COS Town Tidings #25-353

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🤣 Today’s Chuckle

📰 Holiday Shipping Window Closing 📦

📰 Cripple Creek Ice Build Setback ❄️

📰 Local Eats: Wins & Warnings 🍽️

Recipe: 🍰 Eggnog icebox cake

🛍 Bargain Box - up to 75% off

📆 Local Events + Concerts, 🤶 Holiday Fairs/Festivals

🌤 COS Weather - Mostly sunny and dry with well above average temps and high fire danger

Recreation: 🥾 Holiday Hunt at Cheyenne Mtn State Park! 🎄

Using a cinnamon stick to stir your eggnog isn't a religious practice

👉It's egg-nog-stick 🤣

📦 Holiday Shipping Window Closing

USPS expects 88 million packages per day this December

That means slower delivery, higher costs, and more stress, unless you act now.

Take 2 minutes and check this list:

• 🚚 USPS Ground Advantage: Too late

• 🚀 USPS Priority Mail: Too late

• ⚡ USPS Priority Mail Express: Ship by Dec 20

FedEx

• 📦 FedEx Ground Economy: Too late

• 📦 FedEx Ground/Home Delivery (4-Day): Too late

• 📦 FedEx Ground/Home Delivery (3-Day): Ship by Dec 19

• 📦 FedEx 2-Day: Ship by Dec 22

• 📦 FedEx Overnight or Same Day: Ship by Dec 23–24

The later you wait, the more you'll pay:

• 💵 $7.20 for slow USPS

• 💵 $32.50+ for fast delivery

And remember, no deliveries on Dec 25 or Jan 1.

If you’ve already bought presents, don’t let the shipping deadlines undo your planning.Full Story

🧝 Downtown Gift: The Parking Elf Returns! 

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

❄️ Cripple Creek Ice Build Setback

Nature has her own schedule, no matter what we plan. The amazing ice castle attraction in Cripple Creek, is supposed to be ready for Christmas, but the weather just isn't cooperating. Warm December days are literally melting their progress, and I can't imagine how frustrating that must feel for the team putting it all together.

One of the builders talked about watching his work disappear during the day, saying it felt more sad than nervous. That really stuck with me. It's not just about delays or schedules, it's about pouring your effort into something and seeing it dissolve before your eyes.

But here's what I find interesting: they're not giving up. They're working with what they have, building during the cooler nights and trusting that colder weather will come. The builder said something that resonated: 'Ice can be rebuilt.' It's a reminder that sometimes progress isn't linear, and we have to adapt to conditions we can't control. 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 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 Eats: Wins & Warnings

Some local restaurants that recently struggled during routine health inspections are turning things around, while others are still waiting for their re-checks. This illustrates how quickly things can improve with effort and oversight.

👉 Recently Failed, Now Passed (with details):

• Shangri-La Restaurant (N Union) – Passed after fixing 7 violations:

  • No soap available at the cook line sink

  • Unsafe glove practices

  • Undated fried chicken and roasted duck

  • Food temperature issues

•  Omelets Etc (S Academy) – Passed, but with 8 violations:

  • Dead insects found near the dishwashing area

  • Advised to increase pest control frequency

• Coal Mine Dragon (South 8th St) – Passed after major concerns:

  • Closed twice this year

  • Latest inspection: just 3 minor violations

🚫 Still Awaiting Re-Inspection:

• Phantom Canyon Brewing Company (2 E Pikes Peak Ave) – 8 violations

  • Reinspection was scheduled Dec. 15, but not yet verified

• K Bop Korean Fusion Café (3733 Bloomington St) – 20 violations

  • Full reinspection required

🥇 Top Scores! And to end on a tasty note, several local spots are shining with strong scores and spotless kitchens.

✅ Other High Scores:

• Dave’s Hot Chicken – Fountain (Perfect score!)

• Lazy Dog – N Academy Blvd (Strong results)

• Rock City Café – Dominion Way (3 violations only)

• Josh & Johns Ice Cream – Tejon St (1 violation only)

• Taste of Philly – Voyager Pkwy (Strong health inspection, spotless reputation + standout customer care!)

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. 

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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

🍰 Eggnog icebox cake

This luscious recipe is made with layers of cinnamon graham crackers, homemade eggnog pudding, and fluffy whipped cream. This soft and creamy cake is easy to make the day before a party, and is full of eggnog flavor for the holidays.

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

📆 Sample Local Events

*Weather permitted

• Dec 19-21, 1-4 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 19-28: Mary Poppins @ Fine Arts Center, 30 West Dale St $18-$70

• Dec 19-21: 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 (2 Seats Left)

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

• Jan 6, 2-3pm: Listening To The Quiet Voice Within: A Talk On Intuition @ Treehouse Cafe $20

  • —> Taught by Laurel: 👁️‍🗨️ The Strength To Endure Comes From This...

🎶 Fall Concerts - Weather permitting

• 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 19-23, 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 19-20, 26-27, 5:30-8pm: 🎄 2.5-Hour Holiday Lights & Bites Progressive Dinner @ Downtown COS $99

• Dec 19-23, 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 (7 Spots Left)

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

• 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 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

• Dec 31, 9pm-midnight: New Year’s Eve Party @ Mining Exchange, 8 S Nevada Ave $99 (21+)

🥾 Holiday Hunt at Cheyenne Mtn State Park! 🎄

I've been thinking about what makes holiday traditions truly special, and I keep coming back to this idea: the best memories aren't always the most elaborate ones. Sometimes it's the simple, creative activities that bring people together in meaningful ways.

Take what Cheyenne Mountain State Park does every December. They hide a single ornament somewhere along their trails, and families spend weeks searching for it together. It's not about expensive gifts or complicated setups. It's about getting outside, exploring nature, and sharing an adventure with loved ones. And this weekend is perfect as the weather will be unseasonably warm and mostly sunny.

What I love about this concept is how accessible it is. The ornament is always just a few feet off the trail, so you don't need special gear or hiking experience. You just need curiosity and maybe some holiday spirit. The park's naturalist, Sam Owens, says they intentionally make it 'a little obvious, but not too obvious' so everyone from kids to grandparents can participate.

The park started this back in 2016 with a spare ornament from a holiday party. That's what I find so inspiring. Great traditions don't need to be complicated or expensive. They just need a spark of creativity and a willingness to try something different.

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