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 25
On Friday April 25th from 2-6 p.m., Cooking Matters Colorado will empower shoppers with skills to stretch their food dollar and serve healthy meals. At the Cortez City Market, 2-6 p.m. Participants receive a $10 gift card, a reusable shopping bag and a booklet of tips and recipes.
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.
Out of Pocket Community Theatre will present a puppet show at 10 a.m. at St. Barnabus Episcopal Church. Information: 739-4064.
Annual Montelores Early Childhood Fair and Celebration is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Montezuma County Annex Building. It’s a free health fair for children, birth to 5 years old. Car seat inspections and installation available until noon. Car seats available for $25; bike helmets for $5; fittings available.
The Children’s Kiva Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten’s Spring Yard Sale on Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1204 E. Empire St. Clothing, kids and baby items, toys and books. Face-painting, crafts and games. Donate items at the Kiva by 3 p.m April 25.
Four Corners Friends of the NRA annual banquet at the Elks Lodge in Cortez. Food, door prizes, drawings, auction. Call Tim Hunter, 970-749-3665 or visit www.friendsofnra.org.
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 26 and April 27
Out of Pocket Community Theatre will present three one-act plays at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. on April 26 and April 27. Information: 739-4064.
April 28
The Young Professionals Group hosts a candidate forum 6-8 p.m. at the First National Bank of Cortez, 2258 E. Main Street. The forum includes candidates for sheriff, coroner and county commissioner. Free and open to all ages. Information: 759-4696.
April 29
The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5½ 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 high school and middle school band concert is set for April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Mancos Opera House.
Bingo night at the Dolores Community Center, sponsored by the Dolores Rotary Club. Proceeds benefit Dolores School District students traveling to Washington, D.C. in May. Soup, chili and dessert, for a $5 donation, at 6:30 p.m. Bingo at 7 p.m. Information: Tom Seymour at 970-799-7708 or Laurel Rematore at 970-564–1241.
Through April
On display at the Cortez Public Library: through mid-April, Dolores Mountain Quilters works in the atrium; through April, Addie Dodson’s Easter collection and Laura McHenry’s vintage tie collection. At 202 N. Park St. Call 565-8117.
May 1
“Evil: Part 2” will be the topic 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 (corner of North and Elm). Wine and cheese will be served. Information: 565-7865.
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. Complimentary admission for veterans and first-timers. “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.
Christian Motorcyclist Association’s Run for the Son ride. Open to all motorcycle riders. Staging at the Maverick on N. Broadway in Cortez, at 9 a.m.; ride at 9:30 a.m. to Moab. Benefits go to Christian Outreach. Call Steve Reed at 565-7233.
Vida en Victoria and The Cortez Cultural Center host a Cinco de Mayo celebration in the Parque de Vida pavilion, noon to 6 p.m., 425 Roger Smith Ave., Cortez. Mexican food, a salsa and chili contest, Mexican music, piñatas and more.
The Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St., holds a “Fancy Nancy and Dapper Dan” party from 10-11 a.m. for ages 3-7. There will be crafts, fancy tea and a dainty snack, and dress-up time. Free. To sign up, call MPL at 533-7600
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 5
The Montelores Early Childhood Council will hold its next monthly luncheon meeting at 11:45 a.m., in downstairs meeting room 110, in the Johnson Building, 525 S. Broadway, in Cortez. The public is invited, especially parents. Lunch provided; please RSVP to Vangi McCoy, 970-749-7017.
May 6
Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen invites the public to a brats and hot dogs barbecue at 5:45 p.m. at Hobo’s Hideout Bed, Breakfast and Barn in Mancos (Hwy 184 to 12744 Rd 38). At 6:30 p.m. Dimitri Schlotter will talk about horse trailer safety and tips. Guests welcome. Information: Susa, 928-600-2993.
The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center’s director of archaeology, Susan Ryan, speaks at next meeting of the Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society. At 7 p.m., at First Methodist Church, 515 N. Park, Cortez. Ryan’s talk is titled, “New Approaches to Architectural Analyses: Ancestral Pueblo Kiva Production in the Northern Southwest.”
May 10
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 970-570-5036 or go to mesaverdehorsemen.com.
Summit Ridge Women’s Club’s annual yard sale, bake sale, original art and photography sale 8 a.m. to noon, Summit Lake Community Church, 36501 Hwy. 184, Mancos. Proceeds benefit scholarships for local youth, Thanksgiving and Christmas donations.
A nondenominational Animal Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church in the. courtyard (weather permitting) and will include a time of remembrance. To have your animal companion’s name recorded in the bulletin, call 565-7865.
May 11
A May Day Festival will be held at the Mt. Lookout Grange in Mancos at 2 p.m. It will be celebration of spring with facepainting, crafts and a maypole wallk.
May 16
Biker pot-luck dinner, 6 p.m., the Calvin Denton Room, Empire Electric, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez. No registration required. Call Sharon, 970-570-1630.
Through May
“Fizz! Boom! Read!” is the theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-age children. Older children may join the craft at 11:15 a.m. “Dragons” is May 1; “Birds” (featuring “Grumpy Bird”) on May 8; “National Smile Month” on May 15; “Water a Flower Day” on May 22; and “Rodeo Days” on May 29. On May 29, Storytime starts at 10 a.m., sponsored by the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Committee, featuring stories, songs, crafts, roping, a photo op and more. Call the library at 970-565-8117.
First Monday
Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings at noon at the Cortez office, 2409 E. Empire. Call Matthew at 570-8001.
Cortez Emblem Club No. 261 meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday (except in January and February). Call 565-2197.
First Tuesday
American Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 meets at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 320 N. Harrison St. Call 565-8151.
First Thursday
Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon at Shiloh’s Steakhouse. Email Nicci Crowley at montezumagop@gmail.com or call 570-9372.
First Friday
First Friday Leadership at First National Bank in Cortez, 8 to 9 a.m. Free. Coffee and doughnuts at 7:45 a.m. Call Dena, 565-3414.
First and Third Thursdays
Learn signs and nursery rhymes at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. All ages welcome. Call 970-403-9237.
Second Sunday
The Mancos Community Dinners each month at Mt. Lookout Grange in Mancos (680 Grand Ave). Pay-what-you-can dinner, bring a dish if you want. For information, to help out or to make donations, call Gretchen at 509-830-4380.
Second Thursday
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours at various locations from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 565-3414.
Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to meet at noon at Shiloh’s Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., Cortez. Call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.
Third Saturday
Christian Motorcycle Association, CMA – Cortez Chapter holds its 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. chapter meeting and 10 a.m. ride (weather permitting). At Beny’s restaurant in Cortez. Call Chapter President Steve Reed at 970-565-7233. No motorcycle required.
Third Sunday
Literary Explorations with Jennifer Hope won’t meet in April. The next meeting will be May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Cortez Cultural Center.
Third Wednesday
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is held at noon at Shiloh Steakhouse. Call 565-3414.
Third Thursday
Dolores secondary PTO meets the third Thursday of every month at 3:45 p.m. in Mr. Thurston’s office. Email Heather Alvarez at halvarez 0722@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. upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center. Potential volunteers welcome. Call 565-1151.
Fourth Tuesday
4 Corners Republican Women’s Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk’s Lodge. Information: 565-2197.
Last Saturday
Yoga Benefit for the Grange, Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 W. Grand, Mancos. Donation only. Bring towel or mat and water. Refrain from eating an hour before.
Every Sunday
First United Methodist Church has a Native American Worship Service at 2 p.m. Information: 565-3002.
Every Monday
Southwest Singers for fall-season rehearsals. Public invited. Practice at 6:30 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Cortez. Information: director Ruth Wilson Francisco at 872-3870.
Every Tuesday
The Montezuma Agility Dog Club’s Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5½ months and older. Classes are 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 Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde meets at noon at Shiloh’s. Information, email sue@simmonssecondchanceranch.com.
Free medical care, Tuesday from 1 to 1:30 p.m., St. Barnabas Church, 110 W. North St., Cortez. Call 565-4436 to schedule or show up. Limited primary and pediatric care.
Every Wednesday
The Way Christian Church Bible Studies class at 6 p.m.
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Karate “Ryukoku Seidokan” is at 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Mancos Community Center. Ages 5 to 10 at 5:30-6 p.m. for $5 per class. Ages 11 and older at 6-8 p.m., for $10 per class. Call Victor Pilcher at 533-7471.
Every Thursday
Raising Readers Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness, using the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children may attend the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Free Community Dinner at 6 p.m. at the Cortez Family Worship Center Foursquare Church, 500 N. Washington. Donation appreciated. Call 565-3709.
Every Saturday
At 10 a.m., the Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B’Yeshua), holds services at 1509 Highway 145. Call 970-562-4217 or email info@byeshua.org.