Almanac Week of 04.09.2019

Tuesday, April 9

The Green Mountain Falls Planning Commission will meet on April 9 at the GMF Town Hall, starting at 6:30 p.m.

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 visit www.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 Monumentemployees 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 5 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.  

Wednesday, April 10

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 time  

Explore Creating a More Vibrant Downtown and Business District. Sponsored by Woodland Park Main Street, this meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 in the Woodland Park City Council Chambers from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It is designed for business owners, residents and a variety of stakeholders. A presentation will be made by Gabe Preston, a RPI consultant. Some of the topics of discussion will deal with the retail market, consumer demographics, the market geography, an opportunity assessment, the role of the downtown and existing conditions and strategies and recommendations and much more. For more information, call Sally Riley, planning director for the city of Woodland Park at 719-687-5283 orinfo@wpmainstreet.org.

Thursday, April 11

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.

The Teller County Commissioners will meet on April 11 at 9:15 a.m. in the Centennial Building in Cripple Creek.   

 

The Woodland Park Planning Commission will meet on April 11 at 7 p.m. in the WP Council Chambers, next to city hall.

 

Business Spring Expo. This event, sponsored by the Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce and that showcases many local and area businesses, is scheduled for April 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center (210 E. Midland Avenue, Woodland Park). For more information, call Scott Leas at the WP Chamber office at 719-687-9885.

Gun group meeting. The monthly meeting of the new Cripple Creek Marksmanship and Self Defense group will occur on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Wildwood Casino in the 2nd floor conference room. Teller Sheriff officials will provide an overview of the proposed Colorado Red Flag law and the 2A sanctuary movement (see related story in this week’s TMJ). In addition Dean Winn will give a review of a gun law seminar.   

 

Friday, April 12

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.

David:  The King of Jerusalem. The Charis Bible College in Woodland Park will host performances of  “David:  The King of Jerusalem” in their spacious 3,150-seat auditorium (at 800 Gospel Truth Way) on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. The two and a half hour show includes a cast of more than 70 performers and showcases some amazing special effects. For more information, call 719-635-1111 or visit thekingofjerusalem.com

Saturday, April 13

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, May 14 

Movie House Music Supervalue Package Held the 2nd Sunday every month through May at Gold Hill Theatres, 615 W. Midland Avenue, Woodland Park. The concert occurs from 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 April 14 concert offers “The Little Music Showcase,” featuring Clarion Winds, Mountain Brass, and High Altitooters ensembles from Woodland Wind Symphony. For more information, call 719-687-2210 or visitwww.woodlandmusicseries.org. The event is co-sponsored by Woodland Music Series and Gold Hill Theatres.

 

.A Cripple Creek Rock Collection. The Pikes Peak Historical Society invites you to join Steven Veatch for his presentation of “A Cripple Creek Rock Collection: the Foundation of Fortunes” on Sunday, April 14 at 2 pm at the Lake George Charter School. Veatch, a geoscientist, was born in Denver and has family ties to the Cripple Creek district going back to the 1890’s. His program is presented as a public service by the PPHS. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. No reservation is required. Lake George Charter School is located four miles west of Florissant on Hwy 24. For more information, call 748-8259 or 748-3861.

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.

Chamber Business After Hours. The next monthly gathering is scheduled for April 16 at the Woodland Professional Building, 400 W. Hwy. 24, Suite 200 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 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! For more information, call 719-687-9885.

Fossil Beds Activities  Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is open year-round. The Monument is now open daily 9:00 AM – 5 PM. There also are a number of special programs and educational opportunities. Here are some remaining highlights for this  month. *Saturday, April 20, Poetry Discovery Program, 1:PM – 3 PM (FREE). Join volunteer interpretive ranger Steve Veatch for an interactive poetry workshop. Participants will learn about different forms of poetry, participate in a hike and outdoor observations, and then create their own poems based up on nature and history’s inspiration. Meet at the visitor center. Be prepared to go on small hikes outside. Dress in layers and wear appropriate shoes for hiking on trails. *Saturday, April 20, Fee Free Day.  Celebrate the first day of National Park Week by visiting Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument for free.  All National Park Service units will be free on this day. There are no additional fees for any park programs beyond the daily entrance fee of $10 per adult (15 and younger are free). Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers 15 miles of beautiful, yet lesser known, hiking trails to explore, a free Junior Ranger Program, three short self-guided trails, a park video and museum exhibits, and bookstore.  For additional information, please call (719) 748-3253 or visit our website:www.nps.gov/flfo or on Facebook or Twitter at /FlorissantNPS

Crabby Tax Night. This event sponsored by the Ute Pass Woodland Park Kiwanis Club is scheduled for April 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Crystola Road House. Join us for this annual fundraiser and enjoy some yummy crabs. Call Shannon Andersen at 315-5004 for more information.
 

Teller County Assessor Listens (TCAL).  On a monthly basis, the Teller County Assessor, Colt Simmons, breaks bread with Teller County folks to listen to county issues and concerns.  For April and May 2019, the TCL program will focus on the upcoming Teller County Property Reevaluation Programs as prescribed by Colorado Statue.  In addition, we’re teaming up with the Rampart Library System, led by Rampart Library Director Michelle Petrazzoula, to highlight all of the wonderful library programs at the Woodland Park and Florissant libraries.  Interested citizens can attend our TCL Meetings at the Woodland Park Library’s large meeting room on Tuesday April 23, 11:30 am to1:30 pm, Thursday April 25th, 11:30 – 1:30 pm, and Wednesday May 1st 5 – 7 pm.  The WP Library is located at 218 E. Midland Ave., in downtown Woodland Park.  For more information, please contact the Assessor’s office at 719-689-2941 or the WP Library at 719-687-9281

New Volunteer Orientation at Mueller State Park. Do you want to give a bit of your time in a beautiful place with friendly people? Come learn about the various volunteer positions there are at Mueller State Park. Check it out, then decide. This informational meeting is scheduled  on April 27 at 10 a.m at the park Visitor Center. For more information, call 719-687-2366. 

Bicycle-Friendly Driver. Held on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. This course covers laws for bicyclists and  motorists, demonstrates how to navigate on-street bicycle infrastructure and outlines common crashes between motorists and bicyclists and how to avoid them. It is sponsored by a variety of organizations, including Mountain Top Cycling Club. Register for free athttp://bit.ly/woodlandparkBFD.

Manitou Springs

Victorian Easter Egg Hunt at Miramont Castle. Fun for all ages for this popular event, scheduled for April 20. Featuring a Victorian style Easter egg hunt to be held at Manitou’s Miramont Castle, 9 Capitol Hill Avenue. Reservations are required, contact Miramont Castle at 719-685-1011.