Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #24-011

🤣 Today’s Chuckle
🌬 COS Weather - Windy in AM with PM flurries

📰 Sunday District 11's Halftime at Nuggets Game 🏀

📰 Radon Risk: Southern Colorado Alert ☠️

📰 Colorado's Property Tax Deferral Enrollment 🏡

🤝 Partner with us - affordable advertising options

📆 Local Events - updated daily

Tech Tips: 🛒 Flipp: Save on Groceries 

Recipe: 🍲 Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup

Did you hear about the porcupine who was near-sighted?
👉The poor fellow fell in love with a pincushion🤣

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

🏀 Sunday District 11's Halftime at Nuggets Game

Colorado Springs School District 11 students from four high schools ( Coronado, Doherty, Mitchell, and Palmer high) will showcase inclusivity in sports at Ball Arena during halftime of the Nuggets vs. Pacers game. The initiative, part of the Unified Basketball program, pairs student athletes with peers having intellectual disabilities. Palmer High School's Josh Wooten, inspired by Reggie Jackson, will make the opening shot. The program, expanding beyond basketball, started in July 2023 through a partnership with Special Olympics Colorado.

☠️ Radon Risk: Southern Colorado Alert

Southern Colorado faces heightened radon levels, prompting health officials to issue warnings during National Radon Action Month. El Paso County reports elevated levels, with data indicating that 50% of state homes have unhealthy radon levels. The environmental health director attributes this to the region's granite soil. Radon, a colorless and odorless gas, poses a significant lung cancer risk and infiltrates homes through small openings.

Winter is recommended for testing, and if elevated levels are detected, simple ventilation techniques can address the issue.

🏡 Colorado's Property Tax Deferral Enrollment

Colorado's Property Tax Deferral Program is open for enrollment until April 1, assisting seniors, active military, and homeowners affected by rising property taxes. The expanded program allows deferral of all or part of property taxes. Introduced in 2023, it covers property tax growth for those not qualifying under the senior or military categories.

Acting as a loan, the program requires annual reapplication between January 1 and April 1. New eligibility includes seniors renting a room, active-duty military renting abroad, and changes for military with VA-backed loans.

🤝 Maximize Your Reach, Be Seen 24,196 Times Monthly! Partner with us to connect with our caring community through affordable advertising options that benefits both our valued subscribers and cherished local businesses. 💖

📆Upcoming COS Area Events

• Jan 11th-14th, 2-5 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Jan 11th, 6-10 PM: MUSIC BINGO & KARAOKE NIGHT @Notes Bar 13141 Bass Pro Dr FREE

• Jan 11th, 7-9 PM (every Thurs): Trivia Night @Bell Brothers Brewing 114 N Tejon St #100 FREE

• Jan 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th (every Fri & Sat in Jan), 3:30 PM: 2.5-Hour Cocktails & Canapés Walking Tour @1 N Tejon St. $79 per person Must be 21+

• Jan 12th, 7:30-10 PM: New Moon Circle for the feminine @Yoga Studio Satya $45

• Jan 13th, 10 AM-1 PM: Family Adventure Day @Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W Dale St FREE

• Jan 13th, 10 AM-5 PM: Songbird Orchids 1 Yr Anniversary Open House, 2204 West Colorado Ave FREE

  • 🔦LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Mystery Blooms 🌸: What Julie Wants You to Know!

• Jan 13th, 11 AM-1 PM: Sunrise Winterscape | Mimosa & Candle Makeing Opt @Painting With A Twist, Downtown $39-$49

• Jan 13th, 5-6:30 PM: Yin-Fusion Yoga @Yoga Studio Satya 1581 York Rd $20

• Jan 14th, 10 AM - 2 PM (every Sun): Backyard Market at Park Union @108 W Cimarron St FREE

• Jan 14th, 5-7 PM: Golden Winter | House Pour Included @Painting With a Twist | Powers Blvd $35-$55

🛒 Flipp: Save on Groceries

Concerned about rising grocery prices in Colorado Springs? Try Flipp, the FREE app (that you can use in your browser as well) that compares local prices for you in one convenient place. Simply type in your zip code and what you need for the best deals nearby. You can search by local store circulars or specific items to compare quickly. Save money effortlessly!

*Tip provided by Kim Komando

🍲 Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup

One spoonful of this hearty soup will warm you up from the inside out. Roasting the vegetables with curry powder adds a delicious depth of flavor and chewy chickpeas add substance that will leave you feeling satisfied. Toasted quinoa is used as a crunchy topper while fresh herbs add brightness to the cozy fall flavors. What’s not to love?

Makes 10 cups | Prep Time: 25 min | Cook Time: 25 min

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 15-oz. can no-salt-added chickpeas

• 6 cups 1-inch cauliflower florets

• 2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes

• 1 cup coarsely chopped onion

• 1 tablespoon curry powder

• 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

• ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

• Sea salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• ⅔ cup dry quinoa

• ½ cup sliced scallions

• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• Lime wedges

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two 15×10-inch baking pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Drain chickpeas, reserving liquid (aquafaba); rinse and drain chickpeas. In a large bowl combine cauliflower, potatoes, and onion. In a small bowl stir together 2 tablespoons of the aquafaba, 1½ teaspoons of the curry powder, and 2 tablespoons water. Add to vegetables; toss.

2. Divide vegetables between prepared pans; spread in a single layer. Roast 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are just tender and browning in places. Leave oven on.

3. In a 4-quart Dutch oven combine roasted vegetables, the chickpeas, remaining 1½ teaspoons curry powder, the broth, and crushed red pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until vegetables are very tender. Season with salt and black pepper. (For thicker soup, mash veggies slightly with a potato masher.)

4. Meanwhile, place quinoa in a 15x10-inch baking pan. Roast quinoa 6 to 8 minutes or until golden and has a nutty aroma, stirring occasionally.

5. Top servings of soup with toasted quinoa, scallions, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

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