Lorrie Novasad/The Daily Cougar

---

Ashes to ashes: Junior social science major Jessica Gallegos is given the sign of the cross during Ash Wednesday services at a noon mass in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center. Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten season for Catholics around the world.

---

Student Government Association senators approved finance senior John Martinez' appointment to Election Commissioner for this spring's student government elections and passed legislation aimed at increasing student access to faculty evaluations in its Wednesday night meeting.

So it's Valentine's Day. For most, the past few days have been filled with scrambling to make this year's commercial love festival the most memorable one yet with the acquisition of chocolate, cards, roses, restaurant reservations, chocolate, massage oils, beauty appointments, wine (sangria or Pinot Grigio works best) and more chocolate.

For those planning to celebrate a romantic weekend for Valentine's Day, the Edwards Houston Marq*E 23 is probably worth a visit.

The UH women's basketball team (17-6, 7-3 in Conference USA) hits the road Friday for two critical conference games over the
weekend.