The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted at least two weeks in advance will have a better chance of getting published; items submitted several days before the event might not get published. For more information, call the Journal at 565-8527.
Cortez Rendezvous hot air balloon fest will take flight, seeks volunteers
Cortez Rendezvous the gathering of hot air balloons from New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Colorado will fly from Parque de Vida, Cortez, (weather permitting) at 6:30 a.m. each morning Saturday, and Sunday, Aug. 6-7.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, there will be a free photography workshop given by Paul D de Berjeois at Ute Mountain Casino, and at 8 p.m. that night, there will be a balloon glow (weather permitting) also at Ute Mountain Casino.
For more information, contact Cookie See at 505-977-2679.
Author Lowell Volk will sign copies of Luke Taylor: Westward Bound
Lowell Volk, a resident of Pleasant View, will be available to sign copies of his historical fiction book, Luke Taylor: Westward Bound, at two local events. The first will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., and the second will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters, 201 Grand Ave., Mancos.
In Luke Taylor: Westward Bound, Luke races against time, Union soldiers, and bounty hunters on his way to join a wagon train in Independence, Missouri. With only a packhorse, a few days supply of food, and a stowaway dog, Luke heads west on a tense, adventure-filled journey of survival. Luke Taylor: Westward Bound takes readers on a thrilling quest for freedom, peace, and ultimately, revenge.
For more information, contact James Branscum at 888-361-9473 or james@tatepublishing.com.
Presbyterian Women will hold 2-day Back to School Rummage Sale
The Presbyterian Women will hold their Back to School Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 350 S. Washington, across from Manaugh Elementary School.
There will be a large variety of treasures, including books, glassware, toys, jewelry, clothing, plants, electronics and more. Proceeds from the sale are used for mission projects.
For more information, contact the church at 565-7024.
Hospice will offer adult grief seminar, support event
Hospice of Montezuma will present the seminar Facing the Challenges after a Loved One Dies from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez.
Bereavement refers to the period of time following the death of loved one. Know that the grief you may be undergoing is a normal and healthy expression of feelings. Hospice of Montezuma will provide an opportunity to express and work through those feelings in an environment where you will receive emotional support. The setting is enhanced by being with others who also are experiencing similar life transitions and loss.
Staff at this event will assist participants with family issues, feelings of loneliness, and stress management. Activities will focus on ways to move through the tasks of ones personal grief work. Participants will learn to understand common behaviors that are a consequence of loss, as well as acquire some new tools and resources for processing their loss experience.
This event is free and open to the public; lunch will be provided.
Call 565-4400 to pre-register or for more information.
Nietfeld will present astronomy program at Hawkins Preserve
A family-friendly astronomy program at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Hawkins Preserve, at the south end of Cedar Street; head southbound on Cedar from Seventh, straight into Hawkins parking lot.
Astronomer Bill Nietfeld will be there with telescopes and laser pointer on hand to help the public identify stars, planets and other interesting features of the summer night sky. The sky will be dark and hopefully clear that night for ideal stargazing, so if possible bring a flashlight with a red lens to protect night vision. The Friends of Hawkins will be on hand with refreshments for an enjoyable star party. All are welcome to attend the program. The cost for adults is $5; $4 for members of the Cortez Cultural Center. Children are free.
For more information, contact Linda or Shawn at the Cortez Cultural Center at 565-1151.
First Baptist will hold worship, river baptism service on the Dolores
The First Baptist Church of Cortez will hold a one-time special Worship and River Baptism service at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Bradfield Bridge on the Dolores River. There will not be services at the church building that morning, but interested people will meet there at 9 a.m. to carpool to the river, or for directions. The church is located at 100 N. Market.
There will be a potluck picnic following the service and baptisms. Everyone is invited to join us for worship and fellowship.
For more information or directions to Bradfield Bridge, call the church office at 565-6555.
Cortez chamber will present QuickBooks workshop
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will present Manage the Madness: Make Sense of Your Financials Through QuickBooks from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at First National Bank Cortez, 2258 E. Main St.
This intermediate level QuickBooks workshop is presented by Chuck Forth. Forth is a member of the American Institute for Certified Public Accountants and is a QuickBooks Pro advisor. He has specialized in assisting local businesses and organizations with their accounting systems, many of them utilizing QuickBooks. QuickBooks can be tailored to meet most needs of small businesses and not-for-profits.
The workshop for chamber members is $30 and $40 for nonmembers.
For more information or to register, contact the chamber at 565-3414.
Away We Go! is August theme for Storytime at Cortez library
Away We Go! is the August theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Storytime is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for pre-school aged children and every Saturday at the Cortez Farmers Market beginning at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. The farmers market is located on the corner of South Elm and Main streets. Older children are welcome to join for the craft at 11:15 a.m. Thursdays. The Saturday Storytime will follow the same theme as the preceding Thursday.
This is part of the librarys Summer Reading Program. This years theme is One World, Many Stories. Reading logs for the summer are available at the library. There is still time to start or continue this incentive program as it runs through Aug. 21.
Animals Travel Too! will be the focal point for Thursday, Aug. 11, and Saturday, Aug. 13. Next is Safari So Good on Thursday, Aug. 18, and Saturday, Aug. 20. Well wrap up the month with Staycation with Dora & Diego! on Thursday, Aug. 25, and Saturday, Aug. 27.
Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.
For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
Driver safety course will be offered by AARP
AARP will sponsor a driver safety course from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Calvin Denton Room in the Empire Electric Building, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez.
The course will review safe driving techniques as well as Colorado traffic laws. Completion of this course will qualify you for a discount on your automobile insurance. The course is available to all motorists whether or not they are members of AARP. A $12 fee for AARP members and a $14 fee for nonmembers is payable by check (no cash) to cover the cost of course materials. Bring your drivers license and AARP membership card, if you have one.
For more information or to register, contact Scott and Judy Aeschlimann at 565-3872.
Montelores Baptist Church will begin vacation Bible school
Montelores Baptist Church will host its vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 8, through Friday, Aug. 12, at 18735 County Road 23.5 in Lewis (near the intersection of Colorado Highway 184 and County Road 23.5).
Rev It Up Full Throttle For God will be the theme for the week. Children ages 3 through high school are invited to join in the fun with games, crafts, stories and music.
For more information, contact Linda Foster at 565-3613 or Pastor Paul Gleason at 882-2418.
Lennsens 9 Breath Method Circle will explore breathing techniques
Charlotte Lenssen will conduct a free 9 Breath Method Circle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at Kaleidoscope Wellness, 233 E. Park St., Mancos.
Learn this breathing technique that will infuse you with enormous amounts of Qi. This breath work is used for healing yourself and helping others in their healing process. Doing this breath in a circle not only enhances your physical health and well-being; it also creates a vortex of energy with everyone in the circle, creating a concentration of energy that will amplify everyones frequency. This event is free, but donations will be accepted.
For more information, call 533-1100.
Local Salvation Army seeks volunteers, board members
The Salvation Army would like to invite the public to The Salvation Army Service Unit Meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at Empire Electrics Calvin Denton Room, 801 N. Broadway.
The Salvation Army is looking for new board members and volunteers to help the local organization. Participants can see how the local Salvation Army helps the community and how people can be a part of it.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information, call Sheila at 564-4228.
County will hold public workshops for Wildfire Protection Plan
Montezuma County is undertaking an update of the countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Five public workshops will be held throughout the county. Workshops scheduled are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:
Wednesday, Aug. 10, Pleasant View Fire Station, U.S. Highway 491 in Yellow Jacket.
Wednesday, Aug. 24, Towaoc Community Center, 85 Sunset Blvd.
These workshops will identify the values that people should strive to protect though the update of the Montezuma County Wildfire Protection Plan, review the high-risk area maps for accuracy, and help residents become more prepared for wildfires. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of the FireWise Council of Southwest Colorado.
For more information, contact James Dietrich with Montezuma County at 565-7402 or Rebecca Samulski with FireWise of Southwest Colorado at 882-2388.
George Geer Memorial Car Show honors Cortez soldier
The first George Geer Memorial Car Show will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, in Centennial Park, at Montezuma Avenue and Mildred Road beside the Cortez Public Library.
Participants can preregister for $25 at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, at Blondies Pub & Grub, 45 E. Main St., Cortez; or preregister for $35 at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13.
Some of the 13 categories include Pre-50s Street Rod, Special Interest, and Muscle Cars and Hot Rods.
The show will open to the public at 10 a.m. and have an awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m.
U.S. Army Spc. Geer, of Cortez, died Jan. 17, 2005, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his position in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Geers Dodge Charger will be in display at the show, and the show will include an honor walk for him.
Southwest Chapter 2 of Blue Star Moms is hosting the show. For more information, contact Sandi at 565-0770 or 560-2572.
Concert will benefit equine therapy at Buffalo Woman Ranch
A benefit concert for Buffalo Woman Ranch, an equine therapy ranch located 6 miles north of Dove Creek, will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13.
Proceeds will support ongoing equine-based experiential programs for at-risk-youth in the Four Corners. The day will include a full lineup of local and national singer/songwriters, featuring The Lindells. A silent auction, food, beverages and tours of the ranch will also be offered. A $20 donation is suggested.
For more info and directions, visit www.buffalowomanranch.com, call 970-677-2939 or find the ranch on Facebook.
K9 Search and Rescue Team will host Annual Pancake Breakfast
K9 Search and Rescue Team will host the Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 7 a.m. until the Escalante Days parade starts. The breakfast is the annual fundraiser for the team and will include pancakes, sausage, coffee or tea and juice. It will be held at the Dog House, 35 Railroad Ave. (directly west of Dolores Fire Station 1), with handicap parking at that address and regular parking off Central Avenue directly north of the building.
As a nonprofit organization that is 100 percent volunteer-based, K9 Search and Rescue depends on events such as the breakfast to provide much needed funds for equipment, training and materials.
For more information, call 882-4746 or email k9@k9team.org.