Cripple Creek Ice Festival
The ice festival takes place from Feb. 17 to Feb. 25. The nation’s top ice-carving teams with show off their highly detailed sculptures, made from ice only. The teams will be working on their masterpieces throughout the festival, and they will go head to head during several high-energy carving challenges. Visitors can cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award. Visit https://cripplecreek.com for more information.
Manitou Springs Carnivale Weekend
Manitou Springs will host its yearly Carnivale on the weekends of Feb. 3 and Feb. 10.
Over the first weekend on Feb. 3, CarniBall, a masquerade ball with live music will take place, along with Cajun-inspired food and the crowning of the CarniBall king and queen. During the Feb. 10 weekend, visitors will be treated to a Mumbo Gumbo Jumbo cook-off and the Carnivale Parade. Visit http://manitousprings.org/carnivale-weekend for more information.
Chamber sponsors Civics Bee — extended deadline
The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce is calling all middle school students — sixth, seventh and eighth graders — to participate in the National Civics Bee. See Community Calendar for more information. The first round of the contest is an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists who will go to the final round, which is a live quiz testing their civics knowledge. This is an opportunity to go to the National Civics Bee, where the national prize is $50,000. Local cash prizes are $500 for first place, $250 for second, $125 for third. Statewide cash prizes are $1,000 for first, $500 for second and $250 for third. Visit https://www.easternplainschamber.com and complete the online submission form and upload or mail your 500 word essay, which must be received by Feb. 19 at 11:59 p.m. The U.S. Chamber extended the deadline date because of weather conditions and various school closings across the country. The date for the local essay winners’ event is March 16 at the Broadmoor.
TOPS chapter in Black Forest
Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a national organization dedicated to weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. TOPS Chapter 0700 (Black Forest and Falcon) meets every Monday at 9 a.m. at the Woofermutt Dog Training Facility in Black Forest. Contact Cindy Still at 719-440-3169 for more information and directions. All are welcome.
Meal service for seniors
Silver Key Senior Services is offering a three-pack of “grab n’ go” frozen meals for seniors who need them at High Prairie & Calhan libraries, and delivering three-pack “grab n’ go” frozen meals for seniors who need the meals in Falcon, Peyton and Calhan. Registration is required. Call Silver Key at 719-884-2300 or visit https://silverkey.org for more information.
Black Forest AARP
Chapter 1100 meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon in the Fellowship Hall of the Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road. All ages are welcome. Come visit one of the meetings. https://www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.com.
The Senior Social is the fourth Wednesday of each month, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall at the Black Forest Lutheran Church. There are no memberships, dues or obligations, and all seniors are invited to attend. Come and play dominoes, bring your own hobbies to work on, or just come to socialize. Light snacks will be provided.
For more information, contact Ray Rozak at 719-495-6767.
Woodmen Hills events — February
- 2/1–- 2/29: Fitness classes/various times/Recreation Center East
- 2/2: Bingo — 6 to 8 p.m./Community Center West
- 2/9: Parents’ Night Out — 5 to 9:30 p.m. /RCE
- 2/16: Bunco — 6 to 8:30 p.m./CCW
- 2/29: Board meeting — 5:30 to 8:30 p.m./CCW
Meridian Ranch Recreation Center — February
Meridian Ranch Group Exercise classes run Monday through Saturday, from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday; and 5:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Fridays; on Saturdays, classes are at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The group exercise schedule can be found at the MRRC Facebook page or https://www.meridianservice.org.
- Classes include various types of Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, spin cycling, water aerobics, high fitness, paddle board yoga and more!
- Group and private swim lessons are available. Contact Aquatics@Meridianservice.org for more information.
- Drop-in volleyball — Fridays, from 6 p.m. to 7:30; free for residents; $5 for non-residents
- Parents Night Out — Feb. 9 and Feb. 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; pizza, snacks, a movie and swimming. Contact childcare@meridianservice.org to sign up.
- Contact the Meridian Ranch Recreation Center front desk for more details and to register for any program: 719-495-7119; http://www.meridianservice.org
Chamber sponsors Civics Bee — extended deadline
The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce is calling all middle school students — sixth, seventh and eighth graders — to participate in the National Civics Bee. See Community Calendar for more information. The first round of the contest is an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists who will go to the final round, which is a live quiz testing their civics knowledge. This is an opportunity to go to the National Civics Bee, where the national prize is $50,000. Local cash prizes are $500 for first place, $250 for second, $125 for third. Statewide cash prizes are $1,000 for first, $500 for second and $250 for third. Visit https://www.easternplainschamber.com and complete the online submission form and upload or mail your 500 word essay, which must be received by Feb. 19 at 11:59 p.m. The U.S. Chamber extended the deadline date because of weather conditions and various school closings across the country. The date for the local essay winners’ event is March 16 at the Broadmoor.
Community Outreach Coalition
The Department of Human Services has a presence at the Calhan United Methodist Church in Calhan.
For more information on the coalition, contact Calvin or Patty Jolly, 719-347-7638, Deb Drew, 719-347-3122, or visit the website at http://coccenter.org.
Falcon Garden Club
The Falcon Garden Club meets the third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. at the High Prairie Library in Falcon. Check out the website at https://www.falcongardenclub.org/Events.html for updated information on the meetings.
Falcon Book Club
The February meeting of the book club will feature a guest speaker, Israel (DT) Del Toro Jr., a wounded warrior, who wrote “A Patriot’s Promise.” The club is meeting at a different location in February. Please contact the High Prairie Library in Falcon at 719-531-6333 for details.
Eastern Plains Chamber
The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce meets the first Wednesday of each month at Grace Community Church, 9475 Grace Church View in Falcon, at 7:30 a.m. (breakfast and coffee at 7 a.m.). For more information on the chamber, visit http://easternplainschamber.com.
Free tutoring in reading
Children’s Literacy Center offers free one-to-one tutoring for children reading below grade level. Children are matched with trained volunteer tutors from the community, and meet twice a week for an hour each session. Call Sierra at 719-471-8672 today for more information, and to find out if your child is eligible.
Equine education class
On the third Sunday of every month, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30, the Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch will host an equine class on a variety of topics, with guest speakers. Bring questions on horse care, training and other horse-related topics. Free to the community. For question, email ihcyranch@yahoo.com or visit ihranch.org. Iron Horse Christian Youth Ranch is located at 5840 Meridian Road. ihranch.org. Please park in the back by the barn.
Al-Anon in Falcon
Are you troubled by someone’s drinking or addiction? Find strength and hope by attending an Al-Anon meeting for friends and family. Falcon Al-Anon Family Group meetings are Saturdays at 9 a.m. at 12150 Falcon Highway (the St. Benedict Catholic Church parish house). For more information, call Michelle at 719-499-3427 or Mike at 719-229-6304.
English Country Dance
English Country Dance meets the second and fourth Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at International Dance Club, 2422 Busch Avenue, Colorado Springs. The group also meets on the first and third Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. at a Woodmen Road location. A partner is not required. Family and couple rates are available. An additional class takes place every Monday at Colorado Springs Senior Center, 1514 N Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs, from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, call 719-599-4344.
Reining Horse Association
The Eastern Plains Reining Horse Association is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Reining Horse Association. Its goal is to promote public interest in the sport of reining through shows, clinics, scholarships and events, including fundraising projects. The EPRHA meets the second Monday of each month at the Latigo Trails Equestrian Centre meeting room at 7 p.m. Contact Mary Jo at 347-2441 or log onto http://eprha.org for more information and updated meeting information.
Falcon VFW
The SGM James Gregory ‘Ryan’ Sartor” VFW Post 12227 will meet in 2024 on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the Falcon Fire Protection District at 7030 Old Meridian Road. For more information or to join, visit https://vfw.org/join.
American Legion Post 2008
The American Legion Post 2008 meets at the Falcon Legacy Campus (11990 Swingline Road) in the gymnasium. This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:15 pm. Active duty, retired and former U.S military from Falcon/Peyton and Black Forest area are welcome to attend. The Post supports veterans and their families, locally and nationally, as well as the community. Look them up at http:/www.legionpost2008.com or email us at legionpost2008@gmail.com.
Exchange Club The Exchange Club is a national organization with a focus on Americanism, child abuse prevention, community service and youth. The meetings in Falcon take place the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Falcon Fire Protection District Station No. 3. For more information, visit https://exchangecluboffalcon.com or call Andy Conder at 719-337-6990.
