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.

Thursday, Oct. 31

Montezuma County Senior Services is holding a Navajo Taco Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, for $7, includes: dessert and drink. Proceeds cover costs for all senior service programs. For more information, call 565-4166.

A National Hip-Hip tour, Grayskul and Graves33, bring their dark, Northwest hip-hop to Blondies at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.

The Baptist Chapel will be holding its second annual Candy Corn Carnival, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. All children are welcome.

The Mancos High School Blood Drive will be held Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Performance Center. To schedule an appointment contact Justin at 970-903-5512 or visit www.unitedbloodservices.org and enter sponsor code: mancoshs.

Teen Impact invites students seventh to 12th grade to the first annual Blackout Night Games at Lighthouse Baptist Church, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Capture the Flag: Zombie Mayhem! $5 admission. Call Youth Pastor Ben Erickson at 565-9302 for more information.

Mancos Public Library invites the public to The Halloween Howl (a pre-trick or treat party) from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. For more information, call 533-7600.

The Evangel Harvest Party will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at 209 West Fifth St. The party provides a safe environment with free games, food, prizes and more.

Dove Creek High School is offering a distracted and drunken driving education program for students. The Arrive Alive Tour from UNITE will visit Dove Creek High School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. For more information, call Patrick at 888-436-3394.

Through October

The Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., will offer computer classes in October. For more information on the classes or to sign up, stop by or call the library at 565-8117.

Denny's of Cortez will hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser during October. Pink AYCE pancakes, ribbons, bracelets and more will be available.

"Twirl into October" is the monthly theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, located at 202 N. Park St. For more information, call the library at 565-8117.

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, come in, call 882-4127 or visit our web page at www.doloreslibrary.org.

Ann Gray is the featured artist for the month of October for the Southwest Artists League. Gray's oils are displayed at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. in Cortez.

Southwest Intertribal Voice is building a hogan, sweat lodge, and cooking arbor on Native American ceremonial grounds under the direction of Art Neskahi. Muscle power is needed to help with construction. Work parties are held every Saturday through October beginning at 7 a.m. The hogan is located on the former Powwow grounds of the Neskahi family at 3900 U.S. Highway 160. For more information, call 565-9808.

Friday, Nov. 1

Mancos Valley Distillery presents the Moetones, Friday, Nov. 1, at the Zombie Party. Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. Prize for best costume.

Calling for Vendors for the Cortez Elks Lodge Christmas Bazaar. Book your vendor booth space before Friday, Nov. 1, and pay only $25. The event is Dec. 15. Call Sally at 739-0616 for more information.

Nov. 1 is the deadline for posting or delivering Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce grant applications. Feel free to call or email with any questions: 533-7434 or chamber@mancosvalley.com. The application is available online at www.mancosvalley.com.

Nov.1-4

Kevin Black, assistant state archaeologist, will teach a class called Prehistoric Lithics, Description and Analysis Nov. 1-4. at The Anasazi Heritage Center on Colorado Highway 184. The cost is $12. For questions or to sign up, email terry at Terrywoodrow@gmail.com or call 560-1318.

Saturday, Nov. 2

Free hearing screenings and speech evaluations will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Call (970) 459-1179 to schedule an appointment or stop by for bakery treats and information. Lawrence Speech and Hearing is at 515 Grand Avenue in Mancos.

Jessica Peterson of Nighteagle Flute Company will present a Native American Flute Workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at St. Barnabas Church, at North and Elm streets. The workshop will begin with a half-hour demonstration that is open to the public. A $10 donation to St. Barnabas for Grace's Kitchen is encouraged. Call 565-1595 to register or for more information.

The next USDA Commodity Distribution will be from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2., in Cortez at the Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. Highway 160. Distributions also will be held in Dolores from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Fire Hall, 45 Railroad Ave., and in Mancos from 7:30 to 8 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 470 Grand Ave. Recipients must bring a box large enough for their commodities. For more information or to help with the distribution, call Judy at 564-2772.

Medicine Horse Center invites the public to Horses and Harvest, a benefit for the scholarship fund for Medicine Horse equine-assisted therapy center. The benefit will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Millwood Junction in Mancos. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple and are available at Millwood Junction, by phone at 533-7403 or on the website at www.medicinehorsecenter.org.

The National Honor Society and Student Council will hold its first annual silent auction and chili cook off from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Mancos School Cafeteria. Costs are $10 per person, $15 per couple and $20 per family. Proceeds will help the Mancos Valley Fire Protection District with safety gear.

Presbyterian Women will hold its fall bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Presbyterian Church, 250 S. Washington. Lunch will be provided, $6 for adults, $3.50 for children 8 and younger. Pie and drinks served all day for $2. For more information, call 565-7024.

Friends of Cedar Mesa present its 2013 Celebrate Cedar Mesa event "Beyond The Archaeological Story" from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Bluff Community Center in Bluff, Utah. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.cedarmesafriends.org.

From 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Herb Folsom, Tony Littlejohn, Cat Hill and Linda Baker will play a mixture of blues, swing and Motown music at Mr. Happy's in Cortez. It's a costume party.

Monday, Nov. 4

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings will be rescheduled to the first Monday of every month starting Nov. 4, at noon at the Cortez Office at 2409 E. Empire. For more information, call Rose at 759-2347.

The Montelores Early Childhood Council (MECC) invites the public to its next monthly luncheon meeting at 11:45 a.m. Nov. 4, at the Johnson Building, 525 S. Broadway, in Cortez in the downstairs meeting room 110. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to MECC's coordinator, Vangi McCoy, mecc.coordinator@gmail.com or vangim@monteloresecc.org, PO Box 1725, Cortez, CO 81321, phone 749-7017.

Tuesday, Nov. 5

Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen would like to invite the public to attend its Nov. 5 general meeting at 7 p.m. at the Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Road. Call Nihla at 570-5036 with any questions.

Wednesday, Nov. 6

Montezuma County Public Health Department will be offering a free TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) clinic from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Montezuma County Annex Building at 103 N. Chestnut. No appointment is necessary. For more information, please contact Karen Dickson, 565-3056, ext. 255

Cortez Quilt Company will offer two free 45-minute demonstration sessions for anyone interested in learning to quilt at the Cortez Quilt Company, 40 W. Main. St. at 12:15 p.m. and again at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. Call 565-7541 for more information.

Mixed Media with Brenda Ives will be held Wednesday, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center. Members $15, others $25, supplies and wine or other beverage included.

Thursday, Nov. 7

A new Mancos Toastmasters group will hold an informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, and at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Mancos Public Library. Contact club sponsor Darrel Ellis at 533-7372 or Shaine Gans at the at 533-7600 or sgans@mancoslibrary.org.

Love on a Hanger will host a FREE Scarf Tying workshop at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, at Love on a Hanger (34 E. Main St.). All ages are welcome and refreshments will be provided.

Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Family Service & Helping Agency NetWorx Event from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. at the Montezuma County Annex, 103 N. Chestnut. For more information, call 565-3414.

Friday, Nov. 8

The Hospice of Montezuma Benefit Pancake Supper will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Montezuma County Annex, 103 N. Chestnut St. All you can eat pancakes, bacon, eggs and beverages. The raffle drawing will be at 6:30 p.m. Tickets sold at the door: adults $7.50, children $3.50, families $20. Call 565-4400 with any questions.

Club 20, a coalition of counties, communities, businesses and individuals would like to invite Montezuma County residents to its Community Meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Jack & Janelle's Country Kitchen, 801 E. Main St. To RSVP, email shawna@club20.org or call (970) 242-3264.

Mancos Valley Distillery presents Yearning For Yeti, a band of four from Dolores, at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8. Music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Joe Keleher will present "The Many Faces of Mercury" from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, in the Mesa/Canyon Room at the Cortez Recreation Center. For more information, contact Keleher at 564-5902.

The Mancos Public Library will host its third Free "Science Friday" on Friday, Nov. 8. The topic is "Cold Exposure: How animal bodies adapt to deal with heat and cold". The first session is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and is for grades K-3rd. The second session is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and is for grades 4th-8th. For more information, please call MPL at 533-7600.

Nov. 8-9

The Dolores/Ski Snowboard Swap will be held at the Dolores Community Center. It begins with gear drop-off from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8. The sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9. Contact Clay Tallmadge at 882-7255 or ctallmadge@dolores.k12.co.us

Saturday, Nov. 9

The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County invites the public to a breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. on Nov. 9 at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Kirsten Sackett will discuss the Orton Family Foundation Grant to the city of Cortez. For more information contact Eleanor Kuhl at 564-0708.

Big Money and the Corporate Citizens will rock Riverfront Pizza and Suds, 1319 Railroad Ave, in Dolores at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9. For more information, call 882-4007. The concert is free.

Sunday, Nov. 10

The public is invited to Lighthouse Baptist Church for "Veteran's Sunday" at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, to honor our nation's heroes. Call the church office for more information at 565-9302.

Monday, Nov. 11

Cortez Elk's Lodge No. 1789 will host a veteran's day luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at 2100 N. Dolores Highway. The free luncheon is for all active military, veterans and spouses. For more information, call Dennis at 882-2614

Tuesday, Nov. 12

SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents Vocaldente, a German a cappella male quintet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Montezuma-Cortez High School Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757 or Paul Bostrom at 565-9127.

Wednesday, Nov. 13

Habitat for Humanity of Montezuma County will hold its annual meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the First National Bank's Conference Room. Light supper and refreshments will be served. The winning ticket for Habitat's handmade quilt will be drawn. To RSVP and for more information, please call 565-8327.

The board of directors of The Piñon Project Family Resource Center invite the public to its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the Calvin Denton Room at Empire Electric, 801 N Broadway, Cortez. For more information, call 564-1195.

"Should privacy impact expressions of (Christian) Compassion?" will be the topic at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, for the next "How You Can Be Part of a Christian Community with Integrity and Not Believe All Those Things You Thought You Had to Believe" conversation at St. Barnabas Church. Call 565-7865 for information.

Drinking and Drawing with Donna Steward will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center. Members $15, others $25, supplies and glass of wine included.

Thursday, Nov. 14

A free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be featured from 4 to 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Mancos Public Library, 211 West First Street in Mancos. Upcoming dates are Nov. 14, and Dec.12.

Saturday, Nov. 16

First United Methodist Church at 514 N. Park St. in Cortez will be holding their Christmas Bazaar beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 21

The Mancos Public Library in partnership with ITVs Community Cinema and Rocky Mountain PBS for a free screening for the "State of Arizona" followed with a discussion about immigration reform at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Mancos Public Library Community Meeting Room. For more information, call 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org

Friday, Nov. 22

Hal Shepherd will host Who Was Responsible for the Death of John F. Kennedy? The program will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center. Members free, others $5.

Thursday, Nov. 28

The Four Corners Board of Realtors 24th annual Parade Of Lights will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. This year's theme is "Bringing Life to Christmas." Participants must complete and sign an entry form by 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. Judges and photographer will be at Market Street and Main Street. Candy throwing is prohibited. Participants can hand items to crowd only.

For Pets' Sake Humane Society will hold its 10th annual Cortez Turkey Trot at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, at the Parque de Vida Pavilion near the Cortez Recreation Center, 425 Roger Smith Avenue. The 1-mile fun run/walk starts at 10 a.m., regardless of the weather. $20 entry fee includes a commemorative T-shirt. For more information, call 565-7387.

The St. Barnabas Church will host the 2013 Community Thanksgiving Dinner at 11:30 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28; to make donations or volunteer contact St. Barnabas Church at 565-7865.

Through November

"Sweep into November" is the monthly theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. Storytime is at 10:30 a.m. each Thursday for preschoolers. Older children may join for crafts at 11:15 a.m. There will be no Storytime on Nov. 28 because of Thanksgiving. For information, call 565-8117.

The Cortez Cultural Center is presenting a Juried Art Show From 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 3-23. in the Gallery. For more information, call the center at 565-1151 or email annebeach@cortezculturalcenter.org.

Claudia Sanderson O'Hara will host Creative Kids Arts and Crafts 10 a.m. to noon for ages 7 - 12 at the Cortez Cultural Center. $50 for six-week session or $12 for drop-ins. The class will be held Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and Dec. 7 and 14.

Mancos watercolor artist Jan Wright exhibits paintings of Mesa Verde at The Farm Bistro, 34 W. Main of Cortez, from Nov. 1 to Jan. 1, 2014. Her work may also be seen at Artisans of Mancos, Cortez Cultural Center, Durango Arts Center, and at www.butterflyvisions.com.

The Mask and Mysteries show will remain available for viewing at the Visitor Center through November. Visiting Center hours starting Nov. 1 will be Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Saturday.

Sunday, Dec. 1

The annual Citizen of the Year award nomination deadline is Sunday, Dec. 1. The nomination form is available online at chamber@mancosvalley.com or you can call the Visitor Center or send an email to receive the nomination form. The winning candidate will be honored at the Chamber of Commerce annual social in February.

Saturday, Dec. 7

The Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Dolores, will host a Christmas Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. For more information, call Ruby at 882-7717. Proceeds go to the Dolores Community Center.

The Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Brewery, 100 S. Fourth Street, Dolores. For more information, contact Michele Martz at 562-4494.

Friday, Dec. 13

The Piñon Project's Christmas for Kids Program has applications available to help support families during the Christmas holiday. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 13. For more information, visit the Piñon Project Resource Center at 300 N. Elm, call 564-1195 or visit www.pinonproject.org.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Cortez Knowledge Bowl will host its annual tournament Saturday, Dec. 14, an all-day event beginning at 8 a.m. and ending around 3 p.m. Organizers are seeking volunteers from the district and professional community. For more information, or to complete a form, please email dmcvicker@cortez.k12.co.us or fax 565-5118.

First Tuesday

American Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall located at 320 N. Harrison Street, Cortez. For additional information, call the Legion at 565-8151.

First Wednesday

At noon the first Wednesday of each month the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its business lunch forum. For more information and locations, call 565-3414

First Thursday

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon the first Thursday of every month at Shilo'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 565-3414.

Second Wednesday

Southwest Inter-Tribal Voice and Montelores Human Rights Committee meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Community Meeting Room in First National Bank. Contact Art Neskahi at taachinii@yahoo.com

Second Thursday

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will hold Business After Hours at various locations from 5 to 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. For more information, call 565-3414.

Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to meet at noon every second Thursday at Shilo's Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., in Cortez. For information, call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

Third Sunday

Jennifer Hope will host Literary Explorations, a free ongoing discussion group exploring all kinds of writings, both fiction and non-fiction, upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. every third Sunday of the month.

Third Wednesday

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon will be held at noon the third Wednesday of the month 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 each Tuesday at Shiloh's. Contact sue@simmonssecondchanceranch.com for more information.

The Dolores Public Library will answer technology/software questions for free from 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. For more information, call 882-4127.

The Mancos Indoor Flea Market is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday at the old hardware store in Mancos, 192 S. Main St. To become a vendor, call Queenie Barz at 749-9320. Booth fee is $15 per weekend, along with insurance and vendor license charges.

Every Monday and Wednesday

Freestyle Defensive Arts is held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Community Center in Mancos. Kids Freestyle Defensive Arts class, ages 8 to 15, will be held every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. Call instructor Brian Williams at (970) 903-5576 for more information.

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Early Bird Yoga is held 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 15 through Dec. 19 at the Community Center in Mancos. Eirin MacLaren is the instructor. For more information, contact Eirin at 739-8679 or eirinmaclarenyoga@qmail.com

Karate "Ryukoku Seidokan" is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the Community Center in Mancos. Ages 5 to 10 is held from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and costs $5 each class. Ages 11 and older is from 6 to 8 p.m. and costs $10 each class. For more information, call Victor Pilcher at 533-7471.

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 until Friday, 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. No one is obligated to attend. Call 749-9774 for more information

Every Friday

Every Friday at 6 p.m. the Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B'Yeshua) will begin a new Bible Study Series: "Survey of Messianic Judaism" at Baptist Chapel, 1509 Colorado Highway 145. The presentation Friday, Oct. 25, will be "Foundation Part 2". For more information, call 970-562-4217 or email info@byeshua.org

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.