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.
Christmas Ornament Sale to benefit animals
For Pets Sake Humane Society will hold its annual Christmas Ornament Sale from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the north entrance of Cortez City Market, 508 E. Main St.
Come and see our fun selection of ornaments, including several handmade ones. And remember, all of the proceeds go to help the cats and dogs in Montezuma and Dolores Counties!
If you would like to donate ornaments or other small Christmas items, please drop them off starting at 8:30 a.m. that morning, or call Marian at 565-9327.
Cancer survivors wanted for Parade of Lights
Cortez Relay for Life is looking for cancer survivors who would like to walk in the Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 3. Line up for the parade starts at 5 p.m. and the parade starts at 6 p.m. The Cortez Relay for Life will meet at Pippos at 4:30 p.m. for cookies and hot chocolate or coffee before the parade.
All those interested, contact Monica Dibsie at 560-2679 for more information or to RSVP.
Benefits, applications of bio-char will get discussed
On Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Dolores Conservation District will be cooking scrapwood to use as bio-char at the Lewis-Arriola Community Center.
The district will discuss the possible benefits of bio-char in promoting soil health in agricultural applications. In addition, the forest service will describe the use of bio-char in reclaiming well-pads and Mountain Studies will present their results in using bio-char for reclaiming mine sites. You will also hear about other projects that the district has been involved in during the last year and what is coming up for 2012.
Please RSVP at 565-9045 ext 118 or [email protected] to be counted for a free lunch. You can find out more about the District at www.dolorescd.org.
Catholic Daughters will hold Christmas Craft Bazaar, Bake Sale
Catholic Daughters Court 1606 invites the community to the annual Christmas Bazaar and Bake sale on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1:30 to 7 p.m. at the St. Margaret Mary Church Hall at 28 E. Montezuma Ave., Cortez.
On Saturday, we will serve breakfast burritos, juice, coffee, and pastries from 8 to 11 a.m., and from noon to 3 p.m. will serve Navajo tacos, quesadillas, coffee, juice, and dessert for lunch. There will be lots of baked goods, craft items, holiday gift baskets, floral arrangements and wreaths. There will even be a Kids Corner with gifts that kids can afford along with stocking stuffers. The event will include door prizes and holiday music.
For more information, call Elva Norte at 565-8741.
Holiday Arts, Crafts Show will include range of goods, food
The Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Brewery, 100 S. Fourth St., Dolores.
Local artists will have pottery, jewelry, photography, fiber arts, fine chocolates, handmade soaps and more for sale. There will also be live music, chair massages, refreshments and good cheer!
For more information, contact Michele Martz at 562-4494.
Dolores Christmas Bazaar will benefit Community Center
The Annual Dolores Community Center Christmas Bazaar will be held this year from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave.
This year 46 vendors have already signed up to display such crafts as Christmas wreaths, scarves, homemade breads and candies, pies and Christmas pumpkin rolls. There will also be homemade ornaments, quilts and afghans, leather items, toys for children, artwork of all kinds and jewelry. Come and do your special Christmas shopping; refreshments will be provided by the Girl Scouts Troop 27. All proceeds go to the Dolores Community Center.
Contact Ruby Gonzales for more information at 882-7717.
Chorus will perform Christmas Soul at multiple area concerts
Mancos Valley Chorus invites everyone to share in the joy of this seasons choral concerts. The theme is Christmas Soul, featuring music from Africa and seasonal music to delight all ages. Concert performances will take place in Mancos at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4; at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9; and at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Mancos United Methodist Church, 470 W. Grand Ave. The same concert will be presented in Cortez at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Cortez United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park St.
Come fill your soul with music, music, music. All concerts are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Carol at 882-0120 or visit www.mancosvalleychorus.org.
Cortez Library announces December Storytime theme
Tis the Holiday Season! is the December theme of Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park Street. Storytime is held every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for preschool-aged children. Older children are welcome to join in for the craft at 11:15 a.m.
Meet Jack Frost will be discussed on Friday, Dec. 9. Storytime will wrap up the month with The Giving Season on Friday, Dec. 16. There will be no Storytime on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30 in observance of the Christmas and New Years holidays.
Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.
For more information, contact the library at 565-8117.
Mancos Public Library will offer wreath-making workshop
The Mancos Public Library is sponsoring a wreath making workshop at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at the library, 211 W. First St.
Mary Vozar will lead this workshop on how to make a beautiful holiday wreath out of a wide variety of evergreens. Each participant will make one wreath to take home. The cost of the class is $5. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves and clippers if they have them as well as any special items they may wish to glue on. Ribbons and other decorations will be provided.
Preregistration is required. To sign up, or for more information, call the library at 533-7600.
Night of music at Cowboy Christmas
Come and share a holiday time with the Line Camp Riders for A Cowboy Christmas at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5 at the Lewis Arriola Community Center, located about a mile west of Hwy. 491 on CR S.
Donny Johnson, Mark Bakers, Tim Krebs and Matt Palmer make up this exciting new western band, playing guitar, fiddle, bass, and occasionally a mandolin. A soup supper will be shared at 6 p.m. and everyone is encouraged to bring a salad or dessert. Come as you are and relax in an inviting atmosphere. Hear and join in during Christmas songs of the traditional and western kind. This event is presented by the newly-formed Southwest Cowboy Church, and is free of charge, with a voluntary love offering to be taken.
For more information, contact Mark at 882-1433.
Health department releases immunization clinic schedule
The Montezuma County Public Health Department will offer its immunization clinic on Mondays (except holidays), effective Monday, Dec. 5. The hours for the walk-in clinic are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. only, and will be conducted on a first come, first served basis. Scheduled appointments may be made for the hours of noon to 5:30 p.m. The immunization clinic is at 106 W. North St.
To schedule an appointment or for additional information, call 565-3056.
Group will begin for pregnant and post-partum women with addiction
Cortez Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) will offer a new 12-week group for pregnant and post-partum women struggling with alcohol or drug addiction problems. The group will meet from 10 a.m. to noon for the first time on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 35 N. Ash in Cortez.
CARS is able to accept Medicaid and some grant funds available for this program.
For more information, or to make an intake appointment, call 565-4109.
CDOT invites public to open house to prepare for highway project
The Colorado Department of Transportation is planning to improve a section of U.S. Highway 160 in Cortez, from the junction with U.S. Highway 491 Broadway south for approximately 1.1 miles. CDOT will host an open house from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, to share project information and obtain feedback at the Cortez Community Recreation Center on 425 Roger Smith Ave.
The public is invited to stop by any time and review work zone illustrations, ask questions and provide comments. No formal presentation will be given. The project will reconstruct this section in concrete, improving drainage, curb and gutter, and the signal at the junction of Main and Broadway. The project will be advertised to contractors this spring and is expected to begin in the summer of 2012.
For questions, the public may call Nancy Shanks at 385-1428.
Jingle Bell Dash will raise fund for youth programs, area schools
The School Community Youth Collaborative, with support from Let It Grow Garden Market and the Cortez Cultural Center, will hold its Inaugural Jingle Bell Dash on Saturday, Dec. 17. Early raindeer registration for the Dash ends Wednesday, Dec. 7, with discounted registration fees. Registrations will be accepted up to the day of the event.
Participants can register individually or come as a team. Join in for a 5-kilometer or 1-mile dash (or walk) with bells on your shoes (supplied by SCYC) to ring out gratitude for all the hard work and energy that teachers and educators of all kinds do for our youth. There will also be an Elf Scurry for kids age 10 and under. Event sign-in will be at Let It Grow Garden Market on Mildred Street across from the Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m. on the 17th and the Dash will start at 10 a.m. A reception with MCHS carolers, coffee, homemade hot chocolate and baked goods will follow at Let It Grow. Participants receive a free Inaugural Jingle Bell Dash coffee mug.
This event is to raise funds to support SCYC youth programs as well as a supply drive for area schools. Donation boxes will be at the Cortez Cultural Center, Let It Grow and the SCYC office for the month of December to collect basic school supplies such as copy paper, dry erase markers and erasers, pencils, markers and basic office supplies. Registration and sponsor forms can be picked up at Let It Grow or the Cortez Cultural Center and on the web.
For more information, contact Tyra Hughes at 529-0635, or at www.wix.com/scycmontezuma/jinglebelldash.
Four Corners Community Band will perform three holiday concerts
The Four Corners Community Band will play a concert for Mesa Verde Luminaria Night from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum Auditorium.
The band will also play two concerts on Saturday, Dec. 10: Breakfast with Santa at 9 a.m. at the Montezuma County Annex, 103 N. Chestnut in Cortez, and Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery Luminaria Night at 6 p.m. at 26650 County Road P, Dolores.
For more information about band membership, scheduling a concert, or upcoming events, visit www.fourcornerscommunityband.com or call Sue at 564-1245.
Blue musician Cassie Taylor will perform CD release show
Blues musician Cassie Taylor will perform in support of her CD release at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Dolores River Brewery, 100 S. Fourth St., Dolores.
As a teenager, Cassie Taylor took over bass duties for the band of her father, Otis Taylor, learning the rigors of touring the world and playing and singing on several of his trance blues albums. Now the 25-year-old Boulder native is branching out on her own, performing gigs all over the United States and Europe as part of the Girls with Guitars trio and getting ready for the stateside release of her solo debut, Blue, released earlier this year overseas. She takes her passion for the blues seriously by serving on the board of directors of The Blues Foundation. Staking a claim as a musician in her own right, her songwriting is a new kind of blues which explores the trials and tribulations of a 20-something woman. Using pop vocals and deeply-rooted blues bass lines, Cassie is leading the new generation of blues artists. The cost is $10.
For more information, contact the brewery at 882-4677.
Local author Blackburn will present on the Wetherills of Mesa Verde
The Montezuma County Historical Society will sponsor a symposium at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, featuring local author Fred Blackburn, who will give a PowerPoint presentation on the Wetherills of Mesa Verde. The event will take place at First Methodist Church, Hampton Hall, 515 N. Park St., Cortez.
The following books will be for sale: Volume 4, the new edition of Great Sage Plain along with Freds books The Friends of Mesa Verde, Cowboys and Cave Dwellers, and photo album, Sacred Places of the Southwest. Historical society programs are free to the public. Refreshments will be served.
For information, contact Vivienne Kenyon at 565-7714.
Workshop to be taught on Managing Good and Bad Times
Colorado State University Extension will offer a workshop Managing Good and Bad Times: How Can Your Family Be More Resilient? from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Southwest Colorado Research Center, Office Building conference room, 16910 County Road Z, Yellow Jacket. Registration is required by Tuesday, Dec. 6, so a free meal can be provided.
This workshop will teach agricultural producers about practices their family can use to reduce financial, production, and human risks and of tools they can use and actions they and their families can take in tough and in good economic times to decrease their financial, human, and production risks.
Registration for the workshop can be made by calling either Kim Dillivan at 677-2283 or Tom Hooten at 565-3123. Individuals with special needs are also asked to call ahead for assistance or dietary requests.
Deadline approaches to apply to Master Gardener training program
The deadline for turning in Colorado Master Gardener program applications is Friday, Dec. 9, for the program that will begin Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, and that will continue every Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., to April 5.
The Master Gardener program provides 11 weeks of training on lawn, plant, tree, and vegetable care; soils and fertilizers; water-management; insects and diseases of plants; pruning; as well as the opportunity to meet other gardeners and give volunteer time to the community.
To receive an application form, or for more information, call the Colorado State University Extension offices in Montezuma County at 565-3123, or Dolores County at 677-2283.
Sideshow presents Fine & Found Bazaar, live music at art opening
Sideshow Emporium & Galley is having an art opening from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, with artist Brittany Miller and the Fine & Found Bazaar. The event will include refreshments, and live music from Bees Knees and Mudflaps from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sideshow is at 411 Central in Dolores.
Brittany Miller from Telluride uses the dress form as a motif in her 2D mixed media paintings on wood and also shows her line of redesigned tee shirts. The Fine & Found Bazaar will have locally handmade and upcycled unique gift items.
For more information, contact Heather at Sideshow at 739-4646.
For Pets Sake Christmas Bake Sale will benefit local pets
For Pets Sake Society will hold its annual Christmas Bake Sale beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at the north entrance to City Market in Cortez, 508 E. Main St.
As usual, there will be lots of cookies, cakes, pies, breads, and homemade dog treats! Proceeds from the fundraiser will aid the population of Montezuma and Dolores counties. In addition to running spay/neuter assistance programs, For Pets Sake provides foster homes for animals awaiting adoption and helps local people pay for emergency veterinary care for their pets. Donations of baked goods from the groups members and supporters can be dropped off at City Market starting at 8:30 a.m. the morning of the sale. Baked goods can also be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Let It Grow Nursery on Mildred across from the Colorado Welcome Center.
For more information, contact Janet at 533-7402.
Free Coffee Tasting event will have coffee from around the world
Let It Grow Nursery & Garden Market will offer its sixth annual free Coffee Tasting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, along with a free magic show for the kids by Mysto the Magi at 10:30 a.m., at 90 N. Mildred Road, Cortez.
The community is invited to enjoy locally-roasted coffee from around the world.
For more information, call 565-3099.
Area choirs will perform at annual Luminaria Night event
Its the most magical night of the year! Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery will host their Luminaria Night at the garden center on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m.
This year, the Mesa Elementary School Honor Choir, The Howlers, the Lewis Arriola Church Choir, the Four Corners Community Band, and the Montezuma Cortez High School Choir and Band will be performing. Wander through more than 1,000 luminarias, enjoy the music of the season, visit with Santa, and enjoy refreshments as we continue this longtime Montezuma County family tradition in celebration of the season.
For more information, call Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery at 565-8274, or visit the website at fourseasonsgreenhouse.com.
Nest will have dining, dancing at 9th Annual Holiday Gala
The Nest will ring in the holidays with its 9th Annual Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Cortezs Holiday Inn Convention Center (Kokos Friendly Pub & Grill), 2121 E. Main St. There will be dinner, dancing and a silent auction.
Advance tickets are $60, or an eight-person table can be purchased for $420.
The gala is the Nests main fundraiser each year. Proceeds from the gala are used to assist child victims of abuse and their families. The Nest is a safe, nurturing, compassionate place that eases the emotional trauma children experience during the investigation and prosecution process of child abuse cases by providing the child and their families with support, education, and coordination of available community resources. This support helps the child and family begin the recovery process while facilitating the movement through the criminal justice system.
For more information, contact Rose at 565-8155.
Group will host Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor children
The Four Corners Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a group that supports families after the loss of a child, will host a local Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor our children at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at Grace Fellowship, 24 N. Chestnut in Cortez. Use the rear entrance, parking in the alley between the church and CU Center off North Street.
The group will meet inside at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the outside Candle Lighting at 7 p.m. at the CU Center Amphitheatre. Afterwards, the group will go back inside for the Our Children movie, followed by a time of sharing and refreshments. Please bring any photos or readings you would like to share.
For more information, or if you cannot attend, but would like a candle lit for your child, please contact us at 565-4732 (Debbie) or 565-6480 (Cherie).
Elks Lodge seeks vendors, craftsmen for annual Christmas Bazaar
It is time for the Cortez Elks Lodges annual Christmas Bazaar. The Elks are seeking craftsmen to sell their goods at this event that will take place on Sunday, Dec. 11. Vending tables are now available to those interested in renting a 6-foot-long table at $25 each. Doors will open at 10 a.m., and the bazaar will remain open until 5 p.m. The Cortez Elks Lodge is at 2100 N. Dolores Road.
All proceeds from the rental of the tables help with food baskets and gifts for the needy, and scholarships for the upcoming year. There will be entertainment to announce Santas arrival at 3 p.m. to talk with the children, and pictures will be available of kids with Santa. Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To purchase a table for the event, and for all information regarding the bazaar, contact Sally at 739-0616.
Presbyterian Church will present cantata
The combined choir and praise team of the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church invites the community to an afternoon of music and fellowship at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. We will present the cantata, Mary Did You Know? at the church, 350 South Washington St. in Cortez.
Refreshments will be served following the cantata. A donation of a non-perishable food for The Good Samaritan Center would be greatly appreciated but not required as admission. Please join us.
For more information, call the church office at 565-7024.
Group will host Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor children
The Four Corners Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, a group that supports families after the loss of a child, will host a local Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor our children at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at Grace Fellowship, 24 N. Chestnut in Cortez. Use the rear entrance, parking in the alley between the church and CU Center off North Street.
The group will meet inside at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for the outside Candle Lighting at 7 p.m. at the CU Center Amphitheatre. Afterwards, the group will go back inside for the Our Children movie, followed by a time of sharing and refreshments. Please bring any photos or readings you would like to share.
For more information, or if you cannot attend, but would like a candle lit for your child, please contact us at 565-4732 (Debbie) or 565-6480 (Cherie).
The Bridge Emergency Shelter will hold a volunteer training from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the shelter. The volunteer and staff entrance to the shelter is on the north side of the Justice Building, and is accessible from the parking lot that is off Empire Avenue, about a block west of Mildred Street in Cortez.
This training is for new volunteers and will familiarize volunteers with out shelter programs with an emphasis on safety and the beginnings of casework and exploring avenues of assistance for the shelters clients.
Contact the shelter at 565-9808 or [email protected] for more information.
Southwest Singers will present free Christmas concerts
The Southwest Singers will present a pair of free concerts this Christmas season on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16 and 17, at 7 p.m. Both concerts will be held at the First United Methodist Church located at Park and Empire in Cortez.
The theme of the concerts will be Christmas, of course, and celebrates the birth of the Christ child songs will include some old, some new, and some sing-along. Refreshments will be served after the music.
For more information, contact Larry at 565-7804.
Annual Parade of Lights will illuminate downtown Cortez
The Four Corners Board of Realtors 22nd Annual Parade of Lights will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, on Main Street in Cortez. The parade begins at Maple Street and travels east on Main to Harrison Street. Participants in the parade should check in at the parking lot by Notah Dineh by 5 p.m.
This years theme is A Community Christmas Connection. The Grand Marshal for this years Parade is the Ertel Family, in honor of their longtime community connection. Float entries are still being accepted; forms are available at http://fourcornersboardofrealtors.com, or contact Terry McCabe at 565-8408 ext. 115, or [email protected]. Participants may also pick up entry forms at 2218 East Main in Cortez. There is no charge to enter the parade but an entry form must be completed. Floats will be judged by a panel stationed at Market and Main; cash prizes will be awarded in each of three categories: Commercial, Non-profit, or Other. Prizes awarded will be $250, $150, and $100 in each category.
For more information, call 565-8408 ext. 115.
