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.
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.
Christmas story reading of Grandpa and the Christmas Crib
People of all ages (but especially families with children) will enjoy the charming Christmas story "Grandpa and the Christmas Crib," performed by J.W. Keleher at the Cortez Cultural Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. The setting for the story is Poland and centers around the building of a traditional crib (manger) for the annual Krakow, Poland, competition. The Cultural Center is located at 25 N. Market St. For more information, call 565-1151.
VFW and Ladies Auxiliary annual Christmas Party
All veterans and their families are invited to attend the Montezuma County VFW Post #5231 and Ladies Auxiliary annual Christmas party this Sunday, Dec. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Post home, 135 W. Grand in Mancos. The Post will provide the ham for the meal and everyone is asked to bring a dish to complement the ham, and desserts. Tom & Jerry's will be served beginning at 1 p.m. Santa Claus will make an appearance sometime during the afternoon. All veterans and their families are invited to attend. For more information, call Abe and Alice Saunders at 533-7257.
Conscious Movie Night presents 'Joyeux Noël'
The Center of Light will screen "Joyeux Noël" at Conscious Movie Night on Sunday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Sophia Peace Center, 19581 Road 31, in Dolores. "Joyeux Noël" is a film about the World War I Christmas truce of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, Scottish and German soldiers. For more information or to RSVP, contact Deacon Crystal Kaems or Deacon Bridget Wyatt at 882-2123.
Cortez community mobile blood drives
United Blood Services will hold two mobile blood drives in the Cortez area. The first will be from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, at Southwest Memorial Hospital, 1311 N. Mildred Rd., and the second will be on Saturday, Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at Walmart, 1831 Main St. Look for the Bloodmobile at each location. Donors should have identification with them at the time of donation. To set up an appointment or for more information, call 385-4601 or sign up online at www.unitedbloodservices.org.
Dolores Healing Space Christmas Open House
Dolores Healing Space, 102 S. 4th St., will have a Christmas Party Open House on Monday, Dec. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Stop by to chat with our healthcare practitioners, enjoy some nutritious goodies and healthy hot beverages. Children are welcome, of course! Call Paula at 749-4160 or Janneli at 882-3032 for more information.
Christmas on the Trail & Night of the Cowboy Western Gear Show
The Goodnight Trail Gallery in downtown Mancos will host our 4th annual Christmas on the Trail event on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited! The Rockin' W Chuckwagon will be in front of the gallery, making chili, cowboy coffee, and homemade desserts. There will be a lot of new work in the gallery, and this is also Nathaniel's Hats and Goodnight Trail Gallery's Night of the Cowboy Western Gear Show. Live traditional country music will be provided by Lynne Lewis. For more information, call Jamie at 533-1177.
Poetry with Yule bards you'll enjoy
Join Art Goodtimes, Rosemary Wahtola and David Feela for an intimate conversation of poems that promise to entertain and inspire from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. Sweeter than sugar cookies, stronger than eggnog and more interesting than stocking stuffers. Listening is free and the event is open to the public. Wine and goodies will also be available for a donation. For more information, call 565-1151.
Cortez Audubon Christmas Bird Count
The Cortez Audubon Christmas Bird Count will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Participants should meet at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. Routes will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. The Christmas Bird Count is an Audubon-sanctioned event and used to help compile data. Dress according to the weather and bring snacks, drinks, lunch, etc., as well as binoculars or scopes, pens or pencils, and birding guides. Cameras are nice to have, too, especially if a rare species is sighted. A clipboard will also be useful to hold papers. The count is open to all birders - from beginners to experts - and beginners can go with a more experienced birder. Participants can bird for as many hours as they want - from several hours to all day. Participants receive the annual summary, and in lieu of the $5 participant fee, Audubon is asking for voluntary donations. For more information, call Carolyn at 882-7742 or 529-3544.