Mountain Almanac for the Week of July 9

Tuesday, July 9

Shining Mountain Open For Play.  The Shining Mountain (SM) Golf Course in Woodland Park has officially opened for its 2024 season, with tee times and daily play contingent on weather conditions.  In addition, the driving range and chipping area/putting green is open, along with the spacious SM bar and outdoor patio. For more information, call 719-687-7587. A slew of charity tournaments are in the works, along with other links-related activities and special deals throughout the season. Some of the new happenings include Majestic Mondays, with great deals for 18-holes with a cart, and Trivia Tuesdays, with prizes for top teams, pizza, good times and more.  Check regular updates in TMJ and on the Shining Mountain Facebook page.

Green Box Arts Festival. The 16th annual Green Box Arts Festival has kicked off and extends until July 14, with a spree of visual, new signature art displays, performing arts shows, dances and live music, theater and film, special hikes, classes, community events and more. The bulk of the remaining festivities occur during a special block party on July 13. For specific events, visit greenboxarts.org.

The Green Mountain Falls Planning Commission will meet on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the GMF Town Hall. The meeting will be available in-person and via Zoom.

Wednesday, July 10

Wellness Walk. Scheduled for July 10 at the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center at 9 a.m. Meet at the upper level and choose a one, two or three-mile hike. Maps are available. Healthy living tips and mindfulness exercises to enhance your walk. Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water. Free admission.

Free Community Concert Featured at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.  Scheduled for July 10 and featuring the music of the popular band, Tava Blue.   Join us for  incredible evening of live music the Cultural Center’s Outdoor Pavilion. Get ready to connect with local band, Tava Blue. Tava Blue performs eclectic rock in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado and is named for the Ute Indian name for Pikes Peak. It’s a FREE event that promises an unforgettable experience filled with catchy tunes, energetic performances, and a whole lot of fun. All ages are welcome but children must stay with an adult at all times. Doors open at 5:30 pm – the UPCC bar will be open and a food truck will be there! Show starts at 6 pm The live music wraps up around 8 to 8:30 pm This concert is FREE thanks to our sponsor, Pikes Peak Credit Union!

Thursday, July 11

TOPS. Takes Off Pounds Sensibly.  Meets every Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the basement of Church in the Wildwood (10585 Ute Pass Ave.) Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819. Affordable, effective weight-loss.

The Woodland Park Planning Commission will meet on July 11 at   6:30 p.m. in the council chambers, next to city hall. The meeting is available in-person and on Zoom.

Friday, July 12

Chamber Golf Tournament.  The Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce will host their annual golf tournament on July 12 at Shining Mountain Golf Club, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start and 7 a.m. breakfast. For  more information, visit the city of Woodland Park’s website, or call 719-687-9885.

Final weekend for Summer Melodrama. This is your final chance to view this summer’s melodrama at Cripple Creek’s Butte Theater, Darling of the Donkey Derby, with regular weekly shows from now through July 14. A definite unique plot and enthralling production by Chameleon Arts and Entertainment. “Amidst thundering hooves and swirling dust, alliances shift and betrayals loom, turning the Donkey Derby into a battleground of honor versus greed.” Shows occur Wednesday through Sunday.  Visit the Butte Theater website for ticket information and reservations.

Saturday, July 13

FREE HISTORIC TOURS! “Ambiance on the Red Trolley” is a FREE 30-minute historical tour of Cripple Creek.  Join the Gold Camp Victorian Society on Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, from 1 to  3 p.m. to hear the fascinating history of the World’s Greatest Gold Camp. Tours begin at the District Museum Train Car. For further information, visit the GCVS website…goldcampvictoriansociety.org FREE

Cripple Creek Parks and Recreation 5K@10K Poker Run/Walk. Come Join us for a run or if you’d like, a relaxing walk. The event will be held at the Mountain View Adventure Park on July 13, with registration at 9 a.m. and the race start at 9:30 a.m. Each individual entered gets 5 playing cards at 5 locations on the route. Participants will have the option of purchasing up to 2 extra cards at the end of the course for $5 each to attempt to draw a better hand. The best 5 card hand will win $125 and the worst 5 card hand will win $25. Get a team of 10 of your friends/coworkers together and save on the registration fee. For more information, visit the city’s tourism website.

History Talk. Forgotten Female Felons, with Sherry Skye Stuart, is a presentation of short fiction stories about the early women incarcerated in the Territorial, then Colorado State Prison, from roughly 1872 to the early 1900s. It is scheduled at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center on July 13, starting at 11 a.m. For more information, contact the Cripple Creek Heritage Center at 719-689-3315.

Big Band Concert. On Saturday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m., First Christian Church at 16 E.Platte Avenue is presenting the final program in their summer Music on the Labyrinth series, featuring the Peak Big Band, playing a variety of classic and modern big band charts.  The program will be held outdoors on the labyrinth on the south side of the church, but will move indoors for inclement weather. You may bring a blanket or chair, or just sit on the labyrinth wall.  A free will offering will be taken. For more information, call 719-633-8888

Upcoming

Gold Rush Days. The annual Gold Rush Days in Victor, one of southern Teller’s premiere summer festivals, will be held from July 19-21. Join us in celebrating 130 years of mining heritage in the City of Gold Mines. The festivities include a huge lineup of mining games, gold panning, historic tours, live music, kids’ activities, a parade and a variety of food and merchandise vendors.  Take a little trip and step back in time. If you decide to stay over, there are several lodging accommodations available. For more information, visit the city of Victor’s tourism website at victorcolorado.com.

Coffee Chats. Come have coffee, donuts, and chat with other people in the area. (This is your excuse to go make more local friends). This event, held in the Colorado room of the Woodland Park Public Library, is held the first Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The next Colorado Chats is scheduled for June 7. For more information, visit the city of Woodland Park’s website, or call the Woodland Park Public Library and ask for Nick.