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.
Looking for science fair judges
The Cortez Middle School Science Fair is Jan. 19 and the school is looking for judges. Orientation for judges starts at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 and judging runs from 8 a.m. to noon. Judging is fun and rewarding, so come out and see what the students are learning. Judges receive instruction on how to grade science fair projects before the fair begins. Snacks are provided. Even if you can only commit to part of this time, your assistance is welcomed.
For more information contact Gary Livick at glivick@cortezstudents.org
Combined CPR and First Aid classes
Southwest Memorial Hospital will offer a CPR class on Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Kiva Room at the hospital, 1311 N. Mildred Road. The class includes infant, child, and adult CPR, as well as AED training. A First Aid class will be offered on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the same location.
The cost is $25 for each class, or $45 for both a CPR and First Aid class. Registration is required.
Call Ronda at 564-2160 for information and to reserve your space.
Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock film
The Mancos Public Library, located at 211 W. First St., will show the film Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock, as part of the ongoing Community Cinema series on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. The showing is free.
Daisy Bates was a complex, unconventional, and largely forgotten heroine of the civil rights movement who led the charge to desegregate the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. A panel-led discussion will follow the film.
For more information, call the library at 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org.
Reception for Art in the Heart graphics exhibit
A reception celebrating the exhibit, Art in the Heart, a compilation of color graphics by Mary Gay Bahlinger, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Spruce Tree Coffeehouse, 318 East Main St., Cortez.
Meet the artist and see her many depictions all in the shape of a heart. The exhibit will be on display through February.
For more information, call Mary Gay Bahlinger at 739-3422.
Artist reception for SWOS student exhibit
The Cortez Cultural Centers Art Gallery at 25 N. Market St. is currently featuring art from students of the Southwest Open School.
Call 565-1151 for more information.
Workforce to offer Job Corp program information session
There will be a Job Corps information session open to all interested parties at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 in the conference room at the Workforce Center, 2208 E. Main St., Cortez.
Job Corps is an all expenses paid two-year residential educational and vocational training program for 16 to 24 year olds who meet the eligibility and income guidelines. A student is expected to earn either a high school diploma or GED while at Job Corps if they dont already have one, in addition to learning a vocational trade. Some of the trade choices offered include the building trades, medical field trades, production and mechanics, business and computer technology, culinary arts and natural resources.
For more information, call Babette Kimble, Job Corps Admissions Counselor, at 565-9523.
Donate blood at two area drives
United Blood Services will hold two area blood drives on Friday, Jan. 20. The first will be from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bingo Hall of the Ute Mountain Casino, 3 Weeminuche Drive; the second will be from 2:30 to 6 p.m. when the Bloodmobile will be set up at the Pleasant View Fire Department, 15529 CR CC.
To set up an appointment or for more information, call 385-4601, or sign up online at www.bloodhero.com.
Big Money and the Corporate Citizens play rock and roll
Big Money and the Corporate Citizens will Occupy the Mancos Valley Distillery with socially-conscious rock and roll for its third anniversary bash at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20. The Distillery is at 116 N. Main St. in Mancos.
The Brothers Wray will open. There will be a $4 cover.
For more information, contact the Distillery at 946-0229.
Writers Open Mike Night
The Cortez Cultural Center will host a Writers Open Mike Night at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, in the main gallery, 25 N. Market Street.
Bring your poetry or short story to read, or just stop by to enjoy work by our talented local writers.
Call 565-1151 for information.
January Storytime is announced for Cortez Library
Winter activities is the January 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 in for the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Lets Visit the Library! will be the focal point on Friday, Jan. 20. Storytime will wrap up the month with Exercise With Me! on Friday, Jan. 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.
Four Corners Square Dancers invite all to meet and greet, lessons
Four Corners Square Dancers are starting new square dance lessons with a Meet and Greet session on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Kemper Elementary School, 620 E. Montezuma Ave., Cortez. The mainstream lessons will begin on Monday, Jan. 23, and will continue every Monday night until mid-March.
You dont need a partner or dancing skills to square dance.
For more information call Vonnie Robinson at 749-9682, or Don and Judy Morris at 565-9836.
Day of rallies for Montezuma Moves-to-Amend
A Montezuma Moves-to-Amend Cavalcade will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, starting with a rally at Boyle Park, E. Bauer Ave., in Mancos at 10 a.m. The Cavalcade then proceeds to Dolores at the Galloping Goose Visitor Center at 421 Railroad Ave., and on to Cortez for a final rally at 1 p.m. at City Park, at Main St. between Mildred and Park.
The purpose of the Cavalcade is to educate Montezuma County citizens about the nationwide movement to amend the Constitution to rescue our democracy from corporate control.
For more information, call Maddy Williams at 603-465-2004.
Pinon Project begins free Eating Smart, Being Active class
The Pinon Project will offer an Eating Smart Being Active class beginning on Monday, Jan. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. The class will continue each Monday evening for eight weeks, and will be held at The Pinon Project, 300 N. Elm, Cortez.
These classes are for anyone who wants to learn about preparing healthier meals and living an active lifestyle. Karen Silliman, MS, will lead the group through eight lessons designed to help you shop, cook and exercise your way to a healthier life for you and your family. You will work as a team to develop healthy and tasty recipes. You will create (and devour) delicious snacks and light meals in the class while developing friendships along with new and useful skills. There is no charge for this program.
Class size is limited, so grab a friend to come with you or just sign up yourself by calling Lara at The Pinon Project at 564-1195.
Celtic guitarist Barlow will perform music of British Isles
Jerry Barlow, Celtic fingerstyle guitarist, returns for a concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.
His repertoire is the traditional music of the British Isles and his own Celtic-inspired compositions. Dont miss this exquisite musician.
For more information, call the library at 565-8117.
Wine tasting will raise funds for Cultural Center
The Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market Street, will host a series of monthly wine tasting fundraisers starting with Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.
This months educational event features five wines presented by Durango Wine Merchant Eric Allen. Admission is $20 per person. The event is limited to 30 participants; preregistration is recommended.
To preregister, or for more information, call 565-1151.
Land Conservancy will host Wild & Scenic Film Festival
The Montezuma Land Conservancy will host the Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 27 at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside.
Featured at the festival will be The Greatest Migration, a 20 minute film that explores the migration of the Snake River salmon. The Snake River salmon swim more than 900 miles inland and climb almost 7,000 feet to reach their spawning grounds. These iconic fish travel farther and higher than any other salmon on Earth, but a gauntlet of dams blocks their great migration and is pushing these high-altitude salmon to extinction. Also to be featured is, Bag It, a fascinating film investigating the world of plastic. The film follows Jeb Berrier as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastic and its effect on our waterways, oceans, and even our own bodies.The debut of MLCs own film showcasing the regions rural and ranching heritage and the importance of conserving open space will also be screened. Tickets are $12 for non-members, $10 for current MLC members, and $5 for kids, age 12 and under. To join MLC, a new membership plus admission to the event is $40.
For more information, call Amber at 565-1664.
Mesa Verde will offer free guided winter ecology hike
Park Rangers will lead a guided hike focusing on winter ecology at Mesa Verde National Park on Saturday, Jan. 28, beginning at 9 a.m. Participants will meet at the Morefield Village gas station, and then explore the hillsides around the Morefield Campground, looking for signs of wildlife and observing adaptations of plants and animals in the winter months.
The guided hike is free, but advance sign-up is requested. Children should be at least 7 years old to join the hike. Be prepared to be outdoors for 2 to 3 hours with extra layers of clothing, water, and snacks. There is a limit of 20 adults and children. If needed, snowshoes will be provided, or you may bring your own. Park entrance fees are waived during the months of January and February.
To sign up, for weather conditions, and for more information on the hike, please call the Chapin Mesa Museum at 529-4631. For more information about Mesa Verde National Park, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/meve.
Don Kirk to hold free story time
Family Story Teller Don Kirk will be performing Tales to Warm the Winter Doldrums from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St.
The show is free and appropriate for all ages.
For more information, call Don at 739-4064.
Chamber hosts Denim and Diamonds community awards evening
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Denim and Diamonds Community Awards Evening at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Main Street Brewery, 21 E. Main St., Cortez.
Tickets are $25, or $30 if purchased after Saturday, Jan. 14.
For more information, call Dena Guttridge at 565-3414.
Annual Sweethearts Ball fundraiser
Enjoy dinner, dancing, live music, and a show at the Cortez Cultural Centers Sweetheart Ball at the Cortez Elks Lodge on Saturday, Feb. 4. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m., and the silent auction and show begins at 7 p.m.
The Elks Lodge is at 2100 N. Dolores Rd., Cortez.
Tickets are $40 per person; ticket sales and auction proceeds benefit the Cortez Cultural Center, promoting art, culture, education, and science for our community.
Call 565-1151 for tickets or for more information.