The Castle Pines Connection

by Karin R. Kirkegaard Bella Rock Adventures is currently taking registrations for women’s snowshoeing treks into the mountains. Women’s Snowshoe Hut Trip: February 28 – March 1, 2010 Get away from it all and enjoy an adventure-filled guided snowshoe hut trip to the Shrine Mountain Inn off Vail Pass. Try T’ai Chi at the hut;…

by Tracy Dudley From music and theater to nature and children’s events, there are numerous happenings around town for little ones, adults and families to take time to slow down and enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Holiday Concerts at the Castle December 6, 12, 18 and 20 The Cherokee Ranch & Castle will host several…

by Lisa Crockett As the holidays approach, many, if not most residents in the Castle Pines community will send and receive more mail than usual. As a result, mail delivery times will fluctuate. According to a statement submitted by the United States Postal Service (USPS), this fluctuation is a part of normal delivery service, not…

Front Row (left to right): Jennie Schaaf, Heather Griffin, Theresa McDowell, Jill Johnson, Linda Day. Back Row (left to right): Sheila Fuselier, Abigail Fuselier, Amy Hogsett, April McCaffrey, Beth England, Julie Lamb, Nicole Wight, Michelle Perovich. by Carin R. Kirkegaard and photos provided by Linda Day Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women.…

by Scott Lasher Sweet silver bells will soon be ringing, which can only mean two things – the holiday season is upon us, and so is the winter sports season at Rock Canyon High School. Here is a preview of the upcoming season for a few winter sports: Boy’s basketball After winning the first playoff…

Churches in the Castle Pines community have a lot planned for the upcoming holiday season. Here are some of the highlights (events listed are held at the Church’s regular meeting place, unless otherwise noted): Castle Pines Community Church Meets at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School; www.castlepineschurch.org *Christmas Eve Services: December 24 at 5:30 p.m. Christ the…

by Joe Gschwendtner Fire up your snail mail. Anyone can twitter, text, and telephone; it’s cheap and spontaneous. But what about a letter?  With stationery? Here’s an art form that stokes its own anticipation and adventure, making sentiments soar. When’s the last time you made the time to write something special? Let’s start with the…

Front row kneeling (left to right): Lea McCaffrey, Ashley Owens, Maria Pangalos, Lizzie Brankin. Back row standing (left to right): Avery Tisdale, Elizabeth Curtright, Hannah Repka, Megan Baer, Kaity Rimer, Julia Loomis, Megan Criley, Gabrielle Garcia, Rebecca Teeter, Jackie Fisch. Not pictured, Chelsea Gause. Article and photos submitted by Shawn Hulsier In an effort to…

The Castle Pines Parks Authority (PA) is applying for a state lottery grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to help pay for development of “spade ready” parks in the state. The park at Lagae Ranch (recently named Elk Ridge Park) could earn up to $750,000 toward construction of the new park. The PA is requesting…

by Lisa Crockett Open Enrollment: Parents wishing to enroll children in a Douglas County School District school, other than a designated neighborhood school, must complete an open enrollment form. Open enrollment forms can be downloaded from the district website at www.dcsdk12.org and parents can view a list of the schools available for open enrollment for…

Information provided by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Douglas County Sheriff David A. Weaver would like to remind citizens of some basic safety tips that will help make the holiday season a safer one. Many criminals target busy shoppers for purse snatching and other forms of robbery. They tend to hang out at malls and other…

by Anthonette Klinkerman It’s a good thing this isn’t a Scratch-n-Sniff paper. I don’t want to be held responsible for asphyxiating anyone. But how could I possibly write about the holidays without including all the wonderful smells? The real ones, I mean. The air-freshener company interpretation of “pine” doesn’t smell like any naturally occurring tree…

Kathi Mercer (left) and Saralyn Crock (right) show-off some of the great finds at the Fall Clothing Exchange on November 5.Cloth Article and photo by Elean Gersack It does not take long for good ideas to fly rampant when moms start talking. But, actually doing something about them can be another story. Not so for…

by Scott Lasher Everyone who has ever swung a golf club has known the frustration – some go straight, most don’t. Well, almost everyone has known the frustration. If you play on the Rock Canyon High School Boys Golf team, you might not have this season. All four players on the varsity team qualified for…

by Sally Uhrich The Pet Stuff Place, owned by area residents Sharon and Dick Adams moved in November. The store was formerly located in the Safeway Center in Castle Pines North. “We’ve been in business for six years thanks to the patronage of area residents and we look forward to staying in the area to…

by Elean Gersack Now more than ever, families are struggling financially. This holiday season will prove especially difficult for many within the community. To help ease the burden, The Douglas/Elbert Task Force is seeking individuals, families, and groups to support Santa’s Sharing sponsorship program. There are several ways to donate, and every little bit helps.…

Pat and Emi Kanan in their gallery. Photograph of Pitigliano, Tuscany to the right Article and photograph by Joe Gschwendtner Meet Castle Pines Village residents Emi and Pat Kanan, acclaimed photographers who capture the beauty of European landscapes through their lenses. Their talent is displayed in living rooms and boardrooms throughout the country. But this…

Pictured above are members from the Castle Pines Community who made it out for the event. Front Row (from left to right): Tisa Meisel, Sally Wagner, Kelly Durie, Linda Day and Eileen White Back Row (from left to right); June Uralli, Terra Shaffner, Jen Jacoway, Mary Williams, Tammy Abramovitz. Article and photo by Carin R.…

Rock Canyon High School Cross Country Junior Varsity Boys take 1st place at Arvada West meet. Rock Canyon High School Cross Country Varsity Girls take 1st place at Arvada West meet. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West Rock Canyon High School cross country team Head Coach Dan Davies, Assistant Coach Alan Lind, and Co-Head…

by Chris Bonham, Intern Writer Presents. Shopping. Singing carols at a family get-together with hot drinks near at hand. Nearly everyone in the United States can immediately recognize the sights, smells, and sounds of the holiday season. It is a time to laugh, love, and focus on what is important. It is a time of…

Laurie W. Anderson, President, Anderson & Associates Submitted by Laurie W. Anderson Anderson & Associates, a local public relations and marketing communications firm, marked 20 years in business in October, according to President Laurie W. Anderson (pictured right). Anderson started her firm in 1989.  She then partnered with Fred Hobbs from 1994 to 1999 when…

by Lisa Crockett The Ridge Golf Course is teaming up with Sedalia Nursery to offer Christmas Trees to the Castle Pines community. Trees sales will begin on Saturday, November 28, at The Ridge and run through Christmas Eve. “In addition to conventionally-cut trees, we’re offering live Christmas trees which can be re-planted after the holiday,”…

Article by Anthonette Klinkerman with photo by Tim Gamble Sue Lee, a Castle Pines Village resident, recognized the opportunity for a new kind of education when she left the elementary classroom and began teaching adults life management skills. “I was teaching little boys and girls in grown-up bodies,” she said, and identified a need for…

Submitted by Officer Joe Stafford, Douglas County Animal Services Field Services Mgr. & Officer Lisa Massie Animal Services, Field Services Supervisor As winter rolls in, Douglas County Animal Services asks that you pause to consider the seasonal needs of your pets. The most important winter safety tip to remember is to not leave your pets…

Information provided by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office New law prohibits use of cell phones while driving House Bill 1094, which goes into effect December 1, 2009. prohibits drivers under the age of eighteen years from using wireless telephone for talking, listening, or texting while driving a motor vehicle. The new law also prohibits drivers eighteen…

by Elizabeth Wood West People in Douglas County and Castle Pines North (CPN) may know Mark Shively because of his extensive water knowledge and experience with the Douglas County Water Resource Authority (past president and current executive director), or because of his community service with the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (past treasurer and president)…

Your Christmas tree can serve another useful purpose as mulch for trees and shrubs in your backyard and neighborhood. South Suburban Parks and Recreation will recycle Christmas trees from December 26 through January 10. Residents can dispose of Christmas trees at the Willow Spring Service Center, 7100 South Holly Street, Centennial. Trees will also be…

Castle Pines Athletics is currently registering for co-ed spring soccer for ages 4 up to fourth grade through March 1, 2010. The season will run from March 29 until May 15. Cost for the season is $75 for Castle Pines North residents and $95 for non-residents. All practices and games will be held in the…

This information has been provided by and space paid for by the Castle Pines North Metro District. Renewable water solutions how far we have come and where we have to go As public awareness has increased about declining aquifer levels, residents have adopted water saving methods to reduce the demand for water. While these efforts…

by Tracy Dudley Brian Givens and his family have lived in Castle Pines North for more than 12 years. However, Givens is not your average CPN resident; he spent 15 years playing professional baseball. Although he grew up in Colorado, Givens was drafted by the New York Mets in 1984, then moved on to pitch…

Dr. Lisa Fox (second from right) and her staff sit atop piles and piles of candy collected in Zip Lock bags during Halloween Candy Buy Back to support Fort Carson troops. by Elean Gersack Halloween and candy have always gone hand in hand. But, just how much candy do kids really need? In this day…

Castle Pines Athletics hosted a camp to welcome new families to CPN. The American Academy Kids Camp at Castle Pines raised $2,000 for the newly opened school. Pictured above the new Kindergartners take a break at camp with Coach Emily Bishop and parent volunteer Paige Brandon. (photo by Lane Roberts.) by Carin R. Kirkegaard In…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard The holidays are typically a time where families come together to celebrate through tradition, whether its reading a favorite story, cooking a recipe that has been passed down through generations, or driving up to the mountains to find the perfect Christmas tree. The Rocky Mountain Region of the United States Forest…

Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate Debbie Boyle-Grimwood Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff David A. Weaver was very pleased to hear that one of his employees was recognized for her work, at the annual conference for victim advocates. Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate Debbie Boyle-Grimwood was presented with the Wendy…

Information submitted by the American Academy PTO Finally, after four years of dreaming, planning, fundraising and an incredible two day community build, the American Academy parent teacher organization (PTO) is thrilled to reveal our new playgrounds. In late August, more than 250 parent, staff and community volunteers worked more than 1,100 combined hours to build…

Halloween safety tips from Sheriff David A. Weaver Halloween is an enjoyable holiday for kids and parents alike. It is important though, to take every precaution possible when it comes to your night of fun. Sheriff Weaver provides the following suggestions to keep your little monsters safe: Start at home: Turn on your exterior lights,…

Submitted by Fuller Castle Pines Sotheby’s International Realty The brokerage firm representing Colorado’s most celebrated golf community, Castle Pines Village Properties, is joining forces with the area’s most prestigious real estate firm, Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty to provide a new level of service to prospective clients in the luxury home market in Colorado. The new…

Information provided by Town of Castle Rock After receiving public input, the Town of Castle Rock Council directed its staff to resume attempts to have Union Pacific railroad tracks moved so a new road between The Meadows and I-25 could be built at-grade. It was previously thought the at-grade alignment for the North Meadows Extension…

The Bundt Shoppe would like to recognize and honor our local United States Armed Forces service members, veterans, and their families this fall. On Saturday, October 3, stop by the Bundt Shoppe during the Castle Pines OctoberFest and make a contribution to provide a cake for a military service member or veteran. With only a…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard Castle Pines Athletics hosted a three-day cheerleading camp in August at The Retreat Park in Castle Pines North. Girls, ages 4 to 11 learned the latest moves from UNC cheerleader Kristen Weatherly and former Rock Canyon High School cheerleader Kaitlin Clure. The girls learned basic cheer moves and also a dance…

Information provided by the ASPCA The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) provides the following information and tips to help ensure your pet’s safety this Halloween: 1. No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. * Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking…

by Terri Wiebold On August 28, 2009 Castle Pines Village Homes Association filed a Motion to Withdraw Petition for Incorporation of the City of Castle Pines, which was granted by the judge. Judge Nancy A. Hopf stated that, “The petition for incorporation [case number 2008cv251] shall hereby be withdrawn and this case closed.” Village Homes…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard In August the Bicycle Safety Act went into effect across Colorado. The idea behind the new laws is to create a safer environment on the road for both cyclists and motorists. “Most people will use this as a guideline for how to interact with cyclists,” said local cyclist Dan Cook. With…

Timber Trail boys compete in the inaugural mother-son kickball tournament at Coyote Ridge Park in August. Submitted By Jenny Hanna and Kathy Werbick Timber Trail Elementary hosted its first ever Mother and Son Kickball tournament on August 21 at Coyote Ridge Park. The idea sprung from the Father/Daughter Snowball Dance. They wanted to have an…

Article and photo by Terri Wiebold After nearly four years, American Academy Charter School has opened its doors in Castle Pines North to the more than 800 students currently enrolled. Students, parents, school officials, community leaders, and local residents celebrated the school’s grand opening during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 18 before beginning…

Tired of taking that family vacation and leaving part of your family at home? Pet Airways, the pet-only airline, has now been unleashed in Denver. Canine and feline companions can now experience true creature comforts, while flying the friendly skies. The airline is located at the Rocky Mountain Airport in Broomfield. Travel destinations include New…

Community volunteer Warren Lynge joins the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce in cutting the ribbon to open the new library in Castle Pines North. By Lisa Crockett In place of the aging and often out-of-order bookmobile, the Castle Pines community has a new, and comparatively spacious, outlet for books. The community celebrated a grand opening…

An Old Fashioned Holiday Christmas Boutique will be held Thursday through Saturday, November 19, 20 and 21, at the Castle Pines North Community Center. The upscale boutique event celebrates fourteen years and is a local holiday favorite for Castle Pines residents. Crafters from years past, as well as new crafters, will be on hand with…

Angela Walker and Marcy Stone By Terri Wiebold Sassy Sisters is a trendy, hip, chic, and sassy clothing company created by Castle Pines Village resident Angela Walker and Marcy Stone. Not really biological sisters, Walker and Stone met on line, and the connection between these two entrepreneurial women could not have been more natural, nor…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard The date is set and registration is underway for the Douglas County Rock Slide. Mark the calendar for November 14 and plan to be at Rock Canyon High School with running shoes laced and ready to go. The Rock Slide is a one-mile fun run and 5K race that was designed…

Warren Lynge by Anthonette Klinkerman If you don’t know Warren Lynge, sit down for coffee with him sometime; it is guaranteed you won’t leave feeling like a stranger. He has the kind of personality that is instantly welcoming, instantly familiar. Lynge is a relative newcomer to Castle Pines North, but he dove into his new…

The editorial page of a newspaper is not about news. It is about personal views and the freedom to share them responsibly. Letters printed in The Castle Pines Connection do not reflect in any way the personal views and/or opinions of The Castle Pines Connection, LLC, its newspaper editor/publisher, or its staff. Thus far, process…

by Terri Wiebold More than 300 residents and neighbors attended the City of Castle Pines North (CPN) public hearing last week at the DCS Montessori School in CPN. After nearly six hours of presentations from city staff, the developer, and public comment, City Council voted unanimously to approve the annexation of The Canyons property into…

Submitted by Jim Christensen, Douglas County School Superintendent* The beginning of August for school districts in Colorado is a time we begin our focus on the year ahead and the next phase of educating our students. It is also the time we have an opportunity to reflect on how our kids in each school and…

by Scott Lasher Are you ready for some football? Ready or not, high school football kicked off at Rock Canyon for another season on September 4th against Castleview. Rock Canyon will be returning several key players, including senior wide receiver Keith Link and senior quarterback Drew Sandlin. Head Coach Tom Lynch however, is reluctant to…

Thomas Carter by Sally Uhrich The Board of Directors of the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) named Castle Pines Village resident Thomas Carter as Executive Director. DCCF creates permanent charitable funds, primarily from local businesses, families and individuals, which the Foundation then invests and administers in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations. The Foundation…

Aerial photography by Bob Wiebold and Jeff Lewis By Terri Wiebold For the past eight years, Castle Pines North (CPN) residents have been digging into their wallets and contributing $151.20* per household, per year to the Master Association to fund the Castle Pines Parks Authority and to bring a new park to CPN. That digging…

Tyler T. throws a ball to dunk BRE Principal, Ally Bergren. Children read to choose which staff member of the school would be in the dunk tank. by Carin R. Kirkegaard The BRE Family Stampede kicked off the Family Night events at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) with a huge success. Families gathered at the school…

Bubble Goddess owner, Jennifer Leete, sharing the benefits of her natural products with a resident during a Castle Pines community event. by Anthonette Klinkerman “A woman on a mission” is a perfect phrase to describe Jennifer Leete. In September, Leete was the guest speaker at the Denver Tech Center Business and Professional Women’s Network monthly…

submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff ‘s Office 303-660-7586 Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Launches On-line Crime Alerting and Mapping Service with CrimeReports.com Citizens empowered with near real-time neighborhood crime information available 24/7/365. Douglas County, Castle Rock CO. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and CrimeReports.com have announced a new On-line Crime…

By Tracy Dudley Users of the East-West regional trail, located near the restricted Highlands Ranch trail in Daniel’s Gate may have noticed some recent changes. A large 12-mile extension of the East-West trail that will connect Red Stone Park on the west to Bluffs Regional Park on the east is near completion. In fact, from…

Castle Pines Village friends and neighbors joined to help support the Sassy Soiree fundraising event. by Terri Wiebold Approximately two hundred and seventy-five people attended the Sixth Annual Sassy Soiree fundraising event to benefit the Douglas/Elbert Task Force this year, raising nearly $34,000. Event goers shopped in the “thrift boutique” and perused the silent auction…

Boy Scouts of America Troop 316 Annual Sprinkler Blowout Castle Pines North Boy Scout Troop #316 will hold its annual sprinkler blowout fundraiser during the first three weekends (Saturday and Sunday) in October. Space is limited; make your reservations early. To schedule a blowout, call 303-408-3247 or e-mail contact by e-mail . Leave your name,…

Water Distribution/Wastewater Collection Supervisor Dwayne Davis submitted by The Castle Pines North Metro District 485 fire hydrants serviced All fire hydrants in Castle Pines North have been inspected and serviced by the utilities staff of CPNMD. Each hydrant was pressure tested and painted. Homeowners can help both the Metro District and the fire department by…

submitted by Colorado Ski Country USA Colorado Ski Country USA’s (CSCUSA) exclusive Colorado Gold Pass is now available for the 2009-10 ski season. The transferable pass, good for unlimited skiing and riding at member resorts, can be purchased for $2,750. Unlike many lift tickets, the Colorado Gold Pass does not have any black-out dates, therefore…