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.
Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concerts
Very soon the snow will be flying, and it’ll be time to celebrate the season with a Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concert! This year, in addition to new songs, we’ll bring back some of our favorite Christmas songs from the past ten years, including “Sleigh Ride,” “I’m Gonna Email Santa,” and “Prayer of the Children.” Please join us for a “Christmas Past” concert on one of the following dates: 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.
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.
Free two-part estate planning seminar
Attorney Erin Johnson, of Rico, will host a two-part free estate planning seminar at the Cortez Welcome Center on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and also from 6 to 8 p.m. There are two short presentations, and two convenient times to attend. The first one-hour session will cover common errors in estate planning efforts and will be presented at 1:30 and again at 6 p.m. The second one-hour session will introduce asset protection strategies and succession planning tools, and will be presented at 2:30 and again at 7 p.m. Whether you are just starting to consider estate planning or if you have a plan in place, these presentations will help you understand the landscape and give you current information on rapidly evolving options and opportunities. For more information, call 303-588-2695.
Cortez Community Mobile Blood Drive
United Blood Services will hold a mobile blood drive from noon to 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St. Donors should have identification with them at the time of donation. To set up an appointment or for more information, call 385-4601 or sign up online at www.unitedbloodservices.org.
Master Teacher Seminar Weekend
The Center of Light Dolores presents Master Teacher Seminar Weekend with Mother Clare Watts at the Sophia Peace Center, 19581 CR 31, Dolores. The seminars begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, and Friday, Dec. 7, and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, with lunch provided. Topics are: Becoming an Agent for Positive Change, Mother Mary: The Full Incarnation of the Divine Feminine, and Giving Birth to the Light. The first two seminars are $25 each, and the Sunday all-day seminar is $40, with lunch provided. A friend may be brought along for free. Call 882-2123 to register.
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 group’s 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 20’s and 30’s. 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 Group’s 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 Grow’s 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.
Healthy Gift Giving II: Healthy Foods and Herbs
Tired of shopping? No extra cash? Paula Parks, LMT, Amy Loschert, ND and Janneli F. Miller, PhD, will give a free talk from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, on easy-to-make healthy foods and herbal items that are good gifts for the holidays. Come to the Dolores Healing Space, 102 S. 4th St. in Dolores, to learn how to make these cost effective and healthy foods and herbal products that will contribute to a happy, healthy holiday season. For more information, call 882-3032.
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.