*Yes, it’s fine if you want to bring one to your nextdoor neighbor, friends, grandma, etc. Just don’t poach the whole stack. That’s lame.
If you need extra papers for fire-starter, piñatas, hamster cages or home insulation, we keep back issues at many of our racks around town including: • The Durango Post Office • Peerless Tire
• Tele HQ in the Mayer Bldg, 679 E. 2nd Ave.
Or give us a call at 970-259-0133 & we’ll try to hook you up.
The 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
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
“I call it the Colorado tuxedo.”
– What’s Durango’s take on Canadian tuxedo? Carhartt on Carhartt.
Don’t fight it – America has World Cup fever, and, as they say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Or, in this case, pretend that a little white ball bouncing around the screen, with painstakingly low scoring, is fun.
We kid! We, like millions of Americans on Tuesday, kept the game on in the background at work while the U.S. Men’s Team edged out a 1-0 victory over Iran. And we, like millions of Americans, suppressed a near heart attack in front of our coworkers as the Americans almost gave up a game-tying goal in the last few minutes.
Luckily, we as a nation can watch the country’s next match in relative peace, with kickoff scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday against the Netherlands. Even better: the Animas City Theatre is opening early for a viewing party on the big screen. Doors open at 7:45 a.m., and there’s no cover. But there is, more importantly, a full bar.
Soccer has never been America’s “thing,” per se. I mean, even we had to Google “What is the start of a soccer game called” to make sure we had the proper terminology for the paragraph above. It’s “kickoff,” FYI.
Some more tips:
• Leave the vuvuzela at home; that was a Brazilian thing in the 2010 World Cup.
• Pronounce it “fut-bol” if you want to sound like you studied abroad in Europe for a year.
• When soccer players are on the ground writhing in pain, that’s 100% real.
• If all else fails, the team with the most points win. We imagine the U.S. is dressed in some version of red, white and blue.
• And know what? Eff it, bring that vuvuzela.
Hey, look, Durango had a celeb sighting! The Nugget Mountain Bar near Purg posted to Instagram that Pink stopped by the Friday after Thanksgiving for some drinks and Backcountry Gourmet grub.
Who’s Pink, you say? Well, as Missy texted me: “In case you’ve never heard of her, she’s a more punk rock version of Adele and an asskicker.” Well, I’m not sure what year Missy thinks I was born in, but yeah, I know Pink. I mean, what 12-year-old boy didn’t have a crush on her after the “Lady Marmalade” music video?
We gave the owner of the Nugget a call but haven’t heard back yet. So we’ll never know: What drink did she order? Did she enjoy her sliders? Did she ski Purgatory’s Ribbon of Death?
One thing is for sure, evidenced by the photo, she was well-equipped for Fanny Pack Friday.
Editor’s note: Real names have been changed to protect the innocent.
When the text arrived, I was smack in the middle of a Hallmark moment. Outfit: to die for. Hair: darn-near fabulous. Schedule: running on time to not just one first date, but two in the same day!
Never had downtown Durango looked so jolly. Evergreen bunting. Red ribbons. Twinkle lights. Fat, wet snowflakes tumbling down. I was beginning to suspect that Norman Rockwell was directing this jingle-jangle romance flick.
I ducked under the awning of Le Trendy Coffee Shop to check the text message and protect my hairdo. I assumed it was a note from Realty Rick. Maybe he was canceling our 9 a.m. date at Le Trendy or was running late. Not too late, I hoped. I also had an 11 a.m. lunch date with Calvin the Counselor.
Neither fella was, statistically, my type. But that was the point. Six years of disastrous dating had proven that my capacity to pick solid romantic partners was about as keenly developed as a penguin’s thigh bones. I mean, we are talking a woman who spent two weeks dating a man she deemed utterly charming until he disclosed he was in violation of parole. In. Three. States.
This foray into dating would be different! This time, I tapped the world’s best matchmaker: The Universe. Cosmic powers brewed in my No. 9 love potions. Spiritual sage smudged my chakra. Precious gems and crystal prisms channeled only the best energy. Daily adherence to Joe Dispenza’s meditations would manifest my dream man into reality.
I’m not saying it’s my fault NASA had to scuttle the Artemis launch three times, but I had clearly stirred up the cosmic rivers. How else could I have struck up great conversations with two guys on a dating app?
Although, to be honest, getting full responses from Rick was a lot like pulling teeth. And I certainly had plenty of time to floss while waiting for him to return the courtesy.
“But not all people are good at digital communication,” I gently scolded myself.
Meanwhile, Calvin was like an electrified ping-pong ball ricocheting. He and I shared waterfalls of witty exchanges, puns and intellectual repartee. We tapped our thumbs into cramps trying to delight and outwit each other.
I smiled when I saw the text was from Calvin: “Hey. I’m gonna be at Le Trendy Coffee Shop at about 9 a.m. getting some work done. Any chance you’d like to meet up?”
I gasped. My phone ticked 8:55 a.m. I looked through the windows into the coffee shop. Rick spotted me and waved. I waved and signaled, “one moment, please.”
Hastily, I replied to Calvin: “How funny. I’m also going to be at Le Trendy at 9 for a – my thumbs hovered over the screen – meeting. If it wraps early, yes to pre-food caffeine.”
I stashed my phone and choked back a laugh at the universe’s sick sense of humor. Could I convince Rick to relocate to the coffee shop next door? Nope. He already had a cup of joe. I made for the nearest barista, all the while, searching for Calvin. When I did not see him, I joined Rick at the communal table with my back to the entrance.
Minutes later, I was playing dentist – painstakingly extracting information from Rick regarding his hobbies – when a backpack and laptop plunked down beside me.
La Plata County stepping up to help fund a warming shelter for those experiencing homelessness through the winter, after the Durango City Council voted 4-1 to deny funding (not great for the ole compassion resume).
Landmark legislation that would mandate federal recognition of same-sex marriage now on track to become law after a bipartisan vote of 61-31 in the U.S. Senate.
Biden expected to proclaim Avi Kwa Ame a national monument, 450,000 acres in Nevada that are held sacred by tribes. The land will also be protected from the risk of renewable energy development.
With those items came a conversational deluge in a voice made of cinnamon and steam, “Hey, mind if I sit here? This place is packed! I couldn’t help overhearing you talk about backcountry skiing. I’m big into the backcountry. My name’s Calvin.”
He extended his handshake first to Rick, who had indeed been waxing rhapsodic about his skis. He then speared his hand to me. “Hey! Oh. Hey.”
“Pleased to meet you, Calvin. I’m Jenny.”
Calvin’s face cycled through several indiscernible expressions as he looked from me to Rick and then to me and then around the coffee shop for any other available seat. There were none.
“I hope I’m not interrupting. I just have some work emails to get through,” he said as he settled into the chair. “It’s my ritual to come here in the mornings.”
“Mine, too,” Rick said. “I thought you looked familiar.”
“It’s funny,” Calvin grinned, “we’ve probably seen each other in passing a thousand times.”
For a few more minutes, Calvin and Rick chatted ski gear while I searched for Director Rockwell, praying he’d yell, “cut” and put me out of my misery.
No such rescue arrived. To make matters worse, as Rick and I resumed our conversation, Calvin deftly wove in and out by asking the courteous questions Rick neglected. Or, by acknowledging our mutual connections on certain topics. “I really resonate with your stance on heirlooms!” he smiled.
Rick seemed to enjoy Calvin’s interjections, and I started to wonder if I was trapped in an episode of “The Bachelor: Candid Camera Edition.”
At last, Rick emptied his cup and made a polite farewell with a promise to text. I knew it was an empty promise. At best, our chemistry could be described as a nitrous oxide overdose. To Calvin, he said, “Great to meet you! Hope to see you again.”
Calvin concurred before resuming a steady clickity-clack on his keyboard. I slowly wrapped my scarf and lifted my coat off the chair. I was certain that whatever chance I might have had with Calvin was blown.
“I thought you said you had a meeting,” he remarked.
“That was a meeting.”
He grinned, his glimmering eyes numbed my kneecaps. “What kind of meeting?”
I blushed. “The kind that determines whether there’s going to be an actual date.” “Hm…” he mused. “So is this a meeting?” He waggled his finger between us.
“It is if you no longer want to have lunch.”
Calvin no longer wanted lunch. He did want to get his dog out for a walk. Perhaps I’d like to join? I did. We walked in the snow for several hours. We talked sincerely. We discovered many compatibilities. We seemed set for a second date, but when I followed up over text a few days later, he never replied.
Who could blame him? Maybe he’d thought he’d found The One only to discover she was a double-dating damsel. Or maybe he and Rick met up again at Le Trendy, to talk of things from shoes to sealing wax. I like to imagine them together backcountry skiing. Best buds. Brought together by the world’s next best matchmaker.
Jenny Mason
San Francisco considering the use of law enforcement robots to use lethal force. Uh… didn’t anyone see “I, Robot?” And with Will Smith sidelined from the infamous slap, our best hope is currently canceled.
Frontier Airlines dropping its customer service line. You at least have to applaud the honesty. It’s better than staying on hold for an hour only to be disconnected.
A Florida woman suing Kraft for $5M, saying Velveeta mac n cheese takes longer than 3½ minutes to cook, as advertised. We know microwave minutes are longer than normal minutes but, can someone find this woman a life?
Fifty-year-old Chen Bangxian, of China, finished the Xin’anjiang Marathon last month in 3 hours, 28 minutes (he came in 574th out of 1,500) while chainsmoking cigarettes. This isn’t the first time he’s smoked his way through a marathon. His time was 3:36 in the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon, a time he bested in 2019 during the Xiamen Marathon, smoking all the way (ho, ho, ho). While smoking doesn’t help Chen race, competitors behind Chen have raised a stink, because they think he does it to slow them down. But given they all lost to an old smoker, they’re probably just sick of being the butt of this joke.
“Paying my taxes.”Brooke
“How much I spend on coffee every week. I really don’t care and continue to do it.”QChloe
“The amount of precipitation/ snow we get. I just really hate the cold.”
Remy
With America’s newfound World Cup fever over soccer, the Telegraph asked: “What else do you pretend to care about?”Sarah
“Gear. At the end of the day, it just doesn’t matter.”
“Sports ball!”by Rob Pudim
I so wanted to write a nice, calm and succinct letter in regards to the Durango City Council and their views on the warming center on East Third Ave. But DAMN!
How inhumane are Durango city councilors to deny something so basic to human beings? Animals at the La Plata County Humane Society are treated better than this.
All people experiencing homelessness are asking for is a place to warm up during the coldest months of the year. A place to use the bathroom. A place to get some decent food and drink. A place where someone will give them a smile.
Durango city councilors haven’t been asked to allow someone to use their homes; they haven’t been asked to provide a seat at their own dinner table to anyone; they haven’t been asked to dig into their own pockets for anything.
They’ve merely been asked, as elected officials, to provide for the less fortunate in our community in the most basic way possible.
We can all be better citizens than our city councilors by showing up at the La Plata County Commissioners’ meeting on December 6. Show your support for someone less fortunate than yourself. Can’t attend the meeting? Send a check to Community Compassion Outreach. Drop off some food. Hell, just smile at
someone you don’t know and you’re still a better human being than most city councilors.
The current Durango city councilors are an embarrassment to this community, and most assuredly do not represent those of us who give a damn.
– Jane Dunn, Durango
After occupying Crimea in 2014 without any pushback by world powers, President Vladimir Putin decided to invade Ukraine in 2022.
Putin and his puppet advisors thought the Russian military would quickly vanquish Ukraine, but the Ukrainians, with equipment support from NATO, have put up a fierce resistance.
The destruction of civilian infrastructure by Russia has infuriated the Ukrainians and hardened the resolve of world powers to help Ukraine. The Ukrainians are fighting to preserve their country and have the advantage of territorial knowledge.
Also, elements of the Russian army have tortured, sexually assaulted and murdered Ukrainian civilians, which has stiffened Ukrainian resistance.
Ukraine is fighting an undeclared proxy war for NATO, and the NATO military support could have long-term implications for peace in Europe by standing up to Russian aggression in Ukraine. The
supply of military equipment to Ukraine by NATO, including massive amounts of military hardware and ammunition by the U.S., has enabled it to conduct operations to defend the country.
Additional sophisticated drones, antiaircraft missiles and long range missiles should be added to the arsenal.
We are obligated to help Ukraine, because we convinced Ukraine in 1991 to
give up its arsenal of nuclear weapons and send them to Russia in return for U.S. security guarantees.
NATO countries now realize they have to increase their military forces in response to Russian ambitions in Europe, and NATO should expeditiously approve Ukraine’s admission and then deploy defensive military forces into Ukraine.
The U.S. has gained valuable military planning information about the Russian military, including the use of our weapons systems against them. This could help us in the future if we have to implement military planning and operations against Russian forces.
Additionally, the invasion of Ukraine is depleting Russia’s military equipment and bloodying its military personnel.
– Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.
I thank the voters in La Plata County for re-electing me as your county commissioner for District 1. I am honored and will serve you wholeheartedly.
I was pleased to see such an excellent voter turnout and the belief in our democracy that turnout represents in our community.
I thank Jack Turner for his kind letter regarding the election and appreciate Brad Blake’s confidence in my serving a second term.
Your Board of County Commissioners will work together to improve opportunities in our county and to improve our
services to our residents.
I will serve all residents, whether you voted for me, against me, or didn’t vote. You all have a voice and I invite you to contact me with concerns, suggestions and questions.
I will continue to hold regular office hours but can also be reached through the link at the La Plata County website, www.co.laplata.co.us/.
Clyde Church, Durango
When I attended seminary many years ago, I was struck by the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Reverend Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran minister, theologian and activist. He is best known for his work, “The Cost of Discipleship,” which was published in the 1930s. Dietrich was known for his staunch resistance to the Nazi dictatorship and Adolf Hitler. He spoke, without fear, against the regime’s euthanasia program and the persecution of the Jews.
As a result, he was imprisoned in April 1943. He was sent to Tegel Prison, and later, transferred to the Flossenburg concentration camp.
Nearly a month before the liberation of Europe, in April 1945, Dietrich was accused in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler, which was known as the “July 20 Plot.” Less than a month before the end of the war, Bonhoeffer was stripped of his clothes, ordered up to the gallows and hung.
Dietrich was one of the few people who could see what fascism was doing to his country. He witnessed the destruction of Jewish cemeteries and the rampaging of Jewish businesses during the riots of “Kristallnact,” also known as the night of the broken glass. He watched as Jewish citizens were harassed, beaten and raped. Synagogues were burned. Jews had to register their businesses, which were later confiscated. Jewish professors were banned from universities. Jewish children were ordered to attend only Jewish schools. Book burning became a national event.
The ultimate humiliation was the ordering of Jews to wear a gold star when appearing in public. Of course, this was to be followed by the Holocaust.
There is an old adage that alludes to history repeating itself. It may be true, for it only takes time for people to forget or deny the past. I have recalled some similar events in the past years, which puts me on edge and should sober us all – that history can indeed be repeated.
We have had numerous hate crimes and murders in Jewish synagogues, we have had racist marches and the destruction of Jewish cemeteries. We have had legislation for voter suppression and gerrymandering of voting districts. We have had book-burning sessions and censorship of literature by right-wing groups.
We have had propagandist media companies spewing lies to the public. We have had politicians denying the results of our voting system. We have had professional athletes and entertainment stars
embracing anti-Semitic hate speech.
There is another old adage that “those who ignore the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them.”
It is time to self-examine who we are and what we want the future to look like for us and our children.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer would not have had it any other way.
– Burt Baldwin, IgnacioWhat did the Jan. 6 committee find? It found that Trump was behind the insurrection, knew the election was not rigged and that Biden won it fair. It also found that all the Trump supporters and American people were lied to and betrayed.
Anyone else would be carted out, prosecuted and in jail. This was treason. And now Trump is influencing elections, and the fact that he is not prosecuted makes the findings of the Jan. 6 commission seem meaningless.
I am furious, and all Americans, particularly Trump supporters, should be against Trump for betraying them. What the heck is the Department of Justice doing? U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is sitting on his hands.
What is wrong with our country that our elected officials are allowed to run around perptuating lies? Pathetic.
Rise up and stop this.
– Margaret Mayer, DurangoCity of Durango check off a few more parks & rec projects in 2023
by Jonathan RomeoOne of the main reasons people move to Durango is to enjoy the seemingly endless system of surrounding parks, trails and open space that almost form a bubble around town.
What people typically don’t move here for, however, is to read hundreds of pages of the City of Durango’s budget to find out just how their local government officials plan to improve existing areas and establish new ones for our enjoyment.
Luckily, that’s what we do, at least when we’re not up until 1:30 a.m. riding The Hive’s Buzz Bus.
Anyway, the City of Durango is poised to adopt its 2023 budget Dec. 6, so we thought it would be good to dive in and see what projects are planned for the coming year on the parks & rec side of things.
We also sat down with Scott McClain, the city’s Assistant Parks Director, to help us navigate the tedium of revenues, expenditures and other budget jargon. So, let’s start at the top, money-wise. It should be noted some funds budgeted include assistance from outside sources, like grants or government partnerships.
Smart 160 Trail – $3.2 million
Decades ago, the Animas River Trail was envisioned to become the centerpiece of the City of Durango’s trail system, both for recreation and commuting around town. More specifically, city planners dreamed of connecting the north end of town, near Oxbow Park & Preserve, south through the heart of Durango, and then toward Three Springs, a burgeoning community east of town.
Once completed, people would be able to make the more than 10-mile journey uninterrupted by city streets. It would also allow people to forgo their cars and commute easily around town.
The connection to Oxbow Park & Preserve was completed in 2020, leaving the final stretch, from behind Home Depot to Three Springs, as the final piece of the puzzle. Now, the end date is tantalizingly close.
The City of Durango has budgeted $3.2 million to finish the Animas River Trail envisioned all those years ago. But it won’t be a walk in the – look away, bad pun alert –park.
McClain said the city is still working with two separate property owners that own land between Durango and Three
Springs. Both property owners are supportive of the trail, so that’s good, but there is some wrangling to be done over the exact alignment.
“We’re getting fairly close,” McClain said.
Once that’s settled, the city plans to start construction, hopefully in 2023. The additional $1.79 million is budgeted in case construction spills into 2024, which, given the slog of construction projects these days, is likely.
Ultimately, the Animas River Trail will head east from where it dead ends behind Home Depot, up River Road and to the Sale Barn Trail, a popular trailhead on the Grandview side of Horse Gulch. From there, the trail will wind over to a section of trail near the Colorado Department of Transportation’s new Highway 160 interchange.
McClain said the long-term plan is to build an underpass under Highway 160, just north of the River Road intersection, but that’s going to be expensive. In order to get the connection sooner rather than later, a trail crossing will be set up at the Highway 160/River Road intersection.
And it could not come at a more important time as Three Springs continues to see
major development. “It feels like all of a sudden, there’s a community out there,” McClain said.
If you haven’t heard, zebra and quagga mussel infestations in the West are a huge issue, which can quickly take over waterways, clog reservoirs and endanger other aquatic life. It turns out, motorized boats are a significant transmitter of the invasive species.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has led inspections at state parks and other recreational areas. A full blown infestation in Colorado was staved off for years, until this year, when Highline Lake near Fruita became the first official infestation in the state. So, needless to say, agencies are on high alert.
In 2023, the City of Durango plans to install a new decontamination facility at Lake Nighthorse, which will be a huge upgrade from the existing system there, McClain said.
As part of the project, the city also plans to reconfigure the entry/parking area of Lake Nighthorse to help with traffic flow. The total cost of the $1 million project is being split with the Bureau of Reclamation.
Will the impassioned complaints about no place to play pickleball in Durango come to an end in 2023? Well, the City of Durango is indeed building new courts. As for satisfying the passionate pickleball constituency? We’ll see.
A total of $800,000 is budgeted to build six new courts at Schneider Park, which sits on the west side of the Animas River, adjacent to the skate park. The choice was between Schneider Park and Smith Sports Complex near Fort Lewis College, with Durango city councilors making the final call.
The good? Schneider Park is located right downtown, next to the river trail. And, the new courts are expected to boost activity at the underused park, McClain said. The bad? There’s limited parking at the park, so users will have to park across the river behind Backcountry Experience and walk over the bridge to the courts – or better yet, ditch the car and walk or ride your bike for a game of mini-tennis. Hey, you’re in it for the exercise, right?
Next year, the city plans to replace the small tow rope on the north side of Chapman Hill with a completely new and improved rope system. Also, the new system will be pushed to the northern edge of the ski area. As a result, the two rope tows at Chapman will be on the edges of the hill, opening up more of the middle area for skiing and jibbing.
“Both of the lifts there are extremely dated and an ongoing maintenance issue,” McClain said. “This will help get new equipment in there on the smaller tow rope and create a better layout.”
The big tow rope is scheduled to be replaced in 2025. In the meantime, duct tape up those Kincos if you’re planning to hang on till the top.
Back to our old friend the Animas River Trail, where time and extensive use has taken its toll. Back in the day, parts of the original trail were built with asphalt, which doesn’t handle wear and tear well over time. Within the past few years, the city has sought to replace the entire trail with concrete. In 2023’s budget are the last remain-
ing sections that will be upgraded.
The most expensive ($1.35 million) is the section from north of Santa Rita Park, past the Double Tree Hotel to behind Albertsons, which will be repaved, widened and upgraded with new lighting.
The next section is Santa Rita Park south to CR 210, the area behind Nature’s Oasis (about $1 million). The budget also includes finishing touches on the northern end of the trail from behind Durango High School to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad tracks. Because the project involved an area of the railroad tracks, it required the Public Utilities Commission to get involved.
Completely transforming the mesa above and just to the east of Durango is going to be a decades-long effort, but agencies are chipping away. Ultimately, the mesa will feature an outdoor concert venue, a premiere mountain biking park and a new fairgrounds.
Courtesy photo
For 2023, however, the city set aside $1 million for moving the project forward. Not all those funds will be used, McClain said, depending on other partners and how much progress is made (it’s a complicated affair with a lot of moving parts). But, it appears construction will begin on some single-track trails on city-owned land on the north side of the mesa that ties into Horse Gulch, so there’s that.
Recreation Center/Park, Trail & Rec Improvements – $520,000
Every year, the city sets aside funds to upgrade, improve and maintain facilities at the Durango Rec Center as well as the parks and trails around town.
Past projects have included the playground replacement at Hillcrest View Park and the new pool at the Durango Rec Center. McClain said city staff will meet with Durango city councilors at the beginning of the year to identify which projects are a priority and should be included in the 2023 work schedule.
year, the City of Durango plans to replace the small rope tow, to the left in photo, and move it north to open up the skiing area. For the big rope tow, you’ll have to hang on (no pun intended) till 2025./
We asked what restaurants you want in town. You responded.
by Sinjin EberleWell, that was fun! You may recall in last month’s “Let’s Dig In” column, I reflected on the past year writing this column, highlighting the good in the Durango food scene, even as a small mountain town scraping its way out of one of the most consequential two-year periods in recent memory. Still, we asked: What types of restaurants YOU thought were missing in town. And comment you did.
Between nearly melting down our publisher’s email inbox and the robust response on Facebook, we collected around 100 emails and comments with your thoughts, opinions and some tips we had not yet heard on the street. And, the best part –even though Facebook comments can be especially toxic, everyone generally kept it civil and friendly, with only a tiny amount of snark. It was a thrill to get all this feedback, as well as several updates from restaurant owners about a few new or revived establishments. That was awesome – thank you, Durango Telegraph readers!
Now, to the tally. While in the previous column I mentioned a few things I have either been repeatedly told we need (tapas, seafood, better pizza sauce) and suggested a few things that I feel like we need (dedicated wine bar, Mediterranean and a purely locally focused mid-fine dining place), I was truly shocked at the breadth and diversity of how you all responded. I fully expected several mentions of various authentic Asian cuisines, but the depth of how people expanded upon the specificity of that category was frankly surprising. I knew Chinese would come up repeatedly, but then many of you added Thai, Indian, Vietnamese and either Japanese (but not more sushi) or a poke bowl bar, which I found interesting given we have Akami over by Albertsons (which I wrote about last spring).
However, the No. 1 response was for Mediterranean cuisine, followed closely by Indian food. In last month’s column, I called out missing Cyprus Café specifically, but still, the number of folks that called out either Mediterranean or Greek caught my eye. Indian, too – did not expect that. In another shocker, several people responded with “Italian,” which I guess surprised me. I only saw Mutu’s (now closed) full a few times when it was open. Primi is certainly different than “typical” Italian (but is very popular). And Mama Sylvia’s is pretty small. Are people missing a full-on, red-sauce Italian place with more traditional dishes? Asking for a friend.
In terms of the numbers, things spread out from there. German, Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, North African and Cuban were all mentioned. Then, a few people called for
an Irish pub (“bring back The Embassy,” one commenter wrote), an American bistro and a French brasserie. Others wanted a spot for fried chicken or an authentic Southwestern Steakhouse (in the process of writing this column, we also learned that Fur Trappers on Second Ave. is no more). We did get a Kansas City BBQ mention, as well as a vote for “a better, big-city deli.” Well, while 2nd Deli & Spirits has been open for a few years now, Tom’s Deli just opened a few weeks ago at 1802 Main Ave., so maybe that will be another place to grab a quick sammie and fries outside the grid.
And just to call it out, I think our Telegraph-team favorite comment was early in the thread on Facebook, where one woman wrote, “A girly breakfast spot with flowing mimosas, acai bowls and French pastries –no breakfast burritos allowed.” We all got a kick out of that one.
Moving on to what we learned was either coming soon or already here: Cairo Café, which had several mentions on both Facebook and via email, is currently operating out of a 20-foot micro kitchen mainly doing catering until next year, when they plan to announce a new location and get back to regular hours. On the BBQ front, I got a note from the owner of Rang Tang Craft Barbeque, currently posted up at 11th Street Station, outlining the wide array of local providers they feature on their menu (much appreciated!). Piling on to the food truck topic, one reader simply mentioned “more food trucks.” Another email from a local food truck owner expressed in great detail the opportunity being missed because of the City of Durango’s permitting restrictions, which keeps them out of more “public” spaces like parks, metered parking spots and the fairgrounds, among others. What
do others think of more food trucks? If you are local, would you support them if they brought some of these more diverse ideas?
We had a number of people wanting to bring back some of their old favorites, led by the Red Snapper and followed closely by The Palace. Seafood was certainly on the list, so I am unclear if the Red Snapper filled that void well enough and people want it back, or if these two are mutually exclusive. Also, put a pin on the list for vegan-focused folks about Basecamp at the Glacier Club and their 100% gourmet vegan menu.
Lastly, my “dedicated wine bar” craving looks to have a new entrant: the Durango Winery has opened in the former downstairs bar below the old Irish Embassy at 900 Main Ave. While I have not had time to get in there yet, a number of comments came in about it and their emphasis, at least initially, on Colorado wines in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere – guess I need to check it out.
I think my favorite comment overall was a personal invitation in response to last week’s column, in which I wrote about a guy at a local bar complaining there was no good pizza in Durango. Turns out, I have a neighbor who has developed a passion for homemade pizza and invited me to try their recipe. I haven’t followed up on that yet, but it did remind me of the hunger this community has for its local food scene, either the one we have or the one we wish we could have. As business continues to recover and new money inevitably comes into our area, there seems to be a wide array of ideas and hopes for a more diverse menu of options for our town.
Now, let’s hope some of these ideas can find a home soon!
This time of year, and contrary to the simple formula of supply and demand, it seems that book publishers of fiction offer slim pickings. Perhaps they throw their weight behind profitable seasonal marketing to kids or young adults? Plus, the giving season is flooded with door stop biographies from a thinning field of distinguished wirepullers.
And when mysteries are not on the front burner, Nicci French is the go-to author that gives you confidence you will read a damn good book.
January is flooded with so many outstanding mysteries, I may have to bundle them in the next “Murder Ink” column. But, on par with any marquee fiction authors, you’ll not be disappointed in “The Favor” by French, released in paperback last month by William Morrow.
Nicci French, which is actually the pseudonym of English husband-and-wife Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, has published 23 books in the crime fiction genre since 1997, which have sold worldwide in many languages. And when recognition is being lavished on standout contributors to psychological thrillers, French is up at the head of the line. French books are so flawlessly satisfying that it’s certain many readers have read every one. I have reviewed at least a half dozen over the years.
Every French book is another immersion into surprise and approaching dread, each plot is a slow boil to a
crescendo of literary prestidigitation that accompanies wide-awake astonishment. “The Favor” is something of a diversion for French, though. Not in craftsmanship, certainly, but in plotting. It’s an in-your-face story that begins with a car wreck one summer evening where a coming-of-age couple in the impressionable stage of planning a future begins a strange journey in an impressionable relationship.
We’re in England, outside of London. Liam is the swashbuckling “Gadsby” interpretation of a 17-year-old, who drinks and smokes and is suave and inelegant. Jude is waiting for her acceptance letter from medical school – a striver, she has it all mapped out, trying with all amplified vigor to be a mensch.
Four were in the car. Liam was drunk driving and bursting con brio and hardly noticed when the car went careening off the road. Jude escaped with head trauma of physical and psychological nature. There was a death in the back seat, and Liam was arrested for everything that went wrong that night and went to prison for 10 years.
French knows how to build a set and how to set the hook. Ten years later, Jude is engaged to a swell guy named Nat and writing wedding invitations. She’s comfortably practicing medicine when Liam shows up.
“I got everything I wanted, and you lost most of what
you wanted,” Jude whispers repentantly. “Afterward, you
“It was 10 years ago … we were just kids,” said Liam softly. “Listen, I want you to do me a favor.”
Liam broke the veil of wistfulness and put a piece of scrap paper in front of Jude’s cold coffee with an address in Spring Cottage, a hamlet a good drive outside of London, with a post code Jude didn’t recognize. “I want you to go there on Saturday,” Liam said. “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything wrong. Though you mustn’t tell anyone. Not even this Nat of yours. Nobody at all.”
“All right,” Jude whispered, determined to help the boy she loved in the man she didn’t know and distrusted. It’s not fair to tell you any more of this cresting story, especially since we’re only on page 25. French now has the ingredients to put the pedal to the metal, and this strange but simple favor asked by an old flame and fellow crash survivor turns into a unique and perfectly irresistible example of unintended, lethal consequences.
While French may not be a marquee name, it is no backbencher. And remember to ask Maria’s Bookshop for a 15% Murder Ink discount.
Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
The Technology of Job Search event, 5:30 p.m., DEV Space inside FLC’s Reed Library.
Robin Davis plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.
Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.
First Thursday Songwriter Series, 7-9 p.m., The iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave.
Noel Night, in and around Durango, all day.
Gary Walker plays, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Jean-Pierre Bakery & Restaurant, 601 Main Ave.
Festival of Trees, 12 noon-5 p.m., D&SNG museum, downtown Durango. Trees22.GiveSmart.com
Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival, 1 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
Brian Aherne plays, 4-7 p.m., 11th Street Station.
Art Show, 5 p.m., Create Art and Tea, 1015 Main.
Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Deadline for “Stuff to Do” submissions is Monday at noon. To submit an item, email: calendar@durangotelegraph.com
Jack Ellis & Larry Carver play, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
“Home-to-Home” film screening and Q&A, 5:30 p.m., FLC’s Student Union Ballroom.
Ignacio’s Taste of Christmas Parade, 5:30 p.m., downtown Ignacio.
Smelter Mountain Boys play, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.
Starlight Jam Session, 6 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Gary Walker plays, 6-8 p.m., Christmas in Durango, 563 Main Ave.
OneStanBand plays, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.
Ecstatic Dance, every Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., American Legion, 878 E. 2nd Ave.
Comedy & Karaoke, 6:30 p.m., American Legion, 878 E. 2nd Ave.
Cindy & Mary Present a Night of Improv, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Holiday on the Hill Concert, 7 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.
Merely Players present “Reject,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center.
Hip Hop Night, featuring Dirty Pope, One Chi, Animas, Qilla, Influsense, Lucid & DJ Recess, The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.
USA vs. Netherlands Watch Party, 7:45 a.m., Animas City Theatre.
St. Columba Christmas Craft Bazaar, 8 a.m., St. Columba School Gym, 1801 E. 3rd Ave.
St. Mark’s Community Christmas Bazaar, 8:30 a.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. 3rd Ave.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival, 9 a.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
Senior Center Holiday Food & Craft Bazaar, 9 a.m., Durango La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave.
Holiday Artist Market, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Four Leaves Winery, 528 Main Ave.
Festival of Trees, 12 noon-5 p.m., D&SNG museum, downtown Durango. Trees22.GiveSmart.com
Alexander Westphal Blues Trio plays, 5-8 p.m., Mancos Brewing.
Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
“Badwater” film screening, benefit for National Mustang Association of CO & Mesa Verde Wild Horse Project, 6 p.m., Mancos Opera House, 136 Grand Ave.
Lizard Head Quartet plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.
Community Yoga, 6-7 p.m., Yoga Durango, 1485 Florida Rd. Donations accepted.
Salsa Dance Night, 6:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Christopher Dolphin plays, 7-9 p.m., The iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave.
Warren Miller’s “Daymaker,” 7 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.
Merely Players present “Reject,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center.
Mike Green plays, 7:30 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.
Silent Disco, 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m., 11th Street Station.
Veterans Benefit Breakfast, 9 a.m., VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.
Holiday Bazaar, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Riverhouse Children’s Center, 742 Florida Dr.
Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival, 10 a.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
Festival of Trees, 12 noon-5 p.m., D&SNG museum, downtown Durango. Trees22.GiveSmart.com
Silent Sundays with Swanson, 2 p.m., pianist Adam Swanson plays alongside silent film showings, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Merely Players present “Reject,” 2 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center.
Feed the People! free mutual aid meal & winter gear drive for homeless community members, every Sunday, 2-4 p.m., Buckley Park.
Jazz/Funk/Soul Jam, 5 p.m., 11th Street Station.
Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Sunday Funday, featuring games and prizes, 6 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Happy Hour Yoga, 5:30 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.
Meditation w/Erin Treat, 5:30 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.
Ladies Game & Poker Night, 6 p.m., 11th Street Station.
Hembree, Little Hurt & Josie Loner play, 7:30 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.
Comedy Showcase, weekly, 7:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Open Mic Night, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Morning Serenity: Small Group Meditation Practice, 8-9:15 a.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.
Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.
Interesting fact: Stuffed toys for dogs can simulate either babies to be carried around or prey to be torn apart. I’m a little concerned those roles have so much overlap.
Dear Rachel,
You know, Rachel, I love dogs. It’s the people I don’t get. My brother comes over every so often with his two hounds. They inevitably tear up one of my dog’s stuffed toys. I don’t care, it’s what dogs do. But my bro never even offers to replace it. Oh he knows it happens. He always says, “Sorry man,” but never gives my girl a new toy to make up for it. Am I wrong to expect and want that?
– Bro-ZonedDear Dude-Mooded,
This is weirdly close to talking about your feelings and stuff. Don’t guys usually just punch this stuff out? Especially brothers? Even if you’re a sister, don’t we resort to physical confrontation with our bros to get our points across? I’m frankly a little freaked out at the idea of emotional depth, even just fluff-deep, with a literal brother. Pin that schmuck to the ground and pummel him while shouting “Give! My! Lolita! A new! Stuffed! Animal!” until he cries uncle.
– Using my words, Rachel
in cardboard boxes that explode throughout the house. She would paint the interior with fake snow if it wouldn’t mean divorce. I have a distaste for everything Christmas and have tried to compromise with her every year. But now she has started hand-making decorations to edge the needle back her direction. Is there any way I can say no to things she’s making her own darn self?
Mister Grinch–
Dear Mean One,
Pretty sure “compromise” here means “whatever you want, honey, so long as it comes down by Valentine’s Day.” You get nine, maybe 10 months out of the year where the Christmas explosion is contained to cardboard. Any attempt to repress the holiday spirit in any month ending in -ember or -ary is going to end with you in the fetal position, and the only Clauses you’ll meet will be delivered by attorneys.
– Standing under the missile toad, Rachel
Dear Rachel,
Dear Rachel,
My wife and I have a long-running Christmas war. She has three generations of holiday kitsch
Paint & Sip Night, 5:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.
Karaoke Roulette, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Telluride Fire Festival, Dec. 2-4, full lineup of events at telluridefirefestival.org
“Life in Small Moments” art exhibit, Dec. 1-March 1, FLC’s Center for Innovation, Durango Main Mall, 835 Main Ave.
Patische Art Exhibit, featuring seven local women artists, Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.
“Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure! And Creature Power!” hands on STEM exhibits for children ages 3 to 9, runs until Jan. 7, Farmington Museum, 3041 E. Main St.
The Hive Indoor Skate Park, open skate and skate lessons. For schedule and online waiver, go to www.thehivedgo.org
Artist Reception: Gregg Deal, Dec. 8, 4:30-6 p.m., FLC’s Art Gallery.
Free Legal Clinic, Dec. 9, 4-5 p.m., Ignacio Library, 470 Goddard Ave.
I recently saw a minor celebrity downtown. I know this happens in like Telluride and Aspen all the time, but I’d never seen someone in person who I’m used to seeing on screen. Problem was, I couldn’t remember where I’d seen him. Probably a guest star on a dozen different shows, but I really couldn’t walk up to him and ask for a photo without saying where I liked him from. Now I regret saying nothing. What
The Bizarre Bazaar, Dec. 9 from 5-9 p.m., Dec. 10 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Studio & Art Gallery, 1027 Main Ave.
“A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 9, 10, 16 & 17 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11, 17 & 18 at 2 p.m., FLC’s MainStage Theatre. Presented by Durango Theatreworks.
Elder Grown and Graham Good & the Painters play, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.
State Street Ballet’s Nutcracker, Dec. 9-11, FLC Community Concert Hall. For more info and show times, visit www.durangoconcerts.com
“Forest of Fables,” Dec. 10, showings at 10 a.m. & 12 noon, FLC’s Gallery Theater. Presented by FLC Theatre for Young Audiences.
Second Saturday Series: Cousin Curtiss & Delaney Davis play, Dec. 10, 7-9 p.m., The iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave.
Maddy O’Neal, Beat Kitty & Omega play, Dec. 10, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre.
iAM Music Student Showcase, Dec. 11, 2-7 p.m., The iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave.
Bar D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15, FLC Community Concert Hall. www.durangoconcerts.com
Email questions to telegraph@durangotelegraph.com
should I do next time this happens? Or did I blow my one shot?
–
Dear Bit Part Extra,
Cameo AppearanceSpeaking as a minor celebrity, we HATE when people come up to us and just want to talk about how much they like us. Ugh. Way cooler if you just sidle up next to us at the bar and strike up normal conversation. Like, if the minor celebrity is a guy, just punch him on the arm. If that doesn’t work, he’ll punch you back, and you have a way better story.
– No autographs, Rachel
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Journalist Hadley Freeman interviewed Aries actor William Shatner when he was 90. She was surprised to find that the man who played Star Trek’s Captain Kirk looked 30 years younger than his actual age. “How do you account for your robustness?” she asked him. “I ride a lot of horses, and I’m into the bewilderment of the world,” said Shatner. “I open my heart and head into the curiosity of how things work.” I suggest you adopt Shatner’s approach in the coming weeks, Aries. Be intoxicated with the emotional richness of mysteries and perplexities. Feel the joy of how unknowable and unpredictable everything is. Bask in the blessings of the beautiful and bountiful questions that life sends your way.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Of all the objects on earth, which is most likely to be carelessly cast away and turned into litter? Cigarette butts, of course. That’s why an Indian entrepreneur named Naman Guota is such a revolutionary. Thus far, he has recycled and transformed more than 300 million butts into mosquito repellant, toys, keyrings and compost, which he and his company have sold for more than a million dollars. I predict that in the coming weeks, you will have a comparable genius for converting debris and scraps into useful, valuable stuff. You will be skilled at recycling dross. Meditate on how you might accomplish this metaphorically and psychologically.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Tips on how to be the best Gemini you can be in the coming weeks: 1. Think laterally or in spirals rather than straight lines. 2. Gleefully solve problems in your daydreams. 3. Try not to hurt anyone accidentally. Maybe go overboard in being sensitive and kind. 4. Cultivate even more variety than usual in the influences you surround yourself with. 5. Speak the diplomatic truth to people who truly need to hear it. 6. Make creative use of your mostly hidden side. 7. Never let people figure you out completely.
CANCER (June 21-July 22):
In my dream, I gathered with my five favorite astrologers to ruminate on your immediate future. After much discussion, we decided the following advice would be helpful for you in December. 1. Make the most useful and inspirational errors you’ve dared in a long time. 2. Try experiments that teach you interesting lessons, even if they aren’t completely successful. 3. Identify and honor the blessings in every mess.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “All possible feelings do not yet exist,” wrote Leo novelist Nicole Krauss in her book “The History of Love.” She says,
“There are still those that lie beyond our capacity and our imagination. From time to time, when a piece of music no one has ever written, or something else impossible to predict, fathom or yet describe takes place, a new feeling enters the world. And then, for the millionth time in the history of feeling, the heart surges and absorbs the impact.” I suspect that some of these novel moods will soon be welling up in you, Leo. I’m confident your heart will absorb the influx with intelligence and fascination.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo author Jeanette Winterson writes, “I have always tried to make a home for myself, but I have not felt at home in myself. I have worked hard at being the hero of my own life, but every time I checked the register of displaced persons, I was still on it. I didn’t know how to belong. Longing? Yes. Belonging? No.” Let’s unpack Winterson’s complex testimony as it relates to you right now. I think you are closer than ever before to feeling at home in yourself –maybe not perfectly so, but more than in the past. I also suspect you have a greaterthan-usual capacity for belonging. That’s why I invite you to be clear about what or whom you want to belong to and what your belonging will feel like. One more thing: You now have extraordinary power to learn more about what it means to be the hero of your own life.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): It’s tempting for you to entertain balanced views about every subject. You might prefer to never come to definitive conclusions about anything, because it’s so much fun basking in the pretty glow of prismatic ambiguity. You LOVE there being five sides to every story. I’m not here to scold you about this predilection. I understand the appeal of considering all options. But I will advise you to take a brief break from this tendency. If you avoid making decisions in the coming weeks, they will be made for you by others. I don’t recommend that. Be proactive.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio poet David Whyte makes the surprising statement that “anger is the deepest form of compassion.” What does he mean? As long as it doesn’t result in violence, he says, “Anger is the purest form of care. The internal living flame of anger always illuminates what we belong to, what we wish to protect and what we are willing to hazard ourselves for.” Invoking Whyte’s definition, I will urge you to savor your anger in the coming days. I will invite you to honor and celebrate your anger, and use it to guide your constructive efforts to fix some problem or ease some hurt.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): Sagittarian comedian Margaret Cho dealt with floods of ignorant criticism while growing up. She testifies, “Being called ugly and fat and dis-
gusting from the time I could barely understand what the words meant has scarred me so deep inside that I have learned to hunt, stalk, claim, own and defend my own loveliness.” You may not have ever experienced such extreme forms of disapproval, Sagittarius, but –like all of us – you have on some occasions been berated or undervalued simply for being who you are. The good news is that the coming months will be a favorable time to do what Cho has done: hunt, stalk, claim, own and defend your own loveliness. It’s time to intensify your efforts in this noble project.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The bad news: In 1998, Shon Hopwood was sentenced to 12 years in prison for committing bank robberies. The good news: While incarcerated, he studied law and helped a number of his fellow prisoners win their legal cases – including one heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. After his release, he became a full-fledged lawyer and is now a professor of law at Georgetown University. Your current trouble isn’t anywhere as severe as Hopwood’s was, Capricorn, but I expect your current kerfuffle could motivate you to accomplish a very fine redemption.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “I stopped going to therapy, because I knew my therapist was right, and I wanted to keep being wrong,” writes poet Clementine von Radics. “I wanted to keep my bad habits like charms on a bracelet. I did not want to be brave.” Dear Aquarius, I hope you will do the opposite of her in the coming weeks. You are, I suspect, very near to a major healing. You’re on the verge of at least partially fixing a problem that has plagued you for a while. So please keep calling on whatever help you’ve been receiving. Maybe ask for even more support and inspiration from the influences that have been contributing to your slow, steady progress.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): As you have roused your personal power to defeat your fears in the past, what methods and approaches have worked best for you? Are there brave people who have inspired you? Are there stories and symbols that have taught you useful tricks? I urge you to survey all you have learned about the art of summoning extra courage. In the coming weeks, you will be glad you have this information to draw on. I don’t mean to imply that your challenges will be scarier or more daunting than usual. My point is that you will have unprecedented opportunities to create vigorous new trends in your life if you are as bold and audacious as you can be.
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 www.durangotelegraph.com n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133 n 679 E. 2nd Ave., #E2
Approximate office hours:
Mon: 9ish - 5ish
Tues: 9ish - 5ish
Wed: 9ish - 3ish
Thurs: On delivery
Fri: Gone fishing; call first
Ceremonies will be held in Cortez (Turquoise Raven) and Durango (Rec Center) on Dec. 15 and 16, respectively.
Integrated clinic seeks licensed, insured professionals to rent private offices, shared reception. $950 incl all util 970247-1233
Cash for Vehicles, Copper, Alum, Etc. at RJ Metal Recycle. Also free appliance and other metal drop off. 970-259-3494.
Sat., Dec. 3, 9am, 15 Sandstone Dr., Durango. This estate sale will feature a collection of holiday cheer curated over decades by someone who loved Christmas even more than Santa does. No early birds.
2015, Sun Bicycles 7-speed, in excellent condition. Barely ridden with maybe 20 miles on it. Basket and kick stand. Would make a great holiday gift. MSRP: $530, asking: $450, firm. 970-903-0005.
Generac 7171 10kw air cooled standby generator with aluminum enclosure. Battery heater & oil heater. Only used for 1 year. $2800 Call 970-884-6012
Your dad was wrong – you can still make it as a musician. Kawai QX100 electronic keyboard for $100 OBO. Comes with owner’s manual, no adaptor. Can be used with AC adaptor or six size C dry cell batteries. j.marie.pace@gmail.com
A classic – sweet, smooth ride for cushy cruising. Been around the block but still in great shape. 42” long. $50 Text: 970-749-2595.
Warm up your space with quality preowned furniture and décor. Entertaining/serving dishes and casseroles, platters, etc.; rustic corner cabinet; and other nice furniture pieces … 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.
Media, website building and content editing, copywriting and editing, newsletters, blogs, etc. for small, local, independent or startup businesses. Visit our website at www.thesaltymedia.com or email jnderge@gmail.com
Harmony Cleaning and Organizing
Residential, offices, commercial and vacation rentals, 970-403-6192.
Inside/outside storage near Durango and Bayfield. 10-x-20, $130. Outside spots: $65, with discounts available. RJ Mini Storage. 970-259-3494.
Holiday wellness gifts to yourself, friends, employees or underserved locals in need. 5 sessions for $350; 10 sessions for $600; 20 for $1100. 970-247-1233
Free Consultation. Diane Brady NSCACPT. 970-903-2421.
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.
SJMA’s Christmas Tree Lot
Volunteers also needed to assist on the tree lot at the D&SNG parking lot. Tree lot will be open daily until the trees sell out. for more information visit www.sjma.org/
Don’t tell anyone but I think I enjoyed a Christmas musical
– Lainie MaxsonVolunteer Advocates Needed Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Alternative Horizons is in need of volunteers to staff our hotline to support and empower survivors of domestic violence. Training and support provided. For more info. call 970-2474374 or visit alternativehorizons.org
Diver: Dan Groth from the Buzz House
Interesting fact: Dan is possibly the most well read diver in Durango.
Diver, When I was in high school I was kind of nerdy, therefore I was picked on for the entire four years. As of late, I’ve been getting on the Internet, going to the alumni section of my high school web-page and finding the e-mails and mailing addresses of my former tormentors. I then pepper them and their families with ridiculous amounts of hate emails and letters. This makes me feel good, but I think it may be illegal. Is it?
– Barrett Sinclair, via e-mail Dear Barrett, What you are doing is probably illegal and definitely cowardly. But the law can be bypassed in the name of honor, pride and glory. Thusly, I have one word for you: duels!! I, too, was nerdy in high school. I found that words, threats and the like weren’t effective unless they were followed by a duel! I’d say something like, “You may be a star defensive lineman, but can you face up to a true test of courage?” I know you missed your chance back in the ’70s. Thus, I implore you to restore your honor. Go to your tormentors’ houses and propose a duel!
– Good luck, Diver
Dear Diver, Why does commercial radio suck? Some stations play the same lame songs about 10 times a day. Why is this?
– Curious Brian in Durango
Dear Brian, Unprecedented monopolies in the telecommunications business, the massmarketing machines of monolithic record companies and the fickle tastes of the public at-large all contribute to the lameness of commercial radio. Be that as it may, Brian, I don’t think you are providing a sound alternative when you constantly drive up and down Main Ave. blaring old Ratt tapes.
– Happy listening! The Diver
