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lineup
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4 La Vida Local
Got your back Community rallies to help each other, main street and firefighters by Tracy Chamberlin
4 Thumbin’ It 5 Word on the Street
12-13
6-7 Soapbox
Cowboy up
8 Retooned
When the going gets tough, the tough go swing dancing photos by Jennaye Derge
9 Mountain Town News 12-13 Day in the Life
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16 Flash in the Pan
Broads gone wild
Great Old Broads offer advocacy training in wilderness-loving ways by Joy Martin
Ear to the ground: “I’ve been living on popsicles for dinner.” – Sad reality of what is now being called the “416 Fire diet”
A real cliff hanger
thepole
RegularOccurrences
And now from the good news department, comes the story of Alex,* the wonder raccoon (*not his official name, but more on that in a sec.) Lest you were preoccupied with things like pre-evacuation on Tuesday, the Twitterverse in other, wetter parts of the country was captivated by a survival story of a different sort. Seems at some time Tuesday morning, an errant urban raccoon embarked on a daunting mission up the side of the 23-story UBS Center in downtown St. Paul. (Thus the Alex reference, as in rockstar climber Honnold.) It’s hypothesized he – or she, as gender has not been determined – had been in search of a pigeon nest to raid atop the skyway when he lost his way. In what was obviously a slow news day in the capital city, Tim Nelson, a reporter across the way at Minnesota Public Radio, took an interest in the raccoon’s upward mobility. Nelson began posting updates under #mprraccoon. (AKA #mprracoon for the spelling-challenged.)
17 Top Shelf 18-20 On the Town
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20 Ask Rachel
Just shoot me
21 Free Will Astrology
Pea shoots and garlic (and bacon) for the win by Ari LeVaux
22-23 Classifieds 23 Haiku Movie Review
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Musical salvation
On the cover A simple sign says it all along 25th Street earlier this week./ Photo by Jennaye Derge
Rising Nashville indie star, Paula and Joan round out week’s options by Chris Aaland
boilerplate
EDITORIALISTA: Missy Votel (missy@durangotelegraph.com)
STAR-STUDDED CAST: Lainie Maxson, Chris Aaland, Clint Reid, Jennaye Derge, Jesse Anderson, Allen Best, Joy Martin and Luke Mehall
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 332 Durango, CO 81302 PHONE: 970.259.0133
ADVERTISING AFICIONADO: Lainie Maxson (lainie@durangotelegraph.com)
VIRTUAL ADDRESS: www.durangotelegraph.com
RESIDENT FORMULA ONE FAN: Tracy Chamberlin (tracy@durangotelegraph.com)
REAL WORLD ADDRESS: 777 Main Ave., #214 Durango, CO 81301
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.
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
E-MAIL: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com
telegraph
Well, apparently no one else had any pressing duties either, as the story exploded on social media. Crowds soon gathered outside the building to gawk and cheer on the hapless but loveable “trash panda” and “tree rat” (Twitter’s names, not ours. But we like them.) I-phone video recorded his every move, as pleas to save the #mprraccoon rang out. “Please, God, Allah and Prince … Let it survive. Peace and Purple Rain,” wrote one Twitterer. Unfortunately, the windows in the UBS building, as in most skyscrapers, do not open. Firefighters, who were inevitably called to the scene, set live traps baited with cat food atop the building’s rooftop. But the critter had ideas of his own, and decided to stop for a late afternoon nap in one of the window wells around the 20th floor. By now, local news stations had caught wind of the heroic free climb and arrived on the scene, with Nelson still keeping vigil across the street. But as night fell, the fate of Alex hung by a thread (and some really sharp claws). Alas, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Sometime before midnight, Alex woke up, downclimbed to around the 18th floor and then made a herculean assault on the summit. As of 12:45 a.m. Wednesday central time, Nelson reported that Alex was happily devouring kitty food behind bars. For his encore, Alex will be released into the wild somewhere in the Twin Cities exurbs, presumably far from and high rises and interstates. As for his #15minutesoffame, Twitter was already calling for Alex to grace the cover of Time as “person of the year” and reporting that he had rejected an invitation to visit the White House.
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opinion
LaVidaLocal Fire on the mountain When I first started contributing to this column, Missy Votel sealed the deal by telling me I could basically write about whatever I wanted to. She told me in one desperate moment she’d even written about Sponge Bob Square Pants. I was going to accept the gig no matter what – in fact it was an honor that I’d be given the opportunity – when I moved to Durango in 2010 writing for the Telegraph was the only paying freelance work I really had in the Four Corners region. I’ve gotten to know Durango through the lens of being a writer for the local newspaper, and I can think of no better medium. Coupled with my sixyear gig at Zia’s, I’ve grown to love this big, small town for what it is. (I wrote big, small town, because I moved here from Gunnison, and compared to Gunny, this town can feel busy like a city sometimes.) There is a certain calling of a writer though, especially a small town newspaper writer, when one simply can’t write about whatever she or he wants to. There is one thing on everyone’s minds, and that one thing demands to be given attention. Of course, I’m talking about that big ole fire on the mountain over there. The 416. It’s the topic of every conversation in one way or another in Durango right now – from the barstool to the grocery store – and it will be so for some time, it appears. As I write this in my apartment on the north side of town, I can hear the choppers. Probably 10 times a day I check social media for updates, as it grows and grows. So of course, here I am, writing about it. But what to write, where to start? I could start with what started the fire. I don’t know for sure, but I have a feeling I know, and everyone else basically knows as well. Right now it kind of seems like this unspoken thing.
In the spirit of writing about what I know, I realize I have very little understanding about the complexities of how forest fires are fought. I feel like I understand why it’s spreading so quickly – I mean it was 50 degrees and sunny for most of December and January, we are clearly in an epic drought – but every time I read a new post from the 416 crew on Facebook I’m learning about things I really have little to no knowledge of. But what I do think I know a little more about is firefighters. That’s only because many of my close friends are firefighters. Some are wild land firefighters, and others work in our local departments; some have been at it for quite a while, while others are just getting into it after realizing they wanted more meaningful and structured careers. Ironically, or not, they are all climbers; most are alpinists who have endured exposure to the elements for days on end that I have never dreamed of. They are tough cookies. “I’m just doing my job,” is basically what every firefighter has told me when I’ve thanked them for what they are doing. And they are, but they have a job of extreme importance. It’s very humbling to realize the difficult jobs some people do in order to keep the rest of us safe and healthy. My girlfriend is a nurse, and I’m constantly in awe of the work she does for our fellow human beings. Sometimes I think writing is important, and it is, but the importance of the work that our public servants do far surpasses anything I do on the day to day. I’m not one to write short “La Vida Local” columns, often I’ll end my pieces by saying I wish I had more words. This time, the ending is what matters. I want to say, “thank you” to all the firefighters, and each and every civil servant who is ready to take care of someone else in the toughest of times. – Luke Mehall
This Week’s Sign of the Downfall:
Thumbin’It Local businesses rallying around firefighters and evacuees by offering everything from free meals to show tickets to haircuts
A carelessly tossed lit cigarette causing near catastrophe on Florida Road early Monday morning
The town of Mancos receiving a $32,000 grant to help renovate its historic opera house
The 416 Fire adding insult to injury by forcing the closure of most outdoor recreational opportunities and spewing hazardous levels of smoke
The well-orchestrated and herculean firefighting effort miraculously resulting in no lost structures as of Wednesday afternoon
4 n June 14, 2018
More big-city woes, with two apparent attempted murders at motels on Saturday night
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Geniuses are dumb now. Researchers at MIT created an evil AI named Norman (after the guy in “Psycho”), and they did it on purpose. “Norman,” who’s a scary form of artificial intelligence called a “machinelearning bot,” was fed nothing but graphic videos of people dying while in the learning stage of his programming. Now, Norman “sees death in whatever image he looks at,” as his creators (who’ve obviously never seen “Terminator”) put it. When Norman was shown this image, he saw “man gets pulled into dough machine.” When I look, I see our downfall.
WordontheStreet
Q
With smoke and trail closures making outside activities difficult, the Telegraph asked, “What’s your favorite indoor activity?”
Evan Hendrickson
“Day drinking.”
Mike Bienkowski
“I’m going to re-create the Skyline/Raider Ridge loop inside my house and run it like a gerbil.”
Hayley Kirkman
“Weeping softly into my pillow.”
Rachel Landis
“Making calls and sending emails to re-route the outdoor program we run.”
Carrie Lyons
“Going to the Conundrum Escape Room.”
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June 14, 2018 n 5
SoapBox emulate? We all want the best for our children and grandchildren, regardless of political affiliation, but that involves teaching them that integrity, honesty and decency are essential traits that help us enjoy a fulfilled and satisfying life as good citizens. Truth to power. Stand up and be counted. This is our country, our values. We all may not have the time to be political junkies like me, but we all love our children and want them to have good, healthy and productive lives. DJT and his team are working hard against that goal on a daily basis. We don’t need to make America great again; we want America’s greatness to endure. Vote this November. – Salye Stein, Durango
Unravelling the American fabric To the editor, It is difficult to be a news junky these days. I watched and listened to political commentators recently as they reported on Donald Trump’s announced clemency pardon for a man of minor celebrity who pleaded guilty in 2014 to an illegal campaign donation crime. They also reported that Trump may lay his hands on a couple of other celebrity felons. This is just the latest sickening anti-democratic, reckless and self-serving action by our president that is subverting and undermining our Constitution and the rule of law, on which our republic is based. As some suggest, is this his strategy to assure those in the hot seat in today’s high profile collusion and obstruction of justice investigations that they shouldn’t worry if convicted? After all, he has their backs and the presidential power of pardon. I am deeply upset, not just as a partisan, but as an American citizen who sees the president’s deeds severely polarizing our citizens, confusing our allies, praising our enemies and demeaning anyone whom he perceives is not in his camp, not to mention his attacks on our traditional democratic institutions. Where are our representatives, especially in the Republican Party? Don’t any of them have the spine and conscience to stand up to this huffing and puffing man? Or, is retaining political power the only and ultimate goal? Many are men and women of faith who believe in the Golden Rule. They have families they care about. But so many of them are helping DJT destroy or ignore the issues of profound importance and impact that affect them and their constituents: health care, national security and domestic safety, the environment, education, justice, tolerance. How do they explain this man to their children? Can they honestly present him as a model to
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Aichele turned office around To the editor, I just retired from the Treasurer’s Office after 21 years of service. During the last 3.5 years, I have worked for Allison Aichele, La Plata County Treasurer. She has been the best manager I have ever worked for. She came in to the Treasurer’s Office, when we opened the mail by hand, and used typewriters and lots of paper. Under her leadership, I learned something new every day. She brought in training for us on how to use accounting and banking technologies in order to make the office more effective and efficient. We implemented many electronic ways for our customers to pay taxes – which changed everything. The Treasurer’s Office has become a professional accounting office, and Allison has worked hard to get everything running smoothly. You can be sure taxpayer money is collected accurately, protected according to law, and disbursed on time to the many taxing districts we
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work with. The school districts get more than half the money that flows through the office. They are happy with our work. The Treasurer’s Office is a nonpolitical office. No political decisions are made in this office. It doesn’t report to the county commissioners. It must follow the laws of the State of Colorado. There are so many that govern this office, I never learned them all! I want you to vote to keep Allison Aichele in office – not for me – but to continue to do the work she has started, which is for you, for your benefit. – Marcia Larson, Durango
Walsworth checks all the boxes To the editor, Tim Walsworth has been a business leader in the Durango community for over 15 years and will continue applying his leadership skills as a public servant for La Plata County. I have worked with Tim in his role as the executive director of the Business Improvement District, and his work ethic, follow through, and commitment to our community are unparalleled. These are the qualities that will play a key role in the management of the county Treasurer’s Office. In addition to these skills, his management style, sense of humor and willingness to collaborate and build partnerships are an extra plus for the county. The county treasurer will need to work well with the Assessor’s Office, Clerk and Recorder, Finance Director and county commissioners. And Tim’s ability to collaborate and build partnerships will serve him well in this regard. Tim will manage and retain staff in a positive, constructive work environment. In short, Tim has the right experience, personality and management style for the job of county treasurer. – Monique DiGiorgio, Durango 4
Hanlon is most viable contender To the editor, For the past three elections, Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District has been a graveyard for the Democratic Party: 2012, Scott Tipton 53 percent, Sal Pace 41 percent; 2014, Scott Tipton 58 percent, Abel Tapia 36 percent; 2016, Scott Tipton 55 percent, Gail Schwartz 40 percent. Three-term Congressman John Salazar was the most recent viable Democratic candidate for the 3rd Congressional District. Defeated by Tipton in 2010, Salazar paid the price for his courageous support of national health-care reform. It is obvious that the only possible chance the Democratic Party has to reclaim the 3rd Congressional District is to elect a candidate in the mold of John Salazar. That candidate is Karl Hanlon. – John Norton, Durango
Aichele rose to challenges To the editor, I didn’t vote for Allison Aichele when she ran for La Plata County Treasurer in 2014. She was an unknown. I didn’t want to cast my vote “just because she was female.” I fell prey to the “old ways are the best ways” method of thinking. I was wrong. I was really wrong. But I didn’t know that. I didn’t know that as I read the multiple coverages in the Herald that delineated the accumulating expenditures for the changes that were being made by her in that very sensitive office. I judged. I muttered to myself that yes, she had experience in the tech world, but maybe not so much in the financial world of political dollars and cents sense for this county. How much was it going to cost the county to educate this newly elected treasurer ... because unless a person has had prior governmental treasurer experience, there is bound to be a steep learning curve. How many missteps would be made? I didn’t know. I was not in that office. I was not behind that desk.
And I certainly did not have the vision she had. So what could I expect? Beyond my wildest expectations and through some genuinely difficult times, Allison brought the Treasurer’s Office into the twenty-first century. Yes, there were glitches that occurred. Some were predictable, some were not. Through it all, Allison rose to these challenges, stuck to her guns with integrity, mounted a resolved determination and persevered with the gumption to get this job done and get it done well ... so she did and continues to do. This time Allison will get my vote. I encourage you to do the same. – Suzanne Cramer, Durango
He has developed his climate plan which included these seven areas: recommit to the Paris Climate Accord; 80 percent renewables by 2050; stand up to oil and gas; protect our public lands; bolster renewables; stop Donald Trump’s EPA from repealing Obama’s Clean Power Plan; and defend emissions standards. Details around each of these areas can be found at https://karlhanlon.com/the-issues/. I am convinced that Karl has the personal qualities, experience, commitment and passion necessary to represent our District. And oh, by the way, he is not taking money from any PACs – only from the people of our district. Please support him and return your ballot! – Jigger Staby, Durango
Tipton is part of the problem
Walsworth best person for the job
To the editor, Climate change is real and is a threat to our economy and our way of life. It’s time we had a member of Congress who not only believes that climate change is real, but who will DO something about it. Scott Tipton is part of the problem, as he consistently supports the oil and gas industry and cares more about their financial support than our way of life in Colorado. He has failed to recognize the consistent signs of the horrible tragedies such as the wildfires in the West, hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, the drought in Montana and the Dakotas – and now the unprecedented and “exceptional drought” in Southwest Colorado. The Reagan White House discussed these threats posed by climate change in the 1980s. He refused to join the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus and supports the expansion of drilling in our public lands. We need a person in the 3rd Congressional District who will be a leader in this area, and many others. That person is Karl Hanlon, a rancher, water attorney, former park ranger and an experienced leader in Colorado.
To the editor, Do your part to help La Plata County reconcile the books. I’ve been told they’re a mess – here’s the solution: Vote for Tim Walsworth for treasurer in the upcoming primary election on June 26! Here’s why: I could cite all the typical boring reasons like solid ethics, high integrity, professional conduct and intelligence – all of which are obviously true. But I’m writing today to explain the reasons why I’m personally going to vote for Tim. He’s honest. He executes on well thought-out initiatives, and he doesn’t procrastinate. Qualities not present in the current Treasurer’s Office. I’ve known Tim for nearly 30 years – so I speak from experience. I’ve worked and played alongside him. From the yearly United Way Radiothon to the comradery on the softball field, he’s a natural leader. Ballots are due by June 26. New this year, unaffiliated voters can vote in the primary election. Tim Walsworth is the best person for La Plata County treasurer. Join me in voting for him. – Larry Holiday, Durango
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June 14, 2018 n 7
ReTooned
After the fire
T
he 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire started one day after my partner, Regina, and I attended a wedding in Chris Park. Out-of-town guests were having a great time smoking, drinking and huzzahing as one does, unaware of the sleeping dragon. We ran around with red cups full of soggy cigarette butts, apologetically but insistently demanding cooperation with our effort to head off a catastrophic waking. It was futile, of course. The inevitable spark came. The forests, then as now, were bone-dry, stressed and dropping gouts of powdery pollen. Trees are like that. When threatened, their resources are diverted to the youngest shoots of the understory. The hivemind turns to progeny. Evolution has provided them with what amounts to an insurance plan for continuation of the species. With a response to drastic change. We humans like to say we embrace change, but what we really mean is we like novelty. Change is usually far less fun. It often comes bundled with heartbreaking loss. That makes us fearful. And fear makes us angry. There’s a lot of anger right now, most of it directed squarely at the antique train that has chugged up the valley regularly for the better part of 140 years. At the height of high tech in 1885, the D&SNGRR is now a romantic anachronism … a 19th century curiosity that is increasingly out of place in the 21st century reality of climate chaos and pollution. That is, of course, part of its charm. As an amateur historian, that train represents the story of Durango for me. As an environmentalist, it’s problematic. And as a citizen of this fragile, tourism-reliant burg, I understand its economic impact. Tourists that pay to ride the train also pay to eat, shop, drink
8 n June 14, 2018
and sleep. Thirty-one-thousand cancellations equals a $33 million gut poke just for the month of June. Add to that 150 railroad workers furloughed, the huge hit Silverton is taking, the winter dollar damage inflicted if 416 eats up Purgatory, and … well, you have a disaster in the making. There’s no getting around it. This change is going to be hard. Let’s not make it any harder. Accusations directed at the train are understandable
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but destructive. It exacerbates an already tense political landscape created by an ugly recall and the instability gleefully fomented by our leaders. We need all of our energy directed at helping, supporting, caring. There will be time to digest the causes. To mull the responses. To bark loudly. Now is the time to show our quality. To support the Herculean efforts our resident army of yellowshirts is making. So far, they have miraculously managed to prevent loss of life and treasure. That record must continue. We must enable them. The loss of our beloved forests is similar to the loss of our river during the Gold King spill. So many of us have our lives entwined with this place that major changes force a crisis. Yes, much will be gone. Yes, it will never be the same. But we will put our backs to it. We will take our progeny to those charred, magnificent places and make new memories. Like ponderosa seedlings, our children will thrive in ways we can’t yet imagine. We must set them on that road, fed with our faith in the future. Love of home is not dependent on beauty – it is dependent on love. My brothers and sisters, only by losing that will we truly have suffered an unrecoverable blow. Durango endures as we endure. Together.
– Shan Wells PS: Ballots for the primary election went out last week. They must be mailed back by the 19th. Here’s my crib sheet for the contested races: Rep - Karl Hanlon; Guv - Cary Kennedy; Sec State - Jena Griswold; State Tres - Dave Young; AG - Joe Salazar; County Tres - Allison Aichele. Vote dat puppy.
MountainTownNews New Snowmass hotel, but others stall
SNOWMASS VILLAGE – In six or seven months, Snowmass Village will get another hotel as well as two other buildings. The 99-room hotel will be branded as a Limelight, a relatively new chain of four-star lodging created by the Aspen Skiing Co. The company also has a Limelight in Aspen and in Ketchum, Idaho. The company has investigated other markets, including non-traditional ski towns, like Boulder. The Aspen Daily News reports that the hotel will have an unusual feature: a climbing wall. One of the three lanes climbs the entire five stories of the hotel, and another lane is to be more family friendly, explained construction manager Andy Gunion. East West owns the development along with Aspen Skiing Co. and KSL Capital. The project goes back almost 20 years, when the Aspen Skiing Co. decided that its most heavily used ski mountain needed a more inviting base area. It partnered with Intrawest, then sold the rights to a company that went bankrupt during the recession. Work finally resumed in 2017. In Ketchum, town officials 15 years ago were also trying to buff up the aging lodging at the base of Sun Valley. It took several years, but when all was said and done, hotels were allowed to be bigger and taller. Altogether, four of them were authorized, just as the recession arrived. Aspen built the aforementioned Limelight after obtaining development rights from another developer. The Auberge, a second hotel in Ketchum, has excavated a site but nothing more. Its previous deadline was for completion this year. Last week, the Ketchum City Council extended the deadline to 2021. But the developer, Jack Bariteau, must get a plan for 18 employee housing beds squared away by the end of October, reports the Idaho Express. Two other hotel proposals in Ketchum, Warm Springs Resort and Sun Valley Resort, have been approved but have done nothing yet. Vail Resorts also had dreams of developing lodging at the base of its namesake mountain, in effect creating a third base-area portal. Called EverVail, the plan was first hatched in 2006. It was even then called a $1 billion project, both because of the expansiveness of the lodging but also the work to get everything right on the 12.6-acre site. Among other chores was relocating a twolane highway. Since the plan was approved in 2012, Vail Resorts has largely gotten out of the business of developing real estate. But whether this project will get developed is uncertain. The highway relocation must be completed by the end of 2020. If not, explains the Vail Daily, the approval granted by the town will expire. s One developer, speaking on condition of confidentiality, said the project as originally envisioned almost certainly will never happen because of the cost. At least one other hotel approved in Vail before the recession also remains unbuilt, a Marriott at the site of a 1960s property called the Roost Lodge. In Breckenridge, a 150-room hotel with 50 wholly owned condos is being parsed by the community, and Breckenridge Grand Vacations has been working with a Miami-based firm to build a four-star hotel at the base of Peak 8, reports the Summit Daily News. Meanwhile, a time-share resort is being built on 6 acres north of downtown by Welk Resorts, which was founded in 1964 by TV bandleader Lawrence Welk. The Daily News says the resort will open next year.
Smoky week as fire seizes its chance While the 416 and Burro fires blaze in Southwest Colorado, other parts of the state that got more snow over the winter were taking precautions. In Red Cliff, a town of 300 people near Vail, one homeowner Sunday morning was removing flammable vegetation from around his house and preparing to put metal siding on a wooden outbuilding. In nearby Summit County, county commissioners from across Colorado gathered to talk about wildfire threats. A focus was on what is called the wildland-urban interface. One take-away from the meeting, reported the Summit Daily News, is that more and more people will be wanting to live in such dangerous areas. The state’s population, now at nearly 5.7 million, is expected to grow to nine or 10 million in the next three decades.
Logan Sand, a state official, said that a third of Colorado’s population already lives in the wildland-urban interface, “and that’s going to continue increasing for the next 30 years or so.” Along the shores of Lake Tahoe, which is split by California and Nevada, a similar discussion has been under way. “It’s not a matter of getting better at firefighting; it’s now a matter of too much stuff for fires to burn,” said Malcolm North, a forest ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service. “Despite costs to the federal government now above $3 billion annually of waging war on fire, it’s a failure. We’re losing the forest fire battle. It’s not whether fire will occur, it’s when,” he told the Lake Tahoe News. “We have two choices. We can continue to deny that we can control fire, or we can get in front of it and learn how to be smarter when it comes to forest fires.” Like others, he blames clear-cutting during the early Eurosettlement for creating even-stand forests. “Large, fire-resistant trees were cut and ‘defect’ trees were eliminated,” he said. “But in actuality, these gnarled, crooked trees are the nexus for wildlife such as owls. That was not a good idea.” Then came many decades of fire suppression, not just in the Sierra Nevada but across the West. “Fire is actually essential in a forest,” he went on to explain, as fire ecologists have been saying for decades. Eliminating periodic fires of every 10 to 15 years has resulted in more powerful crown fires when the fires inevitably do occur. A typical healthy forest in the past supported about 64 trees per acre with a diameter of about 26 inches. Now, there are about 320 trees on an acre with girths of 14 inches or so.
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Mulling the ‘Kanye effect’ in Jackson JACKSON, Wyo. – Kanye West flew in Chris Rock and 300 to 400 rap artists, models, actors, and other friends of the singer into Jackson for a release party of his new 7-song tape. The release party – apparently used commonly as a promotional device in the music industry – got significant national attention. The unusualness of the setting may have had something to do with it. There were a bonfire and the Tetons in the background. The Jackson Hole News&Guide explored what it called the “Kanye effect.” The most obvious question was how much all this publicity was worth for tourism promotion. By one off-hand estimate, it was worth as much as all the annual $1.6 million promotion budget for Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board. But Jonathan Schechter, an economist who operates a think tank in Jackson Hole, suggested the more interesting question was what attracted Kanye to Jackson Hole over other resorts. One possibility, Schechter said, was the pristineness of the environment. “The thing that distinguishes Jackson Hole and the Tetons region from basically every other major resort community is the quantity, quality and health of our ecosystem.”
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Surprised mama grizzly a bit defensive BANFF, Alberta – If not for bears, it’s a wonder what kind of news there would be in Banff. The Rocky Mountain Outlook reports that a lone hiker had a lucky escape after he surprised a female grizzly and her cub along a trail in Banff National Park. The cub dashed across the trail, followed quickly by the sow, who charged and took a swipe at the man’s backpack. “It was a classic surprise encounter,” Bill Hunt, resource conservation manager for Banff National Park, explained. “A lone hiker, not great sight lines, and they caught each other by surprise. She reacted as a bear will, and once the surprise part was over, the bear disengaged.” At Canmore, at the entrance to Banff National Park, a curious black bear caused a stir after it nearly wandered into the lodges at Canmore. It was turned back by a second set of doors. A report on human-wildlife coexistence released recently has 28 recommendations about how to reduce the probability and severity of wildlife encounters in the busy and highly developed Bow Valley. The Outlook says many of the recommendations contained in the report have already been implemented to varying degrees.
– Allen Best
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LocalNews
Taking care of business Locals rally to support evacuees, firefighters, main street and each other by Tracy Chamberlin
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o question, it’s a challenging a time for Durango, La Plata County and the entire Southwest. The D&SNG is parked at the station, and 150 employees have been furloughed. Purgatory Resort has locked the doors, and its employees are also out of work. The San Juan National Forest is completely closed. The City of Durango and La Plata County officials have closed several trails and open spaces. Thousands of homes have been evacuated, and tens of thousands of acres have burned. And, it’s not over yet. Through all the smoke and fire, though, is another story. “There is a silver lining here,” Peter Schertz, co-owner of Maria’s Bookshop on Main Avenue, said. “It’s the community unification, and it’s really powerful.” This is not the first challenge this area has faced. From the Main Avenue parking spaces were relatively full this week, despite a looming smoke cloud. One of the Missionary Ridge and Valley silver linings to the smoke cloud, however, has been the rallying of locals to help each other and main fires in 2002 to the Gold King street weather the storm./Photo by Jennaye Derge Mine spill in 2015, residents in Durango and La Plata County trict, are promoting a local first movement online, he said, buy it downtown. Enjoy a have always risen to the challenge. And, ac- and getting the word out that this community meal at a local restaurant, or take the kids out cording to business leaders and locals alike, is open for business. for ice cream. this will be no different. “What our message has been for people visKatie Burford, owner of Cream Bean Berry, “That’s what Durango does,” Tim iting the area – there’s still plenty to do,” said that’s exactly what’s happening. Walsworth, director of the city’s Business Im- Walsworth said. “Go on the river, take a raft Most recently, she said the district ranger provement District, said. “We rally.” trip. Go to Mesa Verde. Visit Chaco Canyon.” for the San Juan National Forest, Matt With that in mind, several area businesses Even the Rocky Mountain Incident Man- Janowiak, stopped by on his only day off since and organizations have created special offers agement Team is helping. Included in the of- the 416 Fire started on June 1. He told Burford and organized campaigns to support evacuees ficial daily updates for the 416 and Burro Fires he was there “to support local business.” and firefighters. From free books to free meals, is the message, “There are still countless recreAnd, according to Burford, he’s not the they’re stepping up to help out. But, that’s not ational opportunities available and Southwest- only one to come in with local support in all. ern Colorado is open for business.” mind. “That makes me feel so proud and so Many of those same businesses, along with For locals, Walsworth has a similar message much a part of this community,” she added. Local First and the Business Improvement Dis- – shop local. Instead of buying your aunt’s gift Burford admitted it’s been strange waking 4
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A little help from friends In an effort to help out local residents who’ve lost their jobs due to the 416 Fire and to support local businesses, the Community Foundation is accepting donations to the Community Emergency Relief Fund. To donate, send a check to The Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO 81302 or go to www.sw communityfoundation.org. To find out more, call 375-5807. Other opportunities for evacuees: • The Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio, is offering free admission to evacuees. •The Himalayan Restaurant, 992 Main Ave., is offering free meals to firefighters. • The Raven Narratives upcoming live storytelling performance, “Privilege,” is free to evacuees. The event runs 7:30 p.m., Fri., June 15, at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez and 7:30 p.m., Sat., June 16, at the Durango Arts Center • Durango Shimmy Mob is giving free admission to evacuees for its upcoming performance, Durango Hafia & Belly Dance Show, 6 p.m., June 15, at the American Legion, 878 E. 2nd Ave. Proceeds go to Alternative Horizons. • Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave., is donating $1 from every pint sale June 15-22 to the Wildland Firefighters Foundation.
up to the dense smoke and not being able to couraging folks to spend their money in see the mountains. She’s even had an emtown. That’s the shining light I’m seeing,” ployee with asthma who couldn’t come in beJeremy Dakan, owner of Pine Needle cause of the thick smoke in the air. It’s a Mountaineering in the Main Mall, said. reminder, she said, of just how broadly imOne of the things Dakan is doing to suppacted everyone in the community is. port the community and, in particular, all Watching from afar or catching the 30those who’ve been forced to leave their second summary on the national news homes, is collecting gift cards for evacuees. doesn’t tell the whole story – and the part The idea is to collect gift cards for things that’s missing is this area needs the busilike gas, restaurants and movie tickets. It ness. will give evacuees a night out on the town When the 416 Fire first ignited the and allow them to take a break from the morning of June 1, the busy summer concerns they’re dealing with. And, again, tourism was just getting started. it’s also a way to support local business. Schertz said this time of year is usually In addition to the gift cards, Pine Needle the entrance ramp to a big summer seais helping the Durango Food Bank with a son, and it feels odd for things to be setcollection event at Walmart in the coming tling down at Maria’s. week and inviting members of the Boys & Although the bookshop, like many Girls Club of Durango to design a new winother businesses downtown, is starting to dow display supporting firefighters. feel the slump, Schertz said there are peoDakan said his shop was busy at the beple suffering more than they are – like the ginning of the month, however, things evacuees. With that in mind, Maria’s has have slowed in the past week. For now it’s aside a special selection of books evacuees holding steady, he added, but he doesn’t Folks check out Main Avenue’s offerings this week.Typically Durango’s busy time, expect that to continue for long. can get for free. Schertz said they’re also focusing on summer’s downtown traffic has taken a hit. But businesses are trying to stay opti“I think the vibe with everyone is ‘batthe good, trying to keep it flowing mistic and get the “support-local” message out more than ever./Photo by Jennaye Derge ten down the hatches’ for a long road through the community and remain ahead,” he explained. grateful for what they do have – like more than 1,200 counts, is a way to say “Thank you” to firefighters, said Other stores along Main Avenue, like Magpie’s NewsLocal First executive director Monique DiGiorgio. It’s also stand Café and Fired Up Artisan Pizza, have said they felt firefighters battling the Burro and 416 fires. Not only was Maria’s one of the first to hang a “Thank a way to support local businesses. the same drop in foot traffic. “In some ways, the fires really underscore the work You Firefighters!” sign outside its business, it’s also offerAccording to Walsworth, it’s too early to tell just how that we do,” DiGiorgio explained. ing discounts to firefighters. much the fire has affected businesses downtown. The top The nonprofit is also working with volunteers in the indicator is sales tax collections, which are typically a Local First, the Durango-based nonprofit promoting business across La Plata County, has also found a way to Business Improvement District’s Ambassador Program to couple months behind. hand out coupons along Main Avenue for things like free support firefighters – and businesses in the area. He knows people are worried and even scared, but this They plan to donate 100 Local First coupon books to hot cocoa or socks. The idea is to help visitors feel wel- community always perseveres. “If this proves to be a long the firefighters. Giving the books, which come out every come and support locals at the same time. term event,” he said, “we really need locals to do every“The community obviously supports each other, en- thing they can to support our local businesses.” n year and are filled with coupons for free items and dis-
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June 14, 2018 n 11
dayinthelife
Cowboying U by Jennaye Derge
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o doubt Durango has fire on the brain. to think about anything else these da flames loom up north and smoke is se every crevice. Our hearts are heavy and our con main in Hermosa, but Durango has never been down before, and we won't be this time, eithe folks this week are still holding their heads high ing the Durango Cowboy Poetry crew who, in less-than-ideal circumstances, held the 4th ann Dance and Picnic at Rotary Park on Sunday e The event is a fundraiser for the Durango Cow etry Gathering, which will host its 30th annu fall. The evening featured cowboy poet Lindy Si barbecue, beverages and the sounds of the Tim Band, which gave everyone a reason to pick the up, dust off their boots and dance the night aw
The Tim Sullivan Band helped kick off the 4th annual Barn Dance and Picni
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Cold beverages in the shade are a sure cure for the smoke.
ic at Rotary Park on Sunday.
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Do-si-do then do some mo. June 14, 2018 n 13
thesecondsection
Only YOU can prevent forest fires Great Old Broads trains others to follow in their wild-loving ways by Joy Martin
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o your national forest is closed due to a wildfire that may or may not have been started by the chief economic choo-choo of your beloved hometown. Your access to public lands – your playground and place of worship – is prohibited, pending the heavens releasing a deluge. Till then, hungry flames lick ponderosas to charred sticks sending wildlife into a frenzy and scaring the daylights out of homeowners, who are more than ever heavily aware of the cost of dwelling in paradise. Below the swollen, ashy tower, houses perched in the woods look miniscule, much like the buckets of water carried by helicopters. But you can't linger in that dark place for long, so you buy socks for firefighters. You drop off popsicles for CDOT workers. You consider volunteer firefighting. You donate as much as your meager bank account will allow. And then another smoke-choked morning clears to a June-blue sky with an ominous pinkish plume looming to the north. Doom and gloom, you think, and then you remember Silverton. Sigh.
Justthefacts What: Women’s Advocacy Leadership Training Where: Durango Nature Studies When: Aug. 2-3 Cost: $325 (scholarships are available) More info: lauren@greatoldbroads.org Wilderness: nothing reminds us how small we are as quickly. Usually it's a delightful, benign experience, like looking up at the walls of Grand Canyon. Climbing volcanoes in Guatemala. Riding singletrack in the San Juans. But then the river devours, the tsunamis devastate, the molten lava destroys, the forests burn. Mother Nature shakes her head at you, ye of little power. So why do we pour our hearts into protecting her? Why do we live to be near her, in her? It's primal, a tug on the soul that draws us away from the coasts and the Front Range. Yet we take for granted that these wild places and open spaces will exist forever – until a disaster smacks us upside the head. Yet another circumstance reminiscent of the feelings churned by November 2016 that has given us no choice but to get the hell involved. So often we forget that the never-ending battle to protect wilderness is fought by frontline defenders who come in all packages: beards and flannel, suits and ties, chicks with armpit hair, and grannies with rolling pins. This latter category of the wizened woman was a soft voice until 1989, when a group of sun-kissed, sexy sexa-
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Old Broads, new Broads, four-legged Broads and even a Bro sit in front of the Great Old Broads for Wilderness HQ on College Drive and 7th Ave. The Broads will be imparting their wilderness-saving knowledge in August at their Women’s Advocacy Leadership Training./ Photo by Jennaye Derge genarians was tagged for duty, thanks to the not-sosmooth-talking of Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch. As the longestserving Republican senator in U.S. history, Hatch has quite the laundry list of Things That Rile Up Liberals. But, in 1989, he made a statement that set in motion a new meaning to the term "active senior." It was the 25th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The last mapped area of the U.S., Escalante, Utah, was up for wilderness designation. Hatch was against it, touting, "If for no other reason, we need roads for the aged and infirm.” Clearly he'd never lived in a mountain town. The sentiment struck a chord with feisty, red-rock advocate Susan Tixier, and it took no time to rally her sophisticated female hiker friends. These boomers did-
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n't need roads. Rather, the environmental movement needed them, and they needed a name to unify their quest. The story goes like this: One fine day while the original-gangster, Tixier-led group (OGTL) was hiking and discussing what action to take, a band of dusty, tan, sinewy and gray- haired ladies was coming off the trail. Someone in the OGTL gang remarked, “What a bunch of great old broads." Broads. The term captured perfectly the essence of "the budding entity they envisioned, emphasizing the old and the feminine." Twenty-nine years later, the Great Old Broads for Wilderness (Broads) thrives as one of the nation's leading grassroots conservation advocacy nonprofits. With style and humor, they're on 4
mission "to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands" for their grandchildren's grandchildren. The first five years of the organization were dues free, and any woman who declared herself a member was one. She'd buy a Broads T-shirt, and then the rest of the world would know. Kitchen tables served as the informal headquarters until 1993, when the cost of furthering the cause got too expensive for amateur hour. So members had to put their money where their mouths were, and dues were managed by the first official staff person hired in 1994. In 2008, the Broads launched Broadbands, or chapters, in 15 other states. The Broadbands have since grown to 40 strong, blossoming into the backbone of the Broads, which now celebrates 8,500 members and friends, including Training Broads (younger broads) and even some Great Old Bros. With the mentorship, training and resources of the Broads headquarters in Durango, no less than 73 leaders guide on-the-ground, all-volunteer wilderness and public lands protection campaigns from east to west. From monitoring established wilderness to urging Congress to designate new wilderness, the chief duty of the Broads is to educate communities about threats to public lands. They're the voice at town hall meetings, the authors of letters to the editors, the protest marcher and face for the cause, meeting with elected officials and decision makers. "We hold these federal (land management) agencies accountable for what they say they want to do in management plans and, at the same time, we help them out as their eyes on the ground," Robyn Cascade, co-leader of the Northern San Juan Broadband for Broads, says. With a background in public education and a couple seasons as a wilderness ranger for the Forest Service, Cascade brings knowledge in facilitating collaborative partnerships to protect wilderness in the San Juans. Fairly new to the San Juans as of 2008, 59-year-old Cascade grew up playing in the
salt marshes of the Northeast and sailing her little Sunfish into the Atlantic to find wide open spaces. "I came to Colorado for the land," says Cascade. "There are just too many people out east." With the support of the national office, one of her Broadbands' most recent campaigns includes advocating for the passage of the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act, which would protect approximately 60,000 acres in the San Juan Mountains from mining, oil and gas development. Another is their involvement in the Grand Mesa-Gunnison-Uncom-
paigns – conservation or otherwise – to fruition. Designed for staff or volunteers, the training will help build momentum for community change and social justice causes alike. "We'll focus on discovering the 'why' behind your work so that you're more able to bring others into it," says Broad's Grassroots Leadership Director, Lauren Berutich. A younger broad than most, 39-year-old Berutich is the perfect fit for the Broads with over 10 years of experience in environmental education, stewardship and sustainable community development. "The work is endless," says Berutich. "But knowing that others are out there working tirelessly to fight the good fight really fires me up when the times are hard." She adds that "Broadness is a state of mind," so you don't have to be a woman to join, which didn't even cross Mike Kruse's mind when he applied to be the Broad's Grassroots Leadership Coordinator this spring. Kruse, 33, grew up in Michigan and got his travel bug and passion for public lands from a radical broad also known as his mother. – Robyn Cascade, Great Old Broad He found the Great Old Broads after digging around for work in public lands advocacy and was struck by how pahgre National Forests (GMUG) forest plan revision. affective the Broads is as a grassroots organization. So he ap"Broads has a unique vision and way of operating," ex- plied. plains Cascade. "We're more than policy. There's heart to it. "It's the one instance where affirmative action could work We can advocate till we're blue in the face, but what keeps us for a white male," laughs Kruse. sane is sitting by the bubbling brook, listening to the birds." So if the fire’s got you down, it's time to realize that you A major role she plays as a Broadband co-leader is men- can do more than donate socks. You can join the fight for toring the next generation of public lands activists. This as- public lands. And, if you don't know where to start, sign up pect of sharing advocacy tools with younger women is one for the Advocacy Leadership Training. Whatever you do, of the cornerstones of the Broads. In light of this responsibil- don't wait till you’re 60 to realize you have a voice (unless ity, the national office hosts weeklong grassroots advocacy you are 60, in which case, welcome aboard!) and leadership trainings for Broadband leaders, who vary "It's great to see these wild women speaking up and getfrom retired lawyers and accountants to grandmothers. ting after it," says Kruse. "You see these gals doing it, and it's This Aug. 2-3, Broads take this acclaimed model public, really inspiring for everyone. They're pretty bad ass, don't offering a two-day Women's Advocacy Leadership Training back down, and bring amazing experience." at Durango Nature Studies. The workshop creates space for And, when in doubt, keep donating popsicles and eating women of all ages to hone in on their leadership skills and brunch downtown because only YOU can prevent economic learn how to apply viable strategies to help bring their cam- disaster. #SilvertonLove. n
“We're more than policy. There's heart to it. We can advocate till we're blue in the face, but what keeps us sane is sitting by the bubbling brook, listening to the birds.”
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June 14, 2018 n 15
Flashinthepan
Thinking outside the pod by Ari LeVaux
in response to the insult. Elsewhere in the garden, the appearance of garlic flowers, aka scapes, marks the New Year according to the garlic calendar. After months of eating soft, sprouting garlic cloves, we can eat new garlic. The plant is alive and juicy and the flavor is sharp and spicy. Scapes are the first taste of the season’s new garlic crop. Scapes, like pea greens, are curly. Each garlic flower wants to go around twice, before uncurling and standing up, eventually opening into a purple flower that looks like a celestial explosion. My recipe for China Train Pea Greens is essentially pea greens added to my reconstructed recollection of a scape and pork dish I had on a train between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar. China Train Pea Greens Pea greens, 1 bunch, chopped or left whole Garlic scapes, 1 handful, chopped into inch-long sections Butter, 1-2 tablespoons Olive oil, 1-2 tablespoons Train Sauce* Black pepper, salt, garlic powder; to taste Bacon (optional, sort of); I keep my bacon frozen and cut it lengthwise off one end, like slicing a sausage but through the ends of several pieces of frozen bacon at once. Most heavy knives have no problem because the fat prevents bacon from freezing rock hard. It doesn’t take a lot of these little bacon bits, sometimes called lardons, to make a difference in a meal. Use a slice of bacon’s worth of lardons for this dish. Train Sauce Soy sauce, 4 tablespoons Oyster sauce, 4 tablespoons Fish sauce, 2 teaspoons Sesame oil, 2 teaspoons Lime juice, 3 tablespoons
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arlic with pea shoots is a combination worth exploring. It’s hardly a secret, especially in Asia where pea greens are widely consumed. In many regions, peas are sown throughout the summer specifically for their greens, every week or so like American farmers plant lettuce. A simple, heaping pile of pea greens in brown sauce is one of my favorite Chinese foods. The culinary deconstructionists in the Cook’s Illustrated test kitchen, meanwhile, have broken down the savory nature of pea greens into “grassy,” “slightly bitter” and “tastes like peas but not sweet.” They conclude this flavor is maximized in a pan with nothing more than garlic, salt and fat, and I have seen no evidence to the contrary. Unless your local store has an extra-special produce section, you’ll only find pea shoots at the farmers market, or in your back yard. Before you harvest from your own pea patch, consider the trade-off between a mouthful of greenery today and a handful of peas tomorrow. The peas you already have in the ground, climbing their way up the trellis and probably showing some pale yellow flowers, perhaps dangling some little peas that your kids are waiting patiently to eat? You’d better let those gangly climbers live. But if they need to be thinned, eat the ones you pull. And you can always trim the shoots for a quick snack. The last 6 inches of a 3-foot plant are heavenly, and a little trim here and there won’t stop progress. Pruned plants will continue growing undaunted, sometimes with more vigor
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Make train sauce by stirring together the ingredients. Cook the lardons (if using) patiently, until they are crispy, and then remove from pan. Add the oil, butter and scapes, turn the pan to medium, and wait for the glorious fragrance of fresh garlic in the pan to fill the room. Add the pea sprouts; spread them around so they are evenly distributed, and wait until they flatten down, about 30 seconds. While still bright green, turn the pan to high and add the sauce. Bring to a boil and let the sauce boil 30 seconds, then stir it around and turn it off. Serve with the carbohydrate of your choice, or unadulterated in all of its savory, tangy green garlicky glory. When the scapes are gone, the new garlic season will still be young. The same dish can be prepared a few weeks later with new garlic, freshly dug with fleshy wrappers and pearly white cloves that turn translucent as they cook. This dish can be made with other vegetables besides pea greens. It’s great with broccoli, for example. But some connoisseurs, understandably, want their pea greens, which, remember, can be seeded all summer long. Soak them overnight, and plant in any blank spot, preferably well-watered. If they get big, you aren’t eating enough pea greens. And finally, a recipe created by my 5-year-old-son, Remy. Butter-fried pea green chips, which he enjoys preparing for breakfast and dinner and even a midnight snack. Pea Green Chips With a heavy pan on lowest setting, melt 2 tablespoons salted butter. Lay pea shoots in the pan next to each other, taking up the whole pan without crowding them together too much; keep it all one layer. (Remy uses the leaves exclusively, carefully removing them and discarding the stems). Keep the heat on the lowest setting. Listen to the pea greens sputter peacefully as their moisture cooks out. Let them cook a half-hour or more until crispy. Remy calls it good here, but predictably, I add some form of garlic: scapes, bulbs, even minced leaves if you have them. Let the garlic cook, and gently mix it with the delicately crunchy pea greens. Serve on a plate, next to a piece of toast. n
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TopShelf
Free concerts, foxes, Firstgrass and Farmington Hill by Chris Aaland
cals & fiddle. The StillHouse Junkies host their official CD release party et’s face it: the fires sucked the life out of summer even beat Durango Craft Spirits at 5:30 p.m. Friday. “Over the Pass” before spring left us. Thousands of our friends and neighbors came available to local fans at April’s Durango Bluegrass Melthave evacuated from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of down, although they never scheduled an official release party. tourists changed their summer plans to avoid Southwest ColWhat better place to do it than Durango Craft Spirits, since the orado. Businesses are hurting and all of us are suffering from the distillery is where the band was born out of weekly jam sessions smoke. We can’t go camping, hiking, biking or fishing in the San between pals. The lineup has evolved since the beginning, and Juan National Forest. But remember: these are the times that currently consists of bassist Cody Tinnin, guitarist/mandolin bring us closer. We don’t live here just because of our beloved player Fred Kozak and fiddler Alissa Wolf (Bruce Allsopp played mountains, forests and dobro on the album, but rivers. We also live here beis no longer in the cause of the people who group). The title track bend over backwards every and “On the House” time a neighbor – often a have quickly become fatotal stranger – is in need. vorites out here in radiGo play in the river. oland. Drink at the bars. Eat at the The Americana quartet restaurants. Thank every Route 358 plays the Balfirefighter you see. Be excelcony Bar & Grill at 5 p.m. lent to each other. And reSaturday. They bend and member to have fun. blend influences from NPR favorite Paula bluegrass, country, folk, Poundstone returns to pop and rock into a the Community Concert unique form with a pair Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday. of albums and a constant Best known as a panelist on touring schedule. They’ve NPR’s popular weekly news also showcased at the quiz program, “Wait, Wait Rising Nashville progressive-indie star Michaela Anne kicks off the free John Hartford Memorial … Don’t Tell Me” (aired at Festival and won the at the Concert @ the Park at Buckley this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. 10 a.m. Saturdays on 2018 Arkansas Country KSUT), Poundstone has racked up Emmy and Cable ACE awards Music Awards Americana/Roots Artist of the Year. for her HBO and PBS comedy specials. Her live show, which usuWho doesn’t like pie? Durango Friends of the Arts host a pie ally sells out in Durango, draws upon her own complex life: three sale at the Durango Farmers Market starting at 7 a.m. Saturday. I children, multiple cats, a demanding job and crazy travel schedrecommend getting there early, before I roll into the joint. ule, the always-popular subject of aging, and her signature bag of And then there’s that little ol’ shindig in Telluride. Nearly neuroses. 10,000 of us will cram into Town Park for the 45th annual affair KSUT and the Henry Strater Theatre present seven-time Grammy from June 21-24. True festivarians find themselves up at Sunset nominee Joan Osborne at the Henry Strater Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Plaza in Mountain Village for the free FirstGrass concert on the Sunday. This one sold out months ago, but it always seems someWednesday prior to the actual festival. This year, two of newgrass body has tickets for sale at the door. Her tour and latest album, music’s finest up-and-coming talents take the stage: Billy Strings “Songs of Bob Dylan,” celebrate the legendary music icon. at 5 p.m., followed by the Lil Smokies. Billy Strings plays as hard Americana singer/songwriter Michaela Anne kicks off the as he lives, picking songs so fast that he’s known to break multifree Concert Hall @ the Park series at 5:30 p.m. tonight (Thurs., ple strings per tune. His East Nashville front porch is constantly June 14) in Buckley Park. Michaela is among a talented crop of filled up with some of Music City’s best roots musicians trying to “New Nashville” progressive indie-country artists who is equally keep up. The Lil Smokies, of course, are favorites around these adept at traditional honky-tonk fare and introspective folk. The parts, thanks to past Animas City Theatre and Reservoir Hill permusic-based website Saving Country Music called her “a ravishformances. If you’re one of the lucky few, you scored NightGrass ing female reincarnation of Hank Williams.” The daughter of a passes to see Dierks Bentley with the Travelin’ McCourys at the military officer, she enrolled in the School of Jazz at the New Telluride Conference Center later Wednesday night. All of the School in Manhattan, thinking jazz was her destiny. A chance en- NightGrass events for the festival sold out months ago. More on counter with Brooklyn-based folk/bluegrass guitarist Michael the festival itself next week. Daves pointed to a different path, though. After 10 years in New More good stuff: Pete Giuliani does this week’s Ska-B-Q York, she relocated to Nashville. Her records “Ease My Mind,” restarting at 5 p.m. tonight at the World Headquarters in Bodo leased in 2014, and its 2016 follow-up, “Bright Lights and Fame” Park; the Kirk James Band gets bluesy at Durango’s newest brought attention from public and community radio. Once venue, The Rusty Shovel Saloon at Vallecito, at 6 p.m. Friday beagain, attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blanfore he goes solo at Digs Restaurant in Three Springs from 5:30kets and picnic food. Fired Up Pizza and Mountain Taco will have 8:30 p.m. Saturday; Farmington Hill brings its brand of honky food stands. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash, no longer tonk rock & roll to the Fenceline Cidery in Mancos from 6-9 p.m. than 6 feet. You can also catch Michaela at the Dolores River Saturday; the Black Velvet duo plays the Animas River Beer Brewery at 7 p.m. Friday. Garden at the DoubleTree Hotel from 5-9 p.m. Saturday and the The Durango Celtic Society presents the trio One for the Cyprus Café from 6-9 p.m. Sunday; and the Blue Moon RamFoxes at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Henry Strater Theatre. Three fablers are back at their standing Sunday gig at the Diamond Belle miliar faces from past Durango Celtic Festivals make up the band: Saloon at 6 p.m. Galway’s Dave Curley (from SLIDE) on vocals, guitars, banjo and mandolin; Dublin’s Tadhg O Meachair (from Goitse) on piano Was the year the West was burning? Email me at chrisa@gobrain and accordion; and Denver’s Joanna Hyde (of The Hydes) on vostorm.net. n
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June 14, 2018 n 17
onthetown
Thursday14 Yoga Flow, 8 a.m., Pine River Library. Women’s Drop-in Tennis, 9 a.m., Durango High School courts. www.durangotennis.com. Baby Meetup, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Columbine House at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 419 San Juan Dr. Little Readers Storytime, 10 a.m., Pine River Library. Qi Gong/Tai Chi with Tyler VanGemert, 10-11 a.m., garden at White Rabbit Books & Curiosities, 128 W. 14th St. 259-2213. Toddler Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m., Durango Library. Teen Time: Iron Chef Play, 1-2 p.m., Durango Public Library.
Submit “On the Town” items by Monday at noon to: calendar@durangotelegraph.com
Drop-in Tennis, all ages welcome, 4 p.m., Durango High School courts. www.durangotennis.com. “Doc Swords,” PTSD Social Club for Veterans, 4-6 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main Ave. Ska-B-Q featuring live music from the Pete Giuliani Band, 5-8 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St. Ben Gibson Acoustic Duo performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Beer Garden at the Doubletree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio. Safari Night, hosted by CTCVoyages and featuring a presentation on travel to Africa, 5:15 p.m., Himalayan Restaurant, 992 Main Ave. 259-4008. Sitting Meditation, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave. 764-8070 or durangodharmacenter.org. Concerts @ The Park free summer concert series, Nashville’s Michaela Anne performs, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Buckley Park. www.durangoconcerts.com. La Plata Quilters Guild meets, 6 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds. 799-1632. Powerhouse Pub Trivia, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.powsci.org. Community Music Jam, all levels and ages, 7 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. Open Mic & Stand-Up Comedy, 8 p.m., El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave. Karaoke with Crazy Charlie, 8 p.m.-close, Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave. Thursday Night Funk Jam, 9 p.m.-midnight, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave.
Friday15 Durango Early Bird Toastmasters, 7-8:30 a.m., LPEA headquarters, 45 Stewart St. 769-7615.
Free yoga, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Lively Boutique, 809 Main . Zumba Gold, 9:30-10:15 a.m., La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave. Caregiver Cafe, 10 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222. Open Art Studio, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287. Preschool Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m., Durango Public Library.
VFW Indoor Flea Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 1550 Main Ave. 247-0384. Picker’s Circle, all levels welcome, 3-5 p.m., White Rabbit Books & Curiosities, 128 W. 14th St. 259-2213. Black Velvet Duo performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Beer Garden at the Doubletree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio. Kirk James performs, 5:30 p.m., Digs Restaurant in Three Springs. 259-2344.
Homeschool Lego Time, 1 p.m., Pine River Library. Kids’ Club: Rock Art, 1-2 p.m., Durango Public Library. 375-3380. Kid’s Screen-Free Playtime, 3-5 p.m., White Rabbit Books & Curiosities, 128 W. 14th St. 259-2213. Durango Hafia & Fundraiser Belly Dance Show, proceeds go to Alternative Horizons, 6 p.m., American Legion, 878 E. 2nd Ave. Kirk James Blues Band, 6 p.m., The Rusty Shovel Saloon, Vallecito. Disco Night, 6:30-9 p.m., Chapman Hill Skate Rink. www.durangogov.org. One for the Foxes performs, 6:45 p.m., Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. henrystratertheatre.com. Raven Narratives Live Storytelling: “Privilege,” 7:30 p.m., Sunflower Theatre in Cortez. www.sunflowertheatre.org. Teen Game Night, 7-10 p.m., Mancos Public Library. 533-7600. Open Mic Night, 7-11 p.m., Steaming Bean, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200. Paula Poundstone performs, 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts .com. Karaoke and dance with Mr. Soul, 8 p.m.-midnight, Blondies in Cortez.
Farmington Hill performs, 6-9 p.m., Fenceline Cidery in Mancos. Ben Gibson Acoustic Duo performs, 6-10 p.m., Seven Rivers Steakhouse at the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio. Light Show Public Skate, 6:30-9 p.m., Chapman Hill Skate Rink. www.durangogov.org. Raven Narratives Live Storytelling: “Privilege,” 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center. Comedy Cocktail open mic stand up, 8 p.m., Eno Wine Bar, 723 E. 2nd Ave. DJ Noonz, 8 p.m.-close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. Carney Bones performs, 8:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village.
Sunday17 Veterans Breakfast, 9-11 a.m., Elks Club, 901 E. 2nd Ave. 946-4831. Henry Stoy performs, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Café, 601 Main Ave. 570-650-5982. Writers’ Workshop, 2 p.m., Ignacio Library. Adult Coloring & Afternoon Tea, 3-5 p.m., White Rabbit Books & Curiosities, 128 W. 14th St. 259-2213. Live Kung Fu Dubbing, 5 p.m., Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave. Black Velvet Duo performs, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
DJ Noonz, 8 p.m.-close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave.
Saturday16 Durango Farmers Market, featuring music from Andrew Sickler, 8 a.m.-noon, First National Bank parking lot, 259 W. 9th St. www.durangofarmersmarket.com. Drop-in Tennis, all ages welcome, 9 a.m., Durango High School courts. www.durangotennis.com. Trail Work at Phil’s World, hosted by SW Colorado Cycling Association, San Juan Mountains Association and the Tres Rios Field Office, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., meet at Phil’s World main parking lot off of Highway 160. kathe@sjma.org or 385-1310.
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Henry Stoy performs, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Café, 601 Main Ave. 570-650-5982.
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Joan Osborne performs, 6:45 p.m., Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. henrystratertheatre.com. Blue Moon Ramblers, 7 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Monday18 Yogalates, 9 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. PRL Play, play days for caregivers and children, 10 a.m., also Wed., Pine River Library in Bayfield. Sitting Meditation and Talk, 5:30-7 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave.4
Classic Movie Monday, featuring “Bridge on the River Kwai,” 7 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. Books & Brews, hosted by Durango Public Library, 78:30 p.m., Animas Brewing Co., 1560 E. 2nd Ave. Learn to Square Dance, with Wild West Squares, 78:30 p.m., Florida Grange, 656 Hwy 172. 903-6478.
Tuesday19 Yoga for All, 9 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. Zumba Gold, 9:30-10:15 a.m., La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave. Little Readers Storytime, 10 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. Storytime, 10 a.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave. Free Children’s Performances, featuring Drum Safari, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Durango Public Library. 375-3380. Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Mancos Public Library. 533-7600. Tuesday Crafternoons, 1 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. ICL Knitters, 1-3 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 5639287. Baby Storytime, 2-2:30 p.m., Durango Public Library. Farm Stand Season Opening, 3-6:30 p.m., event runs each Tuesday and Friday, Twin Buttes Farm, Highway 160. Drop-in Tennis, all ages welcome, 4 p.m., Durango High School courts. www.durangotennis.com. Ben Gibson Acoustic Duo performs, 4-7 p.m., Wines of the San Juans in Blanco, N.M. Terry Rickard performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. Rotary Club of Durango, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel. 3857899. Knit or Crochet with Kathy Graf, 6-7 p.m., Mancos Public Library. 533-7600. Adult Board Game Night, 6-7:30 p.m., Durango Public Library. 375-3380. Folk Jam, 6-8 p.m., Steaming Bean, 900 Main Ave. Salsa Classes and Social Dance Night, classes at 6:30 p.m., dancing at 8 p.m., Wildhorse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave., Suite C. salsadancedurango@gmail.com. DJ Crazy Charlie hosts karaoke, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village. Open Mic Night, 7 p.m., Blondies in Cortez. Trivia Night, 7-10 p.m., Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave.
Comic relief Poundstone brings stand-up to Concert Hall What: Paula Poundstone When: 7:30 p.m., Fri., June 15 Where: Community Concert Hall Tickets: $34/$28, www.durangoconcerts.com There’s no doubt we all could use a laugh right now. Fortunately, funny lady Paula Poundstone returns to the Concert Hall this Friday night to help us forget our problems (and enjoy some air-conditioning!) – at least for a little while. Considered one of the foremost comics working today, Poundstone is perhaps best known as a panelist on NPR’s popular weekly quiz show, “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.” Poundstone began nurturing her stand-up comedy talent in 1979 on the Boston comedy circuit. By 1990, she had moved to Los Angeles, starred in multiple HBO comedy specials and appeared on “Saturday Night Live.” She was the first woman to receive a Cable ACE Award for comedy with her HBO show “Cats, Cops and Stuff.” She was also the first woman invited to entertain at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Poundstone received a second Cable ACE Award for her self-titled HBO talk show series, as well as an Emmy for her field pieces on PBS’ “Life & Times.” She is recognized as one of Comedy Central’s 100 greatest stand-ups of all time, has won an American Comedy Award for Best Female Standup Comic, and in 2010 was one of a select group voted into the Comedy Hall of Fame. For her live shows, Poundstone draws upon her own life: three children, multiple cats, a demanding job, crazy travel schedule and aging, as well as her signature bag of neuroses. Every show is unique as she works with each audience, engaging audience Open Mic Night, 8 p.m.-close, Moe’s Lounge, 937 Main.
Wednesday20 Morning Meditation, 8:30 a.m., Pine River Library. StoryTime, 10-11 a.m., Ignacio Library. 563-9287. Early Literacy Play Date, for ages 0-5, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Durango Public Library.
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members in humorous dialogue. “The amazing thing about Paula is that she has an amazingly distinctive personality,” “Wait Wait” host Peter Sagal said. “You can see a lot of really, really great comedians, but you may walk away without a sense of who they really are … Paula comes out on stage and she starts talking about her life and then 20 minutes later you realize you’re in the middle of her comedy act and didn’t really know it.” And, of course, Poundstone is also known for her razor-sharp wit. “There’s a disarming ease in her craft, an immediate sense that she’s so quick on her feet you need never worry about the possibility of something going wrong,” the Boston Globe’s Nick Zaino wrote. More recently, one of Poundstone’s dreams came true when she played the voice of “Forgetter Paula” in Disney Pixar’s 2016 Academy Award-winning “Inside Out.” Also in 2016, her “double live” CD “North by Northwest: Paula Poundstone Live!” debuted at #1 on Amazon’s “Hot New Releases” list. She also recently released her latest book, The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness, in which she takes on that most inalienable of rights: the pursuit of happiness. Offering herself up as a human guinea pig, she tries out different get-happy experiments, from learning taekwondo to driving a Lamborghini and camping with her teen-age daughter. For even more laughs or to get primed for Friday, check out Poundstone on a recent episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyHCIhFsZoA. Tickets for Poundstone are available on-line at www.durangoconcerts.com or by calling 970-2477657, or at the Ticket Office inside the Welcome Center at 8th St. and Main Ave. Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m., White Rabbit Books & Curiosities, 128 W. 14th St. 259-2213. Free Trauma Conscious Yoga for Veterans and Families, noon-1 p.m., Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave. Kids Ukulele Club, for ages 9-12, 1-2 p.m., Durango Public Library. Register at 375-3380.
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AskRachel Interesting fact: The banal and cliché phrase “to coin a phrase” is almost always used, ironically enough, to emphasize a banal or clichéd phrase. Dear Rachel, Of course the 416 Fire is horrible, and I do not mean to suggest that it’s a good thing in any way. But I do believe in making lemonade out of lemons, to coin a phrase, so I’m wondering what side benefits there might be to having Durango swimming in smoke every morning. Could we cure meats on the sides of our houses? Bottle this air for smoking out beehives? Maybe prevent a few people from buying vacation homes that sit empty 50 weeks out of the year? – Smokey Bear Dear Feeling the Burn, I agree that there’s a silver lining to every cloud, even though that’s a really dumb phrase, since there isn’t in fact any silver in a healthy cumulonimbus. But the only good I can see coming from this fire is if it helps us all be smarter environmental stewards going forward. As for capitalizing on this particular disaster, I say you’re free to vacate your home for 50 weeks out of the year and spare us your creativity. And take your meats with you. – Only you, Rachel Dear Rachel, What’s the appropriate etiquette for heart emojis in text messages? One heart seems to mean something different than three hearts, but what about three hearts sprinkled independently through a message? And then there’s or-
OntheTown from p. 19
ange hearts and blue hearts and green hearts, and I can’t even begin to comprehend what those mean. Any insights into this facet of our society? – Heart Attacked Dear Palpitations, Before emojis, I ran into this with European friends. They’d sign off their messages with various amounts of x’s, and I could never decipher the code. But I gathered that you could be upgraded or downgraded. Someone pissed off would switch from three x’s to one, and someone in euphoria might bump you up to five or seven. It’s confusing, and it’s why I stick with ending all communication with the chocolate soft-serve emoji. – Heartless, Rachel xx
Dear Rachel, I recently adopted an aloe vera plant under the pretense that it’s incredibly easy to care for and thrives on neglect. Well, now it’s turning 50 shades of pale brown. I looked up what this means, and apparently my ward has gotten either too much or too little light, and/or too much or too little water. That’s helpful information – NOT. How long do you think I should stress out before I just throw this plant in the garbage? – Green Thumbs Down Dear American Gothic, Ah, you got suckered by the whole “thrives on neglect” thing. That’s just a euphemism to give you a tiny
speck of hope. The good news is, there’s a ton of suckers out there who would love to nurse your plant back to health for you. But that means admitting defeat. I recommend you go on vacation for 50 weeks. When you come back, it’ll either be dead, or your home will be the Little Shop of Horrors. – Deer resistant, Rachel
Gary Walker & Faith Evangeline perform, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jean-Pierre Restaurant, 601 Main Ave.
Upcoming
Free Trauma Conscious Yoga for Veterans and Families, noon-1 p.m., Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave.
True West Rodeo, featuring bareback, barrel racing, bull riding and more, 6:30-9 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds. www.facebook.com/TrueWestRodeo.
Kids Ukulele Club, for ages 9-12, 1-2 p.m., Durango Public Library. Register at 375-3380.
Terry Rickard performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Open Knitting Group, 1-3 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3 Ave.
Yoga en Español, 7:30-8:30 p.m., YogaDurango, 1140 Main Ave.
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Animas City Farmer’s Market, 3-7 p.m., 2977 Main Ave. Beer 101, 3 p.m., Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave. Floor Barre Class, 3-4 p.m., Absolute Physical Therapy, 277 E. 8th Ave. 764-4094. Pete Giuliani performs, 5-9 p.m., Animas River Beer Garden at the Doubletree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio. Greg Ryder performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. Thank the Veterans! potluck, Peter Neds and Glenn Keefe perform, 5:30-8:30 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main Ave. 8287777. Adult Game Night, 6 p.m., Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave. Jeff Solon Jazz Duo performs, 6-9 p.m., Cyprus Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave. Bluegrass Jam, 6-9 p.m., Steaming Bean, 900 Main Ave.
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Email Rachel at telegraph@durangotelegraph.com
Karaoke, 8 p.m., Blondies in Cortez. Karaoke with Crazy Charlie, 8 p.m.-close, Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave.
Kirtan, 6-8 p.m., June 21, Studio 10, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.
Durango Pride Festival, June 21-24, around Durango. 4calliancefordiversity.org/durango-pride-2018/ Veterans River Float and Picnic, free Texas Ty BBQ and Mountain Waters Raft Trips for veterans and their families, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., June 24, Santa Rita Park. “Women in the Southwest” Summer Lecture Series, presentation on “Three Women, One Story: 1000 Years of Art, History, and Culture,” 1:30 p.m., June 27, Center of Southwest Studies, Lyceum Room. 247-7456.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8:30 p.m., BREW Pub & Kitchen, 117 W. College Dr. 259-5959.
Summer Concert Series, Lost Souls perform to benefit The Community Foundation, 5-7 p.m., June 27, Rochester Hotel Secret Garden, 726 E. 2nd Ave. www.rochesterhotel.com.
Ongoing
Autoimmune Support Group, 5:45 p.m., June 27, Living Tree Live Foods, 680-B Main Ave.
“The Art of Trompe L’oeil,” thru June 30, Durango Arts Center upstairs gallery, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durango arts.org. 42nd annual Juried Art Exhibit, thru June 30, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org. Bar D Chuckwagon nightly, 5:30 p.m., 8080 County Road 250. Live music, 5:30 p.m., daily, Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. Live music, 7 p.m., daily, The Office, 699 Main Ave. Karaoke, 8 p.m., Thur-Sun, 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E 8th Ave.
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Concerts @ the Park featuring The Noms, June 28, Buckley Park, Durango. durangoconcerts.com.
Deadline for “On the Town” submissions is Monday at noon. To submit an item email: calendar@durango telegraph.com
FreeWillAstrology by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): My Aries acquaintance Tatiana decided to eliminate sugar from her diet. She drew up a plan to avoid it completely for 30 days, hoping to permanently break its hold over her. I was surprised to learn that she began the project by making a Dessert Altar in her bedroom, where she placed a chocolate cake and five kinds of candy. She testified that it compelled her willpower to work even harder and become even stronger than if she had excluded all sweet treats from her sight. Do you think this strenuous trick might work for you as you battle your own personal equivalent of a sugar addiction? If not, devise an equally potent strategy. You’re on the verge of forever escaping a temptation that’s no good for you. Or you’re close to vanquishing an influence that has undermined you. Or both. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You have caressed and finessed The Problem. You have tickled and teased and tinkered with it. Now I suggest you let it alone for a while. Give it breathing room. Allow it to evolve under the influence of the tweaks you have instigated. Although you may need to return and do further work in a few weeks, my guess is that The Problem’s knots are now destined to metamorphose into seeds. The awkwardness you massaged with your love and care will eventually yield a useful magic. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “Whether you love what you love or live in divided ceaseless revolt against it, what you love is your fate.” Gemini poet Frank Bidart wrote that in his poem “Guilty of Dust,” and now I offer it to you. Why? Because it’s an excellent time to be honest with yourself as you identify whom and what you love. It’s also a favorable phase to assess whether you are in any sense at odds with whom and what you love; and if you find you are, to figure out how to be in more harmonic alignment with whom and what you love. Finally, dear Gemini, now is a key moment to vividly register the fact that the story of your life in the coming years will pivot around your relationship with whom and what you love. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Congratulations on the work you’ve done to cleanse the psychic toxins from your soul, Cancerian. I love how brave you’ve been as you’ve jettisoned outworn shticks, inadequate theories and irrelevant worries. It makes my heart sing to have seen you summon the self-respect necessary to stick up for your dreams in the face of so many confusing signals. I do feel a tinge of sadness that your heroism hasn’t been better appreciated by
those around you. Is there anything you can do to compensate? Like maybe intensify the appreciation you give yourself?
ing the latter route will be much easier on your karma, and in my opinion will make for just as interesting a story.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I hope you’re reaching the final stages of your year-long project to make yourself as solid and steady as possible. I trust you have been building a stable foundation that will serve you well for at least the next five years. I pray you have been creating a rich sense of community and establishing vital new traditions and surrounding yourself with environments that bring out the best in you. If there’s any more work to be done in these sacred tasks, intensify your efforts in the coming weeks. If you’re behind schedule, please make up for lost time.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): Each of us harbors rough, vulnerable, controversial or unhoned facets of our identity. And every one of us periodically reaches turning points when it becomes problematic to keep those qualities buried or immature. We need to make them more visible and develop their potential. I suspect you have arrived at such a turning point. So on behalf of the cosmos, I hereby invite you to enjoy a period of ripening and self-revelation. And I do mean “enjoy.” Find a way to have fun.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Necessity is the mother of invention,” says an old proverb. In other words, when your need for some correction or improvement becomes overwhelming, you may be driven to get creative. Engineer Allen Dale put a different spin on the issue. He said that “if necessity is the mother of invention, then laziness is the father.” Sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein agreed, asserting that “progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.” I’m not sure if necessity or laziness will be your motivation, Virgo, but I suspect that the coming weeks could be a golden age of invention for you. What practical innovations might you launch? What useful improvements can you finagle? (P.S. Philosopher Alfred North Whitehead attributed the primary drive for innovative ideas and gizmos to “pleasurable intellectual curiosity.”) LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Would you have turned out wiser and wealthier if you had dropped out of school in third grade? Would it have been better to apprentice yourself to a family of wolves or coyotes rather than trusting your educational fate to institutions whose job it was to acclimate you to society’s madness? I’m happy to let you know that you’re entering a phase when you’ll find it easier than usual to unlearn any old conditioning that might be suppressing your ability to fulfill your rich potentials. I urge you to seek out opportunities to unleash your skills and enhance your intelligence. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The temptation to overdramatize is strong. Going through with a splashy but messy conclusion may have a perverse appeal. But why not wrap things up with an elegant whisper instead of a garish bang? Rather than impressing everyone with how amazingly complicated your crazy life is, why not quietly lay the foundations for a low-key resolution that will set the stage for a productive sequel? Tak-
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): For the next two-plus weeks, an unusual rule will be in effect: The more you lose, the more you gain. That means you will have an aptitude for eliminating hassles, banishing stress and shedding defense mechanisms. You’ll be able to purge emotional congestion that has been preventing clarity. You’ll have good intuitions about how to separate yourself from influences that have made you weak or angry. I’m excited for you, Capricorn! A load of old, moldy karma could dissolve and disperse in what seems like a twinkling. If all goes well, you’ll be traveling much lighter by July 1. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I suggest you avoid starting a flirtatious correspondence with a convict who’ll be in jail for another 28 years. OK? And don’t snack on fugu, the Japanese delicacy that can poison you if the cook isn’t careful about preparing it. Please? And don’t participate in a séance where the medium summons the spirits of psychotic ancestors or diabolical celebrities with whom you imagine it might be interesting to converse. Got that? I understand you might be in the mood for high adventure and out-of-the-ordinary escapades. And that will be fine and healthy as long as you also exert a modicum of caution and discernment. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I suggest that you pat yourself on the back with both hands as you sing your own praises and admire your own willful beauty in three mirrors simultaneously. You have won stirring victories over not just your own personal version of the devil, but also over your own inertia and sadness. From what I can determine, you have corralled what remains of the forces of darkness into a comfy holding cell, sealing off those forces from your future. They won’t bother you for a very long time, maybe never again. Right now you would benefit from a sabbatical – a vacation from all this high-powered characterbuilding. May I suggest you pay a restorative visit to the Land of Sweet Nonsense?
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June 14, 2018 n 21
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. (Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.)
Ads can be submitted via: n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133 n 777 Main Ave., #214 Approximate office hours: Mon., 9ish - 5ish Tues., 9ish - 5ish Wed., 9ish - 3ish Thurs., On delivery Fri., 10:30ish - 2ish please call ahead: 259-0133.
Announcements White Dragon Loose Leaf Tea Now available at There’s No Place Like Home, 822 Main Ave. The Perfect Gift for your favorite dirtbag. Literature from Durango’s own Benighted Publications. The Climbing Zine, The Great American Dirtbags, American Climber, Climbing Out of Bed and Graduating From College Me are available at: Maria’s Bookshop, Pine Needle Mountaineering, the Sky Store, or on the interweb at www.climbingzine.com. Stressed by the Fires? Has smoke taken the fire out of your life? Call Linda at 970-903-0797 for a free session to help put the fire back where it belongs!
Pets Love Your Dog! At the Durango Dog Wash behind Liquor World in the Albertson’s parking lot. Open every day!
Wanted Turn Vehicles, Copper, Alum, Etc. Into Cash! at RJ Metal Recycle, also free appliance and other metal drop off. 970-2593494. Old Indian Items Wanted Buying Indian blankets, rugs, pottery, baskets, and other old Indian items $$ Cash Paid $$ americanindianart@ gmail.com 740-525-2807.
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HelpWanted Personal/Admin Asst/Bookkeeper ISO part-time experienced personal/ admin assistant and bookkeeper needed for 1-2 attorneys. Flexible hours and days. Legal research experience desired, but not required. Applicant should have experience in QuickBooks and Microsoft office, and with payroll/quarterly/ yearly tax filing. agro@mydurango.net. CO Teacher for At-Risk Students $1000 sign-on bonus. Must have SPED within 1 yr of hire. Open interview/tour at DeNier Youth Services. Tuesdays 10:00 am or 5:30 pm, Thursdays 3:00 pm or 5:30 pm. Email resume Karen.Doyle@rop.com or apply at 720 Turner Dr, Durango. Interested in Psych, Human Services, Corrections Careers or Cooking? $1000 sign-on bonus. Work with atrisk students in a secure detention facility. - Cook, PT - Detention Specialist/ Coach Counselor (FT, PT, days, nights) Open interview/tour at DeNier Youth Services, Tuesdays 10:00 am or 5:30 pm, Thursdays 3:00 pm or 5:30 pm. Must be 21 yo and pass drug/background tests incl THC. Email resume Karen.Doyle@ROP. com or apply at 720 Turner Dr, Durango Massage Therapist Wanted at Amaya Call Tricia 970-382-1115.
Classes/Workshops Paint Party at Durango Arts Center Come and paint with Picasso and Vino June 23, July 14 and July 29. For more info and to register go on-line to Duran goArts.org 6 wk Mindfulness: Chaos to Peace 6 Tuesdays starting 7/10/2018. 5:307:30pm, Smiley Building, #205 sliding scale fee: $200-350 Contact Myoung Lee, Certified Mindfulness Teacher: Myahmindfulness@gmail.com or 970-946-5379. Yoga Outside with Lily with live music! @ the Smiley Building backyard. June 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25. 5:45-7pm, $10 drop in. 847-819- 2039.
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Mommy and Me Dance Class Come join the fun! Now registering for classes. Call 970-749-6456. mom myandmedance.com.
Massage with Kathryn 20+ years experience offering a fusion of esalen style, deep tissue massage with therapeutic stretching & Acutonics. New clients receive $5 off first session. To schedule appt. call 970-201-3373.
Services Harmony Organizing and Cleaning Services Create harmony in your space this year by organizing and cleaning your home, vacation home or office. Martee 970-403-6192. Get Your Summer Glow on at Spa Evo! Summer is here and the time is right for a gorgeous Spa Evo Spray Tan colorcustomized exclusively for you! A touch of color or go as dark as you dare! Expertly applied by Durango’s only GoldCertified Spray Tan artist. Packages available! 6 years exp. Read my reviews on Yelp & FB. Text or call 9702590226 to schedule. www.spaevo.com Mediation Generate options - Create agreements - Resolve issues. Save $ as parties split the fee. E: Tricia - DurangoMediator@ gmail.com Spray Tans! Organic and beautiful! Meg Bush, LMT 970-759-0199. Advanced Duct Cleaning Air duct cleaning specializing in dryer vents. Improves indoor air quality; reduces dust and allergens, energy bills and fire risk. 970-247-2462 www.advanced ductcleaninginc.com
BodyWork Massage by Meg Bush, LMT 30, 60 & 90 min. 970-759-0199. Edward Coons - Massage Therapy Advanced bodywork for athletes and people of all walks and ages for 15 years. 512-731-1836. massageintervention.life 25 years experience. Couples, sauna, cupping. Reviews on FB + Yelp. 970-9032984.
RealEstate Radon Services Free radon testing and consultation. Call Colorado Radon Abatement and Detection for details. 970- 946-1618.
ForSale Maria’s Bookshop Thriving indie bookstore in the heart of Durango Colorado. General bookstore with 34 year history as a community hub for SW region of Colorado. 1800 square feet of very busy retail space in a 3100 square foot historic building. Long term lease or option to purchase real estate. Current owners for past 20 years are ready to find the next community minded Maria’s Bookshop leader. More info at www.mariasbookshop.com Inquiries accepted by email to opportunity@mariasbookshop.com Sweet Tiny House Shell Tiny house shell on a new custom 24’ trailer. Engineer certified. We’ve done the hard part now you can customize it however you wish! 970-317-9698 Inflatable Kayak Fleet! Like new 50% off - $499+ only used 12 times. GravityPlay.com - 970-403-5320. Hot Tub – New 6HP pump, 50 jets. Cost $8,000. Sell $3,650. 505-270-3104. Reruns Home Furnishings We’ve got you covered for patio season with tables, chairs, bistros, umbrellas, patio rug, lanterns, garden pots, tablecloths & yard art. Cool indoor furniture, too - retro record cabinet, dressers & kitchenware. 572 E. 6th Ave. 385-7336.
RoomateWanted Male Only, In-Town Clean, quiet. No smokers, pets, partiers. $550 including utilities, plus deposit. 970-759-0551.
CommercialForRent Office Suite Available Southeast corner, 8th and Main, 2nd floor, 21’ by 13’ windows, waiting room. Call Joanie, 970-759-6606 for more info.
CommunityService Crow Canyon, Mesa Verde Development Program for Teachers The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and Mesa Verde National Park are teaming up to offer a two-day professional development opportunity for teachers in the Four Corners. Participants receive a $100 per day stipend and have the opportunity to earn continuing education units. All Four Corners-area educators who service grades 3-8 (including special area teachers) are encouraged to apply. The scheduled training dates are: 3rd-4th grade, Aug. 2-3; 5th-6th grade, Aug. 6-7; 7th-8th grade, Aug. 9-10. To register or get more info, contact Crow Canyon educator Cara McCain at cmccain@crowcanyon.org, or call 970-5644387. Kars for Kids A car that has lost its worth still has value to early education in Ignacio. Any model and age car can be donated to make a lasting gift to Kars for Kids, a program to fundraise for The Friends of Ignacio Head Start. The donation supports building a
new facility for families in the community. Donating is easy and your vehicle will be picked up, free title services will be provided, and a receipt will be mailed for tax purposes. Donate your car now by calling 1-866-628 -2277. Find more info about Kars for Kids at www.SUCAP.org. Cooking Matters is Looking for Volunteers Come learn more about how you can help fight hunger in Colorado! Or visit co.cookingmatters.org/ways-you-can-help for more info. New Volunteer Training: June 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 862 Main Ave., Suite 223. PSA: Bear Smart Durango Seeking Steering Committee Members In response to increasing human and bear conflicts in our area, Bear Smart Durango is forming a Steering Committee comprised of residents and stakeholders. This committee will help develop educational outreach programs, broaden attractant removal programs, enhance and expand partner relationships, assist with area policy efforts, and create fundraising opportunities and events. Time
Stephen Ministry Program Open to Help People in Our Community The First United Methodist Church of Durango has an active Stephen Ministry program which offers one-to-one care for individuals experiencing a crisis like losing a job, losing a loved one, divorce or terminal illness. Stephen Ministers are available to all members of our community. Please note: Stephen Ministry is not mental health counseling. If you know someone who is having a tough time, please ask them to call Stephen Leader, Cathy Schadt, at 970- 2599293 for more information. La Plata County Seeks Applicants for Living w/ Wildlife Advisory Board The La Plata Board of County Commissioners is seeking applicants for its Living w/ Wildlife Advisory Board. This committee assists the commissioners in developing and implementing programs to reduce animal damage within La Plata County. Applicants
must be county residents. This position is advisory only and is not monetarily compensated. An application and a description may be obtained online at: www.co.laplata.co.us or at the La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 East 2nd Ave. Call 970- 3826219 with any questions. Opportunity for Local Students to Study Abroad Qualified high school students can spend an academic year, semester or summer holiday in Europe, Asia, North or South America, Australia or South Africa as part of the ASSE International Student Exchange Program. Students, 15-18, qualify with academic performance and character references and do not need to know the language. Families abroad are carefully screened. ASSE also provides opportunities for families to host 1518-year-old students – who are screened and selected – from Spain, Mexico, Germany, Great Britain, France, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, and more. For more info about becoming a student or host family call 800-733-2773, visit asse.com, host.asse.com or email asseu sawest@asse.com.
Drinking&DiningGuide
HaikuMovieReview ‘Patti Cake$’ Try to imagine Napoleon Dynamite as a hip hop chick – Lainie Maxson
No need to be sheepish.
commitment would be a couple hours a month. If this is a way you can help, please email: bp@frontier.net.
Himalayan Kitchen 992 Main Ave., 970-259-0956 www.himkitchen.com Bringing you a taste of Nepal, Tibet & India. Try our all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. The dinner menu offers a variety of tempting choices, including yak, lamb, chicken, beef & seafood; extensive veggies; freshly baked bread. Full bar. Get your lunch punch card – 10th lunch free. Hours: Lunch, 11am-2:30 pm & dinner, Sun. - Thurs., 5-9:30 p.m., Fri. & Sat. ‘til 10 p.m. Closed 2:30 to 5 daily $$ Crossroads Coffee 1099 Main Ave., 970-903-9051 Crossroads coffee proudly serves locally roasted Fahrenheit coffee and delicious baked goods. Menu includes gluten-free items along with bullet-proof coffee, or bullet-proof chai! Come in for friendly service and the perfect buzz! Hours: Mon.- Fri., 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. $ BREW Pub & Kitchen 117 W. College Drive, 970-259-5959 www.brewpubkitchen.com Experience Durango’s award-winning brewery & restaurant featuring unique, hand-crafted beers, delicious food - made from scratch, and wonderful wines & cocktails. Happy Hour, Mon.- Fri. 3-6 pm & all day Sunday with $2 off beer, $1 off wines & wells & 25% off appetizers. Watch the sunset behind Smelter Mountain. Hours: Sun.-Thurs.11 a.m. - 9p.m., & Fri. & Sat.11 a.m. to 10 p.m. $$
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