Ear to the ground

“I know a guy who wants to work for you. He’s great –  I buy all my weed from him.”

-The type of reference that doesn’t necessarily lead to a job interview

Fifty at 14,000 feet

Fifty must be the new 30, at least for Durango’s Ned Overend. The local cyclist took second place in last week’s race to the top of Mount Evans, the Bob Cook Memorial Hillclimb, losing to Scott Moninger by a scant five seconds.

Perfect Colorado weather was the backdrop for this year’s race, and some of the pro racers even entertained cracking the course record set by Durango’s Tom Danielson in 2004.

According to a report inVelonews, the field split early on, with a large break dropping the pack on the early slopes. Once above treeline, Moninger and Overend put the hammer down and pointed it for the 14,130-foot summit. The two riders traded pulls until the final switchback. At that point, the much younger Moninger (39) punched it and dropped Overend to take the victory by 5 seconds. Danielson’s 1:41:20 record was safe with Moninger, more than eight minutes slower. The rest of the field came in scattered behind.

Is the best yet to come for Overend? The cyclist, who moved to Durango in 1980, turns 51 next month.

Bye bye, Betts

Dickey Betts is taking a pass on Durango. The former Allman Brothers lead guitarist got a better offer and decided to cancel his Aug. 24 show at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.

According to Betts’ representative at International Creative Management Inc., “An opportunity has arisen for Dickey Betts to record with a national touring artist the second half of August this year. The recording has the potential to be a career-changing opportunity. In light of this, Dickey has requested this date be postponed.”

The Concert Hall is reviewing potential dates in late March and early April of next year to reschedule.

On the flip side, the Concert Hall released its fall schedule this week. Highlights of the coming season include: The Commander Cody Band, Lunasa, Willy Wonka and his band of Oompa Loompas, Natalie McMaster, Martin Sexton, Spyro Gyra and an encore show with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Visit www.durangoconcerts.com for details.