Durango Telegraph - Feb. 13, 2020

Even sweeter than chocolate & flowers

­elegraph the­­­­durango

FREE Feb. 13, 2020

Vol. XIX, No. 7 durangotelegraph.com

inside

T H E

O R I G I N A L

I N D I E

W E E K L Y

L I N E

O N

D U R A N G O

&

B E Y O N D

Suffragette city

The Animas Quill

Who you calling plain?

Durango rolls out events to mark womens right to vote p8

Homegurl, Palentine’s Day & news haikus from AHS p11

Everything’s better with vanilla – even chocolate p16

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lineup

8

4 La Vida Local

Fight for the right Durango rolls out year of events for 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment

4 Thumbin’ It

by Tracy Chamberlin

5 Word on the Street

11

6-7 Soapbox

The Animas Quill Homegurl, world news haikus, Palentine’s Day and more from AHS

8 Local News 11-14 The Animas Quill

15

15 Day in the Life

Rollin’ in the deep

16 Flash in the Pan

A trip into the great beyond down under

17 Top Shelf

by Stephen Eginoire

18 On the Town

16

Anything but plain Vanilla may go unnoticed, but a world without it would be plain sad

by Ari LeVaux

20 Ask Rachel 21 Free Will Astrology 22 Classifieds

17

22 Haiku Movie Review

Reunited Durango supergroup reunion, TNERTLE and KBong

Skier Chris Trimble leaves his mark on Brown’s Mountain, near Silverton./ Photo by Stephen Eginoire

by Chris Aaland

boilerplate

EDITORIALISTA: Missy Votel (missy@durangotelegraph.com) ADVERTISING AFICIONADO: Lainie Maxson (lainie@durangotelegraph.com) RESIDENT FORMULA ONE FAN: Tracy Chamberlin (tracy@durangotelegraph.com)

T

he Durango Telegraph publishes every Thursday, come hell, high water, beckoning singletrack or monster powder days. We are wholly owned and operated independently by the Durango Telegraph LLC and

STAR-STUDDED CAST: Lainie Maxson, Chris Aaland, Clint Reid, Stephen Eginoire, Jesse Anderson, Tracy Chamberlin, Zach Hively, Shan Wells, Ari LeVaux and Luke Mehall VIRTUAL ADDRESS: www.durangotelegraph.com

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

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

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

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Ear to the ground: “No one wants a mouthful of cherry cordial.”

– Local discussion over the reviled yet inexplicably enduring confection

Hot moves

thepole

RegularOccurrences

This Valentine’s Day, green is the new sexy, so why not impress that special someone by showing your more environmentally sensitive side? The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, aka 4CORE, offers the following helpful hints to lower your carbon footprint while generating a little heat of your own: • Whip up a homemade meal using a slow cooker, which saves time and uses less energy than the stove or oven. If using the oven, cook in a glass or ceramic pan, which holds heat better, and reduce the cooking temperature by 25 degrees. And no peeking! Opening the oven door wastes energy – just like mom always told you.

• When it comes to clean up, use the dishwasher, which actually requires less water and time, than hand-washing. Plus, no dish pan hands for all the canoodling on the couch you can do with all that extra time.

• No one likes a date who is more interested in the TV or their phone than the live human next to them. Turn on your date by turning off your devices. Not only will it save energy, it will be easier to connect and maybe even remember their name. Better yet, show what a smooth operator you are by investing in a power strip to unplug with the flick of a switch.

• New and old flames alike look better by candlelight. Dim the overheads and spark a few candles. Win bonus points by opting for soy candles over paraffin wax ones, which are made from petroleum. Soy is not only a natural, renewable resource but it burns cleaner and with less soot.

• Snuggle up next to the fire, made all the more efficient (and hotter!) with the installation of a heat-air exchange system or an energy-efficient insert. Be sure to close the damper when the fire goes out (which hopefully it won’t).

• Better yet, skip the fire and turn the thermostat down, which is a perfect excuse to snuggle under a warm blanket. There are even smart thermostats that can lower the temperature – and reduce your energy bill – right from your phone. Just make sure not to do it as your date is gazing deep into your eyes (see no 3.)

Bernie gets high Want to feel and see the Bern? Jump in the car and head to the Mile High City this weekend, where the Vermont senator will be paying a visit. On the heels of his New Hampshire Democratic Primary victory, Sen. Bernie Sanders is holding a rally at 6 p.m.

Sun., Feb. 16, at the Bellco Theatre in the Colorado Convention Center. The event is first come, first served, with doors opening at 4 p.m. for the Bern-anza. This marks Sanders' second visit to Colorado during the 2020 campaign and comes just ahead of the March 3 “Super Tuesday” primaries, of which Colorado is a part.

Of course, since it’s Bernie, the event is free and open to the public. Just don’t be surprised if you’re asked to share your seat with someone.

Feb. 13, 2020 n

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opinion

LaVidaLocal La Vida Asia We were a mere 20 minutes into a trip that would take us 7,000 miles from home, when the pilot came over the intercom and announced that we were heading back to Durango. I didn’t actually hear the announcement because I was lost in my ear buds with Kendrick Lamar, but Amber quickly informed me, “we’re turning around, something about a mechanical issue,” and my heart sunk a little.

But, sure enough, 20 minutes later, there we were, deplaning and waiting to see what might happen next. The usual franticness ensued, some were patient, others rude, and we tried to stay on the patient side, while realizing we’d miss our flight out of Denver to Tokyo, and then we’d miss our flight from Tokyo to Bangkok. A couple hours went by, the issue on the plane was fixed, and we were off to Denver.

United’s customer service in Denver actually took good care of us, setting us up with a nice hotel and rebooking our flights for the next day.

And then we had some time to spend in Denver, so we did what any climber would do, we Uber-ed to the climbing gym. And it was awesome!

Our next day of travel was much smoother, and after two long flights, I was farther away from home than I’d ever been, in the land of smiles: Thailand. I’d expected intense jet lag, but other than a headache from the complimentary beers on the plane I felt pretty good the next morning. We wandered some streets by our hotel, and then took a shuttle back to the airport for a short plane ride to Krabi, the southern part of the country, where most of the climbing is located.

My old college friend Greg was meeting us there.

Greg and I began our international travels together, damn near 20 years ago, with a trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Greg got the travel bug, and for the most part, I didn’t. He ended up marrying a Thai woman and lives and works on the Pun Pun organic farm, outside of Chiang Mai. Greg is one of my favorite friends to talk to and hang out with. He’s a sensitive, caring soul who often internalizes the problems of the world. He’s interesting and intelligent, and has a streak for randomly meeting famous people. He tells stories that end with sentences like, “and that was the time I smoked a joint with Willie Nelson at Ram Dass’ house.”

Ever since I’ve been writing books, I’ve been telling Greg he needs to write a book, as he’s had a million more interesting experiences than I have, and he’s twice as good of a writer than I am. And I’ll keep telling him this, and someday hope to read a book of his.

I only see Greg once every year or so, max, but he is a brother from another mother; time does not decrease our bond, as it can do with so many friendships.

Our first night together on a remote island called Ko Yao Noi we settled into our bungalows and then grabbed a drink to watch the sun set. The sky was filled with smoke from burning; they burn their trash and many other things in Thailand.

Greg was sad at the sight of the smoke and started to tell us about some of the darker sides of his life here: the underreported genocide in nearby Myanmar; the re-

ality of climate change’s impact; and how alone he can feel as an American so far away from his original home.

It was a somber start to our trip, and the strong beer that we were sipping sent Greg to a dark place. The first week of our trip was the complete opposite of what we were hoping for. Our bodies had a difficult time adjusting to the heat, and Amber nearly got heatstroke the second day. I was amazed by the amount of cigarette smoking and blown away that even at the yoga retreat there were ashtrays. To top it off, after we adjusted to the heat and were feeling better, we got food poisoning (from a pizza place, ironically.)

In the midst of the food poising, Greg and I rallied to climb while Amber rested.

For some reason, we started climbing at high noon, and though the climbing was incredible, I felt like I was about to pass out between climbs. It was really good for Greg, who was dripping sweat but more used to the heat. He reflected on the necessity of play in life, the importance of this act of self-care that we so often take for granted in Colorado. At the end of the day, I didn’t feel great, but Greg did, and that made me happy. Greg is a self-proclaimed non-climber who climbs, and by the end of the day he was filled up with brightness and whimsically quoting Edward Abbey and the Dalai Lama.

The silver lining of feeling so bad on an island paradise is the people of this island. The three ladies who worked where we were staying were always smiling, offering help when they could.

The island was a peaceful mix of Buddhists and Muslims. And the only thing friendlier than the people were the cats.

When our time with Greg was up, we took a boat to Railay Beach, a climbing hub. There amongst the tourist madness, we hit our stride.

We finally adjusted a bit to the heat and woke up early to climb, resting during the day and climbing again at night. More pad thai and coconuts. We got our taste of the ideal climber experience in Thailand, and then it was time to go home.

Our last morning, we climbed one of the coolest routes I’ve ever done, delicately dancing up 20 foot tufas, and then sat down for a quick breakfast. There was a family next to us, and when the guy stood up, I noticed his shirt said Silverton on it.

“Silverton,” I said. “We’re from Durango.”

They were a husband and wife with two young kids, who were, indeed, from Silverton and traveling around Asia for seven months. We had hardly met any Americans during our trip and were surprised to meet people from home. We introduced ourselves and hoped to cross paths again. At the end of the exchange the man turned back to me and said, “Wait are you the Luke who writes for the Telegraph?”

I basked in the coincidence, and then thought about all the things I had to write about.

– Luke Mehall Luke Mehall is the author of five books and the publisher of The Climbing Zine. More of his writing can be found at www.climbingzine.com. Later this year, he will launch a podcast and publish his sixth book, The Desert, Part 2.

This Week’s Sign of the Downfall:

Thumbin’It

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Catastrophe

Plans for Durango Mesa park moving forward, with city councilors giving enthusiastic support for Phase 1 of the project, which includes a dog park, bike park, trails and more for the 1,850-acre parcel south of town

Last week’s robbery spree north of town, which hit at least 20 homes, as well as a break-in at the Humane Society Thrift Store on Tuesday night, in which the perp caused $1,000 in damage and took off with donations for the shelter animals

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., introducing the Clean Economy Act this week, bold legislation that would put the United States on a path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

The Trump Administration’s new “management plan” for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase national monuments, which opens sensitive lands to mining, drilling, grazing and other destructive uses

A sign the coronavirus epidemic is on its way out, with reported cases declining for the first time since the disease reared its head several weeks ago

Residents who continue to intentionally feed wildlife, even though it often doesn’t end well for the animals, including an Evergreen woman who lured deer into her home with fruit, carrots, bread

telegraph

A reader sent in a picture of a coloring book filled with farting cats, so this paper’s editor alerted her apocalypse department and called for an investigation.

But the farting cat coloring book (which sells for $8 at Walmart) turned out to be just one of many in a perverse subgenre of coloring books centered on feline gastrointestinal tracts. First came the “cats farting” coloring books, then came the “cats pooping” books, and now, we’re witnessing the dawn of “cat butts coloring books.”

I wonder … if one of these books won an award, would it be a cat ass trophy?

WordontheStreet

Q

With Valentine’s Day this week, the Telegraph asked: “What would your Durango dream date consist of?”

Colton

“A helicopter ride with someone cute who has a good personality.”

Jenny

“Going to the dog park and the hot springs with my husband.”

Brian

“Paragliding off of Perins Peak with Anna Kendrick.”

SKIERS: SHOW YOUR PASS & GET A SIDE OF

FREE FRIES with entrée

Matt

(One per coupon. Expires March 1, 2020)

“Riding a velociraptor that has laser beam vision, to the future, with Billy Zane.”

Josh

“Visiting the Cronenberg dimension of Durango with Rick Sanchez.” telegraph

Feb. 13, 2020 n

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SoapBox

ReTooned/by Shan Wells

Development bad for neighbors To the editor, My wife, who manages our small business, and I have been losing sleep over the monstrous four-story development proposed at 564 E. 2nd Ave. We were only aware of a Planning Commission meeting regarding the Reynolds and Associates project shortly before it happened, and based on city staff recommendations to deny the project, assumed we would simply have to show up to represent our interests. In hindsight, especially after the project was granted a continuance, we wish we had presented a fuller case regarding the impact of the proposed development on Amaya Natural Therapeutics, which may very well be devastating.

Concerns that affect our business especially include the loss of business during a massive construction process. We offer several thousand massages a year and support nearly 20 employees. Many people come to our business to relax and enjoy the outdoor sanctuary we’ve created, which includes a hot tub, cold plunge and sauna. We cannot imagine that people will want to come in during a very loud, ground-shaking construction process. We believe it may represent upwards of a 75 percent loss in business during the totality of the construction phase. Beyond this, we lose a tremendous amount of value going forward, as our business relies on the enjoy-ability of our tub area and back yard. We believe the change in view, sunlight, noise and privacy will constitute an ongoing financial loss of business for our establishment.

Relative to the large tree along our fence line that in the summer offers dappled shade to our garden while allowing partial sun in the remainder of the yard, and full sun to the yard in the winter when its leaves are down, we are rightly concerned that it would not4

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survive the construction process.

Also, on the proposed north side of the project that looms over our property, there are at least nine windows and a stairwell that look directly into our back yard and compromise the privacy of our clients.

I am not sure who grants permission for trespass during the construction process, however as a business we do not wish to offer an easement for this, as the impact to our well-being is so great. We in no way wish to support the development of something that undermines our very survival as a business. We know Reynolds and Associates has suggested there would not be need to cross onto our property as they feel they could build the entire development from within their property lines. However, I cannot believe that the construction process would not represent an extreme danger to our clients, whether from falling construction debris or accidental human errors, especially as it abuts our property line.

Although we understand that the City has targeted this area for development and has generously allowed for developers to expand the existing infrastructure of the block in line with the desires of elected government officials (who often represent real estate and architectural interests), we cannot stress how important it is to approach these changes with sensitivity to the existing property owners and established business owners in the neighborhood. By placing a large development of this type in the middle of the block, Reynolds is dramatically affecting the values of neighboring properties by overshadowing them, and in essence is forcing the hand of his neighbors to consider selling out, as they witness the loss in value of their investments. To manipulate the value of existing interests by forcing development without any consideration of the impacts to the quality of life for his neighbors is unethical.

We understand that he may desire to undermine his neighbor’s property values in hopes of developing the entire block and seems to be applying aggressive strategies

to this end. However, for the city to not carefully represent the concerns of its citizens relative to such behavior seems incredibly distasteful. If our elected officials are shaping planning policies with an eye to future growth, who represents those in the community with historical interest in their properties? Approaching such blatant gentrification with care and consideration seems the ethical responsibility of our city government.

PS: If you would like to comment about the project at 564 E. 2nd Ave., you can contact Community Development Planner Vickie Vandergrift or Planning Manager Scott Shine. Public comments are welcome.

– Don Lewis, owner, Amaya Natural Therapeutics

Not the first puffy lost at the Rec To the editor, (The following is in response to Jesse Anderson’s “La Vida Local” column “Looking Local,” which ran in the Feb. 6 Telegraph.)

I totally get it! I’ve lived in Durango for 15+ years and finally got a puffy jacket last year. It really is the most toasty, warm and cozy coat I have ever owned.

But what I really get, is having a jacket stolen from the Rec. Several years ago, in the springtime, I wore a new lightweight jacket that was really cool to the Rec. I put it in a locker in the Ladies Locker Room along with my walking shoes and went to swim laps. When I left the Rec., I went out with my towel and flip flops, forgetting to take stuff out of the locker. I went back a day or two later and asked about my forgotten items. What really burned was that they had my shoes but that really nice jacket – it was nowhere to be seen! Did some other patron of the Rec. see that it was there for a day or two and decide it belonged to her now? I watch for it on the streets of Durango, but I’ve never seen it.

I lock my locker all the time, now!

– Rosemary Juskevich, Durango

A single honest Republican senator To the editor, Remember reading or hearing about the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, who walked about Athens with a lantern, which he held in front of the faces of citizens he encountered? Diogenes said he was looking for an honest man.

His lantern might have run out of oil if he had been looking among the dishonorable Republican senators who would not allow witnesses to be called or relevant documents to be introduced in evidence, then kept out of sight or pretended for one clearly phony reason or another clearly phony reason that Trump should be acquitted.

But if Diogenes had had enough oil in his lamp to keep it shining long enough, he would have eventually shone it on Mitt Romney, perhaps while the Utah Republican was making an excellent short speech explaining why he would vote to convict Trump of abuse of power and remove him from office. It was a dark day for American democracy, but a ray of light shone through, reflected from the face of the single honest Republican senator.

– Edward Packard, Durango

“We’ll print damned-near anything” The Telegraph prides itself on a liberal letters policy. We offer this forum to the public to settle differences, air opinions & undertake healthy discourse. We have only three requests: limit letters to 750 words, letters must be signed by the writer; and thank-you lists and libelous, personal attacks are unwelcome. Send your insights by Tuesday at noon to: PO Box 332, Durango, 81302 or e-mail your profundities to: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com. Let the games begin ...

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TopStory

Suffragette city

You’ve come a long way, baby Thurs., Feb. 13 • “The Women Wore White,” part of the Life-Long Learning Lecture series, 7 p.m., FLC Noble Hall, Room 130.

Locals celebrate century of women’s right to vote

by Tracy Chamberlin

Fri., Feb. 14 • Happy Birthday to the League of Women Voters and Open House at the County Clerk’s Office, noon-3 p.m., 679 Turner Dr. • Campus Civic Engagement Kickoff, 3:30-5 p.m., FLC Center for Southwest Studies.

A

Sat., Aug. 22 • Rally and Celebration of the 19th Amendment, featuring speakers, live music and more, Buckley Park.

ll they wanted was a ballot. A century ago, women marched in towns and cities across the nation – many risking everything – just to have a voice and a vote.

“I’m not sure most of us really appreciate the depth and difficulty of the Suffrage Movement,” Trish Pegram, board member and past president of the League of Women Voters, said.

Suffragists were arrested, put in jail, mistreated and even attacked. While in jail, many starved themselves in protest and were force fed by authorities, Pegram explained.

“It was gruesome,” she added. “I don’t think that history is appreciated. If we really understood how hard it was, maybe we’d go out in more numbers to vote today.”

Members of the American Association of University Women – from left, Marcy Jung, Barb La Rue, Sally Bellerue, Jean Olsen, Elaine Swanson and Marilyn Sandstrom – march during the 2020 Snowdown Parade./ Courtesy photo “Women fought long and hard to get that right to vote, and it came down to Tennessee,” Jean Olsen, a member of the Durango Branch of the American Association of University Women, said.

“It’s so important for us to use that right.”

Voting block

Protecting passage

Long before the Suffragist Movement became a national story, several states, including Colorado, had already passed laws giving women the right to vote. Wyoming was the first in 1890, and Colorado followed in 1893. Just one year later, in 1894, women were elected to the state Legislature in Colorado – a first for the state and the nation.

By the turn of the century, Utah and Idaho were also on board.

Still, it would take almost two decades to take the fight to Washington, D.C. The 19th Amendment finally passed through Congress on June 4, 1919. The final step before it could become part of the U.S. Constitution was to have it ratified by at least two-thirds of the states. Back then, the magic number was 36.

Colorado made it official Dec. 12, but it would take another nine months to make it the law of the land. Tennessee became the last state needed on Aug. 18, 1920 – and it did so by just one vote. (Pegram recommends The Women’s Hour by Elaine Weiss to learn more about what happened in the final vote.)

Even after the 19th Amendment was ratified, the fight was not over. It was left up to each state to decide who could vote.

Without a way to enforce and protect the law, it was still possible to deny women the right to vote by putting limitations on polling stations and requirements for registering voters. In an effort to create the much-needed protections, the Equal Rights Amendment was written a few years later in 1923.

It would take another 50 years, however, for the ERA to make its way to Congress. The amendment finally passed in 1972.

Then, like the 19th Amendment, it still needed to be ratified by two-thirds of the states to become a part of the U.S. Constitution.

Unfortunately, for the amendment’s supporters Congress set a 1979 deadline for that ratification.

Even though the deadline was later extended to 1982, it came and went without enough states signing on.

In recent years, however, a renewed push to approve the amendment emerged. Nevada ratified the ERA in 2017, and Illinois followed in 2018. 4

For happenings and updates throughout the year, visit the La Plata County League of Women Voters at www.lwvlaplata.org and the American Association of University Women at durango-co.aauw.net.

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On Jan. 15, 2020, Virginia joined the effort, becoming the 38th and final state needed to reach the twothirds threshold.

But, it’s not a done deal. Several states rescinded their ratification votes, and many say it’s simply too late. The debate now turns to the courts to decide if the original deadline for passage is valid.

While Pegram noted there’s an argument to be made that the ERA isn’t as necessary today as it was decades ago, she said the League of Women Voters supports making it part of the U.S. Constitution.

Get out and vote Before the 19th Amendment was officially ratified by the states, many suffragists could already see what was coming and turned their attention to the future.

“What would be needed for all those new women voters would be education,” Pegram explained.

That was the reason the League of Women Voters was formed Feb. 14, 1920 – to educate women on registration, the issues and the candidates.

As the organization celebrates its founding this weekend, several events are planned. It started with a Monday night reveal party for the official poster and Tshirt for the local 19th Amendment Committee, which is made up of members of the League and the American Association of University Women.

Hayley Kirkman, executive director of the Durango Creative District, created the brand. She said the design

celebrates the nation’s victory a century ago and represents the battles still being fought today.

“I hope that we can acknowledge the incredible groundwork that was laid down for us 100 years ago and continue to build upon it,” Kirkman explained.

“The first step being that everyone should vote, because so many before you dedicated their lives to making sure you get a say in your future.”

On Friday, the celebrations move to the new La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s Office, with a tour of the facility and look inside the election process from noon3 p.m. Following the tour, things head to Fort Lewis College with an unveiling of a new ballot drop box at the Center of Southwest Studies at 3:30 p.m., and the “Fall in Love With Voting” fair hosted by FLC’s Political Science Department, at 4 p.m.

The events don’t stop with the League’s anniversary this week. In May, the festivities continue with a minifilm festival. Then, on Aug. 22, is the big rally in Buckley Park, featuring readings, speakers and more.

As much as all the events are meant to celebrate the people who fought for the 19th Amendment and recognize the battles that still need to be fought today, according to Pegram, Olsen and others, it’s also a reminder that voting is what matters most.

“Voting is our voice in our democracy,” Olsen said.

“It’s very important we all vote, that’s the right they fought so hard for 100 years ago.” n

Hayley Kirkman, executive director for the Durango Creative District, is also the artist behind the branding for the 19th Amendment celebrations.

Kirkman said she designed the poster, pictured left, to celebrate its passage a century ago and to represent the battles still being fought today. “It’s so powerful to look back at what has changed for the better in the past 100 years and to think about where we want to go in the next 100. We’ve come so far with creating equal opportunities for our citizens, but we have miles to go,” she added.

Primary colors: Presidential voting comes to all Colorado voters It’s been 20 years since Colorado hosted a primary election, according to La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Parker.

For the past couple decades, she explained, the state went with the caucus model. But in 2016, voters chose to make several changes to elections laws. Not only did they decide to go with primaries, they also decided to allow unaffiliated voters to join in. This process was enacted during the 2018 mid-term

elections, but this year marks the first time unaffiliated voters will be able to participate in presidential primaries.

Ballots went out Monday, and La Plata County residents should have received their primary ballots this week. For voters registered with a specific party, they will only get one ballot for their party. Unaffiliated voters, however, will receive ballots for both Democrat and Republican primaries. They can only vote

telegraph

in one party’s primary, of their choosing, however.

Election dates: March 3, Primary elections; March 7, Colorado caucuses (which are still being held to give parties a chance to deliberate platform policies); Nov. 3, Election Day Election info: For the latest election information, voter registration links and more, visit the Clerk and Recorder’s page at www.co.laplata.co.us or call 382-6296.

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dayinthelife

Scratching the surface

by Stephen Eginoire

H

idden below southeastern New Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert is one of the world's most extensive subterranean landscapes, Lechuguilla Cave.

Named for a type of agave plant native to the area, Lechuguilla stretches more than 150 miles in length, making it the eighth-longest explored cave in the world. Naturally, these pristine, deep caverns have attracted adventurous scientists from all over the world to research and explore the great unknown. Discovered in the 1980s at the edge of Carlsbad National Park, the full extent of this underground wilderness is still yet to be realized. Once a month, one team is permitted by the Park Service to conduct an ongoing investigation into the cave. The explorers typically spend a full week underground, making for a logistical, staging and sensory adventure not for the faint of heart. Here's a look at a recent expedition:

telegraph

Feb. 13, 2020 n 15

FlashinthePan

Falling in love with vanilla

by Ari LeVaux

C

hocolate steals the show on Valentine’s Day, while vanilla plays the Cinderella. The rest of the year isn’t much different. This is wrong in so many ways, but there is an easy solution to the imbalance: Double the vanilla. In your Valentine’s Day chocolate, in your Cream of Wheat, and any other time where sweetness – or the flavor of sweetness – is dominant.

Vanilla gives unselfishly and helps its teammates succeed.

Double the vanilla, and you will double the shine. That goes triply true for chocolate sauce.

But if you add chocolate to vanilla sauce, the vanilla sauce disappears, replaced by the best chocolate sauce ever, and few will notice the strong vanilla base.

Vanilla also improves nonchocolate delights. After all, vanilla comes from orchids – plants with some of the world’s most celebrated sexual organs. Orchids are not easy to grow (neither is the cacao plant, for that matter). Orchids depend on a mature forest overstory and need to be hand-pollinated. The once high price of vanilla enticed more farmers into the industry, which crashed when the processed food industry embraced artificial vanilla – in part because disasters keep befalling vanilla farmers, disrupting the supply chain.

Needless to say, there is a difference in flavor between real and fake vanilla. Real vanilla contains more than 250 organic components, while artificial vanilla contains only vanillin. Whenever possible, use fair trade vanilla. It will set you back about 5 bucks a pod, but remember, it took at least three years to grow it.

Vanilla comes from the orchid’s seed pods, which are chocolate brown. Yet for some reason this concentrated powerhouse of flavor is usually represented as white, like

in vanilla ice cream, as if a flavor this big can simply be invisible. It may have a boring reputation, but the quiet penetration of vanilla has made our plain Cinderella the world’s best-selling ice cream flavor.

A 2017 news release from the International Dairy Foods Association credited vanilla ice cream’s popularity to its ability to enhance other desserts and treats. “It tastes great topped by whipped cream and fudge sauce in a sundae, with root beer in a float or atop a warm slice of apple pie,” Cary Frye, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs for the IDFA, said.

The only time that it’s possible to add too much vanilla is when it’s in the form of alcohol extract. In that case the problem can usually be solved with added sugar. For the purposes of doubling, and perhaps quadrupling, the vanilla, I prefer glycerin extract. Vanilla powder is also for sale in the baking goods section.

One morning, I tripled the amount of vanilla in the kids’ French toast, from a teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, and they didn’t notice. The next morning, I doubled it again, and they said I could still add more. I ran out of bread before I reached their point of saturation, so the next day I added a tablespoon of vanilla to the batter for two servings of pancakes.

“I don’t taste it,” said boy No. 1, who was already done with his serving.

“It’s good. But needs more, actually,” said No. 2, the cook in the family. He proceeded to arrange his pancakes into a sculpture, down which the maple syrup ran and pooled like a garden fountain.

The bowl of pancake batter had enough left over for one more pancake. I added another tablespoon of vanilla.

The consistency immediately became more runny, but since I make a thick batter, it was fine. The batter also darkened a shade.

The pancake emanated a pleasant vanilla perfume and had a more chewy consistency, probably because of the glycerin. Son No. 1 was no longer finished. We tore it apart like hyenas on a carcass. The pancake clearly tasted sweeter because of the vanilla, even though it added no actual sweetness. The next morning, I added chocolate chips to the batter and skipped the maple syrup, for roughly the equivalent amount of sugar in the pancakes, but with an extra decadent feel.

After the kids got on the bus, things took a more adult turn. I started with a simple chocolate paste of cocoa powder, sugar and cream, mixed until stiff like truffle ganache. I then proceeded to double, and redouble, the vanilla, adding it like a drunk pouring liquor straight into a mixed drink. The chocolate got progressively richer.

And stronger. As did my buzz. By the time I added coffee, my smile had pretty much turned into a circle.

The above process is half recipe, half science project, and half journey of self-discovery. It’s a way of finding out if there really is such a thing as too much vanilla.

Meanwhile, I will leave you with an easy way to enjoy vanilla flavor straight from the pod, by extracting it yourself with sugar, which, more than chocolate, is the true soulmate of our Cinderella. Vanilla adds fragrance to sugar, while sugar adds a sweet body for the fragrance to inhabit.

The first step is to cut off both tips and split the pod from end to end, to let out the pungent little seeds.

For a simple sugar extraction, simply chop the split pod into manageable sized pieces, and add them to your sugar bowl.

Another great material with which to extract vanilla is bourbon. Its oaky, caramel flavor dances nicely with the vanilla and can handle a little sweetness. Bourbon also contains alcohol (little known fact, I know), which is a great medium in which to extract vanilla flavor. Chop a split pod and add the pieces to some fine bourbon, and wait a few days, or ideally a few weeks. Alternatively, splash bourbon into a cup of vanilla sugar if vanilla isn’t enough brown flavor in your sweetness, and you can’t find any chocolate. n

Free Divorce and Custody Clinic Presented by Colorado Legal Services

Tuesday, Feb. 18th, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Durango Public Library For more information, call: 970-247-0266

16 n Feb. 13, 2020

telegraph

TopShelf

Sticks N’ Thorns, Tiny Universes and big teen-agers

by Chris Aaland

T

he Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band was a cultural explosion that took the San Juan Mountains by storm in the mid-2000s and forever changed the landscape and history of newgrass music in our state. Three local kids – Anders Beck, Travis Book and Robin Davis – were college kids exploring bluegrass music and learning from a wise old sage, Benny “Burle” Galloway. They soon met a couple of Carolinians – Jon Stickley and Andy Thorn – at a late-night festival jam, and Broke Mountain was formed.

Over the course of a few short years, they explored their instruments (Beck and Book were just learning to play dobro and the bass), entered band contests at RockyGrass and Telluride, played the occasional festival, recorded an album and went their separate ways when bigger bands with better paychecks came calling.

In the decade-plus since, there have been Colorado Playboys tours and the occasional Broke Mountain reunion with other musical kinfolk. At last summer’s Telluride Bluegrass, Broke Mountain reformed for a main stage set that ranked among the best things I’ve ever seen live in Town Park. I sat next to Kaye Book, Travis’ mom, in the poser pit while the usual bluegrass suspects from around the Four Corners moshed across the fence behind us. It was a damn-near religious experience and not a dry eye in the house. My, how these guys had grown musically since the last time I saw them on stage together.

Thorn was the first to depart Broke Mountain when he left in 2005 to join the Larry Keel Experience. A few years later, he bolted westward to round out the Emmitt-Nershi Band with Drew Emmitt and Billy Nershi (founding members of Leftover Salmon and the String Cheese Incident, respectively) and upand-coming guitarist Tyler Grant. Things obviously clicked between Thorn and Emmitt, as an invitation to join Leftover Salmon as banjo player followed. Leftover’s banjo spot had been in a constant state of flux ever since the death of founding member Mark Vann. Such notable pickers as Matt Flinner and Noam Pikelny had filled the void before Thorn enlisted.

Stickley was next to depart. He played mandolin for the Biscuit Burners, electric guitar for Shannon Whitworth and bass for Town Mountain before forming his own Jon Stickley Trio. With the latter, he’s forged jazz, Latin and world sounds with bluegrass to mine a vein similar to David Grisman.

Book auditioned for bassist for a Nashville collective called The Stringdusters. An infamous legal challenge from a band with the same name resulted in the Grammy-winning group we now know as The Infamous Stringdusters Beck and Davis stuck around for a few years forming an Americana/newgrass outfit called The Wayword Sons with their mentor, Burle. A mainstage spot at Telluride Bluegrass and an album followed, but the two each wandered. Beck was recruited by Greensky Bluegrass to round out their sound and that group has emerged as a tour de force in the jam band world. Davis moved to Nashville briefly and toured with Ralph Stanley II for a short spell before returning home. After anchoring a number of local bands through the years, he’s now found his place in the Robin Davis Duo.

A much-anticipated reunion takes place at 8 p.m. Friday when the Sticks N’ Thorns tour lands at the Animas City Theatre.

Davis will join them as their Durango bluegrass family gets 3/5 of a Broke Mountain reunion. It’s sure to sell out.

The Denver-based electro/funk/hip-hop group, TNERTLE, takes the ACT stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Trent Campbell (midi controllers, bass) and Kyle Ayervais (drums) met in their 7th grade jazz band class in 1999 and have been playing in an assortment of bands together ever since. After graduating from high school, they attended the Berklee College of Music before forming TNERTLE in 2012. They’ve since added a horn section and guitars, with frequent appearances by guest vocalists and instrumentalists.

Telemetry opens the show.

KBong – the stage name of multi-instrumentalist Kevin Bong – brings reggae with ska, surf and acoustic undertones to the ACT at 8 p.m. tonight (Thurs., Feb. 13). A past member of the reggae band Stick Figure, KBong is considered one of the top keyboard players in reggae today. He’s released a pair of albums – 2014’s “Hopes and Dreams” and 2018’s “Easy to Love You” since leaving Stick Figure.

The Cali reggae, surf and psychedelic outfit Sensi Trails kicks off the music.

Get ready for a funky jam if you’re heading up to Telluride this weekend as Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe plays Club Red at Mountain Village on Sunday and Monday nights. The sax-playing singer fronts the Tiny Universe as if he’s preaching the gospel. His energy and spirit are contagious while his songwriting serves a larger message of fellowship across generations, genders, religions and cultures.

Also up in T-Ride is the 21st annual Telluride Comedy Fest, which takes place tonight through Sunday at the Sheridan Opera House. Headliners include Nick Kroll and Natasha Leggero, plus many more comics. A complete lineup is available at sheridanop erahouse.com.

The San Juan Symphony’s celebration of Beethoven@250 is still a week off (Feb. 22 in Farmington, Feb. 23 in Durango), but music lovers can get a better understanding of what the SJS has in store when maestro Thomas Heuser previews the concert at a “Musically Speaking” event at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Four Leaves Winery. The event is free.

And just like that, I have a teen-ager – Otto turned 13 yesterday. I can’t begin to explain how proud I am of him. We’ve shared countless days in the field chasing pheasants, quail and grouse. In my past career in intercollegiate athletics, he was my constant companion setting up for games. Today, he more than pulls his weight in concert and festival production. When we host KSUT Parties in the Park, Otto busts his butt from 8 a.m. until the last note of the night assisting with set-up and breakdown. At age 11, he introduced Town Mountain as emcee at the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown and joined me the past two years welcoming acts from the stage. Along the way, he’s scored goals, touchdowns and three-point baskets, pitched two innings of relief to earn a save in a little league playoff game and learned to play the saxophone, all while earning Honor Roll each semester.

I love you, Otto.

Life is a dream? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net. n

telegraph

Putting the pieces together is my passion.

Let me help you with the real estate puzzle.

Gillian Arnwine 970-749-3704 gillian@wellsgroupdurango.com Feb. 13, 2020 n 17

onthetown

Thursday13 Living Your Best Life with Disabilities: Successful Aging, co-hosted by Southwest Center for Independence, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Thursday Afternoon Social Club for veterans, spouses and supporters, 4-6 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main Ave. The Assortment performs, 5-7 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St. Tim Sullivan performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Open Mic Night, 6-8 p.m., Eno Wine Bar, 723 E. 2nd Ave.

Submit “On the Town” items by Monday at noon to: calendar@durangotelegraph.com

Gary B. Walker performs, 6:30 p.m., JeanPierre Wine Bar, 601 Main Ave. “The Women Wore White,” part of the Life-Long Learning Lecture series, 7 p.m., FLC Noble Hall, Room 130. www.fortlewis.edu.

Jose Villarreal performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave. Mystery Science 3000: “The Great Cheesy Movie Circus,” 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Karaoke, 8 p.m., Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave.

Friday14 Valentine’s Day Happy Birthday to the League of Women Voters and Open House, noon-3 p.m., La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s office, 679 Turner Dr. www.lwvlaplata.org.

Campus Civic Engagement Kickoff, 3:30-5 p.m., FLC Center for Southwest Studies.

Matt Rupnow performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Telemark Festival, all day, Purgatory Resort. www.purgatoryresort.com.

Robby Overfield performs, 5:30 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Snow Shoe Race, 9 a.m.-noon, Durango Nordic Center. www.durangonordic.org.

The Lisa Blue Trio performs, 6-8 p.m., Durango Craft Spirits Tasting Room, 1120 Main Ave. 247-1919.

USASA Snowboard & Skier Halfpipe Competition, 10:15 a.m., also runs Feb. 1617, Pitchfork Terrain Park, Purgatory. www.pur gatoryresort.com.

Lacey Black performs, 6-8 p.m., Lone Spur Café, 619 Main Ave. Live music, 6-9 p.m., DJ Hakan 9 p.m.close, Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave. The Chills perform, 7-11 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon.

Karaoke, 7 p.m.-close, VFW, 1550 Main Ave. Ecstatic Dance with DJ Billy Love, 7-10 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main Ave. “Four Weddings and an Elvis,” presented by Farmington’s Theater Ensemble Arts, opening night, 7:30 p.m., show also runs Feb. 15, 21-22, and 2:30 p.m., Feb. 23, Totah Theater, Farmington. 505-326-2839.

Sticks N’ Thorns performs, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. www.animasci tytheatre.com.

Bohemian Burlesque Hearts Unveiled Valentines Show, 8 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. The Vagina Monologues, benefit for Sexual Assault Services Organization, 8 p.m., show also runs 3 and 8 p.m., Feb. 15, Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. henrystratertheatre.com.

Saturday15 Silverton Skijoring, Feb. 15-16, downtown Silverton.

Henry Stoy, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Wine Bar, 601 Main Ave. Coffee and Conversations: A shared meal with local homeless and food-insecure residents, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Schneider Park. www.communitycompassion outreach.com.

USASA Night Rail Jam, 5:30-8 p.m., DC Terrain Park, Purgatory Resort. www.purgato ryresort.com.

Adam Swanson performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Lacey Black performs, 6-8 p.m., Lone Spur Café, 619 Main Ave. Steve Blechschmidt performs, 6-10 p.m., Seven Rivers Steak House, Sky Ute Resort.

Garrett Young Collective performs, 7-11 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

DJ Side Affex, 9 p.m.-close, Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Sunday16 Veterans Breakfast, 9-11 a.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds. 946-4831.

Henry Stoy, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Wine Bar, 601 Main Ave. Irish Music Jam, 12:30-4 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave.4

President’s Day Storewide Sale!

20% off everything!

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Blue Moon Ramblers, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

“Break the Code: Early Literacy,” 10:30 a.m., Durango Public Library. 375-3380.

Open Mic Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Hermosa Coffee Roasters, 738 Main Ave.

Donny Johnson performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Monday17

Thank the Veterans potluck, 5:30 p.m., Peter Neds performs, 7-8:30 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main Ave. 828-7777.

President’s Day Robby Overfield performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Terry Rickard performs, 6 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Meditation and Dharma Talk with Matthew Brensilver on Compulsive Thinking, Concentration & Equanimity, 5:30-7 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave., Suite 109. durangodharmacenter.org.

Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr. Karaoke with Crazy Charlie, 8 p.m.-close, Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave.

Rob Webster performs, 6 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Ongoing

Tuesday18 Terry Rickard performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

“Hat on a Hat” art exhibit by Trey Duvall, thru Feb. 20 FLC Art Gallery.

“Retrospective Art Show: 1960-2020” by Peggy Cloy, thru March 24, Smiley Building 2nd floor, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

Rotary Club meets, presentation from Trish Pegram with the League of Women Voters, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. Super Ted’s Super Trivia, 6:12 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

“Inside Out: Visions from the Artist’s Mind,” thru April 2020, Southern Ute Museum. www.southernutemuseum.org.

DJ Crazy Charlie, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon.

Karaoke, 8 p.m., Thur-Sun, 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E 8th Ave.

Tim Sullivan performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Upcoming

The Durango Voice semi-finals, fundraiser for Manna Soup Kitchen, 7 p.m., Feb. 22, Henry Strater Theater, 699 Main Ave. www.mannasoup kitchen.org.

Magic Beans performs with special guest Cycles, 8:30 p.m., Feb. 22, Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. www.animascitytheatre.com.

Free Skiing, Feb. 23, event also runs March 29, Kendall Mountain in Silverton. www.skikendall.com.

Che Apalache in Concert, presented by KSUT, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 25, Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. ksut.org.

The Actors’ Gang: “The New Colossus,” directed by Tim Robbins, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 25-26, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.

ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, 8:30 p.m., Feb. 26, Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. www.animascitytheatre.com.

Paws for Celebration, an annual fundraiser for Lisa Parker’s Puppies, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 27, Wild Horse Saloon, 201 E. 2nd Ave. lisaparkerspup pies.com.

The Met: Live in HD, featuring Handel’s “Agrippina,” 10:55 a.m., Feb. 29, Student Union Vallecito Room, FLC. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Deadline for “On the Town” submissions is Monday at noon.

Self-Support Kayak Clinic, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 20, 4Corners Riversports, 360 S. Camino del Rio.

Latin Dance Night, 8 p.m., Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave.

22nd annual Dave Spencer Ski Classic, fundraiser for Adaptive Sports Association, Feb. 21-23, Purgatory Resort. asadurango.com.

Wednesday19 “Disaster: A ’70s Disaster Movie Musical,” Feb. 19-23, Farmington Civic Center. www.fmtn.org/shows.

To submit an item email: calendar@durango telegraph.com

Pine Needle Langlauf: Nordic Ski Marathon & Festival, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Feb. 22, Durango Nordic Center.

Kindergarten readiness workshops,

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Feb. 13, 2020 n 19

AskRachel Interesting fact: Worse than left-lane hogs are those too-bright LED headlights. But my internet research shows, unfortunately, that somehow those damn lights are not actually illegal.

Dear Rachel, I try to lead a private existence but that’s impossible because my husband is trying to ruin my life with his rampant and misleading Facebook posting. He announces it’s my birthday before it’s my birthday. He posts pictures of me in Wisconsin when I’m actually safe at home in Durango. Who knows what supposed secrets he’s sharing that I can’t see because he probably blocked me from those posts. How can I stop him?

- No Alibi Dear Facepalm, You can’t stop him. I mean, I assume you’ve tried withholding sex and that didn’t work. So your best option is to push his game even further, to the brink of divorce if you have to. Hire one of those Instagram escorts who help you pose for pictures against green screens.

How’s Venice sound? Shanghai? Your friends (and more importantly, your hubby’s friends) will see you traveling to exotic locales without him. And hey, if he complains, have them chroma key in some younger hunks, as well.

– Embracing rampant and misleading, Rachel Dear Rachel, I try really, really hard not to tell other people how to take better care of their dogs. But it has to be more socially acceptable to intervene

when they come to dinner at my house, right? I see the crap kibble they feed their mutts, and how their black fur gets EVERYWHERE (even though “they don’t shed so I don’t need to brush them”). These dogs are basically abused, and I just can’t sit back and take it anymore. My dinner party, my rules. That’s fair, isn’t it?

- Dog House Dear Miss Manners, Or is it Mister Manners? Whatever. Instead of telling people how to treat their dogs, why don’t you just kidnap them (the dogs, not the people) and treat them your way. After all, as my grandma used to say, if you want something done right, you’ve got to abduct someone else’s dogs and do it yourself. Don’t like that answer?

Well, then maybe you should stop conflating “not brushed enough” with “basically abused.”

– Good girl, Rachel Dear Rachel, What is the appropriate way to make slow-ass drivers get out of the left-hand lane and into the right-hand lane where they belong? I won’t tailgate them, because when people tailgate me, it makes me drive even slower. Should I flash my brights at them? I could pass them in the righthand lane, but that makes me feel like I stooped to their level. Roads have rules for reasons. I just want people to obey them.

– Traffic Warrior

Email Rachel at telegraph@durangotelegraph.com cantly older than you, release the glare. They’ve earned the right to drive however they like. If the person is younger, you have earned the right to swallow your anger, because thank god one youth out there is driving slow. And if the person is your husband, you may post about it rampantly and misleadingly on Facebook.

– Honk honk, Rachel

Dear Road Crusader, We all know you’re supposed to pull up alongside the car and shoot them a nasty glare. If the person is signifi-

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by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): Now that she’s in her late 40s, Aries comedian and actress Tig Notaro is wiser about love. Her increased capacity for romantic happiness has developed in part because she’s been willing to change her attitudes. She says, “Instead of being someone who expects people to have all the strengths I think I need them to have, I resolved to try to become someone who focuses on the strengths they do have.” In accordance with this Valentine’s season’s astrological omens, Aries, I invite you to meditate on how you might cultivate more of that aptitude yourself.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus artist Joan Miró loved to daub colored paint on canvases. He said he approached his work in the same way he made love: “a total embrace, without caution, prudence thrown to the winds, nothing held back.” In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to invoke a similar attitude with all the important things you do in the coming weeks. Summon the ardor and artistry of a creative lover for all-purpose use. Happy Valentine Daze, Taurus!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 1910, Gemini businessman Irving Seery was 20 years old.

One evening he traveled to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to see an opera starring the gorgeous and electrifying soprano singer Maria Jeritza. He fell in love instantly. For the next 38 years he remained a bachelor as he nursed his desire to marry her. His devotion finally paid off. Jeritza married Seery in 1948. Dear Gemini, in 2020, I think you will be capable of a heroic feat of love that resembles Seery’s. Which of your yearnings might evoke such intensely passionate dedication? Happy Valentine Daze!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I’ve been married twice, both times to the same woman. Our first time around, we were less than perfectly wise in the arts of relationship. After our divorce and during the few years we weren’t together, we each ripened into more graceful versions of ourselves; we developed greater intimacy skills. Our second marriage has been far more successful. Is there a comparable possibility in your life, Cancerian? A chance to enhance your ability to build satisfying togetherness? An opening to learn practical lessons from past romantic mistakes? Now is a favorable time to capitalize. Happy Valentine Daze!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 1911, the famous Russian poet Anna Akhmatova and the famous Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani were in

love with each other. Both were quite poor, though. They didn’t have much to spend on luxuries. In her memoir, Akhmatova recalled the time they went on a date in the rain at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Barely protected under a rickety umbrella, they amused each other by reciting the verse of Paul Verlaine, a poet they both loved. Isn’t that romantic? In the coming weeks, I recommend you experiment with comparable approaches to cultivating love. Get back to raw basics.

Happy Valentine Daze!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): (Warning: Poetry alert! If you prefer your horoscopes to be exclusively composed of practical, hyper-rational advice, stop reading now!) Happy Valentine Daze, Virgo! I hope there’s someone in your life to whom you can give a note like the one I’ll offer at the end of this oracle. If there’s not, I trust you will locate that person in the next six months.

Feel free to alter the note as you see fit.

Here it is. “When you and I are together, it’s as if we have been reborn into luckier lives; as if we can breathe deeper breaths that fill our bodies with richer sunlight; as if we see all of the world’s beauty that alone we were blind to; as if the secrets of our souls’ codes are no longer secret.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the course of your life, how many people and animals have truly loved you?

Three? Seven? More? I invite you to try this Valentine experiment: Write down their names on a piece of paper. Spend a few minutes visualizing the specific qualities in you that they cherished, and how they expressed their love, and how you felt as you received their caring attention. Then send out a beam of gratitude to each of them.

Honor them with sublime appreciation for having treasured your unique beauty.

Amazingly enough, Libra, doing this exercise will magnetize you to further outpourings of love in the coming weeks.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): (Warning: Poetry alert! If you prefer your horoscopes to be exclusively composed of practical, hyper-rational advice, stop reading now!) Happy Valentine Daze, Scorpio! I invite you to copy the following passage and offer it to a person who is receptive to deepening their connection with you. “Your healing eyes bless the winter jasmine flowers that the breeze blew into the misty creek.

Your welcoming prayers celebrate the rhythmic light of the mud-loving cypress trees. Your fresh dreams replenish the eternal salt that nourishes our beloved song of songs. With your melodic breath, you pour all these not-yet-remembered joys into my body.” (This lyrical message is a blend of my words with those of Scorpio poet Odysseus Elytis.)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): The poet Virgil, a renowned author in ancient Rome, wrote three epic poems that are still in print today. His second was a masterpiece called the “Georgics.” It took him seven years to write, even though it was only 2,740 lines long. So on average he wrote a little over one line per day. I hope you’ll use him as inspiration as you toil over your own labors of love in the coming weeks and months. There’ll be no need to rush. In fact, the final outcomes will be better if you do them slowly. Be especially diligent and deliberate in all matters involving intimacy and collaboration and togetherness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): (Warning: Poetry alert! If you prefer your horoscopes to be exclusively composed of practical, hyper-rational advice, stop reading now!) Happy Valentine Daze, Capricorn! I invite you to copy the following passage and offer it to a person who is ready to explore a more deeply lyrical connection with you. “I yearn to earn the right to your whispered laugh, your confident caress, your inscrutable dance.

Amused and curious, I wander where moon meets dawn, inhaling the sweet mist in quest of your questions. I study the joy that my imagination of you has awakened. All the maps are useless, & I like them that way.

I’m guided by my nervous excitement to know you deeper. Onward toward the everfresh truth of your mysterious rhythms!”

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author Derek Walcott had a perspective on love that I suspect might come in handy for you during this Valentine season. “Break a vase,” he wrote, “and the love that reassembles the fragments is stronger than that love which took its symmetry for granted when it was whole.” I urge you to meditate on how you could apply his counsel to your own love story, Aquarius. How might you remake your closest alliances into even better and brighter versions of themselves?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean poet Saul Williams wrote a meditation I hope you’ll consider experimenting with this Valentine season. It involves transforming mere kisses into sublime kisses. If you choose to be inspired by his thoughts, you’ll explore new sensations and meanings available through the act of joining your mouth to another’s. Ready?

Here’s Saul: “Have you ever lost yourself in a kiss? I mean pure psychedelic inebriation.

Not just lustful petting but transcendental metamorphosis, when you became aware that the greatness of this other being is breathing into you. Licking your mouth, like sealing a thousand fleshy envelopes filled with the essence of your passionate being, and then opened by the same mouth and delivered back to you, over and over again – the first kiss of the rest of your life.”

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classifieds

Deadline for Telegraph classified ads is Tuesday at noon.

Ads are a bargain at 10 cents a character with a $5 minimum. Even better, ads can now be placed online: durangotelegraph.com. Prepayment is required via cash, credit card or check.

(Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.)

Ads can be submitted via: n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133 n 777 Main Ave., #214 Approximate office hours: Mon., 9ish - 5ish Tues., 9ish - 5ish Wed., 9ish - 3ish Thurs., On delivery Fri., 10:30ish - 2ish please call ahead: 259-0133.

Announcements

HelpWanted Seeking PT labor, Comfortable in tight crawlspaces, oppt for growth, good people & good pay.

Must have building or const exp. 970903-6642.

Amaya Natural Therapeutics looking for massage therapist. Must be able to work weekends. Call Trisha @ 970382-1115.

Wanted

Himalayan Kitchen 992 Main Ave., 970-259-0956, www.himkitchen.com. Bringing you a taste of Nepal, Tibet & India. Try our allyou-can-eat lunch buffet. The dinner menu offers a variety of tempting choices, including yak, lamb, chicken, beef & seafood; extensive veggies; freshly baked bread. Full bar. Get your lunch punch card – 10th lunch free. Hours: Lunch, 11am-2:30 p.m. & dinner, Sun. Thurs., 5-9:30 p.m., Fri. & Sat. ‘til 10 p.m.

Closed 2:30 - 5, daily.

Great Old Broads Local Chapter hosts Cam Hooley to explain NEPA (Nat’l Environment Policy Act), the bedrock law for protecting public lands that is currently under threat. Feb 18, 5:30-7:30, Rec Center. Free!

The Perfect Gift for your favorite dirtbag. Literature from Durango’s own Benighted Publications. The Desert, The Climbing Zine, The Great American Dirtbags, American Climber, Climbing Out of Bed and Graduating From College Me are available at: Maria’s Bookshop, Pine Needle Mountaineering, the Sky Store, or on the interweb at www.climbingzine.com.

Lost&Found Found: Ring at Purgatory Base Text to identify: 970-769-1409.

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Admin Coordinator Wanted Wildfire Adapted Partnership seeks a part time (20 hr/wk) Admin Coordinator to work out of WAP’s Durango office and assist the Executive Director in the dayto-day operations of the organization. For the full job announcement please visit: www.wildfireadapted.org or call 970-3858909.

Need a Medical Marijuana Card?

Durango’s Family Health Care, a total family medical care office, is now offering medical marijuana cards for those that qualify. Walk-in appointments are available. $100 fee for medical cards. We are located at 29423 HWY 160 between the Fun Center and Three Springs Blvd.

Hours: M-F 8am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm. More info at Durangofhc.com Lowest Prices on Storage!

Inside/outside near Durango and Bayfield, RJ Mini Storage. 970-259-3494.

Marketing Small and Local Businesses Media, social media, website content, SEO, etc. for small, local, independent or startup businesses. Email jnderge@gmail.com

and other metal drop off. 970-259-3494.

Advanced Duct Cleaning Air duct cleaning specializing in dryer vents. Improves indoor air quality; reduces dust and allergens, energy bills and fire risk. 970-247-2462 www.advanced ductcleaninginc.com

Classes/Workshops

BodyWork

Back Bending Workshop with Props Back Bends are Nature’s Mood Elevators! with Kathy Curran. Saturday, February 15, 9-noon. Drop Ins Welcome!

Smiley Building, Room #32. 259-4794. www.4cornersyoga.com.

Valentine Massages Gift certs. 30, 60 & 90 min Meg Bush, LMT 970-759-0199.

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

Mommy and Me Dance Class Come join the fun! Now registering for classes. Call 970-749-6456. mom myandmedance.com.

Services Hey Guys...

Looking for a great hairstylist? Consistent and reliable you found me Denene at Shampoo Salon 970 247 5620 accepting new clients appointments preferred walk ins welcome.

Harmony Organizing and Cleaning Services Home and office 970-403-6192.

telegraph

massageintervention.life Voted best massage in Durango 201819. Couples, cupping, local CBD. Reviews on FB + Yelp. 970-903-2984.

Massage with Kathryn 20+ years experience offering a fusion of esalen style, deep tissue massage with therapeutic stretching & Acutonics. New clients receive $5 off first session. To schedule appt. call 970-201-3373.

ForSale Reruns Home Furnishings New arrivals: beautiful artwork, lots of mirrors, side tables, lamps, rugs, night stands, glassware and linens. Cool vintage dishes – Pyrex & Fiestaware.

Storewide sales. 572 E. 6th Ave. 385-7336.

HaikuMovieReview ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ Psst ... the secret to enjoying this is having low expectations – Lainie Maxson

RealEstate Radon Services Free radon testing and consultation.

Call Colorado Radon Abatement and Detection for details. 970- 946-1618.

ForRent Affordable Housing Homes for sale, less than $20K. Homes for rent, less than $800/mo. Mobile home sites, $285/mo + W/S. Clean, safe, family friendly community in Aztec, NM. Only 45 min from Durango. 505-334-7100 sunsetvillagemhc.com. We can help you move your home!

CommunityService Alternative Horizons is currently looking for volunteer advocates, including those who are bilingual, to staff our 24-hour hotline. AH supports and empowers survivors of domestic violence. Make a difference in the lives of others, come join us for a free comprehensive training. Next volunteer training March 4th and 5th. For more info call the office at 970-247-4374.

The Free Bag, Bag Free Project Needs old T-shirts to turn into reusable shopping bags. There are now T-shirt collection bins at the Durango Public Library and Smiley Building. Help also needed sewing. Sewing days at Stitch the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Drop ins welcome whether you have a machine or not! durangobeyondplastic@gmail.com

Free For School or Child Care Group Free HP Envy 5012 and/or Epson Stylus Photo R200 printers, both in fine working order. Contact bobrosen berg65@gmail to arrange pick up in town.

NewspaperOrigami

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Rock on.

(Issue 12 is coming soon.)

Wherever you find the Telegraph or at www.gulchmag.com.

To find out about advertising opportunities, email: steve@gulchmag.com

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