Biz buzz:
Temporary Van Briggle location for Ramblin Express

       The Ramblin Express, which has shuttled buses to Cripple Creek from the Westside since 1993, has temporarily moved to the Van Briggle Pottery parking lot at the southwest corner of Highway 24 and 21st Street.
       The business does not plan to use the site past next spring, according to Todd Holland, its president and owner.
       “We're in the process of trying to secure a permanent park-and-ride location on the Westside,” he said.
       Ramblin Express runs hourly Westside buses to Cripple Creek from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and at 10 p.m. The bus service also picks up Cripple Creek customers from two other Colorado Springs locations every other hour.
       The business originally ran its Westside buses from a parking lot at 25th Street and Bott Avenue, relocating to the Office Depot parking lot in the 500 block of South Eighth Street five years ago. After an arrangement was worked out with Van Briggle, Ramblin began running buses from that lot October 23, Holland said.
      
       The Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has named the Westside-based Space Foundation the recipient of its Chairperson's Award for Excellence in Local Industry.
       The EDC presents the award to organizations that have made a unique and exceptional contribution to the community, according to Stephanie Fibbs of the Space Foundation.
       “The National Space Symposium is a magnet for industry leaders and a major boost to the Colorado Springs economy,” said Mike Kazmierski, president and chief executive officer of the EDC.
       "The Space Foundation is deeply honored to be chosen for this award," said Elliot Pulham, its chief executive officer.
       The Space Foundation, located at 310 S. 14th St. and headquartered in Colorado Springs for 23 years, is a national nonprofit organization that supports civil, commercial, and national security space endeavors.
      
       “Santa Paws” is coming to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
       He and his canine assistant will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and/or Sundays between Nov. 11 and Dec. 10 at the Society, 610 Abbott Lane. People visiting Santa Paws can bring their dogs. The annual event is a fundraiser to cover the Humane Society's costs of sheltering 23,000-plus stray and unwanted pets animals throughout the year.
       For more information about Santa Paws, email events@hsppr.org, or call 473-1741, ext. 177.
      
       The annual dinner and benefit auction for Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School will be Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Double Tree Hotel by the World Arena from 5 to 11 p.m.
       The school, established in 1961, is a parent-run day care at 914 N. 19th St. Proceeds from the dinner and auction will support the needs of the school, including classroom supplies, facility maintenance, and scholarships for families in need.
       Titled “A Night at the Round Table,” the event will also include live music and special guests.
       Tickets are $28 per person and $250 per table of 10.
       For more information, call the school at 636-3084.
      
       “A Year in the Making,” an exhibit celebrating the Gunter-Wolff Gallery's one-year anniversary, will begin with an open house Saturday, Nov. 11 from 3 to 8 p.m. Entertainment will include live music by Westside singer/songwriter Jason Bennett.
       Showcasing 30 local artists in a variety of media, the exhibit will continue through Dec. 8.
       The gallery is at 2605 W. Colorado Ave.
      
       The Valentin Dance Studio, which specializes in Latin dance fitness with such forms as Salsa and Zumba, has opened at 410F S. 8th St.
       The owners are Dorie & Mark Wexler. Classes are offered Monday, Friday and Saturday, including those that “blend together dancing, yoga, and freestyle movement to create a 'you' centered class,” a Valentin press release states, and adds, “Salsa is becoming accessible to everyday people and now you can dance like the stars at our studio.”
       The phone is 649-8294.

Do you have any news about your business? Call the Westside Pioneer at 471-6776.