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.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

The public is invited to the Mancos Conservation District to review and adopt its annual 2014 budget at 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Mancos Rural Water Co. To review a copy of the budget, call Lea Cody at 739-6797

The Mancos School Bands will present “A Warm Breeze in the Cool Pines” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Performance Center on the Mancos Schools Campus. The concert is free, but the band will accept donations to help fund the spring trip to Salt Lake City.

Thursday, Dec. 12

“Christmas and Culture” will be the topic at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 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 held at St. Barnabas Church. For more information, call 565-7865.

Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual Holiday Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Citizens State Branch (Bank). This event is a festive tradition with appetizers, drinks and entertainment.

The Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to attend a special meeting on Dec. 12 at the Baymont Inn Conference Center at noon. A complimentary light Lunch will be provided. To RSVP call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

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.

The Cortez Cultural Center will sell tickets until Dec. 13 for the Twelve Trees of Christmas. Tickets are a $1 each. The Twelve Trees of Christmas – fully decorated – will be given away in a festive celebration between 5 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13.

The Mancos Public Library will offer a “Science Friday” session Dec. 13. The morning class from 10 to 11:30 a.m. is for kindergartners to third-graders. The afternoon class is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and is for fourth- to eighth-graders. This session will focus on light. Students will create their own rainbow, just the way nature does. Free. For more information please call 533-7600.

Beech Street Preschool is having a Pajama Drive Nov. 11-Dec. 13. Please bring in new pajamas to be donated to local children in need. All donations stay in Montezuma County. Pajamas can be dropped off at Beech Street Preschool or the District Administration office.

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Bon-Fire with Santa will be in Dolores at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Also will be the annual Dolores Yule Log Fire and tree Lighting Celebration. Free hot chocolate, candy and cookies. Santa also will be in the Goose Museum at 2:30 p.m. The Newcome High School Jazz band will go around to businesses and play.

Cleaning And Restoration Experts (C.A.R.E.) is having a Free Lunch and Learn, The Facts About Mold, at noon Dec. 13 at First National Bank. To RSVP call 564-0800 or email office@swcare.com.

New artist reception for Errol and Grace Jensen will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Artisans of Mancos. Santa will be attending.

Saturday, Dec. 14

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

Kiwani’s Club of Mesa Verde presents free Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 14, at the Montezuma County Annex, corner of Montezuma and Chestnut in Cortez.

The 8th annual Free Coffee Tasting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Try fine coffees from around the world roasted onsite at Let It Grow, 90 N. Mildred Road, Cortez. For more information, call 565-3099.

The Cortez Middle School’s theatre group, JAG/DAC, would like to invite the public to its winter production of “A Christmas Carol.” The group will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Tickets; Prekindergarten to fifth grade/$5 and sixth grade – adult/$7.

Christmas Arts and Crafts Bazaar at the Ute Mountain Casino in the Bingo Hall from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 14. For more information, call Jeannie at 560-5741

The Four Corners Community Band will play a concert for the Kiwanis Club “Breakfasft with Santa,” at the Montezuma County Annex, Dec. 14, from 9 to 10 a.m. For more information visit wwwfourcornerscommunityband.com or call 564-1245.

The Four Corners Community Band will play a concert Dec. 14, at the Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery, for Luminaria Night from 6 to 6:30 p.m. For more information visit wwwfourcornerscommunityband.com or call 564-1245.

Let It Grow will host the 8th annual FREE coffee tasting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. also bring kids to see Santa at 10:30 am. 90 North Mildred Road, Cortez. 565-3099

Sunday, Dec. 15

Cortez Elks will be holding a Christmas Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 15. Santa will arrive at 3:30 p.m. Vendors are needed, $30/table. For more information, call Sally at 739-0616.

The second annual MESSIAH Sing-In will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at the First United Methodist Church. Choral singers should arrive at 5:30 p.m. Baby-sitting will be provided and refreshments will be served after the performance. For more information, call Patricia Faulkner at 564-9458.

Lighthouse Baptist Church invites the public to celebrate the coming of Jesus, “the Light of the World” at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at 1502 Highway 145, Cortez. For more information, call the church office at 565-9302.

Monday, Dec. 16

The Angel Tree at Once Upon A Sandwich, 9 W. Main St, has wish lists from kids of all ages. Stop by and take a tag or make a monetary donation to Social Services, Child Protection division, at 35 S. Chestnut. Return all gifts to Once Upon A Sandwich by Dec. 16 so they can be delivered on time. For more information, call 564-4114.

The Mancos School music students present “A Frosty Festival – Community Sing-along” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 in the Performance Center on the Mancos Schools Campus. Starting with performances from the third, fourth, and fifth grades. The concert is free, but the band will accept donations to help fund the spring trip to Salt Lake City.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Cortez Lions Club is selling raffle tickets for a Surface RT for its annual fundraiser. Tickets can be purchased from Lions Club members or at Four Corners Hearing. The drawing will be held Dec. 17. Money raised from the raffle will be for Eyeglasses Assistant Grants.

The M-CHS Instrumental Music Department is raffling off an Apple iPad valued at $500 at 7 p.m. Dec. 17. All proceeds will go toward the band. Tickets are 1 for $5, 3 for $10, and 7 for $20. If interested, contact Mr. Ritthaler at 565-3722, ext. 2158, or rritthaler@cortez.k12.co.us

The next Parent Meeting for the System of Care will be held 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Dove Creek High School, 525 N. Main St., and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 17 in Mancos at Mount Lookout Grange Hall, 680 Grand Ave. For more information, email Shannon Jones at S.Jonesfammember@gmail.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 18

The Children’s Kiva Montessori Charter School will hold the first of four enrollment meetings for the 2014-15 school year at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at the First National Bank of Cortez. Additional meeting dates/times will be posted at www.kivacharter.org. For more information, call 565-8586.

Thursday, Dec. 19

Mancos Valley Lions Club will sponsor a Christmas lighting contest for businesses and residences within a five-mile radius of Mancos. Cash prizes will be given to the top four residences, and ribbons will be awarded to the top three businesses. To enter, call Sandi Gregory at 533-7180 with your address. Judging will take place Dec. 19 and winners will be notified as soon as possible.

Friday, Dec. 20

Artisans of Mancos will host a book signing for local author, Barbara Rousseau on Dec. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. Her Book is titled Your Conscious Classroom. Santa will be attending.

Saturday, Dec. 21

A candle-lit labyrinth walk will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the winter solstice (Dec. 21) at St. Barnabas Church. There is no charge, and it is open to the public. For more information, call 565-7865.

Dec. 21 and 31

The public is welcome to two Holiday Yoga Gatherings Saturday, Dec. 21, winter solstice, and Tuesday, Dec. 31 New Year’s intention: 3 to 6 p.m. Stretching and yoga from 3 to 4 p.m.; meditation, discussion and refreshments follow at 40594 Road G. White Wind Ranch, Mancos. Suggested donation $15-20. For more information, call 946-1267.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Every Christmas Eve at Lighthouse Baptist Church celebrate’s the birth of Jesus Christ. Enjoy a night of celebration at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 at 11502 Highway 145. For more information, call the church office at 565-9302.

Wednesday, Dec. 25

St. Barnabas Church, 110 W. North St., will offer a Blue Christmas service at 5 p.m. Christmas Day. This is a service for those for whom Christmas, for whatever reason, is not a joyous time. Communion will be offered for those who wish to partake. For more information, call 565-7865.

The public is invited to the Community Christmas Dinner that will be held on Dec. 25 at the Montezuma County Annex from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The dinner is free but donations are appreciated and can be dropped off at Vectra Bank or Citizens State Bank. For more information or to volunteer call 565-1151.

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.

Kaleidoscope Wellness at 233 Park St. in Mancos will have Zumba on Dec. 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Dec. 14 from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and Dec. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. They will have Morning Yoga on Dec. 11 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Community Drum Circle on Dec. 12 from 6:30 to 8 a.m. and Mancos Meditation Group from 8 to 9 a.m. for questions call 533-1100.

“Dance into December” is the December theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library. Storytime is held at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday for preschool-aged children. For more information, call the library at 565-8117.

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

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

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

Thursday, Jan. 9

The public is invited to the Dolores River Management Coordination (DRMC) Workshop held from 9 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Jan. 9 at Holiday Inn Express, 212 E. Main St. in Cortez. RSVP to Kathy Sherer at jksherer@q.com or Marsha Porter-Norton at porternorton@bresnan.net or call 247-8306 by Jan. 7.

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 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. For more information, email sue@simmonssecondchanceranch.com.

The Dolores Public Library will answer technology/software questions 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. The booth fee is $15 per weekend, along with insurance and vendor license charges.

Every Monday and Wednesday

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

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Early Bird Yoga is held 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday 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 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 Thursday the Community Drum Circle will be held at Kaleidoscope Wellness, 233 Park St. in Mancos. For more information call 533-1100

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. For more information, call 970-562-4217 or email info@byeshua.org