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 Public Library will screen Colors of the Mountain film
The Independent Film Series at the Cortez Public Library will be showing The Colors of the Mountain at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 202 N. Park St.
The summary of this Columbian film, directed by San Sebastian, is: Young Manuel lives with his hard-working farmer parents in the remote, mountainous region in the Colombian countryside. While the adults in their lives try to avoid both the armed military and the guerrilla rebels fighting each other in the area, Manuel and his friend Julian are obsessed with playing soccer any chance they get. Shortly after his birthday, the new ball Manuel received as a gift gets kicked off to a minefield, and he, Julian and their albino friend Poca Luz will do everything in their power to recover their prized belonging an essential part of their everyday lives and dreams.
For more information, call the library at 565-8117.
Local groups will host Community Gathering to End Corporate Power
A coalition of local groups is hosting a Community Gathering to End Corporate Power from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in coordination with more than 150 similar events that will take place nationwide. The local gathering will be held at the Basin Motorcycle Works, 202 E. Frontage Road, Mancos.
The purpose of the event is to build momentum for a Constitutional Amendment to abolish corporate personhood and overturn the 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which lets unlimited corporate funds flood the election system. It will feature a national conference call with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a short film called The Story of Citizens United vs. the FEC, time for refreshments and informal conversation, and a discussion about organizing a local action to take place on the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on Jan. 21, 2012.
The local gathering is being sponsored by a number of concerned citizens, as well as national groups. For more information, contact Roni at 799-4361.
Kemper Elementary School will host lasagna dinner for veterans
Kemper Elementary School staff will host a lasagna dinner for all veterans at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at 620 E. Montezuma Ave., Cortez.
People interested in attending should RSVP by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, by calling 565-3737.
Chamber will offer business workshop on customer relations
Give Em Knock Their Socks Off Service! The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will offer an opportunity for businesses to achieve excellent customer service through a workshop taught by Toby Leser & Associates from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Colorado Welcome Center, 928 E. Main St., Cortez.
This workshop will focus on excellent customer relations, creating and maintaining long-term relationships. Every organization has customers. The organizations that thrive and prosper are those that consistently satisfy their customers and good customer service is essential to customer satisfaction. Toby Leser is an expert in Leadership and Supervisory Skills, Customer Service, Change and Stress Management, Interpersonal Communication, Teamwork and Workplace Diversity.
The cost is $25 for chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. Dinner will be provided, and space is limited.
Contact Dena at the chamber of commerce at 565-3414 to reserve your place.
Business After Hours will discuss upcoming holiday season
Celebrate the warmth and magic of the holidays with a visit to Cliffrose, Your High Desert Gardens, 27885 U.S. Highway 160, as they host the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce, and its members and friends, on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for Business After Hours.
The Christmas Shop will be fully decorated, so come and join us for an exhilarating evening of seasonal socializing. Well quickly put you in the merriest of moods as we help to kick off the 2011 holiday season. Business After Hours events are free to attend, no reservations are needed, and guests are always welcome.
For more information, call the chamber of commerce at 565-3414.
Kemper Elementary students will present Veterans Day program
The Kemper Elementary School third-, fourth- and fifth-grades will be presenting a Veterans Day program on Thursday, Nov. 10. The program will be presented twice once at 1:30 p.m. and again at 2:45 p.m. at Kemper in the gymnasium. Attendees should enter via the southeast entrance of the building, which is parallel to Montezuma Avenue. Parking is limited to that which is available on Montezuma Avenue and the parking lot adjacent to the Church of Christ across the street.
This program is open to the entire Cortez community.
For more information, contact Curtis Storm at 565-3737 ext. 133, or cstorm@cortez.k12.co.us.
Silent auction will help Runaway and Homeless Youth Trust Fund
Montezuma County Partners Runaway and Homeless Youth Program invites the community to refreshments and a silent auction of youth-created artwork and donated items from the community from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at the First National Bank in Cortez, 2258 E. Main St.
Youths ages 5-18 submitted a creative project that highlights or calls attention to the issue of youth homelessness through artwork. The art pieces are in the form of photographs, paintings, drawings, poetry and/or short stories. Youth participants were encouraged to keep the theme Answering the Call in mind when they completed their projects. This is an opportunity to highlight the talents of youth and young adults while boosting public awareness about the story of youth homelessness in Montezuma and Dolores counties.
Organizers will present a slide show and will be on hand to answer any questions about the program. Nonperishable food items for the food drive to be distributed before Thanksgiving to youth and their families is welcome. Donations will be appreciated as well. All proceeds from the auction will go toward the local Runaway and Homeless Youth Trust Fund. The RHYP at Montezuma County Partners assists young adults 21 and under with financial burdens such as rent, utilities, clothing, food, etc.
For more information, contact Claudia at Montezuma County Partners, 565-4926, ext. 14.
Veterans Day will include dedication of new memorial
Veterans Day events will commence 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, with a breakfast at the American Legion Hall, 320 N. Harrison St., Cortez.
A new memorial is set to be dedicated 11 a.m. at the Cortez Cemetery, located on U.S. Highway 160 on the east end of town.
Those wishing to participate in the parade can pick up entry forms at the Cortez Journal, the Cortez Recreation Center or by e-mailing afair@cityofcortez.com. The theme of this years parade is patriotism on parade.
The Veterans Day Parade is set to commence at 1 p.m., starting at the Montezuma County Senior Center, 103 N. Chestnut St., and proceeding east down Montezuma Avenue and north on North Harrison to the American Legion Hall, where a reception, refreshments, veterans recognitions and a performance by the Mesa Howlers singing group are scheduled to follow after the parade.
Lastly, a veterans dance is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Mancos Veterans of Foreign Wars/Opera House near the intersection of East Grand Avenue and Mesa Street in Mancos.
The public is invited, and veterans needing a ride can call 565-8151.
For more information, call Linley Leonard at 560-4350.
Elks will host free Veterans Day lunch for active military, veterans
The Cortez Elks Lodge 1789 will host a free luncheon for all active military, veterans, and their spouses from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Road.
We at the lodge would like to thank all military and veterans for their service to our country.
For questions, contact Dennis at 882-2614.
Hymn For Her duo will perform stomp-grass punk folk show
Hymn For Her, a rockin duo, will perform their blazing live stomp-grass punk folk with a hint of Americana show at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Dolores River Brewery, 100 S. Fourth St., Dolores.
Lucy Tight and Wayne Waxing hail from anywhere they can park their 16-foot, 1961 vintage Bambi Airstream (comes with dog and baby) as they tour the U.S. coast to coast. Both players are multi-instrumentalists and one tight unit. Lucy plays a three-stringed broom handle/cigar box guitar, banjo and sometimes even a glockenspiel as she shares vocal duties with Wayne, who also plays acoustic guitar, banjo, dobro, and/or harmonica all while handling percussion on bass drum and hi-hat! Bullet microphones and an arsenal of effect pedals give this band a sound like no other. The show is enhanced by a slide show of original photos projected on an old-fashioned slide projector.
For more information, contact Michelle Roche at 706-353-3244 in Athens, Ga.
Cortez library has Gobble, Gobble! theme for November Storytime
Gobble, Gobble! is the November theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Storytime is held every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-aged children. Older children are welcome to join us for the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Please note: the library switched Storytime hour from Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. to Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Save a Turkey: Eat Your Veggies! will be discussed on Friday, Nov. 11. Well explore A National Holiday Friday, Nov. 18. There will be no Storytime on Friday, Nov. 25, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.
For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
Four Corners Cutting Horse Club will hold practice cutting
The Four Corners Cutting Horse Club will hold a practice cutting from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. Highway 160, Cortez.
Cost for participation is $60. Registration is necessary to ensure the proper number of cattle are available. The public is welcome to attend the event.
For more information or to register, contact Jay Spinney at 564-9689 or Kristie Carriker at 565-1499.
Los Angeles Blu, Jnatural will perform hip hop
Get ready for a night of hip hop like it is supposed to be at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Blondies Pub & Grub, 45 E. Main St., Cortez, for performances by Blu and Jnatural from Los Angeles, Open Mike Eagle from Chicago, MC Colorless from Iowa City, DJ Tramlife, DJ Two Tone, and a special guest appearance from the live band Pilots of Thinkn.
This tour embraces this musical styles roots and reminds us what hip hop truly is. An expression of the streets that is inspired by all forms of music. This event is hosted by Allday the Freestyle Rapper.
For more information, call P.A. Jackson at 739-4944.
Sideshow will host opening night reception for Dark Arts group show
Dark Arts: a macabre group show opens at Sideshow Emporium & Gallery. Join for an Opening Night Reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at 411 Central, Dolores.
Regional artists including Aubrey Merolanne, Jasmine Mayberry and Scott Kraynak present gloomyguts art in paint, photography, ink and assemblage. Dark Arts will be on exhibit through Dec. 3.
For more information, contact Heather at 739-4646.
Graces Soup Kitchen will serve Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Graces Soup Kitchen, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, will serve its 13th annual traditional Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at the Mary Blake Hall at the church, 110 W. North St., Cortez.
This community dinner is for anyone who is hungry or needs some company. Graces also delivers for the homebound and have take-outs (please call ahead and provide a name and phone number). This event is open to the entire community, and is a special occasion, thanks to the 50 to 70 volunteers who decorate the hall for this day.
Graces is an all-volunteer organization, which relies on the generous support of the community. A $20 gift would help feed a family of three or four. Please send contributions to Graces Soup Kitchen, 110 W. North St., Cortez, CO 81321. Graces also needs frozen turkeys, which will be accepted now and up to Thanksgiving, and fresh (please, no frozen) fruit pies any type to be brought in on Wednesday, Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving. Graces provided more than 12,000 meals last year without condition or requirement; the kitchen is open for meals three days a week, starting at noon.
For more information, or to donate frozen turkeys or your time call 565-7865.