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.
Colo. Archaeology Society presents Irwin talk
The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society will present a talk by Don Irwin on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St., Cortez, to discuss the Pueblo I period Ancestral Puebloan occupation of the Abajo Uplands, Monticello Ranger District, Manti-La Sal National Forest in SE Utah. After 40 years of archaeological investigations, the Forest remains a gray spot on most peoples' map. This talk summarizes and, where possible, interprets the Forest PI occupation in light of the last decade of work conducted on the District. Donald Irwin has served as the District Heritage Manager at the Moab-Monticello Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest for the past 11 years. In his current position, Don manages the cultural resource program that covers over 500,000 acres in the Abajo and La Sal Mountains areas on lands administered by the USDA Forest Service. For more information, call Diane McBride at 560-1643.
'What Color Is That Horse' equine genetics presentation
Everyone is welcome to a public presentation by Ann Streett-Joslin, "What Color Is That Horse?" at the Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Rd., in Cortez. Arrive for dinner at 6:15 p.m. for buy your own Taco Tuesday; the presentation will start at 7 p.m. Ann Streett-Joslin, a Certified Horsemanship Association Master Instructor, will present the basics of Equine Color Genetics and review common dilution genes and the white spotting genes. Along with black, bay, and sorrel, these genes account for most of the familiar colors, including palomino, dun, and tobiano, seen in our horses. For more information, visit www.mesaverdehorsemen.com, or contact Nihla McCabe at 570-5036 or nihla45@hotmail.com.
New knitting classes at Cultural Center
For those that want to learn to knit, or to advance and learn new ideas, the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., will offer knitting classes upstairs starting on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. Bring your own needles and yarn. The fee is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. Pre-register by calling 565-1151. For details contact Karen Davis at 882-1430. All skill levels - from beginners to experts - are welcome. Frequency of classes will be determined.
Prepared Childbirth Education and Breastfeeding class
Expectant women between their 28th and 33rd week of pregnancy and their partners are invited to attend Prepared Childbirth Education classes sponsored by Southwest Memorial Hospital in February. The three-class series will be held on Wednesdays, Feb. 13, 20, and 27 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 20 South Market Street. The cost is free for women who plan to deliver their babies at SWMH and $10 for all others. A breastfeeding class will also be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital lobby conference room. Please call 564-2245 for more information and to register.
Intro to Meditation & Christian Mysticism
The Center of Light in Dolores will offer an Intro to Meditation & Christian Mysticism on Thursdays at 7 p.m., beginning on Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Sophia Peace Center, 19581 Road 31. In Dolores turn left on 11th, go 1.8 miles, and look for the large sign with the dove on the left. This is a powerful six-week introductory course designed for modern mystics. Classes will include teachings on: the Inner Spiritual Path, Meditation, Soul, Light, Prayer, and Blessing. Time will be spent teaching the principles of meditation that will allow you to move deeper than the body, beyond thinking and emotions and into the reality of God's peace and presence within. This course is free, and all are welcome. To RSVP or for more information, contact Deacon Crystal Kaems or Deacon Bridget Wyatt at 882-2123.
Fears & Phobias presentation
So you love public speaking, job interviews and test taking? In case you really don't, you can attend Jim Mischke's presentation of Fear & Phobias at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. Jim Mischke, our talented veteran therapist will show you how to face such moments in your life calmly and with more confidence. Admission for members is $3, non-members is $5, and for students, a donation. For more information, call 565-1151.
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.
Family Winter Walk at Hawkins Preserve
Join friends and family for a beautiful winter walk through the Hawkins Preserve from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 9. Reservations must be made by calling Gabi at 385-1256. Meet in the preserve parking lot at the end of South Cedar. Dress appropriately.
Old-fashioned Valentine card-making workshop
The Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St., will offer an old-fashioned Valentine card-making workshop on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. All materials will be supplied including paper, glue, glitter, doilies, markers and paints. This workshop is free, and all ages are welcome. For more information, call the library at 533-7600.
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.
Mardi Gras Pancake Supper
A Mardi Gras Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church at the corner of North and Elm. The meal will include pancakes, sausages, fruit, scrambled eggs, and a drink. The cost is $7.50 for adults, $4 for children 10 and under, or $20 for a family of two adults and two or more kids. Funds raised will go to support Grace's Kitchen, a Jubilee Ministry of St. Barnabas. Along with the meal there will be a pancake flipping race that will begin at 6 p.m. and everyone is invited to participate. St. Barnabas will provide the pancakes for flipping. Participants should BYOS (bring your own skillet). Call 565-7865 for information.
Weekly group for girls to learn healthy dating
Four Corners Child Advocacy Center (aka The Nest) will offer a six-week group for girls ages 13-17. The focus is on developing healthy dating relationships. The group will be held at the Advocacy Center, 140 N. Linden St., on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. starting on Thursday, Feb. 14. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now. Contact us at 565-8155 or ginger@nestcac.org for more information.
'Giving Up Something Bad for Lent' series of classes
Rev. Suzanne Listemann will present a special Lenten Season class in the conference room at the Cortez First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St., Cortez, beginning on Friday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. and meeting each Friday at 10 a.m. for the following six weeks. "Giving Up Something Bad for Lent" is another way of thinking about engaging in a traditional act of sacrifice and spiritual discipline. We normally give up something we like to eat like chocolate, knowing that when Easter Sunday comes we can once again enjoy what we have given up. In this study, we are challenged to take it further. Why not give up something that is destructive in our lives? Imagine giving up envy, jealousy, self-pity, apathy, procrastination, gossip, resentment, negative thinking - and how much better your life would be. Take the 46 days of Lent to prepare to give up something bad while preparing to fully embrace the "Good News" of Easter. The public is invited to attend. For more information, please call Remetha Gustafson at 565-3001.
Colorado Poet Laureate offers reading, poetry workshop
David Mason, Colorado's esteemed Poet Laureate, is coming to the Cortez Public Library for a reading on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. and a workshop at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16. The workshop, "Where Do Poems Come From?" will explore the sources of imagery with which poems are built. Both events are open to all who are interested in enjoying the art of poetry. Please don't miss this opportunity to listen to and learn from a renowned and celebrated poet. For more information, call 565-8117.
Legislative Low Down with Sen. Roberts, Rep. Coram
On Saturday, Feb. 16, the League of Women Voters will sponsor a Legislative Low Down in Cortez with State Senator Ellen Roberts of Durango and State Representative Don Coram of Montrose. The program will be at 10 a.m. in the Calvin Denton Room at Empire Electric, 801 N. Broadway. These legislators, whose districts include Montezuma County, will discuss the issues expected to come before the Legislature this year. The event is open to the public. For more information, contact Betty Janes at ejanes@frontier.net or 533-1051.
Animal Tracks and Signs at Mesa Verde National Park
Learn how to discover what animals are out and about during the winter months at Mesa Verde National Park. On Saturday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, hikers will learn how to look for and identify animal tracks and signs, and then explore the hillsides around Morefield Campground. Past animal tracks observed in the area include weasels, rabbits, mountain lions, mice, and coyotes. Limited to 20 people, ages 7 to adult. Meet at the Morefield Village parking lot at Morefield Campground, 4 miles from the park entrance. Snowshoes are provided for those that need them. There is no fee for this hike. Call 529-4631 for reservations.
St. Barnabas' conversation on faith
"How does my belief/practice form my life?" will be the topic on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. for the next "How You Can Be Part of a Christian Community with Integrity and Not Believe All Those Things You Thought You Had to Believe" conversation. St. Barnabas Church at the corner of North and Elm, hosts these gatherings for folks who can't reconcile their life experience with what they believe the church requires; who don't want to check their minds at a church door; or who just don't 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 more information.
Soups of the World fundraiser for Bridge Shelter
Grace's Kitchen and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church offer the sixth annual Soups of the World and live dessert auction on Friday, Feb. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. This event supports the Bridge Emergency Shelter. Delicious soups from various regions of the world will be served at Grace's Kitchen at 110 West North St. in Cortez. Tickets are $10; kids 5 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the door as well as from various agencies in the community. There will be a live dessert auction beginning about 6 p.m. with Larry Don Suckla serving as auctioneer. Those that wish to contribute something for auction should bring homemade desserts to St. Barnabas between 1 and 5 p.m. on the day of the event. Contact Kristen or Christy at the shelter at 565-9808 or Betsy Jones at 565-7865 for more information. Join us for this fun soup supper and dessert auction!
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.
'Play It Safe' presentation on consumer fraud, financial abuse
AARP ElderWatch in conjunction with Montezuma County Senior Center will offer "Play It Safe," a presentation featuring Bob Mager of AARP ElderWatch. This interactive presentation will instruct on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from consumer fraud and financial abuse. Join us at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 22 at 107 N. Chestnut in Cortez. For more information, contact Marsha Green at 564-2775.