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.
Call for Mentors
The Piñon Project will be at the Mancos Public Library on Wednesday, March 20, from 9:30 a.m. to noon to talk about its mentoring program. The program matches at-risk youth with an adult volunteer who serves as a one-on-one mentor, friend and advocate. The Piñon Project's Mentoring Program is the only program of this type in the area. People interested in learning more, or becoming a mentor, should come to the meeting or call the Piñon Project at 564-1195.
Gymnastics circus
Stormy's Gymnastics will have a circus performance on March 20 starting at 2 p.m. at the Cortez Recreation Center. The performance will feature what local gymnasts have developed in the past year. The schedule is as follows: Tsunamis (ages 3 to 6); The Tornados (ages 6 to 12) at 3 p.m. and the Hurricanes, which are the top gymnasts with mixed ages will be at 4 p.m.
For more info contact Rayna Hale @at 560-3916 or Randy Quillin at 315-209-5846.
High Desert Homesteading
The second course in the High Desert Homesteading seminar series will be on Wednesday, March 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Let It Grow Nursery and Garden located at 90 N. Mildred. The course, "Growing Amber Waves of Grains and Beans," will be presented by Bob Bragg and Mike Coffey. The cost for the class is $15 and includes refreshments and education materials. Tickets can be purchased at Let It Grow. Contact Rosie Carter at 565-4170 or Nina Williams at 560-1443 for more information.
Wonder Women film
In celebration of Women's History Month, Community Cinema at the Mancos Public Library, located at 211 W. First St., will host a screening of Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines. This film traces the fascinating evolution and legacy of Wonder Woman, from the birth of the comic book superheroine in the 1940s to the blockbusters of today, the film looks at how popular representations of powerful women often reflect in society's anxieties about women's liberation. Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. in the MPL meeting room. Free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 533-7600.
Heart to Heart Easter concert
The annual Heart to Heart Easter Concert will be held on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at Lifeway Baptist Church.
The evening will include music by area Christian musicians reminding us of the death, burial, and triumphant resurrection of Christ. An offering will be recieved to support Heart to Heart/Montezuma Crisis Pregnancy Center
as they offer services to our community including free pregnancy tests, healthy relationship presentations for teens, and abortion recovery groups for those seeking healing from the emotional and relational pain of
past abortion choics. Call 565-0979 for more information.
Presentation: 'Lincoln's Legacy of Equality and Liberty'
On Saturday, March 23, Montezuma County Court Judge JenniLynn Everett Lawrence will present "Lincoln's Legacy of Equality and Liberty." The program was developed by the Colorado Bar Association and is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Montezuma County. It will be held at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant, 108 S. 8th, Dolores. The presentation is open to the public. For more information, contact Betty Janes at 533-1051 or ejanes@frontier.net.
Book signing in Dolores
Author Lowell F. Volk, of Pleasant View, will be hold a book signing on March 23 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Dolores Public Library, 1002 Railroad Ave.
Volk's book - "Luke Taylor: Westward Bound" - is a Civil War novel where Taylor struggles to keep his family safe as Union soldiers march through the South burning crops, destroying buildings, and killing livestock. When a band of renegades dressed as Union soldiers attacks his home, killing his brother and beating him and his mother, Luke must leave the farm to find his father.
For more information, contact James Branscum at 888-361-9473 or james@tatepublishing.com
Leave No Trace training
Dolores River Boating Advocates will host a "Leave No Trace" awareness workshop for whitewater boaters on Saturday, March 23 at 4Corners Riversports in Durango from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how to minimize impacts to the rivers Rick Ryan, former BLM Dolores River ranger, will lead the training. Cost is $10, which includes lunch and all materials. Space is limited, register by calling 799-1475 or email info@doloresriverboating.org.
American Legion concerts
Vanishing Breed Band will be at the American Legion, 320 N. Harrison, March 23, 8 p.m. Shake off those winter blues with Odis & the boys. There is a $5 cover, 21 and over. Also this month, Beautifull Loser's are playing at 8 p.m. on March 30. There will also be a $5 cover, 21 and over.
Come Unto Christ Easter Cantata
The second annual Come Unto Christ Easter Cantata, written by Sally DeFord will be presented by the four-ward choir of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Sunday, March 24 at 6 p.m. at 26525 County Road M. All are welcome and refreshments will be served.
Messianic Passover Seder
Passover Seder will be held on Monday, March 25 at 6 p.m. at 15325 Rd. 22 (north of Cortez, near Road S, off Highway 491). As celebrated in homes throughout the world, the Passover Seder is rich with historical meaning and traditions, as well as with Messianic symbolism. Passover is a holy convocation, a calling together for a sacred assembly. The observance will last about three hours and includes reading together through the Haggadah, eating the symbolic elements, drinking the cups, partaking of a meal of traditional foods, partaking of the Lord's Supper, all with music and worship and in order. An optional $10 donation would be appreciated. Please RSVP to one of the following by March 20: Mike and Paulette Gasner, 882-7696; Ron and Carolyn Lucus, 565-2430; Jeanette Conacher, 560-1651; Pat Grant, 560-2848; or Jean Oliver, 565-0747.
Bingo in Dolores
Dolores Rotary Bingo will be held Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Dinner (chili and soups, drink and dessert for $5) Bingo begins at 7 p.m. Help support the Dolores Operation Graduation by playing Bingo.
Dr. Seuss Family Night
The Montelores Early Childhood Council will present A Dr. Seuss Family Night in honor of the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss. This free evening includes dinner and many fun activities for parents to do with their preschoolers. It takes place on Thursday, March 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Beech Street Preschool Big Room Please RSVP by March 25 to brittanyconner@cortez.k12.co.us or 970-565-7491.
Easter egg hunt
The Cortez Rotary Club will be hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 30. The event will be held on the west side of the Cortez City Park just outside the Cortez Municipal Pool. All children are invited.
Easter party for children
All children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to attend an Easter party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church, 350 S. Washington St., Cortez, directly across the street from Manaugh School.
This activity is being organized by the "Fellowshipping Fun Loving Outreaching Christian" committee and the Youth Group of the church. Numerous games and activities are being planned for the children to enjoy. A raffle will be held for a number of items, including a large vinyl bunny. Refreshments will be available for parents who accompany their children.
For more information, contact the church at 565-7024 or Jack Robbins at 882-1444.
Driver safety course offered by AARP
AARP will sponsored a driver safety course Tuesday, April 2 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at the Calvin Denton Room in the Empire Electric Building.
This course is authorized by the state of Colorado and is designed to meet the needs of older drivers. Completion of this course can qualify you for a discount on your automobile insurance.
The course is available to all motorists whether or not they are members of AARP. A $12 fee for AARP members and a $14 fee for nonmembers is to be paid by check, (no cash or credit card) which covers materials. Please bring your driver's license and your AARP membership number (if you have one).
Register with Scott and Judy Aeschlimann at 565-3872. Leave name and phone number on the answering machine if no one is available. The class number is limited.
Two on Tap coming to Cortez
Southwest Colorado Concerts presents Two on Tap performing a concert of song and tap dance, on Tuesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Montezuma-Cortez High School auditorium. Two On Tap marks the creative collaboration of two celebrated Broadway musical theatre performers Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano. Tickets will be on sale at the door; single-concert tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for youth, 18 years old and under. Season tickets for the four-concert 2013-2014 season will also be on sale, $45 for adults and $10 for youth 18 years old and younger. If you are not a current season ticket holder and purchase a season ticket for the 2013-2014 season at this concert, you will get into Two On Tap for free. For more information contact Paul Bostrom at 565-9127 or Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757.
Library storytime
"Splash into April" is the April theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, located at 202 N. Park St.
Storytime is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-aged children. Older children are welcome to come for the craft at 11:15 a.m.
"Fun at Work Day" is the subject on April 4. "Magic" will be discussed on April 11. "April is Mathematics Education Month" will be the focal point on April 18 and we'll wrap up the month with "Winnie-the-Pooh and Friends" on April 25.
Raising Readers Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program. For more information, contact the library at 970-565-8117.
Childhood council training
For their April meeting, the Montelores Early Childhood Council will be hosting an Advocacy and Public Will Building training by the Colorado Children's Campaign. This Lunch and Learn will be from 11:30 to 1:30 on Monday, April 8 at the Community Room of 1st National Bank, 2258 E. Main St., Cortez. Please RSVP to mecc.coordinator@gmail.com by April 6.
Computer classes at Cortez library
The Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., and the Unlimited Learning Center will offer computer classes in April.
On Thursday April, 11 at 1 p.m.: Basic Internet Searching. Subjects covered will include: World Wide Web, URLs, Links, Web Browsers, Toolbars on Web Browsers, Address Bar, Simple Searching Tips and Techniques.
Staff from the Southwest Colorado Workforce Center will be teaching a computer class on finding a job on Friday, April 12, at 1 p.m.
On Thursday, April 25 at 1 p.m. the Cortez Public Library will present "Getting an Email with Gmail."
All classes at the library must be signed up for ahead of time. Sign up by calling 565-8117 or by stopping by the library. To find out more about the classes at the Unlimited Learning Center call 565-1601.
9Health Fair coming to Mancos
The 2013 9Health Fair, sponsored locally by the Mancos Valley Loins Club, will be held April 13 at the Mancos Middle School from 7 a.m. to noon. Don't miss this opportunity for low-cost and free health care screenings for individuals over the age of 18.
Participants can review screening options, register and pre-pay for their screenings online at www.9healthfair.org. There will be a separate entry for the pre-pay participants; watch for signs.
Volunteers are needed during the fair and for setup and clean up. If you are interested in helping with the 9Health Fair, non-medical volunteers can contact Val Hobson at 533-7874 and medical volunteers can contact Deana Yeomans at 533-7985.