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.
Hendrickson will give Bolivia: Silver, Lithium and Socialism talk
William Hendrickson will present a talk entitled Bolivia: Silver, Lithium and Socialism at the Cortez Cultural Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21.
This is a discussion of a tour Hendrickson made in 2006 just after the election of Evo Morales, an Indian coca farmer who brought his Movimiento antes Socialismo into power. Morales has since been reelected with a 67 percent majority and sees benefit from holding the worlds largest deposit of lithium.
For more information, contact Hendrickson at 565-8907.
Native Plant Society will lead Sand Canyon spring wildflower hike
The San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society will lead a spring wildflower hike in Sand Canyon, in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, on Thursday, April 21.
This hike will be led by Al Schneider of the Native Plant Society. Participants will walk about 4.5 miles, so they will start early and finish late, spending an entire day leisurely enjoying the beauty of this area. At times, especially at the beginning of the trip, participants will walk slowly and identify many plant species. Then participants will walk more continuously, but still stop whenever people have questions or find new flowers to enjoy. This trip is moderately paced for wildflower enthusiasts and budding botanists.
Be sure to bring lunch, snacks, two liters of water, rain gear, etc.
Reserve a spot to obtain the time of hike and meeting location.
Contact Al Schneider at coloradowildflowers@yahoo.com or call 882-4647 for more information and to make reservations.
For more Native Plant Society activities and a slide show of flowers in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, see http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com.
Flowers Abound is April theme for Cortez Public Library Storytime
Flowers Abound! is the April 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. Older children are welcome to join us for the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Next is Be a good egg on April 21. Well wrap up the month with My favorite dinosaur on April 28.
Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.
For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
National Weather Service will give free severe storm spotter training
The National Weather Service of Grand Junction will present two free training classes. Basic Storm Spotter Training will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the Towaoc Community Center, 485 Sunset Blvd. (next to the recreation center in Towaoc). Combined Basic and Advanced Storm Spotter Training will take place later the same day from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Cortez Journal Building, 123 Roger Smith Ave., Cortez.
Learn how to identify and report significant and severe weather to the National Weather Service, and learn how to accurately measure precipitation.
For more information, visit http://weather.gov/gjt.
Mustang association will give talk on Disappointment Valley herd
The Colorado chapter of the National Mustang Association will present an educational presentation about Disappointment Valley mustangs at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the Cortez Recreation Center, 425 Roger Smith Ave.
Information will be shared about the September fall roundup and adoption as well as using fertility control as a sustainable management tool to reduce helicopter-driven roundups in Spring Creek Basin.
This discussion will provide information about the herd from T.J. Holmes, who is president of NMA/CO and documents the mustangs, and about the April 25 public hearing and open house to be held about the roundup at the Dolores Public Lands Office.
For more information about the presentation, contact Holmes at 422-4388. For information on Spring Creek Basin mustangs, visit http://springcreekwild.wordpress.com.
Joseph Langham with guest Billy Kneebone will perform acoustic folk
Joseph Langham with special guest Billy Kneebone will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Mancos Valley Distillery, 116 N. Main St., Mancos.
Joseph Langham hails from Flagstaff, Ariz., and will be accompanied by Billy Kneebone of the Dolores-based band The Porchlights. Their acoustic folk songs are sure to keep your feet moving. Doors open at 5 p.m.
For more information, call Ian at 946-0229.
MountainFilm On Tour event will help Dolores River Festival
Greater Dolores Action will present the 7th Annual Telluride MountainFilm On Tour and Great Outdoors Silent Auction on from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave.
The highlight of this years event will be a screening of The 2011 Telluride MountainFilm on Tour; a compilation of award-winning films from the Telluride MountainFilm Festival.
The Great Outdoors Silent Auction will feature outdoor recreational gear and river equipment. Dinner will be catered by Absolute Bakery & Cafe, beer brewed by Dolores River Brewery; and snacks and other refreshments from Dolores Food Market will be available for purchase.
Admission for adults is $10 at the door; children 15 and under get in free. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Greater Dolores Action and will support the Dolores River Festival and local river projects.
For more information, visit www.doloresriverfestival.com or contact Fundraiser Coordinator Megan Coxwell at 882-3344 or coxwell.meggiej@hotmail.com.
Rotary Club will hold Easter Egg Hunt in Cortez City Park
The Annual Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at in Cortez City Park, behind the municipal swimming pool.
There will be special areas for children in the age groups of 0-3, 4-7, 8-10 and 11 and older. This year there will be a combination of fresh eggs, specialty eggs filled with candy and toys, and money eggs.
Children are encouraged to bring a basket and wear their favorite Easter bonnet.
When Elephants Fly book release event will be hosted in Cortez
The Cortez book release of When Elephants Fly by Durango author Dana Shino will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Healing Hearts, 1084 E. Empire, Cortez. There will be a book signing from 10 a.m. to noon and spiritual readings from noon to 3 p.m.
When Elephants Fly tells a spiritual narrative about living the convictions of intuitive truth. Shino weaves the finer details of her spiritual and psychic adventures with practical spiritual tools for her audience. Within the pages of the book, the reader meets with the elephant that serves as the symbolic mystery revealed in every spiritual journey. Throughout, Shino makes it obvious that every person on the planet has a spiritual bone in their body and a psychic gift in their heart, encouraging the reader to tap their gifts.
For more information, call 375-1708.
Presbyterian church will host Easter party for children
All children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to attend an Easter party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church, 350 S. Washington St., Cortez.
This activity is being organized by the Fun Loving Outreaching Christian committee and the Youth Group of the church. Numerous games and activities are being planned for the children to enjoy. A raffle will be held for a number of items, including a 62-inch vinyl bunny. Refreshments will be available for parents who accompany their children.
For more information, contact the church at 565-7024, Jack Robbins at 882-1444, or Ron Kimmi at 565-9042.
Free and low-cost screenings available at Mancos 9 Health Fair
Southwest Memorial Hospital will offer free and low-cost health screenings at the 9 Health Fair from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23, at Mancos Middle School, 100 S. Beech St.
Free services will include blood pressure checks, vision and hearing screening, body mass index measurement, lung function screening, balance evaluation, spinal alignment assessment, breast exam, nutrition evaluation, sleep apnea screening, and more. Blood chemistry, blood count, PSA, and vitamin D testing will be available at costs ranging from $15 to $40 per test. Individuals who want blood chemistry screening (cholesterol, glucose, liver, kidney, thyroid, etc.) should not eat anything or drink liquids containing sugar or cream for 12 hours prior to having their blood drawn at the health fair. Diabetics, however, should not fast in this manner. Home colon cancer screening kits will be available for $20. Health care professionals will be on hand to answer questions and provide education on a variety of topics.
For more information, contact Deana Yeomans at 533-7985.
Dolores Rotary Club bingo will benefit towns Community Center
The Dolores Rotary Club will hold its final winter/spring bingo night at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave.
Soup and dessert will be served by the Dolores Community Center Board starting at 6:30 p.m. for $5, with bingo following at 7 p.m. Cards are $1 per game or $10 for the evening. All proceeds will benefit the community center.
For more information, contact Dan Jones at 749-2449.
Flower fairies dollmaking class will be taught at Mancos Library
The Mancos Public Library will host a class taught by Charlene Swansen on how to make flower fairies at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at 211 W. First St., Mancos.
These sweet little dolls are 2 to 4 inches tall and add a touch of spring to any home. The library will provide all the supplies and instruction. The cost is $3.
For more information or to sign up, call 533-7600.
McHenry will give presentation about historic McCabe Ranch
Come hear John McHenrys History of the McCabe Ranch at the Montezuma County Historical Societys symposium, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Methodist Churchs Hampton Hall, 515 Park St., Cortez.
McHenry is the grandson of Leona and Stanley McCabe, a rancher and coach for the Dolores school system.
For more information, contact Vivienne Kenyon at 565-7714.
Dolores River Festival organizers call for festival vendors
Organizers of the Dolores River Festival, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, are looking for licensed food, crafts, and merchandise vendors as well as nonprofit organizations to participate in this years festival as vendors. The deadline to reserve a booth for this years Festival is May 1.
If you are a licensed food vendor, commercial merchant, craftsman, artist, or local business and would like to reserve a 10- by 10-foot or 10- by 20-foot booth space at the festival to sell your goodies, gear, or glitz then see the festival website for vendor information and applications.
Organizers are also offering discounted booths to local nonprofit organizations that want to spread the word about their work to the festival audience. If you are interested in either of these two great opportunities, see the festival website at www.doloresriverfestival.com or contact the Festival Director, Shaine Gans, at 759-9817 or coordinator@doloresriverfestival.com.
Strong Extended Families Program offered for relative caregivers
The Strong Extended Families Program begins Tuesday, May 3, and offers four weekly classes at Suite E, 215 N. Linden, Cortez.
Caregivers gain support and information on state and local resources. The program includes snacks, games, art projects and skits that help youth in relative care understand the situation and learn coping skills. The cost is $80 per family.
Scholarships are available.
For more information or to register at 565-3606.
