Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #009

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

🌞 Weather, unseasonably 🔥

👮‍ CSPD Apprehend Suspected Dealer: Foot Pursuit Success! 

💵 City Budget Dilemma: Balancing Public Safety in 2024 Spending Plans!

🍬 Sweet Support: Donate Halloween Candy for Troops

📆 Upcoming Events - updated daily

🤶 Holiday Craft Fairs

🥕 Nutrition on the Go: Healthy Eating Tips for a Busy Lifestyle: Part 1 of 3

🥘 Recipe of the Week: Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

❓ How did we do on this issue?

Why did the bicycle fall over?

Answer: It was two-tired! 🤣

Our hope is that we made you smile today…pass it on.

👮‍ CSPD Apprehend Suspected Dealer: Foot Pursuit Success!

Colorado Springs Police arrested 41-year-old Jason Corbett on drug distribution and possession charges following a foot chase near Dorchester Park, south of downtown Colorado Springs on Wednesday. The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) discovered Corbett involved in narcotics sales near the park's southwest corner and initiated a chase when approached. Corbett dropped a backpack during the chase containing various drugs, including Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Shrooms, and Heroin, along with over $3,100 in cash. Corbett faces multiple charges, including Distribution and Possession of Controlled Substances.

If you visit Dorchester Park, please stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the CSPD.

💵 City Budget Dilemma: Balancing Public Safety in 2024 Spending Plans!

Colorado Springs fire and police departments are facing proposed 3.4% cuts in their operational spending for 2024, which officials believe won't significantly impact public safety in the short-term.

While not sustainable long-term, the departments are confident in managing the reductions for a year. Concerns have been raised regarding the prioritization of public safety in the city's draft $901 million spending plan for 2024.

Residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting to provide feedback on the proposed budget. This meeting takes place on Monday Oct. 23 from 5:30-7 PM at City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave.

🍬 Sweet Support: Donate Halloween Candy for Troops  

Cacao Chemistry in Downtown Colorado Springs is participating in the Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops program, collecting excess Halloween candy to be sent to deployed service members worldwide. The initiative also involves distributing candy to veteran patients in VA Hospitals.

Residents can drop off extra candy at Cacao Chemistry (109 North Tejon Street) from Nov. 1 to Nov. 27 during regular business hours.

Upcoming COS Area Events

• Oct 19, 4 PM - 8 PM - Park Union Farmers Market

• Oct 19, 6:30-8:30 PM - Goat Patch Brewing Company

• Oct 20, 10 AM - 1 PM - Drive-Thru Job Fair @Diversu Health

• Oct 20-29, (every Fri-Sun in Oct); 10 AM - 3 PM: Venetucci Farm Pumpkin Fest

• Oct 21, 28, 9 AM-4 PM: Miners' Pumpkin Patch. 225 North Gate Blvd, COS

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

• Sat. Oct 21, 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, 3:30 PM: Young Scholars Academy Food trucks, costume contest and more.

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

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

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

🧵🍂 Upcoming Holiday Craft Fairs 🤶🧶

• Oct. 22: Viking Fair, Bazaar and Brunch — 9 AM -3 PM., 719-351-3554, .

• Oct. 28-29: Front Range Maker's Market — 9 AM - 4 PM (Sat); 10 AM - 3 PM (Sun), Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument, $5 for ages 13 and older;

• Nov. 1-5: Black Forest Arts and Crafts Guild Fall Show and Sale — 4-7 PM Nov. 1; 9 AM -7 PM Nov. 2-4; 10 AM -2 p.m. Nov. 5

• Nov. 4-5: Chipita Park Association's Arts & Crafts Fair — 9 AM - 4 PM Nov. 4; 10 AM - 3 PM Nov. 5

• Nov. 4: African Marketplace — Noon - 4 PM, Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute St.

• Nov. 10-12: Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show — 10 AM - 5 PM Nov. 10 and 12; 10 AM - 6 PM Nov. 11, Colorado Springs Event Center, $11.50, free for ages 13 and younger.

• Nov. 11: Antelope Ridge Holiday Bazaar and Craft Show — 9 AM - 2 PM, Antelope Ridge, 4001 Gray Fox Heights

• Nov. 18: Holiday Craft Show — 10 AM - 3 PM, Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain

Have an upcoming event you want us to share?

👉 Click here to submit your event for consideration 👈

🥕 Nutrition on the Go: Healthy Eating Tips for a Busy Lifestyle: Part 1 of 3

Fuel Your Busy Lifestyle with Nutrient-Packed Snacks!

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy diet can be a challenge. But fear not! We've got you covered with simple and practical tips to keep your nutrition on track, even when life gets hectic.

When you're on the go and hunger strikes, having nutrient-dense snacks readily available is key.

Discover the power of fresh fruits, pre-cut veggies, wholesome nuts, and convenient Greek yogurt cups. These grab-and-go options provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber to keep you fueled and satisfied throughout the day.

By packing nutrient-packed snacks, you'll be armed with healthier options to curb those midday cravings.

But wait, there's more! Tune in tomorrow as we dive into the world of meal planning and prepping for nutritious meals that fit your busy lifestyle.

_{**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.} 

🥘 Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

_{Recipe provided by TheViewFromGreatIsland.com}

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta is made with just 6 simple ingredients in 15 minutes! It's a Fall comfort food powerhouse just waiting to happen in your kitchen.

Prep Time 5 mins | Cook Time 10 mins | Total Time 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta (I used bucatini, but feel free to use any shape you like!)

• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (about one 15-ounce can)

• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

• salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg, optional

• 2 Tbsp fried sage leaves, for topping, optional (see how in the notes below)

• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted, for topping, optional (see how in the notes below)

Instructions

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions, and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.

• Melt the butter in a large pan big enough to hold your pasta, and add the minced garlic. Sauté for just a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant, but don't let it brown.

• Add the cream, the pumpkin puree, and nutmeg (if using) and whisk gently until everything is well combined.

• Heat the mixture until just simmering, and then, off the heat, add the shredded cheese, and salt to taste. Stir to melt the cheese thoroughly into the sauce, and then put back on low heat.

• Use your 1 cup of reserved pasta water to thin down the sauce as much as you'd like. I used about 1/2 cup of my pasta water.

• Toss the cooked pasta into the alfredo sauce, and serve topped with the fried sage leaves, pine nuts, and extra parmesan cheese.

Notes

• To fry sage leaves, just heat a little olive oil in a pan until hot and drop them in. They'll sizzle and curl up in just seconds. Remove to a paper towel to drain. You can fry whole leaves, or stack them and roll up like a cigar, then slice your roll into thin slices. You'll get fine shreds which are fabulous to fry.

• To toast pine nuts start with a dry pan and heat over medium. Add the pine nuts and stir or shake the pan until they start to turn golden and fragrant. I will sometimes start with a little oil, which toasts them faster and adds a lovely sheen to the nuts.

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