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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting in memory of children
Candles will glow Sunday, Dec. 9, when tens of thousands of bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives, and friends around the globe will join together to light remembrance candles to honor the memories of children who have died, but will never be forgotten. The Four Corners chapter of Compassionate Friends will be part of a special service held on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Grace Fellowship, 24 N. Chestnut in Cortez (use the back entrance off of North St.) and will feature music, poems, and a special movie showing our children. For more information, call Debbie Snead at 565-4732, or Cherie McAndrew at 565-6480.
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.
Winter Discovery Walk for Families
Join San Juan Mountains Association on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon for the second program in the Southwest Colorado Winter Ecology Series: a Winter Discovery Walk for Families at Boggy Draw, near Dolores. We will focus on using our senses during this walk how does winter look, smell, sound, feel, and even taste different from other seasons, and why? For ages 4-10, accompanied by an adult. Snowshoes are provided if needed. There is no charge. Contact SJMA to register (preregistration is requested), or schedule your own Winter Discovery Walk at 759-1170 or gabi@sjma.org. Walks can take place on easy terrain near Cortez, Mancos, Dolores or Durango.
Jingle Bell Dash 5k Run/Walk
The School Community Youth Collaborative (SCYC) will hold the 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Dash on Saturday, Dec. 15. The Dash is a 5k or 1 mile run/walk celebrating educators, and will begin with homemade hot cocoa and cider at 9:30 a.m. at Let It Grow Nursery and Garden Market in Cortez. The Elf Scurry, a short 100-yard dash will kick off the activities, followed by the 5k or 1 mile race, along with fun crafts for children ages 3-8. Parents must accompany young children. Santa will visit, and holiday carols will be performed by the M-CHS choir. The public may participate as a family, a team or individually, and costumes are invited. Participants are encouraged to raise pledges in support of our local educators. Discounted early registration fees are available through Friday, Dec. 7, at a rate of $15/person or $12/team member (four or more participants equals a team). After Dec. 7, registration fees increase to $18/person or $15/team member. Participants may also register the day of the race. Children ages 8 and under participate free. Registration and pledge forms, and more information is available at http://scycmontezuma.wix.com/jinglebelldash or call 529-0635.
United Blood Services mobile blood drive
United Blood Services will hold a mobile blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Mancos Church of Jesus Christ of LDS Cultural Center, 201 Montezuma. All donors receive three times the amount of Hero Reward points for donation on the Dec. 13 blood drive. To set up an appointment or for more information, call 385-4601 or sign up online at www.unitedbloodservices.org.
Christmas Carols at St. Margaret Mary Church
St. Margaret Mary Church will have Christmas Carols on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 3 to 4 p.m. Snacks will be served afterwards in the parish hall. For more information, call Linda at 564-4211.
Southwestern Cowbelles Christmas luncheon, party
The Southwestern Cowbelles will hold their annual Christmas luncheon and party on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at noon at the Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Rd. Guests are welcome. Non-perishable food items will be collected for Graces Kitchen and a gift exchange will also be held. A gift selection of brand napkins, brand books, history books and cutlery will be available. RSVP to Paula Neal at 394-4076.