COS Town Tidings Issue #24-047

🤣 Today’s Chuckle
🌨 COS Weather - Snow late up to 2” by Sat morning

📰 Homeless Cry for Diverse Shelters 🏠
📰 USAFA Cadets Create Life-Changing Wheelchair ♿
📰 Final Day: Care and Share Needs PB&J! 📅 

🤝 Affordable Advertising

🛑 Shelter-In-Place Lifted in COS Neighborhood

📆 Local Events

Recipe: 🤎 Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

🛍 Local DEALS

What do biologists wear on Casual Friday?

👉 Genes 🤣

🏠 Homeless Cry for Diverse Shelters

Following recent freezing temperatures, several organizations in Colorado Springs opened their doors to the homeless, revealing a need for more shelter options. The Chinook Center, a community space, acted as a shelter out of necessity. Despite partnerships with existing shelters, homeless advocates argue for diverse options, criticizing the city's response.

The city claims adequate sheltering but acknowledges the need for alternative solutions. Plans to allocate a portion of $5.7 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for homelessness which will include discussions on expanding shelter options.

♿ USAFA Cadets Create Life-Changing Wheelchair

A team of five seniors at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is working on a capstone project to develop a unique gaze-assisted wheelchair. Led by Vice Dean Brian J. Neff, the project challenges cadets to control the wheelchair solely using eye gaze and voice commands.

Over the years, multiple cadet groups have contributed to the project's evolution. This current team, comprising cadets from diverse backgrounds, is dedicated to realizing the vision of a wheelchair controlled by sight and voice. Their motivation stems from personal connections to mobility-related disabilities, driving them to spend countless hours refining the technology. Cadet 1st Class Lucas Jones and Cadet 1st Class Cade Isley share their personal motivations, highlighting the emotional significance of their work.

The project's success not only impacts the cadets but also promises to transform the lives of individuals with mobility challenges. As they prepare for graduation, the cadets look forward to presenting their work to potential users and potentially securing a patent for their innovative contributions.

📅 Final Day: Care and Share Needs PB&J!

Care and Share Food Bank's annual 'Spread the Love' food drive, which concludes today, seeks donations of peanut butter and jelly jars to aid children, seniors, and families. Already surpassing 8,000 pounds of peanut butter collected, the organization aims to hit 10,000 pounds by end of day today. According to Nate Springer, Care and Share's CEO, peanut butter stands as a staple item due to its protein content and extended shelf life, making it a valuable addition to food pantries.

Despite the ongoing demand, donations typically decline in the early months of the year, emphasizing the importance of continued support. With over 23 million pounds of food distributed annually to southern Colorado's food pantries, Care and Share remains a crucial resource amid increasing need. For those unable to visit stores, a $20 donation can procure up to twelve cases of peanut butter. Click for designated drop-off locations or make a financial donation.

🤝 Maximize Your Reach, Be Seen 37,153 Times Monthly! Partner with us through affordable advertising options benefiting both our valued subscribers and cherished local businesses. 💖

🛑 Shelter-In-Place Lifted in COS Neighborhood

Last night, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) lifted a shelter-in-place order for an area near Harvest Ct. in northeast Colorado Springs. The incident unfolded when CSPD responded to a family disturbance call around 6 p.m. near the intersection of Austin Bluffs Pkwy. and Stetson Hills Blvd. 

Upon arrival, officers encountered the caller, and 33-year-old Kyle Houtz opened fire at them. Fortunately, no officers sustained injuries, prompting them to retreat and impose a shelter-in-place directive around 6:30 p.m. Houtz barricaded himself inside the residence, leading to a standoff. However, he peacefully surrendered to authorities around 9 p.m., and police took him into custody. The shelter-in-place order was lifted shortly before 9:15 p.m., with no further incidents reported.

📆 Local Events

• Feb 16th-25th (Weds-Sundays): Ice Castle @Cripple Creek $21-$27

• Feb 16th-18th, (16th noon-7 PM, 17th 10 AM-5 PM, 18th 11 AM-4 PM): The Springs Home Show @Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd 

• Feb 16th-18th, 2-5 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Feb 16th & 17th (every Fri & Sat), 3:30 PM: 2.5-Hour Cocktails & Canapés Walking Tour @1 N Tejon St. $79 per person Must be 21+

• Feb 16th-18th, 7 PM (Fri) 2:30 PM (Sat & Sun): She Loves Me, by First Company Theatre @First United Methodist Church - 420 North Nevada $15-$18

• Feb 16th & 17th, 7:30 PM: Lovette: A Valentine's Day Comedy @The Mat, 1626 S. Tejon St. $28

• Feb 16th, 5-7 PM: Fox Run Nature Center Public Meeting @Black Forest Community Club, 12530 Black Forest Rd

• Feb 16th, 5-8 PM: Galentine's Day Party @Blush Dry Bar Salon, 1505 South Tejon St $49

• Feb 16th, 9:30 PM-midnight: 21+ Valentine Murder Mystery | Wine Included @Painting With a Twist, Downtown $39-$42

• Feb 17th, 9 AM-12 PM: Intro to Indoor Gardening @Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd $5

• Feb 17th, 10 AM-2PM: 19th Annual Bighorn Sheep Day @Garden Of The Gods, 1805 N 30th St FREE

• Feb 17th, 5:30-7 PM: Southern Colorado Handbell Festival @Colorado Springs Christian Schools, 405 Austin Bluffs Pkwy FREE (Donations appreciated)

• Feb 18th, 10 AM - 2 PM (every Sun): Backyard Market at Park Union @108 W Cimarron St FREE

• Feb 18th, 11 AM-1 PM: Rustic Easter Bunny | $10 Bttmlss Mimosas All Wknd @Painting With A Twist, Powers Blvd $35-48

🤎 Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

These gluten-free black bean brownies are so fudgy and delicious. No one will be able to tell that they’re flourless and made with beans!

Access the complete recipe with tailored modifications to suit your dietary requirements, along with convenient print options.

🛍 Discounts, Specials & More

Want to let us know of local deals you want us to add? [email protected] 

💚 CLASS OPENING ALERT Fri 2/16 at The French Kitchen, 4771 N Academy Blvd 

• Save 20% with coupon code: LASTMINUTE on this upcoming Cooking Class:

• Ladies Night Out: 1 spots reopened for tonight, Friday 2/16 at 5:30pm

  • Register here: https://tfkcc.com/classes/ladies-night-out/ 

• Learn how to make:

  • Boozy Tres Leches Cake

  • Cocoa Dusted Beets

  • Crispy Maple Dijon Brussels Sprouts

  • Frozen Peach Rose

  • Papa’s Italian Tomatoes

  • Sangria Salad

  • Sweet & Whiskey Sour Short Ribs

• Take home lots of food, new techniques, and sometimes even new friends - plus delicious recipes to recreate and impress.

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