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.

Escalante Days: Free Children's Bicycle Rodeo after the Children's Parade behind the Dolores Medical Center. Learn safety skills. Participants receive free helmets and chance to win a bike.

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.

The Cortez Special Olympics and Lions Club provides a food booth at the George Greer Memorial Car Show 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast Burritos in the morning and Navajo Tacos in afternoon. Public is invited.

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.

School Supply Drive, 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at First and Elm streets in Cortez. Needed supplies include dry erase markers, copy paper, notebook paper, 1-inch binders, construction paper, No. 2 pencils, erasers, spiral notebooks, composition books, glue, pocket folders Scotch tape and Kleenex. Contact Judy Schuenemeyer at judyswsc@q.com or 565-7837.

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.

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

Indian Dancers and Sam Sandoval, Navajo Code Talker at The Cultural Center, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7-8 p.m. Every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in The Gallery: Sam Sandoval, WWII Navajo Code Talker. Note: Saturday, July 12 and Saturday, Aug. 9, there will be no Indian Dancers.

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).

Join yoga teacher Dean Kottmann for "Men on Mondays" at Heart and Core Yoga Studio, 7-8 p.m. Yoga classes for men of all levels and ages meets Aug. 4, 11, 18, and 25. 30 W. Main St., Cortez. Info: 739-0547 or heartandcoreyoga.com.

Southwest Artists League artist for August is Shirley Percell, at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Bill Lemons' display of wild orchids of Montezuma County photos continues through August, and Ramon de Encio displays his wood impressions through September. Info: 970-565-8117.

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

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings at noon at 2409 E. Empire, Cortez. Call Matthew, 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 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 Wednesday

Diabetes support group meets 3:30-5 p.m. in the Kiva Room at Southwest Memorial Hospital. Learn how to manage diabetes; share ideas with others. Sessions are free and open to anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Contact Laura White, RD, at 564-2276 for details.

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 Friday

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

First and Third Thursdays

Learn signs and nursery rhymes 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.

The Montezuma County Historical Society Board of Directors meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elks Club and includes a no-host lunch. Anyone interested in the history of Montezuma County and the Four Corners is welcome.

Second Thursday

The Southwest Woodworkers Guild meets at 7 p.m. at various locations. Woodworkers welcome, beginner to expert. beginner to the expert. Call Rick at 533-7180.

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

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours at various locations from 5-7 p.m. Call 565-3414.

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 Saturday

Christian Motorcycle Association, CMA - Cortez Chapter holds its 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. chapter meeting and 10 a.m. ride (weather permitting). At Beny's restaurant in Cortez. Call Chapter President Steve Reed at 970-565-7233. No motorcycle required.

Third Wednesday

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is held at noon at Shiloh Steakhouse. Call 565-3414.

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 pm, 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 Sunday

First United Methodist Church has a Native American Worship Service at 2 p.m. Information: 565-3002.

Every Tuesday

The Montezuma Agility Dog Club's Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5 1/2 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 Dolores Public Library answers technology/software questions about Microsoft Word, email, digital pictures, etc. Free at 2-5 p.m. Call 882-4127.

The Mancos Public Library, offers Little People Storytime on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. The program is geared toward children ages 2- 6, but all ages are welcome. Info: 533-7600.

Free medical care, Tuesday from 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 Thursday

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

Weekly weigh-ins available with the Waist Management Group, 4:40 to 5:30 p.m., 343 E. Main St.,, Suite 300, Cortez. Free. Info: Berta at 565-9515 or 739-6014 after 4:30 p.m.

Country music and dancing for senior residents at the Cortez Senior Center, 7-10 p.m.

Every Friday

Friendship Social Group, 1 p.m. at Beny's Diner, 640 S. Broadway, Cortez. For those who are looking for support with finding new friends and social activities after a loss, or need a break from the role of a caregiver. Sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma.