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.
Annual Dolores Community Center Christmas Bazaar
The Annual Dolores Community Center Christmas Bazaar will be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bazaar already has 40 vendors signed up to display various crafts such as Christmas wreaths, scarves, candles, homemade breads, pies and pumpkin rolls. There will also be handmade aprons, ornaments, quilts, afghans, leather items, toys, artwork and jewelry of all kinds. Come and do your special Christmas shopping. Refreshments are being provided by the Dolores Booster Club and all proceeds will go to the Dolores Community Center. Contact Ruby Gonzales for more information at 882-7717.
Catholic Daughters Christmas Bazaar
The Catholic Daughters Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church Hall, 28 E. Montezuma Ave., Cortez. Breakfast burritos will be served on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. and Navajo tacos will be served from noon to 3 p.m. The Junior Catholic Daughters will serve soup for lunch on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Craft items, gift baskets, baked goods, stocking stuffers, wreaths, Christmas items, and homemade gifts are some of the items that will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit our organization, which in turn supports local, national and global charities. For more information, call Elva at 565-8741 or Lucy at 564-1468.
Science cartoon art show opening reception, dance
Sideshow Emporium & Gallery presents Adventures in a Blue World, a science cartoon show for all ages written and illustrated by Cathrine Fox, local educator and NOAA Teacher at Sea. The opening reception is Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 11 p.m., with refreshments, dance music from DJ Cannonball, NOAA give-aways, and real scientists! The show will be up through December. Sideshow is at 411 Central in Dolores, call 739-4646 for more details.
Abe & Alice sing cowboy and folk music at indoor flea market
Abe & Alice will play and sing cowboy and folk music at the Mancos Indoor Flea Market on Saturday, Dec. 1, at noon. The Market is open every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is located on Main Street, over the bridge, in the old Krayjacks Hardware Store. For more information, call Bonnie at 739-6741.
Open House and Christmas Tea
The Ginger Jar, Rivers Edge, Terris Hair & Nails and Art Girls Studio & Quilting in Dolores will kick off the holiday season with an Open House and Christmas Tea on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Ginger Jar, 202 S. 4th St. in Dolores. There will be a variety of teas served with finger foods, as well as door prize drawings. Call Ginger at 882-7271 (Outpost Motel) for more information.
Veterans Christmas Bazaar
The American Legion, 320 N. Harrison St. in Cortez, invites all to the upcoming first-ever Veterans Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The bazaar will also have food available for purchase. For more information, contact Dale Wilson at 882-4531.
Gospel musicians perform special service, Christmas music concert
Mountain View Baptist Church, corner of Hwy. 184 and CR 30.5 in Dolores, will host gospel musicians, George and Kathleen Abbas from Denver on Sunday, Dec. 2. They will sing special music for the morning service at 11 a.m. and then will present a Christmas music concert at 6 p.m. The Abbas music features a variety of vocal and instrumental renditions using piano, keyboards, trumpets and acoustic guitar. They have been traveling the continental U.S. full-time since 1987. For more information, call the church office at 882-7521 or Pastor Scott Hartle at 739-4496.
Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concerts
Very soon the snow will be flying, and itll be time to celebrate the season with a Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concert! This year, in addition to new songs, well bring back some of our favorite Christmas songs from the past ten years, including Sleigh Ride, Im Gonna Email Santa, and Prayer of the Children. Please join us for a Christmas Past concert on one of the following dates: Sunday, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m. at the Mancos United Methodist Church on 470 W. Grand Ave. in Mancos; Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park in Cortez; Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.; or Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m., both at Mancos United Methodist Church on 470 W. Grand Ave., Mancos. Hope to see you there! For questions call Carol at 882-0120 or visit www.mancosvalleychorus.org.
Series of Christian conversations
How You Can Be Part of a Christian Community With Integrity and Not Believe All Those Things You Thought You Had to Believe. On Monday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m., this series of conversations will continue at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 110 W. North Street (corner of North and Elm). The topic for the evening is What/who is God for You? Everyone is welcomed. These gatherings are for folks who cant reconcile what they believe the church requires with their life experience; who dont want to check their minds at a church door; or who just dont want to live in a world they think the Christian church espouses but who might value being part of a community of faith. Questions are required. No answers are promised. Call 565-7865 for information.
Free Zumba adult exercise classes
Beginning Monday, Dec. 3, the Zumba adult exercise classes hosted by the Piñon Project will be free! This is a high-energy fun way to exercise your way to good health. Zumba is an exciting Latin dance-inspired, calorie burning, easy-to-follow workout that is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. The classes will be ongoing and held Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Cortez Middle School Auxiliary Gym. Attend as few or as many evenings as you like. Beginners are always welcome, so bring a friend or come alone and make new friends. These classes are provided by a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation and taught by a certified Zumba instructor. For information, contact Lara at The Piñon Project at 564-1195.
Healthy Gift Giving I: How to Stock a Healthy First Aid Kit
Are you looking for innovative gift ideas? Paula Parks, LMT, Amy Loschert, ND and Janneli F. Miller, PhD will give a free talk on Monday, Dec. 3 on easy to find and/or make natural gifts that can be used to stock a first-aid kit with cost effective non-pharmaceutical items. Come learn how to give gifts which promote healthy living during the holiday season. The session is from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Dolores Healing Space, 102 S. 4th St. in Dolores. For more information, call 882-3032.
Empire rate issues to be discussed at Chamber Luncheon
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to hear more about Empire Rate Issues at the Chambers Business Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at noon at J. Fargos, 1209 E. Main in Cortez. Everyone is welcome to attend. In January 2013 our electric rates are scheduled to go up an average of 4.9 percent due to an increase in the cost of purchased electricity from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. Because 75 percent of Empire Electrics total expense comes from this purchase, Empire then has to pass these costs on to consumers. Empire Electric does not generate electricity. It delivers electricity generated by Tri-State to each Empire customer in their service territory. In addition to the 4.9 percent increase, Tri-State is implementing a new rate design that includes time-of-day energy pricing and seasonally differentiated average demand rates. Call Dena at 565-3414 for information about the Chambers Business Luncheon.
Four Corners Community Band Christmas concerts
The Four Corners Community Band will play three Christmas concerts in early December: Mesa Verde Open House at Chapin Mesa Museum on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 6:25 to 7:15 p.m.; Kiwanis Breakfast With Santa on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Montezuma County Annex, 103 N. Chestnut St.; and Luminaria Night at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery, 26650 Road P on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.fourcornerscommunityband.com, or call Sue at 564-1245.
For Pets Sake Holiday Bake Sale to benefit local pets
For Pets Sake Humane Society will hold a Holiday Bake Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at the north entrance to City Market in Cortez. There will be lots of cookies, cakes, pies, breads, and homemade dog treats! Proceeds from the fundraiser will aid the population of Montezuma and Dolores counties. In addition to running a spay/neuter assistance programs, 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 9:30 a.m. the morning of the sale. Baked goods can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 at Let It Grow Nursery on Mildred across from the Colorado Welcome Center. For more information, contact Janet at 533-7402.
Southwest Singers Chamber Choir Christmas concerts
The Southwest Singers Chamber Choir will celebrate Christmas with two concerts, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, Dec. 7 and 8. Concerts will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Cortez, 515 N. Park St. Please join us for light refreshments afterwards. For more information, call Choir Director, Ruth Wilson at 882-3870.
Jesus & Java will meet first Fridays
Join us for an evening of Jesus & Java sponsored by The Underground Movement the first Friday of each month at Saint Margaret Mary Church, 28 E. Montezuma Ave. The first evening will take place on Friday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. and will feature music by Dan Anguis, scripture, and guest speaker, Carl Wertin. Jesus & Java evenings will offer free coffee and wi-fi, live music, open mic, poetry, and a variety of espresso beverages every first Friday of the month. Open to the public, for ages 18 and over through ages 20s and 30s. For more information, call 570-3298.
Art, Herbs & Gadgets Holiday Party
Join the Geeks on Grand, Twig Woman Herbs and the Accidental Art Gallery on Friday, Dec. 7, for an evening of food, friends, fun, and good cheer! Immediately after the Christmas Tree Lighting, we will open our doors at 145 Grand Ave. in Mancos to the community for an open-house Holiday Party. The Geeks will showcase some technology and gadgets, Twig Woman Herbs will have samples of teas, essential oils and other natural remedies, and the Accidental Art Gallery will feature new art! Come on downtown and help us celebrate! For questions, contact Victoria Petersen at 533-9926, or email info@geeksongrand.com.
Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show
The Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Brewery, 100 S. Fourth Street, Dolores. Local artists will have pottery, jewelry, photography, fiber arts, fine chocolates, handmade soaps and more for sale. There will also be live music, chair massages, refreshments and good cheer! For more information, contact Michele Martz at 562-4494.
Christmas wreath-making workshop
Would you like to make your own Christmas wreath to hang on your door? Come to Trinity Lutheran Church, 208 N. Dolores Rd. on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will provide all of the pine trimming and supplies you need to make and decorate your own live Christmas wreath for the holiday season. Please bring your own pruning shears. This is a fundraiser for the Trinity Lutheran Youth Groups trip to San Antonio, Texas in July 2013. The suggested donation is $20 per person. For more information, contact Jacqueline Chittick at 560-3337.
Let it Grows 7th Annual Free Coffee Tasting
Let it Grow is proud to present our 7th Annual Free Coffee Tasting on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Let It Grow Nursery & Garden Market, 90 N. Mildred Rd. in Cortez. Exceptional coffees from around the world micro batch roasted on site will be featured for your sampling enjoyment. Call 565-3099 for more information.
Elks Christmas Bazaar
The Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Rd., will hold their 17th Annual Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 9. The Bazaar begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. Entertainment will be at 2 p.m. with the arrival of Santa at 3 p.m. He will visit with all the children who attend. There will be door prizes at least every hour, and food will be available for purchase. For more information call Sally at 739-0616.
Singers invited to take part in Messiah Sing-In
For the first time in Cortez, a Messiah Sing-In will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the Cortez Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St. This is a great opportunity for those who have always wanted to sing The Messiah but could not devote three months to practice beforehand. Music will be available to check out for those who do not have a copy of the score. Free childcare will be provided at the Methodist Church. Participants for the choir and audience members are encouraged to come and enjoy an exciting new experience as part of the celebration of the Christmas season. For more information, call Patricia Faulkner at 564-9458.
Family Leadership Training Institute Open House
Applications for the 2013 Montezuma/Dolores County Class of the Colorado Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) are being accepted. The community is invited to join us for an FLTI Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the First National Bank in Cortez to learn more about Montelores Family Leadership Training Institute. FLTI is a series of classes on leadership training, civic literacy, and civic participation for those who wish to improve the lives of children and families in community. For more information, contact Trish Peters, FLTI Site Coordinator, at 560-1360 or nevermto@wildblue.net.