Hisatsinom presents Australia rock art

As part of the Four Corners Lecture Series, the Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeology Society is pleased to present David Lee on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Sunflower Theatre, 8 E. Main St., Cortez, to discuss "Closer than we Know: Comparing the Rock Art of Australia and Western North America."

Lee will discuss Australian and New World rock art. Despite being a world apart, there are a surprising number of parallels in the production, evolution, and context of rock art on the two continents.

More information: Kari Schleher, 505-269-4475.

Ranger to discuss elk of Mesa Verde

Ranger Paul Morey will discuss the natural history of elk and their management within and around Mesa Verde on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at the Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park. The program begins at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.

Morey will be discussing elk biology, the history of elk management in Colorado, elk use by Ancestral Pueblo peoples, and current elk management in our area. An early field trip the next morning will give participants a chance to see and hear elk inside the park.

Morey has been the wildlife program manager at Mesa Verde for the past five years. He is responsible for managing wildlife in the park ranging from bees to elk and everything in between. He has researched and managed wildlife for five different federal agencies, including working with wolves and elk in Arizona and New Mexico, and managing elk habitat with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service in the San Juan Mountains.

The presentation is part of the Four Corners Lecture Series. For a list of other programs in the series, go to www.mesaverde.org/four-corners-lecture-series

CSU Extension apple 'U-Pick' is Sept. 19

The Colorado State University Extension's annual apple "U-Pick" harvest is Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the CSU Southwestern Colorado Research Station, about 18 miles north of Cortez.

To get there, take U.S. 491 to Road Z and turn west. The station is the first place on the left after Road 17.

The "U-Pick" will offer 40-plus varieties of fruit at 50 cents per pound on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is limited quantities of fruit this year because of a late freeze, so arrive early. Also, a hailstorm this has damaged some of the fruit. Pickers must bring their own containers, and should wear footwear appropriate for the weather and orchard conditions. No pets are allowed in the orchard. Ladders also are not allowed, but pole picking baskets will be provided. There will be no early sales.

For remaining fruit after Sept. 19, call Abdel Berrada, research center manager, at 970-562-4255.

More information: 970-565-3123.

Sept. 22 is National Voter Registration Day

You are encouraged to celebrate National Voter Registration Day by verifying that your voter registration is up-to-date. You can also celebrate by encouraging your family, friends and co-workers to make sure that their voter registration is current and accurate with the Secretary of State. To check your voter registration, go to www.sos.state.co.us and click on "Elections and voting" and then click on "Voters."

It is a fairly simple process and can be completed in a minute or two. Perhaps you have moved, had a name change, or changed your political party affiliation. It is best to make the changes now and have an accurate registration in place on Election Day.

The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County plans several voter registration events in the coming weeks. The first event will be at the Mancos Balloon Festival on September 26-27. If you are a civic-minded individual and could volunteer for a two-hour shift at the voter registration table, please contact Voter Services chairperson Connie Fox at (513) 608-8447 or Eleanor Kuhl at (970) 564-0708

Staff reports