The Durango Telegraph, Nov. 10, 2022

Home on the range Weighing the benefits of solar with its darker side

Plate half-empty Thoughts on what’s missing from local food scene

Ridin’ dirty

Think of the SSCXWC a little like Snowdown on wheels

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

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

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

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

Although “free but not easy,”

to the ground:

“The election is making me anxious, so I smoked my vape, and now I’m more anxious.”

– Coping mechanisms 101

Insert breaking news here

Maybe your phone died? Perhaps you can’t find the remote control and are just staring at the blank screen of the TV? Or, it’s possible you’ve actually found a really, really nice place to literally bury your head in the sand.

Whatever the case, if you haven’t seen the results from this year’s mid-term election, we got you covered. Well, at least what was known as of 12 noon. Wednesday. And, we apologize in advance for not having a huge red banner to freak you out or the ability to doom scroll on the printed page. We’re a bit old school.

Let’s start with the propositions that were passed. Voters did approve a state income tax reduction, on top of a measure that now requires a more detailed breakdown on future ballots when any state income tax reductions are proposed. The tax break for Gold Star spouses was approved, as well as a proposition to give free lunches to all students.

As for the propositions that failed, Colorado voters again proved they hate bingo, shooting down an amendment that would lax regulations on the game. Voters also denied a proposition that would have allowed chains to have an unlimited number of liquor stores around the state, thereby supporting local, independent liquor retailers.

As of press time, however, many prop items were too early to call, including whether to legalize psychedelic mushrooms as well as the creation of a new affordable housing fund. And, two alcohol-related measures (allowing home delivery from restaurants and whether to allow grocery/convenience stores to sell wine and other select alcoholic beverages) were still undecided.

And let’s do a quick rundown of candidates. Jared Polis will remain your governor for another four years, and Michael Bennet will head back to the Senate for his third term. Locally, incumbent Clyde Church beat out challengers Brad Blake and Jack Turner to retain his seat as a La Plata County commissioner.

Well, that’s about it, think we got them all. Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather and breathe the fresh air. Even after peak colors, it’s just nice to take in all cycles of fall and spend time with loved ones.

Just kidding: Lauren Boebert.

What many people thought was going to be a landslide for Boebert has actually turned into quite the contested race. As of 12:41 p.m. now, Democratic challenger Adam Frisch is in the lead with 149,698 votes to Boebert’s 147,249.

There’s no telling when the race will be called or if it will require a runoff. The timeframe could be pushed even further back if one of the candidates calls for a recount. So really it’s anyone guess. Remember: counting ballots takes time, and it’s important to let the process play out.

On a final, positive note, The Denver Post reporter assigned to cover Boebert said this is the longest time he’s ever seen Boebert not send out a tweet. So there’s that.

Taxicab confessions

In 2017, I became one of a few individuals who evidently thought the budding rideshare service might be profitable, interesting and a novel way to meet people. Could driving enhance my worldview or understanding of the hidden diversity of the people – locals and visitors alike – who urgently need transportation? The answer was yes.

At least for me, Uber ridership has increased dramatically since 2017 when the airport was a ridesharing ghost town. Now, people arrive at the airport and expect the service.

Another big category of passengers are the savvy “DUI Avoiders.” One morning, “Heather,” who was visiting a college friend here, said to me, “The destination is approximate; I was a little drunk last night.” We cruised down Third Ave. until – with astonishment – she spotted her car. Finding the car the next morning is clearly better than finding it the night before.

The excitement of being an Uber driver begins with the pinging of Uber’s Drive & Deliver app on the smartphone. The sound is a dopamine delivery device as it signifies money and an uncertain destination with a stranger. Verbal directions and visual maps indicate where to go. After 28 years as a college professor responsible for the “destination” of each class period, it is an odd relief to let someone else be in charge.

About 20 years ago, Baba Ram Dass (formerly Richard Alpert, Harvard Psychology Professor) spoke at Fort Lewis College and confessed that after years of teaching and lecturing, he wanted to become a chauffeur with someone else directing where to go. In 1972, I met Ram Dass in a New Delhi hotel. India was a difficult place to be at that time – any Western person was considered to be “rich.” He suggested I stick to my original plan: Get to Kathmandu and trek in the Himalayas. Which I did – alone for two weeks.

Thumbin’It

Abortion rights supporters winning big in several states, highlighting backlash against the overturning of Roe v. Wade and a clear sign women don’t want people like half-man, half-turtle Mitch McConnell even thinking about their bodies.

NASA’s moon launch delayed again by weather, leaving open the possibility there might be room left aboard for us? We had to cancel a flight to Mars with a certain someone who would rather spend time trolling Twitter.

The discovery that part of the Titanic landed on a deep-sea volcanic reef, explaining a mysterious blip sound that has perplexed researchers for years. They did not, however, find out if there was enough room on the door for Jack.

I mentioned this to “Bob” – the Uber passenger version of “The Most Interesting Man in the World” in the back seat – who just returned from his trip to Everest Base Camp and Bhutan. He said, “Yeah, that was your ‘Be Here Now’ moment,” referring to Ram Dass’ first book.

More compelling to me, however, is the surprising variety of Uber passengers. “Caroline” needed to go from campus to the hardware store to “buy flyswatters for a class demonstration on the physics of air flow.” At the airport, I retrieved “Juan,” who appeared a bit disoriented. I asked him if I was driving him home or if he was visiting, and Juan said, “Man, I’m in the wrong f***ing country.” He was immediately on the phone speaking heated Spanish with the travel agent who was supposed to get him to Durango … Mexico. I asked when it occurred to him that something was wrong. He said, “Man, when I got off the plane I said, ‘There’s a lot of white people here!’”

Another rider operates a knife sharpening shop and travels here once a month to sharpen the scalpels of local orthopedic surgeons. He told me, “They get very attached to the handles,” so they prefer to keep the old ones rather than buying new knives.

While passengers vary considerably, some are clearly more eccentric than others. “Jennifer” was waiting at the end of a long, remote driveway, and we were heading to a medical clinic of some type. She was bursting with energy, explaining she is writing a book about “intelligent life.” She recently moved here from Sedona where she discovered that one of her ovaries is missing and her daughter has a “suspicious” foot long handprint on her back. She told me she operated a UFO-oriented bookstore in Sedona, and one of her customers “has an alien in his freezer.” She told me, “She is having someone else’s dreams.”

“How would that work?” I asked her. “Well,” she said, “I don’t know how it works, but these dreams I’m having are not mine.”

I silently reconsidered the dream I had just that week about driverless cars operated by intelligent life and wonder about the source of her dream life.

– Michael Anziano

SignoftheDownfall:

A new survey finding more than half of Americans report they have “social jet lag” – you know, the name for that time of day between being a huge B and having your first cup of coffee.

“Climate protesters” again attacking irreplaceable art, this time an Andy Warhol in an Australian gallery. Luckily, most pieces were protected in glass. But seriously, can we find some TikTok challenges for these misguided souls?

Louisiana voters rejecting a ballot question that asked whether they supported a constitutional amendment to prohibit the use of involuntary servitude in the criminal justice system. Uhhh… is the jury still out on whether or not slavery is bad?

You’ve been toad

Last week, the National Park Service posted a statement on Facebook asking visitors to stop licking frogs, because it can be deadly. The Colorado River Toad has parotoid glands that secrete a potent toxin that can lead to heart attacks if ingested, but they can also secrete 5MeO-DMT, which is a powerful hallucinogen. Spurred by psychedelic proponents like Mike Tyson, people have started collecting these animals to the point wherein the toad has been added to the threatened species list, which is insane given that one lick too many could make you croak.

With the start of ski season and the search for fresh tracks, the Telegraph asked: “Where

“Alpha Centauri, with its cool breezes (red alert: ‘Star Trek’ nerd!)”

Will

Zoë

“Brigadoon (the enchanted place that rises out of the Scottish mist every 100 years).”

Adam

“The inner depths of my mind. Then maybe Maryland.”

Sharon & Zemira

QMicah

would you like to go where no one has gone before?”

“Obama’s third term.”

Island of Misfit Toys.”

Nuclear power good

The Oct. 6 “Soap Box” section of the Telegraph contained a letter titled “Nuclear power bad,” highlighting a few main areas of concern. Rarely is something classifiable as “bad” or “good,” but in matters of science and economics, facts are a good starting point. Here is a fact-based point of view that disagrees with the Oct. 6 letter, in much more than six sentences.

Nuclear critiques generally get camped into two categories: 1) safety and 2) environmental hazard.

The safety of an energy source can be measured in the number of deaths caused by a) accidents and b) air pollution as a result of the energy source’s supply chain. Brown coal is the most deadly energy source, with 32.72 deaths per terawatthour of electricity produced. Coal is at 24.62 deaths per Tw and oil is 18.43. In contrast, wind is 0.04, solar is 0.02 and nuclear is 0.03 – all 99% less deadly than brown coal, separated by a negligible amount. Yes, the above stats do account for the notorious Fukushima and Chernobyl disasters.

Next, let’s consider the environmental hazard of each source. Once again, coal is the dirtiest, producing 820 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per gigawatt-hour. Wind? Four. Solar? Five. Nuclear? Three. Yes, when accounting for the total supply chain (e.g. each of these sources requires mining for coal/lithium/uranium), nuclear is currently the least greenhouse gas-intensive.

Moreover, it is the least land-intensive by a long shot, requiring 2.2% of the land compared to solar and 2.5% as much land as wind.

What about nuclear waste? All nuclear waste generated by commercial nuclear since 1950, if piled up, would fit on a single football field, only piled 50 feet high. Moreover, there has never been an incident related to nuclear waste storage. In fact, spent nuclear fuel rods are regularly recycled for even more fuel production.

What about meltdowns? They’re rare, but not exactly within any realm of acceptable risk. We’ve seen the movies. Well, nuclear of today has about 50 years of innovation on Fukushima and Chernobyl. They operate at lower temperatures, produce less radioactive waste, even remain stable if power is lost, and can be deployed at much smaller scales than the gargantuan reactors we’re used to. Expanding nuclear energy today hardly resembles the manual and archaic reactors of the original nuclear power boom. In terms of safety and environmental hazard, nuclear is just as safe and environmentally impactful as its well-accepted compatriots, wind and solar.

What about nuclear weapon proliferation? A nuclear power plant does not contain the density of energy required to be construed into a weapon. Moving on.

Interestingly, the Oct. 6 letter worries that nuclear is an investment deterrent from wind and solar. As a result of solar

investment, innovation and economies of scale, from 2009-19, the price of utilityscale solar decreased by 89%, even when normalized for subsidies. Wind has gone down 30% in the same period. These sources reached peak production for the U.S. last year, providing 13% of all energy. They’ve benefitted greatly from invest-

ment and will continue to be deployed for our energy future.

Meanwhile, coal, the dirtiest and most deadly source of energy, saw its first increase in production share since 2014. Why? As gas prices rose, energy producers looked for more affordable sources, particularly for baseload power, where solar and

GoldenOpportunity: While we await a clever cartoon based on the outcome of the mid-term elections, enjoy this random photo signifying the peaceful transition of seasons. If only politics were that easy. /Photo by Missy Votel

wind fall short due to a dearth in battery storage capacity. Unfortunately, misinformation has kept nuclear on the sidelines.

In fact, the U.S.’s number of reactors has been declining (92 today vs. 104 in 2014), but nuclear power remains at about 20% of U.S. power production thanks to power plant capacity upgrades. Had the U.S. invested in nuclear, we could have had a clean energy response to the rise of gas prices, perhaps even displacing some of fossil fuel’s market share permanently.

Nuclear energy is as safe for humans and our environment as our currently preferred renewable alternatives, despite decades of misinformation and under investment. Our planet wouldn’t mind if we reinvested in nuclear at the scale we’ve supported other renewables. In the meantime, discourse amongst Telegraph readers is a healthy (dare I say, “good”) first step.

Stepping back, the energy transition our planet demands of us is daunting and complex. Navigating these issues as a nation, let alone a species of 7 billion, requires a collective effort to embrace the facts as a stable platform for cooperation.

We got this.

Breaking trust

– Jamie Finney, Durango

Mercy Hospital’s decision to stop offering sterilizations in 2023 is a violation of community trust. It will lay an unnecessary burden of travel on people who do not want to be pregnant and compromise health care for anyone who needs a sterilizing surgery.

I am one such person. I suffered from severe gynecological pain for years longer than I should have because of policies like this. Because it was considered “immoral” to sterilize a young person who did not want children, I had to withstand the pain until I could get a doctor’s approval to remove organs that would never function correctly.

When I say severe pain, I mean that it was significantly worse than a broken bone. I had less pain directly after I was released than I did in the hour before surgery. It is not an exaggeration to say that the sterilization procedure saved my life.

I am not a Catholic (and with this blatant disregard for my suffering, I never will be). It is absolutely unreasonable that the director of “mission integration” should be permitted to make decisions about what procedures are permissible when there is no other hospital within an hour’s drive. This policy is an unwanted imposition of someone else’s religious beliefs.

There is not, and cannot be, moral value in forcing me and others like me to suffer.

– Sylvia Killinen, Bayfield

More walk, less drive

I’d like to commend Ron Pond for his suggestion “Fix Downtown” to improve Main Ave. in last week’s Telegraph. However, if changes are to be made, I’d rather see them go all the way and make it a pedestrian mall.

Now, before you have a conniption,

hear me out. I lived in Boulder for several years and can attest to the quaintness and draw of the sheltered walking promenade called “Pearl Street Mall.”

What about the loss of already insufficient parking, you say? A few parking garages could gain that back and more. Businesses end up thriving, because someone on foot is far more likely to wander into your store than someone driving and desperately looking for a parking space.

But, won’t you have to walk a lot farther from a parking garage, you say? Guess what? Durango is a healthy town, and visitors may find the extra exercise to be beneficial to their health. And, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that breathing carbon monoxide is not healthy, nor is getting hit by a car.

There are many other benefits as well: All summer long, Boulder has something called “Band on the Bricks” every week, with a stage set up in the middle of Pearl Street featuring different bands. This would be perfect for iAM Music concerts, without having to be relegated to some random parking lot.

Buskers or street performers might show up and provide additional entertainment and culture. It could also be extra work for the local Secret Circus Society members. Pedicabs could be available for those with more money than fitness. Less noise pollution. And I’m sure others can come up with some more beneficial ideas.

I’m new to town and this idea has probably been proposed before, so let’s make this happen.

– Eric Orton, Durango

Little diddy

Hi, hi, clear blue skies.

Bye, bye awful pollution from the San Juan Coal Plant in northwest New Mexico.

– Susan Hutzler, Durango

Walk the walk

Colorado has long been the laughingstock of the West when it comes to transportation. Durango is the jester. Buses to south of town destinations like Walmart and Home Depot leave every half hour and are in some uncomfortable places to wait. At the bottom of Bodo Dr., near Credit Union of Colorado, would be a great place for a stop. The closest stop is at Office Depot or Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, which is covered. There is also no good turn-round to run buses back on Frontage Road, which means people have to use two buses for every one-way trip.

Of course the other Durango problem is Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) mentalities. Who’s going to pay for expanded bus service? Already, people who use the bus pay for admittance. Make businesses on route help pay and upkeep their stops as a community outreach. We need to take better care of pedestrians. Also, we need a more literate police force and access to emergency care when and if someone hits a pedestrian because of the lack of infrastructure, health care and other safety mechanisms. Durango is simply no fun for people using less polluting modes of transportation and dangerous for people who walk, ride or use other mechanisms to travel.

– Christa Turnell, Durango

Home on the range

Proposed solar farm a complicated affair in southwest La Plata County

by Jonathan Romeo

With climate change posing one of the greatest threats facing humanity, you’d think a proposed solar farm in Hesperus would be welcomed and celebrated.

If only it were that simple.

Last month, news emerged that a California-based solar energy developer, Primergy, has proposed a 1,900-acre solar farm on private land southwest of Durango near Hesperus. When complete, the 155megawatt facility would be capable of powering 56,000 homes a year.

The project, however, has been met with mostly strong pushback from residents in the predominantly agricultural and residential area. Opponents say the massive solar farm would destroy the landscape, adversely affect neighbors and impact wildlife.

Indeed, the proposed “Hesperus Solar Project” would be among the largest – if not the largest – industrial developments in La Plata County as well as one of the biggest solar farms in Colorado, if constructed.

Though the project is in the beginning stages (Primergy submitted a permit application to the county last week), the proposed farm has raised questions over how to build a sustainable energy future without sacrificing the environment and quality of life.

Reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to more renewable energy sources, such as solar, is considered part of the solution to slowing the impacts of climate change. But increasingly, the environmental toll of renewables are being felt as more projects crop up across the United States.

“I think we as a society are learning that renewables are land-intensive,” Joshua Radoff, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialization Lead for the Masters of the Environment program at the University of Colorado, said. “But the more we’re aware of that, the more we can proactively address it.”

Raising the alarm

It’s unclear why Primergy targeted this sliver of Southwest Colorado for its project.

Bryson Hull, a spokesman for the company, said another developer previously approached the families involved before

Primergy was formed. He did not, however, provide further details on how or when plans began to formalize.

The land in question is just east of Highway 140 and north of County Road 141. About 800 acres will be leased from the trust of now-deceased State Sen. Jim Isgar, and another 800 acres will be bought from Three Sisters Durango, LLC. Matt Isgar and Sherry Wertz (co-owner of Three Sisters), both longtime residents, did not return requests for comment. (Also, a portion of the project involves FLC’s Old Fort).

Residents in the area first learned about the project in early October after Primergy sent a mailer out within a mile radius, inviting people to a community meeting where plans were revealed.

“I think they understood that we, as neighbors, weren’t going to be ecstatic by this decision, and (the developers and land owners) didn’t want to discuss it openly,” Jenne Settles, who has lived in the area for seven years, said. “I think a lot of people were motivated by money.”

At the meeting, residents learned that

nearly 2,000 acres of agricultural land, mostly used for growing hay and grazing, along with undisturbed patches of piñon-juniper, were going to be leveled to make way for 500,000 solar panels and its necessary infrastructure.

“The fact that this project is so big, and that it’s going to destroy such a large area, is just remarkable,” Barry Spear, a 44-year resident of Hesperus, said. “The negative impacts outweigh any benefits that could come.”

In ensuing weeks, residents raised the alarm on the possible damage to the landscape, property values and fire hazards, among other concerns. Locals formed an opposition group, “Stop Hesperus Solar,” questioning the supposed benefits of the project.

“The impacts of this project go beyond our little community in Hesperus,” Spear said. “Do we have to destroy the environment in order to save the environment?”

Power to what people?

Primergy, for its part, has gone to great lengths to mitigate the impacts of such a large project, Hull said, and will continue to tweak plans throughout the county land-use planning process. “In every stage of every en-

Primergy, a California-based company, has proposed building a 1,900 acre solar farm on largely undeveloped land southwest of Durango. The “Hesperus Solar Project” would generate enough electricity for up to 56,000 homes a year, but local residents say the impacts to neighbors and the environment far outweigh the benefits./ Courtesy photo

ergy project, things get changed all the time,” he said in an interview with The Durango Telegraph.

According to records submitted to La Plata County, Primergy has conducted a full survey on factors such as the ecosystem, fire danger and wildlife impacts. And Hull said Primergy is committed to maintaining open lines of communication with residents to hear what they have to say. “Primergy is for sure interested in being good neighbors and listening to concerns,” he said.

Of course, the biggest benefit of the solar farm, Primergy says, is the “zero-emission electricity.” This comes at a time when both the federal government and many states, including Colorado, have adopted ambitious targets to cut fossil fuel emissions. The Biden administration, for instance, has said the U.S. needs to procure 40% of its energy from solar projects by 2035.

But whether or not the energy from Primergy’s proposed solar farm will stay local remains a point of contention. Hull said Primergy cannot sell power to customers directly, but its power would be bought by a participant in Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s grid system. Tri-State has a substation adjacent to the proposed location.

La Plata County is served by La Plata Electric Association, which is a Tri-State member. Jessica Matlock, CEO of LPEA, said in a statement the association is not involved in the solar project and is not bound to buy the electricity.

“If the project proceeds and results in the generation of cost-competitive power, LPEA may be able to purchase power from the development in the future, but it is too early to judge the feasibility of that,” Matlock said.

Cleaner, but not clean

Though solar and other forms of renewable energy are cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, these energy sources are not without consequences, several experts say.

Jeffrey Lovich, a research ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Southwest Biological Science Center, has specifically studied the impacts of large-scale solar projects on the ecosystem of the Southwest. Studies found birds flying above panels are killed from solar radiation, wildlife is displaced and local temperatures increased. But that’s only some of what we know from limited research, he said.

“We have the technological know-how to deploy huge facilities for renewable energy, but we don’t fully understand all the negative effects or how to mitigate them,” Lovich said. “Everyone is in a big hurry to get renewable projects built, but they don’t bring scientists in to study the before and after effects.”

Lee Walston with the Argonne National Laboratory’s Environmental Science Division said the single biggest issue

with solar is the sheer amount of land it requires (about 300-600 times what other energy sources occupy). A U.S. Department of Energy report said it would take 10 million acres of solar to hit net-zero goals by 2050.

As a result, researchers at Argonne are trying to improve the land-use functionality of solar farms, incorporating agricultural operations, such as grazing, introducing pollinators and allowing crops to grow underneath panels. Though most efforts have been in the Midwest, the technology is showing “promising” results, Walston said.

Walston said solar energy, in some ways, is the “younger cousin” to wind, which is now ahead of the curve, technologically speaking. Ten years ago, much like with solar now, there were concerns over decommissioning sites. But technological advances over the years have fixed those issues. Solar, Walston said, is on that same path.

“Nothing comes without consequence; there’s a tradeoff for anything, and that’s true for solar,” he said. “But studies have shown solar, compared to fossil fuels, is by far cheaper, less harmful to the environment and emits less greenhouse gas.”

Hull was unable to answer by press time if Primergy intends to incorporate innovative components to its project.

If not here, where?

Daniel Kaffine, a professor at CU-Boulder, said his job is to study the trade offs of renewable energy projects, weighing the benefits – such as lower energy prices, less emissions and better air quality – to the negatives, e.g. impacts to the ecosystem and encroachment on residential areas.

In the case of Southwest Colorado, Kaffine said Primergy’s 155-megawatt project is a lot of power, comparable to a medium-sized natural gas plant. And, should that energy stay local, it would offset one of the worst polluters: coal (Tri-State uses 56% coal).

“That’s a substantial amount of power,” Kaffine said. “It would take a lot of adverse impacts (to residents, the ecosystem, etc.) to offset the overall benefits. But from a local resident’s perspective, you have to ask: ‘How much weight do you place on the trade offs?’”

CU’s Radoff said that with the current technology available, meeting climate change goals is going to be land-intensive. The dilemma even has those among the environmental community torn – those who are in favor of addressing climate change and embracing renewables are often against such projects in their back yard.

“Renewable energy companies should not act like while it’s zero-carbon operations, it’s zero environmental impacts,” he said. “There should be more of an understanding of the impacts.”

When it comes to solar, many proponents say the better option is to put more solar panels on the rooftops of homes, strip malls and parking lots, instead of destroying vast swaths of the landscape that support wildlife.

Even still, Radoff said when you take in all the production and environmental factors of solar (including mining the metals for panels) vs. other fossil fuel-burning sources, the toll of solar is far lower than gas and coal. And with the need to address climate change, Radoff said the answer lies in making sure the right sites are selected and technology to mitigate issues advances.

“I think we’re all going to have to reconcile some of the impacts,” he said. “But, in my mind, it’s not whether this is the right direction, but how to improve it as we move along.”

At what cost

Primergy hopes to have the $400 million solar farm operational by 2025, but it’s going to be a long road before the company starts putting up solar panels. In 2019, La Plata County adopted what’s known as “1041 Powers,” which allows local governments much more oversight of large-scale projects, such as solar farms. Primergy will be the county’s first test with the new regulatory authority.

“The county is a neutral party, first and foremost, but we’re here to uphold the land-use code and leave no stone unturned when we review this project,” Christy Kost, a natural resource planner with the county, said.

Kost said it will take at least six to eight months for an internal review. During that time, the county plans community outreach and involvement. “People are really concerned about their neighborhood; they haven’t been contacted, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” she said.

Part of that process, too, will be scrutinizing the effects of the project. Jon Holst, energy and wildlife senior advisor for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said an oil and gas project of this scale would undergo intense regulation, and the company would have to pay millions of dollars to offset impacts.

The proposed Hesperus Solar Project, for instance, would be right in the middle of critical elk and deer habitat. Primergy, it should be noted, has included a 1,000-footwide corridor bisecting the project for migration, among other measures.

“No one disagrees that climate change is a major concern, and we need renewables on the landscape,” Holst said. “But it would be a shame to make the same mistakes we made with oil and gas. If we’ve covered all the wildlife habitat with solar panels, what have we really done?”

Residents plan to hold a community meeting 5:30 p.m. Tues., Nov. 15, at the Breen Community Building, 15300 CR 140. ■

So what ‘cha want??

Thoughts on what’s missing from Durango’s food scene

by Sinjin Eberle

Over the course of a year writing this monthly column, pretty much any time I think about the Durango restaurant scene, the question, “but what does everyone else think we need?” bounces around in my head. Remember that we started this column to address the statement, “the only good food you can find in Durango is burgers and burritos,” which I strongly disagree with. But I digress, as over the course of researching and experiencing various elements of the foodie side of our little mountain town, I am continually impressed with the innovation, creativity and grit of people striving to make it the best they can.

I was enjoying a craft brew with a buddy of mine at High Trestle Brewing (formerly Chainless Brewing, and before that, Durango Brewing Co.) on North Main, and this came up as part of our conversation. While we bantered back and forth about all the things Durango does have – at least a few sushi options, multiple iterations of fine dining, plenty of Mexican and burrito options, an excellent mid-price Italian option, steakhouses, burgers & beer, and food trucks galore –we leaned into a discussion about what it might be lacking.

Another patron at the bar overheard this, and came over to join the conversation. Let’s call him “John” (as we didn’t catch his actual name) who told us that he had moved to Durango from Chicago a few years ago after he retired. He certainly had some opinions about what Durango needed and was not afraid to tell us what he thought about the important food categories he viewed as problematic right off that bat. His first point was about hot dogs. In Chicago you can get authentic Chicago hot dogs for 99 cents each, but a dog here is 8 bucks! Now I never took the chance to try the Durango Dawg House at College and Main Ave., but from what I saw it was a pretty popular place even though the space was tiny. This past summer, Hot Fire Dogs opened in the same stop where the Dawg House was, beneath the Balcony. Billing itself as “authentic, Chicago-style favorites with a Southwestern touch, it’s definitely something I need to try sooner than later. (Although they also are positioning themselves as a late-night space, being open from 5 p.m. to either 12 midnight or 2 a.m. most days of the week.)

But where we really got rolling was when I asked about pizza, and given that we have several pizza places around town, the only thing we could possibly be missing on the pie side was a deep-dish option like the famous downtown Chicago destination, Gino’s East. The reaction to that suggestion

Durango has a ton of great food options, but it doesn’t hurt asking: What other kinds of restaurants would you like to see?/ File photo

was swift, as I was quickly corrected about my assumption to deep-dish being the problem. “It’s all about the sauce!” John declared, and went on to tell me about the lack of sauce on all the pizzas here. “Everything in Durango is that California style, with a very lean amount of sauce and mostly on thin crust.” He went on to describe how the sauce is sometimes not even real pizza sauce but marinara sauce instead, which is clearly a deep injustice.

Regardless, while that opinion is a sample of one, over the course of working on this column I have asked this broad question to nearly everyone I talk with about the Durango food scene: “What do you think we need?”

I have one friend who tells me at least once or twice a year that we need a highquality tapas place – small dishes that can be shared without being too terribly expensive that are highly varied and creative, while still being refined and at least somewhat exotic. Another friend bemoans the lack of a fundamental “seafood” place. We can point to the demise of the Red Snapper as at least partial evidence that getting seafood into our land-locked community might be expensive and tricky (Pop Sushi, East By Southwest and, to some degree, Primus notwithstanding).

I know I have my own ideas – three of them, in fact.

First and foremost, the place I think is missing is a true, focused wine bar. I fully acknowledge that there are a number of great restaurants with solid wine-by-theglass offerings, led by Primi with Tracy Regan’s background in Italian wines,but also Eolus, Seasons and the Ore House. But I

miss the setting of a simple, elegant wine bar with snacks focused on just wine.

Second, and I am not afraid to admit it, but I miss Cyprus Café, with its Mediterranean-inspired dishes. And finally, while Durango and Southwest Colorado is surrounded by dozens of small farms and ranches, I think there is still an opportunity for a restaurant that is fully focused on expressing our local cuisine through the dedicated sourcing of meat and produce locally, and varying the menu based on what is available the current week or month. If you have ever visited Potager in Denver, you know what I mean – they source most of their food within 100 miles of Denver, change the menu every six weeks or so, and are not beholden to a style of food other than what they can create with what is in season. I get that sourcing and creating based on that model would demand both constant flexibility and creativity for both the culinary team and patrons, but I think it would add an exciting, fluid and locally driven element to our dining community that we just don’t quite have yet.

But more to the question at hand, what do YOU think we need? Where do you see the deficiencies or catch yourself saying “I wish we had an XYZ spot in Durango!” And don’t get me wrong, I love dining in Durango, but as we grow and new ideas come to town, my hope is that we don’t just fall into the same trap as other midsize communities and get bogged down with national chains.

So, where do you think we go from here? Send your ideas to telegraph@duran gotelegraph.com

GossipoftheCyclers Anarchy on wheels

Is the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships the Snowdown of bike races?

by Jennaye Derge

There’s a fun game I play with my friends where they ask me to do something crazy, and I say no, and then they ask me again, and I say yes. And that is exactly how I found myself signing up for this year’s Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships (SSCXWC).

The SSCXWC is an unsanctioned bicycle race with more than 300 riders that takes place once a year somewhere – so far – in North America (mostly U.S., but one in Canada). This year, it is in our little city of Durango, taking place at various locations around town from Thursday to Sunday, with the main racing events up at Durango Mesa Park, aka Ewing Mesa.

Single Speed Cyclocross is a race, sort of. The sport of cyclocross actually started in Europe (so they say) at a time when cyclists wanted to continue racing against their buddies through the winter months. So they rode over snowy and muddy farmlands with their steelframed, rigid bikes. They deemed the experience “fun,” and now, many years – and twists and turns – later, has gone mainstream and is usually the sloppy end cap to a season of bike racing.

Participants in the SSCXWC generally ride their onegeared bikes around a course that has different obstacles and funky features (supposedly mimicking the hilly farmlands of Europe), and they all try to get to the finish line first. It all sounds very race-y, but the SSCXWC is actually bicycle anarchy. Races are mayhem. Riders are costumed and drinking, staying up late and partying, and waking up early and riding bikes.

Dylan Stucki, Durango’s SSCXWC organizer, is the one who brought the race to Durango in the first place. Stucki is a long-time, quintessential bicycling dude who spins circles around us all – literally and figuratively. Three years ago, in Ogden, Utah, Stucki grabbed the rights to host the 2020 (pushed to 2022 because of the pandemic) competition and did so by slurping fry sauce from condoms.

That might sound weird to you – because it is – but for a single-speed competition, it’s all part of the game.

Ever since its inception in 2006 in Portland, SSCXWC (and other single-speed races) have passed the hosting baton from town to town by making the bidders square off in some competition that sometimes has nothing to do with bicycles and usually involves things like consuming fry sauce in condoms. Whatever it is, the winner gets to choose the next location, and Stucki had his eyes on the prize.

“I won by a landslide,” he said. “No one could even keep up. There was no doubt it was coming to Durango.”

After the dark years of the pandemic and two years of self-proclaimed procrastination, Stucki brainstormed, planned and organized the event. He then pulled in a team of helpers, with bribes of beer, to come up with enough weird events to keep all of us – registered riders or not – highly entertained for three days.

The tomfoolery begins Thursday by weeding out some of the 250 registered male racers. Obviously, this can’t be done simply by pulling names from a hat, or even a race

around the course. That would not be up to SSCXWC snuff.

Instead, the first round of knock-out qualifiers will include roller races at The Garage, which “might be” modeled off the All American Beer Mile, where participants have to eat a hot dog, sprint a mile (on your bike on rollers), and then chug a beer.

There are more qualifiers that continue through Friday, putting riders through “feats of strength,” aka more eating and drinking contests, but with the power of athleticism: chug a beer, do 50 pushups, then chug another beer, in under a minute. There will be barrel racing, tug-of-war, bike limbo and a few other events that will test both self-proclaimed drinkers and elite athletes alike. This might actually be the hardest part of this race in particular: finding the balance.

“There’s this weird convergence of racing and partying, and it all comes together at Single Speed Cyclocross World Champs,” Stucki said.

Stucki knows pro cyclists are trying to balance out the party shenanigans with the racing aspect, but he said “participating in everything is almost more important than actually winning.”

Even though the qualifiers on Thursday and Friday are meant for men, the buffoonery is also open to the female and non-binary categories. This year’s non-binary

category is a first for SSCXWC and will hopefully be a beacon for other sanctioned and unsanctioned events in the future. There are other races in the industry with nonbinary categories, but they usually have mass-starts, whereas this one will have different race times for different category groups.

“We wanted to be part of moving the needle forward for people who are interested in participating in the sport,” Stucki said. “We want people to feel comfortable in whatever category they’re racing in. We have a men’s champion, we have a women’s champion, why can’t we have a non-binary champion?”

The winner of the final race, which is taking place on Saturday, gets tattooed at the after party that night at Ska Brewing by local tattoo artist Roger Seliner. If the winner doesn’t want the tattoo? Well, then the winner doesn’t win the race. Which has happened, Stucki said.

While registration is now closed, everyone still has a chance to attend all four days. Most of the events are open to the public, but the main event for spectators, Stucki said, will be Saturday, including folks on bikes dressed up in costumes, riding around through sloppy, steep, wet and historically fiery obstacles. And yours truly. Face down in the mud probably thinking that I’m so glad I said yes instead of no. More info and schedule of events: sscxwc20dgo.com/

A participant in the 2016 SSCXWC in Portland, Ore., gets his thigh-highs muddy. Not for the weak or timid, this year’s event comes to town this weekend, with racing Saturday at Durango Mesa Park and antics in and around town the rest of the time./ Courtesy photo

Stuff to Do

Thursday10

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle & The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Bingo Night, 5 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Be Local Coupon Book launch party, 5:30 p.m., Union Social House.

Living Rural on the West Side: An Open House for Community Connections, 5:30 p.m., Breen Community Building, 15300 Highway 140.

Author Talk & Book Signing: Andrew Gulliford, 6 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

Robin Davis plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio.

DHS Troupe 1096 presents “Anastasia,” 7 p.m., Durango High School Auditorium.

Friday11

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Jack Ellis & Larry Carver play, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Ska/Venture Season Kickoff, live music by Little Wilderness, 6 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.

featuring local historians Charles DiFerdinando and Susan Jones on the history of the Rio Grande Southern railroad, 1 p.m., register at animasmuseum.org/events.html

DHS Troupe 1096 presents “Anastasia,” showings at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Durango High School.

American Business Man & Acid Wrench play, 5 p.m., Anarchy Brewing, 225 E. 8th Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Clear Spring Jazz Trio plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.

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

Dustin Burley plays, 6-9 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

Merely Players present “The Half-Life of Marie Curie,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.

“Danny and the Deep Blue Sea,” 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships After Party, featuring music by DJ III Beats, Acid Wrench, American Business Man and Illegal Aliens, 7-11 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.

Deadline for “Stuff to Do” submissions is Monday at noon. To submit an item, email: calendar@durangotelegraph.com

Andrew Schuhmann plays, 6-9 p.m., 11th Street Station.

Agave plays, 6 p.m., Fenceline Cider, Mancos.

Ben Gibson Duo plays, 6-9 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

DHS Troupe 1096 presents “Anastasia,” 7 p.m., Durango High School Auditorium.

Merely Players present “The Half-Life of Marie Curie,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.

Rochelle Mann (flute) & Anne Eisfeller (harp) play, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 419 San Juan Dr.

“Danny and the Deep Blue Sea,” 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Vinyl Lust Band plays, 9:30 p.m., El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave.

Saturday12

What a Girl Wants Expo, 10 a.m., FLC Student Union Ballroom.

BBQ & Cornhole Tournament, 11 a.m., Durango Harley-Davidson, 750 South Camino del Rio.

Animas Museum’s Second Saturday Seminar,

Capitol Comedy, 7:30 p.m., FLC’s Community Concert Hall.

Silent Disco, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m., 11th Street Station.

Sunday13

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

Merely Players present “The Half-Life of Marie Curie,” 2 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.

“Danny and the Deep Blue Sea,” 2 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Open Mic, 2 p.m., Mancos Brewing.

String Chamber Orchestra & String Chamber Ensemble Concert, 3 p.m., FLC Community Concert Hall.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Monday14

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

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

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

Comedy Open Mic, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Tuesday15

Visiting Artist Talk: Gregg Deal, 1-2 p.m., FLC’s Center of Southwest Studies.

Four Corners Record Swap, 4-7 p.m., Ska Brewing Co., 225 Girard St. Buy, sell or trade records, local musician Rob Webster DJ-ing.

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Author Talk & Book Signing: Jonathan Thompson, 6 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

Open Mic Night, weekly 7:30-9:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Comedy Open Mic, weekly, 9 p.m., 11th St. Station.

Wednesday16

Live music, 5 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

Live music, 5 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave.

Author Talk & Book Signing: Craig Childs, 6 p.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

Durango Bird Club presentation, featuring “American Dipper Project – Animas River and other streams in Southwest Colorado,” 6 p.m., FLC’s Education Business Hall, Room 56.

Trivia Night, 6 p.m., Zia’s North, 2911 Main Ave.

Transgender Day of Remembrance, featuring speakers and a vigil for those lost, doors at 6 p.m., service at 6:30 p.m., FLC’s Student Union Ballroom.

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

Ongoing

Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships, Nov. 10-13, for full lineup of events, visit sscxwc20dgo.com

“Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure! And Creature Power!” hands on STEM exhibits for children ages 3 to 9, runs until Jan. 7, Farmington Museum, 3041 E. Main.

The Hive Indoor Skate Park, open skate and skate lessons. For schedule and online waiver, go to www.thehivedgo.org

Fish feed, pink slips and COVID cop out

Interesting fact: I guess you should feed an aquarium of fish whatever they will eat in about 2-3 minutes. Then try not to get anxious about your own pace of eating.

Dear Rachel,

My roommate just got fish, which means I just got fish. Starting small, thank god. Just one tank, maybe 10 or 20 gallons. It’s become my job to feed them in the mornings. But neither of us know how much to feed fish. Will they overeat and pop? If they die of malnutrition, can my roomie pin it on an insufficient breakfast? I didn’t sign up for this, but such is the burden of splitting rent. Any help is appreciated.

– Go

Fish

front-of-house are getting scrutinized. Am I better off jumping ship now, before getting axed? Or do I tough it out, see if I’m one of the chosen ones, and draw unemployment if I’m, ahem, released?

–

Feeling the Heat

Dear Hot Plate, Don’t think of it as getting, ahem, released. Think of it as getting promoted to customer. You’ll just get to pay for your own drinks now! No more asking the kitchen to make you some fries for you to eat while crouched down behind the register where patrons can’t see you! And maybe you can finally enjoy a hot meal and sleep during normal nighttime hours. You might find that getting unemployed (with or without unemployment) is the best thing that ever happened to you.

Dear Out to Sea,

I looked up the right amount to feed your aquarium fish. And the answer is: don’t overfeed them. Seriously, that’s about all the help I found out there. Too much food is very, very bad for the water and the fish. Too little food? Well, I guess that’s not really a concern? Or maybe the fish just eat each other, until the last one eats itself, and then it’s not your problem anymore.

– Hook line and sinker, Rachel

Dear Rachel,

I’m getting rumblings of massive turnover at my job. You know, lots of talk about new directions, fresh energy and people back-of-house have been slowly disappearing, and people

Upcoming

Merely Players present “The HalfLife of Marie Curie,” Nov. 17-19 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 2 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.

Noodle plays, Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

‘90s Video Music Dance Party, Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Methodist Holiday Bazaar, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive.

Holiday Artisans Bazaar, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Strater Hotel’s Oak Room, 699 Main Ave.

Bayfield Farmer’s Holiday Market, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 480 Wolverine Dr.

High Altitude Blues play, Nov. 19, 6-9 p.m., Weminuche Woodfire Grill, Vallecito.

24 Hour Theatre, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. & Nov. 20 at 2 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

–

Supersized, Rachel

Dear Rachel, Ugh, why is Covid surging again? I finally fell to the `rona, and not getting any clear guidance here, except from every friend who’s still an expert. CDC says isolate through five days, unless you need to isolate through 10. What if you’re still testing positive after 10, like I am? Eh, wear a mask, maybe? Don’t lick the communal lollipop? How’s a girl supposed to know what’s OK and what’s not in a world that has moved on from worrying about it? Should I just move on, too?

– Leper Colony of One

Dear Plague-Ridden, I’m so glad you turned to me, your local infectious disease expert. I’d say you’re probably fine, unless you’re still feeling sick, in which case you might be not fine. I tested positive for so long that when I recently saw a TV show with a pregnancy test, I genuinely thought the woman was sick. Which leads me to suggest taking the fish-feeding approach here: Don’t get too much Covid.

– Where have you gone, Anthony Fauci, Rachel

Leviathan Ave, Eyes of a Killer & Anarchy Hammer (metal show) plays, Nov. 19, 8 p.m., The Hive, 1150 Main Ave.

Def-I’s Birthday Party & Showcase “Native Heritage Day,” Nov. 25, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre.

Mancos Art Market, Nov. 27, 11 a.m.4 p.m., downtown Mancos.

Festival of Trees, Dec. 2-4, 12 noon-5 p.m., D&SNG museum, downtown Durango. Trees22.GiveSmart.com

Mike Green plays, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

Silent Sundays with Swanson, Dec. 4, 2 p.m., pianist Adam Swanson plays alongside silent film showings, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.

Artist Reception: Gregg Deal, Dec. 8, 4:30-6 p.m., FLC’s Art Gallery.

Sing-a-Long Sound of Music, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

Ninii’s Man n go Haabaañero o Saalssaa:

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

When you Aries people are at your best, you are driven by impeccable integrity as you translate high ideals into practical action. You push on with tireless force to get what you want, and what you want is often good for others, too. You have a strong sense of what it means to be vividly alive, and you stimulate a similar awareness in the people whose lives you touch. Are you always at your best? Of course not. No one is. But according to my analysis of upcoming astrological omens, you now have extra potential to live up to the elevated standards I described. I hope you will take full advantage.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

In my experience, you Tauruses often have more help available than you realize. You underestimate your power to call on support, and as a result, don’t call on it enough. It may even be the case that the possible help gets weary of waiting for you to summon it, and basically goes into hiding or fades away. But let’s say that you, the lucky person reading this horoscope, get inspired by my words. Maybe you will respond by becoming more forceful about recognizing and claiming your potential blessings. I hope so! In my astrological opinion, now is a favorable time for you to go in quest of all the help you could possibly want. (PS: Where might the help come from? Sources you don’t expect, perhaps, but also familiar influences that expand beyond their previous dispensations.)

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

Sometimes, life compels us to change. It brings us some shock that forces us to adjust. On other occasions, life doesn’t pressure us to make any shifts, but we nevertheless feel drawn to initiating a change. My guess is that you are now experiencing the latter. There’s no acute discomfort pushing you to revise your rhythm. You could probably continue with the status quo for a while. And yet, you may sense a growing curiosity about how your life could be different. The possibility of instigating a transformation intrigues you. I suggest you trust this intuition. If you do, the coming weeks will bring you greater clarity about how to proceed.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):

“We suffer more often in imagination than in reality,” wrote ancient Roman philosopher Seneca. That’s certainly true about me. If all the terrible things I have worried about had actually come to pass, I would be unable to function. Luckily, most of my fears have remained mere fantasies. What about you, fellow Cancerian? The good news is that in the coming months, we Crabs will have unprecedented power to tamp down and dissipate

the phantasms that rouse anxiety and alarm. I predict that as a result, we will suffer less from imaginary problems than we ever have before. How’s that for a spectacular prophecy?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Poet Matt Michael writes, “Sure, the way trees talk is poetry. The shape of the moon is poetry. But a hot dog is also poetry. LeBron James’ tomahawk dunk over Kevin Garnett in the 2008 NBA Playoffs is poetry. That pothole I always fail to miss on Parkman Road is poetry, too.” In accordance with current astrological omens, Leo. I’d love for you to adopt Michael’s approach. The coming days will be a favorable time to expand your ideas about what’s lyrical, beautiful, holy and meaningful. Be alert for a stream of omens that will offer you help and inspiration. The world has subtle miracles to show you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo author Michael Ondaatje was born in Sri Lanka, but as a child moved to England and later to Canada. His novel “Running in the Family” describes his experiences upon returning to his native Sri Lanka as an adult. Among the most delightful: the deluge of novel sensory sensations. On some days, he would spend hours simply smelling things. In accordance with current astrological omens, I recommend you treat yourself to comparable experiences, Virgo. Maybe you could devote an hour today to mindfully inhaling various aromas. Tomorrow, meditate on the touch of lush textures. On the next day, bathe yourself in sounds that fill you with rich and interesting feelings. By feeding your senses like this, you will give yourself an extra deep blessing that will literally boost your intelligence.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

You evolved Libras understand what’s fair and just. That’s one of your potencies, and it provides a fine service for you and your allies. You use it to glean objective truths that are often more valuable than everyone’s subjective opinions. You can be a stirring mediator as you deploy your knack for impartiality and evenhandedness. I hope these talents of yours will be in vivid action during the coming weeks. We non-Libras need extra-strong doses of this stuff.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Here are tips on how to get the most out of the next three weeks: 1. Be a master of simmering, ruminating, marinating, steeping, fermenting and effervescing. 2. Summon intense streams of self-forgiveness for any past event that still haunts you. 3. Tap into your forbidden thoughts so they might heal you. Discover what you’re hiding from yourself so it can guide you. Ask yourself prying questions. 4. Make sure your zeal always synergizes your allies’ energy,

and never steals it. 5. Regularly empty your metaphorical trash so you have enough room inside you to gleefully breathe the sweet air and exult in the earth’s beauty.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “I straddle reality and the imagination,” says Sagittarian singer-songwriter Tom Waits. “My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane.” I think that’s great counsel for you to emphasize in the coming weeks. Your reality needs a big influx of energy from your imagination, and your imagination needs to be extra well-grounded in reality. Call on both influences with maximum intensity!

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Sometimes, Capricorn, you appear to be so calm, secure and capable that people get a bit awed, even worshipful. They may even get caught up in trying to please you. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily – as long as you don’t exploit and manipulate those people. It might even be a good thing in the coming weeks, since you and your gang have a chance to accomplish big improvements in your shared resources and environment. It would take an extra push from everyone, though. I suspect you’re the leader who is best able to incite and orchestrate the extra effort.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you have been posing as a normal person for too long, I hope you will create fresh outlets for your true weird self in the weeks ahead. What might that entail? I’ll throw out a couple of ideas. You could welcome back your imaginary friends and give them new names like Raw Goodness and Spiral Trickster. You might wear fake vampire teeth during a committee meeting or pray to the Flying Spaghetti Monster to send you paranormal adventures. What other ideas can you imagine about how to have way too much fun as you draw more intensely on your core eccentricities?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I suspect you will have metaphorical resemblances to a duck in the coming weeks: an amazingly adaptable creature equally at home on land, in the water and in the air. You will feel comfortable anywhere you choose to wander. And I’m guessing you will want to wander farther and wider than you usually do. Here’s another quality that you and ducks will share: You’ll feel perfectly yourself, relaxed and confident, no matter what the weather is. Whether it’s cloudy or shiny, rainy or misty, mild or frigid, you will not only be unflappable – you will thrive on the variety. Like a duck, Pisces, you may not attract a lot of attention. But I bet you will enjoy the hell out of your life exactly as it is.

classifieds

Deadline for Telegraph classified ads is Tuesday at noon. Ads are a bargain at 10 cents a character with a $5 minimum. Even better, ads can now be placed online: durangotelegraph.com. Prepayment is required via cash, credit card or check. (Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.) Ads can be submitted via: n www.durangotelegraph.com n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133 n 679 E. 2nd Ave., #E2

Approximate office hours:

Mon: 9ish - 5ish

Tues: 9ish - 5ish

Wed: 9ish - 3ish Thurs: On delivery Fri: Gone fishing; call first

Announcements

Methodist Holiday Bazaar, Sat., Nov. 19, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive.

Classes/Workshops

Tax 101 Presentation

Tax 101 Free Presentation Presented by Colorado Legal Services Tuesday, November 15th from 5:30 – 7 pm via Zoom. Come learn more about deductions and credits you may be eligible to claim and how to prepare for the upcoming tax season. This presentation is not meant to be tax planning advice. Please call 385-7378 ext 251 for details on how to attend or visit www.durangovap.com/events.

Improve Your Handwriting!

Write like an architect. Improve your cursive. Go big and write on walls or go small for map making. 3-week class. Email: heather@letslettertogether.com to reserve your spot!

CommercialforRent

Community Wellness Center

Integrated clinic seeks licensed, insured professionals to rent private offices, shared reception. $950 incl all util 970247-1233

Warehouse/Workshop Space!!

1800 sq. ft +/- near Oxbow. Call or text 970-946-4343.

ForSale

2013 Tacoma - Low Mileage

$26,400 obo. V6. Black. Six speed manual transmission. 4X4 towing capacity. Access cab with cargo seats. Full size 6.4’x5.4’ bed. Aluminum alloy wheels. Steering wheel controls. Rear camera video. 115K miles. 970-247-1233

1990 Toyota 4 Runner for Sale

1990 Toyota 4 Runner, 3.0-liter V6, 5speed manual transmission, 4-wheel drive, 325,400 miles. Original owner all maintenance records. $2100 770-5474528

Kawai QX100 electronic keyboard

Your dad was wrong – you can still make it as a musician. Kawai QX100 electronic keyboard for $100 OBO. Comes with owner’s manual, no adaptor. Can be used with AC adaptor or six size C dry cell batteries. j.marie.pace@gmail.com

Gordon Smith FibreFlex Longboard

A classic – sweet, smooth ride for cushy cruising. Been around the block but still in great shape. 42” long. $50 Text: 970-749-2595.

Vassago Jabberwocky Singlespeed

17” steel frame, black, hardtail, front Fox 32” fork. Set up for tubeless, decent rubber. Super fun, light and zippy bike –great for in-town rides, Phil’s and more. $750 Text: 970-749-2595.

GoPro Camera

Hero 5. A few years old but only used once or twice and otherwise just sat in a drawer. It is deserving of a more exciting owner! $150 OBO. Text 970-749-2595

Reruns Home Furnishings

Warm up your space with quality preowned furniture, décor and art. Coffee tables, dressers, MCM items, great kitchenware selection, ever-changing inventory … 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.Sat. 385-7336.

Wanted

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

Services

Marketing Small, Local Businesses

Media, website building and content editing, copywriting and editing, newsletters, blogs, etc. for small, local, independent or startup businesses. www.forward pedal.com or email jnderge@gmail.com

Harmony Cleaning and Organizing

Residential, offices, commercial and vacation rentals, 970-403-6192.

Rustic Creations Metal Yard Art

Rustic Creations is your friendly local source for unique and fun metal yard art, home décor, customized signs, more. Location 2405 W Aztec BLVD. Aztec NM 87410. PH: 505-330-2460.

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

Mtn Medicine Acupuncture Bonds

Holiday wellness gifts to yourself, friends, employees or underserved locals in need. 5 sessions for $350; 10 sessions for $600; 20 for $1100. 970-247-1233

In-Home Fitness Training Free Consultation. Diane Brady NSCACPT. 970-903-2421.

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.

Massage by Meg Bush

LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199.

CommunityService

Durango PlayFest Seeks Submissions

by Dec. 1 for its fifth annual festival, June 28-July 2, 2023. Prior playwriting experience not required. Selected playwright will collaborate with local director and actors to develop the work for a staged reading. Plays should be 60-90 pages, with up to four characters. Playwrights must reside within daily driving distance of Durango to attend rehearsals

HaikuMovieReview

Worry Darling’

in June. Submit plays in a Word doc or PDF to durangoplayfest@gmail.com with “play” in the subject line. For more info, visit durangoplayfest.org.

Volunteer Advocates Needed

Do you want to make a difference in your community and the lives of others? Alternative Horizons is always in need of volunteers to staff our hotline. AH supports and empowers survivors of domestic violence. Training and ongoing support provided. For more information call the office at 970-247-4374 or visit our alternativehorizons.org

Volunteers Needed for SJMA’s Christmas Tree Lot

Cut, carry, net and haul white fir for our Christmas tree lot, Sat., Nov 19, Junction Creek Road. Volunteers also needed to assist on the tree lot at the D&SNG parking lot. Tree lot opens Fri., Nov. 25, and will be open daily until the trees sell out. www.sjma.org/

Home to Home™ helps pets find new homes

The Farmington Animal Shelter has added a new tool to help Four Corners pet owners who can no longer keep their pets the opportunity to find new, loving homes without having to surrender them to the shelter. Pets can go from one home to another, which means less stress for animals and humans. In addition, this offers potential new owners the opportunity to communicate directly with the current owners, providing firsthand information about the animals. In addition to rehoming, the Home to Home™ foster network connects pet owners who are seeking temporary housing for their pet with people who can open up their homes and hearts to provide short-term care. Home To Home™ is a national program that is used among shelters and rescues across the United States. For info, go to homehome.org/shelter/ fmtnanimalshelter or call 505-599-1098.

‘Don’t

I am a little worried because Florence Pugh kind of looks like me

– Lainie Maxson