COS Town Tidings Issue #24-018

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny and warmer

📰 Colorado Springs Revenue Dip 📉 

📰 Delayed Property Tax Bills, Prompt Payments 🕒

📰 Affordable Housing Triumph 🏘️

🤝 Partner with us - affordable advertising options

📆 Local Events - updated daily

Wellness: 🌱 Address Emotional Needs Without Food 🌼

Recipe: 🍝 Creamy Mushroom & Kale Pasta

How do you get a squirrel to like you?
👉 Act like a nut 🥜 🤣

📉 Colorado Springs Revenue Dip  

Colorado Springs experiences a shortfall in sales tax revenue for 2023, falling $6 million short of the expected $253 million. December, typically robust for local businesses, saw varied results. Economic caution attributed to inflation and high-interest rates influenced spending trends. City officials project a 2% increase in sales tax revenue for the upcoming year, providing hope for small business owners.

🕒 Delayed Property Tax Bills, Prompt Payments

El Paso County property owners can expect a delay in property tax statements due to relief measures passed by state lawmakers, pushing the mailing date to mid-February. Despite the delay, the first payments are still due on February 29th. County Treasurer Chuck Broerman provides options, including electronic statement delivery or contacting the office for early information.

🏘️ Affordable Housing Triumph

Colorado Springs is poised to address its affordable housing shortage with the addition of 168 new units in the Bentley Commons Development, located on Hancock Avenue near South Academy Boulevard. This significant expansion, led by non-profits Greccio Housing, Partners in Housing, and the Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust, represents a major stride in meeting the community's housing needs. This $65 million project, which includes remodeled units, aims to keep rents low through strategic funding and grants. The development will offer one, two, and three-bedroom units, with a portion reserved for veterans, targeting households at 60% or less of the area median income.

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📆Upcoming COS Area Events

• Jan 18th-21st 2-5 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Jan 18th, 7-8:30 PM: Satya Kirtan BHAKTI yoga @Yoga Studio Satya 1581 York Rd FREE with reservation (Donation appreciated)

  • SPOTLIGHT: 🧘A Sanctuary of Healing: Yoga Studio Satya's Story

• Jan 18th, 7-9 PM (every Thurs): Trivia Night @Bell Brothers Brewing 114 N Tejon St #100 FREE

• Jan 19th-21st, Fri noon-8 PM, Sat 10 AM-8 PM, Sun 10 AM-6 PM: HOT TUB SWIM & SPA SALE @Norris Penrose Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd FREE

• Jan 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 19th, 8-11 PM: 90'S KARAOKE PAINT AND SING-ALONG @Brush Crazy, 4416 Austin Bluffs $20

• Jan 20th, 11 AM-12:30 PM: Winter Bear Cutout | Bottomless Mimosas Incl! @Painting With A Twist, Downtown $45

• Jan 20th & 27th, 2 PM: Quilling Rainbow Mandala class @Mastiff Studios Makers Market - 2919 W. Colorado Ave $25

• Jan 21st, 10 AM - 2 PM (every Sun): Backyard Market at Park Union @108 W Cimarron St FREE

• Jan 21st, 11:30 AM-4 PM: 1st Indian Harvest Festival @Liberty High School FREE

• Jan 21st, 2-4 PM: Winter Owl Set or Solo | House Pour Included @Painting With a Twist | Powers Blvd $35-$60

🌱 Address Emotional Needs Without Food 🌼

In today’s Emotional Eating Challenge let's dive into addressing emotional needs without turning to food for comfort, nurturing your well-being mindfully.

Understanding Emotional Eating:

Emotional eating often arises from feelings of anxiety, boredom, or loneliness. Today, we focus on cultivating alternative ways to comfort and nurture yourself without relying on food.

Why It Matters:

• Break the Cycle: By finding non-food-related ways to address emotional needs, you break the cycle of turning to snacks for comfort.

• Healthier Coping Mechanisms: Engaging in activities like mindfulness or journaling provides healthier outlets for emotions.

• Empowerment: Creating a feel-good list of activities allows you to take charge of your emotional well-being without relying on food.

Practical Tip:

Create your feel-good list of activities that bring you joy and comfort. Whether it's taking a walk, calling a friend, or practicing mindfulness, these alternatives can help you address emotional needs more healthily.

Tomorrow we will conclude this empowering journey toward understanding and managing emotional eating triggers! 🌿🍽️

🍝 Creamy Mushroom & Kale Pasta

Ingredients

CREAMY MUSHROOM SAUCE:

• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 ½ cups chopped cremini mushrooms (about 8 oz)

• ½ cup cashews, soaked overnight and drained

• ⅔ cup water

• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

• 2 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon truffle oil (optional)

PASTA:

• 8 oz whole wheat or gluten-free pasta (such as shells, penne or rotini)

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 10 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced

• 1 small (or ½ large) yellow onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 6 tightly packed cups kale, tough stems removed and leaves chopped

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

• 2 teaspoons tamari

Directions

SAUCE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large saucepan, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped cremini mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. In a high-speed blender, add soaked cashews, cooked mushrooms, water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt and truffle oil (if using). Blend until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

PASTA INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

2. While pasta is cooking, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in your large saucepan. Add mushrooms and onion and saute until mushrooms are tender and onions are translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic, kale, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, and tamari. Saute an additional 3 minutes, or until kale is wilted and tender.

3. Pour creamy mushroom sauce into kale mushroom mixture and heat over low, or until heated through and sauce is slightly thickened.

4. Add drained, hot pasta to saucepan and gently stir until pasta is coated with creamy mushroom sauce. Serve immediately.

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