The Dolores Star encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@doloresstar.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 Star at 882-4486.
Business After Hours
The April Business After Hours gathering for the Dolores Chamber will be Thursday, April 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Traditional charm Antique Mall.
Humane Society yard sale
For Pets' Sake Humane Society will hold a yard sale on two consecutive weekends, April 19-20 and April 26-27, at the Cortez Christian Church Family Life Center on the corner of Empire and Highway 145 in Cortez, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. all four days. Donations may be dropped off from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18. No computers, electronics, televisions or tires will be accepted. For more information or pick up of large items, call (970) 565-7837.
Support abuse victims and the NEST
The pinwheel is the symbol of child abuse awareness across the nation. The NEST Four Corners Child Advocacy Center will be planting its second annual pinwheel garden to show support to children in the community who have suffered abuse and to demonstrate the agency's commitment to keeping children safe from abuse. The pinwheels are being created by elementary school students in Cortez, Dolores, and Mancos.
The pinwheel garden will be on display at the Cortez Welcome Center on "Go Blue" day, April 19, from noon to 5 p.m.
The NEST invites members of the community to wear blue on April 19 to raise awareness of child abuse, and to send photos of themselves in their blue attire to the NEST to be posted on its "Go Blue" website. For those without blue apparel, the Center is offering its 2013 "Go Blue" shirts for sale.
The NEST served 300 victims in 2012 and early 2013. Although child abuse is still a big problem, it is preventable through education and training. The Child Advocacy Center provides ongoing training to parents and professionals in ways to detect and prevent child abuse. For more information, call (970) 565-8155.
Local opera singer
This area's very own budding opera singer, Curtis Storm, will perform at the Cortez Cultural Center on Friday, April 19, at 7 p.m.
He will perform selections from Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Rachmaninoff and Puccini. Linda Mack, his singing coach, will accompany him.
Joint band concert
On Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20, the Newcomb (N.M.) Middle School and High School bands, along with the jazz ensemble, under the direction of Mark Allen, will be performing in the Four Corners area. The bands will present performances at several schools and nursing homes in Cortez, Dolores and Mancos.
The tour will culminate on Saturday, April 20, with a 3 p.m. concert in the Mancos High School Performance Center. This concert will feature the Mancos High School band, under the direction of Andrew Saletta, and the Four Corners Community Band, under the direction of Dani Long. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
Free admission at Mesa Verde
Admission to Mesa Verde National Park will be free to the public during National Park week, April 22-26.
The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation join together each year to celebrate National Park Week, and entrance fees are waived to all NPS unites that charge an entrance fee.
Betse Ellis at Brewery
Betse Ellis will be playing at the Dolores River Brewery on April 23, as part of her solo album tour.
Ellis is an accomplished fiddler. Her new full-length studio album, High Moon Order, meshes the raw, straightforward approach her previous solo work with an evolved aesthetic supported by more complex instrumentations.
Business Builder Forum
The Cortez Referral Source invites interested business owners and managers to the 2013 Business Builder Forum, "Grow Your Business in Any Economy" on April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Baymont Inn & Suites Breakfast Room.
Enjoy lunch and gain key insights from speakers who will cover topics including, "Where We Are in the Economic Cycle," "Hands on Referral Strategies & Techniques" and "Who, What and How to use the Resources of Region 9." Lunch will be $5. For more information, Gayel Alexander at Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, (970) 564-4095.
Search engine optimization class
Geeks on Grand is offering a new three-session class on search engine optimization (SEO) at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. The April 25 class will focus on basic SEO for websites; on May 30, a session will focus on content marketing and bloggin, and the June 27 class will be on managing one's online presence and "brand."
Participants can sign up for all three for $115 ($90 for Chamber members), or attend individual classes for $45 each.
To register, call 533-9926.
Benefit for Dolores River Festival
The Great Outdoors Silent Auction and Mountainfilm on Tour event returns to the Dolores Community Center on Friday, April 26. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and films start at 6:30. Admission is $10; kids aged 15 and under are free. Dinner from the Absolute Bakery and Café, beer from the Dolores River Brewery, other beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sales of auction items, refreshments, and admission to the films support the Dolores River Festival, scheduled for June 1. To learn more about the event, including how to volunteer or donate items for the auction, call (970) 799-1475 or email fundraiser@doloresriverfestival.com.
Humane Society yard sale
For Pets' Sake Humane Society will continue its yard sale this weekends, April 26-27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the Cortez Christian Church Family Life Center on the corner of Empire and Highway 145 in Cortez.
Affordable Care Act
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will host Bob Sermo, policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center in Denver, on Saturday, April 27, at 9 a.m., at the Ponderosa Restaurant, 108 S. Eighth St. in Dolores. Sermo will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act.
For more information, call Betty Janes at 533-1051 or email ejanes@frontier.net.
Free medication disposal
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration will set up a collection point where consumers can turn in their unused or expired medications, on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Walgreens parking lot, at the corner of Main and Sligo in Cortez.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted for disposal. Some items will not be accepted, including needles and sharps, mercury (thermometers), oxygen containers, chemotherapy drugs and radioactive substances, pressurized canisters, and illicit drugs.
For more information, log on to www.DEA.gov or call (877) 462-2911.
'Kidfest' at Cortez park
In honor of the "Month of the Young Child," the Children's Kiva invites children of all ages and their families to join us for the 11th Annual Kidfest. Kidfest is a celebration of childhood for children, their families, and the whole community. This year's Kidfest will take place on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cortez City Park on East Main Street (between Mildred Road and Park Street). Kidfest will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts activities, face painting, relay races, food vendors, and more fun for the whole family. Admission is free and open to everyone. Donations are appreciated.
For more information about Kidfest or The Children's Kiva, please contact Alexia Hudson, head of school, at (970) 565-8586,email thechildrenskiva@live.com, or visit www.childrenskiva.org.
Dolores Chamber Spring Banquet
The Cortez Chamber's spring banquet will be held April 27. The bar opens at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7. The banquet raises funds to provide scholarships for graduating Dolores High Seniors. For tickets or more information, call the Chamber at 882-4018 or see any board member.
Property taxes due
Montezuma County Treasurer Sherry Dyess reminds property owners that April 30, 2013, is the deadline to pay the 2012 property taxes for those who are paying in full. The new mailing address of the Treasurer's Office is 140 W. Main St., Suite 2, Cortez, CO 81321. Postmarks through April 30 will be accepted.
For more information, call (970) 565-7550.
Last bingo night
The Dolores Rotary Club will sponsor its last bingo night of the season on Tuesday, April 30, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Avenue. A light supper and dessert will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. for $5, with bingo following at 7 p.m. Cards are $10 for the evening. All proceeds will benefit the Southwest Open School (SWOS) in Cortez.
For more information, contact Dave Sanford at 882-7428.
Changes at Southwest Memorial
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will host a program by Kent Helwig, CEO of Southwest Memorial Hospital, on Saturday, May 4, at 9 a.m., at the Ponderosa Restaurant, 108 S. Eighth St. in Dolores. Helwig will discuss the many services offered by the hospital and its clinics, quality improvement initiatives and improvements in access to care as a result of significant efforts to recruit physicians to the community.
For more information, call Betty Janes at 533-1051 or email ejanes@frontier.net.
Babysitting class
Southwest Memorial Hospital will be hosting a certified babysitting class on May 4 at the Hospital Annex community room.
The cost is $25, and successful participants will earn a certificate of completion.
The course is designed for "tweens" and teens who wish to become babysitters, as well as for children who may be left at home without a parent. Topics covered include how to stay safe, feeding and playtime, as well as how to start and safely advertise a babysitting business. Students will learn how to change diapers, what are age-appropriate toys and games, and will receive a basic first aid overview. Choking and what to do in an emergency is also covered.
The class will be a fundraiser for the hospital's relay for life team. To register or for more information, call Robyn Bragg at 564-2243.
Free parent education class
Why does my child do that? Do other children my child's age act like this? Who do I call to ask for help? This and many more questions will be answered on Saturday, May 4, with parent education provided by Lisa Henry, LPC.
The training and support will be held at Beech Street Preschool. Snacks, lunch and childcare will be provided free. Seating is limited, so call Lisa Henry at (970) 529-6326 for reservations and details by April. 30. The event is sponsored by the Montezuma Early Childhood Coalition.
Free programs on estate planning
Erin Johnson will present two free programs on estate planning at the Cortez Welcome Center on Tuesday, May 14.
The first session will cover common errors in estate planning efforts and will be presented at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.
The second session will introduce succession planning tools for businesses, farms and ranches. This session will be presented at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
To register online, go to https://www.coloradosbdc.org and click on workshops. For more information, email Asano_L@fortlewis.edu or call (970) 247-7009.
Dairy Goat Information Day
The Four Corners Dairy Goat Breeders will hold a dairy goat information day on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 23161 Rd. G.2 in Cortez.
Ask questions about raising dairy goats. See animals and get advice and demonstrations on care and maintenance. Multiple breeds will be represented. Some will be available for sale. Some equipment may be available for sale.
Lakeview Harmony Club Centennial
The Lakeview Harmony Club, established in May 1913, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday, May 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lewis Grange Hall, East of Highway 145 on Road M. The event will include music, refreshments and door prizes.
The Larkeview Harmony Club, organized by pioneer women, is a community fellowship and service group. Family and friends of past members are invited to attend.
For more information, call Jodi Foran at 882-2401.
