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Culture

TAAS Sky Party teaches about the night sky

Colin Peña | September 4

On a dusty corner of the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge at 7851 2nd Street SW, members of the Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS) came together to share telescopes and knowledge with more than 100 members of the community. Many of the people who attended the Star Party heard about it online. Arriving at the event, people were greeted by a dozen or so telescopes set up and pointed at anything interesting in the sky. Each telescope was manned by a helpful and informative TAAS member.. This gathering was a part of the TAAS Summer Star Parties — events held every summer that bring members of TAAS together to enjoy the night with anyone else who wants to come. Star parties typically take place further outside of Albuquerque, like at Oak Flats in the Manzano Mountains or the TAAS Observatory in Belen, so this is the first time one has been held at the Valle de Oro.

News

New proposals for controversial murals considered

Megan Holmen | September 4

The University of New Mexico community has a long and complicated history with the “Three People’s Mural” located in the west wing of Zimmerman Library. However, two solutions have been proposed to address the “Three People’s Mural” racial controversy. According to the Office of the President, two solutions are in the process of being reviewed for feasibility, primarily financial, before a complete recommendation is sent to the Historical Preservation Committee (HPC). The report was prepared by Taudy Miller from the Office of Design, Planning and Construction on Aug. 27. The proposal provided by the company Ideum, the vendor who would be contracted should the proposed solutions be approved, is “a system in which the murals are masked by easily removable wooden panels coated with a projection-optimal paint; or a system in which the murals are masked by semi-permanently installed controllable smart glass panels.”

Culture

Coffee with a cop at UNM

Colin Peña | September 4

The University of New Mexico hosted Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday in the plaza outside of Dane Smith Hall. Standing next to tables filled with Flying Star coffee and boxes of cookies were members of the UNM Police Department, looking to interact with any student wanting to talk. As a part of the UNM Campus Safety Week, Coffee with a Cop is supposed to encourage both interaction with members of the campus police force as well as to spread information about various security concerns on campus. On the table were several sheets of paper promoting UNMPD’s social media accounts in addition to a raffle for a bike lock and steering wheel bar. Detective with the UNMPD and co-director of the Campus Safety Council, Trish Young sees Coffee with a Cop as part of an effort to communicate with the larger community, she said.

Music

Review: BROCKHAMPTON's renaissances is sad, honest

Luke Standley | September 4

BROCKHAMPTON released their fifth studio album, “Ginger” on Aug. 23. The 12 tracks trudge through the boy band’s recent emotional turmoil and Shia Labeouf’s studio meditation sessions, following the removal of founding member Ameer Vann. Contrary to comments made by Kevin Abstract, a founding member of the band, declaring Ginger to be a summer “feel good” record, the album is heartbroken, bitter and flustered. Notable songs on the album are “BOY BYE,” “ST. PERCY,” “DEARLY DEPARTED” and “VICTOR ROBERTS.”

News

Traveling exhibit to raise awareness on opioid deaths comes to NM

Lissa Knudsen | September 3

When people think of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science they typically think about dinosaurs and fossils — not drug-overdose deaths. The “Lost Talent Memorial” is a break away from the museum’s traditional exhibits. On Thursday Aug. 29, about 100 community members, elected officials, law enforcement officers and museum staff convened at the Natural History Museum in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. The museum hosted the memorial to recognize the people who are grieving the loss of loved ones and to honor those who have died because of a drug overdose.

Culture

Uni Nights hosts water battle event

Beatrice Nisoli | September 3

Crowds of excited students sweltering from Albuquerque’s relentless heat swarmed to the Uni Night’s Water Battle, motivated by the promise of free food and the cooling water of a balloon fight. Uni Nights is a student-led program, run through the Student Activities Center, that put on events throughout the year. The water battle was hosted last Aug. 24. Past Uni Night events have included a variety of activities — from last semester’s plant night to late-night breakfasts, to even a masquerade ball.

Culture

Blue Mesa Review editor talks writing

Natty DeAnna | September 3

University of New Mexico poet Tori Cárdenas loves writing, almost as much as she loves her dog. Cárdenas is a master of fine arts student and the poetry editor of “Writers Resist,” a feminist literary collective born of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. She has also worked her way up to become the editor in chief for Blue Mesa Review, UNM’s graduate student literary magazines, during the 2019-2020 school year. Cárdenas said that Blue Mesa is dedicated to showcasing authors and artists, especially in the southwest. She hopes to include more information about the mission and goals of the magazine for readers and artists to help people better understand the culture.

Opinion

Column: Bees? It's not all about honey

Alanie Rael | September 3

While walking around the University of New Mexico’s main campus, I can’t help but see potential in the big green patches of grass distributed across campus. Not for more buildings or social areas for students, but for the creation of native bee habitats. Yes, native bees. It may not make sense to some people, but many species of bees don’t use hives as habitats the way honey bees do. Native bees — 70% of bee species — burrow in the ground instead.

News

UNM Prof uses new technology to conduct wildfire risk assessment

Alex Hiett | September 3

University of New Mexico professor of Economics Richard Bernknopf is embarking on research in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Forest Service that aims to use remote imaging and satellite photography in risk-assessment and response to wildfires. This project is focusing on the Sierra and Stanislaus National Forests of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, but if proven useful it is expected to expand to other states. Researchers are currently looking into working with Yosemite National Forest to prevent forest fires that ravage the west. According to a May 2019 press release by the California Department of Insurance, there was over $13 billion worth of insurance losses in California in 2018 alone. These numbers continue to climb, as people comb through the destruction these fires wrought on the state. This is the area that served as the study focus for Bernknopf and other UNM researchers.

Culture

New Mexicans gather for 95th annual Zozobra

Lauren McDonald | September 3

Aug. 30 marked the 95th annual burning of Zozobra, a historic New Mexican tradition, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Fort Marcy Park. The event doors opened at 4:30 p.m., drawing people, bands, vendors alike. Old Man Gloom is an eerie monster-like puppet that represents sorrow, first created in 1924 by Will Shuster. The burning of Zozobra is always occurs, rain or shine, so even though it was windy Friday night the show went on as scheduled. This year the theme for the burning of Old Man Gloom was the 1970s, with era’s music playing, such as the bands Abba and Queen

News

GPSA: First fall meeting confirms 20 grads

Justin Garcia | September 3

The graduate student government meeting hit the ground running. In the first council meeting of the fall 2019 semester, the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) confirmed seven chairs, ten committee members, a vice chair, a council recorder and a chief justice for the Court of Review all on Aug. 31. The council, GPSA’s legislative body, also confirmed members for their Legislative and Steering Committee (LSC) to form the committee, a hurdle that councilors in the Spring 2019 semester were unable to overcome. In addition to providing graduate and professional students with grant money, GPSA appropriates money to student clubs and represents the interests of graduate and professional students to the University of New Mexico’s administration and to the New Mexico State Legislature.

Sports

Cross country: Men and Women's team take first at Lobo Invitational

September 3

Saturday morning kicked off the University of New Mexico cross country season as the Lobo’s held the Lobo Invitational at UNM’s North Golf Course. Both of the men and women’s teams came out of the invite victorious taking first in the team races. For the men, University of Texas, El Paso runners Titus Chruiyot (15:17) and Rodgers Korir (15:18) took first and second, respectively, in the men’s collegiate open. They were followed by UNM runners Reece Donihi (15:33), Jared Garcia (15:44), Nehemiah Cionelo (15:44), coming in third, fourth and fifth. The UNM men won the team race with a score of 35 points. UTEP, despite securing first and second place in the open, fell to second. They were just nine points behind the Lobos.

Culture

New Mexican author breaks down stereotypes upheld by the true crime genre

Megan Holmen | August 29

New Mexico poet Olivia Gatwood returned to her hometown of Albuquerque last Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Kimo Theater to read poems from her most recent publication, “Life of the Party.” It focuses on the intersection and nuances of being a woman and true crime as a genre. “Life of the Party” is a three part book, but the underlying theme is both disturbing and undeniably truthful. Gatwood said that when she tours across the United States her listeners always comment on the dark, hot, heavy, mysterious air to it. To which she says “That’s just Albuquerque.”

News

Failing chemistry pipes affect research

Alyssa Martinez and Colin Peña | August 29

University of New Mexico chemistry building Clark Hall has been experiencing plumbing and drainage issues for years which prevent the department from using some laboratories and is slowing down research said Karen Ann Smith, the director of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facilities and adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. “Many of the pipes in the Reibsomer wing of Clark Hall are deteriorating and forming cracks due to construction from a plastic that breaks down when in contact with many common waste products,” Smith said. The deterioration is exacerbated by CPVC drain pipes. According to Plastic Pipe Experts, CPVC “is not resistant to most water-insoluble hydrocarbon-based chemicals.” Their website also said that waste products like hand lotion can cause CPVC failure.

News

ASUNM Senate approves seven appointments

Alyssa Martinez | August 29

The Associated Students of the University of New Mexico’s full senate meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28 ushered in seven new ASUNM appointees selected by ASUNM President Adam Biederwolf. Among the night’s events, the president pro-tempore was elected, UNM Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez discussed systemic reforms to athletics, Biederwolf provided updates on the solar panel installation on the Student Union Building (SUB) and an Open Meetings Act resolution was adopted to be compliant with New Mexico state law. Kaylee Maxon was confirmed as executive director of Lobo Spirit. Maxon served as Biederwolf’s assistant when he held the executive director position last year. According to Biederwolf, the executive director of Lobo Spirit cultivates a sense of campus morale by programming University wide events, such as Red Rally.

News

2020 Democratic primary candidate Cory Booker talks to burqueños at Marble

Amanda Britt | August 29

Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker covered a variety of topics concerning New Mexicans at a campaign fundraiser. The event held at Marble Brewery in Downtown Albuquerque on Monday evening. According to Damian Lara, 16A ward chair for Democratic Party of New Mexico, general admission tickets to attend the event started at $15 but were sold out within days of Booker announcing he was coming to Albuquerque. This limited the number of college students and millennials that we're able to join the event. Lara said college students may not have been able to come because of the time of day and the cost to get into the fundraiser, which ranged from 15 to 500 dollars that evening. “The economic cost for millennials and college students really prohibits their interaction and activity in the political system,” Lara said.

News

Haaland comes to UNM

Makayla Grijalva | August 29

US Representative Deb Haaland of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District spoke to University of New Mexico students on Tuesday, Aug. 27 in the Student Union Building (SUB) Atrium. Students, faculty and others in attendance were encouraged to ask Haaland questions on topics of their choice. Topics that were covered included who Haaland endorsed in the 2020 Democratic Primary — Elizabeth Warren — gerrymandering, the importance of voting in elections and more. “I am not one of those pessimists who say ‘everyone is corrupt.’” Haaland said. “No, I don’t believe that. There are so many good people who are serving our community in elected office, we just need to elect more of them

News

The man behind the SUB retires

Justin Garcia | August 26

You might not know his name, but chances are Walter Miller’s career, and the decisions he’s made throughout that career, affected your life at the University of New Mexico. Now, the vice president of Student Life and 25-year UNM administrator for is set to retire. For Miller, that means sticking around UNM, finishing one last looming project and hitting a few shows a Popejoy from time-to-time. It’s difficult to quantify a person’s accomplishments, but one place to start is money. In his time at UNM, Miller oversaw a massive overhaul of the Student Union Building that priced out at $25 million. Unlike similar buildings across the country, UNM’s SUB was funded with student fees, according to Miller.

News

Mercado, one of few exemptions to state law

Andrew Gunn | August 26

Thanks to a 2004 law repealing a longstanding tax on food in New Mexico, residents and visitors have been able to buy most of their food tax-free at the vast majority of retail stores around the state. This is not the case at most bodega-style markets at the University of New Mexico. On any given day, UNM students, faculty, staff and visitors can be seen filtering in and out of six convenience stores on campus. For a quick bite to eat in between classes, the proximity and ease of access can make these options for quick calories appealing in a high-stress academic environment. Likely unbeknownst to some of those consumers is the New Mexico gross receipts tax they pay on top of the price of their bag of chips or bottle of water.

News

Student Organization Day features wide range of campus clubs

Beatrice Nisoli | August 26

The University of New Mexico’s student clubs and organizations set up their tents and perfected their elevator pitches for Student Organization Day, on Thursday, Aug. 22,. The event occurs annually on campus during “Welcome Back” week. Student Organization Day features countless opportunities for incoming and current Lobos to become involved in a plethora of academic and social extracurriculars. This year, the Daily Lobo interviewed various groups facilitating their outreach towards interested and prospective club members. Emily Ganley, a junior majoring in chemical engineering, was representing the Society of Women Engineers, of which she is the current president. The club aims to encourage science, technology, engineering and math fields as potential career options for women, and to further the progress of women in these occupations.