News

Trey & Lori Bennett make the optimistic leap with “Down to Earth,” Durango’s first Life is good® Genuine Neighborhood Shoppe

Pager item text :Down to Earth CompanyImage:Summary:Though the Life is good® corporate folks probably had no real knowledge of Durango and the passions of the people and the town, Trey and Lori Bennett saw it immediately. They now have opened “Down to Earth,” a new retail store promoting the Life is good® clothing line and optimism in a troubled world. Trey & Lori Bennett make the optimistic leap with “Down to Earth,”...

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Fly here. Fly now. And experience the Durango-La Plata County Airport

Pager item text :Durango LaPlata County AirportImage:Summary:With tight economic times, the Durango-La Plata County Airport might not have the funding to invest in “big” renovations, but the team is working steadily to improve the airport “experience,” including installation of a new, automated explosives detection system for baggage screening. DURANGO, Colo. – Those who’ve experienced a medical MRI or CT scan...

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School District 9-R News Briefs

Image:” Strategic Planning Update A form has been placed on the district’s Web site (on the home page) that outlines the dates and times for the action planning meetings, which begin in January.  If you haven’t signed up yet, you can fill out the form and choose two action planning teams that you would like to serve on.  If selected to serve, you will likely be put on one of those two teams. (Later this month, district...

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La Plata Electric announces “PURPA” findings and final determination

Image:” DURANGO, Colo. – Following public hearings and required review of the three standards laid out by the Public Utilities Regulation Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), the La Plata Electric Association board of directors has released its findings and final determination. The Energy Policy Act of 2005, adopted by Congress, requires that LPEA and similar utility companies consider and determine new PURPA standards: 1)  the...

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Tickets for the Community Concert Hall Winter/Spring 2009 Performing Arts Series on sale

Image:” DURANGO, Colo. – Tickets for the Winter/Spring 2009 Performing Arts Series at The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College are now on sale, available on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com, by calling 970.247.7657, or visiting the Ticketing Services Office in Downtown Durango at 7th and Main Ave. The line-up of confirmed shows for Winter/Spring 2009, including brief show descriptions, follows below. The...

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Steamworks Brewing Co.’s “The Conductor” receives European award

Image:” DURANGO, Colo. – Competing against breweries from throughout the world, Steamworks Brewing Co. has earned a Silver medal at the 2008 European Beer Star Award competition. “The Conductor” was recognized as among the finest in the world in the English-style India Pale Ale category. “The European Beer Star Award was created to acknowledge beers that are full of character and make the most out of the raw materials used,”...

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Kogan Builders earns Green Building certification

Image:” DURANGO, Colo. – The management team at Kogan Builders has earned its Certified Green Professionals through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The Certified Green Professional is an exclusive designation offered by the NAHB, designed to teach industry professionals strategies for incorporating green design and building principles into homes using cost-effective options. Certification requires a minimum of...

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“Buck” comes to town and requests: “Look Local First”

Image:   Summary: Because of the potential economic impact, “Buy Local” is a mantra heard in communities large and small. In unique La Plata County fashion, however, the effort has a face, a personality and a name. Meet Buck… “Buck” comes to town and requests: “Look Local First”   DURANGO, Colo. – He’s a stand-up guy, and, though he only recently arrived in town, he likes hanging around La Plata County. Locals are pleased to...

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Durango showcased in top 10 ‘Christmas towns’

Image:” DURANGO, Colo. – Durango, Colorado will be one of 10 towns featured on HGTV’s one-hour special, “Top Christmas Towns,” to air at 8 p.m. Dec. 7. The cable network sought unique holiday celebrations across the country and singled out 10. Durango was chosen for its vintage Christmas feel, authentic Main Avenue celebrations and area holiday traditions, including the Polar Express ride on the Durango & Silverton...

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“Rhythms of Durango” Vol. 3 debuts to a packed house at the Henry Strater Theatre

Who needs Austin? Durango’s own music scene is on fire. The release of “Rhythms of Durango” Vol. 3 brought together local musicians and the community in celebration of the eclectic sounds of Downtown. Editor’s Note: DurangoDowntown.com is breaking with editorial policy for our feature article this week, humoring News Editor Indiana Reed, and allowing her to pen an unapologetically biased review of Durango’s home-grown and...

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La Plata Electric Association announces rate increase

Image:Summary:Following comment period, rate increase is set to begin January 1, 2009. ” DURANGO, Colo. – La Plata Electric Association’s Board of Directors on Nov. 19, 2008, gave preliminary approval for an average electric rate increase of 5.6 percent. Specific increases will depend on the rate classification of each residential, commercial and industrial customer. The average residential customer is expected to notice an...

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Kennebec Café and Bakery adds “events center” to its moniker

Pager item text :Kennebec CafeImage:Summary:When well-known chef and caterer Barbara Helmer and her partner Miguel Carrillo purchased the “diner” at the entrance to La Plata Canyon in 1999, they had a vision. Today, their Kennebec Café and Bakery is even bigger and better than ever. Kennebec Café and Bakery adds “events center” to its moniker DURANGO, Colo. – It was a risk, but Barbara Helmer and Miguel...

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Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College to stage “laugh-out-loud” comedy, “The Queen of Bingo,” Nov. 22

Image:Summary:DURANGO, Colo. – The hit Off-Broadway comedy “The Queen of Bingo,” featuring Shane Partlow and Rowan Joseph, comes to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Sat., Nov. 22, 7 p.m. Two zany guys play two crazy gals, lighting up the stage in the tradition of Harvey Korman and Tim Conway from the old, much-beloved “Carol Burnett Show” sketches. “The Queen of Bingo” follows...

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Release Party/Show for Rhythms of Durango, Vol. 3, set for Nov. 21

Business Improvement District produces third CD of local music – called “best yet.” DURANGO, Colo. – An evening of free, live, local music is set for Fri., Nov. 21, at the Rhythms of Durango, Vol. 3, CD release party and show. Doors to the Henry Strater Theatre (The Hank) open at 5 p.m., with on-going music planned until 8:30 or beyond. “The artists from Rhythms of Durango will be performing live on stage at the Hank, and we’ve...

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Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, perfecting a great-tasting and a sustainably “good” cup of coffee

For the past four years, Desert Sun Coffee Roasters has been perfecting that great-tasting cup of coffee. Now the Durango-based coffee roaster is endeavoring to also make an ethically and sustainably “good” cup of Joe. Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, perfecting a great-tasting and a sustainably “good” cup of coffee   DURANGO, Colo. – It’s been said in a variety of ways that life’s joys and its most important lessons come from...

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San Juan Basin Health News Briefs

Image:” DURANGO, Colo. – San Juan Basin Health Department has issued the following news briefs for November and December. Girls Circle in Bayfield and Durango Begin Girls Circles are structured support groups for adolescent girls that promote resiliency, confidence & connection while addressing risky behaviors in a safe space. A Bayfield Girls Circle will be beginning on November 12th.  Open to girls in 6th, 7th...

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LPEA Director Jeff Berman earns electric utility credential

Receives Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from NRECA. DURANGO, Colo. – Durango resident Jeff Berman, a director on the La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) board of directors representing District 3, has completed the required courses and earned his Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Berman was recognized for his commitment to education at...

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Application deadline for solar domestic hot water rebates extended

Image:   Summary: LPEA and 4CORE utilizing grants received from Governor’s Energy Office. ” DURANGO, Colo. – The deadline for La Plata and Archuleta county residents to apply for the “Solar Domestic Hot Water Rebate” program through the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) has been extended until June 30, 2009.  The deadline for those planning to install solar domestic hot water systems on their primary homes...

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Historic Strater Hotel’s “behind the scenes” sustainability and “green” efforts come to light

Image:   Summary: From the outside, the Strater Hotel is a visual centerpiece of Downtown Durango; but it’s what happening “behind the walls” that has made this historic landmark an example for 21st century sustainability in the hotel industry. Historic Strater Hotel’s “behind the scenes” sustainability and “green” efforts come to light   DURANGO, Colo. – Recently, the Historic Strater Hotel, one of Downtown Durango’s...

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Alpine Bank receives state environmental leadership award

Image:GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in cooperation with the Pollution Prevention Advisory Board and the Colorado Environmental Partnership, has designated Alpine Bank a “Gold Leader” for its environmental leadership.  Alpine Bank is the first financial institution in Colorado to be recognized with this award by the State for its environmental commitment and continuous...

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