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.
'Watershed' Movie Night screening and discussion
Dolores River Boating Advocates will host a free public screening of "Watershed" on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Dolores Library, 1002 Railroad Ave. A documentary film produced and narrated by Robert Redford, "Watershed" examines the increasing pressures on the Colorado River from growing population in the basin and a changing climate. Communities throughout the region are finding ways to conserve water and sustainably protect their economic base. A discussion will follow the film, focusing on how our community can do the same and enhance the health of the Dolores River. For more information, visit www.doloresriverboating.org or call 799-1475.
Johnny and the Bluenotes perform blues, old rock 'n roll
John Hernandez, guitar and vocals, Mark Allen, sax, Bob Carey, bass, and Catfish, drums - better known as "Johnny and the Bluenotes" - will perform their brand of blues and old rock 'n roll on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. at Mr. Happy's, 125 E. Main St. in Cortez. For more information, call Mark at 565-9804.
Meet and Greet for new season of square dance lessons
There will be a new season of square dance lessons beginning on Monday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. at Kemper Elementary, 620 Montezuma Ave. The Four Corners Dancers club will present the lessons, which will begin with a Meet and Greet Night on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m., also at Kemper School. The lessons will then be given every Monday night for about the next three months. Square dancing benefits the body and brain; if you can walk, you can probably square dance. No partner or dress-up needed. Come and see for yourself! For more information, contact Don and Judy Morris at 565-9836, or Ronnie and Vonnie Robinson at 749-9682.
Nutrition and Weight Loss lecture
Jill Schenk, MD, will give a free lecture on nutrition and weight loss on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in the conference room at Southwest Memorial Physicians, 20 S. Market St. in Cortez. Topics will include how to lose weight and keep it off, nutrition tips, how to stick to an exercise program, and an update on new FDA-approved weight loss medications. No RSVP is necessary and light refreshments will be served. Call 565-4291 for more information.
Montezuma Land Conservancy Wild and Scenic Film Festival
Montezuma Land Conservancy is proud to host the Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Dr. This year's festival showcases short films rethinking how we inhabit the planet. The films combine stellar filmmaking, beautiful cinematography and first-rate storytelling with the theme of "A Climate of Change." Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children, and includes nine short films, beverages including free beer (ID is required), and refreshments; all proceeds will benefit Montezuma Land Conservancy, the only non-profit land conservation organization focused on land protection in Southwest Colorado. For more information, please contact Montezuma Land Conservancy at 565-1664 or info@montezumaland.org.
Presentation of journey through Egypt
Visit Egypt for an hour from Giza to Aswan with a Powerpoint presentation by Shelby and Roberta Smith on Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. Enjoy sights, sounds and stories of the ancient land. Travel by plane, river cruiser, camel and hot air balloon to see the pyramids, temples and other wonders along the Nile. The presentation will be at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. Admission is $3 for members, $5 for non-members. For more information, contact the center at 565-1151.
M-CHS Theater Department to perform 'Macbeth'
The Montezuma-Cortez High School Theater Department proudly presents Shakespeare's "Macbeth" at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25 and 26, and Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1 and 2, with a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 2. The show at the high school auditorium will be performed in the style of film noir, classic black-and-white gangster movies of the 1940's. The language will remain Shakespearean, but the look is entirely black and white with lots of shadows, fog, and tommy-guns. The story follows a man who is foretold that he will become king. But when he decides to take matters into his own hands by killing the present king, his whole world begins to fall apart. Tickets will be $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and kids under 5 are free. Visit us online at www.mchsdrama.org or call 565-3722 ext 2198 for reservations.
'Animal Tracks and Signs' hike at Mesa Verde
Learn how to discover what animals are out and about during the winter months at Mesa Verde National Park during the "Animal Tracks and Signs" hike at Morefield Campground from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 26. Hikers will learn how to look for and identify animal tracks and signs, and then explore the hillsides around Morefield Campground. Past animal tracks in the snow observed in the area include weasels, rabbits, mountain lions, mice, and coyotes. The hike is limited to 20 people, ages 7 to adult. Meet at the Morefield Village parking lot at Morefield Campground, 4 miles from the park entrance. Advance reservations are required; for reservations contact Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum at MVNP at 529-4631 or meve_education@nps.gov.
Wolf will be on hand to meet kids at Cortez Library talk
In conjunction with the Toss in the Tundra disc golf tournament, Paula Watson will present a talk at the Cortez Public Library at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26 on wolves and her work at Wolfwood Refuge, a state licensed non-profit refuge protecting wolves and wolf/dogs. Trinity, a Wolfwood ambassador animal, will be on hand and doesn't mind being petted. There is no charge but donations would be appreciated. Call the library at 565-8117 for more information or visit www.wolfwoodrefuge.org.
Preventive Medical Care lecture
Jill Schenk, MD, will give a free lecture about preventive medical care on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. in the conference room at Southwest Memorial Physicians, 20 S. Market St. in Cortez. Find out the latest on how often you need pap smears, mammograms, cholesterol checks, bone density studies, and PSAs, as well as what Medicare now covers for preventive services. No RSVP is necessary and light refreshments will be served. Call 565-4291 for more information.
Rock Art Studies PAAC Class
Kevin Black, Assistant State Archaeologist, will teach a four-day class called Rock Art Studies the first weekend in February, and registration is open now. Beginning Friday, Feb. 1, the class will be from 4 to 7 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2 and 3, we will meet from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday, Feb. 4, class will be from 4 to 7 p.m. This course provides a general overview of the field of rock art. We will learn about a variety of rock art recording techniques, current research in conservation and interpretation of rock imagery, and styles documented in Colorado. It will be of value to all those interested in broadening their knowledge of Colorado's cultural heritage. We will meet at the Anasazi Heritage Center just west of Dolores on Hwy. 184. The cost is $12 to cover the cost of the materials. Space is limited! For questions and to sign up, contact Terry at Terrywoodrow@gmail.com or 560-1318.
'Safe and Effective Strategies for Cleansing and Detox'
Amy Loschert, Naturopathic Doctor, will present "Cleansing and Flushing: Safe and Effective Strategies for Cleansing and Detoxification" at the T.O.N.I. (Toxins Out, Nutrients In) share session on Friday, Feb. 1, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Mesa/Canyon room at the Cortez Recreation Center. These sessions are free of charge and open to the public. Listen, learn and share on topics of health interest. For more information, contact Joe Keleher, TONI Coordinator, at 565-5448.
Happy Trails Sweetheart Ball
Wear your jeans and boots and come ready to party Western Style. The 7th Annual "Happy Trails Sweetheart Ball' to benefit the Cortez Cultural Center will be held Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Cortez Elks Lodge. Cocktails will be at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. A choice of rib eye steak or chicken Cordon Bleu is being offered. Live and silent auctions will run from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by a star-studded live show "Grand Ol' Opry" style with dancing to follow. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 for a table of ten with your business name/family name or logo displayed. Tickets are available at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. from through Jan. 26. For more information, contact the center at 565-7423.
SWMH Foundation Jewelry Sale Fundraiser
The Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundation will hold a jewelry sale to raise funds for their healthcare education scholarship program on Friday, Feb. 8 from noon to 6 p.m. in the hospital lobby, 1311 N. Mildred Road in Cortez. Vintage and gently used good-quality costume jewelry that has been donated by community members will be available for sale. Don't miss this opportunity to support the SWMH Foundation by buying a Valentine's Day gift or something nice for yourself. Donations for this event are still being accepted. Contact Susan Thomas at 739-3158 for more information about the sale or to donate jewelry.
Incredible Years parenting classes
The Pinon Project will offer a series of free parenting classes beginning Tuesday, Feb. 12, and lasting 14 weeks. The Incredible Years is a curriculum targeting parents of children 2 to 8 years of age and is proven effective. If you are looking for more effective ways to discipline and want to build a more positive relationship with your child, this is the program for you. Classes will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pinon Project, 300 N. Elm St. Dinner and childcare are provided. To register, please contact Lara Blair at 564-1195. Space is limited, so sign up soon.
Classical Gas performs Cortez concert
Southwest Colorado Concerts presents Classical Gas, a concert with piano, violin and a whole lot of fun, on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in the Montezuma-Cortez High School auditorium. Pianist Rich Ridenour teams up with violinist/comedian Steve Brook for a show that is a little bit Jack Benny and a little bit Victor Borge as they perform classics fueled by their own imaginations. The program for the evening includes such great classics as "At the Old Ballgame," Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony" and "11 Finger Rag" by Dykstra. Tickets will be on sale at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m.; single-concert tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for youth, 18 years-old and under. For more information, contact Paul Bostrom at 565-9127.