The Elephant Bar – Colorado Springs Restaurant/North-side

See you at the Elephant Bar in Colorado Springs

The Elephant Bar – one of the more unique chain restaurants in Colorado Springs. If you’re in the mood for something “Asian inspired”, with a dash of European and American flavors thrown in – this might be the place for you.

The Menu offers a lot of the “usual” stuff, like openers, salads, entrees, soups and desserts, lunch specials, fins (fish) and sandwiches & burgers. But you’ll also find global cuisine, items on the lighter side and even gluten free meals!

Quite a variety for a “chain”…and the execution makes it special. The flavors are just a little more intense, the combinations a little more “off the beaten path”….and some of the items you can’t help but try out. (Pretty presentations enhance the fun.)

As Openers, Sweet potato fries, served in their own little serving stand, or Ahi Tuna with sauce, or – my favorite – Wok-fried chicken and lettuce wrap. Not only yummy, but you get to play (make your own wraps) with your food while you’re at it. Adding to the entertainment value.

Entrée salads like Pacific Cove Tropical Crab and Shrimp Louie – like it fruity with your fish? This is the one for you! And desserts – either full sized or mini-samplers – delicious.

The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, with plenty of privacy, due to the set up of booth’ at different floor levels, interspersed with tables. The bar is on one end of the restaurant – keeping the noise out of the dining area,  and if you like Pina Colada – you might want to give their Jungle Colada (a refreshing, creamy, raspberry flavored version) a try.

Open later than many restaurants – due to the bar, a favorite hang out for friends, home comings, lunches. Thanks to a fairly open kitchen, you can watch quite a bit of food being prepared, the wait staff is friendly and helpful, and the bar tenders ready to chat. Highest priced items are Ahi Tuna and Salmon, but for about $10-14 you can have a soup/salad and sandwich combo.

Located on the north side of Colorado Springs, the Elephant Bar offers a Passport E-mail club, for exclusive member benefits, like promotions, benefits, specials and frequent buyer rewards.

Have you been at the Elephant Bar before? What did you think? What was your favorite item/food/drink/dessert? Any recommendations?

7 Best College Towns for Investors?

According to an article by Realtor.com – these are the 7 Best College Towns for Investors. What’s your take on this? Agree? Disagree?

Do you have experience investing in any of these towns? Would you agree with the analysis?

 

 

Colorado Springs – The Springs Cupcake Truck

Love cupcakes? Live in the Springs? Check out “The Springs Cupcake Truck” via Facebook.

This is a family owned business, based out of Denver (where the main bakery is located), selling via truck in the Colorado Springs Area. The only way to find out where to find these delicious morsels is to “Like” them on Facebook, as this is their main medium of “advertising”.

Cupcakes come in a variety of flavors, with a daily mystery flavor to boot. The truck travels through the Springs Wednesday through Saturday, from approx. 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. It (Coco the Truck) can also be rented for private events.

Daughter and I decided that we would have to check this out, so we went on a mission to meet the truck – aka be on time to get some cupcakes. I’m happy to say – we’ve made it, despite me slow poking around on crutches. After much deliberation, we’ve had Pikes Peak pistachio, zippy lemon and the banana special of the day! Delicious!

Have you visited Coco yet? Enjoyed some cupcakes – just because or for a special occasion? If not – I can only recommend you try the Springs Cupcake Truck – with yummy cupcakes, and just the perfect amount of frosting. (Ok…it’s a lot…but it’s so yummy.)

Try it – let me know what you think?

 

 

Colorado Springs – Hotel Discounts

Coming to Colorado Springs? For Vacation? Business? Moving here? And need a place to stay – either for a few days or few weeks? Check out some of the following hotels, which offer discounts, and make your stay a little more economical!

Hyatt Summerfield Suites

They are located on 5805 Delmonico Drive, Colorado Springs, CO and can be reached at (719)268-9990 (phone). They offer amenities like a fitness room, complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet access, complimentary full hot breakfast each morning, evening social hour, apartment style suites with separate living, work and kitchen area, laundry Facility, convenience market and outdoor pool. They are close to a variety of local attractions, like the Flying W Ranch, the Air Force Academy and Garden of the Gods. Several large Companies, Hospitals and Colleges/Universities are also nearby. The discounts offered are for Government Employees, AAA/CAA or Senior citizens.

Travelodge Colorado Springs 

Located on 2625 Ore Mill Rd, US Hwy 24 & 26th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. Phone: (719)632-4600. Hotel Features include a free Bear Bites Breakfast, free high-spee Internet, a pool, truck parking, a business center and pets are allowed! Discounts offered range from AAA, Package discounts, Senior, AARP to Government Discounts. They are located close to Manitou Cliff Dwellings, Pikes Peak, Seven Falls and Cave of the Winds.

Black Forest Bed and Breakfast

This is a Bed & Breakfast with Lodge and Cabins, located on 11170 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80908. Phone: (800)809-9901. This lodge is located on 20 acres with panoramic view, just minutes from town. Cabins, guesthouses, log pavilion and lodge for weddings, reunions, retreats and corporate events area available. A continental breakfast is included with room rates and discounts are available for Corporate and Government, as well as Length of Stay.

What are your favorite places to stay in and around Colorado Springs? Did you have great service? Was the location fabulous? The Service amazing? Would you recommend it to your family and friends?

 

Colorado Springs Military Discounts

Check out the Site “Colorado Springs Military Discounts” – they offer discounts from lodging to dining to shopping and Events. Just be aware – some of the Discounts (specially in the Events Category) have expired.

Also, there are more businesses in town that offer Military Discounts, but they are not all listed on this site. However, it’s a site to get you started, maybe give you some new ideas.

I’ve been here over 15 years – and I still don’t know all the places that offer Discounts.

However, here are a few that are not listed on the above website….

If you know of any other places – please share them with us? Via the comment section? Thanks! 

DSW on North Academy – Shoes for the whole family. 10% off with Military ID. Sign up for the free membership and earn point for additional discounts and coupons.

Chipotle (not in all location – so please ask) – free drinks for Military and Families

Home Depot and Lowes – 10% off with Military ID – MUST show ID right away

Outback Steakhouse – Military Discount. Again  – MUST show ID right away or they will not honor it.

Papa Murphy’s Pizza (not sure if all locations participate – we go to the one on Dublin) – but they offer a discount.

What places do you frequent that offer a Discount to the Military and their families?

 

 

 

Colorado Springs Events – Weekend of July 15-17

July 15th:

1. Manitou Springs – Commonwheel Artist Co-op presents “Reflections of Nature“ — Water colors by Sabine Wachs.

Location: 102 Canon Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

2. Jerry Seinfeld at the Pikes Peak Center at 7:00 pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)

For Ticket purchases, additional info, etc – please check out Pikes Peak Center’s Website. 

3. And Jack Quinn, the Irish Alehouse and Pub presents John Statz at 9:30 pm

Location: 21 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

July 16th 

1. Alex Hoag Run for Sunchine at the Security Service Field – 4385 Tutt Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80922

10K & 4K run and 5K fun walk – all events finish inside Sky Sox Stadium at 3rd base Dugout.

Raise $100 and race for free. This is a benefit run, helping children living with Proteus Syndrome.

2. The Holmes Brothers – at Blues Under The Bridge – 218 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Gates open at Noon. Please check out the website for time and ticket information.

July 17

1. Kraig Kenning will be at Front Range BarBQ for the first time at 6:00 pm.

2330 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

2. Girls Weekend Out – Women’s Expo at the Rustic Hills Event Center

Shopping, Beauty Tips, Jewelry, health screenings and more.

Time:11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location: 3960 Palmer Park Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

3. Frankie’s 5th Annual TESSA Benefit Bike Run & Party

Registration: 8:00 am

Start Time 8:30 am at Frankie’s Bar & Grill

Food, Raffles and Prizes. Bring your old Cell phones to donate to TESSA.

945 North Powers Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80915

 

As usual – please check out the event websites and/or contact the venues for additional information.

What are your weekend plans? Anything fun? Please share!

Colorado Springs – Housing Market Snap Shot – June 2011

Housing Market Changes in Colorado Spring

During the Month of June:

74 New Single Homes were added (Town Homes, Patios, Condos are not included)

with an Average Price of $227,244

Average Square Footage was 2,356

Average of 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

 

Of all the Homes available, 392 Closed in June, 2011 (this includes homes that went under contract in April and May)

The Average Sales Price was $222,860

Average Square Footage 2,367 Sq Ft

Average of 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

 

If you would like further information, have questions, are wondering about the value of your home, etc – please contact me.

Sabine@ColoradoHighlandsGroup.com

 

Happy 4th of July

Between Baseball Games, Bar-B-Q’s, fireworks, parades, fairs, picnics, concerts and family reunions, we manage to spend the Fourth of July quite happily. What we need to remember is that this is not just a fun-and-games Holiday, but that it represents the day that the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen unites Stated of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truth to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. …(Read the entire declaration here.)

The day that the history of the United States officially began; the idea that so many died for… just to see it come into existence. In that spirit of Independence, determination and Unity, I wish you a Happy 4th of July! 

(Picture by nixxphotography – http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2217)

Looking for New Owner – Wagon Trails, N/E Colorado Springs

Spacious, two-story Stucco (low maintenance) Home. Popular “Versailles” Saddletree Model, Parade of Home Winner. Great for Entertaining, both family-style and formal. Energy Star rated.

Located in N/E Colorado Springs, in Wagon Trails Neighborhood, which also includes a Recreation Center with pool, tennis, basketball and park. Close to Gym, shopping, schools, hiking trails. Concrete Tile Roof, A/C, Humidifier.

Views from Ft. Carson to the Air Force Academy – great to view the Thunderbird Fly-bys at the Air Force Academy, Fireworks on Pikes Peak and throughout town – Pikes Peak dominating the view from the Deck and the Patio (Walk-out Basement).

Interested in making a move? Contact me and schedule a showing.

Sabine Pyrchalla

Keller Williams Client’s Choice Realty

(719)510-1145

Colorado Springs – USAFA Pharmacy Phone Numbers

If you’re assigned to the USAFA or simply go there for medical care – the following are some handy numbers to have.

Main Pharmacy – located inside the Clinic, which offers ambulatory surgery support, family practice, internal medicine, lab, pediatrics, etc.

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday:     07:30 am to 17:00 pm

Saturday:                                  09:00 am to 13:00 pm (New prescriptions and clinic provider refills processed)

Closed on Sundays, Federal Holidays and Command designated family days.

Phone Number:                      333-5157

 

Community Center Pharmacy – located in the Community Center (close to the BX) – fills off-base handwritten prescriptions and refills.

Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday:     08:30 am to 17:30 pm

Saturday:                                  09:00 to 13:00 pm (Refill pick up only – all other prescriptions filled at main pharmacy)

Closed Sundays, Federal Holidays and Command designated family days.

Phone Number:                      333-9801   or    333-5692

Fax Info: Prescriptions faxed from providers can be filled in advance if patient calls ahead to give needed information.

Fax Number:                           333-5694