Sheriff's office offers course on water law
The Montezuma County Sheriff's Office in partnership with the Division of Water Resource, Montezuma Valley Irrigation, the Mancos Water Conservancy District, and the Dolores Water Conservancy District will host a three-hour course titled Water Law 101 on Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Montezuma County Fair Grounds, 30100 U.S. 160, Cortez.
The course is intended for all community members involved with irrigation water and who desire knowledge on their rights and responsibilities. The information will help water consumers understand the roles of the agencies involved and the water districts they subscribe to.
Areas covered include civil and criminal ramifications pertaining to water law and water usage. The sheriff's office hopes to inform residents to alleviate conflict between stakeholders during the water season.
To reserve a spot, call Wanda Martin at wmartin@so.montezuma.co.us or 970-564-4960.
Mancos Public Library hosts tax help
Get help about filing taxes from Kathy Elliott, a certified volunteer tax assistant, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 21, at the Mancos Public Library, 211 West First St. Elliott is VITA-certified and the local coordinator for Tax Help Colorado. Free and open to the public. Info: Call 970-533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org.
Parents of next years kindergartners asked to register
If you have a child who will be 5 years or older by Sept. 15and plan to enroll them in kindergarten at Mancos Elementary School, please contact the office. The school district would like to gather contact information in order to notify parents/guardians regarding testing and registration dates in spring. This information assists the Mancos School District in planning for appropriate staffing in kindergarten classes.
Pre-register by going to Mancos Elementary School, at 301 West Grand Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by calling 970-533-7744 or emailing timel@mancosre6.edu.
SCCC will host open house
An open house for career and technical education programs is set from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Southwest Colorado Community College. A second open house will follow the next week from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.
The open houses will be at 33057 U.S. 160, east of Cortez. Refreshments will be served.
Career and technical programs offered at the Mancos campus include medical assistant, nurse aide, cosmetology, emergency medical services, paramedic, fire science, automotive service technology, welding and law enforcement.
Tours, information on careers and instructors will be available.
Information: Contact Patrick Flores, coordinator of high school/college relations at (970) 247-2929, ext. 7223.
FireWise essay contest announced
FireWise of Southwest Colorado invites middle school students in Montezuma County to participate in an essay contest, due March 27.
Write an essay of 500 words or fewer on Why Your Home Needs a FireWise Makeover. Essays will be judged based on how well you write and express the wildfire risk at your home, your family's need for assistance with fuel reduction, and creativity.
Prizes include a free Home Wildfire Risk Assessment with parental or property owner where they live (limit 20 assessments). A first-place winner from sixth, seventh and eighth grades will each receive $50, and one will be selected for the grand prize. The grand prize winner will receive a FireWise Makeover on May 2, National Wildfire Preparedness Day.
For Official entry form and more tips and considerations, contact Becca Samulski at 970-564-7860 or email montezumafirewise@gmail.com
Mesa Verde artists in residence announced
The 2015 Mesa Verde National Park Artists in Residence have been selected and will be in residence as follows:
April 27-May 10: Jerry Fleury, photographer
May 11-May 24: David Arkenstone, musician/composer
Aug. 31-Sept. 13: Susan Madden, landscape quilter
Sept. 14-Sept. 27: Lisa Skyhorse, saddle making, leather painting
Sept. 28-Oct. 11: Milt Beens, plein air in oil
Each artist will offer a free public program in the park on the second Thursday of their residency. Time and location of each program will be announced separately.
This year's artists were selected from 45 applicants by a jury consisting of a Mesa Verde National Park ranger and three professional artists.
The AIR program is managed by the nonprofit Mesa Verde Museum Association.
Information: www.mesaverde.org.
Learn to prune fruit trees, grape vines
Join Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project for a hands-on pruning workshop in a heritage orchard on Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at Sara Miller's Heritage Orchard in Mancos.
Her orchard dates to the 1890s and contains about 22 varieties of heirloom apples with many rare and unusual kinds. Dress warm, wear gloves and boots, bring water and a snack, and pruning equipment if you have it.
The address is 41324 Road G, Mancos.
Call Let It Grow 565-3099 or Sara 533-1782 for detailed directions. The cost is $10 for MORP members (those of you who have donated $30 or more to the project in the last 12 months) and $20 for non-members.
There will be a grafting workshop on April 11 and a MORP booth at the AG EXPO March 19-21.
Guy Drew offering vine workshop
Guy Drew is offering a grape pruning workshop with Dr. Horst Caspari on Saturday, March 14. The workshop will be held in Cortez at The Box Bar Ranch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The cost is $25/person, and pre-registration is required (call 970-434-1035), and a minimum of 10 people are necessary to hold the workshop.
Location: Box Bar Ranch, 2997 Road 20.5 Cortez.