Almanac Week of 02.05.2019

Tuesday, Feb. 5

The Green Mountain Falls Board of Trustees will meet on Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. in the GMF Town Hall.

Wednesday, Feb. 6

 Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Re-opened. With the recent enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument have resumed regular operations  Please visitwww.nps.gov/flfo for updated information about the park and programs including special winter programs. Due to the partial government shutdown, the Fossil Beds was closed during most of January. The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument employees are happy to be back at work, serving the American people and welcoming visitors to their national parks. They are part of more than 20,000 National Park Service employees who care for America’s 418 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. The Fossil Beds park is generally open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are a variety of trails to explore and sites to visit. In addition, check out information on upcoming programs, which you can attend free of charge, with the regular cost of admission. Most of these occur on the weekend. For more information, call 719-748-3253.

The Ute Pass-Woodland Park Kiwanis Club will meet on Wednesdays at 6:45 a.m. in the Crystola Roadhouse in Crystola. .

TSC (Teller Senior Coalition) Transit is excited to announce our bus service on Wednesdays and Fridays in Woodland Park and the lower Ute Pass area. TSC also offers a joint venture with Cripple Creek Transit on Wednesdays to provide much needed transportation service between Cripple Creek and Woodland Park. TSC Transit will be picking up from the Senior Center and will be making stops at Pikes Peak Family Medicine, Pikes Peak Regional Hospital, City Market, Safeway, Walgreens, Walmart and the Department of Social Services upon request. In addition, new ride services are available on a limited basis to Green Mountain Falls, Cascade and Manitou Springs. Call 719-687-0256 for more details or visit the TSC website at www.tellerseniorcoalition.orgfor a full schedule of pick up and drop off times.

The Cripple Creek City Council will meet on Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cripple Creek Council Chambers in city hall.

Thursday, Feb. 7

The Teller County Commissioners will meet on Feb. 7 at 9:30 a.m. in the Centennial Building in Cripple Creek

Tops, Take Off Pounds Sensibly. The original nonprofit weight-loss group is an educational support group providing weekly weigh-ins and programs to help members to make positive changes in the role food plays in their lives. The local chapter meets every Thursday at 9 a.m. in Green Mountain Falls at the Church in the Wildwood. Call Evelyn at 719-748-8383 for more information.

 

Teller County VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is one of many locations throughout Colorado sponsored by the IRS and operated by local volunteers to provide FREE. CONFIDENTIAL and SECURE tax returns. This service is FREE to any taxpayer whose income is under $55,000. Appointments are scheduled at the Woodland Park Public Library from 12:30 to 5 p.m. every Thursday from now through March 11. Times are also scheduled for two Saturdays at the Aspen Mine Center in Cripple Creek. Call Vicki Rector at 719-229-9868 for more information. 

Meeting Cancellation. The Woodland Park City Council meeting, regularly scheduled for Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. has been cancelled. The next council meeting will occur on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers next to city hall.

 

Friday, Feb. 8

Meeting Changes. The Pikes Peak Rotary Club recently changed their meeting day from the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month to the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.  We still meet at the Rampart Library in Woodland Park in the lower level meeting room at 6:45 AM for breakfast, with the meeting starting at 7 a.m. For any questions, call 719-687-4151.

Indoor golf. Even though the course is now closed for play at the Shining Mountain Golf Course and Events Center, the SM bar is open for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the golf simulator, allowing linksters to play at a variety of courses throughout the country, is now up and running. For more information, call 719-687-7587.

 

Saturday, Feb 9

Cripple Creek Ice Festival. The Cripple Creek Ice Festival is a spectacular event. Come watch ice sculptors carve ice into beautiful works of art that will amaze you. 2019 marks the 12th year for this premiere event. It will be held between Feb. 8 and Feb. 17, with most of the activity occurring on two weekends. Past themes have included a Mythological Wonderland, Story Time, Under the Sea, a Military Salute Carved in Ice, a Rocky Mountain Wonderland, the Old West and a Safari themeThis year’s theme is Super Heroes in Ice! The Ice Festival features numerous fun events to enjoy throughout the two event weekends. Interactive sculptures are available for event attendees to climb on and to have a Kodak moment. Several sculptures are made just for kids, with a fun ice slide and an ice maze that are all made of ice. There will be additional FREE parking at theHeritage Center northeast of town on Highway 67, and the shuttle service to the event will be FREE on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Also – Don’t miss the Ice & Art Fest at the Heritage Center from 10 am till 4 pm daily throughout Ice Fest. Meet the Artists Saturday, February 9th from 4 pm till 7 pm. Hors-d’oeuvres and wine will be served.

Mueller Hikes. Join in a tradition of Colorado State Parks by partaking in hikes during the first part of the year at Mueller State Park in Divide, off Hwy. 67.  Enjoy the peaceful silence in the snowy woods, watch for signs of wildlife and learn their different tracks, and see the hardiest of birds searching for food in the trees.  It’s great to explore Mueller in winter with a naturalist, or on your own, during this beautiful time Don’t forget to dress for the weather!  Hiking at Mueller in winter can bring a wide range of temperatures and snow depths at 9600 feet.  Sometimes there is not enough snow to sled on and sometimes there is a foot or two of fresh powder!  Check our website cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Mueller or call ahead for snow conditions (719) 687-2366.  The majority of these guided hikes occur during the weekend. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding are popular activities as well.  The campground is still open or stay in one of the luxurious cabins.

 

 

 

Sunday, Feb. 10

Movie House Music Supervalue Package.  Held the 2nd Sunday every month through May at Gold Hill Theatres in Woodland Park.. Concert will be held 2:30-4:00 pm, movie ticket good anytime and one beer, wine or soft drink all for only $16. Or concert and drink only, $10.  The February 10 event features local-favorite band A Stick, A Pick and A Chick and Friends. Season ticket discount are available. For more information, call 719-687-2210 or visitwww.woodlandmusicseries.org. Co-sponsored by Woodland Music Series and Gold Hill Theatres.

Upcoming

 

Ute Pass-Woodland Park Kiwanis Bingo. Join the fun at the Crystola Roadhouse during the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Twenty dollars buys a packet for 10 games, 6 cards for each game It’s a great opportunity to have fun and socialize with your friends and neighbors. Come early and have dinner! Food and drinks will be available for purchase during the games!  This event is sponsored by the Ute Pass-Woodland Park Kiwanis club.  The proceeds benefit the children of Teller County.

Prospect’s Grief Support Group will feature a variety of gatherings for eight weeks on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. from now to March 4. The topics will include: the Six Needs of Mourning, Common Grief Symptoms, Coping Skills for Strong Emotions, Adjusting to Changing roles and Identity and Creating Ongoing Support Systems. The meetings will occur at the Prospect office at 16222, W. Hwy. 24, Suite 120 For information, call 719-687-0549.

 

Sweetheart Ball. This annual gala, which benefits Help the Needy, will be held at the Shining Mountain Golf Course on Feb. 16. This is a semi-formal event with a gourmet dinner, prepared by the Swiss Chalet, live music and an auction. Also, Ryan Spilborghs, the voice of the Colorado Rockies, who played with the team for a number of years, will be the guest speaker. A private cocktail party, in which guests can talk with Ryan one-on-one, will occur prior to the Ball. For more information, and to RSVP, call 719-687-7273.

Valentine Breakfast at the Grange. Join us at the Florissant Grange (2009 CR 31) for Valentine Breakfast on Feb. 16 from 8-11 am. We will have our fantastic food, fruit and pastries. Being your sweetheart, mom, dad or neighbor and have a great breakfast and enjoy the High AltiTooters beautiful flute music from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Help us refinish our floors with a suggested donation of $7.Hope to see you there. Call 719-510-2325 for more information.

The Great Backyard Bird Count. Friends of Florissant Fossil Beds along with many partners will host a citizen science event on Saturday, February 16.  The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature and make a difference for birds. There will be three opportunities to join a scientist and help count birds.  The times are 9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.,10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m., or 11:15 a.m. to noon.   You may participate in one or both if you would like. Meet at the visitor center.  From 1 to 3 p.m., families can participate in a scavenger hunt and/or make a bird feeder. Call 719-748-3253 for more information.

History of Lake George. Lake George is now a sleepy hamlet known for world class fly fishing, camping and all around outdoor adventure. But it wasn’t always this way. Once it was a supplier of goods – ice and produce – for both Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek. Steve Plutt, local historian, will be speaking at the February Pikes Peak Historical Society Chautauqua and will cover these topics and more. Find out what influence the railroad had on Lake George, How the town got its name, and many more exciting tidbits of information!Steve Plutt has long lived in the shadow of Pikes Peak, having grown up in the Woodland Park area. Steve now resides near Lake George.

The Pikes Peak Historical Society invites you to learn more about the history of Lake George at the PPHS monthly Chautauqua on Sunday, February 17 at 2pm at the Lake George Charter School. The Lake George Charter School is located only 4 minutes from Florissant, on the south side of Highway 24 just 2/10 mile west of the Ferrell Propane lot. This program is presented as a public service of the Pikes Peak Historical Society. Admission is free and refreshments are served. No reservation is required but arrive early, seating is limited.For more information call 719-748-8259 or 719-748-3861

February Business After Hours. Scheduled for Feb. 19 at the Shining Mountain Golf Course, starting at 5:30 p.m. This month’s Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce gathering is being sponsored by Park State Bank & Trust. A brief presentation will be made by local Girl Scout Bianca Bryant, the founder of the Golden Meadows Dog Park. In addition, Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by the Swiss Chalet restaurant. Chamber Business After Hours is Teller County’s largest networking event.  All Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce members are encouraged to attend.  Take advantage of this opportunity to network and catch up with your friends, clients and customers plus meet new members in an informal setting.  Business After Hours is a great way to share information about your business and learn about other members. Fun, food, drinks and door prizes.
Don’t forget your business cards!

Monte Carlo Masquerade Winter Gala. The Colorado Springs Chorale announces its 3rd annual “Monte Carlo Masquerade Winter Gala” fundraiser to be held on Friday, February 22 from 6 p.m to 10 p.m. at the Heritage Ballroom of the Antlers Hotel, 4 S. Cascade Ave., in downtown Colorado Springs. The evening will feature dinner, dancing to the Bill Emery Band, casino-style games, a silent auction, and door prizes. A cash bar will be available. The event supports the music and education programs of the Chorale, the award-winning symphonic choir for the Pikes Peak Region. The event also helps the Chorale prepare for an assignment of great honor recently announced: it was asked to be the exclusive choir of the 2020 D-Day commemorative ceremonies in Normandy, France, and the conductor and the members of the Chorale are excited. Tickets to the Monte Carlo Masquerade are $80 and should be purchased by February 15th, either online atwww.cschorale.org or by calling (719) 634-3737. The award-winning Colorado Springs Chorale, now in its 62nd season, is a 120-voice auditioned symphonic choir, made up of members of the community who volunteer their time and talent. The Chorale performs independently and with the area’s top music ensembles, and it also serves the Pikes Peak Region by performing at community events such as the Fallen Firefighters Memorial, the Pikes Peak Summit House groundbreaking, and an annual concert in Cripple Creek to benefit the social services of Aspen Mine Center.  All interested parties should contact the Chorale offices for information about auditions and sponsorship opportunities.

Chamber Music. On Sunday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m., First Christian Church at 16 East Platte Avenue in Colorado Springs is presenting their annual chamber music program, featuring small ensembles of woodwinds, strings, brass, piano or organ, performing works from the Classical period to the present day.  A free-will offering will be taken. For more information, call 633-8888.