Rael | October 7

In the past week, the UNM Lobo volleyball team was victorious over two Mountain West Conference teams, moving the Lobos to number one in conference ranking. Thursday’s game against the University of Nevada Wolf Pack resulted in a close five matches that resulted in the Lobos winning 15-4 in final set. In the first (25-14) and third (25-17) sets, the Lobos came onto the court powerful. The team showed the determination they lacked in the second (13-25) and fourth (21-25) sets. The team gave up a total of 14 serving error points to the Wolf Pack throughout the match, but put down 57 hard-hitting kills against UNLV.

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News

The best songs of September 2018

Colton Newman and Shayla Cunico | October 7

“Mona Lisa” by Lil Wayne Ft. Kendrick Lamar On Lil Wayne’s long awaited “Tha Carter V” he and Kendrick Lamar belligerently document the story of a woman who sets up her boyfriend for robbery. “Mona Lisa” is an exciting display of Wayne’s ability to weave a storyline together without compromising his goofy tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Wayne embodies the the man who is robbing while Kendrick takes on the roll of a man treating a woman to a life of luxury but has suspicion that she is seeing another man and isn’t loyal to Kendrick. “Mona Lisa” is one of the all star tracks that “Tha Carter V” has to offer — hopefully more Lil Wayne and Kendrick collabs are on their way.

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News

Black Student Alliance calls KKG apology a duplicate

Kyle Land | October 4

The Black Student Alliance (BSA) of the University of New Mexico has rejected an apology sent to them from the University of New Mexico Gamma Beta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) sorority in regards to racial comments made by KKG members at the New Member Summit for Greek Life. Members of BSA issued a response statement rejecting the apology, because the letter they received is the same as another letter sent to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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News

New taproom in SUB finally opens

Tom Hanlon | October 3

University of New Mexico students don’t have to go far to get their craft beer fix anymore. On Monday, Oct. 1, UNM’s new taproom, Draft & Table, officially opened for business. Students were lined up at 11 a.m. when the taproom’s large, steel sliding door opened. Dustin Schwartz, a senior studying earth and planetary science, was one of the first students to enter Draft & Table on Monday. He said he liked the interior of the taproom and the convenience of it being on campus.

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Culture

"Under Milk Wood" tells unique story

Veronica Apodaca | October 3

The University of New Mexico’s theatre department opened its season on Sept. 26 with “Under Milk Wood,” a lyrical depiction of life in a small Welsh town. Originally written by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas as a radio play for the BBC, the story examines how memory and imagination impact the interactions between people in their daily lives. Unlike plays which rely on realism, Thomas’ poetic descriptions of the events in the town create a unique storytelling atmosphere, with the audience being very aware that they are witnessing a performance.

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News

ASUNM Committees: Student org pulls charter

Justin Garcia | October 3

Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE), a student organization that builds and races Formula One cars, announced their intention to withdraw their charter from Associated Students of the University of New Mexico during the Finance Committee meeting Wednesday night. The future of FSAE’s funding came into question when Vice President Emily Wilks announced on Sep. 19 that ASUNM was investigating if FSAE was in violation of the lawbook. In a statement signed and read by FSAE’s project manager Gabriel Brown during the public comment section, FSAE said, “While the organization of the SAE has remained consistent since our initial charter with ASUNM, it appears that our respective missions are no longer in agreement.”