Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #065

🤣 Today’s Chuckle
🌞 COS Weather - Warming up and sunny

🧥 Wrap in Kindness! 🧣 Local Coat Drives Near Us

🎖️ Major Gains for Military Families

📦 Package Deception, Watch Out

🤝 Partner with us - affordable advertising options

🚔 Gun Threat Neutralized: Student Arrested 

📦 USPS Holiday Mailing Deadlines

👉 Volunteers still needed TODAY & Dec 16th 🤝

📆 Local Events - updated daily
🤶 Holiday Craft Fairs

Wellness: 🤗 Kindness Challenge Accepted

🍫 Classic Fudge-Walnut Brownies

💥 Who Should We Feature?

💞Heartfelt Thanks! Help Us Improve

Thank you for making Colorado Springs Town Tidings your go-to community newsletter! 🙌 Your support means the world to us.

This newsletter is YOURS, so please tell us what events, stories, or local gems you want to see? What do you not want to see? Your input shapes our future.

Let's make it even better together! 👉 Click to share your ideas.👈

Why don’t Christmas trees ever pollute?
👉 They are ever-green🎄🤣

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

🧥Wrap in Kindness! 🧣 Local Coat Drives Near Us

The poverty rate in the U.S. sharply rose in 2022, impacting not only those below the federal poverty level but also the growing number of ALICE individuals—employed but financially strained, making up 29% of Americans. A study by Brandeis University unveiled the struggle of over 75% of full-time low-income families to meet basic needs, particularly affecting minority households. As winter approaches, locals can make a tangible impact by participating in coat drives in Colorado Springs, listed by Stacker in collaboration with One Warm Coat, a nonprofit addressing the urgent need for warm clothing since 1992.

All gently worn coat donations should be clean and ready to be worn, without stains, holes or broken zippers. If you have any you’d like to donate, you can drop them off at the locations below.

• 8z Colorado Springs - 602 S Tejon St, CO 80903

• Springs Rescue Mission - 5 W Las Vegas St, CO 80903

• Iglesia Nueva Vida - 801 N Circle Dr, CO 80909

• Apple Moving - 3106 N Stone Ave, CO 80907

• Adams Bank & Trust -

  • 265 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd, CO 80906

  • 1310 Garden of the Gods Rd, CO 80907

  • 1359 Interquest Pkwy, Ste 150, CO 80921

• Cornerstone Auto Repair - 3747 E St Vrain St, CO 80909 

🎖️ Major Gains for Military Families

The House greenlights a pivotal defense bill, ensuring a substantial 5.2% pay raise and expanded family support for active military. Of particular importance to the 20% military population in Colorado Springs, the bill addresses critical needs, including family-leave benefits and potential reinstatement avenues. With $866 billion allocated, the Act awaits President Biden's approval, promising transformative impacts on military personnel and their families while fortifying Colorado Springs' robust defense community.

📦 Package Deception, Watch Out

Colorado Springs residents, beware of "smishing" scams disguised as USPS package tracking texts. Scammers exploit trust by sending unsolicited texts with deceptive links. Never click unsolicited links; report and verify directly on USPS.com for added security.

🤝 Partner with us to connect with our caring community through affordable advertising options that benefits both our valued subscribers and cherished local businesses. 💖

🚔 Gun Threat Neutralized: Student Arrested

A 19-year-old high school student was arrested near Rampart High School this week after allegedly threatening a peer with a gun during a parking dispute. The school initiated a precautionary "Hold" response, ensuring student safety, and the suspect was later apprehended by the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Upcoming COS Area Events

👆 Volunteers still needed TODAY & Dec 16th

Join the Bob Telmosse' Foundation in their mission to bring holiday magic to those in need. Volunteer for the Christmas Giveaway event on December 16th (still need people for today’s setup starting at 10 am!) and be a part of creating unforgettable memories.

Additionally, consider contributing to the Wish List by dropping off items at designated locations, spreading cheer in the true spirit of the season.

• Dec 15th - 31st: Elf The Musical @Fine Arts Center $26-$60.50

• Dec 15th-23rd, 5-7:30 PM: Electric Safari @Chyenne Mountain Zoo $24 non member

• Dec 15th-17th, 2-5 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 15th, (Every Friday) 9-10 AM: Senior Fitness @Westside Community Center $2

• Dec 15th, 6:30-8:30 PM: A Bright Winter @Painting With a Twist | Powers Blvd $35-$55

• Dec 16th, 10 AM; Centerpiece Workshop, Phelan Gardens, 4955 Austin Bluffs $22.50

• Dec 16th, 11 AM & 1 PM: Holiday Character Stroll @Downtown COS and Acacia Park FREE

• Dec 16th, 11 AM-1 PM: Merry&Bright Rustic Snowman | Canvas, Wood or Sled @Painting With A Twist, Downtown $39-59

• Dec 16th, noon-2 PM; Holiday Goat Patch Miniatures Ornament Make-and-Take workshop @ Goat Patch $30

• Dec 16th, 2 & 7 PM: Colorado Springs Conservatory’s Holiday Extravaganz! @ Ent Center for the Arts $20

• Dec 16th 7:30 PM & 17th 2:30 PM: Christmas Symphony, CS Philharmonic @Pikes Peak Center $42

• Dec 17th, 11 AM-1 PM: Customized Winterscape | $10 Bottomless Mimosa @Painting With A Twist, Downtown $39-49

• Dec 17th, 2-4 PM: Holiday Barn | Upgrade with DIY Candle @Painting With a Twist | Powers Blvd $35-$55

🧵🎄 Upcoming Holiday Craft Fairs 🤶🧶

• Dec 17th, noon-5 PM; One Stop Holiday Shop @Goat Patch Brewing Company  

Have an upcoming event you want us to share?

👉 Click here to submit your event for consideration 👈

📦 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)

• First-Class Mail & Priority Mail deadline has passed

• Priority Mail Express Military Service — TODAY Dec. 15*

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

🤗 Kindness Challenge Accepted

As we conclude our week of kindness, let's make it a daily ritual.

Cultivate Kindness as a Daily Ritual

Start each morning with a personal commitment to be kind. Remind yourself of the impact kindness can have on your life and the lives of those around you. By keeping this intention in the forefront of your mind, you're more likely to weave kindness seamlessly into your daily interactions. Challenge yourself to be the kindest version of yourself and watch how it transforms not only your world but also the world of those you touch.

Remember, kindness is a beacon that attracts positivity. As you embark on this journey, know that the smallest acts can create the biggest impact. Stay kind, stay connected, and make this holiday season and every day a celebration of compassion and goodwill.  🤗💗

🍫 Classic Fudge-Walnut Brownies

These fudge-walnut brownies are so delicious, you won't believe that they're lower in fat than traditional brownies. To ensure a nice fudgy texture, take care not to overbake. Large chocolate chunks create big pockets of melty chocolate in the brownies, but you can always substitute chocolate chips.

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Total: 35 mins

Ingredients

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chunks, divided

• ⅓ cup fat-free milk

• 6 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• ½ cup chopped walnuts, divided

• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Combine 1/2 cup chocolate and milk in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Stir in butter, vanilla and eggs. Add milk mixture, 1/2 cup chocolate and 1/4 cup nuts to flour mixture; stir to combine.

3. Pour the batter into a 9-inch square metal baking pan coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup nuts. Bake at 350°F for 19 minutes (may be slightly longer at our higher altitude, maybe 20 or 25 min?) or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Cool in the pan on a rack. Cut into squares. 

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