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.
Storytime changes to Fridays; October theme is Stayin Inside
Stayin Inside! is the October theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park Street. Storytime is held every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-aged children and every Saturday at the Farmers Market beginning at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting, through the end of October. 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. on Fridays. The Saturday Storytime will follow the same theme as the preceding Friday.
The library switched the Storytime hour from Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. to Fridays at 10:30 a.m. beginning Friday, Oct. 7. This will be done on a trial basis.
Well explore Lets Eat Popcorn! on Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22. Storytime will wrap up the month with Ghost Repellent? on Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29.
Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts, and silliness, and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.
For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
Dolores school board candidates will participate in Q&A session
The Dolores Education Association will host a question and answer session with the school board candidates for the upcoming election. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18; there will be hors doeuvres, followed by a panel discussion. The event will be held at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave.
For more information or questions, please contact Clay Tallmadge at 882-7288 ext. 2321, or at ctallmadge@dolores.k12.co.us.
Spruce Tree will host poetry
reading with Feela, Goodtimes
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the coffeehouse. Word Sharks! David Feela and Art Goodtimes are resurfacing to do a poetry reading from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Spruce Tree Coffeehouse, 318 E. Main St., Cortez.
Join them for a reading frenzy.
For more information, call Charlie at 565-6789.
Gasland fracking documentary will be screened at area libraries
There will be free showings of the award winning documentary Gasland at our local libraries. First, the Dolores Library, 1002 Railroad Ave., will screen the film on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. The second showing will be held at the Cortez Library, 202 N. Park, on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited, so you may want to arrive early.
Gasland documents filmmaker Josh Foxs cross-country odyssey, traveling across 24 states, to find out if the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking is actually safe, unearthing a story about a practice that is understudied and inadequately regulated.
For more information, call the Dolores Library at 882-4127, or the Cortez Library at 565-8117.
Womens Cancer Coalition will hold 9th Annual Pink Ribbon Affair
The Ninth Annual Pink Ribbon Affair sponsored by the Womens Cancer Coalition will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave.
Families, spouses and friends are invited to attend this event which will honor cancer survivors. The entertainment will feature A Cavalcade of Dances Through the Decades by Come Dance Tonight dancers, a light meal catered by Seasnings, silent auction, and door prizes. All proceeds from the $15 ticket price benefit Montezuma and Dolores County women with cancer screening.
Advanced reservations by Monday, Oct. 17 are encouraged and may be made by calling 882-4484 or 565-3056.
Mancos library will screen Deaf Jam as part of Cinema Series
As part of the ongoing PBS Community Cinema Series, The Mancos Public Library, located at 211 W. First St., will show the film Deaf Jam at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20. A panel-led discussion will follow the film.
The film follows Aneta Brodski, a deaf teen living in New York City, as she discovers the power of American Sign Language poetry. As she prepares to be one of the best deaf poets to compete in a spoken-word slam, her journey leads to an unexpected collaboration. This powerful film is free and open to all ages.
For more information, call Mancos Public Library at 533-7600.
Mobile blood drive will take place at SW Colorado Community College
United Blood Services will hold a mobile blood drive from 11:30 am to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at the west campus of Southwest Colorado Community College, 33057 U.S. Highway 160.
To set up an appointment or for more information, call 385-4601 or sign up online at www.bloodhero.com.
Chili dinner fundraiser will help South American families
There will be a fundraising homemade chili and cornbread dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, in Dolores at the Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave.
All proceeds will go with Pastor Stuart Hanold of the Cortez Family Worship Center Foursquare Church and used to help needy Central and South American families and children during a missions trip to El Salvador and Colombia on Nov. 1-8. The cost for the dinner is $5 per person for advance tickets, or $6 at the door. Children 5 and under are free. Pies will also be auctioned off, or you can just donate to this worthy cause. All donations are tax deductible.
Call Laurie McGuire at 759-3601, Zandra Hart at 520-449-7016, or the church at 565-3709 for more information.
Desert Skies Band will perform at Fall Chili Fest and Cook-Off
Desert Skies Band will perform at Montelores Baptist Church on Saturday, Oct. 22, as part of its Fall Chili Fest and Chili Cook-Off from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The church is located at the intersection of Hwy. 184 and CR 23.5 (18735 CR 23.5) in the Lewis/Dolores area across the highway from Narraquinnep Reservoir.
Fiddles, guitars, mandolins, a cello and a double bass in the hands of Desert Skies, these traditional instruments come to life with joyful, original, contemporary sounds. A blend of bluegrass and Celtic sounds with a contemporary edge, Desert Skies is a multi-generational family group comprised of award winning musicians and New Mexicos champion fiddlers. The price is a $3 donation.
The community is invited to enter the chili cook-off. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best chili as judged by local judges, including Duvall Truelsen, Mayor of Dolores. There will be activities for the kids, too, such as face painting and games. Entry fee for the cook-off is $10. Entry forms may be picked up at the church office or request one by calling Linda at 565-3613.
For more information, contact Pastor Paul Gleason at 882-2418, monteloresbc@hotmail.com, or visit www.monteloresbaptistchurch.org.
SWMH Foundation will sponsor Healthy Aging Symposium
A full slate of local physicians and Southwest Memorial Hospital staff experts will present a variety of topics of interest to the over 50 crowd at the Healthy Aging Symposium on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Southwest Memorial Hospital Annex, 20 S. Market St.
Lecture topics will include medication safety, vision care, womens health, nutrition, fitness, keeping hips and knees healthy, how to get a good nights sleep, and much more. The registration fee is a $25 donation to the hospital foundation and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, handouts and door prizes.
Call Susan Thomas at 564-2156 to reserve your space for this event.
SW Memorial Hospital Foundation will host annual fundraising dinner
The Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundations annual fundraising dinner will be held on Sunday, Oct. 23. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with drinks and appetizers at The Farm Bistro, 34 W. Main St., Cortez, followed by dinner at the Cortez Quilt Company, right next door which will be transformed into a relaxing dining hall for the evening.
After dinner, Southwest Health System CEO Kent Helwig will share an update on healthcare initiatives and health insurance reform at the national, state, and local level, and discuss future plans for Southwest Memorial Hospital. Catering is by The Farm Bistro, with fine wines from the Guy Drew Vineyard. Fine farming attire is suggested for the evening. Tickets are $75 per person.
To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Foundation Director Susan Thomas at 564-2156.
Its time to order homemade apple pies to raise funds for Habitat
Home and apple pie ... for many, these two things remind us of family and good times shared. Habitat for Humanity of Montezuma County is now taking pre-orders for homemade apple pies, which will be ready for pick up on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Cortez Farmers Market, or the week of Oct. 24 through 28 at Seasnings Catering.
Payment in advance $15 donation each is requested. Money raised will assist Habitat in providing decent, affordable housing to county residents. The pies will be made with local apples in homemade flaky pastry, with your choice of double crust or cinnamon streusel topping. Treat yourself to a homemade apple pie and support our local Habitat for Humanity.
Call 565-2728 to place your order.
Workshop will empower farmers, ranchers with physical challenges
Colorado AgrAbility Project will host a free workshop Getting Around Better on Your Farm or Ranch with AgrAbility from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the Southwest Colorado Community College, 33057 Highway 160. Lunch will be provided for those who pre-register at least one week prior to the workshop, by Oct. 25.
Getting out of bed can be difficult for a person with rheumatoid arthritis or muscular sclerosis. For ranchers and farmers, these types of diagnoses can make running their agricultural operations nearly impossible. This workshop will provide information to farm and ranch families with disabilities, and to professionals who work with them, about programs and tools to help operate their farm or ranch despite physical challenges.
For more information about the Colorado AgrAbility Project or to pre-register, contact Dr. Bob Fetsch at 491-5648, or Robert.fetsch@colostate.edu, or visit www.agrability.cahs.colostate.edu.
Application deadline approaches for free Citizens Fire Academy
The Cortez Fire Protection District will host a Citizens Fire Academy from Oct. 27 to Nov. 17 applications for this session must be received by Monday, Oct. 24. Classes will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays with three Saturday sessions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The free academy, aimed at increasing awareness about emergency response agencies, trains area residents in basic first aid, CPR, fire extinguisher use, fire behavior, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials, wild land fire, and search and rescue. The academy is open to individuals over the age of 18 who live or work in Montezuma County and pass a criminal background check. Graduates will receive a Heart Saver CPR/First Aid Certification. The class size is limited to 12, but successful applicants may be placed on a waiting list for future classes.
For more information, or to apply to the academy, contact Assistant Chief Charles Balke at 565-3157 or Firefighter/EMT Gloria Balfour at 565-8175.
M-CHS marching band invites all
to appreciation concert, chili dinner
Montezuma-Cortez High School Marching Band will perform their annual Community Appreciation Concert and will also serve a chili dinner to the public from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Panther Stadium.
This concert and dinner is an annual tradition that happens each year after the bands performance at the Colorado State competition, and is the last chance for the public to watch the band perform their field show. The chili dinner for the community is provided at the event by the band parents and students. This event is free, however, donations for the marching band will be accepted and appreciated.
For more information, contact Jacque Cook at 565-8660.
Shamanic practitioner will discuss the future, share experiences
Where Do We Go From Here? Join shamanic practitioner Carla Fox at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 in the Cortez Cultural Center gallery, 25 N. Market St., on this the last day of the 9th Wave of the Mayan calendar. Carla will lead a discussion, sharing of experiences and a shamanic group journey into the future.
Our planet is in the midst of a massive shift in consciousness that is evidenced by the erratic weather patterns, the economic situation, and increasingly chaotic conditions in many other areas of our lives. We will be talking about what this means for each of us, and how we would like to craft a life of elevated consciousness that will help us ride with the changes into the future. There will also be a book signing for Carlas new book Traversing the Infinite Now.
For more information or to register, call Carla at 565-2624.
Montezuma Valley Presbyterian will host Halloween party for all ages
There will be lots of treats and not too many tricks from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church, 350 South Washington, across from Manaugh Elementary School.
All ages are invited to this free event filled with games, goodies, surprises, and fun. Wear your favorite Halloween costume and bring your treat bag to celebrate the season in a safe environment.
For more information, call 565-7024.
Lifeway Baptist Church invites all ages to Fall Festival
Lifeway Baptist Church will hold its Fall Festival from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 601 N. Dolores Rd.
There will be games, prizes, candy, hot dogs and lots of fun for all ages. Everyone is encouraged to come and join us for an evening of fun and fellowship.
Call 564-1239 for more information.
Hospice invites public to remember pets at memorial ceremony
Hospice of Montezuma invites you to join us in remembering our beloved pets that have passed away. A Pet Memorial Ceremony will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Hospice of Montezuma, 1345 S. Broadway, Cortez.
You are welcome to bring pet photos to share. Light refreshments will be served.
Call 565-4400 for more information and directions if needed.
For Pets Sake will hold bake sale to benefit local pets
For Pets Sake Humane Society will hold a Halloween Bake Sale beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the north entrance to City Market at 508 E. Main St. in Cortez.
As usual, there will be lots of cookies, cakes, pies, breads and homemade dog treats! Proceeds from the fundraiser will aid the pet population of Montezuma and Dolores counties. In addition to running a spay/neuter assistance program, For Pets Sake provides foster homes for animals awaiting adoption and helps local people pay for emergency veterinary care for their pets.
Donations of baked goods from the groups members and supporters can be dropped off at City market starting at 8:30 a.m. the morning of the sale. Baked goods can also be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Let It Grow Nursery on Mildred St. across from the Colorado Welcome Center.
For more information, contact Mary Jane at 533-9094.
Unused, expired prescriptions will be collected for safe disposal
Got drugs? Turn in your unused or expired household prescriptions or over-the-counter medications for safe disposal at an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the parking lot at the corner of S. Maple and Main St. (across S. Maple from Notah Dineh).
The following items will not be accepted: Needles and sharps, mercury (thermometers), oxygen containers, chemotherapy/radioactive substances, pressurized canisters, or illicit drugs.
For more information, call 877-462-2911 or go to www.DEA.gov.
