Email announcements to news@cortezjournal.com and include "Community Calendar" in the subject field. Items submitted less than two weeks in advance will be less likely to be published. Entries may be edited for length and content.

Thursday, Sept. 25

"Is God on Vacation?" will be the topic at 6:30 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 at St. Barnabas Church (corner of North and Elm). Call 565-7865 for information.

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 26-28

Mancos Valley/Mesa Verde Country Balloon Festival. Art Festival and Street Fair to coincide with balloon festival on Sept. 27 in Mancos from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food, art, music, dancing, entertainment and kid activities. Info: 533-7434.

Saturday, Sept. 27

The Dolores Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival at Flander's Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No charge for setup, but vendors must call 882-7717 or 882-4018 to register. Music, activities, local produce, baked goods, crafts, jams and jellies.

The Dolores River Anglers and Dolores River Boating Advocates will clean the banks of the river through Dolores. Meet at 9 a.m. at Joe Rowell Park. Hamburger cookout at 11:30 a.m. Bring gloves, dress for weather and a side dish and beverage. RSVP for DRBA contact Lee-Ann Hill at (970) 560-5486. RSVP for DRA contact Dale Smith at (970) 759-3020.

Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving class hosted by the Colorado State Patrol at 8:30 a.m. in the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez, taught by certified instructors and designed for drivers of all ages. Info: coloradosafedriver.com.

Mesa Verde National Park's annual Hike and Bike. The 5.5 mile Wetherill Mesa Road loop is open 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Visitors must exit Wetherill Road by 4:30 p.m. Entrance fees will be waived for participants. Info: 529-4465.

Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club and San Juan Farm Bureau Turkey Shoot. Sign in at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Door prizes and chili feed $5. Exploding targets at 300 and 500 yards; also shoots for pistol and .22 long rifle. Prizes include turkeys and hams.

Tuesday, Sept. 30

The Dolores Rotary Club's bingo night at the Dolores Community Center benefits the Dolores Secondary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Bingo kicks off with a light dinner and dessert, for a $5 donation, at 6:30 p.m., followed by Bingo at 7 p.m. Info: Laurel Rematore at (970) 564-1241.

Through September

The Cortez Library Storytime offers "A Little Bit of Everything" through September. The preschool Storytime program is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the library and every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Cortez Farmers Market, weather permitting. Info: 565-8117.

Thursday, Oct. 2

The Women's Cancer Coalition of Montezuma and Dolores Counties will present the 12th Annual Pink Ribbon Affair from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. "Pretty as a Picture" honors breast and other cancer survivors with a photo presentation by Barb Grist, a photo booth by FeVa Photos, catering by Seas'nings and a silent auction. Tickets are $15 at the door. Info: 882-4484.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Free introduction to Tai Chi and Qigong for beginners, by Susan Matthews, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Shanti School of Taijiquan, Millennium Center, 20 W. Main, Cortez. Info: SusanAMatthews.com, 970-903-5723.

Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance's geologic tour of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument with Dr. Kim Gerhardt. Hike the lower Sand Canyon area and join a presentation in Battle Rock School. You must be a member of Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. Contact Diane McBride at diane.mcbride@swcocanyons.org or 970-560-1643, by Thursday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m.

Lighthouse Christian Academy school fundraiser, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 11502 Colorado 145, Cortez. Flea market/swap meet spaces are $20, and proceeds from individual sellers are kept by the seller. Call Berta 739-6014 or Natalie 739-8570.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Etz Chayim B' Yeshua (Tree of Life in Jesus) Yom Kippur service, 9 a.m. at 1509 Highway 145, Cortez. Call 970-562-4217.

Sunday, Oct. 5

The San Juan Symphony opens the season for SouthWest Colorado Concerts with modern and classical music at 3 p.m. at M-CHS. Season tickets will be on sale at the door at 2 p.m. Season tickets for the 4-concert 2014-2015 season are $45 for adults and $10 for youths 18 and younger. Sale of single-concert tickets available at 2:40 p.m. $20 for adults and $5 for youth. Info: Lindsay Havran at 565-7676 or Joyce Stevenson at 565-4757.

Dale and Judy Bailey to perform at The American Legion, 320 N Harrison, Cortez, at 4 p.m. Come listen or dance to music by "Country Expressions" a music duo with a variety of country, oldies and classics. No cover charge.

Monday, Oct. 6

The Montelores Early Childhood Council will hold its next monthly luncheon meeting at 11:45 a.m., in the downstairs Room 110, in the Johnson Building, 925 South Broadway, in Cortez. The public is invited. Lunch will be provided so RSVP to Vangi McCoy at 970-749-7017.

Tuesday, Oct. 7

Riding Safety During Hunting Season is the topic at the October meeting of the Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen, at the Elks Club on Highway 145, Cortez. Social hour at 6:15 p.m. (tacos and hamburgers available for purchase); meeting starts at 7 p.m. Presented by Scott Elder of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Everyone is welcome.

Saturday, Oct. 11

The Lewis Arriola Fire Department will have a Frito Pie Benefit for Ryan Hill at the Lewis Arriola Community Center, 21176 Road S, at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $7. Other donations will be accepted to help Ryan with medical and travel costs. Info.: 560-0915.

Cortez Elks 1789 Oktoberfest celebration. Open to the public and includes a golf tournament, autographed sports items silent auction, German food and more. Proceeds benefit Elks projects. Info: event chairman Lynn Gann at 970-565-7423 or club manager at (970) 565-3557.

4 Corners for Animals, animal welfare conference, at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Many local speakers and organizations represented. Lunch provided by The Farm Bistro. Film presentation at the Cortez Library, 7 p.m. of "The Ghosts in Our Machine," a documentary about the use of animals in our society. Pick up a registration at the Cortez Library or call Mary at (970) 394-0387. Please preregister.

Thursday, Oct. 16

The 4th Annual Pretty in Pink Fashion Show by Love on a Hanger, 7 p.m. at Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery. Desserts, cash bar and silent auction, supporting the Women's Cancer Coalition. Tickets at Love on a Hanger, 34 E. Main St., or online at bit.ly/1poI2o6. General admission $15; VIP seats $30. Info: (970)565-9075.

Montezuma County Democratic Party Central Committee, 6:30 p.m. meeting, 7 p.m. social hour. 100 E. Main, Cortez. Info: co-chair Ric Plese, 970-739-4365

Through November

The students of Lighthouse Christian Academy of Lighthouse Baptist Church will be doing fall yard clean ups for a fundraiser. Cleanups include leaf raking, shrub trimming, and yard mowing. Call Randy Davis at 970-739-9490.

The annual Messiah Sing-in will be on Dec. 7. Tryouts for soloists will be Oct. 1-2 at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Cortez at 515 N. Park, Cortez. Info: Patricia Faulkner, 564-9458.

First Monday

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meets at noon at 2409 E. Empire, Cortez. Call Matthew, 570-8001.

Cortez Emblem Club No. 261 meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday (except in January and February). Call 565-2197.

First Tuesday

Dolores Mountain Quilters meets 10:00 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave, Dolores. The Oct. 7 meeting includes a demonstration by Corrina Gray of creating one seam Flying Geese. Guests and visitors are welcome. Visit doloresmountainquilters.org or call Judith Swain, 970-560-4426.

Second Thursday

The Southwest Woodworkers Guild meets at 7 p.m. at various locations. Woodworkers welcome, beginner to expert. Call Rick, 533-7180.

Third Saturday

Christian Motorcycle Association - Cortez Chapter holds its 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. chapter meeting and 10 a.m. ride (weather permitting). At Jack & Janelle's, 801 E. Main St., Cortez. Call chapter president Steve Reed at 970-565-7233. No motorcycle required.

Third Thursday

Dolores secondary PTO meets at 3:45 p.m. in Mr. Thurston's office. Email Heather Alvarez at halvarez0722@gmail.com or call Tif at 903-8752.

Fourth Tuesday

4 Corners Republican Women's Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk's Lodge. Info: 565-2197.

Every Tuesday

The Dolores Public Library answers technology/software questions about Microsoft Word, email, digital pictures, etc. Free at 2-5 p.m. Call 882-4127.