The Pole

Durango is the confluence of a lot of things: mountains and desert; new West and old. And next month, it will also be the confluence of good medicine. From July 10-13, Fort Lewis College hosts the 14th annual International Good Medicine Confluence, a gathering of “natural healers, nature lovers and culture-shifters from all over the world.”

The City of Durango’s park rangers have a new toy, er, tool in the rangering arsenal: a spiffed-up razer ATV.

Collaboration is all the rage – from music to fashion. And beer is no exception. Just in time to slake your summer thirst, Star Liquors is offering Skaterade, a skateboard-themed American lager made in collab with Telluride Brewing and The Boarding Haus.

In the scorching heat of June in 1977, atop a butte in Chaco Canyon, researcher and educator Anna Sofaer made a discovery that would unravel the astronomy of ancient America. Sofaer, who at the time was a volunteer recording rock art at a site known as Fajada Butte, noted three seemingly innocent stone slabs leaning against a cliff.

There will be a new voice at the helm of Animas River Days this weekend. Durangoan Chad Hare will be taking the mic from longtime master of ceremonies John Brennan, who MC-ed the event since time immemorial, or at least 1983.

“I’ve heard I have some big shoes to fill,” said Hare. “I am just kind of jumping in head first, eyes close. That’s my M.O.”

(For the record, the Telegraph does not condone jumping into the river, or any body of water, head first. And always wear your PFD.)

With Memorial Day upon us, perhaps there’s no better time to broach the uncomfortable but necessary subject of one of life’s certainties. No, not taxes: death. OK, now that we’ve sufficiently killed everyone’s buzz, here’s the good news. These days, there’s lots more options than the pine box or glossy, satin-lined Cadillac casket.

Durango has a new collection of funny folks. The cleverly named Lower Left Improv – which takes its name form Durango’s location in the state – is hosting its first show of original comedy sketches, “Mind Your Manners,” Fri.-Sat., May 24-25, at Stillwater’s Light Box Theater, 1316 Main Ave. 

One of the M.C.’s favorite family friendly biking spots is back open for business. After being closed recently for a prescribed burn, Boggy Draw opened back up to the public Wed., May 14.