Columnists - The Durango Herald

What’s in a master class?

You play what you’ve been practicing for months. When you finish, the teacher may say “Bravo.” Then the nitpicking begins. Master classes are a study in preparation, nerves and ...

DATE: Jul 13, 2017 | CATEGORY: Culture Gulch

4-H members to highlight a year of work at La Plata County Fair

The 2017 La Plata County Fair is fast approaching, and this year’s theme is “A Living Legacy.” 4-H members throughout the county have been working hard all year for this event. ...

DATE: Jul 13, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Former DATO director a man of many stories

This is my first column and first week as the new executive director of the Durango Area Tourism Office (DATO to most folks). Prior to this, I had been working and “apprenticing” under the a...

DATE: Jul 13, 2017 | CATEGORY: The Tourism Effect

Friedman: Israel to U.S. Jews – You just don’t matter

To the casual observer, Israel has never looked more secure and prosperous. Its Arab neighbors are in disarray. Iran’s nuclear program has been mothballed for a while. The Trump team could n...

DATE: Jul 13, 2017 | CATEGORY: Thomas Friedman

Douthat: A conspiracy of dunces

Here is a good rule of thumb for dealing with Donald Trump: Everyone who gives him the benefit of the doubt eventually regrets it. This was true of clients and contractors and cre...

DATE: Jul 13, 2017 | CATEGORY: Ross Douthat

Wedding forces difficult decision on maid of honor

DEAR ABBY: My best friend is getting married next year and I am supposed to be the maid of honor. I am Jewish, and she scheduled her wedding on the first day of Passover. This also means...

DATE: Jul 13, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Littwin: How could Wayne Williams miss that the voter-fraud panel is the real fraud?

It’s strange enough that Wayne Williams, Colorado’s Secretary of State, had to call a news conference to try to calm the political waters he had inadvertently roiled by embracing Donald Trum...

DATE: Jul 12, 2017 | CATEGORY: Mike Littwin

Mom needs help in puberty conversation

DEAR ABBY: I’m a mother of three beautiful little girls. I’m nervous about having to talk with my oldest about puberty and sex. She’s turning 10, and I know I need to start explaining ce...

DATE: Jul 12, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

We live by story, choose how we live

Not every religion has a sacred text. Among those that do, I’ve been pondering what their role might be in our 21st century world – a world of pluralism, science and technology and rapid glo...

DATE: Jul 11, 2017 | CATEGORY: Thoughts Along The Way

Talkative woman struck speechless

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I went on a trip with his brother and his wife recently. Three days into the trip, while we were having dinner at a restaurant, my sister-in-law yelled at me, “...

DATE: Jul 11, 2017 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Rankin: Are education policies helping or hindering student (and teacher) success?

President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) into law in 2001. Since that time, Colorado has tested students and used the tests and other assessments to evaluate the effectivene...

DATE: Jul 11, 2017 | CATEGORY: Joyce Rankin

Kristof: Liu Xiaobo has suffered so others may be free

Dear Liu Xiaobo, You may be the man I most admire. For decades you’ve struggled and suffered to advance human liberty, at the cost of your own – and now, it seems, at the cost of ...

DATE: Jul 11, 2017 | CATEGORY: Nicholas Kristof

Photos: Thousands take to the streets for ‘No Kings’ march and rally in Durango

Photos: Navajo Trail OpenFriday was the first day of the Navajo Trail Open at Hillcrest Golf Club

Friday was the first day of the Navajo Trail Open at Hillcrest Golf Club

Photos: Durango Fire Protection District opens Station 2

Photos: Hundreds gather to honor fallen Bloomfield Police officer Timothy OntiverosA solemn procession stretched for blocks Monday morning along West Apache Street in Farmington – a display of unity, grief and honor for Bloomfield Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros, 32.About 7 a.m., a large contingent of law enforcement, motorcyclists, friends and grieving family prepared to embark on the motorcade to the 9 a.m. service at the Bloomfield High School football stadium to celebrate the life of the officer.