The Connection

Submitted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Inc. (BBBSC) honored Pinnacol Assurance at its annual Awards Ceremony and Reception on April 30 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Presented by Global Technology Resources Inc., the evening brought together 100 of BBBSC’s top supporters to celebrate 91 years of…

Castle Pines Athletics kicked off its first season in Castle Pines North with spring soccer. Despite the crazy spring of rain, sleet, snow, and even a few blizzards, kids ages four to eight enjoyed playing at home in Castle Pines North. Emma K. (pictured above) of the Kindergarten team the “Red Dragons” runs through a…

by Tracy Dudley As part of President Barack Obama’s world class education plan, he wants to make math and science a national priority and ensure all children have access to a strong science curriculum at all grade levels. At DCS Montessori (DCSM), emphasis on science and its real-world applications is woven into everyday activities even…

Since the swearing in of its new members last May, the Board of the Castle Pines North Metro District has been focused on a number of key objectives: Ensuring that CPN is on track for a long-term renewable water solution, Exploring ways to gain efficiency with the newly-formed City; Ensuring that the District is financially…

Submitted by Johansen, McDonald & Associates Deborah Kish Johansen, Esq. is pleased to announce that The Johansen Law Firm, LLC is expanding. The new firm is Johansen, McDonald & Associates, P.C. Please join me in welcoming Christina L. C. McDonald, Esq. to the practice. JM&A will continue to focus on the legal needs of small…

Information and photo provided by the City of Lone Tree In May, the City of Lone Tree celebrated the grand opening of the RidgeGate Interchange off I-25 (above). The Interchange is designed to alleviate the increasing traffic congestion along Lincoln Avenue, approximately one mile north of the RidgeGate Parkway Interchange. Lincoln Avenue, on any given…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard Memorial weekend brings the beginning of summer and the return of the Castle Crocs to the swimming pool. With more than 180 swimmers, the Crocs hit the water this summer for the first time from diving blocks. Since the Crocs inception in 2006, the team has been vigilantly counting their pennies…

DCS sixth grade honor choir students from left to right: Nicholas B., Marston T., Mariah P., and Paige V. (Photo courtesy of Lorraine Cooper) by Tracy Dudley Seven sixth graders from DCS Montessori performed in the Douglas County Sixth Grade Honor Choir concert on April 16 at Rock Canyon High School. Nicholas Bommarito, Mariah Pendergrast,…

Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 303-660-7586 CONTACT Patty Moschner – 303-660-7535 x3 Debbie Boyle – 303-660-7535 x4 Jocelyn Rhymer – 303-660-7535 x1 Jamie Driscoll – 303-660-7535 x2 Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Victim Assistance Volunteers NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Program is seeking…

Owner/operator Miguel “Mike” Hernandez (center) with his kitchen staff making last minute preparations for the grand opening of A Taste of Mexico – Castle Pines Village A Taste of Mexico celebrated their grand opening Monday night with crowds of enthusiastic dinner guests waiting to sample the authentic Mexican cuisine. A habitué of the old Jimmy’s…

An annexation petition submitted to the City of Castle Pines North could bring an additional 2,500 homes into the city. Representatives of The Canyons filed a petition for annexation with the city in April. Article by Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of North Canyons, LLLP. A new community of homes nestled among parks, open space and…

Medic Unit 39 will now be located at Station 39, on Happy Canyon Road in Castle Rock. Engine 36 is now staffed with three EMTs and a paramedic trained in advanced life support. by Terri Wiebold South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA) relocated its Medic Unit from Station 36 in Castle Pines North (CPN) to…

Photos and information by Carin R. Kirkegaard Kids from the Castle Pines community gave it their all for Tri the Rock, a kids triathlon sponsored by the Castle Rock Recreation Center. The event consists of a swim, bike and run, with distances dependent upon age group. Kids ages five to fourteen competed in the event.…

The Castle Pines North community garage sale was May 15 -16, and brought many visitors to the Castle Pines community. Neighbors gathered former treasures and priced them to sell. The adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” held true for many during the sale, including this woman (pictured below) who is loving her new…

By Tracy Dudley The past two summers, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce hosted farmers’ markets in the Village Square parking lot in CPN. While patronage was high initially, interest tapered off to the point where the endeavor ended up losing money. Because of this, CPN will not host a farmers’ market this season. However,…

Reminder! Get Acquainted With Your Metropolitan District CPNMD OPEN HOUSE June 24 (Wednesday) 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Residents of Castle Pines North are welcome to get acquainted with the operations and services provided by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District.CPNMD staff and board members will be available to personally answer questions and address important community…

by Lane Roberts With the opening of a new charter school in Castle Pines North (CPN), may residents have expressed concerns regarding a potential increase in traffic along Monarch Boulevard, primarily near Buffalo Ridge Elementary School. American Academy, a Douglas County K-8 charter school, is set to open in their new 83,000 square foot facility…

by Carin R. Kirkegaard As part of a community unit taught at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) two different groups of second graders took a tour of Colorado’s State Capitol and seven students, Kristin Palyo, Johnny Stoughton, Larrysa Meyers, Justus Novak, Madison Tran, Jaxson Bell and Aidan Svenson were selected to say the “Pledge of Allegiance”…

Castle Pines Athletics and Dazbog Coffee are celebrating summer in CPN on Sunday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us at Dazbog for a fun day of jump castles, face painting, bungee relay, music, raffle prizes , coupons and more! Bring the children and celebrate summer in CPN! Summer camps now offered…

by Terri Wiebold No more cash or coin payments accepted Since E-470 opened in 1991, customers using the toll highway have had the option of paying either by cash or with EXpressToll transponders. Beginning in July, that will change, and customers can keep their change. Effective July 4, 2009, coin and currency payment will no…

Sixteen-year-old Mike Elmore (second from left) and his fellow troop members from Boy Scout Troop 316 erect a “hawk house” in Castle Pines North for Elmore’s Eagle Scout project. The houses encourage vole- and rabbit-eating hawks to spend time in the area to keep pests under control. (Photos courtesy of Wayne Elmore) by Lisa Crockett…

WARP Ambassadors join Colorado State Representative Frank McNulty for a photo after being recognized for their efforts in raising water conservation awareness. By Carin R. Kirkegaard WARP Ambassadors from Rock Canyon, Douglas County, Chaparral and Castle View High Schools were recognized for their efforts in raising water conservation awareness at Colorado’s House of Representative’s general…

By Carin R. Kirkegaard The Castle Pines North (CPN) Empty Nesters golf group have teed off for the season. In May, the group held their first social golfing event at The Ridge Golf Course. The golf group meets twice a month at either The Ridge in CPN, Red Hawk in Castle Rock and Bear Dance…

Submitted by Horizon Pain Center Horizon Pain Center is showcased for applying innovative healing technologies in patient therapy on the KUSA Channel 9, June 13, 6 pm episode of “American Health Front.” This medical news program educates viewers about important advances in medical techniques and technologies. Horizon is featured for treating acute and chronic pain…

by Terri Wiebold The Kiwanis Club of Douglas County will host its fifth annual golf tournament at the Perry Park Country Club in Larkspur on August 31. The cost is $175 per person, which includes an amazing day of golf – including cart, range balls, a “goodie bag” and lunch. Proceeds from the tournament go…

By Lisa Crockett Summer is just starting, but for most students at Timber Trail Elementary School (TTE), classes will begin soon. Because TTE operates on a four-track calendar, the first day of school is July 6 for more than three quarters of the student body. Budget cuts district wide have dictated changes in the school…

WARP Ambassadors from Rock Canyon High School conduct water conservation awareness assembly for Buffalo Ridge Elementary School fourth graders. Photo by Tim Gamble

by Terri Wiebold On the heels of celebrating its one-year anniversary of becoming a city, the Castle Pines North City Council is taking steps to ensure that city financial information remains open, accessible, and timely. At the May 14 City Council meeting, council unanimously passed a resolution to appoint a deputy treasurer, citing a lack…

by Terri Wiebold with information provided by Douglas County County residents living and working in the southern areas of Douglas County can renew their driver’s license, change their address, and get a Colorado ID at Douglas County’s new Driver’s License Office in Castle Rock. The Castle Rock driver’s license office handles renewals, out-of-state transfers, and…

Pictured left to right – Sammy Fox, Chloe Civello, Jared Jordan, Nicole Jordan, Teddy Koerner. Inset: Erin Riner, Marielle Renehan, Abby Kochevar. Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Castle Pines club swimmers from both Colorado Athletic Club and the Rock Swim team shined at the end of the short-course swimming season by qualifying and…

Rocky Mountain Tennis Academy (RMTA), Denver’s largest community-based tennis program, is offering classes again this year in Castle Pines North and Castle Pines Village. RMTA serves hundreds of adults and youth students and offers instruction from beginners to tournament level players. RMTA provides fully staffed programs at the HOA1 and HOA 2 tennis courts in…

Jeff Huff, the president of the Hidden Pointe Metro District and Horticulture Specialists, Gary LeCaptain by Lisa Crockett Spruce trees in the Castle Pines community are threatened by infestation from a new culprit, the White Pine Weevil, and Jeff Huff, the president of the Hidden Pointe Metro District, is working with local experts to do…

Metro District Utilities Supervisor Andrew Romano is coordinating a curb stop program in CPN. It’s late in the afternoon, you have standing water in your basement and your plumber doesn’t have good news. The source of the leak is between the isolation valve in your house and the shut off at the curb, or “curb…

By order of the Governor, please lower your flags on July 1, 2009, in honor of BLM Fire Capt. Brett Stearns, 29.

by Scott Lasher The old adage “Do something you love and you will never have to work a day in your life” is more like a motto for Castle Pines North resident Dennis Murray. For the past 10 years, Murray has served as the Director of Golf Instruction at The Ridge at Castle Pines North.…

Rock Canyon High School students battled the elements in order to attend prom on April after a sudden snow storm hit the Castle Pines communtiy. Pictured above are Kaitlyn Clure, senior at Rock Canyon and her date Ben.

(Photo courtesy of Lynniel Van Benschoten) Update by Lane Robets San Juan Pools of Colorado uses a crane to deliver a new pool to The Retreat. The Retreat HOA began renovations to their neighborhood pool in April. The 20+ year old pool received a face lift by Sterling Custom Homes, Inc. “We have been on…

Gov. Bill Ritter has ordered that United States and Colorado state flags be lowered to half staff at state and federal facilities throughout Colorado tomorrow (Saturday, May 9, 2009) in honor of Sgt. James Dewel Pirtle, 21, of Colorado Springs. Sgt. Pirtle died May 1, 2009, in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as…

Bailey McHenry accepting the CSOC scholarship award from Douglas County Sheriff, David A. Weaver Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 303-660-7586 Douglas County Sheriff, David A. Weaver, is pleased to announce that Bailey McHenry is this year’s recipient of the County Sheriff’s of Colorado, CSOC, scholarship award for Douglas…

Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 303-660-7586 Douglas County Sheriff David A. Weaver is very excited about being part of the Colorado Information Sharing Consortium with 42 other Law Enforcement Agencies from across the State of Colorado. The Colorado Information Sharing Consortium (CISC) was formed in 2008 by public…

Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 303-660-7586 Deputies for the Patrol and Detention Divisions as well as officers from the Lone Tree, Castle Rock and Parker Police Department have received training on Autism Awareness. Many times deputies and officers have been called to situations that involve a person; child…

by Anthonette Klinkerman Castle Pines North has an international connection through ZONTA International. The club met recently at La Dolce Vita to honor a young woman from Douglas County that has demonstrated concern for a global issue. Amy Lynn Eckert, among the first graduating class of Castle View High School this year, was the recipient…

The new RidgeGate Parkway Interchange is at RidgeGate Parkway and I-25, approximately one mile south of Lincoln Avenue. It provides direct access to the Sky Ridge Medical Center and the RidgeGate development. The Interchange design is similar to the nearby Lincoln Interchange with a partial cloverleaf of two loop ramps and was built for the…

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release May 11, 2009 PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY AND POLICE WEEK, 2009 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Every day, peace officers put on their uniforms and go to work to safeguard America’s communities and uphold the freedoms we hold…

Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 303-660-7586 CONTACT #1: Deputy Rob Rotherham 303-814-7005 ext 6514 303-660-7500 (dispatch) Upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, Roadside Sobriety Checkpoint The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Parker Police Department will be stepping up their efforts to apprehend Intoxicated and Impaired drivers during the Memorial Day…

DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MEDIA RELEASE Sheriff David A. Weaver 4000 Justice Way Castle Rock, CO 80109 CONTACT #1: Deputy Cocha Heyden, Public Information Officer, 303-660-7586, pgr 303-826-7822 RELEASE DATE: 05/08/09 RELEASE TIME: 9:00 am Douglas County Sheriff Will Honor Citizens and Employees in Awards Ceremony to be Held on May 14, 2009, at the…

Submitted by Deputy Cocha Heyden Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 303-660-7586 Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Graduates 4th Class of Community Safety Volunteers, 2nd class to include volunteers that will serve the Lone Tree and Castle Rock Police Departments Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver, Lone Tree Police Chief Steve Hasler, Lone Tree Mayor Jim…

Kelly Durie, Steve Durie and Mary Williams celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Castle Pines North’s newest restaurant – The Barking Goat. (Photo by Tim Gamble) by Lisa Crockett A new eatery is open in Castle Pines North (CPN). Dubbed The Barking Goat Tavern, the establishment opened in March in the former Celtic Crossing location, 363…

by Lisa Crockett After years, the long process of making plans, submitting them to Douglas County, then re-submitting plans, Castle Pines Community Church (CPCC) has moved one step closer to building a permanent home in Surrey Ridge. In March, Douglas County approved plans for a 344-seat church in Surrey Ridge at 9009 Clydesdale Road. “I…

by Carin Kirkegaard The Empty Nesters coordinates two Bridge groups in the Castle Pines North community – a singles ladies bridge group and a couples bridge group. The singles ladies bridge group meets the third Monday of the month and has eight ladies that rotate hosting the game in her home. Currently, there is a…

  Castle Pines Community Spellers pictured above Bergen Templin (TTE), Victoria Vanderpoel (RHMS) and J.T. Snowden (BRE). (Photo by Carin Kirkegaard) by Carin Kirkegaard The Castle Pines community sent three spellers to the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Spelling Bee on February 18 at Northeast Elementary School in Parker. J.T. Snowden, a fourth grader from…

By Lisa Crockett Five area businesses have closed their doors in recent months including: Entrée Vous, Jimmy’s Steakhouse, Rejuvinations Spa, Jasmine Boutique and Castle Pines Chiropractic. Though economic times are precarious for many, Castle Pines area businesses aren’t without a support network. Sharon Kollmar, the president of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce, sees continued…

by Carin Kirkegaard Tri the Rock returns for its fourth year of benefiting youth health and fitness on May 17 at Butterfield Park in Castle Rock. A USA Triathlon sanctioned event, Tri the Rock is open to all kids ages five through 14. Cost is $30 for registration prior to May 11 and after is…

by Tracy Dudley In the spring of 2007, a local grassroots group rallying for a recreation center in Castle Pines North (CPN) commissioned a survey that found 81 percent of CPN residents in favor of a recreation center for the community. This was nearly two years ago, and Castle Pines Recreation (CPR) has since paused…

Birds of a Feather: (from left) Skyler Draper, Nathan Cook, Cameron Lindemann and Chase Bell all received their Eagle Scout awards on the same day. All four of the boys are students at Rock Canyon High School. The boys are scouts in troops 365 and 530. (Photo by Lisa Crocket) by Lisa Crockett The journey…

by Lisa Crockett Another hurdle on the long route to a library for the Castle Pines community has been cleared. At its regular meeting on April 16, the Library Board of Trustees instructed Douglas County Libraries Director, Jamie LaRue, to pursue lease negotiations for a library space here. “We are giving our permission to our…

Submitted by Dr. Bryan Rudiak, Canyon Ridge Chiropractic The Rock Canyon High School choirs joined forces with local doctor, Dr. Bryan Rudiak of Canyon Ridge Chiropractic, to raise $1,000 for the school program. The students were able to raise the money rather easily and in a rather short period of time. Dr. Rudiak donated a…

by Carin Kirkegaard Longer daylight hours and warmer weather have Castle Pines North (CPN) neighbors taking advantage of Colorado’s early spring days. Whether riding a bike, taking a jog, or walking a dog on CPN’s 13.5 miles of recreational trails, many residents have been out enjoying spring. In addition to these walking trails CPN residents…

Submitted by Heather Halpape, CDOT 9484 or 303-888-6319 (cell) CSP PIO, 303-239-4583 The Colorado State Patrol and 40 law enforcement agencies wrote 2,761 seat belt tickets during a week-long, nighttime Click It or Ticket enforcement that occurred April 1-7 in 11 counties. The special overtime traffic enforcement took place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.…

by Lisa Crockett With no confirmed tenants for the parcel of land at the corner of Monarch Boulevard and Castle Pines Parkway – a parcel known as “CC-20”, construction plans that were introduced more than two years ago remain unchanged but also unrealized. The site, which is owned by Pinark, LLC, was to have been…

by Denise Bassett, Castle Pines North Metro District On average more than eight percent of residential water use is lost through leaking fixtures or pipes! Knowing how much water you use is the first step toward getting a handle on water consumption. As you evaluate your water use, try to look for ways to reduce…

April Parcells Article and photo by Carin Kirkegaard MacKenzie Rae Parcells was born a perfectly healthy baby to Castle Pines North residents, April and Bill Parcells. It was at her two-month check-up, when MacKenzie received her DTap immunization that things began to change. According to April Parcells, co-founder of the MacKenzie Grace Foundation, MacKenzie had…

by Lane Roberts On Thursday, March 5, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce hosted its first membership meeting at The Ridge in Castle Pines North (CPN.) Don Bobeda, chairman for the Chamber, gave the introductions and welcomed more than 60 businesses in attendance. Dr. Jason Ortman of Castle Pines Eye Care sponsored the event.. Guest…