Dear Action Line: How does one find out what businesses are coming into the Three Springs/Bridge to Nowhere area? I see a gas station but what else is planned? Thanks. Best to you. – Wendy

Dear Wendy: Best to you, too. You’re trying to use sugar to get your question to the top of the Action Line stack, aren’t you? Well, it worked. Besides, Action Line is also curious. What’s up out at Three Springs? How about that rumored grocery store?

The answer to your first question is you can ask Action Line, who will then use anything from sugar to strong-arming to find out what’s really going on. That’s how this thing works, and it’s beautiful.

Yes, there will be a gas station on the north side of the roundabout at the west end of Wilson Gulch Road, and it’ll be a Maverik. That’s maverick without the “c,” which kind of doubles down on the whole maverick concept, doesn’t it? Like, we’re such mavericks we spell it “maverik.” Well gosh, step aside.

There was supposed to be an attached coffee shop to this Maverik, but those plans were scrapped for now. Maverik stations are becoming ubiquitous in Western states, so get used to them if you aren’t already.

Otherwise, said Scott Shine, assistant director of community development for the city of Durango, “We have had many inquiries about properties out in that area, but we do not have any formal submittals yet.”

He said there have been recent inquiries from a ranch supply store, a moving/storage company, a car dealership, a hotel, an assisted living facility and a large apartment developer.

“Again,” Shine said, “none of those have submitted for actual review so they are far from being sure things yet.”

Not too far up Wilson Gulch Road, and just south of the Morehart Murphy Subaru dealership, plans are hatching for a new grocery store. La Plata County records show that a 4.5-acre parcel is now owned by Koinonia Properties of Ignacio, which is affiliated with Farmers Fresh Market, a grocery and deli in Ignacio.

Shine said that Farmers Fresh Market has received approval to build a 34,000-square-foot grocery, liquor store and deli on that lot.

Amos Lee, general manager of Farmers Fresh Market, said there is no definite schedule for breaking ground. They are waiting on financing and an appraisal, and supply chain issues might put a wrench in plans as well. But construction could start as early as July.

So, all you Three Springs residents living in the nearly 700 dwellings out there, get excited, but be patient.

“I think it’s a great location,” Lee said. “The community there really needs a good store.”

Dear Action Line: Do you ever find yourself stultified by quotidian minutia? – Ennui Go

Dear Ennui: Finally, the question everyone wanted to ask but has never dared. Rest assured that Action Line did not write this. Action Line is neither that creative, nor has the urge to blow Action Line’s own mind. And now look what you’ve done: You have Action Line speaking incessantly of Action Line in the third person.

So, to start, what does this question even mean? What is quotidian minutia, or really, minutiae, as it is used in the plural? Quotidian means it occurs every day. Minutiae are minor details, such as making sure minutiae is spelled correctly. Or that Maverik is spelled without a “c,” even though spell check is trying hard to put one in there.

So, is Action Line stultified by every day details? Does this have something to do with being up on stilts? No?

To stultify is to have a dulling effect on, to stifle enthusiasm or freedom of action. It’s more about being taken over by rote and unchallenging chores such as taking out the trash, raising and lowering the shades, dusting the tulips (what, you don’t?), deleting texts and emails (perhaps Action Line should have deleted this one?), etc., etc.

Hmm. Is this a trick question? Does answering this become an example of being stultified by quotidian minutiae? Action Line is no Freud or Piaget, but let’s face it: The recent pandemic has stultified just about all of us, often kept us homebound, and focused us on more quotidian minutiae than is good for us.

Let’s add an addendum to this question: How does one deal with being stultified by quotidian minutiae?

Stop what you’re doing. Right now. Put on your shoes. Grab a bike, throw some water and an energy bar in your pack, leash your dog. Get outside. Go DO SOMETHING! Action Line says take ACTION! There are lots of trails and paths and beautiful open spaces and grand vistas at which to marvel.

One should never be stultified in Southwest Colorado. Particularly by quotidian minutiae.

Email questions and suggestions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Mavericks are never stultified by quotidian minutiae, right?