Dear Action Line: At the corner of 14th Street and Main Avenue, the Crossroads Center’s sign lists the businesses in the plaza along with a friendly message saying, “Happy Holidays.” But which holidays are we celebrating? Mother’s Day? The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic? The Dandelion Festival? Or maybe it’s for National Hamburger Day, which occurs on May 28. – Cal N. Durr
Dear Cal N.: If it’s the burger occasion, then we’re not too late, and Action Line wishes everyone a special day Tuesday. All the other holidays listed by Mr. Durr have come and gone, or nearly gone.
The hamburger is such an American thing, but May 28 is also known as International Burger Day around the world. There’s a lot of disagreement about who invented the hamburger and where, but it makes a solid story to say that someone in Hamburg, Germany, invented it in the 1700s. Everyone does agree that the modern food we call the hamburger is an Americanized deal, and probably got going in the early 1900s. Then Ray Kroc (played by Michael Keaton, of course) got involved, and we were all hooked.
Mr. Durr, being very helpful, says that if it’s indeed the burger day we’re celebrating, “and seeing that it’s Durango, festifarians will need to provide lots of free-range local vegan multi-modal sustainable patties served on inclusive certified organic artisanal non-gluten buns.”
But because none of the Crossroads Center businesses offer burgers, Action Line is guessing this is not the holiday being celebrated.
Action Line actually did make some inquiries as to what the Crossroads Center sign-setter had in mind with the perpetual “Happy Holidays” message, but was unable to connect with the property manager.
One longtime Crossroads tenant was helpful.
“Every day is a holiday at Stillwater Music because we get to play music with our friends!” said Jana Leslie, program director at Stillwater.
If you want to get specific about a music “holiday,” World Day of Music is coming on June 21, which, now that we’ve brought it up, is also my older sister’s birthday. She was born on Father’s Day. Can you believe that? How special was that for Dad? Action Line has suffered ever since, being the neglected afterthought and all, forgotten about at mealtime and Christmas.
“Hey Mom, don’t I get a plate?”
“Oh, sorry, forgot about you. We might be able to scrape a few salt grains together.”
“And where’s my stocking?”
“Look son, you know there’s only enough presents for your very special sibling who was born on Father’s Day.”
And so it went …
Well, anyway, thanks for the question, and let’s move on to something possibly even more important.
Dear Action Line: Since you have been around this area for a while, I wonder if you could offer some advice to us all. I recently got my first CodeRED notice of the season, a small fire at Lightner Creek. We have lived here 15 years and every fire season I’m confused by where you find out the status of a fire that may affect you. For example … inciweb, firemappers, wildfire aware, Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch, Facebook, etc. – Smokey
Dear Smokey: Wait, are you that cute little bear? And you don’t even know? Well, honestly, neither does Action Line. Time to find an expert.
“A very good question, and one we’ve been working on tirelessly,” said Ted Holteen, public and governmental affairs manager for La Plata County.
The county’s Wildfire Resource Center webpage is a valuable source to begin and can be found here: www.co.laplata.co.us/livingwithfire.php. The page includes a link to register for CodeRED.
“As the writer alluded, it is vital for each and every person – and each and every address, business, residential or second home – to be registered for CodeRED, as that’s the first method of notification,” Holteen said. “We can draw a polygon around a geographic area, and every address registered within that polygon will get an alert.”
Once a CodeRED alert is issued, people are advised to follow directions on the alert, and call (970) 385-8700, which is an emergency information line staffed by Search and Rescue volunteers as soon as the Emergency Operations Center is activated. “It’s really one of the best ways for the general public to stay informed when an incident is happening,” he said.
Holteen suggested having the Wildfire Resource Center page bookmarked on phones, PCs, etc., to access more vital information quickly. It’s the best way to get local fire information.
He noted that, yes, fire management can become convoluted as several agencies – local, tribal, state and federal – become involved or take over.
InciWeb (https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/state/Colorado) is good for fires being managed/monitored by the feds, Holteen said, but maybe not so good if it’s more of a local incident.
He suggested that people create a contact in their phones, maybe labeled “Fire Info.” On that type in the 970-385-8700 number, www.readylaplata.org for up-to-date evacuation information, and the La Plata County Facebook and/or NextDoor and/or Instagram accounts, which are updated in real time during emergencies.
Hope that helps.
Email questions and suggestions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Sad news: National Taco Day does not arrive until Oct. 4. Start saving your appetite.
