Log In


Reset Password

Community Calendar

The Cortez Journal encourages people 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.

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee

Montezuma County Republican Central Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at noon at Shiloh’s Steakhouse. Come out to hear what your republican elected officials are up to. For more information, contact Nicci Crowley, secretary, nicci.crowley@gmail.com or 570.9372 for more information.

Community garage sale

Every Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September, there will be a community garage sale at Pleasant View Mercantile parking lot. Participation is free. This event is open to the public. For more information, call 562-6372.

Pleasant View Elementary Registration

Pleasant View Elementary School is accepting registration for student’s K – 5 grades. Pleasant View has two multi level classrooms providing flexibility and enabling students to exceed at their own pace. Smaller classroom size with a great teacher/student ratio offered. All day Kindergarten is offered to every student.

For more information of transportation questions please call Mrs. Mortensen at 882-4494 or Kami at 970-394-4175.

Leadership program at First National Bank

The first Friday of each month you are invited by the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce to participate in a leadership development program at First National Bank, 2258 E Main in Cortez.

There is no cost to attend and no membership is needed. Coffee and pastries are provided for this informal, open discussion about Leadership and how we can all develop our ability to make a difference in our jobs, our lives and our communities. All of us possess the capacity for leadership, but only those who cultivate it will ever become truly effective leaders actively participating in shaping your future and the future of others.

Please join us Aug. 2 for coffee and introductions at 7:45 a.m. with the leadership discussion from 8 to 9 a.m. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. For more information call Dena at the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce 565-3414.

August Storytime Theme

“Sail into August” is the August theme of Raising Readers Storytime at the Cortez Public Library, located at 202 N. Park St., Cortez.

Storytime 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 on the corner of Elm and Main streets (weather permitting) for preschool-aged children. Older children are welcome to join us for the craft at 11:15 a.m. on Thursdays. The Saturday Storytime will follow the same theme of the regular Thursday Storytime.

We are “Dig(ging) into Reading” following the national Summer Reading Program theme. It’s not too late to pick up a Summer Reading Program reading log. The program ends August 24.

“Worms!” is the subject on Saturday August 3. “Let’s Rock!” will be discussed on Thursday, August 8 and Saturday, August 10. “Magical Troublemakers” will be the focal point on Thursday, August 15 and Saturday, August 17. Next up is “Goblins, Fairies, Elves, OH NO!” on Thursday, August 22 and Saturday, August 24. We’ll wrap up the month with “Labor Day” on Thursday, August 29 and Saturday, August 31.

Raising Readers Storytime offers songs, stories, crafts and silliness and uses the Early Childhood Literacy Initiative program.

For more information, call the library at 970-565-8117.

Presbyterian Church Rummage Sale

The Presbyterian Woman will hold their “Back to School” Rummage Sale on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2 and 3. It will be held in the fellowship hall of the Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church at 350 S. Washington in Cortez from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be household goods, books, clothing, glassware, appliances, plants and a children’s room.

Proceeds go to the P.W. Mission Projects. For further information you may call 565-7024 or 565-8927.

Volunteers needed for Balloon Rally

Volunteers are needed for the Cortez Hot Air Balloon Rally August 2-4 at Parque De Vida. Morning launches (weather permitting) will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed for all 3 mornings. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and bring gloves. It is a fun experience to lend a hand to balloon pilots for the launches and landings! Be at the park by 6:30 a.m.

Questions, call Cookie See at (505) 977-2679

The balloons fly at the mercy of the winds and pilots seek clear spaces to safely land. If you are willing to allow a balloon to land in your yard, lay out a white sheet as a signal.

M-CHS 1993 Class Reunion

Attention M-CHS graduates of 1993! Let’s celebrate our 20th reunion!

Karla Tanner and Kiffanie Palmer have planned events for Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, August 3.

Beginning Friday, Aug. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. we will be meeting at the Cortez Public pool with our families for a swim. Immediately following swim at 7:15 p.m. we will be having a catered BBQ dinner from Jimmer’s BBQ at Parque DeVida Children’s Playground Shelter at 400 N. Mildred. Please bring cash to pay for food. $10 for single, $20 for couples and $35 for families. Also bring blankets and chairs to sit on to enjoy the evening!

Saturday, Aug. 3 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. our M-CHS doors will be open for a special memorial walk for you and your families. This is an opportunity to remember our friends who have passed on and are no longer with us! The evening of Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. we will be meeting at Addison’s restaurant on Main to enjoy a band and appetizers, provided by Kiffanie Palmer, Shay Allred, Shannon Maley and Clark Peterson. Dinner and drinks will be on your own! Please mark your calendars and plan on joining your old classmates. Pass the word and let’s celebrate!

Vanishing Breed

Vanishing Breed will be playing at the American Legion in Cortez Aug. 3, at 320 North Harrison at 8 p.m. 970-565-8151.

Cheerleading try-outs

M-CHS cheerleading try-outs are on the 5, 6 and 7 of Aug., from 7 to 9 p.m. at Parque De Vida. You will need to wear white shirts and black shorts. If you have any questions you can call Ashley at 739-9952.

Lighthouse Baptist Church Bible School

Lighthouse Baptist Church will be hosting this year’s vacation Bible school, “Investigation Destination: Follow Clues to the King of Kings.” All children, kindergarten through sixth grade, are invited to attend this special week at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 11502 Highway 145, Aug. 5-9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Church vans will be available for children needing a ride.

Please call the church office at 565-9302 for more information.

Montezuma County Public Health Department Tdap clinic for 6th-graders

Montezuma County Public Health Department (MCPHD) will be holding a Tdap walk-in clinic for students entering the 6th grade. The clinic will be held Aug. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. The clinic will be only for students entering the 6th grade and will offer only Tdap which is a school requirement. MCPHD can bill Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Colorado, Rocky Mountain HMO, CHP+, and Medicaid. Other fees may apply. Appointments can be scheduled on Mondays except holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For information or to schedule an appointment, call MCPHD at 565-3056.

AARP will sponsor driver safety course

AARP will sponsor a driver safety course Thursday, Aug. 8 from 12:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Calvin Denton Room in the Empire Electric Building - 801 N. Broadway, Cortez.

This four-hour course is authorized by the state of Colorado. It is designed to meet the needs of older drivers.

The course will review safe driving techniques as well as Colorado traffic laws. Completion of this course can qualify you for a discount on your automobile insurance.

The course is available to all motorists whether or not they are members of AARP. A $12.00 fee for AARP members and a $14.00 fee for nonmembers is to be paid by check, (no cash or credit card). This covers materials. Please bring your driver’s license and your AARP membership number (if you have one).

If interested, you are asked to register with Scott and Judy Aeschlimann at 565-3872. Please leave your name and phone number on the answering machine if we’re not available. We’ll return your call.

The class number is limited.

St. Barnabas inquire’s class

“What does stewardship look like in the Christian life?” will be the topic on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. 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. St. Barnabas Church (corner of North and Elm) hosts these gatherings for folks who struggle to reconcile their life experience with what they believe the church requires; who don’t want to check their minds at a church door; or who just don’t want to live in a world they think the Christian church espouses but who might value being part of a community of faith. Questions are required. No answers are promised.

Call 565-7865 for information.

Back Country Horsemen’s monthly meeting

The Four Corners Back Country Horsemen will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Pine River Senior Center in Bayfield. Guests are always encouraged to attend. Margie Coates will be discussing Leave No Trace principles – how to leave the wilderness as you found it.

The Four Corners Back Country Horsemen works to perpetuate commonsense enjoyment of public lands by horsemen and pack stock users.

To learn more, go to: www.4cbch.org or call Bob Volger, chapter president, at 970-883-4004 or bobvolger@gmail.com

M-CHS 1963 50th class reunion

The M-CHS class of 1963 is having its 50th class reunion Aug. 15 and 16. There are several people who organizers are unable to locate. If anyone knows the location of any of these people, please call and let us know: Gordon Rourk, Kathryn (Lynch) Martinez, Lucille (Luthi) Waterman, Mike Fisher, Myrtha (Bryan) Brossard, Natalie Jean Harvey, Paul Norris, Vickie (Roberts) McGuire, Wes Dunlap and Sharon Mays. Please call 749-0264 or 570-5181.

DHS Class of 1993 reunion

The 20-year reunion for the Dolores High School Class of 1993 will be held Saturday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Rio Grande Southern in Dolores. All members of the DHS Class of 1993 are cordially invited to attend. Please call Kiera at (281) 723-3151 or email kvernon75@gmail.com to RSVP or for additional information.

K-9 Team hosting annual pancake breakfast benefit

The K-9 Search and Rescue Team will again be sponsoring their annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 6 a.m. onward. Located at 35 Railroad Avenue in Dolores (next to the Dolores Fire Dept.), K-9 Search and Rescue Team Inc. is a 100 percent volunteer nonprofit organization that is on-call 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather conditions or circumstances, to assist local, state, and federal agencies in the search for missing persons.

The annual pancake breakfast is the team’s largest fundraiser and is held during August, and features a hot cooked breakfast for a small donation. The funds from the pancake breakfast help purchase and update vital equipment, and maintain basic operational readiness for when the Team is needed. Plan to come support the Team, meet the “K-9’ers,” view the facility, and hang out with the four-legged members of the team! For more information call (970) 882-4746 or visit www.k9team.org.

Country Drifters

Country Drifters will be playing at the American Legion in Cortez August 10 & 24, at 320 North Harrison at 7 p.m. 970-565-8151.

Montelores Early Childhood Council Meeting

The Montelores Early Childhood Council (MECC) will hold their next monthly luncheon meeting on the second Monday in August on the 12, at 11:45 a.m., at the Cortez Church of Christ Annex, 631 E. Montezuma Ave.

All are invited to these meetings, especially parents. Lunch will be provided so please RSVP to MECC’s coordinator, Vangi McCoy, mecc.coordinator@gmail.com, PO Box 1725, Cortez, CO 81321, phone 749-7017.

Royalty contest at county fairgrounds

The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo will be holding their Royalty contest on August 17, 2013 at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 8 - 24 are encouraged to try-out. Must have a horse for the contest. Applications can be picked up at IFA and are due on August 15. There will be a practice session on August 11 at the fairgrounds. For more information or to get an application please contact Ashley Hamilton at 739-3765.

League of Women Voters present Bill Thompson

On Saturday, August 17 at 9 a.m. at the Ponderosa Restaurant, 108 S. 8th Street in Dolores the League of Women Voters will present a program on an issue that will appear on the November ballot. Bill Thompson, chair of the Montezuma County Hospital District Board (MCHD) will discuss why local voters will be asked to approve easing of restrictions imposed on the District by Colorado law. The restrictions are limiting the ability of the District to obtain State grants for equipment that benefits the hospital and the community. No tax increase is involved. For more information, contact Judy Schuenemeyer at judyswsc@q.com.

PSA for Homeless Awareness Walk

Come join the Bridge Emergency Shelter for its first annual homeless awareness walk. The walk is on Saturday, August 17 with registration from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Playground at Parque de Vida. Walkers will learn more about homelessness both on national and local levels while also celebrating the work that the community has already done in regards to homelessness. After the walk, a barbecue in the park is being held for all participants. This event is free and open to anyone and everyone. The Bridge requests that walkers help them restock their pantry with items found on their website (www.thebrigdeshelter.org) or through monetary donation but neither is required to participate. Walkers can register on the Bridge’s website, by calling the shelter at 565-9808 or on the day of the event. The first 50 people to sign up get a free t-shirt. We hope to see you there!

Heart and Soul Cortez Art Exhibit

Call for Entries! Heart & Soul Cortez is teaming up with the Cortez Cultural Center to host the Art & Soul Cortez Art Exhibit from Friday, August 23 to Saturday, September 14. Entries are due no later than Friday, August 16.

For more details, see www.heartandsoulcortez.com; visit Heart & Soul Cortez on Facebook, or call Kirsten or Rocky at 970-565-7320. Any medium. Show will be available for public viewing during the KSJD Summerfest celebration on Saturday, August 24! Cortez Cash Prizes of $200, $150, and $100 for the top three entries, as chosen by the voting public.

Strengthening families parenting class

The Piñon Project will hold a 14-week Strengthening Families parenting class that will begin weekly on Monday, August 26, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at The Piñon Project, 300 N. Elm St., Cortez. The class is for families with children between 12 and 18 years old. Dinner and childcare for children under 12 years will be provided. There is no cost to participants. Enrollment is limited, call soon!

For more information and registration; contact Lara at 564-1195.

Leadership Montezuma

Leadership Montezuma (LM) is now taking applications for its 2013/14 class, which starts in early September. LM is the group that meets once per month 8-4:30 to learn and dialogue with the various organizations, public and private, that make our county run.

To attend these intensive one-day seminars you must commit to attending all 9 sessions as part of a group of adults who interact throughout the year. Education, Criminal Justice and the Ute Mountain Tribe are only three of the topics visited.

For more information and to find an online application visit www.swcommunityleadership.org or call Jim at 970-903-0944. LM has been serving the needs of Montezuma County citizens for over 15 years. Treat yourself, a friend or relative to a year of eye opening experiences and contact us today.

Harvest Beer Festival

Sample microbrews from eight regional breweries at the foot of Mesa Verde in beautiful Cortez on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. This year’s festival will feature music by Cortez’s very own Beautiful Loser Society. Food vendors will be on hand and there will be children’s activities. All proceeds benefit Montezuma Land Conservancy, the only nonprofit land conservation organization focused on land protection in Southwest Colorado.

Beer tasting: $30 includes beer tasting, souvenir pint glass, door prizes and live music. Must be 21 years of age.

General Admission: $15 includes pint glass, door prizes, live music and nonalcoholic beverages.

Children: 12 and under free with paid adult.

For more information call 556-1664 or go to info@montezumaland.org