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 and the calendar may be edited for length and content.

September

Call for artists and vendors for Mancos Valley Balloon & Artfest, which runs Sept. 26-27. Details: 970-533-7434 or www.chamber@mancosvalley.com.

The Unlimited Learning Center is enrolling students through September to earn a GED, 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 640 E. Second St., Cortez. Details: 970-565-1601.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

The Cortez Evening Market, with local goods, fresh food and live music by Herb Folsom and Friends at City Park. Free and family-friendly. Details: 509-830-4380.

BLM range specialist Mike Jensen presents to the Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen and guests, at the Elks Lodge, 2100 No. Dolores Road, in Cortez. Arrive at 6:15 p.m. for buy dinner and drinks; presentation starts at 7 p.m. Jensen explains reasons for weed-free hay when camping on public lands. Details: mesaverdehorsemen.com.

Thursday, Sept. 3

The Animas Watershed Partnership Summer Forum, 6-8 p.m., Farmington Civic Center, and a presentation on the economic value of the Animas River. Light refreshments will be served.

Best Foot Forward meeting, Dolores School District office meeting space at 4 p.m. RSVP to Katrina, katrinal@monteloresecc.org.

Southwest Open School hosts Gallery Day exhibits at the Lifeway Baptist Church on N. Dolores Rd. in Cortez, Colorado on Thursday, 120 a.m. to noon. Details: 565-1150.

Friday-Saturday, Sept. 4-6

Mosaics as Meditation Retreat, Peacewhisper Retreat Center (23 miles southwest of Dove Creek) and includes lodging, meals, reflection, prayer, music and silence as well as hands-on instruction and demonstrations. Cost: $295; $225 for campers. Contact: Barb (970-846-8466) or peacewhisper@gmail.com.

St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church's annual Rummage Sale and Resource Fair on Labor Day weekend from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Furniture, household goods and kitchenware, clothes, tools, garden and pet supplies, toys.

Saturday, Sept. 5

The Mancos Valley Distillery presents the Glenn Woody/Henkel/Tucker Hill Citizens Brigade. Doors open at 5 p.m., and music starts at 8:30 p.m. Cover charge is $3.

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 5-6

Moab Artists Studio Tour, Moab and Castle Valley, Utah, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Artists open their studios to the public and show their work. Visit www.moabstudiotour.com for a map of studio locations. Details: Helen Becker, 435-259 3661.

Sunday, Sept. 6

Nightsong Trio, of Pagosa Springs, performs in concert at St. Barnabas at 6:30 p.m. The concert will be a fundraiser for Grace's Kitchen. A free-will offering will be taken at the door. A reception follows.

Tuesday, Sept. 8

Dolores River Boating Advocates host the Dolores River Fall Forum at the Dolores Community Center at 6 p.m. Topics include the Dolores River cable accident, the Dolores River National Conservation Area proposal, the Colorado Water Plan, and Dolores River flows and storage forecast for 2016. Details: Lee-Ann at 970-560-5486 or info@doloresriverboating.org.

Thursday, Sept. 10

Join the Chamber of Commerce for food, drinks and community at our Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m. at 31 W. Main St. Meet our new manager, connect with local professionals and sign up to host a BAH.

Landscape artist J. Milton Beens offers a free plein air painting demonstration from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the back porch of the chief ranger's office, next door to the Chapin Mesa Archaeological Museum in No reservation needed.

The Four Corners Back Country Horsemen hold their monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Guests are welcome. This month: a demonstration of hoof boots and composite shoes by Kevin Myers, of EasyCare Inc. in the pavilion at 7:30. Learn more: www.4cbch.org, call 970-749-0316 or email cathyroberts08@gmail.com.

Friday, Sept. 11

Live music with Rob Webster at Blondies in Cortez, 8 p.m. More info at www.robwebstermusic.com.

Life Is An Adventure at Mancos Public Library with "Discovering the Inka, " a slideshow and presentation by Michael Williams at 7 p.m. Details: Visit www.mancoslibrary.org or call the library at 970-533-7600.

Saturday, Sept. 12

Walk to End Alzheimer's at Cortez City Park. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m., walk begins at 9:30 a.m., and all-day festivities including the Blue Moon Ramblers, Donny Johnson, Dawni Stiegelmeyer, Linda Carter, Anthony Maes, and the M-CHS Honors Choir begin at 10:45 a.m. There will be silent and live auctions, games, booths and a bouncy house. at 10:45 a.m. Details: Elaine at 970-799-2328, or Sheila at 970-560-2228.

The local League of Women Voters gets an overview of behavioral health care in Colorado and with federal legislation at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores. The presenter will be retired District Judge Sharon Hansen. Information: Eleanor Kuhl at 970-564-0708.

Sunday, Sept. 13

Mancos Fall Harvest potluck, 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Grand Avenue from Main to Mesa street. Setup begins at 4:30 p.m., and bring your own table. Pie judging at 5 p.m.; dinner, at 5:30 p.m. Bring a pie in one or all categories: fruit, savory, creme, nut. Pies must arrive and be labeled by 5 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 14

The Southwest Singers' Chamber Choir begins rehearsals, meeting in the choir room of the First United Methodist Church in Cortez (515 N. Park). All parts welcome but especially needed this season are bass/baritone. Concert dates: Oct 10, Nov 22, Dec 4-5. Questions: 979-562-4476.

The Montelores Early Childhood Council holds its monthly luncheon at 11:45 a.m., in downstairs meeting room 110, in the Johnson Building, 925 South Broadway, in Cortez. The public and parents are invited. Lunch provided; RSVP to Vangi McCoy, 970-749-7017.

Mancos Public Library hosts a Fall Star Party with astronomer John Buting at 8 p.m. View the sky with an expert,from the Four Corners Stargazers group. Open to the public, all ages are welcome. Details: 970-533-7600.

Saturday, Sept. 19

The Kiva Montessori School Yard Sale, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Donations accepted Sept. 14 to 18 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Children's House, 1204 E. Empire St. Cortez. Funds used to buy items for class; remaining items donated to the For Pet's Sake yard sale. Preferred drop-off for larger loads or larger items is Friday, Sept. 18. Details: Becca at 882-3425.

Friday-Saturday, SEPT. 18-19

For Pets' Sake Humane Society's Fall Yard Sale fundraiser, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cortez Plaza Shopping Center, 2200 block of E. Main St. Donations accepted at the building Sept. 17, 2-7 p.m. and Thursday Sept. 24, 3-6 p.m. Call for early drop-offs and large pickups: 970-565-PETS/7387.

Saturday, Sept. 19

Community Swap Meet, sponsored by Cortez Civitan, 8 a.m. to noon 20620 U.S. 491, 12 miles north of Cortez at mile marker 39.. Space rental: $10. To RSVP, call Gayle 970-529-3747.

Thursday, Sept. 24

For Pets' Sake Humane Society holds its monthly board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St. Discussion will include the group's finances, pet assistance programs, Fall Yard Sale, vaccination clinic and other fundraisers. All are welcome to attend. Details: (970) 565-PETS/7387.

Friday-Saturday, SEPT. 25-26

For Pets' Sake Humane Society's Fall Yard Sale fundraiser, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cortez Plaza Shopping Center, 2200 block of E. Main St. Donations accepted at the building, Sept. 24, 3-6 p.m. Call for early drop-offs and large item pick-ups: (970) 565-PETS/7387.

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 25-27

Mancos Valley Balloon Festival & Street Fair, downtown Mancos, Colo. Balloon rides, live music, carriage rides, our "Pilots & Heroes" BBQ dinner, and more. Proceeds benefit: Operation Second Chance and Medicine Horse Center. To schedule a balloon ride, contact Bobbi at 970-560-0203 or bobbib203@gmail.com. Vendor spaces available. Details: Marie, 970-533-7434 or chamber@mancosvalley.com

First Tuesday

The Mesa Verde Back Country Horsemen meet at the Elks Lodge in Cortez at 6:15 p.m. (except December). Buy a taco or hamburger and drink. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Info: www.mesaverdehorsemen.com.

First and Third Tuesday

Children Wanted! St. Paul's Joyful Noise Children's Choir meets 4 to -4:45 p.m. at Oak and Bauer. Learn traditional, upbeat songs children usually learn in Sunday school with piano, dulcimer, hand percussion, a few Orff instruments and some acting and dance moves. Free. All welcome, Ages K-5.

Second Tuesday

The Ute Mountain High School Rodeo Team meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the outdoor arena at the fairgrounds. Contact Karen for information at 970-560-2657.

Second and Fourth Tuesdays

Knitting Club at the Mancos Public Library. Learn to knit, 6-7 p.m. Come to any or all sessions. Free. Teens and adults welcome. Bring your own needles and yarn if possible. To sign up or for info, ?visit www.mancoslibrary.org or ?call Kathy Graf at 970-565-7600 ext. 206 or email kgraf@mancoslibrary.org.

First Thursday

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

The Montezuma County VFW Post 5231 meets at 7 p.m. at the Post home in Mancos.

First Saturday

Teen Movie Nights at the Mancos Public Library, 7-10 p.m. in the Mancos Public Library Community Meeting Room. View a movie on the library's big screen. Details and schedule: 533-7600. Snacks provided!

Second Tuesday

The Mancos Water Conservancy District board meets at 7 p.m. at the district's office, 42599 Road N, Mancos. Info: Gary Kennedy, 533-7325.

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. To help or donate, call Gretchen, 509-830-4380.

Second Thursday

A free legal self-help clinic for Montezuma County parties without an attorney are 2-4 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.

Summit Ridge Women's Club seeks members to promote the organization and service club efforts of providing High School scholarships, sponsoring families in need during holiday events. The club meets once a month. For information, call Marie Chiarizia 757-395-0915.

Third Friday

Teen Nights at the Mancos Public Library, every third Friday from 7-10 p.m. during the school year. Games on Wii, PS4, Xbox One and snacks too.

Fourth Thursday

Monthly Civil Air Patrol Senior Squadron's monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Mancos, 150 N. Walnut St. Call 970-759-7012.

Last Thursday

The Mancos Public Library Board of Trustees meets at 5 p.m. in the library meeting room, 211 W. First St. Info: 533-7600.

Every Monday

The Four Corners Community Band meets 7-9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Cortez at the corner of Market and North Street. New members welcome. Call Fawn at 882-2522 or visit www.fourcornerscommunityband.com.

Every Tuesday

"Joyful Noise" Children's Choir starting in Mancos. Grades K-6, Homeschoolers welcome. Tuesdays, 4-4:45 p.m. at St. Paul's Church, corner of Bauer and Oak.

Every Wednesday

Yoga Flow with Lily, 9:30-11 a.m. at the Grange. Call 847-819-2039.