COS Town Tidings #25-344

Gmail will truncate so 📖 READ ONLINE

🤣 Today’s Chuckle

🌟Local Feature: 🛑 Stop Posing. 💃 Start Living. ✨ Your Real Story Awaits.

📰 Water Main Repairs Slow Traffic 🚧

📰 Holiday Hope for ALICE Families 🎁

📰 Share Joy with Local Foster Kids 🎄

🛍 New: Bargain Box Weekly Sales, Dec 10-13! 

📆 Local Events + Concerts & 🤶 Holiday Fairs/Festivals

🌤 COS Weather - Partly cloudy, breezy and cool

🌟 Let’s Feature YOUR business!

Why were photographers so depressed before digital cameras were invented?

👉They spent too long processing the negatives 🤣

🥰 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. 🤗

🛑 Stop Posing. 💃 Start Living. ✨ Your Real Story Awaits.

📸 Discover the difference with Sarai Neff

Remember that feeling? The joy so perfect, you wish you could capture it forever. We all yearn to preserve those fleeting smiles, the genuine laughter, the tender embraces. Yet, professional photographs often feel out of reach, burdened by high costs, rigid poses, or fear the "real you" won't shine through. What if capturing your family's authentic story could be as magical and accessible as a cherished dream?

Meet Sarai Neff, the visionary behind Sarai Neff Photography. Her lens doesn't just take pictures, it weaves stories, inspired by a decade immersed in the world of Disney magic. There, amidst the world's greatest storytellers, she learned the profound art of seeing magic, understanding character, and crafting narratives that resonate deeply.

This unparalleled experience taught her that true beauty lies not in rigid perfection, but in genuine, unscripted moments – heartfelt laughs, playful glances, quiet connections. It's this Disney-inspired philosophy she brings to every session, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary, timeless treasures, often set against Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes.

Sarai creates an atmosphere of fun and minimal stress. She connects with children, turning sessions into playful adventures, and skillfully captures the genuine connections of couples, the milestones of graduations, and the warmth of extended families. Her inclusive approach also extends to boudoir photography, celebrating every woman's unique beauty with warmth and respect, empowering them to see themselves in a new light.

Beyond her camera, Sarai actively supports our community, volunteering for organizations like A Big Table.

Offering more than just pictures; she builds connections, delivering cherished art that tells your story for generations.

🎁 For Colorado Springs Town Tidings subscribers, Sarai offers an exclusive gift: the complete collection of professionally edited images from your session, at no extra charge. Just mention this article when you book your session.

Discover the magic of authentic memories. Connect with Sarai Neff Photography on Facebook to learn more and begin planning your session.

• Website

• Phone/Text: (719) 246 4994

• Email: [email protected]

🎉 Let's celebrate and support our local businesses!

🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through Sat Dec 13)

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 13 (big blowout sale). 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

🚧 Water Main Repairs Slow Traffic

Colorado Springs Utilities closed all three southbound lanes of Union Blvd between Montebello and Academy to repair a large water main. Drivers were being rerouted through Montebello to Academy. Crews hoped to complete most repairs last night, with a partial reopening expected today, though full access will depend on warmer weather since repaving can’t occur below 40 degrees. Despite the closure, nearby businesses remain fully open and accessible.

🍞 Fresh Baked Sourdough breads, pastries 
📍3312 Austin Bluffs (Inside The Cupcake Doctor): 
M-Sat, 9am-6pm
*Seasonal Items & Sourdough Baking Classes Added

🎁 Holiday Hope for ALICE Families

Pikes Peak United Way is extending much-needed support to ALICE families, households that are employed but still unable to consistently meet basic expenses, through its Holiday Hope initiative. This year, volunteers and community partners “adopted” 11 families from the Boys & Girls Club and five from Atlas Preparatory School, offering gifts and essential items to help ease financial stress during the holidays.

United Way emphasizes that these working families are vital to our region, and this program is designed to bring both joy and stability to those who often fall between the cracks of traditional assistance. Full Story

☕ Rico's Café and Wine Bar

🎟 Colorado Springs Just Got More Rewarding

Colorado Springs Town Tidings VIP PASS, a FREE digital wallet pass you can easily add to your Apple or Google Wallet. (Click image below to find out WHY I created this for you!) 

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.

🙋‍♀️ Yes, I want my VIP Pass

🌡 Pendleton Heating & Cooling
Brandy’s Warning

🎄 Share Joy with Local Foster Kids

Kids Crossing has officially launched its Christmas Toy Drive, hoping to make the season brighter for foster kids right here in the Colorado Springs area. The nonprofit has served families for more than 30 years, and this year the need is especially high as more kinship foster families are now able to register as licensed foster homes.

Staff spent this week wrapping gifts, but they’re hoping the community will help meet the growing wish lists. If you’d like to make a difference, Kids Crossing has shared an online wish list and simple ways to donate. 

🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

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? Click on calendar above and add it

📆 Sample Local Events

*Weather permitted

• Dec 9-14, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 9, 6pm: Holiday Dried Decor @ Meraki Springs, 2703 W Colorado Ave $38

• Dec 10, 6-8:30pm: Cinnamon Rolls - Sourdough Baking Class @ Nature's Start Bread Company, 3312 Austin Bluffs $75 (3 Seats Available)

• Dec 11-28: Mary Poppins @ Fine Arts Center, 30 West Dale St $18-$70

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

• Dec 12-21: The Importance of Being Earnest @ ENT Center $21-$47

• Dec 13-14 & 20: The Ringmaster`s Christmas @The MAT, 1626 S Tejon $26.50

• 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)

🎶 Concerts - Weather permitting

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

• Dec 13, 3-5pm: Soli Christmas Celebration @ First United Methodist Church, 420 N Nevada FREE (donations appreciated, must register)

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

• Jan 10-11: The Human Equation @ Ent Center for the Arts $18-$41

🤶 Holiday Festivals, Fairs & Activities

Volunteers still needed!

• Dec 13 (10am-5pm), 14 (10am-4pm): Candy Cane Craft & Gift Show Fundraiser @ Norris Penrose Event Center FREE admission

• ⛸ 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 10-23, 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 10-11, 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 11, Noon-8pm: OCC Christkindlmarket @ Bancroft Park, 2408 W Colorado Ave FREE to attend

• Dec 11, 5:30-8:30pm: Holiday Sip-n-Shop @ Backyard Farm Shop, 6845 Shoup Rd FREE admission

• Dec 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 13, 8am-3pm: Vista Ridge Craft and Vendor Fair @ 6888 Black Forest RD FREE Admission
  Dec 13, 10am-3pm: Black Forest Holiday Market @ Edith Wolford Elementary, 13710 Black Forest Rd FREE admission

• Dec 13, 10am-3pm: Winter Craft Fair @ New Summit Charter Academy, 7899 Lexington Dr FREE admission

• Dec 13, 12-5pm: The Micro Bzzaar @ Blessings Bee Bzzaar, 1287 Lake Plaza Dr, Suite 30 FREE admission

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

• Dec 13, 20 & 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 16, 1-4pm: Gelli Prints & Truffle Gifts @ Bella Art & Frame, 251 Front St #11, Monument $45/pp or $39/2 or more (Must register by Dec 13)

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

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]