Inside COS Town Tidings Issue

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

⛅ Colorado Springs Weather

🚫 City Planning Commission Rejects Permit Change 

🤝 Helping Hands in the Cold: Colorado Springs Shelters Unite Community!

🔐 Safeguarding Tranquility: Garden of the Gods Invests in Visitor Security!

📆 Upcoming Events

🏋️‍♀️ Strength Training at High Altitudes: Conquer the Challenges and Build a Stronger You!

🥘 Recipe: Yummy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

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City Planning Commission Rejects Permit Change

The City Planning Commission has rejected a permit change request from Colorado Springs Utilities to increase the height of the Wilson Water Tank from 45 feet to 60 feet. However, the tank has already been constructed, creating a challenging situation. During the meeting, the commission emphasized the importance of holding Colorado Springs Utilities accountable by treating their project like any other building endeavor.

Members of the Planning Commission expressed their concerns and firmly believed that the cost of rectifying the error should not be passed on to customers.

One counsel member questioned the lack of oversight and expressed his astonishment at how the situation had been allowed to progress emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability from Colorado Springs Utilities.

Utilities representatives clarified that the design of the tank was in accordance with their requirements, contradicting the initial blueprints that indicated a height of 45 feet. They mentioned that an alternative, non-domed tank was never considered due to maintenance issues and a reduced lifespan.

Although options such as removing the dome or retrofitting a flat top were discussed, these were deemed impractical due to warranty and contract concerns.

The meeting drew significant attention, with concerned residents, city employees, and members of the press seeking answers regarding the tank's height discrepancy.

Despite differing opinions from some neighbors, who believed that a shorter tank would be more visually appealing and easier to camouflage in the landscape, the focus remained on landscaping and color to mitigate the impact. Colorado Springs Utilities assured the commission that they would comply with any landscaping and color conditions recommended by city staff.

While two commissioners voted in favor of allowing the permit change, the majority expressed their concerns. They believed that approving the request would undermine the principles of Planning and Zoning and disregard the interests of the general public.

Following the vote, Colorado Springs Utilities announced that they would assess their next steps, which might involve appealing the decision.

Helping Hands in the Cold: Colorado Springs Shelters Unite Community!

As the colder weather is upon us, local homeless shelters in Colorado Springs are closely monitoring the weather conditions. The sudden drop in temperature means an increased need for assistance among the homeless population. Shelters like Springs Rescue Mission prepare to assist those in need.

Despite the rapid temperature drop, shelter staff work tirelessly to provide warm spaces, essential amenities, and counseling services, especially for vulnerable individuals like Lance, who found himself homeless after a car accident.

The shelters aim not only to offer physical refuge but also to encourage participation in aid programs, potentially helping people transition out of homelessness. However, some, particularly veterans with PTSD, hesitate to seek help.

With demand increasing in colder months, shelters like Springs Rescue Mission rely on public support, including volunteers and donations, to meet the rising needs and continue their crucial work. If you or anyone you know are able to assist with either please contact Springs Rescue Mission directly at (719) 632-1822.

If you or anyone you know are homeless and need help, they are there to welcome you in!

Safeguarding Tranquility: Garden of the Gods Invests in Visitor Security!

Nestled among the natural wonders of Colorado, Garden of the Gods stands as a testament to the region's beauty, drawing both locals and tourists from afar. Today, amidst the picturesque trails, a subtle change catches the eye: a mobile surveillance system, cameras perched on high masts, silently watching over the park.

Garden of the Gods, attracting millions annually, faces an unfortunate side effect of its popularity: an increase in criminal activities around parked cars, especially when their owners explore the trails. With a rise in incidents like smash-and-grabs, opportunistic thieves break car windows for valuables left in plain sight.

The focus of these surveillance efforts is the parking lots, where criminal activities primarily occur. Moreover, the flexibility of these mobile systems proves invaluable. If disturbances or crime surges in a specific area, the surveillance can swiftly relocate, ensuring a proactive approach to security.

The initiative reflects a delicate balance between safeguarding visitors and preserving the park's intrinsic beauty, emphasizing a proactive approach to security. This step reaffirms the park's commitment to providing a secure environment while allowing everyone to appreciate its breathtaking landscapes.

Upcoming COS Area Events

• Fri. Oct 13, 2023; 6-9 PM: Hillside Community Center Halloween Movie Night: Disney Haunted Mansion

• Oct 13-29, 2023 (every Fri-Sun in Oct); 10 AM - 3 PM: Venetucci Farm Pumpkin Fest

• Sat. Oct 14, 2023; 2:30-4:30 PM: Mountain Chalet: Ski Season Kick-Off...Gear brands, Sale & Chili Cook-off!

• Oct 20-22, 27-29 and 31, 2023; 4-8:30 PM: Boo at the Zoo 

• Sat. Oct 21, 2023; 12-4 PM (FREE): Pumpkins in the Park: Old Colorado City's Fall Festival is a friends & family MUST DO!

• Oct 21; 9 AM - 4 PM & 22; 10 AM - 3 PM: Holiday Craft & Gift Shop! at the Masonic Center, 1150 Panorama Dr, COS

• Oct 27, 2023; 3:30 PM: Young Scholars Academy Food trucks, costume contest and more.

• Oct 27, 2023; 5-7 PM: Stetson Elementary School: Fall Festival with STEM activities, StarLab, hot cocoa buffet petting zoo, food trucks and more.

• Oct 28, 2023; 4-6:45 PM: The Little Gym of Colorado Springs Halloween Maze & Trunk or Treat for kids up to 12 yrs old

• Nov 7, 2023; 4-6 PM: Children's Mindfulness, Bear Creek Nature Center ages 5-10 with parent. Registration required + fee

Have an upcoming event you want us to share?

👉 Click here to submit your event for consideration 👈

Strength Training at High Altitudes: Conquer the Challenges and Build a Stronger You!

Get stronger and conquer the challenges of high-altitude living with strength training exercises. Building muscle not only enhances your physical appearance but also helps counteract the effects of altitude on muscle performance. Whether you're a beginner or experienced, incorporating strength training into your routine is essential for overall fitness and functional movements.

To get started, focus on bodyweight exercises that require no equipment, such as squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups and can be modified to suit your fitness level.

As you progress, consider incorporating resistance bands or dumbbells to add variety and challenge. Aim for 2-3 strength training sessions per week, allowing your muscles a day of rest in between. Remember to maintain proper form throughout each exercise to maximize effectiveness and reduce the risk of injury.

With time and consistency, you'll notice improvements in strength, stability, and the ability to conquer the high-altitude adventures that await you in Colorado Springs!

**Information in this newsletter is NOT meant to diagnose or treat any condition nor is it medical advise. Please consult your physician before making any changes to your current lifestyle.

Yummy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Author: CookieAndKate.com

Creamy pumpkin mac and cheese will warm you up on cool fall evenings. This easy autumnal pasta recipe comes together in one pot and tastes incredible. Recipe yields 8 servings (quite a lot!) and leftovers are great.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice blend*

• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder

• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)

• 1 pound short-cut pasta (pipe regate, macaroni noodles, casarecce, cavatelli, fusilli)

• 5 cups water

• 1 teaspoon fine salt, to taste

• 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed

• 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• ½ cup (2 ounces) finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pumpkin spice, garlic and onion powders and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the butter is very fragrant and you see many little brown flecks in the pan. Stir in the pumpkin and let it cook for a minute, while stirring.

2. Pour in the pasta, water and salt. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, remove the lid and set the timer for 8 minutes.

3. Cook, stirring often (more often as the time goes on), until the timer goes off. Do not drain the water. Stir in the cream cheese. Cook until the cream cheese has melted and the pasta is al dente (careful when you taste, it’s quite hot), about 4 to 5 more minutes. Turn down the heat as necessary to avoid scorching but maintain a steady simmer.

4. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheddar and Parmesan, and stir until the mixture is melted and creamy. Remove the pot from the heat.

5. Season with salt, to taste (I usually add ¼ teaspoon or more). Serve the pasta in bowls with extra Parmesan grated on top, if desired. Leftovers keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 5 days (or freezes relatively well for up to 3 months).

NOTES

• *PUMPKIN SPICE AMOUNTS: To make just enough pumpkin spice for this recipe, use ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a little pinch of allspice or cloves.

• MAKE IT GLUTEN FREE: Gluten-free pastas vary widely. Choose a spiral-shaped gluten-free brown rice pasta, such as fusilli, over other pasta types (my tester was pleased with Jovial brand). Stir gently and don’t cook the pasta any longer than necessary or it may start to lose its shape.

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