The Colorado Springs Gazette

'The Wizard of Oz' celebrates 75th anniversary at Fine Arts Center

Prepare for one of the Fine Arts Center's biggest productions - "The Wizard of Oz." Two dogs and more than two dozen actors will bring L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel to life, along with a juicy bunch of special effects. Flying monkeys, a hot air balloon ride, melting witches and a yellow brick road top the list. With so many props, scenery,...
Dear Donna: Widower might be moving too quickly

Dear Donna, I have been dating a man for several months. I enjoy his companionship, and I thought there might be potential for something long term. When I met him, he told me he was widowed, but he gave me the impression he had been widowed for some time. I recently learned that he was widowed for only three months when he started spending...
Drive-thru review: McDonald's raided the pantry to come up with a new taste

This week I reached out for a BBQ Ranch Burger, part of the revamped and pricier "Dollar Menu & More" at McDonald's. There are many more "more" items than "dollar" items on the menu - some as pricey as $5 for the 20-count McNuggets box and $2 for the Bacon McDouble. McDonald's has upped the price of the plain McDouble (two patties and one...
Dear Ms. Kitty: Cut balls of fur require patience

Dear Ms. Kitty, We've never had a cat, and my daughter, Stephanie, wants a kitten for Christmas. What do we need to know before making this important decision? - Wishing for Whiskers Dear Wishing, Kittens are cute, furry balls of love that most likely will grow into wonderful companion cats for years to come. However, kittens also require...
Holiday survival guide: How to keep it together in stressful situations

Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season, and for many it's followed with a month of stress. Trying to please everyone with as little drama or conflict as possible can be mentally and physically exhausting. Throw in crowded stores, scarce empty parking spaces, stockings to fill, parties to attend, perfect presents to buy and trees and...
Drive-thru review: Wendy's ups its bread game yet again

A rule of thumb in the drive-thru is: "Don't eat anything with more than four words." Pepperoni pizza: good. Four Cheese Stuffed Crust Super Colossal Chocolate Chip Dessert Pizza: scary. We're making an exception and opening wide for the Bacon Portabella Melt on Brioche at Wendy's because the "on Brioche" is what sets this creation apart from...
Locomotivation: Model train expo draws fans of tiny tracks

About a decade ago, members of the Pikes Peak "N" Gineers received an email from an American soldier stationed in Iraq. The soldier had a favor to ask of the model railroad club. "They were bored to tears with video games and needed other hobby material, specifically something they could work on with their hands," said Mike Peck, then...
Dear Donna: Shy folks need space, quiet time

Dear Donna, My mother invited my new girlfriend to join our family for Thanksgiving dinner. She accepted the invitation but told me later that she did not feel comfortable sharing Thanksgiving dinner with people she does not know very well. She is very shy and said she has to get to know people before she can warm up to them. My family is...
Drive-thru review: No false advertising in Subway's fiery footlongs

Subway recently unveiled its Fiery Footlong Collection, so I opted to try a Sriracha Steak Melt. If you're not familiar with Sriracha, you haven't eaten in a restaurant in the past five years. It's the trendiest, hottest hot sauce going. Sriracha, a melting pot of super-scorching chilies, started in little Thai eateries and spread across the...
South Dakota mom's blog about bullying draws praise, ire

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A South Dakota mother is the target of both praise and criticism after she blogged that kids being bullied should toughen up. Stephanie Metz's wide-ranging post, which spread on Facebook after she shared a link, was as much about oversensitive modern parents as it was about kids. "The main message is 'don't be afraid...
Mobile apps help parents track children

Technology makes it possible for parents to track children through devices and mobile applications. But in addition to deciding whether they should follow their children remotely, parents have to weigh differing opinions about the line between safety and privacy. "I'd rather catch huge mistakes early on than when it's too late," said Amanda...