The Connection

With hundreds of participants from eight local schools, the Rock Slide remains a highly anticipated community event. The race raises funds for local participating schools through advertising sponsorships and provides local businesses a unique venue to reach customers. Founded on promoting the importance of healthy living for children and families, the Rock Slide is an…

It isn’t just through monetary donations that the girls give back; they give of their time and talents too. by Carin R. Kirkegaard During the past year, Brownie Troop 1891 has been providing young ladies from the Castle Pines area opportunities and experiences that not only enhance personal growth, but give back to the community.…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard The laughter could be heard ringing as it drifted over the gate at the HOA2 pool each morning during the Castle Croc swim practice. The Crocs wrapped up season four over the summer and had a great time in the process. The team, run by head coach Paul Whitaker, spent the…

School finance has quickly become the hot topic for the Douglas County School District (DCSD). With a huge deficit in our Colorado State budget, and kindergarten through twelfth grade education making up approximately 40 percent of that budget, you can imagine where some of the cuts will need to occur. DCSD receives a little more…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard Starting August 3 through August 15, Clothes to Kids (CTK) of Denver is coming to Douglas County. CTK is a non-profit organization that provides new and quality used clothing to low-income school aged children, free of charge. Currently donations are being taken. CTK is looking for quality used and new clothing…

Elected officials from the City of Castle Pines North and the Town of Castle Rock gathered to discuss sharing resources and expertise. Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Elected officials from the City of Castle Pines North joined elected officials from the Town of Castle Rock in June for an evening of casual conversation and…

by Anthonette Klinkerman There was a big box office supply store commercial that came out at the end of the summer that never failed to make me laugh. A traditional winter holiday carol (politically correct terminology) rang out, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” A man went joyously sailing by on a shopping…

The Castle Cappellas performing at the City of Castle Pines North Independence Day celebration on July 3 at Coyote Ridge Park. Members include (pictured left to right) Crista Huff, Keri Brehm, Lynne Snyer, Rebecca Larson, Michelle Thurston, Jan Page, Mary Barnes, Teri Bultemeier, Cindy Kessinger-Wenninger, and (not pictured) Diane Burns. by Sally Uhrich Singing without…

Margie Woodruff Foundation Manager Douglas County Libraries Foundation 303-688-7638 Contact by e-mail 100 South Wilcox Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 August Fundraising Events for New Library The Castle Pines community has pulled together to help Douglas County Libraries open a small library at 7437 Village Square Drive in September. So far, nearly $36,000 has been…

Shannon McFarland poses with her REAL Colorado Soccer friend Kellsie Rector after qualifying for the State Hershey track and field meet. by Carin R. Kirkegaard Shannon McFarland, Castle Pines North youth, competed in the Hershey’s Track and Field Games through South Suburban Parks and Recreation (SSPR) and qualified for the state track meet. McFarland competed…

submitted by Alison Lammot, Counselor/Trauma Therapist It is that time of year when kids get ready to go back to school. The stores are full of families shopping for new outfits and school supplies. Kids are full of anticipation about friends, teachers, sports, and other issues like acceptance and the ability to perform. Would you…

Information provided by the Castle Pines North Metro District Water delivered to customers of the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) will be disinfected using a new process beginning in July 2009. The change is necessary to prepare for the integration of the treatment process with the District’s future water provider partners. In the past,…

by Anthonette Klinkerman Rock Canyon High School sent 315 eager graduates out into the world in May. Scholarships for everything from academics to athletics were abundant, the weather was perfect, and the optimism was tangible. For the Class of ‘09, things were fine. Hard as it is to think about the Class of 2013, Rock…

By Terri Wiebold with information submitted by The Canyons The Canyons community continues to progress through the annexation process for the City of Castle Pines North. Council members agreed in June that The Canyons’ application for annexation into the City of Castle Pines North met the eligibility requirements laid out under state law. The Canyons…

American Academy students have an extended summer while they await the completion of their new school. Castle Pines Athletics will offer a week long camp from August 17 through August 21 designed for American Academy families. The camp will feature a different sport each day along with organized games and relays. Campers will meet at…

by Lisa Crockett The Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) has teamed up with Bear Creek Stables to offer guided horse back rides, which are available to both Highlands Ranch residents and non-residents alike. “Tuesday through Thursday, people can ride for $35 for an hour and Friday through Sunday, they can ride for $50 for ninety…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard Castle Pines Athletics had its inaugural summer season of t-ball and baseball practicing and playing games on the local parks in the Castle Pines community. With 20 teams filled with local Castle Pines children, ages four to eight, Castle Pines residents were able to play at home this summer, and the…

by Terri Wiebold Mark your calendar for September 18 and attend the Sassy Soiree, a lively mid-day fundraiser to raise funds for the Food Bank. The luncheon – with a silent and live auction, jewelry and clothing boutique, “sassy” fashion show, and door prizes take place at the Douglas County Events Center. Advance tickets are…

Cinda BlockYa with CPN fans who came to support her in the Castle Rock n’ Rollers inaugural bout. Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Cynthia M., aka Cinda BlockYa, Castle Pines North resident, stay-at-home mom, recreational enthusiast and volunteer also just happens to play the position of jammer/blocker for Castle Rock’s roller derby team,…

by Lisa Crockett Construction is underway on a childcare center in Castle Pines North in the Walgreen’s Shopping Center on Castle Pines Parkway. Opening for the center is tentatively slated for November. The Center, which will be called the Castle Pines Academy, will have the capacity to serve 173 children. Full-time programs will be offered…

Students enjoy one of the many attractions at last year’s DCS Montessori Fall Festival (Photo by Tracy Dudley) by Tracy Dudley For the past several years, DCS Montessori has hosted a fun-filled and child-oriented outdoor Fall Festival on the school campus in the heart of Castle Pines North. For 2009, the Fourth Annual DCS Montessori…

by Lisa Crockett Being in foster care means a lot of things. First, it means that something has gone awry in your family life. Second, it means that you probably don’t have much in the way of earthly possessions. Third, it likely means you’ll be moving from place to place without a good way to…

Information submitted by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute An OLLI South Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 10 am – noon at their south metro campus at Valley View Christian Church. Designed for older and more “seasoned” learners (50 yrs+), the OLLI South daytime learning program is offered by the University College at the…

After months of discussions and meetings, the Castle Pines Parks Authority voted once again to move forward with building a park at Lagae Ranch. According to Parks Authority President Anna Mallinson, the board agreed at its July 23 meeting to accept the contract with Design Concepts for building the park, as well as the grading…

Submitted by Kristine Turner, Douglas County School Board President The 2009 CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program) results are in. For another year, Douglas County School District exceeded the state average in every grade and every subject tested by 11 to 21 percentage points! Compared to 2008, DCSD maintained or gained in 20 of 27 tests.…

Dr. Audrey Dockins Submitted by Castle Rock Eye Wear “There is more to vision than meets the eye,” says Dr. Audrey Dockins, developmental optometrist at Castle Rock Eye Wear in the Village. “Regular school vision screenings don’t test for many visual problems related to learning. Some of these visual skills include visual tracking of the…

Members of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, The Castle Pines Connection, and friends of Cielo celebrate Schroeder’s grand opening. The evening’s entertainment included magicians, the walking and talking Mona Lisa picture, portable Black Jack, a live bronze statue, and more. by Terri Wiebold Cielo at Castle Pines opened its doors for business in April,…

Harlan (far right) with fellow scouts (from left) Sean Neely, Alexander Harlan, and Jason Nock. by Lisa Crockett Phil Harlan, a Castle Pines North (CPN) resident, is a senior at Regis Jesuit High School, where the school motto encourages students to be a “man for others.” In choosing his Eagle Scout project, Phil took these…

Part of the fun of the summer swim team is the ritual of marking of swimmers. Kids of all ages adorn their bodies with sayings like, “Eat my bubbles,” “Kiss my splash,” and the all-time favorite (pictured above) on Niko, “Partly sunny with 100% chance of STORM!” (Photo by Mark Meredith) submitted by Lorrie Ball…

  by Carin R. Kirkegaard The Castle Pines Village Stingrays finished the summer swim season undefeated in the Mountain High Swim League (MHSL) B2 division. Not only did the Stingrays win each dual meet of the regular season, they also took home the division trophy at championships after narrowly beating the Dam West Dolphins. “With…

Helping Parents and Teens Navigate their way through those “exciting” years! Lisa A. Rue, Ph.D. has a degree in Educational Leadership and is a certified health educator with 22 years in public education. She is a popular trainer conducting workshops for teachers, parents and other health education professionals both nationally and internationally for over 13…

The question of where to find the right caregiver for pet(s) when we are unavailable can be quite the dilemma for pet owners. Thankfully, there are a number of viable options to choose from today. Gone are the days where the only choice is to put our beloved pet in a kennel, with attention focused…

Information provided by the Town of Castle Rock A specialty grocery store has long been on the wish list of many in the Castle Pines community. Not far to the south, the Town of Castle Rock is working toward that end. The Castle Rock Town Council approved an economic development assistance agreement in July to…

Director of Transportation for Douglas County School District, Paul Balon, answers bus routing questions at the Daniels Gate Club House. by Tracy Dudley A combination of recent state funding reductions and the failure of education bond issues 3A and 3B this past November has brought about deep budget cuts for the Douglas County School District…

by Elizabeth Wood West Comprehensive Plan and Three-Mile Plan What will the City of Castle Pines North (CPN) look like in the next twenty years? This is a question the City of Castle Pines North Council is in the process of evaluating. The City’s Proposed Comprehensive Plan and Three-Mile Plan offer a snapshot into the…

CPN residents walked in the Strides for Epilepsy event. “Carly’s Crusaders” walked for five-year-old CPN resident, Carly, who suffers from epilepsy. Submitted by Edward Jones Financial W. Rey Cinocco, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, and BOA Jessie Belmont are taking advantage of new state-of-the-art financial assessment tools to better serve clients in Douglas County.…

by Terri Wiebold Sponsored Publications, publisher of Castle Pines North’s “Our Neighborhood Directory,” as well as the Castle Pines Village Homes Association Directory, recently completed updates and corrections for the 2009-2010 editions, to be published in August 2009 and distributed in early September…be sure to watch for it! “The difference between a group of like-value…

Information provided by the Town of Castle Rock A second route from The Meadows to US 85 and I-25 is needed to relieve traffic congestion on Meadows Parkway and improve traffic flow on I-25. The Town of Castle Rock has been evaluating the best location for the road, which would extend from the current end…

American Academy Charter School to Host Ribbon Cutting Celebration at New Facility American Academy, a K-8 public charter school in Douglas County, will host an official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of its new 83,000 square foot facility on Friday, September 18, at 4:00 p.m. The event will be held at the…

“Good organization before you begin cooking is one secret to successful grilling. Proper planning can make a big difference between cooked and burned, and between safety and danger,” says Fred Simon, owner of Omaha Steaks and contributing author of “Omaha Steaks Let’s Grill Book.” A clean grill is essential to safe grilling. A thorough once…

Submitted by God’s Grace Community Church God’s Grace Community Church invites the community of Castle Pines to help encourage Terrific Readers and Writers at Paris Elementary School in Aurora. At Paris Elementary, 90 percent of the school’s 415 students qualify for free or reduced lunch and speak a language other than English at home. At…

by Lisa Crockett Years after volunteers in the Castle Pines Community decided to pursue the possibility of a library, residents and local business people have come together to make the dream a reality. In late September, the Castle Pines Library will open in the Village Square Shopping Center and begin operation as the newest branch…

By Terri Wiebold The question as to whether or not to restrict access on Happy Canyon Road between US 85 and I-25 as part of the North Meadows Extension Project has been the subject of much debate recently. The people have spoken, and what they have said is they want to keep it open. The…

Fifth-grade teacher Jesica Harrington and some of her students at Timber Trail Elementary’s “Carnival for the Cure.” All proceeds from the event went to benefit Harrington’s family. Harrington has been battling an aggressive form of breast cancer for the last year.   Article and photo by Lisa Crockett A school carnival is a long-standing tradition…

Left to right Polly Lestdikow, Jeff Hoskins – President EverStone, Sherri Johnson. (Photos by Tim Gamble) by Anthonette Klikermann The little orange signs pointed the way as the 2009 HBA Parade of Homes made a stop in Castle Pines North. Located in the gated community of Whisper Canyon, the luxury home at 6858 Twisted Oak…

Submitted by Suzanne Greene Families struggling financially in this economy are now receiving less food from the Douglas/Elbert County Food Bank as supplies dwindle. Clients needing food has increased by 30% over this time last year. This is traditionally the time of year from August through October when donations slow due to summer vacations. Grants…

Colorado bicyclists are celebrating the new Bicycle Safety Act, which went into effect August 5. The new laws are geared to improve road safety for bicyclists and motorists, including a minimum 3 feet of space when passing a bicyclist. The Bicycle Safety Act was made possible through the supportive grassroots efforts by Bicycle Colorado members.…

Coach Bishop blows the whistle and takes a “photo op” break during the three-day Camp Castle Pines activities. Coyote Ridge Park proved to be an ideal location for hosting the camps, and the kids had a blast. by Carin R. Kirkegaard Castle Pines Athletics kept children ages 4 to12 from the Castle Pines community busy…

Ladies from the CPN Empty Nester Group gather at the HOA2 clubhouse on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month to play Mah Jongg, an ancient Chinese tile game. Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard The Castle Pines North (CPN) Empty Nesters have a group of ladies that meet twice a month to…

Jim Christensen August 24, 2009 The Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education announced today that it will have an emergency succession meeting tonight at 7:30 pm in the Board Room of the Douglas County School District building to accept the resignation of Jim Christensen, Superintendent of Douglas County School District (DCSD). The Board…

Submitted by Horizon Pain Center Golfers have a unique opportunity to tune-up their swings during special workshops hosted by The Ridge Golf Club. A Class IV K-Laser unit will be featured to immediately treat select participants. Dates and times are to be announced. Dennis Murray, Director of Instruction at The Ridge Golf Club, is teaming…

Submitted by Kristin Zagurski Rock your dollar begins Tuesday – use this guide to get ready Ready to Rock Your Dollar? It’s about time. The purchase and receipt redemption period for the program runs Sept. 1-30. Continue reading for a quick guide to the program. As always, any questions regarding Rock Your Dollar can be…

Submitted by South Metro Fire Rescue Bicycle safety begins with wearing a properly fitted helmet, but wearing a helmet will not prevent you from getting hit by a motor vehicle. You, the cyclist, are responsible for avoiding cars. Ride with traffic on the right side of the road and cross intersections using crosswalks. Look both…

by Anthonette Klinkerman La Dolce Vita has been a Castle Pines fixture for many years. The Italian restaurant hosts celebrations of every kind, from anniversaries to graduations, as well as provides meeting space for many non-profit groups and business gatherings. They are also integrated in the local community by regularly donating to the nearby schools…

Breanna Markwell , Colorado Lottery; Ashley Sommer, Jenny’s Café; Jessica Downing and Paul Britt; King Mountain Ranch “givin’ away” freebies at customer appreciation day. Information submitted by Jenny’s Market After six hundred and twenty five free -scoops of the freshest, richest gelatto and two days of fun and free give aways, Jenny’s Market in Castle…

by Terri Wiebold Let me tell you…Solid Life Christian Center really knows how to throw a party! The much anticipated Castle Pines community summer movie in the park drew record crowds to Coyote Ridge Park on August 22. Neighbors in Castle Pines Village, Surrey Ridge, Charter Oaks, Beverly Hills, Oak Hills, and Surrey Ridge Estates…

Bella Rock hikers perform Tai Chi at 8,500 feet. On June 20, seven women hiked through the wild flowers in Elk Meadow Park and then climbed Bergen Peak with Bella Rock Adventures. by Carin R. Kirkegaard In June, Bella Rock Adventures along with seven women hiked through Elk Meadow Park in Jefferson County open space…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard Revenge on Schulte, a band comprised of local Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students has been making a name for itself while playing various Denver venues. Lead singer Ben Hilzer and Chris Battin, lead gutarist, founded Revenge on Schulte nine months ago with fellow RCHS classmates Andrew Wilson, rhythm guitarist, Ryan…

Information submitted by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is proud to announce the newly created Youth Education and Safety in Schools (Y.E.S.S.) program that will kick off in August for the 2009/2010 school year. The Y.E.S.S. program is a collaborative effort between the Douglas County School District, the DCSO, and…

Information provided by the Douglas County Water Resource Authority As water costs continue to rise and the available resource itself becomes harder to get, a not-so-new practice of using treated wastewater from household or commercial properties for irrigation of public landscapes, commercial lots, and golf courses is gaining new momentum. To maximize the efficient use…

Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Announces its Newest Vehicle to the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, The Y.E.S.S. (Youth Education and Safety in Schools) car The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce its newest vehicle to the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, the Y.E.S.S. (Youth Education and…

Margie Woodruff Foundation Manager Douglas County Libraries Foundation 303-688-7638 Contact by e-mail 100 South Wilcox Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 Castle Pines Authors’ Reception featuring John Shors & Dave Cullen John Shors and Dave Cullen will be the featured at an Authors’ Reception on August 20, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Cherokee Ranch…

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Take Home Many Trophies from State Competition Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 303-660-7586 Members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post #10-4 participated in the 2009 Regional Explorer Conference held in Gunnison, CO, during the week of July 6th. The Douglas County…

Submitted by Kristin Hayek Publicity & Outreach Coordinator Douglas County Libraries 303-688-7642 100 South Wilcox Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 Fundraising efforts by the residents in Castle Pines have paid off — the Board of Douglas County Libraries voted in May to sign a lease for a library to open in September at Village Square…

Submitted by SOUTH METRO FIRE RESCUE AUTHORITY 9195 East Mineral Avenue, Centennial, Colorado 80112 Phone: 720/989/2000 Fax: 729/989-2001 July 13, 2009 Dear Colleague: The South Metro Fire Rescue Authority desires to achieve the highest level of professionalism and efficiency on behalf of those it serves. I’m writing to ask you for your help in this…