Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #041

🤣 Today’s Chuckle
🌤 COS Weather - seasonal
💥 Who Should We Feature?

📜 Into Law: Polis Approves Relief and TABOR Reforms

🛑 Northgate's Detour Drama: Voyager Parkway Closes for Powers Extension Project

⛽ Colorado Springs' Gas Prices Hit New Lows

📆 Upcoming Local Events - updated daily
🤶 Holiday Craft Fairs

🔍 Watch Out! 4 Holiday Scams You Need to Spot and Stop

🍠 How to Roast Vegetables the Right Way with Balsamic Vinaigrette

🍲 Wellness in Every Bite: Mindful Thanksgiving Dining

What did the turkey say when he met the president?
👉 Pardon me 🤣

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📜 Into Law: Polis Approves Relief and TABOR Reforms

Governor Polis signed bills from the recent special session into law, addressing property tax relief and TABOR refunds. The property tax relief bill, affecting residential properties, limits increases by raising the exemption to $55,000 and reducing the assessment rate. This provides savings, but not below last year's levels. The legislature aims to explore long-term solutions through a bipartisan task force.

Another bill alters TABOR refunds, making distributions more equitable, with single filers receiving $800. The new laws aim to address current challenges but underline the need for comprehensive solutions.

🛑 Northgate's Detour Drama: Voyager Parkway Closes for Powers Extension Project

A year-long closure of Voyager Parkway near Spectrum Loop in the Northgate neighborhood has begun as part of the Powers Boulevard Extension Project. The $21 million project aims to construct an overpass for the future extension of Powers Boulevard, with the closure anticipated to last until fall 2024.

The Sunset Amphitheater, set to open in the summer of 2024, will benefit from the project by reducing traffic impacts. The Copper Ridge Metro District is funding the project through property tax revenue, expediting completion before waiting for funding from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority.

⛽ Colorado Springs' Gas Prices Hit New Lows

Gas prices in Colorado Springs are experiencing a notable decline, dropping by 18.7 cents per gallon in the past week. Over the last month, prices have fallen by 62.2 cents per gallon. Compared to the same period last year, gas prices in the city are 31.7 cents per gallon lower.

Nationally, the average gasoline price has decreased by 6.2 cents per gallon in the past week, currently averaging $3.27/g. This decline, attributed to seasonal factors and reduced gasoline demand, marks the longest consecutive drop in gas prices in over a year, with expectations of reaching the lowest prices since 2021 by Christmas.

Upcoming COS Area Events

• Nov 21st-Dec 19th (Tuesdays), 6-7 PM: Zumba® @Westside Community Center, 1628 W Bijou $25 for 5 weeks or Drop-in for $6 per class

• Nov 22nd, 12-9 PM; WOOD ROUNDS ORNAMENT EVENTS @Brush Crazy, 4416 Austin Bluffs $20

• Nov 22nd, 5:30; Care and Share Benefit Holiday Kickoff Party @Stargazers Theatre donation minimum 2 nonperishable food items per person

• Nov 23rd, 8:15 AM; Turkey Trot 5K — To benefit YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region @Briargate YMCA $45

• Nov 24th-26th; Colorado Springs Philharmonic "The Nutcracker" @Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts

• Nov 25th, 8 AM-3 PM; Holiday at the Hill Holiday Market @Pinery At the Hill 171 N 7th St FREE

• Nov 25th, 5-8 PM; Old Colorado City Christmas Stroll 

• Nov 30th - Dec 31st, Tues & Wed 7 PM, Thurs & Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 2, 5, 7:30 PM, Sun 2 PM: Elf The Musical @Fine Arts Center $26-$60.50

🧵🍂 Upcoming Holiday Craft Fairs 🤶🧶

• Nov. 25: Holiday Art & Gift Market — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cottonwood Center for the Arts, 427 E. Colorado Ave FREE

• Nov. 25-26: Winter-ish Market — 12-6 PM. Lost Friend Brewing Company, 5440 Tomah Dr

• Dec. 2: Holiday Craft Fair — 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cheyenne Mountain High School, 1200 Cresta Rd

• Dec. 2: Colorado Farm and Art Market's Holiday Market — 11 a.m.-3 p.m., The Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Rd

• Dec. 2-3: A Very Merry Downtown Market — 10 AM - 6 PM Dec 2; 10 AM - 4 PM Dec 3, 108 W. Cimarron St

Have an upcoming event you want us to share?

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🔍 Watch Out! 4 Holiday Scams You Need to Spot and Stop 

As the holiday season approaches, be wary of evolving scams seeking to exploit unsuspecting individuals.

1. First on the list is the 'Amazon' contact scam, where criminals impersonate Amazon representatives, claiming account issues and soliciting payment information. To stay safe, input payment details directly on Amazon and verify suspicious calls by researching the reported number.
   

2. Next is the deceptive email tactic offering irresistible discounts from popular retailers. Scammers utilize authentic brand elements to create convincing emails, redirecting users to fraudulent websites during checkout. Protect yourself by meticulously checking URLs (go directly to the retailer website) and avoiding sponsored search results.
   

3. In-person scams involve malicious individuals scanning gift cards at self-checkout lanes, leading unsuspecting shoppers to unknowingly pay for pre-scanned cards. Stay cautious by ensuring the self-check total is ZERO before initiating transactions.
   

4. Lastly, watch out for fraudulent seasonal job offers. Scammers may exploit the holiday hiring surge, posing as reputable companies. Verify job postings directly on official websites, as legitimate employers like UPS or Amazon won't initiate contact directly.

_{*Tip provided by Kim Komando}

🍠 How to Roast Vegetables the Right Way with Balsamic Vinaigrette

These vegetables are crispy from the outside and soft from the inside, and the Balsamic Vinaigrette takes them to a whole new level. Perfect for a holiday side dish, delicous and easy to make!

🍲 Wellness in Every Bite: Mindful Thanksgiving Dining

As we continue our Thanksgiving Wellness series, Day 2 focuses on cultivating mindful habits around your holiday meal. Dive into these next three tips designed to enhance your well-being with every delicious bite.

1. Physical Activity: Incorporate physical activity into your day, whether it's a morning walk, a post-dinner stroll with the family for a fun togetherness activity.
   

2. Healthy Swaps: Preparing the holiday meal or brining a dish? Make smart recipe swaps, such as using olive oil instead of butter or incorporating more vegetables into side dishes. (See recipe video above in the previous section for the perfect roasted veggies.)
   

3. Portion Control: Use smaller plates and utensils to aid in portion control, allowing you to indulge mindfully without overeating. Yes, it’s the holiday so try having conversations during the meal to slow down your eating. You can go back for seconds or thirds, just make them smaller portions and monitor when you start feeling full.

**Information in this newsletter is NOT meant to diagnose or treat any condition nor is it medical advice. Please consult your physician before making any changes to your current lifestyle. 

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