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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/seoul-street-food-a-cortez-journalist-provides-the-scoop/</link>
        <title>Seoul street food: A Cortez journalist provides the scoop</title>
        <description>South Korean city is known for its rich, varied cuisine</description>
        <pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:42:16 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[The Myeongdong food market street is located within view of Seoul (Namsan) Tower. (Bailey Duran/Special to the Journal)South Korean city is known for its rich, varied cuisineIn Myeongdong, a popular area nestled in the center of Seoul, South Korea, hearts beat to the food of the street.Of course, Myeongdong is also known for its variety of shopping locations, K-pop culture, fashion, tasty cafes and beauty destinations, but the hanguk kilgori umsik (Korean street food) culture is what keeps bringing locals and tourists back night after night for dinner.Myeongdong is very popular in Seoul for its variety of shopping options. (Bailey Duran/Special to The Journal)This is my second time traveling to South Korea for an extended stay, and I continue to be struck by how delicious the food is. A trip to Myeongdong was a necessity during this trip to sample as many of the street foods as I could.When I first arrived at 1 p.m. in Myeongdong, the streets were fairly quiet, as travelers and locals visited cosmetic stores and walked hand in hand. At this time of the day, there was not a street food cart in sight.Knowing that street food vendors would show up closer to dinner time, I made myself comfortable in a nearby cafe to enjoy the delicious taste of bingsu, an amazing dessert that has quickly become my favorite here.Bingsu could be considered a close relative to a snow cone, but this dessert comes with a twist. The bowl contains shaved ice, ice cream and a fruit of choice drizzled in sweet condensed milk. In my case, the fruit was strawberries, which is nearly always the fruit I choose.After the bingsu disappeared from my bowl and I finished my writing for the day, I headed out in search of street food. In just a few hours, the street had transformed.Now, instead of quiet streets with a handful of people strolling in and out of shops, the entire street was filled with street carts, music played loudly, and people speaking in many different languages lined up to taste the food as aroma rose from the carts.The light was beginning to dim as the daylight turned toward sunset, and building and cart lights began to come on, illuminating the street and creating the perfect picture with the Seoul Tower standing proudly in the distance.Street food in Korea is commonly enjoyed at the cart where you bought the food, which adds to the experience. As I enjoy the food, I can observe how the cart owners prepare their food and get a sense of their passion.As I approached the first cart, I was greeted with a smile and a happy “annyeong haseyo,” or “hello,” from the owner of the cart.Soon, I was greeted by the taste of a Korean potato corn dog. The tender hot dog came covered in a crust and rolled in crunchy pieces of potato. After drizzling the corn dog with ketchup and taking my first bite, I was greeted with the taste of flavorful bread and a mouthful of cheese, which lasted a few bites until I made it to the hot dog.Korean Potato Corndog. (Bailey Duran/Special to The Journal)After returning my trash to the cart owner (public trash cans are uncommon) and thanking her with the honorific thank-you of “gamsahapnida,” I headed to the next cart.This time, I tried chicken mandu, or chicken dumplings. It was hard to patiently savor these four dumplings, because I just wanted to eat them as fast as possible, that’s how delicious they were.Chicken dumplings. (Bailey Duran/Special to The Journal)The outside of the dumpling was cooked to a light brown, and the inside was filled with a savory chicken and other fillings and spices.Following the mandu, my sweet tooth began dictating which cart I stopped at, so I found myself at a cart selling the viral Tanghulu, candied fruit desserts, a kebab of candied fruit that is traditionally Chinese but has experienced explosive popularity in South Korea.Tanghulu, or candied fruit. (Bailey Duran/Special to The Journal)To create this dessert, various fruit slices are skewered on a stick and dipped into a pan of melted sugar and dipped directly into ice water right after the sugar to harden the mold.My Tanghulu was made up of my go-to strawberries and green grapes, and it tasted much better than I had expected. I was worried that the hard shell of sugar over the fruit would make it difficult to chew, but instead, I was surprised to find that it created a delicious and satisfying crunch that complemented the juiciness of the fruit.I strolled through the field of carts, trying to pick what I would taste next, and came upon bungo ppang, a fish-shaped bun as translated into English.These adorable fish-shaped breads come with different fillings, including red bean paste and chocolate.Unfortunately, I was unable to buy one of these, as they sell them in groups of five, and I didn’t want to waste the food.Finally, I ended my dessert part of the tour by trying another viral dessert that exploded in popularity on social media last year. It is known as torched marshmallow ice cream.Marshmallow ice cream being torched by a street food vendor with an Iron Man hand torch. (Bailey Duran/Special to The Journal)This ice cream is unique because the ice cream is inside a large marshmallow. As you choose the flavor of ice cream, the cart owner torches the marshmallow in front of your eyes, using torches such as an Iron Man hand, wolf’s head or dragon’s head.I chose Iron Man, and watched as my marshmallow ice cream turned into s’more ice cream. The outside was warm and tasted exactly like a marshmallow you’d toast by a campfire, but inside, the still-cold ice cream added a delicious contrast to the marshmallow, making me wish I had room to eat more.Other very popular and delicious street foods are tteokbokki, which is a well-known and favorite street food in Korea, and it consists of rice cakes that are cooked in a delicious spicy sauce. The richness of the sauce complements the tenderness of the rice cake, making the meal seem almost like a comfort food that can be enjoyed on any day of the week and in any type of weather.Similar in looks to Japan’s sushi, kimbap is a mixture of vegetables and meat including tuna, spicy fish, spam and eggs rolled into a sushi-style roll with rice and seaweed. Kimbap is another staple in Korea, and can be found not only in street food version, but in restaurants and convenience stores that are located on nearly every street corner.Eating hotteok in Gwanghwamun. (Bailey Duran/Special to The Journal)Hotteok, also known as a Korean pancake, is another delicious treat. My favorite hoteeok is one that includes honey, sugar and nuts inside a type of dough that is fried in front of you. There are other flavors as well that are more savory, rather than sweet.Another street food I’ve enjoyed in many different forms is dalgogi, also known simply as chicken.In South Korea, there are many street food varieties of chicken –barbecue chicken on a stick, fried chicken, fried chicken and cheese, chicken cooked in spicy and sweet sauces and more.They’re all good.When it comes to street food, Myeongdong is considered to be on the pricier side of street food, but it is affordable.The majority of street foods I tried in Myeongdong ranged in price from ₩5,000 to ₩8,000, which is roughly $3.64 to $5.83.Visitors to South Korea will find a plethora of foods to discover. As well as foods mentioned from my travels, other offerings are sogogi, or beef in various forms, cooked and raw squid and octopus, crab, mochi ice cream treats, grilled corn on the cob, fruit smoothies, fish cakes on a stick and so much more.And a visit to South Korea is not out of reach.International travel can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. I have been learning that patience is key when it comes to finding affordable plane tickets, and I have been able to find round-trip tickets ranging in price from $1,000 to $1,400, depending on the time frame I look.My flight home is only $400.Additionally, accommodation is affordable and easy to find. Air bnb is what I usually use, but there are also many popular hotels and hostels that are available at affordable nightly rates, with many hotels starting at $70 and $80 per night.Many air bnb’s will also offer significant savings for those who book a stay of two weeks or longer.Don’t allow the language barrier to deter you either. Korean people are some of the kindest people I have ever met, and many, especially in popular tourist areas, speak English. The vast majority of signs and announcements seen in public transportation, restaurants and more are written in English in addition to Korean.While the food is a major draw to visiting South Korea, there is so much more than just food. There are gorgeous mountains to hike, beaches to visit, shopping, fashion and beauty tourism, all in Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island (the Hawaii of Korea) and many more cities.Right now, South Korea is one of the leading nations for beauty tourism, with many people opting to purchase skin care, makeup and clothes while visiting, as well as scheduling facials, spa days, salon visits, personal color analyses and nail appointments as well.Experiences that are expensive in the United States can be enjoyed oftentimes at an equal or higher quality, but more affordable price in Korea. A personal color analysis, for example, in the U.S. can cost $300 or more, while a personal color analysis from a professional in the field in Korea costs around $100.South Korea has also burst onto the global stage because of their rich culture of music. Many groups are making their names known worldwide, including the band Bangtan Sonyeondan, or BTS, a Korean men’s group that is one of the most awarded musical acts in history, putting their name with the likes of Michael Jackson and The Beatles.If you have a love of travel and experiencing new cultures, I highly suggest adding South Korea to your bucket list.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/cortez-library-will-host-navajo-painter-illustrator-2/</link>
        <title>Cortez library will host Navajo painter-illustrator</title>
        <description>“Becoming Extinct,” by Benton YazzieCourtesy photo The Cortez Public Library will host Dine artist Benton Yazzie, a self-taught Navajo painter and illustrator, for a workshop from 2-4 p.m. Saturday on “Texture Painting in Sand.” Yazzie is the son of the...</description>
        <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2019 15:29:02 -0700</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[“Becoming Extinct,” by Benton YazzieCourtesy photo The Journal The Cortez Public Library will host Dine artist Benton Yazzie, a self-taught Navajo painter and illustrator, for a workshop from 2-4 p.m. Saturday on “Texture Painting in Sand.” Yazzie is the son of the Tachii’nii (Red Running into the Water) and the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People) clans. According to a press release from the library, his artwork reflects the old ways of his people with modern and abstract symbolism mixed in to portray how he and his people live in two worlds – one on the reservation, the other in a fast-moving society. The workshop is followed by an artist reception and exhibit from 4-6 p.m. and includes refreshments. The workshop and reception are free. For more information or to reserve a seat, call the library at 970-565-8117. “Becoming Extinct,” by Benton YazzieCourtesy photo The Cortez Public Library will host Dine artist Benton Yazzie, a self-taught Navajo painter and illustrator, for a workshop from 2-4 p.m. Saturday on “Texture Painting in Sand.” Yazzie is the son of the Tachii’nii (Red Running into the Water) and the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People) clans. According to […]]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/plants-home-work-can-protect-against-fire/</link>
        <title>Plants, home work can protect against fire</title>
        <description>Defensible spaces reduce the chance of fire reaching homes.The Herald file Vic and I visited Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1980s and again in 1989, just a year after the massive fires there. By the following year, there was an...</description>
        <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2018 19:32:04 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Defensible spaces reduce the chance of fire reaching homes.The Herald file Editor’s note: This is the final of three columns about fire-wise homes.Wildfires are nature’s way of taking care of itself. It clears out old underbrush, dead trees, overly dry wood and in some cases acts as a proponent of new growth by allowing the release of seeds from pinecones and the clearing of tree canopy to allow sunlight to reach wildflower areas beneath. Vic and I visited Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1980s and again in 1989, just a year after the massive fires there. By the following year, there was an abundance of wildflowers covering the forest floor. But wildfires have become increasingly more frightening as people intrude into forested lands. Once you have prepared your home and made it as defensible as possible against wildfire, the next most important thing you can do is to maintain it to keep it safe. Many of these ideas are simple things that should be done on an annual basis anyway. You can also check with your local fire department for a home fire safety checklist. Begin inside your home. Check smoke detectors regularly, replacing batteries annually, if needed. An easy way to remember is to do it each year on your birthday or other holiday. Be sure that you have fire extinguishers in your home that are easily accessible and that everyone knows where they are and how to operate them. Be sure that all family members know escape routes in case of emergency. Outside of your home there are many things you can do to prepare in the event of a wildfire. If your roof is wooden in any form, consider changing it to something more fire-resistant. Check eaves and gutters to be sure that they are free of leaves, twigs and other material. If possible, prune trees that hang over your roof so that they are no longer a threat. If possible, widen your driveway to allow for adequate space for fire and other emergency equipment to work if necessary. Be sure that your house number is on your mailbox and your home so it can be easily identified. If you store your garden equipment in your garage or shed, be sure that the rakes, shovels, axes and garden hoses are easily reached in case they are needed. In your yard, be aware of the defensible space zones. As your landscape changes from year to year because of growth and sometimes dying or removal of plant material, be sure that you change your plan as well. Remove any old or dead material on a regular basis. This reduces fuel that would be available in case of a fire. This is especially important in the spring before the fire season begins as many times you will have plants or trees that have been damaged by snow, frost, wind or insects and diseases over the winter. Spring pruning is especially important as it will not only remove the dead material, but will also result in healthier plants during the growing season. When planting annuals each year, adding new perennials or trees and shrubs, be sure to choose those which are best suited to fireproofing your landscape. Choosing resistant plants like yucca and cactus, which are succulent and will hold and store water are therefore be less resistant to burning quickly is a good idea. Perennial succulents like ice plant that never really dry out, even in the dead of winter, may warrant consideration in your gardens as well. If you are concerned by having leaves around your beds in the fall or don’t have time to get them raked up each year, choose deciduous trees like aspens, which bear small leaves that tend to blow away and don’t need to be raked. Evergreens might seem like a better choice, but their resin is highly flammable. Perhaps the most important thing you can do to protect the area directly around your home is to keep the plant material watered throughout the growing season, especially if it is a particularly dry year. Your local garden center can offer advice on the best choices are for your particular situation. Keep grass cut to the recommended length and keep it shortest close to your home. In the outer boundaries of your zones, it should be no more than 6 inches high. Remove annuals and perennials as they dry out, die or go to seed. Be sure to keep any raked up debris removed on a regular basis from your yard so as not to let it accumulate and be a potential risk for fire. Do your indoor and outdoor maintenance regularly basis to keep your home’s physical condition and appearance in top shape. A few simple steps can lead to a fire-wise landscape and your peace of mind. Gail Vanik can be reached at 970-565-8274 or by email at fourseasons@animas.net.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/build-three-zones-to-guard-your-home-against-fire/</link>
        <title>Build three zones to guard your home against fire</title>
        <description>The Dollar Ridge Fire east of Strawberry Reservoir and Provo, Utah, burned up to a home surrounded by a nonflammable yard.Scott G. Winterton/The Deseret News The lawns that survived were those that were irrigated or designed with open space around...</description>
        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2018 13:33:20 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[The Dollar Ridge Fire east of Strawberry Reservoir and Provo, Utah, burned up to a home surrounded by a nonflammable yard.Scott G. Winterton/The Deseret News Editor’s note: This is the second of three columns about fire-wise homes.During the fires of 2002, I spent a day in Durango, at the site of the Missionary Ridge Fire, and as emotionally draining as that day was, I am more convinced than ever that fire-wise landscaping is an important part of your plans as a homeowner. The lawns that survived were those that were irrigated or designed with open space around them that the firemen could get into and foam. Those that had large, old trees right up to the walls, lots of scrub brush and pine needles, for the most part, were not. So what does one plant when trying to create an attractive but defensible landscape around a home? Begin by thinking of the area around your home in three zones. The first zone is the closest to your house and extends out about 15 feet in all directions from the eaves and any attached area such as a deck or patio. The second zone is a transitional area. Its size depends on the lot on which the home is situated and can be anything between 75 to 125 feet. The third zone is an area of no particular size and extends from the edge of zone 2 (your defensible space) to the end of your property. Zone 1 Zone 1 should be relatively sparse, and plantings need to be chosen according to the type of house you have. If your home is sided with wood, then there should be little, if anything combustible in this space. Instead, use rocks, lawn art, stone patios or other nonflammable treatments here. If your home has aluminum siding, stucco or other nonflammable material, then some plantings more resistant to fire are acceptable. These would include low growing shrubs, perennials, and other plants with a high moisture content. Try not to plant anything that will attain any size directly in front of windows, dryer vents, etc. In this area, you will also want to remove all dead leaves, branches, pine needles etc. Even grass should not come right up to the house. During certain times of the year, these ignite and burn quickly and they can easily carry a fire right to your door. Mow the grass that is closest to your home the shortest, increasing height as you move outward. Good ground cover plants for this area include native species type plant material, but many others are also suitable. Generally you want to get the plant material that is closest to your home to have a high moisture content, so that if there is a fire, these plants will resist burning easily. Remember that all vegetation is potentially fuel for a fire, so choose species that can be maintained easily. Suggested plants for this zone include annuals, perennials, and low growing shrubs. Take care however, to break them up into small clumpings; do not make huge beds of wall-to-wall foliage that is potentially flammable. Select varieties of each of these plants that stay low or can be pruned throughout the year to an acceptable height and size. And remember, the more moisture the plant holds, the better. Zone 2 Zone 2 is supposed to be an area of “fuel reduction.” This means that more plants are acceptable in this space, but again, choose these with fire-wise materials in mind. In this area, you need to thin trees and shrubs or plant with open spaces between them, if you are doing new plantings. A recommended area is 10 feet between the crowns or branches of each plant found in this zone. If your property is steep, allow more space than that between the plants. If this area includes trees, choose dwarf varieties or prune to a height of about 10 feet, if possible. If trees are higher than this, be sure that if they were to catch fire and fall, that they would not hurt your home. Remove all dead plant material from the base of the trees, pine needles, etc. Perennials, trees, shrubs, rock gardens, and just about anything else that you can keep manicured can be used in this area. If you store firewood in this area or if your propane tank is located in this area, a recommended space away from your home for each of these is 30 feet. Zone 3 Zone 3 includes the outer limits of your property and as such, needs less attention than the closer-in zones. However, there are still some things that should be looked after in this zone such as you should thin dead, dying or diseased trees. Gather up pine needles, leaves and other debris on a regular basis. Mowing here is optional, but if possible, you might want to do so on a regular basis, just to keep the meadow down. Although any type of plant material is acceptable here, take into consideration that there are still types of plants that are more fire resistant than others. Bear in mind that plants like conifers tend to be more flammable because of their high oil or resin content, no matter how well watered. Trees such as aspens and other deciduous plants are more fire-resistant because of their higher moisture content as well as their ability to lose their leaves which act as fuel for a fire. Keep the trees that form canopies in which fire can spread at the very outer limits of your property. The fires in 2002 was a learning experience for many and I believe that homeowners have grown more fire savvy. There have been no structures lost so far this season, partly due to this, along with the heroic efforts of the firefighters. Keep the above zones in mind and use your imagination when working on your fire-wise landscape plan and your home can still be attractive as well as functional. There are lots of options available. Gail Vanik can be reached at 970-565-8274 or by email at fourseasons@animas.net.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/city-must-pay-700k-for-lawyer-fees-in-ten-commandments-case/</link>
        <title>City must pay $700K for lawyer fees in Ten Commandments case</title>
        <description>Town my use online fundraising</description>
        <pubDate>Sun, 18 Feb 2018 12:33:49 -0700</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Town my use online fundraisingFARMINGTON – A northwest New Mexico community is considering using online fundraising to pay the $700,000 it owes from a lawsuit that stemmed from a dispute over a Ten Commandments monument that was formerly located outside of Bloomfield City Hall. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2017 sided with a lower court that ordered the monument’s removal, saying it violated the U.S. Constitution and represented a government endorsement of religion, the Farmington Daily Times reported . The city of Bloomfield must now pay the legal fees for the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the complaint in 2012 on behalf of two Bloomfield residents, Janie Felix and Buford Coone. Bloomfield has until June 30, 2021, to pay the $700,000 it owes for the American Civil Liberties Union’s legal fees, City Manager Eric Strahl said. If the city is unable to raise money through donations to pay the $700,000, it will have to pay the sum out of its general fund, Strahl said. The monument was installed in front of City Hall in 2011. Shortly afterward, Felix and Coone sued the city alleging it violated their constitutional rights and represented a government endorsement of religion. The city maintained that the monument was placed in front of City Hall by a local group that is not connected to the city. The city petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, but the high court declined the case. The city asked the organization that owned the monument to move it off city property. It has since been relocated to property owned by a Baptist church.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/a-place-of-eternal-torment-never-2/</link>
        <title>A place of eternal torment? Never</title>
        <description>Leigh Waggoner I could have engaged with Ann about the theo-historical development of the concept of Satan (see “The Origin of Satan” by Elaine Pagels), or I could have parsed Biblical scripture for her, but she was so distraught, I...</description>
        <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jan 2018 12:36:38 -0700</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Leigh Waggoner I recently had a conversation with a woman that broke my heart. Let’s call her Ann. Ann is intelligent, inquisitive, and has a syndrome that leaves it difficult to tell by her behavior what her age is. She approached me insistent on learning where Satan came from. As we talked, it became clear that her real question was whether or not she was going to hell for misbehaving. I could have engaged with Ann about the theo-historical development of the concept of Satan (see “The Origin of Satan” by Elaine Pagels), or I could have parsed Biblical scripture for her, but she was so distraught, I simply told her my truth. I don’t believe in Satan. I don’t believe in hell. I do believe there is evil in the world and horrific things happen. How could I not, but a place of eternal torment? Never. Ann persisted, demanding to know what happens when we die. I told her no one really knows, but that I believe all life (her beloved pets’ included) enters a realm we can’t even imagine. In that realm, some of us are more able to experience the light of Love that is God and others of us have a more “dimmed” experience of it. It is as though we are farther “away” from the light. All of us, though, are in God’s presence. At that point she laughed and relaxed and said, “kind of like sitting in the back of the church.” I said, “exactly.” What damage the Church (and other religions) have done to innocent, ordinary people like Ann and all the rest of us who are just trying to live our lives as best we can! (Not what you expected to hear from a clergy person, I know.) I am aware that Christianity has been the source of much good – caring for those on the margins of society whose needs are legion, establishing and running hospitals, and founding institutions of learning at all levels. Without the church our society would be struggling to meet many of the needs the Church currently addresses. I know Christian faith has brought comfort and solace to untold numbers of people in times of crisis and loss. And I will not dispute that it has been a source of meaning to innumerable folks who have turned to it for direction. Christianity has done great good, there is no doubt about it. But, Lordy, how do we change the understanding that to be Christian means you have to sign on to a God whose M.O. is something other than just love, and I don’t mean loving you by teaching you a lesson? How do we help folks let go of a God known exclusively through Jesus who is willing to leave millions upon millions of non-Christians damned to hell? What is it going to take to change the teaching of the Church to reveal a God who does not turn the divine back on his/her/its own creatures because they don’t measure up in some way? Some of you will read this and respond, “What? That’s precisely why we need God and the Christian Church – to turn us to Jesus and to whip us into shape so we’ll be able to “get to heaven.” If you are one of those folks, unless you want your blood pressure to rise even more than it probably is right now, you might as well stop reading. Some of you will read this and respond that religion is a social construct designed to control the masses. I am painfully aware that religion has been (and continues to be) used that way. It seems to me though, non-anthropologist that I am, that religion may be an inclination natural to our species. Not just spirituality, religion. Religion: when we align ourselves with others and, together, acknowledge our place in the universe. Religion: when, together, we voice our gratitude to the “something more” that we sense is the creative cause for everything that is. Religion: when we gather and, together, support one another as we try to live lives that are more grounded in compassion toward all of creation. We live in a time when religion is linked, as it too often is, to political narrative. It is once again (or maybe, still is) manipulating humanity toward divisive and destructive ends. Rather than throw the religious baby out with the social bathwater, I would ask, “How do we pry the two apart? How can the Anns of the world, the ordinary folks trying to live lives of integrity find communities that will satisfy their religious impulse but will not distort it by linking it with fear, shame, guilt, and a message of exclusion? I don’t know. Perhaps it’s one brave congregation at a time, willing to say, “The way we’ve always been taught is not the way of Jesus.” Leigh Waggoner is priest at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. She can be reached at 565-7865, or rector@stbarnabascortez.org.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/state-wineries-cannabis-give-telluride-event-colorado-focus/</link>
        <title>State wineries, cannabis give Telluride event Colorado focus</title>
        <description>Telluride wine fest returns with new, diverse events</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jun 2017 15:15:39 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Telluride wine fest returns with new, diverse events The Telluride Wine Festival returned Thursday and continues through Sunday, for its 36th year. This time, however, its organizers have a few changes in mind. Among the festival’s 30 events are a number of new ones, including a culinary village; a speakeasy night; and a cannabis, wine and food pairing dinner. These are all part of an effort to distinguish the Telluride festival from other wine festivals. “People should know that this is a festival that is different from most other wine festivals,” said Sarah Harkness, the festival’s marketing director. “We give people an opportunity to not only do these large-scale events where they’re doing a lot of tastings ... but we also give them an opportunity to have an intimate connection with wineries, chefs and sommeliers in smaller, more intimate locations.” Colorado itself is one focus of this year’s festival, with restaurant vendors hailing from Montrose, Durango, Telluride and Ridgway, and one of the tents in the culinary village dedicated exclusively to Colorado wines. “We actually have the father of Colorado wine (Bennett Price of Palisade’s Debeque Canyon Winery) coming in,” Harkness said. “Basically, he planted every single grape in Colorado. He’s going to be here to sort of talk about how that spread and the growth and history of Colorado wines.” Wine is not the only regional alcoholic drink that will be on tap at the festival, though. The festival will also feature beers and spirits from Colorado-based breweries and distilleries, Harkness said. “I think that wine always gets associated with California or abroad, so we’re really trying to make this about what’s here in Colorado and what makes our state great and what we are bringing to the table gastronomically,” she said. In addition to highlighting the region’s flavor, the festival is attempting to broaden its audience. “We’re really trying to take the reputation of a wine festival from being a mature and conservative older crowd and really trying to give it a fresh, new, young vibe,” Harkness said. One way the festival organizers hope to accomplish this goal is through a new late-night speakeasy event, she said. Held amid the Prohibition-era decor of the Sheridan Opera House and requiring a password to get though its secret entrance, the speakeasy will feature a costume contest, an “old-timey” photo booth and 1920s music in addition to craft cocktails. Another new event promises to diversify the crowd even further: the festival’s cannabis, wine and food pairing dinner, held at a private residence in Mountain Village and including four types of cannabis in four different forms. “Some of our patrons think we’re crazy for doing this,” Harkness said. “We really wanted to stay on the cutting edge and do something a little controversial with this dinner. “It’s sort of like a wine pairing, but we’re just throwing an extra element in there for people who are curious about trying cannabis and want to do it in a controlled and more sophisticated kind of environment,” she said. ngonzales@durangoherald.com If you goThe Telluride Wine Festival kicks off Thursday and runs through Sunday. For tickets and more information, visit telluridewinefestival.com .]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/former-cortez-priest-rev-larry-gallegos-dies-at-78/</link>
        <title>Former Cortez priest, Rev. Larry Gallegos, dies at 78</title>
        <description>Priest had served in Durango for nearly 30 years</description>
        <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jun 2017 10:54:34 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Priest had served in Durango for nearly 30 years The Rev. Larry Gallegos, who had been with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango on and off for nearly 30 years, died Friday. He was 78. “You won’t believe how many people I’ve had call me and say, ‘I was struggling and he set me on the right path,’” said Bob Gomez, a friend and business manager for Sacred Heart. “He had amazing ability to help people that were struggling.” Gallegos was born in Anton Chico, New Mexico, a small town about an hour and a half drive southeast of Santa Fe, on April 9, 1939, according to his sister, Josephine Madril. The family moved to Denver when Gallegos was 8 years old, his sister said, where he attended Sacred Heart Catholic School. In a household of 12 children, Gallegos and Madril, only eleven months apart in age, formed a close bond, she said. “He would say, ‘I don’t know what I want, but someday someone is going to tell me what to do,’” Madril said. “Lo and behold, in the summer of 1959, he told mom and dad he wanted to be a priest.” Born to deeply religious Catholic parents – Julian and Eloisa – Gallegos joined the seminary at St. Andrews when he was 18 years-old, and was ordained a priest in May 1968. Gallegos was a teacher and director at St. Andrews for a few years, but landed at Sacred Heart in Durango in 1986, where he stayed on and off for the next 30 years. “He was able to translate gospel into every day normal life, and it was just unique,” said Gomez, adding that Gallegos was known for starting his sermons with some link to the Peanuts cartoon series. He was a pastor at St. Margaret Mary Church in Cortez for about four years, between 2006 and 2010. His successor, the Rev. Pat Valdez, said he continued to meet with him regularly after he returned to Durango. “He would always check up on me and see how I was doing, and vice versa,” Valdez said. “He was more than a collaborator. He was a brother.” Kevin Ketterer, the director of religious education at St. Margaret Mary, said he saw Gallegos as a mentor when he first started the job nine years ago. “Whenever I would talk to him about a problem or something I didn’t understand, he somehow always had a little tiny story to use as an answer,” Ketterer said. “He never gave me an answer. He always gave me a story.” He said Gallegos played a large part in uniting the Spanish-speaking and English-speaking members of the Cortez parish by holding bilingual services and other joint activities. Through his teaching and example, he showed his congregation about “seeing the common, everyday, mundane things that we do in a holy way,” Ketterer said. Entering his 49th year as a priest, Gallegos became ill this spring, holding his last mass on April 2, according to the Rev. Douglas Hunt, who took the helm at Sacred Heart about a month ago. On Sunday, Hunt said masses held this weekend drew larger turnouts than usual. “There were a lot of tears shed,” Hunt said. Hunt, now 59, said he met Gallegos when he was 15 years old in 1975 at St. Andrews. At the time, Gallegos was director of the seminary, and taught Hunt English and Spanish. “He was a very wise man, and always had a deep faith,” Hunt said. “He was very meditative, too. He would be in the chapel before anyone else, early in the morning before morning prayers.” Gomez, who has known Gallegos since 1966, said Gallegos loved to fish whenever he got the chance, sometimes stealing away to a cabin at Electra Lake. “Sometimes even a priest needs to get away from the hustle and bustle,” Gomez said. Madril said her relationship with her brother became closer as the two grew older. She said Gallegos visited her at her home in Clovis, New Mexico, earlier this year, where the two talked about the possibility of Gallegos’s retirement. “He was gentle, but straightforward,” Madril said. “You just couldn’t find a more kinder, gentler person than him – he never thought about himself.” Gomez agreed. He said Gallegos was always available to help anyone seeking help. “He was in this parish for so many years, the parishioners here became a part of his family,” Gomez said. “It was us.” A memorial service for Gallegos will be held 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at Sacred Heart, 254 East Fifth Ave. Another service will be held in Denver at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2017, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1209 West 36th Avenue. Gallegos will be buried at a family plot at Mount Olivet cemetery, near Wheat Ridge, Hunt said. Journal reporter Stephanie Alderton contributed to this article.]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/renew-offers-aid-in-domestic-violence/</link>
        <title>Renew offers aid in domestic violence</title>
        <description>Safehouse offers shelter for singles, families</description>
        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2015 13:53:44 -0700</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[Safehouse offers shelter for singles, families Domestic Violence Awareness Month is over, but domestic violence continues: In the U.S., every 9 seconds, a woman is assaulted or beaten up. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings and rapes, combined. Half of homeless women and children in the U.S. reported that they fleeing domestic violence. The cost of domestic violence to the economy is estimated to be $37 billion per year, because of lost productivity at work, legal costs, law enforcement involvement, and health care system costs. Between 2001 and 2012, in the wars being waged in Iraq and Afghanistan, 6,488 troops were killed. During that same time period, 11,766 American women were killed by current or ex-male partners. In Montezuma and Dolores counties, Renew offers assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to assist victims of domestic violence. Whether a caller needs information or immediate aid in a crisis situation, Renew is available by calling 970-565-2100. Depending on need and circumstance, Renew also offers professional counseling, criminal and civil justice support and advocacy, referrals, advocacy while getting back on one’s feet, and an empathetic ear. All services are chosen by victims on a voluntary basis; all clients maintain free will and can leave services at any time. Clients may also utilize services over long periods of time, participating in services on an ongoing basis. To schedule counseling services, obtain information and for any administrative type enquiries, call 970-565-4886. If a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault is in need of a safe place to stay, WINGS Safehouse is available for temporary shelter. Admittance into the shelter can occur during a crisis or as part of a safety plan. WINGS Safehouse is secure and comfortable. A state-of-the-art security system with 24 hour video surveillance creates a safe atmosphere. All residents must keep the location confidential to aid security. Singles and families often receive private rooms during their stay with access to a full kitchen and common areas (living room, dining area, family room). Children are made to feel at home with a playroom, children’s books, crafts, and a new video game system. Safehouse guests can be supplied with clothing and personal hygiene items if they are in need. Services and interactions are strictly confidential and free. Fast factsRenew Office: (970)565-4886 Renew 24 hour Hotline: (970)565-2100 WINGS Safehouse: 970-565-9116 Website: www.renew-inc.org]]></content:encoded>
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        <link>https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/living/muralist-to-display-works-at-cultural-center/</link>
        <title>Muralist to display works at Cultural Center</title>
        <description>Join us from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Cultural Center for the opening reception. Mariah Kaminsky has restored Buford Wayt’s mural on the north side of the Cultural Center. Her website is www.mariahkaminsky.com. Her mining mural was...</description>
        <pubDate>Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:29:33 -0600</pubDate>
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        <content:encoded><![CDATA[The Cortez Cultural Center will present Mariah Kaminsky’s work in the Gallery, from Oct. 6 to Nov. 2. Join us from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Cultural Center for the opening reception. Mariah Kaminsky has restored Buford Wayt’s mural on the north side of the Cultural Center. Her website is www.mariahkaminsky.com. Her mining mural was completed this summer on the east side of Garcia & Co. Jewelers. Come meet the muralist and see restoration of the historic mural. The Cortez Cultural Center is grateful to Buford Wayt for the original work and to the city of Cortez for the funds to restore the mural. Cortez Cultural Center is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission is to provide a forum for the community’s educational, cultural, artistic and scientific interests. The Cortez Cultural Center provides an opportunity for local and regional artists to display their work. Visit the Cortez Cultural Center at 25 N. Market St. in Cortez. Its website is at www.cortezculturalcenter.org. Join us from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Cultural Center for the opening reception. Mariah Kaminsky has restored Buford Wayt’s mural on the north side of the Cultural Center. Her website is www.mariahkaminsky.com. Her mining mural was completed this summer on the east side of Garcia & Co. Jewelers. Come meet the […]]]></content:encoded>
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