Buena Vista Elementary School, 1620 West Bijou Street, will hold a Montessori Pre-School and Elementary School Open House for prospective families Tuesday, May 13, 2008 6-7 p.m. Tour the school, explore a classroom, meet the principal, staff members and some Buena Vista families! Discover high quality, affordable Montessori Preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds and Colorado Springs' only Public Montessori for Kindergarten through fifth grade!
For more information, call the school at 719-328-4100.

Palmer High School's 19th annual Beautification Day will take place Saturday, May 10, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Beautification Day involves collaboration between students, staff, alumni and community members to clean and maintain the historical building and grounds which houses an award-winning school and student body.
The media is more than welcome to come to interview and film any of the participants and have lunch. We hope to see you there.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Air Force Space Command's finest security forces members will compete in two different competitions in Jack's Valley at the United States Air Force Academy April 30 and May 2.

At 11:30 a.m. on April 30, members will engage in a marksman competition and at 9:30 a.m. on May 2 members will use their skills during a room clearing exercise.

Media is invited to watch the competitions and interview participants.

Media interested in covering one or both events should contact Master Sgt. Matt Gilreath at (719) 554-7509 or e-mail matthew.gilreath@peterson.af.mil before 11 a.m. April 29. Media should arrive at the North Gate, Exit 156, 45 minutes prior to the competitions for access to Jack's Valley. Media may contact MSgt. Gilreath the day of the event at 719-291-6699 for last minute decisions to cover the events, but will still need to be at the North Gate 45 minutes prior to the event for access.

Over the years, Guardian Challenge has played an important role in sustaining and enhancing the combat readiness of our space and missile forces. It has also served to promote the competitive drive and esprit-de-corps so important to developing world-class professionals.


Attached Media Files: Base defenders to compete at USAFA for Guardian Challenge.doc

The Board of Education will be having a Special Board Meeting Friday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Board Retreat; they will continue the Board Retreat Saturday morning starting at 8:30 a.m. These meetings will take place at Cathedral Pines; log on to the district web site www.d49.org for more details.

Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
at theRedeemer Lutheran Church Gymnasium
Corner of North Wahsatch & Monroe
Find treasures at this huge garage sale, a fundraiser for
PILLAR, a non-profit organization offering Enrichment Through Lifelong Learning. Although designed for retirees in mind, we welcome people of all ages to our exciting classes and travel adventures.


Attached Media Files: garagesaleflyerapril2008.jpg

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The Colorado Springs School (CSS) is pleased to announce the second annual Family Polo Classic will occur on June 7-8, 2008. A weekend of horseplay will not only celebrate the community's rich sporting heritage, but also bring together friends, families and neighbors for a delightfully unique and fast-paced polo exhibition with players from up and down the Front Range and from as far away as Argentina.

A gala party is planned for Saturday, June 7 and the Polo Exhibition & Family Picnic will take place on Sunday, June 8, 2008. Central Bancorp and Gulf Coast Western are the presenting sponsors of the weekend's events, chaired by CSS parent, Donna Cagle and a hardworking committee of volunteers. Additional sponsors (as of April 24, 2008) of the weekend include: K-Lite 106.3, News First 5/30, Pepsi-Lane Sales, Bristol Brewery, Cravings, Continental Cleaners & Fashion Cleaners, Tiffany's & Co., Animal Anesthesia and Pain Management Center, Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Five Star Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Rich Designs, Boswell Idea Group and International Business Forms.

Saturday, June 7, 2008 - "An Evening at the Races" Gala Party
Guests and sponsors will kick-off the Family Polo Classic celebrations with "An Evening at the Races" Gala party! Guests will be entertained in the Trianon on the Colorado Springs School campus at 21 Broadmoor Avenue. Highlights of the night will include: gourmet dining stations, cocktails, single malt scotch tasting, a charity poker game, a virtual horseracing extravaganza, auction items, live music by Allen Joseph and dancing. Gala tickets cost $150 per person and benefit the Colorado Springs School's fundraising efforts for scholarships and faculty professional support.

Sunday, June 8, 2008 - Family Polo Classic: Polo Exhibition & Family Picnic
From noon to 4 p.m., it's all about families, neighbors and friends on Boddington Fields at CSS. Beginning at noon, everyone will enjoy live music with Tropical Coyotes under the big tent, barbecue concessions catered by Buffalo Gals, refreshment and snack concessions, beer and wine offerings, and activities for the kids will lead into the six chukkers, or periods, of play.

Before the match begins at 1:15 p.m., members of Fort Carson's cavalry will lead a thundering charge on horseback across the field, presenting the colors. The ceremonial "bowl-in" of the first ball, like a ceremonial opening pitch in baseball, will be done by members of the Boddington Family, descendants of Bill Boddington, former CSS Trustee and "the father of soccer" in Colorado Springs.
In between halves of the game, spectators are invited to participate in the traditional "divot stomping" to repair the turf. Other activities between chukkers include a stick horse race for kids on horses they have made, and a demonstration ride by clients and staff of the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center.

General admission tickets are $50 per Family (2 adults and 4 children) or $10 per child and $15 per adult. Patron/sponsor tickets are $100 per person, which includes a greater donation to the fundraising event and a prepaid convenient lunch buffet. Families can visit with the players and horses after the match and learn more about the game and the sport of polo. The winning team of the charity match will be presented with the newly named, "Webb Family Trophy" in honor of Ms. Barbara Webb and her late husband, Joel A.H. Webb. Ms. Webb was a founding trustee of The Colorado Springs School and her husband's father was an avid polo player in the community. This historical tie weaves an endearing story between The Colorado Springs School and the rich sporting heritage of the community through polo.

The Family Polo Classic is a fundraiser for student scholarships and faculty professional support at The Colorado Springs School with a portion of the proceeds from Sunday's polo exhibition also benefiting the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center, a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities to encourage independence and improve their quality of life. Several CSS students and faculty have volunteered with the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center.

For more information on the Family Polo Classic, to purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, visit www.css.org/FamilyPoloClassic.aspx or call (719)434-3501.

Additional high resolution photos and interviews are available upon request at 434.3506.

About the History of Polo in Colorado Springs
Count James Pourtales and Spencer Penrose, early developers of the Broadmoor area, initiated and developed the sport of polo in Colorado Springs. Charles Baldwin, builder of the historic Trianon (now the home of The Colorado Springs School), was an avid polo player and built his home directly across the street from the polo field. Spencer Penrose established the Broadmoor Polo Association in 1924 and teams vied for the coveted Penrose Park Polo Gold Cup. Although many of the game's greatest sportsmen played in Colorado Springs in polo's heyday, the sport died out after World War II. The newly formed Colorado Springs Polo Club is a major force behind the revival of the sport in our community and a founding partner of the Family Polo Classic.

About the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center
Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center (PPTRC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation providing equine assisted activities for people with disabilities. We are the oldest, largest and the only premier accredited center in southern Colorado. Originally called Acts 19:11, PPTRC began in 1981 after several families and health professionals discovered the therapeutic benefits of horse-back riding. Since then, we have been providing this powerful experience to riders challenged by traumatic brain injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, and other debilitating conditions.

About the Colorado Springs School (CSS)
CSS offers an experiential educational curriculum for preKindergarten – 12th graders. Through superior academics and mentoring, The Colorado Springs School prepares students to think independently and to meet the needs of a dynamic world with leadership, ingenuity, problem-solving skills, and personal integrity. Transportation bus stops and financial aid offerings are available. Accepting applications now for the 2008-2009 academic year.
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Attached Media Files: CSS_FamilyPoloClassic_pressrelease.pdf , CSS_FamilyPoloClassic_pressrelease.doc , DSC_0079.jpg , CSS Polo Party and Polo Match 2007 128.jpg , DSC_0068.jpg

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., -- High School drill teams and honor guards from around the country converge on the Air Force Academy Saturday for the National Invitational Drill Meet in the Cadet Field House.
Events start at 7 a.m., on the indoor track of the Cadet Field House with an opening ceremony, followed by drill competitions 7:15 a.m., until noon and 1-5:15 p.m.
The drill meet concludes with a performance by the Academy Cadet Honor Guard 5:15-5:30 p.m., and an awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
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Epstein and Rosenbaum at the Movies: Mystery Train

Outstanding director, Jim Jarmusch, created this quirky classic. The movie presents three different stories in Memphis, all relating to a seedy hotel, and of course, Elvis.

Facilitators: Warren Epstein has been the film, TV and radio critic for The Gazette since 1996. He is a regular screenplay judge at the Breckenridge Festival of Film and attends the Telluride and Sundance Film Festivals. Ira Rosenbaum, PhD, is a board certified diplomat in clinical psychology and is professor emeritus of Central Michigan University.

Date: Friday, April 25
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $12 ($10 members)

Stress Less: A Brief Overview of Jin Shin Jyutsu

Jin Shin Jyutsu Physio-Philosophy, an ancient art of body, mind, and spirit, was born of innate wisdom and passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. The art had fallen into relative obscurity, when it made a dramatic revival in Japan around the early 1900's by Master Jiro Murai. Master Jiro Murai made it his lifetime's study. The resulting knowledge of JSJ was given to Mary Burmeister who brought it to the United States in the 1950's. Today Jin Shin Jyutsu is studied all around the world. For those of us addressing existing stress or health disharmonies, or for those simply wishing to participate actively in maintaining, health, harmony and well being, the Art of Jin Shin Jyutsu is a simple and powerful tool, available to all.

Instructor: Patty Schoenstein, LMT, MEd, was casually introduced to JSJ in 1979 by a friend. She realized at the end of her first one-hour session: " Oh right … this is what being relaxed feels like; I have almost forgotten!" A JSJ student continuously since then, Patty has offered self-help Jin Shin Jyutsu classes and individual sessions in Colorado and California. Patty realizes the profound influence that JSJ has had in her own experience as a lifelong learner, and encourages others to appreciate Jin Shin Jyutsu too.

Date: Friday, April 25
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $33 ($24 members)

This class will give you a sampling of poetry. You will recognize some old favorites and become acquainted with the work of many of the poets being published today. You will also hear the instructor read some of her own poems. This class is designed to be an easy-listening experience.

Instructor: Constance Davis has a BEd from Keene State College in New Hampshire and a MA in Education from UCCS.

Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $22 ($16 members)

Is there a difference between curing and healing? Can someone be cured but not healed and which is more important from a wellness perspective? Participants in this class will learn about and discuss ten basic Wellness concepts. You will learn to utilize these concepts to implement a quality Wellness plan. Participants will also discuss fighting and letting go as methods to support healing and wellness. The instructor will share the wisdom of wellness learned from hospice patients and caregivers.

Instructor: Kent Mathews MSW is a Wellness Coach specializing in helping people balance the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives for improved health and well-being. Kent uses his experience as a church educator to teach how spiritual choices and ideas influence physical and emotional states. His years of hospice social work provide him with the skills to support people with emotional changes regarding wellness choices. His years as a Glyconutrient Wellness Consultant allow him to support the physical changes people seek from following a Wellness plan. Kent's ultimate dream is to develop a Wellness network for over 50 thousand people who through their actions and thoughts change the focus of healthcare from sickness to wellness and prevention.

Date: Thursday, April 24
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $22 ($16 members)

Retirement communities are waking up to the reality that this generation of retirees will not accept mediocrity. They demand so much more in services, amenities and environment than is currently offered. Palisades at Broadmoor Park, a cutting-edge retirement community, recognizes the need for radical change in the retirement industry. They make time to listen to the needs of people like you. Even though moving into a retirement community may be years away for you, wouldn't it be nice to discuss your thoughts so you can impact the future of this rapidly expanding arena? Join the staff of Palisades as they facilitate discussion from attendees. Be a part of the new design. In appreciation for your thoughts and opinions, Palisades will offer a light lunch afterward.

Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: Canned good for Care and Share
Location: 218 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., CSC 80906
(In the Country Club Corners Complex, directly East of the Hatch Cover Restaurant.)

This is a class for both beginning and intermediate poker players. For the beginner, we will teach you what this fun card game is all about. We will concentrate on playing at home with friends. No previous knowledge of the game will be needed. For the intermediate, we will teach you how to play better and how to win more often. We will discuss the mistakes that many players make and how to correct them. We will discuss tips, tricks, and strategies to enable you to improve your game. We will discuss different kinds of poker games, including Texas hold'em, seven-card stud, draw poker and many other fun variations that you can play at home. Near the end of the class, we will discuss how to understand poker on TV, how to play video poker, playing poker on the internet and a few advanced topics such as bluffing and how to "read" your opponents.

Henry Gertzman is a retired physicist and currently tutors college students in mathematics and science. He is a member of the PILLAR Curriculum Committee.


Date: Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $66 ($48 members)

Classical Music Brought to Life

In the coziness of his home and two grand pianos, Dr. Abe Minzer, Director of "Classically Alive," will thrill you, along with other friends, to live performances, fascinating learning and interactive discussions. The sessions will survey a broad range of classical music.

The course will overview music, beginning with Bach in the early 1700s onto the great masters such as Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms and round out with enjoyable more contemporary offerings. Joining
Dr. Minzer, will be vocal, string and wind instrumentalist, some of the finest musicians of the Pikes Peak Region. The friendly, intimate, informative course approach will insure participants are comfortable and not intimidated by classical music. Everyone will come away with a positive experience.

Instructor: Dr. Abram Minzer is director of "Classically Alive," a collective of 15 musicians, and is creator of a diverse Colorado Springs based music/arts salon series. Through 2006 and 2007 the salons have featured the complete Schubert song cycles, Mostly Mozart and 7 salons on Brahms and Schumann. Abram Minzer earned a doctorate in Piano Performance at W. Virginia University and taught piano and chamber music at Goucher College in Baltimore. He was concerto soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Currently, Dr. Minzer is Music Coordinator at Temple Beit Torah in Colorado Springs and actively performs Jewish and contemporary music. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Carol Schreuder and enjoys travel.

Dates: Tuesdays, April 22 and 29
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $44 ($32 members)

Peace and calm are essential to our experience of joyful living. With busy, complicated lives, it can sometimes be a challenge to access these resources. In this class you will learn to use self-hypnosis, relaxation and visualization techniques. You will have the opportunity to experience and practice three different techniques that will help you to experience the deep relaxation that promotes joyful living.

Instructor: Emily B. Lustig, M Ed., a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist who offers a supportive and holistic approach to working with the mind, body and spirit. She attended the Hypnotherapy Academy of America, where she received the most comprehensive training that is offered to complement her Masters Degree in Human Development from Boston University.

Date: Wednesday, April 23
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $22 ($16 members)

All aboard for a fun journey through the services provided by Amtrak. Learn more about this interstate passenger rail service in the United States. Did you know that the name ‘Amtrak' is the blending of the words "America" and "track"? Trains use one-fifth less energy than cars or planes. They run in bad weather. They are a tourist-friendly way to travel. Amtrak is definitely an option for those who have the time and are eager to leave the driving to someone else. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. In this class you will learn about:
~Time Tables
~Route Maps
~Accommodations: Seating and sleeping
~Food Service
~Baggage
~Stations
~Reservations
~Using local commuter trains and buses as connections

Instructor: Evan Issokson is a retired dentist who has taken numerous vacations utilizing Amtrak. He has traveled thousands of miles on Amtrak during the last twenty years. Evan has had a life long love of train travel and is eager to share his knowledge with others.

Date: Tuesday, April 22
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $22 ($10 members)

In the coziness of his home and two grand pianos, Dr. Abe Minzer, Director of "Classically Alive," will thrill you, along with other friends, to live performances, fascinating learning and interactive discussions. The sessions will survey a broad range of classical music.

The course will overview music, beginning with Bach in the early 1700s onto the great masters such as Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms and round out with enjoyable more contemporary offerings. Joining
Dr. Minzer, will be vocal, string and wind instrumentalist, some of the finest musicians of the Pikes Peak Region. The friendly, intimate, informative course approach will insure participants are comfortable and not intimidated by classical music. Everyone will come away with a positive experience.

Instructor: Dr. Abram Minzer is director of "Classically Alive," a collective of 15 musicians, and is creator of a diverse Colorado Springs based music/arts salon series. Through 2006 and 2007 the salons have featured the complete Schubert song cycles, Mostly Mozart and 7 salons on Brahms and Schumann. Abram Minzer earned a doctorate in Piano Performance at W. Virginia University and taught piano and chamber music at Goucher College in Baltimore. He was concerto soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Currently, Dr. Minzer is Music Coordinator at Temple Beit Torah in Colorado Springs and actively performs Jewish and contemporary music. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Carol Schreuder and enjoys travel.

Dates: Tuesdays, April 22 and 29
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $44 ($32members)

ACADEMY HOSTS JAZZ FESTIVAL

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., -- The Air Force Academy hosts a free jazz festival on April 19 featuring local and national performers.
The festival begins with performances by eight southern Colorado high school and middle school bands. The schedule for these performances is:
• 8:30 a.m., Wasson High School
• 9:30 a.m., Coronado High School
• 10 a.m., Harrison High School
• 10:30 a.m., Palmer High School
• 11 a.m., Mesa Ridge High School
• 11:30 a.m., Sand Creek High School
• 12:30 p.m., Pueblo High School
• 1 p.m., Jenkins Middle School
This day of jazz and education will culminate with a 7 p.m. performance by the Air Force Academy Band's Falconaires and special guest, Ann Hampton Calloway.
The Falconaires are an 18-piece jazz ensemble that brings the sounds of big band jazz and contemporary jazz to national audiences. The Falconaires will be joined by singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Calloway, the star of the hit Broadway musical "Swing." She has performed with the Boston Pops and has been featured in performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
All events are at Arnold Hall on the the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. concert are free and available at all Colorado Springs area Ticketmaster outlets. Free parking is available in the visitor parking lots west of Arnold Hall.
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Grant Schmidt was named Superintendent of Falcon School district 49 in action taken by the board of Education at their Board meeting on April 10th after completing contract negotiations.