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.



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.



Center of Light will present film as part of Inner Peace Festival

The Centers of Light will hold the Inner Peace Festival with the film “Conscientious Objector” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 27, at the Cortez Recreation Center, 425 Roger Smith Ave.; and other events, including drum circles, meditation and children’s activities, from 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Joe Rowell Park in Dolores.

All donations for the free events will be given to support the Center on Conscience and War.

For more information, contact Rev. Meira Leonard at 882-2123 or RevMeira@CentersOfLight.org.



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.

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. 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.



Montezuma County 4-H Horse Program will hold annual yard sale

The Montezuma County 4-H Horse Program will hold its annual yard sale Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29, at 15660 U.S. Highway 491 (6 miles north of Cortez). Donations are welcome.

For more information, call 560-0412.



American Legion will hold Memorial Day services

American Legion Post 75 invites the community to observe Memorial Day at 6 and 7 a.m. Monday, May 30, at the Cortez Cemetery, U.S. Highway 160, and the Legion, 320 N. Harrison St., Cortez.

Services will begin at 6 a.m. at the cemetery with flag raisings, a bagpipe salute by Jim Lynch, a gun salute and playing of “Taps” by Sarah Gray.

The ceremonies will be repeated at 7 a.m. at the Legion home. The ceremony will be followed by a breakfast prepared by Legion and Auxiliary members.

After the ceremonies in Cortez, a memorial service will be at 9:30 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. Veterans will drop a wreath in the Dolores River to commemorate those who have been lost at sea.

There will be a fourth service as 11 a.m. in Rico.

For more information, contact the Legion at 565-8151.



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.



Cortez Public Library begins summer reading program

The Summer Reading Program starts Saturday, May 28, at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.

Readers can pick up a reading log then. The 2011 theme is “One World, Many Stories” and is a reading incentive program that rewards readers with free books, prizes and a T-shirt. We also have six performers coming to visit. Come explore other cultures.

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



Cortez library will hold special Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo events

Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo committee members will sponsor programs for children of all ages at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 31; at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 2, during the regular children’s Storytime; and at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.

The rodeo committee hopes to spark an interest in rodeo culture and the upcoming rodeo, which is slated to start Thursday, June 9, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. There will be stories, music, singing, dancing and a craft that children can make at the library or take home. Parents can bring cameras to photograph their children posing on a saddle. Participants will receive rodeo tickets.

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



Storyteller will perform during Family Entertainment Program

Josiah Rogers, teller of myths, fables, and tales, will perform during the Family Entertainment Program at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.

The theme is One World, Many Stories, and these stories are from all around the world. Rogers, of Cortez, hopes that these stories will broaden the imagination of the children they speak to.

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



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.



United Blood Services seeks

donors for Cortez blood drive

The Cortez Community blood drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at 515 N. Park, Cortez.

Any donor who wishes to donate can call to set an appointment or get more information at 385-4601, or sign up online at www.bloodhero.com.



Library’s Storytime program features ‘Stories We Tell’ theme

“The Stories We Tell” is the June theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.

Storytime is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for pre-school aged children and every Saturday at the Farmers Market beginning at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. The Farmers Market is located on the corner of S. Elm and Main streets. Older children are welcome to join for the craft at 11:15 a.m. Thursdays. The Saturday Storytime will follow the same theme as the preceding Thursday.

On Thursday, June 2, and Saturday, June 4, we’ll introduce “Let’s rodeo!: rodeo culture and history” (the Thursday Storytime for this week will be sponsored by the Ute Mountain Rodeo committee). “Bilingual Storytime” will be the focal point for Thursday, June 9, and Saturday, June 11. Next is “Trickster Tales” on Thursday, June 16, and Saturday, June 18. We’ll celebrate “Cinderella Around the World: Fairy Tales” on Thursday, June 23, and Saturday, June 25. We’ll wrap up the month with “The Cow Says ... Moo!: Animal Sounds Around the World” on Thursday, June 30, and Saturday, July 2. Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.

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



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.



Four Corners Community Band

will celebrate 10th year with concert

The Four Corners Community Band will celebrate their 10th Year Anniversary with a concert at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, at Parque de Vida Amphitheater at 400 N. Mildred in Cortez. Area musicians are invited to bring an instrument and a chair (and a stand too, if you have one). Electricity is available for portable keyboards. Refreshments will be served. The band invites all area residents to join in the joy of sharing music.

Grades one and two music is available at the performance or through kathrinelgraham@yahoo.com, www.fourcornerscommunityband.com, or call 564-1245.



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.