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Archive for the 'Spirit of the Springs' Tag

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Quote of the Day

January 23rd, 2012, 8:20 pm by

The city of Colorado Springs is planning a USOC Opening Day Celebration in downtown Colorado Springs on July 27.

The outdoor celebration is part of the mayor’s Spirit of the Springs initiative.

“I’m proud to say that the city of Colorado Springs is the only city at this point who has permission from NBC to broadcast the opening celebration of the Olympics in London…Since we have the USOC headquarters here, we think we should celebrate that every chance that we get,” Donna Nelson, the mayor’s economic vitality specialist, told the City Council on Monday.

Runner-up for Quote of the Day:

“I hope it’s extra large,” City Council President Scott Hente said after Mayor Steve Bach gave him a jacket with a Spirit of the Springs insignia.

Posted in: City Administration • City Council • Civic Participation • • • • • • | 10 Comments »

Longtime barber, student receive ‘Spirit of the Springs’ awards

December 16th, 2011, 5:11 pm by

Donna Nelson presents Benny Vallejo a "Spirit of the Springs" award Friday.

Mayor Steve Bach on Friday recognized Benny Vallejo, a Colorado Springs barber who has been in business for 50 years, with a “Spirit of the Springs” award.

The award was presented by Donna Nelson, the mayor’s economic vitality specialist.

“The mayor thought (Vallejo and his business were) worth celebrating,” city spokeswoman Julie Smith said.

According to the mayor’s office, Vallejo has missed work only 12 days in the past 50 years because he was sick.

The mayor started the “Spirit of the Springs” award to recognize good news that typifies the excellence found in Colorado Springs, according to the mayor’s website.

Benny’s Barber Shop is located at 727 W. Colorado Ave.

To see of video of Vallejo, click here.

A “Spirit of the Springs” award was also given to Lexi Kluge, an 8th grade student at Horizon Middle School, on Friday.

That award was presented by Suzi Bach, the mayor’s wife.

“Lexi, along with her teachers, classmates and family collected donations to send Christmas stockings to our soldiers overseas. This is a special young lady who worked with others in our community to accomplish great things.” –Suzi Bach said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Posted in: Uncategorized • • | 2 Comments »

Mayor recognizes Cheyenne Mountain volleyball, tennis teams

November 17th, 2011, 3:31 pm by

Mayor Steve Bach is in the giving spirit.

Bach is giving Spirit of the Springs “Celebration” certificates to the Cheyenne Mountain High School girls volleyball team and boys tennis team.

The volleyball team won the  state 4A Championship, making the win the girls’ fourth state championships in a row.

The boys tennis team won the 4A Championship, making it the boys’ third championship in a row.

The certificates will be presented to the students at 10 a.m. tomorrow by Chief Communications Officer Cindy Aubrey on Bach’s behalf, said Donna Nelson, who is the mayor’s economic vitality officer.

Last week, the mayor recognized Air Academy High School marching band for winning the state 4A marching band competition.

The Spirit of the Springs “Celebration” award is presented by the mayor of Colorado Springs and recognizes good news that typifies the excellence found in Colorado Springs, according to the mayor’s website.

Posted in: City Administration • Civic Participation • • • • | 3 Comments »

Air Academy High School marching band scores mayoral award

November 9th, 2011, 4:25 pm by

Air Academy High School’s marching band will be the recipient of Mayor Steve Bach’s first Spirit of the Springs “Celebration” Award.

The mayor is recognizing the band for winning the state 4A marching band competition.

Bach will present the award at 11 a.m. Thursday at a gathering in the school’s auditorium, the city said in a press release.

“Air Academy’s marching band also fared well at the recent Bands of America super regional competition at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.  On Saturday, Air Academy won first place in the Class AA section and placed 17th overall at the competition,” the city said.

The mayor’s award “recognizes good news that typifies the excellence found in Colorado Springs,” the city said.

Posted in: City Administration • Civic Participation • • | 3 Comments »

Bach launches new website to keep citizens informed

October 21st, 2011, 2:51 pm by

Move over, springsgov.com.

The Mayor’s Office today announced the launch of bachsoffice.com “as an easy way for citizens to stay informed of the Mayor’s priorities and initiatives as well as provide input,” according to a press release.

The new website, which will be updated frequently, will  include messages from Mayor Steve Bach.

It will also include news releases, calendar events, photos and other information.

“Citizens will also be able to learn about and get involved with various initiatives being launched by the Mayor, including Spirit of the Springs and Solution Teams,” the press release states.

“I am committed to ongoing dialogue with citizens,” Bach said in a statement. “This website will allow me to share my ideas and priorities with you, so together we can work toward solutions that make Colorado Springs an even better community to call home.”

So, why didn’t the mayor just use springsgov.com to keep citizens informed?

“Springsgov.com is a very large web site with thousands of pages of content,” city spokeswoman Mary Scott said in an email.

“Having a separate, targeted website allows for the streamlining of information specific to the Mayor’s top priorities and initiatives.  There was also a need to have a very simple-to-use platform so that a number of users could be providing content with very minimal training. Unfortunately the admin side of springsgov.com can be difficult to navigate,” he said.

The cost of the new website was  $3500, which Scott said was a 50 percent discount from the normal fees the company, Infront Webworks, would normally charge.

“Now that it is up and running, City staff will be updating the content,” she said.

Posted in: City Administration • Civic Participation • • | 3 Comments »

Add a caption to photo of Councilman Tim Leigh getting dunked

September 19th, 2011, 8:27 am by

Last week, the mayor’s office got a few daring folks to participate in a dunk tank during the Spirit of the Springs celebration.

Among them was Colorado Springs City Councilman Tim Leigh, who, despite being a self-proclaimed “beach lizard,” apparently loves getting in the water.

The moment right before Leigh was dunked was captured in this photograph.

Now, it’s up to you to add a caption in the comment section below.

Winner gets bragging rights.

Posted in: Civic Participation • • | 13 Comments »

Councilwoman backs out of dunk tank because of sinus infection

September 16th, 2011, 10:18 am by

Colorado Springs City Council members who were looking forward to taking a shot at their outspoken colleague, Councilwoman Angela Dougan, may be disappointed.

Dougan, who was scheduled to participate in a dunk tank at today’s Spirit of the Springs celebration, has pulled out.

Dougan, who has been sick all this week, said she has a bad sinus infection and that her doctor advised her against participating.

“I actually was really looking forward to it. I thought it would be fun,” she said.

Dougan said she thought she could have raised a lot of money.

Half of whatever dunk tank participants raise will go to a city cause of their choice.

“I figured I was going to get enough money from my own (colleagues who) just wanted to throw (a ball) at me,” she said.

“I thought for sure Bernie would put in a few hundred,” she said, laughing, referring to Councilman Bernie Herpin.

The mayor’s office had also asked me to participate in the dunk tank. Although I was considering it, I decided not to do it after careful consideration and advice from colleagues.

The good news: Councilman Tim Leigh is still scheduled to participate in the dunk tank.

But since it’s a family-friendly event, Leigh has been asked not to wear a bikini.

Posted in: City Council • Civic Participation • • • • • | 7 Comments »

Mayor Bach has spirit! Yes he does! How about you?

September 2nd, 2011, 4:30 pm by

Mayor Steve Bach is inviting Colorado Springs residents to a fun pep rally for the official launch of his Spirit of the Springs initiative.

The event is from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 on the south lawn of the Pioneers Museum.

“The Mayor’s Spirit of the Springs initiative encourages citizens to celebrate, connect and become involved in Colorado Springs, through arts and culture, fitness, activities, and local traditions,” according to the city.

“The program is a call to action for all ages to get involved, meet others in our city and see how all of us will contribute to our community in some personal way.”

Did I mention that the Air Force Academy cheerleaders will be there?

So will athletes training for the Olympics.

Benji Bruce, described by The Gazette as the James Bond of mind reading, will be there, too.

“Bring a picnic or purchase refreshments on site or at nearby restaurants while you enjoy a variety of family-friendly entertainment,” according to the invitation.

See you there, Colorado Springs!

Posted in: City Administration • Civic Participation • Recreation and Cultural Services • • • | 1 Comment »

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