The Connection

Lisa Towne of Castle Pine’s owner of Little Italy Pizzeria shows one of several lunch options now available five days per week at American Academy Charter School. Article by Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of Lisa Towne Little Italy Pizzeria is now providing some delicious lunch alternatives for the students of American Academy (AA) five days…

We will be performing a program at a local elementary school again this year, sponsoring two local high school US History classes, and sponsoring three displays in the local library branches, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree, where we will be offering free copies of the Constitution and  Preamble Bookmarks at each location. The…

RHMS seventh and eighth grade students got in the swashbuckler spirit when they attended the Real Pirates exhibit last month at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Kelly Corr In a combined field trip for Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) seventh and eighth graders, the students explored…

Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Amy Shanahan Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) welcomes a new face to its administrative team. Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mike Loitz is new to the middle school, replacing Assistant Principal James McMurphy, who went on to become the principal of Ranch View Middle School High for the…

Gina Kaelin-Westcott, owner of Connect Selling and a 2010 graduate of the Success Tracks program, is publishing her first book!  Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Gina Kaelin-Westcott, owner of Connect Selling and a 2010 graduate of the Success Tracks program, has published her first book! “Creating a Bond Beyond the Handshake” aims…

This architectural renderring was part of the City of Lone Tree’s referral package for the site improvement plan of Hampton Inn and Suites at RidgeGate. By Patte Smith RidgeGate development continues, as a new a 106-room, four-story Hampton Inn has been approved by the city of Lone Tree and will be located at the southwest…

By Elean Gersack Bring your dog and head over to O’Brien Park in Parker on September 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the most fun a dog can have in one day! The park is located at 10795 Victorian Drive, at the northeast corner of Parker Road and Main Street. As summer draws…

By Amy Shanahan with photos courtesy of Sibby Dawson “What off-season?” is the slogan on Christopher Dawson’s new favorite t-shirt. Dawson, a sophomore at Regis Jesuit High School, started swimming competitively at age ten, and he’s been in the water ever since. He is a resident of Castle Pines Village and swims for the Village…

Brian Rojas Family members, neighbors, and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Brian Rojas during a a Rosarie that will take place at Notre Dame Catholic church 2190 S. Sheridan Blvd, Friday evening, September 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Brian died after a tragic accident in the Amber Ridge/Ventana neighborhood  of…

By Elizabeth Wood West Beginning in January 2012, area residents will have an opportunity to earn a master’s degree in Castle Rock. Webster University’s Denver Metropolitan Campus is partnering with the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center (Chamber) to offer an on-site cohort program for Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and Masters of…

Damage to the wood shingle roof from a lightning strike.     South Metro Fire Rescue units responded to the 911 call. By Amy Shanahan with photos provided by South Metro Fire Rescue Shana Nelson, a resident of Castle Pines will never forget her experience on August 3rd. Nelson had gone out for a run shortly…

Michael Weingartner, the new head golf pro at The Ridge at Castle Pines North, stands next to the 18th hole pin. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Michael Weingartner has been named head golf pro at The Ridge at Castle Pines North (The Ridge). Now in his third year there, Weingartner worked his way up…

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION CONTEST – HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS The NSDAR awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of degrees in diverse disciplines including: ·      Economics ·      Medicine ·      Education ·      Nursing ·      Government ·      Physical Therapy ·      History ·      Political Science ·      Law ·     American Indian Scholarships Please check the…

  This newspaper clipping shows Leonard Rivkin demonstrating the Strolee National Safety Car Seat for Children – the car seat that started the evolution of child safety seats as we know them today. By Elean Gersack with newspaper clipping provided by Jason Rivkin This month is national car seat safety month. With it comes the…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo by Kate Jones Wellspring Community participants and dance instructor Jenette Smith perform their dance routine for friends and family during the non-profit’s recent Summer Celebration. The dance classes incorporate brain integration therapy, and are just one of several social, educational, and job training enrichment programs offered to young adults with…

by Kathy Dunker Community Fall Festival DCS Montessori (DCSM) will be hosting a community Fall Festival Carnival on Friday, September 30, from 4:30 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. This exciting event will feature popular carnival games, food and refreshments, bounce houses, local vendors, as well as live entertainment. All members of the community are welcome to attend.…

By Lisa Crockett A group of alumni from Leadership Douglas County, a coalition of civic and business leaders, organized a summertime school supply drive called the “Giving Tree, Douglas County United for Students.” The chairperson of the effort, Susan Squyer, worked with the Douglas County Educational Foundation to gather supplies and provide them to students…

Rock Canyon High School students, (pictured from left to right) Andrew Lehrman, Ryan Blanchard, and Kevin Padavic, attended Nationals this summer in Dallas for the Technology Student Association (TSA) where they competed in Technical Sketching, Career Comparisons, On-Demand Film, and Technology Bowl.

Mrs. Miller’s first grade class watches closely as Garden to Chef parent volunteer, Nina Amey, shows them how to water newly planted veggies and fruits with organic plant food. Article and photo by Elean Gersack In the second week of school, students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) started digging, planting and watering. It’s all part…

CJ Hahn with Bessie outside his home in Surrey Ridge. The old gas pump is another of his restoration projects. By Amy Shanahan, photos by Amy Shanahan and courtesy of CJ Hahn. Surrey Ridge resident CJ Hahn enjoys doing car shows because he loves talking to people. As his wife Miriam said, “You can put…

Alyce Todd, co-manager of education at the Downtown Aquarium, makes a special presentation at Timber Trail Elementary to launch the school’s “Dive Into Reading” literacy program. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett The Timber Trail Education Alliance (TTEA), the PTA at Timber Trail Elementary School, has partnered with the Downtown Aquarium for this year’s literacy…

Local produce is at its best this month. Check out a local farmers market for tasty, locally-grown fruits and veggies fresh from the fields. By Lisa Crockett Fall is in the air, and harvest season is in full swing in Colorado. Farmers markets up and down the Front Range – including thriving markets in Lone…

Castle Pines Brownies representing Troop 3719 marched in the Douglas County fair parade on August 6 in Castle Rock to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts. The girls wore party hats and handed out beads to parade goers. Left to right are: Jameson, Emma Kate, Emersen, Mary, Taylor, Libby, Karlie, Lucy, Ellery, and Julia.

Teacher Tony Greene, Building Engineer Kevin Hall, and teacher Nick Newman competed in a tricycle race at Timber Trail Elementary. The race was part of an assembly held to generate excitement about the school’s upcoming Move-a-Thon fundraiser. By Lisa Crockett An upcoming fundraiser at Timber Trail Elementary has a serious purpose – to raise funds…

By Patte Smith with photos provided by DERA Renee Gorman is a wonderful woman, a great mom, and she has Stage IV breast cancer. Like most moms she is crazy about her two kids, a daughter age 12, and a son age 15, and loves her home in Castle Rock where the family has lived…

Cadet, Junior, Brownie, and Daisy troops all joined forces to honor the flag in AA’s first flag raising ceremony. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by ReaMichelle Jakubowski American Academy (AA) held its open house on Wednesday, August 17, which included the school’s first ever flag raising. Part of the school’s improved front landscaping included…

by Mary Elizabeth Johnson and submitted by Marti Bacon STEM Hybrid (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is a new school connected to the STEM Academy located in Highlands Ranch. Its doors opened on August 24, with more than 45 students attending. Hybrid offers math, writing, literature, science, and applied science ~ including electricity/ circuitry, flight,…

Ten-year-old Taylor Muckel (seated, at left), along with her friend Kara Lencke (seated, at right) and younger brother Kyle (seated, front) sold lemonade to friends and neighbors to raise money for the Castle Pines Library’s fundraising campaign. By Lisa Crockett, photo courtesy of Alison Muckel Ten-year-old Taylor Muckel loves to read. So it’s not surprising…

by Elizabeth Wood West The Town of Castle Rock will be hosting a public open house on Thursday, September 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the commons area at Castle Rock Middle School, located at 2575 Meadows Blvd. in The Meadows Development in Castle Rock. The purpose of the open house is to…

by Patte Smith Soon the leaves with be turning colors and the days will cool down — time for families, friends and residents of Douglas County to strap on those hiking shoes, pack a picnic and head outdoors. Open space areas and trails abound in this beautiful county and details about all of them can…

  No carnival would be complete without cotton candy, and this BRE third grader is enjoying his. These good friends are enjoying the night while wearing matching smiles and purple fifth grade school spirit shirts. Article and photos by Elean Gersack It has become a welcome back to school tradition at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School…

Bob Ferraro, VP of Sales Eat Well Enjoy Life      by Tricia Wackerly Castle Pines resident Bob Ferraro and his partners at Tryst Gourmet are delivering innovation to the hummus trend that has been exploding on grocery store shelves during the past decade. In 2006, Ferraro and his current partners were let go by their…

by Lisa Crockett The Castle Pines City Council has unanimously approved a $50,000 contribution to the Castle Pines Library; funds will be contributed to a campaign to raise $100,000 to keep the library operating for the next three years. Half of the contribution will be presented to the Library in September, and the other half…

This annual event helps teens to understand the possible consequences of drinking and driving. Various participating sponsors included Tammy Lopez Allstate Agency, Castle Pines Big O Tires, and Mary MacDonald Allstate Agency. Photos by Tim Gamble Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Allstate Insurance office in Castle Rock, teens tested…

Information provided by Douglas County Responsible pet ownership is the focus of a new website recently launched by Douglas County and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The site includes answers to the most frequently asked questions about the care and management of pets, lost and found animals, pets and disaster preparedness, Douglas County laws associated…

Douglas County Dames’ July meeting at the Sally Jobe’s Parker office. by Elizabeth Wood West “We’re ‘dames’ who want to have fun, but more importantly, we’re ‘dames’ who give a d___!” is the motto of a group of Douglas County women who recently formed the Douglas County Dames (Dames). In addition to being friends, the…

By Kathy Dunker Castle Pines residents are invited to the grand opening celebration of the much-anticipated new Elk Ridge Park on Saturday, September 17. This magnificent park will be the largest amenity that the Castle Pines community has funded in its history and will rival virtually any major park throughout the region. Elk Ridge Park…

Castle Pines resident Zach Zahorik earned Boy Scouts’ highest rank of Eagle Scout working on an extensive bluebird project.      by Elizabeth Wood West with photo by Lynn Zahorik Eighteen year-old Castle Pines resident Zach Zahorik recently finished his Eagle project, earning the rank of Eagle Scout with Castle Pines Boy Scout Troop 316.…

Information provided by Douglas County the developers of Penley Ranch At the applicant’s request, the Use by Special Review application for 3485 N. State Highway 67- Penley Reservoir was withdrawn from Douglas County in late July. The proposed non-recreational Penley Reservoir was part of the Penley Ranch project, a 1,215-acre proposed rural residential development with…

By Elean Gersack with information and photo provided by The Dumb Friends League Hike with your hound close to home and help homeless pets. Follow the trail of wet noses and wagging tails at the Dumb Friends League 2011 Wag ‘n Trail. The 1.6-mile hike for people and their dogs takes place Saturday, September 17,…

By Lisa Crockett It is finally official! The U.S. Postal Service now recognizes “Castle Pines” as a correct designation for the city associated with the zip code 80108. No longer do city residents need to include “Castle Rock” in addressing mail. Many residents and businesses in the city have been addressing mail correspondence with “Castle…

Congressman Mike Coffman, representing Colorado’s 6th congressional district, presents the Congressional Award Bronze Medal to Eagle Scout and RCHS senior, Russell Maranto, at the Congressman’s office in Lone Tree on August 8.    by Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of W. Bruce Wilson Russell Maranto, with Troop 316 from Castle Pines and a senior at…

An August ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Lone Tree Arts Center celebrated the grand opening of the new facility. On September 3 and 4, the Center will open its doors to the public from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. for tours and entertainment, and the regular season begins on September 9. From left: Lone Tree Arts…

Buffalo Ridge Elementary ‘super dads’ use donated resources from Castle Rock Lowe’s to create planting beds for the new school garden. BRE is one of several district schools participating in the “Garden to Chef” program. by Elean Gersack with photo courtesy of Principal Berggren Buffalo Ridge Elementary School starts in a just a few short…

The Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) year is about to begin. Nighthawks should be sure to pick up schedules on Tuesday, August 2 and remember to comb your hair since photos will be taken at the same time. Schedule pick up will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be closed from noon…

     The State of Colorado is consistently voted as having the most physically fit residents. As we are out and about we can all see activities that contribute to our overall fitness, walking, jogging, swimming, and bicycling. We are all accustomed to sharing the road with bicyclists and we have all seen the signs, but…

Information submitted by Ellen Sloan, OLLI-South Recognizing that lifelong learning “dramatically enhances the life of older people, both physically and mentally,” Governor Hickenlooper has proclaimed August 1 through 6 “Lifelong Learning Week.” To celebrate that recognition and to highlight local opportunities for lifelong learning, OLLI-South will be offering “sneak peeks” of its upcoming course fare.…

By Kathy Dunker The Castle Crocs finished up their 2011 season on a very high note. With roughly 200 swimmers and brand new to the B Division of the Mountain High Swim League, the Crocs finished with four wins and only one loss, with a remarkable 83 swimmers going on to Championships on July 16…

by Chris Bonham Two thousand and ten; 2010. This configuration of numbers means something a little different to each of us. The start of a new decade. Or perhaps the end of an old one. A new chapter. Another chance. Either way, last year was significant for everyone because the United States government conducted its…

by Patte Smith While there are many homeowner’s associations (HOAs) in the Castle Pines community and each one handles trash removal and recycling independently for its members, there are three main waste companies that serve the communities of Castle Pines Village, the City of Castle Pines, Happy Canyon, Surrey Ridge, and many of the unincorporated…

Bob Sims Information and photos submitted by Bob Sims Bob Sims of Castle Pines won the golf National Championship in the 65-69 age group at the National Senior Games held June 21-24, at Blackhorse Golf Club South Course in Cypress, Texas. Fifty-five golfers participated in 54 holes of medal play on the Par 72 South…

Submitted by Lane Roberts, Castle Pines Athletics Another school year is just around the corner, so make sure to sign up today for fall soccer with Castle Pines Athletics. The fall season, which usually has much better weather than spring soccer, runs from August 22 to October 15. Children of all skill levels ages four…

By Terri Wiebold with information provided by Douglas County Director of Public Affairs As the summer comes to a close and Castle Pines families gear up for fall, there is one final event to close out the summer, and this year it is free! To help commemorate Douglas County’s 150th Anniversary, the Board of County…

By Anne Necker As visions of cucumbers, tomatoes and kohlrabi dance in the heads of potential City of Castle Pines gardeners, plans are well under way to make these dreams a reality. The first Community Garden meeting was held at the Castle Pines Community Center in April with about 25 people in attendance. Since that…

by Patte Smith Dash to a computer and register for the 11th Annual Fall Frenzy Triathlon/Duathlon in Parker September 11. This year, there will not be a Kids’ Triathlon. Online registration ends at 6 p.m. on September 9. After that, participants can register in person on Saturday, September 10 at Treads Bicycle Outfitters in Parker…

From the left: Teammates Lucy, Cailin, Libby, Ellery and Karlie take a break during a second and third grade advanced coach-pitch baseball game. Information submitted by Lane Roberts, Castle Pines Athletics with photos by Cari Ogg Summer just wouldn’t be summer without baseball and t-ball in Castle Pines! Castle Pines Athletics coordinated coach-pitch baseball and…

By Elizabeth Wood West What was old is now new, or so it goes with the recent purchase of Colorado Capital Bank (CCB) by First Citizens Bank (FCB), a 113-year old family-owned independent bank from North Carolina. CCB had been struggling with its commercial book of business for some time and was under FDIC scrutiny…

By Kathy Dunker The Castle Pines Storm, under the leadership of Coach Eric Goodrich, finished its third season off the blocks. With 97 swimmers in the Mountain High Swim League (MHSL) D Division, the team had 44 swimmers make it to Championships and an additional 8 swimmers qualified for All Stars. Assistant coach Miranda Morton…

Pictured above: Roundabouts construction on Happy Canyon Road is estimated to be finished by October 31. By Elizabeth West The building of two roundabouts on Happy Canyon Road at gates 1 and 2 in Castle Pines Village is nearing the halfway mark. The Castle Pines Metropolitan District (CPMD) began major construction on the roundabouts project…

Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Denver International Airport recently launched a new web site called WebTrak, which will allow Castle Pines residents to access information about flights taking off and landing from Centennial Airport, as well as Denver International Airport. “It is a benefit to Centennial Airport, as personnel can track noisy…

2011 Stingrays coaching team (pictured from left to right) back row: Junior Coach Even Lail, Junior Coach Nick Tinucci, Head Coach Jenny Anderson, Assistant Coach Holly Dawson, Lead Junior Coach Maddie Pluto; front row: Junior Coaches Erin Dooley, Kate South and Quincy Schurr. Article by Kathy Dunker; photos by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines Village…

The AYL Dolphin team wielding their championship trophies (pictured from left to right) back row: Dawson DeMier (CP), Nolan Moorhead, Blakely Stoughton (CP), Cade Hughey, Brant Kragel (CP), assistant coach Chase DeMier (CP), and assistant coach Johnny Stoughton (CP); front row: Riley “Rygo” Goings (CP), Kameron Butler (CP), Brayden Jez, Graham Avers (CP), Alec Lush…

Kangaroos foraging on Lucky Bay Beach in Cape le Grande N.P in Western Australia. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner The Pacific Rim’s economic success is undeniable. But the center of its physical beauty is Australia, hands down. Australia is up these days, way up. Its economy is whirring as virtually every imaginable mineral is…

The Stars team performing their award winning routine in Orlando earlier this year. Article and photos submitted by Amy Shanahan Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) students Jazmine Murphy and Taylor Farnsworth were recently rewarded for their athletic ability, dedication and hard work. Murphy and Farnsworth traveled to Orlando, Florida with their cheerleading team, The Stars,…

Andrew Abner, Principal, Rock Canyon High School by Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of Andrew Abner A new face will be seen in the principal’s office at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) this fall. As of July 1, Andrew Abner replaced Kim Rauh in leading the school’s administration. Rauh will now be the principal of…

By Lisa Crockett School is just getting started at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), but the school’s fall fundraiser – the “Move-a-Thon” — is in full swing, thanks to several dedicated volunteers who have worked through the summer. In addition to the usual flyers and banners, the school has a promotional video for the event posted…

By Lisa Crockett Information has been sent to various community groups regarding plans to develop a project with a proposed name of “Castle Pines Town Center” on the southern portion of Lagae Ranch. The 350-acre parcel is bounded by “Lagae Ranch Filing 1” (home to Elk Ridge Park and American Academy Charter School) on the…