The Durango Telegraph, Feb. 24, 2022

Getting our toque on

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Feb. 24, 2022 Vol. XXI, No. 8 durangotelegraph.com

inside

T H E

O R I G I N A L

I N D I E

W E E K L Y

On the night shift The Great Resignation & memories of life in the food industry p4

L I N E

O N

D U R A N G O

&

B E Y O N D

Mines to metropolis

Deer, there, everywhere

A nostalgic dive into Durango’s early vision of urbanization p8

Turns out the town deer problem might be a people problem p9

WINTER/SPRING WINTER/SPRING 2022 Program Guide

une in at 91.9 / 93.9 FM Tune T Or Stream Us @ KDUR.org

Voice oice to Our Community Since 1975 Giving V o Co

Fort Fort Lewis College 1000 Rim Drive Durango, Durango, Colorado 81301 Request Request Line: 970.247.7262 To Support: t: 970.247.7628 To Suppor

KDUR, volunteer-powered community radio, creates a bridge between F Fort ort Lewis College and La Plata County, offering diverse music, alternative news, and local public affairs programming. KDUR provides educational and training opportunities in a professional setting for Fort Fort Lewis College students and community members.

6:00

M

T

MONDAY MORNING MUSIC

LOVELY DAY RADIO Soul, Motown & ffunk! unk!

STEPH

Various Styles ERNIE & JASON

8:00 4 CORNERS ARTS ARTS FORUM

9:00

Art, Music & Culture Art, Culture from the Southwest

CRISTEN CRIST EN ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA

GOREY GLORY

9:30

Hard Indie Rock with Femalee Vocal Vocalists Femal ists SABS

3:00

5:00 5:30 6:00

COUNTERSPIN F.A .I.R. Program Covering F.A.I.R. Under-Reported News

BE LOCAL RADIO Listen & LLive ive Like A Local EMILY & LOUISE

F

TOLL TOLL FREE RADIO

Song Songss You You Didn’t Know You You Needed

LINDSAY

PRACTICUM New Music Mix STUDENT DJS

PRACTICUM New Music Mix STUDENT DJS

NO REGERTS RADIO Indie/College Rock Indie/College

Center Left Right & Ce Left, nter

News, Politics & Humor Get AAllll Sides of the Issues

ROCK N’ SOUL SPUTNIK

UPBEAT

Music That’s Good for the Soul

JEFF

DANTE’S INFERNO

Heavy, Catchy Riffs & Blast Beats

OVERNIGHT OVERNIGHT OVERNIGHT OVERNIGHT

POZZI

BITE BITE THE SUN

Various Rock, Indie DJ SKODEN

PRACTICUM New Music Mix STUDENT DJS

PRACTICUM New Mus ic Mix Music STUDENT DJS

BILLY’S SUNDAY BRUNCH

Music that Connects & Heals the Heart

WILL

ROCKIN’ IN THE DAYS OF CONFUSION Golden Gol den AAge ge of Radio Noon to 1pm

THURSDAY THURSDAY AFTERNOON MOUNTAIN MUSIC & ONE MAN’S TRASH RADIO! MULTICULTURAL MULTICULTURAL MAYHEM Rockcentric Mix of Many Genres Your Favorites!

Music They Have BRYANT & MICHELE

GET TIN” COZY WITH WITH GETTIN” POZZI Oldd Fusion of New & Ol 7am to 9am

JIM CROSS & JOHN PEEL

KEITH

S

INCARNACION

DISASTER AREA

Rock & Reverb frfrom om All Alll Over O STEVE ST EVE LATINO USA

LE SHOW

A Stew of Talk, Music & Politicall Commentary Noon to 1pm MUSIC WITH MEANING

& Lyrics that Speak MO

THE NOT SO INDIE THE SHOW

Indie, But Not Really Reall alllyy

CROWN

THIS AMERICAN LIFE

Host Ira Glass Takes YYou ou Throug Throughh Slices of Real American Life & Issues American

THE SUNDAY SHAKEDOWN

THIS WAY OUT

YOUR MUSIC LESSON

Radio News Mag Magzine zine Coveringg Issues Iss in Latino Communities

K-MACHIN LA KMACHIN Regional & National Mexican Music El CHAVO

HEARTBEAT OF ZION Irie Friday RASTA STEVIE RASTA

THE HORSE SHOW

Bluegrass: Ol Oldd & New

THE VOID Where Madness Reigns EV

Turbo Rock, Fantasy Rock ... & More!

Billy Stringss The Bill lyy String Power Hour CRIT TER CRITTER

MOUNTAIN BUM HOUR

MOONLIGHT BATH PARTY

THE VELVET CRANK

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

STUCK IN THE PSYCHEDELIC ERA hlly roughly Music from roug 1964-1970 19 64-1970

NO WORD LoFi/HiFi Instrumentall Vibes CB

ALTERNATIVE RADIO

Featuring Some of the Leading Speakers & Free Thinkers From Around Around the World

REZBILLY BREAKDOWN STEPHANIE & PATRICK

Bluegrass, Folk, Indie, Ect.

LYD

TBD

DANTE

OVER OVERNIGHT NIGHT

MATT KENNA & JP

S

CROSS CR OSS & PEEL Sports Tal Talkk Radio

CAMBRIAN EX EXPLOSION PLOSION HAUNTED HIGHWAY A VINYL FETISH Old Rock, New Life Life Up-Tempo AAlternative lternative Rock, Spectral Sounds from JEFF Old & New ‘50s to the Void the ‘50s NANCY BONNIE JEANNE

IT’S ALL MUSIC Rock of All All Kinds JEFF

8:00

12AM

BBC World New Newss Hour 8:00 - 9:00

AUDIENCE OF 1 RADIO OF THE Long Live BLASTED WEST Col lege Radio Rock, AAltlt Country College JON DOUGLAS

6:30

10:00

RY & WE STERN COUNTRY WESTERN WAKEMAN & THE BAKER THE COUNT MORNIN’ BLE ND BLEND Acoustic Bluegrass & Acoustic Playin’ Both Kinds of Music JJ & DOUG KICKIN’ SCHMIDT

Noon - 1:00 pm THE ROCK & ROLL CIRCUS Psychedel ic, Garage, Psychedelic, Rock & Rol Rolll NICKY VOX

Ol 45’s Oldd 45’s DAVENPORT

9:00

TIMBUKTU & BEYOND West African Music MARGY

TR

Democracy Now! The War and Peace Report.

A National, Daily, Independent, News Program Hosted by Pacifica Radio Journalists Journalists Amy Goodman & Juan Juan Gonzalez

12PM

1:00

OFF THE RIM What’s Going On, On & Off Campus DEBBIE HIGGS

W

OVERNIGHT

ENCOUNTERS Alaska Nature Radio From Al aska

Gay, Lesbian & Bi-Sex Bi-Sexual ual Issues Radio News Magazine

Dark & Hil Hilarious arrious & Metal

LLiggett iggett On Music: Live Live and On Tape!

DAN

JESS & JONATHAN

CRANKY OLD GUY & KYNAN

Good Ol Oldd Grateful Dead

WAVERING STRANGERS

BIRD UP!

LOST IN TTHE HE GROOVES A LLabrynth abr brrynth ynth of Vinyl DJ BAT BATCH CH

NOCTURNAL TRANSMISSIONS Garage, Garag e, Psych, Punk

TBD

OVERNIGHT

OVERNIGHT

OVERNIGHT OVERNIGHT

Music to Bathe/Party

A Ambiguous mbiguous A Americana mericana

Punk Rock for the Soul

TOM KIPP

BIRDIE

OVERNIGHT

OVERNIGHT OVERNIGHT

CAPTAIN

MEAN MIKE

Thanks to the Local Businesses that Support KDUR...Please Support Them!

2 n Feb. 24, 2022

telegraph

lineup

4

4 La Vida Local

The night shift Great Resignation triggers memories of own life in the service industry

4 Thumbin’ It

by Luke Mehall

5 Word on the Street 6-7 Soapbox

8

8 Land Desk

Urban time machine A nostalgic look back at Durango’s vision for urbanization

9 Top Story

by Jonathan Thompson/Land Desk

11 The Plug-iN

9

12-13 Stuff to Do

Home on the grid

13 Ask Rachel

Loss of habitat, increased recreation fueling deer invasion in town

by Jonathan Romeo

14 Free Will Astrology 15 Classifieds

11

15 Haiku Movie Review

Making music Introducing The Plug-iN, a way for locals to connect to the scene

On the cover: Elly Offut takes in the view of Mount Hayden along a skin track above Ironton./ Photo by Stephen Eginoire

by Ted Moore

Ear to the ground “I want to take you to lunch, with liquor.”

– Just your average Durango business lunch proposal.

Puppy love

thepole

RegularOccurrences

A few years ago, a scientific study confirmed what most of us already know deep within our hearts: humans feel more empathy toward dogs than our fellow man.

It’s true – researchers showed 256 people four fake newspaper stories, in which a victim had been beaten by a baseball bat and left unconscious with broken bones and multiple lacerations. The four victims were a 1-year-old human baby, a 30-year-old human, a puppy and a 6-yearold dog.

Can you guess which of these elicited the most empathy? Well, if you guessed the 30-year-old millennial, you haven’t been paying attention. The puppy. It was the puppy.

All this is to say, Annie’s Orphans, an animal shelter off the beaten path south of Durango, needs your help and you should help.

Yes, the La Plata County Humane Society is the town’s major animal shelter. But, if you haven’t heard of Annie’s Orphans, you should.

After more than three decades in operation, manned by wife-and-husband duo Annie and Bill Anderson, Annie’s Orphans is the oldest nokill dog shelter in the Four Corners.

Annie’s Orphans recently asked for the community’s help, saying its canned dog food supply is dwindling and money is tight. The shelter specifically requested Merrick, Wellness and/or Nutri Source brands. You can drop donations off at the shelter, 1630 CR 214, or at Pet Haus or Healthy Hounds & Fat Cats in town.

Speaking of cats, Annie’s Orphans says it is also home to feral cats. The shelter would gladly take any canned cat food, too.

New column alert!

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EDITORIALISTA: Missy Votel missy@durangotelegraph.com ADVERTISING SALES: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com STAFF REPORTER: Jonathan Romeo jonathan@durangotelegraph.com

T

he Durango Telegraph publishes every Thursday, come hell, high water, beckoning singletrack or monster powder days. We are wholly owned and operated independently by the Durango Telegraph LLC and

STAR-STUDDED CAST: Luke Mehall, Jonathan Thompson, Ted Moore, Lainie Maxson, Rob Brezsny, Jeese Anderson and Clint Reid

REAL WORLD ADDRESS: 679 E. 2nd Ave., Ste E2 Durango, CO 81301 PHONE: 970-259-0133

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 332 Durango, CO 81302

E-MAIL: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

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MAIL DELIVERY AND SUBSCRIPTIONS: $3.50/issue, $150/year

distributed in the finest and most discerning locations throughout the greater Durango area.

We’re only human. If, by chance, we defame someone’s good name or that of their family, neighbor, best

friend or dog, we will accept full responsibility in a public flogging in the following week’s issue.

Although “free but not easy,” we can be plied with schwag, booze and flattery.

telegraph

If you so choose to flip a few pages, you will find the debut column “The Plug-iN” brought to you by a cast of characters at iAM MUSIC. Their thing, as you’ll see, is to help people from all walks of life find ways to get involved in creative happenings around town, whether that’s performing your tunes or simply attending a show.

Running once a month, the column will feature three iAM Music-ers: • Ted Moore is a professional drummer and member of the bands J-Calvin and Haro in the Dark. He also teaches drums at iAM MUSIC, and is a visual artist and woodworker.

• Ashley Edwards is an artist, vocalist/multiinstrumentalist and co-founder of iAM MUSIC (where she also teaches). And, she is the leading lady in Loki Moon and Hello Dollface.

• Alicia Hoelzer is an FLC graduate with a degree in English/writing. She just moved back to Durango from Hawaii and loves songwriting, singing, traveling and surfing.

Feb. 24, 2022 n

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opinion

LaVidaLocal Working on the night shift A few weeks ago, I was quite stoked to see a new special pop-up on my Netflix feed featuring Aziz Ansari, a comedian and star of “Parks and Recreation.”

I knew I’d watch it right away, but something made me do a double take: the special was filmed in my favorite comedy club, The Cellar, in New York City, which I go to with my brother Clint nearly every time I visit the city.

My brother lives in the suburbs of New Jersey, and every trip to The Cellar is special. He’s got a family, and I only see him once or twice a year.

Something else about the Netflix show made my head spin: it was a surprise performance filmed last December. Clint and I had tickets for a show at The Cellar in December, when I was visiting for the holidays. But because of the massive COVID surge, we decided against venturing into the city. Could that have been the night Aziz popped in to record “Nightclub Comedian?”

I’ll get back to that, but something in Aziz’s heartfelt special got me thinking about work. In his show, Aziz notes how much service industry workers in our country have been taken for granted. And of course, he brilliantly weaves jokes into the bit, but the jokes aren’t what still has me thinking about it weeks later.

I worked service industry jobs for a good portion of my working life, mostly in restaurants.

I’ve been a dishwasher, bus boy, prep cook, line cook and manager. I’m guessing many of you reading this have held at least one of these jobs, too, given that Durango once had the most restaurants per capita of any city in the United States. Anyone out there know if that’s still true? Perhaps the loss of that frozen yogurt establishment set us back? Who would have known you couldn’t sustain a frozen yogurt business in this town with Trump and Boebert signs in front? Free market capitalism still works, I guess. But I digress.

I had many eras in my restaurant career starting with punk teenager who could barely get the dishes done, to late thirty-something manager with hopes of “getting out of the game.”

My favorite era of working in restaurants was in college, when I knew enough to be a decent employee and met the co-workers who would become life-long friends. That was my favorite thing about the restaurant life, that camaraderie. My favorite co-workers were my fellow climbers who not

only talked the talk, but would get out on the rock with me the next day. In that era, I really felt like I was living the dirtbag dream. I was so naïve; I thought I would do that forever.

But I paid the price for that naïvete with years of being stuck in the service industry, and honestly, I became unhappy. Eventually, I had to face that unhappiness and ask myself what I wanted to really do with my adult life.

The last stage of my restaurant career was here in Durango, while I danced the Durango Tango, writing and hustling in the morning, climbing during the day, and working away feeding people at night. It was truly how I got to know the people of Durango, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.

There are so many unexpected perks of working in the service industry, networking and free food amongst them.

Thankfully, my publishing business survived the last two turbulent years, and at this point, it looks like I’ll never go back to restaurant work. But, I still frequent restaurants in this town, including the one where I worked and ended my service industry career. I’ve heard from one friend that, while some customers are ruder than ever, the nice locals are even nicer.

I get that. On lonely days during this pandemic, sometimes the only humans I’d interact with in real life were the folks rolling my burrito. I always try to be a good customer – with a smile and a thank you – knowing that these gigs have become more difficult over the last two years. It has to suck wearing a mask on a hot summer day, while working over a grill, next to the hot griddle, next to the even hotter fryer. The price of living is getting more expensive, and I’m doubtful pay is getting much higher.

Yet, many restaurants seem to be keeping calm and carrying on, feeding the people and making it all work. And for those of you feeding us, let me say from the bottom of my heart: thank you.

I never did find out what day Aziz Ansari filmed “Nightclub Comedian.”

Even if it was the show I was supposed to be at, I don’t think I’d feel any regret for not going. I got to hang out with my family for the holidays, and that was more special, than, well, a comedy special.

After all this writing about restaurants, I sure am getting hungry. Luckily, me and the fellas have a lunch scheduled. Snow is in the air and on the ground, and life is good.

– Luke Mehall Luke Mehall is the publisher of The Climbing Zine, and the host of the Dirtbag State of Mind podcast. For more of his work visit climbingzine.com.

Thumbin’It La Plata Electric Association voting to invest more heavily in locally produced renewable energy, with the aim of saving $7 million a year and reducing the association’s carbon footprint by 50%.

The successful return of skijoring in Silverton, because who isn’t entertained by a human on skis being pulled by a horse down a racecourse with jumps in the middle of town? Ah Norway, what will they think of next?

After snowpack levels flat-lined after the holiday snowpocalyspe, snow is finally falling from the skies again. And, for the first time this winter, our pals in Silverton are closed off from the outside world (stay sane, people).

4 n Feb. 24, 2022

Sign of the Downfall: Durango can make claim to many things – a historic railroad, majestic mountains, a solid ski resort. And now, unfortunately, we are home to $600,000 empty lots, according to the perpetual bearer of bad news known as Zillow.

A new report that found almost half of bald and golden eagles in the U.S. have lead poisoning, leading to serious concerns for the recovery of both species.

Out of respect for eagles, we’re not going to make any Led Zeppelin or Eagles jokes.

A federal appeals court striking down an attempt from environmental groups to stop the reopening of a dormant uranium mine just outside the Grand Canyon.

telegraph

Bombed Threat A super-smart man from Ohio, who’s just as smart as protesting Canadian truckers, decided to help by calling in a bomb threat to the Ottawa Police Department to waste their time. When that didn’t work, he called back to report that he’d been shot. But when this stable genius called the second time, he realized he was speaking to Capt. Brad Brubaker of the police department in Ottawa, Ohio. Now, this man gets to go to prison, where he and his cellmate will soon be Dayton.

WordontheStreet In the throes of a multi-day winter storm, the Telegraph asked, “What’s your go-to snow day activity?”

Q

Denise

“Snowball fights with my kids.”

Walker

“Snowboarding, but only because I can’t go skateboarding.”

Amos

“Getting high as hell and Netflix binging.”

Sage

“Mine’s boring: I like to stay home and watch movies. (Favorite snow day movie?)

Harry Potter.”

Andrew

“Hmm, that’s a tough one. Either snowboarding or snowball fights.” telegraph

Feb. 24, 2022 n 5

SoapBox

D-Tooned/by Rob Pudim

Thumbs down Disappointed in (an item listed in The Durango Telegraph’s “Thumbs Up” last week) on the river wading lawsuit.

A number of years ago, an agreement was made between river users and property owners. Simply, the state owns the water and the residents own the banks and bottom that the water runs over and through. Feel free to float through my property, just don’t stop. For almost 30 years, I’ve put up with river users using my property as an open air toilet, dog park and picnic grounds. When politely reminded of the law, users have flipped me off, cursed me and called me names that even the Telegraph wouldn’t print!

Finally, the Animas River has never been a navigable river and there is no public access from Bakers Bridge to Trimble Lane. In other words, the only access is to trespass on private property.

– Dennis Pierce, Durango

Be Christ-like, go meatless In Western churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, six-and-a-half weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40day fast, in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. Many Christians abstain from animal foods during Lent.

However, a meat-free Lent is more than a symbol of devotion to Christ. A meat-free Lent reduces the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation and animal abuse. Volumes have been written linking consumption of meat with increased risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and more. In a 2007 United Nations report they noted meat production as the planet’s largest source of pollution and greenhouse gases. And undercover investigations document farm animals being beaten, crowded,

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The Alter native Resource 6 n Feb. 24, 2022

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telegraph

deprived, mutilated and shocked.

Lent offers an opportunity to honor Christ’s powerful message of compassion and love by extending a meat-free diet beyond Lent; it’s the diet mandated in Genesis I:29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.

Today, there’s a rich array of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as readily available vegetables, fruits and grains. Decide to make this change for Lent, but commit to keeping meat off your plate all year.

– Dante Gomez, Durango

It’s that time again

As First Vice Chair of the La Plata Democrats, I want to make sure you know of two important events. On Tues., March 1, we are hosting a virtual forum for all nine Democrats running against each other in the CD 03 race to win our party’s nomination. The forum is a unique opportunity to meet and ask questions of the candidates that are directly applicable to our concerns here in Southwest Colorado. For more information, see laplatadems.org/events.

We’re doing this immediately prior to our virtual Saturday, March 5 Caucus and Assembly, at which all Democrats are welcome (others may certainly attend as well, but may not vote). Pre-registration is required this year so that we can verify affiliation of the attendees.

County caucuses and assemblies serve to nominate Democratic candidates for local (county) offices and are as the first step for multi-county candidates to accrue enough support to secure a place on the June primary ballot. We will be discussing candidates in two competitive races: the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Visit laplatadems.org/caucus-and-assembly for further details.

– Jean Walter, Durango

Supporting youth, schools In 2008, former Representative Ellen Roberts introduced House Bill 08-1157 to encourage student participation in the legislative process. She wanted students to “examine, evaluate and discuss the issues, interests and needs affecting Colorado youth, now and in the future, and to formally advise and make recommendations to elected officials regarding those issues.”

With the Governor’s signature, the Colorado Youth Advisory Council, COYAC, was born, and I am happy to help the tradition continue by sponsoring three bills with Rep. Hugh McKean on the students’ behalf.

For a little background, COYAC has 40 student members representing each of the 35 Colorado Senate Districts, plus one voting member each from the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes, and three nonvoting, at-large members selected to ensure diversity on the council, with a special focus on rural representation.

The first bill, House Bill 22-1052, is legislation taking a look at school safety and student mental health.

Almost every public school student in the state carries an ID card that they use to enter sporting events, attend school dances, buy food and snack bars and sometimes just enter school. These cards are already required to show the phone number for the very successful Safe2Tell program, so students can anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens them, their friends, family or community.

Now, these students want to add information about the Colorado Crisis Service’s hotline, which offers 24hour access to mental health assistance, no matter where students live. CCS also offers materials for students without IDs, and can share their resources with families and schools.

Mental health is an enormous issue with our students, growing worse during the pandemic. Suicide is the leading cause of death for youths in Colorado and is especially prevalent in rural areas.

We passed the bill out of the Public and Behavioral Health and Human Services Committee and hope it will soon reach the Governor’s desk.

The second bill, Senate Bill 22-008, recognizes an oftenoverlooked student population – foster children – and their struggles to earn a post-secondary degree or certification.

This legislation offers these students free undergraduate tuition in public higher education institutions and asks the schools to designate an employee to serve as a liaison to help students navigate the maze of paperwork. The schools have agreed to waive tuition and fees for these youth.

In Colorado, about 30% of foster youth graduate from high school within six years. Of those, just 13% go to college, and just 3% of them graduate. We hope this gives students the opportunity for advancement they thought they would never have.

Senate Bill 22-014 concerns the actual selection of the COYAC board. Students wanted to tweak the appointment process and leadership structure, offer opportunities to participate remotely and require the COYAC chair and vice-chair be appointed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House.

We are so lucky to have powerful and thoughtful student voices leading the way to student success.

– Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango

Meet the candidates Wondering what is the path forward to regain a working representative from here on the West Slope in U.S. Congress? So far, nine Democrats want to be that person.

Come meet them at our online forum at noon on Tues., March 1. We’re doing this to educate all of the folks on the West Slope (CD3) about their choices prior to the Democratic Party’s county assemblies. La Plata County’s will be March 5 – make your choice known!

Zoom link (RSVP March 1): https://bit.ly/3s6sWup – Anne Markward, Durango

(Advertise in the Telegraph.)

To learn more about our golden advertising opportunties, email: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com or call 970-259-0133

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telegraph

Feb. 24, 2022 n 7

LandDesk

From mining to metropolis Durango’s early vision to shape an emerging urban area

by Jonathan Thompson

T

he manila envelope arrived in the mail last summer, containing a longtabloid-sized document on aged, brittle newsprint. The washed-out cover photo was black and white, but it was framed by a thick blue square. Sunday, August 15, 1971, it said on the top righthand corner, then: DURANGO! Shaping An Urban Area above the old school Durango Herald flag.

It was accompanied by a handwritten note from Richard Ballantine, the Chairman of Ballantine Communications, the Herald’s parent company. He had excavated it from the depths of his desk pile (if you’ve seen Richard’s desk, you know what I mean) and thought I’d be interested, in part because the document – the Durango-area comprehensive plan – was compiled and edited by my father, but also because of the window it offers into my hometown’s history.

At first it seemed a bit quaint, a relic from a simpler time, when folks in Durango – and dozens of other similar communities across the West – couldn’t even imagine the sorts of challenges their town would be facing half a century later. Then I started reading and realized I was wrong. The “planners” of the time, a group of local volunteers, anticipated the hurdles to come with remarkable foresight, and the goals they set shaped Durango into what it is today – for better and at times for worse.

Durango was established in 1880 as a supply town and the mercantile and professional hub of the area’s mining camps. During the community’s first several decades, coal mines dotted the surrounding ridges, a massive smelter on the south edge of town processed concentrates from the Silvertonarea mines, nearby farms and ranches fed the mining camps, and rail lines stretched out of town to the north, west, south and east. During World War II, the smelter was converted into a uranium mill that supplied the Manhattan Project.

In the 1960s, however, many of Durango’s extractive-industry roots had begun to wither. The uranium mill shut down in 1963 after locals figured out it was contaminating the Animas River and the Southside’s air with radioactive materials. Trucks and highways displaced rail transportation, and by 1970, all of the rail lines out of Durango except the Silverton

Durango’s Main Avenue in the late 1960s or early 1970s. The town sign code, implemented in the early 1980s, would do away with neon and big signs./ File photo segment had been abandoned. Only one a group of 12,000 we will let that change shape everyone because, “all economic levels are Silverton mine, the Sunnyside, continued us or whether we will shape the change. … Dunecessary to assist economic and social to churn out significant amounts of ore. rango is a series of communities: labor, educagrowth.” Damned good point.

The San Juan Basin just south of Durango tion, retirement, agricultural, professional, They also were fired up about establishwas home to a major natural gas boom, service, youth, educated, uneducated, Chicano, ing greenbelts, open space, parks and but Farmington became the hub of most Anglo, poor, middle income … and among other areas for recreation. So all those activity, not Durango. many of these sub-communities there is almost folks who try to say that bike paths and That left Durango with tourism and – no communication, no feelings of concern for recreation are imposed upon Durango though the coin wasn’t yet in common the other. It is this fragmentation that makes from the outside are, well, wrong. parlance – the amenities economy. If it us very much ‘urban’ in the modern American The planners tried to guide growth and couldn’t make it by extracting minerals sense. We are not a small town.” development via subdivision regulations, from the hills, it would have to bank on I don’t remember anything from 1971 – zoning, land-use and building codes, and the scenery, history (real and imagined) I was less than a year old. My first memories by acquiring and establishing green spaces and elusive “quality of life.” To this end, with a time stamp kick in during 1974, to “limit population growth within set Denver oil man Ray Duncan established when nearly a block of buildings on Main boundaries” and “increase the density of Purgatory Ski Area in 1965. The DurangoAvenue burned, and we drove up onto the population within these boundaries Silverton train became a tourist attraction Cemetery Hill to watch the drama unfold. instead of having urban sprawl.” and a major character in various Western Regardless, the planners hoped to reSo did the planning succeed? Did it films, from “Ticket to Tomahawk” to “Rio tain the community’s assets and fix its succeed too well? I’ll tackle that in a future Grande” to “Butch Cassidy and the Sunweaknesses. These guys (yes, all of the post, along with some planning suggesdance Kid.” And the Animas Regional planning commission members were men tions for Durango – and similar towns – Planning Commission, of which my and all but one were white) used some for the next 50 years. grandfather was a member, set out to pretty strong – and, in my opinion, accuThe Land Desk is a newsletter from Jonathan guide inevitable change to result in a com- rate – language regarding suburban develP. Thompson, longtime journalist and author of munity, “which will become progressively opment and wanted to limit strip malls. In River of Lost Souls, Behind the Slickrock Curtain, more fulfilling and livable for all of us.”

America, no less! They also clearly stated and the newly released Sagebrush Empire. To “The challenge we face is whether or not as the necessity of providing housing to subscribe, go to: www.landdesk.org.■

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8 n Feb. 24, 2022

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TopStory

A doe samples some foliage in a downtown yard last summer. As development and recreation encroach on deer habitat, they have increasingly been seeking refuge in town. But this migration has led to a host of problems of its own, and the City, along with CPW, is looking to educate residents on coexisting with the ungulates./ Photo by Missy Votel

Deer, there, everywhere Turns out Durango’s deer problem is mostly a people problem

by Jonathan Romeo

A

ll right, let’s talk about it – town deer. Whether you’ve caught them eating your tulips, using crosswalks like that Beatles album everyone annoyingly recreates or just staring creepily at night under the cover of bushes, it’s likely you’ve encountered Durango’s infamous town deer.

Over the years, it’s been common practice for the people of Durango to complain about our ungulate co-habitants who have seemingly shed some of their wild ways in favor of city living.

But recently, the issue has become more serious as more deer that typically stay on the outskirts of town wander into city limits, so much so that the City of Durango, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and other agencies have been meeting over the past couple months to improve messaging to residents to reduce conflicts with deer.

The fact is, deer populations in Southwest Colorado are low and continue to decline. But with rampant development in and around Durango, as well as unprecedented levels of recreation on public lands, more deer are being pushed into town, creating the misguided perception populations are fine, even booming.

Add on the urban flight of people from big cities, who, in their previous lives, may not have had to deal with wildlife, and you have all the ingredients for an issue get-

ting out of hand.

“The increase in growth in Durango and La Plata County has taken over what was traditional habitat for wildlife,” Dave Eppich, who serves on the La Plata County Wildlife Advisory Board, said. “That’s what happens with growth.”

In the wrong direction The context here is that deer populations have been struggling to survive in recent years. In the two herd management units around Durango (which extends east to Wolf Creek Pass and west toward the county line), CPW aims to hold populations between 27,000-33,000 deer. Yet, the most recent count shows deer on the low end, closer to 27,000. A range of factors can be attributed to dwindling deer: habitat loss, drought, climate change, disease and other human impacts.

“There’s a perception there is an overpopulation of deer because of the higher density of deer in town,” Adrian Archuleta, CPW’s area wildlife manager, said. “But we’re at the low end of our population objectives for deer.”

As it stands, there’s no firm way to estimate the size of the town deer herd. But, the thinking, wildlife experts say, is the few deer on the landscape surrounding Durango are being drawn into town, whether that’s because development is destroying habitat, conflicts on trails are pushing deer off public lands, or deer are realizing people leave out easy food, including trash, bird feeders and plants.

telegraph

Of course, it could be a mixture of all these factors.

“A lot of deer in town doesn’t mean we have a healthy population across our landscape,” Amy Schwarzbach, the city’s natural resource manager, said. “It means those few deer out there are being drawn into your front lawn.”

One, two punch Still, most officials agree two main factors are likely behind the town’s overabundance of deer – an incredible amount of development in and around Durango, and record numbers of people getting outside.

“Town has definitely seen a facelift, and the landscape is changing at the hands of human activity,” Schwarzbach said. “And deer are doing their best to adjust.”

In the places of refuge that still exist, such as the public lands around Durango (like Horse Gulch, and Overend and Dalla mountain parks), more people are out recreating, displacing deer, Eppich said. “With the rapid growth of outdoor recreation, and the number of trails that now exist in wildlife habitat, it creates real issues.”

Indeed, Schwarzbach said one of the biggest issues is dogs, illegally off-leash, running after and harassing deer, which has become an even bigger problem since people hit the outdoors in droves during the pandemic.

“We’ve definitely received a spike in off-leash dog concerns,” Schwarzbach said. “And it has an accumulative effect in our mountain parks. If deer don’t feel safe, they go into town.” See: Town Deer, p.10 Feb. 24, 2022 n

9

TownDeer from p. 9 Living with wildlife Once in town, deer pose a whole other host of issues.

Though the deer lounging in your back yard may seem docile, they are still wild animals and prone to aggressive behavior.

Mule deer are especially on edge during the rut in the fall (think frat bros late at night trying to find a mate), as are does when they are protecting their young.

It’s hard to put an exact number on the amount of reported conflicts with deer, CPW’s Archuleta said, because there are a handful of law enforcement and wildlife agencies that can get called on the scene.

Still, CPW is forced to put down more than a dozen deer in town each year because of injuries from vehicle collisions and getting entangled in fences, among other reasons, Archuleta said. CPW also receives a number of calls for dogs harassing deer.

Not to mention, more deer congregating in one place not only increases chances of disease spread, but also attracts larger predators, i.e. mountain lions.

And, it’s not uncommon to ticket someone for intentionally feeding the wild animals. Just this past year, CPW issued a citation to a homeowner in Forest Lakes, north of Bayfield, for intentionally leaving his garage door open so deer could have easy access to hay bales inside.

“It happens a lot more than people think,” Steve McClung, assistant area wildlife manager with CPW, said. “It’s tricky, because

we have to be at the right place at the right time. And a lot of times, people don’t report these incidents.”

Durango Police Cmdr. Jacob Dunlop said the department has received two to three calls recently about people feeding deer in town. On the upside, he said there has been no uptick in deer-vehicle collisions.

Meeting of the minds This past fall, a smattering of deer conflicts prompted the City of Durango to sit down with wildlife agencies to talk about ways to better educate residents, many of whom are new to town.

“One of the main goals is to simply educate people,” Eppich said. “A lot of new people have moved into the area, and we’re trying to educate them so they respond responsibly with these issues.”

Aside from the obvious (or perhaps not so obvious, like don’t feed deer, pick up abandoned fawns or take selfies with does protecting their young, all of which happen every year, CPW said), the messaging campaign aims to remind residents to close gates and fences, and remove items, like clothes lines and Christmas lights, that can become entangled in deer antlers.

Solutions for more complicated issues, like making sure people leash their dogs, are going to be harder to find. Durango, unlike other towns, doesn’t have park rangers to enforce the law, and it’s not realistic to expect Durango Police to take the lead with all its other responsibilities.

“I can’t imagine (police) have the resources,” McClung said. “There’s the possibility of park rangers in the future. But right now that doesn’t exist.”

Need to get out of the house?

Check out our “Stuff to Do” section – your weekly answer to cabin fever.

To submit an item, email: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

A young buck and a dog keep an eye on each other in a downtown yard.

Despite this anomaly, canines typically are not a deer’s best friend and – this should go without saying – should be leashed in areas where deer can and will be encountered./ Photo by Missy Votel Darrin Parmenter, director of the CSU La Plata County Extension Office, said it’s possible to grow plants that deer are less apt to eat, but realistically, deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough.

“I don’t think the solution is in what we plant,” he said. “It’s the fact people are moving here because they can jump out their front door and be on public land, but that’s where our wildlife live. And if we continue to disrupt wildlife, they’ll come into town.”

Wake up call But it’s not all defeatism. A few years ago, Durango had a major problem with bears, prompting a massive effort to change human behavior, with many of the same issues afoot, like not leaving out food sources (though, it should be noted, the past four years have been solid natural food years for bears).

“I think great progress has been made, but it’s likely too soon to tell,” Bryan Peterson, of Bear Smart Durango, said. ”There’s a lot left to do.”

While the town deer squabble might seem like small potatoes in a world where larger issues loom – like being on the brink of World War 3 or the New York Jets’

decade-long playoff drought – the issue is a microcosm of the much larger issue of the loss of wildlife migration corridors across the West.

“Just look at where we’ve chosen to develop,” Archuleta said. “And if we continue, it’s no surprise we’re having these issues.”

Deer, for example, would historically migrate hundreds of miles between the San Juan Mountains down to parts of New Mexico. But now, development on all sides (residential, oil and gas, roads, commercial, trails, etc.) has carved up and fragmented the landscape so these historic travel routes are no longer possible.

Put simply: it’s not a deer’s first choice to lie in your yard, munching on your garden.

Yet human impact has completely altered the landscape, and therefore wildlife behavior. And as development continues, it will be incumbent on residents to acknowledge that living in the mountains requires an element of interaction with and awareness of the natural world.

“There’s a surrounding environment we are impacting,” Eppich said. “How do we do that in a more responsible way?”

We put the “win” into “winter.”

Hours: mon - Fri 11-6 & Sat 11-5: www.jimmysmusic.supply 1239 Main Ave • 970-764-4577

10 n Feb. 24, 2022

telegraph

ThePlug-iN

Get ready to plug in New column to highlight how to get involved in the scene

by Ted Moore/iAM MUSIC

G

reetings, Durango! We’re excited to announce a new column here at The Durango Telegraph: The Plug-iN by iAM MUSIC. The goal of this column is to inform our readers of the myriad ways to creatively plug into our music community.

In what ways are you creatively engaged?

When was the last time you played an instrument, wrote a song or formed a band out of nothing more than a desire to spend time with others and find expression?

When was the last time you attended a show?

Of course, creative engagement doesn’t necessarily involve music. It could be standup comedy, poetry slams, sword swallowing, fish tossing – it doesn’t matter. But music is the area in which we here at iAM MUSIC combine our efforts, focusing on music while occasionally mentioning music-adjacent opportunities. iAM MUSIC (www.iammusic.us) is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit ecosystem founded by artists, for artists. We call it an “ecosystem” because music, just like a language, is not learned in isolation. Six years of Duolingo can’t compare to six months of living in Mexico.

Nor is music practiced in isolation, at least not if one wants to experience its full benefits and power. Many of us got started in music by going into a small room with a teacher who taught us exercises, which we would then go practice in our own small room, alone. All the while, we were wondering, “How does this get me there?” This system doesn’t work for learning a language; it certainly doesn’t work for music.

In recognition of that fact, Ashley Edwards and Jesse Ogle founded iAM in 2012, not just to provide teachers of scales and paradiddles, but to establish a creative hub for collaboration. Collaboration – the proverbial “village” – is necessary to experience the true power of music, to build community, transform lives and tell one’s story.

Ten years later, iAM MUSIC supports multiple ways for creative engagement. As Edwards says, “iAM MUSIC is an artist incubator for youth and adults.” You can take lessons, record, form a band, find paid performance opportunities and network. In addition, iAM MUSIC Fest! concerts, held monthly throughout the summer, feature regional bands as well as folks who have decided to live more creatively. Above all, iAM Music is an outlet for self-expression and support. It is our vision to provide resources for connection through music, remove the obstacles to self-expression and help you start living a more creative life.

So how do you get started? If you ask a performing musician, they’ll often say some version of, “Book a gig!” Of course, you also need to know your instrument, write (or steal) a song or two, invest in leather pants.

But the key element to performing is taking the plunge. Music may play a significant private role in your life, but stepping out of the practice room will engage you in a way that brings greater personal fulfillment and builds community.

That’s where this column comes in. Each month, we will highlight opportunities taking place about town and explore ways to support them collectively. We’ll interview local professionals, amateurs and in-betweeners about how they find creative en-

gagement and address issues important to the local music scene: is there a venue crisis in Durango? How can, and why should, a non-musician support the scene? What is a songwriter, really? Most of all, we will challenge you to plug in and express yourself.

There is no shortage of opportunities to get creative in March (check out the Telegraph’s calendar each week). This month there are at least three songwriting sessions, three open jams (in multiple flavors: jazz, bluegrass and a Celtic “slow session”), and workshops on bluegrass and poetry-writing, among many other events.

Our challenge for you this month is simple: SHOW UP. As any time-management guru will tell you, nothing happens if you don’t schedule it. So find at least one event this month (gold stars for attending more than one) and commit to showing up. This time around, you don’t have to worry about the butterflies that accompany a first-time performance, you just need to be present, confident that you are taking that first, most crucial step to creatively plugging in.

Showing up is the essential ingredient in a vibrant music and arts scene. You can take pride in your participation. Remember: music is a conversational language, an exchange between performers and also with audience members. If people don’t show up, the performers end up talking to themselves. Haven’t we all had enough of that over the past two years?

A vibrant music and arts scene, one that challenges us each to live more creative, fulfilled lives, is something we should all be eager to get behind.

Until next time, we’ll see you on the scene.

telegraph

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Feb. 24, 2022 n 11

StufftoDo

Thursday24 Gary Walker plays, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Jean-Pierre Bakery & Restaurant, 601 Main Ave. Bingo night, 5 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Dragondeer & Dreem Machine play, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 129 E. College Dr.

Live music, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Drunken Comedy Spelling Bee, 8 p.m., Olde Tymers Café, 1000 Main Ave.

Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Songwriter’s gathering, 6-8 p.m., Mountain Monk Coffee, 558 Main Ave. Dustin Burley plays, 6 p.m., Fur Trappers Steakhouse, 701 E. 2nd Ave. Powerhouse Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. “Radium Girls,” presented by Durango High School Troupe 1096, 7 p.m., Durango High School. Tickets at troupe1096.weebly.com Geeks who Drink Trivia, 8 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.

Friday25 Goddess workshop, 11 a.m., Mountain Monk Coffee, 558 Main Ave.

Deadline for “Stuff to Do” submissions is Monday at noon. To submit an item, email: calendar@durangotelegraph.com

“Radium Girls,” presented by Durango High School Troupe 1096, 7 p.m., Durango High School. Tickets at troupe1096.weebly.com

Live music, 4:30-6:30 p.m., James Ranch, 33846 U.S. Highway 550.

“Connecting through Disconnect,” exhibit by Miki Harder & Bram Jenkins, opening reception, 5-9 p.m. Studio & Gallery, 1027 Main Ave. Show runs thru March 5.

Jack Ellis & Larry Carver play, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Live music, 5:30 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Living with Wolves presentation, 6-8 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. Featuring Western Watersheds Project Executive Director Erik Molvar.

Ben Gibson plays, 6 p.m., Fur Trapper’s Steakhouse, 701 E. 2nd Ave. Horseshirt plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Ski Bike Rally, all day, Purgatory Resort, www.purgatory.ski/events.

Dave Spencer Ski Classic, a benefit for the Adaptive Sports Association, all day, Purgatory Resort. asadurango.com/events/dave-spencer-classic/ Open mic, 2 p.m., Mancos Brewing Co.

Saturday26

Southwest Civic Sounds presents: Pageantry! 3 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

Ski Bike Rally, all day, Purgatory Resort, www.purgatory.ski/events. Event also takes place Sun., Feb. 27.

Four Corners Slow Money annual meeting, 4-6 p.m. More info at www.fourcornersslowmoney.org

Dave Spencer Ski Classic, a benefit for the Adaptive Sports Association, all day, Purgatory Resort. asadurango.com/events/dave-spencer-classic/ Event also runs Sun., Feb. 27.

Guided snowshoe/ski tour of winter wildlife, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wildlife biologist Steve Boyle will lead tour on Red Mountain Pass. Meet at Ouray Visitor Center, 1230 Main St. Register at uncompahgrewatershed.org.events.

Open mic, 5 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.

Monday28

Joel Racheff plays the Bear Bar, 2-4:30 p.m., Purgatory Resort.

Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Après Ski Science & Social, 2 p.m., Andrews Lake parking area, just south of Molas Pass. Snowshoeing 2-4 p.m., followed by beverages and bonfire. Hosted by San Juan Mountain Association. Registration required: sjma.org/events

Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.

“Radium Girls,” presented by Durango High School Troupe 1096, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Durango High School.

Tickets at troupe1096.weebly.com Fenceline Cider’s 4 Year Anniversary party, 2 p.m., Mancos. Live music by Afrobeatniks at 6 p.m.

Pastor Pagan plays, 4-6 p.m., Mountain Monk Coffee, 558 Main Ave. Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Farmington Hill plays, 7 p.m., Avalanche Brewing, Silverton.

Mardi Gras Bash, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

Jamie and the Dreamers play, 6 p.m., Mancos Brewing Co.

McCurry Organ Trio plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.

3rd Ave. Arts presents organist C. Scott Hagler, 7-8 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. 3rd Ave.

Jack Ellis & Larry Carver play, 6 p.m., Fur Trapper’s Steakhouse, 701 E. 2nd Ave.

Thom Chacon plays, 7 p.m., Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3 Ave. Part of The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College’s Pop-Up Performance series.

Thom Chacon plays, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. Part of The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College’s Pop-Up Performance series.

rd

Sunday27

Tuesday01 Acoustic Music Jam, 5-7 p.m., all instruments and styles welcome, vaccinated players only, 11th St. Station.

Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Durango Elks Lodge Pub Trivia, 6:30 p.m., Durango Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave. Non-members welcome.

Open mic night, weekly 7:30-9:30 p.m., Moe’s Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Wednesday02 Community Day at the Powerhouse Science Center, 9-11 a.m., free admission, 1333 Camino del Rio. Durango Independent Film Festival begins, 4 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. More info at durangofilm.org Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Stefon Harris & Blackout play, 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

REAL radio, REAL people DURANGO COMMUNITY RADIO AT FORT LEWIS COLLEGE

12 n Feb. 24, 2022

telegraph

91.9 93.9

KDUR.ORG

AskRachel

Tramp stamps, yellow snow and book thieves Interesting fact: The urine from a healthy dog or cat is transparent yellow. So you should particularly avoid eating the cloudy yellow snow. And never touch tongue to orange or black.

Dear Rachel, Why do people have tattoos on their back side? Do they look at them in a mirror to see the art work? Or a tat they wish they didn’t do when drunk. Rachel tats or no tats on the back side? Hope you give a skin deep answer.

– INK SPOT Dear Blotter, Why do turtles have their shell on their back? Is it strange to you that a turtle can go her whole life and never really know what her own tortoiseshell pattern looks like? I also wonder about the poor designers who style the tags that go inside clothing. But most of all, I am intrigued by the idea that someone drunk enough to get a regrettable tat would also be cognizant enough to put it on their backside knowing full well they will regret it. It is probably a good thing that you and I don’t party together.

– Derriere connoisseur, Rachel Dear Rachel, With all this snow, I’ve become a little concerned for my dog. I’ve realized every time my dog pees, his pee is always yellow. So apparently he’s just been going about his day-to-day life al-

Ongoing Chapman Ski Hill is open. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 3:30-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more info. go to: www.durangogov.org/chapmanhill.

The Hive Indoor Skate Park is open, offering open skate and skate lessons.

Waivers required. For schedule and online waiver, go to www.thehivedgo.org Julie Ann Ward: Transformative Light art show, Fort Lewis College Art Gallery. Exhibit runs until March 1.

Upcoming

ways super freaking dehydrated. Can you give Pedialyte to dogs?

– Yellow Lab Dear Golden LMNO, There is no admonition not to eat the slightly less white snow. So I, for one, am glad that the dogs of the world are dehydrated. It also saves me a ton in Gatorade expenses, which is handy because I already double my grocery bill with salmon skins and Zukes treats – and that’s just to give to the randos I pet on the street.

Maybe we need to set up a marathon-style water station where we can hand paper cups of water to the neighborhood pups as they pull their owners down the street.

– Watch out where the huskies go, Rachel Dear Rachel, Is there a statute of limitations on supposed friends giving you back the books you loaned them? Like, how long until it’s OK to start asking for them back? And how long until they assume moral ownership, like a common law marriage between your ex-book and your best friend? This is, of course, assuming you are willing to have the kind of friends who don’t return books like a bunch of monsters.

– Public Library Dear Reading Room, I’m reminded how states back east tend to have fence-in laws, and out here we tend to have fence-out

Powder Hounds Kick Off event, March 5, 4-6 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St., fundraiser for La Plata County Humane Society. Online auction lasts thru March 12.

More info at lpchumanesociety.org.

Seed Exchange, March 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., bring what you can, take what you need. Master gardeners will be in attendance. Animas Valley Grange, 7271 CR 203.

Great Decisions 2022 presentation, March 8, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m., Durango Public Library. Topic is outer space. More info at lwvlaplata.org.

Durango Independent Film Festival, March 2-6, more info at www.durangofilm.org.

Planning the Cut Flower Garden presentation, March 9, 12 noon. Registration required at https://bit.ly/3pqJbB5

Chocolate & Wine Tasting, Thurs., March 3, 5:30-7 p.m., Animas Chocolate Co., 920 Main Ave. Benefit for the Women’s Resource Center.

12-Year Anniversary Party, March 11, 5-9 p.m. Studio & Gallery, 1027 Main Ave.

Heartwarming Soup Sale, March 3, 5 p.m., proceeds go to local families for financial assistance thru winter. Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave. Uncle Clyde’s Run & Slide tubing relay race, March 5, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Columbine Area tubing Hill, Purgatory Resort. www.purgatory.ski/events/ Leah Orlikowski plays the Bear Bar, March 5, 2-4:30 p.m., Purgatory Resort.

Email Rachel at telegraph@durangotelegraph.com laws. This is the wild, wild West. You don’t want your books to go missing? Don’t lend them out. I mean, or you could simply send a polite, passive-aggressive handwritten note asking if your monster friends enjoyed the book you lent them. But that’s just too much to do when such book thieves deserve to have prison tattoos tear-marked on their faces.

– Due back every Thursday, Rachel

McDonald’s Cardboard Derby, March 12, 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Purgatory Resort tubing hill. www.purgatory.ski/events/

Algorithm free since 2002.

(A good thing on so many levels.)

Après Ski Science & Social, Sat., March 26, 2 p.m., Andrews Lake parking area, just south of Molas Pass. Snowshoeing 2-4 p.m., followed by beverages and bonfire.

Registration required: sjma.org/events Mexican Logger Release Party, featuring live music by the Lawn Chair Kings, March 31, 5 p.m., Ska Brewing HQ, 225 Girard St.

Giving you the news the old-fashioned way for nearly 20 years.

telegraph

Feb. 24, 2022 n 13

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): “A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it,” wrote author G. K. Chesterton. Amen to that! Please regard his observation as the first part of your horoscope.

Here’s the second part: It’s sometimes the right approach to move in harmony with the flow, to allow the momentum of elemental forces to carry you along. But now is not one of those times. I suggest you experiment with journeys against the flow.

Go in quest of what the followers of easy options will never experience. Do it humbly, of course, and with your curiosity fully deployed.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “You’re never allowed to step on people to get ahead,” said TV personality and author Star Jones, “but you can step over them if they’re in your way.” I suspect the coming months will be a time when you really should step over people who are in your way. There’s no need to be mad at them, criticize them or gossip about them.

That would sap your energy to follow your increasingly clear dreams. Your main task is to free yourself from influences that obstruct your ability to be the Royal Sovereign of Your Own Destiny.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini-born Gina Rowlands is retired now, but she had an award-winning six-decade career as an actor. At age 20, she decided what she wanted to do with her life, and her parents offered her their blessings. She said: “I went home and I told my mom that I wanted to quit college and be an actress, and she said, ‘Huh, that sounds fascinating. It’s wonderful!’ And I told my father, and he literally said, ‘I don’t care if you want to be an elephant trainer if it makes you happy.’” Dear Gemini, in the coming months, I would love for you to receive similar encouragement for your budding ideas and plans. What can you do to ensure you’re surrounded by influences like Rowlands’ parents? I hope you embark on a long-term project to get all the support you need.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): As you enter an astrological phase when vast, expansive ruminations will be fun and healthy for you, I will offer you some vast, expansive thoughts. Hopefully, they will inspire your own spacious musings. First, here’s artist M. C. Escher: “Wonder is the salt of the earth.” Next, author Salman Rushdie: “What’s real and what’s true aren’t necessarily the same.”

Here’s poet Allen Ginsberg: “When you notice something clearly and see it vividly, it then becomes sacred.” A proverb from the Omaha people: “Ask questions from your heart, and you will be answered from the heart.” G. K. Chesterton: “Let your re-

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ligion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.” Finally, playwright Tony Kushner: “I’m not religious, but I like God, and he likes me.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Out of love, you can speak with straight fury,” wrote author Eudora Welty. Here’s how I interpret that in light of the current chapter of your life story: You have an opportunity to recalibrate some misaligned energy. You have the necessary insight to fix an imbalance or dissolve an illusion or correct a flow that has gone off-course. And by far the best way to do that is by wielding the power of love. It will need to be expressed with vehemence and intense clarity, however.

It will require you to be both compassionate and firm. Your homework: Figure out how to express transformative truths with kindness.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo political science professor Tatah Mentan was born and raised in the African country of Cameroon, which has never fully recovered from its grueling colonization by Germany, France and England. The democratic tradition there is tenuous. When Mentan first taught at a university in the Cameroonian capital, authorities found his ideas too controversial.

For the next 16 years, he attempted to be true to himself while avoiding governmental censorship, but the strain proved too stressful. Fearing for his safety, he fled to the U.S. I’m turning to him for advice that will serve you well in the coming weeks. He tells us, “Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Anything you do from the heart enriches you, but sometimes not till years later,” wrote author Mignon McLaughlin. I’m pleased to inform you, Libra, that you will soon receive your rewards for generous actions you accomplished in the past. On behalf of the cosmic rhythms, I apologize for how long it has taken. But at least it’s finally here.

Don’t underestimate how big this is. And don’t allow sadness about your earlier deprivation to inhibit your enthusiastic embrace of compensation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): No matter how reasonable and analytical you are, Scorpio, you possess a robust attraction to magic. You yearn for the refreshing invigoration of non-rational mysteries. You nurture urges to be delighted by outbreaks of the raw, primal lust for life. According to my astrological assessment, you are especially inclined to want and need these feelings in the next few weeks. And that’s good and healthy and

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holy! At the same time, don’t abandon your powers of discernment. Keep them running in the background as you enjoy your rejuvenating communions with the enigmatic pleasures of the Great Unknown.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): Author Diane Ackerman tells us, “In the absence of touching and being touched, people of all ages can sicken and grow touch starved. Touch seems to be as essential as sunlight.” This is always important to remember, but it will be extra crucial for you to keep in mind during the coming weeks. I advise you to be ingenious and humble and frank as you collect as much physical contact as you can. Be polite and respectful, of course. Never force yourself on anyone.

Always seek permission. With those as your guidelines, be greedy for hugs and cuddling and caresses.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Education, fundamentally, is the increase of the percentage of the conscious in relation to the unconscious.”

Author and educator Sylvia Ashton-Warner said that, and now I’m telling you – just in time for one of the most lesson-rich times of a year that will be full of rich lessons. In the next nine months, dear Capricorn, the proportion of your consciousness in relation to your unconsciousness should markedly increase. And the coming weeks will be a favorable phase to upgrade your educational ambitions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’re entering a phase of your cycle when your ability to boost your finances will be stronger than usual. You’ll be more likely to attract good luck with money and more apt to discover useful tips on how to generate greater abundance. To inspire your efforts, I offer you this observation by author Katharine Butler Hathaway: “To me, money is alive. It is almost human. If you treat it with real sympathy and kindness and consideration, it will be a good servant and work hard for you, and stay with you and take care of you.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Author Deb Caletti made the following observation: “You have ordinary moments and ordinary moments and more ordinary moments, and then, suddenly, there is something monumental right there. You have past and future colliding in the present, your own personal Big Bang, and nothing will ever be the same.” In my vision of your destiny in 2022, Pisces, there could be several of these personal Big Bangs, and one of them seems to be imminent. To prepare – that is, to ensure that the changes are primarily uplifting and enjoyable – I suggest you chant the following mantra at least five times every day: “I love and expect good changes.”

classifieds

Deadline for Telegraph classified ads is Tuesday at noon. Ads are a bargain at 10 cents a character with a $5 minimum. Even better, ads can now be placed online: durangotelegraph.com. Prepayment is required via cash, credit card or check.

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Ads can be submitted via: n www.durangotelegraph.com n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133 n 679 E. 2nd Ave., #E2 Approximate office hours: Mon: 9ish - 5ish Tues: 9ish - 5ish Wed: 9ish - 3ish Thurs: On delivery Fri: Gone fishing; call first

Announcements “Jump for Joy” Art Show Durango Rec Center Gallery Wall presents Nadya/Tron originals and digitals from March 1st through March 31st.

Artist Reception - Sunday, March 6th from 1-3 pm. Five large “Queen of Peace” posters will be won on March 28th drawing. Sign up and be a part of the “Jump for Joy “fun. Questions!? (970) 563-1042 - Veryl ‘Nadya’ Rosenbaum

Help Wanted Library Director - Town of Silverton Interested applicants may obtain job information and application at Silverton Town Hall or at townofsilverton.colorado.gov/employment. This is a fulltime position with health, dental, vision, 401k benefits and paid time off. Position starts May 1, 2022, and salary starts at $46,000 and can increase, dependent upon experience. Applications must be delivered to Silverton Town Hall, 1360 Greene St. or via email to Jackie Kerwin at jkerwin@silverton.co.us and Gloria Kaasch-Buerger at gkaasch-buerger@silverton.co.us by 4 p.m. Mon., March 21.

The Town of Silverton is an equal opportunity employer.

Work for SJMA! San Juan Mountains Association is hiring! Seasonal Forest Ambassadors, Weminuche Wilderness Stewardship Crew, and more. Learn more and apply at www.sjma.org.

Best Job Ever!

The Telegraph is hiring an advertising sales guru. Part-time, fairly flexible schedule (Monday & Tuesday availability a must), approx. 20 hours/week. General knowledge of the paper, town and sales highly recommended. Base pay + commission + free lifetime subscription. telegraph@durangotelegraph.com.

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Earn Your Master of Social Work (MSW) From the University of Denver (DU) here in Durango – for the two-year program starting in fall 2022. Classes on Fridays and Saturdays. For more info contact Janelle.Doughty@du.edu or www.du.edu/socialwork.

Free Record Sealing Presentation Presented by Colorado Legal Services Tuesday, March 15th from 5:30 pm – 7 pm via Zoom Please call 385-7378, Ext 251 for details on how to attend or visit www.durangovap.org/events Yoga Teacher Training Yoga Alliance Certified 200 hr at Yogadurango, 2/2- 7/10, 8.5 weekends.

Whether you’re ready to deepen your understanding of yoga, or an aspiring yoga teacher, this comprehensive program will lay a strong foundation for an empowered lifelong practice. yogadurango.com

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Wait till you see this.

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Lowest Prices on Storage!

Inside/outside storage near Durango and Bayfield. 10-x-20, $130. Outside spots: $65, with discounts available. RJ Mini Storage. 970-259-3494.

Body Work Lotus Path Healing Arts Now accepting new clients. Offering a unique, intuitive fusion of Esalen massage, deep tissue & Acutonics, 24 years of experience. To schedule call Kathryn, 970-201-3373.

Massage by Meg Bush LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199. massageintervention.life Voted best massage in Durango 18/19/20. Couples, cupping, local CBD. Reviews on FB + Yelp. 970-903-2984 Sol Sparkle Hair Tinsel Be the Free Spirit in you with beautiful sparkles in your hair! Animas Trading Co. 2/26, 1-5pm. txt 970-769-7681 for appt.

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West Coast Swing Dance 6-week class starts March 2. Learn the basics of West Coast Swing. Registration is required at www.westslopewesties.com.

Wanted Want to Rent Studio Space North Want room with light as art studio Hermosa, north to Cascade. 970-3758555

ForSale Reruns Home Furnishings New inventory including dressers, side tables, rustic console, Urban Market industrial-style barstools, and rugs … Come in today! 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.

Wanted Cash for Vehicles, Copper, Alum, Etc. at RJ Metal Recycle. Also free appliance and other metal drop off. 970-259-3494.

Services Boxing Lessons Get in shape w/ the “Sweet Science.”

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