The Durango Telegraph, Feb. 16, 2023

elegraph

the durango

TikTok this How did we ever survive without its life hacks?

Responsible mining? A deep dive into what exactly this looks like

Crazy – in a good way

Getting lost in Durango’s quirkiest book store

line up

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Mining done right?

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Small potatoes

If you’re not following the gospel of TikTok, you’re no one by Addyson Santese

Getting lit

Southwest Book Trader the perfect place to blow an hour – or a day by Kathleen O’Connor

EDITORIALISTA:

Missy Votel missy@durangotelegraph.com

ADVERTISING SALES: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

STAFF REPORTER:

Jonathan Romeo jonathan@durangotelegraph.com

The Durango Telegraph publishes every Thursday, come hell, high water, tacky singletrack or mon-

STAR-STUDDED CAST: Addyson Santese, Jonathan Thompson, Kathleen O’Connor, Alex Vick, Ari LeVaux, Lainie Maxson & Clint Reid

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 332, Durango, CO 81302

ster powder days. We are wholly independently owned and operated by the Durango Telegraph LLC and dis-

Ear to the ground:

Q: “What do you call a group of men sitting around watching the Super Bowl?”

A: “The Denver Broncos.” – Mother-in-law with a zinger

Getting plowed

Because one of us here at the Telegraph hails from what’s known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, or the Gopher State, or to many, just one of those states up north that’s really cold, every once in a while we get a good news tidbit from our beloved Midwest.

This week, we learned the Minnesota Department of Transportation recently held a “Name a Snowplow” contest, and we gotta give it to one of the winners – “Blizzo” – in reference to the music superstar, Lizzo.

Even Lizzo herself reacted to the win in a video posted to Twitter.

“Of all the awards I have received, this is by far the highest honor,” she said. “To know that there is a snowplow with the name ‘Blizzo’ that is clearing the streets of the Twin Cities right now makes my heart melt – or freeze.”

Other notable mentions include Sleetwood Mac, Scoop! There it is, Better Call Salt, Clearopathra and Han Snowlo. Last year, Betty Whiteout and Ctrl Salt Delete were among the winning names. Seems like they got something going good up there in Minnesota.

Sarah Hill, the City of Durango’s Transportation Director, said the city’s plow team doesn’t currently have names for its fleet. She did say, however, that a naming contest may be a fun way to involve the community in the future.

With all the snow hitting Durango this week, it’s time to rev up your creative juices.

Drink for a cause

Just a quick mention here – a fundraiser will be held at El Rancho Tavern on Thursday from 7-10 p.m. to help get The Hive’s Buzz Bus back up and running.

REAL

ADDRESS:

tributed in the finest and most discerning locations throughout the greater Durango area.

The Buzz Bus, which offers free rides home from the bars, broke down in late November and is in need of a new engine at the cost of around $13,000.

“We are looking for community support to get the Buzz Bus back on the road and not just for the free weekend services, but also to create more transportation access for local youth,” Kelsi Borland, executive director of the Hive, said in a statement. “We hope to raise the funds necessary to be in operation by spring of 2023”

Two bands – The Batteries and Madd Libby & The Saints – will be playing, and there will also be opportunities to donate. Just make sure you find a safe way home!

On the cover Winter isn’t done with us yet in Southwestern Colorado as winds whip up white smoke from the Dallas Divide recently./ Photo by Stephen Eginoire the pole telegraph

You’re doing it wrong

Did you know that according to TikTok, you’ve been doing this one thing wrong your whole life? Actually, scratch that. You’ve been doing absolutely everything wrong for your entire life, and TikTok is the only thing that can save your sorry soul now.

Where would you be without this amazing app providing you with essential content like “Inspiring McDonald’s Hacks” and “Fail-Proof Ways to Know Your Pasta is Done?” Nowhere, that’s where. Think you know how to put a trash bag in a trash can? Think again. You still dump spaghetti into a strainer instead of placing the colander on top of the pot and then pour the water into the sink? What, were you born yesterday? Honestly, it’s kind of embarrassing how little you understand about the world, you unbelievably uneducated, living-under-arock buffoon. Tsk, tsk.

Luckily for you, TikTok is here to deliver you into the light. From tips to make cleaning your house a breeze to identifying your unique mental illness with “These Five Easy Tricks,” this app has an easy answer for everything – even the things that should probably be left to qualified specialists! You haven’t experienced inner peace until you’ve watched a preteen demonstrate crucial life skills like how to blow up a dozen balloons at once or soften a stick of butter without putting it in the microwave.

Look, I don’t care if TikTok allows for third-party tracking of your data or if the people who are making videos on this platform can’t even legally drive yet –they know better than the rest of us. And these geniuses have got a hack for literally every part of the pathetic little life you’ve been muddling through for the past however many decades like a caveman in the Paleolithic period. TikTok taught me how to live. Truly live. Not just survive like an animal.

After all, that’s what separates us from the beasts, right? Knowledge. TikTok knows all. This great receptacle of human wisdom (collected since 2016) has educated me on all the skills I was already capable of performing, but didn’t know I could be doing even better.

For example, I’d rather die than go back to eating cereal by putting it in a bowl with milk. Ugh. Disgusting. Nowadays, I do it the simple way. I lay the ce-

Thumbin’It

The City of Durango offering a food and utility rebate program for low-income families to help offset the high cost of living.

To that effect (you may notice a theme here), to help employees find housing, Fort Lewis College launched a mortgage-assistance program for staff and faculty.

Inflation continuing to cool in January for the seventh month in a row, though economic experts say a surge in prices is still far from over.

real box on the counter, take a pair of scissors, cut off the top layer of cardboard and slice a hole into the plastic, and then pour milk over the entire thing. Do I finish the whole box of cereal? No. Do I save myself the immense hassle of washing a bowl and a spoon while letting a bunch of food go to waste? Absolutely. This is because I’ve ascended to the highest realm of human intelligence. Einstein could never.

Honestly, how did you exist before learning that the best way to make mashed potatoes is to put the potatoes in the dishwasher on a quick rinse cycle? It’s multifunctional! You get to soften the potatoes while also covering them in all the chemicals and other gunk that live inside your dishwasher! (Don’t worry – if you need to clean your dishwasher, there’s a hack video for that, too.) Just imagine the prep time you could save at Thanksgiving, and the endless compliments you’ll receive from your curmudgeonly aunt who’s never impressed by anything.

Truthfully, I think the vast chasm that’s opened up between us all stems from the fact that you don’t learn everything from TikTok the way I do. I also think we probably shouldn’t be seen together anymore since I found out you still tuck in your shirt like a pleb – stuffing the excess fabric into the waistband of your pants like it’s 2015. We’ve evolved past that. We’re more refined as a society now. I’ll never turn my back on tying the front of my t-shirt into a giant knot and stuffing that knot up inside my bra because #lifehack.

Also, I didn’t want to point any fingers, but some of you have even been wearing shoes wrong. Yes, shoes. And by some of you, I mean you specifically. Whatever it is you’ve been doing, just know that you’ve been doing it wrong. So, so wrong…

The beauty of TikTok, however, lies in its public nature and general accessibility. Anyone can make a profile on the app and spew useless nonsense to the masses. Want to come up with your own viral TikTok? It’s easy.

Just think of a simple skill you already know how to do efficiently and well, then set up your ring light and camera, and do that exact same thing but make it 10 times more complicated and convoluted. BOOM! Life hack, baby. And hey, when you upload the video, could you pretty please tag me in it so I can share it with all 14 of my followers? My mom is my biggest fan.

– Addyson

Santese

SignoftheDownfall:

Colorado’s avian flu, which has killed millions of birds, has now crossed over into mammals, including black bear and mountain lion.

Amid the Chinese balloon-gate, the White House doubled down that there has been zero indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity. But isn’t that what they want us to think?

The U.S. urging Americans to leave Russia immediately as a result of rising tensions in the Russian-Ukraine conflict. We know borscht and vodka are awesome and all but yeah, maybe try Italy?

Hard Pass

Last year, Pepsi-Cola said, “screw it” and released a 5% alcohol version of Mountain Dew in Florida and Tennessee, most likely because they figured neither state could get any worse. It was a brilliant decision given the high

percentage of mullets in the test states, and Hard Mountain Dew started selling like #FJB bumper stickers. Now, Pepsi is bringing this spiked abomination to an additional nine states this spring. However, this version of Mountain Dew is both sugar and caffeine-free, because if you’re dumb enough to drink it, a couple good decisions need to be made for you.

What is ‘responsible’ mining?

Exploring whether it’s possible to reduce the extraction industry’s toll on the environment

by Jonathan Thompson

I’ve got to admit that when someone suggested I talk to the director of a global initiative that has developed standards for “responsible” mining, I was a bit skeptical. Conceptually I get it, but whenever I try to imagine an environmentally “responsible” mine, visions of the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah come to mind. It is the largest human-made excavation on Earth, where more than 1,000 tons of explosives are used daily to blast loose about 150,000 tons of copperbearing ore.

I put the question to Aimee Boulanger, executive director of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance, or IRMA. According to its mission statement, it offers “true independent third-party verification and certification against a comprehensive standard for all mined materials.”

It turns out Boulanger was initially even more doubtful than me, and even refused to take part in it. At the time, she was working for Earthworks, a mining and oil and gas watchdog group. She thought the global mining industry was so far gone that a certification system would only serve to greenwash bad behavior.

But, crucially, it wasn’t the mining industry looking to clean up its image that catalyzed the effort, but rather the companies that buy mined materials wanting to do so responsibly. Tiffany, for example, did not want to support or be associated with blood diamonds. So its CEO at the time went to Earthworks, hoping the NGO would be able to direct him to more responsible suppliers. They didn’t, but the request indicated a need for such a service.

Such a system, if implemented correctly, helps consumers – or downstream purchasers in this case – make informed choices about sourcing materials for their products. Maybe all mining is somewhat destructive, but if you have to buy copper or gold or lithium to make your business run, wouldn’t it be better to buy it from a more responsible operator?

So in 2006, representatives from NGOs, including Earthworks, companies

that purchase minerals, affected communities, mining companies and labor unions came together to form IRMA. By the time Boulanger – having come around to the idea – joined up in 2011, the disparate group was still arguing over the meaning of “responsible mining.”

But with Boulanger’s help, they were able to create 10 principle points of engagement, which enabled them to formulate a draft charter laying out what “responsible” means when applied to a mining operation.

By this point in the conversation, I had become convinced that with enough buy-in, IRMA could push for major improvements in the way mining companies do business. But I was still a bit blurry on one big point, so I asked Boulanger: “What, exactly, does responsible mining look like?”

There isn’t a simple or short answer. IRMA’s Standard for Responsible Mining is now more than two dozen chapters and hundreds of pages long, in-

cluding topics on resettling communities, pre-informed consent with Indigenous communities, water and waste management, noise and vibration, mercury and cyanide management, worker safety, and cultural heritage.

To even get on the scoring board, so to speak, the mine must meet 40 critical requirements. Dumping waste into natural bodies of water is a virtual deal-killer. Getting consent from the community is mandatory. Then the mine – not the company – is scored based on how many additional standards it achieves.

Initially, the organization worked on a pass-fail system, as do most analogous organizations in other industries. This proved problematic when dealing with existing, legacy mines, which might find it easier to get a passing grade by constructing a new mine rather than upgrading the existing one – which isn’t the goal, obviously. So IRMA shifted to a scoring system instead, because it leaves room for a mine to improve.

Not all mines are eligible for consideration. IRMA members from the labor sector wanted thermal coal to be included, because the average coal miner has been left behind and underground and in the dark. But the environmental sector pushed back, saying that labeling even the best coal mine “responsible” would further enable coal burning, which is fundamentally irresponsible. Same goes for uranium, Boulanger said.

Coal and uranium mining companies can use IRMA’s self-assessment tool internally to grade themselves and find areas to improve. But they can’t make their score public or use IRMA’s name to burnish their image.

Since its inception, IRMA’s focus has shifted toward so-called “green metals” –e.g. graphite, lithium, rare earths, nickel and cobalt – that are used in electric vehicles, batteries and other clean energy applications. Six carmakers have now joined IRMA as members as they look to source these materials more responsibly.

New lithium mines may have a tough time getting on IRMA’s scoreboard, however. Consent from the community, especially Indigenous ones, is paramount. And tribal nations are opposing some of the largest lithium proposals – Thacker Pass in Nevada, for example.

“Let’s say you have an average of 68% in all the chapters but did not have Indigenous consent,” Boulanger said. “You’re not going to get the IRMA 50 award.”

IRMA hopes its standards will prod companies to do better in all realms, from worker safety to managing waste, and especially with community engagement. That would not only reduce impacts to the environment and affected communities but would also help mining companies navigate the permitting process.

“So much innovation has been to get smaller amounts of gold out of larger amounts of ore,” Boulanger said. “What about innovating on ways to get community consent?”

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

The Bingham Canyon copper mine, south of Salt Lake City./ Photo by Jonathan Thompson

SoapBox

Wildlife over economics

I am a mountain biker, hiker, crosscountry skier, dog owner – these are several reasons my husband and I chose to move to Durango seven years ago.

The opportunities for outdoor recreation are abundant here, and we take advantage of that every day we can, regardless of the season. We are also strong advocates of public lands and protecting them from excess use, new trail systems built without regard to the natural habitat, as well as over-grazing of high-altitude meadows.

We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area, but must we continue to push the boundary of destruction vs. protection on these fragile areas? I thoroughly understand the economics of opening new trail systems. I am speaking specifically of the proposed Baker’s Park trail system that has been approved in the Silverton area. More trails, more bikes, more visitors, more money for the local businesses. Who can argue with that equation? The location of this proposed trail system is going to seriously impact wildlife in the surrounding area, but it seems like that was not taken into

full consideration when this proposal was approved.

The project area is within elk winter range and summer range. It is also within moose summer range and adjacent to a moose concentration area. It is also mapped as a mule deer summer range. The project area is also a suitable Canada lynx habitat with established lynx populations.

Three universal problems accompany all new mountain bike/mixed-use trail developments: 1) the illegal expansion of the trail system due to social trail development; 2) the failure of seasonal closures to be clearly defined and consistently enforced; and 3) problems with dogs off-leash. The Baker’s Park construction application does not adequately address these basic concerns.

In referencing an article in The Durango Telegraph from Sept. 29, 2022, “Slippery Slope,” there is another mountain bike trail system proposed in Pagosa Springs in the Jackson Mountain area. This is also a sensitive area for wildlife, but as I understand the situation, mountain bikers have been using the area for years creating a “rogue” trail system that will likely be formalized with a lot of

OneLove: A mural on a concrete wall near the site of the old Animas High School pays homage to the late great Bob Marley./Photo by Missy Votel

money from outside groups.

The problem is, with all the development in Colorado, there are fewer and fewer places for wildlife to go, especially when it comes to migration routes and breeding grounds. I ask that, as users, we take our responsibility to protect these areas by following the rules, like staying on existing trails and keeping your dogs on leash.

Also, our public land planners need to stop prioritizing economics over the health of our wild places. These are fragile ecosystems, and our presence threatens their existence, and with that, our existence on the planet as well.

– Louise van Vonno, Durango

Rewriting history

February is Black History Month. I wonder if public observances are banned in Florida and other places where white people find that sort of thing threatening. Florida seems to be the epicenter of this sentiment, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who wants to be president. He wants to ban books that present ideas that might make anyone (meaning conservative white people) uncomfortable.

DeSantis supports prohibiting age-appropriate discussion of sensitive topics in public schools, even though these discussions offer significant learning opportunities as well as practice in disagreeing in a civil manner. He recently rejected a national AP black history class.

Honest American history is “woke” indoctrination, he says. Let’s not be teaching students to be independ-

ent thinkers. Just train them to believe what they are told. Indoctrination.

So I’m proposing a black history that DeSantis might find acceptable (heads up, I’m being sarcastic): Back in the 1600s, European ships arrived on the African coast. Native Africans quickly felt a desire to leave their ancestral homes and cultures to something new and wondrous. They lined up in droves to get places on these ships, which transported them in comfort to new homes in America. There, they presented themselves for employment and fanned out through the colonies, especially in the South. Kindly white plantation owners provided jobs and training in all sorts of skills, such as hoeing and picking cotton, and helping plantation owner family members with day-to-day chores. The Africans loved their employers and the work they got to do.

But Northern troublemakers put out propaganda about the Africans existing in horrible conditions. The result was the Civil War. The propaganda continued, including President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation that freed the alleged slaves.

The “freed” Africans, suddenly separated from their homes and jobs with their beloved white employers, showed themselves unable to function on their own as responsible community members. Regretfully, whites had to step back in to set things right in the 1880s and 1890s all the way to Tulsa in 1921.

Ever since then, troublemakers have been putting out propaganda about lynchings, KKK terror attacks, real estate redlining, black soldiers being treated like crap when they came home from fighting in WWII, more redlining and other exclusionary housing policies, discriminatory mortgage lending practices that continue to this day, and repeated in-

stances of black people summarily executed by police after minor traffic stops or no violation at all.

Gov. DeSantis is just trying to stop the spread of this socialist propaganda embodied in Black History Month and Black history classes. He doesn’t want any fragile white people to feel uncomfortable. He wants them to vote for him. He wants us to believe his sanitized version of history and not ask any “annoying questions.”

– Carole McWilliams, Bayfield

Hitler also banned books

History repeats itself. High school and college students wake up and read what you want, and I’m sure you will. Great books are being banned that open up your mind. You cannot live in a world with a closed mind.

Hitler banned and burned books he did not like or that did not conform to his power in the 1930s to the end of World War II. Now, Texas, Florida and several other states have banned an estimated 2,300 books. The governors in these states are acting like they are holier than thou. Get real.

Book banning has been around a long time, but this is over the top and all for politics and money. Get a book and read; you may change the world. In no way should someone dictate what you read (like Hitler did). Oh, and if you don’t know who Hitler is, read about him and his abuse of power.

– Bob Battani, Durango

Highlight your Presidents Day plans with some new buds.

Crazy – in a good way

Southwest Book Trader Durango’s oldest – and quirkiest – bookstore

by Kathleen O’Connor

Some of you may recall an early scene from one of pop culture’s favorite 1980s fantasy films, “The NeverEnding Story.” Ten-year-old protagonist Bastian Bux escapes from school bullies into a quiet, unassuming bookstore where he meets the elderly, cantankerous bookstore owner seated around stacks of books and clutter. This serendipitous encounter leads Bastian on a fantastical adventure of a lifetime, thanks to one ancient and magical book he “finds” on the owner’s desk.

When visiting Southwest Book Trader, at 175 E. 5th St., one can find this same vibe.

Located in a small, stucco home that still bears the tiny footprints impressed upon the concrete front porch of the children who once lived there, Southwest Book Trader may not seem all that extraordinary at first glance.

The front porch is now home to typical antique flea market finds of jewelry boxes, ceramic kitchenware and animal figurines. But don’t let its exterior appearance fool you. Inside is a bona fide treasure trove of rare and unique collectables, including used books covering an eclectic range of topics and genres intermingled with rare and early edition books that even the most finicky bibliophile would find impressive.

Looking for a field guide on the lichens of the Rocky Mountains or maybe a book on the lost art of Japanese flower arrangement? Southwest Book Trader has you covered. But you may have to work for it. Some of the books are hidden be-

hind stacks of front-facing books or hidden in crooks and corners of the shop. For some people, entering the narrow corridors of the maze-like shop beset by endless piles and towers of books may feel intimidating and bring to mind an episode of “Hoarders: Books Edition.” For others, it presents a fun and delightful challenge. I fall into this latter category.

I recently paid a visit to Southwest Book Trader on a sunny but brisk Tuesday afternoon to see what gems I could unearth amid the massive assemblage of books and peculiar keepsakes. It had been some time since my last visit. On that occasion, I’d left the shop with one of my now most cherished collector’s items – a vintage metal old-school “ET: The Extra-Terrestrial” movie lunchbox, which epitomizes one of the best things about Southwest Book Trader: you just never know what dopamine-inducing item you’ll find.

Much like the bookstore owner from “The NeverEnding Story,” shop owner George Hassan sits at his desk, surrounded by scores of gravity-defying stacks of books and other interesting items, such as the pea green rotary phone placed near the front of his desk. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one of those, much less heard one ring. Hassan mentioned that it still worked and proceeded to call the phone to demonstrate its functionality. Despite being what one online reviewer called “the quintessential curmudgeon,” it would be difficult not to notice what a genuinely warm-hearted person Hassan is as he cracks jokes and

Though it may look chaotic among the stacks of books, Southwest Book Trader owner George Hassan has an uncanny knowledge of where to find books in his store, which is a treasure trove of everything from fiction to philosophy to poetry. / Photo by Kathleen O’Connor

converses amicably with his customers and shop hand, Zach. That’s not to say Hassan can’t deliver the occasional zinger if the opportunity arises.

“I have zero regard for what people think,” he said.

Hassan, the son of a railroad engineer, grew up in Pittsburgh with parents of

George Hassan

Turkish and Macedonian descent. He spent time in the Army and then traveled around the country a bit before landing in Durango in the early ’70s.

“I came here for the mountains,’’ Hassan said.

After several years and various jobs, including construction work as well as owning and operating a vinyl record shop, Hassan opened Southwest Book Trader in 1980. To this day, it holds the title as the oldest – and I would add quirkiest – bookshop in town. Durango’s other beloved bookstore, Maria’s Bookshop, opened in 1984.

Perhaps most impressive about Hassan is his remarkable grasp on his entire book inventory, not only at the shop, but in his numerous storage warehouses as well. He’s also as humorously snarky as he is knowledgeable on many topics, spanning books, history, art and more, exemplified by the stories he exchanges with customers, booksellers and friends who frequent the shop.

As I continue my quest through the shop’s tight corridors while trying my best to avoid inciting a book avalanche, I’m struck again by the sheer variety of fascinating book subjects found here.

First, I spot “Lost in the Jungle – A Harrowing True Story of Survival” by Yossi Ghinsburg and then the “Forgotten Art of

Building and Using a Brick Bake

Oven” by Richard Bacon. Then there’s a copy of the “Philosophy of Spinoza,” published in 1927 by the Modern Library, with echoes of the previous owner on its pages in the form of underlined passages and handwritten notes in the margins. Next, the naturalist in me is drawn to the

natural science section of the shop, where I find a myriad of books on entomology and a 50th anniversary copy of Roger Tory Peterson’s “Field Guide to Mammals.” The opportunities for discovering your must-have book or item are endless within these walls.

So, for those visiting Southwest Book

Trader for the first time, here are a few navigational tips to take along with you: set aside a good one to two hours for your visit to get an authentic feel for the shop and all that it offers. Also, if you’re anything like me, know that it’s easy to lose track of time in here. Some, but not all, of the bookcases and sections are labeled. Hassan is very helpful if there’s a particular genre you would like to explore. Only the fiction and classics sections are alphabetized by author, while other sections are more randomly arranged. And finally, always look up and down in the aisles, as many books are hidden on the tip-top of bookshelves and way below eye level.

As for me, my most recent visit was an enjoyable and productive day of treasure hunting. Among my finds are a replacement copy of Margaret Attwood’s “Oryx and Crake” and Hassan’s recommendation, Nathaniel Philbrick’s “In the Heart of the Sea.” This is the book that inspired Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick,” he told me.

As I say goodbye and begin heading toward the exit, I notice a middle-aged man and his teenage daughter making their way to the shop entrance. I can’t help but catch a snippet of their conversation.

“This is a crazy, crazy store,” he told her with a smile. “But in a good way.”

I wholeheartedly agree. ■

Southwest Book Trader, at 175 E. 5th St., opened in 1980 making it the longest continually run book store in town./ Photo by Kathleen O’Connor

Lightening up

Guitarist says heavy metal offers reprieve from chaotic world

by Alex Vick

Finding peace in a tumultuous world comes in different forms for everyone. For local musician Madden Harlan, this peace is found accompanied by deafening Marshall stack amplifiers, double bass and growling vocals.

“It feels so good to be able to do what you love; you’re almost sucked into this kind of trance where nothing else matters,” Harlan said as he reflected on how music helps ground himself in a chaotic world.

His metal band, Anarchy Hammer, is coming up in the scene, finding meaning in the growing pains of life.

“Nothing else matters but the music when you’re playing it,” he said.

“Whether you’re playing live, or practicing with your band, or just in your room, it’s all that matters at that second, which is why I love it so much.”

Anarchy Hammer formed in November 2021 with Harlan on guitar and Steven Moore on bass. The band, which pulls influence from metal bands such as Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer and Machine Head, cycled through a couple drummers, eventually finding Julian Dugas to fill the spot.

However, just as Anarchy Hammer was gearing up for its first show last fall, another member quit, and it appeared the band was going to have to cancel. Luckily, at the last minute, Harlan had met another local musician, Kyle Dalton, who filled in and served as an mentor for the younger members in the band.

“He eventually just joined the band,” Harlan said. “He’s helped us get our originals really tight and record our first single, which will be coming out soon.”

Dalton has been a longtime local metal influence lending his guitar skills to Morbid Justice, Crimson Kiss and other projects. When I first saw Anarchy Hammer, I was so impressed by the dynamic of the band, with Dalton helping to orchestrate while offering the spotlight to these young shredders. It’s encouraging to see an adult help usher the next generation into the loving community of sweaty mosh pits and black “battle vests.”

“He’s helped us out a ton and helped me change and grow as a person,” Harlan said. “He showed me a couple things on guitar, too. We wouldn’t be where we are right now without him.”

Harlan’s attracted to metal music because of the meaning behind the music.

“Metal songs can talk about some pretty heavy stuff in our world,” he said. “It’s a great way to get the anger out, too. It just gets me pumped up.”

For many musicians, playing in a band can serve as a healthy outlet for emotions and self-expression, which is so valuable in a chaotic world, Harlan said.

“In our original songs, I find that we tend to sing about corruption in our world,” he said. “Kind of in a way where there’s a way out, but if you don’t act now, it’s too late, you know?”

Anarchy Hammer is playing 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 18, at The Hive, 1150 Main Ave. Pagosa Springs-based Dreem Machine will also play.

Local music fans may recognize a familiar face in Dreem Machine, as well. Guitarist Robin Davis, of Broke Mountain Bluegrass and Six Dollar String Band fame – who happens to be Harlan’s uncle – is in the band.

“He grew up playing bluegrass, and hearing his new music from Dreem Machine, it’s so cool,” Harlan said. “It’s still almost got that bluegrass feeling, but it meets with some grunge, with Social Distortion and some psychedelic feel, too.” ■

Anarchy Hammer’s Kyle Dalton, left, and Madden Harlan

Thinking outside the guac

by Ari LeVaux

There is much to adore about the avocado. It’s creamy as mayonnaise, has a mild, nutty flavor and is full of nutrients, all of which help explain why avocado consumption in the U.S. has increased five-fold in the past 25 years. This acceleration is all the more amazing given that Americans only use them for guacamole and avocado toast. Today, I’ll give you some fresh ideas on how to prepare avocados.

Avocados are technically berries, aka fruit. As such, avocados are the fattiest, most protein-rich fruit on the planet. The Aztecs, who were the first people to eat avocados, named them āhuacatl, which means testicles, as they hang in pairs from the tree. More recently, it has been nicknamed the alligator pear, based on its shape, and the color and texture of avocado skin. On human skin, avocados are prized for the moisturizing glow they impart. As a food, avocados are full of vitamins, and high in fiber, potassium and folate. They are anti-inflammatory and lower the risk of heart disease.

Americans went through about 100 million pounds of avocados on Superbowl Sunday, which makes February the time of peak demand. But last year at this time, avocados were in short supply, thanks to an uncharacteristically light harvest in Mexico, the world’s largest producer. To make matters worse, Mexican imports were banned by the U.S. after a USDA inspector received a threatening phone call from a Mexican Cartel member. The avocado ban lasted almost a week, during which avocado prices rose to a 24-year high.

Thirty percent of the world’s avocados are grown in the Mexican state of Michoacan, thanks to its rich volcanic soils and a perfect Mediterranean climate. Michoacan is also a center for narcotrafficking and was heavily impacted by the War on Drugs, which forced many cartels to explore new income streams. Avocados became known as “green gold” and a focus of cartel activities. The criminal gangs got involved in all levels of the avocado industry, including cultivation, marketing

and transport. These activities include threatening, taxing, extorting and killing farmers, and sometimes taking their land.

In addition to benefiting organized crime, there is an environmental cost to avocados as well. A single avocado requires 37 gallons of water. And the avocado boom has led to deforestation, including a third of Michoacan’s oak and pine forests, which is where the monarch butterfly, an endangered species, spends the winter.

The fact that one of our favorite foods can have negative environmental and social consequences is a dilemma. But it doesn’t mean we should quit avocados altogether. Many avocado growers are small farmers who depend on the avocado for income. And those that are being harassed by narcos aren’t helped by consumers refusing to buy their avocados. A growing number of certifications, such as Fairtrade, allow consumers to use their dollars to leverage the cultivation of avocados in ways that are socially beneficial and en-

vironmentally friendly. So far, Fairtrade avocados only amount to about 3 million pounds annually, but the number of participating farmers and organizations is growing.

So now that we have considered the many angles on avocados, here are some ways to prepare them that you may not have tried: cooked with eggs, and with chocolate.

The idea of heating avocados may seem strange, but once you’ve tried scrambled eggs with avocado, you won’t look back. If you know how to make scrambled eggs, and can open an avocado, then you can make avocado scrambled eggs.

Avocado Scrambled Eggs: For two eggs, cut an avocado in half and scoop out the flesh. Use a spoon or knife to cut the avocado into small pieces, and set it aside.

Next, beat and salt two eggs, and scramble them in oil or butter on medium heat. As soon as the eggs start to set up, add the avocado pieces and scramble them home.

To make the dish dinner-friendly, serve it with corn chips and salsa. After all, salsa is a perennial favorite on scrambled eggs. And mixing salsa with avocado is a quick and easy way to make guacamole.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse: With no offense intended to the taste of an avocado, a selling point of Chocolate Avocado Mousse is that it doesn’t taste like avocado. It’s as thick as truffle ganache and tastes like pure chocolate. If the pudding is too rich for your taste, add more milk and serve as a milkshake.

Serves 2

2 ripe avocados

½ cup cocoa powder

¼ cup milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

¼ cup maple syrup or sugar

Add the ingredients to a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth. Scoop out of the blender, making sure to lick all utensils, and serve. ■

Thursday16

Durango Winter Pride, Feb. 16-19, www.durangopride.com

La Plata Youth Services UnChain My HeART Fundraiser, 4-7:30 p.m., Create Art & Tea Gallery, 1015 Main Ave.

David Yarrow one-man show & book signing, 5-7 p.m., Sorrel Sky Gallery, 828 Main Ave.

Speaker Series: Forbidden Fruit, 6:30 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

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

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

Ecstatic Dance w/Asha Akashic, 6:30-8:30 p.m., American Legion, 878 E. 2nd Ave.

Buzz Bus Fundraiser, featuring live music by The Batteries and Madd Libby & The Saints, 7 p.m., El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave.

Rock ’n’ Roll Bob Does Motown! Talk with Bob Griffith, former radio personality and local spin instructor, 7 p.m., FLC Noble Hall, Room 130.

Friday17

Durango Winter Pride, thru Feb. 19, www.durangopride.com

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

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

Author Presentation & Jam Session

w/Guillaume Metz, 6 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

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

Ben Gibson Duo, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

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

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

Terry Rickard plays, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

Merely Players present “Murder on the Orient Express,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center.

Violinist Lauren Avery & pianist Mika Inouye, 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. 3rd Ave.

“Songs for a New World,” theatrical production, 7:30 p.m., FLC MainStage Theatre.

Felony Ever After: A One Woman Comedy Show, 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

SALT Contemporary Dance, 7:30 p.m., FLC Community Concert Hall. www.durangoconcerts.com

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

Saturday18

Durango Winter Pride, thru Feb. 19, www.durangopride.com

Telemark Festival, 9 a.m., Purgatory Resort.

USAS Halfpipe Competition, 9 a.m., Purgatory Resort.

Makers Market, indoor art market, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Channel 37, 1129 Narrow Gauge Ave. (alley behind 11th St. Station).

Silverton Skijoring, 11 a.m., Blair Street in Silverton.

Snow Science & Social, 1 p.m., Andrews Lake winter parking lot.

State 38 plays, 5 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

Kitchen Jam Band presents “Ships in the Night,” 6 p.m., VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.

Salamander Collective play, 6-9 p.m., 11th St. Station.

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

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

Merely Players present “Murder on the Orient Express,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center.

Drag Show, 7:30-9:30 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Dreem Machine & Anarchy Hammer (metal show), 7:30 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

“Songs for a New World,” theatrical production, 7:30 p.m., FLC MainStage Theatre.

Felony Ever After: A One Woman Comedy Show, 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

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

Sunday19

Durango Winter Pride, www.durangopride.com

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

USAS Halfpipe Competition, 9 a.m., Purgatory Resort.

Silverton Skijoring, 11 a.m., Blair Street in Silverton.

Merely Players present “Murder on the Orient Express,” 1 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center.

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

“Songs for a New World,” theatrical production, 2 p.m., FLC MainStage Theatre.

Ed Kabotie plays, 2 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

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

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

Monday20

USAS Halfpipe Competition, 9 a.m., Purgatory Resort.

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

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

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

Open Mic, 6 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

AskRachel

Game of love, getting wood and rub down

Interesting fact: The first Super Bowl was on January 15, which math tells me is more than four weeks before Valentine’s Day. I can’t wait for the first time those two behemoths coincide.

Dear Rachel,

Why the hell is the Super Bowl two days before Valentine’s Day? This did not used to be the case. There used to be a few weeks between bro holiday and chick holiday. I bring this up because when I proposed we celebrate V-Day over the weekend, my date said, “OK, but the weekend after, cuz we got the game.” Guess I know where I stand.

– Runner Up

Dear Driver Family,

Who says Super Bowl is a bro holiday? If you can tell me another day when any party anywhere in this great nation is guaranteed to have those little pinwheel rolls with the toothpicks, I’ll perform naked at next year’s halftime show. Which won’t be pretty, because I’ll have eaten a whole tray of pinwheel rolls.

– Ten hut, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

I was this many years old when I realized

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

Tuesday21

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

the word “woodshed” exists because people actually build sheds to store firewood to keep it dry and give mice a nicer home. I can’t tell you how many times I had some variant of the thought, “Boy I wonder what people in wet places do to keep wood dry, since they can’t all use tarps?” What other words should I know about before I embarrass myself?

– Woodrow

Dear Row of Wood,

You think “woodshed” is bad, imagine not knowing what “take you behind the woodshed” means. You’re on the brink of big time t-r-o-u-b-l-e and and all you can think is maybe there’s something exciting back there, like candy or sex, and then you find out there’s not even a real woodshed, just p-a-i-n. So you probably want to know that about a woodshed too.

– Wooda coulda shoulda, Rachel Dear Rachel,

I’m well into adulthood and feeling like crap. For the first time in 30 years, I thought of Vick’s Vapor Rub. My mom used to slather it on my chest at the first sign of a sniffle. They still make the stuff, and sure as I stand here today, it helped. But how does a minty

Email Rachel: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

gunk on my chest help clear up my crud?

– Stuffalupagus

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

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

Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Gala, 5:30 p.m., DoubleTree Ballroom, 551 Camino del Rio.

Give a Dam, educational presentation on role of beavers in restoring waterways, 6-9 p.m., Fort Lewis College’s Vallecito Room.

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

Merely Players present “Murder on the Orient Express,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center.

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

Martin Sexton plays, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Wednesday22

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

Musically Speaking w/Maestro, one-hour deep dive into Mozart, 6 p.m., Powerhouse, 1330 Camino del Rio.

Dear Mama’s Boy,

Sounds like, in applying Vick’s, you got more action than I did on Valentine’s Day. If it works, don’t question it. You do not want that stuff on your orifices, though, so keep it separate from sexy time and/or feeding time. Ain’t nothing getting between me and my pinwheels, not even a mentholated chest lubricant.

– Minty fresh, Rachel

Lespecial w/Mike Dillon & Punkadelick, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Comedian Brian Regan, 7:30 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.

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

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

Ongoing

Parker’s Animal Rescue” Paws for Celebration,” online fundraiser auction, thru Feb. 17. tinyurl.com/22pbc5vh

Whimsical Wonderland Gallery, 12 noon-6 p.m., Tuesday thru Saturdays, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

“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 waiver, go to www.thehivedgo.org

Upcoming

“Songs for a New World,” theatrical production, Feb. 2325 at 7:30 p.m., FLC MainStage Theatre.

Tracks: Image & Sound: A Solo Exhibition by Jenn Rawling, opening reception Feb. 24, 5-9 p.m., Studio & Gallery, 1027 Main Ave. Exhibit runs thru March 4.

Beat the winter blues with our internationally acclaimed South West Fish Chowder. (M (My mom likes es it, and she’s from rom Ca Canadaada.)

Family owned & operated since 2002

552 main ave (near the train) durango, co l 970-259-4221

Open Mon. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

by Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries director Francis Ford Coppola was asked to name the year’s worst movie. The question didn’t interest him, he said. He listed his favorite films, then declared, “Movies are hard to make, so I’d say, all the other ones were fine!” Coppola’s comments remind me of author Dave Eggers’: “Do not dismiss a book until you have written one, and do not dismiss a movie until you have made one, and do not dismiss a person until you have met them.” Your assignment is to explore and embody these perspectives. Refrain from judging efforts about which you have no personal knowledge. Be as open-minded and generous as you can.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Artist Andy Warhol said, only half in jest, “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art, and working is art, and good business is the best art.” More than any other sign, Tauruses embody this attitude with flare. When you are at your best, you’re not a greedy materialist who places a higher value on money than everything else. Instead, you approach the gathering of necessary resources, including money, as a fun art project that you perform with love and creativity. I invite you to ascend to an even higher octave of this talent.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You are gliding into the Season of Maximum Volition, Autonomy and Liberty. Now is a favorable time to explore and expand the pleasures of personal sovereignty. To prepare, try two experiments. 1. Act as if free will is an illusion. It doesn’t exist. Then visualize what your destiny would be like. 2. Act as if free will is real. Imagine that in the coming months you can have more of it at your disposal than ever before. What will your destiny be like?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The ethereal, dreamy side of your nature must continually find ways to express itself beautifully and playfully. And I do mean “continually.” If you’re not always allowing your imagination to roam and romp around in Wonderland, your imagination may lapse into spinning out crabby delusions. Luckily, I don’t think you will have any problems attending to this necessary luxury in the coming weeks. From what I can tell, you will be highly motivated to generate fluidic fun by rambling through fantasy realms.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t treat your allies or yourself with neglect and insensitivity. For the sake of your mental and physical health, you need to do the exact opposite. To enhance your well-being, be almost ridiculously positive. Be vigorously nice and rigorously kind. Bestow blessings and dole out compliments, both to others and yourself. See the best and expect the best in both others and yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Is there a bug in the sanctuary of love? A parasite or saboteur? If so, banish it. Is there a cranky monster grumbling in the basement or attic or closet? Feed that creature chunks of raw cookie dough imbued with a crushed-up valium pill. Do you have a stuffed animal or holy statue to whom you can spill your deep, dark, delicious secrets? If not, get one. Have you been spending quality time rumbling around in your fantasy world in quest of spectacular healings? If not, get busy. Those healings are ready for you to pluck them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): There’s a weird magic operating in your vicinity these days – a curious, uncanny kind of luck. So while my counsel here might sound counterintuitive, I think it’s true. Here are four affirmations to chant regularly: 1. “I will attract and acquire what I want by acting as if I don’t care if I get what I want.” 2. “I will become grounded and relaxed with the help of beautiful messes and rowdy fun.” 3. “My worries and fears will subside as I make fun of them and joke about them.” 4. “I will activate my deeper ambition by giving myself permission to be lazy.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): How many people would fight for their country? 11% in Japan; Netherlands, 15%; Italy, 20%; France, 29%; Canada, 30%; US, 44%. My advice here, which is threefold: 1. The coming months will be a good time to cultivate your love for your country’s land, people and culture, but not for your country’s government and armed forces. 2. Minimize your aggressiveness unless you invoke it to improve your personal life. 3. Don’t get riled up about vague abstractions and fear-based fantasies. But do wield your constructive militancy in behalf of intimate, practical improvements.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): By the time she was 33, Sagittarian actor Jane Fonda was famous and popular. She had already won many awards, including an Oscar. Then she became an outspoken op-

ponent of America’s war in Vietnam. Some of her lessliberal fans were outraged. For a few years, her success in films waned. Offers didn’t come easily to her. She later explained that while the industry had not completely “blacklisted” her, she had been “greylisted.” Despite the setback, she kept working – and never diluted her political activism. By the time she was in her 40s, her career and reputation had fully recovered. Today, at age 84, she is busy with creative projects. In accordance with astrological rhythms, I propose we make her your role model in the coming months. May she inspire you to be true to your principles even if some people disapprove. Be loyal to what you know is right.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Charles V (1500–58) had more than 20 titles, including Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, Archduke of Austria and Lord of the Netherlands. He was also a patron of the arts and architecture. Once, while visiting the renowned Italian painter Titian to have his portrait done, he did something no monarch had ever done. When Titian dropped his paintbrush on the floor, Charles humbly picked it up and gave it to him. I foresee a different but equally interesting switcheroo in your vicinity during the coming weeks. Maybe you will be aided by a big shot or get a blessing from someone you consider out of your league.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Some people I respect regard the Bible as a great work of literature. I don’t share that view. Like psychologist Valerie Tarico, I believe the so-called good book is filled with “repetition, awkward constructions, inconsistent voice, weak character development, boring tangents and passages where nobody can tell what the writer meant to convey.” I bring this to your attention, Aquarius, because I believe now is a good time to rebel against conventional wisdom, escape from experts’ opinions, and formulate your own unique perspectives about pretty much everything.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I suspect that arrivederci and au revoir and sayonara will overlap with birth cries and welcomes and initiations in the coming days. Are you beginning or ending? Leaving or arriving? Letting go or hanging on? Here’s what I think: You will be beginning and ending; leaving and arriving; letting go and hanging on. That could be confusing, but it could also be fun. The mix of emotions will be rich and soulful.

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

Classes/Workshops

Join Our Neighborhood Yoga Class 50+ Gentle Yoga w/modifications, Wednesdays 9-10:15 am @ Florida Grange; 656 Hwy. 172, Durango. (Jill) jillfay07@gmail.com

West Coast Swing Dance

6-week class starts February 22. Learn the basics of West Coast Swing. Registration is required at www.west slopewesties.com.

Lost/Found

Found Skis

Found a pair of skis on side of Hwy 550 on the morning of Mon., Feb. 6. If you lost them, call 970-259-2834 to identify and claim.

Lost Black Ski Goggle Case with sunglasses inside 2/4/23 backcountry skiing Deer Creek off Coal Bank Pass. Stuart Way, 970-799-5721

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/mo. 970-799-3732

Wanted

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

HelpWanted

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

ForSale

Never Used TaoTronics

4k Action Camera

New and in the box. Comes with user guide and all accessories that came with it: waterproof housing, handlebar/pole mount, mounts, battery, tethers, protective back cover, USB cable and lens cleaning cloth. $50.

J.marie.pace@gmail.com

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

HaikuMovieReview

‘The Pez Outlaw’

Services

Marketing Small and Local Businesses

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

BodyWork

In-Home Fitness Training

Get fit in 2023! I come to you! All ages. Diane Brady NSCA-CPT. 970-9032421

Lotus Path Healing Arts

True tale of a black market caper and kooky candy collectors – Lainie Maxson

Market season. We are accepting applications thru March 1 at: managemymarket.com/landing.aspx?orgID=2099. We only accept vendors who have a farm or business location in: La Plata County, Montezuma County, Archuleta County, San Juan County, Colorado, and San Juan County, N.M.

Are You a Parent or Caregiver of a child 3 or under? Cafe Au Play offers a free, safe, enclosed, indoor and outdoor play, 10 a.m. -1 p.m., Mon. –Fri., Christ the King Lutheran Church. We also host a free Power Au Play from 10 a.m. -12 noon on the third Wednesday of each month at the Powerhouse.

Volunteer Advocates Needed Alternative Horizons is always in need of volunteers to staff our hotline. AH has been supporting and empowering survivors of domestic violence since 1978. Training and support provided. For information call 970-247-4374 or visit alternativehori zons.org.

Crusher Fat Bike - Now $425

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

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

Lots of gifts and quality pre-owned dishes, glassware, art, rugs and great

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

Local vendors

Join us for the 2023 Durango Farmers

MOLAS Scholarship Application

The Community Foundation serving SW Colorado is offering a scholarship for low-income La Plata County students, the Meaningful Opportunity through Learning and Advancement, or MOLAS. Applicants must be first-generation college students who will be freshman in fall 2023. Winner of the scholarship will receive up to 85% of tuition and room and board at a Colorado or Four Corners college, university, trade-school or vocational school. Deadline to apply is March 1. Apply at: swcommunityfoundation .org/scholarships.