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.

Thursday, 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 Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St. in Mancos. Upcoming clinics are Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.

Business After Hours will be at Fiesta Mexicana from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14.

A Mancos Toastmasters group will hold an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Mancos Public Library. For more information, contact club sponsor Darrel Ellis at 533-7372 or Shaine Gans at the at 533-7600 or sgans@mancoslibrary.org.

The public is invited to join the Twin Topic Series held in the Library at M-CHS at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14. The topics to be discussed will be: Parent/Teacher Conferences and Student Attendance.

Nov. 14-16

Let It Grow will provide FREE coffee to all veterans, a way of saying thank you for serving America, from Nov. 14 to Saturday, Nov. 16.

Friday, Nov. 15

Southwest Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will be holding its annual Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 15, in the hospital lobby. Lots of new merchandise that make great gifts and stocking stuffers. For more information, call 565-2616 or 570-9992.

Mancos Valley Distillery presents WE-4, a quartet that plays a mix of Blues, Swing, Motown and pop. Doors open at 5 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.

M-CHS will be hosting an Open House on Nov. 15 at 7:30 a.m. in the Commons. They will be serving coffee, juice and croissants from Shiloh Bakery. The M-CHS Administration team will be available to answer any questions about M-CHS and are always open to new ideas. For more information call Debra Ramsey at 565-3992.

Nov. 15-17

"Contemporary Christianity and Traditional Anglicanism" will be the theme of a series of messages presented by Bishop Kelshaw at St. Phillips Church, (corner of S. market and Seventh St). The seminar will be held Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. and on Nov. 16 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. On Nov. 17 at 10:45 a.m. Bishop Kelshaw will lead worshipers using the 1662 Prayer Book. For more information call Pastor Carl Brenner at 505-564-3910.

Saturday, Nov. 16

First United Methodist Church at 514 N. Park St. in Cortez will be holding its Christmas Bazaar beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Christian Women's Celebrations will be holding a "Pumpkin Patch Brunch" at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Elks. Ladies and gentlemen are invited, $14.50/person. For reservations and more information call Cindy at 560-0395.

The United Methodist Women will hold their annual bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first United Methodist Church of Cortez is located at 515 N. Park St.

The Cortez Summit Up, a unique community building experience, will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Cortez Rec Center Gym. Dinner will be provided along with free childcare and door prize drawings. For more information visit the Facebook page or the website at cortezheartandsoul.com

The Mancos Valley Lions Club Christmas Bazaar will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 16. There will be Christmas Crafts, food and door prizes.

For more info, please contact Sandi Gregory at 533-7180.

The Mancos Christmas Bazaar, hosted by the Mancos Valley Lions Club, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Mancos School cafeteria and will include: food, shopping and fun.

Sunday, Nov. 17

Literary Explorations will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. 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.

The Painted Turtle Studio is going into hibernation on Saturday, Nov. 23. Final firing is Sunday, Nov. 17, pick-up fired pieces Nov. 20-23. Closing Party will be Saturday, Nov. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 121 Grand Ave in Mancos. For more information call 533-7136.

Monday, Nov. 18

The Dolores River Anglers will have a general membership meeting on Nov. 18 downstairs at Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant. For more information, call Duncan Rose at 570-9905 or Dale Smith at 759-3020.

Tuesday, Nov. 19

The public is invited to an informational presentation by Dave Heat and Jon Parker from the Piñon Project about Colorado's new health insurance marketplace: Connect for Health Colorado from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Mancos Public Library. For more information, call (509) 830-4380 or email CHOmontezuma@gmail.com.

The Dolores Rotary Club will sponsor bingo night at the Dolores Community Center to benefit the Dolores Middle School Parent Teachers Organization on Nov. 19. A light dinner for a $5 donation will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by Bingo at 7 p.m. For more information call Tom at 799-7708 or Laurel at 564-1241.

Thursday, Nov. 21

Mancos Public Library in partnership with ITVs Community Cinema and Rocky Mountain PBS for a free screening for the "State of Arizona" followed with a discussion about immigration reform at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Mancos Public Library Community Meeting Room. For more information, call 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org.

The public is invited to join Dr. Andrew Gulliford as he presents his lecture "Hitting the Trail with Lewis and Clark" at Cortez Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. For more information, call 565-8117.

Mancos High School Student Council will be going door to door in Mancos from 1:45 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21 to collect nonperishable food items for donation. If you will not be home you can leave it on the doorstep with a note or drop it off at the Mancos High School. All items will be donated to the Methodist Church Food Pantry. Contact Chrissie Miller at 533-7746 for more information.

Dolores Public Library will have a reception for local student artists from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. Refreshments will be served. Student art will be on display through the month of November. 882-4127

The Mancos Historical Society is back, the public is invited to join Father Bob Sceney, at the Task Force meeting at the Mancos Public Library at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21. Individual membership is $20, family membership is $25.

Friday, Nov. 22

Hal Shepherd will host "Who Was Responsible for the Death of John F. Kennedy?" The program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22 in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center. Members free, others $5.

Love on a Hanger (34 E. Main St) is hosting their annual Holiday Open House from 4 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 22. There will be FREE holiday bags and discounts throughout the store.

Saturday, Nov. 23

The public is invited to the Triple Whammy Open House from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 23 at the Cortez Journal, 123 Roger Smith Ave. Paparazzi accessories and thirty-one consultants will be available with great Christmas gift ideas.

Thursday, Nov. 28

The Four Corners Board of Realtors 24th annual Parade Of Lights will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, 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. Participants can only hand items to the crowd.

For Pets' Sake Humane Society will hold its 10th annual Cortez Turkey Trot at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, at the Parque de Vida Pavilion near the Cortez Recreation Center, 425 Roger Smith Ave. The 1-mile fun run/walk starts at 10 a.m., regardless of the weather. $20 entry fee includes a commemorative T-shirt. For more information, call 565-7387.

The St. Barnabas Church will host the 2013 Community Thanksgiving Dinner at 11:30 a.m. and again at 12:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. To make donations or volunteer, call St. Barnabas Church at 565-7865.

Friday, Nov. 29

The Dolores River Brewery will host Cassie Taylor and her band starting at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Cassie is a veteran musician who spent a decade playing bass and singing with her father, a modern-day blues innovator, Otis Taylor. Cassie stakes her own claims as an artist of intelligence, power and soul.

Through November

"Sweep into November" is the monthly theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St., Cortez. There will be no Storytime on Nov. 28 because of Thanksgiving. For more information, call 565-8117.

The Cortez Cultural Center is presenting a Juried Art Show from 5 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 23 in the gallery. For more information, call the center at 565-1151 or email annebeach@cortezculturalcenter.org. Stop at the center to vote for the People's Choice Award.

Claudia Sanderson O'Hara will host Creative Kids Arts and Crafts from 10 a.m. to noon for ages 7-12 at the Cortez Cultural Center. The cost is $50 for six-week session or $12 for drop-ins. The class will be held Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and Dec. 7 and 14.

Mancos watercolor artist Jan Wright exhibits paintings of Mesa Verde at The Farm Bistro, 34 W. Main of Cortez, through Jan. 1, 2014.

The Mask and Mysteries show will remain available for viewing at the Visitor Center through November. Visitor Center hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Saturday.

Book a librarian for up to two hours for free at 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.

Mancos Public Library will offer free movies every Monday at 4 p.m. These movies will be shown in November: Nov. 4 - "Eragon" (1 hr., 44 min.); Nov. 11 - No movie, Veteran's Day holiday; Nov. 18 - "Monsters University" (1 hr., 50 min.); Nov. 25 - "Legend of the Guardians" (1 hr., 41 min.) The movies are for children 8 years and older. Younger children are welcome with an adult. For more information, call the library at 533-7600.

M-CHS Theater will present Peter Pan at the M-CHS Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8, 9, 15, and 16 and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 9 and 16. Tickets $8/adults, $5/students & seniors, 5 and under free. Tickets are available in the commons after school or at the door.

Larry Condon and Carol Rhan are displaying their Veterans Day/military collection in the cases at the Cortez Public Library. Hanging on the wall is a mixed media collection by Sharon Englehart, Deb Harriman and Darnell Bane available for viewing through December. The featured artist of the month of November for the Southwest Artists League is Lucy Hadley. For more information call 565-8117.

The family of Ron Lacy has set up a donations account for Monica Lacy who has medical conditions that require surgery. Any help is appreciated and can be donated at the Dolores State Bank (Cortez Branch) for the Monica Lacy Medical Account.

The public is invited to Join Blue Star Moms Southwest Chapter 2 in sending boxes to the troops.

There are boxes located around Montezuma County: in Cortez at Susie's Hallmark, Carquest, Big O Tires, Jack & Janelle's Country Kitchen, and The Good Life; in Dolores at The Ponderosa Restaurant; and in Mancos at Cellar Cuts. There are lists of items wanted in or near the boxes. Accepting items until the end of November. For more information email smvzorro@aol.com.

Sunday, Dec. 1

The annual Citizen of the Year award nomination deadline is Sunday, Dec. 1. The nomination form is available online at chamber@mancosvalley.com or can call the Visitor Center or send an email to receive the nomination form. The winning candidate will be honored at the Chamber of Commerce's annual social in February.

Friday, Dec. 6

Sweetwater String Band will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Dolores River Brewery.

Dec. 6 and 7

The public is invited to the Mancos Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 and/or to the Cortez Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7. DonnLee Wheeler, author of Who's The You In The Mirror, will explain how to research family history. Charles Wheeler, an experienced researcher, will share ideas and answer questions. For more information call 505-327-3235 or email ccwdlw@comcast.net.

Saturday, Dec. 7

The Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Dolores, will host a Christmas Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. For more information, call Ruby at 882-7717. Proceeds go to the Dolores Community Center.

Let It Grow will hold their 8th annual Free Coffee Tasting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Coffees from around the world will be roasted at Let It Grow.

Dolores River Brewery Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Brewery, 100 S. Fourth St., Dolores. For more information, call Michele Martz at 562-4494.

The Cortez Middle School will host their First Annual Holiday Bazaar Craft Fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the CMS during the Middle School League Basketball Tournament. Booths are $50 with chairs and a table for an additional $10. For more information email Justine Bayles at jubayles@cortez.k12.co.us or call her at 560-6026.

The 24th Annual Four Corners Board of Realtors Parade of Lights will be held Dec. 7 on Main St. in Cortez. This year's theme is "Bringing Life To Christmas" There is no entry fee to enter but an entry form is required. The floats are judged based upon lights, music, theme and originality. 3 prizes will be awarded to each of 3 different entry categories. For more information or for an entry form call Terry at 565-8408 or email terrymc@move2swcolo.com.

The next USDA Commodity Distribution will be from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7., in Cortez at the Fairgrounds, 30100 U.S. Highway 160. 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 from 7:30 to 8 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 470 Grand Ave. Recipients must bring a box large enough for their commodities. For more information or to help with the distribution, call Judy at 564-2772.

Friday, 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, visit the Piñon Project Resource Center at 300 N. Elm, call 564-1195 or visit www.pinonproject.org.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Cortez Knowledge Bowl will host its annual tournament Saturday, Dec. 14, an all-day event beginning at 8 a.m. and ending around 3 p.m. Organizers are seeking volunteers from the district and professional community. For more information, or to complete a form, email dmcvicker@cortez.k12.co.us or fax 565-5118.

Sunday, Dec. 15

Cortez Elks will be holding a Christmas Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 15. Santa will arrive at 3:30p.m. Venders are needed, $30/table. Call Sally at 739-0616 for more information.

Through December

This year's theme for the Mancos Valley Chorus concert is "Countdown to Christmas". There will be a medley from the classic movie 'White Christmas" at these dates and times: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10; 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13; and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. All concerts are free to the public. For locations and more information, call Carol West at 882-0120 or visit mancosvalleychorus.org.

First Monday

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

The Cortez Emblem Club #261 meets the first Monday of each month (except January & February) at 6:30 p.m. Please call 565-2197 for further 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, 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 Shilo's Steakhouse. For more information, contact Nicci Crowley, secretary, at 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 Tuesday

Mancos Community Dinners will be held every second Tuesday of each month beginning at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 Grand Ave, Mancos. All ages welcome, bring ideas, a dish to share, plate, bowl, cup and silverware and instruments. For more information, call Gretchen at (509) 830-4380 or CHOmontezuma@gmail.com.

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 invite the public to meet at noon every second Thursday at Shilo's Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., in Cortez. For information, call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

Third Sunday

Jennifer Hope will host Literary Explorations, a free ongoing discussion group exploring all kinds of writings, both fiction and non-fiction, upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center at 6:30 p.m. every third Sunday of the month.

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.

Third Thursday

Dolores Secondary PTO meets the third Thursday of every month at 3:45 p.m. in Mr. Thurston's office. For more information email Heather Alvarez at halvarez0722@gmail.com or call Heather at 970-903-8751 or email Tif Rodriguez at lrodri0202@gmail.com or call Tif at 970-903-8752.

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 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 free from 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. For more information, call 882-4127.

The Mancos Indoor Flea Market is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday at the old hardware store in Mancos, 192 S. Main St. 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 Monday and Thursday

Kunadalini Yoga with Barbara Rousseau will be held every Monday and Thursday 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. at kaleidoscope Wellness, 233 Park St. in Mancos. $6/class, for more information call 533-1100

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Early Bird Yoga is held 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 15 through 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 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. 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 are available.