Durango Telegraph - April 19, 2018

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telegraph

lineup

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4 La Vida Local

Speaking to power LPEA hopefuls weigh in on Tri-State contract, renewable goals

4 Thumbin’ It 5 Word on the Street

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6 Retooned

Clearing the smoke Tasting rooms, less federal oversight and safety all on the cannabis horizon

by Tracy Chamberlin

Ear to the ground: “I feel like a cat in a family of dogs.”

– Local “indoor kid” remarking on the fate of being born into an outdoors family

The virtual tourist

thepole

RegularOccurrences

Mesa Verde has gone virtual. Internet juggernaut Google announced this week it is featuring the nearby national park on Google Arts & Culture. Mesa Verde, along with 26 other world heritage sites, is part of Google’s new “Open Heritage” project, which is dedicated to calling attention to the plight of these sites, which are threatened by everything from natural disasters and war to urban sprawl and even tourism itself.

6-7 Soapbox 11 Mountain Town News

12-13

12-13 Day in the Life

Strung out

With a little wine and ukulele, you, too, can escape to the islands photos by Jennaye Derge

16 Flash in the Pan 17 Top Shelf

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18-20 On the Town

Green goddess Local engineer, writer takes guesswork out of sustainable building

by Joy Martin

20 Ask Rachel 21 Free Will Astrology

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22-23 Classifieds

Start your banjos

The who, what, where and when of Meltdown weekend

by Chris Aaland

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EDITORIALISTA: Missy Votel (missy@durangotelegraph.com) ADVERTISING AFICIONADO: Lainie Maxson (lainie@durangotelegraph.com) RESIDENT FORMULA ONE FAN: Tracy Chamberlin (tracy@durangotelegraph.com)

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

23 Haiku Movie Review STAR-STUDDED CAST: Lainie Maxson, Shan Wells, Chris Aaland, Clint Reid, Jennaye Derge, Jesse Anderson, Allen Best, Luke Mehall, Tracy Chamberlin and Joy Martin VIRTUAL ADDRESS: www.durangotelegraph.com

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

REAL WORLD ADDRESS: 777 Main Ave., #214 Durango, CO 81301

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

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,” we can be plied with schwag, booze and flattery.

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The project was launched this week in honor of World Heritage Day, which was Wed., April 18.

Out of the 27 total sites chosen, Mesa Verde was one of only four in the United States. The others included the Lincoln Memorial, San Antonio Missions and Taos Pueblo.

The feature on Mesa Verde includes 3-D and 360-degree views of the Balcony House, one of the park’s biggest attractions, taken in February 2017.

For the project, Google has teamed up with CyArk, an Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit that digitally records, archives and shares cultural heritage sites of the world. The organization also helps by providing drawings and detailed maps to assist in conservation and management of these sites. At Mesa Verde, CyArk used high-resolution photography to help park managers deal with a worrisome crack in the Balcony House ceiling.

CyArk was founded 15 years ago by Ben Kacyra, who was compelled to action after watching as the Taliban toppled 1,500-year-old Buddhist statues in Afghanistan. Kacyra, who is also one of the creators of the world’s first 3-D laser scanning system, realized his technology could be used to record endangered monuments so their memory is preserved.

CyArk also documented the ancient temples of Bagan, Myanmar, prior to a devastating 2016 earthquake as well as the Al Azem Palace in war-torn Syria and the ancient Mayan metropolis of Chichen Itza in Mexico. To check these out, visit artsandculture.google.com/project/cyark.

Get ripped The latest indoor fitness craze is coming to Durango. This weekend, the Rec Center will hold TRX Rip Trainer workshops from 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday ($10 fee.)

Short for “Total Resistance eXercise,” TRX got its start with the Navy SEALs. The ceiling- or wallmounted cord system promises to deliver the elusive “whole body workout” of strength, power, flexibility, endurance and max calorie burning.

The Rip Trainer workshops will consist of fastpaced repetitions followed by short rests, in case you’re not quite up to SEAL standards yet.

April 19, 2018 n

3

opinion

LaVidaLocal The King of love The beginning of this month marked a somber anniversary of one of the most tragic days in the history of our country: 50 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered.

I was still 10 years away from being born into this world when King was killed.

The more I learn about King and the Civil Rights movement, the more I understand his importance to the United States, and the world. Who knows what that man could have helped us achieve had he lived?

I could try and tackle that question here, but I don’t feel equipped to do so, nor do I have the space in one mere page. What I think I can do is reflect on The King of Love; how he’s impacted my psyche, my soul, and my philosophies; and most importantly, how he’ll impact my future actions.

For the last year or so I’ve been rereading King’s autobiography. Despite the fact that I’m an active writer, I’m a lazy reader, or more correctly I’m just not a voracious reader. I wish I was but after a day of work that includes a lot of writing and editing, Netflix usually wins the battle vs. a paperback.

So that’s part of the reason it’s taken me so long to read the book, but it’s already given me plenty to reflect upon.

Plus in this Trump era, I feel it’s important to look back at American history.

The purpose of this piece is not the big picture, but rather something smaller, more internal. I guess it all starts with my childhood. Growing up in “The North” in Illinois, King was always presented as a hero, a man whom we should all aspire to be like. His words, “judging someone by the content of their character not the color of their skin,” echo in my mind when I try to recall how King was presented to us in junior high.

In college, I started to read King’s writings more, and only then did I truly understand who he really was, and what his legacy was. I’m still returning to his work and his wisdom, and I think I always will. If I had to pick one hero it would be King.

Part of me wishes that I had faith like he had. I was raised Catholic, but Christianity never quite made sense to me, it never spoke to me. I’ve always had some sense of spirituality though, and I’ve accepted that the big questions are ones that I don’t necessarily have answers to. Even so, I know I can put some faith in King, that we must follow our moral compass and be willing to invest our time and energy into what is morally right.

I am 39 now – the same age King was when he was killed. I’ve always thought of

King as a wise old man. But now that I’ve hit 39, I realize that he was in fact young, although his soul was old. I like to think that my important work for the world is just getting started, although if I could accomplish .001 percent of what King did, I would be happy. As a writer, I just want to inspire people, to tell some stories of low times and high times, and maybe even write poetry and prose that delivers some moments of magic and love into someone’s day.

Something that feels overlooked in the MLK narrative is how often he was locked up in jail, and how important it was for him to go to jail to show the conviction of what he believed was right. So many of us today are opposed to what has become the movement of Trump, but how many of us are willing to go to jail to show that conviction? I don’t know if I am.

King was an effective organizer who learned from his and others mistakes. He understood the importance of knowing where the votes and support were for his cause. He knew the principles of what our nation was founded upon, even if we still today aren’t living up to them. He knew we could do better, and I think he knew it might take a long time to get to the mountaintop.

With the midterms coming up in November, and Trump seemingly in constant turmoil, it appears the nation might turn the tide again. I have a lot of faith in this younger generation and believe that non-violent revolution can still move mountains. I’ve accepted my small-ness while realizing my morals and convictions align with the majority of this country. King played a major part in shaping America as are today, warts and all.

When one studies the life of Martin Luther King Jr., it’s not hard to see that he knew what his fate was going to be. It’s the tragedy of human existence that we murder the leaders we need the most. Fifty years after his death, his life, words and actions are more relevant than ever.

On that note, I’d like to close this with a passage from his autobiography, speaking of his own hero Mahatma Gandhi: “The man who shot Gandhi only shot him into the hearts of humanity. Just as when Abraham Lincoln was shot, mark you for the same reason Mahatma Gandhi was shot – that is, the attempt to heal the wounds of a divided nation – when Abraham Lincoln was shot, Secretary Stanton stood by and said, ‘Now he belongs to the ages.’ The same thing could be said about Mahatma Gandhi now: He belongs to the ages.”

– Luke Mehall Luke Mehall is the publisher of The Climbing Zine and the author of American Climber. More of his work can be read at lukemehall.com and climbingzine.com.

This Week’s Sign of the Downfall:

Thumbin’It Good news for trail enthusiasts and the area’s economy, with 25 more miles of trails planned over the next few years for the Boggy Draw area near Dolores The “accidental discovery” of a mutant enzyme that eats plastic, potentially offering a solution to the world’s colossal plastics addiction Purgatory offering free skiing on the Six-Pack for its final weekend of the season as a way of saying thanks to the local community

4 n April 19, 2018

More financial woes for Fort Lewis College, with $4.16 million in budget cuts and numerous layoffs in the face of declining enrollment The transient New Jersey man who was arrested last week on suspicion of trying to blow up the Durango Wal-Mart Generation Why? The continued and abysmal disconnect among cops when it comes to racial profiling, with the recent Starbuck’s bathroom debacle and the shooting death of an unarmed black man at a California Wal-Mart

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A recent study proved that people under thirty-five have become “scared of touching raw meat,” which is typical millennial nonsense if you think about it (like avocado toast). So, a grocery company named Sainsbury’s is introducing “touch-free chicken” on May 3rd that comes in a special plastic bag that you “rip and tip” to put the chicken into the frying pan. Of course, this is pretty much like everything else that’s already out there, and completely pointless, thanks to “gloves.”

WordontheStreet

Q

With tax season behind (most) of us, the Telegraph asked, “What are you going to do with your refund?”

• A trip for two to Telluride with 2 nights lodging at Mountain Lodge + $100 cash Jennifer Meserve

“Contributing to our daughter’s college tuition.”

• $150 water pipe from Cloud 9 • $50 gift certificate for Durango Dawg house

• $10 grams 34% Sour Tangie • $10 grams of Beef • $35 quarter oz joints • $20 grams of concentrate Steve Vacca

“We owe it this year, so we’re paying for Trump’s next haircut.”

Open 9 a.m. - 9:50 p.m. Every Day 145 E. College Dr., #3 • 970-764-4087 • Downtown - a block from the train Rich Meserve

“I’m currently drinking it.”

Sue Vacca

“Donating it to Puerto Rico so they have electricity.”

George Bangs

“Starting my campaign for mayor.”

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April 19, 2018 n 5

SoapBox

ReTooned/by Shan Wells

Wheeler checks all the boxes To the editor, LPEA Board election time has come around again, and I am supporting Tim Wheeler in the approaching election. The electricity market is changing quickly, and the next few years will take thoughtful and experienced leaders to ensure LPEA success in meeting these profound changes.

Tim Wheeler comes with a strong technology background having been both an engineer and manager for over 17 years in the computer industry. He is also a successful local business owner and has been a community leader for the 24 years he has lived in La Plata County.

The LPEA elections typically have low turnout, so every vote counts. I urge you to vote when ballots arrive around April 18. Tim’s experience and background make him the most qualified candidate, and I urge LPEA District 4 members to vote for Tim Wheeler!

– James Cunningham, Durango

A vote that supported lower rates To the editor, As LPEA’s director appointed to serve on Tri-State’s board, a frequent question I receive is, “Why did you vote to keep the Tri-State 5 percent self-generation provision and not increase it?”

My vote supported lower rates and ensured further discussion. My vote wasn’t against renewables or LPEA generating power locally. Both LPEA and Tri-State support renewables. Tri-State added 477 megawatts of renewables over the past 10 years.

Tri-State was among the first G&Ts to support member self-generation. In 2000, Tri-State was projected to be short on generation, and members wanted to self-4

6 n April 19, 2018

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generate with renewables. Tri-State’s board implemented a contract provision for member self-generation up to 5 percent at an incentivized rate, which was a lower cost than building additional generation.

My vote protected LPEA members from higher electric bills. Today, Tri-State has sufficient generation, so any increase in the 5 percent provision would also increase TriState’s per unit fixed cost and raise rates for LPEA. Since the majority of LPEA’s local renewable projects are owned by for-profit companies, an increase would benefit developers at the expense of LPEA members.

Can we still expand local renewables? Yes! The TriState Board developed a policy to purchase power directly from local projects. This policy has no limit and is not incentivized by Tri-State. With solar and wind prices falling and increasingly reliable energy storage, these opportunities are attractive.

Throughout the review of the 5 percent, I strongly voiced the LPEA Board’s concerns to the other Tri-State members and inserted a provision that this important discussion be continued.

– Kohler McInnis, incumbent candidate, LPEA District 2

Bassett lighting a path to change To the editor, Ballots for the La Plata Electric Association election were mailed out the week of April 17. If you live in town (LPEA District 3) please vote to re-elect Britt Bassett, who has ably represented us for the last six years. We need to encourage LPEA to move away from power generated by dirty coal plants – a majority of the production of Tri-State – and toward natural gas and renewables that will keep our air clean. The cost of coal is no longer less than solar or wind, so if LPEA wishes to abide by its mission to “provide reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost” it has some changes to make. Please join me in supporting Britt Bassett for LPEA. – Liz Blair, Durango

Lost history of the Animas River To the Editor I look forward to reading Jonathan Thompson’s new book River of Lost Souls, about the Gold King Mine disaster.

The popular myth is that the river was named after members of a party of Spanish explorers who drowned while attempting to cross the river near here. Eleven years before Franciscan friars Escalante and Dominguez explored this area, Juan Maria Antonio Rivera crossed the Animas River and likely camped in the vicinity of present day Walmart and Home Depot. In his journal entry of July 4, 1765, Rivera actually named our river the Rio De Las Animas, the River of Souls. The bridge near Home Depot was named Rivera Crossing in 2004, in his honor.

It’s interesting to know that there is actually another Animas City an even another Purgatory, in this case, a river named the Purgatoire. These are located in southeast Colorado, in present day Bent County.

So why the persistent “River of Lost Souls” legend? According to historian David Lavender, “The myth (or fact if you will) that created the name is older than the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock.” Lavender then states that an exploration party was sent out of Mexico to the area (of present day southeast Colorado,) around 1594 to suppress the Indians. When they judged their mission completed, their interests turned to pursuing the explorer Coronado’s fruitless search for the fabled Quivara. They disobeyed orders to return, quarreled among themselves, and their numbers diminished, were set upon by the Indians. Years later, their rusted arms were discovered by a “roaming party of explorers” near a river. This band of explorers named the river the “Rio de Las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio,” the River of Lost Souls in Purgatory, which survives today as the Purgatoire.

How did this story become transferred to our local Animas River? Could it have been a miner or trapper, someone who traveled here from the eastern part of the territory? The source of how this came to be may be lost

to history. Whatever the reason, the misnomer persists today. River of Lost Souls is colorful and romantic, but in reality the name of the river that runs through our peaceful burg is the Rio de Las Animas, the River of Souls.

– Elwin Johnston, Durango

Coal’s rapid economic decline

To the editor, Hundreds of coal plants are being shut down across the country – not only older plants due to inefficiency, but fully functional plants. The rise of natural gas 10 years ago, and of cheap wind energy in recent years, quickly eroded coal’s once-dominant position in U.S. baseload power supply from 50 percent to 30 percent. Investors will no longer invest in new coal projects, period.

Many major insurance companies, like Lloyd’s of London, refuse to insure coal-related ventures. Coal’s days are clearly numbered, and short.

These events came more quickly than many predicted 10 years ago. Lack of foresight is why our local electric coop, La Plata Electric Association, failed to sidestep a costly mistake in 2007, extending the contract that now binds us – until 2050 – to a dying technology. Or why LPEA’s electricity provider, Tri-State, didn’t divest years ago of its huge, financially imperiled coal holdings. Onlookers are reminded of the sinking feeling in “Titanic.”

But coal’s demise was clear to those who cared to look.

The fact that Tri-State sought extensions to new contracts clearly suggests that it was seeking to hedge against coming financial instability.

There’s no use blaming local board members who signed the extension. But it’s time to pull our heads out of the sand – the world is changing, and quickly. We need board directors who are willing to do the homework and make decisions. Mannix, Wheeler, Skeehan and Bassett are all experienced community leaders, ready to go to bat for us.

– Eric Van Geet, Durango

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April 19, 2018 n 7

LocalNews

Power play: LPEA candidates buzz in

by Tracy Chamberlin

F

or the past year, the hot topic at La Plata Electric Association has been renewable energy and the co-op’s contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission, its wholesale energy provider.

Some co-op directors want more locally produced, renewable energy and see this as a way to part with Tri-State – which means a buyout of the contract between LPEA and Tri-State. Others question a buyout, asking if it’s the best way to lead the charge toward local renewables or simply a risky gamble with members’ money.

Like any issue of politics and policy, everyone has a different take on the road ahead. With four seats on LPEA’s Board of Directors up for grabs this May, the Telegraph has reached out to the eight candidates to tell us where they stand on the issues and what future they envision for LPEA:

District 1 (Archuleta County)

Name: Kirsten Skeehan Previous/current occupation: US Naval Officer; senior project manager with Fannie Mae; VP operations Pagosa Verde LLC; chief financial officer and bottle washer, Pagosa Baking Co. What powers you? Caffeine, scones, green chile and being raised with this motto: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much Skeehan will be expected,” (Luke 12:48).

Some have expressed a desire to achieve a goal of 80 percent locally produced, renewable energy for LPEA’s service territory by 2030. Do you think this goal is possible?

Possible? Yes. Probable? No. 2030 is just 12 years away. Although (National Renewable Energy Lab) maps show that this area can support sufficient solar, the infrastructure and backup infrastructure is simply not in place. Invertor technology that allows islanding exists but still needs to improve for micro-grids. Battery technology is approaching cost and reliability levels that will mellow the cyclic nature of most renewables. We could and should move toward local production. In addition to the obvious economic development, local development also spreads our grid risk.

The more centralized power production is and the farther it has to travel, the more risk of failure. Whether it’s a revolt of suicidal squirrels, severe solar weather or terrorism – the grid is at risk. Decentralization helps mitigate that risk.

Do you think LPEA should pursue a buyout of its contract with Tri-State? I am pleased that LPEA has formed a strategic committee to look at options going forward. Our relationship with Tri-State has to change. We need to work with them, not for them. We need to work with our co-op peers and bring about policy changes. Electric utilities throughout the U.S. are learning to adapt to the new market. Vertically integrated Tri-State must decentralize or risk failure.

Bob Formwalt (incumbent) was unable to respond to our questions by deadline, but his candidate statement is available on LPEA’s website.

District 2 (south & west La Plata County)

Name: Kohler McInnis, incumbent Previous/current occupation: Owned and operated Kohler’s Printing and Copying for 31 years. Currently manages four investment portfolios, three with shareholders and the fourth private. In addition to the LPEA board, also

8 n April 19, 2018

Rock the vote Ballots for the LPEA Board of Directors should be turning up in mailboxes this week and must be returned to the La Plata County Clerk by 4 p.m. Fri., May 11. Results will be announced at LPEA’s annual meeting Sat., May 12, at Sky Ute Casino. For more info, visit www.lpea.coop or call 247-5786. serves on the boards for TriState and the Colorado Electric Educational Institute.

What powers you? My family, friends, the outdoors and woodworking. I enjoy challenging myself mentally and physically.

Some have expressed a desire to achieve a goal of 80 percent locally produced, renewable energy for LPEA’s service territory McInnis by 2030. Do you think this goal is possible? Today’s technology would not allow us to self-produce to that level.

But the future is bright. With the speed that technology is changing and learning about future possibilities, 80 percent might be achievable. LPEA has always been an early adopter and if it can be done, LPEA would be the one to do it!

Do you think LPEA should pursue a buyout of its contract with Tri-State? At this time, I believe the contract LPEA has with Tri-State G&T (TSGT) is in the best interest of LPEA’s members. TSGT is financially strong, projecting their rates to be stable for the next four to five years, and there is a high likelihood of TSGT increasing capital credit refunds. The power we receive from TSGT is 30 percent renewable now and projected to be 33 percent by the end of 2018. What is the realistic alternative? Knowing it will be expensive to buy out of the contract, any replacement plan would have to be superior in all aspects: reliability, cost, services provided and capacity.

Name: Jeffrey Mannix Previous/current occupation: Cattleman, rodeo impresario, author, journalist What powers you? The winds that fill my sails; the uncertainty of new beginnings; the comfort of home; and coffee.

Some have expressed a desire to achieve a goal of 80 percent locally produced, renewable energy for LPEA’s service territory by 2030. Do you think this Mannix goal is possible? Wouldn’t that be great, and I don’t believe any local organizations have expressed this as a realistic goal, perhaps more like a wish, along with peace on earth. Can’t happen in 12 years, even with the unanimous support of every LPEA member and a voluntary uptick of rates. It’s a trick question so let’s move on. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of conjecture to look for substantial home-grown power 10/15 years after the LPEA Board set the keel, and we were ready to map and install local solar grids and storage capacity and light up new technologies. Never lose sight of the fact that La Plata County and the whole Southwest has abundant sunlight. Put your hand on a car hood at noon on an August day – that’s energy, and you can cook an egg on it. We have lots of ranchers who would love to grow a high-value crop like electricity, rather than struggle with no rain, scant irrigation water, crop-ruining grasshoppers, uninterested

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children, old age, prairie dogs and poor markets.

Do you think LPEA should pursue a buyout of its contract with Tri-State? Tri-State G&T is a dying behemoth of another era. We have 32 years left on the contract all 43 member co-ops signed with Tri-State in 2007, after they exacted a 10-year extension to fund a new $100 million coal-burning generation facility. Tri-State scrapped those plans because nobody in the market wanted to pay extra for coal-generated power, and instead they created a defined-benefit retirement plan for their executives. This was funded with higher rates that were passed onto co-op members like LPEA, then of course onto rate payers like you and me. Should we pursue a contract buyout as Taos, Montrose and others have? Absolutely, assiduously and immediately. Tri-State’s debt is the debt of all 43 member co-ops, and before the Tri-State ship takes on too much more water, LPEA should want to be long gone. We send Tri-State $70 million each year for power priced higher than we could buy it after only one phone call to a power broker (power is a traded commodity). And as prices for renewables hardware decreases monthly, we can look forward to that $70 million staying here, along with the jobs and the security of self-sufficiency it creates.

District 3 (City of Durango) Name: Britt Bassett, incumbent Previous/current occupation: Founding partner, Calcom Solar, developer of Arrowhead Ridge in Durango.

What powers you? Making our community a better place to live in, then taking advantage of all the fun things to do in our community!

Some have expressed a desire to achieve a goal of Bassett 80 percent locally produced, renewable energy for LPEA’s service territory by 2030. Do you think this goal is possible? It is possible, and it is good to have a goal that would provide benefits to our community. But such a goal may need to be changed as we learn more and future possibilities become clearer over time. Perhaps we would generate 50 percent locally and have the other 30 percent provided by a wholesaler energy provider.

Do you think LPEA should pursue a buyout of its contract with Tri-State? We do not have enough information yet to know if we should pursue a buyout. However, it is clear that we should investigate this option as the benefits of being an independent cooperative with local control and decision making over our energy sources would be substantial. Particularly the benefits to our county property tax base and to our neighbors in the southern parts of La Plata and Archuleta counties, where most local energy projects would be located.

Name: Eugene (Gene) Fisher Previous/current occupation: Degreed engineer involved in electric power generation seven years. Fortyyear Durango resident, and homebuilder and real estate developer (Skyridge).

What powers you? Working to keep Durango a community that all varieties of people Fisher can afford and be a part of.4

Keeping LPEA affordable while helping it move to a renewable grid is the ultimate challenge.

Some have expressed a desire to achieve a goal of 80 percent locally produced, renewable energy for LPEA’s service territory by 2030. Do you think this goal is possible? As a power-generation engineer, I built and ran power plants around the world and have seen firsthand how complex and complicated the electric grid is. I have built many renewable projects as well as owning and operating one of our local community solar gardens.

Our task over the next decade will be to integrate LPEA into that grid while maintaining reasonable costs and moving as quickly as possible to an all-renewable grid.

There are many technical challenges to creating an allrenewable grid, the most important is to make sure the new technologies are mature enough to keep our grid as reliable as it has been in the past. How fast we can move toward an 80 percent renewable grid is truly dependent on the progress of these technologies and their costs to implement.

Do you think LPEA should pursue a buyout of its contract with Tri-State? The two major issues with a buyout are: what will be the short- and long-term cost to the LPEA member; and can we keep our grid as reliable as it is now? We need to proceed with trying to answer these questions while working with Tri-State to remove some of the restrictions we have with increasing our renewable percentages. The electric grid is far too important to make these decisions without good, unbiased information and a well-thought-out plan for the future.

District 4 (north & east La Plata County) Name: Karen Barger, incumbent Previous/current occupation: Owner Seasons Rotisserie & Grill. I have been involved in a number of local nonprofits, started a big three-day festival and sat on the Business Improvement District Board (first woman!)

What powers you? This is where we chose to live,

raise our kids and where we choose to stay. I find it a crucial part of my life to find ways to be of service. My family, and the importance of families, often weigh out first when decisions are made. Years of volunteer work, leadership training, and the hope that what we all do can make a difference are what power me.

Some have expressed a desire to achieve a goal of Barger 80 percent locally produced, renewable energy for LPEA’s service territory by 2030. Do you think this goal is possible? Setting goals are helpful for many reasons. The first, of course, is that it provides a path and direction for what you are trying to achieve. In today’s world, 80 percent renewable seems lofty, but it may certainly be achievable with new technology and with pressure to move in that direction. Twelve years to reach that goal may make it very possible. If I had a crystal ball, I’d say it could be done, and that it could be done without costing more.

Do you think LPEA should pursue a buyout of its contract with Tri-State? At this moment in time, I am not in favor of the buy-out option. That does not mean never, and I want to make sure that we think the entire plot through. I am not convinced that if we buy out, it will immediately lower all rates to all members and we will be 100 percent green power. I hope it can be in the future. Batteries, the plan and execution/delivery of local renewables, infrastructure necessary, etc., are not yet worked out. Once those concerns are solid, perhaps buy out that contract. For now, we know what we have, how it delivers power to you, and what we need to do to maintain that while we search for the right way to make a switch.

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Name: Tim Wheeler Previous/current occupation: Retired. Previously I spent 17 years in engineering and management positions in the high-tech industry and 12 years as the owner of the Durango Coffee Co. What powers you? I am powered by local food and microbrews … Seriously it is the opportunity for sustainable local economic development. Basic to Wheeler a healthier local economy is to plug economic leakage whenever possible. We currently spend $70 million a year to purchase electricity, 95 percent of which is imported. Plugging this leak with local renewables is a priority.

Some have expressed a desire to achieve a goal of 80 percent locally produced, renewable energy for LPEA’s service territory by 2030. Do you think this goal is possible? Yes, I believe it is possible to achieve the goal and there are models for achieving this, such as what Kit Carson Electric Coop (KCEC) is doing with installations of local solar PV that will provide 40 percent of their power needs by 2023. By 2030 the low cost of renewables and the fast declining cost of electric storage should allow LPEA to meet the goal, saving money on our bills at the same time.

Do you think LPEA should pursue a buyout of its contract with Tri-State? The fiduciary responsibility of any LPEA Board director is to fully investigate how the KCEC model could be applied to LPEA, including seeking bids for wholesale power supply from other providers than TS. If the investigation shows we could save our ratepayers substantial money by exiting TS, then we should pursue it. If not, then we can continue with TS, and we will have fulfilled our fiduciary responsibility to our members. n

April 19, 2018 n

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LocalNews

Waiting to exhale Marijuana industry making headway with tasting rooms, feds and safety

by Tracy Chamberlin

A

s business owners and consumers alike prepare for the marijuana industry’s biggest annual holiday, 4/20, advocates of the green are gaining ground in Colorado and Washington.

In the Centennial State, the Legislature is considering a bill that would give marijuana users a place to partake. Also, the Colorado Department of Transportation has released some key findings from a groundbreaking study of marijuana users and their driving habits.

In the nation’s capital, a Colorado senator received assurances from the White House that legal marijuana businesses in his home state aren’t likely to be hunted down

by Attorney General Jeff Sessions any time soon – giving the industry a little breathing room ahead of 4/20 celebrations.

A taste for it After several failed attempts to find marijuana users a legal place to consume their products, the state Legislature is close to making tasting rooms a reality with HB 1258: Marijuana Accessory Consumption Establishments.

This bill has already passed the Colorado House and is making its way through the Senate – where its primary sponsors include one Republican and one Democrat. With bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled chamber, it’s likely headed for the Governor’s desk.

If the legislation does become law, dispensaries with valid state and local licenses will get the opportunity to open tasting rooms or “accessory consumption establishments.” But, there are limits.

Customers would be allowed to use a vaporizer or sample infused products for just one serving of marijuana. There would be no smoking marijuana, no free samples, no food and no alcohol. Employees cannot use the tasting rooms and customers cannot bring their own products.

Since retail marijuana became legal in 2014, the biggest flaw has been figuring out where consumers can, well, consume. It’s not allowed in public spaces, hotels or vehicles – making it virtually impossible for visitors and even difficult for residents to partake.

Many businesses and advocates of the industry see this bill as the first step toward fixing the flaw.

Of course, the real power lies in the

The Colorado Legislature is considering a bill that would allow dispensaries with a valid license to open up tasting rooms. Vaping would be allowed, but smoking marijuana would not./Photo by Jennaye Derge hands of local officials. It will be up to the Durango City Council and La Plata County Board of Commissioners to approve tasting rooms in their municipalities. Several marijuana businesses in Durango have already said if the tasting rooms are allowed, it’s an opportunity they won’t pass up.

Federal relief It seems headway is also being made at the federal level – and not just a wink and a nod from prosecutors, but a long-term legislative fix.

Early this year, the Department of Justice, under the direction of Sessions, rescinded what’s known as the Cole Memo.

The Obama-era memo instructed federal prosecutors to focus on violations of state marijuana law and not go after violations of federal law – under which, of course, marijuana is still illegal.

This direction gave many in the industry some security that if they followed state law, the feds wouldn’t come knocking at their door. But when Sessions revoked the Cole Memo, it put everyone on edge.

Ever since that announcement, Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., has been doing what he could to stand up for the state, including preventing Department of Justice nominees from getting through the Senate’s confirmation process.

It seems his tactics might have worked.

Last week, Gardner announced he had “received a commitment from the President that the Department of Justice’s rescission of the Cole Memo will not impact Col-

orado’s legal marijuana industry.”

And, he didn’t stop there.

“Furthermore, President Trump has assured me that he will support a federalismbased legislative solution to fix the states’ rights issue once and for all … My colleagues and I are continuing to work diligently on a bipartisan legislative solution that can pass Congress and head to the President’s desk,” he added.

In order for the federal and state laws to come together, marijuana needs to be rescheduled under the Controlled Substances Act by the Drug Enforcement Agency or the U.S. Congress needs to pass legislation doing so.

Gardner’s comments could be just political talking points, but maybe – just maybe – Congress is working on some long-term, legislative solutions that would give the marijuana industry a reason to exhale.

Behind the wheel With the arrival of 4/20 this week, the Colorado Department of Transportation has released some key findings from a months-long study of the driving habits of marijuana users.

Initial data from the survey, which was released Tuesday, revealed that 69 percent of marijuana users have driven under the influence at least once in the past year, and almost a third said they drive high almost every day.

Additionally, it turns out, 40 percent of recreational users and 34 percent of medical users don’t think being under the influence

of marijuana affects their ability to drive safely. In fact, about 10 percent think it makes them better drivers.

“It is alarming that there are a lot of cannabis consumers who think it’s safe to drive after consuming,” CDOT spokesperson Sam Cole said.

The survey was dubbed “The Cannabis Conversation.” With help from business owners and advocates in the marijuana industry, law enforcement officials, universities, nonprofits, and others, CDOT was able to get more than 11,000 responses, from people who use marijuana and those who don’t.

Cole said the point of the survey was to uncover peoples’ beliefs and attitudes toward cannabis driving, and, ultimately, lower the number of cannabis-related crashes.

According to CDOT, there were 51 fatalities last year from traffic accidents involving THC blood levels in excess of the legal limit of 5 nanograms.

“We wanted to take a step back and ask why people are driving and using marijuana, and what we could do to change that behavior,” Cole explained.

One of the big differences between cannabis and alcohol is the amount of time spent studying their effects. Although alcohol’s effects on drivers have been studied for decades, cannabis is relatively new.

“We don’t have similar science when it comes to cannabis,” Cole said.

Violations or arrests for driving under the influence of marijuana have not been on the rise in Durango since retail marijuana was legalized in 2014. Durango Police Commander Ray Shupe said it’s because they’ve always had an eye on the issue of impaired driving.

“We’re a very progressive department when it comes to DUIs and DUIDs,” he explained. “It’s a huge safety concern for us (and) one of the top priorities we have …

It’s devastating when you have just one DUI fatality.”

As part of the ongoing “Cannabis Conversation” campaign, CDOT plans to attend some of Denver’s 4/20 celebrations, where they’ll talk about the survey and continue to get feedback. Anyone interested in joining the Cannabis Conversation can go to ColoradoCannabisConvo.com. The final results will be released this summer.

“The next step is to get the public’s feedback on our findings, then to design a public awareness campaign,” Cole said. n

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10 n April 19, 2018

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MountainTownNews Warnings abound of forest megafires BANFF, Alberta – Up and down the Rocky Mountains, from Santa Fe to Banff, firefighters are bracing for what could, in some areas, be a brutal season.

In New Mexico, which is coming off an extremely dry winter, firefighters from the National Guard and U.S. Forest Service last weekend were simulating the air components of a wildfire fight.

The exercise was intended to ensure that, in real situations, the helicopters and planes don’t end up colliding. The Santa Fe New Mexican described the exercise as “orchestrated, if sometimes chaotic, aerial ballet.”

Colorado’s driest spots are in the state’s southwest corner. There, rivers around Durango and Telluride last week were running at 36 percent of average. Klaus Wolter, a climate scientist with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science in Boulder, told the Associated Press that the warm temperatures at lower mountain elevations have been causing snow to melt earlier, worsening fire danger.

Wolter, however, said further spring snows might dampen the risk. “It’s not all gloom and gloom,” he told AP. “It’s just not a good setup.”

In 2012 and 2013, Colorado had three massive wildfires, each exacting fatalities, in the foothills along the Front Range. In the aftermath, Colorado spent nearly $20 million to buy two fire-spotting planes and contract helicopters and single-engine tankers.

In Utah, a forum devoted to wildfires was on the community calendar in Park City this week. The session is titled “The Era of Megafires: Is Summit County Next?” The session was put together

by Glenn Wright, an elected councilor in Summit County, which includes Park City. It was, he said, prompted by questions about whether wildfires that occurred last year in California could occur in Utah, too.

In Alberta, the author of a book called Firestorm: How Wildfire Will Shape Our Future, told an audience in Banff that people will have to die before wildfire policies change.

“We have a lot of false expectations about how we can deal with wildfire,” Edward Struzik said. Experts think the number of wildfires will double in coming decades or even triple, he said.

“Big fires can’t be stopped,” said Struzik. “In the firefighting world, that’s pretty much unanimous. Once it gets to a certain size … there’s little you can do. You can drop retardants on it, you can hit it with an army of firefighters, but the best thing you can do in most cases is slow the fire or change its direction. But you cannot stop it.”

Struzik said that 60 percent of all cities, towns and settlements across Canada are vulnerable to wildfire. Most vulnerable are First Nation communities. “Right now they represent just 4 percent of the population, but 40 percent of evacuations that take place in Canada.

There’s something really wrong with that picture,” said Struzik.

He said fire-resiliency programs are needed that parallel efforts to improve energy efficiency of homes. He also called for more fire breaks around communities, FireSmart work and controlled burns.

Vail skier, 91, may get Guinness record VAIL – Stan Friedberg, who is 91, went on a heli-skiing trip in Canada with his son and three granddaughters this winter. For this holiday, he may yet be bestowed with the distinction of being the oldest heli-skier ever. The Vail Daily says that the record certified

by Guinness Book of World Records currently is 88 years.

The son, Steve Friedberg, told the Daily that his father works out every day and, when in the Pittsburgh area, where the family business is located, he can often be found running the stairs at a high school football stadium.

Heli-ski run honors pioneering guide WHISTLER, B.C. – Early April was a brutal time for avalanches.

In Canada, Whistler Blackcomb has confirmed plans to name a heli-ski run after long-time ski guide Lisa Korthals, who died in a backcountry avalanche.

At a memorial service covered by Pique Newsmagazine, Korthals was remembered as being at the front edge of a generation of women guides since around 2000. Before, women guides had to fight to be accepted as “one of the boys,” Bobby Sayer, president of

the Canadian Ski Guide Association, said.

“This new generation came along and said, ‘We don’t have to be boys. Hell, no! The boys have to keep up with us,’” Sayer said.

In Alberta, a woman narrowly escaped dying in an avalanche at Sentinel Pass, near Lake Louise. She had been dragged 200 meters (600 feet) down the face of the mountain and buried under 4 meters, or about 13 feet, of snow.

Tim Banfield, the lead skier who triggered the avalanche, also was the lead rescuer. The victim was buried so deep that probe poles couldn’t reach her. They were guessing where to dig. They got lucky, and so did she. She had been buried for 15 minutes but survived.

“The survival rate at 2 meters is 4 percent, and we were looking at 4 meters,” Banfield told the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

In rescuing her, he was basically inverted in the shoulder-wide hole as he was digging, working in a handstand-like position while trying to get her out of her skis. The avalanche victim did not want to be identified.

In Colorado, two people died in avalanches in the last big storm sequence, the first a skier in a backcountry area adjacent to Aspen Highlands called Maroon Bowl. He and a companion had detected a weak layer underneath as they traversed a slope toward a stand of trees, then they felt something shift, according to a report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

“We’re going for a ride,” the second skier said, before the avalanche on the 38 degree slope let loose. He was swept into a tree and killed.

In the second case, a backcountry snowmobiler near Breckenridge was killed by an avalanche on a slope of 38 to 42 degrees.

Protecting an iconic Colorado landscape CRESTED BUTTE – A conservation easement has been placed on another parcel of ranch land between Crested Butte and Gunnison, bringing the total protected to 4,377 acres. The conservation easement by The Nature Conservancy precludes development on the Trampe family ranch.

“The easements prevent subdivision and development of scenic ranchlands stretching for 30 miles in one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes,” according to a release from The Nature Conservancy.

Crested Butte News describes the easement as being a multi-million-dollar deal. The town of Crested Butte contributed $1 million.

Ikon Pass has limited Deer Valley days PARK CITY, Utah – Nowhere are Vail Resorts and the new Alterra Mountain Co. competing more head to head than at Park City.

There, Vail Resorts owns Park City Mountain Resort, while Alterra owns the adjacent Deer Valley Resort.

The Ikon Pass will get you into Deer Valley, the Epic Pass into Park City.

But unlike the Epic Pass, which offers unlimited access to Park City, the turf at Deer Valley is limited to seven days a season. The pass will also be limited to seven days combined at Alta and Snowbird.

The Park Record notes that Park City has seen a strong increase in visitors since the local slopes became eligible to Epic Pass purchasers four years ago.

Erik Forsell, chief marketing officer for Alterra, said Alterra made the decision to limit access to Deer Valley because the company wanted to respect the resort’s history of capping the number of skiers each day. “Our goal was to accentuate what made the resorts what they are today, and part of the Deer Valley experience is their attention to customer service and how many people are on the hill each day,” he said. “We are very conscious about keeping what makes Deer Valley, Deer Valley.”

In addition to the three Utah resorts, 10 other resorts accessible to purchasers of the Ikon Pass will also have limited days.

Wirth takes breather after eight years TRUCKEE, Calif. – Andy Wirth, given the job of leading Squaw Valley to become a peer with other leading ski resorts of North America, has resigned after nearly eight years at the helm.

He said his retirement will allow him to spend more time with his family at a new home in southern California, but also focus on “some of my passions, including the active support of wounded warriors and environmental causes – advocacy and action.”

– Allen Best

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April 19, 2018 n 11

dayinthelife

Stringing along

by Jennaye Derge

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onstant spring winds and allergies

are making a lot of us just want to hop a jet to Hawaii. Unfortunately,

for most of us landlubbers, that's just not possible. But on Monday night at the Four Leaves Winery, it came about as close as one can get without leaving Main Avenue. About

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once a month, the locally based Rocky Mountain Uke Fest gathers musicians in various places to sing, sip and strum. At last Monday’s gathering, ukuleleists were lucky to strum with renowned local singer/songwriter Thom Chacon, who is known for his gritty lyrics, with just the right amount of ukulele and wine to give him a hint of sweetness.

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Getting nitty gritty and learning to play a Thom Chacon original.

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Denise Leslie, left, and singer/songwriter Thom Chacon lead Monday night’s ukulele jam at Four Leaves Winery.

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Cheers-ing to a night of friends and music.

In case you were wondering, 2-year-old Kai Largent brought the swag.

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Playing along to classics like John Prine and Tom Petty.

April 19, 2018 n 13

thesecondsection

Green livin’ is the life for she Sustainable builder lays foundation for others to follow – or at least aspire to

by Joy Martin

(which might also include the perks of no mortgage or tarved for green after a utility bills). brown winter, I melted Though she’d spent the when I walked into majority of her life pursuing Kristina Munroe’s indoor jun“tangible, calculable things,” gle garden at her home 5 miles Munroe knew that the most west of Durango. A rubber tree amazing experiences hapstretched massive leaves toward pened by taking a leap of the sun, red flowers poked faith. So, in 2010, the single through vines, and the air felt mom of two moved back to fresh and balmy. A cat lounged Southwest Colorado to turn on the sill of a south-facing a pipe dream into reality. window. Paradise found. In a “It was easy to proclaim living room. following the heart, but going I’d written about Twisted through with it is something Oak, Munroe’s off-the-grid, not readily accepted in our solar-powered, rain-harvesting, culture,” she writes. “Heartfelt organically inspired abode, last decisions work well in love afyear for a solar home tour artifairs and choosing a new kitcle. Chatting with her then, I ten, but utilizing feelings and could hear in her voice the intuition in a decision that breadth of what it took to build would ultimately uproot my this oasis-in-the-pines from the family, my home, my figround up. nances and my entire way of My first question during life was something entirely that interview was asking her different.” what motivated her to take on First things first. She acthe mammoth-sized task of quired 36 acres, the amount building a self-sustaining required by the county to house. She laughed, saying it qualify for a well, and hired Kristina Munroe, left, and friends Mike and Christy Muir re-enact the cover photo from “Garbage would take a whole book for an excavator to clear a plot Warriors,” a documentary on Mike Reynolds, of Taos earthship fame. Munroe accomplished a similar that story. “A book I hope of land framed by ponfeat with her Twisted Oak home in Durango and helps others do the same with her eponymous you’re writing,” I playfully derosas and a cluster of book./Courtesy photo challenged, before moving on twisted oaks. She drew up to more manageable newspaper-article- A mix between a narrative and reference and analysis from Boston’s Northeastern plans for a 1,400-square-foot home and book, Twisted Oak empowers both archi- University. She went on to work with the then solicited the moral support and sized questions.

I’d forgotten that exchange, but tects and idealistic pioneers alike to keep Navy as an architect and, later, with Boe- savvy of builder/carpenter Mike Muir, ing Co. on the design of the 777. Other owner of Muir Construction.

Munroe reminded me the other day after seeking a more sustainable way of life.

“I want to break the stigma of the “smaller” projects, like building bridges handing me a copy of her newly released During the 18-month construction memoir, Twisted Oak: A Journey to Create a image of homesteading as hauling water and marine structures, pack the gaps of process, Munroe homeschooled her nineSelf-Sustaining Life and Home. The woman and chopping firewood,” she says. “You her resume. and 11-year-old sons, Andy and Austin, In 1999, she turned her focus to resi- embracing the opportunity as “a really is a superhero: she built a house and wrote can still be connected to the community a whole book, replete with tips on how to and live a comfortable lifestyle with all dential projects, namely building “Mac- cool school project.” The boys would help tame thermodynamics, create an indoor of the conveniences of a modern home.” mansions” in Seattle. A decade later, out in the piecing together of their future She’s not just a hippy rolling doobies she’d lost steam designing houses filled home, something few Americans, much greywater garden and embrace the humain a patch of patchouli either. A fifth- with so much wasted space. She less kids, have any idea about. nure composting system.

The book is as approachable as generation Durangoan, Munroe gradu- dreamed of living in a home that reAnd, while most people couldn’t deMunroe, offering a glimpse into her ated valedictorian of the DHS Class of flected form and function, and a life that scribe the materials shaping their homes, humble journey that begins, as all brave ‘83 before earning a civil engineering de- worked with nature, syncing with the Munroe and her boys could tell you extales do, “on a dark and stormy night.” gree with emphasis in structural design rhythms of the seasons and climate actly what Twisted Oak’s walls are 4

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14 n April 19, 2018

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made of, considering they personally helped stack 13 rows of recycled tire, tallying nearly 800 tires. The tire wall contours the home, the ends merging with the ground, forming soft curves and making the structure seem like something grown straight from the earth.

Within each of the tires stacked, the family placed tiny cornerstones found around the property. Using magic markers, they scribbled words and symbols they thought should define their lives: earth, air, fire, water, memories, joy, love and other less fluffy sentiments, like inside jokes and spontaneous doodles.

Intentional details, like the cornerstones, define Munroe’s meticulous approach to Twisted Oak. A hobbit door, for instance, serves as the entry, but it also opens perfectly to cross-ventilating breezes on hot, summer days. For more on these kind of technical aspects, like the water catchment and passive solar systems and inner workings of the “throne room,” you’ll have to check out the book. In short, she’s basically built the ultimate sofa-cushion, living-room fort that’ll withstand harsh winter winds,

pouring rain and blazing heat.

For the whimsical side of Twisted Oak, you have to see it for yourself: gorgeous aspen ceilings, knotty-pine cabinets found at a garage sale painted in Seussical colors, natural wood countertops and adobe bricks forming castle crenellations above the claw-foot bathtub.

There’s even a wall off the east end of the house framed from empty cans, including Ska Pinstripe, Munroe’s personal favorite.

There are no fans or mechanical systems shutting on and off, so the quiet hangs like a cozy blanket, a calming sense enhanced by diffused light introduced through bottle art scattered throughout the house. Munroe became quite the glass-bottle connoisseur in the process, acquiring a deep appreciation for glittering Sapphire Gin bottles, green square-shaped olive oil bottles, a stunning mandarin orange vodka bottle and crystal-clear Mike’s Hard Lemonade bottles, her go-to refreshment after arduous days building the tire wall.

“Now when I see bottles, I look at them in a completely different way,” says Munroe. “I look to see what they look like from the bottom and wonder if they would make a unique bottle brick.”

For folks intrigued by the bottle art projects, like the one above or on Twisted Oak’s cover, Kristina Munroe founded Twisted Oak Consulting, which offers expertise in building or modifying homes sustainably./Courtesy photo For folks intrigued by quirky bottle art projects or those who want to incorporate any or all aspects of Twisted Oak’s profoundly simple logic, Munroe founded Twisted Oak Consulting, an engineering practice that offers expertise in building, buying or modifying homes to celebrate sustainable awareness.

“The goal isn’t to duplicate Twisted Oak but to define what’s most important to you and do whatever part of this you’d want to do,” she says.

Because, at the end of it all, Munroe isn’t

telegraph

advocating for the Prius or attacking plastic fork users. Rather, she’s a regular, brilliant Joe, living life by her rules with her partner, her sons, a couple of cats, an old golden retriever and a puppy mutt to keep everyone humble. Her childlike story of Twisted Oak doesn’t judge or preach but, rather, sparks the “what-if” conversation, inviting you to dream big about what’s possible.

“It’s always a journey to create a self-sustaining life,” says Munroe. “You can make yourself crazy. Just do the best you can. Besides, I look ridiculous on a soap box.” n

April 19, 2018 n 15

Flashinthepan

Getting to the heart of the matter

by Ari LeVaux

T

his is the time of year when artichoke fans have two reasons to cheer. In Mexico and the southern U.S., the harvest has already begun. Artichokes, in other words, can already be found in stores. Meanwhile, at farmers markets of all latitudes, purveyors of bedding plants are selling potted artichokes for the garden. Even in Montana, the summers are getting hot enough that these Mediterranean members of the thistle family need to be planted a full 5 feet apart.

The buds are harvested before they turn into flowers. Unless, of course, you prefer to allow them to flower and look at rather than eat them.

Myrna Varner became an artichoke grower when a vendor gifted her a little plant as she was buying tomato starts. Now she grows three plants a year, and they produce later into the fall than the tomatoes.

“I’m ready to tear the garden up and they were still bearing,” she told me. Yet she doesn’t even eat them. “We get such a kick out of watching them grow,” she says. Some get eaten by friends and family, while some of the buds are allowed to open into large purple flowers.

“It is good for a man to eat thistles, and to remember that he is an ass,” Enaus Sweetland Dallas notes in his 1877 book Kettner’s Book of the Table: A manual of Cookery, Practical, Theoretical, Historical. “But an artichoke is the best of thistles, and the man who enjoys it has the satisfaction of feeling that he is an ass of taste. There are several elaborate ways of dressing the artichoke – the Barigoule way and Lyonnese way, for example.” He doesn’t expand on these fancy pants meth-

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ods, other than to call them, “... frantic attempts to paint the lily and to perfume the violet.”

I haven’t delved deeply enough into the literature to determine what he means by ass, and why asses eat thistles. But I think Dallas is spot-on in his less-is-more approach to artichokes.

“Depend upon it,” he concludes, “that the simplest way of dressing the artichoke is the best.”

Dallas recommends boiling the bud, but there is a case to be made for roasting.

I enjoy the caramelized flavors and the layers of texture that can result. I like roasting artichokes so much, in fact, I roast them twice.

First, I lay the artichoke on its side on a cutting board, and give it a flat-top with a big, heavy knife, slicing a round flat plane an inch or 2 from the tip of the artichoke. This reveals a cross-section of green, purple, pale yellow and burgundy leaves. Trim the stem to within 2 inches of the bottom.

Place each head in a baking container in such a way that it can stay upright – by upright we mean flat side up. Wide mouth pint jars work well. The artichoke looks like a flower in a little vase. A Pyrex measuring cup does the same thing.

A banana bread pan holds two large artichokes, side by side.

If you don’t have anything that will work, trim the bottoms off so they sit flat and upright unsupported, and wing it from there.

Put a half-inch of water and a clove of garlic at the bottom of whatever container you use. Give a solid shake or two of salt onto the top of each artichoke, followed by two tablespoons lemon or lime juice, poured slowly enough that it seeps down between the leaves. Then slowly pour in about a

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third of a cup of olive oil per large artichoke. Cover each artichoke in foil, pressing firmly on all sides to make a seal between the foil and the thing that’s holding the artichoke.

With the water in the bottom, you are basically constructing a steamer.

Place the upright artichokes in their holders in the oven at 350 and bake (jars should be placed on a tray or skillet in case they tip). As it cooks, the oil will find its way down through the vascular tissue of the bud, out the stem and into the water below.

After an hour, carefully remove the artichoke and holder from the oven, and remove the foil. When it has cooled enough to handle, gently pull the leaves away from the center, loosening the bud. Pour the lemon oil from the baking dish into another container, and then pour it back into the half-baked artichokes, and put it back in the oven with the foil off, so the outer leaves get crispy as the center melts into a molten core of flavor – about another hour. (Or keep it wrapped in foil for a shorter cook time).

I ate two entire artichokes before it hit me that I hadn’t encountered any of the dry, spiny and generally unpleasant chokes usually found at the center of an artichoke. I consulted Dallas on the matter. He spoke in riddles. Ass riddles.

“Some French cooks, before sending the artichoke to table, are careful to remove the choke, or as they call it, the hay. For this purpose the artichoke must either be allowed to cool, or must be dipped in cold water, and heated again after the removal of the hay – which might too vividly remind us that we are asses.”

Ultimately, he leaves the hay question unresolved. “That hay in the artichoke certainly raises a delicate question, and it must be left to the good feeling of cooks whether they will or will not send it up to table.”

Most cooks today remove the hay, but I leave it in, because sometimes the hay is edible. The chokes of young artichoke buds are fully edible and become more fibrous and prickly as the bud matures. The artichokes I’ve been buying and eating this spring have been large, but still young at heart. Perhaps it’s because the season itself is still young. In any case, given that sometimes the chokes are completely edible, even in a big artichoke, I would leave them in. Work around them if and when they become a problem. n

TopShelf

The Meltdown edition

by Chris Aaland

show in recent years. Rumor has it that one of the members of the Freight Hoppers rather bluntly told bassist Stephen Sellers oy howdy! The 24th annual Durango Bluegrass Meltthat Six Dollar was the #@%$! Judas Priest of the old-time world. down takes over downtown Friday through Sunday at six High praise, indeed, methinks. different venues, in what’s the unofficial start to festival seaTip No. 7: Make it your mission to catch each of the followson. Unless you’re a hardcore bluegrass aficionado, the names ing national and regional bands this weekend: might not be familiar, but don’t let that scare you. This year’s • Becky Buller Band (Friday & Saturday): In 2016, Becky won lineup is perhaps the best in Meltdown history. Before we break International Bluegrass Music Association awards as Best Vocalist down the talent this year, I’ll offer up some tips for both seasoned and Best Fiddle Player, marking the first time ever that an individveterans and newbies alike. ual has won Best Of awards Tip No. 1: The Henry for singing and picking in Strater Theatre serves as the same year. Her latest Meltdown’s home base, but album, “Crepe Paper Heart,” national, regional and local is simply stunning. Her votalent rotate from one stage cals are as pure as Alison to the next throughout Krauss,’ and the band plays each day. This is good to some of the most genuine know, because there are bluegrass around. Keep your only about 250 seats at the eye on her ringer, banjo man Hank, and they fill up as Ned Luberecki, who is worsoon as the doors open. thy of the main stage in his Bands play the Durango own right. Catch them live Arts Center all three days, on the airwaves for a KSUT and its seating doesn’t fill Session at 10:06 a.m. Friday. up nearly as quickly. The • Molly Tuttle (SaturWild Horse Saloon also day & Sunday): Molly is raphosts bands from 11 a.m.-5 idly becoming an Americana p.m. Saturday and from 11treasure. She became the 4 Sunday. New this year is first woman ever to win the the addition of the Animas IBMA Guitarist of the Year City Theatre from 11-5 Sataward last fall. Local fans urday. Past experience tells were introduced to her inme these additional venues novative, clawhammer guiwon’t be nearly as packed. tar style at last year’s Pagosa Tip No. 2: Don’t leave Award-winning artist Becky Buller and her band are one of the many Folk’n Bluegrass Festival. your seats when the local acts performing around town for this weekend’s Bluegrass Meltdown. Molly’s debut album, bands take the stage.

“Rise,” showcases her talYou’ll thank me later when you’re sitting front and center for the ents as a singer and songwriter as well. headliners. Besides, it takes a herd of local pickers to form a • Mile Twelve (Saturday & Sunday): This fresh, hard-driving music scene – something we’re fortunate to have here. The 17 young band walks the line between traditional bluegrass and local bands on the bill range from newcomers to seasoned veteroriginal, new acoustic music. They met in Boston, where individans. Some of the hardest working groups in the Four Corners – ual members studied and/or taught at Berklee College of Music.

Six Dollar String Band, StillHouse Junkies, Last Nickel and La La Their membership hails from all over the map – New England, Bones, among others – circle this date on their calendars each New York, Virginia, South Carolina and New Zealand. I’ve beyear. The aforementioned groups all have CDs, play bars and come a huge fan of their debut record, “Onwards.” benefits around our region regularly, and pull out all the stops for • The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys (Friday & Saturday): If you like Meltdown. Plus, local “legacy” acts like the Bar D Wranglers, the your bluegrass high and lonesome, served in a Dixie cup with a Badly Bent, Lawn Chair Kings and the Blue Moon Ramblers, have whiskey neat on a back porch, then this quartet hollers at you. been entertaining us for decades.

They’ve been kicking grass in the Great Smoky Mountains for the Tip No. 3: Check out the free show at the Powerhouse Science past several years.

Center from 5-7 Friday night. StillHouse Junkies and the Colorado • James Reams & the Barnstormers (Saturday & Sunday): College Bluegrass Ensemble perform and there’s ample beer to get a This is for fans of Old School bluegrass. Pupils should note that jump start on your main stage buzz later in the evening. the Old School teaches the three E’s: edgy, emotional and excitTip No. 4: Don’t miss Saturday night’s Super Jam. Members ing. Reams formed his Barnstormers in 1993, and they’ve been of the national, regional and local groups will cluster pluck from entertaining for nearly 25 years. Reams & Co. are Meltdown vet7-9 at the Hank, meaning once-in-a-lifetime collaborations on erans, having last played here five years ago. bluegrass classics. Annie Savage, of Savage Heart, will serve as • Ginny Mules (Saturday & Sunday): This mostly female your host and tour guide.

Denver quintet is one of the bands I’m most looking forward to.

Tip No. 5: Get your honky-tonk on at the Durango Arts CenThey add a bit of bluesy jam to their sound. Hear for yourself at ter from 7:30-10 Saturday night with the Western Centuries. This their KSUT Session at 11:06 Friday morning. three-headed monster features three singer/songwriter/guitarists: • Jeff Scroggins & Colorado (Saturday & Sunday): It just Cahalen Morrison, Ethan Lawton and Jim Miller (best known as wouldn’t be Meltdown without the award-winning banjo picker a co-founder of Donna the Buffalo). Western Centuries ain’t no Jeff Scroggins, his mandolin wunderkind offspring Tristan and grass: they’re rooted in vintage country, with smatterings of rock, their Cash-styled vocalist Greg Blake.

R&B and Cajun. Electric guitars and drums will fill the room with • The Savage Hearts (Sunday): Annie Savage leads this rea wall of sound. gional supergroup formed on the Front Range. She guides them Tip No. 6: Bring your dancing shoes to the Elk’s Lodge from through a twin fiddle assault of bluegrass, western swing and 7:30-10 Saturday for the Old-Time Barn Dance featuring Six Dolhonky tonk that would make Hank, Patsy and Johnny take notice. lar String Band. The Meltdown board opted not to book a naIt moans and whispers through the pines? Email me at chrisa@go tional old-time group this year because Six Dollar has stolen the brainstorm.net. n

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onthetown

Thursday19 Yoga Flow, 8 a.m., Pine River Library.

FLC Research & Creative Activities Symposium, featuring student research and scholarship presentations, 9 a.m.-noon and 2:30-4 p.m., Vallecito Room; 10 a.m.noon and 2:30-3:15 p.m., Student Union Ballroom. Closing gala, 4:15 p.m, Student Union Ballroom. www.fortlewis.edu/undergraduate-research.

Baby Meetup, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Columbine House at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 419 San Juan Dr. Little Readers Storytime, 10 a.m., Pine River Library.

Older Adults Coffee Klatch, 10 a.m.-noon, Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.

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

Toddler Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m., Durango Public Library.

Best for Colorado Challenge, free workshop on best business practices for Colorado, presented by Local First and City of Durango, noon-1 p.m., Durango Public Library. Register at 375-4855 or colleen.obrien@duran gogov.org.

tle, 7 p.m., Florida Grange on Highway 172. www.4cbch.org or 442-0575.

ington. 505-326-2839 or squareup.com/store/theater-ensemble-arts.

Open Mic & Stand-Up Comedy, 8 p.m., El Rancho Tavern, 975 Main Ave.

“The Butterfly’s Evil Spell,” 7:30 p.m., show also runs April 21 and 26-28, Sunflower Theatre in Cortez. www.sunflowertheatre.org.

Laugh Therapy @ the Embassy, open mic stand up comedy and fundraiser for SASO, 8-10 p.m., The Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.

Karaoke with Crazy Charlie, 8 p.m.-close, Wild Horse Saloon, 601 E. 2nd Ave. Thursday Night Funk Jam, for experienced musicians, 9 p.m.-midnight, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave.

Friday20

DJ Noonz, 8 p.m.-close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. Shawn Arrington Blues Band performs, 8:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village.

Saturday21 Fee-Free Days at National Parks, all day event, Mesa Verde National Park. www.nps.gov/meve.

Devo Bike Swap, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Chapman Hill.

Durango Early Bird Toastmasters, 7-8:30 a.m., LPEA headquarters, 45 Stewart St. 769-7615.

Free yoga, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Lively Boutique, 809 Main .

Squawker Road Classic, presented by FLC Cycling, team trials, 8 a.m., River Road and CR 213; criterium, 11:30 a.m., downtown. Event also runs April 22, road race, 8 a.m., FLC campus. cycling.fortlewis.edu.

North Main Clean Day, volunteers needed to help sweep, pick up trash, clean sidewalks and more, 9 a.m., meet at fairgrounds parking lot. 375-5067.

Drop-in Tennis, all ages welcome, 9 a.m., Durango High School courts. 769-3772.

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

Henry Stoy performs, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Café, 601 Main Ave. 570-650-5982.

Caregiver Cafe, 10 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.

MakerSpace Skill Sessions, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.

Open Art Studio, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 563-9287.

VFW Indoor Flea Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 1550 Main Ave. 247-0384.

“Doc Swords,” PTSD Social Club for Veterans, 4-6 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main Ave.

24th annual Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, featuring concerts, jams, workshops and more, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., April 20-22, around Durango. www.durangomelt down.com.

The North Main Event, block party featuring music, food, games and activities, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., along North Main Avenue, from 26th to 30th streets. www.themain eventdurango.com.

The Standard Duo performs, 5 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.

Preschool Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m., Durango Public Library.

Public Meeting to discuss ADUs in additional neighborhoods, 5-7 p.m., Durango Public Library. 3754850.

Seed Studio Art Show & Reception, featuring art from Seed Studio, Juniper School and Durango Montessori, 3-5 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3rd Ave.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown Band Showcase, noon-6 p.m., Old Time Barn Dance with Six Dollar String Band, 7:30-10 p.m., Elks Lodge, 9th Street and E. 2nd Avenue. www.durangomeltdown.com.

Family Literacy Night, activities, crafts and more, 5:30 p.m., Ignacio Community Library.

STEAM Lab: Camouflage, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Sitting Meditation, 5:30-6:15 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave. 764-8070 or durangodharmacenter.org.

After School Awesome, 3:30 p.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.

Read to Rover, for new and independent readers ages 5-plus, 3:30-4:45 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Drop-in Tennis, all ages welcome, 4 p.m., Durango High School courts. 769-3772.

Kidz Klub, after-school activities for elementary school kids, 4-5 p.m., Ignacio Community Library.

Open Mic Night, 6-8 p.m., Eno Wine Bar, 723 E. 2nd Ave. Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking – Carry Less, Do More, sponsored by San Juan Mountains Association, 6-8 p.m., San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Ct. kathe@sjma.org.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown Free Kick-off Concert, 5-7 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center. www.duran gomeltdown.com.

Patrick Crossing performs, 5-9 p.m., The Irish Embassy, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.

Teen Game Night, 7-10 p.m., Mancos Public Library.

533-7600.

Powerhouse Pub Trivia, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. www.powsci.org.

Open Mic Night, 7-11 p.m., Steaming Bean, 900 Main Ave. 403-1200.

Four Corners Back Country Horsemen meet, presentation by Wayne Schaaf, great nephew of Olga Lit-

“Dinner With the Boys” 7:30 p.m., show also runs April 21 and 2:30 p.m., April 22, Totah Theater in Farm-

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Durango Youth Poetry Slam, featuring music and voices of local high school and middle school students, 57 p.m., Fort Lewis College, Noble Hall Room 130.

4D3 performs with Patrice DeLorenzo, 5:30 p.m., Digs at Three Springs. 259-2344.

Kirtan, 6-8 p.m., Studio 10, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. Super Jam, part of the 24th annual Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, 7:30-10 p.m., Henry Strater Theater, 7th Street and Main Avenue. www.durangomeltdown.com.

Comedy Cocktail open mic stand up, 8 p.m., Eno Wine Bar, 723 E. 2nd Ave. Late Night Show with Western Centuries, part of the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, 8-10 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 8th Street and E. 2nd Avenue. www.duran gomeltdown.com.

DJ Noonz, 8 p.m.-close, Moe’s, 937 Main Ave. 4

Sunday22 Veterans Breakfast, 9-11 a.m., Elks Club, 901 E. 2nd Ave. 946-4831.

Henry Stoy performs, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jean-Pierre Café, 601 Main Ave. 570-650-5982.

Gospel Set, part of the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 8th Street and E. 2nd Avenue. www.durangomeltdown.com.

Earth Day Festival, hosted by Durango Nature Studies, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Rotary Park.

Climate March and Kid’s Earth Day Parade, hosted

by Citizens Climate Lobby, 10:30-11:15 a.m., along Main Avenue, meet at train station. 259-0385 or Susan131@aol.com.

Leaf a Legacy – Tree Planting and BBQ Picnic, hosted by FLC’s Environmental Center, noon-2:30 p.m., Fort Lewis College Food Forest. rllandis@fortlewis.edu.

Writers’ Workshop, 2 p.m., Ignacio Community Library.

Registration Party for Fall Blaze Bicycle Tour, to help fund FLC Cycling scholarships, 3-6 p.m., Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave. www.fortlewis.edu/fallblaze or 7690-3782.

A Mile in My Shoes PJ Dance Party, an evening of art, storytelling, conversations and dance about homelessness, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Student Union Ballroom at Fort Lewis College.

Blue Moon Ramblers, 7 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.

Monday23 Yogalates, 9 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield.

Jammin’ Juniors, 10 a.m., also Wed., Pine River Library in Bayfield.

Gentle Yoga, 1 p.m., Durango Senior Center.

Community Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., Durango Dharma Center, 1800 E. 3rd Ave. 764-8070 or durangodharmacenter.org.

Salsa/Bachata/Merengue dance classes 6:30 p.m.; social/practice time 8-9 p.m., VFW Hall, 1550 Main Ave. www.salsadancedurango.com.

Learn to Square Dance, with Wild West Squares, 78:30 p.m., Florida Grange, 656 Hwy 172. 903-6478.

Tuesday24 Yoga for All, 9 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield.

Zumba Gold, 9:30-10:15 a.m., La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave. Little Readers Storytime, 10 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield.

Storytime, 10 a.m., Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.

Saved by climbing: An epic tale of life on the rocks What: “Return of the Dirtbag,” an evening with local writer Luke Mehall, celebrating the release of the second edition of his book American Climber When: 6:30 p.m., Wed., April 25 Where: Ska Brewing When local writer Luke Mehall was hanging by a thread, he reached for the rope – the climbing rope. The move saved his life. Climbing became his salvation as he “self-medicated on nature and the brotherhood of the rope.” This salvation is the underlying yarn that ties together his memoir American Climber, which was recently updated in a second edition. Mehall said he chose to re-release the book because it highlights his struggles with depression and mental health, two issues currently at the fore of American society.

Mehall – also a regular Telegraph contributor – will celebrate the book’s re-release, as well as share some of his exploits on the crag, next Wednesday at Ska Brewing. The event is sponsored by Maria’s Bookshop.

The second edition of American Climber includes a new full-color photo spread. It also takes readers along on his sometimes-tumultuous journey

to climbing, as well as offering an up close (but not too close) look at the dirtbag climbing culture.

The book starts in a now-forgotten era, before the Internet and before the word “dirtbag” was commonplace.

Mehall spent much of his early days living hand to mouth, either in a tent or couch surfing. The book follows his journey to the modern era, as sport climbing explodes in popularity, leaving readers to ponder whether or not climbing’s golden age is still at hand.

“Luke Mehall emerged as a writer just in time to chronicle the dwindling light of the soul-climber: one who climbs for the aesthetics, who adventures for the freedom not the recognition, who’s hi-tech gear is merely a tool rather than a totem,” Chris Kalous, host of the “Enormocast” podcast, said of Mehall. “To dive into a Mehall book is to be brought along on a ride that we all wish we had the courage to board, but most of us trade that courage for comfort.”

Mehall also publishes The Climbing Zine, which just put out its 12th edition.

For more information, go to: www.climbingzine.com.

Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Mancos Public Library.

533-7600.

Folk Jam, 6-8 p.m., Steaming Bean, 900 Main Ave. 4031200.

“South Africa’s fragile democracy” with Katherine Burgess, part of the 2018 Great Decisions discussions, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m., Durango Public Library. www.lwvlaplata.org.

Russian Olive Removal for Watershed Health with Amanda Kuenzi from Mountain Studies Institute, 6:30 p.m., Animas Valley Grange, 7172 County Road 203.

ICL Knitters, 1-3 p.m., Ignacio Community Library. 5639287.

DJ Crazy Charlie hosts karaoke, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Billy Goat Saloon in Gem Village.

Baby Storytime, 2-2:30 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Open Mic Night, 7 p.m., Blondies in Cortez.

Tuesday Too Cool, gaming and STEAM programming, 3:30 p.m., Pine River Library. 884-2222.

Trivia Night, 7-10 p.m., Durango Brewing Co., 3000 Main Ave.

Drop-in Tennis, all ages welcome, 4 p.m., Durango High School courts. 769-3772.

Open Mic Night, 8 p.m.-close, Moe’s Lounge, 937 Main Ave.

Inklings Book Club, 3rd-5th graders, 4-5 p.m., Ignacio Community Library.

Wednesday25

Terry Rickard performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave. Super Ted’s Trivia Night, 6:12 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. www.animascitytheatre.com.

Rotary Club of Durango, presentation by Fort Lewis College President Dene Thomans, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel. 3857899.

Knit or Crochet with Kathy Graf, 6-7 p.m., Mancos Public Library. 533-7600.

Adult Board Game Night, 6-7 p.m., Durango Public Library.

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Morning Meditation, 8:30 a.m., Pine River Library in Bayfield. 884-2222.

Bird Walk, 9 a.m., bring binoculars and meet at Rotary Park.

StoryTime, 10-11 a.m., Ignacio Community Library.

563-9287.

Pine River Valley Centennial Rotary Club, noon, Tequila’s in Bayfield.

Free Trauma Conscious Yoga for Veterans and Families, noon-1 p.m., Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave.

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April 19, 2018 n 19

AskRachel Interesting fact: Pork shoulder is a self-explanatory slice of meat. Pork butt, however, is actually just pork shoulder. #mindblown Dear Rachel, My roommate just got an Alexa, the little voice-activated slave. Now when he gets home from work, first thing he does is order Alexa to give him the news, weather, music station of choice, etc. He also has taken to yelling at it. I suppose he thinks the louder he screams, the faster his wish will be commanded. It’s become extremely annoying not to mention embarrassing when friends come over. He’s turned into some kind of power-tripping tyrant. Please, Rachel, how do we de-program the situation?

– Raging Against the Machine Dear Audioslave, This is the brave new world we live in. It ends not with a bang, nor with a whimper, but with a “No, Alexa, I said TELL ME A JOKE.” There’s no way to deprogram the situation, I’m afraid. Unless we rise up as one to throw off the yoke of our Silicon Valley overlords and reclaim our humanity from those who would enslave us through our own technological slaves. In other words, we’re boned.

– Killing in the name, Rachel

Dear Rachel, Can someone please explain to me what this whole current shoulder cut-out fashion funny business is all about? Could these women not afford to buy the whole shirt? Did the sweat shop

OntheTown from p. 19 Free Trauma Conscious Yoga for Veterans and Families, noon-1 p.m., Elks Lodge, 901 E. 2nd Ave. MakerSpace, noon-4 p.m., Ignacio Library. 563-9287.

Open Knitting Group, 1-3 p.m., Smiley Café, 1309 E. 3 Ave. rd

laborers go on strike and not finish the job? Is it because people’s shoulder’s get hot and sweaty and need ventilation? Please help me understand. Because if it is in fact considered “fashionable,” then I guess it’s true that there are no good ideas left and people will fall for anything.

– Cold Shoulder Dear Chilly Butt, Did you know that different parts of the human anatomy are considered erotic in different cultures?

Some peoples find elbows and knees to be all the rage. I knew a guy in college who got turned on by armpits. All this to say, I have no freaking idea what’s going on. Cut shirts are as pointless as distressed jeans. The only shoulder cut I can get behind is the one you eat from pigs.

– With timeless style, Rachel Dear Rachel, I was recently horrendously ill with a stomach bug. I was so out of it, I basically didn’t know what year I was living in. Now, after the fact, I’m wondering what I should expect from my roommates in this situation. Should they a) just leave me the f#@! alone; b) offer to grab me things at the store, and otherwise leave me the f#@! alone; or c) hold my hair back and bring me clean buckets? If I’m the roommate, I’m choosing a or b. But as the sick one, c would have been nice. What’s etiquette here?

– Bugging Out Dear Hazardous Waste, Unless your roommates are also your significant other or your parents, they’re under no obligation to do any“Return of the Dirtbag,” an evening with Luke Mehall, celebrating the release of the 2nd edition of American Climber, 6:30 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St. www.climb ingzine.com.

Terry Rickard, 7 p.m., The Office, 699 Main Ave. Yoga en Español, 7:30-8:30 p.m., YogaDurango, 1140 Main Ave. Karaoke, 8 p.m., Blondies in Cortez.

Teen Cafe, 2-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Ignacio Library.

563-9287.

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

Floor Barre Class, 3-4 p.m., Absolute Physical Therapy, 277 E. 8th Ave. 764-4094.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8:30 p.m., BREW Pub & Kitchen, 117 W. College Dr. 259-5959.

Tween Time: Crafternoon, 4-5 p.m., Durango Public Library.

Ongoing

Friends of the San Juans End-of-Season Celebration, food, drinks, raffle prizes and more, 5-8 p.m., Pine Needle Mountaineering, 835 Main Ave. thesanjuans.org.

Dine Out Durango: Five Days for a Living Wage, visit participating restaurants and a portion of proceeds goes to La Plata County Thrive! Living Wage Coalition, April 1620. www.thrivelaplata.org.

Greg Ryder performs, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle, 699 Main Ave.

“Woman,” a juried exhibition, show runs thru April 21, Studio &, 1027 Main Ave. anddurango.com.

Thank the Veterans! potluck, Peter Neds and Glenn Keefe perform, 5:30-8:30 p.m., VFW, 1550 Main. 828-7777.

Graduating Art & Communication Design Majors Exhibition, exhibit runs thru April 27, Fort Lewis College Art Gallery. 382-6925.

Autoimmune Support Group, 5:45 p.m., Living Tree Live Foods, 680-B Main Ave.

Durango Spring Cleanup, through May 4. www.duran gogov.org/cleanup.

Bluegrass Jam, 6-9 p.m., Steaming Bean, 900 Main Ave. Jenna Bush Hager, part of the Community Foundation’s “Making a Difference” Speaker Series, 6:30 p.m., FLC Community Concert Hall. www.durangoconcerts.com.

20 n April 19, 2018

“Splendor of the Rockies,” plein air works by Moab artist Carolyn Dailey, thru May 5, Eno, 723 E. 2nd Ave. Teen Time, 3:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, Pine River Library.

telegraph

Email Rachel at telegraph@durangotelegraph.com thing but option a. Who wants anything to do with your funk? Now, if your roommate is Alexa, then that changes things. She’s still a worthless bint, but at least she’ll talk to you while you hallucinate.

– Are you there, Alexa? It’s me, Rachel Live music, 5:30 p.m., daily, Diamond Belle, 699 Main.

Live music, 7 p.m., daily, The Office, 699 Main Ave. Karaoke, 8 p.m., Thur-Sun, 8th Ave. Tavern, 509 E 8th Ave.

Upcoming Durango Green Drinks, hosted by Conservation Colorado and Thrive! Living Wage Coalition, 5-6:45 p.m., April 26, Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave. Food Justice Symposium, featuring M. Karlos Baca and Rowen White, April 27-29, near Dolores. Register at www.icollectiveinc.org/food-justice-symposium.

Spring Benefit for Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center, 6-10 p.m., April 27, Powerhouse Science Center, 1333 Camino del Rio. Southwest Piano Trio performs on violin, cello and piano with Lori Lovato on clarinet, part of the 2017-18 Recital Series, 7 p.m., April 27, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 419 San Juan Drive. 385-8668.

The Met: Live in HD, featuring Massenet’s “Cendrillon,” 10:55 a.m., April 28, Fort Lewis College Student Union, Vallecito Room. www.durangoconcerts.com.

Living with Wildfire, resource fair and fundraiser featuring music from Little Brother, Carute Roma and Afrobeatniks, 1-9 p.m., April 28, Mancos Brewing Co. www.southwestcoloradofires.org.

Hunting Film Tour Durango Premier, sponsored by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, 7 p.m., April 28, Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. www.huntingfilmtour.com.

FreeWillAstrology

by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the early history of the automobile, electric engines were more popular and common than gasoline-powered engines. They were less noisy, dirty, smelly and difficult to operate. It’s too bad that thereafter the technology for gasoline cars developed at a faster rate than the technology for electric cars. By the end of the first decade of the 20th century, the petroleum-suckers were in ascendance. They have remained so ever since, playing a significant role in our world’s ongoing environmental degradation. Moral of the story: Sometimes the original idea or the early model or the first try is better. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you should consider applying this hypothesis to your current state of affairs.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Chesapeake Bay is a fertile estuary that teems with life.

It’s 200 miles long and holds 18 trillion gallons of water.

More than 150 streams and rivers course into its drainage basin. And yet it’s relatively shallow. If you’re 6 feet tall, you could wade through over a thousand square miles of its mix of fresh and salt water without getting your hat wet. I see this place as an apt metaphor for your life in the coming weeks: an expanse of flowing fecundity that is vast but not so deep that you’ll get overwhelmed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll soon arrive at a pressure-packed turning point.

You’ll stand poised at a pivotal twist of fate where you must trust your intuition to reveal the differences between smart risks and careless gambles. Are you willing to let your half-naked emotions show? Will you have the courage to be brazenly loyal to your deepest values? I won’t wish you luck, because how the story evolves will be fueled solely by your determination, not by accident or happenstance. You will know you’re in a good position to solve the Big Riddles if they feel both scary and fun.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Strong softness is one of your specialties. So are empathetic rigor, creative responsiveness, and daring acts of nurturing.

Now is a perfect time to summon and express all of these qualities with extra flair.

If you do, your influence will exceed its normal quotas. Your ability to heal and inspire your favorite people will be at a peak.

So I hereby invite you to explore the frontiers of aggressive receptivity. Wield your courage and power with a fierce vulnerability. Be tenderly sensitive as an antidote to any headstrong lovelessness you encounter.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 1973, Pink Floyd released the album “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Since then, it has been on various Billboard charts for over 1,700 weeks, and has sold more than 45 million copies. Judging from the astrological aspects coming to bear on you, Leo, I suspect you could create or produce a beautiful thing with a similar staying power in the next five months. What vitalizing influence would you like to have in your life for at least the next 30 years?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I beg you to take a break sometime soon. Give yourself permission to indulge in a vacation or recess or sabbatical.

Wander away on a leave of absence. Explore the mysteries of a siesta blended with a fiesta. If you don’t grant yourself this favor, I may be forced to bark “Chill out, dammit!” at you until you do. Please don’t misunderstand my intention here. The rest of us appreciate the way you’ve been attending to the complicated details that are too exacting for us. But we can also see that if you don’t ease up, there will soon be diminishing returns. It’s time to return to your studies of relaxing freedom.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Singer-songwriter Roy Orbison achieved great success in the 1960s, charting 22 songs on the Billboard Top 40. But his career declined after that. Years later, in 1986, filmmaker David Lynch asked him for the right to use his tune “In Dreams” for the movie “Blue Velvet.” Orbison denied the request, but Lynch incorporated the tune anyway. Surprise! “Blue Velvet” was nominated for an Academy Award and played a big role in reviving Orbison’s fame.

Later the singer came to appreciate not only the career boost, but also Lynch’s unusual aesthetic, testifying that the film gave his song an “otherworldly quality that added a whole new dimension.” Now let’s meditate on how this story might serve as a parable for your life. Was there an opportunity that you once turned down but will benefit from anyway? Or is there a current opportunity that maybe you shouldn’t turn down, even if it seems odd?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ve been to the Land of No Return and back more than anyone. But soon you’ll be visiting a remote enclave in this realm that you’re not very familiar with. I call it the Mother Lode of Sexy Truth. It’s where tender explorers go when they must transform outworn aspects of their approach to partnership and togetherness. On the eve of your quest, shall we conduct an inventory of your capacity to outgrow your habitual assumptions about relationships? No, let’s not. That sounds too stiff and formal. Instead, I’ll simply ask you to strip away any falseness that interferes with vivacious and catalytic intimacy.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): In 1824, two British explorers climbed a mountain in southwestern Australia. They were hoping to get a sweeping view of Port Phillip Bay, on which the present-day city of Melbourne is located. But when they reached the top, their view was largely obstructed by trees. Out of perverse spite, they decided to call the peak Mount Disappointment, a name it retains to this day. I suspect you may soon have your own personal version of an adventure that falls short of your expectations. I hope – and also predict – that your experience won’t demoralize you, but will rather mobilize you to attempt a new experiment that ultimately surpasses your original expectations.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn rock musician Lemmy Kilmister bragged that he swigged a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey every day from 1975 - 2013. While I admire his dedication to inducing altered states of consciousness, I can’t recommend such a strategy for you. But I will love it if you undertake a more disciplined crusade to escape numbing routines and irrelevant habits in the next four weeks. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will have a special knack for this practical art.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Germany was one of the big losers of World War I, which ended in 1919. By accepting the terms of the Versailles Treaty, it agreed to pay reparations equivalent to 96,000 tons of gold. Not until 2010, decades after the war, did Germany finally settle its bill and fulfill its obligation. I’m sure your own big, long-running debt is nowhere near as big or as long-running as that one, Aquarius.

But you will nonetheless have reason to be ecstatic when you finally discharge it.

And according to my reading of the astrological omens, that could and should happen sometime soon. (P.S. The “debt” could be emotional or spiritual rather than financial.)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “I would rather have a drop of luck than a barrel of brains,” said the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes.

Fortunately, that’s not a choice you will have to face in the coming weeks, Pisces.

According to my reading of the cosmic signs, your brain will be working with even greater efficiency and ingenuity than it usually does. Meanwhile, a stronger-than-expected flow of luck will be swirling around in your vicinity. One of your main tasks will be to harness your enhanced intelligence to take shrewd advantage of the good fortune.

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April 19, 2018 n 21

classifieds

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

(Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.)

Ads can be submitted via: n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133 n 777 Main Ave., #214 Approximate office hours: Mon., 9ish - 5ish Tues., 9ish - 5ish Wed., 9ish - 3ish Thurs., On delivery Fri., 10:30ish - 2ish please call ahead 259-0133.

Lost&Found Lost Wallet Lost wallet Saturday April 14 at or near Ernie’s. Blue and white fabric. Call Jack 970-759-1998.

Lost Ford Key FOB Lost 4/1/18 Purgatory ski area Ford key fob. Black with Ford insignia on the back & usual pictures for locking, unlocking, alarm & trunk opening. Any information 970-317-4713.

Lost – Ski Mitt Black and white Hestra. Lost somewhere between Purgatory and downtown Durango … we think. 970-749-2595.

Announcements

Purgatory Summer Hiring Fairs!

Join us to learn about the variety of open positions this summer at Purgatory Resort. From food and beverage positions to childcare and lift operations, spend your summer providing guests with a vacation they’ll never forget...in the most stunning environment in the world!

Wednesday, April 25 | 5pm - 7pm Saturday, April 28 | 10am - 2pm 2615 Main Ave | 2nd Floor (Please enter through Purgatory Sports- North Main) Summer employees receive a FREE winter pass. Save time by applying online ahead of the job fair. We’ll have your application printed and be ready to chat! All open volunteer and employee positions are posted at www.purgatoryresort.com

22 n April 19, 2018

The Perfect Gift for your favorite dirtbag. Literature from Durango’s own Benighted Publications. The Climbing Zine, The Great American Dirtbags, American Climber, Climbing Out of Bed and Graduating From College Me are available at: Maria’s Bookshop, Pine Needle Mountaineering, the Sky Store, or on the interweb at www.climbingzine.com.

Pets Love Your Dog! At the Durango Dog Wash behind Liquor World in the Albertson’s parking lot. Open every day!

Wanted Turn Vehicles, Copper, Alum, Etc. Into Cash! at RJ Metal Recycle, also free appliance and other metal drop off. 970-259-3494.

mariasbookshop.com. until filled.

Position

open

Hope Yoga Studio: Age Gracefully and Live Vibrantly Dr Keneen Hope McNiven D.C. Posture, pain and injury rehab. Uplifting Anusara certified yoga classes. Punch passes available. Smiley Studio 10. New more classes now available. Pre-register at www.hopechiroyoga.com or 303-5138055.

Blacksmith Classes Learn the art of blacksmithing in a working blacksmith shop in Mancos, CO. Beginning to advanced classes. More info www.cowboyforge.com Mommy and Me Dance Class Come join the fun! Now registering for classes. Call 970-749-6456. mom myandmedance.com

Services

HelpWanted Horse Care Part time ranch hand, weekends plus two half days. Contact: cell 719-502-7199 call or text.

Interested in Psych, Human Services or Corrections Careers?

Work with at-risk students in a secure detention facility. *Detention specialist/coach counselor (FT,PT, days, nights) Open interview/tour at DeNier Youth Services, Mondays 9:00 am or 5:30 pm, Thursdays 3:00 pm or 5:30 pm.

Must be 21 yo and pass drug/background tests incl THC. Email resume Karen.Doyle@ROP.com or apply at 720 Turner Dr, Durango.

Classes/Workshops Maria’s Bookshop Community Relations Manager Fast-paced managerial position connecting books, authors, publishers and the community. Promote book sales and cultivate bookshop’s community presence. Responsible for book signings, reading groups, and offsite events. Manage marketing, community donations, store displays, website, digital newsletter, and social media. Active member of bookselling staff. For more information visit

telegraph

Gorgeous Spray Tans at Spa Evo! Get your glow on at Spa Evo with a spray tan color-customized exclusively for you. Expertly applied by Durango’s only Gold-Certified Spray Tan artist. 6 years exp. Read my reviews on Yelp & FB. Text or call 9702590226 to schedule. www.spaevo.com Native American Flute lessons 17 yrs exp. Erika 970-749-1926.

First Choice Home Improvements Siding, windows, roofing, etc. Free estimates, 35+ years exp. Dan 259-6451; Brent 317-5474.

Botanical Hi-Altitude Skin Care A drug free approach to metabolic, hormonal signs of aging, and environmental damage. Private and personal.

Monie Schlarb lic. esthetician. 970-7644261, leave message.

R & D Landscaping and Masonry Early season deals for all aspects of landscaping, masonry, concrete, excavation, etc. 970-529-3034.

Low Price on Inside/Outside Storage Near Durango, RJ Mini Storage. 970259-3494.

Harmony Organizing and Cleaning Services Create harmony in your space this year by organizing and cleaning your home, vacation home or office. Martee 970-403-6192.

Advanced Duct Cleaning Air duct cleaning specializing in dryer vents. Improves indoor air quality; reduces dust and allergens, energy bills and fire risk. 970-247-2462 www.advanced ductcleaninginc.com Typos Are Your Worst Enema A good editor is your ally. Full-service text editing for websites, businesses, books, papers and tattoo ideas. Write to zach@zachhively.com

BodyWork Meg Bush, LMT & Emily Coker, LMT have Moved across the St. to 1075 Main Ave, #215.

Great new space, same awesome massages! 30, 60 & 90 minutes.

Edward Coons ~ Massage Therapy Advanced bodywork for athletes and people of all walks and ages for 15 years.

512-731-1836. massageintervention.life 25 years experience. Couples, sauna, cupping. Reviews on FB + Yelp. 970-9032984.

Massage with Kathryn Downtown location. Introductory rate $65/hr. Offering deep tissue, therapeutic stretching and acutonics. 970-201-3373 for more information.

RealEstate Radon Services Free radon testing and consultation.

Call Colorado Radon Abatement and Detection for details. 970- 946-1618.

ForSale Tristan’s Stained Glass Specializing in repairs, custom orders.

Sheet glass and art glass supplies. 970403-2011.

Hot Tub – New 6HP pump, 50 jets. Cost $8,000. Sell $3,650. 505-270-3104.

Reruns Home Furnishings Store full of furniture & décor – Patio sets, vintage bouncy porch chairs, fire pits, plant stands, West Elm rug, Crate and Barrel entryway storage bench, Pier 1 Asianstyle dresser. Cool teak, mid-century tea cart, gorgeous carved armoire, antique dressers. & more. Daily markdowns. 572 E. 6th Ave. 385-7336.

RoommateWanted Male Only, In-Town Clean, quiet. No smokers, pets, partiers. $550 including utilities, plus deposit. 970759-0551.

ForRent Share Dwtn OFC Big room w/Waiting area. Quiet/ground FLR. Ideal for therapist or health prof. 2479076.

One Person Only 1BD/1BA in town. Clean, quiet, responsible. No smokers, pets, partiers. $750 including utls + deposit. 970-759-0551.

2018 for $3000. No taxes or added fees. Call or text Lori @ 970-426-9601.

CommercialForRent Fulton Building 11 X 10 Office Available now, 11 x 10 office downtown in the Fulton building, 842 1/2 Main Avenue, $350/month. Great location!

CommunityService Garden Giveaway!

The Garden Project of SW Colorado, The Moniker Foundation, and Paonia Soil Co. are teaming up to provide one lucky school or organization in La Plata County with nine Smart Pod gardening totes, and the tools, supplies, hands-on support, and training to grow their own food. Schools and organizations who serve individuals and families in need, that are interested in the opportunity to start a garden to grow food, and who have the ability to impact and inspire others to do the same, are encouraged to apply. Applications are available online at: www.TheGardenProjectSWColorado.org. Applications are due no later than Friday, April 27.

HaikuMovieReview ‘Paterno’

Kauai Vacation Rental 1 bedroom 2 bath @ Hanalei Bay Resort.

Second floor end unit overlooking Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai. Available July 1 to July 8,

In a world...where sports idolatry means more than the rape of children

Drinking&DiningGuide Himalayan Kitchen 992 Main Ave., 970-259-0956 www.himkitchen.com Bringing you a taste of Nepal, Tibet & India. Try our all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. The dinner menu offers a variety of tempting choices, including yak, lamb, chicken, beef & seafood; extensive veggies; freshly baked bread. Full bar. Get your lunch punch card – 10th lunch free.

Hours: Lunch, 11am-2:30 pm & dinner, Sun. - Thurs., 5-9:30 p.m., Fri. & Sat. ‘til 10 p.m. Closed 2:30 to 5 daily $$ 11th Street Station 1101 Main Ave., 970-422-8482 www.11thstreetstation.com A culinary collective in the heart of Durango that offers five food trucks, a coffee shop, and a bar. Our food vendors offer everything from sushi to pizza. Come on down - there’s a little something for everyone!

Hours: Daily, 6 a.m. – 12 a.m. $$ BREW Pub & Kitchen 117 W. College Drive, 970-259-5959 www.brewpubkitchen.com Experience Durango’s award-winning brewery & restaurant featuring unique, hand-crafted beers, delicious food - made from scratch, wonderful wine & cocktails.

Happy Hour, Mon.- Fri. 3-6 pm & all day Sunday with $2 off beer, $1 off wines & wells & 25% off appetizers.

Hours: Sun.-Thurs.11 a.m. - 9 p.m., & Fri. & Sat.11 a.m. to 10 p.m. $$

– Lainie Maxson

Get in the Guide! $20/week. Email: lainie@durangotelegraph.com

The suffering is over ...

Issue 2 is here! wherever you find the Telegraph or at www.gulchmag.com.

To find out about advertising opportunities, email steve@gulchmag.com

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April 19, 2018 n 23

24 n April 19, 2018

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