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 and the calendar may be edited for length and content.
Thursday, Dec. 11
Holiday toy and coat drive - last day to donate. Drop off coats, hats, gloves, movies, books, etc., at C&G Healthcare, at Mildred and Main. Cash donations also accepted. Call Brittny Weir, 970-560-0919.
Connect for Health Colorado information forum, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Mancos Public Library, 211 West First Street. Learn about health insurance. Free and open to the public.? Info: 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org
Friday, Dec. 12
The Mancos Valley Chorus' free Home for the Holiday concert, 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 470 W Grand, Mancos.
The Southwest Singers present their Christmas concert, Christmas Memories, at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park in Cortez. An informal reception follows. Info: Bonnie Kane, 565-6223.
Mancos Community Holiday Dinner at the Mancos Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Town staff and elected officials prepare and serve a free holiday dinner to Mancos residents. Santa will be there as well.
A Rockin' Christmas featuring The Shawn-Michael Trio at Mancos Valley Distillery, 116 N. Main St., at 7 p.m.
A Bluegrass Christmas featuring Last Nickel at the Columbine, 123 Grand Ave, Mancos at 8:30 p.m.
Dart League. American Legion winter dart league sign-up, 6:30 p.m. Open to public. Call 565-8151.
Saturday, Dec. 13
Santa at the Galloping Goose Historical Society Museum in Dolores at 5:30 p.m. There will be a bonfire at Dolores Town Hall, and Santa will be visiting with children at the Galloping Goose. There will be candy for the kids, cookies and hot cocoa for all and live music from the Dolores School's Choral Group under the direction of Beverly Hall.
The Mancos Valley Chorus' free Home for the Holiday concert, 3:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grand, Mancos.
The Southwest Singers present their Christmas concert, Christmas Memories, at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park in Cortez. An informal reception follows. Info: Bonnie Kane, 565-6223.
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County meets at 9 a.m. at Beny's Restaurant on South Broadway to learn about threats to TV service, with speakers from the Television Translator District. Open to the public. Information: Eleanor Kuhl, 970-564-0708.
Ute Mountain Tribal Park Special Winter Tour, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., starting at the Tribal Park Visitor Center/Museum, Junction 160/491. Tour of Anasazi Sun Calendars in Mancos Canyon conducted by Virginia Wolf, $29 per person. Call 970-565-9653.
Christmas in the Country at Lighthouse Baptist Church. Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with music and worship, Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. at 11502 Highway 145, Cortez. Call (970) 565-9302 or visit us at www.lbccortez.org.
Santa arrives at the Artisans of Mancos from 1 to 4 p.m.
Breaking of Ornament Pinatas and Snowman Building Contest at Grand and Main Corner Park in Mancos at 4 p.m.
Let It Grow free coffee tasting, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 90 N. Mildred Road, Cortez. Enjoy fine coffees from around the world roasted on-site at LIG! Bring the kiddos to see SANTA at 10:30 am at this event.
Family Fun Day at Silver Bells Trees for Conservation lot, 1-4 p.m. Christmas crafts, door prizes, tree education and a visit from a big, furry friend (code name: Smokey!) about 1 p.m. The lot is in Durango at Camino del Rio and College Ave.
Sunday, Dec. 14
Cortez Elks 20th Annual Christmas Craft Bazaar, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Pay for vendor space before Nov. 10 for $25; $30 after Nov. 10. Info: 970-739-0616.
"Bethlehem's Child," 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St., Cortez. Choir presents a cantata of word and music about the Christmas story.
Second Sunday Holiday Supper at the Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 Grand Ave, Mancos. All are welcome, no admission, potluck dishes and donations encouraged at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 15
USDA Colorado Farm Service Agency and Colorado State University Extension will host a Farm Bill meeting at 6 p.m. at the Lewis Arriola Community Center to discuss the price loss coverage (PLC) and agricultural risk coverage (ARC) programs, which provide revenue and price loss payments to eligible producers for the 2014 through 2018 crop years. Info: Call FSA at 720-544-2876 or CSU Extension at 719-545-1845.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
"Morality: Its Origins" will be the topic at 6:30 for the next "How You Can Be Part of a Christian Community with Integrity and Not Believe All Those Things You Thought You Had to Believe" conversation at St. Barnabas Church (North and Elm). Questions required. No answers promised. Call 565-7865.
Friday, Dec. 19
Interested in becoming a Colorado Master Gardener? Today is the deadline to enter the 11-week program. This year's program begins in Cortez on Jan. 29 and continues every Thursday, from 8:30 A.M. to 4 p.m. to April 9. For an application or for information, call the CSU Extension Office at (970) 565-3123.
Saturday, Dec. 20
The Southwest Colorado Green Party's Winter Solstice celebration at Mr. Happy's at 6 p.m. 125 E. Main St., Cortez, Co. Music by Donny Johnson. All are welcome.
Christmas dance with the Tim Sullivan Band at the American Legion in Cortez , 7 p.m., open to the public.
The Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., holds a free drawing for 12 items donated by Adeline Dodson at noon at the library. You don't need to be present to win. There is 1 ticket per item - 12 total. Info: 970-565-8117.
The For Pets Sake Humane Society will have its Holiday Bake Sale at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Market's North entrance. Baked goods can be dropped off that morning at 9:30 or Dec. 19 at Let Grow Nursery 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: Janet at 394-4164.
Santa Claus is coming to town, noon to 1 p.m., corner of Main and Market. Helping out Santa are the American Legion Post 75, the Cortez Fire Department and the Men Motorcycle Club.
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Christmas stories and carols at St. Paul's Christmas Eve Services, 6 p.m., Bauer Avenue and Oak Street in Mancos. Includes Children's Procession of the Nativity. Special music by Carolyn Smith and Patsy Smith. All are welcome. Call 970-533-7210.
Friday, Dec. 26
DJ P.A.'s annual Naughty or Nice costume party at Blondies, 9 p.m.
The Cortez Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Meet at Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. at 8:30 a.m. The count is held rain or shine. Contact Carolyn Gunn for more information: 970-882-7742 or carolyn.gunn@state.co.us.
Wednesday, Dec. 31
New Year's Eve Party featuring live music by Vanishing Breed; 9:00 pm at The Columbine, 123 Grand Ave. in Mancos. Five dollar cover includes munchies, complimentary champagne & party favors. For more info call 533-7397.
New Year's Eve party with JR Stafford at Blondies, 8 p.m.
Through December
M-CHS Coat Drive for the Renew Shelter through Dec. 12. Drop off coats and warm winter clothing at the M-CHS Library, sponsored by the National Honor Society.
Raising Readers Storytime's December theme is "Holiday Time!"At the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. Preschool Storytime program is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Older children welcome for a craft at 11:15 a.m. "The Letter W for Winter," Dec. 4; "The Color Green for Evergreens," Dec. 11; "Who's Your Santa?" Dec. 18. No Storytime on Dec. 25 Info: 970-565-8117.
Lucy Hadley is the artist for December for the Southwest Artists League and is displaying her watercolors at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Info: 970-565-8117.
Thursday, Jan. 8
Alphabet Soup Family Support Group for people who are interested in establishing a support system for families of local children with special needs, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Piñon Project Annex Conference Room, corner of N. Chestnut and Arbecam in Cortez. Info.: 564-1195, ext. 229.
Saturday, Jan. 17
Square Dance Lessons at Kemper Elementary: A meet-and-greet at 6:30 p.m. Lessons begin Jan. 19, 7:15-8:45 p.m. Info: Judy Morris 565-9836 or Vonnie Robinson 749-9682.
Through January
Children's Kiva Montessori School, a free Colorado Public Charter School under the Montezuma Cortez RE-1 School District, will begin enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year soon. Visit www.kivacharter.org for detailed information and important dates.
MOndays and Fridays
Open riding hours at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds indoor arena have been extended until 9 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, from Oct. 20 to the end of the year. User must have a Horseman card with the fairgrounds and are encouraged to call 565-1000 before arriving to confirm open riding hours.
First Tuesday
Dolores Mountain Quilters meets at 10 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave, Dolores. Guests and visitors are welcome. Visit doloresmountainquilters.org or call Judith Swain, 970-560-4426.
The Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen meet at the Elks Lodge in Cortez at 6:15 p.m. (except December). Buy a taco or hamburger and drink. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Info: www.mesaverdehorsemen.com.
Second Thursday
Montezuma County Republican Women meet at noon at Shiloh's on Veach and Main St. All are welcome. Info: Call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.
A free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney are 2-5 p.m. at the Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St. Volunteer attorneys will assist one-on-one, via computer link. First-come, first-served.
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 Jack & Janelle's, 801 E. Main St., 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
Dolores secondary PTO meets at 3:45 p.m. in Mr. Thurston's office. Email Heather Alvarez at halvarez0722@gmail.com or call Tif at 903-8752.
Consider your every-day language is a prayer. A short recorded teaching by Wisdom Master Maticintin and discussion. At Mancos Public Library Meeting Room, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 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.
Every Tuesday
The Dolores Public Library answers technology/software questions about Microsoft Word, email, digital pictures, etc. Free at 2-5 p.m. Call 882-4127.
Every Wednesday
Bible studies at Chapel on the Farm, 6 p.m. 19927 Road 26.2 Loop, Dolores. 903-6153