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by Dr. Susannah Smith

Our Bond with Animals

"The fate of animals is of greater importance to me than the fear of appearing ridiculous; it is indissolubly connected with the fate of men."
- Emile Zola (1840-1902)

"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
-Anatole France (1844-1924)

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
-Will Rogers, 1897-1935

OD Storm As young psychology students, we were taught not to "anthropomorphize," meaning that we should NEVER attribute human characteristics to animals.  Animals were not people.  The general consensus was (is) that humans are the "superior" species, and certainly the only ones who have a soul.  And yet I was a child who talked with all animals, and who felt pain when an ant died.  I knew "they" were wrong, as a student and now.
 
When my mother was dying and quit eating, the doctors wanted give her food  through tubes.  When I suggested that I thought this was cruel – that all animals stop eating when preparing to die and that fasting reduced pain – only one doctor had the courage to agree.  He furtively told me that most people would tar and feather him for calling a person an animal.
 
14 February, 2009 /

by Kris Holstrom

I’m in the middle of teaching a new class through the University Centers of the San Miguel. The charming director of UCSM approached me awhile back to brainstorm ways to spark student interest in sustainable ways and means. The class burst the seams of its first meeting room with 19 students packed in. ZERI – systems design for sustainability, PERMACULTURE – permanent agriculture (or is it permanent culture?) and RELOCALIZATION efforts are the lenses through which the class examines energy, food, water and waste – among other basic life necessities. This past weekend students chose between pruning and permaculture in McElmo Canyon and visiting the Buckhorn Garden Growing Dome near Colona. Some did both!

026 Battle Rock Farm has been producing fruit and food off and on for decades. In the past few years young blood and young fruit trees have taken root. Fresh ideas and enthusiasm are sprouting. It felt far too much like spring Saturday when students converged for a little pruning lesson and a farm tour. In my opinion, far too few folks know how a fruit tree grows or how to tell the difference between pear and peach. Who prefers what kind of “hair cut”. With sharpened pruners and lubricated loppers students translated verbal instructions by Lindsay Yarbrough and me, into action. It’s tough to make those first cuts, but as time passes and decisions made the process becomes a communication dance. “Step back and take a look and listen,” is good advice for pruning. After awhile the cuts are slightly easier to make – they begin to make sense.

11 February, 2009 /

Poster Part two of Elisabeth Gick's  three-part series on Tibet at Telluride's Wilkinson Public Library is a pause to refresh from the country's challenges: a screening of the award-winning documentary, "The Saltmen of Tibet."

According to Eilsabeth, the film offers a loving look at an ancient way of
life in one of the harshest, yet gorgeous regions of the world, the
Tibetan plateau. The story follows the daily rituals of a Tibetan nomadic community,
transporting us into a realm untainted by the tides of foreign invasion or
encroaching modernity. Step by step we experience the unforgettable, annual
three-month pilgrimage to the holy salt lakes of northern Tibet.

"Tibet is the roof of the world, a place where we feel we are in the
sky just as much as you are on the earth. The intense blueness of space
contrasts sharply with the deep green of Eastern Tibet's rolling grasslands
and the mineral colors of the west with its expanse of barren rock. For over
a thousand years Buddhist culture has been at the heart of Tibetan society,
and anyone who has travelled across these high plateaux will understand how
this contemplative civilization flourished in a landscape of such vastness," explained physical scientist/Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard.

09 February, 2009 /

Because of the heavy toll AIDS took on the fashion industry early in the epidemic the Telluride Aids Benefit Fashion Show is a fitting highlight to end a week of educational initiatives and community outreach focusing on prevention awareness.Because TAB’s muse and constant angel, Robert...

08 February, 2009 /



[ click play button to hear the Schoenau interview]

IMG_1256 Alice Schoenau is one of about 50 designers whose creations will be seen on the runway of the Telluride Aids Benefit Fashion Show on February 28.

“Throughout my studies in the Fashion Design Department at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I explored the means and meanings of changeable clothing. While always searching for new ways to create garments that can be worn in numerous ways, there is still a concern for function in addition to style.”

This recent graduate has created a small clothing line showcasing multi-functional designs in natural and organic fibers.

08 February, 2009 /

by Dr. Susannah Smith

Telluride's San Miguel Resource Center, the region's only nonprofit dealing with the twin challenges of domestic violence and sexual assault, celebrated healthy relationships last night at its annual Chocolate Lovers' Fling, the nonprofit's major public fundraiser. Support for the event means supporting yourself, a family member or a friend in need, anyone regardless of race or gender, yes gender, because abuse is an equal opportunity offender.

I'm writing today about a topic that is unpopular among women, and even female therapists.  However, the battered male is a reality.

Our media world has done a good job of reporting on domestic violence in women, which is also a reality.  We have heard of the "battered wife syndrome": a diagnostic complex of symptoms often referred to by clinicians.  I prefer to speak about the "battered partner syndrome."

08 February, 2009 /

[ click the "Play" button to hear Susan's interview with Alanna]

Alanna poster Alanna Kaivalya was included in a Yoga Journal article featuring "Top 21 Instructors in the U.S. under 40." She returns to Telluride on the heels of her recent visit to town for the first annual Telluride Yoga Festival this past July, having woven her spell over that magical weekend. This time the senior Jivamukti instructor is here to teach a yoga workshop, "Compassion Through Action," in support of the San Miguel Resource Center.

On  Saturday night, February 7, the SMRC holds its only public fundraiser, the 14th annual Chocolate Lovers' Fling. The SMRC is the region's only nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and offers prevention education.

Appropriately, the theme of Alanna's workshop is "Compassion Through Action," and book II, sutra 35 from the "Yoga Sutra's of Patanjali," the first and foremost scripture if Yoga, provides the leitmotif:
 "Ahimsa Pratisthayam Tat Samnidhau Vaira Tyagah or "In the presence of one firmly established in non-violence, all hostilities cease."

06 February, 2009 /

The Wilkinson Public Library and Telluride Adaptive Sports Program host a showing of the adventure movie, "Blindsight" and events with mountaineer/motivational speaker Jeff Evans on Wed, Feb. 4 and Thur, Feb. 5. On Wed. see Jeff at Schilling Studio and Gallery, 151 S. Pine, ($50/person,...

03 February, 2009 /

[ click to hear the interview with Maegan Boyce]

  Picture 006
Maegan and Peaks
co-worker Zabe James

The San Miguel Resource Center is a small nonprofit with only five employees, yet it provides a menu of services of  that includes:

Short-term counseling
Follow-up contact
Support group treatment
Emergency shelter/safehouse
Information and referral
Criminal justice system support
Personal and legal advocacy
Emergency financial assistance
Emergency housing assistance
Safety planning 
Children’s art alchemy

02 February, 2009 /

  [ Click to hear Susan's interview with Jessica Forsyth] 

  Chip image
The CHIP team

It was the wish of the Telluride AIDS Benefit’s muse, Robert Presley, to keep WestCAP healthy. The community-based referral, advocacy and service provider helped him in his fight against AIDS and remains of paramount importance to everyone on the Western Slope living with HIV/AIDS. TAB’s largesse, however, extends beyond WestCAP, its primary beneficiary, to Denver, where over the years the nonprofit has been able to give thousands of dollars to the Children’s Hospital Immunodeficiency Program or CHIP.

CHIP began providing specialized care for HIV+ children in the Rocky Mountain region in 1991. CHIP remains the only entity in the region providing comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered services to infants, children, youth (13-24), pregnant women, and parents of HIV-infected children.

02 February, 2009 /