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 may be edited for length and content.

Wednesday, Sept. 3

Congressman Scott Tipton will hold a town hall meeting in Cortez from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Montezuma Senior Services Community Hall, 107 N. Chestnut St., Cortez. Tipton will answer questions and provide an update on his efforts to encourage economic and job growth.

Thursday, Sept. 4

Choices & Options, a support group for families dealing with mental illness. The group is for regular people, not professionals, dealing with the daily struggles of mental illness. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. Call Rose at 560-5662 for meeting location.

The Animas Watershed Partnership joint public meeting with the San Juan Watershed Group and the Mountain Studies Institute at the Farmington Civic Center, 200 W. Arrington, Farmington from 6 to 8 p.m. A presentation will be given about monitoring water quality in areas of oil and natural gas development and the health of the Lower Animas will also be discussed.

Friday, Sept. 5

Enjoy live blues and swing with Roscoe on the patio of the Elm Street Tavern, 200 W. Main Street, Cortez at 7 p.m. and again on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 6

The Littlest Birds, a cello/banjo duo, will play at 8 p.m. at the Dolores River Brewery, 100 S. 4th St., Dolores. Tickets cost $5 Info. 882-4677 or littlestbirds.net.

The Harvest Beer Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. at The Parque de Vida in Cortez. Food, live music and local hand crafted ales. Free transportation provided by the Pinion Project, see montezumaland.org. Proceeds benefit the Montezuma Land Conservancy. Admission costs $25, $15 for nondrinkers and children get in for free. Info.: 565-8227.

The Guardian Angel's Walk to End Alzheimer's is at Cortez City Park. Registration is at 9 a.m., and the Walk begins at 10 a.m. Country fair, with food, drinks, entertainment and games. Free, but donations welcome. Information: Cindy Lichliter (749-2319).

Environmentally Sound Pasture Practices, sponsored by the Mancos Conservation District and the Mt. Lookout Grange from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Grange, 680 Grand Ave. in Mancos. This is the third in a series of four Saturday workshops addressing soil, irrigation, weeds and grazing for small acreage land.

Show Opening for local photographers Mark Montgomery and Barbara Grist at Olio Restaurant, 114 W. Grand, Mancos from 4 to 6 p.m. The show runs from Sept. 6 to Nov. 1. Mark's new work is hand colored photos called "Junk in the Trunk" and Barbara will be showing images from Mexico and Lake Powell entitled "Fluidity", images of water and light which she printed on metal. Info.: 533-1381.

Sunday, Sept. 7

Join Lee Bartley and friends to celebrate the release of this new solo piano CD, "Carried Away" from 3 to 6 p.m. Please RSVP to Janet Lever-Wood at 882-2274 or blueglyph@centurytel.net.

Monday, Sept. 8

The Southwest Singers will begin rehearsals for the fall season at 6:30 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park, Cortez. Holiday concerts will be given in December. Info.: 562-4476.

The Montelores Early Childhood Council will hold their next monthly luncheon meeting at 11:45 a.m., in the downstairs meeting room 110, in the Johnson Building, 925 South Broadway, Cortez. The public is invited to these meetings, especially parents. Lunch will be provided so please RSVP to Vangi McCoy by calling 970-749-7017.

Thursday, Sept. 11

Free Pottery-Making Program with Artist in Residence Michael Savage at 7:30 p.m., at Far View Lodge Library at Mesa Verde National Park. Info.: 970-529-4445.

Friday, Sept. 12

A collection of short films by concerned citizens of Colorado on the effects of Fracking will be shown at 7 p.m. at The Annex Building, 108 N. Chesnut, Cortez. The film is called "Dear Governor Hickenlooper." Info.: www.DearGovernorHickenlooper.com.

The Mancos Public Library will offer its first Science Friday program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will be studying electricity with several hands-on experiments. For kids kindergarten through 2nd grade. In the afternoon the program will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and is geared for kids ages 3rd- through 8th-grade. Info.: 533-7600.

Saturday, Sept. 13

The Montezuma VFW will be hosting its Annual End of Harvest Dinner for Veterans and their families starting at 5 p.m. in the Post #5231 home in Mancos, 135 W. Grand Ave. This event is open to all Veterans. Join us good fellowship, and for roasted pig, corn and ice cream. The event is free, donations will be accepted. Info.: 533-7144

The Galloping Goose Historical Society's annual meeting, lunch starts at noon, followed by the annual meeting at 1 p.m. Call 882-7082 for location and information.

The Montezuma County Democratic Party is hosting a FDR Fundraiser dinner at Cliffrose Garden Center and Gifts in Cortez from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 or $40 a couple. Feast on Local foods and libations. Local Music by O.T.T.O & the Harpies. Guest Speaker will be Abel Tapia. Contact Ric Plese at 970-739-4365 for more information.

4th Annual Western Slope Toy Run starts at VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave., Durango and ends at the American Legion Post 75, 320 N. Harrison St., in Cortez. Entry fee costs $15 or and equivalent toy. T-shirts cost $15. Sponsored by The Men Motorcycle Club: 970-799-3031 or 970-739-4869.

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14

Dressage and Hunter/Jumper Horse Show hosted by the Four Corners Dressage and Combined Training Association at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. Info.: www.4cdcta.org.

Thursday, Sept. 18

The Mancos Tree Board will conduct a workshop on pruning street trees, concentrating on the area of Montezuma Avenue to 1st Street and Main to Aztec streets. Meet at Main and First at 9:30 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 19

Local author Amy Cook will hold a book signing for her debut paranormal romance novel "Edge of Instinct" (Rabids Book 1) at the Cortez Public Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Her novel is available for purchase via amazon.com in both ebook and paperback formats. A limited number of copies will be available for cash purchase at the signing.

Sept. 19-21

The Town of Mancos will be accepting scrap metal, old furniture, and old household items excluding electronics at the public workshop, 300 S. Monte. Friday the workshop will be open 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday it will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Standard-sized tires will be accepted for a $3 fee.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 20

Tim Sullivan Band to play at dance at the American Legion, 320 N. Harrison St., in Cortez at 7 p.m. Info.: 565-8151.

Tuesday, SEPT. 23

The Red Arrow Mill cleanup will be discussed at a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mancos Town Hall. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will share their findings, and other government agencies will be present.

Friday - Sunday, Sept. 27-29

Mancos Valley/Mesa Verde Country Balloon Festival. Art Festival and Street Fair to coincide with balloon festival on Sept. 27 in Mancos from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature food, art, music, dancing, entertainment and kid activities. Info.: 533-7434.

Saturday, Sept. 27

The Dolores Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival at Flander's Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No charge for setup, but vendor's must call 882-7717 or 882-4018 to register. Music and activities are scheduled in addition to local produce, baked goods, crafts, jams and jellies.

Monday, Sept. 30

United Blood Services Mobile Blood Drive from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Mancos Community Center, 130 East Grand Ave., Mancos.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance will present a geologic tour of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument with Dr. Kim Gerhardt, In the morning, hike the lower Sand Canyon area; in the afternoon see an indoor presentation at the historic Battle Rock School. You must be a current member of Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. Contact Diane McBride at diane.mcbride@swcocanyons.org or 970-560-1643, by Thursday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m., to join the tour.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Cortez Elks 1789 Oktoberfest celebration. Open to the public and includes a golf tournament, autographed sports items silent auction, German food and more. Proceeds benefit Elks projects. Information: event chairman Lynn Gann at 970-565-7423 or club manager at 970-565-3557.

First Monday

Southwest Center for Independence Second Chance Brain Injury group meetings at noon at 2409 E. Empire, Cortez. Call Matthew, 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 meets 10 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave, Dolores. The Sept. 2 meeting will include results and reviews of 2014 Quilt Show. Guests and visitors are welcome. Info.: doloresmountainquilters.org or Judith Swain at 970-560-4426.

First Wednesday

Diabetes support group meets 3:30-5 p.m. in the Kiva Room at Southwest Memorial Hospital. Learn how to manage diabetes; share ideas with others. Sessions are free and open to anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Contact Laura White, RD, at 564-2276 for details.

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.

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

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 Saturday

The Mancos Valley Historical Saturday meets at the Mancos Public Library at 10 a.m. Info: Bob Huffman: 406-249-7733

Second Tuesday

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

Second Thursday

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

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. Info, to help out or to make donations call Gretchen at 509-830-4380.

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.

Every Tuesday

The Mancos Public Library, 211 W. First St., continues the Little People Seasonal Storytime, at 10:30 a.m. The program follows the Mancos Re-6 schedule and runs through May. Children ages 2-6 will be taught songs, verses and stories. A craft is also offered. Free. Call the Library at 533-7600 or visit www.mancoslibrary.org

Every Wednesday

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

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.