COS Town Tidings #25-339

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🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 41st Annual Festival of Lights Parade! 🎉

📰 Beware of Porch Pirates 🚚

📰 Passing Grades for Local Restaurants🍽️

Recipe: 🍪 Pumpkin Cream-Filled Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

🛍 Bargain Box

📆 Local Events + Concerts, 🤶 Holiday Fairs/Festivals

🌤 COS Weather - Partly cloudy and mild temps

Recreation: 🥾 Easy Stroll at Mary Kyer Park

👇 PSA: Click Below for Message

I tried to rain on your parade...

👉...but I mist 🤣

🎉 41st Annual Festival of Lights Parade!

Holiday parking just got a little easier around town. Both Downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City are bringing back free parking for several key days this season, making it simpler for families to enjoy holiday shopping, local dining, and all the festive events happening over the next few weeks.

One of the city’s biggest holiday traditions is back, the 41st Annual Festival of Lights Parade is happening tomorrow, Dec 6, downtown! 🎄

Over 80 floats, bands, and walking groups will light up Downtown starting at 5:30pm. The parade kicks off at Tejon and Boulder and wraps up at the Pioneers Museum…and yes, Tejon will be fully OPEN despite construction!

Come early! Food trucks roll in from 3–9pm near Platte, Kiowa, and the Museum. Plus, enjoy free family fun at the Pioneers Museum from 10am–2pm. 🎨

🚗 Free parking in select downtown City-owned garages garages from 3-11pm!

While you’re downtown with free parking, grab a slice of mouth watering, authentic NY style pizza at Poor Richard’s Restaurant!

🚚 Beware of Porch Pirates

The holidays are all about giving, gathering... and unfortunately, growing package theft. Don’t let porch pirates steal your holiday joy!

📦 Here’s how you can protect your deliveries this season:

• Track packages closely so you know when they're arriving

• Use delivery scheduling when available

• Have someone home or nearby to bring items in quickly 

• Break down and hide gift boxes in the trash to avoid advertising new valuables

🚨 Pro Tip from CSPD: If something’s stolen, file a report. Your info could help catch a serial thief and protect your neighbors, too.

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

🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through Sat Dec 6)

A new week means new treasures! We're giving you a first look at the incredible finds and amazing sales hitting the floor through Dec 6. Watch now to see what's waiting for you!

Located at 405 S Nevada Ave, Open Tues - Sat 10am-2pm. (719) 475-1029

• —> 🤲 They Have 5,000 Reasons to Work for Free

🍽️ Passing Grades for Local Restaurants

Only one restaurant landed on the “needs improvement” list this week, giving us a much lighter update than usual. Thai Taste Cuisine on N Academy will need a re-inspection after health officials found several issues that must be corrected before it can receive a passing rating. While the full report outlines multiple concerns, the goal of a re-inspection is always the same…to give the restaurant time to fix problems, retrain staff if needed, and come back stronger for its customers.

🚫 These restaurants need to clean up their act. Failed, re-inspection needed

• Thai Taste Cuisine

  • 5069 N Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80918

  • Result: Re-Inspection Required

  • 9 Violations

🥇 Top Scores! The good news? Several local spots passed their inspections with relatively few violations, showing they’re staying on top of food safety during this busy season.

✅ Other High Scores:

• La Tiendita Market – 1534 N Circle Dr

  • Passed with only 3 violation

• Capriotti's Sandwich Shop – 5856 Barnes Rd

  • Passed with only 6 violations

• The Club at Flying Horse – 1880 Weiskopf Point

  • Passed with only 3 violations

• Tomo Sushi – 975 N Academy Blvd

  • Passed with only 6 violations

Health inspection results across El Paso County are available online for those wanting to check their favorite spots.

*Note: Most local restaurants take food safety incredibly seriously. In fact, many owners respond to violations swiftly and thoroughly, often making fixes the same day while they wait for reinspection. 

🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

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You’ll be the FIRST to unlock EXCLUSIVE offers, special savings, and the latest announcements from businesses and events in our area—all delivered straight to your phone. (Click image below to find out WHY I created this for you!) 

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🌡 Pendleton Heating and Cooling

🍪 Pumpkin Cream-Filled Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies

Unique holiday cookie alert! The best flavors of fall and winter and rolled them into an amazing cookie that you’ll be craving all season long.

This gingerbread thumbprint cookie recipe boasts soft and spicy gingerbread cookie wrapped around a creamy, dreamy pumpkin filling, for a unique take on thumbprint cookies that might just become your next tradition.

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

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

Have an event to share? Click on calendar above and add it

Volunteers Needed! 👇

📆 Sample Local Events

*Weather permitted

• Dec 5-28: Mary Poppins @ Fine Arts Center, 30 West Dale St $18-$70

• Dec 5-21: The Importance of Being Earnest @ ENT Center $21-$47

• Dec 5-7, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 5, 5-9pm: First Friday Downtown Colorado Springs FREE

• Dec 5-7: The Christmas Cricket of Colorado City @ OCCHS, 1 S. 24th St $5-$40

• Dec 6-7, 13-14: The Ringmaster`s Christmas @The MAT, 1626 S Tejon $26.50

• Dec 7, Noon: Goat's Milk Soap Making @ Meraki Springs, 2703 W Colorado Ave $65

• Dec 10, 6-8:30pm: Cinnamon Rolls - Sourdough Baking Class @ Nature's Start Bread Company, 3312 Austin Bluffs $75

• Dec 12 & 29, 9am-5pm: Dog Days at the Zoo @ Cheyenne Mtn Zoo

• Dec 17, 6-8pm: Pedestal Flip Calendar Class @ Meraki Springs, 2703 W Colorado Ave $40

• Dec 21, 10am-Noon: Beginner Dot Mandala Painting Workshop @ Treehouse Cafe, 5965 N Academy $50 (6 Seats Available)

🎶 Fall Concerts - Weather permitting

• Dec 6, 3-4:30pm: Heaven and Nature Ring @ Immanuel Lutheran Church, 846 East Pikes Peak Ave FREE

• Dec 6 (7pm) & 7 (2:30pm): Chamber Orchestra of Springs: Dances With The Winds @ Ent Center for the Arts $18-$41

• Dec 9, 6pm: Holly & Ivy concert @ Air Force Academy FREE (must register for ticket)

• Dec 12, 7-8:30pm: Heaven and Nature Ring @ Immanuel Lutheran Church, 846 East Pikes Peak Ave FREE

• Dec 21, 3pm: Pikes Peak Philharmonic: Jazz @ENT Center for the Arts, 5225 N Nevada $14-$20

🤶 Holiday Festivals, Fairs & Activities

• ⛸ Through - Jan 18: Skate In The Park @Acacia Park $15

• 🕯 Through Jan 4, Fri & Sat (5:30-10pm) & Sun - Thurs (5:30-9pm): Magic of Lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) $28-$72/vehicle

• 🎄 Through Dec 27: Christmas at Forest Bend @ Black Forest, 9525 Burgess Rd $15 (Tickets Sell Out Fast) 

• Dec 5-23, 25-Jan 1, 5-8:30pm: Electric Safari @ Cheyenne Mtn Zoo $21-$24

• Christmas Lights Guide - COS, Manitou & Woodland Park

• Jan 3-Feb 21: Ice Castles @ Cripple Creek $16-$29 (tickets on sale now)

    

• Dec 5-6 (10am-5pm), 7 (10am-4pm): Holiday Food & Gift Festival @Norris Penrose Event Center 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd $8 (get $1 <coupn code HFGF25> or bring a can food item)

• Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20, 6-8pm: Christmas Light Festival 2025 @ St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 7400 Tudor Rd $5.00 Entry fee per family/group + canned goods or a new toy!

• Dec 6, 9am-11am: 3rd Annual Cookie Walk Fundraiser @ St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 2111 Carlton Ave $6-$12/box

• Dec 6, 9am-4pm: Cheyenne Mountain Craft Fair @ ​Cheyenne Mountain High School, 1200 Cresta Rd FREE admission

  • Visit Ivy’s Booth: 🎨 To design her future, she had to rediscover her past

• Dec 6-7, 9am-4pm: Doherty HS Craft Fair @ 4515 Barnes Rd FREE to attend

  • Visit Sandie’s Booth: 🌿 Zenfullyme: Your Answer To Aches, Stress & Problem Skin

• Dec 6, 10am-2pm: Festival of Lights Family Fun Day @ Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon FREE (Pls RSVP)

• Dec 6, 11am-3pm: CFAM Holiday Market @ The Margarita at Pine Creek FREE to attend

• Dec 6, 3:30-6pm: Christkindl Fest @ Ascension Lutheran Church, 2505 N Circle FREE admission (Must RSVP)

• Dec 6, 5:30pm: Festival of Lights Parade @ Downtown, Tejon St FREE + 🆓 FREE PARKING 3-11pm TODAY!

• Dec 7, 2:30-4pm: Grinch Mosaic Class @ The Glass Collective, 828 East Fillmore $45 (Going Fast)

• Dec 8-11, 15-18: 2025 Creation: The Spirit of the Games Gingerbread Display @ The Broadmoor

• Dec 10-13, 17-20, 26-27, 5:30-8pm: 🎄 2.5-Hour Holiday Lights & Bites Progressive Dinner @ Downtown COS $99

• Dec 13, 4-8pm: Holiday Evening @Rock Ledge Ranch $8

• Dec 13 & 27, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, The Hollywood Hit - Holiday Show @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $79.95 (12 Ticket Left)

• Dec 14, 3-6pm: Holiday on the Hill @ Goldhill Substation, 955 W Moreno Ave FREE

• Dec 20, 10-11am: Centerpiece Workshop @ Phelan Gardens, 4955 Austin Bluffs $25

🥾 Easy Stroll at Mary Kyer Park

Mary Kyer Park in northern Colorado Springs features a short, paved loop that circles a pond and passes a playground and tennis courts, making it a great option for families or anyone wanting a simple outdoor walk. The trail is smooth and mostly gentle, though one section between 0.2 and 0.3 miles is steeper and may require assistance for wheelchairs or strollers.

With accessible parking, benches, picnic tables, and two easy routes to explore, the park is a convenient and welcoming place for a quick stroll or a relaxed weekend outing.

Location: 1102 Middle Creek Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

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