Fun
and Sun
In the Heart of Durango
Summer
in Durango is hard to beat, especially when it comes
to outdoor activities. From the open-air farmers’ market every
Saturday to a dozen popular bicycle events, Durango has something for
everyone. Some of the events covered in the story
are the 37th annual Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on Memorial Day weekend,
the Ride the Rockies 435-mile tour that kicks off from downtown Durango
on June 15 and the fully supported Bicycle Tour of Colorado, which begins
June 22 from Durango. Later in June, Animas River Days celebrates
the river, the “heart and soul” of Durango. July Fourth
activities are centered around downtown’s Buckley Park, and in August,
the La Plata County Fair brings hundreds of people to town to display
their crafts, animals and crops. “Anyone who thinks Durango
is just a small town with nothing to do, simply isn’t paying attention,”
says local Sheri Amass.
Main
Avenue Rebuilds
by Indiana Reed
Durango is as much about “spirit” as it is about “place” proves writer Reed. On Feb. 22, 2008, the historic buildings which housed three popular downtown businesses in the 700 block of Main Avenue went up in flames. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but nine firefighters were injured. The three establishments were Seasons Rotisserie & Grill, Le Rendezvous Swiss Bakery & Cafe and Half-Price Tees. According to John Wells of the Durango Business Improvement District (BID), “the community stepped up, even as the embers were burning.” The passion and concern for Durango’s historic downtown was ignited anew as residents banded together to provide moral and financial support for those affected. Plans are currently well underway for the rebuilding of the affected buildings downtown.
Ashley's
Passion
Taking Life One Revolution at a Time
by Sven Brunso
From local and regional bicycle
moto-cross (BMX) racing at age 13 to national and world BMX champion at
age 20, Ashley Grubb knows how to win. Brunso profiles the local
champion with a story that details Ashley’s career from her early
training days to the serious ankle injury that forced her to go from her
crutches to her bike and back to crutches at the finish line in the 2007
UCI BMX World Championships in Canada. The local superstar—who
recently opted out of an Olympic bid -- now rides for Fort Lewis College,
competing in track, mountain bike and criterium road racing, pedaling
her hardest every day.
A
Place and Time for Beauty
Spas in Durango
by Paige Marchus
Marchus fills
in the reader on the new technology of medical spas and the many services
now offered in Durango. In addition to traditional “relaxation”
spas offering massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and more, the area
is now home to spas providing medical-grade treatments often meant to
defy the aging process. Laser procedures, liquid face-lifts, dermal
filler injections, photo-rejuvenations, intense light treatments, collagen
stimulators, microdermabrasion and chemical peels are some of the options
discussed. Durango is becoming a destination for both relaxation
and medical beauty therapy.
Old
Fort Lewis
Historic Groves Library Revitalized
by Jill Seyfarth
Built in 1938, the old Fort Lewis
College library was funded as part of the New Deal initiative to create
jobs following the Great Depression. The library, which was designed
by Denver architect Eugene Groves, is located on a 6,300-acre campus south
of Hesperus, former home to Fort Lewis College. According to historian
Seyfarth, it is one of the first buildings to undergo repairs and restoration
with an historical-fund grant aimed at renovating the entire Hesperus
campus, currently one of Colorado State University’s 10 statewide
agricultural-experimentation stations. The original site was a military
reservation in the 1880s known as Fort Lewis. It was later transformed
into a school for Native Americans. The library building is of Art
Moderne design; simple, unadorned forms that emphasized the horizontal.
The rectangular blond brick structure has a flat roof and the word “library”
inscribed in a concrete panel above the doorway. Closed when
Fort Lewis College moved to Durango in 1956, the building is now popular
for weddings and community events.
Excursions
Rail Rangers ~ Seeing Beyond the Scenery
by Beth Green
There is more to see than meets the eye on a Durango & Silverton Narrow
Gauge train ride. Rail Rangers are U.S. Forest Service/Bureau of
Land Management volunteers who ride along with the scenic and historic
train trips to enrich passenger experiences aboard. They share history,
alert passengers to wildlife sightings and answer questions about the
area. They spend countless hours learning about a wide range of
topics related to public lands. According to Green, Rail Rangers
help make an already wonderful rail adventure even better.
Family
Fun
Families Revel in High Country Summer
Families can revel in Durango area summers aboard a raft floating down
the Animas River or from the back of a well-trained horse. Kid-centered
activities are easy to come by, from playground equipment in parks along
the River Trail to fun tours with free samples like at Honeyville or the
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Miniature golf and the alpine
slide are featured at Durango Mountain Resort.
Top
Picks
What's New to See and Do
Among the best bets for this summer and fall of recommended things to see and do are the Beach Boys concert at Fort Lewis College in June and the Durango Heritage Celebration in October.
Getaways
In Any Direction
Day trips, adventures from your Durango home base, may include visits to Silverton, Pagosa Springs, Vallecito Lake or the must-see Mesa Verde National Park. Recognized by the United Nations as one of eight World Cultural Heritage Sites, the park illustrates one of the most significant chapters in the story of prehistoric America.
La
Plata Local
Bill Bolden
by Indiana Reed
Campus coach, coordinator and consultant, Bill Bolden has never met a
stranger, only a steady stream of new friends. Local writer Indiana Reed
tells of Bolden’s remarkable career and contributions in this department.
Originally from Wisconsin, he discovered Durango and Fort Lewis College
in the mid-1970s. Soon he accepted a position in student housing
at The Fort and he’s been actively involved ever since. Bolden
refers to Durango as “good gumbo.” He says, “There’s
a little bit of everything and something for everybody’s tastes.”
Dining
Profile
Mama’s Boy Italian Ristorante
by Paige Marchus
In the tradition of Grandma’s cooking, this local favorite is reviewed, showcasing the establishment’s authentic New York-Italian food. Writer Paige Marchus paints a portrait of founder Jim Salzillo who, with his staff, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Mama’s Boy concept this year.
Perins
Peak
Sandstone Sentinel on the Western Skyline
by Sven Brunso
As part of a state wildlife area, Perins Peak is home to wildlife including
elk, deer, black bear, mountain lions, eagles, hawks and the once, almost-extinct
peregrine falcon. Open to the public from mid-July to mid-November,
Brunso says a hike to the top is worth the effort. Describing the
trail as winding through meadows and oak, dense forests of aspen and Douglas
fir, and steep in spots, Brunso says the round trip from Rockridge can
be done in under three hours.
Preston
Parrott
Explorations in Metal Sculpture
by Indiana Reed
The profile of the artist Parrott by writer Reed shows the artist as an
eclectic and spiritual soul who explores metal sculpture with passion
and creativity.
 |
Business
Brief
Three Springs Wins Green Award
by Indiana Reed
At the Three Springs development, the seeds have been planted
to help in the creation of a responsible and sustainable new home community.
All of the residential products there are constructed to Built Green standards.
Tierra Vision Homes, the development’s primary builder, was named
the 2007 Colorado Built Green Builder of the Year. Built Green Colorado
is one of the oldest and largest green home building programs in the nation,
designed to encourage builders to use technologies, products and practices
that result in homes that are better built and better for the environment.
The Built Green Builder of the Year award recognizes a company whose commitment
to sustainable, high-performance home building is clearly evident.
Dream
Homes
Beautiful works of art that some lucky owners get to call
home, this selection of dream homes inspires a sense of history, tradition
and nature. Starting with an original homestead cabin, the Elkhorn
estate has been transformed into a gorgeous 4,064-square-foot gentleman’s
ranch. Mirador, perched on the hillside overlooking downtown Durango,
offers marble flooring, maple ceilings and a soaring glass-roofed atrium.
A spectacular Brazilian hardwood deck adds to the uniqueness of this Sailing
Hawks residence with great La Plata Mountain views. Each dream home
is a masterpiece in and of itself.
Choosing
Durango
Data and details are what it takes when you decide to relocate. Durango’s location and climate are explained as well as several statistics about the city and county. A vibrant tourist economy and great health care and education facilities add to the long list of why one might choose Durango as the place to live, work and raise one’s children. Information was contributed by Indiana Reed and the La Plata County Economic Development Action Partnership (LEAD).
Giving
in Style
Soup for the Soul
raised hopes and more than $60,000 in funds for the Hospice of Mercy.
The ballroom at Fort Lewis College accommodated the 300 supporters who
turned out to sample delectable soups offered by area restaurants.
For 28 years, the hospice has provided compassionate care and comfort
to patients and their families at the end of life’s journey.
Chocolate
Fantasia provided needed funds for the Southwest Safehouse
and the Durango Community Shelter. Both are operated by Volunteers
of America (VOA). The community came together to indulge in lavish
edible chocolate presentations created by local restaurants, businesses
and individuals. Some $14,000 was raised to help support the 700
men, women and children who use the VOA facilities and services each year.
Indiana Reed provided information for these stories of generosity as well
as the photographs.
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