A big opportunity for Kindred Spirits

Dear Editors,

The Kindred Spirits have been awarded the opportunity to have a booth at the DAC Arts Festival on Main Aug. 11 and 12. The Kindred Spirits VSA class applied a number of years ago.

The class received a booth with the jurors and board deciding that they should have a place in the festival as their work is outstanding, unique and beautiful. Most of the students do sell their work during the show, and they have a following of collectors. Honest work done by each individual is an expression of each person’s vision of the world, work that collectors do value and one that only the artist can see and express.

Many times a person with a disability has an even more difficult time being heard. In their artwork, every person has another voice with which to be heard. Kindred Spirits students are encouraged to create with their unique voices. The results are dramatic, beautiful and provide insight into a world many people may have no experience with.

For more information or to volunteer to create mats contact 588-2262 or 259-2606.

– Margaret Pacheco, via e-mail

The future of local schools

Dear Editors:

Are you wondering what’s going on in the schools? Have you been thinking about running for your school board, even had an inkling you might run? This is the time to think about running for the school board in your area because in November, La Plata County voters will elect school board members who will represent the public in setting policy for our schools. There are five school board seats open in Durango 9R, three in Bayfield 10JTR and three in Ignacio 11JT. These seats represent a majority of each board. Information and petitions from your school district offices will be available starting Aug. 8.

The League of Women Voters with the Durango, Bayfield and Ignacio School Boards are sponsoring a “Candidate Education Workshop.” Come to this workshop and learn the ins and outs of what to expect as a candidate and as a school board member. The workshop is on Sat., Aug. 11 at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Conference Room A, from 8:30 to noon. It is nonpartisan and open to everyone who is just curious or who has decided to run for one of the boards. You’re invited to attend.

– Sue Herbst, League of Women Voters of La Plata County

A land swap crystal ball?

Dear Eds,

Special to the Durango Telegraph, May 15, 2008.  It was announced today that Red McCombs has purchased two inholdings in the San Juan National Forest and will market eight trophy home sites in the Hermosa Creek area and at Mitchell Lakes. 

Prices are expected to start at $1,000,000 for a 35-acre tract.

Leading the protests against any building on these inholdings were Richard Robertson, Anne Rapp, Sherri Libby, Kitty Benzar, Mark Pearson and Peter Miesler. When reminded that these same people were against a land trade that would have protected these inholdings in July of 2007, a spokesman for the group said, “private property rights are not valid if it infringes on our recreational activities.”

Do we have another Wolf Creek Village in the makings? People protesting this trade would have a lot more credibility if they acknowledged that the land they’re sacrificing to maintain a close-in recreational area contains at least eight trophy home sites smack in the middle of the San Juan National Forest and that access to Bolam Pass and Hotel Draw could very well be threatened.

– Dennis Pierce, via e-mail

Giving babies a healthy start

Dear Editors,

The March of Dimes would like to thank the people of Durango for their support of our recent Jail & Bail fund-raising event. More than $12,000 was raised, due to the efforts of our jailbirds, their donors and our host (Steamworks Brewery Co.). This achievement will help enable our mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Special thanks goes to top jailbirds Richard Carpenter and Micky Ramsey, both of whom raised $1,000.   

The March of Dimes is proud to have funded more than $270,000 in services for Western Colorado babies and families over the past five years. We urge Coloradans to join us in the effort to give every baby a healthy start. Any group in the state that provides infant and maternal health education and care is invited to apply for a grant. Plus, our Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center is available 24/7 for free information. More may be learned about March of Dimes healthy-baby resources by calling our local office at (970) 243-0894.

Again, thank you, Durango!

– Sincerely yours, Debbie Horwitz, director, Western Colorado Division March of Dimes, Colorado Chapter