COS Town Tidings #24-364

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Grab a beverage and catch up on what you missed this week ☕

🤣 Daily Chuckle

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

📰 News from this week in Colorado Springs!

🤗 Wellness Tips you missed

🍳 Sizzle Up Your Week with Our Recipe Archives!

📆 Local Events | 🎉 Holiday Events

🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny and breezy with mild temps

🙋‍♀️ Who Should We Feature?

My resolution was to read more...

👉so I put the subtitles on my TV 🤣

💞 Not Even Hallmark Could Script This Love Story

🕯️ Meet Your Neighbors: The Family Behind FFO Goods

🎄 During the holidays, 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.

📰 News from this week in Colorado Springs!

Here are some of the stories we shared this week. Check out any issues you missed.

• 🌟Real Estate Roundup: 🏡 Latest Home Sales and Market Insights for Colorado Springs (Issue #24-363)

• 🎅TRIVIA: The 1955 Moment That Brought Magic to Christmas! (Issue #24-359)

• 🦒 Changes Ahead at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Issue #24-361)

  • —> 🏡 Home and Living: 🌡 Furnace Troubleshooting - Brandy’s Quick Tip

• 🩺 Is Your Doctor Still Covered in 2025? (Issue #24-358)

• 🚒 Firefighters Respond to Broadmoor Hotel Fire (Issue #24-362)

• 🍩 What’s Cooking in Briargate for 2025? (Issue #24-360)

• 🧘‍♀️ Quick Tips to Survive Holiday Stress

• 🥾 Hidden History in Austin Bluffs Open Space

⭐Support Our Local Businesses!

🤫 Meet The Pain Whisperer - Amy Cook-Porter

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

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

🍳 Sizzle Up Your Week with Our Recipe Archives!

Hungry for past delights? Dive into our Recipe Archives! 🥘 Find recipes from this week.

• 🍲 Spicy Butternut Squash & Kale Stew With Peanuts

• 🍪 Homemade Samoas Cookies

👉 Click here and discover a world of flavors

🎉 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 to ensure everything runs smoothly. Have an event to share? Add it directly to the calendar. Click image above to access.

📆 Local Events

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

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

• Dec 29 (2pm): The Little Mermaid @Fine Arts Center $58.50-$66

• Dec 29-31, 6-7:30pm: 35th Annual Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration @In-Balance Wellness Studio, 2820 E Pikes Peak

• Dec 30, 7-9pm: Harry Potter Themed Trivia @Lebowski’s Taproom, 3240 Centennial Blvd FREE to attend

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

• Dec 31, 5:30-8:30pm: Vision Board Workshop - New Year's Eve @Yoga Studio Satya 1581 York Rd FREE

• Dec 31, 6pm: Countdown Cruise: A Local Motive New Year's Celebration @Oskar Blues on Tejon $27.25 Must be 21+

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

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

• Dec 31, 7-10pm: Murder at the Disco! N.Y. Eve Mystery Dinner(Buffet, Drink, Show & Dessert) @Trinity Brewing, 1466 Garden of the Gods Rd $97.83, 21+

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

• Dec 31, 8pm: New Year's Eve Bash Featuring Sofakillers & Soapdish @Phil Long Music Hall at Bourbon Brothers, 13071 Bass Pro Dr $175 21+ (18 Tickets Left)

• Dec 31, 8pm-12:30am: Safe and Sober New Year's Eve Celebration @The Hope Advanced Center, 3135 W Colorado Ave $50-$300

• Jan 4, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, A Noteworthy Crime (Holiday Show) @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $74.95 (11 Ticket Left)

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

• 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

• Jan 24, 4-6pm: Beginners Knitting @Who Gives A SCRAP, 810 Arcturus Dr $25 (6 Spots Left)

• 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 (Through 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 (Call first as they may restrict access to reservations or hotel guests only)

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