Almanac Week of 12.10.2019

Tuesday, Dec. 10

Final Day of 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.

The Green Mountain Falls Planning Commission will meet on Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the GMF Town Hall.

Wednesday, Dec. 11

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   .  .

Gingerbread House Decorating. Scheduled for Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. in the Manitou Springs Public Library, 701 Manitou Ave. Please join us for a celebration of the holidays by decorating gingerbread houses at our library. Each registered family will get one house. Please only register one person for your whole family. Six spots available. The event will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., but you do not need to be here for the whole time. Come as your schedule allows and plan to spend at least 30 minutes decorating.Free parking will be available behind the Congregational Church for use during this event.

Thursday, Dec. 12

The Teller County Commissioners will meet on Dec. 12 at 9:15 a.m. in the Centennial Building in Cripple Creek.

The Woodland Park Planning Commission will meet on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the WP Council Chambers,  next to city hall.

Friday, Dec. 13

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.

12 Redneck Days of Christmas Parade. This annual celebration will occur in Victor on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in downtown Victor. It is part of the Gold Camp Christmas celebration.

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.

Swirl Holiday Bazaar. Scheduled for Dec 13 at 4 p.m., at the Swirl, 717 Manitou Ave. A festive bazaar featuring the works of Manitou Springs artists and businesses, featuring jewelry, glass, fabrics, henna, dream catchers, vintage records, skate attire and Christmas ornaments. Plus, enjoy live music, holiday dessert and drink specials.

Live music. The Armadillo Ranch, 962 Manitou Ave, in Manitou Springs, will feature Tejon Street Corner Thieves on Dec. 13 at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Breakfast with Santa. A festive bevy of Yuletide events in Manitou Springs on Dec.. 14 kicks off at 8 a.m. with Breakfast with Santa at the Community Congregational Church at103 Pawnee Ave. All you can eat ham, eggs, pancakes, juice, cocoa and coffee, $12 for adults and $4 for children younger than 12.

 

 

Portraits of Christmas Parade.  This is one of the signature events for the annual Gold Camp Christmas celebration, featuring a parade on Bennett Avenue in Cripple Creek on Dec. 14 at noon. Other festivities for the Portraits of Christmas In the Gold Country festival include a Christmas Fair at the Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation building, visits with Santa at the Aspen Mine Center and much more.  Visit the city of Cripple Creek’s website for more information.

 

 

Mrs. Claus Tells Stories. Scheduled for Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ute Pass Library, 8010 Severy Road, Cascade, all ages welcome. Join us for this special program, where Mrs. Claus brings your favorite holiday stories to life. Sing holiday songs, share puppets to celebrate the season, and take home festive presents!

Fourth Annual Yule Ball. Slated for Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at  Coronado High School, 1590 W. Fillmore Street in Colorado Springs. .All witches and wizards are invited to attend the Fourth Annual Yule Ball where magical food and fun await! Get sorted into your Hogwarts House, earn points towards the house cup, participate in magical crafts, and dance with other witches and wizards.

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. The Monument will be closed on Christmas Day. There also are a number of special programs, guided hikes and special events for the next month.  Here are a few highlights: *Science Saturday, December 14th, 21st, and 28th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join Geoscientist-in-the-Park Intern Nichole for some fun, hands-on science activities and learn about the structure of the Earth, volcanoes, and much more.  Participants can also complete a Junior Ranger Activity Book and earn a Junior Ranger Badge. Drop-in any time between 11 – 3:00 PM.  The science activities are ongoing throughout the day and last about 30 minutes.  Follow up with the Monument’s hands-on interactive exhibits and fossil displays, a film, and/or a short hike. Dress in layers.  *Night Sky Program, December 20, Night Sky Program, 7 to 9 p.m. Join park staff and members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to gaze at the dark skies above Florissant Fossil Beds in search of planets, galaxies, nebulas, and more. Meet at the visitor center. There are no additional fees for any park programs beyond the daily entrance fee of $10.00 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 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

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.

Manitou Springs Christmas Parade and Festivities. This annual parade will occur on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., in downtown Manitou Springs. Enjoy floats, activities and Christmas cheer. Earlier in the day, there will be a Holiday Spirit Festival, starting at 1 p.m. in downtown Manitou Springs. Visit 12 locations with live music and free spirits.

 

 

Sunday, Dec. 15

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.

 

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.