Read the stories from the latest issue:
Pilates in the Pines is offering a Valentine’s Day Special to new members. From now until the end of February residents can try an introductory lesson for 50 percent off the regular price. Just mention that you saw this offer in The Connection. Pilates in the Pines is located at 7280 Lagae Road, Suite J,…
Photo by Terri Wiebold By Terri Wiebold On December 5, 2006, the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) Board of Directors held a public meeting with Douglas County representatives and the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to discuss the District’s need to include the Lagae Ranch property in its service boundaries for revenue purposes. At…
Buffalo Ridge Brownie Troop 628 fills pillowcases for The Women’s Crisis and Outreach Center (photo courtesy of the Harper family.) Buffalo Ridge Gold Rush: Staking Our Claim for the Future! Save the date for the Buffalo Ridge Silent Auction on April 21, 2007. The event will be held at The Sanctuary and will benefit the…
New to the Master Association Board are Jennifer Havercroft and Patrick Brierley, both of whom bring a wealth of knowledge from their service to Daniel’s Gate. Havercroft has been president of the North Lynx HOA and Brierley has served as the vice president of the Romar HOA. Both have served as delegates to the Master…
by Lane Roberts By now, most residents have heard the news. Castle Pines North (CPN) filed a petition to incorporate as the “City of Castle Pines North” on December 5, 2006. Three minutes later, Castle Pines Village (VILLAGE) also filed a petition to incorporate as the “City of Castle Pines.” Both communities have the business…
Cynthia Martin of BristleCone captured these amazing photos on January 5. The herd of elk travelled through the number one fairway of The Ridge golf course behind Martin’s home. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, elk move down from the mountains to places where they can still find grass and other plants to eat…
Preservation Committee Volunteers sign up for six teams that will help with the incorporation election process. By Lane Roberts More than 40 volunteers from Castle Pines North (CPN) attended the Citizens for the Preservation of Castle Pines North work session on Wednesday, January 17, at the Community Center. During the meeting, CPN Master Association President…
by Lisa Crockett The World Book Encyclopedia was what brought Eva Mitchell to Colorado. A native of Germany, Mitchell came to the United States in the mid-1950s. In need of a job, she obtained employment selling sets of World Book Encyclopedias. “I didn’t really enjoy the job,” said Mitchell. “But the company held a contest…
by Terri Wiebold and Elean Gersack Businesses in Castle Pines North (CPN) have created a new business association, Business in the Pines. This newly-formed organization brings businesses and merchants, located at I-25 and Castle Pines Parkway, together for the future. “The existence of a successful and vibrant business community is important to the future of…
by Elean Gersack Business in the Pines, a newly formed business association in Castle Pines North (CPN) announces Market in the Pines. Market in the Pines is planned from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from June through September, 2007. This outdoor, open-air market will include antiques, eclectic home…
by Elean Gersack Congratulations to three Castle Pines North (CPN) resident boys who skated to State Title for Rocky Heights Nighthawks Inline Hockey Club: Mark Hernandez, JT Kiefer and Max McDade. The Nighthawks were undefeated this year and won the state title against Horizon Middle School, with a score of 6-3, on December 3, 2006.…
The date for the second CC-20 public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners has been changed. The hearing will now be held on Wednesday,January 10, at 9 a.m. at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock; the hearing was scheduled for December 20, but was rescheduled because of the blizzard. Zoned for commercial development, CC-20…
Janet Conner of BristleCone Jennifer Havercroft of NorthLynx By Terri Wiebold Seventeen delegates from individual homeowner’s associations and residents gathered at the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association annual meeting last month to elect two members to the board of directors, to listen to guest speakers from South Metro Fire Rescue discuss the proposed new…
By Elean Gersack With falling leaves and overcast skies, local residents and visitors enjoyed a beautiful fall day in Castle Pines North (CPN) during OctoberFest on Saturday, October 14. This annual event, sponsored by local CPN businesses, has become a fall favorite for those who live in and around the area. Families strolled through The…
Children’s activity center inside the Parker genUrations store. Photo by Terri Wiebold. by Terri Wiebold “Forget everything you knew about picture framing,” says genUrations Frame Shop Owner, Zachary Pietlock. “We broke the mold, examined the pieces, threw some out, added some in, and the next generation in picture framing was born.” The new frame shop…
Now through December 25, South Suburban Parks and Recreation is offering all recreation center passes at a 10 percent discount. Customers who purchase a multiple-use pass or punch card have access to all facility amenities and drop-in fitness classes at the Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle. Obtain a 30-punch card during this special…
by Lane Roberts Public hearing notices were placed on the CC-20 parcel on November 14. Plans for the parcel, located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard, are moving forward and new changes have been introduced. As of press time, a public hearing was scheduled for November 27 with the Douglas…
by Lane Roberts On Sunday, November 12, members of the Daniel’s Gate community hosted a “Holiday Decorating Party” to prepare for the Castle Pines North Holiday Carriage Rides set for December. Hot cider, snacks, stacks of lights, and extension cords were handed out to volunteers at the Daniel’s Gate Club House. Residents braved the cold…
by Lisa Crockett In a scene reminiscent of an old-fashioned town hall, Castle Pines North (CPN) hosted several candidates for public office at its first-ever “Meet the Candidates” forum. The event was held at the CPN Community Center and boasted an attendance of roughly 85 people from all over Douglas County. Residents were allowed to…
By Lane Roberts In October, the Metro District Board voted to approve a $115,000 Xeriscape project at the Castle Pines North (CPN) Community Center, located at 7404 Yorkshire Drive. The three-phased Xeriscape project will feature drought-tolerant shrubs and native grasses, along with mulch and river rock. Portions of water-dependent Kentucky blue grass will be removed…
Mike Adams, school resource office for Rock Canyon High School by Terri Wiebold Students at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) are used to seeing an armed police officer on campus every day. Since the school opened four years ago, a uniformed deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has been assigned to the school as…
by Terri Wiebold Although the interior is still decorated as an old-world Irish pub, the dining room area of Celtic Crossing has been converted to an authentic Mexican restaurant. La Carreta, or “the chuck wagon,” features a full menu of Mexican appetizers, salads, specialties, and traditional Mexican entrees. The restaurant’s chef was born and raised…
By Lane Roberts Watch the mailbox during the next few weeks for a brochure from the Metro District entitled “Replenishing Our Water Supply.” The brochure explains the results of the Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP). For the past year, the Metro District has been working with Camp, Dresser and McKee (CDM) to develop a plan…
by Elean Gersack Douglas County 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. As of December 1, open enrollment forms can be downloaded from the district website at www.dcsdk12.org and parents can view a list of the…
by Elean Gersack It may be snowy and cold now, but in a few short months the air will warm and children will be kicking and hitting balls on fields everywhere. Now is the time to register for those spring sports leagues. To help save a few steps, check out the organizations listed below to…
By Terri Wiebold The October issue of The Connection reported that a new trail, extending north from Coyote Ridge Park to Rocky Heights Middle School in Highlands Ranch, would be opening in the Castle Pines North community by Thanksgiving. Plans for completion of the trail have recently been delayed. According to Douglas County Parks and…
by Elean Gersack According to a local group of residents, now is the time to bring a recreation center to Castle Pines North (CPN). With the community virtually at build out, land options are narrowing and a plot for civic use may become available on the Lagae Ranch property, located behind King Soopers. Civic amenities,…
by Lisa Crockett For many moms, having a baby marks the beginning of the end of a physically-fit lifestyle. One Castle Pines North (CPN) mom is working to reverse that trend. “Fit Mamas is a group designed to allow moms who stay home with their kids to get up and get moving–without having to hire…
by Elean Gersack SafeSplash swim school opened for swim lessons on Monday, November 27, at a brand new facility located next to The Wildlife Experience. This dedicated warm water pool is just what kids need to feel comfortable and gain confidence in the water. SafeSplash boasts instructors that are highly experienced and teach at very…
by Elean Gersack The Douglas County School District (DCSD) is pushing forward to bring healthier foods and wellness into local schools. According to the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, all school districts were mandated to adopt a school Student Wellness Policy by July 1, 2006. The DCSD Board of Directors approved such…
by Elean Gersack Get set to cheer for your favorite teachers and staff members. The fourth annual Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) versus Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) Teacher Kickball Game has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Rock Canyon High School gymnasium. This event always brings big crowds and lots of…
by Lane Roberts The date for the second CC-20 public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners has been changed. The hearing, originally set for December 13, will now be held on Wednesday, December 20, at 9 a.m. at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock. Zoned for commercial development, CC-20 is the 15.7-acre parcel located…
by Lisa Crockett After years of negotiations involving Castle Pines North (CPN), Xcel Energy and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), plans are now complete for the final expansion of the power lines that travel diagonally through the eastern part of CPN. Continued efforts by CPN Master Association Vice President, Bruce Thompson, and Charter Oaks residents…
December 8 What: Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra Concert When: Friday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lone Tree A holiday concert will take place at the Cornerstone Baptist Church at 9941 Lone Tree Parkway in Lone Tree. For more information, visit www.lonetreesymphony.org.
by Lane Roberts As the holidays rapidly approach, now is a great time to become re-acquainted with the many businesses in Castle Pines North (CPN). The local shops and restaurants in CPN are an integral part of everyday life and greatly enhance the community. “We have such a wide variety of unique businesses and services…
by Elean Gersack Volunteers Needed Interested in helping out at the school? Contact Susan Santamaria-Fenton, Volunteer Coordinator for RHMS, at susan.santamariafenton@dcsdk12.org. Current volunteers needed include: Communications Liaison for the PCA This volunteer would communicate information about activities within the school and surrounding community, as well as information about the school fundraising. This information is circulated…
Developer Chris Fellows (left) walks the Lagae Ranch property while talking with HOA1 residents. (Photo by Lane Roberts) by Lane Roberts For years, residents in HOA1 have enjoyed hundreds of acres of open space – right in their back yards. HOA1, which consists of the 424 homes in Royal Hill, Knights Bridge and Noble Ridge,…
By Lisa Crockett Do-it-yourselfers in Castle Pines North will have to wait a bit longer than originally expected for a new Lowe’s store to open in Castle Rock. The store, which will be built at the corner of Meadows Parkway and Santa Fe (near The Outlets at Castle Rock), was announced in July and was…
by Elean Gersack Homecoming King and Queen Crowned Sean Byrne and Kara Salazar, both of Castle Pines North, were crowned homecoming king and queen during the RCHS homecoming football game against Prairie View on Friday, October 13. RCHS won the game 56 – 0. Bryne is a football captain who plays left guard on the…
Castle Pines North Resident Carol Langley-Finnegan In June, Castle Pines North (CPN) residents Carol Langley-Finnegan and Walt Wohlgemuth graduated from a 10-week citizen’s academy sponsored by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and officially became Community Safety Volunteers. The program provided specialized training to Langley-Finnegan and Wohlgemuth in the areas of self defense, conflict resolution, defensive…
Citizens for the Preservation of Castle Pines North by Lane Roberts It started with a proposal for a new road near neighbors to the south of Castle Pines North (CPN). Now, Castle Pines Village (Village) is on the fast track to become the “City of Castle Pines.” A proposed road connecting from The Meadows subdivision…
by Terri Wiebold The recent opening of FirstBank inside the Safeway grocery store has provided added convenience to many Castle Pine North (CPN) residents. As Colorado’s largest locally-owned banking organization, FirstBank has been providing full-service banking for more than 40 years. Headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, FirstBank is well established in the marketplace as a premier…
by Elean Gersack 2007-2008 School Year Applications and Tours DCS Montessori will accept 2007-2008 applications for three – year – old preschool through sixth grade now through February 15, 2007. DCS Montessori utilizes a waitlist and lottery to fill open spots within the school. To download an application form, visit www.dcsmontessori.org, and click on “enrollment.”…
by Elean Gersack Make plans now for the 2008 Holiday Carriage Rides, brought to you by the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association. The rides are planned for Monday through Wednesday, December 1-3 and Monday though Wednesday, December 8-10 in the beautiful HOA2 neighborhood. Rides will run every half hour from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30…
From the left: American Academy Board members Jackie Santos, Erin Kane, Lt. Governor Jane Norton, and CAO Roberta Harrell tour the school. by Elean Gersack Parent Volunteers Needed for Lunch Recess Volunteers are needed to help with recess for first through eighth grades. To sign up, e-mail Cindy Reagor at cindysuereagor@hotmail.com. Times and grades are…
Rapper Hunter Brown known as “Busta Brown” to his fans by Lisa Crockett Ask the average person what they think about rap music, and you would be likely to find that rap is often linked with less-than-desirable behavior. A 16-year-old in Castle Pines North is on a mission to change that stereotype. “Rap is usually…
by Elean Gersack “Under the Sea” Book Fair Raises Thousands The Buffalo Ridge Elementary School Book Fair, held in October, raised over $4,000 for the school. Money raised from this event will be used for technology updates, character programs, additional playground fencing, and science curriculum. The “Under the Sea” Reading Adventure theme featured a “Sensational…
Master Association Board President Maureen Shul By Lane Roberts On Friday, November 17, the Castle Pines North (CPN) Master Association hosted a meeting of all the local businesses within CPN. Dozens of business owners attended the meeting to learn more about how plans for the possible incorporation of Castle Pines Village could directly impact them.…
by Elean Gersack Congratulations Rockslide Participants Congratulations to all TTE Rockslide participants! The Timber Trail Educational Alliance (TTEA) will use the funds raised for the school’s science and reading programs as well as technology improvements. The TTEA is hoping to raise $44,000 during this school year to be used for these great programs. Prior to…
Douglas County traffic worker prepares Monarch Boulevard for a new pedestrian crosswalk in Daniel’s Gate. Article and photos by Terri Wiebold Two new pedestrian crosswalk projects have been cooperatively undertaken by the Metro District and the County that would not have come to fruition were it not for the input of local Castle Pines North…
by Elean Gersack The holidays are upon us so take some time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. Whether you prefer the ballet, the symphony, or children’s entertainment, there are numerous happenings for adults and families alike. Some are close to home and others require a bit of a drive, but they…
By Lisa Crockett To make holiday shipping easier, below is a list of CPN’s closest post office locations: Castle Rock, 80108 – Wrinkles Newsstand – Happy Canyon Road & Hwy 85 Highlands Ranch, 80130 – 9609 S University Blvd. Castle Rock, 80104 – 300 E Miller Court Louviers, 80131 – 7895 Louviers Blvd. Sedalia, 80135…
by Celine Hundt The NorthLynx HOA serves 221 homes in the Serena and Tapedero neighborhoods in the Daniel’s Gate subdivision in Castle Pines North (CPN). According to Jennifer Havercroft, president of the NorthLynx HOA, one of the first action items of the current Board was to modify the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) guidelines. A new…
by Terri Wiebold Castle Pines North (CPN) residents have seen a change in the speed limit signs on Castle Pines Parkway between Buffalo Trail and I-25. This change was implemented as a result of the findings of an engineering study conducted by Douglas County and a resolution signed by the Board of County Commissioners in…
Cherokee Ranch: Colorado Symphony Orchestra Sunday, December 10, 5:30 p.m. Listen to holiday music from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at the exquisite Cherokee Ranch Castle. For more information, visit www.cherokeeranch.org. Cherokee Ranch: Winter Holiday Tea Various dates and times November 21 – December 21 Holiday teas at the enchanting Cherokee Ranch are very popular. The…
By Lisa Crockett Three local businessmen are in the process of getting approval to build a new office space in Castle Pines North (CPN). The building will be situated on the south side of Castle Pines Parkway, near the Village Square shopping area (east of King Soopers.) The owners of the project, Martin Russell, Roger…
Castle Pines North Resident Galen Crowder by Lane Roberts Castle Pines North (CPN) resident Galen Crowder monitors rain and snow totals from his home on Huntley Court in HOA1. According to Crowder, from October, 2005, to October, 2006, CPN received 84.9 inches of snowfall. While almost 85 inches of snow in a year sounds like…
by Elean Gersack With overcast skies and crisp air, it was the perfect morning for a little outdoor exercise. On November 11, just fewer than 1,400 runners and walkers hit the pavement at Rock Canyon High School to raise money for local schools during the 2006 Rockslide. Students, teachers, families, and friends from American Academy…
Here are the preliminary results of the General Election: Congressional Representative: Tom Tancredo (R) Governor: Bill Ritter Jr.(D) Secretary of State: Mike Coffman (R) State Treasurer: Mark Hillman (R) TOO CLOSE TO CALL Cary Kennedy (D) Attorney General: John Suthers (R) Regent, University of Colorado – At Large: Brian Davidson (R) TOO CLOSE TO CALL…
By Lisa Crockett The Douglas County Planning Commission hosted a hearing regarding the re-zoning and development of CC-20 on Monday, November 27. Representatives from Village Homes (who owns the land), the county and residents of Castle Pines North (CPN) presented their plans and concerns for the parcel of land, which is on the northwest corner…
by Terri Wiebold The science and psychology of speed limits is a study that spans decades. It is comprised of multitudes of speed studies, reports, measurements, accident reviews, surveys, and a lot of documentation. Much of the research referred to in this article is provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation Safety and Engineering Branch,…
by Terri Wiebold The Following information was provided by the Douglas County Public Works Engineering Division to provide clarification on the recent changes: The recent signing and striping revisions on Castle Pines Parkway between Village Square/Charter Oaks and I-25 were implemented to more effectively balance the use of each of the eastbound lanes. By adjusting…
by Lane Roberts Public hearing notices were placed on the CC-20 parcel on November 14. Plans for the parcel are moving forward and new changes have been introduced. The Douglas County Planning Commission will host a public hearing on Monday, November 27, at 7 p.m. The second public hearing is set for Wednesday, December 13,…
by Celine Hundt When it rains, it pours. On the day that “A Taste of Timber Trail” was scheduled to take place, the heavens opened up and the difficult decision to postpone the event by a week was made. The following Saturday, the skies still looked threatening, but the brave organizers of the event ploughed…
by Terri Wiebold As witches, goblins, and super-heroes descend on neighborhoods across Castle Pines North this October 31, the Master Association joins the American Red Cross in offering parents some safety tips to help prepare children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat experience. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common…
by Terri Wiebold Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) long-awaited Southeast Corridor Light Rail construction is complete, and trains are scheduled to begin transporting passengers on November 17. CPN residents can take advantage of this service from as close as Lincoln Avenue and I-25. Taking the train could help CPN residents save on time and fuel, make…
by Celine Hundt Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) is one of five Douglas County Schools that will participate in the Rocky Mountain PBS mini-television series entitled “Super School News.” Fifth and sixth graders from each of the five schools – Redstone, Copper Mesa, Heritage, Sedalia and TTE – will gain a new understanding of the world…
By Lane Roberts A commerical development “For Sale” sign has been placed on CC-20, but Village Homes has no real news to report about the development of the parcel. According to Village Homes, owner of the land located on the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard, a second submission request is being…
By Celine Hundt In these days of mass-manufacturing, it is refreshing to find beautifully-crafted handmade goods at affordable prices. Handmade Colorado is a new store in Castle Pines North (CPN) where shoppers can purchase the work of local artists and crafters. The store is located close to Safeway in the Castle Pines Marketplace Shopping Center.…
by Celine Hundt The year-round or four-track calendar has been adopted by many Douglas County elementary schools. The premise of the system is that the student population is split into four groups or tracks (A,B,C, and D) and one track is almost always off school. This alleviates the resource and staffing constraints caused by high…