Community Calendar

People are encouraged to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published.

Oct. 17

The third 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 proceeds will benefit the Women's Cancer Coalition. For more information, call 565.9075.

La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) will help underwrite "Sight-In Days" at the Durango Gun Club Outdoor Range, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17-18, and Oct. 31-Nov. 1. For more information, call LPEA at (970) 247-5786 or visit www.lpea.coop.

Oct. 17-20

The 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. 18

Mancos Valley Distillery presents Little Brother on Friday, Oct. 18. Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. Little Brother is a duo from Montezuma County that blends blues and rock.

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, Cortez city 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 more information, call Eleanor at 564-0708.

The public is invited to join the Montezuma School to Farm Project for a Homespun Supper at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Historic Mount Lookout Grange, 680 Grand Ave. in Mancos. Tickets are $50. For more information or to RSVP, call Harrison Topp at (303) 918-3538 or email mstfpamericorps@gmail.com.

Blondies in Cortez hosts Reggae Night at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, no cover.

Jones Farm will hold a Pumpkin Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19-20, and Oct. 26-27 at 25450 Road. M, Cortez, $3 entry fee. For more information, call 759-4502.

Sideshow Emporium & Gallery presents "Things That Fly:" new art by Miki Harder. An opening reception followed by a dance party will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Sideshow is located at 411 Central in Dolores. Call 739-4646 for more information.

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. This event is free.

Catie Curtis will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Millwood Junction Restaurant, at U.S. Highway 160 and Main Street in Mancos. Tickets are available at Southwest Sound, Durango; Rocky Mountain One Stop, Cortez; and the Millwood Junction, Mancos. For more information, call 533-7338.

The first meeting of Literary Explorations will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 North Market Street in Cortez. This is an opportunity to consider in depth short excerpts from a variety of writings. For more information, call Jennifer Hope at 565-9915.

Oct. 21

Picture Day for Mancos schools is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21. The photos are being taken by Lifetouch School Portraits.

Oct. 22

Montezuma County Public Health Department will be conducting a walk-in Flu Vaccination Clinic from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Health Department. Children must be at least 6 months old; the cost will be $14. Call 565-3056 with any questions.

Oct. 23

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

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 or tlvegas@hotmail.com.

Hospice of Montezuma invites the public to a suicide support group session at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Hospice office, 1345 S. Broadway in Cortez. Because of this event, the normally scheduled Suicide Support Group will be canceled. Call Sunny for more information at 565-4400.

"Christians' Consideration for a National Health Plan" will be the topic at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at St. Barnabas Church for the next "How You Can Be Part of a Christian Community with Integrity and Not Believe All Those Things You Thought You Had to Believe" conversation. For more information, call 565-7865.

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. Plan to attend the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 24, upstairs at the center. Contact Anne Beach, (970) 565-1151 or annebeach@cortezculturalcenter.org for more information.

Oct. 24-25

Cortez Middle School will hold Parent/Teacher Conferences from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 25. No appointment is needed. Cortez Middle School will be on early release Thursday, Oct. 24.

M-CHS will be holding the fall Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. On Thursday at 4:30 p.m., there will be an enchilada dinner for M-CHS families, there will also be a child care area with sitters available. For more information, call Debra Ramsey at 565-3992.

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.

Dave Mensch plays at Blondies in Cortez at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. There is no cover.

Beech Street Preschool's third annual Halloween Carnival and Fundraiser will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at 510 N. Beech St. There will be food, prizes, a costume contest and a pumpkin-carving contest. Cost is $1 per person or $5 per family.

The Cortez Elks Lodge is seeking donations of stuffed animals that will be given to children at the Halloween Carnival this year. Drop off donations at the Cortez Elks Lodge, on Colorado Highway 145 next to the golf course before Friday, Oct. 25. Call Sally at 739-0616 for more details.

Oct. 26

Pleasant View Elementary will be holding a "Harvest Carnival" on Saturday, Oct. 26. An all-you-can-eat chili dinner is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Carnival games will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There will be a raffle for a mountain bike and a costume contest.

DJ Two Tone spins at Blondies for a pre-Halloween party at 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in Cortez. Feel free to dress up.

For Pets' Sake Humane Society will hold a Halloween Bake Sale to benefit local pets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the north entrance to City Market in Cortez. For more information, call Janet at 533-7402.

Oct. 28

El Burro Pancho Restaurant will be hosting the Day of the Dead Art Competition. Entries are due Monday, Oct. 28. Judging will be at 2 p.m. Nov. 2. Participants do not need to be present to win a $20 gift certificate to El Burro Pancho. For more information, call (928) 614-0016 or email nizhoni_chica@yahoo.com

Oct. 29

The Dolores Rotary Club will sponsor Bingo Night at the Dolores Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Bingo kicks off with a light dinner at 6:30 p.m. for a $5 donation, then bingo at 7 p.m. For more information, call Tom Seymour at 799-7708 or Laurel Rematore at 564-1241. Proceeds benefit the Dolores High School Junior Class.

Oct. 31

Montezuma County Senior Services is holding a Navajo Taco Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, for $7, which includes dessert and drink. Proceeds go to cover costs for all senior service programs. For more information, call 565-4166.

A National Hip-Hip tour stops in Cortez, Grayskul and Graves33 bring their dark, Northwest hip-hop to Blondies at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.

The Baptist Chapel will be holding its second annual Candy Corn Carnival, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. There will be candy, games and much more. All children are welcome.

Through October

The Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., 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 hold a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser during October. Pink AYCE pancakes, ribbons, bracelets and more will be available.

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

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

Ann Gray is the featured artist for the month of October for the Southwest Artists League. Gray's oils are displayed at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. in Cortez.

Southwest Intertribal Voice is building a hogan, sweat lodge and cooking arbor on Native American ceremonial grounds under the direction of Art Neskahi. Muscle power is needed to help with construction. There are work parties every Saturday through October; beginning at 7 a.m. The hogan is located on the former powwow grounds of the Neskahi family at 3900 U.S. Highway 160. For more information, call 565-9808

Nov. 1

Mancos Valley Distillery presents the Moetones, Friday, Nov. 1, at the Zombie Party. Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. Prize for best costume.

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 stop by for bakery treats and information. Lawrence Speech and Hearing is at 515 Grand Avenue in Mancos.

The next USDA Commodity Distribution will be Saturday, Nov. 2. It will be held in Cortez at the Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. Highway 160, from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Distributions also will be held in Dolores from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Fire Hall, 45 Railroad Ave., and in Mancos at United Methodist Church, 470 Grand Ave., from 7:30 to 8 a.m. Recipients must bring a box large enough for their commodities. For more information or to help with the distribution, call Judy at 564-2772.

Medicine Horse Center invites the public to a benefit for the scholarship fund for Medicine Horse equine-assisted therapy center. The benefit will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Millwood Junction in Mancos. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple and are available at Millwood Junction, by phone at 533-7403 or on the website at www.medicinehorsecenter.org.

The National Honor Society and Student Council will hold its first silent auction and chili cook off from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Mancos school cafeteria. The cost is $10 per person, $15 per couple and $20 per family. Proceeds will help MVFD with safety gear.

Nov. 4

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings will be rescheduled to the first Monday of every month starting Nov. 4, at noon at the Cortez Office at 2409 E. Empire. For more information, call Rose at 759-2347.

Nov. 8

The Hospice of Montezuma Benefit Pancake Supper will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Montezuma County Annex, 103 N. Chestnut St. All you can eat pancakes, bacon, eggs and beverages. The raffle drawing will be at 6:30 p.m. Tickets sold at the door: adults $7.50, children $3.50, families $20. Questions? Call 565-4400.

Club 20, a coalition of counties, communities, businesses & individuals would like to invite Montezuma County to its Community Meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Jack & Janelle's Country Kitchen, 801 E. Main St. to RSVP email shawna@club20.org or call 970-242-3264.

Nov. 8-9

The Dolores/Ski Snowboard Swap will be held at the Dolores Community Center. It begins with gear drop-off from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 8. The sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9. For a last chance to buy preseason Telluride season passes. Contact Clay Tallmadge at 882-7255 or ctallmadge@dolores.k12.co.us

Nov. 10

The public is invited to Lighthouse Baptist Church for "Veteran's Sunday" at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 to honor our nation's heroes. Please call the church office for more information at 565-9302.

Nov. 11

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4031, SW Civic Winds and Durango High School Music Department present "A Musical Tribute to Veterans" at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango. Prices range from $5 to $10. To buy tickets or for more information, call 970-247-7657.

Nov. 14

A free legal clinic for parties who have no attorney, will be featured from 4 to 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Mancos Public Library at 211 West First Street in Mancos. Upcoming dates are Nov. 14, and Dec.12.

Nov. 28

The Four Corners Board of Realtors 24th annual Parade Of Lights will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. This year's theme is "Bringing Life to Christmas." Participants must complete and sign an entry form by 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28. Judges and photographer will be at the corner of Market Street and Main Street. Candy throwing is prohibited. Participants can hand items to crowd only.

Dec. 13

The Piñon Project's Christmas for Kids Program has applications available to help support families during the Christmas holiday. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 13. For more information about this program visit the Piñon Project Resource Center at 300 N. Elm, call 564-1195 or visit www.pinonproject.org.

Dec. 15

Calling for Vendors for the Cortez Elks Lodge Christmas Bazaar. Book your vendor booth space before Friday, Nov. 1, and pay only $25. The event is Dec. 15. Call Sally at 739-0616 for more information.

First Tuesday

American Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall located at 320 N. Harrison Street, Cortez. For additional information, call the Legion at 565-8151.

First Wednesday

At noon the first Wednesday of each month the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce will hold 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, nicci.crowley@gmail.com 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 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 more information, call 565-3414.

Republican Women of Montezuma County meet at noon every second Thursday at Shiloh's Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., in Cortez. The public is invited. For information, call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

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 sue@simmonssecondchanceranch.com for more information.

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

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

Every Monday and Wednesday

Freestyle Defensive Arts is held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Community Center in Mancos. Kids Freestyle Defensive Arts class, ages 8 to 15, will be held every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. Call instructor Brian Williams at 970-903-5576 for more information.

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Early Bird Yoga is held 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 15 thru Dec. 19 at the Community Center in Mancos. Eirin MacLaren is the instructor. For more information, contact Eirin at 739-8679 or eirinmaclarenyoga@qmail.com

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 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 Friday, 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 obligated to attend. Call 749-9774 for more information

Every Friday

Every Friday at 6 p.m. the Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B'Yeshua) will begin a new Bible Study Series: "Survey of Messianic Judaism" at Baptist Chapel, 1509 Colorado Highway 145. Oct. 11 "Introduction", Oct. 18 "Foundation Part 1", Oct. 25 "Foundation Part 2". For more information, call 970-562-4217 or email info@byeshua.org

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.