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.

Wednesday, Jan. 1

Mancos watercolor artist Jan Wright exhibits paintings of Mesa Verde at The Farm Bistro, 34 W. Main in Cortez, through Jan. 1.

Saturday, Jan. 4

There will be a fundraiser for Vickie Wallace, who was recently diagnosed with Metastatic Colon Cancer, on Jan. 4 at Lewis Arriola Community Center at 4 p.m. The event will feature: Cow Patty dinner, silent auction, dessert auction and chicken bingo. All proceeds will help the Wallaces to pay for medical bills. For more information email [email protected].

Sunday, Jan. 5

On the Eve of the Epiphany, the Epiphany Fire representing Christ as the light of the World will be lighted at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 6:00 p.m. The fire will be lit on the east side of 300 North Willow. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Trees should be delivered no later than 12 p.m. on Jan. 5. For more information, please call 533-9104.

Monday, Jan. 6

The Montelores Early Childhood Council (MECC) will hold their next monthly luncheon meeting on Monday, Jan. 6, at 11:45 a.m., at the Johnson Building, 525 S. Broadway, in the downstairs meeting room 110, Cortez. Lunch will be provided, RSVP to MECC's coordinator, Vangi McCoy, [email protected] or [email protected], PO Box 1725, Cortez, CO 81321, phone 749-7017.

Tuesday, Jan. 7

Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen will hold its general membership-planning meeting on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 2100 N Dolores Rd, Cortez. New members welcome! Learn what we do to ensure public lands stay open to horsemen. Tacos can be purchased at 6:15 p.m. Call Sue for more info 564-9454.

Wednesday, Jan. 8

Yoga and meditation, held on Mondays/Wednesdays, will begin Jan. 8 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. classes at Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 Grand Ave. in Mancos. All levels are welcome, arrive early for registration, bring a towel/mat, water, wear loose clothing, and refrain from eating one hour before class. Call or text 970-946-1267 for details.

Thursday, Jan. 9

Colorado State University Extension is presenting an information session on Radon on Jan. 9 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Montezuma County Extension Office, 109 W. Main, room 102. To make reservations call 565-3123. The class is $5, which includes a Radon Test Kit. Radon is the No. 2 cause of lung cancer.

The Four Corners Back Country Horsemen will hold their monthly meeting on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds in Durango. This month's topic is Search and Rescue. Guests are always encouraged to attend. For more information visit www.4cbch.org, call 970-382-0980 or email [email protected]

Saturday, Jan. 11

The League of Woman Voters of Montezuma County will hold a breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 11 at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Melissa Brunner will discuss all the services the county provide, the funding sources and the county budget. For more information call 564-0708.

Thursday, Jan. 16

There will be a presentation going over judging changes that will take affect this year in the 2014 Montezuma County Fair in the Community Open Class Food Preservation. The presentation will be held at the Montezuma County Extension Office, 109 W. Main, Room 102 on Jan. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 565-3123 to register ahead of time.

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.

Sunday, 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.

First Thursday

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

Second Sunday

Mancos Community Dinners will be the Second Sunday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 Grand Ave, Mancos. This is a pay-what-you-can event. All ages are welcome. Main dishes will be provided. Participants are can bring a dish to share, ideas, a plate, silverware and instruments, too. For more information, call Gretchen at (509) 830-4380.

Second Tuesday

The Mancos Water Conservancy District will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at 42599 Road N off of Road 42.

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 [email protected].

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.

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. Contact Anne Beach at 565-1151 for details.

Every Tuesday

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

Every Monday and Wednesday

Freestyle Defensive Arts is held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Community Center in Mancos. Kids Freestyle Defensive Arts class, for ages 8 to 15, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. every Wednesday. For more information, call instructor Brian Williams at 903-5576.

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Karate "Ryukoku Seidokan" is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the Community Center in Mancos. Ages 5 to 10 is held from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and costs $5 each class. Ages 11 and older is from 6 to 8 p.m. and costs $10 each class. For more information, call Victor Pilcher at 533-7471.

Every Thursday the Community Drum Circle will be held at Kaleidoscope Wellness, 233 Park St. in Mancos. For more information call 533-1100

Every Saturday

The Mancos Indoor Flea Market is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday at the old hardware store in Mancos, 192 S. Main St. To become a vendor, call Queenie Barz at 749-9320. The booth fee is $15 per weekend, along with insurance and vendor license charges.