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.

The Four Corners Builders Association's roundtable will be at 7 a.m. at Jack & Janelle's on Main Street. This month's topic is "Training."

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.

Night and Day, an exhibit of new Giclee prints by Janet E. Chanay, opens at 6-8 p.m. at the Raven House Gallery, 120 W. Grande Ave., Mancos.

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.

Square dance lessons at Kemper Elementary: A meet-and-greet at Kemper at 6:30 p.m.; lessons beginning Sept. 21, 7:15-8:45 p.m. Info: Judy Morris 565-9836 or Vonnie Robinson 749-9682.

The ASCA-sanctioned dog show is at the Joe Rowell Park in Dolores. Conformation shows are open to all ASCA Australian Shepherds and the 2 Rally Trials are open to All Breeds. Details: www.4-casa.org.

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.

Saturday, Sept. 26

National Public Lands Day, held this year at Phil's World, hosts a "Trasher Hunt." Adults, motorized/non-motorized and youth volunteers are encouraged to sign up. Lunch, T-shirt, trash bags, buckets and any tools will be provided. Wear long pants, sturdy shoes, eye protection such as sunglasses and gloves. Register by Sept. 24. Details: Kathe Hayes, kathe@sjma.org or 385-1310.

Montelores Baptist Church Chili Fest and Cook-off, 5-7:30 p.m., 18375 CR 23.5 off Colo. 184. Concert by the Gospel cowboy band Mountain Saddle Band. Donations accepted for concert and dinner. Prizes be awarded for chili; no entry fee. information and registration: Pastor Paul at 970-882-2418 or monteloresbc@hotmail.com.

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.

The Montezuma County Historical Society Board of Directors meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elks Club and includes a no-host lunch. Anyone interested in area history is welcome.

The Southwest Art League meets the second Tuesday of every month. For information and summer locations, call 970-882-4770.

Second Thursday

The Southwest Woodworkers Guild meets at 7 p.m. at various locations. Woodworkers welcome, beginner to expert. Call Rick, 533-7180.

Montezuma County Republican Women meet at noon at Shiloh Steakhouse at Veach and Main streets. All are welcome. Info: Rosemarie Beall at 564-1576.

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 Thursday

Dolores secondary PTO meets at 3:45 p.m. in Mr. Thurston's office. Email Heather Alvarez at halvarez0722@gmail.com or call Tif at 903-8752.

Every Tuesday

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

Every Wednesday

GOAL Academy/Rocky Mountain Digital Academy, a free, accredited online high school, is enrolling for upcoming school year (now through Sept. 10th) and informational sessions every Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its new location at 215 N. Linden St. Suite D. Details: 970-213-0923 or www.goalac.org.

Bible studies at Chapel on the Farm, 6 p.m. 19927 Road 26.2 Loop, Dolores. 903-6153.