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.
Native American author Hopkins will read from latest novel
Author John Christian Hopkins will appear at the Spruce Tree Coffee House, 318 E. Main St. in Cortez on Wednesday, March 21 from 5 to 7 p.m.
He will read from his newest book, Twilight of the Gods, and take audience questions. Twilight of the Gods is a sci-fi/mystery hybrid involving a mysterious murder and the Mayan Long Count Calendar that may predict the end of the world on Dec. 21, 2012. Hopkins book was featured on the national Native America Calling radio program in December, when he was selected as that months Native in the Spotlight. Hopkins is a member of Rhode Islands Narragansett Indian Tribe; he is an award-winning journalist and former nationally syndicated columnist.
For more information, call the Spruce Tree at 565-6789.
Historical Society will present local history symposium
The Montezuma County Historical Society will sponsor a History Symposium on Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. at Hampton Hall of the United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St., Cortez.
Presenters will be Chuck and Marilyn Wilson Haley, speaking about the Wilson and McEwen family connection. Two generations of Wilson Pharmacists served local residents from their drug store, which was once located at the southeast corner of the Stone Block on Main and Market Streets. The McEwen family was well-known in the area. We welcome and encourage the public to attend our free informational programs as we work to preserve local history in order to enhance the future of this remarkable area. We invite interested persons to share our efforts and become members of the Historical Society.
For more information, contact Vivienne or Phil Kenyon, Program Coordinators, at 565-7714.
AARP ElderWatch presents Play It Safe on fraud, financial abuse
AARP ElderWatch and Montezuma County Senior Center will present Play It Safe at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 22 at 107 N. Chestnut in Cortez.
Featuring Bob Mager, of AARP ElderWatch, this is an interactive presentation on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from consumer fraud and financial abuse.
For more information, contact Marsha Green at 564-2775
March Storytime theme at Cortez Public Library
In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb is the March theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, located at 202 N. Park Street. Storytime is held every Thursday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-aged children. Both days will follow the same theme. On Thursday there will be no craft. Older children are welcome to join in for the craft at 11:15 a.m. on Fridays.
Just Ducky will be the focal point of Thursday, March 22 and Friday, March 23. Storytime will wrap up the month with Pizza Party! on Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30.
Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.
For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
Lake Tahoes Dead Winter Carpenters play the Hollywood
The Hollywood Bar and Grill in Dolores, 417 Central Ave., welcomes Dead Winter Carpenters from North Lake Tahoe at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 23.
Featuring a fiddle and upright bass, DWC blends Americana roots rock with alt-country for what is sure to be a high energy, edgy and whimsical performance! There is a $7 cover charge.
For more information, call 882-9998.
Visions of a Universal Humanity at Conscious Movie Night
Center of Light will present Visions of a Universal Humanity & Humanity Ascending at Conscious Movie Night on Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Sophia Peace Center, 19581 Road 31 (in Dolores turn left on 11th at the Riverside Gas Station, go 1.8 miles. Look for the large sign with the dove on the left.)
Based on current scientific, social and spiritual realities and credible future probabilities, the optimism of Visions presents an alternative viewpoint to the doom and gloom Armageddon scenarios currently circulating. Visions is a movie that takes us beyond now, beyond 2012, into a future filled with infinite possibilities. This event is free, and all are welcome. Donations accepted at this screening will support Sophia Peace Center, a spiritual retreat center dedicated to consciousness.
To RSVP or for more information, contact Rev Meira Leonard at 882-2123 or RevMeira@CentersOfLight.org.
Dr. Richard Stucky to lecture on Snowmass fossil find
Dr. Richard Stucky, curator of paleoecology and evolution at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, will present Showdown at the Ivory Condominium: A New Pleistocene Fossil Site at High Elevation at Snowmass, Colorado. at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 23 at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. The event begins with wine and appetizers at 7 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7:30 p.m.
The lecture is presented as part of the Distinguished Lecturers Series, organized by the Friends of Crow Canyon advisory board. Tickets for the lecture are $30, $5 for children ages 10-17, and free for children age 10 and younger. Children age 17 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds from the lecture benefit the Four Corners Youth Scholarship Fund at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 564-4396 or email bstrickland@crowcanyon.org.
Ladies Night Out will raise art scholarship funds
Support the Cortez Cultural Center and the Patsy Brown Art Scholarship by attending Ladies Night Out at the Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Road, Saturday March 24 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy information, products, and services, including cosmetics, hair and nails, home decor, health and wellness, massages, financial and insurance information, and clothing and accessories. Admission is $5 per person.
For more information, call the Cultural Center at 565-1151.
Benefit for Mancos resident Tami Graham
Join us for the benefit event Steers, Queers and Everything Inbetween (Tamis slogan for her resident town of Mancos) for Tami Graham on Saturday, March 24, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Mancos Opera House, 136 W. Grand Ave. There will be music and entertainment with numerous bands, food, beer and wine, a roast, and a silent auction.
In September, Tami was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and had surgery in mid-December. Her prognosis is excellent; however, she is still incurring medical expenses. This is an effort to give back to Tami in a way that she has given to our community over 25 years of living in Southwest Colorado. Art Goodtimes will emcee this event and a roast of Tami. Musical acts include ASA Fire Tribe, The Lindells, John Thomas band, Salt Fire Circus, Diabolic Sound Platoon w/Dub Rock, Afrobeat Minions, and DJ Dr. Doom. The cost will be $25 for General Admission, or $75 VIP. Tickets are available at Animas Trading Company in Durango, Kaleidoscope Wellness in Mancos or at the door.
For more information on this event, contact Ryan Dennis at 394-9077 or wolfofnight22@hotmail.com.
Amlight Players will qill perform skits and improv
See what the kids have learned in their theater class at the Center: Lecil James and Amlight Players will perform three short skits and some improv from 6 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the Cortez Cultural Centers main gallery, 25 N. Market St.
Call the Center at 565-1151 for more information.
Down and Dirty With Your Local Farmer workshop
The Mancos Public Library will present a workshop Down and Dirty With Your Local Farmer on Saturday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to noon in the librarys Community Meeting Room, 211 W. First St.
The discussion will be about basic seed collection the hows and whys with a panel of local farmers. This will also introduce the new Lending Seed Library at MPL.
For more information, call 533-7600 or visit www.Mancoslibrary.org.
Community Theater performs one-act originals
Local theater troupe Out of Pocket Community Theater, led by Don Kirk, will perform a free one-act play on Saturday, March 24 at 2 p.m. in the main gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center, 24 N. Market St.
For more information, contact Don Kirk at 739-4064.
Live National Hip Hop tour comes to Blondies
Live National Hip Hop tour is coming to Blondies Pub & Grub, 45 E. Main St., on Sunday, March 25 at 8 p.m. The tour is called the Fake Four North American Spring Tour.
Featuring one of hip hops underground legends, Sole, from the famed Anticon collective. Also known as Tim Holland, Sole has been deeply involved in the Occupy Wall Street movements Occupy Denver Camp. He has been featured in magazines like Playboy, Spin, Rolling Stone, etc. Sole is one of the most prolific artists among his peers, applying a Situationist method of detournement to make political statements out of his songs. Also performing with Sole is Ceschi and Bleubird. Both MCs perform and deliver a fist pumping unforgettable experience.
For more information, call 739-4944