Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published. Entries may be edited for length and content.
Thursday, Aug. 7
Shanna Diederichs and the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center present "Big House on the Prairie: Results of Excavations on the Basketmaker Communities Project and the Dillard Site Great Kiva," at 7 p.m., 23390 Road K, Cortez. Part of the 2014 Four Corners Lecture Series. Free. Call 970-564-4362.
Friday Aug. 8
The 38th Annual Escalante Days celebration in Dolores, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday. Mountain bike race, live music, food, parade, softball tournament, bike race, duck race, activities for kids and families. Venues include Flanders Park and Dolores River Brewery's indoor and outdoor stages. Information: 970-882-4018, or dolorechamber.com.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Escalante Days mountain bike race starts at 9:50 a.m. at Fifth and Central in Dolores. Register at www.active.com by Aug. 6 ($35)or on race day ($45) at 8 a.m. at the Dolores Medical Office. Information: www.clubrunner.ca/dolores. Volunteers needed: Contact Laurel Rematore at Lrematore@sti.net or 970-529-4642. Proceeds benefit various Dolores Rotary projects.
Seed School in A Day will be taught at the Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 Grand Ave, Mancos, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It will be taught by Bill and Belle of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance. Register online at www.RockyMountainSeeds.org.
K-9 Search and Rescue Team Inc hosts its annual pancake breakfast at the "Doghouse," 35 Railroad Ave. in Dolores. Doors open at 6 a.m. Cost: $5
League of Women Voters of Montezuma County holds its monthly meeting at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Part of the series "Know Your Community." Speaker will be Terri Wheeler of the Montezuma Housing Authority. Info: 533-1051.
Thursday, Aug. 14
Kristin Kuckelman and the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center present "Work Room, Storage Room, Kitchen, and Refuge: The Many and Varied Uses of Multiple-Story Structures in Late Pueblo III Villages of the Northern San Juan," 7 p.m., 23390 Road K, Cortez. Part of the 2014 Four Corners Lecture Series. Free. Call 970-564-4362.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Dirt Riot 4x4 Endurance Racing at BattleRock Offroad Park, 5740 County Road G. Gates open at 9 a.m. Full-day action, with food vendors. More than 40 competitors. Tickets: $15/adult; $5 ages 8-16; free for ages 7 and under.
Sunday, Aug. 17
All Terrain Hero Race.Run.Walk at BattleRock Offroad Park, 5740 County Road G, Registration online at www.allterrainhero.com or 6:30-7:10 a.m. day of the race. First flight for timed racers at 7:15 a.m. All funds from the All Terrain Hero raise money for The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. The run is 4.5 miles on rough terrain, with altitude changes. Information: shelley@werocklive.com.
Monday, Aug. 18
Four Corners Nine Twelve group meeting 7 p.m. at the Cortez Elks Lodge. Public is invited. Agenda will focus on hearing from candidates for County Commissioner, Mr. Lambert, GOP and Mr. Utrep, Independent.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
"What is God?" will be the topic on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 for the "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 (corner of North and Elm). Call 565-7865.
Sunday, Aug. 24
The Bridge Emergency Shelter is holding its 2nd Annual Homeless Awareness Walk. Registration 4:30 to 5 p.m. at the Playground Shelter at Parque de Vida. This one-mile walk is open to all. It will celebrate the community's efforts toward the homeless. Food and monetary donations accepted. To register or for information, call 970-565-9808 or e-mail ktworek@thebridgeshelter.org
Saturday, Aug. 30
Josh Blue, winner of Last Comic Standing, performs in Cortez at 6 p.m. at the Parque de Vida pavilion to benefit Special Olympics Cortez. Gates open at noon. Bring ID to purchase alcohol. Cost: $20 in advance $25 at the gate. Tickets at Rocky Mountain One Stop or 565-9249
Through August
Tri-County Head Start/Early Head Start is taking enrollments for the 2014-2015 school year in Montezuma County. To see if your child qualifies for a head start, call Toni Gilge, 970-565-6040 ext. 11 (for 3-5-year-olds) or Nancy Daves 970-565-8850 (for infants and toddlers).
Saturday, Sept. 6
The Guardian Angel's Walk to End Alzheimer's is at Cortez City Park. Registration is at 9 a.m., and the Walk begins at 10 a.m. Country fair, with food, drinks, entertainment, games Free, but donations welcome. Information: Cindy Lichliter (749-2319).
Thursday, Sept. 18
The Mancos Tree Board conducts a workshop on pruning street trees, concentrating on the area of Montezuma Avenue to 1st Street and Foch Street, and Main to Aztec Streets. Meet at Main and First at 9:30 am.
First Monday
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 565-8151.
Dolores Mountain Quilters meets at 10 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. Includes two demonstrations by Gail Braunn: easy half-square triangles, and disappearing 4 patch with variations. Information: doloresmountainquilters.org or Judith Swain at 970-560-4426.
First Thursday
Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon at Shiloh's Steakhouse. Email Nicci Crowley at montezumagop@gmail.com or call 570-9372.
The Montezuma County VFW Post 5231 meets at 7 p.m. at the Post home in Mancos.
First and Third Thursdays
Learn signs and nursery rhymes at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. All ages welcome. Call 970-403-9237.
Second Saturday
The Mancos Valley Historical Saturday meets at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. Info: Bob Huffman: 406-249-7733
Second Tuesday
The Mancos Water Conservancy District board meetings are held at 7 p.m. at the district's office 42599 Road N, Mancos. Info: Gary Kennedy 533-7325.
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. Info, to help out or to make donations call Gretchen at 509-830-4380.
Second Thursday
Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to meet at noon at Shiloh's Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., Cortez. Call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.
A free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney are 2-5 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.
Third Thursday
Dolores secondary PTO meets the third Thursday of every month at 3:45 p.m. in Mr. Thurston's office. Email Heather Alvarez at halvarez0722@gmail.com or call Tif at 903-8752.
Fourth Tuesday
4 Corners Republican Women's Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk's Lodge. Information: 565-2197.
Fourth Thursday
Monthly Civil Air Patrol Senior Squadron's monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Mancos, 150 N. Walnut St.
Last Thursday
Suicide Support Group, 6:15 p.m. Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez. Information: 565-4400.
Every Tuesday
The Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St., continues the Little People Seasonal Storytime starting Aug. 5 and running every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The program follows the Mancos Re-6 schedule and runs through May. Children ages 2-6 will be taught songs, verses and stories. A craft is also offered. Free. Call the Library at 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org
Every Saturday
The Mancos Indoor Flea Market is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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.