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, July 9
The Four Corners Back Country Horsemen holds its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Guests welcome. This month's presentation takes place at the pavilion at 7:30 p.m. with a saddle fitting demonstration by Kristi Sweney. Details: www.4cbch.org, 970-749-0316 or cathyroberts08@gmail.com.
What is happening in the City of Cortez? Bring your questions to Mayor Karen Sheek at noon at Shiloh's. All are welcome to this and any meetings of the Republican Women of Montezuma County. Details: Rosemarie Beall, 564-1576.
Thursday-Friday, July 9-10
Free Native American Entrepreneurial Empowerment Workshop in the Buffalo Conference Room at the Ute Mountain Casino Resort, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Materials, refreshments and lunch provided. Register at: http://conta.cc/1JJLtRN, or contact Tawnie Knight with the Ute Mountain Ute Economic Business Development Division: 970-565-0155; tawnieknight@utemountain.org, or Linda Turnbull Lewis: 918-458-9322; ltlewis@nativesmallbusiness.org
Friday, July 10
Dave Mensch performs at Blondies in Cortez at 8 p.m. to midnight. No Cover. All ages welcome.
The Southwest Art League exhibits the work of local artists at the Cortez Cultural Center. An opening reception will be held July 10 from 5 to 6 p.m.
The 2015 Movie Night & Silent Auction featuring "Roaming Wild," a film about wild horses and the fight for their survival, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez. Appetizers and giveaways, with a cash bar. Visit www.nationalmustangassociationcolorado.org to see the silent auction items donated by local businesses.
Saturday, July 11
Comedian Josh Blue returns to Parque de Vida. Gates open at 5 p.m. The Carl Johnson Trio will perform, followed by comedienne Stephanie McHugh. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Colorado and Community Connections. Tickets at Rocky Mountain One Stop or by calling (970) 565-9249. $20 in advance, $25 on that Saturday. Rain backup will be inside the Rec Center.
Painted Turtle Studio hosts an estate sale and fundraising event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our Mancos location on 200 W. Grand Call for more details, 970-533-7136 or to find out about our summer classes and Kids Art Camp Scholarships.
The Montezuma County League of Women Voters hosts Brad Finch, regional coordinator of the Three Rivers Education Foundation, which aims to improve literacy and reading skills in primary school students. Its programs are available in the Dolores, Cortez and Silverton School Districts. Hear about the programs and Little Libraries at 9 a.m. on July 11, 2015 at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores.
DJ Imperfect spins dance music from all genres at Blondies, 45 E. Main St., Cortez, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Local puppeteer and storyteller Don Kirk performs at 2 p.m. at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Free. All invited. Details: 970-565-8117.
Cedars State Park Museum and the Four Corners Lecture Series presents a free lecture by Cortez historian Fred Blackburn at 2 p.m. in the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum auditorium at 660 West, 400 North, in Blanding. Blackburn's "Yucca House and Snider's Well: The Case of a Different Cradleboard" addresses Yucca House (Aztec Spring) located southwest of Cortez. Details: 435-678-2238.
The Mancos Valley Distillery presents D.L. (Dave) Duncan. Doors open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. Cover: $3
Sunday, July 12
A procession from St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. will present the newly hand-painted banner picture from Italy and begin the celebration in honor of the First Native American Saint, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who was canonized in Rome in 2012.
Lighthouse Baptist Church, 11502 Colorado 145, Cortez, invites children in kindergarten through fifth grade to Vacation Bible School, July 12-16, 6-8:30 p.m. Games, lessons, snacks and more. Van pickups available. Call 970-565-9302 to sign up for pickup.
Monday, July 13
The Montelores Early Childhood Council holds its monthly luncheon meeting at 11:45 a.m., in downstairs meeting room 110, in the Johnson Building, 925 South Broadway, in Cortez. The public is invited. Lunch will be provided, so please RSVP to Vangi McCoy at 970-749-7017.
Journey Off the Map Vacation Bible School, Dolores Southern Baptist Church, 21st Street and Colorado 145, 9 a.m. to noon. Details: 970-570-9301 or 882-7208.
Monday-Thursday, July 13-16
The First United Methodist Church of Cortez offers Vacation Bible School for preschoolers to young teens. School starts at 8 a.m., with games and crafts till 11:30 a.m. All are invited. Details: 970-565-3002.
Tuesday, July 14
The Mesa Verde Gardeners host a Design Class in advance of the Montezuma County Fair and Horticultural Show at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 14 at 29204 Road M. Participants will receive instruction on floral arrangements and how to prepare for the show on July 29 to Aug. 1. Reservations needed by July 13. Reservations: Dayna at 570-9048.
THURSDAY, JULY 16
Join San Juan Mountains Association at 9:30-11:30 a.m., to learn about the Hummingbird Monitoring Network, which tags and releases hummingbirds. The location is about 90 minutes from Cortez. Space is limited. Details: gabi@sjma.org or 970-759-1170.
"Thou Shalt Not Kill except..?" will be the topic at 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. Meet at St. Barnabas Church, at 6:30 p.m.. Questions required. No answers promised. Details: 565-7865.
For Pets' Sake Humane Society holds its monthly board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Discussion will include the group's finances, pet assistance programs, upcoming Summer Wine Fest and other fundraising efforts. All are welcome. Details: 970-565-PETS/7387.
Montezuma County Democratic Party meets at the Mancos library from 6:30-9 p.m., with a showing of the film "Koch Brothers Exposed." Learn about what's going on with elections. All are welcome. Details: Ric Plese, 970-739-4365.
Thursday-Friday, July 16-17
2015 M-CHS Baseball Camp for ages 7-15. Cost: $50. To register or for details, call coach Travis Greenlee at 970-749-2933.
Friday, July 17
The Champion for Children Event, 5-7 p.m. at the Cliffrose Garden Center, honors a local champion and supports the Four Corners Child Advocacy Center. Appetizers, beverages, and music in the garden. Free, but donations are accepted. Details: Rose Jergens at 565-8155 or rose@nestcac.org.
Rob Webster performs at Blondies in Cortez, 8 p.m. to midnight. Details: www.robwebstermusic.com
Friday-Saturday, July 17-18
Second annual Four Corners Football Camp, 8-11 a.m. at Dolores High School. Cost: $30 per player, including camp T-shirt. Registration forms are available at the Dolores School District Office and at the Cortez Rec Center. Register by July 13.
Saturday, July 18
Country Reunion for M-CHS grads of 1974. At the Cortez American Legion. Doors open at 4 p.m., followed by a catered dinner, music and dancing. Cost: $20 per person with the meal; $10 per person without. Details: 970-759-3455 (Cheryl Dean) or 307-575-5669 (Terry Click Kimbrel).
Monday-Friday, July 20-24
Mountain View Baptist Church of Dolores offers "Journey Off The Map" Vacation Bible School for children ages 3 years through sixth grade from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Colorado 184 and County Road 30.5. Bible stories, crafts, music, games and dinner. Details: 970-882-7521 or Pastor Scott Hartle at 970-739-4496.
Thursday, July 23
"NAGPRA+25: Where Do We Stand? Where Are We Going?" by Kathleen Fine-Dare at 7 p.m. at the Sunflower Theatre, 8 E. Main, Cortez. Part of the Four Corners Lecture Series and sponsored by the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and the Mesa Verde Foundation.
Friday, July 24
Reverend Catfish performs blues, rock, country, and more at Blondies in Cortez, 8 p.m.
Monday, July 27
Habitat For Humanity of Montezuma County holds a free public information session for low-income families/households interested in becoming homeowners, 6 p.m. at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 110 W. North St., Cortez. Free childcare available. Details: 970-565-8312 for more information or email office@habitatmontezuma.org
Saturday, Aug. 8
39th Annual Escalante Days at Flanders Park in Dolores. Details: www.doloreschamber.com.
The 17th annual Escalante Days Mountain Bike Race in Dolores. Register at Active.com, or visit the Dolores Rotary page at www.clubrunner.ca/dolores.
Saturdays
The Cortez Farmers Market runs 7:30 a.m. until sellout through October in the County Courthouse parking lot at the of Main and Elm streets. Fruits and vegetables, baked goods, food and beverages, plants, crafts, story time and live music - all produced in Montezuma and Dolores counties.
First Tuesday
Dolores Mountain Quilters meets 10 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. On June 2, the annual Pot Luck Luncheon and "Crazy Hexies," a workshop for charity quilts (bring all your sewing stuff). Guests and visitors welcome. Info: doloresmountainquilters.org or Judith Swain 970-560-4426.
First Thursday
Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon at Shiloh Steakhouse. Email Nicci Crowley at montezumagop@gmail.com or call 570-9372.
The Montezuma County VFW Post 5231 meets at 7 p.m. at the Post home in Mancos.
Second Tuesday
The Montezuma County Historical Society Board of Directors meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elks Club and includes a no-host lunch. Anyone interested in area history is welcome.
Second Wednesday
Montezuma County Hospital District monthly board of directors meeting in the Kiva Room at Southwest Memorial hospital from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is welcome. Information: 564-2146.
Second Thursday
The Southwest Woodworkers Guild meets at 7 p.m. at various locations. Woodworkers welcome, beginner to expert. Call Rick, 533-7180.
Montezuma County Republican Women meet at noon at Shiloh Steakhouse at Veach and Main streets. All are welcome. Info: Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.
Summit Ridge Women's Club seeks members to promote the organization and service club efforts of providing High School scholarships, sponsoring families in need during holiday events. The club meets once a month. For information, call Marie Chiarizia 757-395-0915.
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.
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
GOAL Academy/Rocky Mountain Digital Academy, a free, accredited online high school, is enrolling for upcoming school year (now through Sept. 10th) and informational sessions every Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its new location at 215 N. Linden St. Suite D. Details: 970-213-0923 or www.goalac.org.
Bible studies at Chapel on the Farm, 6 p.m. 19927 Road 26.2 Loop, Dolores. 903-6153