On behalf of the entire Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership family, President Richard Celeste and Executive Director Ron Butlin wish all a healthy, happy and safe Holiday Season! |
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FREE ON-STREET PARKING THIS WEEKEND |
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Climbing high
Rock it!
Later this month, Downtown Colorado Springs will sport a new fitness option-rock climbing! CityRock-sibling to Monument's The Rock-will have a "soft" opening the weekend of December 19 at its new location, 21 North Nevada (in the old Cooper movie theater building). Owners Lara and Joe Groshong, who live a mile from their latest venture, are thrilled to bring a new aspect for fun and fitness to the city.
"Downtown has so many locally owned businesses and we wanted to be a part of that," Lara says. "It's so important."
CityRock will have two climbing areas: a 45' tall roped wall with about 100 climbing routes and up to 50 stations; and a bouldering area. The roped wall will be ready for the December opening; the bouldering will launch about a month later. Annual memberships are available for $590, but significant discounts will be offered at both openings. Punch cards for 10 sessions will cost $129 or day passes can be purchased for $15.
Hours are expected to be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. If interest is shown, earlier morning sessions may be offered.
CityRock seeks to serve all who are interested, from beginner to seasoned experts. No one, at any level, may climb without first signing a waiver and passing a belay test. Generally, participants must be 14 or older.
If you want to round out your fitness efforts, two related businesses are also at 21 N. Nevada. Cross Fit offers group fitness programs related to functional, everyday strength and movement. Check them out at www.crossfitsoco.com or call (719) 233-2697 to learn more. Life Quest offers a holistic approach to fitness and training. Check them out at www.lqarteam.com or call (719) 237-4131.
For more details on CityRock classes, costs, individual or team sessions and other information, call (719) 634-9099 or visit www.climbingtherock.com. |
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Star Light Star Bright
Tree lights
The Downtown experience is brighter with a twinkling lights program. Initiated in 2008 and expanded by the Business Improvement District. We now have three full blocks of Tejon lit up, from Platte Avenue to Pikes Peak Avenue. Better yet, the lights are on year-round! Come Downtown and wish upon a star-there are plenty to choose from! |
Spice it up
Savory Spice Shop
Looking for inspiration to fire up your culinary talents? You'll want to check out Downtown's newest cook-friendly resource, the Savory Spice Shop at 110 N. Tejon. Run by locals Dick and Mary Frieg, our Downtown shop is the fifth store along the Front Range.
The shop features a huge variety of seasonings, spices, extracts, sauces and more. Spices are ground fresh on the premises in small, weekly batches. More than 140 seasonings are original recipes hand-blended on-site. Both can be purchased in quantities as small as a half-ounce, in either bags or bottles.
To gain a sense of what's available, check out www.savoryspiceshop.com and search for products by name, category, best usage and more. But to really fuel your senses and talents, stop in and sample. Savory Spice is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call Dick or Mary at (719) 633-8809. |
'Tis the season
Enjoy it Downtown
Downtown is the place to be this holiday season, with more than one hundred one-of-a-kind shops and galleries, restaurants, festive décor along the streets and in windows, and live performances to keep you in the spirit. Free on-street parking December 19 and 20, three affordable City Parking garages, an Easy Park card (see separate article this issue) and several convenient access points make Downtown your one-stop-venue for the holidays!
When you shop and dine Downtown, you're largely supporting local, independent businesses - the heart and soul of what distinguishes our community. Check out Downtown Partnership's Guide to Dining, Shopping & Services at http://www.downtown80903.com/DowntownGuide.aspx or preview various merchants via video at http://www.downtown80903.com/directory/.
If you haven't caught them yet, The Band Wassail (music and caroling) and Christmas Brass (music only) are performing Downtown on Fridays and Saturdays this month, with final appearances on December 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on December 19 from noon to 2 p.m.
For up-to-date listings of other great Downtown arts and culture this season, visit http://www.peakradar.com/event/cat/downtown. |
A hand-up
Miracle Meters
Want to help the homeless but not sure your spare change will be wisely used? Look for a cleverly decorated "Miracle Meter" in area businesses. Change that you feed into one will go to support Housing First, a program of Homeward Pikes Peak that assists the chronically homeless, mentally ill and substance abusers by providing addiction treatment, mental health assistance, housing and other services.
Miracle Meters was a concept developed by former City Councilman Jerry Heimlicher and picked up by Homeward Pikes Peak's executive director, Bob Holmes. Partners include the Smokebrush Foundation, students from Doherty High School's DECA Club and local professional artists.
Research has shown than 95 percent of money give to panhandlers is used to purchase drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Heimlicher estimated $1.5 million is given annually to panhandlers! In contrast, funds collected through Miracle Meters will be used to effectively combat chronic homelessness.
More businesses are needed to host Miracle Meters. Interested? Check out the supply at Pikes Peak United Way, 518 N. Nevada, or contact Holmes at (719) 955-0731. To learn more about Housing First, go to www.homewardpikespeak.org. |
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Marion House goes the extra mile
When a young mother of two (with a third on the way) fled an abusive marriage, life suddenly got really tough. "Jennifer" was standing outside Marion House, debating whether to go in, when an "angel" appeared to help put some of the broken pieces back together.
Marion House, a Catholic Charities resource, is much more than just a soup kitchen. Read more about a Mother's Hope in Humanity Revived reported in The Gazette here.
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Ultimate party favor
A sober ride home!
Is your company looking for a simple and inexpensive way to show goodwill this holiday season? The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and Designated Driver of Colorado Springs are encouraging people to plan ahead during the holidays. Give the gift of a safe and sober ride home by contacting Designated Driver of Colorado Springs and purchasing a sponsorship package.
To find out what bars and restaurants in Colorado Springs make it possible for you to get a safe and sober ride home, visit www.PlanAheadColorado.com.
For more information on how to purchase a Designated Driver Sponsorship, or if you're interested in volunteering as a Designated Driver, call (719) 650-3450 or visit www.NoDUICoSprings.com. |
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Get it now!
Downtown Gift Card
Good for purchases at more than 100 merchants, the Downtown Gift Card is the season's must-have stocking stuffer! Available in denominations from $10 to $500, this one-of-a-kind gift card is fashionable, flexible and comes with an attractive card carrier and a complete list of participating businesses.
Now we're making it easier for you to get yours at our new holiday sales office at 101 N. Tejon Street (site of the former Great Harvest Bread store) -- open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 19. If you can't make it there, you can also purchase the card online at www.downtown80903.com, or by calling Downtown Partnership at (719) 886-0088. |
Easy come, easy go
"Your quicker meter-feeder"
Have you discovered the win-win of the Easy Park card? No more scrambling to find change and you only pay for the exact meter time you  use. Easy Park cards utilize smart-chip technology! Purchase one today at the Downtown Partnership holiday sales office, 101 North Tejon, at any of the three City Parking Garages, or online
When your balance gets low, you can reload the card at any of these kiosks:
ˇ 218 N. Tejon St. (in front of Jose Muldoon's)
ˇ 6 S. Tejon St. (in front of U.S. Bank),
ˇ 127 E. Vermijo Street ( NW corner of Vermijo Street & Tejon Street)
ˇ 107 N. Nevada Ave. (on the southeast side of City Hall).
The re-load kiosks are available 24 hours a day for credit card transaction only. Additional credit can be added to your card in $10 and $20 increments up to $100.
With Easy Park, holiday shopping is a zip! |
Membership
Welcome back renewing members!
Downtown Partnership Members
Friends Level
Dan Rundgren
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Major Sponsors
of the Downtown Partnership
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