Located just west of Colorado Springs near the Pikes Peak Highway off of Highway 24, The Wines of Colorado is a most stop for any wine connoisseur or burger lover. The Wines of Colorado is a restaurant, wine retailer, and gift shop.The menu is full of great appetizers, entrees, and burgers (the wine burgers are awesome). For desert I recommend the Carrot Cake for two! They have an awesome selection of wines from over 50 wineries in Colorado. There is a wide variety of gifts that include wine knick-knacks, wine racks and holders, gift baskets, and everything in between. Kelly Parliment (the son of the owner Marvin Parliment) and Tony Guido (a friend of mine) work at The Wines of Colorado. They were very accommodating and will do there best to take care of all your wine/gift/fine dining n... 05/15/2007

Colorado Springs Real Estate - Downtown Colorado Springs Neighborhoods Downtown Colorado Springs offers convenient access to all parts of Southern Colorado, as it sits just east of I-25. Several neighborhoods make up Downtown Colorado Springs. Downtown has always been a "hot spot" for both homeowners and investors. One popular neighborhood is the Old North End.Boundaries (Partially defined by the Steele Elementary School boundaries):North: Madison AvenueSouth: Boulder StreetEast: Royer Street and Patty Jewett Golf CourseWest: I-25The Old North End is centered around Colorado College and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and is just a couple blocks from the center of Downtown Colorado Springs - the smalland humble, but well maintained and lively core of our city. Most homes in the Ol... 05/14/2007

Arguably one of the best mechanics of German automobiles in the city of Colorado Springs is Gary Kohler, the owner of Volks Tech, located in southeast Colorado Springs.  He has had a VW repair shop in Colorado Springs since 1974, and has been repairing German cars for more than 40 years. All makes and models: Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, ... if it was made in Germany, he can fix it. And he also repairs motorcycles, mostly European.  Repairing German cars is a part of his life. He does it with a passion. And that is one of the reasons why he is the best.       When he's not busy repairing German cars, he's busy ordering parts, or corresponding with people from all over the country who seek his advice.  05/13/2007

Well, this is the set-up for my last birthday/Mother's day. My kids collaborated against me and sent a singing telegram. It was web-cammed for the daughter in VA Bch, VA and I could hear her cackling as I danced in the tutu as I lost any dignity I ever had. I used to arrive at my children's schools dressed as a clown and bring special goodies for odd ocassions. Guess I was bored.  Anywhoo- tomorrow is #49 but I think I have a year to plan for the escape by the time.  BTW- the one in VA Bch, got a clown surprise herself in March- I came dressed as the clown and she cried like the baby she is. That was great! All her associates helped me do the gig all the way from Colorado- THAT was cool1BTW- thanks for the help with the links and stuff. More to learn here. AGAIN- Happy Mother's Day 05/13/2007

I stopped by the Grindlwald German Delicatessen to buy a loaf of genuine German bread. Whenever I'm there I take a moment to chat with the owner. Today was no exception. Her English is very good, but German is her mother language, and that is what comes natural. So that is the language in which we spoke: (English translation at the end of the article)    Wie lange sind Sie schon hier in Colorado Springs?Seit 20 Jahren. Was kann man hier kaufen?Man kann hier Spezialitäten aus Deutschland kaufen. Für Erwachsene Leute, und für Kinder auch. Und dann sie können die richtige Bratwurst kaufen, aber keine Preservatives und keine Filler drin. Dann können sie Knackwurst kaufen, ... und dann haben wir viele Sachen zum Kochen -- feine Soßen für Vieh und Schweinebraten, und wir haben viele Soßen für... 05/13/2007

It's still true. The real treasures are seldom lying out in the open. You have to dig for them.Far off the beaten path, nestled in a grove in southeast Colorado Springs, is Pikes Peak Vineyards & Winery. I visited there and had the good fortune of meeting winemaker Paul Tafoya, who took me on a tour of the winery.  I also spent a little time doing some wine tasting. Paul has been making wine here for more than 25 years. He is pictured to the right, standing in one of the vineyards.This is one of the machines that is used in the initial part of the process for sorting the grapes.    To the left is the wine press.This machine below is used in the fermentation process.            These kegs contain Merlot wine.     Part of the storage process before the wines are bottled.    This is where ... 05/12/2007

Introduction: Here is our latest analysis regarding the Pikes Peak Residential Housing Market. The primary goal of this data is to paint the picture of reality in our local housing market, to provide a frank and honest discussion of opportunities, threats, oppositions and conditions as they exist, and to obtain the pulse of activity locally. This data is the result of information pulled from the Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS’ website as well as conditions observed by sales professionals, builders, other competing real estate firms and individuals connected to the sale and exchange of real estate in the Pikes Peak Region.   DISCUSSION: April has three pieces of poor information, and two pieces of good...   Poor: Sold Units barely budged over the previous month (5 total units) at 89... 05/12/2007

The following post probably falls under all three - it's a place, you'll meet great people and you can do a variety of things. This is one of Colorado Springs' parks, fairly easy to find (not tucked away like some) and pretty big. Cottonwood Creek Park, Colorado Springs - is located off Dublin Drive and Rangewood Drive in the North/East area of town is a popular spot for anyone age 1 to 100. There's something to do for anyone, whether you'd like to participate in a team sport, play or just hike. If you start out on the South/West corner of the park (corner of Dublin and Rangewood) - you'll come across the roller hockey rink. It's very popular and can get crowded, specially as the evenings get warmer  - but if you like to play - it offers several pick up games throughout the week. Next t... 05/12/2007

Phantom Canyon Brewery is a must stop on anyones list who likes great food and beer. Located in downtown Colorado Springs, the building that Phantom Canyon is in was historically home to the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad and then the Cheyenne Motel. Ze stout is sehr gut miene freund! There are 8-10 speciality beers on tap and the Oak Aged IPA and Railyard Ale are very tasty and come highly recommended! For food, you cannot go wrong with the Artichoke and Baby Spinach Foundue for an appetizer, and the Pan Blackened Flat Iron Steak for an Entree. Phantom Canyon also has a great bar, pool hall, and banquet rooms to cater to any of your private function needs.  Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.2 E Pikes Peak AveColorado Springs, CO80903, Phone 719-635-2800www.phantomcanyon.com Contact D... 05/11/2007

Did you know that Old Colorado City was the the first Capital of the Colorado Territory in 1861? Well from May 26-28th Old Colorado City celebrates the fact with crafts, booths, and entertainment. The event draws between 80-140,000 guests and falls on Memorial Day Weekend. Territory Days Festivities:Street Entertainment with the Seven Falls Indian Dancers, Colorado Mounted Rangers, and Historical Skits and much more!Activities for kids such as pony rides, gold panning, and facepainting.Activities for adults that include the Beer Garden and Margarita Cantina.Dates:MAY 26, 27 & 28th, 2007Saturday and Sunday: 10-7pmMonday: 10am-6pmFor more information call 475-0955 or visit Territory Days website Contact Dan Follett at dannyfollett@msn.com or visit COLORADO SPRINGS REAL ESTATE   05/10/2007

Deer Creek at Northgate is one of a handful of newer neighborhoods in Northgate - the northernmost part of Colorado Springs.    Deer Creekis just North of Interquest Parkway and east of Voyager. The southern border of Deer Creek is dotted with a few small office buildings and is not far from New life Church and the World Prayer Center. To the North is Liberty Heights - a Senior Lifestyle Community, and the Southern edge of Trailridge. Deer Creek offers excellent views of Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains - as it is situated on a series of foothills. It is hard to find a home in this neighborhood without wonderful views. The eastern border is still open space - but is currently slated to be a residential neighborhood of the Flying Horse golf course community.There are strict HOA's keepi... 05/08/2007

The Trail Ridge neighborhoods are in the northernmost part of Colorado Springs known as Northgate. It is called Northgate because it is home to the "North gate" entrance of the United States Air Force Academy. Trailridge consists of two neighborhoods: Trail Ridge and Trail Ridge South.Both neighborhoods are located east of I-25 between Interquest Parkway and Gleneagle. Voyager Parkway is the divider between Trail Ridge and Trail Ridge South. Trail Ridge ~ This neighborhood is located east of Voyager Parkway and sits on a series of foothills - offering spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and the Air Force Academy from almost every home.               The northern border of this neighborhood is Mary Kyer Park and the da Vinci Academy Elementary School of Arts and Ideas. Mary Kyer Par... 05/08/2007

I had the opportunity, and pleasure to speak with some residents of Spring Creek, a Traditional Neighborhood Development, in southeast Colorado Springs. This is what we talked about: I am speaking with Eric and Tamara Brown, residents of Spring Creek, and I'd like to ask you, first of all, how long have you lived here in Spring Creek? We've been here for about 2 months.Where are you from?We're originally from Denver.What attracted you to this area?It was pretty much, my place of employment is about 15 minutes away from here. And our former house that we had, it was 15 minutes away from here also, in the other direction, so going from home to work we saw this neighborhood coming up. And it's just a better locale for both us, for both of us, in regard to getting back and forth from work. ... 05/07/2007

Paul and Susan Hilker are performing at the Jazzed On Java coffee house in the Spring Creek community in southeast Colorado Springs. While visiting there last weekend I had the chance to meet with Paul who was kind enough to take time to grant an interview:I am talking with Paul Hilker. Paul you say that you have been playing at Jazzed On Java for how long?We're just getting started a week from Sunday. What times are you here?We'll be here from 12:30 -- every Sunday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. And we'll also be opening it up to other musicians in the future.  But we'll set a schedule for that when we get guys on board. Right now it's Susan, my wife, and myself. We have a little thing called Glassy C. That's the name of our group.What kind of music do you play?We do easy listening jazz. Kind of... 05/07/2007

Bristol Brewing Company has the some of the finest beers in Colorado. Located just south of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bristols has called the Pikes Peak area home for more then 13 years.  If your a beer counisour like myself, or want to try some unique beers, this is the place to be. Locals throughtout Colorado seem very fond of the Laughing Lab Scottish Ale. Two others I would recommend are the Mass Transit Ale and the Beehive. Michelle Majchrzak, an employee of Bristols, was on staff the day I visited and was kind enough to give me a tour of the brewery. Joe Hull (the head Brew Master), was in back tending to all the vats of beer. Stop in sometime and take the edge off.                                                                                                          ... 05/05/2007

Il Vicino is a contemporary Italian Trattoria/ Micro-Brewery in downtown Colorado Springs. Their menu is full of great Italian dishes such as wood oven pizzas, panini style sandwiches, calzones, lasagna, and pasta dishes. The quality of beer is second to none in Colorado Springs. The Wet Mountain IPA seems to be the locals favorite (and mine). If your not into the beer thing, try their awesome variety of wines and other non-alcohol drinks. I have been a customer for over a decade and can attest to the quick service and consistently great food.  Restaurant  Hours: Sun - Thurs 11:30 am - 11:00 pm Fri - Sat 11:30 am - MidnightLocation:11 S. TejonColorado Springs, CO 80903719-475-9224,  http://www.ilvicino.com/ilvicino/index.asp Contact Dan Follett at dannyfollett@msn.com or visit COLORADO ... 05/03/2007

        As with any future the Colorado Springs market forecast for the future can only be speculated on.  In the Semiannual Colorado Springs Single Family Housing Market report for the 1st Quarter of 2007 by David Bamberger & Associates In May of 2007 they propose two separate scenarios that may come to pass for the future housing conditions of Colorado Springs. The first scenario a they state that if the economy in the US slows down and goes into recession by the middle of 2008 then the Colorado Springs job growth will slow down and mortgage rates will rise. The second scenario is more favorable. If the economy in the US sees continued growth then the housing market in Colorado Springs will also rise. Much of the second, more favorable, scenario will depend highly on the military pres... 05/03/2007

Academy School District 20 is one of the largest districts in Colorado Springs. It serves the educational needs of families in northern Colorado Springs, Black Forest and the United States Air Force Academy.Here is a brief history and a handy reference for which elementary school feeds into which middle school which feeds into which High School. Academy School District 20 - Administration Building1110 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80920(719) 234-1200About Academy School District 20:It started in the early 1900's with just one school. "In the early 1900s, the high altitude and dry climate of Colorado Springs gained international reputation as a cure for tuberculosis. The Modern Woodmen of America, a life insurance company, opened a massive TB sanitorium for afflicted employees ... 05/01/2007

One of the things I credit ActiveRain for is making me more curious about my community. Every aspect of it. Things that I would have ignored at one time, have taken on a new meaning. And so it was last Saturday.I was driving through the Spring Creek area of Colorado Springs last weekend and happened to see someone with a sign pointing towards the homes of one of the home builders in this new community. I was curious to know more, so I stopped to chat with her. It was an interesting conversation. A lot of it wasn't included in the interview because we spoke for a long time before I grabbed my recorder. Anyway, here's the interview:  Your name is ...?Courtney.And you're with?I'm with Todays Homes today.So you're a contractor, is that right?Yes, that's right.What does that mean? What kind... 04/30/2007

I visited the Jazzed On Java coffee shop last weekend and had the opportunity to speak with Jessica Renaud who works there. She was kind enough to take a moment to grant me an interview. Here's what we talked about:What is your name?I'm Jessica. Jessica, how long have you been working with Jazzed On Java?For about a year now.How do you like working here?I love it. The scenery is really nice. And the people are always friendly. And good tips. I see it has a nice view of the mountains.Yes, we have a good view of the Rocky Mountains. And a perfect view of Pikes Peak here. I understand that the owner of this place is a former Miss Colorado?Yes, actually she is. But she is going into law now. So she's not going to be with us much. She is a very nice young lady, and her mother is too as well... 04/30/2007