Durango Telegraph - Feb. 27, 2020

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FREE Feb. 27, 2020

Vol. XIX, No. 9 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

Gearing up

Salty dogs

Radio silence

City to roll out discussion, options on E-MTB debate p8

Jonesing for a river fix? Head south to this desert classic p12

KDUR’s Saturday morning hootenanny signs off p14

Rock on.

(Issue 12 is coming soon.)

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

To find out about advertising opportunities, e-mail: steve@gulchmag.com

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lineup

8

4 La Vida Local

Covering ground City may have a solution everyone can roll with in e-MTB debate

4 Thumbin’ It

by Tracy Chamberlin

5 Word on the Street

10

6-7 Soapbox

Healthy signs Polis clears another key hurdle in state health insurance option

by John Daley & Claire Cleveland/CPR

8 Local News 12-13 Day in the Life

12-13

16 Flash in the Pan

Rite of spring

17 Top Shelf

There’s nothing like a Salt River trip to usher in the boating season

by Stephen Eginoire

18-19 On the Town

14

Ear to the ground: “Is it too late to live fast and die young-ish?”

– Local 40-something regretting not having a more wild youth

Creative juices

thepole

RegularOccurrences

Need help launching your great American masterpiece? Durango’s newly minted Creative District can help fuel your creative spark.

The District has received $50,000 for a revolving Creative Loan Fund to be deployed to local creatives in 2020. The funds came from a joint partnership of the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant Program and the 1st SouthWest Community Fund. The goal of this partnership is to support creative entrepreneurs and organizations and provide them greater access to capital, whether they are just starting out or looking to grow.

Those interested in tapping into their creative sides – and the funds – can fill out a simple twostep online application. Applicants must be aligned with the Durango Creative District's mission to expand the local creative economy and can apply for $5000-$10,000 each. Funds cannot be used to purchase property or pay rent but can be used for things such as building improvements, signage, tools and materials, equipment, and operational expenses.

To fill out an application or learn more, go to: durangocreativedistrict.org/loanfund

21 Free Will Astrology

Radio silence After 10 years, KDUR’s Saturday a.m. hootenanny ‘Velvet Rut’ calls it quits

by Missy Votel

22 Classifieds 22 Haiku Movie Review 23 Ask Rachel

16

The right way On the Cover

Mystery solved

The late afternoon sun beams off an ancestral site at Hovenweep National Monument recently./ Photo by Stephen Eginoire

Pulling that package from the depths of the freezer doesn’t have to be scary

boilerplate

by Ari LeVaux

EDITORIALISTA: Missy Votel (missy@durangotelegraph.com)

STAR-STUDDED CAST: Lainie Maxson, Chris Aaland, Clint Reid, Stephen Eginoire, Jesse Anderson, Tracy Chamberlin, Zach Hively and Shan Wells

ADVERTISING AFICIONADO: Lainie Maxson (lainie@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.

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

MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 332 Durango, CO 81302 PHONE: 970.259.0133 E-MAIL: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

telegraph

It’s a debate for the ages. Not since college classroom discussions over the proper name for a resident of this state – Coloradoan or Coloradan – has the Centennial State been so divided.

Of course, we’re talking about the proper way to pronounce the name of our fair state without looking like, well, a transplant or worse, a tourist.

So what is it: Colo-ROD-o or Colo-RAD-o?

The good folks at Colorado Public Radio recently posed this question in an impromptu newsroom poll. The question was spurred by a tweet from New York Times Rocky Mountain correspondent Jack Healy, who asked for a decisive answer to this most burning of questions once and for all.

Unfortunately, the poll leaves the debate still smoldering. According to CPR’s Daniel Schneider (a 33-year resident who prefers the “ROD” pronunciation) the survey found that while several natives say "Colo-RAD-o," a couple also say "ColoROD-o." And the transplants in the room overwhelmingly use the latter pronunciation.

In an effort to solve the age-old mystery once and for all, CPR has posted a survey where folks can weigh in on whether they’re “ROD” or “RAD” at: www.cpr.org/2020/ 02/21/tell-us-howdo-you-say-colorado/ Now, if only they can help solve the BWAYNA / B-YOU-nie Vista controversy.

Feb. 27, 2020 n

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opinion

LaVidaLocal Cry uncle My little sister has really big news – like, first-grandbaby-in-the-family level news – but she has made me promise not to say anything about it until she tells the rest of the extended family. So guess what? I’m not going to be an uncle later this year. I’m not looking forward to all the joys of a newborn baby without any of the responsibility. And I’m definitely not already excited about the post-infant stages when the little bundle becomes an actual functioning human being capable of learning all kinds of words and habits that will drive its mother bananas.

If I were approaching unclehood – which, officially speaking, I am not – I would be ready to embrace my duty as a loving, conscientious, extremely part-time bad influence. Parents help with homework and go to church and pass on their own customized brand of repressions. Uncles don’t do any of that. Uncles, at least in my case, are socially sanctioned agents of weaponizing generosity and affection against our own siblings.

Just as one hypothetical example: the moment I learn I am going to be an uncle, I will immediately take to the internet to find an adult-human-sized sock monkey that I can give my hypothetical new family member. Then I will save this sock monkey until the child is old enough to form attachments and express desires. I will also save this sock monkey until my sister brings her child to visit via airplane.

And when I discover that 6-foot-tall sock monkeys also come with anatomically inaccurate gargantuan bananas, because all things are possible in the Information Age, I will weep. For I must then decide between ordering these sock monkeys in bulk or buying a new one each year to gift my darling nibling, as well as whether I should ship one to my sister’s church for Easter service.

VOCABULARY ALERT: “Nibling” is a gender-neutral term for the offspring of your sibling. It is not to be confused with the gerund “nibbling,” nor with the Nibelungs, a race of Scandinavian dwarves who oversee a hoard of gold and other treasures, nor their ruler, Nibelung, king of Nibelheim, land of mist.

Before the insensitive among you decry nibling as another instance of identity-sensitivity ruining our country, I want to tell you that the word is not new. It originated in the early 1950s and is absolutely the most un-sex-

ist thing to come from that time. Sure, I could write “niece or nephew” every time I mention the kid who is not yet officially being born this year, but that gets wordy and clunky, and ultimately its usage might distract from the original point of this column, whatever that was.

Speaking of words, I recently met someone who uses the pronoun “they/them/their.” This was the first time I’ve knowingly met someone like them. I admire anyone who can match their linguistics to their truest self. I support them fully, and I will strive to respect the pronouns they identify with by using them (the pronouns, not the person) as little as possible.

My confusion is my problem, not theirs. I have made enough of a living with copyediting work to buy a couple days’ worth of groceries. Plus, I speaking English a lot. My brain is pretty hard-wired to catch a pronoun/antecedent disagreement. Yet my brain is cool with using the singular “they” to mean “some person.” We English speakers have used it as a genderless pronoun for centuries, because the use of “one” sounds so odd to one’s ears.

But it’s a new exercise for my brain to call a specific person “they.” I messed it up about 14 times in the conversation where I learned about this person’s pronouns. I was terrified to meet them, fearing I might call them “her” or “him” or “Shiva” or any other word that popped in my head. And I had so many questions. Do they use singular verbs? Or plural ones? And when I’m talking in person with them, should I use the singular “you” or the plural “you?”

So I practiced at home before meeting them. I wrote out example sentences, like, “They remembered that time their uncle gave them a hermit crab on summer vacation, and their mom had to shepherd this plastic to-go box with sand and a freaking HERMIT CRAB through airport security.” That exercise really helped me to have a nice conversation with them wherein I used the appropriate form of “you” without blunder.

And you know what? I’m glad I can adapt my way of being to make another person feel safe, seen and accepted. If only we could all be so bold in deciding who we are. I just hope my nibling experiences the same freedom to decide who to be. She. He. They. A sock monkey collector and hermitcrab farmer. I may be biased, but I’m pulling for the latter.

This Week’s Sign of the Downfall:

Thumbin’It

4 n Feb. 27, 2020

– Zach Hively

Downfall Update

The Neighbors in Need Alliance, along with the City of Durango, working to help address some of the issues related to homelessness with a pilot program to install security lockers for pre-screened homeless residents at the Transit Center

Centura Health, parent company of Mercy Medical Center, suddenly backing out of the Southwest Health Alliance, which would have helped to lower health care costs in Southwest Colorado, after several months of negotiations

Justice for the women who kicked off the #metoo movement, with Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein being found guilty on charges of sexual assault and facing several years in prison

The Trump Administration threatening to cut money for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has disbursed $272 million for recreation and conservation projects over the past 50 years in Colorado

Durango High School skiers making a strong showing on the slopes, with 12 ski team members going to the state high school championships this week in Beaver Creek

The continued march of the coronavirus threatening to disrupt global markets, with new cases popping up in Italy, Croatia, Switzerland, Germany, Greece and Spain

telegraph

“Mad” Mike Hughes, who appeared in the Downfall previously for being an idiot, died this past Saturday when his homemade rocket crashed in California. Hughes was attempting to fly to where the atmosphere ends so he could take a picture with his camera (not a fake one like the government uses) to prove that the Earth is flat. But as it turns out, rocket science is hard. In an interview before the flight, Mike said he does dangerous things to “inspire someone else.” If he meant other flat-earthers, I hope it works.

WordontheStreet

Q

With Leap Year adding a day to the calendar this year, the Telegraph asked: “How are you going to spend your extra day?”

Beckie

“Unfortunately, I’m just going to be working.”

Kim

“I’ll be hanging out by the river.”

Xavier

“I have to spend it studying.”

We have the cure for your cabin fever! … or at least something to smile about .

Daisy

“I’m going to get my nails done!”

Quinton

“Sponge. Bob. Marathon.”

Get to work in winter style!

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Feb. 27, 2020 n

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SoapBox

ReTooned/by Shan Wells

Jumping to bridge conclusions To the editor, A Jan. 22 article in the Herald, featuring an artist’s rendering of a proposed pedestrian bridge across the Animas River and 32nd Street, prompted a flood of emails to Durango City Council. One email in particular captured, for me, the frustration many residents are feeling. The text consisted of a single word, “Why?” The bridge, with the purpose of connecting two parts of the Animas River Trail, isn’t a new idea. “Seamless connectivity” is core to the original concept of the Animas River Trail (aka ART), dating back to the 1970s.

Although most trail construction has occurred since 1999, the overarching vision of the Animas River Trail as “the spine of the community, seamlessly connecting Durango from end to end, north to south,” has been a constant – inspiring decades of massive community support and dedicated planning by both City of Durango and Parks and Rec staff.

The recent rendering, widely viewed with distaste, to put it mildly, raised new questions about whether the proposed connecting bridge is the best – or even a reasonable – use of taxpayer dollars. Why, when money is tight and many residents feel trail users can safely cross 32nd Street at grade, is seamless connectivity necessary?

In answering that question, I think we also need to ask why the trail is so popular with walkers, joggers, cyclists, wheelchair-dependent residents, rollerbladers, and parents shepherding toddlers and pushing baby strollers?

Why are more and more Durangoans commuting to work and school on ART in environmentally and physiologically healthy ways? Why is ART one of the best-loved amenities in our community? I believe that seamless connectivity is a big part of the answer to this “why.”

In a recent, statistically valid survey, 93 percent of4

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respondents indicated that someone in their household had used ART during the past 12 months. Seventy-nine percent of respondents were in favor of extending ART north to Oxbow. Expanding trail connectivity in general was the No. 1 priority identified by residents.

The suggestion that seamless connectivity is no longer relevant because 32nd is not a busy street is, in my opinion, shortsighted. The city’s engineering department, in fact, identifies 32nd, with 10,742 vehicles a day, as the second busiest street in Durango after College Drive, and slightly ahead of Florida Road. (Main Avenue and Camino del Rio are CDOT roadways.)

And traffic on 32nd Street will undoubtedly increase, due to projected population growth, redevelopment of North Main, and increasing activity at the 29th and 33rd street river put-ins.

Is the bridge the best answer to seamless connectivity?

City staff suggests that the prematurely released rendering is not a good representation of the actual design – a design that is the culmination of countless hours of community processes, including abundant citizen input, spanning almost a decade, before I or any of your other current council members took office.

Council’s involvement so far has mainly consisted of deciding during budgeting to appropriate money to continue the process of examining the design for 32nd Street connectivity. The next step will be upcoming city staff presentations that will allow both council and the public to hear more detailed information about the proposed bridge and to view new and more representative renderings.

I am hopeful residents will attend the upcoming meeting 5 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 27, at the Rec Center. Let’s see and hear what city staff is proposing.

Additionally, I hope residents will consider the merits of seamless connectivity, by whatever means we ultimately achieve it, as an issue in its own right. I believe it would be a mistake to summarily abandon that long-held goal now, when we have come so far and experienced so many of the concept’s benefits.

The process also allows for discussions about possible alternatives that may or may not have been considered in the past, and your contributions are invaluable. I am confident that, together, we will find the best way to achieve our common goals.

– Durango Mayor Melissa Youssef

Keeping holy the Black Sabbath To the editor, KDUR Radio at Fort Lewis College would like to extend a huge thank you to all the people and businesses that helped with the last Cover Night fundraiser. Black Sabbath hasn’t sounded so good since the last Black Sabbath tour, and that’s because of the local musicians who donate their talent and time to such a great cause. To the community of musicians, staff of Music Masters and Animas City Theatre, Scott Smith and Jim Gillespie, and the

music-loving audience that packed into the Animas City Theatre to enjoy the music of Black Sabbath, I say thanks.

– Bryant Liggett, KDUR Station Manager

Rate change a forced ‘choice’ To the editor, I just finished reading the write up in Country Living magazine about the LPEA rate changes for peak hours coming in April.

While I understand the need for the coop to increase rates, I don’t appreciate them spinning the facts and lying about the policy to pretty it up. The write up states this change gives us members more “choice” and “flexibility.”

How so?

With the rate change, I now have the “choice” to go stand outside for five hours after work to save money?

I have the “choice” to cook more slow cooker meals, that I normally wouldn’t do, to save money?

The only “choice” this policy gives us is to either spend more money or turn the lights out in the hours when we mostly use them. Doesn’t sound like a good “choice” to me.

I found the write up to be egregiously disingenuous and a half-witted attempt to sell a policy they know is going to be unpopular.

Further, the amount of the rate change, to $1.50/kw, seems extremely high, and I am going to be shocked if their estimate that rates will only go up $5 a month actually comes to fruition.

– Tom Mudrak, Durango

32nd St. bridge useless, expensive To the editor, During a Park & Rec meeting 2 weeks ago, it became very apparent that the large majority of Durango residents disapprove of the proposed 32nd Street bridge. Yet, the City, ignoring the cry of its citizens, is moving forward getting bids for the bridge, which is estimated to cost several millions of dollars. For what? Just to avoid crossing 32nd Street?

Here are major arguments against the bridge: • For bicycles and pedestrians, crossing 32nd Street is now very safe (with a blinking light activated by cyclists/pedestrians) and the bridge has a wide sidewalk that is protected (from traffic) by a concrete parapet. Moreover, it is a 2-lane traffic with cars going only 25 mph, and there is easy/unobliterated view of the oncoming traffic on each side to cross safely.

• The bridge is going to be 22- to 30-feet tall. Very few people will want to hike up this tall bridge to descend on the other side and I bet most people (especially kids, older folks, injured and disabled people, and lazy people like me) will prefer staying at grade.

• The bridge will present a new hazard with some people trying to jump from it into the river or throw things on cars.

• The bridge is expected to have a glass cover where it goes over the train tracks to protect people against the train’s smoke and embers. This glass cover as well as the bridge itself are going to become covered in soot in no time, making the bridge look like a disgusting coal tunnel, obliterating the view, and requiring regular, specialized cleaning.

• The bridge is outrageously expensive (cost estimated at ~$3.4 million) and these funds could be more wisely used for other projects improving the river trail itself that better serve the public’s needs. These projects could include: • Building an underpass at Camino del Rio to connect the River Trail to downtown (which will be used by many more people than an overpass bridge at 32nd); • Connecting the River Trail to Three Springs (thousands of people live in Three Springs and hundreds commute from town to the hospital and medical offices and it is very unsafe to ride the mile or so of highway to the river trail); • Connecting the River Trail to Twin Buttes (same comment; people who live in town would greatly appreciate safely riding their bikes to Twin Buttes to ride the trails there, instead of taking their cars); • Fixing sections of the trail that have been damaged over time and are very unpleasant to ride (near the Power House); • Toilets on the River Trail! Yes, toilets. For about six months out of the year, there are no functioning toilets on the entire trail because the flushing toilets that exist are closed from November - May due to potential freezing of the pipes. With sunny days and dirt trails being very muddy, the River Trail sees a lot of traffic every day of the winter, with hundreds of people using the trail and adjacent parks daily. Where do these people go to the bathroom? In the bushes (I have had to do it too) and in nearby businesses, when there are any. For instance, Santa Rita Park has dozens of parents and kids every day playing there – there are no toilets nearby. Is it what we teach our kids to do: urinate in public? Where do homeless people go? This is a menace to public health safety, a disgrace to the city and, frankly, plainly disgusting. I am ashamed of the situation when I have to explain to outof-town people that there are no bathrooms.

Meanwhile, we are about to spend millions on a useless bridge … there is something wrong with this picture.

These funds should be dedicated to building pit toilets (not flush toilets) along the trail. These toilets are cheap compared to flush toilets: $30,000 each compared to $600,000 for a flushing toilet (yes, that’s not a joke – but the poor management of spending city funds is a topic for another rant). The City could easily build 10 pit toilets along the trail and still have a lot of money left to do any of the proposed improvements above.

My fellow citizens, it is time we fight to spend our tax dollars wisely. Please email (even if it is brief) your disapproval to: CityCouncil@durangogov.org (and CC the Director of Parks and Rec: cathy.metz@durangogov.org).

– Florence Paillard, Durango

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Feb. 27, 2020 n 7

TopStory

At a meeting scheduled for March 4, the Natural Lands Preservation Advisory Board will share with other board members and the community its possible solutions to an ongoing debate over e-bikes use on natural surface trails, including a new system of userspecific, directional trails that could be built at Durango Mesa Park./File photo

Rolling out a plan City boards ready to reveal new e-bike ideas to community

by Tracy Chamberlin

modal advisory boards plan to meet at 5 p.m. Wed., March 4, at the Durango Rec Center to continue discussions about he latest idea coming from the City of Durango’s Nat- whether or not the city should allow e-bikes on natural surural Lands Preservation Advisory Board is to find a face trails in the city. future home for the next big thing – e-bikes.

No decisions are likely to be made. But, the meeting will At the heart of it all is the idea to create a new system of give the Natural Lands Board a chance to present possible user-specific, directional trails for electric bicycles, or e- solutions it has been working on, including the new system bikes, instead of opening up existing ones. And, it just so of user-specific, directional trails. happens there’s a large swath of land “I think the boards are going to want south of downtown where this could to hear from the community, as well as happen: Durango Mesa Park. each other,” Metz said.

JusttheFacts The park is a 1,850-acre property that The upcoming meeting won’t be the What: Joint Advisory Board was donated for public use by Mark Katz, first time the Durango community has Meeting on e-bikes former owner of Mercury Payment debated e-bikes. Several years ago, the When: 5-7 p.m., Wed., March 4 Systems, and his family. The vision is to talk centered on whether or not to allow Where: Durango Rec Center create a community hub that would be e-bikes on the Animas River Trail and For info.: www.durangov.org home to the La Plata County Fairgrounds, other hard-surface trails. After months a sports complex, music festivals, parks of public input and feedback, City and trails systems.

Council decided to go with a yearlong trial run.

City officials already reached out to the Durango Mesa The trails were monitored regularly, as were public comPark Foundation, the nonprofit behind the project, and ments during that time. In the end, it became official. E-bikes asked if the group had any concerns with e-bikes. According are now allowed on the Animas River Trail as well as trails to Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Metz, they did not adjacent to Florida and Goeglein Gulch roads. have concerns and showed an interest in working with the City officials also considered allowing e-bikes on natural community. surface trails back then, but decided against it. The reason “We have an opportunity,” she added. the issue is back on the docket is because the Department The Natural Lands, Parks and Recreation, and Multi- of the Interior recently opened up trails on the lands 4

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New mountain bike trails – along with the possibility of allowing e-bikes – are part of the BLM’s proposed travel management plan in the Southwest. To keep up with the latest from the local office and its implementation of the e-bike order from the Interior Department, visit go.usa.gov/xE6ZU./File photo

it manages to e-bikes.

Since e-bikes first hit the scene, they’ve been regarded by land managers and federal agencies as motorized vehicles because they have electric motors. However, last summer, an order came down from Interior Secretary David Bernhardt instructing the agencies in his department – like the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service – to begin allowing e-bikes on the same trails as mountain bikes.

There’s certainly been some controversy over the order. A lawsuit was filed last year by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and other conservation groups, alleging the process behind the decision was flawed. The groups argue interior officials met with e-bike industry representatives behind closed doors to craft the new order when they should have made the process open to the public.

As the suit plays out in court, agency officials are left to interpret the order and attempt to implement it in their local jurisdictions – which is certainly true for the Tres Rios Field Office in Dolores.

The regional office, which oversees BLM lands in Durango and La Plata County, was in the middle of putting together its own travel management plan when the e-bike order was released.

That plan dealt with trail systems surrounding Cortez, Mancos and Durango – some of which crossed city-owned property in Overend Mountain Park and on Animas City Mountain – and proposed allowing Class 1 e-bikes (pedal-assist with a 20 mph speed cap) on the same trails mountain bikes are allowed on.

Bridge over troubled water?

With a renewed debate over the bridge connecting the north section of the Animas River Trail near 32nd Street, city officials are hosting a community meeting tonight at the Rec Center.

It’s been about a decade since the conversation over the bridge began, so officials will likely recap many of the ideas and possible solutions reviewed earlier in the process. They’ll also answer questions and hear comments from the public.

To keep up with the process or for more information, email rec@durangogov.org.

What: Animas River Trail North Extension Pedestrian Bridge Community Meeting When: 5 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 27 Where: Durango Rec Center More info.: www.durangogov.org

Artist rendering of the proposed pedestrian bridge at 32 Street./ Courtesy photo

This crossover is the reason city officials are taking another look at e-bikes on natural surface trails. And, many of the arguments haven’t changed.

For those who support allowing e-bikes on the same trails as mountain bikes, it’s about access. Pedal-assist bikes open the outdoors to people who are older, disabled or have other physical challenges. The Class 1 bikes only assist someone who is already pedaling

and do not have a throttle.

“I’m going to be 67, and I’ve had both knees replaced,” Richard Speegle, a Durango resident and member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, said. “I wouldn’t be mountain biking if it wasn’t for e-bikes.”

For others, the key issue is the motor. If natural-surface trails dedicated as nonmotorized are suddenly opened up to e-bikes, then the flood gates are open. Today, those trails

telegraph

might be open to Class 1, but tomorrow it could be Class 2, then Class 3, and so on.

“We shouldn’t go rolling back long, hard-fought decisions around motorized and nonmotorized areas,” Michael Carroll, senior director with the Durango-based Wilderness Society, said. “We need to be prudent when we’re introducing a new use … and thinking about what impact that has down the road.” n

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ColoradoNews

Health kick Polis releases next key step for Colorado public insurance option

by John Daley & Claire Cleveland Colorado Public Radio

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he Polis administration’s ambitious new proposal to create a state health insurance choice for Colorado consumers put another piece of the puzzle in place Monday. Officials say the new formula for hospital reimbursement rates would save consumers 7 to 20 percent annually on their premiums.

The Colorado Health Insurance Option is the central focus of a much-anticipated plan to tackle the thorny issue of skyrocketing health-care costs, which have risen to the top of voters’ concerns in 2020. It achieves those savings by wrestling down reimbursement rates to hospitals to ones more similar to government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The new proposed formula released Monday sets a base reimbursement rate of 155 percent of Medicare rates. That figure is more generous than both the average at which Colorado hospitals break even – currently 143 percent – and at which hospitals nationally turn a profit.

“This administration is working to save people across Colorado money on health care,” the governor’s Press Secretary Conor Cahill said. “The governor partnered with lawmakers to pass a bipartisan reinsurance program, end out-of-network surprise billing and lower the cost of prescription drugs. We have made progress in just 13 months, but there’s more work to do. This thoughtfully crafted formula will help save Coloradans up to 20 percent on the individual market and bring transparency on costs for all consumers.

The administration calculated the new formula based on annual data that state hospitals turn into the Colorado Hospital Association and the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Sustainability Enterprise Board.

Katherine Mulready, senior vice president of the Colorado Hospital Association, said the proposal does not address or alleviate concerns her organization has expressed in the past.

“We always like to see what it looks like in black and white before we pass judgment,” Mulready said. “However, what we have heard directly from the sponsors and certainly from the governor’s office, is that the proposal will include hospital rate setting with pretty significant cuts to hospital

Dr. Michael Russum, left, checks patient Ruby Giron in Denver Health Medical Center’s primary care clinic in Denver in 2017.

Gov. Polis’ ambitious plan to create a state health insurance option cleared another hurdle this week by announcing its hospital reimbursement formula, which would save consumers 7 to 20% annually on their premiums. Rural, independent and big “safety-net” institutions like Denver Health would get even higher reimbursement rates. /CPR file photo reimbursement that are not acceptable to Colorado hospitals and really shouldn’t be acceptable to Colorado consumers, either.”

Groups that represent health insurance companies and medical providers have not yet commented.

According to the governor’s office, the formula is designed to aid Colorado hospitals in different ways. The plan rewards hospitals with even higher reimbursement rates if they meet a number of factors that aim to benefit rural hospitals as well as big safety-net institutions like Denver Health.

Those criteria include: if a hospital is independent; if it provides critical access; if it has a high share of Medicaid or Medicare patients; and if it is shown to be taking steps to manage the underlying cost of care.

The formula also takes into account unique factors like whether a hospital is a critical access, independent or has a large

number of patients on Medicare and Medicaid.

“We look forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to create a Colorado Option and realize these savings for Coloradans – all for less money than special interests are spending to convince Coloradans that expensive premiums and out of reach health care is the best we can do,” Cahill said.

Rep. Dylan Roberts, D.-Avon, said the program will ensure that rural, critical-access and independent hospitals can continue providing care and that no hospital will be put in a worse position.

“The formula is an accurate representation of the current reality in Colorado and shows that we can pare back some hospital costs in order to save Coloradans money on their insurance while still protecting the hospitals that we all need,” Roberts said.

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10 n Feb. 27, 2020

The Public Option Bill is expected to be released in the coming week. The reimbursement formula and analysis will be included in that bill.

“If the insurance companies aren’t willing to create competition themselves, which has been the case so far, we think creating this state option that will inject some competition into the market,” Roberts said. “We’ll have lower premiums for those who want to purchase the state option and hopefully the competition will also help the existing plans to lower their premiums as well.”

Backers of the plan say it employs several strategies to cut costs beyond limiting hospital charges. It would increase what insurance companies spend caring for patients by requiring that 85 percent of an individual premium be spent on care. It would also require pharmaceutical rebates be passed on4

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from insurance carriers to consumers. And it would promote competition, especially in the counties where residents have just one insurance option on the individual market.

Polis has verbally sparred with hospitals for months over a number of groundbreaking new programs and proposals – and how to pay for them. And he hasn’t been shy about pointing out what he views as a prime driver of high health-care costs. Last month, he told CPR that Coloradans are being “ripped off” by the health care industry.

The plan does include some mandates, including one that hospitals have bristled at: a requirement for hospital participation.

Just how the state would compel that hasn’t been worked out and is expected to become part of the upcoming legislation.

This proposal differs in significant ways from the public option concept popularized

by Democratic presidential candidates Sens.

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Their plans envision allowing people to buy into a public insurance program like Medicare.

Colorado’s version has been called a “state option.” It expands the role of private insurance carriers instead of carving them out, which is a key worry for opponents of a public option.

Initially, only Coloradans who buy health insurance for themselves would be able to buy a state plan. Private insurers that already offer plans on the individual market would be required to offer the state plan in counties where they sell plans.

Consumers would be able to buy the new coverage in 2022. n To read more from Colorado Public Radio, go to www.cpr.org.

Feeling the sting: Centura backs out of community alliance While the state’s public option moves forward, plans for a community-based health plan in Southwest Colorado have hit a snag.

On Monday, Centura Health, parent company of Mercy Regional Medical Center, announced it is backing out of negotiations to work with the Southwest Health Alliance to lower medical costs.

According to an advertisement that ran last week in the Durango Herald, Centura said it has come up with a “new plan” of its own that would lower costs by 20 percent.

“Real solutions don’t come in third-party packages,” the ad stated, referring to the SW Health Alliance’s plan.

The announcement caught many off guard, including Monique DiGiorgio, executive director of the Local First Foundation which has been spearheading the alliance.

“We are extremely disappointed in this response because Centura’s plan cuts the community out of health care entirely,” she said in a statement. “Centura had been stringing us along and indicating that they would be providing a fee schedule to be a part of our local health-care plan. By releasing this alternative at the 11th hour, Centura is undercutting the community through back-door deals with insurance carriers.”

Doug McCarthy, a member of the Health Alliance steering committee and a

local health-care policy expert, expressed reservations as well. “While 20 percent savings is a good start, it doesn’t begin to address some of the high costs at Mercy such as pharmacy costs that are 2,366 percent of Medicare, recovery room costs at 1,347 percent of Medicare, and lab costs that are 607 percent of Medicare.”

McCarthy said Mercy’s plan is an attempt to cut other less-expensive local providers out of the loop. “We were directly working with local, independent health-care providers, and this is precisely who Centura is cutting out of their proposed plan,” he said.

Despite being disappointed, those involved in forming the Health Alliance plan to move ahead and are hopeful negotiations with Centura can resume.

“We are asking that Centura come back to the seat we prepared at the community table through if they truly want to emulate the goodwill and community support that the Sisters of Mercy have shown,” Ted Wright, Local First Foundation Board chairman, said.

In its Monday news release, Centura left the door open. “We completely agree that health care is way too expensive in Durango and surrounding communities,” the statement read. The release added that Centura welcomes the opportunity to work with the Durango community, including the Health Alliance, to “further enhance health care affordability, accessibility, choice, accountability and transparency.”

More than 5,000 residents expressed interest in the SW Health Alliance, according to the Local First Foundation. The plan would provide coverage for individuals and employers in La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan and Dolores counties.

The plan is based on Peak Health Alliance, in Summit County. Since beginning in late 2018, Peak has expanded choice while insurance premiums have dropped more than 20 percent, according to the Local First Foundation.

For more information on the SW Health Alliance: foundation.local-first.org/health-care/ – Missy Votel

1480 E. 2nd Ave. & 15th St. • 970-764-4577 www.jimmysmusic.supply

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Feb. 27, 2020 n 11

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dayinthelife Feb. 27, 2020

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the

River Wild

by Stephen Eginoire

T

he Salt River Canyon Wilderness encompasses 32,101 acres within Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. Its namesake, the Salt River, is the main artery through this dynamic landscape, creating a vibrant, riparian ecosystem in one of the country’s driest climates, the Sonoran Desert. Spring run-off and rain (often in short supply) contributes to a boatable volume of water traveling downstream, offering river enthusiasts a short window to experience this one-of-a-kind desert river first-hand. Here’s a look:

Feb. 27, 2020 n 13

thesecondsection DJ Kynan Kelly, of KDUR’s Velvet Rut fame, takes one last spin at the mic. After 10 illustrious years of filling Saturday mornings with rock ’n’ roll, cowpunk and garage-acana, Kynan and cohost Rags are hanging up their headphones./ Photo by Stephen Eginoire

The day the music died (& other things you’d never hear on the Velvet Rut – which is just the way they like it)

by Missy Votel

M

any a Durangoan nursing a Saturday morning hangover may be finding themselves without their favorite hair of the dog. Quietly and with little fanfare, one of Durango’s most beloved radio shows, the “Velvet Rut,” left the KDUR airwaves late last year, leaving angry sober people and happy drunks everywhere without a home on the FM dial.

“I’m totally sad, it’s the only thing I’ve ever given up in my entire life,” Velvet Rut DJ Kynan Kelly said.

For the last 10 years, Kelly and childhood chum Jason “Rags” Ragsdale spent their Saturday mornings spinning alt country, cowpunk and other assorted oddities of the twang-iverse for local eardrums (likely still pounding from the previous night’s activities). When Rags moved to better climes in Arizona a few years ago because of complications from MS, Kelly carried the musical blow torch for a few more years. However, as is wont to happen, adulting soon caught up with the father of two girls, ages 7 and 10. (As many a Durango parent knows, weekends are reserved for things like Super Soccer Saturdays, trips to the Rec Center pool and Snowburner Sundays.)

With wife Marie at work on Saturdays, Kelly would often bring the girls to the studio with him – but even that became increasingly hard to juggle, with guest DJs having to frequently fill in.

14 n Feb. 27, 2020

JusttheFacts What: Furniture as Art, a fund-raiser for KDUR community radio When: 5:30 p.m., Thurs., March 5 Where: Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. Tickets: $30 and includes heavy apps, drinks and live music. Available at Maria’s Bookshop or KDUR “And I thought I had a hard time getting up there with a hangover,” Kelly said.

Eventually, it was time to face the music.

“It’s not fair to the others to keep having to fill the spot,” said Kelly. “I figured if there’s someone with three hours free on a Saturday morning, they should have a chance.”

As luck would have it, there was. Earlier this winter, “Rock Gypsum,” an indie-alt-college show by Alexandra Walters, took over the 9 a.m. - noon Saturday slot (and you all should tune in, hungover or not). “(Kelly) just wasn’t pulling down the ratings like we wanted to get,” KDUR station manager Bryant Liggett joked.

But in all seriousness, Liggett wants the listening public to know he was in no way responsible for the Velvet Rut’s departure – so you can stop the angry phone calls and Facebook threats.

“It was not a management decision, trust me. We

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were willing to help out and do what it takes to keep it going,” he said. “It was a tough decision.”

In fact, it was much tougher than the decision to make the foray into radio all those wasted days and wasted nights ago. According to Kelly, he was inspired by mentor, friend and frequent drinking buddy Chris Aaland. Back then, Aaland, who writes the “Top Shelf” column for yours truly, was doing his “Cask Strength” Americana show on KDUR (in case you haven’t gathered, the drinking theme figures heavily here).

“We thought why don’t we try to do a show?” Kelly remembers.

As luck would have it, Chap Myers was wrapping up his “Go Pogo” Saturday morning show on the Fort Lewis College run station – and the “Velvet Rut” was born.

Except it wasn’t called that – at least not at first.

“The original name was ‘Righteous Wronged,’ but it was too hard to say intelligibly,” Kelly said.

The “Velvet Rut” moniker came from a common saying of Rags’ when Kelly moved away from Durango after high school and Rags stayed. And no, it has nothing to do with hunting or large ruminants.

“I would call Rags and he would say, ‘I’m in a rut, but at least it’s lined with velvet,’” he recalled.

The name stuck – and ended up encapsulating the show’s ethos perfectly. Despite having to get up early on a Saturday morning with a pounding headache and 4

fuzzy if not remorseful memories, there were worse places to “We were just perusing the KDUR stacks and were like, be than spinning rock and roll with your best bud.

‘Holy crap,’” Kelly said of the discovery. “We’d seen him “You did it no matter what, no matter if you were black- on the Priceline commercials, but had no idea. When we out three hours before,” Kelly said. “You’d drag yourself in listened to it, we were like, ‘Oh my god.’ It spoke to us, and there and order burritos from CJ’s.” we hoisted it on everyone else.”

In fact, the show went on the day after Kelly’s father, Kelly is quick to note that much of what they played former FLC History Professor Reese wouldn’t fly at other radio stations – Kelly, passed away. not even ones in progressive West “I don’t think I did a very good job, Coast bastions like British Columbia, though,” he admits. where he lived for a stint.

Other things you could count on “KDUR is awesome, you can’t do from the “Velvet Rut:” witty, irrevera show like this anywhere else,” he ent banter; lyrics that would make said, “to just say, ‘Hey, let’s open this Hank Williams roll over in his grave; up to anybody who wants to play and at least one set featuring the Suany kind of music.’” persuckers followed by the Rev. HorRags, from his home in the baton Heat. It was, after all, the “dark nana belt, said he was crying quietly and hilarious side of country,” which into his beer over the end of the Rut. entailed everything from “Old Blue “It was a good run,” he said. “I am Car,” by Canada’s indigenous Big sad that it finally had to come to an Twang Band to “People Who Died,” end. I love everyone at KDUR – I just by the Jim Carroll Band. couldn’t stay in Durango any longer “A lot of times, it was cover your since they closed the KFC.” eyes and hit ‘play’ and wait for the Alas, like all raging parties, and blowback,” Kelly recalled. raging hangovers, all things must Surprisingly enough, after 500-some come to an end. shows, that blowback never came (al“I didn’t tell anyone about it, not though just to be safe, Rags never used even my wife,” Kelly said of his last his real name on the air for fear of show Dec. 14. “I kinda just wanted to Kelly and Rags at the Demolition Derby repercussions at his real job.) do a regular show with a few shout“We just assumed it was because in earlier days. Rags recently moved to outs and fade away.” the weather was too nice,” Kelly said. Arizona for health reasons and because So, after some AC/DC for his ded“Everyone was out skiing or moun- Durango’s KFC shut down (some would icated 6th Avenue fans (and neighargue the two cancel each other out.) tain biking.” bors), he cued up Capt. Kirk one last Of course, no first show of the time, and then dropped the mic. month for the Rut, as afficionados came to call it, was com“People loved it, hopefully it will come back some day,” plete without “Common People” by none other than Capt. Liggett said.

Kirk, aka William Shatner.

And for Rut holdouts, maybe there is still a small glim-

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The coveted William Shatner album “Has Been,” which features a rocking cover of Pulp’s “Common People.” It’s not as strange as it seems. The album, which actually got some critical acclaim, was produced by Ben Folds and features Joe Jackson. The Velvet Rut closed out the first show of every month with “Common People.” Because they could. mer of hope in that velvet-lined pit of despair.

“I never want to say never, but who knows,” said Kelly.

For the full rundown of all of KDUR’s offerings, go to www.kdur.org. n

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Feb. 27, 2020 n 15

FlashinthePan

The mystery meat technique

by Ari LeVaux

A

t a family gathering, my wife’s mom asked me to cook some meat from a deer that my father-in-law had shot. It was his first, and nobody seemed to know exactly what to do with it. The flesh resided in a cache of unlabeled Ziplocs in a chest freezer in the basement.

Chances are, every meat eater – even those without ties to hunting – has encountered a frozen hunk of mystery meat in the back of freezer. Nobody wants meat to spoil. The resources, carbon emissions and death behind that meat make it precious. At the same time, we don’t want to waste time and energy on a meal nobody will eat.

Meat can definitely spoil in the freezer if not properly processed and sealed, but there is nothing intrinsically wrong with long-frozen meat. In fact, the texture of meat can actually improve in the freezer, as tough chunks will soften with time.

The notion that meat can survive, much less thrive, in the freezer flies in the face of the belief that fresh meat is better. Wendy’s hamburger restaurants make a big deal of their burger meat being 100 percent fresh. But raw meat is rotting meat. If you really want to keep red meat fresh for more than a few days, freeze it.

When you freeze meat, wrap it tightly in plastic. You don’t want to leave any air pockets next to the meat, or they will fill with frost and cause freezer burn. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, plastic wrap will cling very tightly to

meat, and not provide space for frost to develop. If you then wrap the plastic wrapped meat in butcher paper, shiny-side in, the meat should stay in pristine shape for well over a year.

And that bright white butcher paper practically begs to be drawn on with a sharpie. My son likes to draw pictures of the animal inside, before it was meat. The cook, of course, prefers their meat labeled with all of the relevant information, like what kind of animal, which part, and when it was packed.

Luckily, for those times when we are cooking blind, we have the mystery meat techniques, time-tested ways of assessing and preparing meat of uncertain age and origin.

They aren’t that complicated and will give you the confidence you need to go in there and solve the mystery of the next piece of random meat you encounter.

Mystery Meat Techniques The first step is to thaw the meat slowly, still wrapped, to what’s called the “sherbet” stage, where the surface is soft but not thawed, and the inner core is still solid, but softening.

With a long, thin knife – a filet knife, ideally – trim the outside of the meat. Think of it like skinning an orange: you want the peel gone, but you don’t want to cut into the flesh beneath. In the case of mystery meat, as well as poorly sealed meat of known provenance, that “peel” is a greyish layer of oxidized flesh. Keep trimming until the surface of your meat is completely red, with no splotches of brown,

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grey or green. You may have to dig deeper near freezerburned areas. As you slice, make note of the musculature that is revealed. Is it smooth, uninterrupted muscle flesh, or is it crisscrossed with connective tissue?

When the surface of the meat is clean, slice off a thin piece – less than a half inch – and do some analysis in the pan. Heat some oil, add salt and pepper, and cook the piece of meat on both sides. While you’re at it, open a bottle of wine for proper enjoyment.

If, upon tasting this morsel you are like “WANT MOAR,” then you are good to go. If your mouth has reservations, then you might need to pay attention.

It’s possible for a piece of meat to taste good, but to also have off-flavors. And it’s easy to temporarily convince yourself that the good flavors outweigh the bad. You can mask flavor to a certain extent with spices, marinades and sauces, but ultimately a piece of mystery meat is not worth getting sick over. Trust your gut. If it doesn’t taste right in any way, don’t take the risk.

Truly bad meat is a lot more likely in the case of wild mystery meat. An outdoor hunt presents a whole new set of variables, like temperature, manner of death, and how the animal was processed into meat. On the other hand, meat that was processed in a USDA inspected facility doesn’t face those variables and should be fine, unless it spoiled at home before you froze it or something like that.

Assuming you have good meat beneath that oxidized peel, the pan test will also help you determine how chewable it is.

If it’s tender, cut the sherbet meat into little cubes, halffrozen meat is easy to cut. Cook the cubes in oil, with salt and pepper, and let them slowly build a crusty shell of brown armor.

You’ll want to just shovel these browned cubes into your mouth and wash them down with wine. Or make mysterya-carnitas tacos, or mysterious fried rice.

If the meat is tough, then you will have to melt it, with an oven braise or in the slow cooker. Cook at 300 in water and wine, covered, until soft, which could take six to eight hours. With tough cuts that have been braised into submission, make stew or pulled meat sandwiches. n

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TopShelf

Gettin’ Diffy with it, live Kings and SoCal surf punks

by Chris Aaland

T

he 15th annual Durango Independent Film Festival starts Wednesday and runs through March 8. This year, Durango Film features more than 115 films, plus panels, workshops, special guests, parties and more. The festival kick-off & sponsor party takes place from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday at Animas Chocolate Co. and is open to first-tier pass holders only (except All-Film pass holders), sponsors, grantors and donors. A limited number of features and shorts will be screened at the Gaslight 1 and 2 and Animas City Theatre on Wednesday night. These are free films, with seating on a firstcome, first-serve basis.

Durango Film is a fun, funky festival that highlights the local entertainment calendar each year, staffed by an exuberant board and volunteers. It’s also the event my wife covets tickets to the most.

Want to win a pair of All-Film passes? Pledge now at KSUT.org and be entered into all drawings during the Spring Membership Drive. The on-air portion of the drive takes place March 913, but an earlybird drawing for the Durango Film passes takes place at noon this Friday. As alCali surf rockers, ways, the grand prize (drawn at 6 The Expendables p.m. March 13) is a round trip for two to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Additionally, there will be morning and day prizes each of the five days. An early donation ensures entry into all of the drawings.

The Expendables enjoyed a laid-back lifestyle growing up in Santa Cruz, Calif., surfing, skating, partying and playing music.

Since 1997, they’ve staked their claim in the California surf rock genre, headlining venues from coast to coast. Blending reggae, punk and ’80s-style guitars, the Expendables have made heads turn and floors shake for years. They’ll play the Animas City Theatre at 9 p.m. tonight (Thurs., Feb. 27). Authority Zero opens.

The Donny McCaslin Trio brings jazz to the Community Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. McCaslin began playing the saxophone during his early childhood years. While perhaps best recognized for his contributions to David Bowie’s final album, “Blackstar,” McCaslin’s comprehensive approach to jazz as a popular American music genre is vast and mesmerizing. He has integrated a full range of sounds to his playing, from funky fusion to mainstream modern to laid-back ballads.

All hail the newly expanded Lawn Chair Kings! Justin Richert makes his debut with the band on lap steel, guitar and drums at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez.

Patrick Dressen will play acoustic guitar in addition to drums and vocals. Dan Leek (bass, vocals) and Erik Nordstrom (guitar, vocals) have been playing variations of Americana, cowpunk, folk and western garage music in Southwest Colorado since forming LCK in 2000. Special guest Dale X Allen of Genuine Cowhide and Moetones fame will join the party. Best of all, there will be a live recording of this performance that will be released later in 2020.

G. Love & Special Sauce brings a dance vibe to the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride at 8 p.m. Tuesday, with an opening set by Jontavious Willis. G. Love & Special Sauce formed in 1993

and within a year had their self-titled debut album getting spins on MTV. They landed a spot on the coveted H.O.R.D.E. Tour, exposing their brand of alternative hip-hop, blues and R&B to thousands upon thousands of jam band fans. Over the course of the next two decades-plus, they dropped nine studio albums (and three G. Love solo projects), including their latest, “The Juice.” Opener Willis is a multi-instrument-playing bluesman who has quickly made a name for himself for his interpretation of Delta, Piedmont and Texas blues and gospel music. His guitar skills cover fingerpicking, flatpicking and slide playing. Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ were among the producers tapped for his latest record, “Spectacular Class.”

The Southwest Civic Winds perform a “Winds of the World” concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Community Concert Hall.

Under the baton of FLC’s Dr. Christopher Huls, the Civic Winds will take the audience on an exploration of the best in symphonic band literature from around the world, including stops in Russia, Japan, Mexico, Australia and beyond.

The Met: Live in HD will screen a new production of Handel’s “Agrippina” at 10:55 a.m. Saturday in the FLC Student Union. Handel’s tale of intrigue and impropriety in ancient Rome stars Joyce DiDonato as the controlling, power-hungry Agrippina with Harry Bicket conducting.

Fenceline Ciders hosts its second anniversary party at 6 p.m. Saturday at the cidery in Mancos. In addition to tasty hard ciders, there will be live music from the Afrobeatniks, a band that released its debut album, “Wontanara,” last summer. Nearly a year later, it remains one of my favorite local recordings of all time. The band makes sense to play the anniversary gig – with membership in Montezuma and La Plata counties, the Beatniks have deep Mancos ties.

Although it doesn’t technically happen until next week, KDUR’s Furniture as Art auction takes place at 7 p.m. Thurs., March 5, at the Durango Arts Center. The $30 ticket includes three drinks and heavy apps from Good on the Bun, plus the chance to bid on artwork from more than 20 local artists in the live auction, and more in the silent. KDUR’s Bryant Liggett and Meryl Ramsey serve as emcees, with music by Aiden Hall and auctioneering by Calvin and Pat Story of Treasure Auction. The event is a blast and KDUR’s signature fundraising event of the year.

Elsewhere: The Great Contention brings American to Ska Brewing at 5 p.m. tonight; Crooked Measures bring music to Durango Craft Spirits from 6-8 p.m. Friday; Six Dollar String Band brings old-time string band music to Ernie’s at 11th Street Station at 7 p.m. Friday; and Black Velvet Trio plays the Derailed Pour House at 7 p.m. Friday.

Finally, the Durango VFW hosts “Doing it for Dave” at 3 p.m. Saturday. The event is a fundraiser for Dave Kulak, who is battling ALS. There will be live music from Sunny & the Whiskey Machine, Red Eyed Djinn and Murderous Chanteuse, plus food and a silent auction. A $10 donation is suggested.

Don’t step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard? Email me at chrisa@gob rainstorm.net. n

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Feb. 27, 2020 n 17

onthetown

Thursday27 Living Your Best Life with Disabilities: Post High School Transitions, 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. Durango Green Drinks, hosted by Rocky Mountain PBS and Great Old Broads for Wilderness, 5-6:45 p.m., Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave. The Great Contention performs, 5-7 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.

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

Tim Sullivan performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Paws for Celebration, annual fundraiser for Lisa Parker’s Puppies, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Wild Horse Saloon, 201 E. 2nd Ave. lisaparkerspup pies.com.

Meet the Author: Pam Houston, author of Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country, 6-7:30 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield.

Open Mic Night, 6-8 p.m., Eno Wine Bar, 723 E. 2nd Ave. “Geology, Navajo Ethnobotany and Rare Plants of the Four Corners Region,” 6:30 p.m., Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, Lyceum Room.

Sean O’Brien performs, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Zumba Gold, 9:30-10:15 a.m., La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave.

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

Spanish Speaking Parents & Littles Fridays, 4-6 p.m., Durango Café au Play, 1309 E. 3rd Ave., Room 201. durangocafeauplay.org.

Coffee and Conversations: Shared meal with homeless and food-insecure residents, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Schneider Park. www.communitycompassionoutreach.com.

“Gather at the River,” a discussion on tackling water issues, presented by Rocky Mountain PBS, 5-7:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. rmpbs.org.

Community potluck and farmer presentation for 0% loans, 4:30 p.m., Sat. Feb. 29, Manna Soup Kitchen, Durango. www.four cornersslowmoney.org.

Robby Overfield performs, 6 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Adam Swanson performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

“Water and Wine” with Jenny Winegardner and Gary Watkins, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Mark Smith performs, 6-10 p.m., Seven Rivers Steak House, Sky Ute Resort, Ignacio.

“Downton Abbey” screening, 6 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield.

Lawn Chair Kings perform, doors open, 6:30 p.m., show begins, 7-9 p.m., Sunflower Theatre in Cortez. www.sunflowertheatre.com.

Live music, 6-9 p.m., DJ Hakan 9 p.m.close, Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Mr. B’s Vaudeville Show, hosted by the Secret Circus Society, 8 p.m., The Garage, 121 E. 8th St. secretcircussociety.com.

The Black Velvet Trio performs, 7 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave. Banff Film Festival, hosted by San Juan Citizens Alliance and Rocky Mountain Wild, 7 p.m., continues Feb. 29, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. sanjuancitizens.org/Banff.

Ken Coleman, Juan Lopez and Brent Wilson perform, 8-11 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.

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

Red Eyed Djinn performs, 7-11 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village.

Sunday01 FLC Record Show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., FLC Student Union Ballroom. www.fortlewiscollegere cordshow.squarespace.com.

Ecstatic Dance with DJs Amritaji & Alex Unger, 7-10 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main Ave.

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

“Two Rooms” a play by Lee Blessing, opening night, 7:30 p.m., show also runs Feb. 29, March 5-7, and 2 p.m., March 1, Fort Lewis College Theatre. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Friday28

Saturday29

Durango Earlybird Toastmasters, 7-8:30 a.m., LPEA, 45 Stewart St.

Henry Stoy, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Wine Bar, 601 Main Ave.

Henry Stoy, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Wine Bar, 601 Main Ave. Free Books, hosted by Durango Book Rescue, 11a.m.-3 p.m., 923 Narrow Gauge Ave. Irish Music Jam, 12:30-4 p.m., Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 4

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

Joint Advisory Meeting on E-Bikes, 5-7 p.m., Durango Rec Center. www.durangogov.org.

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.

Monday02

Traditional Technologies Tour in Oaxaca, free lecture by Laurie Webster and Shelby Tisdale, 5:30 p.m., Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College, Lyceum Room 120. 2477456.

Yoga Storytime, 9:30-10:45 a.m., Smiley Building Studio 10, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

Joel Racheff performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Meditation and Dharma Talk with Erin Treat, 5:30-7 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave., Suite 109. durangodharmacen ter.org.

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

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

Free Metaphysical Makeover, learn new tools for your spiritual expansion, 6-7:30 p.m., March 6, Comfort Inn, 455 S. Camino del Rio. Durango Spirituality Meetup or text/call Jo C 970903-3921.

“Come to Your Senses,” presented by Pilobolus Dance Theatre, 7:30 p.m., March 9, Community Concert Hall. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Leftover Salmon performs, 7:30 p.m., March 12, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Free Legal Clinic, 4-5 p.m., March 13, Ignacio Community Library.

Dirtwire performs, 8:30 p.m., March 14, Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. www.ani mascitytheatre.com.

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

Durango Diaries Season 5: Alternative Living, 6-7 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Aikido, the art of peace, 6-8 p.m., Mountain Middle School, 108 W 31st St. www.duran goaikido.com.

Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.

Yarn performs, 7:30 p.m., March 15, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.du rangoconcerts.com.

Tuesday03

Donny McCaslin performs, 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.

An Evening with Suzy Bogguss, 7:30 p.m., March 18, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Karaoke with Crazy Charlie, 8 p.m.-close, Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave.

Yamato – The Drummers of Japan, 7:30 p.m., March 25, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.

7th annual DAC Winter Lecture Series: “Art Opens Windows,” 4 p.m., series also runs March 10, 12, 17 and 19, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.

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

Rotary Club meets, presentation from La Plata County Manager Chuck Stevens, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. 385-7899.

Super Ted’s Super Trivia, 6:12 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

DJ Crazy Charlie hosts Karaoke, 6:3010:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon, Gem Village.

Live music, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

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

Open Mic Night, 8 p.m.-close, Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Wednesday04

15th annual Durango Independent Film Festival, March 4-8. www.durangofilm.org.

Ongoing “Two Old Guys,” works from Peter Alphonso Martin, thru March 21, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangoarts.org.

“Retrospective Art Show: 1960-2020” by Peggy Cloy, thru March 24, Smiley Building 2nd floor, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. “Inside Out: Visions from the Artist’s Mind,” thru April 2020, Southern Ute Museum. www.southernutemuseum.org.

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

Free Skiing, March 29, Kendall Mountain in Silverton. www.skikendall.com.

The Del McCoury Band, 7:30 p.m., April 1, Concert Hall. www.durangoconcerts.com.

The High Kings perform, 7:30 p.m., April 8, Community Concert Hall, Fort Lewis College. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Public listening sessions, hosted by the City of Durango, 5:30-6:30 p.m., April 16, sessions also run July 16 and Oct. 16, City Hall, 949 E. 2nd Ave. www.durangogov.org.

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

Upcoming One-Man Trunk Show and Native American Film Reception featuring Ray Tracey, March 5-6, Sorrel Sky Gallery, 828 Main Ave. 247-3555.

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

Veterans Breakfast, 9-11 a.m., March 5, La Plata County Fairgrounds. 946-4831.

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Feb. 27, 2020 n 19

AskRachel Interesting fact: Red letter days are so called because, dating back to Roman times, calendars often indicate important dates in red ink. Or else the red ink warned of impending Roman periods. Either way.

Dear Rachel, I can always count on you to set some crazy people straight, even if you don’t exactly answer their questions all the time. But you’ve been extra bitchy lately. Are you having a streak of red-letter days on your private calendar? Trouble at home? Lady issues? Someone kick your dog? Total PMS? Whatever bee has gotten in your bonnet lately, you can probably guess where my money is. Just hope you’re OK. - Aunt Flo Dear Red Rum, You caught me. I’m on a weekly period that coincides with my advice column deadline. That’s right: PERIOD. Does that word make you uncomfortable? Is MENSTRUAL CYCLE more acceptable because it starts with men? We don’t need euphemisms for the biological phenomenon that makes our very existence possible. We need someone to figure out a way to continue our species without some of us having to bleed into our pants for several days every month.

– A red river runs through it, Rachel Dear Rachel, I’m a well-educated human being with a deep mindfulness practice and honest-to-god training in time management. Yet I have started clicking on those “suggested links” in my Facebook feed.

20 n Feb. 27, 2020

The ones with titles like “Her Boss Refused to Give Her Bathroom Breaks to Snort Blow. She Got Her Revenge.” Clicking on these leads to more getting suggested, and now I am powerless. How can I cut this ever-more-addictive cord?

- Can’t Won’t Don’t Stop Dear Target Audience, That’s right. You are the target audience. Facebook has got us nailed. They know us better than we know ourselves. I mean, I started getting ads for male ED wipes in my feed. I did not even know I was a market consideration for ED wipes. So maybe you can stop fighting it and just embrace the full list of who you truly are.

– You won’t BELIEVE number five, Rachel

Dear Rachel, What is your analysis of the Durango tipping practices? Your local road warrior, known as your Uber driver, receives a tip from the rider about 50 percent of the time. Your local server, who listens to your dinner order, refills a water glass and slaps down a plate of pasta is customarily awarded 15, 18 or 20 percent of the total bill.

Sure, they need tips since their pay rate is so low, but your driver, wheeling along at 65 MPH to get you to your flight on time has your life, not your linguini, in their hands. Can you explain?

– On the Road Again Dear Cabbie, The worst is when you tip employees at an establishment, and only after you’ve dropped the cash in the jar

telegraph

Email Rachel at telegraph@durangotelegraph.com do you see the sign that says all tips are property of the employer and not the employees. You can’t give the cash to the workers or they risk getting fired. You can’t take your money back from the jar without, technically, stealing. You can’t, but I do. I just shout at anyone who judges me that “I AM HAVING A RED LETTER DAY” and they pretty much leave me alone.

– Gratuity included, Rachel

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): You may sometimes reach a point where you worry that conditions are not exactly right to pursue your dreams or fulfill your holy quest. Does that describe your current situation? If so, I invite you to draw inspiration from Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616), who’s regarded as one of history’s foremost novelists. Here’s how one observer described Cervantes during the time he was working on his masterpiece, the novel titled Don Quixote: “shabby, obscure, disreputable, pursued by debts, with only a noisy tenement room to work in.” Cervantes dealt with imperfect conditions just fine.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “True success is figuring out your life and career so you never have to be around jerks,” Taurus filmmaker, actor and author John Waters says. I trust that you have been intensely cultivating that kind of success in the last few weeks, Taurus – and that you will climax this wondrous accomplishment with a flourish during the next few weeks. You’re on the verge of achieving a new level of mastery in the art of immersing yourself in environments that bring out the best in you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I would love for you to become more powerful, Gemini – not necessarily in the sense of influencing the lives of others, but rather in the sense of managing your own affairs with relaxed confidence and crisp competence. What comes to mind when I urge you to expand your self-command and embolden your ambition? Is there an adventure you could initiate that would bring out more of the swashbuckler in you?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): For my Cancerian readers in the Southern Hemisphere, this oracle will be in righteous alignment with the natural flow of the seasons. That’s because February is the hottest, laziest, most spacious time of year in that part of the world – a logical moment to take a lavish break from the daily rhythm and escape on a vacation or pilgrimage designed to provide relaxation and renewal. Which is exactly what I’m advising for all of the earth’s Cancerians, including those in the Northern Hemisphere.

So for those of you above the equator, I urge you to consider thinking like those below the equator. If you can’t get away, make a blanket fort in your home and pretend. Or read a book that takes you on an imaginary journey. Or hang out at an exotic sanctuary in your hometown.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo author Walter Scott (1771– 1832) was a pioneer in the genre of the historical novel.

His stories were set in various

eras of the Scottish past. In those pre-telephone and pre-Internet days, research was a demanding task. Scott traveled widely to gather tales from keepers of the oral tradition. In accordance with current astrological omens, Leo, I recommend that you draw inspiration from Scott’s old-fashioned approach. Seek out direct contact with the past. Put yourself in the physical presence of storytellers and elders. Get first-hand knowledge about historical events that will inspire your thoughts about the future of your life story.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Over a period of 40 years, the artist Rembrandt (1606-63) gazed into a mirror as he created more than 90 self-portraits – about 10 percent of his total work.

Why? Art scholars don’t have a definitive answer. Some think he did self-portraits because they sold well. Others say that because he worked so slowly, he himself was the only person he could get to model for long periods. Still others believe this was his way of cultivating self-knowledge, equivalent to an author writing an autobiography. In the coming weeks, I highly recommend that you engage in your personal equivalent of extended mirror-gazing. It’s a favorable time to understand yourself better.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): From author Don DeLillo’s many literary works, I’ve gathered five quotes to serve as your guideposts in the coming weeks. These observations are all in synchronistic alignment with your current needs. 1. Sometimes a thing that’s hard is hard because you’re doing it wrong. 2. You have to break through the structure of your own stonework habit just to make yourself listen. 3. Something is always happening, even on the quietest days and deep into the night, if you stand a while and look. 4. The world is full of abandoned meanings. In the commonplace, I find unexpected themes and intensities. 5. What we are reluctant to touch often seems the very fabric of our salvation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “I remember a time when a cabbage could sell itself just by being a cabbage,” Scorpio author Jean Giraudoux (1882–1944) wrote. “Nowadays it’s no good being a cabbage – unless you have an agent and pay him a commission.” He was making the point that for us humans, it’s not enough to simply become good at a skill and express that skill; we need to hire a publicist or marketing wizard or distributor to make sure the world knows about our offerings.

Generally, I agree with Giradoux’s assessment. But I think that right now it applies to you only minimally. The coming weeks will be one of those rare times when your interestingness will shine so brightly, it will naturally attract its de-

served attention. Your motto, from industrialist Henry J. Kaiser: “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): When he was 29 years old, Sagittarian composer Ludwig Beethoven published his “String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 4.” Most scholars believe that the piece was an assemblage of older material he had created as a young man. A similar approach might work well for you in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. I invite you to consider the possibility of repurposing tricks and ideas that weren’t quite ripe when you first used them. Recycling yourself makes good sense.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Are there parts of your life that seem to undermine other parts of your life? Do you wish there was greater harmony between your heart and your head, between your giving and your taking, between your past and your future?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could infuse your cautiousness with the wildness of your secret self? I bring these questions to your attention, Capricorn, because I suspect you’re primed to address them with a surge of innovative energy.

Here’s my prediction: Healing will come as you juxtapose apparent opposites and unite elements that have previously been unconnected.

Find out what your house is worth.

Call Tina today

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): When he was 19, poet Robert Graves joined the British Army to fight in World War I. Two years later, the Times of London newspaper reported that he had been killed at the Battle of the Somme in France. But it wasn’t true. Graves was very much alive and continued to be for another 69 years. During that time, he wrote 55 books of poetry, 18 novels and 55 other books. I’m going to be bold and predict that this story can serve as an apt metaphor for your destiny in the coming weeks and months. Some dream or situation or influence that you believed to be gone will in fact have a very long second life filled with interesting developments.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If you’re like most of us, you harbor desires for experiences that might be gratifying in some ways but draining in others. If you’re like most of us, you may on occasion get attached to situations that are mildly interesting, but divert you from situations that could be amazingly interesting and enriching. The good news, Pisces, is that you are now in a phase when you have maximum power to wean yourself from these wasteful tendencies.

The coming weeks will be a favorable time to identify your two or three most important and exciting longings – and take a sacred oath to devote yourself to them above all other wishes and hopes.

telegraph

Feb. 27, 2020 n 21

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

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

therapeutic stretching & Acutonics. New clients receive $5 off first session. To schedule appt. call 970-201-3373.

Services

ForSale

TriBody Wellness TriBody Wellness discover - reset renew Introduction to Myofascial Release w/ Dannielle Arceneaux. 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30pm next class March 5th, limited availability. Call 435-2299705 or Info@tribodywellness.com

King Sized Sleigh Bed Great condition, solid wood, $500.

970-247-4918.

Accounting Services Payroll, sales tax, bank & credit card reconciliations, HR & support. 970-403-5339.

Lowest Prices on Storage!

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

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.

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.

HelpWanted Seeking PT labor, Comfortable in tight crawlspaces, oppt for growth, good people & good pay. Must have building or const exp. 970-903-6642.

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

Marketing Small & Local Businesses Media, social media, website content, SEO, etc. for small, local, independent or startup businesses.

Email jnderge@gmail.com Advanced Duct Cleaning specializing in dryer vents. Improves indoor air quality; reduces dust and allergens, energy bills and fire risk. 970-2472462 www.advanced ductcleaninginc.com

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

BodyWork Massage by Meg Bush, LMT 30, 60 & 90 min dwntwn Dgo 970759-0199.

Wanted

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

Macramé Instructor Wanted Macramé instructor for one on one classes. Please leave a message 779-8387.

Massage with Kathryn 20+ years experience offering a fusion of esalen style, deep tissue massage with

22 n Feb. 27, 2020

telegraph

2002 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Great condition V6 automatic with standard wear and tear Rhino lined bed mud tires with tons of tread shocks recently replaced K&N aftermarket air intake $7,850 970-769-1621.

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.

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!

CommercialForRent Medical Condo for Rent or Sale Rare medical condo in prime central location off Main Ave with reception, 4 exam rooms, parking. Call 262-308-2968 for info.

CommunityService Apply for Food Tax and Utility Rebate Programs Starting March 1 The City of Durango’s Food Tax Rebate Program starts March 1. Residents with a total household income no greater than 50

HaikuMovieReview ‘Tabloid’ Beauty queen abducts, shackles and rapes Mormon man can’t be true, could it?

– Lainie Maxson percent of the area median family income for La Plata County by family size may qualify. Only those who were full-time residents within the city limits on Dec. 31 and for the full 12 months of 2019 are eligible to file for the food tax rebate. Only residents who owned and occupied a home that received City utility services on Dec. 31, and for at least 10 months of 2019, are eligible to file for the utility refund program. In addition, the resident filing for the utility refund must have occupied the property – as an owner – on which City utilities were paid in 2019. Applications are available at City Hall (949 E. 2nd Ave), Transit Center (250 W. 8th St), Senior Center (2424 Main Ave), or Duran go Gov.org/rebates. Applications must be submitted by July 1.

DAC Announces 10th Annual 10–Minute Play Contest The Durango Arts Center invites playwrights to submit 10-minute plays by Feb. 29. A staged reading of the top five finalists takes place in the spring followed by the 10–Minute Play Festival, featuring the winners and finalists, in the fall. Visit www.DurangoArts.org or contact Mandy Gardner at mandy@durangoarts.org.

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 4 and 5. 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. durangobeyond plastic@gmail.com

EndoftheLine

Room 535

I

head up the hall on the fourth floor chemo ward. I notice a group of doctors outside my sister’s room. Anxiety builds as I walk toward them. As I approach closer, they begin to disperse, nodding at me as I enter the room. I take up my station alongside my sister’s bed.

She is sleeping.

I have come to realize that hospitalization is a waiting game. Everything in the room is foreign, yet familiar. I glance at the IV bags, the electronic monitors and sensors. The various contraptions are impersonal and yet instrumental in aiding the patient’s recovery. Soon the nurse returns, and I feel a sense of relief. She says she needs to take my sister’s vitals. She smiles and assures me that my sister will be fine. The gentle words assuage my fears for now.

The unsung heroes of the hospital are the nurses. Much like teachers, these selfless souls are in the trenches of caregiving and are rarely paid adequately. These professionals are on the forefront of heal-

ing. From dispensing drugs, adjusting equipment, cleaning bed pans, sponge bathing, or moving a helpless body, the nurses become the crucial ingredient in the realm of medical practice, without them the system would implode.

I have watched, first hand, for the past six weeks, the daily routine of the nurses and nurse’s aides. They blend comfort with care. This perseverance and patience defines a better sense of grace. The patient’s fate is ultimately in the hands of those that are directly dealing with a patient’s needs.

I nod off in my chair. My sister is sleeping. An hour passes and nurse Lauren returns and starts to administer the care and love each and every soul deserves. I hear her soft and assuring voice whisper, “Come on, Jen. It’s time for your medications. You know you need to get well for me.” The words seem to drift from head to heart, and a new hope arises in Room 535.

– Burt Baldwin

NewspaperOrigami

A crab telegraph

Feb. 27, 2020 n 23

SKIERS: SHOW YOUR PASS & GET A SIDE OF

FREE FRIES with entrée

(One per coupon. Expires March 1, 2020)

MAKE HATS GREAT AGAIN. Y! ONL

8 1 $ Now in! Telegraph Carhartt beanies to keep your noggin warm and stylish.

Get yours now before they’re all gone from (our) office.

Available online at durangotelegraph.com or stop by to pick one up at 777 Main Ave., #214 or call 970-259-0133 and we’ll drop one in the mail.

24 n Feb. 27, 2020

telegraph