In defense of hunting wildcats and rejecting “ballot box biology” by Andrew Carpenter / Writers on the Range
“I’m gonna start thrifting for whitie tighties.”
– First off, it’s “tighty whities” … and never mind – we don’t want to know.
One of the M.C.’s favorite family friendly biking spots is back open for business. After being closed recently for a prescribed burn, Boggy Draw opened back up to the public Wed., May 14.
On a mission
Durango’s Sober Water wants to help environment, society by Missy Votel On the cover A moose stops to ponder his reflection in a pond north of Durango./ Photo by Andy High
Final shred
The Hive says so long – but before they tear it down, they tear it up by Chadwick Dixon
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Meet one of Durango’s best up-and-coming songwriters by Stephen Sellers
STAR-STUDDED CAST: Kirbie Bennett, Stephen Sellers, Chadwick Dixon, Rob Brezsny, Lainie Maxson, Jesse Anderson & Clint Reid
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“Thank you to everyone for your patience and cooperation with our prescribed fire in Boggy Draw last week. We were able to bring fire across over 1,100 acres in three burn units, including Little Bean Canyon, which has not seen fire in many years,” SJNF Dolores District Ranger Nicholas Mustoe wrote in a press release.
These low-to-moderate burns eliminate hazardous fuels and help slow future, highintensity fires when they reach recently burned areas. Although the prescribed burn is complete, “hot spots,” including smoke and some flames, will still be lingering within the perimeter. Folks are kindly asked not to report the smoke as it: a) ties up dispatch lines for real emergencies; and b) forest personnel are already aware and on site monitoring conditions.
In addition, people are urged to remain on the lookout for hazards to self and pets, including stump holes with hot ashes, unstable ground where roots have burned and fire-weakened trees.
The Dolores Ranger District will continue to look for favorable conditions to conduct more burns later this spring. Stay tuned.
Durango has a new collection of funny folks. The cleverly named Lower Left Improv – which takes its name form Durango’s location in the state – is hosting its first show of original comedy sketches, “Mind Your Manners,” Fri.-Sat., May 24-25, at Stillwater’s Light Box Theater, 1316 Main Ave.
Lower Left is made up of several names familiar to local audiences, including a few professionally trained at Chicago’s renowned Second City. It was founded by Mary Quinn, professional actor and improvisor, and Cindy Alugadio Hill, actor, comedian, writer and producer. Other members include: Sarah Syverson; Tara Demmy and Jeff Graves. They will have assistance from Second City’s Mary Mahoney, who will also provide music.
“They are a fantastic up-and-coming creative company, and this kind of production quality and caliber is rare to find outside a metropolitan area,” Syverson, also of “Raven Narratives” fame, said. “This two-night engagement’s gonna rock your world!”
05/19/2024: Yá’át’ééh, Aunt Dorothy. I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written to you. I mean, today is my birthday, and we are now approaching 20 years since you passed away into that other realm. I imagine you are now good friends with your favorite artists, like George Jones and Johnny Cash. Is that true? I mean, I miss hearing your stories. I mean, around this time 20 years ago you left, and I was not ready for that. You were my second mother, Aunt Dorothy, and I was not ready to be a pallbearer at 16, carrying you, shimá yazhí, to rest in the desert, our home. So much time has passed, Auntie. I do a lot more writing these days. I finally feel confident calling myself a writer. I finally feel confident being alive, and that wasn’t always the case, I’m sorry. It took time, but I am learning to love smiling. Speaking of smiling, around this time of year, I am thinking of you because these clear blue skies and days of endless beauty remind me of your smile. The mountains that surround us remind me of your warm hugs. Auntie, I don’t know how many chances I’ve had or how many times I’ve failed, I have lost count, but lately it feels like life is beginning again. Every year is a miracle, a blessing and today, Auntie, you are in my heart because 05/19/two-thousand-and-four: these are days of endless beauty & earlier today for my birthday I bought the new Fall Out Boy CD, it’s an EP full of acoustic songs that will be fun to learn on guitar soon but Auntie, you’re not with us tonight for dinner in Shiprock, N.M. There’s an empty seat at the table & mom looks worried about your condition. You are 200 miles away in an Albuquerque hospital, so before our meal, we pray & I include you in the prayer, it goes like this: Creator, bless my Aunt Dorothy with good health because she is an angel. I mean, she devoted her life to helping Diné families impacted by uranium mining, she worked tirelessly helping families receive compensation, & remember my grandfather, too, was a uranium miner & many of my family members, including my aunt, were exposed to radiation. Remember, the reason my aunt’s in the hospital is because exposure to uranium has impacted her life since she was young. Remember, the reason she became a caseworker for affected Diné people is because of my family’s connection to that injustice. She helped as many families as she could before her health declined &
We can’t believe we’re saying this, but it seems there might be an upside to climate change. A new University of Colorado study predicts climate change may result in more water for the droughtstricken Colorado River Basin in the next few decades.
Local skywatchers being treated last weekend to the very rare celestial occurrence of the Aurora Borealis, which typically isn’t seen this far south.
Score one for pedestrian and cyclist safety. Colorado has finally passed a law making it illegal to drive and use a cell phone. Which is good since a lot of people can’t even drive and chew gum.
God, what do you call that? Is that love or justice? What’s the difference 05/24/two-zero-zero-four: between these days, they all feel the same, I am suspended in sadness at the UNM hospital in Albuquerque, the white walls & fluorescent lighting make me feel queasy. We are endlessly waiting. Endlessly hoping Auntie will pull through. God did you hear my prayer the other day? Next year my aunt turns 50 & she deserves to celebrate that because every year is a miracle. I roam the hospital with a CD player & headphones & there’s a song I keep replaying, I focus on these lyrics: If I could I would shrink myself/ Sink through your skin to your blood cells/ Remove whatever makes you hurt. Auntie, I keep repeating those words in your room, hoping I can give you my health, so you can recover & wake up & we can celebrate more birthdays.
But then – there’s the sound of medical machines flatlining. It breaks through the music. It breaks through my heart. I can’t let go of you. I want those lyrics to come true as I’m holding you. Auntie, before you leave, I’m drowning in tears but I have to tell you: Thank you for everything. I think I want to be a writer someday because you always encouraged me. I think I want to be a musician someday because of the pawnshop guitar you bought for me when I was 12. I know I want to understand history better & fight for justice always because of the work you did, helping our people.
Auntie, your arms have held me since I was a baby & today I am still a baby but now I’m holding you as you’re leaving & this is not fair, the sun is shining outside, these are days of endless beauty & it feels like life is beginning but these tears leave me speechless & we have so many stories to tell each other & Auntie, I want to keep hearing your voice, I want to keep hearing your laughter because that is the sound of god the sound of love the sound of creation –
05/24/INFINITY: the sound of eternity is seeds returning to the soil. Auntie, I am learning to enjoy the timeline we share with the people we love, regardless of how long that time together lasts. The love we share makes time feel infinite. Auntie, I am learning that we should leave behind a kingdom of heaven before we return to the soil. Auntie, love is an endless miracle and I see you everywhere. My heart is a shrine to you.
– Kirbie Bennett
Well, that sucks. Avalanche star forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended midplayoffs – again – for drug use and is out on double-secret probation for the next six months. See ya, dude.
Folks who seem to think they can let their dogs run free on the Animas River Trail, where, god knows, there’s enough chaos. People, there is a time and place for leashes. This is one of them.
As climate disasters increase in severity and frequency, homeowners are feeling the pinch as insurance companies jack up their rates or cancel policies all together.
Taylor Pare, 33, of Manhattan, thought she met someone “cute” via a dating app, so she agreed to meet for dinner at a local bistro. But after waiting long enough to figure out she’d been stood up, Taylor ordered $45 worth of food and left. A few days later, Taylor joined a Facebook group bashing local playboys, and she found multiple stories featuring the same app, bistro, and fake profile. After more digging, Taylor took to TikTok recently with her discovery: many restaurants in NYC use fake dating profiles to lure in guests because they’ll spend money even after being stood up. But hey… at least the catfish is free.
Asking the public to decide if it’s a good idea to ban hunting mountain lions and bobcats is no way for a state to run its wildlife agency. We all have opinions, but most of us aren’t experts in managing wildlife. The state constantly monitors lion populations to keep lions out of trouble, set hunting limits and promote stable populations. Yet an effort is underway in Colorado to ban trophy hunting and trapping of lions, bobcats and even lynx, which are already protected by the state, using bait, dogs and what initiative proponents call “unfair high-tech gadgetry.” Advocates for the ban are working to collect enough signatures to get it on the ballot this fall.
I urge Colorado residents not to sign this petition because I think voters across the West should resist voting on decisions that are better left to biologists and game managers at state wildlife agencies.
Unlike eastern states, most states in the West allow citizen-initiated ballot measures to make changes to their laws. But using this format of direct democracy, also known as ballot box biology, means citizens take it upon themselves to make policy concerning highly technical topics such as big cat hunting or wolf reintroduction.
The proposed ban is not straightforward. Including lynx, which cannot be hunted outside of Alaska, is confusing. Another confusing goal of the ban is preventing hunters from killing cougars and bobcats as trophies, rather than for meat. In Colorado, hunters are already required to take all edible meat from their kills of lions, though not for bobcats. States like Montana and Utah exempt big cats from meat-salvage regulations, but how hunters utilize their harvest is better left to experts. But animal rights activists aren’t trying to make sure hunters eat the mountain lions they hunt. Their true goal is to prevent hunting in general, starting with a species the public knows little about. If voters think about the ethics of hunting mountain lions, they will realize it’s more complicated.
Consider California, where mountain
Lions filmed at night by a trail camera in Colorado. A ballot initiative to ban trophy hunting and trapping of big cats and bobcats could have unintended consequences, such as more human-cat interactions and livestock depredation./ Photo by
Andrew Carpenterlion hunting has long been outlawed. In 2023, state wildlife agencies received 515 reports of cougars attacking livestock. In response, the state issued 204 “depredation” permits. Thirty-nine of these permits allowed the cat to be killed, while 165 allowed the nonlethal removal of the animals.
Biology requires that some predators be hunted, regardless of how voters feel about it.
Population management of Colorado’s approximately 4,000 cougars is such a complex issue that all hunters must take a course and pass a test before being issued a hunting license to pursue cougars. Last year, 2,599 of these hunters killed 502 mountain lions in the state; if they hadn’t, a much larger number of deer and elk would have undoubtedly been killed by the big cats.
Managing this balance is a full-time job for hundreds of biologists who determine the number of permits to issue based on science rather than a vote.
I’m thankful for these experts, and I don’t want to see them lose hunting as a tool for managing mountain lion populations.
I live in mountain lion country. Walking in the woods behind my house, I often see deer carcasses hanging in trees, evidence of lions storing their next
meal. Female cougars screaming during mating season sometimes keeps my family up at night.
Despite these frightening sights and sounds, bees kill far more people than mountain lions. While a recent fatality in California reminds us that cougars are dangerous, there have been fewer than 30 fatal attacks on humans in the past century.
I support hunting these apex predators to prevent overpopulation. If there are too many mountain lions, they can overhunt prey species and come into more frequent contact with humans. Hunting is a more intelligent, humane approach to wildlife management than allowing populations to grow out of control and die of starvation.
As much as I dislike ballot box biology, the practice is apparently here to stay across the West. But if someone asks you to sign a petition to change hunting laws or your ballot asks you to vote on how to manage specific wildlife populations, ask yourself if you’re an expert.
Let’s not vote to override the sound policies of the state wildlife agency.
Andrew Carpenter is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He is a hunter and writer and lives in Colorado. ■
Volunteers are needed to gather signatures on a petition for the November ballot to ban trophy hunting mountain lions and bobcats. Packs of dogs with GPS collars are used to hunt mountain lions usually treeing them where they are shot. This cruel practice is also not in accordance with “fair chase” hunting.
There is no bag limit of the number of bobcats that can be trapped and then killed, usually by choke-hold strangulation or clubbing, with their pelts sold to China and Russia.
Signatures are needed by July 4 to put the initiative on the November ballot to stop these cruel practices. To sign or for more information, please visit www.catsarenttrophies.com. Go to link for volunteers and sign up.
Also, contact your senators now and ask them to oppose Lauren Boebert’s bill delisting wolves of federal protection. The bill passed the House of Representatives but now goes to the Senate. Her “Trust the Science” bill has nothing to do with science. It would delist wolves of federal protection in all
states, opening up the barbaric hunting policies such as running wolves over, bombing dens, poisoning, snaring and torture as happened to the little Wyoming wolf.
Boebert has gone against Colorado voters who voted to reintroduce wolves. Science has documented wolves are keystone species for a healthy ecosystem. They reduce browsing along streams, lessening erosion and causing growth of vegetation and trees giving shade for fish and increasing biodiversity. Please contact your senators now.
– Margaret Mayer, DurangoIran and Israel are conducting direct military attacks that could escalate into a major regional war and potentially impact U.S. military forces in the Middle East.
Other attacks on Israel are instigated by militias in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza, and the Hamas terrorist attack of Oct. 7, 2023, epitomizes the situation facing Israel.
The animosity and violence in the
Middle East are attributable to religious differences and hatred between the Sunnis and the Shiites. There is the hatred of the Israeli Jews by many Arabs, and the Arab characterization of Christians and Jews as infidels. There are the remnants of the Syrian Civil War abetted by Russia; and the ongoing conflict between the Kurds of Iraq and Syria with Turkey.
The Sunni-dominated countries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab
Emirates and Bahrain are wary of Shiite Iran and its proxies in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza. These Sunni-dominated countries will not provide any assistance to Iran in its confrontations with Israel. In fact, the Sunni-dominated countries probably clandestinely provide intelligence to Israel in its confrontations with the Shiite entities.
The Sunni countries look upon Israel as a buffer country in the Middle East that can blunt the impact of Iran and their Iraqi, Lebanese and Gaza militias.
Israel is a U.S. ally in a very strategic location in the oil-rich Middle East, and we consider it as a blocking force against Iran and its proxies. Iran refers to Israel as Little Satan and America as the Great Satan. Additionally, the Suez Canal is a maritime choke point to be safeguarded.
The United States and other democratic countries have to continue to provide military funding to support Israel in its confrontations with Iran and its proxies, or any other adversaries that evolve in the Middle East. Let us not forget Iran and Syria are allied with Russia. We currently have strategic military bases in the Middle East with thousands of troops and their equipment ready for action.
Unfortunately, the recent brutal attack on Israel by Hamas and the vast death and destruction wrought by Israel in Gaza significantly set back peace in the Middle East. The hatred in the Middle East is ingrained in the populations.
The world should be prepared for ongoing wars in the Middle East.
– Donald Moskowitz, Londonderry, N.H.Although some of the messages at several colleges across our country are way too much for me personally, to peacefully protest is a right I believe in. If our current POTUS is not reelected this November, we will repeat another four years of chaos. Let’s not repeat the Kent State College killings or the radical Vietnam protests that took place at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, which were so intense that the Democratic nominee for president was not elected.
War hawks allowed the Vietnam War to continue way too long, with 50,000 of our troops suffering death, amputations, PTSD and the list goes on.
Please, think about today’s homeless who were forced to serve in Vietnam or signed up for Iraq, Afghanistan and other battles. Their lives matter; same goes for Israel, Gaza and everyone else around the world who should have a full life as God Almighty has wanted since the beginning of time.
Vote to keep our democracy, create peaceful solutions abroad and make sure we get quality care as well.
– Sally Florence, Durango
In a letter in the April 24 issue of the Telegraph, Dennis Pierce compares climate change advocates to cult religious groups. Well Mr. Pierce, just like many did in the Middle Ages, I think you are confusing
religion with science. Climate crisis activists are a religious cult the same way those who believe the Earth is round are a religious cult or the same way those who believe the Sun is the center of our solar system are a religious cult. Regarding the climate crisis, all you have to do is look at the exhaustive amount of science, and if you don’t believe the science, then you must be part of a religious cult.
– Paul Larson SW Colorado
I was really taken with Jonathan Bailey’s cover art “Headwind” (Telegraph, April 24). It is joyful. And lovely. Perhaps one of your artists could do a cover representation of The Hive, which is a good place for young people and others who don’t drink or do drugs. They are also welcoming to the LGBTQ youth who are marginalized. I appreciate The Hive and hope our community will help them thrive!
– Margaret Pacheco, Durango
“We’ll print damn near anything”
The Telegraph prides itself on a liberal letters policy. We have only three requests: limit letters to 500 words; letters must be signed by the writer; and thank-you lists and libelous, personal attacks are unwelcome. Send your profundities by Monday at noon to telegraph@durangotelegraph.com
Using a cell phone while driving would become a crime for adult drivers in Colorado under a bill that cleared the state Legislature last week. The bill now awaits signing by Gov. Jared Polis.
Texting while driving and making phone calls for drivers under 18 are already illegal under current state law. But efforts to expand distracted driving laws have failed for years despite roads becoming deadlier – especially for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.
This session, however, legislators say their bill succeeded because it balances concerns for road safety with worries that it could lead to over-policing of drivers of color.
Bill sponsor Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, said he’s seen both sides of the issue in his personal life.
“I have been harassed. My family has
been harassed by cops,” he said in an interview. “But also I have a cousin that was murdered by a distracted driver back in 2003. So I … (wanted) to thread that needle. And I think we got to a really good place.”
Under the bill, which would go into effect in January 2025, drivers will be able to legally make calls only if they use a hands-free accessory. Other exceptions include drivers reporting emergencies, first responders or using a cell phone while parked. Fines will start at $75. Firsttime offenders can get their fees waived if they buy a hands-free device.
The original bill cleared the Senate months ago relatively intact. But some House lawmakers worried that the bill would’ve allowed police to pull over drivers simply for having a cell phone on their body – even if it wasn’t being used.
New language added in the House and approved last week by a conference committee, made up of members of both chambers, says that a police officer must
actually see the driver using a cell phone.
The committee also made cell phone usage a secondary offense, Ortiz said, a change supported by representatives for police, civil liberties groups and defense attorneys. That means drivers must first be pulled over for something else before they can be cited for using a cell phone.
“I’m really glad that we all came to agreement,” Ortiz said. “We’ve been trying to do this bill for almost a decade, and we finally got it done.”
A spokesperson for Gov. Jared Polis called the bill a “big step forward” to improve road safety and said he would sign the bill.
“Governor Polis appreciates the work of the bill sponsors and stakeholders for this effort to make Colorado safer by having Colorado join 27 other states and D.C. in banning handheld cell phone use while driving,” spokesperson Shelby Wieman wrote in an email.
For more from Colorado Public Radio, go to www.cpr.org. ■
Move over Liquid Death, Dasani, Life Water and Smart Water. There’s a new entrant on the evercrowded bottled water shelf. But before you pass this off as more water under the disposable bottle bridge, wait. Not only is it a local, Durango-based company, but this water comes with a twist. And we’re not just talking about the nifty screw top on the aluminum bottle.
As you can probably guess by its name, Sober Water – the brainchild of Durangoan Ryan Whittaker, who partnered with friend and retired oncologist Dr. Mark James – is about way more than quenching folks’ thirst. Not only does it help tackle the plastic problem by using infinitely recyclable aluminum, a portion of sales go to housing the newly sober and unhoused.
“I decided to start a company that would give back, help people and help the environment,” said Whittaker, who has previous experience as the CEO of an archery company and also works as a general contractor. “Our motto is, ‘People First, Water Second.’”
Whittaker, 42, a recovering drug addict who will be 27 years sober in August, said he chose the name “Sober Water” because, well, sober is the new black. “Sober’s hot right now. It’s cool to be sober. It’s socially acceptable,” he said, referencing the growing sober curious movement and associated non-alcoholic cocktail craze. But the sober movement goes beyond abstaining from alcohol to harder stuff, he said, like street drugs and the growing epidemic of deadly fentanyl. “It’s literally money from those water sales that goes to make sober homes and helps get people off the streets and off drugs.”
To that end, Whittaker has 40 acres of land in the San Luis Valley he plans to use for his first three sober homes. The homes, which he will build, will house about 15 people in need of short- or long-term housing. And if the area sounds remote – that’s on purpose. “It’s a 20-mile walk to the nearest liquor store or dispensary, so if they really want a chemical-free chance away from the city, they can do that at the sober ranch.”
(If all this sounds similar to what Tico Time owner Robert Holmes is trying to do, it’s not coincidence. Whittaker and Holmes are good friends, and Sober Water sponsors the Tico Time water slide, which we have yet to experience in person.)
Local (aluminum) bottled water start-up Sober Water has earned a spot on local store shelves right next to Topo Chico and Liquid Death. The company has pledged to give a large portion of its profits to help the homeless and recovering addicts./ Courtesy photo
“I need capital to do that. Water gives you capital quicker than anything,” he said. But, he noted, he wants to make sure it’s done responsibly. He said he wants Sober Water to do what the big water brands say they’re doing – giving back to society – but often don’t. “We can’t just care for the environment. We have to care for people, too,” he said.
Already, Whittaker has gotten several companies on board with his vision. In addition to Tico Time, Sober Water – currently only in noncarbonated form although carbonated is coming soon – is available at several local businesses including Sage Fresh Eats, Durango Coffee Co., Cream Bean Berry, Durango Sustainable Goods, Smiley Café, Gravity Lab and Durango Natural Foods. He also said he is partnering with Zuberfizz to produce plain carbonated water in bottles this summer and is in talks with Ska Fab about making Sober Water its own manufacturing line in Durango.
good, old Durango drinking water. In the meantime, Whittaker has a deal with a California company to bottle spring water from Mount Palomar, roughly halfway between Palm Springs and San Diego. He also worked with Denver-based Ball Corp. – which invented the screw top “bottle-can” – to produce his first batch of 576 bottles of spring water in late April.
“We immediately sold out,” he said of his first wholesale efforts. “We got rave reviews, people were saying, ‘I love that it’s a twist-top bottle. I love that it is not a plastic bottle.’ They say they would rather buy this than Liquid Death all day. People are super curious. They love the idea of it.”
While Sober Water can still be found on local shelves, Whittaker said he is expecting another order this week from Ball to replenish supplies. In addition, he is working with Ball to put carbonated water in 12-ounce cans later this summer.
From there, he hopes the thirst for water that gives back continues to grow – with Sober Water’s mission helping it rise to the surface of the bottled water market.
But Whittaker is already looking beyond the sober ranch to scaling his efforts on a national level. He envisions some day buying up and renovating abandoned homes to help get unhoused people off the streets.
As an added bonus to local production, Whittaker said Sober Water will employ up to a few dozen workers as early as this year and could eventually employ more than 100 – all at a living wage.
And yes, all locally made Sober Water will come from
“We plan to have a huge and lasting giveback, which is what sets us apart from every other water company,” he said. “People care about not using plastic; they care about companies that do more than just stack money and that give back to society in some way.”
To learn more about Sober Water or check out their swag, go to www.soberwater.org ■
Greetings, dear readers! For this week’s Between the Beats, I sat down with your next favorite songwriter, Tashi Trueheart Congdon, who performs simply as Tashi T. Do yourself a favor and head over to your favorite streaming platform and dial up their music to fully enjoy this sit-down with one of the best songwriters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Be sure to catch Tashi T and the Monkberries at The Subterrain on May 25 with doors opening at 7 p.m.
SS: Did you come from a musical family?
TT: My dad is a musician and did music professionally, but more so before I was born. He was a jazz musician and played in some big Latin bands in New York and the Dominican Republic. So, I grew up with a lot of Latin music like Chucho Valdez, Calle 13, Bata Koto, the Yellowjackets.
My mom loved Joni Mitchell, the Grateful Dead … she likes my music, too. (laughs). Growing up, we inherited a lovely piano from my grandma. She was a wonderful pianist before she got arthritis. I didn’t get to hear her play very much but the legends are many. She was incredible. Her name was Noel.
SS: Tell us about your journey to finding your own artistic voice.
TT: I grew up playing the piano, and I love to sing. High school was a rich time for me musically. I went to the Colorado Rocky Mountain Music School (in Carbondale). George Weber, the longtime music teacher there, led ensembles where you could play any instrument you wanted, any song you wanted, and then you’d perform around Carbondale. In college, I played in a jazz ensemble, and I was the only non-male person in any of the ensembles, which sucked honestly. I played the keyboard and piano, and then after college, I had a couple years that were kind of dry for me artistically. I re-encountered my muse and energy when I was living in my van in Silverton a couple years ago. That summer I picked up an acoustic guitar for the first time and started writing my own music.
SS: Were you raised in a religious environment?
TT: No.
SS: Raised in the void.
TT: Raised in the void. Totally.
SS: Do you explore that void in your songwriting?
TT: I feel like I come off more religious in my songwriting than in any other part of my life. God, praying, the thoughts and images of being saved or guided come through more in my writing than anything else. I’ve absorbed a lot of the folk Americana traditions – and Jesus and God and church are a part of those traditions. So, I find myself in that music more than I would in my ordinary life.
SS: It sounds like there’s a bit of reclaiming or reimagining of what those things represent.
TT: I think anyone who sings or writes music gets prayer.
SS: Who are some of your musical mentors?
TT: Gillian Welch, for sure. She was my way into folk and Americana. I feel like I’ve learned so much from her music. And Dave Rawlings, too – his musicianship and guitar playing. I love Adrianne Lenker. I love her lyricism. Joni Mitchell, for sure. I really like George Harrison, as well. Bonnie Rait really inspired me when I was finding my voice. I covered a lot of her music growing up.
SS: What about your musical lineage? This might be something that’s not tied to specific people or names.
TT: I feel like I’m writing within a songwriting tradition of folk and Americana, which are interesting because they have roots in the Appalachian Mountains. That’s not a place I’ve really spent any time, but that tradition of songwriting has really influenced me. The themes, the structures – my music is built around that. And, I feel like there are more and more young people embracing how good country music can be and writing within that style. So, I consider myself to be within that. My friend the other day called it the “Yeehaw Revival.” I like where I’m positioned in that, with how my songwriting and who I am as a person sort of toys with the norms of that tradition. I feel like my voice comes through and offers a fresh perspective.
SS: What’s been your experience with
breaking into “the scene” in Durango?
TT: It’s tough, honestly. People talk about this town for its music scene, which is interesting because yes, it does have a lively scene, and … it’s not that diverse, there’s not that many genres represented and it relies a lot on who you know to get booked. A lot of times when you look at lineups and bills, it’s the same names. I like going to shows at Anarchy (Brewing) because I always get introduced to new bands. I don’t know if I’ve totally found my niche here, and I’d love to play with more people, playing in a bigger band. But yeah – trying to book gigs as a solo performer definitely can be challenging.
SS: What do you think would make it less challenging?
TT: More venues, perhaps. It’s hard to get in the door, or people book out way in advance. Venues need budgets to pay for entertainment, and some venues aren’t able to do that. I also think more venues that are intimate would be helpful.
SS: What do you say to those readers who might have an inclination to start songwriting?
TT: I’m a big “Artist’s Way” person. I do truly believe that everyone has access to this creative current that’s running around us all the time. If you can give yourself the space and faith to tap into it, things that feel really good will emerge regardless of what the rest of the world will do with it. It’s worth taking a class, looking at some YouTube videos, trying to find little practices to make stuff. It’s good for ya. ■
It’s not “farewell” but “till we shred again” for Hive communityby Chadwick Dixon
As most in the Durango area know by now, after two years, The Hive nonprofit youth center is unable to continue in its leased space at 1150 Main Ave. But before we begin reversing the screws on the Skatelite ramp, we summoned all riders for one last skate session Fri., May 3. And to skate it correctly, we tore down the house.
When I awoke Saturday morning, the first thought to come to mind was “everything hurts” followed by, “that was the best session ever.”
As I limped down the street to get coffee, it became apparent how much of a beating skateboarding exacts on the human body, especially when you are no longer a teenager. This is the painful glory of skating over 40. When you notice random clicks in your musculoskeletal frame days later, you know you have walked away a different person. It’s those kinds of sessions that can change you in permanent ways. And that story is for life.
Knowing that this was the last hurrah brought out the Four Corners’ most talented skaters for a no-holds-barred celebration of skate. Not only did we witness some of the best tricks to ever go down on ramps in La Plata County, in similar fashion, we witnessed bodies hit the floor like never before. It reminded me of a skate jam we used to host back in Boston called Slam-town, where bands like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones would show up.
Fueled by the beats and riddims of DJ Vale and sidekick Leo Stephenson, the crowd of onlookers crammed into The Hive and were treated to an extraordinary display of daringness in the Shrine of Shred. People of all ages and abilities were uniting in an expression session never seen before. Boards were flying, and sneakers were catching the boards as if they were hands. Before long, the wheels of fortune turned a friendly session into a pageant of punishment. It became a whirlwind tour of the tricktionary: rails were ground; copings were smacked; ramps were launched; boards were grabbed; airs were landed; noses were slid; walls were footplanted; transitions were tricked; pockets were carved; decks
were flipped; and minds were blown as the crew kissed the park goodnight one final time.
To list all the highlights would require a forest of paper, but a few notables stood out: a dizzying 360 flip that was smoothly stomped; a massive frontside indy; a youngster holding what surely was the longest nosepick in Colorado history.
In the end, the event was so manic that we never stopped to honor the winners of the best trick contest. Nobody really cared, because in skating we celebrate individuality, and in that way every rider is a winner. Slam after slam, the session elevated to fever pitch. Not surprisingly, snaking was at a minimum as everyone politely traded turns in a feeding frenzy.
As skate instructors, we teach the kids that falling is inevitable. You will fall and you will fail, but you will progress. This maxim can also be applied in other areas of life. On the other side of pain is glory.
By 10 o’clock, most skaters had left, but one last rider would not give up without a make to complete his session. After what seemed like 50 grimacing slams, the trick was finally stomped, and what was left of the crowd went berserk. Fortunately for all, given the amplitude of the jam, no medical attention was necessary.
The following day, upon serendipitously encountering another participant from the night before also limping down the street, my belief was confirmed. Apparently, I am not the only one who gives a slam about the Durango skate scene. The soreness that next morning had me wondering why I continue to do this. However, much like after a big day in the mountains, for several days, I experienced a mild euphoria in stark contrast to my body’s condition.
After the pain subsided one truth arose: The Hive means a lot to this town. It means a lot to the kids, the
parents, the adults, the adults who are still kids, the directors, the volunteers, the artists, the musicians and anybody else who has come in from the cold to seek shelter in this community. The Hive has been serving up a year-round, all-inclusive skatepark for two years. And that flame should not be extinguished. The siblinghood of the wheel will continue to roll into the future, wherever that may be. To all who attended, that night will remain unforgettable. On that night, a new click of thrashers was born. For that I am grateful.
The skate of the union in Durango is “a-Hive” and well.
If The Hive has brought positivity into the lives of people you know, please consider volunteering or donating at www. thehivedgo.org. To register for youth summer programming, call 970 5080445.
Chadwick Dixon teaches skateboarding and Spanish at The Hive. ■
Ska-BQ Bluegrass Party & Rob Webster, 5-7 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.
Durango Chamber Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Gable House Bed & Breakfast, 805 E. 5th Ave.
Live music by Tim Sullivan, 5:30-10 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Bluegrass Jam, 6 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.
Live music by Jeff Solon Jazz, 6-8 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
Live music by Leigh Mikell, 6-8 p.m., Homeslice Pizza, 441 College Ave.
Poetry Open Mic Night, 6-7:30 p.m., Durango Sustainable Goods, 1259 Main Ave.
Live music by Andrew Schuhmann, 6-9 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m., Powerhouse Science Center, 1330 Camino del Rio
Salsa Night, 6:30 p.m., Roxy’s, 639 Main Ave.
Merely Players presents “Chicago: A RazzleDazzle Musical,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.
Movie Screening of “Unforgiven,” 7 p.m., Durango Art Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
“Folsom ‘68,” a Johnny Cash Tribute, 7:30 p.m., Community Concert Hall at FLC
Drag Trivia Night, 7:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Bluegrass Fest, Tico Time, Aztec, N.M.
Piano music by Gary B. Walker, 10:15 a.m.-12 noon, Jean-Pierre Bakery & Restaurant, 601 Main Ave.
Live music by Jack Ellis & Larry Carver, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Burt Baldwin, “Selected Poems: 1972-2023,” 6 p.m., Create Art and Tea, 1015 Main Ave.
Live music by Dustin Burley, 6-9 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Live music by Leigh Mikell, 6-9 p.m., The Oxford, 119 W. 8th St.
Merely Players presents “Chicago: A RazzleDazzle Musical,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.
Family Game Night, 7 p.m., The Subterrain, 900 Main Ave., Suite F
Aria PettyOne presents Aria’s Pizza Party, 8:30-9:30 p.m., Father’s Daughters Pizza, 640 Main Ave.
Fresh Baked Fridays: house, techno and electro, 9 p.m., Roxy’s, 639 Main Ave.
Durango Farmers Market, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., TBK Bank parking lot
The Garden Club’s Plant Sale, 9-10:30 a.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
SJMA’s Sand Canyon Wildflower Hike, 9 a.m.12 noon, Sand Canyon and Rock Creek Trailhead, 12543 Rd G, Cortez
Durango Trails trailwork at Twin Buttes, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Twin Buttes parking lot, HWY 160 W.
Bluegrass Fest, Tico Time, Aztec, N.M.
Stillwater Music’s Party in the Park, 12-5 p.m., Buckley Park, 1200 Main Ave.
San Juan Symphony Family Concert “Lemony Snicket: The Composer’s Dead!” 4-5 p.m., Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College
Adam Swanson plays ragtime, 5:30-10 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Karaoke, 6 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.
Live music by Gary Watkins 6-9 p.m., Weminuche Woodfired Grill, 18044 CR 501, Bayfield
Live music by Matt Rupnow, 6-9 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Merely Players presents “Chicago: A RazzleDazzle Musical,” 7 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.
Live music Gabrielle Louise, 8-10 p.m., The iNDIGO Room, 1315 N. Main Ave., #207
Silent Disco, 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m., 11th St. Station, 1101 Main Ave.
Bluegrass Fest, Tico Time, Aztec, N.M.
Irish jam session, 12:30-3 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.
Liberty School Golf Tournament, 1 p.m., Hillcrest Gold Club. www.libertyschool.org
Willowtail Sculpture Gardens Opening Reception & Fundraiser, 2-5 p.m., 10451 CR 39, Mancos
Merely Players presents “Chicago: A RazzleDazzle Musical,” 2 p.m., Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Dr.
Durango Food Not Bombs mutual aid and potluck, 2-4 p.m., Buckley Park
Board Game Sundays, 2 p.m., Lola’s Place, 725 E. 2nd Ave.
Durango Palestine Solidarity Rally, 4 p.m., Buckley Park, 12th St. and Main Ave.
Durango Choral Society Presents “Cabaret –to the Stars,” 5-7:30 p.m., Fort Lewis College Ballroom
Live music by Ben Gibson, 6-9 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Blue Moon Ramblers, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Monday20
YPOD Park Day and Picnic, 5-8 p.m., Santa Rita Park, 111 S. Camino Del Rio
Comedy Showcase, 7:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Tuesday21
Cowboy Tuesdays, 12 noon, Strater Hotel/Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Live music by Terry Rickard, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Chessa Gill presents on wildfire awareness to the Rotary Club of Durango, 6 p.m., Strater Hotel
Interesting fact: Dinner guest etiquette guides vary, but there is one universal: Do not unload someone else’s dishwasher. Ever.
Dear Rachel,
Let’s skip the part where you tell me I’m an idiot for lending money to a friend. I did it, it’s done, lesson learned. The next lesson I need to learn is how to get it back. We’re talking hundreds of dollars, not enough to murder for, but enough not to forget. He used to joke about paying back but that’s tapered off. I don’t want the friendship to turn but I could use the bread. What’s your advice?
– Sour Dough
Dear Loan Shark,
I have to presume that direct, honest communication is for some reason off the table. Otherwise, why not that? If you’re two dudes, or otherwise incapable of talking out your problems, you have little choice but to resort to a) outsourcing your violence, which likely eats into your payback as hit men aren’t cheap, or b) petty theft, which is timeconsuming, as odds are your friend’s easily stealable belongings aren’t in high demand on eBay. Maybe try talking after all?
– Pay up, Rachel
Live music by Sean O’Brien, 6-9 p.m., The Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave.
Open Mic, 7 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
“The Permacultural Approach to Prepping the Spring Garden,” 4:30-6 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.
Durango Trails Happy Hour Trailwork, 5-7:30 p.m., Lion’s Den
Mexican Bingo Night! presented by WoRd Travellers Language School, 6 p.m.,Zia Cantina Norte, 2977 Main Ave
Open Mic, 6:30 p.m., EsoTerra, 558 Main Ave.
The Polish Ambassador, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E College Dr.
Dear Rachel,
What’s the etiquette on washing dishes when a friend cooks you dinner? My BFF and I have started dining in instead of out. We can drink way more, it’s cheaper and we’re having a blast. At her house, she cooks, I insist on washing up everything. At my house, I cook, and if she washes anything, it’s the plates and silverware. Leaves the rest for me in the morning. I don’t want to get upset if I’m the one overextending here. Am I?
– Spic and Span
Dear Washed Up,
All the ghosts of all my grandmothers lined up through the centuries are here to say: Do the dishes! (I hope you hear that in your best ghostly voice.) But my grandmothers, not a one of them, did not benefit from contemporary therapy. Meet your friend where she’s at. Do the dishes as she does them. And if this causes issues? Talk about it. (A recurring theme this week. Please don’t make me take my own advice, ever.)
– Out with the dishwater, Rachel
too late to do anything about it. Someone could charge double, and I’d pay it to grovel. Hey, not a bad business idea. Wanna invest?
Dear Rachel,
Why isn’t there a bigger market for belated Mother’s Day cards, flowers and such? I can’t be the only one who forgot to order anything for Mommy Dearest (who lives three states away) until the night before when it was far
Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 8 p.m., The Roost, 128 E. College Dr.
Karaoke Roulette, 8 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
The artwork of Caryl Goode on display thru May, Create Art & Tea, 1015 Main Ave.
Smithsonian Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibit: “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” thru June 2, Ignacio Community Library, 470 Goddard Ave.
“The Return of the Force,” art exhibit exploring the influence of “Star Wars” on Native artists, FLC’s Center for Southwest Studies. Thru August 2024
– Past-Due Son
Dear Born Late, Forget belated gifts. I’d pay triple for a service willing to show up to my mom’s door, apologize profusely for failing to deliver the symbols of my love on time, and have her feel guilty for presuming that I forgot all about her. That last part is really what I’d pay for. Same for birthdays, anniversaries and passive aggressive thank-yous to friends who owe me boatloads of money. Anything but talking to them.
– Dead to me, Rachel Email Rachel at
The Polish Ambassador, Thurs., May 23, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E College Dr.
Durango Trails Dawn Patrol Trailwork, Thurs., May 23, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Lion’s Den
“Mind Your Manners,” original comedy sketches by Lower Left Improv, May 24-25, 7-9 p.m., Lightbox Theatre, Stillwater Music, 1316 Main Ave.
The Climbing Zine celebrates release of Volume 24, Thurs., May 23, 7 p.m. Gravity Lab, 732 CR 233.
Downtown Clean Day, Fri., May 24, 8:30-11:30 a.m., meet at Keller Williams parking lot, 700 Main Ave.
Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sun., May 26, 4:45 p.m., Durango Mesa Park, 661 Ewing Mesa Rd.
Deadline to submit items for “Stuff to Do” is Monday at
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Polish-born author Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) didn’t begin to speak English until he was 21 years old. At 25, his writing in that language was still stiff. Yet during the next 40+ years, he employed his adopted tongue to write 19 novels, numerous short stories, and several books. Today he is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. You may not embark on an equally spectacular growth period in the coming months, Aries. But you do have extra power to begin mastering a subject that could ultimately be crucial to your life story. Be inspired by Conrad’s magnificent accomplishments.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Hypothetically, you could learn to give a rendering of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 on a slide whistle. Or you could perform the “To be or not to be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” for an audience that isn’t even paying attention. Theoretically, you could pour your adoration to an unattainable celebrity or give a big tip to a waiter who provided mediocre service or do your finest singing at a karaoke bar with two people in the audience. But I hope you will offer your gifts with more discernment and panache. Don’t offer yourself carelessly. Give your blessings only to people who deeply appreciate them.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When I lived in San Francisco in 1995, thieves stole my Chevy Malibu. It was during the celebratory mayhem following the local football team’s Super Bowl victory. Cops recovered my car, but it had been irrevocably damaged in one specific way: It could no longer drive in reverse. Since I couldn’t afford a new vehicle, I kept it, carefully avoiding situations when I would need to go backward. It was a perfect metaphor for my life in those days. I’m suggesting you consider adopting it for yours. From what I can discern, there will be no turning around anytime soon. Don’t look back. Onward to the future!
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian basketball coach Tara VanDerveer is in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She won more games than anyone else in the sport. Here’s one aspect of her approach to coaching. She says that the greatest players “have a screw loose” – a good thing. I take her to mean that the superstars are eccentric, zealous, unruly and daring. They don’t conform to normal theories about how to succeed. They have a wild originality and fanatical drive for excellence. If you are interested in exploring the
advantages of having a screw loose for the sake of your ambitions, the coming months will be one of the best times ever.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Am I one of your father figures, uncle figures or brother figures? I hope so! I have worked hard to purge the toxic aspects of masculinity that I inherited from my culture. And I have diligently and gleefully cultivated the most beautiful aspects of masculinity. Plus, my feminist principles have been ripening and growing stronger for many years. With that as our background, I encourage you to upgrade your own relationship to the masculine archetype, no matter which of the 77 genders you might be. I see this as an excellent time for you to take practical measures to get the very best male influences in your life.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Now that your mind, your heart and your world have opened wider than you imagined possible, try to anticipate how they might close down if you’re not always as bold and brave as you have been in recent months. Then sign a contract with yourself, promising that you will not permit your mind, your heart and your world to shrink or narrow. If you proactively heal your fears before they break out, maybe they won’t break out. (PS: I will acknowledge that there may eventually be a bit of contraction you should allow to fully integrate the changes – but only a bit.)
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I would love you to cultivate connections with characters who give you secrets and scintillating stories. In my astrological opinion, you are in a phase when you require more fascination, amazement and intrigue. If love and sex are included in the exchange, so much the better – but they are not mandatory elements. The main thing is: For the sake of your mental, physical and spiritual health, get your limitations dissolved, your understanding of reality enriched and your vision of the future expanded.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio writer Andrew Solomon made a very Scorpionic comment when he wrote, “We all have our darkness, and the trick is making something exalted of it.” Of all the signs of the zodiac, you have the greatest potential to accomplish this heroic transmutation – and to do it with panache, artistry and even tenderness. I trust you are ready for another few rounds of your mysterious specialty. The people in your life would benefit from it almost as much as you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Have you been nursing the hope that someday you will retrain your loved ones? That you will change them in ways that make them act more sensibly? That you will convince them to shed qualities you don’t like and keep just the good parts? If so, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to drop this fantasy. In its place, I advise you to go through whatever mental gymnastics are necessary as you come to accept and love them exactly as they are. If you can manage that, there will be a bonus development: You will be more inclined to accept and love yourself exactly as you are.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I brazenly predict that in the next 11 months, you will get closer than ever before to doing your dream job. Because of your clear intentions, your diligent pragmatism, and the Fates’ grace, life will present you with good opportunities to earn money by doing what you love and providing an excellent service to your fellow creatures. But I’m not necessarily saying everything will unfold with perfection. And I am a bit afraid that you will fail to capitalize on your chances by being too insistent on perfection. Please assuage my doubts, Capricorn! Welcome imperfect but interesting progress.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In his book “Ambivalent Zen,” Lawrence Shainberg mourns that even while meditating, his mind is always fleeing from the present “lurching toward the future or clinging to the past.” I don’t agree that this is a terrible thing. Why demonize and deride it? But I can also see the value of spending quality time in the here and now –enjoying each new unpredictable moment without compulsively referencing it to other times and places. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I believe that in the coming weeks, you can enjoy far more free time in the rich and resonant present. Make “BE HERE NOW” your gentle, relaxing battle cry.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Two-thirds of us claim to have had a paranormal encounter. One-fourth say they can telepathically sense other people’s emotions. One-fifth have had conversations with the spirits of the dead. As you might guess, the percentage of Pisceans in each category is higher than all the rest of the zodiac signs. And I suspect that number will be even more elevated than usual in the coming weeks. I hope you love spooky fun and uncanny mysteries and semi-miraculous epiphanies! Here they come.
Deadline for Telegraph clas-
sified ads is Tuesday at noon. Ads are a bargain at 10 cents a character with a $5 minimum. Even better, ads can now be placed online: durangotelegraph.com Prepayment is required via cash, credit card or check.
(Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.) Ads can be submitted via: n www.durangotelegraph.com
n classifieds@durango telegraph.com n 970-259-0133
n 679 E. 2nd Ave., #E2
Approximate office hours: Mon-Wed: 9ish - 5ish Thurs: On delivery Fri: Gone fishing; call first
Ladies, Roe Overturned by you know who ... So! Overturn Viagra for MAGA supporters. Hello Don .
KDUR is Celebrating 50 years in 2025. Staff is on the hunt for past DJs who have a fond memory, story or even some recorded material! Email station manager Bryant Liggett, Liggett_b@fortlewis.edu
West Coast Swing Dance
Trade two left feet for smooth moves. West Coast Swing starts now! 6-week class starts May 29. Learn the basics of West Coast Swing. Registration is required at www.westslopewesties.com
Books Wanted at White Rabbit! Donate/trade/sell (970) 259-2213
Cash for Vehicles, Copper, Alum
Etc. at RJ Metal Recycle. Also free appliance and other metal drop off. 970259-3494 .
Lost: PFD
NRS black Ninja, size small. Left behind at Santa Rita take out on Thurs., May 9. Might have name and number in vest. I appreciate you! Call Jess Rea 970946-5972
Reruns Home Furnishings
Get ready for patio season. Beautiful servingware, glassware, baskets, bistros, chaise lounges and yard art. Also furniture, art, linens and other housewares. Looking to consign smaller furniture pieces. 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat. 970-385-7336.
Boiler Service - Water Heater
Serving Durango over 30 years. Brad, 970-759-2869. Master Plbg Lic #179917
Animas Paint and Repair
A local painting Contractor/handyman. Call for painting, drywall, flooring and other installation or repairs. No job too small. 970 946-8806
Lowest Prices on Storage!
Inside/outside storage near Durango and Bayfield. 10-x-20, $130. Outside spots: $65, with discounts available. RJ Mini Storage. 970-259-3494 .
Electric Repair
Roof, gutter cleaning, fence, floors, walls, flood damage , mold, heating service.
Hair Sparkle
Sol Sparkle Hair Tinsel will be @ Animas Trading Sat 5/11 & Sat 6/1 from 14:00pm
Empower Yourself to Flourish!
Bring alignment to all aspects of your life. Remove blocks and interference...physical, mental, emotional & chemical. Guidance and healing for creating more balance in your life. Dr. Erin 970-903-7176
Massage by Meg Bush
LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199
Lotus Path Healing Arts
Now accepting new clients. Offering a unique, intuitive fusion of Esalen massage, deep tissue & Acutonics, 24 years of experience. To schedule call Kathryn, 970-201-3373.
Bring the World to Your Home
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE), a nonprofit organiza-
Iron Claw’ Imagine watching a ‘Lifetime Movie of The Week’ but for sad dudes –
tion, is inviting local families to host a foreign exchange student. ASSE students come from more than 50 countries worldwide; are between the ages of 15-18; and are enthusiastic to experience American culture. Host families may be single parents, couples and single persons. The students have money for personal expenses and are selected based upon academics and personality, and host families choose their student. If interested, call Elena at 1-800-733-2773, visit www.asse.com or send an email to asseusawest@asse.com
The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado is offering free grief counseling services for children, teens and young adults with one of our graduate interns. If nterested, email: griefcenterswco @gmail.com Phone: 970-764-7142
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