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.
Four Corners Friends of NRA will hold annual banquet
The Four Corners Friends of National Rifle Association will hold the groups annual banquet beginning at 5 p.m. for social hour and 6:30 p.m. for dinner Saturday, April 9, at the Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Road.
Games, silent and live auctions and two raffles are just part of the activities planned for the evening. The raffles include a 23 gun Liberty gun safe, six guns, and a 72- by 64-inch flannel applique quilt. With peoples support, the group has been able to return several thousand dollars yearly to local youth shooting sports and to the promotion of gun safety.
Dinner tickets are $50 per couple or $30 for single. Two hundred dinner tickets will be sold.
For more information or to buy a ticket, contact Dick or Dixie Lee at 562-4347 or 739-0048.
U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold commodity distribution
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a commodity distribution from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. Highway 160, Cortez, and from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Dolores Fire Hall, 85 Central Ave., Dolores.
Due to extenuating circumstances, Mancos clients will have to go to Cortez to pick up commodities. If Mancos clients are not able to go to Cortez, they can give their card and a note of authorization to someone else to pick up commodities for them. Participants are reminded that they must bring their own box for their commodities. The agriculture department cannot supply enough boxes for everyone.
For more information or if you would like to help with distribution, call Judy at 564-2772.
Dolores Chamber Spring Banquet will raise funds for scholarships
The Dolores Chamber of Commerce Spring Banquet will be held Saturday, April 9, with a cash bar at 6 p.m., and dinner at 7 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center.
Proceeds go for scholarships for graduating Dolores High School seniors. There will be entertainment, a silent auction, door prizes, and great food. Dinner will be provided by the Rio Grande Southern. Tickets are $30 each or $210 for a table of eight where you get one ticket free, and save $30. As another bonus this year you can get one free drink with every ticket. Dress will be semi-formal.
Tickets can be obtained from any chamber board member or by calling Stuart, the chamber director, at 882-4018.
9News Health Fair 20 will offer blood chemistry, other screenings
The 9News Health Fair 20 will conduct low-cost screenings from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9, at the Cortez Recreation Center, 425 Roger Smith Ave. Use the north entrance by the tennis courts.
Blood chemistry tests will be $30, and PSA testing for men will be $25. Do not eat 12 hours before having blood drawn (but diabetics should not fast). Take prescribed medications as directed. You must be 18 to participate.
For information, call 303-698-3799 or 800-332-3078, or visit www.9healthfair.org.
All volunteers will be appreciated. Call 739-3844 after 6 p.m. if interested.
Pinon Project offers Incredible Years parenting class
The Pinon Project will offer an Incredible Years parenting class, facilitated by Lindsay Havran, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning April 12, at the Pinon Project Annex, 300 N. Elm St., Cortez.
Dinner and childcare will be provided for each week of the free 12-week class.
For more information, contact Lara at 564-1195.
Ultralight backpacking seminar will benefit Hawkins Preserve
An Ultralight Backpacking Seminar will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez.
Instructors Keith Hutcheson, Sherry Lombard and Linda Raczek are local backpackers who will offer their experience and tips to other backpackers of all levels, from beginner to experienced. The seminars goal is to help make backcountry travel and camping more enjoyable by incorporating tips and gear from the ultralight backpacking movement. There will be gear on display to help attendees compare newer, lighter options on the market now, older gear that serves well, and even some homemade items. Cooking tips will be offered, a wealth of personal experience, and suggestions for making a checklist.
This is a fundraiser for the Hawkins Pueblo, which is to be re-roofed and professionally stabilized for the public and schools.
The cost is $25, and attendees should RSVP to 565-1151 if possible.
Flowers Abound is April theme for Cortez Public Library Storytime
Flowers Abound! is the April 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. Older children are welcome to join us for the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Blow those bubbles! will be the focal point for Thursday, April 14. Next is Be a good egg on April 21. Well wrap up the month with My favorite dinosaur on April 28.
Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.
For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
Community Cinema will present free screening of Bhutto
Community Cinema will present Bhutto at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St.
Bhutto is the epic tale of the life and tragic death of Benazir Bhutto, who broke the Islamic glass ceiling as the first woman leader of a Muslim country. Beloved by the people of her native Pakistan, she was reviled by the nations military establishment and male-dominated ruling class. More than two years after her death from a suicide bomber, Benazir remains a divisive figure, a symbolic metaphor for the fight between terrorism and moderation. That struggle continues today in Pakistan, the worlds most strategically important country and the Muslim worlds sole nuclear power.
A panel-led discussion will follow the free screening.
For more information, call the Mancos Public Library at 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org.
Citizens Bank will hold yard sale to benefit American Cancer Society
The Citizens State Bank of Cortez will hold a yard sale to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at 108 S. Chestnut St.
This is an all-donation sale and Citizens will be accepting donated items through Thursday, April 14. If you would like to donate items, contact Brii at 564-8869. Citzens will sell Frito chili pies for lunch and a variety of baked goods. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
For more information, contact Brii or Monica at Citizens State Bank, 565-8421.
Richard Lee Cody to perform at Western Belles House Concert
Richard Lee Cody (Espinoza) from the Heber Valley of Utah will be performing his brand of cowboy/western music at a Mancos house concert at 7 p.m. (arrive at 6 p.m. for a potluck) Saturday, April 16. Western Belles house concert will take place at 32229 Road P in Mancos.
For more information, call 882-1414 (if no answer please leave a message and contact number) or email bfboston@fone.net.
Historical Society will display antique buggie collection
Montezuma County Historical Society will show off their collection of antique buggies at the gun show that runs from Friday, April 15, through Sunday, April 17, in the old Walmart building at 2216 E. Main St.
A photographer will be present to take your photo with a buggy of your choice for a fee. Tax exempt donations are accepted to help fund a permanent museum space and learning center where the buggies and other treasured collections and historic information now in storage could be seen and enjoyed by the public.
The Historical Society is proud to have all three volumes of the series Great Sage Plain to Timberline: Our Pioneer History available for sale at this time. Each volume is priced at $20. Memberships to the Montezuma County Historical Society are available at $25 per family and $15 per individual. The Historical Society display space at the Gun Show is courtesy of the Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club.
For more information, call 565-7714.
For Pets Sake will hold yard sale, bake sale to benefit dogs, cats
For Pets Sake Humane Society will hold its annual Spring Yard Sale and Bake Sale together this year. The Yard Sale will be Friday through Sunday, April 15-17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, at the Cortez Christian Church Family Life Center on the corner of Empire and Highway 145. Donations can be brought to the building from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, or call For Pets Sake at 565-7387 for other times or for pick-up of large items. No computers or accessories, tires, or TVs.
The Spring Bake Sale will be on Saturday at the Yard Sale, same time, same place. Bake Sale donations can be delivered Saturday morning starting at 7:30 a.m., or dropped off at Let It Grow Nursery on Mildred St. on Friday, the day before the sale, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call 565-7387.
Early Childhood Celebration includes health screenings
The Montelores Early Childhood Council, San Juan Board of Cooperative Educational Services and the Montezuma County Health Department will hold an Early Childhood Celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Montezuma County Annex, 103 N. Chestnut St., Cortez.
The fair is geared for parents and their children age birth up to 5 years. The fair will offer information about programs, supports and services for young children in our community as well as provide several types of health screenings, all free of charge. No appointment is necessary.
For more information, contact Pam at 570-7749.
Camp Chameleon grief camp will allow youths to speak about losses
The Montezuma Hospice Camp Chameleon Youth Grief Camp, a free, one-day event for children 6 to 18 and their families who have experienced the death of someone they love, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the United Methodist Church Cortez, 515 N. Park St.
Registration and morning refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m. The day-long camp provides an opportunity for campers to speak openly about their losses, learn about the grieving process and find new meaning to their lives through group healing activities led by professional counselors and supportive caring adults. Lunch will be provided.
A working through play approach, provides an intense experience that not only allow the participants to experience their grief, but also to learn tools to strengthen their coping processes, to learn about themselves and build self esteem, and to share with others who are going through similar situations.
For more information and to register, call Hospice at 565-4400.
McHenry will give presentation about historic McCabe Ranch
Come hear John McHenrys History of the McCabe Ranch at the Montezuma County Historical Societys symposium, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Methodist Churchs Hampton Hall, 515 Park St., Cortez.
McHenry is the grandson of Leona and Stanley McCabe, a rancher and coach for the Dolores school system.
For more information, contact Vivienne Kenyon at 565-7714.
Dolores River Festival organizers call for festival vendors
Organizers of the Dolores River Festival, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, are looking for licensed food, crafts, and merchandise vendors as well as nonprofit organizations to participate in this years festival as vendors. The deadline to reserve a booth for this years Festival is May 1.
If you are a licensed food vendor, commercial merchant, craftsman, artist, or local business and would like to reserve a 10- by 10-foot or 10- by 20-foot booth space at the festival to sell your goodies, gear, or glitz then see the festival website for vendor information and applications.
Organizers are also offering discounted booths to local nonprofit organizations that want to spread the word about their work to the festival audience. If you are interested in either of these two great opportunities, see the festival website at www.doloresriverfestival.com or contact the Festival Director, Shaine Gans, at 759-9817 or coordinator@doloresriverfestival.com.