June 2009 Archives

The sight of kayakers playing on standing river waves is a familiar sight in Colorado, but surfers? Over the past few years, landlocked beach bros have discovered that river waves can be surfed almost like ocean waves. Colorado communities that have constructed whitewater play parks (manmade obstacles in the water that increase wave size) on large rivers with heavy flows -- like the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs, the Arkansas River in Buena Vista and Salida, and the Animas River in Durango are seeing increased surfer traffic.

Michelle McReynolds of the Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce confirms that the town's whitewater park has "definitely increased commerce and tourism in town."

Have you ever wondered about the daily life and chores of pioneers traveling in a wagon train and early settlers of La Plata County? The Animas Museum in Durango, Colorado will be having a Pioneer Baking and Butter Churning living history event on Saturday, June 27, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Join our experienced docents to learn about some of the challenges pioneers faced. Adults and kids of all ages will be able to try their hand at making butter the old fashioned way! Stop by and enjoy samples of delicious baked goods made in our fire pit from authentic pioneer recipes all 150-250 years old. If you would like to learn more about our living history program or would like to volunteer please call 259-2402, or stop by the museum, 3065 W. 2nd Ave, located at the corner of 31st Street & W 2nd Ave.

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is operating the Independence Day Express train on Saturday, July 4. The train departs Durango at 9:45 a.m. and arrives in Silverton at 1:15 pm., giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy the daytime festivities in Silverton, watch the fireworks display, and then return to Durango by train, arriving at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Passengers may also leave Durango on a motor coach at 11:00 a.m., still allowing time to enjoy afternoon activities in Silverton, eat dinner, watch the fireworks and then return by train. Passengers may also ride the train to Silverton, spend a couple hours, and ride the 3:30 p.m. motor coach back to Durango. Bus fare is additional.

Train fares include a BBQ dinner and live music under a tent near the Silverton depot. Standard, Deluxe, and Presidential classes of service are available. For reservations and information, please call 970-247-2733. Seating is limited for this one-day event.

Bring your dad out this weekend to the Durango Motor Expo in Historic Downtown Durango. Pre-registration is Friday June 19 and the Car Show is Saturday June 20. The Durango Motor Expo is presented by the Durango Old Car Club. Proceeds from this event are used to support local charities. For more information and schedule, visit www.durangomotorexpo.com. If you are looking for great dining and entertainment or accommmodation, visit www.Durango.com

A full-color 11x17 poster will be used to promote the 2010 Durango Independent film festival. Elements from the poster will be used in art design for DIFF's other design projects in 2010.  

 

The artist who submits the winning entry will receive a  DIFF Pass to the 2010 film festival, acknowledgement in the festival program, and five copies of the poster when printed. The winner will be announced in a special ad placed in The Durango Herald and in other media outlets at the discretion of the Festival.   

 

The contest is open to anyone, and you may submit up to three designs if you wish. Only original artwork will be considered. For additional contest details visit www.durangofilm.org.

 

 

At Avery Breewing Company, 13 brewers will take a paid week off work to bike from Boulder to Durango in Colorado -- as part of their job.

"It's not every day," Avery's C.V. Howe writes in the Monthly Mash newsletter, "that your boss asks you to ride across Colorado, stop at brewpubs, drink some beer with your bros and raise money for charities along the way."

The purpose of this 5-day, 426-mile journey is to "encourage the fledgling spirit of collaboration and camaraderie that has taken hold in the craft beer industry." The Tour of Colorado, kicks off on July 19 with a party raising money for Community Cycles (a local bike charity) at the Avery Tap Room. The next day, riders depart Boulder, bike over 9 mountain passes, and will stop at brew pubs and hold parties for charities in their wake.

Ultimately it will conclude with the tapping of Wheelsucker Wheat Ale at the Ska Brewing Company on Sunday, July 25. For that beer, Avery and Ska teamed up for a collaboration brew that commemorates the inaugural Tour of Colorado and celebrates "the fraternity of Colorado craft brewers."

 

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
June 19, 20 & 21

A fun-filled event for the entire family. There's a 30-minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, a chance to meet Sir Topham Hatt, live music and storytelling, build with LEGO DUPLO bricks and much more!

For more information, departure times or tickets, http://www.durangotrain.com/events/day-out-thomas-main-page

Durango, Colorado is a "bicycle friendly community" as deemed by the League of American Bicyclists.

 

Applicant communities are judged in five categories often referred to as the Five Es. These are Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Evaluation & Planning. A community must demonstrate achievements in each of the five categories in order to be considered for an award. Communities with more significant achievements in these areas receive superior awards. Filling out the BFC application is an education in itself, as communities see where they are lacking in each of these categories.

 

The League's Bicycle Friendly America family of programs recognize states, communities and businesses for their efforts to promote bicycling and provide roadmaps to improve. More about the League of American Bicyclists.