COS Town Tidings #25-346

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🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 Expect Delays Near Dublin & Marksheffel 🚧

📰 Iconic USAFA Chapel Project Back in Focus ⛪

📰 Restaurant Top Scores, Quick Comebacks 🏆

Recipe: 🍫 Homemade Healthy Candies in 1 Minute!

🛍 Bargain Box

📆 Local Events + Concerts, 🤶 Holiday Fairs/Festivals

🌤 COS Weather - Partly cloudy, windy at night and higher than average temps

Recreation: 🥾 What’s Waiting at Red Rock Canyon?

👇 Volunteers STILL Needed This Weekend

Why can you always find snowmen at Wendy's?

👉It's where all the Frosties are made! 🤣

🚧 Expect Delays Near Dublin & Marksheffel

The Dublin Improvements Project is entering a new phase just east of Marksheffel. Crews have removed the center median and shifted traffic to one side of the road to create temporary left-turn access to nearby businesses while reconstruction continues.

New traffic signals are being installed, and parts of Issaquah and Van Winkle are closed to support full roadway rebuilding, with alternate neighborhood access still available. While drivers should expect congestion and longer waits, especially for left turns, these changes are part of a larger plan to expand Dublin from two to four lanes, add wider sidewalks, improve drainage, and strengthen trail connections along Sand Creek. Full Story

Grab a slice of mouth watering, authentic NY style pizza at Poor Richard’s Restaurant!

⛪ Iconic USAFA Chapel Project Back in Focus

The Air Force Secretary has directed new efforts to speed up the restoration of the iconic Air Force Academy Chapel, signaling a shift toward urgency after years of delays, rising costs, and missed timelines. New measures include assigning dedicated on-site leadership, fast-tracking contract approvals, and working more closely with construction teams to resolve financial and scheduling hurdles. Estimated completion is set for 2028.

With additional flexible funding now available, leaders say they have more room to negotiate an accelerated timeline. While challenges like asbestos removal and structural issues have slowed progress since the project awarded their first construction contract in 2019, officials say the goal now is clear: reduce delays, improve coordination, and bring this historic space back to life sooner for future cadets. Full Story

🍞 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 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. 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

🏆 Restaurant Top Scores, Quick Comebacks

Two Colorado Springs restaurants landed on the lower end of health inspection scores this week due to cleanliness and storage issues, though both moved swiftly to correct problems and passed follow-up inspections.

🚫 These restaurants failed, but made a comeback with re-inspections

• Shipley Do-nuts (Interquest) – 9 violations
  Issues included dirty equipment, floors, and walls; later passed re-inspection with just 1 violation.
   

• Thai Taste Cuisine (N Academy) – 9 violations
  Concerns included improper storage, dusty vents, and unsafe equipment use; passed re-inspection with 0 violations.

🥇 Top Scores! On the brighter side, several local spots earned high marks, showing strong attention to food safety and daily operations. These inspections highlight how quickly conditions can improve when issues are addressed—and why consistent kitchen care matters for everyone who dines out.

✅ Other High Scores:

• Dairy Queen (Tutt Blvd) – Perfect score

• ViewHouse Eatery Bar & Rooftop – 6 violations

• Sabor Salvadoreño – 5 violations

• Urban Egg – 4 violations

• Tamales El Tepeyac – 2 violations

• Fujiyama (S Tejon St) – 1 violation

• Maté Factor Café (Manitou Springs) – Strong inspection results and consistent cleanliness

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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🌡 Pendleton Heating and Cooling

🍫 Homemade Healthy Candies in 1 Minute!

A fast, no-added-sugar candy that tastes decadent, looks festive, and works beautifully for holiday entertaining.

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

🎅 Candy Cane Craft & Gift Show!

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

  • —> Stop by to see Monique: 😲 Why Would She Name Her Candy Shop This?

📆 Sample Local Events

*Weather permitted

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

• Dec 12-14, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 12-14, 18-28: Mary Poppins @ Fine Arts Center, 30 West Dale St $18-$70

• Dec 12-14 & 18-21: 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)

🎶 Fall 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

• ⛸ 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 12-23, 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 12-13 & 18-23, Noon-8pm: OCC Christkindlmarket @ Bancroft Park, 2408 W Colorado Ave FREE to attend

• Dec 12-13, 17-20, 26-27, 5:30-8pm: 🎄 2.5-Hour Holiday Lights & Bites Progressive Dinner @ Downtown COS $99

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

• Dec 14 & 21, Noon-5pm: Christmas Farmers Market @ Ivywild School, 1604 S Cascade Ave FREE admission

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

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

• 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

• Dec 20, 2pm: Macramé Ornament Class @ Meraki Springs, 2703 W Colorado Ave $30

• Dec 20 & 27, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, The Hollywood Hit - Holiday Show @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $79.95

• Dec 31, 8:30pm: Broadmoor's New Year's Eve Bash $80 + $25 parking

🥾 What’s Waiting at Red Rock Canyon?

Red Rock Canyon Open Space offers a stunning outdoor escape in Colorado Springs, featuring roughly 10 miles of trails and connections to nearby routes. Visitors can enjoy activities ranging from hiking and biking to climbing and horseback riding, with amenities like a dog park and picnic areas. The weather should be good, although brisk for a nice hike this weekend.

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