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 blogging, 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.

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.

'Fancy Nancy and Dapper Dan' party

The Mancos Public Library, located at 211 W. First St, will be holding a "Fancy Nancy and Dapper Dan" party on Saturday, April 27, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 3-7. Fancy Nancy is a well known book character who loves anything and everything "fancy." There will be crafts, fancy tea and a dainty snack, and dress up time. Free! To sign up and get more information, call Mancos Public Library at 533-7600.

Pediatric herbal medicine

The Mancos Public Library, located at 211 W. First Street, will be hosting Dr. Amy Loschert on Saturday, April 27, at 1 p.m. Dr. Loschert will give a talk on pediatric herbal medicine including remedies for ear infections, cuts and scrapes, burns, colic, insomnia, constipation, and eczema. Free! For more information call the library at 533-7600.

Free medication disposal

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration will set up a collection point where consumers can turn in their unused or expired medications will be accepted 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.

Mountain Climbing Club

For all Mancos area hikers, there will be an organizational meeting for anyone who is interested in climbing some of Colorado's 4,400 ranked peaks. The meeting will be held at the Mancos Public Library on Monday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Mark Ott at 533-7638.

'Genetic Roulette'

GMO Free Colorado will host a showing of the film, 'Genetic Roulette," about the health effects of consuming genetically modified food, on Tuesday, April 30, at 6 p.m. at the Mancos Public Library.

For more information, call (251) 510-6957.

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.

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.

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.

Mancos Girl Scouts need yard sale donations

Mancos Girl Scouts are collecting items for a yard sale now through May 17. Yard sale will take place May 18th at 315 S Oak in the parking lot of Valley Repair. If you would like to donate items please drop off at 600 Grand Ave Mancos or call Brandy at 970-759-3105

Burgers and Casting Clinic

The Dolores River Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited invites all members and friends to attend the annual Spring Fling Casting Clinic and Cookout at Denny Lake Park Monday, May 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fly rods, but a limited number of rods will be available. For information or to reserve a rod call Brad Waltman at (970) 759-0175 or Dale Smith at (970) 759-3020.

All members and friends are invited to attend the May DRA Board of Directors meeting at 5 p.m. that day, also that day at Denny Lake.

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.

FireWise Home Ignition Zone workshop

FireWise of Southwest Colorado is offering a Home Ignition Zone Workshops as part of Wildfire Prevention and Education Month in May. During the 12-hour workshop, attendees will learn risk factors around their home that could cause it to burn, how to conduct an assessment, review case studies of homes that have burned due to flying embers, and more. This is an ideal course for anyone interested in providing important wildfire risk information to residents. Attendees will get to practice the information they learned by conducting on-site assessments on Saturday.

The workshop will be held May 17-18 at the Mancos Public Library, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Registration is required, as space is limited. There is a $10 fee; dinner Friday night and lunch on Saturday will be provided. RSVP to Becca Samulski at 564-4007 or montezumafirewise@gmail.com.

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.

Movie Mondays

Movie Mondays continue and will begin at 4 p.m. Free! For ages 8 and up. For more information please call MPL at 533-7600.

Kaleidoscope continues activities

Gentle yoga basics with Keneen is at 9 a.m. to 10:15. Yoga all levels with Keneen is at 10:30 a.m. to noon. The first class is free and drop ins are $12 and sign-in is encouraged. Register online at www.YogiKeneenDC.com.

Also, Zumba with "Coco" Chanelle, all levels is $5. The classes are on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 6:30 and on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m.

Indoor flea market ongoing event

The Mancos Flea Market is every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Hardware Store, 192 S. Main, across the bridge and just past The Absolute Bakery. Everyone is welcome to come sell, browse and buy. Spaces are available - 12'x12' for $15 for both days. Call 749-9320 for more information. Be sure to leave a message if no answer and your call will be returned.

Teen writing group meets on Wednesdays

Local writer Suzanne Strazza in partnership with the Mancos Public Library, will be leading a writer's group for teens ages 13-19. This group will meet at the Mancos Public Library, located at 211 W. First St., every Wednesday from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. No prior writing experience is needed. There will be no homework or required writing for this class; it is merely to explore ideas and how to get them onto paper. For more information, please call MPL at 533-7600.

Teen Computer Club at Mancos library

The first Wednesday of each month at 5 to 6:30 p.m. teens will meet in the Community Meeting Room at the Mancos Public Library to work on various computer projects. All meetings will have hands-on experience with digital devices, disassemble, build, etc. At times, they will have regional computer geeks visit. They will answer questions on specified topics, such as animation, robotics, game development hacking, etc. Questions? Call for more information at (970) 533-7600.

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.