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.
Thursday, Feb. 6
Dolores High School 2014 Operation Graduation Committee will meet Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dolores School Commons/Lunchroom. All DHS senior parents are encouraged to attend this meeting. (Operation Graduation is an all night, drug and alcohol free, lock down party intended to keep our seniors safe on graduation night.) For more information, contact Wendy Moore at 970-799-4815 or Michelle Whatcott at 970-759-3799.
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.
The Montezuma School to Farm Project is hosting a Talent Show at the Dolores River Brewery, 100 S. 4th St. in Dolores on Feb. 7! Family contest from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Cake Walk at 7 p.m., and adult contest from 8 to 10 p.m. Prizes will be awarded and a karaoke machine will be available. Email mstfpamericorps@gmail.com or call 303-918-3538 to enter. All proceeds will go to school gardens in Montezuma County. $5 suggested donation at the door.
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." The cost is $14.50 per person including room fee, program, meal, drink, dessert and tip. 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.
The Colorado Workforce Center will present a workshop on how to fill out a paper application and how to create a resume at the Dolores Public Library on Friday, Feb. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. To sign up for this class, contact the library at 882-4127.
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, call the Dolores Public Library at 882-4127.
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.
Thursday, Feb. 13
The public is invited to join the Dolores Public Library for wine an chocolate and to learn about volunteer opportunities on the Library Board on Feb. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 882-4127 or email debra@doloreslibrary.org.
A Free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney will be held Feb. 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St. Volunteer attorneys will assist one-on-one, via computer link. First come first-served basis.
The Four Corners Back Country Horsemen will hold their monthly meeting on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Pine River Senior Center in Bayfield. Guests are encouraged to attend. This month's topic is Horse Anatomy by Dr. Ben Hufnagel. For more information, visit www.4cbch.org or contact Pat Amthor, chapter president, at 970-382-0980 or puzzlergoldmine@gmail.com
Saturday, Feb. 15
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.
A Business Planning Course is being offered by Small Business Development Center, for beginning or experienced business owners. The course starts on Sat., Feb. 15 in Cortez and continues on each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through March 22 at the Cortez Welcome Center. Tuition is $280 for two people. Scholarships are available. To register, call 247-7009. For more details, call Cindy at 882-4222.
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 its 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 nonprofit 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.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
The Dolores Rotary Club will sponsor a bingo night at the Dolores Community Center on Feb. 25. Proceeds will benefit the Mancos students traveling to Costa Rica for a science trip March 31-April 7. Bingo kicks-off with a light dinner of Frito pie chili and dessert, for a $5 donation, starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by Bingo at 7 p.m. For further information, contact Tom Seymour at 799-7708 or Laurel Rematore at 564 -1241.
Through February
The PAAC Class Colorado Archaeology 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.
The Dolores River Anglers will offer fly tying lessons to the public from 7 to 9 p.m. at the SW Memorial Hospital Annex located at 20 S. Market in Cortez on Feb. 3 and Feb. 10. For information, call 759-0175.
The 20th Annual Pueblo to Pueblo Run-Bike Event will be held April 26 and is now open for registration. Register by visiting www.cortezculturalcenter.org. The Center also seeks health-conscious organizations to sponsor the event. Call 565-1151 for more information.
Saturday, March. 1
The Dolores Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Spring Banquet on March 1 at the Dolores Community Center with a Cash Bar at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. This year's theme is Mardi Gras. There will be music by the AfrobeatMinions and a silent auction to benefit the Dolores High School Scholarship fund. Tickets are $30 with a table of 8 selling for $210 and are available at the Dolores Chamber and Visitors Center. Call 882-4018 for more information.
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 information, call 560-3029 or email nicci@cortezlittleleague.com
First Monday
Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings will be the first Monday of every month at noon at the Cortez Office at 2409 E. Empire. For more information, call Matthew at 570-8001.
First Tuesday
Dolores Mountain Quilters meet 10 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. February meeting will include new squares for veteran's quilts. Instructor is Regina. Bring sewing machine and neutral thread. More information is available at doloresmountainquilters.org or by calling Judith Swain 560-4426
First Thursday
Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon the first Thursday of every month at Shiloh's Steakhouse. For more information, email Nicci Crowley, secretary, at nicci.crowley@gmail.com or call 570-9372.
The First Thursday Art Walk will be held in downtown Telluride from 5 to 8 p.m. Listen to Open Art Radio on KOTO from 12 to 1 p.m. on first Thursdays to hear interviews with the artists. Maps are available at participating venues and at the Telluride Arts offices located in the Stronghouse Studios + Gallery at 283 S. Fir St. For more information, visit www.tellurideinside.com.
Second Wednesday
Southwest Inter-Tribal Voice and Montelores Human Rights Committee meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Community Meeting Room in First National Bank. Email Art Neskahi at taachinii@yahoo.com.
Second Thursday
Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to meet at noon every second Thursday at Shilo's Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., in Cortez. For information, call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.
A Free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney will be held the second Thursday of every month from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St. Volunteer attorneys will assist one-on-one, via computer link. First come first-served basis.
Third Thursday
Dolores secondary PTO meets the third Thursday of every month at 3:45 p.m. in Mr. Thurston's office. For more information, email Heather Alvarez at halvarez0722@gmail.com or call Tif at 903-8752.
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 Tuesday
The Dolores Public Library will answer technology/software questions about Microsoft Word, email, digital pictures, etc. free from 2 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. For more information, call 882-4127.