The Connection

Submitted by Castle Pines Athletics Working to meet the needs of its growing children, Castle Pines Athletics is adding two new sports programs in 2011. Starting this spring, third and fourth graders can play competitive/developmental boys baseball and girls soccer in CPN. Registration for baseball for third and fourth grade boys will begin in January.…

Student count day is Friday, October 1. Final funding for schools is contingent upon actual student attendance. The attendance recorded that day will be used to reconcile per pupil funding compared to earlier enrollment projections. What does this mean for your student and your school? Students should make every effort to be at school on…

Magestic Mushroom Rock on the southern cliffs of Spruce Mountain, just east of Windy Point. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Douglas County ranks among the nation’s top 10 counties for income and growth. We know why we are here; it’s a quality of life thing. Since 1995, our county has acquired or protected $161…

Pictured above are ladies from the September gathering of Womenade of Castle Rock held at Castle Pines North resident, Mary Williams home. To date, the gathering has raised $1060. The quarter’s recipient is a family of four with two children ages five and nine. Both parents are unemployed and the father is legally blind. By…

Local sculptor Rhonda Vickers stands by her bronze of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White, commissioned by the University of Colorado. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West “I believe you are born with it, but you have to learn and work at it,” said sculptor and Castle Pines Village resident Rhonda Vickers with a…

Article by Tracy Dudley with photo provided by the Westen family In September, the Athletics Department at Western Illinois University (WIU) selected local resident, Curt Westen, for induction into the school’s Hall of Fame. Westen played football for Western Illinois from 1978 to 1982 as an offensive lineman, at center. In addition to earning a…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. The City of Castle Pines North financial position continues to remain strong thru the first seven months of the year. The latest fiscal updates include: Actual Compared to Budget – The City is in a favorable position to budget both at the revenue…

Information provided by Derek Kliner Derek Kliner, with RE/MAX Professionals, Inc., has been presented with the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors highly successful agents who have earned more than $3 million in commissions and have completed seven years of service with the company. Kliner has been working in the real estate industry for more…

by Patte Smith Go green, reduce, reuse, recycle, save the planet, hug a tree, waste not…want, not — these clichés, mottos and slogans are catchy, but truly actions speak louder than words. In Douglas County, residents have plenty of opportunity to put freecycling and recycling into action. Freecycling is exactly what it sounds like; people…

Article by Lisa Crocket with photo collage by Tim Gamble The community turned out in force for the annual OctoberFest celebration, sponsored by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office sponsored several hours of safety-related presentations, locals and visitors alike participated in a “Volksmarch” fun run/walk event through the community, and…

Information provided by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – A personal message from Sheriff Weaver October is national crime prevention month. Even though we need to practice good crime prevention common sense all year round, take the time this month to really think about what you can do personally to help prevent crime. If you haven’t…

Buffalo Ridge fourth grader, Josh Harmon participates in reading assessments with the Reading Plus Program using the Visigraph goggles. Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) started the school year with a new reading software program called Reading Plus. The program is designed to help students achieve a higher fluency rate…

A new Sprouts Farmers Market joins other merchants at Lincoln Commons shopping area. By Elizabeth Wood West with photos courtesy of Darryl Jones, Development Manager for RidgeGate Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the grand opening of the new Lincoln Commons retail stores. Lincoln Commons is part…

Dr. Jason Ortman, Castle Pines Eye Care CASTLE PINES EYE CARE GIVES GIFT OF VISION TO PEOPLE IN NEED Castle Pines Optometrist, Dr. Jason Ortman of Castle Pines Eye Care, is joining the World Sight Day Challenge to help give sight to people in developing countries. On World Sight Day, Tuesday, October 12, 2010, Dr.…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. City Public Works crews are busy wrapping up summer maintenance projects and getting ready to outfit the dump trucks with snow plows and sanders. But before the winter snow, there are many fall projects to complete: Concrete Maintenance – In early October, City…

Pictured above is Buffalo Ridge Dream Team teacher sponsors, Jennifer Jacoway and Jolie Pinkie with members from the 2010-2011 Dream Team. The group raised $350 running Alex’s Lemonade Stand at the Second Annual Buffalo Stampede. Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard The Buffalo Ridge Dream Team, the elementary school’s student council, raised $350 with…

by Linda Nuzum Election season is in full swing! See below for resources to find information on the ballot issues: How to get educated on STATEWIDE issues: The official ballot information booklet (aka “Blue Book”) in regard to state issues has been sent to Colorado voters. Click to review PDF and audio versions available online.…

By Elean Gersack with information and photo provided by Colorado Ski County USA Colorado Ski Country USA’s exclusive Colorado Gold Pass is now available for the 2010-11 ski season. The fully transferable pass, good for unlimited skiing and riding at member resorts, costs $3,000. Only 100 passes are available this season. The Colorado Gold Pass…

photos by Jeremy Gamble A fun time was had by all who participated in the Castle Pines “A fun time was had by all who participated in the Castle Pines “Hot Rods in the Village” car show last month. Special thanks to the Village at Castle Pines merchants and to the Vintage Car Club of…

Dr. Jason Ortman Submitted by Castle Pines Eye Care Dr. Jason Ortman was named the Colorado Optometric Association’s “Young Optometrist of the Year” in July. This is an annual award given to a member who has been in optometric practice for ten years or fewer. The award selection is based upon public service, the visual…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. While there are several outlets that provide email alerts to CPN residents, be sure you are receiving the emails being sent from the City of Castle Pines North. The City informs residents of emergencies, events, meetings, issues, and City updates. To sign up…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. The Castle Pines North City Council in late August extended a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits, with an expectation the matter will be put to CPN voters in the November general election. On July 13, Council unanimously approved the…

Hike with your hound and help homeless pets. Follow the trail of wet noses and wagging tails at the Dumb Friends League Wag ‘n Trail! The 1.6-mile hike, for people and their dogs, takes place Saturday, September 25, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Glendale Farm Open Space on the west side of Surrey…

Who knew!? The Castle Pines Connection “School Scoop” section has a dedicated area for all Castle Pines schools, including RCHS and RHMS. Send us your pictures and story ideas and you, too, could be featured in an upcoming issue!

“Planet 51” was a crowd pleaser for viewers young and old. by Elean Gersack with pictures by Phil Archer Photography The night was bright, the kids snuggled up in sleeping bags and Chuck – the movie’s lead character – found his way back home. Ahh … life is good. The 2010 Summer Movie in the…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard On October 2 the Rock Slide, a family-centered 5k run, will return to the streets of Castle Pines North and Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE). In 2004, the idea for the Rock Slide was planted in the community fun run, the Buffalo Stampede, and was held in conjunction with BRE and what…

Submitted by Taylor Goertz, Capital Improvements Manager Northbound I-25 Off-Ramp at Lincoln Avenue Night Closure Lone Tree, CO – Starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15th continuing until 2 a.m. on Thursday, September 16th, weather permitting, the ramp from northbound I-25 to Lincoln Avenue will be completely closed as part of the ongoing construction…

Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Julie Storick Castle Pines North resident Julie Storick was the proud winner of the needlepoint Best of Show award at this year’s Douglas County Fair in August. Since Storick began her hobby with classes in Sacramento and weekend stitching retreats to Napa Valley, it comes as no…

A talented family, the Meisners – Ryan (left), Nancy (center), and Allyson (right), hold their entries for the Front Range Art Exhibit. Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Sue Botero Local artist and mother of two, Nancy Meisner, will share the artistic spotlight with her children this fall. Not one, but three members of…

Staff of the Castle Pines Library celebrate the branch’s first year anniversary. Pictured left to right – Joanne Fields-Daley, Jill Swanstrom, Amy Long and Deidre VanRy. article and photo by Lisa Crockett The Castle Pines Library is small – just 2,300 square feet – but the space located in the Village Square Shopping Center on…

By Elizabeth Wood West Within the walls of South Metro Fire Rescue Authority’s (SMFR) headquarters, board members and staff are continuing to examine the long-term impacts the City of Castle Pines North’s Urban Renewal Authority will have on its ability to provide emergency services in the future. The city published a press release June 8…

Ready for take off… well, not just yet. Quam expects his plane to be completed in the summer of 2012. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker A lot of men have hobbies whether it is golf, wood working, or collections. However, Winter Berry resident, Mike Quam, has taken his hobby to a whole new level.…

Students enjoy the sun while setting up the life-size Tic-Tac-Toe challenge featured at the DCS Montessori Fall Festival in 2009. Article and photo by Tracy Dudley On Saturday, September 18, the sixth annual Fall Festival at local DCS Montessori School is open to the entire community. This year, the Fall Festival features a rocket demonstration,…

Saturday, September 11, Noon until 7 p.m. Chili Cook-Off competition – 8 a.m. to Noon Chili and Chocolate Tasting & Barbecue – Noon – 4 p.m. Chocolate Baked Goods (and other treats) Chili Feed Dinner – 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Children’s Activities – noon – 3 p.m. (tickets available from church members or at…

Members of the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) board of directors were on hand to greet the public at the recent Rueter-Hess Reservoir open house. The CPNMD joined the Rueter-Hess project in 2006, and in 2008 purchased 1,500 acre-feet of water storage rights in the reservoir.

Karen Thyfault, store manager of Green Earth Cleaners, was happy with the increased business on August 20th. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker On August 20th, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce partnered with The Castle Pines Connection to organize the first of a series of economic incentives called $20 on the 20th. The goal…

Principal Rauh welcomes RCHS parents at Back to School Night. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Back to School Night on August 24 was bustling with activity. Welcomed by principal, Kim Rauh, parents with schedules in hand, made their way through the building, meeting teachers, counselors and administrators. With…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. The City of Castle Pines North’s financial position remains strong through the first half of the year. The latest fiscal updates include:Actual Compared to Budget: The City is in a favorable position to budget both at the revenue and net funds level. Total…

Information provided by Doug Hutchins, Castle Pines real estate specialist, broker associate The Kentwood Company How’s the real estate market? The answer depends on the neighborhood and price point for the home. Generally, sales and prices for homes priced under $500,000 were supported in the first half of 2010 by the federal tax credit offered…

“Vote No” on Amendments 60 & 61 and Proposition 101 seems to be the resounding message from local community leaders. Many city officials, county representatives, law enforcement and public safety officers, libraries, schools, chambers of commerce, and businesses in Douglas County have all joined in opposition. By Lisa Crocket This fall, three initiatives are on…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. Members of the Castle Pines Economic Development Council and City Council recently formed the Castle Pines Community Partnership (CPCP), which brings together representatives from the governing and service entities of Castle Pines North. The intent of this group is to strengthen the lines…

Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver (left) is welcomed to the Castle Pines Chamber Board of Directors by Board Chairman Dan Cook (right). Article by Kathy Dunker with photo by Terri Wiebold Recently appointed to the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is Douglas County’s own sheriff, David Weaver. Weaver said, “I am excited…

by Kathy Dunker Twelve months ago, American Academy (AA) opened the doors of their new building in Castle Pines North (CPN). Having come from a strip mall of classrooms with an asphalt playground in the parking lot, AA has come into its own with a three-story, 83,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility – and yes, with…

Submitted by Nanci Marr, Community Relations Specialist Nominate your favorite librarian for a national I Love My Librarian Award Librarians touch the lives of the people they serve every day. But time is running out to nominate your librarian for the national Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award! The…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. The Castle Pines North City Council has had significant discussions about their citizen committee structure and its overall effectiveness. At a recent retreat, the City Council decided to restructure all of their committees in order to clarify their roles, make them more streamlined,…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard Mark the calendar and plan on attending the fifth annual Great American Jacket Exchange October 14 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Oxford Hotel located at 1600 17th Street in Denver. This symbiotic event partners professionals from all over the Denver metropolitan area with Warren Village to help raise…

Dr. Elizabeth Celania-Fagen DCSD Superintendant Dear Douglas County School District Families: I want to welcome you to what I believe will be an excellent school year in the Douglas County School District. This is one of my favorite times of year – when our students and staff return and fill quiet buildings with energy and…

2009 Rock Canyon High School homecoming game with the seniors showing their solidarity during the coin toss. Information courtesy of the RCHS website with photos by Kevin Williams The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Jaguars will be participating in a new football conference for the 2010 season. The newly formed South Metro 4A Football Conference…

This information has been provided by the City of Castle Pines North. Implemented in early 2009, the group disbanded early this year throughout the process of the council revising their committee structure. The purpose of the Youth Advisory Council is to give teens in our community a voice on issues they are concerned about, and…

Taylor W. celebrated her ninth birthday with friends at Speed Raceway, located in Englewood just around the corner from American Furniture Warehouse. They say that girls just wanna have fun, and this group of eight and nine year old local residents will have to agree! Article and photos by Terri Wiebold Step aside Danika, a…

by Chris Bonham, Intern writer With so many students heading back to school, it’s important to realize and appreciate different forms of education. Most people are familiar with the obvious, more traditional types of schooling, such as public, private, and charter schools. However, there is another system that is often overlooked when talking about education:…

Xtreme Challenge founder Kyler Storm enjoys a joust demonstration during an adult teambuilding event. Article by Tracy Dudley with photos provided by Xtremee Challenge While a variety of sports organizations have come through the Sports Complex at Inverness during the last 12 months, the most recent addition is perhaps the most exciting yet says Castle…

Castle Pines North resident Jack Goodrich by Patte Smith with photo provided by Jack Goodrich Many people appreciate the beauty of wood, but true craftsmen are enthralled with it from its beginning form as a tree to a piece of fine furniture. These wood workers, crafts people with an eye for detail and patience to…

Information provided by South Suburban Parks & Recreation South Suburban Parks and Recreation will host the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition Saturday, September 18 at David A. Lorenz Regional Park, located at 8560 S. Colorado Blvd. New this year, the age range has been expanded to include boys and girls as young as age…

Owner Roger Hurst (left) shares his love for the Nebraska Cornhuskers with patrons at his sports-themed restaurant and bar. Article and photo by Liane M. Davis The Fowl Line, your warm and friendly, upscale, neighborhood sports bar is located in Castle Rock, right off Founders Parkway. Owner Roger Hurst knows how to make you feel…

The Lederman family was busy unpacking their school supplies with their son, Joshua, and daughter, Ellianna, inside Ellianna’s new classroom with teacher Ms. Best-Bockting. Article and photos by Kathy Dunker American Academy’s (AA) parent teacher organization (PTO) added a little flavor to this year’s open house on August 18; namely ice cream. Parents and kids…

Lower right corner: A rendering of the Castle Pines community’s newest park -Elk Ridge Park, which is scheduled to open in 2011. by Patte Smith with aerial photograph by Bob Wiebold In early August, at a special Parks Authority board meeting, the board unanimously voted to award the contract for building Elk Ridge Park –…

Eighth graders Avery Jones (left) and Maria Emanuel (right) at RHMS schedule pick up. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos by Kathy Dunker and Amy Shanahan The students and staff at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) are excited about the new school year. Schedule pick up was held on July 28 with more than 1,100…

Information provided by Leigh Brown, owner of Exclusive Tans After seven years in Castle Pines North (CPN), Exclusive Tans has moved! Just a few miles south on I-25, it has consolidated its CPN store with its Castle Rock store to bring you one larger facility with all the beds and all the spa services under…

by Elizabeth Wood West with above photo by Tim Gamble “We’ve been doing this for more than ten years and we always wear pink,” said Donna Belber, president of the Castle Pines Country Club Ladies 9-Hole Golf Association. Forty or so women golfers recently gathered at the Castle Pines Country Club after their annual “Susan…

by Elizabeth Wood West The City of Castle Pines North may be changing its name this November. City council has drafted and approved a ballot question asking whether Castle Pines North (CPN) residents would like to change the city’s name to “The City of Castle Pines.” According to Councilperson Doug Gilbert, the idea of naming…

In August, school hallways were stacked with supplies for the upcoming school year. Assistance came for families in need in the form of neighbors helping neighbors through The Giving Tree school supply drive. by Lisa Crockett with photo by Terri Wiebold A group of alumni from Leadership Douglas County – a coalition of civic and…

The Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Douglas County School District Colorado Rapids Community Night. The DCEF will once again be sponsoring an event for DCSD to enjoy a family night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, September 18 at 7 p.m.. The Rapids will play the New…

Storm swimmers during an opening flag ceremony. Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Lisa Kochevar The Castle Pines North (CPN) Storm Swim Team just finished up its second season as part of the Mountain High Swim League D Division. A young team with only a handful of teenagers, the kids performed well with…

Contributed by Patte Smith On Saturday, August 14, Boy Scout Troop 637, along with parents and Surrey Ridge resident volunteers, rebuilt the Surrey Ridge Estates horse riding arena. The Surrey Ridge HOA graciously provided lunch. A huge thank you goes to Troup 637, the volunteers for their time and talents, and everyone who donated funds…

By Elizabeth Wood West Before the end of the year, Happy Canyon Road will have two new fully-landscaped roundabouts constructed at Gates 1 and 2 in the Castle Pines Village community. Douglas County Commissioners gave their approval to Castle Pines Metro District (CPMD) for the construction of the roundabouts at the July 27 business meeting.…

Amy Shanahan, volunteer coordinator Article by Amy Shanahan with photo by Kathy Dunker The administration at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) is excited to launch a new program called CommUNITY. Since its inception, RHMS has had a vested interest in engaging the community, and as a result, has a wonderful partnership with parents who are…