Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published. Entries may be edited for length and content.
April 15
A free guardians and conservators seminar will be held at the Montezuma County Courthouse, 109 W. Main in room 106, on April 15th from 6-8p.m. It is open to all current guardians and conservators and those interested in becoming someone’s legal guardian and/or conservator.
April 16
Birding with a Camera Birding Festival, with Chuck Haspels, 6:30 p.m. in the Gallery of the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez. Free to members, $5 others. Call 970-565-1151.
Southwest Colorado Green Party meets 6:60-8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wilson Building, 16 W. Main St., Cortez. All welcome. Information: southwestcoloradogreens.org.
The Dolores Public Library’s special story time at 9 a.m. as part of the One Book 4 Colorado project. All 4-year-olds in Dolores may visit the library at 9 a.m. and receive a free copy of “Grumpy Bird,” by Jeremy Tankard.
April 17
Everyone is invited to the Twin Topics conversation at Lewis-Arriola Elementary from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Topics will be John Hattie research on what educational tactics work for students and building the RE-1 2014-15 budget. The last Twin Topics session for this school year.
Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. Featuring “Mudge Redux.” For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children may attend the craft at 11:15 a.m.
The Mancos Public Library and Durango Nature Studies will give away books to 4-year-olds at the One Book 4 Colorado initiative at 10:30 a.m., at the Mancos Library, 211 W. First St. Free copies of “Grumpy Bird,” by Jeremy Tankard, and a short talk on bird adaptations.
April 18
Deadline for the 2014 Montezuma County Fair book cover and poster. Theme: “Rural Roots.” Turn in designs today by 4 p.m. at the Montezuma County Extension Office, 109 W. Main, Room 102, Cortez. Information: Montezuma County Extension Office, 565-3123.
Colorado Poet Laureate David Mason, reception and readings. Youth Poetry contest readers. At 5-7 p.m., in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez, 970-565-1151. Free to members, $5 for others.
April 21
Four Corners 9/12 meets at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Cortez. First in a series to vet local candidates for county offices in the June primary election. Open to the public.
Paths to Mesa Verde, an effort to develop a nonmotorized connection between Mancos and Cortez, has an open house at the Mancos Library from 7-9 p.m. Seeking support, feedback and vision. Learn more/take a survey at motrail.com.
April 22
Mancos students from kindergarten through third grade will present Storybook Theater at the Mancos Opera House starting at 6:30 p.m.
April 22 and 23
Paths to Mesa Verde, an effort to develop a nonmotorized connection between Mancos and Cortez, has an open house April 23 at the Cortez Recreation Center from 7-9 p.m. Seeking community support, feedback, and your vision. Learn more/take a survey at motrail.com.
April 23
A Story to Tell and a Song to Sing, with novelist John Wright and Singer/songwriter Marilyn Kroeker. Music and reading, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez, 970-565-1151. Free to members, $5 for others.
The Master Steward Program’s 9-week course helps you design a blueprint and management plan for your farm. At the 1st National Bank of Cortez from 6-8:30 p.m. through June 18. Register at www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/ms or call the Dolores Conservation District at 970-565-9045 ext 118.
Paths to Mesa Verde, an effort to develop a nonmotorized connection between Mancos and Cortez, has an informal open house at the Cortez Recreation Center from 7-9 p.m. Seeking community support, feedback, and vision. Learn more/take a survey at motrail.com
The Mancos Water Conservancy District and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will be holding a joint informational workshop at the Mancos Library at 10 a.m.
April 24
Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. Featuring “Fairies.” For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children may attend the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Mancos students in fourth and fifth grade will present Musical Proverbs at the Mancos Opera House at 6:30 p.m.
Second Annual Spring Craft bazaar: Deadline to register is April 24. Vendors needed ($30 per table, table provided inside-outside, weather permitting. Event is May 10. Call Sally to reserve space, get information, at 970-739-0616.
Montezuma County Senior Services, Navajo Taco Dinner, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 107 N. Chestnut, Senior Center (West End). Price: $7 includes dessert and a drink. Proceeds go to Senior Services Programs.
April 26
20th Annual Pueblo to Pueblo Run/Bike event – a half-marathon, 5K run/walk and 50-mile bike event. Registration information on the Cortez Cultural Center’s website, cortezculturalcenter.org.
The Early Childhood Fair featuring many free health screenings and fun activities for young children will be held at the County Annex Building from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
April 27
The Dolores State Bank invites Dee Fosnot’s friends and customers to a retirement party 2–4 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. Your presence is her requested gift. Call Shawna Valdez at 882-1024.
April 29
The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5 1/2 months and older. Classes are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m., last one hour, and begin on April 29 and continue for six weeks. Class size is limited. Registration is first-come, first-served. Information: 970-882-5404.
The Mancos Bands Spring Concert is set for April 29 at 7 p.m. at the Mancos Opera House.
Through April
Ann Gray is the artist of the month on display at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Ann is a member of the Southwest Artists League. Call 970 565-8117.
May 2
Tribute to Heroes: “Celebrating America,” 6 p.m. at Lewis-Arriola Community Center. Chuckwagon Dinner by Seas’nings, featuring The Bar-D-Wranglers and speaker Andy Carter, an Air Force Veteran of Desert Storm. Reservations required: 560-0395. Tickets at Cortez Flooring, 1211 E. Main, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Cost $25. Cutoff date April 25. “A Christian Women’s Celebration Event.”
May 3
SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents the famous Golden Dragon Acrobats at 7 p.m. at the Cortez Middle School Auditorium. This 26-member company of Chinese acrobats perform astounding acrobatics and traditional dance. Tickets at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. Information: Lindsay Havran at 565-7676 or Paul Bostrom at 565-9127.
May 4-9
The Mancos Valley Chorus’ Spring 2014 Concert, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” with songs from “The Lion King,” and lead song “Seasons of Love,” from the show “Rent.” Free. Refreshments. May 4 at 3:30 p.m., Mancos United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grand Ave. May 6, 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St., Cortez. May 7, 7 p.m. Christ the King Lutheran Church, 495 Florida Rd., Durango. May 9, 7 p.m. Mancos United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grand Ave. Information: 970-946-1267.
May 10
Fourth Annual Dairy Goat Information Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 23161 Road G.2 in Cortez. Presented by Four Corners Dairy Goat Breeders. See animals and get advice on care. Multiple breeds; goats, equipment may be for sale. Call Jeanette at 565-9065 and leave a message.
Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen sponsors a Poker Ride at Sage Hen Day Use Area (Hwy 184). Start selling hands, 8 a.m.; riders on trail, 10 a.m.; first hand, $20; additional hands, $5. Prizes for 5 highest hands. Lunch available. Call 970-570-5035 or go to mesaverdehorsemen.com
May 16
Biker pot-luck dinner at 6 p.m. at the Calvin Denton Room, Empire Electric, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez. No registration required, just show up with grub Information: Sharon 970-570-1630