Almanac for week of April 20

*Many of the following events and gatherings must comply with the COVID-19 restrictions, which currently limit attendees. For more details, contact the event sponsors and suggested web site.

The Cripple Creek City  Council will meet on April 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the council chambers at city hall.  Limited attendance is permitted, but people and citizens interested in attending must call 719-689-2502 no later than noon on April 21.  To participate in the meeting virtually, visit the city’s website.

Thursday, April 22

The Teller County Commissioners will meet on April 22 at 9:15 a.m. at the Centennial Building in Cripple Creek. The commissioners currently provide in-person meetings, with limited capacity.  Meetings also are available virtually.  Visit the Teller County government website for more details.

Water detectives.  Scheduled at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center on April 22 at 10 a.m. Free admission. Working in coordination with the Space Foundation Discovery Center, participants will solve a mystery to tell where water has been. Young detectives will hike out on trails within the park to search for clues of water in the park, then be guided on a mission to find water on other planets. For ages 6 to 12. Parents must accompany children and all participants are required to wear masks for the duration of the program.

The Woodland Park Planning Commission will meet on April 22 at 7 p.m. in the Woodland Park Council Chambers. For more information, check the city of Woodland Park’s website or call 719-687-9246.

Friday, April 23

Tee-off Time.  The Shining Mountain Golf Course is open for daily play for the 2021 season, weather permitting. In addition, the clubhouse bar is open, along with the driving range.  Currently, the course is a walking-only facility, with pull carts available. Driving carts should  be available shortly.  Call 719-687-7587 for more information.

Furbaby Friday. Scheduled for April 23 at  9 a.m. at the  Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. Bring your furry friend, check in at the visitor center and get a free map of pet friendly areas in the park and register for the giveaway.

Saturday, April 24

Ground-breaking for Turrell Trail.  An official ground-breaking for the new Turrell Trail, which will provide access to the new James Turrell Skyspace exhibit in Green Mountain Falls, has been set for April 24 at 10:30 a.m. in the community farm stand, next to The Pantry in  Green Mountain Falls.  Members of the Green Mountain Falls Board of Trustees and the Green Box Arts group and other community leaders will partake in the ceremony. The new exhibit is expected to debut this summer.

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 5 p.m.   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.  Coronavirus restrictions, though, apply, and have impacted some displays. The visitor center is open Wednesdays through Sundays.  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.  Kick off  spring at Mueller State Park, one of the secret gems of the state’s park system. While most state parks are overloaded with visitors due to the pandemic.  Mueller provides ideal trails without massive crowds. Typical weather this spring at Mueller can provide some great outings.  A full schedule of naturalist programs can help you to look, learn and enjoy the surroundings.  Enjoy guided hikes and special programs.   For more information, call 719-687-2366.

New Gift Shop Hours. The Ute Pass Historical Society has new hours! The gift shop will be open Wednesdays 10-noon; and Thursdays through Saturdays 11-4. Stop by and check out our great selection of historical books, cards, art and jewelry. While here, ask about taking a free guided tour of  the five historic buildings in History Park. The gift shop is located at 231 E. Henrietta Avenue,  next to the Woodland Park Library. Call 719-686-7512 Watch the trailer for the Teller County dude ranch Video coming out later this year!

Live music. Family Elephant will perform on April 24 at 8:30 p.m. at Armadillo Ranch, 962 Manitou Avenue in downtown Manitou Springs.

Upcoming

Teller County Assessor Listens (TCAL).  In April and May, Assessor Colt Simmons will hold four meetings to discuss 2021 property reevaluations as prescribed by Colorado Statue.  Interested citizens can attend the meetings via Zoom or in person at 3 – 4:30 pm in Cripple Creek on Tuesday April 27th, Thursday April 29th, Tuesday May 4th, and Thursday May 13th.  For Zoom,  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82765074622  and Passcode 947726 or to attend in-person, the Teller County Centennial Building, 112 N. A Street, Cripple Creek, CO 80813.  Questions:  Visit https://www.co.teller.co.us/assessor/default.aspx or call 719-689-2941.

First Responders and Medical Professionals Tribute Concert.  The Woodland Park Wind Symphony has announced its first live concert since December 2019 on Sunday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. It is a special “Thank You to Our First Responders and Medical Professionals” concert. The concert is free, but seating at the Ute Pass Cultural Center is limited and seats need to be reserved.  Director Craig Harms has produced a “thank you to our heroes” video to enhance our performance of “Captain America” for our 1st responders and medical professionals who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic. For seat reservations go to www.woodlandparkwindsymphony.com  or call 719-687-2210. Doors open at 6pm.

Call  For Local Artists Deadline

The 36th annual Mountain Arts Festival is accepting applications for artists from the Pikes Peak Region.

The festival is August 7 and 8 on the green between the Ute Pass Cultural Center and the Woodland Park Public Library.  Eligibility: Any artist or craftsperson exhibiting his or her own handmade works of art is eligible. A committee comprised of members of the Mountain Artists will judge all applications. Criteria for judging include quality, salability, and uniqueness of item(s). The Mountain Arts Festival draws art lovers from all over the state, and is highly regarded among artists who have exhibited there. With up to 80 exhibitors, there is a surprising variety of art at the show, including but not limited to paintings, sculpture, woodwork, textile artists, mural artists, metalworks, and jewelry. The deadline for applications is May 1 and interested artists can download the application from the Mountain Artists website: www.themountainartists.org.

For more information, contact Rita Randolph at  719-502-5085.