This one goes to 11
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Dec. 18, 2025 Vol. XXIV, No. 49 durangotelegraph.com
inside
T H E
O R I G I N A L
I N D I E
W E E K L Y
L I N E
O N
D U R A N G O
&
B E Y O N D
Let it snow
Flying high
Look, don’t take
Despite season’s slow start, hope is not lost – yet p8
Catching up with Durango DJ/acrobat Nick Bailey p10
Lessons in pottery theft – and remorse – in SWCO p11
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lineup
4 La Vida Local
Peace on Earth Revisiting an anti-holiday tradition that rings true nearly 20 years on by Kirbie Bennett
4 Sign of the Downfall 4 Thumbin’ It
8
6-7 SoapBox 8 Local News
Balancing act On the usefulness of Flock and reconciling safety with freedom
10 Between the Beats
by Durango Chief Brice Current
11 State News
10
12-13 Stuff to Do 13 Ask Rachel
Snow business While resorts across the West struggle, reasons for optimism remain by Missy Votel
15 Classifieds
11
15 Haiku Movie Review
On the move
On the cover Old skis from various eras in history adorn a fence in downtown Durango./ Photo by Missy Votel
Keeping up with Durango DJ/ acrobat extraordinaire Nick Bailey by Stephen Sellers
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EDITORIALISTA: MISSY VOTEL missy@durangotelegraph.com
PIT CREW: JENNAYE DERGE jennaye@durangotelegraph.com
STAFF REPORTER: SCOOPS MCGEE telegraph@durangotelegraph.com
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he Durango Telegraph publishes every Thursday, come hell, high water, tacky singletrack or mon-
14 Free Will Astrology
STAR-STUDDED CAST: Kirbie Bennett, Stephen Sellers, Jesse Anderson, Lainie Maxson, Rob Brezsny & Clint Reid
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Ear to the ground: “It’s probably the one thing I have in common with Melania.” – Finding common ground over a shared hate of Christmas decorations
Losses and Gaines
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4
RegularOccurrences
Aspen has some more celebs to add to its roster. Chip and Joanna Gaines, of HGTV “Fixer Upper” fame, recently bought a property on the outskirts of town with the intent to not just make a “dream vacation home” for their family of seven but, of course, to document the transformation. The three-episode “Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House” debuted Dec. 9, and hijinks immediately ensued for the Waco, Texas, couple, including a run-in with a bear. According to HGTV, in the show, “Chip and Jo tackle the renovation of the 1960s mountain property laden with the unique design and construction hurdles that come with high-altitude living. Together, they’ll blend original midcentury details with European-inspired finishes, transforming the home into their own timeless family retreat nestled in the Rockies.” Of course, since this is Aspen, the term “fixer-upper” is relative. The exact location of the house was never disclosed, but the Denver Post sleuthed out that the $5.5 million, 2-acre property is in the Woody Creek area, former home to none other than Hunter S. Thompson. In addition to a 3,662square-foot main house, the property also has two additional cabins and a trail that goes down to the Roaring Fork River. (The exact address was not disclosed to prevent looky loos and rubber neckers.) The three-part special marks the couple’s first-ever “Fixer Upper” project outside their home state of Texas. However, this is hardly the first show to feature mountain home redos. In 2022, HGTV’s “Building Roots” showcased another Texas-transplant couple, Ben and Cristi Dozier, renovating homes in Pagosa Springs. And last year, the HGTV design competition “Battle on the Mountain” came to Breckenridge. The final episode airs next Tues., Dec. 23, on HGTV (it also streams on HBO Max and discovery+). Will the bear stay out of the hot tub? Will Chip get his first snow blow? Will the 2WD family truckster slide off the icy driveway into the ditch? Tune in to find out. Dec. 18, 2025 n 3
opinion
LaVidaLocal Peace on earth; ceasefire now Here we are now, with everything around us glowing red and green, and christmas lights and holiday wreaths are holding the days together. Soon we’ll switch out one calendar for another. Heart in one year, foot in the other. What I’m trying to say is, our time on earth is precious and this season can be overwhelming with its frenzied madness of materialism. And I know for us dreamers, we are easily underwhelmed by capitalism’s greetingcard message of synthetic sincerity. Since our time on earth is precious, we should always find ways to creatively resist forces that seek to dull our imaginations. This can include, of course, inventing our own antiholiday traditions. My own involves watching the 2006 film “Children of Men.” It’s a dystopian political thriller about a pregnant refugee fleeing a xenophobic, authoritarian government that sees her child as a threat. In other words, it’s a christmas movie. I originally saw the movie in December 2006. My friend and I arrived at the theater, and there was an abundance of feel-good holiday movies to choose from. But the poster for “Children of Men” signaled something ominous. The darkness pulled at us. The film, set in 2027, depicts a world collapsing from pandemics, climate catastrophes and human infertility. The United Kingdom is one of the few nations in power, operating as a fascist police state. The streets are filled with refugees imprisoned in cages, and the government distributes suicide kits and anti-depressants. The few technological devices available are enough to keep people distracted from the daily violence. Our reluctant protagonist, Theo Faron, was once a passionate activist. Now he’s an alcoholic bureaucrat. But Theo’s estranged wife, Julian, is still fighting. She works with a clandestine resistance group and reaches out to Theo to help smuggle a refugee woman named Kee out of the country, with the goal of reaching the Azores. When Theo learns more about Kee, he discovers she’s pregnant. She reveals her pregnant stomach in a barn, surrounded by cattle: a direct reference to the Nativity scene of the Gospels. With the government’s extremist stance against immigrants, Kee and her child are at risk. The people protecting her sense that the government won’t allow for a Black refugee to be the first person in 18 years to bear a child. Theo becomes the person Kee relies on to find sanctuary. In doing so, Theo loses everyone he loves in order to protect the child.
You, as the viewer, feel every heartbreak throughout the movie. That’s due in part to the camera’s insistence on extended one-shots. The production used handheld cameras, which places the audience alongside Theo and Kee on their journey in search of a rumored utopia. Sometimes the camera turns away from the main characters and takes a long look at the surrounding environment. You, the viewer, see soldiers corraling elderly refugees into cages; there are body bags lined up on the sidewalk. These scenes remind the viewer that Theo and Kee are connected to a larger world. The camera forces you, as the viewer, to also bear witness to the suffering. When the film was released in 2006, it was hard to imagine a better future. We were still in the shadow of 9/11, which begot the so-called War on Terror, which begot an increasingly expanding surveillance state. “Children of Men’s” unflinching realism presented a dystopian world that seemed right around the corner. And every year when I return to this movie, it feels like staring into a black mirror reflecting the present. But the film also has powerful, yet fleeting moments of hope. So, dear dreamer, I have brought you all this way to talk about one scene in particular that explains why this film keeps my heart. It’s near the end. Refugees and rebels are rising up against the state. The city has turned into a war zone. Kee and her newborn have been kidnapped. Theo locates them on the top floor of an apartment building filled with refugees. Bombs are bursting outside, and soldiers are readying to execute civilians inside the building. But then, as Kee walks through this destruction, people begin hearing the sounds of a newborn crying. The refugees begin singing in their own tongues, offering blessings to this child. Here, the refugees become angels. When rebels and soldiers in combat hear the child, all are paralyzed in awe. One soldier calls for a ceasefire to let Kee and her baby exit the building. The soldiers lay their weapons down, some kneel and give the sign of the cross before the child. Here, soldiers are rendered powerless before a newborn baby. Here is peace on earth. Here is ceasefire now. For a moment, the cries from Kee’s baby drown out the bombs and guns. The peace lasts long enough for Theo, Kee and her baby to escape. Eventually, a missile is fired from somewhere and the war drones on. In our present day, where we are somewhere south of peace, I often think about that scene and its fugitive flash of hope. In our own terminal phase, it’s reassuring to believe that one second of peace is possible in a world at war. – Kirbie Bennett
SignoftheDownfall:
Thumbin’It Lindsey Vonn, 41, proved all the haters wrong last weekend by crushing the World Cup downhill on her titanium knee. Maybe Olympic gold is next.
Despite the lackluster start to the ski season, snow-making crews have been working their bums off to get Chapman Hill open in time for the Christmas break and to provide an unexpectedly good skiing experience at Purg. Thanks, hosers.
The minimum wage is going up to $15.16/hour in Colorado starting Jan. 1. It still may not align with the outrageous cost of living, but it’s a start.
4 n Dec. 18, 2025
It was rough week in the obit department, with the passing of well-respected local attorney Michael Goldman as well as Hollywood director Rob Reiner, who brought us “Spinal Tap,” “When Harry Met Sally” and other gems. Verklempt. Speaking of Reiner, Trump continues to show us he has no soul while also demonstrating he is the prime example of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” the first sign of which is referring to oneself in the third person. Despite Republican promises to tackle HCA subsidies, millions of Americans are going to see huge hikes in their insurance premiums come January. But don’t worry, we’ll only buy two or three dolls this Christmas to save money.
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Wet Purse Breastmilk is known to contain high levels of protein, and bodybuilders are known to contain low levels of brain cells. If you put the two together, you’ll understand why new moms have started selling their breastmilk online to weightlifters. It all started back in July when a story about Keira Williams from Atlanta went viral – she made $3,600 in just one month by selling 14 gallons of her breastmilk to bodybuilders. Now, other moms have jumped on the boobwagon, thereby giving birth to a brand-new industry. Doctors are sounding the alarm because protein shakes work better, and they don’t contain HIV or hepatitis. But the bros keep drinking breastmilk over and over, which is most likely due to muscle mammary.
Commentary
Why Flock matters Durango Police strive to balance shared responsiblities of safety, freedom
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urveillance is a sensitive topic, and rightly so. In an age when technology touches nearly every part of our lives, questions about privacy, data use and government oversight are not only valid, they’re essential. That’s why I want to speak directly to our community about the Flock Safety camera system and how it fits into our mission to keep Durango safe, informed and engaged. Let me begin by acknowledging the concerns raised in recent weeks. A petition with about 1,000 signatures, roughly 64% from residents within city limits, shows that many in our community care deeply about how technology is used in policing. We welcome that engagement. At the same time, we’ve also heard from many residents who supChief Brice Current port the system and the critical cases it has helped resolve. This conversation includes many voices, and we are listening to all of them. Much has been said about how Flock was implemented, including claims that the program was adopted “quietly.” That is not accurate. The Durango Police Department presented the system’s capabilities and early successes during multiple public City Council study sessions, met with community groups, shared information on social media, and maintains a public transparency portal
The DPD’s portable Flock camera at Schneider Park./ Photo by Missy Votel showing camera locations and usage statistics. This was not a covert rollout. Some of the most serious concerns involve data-sharing and immigration enforcement. Let me be clear: DPD did not distribute data to ICE or to agencies acting on its behalf. Some out-of-state agencies previously had access through a national network commonly used in modern policing. When it came to our attention that some held 287(g) contracts, we immediately revoked their access. Audit logs confirm that only six neighboring agencies searched DPD data, partners we routinely work with to solve burglaries, locate stolen vehicles, investigate missing persons and address violent crime. DPD’s data was also included in broader nationwide searches
conducted by agencies across the state. Still, concerns about data access are real and deserve attention. That is why DPD is further strengthening safeguards. We are modifying our process for granting data-sharing permissions and working with Flock to ensure that any agency requesting access must formally acknowledge compliance with Colorado immigration law and with DPD’s strict policy prohibiting the use of our data for immigration-enforcement purposes. We are also expanding our audit process: in addition to continuous internal auditing, we will now conduct annual third-party audits and report directly to our existing Citizen Complaint Review Committee. It’s also important to understand what Flock technology actually does.
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The system reads license plates and the exterior of vehicles, information already visible on public roads, and allows officers to search only after suspicion of a crime exists for 30 days. Locally, this tool has prevented a planned kidnapping at Fort Lewis College, identified suspects in violent incidents, helped solve hit-and-run cases, supported childexploitation investigations, and, most recently, helped officers intervene in a situation involving an infant in danger. These are not abstract examples; they are real cases involving real people in our community. Durango is a small city facing challenges often seen in larger ones. This tool enhances officers’ capabilities with a daily population that can reach 40,000. We must use effective tools responsibly to keep our community safe. This technology is widely used nationwide and supported by legal precedent confirming that license plates on public roads carry no expectation of privacy. Even so, our focus is, and always will be, on individuals who harm others, not those simply going about their daily lives. We will continue to be transparent, listen and improve. We remain committed to refining policies and strengthening oversight. Public safety and civil liberties are not opposing forces; they are partners and should be treated as shared responsibilities. With honest dialogue and intentional collaboration, we can uphold both and create a community where safety and freedom reinforce one another. ■ – DPD Chief Brice Current
Dec. 18, 2025 n 5
SoapBox An inorganic addition There is a proposal currently making its way through the City of Durango approval process to redevelop the Durango Mall. The proposal to redevelop the long-neglected, decaying property includes: razing about two-thirds of the current mall; creating 230-270 “market rate” apartments and several out-lot buildings; and building a 25,000-squarefoot “national organic grocer” at the center. This “national organic grocer,” after process of elimination, is most likely Amazon’s Whole Foods. The current proposal is by Illinoisbased Kensington Development Group, who has long standing connections to not only Whole Foods but other suburban hell retailers such as Chipotle, Noodles & Co., Panda Express, Chick-filA and others. The development would require the City’s Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to create a tax incremental financing district (TIF) encompassing most of the area between Highway 3 and S. Camino del Rio, across from Bodo. Tax revenue from this TIF district for the next 25 years would be rerouted to Kensington to help pay for infrastructure improvements for which developers
D-Tooned/by Rob Pudim would normally be on the hook. The proposed South Durango URA is concerning for a number of reasons. For starters, 25,000 square feet for a new natural/organic grocer seems majorly excessive. Durango already has three natural/organic grocers (two of which are home-grown small businesses with the other being a national brand that is at least local to Colorado). Furthermore, subsidizing a national chain (Whole Foods) in a taxpayer-funded, redundant space that will dwarf its competition seems like an absolute abuse of taxpayer dollars. The motivations behind creating TIF districts are to spur new streams of tax revenue while redeveloping “blighted” areas that normally wouldn’t exist otherwise. Everyone agrees the state that the current mall owners have allowed their property to deteriorate into is tragic and an absolute black eye on our wonderful community, and that something needs to be done. However, how do we know that much of the revenue provided by this “national organic grocer” (Whole Foods) and its out-buildings full of other redundant national chains will be nothing more than a cannibalization of current tax revenue al-
ready spent at our existing local grocery stores, restaurants and businesses? The design proposed is a perfect example of car-centric, big box, “suburban hell” strip mall design. Many residents of Durango stay or came here to avoid exactly this, a design strategy that has absolutely decimated the beauty of
Front Range cities as well as cities across the country. Not to mention that there is big box retail already situated directly south of this proposal. The design submitted to the city calls for 230-270 residential units and 382 parking spots. With housing being a major concern throughout our com-
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munity, instead of retail space, why not build more housing? Five hundred, 750 or more housing units! Something that will actually make a positive change in our community. It seems like this is a taxpayer-funded subsidy for a national development firm and their deep-pocketed allies aiming to capture market share in an established community as a means to keep their shareholders happy for another few quarters. It is also subsidizing a payday for mall owners who have left their property to rot, not giving a care in the world to the needs of our local community or anything but the contents of their bank accounts. Something absolutely needs to be done to this neglected property, but it should be done in a thoughtful, locally focused way, not by bringing in national chains to undercut our long-standing local businesses. Before the City is a decision that will shape the character of our community for generations to come, which way will Durango go? – Jacob Lienhardt, communications director for Durango Natural Foods, Durango
wrong, I think it is a personal choice. We could go on and on, take turns buying beers, and part friends. Now, I have a hard time recognizing people who call themselves conservative or Republican. Some conservatives who espouse family values have had more wives and mistresses than I’ve had cars in 70-plus years. The Republican party has become a group of people who simply agree with everything Trump says or does, even when he contradicts himself, sometimes in the same rant. They defend him as a victim, as he victimizes anyone who disagrees with him or fails to pledge fealty. I am not qualified to speculate about anyone else’s IQ, as he does constantly, but from what I’ve seen, he never hears facts. Quivering sycophants tell him only what he wants to hear. And the unqualified people who “earned” their jobs from him, either by financial tribute or insincere, effusive praise, get to do whatever they want. I miss Republicans. – Rhys Schrock, Durango
The good bad old days
It occurred to me that many of the qualities that I perceived as being those of a gangster, were being highlighted in the news on a regular basis – all having to do with our esteemed president. So I checked on the definition of a gangster. The first part of the definition might be debatable, that of being part of a criminal organization. The rest not so much…. “a blend of manipulative charm, ruthlessness, strong emphasis on power, respect and loyalty.” Also “a core lack of empathy, linking to psychopathic traits like impulsivity, grandiosity and aggression, among others.” And “hav-
Never thought I’d say this, but I miss Republicans. Generally, I have disagreed with Republican platforms and beliefs, but we could disagree and have rational discussions. You think that minimum wage is a handout? I think it is a way to help working people pay their way. I think the national debt is out of hand, and hey, you do, too (it’s blame that is the disagreement). You think poor people should work harder, I think rich people should pay their taxes. You think abortion is
Fitting the definition of gangster
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ing characteristics of superficial charisma, emotional coldness, self-centerdness and a need to project dominance through intimidation and enforcement of strict loyalty and codes.” Sound familiar? Examples of Trumps “gangsterism” are seen in his almost-blatant disregard of the law and his quickness to use force out of proportion to need. One could argue that his easing of crypto currency regulations had benefited him financially, or using his properties for state functions in his first presidency benefited him. But a much more relevant example is his current cabinet composed of billionaires. Another example are his tax cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill, which will benefit the richest 10% of Americans by some $14,000 per year and will benefit the top 1% by saving them $50,000 per year (estimates by the CBO). And if a member of his “gang” falls prey to the long arm of the law (the Supreme Court has all but indemnified Trump for illegal acts), the power of the pardon (think George Santos, Rudi Giuliani or the Jan. 6 rioters) is one of his favorite tools. It’s like busting a fellow criminal out of the pen, but he only has to use a pen to do this. If you look at those president pardons and the people they’re associated with then contrast them with people he vilifies (James Comey, Leticia James, Joe Biden), it makes sense that we indeed have elected a gangster to the highest office in the land. But even though gangsters can often be celebrated (think Bonnie and Clyde), the hope for this holiday season is that eventually, people will see past the veneer and lies and see Trump for what he is: a gangster in presidential clothing. – Tim Thomas, Durango
Dec. 18, 2025 n 7
LocalNews
A skier enjoys some fresh corduroy off Chair 3 last weekend. Despite a slow start to the ski season and a less-than-promising forecast, the ski area is skiing well, and ski area officials and nearby business owners are optimistic./ Courtesy photo
Let it snow
Although ski areas across the West have taken a hit, there’s still hope by Missy Votel
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f you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, well, maybe keep on dreaming. In case you haven’t looked out the window lately, it’s a whole lot of brown out there. And, not to be the grinch that stole the white Christmas, but it looks like it’s here to stay – at least for the next few weeks. “The next several days will feature dry, sunny weather with no new snow,” Open Snow’s Colorado meteorologist Joel Gratz wrote this week. However, there is a glimmer of a Christmas miracle – pattern change is expected around Dec. 26-30. “Snow is possible as a storm over the West Coast might move east toward Colorado. These flakes are not guaranteed,
8 n Dec. 18, 2025
but it is our only hope for significant snow in the next two weeks,” wrote. But the lack of snow or even consistent temperatures conducive to making it has not dampened local spirits. Yet. “While we have had a slower start from Mother Nature this season, the mountain is open and skiing and riding very well on the terrain that’s available,” Matt Ericksen, marketing director at Purgatory, said. The mountain, which delayed its opening by a few weeks, currently has about 26% of its terrain open, with a larger expansion planned in coming days, Erickson said. “We’ll continue opening additional lifts and terrain as conditions allow. We’re also hearing strong feedback from people who’ve been
pleasantly surprised by how good the conditions are despite the slow start.” And while the skiing may be somewhat limited, the resort is making sure there are plenty of off-snow activities to keep the crowds occupied, including visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a New Year's Eve torchlight parade and fireworks, snowcat dining excursions, First Tracks Brunch, and other holiday programming that “guests are responding really positively to,” Erickson said. At Cliffside Sports, a rental shop near Purgatory, reservations for the holidays are looking good, despite the lack of snow. “Considering the weather, we’re looking good. We even had a few walkins today,” co-owner Sarah Rome said. This is the 25th ski season for Sarah
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and husband, Wes – and in that time, they have seen good snow years and not so good. “But one thing I’ve learned, they always come,” Sarah said. She also added that Purg is unique in that it draws a dedicated, loyal clientele that returns year after year, no matter the conditions. “We have a weird cult following – maybe not everyone skis – some come in to buy sleds or mittens. They drive 14 hours, roll in, get a cocktail and get their gear,” she said. “We are part of their annual tradition.” She even tells the story of man who recently took a bus from Albuquerque and hitched a ride up to the mountain to ski for one day, because he heard Chair 3 was opening. And lower lift ticket prices – like other resorts, Purgatory has gone to an
online, demand-based pricing system – entices more skiers, particularly beginners and first-timers. “People are coming,” she said. “And when lift tickets go down, we get busy.” As of Wednesday, ticket prices for next week were hovering in the $69-$87 range, shooting up to more than $100 for the weekend and week between Christmas and New Year’s. However, prices dropped as low as $33 midweek in January. A shaky start As of Wednesday, the snowpack in Southwest Colorado was just 57% of normal, according to Sno-Tel data. However, the low-snow conditions are not unique to our area – across Colorado and much of the West, the story is the same. Resorts up and down the Rockies, from Jackson Hole and Big Sky to Taos and Steamboat, are offering only limited terrain. Even in the Pacific Northwest, which has been hammered with a series of atmospheric rivers recently, the picture is not rosy. According to Ski Area Management magazine (SAM), torrential downpours brought the Pacific Northwest ski season to a grinding halt last weekend, forcing the closure of virtually every ski area in Washington and Oregon. “Heavy rains and unseasonably high freezing levels have washed away early-season snowpack and triggered widespread flooding, prompting a federal emergency declaration on Dec. 12,” the magazine reported. Snowpack levels across Washington currently sit at just 24% of normal. In Oregon, Mount Bachelor is reporting minimal snow, with officials saying it is one of the slowest starts in recent memory, drawing comparisons to the drought years of 1976 and 2005. Back in the Intermountain West, the below-average snowfall has conspired with faltering consumer confidence to negatively impact November resort bookings, according to the latest numbers from DestiMetrics. A division of Inntopia, DestiMetrics tracks booking data across 17 mountain communities in Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. According to numbers released this week, the booking pace for the 2025-26 season plunged 19.8% in November over 2024 levels. Furthermore, delayed openings pushed November occupancy down 6.9% compared to November 2024. Overall, the booking pace so far for the entire season is down 3.7% compared to last season. “Opening day has been pushed back for many resorts and the amount of open skiable terrain around the region is hovering around 11% except for a handful of destinations," Tom Foley, director of business intelligence
Riders board the Six Pack on Purg’s official first chair of the 2025-26 season. After a delayed opening, the ski area opened Nov. 28 for skiing on the top part of the mountain and later opened top-to-bottom skiing on Dec. 3./ Courtesy photo As for La Niña, the cooling of the equatorial Pacific for Inntopia, told SAM. "And unfortunately, the forecast that is being blamed for the current pattern (as well as for much of the region is not looking promising.” However, there were a few bright spots in the numbers. last year’s less-than-fabulous conditions), NOAA says we While visits from our neighbors to the north dropped off can expect her to hang around for the next month or significantly, with bookings from Canada down a dra- two. A swing is predicted to take place January-March matic 43.9% from last November, bookings from Mexico 2026 to ENSO-neutral conditions, which may or may were up 24.3% over last year. Western European bookings not bring relief. But Gratz advises not to give up hope just yet. Based also saw an uptick of 3.3% from last season. Another positive trend is holiday bookings, with on past seasons with low December snowpack, there’s Christmas and pre-New Year’s reservations a bit ahead about a 50/50 chance of ending up with a below-average of last season and post-New Year’s Day occupancy hold- snowpack or catching up to or exceeding the average. “Long-range models show storminess hanging ing steady, according to DestiMetrics. In addition, Foley noted, consumer confidence around the West Coast through January, so don't throw among higher income groups remains strong, indicating in the towel due to the slow start, but I acknowledge that our current situation is (very) frustrating!” he wrote. bookings could rebound if snow improves. And if fancy, computer-generated weather forecasting While lodging properties can't control the weather, economy or consumer sentiment, Foley advised the doesn’t ease your worries, Sarah Rome points to a higher lodging industry to look at things it can control and act power at work. According to North County and Puraccordingly. "This could be the signal for properties to gatory lore, in 1965, a shaman came to the ski area – further explore tweaking value-added enticements and which turns 60 this year – to bless it. incentives that matter to consumers, working with part“Whatever they did, it worked. It always snows,” she ners on the mountain and in the communities," he said. said. ■
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Dec. 18, 2025 n 9
BetweentheBeats
Flying high Local DJ and acrobat Nick Bailey on moving bodies and minds by Stephen Sellers
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Airing of grievances too much? Let Tina find you a home that’s not so close to family.
Tina Miely Broker Associate
(970) 946-2902 tina@BHHSco.com
10 n Dec. 18, 2025
eason’s greetings, dear readers! For this week’s Between the Beats, I sat down with Nick Bailey, better known to some as DJ Arsonnick and to others as a local acrobat, aerialist and tumbler extraordinaire. Nick is relatively new to Durango but has already become a central figure in two of our most expressive spaces: music and movement. If you have been to a Varsity Crew Productions show or caught a Secret Circus Society performance recently, you have almost certainly seen him doing what he does best: moving bodies, lifting spirits and leaning hard into self-expression. I caught up with Nick to talk about how he landed in Durango, his background in acrobatics, his path into DJing, and how all of it fits together. SS: How did you find your way to Durango? NB: I lived in Dallas for a long time. I got into trail running while living there and eventually ran my first ultra – a 69-mile race – and that really pushed me into reconnecting with nature. I found myself longing to be somewhere beautiful; somewhere that actually cares about the environment. You don’t really get that in Dallas. I came to visit a friend who was living up here for a short time, and on my first trip, we almost summited Handies in Silverton and Sneffels in Ouray. That was it. I knew I wanted to live here. Not long after, I went through a big breakup with a woman I was engaged to. I moved back in with my mom for about eight months, built out my van, and when it was done, it was time. I just got in and came up here. SS: Tell us about your background in acrobatics, because anyone who has seen you perform might wonder why you are not living in Las Vegas. NB: I was a gymnast starting in middle school and stuck with that for a while. In high school, I switched to cheerleading, mostly because it is really hard to get scholarship money as a gymnast unless you are truly elite. I always told myself that after college I would try out for Cirque du Soleil, since that felt like the pinnacle of aerial and acrobatic performance. In my early twenties, I blew out my right knee a few times and kind of gave up on that dream. Coming to Durango changed everything. I met Ruby, who runs the Secret Circus, and we started training together. Suddenly it was like I actually got another shot at a childhood dream. What really stands out is how inclusive the community is. There is no gatekeeping. If you want to be part of it, people help you find a way, whether you are an incredible athlete or just want to dress up and have fun. The circus and burlesque world here is genuinely welcoming. SS: You are also a core member of Varsity Crew Productions and have been hosting and supporting a lot of shows with that group. How did your journey into DJing start? NB: I got into electronic music in my early twenties and went to tons of shows in Dallas. I worked for a promo company called Full Access, so I spent a lot of nights handing out flyers and being immersed in the scene. I never really
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Nick Bailey
mixed or produced back then, but I loved the culture. When I moved to Durango, part of my intention was to go all in on music and see what would happen. I started learning to mix as a hobby, and then I met Ryan Waldman and Danny Kurz. They welcomed me with open arms. We started small, throwing low-key shows, but we kept getting better, meeting other DJs and building community. SS: What are your goals moving forward? NB: My dream as an artist is to have a platform I can use for good. I want to create music that empowers people, whether that means helping someone grieve a loss, get through a breakup or just feel uplifted. We have realized we do have reach. In a small, tight-knit community like this, you really can make a difference, at least in the world right around you. That matters to me. SS: How do acrobatics and music feed each other? NB: It is all about freedom of expression. With acrobatics, I get to express myself physically without needing to compete or win anything. I can just move. Music works the same way. I get to play sounds that feel empowering and cathartic and hopefully provide the kind of release that dancing gives. SS: What is coming up on the horizon for you? NB: We are going to keep climbing the ladder with Varsity Crew Productions. A lot of us have been producing our own music, so I will be releasing more tracks and hopefully getting booked in other cities. Long term, my dream is to travel the world playing music, empowering people and continuing to use whatever platform I have to make a positive difference.
StateNews
Look, but don’t take Lessons in pottery theft – and return – from SW Colorado
by Elaine Tassy / Colorado Public Radio
A
t Ute Mountain Tribal Park, visitors show up promptly at 9 a.m. to join a tour with Ute guides who’ve led visitors through the home of Ancestral Puebloan Indians who lived there between the years of 500-1340. Once in a while, someone will leave, surreptitiously, with a shard of pottery – and then something might happen to them, or they’ll feel compelled to return it, guides say. At nearby Mesa Verde National Park, where Ancestral Puebloans lived during roughly the same time period, the same thing has happened. A visitor comes across a shard of pottery, which ends up leaving the park with them. Later, they’ll feel guilty and give it back – an occurrence that’s the subject of a small display in the visitor’s center, complete with a note of apology. Taking pottery shards (also known as “sherds”) from where they were found is universally considered a no-no. Doing so disconnects the fragment from its context and history, which causes it to lose its value, archeologists, pottery experts and scholars say. In fact, there is a 1979 federal law prohibiting it. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of lore indicating it has happened in spite of the law, leading, some say, to consequences that could be physical, emotional or legal. Ute Mountain Tribal Park To take a tour at Ute Mountain Tribal Park, all you have to do is call, make a reservation, then show up at the intersection of two rural roads in Towaoc. Tour guides take over from there. Rick Hayes has been leading tours there for 30 years – giving day-long tours to ancient cliff dwellings that have withstood the test of time. Guests can drive themselves while following a guide, or ride in the guide’s
The Mesa Verde National Park Museum includes a display of ancient pottery pieces taken by remorseful visitors and then returned. The display reminds visitors that not only is taking of shards illegal, but highly unethical. Some even believe that bad luck may befall the thieves. / Photo by Hart Van Denburg/CPR News truck. Throughout, guides point out horses, petroglyphs and pottery shards that date back centuries. In a recent telephone interview, Hayes said there has been buzz around the office about the story of a guest coming into the office with a few pieces of pottery to return. The donor said they were found in the closet of a beloved granddaughter, who had recently died. Dressed for a tour one day in a flannel and jeans, Hayes spoke reverently of the pottery shards and their importance at the tribal park, a scrappy little tourist attraction without the notoriety of the larger Mesa Verde. “It’s disrespectful to the ancestors. Those shards are a reminder that our ancestors prayed for us,” he said. At destinations throughout the tour, guides pull over and call attention to shards of pottery likely used for cooking, storing and serving food. Some are covered with pieces of wood to protect them from view until the guide decides to reveal them. Many are white and black with intricate carvings, ranging in size from pieces less than an inch to 8-inch fragments with handles still attached to fully intact bowls. The expectation is that people would not take them, according to long-time guide, Beverly Lehi-Yazzie. “They are all connected,” she said, meaning the shards of pottery are connected to the land where they are found. Plus, she offered this warning. Walking up an embank-
ment with a sun visor and walking stick, she looked over her shoulder and said to a half-dozen guests: “You don’t want to take ‘em, or else bad stuff could happen.” She recalled a day when she went to the administrative office from where tour-takers check in, and before she could step through the door, she found a shard sitting on top of a note. “They said ‘Sorry,’” she said with a laugh. She said she also has heard the lore at the Tribal Park that someone took a tour, pocketed a shard, then promptly fell ill. She didn’t know the details, but said it’s a story that has circulated, like Hayes’ about the return of the shards from the closet of the granddaughter who’d died. Such stories are to be taken seriously by all visitors, because the spirits of the ancestors will know, said Lehi-Yazzie, who is Ute and commutes from Utah to give tours during warmer months. “Sometimes, out there, you can feel like someone is watching,” she said, adding that she often feels the presence of ancestors while she treks through the area. Mesa Verde In contrast to the smaller operation of the Tribal Park, Mesa Verde National Park – with a staff of about 100 – gets half a million visitors a year. The park includes more than 4,700 structures including pithouses, towers, kivas and cliff dwellings while they inhabited the area. Starting in the 1270s, the ancestral people left Mesa Verde to migrate to lands that have become New Mexico, Arizona and other
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states in the southwest. Now, about two dozen pueblo communities in those states claim descent from the original people of Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde also features a museum and visitor’s center that shows a 17-minute film, rangers walking around in hats and khaki uniforms, and tour options ranging from a tame one guests can listen to while driving in their car to a much more adventurous one involving a 30foot ladder climb to see cliff dwellings otherwise inaccessible. Regardless of the difference in size and amenities, the pilfering of pottery shards, although not common, has happened at Mesa Verde, too. Enough so that the National Park has created a small display in the visitor’s center to call attention to the illegal act. In a glass case, there are a few fragments – all pottery shards that went on an off-park adventure and then got brought or mailed back. Alongside the shards is a note dated Oct. 3, 1997, written by an anonymous returner expressing regret over the taking. Ranger Dalton K. Dorrell, a spokesman for the park, said he isn’t sure who created the exhibit. “It's something I look at every time I pass … I love that exhibit, too.” The Law Although some people’s conscience nudge them to return shards, others may need a nudge from the long arm of the law. The Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 made it a crime to, among other things, remove shards of pottery from national parks where Native Americans once lived. But not all visitors have paid attention. In 2020, Lonnie Shadrick Winbourn, a Cortez man, was sentenced a year and a day in federal prison for stealing Ancestral Puebloan artifacts in 2017. The artifacts included pottery and jewelry from the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument near Cortez. According to news reports, Winbourn discovered a ceremonial site with a large dance plaza, subterranean kiva and multiple human burials, from which he pilfered 64 items. When he was pulled over and arrested on an unrelated warrant on June 4, 2017, officers found pottery shards in his pocket and Puebloan artifacts in his backpack. He also stole jewelry, an ax head and other tools, according to prosecutors. Dorrell said the exhibit in Mesa Verde is, like the law, meant to be an instructive deterrent. “It's a tool that we've used, I would say (for) decades in national parks … because it is so moving, and it shows that people learn; people grow.” For more from Colorado Public Radio, go to www.cpr.org. ■ Dec. 18, 2025 n 11
StufftoDo
Thursday18 Craft and Connect, 3-5 p.m., Fort Lewis Mesa Library, 11274 HWY 140 DIY Herbal Heat Pads, 4-5:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.
“Musicville” and “Olympus the Greek,” rock musicals presented by Durango Youth Theater, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
Snowdown Beer Release Party, 5 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St.
Open Mic Comedy, 7-9 p.m., EsoTerra, 558 Main Ave.
Spanish Conversation Hour, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave.
Jazz Church open jam, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Gary Watkins plays, 5:30-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
The Poppletons and Listening to the Sky play, 9 p.m., Black Heron Lounge, 726 Main Ave.
Open Mic, 6 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. Cult Movie Night and Food Drive featuring “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 6 p.m., Mancos Opera House, 136 Grand Ave., Mancos Silent Book Club Holiday Meetup, 6-8 p.m., The Reading Room, 145 E. College Dr. Bluegrass Jam, 6-9 p.m., Durango Beer and Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.
Submit items for “Stuff to Do” by Monday at noon to: calendar@durangotelegraph.com
“The Majesty of Christmas,” presented by the San Juan Symphony, 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. 3rd Ave.
Andrew Schuhmann plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Powerhouse Trivia Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m., The Powerhouse, 1333 Camino Del Rio Comedy Open Mic, 6:30-9 p.m., The Subterrain, 900 Main Ave. Trivia Night hosted by Aria PettyOne, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Friday19
Saturday20 Gingerbread Lodge, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., The Black Diamond Lodge, 48475 HWY 550 Animas Museum Holiday Open House, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 3065 W. 2nd Ave. Meet & Greet with Santa, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Durango Harley-Davidson, 750 S. Camino Del Rio Folk Jam, 1-2 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave. Pete Giuliani plays, 5-8 p.m., Eso Terra Arboretum, 270 CR 303 Adam Swanson plays, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Matt Rupnow plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. “Musicville” and “Olympus the Greek,” rock musicals presented by Durango Youth Theater, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E 2nd Ave.
“The Majesty of Christmas,” presented by the San Juan Symphony, 4 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 910 E. 3rd Ave.
Bar-D Wranglers Christmas Jubilee, 7:30-9:30 p.m., FLC Community Concert Hall
Black Velvet Duo, with Nina Sasaki & Larry Carver, plays, 5:30 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 669 Main Ave.
Contra Dance, instruction 7:30 p.m., dance 8-10 p.m., La Plata Senior Center, 2424 Main Ave. Latin Heat Holiday Party, 8-10 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave.
Julian Catoria plays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Barons Creek Vineyards, 901 Main Ave.
Veterans Benefit, 9-11 a.m., VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave.
Dustin Burley plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Pete Giuliani plays, 6-9 p.m., The Oxford Bar, 119 W. 8th St.
“The Boys Who Said No,” film showing and discussion, presented by Durango Friends, 11 a.m., Durango Friends Meetinghouse, 803 CR 233
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“Musicville” and “Olympus the Greek,” rock musicals presented by Durango Youth Theater, Sun., Dec. 21, 2 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E 2nd Ave. Weekly Peace Vigil & Rally for Gaza & Palestine, every Sunday, 4 p.m., Buckley Park Blue Moon Ramblers play, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Ben Gibson plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Open Mic Comedy, 6:30-9 p.m., The iNDIGO Room, 1315 Main Ave., #207
Monday22 Sign Waving peaceful gathering, 4 p.m., corners of Camino del Rio and College Dr. Happy Hour Yoga, 5:30 p.m., Ska Brewing, 225 Girard St. Terry Rickard plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Joel Racheff plays, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave.
Tuesday23 Cowboy Christmas, 12 noon-4 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Tuesday Trivia, 6-8:30 p.m., 11th St. Station, 1101 Main Ave. Donny Johnson plays, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Randy Crumbaugh plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Open Mic, 7 p.m., Starlight Lounge, 937 Main Ave. Festivus Show with KNFRMST and illFRAME, 8 p.m., The Subterrain, 900 Main Ave.
Wednesday24
Sunday21
Irish Music with Tom Ward’s Downfall, 6-8 p.m., Durango Winery, 900 Main Ave.
A Night of Hardcore, Slam and Screamo featuring Oroku Saki, Better Off Dead, Treaty and Fleshweaver, 6:30 p.m., The Swarm at The Hive, 1175 Camino Del Rio
Santa and Mrs. Claus Visit, 1:30-3 p.m., Purgatory Resort
NFL Game Day viewing, 11 a.m.-close, Sundays, VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave. Irish Jam, 12 noon-3 p.m., Durango Beer and Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.
telegraph
Terry Rickard plays, 6-9 p.m., Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave. Chuck Hank plays, 6-9 p.m., Office Spiritorium, 699 Main Ave. Open Mic, 7 p.m., EsoTerra, 558 Main Ave.
Ongoing Gift Gallery, thru Dec. 28, 12 noon-6 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave.
AskRachel
Legold, party of one and season’s greetings Interesting fact: Lego used to have an upper age limit on its sets but dropped it in favor of an open-ended age. The 18+ sets are not nearly as raunchy as you might expect.
choking hazard as an adult, have at it. What’s the point of having any income-earning potential if not to have a little fun once in a while? – Leggo my Lego, Rachel
Dear Rachel, I saw that Dick Van Dyke is now too old to play with Legos. The box says up to age 99. This begs the question, can one be too old to play with Legos? I was in the Lego aisle the other day and a little snot-noser told me I was too old. I didn’t argue because his dad looked mean. But I don’t think you can be too old for Legos. Can you? – Lego Maniac Dear Crazy Brick Person, You are NEVER too old to play with Legos. You can be too stodgy, or too miserable, or too hateful of everything good that’s left in the world. And you can definitely be too young. Choking hazards! But unless you are generally a
Dear Rachel, I don’t actually like New Year’s Eve. In fact, I’m already building up anxiety over the ordeal. It just doesn’t have the same standards of food and song that the rest of the holidays have. It has champagne, but not until midnight, by which point I’m already done and just want to go to bed. We think every year will be better and are usually disappointed. What are some ideas for an antiNew Year’s Eve? – Auld Lang Sayonar Dear Old Acquaintance, Ooh, the anti-party is always a fun time. My version usually includes all the trappings of a real party, such as meats and cheeses and wine and music,
Dancing Spirit Holiday Market, thru Dec., 10 a.m., Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts, 465 Goddard Ave., Ignacio Gingerbread House Contest Display, thru Dec., 11 a.m., Animas Chocolate Co., 920 Main Ave. “Flour Scapes” vintage fabric collages by Barbara Grist, thru December, Recess Gallery at Studio &, 1027 Main Ave.
Upcoming Yarn Meetup, Sat., Dec. 27, 1-3 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave. Monster Energy Presents: SkiiTour with Spark Madden & Disco Dolly, Sat., Dec. 27, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dri. Noon Years Eve Celebration with balloon drop at noon, Wed., Dec. 31, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., The Powerhouse, 1333 Camino Del Rio New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Torchlight Parade, Wed., Dec. 31, 6-7 p.m., Purgatory Resort New Year’s Eve with High Country Hustle and The Pickpockets, Wed.,
but none of the people. Just me, some flannel PJs and no alarm in the morning. You’re welcome to join me! All of you! But from the comfort of your own living rooms. – Be forgot, Rachel Dear Rachel, Why do people get so upset with “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”? Christmas is a holiday. Plus we like to shorten everything, so it’s a wonder we don’t just say “HH.” I have a new revenge strategy. We start listing off all the holidays until people walk away. “Happy Thanksgiving Merry Christmas Happy Hanukkah Merry Kwanzaa Cheers to Solstice … .” What do you think? – H.H. Dear Harry Houdini, That’s not how you make people disappear. That’s how you annoy someone to the point where you end up a nondenominational tree topper. Instead, if
Email Rachel at telegraph@durango telegraph.com you want to make people uncomfortable, stare them dead in the eye and ask them what they celebrate. Whatever they answer, wish them a happy that. Me, I’ll be having a happy Lego and wine session. – Merry everything, Rachel
Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dri. African Dance Party with Blessing Bled Chimanga, Wed., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. Ska Aprés Party and Venture Snowboard Giveaway, Fri., Jan 2, 3-5 p.m., Purgatory Resort Pink Fuzz, Acid Wrench and Alicia Glass play, Sat., Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m., Cold Storage Art Collective, off alley behind 11th St. Station Mojo Birds Album Release Party with Dana Ariel & Ely Cartwright, Fri., Jan. 9, 7 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr. Stand-Up Comedy with Chicago’s Dan Docimo (Lincoln Lodge Theatre, Zanies), Fri., Jan. 16, 7 p.m., Durango Arts Center, 802 E. 2nd Ave. Phyphr with 5AM Trio and McWavy perform, Fri., Jan. 16, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr.
TeleNo g Dec. raph & Ja 25 n. 1
Don’t take it out on the moose – we warned you. Due to Christmas and New Year’s falling on our publication day, the Telegraph will be closing up shop Dec. 22 - Jan. 6. But don’t worry, we will be back in action for the Jan. 8, 2026, issue.
Jason Leech with Future Joy and Michael Wilbur perform, Sat., Jan. 17, 8 p.m., Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Dr.
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Dec. 18, 2025 n 13
FreeWillAstrology by Rob Brezsny ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the Brazilian rainforest, Cecropia trees and Azteca ants have a special relationship. The trees’ hollow branches serve as nesting spaces for the ants and offer them sugar-rich food. In return, the ants aggressively defend the trees from herbivores and predators, protecting them from damage. This mutualism benefits both species. In the coming months I invite you to seek symbiosis that’s equally vigorous. Enjoy collaborations that boost your power and everyone else’s. The goal is intelligent alliance. Be resourceful as you trade a bit too much independence for just the right amount of interdependence. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When potters center clay on a wheel, they typically use one hand inside the vessel to apply steady, controlled force. The other hand remains fluid, guiding and stabilizing the outer rim of the spinning clay. This balanced use of pressure helps bring the lump into perfect symmetry. I propose you make this a prime metaphor in the coming months: control meeting surrender. You will be crafting a new balance between security and surprise. Too much rigidity, and the form cracks; too much flow, and it collapses. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Poet Audre Lorde spoke of how caring for herself was the exact opposite of being selfish. It was the foundation of her ability to serve and inspire other people. My Aunt Sophie used to say, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” Educator Stephen Covey advised, “Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” Poet Vironika Tugaleva writes, “Learning to love yourself is essential and life-changing.” Everything I just said should be your keynotes in the coming months, Gemini. Boost your self-care to sublime levels. CANCER (June 21-July 22): A remarkable species of jellyfish can circumvent the aging and death process that affects all other animals. Turritopsis dohrnii converts its mature, specialized cells back into stem cells, essentially recycling its own body into youth. The process may repeat indefinitely, making the animal theoretically immortal. In the coming months, Cancerian, your emotional wisdom will also show amazing regenerative power. Challenging and intriguing situations will be opportunities for you to initiate stunning acts of renewal. Like the jellyfish, you won’t merely manage change but will use it as a catalyst for vigorous
14 n Dec. 18, 2025
growth. Have you ever before been blessed by such wildly rejuvenative powers of metamorphosis? I don’t think so. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to ancient Egyptian myth, the sun god Ra rode a celestial boat across the sky by day. Each night, he plunged into the underworld to wrangle with chaos so he could rebirth light in time for the dawn. That’s your mythic assignment for the coming months, Leo: not to be nonstop luminous, but to renew and nurture your radiance in the dark. Your courage will lie in feeling and learning from your doubts without identifying with them. Your magnetism and wisdom will deepen as you descend. You won’t be less golden for passing through shadow. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In medieval monasteries, scribes added whimsical drawings called drolleries into the margins of sacred manuscripts. These included scenes like frogs playing harps, nuns chasing rabbits and creatures engaged in playful activities. I recommend you experiment with drolleries of your own. Inject improvisation into duty. Add ornament to order. The coming months will reward your serious play. You’ll accomplish more by enjoying the work than by perfecting it. A touch of friskiness may even improve efficiency. So when you edit, doodle; when you analyze, wink. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Italy’s Orto Botanico di Padova is the world’s oldest botanical garden still in its original location. Since its inception 480 years ago, it has been a center for botanical research, education and conservation. Its layout is striking, a square-inscribed in a circle, symbolizing harmonious order. In the coming months, Libra, you will be wise to associate yourself intimately with a similar wonder: an enduring source of beauty and revelation that you can both serve and benefit from. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Astronaut Chris Hadfield has spent 166 days orbiting the Earth in the International Space Station. In the microgravity of outer space, he says, motion is very smooth; objects and people float. He marvels at how everything is always moving, and yet the pace itself is tranquil and unhurried. I foresee you enjoying a lot of this kind of grace in the coming months, Scorpio: momentum without mania; constant fluidic movement that’s never hectic or rushed. What a great privilege! I expect you will rack up many flowing accomplishments.
telegraph
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Kyoto’s famous moss gardens, caretakers practice artful arrangement rather than total removal of shed foliage. They use delicate tools to gather trees’ cast-off leaves and arrange them on the moss to create visual harmony rather than bare tidiness. This approach reflects the Japanese aesthetic principles of embracing imperfection. Supposed “flaws” become part of the beauty of the garden. I propose that you regularly adopt a metaphorically comparable approach in the coming months, Sagittarius. Integrate rather than edit. Be creative with what’s changing form. Treat so-called messes and unexpected plot twists not as blemishes but as rich textures that feel meaningful and inspiring. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A newly planted orchard spends its first year growing roots, not fruit. Underground and unseen, the real work happens. I surmise that’s like what you will be doing in the coming months, Capricorn: mostly invisible stabilization and preparation. Be committed to the quiet, hidden work rather than any showy song and dance. As my rough and rugged spirit guide Esther likes to say, “You don’t got to prove nothin’ to nobody!” The nourishment you will be storing up will sustain later abundance. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Engineers may engage in “stress testing.” They evaluate a system’s hardiness and reliability by subjecting it to pressure or force. I suspect that life will bring you a benevolent version of this trial in the coming months, Aquarius. That’s a good thing! It’s not meant to break you but to prove how much resilience you have developed. Situations that might have formerly cracked your confidence will affirm and reveal your upgraded endurance. Take note of your composure and congratulate yourself for it. You will have every right to exult in the vivid evidence of how much you’ve grown. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Piscean author Anaïs Nin wrote, “Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don’t know how to replenish its source.” Apply her counsel dynamically during the coming months, dear Pisces. Be the great replenisher. Make yourself into a fountain of beauty as you share lavishly. Nurture tenderness and adoration with unexpected flowers, gorgeous music in the midst of the routine, and affection expressed through artful thoughtfulness. Be brilliant and persistent in ensuring that love thrives. Your elegant generosity and fond attention should enrich everything you touch.
classifieds
Deadline for Telegraph classified ads is Tuesday at noon. Ads are a bargain at 10 cents a character with a $10 minimum. Prepayment is required via cash, credit card or check. (Sorry, no refunds or substitutions.)
Ads can be submitted by emailing: classifieds@ durangotelegraph.com
able. Come get your qi flowing! Heart to Hands Massage Therapy, Darsi Olson, LMT, 970-259-9796, downtown. Massage by Meg Bush LMT, 30, 60 & 90 min., 970-759-0199. Boiler Service - Water Heater Serving Durango over 30 years. Brad, 970-759-2869. Master Plbg Lic #179917
Wanted Announcements Ready to make a difference close to home? The University of Denver GSSW Four Corners Program is now accepting applications for the 2026–2028 MSW cohort! Classes meet Fridays in Durango, so you can keep working while earning your MSW. Learn more at du.edu/socialwork/fourcorners. Change your community. Change your future. Start with DU!
Books Wanted at White Rabbit Donate/Trade/Sell 970 259-2213
Chapman Electric Colorado licensed and insured electrician. Mike 970-403-6670
Lost/Found
Classes/Workshops New Year, New You 2026 Train to win the battles within. Aikido offers self-refinement through self-defense. Starter Series kicks off Jan 19. Flexible price options. Details and registration at durangoaikido.com.
BodyWork
Give the Gift of Massage! Relax, be healthy & together we change the world! Therapeutic relaxation, acupressure tune-ups, calming and immune-boosting pressure points, deep tissue … recharge, renew, reset! Sliding scale prices available for service workers, farmers, teachers, students, changemakers & activists. Gift certificates avail-
HaikuMovieReview
Help Cid Come Home Last seen July 21, 2024, by St. Columba Church. He is chipped, missing left canine tooth, white, big black spots, green eyes. Reward $2000. 970-403-6192.
ForSale 4 Snow Tires 235/75 R15, low miles, mounted on wht. spoke wheels, fit Ford Ranger, $250. Also: receiver hitch for Ranger, $50. 970259-9709. No texts.
Electric Repair Roof, gutter cleaning, fence, floors, walls, flood damage, mold, heating service.
CommunityService LPEA 2026 Washington Youth Tour LPEA invites high school juniors to apply for the 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, taking place June 15–21, 2026, in Washington, D.C.. Four students will be
Reruns Home Furnishings Make your space festive for the holidays. Glassware, dishes, linens, bar ware and more. Plus nightstands, mirrors, lamps, cool artwork and lots more! Also looking to consign smaller furniture pieces. 572 E. 6th Ave. Open Mon.-Sat.
‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Another gorgeous flipbook of stunning postcards from Anderson’s mind – Lainie Maxson
selected – one each from Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs and Ignacio. Applicants must live and attend school in LPEA’s service territory. Apply at lpea.coop/lpeayouth-tour. Deadline to apply is Jan. 2, 2026, winners will be notified in Feb. For info., email: youthtour@lpea.coop. Yoga of Recovery: Free classes Tuesdays 10-11:15 a.m., Smiley Bldg, #20A. Gentle movement, breathwork and meditation. Find support for addictive tendencies, sober curiosity or your recovery journey. Registration req’d at innerpeace yogatherapy.com/locations/durango/ Dog Fosters Needed Parker’s Animal Rescue needs foster families to provide temporary homes for rescued dogs. We supply crates, food, leashes, toys and support and vet visits. Apply at: parkersanimalresuce.com.
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3-Step Plumbing LLC Emergency plumbing – same day service (720)-357-2788. Get scheduled today!
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Email for details: missy@durangotelegraph.com Dec. 18, 2025 n 15
16 n Dec. 18, 2025
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