Ear to the ground

“It’ll be our little secret. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

-A local man comforting a friend after busting her roller-blading

The Rocket blasts off

The Rocket Drive-In will survive … well kind of. Plans to develop the former drive-in movie theater south of Durango are going forward. However, the sign that has stood for years at the entrance will get a new home at Fort Lewis College.

The college plans to include the sign when it constructs a new college union building. College President Brad Bartel said that the sign might make a good centerpiece for a themed eating area.

“This piece of Durango memorabilia will be a great addition to our new College Union Building,” he said. “We will make sure that we incorporate the sign in the design of this building so that it is a prominent feature.”

The Rocket was one of the last remaining drive-in theaters in the state when it closed after the summer of 2004. The Escalante Park developer John “Kris” Kringel said he and his partners want to save the sign. That’s why they are giving to the college.

“It is a nostalgic piece,” said Kringel. “There are lots of people who are very fond of the drive-in. This will carry on that nostalgic use.”

Kringel said others were interested in acquiring the sign, but the developers wanted it to go to a place where young people would notice it.

Calling women builders

Ladies strap on your tool belts. Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County has announced its upcoming “Women Build” project and is asking women and girls in the community to volunteer during the construction of a town home on Aug. 26 or Oct. 14. Approximately 30 volunteers are needed for each date.

No previous construction experience is needed, and women ages 14 and up are invited to volunteer. According to Habitat for Humanity, the Women Build program challenges women to build a better future for our nation’s children and leave a legacy of volunteerism for their own children.

A volunteer orientation for Women Build will take place Thurs., July 27, from 6-7 p.m., at the Durango Community Recreation Center. For more information, call 382-9735.