Climbing In Garden Of The Gods

Have you ever wanted to climb in the Garden of the Gods?

Did you know that you have to register with the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center before you can climb? But if you neglect to do so - you can be find by the park rangers. (And yes - they ARE out there…)

Once you’re registerd - which only takes a few minutes (Honestly!) includes reading over the current rules (pay attention - there are always areas that are Off limits) and regulations and filling out a short form. It’s all done to be sure that you know what you’re doing!

Technical Climbing is permitted on established routes, in group of two or more - NO single climbing! (For safety purposes). Proper climbing equipment is MANDATORY and the use of eco-chalk is recommended/encouraged.

All other climbing or rock scrambling is ILLEGAL.

While this may sound harsh- it’s done - once again - for your safety. Tragic accidents have happened…and they are just trying to prevent them as much as possible. So be safe - and enjoy!

Colorado Springs Ranks…?

Every City likes to be thought of as a great place to live, work and play. And some actually achieve that - as ‘proven’ by rankings given out from magazines, associations etc. (And if the Citizens agree - even better!)

Thought I’d put together - at least a partial list of rankings/awards/etc. Colorado Springs has achieved…so you can compare, agree, comment, disagree, ponder…

According to the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation - Colorado Springs offers the “Best Business Climate In The World”.

Considering that’s by a Corporation that’s here in Colorado Springs - does that even count as a ranking?

But then Colorado Springs was named Government Fleet Magazine’s “Top US City with a Biodiesel Fleet“.

Another Article touted “Colorado Springs Energy Bills the 5th lowest in the Nation“.

My Question on that one would be: Can we keep it that way?

Colorado Springs was also named “The fittest City in the Nation” by Men’s Fitness Magazine.

In 2006, Money Magazine named the Springs as “One of the Best Places to Live“.

However, despite all those nice rankings, awards and namings - there are also some rather dubious (or should I say worrisome?) rankings…for example:

“Colorado Springs Named Second Highest In Suicides“

What rewards/namings/rankings do you remember for Colorado Springs? (Aside from the whole “Foreclosure Capital”-one…?)

How Times Have Changed….

Compare 1954 to now…

The above video has been produced by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce in 1954, to promote Colorado Springs as a Tourist Destination. If you have been in the Springs anytime during the last 5-10 years - you’ll see just how much things have changed…

Colorado Springs Home Show

Did you visit the Colorado Spring Home Show at the Phil Long Expo Center this weekend? What did you think? My two cents - it was a nice show, a way to spend a very snowy and windy afternoon - but overall - it was the same old, same old….most of what was displayed had been displayed for the last several years. Nothing majorly new and exciting - with a couple of exceptions.

One of them: “Quinn Essentials - The Key to finishing your home”, represented during the home show by Wendy Quinn, the Owner. Say you can’t get excited about hardware? Well, you’d have to see their offerings. It’s hardware alright, but it’s not your run of the mill type of items. If you missed them during the home show, check out their website. 

What was your favorite display at the show?

Colorado Springs Still In The Running

According to an article in the Gazette, the U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman, Peter Ueberroth confirmed that Colorado Springs was still in the running for being chosen as the location for the organizations headquarters.

City officials have been working with the USOC for month, in order to keep the Olympic Committee here in town, and are hoping that their latest proposal will do the trick.

Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera stated: “We have provided everything they have asked for so far, and from my point of view, Colorado Springs is the best location for the Olympic Committee. We’ve provided a top notch proposal that is great for the USOC, great for the athletes and great for the NGBs (national governing bodies). We have put something very valuable on the table, and I hope they accept and we have a partnership for decades to come.”

Colorado Springs Drinking Water To Double In Price?

According to an article by KOAA.com, Colorado Springs Drinking Water could double in price if is to be piped from the Pueblo Reservoir. According to this, the annual water bill for residents would rise from approx. $307 to $693.

It is stated that despite conservation programs, water use is on the rise, and expected to increase further with the increase of soldiers and family members in Ft. Carson.

While I can understand that with increasing numbers of residents, water usage will increase etc - what I can’t understand is Colorado Springs Utilities use of funds - received and collected from current residents.

The following articles are just part of my confusion in this matter:

Utilities bonuses down - but still $10 Million

Utilities bonuses raise pay 20%

THE icing on the Check

Could we maybe have a little more oversight as to how our money is spend and maybe even avoid some of the “double increases”?

Colorado Springs Downtown

The ongoing debate over the Revitalization of the Colorado Springs downtown area just got “moved up a notch” - with the increase of “party crowds” that swamp down town areas on almost any night of the week.

Tejon seems to be the party center, with crowds, supposedly reaching 2000 and more, causing an increase in police calls, as well as letters from citizens stating that they felt they could no longer enjoy an evening out, creating a negative perception of the downtown area; this almost contrary to the efforts to revitalize, add new shops and living areas (lofts).

The city’s answer is to install better lighting in alleys and installing more video cameras in order to reduce the risk from a public safety perspective.

What are your thoughts on this? Does the “party hub” create the wrong perception about Colorado Springs downtown and turn away new neighbors - both businesses and tenants?

What Are You Doing On February 14th?

The usual? A romantic dinner? An Evening out on the town? A weekend getaway? If you have kids - of any age - that might not be possible….at least not in the “usual” sense.

Why not try something else? On February 14th - the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of IT’Z will be held. IT’Z is located on the east side of Colorado Springs, off Powers Blvd. on 3035 North Center Point. (Phone 719-635-1551)

IT’Z is Food, Fun, Parties and Events for Families. Check out their website - and let me know what you think?

Traveling With United Airlines? Pay Up!

According to this article by AP, on February 4th, 2008, United Airlines will be charging you more to bring your second bag/suitcase, if you’re not part of their Frequent Flier program. The charge? $25. This was simply included for free up until now. Don’t want to pay it? Check out Delta, Frontier Airlines and American Airlines, for example, where your second bag still travels free - at least up until now.

However, charging for your second bag is not the end of this - in addition, United will: “… charge all customers $100 per bag for up to four additional bags. Previous charges ranged from $85 to $125 per bag. The cost to check items that require special handling because they are large, overweight or fragile will now be either $100 or $200, depending on the item.

New fees apply to trips within the U.S. and or those that include Canada, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Customers whose itineraries include other international flights still will be able to check the second bag for free. The cost to check more than two bags, or items that are overweight or require special handling, on such trips will vary by destination.”

Are you wondering why these changes? And yet another price hike if you want to fly? Well, the answer would be: “Investors have urged airlines to pass on the higher costs of fuel to passengers through ticket-price increases or similar surcharges.” as well as “UAL shares fell $2.56, or 6.2 percent, to $38.58 Monday.”

Have a great Flight and Thank you for choosing United Airlines!

Is this going to have any effect on the Airline you choose to fly with?

Match Yourself To Your Candidate

Thanks to Fox News 5 - we now no longer need to listen to the debates, think too hard or even make a decision for ourselves. We can just use the Candidate Matchmaker, to find out who we should vote for!

I do hope that little bit of sarcasm came through and you didn’t take me too seriously!

However - that matchmaker exists - and if you’d like to give it a try - go for it!

According to Fox - this is what you can expect:

Welcome to the MyFox Candidate Matchmaker. Compare your position on key political issues with those of the current presidential candidates.

Here you can:

• Play 20 questions to find your closest political match
• Dig deeper into the candidates’ answers, stances and news coverage
• Download a cool political bobble head widget
• Embed this quiz on your blog or site

So, what are you waiting for? Take the Candidate Matchmaker challenge today.
Welcome to the MyFox Candidate Matchmaker. Compare your position on key political issues with those of the current presidential candidates.

Did you play? What did you think of the results?