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.





Lewis-Arriola 'Warm Up' annual chili dinner, pie auction



Come eat supper, buy a pie and meet your neighbors at the 8th annual "Warm Up" at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Lewis-Arriola Community Center, 21176 CR S (west off of Hwy. 491). The evening includes a homemade chili supper and homemade pie auction, with door prizes such as gift cards for area grocery stores and gas stations. Tickets are $5 for one or five tickets for $20, and are available for purchase in advance or at the door. Proceeds support the free activities and events put on at the Lewis-Arriola Community Center throughout the year. To buy advance tickets or for more information, call Chan at 882-7318, or Carol at 882-7816.





Cowboy Music and Poetry Jam Session



Branded Western, the Colorado Chapter of the Western Music Association, will sponsor a Cowboy Music and Poetry Jam Session at the Montezuma County Annex, 107 N. Chestnut St. in Cortez from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. Join in the fun and take in the amazing talents of real cowboys and cowgirls as they sing songs and tell stories of cowboy life, past and present. Performers of cowboy song and poetry are wanted to participate; please RSVP to Linda Lee Filener at 769-0447 to be placed on the list of performers for this event.





CMS dramatic arts club's The Masked Musketeer



The students of Cortez Middle School's dramatic arts club will present their production, "The Masked Musketeer" for the public on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the main gym of the middle school. Tickets may be purchased at the door; children 12 and under are $5; age 13 and older are $7. Information 565-7876 ext. 3302.





Big Moon in the La Platas SJMA winter nature tour



A winter nature tour, Big Moon in the La Platas, will take place Saturday evening, Feb. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Folks of all ages are invited to go snowshoeing with the San Juan Mountains Association, in partnership with San Juan National Forest, and certified interpretive guide MK Thompson. Explore wonders of La Plata Canyon as the sun sets and the moon comes up. Snowshoes are available for kids under 120 pounds. To reserve your spot, contact MK@sjma.org or 759-9113. Various tours are offered throughout the winter.





Family Pizza, Movie Night event will feature 'Babe'



Bring the kids for Family Pizza and Movie Night on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Montezuma County Annex Building, 107 N. Chestnut, Cortez. Doors open for dinner at 4:30 p.m., and the movie begins at 6 p.m. The G-rated film being featured is "Babe," a funny, heartwarming tale about a little pig that goes a long way. Dinner will include pizza, salad, desserts and lemonade. Bring cash to purchase extra concessions. Feel free to bring a sleeping bag or blanket and pillow; kids are invited to wear PJs. There will be drawings for prizes, and Katya Chorover will hold a Music and Motion session starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $5 per child and $10 for adults - please help us plan for the event by buying tickets in advance at The Children's Kiva and Silver Bean, or tickets will also be available at the door. All proceeds will benefit the tuition subsidy and scholarship programs at The Kiva. For more information, call us 565-8586, or stop by.





Fun-A-Day art show reception, DJ dance party



Sideshow Emporium & Gallery in Dolores, 411 Central Ave., will host the Fun-A-Day art show opening reception and dance party on Saturday evening, Feb. 23 from 6 to 11 p.m. DJ Cannonball and DJ Needlz will spin bumpin' dance beats from 8 to 11 p.m. The Fun-A-Day show is a nationwide creativity movement where artists work on a project daily for one month, then display the work in a collective show. Eight participating Montezuma County artists will have their contributions on view at Sideshow through March 21. Join us for this evening of art, dancing and refreshments. Sideshow Emporium 739-4646.





Ramsay Midwood performs at Dolores Brewery



Singer-songwriter Ramsay Midwood from Austin, Texas and his band the 13 33's will perform at the Dolores River Brewery, 100 N. 4th St., on Saturday night, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. Ramsay is a self-proclaimed make-believe cowboy who has started his own space program. His bluesy, rootsy romps instantly start your head bobbing as his bizarre lyrics full of rich, Southern Gothic visuals set your imagination flowing. Tickets are $15 at the door. www.doloresriverbrewery.com.





'Death By Medicine' documentary screening



Dolores Healing Space, 102 S. 4th St., will have a free screening of Gary Null's documentary, "Death by Medicine" on the American medical system at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25. Come learn how health care has become the leading cause of injury and death in the U.S.; a discussion will follow. Amy Loschert 676-1011.





M-CHS choir performance



Join the M-CHS choir for a grand performance from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Marla Sitton and the choir will be featured in the gallery of the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. Donations at the door are appreciated. Cultural Center 565-1151.





Dolores Rotary Club Bingo Night



The Dolores Rotary Club will sponsor a bingo night, with all proceeds to benefit the Pinon Project, on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. A light supper and dessert will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. for $5 with bingo to follow at 7 p.m. Cards are $10 for the evening. Dave Sanford 882-7428.





Cortez Beautification Community Design Workshop



The City of Cortez will be rebuilding the South Broadway highway medians, planning for pedestrian improvements downtown, and designing the entryways along Highways 491, 145, and 160. Cortez Heart & Soul invites the community to a public design workshop for the South Broadway medians, downtown pedestrian improvements, and highway entrance features on Thursday, Feb. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cortez Recreation Center. Presentations will take place at 4:15 and 5:45 p.m., but feel free to drop by anytime. Illustrators from the design team will be there to capture community input, and the public is also welcome to draw their own design visions. Free childcare and refreshments will be provided for participants. Please bring ideas so this project reflects our community's character. Contact Kirsten Sackett at 564-4049 or heartandsoulcortez@gmail.com, or visit www.cortezheartandsoul.com.





'Healthy Homes' discussion



"Healthy Homes: The T.O.N.I. Approach to the Place Where We Live" will be presented by Joe Keleher, T.O.N.I. (Toxins Out, Nutrients In) Facilitator, and others on Friday, March 1 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Mesa/Canyon Room at the Cortez Recreation Center. Presentations are free of charge and open to the public. Listen, learn and share on topics of health interest. Joe Keleher 565-5448.





Millwood Follies returns



The 30th annual Millwood Follies will be held at the Millwood Junction Restaurant, 101 W. Railroad Ave., in Mancos on Saturday, March 2. Dinner will be served beginning at 5 p.m., with entertainment starting at 7. A special dinner menu has been created for the event, and reservations will not be taken that evening. Seating is limited and audience members are encouraged to arrive early for the entertaining evening The event will raise funds for the Women's Cancer Coalition. There will also be a silent auction/door prize, with item donations should be directed to Kelli Yeomans at 946-1843 or Dana Weaver at 533-7113. To book an act for the evening, please contact Karen Noack at 533-9026.



Volunteer training at Medicine Horse Center



Medicine Horse Center will hold a volunteer training on Wednesday, March 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone wishing to participate. Looking for a great way to spend your free time this year? Volunteers are needed for our therapeutic riding sessions in Mancos. Horse experience is welcome, but not necessary. We'll teach you everything you need to know. New volunteers are always welcome! If you love horses, helping people, and spending a few hours a week in the great outdoors, you'll love volunteering for Medicine Horse Center! Lynne or Rachel 533-7403.





Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop



A fruit tree pruning workshop will be held on Thursday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southwest Colorado Research station, approximately 17 miles north of Cortez on Hwy. 491 and west 1/4 mile on Road Z. Participants are asked to register by phoning either Montezuma County Extension at 565-3123 or Dolores County Extension at 677-2283. The cost is $15 per person, payable the day of the workshop. You must bring your own chair, water, snacks, lunch and dress in warm clothing. If you want to learn by hands-on pruning, bring your loppers or hand pruners. Please leave pets at home.





Classical Gas performs Cortez concert



Southwest Colorado Concerts presents Classical Gas, a concert with piano, violin and a whole lot of fun, on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in the Montezuma-Cortez High School auditorium. Pianist Rich Ridenour teams up with violinist/comedian Steve Brook for a show that is a little bit Jack Benny and a little bit Victor Borge as they perform classics fueled by their own imaginations. They will perform great classics such as "At the Old Ballgame," Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony" and "11 Finger Rag" by Dykstra. Tickets will be on sale at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m.; single-concert tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for youth 18 and under. Paul Bostrom 565-9127.





Harlem Ambassadors basketball show



Get ready for dazzling ball-handling tricks, high flying slam dunks and hilarious family comedy. Join the Harlem Ambassadors basketball show on Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. as they take on the Montezuma Mavericks at the Montezuma-Cortez High School gym. Purchase tickets in advance for $7 for students and seniors or $10 for adults, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. and at M-CHS. Tickets will also be available at the door for $2 more. Admission free for age 5 and under. All proceeds benefit the Cortez Cultural Center, 565-1151.





'Play It Safe' presentation on consumer fraud, financial abuse



AARP ElderWatch in conjunction with Montezuma County Senior Center will offer "Play It Safe," a presentation featuring Bob Mager of AARP ElderWatch. This interactive presentation will instruct on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from consumer fraud and financial abuse. Join us at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 22 at 107 N. Chestnut in Cortez. Marsha Green 564-2775.