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.
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. Citizens 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.
Healing Hearts hosts discussion on preventing domestic violence
Healing Hearts will host a free training open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 15, at the Towaoc Community Center.
Lets Talk About The Dangers Of Sex, Drugs, Alcohol and Domestic Violence is a program sponsored by Our Sisters Keeper Coalition, Healing Hearts and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Project Home Base, to share information about some of the consequences of dependence. The program will be presented by Holly Grisez, a retired prevention specialist. Come and get information that may help you or your family.
For more information, contact Norma at 564-5307 or Healing Hearts at 739-6120.
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.
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.
Cortez Farmers Market accepting applications from vendors
The Cortez Farmers Market will accept applications and fees from existing vendors until Friday, April 29. New vendors are invited to submit their applications beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, April 18.
All applications are considered on a first-come first-served basis and will be numbered as received. Applications can be submitted at the Colorado State University Extension Office, located in the County building at 109 W. Main St., Room 102, in Cortez.
All items sold at the market must be grown or produced by residents of Montezuma or Dolores counties.
Driver safety course will be offered by AARP
AARP will sponsor a driver safety course from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the Calvin Denton Room in the Empire Electric Association building, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez.
This is a four-hour course authorized by the state of Colorado. It is designed to meet the needs of older drivers. The course will review safe driving techniques as well as Colorado traffic laws. Completion of this course can qualify participants for a discount on insurance.
The course is available to all motorists whether or not they are members of AARP. There is a $12 fee for AARP members and a $14 fee for nonmembers payable by check only; no cash. This fee covers all materials. Bring your drivers license and your AARP membership number (if you have one).
For more information or to register, contact Scott and Judy Aeschlimann at 565-3872.
Easter Bunny volunteers needed for Easter egg hunt
The Cortez Rotary Club is cordially inviting individuals who are interested in volunteering to help with the annual Easter Egg Hunt to attend a noon meeting Tuesday, April 19, at Southwest Memorial Hospital in the hospital cafeteria.
Rotarians are committed to providing community service projects. Annual projects of the Cortez Rotary Club include the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the dictionary program and the Fourth of July Fireworks. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about Rotary, feel free to join us for lunch or contact Orly Lucero, board president, at 565-1128.
Responsible Fatherhood program will begin at local church
The Church of Christ will offer a Responsible Fatherhood program from 5:30 to 7 p.m. beginning on Tuesday, April 19, at 631 Montezuma Ave., Cortez.
During the free program, fathers will develop skills to communicate effectively, deal with childrens challenging behaviors, strengthen loving father/spouse relationships, and address many other areas of fatherhood. This program is not about someone telling you how to be a father, but rather men sharing their experiences and learning from each other.
The program will be facilitated by staff from the Pinon Project and co-facilitated by Pastor Rob Hall. Participants can join this 26-week program at any time.
For more information or to register, call Lara at The Pinon Project at 564-1195.
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.