Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #058

🤣 Today’s Chuckle
🌧 COS Weather - Cold with snow on and off all day

🚂 Riding the Rails: Front Range Passenger Project Picks Up Steam

🎓 Bridging the Gap: Local Program Boosts Foster Kids' Graduation Odds

🎄 Trees for Troops: Fort Carson's Yuletide Gift to Military Homes

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📦 USPS Holiday Mailing Deadlines - IMPORTANT Dates this Sat

📆 Local Events - updated daily
🤶 Holiday Craft Fairs

Crime: 🚔 Colorado Springs Sting: Homeless Camp Raid Yields Drug Seizures

Recipe: 🥘 Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake

💥 Who Should We Feature?

Where do snowmen keep their money?
👉 In a snow bank 🤣

Our hope is that we made you smile today…pass it on.

🚂 Riding the Rails: Front Range Passenger Project Picks Up Steam

The Front Range Passenger Rail project, set to connect Pueblo to Fort Collins, secures a vital step towards reality with a $500,000 federal funding boost. This initiates crucial grant applications, positioning the project for larger federal investments under the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Governor Jared Polis expresses optimism, citing the rail line's potential to combat air pollution and alleviate traffic on I-25, offering a competitive and efficient alternative. The proposal may seek community support through a tax measure, with a decision expected by April.

🎓 Bridging the Gap: Local Program Boosts Foster Kids' Graduation Odds

A new program in Colorado Springs is aiding foster kids' education, addressing the alarming trend of lower graduation rates than homeless children. Kids Crossing, leveraging Medicaid funds, provides tutoring for foster teens, focusing on emotional regulation before academic support. Though recently initiated, individual success stories indicate its potential. One child, a beneficiary, overcame academic struggles, aspiring to become an EMT or chef. The program's emphasis on emotional well-being aims to counteract trauma's impact on education.

🎄 Trees for Troops: Fort Carson's Yuletide Gift to Military Homes

Fort Carson's annual Trees for Troops program prepared to distribute 500 Christmas trees to military families yesterday at Iron Horse Park. The event, was open to Department of Defense ID cardholders, operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees enjoyed hot cocoa and s'mores kits. Leftover trees will be available throughout the weekend.

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Upcoming COS Area Events

• Dec 8th - 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

• Dec 8th, (Every Friday) 9-10 AM: Senior Fitness @Westside Community Center $2

• Dec 8th, 6:30-8:30 PM: Happy Feet Screen Art Workshop | 1st Drink Incl! @Painting With A Twist, Downtown $45

• Dec 8th-23rd, 5-7:30 PM: Electric Safari @Chyenne Mountain Zoo $24 non member

• Dec 9th & 10th, 10 AM & 2 PM depending on the day; Wreath Workshop, Phelan Gardens, 4955 Austin Bluffs $35

• Dec 9th, 11 AM-4 PM; Festival of Lights Celebration at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum $10

• Dec 9th, noon-4 PM (Dec 23rd 2-5 PM): Caroling & Music Downtown COS FREE

• Dec 9th, 2-6 PM; Festival of Lights Open House @COS Pioneers Museum FREE

• Dec 9th, 5:50-7 PM; Festival of Lights Parade Downtown COS FREE

• Dec 10th, 1:30 & 5 PM: First Presbyterian Church's Christmas Joy @Pikes Peak Center $26 to $36

• Dec 10th, 10 AM-2 PM; Park Union Farmers Market @108 West Cimarron St 

• Dec 10th, 3-6 PM; 3rd Annual Holiday on the Hill @CSPD Gold Hill Division 955 W. Moreno Avenue FREE

• Dec 10th, 5:30-9:30 PM; 719 Swing 'N Jam of the year @The Public House at the Alexander FREE

🧵🎄 Upcoming Holiday Craft Fairs 🤶🧶

• Dec. 9: PPBC Craft Fair — 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Pikes Peaks Peak Biker's Church, 1318 N. Circle Drive

• Dec. 9: Vista Ridge High School Craft Fair — 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 6888 Black Forest Road

• Dec. 9: Winterfest Craft Fair — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sat), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sun) Norris Penrose Event Center $6

• Dec. 9: Black Forest Holiday Market — 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Edith Wolford Elementary School, 13710 Black Forest Rd (Inclement weather date: Sunday Dec 10th)

• Dec. 9: Christkindl Market — 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Mash Mechanix Brewing Co., 429 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

  Dec. 9: Christkindl - German–style Christmas Market — 3-6:30 p.m., Ascension Lutheran Church, 2505 N. Circle Dr

• Dec. 9-10: Winterfest Craft Fair — 9 AM - 5 PM Dec 9; 10 AM - 4 PM Dec 10, Norris Penrose Event Center 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd  

Have an upcoming event you want us to share?

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📦 USPS Holiday Mailing Deadlines 

• USPS Ground Advantage — Dec. 16

• First-Class Mail (including greeting cards) — Dec. 16

• Priority Mail — Dec. 18

• Priority Mail Express — Dec. 20

Air/Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO), Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) - Deadlines are this Sat!!!! 

• First-Class Mail — Dec. 9

• Priority Mail — Dec. 9

• Priority Mail Express Military Service — Dec. 15*

* PMEMS not available for APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093

🚔 Colorado Springs Sting: Homeless Camp Raid Yields Drug Seizures

The Colorado Springs Homeless Outreach Team conducted a successful operation responding to a trespassing complaint, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Xanax. The operation also cleared warrants and led to charges against individuals, including Shanna Kelly, Korbin Killen, and Adrian Watson.

🥘 Cheesy Butternut Squash Cavatappi Bake

Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 8 mins | Bake: 20 mins | Total: 58 mins

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray

• 3 cup peeled and cubed butternut squash

• 8 ounce dried cavatappi or other elbow macaroni

• 1tablespoon butter

• 8 ounce cremini or button mushrooms, sliced

• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

• 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1 cup fat-free milk

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 6 ounce fontina cheese, shredded (11/2 cups)

• 2 slices reduced-sodium bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

• Thinly sliced green onions (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 2-quartrectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Step 2: In a medium microwave-safe bowl combine squash and 2 Tbsp. water; cover with vented plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 4 minutes; stir. Microwave, covered, about 4 minutes more or until squash is tender. Carefully remove plastic wrap. Mash squash; set aside.

Step 3: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a medium saucepan heat butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and green onions. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over mushroom mixture. Cook and stirfor1 minute. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in squash. Add pasta. Gently fold to combine.

Step 4: Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Add remaining pasta and cheese. Top with bacon, if desired .Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Top with additional green onions, If desired.

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