DAILY LOBO new mexico
November 17, 2010
Few attend planning forums
Zombies ! ! ! see page 8
wednesday The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
SUN SETS ON DEVILS
Freshman guard Kendall Williams snares a rebound during the Lobos’ 76-62 win over Arizona State Tuesday at The Pit. Stephanie Gonzales Daily Lobo
by Chelsea Erven cerven@unm.edu
The Lobo Development Corporation has hosted forums since August to give students, faculty and community members input on campus construction plans, but few showed up. Lobo Development collaborated with American Campus Communities to build student housing on south campus, and now has plans to begin more construction on main campus, according to its website. But a post on the Lobo Development Facebook page suggests that many students don’t know about what the construction entails or how it affects them. “It sounds like many students were unaware of this new UNM housing plan,” the post from graduate student Theresa Williams says. “Maybe the planners should have better engaged the students
see Lobo Village page 5
Alcoholic energy drink boasts high sales despite risks by Shaun Griswold shaun24@unm.edu
Laurisa Galvan / Daily Lobo Four Loko, sold at The Quarters liquor store on Yale Boulevard, is banned in four states because critics contest its mix of malt liquor and energy supplements is deadly.
Think Four Loko is the only malt liquor drink sold on the block? Here is a sample of other brands sold at local liquor stores. All are sold as 24-ounce cans: Four Loko Joose Tilt High Gravity
$2.39 $2.39 $2.19 $1.95
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 115
issue 61
12% alcohol by volume 12-9.9% 12% 8%
Natural Light Core Bull Ice Max Fury Old English Slack Earthquake
$1.95 $2.60 $1.95 $1.89 $1.89 $1.89 $1.89
6% 9% 8.2% 12% 8% 12% 12%
Please recycle
Where are we?
See page 6
See page 2
Albuquerque store owners that sell the malt-liquor-infused energy drink Four Loko are surprised that several state bans and a series of bad press have spurned curiosity about the drink. “Everybody loves it,” Quarters Liquors’ manager Mike Walterscheid said. Four Loko is sold in a 24-ounce can. It has 12 percent alcohol by volume. Guarana and taurine are added to give the drink its caffeine boost, which is equal to two cups of coffee. Recently, the Four Loko’s maker agreed to stop shipping its product to New York. Utah, Oklahoma, Michigan and Washington. Ramapo College, in New Jersey, banned the substance after 17 students were hospitalized with alcohol poisoning after consuming too much of the caffeinated, alcoholic drink. A University of Florida study found that students who mixed caffeine and alcohol thought they were capable of driving more often than those who drank non-caffeinated alcoholic drinks. UNM student John Buric said he tried Four Loko after a friend brought a case over to his house. “It tasted like an energy drink with basically no taste of alcohol,” he said. “I like it. It comes in good size can. It has a high amount of alcohol, and it’s cheap.” Not only that, but recent news and an impending federal ban spiked curiosity and increased sales at the Yale
Boulevard Quarters. “We get a lot of students, but older people are checking it out,” Walterscheid said. “We had a 50-year-old guy come in the other day to buy one because he saw a news story and wanted to try one. People will do things they know are bad for them.” The Quarters sells eight different Four Loko flavors. On Tuesday afternoon, one-third of the rack was empty. Student Cohen Mangin said moderation is the key to avoiding problems. “It’s only bad for you if you act stupid,” he said. Ron Rioux, 52, walked out of the Quarters with two Budweiser tall cans. He said he has no desire to try Four Loko “Based on what I know about it, I would support a ban,” he said. Walterscheid said he is surprised about the brand’s sales, especially since he cannot stand the taste. “When they put the energy and the vitamins, it messes with the flavor,” he said. “I bought one and only lasted through one drink. I threw away more than half of the can.” Down the hill at Stadium Liquors on Avenida Caesar Chavez and Broadway Boulevard, Four Loko sales are steady. “Maybe we sell two cases a week,” said Troy Garcia, Stadium Liquors store manager. “I think people don’t buy it because of the price. We have other malt liquors that are 12 percent and cheaper.” Stadium sells a 24-ounce can of Four Loko for $2.40. The store has a
see Four Loko page 6
TODAY
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