Columnists - The Durango Herald

A song of joy to kick off the holiday season

By Ann Butler Neighbors Columnist There are some traditions that are key to making the holidays bright, and the Durango Choral Society’s “A Traditional Family Christmas...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: Neighbors

Annual doggerel offers up a new leash on life

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through our towns / The events of the past year brought smiles and frowns. / So readers, indulge this most heinous of verses, / You cannot be faulted ...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Connecting dots while watching the Trump ‘movie’

WASHINGTON – In the Trump movie now playing in the American theater, connecting all the dots requires the artistry of a mapmaker and the insight of a psychic. Or, perhaps, the cri...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Social media often leave one more disconnected

I got my first smartphone at the ripe age of 14. Since then, barely a day has gone by in which I haven’t texted, tweeted, posted, friended, liked, called, vlogged, snapped, yakked, commented...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: Students on Point

Why is theater important in education? Ask an elf!

A few weeks ago, I walked back into the dressing room after our first dress rehearsal of Elf Jr., The Musical. This is the dressing room of about 23 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. It is ...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: On Education

Another day, another abortion restriction

The tan business envelope is postmarked Jan. 31, 1957. It is addressed to “MISS JANEY BEBOUT,” arriving by airmail from Annapolis, Maryland. Not to her home but to the house of a sympathetic...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Clean Power Plan a key part of energy transition

Economic drivers of electric power production will dominate Colorado’s transition from coal to renewable energy sources. Let’s not miss an important economic opportunity that will be provide...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Proposed bill could protect online reviewers, until then be careful

If you’ve never heard of a strategic lawsuit against public participation, consider yourself lucky. I hadn’t either until a knock at my door on a January evening seven years ago. ...

DATE: Dec 18, 2016 | CATEGORY: The Travel Troubleshooter

Nolan Reed comes home to delight music lovers

By Ann Butler Neighbors Columnist It’s always exciting to see a young person who grew up in Durango shine out in the world, and that’s certainly true of violinist Nolan...

DATE: Dec 17, 2016 | CATEGORY: Neighbors

Winter weather is here: Don’t forget your pets

By Chris Nelson La Plata County Humane Society Baby, its cold outside. While I have seen a few of the more hardy La Plata County residents still wearing shorts lately, ...

DATE: Dec 17, 2016 | CATEGORY: From the Humane Society

Trump swindles and blows off the working class

A friend of mine, an expert car mechanic, once told me of losing $30,000 in a commodity deal. It was one of those investment swindles then making the rounds. I asked my friend whether he fel...

DATE: Dec 16, 2016 | CATEGORY: Froma Harrop

‘Man vs. Snake’ a great story in unusual venue

Traditional sports documentaries are best when they tell the human story behind the competition. While it stretches the definition of a sport, “Man vs. Snake: The Long and Twisted Tale of Ni...

DATE: Dec 15, 2016 | CATEGORY: Swimming Against the Stream

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.