Imagine that you come to the Pikes Peak region and fall in love with it, as people do. Imagine youâre renting an apartment where you can look out your window and see Pikes Peak. But your little piece of paradise will make your life hell. Justin Drake moved into a small apartment at 28 […]
Photo by Larry Ferguson Michael Woods, whose love of the Manitou Springs music scene dates back five decades when he worked at the Dulcimer Shop, plans to enhance the townâs growing reputation for good tunes and talented songwriters. âItâs going to get really exciting, real fast,â he said, talking about the future of his Outta […]
Photo by Rhonda Van Pelt Itâs taken a while to reveal the gem hidden under the tacked-on detritus of decades. But the community can finally see the possibility that Hiawatha Gardens could return to something resembling its former glory. It may never again be the place where âdancing is entrancingâ or host nationally known performers, […]
The Manitou Springs Heritage Centerâs sixth annual Heritage Brew Festival took place Saturday, Sept. 18, at Memorial Park. A preliminary count shows that approximately 850 people attended. âThe festival was an outstanding success,â said Michael Maio, president of the MSHCâs board of directors. He praised the bands that performed, the brewers that supplied beverages and […]
Jennifer Peterson and Susan Davies, executive directors of the Rocky Mountain Field Institute and the Trails and Open Space Coalition, respectively, issued news about Waldo Canyon recently. In September 2020, the city of Colorado Springs purchased 315 acres of land from Castle Concrete, which included the Black Canyon Quarry property. Through the Re-Imagine Waldo Canyon […]
By Joanna Zaremba Fans of music, history and a good story with interesting characters and plot twists will find something to relish in historian Deborah Harrisonâs upcoming free presentation âHiawatha Gardens âThe Soul of Manitou Music.â Ever since it opened in 1890, Hiawatha Gardens has had many iterations, both legal and illegal, including serving as a […]
The Manitou Springs Planning Department and the Fire Department are urging residents to take action now to reduce wildfire risk for your property. If you are planning new landscaping and undertaking yard maintenance, understand what increases your risk and look for opportunities to reduce it. Become familiar with fire mitigation principles and consider what is […]
To protect the quality of life of the Manitou Springs community and to respond to a lack of moisture in our surrounding vegetation, Fire Chief John Forsett has ordered Stage 1 fire restrictions. This results in an open-burning ban and an outdoor-smoking ban. The first is defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire, […]
On Thursday, Sept. 9, Manitou Springsâ journey to a more inclusive, modern Carnegie Library took a giant step forward. Architect Eric Grebliunas presented a proposed design for the libraryâs expansion, incorporating input from the community, City Council, the Historic Preservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. âWe heard a lot of really […]
Firefighters from around the country came together Saturday, Sept. 11, to climb the Manitou Incline and honor people who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Wearing full gear, sometimes weighing more than 65 pounds, they conquered the 2,768 steps.
Courtesy of the Open Space Advisory Committee If youâve hiked the Intemann Trail above Manitou Springs in the past several years, youâve probably confronted âthe stairs.â Some loved the steep set of railroad-tie stairs for the challenge, while others despised it. Some mountain bikers and less hardy hikers complained that the stairs were dangerous and […]
Longtime Manitou resident Joanne Garrison, wearing a tiara, was celebrated at the Cliff House on Sunday, Sept. 5. Dozens of family members â four generations â and friends gathered on the verandah for cake, singing âHappy Birthdayâ and conversation. Two cakes â one gluten-free â were available.
Photo by Larry Ferguson Beignets in Manitou Springs? For one enterprising family, the idea of offering the French deep-fried pastries has proven to be a big winner. âWe knew we had a good product,â said Brandi Chism, who along with her husband, Billy, and their three children recently opened Rocky Mountain Beignets at 724 Manitou […]
Photo by Rhonda Van Pelt The community was horrified and angry in May, when news spread that Crystal Valley Cemetery had been vandalized. Peggie Yager of the Manitou Springs Historical Society felt that way, too. âIt really, really broke my heart when the vandalism hit,â she said in her Miramont Castle office. Yager immediately started […]
Photo by Rhonda Van Pelt Skyler Beck has a problem. Every time he goes to a park, he sees a fun and interesting new feature and thinks about getting it for Manitou Springs. Even when the cityâs newish parks and recreation director is out having fun with his wife and their four kids, heâs thinking […]
Wheeler Pocket Park, 25 Park Ave., has been prioritized for renovation by the Manitou Springs Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. The goal is to create a relaxing and welcoming community gathering space. The primary amenity to be installed is a labyrinth feature with varying designs. A few concept plans […]
Photos by Rhonda Van Pelt Chip Shaw lived with four principles: curiosity, creativity, courage and compassion. He taught those to his art students at Bemis School of Art and Cheyenne Mountain School District 12. He also exemplified those qualities for his family, friends, neighbors and the community of Manitou Springs. Shawâs wife, Ann Rodgers, and […]
The artists Ceramic artists: Lyle Clift, Pueblo Don Cox, Boulder Ross Elgin, Montrose Jennifer Hanson, Colorado Springs Tony Heslop, Colorado Springs Robert Hughes, Prescott, Ariz. Jeff Kuhns, Silver City, Nev. Michael Lemke, Greeley Ruthann Maze, Boulder Jennifer Niccolai, Colorado Springs Maggie Quinn*, Colorado Springs Sandy Rousseau, Colorado Springs Paul Uhl, Smithville, Texas Fiber artists: Laurie […]
To further promote tree planting and friendly landscapes within Manitou Springs, the city will host a silent auction for 20 planks of Siberian elm wood 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30, at City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave. The proceeds will be split 50/50 for gardening and tree planting through the cityâs Parks and Recreation Department. […]
At its most basic level, gardening is about planting seeds, nurturing them with hard work and tender loving care, and watching them grow. That works for ideas, too. One shining example: Manitou Springsâ new Pollination Stations scattered along Manitou Avenue. The seed was planted when Becca Sickbert of the Manitou Springs Creative District and […]
