Ear to the ground:

“It was one of those weekends where I told myself I should write them down, but they slipped away with the brain cells.”
– Frank excuse as to why there isn’t anything funnier in this space this week.


Pit bull pride

More than beer, more than bikes, Durangoans love their dogs. And what better way to show it than wearing it on your sleeve, literally.

The local nonprofit Pit Bulls for People is selling T-shirts in order to raise money for the La Plata County Humane Society. The goal is to sell 75 shirts – which feature the group’s logo along with a picture of a smiling pitbull – over the three-week campaign, which ends July 10. Proceeds will be used to buy training supplies, toys, treats and anything else needed for the pit bulls and other animals at the LPCHS shelter.

For those who may not know (or missed out on our story June 5, 2014), Pit Bulls for People was started by local seventh-graders Morgan Wells and Wyllow Hildner, who both regularly volunteer at the shelter. According to their website, their organization is dedicated to showing the world how wonderful pit bulls are with proper training and socialization. “We are determined to change the way everyone looks at the American Pit Bull Terrier,” they said, adding that they also help other help “less-adoptable” and special-needs dogs as well.

The T-shirts cost $20 and are available for purchase online at www.booster.com/pitbullsforpeople.

To learn more about Pit Bulls for People, go to: www.pitbulls4people.org.


Remember when?

Attention old-timers, homesteaders and super locals. Remember when there was actually an Elmore at Elmore’s Corner or Helen at Helen’s Store?

If so, the Pine River Library in Bayfield wants to talk to you – or rather have you talk to them – for its Pine River Valley oral history project.

 “We would love to record as many stories as possible this year,” said Karen Lemke, Library Public Relations and Programming Librarian. “The Pine River Valley has a rich history, and we would like to capture those stories that make this place so unique.”

 With the help of grants and local interns, Lemke says the library staff will record interviews with “any local resident that’s interested,” with a focus on lifelong Bayfield-area residents.

“This project will take those stories from individuals and weave them into the history of Bayfield. Once we record and edit our interviews, we will share those videos online and in the library,” she said.

The interviews will debut in September on the library’s big screen during the “Heritage Hub Showcase.”

Interested participants can contact Lemke at 884-2222, ext. 522 or karen@prli brary.org.