Columnists - The Durango Herald

“Woman with a Blue Pencil”: A disorienting, dazzling rabbit-hole of a book

Sometimes it’s mind-cleansing to see how long you can hold your breath swimming underwater, or to peer over the ledge of a skyscraper and wonder what you’d be thinking on the way down if you...

DATE: Dec 24, 2015 | CATEGORY: Murder Ink

Sweet traditions invigorate this cold, dark season

Rose is balanced on a chair, placing candles in our family’s menorah, while I am hitting the household “hot spots” (couch clutter, table crumbs from breakfast, bathroom sink) before our Hanu...

DATE: Dec 23, 2015 | CATEGORY: Adventures in Motherhood

Coming true: Dreams of ‘White Christmas’

It’s clear that singing “White Christmas” or “Let it Snow” do not work like the Western version of a snow dance, or we would have snow every holiday season. But this year, I’m cre...

DATE: Dec 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: Neighbors

The General Assembly’s coming session will be all about Colorado’s budget woes

The big issue this year for the Colorado General Assembly will be balancing the 2016-2017 budget. There are several factors, issues created by laws and constitutional amendments passed by ei...

DATE: Dec 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Respect and appreciate the holiday traveler

Vacations begin in the friendly confines of our home. We imagine ourselves in a desirable destination while anticipation and excitement builds, knowing that vacations change people in so man...

DATE: Dec 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: A Take on Tourism

Wag more, bark less with the annual Christmas doggerel

’Twas four days ’fore Christmas and all through our towns, Events of the past year brought smirks and some frowns. We’ll look at what happened for better or worse; ...

DATE: Dec 20, 2015 | CATEGORY: Action Line

The confusing realities of driving rentals

During a recent visit to Atlanta, Sixt Rent a Car upgraded Samuel Ventola to a Jeep Patriot instead of the subcompact he had reserved. Maybe it wasn’t doing him a favor. “It was n...

DATE: Dec 19, 2015 | CATEGORY: The Travel Troubleshooter

There’s an extra-special place in our hearts for anonymous donors

“Completely Anonymous,” that is all the detail report said about two large donations received by United Way of Southwest Colorado on Colorado Gives Day (Dec. 8). Two people gave generously a...

DATE: Dec 19, 2015 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

The art of demonizing

Searching for the center and a cure for the curse of fear

DATE: Dec 19, 2015 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Winter is a time for the inner artist

As snow blankets Southwest Colorado, we find ourselves delighting in all the opportunities that awaken with winter. Some of us find a long-awaited invitation to play and explore ...

DATE: Dec 17, 2015 | CATEGORY: View from the Center

Snow, fewer late freezes and more wishes for Santa

A week until Christmas and it’s nice to see snow on the ground. I hope it will last, or be added to, so Santa and his reindeer will leave foot (and paw) prints. Growing up in Dur...

DATE: Dec 16, 2015 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Keep your holiday giving close to home

This holiday season I’d like to propose a corollary to Durango’s well-loved buy local movement: give local. December is a month awash in fundraising requests, and let’s face it: b...

DATE: Dec 16, 2015 | CATEGORY: Thinking Green

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.