The Pole

At long last, we have confirmation: Aliens exist, and like most outsiders, they have taken a liking to Colorado. How do we know? Well, a reputable article in the always truthful New York Post reported that mysterious “UFO” sounds were recorded under a lake in Steamboat Springs earlier this month, setting off wild speculations that we are in fact not alone in the universe.

Bona fide sustainability geek Claire Attkisson wants to inspire you to rethink how you shop this holiday season. 

Attkisson, founder and creative director of Live Creative Studio – a sustainable-business marketing and shopping hub – is offering a unique retail experience for those looking to reduce their environmental impact during the holidays. The Zero Waste Holiday Pop-Up event, Dec. 3-5 at the Smiley Building, will feature businesses from around town that are innovating solutions to the environmental challenges we face today. 

One Thanksgiving, a few years ago, I sliced my finger on a piece of broken glass while cleaning dishes, requiring a late night trip to Mercy Regional Medical Center’s emergency room to put half of my pinky finger back on.

There, a doctor, making small talk while pumping an alarming amount of anesthesia into my finger, said every year people are admitted into the ER on Thanksgiving for … drumroll please … over-eating. As I waited several hours for the routine procedure of four stitches, and while my partner slept outside in the car with the heat on, I wondered, what is everyone else doing in here?

Rain or shine (or snow), Purgatory Resort plans to hold opening day this Saturday. As far as what lifts and trails will be open, we’re still in a state of – if you hate bad puns, look away – purgatory on what that will look like.

Southwest Colorado has received little to no early season snow. As a result, Purgatory Resort has had to rely on its snowmaking capabilities to make good on its target to open Nov. 20.

Durango’s Police blotter can be a source of endless entertainment.

People yelling at lamp posts, late night marauders stealing asparagus from home gardens, reports of deadly spirits attacking hotel managers, drunken people atop trees yelling at people down below, a gang of raccoons blocking someone from getting into an old folks home, an unauthorized guy in the middle of Camino del Rio directing traffic. It never disappoints.

Last week, we reported about the Durango Fire Protection District’s plans to relocate to the 9-R Admin building at 12th St. and 2nd Ave. A major part of that plan was the City of Durango portioning off Buckley Park from the 9-R site. That happened Tuesday night, with the City finagling new property lines that expands the park to include the sledding area.

An old editor once told me about reporting the news: “If you put people in the hospital, you better take them out.” Well, we thrust you into the issues surrounding the Nov. 2 election, so we’re gonna get you out with a rundown of the results.