Email announcements to news@cortezjournal.com and include “Community Calendar” in the subject field. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published. Entries may be edited for length and content.
Monday, Sept. 15
Four Corners 9/12 will be meet at the Cortez Elks Lodge at 7 p.m., primarily to interview candidates for Montezuma County Clerk, Kim Purcell (R) and Judy Marquez (U). Open to the public; ask your questions.
Thursday, Sept. 18
United Blood Services Mobile Blood Drive, 3-6 p.m. at the Pleasant View Fire Department, 15529 Road CC, Pleasant View.
Alive at 25 class held by the Colorado State Patrol at 4 p.m. at the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez. This 4½-hour class is designed to give 15- to 24-year-olds the tools they need to stay out of crashes. Info: coloradosafedriver.com
Friday, Sept. 19
Local author Amy Cook holds a book-signing for her debut paranormal romance novel “Edge of Instinct” at the Cortez Public Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The novel is sold on amazon.com in ebook and paperback. Copies will be available for cash purchase.
Mancos Valley Distillery presents blues and rock ’n’ roll by Dave Duncan. Doors open at 5 p.m.; music begins at 8 p.m. Cover charge: $5. Info: daveduncanmusic.com.
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 19-20
For Pets’ Sake Humane Society’s fall yard sale on Sept. 19-20 and 26-27 at 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Cortez Industrial Park near the entrance on Road L. Look for the signs. Donations accepted at the building Sept. 18, 2-7 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 25, 3-6 p.m. Call 565-PETS/7387.(No computers or other electronics, no tires or TVs.)
Southwest Christian Writers Association 35th Annual Conference, Friday 2–8:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Vectra Bank, Community Room, 1201 Escalante Drive., Durango. Keynote Speaker: Beth K. Vogt. $100 for both days; Saturday-only rate available. Registration at the door. Info: www.southwestchristianwriters.org, lindafarmerharris@gmail.com.
Friday-Saturday, Sept. 19-21
The town of Mancos will accept scrap metal, old furniture, and old household items excluding electronics at the public workshop, 300 S. Monte. Friday, the workshop will be open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, it will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Standard-size tires will be accepted for a $3 fee.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20
Meet with birders at the Cortez Cultural Center at 7:30 a.m. for a trip toward La Plata River and Blue Lake Ranch. Bring lunch and water. Cost is $3 for members of the Cortez Cultural Center and $5 for nonmembers. Mark your calendars for the third Saturday each month for additional outings. Info: Donna Steward 970-565-1151 ext. 10.
Colorado State University Extension Apple U-Pick harvest, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the CSU Southwestern Colorado Research Station. The station is about 18 miles north of Cortez. Take U.S. 491 to Road Z and turn left or west – it’s the first place on the left after crossing Road 17. Info: 970-562-4255.
Meeting about Montessori-based religious information for kids 3-6 at St. Barnabas Church at 3 p.m. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd uses the stories of faith to give expression to their connection to God. Information: 303-883-5679 or 565-7865.
Dolores Secondary Parent/Teacher Organization for the middle and high schools will dance to raise funds for the PTO from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Elk’s Lodge in Cortez. DJ, $5 charge and cash bar. Oopen to anyone 18 and over. ID required at the door.
Tim Sullivan Band plays at a dance at the American Legion, 320 N. Harrison St., in Cortez at 7 p.m. Info: 565-8151.
Local cowboy poet and singer Slim McWilliams will perform at the Presbyterian Church, 350 S. Washington St., Cortez. A dinner of pulled pork will be served at 5:30. Donations of salad or dessert would be appreciated. Slim begins his program at 6:30.
Square dance lessons at Kemper Elementary: A meet-and-greet at Kemper on Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m.; lessons beginning Sept. 22, 7:15-8:45 p.m. Info: Judy Morris 565-9836 or Vonnie Robinson 749-9682.
Mesa Verde National Park will host a pottery making demonstration by Santa Clara Pueblo born Starr Tafoya at 10 a.m. at the park’s Visitor Center as part of the annual Four Corners Lecture Series. All programs are free. Info: www.mesaverde.org/four-corners-lecture-series.
Tuesday, SEPT. 23
The Red Arrow Mill cleanup will be discussed at a public meeting 6-8 p.m. at Mancos Town Hall. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will share its findings; other government agencies will be present too.
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 27-29
Mancos Valley/Mesa Verde Country Balloon Festival. Art Festival and Street Fair to coincide with balloon festival on Sept. 27 in Mancos from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food, art, music, dancing, entertainment and kid activities. Info: 533-7434.
Saturday, Sept. 27
The Dolores Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival at Flander’s Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No charge for setup, but vendors must call 882-7717 or 882-4018 to register. Music, activities, local produce, baked goods, crafts, jams and jellies.
The Dolores River Anglers and Dolores River Boating Advocates will clean the banks of the Dolores River through Dolores. Meet at 9 a.m. at Joe Rowell Park in Dolores and finish by 11:30 a.m., for hamburgers cookout at the park. Bring gloves, dress for weather and a side dish and beverage. RSVP for DRBA contact Lee-Ann Hill at (970) 560-5486. RSVP for DRA contact Dale Smith at (970) 759-3020.
Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving class hosted by the Colorado State Patrol at 8:30 a.m. in the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez, taught by certified law enforcement instructors and designed for drivers of all ages. Info: coloradosafedriver.com.
Mesa Verde National Park’s annual Hike and Bike on Wetherill Mesa. The 5.5 mile Wetherill Mesa Road loop will open at 9 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m. to hikers and bicycle riders. All visitors must exit Wetherill Road by 4:30 p.m. Entrance fees waived for participants. Info.: 529-4465.
Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club and San Juan Farm Bureau Turkey Shoot. Sign in at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Door prizes and chili feed $5. Exploding targets at 300 and 500 yards; also shoots for pistol and .22 long rifle. Prizes include turkeys and hams.
Monday, Sept. 30
United Blood Services Mobile Blood Drive, 3-7 p.m. at the Mancos Community Center, 130 E. Grand Ave., Mancos.
Through September
The Cortez Library Storytime offers “A Little Bit of Everything” through September. The preschool Storytime program is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the library and every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Cortez Farmers Market, weather permitting. Info: 565-8117.
Thursday, Oct. 2
The Women’s Cancer Coalition of Montezuma and Dolores Counties will present the 12th Annual Pink Ribbon Affair from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. “Pretty as a Picture” honors breast and other cancer survivors with a photo presentation by Barb Grist, a photo booth by FeVa Photos, catering by Seas’nings and a silent auction. Tickets are $15 at the door. Info: 882-4484.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Free introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong for beginners, by Susan Matthews, , 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Shanti School of Taijiquan, Millennium Center, 20 W. Main, Cortez. Info: SusanAMatthews.com, 970-903-5723.
Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance’s geologic tour of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument with Dr. Kim Gerhardt. In the morning, hike in the lower Sand Canyon area; in the afternoon, an indoor presentation at Battle Rock School. You must be a current member of Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. Contact Diane McBride at diane.mcbride@swcocanyons.org or 970-560-1643, by Thursday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m., to join the tour.
Lighthouse Christian Academy school fundraiser, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m., 11502 Colorado 145, Cortez. Flea market/swap meet spaces are $20 and proceeds from individual sellers are kept by the seller. Call Berta 739-6014 or Natalie 739-8570.
Sunday, Oct. 5
The San Juan Symphony opens the season for SouthWest Colorado Concerts with modern and classical music at 3 p.m. at M-CHS. Season tickets will be on sale at the door at 2 p.m. Season tickets for the 4-concert 2014-2015 season are $45 for adults and $10 for youth 18 and younger. Sale of single-concert tickets available at 2:40 p.m. $20 for adults and $5 for youth. Info: Lindsay Havran at 565-7676 or Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757.
Saturday, Oct. 11
Cortez Elks 1789 Oktoberfest celebration. Open to the public and includes a golf tournament, autographed sports items silent auction, German food and more. Proceeds benefit Elks projects. Info: Lynn Gann at 970-565-7423 or club manager at 970-565-3557.
4 Corners for Animals, animal welfare conference, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Many local speakers and organizations represented. Lunch provided by The Farm Bistro. Evening film presentation at the Cortez Library, 7 p.m. of “The Ghosts in Our Machine,” a documentary about the use of animals in our society. Pick up a registration at the Cortez Library or call Mary at (970) 394-0387. Please preregister.
Thursday, Oct. 16
The 4th Annual Pretty in Pink Fashion Show by Love on a Hanger, 7 p.m. at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery. Desserts, cash bar and silent auction, supporting the Women’s Cancer Coalition. Tickets at Love on a Hanger, 34 E. Main St., or online at bit.ly/1poI2o6. General admission $15; VIP seats $30. Info: (970)565-9075.
Caregiver/Advocate support group for caregivers of any person with Alzheimer’s, dementia or any chronic illness at noon at Vista Mesa Assisted Living, 1206 N. Mildred, Cortez. Discuss options with other caregivers. Lunch provided. Info: Elaine at the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 259-0122
First and Third Thursdays
Learn signs and nursery rhymes at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. All ages welcome. Call 970-403-9237.
Third Saturday
Christian Motorcycle Association – Cortez Chapter holds its 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. chapter meeting and 10 a.m. ride (weather permitting). At Beny’s restaurant in Cortez. Call chapter president Steve Reed at 970-565-7233. No motorcycle required.
Third Wednesday
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is noon at Shiloh Steakhouse. Call 565-3414.
Caregiver/Advocate support group for caregivers of any person with Alzheimer’s, dementia or any chronic illness at 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 515 North Park Street, Cortez. Discuss options with other caregivers.
Third Thursday
Adult Computer Classes, 1:30-3 p.m. at the Mancos Public Library, Community Meeting Room 211, W. First Street, Mancos, Colo. Call 970-533-7600 to enroll. No charge.
Consider your every-day language is a prayer. A short recorded teaching by Wisdom Master Maticintin and discussion. Facilitated by a local student of HÜMÜH Clear Mind Buddhism at Mancos Public Library Meeting Room, 6:30-7:30 p.m., third Tuesday of each month. Info: 800-336-6015 or www.HUMUH.org
Fourth Tuesday
4 Corners Republican Women’s Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk’s Lodge. Info: 565-2197.
Fourth Thursday
Monthly Civil Air Patrol Senior Squadron’s monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Mancos, 150 N. Walnut St.
Last Thursday
Suicide Support Group, 6:15 p.m. Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez. Info: 565-4400.
Every Tuesday
Free medical care, Tuesday from 1 to 1:30 p.m., St. Barnabas Church, 110 W. North St., Cortez. Call 565-4436 to schedule or show up. Limited primary and pediatric care.
Every Wednesday
Yoga Flow with Lily, Wednesdays 9:30-11 a.m. at the Grange. Call 847-819-2039.
Every Thursday
Raising Readers Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness, using the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children may attend the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Free Community Dinner at 6 p.m. at the Cortez Family Worship Center Foursquare Church, 500 N. Washington. Donation appreciated. Call 565-3709.
Weekly weigh-ins available with the Waist Management Group, 4:40 to 5:30 p.m., 343 E. Main St., Suite 300, Cortez. Free. Info: Berta at 565-9515 or 739-6014 after 4:30 p.m.
Country music and dancing for senior residents at the Cortez Senior Center, 7–10 p.m.
Every Friday
Friendship Social Group, 1 p.m. at Beny’s Diner, 640 S. Broadway, Cortez. For those looking for support with finding friends and social activities after a loss, or need a break as a caregiver. Sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma.
TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Cortez Public Library.