Email announcements to news@cortezjournal.com and include “Community Calendar” in the subject field. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published. Entries may be edited for length and content.

Thursday-Friday, Sept. 25-26

Mancos parent-teacher conferences, Thursday 4–8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.–noon. Students will be released at 1:41 p.m. on Sept. 25; no school for students on Sept. 26. Info: Call Tracey at 970-533-7744. Appointments: Call 533-9143.

Thursday, Sept. 25

“Is God on Vacation?” will be the topic at 6:30 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 at St. Barnabas Church (corner of North and Elm). Call 565-7865 for information.

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 26-28

Mancos Valley/Mesa Verde Country Balloon Festival. Art Festival and Street Fair to coincide with balloon festival on Sept. 27 in Mancos from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food, art, music, dancing, entertainment and kid activities. Info: 533-7434.

Saturday, Sept. 27

The Dolores Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival at Flander’s Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No charge for setup, but vendors must call 882-7717 or 882-4018 to register. Music, activities, local produce, baked goods, crafts, jams and jellies.

The Dolores River Anglers and Dolores River Boating Advocates will clean the banks of the river through Dolores. Meet at 9 a.m. at Joe Rowell Park. Hamburger cookout at 11:30 a.m. Bring gloves, dress for weather and a side dish and beverage. RSVP for DRBA contact Lee-Ann Hill at (970) 560-5486. RSVP for DRA contact Dale Smith at (970) 759-3020.

Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving class hosted by the Colorado State Patrol at 8:30 a.m. in the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez, taught by certified instructors and designed for drivers of all ages. Info: coloradosafedriver.com.

Mesa Verde National Park’s annual Hike and Bike. The 5.5 mile Wetherill Mesa Road loop is open 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Visitors must exit Wetherill Road by 4:30 p.m. Entrance fees will be waived for participants. Info: 529-4465.

Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club and San Juan Farm Bureau Turkey Shoot. Sign in at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Door prizes and chili feed $5. Exploding targets at 300 and 500 yards; also shoots for pistol and .22 long rifle. Prizes include turkeys and hams.

Through September

The Cortez Library Storytime offers “A Little Bit of Everything” through September. The preschool Storytime program is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the library and every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Cortez Farmers Market, weather permitting. Info: 565-8117.

Thursday, Oct. 2

The Women’s Cancer Coalition of Montezuma and Dolores Counties will present the 12th Annual Pink Ribbon Affair from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. “Pretty as a Picture” honors breast and other cancer survivors with a photo presentation by Barb Grist, a photo booth by FeVa Photos, catering by Seas’nings and a silent auction. Tickets are $15 at the door. Info: 882-4484.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Free introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong for beginners, by Susan Matthews, , 11:15am-12:15pm, Shanti School of Taijiquan, Millennium Center, 20 W. Main, Cortez. Info: SusanAMatthews.com, 970-903-5723.

Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance’s geologic tour of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument with Dr. Kim Gerhardt. Hike the lower Sand Canyon area and join a presentation in Battle Rock School. You must be a member of Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. Contact Diane McBride at diane.mcbride@swcocanyons.org or 970-560-1643, by Thursday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m.

Lighthouse Christian Academy school fundraiser, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m., 11502 Colorado 145, Cortez. Flea market/swap meet spaces are $20, and proceeds from individual sellers are kept by the seller. Call Berta 739-6014 or Natalie 739-8570.

Etz Chayim B’ Yeshua (Tree of Life in Jesus) Yom Kippur service, 10 a.m. at 1509 Highway 145, Cortez. Call 970-562-4217.

Sunday, Oct. 5

The San Juan Symphony opens the season for SouthWest Colorado Concerts with modern and classical music at 3 p.m. at M-CHS. Season tickets will be on sale at the door at 2 p.m. Season tickets for the 4-concert 2014-2015 season are $45 for adults and $10 for youth 18 and younger. Sale of single-concert tickets available at 2:40 p.m. $20 for adults and $5 for youth. Info: Lindsay Havran at 565-7676 or Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757.

Dale and Judy Bailey to perform at The American Legion, 320 N Harrison, Cortez, at 4 p.m. Come listen or dance to music by “Country Expressions” a music duo with a variety of country, oldies and classics. No cover charge.

Monday, Oct. 6

The Montelores Early Childhood Council will hold its next monthly luncheon meeting at 11:45 a.m., in the downstairs Room 110, in the Johnson Building, 925 South Broadway, in Cortez. The public is invited. Lunch will be provided so RSVP to Vangi McCoy at 970-749-7017.

Tuesday, Oct. 7

Riding Safety During Hunting Season is the topic at the October meeting of the Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen, at the Elks Club on Highway 145, Cortez. Social hour at 6:15 p.m. (tacos and hamburgers available for purchase); meeting starts at 7 p.m. Presented by Scott Elder of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Everyone is welcome.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Cortez Elks 1789 Oktoberfest celebration. Open to the public and includes a golf tournament, autographed sports items silent auction, German food and more. Proceeds benefit Elks projects. Info: event chairman Lynn Gann at 970-565-7423 or club manager at 970-565-3557.

4 Corners for Animals, animal welfare conference, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Many local speakers and organizations represented. Lunch provided by The Farm Bistro. Film presentation at the Cortez Library, 7 p.m. of “The Ghosts in Our Machine,” a documentary about the use of animals in our society. Pick up a registration at the Cortez Library or call Mary at (970) 394-0387. Please preregister.

Etz Chayim B’ Yeshua (Tree of Life in Jesus) Sukkot Celebration, 9 a.m. at 1509 Highway 145, Cortez. Call 970-562-4217.

Through November

The students of Lighthouse Christian Academy of Lighthouse Baptist Church will be doing fall yard clean ups for a fundraiser. Cleanups include leaf raking, shrub trimming, and yard mowing. Call Randy Davis at 970-739-9490.

The annual Messiah Sing-in will be on Dec. 7. Tryouts for soloists will be Oct. 1-2 at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Cortez at 515 N. Park, Cortez. Info: Patricia Faulkner, 564-9458.

First Monday

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meets 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.

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.

Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Support Group meets at 5–6:30 p.m. in the Kiva room at Southwest Memorial Hospital. Share ideas and exchange information with others who have had weight-loss surgery. Free. Call Registered Dietitian Laura White, at 564-2276.

The Montezuma County VFW Post 5231 meets at 7 p.m. at the Post home in Mancos.

First Friday

Caregiver/Advocate support group for caregivers of any person with Alzheimer’s, dementia or any chronic illness at noon at Vista Mesa Assisted Living, 1206 N. Mildred, Cortez. Discuss options with other caregivers. Lunch provided. Info: Elaine at the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 259-0122

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 Tuesday

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 area history is welcome.

Second Thursday

The Southwest Woodworkers Guild meets at 7 p.m. at various locations. Woodworkers welcome, beginner to expert. Call Rick, 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. To help out or make donations, call Gretchen, 509-830-4380.

Third Saturday

Christian Motorcycle Association – Cortez Chapter holds its 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. chapter meeting and 10 a.m. ride (weather permitting). At Jack & Janelle’s, 801 E. Main St., Cortez. Call chapter president Steve Reed at 970-565-7233. No motorcycle required.

Third Wednesday

Caregiver/Advocate support group for caregivers of any person with Alzheimer’s, dementia or any chronic illness at 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 515 North Park Street, Cortez. Discuss options with other caregivers.

Third Thursday

Consider your every-day language is a prayer. A short recorded teaching by Wisdom Master Maticintin and discussion. At Mancos Public Library Meeting Room, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Info: 800-336-6015 or www.HUMUH.org

Fourth Tuesday

4 Corners Republican Women’s Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk’s Lodge. Info: 565-2197.

Last Tuesday

Loss & Grief Support Group, 5:15 p.m. Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez. Drop in; discussion of any loss issue. Info: 565-4400.

Fourth Thursday

Monthly Civil Air Patrol Senior Squadron’s monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Mancos, 150 N. Walnut St. Call 970-759-7012.

Last Thursday

Suicide Support Group, 6:15 p.m. Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez. Info: 565-4400.

Every Tuesday

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

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

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 looking for support with finding friends and social activities after a loss, or need a break as a caregiver. Sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma.

TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Cortez Public Library.