The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to [email protected]. Items submitted at least two weeks in advance will have a better chance of getting published; items submitted several days before the event might not get published. For more information, call the Journal at 565-8527.



Youths can learn Navajo crafts, other activities at Cultural Camp

The deadline for registration for the Cortez Cultural Center’s popular Ancient Days/Ancient Ways Cultural Camp is Saturday, July 23. This popular four-day experience will be offered from Tuesday, July 26, through Friday, July 29, and will accept youth ages 10 to 14. The Cultural Center is located at 25 N. Market St.

The purpose of the camp is to help older kids and teens appreciate the land and diverse cultures of the Four Corners, while having fun and educational experiences. This year’s camp activities will include games, Navajo culture and crafts, improvisational drama taught by Montezuma-Cortez High School drama students, lake swimming, a service project re-mudding the Cultural Center’s hogan, making ice cream, archaeology, panning for gold, roping and riding at East Pines Ranch, and camping.

The cost of camp is $75, with some financial aid from Kiwanis of Cortez available if needed. Individual or business sponsors willing to help a camper, contact the Cortez Cultural Center. Campers may register by coming by the Center, which is open Monday through Saturday.

For more information, call Linda at 565-1151.



For Pets’ Sake will hold Summer Wine Festival fundraiser

For Pets’ Sake will hold its fourth annual Summer Wine Festival from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, at Cliffrose High Desert Gardens just east of Cortez on Highway 160.

This fun evening will include yummy appetizers, wines provided by Smitty’s Liquors and beer provided by TBox Liquors, solo piano music by Lee Bartley featuring his classic originals, and a silent auction featuring food and travel items – including lots of gift certificates. Tickets are $25 each or two for $40, and are available before the event at Cliffrose Gardens and at the door. All proceeds benefit the cats and dogs of Montezuma and Dolores Counties.

For more information, call 565-PETS.



Sideshow to host photography show with opening night reception

Internationally known photographer Cole Thompson opens a show of his new series The Fountainhead with an opening night reception from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, at Sideshow Emporium & Gallery. Meet the photographer and enjoy refreshments. Sideshow is located at 411 Central in Dolores.

The work of award-winning black and white photographer Cole Thompson has been shown internationally and has appeared in The Sun and other publications. Thompson’s first two artistic loves, architecture and photography, are used to express concepts of personal liberty in these black and white images on canvas. This is Cole’s fourth show at Sideshow and his first in our newly expanded and renovated gallery space. We are proud to bring the work of this talented Colorado photographer to our Four Corners region. The Fountainhead will hang at Sideshow through September 17.

For more information, contact Heather at 739-4646.



Ute Mountain Tribal Park will offer special inaccessible dwelling tour

Ute Mountain Tribal Park will offer an inaccessible dwelling tour on Saturday, July 23, with transportation provided (or you can drive your own vehicle). Tour participant pick up locations and times are 7:45 a.m. at Ute Mountain Pottery at 156 Hwy. 160/491, 8:15 a.m. at the Cortez Chamber of Commerce at 928 E. Main St., and 8:30 a.m. before the Mesa Verde National Park entrance area.

The inaccessible Casa Colorado and Casa Blanca Cliff Dwelling will be visited during this one-time special tour. The tour is $60 per person, and transportation can be provided at $12 per person. Visitors must be physically active for the tour and must provide their own backpack, drinking water, lunch, and must wear comfortable, appropriate gear.

For reservations and information, contact Jacob Dance Jr. or Veronica Cuthair at 565-9653 or 565-3751 ext. 330, or by email at [email protected].



Noah’s Ark shelter will offer 1-day dog adoption event

Noah’s Ark animal shelter will offer a one-day pet Adoption Viewing Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at The Pet Pad, 24 N. Madison St., next to Burger Boy.

Come see all the dogs! The age range that will be available for adoption is 3 months to 10 years old. Noah’s Ark will have orphans available; all are older or adult dogs that were adopted out but were returned to the shelter when their owners passed away. All have had their shots and are spayed or neutered, and Noah’s Ark hopes they get a second chance. Seniors will receive a 50 percent discount on adoption of a senior pet. Spaying and neutering are free if adopting a puppy.

For more information, call Louise at 565-2751.



Methodist Church will hold Navajo taco lunch and bazaar

The Dolores United Methodist Church will hold a Navajo taco lunch and bazaar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Avenue.

They will sell baked goods, White Elephant items, and crafts. Additionally, there will be a silent auction for a 1985 Ford Ranger pickup with a camper shell. The price is $7 for adults, $3 for children aged 10 and under.

For more information, contact Christine Chadwick at 882-7772 or Karen Tuttle at 882-2518.



Presell tickets available for Scouts’ Mancos Days Pancake Breakfast

Boy Scout Troop 518 will presell tickets for their annual Mancos Days Pancake Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 23, in front of Walmart, and will have their annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30, before the Mancos Days Parade. The breakfast will be held at the Mancos School Cafeteria.

Get a big start on the day’s festivities by enjoying this breakfast prepared by the Scouts of Troop 518 and their families, who invite the community to come and enjoy all you can eat pancakes and sausage. The cost for the breakfast is $5 for an adult; a family of two adults and two children under 10 can eat for $12. Tickets for the breakfast are also available at the door that morning. The troop uses the fundraiser profits to support their services and activities throughout the year.

For more information, contact Evan Moore at 882-4983.



House concert and potluck will celebrate National Day of the Cowboy

Join us for a House Concert at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 at 32229 Road P in Mancos, to celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy. Outstanding singer, songwriter, and picker Mike Hurwitz from Wyoming will perform outdoors (weather permitting – inside, if not) his brand of cowboy/prairie blues on a variety of guitars; the music will start between 7 and 8 p.m.

Bring a covered dish to share, and come ready to have a good time with family, friends, music, and fun! We will provide lemonade, tea, and coffee; please bring a chair, if you’ve got one. There will be games and a horseshoe pit, marshmallow roasting, and room to pitch a tent in our pasture for those that wish to, with a jam session later on. This is a kid-friendly event, and ages 12 and under are free. All funds raised go to the performer to cover travel expenses. Hope to see you here!

Contact Barb for more information, tickets or directions at 882-1413 or 739-8408.



St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will have outdoor service, potluck picnic

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will hold a special outdoor service at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 24, at the amphitheater behind the Cortez Recreation Center, 425 Roger Smith Ave., Cortez.

The service will be followed by a potluck picnic. This will be their only service for the day.

For more information, call 565-7865.



Fresh Start Horse Rescue will hold breakfast fundraiser, yard sale

Fresh Start Horse Rescue will hold Breakfast with the Babies, its third annual Yard Sale and Open House Fundraiser for three days, beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 29-31, at Fresh Start, 17390 County Road 23, Dolores.

The event will include a pancake breakfast for a suggested donation. Pony rides, and a meet-and-greet and photo with rescue foals will be featured. Volunteers and donations of yard sale items, breakfast supplies and baked goods are still being accepted. Proceeds raised will support horse rescue and rehabilitation, as well as the Equine Assisted Youth Empowerment Program. FSHR is a nonprofit animal welfare organization.

For more information, call 882-7522.



First Baptist Church will offer vacation Bible school

Son Surf Beach Bash Vacation Bible School at First Baptist Church will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, July 25, through Friday, July 29, at First Baptist Church, 100 N. Market St., Cortez.

The school will start with a meal and continue through the evening with Bible stories, crafts, games and songs. Ages 3 through 11 are invited to attend, and parents are encouraged to stay for a message with Josiah Forkner. A nursery will also be provided.

For more information, contact Fran at 562-4855.



Cortez Chamber will seek community input at planning event

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking community input at a highly engaging, planning event at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at the new First National Bank, 2258 E. Main St.

The focus of this meeting is to coordinate upcoming community events, such as a car show, wine festival, motorcycle rally, Verde Fest, Krazy Daze and autumn festival, while we discuss possibilities and generate new opportunities. Communitywide events are wonderful ways to connect local citizens while boosting our area’s image — and economy!

Community events have the ability to enhance visibility and image, develop relationships with existing and potential customers, showcase our area, develop community spirit and celebrate in memorable ways. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this collaborative discussion of how businesses, groups and individuals can benefit from or strengthen new and existing events. Come, be a part of the fun.

For more information, contact the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce at 565-3414.



Public is invited to meet candidate for Mancos library director

The Friends of the Mancos Public Library invite members of the community to stop by the library at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, to meet a candidate for the director position, Lee Hallberg. This gathering will last one hour. The Mancos Library is located at 211 E. First St.

For more information, contact the library at 533-7600.



Cortez Library announces July Storytime programs for kids

“How We Live” is the July theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Storytime is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for pre-school aged children and every Saturday at the Farmers Market beginning at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting. The Farmers Market is located on the corner of South Elm and Main streets. Older children are welcome to join us for the craft at 11:15 a.m. Thursdays. The Saturday Storytime will follow the same theme as the preceding Thursday.

This is part of the library’s Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.” Reading logs for the summer are available at the library.

We’ll wrap up the month with “Let’s Eat!” on Thursday, July 28, and Saturday, July 30. Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.

For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.



Workforce will teach Internet job search classes at library

Gabe Torres from the Southwest Colorado Workforce Center will teach computer classes every other week beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, July 29, at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.

Gabe will focus on various aspects of finding a job on the Internet, including: Registering with the Workforce Center; updating your Workforce registration; conducting job searches statewide; updating skills that will allow the system to find more jobs for the client; applying for unemployment insurance; ONET-ON-Line website job title searches; resume preparation; searching for State applications; labor market information; labor law information; and facilitating the WorkKeys Skills Assessment.

Classes will be limited to 10 people. Those interested in learning more about how to find a job online may sign up for the classes by calling the library at 565-8117.



Saint Margaret Mary’s Parish will present ‘The Human Experience’

Saint Margaret Mary’s Parish in Cortez will host a summer outdoor movie night at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at 28 E. Montezuma Ave.

Come and enjoy “The Human Experience” — The meaning of life is discovered in the experience. Refreshments will be available.

For more information, contact Teresa Halsey Hollar at 565-2644.



Four Corners Community Band will play parade, concert at Mancos Days

The Four Corners Community Band will play at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 30, in the Mancos Day Parade, followed by a concert in Boyle Park at approximately 11 a.m.

For more information about band membership, scheduling a concert or upcoming events, visit www.fourcornerscommunityband.com or call Sue at 564-1245.



MCHS class of 1981 will hold

30-year reunion

The Montezuma-Cortez High School Class of 1981 will host its 30th class reunion beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the Cortez Elk’s Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Road.

For more information or dinner reservations, contact Ellen (Kenyon) Black at 565-3287 or Don Haley at 565-4725.



County will hold public workshops for Wildfire Protection Plan

Montezuma County is undertaking an update of the countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Five public workshops will be held throughout the county. Workshops scheduled are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:

Wednesday, Aug. 10, Pleasant View Fire Station, U.S. Highway 491 in Yellow Jacket.

Wednesday, Aug. 24, Towaoc Community Center, 85 Sunset Blvd.

These workshops will identify the values that people should strive to protect though the update of the Montezuma County Wildfire Protection Plan, review the high-risk area maps for accuracy, and help residents become more prepared for wildfires. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of the FireWise Council of Southwest Colorado.

For more information, contact James Dietrich with Montezuma County at 565-7402 or Rebecca Samulski with FireWise of Southwest Colorado at 882-2388.



K9 Search and Rescue Team will host Annual Pancake Breakfast

K9 Search and Rescue Team will host the Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 7 a.m. until the Escalante Days parade starts. The breakfast is the annual fundraiser for the team and will include pancakes, sausage, coffee or tea and juice. It will be held at the “Dog House,” 35 Railroad Ave. (directly west of Dolores Fire Station 1), with handicap parking at that address and regular parking off Central Avenue directly north of the building.

As a nonprofit organization that is 100 percent volunteer-based, K9 Search and Rescue depends on events such as the breakfast to provide much needed funds for equipment, training and materials.

For more information, call 882-4746 or email [email protected].