Columnists - The Durango Herald

Reading Club tasked with saving its heritage

Being connected to something that is historically important is an honor, but it’s also a responsibility. For the members of the Reading Club of Durango, founded in 1882, the fun p...

DATE: Mar 27, 2015 | CATEGORY: Neighbors

Grant Farm is bluegrass meets Bakersfield

Colorado remains a hotbed for musicians in the ever-popular newgrass genre. That’s fertile territory for armchair music fans and critics. While less-informed music lovers tend to ...

DATE: Mar 26, 2015 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Sisters share milestone event with huge run

To say that my sister Dot Helling is not your typical 65-year-old would be a huge understatement. Her idea for celebrating her 65th birthday was to run the Catalina Island Marathon, which co...

DATE: Mar 26, 2015 | CATEGORY: On the Run

Female 4-H’ers soak up experience at stock show

In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to highlight some amazing young women in our La Plata County 4-H Youth Development program. They are extremely passionate a...

DATE: Mar 25, 2015 | CATEGORY: From the Extension Office

Great tech hope will not solve climate change

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could ignore the root causes of our problems and rely on technological wizardry to fix them? For example, what if you smoked and developed a persistent ...

DATE: Mar 25, 2015 | CATEGORY: Your Ecological House

The answer to health-care costs lies with less federal intrusion and more freedom

Health-care costs continue to be one of the most important and controversial issues facing Colorado today. A bipartisan bill is working its way through the Colorado Legislature and to the go...

DATE: Mar 24, 2015 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Soup and generosity warm the soul for life

A highlight of the time when the weather is shifting from winter to spring – although not so noticeable this year – is Soup for the Soul, the annual fundraiser to benefit Hospice of Mercy. ...

DATE: Mar 24, 2015 | CATEGORY: Neighbors

Vote for McHenry, but not the rec tax

The city has been saying that it must tighten its belt and that times are lean. Most of us who have to manage our own money understand the difference between “wants” and “needs” when it come...

DATE: Mar 23, 2015 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

Weak endings don’t diminish crime thrillers

Here’s a twofer today of superb books by two talented mystery writers whom I just couldn’t choose between because both stories have lousy endings. Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger was...

DATE: Mar 23, 2015 | CATEGORY: Murder Ink

Abdominal pain gives doctors a headache

One of the most common and most challenging symptoms resulting in medical evaluation is abdominal pain. The range of potential causes is quite broad and is the subject of many t...

DATE: Mar 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Sounding out car names makes wrong turns of phrase

Check out this classified advertisement that appeared in The Durango Herald last week. Don’t you think that if you can afford a Mercedes, you’d know how to spell it? – Mary Kay Aigner ...

DATE: Mar 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: Action Line

John Peel, reporting for/from the pokey

Apparently, I’m in big trouble. I need your help. At 11 a.m. Wednesday, I’m reporting to jail. Have I done something bad? Well, yes, no doubt. But that’s not why I’m be...

DATE: Mar 22, 2015 | CATEGORY: John Peel