COS Town Tidings #25-190

Gmail will truncate 📖 READ ONLINE

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

🌟Local Feature: 🤫 Halie's Sweetest Secret Is Out...

📰 Water & Growth in the Springs: What’s the Plan?💧

📰 LIVE Today: CMZoo's Giraffe Cam Is ON!👀

📰 $1.5M Shortfall Hits Springs Rescue Mission💔

📅 SAVE THE DATES! Additional Added

📆 Local Events + Free Concerts & Farmers Markets

🥵 COS Weather - Mostly sunny and very hot

Why did the birthday cake see the doctor?

👉It felt crumby 🤣

🥰 Why We Spotlight Local Businesses

Every Wednesday, we shine a light on the local entrepreneurs who make Colorado Springs vibrant and unique. When you support these featured businesses, you're investing in our neighbors' dreams and helping build a stronger community by creating jobs and keeping our city thriving. 🤗

🤫 Halie's Sweetest Secret Is Out...

🍰 What makes LemonTwist truly one-of-a-kind

Halie Scarola's journey began in her Colorado Springs kitchen, where cakes for her children's celebrations sparked a community sensation. Friends couldn't stop raving—not just about the flavors, but the love baked into every layer. Three years ago, she transformed that passion into LemonTwist Cakes & Bakes, a home-based baker where creativity and kindness rise together.

A former healthcare and finance professional, Halie found her true calling in buttercream and sprinkles. The joy in her eyes is unmistakable when she watches someone experience their custom cake for the first time—those moments fuel her creative spirit.

Her signature style? Every design is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. She carefully designs ideas based on your theme or inspiration photos, but never copying…believing your celebration deserves your own special moment.

The aroma of vanilla and lemon often fills her kitchen. While her namesake lemon cake with its perfect balance of tangy and sweet, has become a local favorite, Halie delights in creating a range of flavors to suit any palate—from rich chocolate to fresh strawberry and beyond.

But Halie's warmth extends far beyond custom orders. When she learned about Icing Smiles, a nonprofit supporting families of critically ill children, she felt called to help. The sparkle in a young girl's eyes upon seeing her custom mermaid cake makes the late-night baking sessions worth every second. She also quietly donates cakes to local parents who can't afford them, believing everyone deserves a moment of joy.

What makes LemonTwist truly special? Halie's heartfelt commitment to keeping prices accessible without compromising artistry or flavor. As a longtime Colorado Springs resident, she creates edible art that brings people together one slice at a time.

Ready for something sweet in your life?

Browse Halie's stunning creations, inquire or place your order through her Facebook page at Facebook.com/LemonTwistCakes or email her directly at [email protected] to make your next celebration unforgettable!

🍞 Fresh Baked Sourdough breads, pastries 
📍3312 Austin Bluffs (Inside The Cupcake Doctor): 
M-Sat, 9am-6pm, (Now Open Sun, 10am-2pm)

💧 Water & Growth in the Springs: What’s the Plan?

Colorado Springs doesn’t sit on a major river, so most of our water travels long distances before reaching our homes. Springs Utilities carefully plans decades ahead, using risk modeling to account for dry years, climate change, and infrastructure demands. Right now, the city uses about 70,000 acre-feet of water per year and has the ability to reliably supply 95,000.

While water rights may exceed that number, not all are dependable. New development must wait for a water tap before being guaranteed supply, ensuring a smart-growth strategy that protects current users and prepares for the future.

🤗 MUST ATTEND!

AI complicated or overwhelming?🤔

Not anymore! BACK, by popular demand! My "AImagination Experience" demystifies AI & shows you how to build solutions you can use today. This is your personal invitation!!

RSVP by clicking a date below - can't wait to see you there!!

• July 17, 2025 - 3:15-4:15pm (Thurs) @Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr

• July 22, 2025 10:30-11:30am (Tues) @OCC Library, 2418 W Pikes Peak Ave

• July 31, 2025 11am-noon (Thurs) @Sand Creek Library, 1821 S Academy

• Aug 5, 2025 1:30-2:30 pm (Tues) @Cheyenne Mountain Library, 1785 S 8th St, Ste 100

🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

👀 LIVE Today: CMZoo's Giraffe Cam Is ON!

Be the first to watch! This morning at 8:45am-4:45pm, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is launching a live giraffe cam just in time to catch their first-ever streamed parade into a new temporary yard. The space offers new feeding areas and guest interaction points while the Zoo continues building a 12,000-square-foot giraffe barn that promises even more freedom and engagement for the herd. Guests can follow the giraffes' journey—and get updates on the barn’s progress—by signing up at cmzoo.org/bobsblueprints.

🌡️ Why Your Neighbors Are Raving About This Local Company
How to 🧊 Hack Your Home to Stay Cool

💔 $1.5M Shortfall Hits Springs Rescue Mission

Facing a $1.5 million budget shortfall, Springs Rescue Mission recently laid off 23 mostly part-time employees, yet remains fully open with all programs intact. The shortfall is largely due to waning pandemic-era funding. The shelter continues to serve meals and provide beds for up to 400 people nightly.

Leaders are restructuring operations and focusing on donor engagement to make up a projected $1.2 million loss in giving this year. The Mission remains a critical community resource—and they're hoping locals will rally to help keep it that way. Full Story

Here’s one way you can support the Springs Rescue Mission and have fun doing it…go to this event on Sat!

• 🙌 July 12, 7pm: Comedy Explosion! (Benefit Springs Rescue Mission) @Peak Improv Theater, 3440 N Carefree $15 

Will you do us a favor and spread the word? We need YOUR HELP! Please share Colorado Springs Town Tidings

👉Are you on Nextdoor?! Share our newsletter there too!

Don’t want to be up to date on the latest Colorado Springs news, events, and more with our daily newsletters? Reply to this email with “2-3 Times/Week” and we’ll only send you Wed, Sun or special issue.

PLEASE DON’T MARK US AS SPAM! This negatively impacts those who DO want to receive this newsletter. Remember, YOU signed up, there’s a link at the bottom to unsubscribe or just reply with “please unsubscribe.”

🎉 Events Calendar! (More events including FREE, click here)

Have an event to share? Reply and let me know (include link)

📆 Sample Local Events

Weather permitting

• July 9-13, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• July 9-12: Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo @Norris Penrose Center $25-$50

• July 10 @8pm: 2025 Olympic Museum Festival Movie Night - Blades of Glory (PG-13) @ Weidner Field FREE (pls register)

• July 11-12, 6pm: Newsies Jr. @Sand Creek High School Theatre, 7005 N Carefree Cir $10

• July 12, 9am: Ivywild Garden Art Toure (IGATE) @ Millibo Art Theatre, 1626 S Tejon $12 Donation

• July 12-13 (every Sat & Sun through Aug 1): Renaissance Festival @Perry Park Ave, Larkspur $30-$32

• July 12-13, 10am-5pm: US Olympic & Paralympic Museum FREE Admission

• July 12, 7pm: Comedy Explosion! (Benefit Springs Rescue Mission) @Peak Improv Theater, 3440 N Carefree $15

• July 12, 7-9pm: Tiffany @Phil Long Music Hall $57-$87 (age 14+)

• July 15, 5:30-7:30pm: Monthly Charity Cribbage Night for NAMI @Colonel Mustard, 1412 S 21st St COS $25

• July 19, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, Dirty Money @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $63.71 (11 tickets left at discount price)

• July 19-20, 26-27, 7pm: Ice Cream Theatre THE RINGMASTER`S ATTIC @The MAT, 1626 S. Tejon $16.50

• Aug 24, 7-9pm: Crystal Gayle @Phil Long Music Hall $45-$87 (age 14+)

👩‍🌾 Farmers Markets - Weather permitting

• July 9 & 14, 10am-5pm (Mon & Wed): Summer Farmers Market @ Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 N Gate Blvd 

• July 9, 9am-2pm (Wed’s through Sept 24): Briargate Farmers Market @7610 N Union Blvd

• July 9, 3-7pm (Wed’s): Colorado Farm and Art Market (CFAM) @Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon

• July 10, 5-8pm (Thurs thru Aug 28), Manitou Made Market @Manitou Art Center

  • —>Nature’s Start Bread Company Special at this market only! Friends & Family - Bring a friend for BOGO Free on all our breads and pastries (Limit one free per customer)

• July 10, 6-8pm (Thurs thru Aug 28): Summer Market at the Lodge @Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, 2 El Paso Blvd, COS 80904 (Manitou)

• July 11, Noon-4pm (Every other Fri thru Oct 3): UCCS Farmers Market @3942 Regent Circle

• July 12, 8am-2pm (Sat’s thru-Oct 4): Monument Hill Farmers Market @66 Jefferson St, Monument

• July 12, 9am-1pm (Sat’s thru Oct 11): Backyard Market @Black Forest, 6845 Shoup Rd

• July 12, 10am-2pm: CFAM (Sat's thru Oct 3): The Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Rd

• July 13, 10am-2pm (Sun’s thru Aug 31): Cordera Farmers Market @11894 Grandlawn Cir, COS

• July 20, 9am-2pm (Every other Sun, thru Oct 26): COS Sunday Market @Acacia Park, Downtown

• July 20 (2x/mth, Jun-Oct), 11am-3pm: Southeast Farmer's Market (Food Coalition) @Stompin' Groundz, 2050 Jet Wing Dr

🎶 Summer Concert Series - Weather permitting

• July 11, 5-7pm: Soapdish @First & Main Town Center Park, 3305 Cinema Pt FREE

• July 11, 7-8:30pm: University Village Colorado Summer Concert Series - Chain Station @5246 N Nevada (North Plaza next to Hacienda) FREE

• July 11, 7-8:30pm: Jazz in the Garden @Grace and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 601-631 N Tejon FREE

• July 12, 4-7pm: Music on The Mesa - Soapdish @Goldhill Mesa, 142 S Raven Mine Dr FREE

• July 15, 5:30-7:30pm (Tues’s thru Sept): Music in the Park: @Bancroft Park, 2400 W Colorado Ave FREE

• July 17 (Every Thurs), 6-8pm: The Sofa Killers @Banning Lewis Ranch, Vista Park FREE (public + community market)

  • —>🌟Spotlight: Stop by SherBeth’s stand and say hi to Beth

OWN a local business and would like to be featured? 👇Click below:

✅Own a local Business? Apply

👋 Colorado Springs Town Tidings is for you, our readers. We encourage you to share your news, local hero stories, events, and more with us! Email us at [email protected]