Author book reading of novel Burn Valley Vengeance
Spruce Tree Coffeehouse will present a reading and book signing with local author Sharlene Nusser and her novel Burn Valley Vengeance from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16 at the coffeehouse, 318 E. Main St. in Cortez. An unusual spree of crimes is plaguing the country roads and canyons of Burn Valley in western Montrose County, Colorado. Deputy Preston Rayburn suspects the crimes are related but he doesnt know how. All that takes a backseat in his mind the night he comes upon the accident at the intersection of County Roads 141 and 145. Inside one of the vehicles, gravely injured, is Carrie Reynolds, the secret love of his life. As Carrie struggles to recover from her injuries and grieve the loss of her husband and daughter, Deputy Rayburn and State Trooper Sergeant Steve Bateson follow the clues to the mysterious person who walked away from the car wreck and what connection he might have to the strange things happening in the area. For more information, call 565-6789.
Award-winning film, Fambul Tok screens in Mancos
The Mancos Public Library will host a screening of the award-winning film Fambul Tok (Family Talk) on Thursday, Aug. 16 in the meeting room at the library, 211 W. First St. at 7 p.m. Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leones brutal civil war come together for the first time in an unprecedented program of tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. Through reviving their ancient practice of family talk, Sierra Leoneans are building sustainable peace at the grass-roots level succeeding where the international communitys post-conflict efforts failed. Filled with lessons for the West, this film explores the depths of a culture that believes that true justice lies in redemption and healing for individuals and that forgiveness is the surest path to restoring dignity and building strong communities. This program is free and open to the public. For more information call the library at 533-7600.
Spaghetti Supper and Talent Show
The Dolores United Methodist Church will hold a Spaghetti Supper and Talent Show, Friday, Aug. 17 beginning at 6 p.m. to raise funds to support a mission outreach to the Dolores Elementary Schools Wednesday afternoon program. Come enjoy great food followed by a fun evening of song, dance and comedy. Great for the entire family. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 per child under 10, and a maximum of $25 for a family of three or more. Purchasing tickets early is recommended: call the church at 882-7780. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door.
Livestock Assoc., Cowbelles host Summer Social
The Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association and Southwestern Cowbelles will host a Summer Social at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18 at the Lewis-Arriola Community Center. Enjoy hamburgers grilled by the SWCLA directors and picnic side dishes prepared by the Cowbelles. Then dance to the music of Vanishing Breed at 8 p.m. Tickets for the meal and dance are $10 each; youth 17 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by parents. Everyone is welcome! Tickets are available from SWCLA directors, Southwestern Cowbelles officers, and at the door. Call Jason Blackmer at 739-5577, Bev Tozer at 759-1332, or Lynelle Brumley at 565-1972 for tickets and information.
Celebration features Catholic inspirational comedian
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church will host nationally-known Catholic inspirational comedic character-actor, Doug Brummel, in his one-man character-changing show Lighten Up with a highly unique start time of 6:47 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 20 and 21, at the church at Montezuma Ave. and Market St. in Cortez. This one-man show features Brummel and his cast of characters. Reminiscent of classic comedians such as Red Skelton and Carol Burnett, Doug transforms himself into a variety of characters that aim to help all generations connect their faith into everyday life! Admission is free and all are welcome. A free-will offering will be available. For more information call 565-7308 and check out www.dougbrummel.com.
Singer Eilen Jewell plays at the Dolores River Brewery
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Eilen Jewell brings her pearl of an album to the Dolores River Brewery on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. Queen of the Minor Key showcases Jewells seamless blend of rockabilly, surf-tinged country, rock and folk. Sad songs are her wealth and finery. Lend her your ears, and you will quickly hear why her humble subjects admire and adore her more with each passing year. Tickets are $10. The brewery is located at 100 S. 4th St. in Dolores. To hear samples of Jewells tunes, got to www.signaturesounds.com/album/queen-minor-key. For more information, call 882-4677.
Fierce Light screens free at Conscious Movie Night
Center of Light presents Conscious Movie Night, Fierce Light on Friday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. at the Sophia Peace Center, 19581 Road 31 (in Dolores, turn left on 11th at the Riverside gas station and go 1.8 miles; look for the large sign with the dove on the left). Fueled by the belief that another world is possible, Fierce Light is a compelling, global journey into the world of spirit in action, an exploration of what Martin Luther King called Love in Action, Gandhi called Soul Force, and what Ripper is calling Fierce Light. All are welcome. This event is free, but donations accepted at this screening will support the Metta Center for Nonviolence. Their mission is to promote the transition to a nonviolent future by making the logic, history, and yet-unexplored potential of nonviolence available to activists and agents of cultural change (which ultimately includes all of us). To RSVP or for more information, contact Rev Meira Leonard at 882-2123 or RevMeira@CentersOfLight.org.
Celebrate Dolores quilt history at 2012 Quilt Show
The 2012 biennial Quilt Show will held at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25. The show will include over 100 quilts exhibited and judged by the public, a stunning queen size raffle quilt Follow the Leader, as well as vendors of fabric, patterns, notions, and sewing machines, handmade boutique items and quilts for sale. Door prizes will also be distributed to attendees. Tickets are available at the door at $3 per person for age 16 years and older. Visitors and new members are always welcome at the guilds monthly meetings held on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:45 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center. More information is available at doloresmountainquilters.org or at 882-2191.
Food tasting fundraiser offers taste of Palestine
The recently released book, The Food and Feasts of Jesus will be the topic of a lecture, food tasting, and book signing at St. Barnabas Church on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. This is an event for persons who are interested in food, history, or the Bible. All proceeds will go to Graces Kitchen. The Rev. Doug Neel, an avowed foodie, a former caterer, the Episcopal priest in Pagosa Springs, and one of the books authors, will be the presenter. A $15 ticket will buy the holder, in addition to the lecture, a sampling of 12 different recipes from the book. For an additional $5, wine will be available. Tickets may be purchased at 110 W. North St. or from members of St. Barnabas. The Food and Feasts of Jesus uses meals as a lens into first century Palestine, and offers accessible recipes for readers to make their own tastes of the first century. Come meet the author and enjoy a Middle Eastern smorgasbord as you help feed the hungry at Graces Kitchen. Call 565-7865 for information.
Award-winning documentary For the Bible Tells Me So
The documentary For The Bible Tells Me So will be shown at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 110 W. North St., on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. This award-winning film addresses questions such as: Is the Bible an excuse to hate? Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity real? As it reconciles homosexuality with Biblical scripture, the film reveals that religious anti-gay bias is based almost solely on a misinterpretation of the Bible.
Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson we discover how people of faith handle, or sometimes tragically fail to handle, having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvards Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, this film offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity and to those who support them. For more information, call 565-7865.