The Durango Telegraph, July 20, 2023

elegraph

the durango

Hollywood or bust

Four Corners manhunt heads to big screen

The show man Shaking it up

Talking shop with the ACT’s Eugene Salaz

Mocktails to beat the heat without getting sloshed

5 Vision quest

The great outdoors and the Instagram copycat invasion by Marjorie Woodruff / Writers on the Range

8

Desert drama

Bringing the manhunt to the big screen (Coen brothers, you listening?)

by Jonathan Romeo

10

The main ACT

Dishing with the man behind the music at Durango’s beloved venue

by Stephen Sellers

4

11

Whiskey a no-go

N/A alternatives for summer sipping that won’t leave you sloshed

by Lucas Hess

Ear to the ground:

“People in Durango don’t have garages, they have ‘gearages.’”

-You mean people actually park cars in theirs?

Hello? Monsoons?

It feels as if it’s been weeks, months, years since it rained. But that may change, thankfully, very soon.

To be sure, the summer got off to a weird start. Remember that “backdoor monsoon pattern” or whatever in June, which is typically the driest month of the year? But then, the well went dry. The last reported rain event was nearly a month ago, and Stage 1 fire restrictions were enacted in all of Southwest Colorado.

However, according to OpenSnow.com, a pretty dang reliable weather forecasting service, the delayed start to the monsoon season is about to kick in this week.

“Monsoonal moisture has been building over Mexico for the past couple weeks and is beginning to spill into the Western U.S. with a gradual uptick in moisture levels,” OpenSnow.com reported.

First, the weather system will bring the chance of thunderstorms Thursday and Friday this week, with the chance for moisture this weekend. For your reading pleasure:

“Heading into the weekend and early next week, moisture will become more entrenched throughout the Four Corners region with a gradual uptick in thunderstorm coverage expected for ranges west of the Continental Divide in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.”

Oh thank god.

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A member of the local moose population tries to cool off in a lake near Silverton./ Photo by Andy High

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On a sour note, OpenSnow.com expects this year’s monsoon to not be as strong as the past two summers. But hey, after the past few weeks of blistering heat, we’ll take it.

And here might be a good time for a reminder on safety tips while recreating during monsoon season. Thunderstorms usually start to roll in around midday, so it’s a good idea to start early. If you’re above treeline and see clouds building, turn around.

Also, flash flooding – a particular risk in the slot canyons and washes of the Southwest – can be the result of storms miles away. Be sure to check the forecast before venturing out.

MAIL

AND SUBSCRIPTIONS: $3.50/issue, $150/year

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

And, if you’re still lamenting the lack of moisture, one thing we like to do to cheer us up is check the weather in other places. Today’s high in Phoenix, for instance, is 115 degrees; Dallas, 105; and Las Vegas, 112.

In comparison, Durango topped out at a high of 99 degrees on Mon., July 17, according to the National Weather Service. Not so bad now, is it?

Rainbow kitty litter surprise

Pretty Litter – a potty box alternative cat lovers can’t resist – promises to provide not only a snow white sanitary corner for your feline friend’s private moments. It also promises to “get your cat care before urgent medical attention is needed, saving you money, stress and potentially, your fur baby’s life.” It’s like a doctor asking you to pee in a cup, the kind of request any self-respecting cat would arch its back at and refuse.

According to Honest Brand Reviews, inventor Daniel Rotman created Pretty Litter in 2015 after witnessing the preventable death of a loved pet. Will a company like Depend diapers be next, offering an innovation that’s more beneficial than just better absorbency?

I can understand the complications involved with fabricating a layer of Pretty Litter in the lining of an adult diaper. Better clumping, less dust and more effective odor-control serve as the advertised advantages when Pretty Litter compares itself with the performance of other cat litters. But is it possible that human beings could eventually depend on a practical rainbow left like a diagnostic pot of gold at the bottom of a disposable diaper?

Perhaps I should take a step back before exposing anyone to my concept of “Pretty Diapers,” because pet owners without cats may not realize these animals do their business in a litter box located in some discrete corner of the house, not on the sidewalk while being taken for a walk. But thank you, responsible dog owners, who pick up after their dogs, and let me add that it’s also refreshing when responsible cat hosts clean the litter box in a timely fashion before the pungent odor of cat urine assaults guests entering the house with a wave of nausea and dizziness.

The science of Pretty Litter may help clarify my vision for diaper innovation. Essentially, four colors are currently important, and cat hosts should recognize what their appearance in the potty box denotes. Blue means a possible urinary tract infection or even bladder stones. Orange/yellow suggests an issue with acidity, like metabolic acidosis or a kidney infection. Red is a warning flag fluttering over the likelihood that blood is present. When dark yellow/olive green is present, the kitty is normal.

I’d like to think it’s reasonable that many of us, whether raising infants or caring for elderly parents – or even tidying up after ourselves – with conditions like incontinence or leakage, should be concerned about our own health.

Thumbin’It

The start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the U.S. the clear favorite. Finally, something we can rally around as a country together. We hope…

A man and his dog adrift in the ocean for three months saved off the coast of Mexico. Well, once he learns they made “Barbie” into a movie, he might want to go back out.

The FDA approving the first over-thecounter birth control pill in the U.S. In the words of Marvin Gaye: Let’s get it on.

According to health experts, we ought to be drinking a recommended 8-15 glasses of water each day. A product like “Pretty Diapers” might put the gladder back into our bladders.

Many people I know prefer to keep their discomforts and bouts with affliction to themselves, taking the time to visit a doctor’s office only when they feel a little punky. Being prescribed an aspirin and a reminder to stay hydrated can be just as frustrating as waking up every morning to find the cat has left another dead mouse at the foot of the bed.

Detractors may claim a major drawback for monitoring our own health by using the cat litter model for my “Pretty Diapers” approach is that the FDA will surely have something to say. Just like prescriptions, Pretty Litter is NOT available over the counter. A cat owner must use the company’s subscription service. Each $22 bag supposedly lasts a month. Multiple cats require additional bags, so just me and my mate, for instance, would have to dig out an annual $480 from our wallet, a place where cash doesn’t tend to clump.

In the end, it’s all about money. Just reading the FAQs on Pretty Litter’s website is enough to quash anyone’s entrepreneurial spirit, maybe even saving me a fortune on attorney fees when the first assisted living facility sues my ass!

Can you flush Pretty Litter?

“For proper disposal, flush your pet’s solid waste down the toilet and then throw the litter into your usual trash.”

I’m just imagining how Charmin Ultra Soft would answer the same question.

Is Pretty Litter toxic?

“...(it) won’t have a significant effect on your pets’ bowels if they accidentally eat it.” Now I’m trying NOT to imagine anything. If you’re beginning to feel like a skeptical reader, consider this final FAQ.

What is Pretty Litter’s return policy?

“Your first bag of Pretty Litter is risk-free. That means your cat can test it out for 30 days and if you’re not satisfied with the results, simply send it back for a full refund.”

Really? After 30 days? Nobody, not even the Telegraph, wants to open a 6-pound package of dissatisfaction. Instead of writing letters to the editor to express your disgust, maybe just flip to the next page.

– David Feela

SignoftheDownfall:

Two separate incidents in which bison attacked people getting too close. How many times does this have to happen before people get the message?

The reported rise in hate groups in the U.S., with cells of white men uniting around “racism” and “martial arts.” Well, with that combo, sounds like someone can’t get laid.

The Taliban shutting down all beauty salons in Afghanistan in another extreme measure against women. And who would have thought they lying when they said they’d respect women’s rights?

Moby Dickheads

Last month, Ambassador Cruise Lines hired “ORCA,” a marine conservation group, to take tourists to the Faroe Islands, off Denmark, to educate them on marine biology. However, the timing couldn’t have been worse – the trip coincided with the annual whale hunt. The group of conservationists watched in horror as 78 pilot whales were herded to the beach and slaughtered. The cruise line apologized and suggested to passengers they not buy whale meat after deboarding. Granted, ORCA was still pissed, but they should’ve realized that all cruises have their ups and downs.

Say cheese

Too many tourists follow a leader

by Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff

Aspectacular picture recently appeared on social media of a young lady in Arizona. She was poised on the edge of a cliff emblazoned with sunset colors. Immediately, her online followers clamored to know where the picture was taken, so “I can get one just like it.”

Turns out that it was taken on an offtrail route at the end of a potholed dirt road on the Navajo Nation that requires a permit to enter the area.

A local guide lamented that the area would now be getting a slew of “Instagram tourists.” These people would be seeking to replicate the pose with themselves perched on the very same edge.

This kind of thing has led to some decrying the unsavory habits of Instagram influencers. These are the folks who trample fields of wildflowers in order to get a shot of themselves displaying a sponsored product. Or who photograph their colorful paintings on wilderness rock faces.

Instagram photos taken on private land have resulted in owners locking their gates because of the hordes of people wandering through, looking for the exact location of an idealized post. A perfect shot, however, does not show the queue of people waiting impatiently for their turn at glory.

Even blatant scofflaws get into the act. Some men swam illegally with endangered pupfish in Nevada, not realizing the National Park Service had set up cameras. Whatever the men were thinking, it made law enforcement easier.

What has happened to old-fashioned spontaneity? Imitation is a form of flattery, but is the only picture worth having one that’s copied from someone else’s? There’s even a website that apparently allows one to paste family pictures into vacation spots without bothering to visit them. A great time saver.

One day while riding my bike, I passed a couple setting up for their flawless picture. When I came back an hour later, they were still working on getting the hair, clothing and attitude just right. The scenery was an afterthought.

People are also falling into copycat

mode, because apparently just standing on a rim isn’t sexy enough. One has to jump or pretend to fall, which unfortunately may segue into the real thing. Search and rescue groups decry the glut of visitors who just want the “perfect” picture. There is even a word for them: Killfies.

I’m reminded of the old “mom” adage where wayward children are asked: “If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?”

Then I discovered an entire genre of Instagram posts dedicated to ladies who hike and climb in high heels. I assumed that they hiked in real shoes and then changed for the shot, but no, some of them climb mountains in heels. What could possibly go wrong?

Back in the day, we visited the backcountry to get away from other people. Now we invite them digitally to follow and give us “likes.” If a person climbs a mountain and does not post it online, did the hike really happen?

Sometimes an experience doesn’t even need to exist in reality. One

summer, I worked as an educational liaison at a local business that featured a diorama of the Grand Canyon in its courtyard. Busloads of tourists would line up to get their picture in front of … that picture of the canyon. I wanted to yell, “The real thing is only 7 miles away!”

My son has encouraged me to become an influencer. He tells me there are not a lot of women my age who do the things I do. I guess that is a compliment. But if I did, my influence would be unfiltered. No makeup, just hiking boots, clothes made for roughing it and hair wild as an old West hooraw.

Perhaps I could start a trend: Downand-dirty influencing. Sweaty, beyond tired, what it really looks like to have hiked up to that cliff.

Think it would catch on?

Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff is a contributor to writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is an outdoor educator in Arizona. ■

Freepik photo

SoapBox

Cool off

Dear shop owners of downtown Durango, please close your doors during business hours.

I know it may seem more inviting to tourists, but for a progressive community that prides itself on a love of the outdoors and that also believes global warming is real, I encourage you to keep the cold in and the hot out.

I love spending my money locally rather than online, and it does feel great to walk into an air-conditioned store on a hot, summer day. But to see the doors wide open, and to know all of those resources are being wasted, makes me not want to shop at your stores.

So, if you’re not running on solar energy, please keep your doors closed. Thanks for keeping Durango local and vibrant. I appreciate our downtown area, but we can do better.

– Trish Lemke, Durango

All aboard

Durango could be amazing. It has mountains, lakes and interesting outdoor activities. But people here are

destroying the environment. The hot summer days aren’t helped by cars and tourists. So do something about it.

Use the bus to get around town. It’s cheap, and the more people who use it, the more options for stops there will be. Don’t understand how to use it? There are lots of people who can help. Locals should use it more. The drivers are excellent. And, during the summer, it’s free to ride.

– Christa Lawyes, Durango

Burt the Bard

I have been reading the poetry, short stories, narratives and musings of Burt Baldwin for more than 20 years. He writes with a passion that creates imagery and emotion within the mind of the reader. His word choice and expressions of the heart and mind are second to none. He is a gifted poet and storyteller that draws from both history and life experience. Please continue to publish and give his submissions top billing. Thank you, Burt, for sharing your gift with all of us.

– Chris deKay, Durango

Pudim

Children of the fields

Adolescent migrant workers deserve better

by Burt Baldwin

My wife and I took a road trip during Christmas week to visit family in the San Francisco Bay Area. We decided to rent a car and take the northern route through northern Arizona and Utah.

Our journey would take us right through California’s great Central Valley, where almost three quarters of our nation’s vegetables and fruits are grown.

Most Americans are unaware that more than 85% of our produce is harvested by American migrant labor in the Central Valley. I specifically use the word “American,” because they are American citizens. A majority may be of Latino heritage, but they, too, are not immune from taxes. Other migrant workers that share the agricultural labor force are foreign nationals and are usually “green card” holders or guest workers. These laborers also pay taxes but reap no benefits due to the fact that they are not citizens. There are also countless illegals crossing the border searching for work, many under the age of 15.

What is rarely mentioned publicly is the fact that over a half million “American” migrant children work in

agriculture. Every state in the U.S. has American youth working on farms, many of whom are under the age of 12. These kids sometimes work 14-hour days, others five to six hours per day, seven days a week. The youngest do not have Social Security cards but are allowed to work legally with the permission of their parents, some as young as 6 years. Many of these migrant families are barely surviving, so every able-bodied member of the family is on the job. The irony is that many migrant families can’t even afford to buy the vegetables and fruits they picked.

The law requires migrant children to attend school. Many work on weekends, or before and after school. These groups of youth are at the highest risk of becoming dropouts. Countless numbers of these students are held back, because they haven’t finished the required hours, or their transcripts have been lost in the mail as they are constantly transient.

During the Depression, laws were passed to create incentives for helping farmers remain on the land. The 1938 labor laws excluded children working in agriculture from the same humane labor protections required by other industries hiring children in the workforce. Nothing much has changed. As a result, migrant American children are still being exploited by these draconian laws.

Picking strawberries, cucumbers, apples and tomatoes is very laborintensive. Child workers spend much of their time bent over or kneeling to harvest these crops. Temperatures in fields may reach 100-plus degrees. The noxious odors from pesticides and fertilizers are constantly inhaled without protection for the laborer. Some cover their faces with a bandana. These environmental factors compromise the safety and health of working children. Many contract such conditions as asthma or emphysema.

Aside from health risks, a typical tomato picker receives about a dollar for every 25-pound basket that is delivered to the depot. It takes all day to fill 30 of these baskets per individual. Many of these children are victims of heat stroke, dehydration or exhaustion trying to meet extreme quotas. Some elementary-aged children are paid as low as 25 cents an hour and can be found working in fields till dark on school days. According to the National Farm Workers Ministry, at least 30% of farm worker families are below the national poverty guidelines. They are part of a growing populace known as “the working poor.”

As elections near, it is paramount that voters support lawmakers who are willing to repeal the articles of the 1938 labor laws that allow the exploitation of children. Voters should also support lawmakers who are willing to introduce legislation to guarantee a national wage increase that allows for the lower working

classes to make a real living wage. Workers, whether they labor in factories, mines or in the fields, whether they are women, students or children, all deserve to live in dignity. It is my belief that the intention of progressive reforms is not to destroy the capitalist endeavor but rather to reform it; to make it sustainable and fair for every citizen. As we see the divide between the super wealthy and middle class grow, we forget that for the poor it is compounded.

The America I trust is the America that is willing to provide for the greater good of all.

Children need to be fed, comforted and allowed to learn. It is not a hopeful American dream; it is an American right. If a political revolution is to take root in this country, it must be an active revolution, constructive, humane and allinclusive.

The children of the fields deserve nothing less. ■

Hollywood hunt

Film producer working to bring Four Corners manhunt to big screen

by Jonathan Romeo

It appears that the story of one of the largest and most infamous manhunts to ever occur in the Four Corners region is headed for the big screen.

Recently, a film producer with Zero Gravity Management (which has produced works like “Ozark” and “The Accountant”) purchased the rights to author Dan Schultz’s 2013 book, “Dead Run.” The book was a seminal account of three renegade survivalists who in 1998 led police on a wild chase through the deserts of Utah after a deadly shootout in Cortez.

“I read the book on a whim and couldn’t put it down,” the producer, Ryan Lewis, said. “It just fascinated and terrified me.”

On May 28, 1998, Durango residents Jason McVean and Robert Mason, both 26, and Alan Pilon, 30, of Dove Creek, stole a water truck in Ignacio and were seen the next day driving south on U.S. Highway 491 out of Cortez. Just south of Cortez, the stolen truck was pulled over by Cortez Police Officer Dale Claxton. But before Claxton could even unbuckle his seatbelt, the three men peppered the patrol car with an assault rifle, shooting Claxton 29 times and killing him.

The three men then fled toward Hovenweep National Monument, shooting and injuring several officers along the way. Eventually, they took off on foot over the Colorado border into the Utah backcountry. It kicked off perhaps the largest, wildest, most chaotic manhunt in the area, which wouldn’t be resolved until almost a decade later.

“It was a circus,” Mike Lacy, who was the San Juan County (UT) Sheriff at the time and one of the lead organizers of the manhunt, said in an interview this week with The Durango Telegraph. “It was just so crazy and unmanageable, and we were lucky more people were not killed.”

After all these years, it was fair to wonder, how the hell has this not been made into a movie? Especially in the age of wildly successful neo-Westerns like “True

Grit,” “No Country for Old Men” and “3:10 to Yuma.”

As it turns out, the book rights for “Dead Run” were purchased around 2018-19. Lewis said production was gaining steam, but then, you know, the pandemic put a stop to that. Still, he’s adamant Zero Gravity will see the project through.

“I don’t get involved in projects unless I see a path forward, and I care about telling this story,” Lewis said. “Anyone I mention the story to is so fascinated by it. And most people don’t know about it, unless you were in the region at the time.”

Motive unknown

To this day, it’s unclear what Mason, McVean and Pilon were up to, yet there has been no lack of speculation and theories. Here’s what we do know:

All three men were considered anti-government, militia types and self-trained survivalists specifically prepared for the rough desert backcountry. It’s generally believed the men stole the water truck to build a bomb, similar to what Oklahoma City Bomber Timothy McVeigh did with a rental truck in 1995.

Whether the water truck was indeed going to be con-

The San Juan River and its rugged surroundings in southeastern Utah served as the backdrop for the 1998 Four Corners manhunt. Now, Hollywood wants to bring the story to the big screen./ Photo by Missy Votel

verted into a bomb, perhaps targeting Glen Canyon Dam or the Ute Mountain Ute Casino, or was going to be used as an actual water tank in a bunker, is an answer the three men took to the grave. It’s quite possible none of these theories are correct.

“None of the three was rational at the time,” thenCortez Police Chief Roy Lane (who is now deceased) told the Salt Lake Tribune in 2003. “That’s why we have so many theories. People who are rational are trying to determine what these irrational people were up to.”

Whatever the case, the men’s plan was interrupted when Claxton pulled them over. After killing the 45year-old policeman, the men took off on dirt roads, encountering and shooting two more police officers, Jason Bishop and Todd Martin.

Bishop, who had been on the force six years, was at home when the call came in that an officer had been shot. He took off for the area in his patrol car, and, once there, looked in his rearview mirror to see the fugitives driving towards him in the truck. They immediately opened fire.

Bishop was taken to the hospital with bullet fragments in the back of his head. A few days later, he was back on the manhunt (Martin also survived). Now 51 and working at a drug-testing facility, Bishop said every now and then the incident crosses his mind.

“I look at it simply: I was in law enforcement and was shot in the line of duty,” he said in an interview with the Telegraph. “But we did lose an officer that day, and I wanted to get back on the manhunt (as soon as possible).”

On the hunt

The shootout was really only just the beginning. The three fugitives evaded police, drove into Hovenweep National Monument and took off on foot into Cross Canyon. Two of the men would never be seen alive again.

A massive manhunt ensued, drawing more than 500 personnel from a number of agencies around the country. Because the incident spanned several jurisdictions in Colorado and Utah, as well as the Navajo Nation, and therefore the FBI, the line of command was complicated and a logistical nightmare.

“That was one hell of a manhunt, and one hell of a mess,” Jim Spratlen, who was then SWAT Commander for the Durango Police Department, said. “And yeah, you could make one hell of a movie out of it.”

Despite the extraordinary law enforcement response, the three men eluded police for days. However, on June 4, a social worker eating lunch along the San Juan River near Bluff spotted a man in camouflage, who promptly

opened fire and hit the worker.

The first officer to respond, San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputy Kelly Bradford, was shot multiple times. Moments later, the full cavalry arrived. As they approached the gunman, they found Mason in a makeshift bunker stocked with weapons, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Many skeptics of the official story challenge that Mason shot himself. An autopsy reported that the wound did not appear to be self-inflicted. There were also signs of blunt force trauma, including bruises to the groin and a blow to the head. And, no gunpowder residue was detected on Mason’s mouth or hands, leading many to conclude he was killed by police.

Searching for closure

Over the next several weeks, law enforcement scoured southeastern Utah, enduring sweltering heat, rugged terrain, and long, sleepless days. The search itself turned into a spectacle, Lacy said. Every day, personnel unfamiliar with the area got lost, people submitted false sightings, media from all over the world arrived, and, of course, there was interagency fighting. Even rogue bounty hunters got in on the action.

“We just had a bunch of nuts show up,” Lacy said. “I was putting out fires all the time.”

Despite law enforcement’s best efforts, the trail went cold for the next 17 months. One of the main reasons is the sheer vastness and complexity of the backcountry and canyons of southeastern Utah. Lacy, for instance, searched an area and was about 30 yards from where the last body was eventually found, years later.

“If I took five steps to one side, I probably would have found him,” Lacy said. “(The search) was frustrating, but the area down here is so massive; it’s unreal. I can see where a guy can hide, and no one would find him for a long period of time.”

Indeed, the next big break didn’t come until Oct. 30, 1999, when Navajo hunters found a body underneath a tree with a backpack and rifle southwest of Blanding, Utah, near Tin Cup Mesa, a few miles west of where the fugitives abandoned their truck.

The body was eventually identified as Pilon who died from a gunshot to the head. It’s believed that Pilon died not long after the manhunt started. Whether he shot himself, or was killed by his compatriots or by unknown assailants, remains up for debate.

That left one remaining fugitive, McVean, who was considered the ringleader of the group. It wasn’t until 2007, nine years after the shooting, that a rancher happened upon McVean’s remains in Cross Canyon, along

with an AK-47 and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Authorities believe that he, too, shot himself a few days after the manhunt started. Again, some claim McVean was killed in an act of frontier justice.

Spratlen, though, said subsequent investigations revealed the men had a pact that they would either fight to the death or take their own lives rather than be caught.

“I was very thankful when it ended,” Spratlen, who is now emergency manager for Montezuma County, said. “The entire ordeal was crazy. But at the end of the day, Claxton stopped and foiled their plan, and we pinned them and forced them into their plan of self-termination.”

Lights, camera, action

Schultz was living in Aspen when he saw a small blurb in the newspaper about the discovery of McVean’s body. He was immediately enthralled by the story of the manhunt and set about writing his book.

Schultz said it’s a no-brainer to translate the Four Corners manhunt to film, with all its obvious entertainment value – the mystery of the outlaws’ plans, the police shooting, the chase, and the chaos of the manhunt itself.

In many ways, Schultz said the story is just as relevant today (and the book still sells well, he said). “The militia movement that has become more open today existed back then,” he said. “A lot of those same thought patterns were just simmering and have come forward today.”

Post-pandemic, Lewis was making headway on production. And then another setback hit with the writers strike (which, as of this writing, is ongoing). Whether the manhunt will be made into a movie or series is yet to be determined, but Lewis and Zero Gravity are making a strong push.

“We have to get it right first on the page, then the rest of the pieces of the puzzle will come together,” he said. “But this is definitely a story that grabs people’s attention, and now it’s my job to visualize how it becomes something that ends up on screen.”

When asked who he would like to portray him on screen, Lacy, who was defeated in 2010 after four terms in office, said, “No clue, don’t care.” But he does hope he is consulted for the movie and that the movie captures the landscape of Utah, one of the most formidable elements in the entire ordeal.

“These three, they could have gone forever and never have been found,” Lacy said. “It was definitely the biggest thing I’ve ever been involved in.” ■

The man behind the music

ACT’s booking manager on what it takes to run local venue

by Stephen Sellers

For this month’s “Between the Beats,” I sat down with local music promoter Eugene Salaz. Eugene is celebrating his 10th year with the Animas City Theatre (or ACT as it’s locally known), a feat he credits to working for Durango’s most unsung musical heroes, owners Chris and Michele Redding. Having miraculously weathered the COVID-19 storm due to the genius of the aforementioned owners, Salaz and the ACT are back with a vengeance, booking a jaw-dropping lineup that punches well above the belt for a community of Durango’s size. I recently spoke with Salaz to learn more about the world of chasing down the best bands for our local listening pleasure.

You are a talent buyer, promoter and production manager. Put simply, what is it that you actually do?

My main focus is booking international and national touring acts for the ACT. Sometimes, it takes a couple of years to finally land a show with a certain artist, trying to figure out routing and planning. One of the nice things about Durango is we’re outside the radius clause for bigger markets. If you’re not familiar with that, it basically says there’s a certain amount of mileage or time that acts are allowed to perform in a market. Finding the bands, contracting the bands, figuring out routing, budgets, marketing budgets, posters, artwork. There’s quite a bit that goes into it, but the bottom line is trying to figure out what the best bands are for our current market.

What kinds of programming are you aiming for at the ACT?

I’m looking for bands that are going to help create a space where people can forget about their day-to-day lives. I feel that helps create a healthier community. A lot of it is being able to see how a band performs live. It’s the live show we’re trying to sell. I try to make it out to music festivals and make it a point to see bands I’ve never heard before and get a feel for who’s going to be coming up the ranks.

What are some of the challenges you face as a promoter in a smaller, more remote market?

It’s hard to get artists here for the first time. We’re so far away from a major interstate. Sometimes it takes a while to convince them, but when we do, we show them a high level of professional production, sound, lights and hospitality that they do want to come back. Generally for us, weeknights are better than weekends, because our market, especially in summer, is incredibly active and tends to leave for the weekend.

This year, we’re experimenting with doing music again during the summer, though. KDUR will be sponsoring some events, and we’ll be hosting our first open mic night hosted by Salamander Collective and myself, DJ I-Gene. With KDUR sponsoring, it’s giving us an opportunity to see what it’s like to have a $5 cover.

What marketing trends have you noticed in the Durango live music business lately?

Eugene Salaz

People are getting pickier. We have access to so much music. We’re not seeing college kids coming to shows anymore. When they look at new artists, if they don’t have more than 1 million views of a music video, they’re generally not interested. The curiosity isn’t there. Back in the day, you would look at the events calendar in the Telegraph, and if you weren’t doing anything, you’d go to a show.

We had two shows last year, Ott and Keller Williams, that were both $40 tickets, and both shows sold out. We think we can start getting into bigger artists. So, now we have Andy Frasco coming – also $40 a ticket. Our venue only holds 270 people, so that’s the niche I’m trying to sell: big artists coming to an intimate venue; there’s a great seat no matter where you are. We have a fantastic sound system and professional lights. You will definitely get your money’s worth. Andy Frasco is playing here, and then he’s going to be playing Red Rocks 10 days later. That’s special.

What is your hope for the ACT?

We want to get more local artists into our venue. We focus a lot on international and national touring acts. However, to see the excitement of a band that has lights for the first time, to be able to bring cameras in, record their soundboard sets … it’s really special. We’ll be starting a series in the fall called “528.” It’s going to be our opportunity to allow bands to come in, play a couple of sets and see if we can get more local acts to help gain experience. That’s our biggest goal right now: supporting our local bands and local music scene. ■

Shaking it up

N/A summer sippers that won’t leave you in a stupor

by Lucas Hess

As a bartender, I have grown comfortable using a variety of spirits to balance the flavors of cocktails. This has been nurtured from not only the array of orders I receive but also my own research, certification, and a bit of trial and error. These efforts have all been for the sake of highlighting and improving the experience of new and unique beverages.

It also helps to become familiar with a spirit to learn what each has to offer. There are three main variables that make a spirit unique: ingredients; type of distillation; and production techniques. Not all spirits are created equal – it is important to consider each carefully and individually.

Using non-alcoholic spirits has felt like a natural progression for me. My exploration of the nonalcoholic beverage category started from the same place as higher-alcohol drinks: sampling a liquid to consider how it appeals to our senses.

I have been tasting different offerings from local stores to get more of an understanding. It can be difficult to decide what to purchase, and non-alcoholic spirits can cost close to the same as their mid-tier alcoholic counterparts. Factors like this can make decision-making difficult.

When starting out on this quest, I gravitated to a style of spirit I am familiar with: Ritual Zero-Proof Whiskey Alternative. I also wanted to enjoy an aperitif and picked up a bottle of Ritual’s Zero-Proof Aperitivo Alternative.

I always begin by tasting a product on its own in order to understand how it may work in a cocktail or, in this case, mocktail. The color of this whiskey alternative was golden honey to light amber. The aroma gave off a scent of sandalwood, oak and smoke. The mouthfeel reminded me of steeped tea. The flavors began with notes of apple and orange before ending with flavors reminiscent of herbal tea and spice.

Using this ingredient in a cocktail was a bit tricky,

and the first few attempts came out thinner than I expected, a result of the viscosity of the product. I decided bitters may be necessary to create a more rounded flavor profile and add depth and spice. However, most bitters contain a small amount of alcohol. Conversely, I used chai tea concentrate to achieve the desired notes of spice and depth without the alcohol.

Alternative Smash Hit

2 slices orange, halved into wheels

2 sprigs mint

2 dashes Angostura Bitters (optional)

.5 oz. agave syrup

.5 oz. chai tea concentrate

1 oz. Ritual Zero-Proof Whiskey Alternative

Using a cocktail shaker, add mint, orange and the rest of the ingredients. Add ice, and shake until the mixture has been properly diluted and chilled, about 10 seconds.

Strain mixture into a 10-12 oz. glass. (If you do not mind a little fruit and herb in your cocktail, then the straining is unnecessary. As a bartender, we refer to this as a “dirty dump.”) Add ice as needed, and garnish with mint sprig and orange. The mint can be expressed to release more aromatics by clapping in between your hands before putting it into the glass.

As for the Ritual Zero Proof Aperitivo Alternative, I poured it into a glass and noticed its ruby red color. The first aroma that caught my attention reminded me of rosewater followed by other floral notes that finished with white peach and orange. The inviting smell translated fairly similar to the taste, but I also picked up strong flavors of rhubarb and gentian root, which left behind a bitter aftertaste that some people who enjoy aperitifs find appealing.

My first thought was to create a spin on the wellknown Aperol Spritz. But I quickly learned, bitterness prevailed as a leading flavor. When a bartender runs into overwhelming bitterness, it is common to combat it with a bit of sweetness. The recipe below steps away from traditional aperitif cocktails and incorporates fruit, sugar and naturally flavored soda.

Aperitif Frescas

1 oz. Ritual Aperitif Alternative

Half of a lime

.25 oz. agave syrup

4 oz. Jarritos Guava

Lime wedge and bouquet of cilantro, for garnish This mocktail is approachable in that all of the ingredients, besides the Ritual Aperitif Alternative, can be found at a grocery store. There are no special tools necessary, and it can be made directly in a 12 oz. glass filled with ice. Add all ingredients, and stir to incorporate. Add the garnish, serve and enjoy.

Mocktail curious? Join Lucas for “Mixing Mocktails” this Thurs., July 20, from 1-2 p.m. at the Durango Public Library or Thurs., July 27, from 5-6 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required by calling (970) 375-3380 or visiting durangogov.org/library. ■

Thursday20

Mixing Mocktails, 1 p.m., Durango Public Library. Sign up at durangogov.org/library

The Wild Roses play, 5 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard Ave.

After Midnight Jazz Band plays, 5:30 p.m., Buckley Park.

Thursday Night Sitting Group, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.

Ree Christine plays, 6 p.m., James Ranch, 33846 Highway 550.

Horseshirt plays, 6 p.m., Durango Hot Springs.

Bluegrass jam, 6 p.m., weekly, Durango Beer & Ice, 3000 Main Ave. All levels welcome.

Jeff Solon Jazz Duo play, 6-8 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.

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.

Friday21

Bill Mashaw Charity Golf Tournament, 8 a.m., Hillcrest Golf Club.

Free Friday Yoga, 8:30 a.m., Lively (a boutique), 809 Main Ave.

San Juan Nature Hikes, 9 a.m., Andrews Lake. Hosted by San Juan Mountains Association.

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

Open Meditation, 12 noon-1 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.

Dave Mensch plays, 5 p.m., Gazpacho, 431 E. 2nd Ave.

Pete Giuliani plays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Public House 701, 701 E. 2nd Ave.

The Deaf & The Musician play, 6 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

Jelly Belly Boogie Band plays, 6 p.m., Fire Fox Farms, Ignacio.

FIFA Women’s World Cup – USA vs. Vietnam, 6:30 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Candlelight Concert: Music in the Mountains Chamber Concert, 7 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.

“The Complete History of America (Abridged),” 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Saturday22

Durango Farmers Market, 8 a.m., TBK Bank parking lot, 259 W. 9th St.

Mind Body Spirit Fair, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Santa Rita Park.

Christmas in July Holiday Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds.

First Responders Appreciation Day, 11 a.m., Durango Harley-Davidson, 750 Camino del Rio.

Rio Grande’s Narrow Gauge K-28 Locomotive 100th Anniversary, 1 p.m., Animas Museum, 3065 W. 2nd Ave.

Summer Art Series, 1-6 p.m., Fox Fire Farms, Ignacio.

Red Flag Law Presentation, 1-3 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Agave plays, 6-9 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.

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

Black Velvet plays, 6 p.m., Derailed Pour House, 725 Main Ave.

Pops Night: A Night at the Oscars, Music in the Mountains benefit dinner and concert, 6:30 p.m., Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio.

“The Complete History of America (Abridged),” 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Droll Box, Minda Lacy and Neighborhood Skeleton play, 7:30 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

Sunday23

Durango Flea Market, 8 a.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.

Vinyl Sundaze, 12 noon, Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.

Riverside Reset (adult coloring and rock painting), 1-3 p.m., White Rabbit Garden, 128 W. 14th St.

“The Complete History of America (Abridged),” 2 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Feed the People! free mutual aid for homeless community members, 2 p.m., Buckley Park.

Philippe Quint in Charlie Chaplin’s Smile: Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra Concert, 5 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.

The Deaf & The Musician plays, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

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

Monday24

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

Womanade Celebration, 5:30-7 p.m., Rochester Hotel’s Secret Garden, 726 E. 2nd Ave.

Striking out, bad-old days & parental puttering

Interesting fact: The longest Hollywood writers strike was 153 days in 1988. The worst was undoubtedly in 2007-08, which: a) cut short “30Rock” and b) brought back “The Apprentice.”

Dear Rachel,

Enough with the writers strike! They have the cheapest job in the whole film and TV industry, so they should be happy to make anything they can get. They are “starving artists” for a reason, because someone is always willing to come do their job for less just to make their break. So get back to work, and keep making our shows!

– Strike Out

Dear Stick It Picket, Yeah! Writers are cheap! Anyone could do our jobs! I mean, not ANYONE, because clearly you’re not quite up to the task. But AI could do our jobs! In fact, streaming shows could get so affordable by screwing screenwriters with AI that they don’t even HAVE to sell ads anymore! So you can watch really crappy, heartless, formulaic, soul-sucking series without interruption. I’m cool with it. As long as they don’t come for the newspaper writers, I’m cool.

– Artificially, Rachel

Dear Rachel, Yeah yeah, inflation sucks. You know what sucks more? People talking about how they

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

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

Tuesday25

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

Slow Bluegrass Jam, 5:30-7:30 p.m., General Palmer Hotel, 567 Main Ave.

Concerts in the Plaza – Stillwater Music, 6 p.m., Three Springs Plaza, 175 Mercado St.

Leah Orlikowski plays, 6 p.m., Durango Hot Springs.

Tim Sullivan, 6 p.m., James Ranch, Highway 550.

used to buy their sody-pop for a nickel and their gas for a dime and, I don’t know, their blow for a 20 spot or whatever a good price was in 1986. Guess what? You also made $2 a day, or maybe more than that by the ’80s. Still, everything goes up, and it always will, until the U.S. falls and our money becomes worthless. How can I tell these people to clam up without everyone else in line hating me for it?

– Money Talks

Dear Attitude Rich,

Jeez, man, do you also hate hearing people talk about how rent used to be affordable and food didn’t bankrupt a family? Actually, I hate it too, but for different reasons than you. No one should have to work more jobs to cover basic life. I also hate that I can’t pay for more things with change. I keep all my cash in coins, because if I learned anything from Rome, it’s that after the fall, those things are worth a fortune.

– Inflate this, Rachel

telegraph@durangotelegraph.com

we asked them to talk to us before undertaking anything, they flipped out. What’s our best strategy here?

Dear Don’t Fixit,

Dear Rachel,

My parents-in-law are always taking it on themselves to do “projects” around our house. Sometimes it’s handy, because hey, look, the faucet stopped dripping! But most of the time, it’s things like installing pavers in the yard (where we didn’t even want pavers) or rearranging our picture frames. The one time

Sublime Serenade: Music in the Mountains

Classical Chamber Concert, 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1159 E. 3rd Ave.

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

Wednesday26

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

Quick & Dirty Downtown Walking Tour, 10 a.m., Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot.

Great Garden Series: Lavish Spring Colors Using Bulbs, 4:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.

– Ain’t Broke

Let them flip out! Let them eat butt-hurt cake. Your house, your rules. I guarantee they told your spouse that at some point. Now it’s your turn. I mean, if this were a movie, I’d want you to go all tit-for-tat on their asses. Pavers in your yard? Concrete lawn art on theirs. They paint your window trim? You paint their windows. But it’s not a movie, because the screenwriters are on strike, so the best I can hope for is a reality show.

– Always breaking, never broken, Rachel

Animas City Night Bazaar, featuring local artists, food and music, 5 p.m., located in the alley behind Homeslice and Zia’s north.

Word Honey Poetry Workshop, 6 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

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

Open Mic, 6:30 p.m., EsoTerra, 558 Main Ave.

FIFA Women’s World Cup – USA vs. Netherlands, 6:30 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

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

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

by Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your deep psyche will soon well up with extra creativity and fertility. I hope you will eagerly tap into these gifts. You will be more imaginative and ingenious than usual. You will have an enhanced ability to solve problems with vigor and flair. In what areas of your life would you love to gently erupt with a burst of reinvention? Give yourself permission to change whatever bores you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): My teacher Paul Foster Case said the color yellow is midway between warm, exciting red and cool, calming blue. “Yellow has an equilibrating influence,” he wrote. “It stimulates the finer functions of the brain, is of assistance in developing alertness and discrimination, and helps to establish emotional balance.” According to my astrological analysis, Taurus, you should emphasize this hue in the coming days.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Because I enjoy joking with you, I am slightly tempted right now to give you one of the following nicknames: Fidgety, Twitch, Jittery, Quivers or Shakes. But I will take a more serious tack. Let’s instead see if we can influence you to slow down, stabilize your rhythm, get really steady and secure, and stand strong in your foundational power spot. Would you consider adopting any of the following nicknames? Anchor, Unshakeable, Sturdy, Rock Solid.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The sometimes overly clever author Oscar Wilde said, “When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.” I reject that warped view of reality and assure you it will have no bearing on your life in the coming weeks. If you formulate your prayers with care and discernment, they will lead you to rewards, not problems. Maybe not the exact rewards you imagined, but still close to your hopes and helpful in the next chapter of your life story. (PS: No sloppy, lazy, careless prayers. Be precise and clear.)

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo theologian Bernard McGinn defines mysticism as “the consciousness of the immediate presence of God.” In other words, people having a mystic experience are filled with a visceral sensation of the divine intelligence. It’s not just an idea or concept; it’s a deeply felt communion infused

with intimate tenderness. You Leos will be more likely than usual to have such contact in the coming weeks –if you want it. If you don’t want it, or don’t believe it’s real, or don’t think it’s possible, well, then, you can, of course, resist it. But why not give it a whirl? There’s nothing to lose, and it could be fun.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Here’s a parable for you. Once upon a time, there was a woman who could read the future in the night sky. She regarded the planets and stars as her divine informants. On one moonless evening, she took a walk down a dirt road near her home. It was so dark, she could barely see two feet ahead of her. Oops! She should have brought a flashlight. Lost in wonder, she gazed up at the heavenly bodies, watching and listening for revelations they might have for her. Then one of the lights, the planet Saturn, whispered, “Stop and look down, friend.” The woman turned her eyes from the sky to the ground just in time to find she was two strides away from stepping into a deep, muddy hole. What’s the moral of the tale? Here are some possibilities. 1. Sometimes the heights provide useful information about the depths. 2. Soaring visions may help you tune in to practical details.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A Libran writer I know received many rejection notices when he launched his career. I was amazed at how undaunted he was. In fact, he was the opposite of daunted. He taped copies of his rejection notices to his bedroom wall. Seeing the evidence of his failures motivated him. It drove him to improve his writing and churn out even more articles. It fueled his search for a wider array of publications that might host his work. During the fourth year of this approach, luck and fate turned in his favor. Within the next eight months, 12 of his pieces appeared in print. My muses tell me, Libra, that you need to hear this story right now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The cartoon character Bart Simpson is one of the stars of “The Simpsons” animated TV show. According to him, “Life is a paradox. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” While that principle may sometimes be true, I believe you will be exempt from it in the coming weeks. In fact, I suspect you will be as free as it’s possible for a human to be of grueling contradictions, frustrating oppositions, clashing truths and paralyzing contraries. There’s a good chance you will also outwit and avoid annoying incongruities and silly arguments.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The dragon has appeared in the myths and legends of many cultures. In some traditions, they are dangerous and predatory. In China, though, they have been harbingers of good fortune and symbols of great power. Emperors claimed the dragon as their special emblem. In assigning the dragon to be your soul creature, Sagittarius, I am drawing from Chinese lore. What would you like to accomplish that would benefit from you having access to fierce, dynamic, indomitable energy? Call on the dragon for help and power.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “There is a world of people who will love you for who you are,” wrote author Cheryl Strayed. “A whole, vibrant, f***ed-up, happy, conflicted, joyous and depressed mass of people.” In the coming months, one of your prime tasks is to specialize in communing with these folks. Make it your intention to surround yourself more and more with interesting, imperfect, ever-changing lifelovers who appreciate you for exactly who you are –and who inspire you to grow more and more into the full idiosyncratic glory of your authentic self.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): What psychic or prophet is most popular with A-list celebrities? I can assure you, it’s not me. Few of my millions of readers are world-famous. What about the planet’s most scientifically accurate astrologer? Who might that be? It ain’t me. I don’t regard astrology as a science, and I mistrust those who say it is. In my view, astrology is a mythopoetic language and psychospiritual system that nurtures our souls and helps liberate us from our conditioning. We shouldn’t try to get “scientifically accurate” information from it. Now I encourage you to do what I just did, Aquarius. Have fun telling people who you are not, what you don’t believe in, and which goals you aren’t interested in pursuing.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): To come up with your astrological reports, I study the positions of the sun, moon and planets in relation to your sign. That’s the technical part of the work. To augment this work, I meditate and pray, asking higher powers to guide me in providing useful information for you. I often consult books written by my favorite astrology writers. I also ask my deep mind to slip me info that might not be accounted for by traditional factors. How about you, Pisces? How do you do the work that you love and care about?

Deadline for Telegraph classified ads is Tuesday at noon. Ads are a bargain at 10 cents a character with a $5 minimum. Even better, ads can now be placed online: durangotelegraph.com

Prepayment is required via cash, credit card or check.

(Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.) Ads can be submitted via:

n www.durangotelegraph.com

n classifieds@durango telegraph.com

n 970-259-0133

n 679 E. 2nd Ave., #E2

Approximate office hours:

Mon-Wed: 9ish - 5ish

Thurs: On delivery

Fri: Gone fishing; call first

Announcements

Dance Classes for Adults

The desire to dance is timeless. Dance adds variety, community, and joy to your fitness routine. Find out more at durangodance.com/releve

CommercialforRent

Beautiful Bodywork Space

Part time space available on weekends and Mondays in beautiful, clean, established building full of healers. Text 970-946-1051 if interested.

Wanted

Reruns Home Furnishings

Brighten up your indoor and outdoor space –patio sets, bistros, cool garden art and décor inside and out. Looking to consign smaller furniture pieces … 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.Sat. 385-7336.

Services

HaikuMovieReview

‘The Outlaws’

Only watch the scenes with Julie Hagerty and Richard Kind. Trust me. – Lainie Maxson

CommunityService

Learn to Square Dance

Free intro on Monday nights in July, regular classes start August 7th. No partner needed. Call Carla at 970-9036478 for more info.

KDUR is Celebrating

50 years

of broadcasting in 2025. With that anniversary fast approaching, staff is on the hunt for past DJs. Maybe you did a show for one year, maybe you did a show for 10. However long that was, hopefully you have a fond memory, a story or maybe even some recorded material! If you do, please email station manager Bryant Liggett, Liggett_b@fort ewis.edu or call 970.247.7261

Classes/Workshops

Daylong Meditation Retreat

Daylong retreat on loving-kindness meditation Sunday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hosted by the Durango Dharma Center. Loving-kindness meditation can open the heart and calm the mind, bringing more joy, love and peace. More info and to register: durangodharmacenter.org. Beginners welcome.

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

ForSale

Berry Plants for Sale

Elderberry, raspberry and cherry shrubs. Make your own elderberry syrup! Fresh elderflower and Nanking cherry available to make cordials or teas. So lovely and yummy! 970 9031026 or mtberrymedicine@gmail.com

Jackson Antix 1.0 Medium

Whitewater kayak. Super fun river runner/surfer. Very good condition – all outfitting intact, no tears or rips, clean cockpit. In hot pink/orange/yellow fade. Downtown Durango. Message for dets: 970-749-2595.

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

Marketing Small/ 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

Integrated Massage

Deep tissue therapeutic body work @ Durango Wellness Clinic Call/text 970.403.5451 to book a session with Dennis. Inquire about Telegraph discount.

Massage by Meg Bush

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

Lotus Path Healing Arts

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

Multimodal Volunteers Needed for Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, Sept. 19-21 and 23. Volunteers will count the number of bicyclists and pedestrians that cross an intersection over a two-hour period. There are 11 local intersections with morning and evening time slots, totaling 77 slots. The city conducts counts at intersections every other year to collect accurate data to know how our infrastructure is being used, and it is necessary for grant funding for projects such as sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and transit improvements. Sign up at volunteersignup.org/EQ9BH

Calling all La Plata County Artists curators and galleries. The First annual Durango Art Week kicks off Sept. 15. Participation is open to anyone in the art field. Durango Art Week’s strives to provide an engaging and memorable experience by uniting the community through art and celebrating diversity and accessibility. If you are interested in learning more or registering, email artweek@durango.org

Volunteers Needed

Do you want to make a difference in your community and the lives of others? Alternative Horizons is in need of volunteers to staff our hotline. AH supports and empowers survivors of domestic violence. Training and ongoing support provided. Next training is Sept. 15, 16 and 23. For info. call 970-2474374 or visit alternativehorizons.org/