Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published. Submissions may be edited for length and content.

Tuesday, April 1

Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen invites the public to their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at Empire Electric in the Calvin Denton Room, 801 N. Broadway (Highway 491), Cortez. Pleasantview Fire Chief Jeff Yoder will talk about defensive space and other fire prevention topics. Snacks and social time start at 6:15 p.m. Information: Susa at 928-600-2993.

The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society presents Fred Blackburn at 7 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 515 Park St., Cortez, to discuss “Prayer Rock: In the Shadow of the Bear.” Prayer Rock was the place of the last great Bernheimer expedition. Blackburn investigated the area for 11 years. Call Kari Schleher, 505-269-4475.

Thursday, April 3

The Cultural Center’s Baked Potato Lunch is 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at 25 N. Market Street. Eat in or take out. Cost: $6, with proceeds benefiting the Center.

Friday, April 4

Jake Wise, also known as, Fiddle Jake, returning to the Mancos Valley Distillery on Friday, April 4, at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 5

Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance invites you to celebrate its First Birthday on Saturday, April 5, from 3–6 p.m. at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 23390 Road K, Cortez. Includes: “State of the Alliance,” refreshments, silent auction, presentation on Miera y Pacheco: A Renaissance Spaniard in 18th Century New Mexico. Call Diane McBride, 560-1643.

Montelores Baptist Church hosts the Country Gospel band WestWind Connection for a free concert at 5:30 p.m. Free barbecue dinner; donations accepted. At 18735 CR 23.5 off Highway 184 across from Narraguinnep Reservoir. Information: Pastor Paul Gleason, 970-882-2418.

April 3

“Let’s Communicate!” is the April theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. On April 3, “Babar, An Old Friend.” For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children are welcome for the craft at 11:15 a.m.

April 7

Montelores Early Childhood Council’s monthly luncheon meeting starts at 11:45 a.m. in downstairs meeting room 110 in the Johnson Building, 525 S. Broadway, Cortez. The public is invited. Lunch provided; RSVP to Vangi McCoy at 970-749-7017.

April 9

Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year at Dolores Elementary School is noon to 6 p.m. at the Dolores Elementary Office. Bring a birth certificate, immunization records and proof of residence. Children must be 5 years old before Sept. 1, 2013.

Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Support Group meets 5–6:30 p.m. at the SWMH Annex Building, 20 South Market St. in Cortez. Share ideas and information with others who have had weight-loss surgery at this free meeting. Information: SWMH dietitian Laura White, 564-2276.

April 10

Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. On April 10, “Signing with Lillian Orbke.” For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children welcome for the craft at 11:15 a.m.

April 11

San Juan Mountains Association and San Juan National Forest will plant Ponderosa Pine trees with Dolores 4th- and 5th-graders. Adult volunteers needed in Haycamp Mesa area. Contact Kathe Hayes, Kathe@sjma.org, or 385-1310. Background check may be required.

April 12

The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will hear from Chris Burkett concerning the work of the Montezuma Community Economic Development Association at their breakfast meeting on April 12 at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Anyone interested in economic development and learning about MCEDA is welcome to attend. Information: Call Eleanor at 564-0708.

Spring Hoe Down Fundraiser at the Mancos Opera House on 5–11 p.m. Carute Roma Gypsy Band, Sand Sheff and the Desert Mongers and Carla Roberts Square and Line Dancing. Silent auction, local taco bar, local beer and wine. Adults $15; kids 17 and under free. Fundraiser for the Montezuma School to Farm Project, Mt. Lookout Grange and Mancos Valley Resources. Tickets available at FB Organics, Zuma and Dolores Food Store. Call 903-8831.

For Pets’ Sake Humane Society will host a dog and cat vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon at the IFA Country Store, 10501 Highway 491 in Cortez. Dog and cat vaccine includes rabies, distemper (dogs), leukemia (cats), and more for $41; or $15 for rabies only. Packages without rabies are $32. A portion of each package purchased will be donated to For Pets’ Sake. Call the Humane Society at 565-PETS (7387).

Dance to Country Fix and local musician/songwriter Linda Lee Filener at The American Legion, 320 N. Harrison, Cortez, at 7 p.m. Cover charge: $5.

April 14

The Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B’Yeshua) invites you to Passover Seder 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Shiloh’s Restaurant, at Main and Sligo. Adults $25, children $15. Call 562-4217.

April 16

Southwest Colorado Green Party meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wilson Building, 16 W. Main St., Cortez. All are welcome. Visit southwestcoloradogreens.org for more information.

April 17

Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. On April 17, “Mudge Redux.” For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children are welcome for the craft at 11:15 a.m.

April 24

Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. On April 24, “Fairies.” For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children are welcome for the craft at 11:15 a.m.

April 29

The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5½ months and older. Classes are on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m., last one hour, and begin on April 29 and continue for six weeks. Class size is limited. Registration is first-come, first-served. Information: 970-882-5404.

Through April

On display at the Cortez Public Library: through mid-April, Dolores Mountain Quilters’ works in the atrium; through April, Addie Dodson’s Easter collection and Laura McHenry’s vintage tie collection. At 202 N. Park St. Call 565-8117.

May 3

SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents the famous Golden Dragon Acrobats at 7 p.m. at the Cortez Middle School Auditorium. This 26-member company of Chinese acrobats perform astounding acrobatics and traditional dance. Tickets at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. Information: Lindsay Havran at 565-7676 or Paul Bostrom at 565-9127.

May 4-9

The Mancos Valley Chorus presents the Spring 2014 Concert, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” featuring love songs from “The Lion King,” swing and bebop tunes and lead song “Seasons of Love,” from the Broadway show “Rent.” Free. Refreshments served. May 4 at 3:30 p.m., Mancos United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grand Ave. May 6, 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St., Cortez. May 7, 7 p.m. Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Rd., Durango. May 9, 7 p.m. Mancos United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grand Ave. Information: 970-946-1267.

May 10

Fourth Annual Dairy Goat Information Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 23161 Road G.2 in Cortez. Presented by Four Corners Dairy Goat Breeders. See animals and get advice on care and maintenance. Multiple breeds; goats, equipment may be for sale. Call Jeanette at 565-9065 and leave a message.

Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen sponsors a Poker Ride at Sage Hen Day Use Area (Highway 184). Start selling hands, 8 a.m.; riders on trail, 10 a.m.; first hand, $20; additional hands, $5. Prizes for 5 highest hands. Lunch available. Call Nihla, 970-570-5035 or go to mesaverdehorsemen.com

First Monday

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings at noon at the Cortez office, 2409 E. Empire. Call Matthew at 570-8001.

Cortez Emblem Club No. 261 meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday (except in January and February). Call 565-2197.

First Tuesday

American Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 meets at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 320 N. Harrison St. Call the Legion at 565-8151.

Dolores Mountain Quilters meet 10 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave, Dolores. Guests and visitors are welcome. Information: doloresmountainquilters.org or Judith Swain, 970-560-4426

First Wednesday

At noon the first Wednesday of each month, the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its business lunch forum. Call 565-3414.

First Thursday

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon the first Thursday of every month at Shiloh’s Steakhouse. Email Nicci Crowley at montezumagop@gmail.com or call 570-9372.

The First Thursday Art Walk will be downtown Telluride from 5 to 8 p.m. Listen to Open Art Radio on KOTO noon to 1 p.m. on first Thursdays for interviews with artists. Maps available at participating venues and at the Telluride Arts offices in the Stronghouse Studios + Gallery at 283 S. Fir St. Information: www.tellurideinside.com.

First Friday

First Friday Leadership at First National Bank in Cortez, 8 to 9 a.m. Free. Coffee and doughnuts at 7:45 a.m. Call Dena, 565-3414.

First and Third Thursdays

Learn signs and nursery rhymes the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. All ages welcome. Call 970-403-9237 for information.

Second Sunday

The Mancos Community Dinners each month at Mt. Lookout Grange in Mancos (680 Grand Ave). Pay-what-you-can dinner, bring a dish if you want. For information, to help out, or to make donations call Gretchen at 509-830-4380.

Second Tuesday

The Mancos Water Conservancy District holds monthly meetings at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at 42599 Road N, off Road 42.

Second Wednesday

Southwest Inter-Tribal Voice and Montelores Human Rights Committee meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Community Meeting Room in First National Bank. Email 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 information, call 565-3414.

Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to meet at noon every second Thursday at Shiloh’s Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., in Cortez. Call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

A free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney are held the second Thursday of every month from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St. Volunteer attorneys will assist one-on-one, via computer link. First-come, first-served basis.

Every Sunday

First United Methodist Church has a Native American Worship Service at 2 p.m. every Sunday. For more information call 565-3002.

Every Monday

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

Every Tuesday

The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5½ months and older. Classes are Tuesdays at 7 p.m., last one hour, and begin on April 29 and continue for six weeks. Class size is limited. Registration is first-come, first-served. Information: 970-882-5404.

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 about Microsoft Word, email, digital pictures, etc. Free from 2 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. For more information, call 882-4127.

Free medical care, 1 to 1:30 p.m., St. Barnabas Church, 110 W. North St., Cortez. Call 565-4436 to schedule or show up. Limited primary and pediatric care.

Every Wednesday

The Way Christian Church has a Bible Studies class every Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Every Thursday

Raising Readers Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children are welcome for the craft at 11:15 a.m.

“Babar, An Old Friend” is the subject on April 3; “Signing with Lillian Orbke” on April 10; “Mudge Redux” on April 17; and “Fairies” on April 24. Call the library at 565-8117.

Free Community Dinner every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Cortez Family Worship Center Foursquare Church, 500 N. Washington. Donation is appreciated. Call 565-3709.

Every Saturday

At 10 a.m., the Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B’Yeshua), 1509 Highway 145, will be in the Book of Joshua, “Crossing over into Victory.” Call 970-562-4217 or email info@byeshua.org.