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.

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.

Acoustic Old Timey Open Jam Session at the Mt. Lookout Grange in Mancos at 6 p.m. Jam session open to listeners and players. Free, but donations are appreciated.

Saddlemaker Lisa Skyhorse, Mesa Verde artist in residence, gives a free presentation of her art on at 5:30 p.m. on the covered porch at Far View Terrace.

Friday, Sept. 25

Mancos Valley Distillery presents The Porchlights. Doors open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m. The Porchlights have released five CDs, and the sixth is currently in production. Check them out at: http://porchlights.20m.com/index.html. "Tastes Like Friday" cocktail specials will be served.

"Courage To Be You," the seventh annual celebration of women, at the Shiprock Youth Complex, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Free on-site registration and lunch for registered participants. Details: 505-215-0814.

Karaoake and dance music by DJ Butterfly Effect at Blondies, 9 p.m. Details: 565-4015.

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.

Lighthouse Christian Academy hosts 2015 LCA Market, including new and used items and fresh foods, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at 11502 Colo. 145, Cortez. Vendor spaces: $20. Details: Ruth at 970-570-9332.

Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance presents a lecture by Dr. Steve Lekson at 7 p.m., at the Sunflower Theatre in Cortez. Lekson will discuss Chaco, Cahokia and Postclassic North America. The lecture is free and part of the Four Corners Lecture Series.

Four Corners Miniature Club, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Cortez Senior Center. Make mini-pumpkin houses for Halloween for a show Oct. 10 at Mancos Public Library. Details: Rachel at 882-4573 or Mac at 533-1525.

Tuesday, Sept. 29

Community Open Forum for MCHD Hospital Building Project, Mancos Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Details: Email contact@swhealth.org or call 970-564-2040.

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 2-3

Music at the Mancos Brewing Co. celebrates one-year anniversary: Wake Up Laughing reggae, at 6 p.m. Friday; Kevin Frazier acoustic blues rock. at 3 p.m. Saturday; Last Nickel bluegrass, 6 p.m. Saturday. No cover charge.

Saturday, Oct. 3

Hip hop and MC battle with G-Life, DJ Pookie, LAM and more at Blondies in Cortez, 9 p.m. Details: 739-4944.

Sunday, Oct. 4

SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents its first concert of the season - The San Juan Symphony with a guest conductor and an international cello soloist, at the new M-CHS auditorium. Season tickets are on sale at 2 p.m. Details: Joyce Stevenson, 565-4757 or Lindsay Havran, 565-7676.

Tuesday, Oct. 6

Community Open Forum for MCHD Hospital Building Project, Dolores Community Room, 6-8 p.m. Details: Email contact@swhealth.org or call 970-564-2040.

Free Consumer Education Class, noon-1 p.m. at District Court, 109 W. Main St. in Cortez. Details: Colorado Legal Services 970-247-0266.

Thursday, Oct. 8

Tryouts for solos in the annual Messiah Sing-In are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 512 North Park, Cortez. The Sing-In will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 6. Details: 970-564-9458.

Hip hop with Sammy Warm Hands, dubldragon, Ogar Burl, and more at Blondies in Cortez. Details: 739-4944.

Friday, Oct. 9

Ska band The Casual Fridays at Blondies in Cortez, 9 p.m. No cover. Details: 739-4944.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Christian Women's Celebrations Event, "An Autumn Surprise," at noon at the Baymont Inn, at Main and Hawkins streets. Gourmet picnic lunch catered by Seas'nings, $15/person, including room fee, program, meal, drink, dessert and tip. Music by Southwest Singers. Speaker Lorraine Wickstrom. Free admission for first-timers and teachers. Details: cwcfunevents@gmail.com or 560-1824.

Sunday, Oct. 11

Ride of the Ancients, Parque de Vida, 400 N. Mildred, Cortez. Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance (SCCA) and Southwest Memorial Foundation (SWMF) launch the first area century ride. Individuals and teams of up to 4 riders may enter. Register at www.rideoftheanicents.com. Contact Diane McBride at diane.mcbride@swcocanyons.org or 970-560-1643.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

Community Open Forum for MCHD Hospital Building Project, Elks Lodge in Cortez, 6-8 p.m. Details: Email contact@swhealth.org or call 970-564-2040.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Love on a Hanger's 5th Annual Pretty in Pink Fashion Show, at Four Seasons Greenhouse. Show starts at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Women's Cancer Coalition. General Admission $15; VIP Seating $30. Tickets available at Love on a Hanger or at bitly.com/LoveHanger. Details: 970-565-9075.

Thursday- Friday, Oct. 22-23

The Dolores Elementary School PTA's Scholastic Book Fair, at the Little Bear Gym, 4-7:30 p.m. on Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-noon on Friday. Shop online at: bit.ly/DolFair Oct. 14-Nov. 3.

First Tuesday

Dolores Mountain Quilters meets 10 a.m. at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. The program for Aug. 4 will be information to increase your knowledge of various "fancy" feet for your sewing machines. Guests and visitors welcome. Info: doloresmountainquilters.org or Sine Skags at 719-850-0923.

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.

First Thursday

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

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 Wednesday

Montezuma County Hospital District monthly board of directors meeting in the Kiva Room at Southwest Memorial hospital from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is welcome. Information: 564-2146.

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.

Third Wednesday

Caregiver/advocate support group for caregivers of any person with Alzheimer's, dementia or any chronic illness at 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church, 515 North Park St. Cortez. Discuss options with other caregivers.

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.

Third Saturday

Christian Motorcycle Association - Cortez Chapter holds its 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. chapter meeting and 10 a.m. ride (weather permitting). At Jack & Janelle's, 801 E. Main St. Call chapter president Steve Reed at 970-565-7233. No motorcycle required.

Fourth Monday

The Southwest Center for Independence Potluck Lunch Group meets at noon, 2409 E. Empire St., Cortez. Call Matthew, 570-8001.

Fourth Tuesday

4 Corners Republican Women's Club meets at 11:30 a.m. at the Cortez Elk's Lodge. Info: 565-2197.

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.

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.

Civil Air Patrol Mesa Verde Cadet Squadron meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at K9 Search & Rescue in Dolores. Details: Maj. Debrah Archer, 970-759-5669.

Every Wednesday

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

Every Thursday

Elks Bingo. New hours, beginning at 7 p.m. Come eat, play and visit.

Every Friday

TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 11:30 a.m. in the Community Room at the Cortez Public Library. Details: 970-882-4369.