giveaways , andmore!
CelebratecyclingcultureinDurango mthisOctoberduringSpoketoberfeaturing orethan25uniqueeventsforalltoenjoy,includinggrouprides ,
bikeclinics , concerts , contests ,
May the best RV driver win in national battle of the big rigs
by David Feela
7
Speak up about problems on public lands or end up like this
by Rob Pudim4 La Vida Local
6 Soap Box
7 Writers on the Range
8 Top Story
10 Kill Yr Idols
11 Local News
12-13 Stuff to Do
New Edward Abbey-themed subdivision in Moab raising eyebrows by Jonathan Romeo
13 Ask Rachel
14 Free Will Astrology
15 Classifieds
15 Haiku Movie Review
Roadtrips a chance to gain new appreciation for home and tunes
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“Have you guys heard the Jimmy Buffet song, ‘My Gummy Just Kicked In?’”
– No we haven’t, but why do you ask?
OK, in this divisive world, we can at least all agree on one thing – we all know Colorado State University has an inferiority complex to CU-Boulder, whether it’s over football, being in a cooler town or just having better looking people on campus.
And yeah, we here at The Durango Telegraph may both be CU-Boulder alums, but we like to think that doesn’t get in the way of our unbiased and balanced reporting over CSU matters. In fact, we’ll even extend an olive branch: recently, CSU did beat out CUBoulder in a recent poll.
The subject matter? “Most Vulgar College Fans.”
With the start of college football season, College Rover, a database on colleges and universities, plunged into the depths of Reddit to find which sport fans used the most profanity in regards to their team. College Rover reviewed 133 college sport team subreddits to find which were the most vulgar, as well as the most positive/supportive.
To do this, researchers created a list of vulgar words, and then looked at the frequency of each to see which schools had the most posts mentioning the dirty words. Reddit posts from June 2022-23 were used for analysis, and only college subreddits with at least 1,000 subscribers were considered.
The rankings revealed that CSU fans were the No. 1 most vulgar fans, with 49 profane words per 1,000 subscribers. And, CSU’s top word of choice? “A**hole.”
Classy.
Interestingly, CU-Boulder was nowhere on the list. Perhaps it was our upbringing? Sure, we CU students have been known to say an obscene word here and there. Some of our best chants, such as “Sucks to be a CSU Ram!” or “F*ck you, CSU!” or “Good luck with your degree in pigs, CSU grads!” certainly aren’t things you’d say at the dinner table. OK – we made that last one up.
And yeah, we sure do love to burn a couch every once in a while after a big win. The Daily Camera reported that in 2010, the Boulder Fire-Rescue Department responded to 22 burning couches. And that was in a year where the football team went only 5-7. Imagine if we were good.
All this to say, I think we can let bygones be bygones and let our rivalry remain on the football field, rather than cursing at each other online. (And apologies to office mate Sander for cursing him out in the office kitchen the day after the Buffs beat the Rams 43-35. We’re just too wrapped up in Prime Time fever.)
While swatting gnats in the shade of a tall piñon at New Mexico’s Datil Well Campground, I couldn’t help smiling as a 40-foot luxury motorhome towing a spare vehicle ‘noitered the campground for a parking space. I say ‘noitered because the intentional misspelling of a word has always been an author’s prerogative. Reconnoiter is the proper word, but the girth of his reality did not bode well for finding a suitable berth. ‘Noitering feels more playful, like a television game show. I sat back in my comfortable front row seat.
After the third trip around the loop, he pulled into a meandering dirt track with thick stands of junipers on both sides. It wasn’t a designated site.
I’d been keen for some entertainment. When I arrived the previous day, the thermometer displayed 98 degrees in the shade with a “Boil Water” notice on the pump handle. A few other peasant campers had landed since then. One was also paying attention from across the loop, and she smiled toward me as spectators often do.
I hope nobody takes issue with my suggestion, but America could use an agility competition for the drivers of huge RVs and 5th-wheel trailers. I realize most BLM Forest Service campgrounds already offer sufficient challenges that can refine anyone’s backup skills. The huge rolling motels might be better off in private RV parks, where electricity, sewer and water are available. There happened to be one down the road, though likely not as economical as the Datil fee of $5 per night.
The small town of Datil is populated by about 50 residents, one gas station with a good cafe and a scattering of tired houses just off Highway 60. I imagine the community could use a boost in tourist revenue by hosting a competitive event like the annual New Mexico ‘Noitering Championship. In fact, every state could host its own qualifying event, sending its best-skilled driver to a national level competition.
The rules would be simple:
1) Only two classes may compete, motorhomes or 5th-wheels, 40 feet or longer. Vehicles towing an additional vehicle, boat or trailer will get a handicap.
2) Only the most unsuitable public land campgrounds for parking these large rigs may host an annual qualifying round, and only one event per state.
Hollywood writers landing a deal with studios, effectively ending a 148-day strike over wages and benefits. Great, can we get to finishing season 60 of “General Hospital” already?
Narcan, a nasal spray that can save a life by stopping an opioid overdose, now available over-the-counter in drug stores.
The U.S. suing Amazon for running a monopoly that suffocated rivals and raised costs for seller and shoppers. (… we’re still getting those Roomba vacuum bags by Friday, right?)
3) A national championship will include each state’s best backer-upper for the top prize. Speed and agility will be what determines the winner.
Speaking of backing up, the rig that pulled into the meandering dirt track next to me illustrates the complexity of the contest. In this example, the driver could not move forward without dragging the side of his motorhome against the trees, nor backward without jackknifing the flatbed trailer. Harming a tree or detaching a trailer to simplify the task would disqualify the contestant. In this case, the campground host eventually walked over to explain parking was only allowed in designated campground sites, then kindly helped the driver resolve his predicament. Any advice by officials or spectators would be strictly prohibited. In this case, a wife finally emerged from the motorhome but only walked over to a picnic table and held her head in her hands. No penalty would have applied.
Later that evening, just past dusk, another 40 footer –this time a fifth-wheel – circled the loop and stopped in the road, his diesel engine idling, as if considering the open site kitty-corner from mine. I’d been staring at the moon but this spectacle suddenly looked more illuminating. The diver eventually exited his vehicle with a spotlight to inspect a narrow gravel strip, a behavior that would be considered wise and perfectly acceptable during a competition. Parking something this large in the dark ... well, not so wise. Only natural light such as a full moon or fireflies would be acceptable.
After a half-dozen attempts – false reverses, pulling forward, realigning and trying again – the driver finally managed to park his 5th-wheel in the slot. A half-dozen campers were standing beside the loop road, watching. One lady walked over and I overheard her congratulating the driver.
“Never thought you’d make it!” she exclaimed. Unfortunately, the front end of his truck still protruded, partially blocking the loop. After a few minutes of low-throated grumbles from an idling diesel engine, he pulled out again and vanished.
We were all impressed, though I suspect even the most open-minded of us, waving and wishing the driver a good berth, still whispered a titanic prayer like “preferably not anywhere near me.”
– David Feela
Chess grandmaster Hans Nieman “categorically” denying he used vibrating sex toys to cheat in matches. This is just … disturbing. Let’s move on.
The looming government shut down. Well, at least certain members of Congress will have plenty of time to check out some local theater productions.
JPMorgan paying $75 million over claims it enabled Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking. And yet all we’re talking about this week is Taylor Swift’s new boyfriend. Yikes.
A 29-year-old Buffalo man was walking on his way to watch the recent Bills vs. Raiders game, but he went the wrong way and ended up at the construction site for the new Bills stadium. The man tried to walk around the site, but unfor-
tunately, he was drunk, high on coke and weed, and he’d eaten a large amount of acid. So instead, he stripped down naked, covered himself in feces from a nearby porta-potty, scaled the fence, fell down a 30-foot hole, and flipped off paramedics when they tried to rescue him. But hey… at least he didn’t lose by 50 points to the Dolphins.
Upright somnolence
Paddle boarding on the lake
Like watching paint dry
– Karen Carver, DurangoChina implements systems designed to gather intelligence on U.S. military and other facilities. It has launched and directed spy balloons that have flown over the U.S. to gather information.
It appears China is negotiating an agreement with Cuba to install a spy station to gather intelligence on facilities in the eastern U.S. This would enable China to monitor communications at our military bases and other sites from Florida to Washington, D.C.
China would have a potential base in Cuba, which could be expanded to house offensive weapons aimed at the U.S. We nearly went to war with Russia in 1962 when Russia installed offensive missiles in Cuba, which were eventually removed due to a naval blockade of Cuba, including one of the ships I subsequently served on.
If diplomacy does not work with Cuba to remove the equipment, we could jam the communication gathering system with systems in Florida or possibly from our ships in international waters.
China is expanding its military capabilities partly due to the wealth generated by goods exported to the U.S. We have to get U.S. corporations to realize they are contributing to a weakening of our national security and get them to bring back manufacturing facilities to our country or move them to friendly countries with cheap labor.
– Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.
I saw an article a few weeks ago from NPR that talked about the rise in road rage incidents, in which many studies show that the patterns on the front of many newer trucks seemed to have an enraging effect on some males of the human species. While I doubt this is the only thing spurring so many guys to drive too fast (which women do too), it
Pudimseems that they (more than women, according to these studies) tailgate more, following way too closely and aggressively.
Watching Durango drivers makes me think public transportation is the best
thing ever.
Our local law enforcement should be able to stop and cite or arrest anyone who causes a road rage incident.
– Christa Turnell, Durango
Dozens of TVs, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers and abandoned cars had either been gunshot, torched or both. This place of destruction was what some locals called “Carnage Canyon,” roughly 30 acres off Lefthand Canyon in Boulder County, Colo.
It was a shocking sight, but was it unique? Think about your own nearby public lands.
In the 1990s, mountain bikers discovered the canyon and developed a trail through it. Then, more bikers came in droves and “motocrossers” also loved it, particularly because nobody was around making rules or telling them what to do. Nobody complained to the U.S. Forest Service, the managing federal agency.
After that came people in Jeeps who liked to plow through mud, crawl over big rocks and climb up the sides of the canyon. They also widened the trail into a one-lane, eroded dirt road.
Other folks figured the canyon was a great place to dispose of junk cars and appliances until the place began to resemble an open landfill. Target practice came next. Still, no one complained.
What else happened to this much-abused canyon? A murder and manhunt. A homeless encampment, which was not healthy for what was left of the woods. Yet none
of this was the cause for restoring the canyon. Hey, there were no complaints.
Until the erosion came. It brought water carrying large amounts of silt down past the canyon’s mouth and into Lefthand Creek. After the silt killed all the aquatic insects, the trout left. It was people who liked fishing for trout who demanded that the stream be fixed.
In the early 2000s, the Forest Service invited two nonprofit groups – Wild Lands Restoration Volunteers and Trail Ridge Road Runners – and Walsh Environmental Services to restore the canyon.
Over seven years, bullet-ridden debris was hauled away and the squatters discouraged. But it took hundreds of volunteers to dam the erosion channels – one 20 feet deep – and replant grass, shrubs and trees in the trashed roads and open areas. Hay bales that were used to mulch grass seeds would tumble down the slope like bison stampeding over a cliff.
But one problem remained, and it was a big one: target shooting. A number of “near misses” made many uneasy. There were five documented shootings involving Forest Service employees and 10 complaints from area residents about flying bullets too close for comfort.
When the Forest Service erected signs closing the area to recreational shooting, the signs became riddled with bullet holes. But after motorized access became blocked by flooding in 2013, target shooting phased out, too.
Now, the canyon no longer looks lunar, fish are back, and silt traps at the bottom of the canyon are almost empty. Mountain bikers are welcome on official trails.
Locals liked to blame tourists, newcomers and outsiders for the illegal dumping, vandalism and unregulated shooting in the mountains. But Carnage Canyon’s problem areas were not tourist destinations, and most of the broken appliances and shot-out signs were problems well before the surge of newcomers.
The truth is that when damage occurs, it is usually done by people who live in the area. We have to put the blame where it belongs, and that’s on us. We are the yahoos who do this, not Californians or Texans.
It’s also true that no government agency will act un-
less we complain. So when there’s an opportunity to participate in planning for what the agency calls “travel management,” we need to get involved.
I was one of the volunteers who worked several summers to help restore the battered landscape once called Carnage Canyon. The work was rewarding, as all improvements were better than what was there, but volunteers shouldn’t have to clean up everything.
Federal agencies need to be better protectors of the public lands they manage for us. And when we see rampant abuse, we need to blow the whistle to protect the lands we all own.
Rob Pudim is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He is a cartoonist and public-land advocate in the Denver area. ■
Alocal developer in Moab has broken ground on an Edward Abbey-themed subdivision, with street names paying homage to the iconic environmentalist’s works. But now, friends of Abbey say, that for a man who vehemently opposed new development and roads his entire life, having a subdivision named after him certainly is at odds with his legacy.
“Ed would spin many times in his grave,” Jack Loeffler, an author and longtime friend of Abbey, said.
The development – called the “Abbey” subdivision – will feature about 80 new housing units on an estimated 22 acres within Moab city limits. It is located on the southeast side of town near the Mill Creek North Fork trailhead.
The housing project will also feature Abbey-specific street names, like “Monkey Wrench Way” (named after Abbey’s seminal book that follows a group of ecosaboteurs against encroaching development); “Hayduke Court” (named after one of the leaders of the gang who we find early on in the book planting explosives at Glen Canyon Dam); and, the nofrills “Edward Lane.”
For the developer’s part, Mike Bynum, a Moab native who is highly involved in the local business community, said the decision to use Abbey themes was made years ago as an homage to the author. Especially since Abbey, in a roundabout way, put Moab on the map with his formative book, “Desert Solitaire,” chronicling his time as a park ranger at Arches Na-
tional Park in the 1950s.
But for longtime friends and fellow writers, it’s not so much about the housing project itself. It’s about how tone deaf it is to use Abbey’s work – which was rooted in the ideology of anti-development and pro-wilderness – as a theme for a new subdivision. Just take, for instance, a few of his closest friends’ initial
and unprompted responses when learning of it:
“Jesus Christ,” Doug Peacock, a friend of Abbey’s since 1975 and whom the character Hayduke was based on, said. “That’s a goddamn shame.”
“Oh my god,” Art Goodtimes, a fellow writer who met Abbey in the early 1980s, said. “Oh my god.”
“I think,” Andy Nettle, former owner of Back of Beyond Books in Moab, said, “it will become a laughingstock within the community when the signs actually do come up.”
Wrench in the plans
Abbey was an incredibly popular author and environmentalist known for his advocacy of wilderness preservation and his writings on the American Southwest. Though he shied away from the term “nature writer,” many dubbed him the “Thoreau of the American West.”
After publication of “Monkey Wrench Gang” in 1975, Abbey’s work was adopted by the more radical elements in the environmental movement. In fact, many believe his works inspired the creation of EarthFirst!, a radical environmental group known for its acts of civil disobedience. “Monkey Wrench Gang,” for instance, inspired the term “monkeywrenching,” which refers to acts of sabotage or nonviolent disruption aimed at hindering environmentally destructive activities.
Abbey, it should be noted, never officially joined EarthFirst! but did have close ties with members and wrote for its publications. Blowing up Glen Canyon Dam, after all, was the plot of the “Monkey Wrench Gang.” Still, no evidence has ever surfaced that Abbey engaged in monkeywrenching.
By reading his work, one can quickly surmise Abbey, who died in 1989 at the age of 62, would not have loved a development named after him. Abbey spoke outwardly about the overdevelopment of the West and loss of wild places, and how
losing a connection with nature would contribute to the fall of civilization.
And, fortunately, we have decades of his writing, so let’s hear it from the man himself:
“(Developers) cannot see that growth for the sake of growth is a cancerous madness, that Phoenix and Albuquerque will not be better cities to live in when their populations are double again and again. They would never understand that an economic system which can only expand or expire must be false to all that is human.”
Bynum, the developer of the Abbey subdivision, was not made available for an interview. But his business associate, Joel Linares, said Bynum was born and raised in Moab and is a huge fan of Abbey’s work. Years ago, when planning the new housing development, Bynum thought using Abbey’s name, book titles and characters was a way of honoring his legacy.
“Mike is a big fan, and this isn’t a marketing gimmick,” Linares said. “I don’t think he thought it through to that level (that it would dishonor Abbey’s legacy). In his mind, he’s honoring Abbey.”
Though the subdivision has been in the planning stages for years, the developer officially submitted an application in 2019. After years of public review, the project was approved unanimously in spring 2022 and recently broke ground.
Linares noted that Moab is experiencing a housing crisis, and the neighborhood will add an estimated 80 new units. While the Abbey subdivision does not have an affordable housing component, Linares said Bynum’s other projects do.
“It’s not a major development like a dam,” Linares said. “It’s housing, and everyone needs a place to live. Not to mention Moab has a housing crisis.”
Indeed, Moab, like most popular resort destinations, is feeling the pinch of a lack of available housing on top of record numbers of people moving in, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that sent droves of urban dwellers into rural areas.
Abbey’s friends acknowledged the need for housing in Moab, as well as the fact the development is located within city limits, not the wilderness. Still – to use Abbey, of all people, as the theme of a new development is a gross injustice to his legacy, friends say.
Loeffler, who lives in Durango, met Abbey in 1962 at a bar in Santa Fe, and they became lifelong friends. Loeffler in 2003 published “Adventures with Ed: A Portrait of Abbey,” chronicling Abbey’s life and their friendship. So, it’s probably safe to say he knows how Abbey would react to a development named after him.
“It would result in an anger you wouldn’t want to see,” Loeffler said. “He would hate it; he would totally hate it.”
Peacock, who was contacted last week at Glacier National Park, reiterated much of the same. Peacock has praised Abbey’s writing as “eloquent, angry, poetic, crude and funny as hell.” He also had a few choice words about the development.
“Ed hated that kind of sh*t, and so do I,” Peacock said. “It’s insane.”
Art Goodtimes, who worked as poetry editor for EarthFirst! in the 1990s, said he had many dealings with Abbey over the years. He said it’s a “strange cultural appropriation to put someone who was dedicated against development as the theme for a new development.”
“It’s an odd choice,” Goodtimes said. “Abbey would have been furious.”
Nettle said this isn’t the first time in Moab a development has used Abbey’s nomenclature, pointing to a smaller neighborhood, Pack Creek Ranch, outside Moab. The difference there,
however, is that Abbey used to own land there, which is now owned by one of his closest friends, Ken Sleight, another “Monkey Wrench Gang” character, Nettle said.
“The developers (of the Abbey subdivision) are looking to maximize profit, that’s what developers do, I get it,” he said. “And you know, to some extent, Abbey’s responsible for some of the popularity of this area and driving some of the problems we see today. It’s an irony.”
So, is all this even legal? The short answer – it’s murky.
The book rights to “Desert Solitaire’’ and “Monkey Wrench Gang’’ are owned by Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins Publishers, respectively. Representatives for both those companies said this issue would actually fall to the owner of the estate.
It’s believed by his friends that Abbey’s estate is owned by his wife, Clarke Abbey, who did not respond to requests for comment on this story. It also doesn’t appear Clarke submitted any comments during the project review process.
Carl Hjort, a leading intellectual property lawyer based in Denver, said without knowing the terms of the estate, it’s hard to say if the developer would need legal permission to use Abbey’s name, book titles and characters.
“It’s really hard to say without knowing the scope he or the estate put in place, and whether there would be a claim to stop (use of the names),” Hjort said.
Linares said Abbey’s estate was not consulted when naming the subdivision. However, he did say the developers are open to changing the theme, if there’s an issue.
“If it’s causing heartburn for members of his estate, we’re happy to have that conversation,” he said.
It’s unclear if Abbey’s estate does have an issue. But for close friends, it would be safe to say the thought of an Abbeythemed neighborhood in his most beloved part of the country would cause the grizzled author more than heartburn.
“This is absolutely the antithesis of what he was about, and in the worst possible taste,” Loeffler said. “I can’t speak for Ed, but I knew him really well, and he would hate this and fight it tooth and nail.” ■
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This week’s Kill Yr Idols comes in a bit of a flurry; a semi-haphazard smattering of thoughts, which began in Durango and was finished while on a much-needed recharging on the West Coast. I thought it necessary to put a bit of distance and perspective between myself and my current home.
The road has traditionally been invaluable for many; collecting thoughts and words while shifting sh*tlines for a bit. This trip has provided precisely that, and here is a smidgen of halfformed fragments for you to digest:
• Leaving wherever it is you call home is paramount. Absolutely. One of my favorite amusements has been looking at the dynamics between the place we live and the people that come visit. This is the often-argued traveler vs. tourist debate. I like to fairly and unfairly critique the people that visit Durango, and, as such, try to be more mindful when I venture elsewhere. Bottom line? Be kind. Be respectful. Know your surroundings. Leave a place better than you found it. And if you’re a dick, try harder to not be when you’re away from home. That last one is tough for people. The more respectful you are to the people that reside full time wherever it is you are visiting, the more apt they are to respond as such.
• Exploring new music while in a car on the road is kick-ass. To occupy long stretches of drive time, there are lots of newly released records, and the following are some of my favorites to date: Woods – “Perennial;” Dengue Fever, “Ting Mong;” Baroness, “Stone;” The Handsome Family, “Hollow;”
Oneohtrix Point Never, “Again;” Sparklehorse, “Bird Machine;” Public Memory, “Elegiac Beat;” Slowdive, “everything is alive;” Deeper, “Careful!;” and Sonic Youth, “Live in Brooklyn
2011.” This is just barely scratching the surface, but it’s a heckuva start. It’s also a great time to revisit older albums you’ve shelved for a minute. Highly recommend dusting them off in between the newer listens.
• Self-care in the car is key to
the trip’s success. Plan ahead and make sure you eat plenty of vegetables and not just shit road-snacks. Or not too many, anyway. Get *out* of the car, and get your blood flowing. Stretch (stretch, stretch, stretch!), run in place, do some jumping jacks or run laps around the perimeter of a rest area. Whatever you can do, do. If you get tired while driving, pull over and take a nap for Pete’s sake. Check your oil. Give yourself some time to explore the unexpected, and dig into Atlas Obscura.
• We really do have it pretty alright in our tiny little bubble. For a town of just around 20,000 yearround residents, La Plata County does some things pretty OK. That said, it takes all the people in that community to support the little gems that make it unique. Support local art pop-ups, allages safe spaces, music venues, galleries, businesses and community stalwarts, so they can continue to thrive on par with
expansion and growth. Getting out and seeing someplace new refreshes you (with all hope) on your current home. So, leave from time to time and recharge. It really will help you appreciate home that much more.
If you don’t have any trips planned, try to plan one, especially before weather makes it that much harder to venture out. Even if you don’t leave the state, just get out and see something else. We have so many places nearby to explore that you’ve little to no excuse. Per usual, I’m putting this to paper so I read it myself.
And before you go, I especially suggest expelling any unsettled angst before you head off. Don’t take it with you. As a matter of fact, feel free to send it my way at the email address below. Along with questions, comments and gripes. Especially the gripes.
Jon E.Lynch is the program director at KDUR.
kdur_pd@fortlewis.edu■
Mid-September usually marks the end of the busy season for the Cozy Inn in Cortez. But this year, front desk staff are still getting a half-dozen calls a day.
Most are looking for rooms in mid-October when an annular solar eclipse will be visible from Colorado’s Four Corners region.
“Our 28 rooms are fully booked,” Stephen Ray Herrera, Cozy Inn’s manager, said. “I’m shocked. It would normally be pretty dead.”
Herrera’s and other hotels are seeing an influx of bookings ahead of the Oct. 14 eclipse. The spectacle –when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth – will be the first one visible from the U.S. since 2017’s total eclipse.
Large crowds are expected to swarm the region, where the path of annularity will pass over around 10:30 a.m. that Saturday. Cities like Dolores, Cortez and Dove Creek
will get a full view. Nearby Durango and the rest of Colorado will see a partial eclipse, according to NASA.
Here’s what you should know about the rare event.
What is an annular solar eclipse? This type of eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and sun while at its farthest point from Earth. The last time the U.S. saw one was in 2012.
Due to its distance from our planet, the moon appears as a dark disk that’s smaller than the sun. The shadow it casts over the Earth creates a “ring of fire” effect in the sky. This peak lasts about four minutes.
Where exactly can you see it? Communities southwest of Durango will get a full view of annularity when the moon appears to be at the exact center of the sun. The list includes Cortez, Dolores and Dove Creek.
Viewing events are popping up ahead of the eclipse, including at Mesa Verde National Park. Campsites are available but will likely sell out. The park will have limited parking, according to its website.
Staff will pass out special eclipse glasses while supplies last, which protect your eyes from harmful rays. Reservations aren’t needed to enter Mesa Verde, but visitors still have to pay the regular park entrance fee. NPS is expecting at least 6,000 people.
A potential federal government shutdown may affect what park services are available, including for the eclipse watch events. Visitors should check the NPS website for the latest information.
Four Corners Monument will close for cultural reasons. The Four Corners Monument, where the borders of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah meet at a single point, will be closed from 8 a.m.
- 1 p.m. on the day of the eclipse. That closure is to accommodate the needs of the Navajo Nation, which manages the popular site. The Navajo people consider eclipses sacred events. They do not work, leave their homes or even observe them.
Will other parts of Colorado see the eclipse? While the full eclipse path will clip just the southwest corner of the state, the rest of Colorado will get a glimpse at a partial eclipse the morning of Oct. 14.
When will the next eclipse in Colorado happen? The next total solar eclipse will cross through Colorado in 2048.
For more from Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org ■
Birding with Audubon, 9-10 a.m., meet at Oxbow Park & Preserve.
Artificial Intelligence: Mastering the Future of Employment, 12 noon-1 p.m., Center for Innovation, 835 Main Ave, Suite 225.
Manhattan Short Film Festival, showings at 4 and 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Pete Giuliani Band plays, 5 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard Ave.
Durango Green Drinks, 5 p.m., 11th St. Station.
Community Harvest, fruit gleaning, 5:30-7:30 p.m., location at goodfoodcollective.org/harvest-fruit
Thursday Night Sitting Group, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.
Jeff Solon Jazz Duo plays, 6 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
Ben Gibson plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th St. Station.
Karaoke, 6 p.m., Grassburger South, 360 Camino del Rio.
Bluegrass jam, 6 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice, 3000 Main Ave.
Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1330 Camino del Rio.
Adventures with John James Audubon, 7-8 p.m., FLC’s 130 Noble Hall.
Ballyhoo! and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack play, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.
Free Friday Yoga, 8:30 a.m., Lively (a boutique), 809 Main Ave.
Maria’s Bookshop Birthday Party, live music and events, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., 960 Maria’s Bookshop.
Open Meditation, 12 noon-1 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave, Suite 109.
Jamie and the Dreamers play, 4 p.m., Bomdiggity, Mancos.
Jim Belcher and Ben Gibson play, 5 p.m., Mancos Brewing.
Leah Orlikowski plays, 6-9 p.m., Fox Fire Farms, Ignacio.
Live music, 6-9 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.
Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice, 3000 Main Ave.
Robin Davis plays, 7-10 p.m., 11th St. Station.
“Charles Darwin & his Revolutionary Idea,” 7 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.
The Smoking Jackets play, 7:30 p.m., Jimmy’s Music & Supply, 1239 Main Ave.
“Eurydice,” presented by FLC’s Theater Department, 7:30 p.m., FLC’s MainStage Theatre. Durangoconcerts.com
“The Odd Couple” (female version), 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Durango Farmers Market, 8 a.m., TBK Bank parking lot, 259 W. 9th St.
Bayfield Heritage Days, 8 a.m., downtown Bayfield. BayfieldCoHeritageDays.org
Bayfield Farmers Market, 8:30 a.m., 1328 CR 501, Bayfield.
Author Talk: Susan Noble, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.
Durango Cowboy Gathering Parade, 10:30 a.m., downtown Durango.
“The Odd Couple” (female version), showings at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Buddhism & Recovery: Teaching and Dialogue About Recovering from Addiction, 4-6 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave., Suite 109.
Author Talk: Margaret Kirk, 4 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.
Ben Gibson plays, 5:30 p.m., 701 Public House, 701 E. 2nd Ave.
Karaoke, 6 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice, 3000 Main Ave.
Live Music, 6-9 p.m., Union Social House, 3062 Main Ave.
Community Yoga, 6-7 p.m., Yoga Durango, 1485 Florida Rd. Donations accepted.
San Juan Symphony, 7:30 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.
“Eurydice,” presented by FLC’s Theater Department, 7:30 p.m., FLC’s MainStage Theatre. Durangoconcerts.com
Brooks & Belshare play, 7 p.m., 11th St. Station.
Silent Disco, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m., 11th St. Station.
Veterans Benefit Breakfast, 9 a.m., VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.
Vinyl Sundaze, 12 noon, Lola’s, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
Live music, 12:30 p.m., Durango Beer and Ice, 3000 N. Main Ave.
“Eurydice,” presented by FLC’s Theater Department, 2 p.m., FLC’s MainStage Theatre. Durangoconcerts.com
“The Odd Couple” (female version), 2 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Interesting fact: Rachel has been put on administrative suspension pending review of the numerous calls (hey, one is a number) for her swift and immediate removal, because she said something someone didn’t like, so we’re asking Phoebe to step in until Rachel is released from time-out.
Dear Rachel,
In response to whoever wrote about their crazy mom last week, I just wanna say at least she’s not a hoarder and doesn’t make you post her Barbies for sale on e-bay because she is also completely computer illiterate. How does she have more Barbies every time I visit? I know she’s not buying them on e-bay, maybe just from garage sales? Hey, any idea how I can outsource this work?
Dear Auctioneer Barbie,
– Mother’s Little Helper
My question for you is, are you earning commission on these dolls? Because right now there’s a real premium on the truly rare Barbies. Either that or the market is flooded, and we’re about to see Bubble Burstin’ Barbie. But this should not impact your budding business. You deserve your cut. 15% or at least a gift certificate to the crystal shop.
– Your Replacement Rachel Barbie, Phoebe
Dear Rachel,
Do you think it will be OK to vape at a Town Hall meeting in Colorado? It appears
Feed the People! aid for the unhoused, 2 p.m., Buckley Park.
Durango Natural Foods Harvest Fest, 3-7 p.m., Rotary Park.
Sunday Funday, 6 p.m., Starlight, 937 Main Ave.
Monday02
Yoga, 5:30 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.
Community Harvest fruit gleaning, 5:30-7:30 p.m., location at goodfoodcollective.org/harvest-fruit.
Comedy, 7:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Tuesday03
Community Yoga, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Yoga Durango, 1485 Florida Rd. Donations accepted.
it’s OK to do it at a concert. I know it’s legal, but maybe the Town Hall meeting and say City Council meeting would be a mellower affair. They could have some smooth jazz in the background or nature music. Your thoughts on this new way of looking at federal and state issues. It’s been done and more to come.
– Smokey Joe
Dear Smokehouse Joseph, I can’t stand vaping. I’d rather just burn patchouli, thank you. But I take it you are referring to Boebert’s big night out. I want this to be a picture book. Oh oh! Or a song! Like a long, Edmund Fitzgerald-style tale. “She went on a date, made the production run late, because she couldn’t keep hands off her fella! She took in a puff and she left in a huff, I thought pot was s’posed to make you more mella!” Maybe this is my follow-up to “Smelly Cat.”
– Lyrically, Phoebe
Dear Rachel, I’m concerned about my dad’s mental health. He has started referring to himself in the third person. Not just for comedic effect either, like “Papa’s hungry!” before tucking into a rack of ribs. I mean, he texts me now to say “Papa needs to take a walk before his back goes out” and “Papa can’t believe that touchdown.” I don’t know where he picked up this habit but how do I break him of it?
Sonny’s Worried
Slow Bluegrass Jam, 5:30-7:30 p.m., General Palmer Hotel, 567 Main Ave.
Dan Carlson and Nina Sasaki play, 5-7 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
Author Talk: Chris George, “Preserving the Mining Past of the San Juan Mountains,” 6-8 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.
Live music, 6-9 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Violinist Kara Huber, 7 p.m., FLC’s Roshong Recital Hall.
Open Mic, 7 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Tropidelic w/Kyle Smith and Joey Harkum play, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre.
Dear Papa’s Boy,
This is turning into Parental Issues Corner with Phoebe. I’m frankly surprised I don’t have letters from Boebert’s kids. It’s bad enough having a mother that makes you pose with guns at Christmas like they’re members of the family. But now your new daddy has ruined Beetlejuice. Speaking of, good thing your dad doesn’t call himself Beetlejuice, or he’d make himself appear after three text messages in a row. I wonder what the collectable market is for Beetlejuice dolls? Maybe we can start a parental hookup site so we can offload the crazies on each other.
– Rachel, Rachel, Rachel, Phoebe
Restorative Yoga for Cancer, 9:30-10:45 a.m., no cost for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. Find info and register at cancersupportswco.org/calendar
Live music, 6-9 p.m., The Office & Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.
Trivia Night, 7 p.m., Bottom Shelf Brewery, Bayfield.
Mariachi Garibaldi plays, 7:30 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.
Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.
Karaoke Roulette, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Author
Diane Ackerman says it’s inevitable that each of us sometimes “looks clumsy or gets dirty or asks stupid questions or reveals our ignorance or says the wrong thing.” Knowing how often I do those things, I’m extremely tolerant of everyone I meet. During the coming weeks, Aries, you will generate good fortune for yourself if you suspend all disparagement. Yes, be accepting, tolerant and forgiving – but go even further. Be downright welcoming and amiable. Love the human comedy exactly as it is.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus comedian Kevin James confesses, “I discovered I scream the same way whether I’m about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.” Many of us could make a similar admission. The good news, Taurus, is that your anxieties in the coming weeks will be the “piece of seaweed” variety, not the great white shark. Go ahead and scream if you need to – but then relax.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Here are famous people with whom I have had personal connections: actor Marisa Tomei, rockstar Courtney Love, rock impresario Bill Graham and author Clare Cavanagh. What? You never heard of Clare Cavanagh? She is the brilliant and renowned translator of Nobel Prize Laureate poet Wisława Szymborska and the authorized biographer of Nobel Prize Laureate author Czesław Miłosz. As much as I appreciate the other celebrities I named, I am most enamored of Cavanagh’s work. As a Gemini, she expresses your sign’s highest potential: the ability to wield beautiful language to communicate soulful truths. I suggest you make her your inspirational role model for now.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I cheer you on when you identify what you want. I exult when you devise smart plans to seek what you want, and I celebrate when you go off in high spirits to obtain and enjoy what you want. I am gleeful when you aggressively create the life you envision for yourself, and I do everything in my power to help you manifest it. But now and then, like now, I share Cancerian author Franz Kafka’s perspective. He said this: “You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quite still and solitary. The world will
freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice. It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s talk about changing your mind. In some quarters, that’s seen as weak, even embarrassing. But I regard it as a noble necessity, and I recommend you consider it in the near future. Here are two guiding thoughts. 1. “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” –George Bernard Shaw. 2. “Only the strongest people have the pluck to change their minds, and say so, if they see they have been wrong in their ideas.” – Enid Blyton.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “The soul moves in circles,” psychologist James Hillman told us. “Hence our lives are not moving straight ahead; instead, hovering, wavering, returning, renewing, repeating.” In recent months, Virgo, your soul’s destiny has been intensely characterized by swerves and swoops. And I believe the rollicking motion will continue for many months. Is that bad or good? Mostly good – especially if you welcome its poetry and beauty. The more you learn to love the spiral dance, the more delightful the dance will be.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If you have ever contemplated launching a career as a spy, the coming months will be a favorable time to do so. Likewise if you have considered getting trained as a detective, investigative journalist, scientific researcher, or private eye. Your affinity for getting to the bottom of the truth will be at a peak, and so will your discerning curiosity. You will be able to dig up secrets no one else has discovered. You will have an extraordinary knack for homing in on the heart of every matter. Start now to make maximum use of your superpowers!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Have you been sensing a phantom itch that’s impossible to scratch? Are you feeling less like yourself and more like an AI version of yourself? Has your heart been experiencing a prickly tickle? If so, I advise you not to worry. These phenomena have a different meaning from the implications you may fear. I suspect they are signs you will soon undertake the equivalent of what snakes do: molting their skins to make way for a fresh layer. This is a good thing! Afterward, you will feel fresh and new.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
According to legend, fifth-century Pope Leo I convinced the conquering army of Attila the Hun to refrain from launching a fullscale invasion of Italy. There may have been other reasons in addition to Leo’s persuasiveness. For example, some evidence suggests Attila’s troops were superstitious, because a previous marauder died soon after attacking Rome. But historians agree that Pope Leo was a potent leader whose words carried great authority. You, Sagittarius, won’t need to be quite as fervently compelling as the ancient Pope in the coming weeks. But you will have an enhanced ability to influence and entice people. I hope you use your powers for good!
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Singersongwriter Joan Baez has the longevity and endurance typical of many Capricorns. Her last album in 2018 was released 59 years after her career began. An article in The New Yorker describes her style as “elegant and fierce, defiant and maternal.” It also noted that though she is mostly retired from music, she is “making poignant and unpredictable art,” creating weird, hilarious line drawings with her non-dominant hand. I propose we make Baez your inspirational role model. May she inspire you to be elegant and fierce, bold and compassionate.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author and activist Mary Frances Berry has won numerous awards for her service on behalf of racial justice. One accomplishment: She was instrumental in raising global awareness of South Africa’s apartheid system, helping to end its gross injustice. “The time when you need to do something,” she writes, “is when no one else is willing to do it, when people are saying it can’t be done.” You are now in a phase when that motto will serve you well, Aquarius.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I invite you to spend quality time gazing into the darkness. I mean that literally and figuratively. Get started by turning off the lights at night and staring, with your eyes open, into the space in front of you. After a while, you may see flashes of light. While these might be your optical nerves trying to fill in the blanks, they could also be bright spirit messages arriving from out of the void. Something similar could happen on a metaphorical level, too.
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
Kids 8+ Aikido 4-Week Series
Thursdays 5-6pm. Starts Oct 5. Learn nonviolent solutions for conflicts, bullies or pesky siblings. Have fun, and boost confidence and coordination. Register: durangoaikido.com
Cash for Vehicles, Copper, Alum
Etc. at RJ Metal Recycle. Also free appliance and other metal drop off. 970-259-3494.
The Silverton Powerhouse Collective is excited to host the 2nd Annual Harvest Market. Join us for a day of fall festivities on September 30th from 10 am-4 pm at the Silverton Powerhouse Collective (2 Mears Ave, Silverton, CO). Vendors include the Silverton Farmer’s Market for fresh fall produce, art, handmade clothing, pumpkin decorating, face painting and more. For more information about the event and vendors, please visit www.silvertonpowerhouse. com. The fall colors are predicted to peak this weekend - enjoy the colors, the produce, the goods, and the activities at the Silverton Powerhouse Collective. (Space is still available for vendors - apply on our website).
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 lewis.edu or call 970.247.7261
Need a Painter?
Would love to fill your painting needs. With over 25 years experience, I have an eye for color, I’m chemical free (sober) and strive for excellence. -Walls -Decks -Drywall & repair -Texture. All of Durango and surrounding areas. 970708-7451 call/text (I prefer calls/texts) for a quote. -Ryan
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.
Marketing Small/Local Businesses Media, website building and editing,
copywriting, newsletters, blogs, etc. for small, local, independent or startup. www.thesaltymedia.com or email jnderge@gmail.com
ForSale
Adjustable Bed Frame
with remote. Leggett and Platt Bas –X HFC. This is a queen size frame that works w/ most mattresses. Adjust both back and knee height. Great to watch TV, read or sleep. $350 9707493363
TaoTronics 4k Action Camera
New and in the box. Waterproof housing, handlebar/pole mount, mounts, battery, tethers, protective back cover, USB cable and lens cleaning cloth. $50. J.marie.pace@gmail.com
Reruns Home Furnishings
Brighten up your space with furniture and décor like cabinets, kitchenwares, nightstands, rugs, lamps and coffee tables. Looking to consign smaller furniture … 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 385-7336.
Lotus Path Healing Arts
Unique, intuitive fusion of Esalen massage, deep tissue & Acutonics, 24
'The Most Hated Woman in America' What's not to love? She stands up for what she believes. She's a goddamned saint – Lainie Maxson
years of experience. To schedule call Kathryn, 970-201-3373.
Massage by Meg Bush LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-7590199.
Poet Laureate
The Durango Poet Laureate committee invites La Plata County residents to apply for the first ever Durango Poet Laureate Program. There are two positions available, a youth and an adult, to create a vibrant platform for local poets to share their work and engage with the community while acting as a representative of the poetic arts. Applications are being accepted until Oct. 16. For more info and to apply, visit durangog ov.org/library or visit the Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.
