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DDA driven
Oh, what a night!
What a bunch of nights!
 The seventh season of the Gettin' Down Downtown Summer Concert Series was its best yet with nearly 35,000 people attending. Founding sponsors Classic Homes and Nor'wood Development were joined this year by the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority and the Downtown Development Authority - the latter providing a $16,650 sponsorship grant for the series.
"Frankly, the grant kept us in business this year," said Annie De George, Getting' Down Downtown coordinator.
 The 2008 series included a repeat tie-in with the Colorado Farm and Art Market, a visible CSPD presence, and possibly a first - no rainouts! Care and Share Food Bank benefited from the season finale, when patrons donated the equivalent of more than 3,000 pounds of food - or more than 2,400 meals for hungry families in southern Colorado.
Participating artists during the season included Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band, Chip Dolan, Phat Daddy and the Phat Horn Doctors, Dakota Blonde, Michael Johnson, Spring Creek Bluegrass Band, The Nostalgics, The Swing Connection, Joe Uveges with Susan Rissman and KJ Braithwaite, George Whitesell and His All Stars, Jim Adam, The Changing Times Big Band, and Martini Shot.
"Please keep these wonderful FREE Concerts going. I am retired and this is a wonderful evening out for me that my friends and I enjoy," said attendee Ba rbara Cole. The Scheuer family agreed, saying, "Thanks for organizing a great summer concert series. We look forward to more of the same next summer."
Additional sponsors for this year's Gettin' Down Downtown Summer Concert Series included City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Farm and Art Market, Concept Restaurants, El Tesoro Restaurant & Gallery and Sandia Advertising. Thanks to Jim Boulton for the photos, too.
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Changing colors
How and why to go green
Grab your bike, plan a carpool, or take a walk to the City Green Fair,
7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16 at the City Auditorium,
221 E. Kiowa.
This free event will feature more than 50 environmentally conscious vendors and organizations. From hybrid cars to single-stream recycling, green burials to handbags made from recycled trash, and alternate transportation to EPA regulations - this is a great opportunity to learn all about "green" opportunities in Colorado Springs.
At noon, keynote speaker Richard Skorman will present the Million Bulb Campaign.
Did you know that Colorado currently has one of the lowest recycling rates in the country? That every large reusable water jug (such as those that will be available at the fair) replaces the need for 10,000 individual plastic bottles? Get the details and more practical tips at this event coordinated by the City of Colorado Springs Green Team.
Be sure to BYO mug or cup to enjoy hot coffee or cool spring water!
You can get more information online or contact Cheryl Callahan at 385-5543 and ccallahan@springsgov.com.
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BID-licious
Eat, shop, and give a newborn hope
 What could be better than spending an Indian Summer Saturday afternoon shopping and dining in the Greater Downtown Business Improvement District? Doing just that and knowing that 10 percent of proceeds from your purchases will help prevent premature births and support families coping with critically ill babies. Prematurity is the leading cause of death in Colorado newborns. Premature survivors may face lifelong disabilities, including developmental delays, chronic respiratory problems and vision and hearing problems and loss.
Saturday, September 27, Downtown Partnership is proudly sponsoring a shopping and dining benefit for Newborn Hope, an award-winning nonprofit working to end premature births. From 2 to 7 p.m. that day you can enjoy "live" window displays, refreshments, music and more - while finding some fabulous merchandise to buy, too. Participating merchants include:
 Brown's Shoe Fit Co.
Bryan & Scott Jewelers, Ltd
CJ Kard
Colorado Co-op
Couture
Drama Boutique
Idoru
Johannes Hunter Jewelers
Jose Muldoon's
Kirk and Hill
LuLu
Mackenzie's Chop House
Mt. Tejon
Phancy Pheasant
Putogether
Regina's
Ritz Grill
Rutledge's
Saboz
Sparrow Hawk Gourmet Cookware
Terra Verde
What's In Store
William Kurtz Ltd.
Be sure to tell participating restaurants that you're there to support Newborn Hope.
Newborn Hope has raised more than $3 million in past years and last year provided grants totaling $208,555 to 31 Colorado programs. The organization also operates a volunteer task force to assist hospitalized babies at Memorial Hospital, created a Bed-Rest Task Force to assist high-risk mothers, and offers an educational prevention pamphlet, "Carrying to Term." You can learn more about Newborn Hope at its web site.
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Save the date
Downtown Partnership
Fall Mixer
Join us September 25 in saluting a local icon - Sparrow Hawk Gourmet Cookware - at a fall Downtown Partnership Membership Mixer at the store's happenin' new location, 120 N. Tejon, at 5:30 p.m. This event is for DP members and anyone interested in becoming a member or learning more about what's making downtown tick these days. Check out Sam Eppley's fabulous wares, meet new and old friends, enjoy hors d'ouevres and sample wine generously provided by Tejon Street Wine Shoppe.Please RSVP to Terri at 886-0088.
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Paint a better future
Art for Land's Sake
While you're helping the babies on September 27th, you might also cruise on over to 315 E. Costilla and help preserve open space and other agricultural, scenic and natural lands in southeastern Colorado.
The Palmer Land Trust is hosting its second annual "Art for Land's Sake" Invitational Art Show and Sale at the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado offices on September 26th and 27th - 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
 Artwork in the show is inspired by ranch land, open space, and other property preserved under conservation easements by the Palmer Land Trust. Included among the approximately 40 participating Colorado artists are Michael Baum, Steve Clement, Sushe Felix, Tracy Felix, Mary Helsaple, Geoffrey Lasko, Martha Mans, Chuck Mardosz, Pat
Bear Basin Ranch by J. Breeding
Musick, Tom Owen, Laura Reilly, and Dan Schultz. A portion of each sale supports the Palmer Land Trust. 
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Palmer Land Trust is dedicated to permanently safeguarding the heritage of southeastern Colorado communities through voluntary land preservation. By preserving diverse, undeveloped, private and public lands in southeastern Colorado, the Palmer Land Trust
Red Mountain by Sushe Felix
secures habitat for wildlife and native plants, supports agriculture and ranching on family lands, provides recreational and educational opportunities, protects important historical sites, and maintains scenic vistas for the benefit of present residents and future generations. Learn more at Palmer Land Trust's web site.
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From the Downtown Snoopster
Found in Translation
 If you're from another planet, you might not know that 1) downtown is ground zero for fashionistas and/or 2) men and women speak different languages when it comes to shopping for women's clothes (that is, when men tag along with their women).
Based on diligent eavesdropping at Putogether, a classy boutique at 106 N. Tejon, the Snoopster has learned that couples' words and thoughts are two different things. Check it out.
She says: I love this Trina Turk skirt. When I lose ten pounds, it'll be perfect.
She means: I was thin once - before the kids, the chocolate therapy, the Food Network.
He says: Maybe it's supposed to be uh, "fitted."
He means: Why does every shopping trip involve words about weight? What's a Turk skirt anyway?
She says: This skirt is classic: It'll be stylish forever. Of course, I'll need the right shoes.
She means: I will always need new shoes, the perfect pair, sensual and comfortable.
He says: I like the ones you bought last week.
He means: New shoes, are you kidding? Your closet and mine are full of your shoes.
She says: I will never find anything as flattering as this skirt, but do I really need it?
She means: Who was it who said, "Show me a woman without guilt, and I'll show you a man"?
He says: If you like it, buy it.
He means: If I say it shows off your assets, you'll call me a sexist pig.
As she heads to footwear aficionado Saboz -129-1/2 N. Tejon - for shoes the Turk skirt deserves, he says, "Meet you at Pikes Perk." But then it occurs to him that if his lady is going to look so utterly chic, he'd jolly well better keep up. So off to upscale Rutledge's - 102 N. Tejon - he runs.
The translation: When couples dare to shop together, why should they speak what they think? Truth can only squeeze the juice from a loving relationship.
If you want to test this premise, just spend some time (and a little money, while you're at it) at these additional downtown merchants: Brown's Shoe Fit Co., Bryan & Scott Jewelers, Colorado Co-op, the Corner Goldsmith, Couture, D. Bierfeldt Master Jeweler, Drama, Elgin Edwards, Idoru Clothing, Island Pacific, Johannes Hunter Jewelers, Junior Bootery, Kirk and Hill, The Knight Watch & Jewelry Co., L & H Jewelry, Lane Jewelers, Lay Furs Ltd., Lulu's, Mister Neat's, Mountain Chalet, Mt. Tejon, My Jewelry Designers - Jack Miller, Out of the Box Boutique, Regina's Unique Boutique, Runner's Roost, State of Mind, Terra Verde, Ttitle Nine, Velez Gallery, William Kurtz Ltd., Zerbe Jewelers and Zzing. Find out their locations and contact info here.
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Welcome New and
Renewing Members
NEW MEMBERS
FRIENDS LEVEL
Val Snider
MEMBER LEVEL
LandCo Equity Partners, LLC
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LEVEL
Keaton Publications/Colorado Springs
A-Source
RENEWING MEMBERS
ASSOCIATE LEVEL
Dick and Judy Noyes
MEMBER LEVEL
Ecumenical Social Ministries
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Comments or questions? Please let us know! Email info@downtowncs.com or call (719) 886-0088.
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