Ear to the ground

“I’ll have to be careful in there. They’ve got all of my favorite old shit, and it all costs between $5 and $10.”

-A local man outside the ski swap. Last year, he came home with a pair of Dynastar “chicken hearts” and a pair of Lange “Pink Panthers”

Help from Rachael Ray

It seemed only yesterday that USA Today inked Durango as the worst dressed city in the nation. But there could be hope for a few of the fashion-challenged among us. The Rachael Ray Show is looking for a few poorly dressed Durangoans to makeover in an upcoming episode by a dream team of experts.

Ray wears many hats – chef, talk show host, fashion magnate and Wheat Thins pin-up girl. Her television show, an Emmy Award-winning, daily, one-hour, syndicated show, is among the top-ranked daytime programs on television. But don’t take our word for it, listen to the producers: “This season, Rachael continues to bring her warmth and no-fuss approach to life into the homes of millions of viewers with her signature quick meals, improvised entertaining, celebrity surprises, provocative topical discussions, cutting-edge musical performances and groundbreaking features.”

Believe it or not, Durango will be breaking ground on the Rachael Ray show in the coming year. Auditions will be held Tues., Nov. 13, from 2-5 p.m. at the Diamond Belle Saloon. A panel of judges comprised of members of Snowdown’s Fashion Dos and Don’ts committee will choose 10 people in need of dramatic transformations to submit to the producers. The main criteria are “need” and a personality that will be fun on television. Twenty-five candidates have already been submitted, but the show’s producers “are looking for more dramatic results – i.e. long hair, really distinct style – or lack thereof.”

For more information, call 375-7151 or e-mail durango-style@hotmail.com.

The wolf pup

The Wolf is getting the 2007-08 season going with a whimper. The Southwest Colorado ski and snowboard games officially begin this Saturday, though in a very limited sort of way.

Wolf Creek Ski Area is opening for the season at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 10 but it’s probably best to arrive with low expectations. The family owned operation will be running the Nova beginner lift and less than 1 percent of the mountain will be open. To help lighten the blow, lift tickets are a mere $10, and the Wolf Creek Lodge will be serving beer and cocktails all day.