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.

Friday, April 4

Jake Wise, also known as Fiddle Jake, returning to the Mancos Valley Distillery on Friday, April 4, at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 5

Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance invites you to celebrate its First Birthday on Saturday, April 5, from 3-6 p.m. at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, 23390 Road K, Cortez. Includes: "State of the Alliance," refreshments, silent auction, presentation on Miera y Pacheco: A Renaissance Spaniard in 18th Century New Mexico. Call Diane McBride, 560-1643.

April 7

Montelores Early Childhood Council's monthly luncheon meeting starts at 11:45 a.m. in downstairs meeting room 110 in the Johnson Building, 525 S. Broadway, Cortez. The public is invited. Lunch provided; RSVP to Vangi McCoy at 970-749-7017.

San Jaun Mycology will give a presentation on the world of fungi and three current projects including a summer workshop series, community supported education and a herbicide mycoremediation study. It will start at 6 p.m. at the Mt. Lookout Grange.

April 8

The Mancos Water Conservancy District will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the office located at 42599 Road N.

April 9

Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Support Group meets 5-6:30 p.m. at the SWMH Annex Building, 20 South Market St. in Cortez. Share ideas and information with others who have had weight-loss surgery at this free meeting. Information: SWMH dietitian Laura White, 564-2276.

April 11 and April 12

The Mancos Public Library and the Girl Scouts of Montezuma County will be holding a Literacy Fair as well as a Scholastic Book Fair at the Mancos Public Library on April 11 and April 12. Different interactive displays based on popular books will be available for everyone to enjoy. For more information call, 533-7600.

April 11

San Juan Mountains Association and San Juan National Forest will plant Ponderosa Pine trees 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 concerning the work of the Montezuma Community Economic Development Association at their breakfast meeting on April 12, at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. Anyone interested in economic development and learning about MCEDA is welcome to attend. Information: Call Eleanor at 564-0708.

Spring Hoe Down Fundraiser at the Mancos Opera House on 5-11 p.m. Carute Roma Gypsy Band, Sand Sheff and the Desert Mongers and Carla Roberts Square and Line Dancing. Silent auction, local taco bar, local beer and wine. Adults $15; kids 17 and under free. Fundraiser for the Montezuma School to Farm Project, Mt. Lookout Grange and Mancos Valley Resources. Tickets available at FB Organics, Zuma and Dolores Food Store. Call 903-8831.

For Pets' Sake Humane Society will host a dog and cat vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to noon at the IFA Country Store, 10501 Highway 491 in Cortez. Dog and cat vaccine includes rabies, distemper (dogs), leukemia (cats), and more for $41; or $15 for rabies only. Packages without rabies are $32. A portion of each package purchased will be donated to For Pets' Sake. Call the Humane Society at 565-PETS (7387).

Dance to 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 will again present the Edible Book Festival, in cooperation with the Cortez Public Library. The library will again host the festival from 1 to 3 p.m.

April 13

The Mancos community dinner at the Mt. Lookout Grange. Cooking starts at 2:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 5:30 p.m.

April 22

Mancos students from Kindergarten through third grade will present Storybook Theater at the Mancos Opera House starting at 6:30 p.m.

April 24

Mancos students in fourth and fifth grade will present Musical Proverbs at the Mancos Opera House at 6:30 p.m.

April 29

The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5½ months and older. Classes are on Tuesday evenings 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 presents the Spring 2014 Concert, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," featuring love songs from "The Lion King," swing and bee-bop tunes and lead song "Seasons of Love," from the Broadway show "Rent." Free. Refreshments served. 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.

First Monday

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

First Tuesday

Amerian Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 meets at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 320 N. Harrison St. 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. Call 565-3414.

First Thursday

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets at noon the first Thursday of every month 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 the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. All ages welcome. Call 970-403-9237 for information.

Second Sunday

The Mancos Community Dinners each month at Mt. Lookout Grange in Mancos (680 Grand Ave). Pay-what-you-can dinner, bring a dish if you want. For information, to help out or to make donations, call Gretchen at 509-830-4380.

Second Tuesday

The Mancos Water Conservancy District holds monthly meetings at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at 42599 Road N, off Road 42.

Second Wednesday

Southwest Inter-Tribal Voice and Montelores Human Rights Committee meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Community Meeting Room in First National Bank. Email 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 information, call 565-3414.

A Free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney are held the second Thursday of every month from 2 to 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 basis.

Third Sunday

Literary Explorations with Jennifer Hope will not meet in the month of April. The next meeting will be Sunday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cortez Cultural Center.

Third Wednesday

The Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon is held at noon the third Wednesday of the month at Shiloh Steakhouse. Call 565-3414.

First and Third Thursdays

Planning committee for the 10th Annual Ute Mountain-Mesa Verde Birding Festival meets at 10 a.m. the first and third Thursdays each month upstairs at the Cortez Cultural Center. Potential volunteers welcome. Call 565-1151.

Fourth Tuesday

4 Corners Republican Women's Club meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk's Lodge. For more information, call 565-2197.

Last Saturday

Last Saturday of each month Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 W. Grand, Mancos. will have a Yoga Benefit for the Grange, 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. every Sunday. Call 565-3002.

Every Monday

The public is invited to join the Southwest Singers for rehearsals for the fall season. The choir practices at 6:30 p.m. Monday evenings at First United Methodist Church in Cortez. For more information, call Director Ruth Wilson Francisco at 872-3870.

Every Tuesday

The Montezuma Agility Dog Club offers Basic Obedience classes for dogs 5½ months and older. Classes are 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.

The Mancos Public Library, offers Little People Storytime on Tuesday's at 10:30 a.m. The program is geared toward children ages 2-6, but all ages are welcome. For more information. call 533-7600.

Every Wednesday

Wednesday Morning Yoga will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Kaleidoscope, 233 Park St.

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 to sit in.

Every Monday and Wednesday

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

Mancos Yoga/Meditation Monday and Wednesday's 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. (except first Monday of the month) Mt. Lookout Grange, 680 W. Grand, Mancos. Bring towel or mat and water. Refrain from eating an hour before.

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Karate "Ryukoku Seidokan" is at 5:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the Mancos Community Center. Ages 5 to 10 is 5:30 to 6 p.m. and costs $5 each class. Ages 11 and older is 6 to 8 p.m. and costs $10 each class. Call 533-7471.

Zumba with Chanelle is Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Kaleidoscope 233 Park St., Mancos. All levels.

Every Thursday

The Community Drum Circle will be held at Kaleidoscope Wellness in Mancos every Thursday. Call 533-1100.

"Babar, An Old Friend" is the subject on April 3; "Signing with Lillian Orbke" on April 10; "Mudge Redux" on April 17; and "Fairies" on April 24. Call the library at 565-8117.

Every Saturday

The Mancos Indoor Flea Market is open 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. The booth fee is $15 per weekend, along with insurance and vendor license charges.