People are encouraged to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to [email protected]. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published.

Oct. 2

The public is invited to a Medicare 101 training from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Cortez Senior Center,107 N. Chestnut St. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by calling 564-2772.

Oct. 3

Sideshow Emporium and Gallery presents "Word Sharks Resurface" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Regional writers Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Art Goodtimes, and David Feela will lead the reading frenzy. Sideshow is located at 411 Central in Dolores. This is a free event that welcomes donations. Books by the featured authors will be available for sale.

The Cortez Mobile Blood Drive will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the First Methodist Church at 515 N. Park St.

The Mancos Public Library presents Outdoor Adventures from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The first session is Oct. 3. Children ages 9-12 are encouraged to enroll. Each child must be able to walk/hike two miles over mildly rough terrain in all weather. A healthy snack will be provided. The cost is $20 for the entire length of the program and scholarships are available. To register and for more information, call the Mancos Public Library at 533-7600

The second annual Messiah Sing-in will be presented Sunday, Dec. 15. Try-outs for solo parts will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at the United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park in Cortez. Be prepared to sing a traditional Christian musical selection. Contact Patricia Faulkner at 564-9458 for more information.

Oct. 4

San Juan Mountains Association, in partnership with the San Juan Forest Service and BLM Tres Rios Field Office, is starting a Kids Nature Club in Montezuma County. The first meeting will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the Mesa Room at the Cortez Recreation Center. Contact Gabi at SJMA for more information at 759-1170 or [email protected], or just show up at the first meeting.

Oct. 5

The M-CHS Dance Team will hold a Dodge Ball Tournament and Movie Night to help fund its state competition. The tournament starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the M-CHS Main Gym followed by a movie at 6:30 p.m. Four to six players can play on a team, $50 per team. Viewer admission is $3. To watch the movie, it will cost $2 at the door or free for dodgeball team members. Registration packets are available at the high school. You must register by Saturday, Sept. 28. For more information, call Courtney at (651) 280-5011.

The Dolores Chamber and town of Dolores team up for the second annual Harvest-Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in Flanders Park. Contact the chamber at 882-4018 if you are an interested vendor or want to know more.

Live music at Mr. Happy's from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. "Swinging the Blues" with Linda Baker, Herb Folsom, Kat Hill and Tony Littlejohn.

Oct. 5 and 6

The public is invited to attend one or several two-hour mini Empowerment Workshops. The Empowerment Weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6, at Kaleidoscope Wellness Center, 233 Park St., Mancos. Attend one, two, or all three. Any two classes: $38; all three classes: $50. Call 970-533-1100 to reserve your place; space is limited

Oct. 6

SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents the San Juan Symphony, performing a program of modern and classical music at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the M-CHS Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at the door beginning at 2 p.m. For more information, call Paul Bostrom at 565-9127 or Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757.

Oct. 7

Renew would like to invite the public to an advocate training, centered around domestic violence and sexual assault, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7. at 140 South Linden in Cortez. It will run every Monday and Wednesday through Nov. 13. For more information, call (970) 565-4886.

The Bridge Emergency Shelter is seeking volunteers for the upcoming shelter season, which begins Oct. 15, There will be a volunteer training workshop from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at the shelter (601 Mildred, back of justice building in Cortez). Call the shelter at 565-9808 for more information and to RSVP.

Oct. 8

The Public is invited to hear Jim Mahlberg speak about Education and Amendment 66 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Calvin Denton Room at Empire Electric, 801 N. Broadway. For more information, call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

Oct. 9

Art classes with Donna Steward at the Cortez Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9, upstairs at the Cultural Center. Members $15, others $25, includes; supplies and wine. Pre-registration requested. Call Debie or Anne at the Center.

Oct. 10

"Hula in the Mountains" is the theme of the 11th annual Pink Ribbon Affair beginning 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Street. Dr. Robert Heyl will discuss "What Would Dr. Welby say about Breast Cancer, Then and Now?" Everyone is encouraged to dress Hawaiian. Tickets are available at the door for $15.

Kemper School invites the public to a series of informal conversations from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. The two topics are: "The Basics of School Finance" and "Parental Involvement with School." Share your thoughts and hear those of others.

The Four Corners Back Country Horsemen will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Pine River Senior Center in Bayfield. To learn more, go to: www.4cbch.org or call Bob Volger, chapter president, at 970-883-4004 or [email protected]

The Cultural Center seeks community members to help plan and orchestrate the 10th annual Ute Mountain/ Mesa Verde Birding Festival, scheduled for May 7-11, 2014. Please plan to attend the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, upstairs at the Cultural Center. Please contact Anne Beach, 970-565-1151 or [email protected] for more information.

Oct. 11

The Cortez FFA Chapter and M-CHS Panther Football Team will hold a Food Drive to benefit the Good Samaritan Center on Friday, Oct. 11, at Panther Stadium. For each canned good donated, football fans will receive 50 cents off admission (up to $2 maximum off the admission price) to the M-CHS vs. Eagle Valley football game at 7 p.m. For more information, or to make a donation, call the Cortez FFA Chapter at 970-565-4314.

The Mancos Public Library will hold its second "Science Friday" on Friday, Oct. 11. The subject will be "Moon Madness." The first session is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and is for grades kindergarten to third. The second session will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and is for fourth through eighth grade. Friday, Oct. 11, also happens to be International Observe the Moon Night; there will be telescopes available at the library from 7 p.m. on into the night to have a closer look at the moon. Events are free. For more information, call MPL at 533-7600.

Oct. 12

For Pets' Sake Humane Society will host a Low-Cost Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 12, at the IFA Country Store, 10501 U.S. Highway 491 in Cortez. For more information, call the Humane Society at 565-PETS (7387).

Mancos Valley Resources, a 501(c)3 organization, invites the residents of the Mancos Valley to discuss community resources and needs and areas ripe for collaboration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Mancos Community Center, 110 W. Grand Ave. A light lunch will be provided. For more information, call 739-1172.

The Children's Kiva Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten is having its fall yard sale 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at 1204 E. Empire St. in Cortez. Donations for the sale will be accepted at the Children's Kiva from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 11. Call 565-8586 for more information.

Montelores Baptist Church will hold its third annual Fall Chili Fest and Cook-off from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at 18735 Road. 23.5 across from Narraguinnep Reservoir. For more information, visit the church website: www.monteloresbaptistchurch.org. To enter the cook-off, call the church office at 970-882-2418 or Pastor Paul Gleason at 719-468-1291.

Canyonlands Natural History association invites the public to join us on our Annual Fall Membership Hike in the parking lot at the Sand Island Ranger Station at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. The charge is $25 per person and snacks will be provided. To RSVP or for more information, call (435) 259-6003 ext.12 or email [email protected].

Oct. 16

Cortez Cultural Center will hold an art film and discussion with Brenda Ives at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Gallery. Members free, others $5.

Oct. 17

The 3rd Annual Pretty in Pink Fashion Show presented by Love on a Hanger will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery. Tickets are $15 for general seats and $20 for VIP seats and may be purchased at Love on a Hanger. All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Women's Cancer Coalition. For more information, call 565.9075.

Oct. 17-20

Ninth annual Bluff Arts Festival will be held Oct. 17-20, this year's theme is "Sand Water Stone." For a schedule of events and to register for workshops, visit bluffartsfestival.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bluffartsfestival.

Oct. 19

The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County invites the public to a breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Shane Hale, city of Cortez Manager, will present the needs for additional space for the city of Cortez, as well as an overview of new events and programs in Cortez. For additional information, please call Eleanor at 564-0708.

Oct. 20

Jennifer Hope will provide an ongoing discussion group, exploring all kinds of writings, both fiction and nonfiction at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center, free.

Oct. 23

Window into Malawi with Midge Kirk and Joanie Trussel at the Cortez Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the Gallery, members free, others $5.

Oct. 24

The Mancos School District Advisory Accountability Committee (MSDAAC) will meet 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in the student lounge at the high school. For more information, contact Tyra Hughes at 970-529-0635, [email protected].

Oct. 25

Rock Springs Church will hold a Night of Worship at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at 32233 U.S. Highway 160. Everyone is welcome.

Through October

The Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez will offer computer classes in October. An Internet shopping class will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. A class on finding a job will be offered at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. A class on Microsoft Word will be offered at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. Sign up by stopping by or calling the library at 565-8117.

Denny's of Cortez will be doing a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser during October. Pink AYCE pancakes, ribbons, bracelets and more. Stop in to help the restaurant meet the restaurant's goal.

"Twirl into October" is the monthly theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, located at 202 N. Park St. For more information, contact the library at 970-565-8117.

Book a librarian for up to two hours for free at the Dolores Public Library to help with research, a job search (résumé), your computer or software. To schedule, please come in, call 882-4127 or visit our web page at www.doloreslibrary.org

Nov. 2

Free hearing screenings and speech evaluations will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Call 970-459-1179 to schedule an appointment or simply stop by for bakery treats and information. Lawrence Speech and Hearing is at 515 Grand Avenue in Mancos.

First Wednesday

At noon the first Wednesday of each month the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will have its business lunch forum. For more information and locations, call 565-3414

First Thursday

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon the first Thursday of every month at Shiloh's Steakhouse. For more information, contact Nicci Crowley, secretary, [email protected] or call 570-9372.

First Friday

The first Friday of each month, the public is invited by the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce to participate in a leadership development program at First National Bank, 2258 E. Main in Cortez. For more information, call Dena at 565-3414.

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. Contact Art Neskahi at [email protected]

Second Thursday

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will hold Business After Hours at various locations from 5 to 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. For more information, call 565-3414.

Third Wednesday

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon will be held at noon the third Wednesday of the month at Shiloh Steakhouse. For more information, call 565-3414

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 the First United Methodist Church in Cortez, 515 N. Park. For more information, call Director Ruth Wilson Francisco at 872-3870.

Every Tuesday

The Kiwanis Club of Mesa Verde meets at noon each Tuesday at Shiloh's. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Dolores Public Library will answer technology/software questions free from 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. For more information, call 882-4127.

Every Second Tuesday

The Mancos Water Conservancy District will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at the district's office.

Every Thursday

The public is invited to have a free dinner at 6 p.m. every Thursday until Nov. 15 in Cortez at the Cortez Family Worship Center Foursquare Church, 500 N. Washington. There will be a Holy Spirit Bible Study after the dinner. No one is not obligated to attend. Call 749-9774 for more information

Fall Semester

The Cultural Center is offering after-school programs for creative kids and adults for ages 6 and older. Classes slated for the fall semester are: Feel for Art, visual art program, Silent Storytelling the Art of Mime, Young Playwrights, Actor's Studio and Story Arts, storytelling. Registration and course descriptions can be found on the website. Partial Scholarships available.