The Dolores Star encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@doloresstar.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 Star at 882-4486.
Free admission at Mesa Verde
Admission to Mesa Verde National Park will be free to the public during National Park week, April 22-26.
The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation join together each year to celebrate National Park Week, and entrance fees are waived to all NPS unites that charge an entrance fee.
Business Builder Forum
The Cortez Referral Source invites interested business owners and managers to the 2013 Business Builder Forum, "Grow Your Business in Any Economy" on April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Baymont Inn & Suites Breakfast Room.
Enjoy lunch and gain key insights from speakers who will cover topics including, "Where We Are in the Economic Cycle," "Hands on Referral Strategies & Techniques" and "Who, What and How to use the Resources of Region 9." Lunch will be $5. For more information, Gayel Alexander at Cortez Retail Enhancement Association, (970) 564-4095.
Search engine optimization class
Geeks on Grand is offering a new three-session class on search engine optimization (SEO) at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce. The April 25 class will focus on basic SEO for websites; on May 30, a session will focus on content marketing and blogging, and the June 27 class will be on managing one's online presence and "brand."
Participants can sign up for all three for $115 ($90 for Chamber members), or attend individual classes for $45 each.
To register, call 533-9926.
Benefit for Dolores River Festival
The Great Outdoors Silent Auction and Mountainfilm on Tour event returns to the Dolores Community Center on Friday, April 26. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and films start at 6:30. Admission is $10; kids aged 15 and under are free. Dinner from the Absolute Bakery and Café, beer from the Dolores River Brewery, other beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sales of auction items, refreshments, and admission to the films support the Dolores River Festival, scheduled for June 1. To learn more about the event, including how to volunteer or donate items for the auction, call (970) 799-1475 or email fundraiser@doloresriverfestival.com.
Humane Society yard sale
For Pets' Sake Humane Society will continue its yard sale this weekends, April 26-27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the Cortez Christian Church Family Life Center on the corner of Empire and Highway 145 in Cortez.
Affordable Care Act
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will host Bob Sermo, policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center in Denver, on Saturday, April 27, at 9 a.m., at the Ponderosa Restaurant, 108 S. Eighth St. in Dolores. Sermo will provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act.
For more information, call Betty Janes at 533-1051 or email ejanes@frontier.net.
Free medication disposal
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration will set up a collection point where consumers can turn in their unused or expired medications, on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Walgreens parking lot, at the corner of Main and Sligo in Cortez.
Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be accepted for disposal. Some items will not be accepted, including needles and sharps, mercury (thermometers), oxygen containers, chemotherapy drugs and radioactive substances, pressurized canisters, and illicit drugs.
For more information, log on to www.DEA.gov or call (877) 462-2911.
'Kidfest' at Cortez park
In honor of the "Month of the Young Child," the Children's Kiva invites children of all ages and their families to join us for the 11th Annual Kidfest. Kidfest is a celebration of childhood for children, their families, and the whole community. This year's Kidfest will take place on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Cortez City Park on East Main Street (between Mildred Road and Park Street). Kidfest will feature live entertainment, arts and crafts activities, face painting, relay races, food vendors, and more fun for the whole family. Admission is free and open to everyone. Donations are appreciated.
For more information about Kidfest or The Children's Kiva, please contact Alexia Hudson, head of school, at (970) 565-8586,email thechildrenskiva@live.com, or visit www.childrenskiva.org.
Dolores Chamber Spring Banquet
The Cortez Chamber's spring banquet will be held April 27. The bar opens at 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7. The banquet raises funds to provide scholarships for graduating Dolores High Seniors. For tickets or more information, call the Chamber at 882-4018 or see any board member.
Property taxes due
Montezuma County Treasurer Sherry Dyess reminds property owners that April 30, 2013, is the deadline to pay the 2012 property taxes for those who are paying in full. The new mailing address of the Treasurer's Office is 140 W. Main St., Suite 2, Cortez, CO 81321. Postmarks through April 30 will be accepted.
For more information, call (970) 565-7550.
Last bingo night
The Dolores Rotary Club will sponsor its last bingo night of the season on Tuesday, April 30, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Avenue. A light supper and dessert will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. for $5, with bingo following at 7 p.m. Cards are $10 for the evening. All proceeds will benefit the Southwest Open School (SWOS) in Cortez.
For more information, contact Dave Sanford at 882-7428.
Changes at Southwest Memorial
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will host a program by Kent Helwig, CEO of Southwest Memorial Hospital, on Saturday, May 4, at 9 a.m., at the Ponderosa Restaurant, 108 S. Eighth St. in Dolores. Helwig will discuss the many services offered by the hospital and its clinics, quality improvement initiatives and improvements in access to care as a result of significant efforts to recruit physicians to the community.
For more information, call Betty Janes at 533-1051 or email ejanes@frontier.net.
Babysitting class
Southwest Memorial Hospital will be hosting a certified babysitting class on May 4 at the Hospital Annex community room.
The cost is $25, and successful participants will earn a certificate of completion.
The course is designed for "tweens" and teens who wish to become babysitters, as well as for children who may be left at home without a parent. Topics covered include how to stay safe, feeding and playtime, as well as how to start and safely advertise a babysitting business. Students will learn how to change diapers, what are age-appropriate toys and games, and will receive a basic first aid overview. Choking and what to do in an emergency is also covered.
The class will be a fundraiser for the hospital's relay for life team. To register or for more information, call Robyn Bragg at 564-2243.
Free parent education class
Why does my child do that? Do other children my child's age act like this? Who do I call to ask for help? This and many more questions will be answered on Saturday, May 4, with parent education provided by Lisa Henry, LPC.
The training and support will be held at Beech Street Preschool. Snacks, lunch and childcare will be provided free. Seating is limited, so call Lisa Henry at (970) 529-6326 for reservations and details by April. 30. The event is sponsored by the Montezuma Early Childhood Coalition.
Mancos Valley Chorus
The Mancos Valley Chorus will be performing favorite songs from previous concerts in their spring series, "Ooh, Sing It Again." The chorus will take listeners on a road trip, starting in Detroit, Michigan, home of the fabulous Motown sound. They'll travel along the famous Route 66, and wind up on a Rocky Mountain high. Who knows where their travels may take them in between! As always,they have very entertaining soloists, some brand new, and they will be joined by a bass player and drummer.
The chorus will perform on Sunday, May 5, at 3:30 p.m. at the Mancos United Methodist Church on 470 W. Grand Ave. in Mancos; on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park in Cortez, Wednesday, May 8, at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Road in Durango, and May 10, at 7 p.m. at the Mancos United Methodist Church on 470 W. Grand Ave. in Mancos. Mancos Valley Chorus concerts are free to the public. For more information, call Carol at 882-0120 or visit our website www.mancosvalleychorus.org.
Free programs on estate planning
Erin Johnson will present two free programs on estate planning at the Cortez Welcome Center on Tuesday, May 14.
The first session will cover common errors in estate planning efforts and will be presented at 1:30 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.
The second session will introduce succession planning tools for businesses, farms and ranches. This session will be presented at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
To register online, go to https://www.coloradosbdc.org and click on workshops. For more information, email Asano_L@fortlewis.edu or call (970) 247-7009.
Dairy Goat Information Day
The Four Corners Dairy Goat Breeders will hold a dairy goat information day on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 23161 Rd. G.2 in Cortez.
Ask questions about raising dairy goats. See animals and get advice and demonstrations on care and maintenance. Multiple breeds will be represented. Some will be available for sale. Some equipment may be available for sale.
Lakeview Harmony Club Centennial
The Lakeview Harmony Club, established in May 1913, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday, May 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lewis Grange Hall, East of Highway 145 on Road M. The event will include music, refreshments and door prizes.
The Lakeview Harmony Club, organized by pioneer women, is a community fellowship and service group. Family and friends of past members are invited to attend.
For more information, call Jodi Foran at 882-2401.