The Connection

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…

Despite a chilly and blustery day, the bake sale for the Castle Pines Library was held during the dual swim meet between the two CPN swim teams. by Carin R. Kirkegaard Members of local area Brownie and Girls Scouts troops partnered with members from the Douglas County Libraries Foundation and held an old-fashioned bake sale…

Executive Director of the Colorado Municipal League, Sam Mamet, presented information to the City of Castle Pines North City Council in May regarding Colorado Municipal Home Rule. Article and photo by Terri Wiebold The Colorado Municipal League (CML) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has served and represented Colorado’s cities and towns since 1923. Its…

The bulldozers and the dust kicking up at Lagae Ranch are a result of Castle Pines North residents’ Master Association dues hard at work. After eight years of contributing to a parks fund, residents are witnessing a new park underway in Castle Pines North. The City of Castle Pines North held a ground breaking ceremony…

Information and photo provided by the Castle Pines North Metro District The first phase of the Master Landscape Plan has wrapped up and, like any construction project, the results were well worth waiting for. The roundabout at Daniel’s Park Road is graced with Colorado Green Moss and Rounded River Granite boulders, trees, shrubs, grasses, perennial…

by Chris Bonham, Castle Pines North Youth Advisory Council Chair It’s something that we’ve been promised again and again by politicians who claim to be on our side. Congress has even passed laws to protect this invaluable principle. Yet, it always seems to evade us. We’re constantly caught demanding more of it because we feel…

by Lisa Crockett A newly-formed group of young people is learning about local government, while providing a valuable service to the Castle Pines North (CPN) community. The City of Castle Pines North Youth Advisory Council (YAC), comprised of eight teenagers ranging in age from 13 to 18, meets weekly to discuss matters of importance to…

Members of the Castle Pines North Metro District gather at the Community Center for an open house in June. Information provided by the Castle Pines North Metro District The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District hosted an open house on June 24th for customers to meet and become acquainted with staff members and to view an…

Article by Terri Wiebold; photos by Tim Gamble Independence Day came early this year for residents of the City of Castle Pines North. The City held its Fourth of July festivities on July 3 at Coyote Ridge Park. Early-on rain and gusty winds did not stop local businesses and merchants from displaying their fares and…

Bella Rock Adventures is leading a hike through the foothills to catch the changing Aspens and glimpse the amazing fall colors Colorado has to offer. Saralyn Crock will be the lead guide for the hike. She has more than 18 years of experience in hiking, mountain biking and snowshoeing. The hike will take place September…

Douglas County Sheriff David A. Weaver Information submitted by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office It seems that when we have nice weather we tend to see an increase of door-to-door salespeople in our Castle Pines neighborhoods. Many of these people are legitimate employees trying to advertise their business. Unfortunately, many of these people can be con…

By Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines Village merchants are partnering with the Cherokee Ranch and Castle to host a summer wine walk and Celtic concert on Wednesday, August 12. The annual wine walk will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the added entertainment this year of a Celtic concert in the plaza from…

by Lisa Crockett The Oak Hills Owners Association was unsuccessful in its bid to block the building of a 344-seat church in the community. After a hearing with the Douglas County Board of Adjustment in June, Castle Pines Community Church (CPCC) is approved to begin the process of constructing a church building. The 12.5-acre site…

Information submitted by Big O Tires Big O Tires was very proud to bring the Alive at 25 Premier Program to Castle Pines North this past May. Big O Tires (along with the Center for Transportation Safety) have supplemented the Premium program so that the students and their parents can attend this very important training…

In accordance with today’s presidential proclamation ordering U.S. flags lowered to half-staff on all federal facilities through Aug. 30 to honor U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, Gov. Ritter has also directed that U.S. and Colorado flags be lowered to half-staff on state facilities through sunset on the 30th. Earlier today, Gov. Ritter issued a statement praising…

American Academy charter school plans to open its 83,000 square foot facility in Castle Pines North for families to tour on September 18. The first day of school for students in grades K-8 will be September 21. (photo by Jeremy Gamble) by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines community welcomes the completion of its first middle…

CPA teammates high five following a soccer game Castle Pines Athletics (CPA) is now accepting registration forms for fall soccer. The fall season runs August 24 through October 10. All practices and games are played in the fields located in Castle Pines North (CPN). The cost for soccer is $75 for CPN residents and $95…

by Paige Newman, Intern Writer, Rock Canyon High School An eyelash. A fountain. A broken wishbone. Dropping a penny in the well. The birthday candles on a cake. A star shooting across the sky. Why are these things important? Why do we wish on them? Why do we wish at all? Why, each year on…

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…

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…

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.