These are the movies I watch year after year because their stories and performances have withstood the test of time. For me, it’s just not an authentic holiday season without them.It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)I have to admit, I find most of this classic film depressing as our hero, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), sinks deeper and deeper into trouble and despair. But with the help of an angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), George realizes that he’s positively impacted so many lives and his community. If he hadn’t saved his younger brother after he fell through the ice … if he hadn’t…
Author: Rhonda Van Pelt
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By Rhonda Van Pelt and Theresa Woods Whether it’s an all-night dance party or a healing experience, find somewhere to celebrate 2026 among these offerings. Electric Safari · cmzoo.org Cheyenne Mountain Zoo • 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs • Dec. 25–Jan. 1 • 5–8:30 p.m. See all of the zoo sparkle with more than 85 light sculptures, inflatable animals and a holiday-safari themed drone show. Rhapsody in Blue · csphilharmonic.org Pikes Peak Center • 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • Dec. 30 & 31 • 7:30 p.m. Welcome 2026 with a musical portrait of another era: George…
Holiday Shopping Guide – SoCo Insider Pet lovers on your shopping list are sure to love a portrait of their furry or feathered friend. Pet Portraits & Custom Art Willow Creek Pet Portraits Alicia Rohlfing, owner of Willow Creek Pet Portraits (willowcreekportraits.com), learned her craft through mentorships, workshops and education through the Professional Photographers of America. Perhaps more importantly, she’s a lifelong animal lover. Her portraits bring out the personality of her subjects. Rohlfing offers some tips for potential clients. “Don’t get frustrated when your pet isn’t ‘performing’ or behaving. They can sense it, and the tension can make the…
The holiday season is the perfect time to explore the vibrant creative community right here in Colorado Springs. Whether you’re searching for a unique handmade gift, planning a special experience, or simply want to support local makers and artists, our city offers an abundance of treasures waiting to be discovered. From artisan workshops to cozy boutiques, these locally-owned businesses combine quality craftsmanship with personal service that the big-box stores simply can’t match. Each shop tells its own story and reflects the passion of the entrepreneurs who’ve made Colorado Springs their home. Local Creative Shops & Experiences Bemis School of Art…
Angela Hartshorn is a witch. No, really. She dresses in black, whips up herbal remedies and often wears a pointed hat she made herself. And, of course, she has a black cat — as any self-respecting witch should.But she doesn’t wave a wand or wiggle her nose like Samantha on “Bewitched” to make magical things. Hartshorn works hard on her creations, which she sells on Etsy, her website (hartandhornstore.com) and from her shop, Hart & Horn, in the Manitou Art Center. She’s had a studio at the MAC for about 14 years. There, she’s created imaginative products including hair clips shaped…
The end of summer doesn’t have to mean bringing down the curtain on family fun — especially in the Pikes Peak region. Whether you’re trying to entertain the kids or visitors from out of state, you’ll find something everyone can enjoy. Check out these places in west Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods 1805 N. 30th St. · gardenofgods.com Wander the trails on your own, or sign up for a guided tour of this world-famous park. Drive your vehicle around the winding roads, or sign up for a trip on a 1909 trolley, a Segway or an e-bike. The Visitors…
It’s ironic, how joyful people are about performing the blues. Maybe singing and playing down ’n’ dirty music helps exorcise some demons. It’s also joyful to be a blues supporter — just ask Amy Whitesell. She and her husband, George, are the brains behind Blues on the Mesa. This is the fifth year the festival will draw music fans to Gold Hill Mesa’s Community Center and its lawn, with plenty of space for fans, vendors and the stage. This year’s lineup: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster; guitarist-singer Mike Zito; pianist-singer-songwriter Eden Brent; guitarist Jack Hadley with singer Peaches Embry; and guitarist-singer…
Every Labor Day weekend for a half-century, a magical village has appeared in Manitou Springs. It’s a village of creatives displaying artwork in various media and their neighbors making music, painting faces, fashioning balloon animals and creating giant bubbles.Commonwheel Artists Co-op member Julia L. Wright has been the Labor Day Art Festival coordinator for most of those years. She sort of stumbled into the job in 1976 and is so good at herding the creative cats that it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing it.“I tried to take a sabbatical in 1993 and train someone, who lasted just that year.…
The Penny Arcade can be called the gem of Manitou Springs. But after 92 years, the gem had lost a little of its luster.For decades, members of the Kerns family nurtured the cluster of red-and-white buildings in the 900 block of Manitou Avenue. The bright lights and sounds of children’s laughter and clanging machines have drawn generations of locals and visitors to the largest arcade west of the Mississippi River.It’s an important part of the Manitou Springs Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.When Manitou resident and entrepreneur John Weiss heard that the arcade was for sale…
First Fridays are extra special in Manitou Springs, where art lovers can stroll from gallery to gallery just a few blocks apart to see new work and meet artists. Downtown Manitou is home to three major galleries. Here’s what they’re offering in August:Commonwheel Artists Co-op is hosting its annual Summer Market, offering arts and crafts in a range of media, from paintings to pottery and photography to pyrography (artfully burned wood). This year’s edition will showcase 23 artists, including co-op members, who were juried into the market. All items cost less than $100.The markets have been popular with people from…