😢Farewell to Local Icon 🚦Traffic Light Trials 🚗Vehicle Theft Battles

COS Local News & Events | Issue #023

03 Nov • Reading Time: 12 minutes

Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #023

🤣 Today’s Chuckle
💥 Who Should We Feature?
📆 Upcoming Local Events - updated daily
🤶 Holiday Craft Fairs
🌞 COS Weather - getting warmer
🛏️😢 End of an Era as Local Icon Bids Farewell After 25 Years
🚗🚦 Traffic Experiment: Colorado Springs' New Ramp Lights Undergo 6-Month Trial
🚘 Colorado Springs Battles Rising Vehicle Thefts 
👏 Golden Perspectives: Aging with Grace and Vitality (Part 5)
Connections that Count: Nurturing Social Engagement 👥
🥣 Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup
🎙️ Tell us what you want - Survey

I asked the librarian if she had any books on paranoia.
👉 She whispered, "They're right behind you!" 🤣

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Upcoming COS Area Events

🧵🍂 Upcoming Holiday Craft Fairs 🤶🧶

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🛏️😢End of an Era as Local Icon Bids Farewell After 25 Years

After 25 years, Bob's Discount Mattresses, a local fixture, is closing its last store due to economic challenges, citing inflation, high-interest rates, and reduced consumer spending. The owner, Bob Weikel, expressed gratitude to the community and is working to assist his employees in finding new jobs. The last remaining open store on North Academy and Vickers, will sell its remaining stock until the closure on November 14th.

🚗🚦Traffic Experiment: Colorado Springs' New Ramp Lights Undergo 6-Month Trial

New ramp lights on I-25's on and off ramps in Colorado Springs have adopted a "staggered start" approach, allowing one vehicle at a time through the lights. This design aims to simplify traffic merging and address complaints about the previous "simultaneous release" system. The Colorado Department of Transportation (C-DOT) is currently testing the new lights for the next 6 to 12 months to assess their impact on freeway operations, with the possibility of returning to the dual ramp system if needed.

🚘 Colorado Springs Battles Rising Vehicle Thefts

Vehicle theft in Colorado Springs has surged by 13.5% this year, with a staggering 2,338 vehicles reported stolen from January to September. However, only four detectives are handling these cases, leading to challenges in investigations. The rise is attributed to thieves targeting various areas, especially southeast Colorado Springs (Pikes Peak North, Knob Hill, Austin Estates, Quail Lake, and Rustic Hills neighborhoods.) Hyundai Elantra and Chevy Silverado are the most stolen cars in 2023.

👏Golden Perspectives: Aging with Grace and Vitality (Part 5)

Welcome to Day 5 in our series! Today is all about the heartwarming realm of meaningful connections.  

Connections that Count: Nurturing Social Engagement 👥

As we age, our social network becomes increasingly vital, shaping our happiness and well-being. Let's explore how nurturing these connections can fill your golden years with laughter, love, and cherished moments.

Nurturing Social Engagement Tips:

  1. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on deepening existing relationships rather than accumulating new ones. Meaningful connections often bring more joy and fulfillment than a vast but shallow social circle.

  2. Active Listening: Engage in active listening during conversations. Show genuine interest in others' lives, experiences, and emotions. Listening fosters empathy and strengthens bonds.

  3. Shared Activities: Plan activities with friends and family that align with shared interests. Whether it's a hobby, a book club, or gardening, shared experiences create lasting memories and strengthen connections.

  4. Express Gratitude: Regularly express your gratitude for the people in your life. Small gestures of appreciation, like a heartfelt note or a phone call, can strengthen your relationships and bring positivity to both parties.

  5. Embrace New Friendships: Stay open to forming new friendships, even in later years. Attend social events, join clubs, or participate in community activities. New friends can bring fresh perspectives and enrich your social circle.

Stay tuned for part 6 tomorrow, where we'll explore the transformative power of a positive attitude towards aging. Join us as we discover how embracing life's changes can lead to growth, resilience, and an abundance of joy in your golden years! 🤗

**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. 

🥣 Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is a one-pot recipe that’s hearty, creamy, and cozy. Comforting meal perfect for family dinner — ready in 1 hour.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil

  • 1 pound chicken breasts or chicken thighs, diced

  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided

  • 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, diced

  • 3 carrots, diced

  • 2 celery stalks, diced

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour

  • 4 cups (32 ounces) chicken broth

  • 1 cup (135 grams) frozen corn

  • 1 cup (134 grams) frozen peas

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream (or half and half)

Optional Garnishes:

  • Freshly-cracked black pepper

  • Chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat Pot: Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

  2. Cook Chicken: Add chicken to pot and sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper on top. Cook until chicken is cooked throughout, about 5-6 minutes, turning chicken over to cook all sides as it cooks. Then, using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.

  3. Sauté Vegetables: Add diced potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion into the same pot. Stir vegetables together and sauté until onions start to look translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

  4. Add Seasonings: Stir in remaining 1 ½ teaspoons salt, remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper, thyme, parsley, garlic powder, and paprika, and cook for an additional 1 minute.

  5. Add Flour: Sprinkle flour directly over sautéed vegetables and stir well to coat, cooking for 1 minute. (This is done instead of making a separate roux.)

  6. Stir in Broth, Add Chicken, Then Simmer: Pour in chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps from forming. Add cooked chicken back in. Bring to a simmer, then let it cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  7. Stir in Frozen Vegetables: Stir in frozen corn and peas and cook for 3-4 minutes.

  8. Stir in Heavy Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes. Carefully taste and add more salt and pepper, based on taste preferences.

  9. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with pepper and parsley, then serve.

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