The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted at least two weeks in advance will have a better chance of getting published; items submitted several days before the event might not get published. For more information, call the Journal at 565-8527.
Light Up Dolores tree-lighting celebration
Join us at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, for the "Light Up Dolores" celebration, Yule Log fire, and tree-lighting with Santa, at the Galloping Goose at the Dolores Town Hall. There will be hot chocolate, cookies and candy for the whole family. For more information, call the Dolores Chamber at 882-4018.
Four Corners Community Band Christmas concerts
The Four Corners Community Band will play two Christmas concerts on Saturday, Dec. 8: The Kiwanis Breakfast With Santa from 9 to 10 a.m. at Montezuma County Annex, 103 N. Chestnut St.; and Luminaria Night at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery, 26650 Road P from 6 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.fourcornerscommunityband.com, or call Sue at 564-1245.
For Pets' Sake Holiday Bake Sale to benefit local pets
For Pets' Sake Humane Society will hold a Holiday Bake Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at the north entrance to City Market in Cortez. There will be lots of cookies, cakes, pies, breads, and homemade dog treats! Proceeds from the fundraiser will aid the population of Montezuma and Dolores counties. In addition to running a spay/neuter assistance programs, For Pets' Sake provides foster homes for animals awaiting adoption and helps local people pay for emergency veterinary care for their pets. Donations of baked goods from the group's members and supporters can be dropped off at City Market starting at 9:30 a.m. the morning of the sale. For more information, contact Janet at 533-7402.
Southwest Singers' Chamber Choir Christmas concerts
The Southwest Singers' Chamber Choir will celebrate Christmas with a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday night, Dec. 8, at the First United Methodist Church in Cortez, 515 N. Park St. Please join us for light refreshments afterwards. For more information, call Choir Director, Ruth Wilson at 882-3870.
Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concerts
Very soon the snow will be flying, and it'll be time to celebrate the season with a Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concert! This year, in addition to new songs, we'll bring back some of our favorite Christmas songs from the past ten years, including "Sleigh Ride," "I'm Gonna Email Santa," and "Prayer of the Children." Please join us for a "Christmas Past" concert on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m., at Mancos United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grand Ave., Mancos. Hope to see you there! For questions call Carol at 882-0120 or visit www.mancosvalleychorus.org.
Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show
The Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Brewery, 100 S. 4th St., Dolores. Local artists will have pottery, jewelry, photography, fiber arts, fine chocolates, handmade soaps and more for sale. There will also be live music, chair massages, refreshments and good cheer! For more information, contact Michele Martz at 562-4494.
Christmas wreath-making workshop
Would you like to make your own Christmas wreath to hang on your door? Come to Trinity Lutheran Church, 208 N. Dolores Rd. on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will provide all of the pine trimming and supplies you need to make - and decorate - your own live Christmas wreath for the holiday season. Please bring your own pruning shears. This is a fundraiser for the Trinity Lutheran Youth Group's trip to San Antonio, Texas in July 2013. The suggested donation is $20 per person. For more information, contact Jacqueline Chittick at 560-3337.
Let it Grow's 7th Annual Free Coffee Tasting
Let it Grow is proud to present our 7th Annual Free Coffee Tasting on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Let It Grow Nursery & Garden Market, 90 N. Mildred Rd. in Cortez. Exceptional coffees from around the world micro batch roasted on site will be featured for your sampling enjoyment. Call 565-3099 for more information.
Elks Christmas Bazaar
The Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Rd., will hold their 17th Annual Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 9. The Bazaar begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. Entertainment will be at 2 p.m. with the arrival of Santa at 3 p.m. He will visit with all the children who attend. There will be door prizes at least every hour, and food will be available for purchase. For more information call Sally at 739-0616.
Singers invited to take part in Messiah Sing-In
For the first time in Cortez, a Messiah Sing-In will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Cortez Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St. This is a great opportunity for those who have always wanted to sing The Messiah but could not devote three months to practice beforehand. Music will be available to check out for those who do not have a copy of the score. Free childcare will be provided at the Methodist Church. Participants for the choir and audience members are encouraged to come and enjoy an exciting new experience as part of the celebration of the Christmas season. For more information, call Patricia Faulkner at 564-9458.
Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting in memory of children
Candles will glow Sunday, Dec. 9, when tens of thousands of bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives, and friends around the globe will join together to light remembrance candles to honor the memories of children who have died, but will never be forgotten. The Four Corners chapter of Compassionate Friends will be part of a special service held on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Fellowship, 24 N. Chestnut in Cortez (use the back entrance off of North St.) and will feature music, poems, and a special movie showing our children. For more information, call Debbie Snead at 565-4732, or Cherie McAndrew at 565-6480.
Healthy Gift Giving II: Healthy Foods and Herbs
Tired of shopping? No extra cash? Paula Parks, LMT, Amy Loschert, ND and Janneli F. Miller, PhD, will give a free talk from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, on easy-to-make healthy foods and herbal items that are good gifts for the holidays. Come to the Dolores Healing Space, 102 S. 4th St. in Dolores, to learn how to make these cost effective and healthy foods and herbal products that will contribute to a happy, healthy holiday season. For more information, call 882-3032.
Family Leadership Training Institute Open House
Applications for the 2013 Montezuma/Dolores County Class of the Colorado Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) are being accepted. The community is invited to join us for an FLTI Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the First National Bank in Cortez to learn more about Montelores Family Leadership Training Institute. FLTI is a series of classes on leadership training, civic literacy, and civic participation for those who wish to improve the lives of children and families in community. For more information, contact Trish Peters, FLTI Site Coordinator, at 560-1360 or nevermto@wildblue.net.
Cortez Middle School Winter Festival
On Thursday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m., Cortez Middle School will be presenting its annual "Winter Festival," an evening highlighting the school's various elective programs for parents, students and community members in the CMS main gym. There will be items on display for viewing from 6 to 7 p.m. Artwork and images from the photography club will be on display, and there will be demonstrations by the technology class, as well as work completed by the world language and family and consumer science classes. Goodies prepared by the family and consumer science classes will be available for purchase, and the band will perform from 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome. Come enjoy an evening of holiday cheer!
Winter Discovery Walk for Families
Join San Juan Mountains Association on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon for the second program in the Southwest Colorado Winter Ecology Series: a Winter Discovery Walk for Families at Boggy Draw, near Dolores. We will focus on using our senses during this walk - how does winter look, smell, sound, feel, and even taste different from other seasons, and why? For ages 4-10, accompanied by an adult. Snowshoes are provided if needed. There is no charge. Contact SJMA to register (preregistration is requested), or schedule your own Winter Discovery Walk at 759-1170 or gabi@sjma.org. Walks can take place on easy terrain near Cortez, Mancos, Dolores or Durango.
Jingle Bell Dash 5k Run/Walk
The School Community Youth Collaborative (SCYC) will hold the 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Dash on Saturday, Dec. 15. The Dash is a 5k or 1 mile run/walk celebrating educators, and will begin with homemade hot cocoa and cider at 9:30 a.m. at Let It Grow Nursery and Garden Market in Cortez. The Elf Scurry, a short 100-yard dash will kick off the activities, followed by the 5k or 1 mile race, along with fun crafts for children ages 3-8. Parents must accompany young children. Santa will visit, and holiday carols will be performed by the M-CHS choir. The public may participate as a family, a team or individually, and costumes are invited. Participants are encouraged to raise pledges in support of our local educators. Discounted early registration fees are available through Friday, Dec. 7, at a rate of $15/person or $12/team member (four or more participants equals a team). After Dec. 7, registration fees increase to $18/person or $15/team member. Participants may also register the day of the race. Children ages 8 and under participate free. Registration and pledge forms, and more information is available at http://scycmontezuma.wix.com/jinglebelldash or call 529-0635.