The Durango Telegraph, April 27, 2023

the durango

A bad deal

Federal land exchanges serve wealthy, cost the public

Loss of innocence

Archuleta Sheriff’s FB crime posts come under fire

Kicking butt

Black Belt Eagle Scout to pack a punch at FLC Skyfest

Ear to the ground

4 Signs of the times

Suggestions for Vince, the Sign Guy by Addyson Santese

8

Loss of innocence

Archuleta County Sheriff’s FB posts stir debate of privacy vs. transparency by Jonathan Romeo

10

Kicking butt

FLC Skyfest headliner Black Belt Eagle Scout promises to pack a punch by Jon E. Lynch

In the weeds

Turning those backyard nuisance plants into something delicious by Ari LeVaux

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– Campfire financial advice

Watch for wildlife

Back in September, we reported about a proposed new mountain bike park north of Pagosa Springs within the San Juan National Forest, in an area known as Jackson Mountain. At the time, a Pagosa Springs-based mountain biking advocacy group, DUST2, was pushing for an estimated 45 miles of trails spanning about 4,500 acres.

The problem, according to critics of the proposed project, was that the new mountain bike park would run through critical wildlife habitat, bringing hundreds of recreationists to one of the last refuges in the area for big game such as elk and deer.

On top of that, mountain bikers had been creating illegal, unauthorized trails on Jackson Mountain for decades, according to Forest Service officials. Many of the trails in the proposed mountain bike park would incorporate those rogue trails, leading opponents of the project to fear the Forest Service would be rewarding bad behavior if the park were approved.

Supporters, for their part, say there is a lack of mountain biking trails in the Pagosa Springs area, and Jackson Mountain would fill this need. Also, proponents argued, if authorized, the illegal trails could be better maintained and directed away from wildlife areas. The project was backed by the International Mountain Biking Association.

Over the past few months, the Forest Service has been moving through its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which requires the agency to analyze any significant environmental, social and economic impacts of a proposed project (as well as include opportunity for public comment).

Last Friday, the Forest Service announced it would not move forward with the mountain bike park, as well as other recreational components of the proposal, including the expansion of the Turkey Creek trailhead, additional parking areas, trailheads and toilets.

“Concerns over the probable impacts of a trail system on an important big game migration corridor have led me to conclude that we would be in error in proceeding with the analysis of the trail proposal as currently envisioned,” District Ranger Josh Peck said in a press release.

(The Forest Service also decided not to move forward with a proposed gravel pit.)

If you want the full rundown on the situation at Jackson Mountain, read our previous coverage by visiting our website at https://bit.ly/3oNopxK or checking out the archived Sept. 29, 2022, e-edition at https://bit.ly/421VKDs.

Ideas for Vince the Sign Guy

Anyone who knows me knows I love signs. I consider myself a bit of a sign aficionado. In fact, I have a whole highlights section on my Instagram dedicated to featuring the amazing bumper stickers and billboards I find across town. These include hits such as “My Other Ride Is Your Mom,” “Stop Making Fun of Libertarians” and “God Wants Full Custody, Not Just Weekends.”

I love these signs because they make me laugh, but also because you can learn a lot about a person from which stickers they deem worthy of slapping onto the back of their clapped-out Honda Civic.

While bumper stickers can tell you a lot about the individuals in a town, I like to think that signs culti vate the flavor of the town as a whole. Consider some of Durango’s best signs. The Wapiti Lodge on 160: “Last Motel for 150 Yards.” Or what about the Siesta Motel with its neon cactus and comedic gold: “Free Rooms Just Kidding”? And yes, I absolutely break my neck every time I drive past the Alpine Animal Hospital so I can read the joke setup on one side and the punch line on the other.

These signs are the dad jokes of town. You know them. You love them. They’re never going to change and that provides a comforting sense of reliability. However, there’s one person around here who’s dedicated to keeping things fresh, and that’s Vince the Sign Guy.

If you haven’t heard of Vince, that’s probably because he operates at Vallecito – “conveniently located miles and miles from everywhere!” as his Instagram says (@vincethesignguy). But let me tell you, you’re missing out. Up County Road 501, just a few minutes before you hit the lake, there’s a bend in the road, a blue billboard and a witty pun waiting for you.

Vince the Sign Guy feels like a local legend, a myth. One day you’re driving past an open, empty field, and the next there’s a marquee sign, sprouted up like a giant spring flower. Soon enough, you find yourself ignoring the child-sized potholes just to lean over the steering wheel in anticipation of what new joke has been prepared for your amusement that day.

Now I don’t personally know Vince the Sign Guy, but my husband and I have often discussed the effort that must go into creating new material every single day. Being funny is hard work. Being consistently funny is even harder. So, to lighten the load, my husband and I brainstormed some local-specific sign ideas for Vince when he needs a break. Here are the ones that made the cut:

• Who got rid of Carver’s breakfast?

• We don’t need another souvenir T-shirt shop, thanks.

• Being a raft guide isn’t a substitute for having a personality.

Thumbin’It

The Durango-La Plata County Airport breaking ground on its terminal expansion to help manage increasing traffic. And maybe cuisine options will expand beyond Boars Head sandwiches?

Reports that California could see the biggest gold rush in years due to spring runoff erosion. Alright everyone, let’s jump on those prairie schooners and head back West!

Now, we never want to revel in a person losing their job ... but … oh hell, just this once – Tucker Carlson hahaha.

• Albertsons is the best grocery store in town. No contest.

• Four-wheel drive is superior to all-wheel drive.

• Merging from Highway 3 to get to Walmart is stressful (please let me in).

• God bless RGPs.

• Baytucky is underrated.

• Frida’s will always be Tacos Nayarit in my heart.

• There are music genres other than bluegrass.

• RIP Dairy Queen and KFC.

• The downtown meter maid is the only person who works anymore.

• Maybe the Texans don’t like you either.

• Cyclists should have to stop at stop signs.

• Do we still moon the train?

• “I miss the Front Range” – said no transplant ever.

• Is Target happening? Yes or no?

• Wildfire fighters deserve health insurance.

• Hermosa Cafe and DCC should duke it out Thunderdome-style.

• Let’s agree to never do Shakespeare Snowdown again.

• Hot take: I miss the ugly rock sculpture on 160.

• Make the Durango Mall into affordable housing.

• Keep praying for rain – it’s finally working.

• Is the Durango Herald using ChatGPT?

• MTBers are supposed to yield to hikers.

• No one cares about your Sprinter van.

• Durango should have a dog mayor.

• The deer on 3rd Ave. look both ways before crossing.

• To the Peerless gas station that hasn’t become a Speedway – stay strong!

• The Buzz Bus is doing God’s work.

• $6 is too much for a small latte.

• What even is a skyhawk?

• Nalgenes are the least efficient of all water bottle brands.

• Chips should be a side option, not a requirement.

• Bless up Texas tacos – the only meal in town under $10.

• Why are Double Tree and China Cafe the only river-side restaurants?

• Will the Bridge to Nowhere ever go somewhere?

To Vince the Sign Guy and everyone else around Durango who use their signs to put smiles on our faces – thank you! And if you haven’t driven out to Vallecito to check out this local gem, what are you waiting for? I know I’ll be going up there every day, crossing my fingers, hoping to see one of my jokes in billboard size.

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SignoftheDownfall:

As expected, Mercy Hospital making female sterilization more difficult to obtain, in yet another blow to women’s reproductive rights. Well at least we’re making all the Texans feel at home.

Williams Co. forced to pay millions of dollars to cover clean air violations at its gas processing plants, including one in Ignacio. The company will also be forced to reduce pollution at the sites.

Colorado’s first case of the deadly whitenose syndrome among bats, which has devastated our plant-pollinating and mosquito-eating friends across the U.S.

Addyson Santese

Prude Beach

An Austrian group of nudists is protesting plans for a cable-car overpass being built above a popular clothing-optional beach in Vienna (insert small sausage joke here). Barbara Hausjell, the group’s 72-yr-old leader (insert even smaller sausage joke here), says that passengers will take photos, and that she “doesn’t want to end up on the internet,” even though that’s where her interview can be found. The overpass’s Project Manager tried to appease Barbara by saying that the windows could be covered on that section of the trip, but Barbara is still protesting, because she’s obviously doing this for the exposure.

A bad deal

Land exchanges serve wealthy, cost the public

by Erica Rosenberg

In 2017, the public lost 1,470 acres of wilderness-quality land at the base of Mount Sopris near Aspen.

For decades, people hiked and hunted on the land, yet the Bureau of Land Management handed it over to Leslie Wexner, former CEO of Victoria’s Secret and other corporations, at his request. The so-called “equivalent terrain” he offered in return was no match for access to trails at the base of the 13,000-foot mountain.

This ill-considered trade reveals how land management agencies pander to wealthy interests, do not properly value public land and restrict opportunities for public involvement. It’s an ongoing scandal in Colorado that receives little attention.

Since 2000, the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service have proposed more than 150 land exchanges in Colorado. Last year alone, the agencies proposed to trade more than 4,500 acres of public lands, worth upwards of $9 million, in three major Colorado land exchanges.

Land to be traded away includes precious riverfront, lands recommended for Wild and Scenic River designation, and hundreds of acres of prime hunting and recreation territory.

Public land exchanges can be a useful tool. Federal agencies use them to consolidate land holdings, improve public access, reduce management costs and protect watersheds.

By law, the trades must serve the public interest, and the land exchanged must be of equal value. The agencies are supposed to analyze, disclose and mitigate the impacts of relinquishing public lands in exchanges, and also solicit public input on whether a trade makes sense.

But here in Colorado – and elsewhere around the country – this management tool has been usurped by powerful players who aim to turn valuable public lands into private playgrounds.

Often, the deals proposed sound good in terms of acreage. In the Valle Seco Exchange, for example, the San

Juan National Forest in Southwest Colorado would trade 380 acres for 880 acres of prime game-wintering habitat. But the trade mostly benefits the landowners pushing the exchange.

Public lands for trade in the Valle Seco Exchange include river access, corridors considered for Wild and Scenic River designation, wetlands, sensitive species habitat and significant cultural sites.

Alarmingly, the Valle Seco Exchange also includes more than 175 acres of a Colorado Roadless Area, a designation meant to block development of highquality land. The exchange would allow a neighboring landowner to consolidate those 380 acres with his 3,000-plus acre ranch, opening the door to development.

The Valle Seco Exchange follows a long-standing pattern. “Exchange facilitators,” people familiar with the land-acquisition wish lists of agencies, help private landowners buy lands the agencies want. The landowners then threaten to develop those lands in ways that undermine their integrity.

The Valle Seco Exchange proponents did this by closing formerly open gates and threatening to fence the 880 acres for a domestic elk farm and hunting lodge. This is blackmail on the range.

While catering to these private interests, the agencies suppress public scrutiny by refusing to share land appraisals and other documents with the public until after the public process has closed – or too late in the process to make it meaningful.

The proponents and their consultants have ready access to these documents, yet the public, which owns the land, does not. In Valle Seco, appraisals were completed in August 2020, but they weren’t released to the public until December 2021, just a few weeks before the scheduled decision date for the exchange. Advocates managed to pry the appraisals out of the agency only after submitting multiple Freedom of Information Act requests and taking legal action.

In another deal, the Blue Valley Exchange in Grand and Summit counties, the BLM also withheld drafts of the management agreements until just before releasing the final decision. This is hardly an open and fair public process.

The federal government presents what are, in effect, done deals. Development plans and appraisals are undisclosed and comment periods hindered. By prioritizing the proponents’ desires over public interests and process, the land management agencies abdicate their responsibilities.

The result is that too many land trades are nothing less than a betrayal of the public trust as the public loses access to its land as well as the land itself.

Erica Rosenberg is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit that works to spur lively conversation about Western issues. She is on the board of Colorado Wild Public Lands, a nonprofit in Basalt that monitors land exchanges around the state. ■

Old growth ponderosa pine on public land that would be transferred to private ownership in the proposed Valle Seco Land Exchange in Southwest Colorado./ Courtesy of Colorado Wild Public Lands

Making strides

Working for the State of Colorado helps me appreciate the importance of good government-to-government relations. We work with members of city councils, school boards, metro districts and tribes, to name a few, understanding that the more voices we have participating, the better our legislation is for the whole state.

This year, I am running two bills with Colorado Counties, Inc., who represent commissioners from all 64 counties as they work together on common issues. The group meets regularly to share concerns, eventually voting on those that rise to the top in importance. These two bills represent half of CCI’s top priorities for 2023.

La Plata County Commissioner Matt Salka brought the first bill to me concerning closed landfills. When the Bayfield landfill closed in the 1990s, it complied with all health regulations outlined by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and was monitored by the county.

When the federal government changed landfill restrictions a few years

later, Bayfield’s was suddenly out of compliance, and the back-and-forth conversation between the county and CDPHE began.

The county faced a hurdle: it needed to remediate the landfill, but couldn’t afford it. CDPHE had the heavy burden of responsibility to make sure all public landfills are remediated and safe, and fined the county for noncompliance. The more money the county spent in fines, the less it had to do the actual remediation.

Just imagine the swarm of lawyers, emails, conversations and confusion that ensued. Then multiply that by the multitude of counties across the state facing the same problem. For the first time in history, 100% of CCI members voted in favor of the ensuing legislation.

This bill took a few years of work on both sides. Grants will now be offered to owners of the approximately 10 public landfills to do the remediation and maintenance. CDPHE will evaluate each site, alongside local officials and other experts, then identify what needs help.

Funding will be prioritized for sites posing the greatest actual risk to public health and environment, as well as how

much money has been spent already on the project. La Plata County’s landfill made it in the top three.

I am happy to be part of the solution on remediating the state’s public landfills. Both sides approved of the solution, and all are committed to making the sites sustainably clean.

Archuleta County Commissioner Warren Brown brought me the second CCI bill, which will help counties manage the hundreds of new visitors to our state parks.

Last year, we passed a bill creating the Keep Colorado Wild Pass (KCWP), encouraging Coloradans to visit our 45 state parks. The parks pass is purchased when renewing a car registration. Since then, visitations have gone up about 50%, which is good. What isn’t working, however, is that county road funds are being quickly depleted. Dollars that used to go toward county roads serving homes and business are now directed toward roads leading to state parks. Archuleta County realizes the need for expensive road repair regularly.

Commissioners testified that they want the tourists, but struggle to keep up with the road wear.

This bill gives counties the option to charge an additional $2 per daily vehicle pass to help defray costs. Those drivers with the KCWP pass will not be charged.

Also in the bill is the creation of a commission to study deficits in local government infrastructure and services used by visitors, sources of funding to address the deficits and which routes need the most help.

Intergovernmental cooperation works for everyone, and I’m proud to sponsor these bills.

– Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango

Earth is in trouble

On April 22, we celebrated Earth Day, but unfortunately, our earth is in serious trouble.

The Greenland ice sheet is melting at an accelerating rate due to the increase in global temperatures caused by carbon emissions and deforestation. The average temperature in the world is increasing by 3.2 degrees centigrade compared to the goal of 1.5 degrees centigrade to sustain a livable planet.

From 2011-20, an estimated 3.5 trillion tons of the Greenland ice sheet melted, and at that pace, sea levels could rise by 1 to 2 feet by the end of the century. This would inundate many coastal cities.

On the other end of the planet, the Antarctic ice sheet is also experiencing rapid melting, which is also contributing to the rise in sea levels.

The world, and especially industrialized countries like the U.S. and China, have to increase the use of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles.

Deforestation is a major problem, especially the clearing of the Amazon rainforest. As land is cleared and carbon-absorbing forests are cut down to make room for farming, more carbon is emitted. Also, homeowners over the world who remove trees from their properties are increasing carbon emissions in the atmosphere.

Extreme weather caused by climate change has increased drought conditions in the world. This has put a severe strain on the water supply and has adversely impacted crop yields and the world food supply.

We have to urgently address climate change. Our Earth is in trouble.

Celebration of life

The family of Marye Jackson sincerely thanks everyone who has sent cards, condolences and donations to the SOIL Lab in honor of Marye’s community gardening passion. There will be two Celebration of Life events honoring Marye. The first will be Sat., May 6, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango, 419 San Juan Dr. The second will be a garden party potluck lunch on Marye’s birthday, Sat. Aug. 19, 11:00 a.m. at the SOIL Lab Community Garden at Riverview Elementary School, 2900 Mesa Ave. Please join us at these gatherings to honor our mother’s legacy to our community.

– Nancy Elder, Hashim Ahmad, Lauren Patterson, Bradley Elder

Put a cap on it

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said he is special, and he and other justices have no ethics rules to follow. So the millions of gifts he received from a good old GOP donor is not off limits, and he can get all the freebies he wants. Hell, if that’s the case, why have ethics rules for police, FBI, teachers, doctors, news editors, nurses and many more?

This is why we must have term limits on Supreme Court judges. Not only did Thomas do it for himself, but he also did it for his wife. He reminds you he is so special with his arrogance to you all. I’m talking to you, the younger generation.

Term limits on judges. The rulings he makes will affect you later in life. Mark my word.

– Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.

– Bob Battani, Durango

Guilty by association

Archuleta Sheriff’s posting of suspects on Facebook stirs up debate

by Jonathan Romeo

Public service or public shaming? A new practice at the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office, in which the mugshots of people arrested – but not convicted – are posted to Facebook, is raising heated questions in the community.

In January, the ACSO started making weekly posts of people arrested on suspicion of a variety of charges, ranging from probation violations to domestic violence. Included in each post is the suspect’s mugshot. Ever since, residents have been deeply divided about the practice.

Those against it say the posts are a form of public shaming, particularly because the mugshots feature people alleged of a crime – not convicted. The legal process, in which charges can be changed or dropped, has not had a chance to play out before the accused’s situation and photo are widely shared on Facebook. And, many people suffer from the associated stigma.

“It’s innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around,” Catherine LaCrosse, an Archuleta County resident, said. “We all want transparency from law enforcement, but this is going too far.”

In an interview with The Durango Telegraph this week,

Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux said the practice started as a result of a demand from residents who wanted to know more about crime in the community. Also, Le Roux said he wanted to show his office is one cog in the wheel of the judicial process – i.e., it does not set bonds or release suspects from custody.

“It was an effort to increase transparency,” Le Roux said. “Until we come up with a better way to do it, this is where we’re at, and we believe it’s the right thing to do.”

But what public service does posting the mugshots of people who are suspected but not convicted of crimes accomplish? And, what ramifications does widely sharing this information have on people trying to access housing, employment and other resources?

Inadvertently or not, the ACSO has raised all these questions.

Court of Public Opinion

Typically, when a law enforcement agency uses social media to post mugshots, it’s for suspects of high-level crimes who pose a risk to public safety. Not so common is posting the alleged crime, as is done on the ACSO’s Facebook page, which include failure to appear in court, protection order violations, low-level theft and contempt of court.

Durango Police Chief Bob Brammer said his agency sometimes posts mugshots on social media, but it’s on a case-by-case basis. “We don’t want to stigmatize people for everyday mishaps or mistakes in their lives,” Brammer said. “But when a situation is a grave community concern, we will put that information out to the public.”

La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith said people charged with crimes are considered innocent until proven guilty, and there’s no telling what will happen during the legal process. He, too, questioned what public interest it serves to post every arrest to social media.

“On social media, people make up their mind immediately without that constitutional process taking place,” Smith said. “I don’t know if the court of public opinion, aired on social media, is the best place for those discussions to be had.”

Christian Champagne, District Attorney for the Sixth Judicial District, which covers Archuleta and La Plata, said the practice could have legal ramifications, too. Prosecutors are tasked with trying to prevent the spread of pretrial information that could influence the jury pool and potentially cause prejudice against the defendant.

Champagne said he understands that law enforcement agencies making posts to Facebook are trying to

What public interest does it serve to post the mugshots of people accused of crimes? That’s the hotbutton issue in Archuleta County due to a new Sheriff’s Office policy on Facebook./ Courtesy photo

look responsive to the community and show proof of their value. “But I can see why people who are accused of a crime but not convicted wouldn’t want that information out there on social media,” he said. “It’s a worthy discussion.”

The Public Record

Sheriff Le Roux said that earlier this year, a number of county residents wanted more information on what types of crime were happening in the community. And, Le Roux wanted to set the record straight that it’s not up to his office to set bonds or release suspects from custody.

Le Roux argues that the information included in the Facebook posts is public record and available to anyone. While this is true, by posting to social media and broadcasting arrest information on such a wide platform, critics say, a far bigger audience is exposed to arresting information, with no follow-up on how each case ultimately played out. Many times, charges are lessened, changed and even dropped.

“This was a request by a large majority of constituents, and it’s an attempt to represent the work being done by all the agencies (ACSO, Pagosa Police Department, Colorado State Patrol) within this community,” Le Roux said. “And we’re not the first county to do it.”

Indeed, in November 2022, the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office started a simi-

lar practice after people started to question what law enforcement was doing day to day and criticized the office for not being transparent, Sheriff Bill Masters said.

With so many people reliant on social media for news and information, Masters started posting arrests and mugshots on Facebook. But the practice elicited outrage, and after just one day, the office changed its policies and now only posts photos of people arrested for felonies and active warrants.

“I don’t want to give anyone a Scarlet Letter, but I also want to be as transparent as possible,” Masters said. “We decided to change our policy after a lot of community feedback. We shouldn’t post arrests that are just alleged crimes without any legal background.”

An Unfair Stigma

Though unofficial in nature, it appears the vast majority of comments on the ACSO’s Facebook posts are against the practice. Also, a recent poll in The Pagosa Springs SUN found an estimated 75% of respondents opposed it.

Chrystal Snow, an Archuleta County resident, said her community is small, and when you see someone’s mugshot, it creates a stigma that can’t be undone and has a larger impact on people’s lives.

“The Sheriff’s Office is not thinking

about how far-reaching this is,” she said. “It’s hard enough to get resources in this community, so then to have it completely destroyed because you were arrested and publicly shamed is not helpful.”

In its posts, the ACSO does say “all individuals are innocent until proven guilty.” But county resident Charles Gundry said people on social media are quick to judge. And, he said, nowhere on social media is there any follow-up information on resolution to cases.

“If you just look at the Facebook comments, people have already concluded they are obviously guilty,” he said. “This is guilt-shaming at its finest, and I wish it were illegal, but it’s not.”

The State of California in 2021 passed a bill that bans police from sharing on social media the mugshots of individuals charged with non-violent crimes.

Transparency vs. Privacy

Le Roux, newly elected in 2022, says he hears all the criticisms and understands both sides. In fact, Le Roux said the practice is under review, and the ACSO is looking for more effective ways to inform the community about crime in the county. However, he said the practice will remain in place until a better process is developed.

“I’m open to suggestions, but at this point, in the interest of transparency, we want to show what work is being done in

the community,” Le Roux said.

Taylor Pendergrass, director of advocacy and strategic alliances with the ACLU of Colorado, said this issue is something the state legislature should look at to create guidance and consistency, so it’s not left up to individual sheriffs to decide.

“There’s certainly a need for more transparency on how law enforcement works,” Pendergrass said. “But there are better ways than putting people’s mugshots up on Facebook, so neighbors and friends see it and make lifetime assumptions based on one incident.”

By posting low-level offenses, people who make even small mistakes are forever shamed and stigmatized, Snow said.

“When you see someone who has been arrested and then see them in town, it’s literally the first thing that pops into your head,” Snow said. “And these people are just accused of a crime, it’s not a conviction. So if there is a mix-up or anything, it’s really detrimental to them – getting a job, housing, you name it.”

Le Roux acknowledges that point but will continue the practice – for now.

“Is it the best way to represent crime in the county? I don’t know at this stage,” Le Roux said. “We’re three months in; it’s not forever, there’ll be changes to come, I’m open to it. But for now, this is the direction we’re heading.” ■

Karate chop to the chest

Hometown pride and the discovery of Skyfest headliner

by Jon E. Lynch

To the three town friends that lazily skim through my garbled, stream-of-bullshit in this monthly column – thank you, I appreciate you. But, also: I’m not from Kansas. You may be convinced to your core that I am, but you’re wrong. True, I associate strongly with the last state I called home before moving to a less-humid, more-temperate, high-desert mountain climate. I think and speak fondly of Lawrence, Kans. – the atypical college town I spent four to six blurred years in –and it is very much a part of my identity. The Replay Lounge, KJHK, Liberty Hall, William S. Burroughs, The Bottleneck, Love Garden, The Community Mercantile, The Granada, The Glass Onion, Allen Fieldhouse, Jazzhaus, Jaybowl, Joe’s Donuts – I could go on and on and on and on. It’s all immeasurably important to the person I am today. But I’m not from the Free State oasis.

No, no – I was born and raised in the other plains state whose border is a mere stone’s skip north of Kansas. Nearly all of you confuse the two, can’t tell where one ends and the other begins, and maybe with decent reason and rationale. I’m talking about Nebraska. The Good Life: state motto, not band, mind you. I left the languishing faux-metropolis, once territorial capital, of Omaha at 18 and never went back. Family and friends kept me up on most of the happenings. I learned from afar that friends of friends, ex-partners once removed, former classmates and a wonderfully incestuous, tight-knit crew of like-minded artists/musicians had built a collective in the spirit of DIY record label forbearers. It was a malleable amalgam of the Athens/Denver Elephant Six Recording Co., D.C.’s Dischord, Chicago’s Touch & Go and Olympia’s K Records. In my hometown. I was both proud and peeved. Proud because they were not just doing it, but doing it well, and peeved because I already had both feet out the door.

Given my general interest in music of a semi-specific variety and a toothpick sliver of hometown pride, I’ve followed Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records’ (SC) staggeringly consistent output from the very beginning. Over the past nearly 30 years, SC has released a litany of beloved albums, seven inches and singles from a diverse roster, including Bright Eyes, Cursive, The Faint, Spoon and Rilo Kiley, along with more recent signees Young Jesus, Palm, Hop Along, Hand Habits, Indigo De Souza, Big Thief and Disq.

Anytime a new artist announces a release on the label, my ears instantly want to give a listen. Which brings me to Katherine Paul’s Black Belt Eagle Scout.

Back in the late summer/early fall of 2018, I received a press release from the label about a debut release from a new addition to the SC roster. Curiosity piqued, I went ahead and listened to the first single on the forthcoming “Mother of My Children.” The six-minute album opener, “Soft Stud,” was – from the first distorted, fuzzed guitar tones, minor shifts and impassioned baritone – both immediate and intimate. The sort of song that hits your chest and makes an impact, and you’ve no idea why.

I just knew I wanted more.

I later found out that Paul grew up in the Pacific Northwest,

in the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, listening and learning from many of the same bands I knew and loved. She writes passionately crafted songs, nimbly tackling heavy-tier topics from heartache and colonization to generational traumas and the complex emotions around wherever it is you’re from. What better way to tackle larger-than-self topics than with rock and roll? I listened incessantly to that debut and the 2019 follow-up “At the Party With My Brown Friends.”

This past summer, Fort Lewis College’s Student Union Productions approached KDUR for ideas on booking an artist for Skyfest, the annual campus spring concert/event for students and community members. I instantly thought that Black Belt Eagle Scout would be the perfect crossover artist to bring. At nearly the same time, Paul announced her third SC release “The Land, the Water, the Sky,” which has been in heavy rotation on our airwaves since February.

So, whatever early evening plans you had for this coming Sat., April 29, cancel them. Instead, come see Black Belt Eagle Scout, with touring opener Claire Glass and Adobo, alongside local acts Noodle and Desiderata. The show is free and open to the public – and doubles as a food drive. Bring nonperishable items to donate at the gate. Local bands kick things off at 3 p.m., with the touring bands taking the stage around 6 p.m. The event takes place outside at the Football Stadium Parking lot, on the Northwest-ish side of the FLC campus.

For more information on the event, search for Student Union Productions on the Fort’s website, or reach out to me at the address below. Per usual, feel free to come at me with questions, comments or gripes. Especially the gripes.

Jon E. Lynch is the program director at KDUR. He can be reached at KDUR_PD@fortlewis.edu

A walk on the wild side

Forager’s pesto a great way to use spring greens

by Ari LeVaux

The wild greens of springtime are on the rise, in the woods, by the creek, near the tracks and in your yard, where they are known as weeds. These plants can be intensely bitter and aromatic, making them too strong for many palates. For those who haven’t yet acquired a taste for them, turning these plants into pesto is a great way to explore the wild side of greens.

Pesto is a process as much as a recipe. It’s a method of turning greens into an Italian-style paste by grinding them with garlic, oil, nuts and cheese. These ingredients, also robust in flavor, can turn the strength of wild flavors into an asset.

Every region will have its own array of edible and nutritious spring greens. I found nettles growing in a wild spot near my house and dandelions in the garden. So I decided to make dandelion and nettle pesto. Dandelions are bitter like a fine IPA, but the pesto they make isn’t, because it’s covered up by the other ingredients. Nettles have a fruity, metallic flavor. And thanks to their prickly nature, it’s best to harvest nettles with scissors and gloves. The stingers wilt when cooked – or, in the case of pesto, when spun in the blender.

This wild pesto is in the spirit of the old fashioned “spring tonic,” a mix of wild plant parts traditionally gathered at the end of winter. Back in the day, our pioneering and homesteading predecessors survived the winter on rations that would dwindle to the likes of flour, bacon, potatoes and sugar. When winter

finally broke after months indoors on a white, greasy diet, the first hunt of the year for vitamin-rich green shoots was an awakening for the mind, body and belly.

The bitter nature of wild plants is the flavor of both medicine and poison. But if you’ve done your research properly, the bitterness should all be medicinal. Or at the very least, nutritional; wild plants tend to be more nutrient-dense than their domestic counterparts.

Just remember, every would-be forager must assess the grounds at their disposal and strategize accordingly. Always do

your harvesting away from any trail, and don’t ever wipe out a location, so that the patch can recover. And if you are lucky enough to have a backyard, explore every square inch. Avoid foraging in dog parks, toxic waste dumps and close to roads. Just as importantly, remember that the food we gather has not been vetted for edibility like grocery store food. Make sure you know what it is that you are gathering. Nowadays there are apps that can identify plants, or, if you’re old fashioned, you can use a book. Either way, foraging in the modern age is still for-

aging. And the wild foods of spring are just as wild as ever.

Wild Pesto

Pesto is one of the tastier ways to consume any strong-flavored green plant. This pesto is made with dandelion and nettles, which makes a thick, aromatic pesto. Feel free to substitute any number of wild greens, like lambsquarter, watercress or chickweed, or a mixture of whatever you think will go well together. You can also add basil, parsley and other domestic herbs.

8 Servings

2 tablespoons chopped garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup olive oil

½ cup almonds (or pine nuts)

½ cup grated parmesan or romano cheese

Zest of a lemon, and 2 tablespoons of juice

4 cups chopped dandelion greens, loosely packed, spotlessly clean 5 three-inch nettle tips (or other greens)

Add garlic, salt, oil, almonds, cheese, lemon juice and zest to the blender and turn them into a thin, homogenous (and delicious) solution. Carefully add the greens to the pesto, a few at a time, until they, too, are part of the smooth, green paste.

Serve your weed pesto tossed on piping hot noodles, which will cook the garlic just a tad. I like to stir in some sautéed greens, too, for an extra reminder of why we are here.

Refrigerate leftover pesto for up to a week or freeze for up to a year.

Thursday27

Annie Brooks Pop Up Show, 4-8 p.m., Studio & Gallery, 1027 Main Ave.

Bingo Night, 5 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Author Talk & Book Signing: Edison Eskeets & Jim Kristofic (“Send a Runner”), 5 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

Durango Green Drinks, 5 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Live music, 6-9 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

LPEA Kick-Off Party, 6:30 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1330 Camino del Rio.

Durango High School Troupe 1096 presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” 7 p.m., Durango High School.

Friday28

Durango Wine Experience, April 28-29, durangowine.com

Gary Walker plays, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Jean-Pierre Bakery & Restaurant, 601 Main Ave.

Thee Fearless Peasants play, 5 p.m., Durango Craft Spirits, 1120 Main Ave.

Larry Carver & Kirk James play, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

The Pastor & The Pagan play, 6 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

Little Wilderness plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Live music, 6-9 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Ru Paul’s Drag Race Watch Party, 6 p.m., Father’s Daughters Pizza, 640 Main Ave.

Ben Gibson Duo plays, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

Durango Choral Society presents: A World of Love Songs, 7 p.m., Summit Church, 2917 Aspen Dr.

Durango High School Troupe 1096 presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” 7 p.m., Durango High School.

Steven Espaniola plays, 7:30 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

Drag Show, 8:30 p.m., Father’s Daughters Pizza, 640 Main Ave.

Saturday29

Durango Wine Experience, April 28-29, durangowine.com

365 Health Fair, 7 a.m., Ignacio High School.

Nature Center Open House, 10 a.m., Durango Nature Center, 63 County Road 310.

The Metropolitan Opera – Live in HD –Terence Blanchard’s “Champion,” 10:55 a.m., FLC’s Vallecito Room.

“Bears Ears: Landscape of Refuge and Resistance,” featuring Andrew Gulliford, 1 p.m., Animas Museum, 3065 W. 2nd Ave.

Skyfest, featuring Black Belt Eagle Scout, Claire Glass, Adobo, Desiderata and others, 2 p.m., FLC Campus.

Ben Gibson Duo plays, 5 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

Larry Carver & Bill Boyer play, 6 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.

Porch Couch plays, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Dustin Burley plays, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

Live music, 6-9 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Community Yoga, 6-7 p.m., Yoga Durango, 1485 Florida Rd. Donations accepted.

Planet Petty: We Are the Champions (drag show), 6:30 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Dragondeer and Little Wilderness play, doors at 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Metal Night, featuring Decapitation of a New Day, Red Lotus, Skinwalker and Anarchy Hammer, 8 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

Silent Disco w/Forest Thump, 9-11:30 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Sunday30

“Soma Sound Space,” a monthly ecstatic dance experience with music by DJ Panacea, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Stillwater Music, 1316 Main Ave., Suite C.

iAM Music Student Showcase, 2-7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Feed the People! free mutual aid meal & winter gear drive for homeless community members, every Sunday, 2 p.m., Buckley Park.

Durango Choral Society presents: “A World of Love Songs,” 3 p.m., Summit Church, 2917 Aspen Dr.

Poetry Fest, 4 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

Tone Dog plays, 4 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

Sunday Funday, 6 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Monday01

Happy Hour Yoga, 5:30 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.

Regenerative Landscaping Speaker Series: Katrina Blair, 6 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Live music, 6-9 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Comedy Showcase, 7:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Tuesday02

Community Yoga, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Yoga Durango, 1485 Florida Rd. Donations accepted.

Jason Thies play, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Open Mic Night, 7 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Wednesday03

Restorative Yoga for Cancer, every Wednesday, 9:30-10:45 a.m., no cost for cancer patients, posttreatment survivors and caregivers, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. For more info and to register visit cancersupportswco.org/calendar

Anti-ant, in the cards and kinda Kermit AskRachel

Interesting fact: The first Kermit was made out of Jim Henson’s mother’s old jacket and his own blue jeans. He wasn’t even a frog. So don’t talk to me about not rebooting beloved characters.

Dear Rachel, Ants, ants, everywhere. They wait for the first glimpse of spring to come into my house. They’re not even going for the food. They just like to wander into my living room and meander around. Maybe they’re just window shopping? My home could be like a destination vacation? How do I make them go away?

– Ant-illes Island

Dear Antie Dearest, You can fight the ants, but you cannot win. Squash one, and five will take its place. Cut through them, and they shall part like a cloud around your blade. Curse them, and they will laugh in their tiniest little ant voices. The ants preceded you, my friend, and they will succeed you and all your children, picking your bones clean until they’ve consumed the very memory of your existence. No one wins the Battle of Ant-ietam.

– A real picnic, Rachel

Dear Rachel, Why is card counting illegal? Seems to me like a perfectly legitimate use of your eyes and

Live music, 6-9 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Durango High School Troupe 1096 presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” 7 p.m., Durango High School. Tickets at: troupe1096.weebly.com

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

Karaoke, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Ongoing

“19 Degrees of Being,” graduating senior communication design & studio art majors exhibit, opening reception, 6 p.m., The Art Gallery at FLC. Runs until May 6.

“Wire Fed” by Noah Stotz, Studio & Gallery, 1027 Main Ave. Exhibit runs until April 30.

brain. What, am I just supposed to forget how many cards are in a deck when I’m playing? There are only 52 cards, or 104 if playing with two decks … or I suppose 50 if you’re not playing with a full deck… which, the more I talk about counting cards, the more I realize I’m not. What the hell is card counting, and why is it verboten, Rachel?

– Know When to Fold ‘Em

Dear Holding Too Long, Card counting, believe it or not, is not actually illegal. Not when you just use the ol’ noggin. But casinos do not like it when you count cards, because casinos like to steal your money, and they can steal more when you think you can win big but you actually cannot. Ho ho ho, they do not dig it when you play their game better than them! So they can throw you out of their private establishments, which is kind of like going to jail until you realize you’re better off in the slammer that is the real world.

– Hit me, Rachel

filmed post-Henson. I just can’t. I’ve tried. I’ve tried and I’ve tried. But I know that Kermit is an impostor. And now they’re all impostors. Can’t we make it stop?

Dear Muppet Baby,

Dear Rachel,

Why are we, as a society, completely OK with a character like James Bond or Batman being recast, yet vehemently opposed to, say, Indiana Jones being played by anyone else? I ask, because I cannot watch any Muppet project

28th Annual Creativity Festivity, 4-6 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Avenue. Exhibit runs thru April 28.

Upcoming

Durango High School Troupe 1096 presents “Little Shop of Horrors,” April 27-28 and May 3-6, Durango High School. Tickets at: troupe1096.weebly.com

The High Hawks play, May 4, doors at 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

First Friday Art Crawl, May 5, 4-7 p.m., ArtRoom Collective at Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

“Stories We Wear: Recognizing and Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives,” opening reception, May 5, 5 p.m., Ignacio Public Library, 470 Goddard Ave.

– Put Down the Puppet

Nope, we cannot make it stop. Money marches on, as inexorable as ants. Someone is going to reboot Indy someday, like it or hate it with every fiber of your being. And the Muppets will never die, as much as I hate it with every fiber of their being. And they have a lot of fibers, being, you know, glorified socks.

– It’s time to light the lights, Rachel

Stillhouse Junkies play, May 5, 5:30-8 p.m., benefit for Pine River Arts. More info at pineriverarts.org

Dandelion Festival, May 6, 1-9 p.m., Rotary Park, 1565 E. 2nd Ave.

Bryce Pettit & Elsa Sroka opening reception, May 12, 5-7 p.m., Sorrel Sky Gallery, 828 Main Ave.

Reverend Horton Heat & Delta Bombers play, May 16, doors at 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Animas River Days, June 2-4, Santa Rita Park. www.animasriverdays.com

Mesa Verde National Park Film Premiere, June 2, 6 p.m., FLC’s Student Ballroom.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters (sold out), June 7, 7:30 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.

Email Rachel:

by Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): According to a study by Newsweek magazine, 58% of us yearn to experience spiritual growth; 33% report having had a mystical or spiritual experience; 20% of us say we have had a revelation from God in the last year; and 13% have been in the presence of an angel. Given the astrological omens currently in play for you Aries, I suspect you will exceed all those percentages in the coming weeks. I hope you will make excellent use of your sacred encounters. What two areas of your life could most benefit from a dose of divine assistance or intervention?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): After the fall of the Roman Empire, political cohesion in its old territories was scarce for hundreds of years. Then a leader named Charlemagne (747–814) came along and united much of what we now call Western Europe. He was unusual in many respects. For example, he sought to master the arts of reading and writing. Most other rulers of his time regarded those as paltry skills that were beneath their dignity. I mention this fact, Taurus, because I suspect it’s a propitious time to consider learning things you have previously regarded as unnecessary or irrelevant or outside your purview.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I’m turning this horoscope over to Nigerian poet Ijeoma Umebinyuo. She has three messages that are just what you need to hear right now. 1. “Start now. Start where you are. Start with fear. Start with pain. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking. Start with voice trembling but start. Start and don’t stop. Start where you are, with what you have.” 2. “You must let the pain visit. You must allow it to teach you. But you must not allow it to overstay.”

3. “Write a poem for your 14-year-old self. Forgive her. Heal her. Free her.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Historical records tell us that Chinese Emperor Hungwu (1328–98) periodically dealt with overwhelming amounts of decision-making. During one 10-day phase of his reign, for example, he was called on to approve 1,660 documents concerning 3,391 separate issues. Based on my interpretation of the planetary omens, I suspect you may soon be called on to deal with a similar outpouring. This might tempt you toward over-stressed reactions like irritation and selfmedication. But I hope you’ll strive to handle it all with dignity and grace. In fact, that’s what I predict you will do. In my estimation, you will be able to summon the extra poise and patience to manage the intensity.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Is it even possible for us humans to live without fear – if even for short grace periods? Could you or I or anyone else somehow manage to celebrate, say, 72 hours of freedom from all worries and anxieties and trepidations? I suspect the answer is no. We may aspire to declare our independence from dread, but 200,000 years of evolution ensures that our brains are hard-wired to be ever-alert for danger. Having provided that perspective, however, I will speculate that if anyone could approach a state of utter dauntlessness, it will be you Leos in the next three weeks. This may be as close as you will ever come to an extended phase of bold, plucky audacity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Dear Sunny Bright Cheery Upbeat Astrologer: You give us too many sunny, bright, cheery, upbeat predictions. They lift my mood when I first read them, but later I’m like, ‘What the hell?’ Because yeah, they come true, but they usually cause some complications I didn’t foresee. Maybe you should try offering predictions that bum me out, since then I won’t have to deal with making such big adjustments. – Virgo Who is Weary of Rosy Hopeful Chirpy Horoscopes.” Dear Virgo: You have alluded to a key truth about reality: Good changes often require as much modification and adaptation as challenging changes. Another truth: One of my specialties is helping my readers manage those good changes. And by the way: I predict the next two weeks will deliver a wealth of interesting and buoyant changes.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Poet Pablo Neruda wrote, “Let us look for secret things somewhere in the world on the blue shores of silence.” That might serve as a good motto for you in the coming weeks. By my astrological reckoning, you’ll be wise to go in quest for what’s secret, concealed and buried. You will generate fortuitous karma by smoking out hidden agendas and investigating the rest of the story beneath the apparent story. Be politely pushy, Libra. Charmingly but aggressively find the missing information and the shrouded rationales. Dig as deep as you need to go to explore the truth’s roots.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): We’ve all done things that make perfect sense to us, though they might look nonsensical or inexplicable to an outside observer. Keep this fact in your awareness during the next two weeks, Scorpio. Just as you wouldn’t want to be judged by uninformed people who don’t know the context of

your actions, you should extend this same courtesy to others, especially now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I completely understand if you feel some outrage about the lack of passion and excellence you see in the world around you. You have a right to be impatient with the laziness and carelessness of others. But I hope you will find ways to express your disapproval constructively. The best approach will be to keep criticism to a minimum and instead focus on generating improvements. For the sake of your mental health, I suggest you transmute your anger into creativity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the 17th century, renowned Capricorn church leader James Ussher announced he had discovered when the world had been created. It was at 6 p.m. on October 22 in the year 4004 BCE. From this spectacularly wrong extrapolation, we might conclude that not all Capricorns are paragons of logic and sound analysis 100% of the time. I say we regard this as a liberating thought for you in the coming weeks. According to my analysis, it will be a favorable time to indulge in wild dreams, outlandish fantasies and imaginative speculations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): We often evaluate prospects quantitatively: how big a portion do we get, how much does something cost, how many social media friends can we add? Quantity does matter in some cases, but on other occasions may be trumped by quality. A few close, trustworthy friends may matter more than hundreds of Instagram friends we barely know. A potential house may be spacious and affordable, but be in a location we wouldn’t enjoy living in. Your project in the coming weeks, Aquarius, is to examine areas of your life that you evaluate quantitatively and determine whether there are qualitative aspects neglected in your calculations.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Dear Dr. Astrology: Help! I want to know which way to go. Should I do the good thing or the right thing? Should I be kind and sympathetic at the risk of ignoring my selfish needs? Or should I be a pushy stickler for what’s fair and true, even if I look like a preachy grouch? Why is it so arduous to have integrity? – Pinched Pisces.” Dear Pisces: Can you figure out how to be half-good and half-right? Half-selfinterested and half-generous? I suspect that will generate the most gracious, constructive results.

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-Wed: 9ish - 5ish

Thurs: On delivery

Fri: Gone fishing; call first

Announcements

Applications for Advanced Standing MSW Program Students with a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) are eligible for a one-year Masters of Social Work program through the University of Denver. The program starts summer 2023 and classes are taught in Durango. Stipends for child welfare, integrated behavioral health care are available.  Native American tuition support to eligible students is also available.  For more info contact Janelle.Doughty@du.edu or www.du. edu/socialwork.

Classes/Workshops

Aikido Intro Class

Aikido is a Japanese martial art with a do-no-harm attitude. Gain poise, balance, focus. Superb stress-relief. 4-week class M/Th 6-6:45. Starts May 8th. Details at www.durangoaikido.com or text/call 970-426-5257.

HelpWanted

Early Childhood Teachers

Children’s House of Durango is hiring part-time, summer positions and a full-time, early childhood teacher for the 23/24 school year. Curious to learn more about Montessori or looking to join an experienced group or teachers? Send you resume to Stacy at info@childrenshouseofdurango.com or call 970259-1089 for details.

Reruns is Hiring

Part-time, regular help. Please drop off resume at Reruns, 572 E. 6th Ave.

Compañeros is Seeking Qualified Candidates for either an Executive Director or Executive Co-Director position beginning in Summer 2023. Fulltime, $63-$73k annually, competitive benefits package. For more information and to apply, please visit www.compan eros.org/careers

ForSale

The Original Hanging Sky Chair

Just in time for summer! Handcrafted, original, award-winning hanging chair. Made of “Duravas” canvas, treated with natural paraffin for durability and water repellency. Heavyduty polypropylene reinforcements. In black. Includes foot rest. Great condition. Made in good old Minnesota. Retails for $160. Selling for $74 OBO. For more dets, see on FB marketplace or text 970-749-2595.

Crusher Fat Bike - Now $425

2015 Sun Bicycle, 7 speed, excellent cond. Barely ridden. MSRP $530, now $425. 970-903-0005.

Reruns Home Furnishings

Brighten up your indoor and outdoor space with bistro sets, patio/garden items, furniture and art. Looking to consign smaller furniture pieces … 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.

BodyWork

HaikuMovieReview

‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ How to choose between ‘The Super Mario Bros Movie’ or this one?

Lainie Maxson

Reiki Practitioner, Postpartum

Hiring Jurors for Legal Focus Group

Jurors needed for legal focus group in Durango Tues., May 16. Work from 7:30am-6pm Pay = $250 Meals provided Apply at: privatejury.com

Durango Outdoor Exchange is looking for a full- or part-time Gear Specialist. Do you have: retail sales experience -gear knowledge -Saturday availability - self motivation - stoke for the outdoors? Come join the crew! Applications on our website or swing by to meet with Jen, 3677 Main Ave.

Wanted

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

True Wellness Healing Arts

Soul centered guidance & integrated holistic healing. 30 years experience. Hypnotherapy & alchemical shamanism. Integrated holistic healing, an intuitive therapy session combining neuromuscular & therapeutic massage, deep relaxation, sound & energy healing, aromatherapy and reflexology. Private yoga, breath work & meditation coaching. Now accepting new clients. Office located in town. www.truewell ness4u.com or call (970)335-8389 LMT, CHT, RYT - 200

In-Home Fitness Training

Convenient. Private. All ages. Diane Brady NSCA-CPT. 970-903-2421

Massage by Meg Bush

LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-7590199.

Doula and reflexologist

In-office energy work sessions and reflexology by appointment, and in-home postpartum doula services and support. Energy medicine sessions held in office. Jenn DeNunzio Hall, the Sun Building, 755 E. 2nd Ave., Durango. 970-946-9352

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.

Services

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.

CommunityService

Southwest Rural Philanthropy Days

Registration open thru May 24 for June 7-9 event in Durango. The goal of is to strengthen regional nonprofits and the communities they serve. Limited number of scholarships available. Please visit crcamerica.org for more information. For additional information and questions, contact Kristi Smith at soutwestrpd@gmail.com

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