The Durango Telegraph, Aug. 26, 2021

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T H E

O R I G I N A L

I N D I E

W E E K L Y

L I N E

O N

D U R A N G O

&

B E Y O N D

Call it a comeback

Off the market

Garden of dreams

After decades of absence, native cutthroats return p7

Plan in works to keep garden in community hands p8

Dan Groth plants his latest art installation at DNF p11

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2 n Aug. 26, 2021

telegraph

lineup

4

4 La Vida Local

Stolen children, abandoned justice and reflections on boarding schools

4 Thumbin’ It

Unearthing truth

by Kirbie Bennett

5 Word on the Street 6 Soapbox

7

7 State News

Up the creek

After decades of absence, the cutthroat trout is returning home

8 Local News

by Colorado Public Radio / Durango Telegraph staff

11 ArtUp Durango 12-13 Stuff to Do

8

13 Ask Rachel

Going grassroots Ohana Kuleana seeks to buy land through fundraising effort

14 Free Will Astrology

by Jonathan Romeo

15 Classifieds 15 Haiku Movie Review

11

On the cover: Joe Eppler gazes up into the nether reaches of Buckskin Gulch, in the Paria Canyon plateau, a journey made possible by rare late-season flows./ Photo by Stephen Eginoire

Sprouting up

Local artist Dan Groth plants latest installation in DNF garden

boilerplate

by Jessica Pace

EDITORIALISTA: Missy Votel missy@durangotelegraph.com

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

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

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

telegraph

Ear to the ground: “Do you want a plastic bag or are you one of those environmentalists?”

– Nashville cashier, ringing up beer for a customer with a Colorado ID

thepole

RegularOccurrences

Moshing & mimosas Who wants to wait three hours for a brunch table on Sunday, just for some avocado toast and artisan quiches when you can head down to the Animas City Theatre for a healthy helping of punk rock music?

That’s right, Punk Rock Breakfast is back. Oh, and there’ll be breakfast burritos, courtesy of Raider Ridge Café, and a keg from Ska Brewing.

What more do you need?

“It’s just something that’s different from what Durango usually sees,” Alex Vick, one of the organizers, said. “If you’re really hungry for punk, then you’re willing to go at 11 in the morning, even if you’re hung over from the night before.”

Punk Rock Breakfasts are found in cities throughout the country and first popped up in Durango about 20 years ago, with the first one that anyone can remember at the now deceased Storyville. Since then, they’ve been held randomly at places like The Garage and J. Bo’s.

Phil Powell, another organizer, said the punk rock scene has always ebbed and flowed in Durango, not so much limited by the amount of bands, but instead, available places to play. But over the years, as is customary, punk-savvy scenesters have launched DIY spaces and house shows.

“This time around, we’re hoping to take a more professional approach,” Powell said of the push to establish venues for alternative music.

“We’re hoping to stick around.”

From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., five bands will take the Animas City Theatre stage, including Durango punk bands, Immediate Family and Your Bones, as well as Illegal Aliens (Santa Fe), Foul Tom (Aztec), and Acid Wrench, a new Durango band making its debut.

Vicks, who plays in both Immediate Family and Your Bones, also said it seems like there’s a hunger for alternative music in Durango, especially after the lack of live shows during the pandemic.

“It does feel like there’s a little bit of a resurgence,” he said. “And we’re also trying to dissolve ideas people put out around punk music.

Alternative music doesn’t have to be violent or destructive, and it can be digested at 11 in the morning.”

As with past Punk Rock Breakfasts, all proceeds go to local nonprofits. This time around, Compañeros and The Hive youth center will be the beneficiaries.

“These funds are significant for us because we work with undocumented populations, which limits us when it comes to government funding and grants,” Enrique Orozco, with Compañeros, said. “We are the only immigration center in Southwest Colorado and northeast New Mexico… that helps the immigrant community navigate the tough and hard immigration system this country has to offer.”

Pre-sale tickets are $12 or $15 the day of the show. Also, the Animas City Theatre, because of the rise in COVID-19 cases locally, is requiring all guests and staff to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within the past 72 hours to enter.

Aug. 26, 2021 n

3

opinion

LaVidaLocal Stolen children and abandoned justice In the 1949 film “Le Silence de la Mer,” there is a chilling scene where the main character, Werner von Ebrennac, an idealistic German lieutenant stationed in France during the Nazi occupation in World War II, visits an old college friend in Paris. Werner comes to find his friend now works for the SS and from there, through detailed documents, he learns of the death camps and gas chambers of Nazi Germany. “The work at Treblinka is done,” Werner’s friend enthusiastically tells him. “No one is left there to judge.”

Reflecting on this scene in relation to the discovery of unmarked graves of Indigenous children at boarding schools across North America, in his weekly “Counterpunch” column, Jeffrey St. Clair wrote, “That’s the malignant hubris of genocide: to believe that your crimes will be so absolute in nature that they will never be exposed.”

As more graves continue to be unearthed, as we wait in suspense of such sites being uncovered at the Old Fort Boarding School, my mind keeps going back to the necessity of judgement and accountability, and how that shapes the path toward healing and liberation. Maybe such thoughts occur in order to distract a heavy heart that wants to break through my ribcage. But these are issues long overdue in addressing, and when it comes to being held accountable, the United States has historically obfuscated such actions, especially when it comes to Indigenous communities.

How our society has managed to walk by and look away from the deaths of Native children for centuries is a matter worth revisiting. And it has everything to do with avoiding judgement.

As the carnage of World War II was coming to an end, Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin managed to survive and escape, and with the help of an American friend, he eventually found refuge in the United States. To help articulate the magnitude of death and suffering imposed on victims of the Nazi Holocaust, not to mention the many similar pogroms throughout history, in his book Axis Rule in Occupied Europe, Lemkin coined the term “genocide,” giving it a thorough legal definition that became foundational to the Nuremberg Trials. Concurrently, in 1951, Lemkin’s definition became codified into international law with the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

And yet, a sordid controversy ensued behind the scenes as this concept was being drafted. The govern-

ments of Canada and the United States were in an uproar over the bold language being implemented.

The point of contention was Lemkin’s adamant inclusion of “cultural genocide” as a category within the broader definition of genocide. To paraphrase, “cultural genocide” was defined as “the destruction of specific characteristics of a group.” Among other acts, this includes the prohibition of using one’s language/cultural practices while being assimilated into another language/culture. The “forced transfer of children to another human group” was also acknowledged as an act that constitutes cultural genocide. All of this amounts to, as Lemkin stated, “the rapid and complete disappearance of the cultural, moral and religious life of a group of human beings.”

In her rich and ardently researched book Suffer the Little Children, First Nations scholar Tamara Starblanket copiously documents the contentious debates over “cultural genocide,” especially the Canadian government’s stubborn resistance to the definition. Due to relentless pressure from the US and Canada, in the final draft of the Genocide Convention, the United Nations gutted the category of “cultural genocide,” though fragments of it still remained – the prohibition against the forced transfer of children being one of the very few.

When the Canadian government finally signed onto the Genocide Convention in 1952, it did so while quietly omitting a few more policies that would risk criminalizing the state. Specifically excluded were the prohibitions against inflicting serious bodily or mental harm to members of a targeted group and the forced transfer of their children to another human group. And as Starblanket notes, years later the Canadian government would make more revisions to the law, removing the prohibition against “measures intended to prevent births within the group.”

Before signing onto the Genocide Convention, throughout the 1950s the United States government was also engaged in similar combative debates over the legislation. In his book, The United States and the Genocide Convention, legal scholar Lawrence LeBlanc documents these eye-opening discussions. One area of concern was Article II, which condemns acts “committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” LeBlanc notes that “critics argued that the phrase would make the Convention applicable to racially motivated lynchings, thus perhaps opening the way for it to become an important tool in the civil rights struggle.”

Also of alarming concern to the U.S. government was the Convention’s prohibition against “causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group.” Oppo-

4 n Aug. 26, 2021

– Kirbie Bennett

Sign of the Downfall:

ThumbingIt A new bill that would give Mancos resident Rosa Sabino, who has lived in Montezuma County for more than three decades, official U.S. residency. Sabino has been living in sanctuary at a local church for four years.

nents, LeBlanc points out, “argued that the words ‘mental harm’ might be used, especially by civil rights groups, to denounce segregation laws in the United States.”

These concerns inevitably came to light in 1951 when, in an act of protest, the Civil Rights Congress presented a petition to the United Nations titled, “We Charge Genocide.” In its righteous rage, the document listed the numerous abuses and horrors endured by Black folks in the Uniate States, all of which they justly insisted constitutes genocide.

In 1986, nearly 40 years after Lemkin brought forth the Genocide Convention to the world, the United States finally signed onto the resolution. Yet, similar to Canada, the ratification came with stipulations. Added to the ratification was an amendment known as the “Sovereignty Package,” which basically gave the supreme ability to pick and choose which areas of the Convention to acknowledge, as well as redefine. Similar to Canada, they took exception to much of the Convention, resulting in a watered-down ratification that is merely symbolic and hollow.

During these debates, Indian boarding schools were still in operation around the country. By 1941, about 14,000 Native children were still consigned to these facilities. Parallel to these events, the United States also passed a series of federal policies further stripping Indigenous people from their culture and communities. One example is the Termination Policy of 1953, which resulted in the dissolution of more than a hundred Indigenous nations, wherein their sovereign status was removed along with access to land and resources.

The iconoclastic scholar Noam Chomsky once stated, “If the Nuremberg laws were applied, then every postWorld War II American president would have been hanged.” The shameful record of persistently avoiding any serious accountability for their actions only speaks to the fact that the settler states of North America are well aware of their genocidal crimes. Rather than make amends with the Indigenous nations they have historically destroyed, they choose to continue to exploit and inflict suffering on those same peoples.

In the end, the deferment of justice and judgement significantly contributes to the numerous deaths of Native children in boarding schools, as well as the cover up of their unmarked graves. When Indigenous folks speak of decolonization and taking the land back, the statements are more than just slogans. More than before, the path toward radical healing and liberation for all is dependent upon these demands. And by doing so, we can truly honor and lay to rest the spirits of these stolen Native children.

Deep Steak Reports of a person camping around Telluride, with police finding a cross bow, medieval hatchets, samurai swords, swashbuckling pirate swords – you get the idea – at his campsite.

La Plata County government taking over the search for a permanent homeless camp after the City of Durango came up short in its search for a location.

Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert failing to disclose nearly $1 million her husband received from an oil and gas company. Hey, who doesn’t let a couple mil slip thru the cracks now and then?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife shooting mountain goats with paintballs to track which harbor a potentially deadly virus.

Get those goats!

Adults, not being adults, at a 9-R meeting this week, after refusing to wear masks and limit capacity, which forced school officials to cancel the meeting.

telegraph

Spanish startup “Novameat” (a company that probably chose its name in under 10 seconds) has come up with a new way to 3D-print vegan steaks in a way that mimics the “complex interplay of muscle and fat” in a real beefsteak. Once Novameat dials in their recipe, their production facility will 3D print 1000 pounds’ worth of fake ribeye steaks daily, which Novameat plans to export to the U.S. The price is currently undecided, but according to a company spokesperson, they’re aiming for a “price point that people will pay,” which is exactly zero dollars in my estimation.

WordontheStreet

Q

With the passing of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts this week, The Telegraph asked: “What band or musician do you want to see before it’s too late?”

Alison

“People are probably going to laugh ... but Bob Seeger. I just love him.”

Julie

“I’m going to go with Earth Wind & Fire.” (*Dear Julie, do you remember? If not, we regret to inform you that Maurice White, the band’s lead singer who was credited as the band’s driving creative force, died Feb. 4, 2016. It was a sad, sad day.)

Trevor

“Def Leppard – because they’re O.G.”

Jamie

“Either Hall & Oates or Fleetwood Mac – all the BS my mom used to listen to.”

Kyle

“Joan Jett ... I was raised on ’80s rock.” telegraph

Aug. 26, 2021 n 5

SoapBox 9-R decision ignores public

Afghanistan’s unsung heroes

The biggest mistake in Durango’s recent history took place Tues., Aug. 10. The 9-R School Board voted to sell the Administration Building to the Fire District.

The decision is short-sighted and must be challenged. It is entirely at odds with the March 2021 Durango Renewal Partnership’s vision for our Midtown of “a flourishing community comprised of diverse, attractive & thriving hubs of activity shaped by public-private partnerships.”

A fire station there would impede achieving the plan’s priorities: housing; mixed-use, walkable development; job creation & support of local industry; local partnerships; arts & culture; and transportation enhancements.

Visit the Smiley Building to see what Charles Shaw has done and proposed to do creating an expanded Smiley campus and future tram connection to FLC. The proposal is a perfect example of the DRP’s mission: “To facilitate reinvestment in underutilized areas to address community priorities & create thriving places.” The Fire Department in a residential neighborhood is not.

Yes, it is a vital public service and needs a new home, but why not a new facility at its current location? What other public purpose is intended for this site?

And where has the city been in this deliberation that uses $5M in appropriated public funding? The 9-R building could house and provide office space for public employees and local businesses, and address community priorities and create thriving places the DRP envisions.

This decision ignores the will of the people, many of whom have spoken out against this purchase and whose dollars were awarded the Fire District by City Council.

Our input is being ignored. The School Board opened a public input process for Miller Middle School. Why not the 9-R Building? The stakes are as high, if not higher, for our community’s future.

– Ellen Stein, Durango

From 2003-07, I was a midwife trainer at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Over these five years, I came to know the midwives who basically ran the hospital, especially at night when there were no doctors. There were up to 50 deliveries a day at Rabia Balkhi, and most of them were women with serious complications (at that time about 80% of all babies were born out of hospital and without skilled birth attendants). In 2003, Afghanistan had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world: 1,200 maternal deaths per 100,000 births.

In March 2006, I asked some of the midwives to share their stories with me. The midwives at Rabia Balkhi Hospital had endured throughout the Russian occupation, as well as the civil war and Taliban takeover of the country in the 1990s.

The Midwives’ Stories: “While the Taliban was in control women had a very hard time coming to Rabia Balkhi, especially at night.

There were no medications, and no electricity was available. We had to take care of women using candles. One night a woman came who had pre-eclampsia. We had no medicine and had to watch the mother while she had an eclamptic seizure, and both the mother and the baby died right in front of me.”

“I was living in Jalalabad during the Taliban time and I was living in the town. Most women had their babies at home and sometimes I was called by one of the relatives of a mother if her birth was difficult. One night I was taken to a house where a mother was having twins. The first baby came OK, but the second baby was breech and also had a meningocele (sometimes seen as Spina Bifida) that prevented the baby from being born. I had to cut the meningocele open and the baby died.”

“One night one of our midwives came to the hospital

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very sick. She came alone because her husband and two children had been killed. She lay in the courtyard outside the hospital because she was very poor, and the Taliban would not let her in the hospital unless she paid them money. She needed blood and had no one to give blood to the blood bank so she could not get a transfusion. We midwives each donated blood so that she could get transfusions and she lived and is here with us today.”

“During the Taliban, the midwives were the only ones in the hospital, especially at night, as most doctors left Kabul City and were hiding in their homes in the country or had left the country. We had no pay for five months, but we came to work every night. Now that the doctors are back they don’t respect us for what we did while they were hiding. Now they think we should not attend deliveries and that we should just clean instruments and the floors. When the Americans bombed Kabul and drove the Taliban out, we were all very afraid for our children who we had to leave at home when we came to the hospital.

One of my children was killed in the bombing, and I didn’t know about it until two days later because I couldn’t leave the hospital. I still have three children.”

“I lived outside Kabul town in a refugee camp after the Taliban came back to power. The men in that village would not allow their wives to go to the hospital because they were afraid a male doctor might see her. I could not help some of the women if they were very sick, and I tried to find a taxi, but the husbands would refuse. Too many people died in that place.”

These women are the heroes of the wars; 40 years of wars. It is doubtful that more than a few of these midwives were able to get out of Afghanistan over the past decades of American occupation.

I grieve especially for the midwives as they are the backbone of obstetric care in Afghanistan.

– Linda Barnes, Durango

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StateNews

Making a comeback CPW reintroduces native cutthroats in northern, southwestern streams

by Paolo Zialcita Colorado Public Radio

T

he greenback cutthroat trout is Colorado’s official state fish, but it’s been listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act since 1978. Once thought to be completely extinct, wildlife biologists have been working for decades to help the species rebound.

But last year, CPW reported an 80 percent decline in adult trout populations over a three-year period, a troubling regression after years of progress.

In an attempt to rehabilitate the population, Colorado Parks and Wildlife began what it calls “aggressive” recovery efforts in 2014. That effort is now continuing, with work under way along two creeks in the Roosevelt National Forest in Larimer County.

Greenback trout were previously introduced to George Creek and its tributary, Cornelius Stream, in the early 1980s. However, the fish’s non-native predators – the brook trout and brown trout – have since re-invaded and killed off greenback populations.

Jason Clay, a public information officer for CPW, said the two non-native species have a long history in the state.

“They were brought back many decades ago, really for angling opportunities,” Clay said. “They started from European beginnings and populated out in the East as both a food source and an opportunity for anglers.”

Both brook and brown trout are extremely abundant in Colorado, thanks to high spawn rates and their ten-

A greenback cutthroat trout from the south prong of Hayden Creek./ Photo courtesy CPW dency to out-compete other fish. These trout also prey on smaller fish, like the greenback cutthroat, pushing them out of their habitats. They are also more resistant to the parasite that causes whirling disease, which can kill or massively deform young trout.

CPW closed the area around the two creeks for three days last week as it worked to kill all the brown and brook trout in the streams using a common population-control

compound called rotenone. The streams must be left fishless for several years in order for whirling disease parasites to die off. Once tests show an absence of parasites, greenback trout will be reintroduced to the creeks.

Wolf Creek Pass CPW is also leading an effort to restore the native San Juan cutthroat trout, previously thought to be extinct, in Southwest Colorado. While numerous streams have been restored over the years, the latest targeted waterway is atop Wolf Creek Pass, in the headwaters of the San Juan River.

This summer, the project will focus on a 3-mile section of stream atop Wolf Creek Pass down to Forest Road 725. Starting Aug. 30, the creek will be closed to the public in this section. No impacts are expected for drivers on Highway 550.

First, wildlife officials will use rotenone, an EPA-registered pescicide, to remove all non-native trout. Rotenone, which kills all fish and aquatic insects, has been used in the state for 80 years, and wildlife officials maintain the chemical is ultimately safe for river health in the long run.

The treated areas, though, will be void of fish until CPW can restock it with natives next summer. Wildlife officials will use a neutralizing agent near the end of the project area, however, so waterways farther downstream are not impacted.

“Restoring native species is a high priority for Colorado Parks and Wildlife,” Jim White, aquatic biologist for CPW, said in a news release. “And Wolf Creek is an ideal location for pure San Juan cutthroat trout.”

The Durango Telegraph added to this CPR report. For more from Colorado Public Radio news, go to: www.cpr.org.■

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Aug. 26, 2021 n 7

TopStory

Ohana Kuleana off the market How did Durango’s only community garden fall into private hands?

by Jonathan Romeo

O

hana Kuleana, Durango’s only community garden, is off the market – for now.

In the few past months, the future of the community garden has been in question after La Plata County sold the land as part of a contractual agreement put in place a decade ago with Bob Lieb, a Durango resident and developer. After initial attempts to conserve the property faltered this summer, Lieb then listed the 1.2-acre parcel in north Durango for nearly $1 million for private development.

Lieb, 80, did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

But recent efforts may save the lush garden, nestled in a residential area in the 2900 block of East Sixth Avenue. After a failed attempt to have the City of Durango purchase the property and take over management, a group of dedicated gardeners are heading a grassroots fundraising effort to purchase Ohana Kuleana, in an attempt to forever conserve it.

The asking price, and deadline to raise the funds, remains up in the air, said Chris Paulson, one of the lead organizers for Ohana Kuleana. But Paulson, who said she has been in direct talks with Lieb, is hopeful the two sides can work on an agreement that would save the garden from development.

“We’re definitely moving forward,” Paulson said. “We’re not giving up.”

To the highest, and only, bidder So how did Durango’s only community garden fall into private hands?

La Plata County first obtained ownership of the land, within city limits, in the 1930s.

By the 1950s, county records show it was deeded to Durango School District 9-R for use solely as a playground or for recreation.

One condition of that agreement, however, was the land would revert back to La Plata County ownership if 9-R no longer needed it, which happened in the early 2000s.

By 2010, the county was actively trying to sell off the land. According to county records, then-County Commissioners Kellie Hotter, Joelle Riddle and Wally White called for proposals for the property, but only one interested party emerged – Lieb, under the name of his company, Durango Threadworks.

It should be noted Lieb served as a county commissioner from 2000-08.

At the time, Lieb championed the use of the land as an organic urban farm, after a proposal for affordable housing was shot down by adjacent neighbors. “I’ve said this 100 times, and I’ll say it 101 times, the concerns of the neighbors will be taken care of entirely,” Lieb said at a January 2010 county meeting. “I want this to be their project. I’m committed to that.”

Commissioners approved a contract

8 n Aug. 26, 2021

Chris Paulson, one of the organizers for Ohana Kuleana Community Garden, said a grassroots effort has started to help raise funds to buy the garden, located in the 2900 block of East Sixth Avenue. Recently, the property was sold from La Plata County to Bob Lieb, who helped start the garden about a decade ago. Lieb has expressed he wants the property to remain a garden, but hasn’t taken private development off the table./ Photo by Jonathan Romeo with Lieb that allowed him to lease the land for 10 years at a rate of $3,600 a year. At the end of the contract, Lieb would then have the option to purchase the property for a non-adjustable price of $300,000. Both Riddle and White did not return calls seeking comment for this story. Hotter, whose last name is now Gosney, said in an interview this week, “The intention was very pure, and sometimes things look different down the road.”

“I wouldn’t say that it wasn’t a good decision,” she said. “At the time, the way it was crafted (the contract) made sense. And, (Lieb) was the only one who stepped up and cared to do anything with (the property).”

And so Ohana Kuleana (which Lieb named and means “community responsibility” in Hawaiian) opened in 2013 and has since grown to offer about 40 plots for community members, with an additional six reserved for students at the nearby Riverview

Elementary School. Led for years by the Garden Project of Southwest Colorado, the garden is now run by a group of six or so involved members.

Concerns over the future of Ohana Kuleana, however, started to snowball after the county and Lieb’s contract expired in fall 2020, and Lieb, with the option to buy for it $300,000, did just that. Over the past 10 years, county records show, the land grew in value to nearly $1 million. But the new set of county commissioners, hamstrung by the 2010 contract, were unable to adjust the price or change any conditions of the sale.

“For future commissioners, I hope we look to try to keep those resources in public hands going forward,” then-Commissioner Gwen Lachelt said at the time. County spokesman Ted Holteen said that commissioners in 2010 likely decided to sell the property because there was no benefit to the public to keep it or a viable use for county development.

telegraph

Lieb, for his part, said he put about $300,000 of his own money into improving the land, and addressing issues with storm water runoff and other infrastructure needs.

While showing a preference to keep the grounds a community garden, Lieb has never outwardly said in public the land would be invulnerable from any sort of private development.

“I don’t want it to be condos. I don’t want it to be houses. I don’t want it to be anything other than what it is forever,” Lieb said in November 2020. “But all the pieces have to fall in place.”

More than a garden For many, Ohana Kuleana has become more than a place to grow some vegetables in the summer – it’s a social gathering spot, a break from the stresses of daily life, a place to reconnect with nature. Aside from private plots, the grounds are covered with pollinator plants and medicinal herbs. Volunteers even built a modest amphitheater

for educational talks and live music.

Though the garden offers only 40 or so plots open to community members, Paulson said almost anyone who wants a spot gets one, as a few people always tend to drop out every season. And, the garden tries to remain affordable, with 150-square-foot plots renting for $80 and half-lots for $40 for the entire season. “We bend over backwards to be fair and equitable,” she said.

On a recent weekday, Durango resident Carol Diver was out pulling weeds on her sliver of dirt. In her first year, Diver is taken by the community spirit of Ohana Kuleana.

“It’s heaven,” she said. “Plus you get to take home something to eat. We’ve just been amazed at our produce and how it’s taken off.”

Tess Ruscton, a volunteer gardener, was also out harvesting squash, but not for herself. Most of the food she and her fellow gardeners grow go to local food banks. “I’m a huge advocate to keep (Ohana Kuleana) here,” she said. “Because you can’t replicate this. It takes time to make something this fantastic.”

The grounds have also introduced countless students to getting their hands dirty and working the soil. Charlie Love, a teacher at Riverview, said he uses the garden for classes almost on a daily basis. After nine years, Love estimated he’s taken about 1,000 children to Ohana Kuleana. “The connection to nature, to me, is the biggest thing for kids,” he said. “They’re observing plants, planting seeds to harvest.”

And the food’s not bad either, Love said.

“Almost all the kids try what we grow,

that normally, they’d shy away from,” he said. “I think we are just scratching the surface of what’s possible down there. The threat of it going away has caused all of us to reflect about what potential it has.”

Taking it grassroots At first, it appeared the preferred choice was for the City of Durango to take over Ohana Kuleana. Lieb said he had the property appraised, which showed a value of $915,000, but said he offered it to the city at a reduced cost of $475,000. City councilors a few weeks ago discussed the purchase behind closed doors in an executive session. Ultimately, the council chose not to move forward, and instead, called for more evaluation of the project.

“We think the concept is good, but we just don’t know if it’s the right thing to do,” Mayor Kim Baxter said in an interview with The Durango Telegraph.

Indeed, questions have been raised about how the city would manage a community garden, a first for the municipality, and have a system that would be fair to all residents. Plus, many wondered what would happen to other priority projects, like the purchase of Buckley Park in downtown Durango. Frustrated by the delay, however, Lieb said at a city meeting earlier this month that he then made a knee jerk call to his real estate agent to list the property for $950,000.

But in the days since, Lieb said he “calmed down.”

“Within two days, people wanted to buy it,” he said. “But I took it off the market.”

In the latest development, Ohana Kuleana gardeners have realized going

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About 40 plots are open to the community, and another six or so reserved for students at Riverview Elementary School, at Ohana Kuleana Community Garden, on the north end of Durango./ Photo by Jonathan Romeo through the City of Durango may not be the best option, and instead, are now working to raise the money in a community effort to buy it outright, Paulson said. Again, while no price has been agreed upon, the target is to have the money raised by the

end of the year.

“We feel this is the best of both worlds and everyone seems on board,” she said.

“I’m hopeful. There’s no other garden like it, and it would take years to replicate what we have here.” ■

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Aug. 26, 2021 n

9

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Durango A Autumn u utumn Arts Festiv val Returns!

This September 18th & 19th from 10 am - 5 pm on East 2nd Avenue, between College & 10th Street, in Downtown Durango!

T

h Durango Arts Center (DAC) is excited to celebrate its 27th Durango Autumn he $UWV )HVWLYDO 2UJDQL]HG DV D EHQHƓW HYHQW E\ DQG IRU WKH UHJLRQōV SUHPLHUH QRQ SURƓW DUWV RUJDQL]DWLRQ VHUYLQJ 'XUDQJR DQG WKH )RXU &RUQHUV UHJLRQ WKLV EHORYHG country. festival offfers fers exquisite art and beautiful craffts from around the country The Festival takes place amidst the fall colors in historic downtown Durango, Colorado. This year the event has expanded to include more artists and crafftspeople and now runs from College to 10th Street along East 2nd Avenue. Attendees are encouraged to dine at local restaurants, many of f which which are event sponsors.

This year features 85 artists and crafftspeople selected by b jurors Mike Scieszka, Hayley Kirkman and Maurice Maurice LLeysens.

Several artists will be returning this year. Tad Smith, Birgittte te Luffty ty, Mel Mendez to name a few.

Nationally renowned artists including Marie-Juliette Bird and Michael Billie will be joining us, as well as local favorites Cindy C oleman, Drea Clemens, Mel Mendez, Barbara Albrandt, Jesse Crawford and more!

The festival is made possible by volunteers and our generous sponsors such as the El Pomar Foundation and Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty. A full list of sponsors may be found found on on our our website website www www.DurangoArts.org.

The Festival is FREE and open to the public.

COVID-19: As it has in the past 18 months, DAC will implement all current and necessary Covid-related guidelines mandated by the state and county health agencies to keep Festival vendors, visitors, and volunteers safe. As of this writing, masks are not required, but highly highly rrecommended.

Love wherre e you live by reducing your footprint!

Come check out the new food trucks joining 11th Street Station!

Celebrating 30 years as a locally owned business,

Nurtur t e Nature. Nurrtur ture Yourself.

We have over 350 seats with

women run/women owned! Check out unique hand-

Cutting Edge Garden Education for the Mountain

many seating and dining

picked clothing, worldly giffts, ts, summer accessories,

West, online with Eva Montane.

options depending on your choice, with live music

bold stickers, and stylish picks! Animas Trading

throughout the week, featuring a variety of tap cocktails

is a local's favorite, and offfers fers a relaxing and fun

and a rotating drafft beer se selection.

shopping atmosphere for everyone in the family.

Skip years of trial and error. Save oodles of time, hundreds of dollars, lessen your carbon footprint, and learn how to garden with ease.

WeFill, Durango’s original zero-waste store, can help you reduce plastic waste for a cleaner home and earth. t %ULQJ LQ \RXU HPSW\ FRQWDLQHUV DQG UHƓOO , cruelty-free them with earth-friendly t household and personal care products. WeFill also offfers fers many locally-made and package-free items.

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Locally-owned, full service real estate brokerage specializing in residential and commercial property t sales/leasing. We pride ourselves on highenergy “outside the box” marketing creativity.

Whether you’re looking for your new home or your next business space, we would love e the opportunity t to shine light on your greatest investment.

ALPENGL LOW PROPERTIES ww ww w.Alpenglo owProperties.com

10 n Aug. 26, 2021

Donate, Volunteerr, Supporrtt The Animals!

We sell gently used goods to support the animals at LPCHS Shelter. All proceeds go to providing food, shelter and safety for the animals in our community.

Annoucing the New Durango Sustainable Business Guide The Guide features 24+ local, sustainable business - from architects & builders, zero waste & organic beauty products, fair-tr - ade home goods,

Help us, help them, one paw at a time.

used outdoor gear & more - all in one place.

Check our website for store hours & donation

Shop your values. Bookmark the guide.

information or give us a call! 970-385-4322 Ext:107

LIVE CREA ATIVE TIVE STUDIO

LA PLA AT TA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT STORE

www.livecreattivestudio.com/Durango-Sustaiinable-

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Business-Guide

telegraph

Shop local agriculturalists, artisans, t ready-to-eat, value-added, and service vendors and enjoy live performances every Saturday at The Durango Farmer’s Market.

Join us frrom om 8am to noon Saturday mornings in the parking lot of TBK Bank!

DURANGO F FARMERS ARMERS MARKET www.durangofarmersmarket.com

ArtUpDurango

Garden of dreams Local artist brings his trademark bizarre humor to Durango co-op

by Jessica Pace

D

urango Natural Foods shoppers might have noticed the bright pops of color peering from the overgrowth of chives at the store’s entrance since July. This colorful tableau is local artist Dan Groth’s “Dream Garden,” an installation of four two-sided acrylic paintings that have brought some of his trademark bizarre humor to the storefront.

One day last spring, Groth, a co-op employee, was standing behind the cash register, looking out through the front doors, at the empty garden bed in front of the store. It was April, in the middle of the city’s Spring Cleanup, which equates to a smorgasbord of material left in alleys and on curbsides for the thrifty artist.

Groth salvaged some composite boards and had them cut into random shapes with the intention of painting one side of each completely differently from the other – a sort of exercise in using the left side of the brain.

Groth started on the project Artist Dan Groth, who probably needs no introduction, talks about his new art installation, without a complete vision for the “Dream Garden” outside Durango Natural Foods, where he works. The pieces, inspired by outcome but knowing he wanted fairy gardens, went up in July with the help of the Durango Art Brigade./Photos by Jessica Pace to create a series of figures for a garden setting. “Sometimes I have to sort of reverse-engineer my theme – start working on something, then connect it to a theme after the fact,” he said.

The result was a motley group loosely inspired by fairy gardens, the miniature dioramas that can be found nestled at the base of trees and in yards around town. Though Groth’s paintings seem unrelated, they somehow look very much like they belong together.

A skeptical-looking mollusk-like creature, a green humanoid, a beaked owl-man and, of course, a reimagining of David Hasselhoff are just a few of the co-op’s new garden dwellers. Some are conceptually vaguer, including a robot-esque shape with Russian pronouns in reference to the language Groth spent much of the COVID-19 shutdown studying.

Though the medium is a deviation from the stippled pen-andink drawings Groth is probably best known for, the images themselves are clearly his style, depicting the seed of a realistic idea that spirals off into the abstract in dream-like puddles of color. To a passing motorist on College Drive, the paintings, at first glance, might them down.’ And having to go out, pull all the pieces up. I have a give off the impression of whimsical tombstones.

As he said in his artist’s statement, Groth wanted to produce vision of me just throwing them all in the dumpster.”

Diffidence aside, Groth is happy with the outcome. The pieces something “that would give passersby pause, create puzzlement, bemusement and/or entertainment” and took a stream-of-conscious- were created poetically in step with the easing of pandemic restrictions and the public’s tentative reintroduction to social life after a ness approach to the paintings.

“It’s not abstract expressionism; you can look at each of those surreal year of isolation.

“They came about during this very intense time: masks were pieces and make out what it probably is,” he said. “But I was trying to access the subconscious a little. I don’t go after a specific result. coming off, places were reopening. I think this is a really dystopian I’m not good at realizing an idea exactly as it initially was. It sort of period. I was initially kind of worried about them turning out too weird,” Groth said. “But I’ve gotten used to doing what I changes, kind of like looking at a cloud.”

Dream Garden is Groth’s first public art project, and the insecu- want to do. And if you put anything in a natural setting, it’s going rities that come with displaying one’s personal work in such a com- to look pretty good.”

Groth’s collection was created through the Durango Art Brigade, a pubmunal, heavily trafficked location inspired some comical, if lic art initiative that gives local artists paid opportunities to do community unlikely, speculation about public perception.

“I just have these intense fantasies of the (co-op) manager say- beautification projects. For more information about Dan Groth’s artwork, ing, ‘You know, I just don’t think these are right. We need to take visit dangroth.com. ■

telegraph

Aug. 26, 2021 n 11

StufftoDo

Thursday26 Purgatory Nature Hikes, 9:25 a.m.-noon. More info. at 970-715-1092.

Cafe au Play free outdoor baby group, 10 a.m.12 p.m., 495 Florida Road (behind Christ the King church). 970-749-9607 for info.

Mancos Farmers Market, 4 p.m., 145 Grand Ave., Mancos.

SkaBQ, 5 p.m., Ska Brewing headquarters, 225 Girard St. Featuring Black Velvet Band.

Durango Green Drinks, 5-7 p.m., 11th Street Station.

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

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

Side Pony featuring Alice Wallace and Caitlyn Cannon plays Concert Hall at the Park, 5:30 p.m. Buckley Park.

Lacey Black plays, 5-8 p.m., Serious Texas BBQ South, 650 Camino del Rio.

Lawn Chair Kings play, 6-9 p.m., Durango Hot Springs.

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

Gary Walker plays, 6-8 p.m., Dandelion Café, 724 E. 2nd Ave.

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

The Kirk James Band play, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill in Vallecito.

Larry Carver & Jack Ellis play, 6 p.m., Fur Trapper’s Steakhouse, 701 E. 2nd Ave. Duke Street Kings play, 6 p.m., Three Springs Plaza.

Disco Night, 6-9 p.m., Chapman Hill Roller Rink.

Friday Nights at Fire Fox Farms, 6-9 p.m., 5513 CR 321, Ignacio.

Scott Clay plays, 5-8 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Family Magic Show with Mysto the Magi, 7 p.m.

Fridays thru the summer, Tico Time Resort, 1 mile south of the stateline.

Devise and Conquer Improv Summer Finale, 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Disco Night, 6-9 p.m., Chapman Hill Roller Rink.

Severo y Grupo Fuego, 8-9:30 p.m., Tico Time Resort, 1 mile south of the stateline.

Sunday29 Durango Art Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 11th Street Station. www.durangocreativedistrict.org.

Punk Rock Breakfast, 11 a.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. www.animascitytheatre.com Open Mic, 1 p.m., Mancos Brewery.

Open Mic night, 4 p.m. every Sunday, Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Heartwood Cohousing in Bayfield Open House, tour 5 p.m., potluck Hearty Happy Hour, 6 p.m. RSVP at amadrano@gmail.com. Info: heartwoodcohousing.com

Homemade Spaceship, Kruza Kud feat. Melissa Joy and Dancing Arrow play, 9 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr.

Build Back Better Celebration, 4-6:30 p.m., Rotary Park. Gathering to support jobs, health care, climate justice and citizenship. Featuring music, food and performances.

Black Velvet Band plays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dandelion Café, 724 E. 2nd Ave.

Saturday28

Live music, 6-8:30 p.m. every Thursday, James Ranch, HWY 550, Hermosa.

Durango Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., TBK Parking Lot, 259 W. 9th St. Live music from The Assortment. www.durangofarmersmarket.com

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

Matt Rupnow plays, 6 p.m., Fur Trapper’s Steakhouse, 701 E. 2nd Ave.

Bayfield Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m., 1328 County Road 501, Bayfield.

The Badley Bent play, 6-9 p.m., Durango Hot Springs.

Merely Players open house, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., take a tour of the Durango theatre troupe’s new venue, 789 Tech Center Drive.

Trivia night 6:30-8:30 p.m., The Powerhouse, 1333 Camino Del Rio. Dave Mensch plays, 7 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Chicken Creek Walk and Talk,10 a.m., hosted by San Juan Mountains Association. Meet at Chicken Creek Trailhead near Mancos.

Beam Me Up Starlight Trivia, weekly 7:30-9:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Youth Fishing Derby, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., registration at VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8-10 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.

San Juan Brewfest, Aug. 28-29, Buckley Park. Tickets are $45 and available at sanjuanbrewfest.com.

Friday27

Big Mountain Enduro, Aug. 28-29, Purgatory Resort. www.purgatoryresort.com.

Gary Walker plays, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Jean-Pierre Bakery & Restaurant, 601 Main Ave. Four Corners Stockmanship and Stewardship seminar, Aug. 27-28, Springs Hollow Ranch, Hesperus.

Featuring speaker Temple Grandin. More info at stockmanshipandstewardship.org.

Durango Devo Film Fest, matinee at 4 p.m., main showings at 5:30 p.m. For more info. and tickets visit durangodevo.com

12 n Aug. 26, 2021

Lacey Black plays, 5-8 p.m., Lone Spur Café, 619 Main Ave.

Live music, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Maddy & Kev play, 6 p.m., James Ranch, HWY 550, Hermosa.

Monday30 Meditation and Dharma Talk, 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Online at www.durangodharmacenter.org Aikido, 6 p.m., 121 W 32nd St. #B, www.durangoaikido.com Author Kat Wilder signs books, 5:30-7 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

Tuesday31 Purgatory Nature Hikes, 9:25 a.m.-noon. More info. at 970-715-1092.

Twin Buttes Farm Stand, 3-6 p.m., Tuesdays thru October, 165 Tipple Ave., www.twinbuttesfarm.com

The Kirbys play, 5 p.m., 11th Street Station.

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

telegraph

Bingo night, 5 p.m. every Tuesday, Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Bitcoin Study Group, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Zia North patio. For info., call 970-426-2464 or email bitcoinstudygroup@protonmail.com

AskRachel To lick or not to lick, concert coping and short people hugs Interesting fact: They also make no-lick peel-andstick envelopes that require no saliva exposure. But they’re not fancy enough to be ONvelopes.

Dear Rachel, I was just sending out some thank-you notes and hit a snag. How do you seal an envelope in the days of COVID? Is it kosher to lick them anymore? I Scotch Taped mine, but it just looked tacky, so I peeled off the tape as best I could and proceeded to lick them anyway. My hope is that any virus will die a slow heat death in the back of a mail truck before the cards hit mailboxes.

But what’s a thanker to do?

– Thankless Dear Licked, The more pressing question is, do you pronounce it INvelope or ONvelope? I realized I’m a freak who says it both ways. It depends on the context. I don’t know what that context is, but something must make me switch from sounding like a blue-collar kid to an elocution student. So I’ve just taken to calling them letter condoms: they get the letters where they want to be, and then you throw that sucker away the moment you tear it. And to think we used to worry about anthrax.

– Address unknown, Rachel Dear Rachel, I drove down to a small music festival south of the (state) border recently, and it was exhilarating to be around people again. Until it was

Rotary Club of Durango weekly meeting, Fort Lewis College Vice President of Advancement Melissa Mount speaks, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. Acoustic Music Jam, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Rotary Park, all instruments and singers welcome. For info: 970-259-3408.

Live music, 6-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday, James Ranch, HWY 550, Hermosa.

Wednesday01 Trivia night, 6 p.m., every Wednesday, Mancos Brewery.

The Jeff Solon Jazz Duo plays, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays thru Sept. 8, Dandelion Café, 725 E. 2nd Ave. Todd Sheaffer (Railroad Earth) & Chris Thompson (Coral Creek) play, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr.

Upcoming High Altitude Blues play, Sept. 2, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill in Vallecito.

Four Corners Folk Festival, Sept. 3-5, Pagosa Springs.

just frustrating. This was in a park-like atmosphere where you could bring blankets or chairs. So what is camping chair etiquette?

One day, we had two people with camping thrones set up in front of us. And the second night, the woman’s chair would have gotten $1,400/month in Durango, complete with built-in table and hibachi stove. I don’t expect you to not use a chair, but shouldn’t these bulky bastards stick to the back?

– Wingback Wingnut Dear Chairnut of the Board, Here’s the dealio. All bets are off. We’re out of doors in a sanctioned way for the first time since a less-sentient Cheeto ran the country, and we know we’re probably cruisin’ for a lockdown again, and also we have forgotten to consider that other people even exist, let alone that they have feelings and experiences and also paid hundreds of dollars to listen to far-away music on the grass. So either punch them out, move yer own blanket, or sit back, toke a smoke and pretend all is well.

– Table the motion,Rachel Dear Rachel, What’s the best way to hug a short person as a noticeably taller person? I feel awkward bending down and sticking my butt into the next zip code in order to complete the old onearm-over-one-arm-under hug at their level. But I wonder if they feel awkward when I don’t bend down and their face is pressed against my sternum. I don’t know any short people well

Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test result required.

Four Corners ReggaeFest, Sept 3-5, Tico Time Resort, 1 mile south of the stateline.

Larry Carver & Jack Ellis play, Sept. 4, 6 p.m., Fur Trapper’s Steakhouse, 701 E. 2nd Ave.

Email Rachel at telegraph@durangotelegraph.com enough to ask them candidly. So are you short?

And what would you say?

– No Shortage Dear Awkward Giant, You think that’s tough? I once knew a couple where the man was literally twice as tall as the woman. And I mean literally literally. I always wanted to ask them how it works to… you know… do things. Things like mutual foot massages. But I never got the cojones to ask. Maybe you’re better off to treat hugs like envelopes for the moment: don’t even bother. At least you’re not licking short people. Right? God, I hope you’re not licking them.

– Fist bump, Rachel

Black Velvet Band play, Sept. 10, 6-9 p.m., Fire Fox Farms in Ignacio.

Trail work on Cutthroat Trail, Hermosa Creek watershed, Sept. 10 from 12-3 p.m. and Sept. 11 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., sign up at: durangotrails.org/volunteer

Live Music on the Range: Pete Giuliani, Sept. 5, 2-5 p.m., Hillcrest Golf Club.

Lake Nighthorse Sprint Triathlon, Sept. 11, for ages 15 and above. For more info. and to register visit thedriven.net/durangotriclub.

Motorcycle Hill Climb, Sept. 5, Purgatory Resort. www.purgatoryresort.com.

Fresh Air Meditation, Sept. 14, 5:30-6 p.m., Claire Viles Park.

Black Velvet Duo play, Sept. 5, 6 p.m., Dandelion Café, 724 E. 2nd Ave. Bayfield Night Out, Sept. 8, 5-7 p.m., Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway.

Civic Winds Jazz Orchestra with vocalist John Rubano, 5:30 p.m., Sept. 9, Buckley Park

The Climbing Zine 10th anniversary party, Sept. 16, 6-9 p.m., The Rochester Hotel’s Secret Garden, 6-8 p.m., 726 E. 2nd Ave. Nosotros plays, Sept. 16, 5:30 p.m., Buckley Park.

Friends of the Library book sale, Sept. 17, Durango Public Library.

Larry Carver & Jack Ellis play, Sept. 9, 7-10 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Unison Fest, Sept. 9-12, Tico Time Resort, 1 mile south of the stateline.

Alternative Horizons Golf Tournament, Sept. 18, Hillcrest Golf Club. More info. at alternativehorizons.org.

Guided Mushroom Hunt, Sept. 18, Purgatory Resort.

Deadline to submit items for “Stuff to Do” is Monday at noon.

REAL radio, REAL people

E-mail your stuff to: calendar@durangotelegraph.com DURANGO COMMUNITY RADIO AT FORT LEWIS COLLEGE

91.9 93.9

KDUR.ORG

telegraph

Aug. 26, 2021 n 13

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries mythologist Joseph Campbell advised us to love our fate. He said we should tell ourselves, “Whatever my fate is, this is what I need.” Even if an event seems inconvenient or disruptive, we treat it as an opportunity, an interesting challenge. “If you bring love to that moment, not discouragement,” he said, “you will find the strength.” Campbell concludes that any detour or disarray you can learn from “is an improvement in your character, your stature, and your life. What a privilege!”

Few signs of the zodiac are inclined to enthusiastically adopt such an approach, but you Aries are most likely to do so. Now is an especially favorable time to use it.

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The brilliant Taurus dancer and choreographer Martha Graham spoke of “a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action,” adding that “there is only one of you in all time.” She added, “It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.” But even if you do this very well, Graham said, you will nevertheless always feel “a divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest” that will fuel you. This is the perfect message for you Tauruses to embrace in the coming weeks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): There’s growing scientific evidence that we make ourselves stupid by complaining too much – or even by listening to other people complain a lot. Excessive negative thoughts drain energy from our hippocampus, a part of our brain that’s essential to problem-solving. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we should avoid dealing with difficult issues. But it does suggest we should be discerning about how many disturbing and depressing ideas we entertain. According to my reading of the omens, all this will be especially useful advice for you in the coming weeks.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Your brain contains one hundred billion nerve cells. Each cell has the potential to be linked with tens of thousands of others. And they are always busy. Typically, your grey matter makes a million new connections every second. But I suspect your number of connections will increase even beyond that in the coming weeks. Your most complex organ will be working with greater intensity than usual. Will that be a bad thing or a good thing? It depends on whether you formulate an intention to channel your intelligence into wise analysis about important matters – and not waste it in careless fussing about trivial details.

14 n Aug. 26, 2021

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “You should have a sticky soul,” counsels author Elizabeth Berg.

“The act of continually taking things in should be as much a part of you as your hair color.” I especially endorse that attitude for you during the next four weeks, Leo. Your task is to make yourself extra magnetic for all the perceptions, experiences, ideas, connections and resources you need most. By Sept. 23, I suspect you will have gained an infusion of extra ballast and gravitas.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “I sing like the nightingale whose melody is crowded in the too narrow passage of her throat,” wrote author Virginia Woolf. That was an insulting curse for her to fling at herself. I disapprove of such behavior – especially for you in the coming weeks. If you hope to be in alignment with cosmic rhythms, don’t you dare say nasty things about yourself, even in the privacy of your own thoughts. In fact, please focus on the exact opposite: flinging praise and appreciation and compliments at yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The blogger at www-wlw.tumblr.com says the following are the top tender actions. 1. Fastening clothes or jewelry for your companion. 2. Letting them rest their head on your shoulder. 3. Idly playing with their hands. 4. Brushing a leaf out of their hair. 5. Locking pinkies. 6. Rubbing their back when you embrace. 7. Both of you wearing an item that belongs to the other.

Dear Libra, I hope you will employ these tender actions with greater frequency than usual in the coming weeks. Why? In my astrological opinion, it’s a ripe time to boost your Affection Quotient with the allies you care for the most.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Naturalist Henry David Thoreau wrote in his journal, “I feel slightly complimented when nature condescends to make use of me without my knowledge – as when I help scatter her seeds in my walk – or carry burs and cockles on my clothes from field to field. I feel as though I had done something for the commonweal.” I mention this, Scorpio, because the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to carry out good deeds and helpful transformations on nature’s behalf. Your ability to collaborate benevolently with plants and animals and elemental forces will be at a peak. So will your knack for creating interesting connections between yourself and all wild things.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You may have never heard of Sagittarian artist Baya Mahieddine (1931–98). At age 16, she experienced a splash of acclaim with a show in Paris. Famous artists

telegraph

Pablo Picasso, Henry Matisse and George Braques came. They drew inspiration from Mahieddine’s innovative use of color, elements from her Algerian heritage and her dream-like images. Picasso even invited her to work with him, exulting in the fresh perspectives she ignited. But her art never received the full credit it warranted. In accordance with astrological omens, this horoscope is a small way of providing her with the recognition and appreciation she deserves. It also authorizes you to go out and get the recognition and appreciation you deserve, but have not yet fully received.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Who knows what is unfolding on the other side of each hour?” asked Capricorn poet Juan Ramón Jiménez (translated by Capricorn poet Robert Bly). “How many times the sunrise was there, behind a mountain. How many times the brilliant cloud piling up far off was already a golden body full of thunder!” Your assignment, Capricorn, is to imagine what is unfolding just beyond your perception. But here’s the twist: You must steer your mind away from indulging in fear. You must imagine events in the works are beautiful, interesting or redemptive. If you’re not willing to do that, skip the exercise altogether.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup,” wrote author Wendell Berry. I mostly agree with that sentiment, although I will also put in a good word for certain kinds of arguments. There are moments when it’s crucial for your psychological and spiritual health that you initiate a conversation about delicate issues that might lead to a dispute. However, I don’t think this is one of those times, Aquarius. In my astrological opinion, picking dew-wet red berries is far more sensible than any argument. For further inspiration, read this testimony from actor Natasha Lyonne: “I definitely would rather take a nap than get angry.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): For painter Vincent van Gogh, love wasn’t primarily a sentimental feeling. Nor was it an generalized wish for health and happiness in those he cared for.

Rather, he wrote, “You must love with a high, serious, intimate sympathy, with a will, with intelligence.” His love was alert, acute, active and energized. It was animated with a determination to be resourceful and ingenious in nurturing the beloved. For van Gogh, love was always in action, forever moving toward everfresh engagement. In service to intimacy, he said, “you must always seek to know more thoroughly, better, and more.” I hope you’ll make these meditations a top priority during the next seven weeks.

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 679 E. 2nd Ave., #E2 Approximate office hours: Mon: 9ish - 5ish Tues: 9ish - 5ish Wed: 9ish - 3ish Thurs: On delivery Fri: Gone fishing; call first

Announcements Want Loose Stones For your unique one-of-a-kind jewelry creation? Lanka Blue Jewelry has large inventory, at 701 Main Ave.

commissions of roughly $1-$2+ per hour, tips and free personal laundry)! Nice facility, customers, co-workers, and owners!

Please apply in person at the College Plaza Laundry, 509 E. 8th Ave.

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

Are You Sales-y?

The Telegraph is searching for a new advertising sales aficionado. Strong command of English language, broad knowledge of pop culture and darkish sense of humor a plus. Good hygiene and local knowledge also required. Great pay and fun times! 30-40/hrs a week. Commission + base pay. Send resume to: telegraph@ durangotelegraph.com

RealEstate

The Perfect Gift for your favorite dirtbag. Literature from Durango’s own Benighted Publications. The Desert, 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.

Dietz Market is Hiring full-time, part-time and shipping!

Come join our team. Stop in or email resume to: info@dietzmarket.com

Lost&Found

Summer Spanish Class Now accepting students for beginner thru advanced Spanish. Finally, in-person learning is back! Call 970-309-5966 or visit www.espanolahora.net

Lost: Gold Chains w/Black Hardware Fell out of truck on corner of Florida & E. Third Aug. 10th. Black milk crate containing gold chains, aerial essentials, black carabiners, swivels and spreader plate. Used for aerial acrobatics by performer for Secret Circus Society. Please return if found! The show must go on!

Email rubistarr@gmail.com.

Found Chef knives on Florida Rd. Call 970623-1611 to identify.

Found: Large Necklace On post by edge of Rim Drive, July 31.

Describe to claim: 970-317-8856

HelpWanted Laundry Customer Service 1-2 very responsible, reliable, friendly, multi-tasking, self-directed team players with strong customer service skills are needed! Responsibilities include doing laundry, helping customers, cleaning, etc. ~20-40 hrs/wk. Training is provided. $12.50+/hr DOQ (plus wash/dry/fold

Caregivers $20/hr Disabled man needs help with care.

Call Johnny, 970-749-2692.

Classes/Workshops

ForSale Want Loose Stones For your unique one-of-a-kind jewelry creation? Lanka Blue Jewelry has large inventory, at 701 Main Ave. Reruns Home Furnishings Tall bar-style dining table, vintage desk, nightstands, lamps and side tables, good assortment of dressers, side tables, lamps, very cool vintage iron patio set with love seat and table. Come in today.

572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.

Wanted Want to sell your home to a hardworking local?

Longtime Durango Telegraph writer Luke Mehall is looking to buy a modest condo/small home in Durango. Please contact Luke at luke@climbingzine.com or 970-376-3116.

telegraph

Historic Bayfield Victorian House In-town 1905 former Elk Hotel will be for sale soon. Great corner location, 3story with large front porch. Perfect for B&B or home, mixed-use zoning. 2200 sq ft. Price $450K Contact owner by email: ciaojayne@gmail.com

Services Guitar Bass Voice Lessons Fun, student-centered learning for students of all ages, abilities and styles. Call Pete Giuliani 385-6713 or email info@petegiuliani.com RSE Handyman Service Home repair - yard work - odd jobs, 970-903-0449.

Harmony Cleaning and Organizing Residential, offices, commercial and vacation rentals, 970-403-6192.

Lowest Prices on Storage!

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

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

Massage by Meg Bush LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199. massageintervention.life Voted best massage in Durango 18/19/20. Couples, cupping, local CBD. Reviews on FB + Yelp. 970-903-2984

HaikuMovieReview ‘American Ultra’ Extremely bloody Very violent and yet Quite adorable – Lainie Maxson

CommunityService The Rocky Horror Show Auditions Aug. 26 from 5-8 p.m. Prepare a monologue and a 1-1.5 minute selection from a song (16-32 bars). Performers need to be 21+ due to sexually explicit material and revealing costumes. Performances will be Halloween weekend at the DAC. Contact Jason Lythgoe (jason@durangoarts.org) for more information.

Help support survivors of domestic violence by participating in Alternative Horizons’ First Annual “Drive Out Domestic Violence Golf Tournament.” The tournament takes place Sat., Sept. 18 at Hillcrest Golf Club. For information on how to register a team or become a tournament sponsor, please visit www.alternativehorizons.org or call 970-247-4374. If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the Alternative Horizons’ free and confidential hotline at 970-247-9619.

SJBPH Vaccine Clinics - La Plata County: • 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays, Fort Lewis College Student Life Center, 125 West Campus Court • 5- 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 2-6 p.m. Saturdays, Old Main Post Office, 1060 Main Ave, Durango* • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Pine River Library, 395 Bayfield Center Dr, Bayfield • 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Purple Cliffs, County Road 213, Durango • 9-11 a.m. Thursdays, Manna Soup Kitchen, 1100 Avenida del Sol, Durango • 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Fridays, Purgatory Mountain Resort, 1 Skier Place, Durango • 8 a.m. - 12 noon Saturdays, Durango Farmers Market, 259 W 9th St., Durango • 8 a.m. - 12 noon Sundays, Durango Flea Market, 2500 Main Ave, Durango Aug. 26, 2021 n 15

16 n Aug. 26, 2021

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