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.

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 pines 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 about the work of the Montezuma Community Economic Development Association at their breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Anyone interested in economic development and MCEDA may attend. Information: Eleanor at 564-0708.

Dance to the band Country Fix and local musician/songwriter Linda Lee Filener at The American Legion, 320 N. Harrison, Cortez, at 7 p.m. Cover charge: $5.

Southwest Open School presents Edible Book Festival. The Cortez library will host the festival from 1 to 3 p.m.

April 14

The Tree of Life In Jesus Messianic Community (Etz-Chayim B'Yeshua) Passover Seder, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Shiloh's Restaurant, at Main and Sligo. Adults $25, children $15. Call 562-4217.

The Dolores River Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited will meet at 6 p.m. for meet-and-greet at Fiesta Mexicana. Our program will start a 6:30 PM when local guide Ben Hahn presents "How to Fish Streamers" at 6:30 p.m. Matt Clark updates on "settling ponds" above Rico. Information: Marc Meyer at 970-560-4956 or Dale Smith at 970-759-3020.

April 16

Birding with a Camera Birding Festival, with Chuck Haspels, 6:30 p.m. in the Gallery of the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez. Free to members, $5 others. Call 970-565-1151.

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 welcome. Information: southwestcoloradogreens.org.

The Dolores Public Library's special story time at 9 a.m. as part of the One Book 4 Colorado project. All 4-year-olds in Dolores may visit the library at 9 a.m. and receive a free copy of "Grumpy Bird," by Jeremy Tankard.

April 17

Everyone is invited to the Twin Topics conversation at Lewis-Arriola Elementary from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Topics will be John Hattie research on what educational tactics work for students and building the RE-1 2014-15 budget. The last Twin Topics session for this school year.

April 18

Deadline for the 2014 Montezuma County Fair book cover and poster. Theme: "Rural Roots." Turn in designs today by 4 p.m. at the Montezuma County Extension Office, 109 W. Main, Room 102, Cortez. Information: Montezuma County Extension Office, 565-3123.

Colorado Poet Laureate David Mason, reception and readings. Youth Poetry contest readers. At 5-7 p.m., in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez, 970-565-1151. Free to members, $5 for others.

April 21

Four Corners 9/12 meets at 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Cortez. First in a series to vet local candidates for county offices in the June primary election. Open to the public.

Paths to Mesa Verde, an effort to develop a nonmotorized connection between Mancos and Cortez, has an open house at the Mancos Library from 7-9 p.m. Seeking support, feedback and vision. Learn more/take a survey at motrail.com.

April 22-23

Paths to Mesa Verde, an effort to develop a nonmotorized connection between Mancos and Cortez, has an open house April 23 at the Cortez Recreation Center from 7-9 p.m. Seeking community support, feedback, and your vision. Learn more/take a survey at motrail.com.

April 23

A Story to Tell and a Song to Sing, with novelist John Wright and singer/songwriter Marilyn Kroeker. Music and reading, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gallery at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St., Cortez, 970-565-1151. Free to members, $5 for others.

The Master Steward Program's nine-week course helps you design a blueprint and management plan for your farm. At First 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 24

Second Annual Spring Craft bazaar: Deadline to register is April 24. Vendors needed ($30 per table, table provided inside-outside, weather permitting. Event is May 10. Call Sally to reserve space, get information, at 970-739-0616.

Montezuma County Senior Services, Navajo Taco Dinner, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 107 N. Chestnut, Senior Center (West End). Price: $7 includes dessert and a drink. Proceeds go to Senior Services Programs.

April 26

20th Annual Pueblo to Pueblo Run/Bike event - a half-marathon, 5K run/walk and 50-mile bike event. Registration information on the Cortez Cultural Center's website, cortezculturalcenter.org.

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. Call 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 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.

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' Spring 2014 Concert, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," with songs from "The Lion King," and lead song "Seasons of Love," from the show "Rent." Free. Refreshments. 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. 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 970-570-5035 or go to mesaverdehorsemen.com

First Monday

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings at noon at the Cortez office, 2409 E. Empire. Call Matthew at 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

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 Thursday

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon at Shiloh's Steakhouse. Email Nicci Crowley at montezumagop@gmail.com or call 570-9372.

First Friday

First Friday Leadership at First National Bank in Cortez, 8 to 9 a.m. Free. Coffee and doughnuts at 7:45 a.m. Call Dena, 565-3414.

First and Third Thursdays

Learn signs and nursery rhymes at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. All ages welcome. Call 970-403-9237.

Second Thursday

Republican Women of Montezuma County invite the public to meet at noon at Shiloh's Steakhouse at 5 Veach St., Cortez. Call Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

A free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney are 2-5 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.

Third Saturday

Christian Motorcycle Association, CMA - Cortez Chapter holds its 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. chapter meeting and 10 a.m. ride (weather permitting). At Beny's restaurant in Cortez. Call Chapter President Steve Reed at 970-565-7233. No motorcycle required.

Third Sunday

Literary Explorations with Jennifer Hope won't meet in April. The next meeting will be May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Cortez Cultural Center.

Third Wednesday

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is held at noon 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. upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center. Potential volunteers welcome. Call 565-1151.

Fourth Tuesday

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

Last Saturday

Yoga Benefit for the Grange, Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 W. Grand, Mancos. Donation only. Bring towel or mat and water. Refrain from eating an hour before.

Every Sunday

First United Methodist Church has a Native American Worship Service at 2 p.m. Information: 565-3002.

Every Monday

Southwest Singers for fall-season rehearsals. Public invited. Practice at 6:30 p.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church in Cortez. Information: director Ruth Wilson Francisco at 872-3870.

Every Tuesday

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

Free medical care, Tuesday from 1 to 1:30 p.m., St. Barnabas Church, 110 W. North St., Cortez. Call 565-4436 to schedule or show up. Limited primary and pediatric care.

Every Wednesday

Wednesday community drum circle will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Kaleidoscope, 233 Park St. Mancos. Bring your drum (and an extra to share) and a folding chair.

Every Saturday

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