The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published.

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at noon at Shiloh’s Steakhouse. Come out to hear what your republican elected officials are up to.

For more information, contact Nicci Crowley, secretary, nicci.crowley@gmail.com or 570.9372 for more information.

Community garage sale

Every Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September, there will be a community garage sale at Pleasant View Mercantile parking lot. Participation is free. This event is open to the public. For more information, call 562-6372.

Come Paint

Fabric, candle and glassware painting’s will be offered by instructor Judy Deems at the Cortez Cultural Center in August. For dates and times and supply information contact the Center at 970-565-1151.

Cortez Cultural Center is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the community’s educational, cultural, artistic and scientific interests. The Cortez Cultural Center provides an opportunity for local and regional artists to display their work. www.cortezculturalcenter.org 565-1151.

Pleasant View Elementary Registration

Pleasant View Elementary School is accepting registration for student’s K – 5 grades. Pleasant View has two multi level classrooms providing flexibility and enabling students to exceed at their own pace. Smaller classroom size with a great teacher/student ratio offered. All day Kindergarten is offered to every student.

For more information of transportation questions please call Mrs. Mortensen at 882-4494 or Kami at 970-394-4175.

Leadership program at First National Bank

The first Friday of each month you are invited by the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce to participate in a leadership development program at First National Bank, 2258 E Main in Cortez.

There is no cost to attend and no membership is needed. Coffee and pastries are provided for this informal, open discussion about Leadership and how we can all develop our ability to make a difference in our jobs, our lives and our communities. All of us possess the capacity for leadership, but only those who cultivate it will ever become truly effective leaders actively participating in shaping your future and the future of others.

Please join us Aug. 2 for coffee and introductions at 7:45 a.m. with the leadership discussion from 8 to 9 a.m. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information call Dena at the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce 565-3414.

August Storytime theme

“Sail into August” is the August theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, located at 202 N. Park St., Cortez.

Storytime is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the library and every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Cortez Farmers Market on the corner of Elm and Main streets (weather permitting) for preschool-aged children. Older children are welcome to join us for the craft at 11:15 a.m. on Thursdays. The Saturday Storytime will follow the same theme of the regular Thursday Storytime.

We are “Dig(ging) into Reading” following the national Summer Reading Program theme. It’s not too late to pick up a Summer Reading Program reading log. The program ends August 24.

“Magical Troublemakers” will be the focal point on Thursday, August 15 and Saturday, August 17. Next up is “Goblins, Fairies, Elves, OH NO!” on Thursday, August 22 and Saturday, August 24. We’ll wrap up the month with “Labor Day” on Thursday, August 29 and Saturday, August 31.

Raising Readers Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.

For more information, call the library at 970-565-8117.

Root Beer Floats at the SW Center for Independence

Southwest Center for Independence, a local nonprofit that supports independent living for people with disabilities is having root beer Floats at the Cortez Office located at 2409 East Empire Street on Wednesday, August 14 at 12 p.m. Please RSVP to Rose at 570-8001

M-CHS 1963 50th class reunion

The M-CHS class of 1963 is having its 50th class reunion Aug. 15 and 16. There are several people who organizers are unable to locate. If anyone knows the location of any of these people, please call and let us know: Gordon Rourk, Kathryn (Lynch) Martinez, Lucille (Luthi) Waterman, Mike Fisher, Myrtha (Bryan) Brossard, Natalie Jean Harvey, Paul Norris, Vickie (Roberts) McGuire, Wes Dunlap and Sharon Mays. Please call 749-0264 or 570-5181.

Tri-City Soccer Registration

Tri-City Soccer is accepting registrations until August 16. You can pick up registration forms at the Cortez Rec Center or visit us at tricitysoccer.com.

Mildred Friendship Club Yard Sale

The Mildred Friendship Club of Cortez/Dolores is sponsoring a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, at 26336 County Road P, 1/4 mile west of Hwy 145 (west of Four Seasons Nursery). Proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward a scholarship fund for Dolores High School.

Items for sale will include, clothing, household items, furniture and much more.

For more information, contact Margo Lewis at 970-565-8291.

Summer Social hosted by SWCLA and Southwestern Cowbelles

Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association and Southwestern Cowbelles will host a Summer Social on August 17 at the Lewis-Arriola Community Center. Enjoy hamburgers grilled by the SWCLA Directors and picnic side dishes prepared by Cowbelles at 6 p.m. Dance to the music of The 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. Tickets are available at the door or from any SWCLA Directors. Call Jason Blackmer, 739-5577 or Lynelle Brumley, 565-1972 for tickets and information. Everyone is welcome!

Royalty contest at county fairgrounds

The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo will be holding their Royalty contest on August 17, 2013 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 8 - 24 are encouraged to try-out. Must have a horse for the contest. Applications can be picked up at IFA and are due on August 15. There will be a practice session on August 11 at the fairgrounds. For more information or to get an application please contact Ashley Hamilton at 739-3765.

League of Women Voters present Bill Thompson

On Saturday, August 17 at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant, 108 S. 8th Street in Dolores the League of Women Voters will present a program on an issue that will appear on the November ballot. Bill Thompson, chair of the Montezuma County Hospital District Board (MCHD) will discuss why local voters will be asked to approve easing of restrictions imposed on the District by Colorado law. The restrictions are limiting the ability of the District to obtain State grants for equipment that benefits the hospital and the community. No tax increase is involved. For more information, contact Judy Schuenemeyer at judyswsc@q.com.

PSA for Homeless Awareness Walk

Come join the Bridge Emergency Shelter for its first annual homeless awareness walk. The walk is on Saturday, August 17 with registration from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Playground at Parque de Vida. Walkers will learn more about homelessness both on national and local levels while also celebrating the work that the community has already done in regards to homelessness. After the walk, a barbecue in the park is being held for all participants. This event is free and open to anyone and everyone. The Bridge requests that walkers help them restock their pantry with items found on their website (www.thebrigdeshelter.org) or through monetary donation but neither is required to participate. Walkers can register on the Bridge’s website, by calling the shelter at 565-9808 or on the day of the event. The first 50 people to sign up get a free T-shirt.

Free Eating Smart Being Active Class

The Piñon Project will be offering an Eating Smart - Being Active class for anyone who wants to learn about preparing healthier meals and bringing a basic level of activity into their lives. Kelly Proctor, as facilitator will lead the group through eight lessons designed to help them shop, cook and enjoy entry-level activity. The classes will be held at the Pinon Project starting August 21, 2013 from 10:00 to noon. There is no charge for this program. Class size is limited; sign up with Kelly Proctor at 970-564-1195 x 126 or by email kproctor@pinonproject.org by August 16, 2012.

Heart and Soul Cortez Art Exhibit

Call for Entries! Heart & Soul Cortez is teaming up with the Cortez Cultural Center to host the Art & Soul Cortez Art Exhibit from Friday, August 23 to Saturday, September 14. Entries are due no later than Friday, August 16.

For more details, see www.heartandsoulcortez.com; visit Heart & Soul Cortez on Facebook, or call Kirsten or Rocky at 970-565-7320. Any medium. Show will be available for public viewing during the KSJD Summerfest celebration on Saturday, August 24! Cortez Cash Prizes of $200, $150, and $100 for the top three entries, as chosen by the voting public.

Strengthening families parenting class

The Piñon Project will hold a 14-week Strengthening Families parenting class that will begin weekly on Monday, August 26, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at The Piñon Project, 300 N. Elm St., Cortez. The class is for families with children between 12 and 18 years old. Dinner and childcare for children under 12 years will be provided. There is no cost to participants. Enrollment is limited, call soon!

For more information and registration; contact Lara at 564-1195.

Responsible Fatherhood Class

The Piñon Project is pleased to offer a Responsible Fatherhood class that will begin on Wednesday, August 28, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at The Piñon Project, 300 N. Elm St., Cortez. Dinner and childcare will be provided. The curriculum is 15 weeks long. All Fathers are welcome to join the program at any time. There is no cost to participants. Enrollment is limited, call soon!

For more information and registration, contact Lara at 564-1195.

Extension Office Offers FREE Canner Gauge Testing

You are invited to bring by your pressure canner lid with dial gauges to the Montezuma County Extension office on Thursday, August 22 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for FREE testing. The office is located in room 102 of the Montezuma County Courthouse, 109 W. Main Street in Cortez.

For more information contact the Extension Office at 565-3123.

Free living wills for those 60 years of age and older

Friday, August 30 Mike Green, Attorney, will be at the Cortez Senior Center at 107 North Chestnut helping with free living wills for those 60 years of age or older from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lunch is served from 11:30 – 12:30 that day. If you choose to eat lunch you need to make a reservation by calling 565-2772 or 565-2776 by 9 a.m. A donation of $3.50 is appreciated.

Lunch Menu that day: oven fried chicken, baked potato, spinach mandarin salad, peaches and cornbread.

Leadership Montezuma

Leadership Montezuma (LM) is now taking applications for its 2013/14 class, which starts in early September. LM is the group that meets once per month 8-4:30 to learn and dialogue with the various organizations, public and private, that make our county run.

To attend these intensive one-day seminars you must commit to attending all 9 sessions as part of a group of adults who interact throughout the year. Education, Criminal Justice and the Ute Mountain Tribe are only three of the topics visited.

For more information and to find an online application visit www.swcommunityleadership.org or call Jim at 970-903-0944. LM has been serving the needs of Montezuma County citizens for over 15 years. Treat yourself, a friend or relative to a year of eye opening experiences and contact us today.

Harvest Beer Festival

Sample microbrews from eight regional breweries at the foot of Mesa Verde in beautiful Cortez on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. This year’s festival will feature music by Cortez’s very own Beautiful Loser Society. Food vendors will be on hand and there will be children’s activities. All proceeds benefit Montezuma Land Conservancy, the only nonprofit land conservation organization focused on land protection in Southwest Colorado.

Beer tasting: $30 includes beer tasting, souvenir pint glass, door prizes and live music. Must be 21 years of age.

General Admission: $15 includes pint glass, door prizes, live music and nonalcoholic beverages.

Children: 12 and under free with paid adult.

For more information call 556-1664 or go to info@montezumaland.org

Mesa Verde Artist-in-Residence Sue King to Speak on September 12

On Thursday, September 12, textile artist Sue King from Lancaster, Ohio, will speak on her work as an art quilter and demonstrate the use of silk screening as a form of surface design. Participants can make a textile post card as a memento of their visit to the park, or screen a design on an item of their own clothing. The free event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the library downstairs at Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park, and is open to all. Supplies will be provided but participants must bring their own item of clothing, such as a tee shirt, to screen if desired.

Mesa Verde National Park offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects almost 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings and alcove sites. Learn more at www.nps.gov/meve.