People are encouraged to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published.
Friday, Jan. 31
The Montezuma Land Conservancy will be hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Jan. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. There will be an award-winning selection of films that bring a human face to the environmental movement, beer and wine, and drawings. Support local land conservation in and around Montezuma County!
Through January
“Snuggle Up in January” is the January theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library. Storytime is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-aged children. Older children are welcome to join for the craft at 11:15 a.m. For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
Current displays at the Cortez Public Library are: Jay Whitewolf, featured artist for January for the Southwest Artists’League. Mary North, Huichol Indian beaded items (through February) Otter Lopez, acrylic on canvas and pencil drawings (through February) The library is located at 202 N. Park St., Cortez, CO. and may be reached by calling 565-8117.
Midge Kirk will discuss Tobacco Education and Prevention at the Montezuma County Department of Health, 106 W. North St. in Cortez. For more information call 565-3056 or email mkirk@co.montezuma.co.us
Saturday, Feb. 1
The Cortez Cultural Center’s annual Sweetheart Ball fundraiser will be held Feb. 1 at the Cortez Elks. This year’s theme is “Abracadabra Sweetheart Ball” featuring dinner, auction, magic entertainment and dancing. Donations for the auction are being accepted Jan. 7 – 29 and can be taken to the center at 25 N. Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gift certificates faxed to 565-4075. For more information call 565-1151.
Cortez Special Olympics will be hosting their second annual Music Festival on Feb. 1 at Blondies at 7 p.m. Three bands will be playing: They Guys, Beach Street Blues Band, and Redneck Symphony. No cover. Funds raised will be used to send athletes to State and Regional basketball tournaments. You can also donate by mailing a check to Marcy Aldaz, 13691 Rd. 28, Dolores, CO 81323. Make checks payable to Cortez Special Olympics. For more information call 749-5096
The Recovery Center (formerly CARS) 35 N. Ash St. in Cortez will be offering Level II (DUI) Classes beginning on Feb. 1. $12.50 per class. Call 565-4109 for an appointment to get enrolled.
Monday, Feb. 3
The Jordan World Circus 2014 is coming to Cortez at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds on Monday, Feb. 3 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.thejordanworldcircus.com or their facebook page TheJordanWorldCircus.
The Montelores Early Childhood Council (MECC) will hold their next monthly luncheon meeting on Monday Feb. 3 at 11:45 a.m. at the Johnson Building, 525 S. Broadway, in the downstairs meeting room 110, Cortez, CO. Lunch will be provided, please RSVP to MECC’s coordinator, Vangi McCoy, mecc.coordinator@gmail.com or vangim@monteloresecc.org, PO Box 1725, Cortez, CO 81321, phone 749-7017.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
The Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society is pleased to present Jonathan Till on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 515 Park Street in Cortez to discuss the Results of the Hovenweep Pottery Analysis Project, Year 2.
Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen invite the public to their monthly meeting on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Empire Electric in the Calvin Denton Rm, 801 N. Broadway (Hwy 491), Cortez. Betty Schneider will discuss First Aid in the back country. Snacks and “meet and greet” start at 6:15 p.m. Call Susa for more info at 928-600-2993 or email himountaingal@hotmail.com
Thursday, Feb. 6
“Why Is It That Christians with Money and Education Are Able to Keep Their Faith?” will be the topic on Feb. 6 at 6:30 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 held at St. Barnabas Church. Wine and cheese will be served. Call 565-7865 for information.
Friday, Feb. 7
The 28th Annual Chocolate Fantasia, a fundraiser benefiting the Volunteers of America Southwest Safehouse and the Durango Community Shelter, will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, at the La Plata County Fairgrounds (2500 Main Avenue), from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Chocolat De Paris.” Tickets are available throughout the Durango community as well as at the door. For more information call Volunteers of America at 259-1021.
Christian Women’s Celebrations invite everyone to a mother and daughter Royal Teatime Banquet on Feb. 15 at 12 noon at the Elks. Favorite Party Dresses will be modeled by princesses under 18. Beautiful songs will be presented by Jewel Most, singing princess. Speaker Princess, Paula Podgornoff will present a royal story, “Once Upon A Time”. $14.50 per person included room fee, program, meal, drink, dessert, and tip. Please make reservations by Feb. 7 by contacting Cindy Bennets at cwcfunevents@gmail.com or 560-0395. Complimentary tickets for first timers and princesses under 18. Let us know if your daughter would like to be a model.
Saturday, Feb. 8
Lu Nettleton of the Colorado Plateau Growers Association will present a workshop on the local production of marijuana at the Dolores Public Library 1004 Railroad on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 12:30 p.m. Several topics will be discussed including the difference between marijuana and hemp, GMO/patented seed vs. organic seed, farmers’ rights vs. monopoly rights, and the potential for profit. For further information please call the Dolores Public Library at 882-4127.
Four Corners Beekeepers Assoc, “The Buzz Club” is sponsoring beginning beekeeping classes at Let It Grow Nursery in Cortez. The class will be in two sessions, Feb. 8 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cost $40 for both sessions. Both top-bar and Langstroth hives will be shown. For more info or to reserve a space, contact Tina at (970) 884-8190
Southwestern Colorado Livestock Association’s annual meeting will be held at the Cortez Elks Lodge on Saturday, Feb. 8. The morning session will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed with a potluck at noon provided by Southwestern Cowbelles. The Business meeting and election of Directors will be at 1 p.m., Steak Dinner and the presentation of awards for Southwestern Cowbelle of the Year and Stockman of the Year will be at 7 p.m. Dance to the music of “Vanishing Breed” will begin at 8 p.m. From 3 to 10 p.m. there will be a silent auction to benefit the Scholarship Fund. For more information about the event or the Scholarship fund call 565-1972.
The next USDA Commodity Distribution will be Feb. 8 in Cortez at the Fairgrounds (30100 Hwy 160) from 8 to 8:30 a.m., in Dolores at the Fire Hall (45 Railroad Ave.) from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and in Mancos at the United Methodist Church (470 Grand Ave.) from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Must bring a box large enough for your commodities.
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Fred Blackburn will discuss Yucca House and Snider’s Well “The untold story” and the connection to Meso America in the gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center at 25 N. Market St. in Cortez on Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 565-1151.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Cheri Valle presents a Victorian Fashions and Dressmaking Techniques workshop at the Cortez Cultural Center, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch on your own. Members free, $5 all others. Pre-registration requested by calling the Center 565-1151.
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will hold a breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. on Feb. 15 at the Ponderosa in Dolores. Mike Preston, General Manager of the Dolores Water Conservancy District will discuss “Snowpack’s, kayaks, water taps and seepage facts” For more information call 564-0708.
Sunday, Feb. 16
The Anasazi Heritage Center presents David Mattson, of Yale University, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. for his presentation “Lions in Your Back Yard.” Free to the public. Contact the Center at 882-5600 for information on upcoming events or go to their website at http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc.html
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Jim and Karen Mischke present the Cheetah Conservation fund, a non- profit in Namibia that is engaged in saving the cheetah on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center. Educational videos highlight the successful program and are a good fit for children and families. Free to members, $5 all others. Call 565-1151 for more information or visit www.cortezculturalcenter.org
Thursday, Feb. 20
Free Home Buyer Class will be held on Feb. 20 at 4 Corners Properties in Cortez. Learn the basic information you need to start buying a home. Register now, space is limited. Call or email Terry Woodrow at 560-1318, Terrywoodrow@gmail.com to sign up.
Friday, Feb. 21 & Saturday, Feb. 22
The Sixth Annual Homegrown Food Retreat will be at Fort Lewis College in the Student Union Ballroom on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Coordinated by Southwest Colorado and sponsored by Zia Taqueria, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, Sodexo, CSU Extension and Durango Natural Foods. The cost is $15 and suggested donation for lunch. For more information or to RSVP visit www.growingpartners.org.
Through February
The PAAC Class Colorado Archeology will be held Jan. 31 at the Anasazi Heritage Center from 5 to 8 p.m. then continue on Feb. 1 from 9 to 5 p.m., Feb. 2 from 9 to 5 p.m. and Feb. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $12. Call 560-1318 or email Terrywoodrow@gmail.com to register.
“A Literary February” is the February theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, located at 202 N. Park St. Storytime is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-aged children. Older children are welcome to join for the craft at 11:15 a.m. For more information, contact the library at 970-565-8117.
The Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., will offer computer classes in February: Feb.13, at 1 p.m., beginning computer class, called Incredibly Basic Computers. On Friday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. the Workforce Center will hold a class on finding a job. On Thursday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m., there will be a class called Basics II. All classes must be signed up for ahead of time by stopping by or calling the library at 565-8117.
Monday, March 3
SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents award winning concert pianist Charlie Albright at 7 p.m. Monday, March 3, at the Montezuma-Cortez High School Auditorium. Charlie has been hailed as being “among the most gifted musicians of his generation” by the Washington Post. Tickets will be on sale at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757 or Paul Bostrom at 565-9127.
Sunday, March 9
Little League Baseball is now open for registration. Super Saturday registration will take place at the Cortez Recreation Center on Feb. 8 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or at Hibbett Sports on March 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Baseball is open for ages 4 to 15 as of April 30. Cost varies from $55 to $105 according to age. To save money register by Feb. 15, registration closes March 9. Registration forms can be downloaded from cortezlittleleague.com or picked up at the Rec Center, Hibbets, or the Super Saturday events. For more info call 560-3029 or email nicci@cortezlittleleague.com
First and Third Thursdays
Planning committee for the 10th Annual Ute Mountain-Mesa Verde Birding Festival meets at 10 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center. Anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to attend. Call 565-1151 for details.
Fourth Tuesday
A new Republican woman’s club has been formed locally called 4 Corners Republican Women’s Club. Regular meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk’s Lodge. For more information, please call 565-2197.
Every Sunday
First United Methodist Church has a Native American Worship Service at 2 p.m. every Sunday. For more information call 565-3002.
Every Monday
The public is invited to join the Southwest Singers as they begin rehearsals for the fall season. The choir practices at 6:30 p.m. Monday evenings at First United Methodist Church in Cortez, 515 N. Park. For more information, call Director Ruth Wilson Francisco at 872-3870.
Every Friday
Every Friday at 6 p.m. the Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B’Yeshua) will begin a new Bible Study Series: “Survey of Messianic Judaism” at Baptist Chapel, 1509 Colorado Hwy 145. For more information, call 970-562-4217 or email info@byeshua.org