The Durango Telegraph, Jan. 12, 2023

the durango

elegraph

Here comes

Dem apples

Big box bingo

All signs point to a new REI opening in Durango by Jonathan Romeo

ADVERTISING

‘Dem apples

Esoterra Ciderworks sets down roots on Main Ave., in former Starbucks by Sinjin Eberle

On the cover

A skier takes in the scene recently between not-so-hot laps at Hesperus Ski Area, which is open for the season./ Photo by Alex Krebs

Ear to the ground:

“After my trip I was reminded that all you do in the city is drive, eat and take Ubers.”

– Postcards from a recent trip outside the bubble.

Speak now or forever…

Back in September, we reported about a proposal for a new mountain bike park near Pagosa Springs, in an area known as Jackson Mountain. Well, now’s the time to submit public comment, if that’s your thing.

If you want the full deep dive, check out the original Sept. 28 story at durangotele graph.com or on the e-edition (also found on the website). Or maybe someone used an old issue for Christmas wrapping paper you can still find in the recycling?

To sum it up: The Forest Service this past fall launched a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process on Jackson Mountain, which encompasses about 11,000 acres north of Pagosa, to look at several proposed recreation and vegetation management projects.

The most controversial aspect of that project is a call for up 40 miles of new mountain bike and multi-use trails on about 4,500 acres. What’s so wrong with new trails, you ask? Well…

For starters, most of the trails were created illegally by mountain bikers, and now, opponents of the project say formalizing the trails into the Forest Service’s system shouldn’t reward bad behavior. Plus, a lot of the unauthorized trails were created in important wildlife habitat.

Supporters of the project, however, say by formalizing a trail system, they can be better maintained and redirected away from wildlife. The trails are already there and the people won’t stop riding, thinking goes, so really the best path forward is to recognize the trails and manage them to the best of our ability.

Regardless of where you stand, the Forest Service’s NEPA process is now in the public comment stage for the next 45 days until Feb. 23. You can find out all the ways to submit comments by checking out the project’s website at: https://bit.ly/3QzkjmE.

Also, a public open house is planned for 5-7 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Ross Aragon Community Center, South Conference Room, 451 Hot Springs Boulevard in Pagosa.

There’s also a ton of other proposed projects within the Forest Service’s NEPA for Jackson Mountain, aside from the mountain bike park. Some of those include adding more recreational infrastructure (toilets, parking), fuels reduction and vegetation management, as well as a proposed new gravel pit. All that info can be found in the link provided above.

In defense of normie

I am a very average outdoorsperson.

That means I go for the occasional hike, do at least one winter sport (poorly) and have a stupidly overpriced mountain bike that I finally paid off sitting in my garage, judging me for how little it gets used.

By Durango standards, however, this is tragically subpar.

Durango is a town that salivates over extreme sports the way moviegoers lose their minds for the next Marvel installment – it doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s intense, ridiculously expensive and someone might die in the middle of it. Just look at the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run. What human can run a hundred miles and gain 33,000 feet of elevation without going into cardiac arrest? And what about the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic? Who’s the weirdo that decided they wanted to “race’ the train to Silverton on their bike? You truly can’t participate in the outdoors here without someone else bumping it up to level 11.

As a personal example, let’s examine my first sunrise hike. I’d been living in Durango for a whole year and made friends with a few climbers and raft guides, so I thought I was becoming pretty cool by osmosis. On a summer morning, I decided it would be very badass-granola-girl of me to watch the sun come up from the top of Smelter (a trail that’s always longer and steeper than you remember it being), so I laced up my potato-ey hiking boots and hit the dirt.

Just as I was basking in the glow of the sunlight and my own awesomeness, I turned to my left and saw someone else had already beaten me to the top. They stood at the edge, admiring the view. Then they jumped off.

I learned two important things that day. Number one: Smelter is the perfect spot for paragliding. And number two: no matter how cool you think you are, in this town, there will always be someone cooler than you. And it’s not just the adults you’re competing with.

I can count on at least one hand the number of times I’ve almost been mowed down by a Devo kid, riding a bike they’ll outgrow in six months that costs more than my mortgage payment. A coworker’s 6-year-old daughter has to be pushed to the ground when they go skiing because it’s the only way to get her to stop. She’d point her tips straight down the entire mountain if you let her because she lacks all fear (and apparently bones, too). Meanwhile, you’ll probably be able to catch me at Purgatory this season, laying in defeat on the

Thumbin’It

Miller Middle School breaking ground on a $45 million remodel project, which should be completed by fall 2024.

Hesperus Ski Area announcing it has finally received enough snow to kick of its 2022/23 night skiing season.

The speedy recovery of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin just a week after he collapsed on the field in a scary scene.

Yellow Brick Road, wondering if my health insurance plan covers emotional damage caused by inferiority complexes.

The youth here grow up on a diet of fresh pow pow and sick kickers. In fact, I’m convinced that every single kid born in Durango rockets out of the womb on some extreme sports apparatus, using their newborn baby hands to flash their totally yoked parents a “hang loose” sign. Dad probably says something like “respect the send, son,” while mom chomps down a protein bar so that the moment they’re discharged from the hospital, they can all go for their first family shred. They’ll track the whole thing on Strava. For posterity, of course, not the humblebrag.

Aside from the fact that Durango athletes seem to have a near-superhuman lung capacity and the resting heart rate of a hibernating bear, they have another very important leg up on most of us normies when it comes to taking on the outdoors – disposable income.

If you weren’t indoctrinated into The Outdoors™ since your conception, you’re probably aware that a significant barrier to entry for most people is money. Sports are expensive. That’s why, for the longest time, I only did things that could be accomplished with a pair of six-yearold spud-shaped boots and my own two feet. But even after you get the skis and the boots and the poles and the helmet and the $550 season pass (you see how this is adding up for just one sport, right?), that won’t be good enough for some people. In Durango, the price tag attached to the gear you own is almost as important as the sick footy you get while using it.

I once had a health coach who visibly grimaced when I told her I’d bought my first mountain bike for $1,500. Yes, the same stupidly overpriced bike mentioned earlier. A huge purchase for me! Her response? You really should have invested in a full-suspension bike. Obviously, I’m not still bitter about this.

In my opinion, the world needs more average outdoorspeople.

We need people who are going to go over the handlebars of their bike, catch an edge with their snowboard and eat shit the first time they try trail running. Why? Partially because it makes for really funny videos on Instagram, but mostly because we to remember it’s OK to be bad at the things we enjoy.

So do the sport. Ride your “cheap” hardtail. Hike in your off-brand boots. Take the green runs down. And try not to feel too bad when some 7-year-old shows you up at all three.

– Addyson Santese

SignoftheDownfall:

Trite Idea

Reports that Durango grocery shop-goers are not responding with their best manners over the new fee on plastic bags.

An investigation finding the majority of PPP loans have been forgiven, despite rampant fraud in the program.

A report finding the last eight years were the hottest on record. But keep being that guy who says “global warming!” whenever we have a random cold day.

Smart people know that Himalayan salt lamps do absolutely nothing except glow and look cool. But people with tie-died tapestries in their bedrooms think the warmed salt cures cancer and makes you taller (or something like that). Surprisingly, Home Depot has aligned themselves with the latter group, because now you can buy an LED lightbulb filled with pink Himalayan salt for $15 at the big box retailer. However, even people who believe in horoscopes might realize that the heated salt doesn’t do anything because it’s encased in glass, but if it breaks, at least you’ll have a “light snack.”

by Jonathan Thompson

When we think about the Colorado River water shortage, it’s natural to blame it on the booming desert population in cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Too many people are sucking up too much water to keep their lawns green and swimming pools full. And as more people move to these cities, overall water consumption increases proportionately.

This pattern held true for eight decades after the 1922 signing of the Colorado River Compact. People relying on the river shot up from less than 1 million to nearly 40 million, and overall water consumption climbed as well, peaking at just under 20 billion cubic meters in 2000.

But then, according to a new study in the Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management by Brian Richter, the pattern was broken. Even as the population continued to shoot up, consumption of Colorado River water actually dropped and then plateaued. That is to say, water use and population growth were decoupled.

Although the finding is counterintuitive, it won’t come as a surprise to those who have been paying attention. The crisis is rooted in an already overtaxed river diminished by the most severe drought in the last 1,800 years.

Richter’s study not only confirms that but also shows how, when faced with hard limits, we can reduce consumption without compromising quality of life.

Richter evaluated water use by 28 municipalities that collectively serve about 23 million people. More than half had reduced per capita water use enough to decrease total water deliveries by 18%, even as populations grew by

24%. Albuquerque, Fort Collins, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Diego all followed the trend. Perhaps the most impressive was the least expected: Las Vegas added nearly 1 million residents between 2000-20, yet water deliveries dropped by more than 10%, during that same time. In other words, the land of conspicuous overconsumption cut water consumption in half.

So does this mean Las Vegans are suffering from perpetual dehydration? Have the golf courses turned to sand? Have the Bellagio fountains gone dry? Nope, (at least not yet). I’d bet most Las Vegans don’t even notice the difference in their own water use, though they might have sensed the gradual disappearance of ornamental turf around the city. Same goes for other cities with big savings.

That’s because they are realizing these consumption cuts not by rationing water, but by implementing system-wide efficiencies and incentives. New ornamental turf is banned in many places, and folks

are paid to remove existing turf. Same goes for switching to more efficient appliances. Most Las Vegas golf courses are irrigated with treated wastewater, and high-tech leak-detection systems save hundreds of millions of gallons per year.

One of the reasons Las Vegas and other cities were able to make such big gains is because there was so much waste to begin with. Much of the low-hanging fruit has been plucked, but some still remains: Las Vegas’  top residential water users – ultra-wealthy mansion owners –still use tens of thousands of gallons per day; water pricing structures are not adequately progressive; and Nevada’s accounting system disincentivizes indoor water conservation.

Here are some interesting numbers:

• 1.3 million gallons: Daily water use by the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, the metro’s largest commercial user.

• 35,646 gallons: Daily water use by Trophy Hills, the Las Vegas mansion owned by the late Sheldon Adelson.

• 25,682 gallons: Daily water use by the 75,000-square-foot Henderson, Nev., mansion of EBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

• 112 gallons: Average total daily per capita water use in Las Vegas (includes residential, commercial industrial)

• 30 million gallons: Daily water loss to evaporation at Lake Powell in July.

So even Las Vegas still has ample room for cuts. Meanwhile, some cities remain ridiculously wasteful — we’re looking at you, Farmington, St. George and Scottsdale. The good news is that if these smaller cities follow the larger metros’ leads, they could realize significant cuts. The bad news is that it still won’t be nearly enough to save the Colorado River on which so many depend.

And even if population and water consumption have been partially decoupled, they aren’t completely divorced. Las Vegas, Phoenix and L.A. eventually will hit a limit of per capita cuts, at which point a growing population will again cause overall consumption to increase. Thing is, there is no extra water in the system to sustain it, and the old practice of cities “buying and drying” farms and transferring water rights to new housing development is untenable. Any agricultural water saved through efficiency, fallowing or crop changes must go back to the river, not to new subdivisions.

For the past century, the Southwestern Growth Machine – fueled by greed, cheap and dirty power, and the mirage of abundant water – has churned away relentlessly. Now it’s time to shut it down and practice not only water consumption-control, but also growth control – decoupling or not.

The Land Desk is a newsletter from Jonathan P. Thompson, longtime journalist. To subscribe, go to landdesk.org ■

Drought, coupled with consumption, has dropped the levels at Lake Mead, southern Nevada’s main water source, to record levels.

GOP moderates please stand up

The first weekend in December, ex-president Donald Trump reiterated his ongoing lie that the 2020 election was stolen. He then proclaimed on his personal social media site that therefore any election laws and even the Constitution itself (or at least parts of it) that interfere with his return to power must be cancelled.

Yet again, he has become unhinged. I wonder how he can run for reelection to the presidency, a Constitutional position, if the Constitution were to be cancelled? Of course, he doesn’t want to be president, constrained by annoying rules. He wants to be supreme ruler.

But the real issue here is the telling silence from congressional Republicans. (Sen. Mitch McConnell seems to be the exception.) Apparently none of the others have a problem with the idea of cancelling the Constitution. How about it, Lauren?

So much for those oaths of office to protect and defend democracy. What’s the point of having an oath of office if there are no penalties for violating that oath?

It should be an impeachable offense. Obviously, it hasn’t been. Neither is inciting a violent coup attempt to reverse an election result to stay in power. If that’s not an impeachable offense, what is? What will be the justification when the incoming tiny GOP House majority impeaches Joe Biden? I can hardly wait.

It’s all part of the growing mountain of evidence that the GOP is anti-democracy and wants a system where only right-wing GOP candidates will be allowed

to win elections. GOP moderates have been purged. And in 2022, GOP movers and shakers cozied up with Hungary’s white Christian nationalist autocrat Victor

Orban. It seems reasonable to assume that that’s their vision for the future of America.

– Carole McWilliams, Bayfield

Co-op supports community

With the turning of the new year comes reflection upon the year passed and a renewal of our intentions for the new cycle ahead. At this time, all of us at Durango Natural Foods Co-op would like to heartily thank our community for being part of something that is more than just a grocery store. Deep gratitude for voting with your dollars for the kind of world you want to see, where local farmers and artisans are supported and celebrated, where our vitality and health is valued over numerical wealth, where decisions are made in regards to our living planet rather than at her expense, and where people and connections are valued over shareholders’ stock prices. Member-owners are the shareholders, and we consider your return discounted and continued access to as much local, organic, fairtrade and ethically sourced products as possible, in unison with a shopping experience that is actually enjoyable. At DNF, quality of life matters.

We hope you will take a moment to appreciate all DNF has to offer and consider how it has served you in 2022. How do you feel when you are in the store? How do you feel interacting with the people? How do you feel after a meal made from our organic ingredients?

Perhaps 2023 is the year to improve your quality of life and elevate your level of fulfillment in all aspects of life. Certainly, food and the energy of the people we interact with is ultra-important to reaching a state of satisfaction. Not only does choosing DNF support you, it also supports our community of fellow memberowners, farmers, artisans, small businesses, vendors, staff and many more. So, with that awareness held in

our hearts and minds, we extend an invitation to see you in the co-op even more in the new year! At DNF, we don’t have corporate investors, we have each other. Thanks everyone for being in this together! – Cody Reinheimer, DNF Board Member

Save Ukraine from the tyrant

The United States convinced Ukraine in 1991 to give up its nuclear weapons and send them to Russia. We then guaranteed Ukraine’s security, and now we are fulfilling those guarantees.

We have provided about $70 billion in aid and plan on giving another $50 billion in economic and military aid. This is well spent, because Ukraine is fighting to deter Russian expansionist goals in Eastern Europe. If Ukraine goes down, Eastern Europe could be next. This would require a response from NATO, including the U.S., which would precipitate World War 3.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and the far right Republicans in the House Freedom Caucus want to cut back our commitment to Ukraine. This shortsighted and naive position loses sight of the geopolitical situation. It would endanger Ukraine and Europe and encourage other bad actors like China, North Korea and Iran to commit aggression with impunity to further their expansionist objectives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is committed to defending his country. Congress and the American people should realize the strategic importance of saving Ukraine from the clutches of a Russian tyrant.

– Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.

Howl for preservation

The current state of Colorado’s wolf plan is in desperate need of reparation, with the necessary goal of achieving a self-sustaining population. Whilst conflict avoidance needs to be proactive, it’s time to begin reestablishing wolves throughout their native homeland of western Colorado based on established science that recommends a minimum of 750 wolves (or 150 packs). Currently, our public lands are (unfortunately) highly dangerous for wolves, which is unacceptable.

State officials and livestock owners must do their part, knowing wolves are naturally inclined to eat native wildlife (such as deer or elk), but will go for easy opportunities when presented (such as non-native unprotected livestock). Furthermore, science has indicated that wolf “culling” is unnecessary for keeping “populations in check,” meaning trophy hunting is actually only for sport. It’s time to get our paws off the ground and urge Colorado Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to take accountability, preventing a full on war against wolves by reintroducing them throughout suitable habitat in western Colorado.

– Cassidy Thompson, Columbus, Ohio

“We’ll print damned-near anything”

The Telegraph prides itself on a liberal letters policy. We have only three requests: limit letters to 500 words; letters must be signed by the writer; and thankyou lists and libelous, personal attacks are unwelcome. Send your profundities by Monday at noon to telegraph@durangotelegraph.com.

Here comes REI

All signs point to outdoor retail giant opening a Durango location

by Jonathan Romeo

Well, it appears the day has arrived – it looks like REI is coming to Durango.

On Wednesday, an item on the City of Durango’s Design Review Board agenda included a proposal for an “unnamed sporting goods retailer” to be located on 2 acres of vacant land in Bodo Industrial Park.

Because the project is in the “early design guidance” stage, during which a developer asks the city for initial feedback on the concept of a project, they are not required to disclose the actual business, said Scott Shine, the City of Durango’s Community Development Director.

“They’ve asked to stay anonymous,” Shine said. “I can’t state why they’d want to do that – maybe they haven’t closed

on the site yet or just want to make sure they move forward before an announcement.”

However, the agent for the project –Jack Breard with Segovia Partners, based out of Dallas – is a listed representative for REI, according to the company’s website. Breard did not return emails and calls asking for comment.

What’s more, design plans for the building submitted to the city resemble most of the nearly 200 REI locations across the U.S.

“While the retailer is unnamed, the building elevations do appear to reflect a corporate design,” city documents state.

Tim Walsworth, the director of the Durango Business Improvement District, said he has heard the project is spearheaded by REI.

“It’s not surprising, in some ways, a

chain like that would think about our community because of our love of all things outdoors,” he said. “While it’s not technically confirmed that REI is coming here, people can put two and two together.”

In an email to The Durango Telegraph on Tuesday, an REI spokeswoman said she had “no news regarding a Durango store.” When sent follow up questions about specifics of the plan submitted to the City of Durango, the spokeswoman did not respond.

Calls to the project’s other listed representative, Daniel Zimmerman with Hillside Architecture, were not returned. The land in question, on the corner of Turner Drive and La Posta Road, is owned by “Mapel CO of Durango,” which is associated with Durango Coca-Cola Co. Calls to Meredith Mapel, president and

CEO, were also not returned.

Shine noted the unnamed sporting goods store is under contract to buy the property.

The Design Review Board is set to discuss the proposal Wednesday night. Because of the Telegraph’s early print deadline on Wednesdays, we are unable to cover in this article the meeting. The Telegraph on Tuesday contacted each member of the Design Review Board, who either did not respond or declined to comment at this time.

Regardless, at risk of setting the understatement of the year just two weeks into 2023: Durango is an outdoors town, which has allowed several local outdoor recreation- and retail-focused shops to thrive over the years. In some ways, it was only a matter of time until REI found this nook in Southwest Colorado.

An artist’s rendering of a new “unnamed sporting goods retailer” to be located on 2 acres in Bodo. Although the identity has yet to be revealed, the agent for the project submitted to the City is a listed representative for outdoor juggernaut REI.

Concerned about the impacts to local businesses, Walsworth emailed retailers to give them a heads up that some serious competition may be coming. The Telegraph’s calls to the owners of Pine Needle Mountaineering, Backcountry Experience, Gardenswartz and Durango Outdoor Exchange were not returned for this story.

“It is a concern to locally owned businesses when a big competitor comes in with stronger buying power and name recognition,” Walsworth said. “It’s hard to compete with that.”

Brett Sublett, owner of Durango Running Co., said given the volume of goods REI purchases, the retail chain receives better margins that local businesses can’t possibly match. Other amenities the retailer offers, like a generous returns policy and co-op dividends, also are difficult for smaller businesses to compete with.

Even more concerning, Sublett said, is that REI’s presence will not just impact outdoor gear stores. It will also be felt at cycleries, angling shops and other businesses, including his own, which sells running shoes.

“It’s disappointing,” he said. “I don’t know REI’s business plan, but I don’t know any towns this size that have an REI. But they must know something I don’t.”

Indeed, it’s hard to find a comparable town the size of Durango with an REI, and the company’s website does not list parameters for building a new location. Recently, an REI opened in Glenwood Springs, but that’s along I-70 with far more traffic.

That Durango may be REI’s newest location is perhaps a testament to the incredible population growth and expansion of the town since the COVID19 pandemic drew urban dwellers into mountain communities.

“I guess we’re becoming the Front Range now,” Sublett joked. We hope.

While REI may be the latest major chain to seemingly change the character of town, the situation is not unprecedented. Ask any longtime local, and they’ll tell you there were major fights when Walmart moved into town. And again with Home Depot. And again with Starbucks.

Despite these chains, Durango still boasts a handful of local hardware stores and a cornucopia of independent coffee shops. Though, admittedly, the situation may be a little more nuanced with niche outdoor gear. And there’s no denying local businesses have suffered at the hands of mega-chains like Walmart.

“It’s not apples to apples,” Walsworth

said. “But we are super unique in our little town where small business does drive our economy.”

However, there may be a few silver linings with REI’s arrival, said Jack Llewellyn, director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. When chains move in, local shops are often forced to up their game and customer service. Consumers, too, have more competitive pricing options and are more likely to visit the local chain rather than shop online.

“It provides an opportunity for people to do a lot more local shopping as well as be able to price compare,” he said.

Andy Corra, co-owner of 4 Corners Riversports, agreed.

“I learned over the years that it doesn’t do any good to get uptight about competition,” Corra said. “People get worried, but if you’re doing a decent job, competition only helps.”

And, it’s not like REI is necessarily one of the evil corporate chains (like some others that come to mind). Instead, the company has a reputation for paying its employees good wages and benefits, giving back to communities and being environmentally conscious.

According to its website, REI invests 70% of its profits into the outdoor community, including 400 nonprofits. It

sources 100% renewable energy for all its locations and has incorporated sustainable designs into its new locations. And, a recent outside survey found 96% of employees were happy working there.

Still, this doesn’t detract from the fact the arrival of REI marks a change for Durango, and may make things a little tougher for the local shops we’ve grown to know and love, which also have a great history of community service.

“BID will continue to push the ‘shop local’ message,” Walsworth said. “No matter how enticing that shiny new store might end up being.”

For now, after the Design Review Board’s early design guidance Wednesday, the developer will take their suggestions and come back for final approval from the board. As it stands, the project proposes a 22,000-square-foot building on 2.3 acres, with the Coca-Cola facility and Homewood Suites by Hilton to the north, and Morehart Murphy Auto Center to the south.

Assuming all goes according to plan, the project will go before the Planning Commission for final approval, possibly some time in the spring. It will not go before the Durango City Council, unless there is some type of variance or other unique aspect of the project, Shine said. ■

by Sinjin Eberle

Is there anyone among us who doesn’t love a good apple? I’m not talking about the soft, chewy warehouse dregs we get in late summer. I mean the crisp snap of firm fruit as your teeth release the juicy, tart pop of flavor on the first bite. Then the unconscious quest to dig out the very last chunk of sweet flesh on your journey to the core – a fine seek-and-destroy mission if there ever was one.

I grew up in Colorado’s North Fork Valley, a fruit-crazy hub. We gauged seasons by the fruit – the end of the school year (cherries) on through the heat of summer (peaches and apricots) into the amber sunset days of fall (apples and pears), as if we all simply orbited the orchard circuit year-round. But as much as I loved our little valley, little did I know about the apple mecca that existed just a few hours south in Montezuma and La Plata counties. Fortunately, other people did know the historic, if not hidden, fruit gem tucked in Southwest Colorado.

Jared Scott and Elizabeth Philbrick met in graduate school in Fort Collins and quickly fell in love. And while they were apart for much of their early relationship, good intentions and some careful planning eventually landed them together here in Durango. Scott worked in Geographic Information Systems and IT for the Forest Service, while Philbrick worked initially as a congressional staffer on Capitol Hill before landing as a planner for a firm here in town. Scott started making cider in 2012, experimenting with both new-world and old-world styles and exploring and studying the diversity of apples and the more than 600 varieties found across Southwest Colorado.

As his curiosity and passion grew, he became associated with Jude and Addie Schuenemeyer, co-directors of the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project, a nonprofit that “works to preserve Colorado’s

fruit-growing heritage and restore an orchard culture and economy to the southwestern region.” From there, Scott engaged his mapping skills and worked with MORP to map the locations of many rare and unique orchards (sometimes consisting of a single tree) across the region. After making cider with Mancos’ Fenceline Cider for about a year, Jared and Elizabeth took the plunge and opened EsoTerra in the old Mountain Sun apple juice factory in Dolores, which produced more than 2 million gallons of apple juice a year in its heyday.

But as these stories seem to go lately, they started their business in September 2020, just as the tentacles of COVID-19 were reaching into the rural areas that had escaped the worst of the pandemic for months. Through grit and true commitment, Scott and Philbrick hung in there to keep the business going, emerging once the worst of it was behind them.

I joined them at the grand opening on

Dec. 31 of their new Durango tasting room, located at the corner of College Dr. and Main Ave. in the space most recently occupied by Mountain Monk Coffee, and Starbucks before that. This is not their first foray into Durango – EsoTerra was previously wedged in the back corner of the Outdoorsy RV space in the 900 block of Main until Outdoorsy’s plans abruptly changed, leaving EsoTerra without a home. After a couple of weeks of energetic hustling, they found their new home, and within a couple of weeks remodeled the new space with their “Industrial Moulin Rouge” décor, as Philbrick described it, and opened their doors.

Sitting with Philbrick, it’s hard to not be consumed by her energy and excitement for what they have created – both in Dolores and now here in Durango. She explained to me that EsoTerra is a madeup word, combining the spirit of being eccentric or obscure, and “terroir” meaning “of the land.” While her bubbly en-

thusiasm is certainly eccentric, one can’t help but feel her deep intention and acknowledgement to the land, to the history steeped in our surroundings, and a care and commitment to her friends, employees and community.

Philbrick explained how they behave more like a winery than a conventional cidery, in that they are extraordinarily thoughtful about what apples they use, sometimes even down to the specific tree within a certain orchard. And, given that they hand-pick every apple, they are intimately familiar with everything that goes into them.

No sugar is added to their fermentation, allowing the sugars in the juice to do their thing, creating a generally drier, cleansing mouthfeel in the final product. And that is how they begin the initial conversation with a new customer – feeling out how they think about white wine, then guiding the patron through their menu of ciders.

Some include snappy, astringent palate-cleansers; sultry, barrel-aged sippers; and slightly richer, creamier Forswunk. This is the one I enjoyed, which had a bit more body than others, but with a light, tropical essence that went down oh, so easily.

Ultimately, though, the goal of EsoTerra is that you can taste the land and the diversity of our region’s apple history in every glass. I certainly picked up on both the unique varieties on tap at the tasting room.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response and the beauty of this community,” Philbrick said. “We care so deeply about this place and our employees, and we just love telling people about the trees and the cider they create.”

EsoTerra’s slogan is “Savor the land, drink real cider,” and I for one can’t think of a better way to relish the history and diversity of our area, with people who are so invested, engaged and hopeful for what is to come.

Jared Scott, left, owner of EsoTerra, goes over the drink list with customers at the cidery’s downtown location, near Main Ave. and College Dr./Courtesy photo

From Beethoven to synth

Local musician Brett Patterson blends the soulful and psychedelic

by Stephen Sellers

For this week’s Between the Beats, I sat down with musician Brett Patterson, Durango’s homegrown resident synthesizer wizard. Splitting his time between the U.S. and Germany affords Patterson a cultural dual-citizenship of sorts that serves as a deep wellspring of sonic inspiration. His musical project, The Brett, combines infectiously playful post-punk energy replete with warm, gooey analog synth soundscapes guaranteed to leave you clutching your heart and moving your feet.

At a recent show of his, I found myself in bliss as his soulful, psychedelic and highly danceable tunes washed over the unexpecting and surprisingly large audience. Do yourself a favor and put on his new record through Bandcamp as you read our conversation. Ladies and germs, please welcome Brett Patterson!

How did you first find your way to the piano?

When I was 9 years old, my grandfather moved a piano into our house, because mice were eating out the pads in the garage where it was being stored. My dad knew the first couple pages of “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven, and I picked that up from him. And, eventually from there, I went to college for classical piano in New York at two different music schools: Mannes at The New School and Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

Tell us about the journey from classical piano to synthesizers. From the Steinway to the Prophet, so to speak.

Even though I was going pretty hard in the classical direction, I was always listening to a lot of popular music. During college, I started writing music, trying to find a voice. Classical music informed how I thought about music a lot with a very heavy theory background. In the Western music world, everything is based on chords. It was a bit of a journey to get away from some of the rules of that. Like the idea that some

chords can only lead to certain chords. It all makes sense in the classical context, ideas of tension and resolving that tension.

When you are creating music now, what does your process look like?

I think, technically, it’s definitely from the classical background. Usually starting with an interesting bassline and some interesting harmonies. Where it breaks out of the classical world is not normally following the patterns of the classical world – throwing those rules out. And, the rhythm is the really interesting part, where you can delve into an infinite number of styles. There’s an album of Nigerian disco music that’s informed a lot of things for me. A lot of indie synth pop and rock, as well. I’ll use syncopation a lot.

Where would you like to see your music career go next?

The goal over the next few years is to play around the festival circuit in Berlin. I feel like that’s a great way to get started as someone who isn’t super known. There’s a little bit of scarcity of live music in that scene.

Just because it’s predominantly an electronic music scene?

Yeah, live music is more of a unique thing over there. I’d like to play often enough that I can make a living doing it. Hopefully, the music will have some meaning to others. I love the idea of music as a way to make connections with others. There’s a band called Sheverb, and they have this idea of the slow roll tour that I really like. Instead of planning a tour over the course of a month and playing five shows a week in all of these different places, they’ll go to a place and stay there for a week, two weeks, three weeks and actually collaborate with other musicians and build community. It seems like a much more soulful approach.

Does the recent buzz about AI and its impact on artists of all stripes give you pause about making music as a livelihood?

I think the larger threat is our culture just not val-

uing art, really. There’s always going to be a market for live music. People are looking for human connection.

To actually feel what the person on stage is feeling and have this really immediate connection that’s hard to find in daily life for some of us. That’s primarily how musicians make money these days, anyway. There’s not really money in recorded music for most of us.

Patterson’s most recent album “Creatures” is available at www.the-brett.bandcamp.com. And, follow his work on IG @thebrettmusic.

Brett Patterson

Stuff to Do

Thursday12

Live music, 5:30 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Karaoke Night, 6 p.m., Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave.

Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.

Trivia Night, 7:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Friday13

New Belgium Party & Giveaway, 2-3 p.m., The Powderhouse & Pitchfork Pub at Purgatory.

Free Legal Clinic, 4-5 p.m., Ignacio Community Library, 470 Goddard Ave.

Live music, 5:30 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

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

Lizard Head Quartet plays, 6 p.m., 11th Street Station.

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

Starlight Jam Session, 6 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Ecstatic Dance, every Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., American Legion, 878 E. 2nd Ave.

Michal Menert and Late Night Radio w/Josh Tee plays, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Dandu w/The Quarks & Funk Express plays, 7 p.m., iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave.

A Night of Improv, 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Drag Show, 8:30 p.m., Fathers Daughters Pizza, 640 Main Ave.

Saturday14

The Metropolitan Opera lLive in HD) –Giordano’s “Fedora,” 10:55 a.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.

Snow Science & Social, 1-3 p.m., Andrews Lake parking lot, Highway 550 north. Register at sjma.org

“From This Earth: The Timeless Beauty of Pueblo Pottery,” free zoom talk, 1 p.m. Register at animasmuseum.org/events.html.

One Heart Orchestra plays, 5 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

Ben Gibson plays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

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

Live music, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Agave plays, 6 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

Dustin Burley plays, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

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.

A Mac & the Height w/special guest play, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Desert Thunder plays, 7-11 p.m., Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave.

Dandu w/The Quarks & Funk Express plays, 7 p.m., iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave.

Karaoke Night, 8 p.m., 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E. 8th Ave.

Silent Disco, 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Sunday15

Veterans Benefit Breakfast, 9 a.m., VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.

Open Mic, 4 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Live music, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle & The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Feed the People! free mutual aid meal & winter gear drive for homeless community members, every Sunday, 2-4 p.m., Buckley Park.

Sunday Funday, featuring games and prizes, 6 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Monday16

Live music, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle & The Office, 699 Main Ave.

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

Meditation & Dharma Talk, 5:30 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave., Suite 109.

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

Tuesday17

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Bluegrass Jam, 5:30 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

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

Wednesday18

Purgatory Classic Ski Team Race, 9 a.m., Upper Hades/Pandemonium, Purgatory Resort.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office & Diamond Bellw, 699 Main Ave.

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.

Ongoing

“Life in Small Moments” art exhibit, thru March 1, FLC Center for Innovation, Main Mall, 835 Main Ave.

The Hive Indoor Skate Park, open skate and skate lessons. For schedule and online waiver, go to www.thehivedgo.org

Upcoming

Purgatory Classic Ski Team Races, Jan. 19-22, Upper Hades/ Pandemonium, USSA Super G and Giant Slalom race event.

Kim Richey plays, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

Sweat it out, Xmas year-round & fake it till you make it

Interesting fact: Electric Christmas lights were a status symbol for many years after being invented. So keeping strands up year-round will impress the heck out of any time travelers from the past.

Dear Rachel,

I took the dive into exercising differently this year and got myself a spin bike on sale. The only exercise I’ve done with it was to schlep two 50-pound boxes through the front door into the foyer. At some point I’ll have to finagle them into the guest room. How much of my exercise goals can I cross off just for moving these packages around? For what it’s worth, I broke into a sweat.

– Boxing for Cardio

Especially the white ones. They’re not Christmassy, they’re wintery, so I think they should just stay up all month, and then make February brighter, and then ease us through March and into April, maybe even May when the grasses finally burst. My roommate says I should quit procrastinating and take down the household decorations like I promised when I skipped out on putting them up. My thinking is legit though, isn’t it?

– Bright Idea

Dear Beast,

It’s all in where you set your goals. And a healthy dose of what my ex-boss used to call “recalibrating expectations.” If your goal for the year is to move two heavy boxes into the house, and then you successfully move them to a WHOLE OTHER ROOM? You’ll have blown past your goals by at least March or April! Then you can “recalibrate” to reward yourself the whole rest of the year through by sipping margaritas and flexing in the mirror.

– Pump you up, Rachel

Dear Light Bulb, Yeah, I’ve seen at least one restaurant get away with twinkle lights all year . So long as they’re not in themed shapes, like snowmen or enormous stars or reindeer. Reminds me of the neighbor I had who took the one red light bulb for Rudolph’s nose and gave the reindeer… let’s call it “lipstick” instead. I would have let that dude decorate my yard year-round.

– Sparkles, Rachel

Email

Dear Rachel,

The truth is that I don’t like Christmas very much and I’m happy when it ends every January, but I do really like twinkle lights.

Nicki Parrott plays, Jan. 20-21, shows at 5 & 8 p.m., The Lift at Cascade, 50827 Highway 550. Durangocooljazz.com

Magic Beans & Tone Dogs play, Jan. 20, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Dirtwire & Bloomurian play (sold out), Jan. 21, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Know the Snow SkiMo Race, fourth annual rando race, Jan. 22, 8 – 9:30 a.m. Benefit and fundraiser for Know the Snow Fund, a local nonprofit dedicated to increasing accessibility to avalanche awareness.

McDonald’s Twilight Night Race, Jan. 25, 5-8 p.m., Purgatory. Individuals or teams can choose one

Dear Rachel, I messed up and didn’t send my nieces presents for the holidays. Then it got so late that it felt awkward to send something and blame it on long PO lines and “things just got so hectic.” Now I’m avoiding FaceTime with them because I can’t stand the questioning stares of a couple four-year-olds. Do you know any anti-interrogation tactics I can use to fortify myself?

–

Dear Medium Rare, Lie. Lie like the scuzzy uncle or aunt you are. Broach the subject with the parents one day: “So… what did the kids think of their presents? Since you all never said anything.” Then feign shock when they say they never got any presents. Then offer to buy someone’s unopened and unused exercise equipment for pennies on the dollar, and ship that to their house instead. Heavy presents weigh strongly on the coolpresent scale.

Getting Grilled

discipline from three separate races. Skate skiers, fat bikers and snowshoers.

Big Richard, La La Bones & Rainey play, Jan. 27, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

A Shakespearean Snowdown, Feb. 1-5, Durango. www.snowdown.org

Venture Snowboard Demo Day, Jan. 28, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., beach at Purgatory.

Colorado Native Beer Party & Giveaway, Jan. 28, 3-4 p.m., Purgy’s Patio at Purgatory.

Snowdown Kick-off Party & 2024 Theme Announcement, Jan. 29, 1-2 p.m., Purgy’s Patio.

– The thought that counts, Rachel

Modelo Party & Giveaway, Jan. 31, 3-4 p.m., Purgy’s Patio at Purgatory.

Great Decisions: Energy Geopolitics, presentation by Guinn Unger, Jan. 31, 11:45 a.m., Durango Public Library.

Leo Lloyd Avalanche Workshop, classroom session Feb. 2 from 6-8 p.m., field session Feb. 4 from 8:30 a.m.4 p.m. More info at www.thesanjuans.org

Purgatory Demo Days, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Demo the latest gear from local shops.

Banff Film Festival, Feb. 10-11, FLC’s Community Concert Hall. For full lineup, visit sanjuancitizens.org/banff

Rachel: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Nigerian author Wole Soyinka reworked the ancient Greek play, “The Bacchae.” In one passage, the god Dionysus criticizes King Pentheus, who is supposedly all-powerful. “You are a man of chains,” Dionysus tells him. “You love chains. You breathe chains, talk chains, eat chains, dream chains, think chains. Your world is bound in manacles.” The bad news, Aries, is that many of us have some resemblances to Pentheus. The good news is that the coming months will be a favorable time to shed at least some of your chains. Have fun liberating yourself!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The coming weeks will be a great time to fill your journal with more intense ruminations than you have for many moons. If you don’t have a journal, think about starting one. Reveal yourself to yourself, Taurus! Make conscious that which has been vague, unnamed or hiding. Here are assignments to help launch your flood of intimate self-talk. 1. Write passionately about an experience you’ve always wanted to try but have never done. 2. Conduct imaginary interviews with people who rouse strong feelings in you. 3. Describe what deity, superhero or animal you are and how your special intelligence works. 4. Visualize a dream in which you appear as a bolder, more confident version of yourself.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A stranger approached me at Wild Birds Unlimited, a store that sells bird food and accessories. “You write the horoscopes, right?” she asked. “I’m a Gemini, and I want to thank you for helping me tone down my relentless fidgeting. You made me realize I have been secretly proud of tapping my fingers on the table while talking with people and constantly darting my eyes around the room to check out the ever-changing views. I’d unconsciously believed that stuff was a sign of my incredible vitality. But you’ve been a steadying influence. You’ve shown me ways to settle down and focus my energy better. I can see how restlessness sometimes saps my energy.” I told the woman, “You’re welcome!” and let her know that 2023 will be a favorable time to do much more of this good work.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): According to Cancerian author Ronald Sukenick, the writer’s work is “to destroy restrictive viewpoints, notice the unnoticed, speak the unspeakable, shake stale habits, ward off evil, give vent to sorrow, pulverize doctrine, attack and up-

hold tradition as needed, and make life worth living.” I believe 2023 will be an excellent time for you to carry out those actions, even if you’re not a writer. You will have abundant power to bless and heal through creative rebellion and disruption. You will thrive as you seek out interesting novelty.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Psychotherapist Ryan Howes has wisdom you’ll benefit from heeding in the coming weeks. “We need to accept our age,” he writes. “We need to accept illnesses and addictions. We need to accept the past. We need to accept others as they are.” He goes on to say that this doesn’t mean we must like all these situations. And we can certainly try to make the best of them. But when we don’t struggle in vain to change what’s beyond our control to change, we have more energy for things that we can actually affect.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Here’s testimony from musician Pharrell Williams: “If someone asks me what inspires me, I always say, ‘That which is missing.’” Yes! This is an apt message for you, Virgo. The best way for you to generate motivation and excitement in the coming weeks will be to explore what is lacking, what is invisible, what’s lost or incomplete. Check in with your deep intuition right now. Do you feel a stirring in your gut? It may tell you where to find important and intriguing things that are missing.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Every animal knows far more than you do,” declares a proverb of the Nimíipuu people, also known as the Nez Perce. Author Russell Banks provides further testimony to convince us we should be humble about our powers of awareness. “There is a wonderful intelligence to the unconscious,” he says. “It’s always smarter than we are.” These are good pointers for you to heed in the coming weeks, Libra. You will have a special power to enhance your understanding of the world by calling on the savvy of animals and your unconscious mind.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

standards of success and reject all others’. You will clearly see that you are progressing at your own natural and righteous pace.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A reader named Mary Roseberry describes her experience of being a Sagittarius: “I hate to be bored. I hate imperfections. I hate to wait. I hate sadness. I hate conflict. I hate to be wrong. I hate tension.” Wow! I admire Mary’s succinct understanding of who she doesn’t want to be and what she doesn’t like to do. I invite you to compose a similar testimony. You would benefit from getting clear about the experiences you intend to avoid in 2023.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): When he was 74 years old, Capricorn author Norman Maclean published his first novel, “A River Runs Through It.” It became a bestseller. Capricorn film director Takeshi Kitano directed his first film at age 42. Now 75, he has since won many awards for his work in his native Japan. Capricorn activist Melchora Aquino, who was a leader in the Philippines’ fight for independence from Spain, launched her career as a revolutionary when she was in her eighties. I hope these heroes inspire you. I believe that 2023 is the year you will get an upgrade in any area of your life where you have seemed to be a late bloomer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You will soon be called upon to summon grace under pressure; to express magnanimity while being challenged; to prove that your devotion to your high standards is more important than the transitory agendas of your ego. The good news is that you are primed and ready to succeed at these exact assignments. I have confidence in your power to activate the necessary courage and integrity with maximum poise and composure.

Psychologist

Carl Jung said that the whole point of Jesus Christ’s story was not that we should become exactly like him. Rather, we should aspire to be our best and highest selves in the same way that he fulfilled his unique mission. So Jesus was not the great exception, but rather the great example. I believe life in 2023 will conspire to make you, more than ever before, the hero of your own destiny. You will be inspired to honor only your own

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “By dying daily, I have come to be,” wrote poet Theodore Roethke. He didn’t mean he suffered literal deaths. He was referring to the discipline of letting go of the past; shedding worn-out habits; leaving behind theories and attitudes that once served him well but no longer did; killing off parts of himself that were interfering with the arrival of the fresh future. I recommend his strategy to you, Pisces. To the degree that you agree to die daily, you will earn the right to be reborn big-time in a few weeks.

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

ance and other metal drop off. 970-2593494.

CommercialforRent

1100-sf Office/Retail Space in

Bodo Park

Ground floor with open-front floor plan & back-of-house space + 1/2 bath & kitchenette. Wheelchair access ramp & on-site parking. Short- or long-term lease avail. $1600 a month. 970-7993732

ForSale

Getaway in La Plata Canyon

Need to get away? Come to the La Plata Canyon Studio www.laplatacan yonstudio.com. Mention this ad for a local discount!

Classes/Workshops

Free! Adult Children of Dysfunctional or Alcoholic Families (acoa) confidential support group offered by licensed therapists in person or zoom - Durango. Limited space. Date/time—TBD- “If you don’t heal what hurt you, you will bleed on those that didn’t cut you.” Call/text- Nancy Raffaele, MA, LPCC, NCC - (970) 7992202.

Insight Meditation for Beginners

Six-week class on the fundamentals of insight meditation beginning Wednesday, January 11. 5:15-7:00 p.m. For more info and to register, visit duran godharmacenter.org

Wanted

Cash for Vehicles, Copper, Alum, Etc. at RJ Metal Recycle. Also free appli-

Fine Wood Breakfront

153 ½”x89” hand-crafted fine wood breakfront. $2,500. Call Bob at 973454-5551 to receive spec sheets.

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

Gordon Smith

FibreFlex Longboard

A classic – sweet, smooth ride for cushy cruising. Been around the block but still in great shape. 42” long. $50 Text: 970-749-2595.

Reruns Home Furnishings

Brighten up your space with quality pre-owned furniture and décor. Lamps, tables, rugs. Looking to consign smaller furniture pieces … 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.

Services

Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Life Challenges?

You can live the life you want. Help is affordable & confidential/self-paysliding scale fee. Durango. Package specials avail. Call/Text: Nancy Raffaele, MA, LPCC, NCC- (970) 799-2202

Western Skies Counseling

@ 28th & Main, Durango 1. Nancy Raffaele, MA, LPCC, NCC-adults/selfpay/sliding scale fee/call or text (970) 799-2202 and 2. Joseph F. Prekup, MS, LPC- young adults & adults/selfpay/call or text (970) 281-5550

Marketing Small and Local Businesses

Crusher Fat Bike - Now $425

2015 Sun Bicycle, 7 speed, in excellent cond. Barely ridden. Basket & kick stand. MSRP $530, now $425. 970-9030005.

Kawai QX100 Electronic Keyboard

Your dad was wrong – you can still make it as a musician. Kawai QX100 electronic keyboard for $100 OBO.

Media, website building and content editing, copywriting and editing, newsletters, blogs, etc. for small, local, independent or startup businesses. www.the saltymedia.com or email jnderge@ gmail.com

Harmony Cleaning and Organizing

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

Lowest Prices on Storage! Inside/outside storage near Durango

HaikuMovieReview

and Bayfield. 10-x-20, $130. Outside spots: $65, with discounts available. RJ Mini Storage. 970-259-3494.

BodyWork

Massage, Facials, Foot Detox

Durango. Competitive rates & package specials / Call /text Nancy, LMT, LE(970) 799-2202

In-Home

Fitness Training

Free Consultation. Diane Brady NSCA-CPT. 970-903-2421.

Lotus Path Healing Arts

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

Massage

by Meg Bush

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

CommunityService

Volunteer Advocates Needed Do you want to make a difference in your community and the lives of others? Alternative Horizons is always in need of volunteers to staff our hotline. AH supports and empowers survivors of domestic violence. Training and ongoing support provided. For more information call the office at 970-2474374 or visit alternativehorizons.org

‘The Breaker Upperers’ Fun romp about a service that will terminate your relationship

– Lainie Maxson

(Advertise in the Telegraph.)