COS Town Tidings #25-351

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🤣 Today’s Chuckle

🌟Local Feature: 🧵 Unleash Your Inner Designer With Jessica

📰 Local Toy Store Beats Price Crunch 🧸

📰 Local Students Leave Their Mark 🎨

📰 High Winds & Fire Risk Today ⚠️

🛍 New: Bargain Box Weekly Sales, Dec 17-20! 

📆 Local Events + Concerts & 🤶 Holiday Fairs/Festivals

🌬 COS Weather - Dry (red flag warning), high afternoon winds and again, well above average temps

🌟 Let’s Feature YOUR business!

I write songs about sewing machines

👉I'm a Singer Songwriter 🤣

🥰 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. 🤗

🧵 Unleash Your Inner Designer With Jessica

👗 Discover Premium Fabrics & Personalized Guidance at Vestina Vintage Studios

Imagine the joy of creating something beautiful with your own hands, guided by an expert who feels like an old friend. That's the experience awaiting you at Vestina Vintage Studios in Old Colorado City, brought to life by Jessica Alexander.

As a young girl, Jessica treasured visits to her great-grandmother, a skilled seamstress who lived far away. While the adults chatted, she'd lose herself in pattern books, dreaming of possibilities. Those dreams took root in her high school home economics class, where she made her first poodle skirt (remember those?!) and treasured pieces she still has to this day. Years later, fate led her to work at a high-end fabric store, where handling luxurious silks and fine wools transformed her perspective on craftsmanship. When that beloved shop closed, Jessica knew it was time to create something special of her own.

Today, her expanded studio in Old Colorado City offers something truly special: access to designer-quality materials rescued from fashion houses and mills. These unique pieces, unavailable anywhere else in the region, enable customers to create extraordinary garments while supporting sustainable fashion practices.

The studio has become more than just a shop - it's a gathering place where beginners find encouragement through hands-on workshops, and sewists discover inspiration in the carefully curated collection of independent patterns and premium materials. From custom clothing creation to private lessons, Jessica shares her 35 years of experience with genuine enthusiasm and patient guidance.

More than a store, it's a community where your ideas come to life. Visit Vestina Vintage Studios at 1704 W Colorado Ave. Open Tues through Sat, 11am- 5pm. To learn more about workshops or inquire about custom sewing, call 720-663-9314 or email [email protected]. Join Jessica and discover the joy of creating something truly unique.

See more at the Vestina Vintage Studios website, Facebook (classes listed here) and Instagram

🛍 Bargain Box: This Week's Hot Deals! (Through Sat Dec 20)

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 20 (up to 75% off!). 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

🧸 Local Toy Store Beats Price Crunch

Facing rising toy costs and uncertainty tied to tariffs, Little Richard’s Toy Store took a proactive approach by purchasing months’ worth of inventory well ahead of the holidays. While that meant navigating a packed basement and higher upfront costs, the strategy allowed the shop to remain well-stocked as the season ramps up. Shoppers are noticing higher prices across the board, but popular items are still flying off shelves, and the store’s early planning is helping ensure fewer empty spots and more gift options for families who love shopping local during the holidays. Full Story 

Reminder…the Parking Elf will be out feeding meters from 10am-4pm so come in for last minute gifts and FREE parking!

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

🎨 Local Students Leave Their Mark

Colorado Springs Police invited local high school students to help reimagine the Specialized Enforcement Division building, home to units like K9, Tactical Enforcement, and Motors. After reviewing many creative submissions, Emma Rayman and Jenna Rahal were chosen to bring the vision to life.

Over several weeks, their murals transformed the space with color, energy, and purpose, so much so that department leaders recently gathered to officially unveil the artwork. The project highlights the power of youth creativity, community partnership, and mentorship, with added support from Home Depot on N Academy, which donated paint and supplies. These murals will continue to inspire officers, staff, and visitors for years to come.

🎟 Colorado Springs Just Got More Rewarding

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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.

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🎯 The Secret to Financial Confidence You Deserve

⚠️ High Winds & Fire Risk Today

Colorado Springs will see a powerful downslope wind event today, bringing gusts up to 60 mph, very dry air, and an increased risk of fast-moving wildfires. Winds will begin picking up late morning and intensify through the afternoon and evening, with the strongest impacts expected along I-25, the Palmer Divide, and nearby mountain communities. A Red Flag Warning will be in place during the day, followed by a High Wind Warning into early Thursday.

Travel could still be challenging. Also, taking a few simple precautions, like securing outdoor items, avoiding sparks, and allowing extra travel time, can help everyone stay safe. Full Story

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🌡 Pendleton Heating & Cooling
Brandy’s Warning

🎉 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 17, 5:30-7:30: Polar Express Movie Night @ Lebowski's Taproom, 3240 Centennial Blvd

• Dec 18, 9am-3pm: Veterans Claims Clinic @ 101 North Main Street, Fountain (Community Room), FCFS arrive early

• Dec 18-21, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

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

• Dec 18-21: The Importance of Being Earnest @ ENT Center $21-$47

• Dec 20, 11am: Kemper Dance Academy presents WONKA WONDERLAND @ UCCS ENT Center for the Arts $18-$20 (Limited Seats Left)

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

• Dec 21, 10am-Noon: Beginner Dot Mandala Painting Workshop @ Treehouse Cafe, 5965 N Academy $50 (4 Seats Left)

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

🎶 Fall Concerts - Weather permitting

• Dec 18, 7:30pm: A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler @ Pikes Peak Center $38-$67

• Dec 20, 7:30pm: Christmas Symphony @ Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S Cascade $57-$69

• Dec 20, 7:30pm: Cowboy Christmas featuring Red Mountain Highway & Sandy Wells @ Phil Long Music Hall, 13071 Bass Pro Dr $19-32

• Dec 20 (7:30pm) & 21 (2:30pm): Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Christmas Symphony @ Pikes Peak Center $57-$69

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

• Dec 30 & 31, 7:30pm: New Year’s Eve: Rhapsody In Blue @ Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S Cascade $70-$120

• Dec 31, 8pm: New Year's Eve Bash featuring Disco Revue @ Phil Long Music Hall, 13071 Bass Pro Dr $50+ (21+ yrs old)

• 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 17-23, 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 17-18: 2025 Creation: The Spirit of the Games Gingerbread Display @ The Broadmoor

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

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

• Dec 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 20, 10-11am: Centerpiece Workshop @ Phelan Gardens, 4955 Austin Bluffs $25 (9 Spots Left)

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

• Dec 21, 6pm: Holiday Sing & Dance with 719 Swing 'n Jam @ 2103 N Weber $8-$10

• Dec 24, 5pm: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service @ The Table at Highland Park, 2550 E San Miguel St COS FREE to attend

• Dec 24, 6pm: Christmas Eve Service & Candle Lighting @ Renovation Church, 13071 Bass Pro Dr FREE to attend

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

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