The Colorado Springs Gazette

AROUND TOWN: Manitou Springs Library Gatsby event a "Novel" evening

Summoning up the decadently glamorous world of Jay Gatsby, the Friends of the Manitou Springs Library along with the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District wore their "Great Gatsby" best to an appropriate setting, Briarhurst Manor Estate, for "A Novel Evening" on Feb. 28.
AROUND TOWN: Walmart gives over half a million dollars in grants to nonprofits

A Walmart celebratory dinner Feb. 21 at Cheyenne Mountain Resort brought with it more than half a million dollars for Southern Colorado nonprofits...
AROUND TOWN: 1,200 indulged in chocolate and wine for a good Zonta cause

A Sunday afternoon of sheer indulgence, namely chocolate and wine, drew 1,200 people to the Antlers Hilton Hotel on Feb. 16. The delicious opportunity raised funds for the Zonta Club's programs for women.
AROUND TOWN: YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region celebrates year, says goodbye to CEO Dummermuth

Dan Dummermuth stepped down as CEO of the YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region with a big smile on his face. He's headed for Nashville to become CEO of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee.
AROUND TOWN: Jan Doran named Making Democracy Work honoree

Community advocate Jan Doran, called a woman who gets things done, was chosen the 2014 Making Democracy Work award winner by the League of Women Voters. The announcement was made Tuesday at a reception at The Woman's House at Colorado College.
AROUND TOWN: Opera League Valentine's gala

Soaring sounds of opera, a special musical Valentine gift, filled the lobby and ballroom of The Mining Exchange on Feb. 14. The Pikes Peak Opera League celebrated a Valentine's Day Extravaganza: An Evening to Remember, the league's third annual benefit gala. Stars of the upcoming production of "Lakme," along with special guests, offered...
AROUND TOWN: Celebrating youth in symphony, ballet, handbells, chorale and all the arts

It was an early-morning arrival for 400 arts lovers Feb. 13, but they were ready to Celebrate Youth in the Arts.
AROUND TOWN: Interfaith Hospitality Network churches support families in need

One simple question uttered in the lobby of the Hotel Eleganté explained Interfaith Hospitality Network: "What do you need?"
AROUND TOWN: Newlyweds Lou Mellini and Laura Muir roasted by friends

They've been the Lou and Laura couple for 10 years but even their closest friends were flabbergasted when text messages popped up on phones last Aug. 23. Lou Mellini and Laura Muir were eloping at the top of Vail Mountain the next day. Quietly.
AROUND TOWN: Citizens Project honors 'Miss June' and Judy Noyes

Two powerhouse women, one known fondly only as "Miss June" and the other Judy Noyes, who with husband Dick was behind beloved Chinook Bookshop, were honored Tuesday with Citizens Project Divine Awards at Stargazers Theatre and Events Center.
AROUND TOWN: The Resource Exchange: 50 years helping those with developmental disabilities

A "500-year flood" on the September day of the top fundraiser of the year and a freezing rain on the night of the first special event of the year in January couldn't wash away The Resource Exchange's plans for a golden anniversary. All Executive Director David Ervin could do was laugh -and hope for an ark.
AROUND TOWN: Glass Slipper Ball

It was a glamorous evening for a necessary but not-always-glamorous cause: women's global initiatives. And area chefs turned out heavenly gourmet treats to entice guests.
AROUND TOWN: Empty Stocking Fund tops its goal

The celebration of three decades of The Gazette/El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund brought a big smile to the face of Gazette publisher Dan Steever: "Our 30th year and once again we hit our goal." For seven years ESF has topped $1 million.
AROUND TOWN: Veterans come together at gala

They're veterans of wars from across the years and all over the globe. Now the members of MSG William J. Crawford VFW Post 7829 at Sundance Mountain Lodge in Monument are busy honoring and celebrating all veterans.
AROUND TOWN: An evening to celebrate the arts

On a crisp Bavarian night in December, lovers of all the arts gathered at Briarhurst Manor Estate for the Colorado Springs Symphonic Guild's annual Bavarian Christmas, an event supporting the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.