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.
Thursday, April 3
The Cultural Center's Baked Potato Lunch is 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at 25 N. Market Street. Eat in or take out. Cost: $6, with proceeds benefiting the Center.
Friday, April 4
Jake Wise, also known as Fiddle Jake, returning to the Mancos Valley Distillery on Friday, April 4, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 5
Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance invites you to celebrate its First Birthday on Saturday, April 5, from 3-6 p.m. at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 23390 Road K, Cortez. Includes: "State of the Alliance," refreshments, silent auction, presentation on Miera y Pacheco: A Renaissance Spaniard in 18th Century New Mexico. Call Diane McBride, 560-1643.
Montelores Baptist Church hosts the Country Gospel band WestWind Connection for a free concert at 5:30 p.m. Free barbecue dinner; donations accepted. At 18735 CR 23.5 off Hwy 184 across from Narraguinnep Reservoir. Information: Pastor Paul Gleason, 970-882-2418.
April 9
Kindergarten registration for the 2013-2014 school year at Dolores Elementary School is noon to 6 p.m. at the Dolores Elementary Office. Bring a birth certificate, immunization records and proof of residence. Children must be 5 years old before Sept. 1, 2013.
Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Support Group meets 5-6:30 p.m. at the SWMH Annex Building, 20 South Market St. in Cortez. Share ideas and information with others who have had weight-loss surgery at this free meeting. Information: SWMH dietitian Laura White, 564-2276.
April 10
Dolores High School 2014 Operation Graduation Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Dolores School Commons/Lunchroom. DHS senior parents are encouraged to attend. (Operation Graduation is an all-night "lock-down" celebration to keep seniors safe on graduation night.) Call Wendy Moore at 970-799-4815 or Michelle Whatcott at 970-759-3799.
April 11
San Juan Mountains Association and San Juan National Forest will plant Ponderosa Pine trees with Dolores fourth- and fifth-graders. Adult volunteers needed in Haycamp Mesa area. Contact Kathe Hayes, Kathe@sjma.org, or 385-1310. Background check may be required.
April 12
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will hear from Chris Burkett concerning the work of the Montezuma Community Economic Development Association at their breakfast meeting on April 12 at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Anyone interested in economic development and learning about MCEDA is welcome to attend. Information: Call Eleanor at 564-0708.
Spring Hoe Down Fundraiser at the Mancos Opera House on 5-11 p.m. Carute Roma Gypsy Band, Sand Sheff and the Desert Mongers and Carla Roberts Square and Line Dancing. Silent auction, local taco bar, local beer and wine. Adults $15; kids 17 and under free. Fundraiser for the Montezuma School to Farm Project, Mt. Lookout Grange and Mancos Valley Resources. Tickets available at FB Organics, Zuma and Dolores Food Store. Call 903-8831.
For Pets' Sake Humane Society will host a dog and cat vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon at the IFA Country Store, 10501 Highway 491 in Cortez. Dog and cat vaccine includes rabies, distemper (dogs), leukemia (cats) and more for $41; or $15 for rabies only. Packages without rabies are $32. A portion of each package purchased will be donated to For Pets' Sake. Call the Humane Society at 565-PETS (7387).
Dance to Country Fix and local musician/songwriter Linda Lee Filener at The American Legion, 320 N. Harrison, Cortez, at 7 p.m. Cover charge: $5.
April 14
The Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B'Yeshua) invites you to Passover Seder 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Shiloh's Restaurant, at Main and Sligo. Adults $25, children $15. Call 562-4217.
April 16
Southwest Colorado Green Party meets 6:60-8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wilson Building, 16 W. Main St., Cortez. All are welcome. Visit southwestcoloradogreens.org for more information.
April 17
Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. On April 17, "Mudge Redux." For preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. Older children are welcome for the craft at 11:15 a.m.
April 23
The Master Steward Program's 9-week course helps you design a customized blue-print and management plan for your farm using the Whole Farm approach. At the 1st National Bank of Cortez from 6-8:30 p.m. through June 18. Register at www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/ms or call the Dolores Conservation District at 970-565-9045, ext 118.
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. Information: Shawna Valdez at 882-1024.
April 29
The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5½ months and older. Classes are on Tuesday evenings 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.
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 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.
May 4-9
The Mancos Valley Chorus presents the Spring 2014 Concert, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," featuring love songs from "The Lion King," swing and bee-bop tunes and lead song "Seasons of Love," from the Broadway show "Rent." Free. Refreshments served. 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 10
Fourth Annual Dairy Goat Information Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 23161 Road G.2 in Cortez. Presented by Four Corners Dairy Goat Breeders. See animals and get advice on care and maintenance. Multiple breeds; goats, equipment may be for sale. Call Jeanette at 565-9065 and leave a message.
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 Nihla, 970-570-5035 or go to mesaverdehorsemen.com.
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.
Dolores Mountain Quilters meet 10 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave, Dolores. Guests and visitors are welcome. Information: doloresmountainquilters.org or Judith Swain, 970-560-4426.
First Wednesday
At noon the first Wednesday of each month, the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its business lunch forum. Call 565-3414.
First Thursday
Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon the first Thursday of every month at Shiloh's Steakhouse. Email Nicci Crowley at montezumagop@gmail.com or call 570-9372.
The First Thursday Art Walk will be downtown Telluride from 5 to 8 p.m. Listen to Open Art Radio on KOTO noon to 1 p.m. on first Thursdays for interviews with artists. Maps available at venues and at the Telluride Arts offices in the Stronghouse Studios + Gallery at 283 S. Fir St. Information: www.tellurideinside.com.
First Friday
First Friday Leadership at First National Bank in Cortez, 8-9 a.m. Free. Coffee and doughnuts at 7:45 a.m. Call Dena, 565-3414.
Second Wednesday
Southwest Inter-Tribal Voice and Montelores Human Rights Committee meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Community Meeting Room in First National Bank. Email Art Neskahi at taachinii@yahoo.com.
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 information, call 565-3414.
Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to meet at noon every second Thursday at Shiloh's Steakhouse at 5 Veach St. Call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.
A Free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney are 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.
Third Wednesday
The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is held at noon the third Wednesday of the month 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. the first and third Thursdays each month upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center. Potential volunteers welcome. Call 565-1151.
Every Sunday
First United Methodist Church has a Native American Worship Service at 2 p.m. every Sunday. Call 565-3002.
Every Monday
The public is invited to join the Southwest Singers for rehearsals for the fall season. The choir practices at 6:30 p.m. Monday evenings at First United Methodist Church in Cortez. Call Director Ruth Wilson Francisco at 872-3870.
Every Tuesday
The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers 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 Dolores Public Library will answer technology/software questions about Microsoft Word, email, digital pictures, etc., free from 2 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. Call 882-4127.
