The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published.
Calendar items are published as space allows. To see the current complete calendar, log on to www.CortezJournal.com, click on Community and, under it, Community Calendar.
FireWise Home Ignition Zone workshop
FireWise of Southwest Colorado is offering a Home Ignition Zone Workshops as part of Wildfire Prevention and Education Month in May. During the 12-hour workshop, attendees will learn risk factors around their home that could cause it to burn, how to conduct an assessment, review case studies of homes that have burned due to flying embers, and more. This is an ideal course for anyone interested in providing important wildfire risk information to residents. Attendees will get to practice the information they learned by conducting on-site assessments on Saturday.
The workshop will be held May 17-18 at the Mancos Public Library, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Registration is required, as space is limited. There is a $10 fee; dinner Friday night and lunch on Saturday will be provided.
RSVP to Becca Samulski at 564-4007 or montezumafirewise@gmail.com.
Southwest Singers Chamber Choir
The Southwest Singers’ Chamber Choir invites the public to a “Celebration of Spring” on Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, both at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 515 n. Park, Cortez. Admission is free, but an appreciation box will be available.
Works include: The Blue of the Night, Beyond These Mountains Blue, My Funny Valentine, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. Choir accompanist is Joy Steffen.
For more information, call Ruth Wilson Francisco at 882-3870.
Yard sale for the Bridge
The Bridge Emergency Shelter will hold a yard sale at the Cortez Day Labor Center, 2405 E. Empire, on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All profits will go to the Bridge’s summer programs and the Day Labor community garden.
Children’s Kiva yard sale
The Children’s Kiva Montessori School will hold a spring yard sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Proceeds go to the tuition assistance program.
Spring Remembrance and Balloon Release
The Four Corners Chapter of the Compassionate Friends and Hospice of Montezuma will hold their third annual “Community Spring Remembrance and Balloon Release” at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Centennial Park near the large gazebo. For more information, call Cherie 565-6480, or Debbie, 565-4732.
Dairy Goat Information Day
The Four Corners Dairy Goat Breeders will hold a dairy goat information day on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 23161 Rd. G.2 in Cortez.
Ask questions about raising dairy goats. See animals and get advice and demonstrations on care and maintenance. Multiple breeds will be represented. Some will be available for sale. Some equipment may be available for sale.
For more information call Jeanette at 565-9065 and leave a message.
Free Montezuma Avenue walking tours
In the fourth annual celebration of Historic Preservation Week in Cortez, four free walking tours of Montezuma Avenue, guided by volunteers steeped in local history, will be offered from the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market Street, on Saturday, May 18, beginning at 10 a.m. on the hour until 1 p.m.
Tours will celebrate 14 new additions to the Cortez Historic Register and will culminate in visits to the interiors of two additions, St. Margaret Mary Church and Rectory.
Tours are limited to 12 people per tour; reservations are required and may be made by calling the Cortez Cultural Center, 565-1151. Some area businesses will offer discounts to tour participants who display their name badges.
This event is sponsored by Cortez Historic Preservation, Cortez Cultural Center and the Montezuma County Historical Society.
Native Plant Society to visit Five Springs Farm
The San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society will take a field trip to Five Spring Farm near Dove Creek on May 18. The farm, owned by Mike and Mona Price, features long views and spring wildflowers including bitterbrush and squaw apple.
For more information, email fivespringsfarm@ftitel or call Mike and Mona Price at (970) 560-4538.
For more information about this and other Native Plant Society trips, log onto www.swcoloradowildflowers.com and follow the links to the San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society.
Blood drive to be held May 18
United Blood Services will hold a blood drive in its Bloodmobile at the Fiesta Twin Theater, 23 W. Main, Cortez, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 18.
Lakeview Harmony Club Centennial
The Lakeview Harmony Club, established in May 1913, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday, May 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lakeview Grange Hall, East of Highway 145 on Road M. The event will include music, refreshments and door prizes.
The Lakeview Harmony Club, organized by pioneer women, is a community fellowship and service group. Family and friends of past members are invited to attend.
For more information, call Jodi Foran at (970) 882-2401.
Relay for Life meeting
Everyone interested in becoming involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is invited to a team captain meeting on Monday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Southwest Memorial Hospital Annex, 20 S. Market.
More information is also available at www.cortezrelay.org or on the Montezuma County Relay for Life page on Facebook.
Class on government contracting
Four Essential Steps to Government Contracting with Dennis Casey of the Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center (Co PTAC) is designed for companies registered as government contractors in the SAM system. Casey will be covering the recent changes in the new system, how to be more successful in winning bids, limitations for subcontractors, non-manufacturing rule and more. The Small Business Development Center class is free and is scheduled at the Durango Public Library program room on Wednesday, May 22, from 1 to 3 p.m.
The class is free; to register, call (970) 247-7009 or email Asano_L@fortlewis.edu.
Blood drive to be held May 23
United Blood Services will hold a blood drive from 3 to 6 p.m. May 23, at the Pleasant View Fire Department conference room, 15529 Road CC, Pleasant View.
Blood drive to be held May 24
United Blood Services will hold a blood drive from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 24, at the First Methodist Church, 515 N. Park, Cortez.
Four Corners Community Band concert
The Four Corners Community Band will play a concert on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m. at the Morefield Campground Amphitheater at Mesa Verde National Park. The campground is located four miles from the entrance to the park. For more information, see www.visitmesaverde.com or www.fourcornerscommunityband.com, or call Sue Eleison at 564-1245.
Public Plant Sale
The Mesa Verde Gardeners are hosting their Fifth Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 25, from 9 a.m. until noon in the parking lot of Front Row Seat (next to City Market) on Main Street in Cortez. This is your chance to add some new and perhaps unusual plants to your landscape. Plants are provided by our garden club members and by local nurseries. Perennials, annuals, herbs, houseplants and vegetables will be available.
Mesa Verde Gardeners is a group of men and women dedicated to enriching the lives of the local gardening community through education and experience in all aspects of horticulture and gardening. Anyone interested in plants or gardening is invited to join. There are educational meetings and garden tours throughout the year.
For more information or to donate additional plants for the sale, please call Mary Ann Bruner at (970) 565-9158.
State of the lumber industry
The public is invited to attend a free program on the state of the lumber industry, with trends and predictions, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at the First National Bank meeting room. The presentation will include a panel of Bryan Black from Choice Building Supply, Vernon Hoffman from Probuild, and Jim Olsen from Slavens. The program will be hosted by the Four Corners Builders Association. For more information about FCBA or the event, call 565-1771.
Rodeo and Cowboy Days
for kids at the library
The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo will be presenting Rodeo and Cowboy Days on Wednesday, May 29, at the Dolores Library and Thursday, May 30, at the Cortez Library, starting at 10 a.m. There will be stories, crafts and an opportunity for the kids to have their picture taken on a mannequin horse or to try their roping skills. This is for kids of all ages. Dress western or just come for the fun! Each child attending will receive a free rodeo and carnival ticket.
Blood drive to be held May 29
United Blood Services will hold a blood drive Wednesday, May 29 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in its Bloodmobile at the Cortez Fire Protection District, 30 N. Ash.
Blood drive scheduled for May 30
United Blood Services will hold a blood drive on Thursday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel Bingo Hall, 3 Weeminuche, Towaoc.
Baby-sitting class rescheduled
A baby-sitting class originally scheduled for May 4 will be held on Friday, May 31, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Southwest Memorial Hospital Community Annex Room. The cost is $25 per participant, and all proceeds will go to the SWMH Relay for Life Team.
The course will cover how to stay safe, feeding, playtime, and how to start and safely advertise a baby-sitting business. Students will learn how to change diapers and identify age-appropriate toys and games, and will receive a basic first aid overview. Choking and what to do in an emergency is also covered.
To register, call Robin Bragg at 564-2243 or email rbragg@swhealth.org.
Incredible Years Parenting Class
The Pinon Project will offer a series of free parenting classes beginning in June and lasting 14 weeks. The Incredible Years is a curriculum targeting parents of children birth to 12 years of age and is proven effective.
This program is for parents who are looking for more effective ways to discipline and who want to build a more positive relationship with their children. Classes will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pinon Project, 300 N. Elm Street. Dinner and child care are provided. To register, contact Lara Blair or Sandra Jaburg at 564-1195. Space is limited; sign up soon.
Summit Ridge Women’s Club yard sale
The Summit Ridge Women’s Club will hold its annual yard and bake sale on Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Summit Lake Community Church, 36501 Highway 184, Mancos. All proceeds benefit scholarships for local youth in addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas donations for local families.
‘Starting your own business’ class
The Small Business Development Center will hold a workshop for people interested in starting businesses on Thursday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Durango Public Library.
The cost is $25, with a $5 discount for Chamber members. Walk-ins are welcome; to reserve a spot contact the SBDC at (970) 247-7009 or email Asano_L@fortlewis.edu.
Dolores River Dialogue
There will be a full Dolores River Dialogue (DRD) meeting on Tuesday, July 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the offices of the Dolores Water Conservancy District.
The topics of this meeting will be the “319 Watershed Plan” that the DRD Steering Committee has been working on since early 2012, updates on the next version of the Lower Dolores River Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Plan for Native Fish, as well as other updates including drought forecasting.