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, Nov. 21

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.

The public is invited to join Dr. Andrew Gulliford as he presents his lecture "Hitting the Trail with Lewis and Clark" at Cortez Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. For more information, call 565-8117.

Mancos High School Student Council will be going door to door in Mancos from 1:45 to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 to collect nonperishable food items for donation. If you will not be home, leave it on the doorstep with a note or drop it off at the Mancos High School. All items will be donated to the Methodist Church Food Pantry. For more information, call Chrissie Miller at 533-7746.

The Mancos Historical Society is back, the public is invited to join Father Bob Sceney, at the Task Force meeting at the Mancos Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. Individual membership is $20, family membership is $25.

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. Friday, Nov. 22 in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center. Members can attend for free, others $5.

Love on a Hanger is hosting its annual Holiday Open House from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. There will be free holiday bags and discounts throughout the store.

Saturday, Nov. 23

The public is invited to the Triple Whammy Open House from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Cortez Journal, 123 Roger Smith Ave. Paparazzi accessories and 31 consultants will be available with great Christmas gift ideas.

The Painted Turtle Studio is going into hibernation Saturday, Nov. 23. Pick-up fired pieces Nov. 20-23. A closing party will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at 121 Grand Ave in Mancos. For more information, call 533-7136.

Sunday, Nov. 24

The Summit lake Community Church, 36501 Hwy. 184, will host a community Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. The church asks those attending to bring a salad or dessert to share. The public invited. For directions or more information, call 882-4414.

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.

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 Ave. 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.

Friday, Nov. 29

The Dolores River Brewery will host Cassie Taylor and her band starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Cassie is a veteran musician who spent a decade playing bass and singing with her father, a modern-day blues innovator, Otis Taylor.

Through November

"Sweep into November" is the monthly theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. There will be no Storytime on Nov. 28 because of Thanksgiving. For more information, call 565-8117.

The Cortez Cultural Center is presenting a Juried Art Show from 5 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 23 in the gallery. For more information, call the center at 565-1151 or email annebeach@cortezculturalcenter.org. Stop at the center to vote for the People's Choice Award.

Mancos watercolor artist Jan Wright exhibits paintings of Mesa Verde at The Farm Bistro, 34 W. Main in Cortez, through Jan. 1, 2014.

The Mask and Mysteries show will remain available for viewing at the Visitor Center through November. Visitor Center hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday; closed Saturday.

Mancos Public Library will offer a free movie at 4 p.m. every Monday Nov. 25 - "Legend of the Guardians" (1 hr., 41 min.) The movie is for children 8 years and older. Younger children are welcome with an adult. For more information, call the library at 533-7600.

The public is invited to join Blue Star Moms Southwest Chapter 2 in sending boxes to the troops. There are boxes located around Montezuma County: in Cortez at Susie's Hallmark, Carquest, Big O Tires, Jack & Janelle's Country Kitchen, and The Good Life; in Dolores at The Ponderosa Restaurant; and in Mancos at Cellar Cuts. There are lists of items wanted in or near the boxes. Accepting items until the end of November. For more information, email smvzorro@aol.com.

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 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's annual social in February.

The Four Corners Community Band will play a Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 5, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Chapin Mesa Museum Auditorium, Mesa Verde National Park. For more information, please see www.fourcornerscommunityband.com or call 564-1245.

Dec. 6 and 7

The public is invited to the Mancos Library from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and/or to the Cortez Library from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. DonnaLee Wheeler, author of Who's The You In The Mirror, will explain how to research family history. Charles Wheeler, an experienced researcher, will share ideas and answer questions. For more information, call (505) 327-3235 or email ccwdlw@comcast.net.

Through December

This year's theme for the Mancos Valley Chorus concert is "Countdown to Christmas". There will be a medley from the classic movie "White Christmas" at these dates and times: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10; 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13; and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. All concerts are free to the public. For locations and more information, call Carol West at 882-0120 or visit mancosvalleychorus.org.

Santa and his Elves will be visiting Artisans of Mancos every Friday in December from 5 to 8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.