Tuesday, Nov. 26
Elks Toy Drive. The Victor Elks Toy Drive has kicked into full gear. Once again, the always active volunteers with the Victor Elks Lodge are collecting toys from now through Dec. 14 to go with the 50+ food baskets they will deliver right before Christmas. Call 719.689.7036 for information or find us at Amazon smile. Area drop off spots are: Vectra Bank, Park State Bank, Fidelity Title, Ace Hardware-Florissant, Ace Hardware-Cripple Creek, Bronco Billy’s Casino, Cripple Creek Hospitality House, Teller County Clerk’s Office/Courthouse. We truly appreciate these elves who will bring smiles to Southern Teller County children.
A special Teen Movie will be aired on Nov. 26 at 3:30 p.m. at the Ute Pass Library, 8010 Severy Road, in Cascade. Snacks will be provided.
Wednesday, Nov. 20
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.org. for a full schedule of pick up and drop off time . .
The Aspen Mine Center in Cripple Creek will host an annual Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 27 and community get-together, starting around noon, on the second floor. For more information, call 719-689-3584.
Teens Create and Eat. Not a bad combination. This event, capped by home-made Candy Apples and Muffins, is scheduled for Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. at the Old Colorado City Library, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave. It is designed for ages 12 to 18. Learn to make candy apples and apple muffins in this class and leave with tasty treats.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Happy Thanksgiving and Turkey Day from the staff of TMJ News. All government offices will be closed for both Nov. 28 and Nov. 29. If you have any business to conduct those days, make sure you call the necessary office first or visit the agency’s web site. If you need a place to have a great Thanksgiving meal, check out local ads and articles in this week’s TMJ. A number of casino restaurants in Cripple Creek and fine dining establishments in the area are offering special Thanksgiving feasts.
Friday, Nov. 29
Holiday Lighting Kick-Off. In The Mining District. The giant headframes that are the remains of 1890’s gold mining days will again light up the night sky around Victor and Cripple Creek again this holiday season. These unique mining structures are one-of-a-kind remnants of the gold rush era. This marks the 20th anniversary of the event.Holiday ornaments, some as large as 20 feet tall, will be lit against the starry night skies of the Victor and Cripple Creek starting Friday, Nov. 29. Everything from a Christmas wreath to a snowman will be on display this year. A self-guided driving tour map will be available at area businesses, as well as the Cripple Creek Heritage Center and online at STCFG.com. The lights will be best viewed after dark and will be in place Friday through Sunday nights through New Year’s Day, weather/safety and volunteers permitting. This holiday lighting tradition is sponsored by Newmont Goldcorp, on whose property most of the headframes are located. Volunteers from the communities staff the generators and line power connections each weekend. Other sponsors include an anonymous donor, Southern Teller County Focus Group, Cripple Creek Parks & Recreation, and the Cripple Creek District Museum. Support also comes from Black Hills Energy crews who help refurbish the lamps on the ornaments and donate power installations.More information is at STCFG.com.
All I Want for Christmas Is: More Olio! The Butte Theater in Cripple Creek will host a full length Christmas Olio, under the direction of the Mountain Rep Theater company from now through Dec. 29. The show is great for families. For ticket information and show times, visit www.buttetheater.com.
Fossil Beds Activities. The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant is open year-round. The Monument is now open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There also are a number of special programs, guided hikes and special events for the next month. The 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
Manitou Springs Tree Lighting. The Manitou Springs official tree lighting ceremony will occur on Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. at the Town Clock. Cookies and hot apple cider will be provided. For more information, call the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce at 719-685-5089 or visit www.manitousprings.org.
The Mountain Illumination Festival is scheduled for Nov 29 at 6 p.m., at the Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.
Live music. The Armadillo Ranch, 962 Manitou Ave, in Manitou Springs, will host a variety of musical acts the evening of Nov. 29. These include the John Wise Duo at 5 p.m. Then, Family Elephant will perform at 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov 30
The Mountain Artists Holiday Show will be held on Saturday Nov. 30 at the Ute Pass Cultural Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Woodland Park. Free admission and light refreshments
There will be a $10 coupon drawing every 1/2 hr to be be spent at any Artists
Booth. Event features Gifts & Home Décor, Fine Art, Jewelry, Woodworking & much more! For more information, visit mountainartists@gmail.com
Christmas in Manitou. Santa arrives in Manitou Springs on Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. with a visit to the Spa Building, 934 Manitou Ave.
Yuletide festivities in Old Colorado City. Don’t miss cookies and carols on Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. in the Old Colorado City Library, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave. Join us for our annual cookie decorating and caroling up and down Colorado Avenue. Also, a Christmas Stroll will occur at 5 p.m. in Old Colorado City, featuring Dickens carolers, Comet the reindeer and shopping and dining options. Pictures with Santa will occur at 2324 W. Colorado Ave.
Small Business Saturday. Shops and businesses in Manitou Springs/Old Colorado City, Woodland Park and Cripple Creek partake in this national day of celebration and support for the local communities and area businesses. For more information, contact the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce and Woodland Park Main Street group and see related stories in this week’s TMJ.
Tree Lighting Ceremony. The town of Green Mountain Falls will feature their annual tree lighting ceremony and preliminary Christmas festivities the evening of Nov. 30. The festivities begin at the Sallie Bush Community Center around 6 p.m., and then the annual Yuletide walk will occur from the Sallie Bush Center to the Gazebo Park for a lighting of a mega tree, with many scheduled stops on the way to observe special Christmas lighting displays. The event is sponsored by the Pikes Peak Chamber of Commerce.
The Armadillo Ranch, 962 Manitou Ave, in Manitou Springs, will host the Big Sky band on Nov 30 at 9 p.m.
Mueller Hikes and Activities. As the warmth of summer gives way to cooler nights, celebrate fall at Mueller State Park, as the forest turns golden! Typical weather this fall at Mueller brings picture-perfect, blue-sky days. A full schedule of naturalist programs can help you to look, learn and enjoy the surroundings. Evening amphitheater programs will continue on weekends and guided hikes are available almost daily. Special programs this month include elk bugling hikes and fall challenge hikes! The Fall Challenge is an invitation to hike all the trails at Mueller, with a guide or on your own, about 60 miles, in one month! All activities are free; a park pass for your vehicle is the only cost. Scheduled hikes, with special naturalists and park experts, are held on most weekends. For more information, call 719-687-2366.
| Upcoming |
Shooting Program For Kids. Join the Teller County Marksmanship & Self-Defense Group shooting program for grades 8-12 students of Teller County. Instruction will cover basic marksmanship and emphasize the safe and responsible operation and use of firearms. The course, in conjunction with Teller County 4-H Shooting Sports, will offer both rimfire and air-rifle instruction, and be conducted in Victor and Divide. Instructors will include NRA certified and US Olympic qualified personnel. All necessary equipment, firearms, and ammo will be provided. Parents Contact Annie Durham 719-722-9248.
Ute Pass-Woodland Park Kiwanis Bingo. Join the fun 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. For more information, call 315-5004 or email upkiwanis@gmail.com.
Tweeds Holiday Home Tour. The 21st Annual Holiday Home Tour, “Sounds of the Season,” graciously presented by Tweeds Fine Furnishings, will take place in Teller County on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 10am to 5pm each day.The 2019 Tour features a unique array of beautifully decorated homes located in the Woodland Park area. The festivities also include live musical entertainment featuring choirs, a harpist, soloists and large ensemble groups. For your shopping pleasure, there will be an Artisan Boutique at the Hospitality House. In addition, each location will share a collectible recipe card for a delicious holiday treat that is significant to each home and participant. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit four local non-profits: Focus on the Forest, Community Cupboard of Woodland Park, Friends of Mueller State Park, and Choices. Further details about the event may be found at www.wphht.com or by calling 719-687-1115.
The 31st annual Lighter Side of Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. in downtown Woodland Park. This year we are celebrating the 31st Anniversary of the Lighter Side of Christmas Parade and the 30th anniversary of the classic comedy film, National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation.” As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. What’s the plan for your Christmas vacation?? Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Woodland Park Main Street. Woodland Park Main Street is part of a nationwide movement striving to revitalize historic buildings, foster community among businesses, and create a place where people feel connected. WPMS does not build, buy or finance new development. They are contributors.
Movie House Music Supervalue Package. Held the 2nd Sunday every month through May at Gold Hill Theatres, 615 W. Midland Ave., Woodland Park, Concert scheduled from 2:30-4:00 p.m. with movie ticket good anytime and one beer, wine or soft drink all for only $16. Or concert and drink only, $10. The December 8 event features local-favorite band A Stick, A Pick & A Chick and Friends offering a special Christmas concert. Season ticket discount available. For more information, call 719-687-2210 or visit www.woodlandmusicseries.org. The event is co-sponsored by Woodland Music Series and Gold Hill Theatres.
Join the Ute Pass Historical Society at the Old Curiosity Gift Shop located in the Museum Center building, 231 E. Henrietta Avenue, next to the Woodland Park Public Library. The Open House will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7. Stop by to say hi, and enjoy some seasonal treats and hot apple cider. While there, you can check out our extensive selection of books and unique gift items, including Indian art, handmade drums and jewelry, and receive 5% off every purchase!For more information, call 719.686.7512 or check our website.
Holiday Concert. Come and join in making beautiful music to celebrate this joyous season! On Sunday, December 15 at 7 p.m., First Christian Church at 16 E. Platte Avenue, in Colorado Springs is presenting their annual Messiah Sing-along, which will include the entire Christmas portion and the Hallelujah Chorus, accompanied by chamber choir, strings, organ and harpsichord, directed by Kim Schultz. The program will also feature lovely music for the season sung by the choir, as well as favorite Christmas carols for the audience to sing. You are encouraged to bring your own score, but there will be some available at the door. A free will offering will be taken. For more information, call 633-8888.
