The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted at least two weeks in advance will have a better chance of getting published; items submitted several days before the event might not get published. For more information, call the Journal at 565-8527.



Habitat for Humanity seeks items for ‘A Brush with Kindness’ project

The local Habitat affiliate is requesting donations of household goods, furniture, building materials, jewelry, artwork and other serviceable items that can be auctioned to raise funds for our first “A Brush with Kindness” project. Donations will be accepted from from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, and Saturday, May 28.

Donations can be brought to the office complex at 1021 N. Mildred — the northwest corner.

Habitat cannot accept batteries or items that require repair. If you need help getting your donation to the drop-off site or cannot get it there during the collection times listed, call the Habitat office at 565-8327 and leave your name and phone number with information about your donation. Someone will get back with you.

In addition to the auction, Habitat is partnering with the City Market Cares program. Value card customers can designate a local nonprofit to receive a percentage of available funds based on purchases made at City Market. If you have a value card and wish to designate Habitat for Humanity of Montezuma County as your recipient, contact Holly Tatnall or Karen Sheek at 565-2728. You will need to provide the 14-digit number on the back of your card along with your name and a local phone number.



Agricultural Roundtable meeting will take place in Dolores

The Agricultural Roundtable will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at the Dolores Community Center. The first phase action plan will be unveiled. Dan Hobbs from Rocky Mountain Farmers Union will be on hand to answer questions. Come hear about new marketing ideas and a planned Community Harvest Festival. This meeting is open to all community members.

For more information, call Judy at the Dolores Conservation District, 565-9045 ext. 118.



Dolores Conservation District sponsors NRCS irrigation seminar

The public is invited to attend a 2011 Natural Resources Conservation Service irrigation seminar sponsored by the Dolores Conservation District from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at the Cortez Welcome Center, 928 E. Main St.

Topics of discussion will be gated pipe to-do’s and not-to-do’s, sideroll irrigation principles, soil moisture testing techniques, weather station data applications, NRCS contract obligations, and a field tour at Larry Claycomb’s. Anyone is welcome whether you have a current NRCS contract or not.

RSVP with Linda by Monday, May 23, at 565-9045 or linda.bilger@co.usda.gov.



Writer will read and share songs from new children’s book

Durango preschool teacher, singer, songwriter, and first-time author Melanie Milburn, will share her original children’s songs and read her newly released book at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 26, during Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park.

Milburn’s book, “I Love You More ... Than Chocolate,” is illustrated by Cindy Coleman of Bayfield. The book includes a CD of the song by the same title. There’s a real good chance chocolate will be served.

Milburn is a chocoholic. When tucking her children into bed at night, she always assured them, “I love you more ... than chocolate.” The ritual inspired the song that became the book.

Milburn can be reached at heartsong@bresnan.net or 247-4751.



Cortez Public Library announces May Storytime themes

“Change is in the Air” is the May theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.

Storytime is held at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday for pre-school aged children. Older children are welcome to join us for the craft at 11:15 a.m.

We’ll wrap up the month with “Time for Ice Cream!” on May 26.

Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.

For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.



Sheriff posse will host yard sale

to replace building lost to fire

The Montezuma County Sheriff Posse has started a building fund to replace the hall that burned down this spring and will host a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at 15257 Colorado Highway 145, Dolores, about 5 miles north of Cortez, at the home of Reed and Nihla McCabe.

Space available for $20 for people who want to come sell things with the posse, or the posse will accept donations of items to sell. Delivery of items and/or donations will be accepted from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 26 and 27.

Already donated items include outdoor furniture, dinette table, suitcases, bookshelf and dog pen. Tables will include Navajo rugs, tack, antiques, household furniture and a camper shell for a Chevy pickup.

The Montezuma County Sheriff Posse is a nonprofit community service organization that assists the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office with security, traffic control, searches and more.

For more information, call Nihla McCabe at 570-5036.



Community Band will perform concert with flute choir

The Four Corners Community Band will give a combined concert with the Silver Echoes Flute Choir at 7 p.m. Monday, May 30, in Hampton Hall at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park Street, Cortez. The concert is open to the public.

A variety of contemporary music will be played. For more information regarding band membership, scheduling a concert, and upcoming events, visit www.fourcornerscommunityband.com or call Sue at 564-1245.



Empire Electric will hold 2011 Annual Meeting, board election

Empire Electric Association’s annual meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at the Monticello High School Auditorium in Monticello, Utah.

Arrive at 5 p.m. to register and to enjoy hors d’oeuvres prior to the 6 p.m. business meeting.

Each member of the cooperative is entitled to vote on all issues properly brought before the membership, including the election of directors. Mail voting must be in writing on ballots provided by the cooperative and will be received by 5 p.m. Saturday, May 28. Members who vote by mail are not entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

To assure that your vote counts, you are strongly encouraged to cast a mail ballot regardless of whether or not you might attend the annual meeting.

For more information, contact Neal Stephens or Denise Rosenbaugh at 565-4444.



Sideshow will host ‘Artyfishial’ show opening night event

“Artyfishial,” a photography show by Copi Vojta, will open with live vaudeville folk music from John Whipple from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Sideshow Emporium & Gallery, 411 Central, Dolores.

Emerging photographer Vojta presents his first solo show of images made around the rivers of Colorado. This self-proclaimed fly-fishing dirtbag from Glenwood Springs shoots in both black and white, and color, and has had photographs published in the Flyfish Journal and Drake Magazine.

“Artyfishial” will run at Sideshow Gallery through July 16. Listen to John Whipple at whipplemusic.com.

For more information, contact Heather at 739-4646.



Ute Mountain Tribal Park will hold annual open house events

Ute Mountain Tribal Park’s 11th annual Open House will be held beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Tribal Park Visitor Center, 20 miles south of Cortez at the junction of U.S. Highways 160 and 491.

This event is held annually in conjunction with May’s National Preservation Month activities. Porcupine House and Anasazi Sun Calendar tours will be conducted. Transportation is on a first-come, first-serve basis. All tours are $29 per person. Native American stories and a give-away will be conducted by Norman Lopez.

For reservations and more information, contact Jacob Dance Jr. or Veronica Cuthair at 565-9653 or 565-3751 ext. 330, utepark@fone.net.



Democratic Women will host speaker from Blue Star Mothers

The Democratic Women will present a special speaker, Lexie Muhonan, of the Blue Star Mothers, at their meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Jack and Janelle’s Country Kitchen, 801 E. Main St. The public is invited to attend.

For more information, contact Marcia Boon at 565-7668.



Hospital sets reception for outgoing Dr. Fury, incoming Dr. Aikin

The community is invited to a farewell reception in honor or Dr. Dianna Fury, who has practiced medicine in our area for 19 years, and to welcome Dr. Kent Aikin, who has returned to the area to serve as medical director of the Southwest Memorial Hospital hospitalist program. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 2, in the Southwest Memorial Hospital lobby, 1311 N. Mildred Road, Cortez.

For more information, contact Deanna Bond at 564-2152.



Yard sale will benefit Lewis-Arriola, Pleasant View elementary schools

Lewis-Arriola and Pleasant View elementary schools will have a huge yard sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Lewis-Arriola School parking lot, 21434 County Road U.

Proceeds will go toward buying instructional materials for both schools. Organizers will collect items for the sale Tuesday, May 31, through Thursday, June 2, at Lewis-Arriola School. All donated items are welcomed and appreciated.

For more information, call 882-4494.



M-CHS Band Boosters rummage

sale will benefit band program

Montezuma-Cortez High School Band Boosters will hold a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, at 445 N. Broadway (previously the Video Palace and Windows in Motion).

This fundraiser is to help benefit the band program. The boosters are accepting donations to make this a successful rummage sale. If you have items you wish to donate and/or to be picked up, contact Margaret at 749-7751 or Becky at 739-0827.



Kids can sign up for mutton bustin’ at Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo

Kids ages 3 through 7 can sign up for the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Mutton Bustin event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 4, at IFA, located just north of Cortez on U.S. Highway 491.

Available spots for each night’s event is limited. Cost per child is $10, payable at the sign up. Children cannot weigh more than 55 pounds to be eligible. The event will be held each night of the rodeo; Thursday through Saturday, June 9–11, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds just east of Cortez.

Stick horse races will also be held each night of the rodeo. No sign up is necessary for the stick horse race; just show up for the fun and register that night.

For more information, contact Robyne Cote at 882-7826.



State Catholic Daughters will meet in Cortez for convention

Cortez Court Sacred Heart 1606 of Catholic Daughters of the Americas will host the organization’s 2011 state convention Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 5, at the Cortez Conference Center. Representatives from nine of the CDA courts across the state will gather to renew friendships, share ideas, and ultimately elect new state officers for the coming two-year term.

The 114-year old organization has as its motto “Unity and Charity” and in that spirit has contributed generously to a wide variety of national charities while always supporting the local Junior Catholic Daughters of America, as well as parish and community projects, and the spiritual and physical needs of local families.

For more information, contact Fran Maestas at 565-8368.



Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo will bust loose at county fairgrounds

The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo will be held at 7 p.m. each night Thursday, June 9, through Saturday, June 11, in the Bob Banks Memorial Arena at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.

The Frazier carnival runs from Wednesday, June 8, through Sunday, June 12, at the fairgrounds.

The Ute Mountain Roundup will welcome hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls to Cortez. Former pro tie-down roper Jody Carper returns as announcer. The clown/barrelman will be six-time Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association’s Comedy Act of the Year, Troy Lerwill, aka “The Wild Child.” Ticket prices for Thursday family night are $22 for a four-pack, if purchased before Friday, May 27. After that date, four-packs are $25 and $27 at the gate. Advanced two-packs are $15, then $16 and $17 at the gate. Single tickets are $8 in advance, then $9 and $10 at the gate. Parking is $5 for all three days.

Friday and Saturday ticket prices are $11 advance for an adult, then $12 and $14 at the gate. Children’s tickets (12 and under) are $7 in advance, then $8 and $9 at the gate.

Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.utemountainroundup.org; at Citizens State Bank, 77 W. Main St.; Citizens State Bank, Walmart branch; and at First National Bank, 2258 E. Main St.



Anasazi Heritage Center presents rock art photo exhibit

The photo exhibit Sacred Images: A Vision of Native American Rock Art will fill the Special Exhibit Gallery at the Anasazi Heritage Center, located three miles west of Dolores on State Highway 184 in Dolores.

Curator of the exhibit, David Sucec, will speak at the museum at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 26, in connection with the Four Corners Lecture Series.

The exhibit, which will be on display through Oct. 30, features Utah rock art in vintage chromogenic prints by photographers Craig Law, Tom Till and John Telford. Their work acquaints the visitor with four major styles — Barrier Canyon, Hisatsinom, Fremont, and Ute — as well as the perceptions, sensibilities, and cultures of early people who hunted and farmed the Great Basin and adjacent areas.

The Heritage Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of October.

For more information, contact the Center at 882-5600, or visit the web site at www.co.blm.gov/ahc.