Almanac Week of 01.29.2019
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Coffee with the Sheriff. Come have coffee and enjoy a conversation with Teller County Sheriff, Jason Mikesell on Tuesday, January 29 at 6 p.m. at the Ute Pass Cultural Center in Woodland Park.
Wednesday, Jan. 30
National Park closure ending. With the enactment of the continuing resolution (approved last week by Congress), the National Park Service is preparing to resume regular operations though the schedule for individual parks may vary depending on staff size and complexity of operations. Many parks which have been accessible throughout the lapse in appropriations remain accessible with basic services. Visitors should contact individual parks or visit park websites for the latest information opening schedules and accessibility and visitor services. Some parks which have been closed throughout the lapse in appropriations may not reopen immediately. This could impact the Florissant Fossil Beds, which was shut down due to the lapse of appropriations early in the month. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument was closed for the safety of visitors and park resources. There were no NPS-provided visitor services at Florissant Fossil Beds, including public information, restrooms, trash collection, and facilities and park road maintenance such as plowing. Because of the federal government shutdown, NPS social media and websites were not being monitored or updated and may not reflect current conditions. During a federal government shutdown all park programs are cancelled. For updates on the shutdown, please visit www.doi.gov/shutdown. When the Monument reopens, the park is generally open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 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.
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.org. for a full schedule of pick up and drop off times.
Thursday, Jan. 31
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.
Friday, Feb. 1 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. Taste of the Grape. The Ute Pass Kiwanis Club is sponsoring the Taste of the Grape at the Ute Pass Cultural Center on Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. Participants can sample over 50 different wines, brews and spirits. Appetizers are donated by a variety of local restaurants. Advance tickets for $25. Tickets available at Gold Hill Wine and Liquor or at www.eventbrite.com. The proceeds for this event benefit the children of Teller County. For more information, call 719-686-2595. |
Saturday, Feb 2
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.
Denver Nuggets Basketball Skills Challenge. Boys and girls are encouraged to test their skills in shooting, passing, and dribbling. The top scoring boy and girl in each age group will have the opportunity to advance to the sectional competition. The Skills Challenge, sponsored by the Woodland Park Parks and Recreation, is scheduled for Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Woodland Park Middle School Gym. For more information, call Kelsey Gavit at 719-687-5225.
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.
Prospect’s Grief Support Group will feature a variety of gatherings for eight weeks on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. from Jan. 14 to March 4. The topics will include: the Six Needs of Mourning, Common Grief Symptoms, Coping Skills for Strong Emotions, Adjusting to Changing roles and Identity and Creatng Ongoing Support Systems. The meetings will occur at the Prospect office at 16222, W. Hwy. 24, Suite 120 For information, call 719-687-0549.
Cripple Creek Ice Festival. The Cripple Creek Ice Festival is a spectacular event. Come watch ice sculptors carve ice into beautiful works of art that will amaze you. 2019 marks the 12th year for this premiere event. It will be held between Feb. 8 and Feb. 17, with most of the activity occurring on two weekends. Past themes have included a Mythological Wonderland, Story Time, Under the Sea, a Military Salute Carved in Ice, a Rocky Mountain Wonderland, the Old West and a Safari themeThis year’s theme is Super Heroes in Ice!
The Ice Festival features numerous fun events to enjoy throughout the two event weekends. Interactive sculptures are available for event attendees to climb on and to have a Kodak moment. Several sculptures are made just for kids, with a fun ice slide and an ice maze that are all made of ice. There will be additional FREE parking at the Heritage Center northeast of town on Highway 67, and the shuttle service to the event will be FREE on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.Also – Don’t miss the Ice & Art Fest at the Heritage Center from 10 am till 4 pm daily throughout Ice Fest. Meet the Artists Saturday, February 9th from 4 pm till 7 pm. Hors-d’oeuvres and wine will be served.
Sweetheart Ball. This annual gala, which benefits Help the Needy, will be held at the Shining Mountain Golf Course on Feb. 16. This is a semi-formal event with a gourmet dinner, prepared by the Swiss Chalet, live music and an auction. Also, Ryan Spilborghs, the voice of the Colorado Rockies, who played with the team for a number of years, will be the guest speaker. A private cocktail party, in which guests can talk with Ryan one-on-one, will occur prior to the Ball. For more information, and to RSVP, call 719-687-7273.
History of Lake George. Lake George is now a sleepy hamlet known for world class fly fishing, camping and all around outdoor adventure. But it wasn’t always this way. Once it was a supplier of goods – ice and produce – for both Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek. Steve Plutt, local historian, will be speaking at the February Pikes Peak Historical Society Chautauqua and will cover these topics and more. Find out what influence the railroad had on Lake George, How the town got its name, and many more exciting tidbits of information! Steve Plutt has long lived in the shadow of Pikes Peak, having grown up in the Woodland Park area. Steve now resides near Lake George.
The Pikes Peak Historical Society invites you to learn more about the history of Lake George at the PPHS monthly Chautauqua on Sunday, February 17 at 2pm at the Lake George Charter School. The Lake George Charter School is located only 4 minutes from Florissant, on the south side of Highway 24 just 2/10 mile west of the Ferrell Propane lot. This program is presented as a public service of the Pikes Peak Historical Society. Admission is free and refreshments are served. No reservation is required but arrive early, seating is limited.For more information call 719-748-8259 or 719-748-3861
Monte Carlo Masquerade Winter Gala. The Colorado Springs Chorale announces its 3rd annual “Monte Carlo Masquerade Winter Gala” fundraiser to be held on Friday, February 22 from 6 p.m to 10 p.m. at the Heritage Ballroom of the Antlers Hotel, 4 S. Cascade Ave., in downtown Colorado Springs. The evening will feature dinner, dancing to the Bill Emery Band, casino-style games, a silent auction, and door prizes. A cash bar will be available. The event supports the music and education programs of the Chorale, the award-winning symphonic choir for the Pikes Peak Region. The event also helps the Chorale prepare for an assignment of great honor recently announced: it was asked to be the exclusive choir of the 2020 D-Day commemorative ceremonies in Normandy, France, and the conductor and the members of the Chorale are excited. Tickets to the Monte Carlo Masquerade are $80 and should be purchased by February 15th, either online atwww.cschorale.org or by calling (719) 634-3737. The award-winning Colorado Springs Chorale, now in its 62nd season, is a 120-voice auditioned symphonic choir, made up of members of the community who volunteer their time and talent. The Chorale performs independently and with the area’s top music ensembles, and it also serves the Pikes Peak Region by performing at community events such as the Fallen Firefighters Memorial, the Pikes Peak Summit House groundbreaking, and an annual concert in Cripple Creek to benefit the social services of Aspen Mine Center. All interested parties should contact the Chorale offices for information about auditions and sponsorship opportunities.
Chamber Music. On Sunday, February 24 at 3 p.m., First Christian Church at 16 East Platte Avenue in Colorado Springs is presenting their annual chamber music program, featuring small ensembles of woodwinds, strings, brass, piano or organ, performing works from the Classical period to the present day. A free will offering will be taken. For more information, call 633-8888.
Available Now at the Ute Pass Historical Society Gift Shop. 2019 Green Mountain Falls or Ute Pass Edition pictorial calendars. The calendars cost $12 + tax. The Gift Shop is located at 231 E. Henrietta Avenue, next to the Woodland Park Public Library. Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. While visiting the Gift Shop, check out our great selection of books, jewelry, and unique gift ideas. For more information, call us at: 719.686.7512 or check our website:utepasshistoricalsociety.org.