Ear to the ground

“I have so many questions.”

– An aspiring local stalker after learning that Uncle Rico from “Napoleon Dynamite” will be in town for the Durango Independent Film Festival

The tug of winter

Old Man Winter has come out on top in Durango’s inaugural “battle of the seasons.” The Tug-of-Weather, Durango’s answer to Groundhog Day, pulled dozens of competitors, spectators and beer lovers onto the street in front of Steamworks on Tuesday. When the pull was over, “Winter” reigned supreme and six more weeks of winter are in the unofficial forecast.

The tug-of-war saw 12-person teams (six men, six women) who champion winter sports square off against their fair-weather opponents in a best two-out-of-three 100-foot “tug.” A Stanley Cup-style award created by Steamworks was presented to team “Winter” in the brewpub following the tug. Led by Sven Brunso, sales and marketing director for Durango Mountain Resort, the squad is understandably looking forward to six more weeks of winter and additional snow on the mountain.

“We get some of our best snow in March, so this Tug-of-Weather confirms it, the skiing and snowboarding will be great on the mountain this month,” said Brunso.

The spring/summer team did not go home without a consolation. Captain Alex Mickel, owner of Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours, noted, “While we’re ready for spring, I’ll concede that it’s OK to have some more snow. All that white stuff melts and fills our rivers with some of the best whitewater rafting in the country.”

Hot husband

Brace yourself, Durangoans have one of “America’s Hottest Husbands in their midst. Brian Miller, a 26-year-old personal trainer and music teacher, is in the running forRedbook’s Hottest Husbands contest.

Miller is squaring off against 24 other hotties from all over the nation for the honor of America’s hottest. He was nominated for the contest by his wife, Emily.

“What motivates him most is his desire to help people get more out of their lives. Brian has the ability to bring out the best in everyone,” she says, while playing the sensitive, new-age card.  

Brian and Emily have been married for four years, are parents to 18-month-old Lennox and are expecting another one in September. For Emily, Brian is a man of most unique talents.

“Brian crochets slippers and can whip up the fluffiest omelet,” she says. “He composed a song and sang it on my 26th birthday.”

The winner will be announced in the June issue ofRedbookand will receive an eight-day all-expenses paid trip for two to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Help the Millers pack their bags by voting online. Visit www.redbookmag.com and click on “Hot Husbands” under the “Sex & Love” tab.