Ear to the ground:

“You know what those produce guys are like.”
– A little insider grocery store humor

Please pass the gravy

If you’re gluten free, chances are the holidays can turn you into a scrooge at the buffet table. Fortunately,  Durango Natural Foods Head Deli Chef Charis Rose has a few tricks up her sleeve.

On Tues., Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m. at DNF, Rose presents “Really Great Gluten Free Holiday Cooking Class.” Rose will instruct the class on the finer arts of making  “truly amazing” gluten-free holiday classics, including stuffing, gravy and buttermilk pie. Participants are invited to bring their own hot (or cold) toddies to inspire creativity and that holiday spirit. The class is $12/person or $10 prepaid, and space is limited. Sign up at the DNF deli or via design@durangonaturalfoods.coop.

Season refresher

Rusty on those beacon skills? Clueless in the snowpit? The newly formed Friends of the San Juans will be conducting free avalanche awareness courses from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 20, and Thurs., Dec. 18, at Pine Needle , 835 Main Ave.

Clinics will feature industry experts and avalanche professionals sharing an overview of basic avalanche awareness, avoidance, forecasting, safe travel and self-rescue. The courses are a perfect introduction for novices as well as a great early season refresher for experienced travelers. The group will offer more avalanche workshops and on-snow field sessions in 2015.

Founded in 2014, Friends of the San Juans (FOSJ) is a grassroots collective of backcountry users committed to providing avalanche awareness and education for winter backcountry users in the San Juan Mountains.

Rock Your Mocs

This Saturday, Native Americans, Alaskan natives, Aboriginal/First Nations and indigenous peoples throughout the world are invited to rock their traditional footwear for the fourth annual “Rock Your Mocs” Day. The idea of Laguna Pueblo member and student Jessica “Jaylyn” Atsye, the event is held in conjunction with National Native American Heritage Month.

Atsye’s vision took shape one day when she looked at her own mocs and realized a majority of native and indigenous peoples share the same type of shoe. She wistfully envisioned a day when everyone wore moccasins to show pride in representing their cultures.

Since starting in 2010, the event has become a viral sensation, with moccasin-making workshops and moccasin fun runs popping up across the country, according to “Rock Your Mocs” organizers. For those who are moc-less or facing inclement weather, another way to participate is to wear a turquoise “awareness” ribbon.