COS Town Tidings #24-360

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🤣Today’s Chuckle

🎄 Holiday Message

🌟Local Feature: 💞Not Even Hallmark Could Script This Love Story

📰 Christmas Miracle for Military Families🏥

📰 What’s Cooking in Briargate for 2025?🍩

📰 Where to Dine Out Today🥘

🍴 Holiday Community Meal - Today, Dec 25

📆 Local Events | 🤶 Holiday Events

⛅ COS Weather - Mostly cloudy, slight chance for PM flurries, mild temps

As we gather in celebration today - whether for 🎄 Christmas, 🕎 Hanukkah, tomorrow's start of 🕯 Kwanzaa, or simply to enjoy a peaceful 🎿 seasonal day - I'm reminded of how special our Colorado Springs community is. Each of you, with your unique traditions and ways of marking this season, adds to the warmth and spirit that makes our city shine bright. Thank you for being part of our growing community. May your day be filled with whatever brings you joy and peace. ✨

What’s every elf’s favorite type of music?

👉Wrap, of course 🤣

💞 Not Even Hallmark Could Script This Love Story

🕯️ Meet Your Neighbors: The Family Behind FFO Goods

🎄 On this Christmas Day, we're reminded that the best gifts often come from unexpected moments - and today's story proves just that.

Picture this: A young man from Houston steps off a bus in Florida with nothing but a bag of clothes and dreams of a fresh start. Landing a job as a vet tech, Nick Haskins couldn't know that the receptionist, Brandi, would change his life forever. Within weeks, they were planning their wedding. That was over 18 years ago.

Like any real love story, their journey hasn't been a perfectly scripted movie. Through career changes, cross-country moves, and raising two boys, Nick and Brandi faced each challenge as they began – TOGETHER. They found peace in a mountain cabin, adventure in three years of RV living, and finally, “home” in Colorado Springs.

When Nick lost his software job in 2023, this family of four didn't see an ending – they saw their next chapter. Every evening, they gathered around their dining room table, brainstorming ideas and testing different inspired ventures until they discovered a way to create something meaningful together.

Six months of careful planning, testing, and refining led to FFO Goods – artisanal candles that capture Colorado's essence in every clean-burning, hand-poured blend of natural soy and coconut wax. From woodsy notes to the rich, comforting aroma of Hot Cocoa, each handcrafted scent invites you to moments of pure bliss, with new seasonal collections unveiled throughout the year. The name FFO (Far From Ordinary) perfectly describes both their products and their journey.

This isn't just about candles for the Haskins – it's about creating something authentic that brings people together. That connection extends to the community through their partnership with Colorado Springs 4x4 Non-Profit, where 5% of sales help local Veterans in need.

Explore FFO Goods' handcrafted candles at FFOGoods.com. Colorado Springs residents can choose local pickup at checkout to meet this extraordinary family in person. For questions or to arrange pickup, reach out at [email protected] or (281) 899-9251. Facebook and Instagram

Exclusive: Mention this article at checkout to receive a free Valentine's Day scent tea light - a preview of their limited-edition collection launching mid-January.

🏥 Christmas Miracle for Military Families

Children’s Hospital Colorado and TriWest have reached an agreement to keep TRICARE in-network starting Jan 1, 2025. This is welcome news for military families in Southern Colorado who rely on the hospital for specialty pediatric care.

While the agreement provides immediate relief, the hospital notes that TRICARE reimbursement rates remain below the cost of care, posing ongoing challenges. Continued advocacy will be necessary to ensure sustainable access to healthcare for military families. For now, the agreement is a much-needed “Christmas miracle” for families relying on Children’s Colorado.

🤫 Meet The Pain Whisperer - Amy Cook-Porter

🍩 What’s Cooking in Briargate for 2025?

Altitude Hospitality Group is bringing an exciting culinary center to Briargate with The Homestead, slated for full completion by May 2025. Located in the former Pinery North building, this project will feature a blend of returning favorites like Till, Roost Coffee, and Dad’s Donuts, as well as fresh additions like Campfire Pizza and The Mercantile.

Beyond the food, The Homestead will also offer seasonal activities, with an outdoor skating rink planned for winter and volleyball and pickleball courts for summer. It’s all part of a mission to elevate Colorado Springs’ food scene, creating a space where community and culinary excellence come together. Full Story

🌡️ Why Your Neighbors Are Raving About This Local Company
Don’t wait until you have an emergency to call!

🥘 Where to Dine Out Today

In Case You Need a Restaurant That’s Open Today…

If your holiday plans don’t include cooking, according to KRDO, there are several local and chain restaurants open today.

Local favorites like Black Bear Diner, Little Nepal, and Fortezza are open, alongside unique options like Burrowing Owl and Wackadoo Brewing (serving a free meal at 1pm open to the public.) For a little evening fun, Luchals Fountain will host Christmas karaoke at 7pm. Meanwhile, chain restaurants such as Macaroni Grill, IHOP, and Red Lobster are open, but hours may vary by location, so it’s best to call ahead.

Fresh Baked Sourdough breads, pastries!
(Closed for holiday break Dec 24-Jan 5)

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🍽 FREE Holiday Community Meals

Everyone is Welcome

Today, Dec 25, 11am-1pm: 4 Locations

🎉 New Events Calendar!

We're making it easier to discover and share what's happening in Colorado Springs! Our new interactive calendar is live and growing. Optional weekly SMS event reminders available!

We're rolling out events gradually as it takes a lot of time for us to find and add. Do you have an event to share? Add it directly to the calendar.

📆 Local Events

• Dec 26-Jan 31: Skate in the Park @Acacia Park $13

• Dec 26-Feb 23: Ice Castles @Cripple Creek $21-$29

• Dec 26-29, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 26, 7-9pm: BINGO @Lebowski’s Taproom, 3240 Centennial Blvd FREE to attend

• Dec 26 (7:30pm)-29: The Little Mermaid @Fine Arts Center $58.50-$66

• Dec 27-29, 4-8:30pm: Christmas At Forest Bend @ Black Forest, 9525 Burgess Rd $17.50 (Must have reservation)

• Dec 27-28, 7pm: The Rocket Man Show | Tribute to Elton John @Phil Long Music Hall at Bourbon Brothers, 13071 Bass Pro Dr $39-$79

• Dec 30-31, 7:30pm: New Year’s Eve: Rhapsody in Blue @Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts $57-$115

• Dec 31, 7:30pm-Midnight: NYE-Under The Lights @ OCC, 2324 W. Colorado Ave $44.52

• Dec 31 7pm: New Year's Eve Bash @The Broadmoor $80-$155

• Dec 31 7pm: New Year's Eve Gala @The Broadmoor $330

• Jan 4, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, A Noteworthy Crime (Holiday Show) @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $74.95 (13 Ticket Left)

• Jan 8, 7:30pm: The Temptations & Four Tops @Pikes Peak Center $51-$120

• Jan 10, 4-6pm: Beginners Crochet Class @Who Gives A SCRAP, 810 Arcturus Dr $25 (4 Spots Left)

• Jan 11. 2025, 5-8:30pm: Lotus Foundation's Hope Blooms Benefit for Survivors @First Lutheran Church, 1515 N Cascade Ave $50

• Jan 11 (7pm), 12 (2:30pm): Mozart's Requiem @First United Methodist Church, 420 N Nevada $35

• Jan 17 (6pm), 18-19 (1 & 6pm): Starz Theater Company presents Peter Pan @Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS $22-$30

• Timberline Landscaping’s 2024 “Christmas Lights Guide”: festive roadmap to over 100 decorated homes and businesses across Colorado Springs

• Magic Lights @PPIR, 16650 Midway Ranch Rd, Fountain (Through Jan 4, Daily) $33/vehicle

• Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Dec 25-Jan 1): Where else can you see holiday lights AND feed a giraffe?

• The Broadmoor's Christmas Celebrations: From elegant holiday teas to festive dining and amazing gingerbread display

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