People are encouraged 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.

September

"Slide into September" is this month's 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 at Elm and Main streets (weather permitting) for preschool-aged children.

For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.

Liddie Rose is the featured artist for September for the Southwest Artists' League at the Cortez Public Library (202 N. Park St.) Paul and Adeline Dodson are displaying on the wall and the cases through the end of October. Paul is sharing his paintings and Adeline is sharing her vintage gloves, jewelry and purses. 565-8117.

Sept. 18

A local group of parents and educators are working to create a publicly funded, Montessori charter elementary school (Kindergarten-eighth grade) in Cortez. The community is invited to learn more or to get involved at the following meetings: Sept. 18 - Mancos Public Library and Sept. 23- First National Bank of Cortez. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 565-8586, visit www.kivacharter.org or email kivacharter@gmail.com

Chamber Luncheon will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18, at noon at Shiloh Steakhouse. Bill Thompson will discuss efforts by the Southwest Memorial Hospital to have the ability to write for and use grant money to help purchase diagnostic tools and technology.

Colorado Legal Services will present a free seminar about tenant rights in Colorado at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Colorado Legal Services at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. For more information, call 970-247-0266

Sept. 19

The public is invited to a free seminar at the Dolores Public Library from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday. Connect for Health Colorado and the Piñon Project will give an overview about the Affordable Care Act. For more information visit doloreslibrary.org or call the library at 970-882-4127.

The Mancos PTA will be having a Lil' Jay Homecoming Festival from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in the Mancos School Cafeteria. Meet local heroes, firemen, policemen, and have a "Child Find" safety identification badge made for your student. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Sept. 20

The Cortez Cultural Center will hold an Agriculture Exhibit from Sept. 16 to Oct. 5. The opening reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. For more information, call 565-1151 or email annebeach@cortezculturalcenter.org.

Sept. 20 and 21

The M-CHS Class of 1978 is celebrating its 35-year class reunion on Friday, Sept. 20, and Saturday, Sept. 21. For more information, join the class on Facebook: M-CHS Class of 1978 or email luthi2@live.com or renee_galyon@gmail.com. The committee is still searching for the following people: Pat Castle, Rick Chasten, Tammie Cook, Gary Coffman, Tom Cordova, Janice Garfield, Becky Sherborne Hill, Tara Horton, Vicki Maestas, Larry Martinez, Jed McClelland, Scott Milligan, Kassia Murray, Kelly Murray, Emma Northcott, Manuel Olivas, Shelly Ream, Monty Risenhover, Kelly Sanchez, Mario Segura, Tim Scarafiotti, Dave Snow, John Stone, Mark Ward, Charlotte Yazzie and Marie Yazzie.

For Pets' Sake Humane Society will hold its fall yard sale Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21. It will be at the Cortez Christian Church from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations can be brought to the building from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, or call For Pets' Sake at 565-7387 (Please no computers or accessories, tires, or TV's)

Sept. 21

Cortez Cultural Center is calling for vendors for the annual Ladies Night Out, $25 per table. Event will be held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Cortez Elks Lodge. It will feature vendors, wine bar, treasure hunt for Cortez cash and Fashion Show by Second Time Fashions

The public is invited to join a free trip to the San Juan Mountains Association, in partnership with the San Juan National Forest, for a seven-mile hike in the high country Saturday, Sept. 21. Contact MK to sign up and get more information at MK@sjma.org or (970) 759-9113

Four Corners Dancers invite the public to come check out a Meet & Greet of their Square Dance lessons that will offer an introduction to mainstream square dancing Saturday, Sept. 21, and the lessons will start Monday, Sept. 23, at Kemper School throughout November from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday. For more information, call Don and Judy Morris at 565-9836 or Ronnie and Vonnie Robinson at 749-9682.

The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will have a breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Judge Walker will discuss the plans for relocating courts within the district. For additional information, call Eleanor at 564-0708.

Heart and Core Yoga Studio located at 30 W. Main in Cortez is holding its first annual Open House on Saturday, Sept. 21. Workshops are held throughout the day. Reception is from 5-7 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m. For more information, please call Jill Lawson at 739-0547 or visit www.yogaincortez.com.

Colorado State University Extension will hold its annual apple "U-Pick" harvest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, starting at the CSU Southwestern Colorado Research Station. After Sept. 22 fruit will still be available; however, you must contact Abdel Berrada, Research Center Manager, 970-562-4255. For directions or more information, call the Montezuma County Extension Office at 565-3123.

Informal meeting of Job's Daughters International, an organization for girls age 10 to 20 will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Masonic Lodge at First Street and Washington Street. For more information call Linda Dosh at 560-2301

Sept. 22?

The Mancos Public Library will present the first annual Harvest Heritage Festival in Mancos from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at Boyle Park. For more information, call Lee Hallberg at 533-7600 or email info@mancoslibrary.org or visit www.mancoslibrary.org

Sept. 23

Southwest Center for Independence in Durango is hosting a "Disaster Planning Workshop" The workshop will be noon-4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at La Plata Electric Association. The workshop is free and a light lunch will be provided. Please register with Jeanette at 259-1672 x8 or il@swilc.org.

Sept. 24

Representatives from Connect for Health Colorado will have a community presentation that can help answer questions in preparation for the opening of the Colorado Health Insurance Exchange on Oct. 1. The presentation will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the M-CHS Auditorium. For more information, visit the website at www.swhealth.org or visit their Facebook/Twitter updates. #SWHealthOrg.

Dolores Rotary Club resumes monthly Bingo Night at the Dolores Community Center on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Bingo Night kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with dinner, for a $5 donation. Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday night's proceeds will help fund the senior class trip and Operation Graduation for Dolores High School seniors. For further information, please contact Tom Seymour at 799-7708 or Laurel Rematore at 564-1241.

Sept. 25

Dolores Chamber of Commerce's monthly membership meeting will begin at noon Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Riverfront Pizza. There will be a special and informative guest speaker. Call the chamber at 882-4018 for more information.

Sept. 26

The Dolores Chamber of Commerce's next monthly Business After Hours will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Dolores River Campgrounds, formerly the Dolores River RV Park. Great food and refreshments will be offered. Call 882-4018 for more.

Sept. 28

Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde is hosting their annual charity night on Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Cortez Elk's lodge. Tickets are $250; includes dinner for two and a chance to win a 2014 Ford Mustang. For tickets and information, call Marie at 564-9770 or Edith at 565-8491.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Cortez Farmers' Market there will be a used book sale to benefit Grace's Soup Kitchen at St Barnabas Episcopal Church. Grace's Kitchen provides a hot lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a sack lunch on Saturdays for those in need of a nutritious meal. For more information contact Judy Schuenemeyer at judyswsc@q.com.

The Rico School 3K Walk/Run will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. The walk/run will start at Rico School, will end at the Town Park and benefit Rico School enrichment programs. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 the day of the run. For more information, call 970-967-3540 or email nscarborough@dc2j.org or visit www.facebook.com/ricoschool.

The Four Corners Miniatures Club is sponsoring a free class on how to create a scary scene. This is a great project that can be used for Halloween decorations. The class will be 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Cortez Public Library. Class limited to nine people and is open to ages 12 and older. Please sign up by contacting Marilyn at paintedlady49@frontier.net or call 259-9401.

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) will take place on Saturday, September 28. NPLD is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands. This year it will be held at BLM's Phil's World in Cortez. Please contact Kathe Hayes, kathe@sjma.org or 385-1310 to register by Wednesday, Sept. 25, and receive additional details.

The public is invited to San Juan Bible Camp, North of Mancos, for "a day in the pines". Annual Ladies Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seasoned women's speaker and counselor, Ann Been, will speak on "Encouraging One Another", the cost is $20 plus a fee for the activity you choose. Please RSVP by calling 970-533-7622 or sending an email to sanjuanbiblecamp@q.com. You can also RSVP and find out more information or get directions at www.SanJuanBibleCamp.org.

Sept. 29

On Sept. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. Sideshow Emporium & Gallery presents another Sunday Sideshow Social with three musical acts and spoken word performance. This is a free event that welcomes donations.

Through September

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. It's open to the public. For more information, call 562-6372.

Book a librarian for up to two hours for free at the Dolores Public Library to help with research, a job search (résumé), your computer or software. To schedule please come in, call 882-4127 or visit our web page at www.doloreslibrary.org

Chapter BD PEO in Mancos will be selling nuts through the month of September. Proceeds will be used to give educational scholarships to women. If you would like to support this cause you may order nuts from Esther Cook at 533-7071 or Karleen Walton at 560-0165. The pick-up for nuts will be Nov. 10, just in time for the holidays.

October

The Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez will offer computer classes in October.

Thursday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m., the library will be holding a computer class on Internet shopping.

On Friday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. staff from the Workforce Center will hold a class at the Cortez Public Library on finding a job. The class will be focus on various aspects of finding a job on the Internet and using the Workforce Center.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m., the Cortez Public Library will hold a computer class on Microsoft Word.

Sign up by stopping by or calling the library at 565-8117.

Oct. 1

The second annual MESSIAH SING-IN will be presented this year on Dec. 15. Try-outs for solo parts will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and Thursday, Oct. 3, at the United Methodist Church, 515 North Park. Please be prepared to sing a traditional Christian musical selection. Contact Patricia Faulkner at 564-9458 for more information.

Oct. 2

The public is invited to a Medicare 101 training from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Cortez Senior Center,107 N. Chestnut St. Refreshments will be served. RSVP 564-2772.

Oct. 3

Sideshow Emporium and Gallery presents "Word Sharks Resurface" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Regional writers Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Art Goodtimes, and David Feela will lead the reading frenzy. Sideshow is located in Dolores at 411 Central, Dolores. This is a free event (that welcomes donations). Books by our featured authors will be available for sale.

The Cortez Mobile Blood Drive will be from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the First Methodist Church at 515 N. Park St.

Oct. 5

The M-CHS Dance Team is hosting a Dodge Ball Tournament and Movie night to help fund the state competition. The tournament starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the M-CHS Main Gym followed by a movie at 6:30 p.m. Four to six players can play on a team, $50 per team. There will be prizes for first place and best dressed. Viewer admission is $3. To watch the movie, it will cost $2 at the door or free for dodgeball team members. Registration packets are available at the high school, must register by Sept. 28. For more information, call Courtney at (651) 280-5011.

The Dolores Chamber and town of Dolores team up for the Second annual Harvest-Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in Flanders Park. Contact the chamber at 882-4018 if you are an interested vendor or want to know more.

Oct. 6

SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents the San Juan Symphony, performing a program of modern and classical music at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the M-CHS Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at the door beginning at 2 p.m. For more information, call Paul Bostrom at 565-9127 or Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757.

Oct. 10

"Hula in the Mountains" is the theme of the 11th Annual Pink Ribbon Affair beginning at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Street. In addition to Dr. Robert Heyl presentation "What Would Dr. Welby say about Breast Cancer, Then and Now?" Everyone is encouraged to dress Hawaiian. Tickets are available at the door for $15.

Oct. 11

The Cortez FFA Chapter and M-CHS Panther Football Team will be hosting a Food Drive to benefit the Good Samaritan Center on Friday, Oct. 11, at Panther Stadium. For each canned good donated, football fans will receive 50 cents off admission (up to $2 maximum off the admission price) to the M-CHS vs. Eagle Valley football game at 7 p.m. For more information, or to make a donation please contact the Cortez FFA Chapter at (970) 565-4314.

Oct. 12

For Pets' Sake Humane Society will host a Low-Cost Dog and CatVaccination Clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 12, at the IFA Country Store, 10501 U.S. Highway 491 in Cortez. For more information, call the Humane Society at 565-PETS (7387).

First Wednesday

The first Wednesday of each month at noon the Chamber of Commerce will have its business lunch forum. For more information and locations, call 565-3414

First Thursday

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at noon at Shiloh's Steakhouse. For more information, contact Nicci Crowley, secretary, nicci.crowley@gmail.com or call 570-9372.

First Friday

The first Friday of each month, the public is invited by the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce to participate in a leadership development program at First National Bank, 2258 E. Main in Cortez. For more information, call Dena at the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce 565-3414.

Second Thursday

The second Thursday of each month Business After Hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at various locations. For more information, call 565-3414

Third Wednesday

The third Wednesday of every month the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon will be held at noon at Shiloh Steakhouse. For more information, call 565-3414

Every Monday

The public is invited to join the Southwest Singers as they begin rehearsals for the fall season. The choir practices at 6:30 p.m. Monday evenings at the First United Methodist Church in Cortez (515 N. Park). For more information, call Director Ruth Wilson Francisco at 872-3870.

Every Tuesday

The Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde meets at noon every Tuesday at Shiloh's. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. Contact sue@simmonssecondchanceranch.com for more information.

Every Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. The Dolores Public Library will answer technology/software questions for free 882-4127

Every Second Tuesday

The Mancos Water Conservancy District will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at the district's office.

Every Thursday

The public is invited to have a FREE dinner at 6 p.m. every Thursday night until Nov. 15 in Cortez at the Cortez Family Worship Center Foursquare Church, 500 N. Washington. There will be a Holy Spirit Bible Study after the dinner, you are not obligated to attend. Call 749-9774 for more information

Fall Semester

The Cultural Center is offering after-school programs for creative kids and adults for ages 6 and older. Classes slated for the fall semester are: Feel for Art, visual art program, Silent Storytelling the Art of Mime, Young Playwrights, Actor's Studio and Story Arts, storytelling. Registration and course descriptions can be found on the website. Partial Scholarships available.