In a recent public-service ad in the paper, there was a logo for "Operation Healthy Communities," a service organization that closed years ago. Has Operation Health Communities risen zombie-like from the grave? Maybe we should have a nonprofit that looks after the needs of defunct nonprofits, which we can call non-nonprofits. But isn't a "non-nonprofit" a "for-profit?" - Kip Koso
First, let's dispel any rumors of zombie charities.
Granted, in tough economic times, many local nonprofit groups certainly act like and resemble the living dead.
So do the community a favor and write a check to your favorite organization today.
Other than the Zombie Liberation Front's midnight march down Main on Halloween, there have been no confirmed zombie sightings locally.
But just in case - and you never can be too careful these days - check out zombiesurvivalwiki.com, a Web site devoted to preparing for and triumphing over brain-eating zombie assailants.
OK, enough about zombies and back to charities.
It's an intriguing notion for this community to establish a nonprofit group to tend to obsolete nonprofits.
The group could spend its days canceling the scourge of incessant bake sales, car washes, pancake suppers, spaghetti dinners, Jeep raffles, bingo nights, wine tastings, direct mailings and silent auctions.
Unfortunately, in order to accomplish its mission, such a group would have to hold a series of fundraising bake sales, car washes, pancake suppers, spaghetti dinners, Jeep raffles, bingo nights, wine tastings, direct mailings and silent auctions.
And finally, your point about a non-nonprofit is correct. It's a double negative in which one "non" cancels the other to create a positive.
Bad grammar is a no-no.
But isn't "no-no" a double negative, meaning it's good?
Maybe we should say we ain't got no need for no non-nonprofits.
After a weeklong break, the Mea Culpa Mailbag is brimming with deliciously snarky observations.
•Regarding the column about the Durango Police Department's new look resembling a Coors Light logo, a befuddled reader was wondering about "POLICE" painted in all capital letters on the sides of cop vehicles.
"I've seen the new vehicles that Durango's finest are driving. I haven't decided if I like the new logos. The mountains don't quite remind me of anything from Durango," writes the person.
"My husband pointed out that the lettering on the doors say "POUCE." We're not sure what a pouce is. Call me goofy, but I liked the old logo with the train on it. Better sign me 'Confused,' as I don't want to get in trouble with the Pouce Department!"
•Public opinion has hardened over CDOT's concrete partitions in the middle of U.S. Highway 550/160.
A reader and animal lover, Julie, takes umbrage to the "horrendous barrier dividing Bodo Park" and laments the carnage.
"Much to my chagrin, I've seen four raccoons and three skunks dead on my way to work. I'm pretty sure I've never seen roadkill along this stretch of road before the Great Wall of Durango was erected," Julie writes.
"CDOT says the barriers prevent head-on collisions, but I've never heard of head-ons happening in Bodo. All the accidents are in the intersections, when one crazy turns when he or she isn't supposed to."
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durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you have a decent explanation about why kids have to go back to school before Labor Day.
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