Inside COS Town Tidings Issue #072

🤣 Today’s Chuckle
🌞 COS Weather - Mild with change coming

📰 DA's Decision: Books Controversy Ends 📚

📰 Lonely No More: Senior Holiday Hugs via Phone ☎️

📰 Election Twist: OPINION POLL - public choice or court decisions?

🤝 Partner with us - affordable advertising options

📆 Local Events - updated daily
🎄 Holiday Light Displays

Wellness: 🎁 Compassion: The Best Gift

🍰 Raspberry Crumb Buckle - Perfect Holiday Dessert by Local COS Chef

💥 Who Should We Feature?

What did the gingerbread man put on his bed?
👉 A cookie sheet 🤣

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

📚 DA's Decision: Books Controversy Ends

UPDATE from our Dec 1st Book Banning story and Poll: The Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office, led by Michael Allen, has decided not to prosecute El Paso County School Districts over allegations of promoting "obscene" books to children. The petition, brought by conservative groups, claimed violations of obscenity laws, but the DA's office cited insufficient evidence and emphasized the importance of community collaboration on addressing concerns. 

☎️ Lonely No More: Senior Holiday Hugs via Phone

With the holidays here, Silver Key, a nonprofit in Colorado Springs, addresses the loneliness some seniors face, either due to distant family or lack of transportation. With calls increasing during the festive season, the Silver Line Call Center, manned by volunteers and staff, plays a crucial role in supporting seniors. A representative from Silver Key, notes the often-misunderstood absence of robust support systems for many seniors. Volunteers contribute to brightening seniors' holiday seasons. Through phone calls and 'Connection Cafes,' Silver Key aims to provide reassurance, check-ins, and meaningful conversations. The nonprofit calls for additional volunteers to expand its services, offering a chance for the community to contribute to the festive spirit.

🗳️ Election Twist: OPINION POLL - public choice or court decisions? 

We’re keeping the poll open today on the Colorado State Supreme Court ruling may prevent Donald Trump from appearing on the state's 2024 ballot, citing his engagement in an insurrection. (Click to read the entire Colorado State Supreme Court decision document.) 

🎤 Who should hold the reins on ballots—public choice or court decisions? Choose your stance: Public Voices, Court Decides, or ride the fence with Undecided. Share your thoughts—respectfully, please! Results drop in Saturday's issue.

🤝 Maximize Your Reach, Be Seen 17,321 Times Monthly! Partner with us to connect with our caring community through affordable advertising options that benefits both our valued subscribers and cherished local businesses. 💖

Upcoming COS Area Events

• Dec 22th - 31st: Elf The Musical @Fine Arts Center $26-$60.50

• Dec 22th-23rd, 5-7:30 PM: Electric Safari @Chyenne Mountain Zoo $24 non member

• Dec 22th-23rd, 2-5 PM: 3-Hour Original Colorado Springs Food Tour @1 Tejon St $69-$87

• Dec 22nd, (Every Friday) 9-10 AM: Senior Fitness @Westside Community Center $2

• Dec 22nd, 6-8 PM: Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus @Slice420 Old Colorado City location, 2501 W Colorado Ave FREE

• Dec 22nd, 6:30-8 PM: Winter Solstice Soundbath and Cacao Ceremony @Soluna Mind and Body, 3945 North Academy Boulevard, Unit I, COS FREE

• Dec 22nd-24th, 7 PM: Broadmoor Holiday Dinner Show $80-$150

• Dec 23rd, 9 AM-3 PM: Christmas Eve Brunch Buffet @ ViewHouse 814 E Woodmen Rd $46.95 adult | $13.95 Kids

• Dec 23rd, 12:30-3 PM: Colorado Winterscape | $10 Bottomless Mimosas @Painting With A Twist, Downtown $45-49

• Dec 23rd, 3-5 PM: Magical Winter Deer | Upgrade with Candle Making @Painting With a Twist | Powers Blvd $35-$55

• Dec 23rd, 6-8 PM: Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus @Slice420 3725 Oro Blanco Dr location FREE

• Dec 31st, 7:30 PM: New Year’s Eve with Colorado Springs Philharmonic @Pikes Peak Center $40-$67

Have an upcoming event you want us to share?

👉 Click here to submit your event for consideration 👈

🎄 Holiday Light Displays

1. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Electric Safari:

   • Get advanced tickets online starting at $20.

2. Magic of Lights at Pikes Peak International Raceway through Dec 31st:

   • Tickets for this mesmerizing event are $22.

3. MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 7400 TUDOR ROAD:

   • Dec 22nd-23rd, 6-8 PM $5

   • In addition to the $5 entry fee per family, please help respond to the needs in our community by bringing one of the following donations:

     • One canned good item per person to support local food banks

     • One new toy for a child in our community

4. City Streets Stroll:

   • Explore the festive atmosphere along Tejon Street with glowing trees and garland-wrapped light posts.

   • Acacia Park hosts downtown's proudest tree and offers ice skating

   • Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs boast charming scenes with carolers.

   • 4910 Nugent Drive, COS 80922. Lights and music turn on 5 p.m. and music stops at 9:45 p.m. until Jan. 2 - please bring donation of non perishable food item for Care and Share Food Bank

🎁 Compassion: The Best Gift

In our series finale, we emphasize the crucial role our Colorado Springs community plays in fostering a compassionate holiday season. 

Cultivating a Compassionate Holiday Season

Breaking down mental health stigmas, promoting open discussions about holiday depression, and cultivating empathy create spaces where individuals feel safe sharing their struggles. By collectively working to reduce stigma and foster inclusivity, we contribute to a season where everyone, regardless of their mental health journey, can find solace and connection.

As we navigate the holiday season, let's extend our warmest wishes to those facing holiday depression and their loved ones. May our hearts be open, our ears ready to listen, and our actions steeped in compassion.

Wishing you all a season filled with understanding, support, and the comforting embrace of shared humanity. 🤗🎄

🍰 Raspberry Crumb Buckle

Author: Colorado Springs’ local chef, Christine Miller. Full recipe with hints, substitutions and variations click here. 

*Make this for your Christmas gathering! Already modified for our COS altitude. This is an easy, delicious cake recipe for coffee cake crumb lovers, to be enjoyed warm with vanilla ice cream or room temperature with coffee the next day!

PREP: 30 mins | COOK TIME: 45 mins | TOTAL: 1 hr15 mins

INGREDIENTS 

Wet Ingredients for Cake Batter

• ¼ cup butter softened unsalted

• 1 each large egg

• ⅔ cup sugar granulated

• ½ cup butter milk measured with the liquid measuring cup

• 1½ pints fresh raspberries

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• Dry Ingredients for Cake Batter

• 1½ cups all purpose flour

• 2 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

Crumb Topping

• 1¼ cup all purpose flour

• ½ cup brown sugar packed

• ⅓ cup granulated sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 6 tablespoon butter unsalted

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

Cake Batter

1. place the softened butter and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer or a mixing bowl

2. mix on medium speed until combined

3. add the egg, and mix on medium speed until fluffy

4. add the vanilla extract and mix on medium speed until combined well

5. scrape down the sides of the bowl

6. in a separate mixing bowl place the drum sieve over the bowl and add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the drum sieve

7. sift the dry ingredients together into the bowl

8. add ⅓ of the combined dry ingredients to the butter, sugar, and egg mixture

9. mix on low to medium speed until combined scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula

10. add ⅓ of the butter milk to the bowl and mix on medium speed until combined

11. repeat the above process with the remaining dry ingredients and butter milk ending the process with butter milk

Preparing the Pan and Baking

1. preheat oven to 350℉

2. use about 2 tablespoons of softened butter to grease the 8 inch by 8 inch baking pan

3. use about ¼ cup flour to shake around the greased pan to coat it

4. spread the prepared batter into the pan evenly using the off set spatula

5. place the raspberries on top off the batter, arranging evenly and pushing them into the batter slightly

6. sprinkle the prepared crumb topping evenly over the surface (see instructions below)

7. place the cake into a preheated 350℉ oven on the center rack for 40-45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean

8. remove from oven and cool on a rank for at least 20 minutes

9. cut into desired serving size, serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream enjoy!

Crumb Topping

1. place the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl

2. place the butter in a small sauté pan and melt

3. let the butter cool slightly so you don't burn yourself

4. mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt until combined

5. add the cooled melted butter, and mix with your hands until crumbs form

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