Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #015

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📆 Upcoming Events - updated daily

🤶 Holiday Craft Fairs

🌞 COS Weather - Change is coming!

👫 Breaking the Chains: COS Struggle in Human Trafficking Crisis!

🏭 Diverse Economy, Bright Future: Colorado Springs Emerges as Manufacturing Hub! 

✈️ Colorado Springs Airport Invests $38 Million in Expansion 

💥 We Want To Feature Your Business!

🙏 Cultivate a Grateful Heart: Unlock the Power of Appreciation! 📔

🎙️ Tell us what you want - Survey

🥘 Caramel Apple Monster Mouths 🍎

What do you call a witch who lives at the beach?

Answer: A sand-witch! 🤣

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

Upcoming COS Area Events

Dive into spooky season at the Wrong Turn Haunted Maze in downtown Colorado Springs' CO.A.T.I. complex. Priced at $25, visitors can enjoy fall-themed drinks and explore a haunted farmhouse maze full of thrills. The maze runs from 6-11:30 p.m. until Nov. 4. Tickets available from Oct 27 - Nov 4 at wrongturncos.com. 

• Oct 26th, 6-9 PM: Heller Center Halloween Pumpkin Carving Night @Heller Center For Arts and Humanities FREE

• Oct 27th, 10:30-11:30 AM: Beginning and Intermediate Yoga @Rockrimmon Library FREE (Must register)

• Oct 27th & 28th, 7-10 PM: Tunnel of Terror @Tommy's Express® Car Wash $25

• Oct 27-29, (every Fri-Sun in Oct); 10 AM - 3 PM: Venetucci Farm Pumpkin Fest

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

• 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 27th, 7-10 PM: Air Force Academy Men's Ice Hockey vs Colorado College

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

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

• Oct 30, 5:30-7:30 PM: Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Acacia Park 

  • Free—Event is free, but registration is required

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

• Nov 18th, 6-9 PM: Murder Mystery Night: High Noon at Dead Mans Saloon @Goat Patch Brewing Company (ages 21+) $40 fee

🧵🍂 Upcoming Holiday Craft Fairs 🤶🧶

• 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

• Oct 28-29: Coronado High School Annual Craft Bazaar — 9 AM-5 PM (Sat); 10 AM-4PM (Sun)

• 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 👈

👫 Breaking the Chains: COS Struggle in Human Trafficking Crisis!  

The recently released report by the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking in Colorado emphasizes the critical need for safe housing for human trafficking survivors. The study identifies housing instability and homelessness as major challenges, especially for vulnerable groups like immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.

It calls for addressing root causes and advocates for comprehensive representation in anti-trafficking partnerships. El Paso County ranks third in reported cases, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Community awareness and empathy play a vital role in supporting survivors. 

If you’re a victim of Human Trafficking or suspect someone who is, please reach out to any of these resources for help.

• Organizations such as TESSA and Reclaiming Hope, in Colorado Springs to get assistance.

• Colorado's Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 866-455-5075 or Text 720-999-9724

• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888

🏭 Diverse Economy, Bright Future: Colorado Springs Emerges as Manufacturing Hub!

Colorado Springs, traditionally not a manufacturing stronghold, is witnessing a surge in high-tech manufacturing investments. Although only five out of nineteen major companies announcing new or expanding facilities in the city are in manufacturing, they account for a significant 40 percent of the expected jobs. These jobs, characterized as primary employment, anchor the workforce locally and safeguard against becoming solely a commuter town.

One standout in this trend is Meyer Burger, a Swiss solar panel manufacturer, attracted by changing tariff structures and incentives for domestic production. They strategically leverage federal investments and incentives to establish themselves in Colorado Springs, aligning with the city's commitment to clean energy.

Colorado Springs' appeal extends beyond financial incentives. Its outdoor lifestyle, educated populace, and a pool of labor from transitioning military personnel make it an attractive destination for businesses. Existing companies, like Microchip, are expanding in place, contributing to the city's economic vibrancy.

The city's focus on balancing economic sectors, welcoming futuristic industries, and nurturing existing businesses positions Colorado Springs as a resilient and diverse economic hub. This delicate equilibrium, combined with a robust workforce and supportive ecosystem, propels the city into a promising future as a manufacturing powerhouse.

✈️ Colorado Springs Airport Invests $38 Million in Expansion 

Colorado Springs City Council has approved a $38 million investment by the Colorado Springs Airport, facilitating the acquisition of 562 acres of strategically located land.

The move, designed to prevent incompatible residential development, expands the airport's Peak Innovation Park, enhancing its competitive edge for national developments. Additionally, the acquisition offers opportunities for the nearby Peterson Space Force Base and supports the airport's sustainability, noise control efforts, and comprehensive master planning.

We Want To Feature Your Business!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Colorado Springs Local area residents in an upcoming issue of the Colorado Springs Town Tidings?

We ❤️ Local Businesses!

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! Colorado Springs Town Tidings is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Let's collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. Send us a message, and let's celebrate the spirit of the community together!

👇Click an option below:

✅ Own a local Business? Apply to be featured
💓 Love a Local Business? Nominate them

🧘Mindful Moments Series Part 4

Welcome back to our Mindful Moments Series! Today, we're diving into Day 4's topic: Gratitude Journaling. Taking just 5 minutes each day to practice this gratitude exercise can have a profound impact on your overall well-being and mindset, we promise.

🙏 Cultivate a Grateful Heart: Unlock the Power of Appreciation! 📔

In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, focusing on what's lacking or going wrong. Gratitude journaling offers a powerful shift in perspective. By intentionally cultivating gratitude, we can rewire our brains and foster a more positive outlook.

Why is gratitude journaling important, and what benefits can it bring to your life? By regularly expressing gratitude, you can:

1. Foster a Positive Mindset: Gratitude journaling shifts our attention towards the positive aspects of our lives, no matter how small. It helps us develop a more optimistic outlook and appreciate the present moment.

2. Enhance Relationships: When we express gratitude for the people in our lives, we strengthen our connections. Gratitude journaling allows us to acknowledge and appreciate the kindness and support we receive from others.

3. Cultivate Resilience and Contentment: By focusing on what we are grateful for, we train our minds to find joy and contentment in the present moment. Gratitude journaling can help us navigate challenges with a greater sense of resilience and perspective.

Now, let's practice gratitude journaling together:

1. Find a quiet space and take a few moments to reflect on your day.

2. Grab a notebook or journal dedicated to gratitude.

3. Write down three things you're grateful for today. It could be as simple as a warm cup of tea, a kind gesture from a friend, or a beautiful sunset.

4. As you write, immerse yourself in the feeling of gratitude for each experience or person.

5. Make it a daily habit to jot down these moments of gratitude, and over time, you'll notice a shift in your perspective and a greater sense of abundance.

Allow your journal to become a safe space where you can express your appreciation and reflect on the positive aspects of your life.

Remember, gratitude journaling is a practice that unfolds over time. Enjoy the process and embrace the gift of gratitude.

Stay tuned for our final tip of the series tomorrow's, where we'll explore another exciting mindfulness practice that will help you enhance your well-being and find more joy in your everyday life!

_{**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.} 

🍎 Caramel Apple Monster Mouths

In the spirit of Halloween almost here, we wanted to share a festive, fun, healthy and easy recipe. We hope you enjoy!

Instructions:

A frightfully fun twist on the classic candy apple, cut an apple into three or four wedges. Carve out a wedge-shaped slice in the center of each apple chunk (ensuring you don’t cut all the way through) and fill the cavity with our Raw Chocolate Caramel Dip. Place peanuts around the edges for teeth and a sliced strawberry for the tongue. Complete your munchy monsters with candy eyes or dairy-free chocolate chips (you can use more of the caramel dip as glue).

Raw Chocolate Caramel Dip

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups dates, pitted

• 2/3 cup raw cashews

• 2 tablespoons cacao powder

• 1 teaspoon carob powder

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

• 1 pinch salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3-4 cups fresh fruit, for dipping

Instructions

• Soak the dates in 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes

• In a blender, combine the cashews and 1 1/4 cups water to create cashew cream.

• Add the drained dates, cacao powder, carob powder, ground flaxseed, vanilla, and salt to the blender; blend into a smooth paste.

• Serve on a platter with fresh fruit.

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