Happy Friday, Colorado Springs. In today’s edition: Pikes Peak Library District branch upgrades, gingerbread houses, a winter concert with David Arkenstone, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Compassionate care in winter: Colorado Springs ramps up homeless outreach, pairing Community and Public Health Division staff with clinicians to deliver street medicine, mental health support, and cold-weather supplies three days a week — see how teams help.

Literacy-focused branch upgrades: Pikes Peak Library District has purchased buildings housing the Ruth Holly and Ute Pass branches, with nearly half funded by donations and the rest from reserves and other funds — get all the details.

Market tilts toward buyers: Colorado Springs buyers are seeing lower prices as inventory reaches its highest level since 2013, nearly 4,000 listings. October’s median was $473,500, slightly below last year, according to realtors — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Learn holiday candy and chocolate techniques
• Sip over 40 holiday wines
• Headbang to support Toys for Tots
• Experience holiday wonder at Rock Ledge Ranch
• Experience Spinphony’s electrifying holiday mashups
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

A spellbinding fairy-tale journey: The Sleeping Beauty pirouettes into Colorado Springs on April 15, 2026, at the Pikes Peak Center. Presented by Classical Arts Entertainment, this family-friendly, two-act classic showcases Petipa choreography, brand-new hand-painted sets, 200+ costumes, and an international cast. General admission is $35. Ages 3 and up welcome. Get all the details.

Festive outing for dogs: Santa Paws returns Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Under the Sun Dog Training and Daycare off Vincent Drive. It’s free and features DIY photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus plus themed activities. Keep pups leashed and vaccinated, and don’t forget your camera. Get all the details.

Self-pour pint playground: When you want a sip before committing, Trails End Taproom lets you pour by the ounce from dozens of rotating taps, including beer, cider, wine, kombucha, even cocktails, and pairs it with a solid craft food menu. Their community-giving streak puts real dollars back into local nonprofits.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🌵 The Useful Yucca @ Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center | Friday (12/5) at 1:00pm – Meet the desert’s ultimate multitasker: the narrowleaf yucca. This hands-on session shows you how this hardy plant survives in a semi-arid landscape and doubles as nature’s original soap and string. Jump into interactive demos where you’ll try your hand at making cordage or sudsing up yucca-style—ancient skills, very modern bragging rights.

🎶 A Winter’s Eve Concert with David Arkenstone and Friends @ Ent Center for the Arts | Friday (12/5) at 7:00pm – Holiday season calls for the good stuff, so catch five-time GRAMMY-nominated David Arkenstone turning the ENT Center into a winter soundscape with his band. Celtic touches, cinematic swells, instruments, not mall carols, one night only, with VIP perks if you want a meet and greet.

This weekend

🧶 The 51st Annual Doherty Bands Craft Fair| Saturday (12/6) at 9:00am – The 51st Annual Doherty Bands Craft Fair is the kind of hometown browse you swear is for gifts, then keep everything yourself, and you get to support the students keeping Friday nights loud.

🐾 Santa Paws is Coming to Town for Breakfast and More! @ Under the Sun Dog Training and Daycare | Saturday (12/6) at 9:00am – Bring the pup for breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, where you get pancakes and coffee, and your dog gets a pancake and bacon. Expect silly pup games, candid photos, and a holiday market; reserve breakfast, the rest is free, leashes and manners required.

🎨 Painting with a Twist – Candles @ Good Company Bar | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Trade doomscrolling for a pour-your-own candle session at Painting with a Twist, then sip while it sets. Pick your scents, chat with grown-ups, and leave with a custom candle that smells a lot better than whatever’s hiding in the fridge.

🛍️ Holiday Bazaar @ Sunshine Studios Live | Sunday (12/7) at 10:00am – If your gift list is still giving you side-eye, swing by this free holiday bazaar for handcrafted goods, raffles, and a silent auction that helps stretch your holiday giving. The kids can meet Santa and the Grinch while you savor cocoa, treats, and a grown-up sip.

🤝 ‘Tis the Season: A Time to Connect @ Pikes Peak Center | Sunday (12/7) at 3:00pm – Nothing beats holiday harmonies that make even grumpy locals mist up a little. The Children’s Chorale gathers singers of all ages to celebrate community, our military families, and the educators who keep us in tune.

🎤 Eric Golden @ Whiskey Rose | Sunday (12/7) at 8:00pm – Trade your playlist for the real thing with Eric Golden’s band show. He brings a tight, no-nonsense set with sturdy hooks, crisp guitars, and stories you can actually hear. Think less bar noise, more toe-tapping, and a night you will remember tomorrow.

Next week

🍬 Candies & Confections @ The French Kitchen Culinary Center | Monday (12/8) at 9:00am – Skip the gift tins and level up your sweets at this holiday candy class. Cook sugar, butter, and fruit purees to perfection, then learn chocolate tempering and dipping for caramels that fool your friends. Perfect for English toffee fans, and confident cookie makers.

🏠 Gingerbread Houses @ The French Kitchen Culinary Center | Tuesday (12/9) at 4:00pm – Whether your last gingerbread house slumped like a midwinter snowbank or you never tried, Chef Nate leads a mostly demo class on mixing, rolling, baking, and decorating like a pro. Sip his signature hot chocolate, learn tricks, then leave with a showpiece, plus gingerbread people.

🎤 Bingo & Comedy Night @ OCC Brewing and Restaurant | Tuesday (12/9) at 7:00pm – Think your dabber still has it? Head to OCC Brewing’s rooftop for seven rounds of bingo, stand-up laughs, and BOGO beer specials, all while backing UpaDowna and Medicine Wheel. Twenty bucks gets seven cards, prizes from local shops await with add-ons, bragging rights included.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Anastasia @ Kathryn Mohrman Theatre – 7 pm
• 12/6 Elektric Animals @ Oskar Blues – 8 pm
• 12/6 Mark Masters Comedy @ Ivywild School – 8 pm
• 12/10 Music at Midday @ Colorado College – 12:15 pm
• 12/11 Art on the Mesa @ Gold Hill Mesa Community Center – 5 pm
• 12/11 Gentle Rain @ Rico’s Cafe and Wine Bar – 5 pm
• 12/12 Jingle Bell Rock @ Sunshine Studios Live – 6 pm
• 12/13 Wintersong @ Shove Memorial Chapel – 4 pm
• 12/14 Spinphony @ Stargazers Theatre – 6 pm