Ear to the

ground

“There’s nothing like going to a hot dermatologist with a weepy, skin rash.”

-A Durangoan after an

uncomfortable visit

to a local skin doctor

The Academy

meets Durango

Oscar could be paying Durango a visit in coming weeks. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced its nominees for the 2008 Academy Awards. Included in their selection are two films slated to be shown at this year’s Durango Independent Film Festival, which kicks off Feb. 27.

The film “Salim Baba” was nominated as one of the best short documentaries of 2007. The picture follows an industrious man in India who preserves old films that have been discarded. Using a simple razor blade, he edits the salvageable portion of the film into its own cinematic treat. These bootlegs are then shown, to the delight of the neighborhood children, on his pedal-powered traveling film cart.  

The film “War/Dance” was nominated for best full length documentary. “War/Dance” takes the audience to Northern Uganda, a country ravaged by more than two decades of civil war, to discover a remarkable tale of the transformative power of art. The film follows the improbable journey of three children as they and their schoolmates prepare for a national music and dance competition.

The Academy will decide whether “Salim Baba” and “War/  Dance” are Oscar-worthy on Feb. 24 just prior to DIFF’s kick-off. Regardless of the outcome, the two films will join more than 100 others on Durango screens from Feb. 27-March 2 for DIFF’s third year of celebrating independent film. For more information, visit www.durangofilm.org.

Outdoor accolades

In a story of the little factory that could, Cortez-based pack company Osprey recently outdid 2,500 other vendors en route to being named REI Vendor of the Year.

Recreational Equipment Inc., the national retail cooperative, announced its 2007 vendor partner awards last week, and Osprey Packs received top honors as REI’s Vendor Partner-of-the-Year.

“We’re proud to recognize Osprey as our 2007 Vendor Partner-of-the-Year because of its technical and innovative products, strong sales performance and company values, including a solid commitment to corporate and social responsibility,” said Angela Owen, REI’s vice president of merchandising.

Osprey, originally based in Dove Creek, has more than 32 years of pack-making experience. The company’s mission is to “create innovative high-performance gear that reflects a love of adventure and a devotion to the outdoors and the environment.” For more information, visit www.ospreypacks.com.