Columnists

Dear Abby

Bride won’t walk down aisle with dad

Only my immediate family and my fiancé’s family know the specifics, and whenever I say I would rather have my…

May 1, 2020

Flies & Lies

What I did during the lockdown

Two weeks ago, “She Who Must Be Obeyed” (SWMBO) found me standing in her closet. When she asked me what…

May 1, 2020

Downtown Lowdown

Jon Stickley Trio tough to classify

The Asheville, North Carolina-based guitar player, with ties to Durango through Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band, would on paper be a…

May 1, 2020

Dear Abby

History of addiction clouds future

We have always encouraged the girls to stay with their dad on “his” days, but when they do, Brett rarely…

April 30, 2020

Guest Columns

John Hickenlooper: The ACA is helping Colorado fight COVID – but it’s still under siege

So let’s not bury the lede: If you’re uninsured or recently unemployed, you can sign up for health insurance until…

April 29, 2020

Healing Nutrition

No joke: Healthier can be delicious

She always had food on the stove, freshly baked sweets in the oven … and, oh yes, always fresh tortillas…

April 29, 2020

Dear Abby

Niece discovers why uncle is in prison

When I was young, my uncle “Dave” went to prison. My family told it like this: “Dave had an affair…

April 29, 2020

La Plata Health Watch

For victims of domestic violence, help is available

With the focus on a viral infection, it is easy to lose sight of other challenges in our community, made…

April 26, 2020

Guest Columns

David Brooks: Our age of coddling is over, and good riddance

As Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt put it in their book “The Coddling of the American Mind,” this is the…

April 26, 2020

Guest Columns

Tom Stritikus: Fort Lewis can do its part – and it will need help

In our COVID-19 world, January seems a lifetime away. Today, being the president of Fort Lewis College is a bit…

April 25, 2020

From the Chamber

A big voice for small business

Those of us in the background of the business community are working to figure out all the options we can…

April 25, 2020

The Travel Troubleshooter

Still no vacation refund? It might be time to play the card

Asking a bank to force a merchant to return your money is typically a last resort. But that’s where we…

April 25, 2020

Shelf Life

When you can’t visit the library, find it at your place

As the American Library Association reminds us, “although our physical spaces may be closed, libraries are still helping people find…

April 25, 2020

Dear Abby

Moving near family forces a choice

Both of the states they live in are similar in terms of taxes, home prices, cost of living, etc. We…

April 25, 2020

Guest Columns

Scott Tipton: Democrats held up pandemic relief

In Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, like in most places, small businesses are closed, families are home, students are learning remotely…

April 24, 2020

Downtown Lowdown

Usinowicz: Band is more than a band

However, for local musician Usinowicz, banjo player in the long-running, Sunday night Diamond Belle Saloon staple The Blue Moon Ramblers,…

April 23, 2020

Dear Abby

Woman wonders where’s the divorce

When his wife (who has also been seeing someone for more than a year) found out we were seeing each…

April 23, 2020

Nourishing Morsels

Building immunity by nourishing the nerves

When aware of how systems interplay with each other, we can feel empowered to make choices that create a more…

April 22, 2020

Dear Abby

Injury alters friend’s personality

Stella’s personality has changed a lot since the accident. Her language and clothing are inappropriate. At 65 years old, her…

April 21, 2020

Action Line

Having the last word requires a dictionary and 3 z’s

Smedleydu1-i-syn This is my final Action Line column. There. Those Seven Words were penned a couple of years ago –…

April 20, 2020

From the Extension Office

In this time of uncertainty, reach out to loved ones

I felt sure I would sail into my new position, never anticipating the onset of a global pandemic. So, instead…

April 20, 2020

Strength in Well-being

Uncertain times and our health

A little bit of uncertainty is a good thing; we need a dose or two to spice up our lives.…

April 19, 2020

Thinking Green

As coal-fire power plants close, our skies are clearing

Longer-term residents routinely comment on the increased clarity and the sharper vistas of distant ranges like the Abajos in Utah…

April 19, 2020

Guest Columns

Frank Bruni: A politician takes a sledgehammer to his own ego

He quickly climbed the rungs of power, became the lieutenant governor of the state of Washington at 35 and had…

April 18, 2020