The Pole

Durango is rallying around one of its own once again. This Saturday, friends and family of Andy Albosta will be hosting a fund-raiser for the 46-year-old, who fell 50 feet while ice climbing in Cascade Canyon on Jan. 20. The event, which includes appetizers and a silent auction, takes place from 3 – 6 p.m. at the Balcony Backstage.

The City of Durango is looking to bedazzle its strip and wants residents to help with the design. Thanks to a recent grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City is undertaking a community art project to gussy up the two median strips on Highway 550/160 (near the site of the former arc of misery that shall not be named.) That’s right, instead of kevetching about the finished product, you can actually have a say and hand in making it.

If turf and outdoor recreation is more your thing, the City has an opportunity for you to give your two cents, too. Next Tues., Feb. 6, from 4:45-7 p.m. at the Rec Center, the City will be holding an open house to discuss ideas for the design/redesign of Cundiff & Santa Rita parks. There will be a short presentation by DHM Design on project proposals from 5:15 – 5:30 p.m. followed by discussion and public comment.

Our neighbor to the south, Farmington, made headlines recently – but for less-than-auspicious reasons. On Jan. 3, the City of Farmington’s computer system was hit by the SamSam ransomware virus. The attack locked city workers out of their computers and demanded 3 bitcoin (about $35,000) to re-gain access.

As millions turned out for womens’ marches throughout the world last Saturday, an icon of the feminist movement passed on. Rosie the Riveter, aka Naomi Parker Fraley, died Sat., Jan. 20, in her home in Longview, Wash. She was 96, according to the New York Times.

The current drought might spell a river of sorrows for boaters this spring. But, if you happen to be of the optimistic variety – and let’s face it, most boaters are – now’s the time to bust a move for the upcoming season’s permits. To help get you in the mood, both the Dolores River Boating Advocates and 4 Corners Rivers Sports will be hosting their annual permit parties.

Is it time to move on from shower serenades or car karaoke? Aspiring local Kelly Clarksons and Adam Levines can
once again test their vocal chops on the big stage with the return of the Durango Voice.

It’s hard to think about spring while winter has barely started, but the Four Corners’ other favorite springtime two-wheeled competition is just around the dusty singletrack corner. The 12th annual 12 Hours of Mesa Verde, the famed 12-hour endurance race at Phil’s World, takes off, Le Man’s style, Sat., May 13.