The Connection

Denise Kelly of Forest Park and her black lab blue heeler named Moe are excited to be a therapy team. Their first stop will be Swedish Medical Center where Moe will comfort pre- and post-surgery patients. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Denise Kelly Denise Kelly of Forest Park knows firsthand the power of a…

Mother’s Day 2008, Weez Altomari pictured with her two sons, Chris (left) and Greg (right). Greg lost his life to colon cancer in 2009. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Altomari Family Most of us have lost a loved one at some point in our lives, be it a relative, a friend, or a…

Submitted by the Crisis Center Jump on your bike on May 17 and ride to support the Crisis Center and its goal of ending domestic violence. Join in at the Cycle Against Violence bike ride for riders of all levels. There will be a half-century ride, along with a 30-mile ride and an 8-mile family…

This year’s Town Trolley tour will feature eleven historic properties made from locally-quarried rhyolite, including The Cantril School and Victoria’s House/Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos provided by Castle Rock Museum The Castle Rock Museum and Town of Castle Rock are inviting the public to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month by…

The red barn and silo, which are visible from Daniels Park Road, were originally used for hay and dairy cattle. Information re-printed from contributions by Linda Nuzum to the December 2006 issue of The Connection; photo by Tim Gamble Castle Pines [North] residents are fortunate to have access to thousands of acres of open space…

The 80108 zip code is home to suburban and rural neighborhoods and boasts the gamut of businesses ranging from mom-and-pop to larger retail, as well as a top-grade educational system. What’s great about 80108? It’s where a diverse group of people live and work. A place we all call home. By Lisa Crockett; graphic by…

By Elean Gersack The long days of summer are in sight. While having lazy days and nowhere to go is always a nice treat, so is changing things up and exploring, learning, and playing! Here is a run down of a few camp ideas for the kids. The Buddy Center & Dumb Friends League Does…

Graphic by Patte Smith The Surrey Ridge Annual Easter Egg Hunt is a great time for moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and most especially for the kids. Hundreds of eggs are hunted by little ones in the neighborhood park where every year the Easter Bunny hops and drops colorful eggs. Children even get special prizes if…

Eighth graders from the DCS Montessori School in Castle Pines take a little time out from their duties at the Montessori Model U.N. last month in Brooklyn, New York to do some sightseeing. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Alison Barsan Brooklyn is a long way from Castle Pines, where DCS Montessori (DCSM) students have…

By Lynne Marsala Basche Castle Rock mom, Desiree Shank, was in the midst of planning her daughter’s birthday party and knew she did not need 25 gifts from guests. Shank thought that what she really needed was for friends and family to give the gift of education. From that musing grew Future College Fund. Future…

The Harmony Equine Center is a private rehabilitation and adoption facility for horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules that have been removed from owners’ care by law enforcement authorities. Information provided by the Denver Dumb Friends League Horse lovers of all ages are invited to kick off the summer at the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine…

Dr. William Moyle, who owns Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center with his wife, Nancy, visits with a patient. Dr. Moyle has been in veterinary practice for 50 years and donates time and services to animals that have been abandoned, abused and neglected. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center could be…

Submitted by the Crisis Center From its inception in 1985, the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center (WCFOC) has been working diligently on becoming a more inclusive organization. WCFOC continues to serve diverse groups of people who are victims of domestic violence and strives to develop programs that meet each individual’s needs, values and cultures.…

By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Jensen Sutta Event venues specialize in creating memorable affairs, so it was only fitting that Cielo at Castle Pines’ five-year anniversary be the party to top all parties. Reminiscent of its over-the-top grand opening celebration in 2009, Cielo provided an array of creative entertainment for guests, including gaming tables…

Submitted by Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce; Press release provided by Leading Edge Physical Therapy “A body in motion stays in motion.” This motto applies to our patients and our business. “Since we opened in 2010, we are constantly looking for new, innovative ways to treat our patients and enhance our practice,” said co-owners Sara…

Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski I had always known that the Sand Creek Massacre was a devastating part of Colorado’s history, but did not fully understand the events that occurred on November 29, 1864 until I took the time to visit, learn and reflect at the Sand Creek National Historic Site in Kiowa County.…

By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Cari Ogg Dads and daughters enjoyed a special night out together at the annual Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) “Pops and Lollies” daddy-daughter dance on Friday, April 11. The event was sponsored by the before-and-after school enrichment program (B.A.S.E.).

Article by Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of MoZaic Sometimes a good meal is worth a little time in the car. Mother’s Day is this month, and a leisurely drive to the town of Palmer Lake, about 30 minutes to our south, is the perfect place to take your mom to celebrate. MoZaic restaurant, located in…

The spring musical production of The Music Man at RHMS featured incredible acting and musical talent by the numerous students who participated. Pictured (left to right) are several of the show’s stars, Rachael Merrill, Landon Hogue, Elysa Veta, Cooper Bridges, and Michaela Fullerton. By Amy Shanahan, photos courtesy of RHMS student Zoe Wilson and Susie…

Information provided by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office In response to an increase in population of individuals age 60 and older, the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will host the second annual Fraud Prevention and Safety Summit on May 15 at the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center (PACE), located at 20000 Pikes Peak…

The Castle View High School gala fundraiser in support of the music program was a fun-filled evening for all who attended. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Jeffie Kopp The Castle View High School (CVHS) band booster club was thrilled with the results of its gala fundraiser, held on April 11 at the beautiful Spruce…

By Amy Shanahan Village Wines has been a fixture in The Village at Castle Pines for the past seven years, and has gained a reputation as an excellent source for hard-to-find wines and personal, friendly service from the father and son owners, Brad and Braden Dodds. As of May 1, Village Wines is rebranding itself…

As the school year winds down at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE), the learning certainly has not. With an emphasis on doing, teachers at BRE have engaged students to take an active part in their education. Early in the school year, Principal Sarah McAfee was enthusiastic about raising the bar for academic excellence and rigor.…

By Elizabeth Wood West The public is invited to join American Legion Post 1187 at its two Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 26. The first ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery (just west of I-25 on Wolfensberger Road) in Castle Rock. The second ceremony will be held at 11…

Vehicle Vault is a premier auto gallery and elite collector community for car enthusiasts. It is located east of I-25 on Lincoln Avenue in Parker and is expected to open its doors in the next few months. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo and graphic rendering courtesy of Vehicle Vault Welcome to Vehicle Vault, the premier auto…

The students provided their own equipment and worked hard to raise money to support the teams. Eighth grade student Joe Bryson is pictured here during practice. By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Melanie Lee and RHMS student Daniel Deschane Thanks to a few enterprising eighth grade boys from Castle Pines, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) is likely the…

Jumping for Joy: Elliot (left) and Dominic Malsam are helping their parents, Molly and Randy, run a fundraiser at Jump Street Trampoline Park in Greenwood Village in June. Money will benefit orphanages in Uganda. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Molly Malsam Castle Pines residents Molly and Randy Malsam are passionate about…

After an undefeated season last summer, the Castle Pines Storm swim team has been promoted to a new division. Swimmers (left to right) Cameron Karaba, Lauren Karaba, Kira Moar, and Jake Moar and their teammates are looking forward to the new challenges the new division will bring. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Gwen Karaba…

By Elizabeth Wood West; renderings provided by CU Denver Beginning in mid-August, the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Denver/Anschutz) will be offering courses for the 2014 fall semester at The Wildlife Experience – the wildlife art/natural history museum and cultural center located one mile east of I-25…

Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County will open the Castle Rock slash and mulch site for the 2014 season from May 3 through October 25. Operating hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Saturday. Additionally, Douglas County will make accommodations to allow mulch material to be picked up anytime during the season…

Lindsey and Jeremy Friedman have an extensive history in the garden industry and have long been active in the promotion of urban gardening. They enjoy spending time outdoors with their two young boys. “Like many Colorado residents, we get excited when spring comes so that we can plant our own pots and garden!” By Amy…

Fifth grade girls Emma and Lucy light up the stage during their performance of the song “Vogue” during the fifth grade show. By Jack Basche, BRE Ridgeline staff reporter; photos courtesy of Cari Ogg For the past 14 years, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) School has put together an outstanding fifth grade show, and they did…

George Waggett’s participation in a running group through Achilles International has greatly increased his confidence. Aside from improving his running endurance, Waggett has enjoyed the support of other athletes with various disabilities. Waggett competed in the Cherry Creek Sneak 5K alongside Deb Conley, the president and founder of Lending Sight. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy…

These 19 players chosen for this year’s team represent the best of the best of talent spread across each age group and they make the games exciting to watch. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Visions Photography With eight wins and only one loss, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) varsity girls soccer team is…

Alyssa Montoya outside Valor Christian High School with her Kalos Film Festival award for the Best Overall Film of 2014. Article and photo by JulieAnna Reinhardt The art of filmmaking takes talent and creativity, and Castle Pines resident Alyssa Montoya has made an impact on those around her by bringing to light the subject of…

  Left: A hay ride to see the sights is fun at any age! Right: Local 4-H and FFA students showing their prize sheep. Information and photo provided by CALF Join the fun at historic Lowell Ranch and learn about rural life at the Colorado Agriculture Leadership Foundation’s (CALF) Farm & Ranch Day on May…

Hayden Baker and McKenna Monkelien perform their rendition of “Rapunzel.” Article and photo by Lisa Crockett First graders at Timber Trail Elementary enjoyed a moment in the spotlight as they re-interpreted classic fairy tales. After crafting scripts, costumes, and scenery, the students performed for kindergartners at the school. “This project was all about the kids learning…

By Elizabeth Wood West Colorado voters have two important regularly scheduled elections to participate in for 2014 – the Primary Election in June and the General Election in November. Primary Election – Considered by many to be one of the most important phases of an election, a Primary Election is essentially a nominating election when…

Valor Christian High School teacher and professional musician Marty Magehee at home in his Valor studio. Article and photo by JulieAnna Reinhardt With five million music albums sold worldwide, twenty-seven number one singles, more than four thousand concert performances, and a Grammy nomination, you have a star. But Castle Pines resident Marty Magehee isn’t just…

Just outside of the senior hall was the New Orleans-themed “Cafe Du Monde,” which provided coffee and refreshments to keep everyone going throughout the night. Article and photos by Andrew Bohren, RCHS intern writer Almost any given night of the year, the inside of Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) looks like any other high school.…

Coaches Andy Russell (left) and Deanna Driver are bringing CrossFit to the Safeway Shopping Center in Castle Pines. On May 5, CrossFit Castle Pines will celebrate its grand opening. The new gym, or “box” as it is called in CrossFit lingo, is located in the Safeway shopping center. The gym has already been open for…

Tammy Lopez Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce; Press release provided by The Tammy Lopez Agency As a business leader and involved citizen in the Castle Pines area, Allstate Tammy Lopez Agency LLC has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2014. The Allstate Premier Agency designation is bestowed on less than 48…

Rockfest Junior is on Sunday, June 22 at 3 p.m. in Civic Green Park, Highlands Ranch. Get ready to rock and read with Douglas County Libraries and Project: LIVE! Celebrate music and literacy as we jam out to music from the Grammy-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, Vered, and the School of Rock House Band. Enjoy crafts,…

By Elizabeth Wood West Developmental Pathways (DP) is inviting the public to attend its 50th Anniversary Golden Gala and 11th Annual Pathways Client Achievement Awards. The landmark event will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, 1881 Curtis Street in downtown Denver. DP is a non-profit agency…

With matching robes and lollipops as sweet as their smiles, the Splish Splash girls get ready to dance at the Buffalo Ridge Elementary School Variety Show. (Photo by Elean Gersack). By Hanna R., BRE Ridgeline Staff Reporter On Thursday, February 27, the Buffalo Ridge Elementary School’s (BRE) 2014 Variety Show took place in the morning…

By Kathy Fallert It’s that time again; tax season! For the twelfth consecutive year, a group of Colorado nonprofit organizations makes it as easy as ever to be eligible for voluntary checkoff donations from taxpayers through Checkoff Colorado. More than $1.4 million was raised in 2013 with an average donation of only $11. This year…

The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce 2014 award recipients (left to right): Sheriff Dave Weaver – Citizen of the Year, Terri Wiebold – Business Person of the Year, and Wendell Cummings – Ambassador of the Year. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos by Amy Shanahan The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce (CPCC) staff and members of the business…

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Movies, television shows, music and audiobooks are now available to the community free of charge and require nothing more than a current library card. Library patrons now have access to streaming from “hoopla,” a vast catalog of media materials that are easy to access and are available for use…

By Steve Baska Since the new Colorado law legalizing recreational marijuana use went into effect January 1, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has kept on eye on marijuana usage in Castle Pines to ensure compliance. But many people may still wonder what exactly is allowed under the city and state laws that apply, so Douglas…

DCS Montessori kindergartner Alex Chapman (in wheelchair) didn’t let a broken leg keep him from participating in P.E. class with his friends. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori DCS Montessori kindergartner Alex Chapman likes to move. During the 10 minutes of P.E. class that students get to participate in the activity of their…

Students at TTE and BRE celebrate the end of their Winter Olympics. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Wight). Article and photos by Elean Gersack; courtesy photo On February 27, some incredible students at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) and Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) schools gathered for a very special Winter Olympics celebration. Jane Lenz and Niké Oleson…

By Elean Gersack Plans for the third annual Castle Pines Chamber Golf Tournament are in full swing. The joint fundraiser to support the chamber and this year’s charitable organization, The Douglas/Elbert Task Force, is planned for Monday, July 14 at The Golf Club at Pradera in Parker. A gorgeous venue for a great cause! Sponsorship…

Abby Kochevar of Forest Park took the podium for earning first place in the state championship for 100 yard backstroke on February 15 at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Adams County. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of the Kochevar Family Although Abby Kochevar of Forest Park had the fastest time at the state swimming…

Students on the Timber Team, Timber Trail Elementary’s student council, are collecting clothing, shoes, and other household items in a bin like this one. During the month of April, they are competing with other local organizations to see who can collect the most donations. Donations may be dropped off at any time. Article and photo…

Chip Hudson’s youngest son is a big fan of his father’s app for iPad and iPhones which allows tennis players to track their statistics. Whether a player wants to analyze their stats by game, set, or match, the information is accurate and immediately at their fingertips. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Chip Hudson Castle…

Castle Pines Eye Care Optical Manager Michelle Chalupa (left) stands with Cathy Rapp (right) and Anne Buel (middle) in front of Rapp’s bike series displayed in the hallways at Castle Pines Eye Care. Article and photos by Elean Gersack Nearly six months after getting settled into their new space on Max Drive in Castle Pines, Dr.…

Students from Mrs. Rumminger’s second grade class at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School got ‘drenched’ with weather knowledge during the month of March. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Blizzards, tornados, hurricanes, and other major weather events were all abuzz in second grade classrooms at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) during the month of March. With…

Isaac L. (center) is introduced to the RCHS student body, welcoming him with a rendition of their “I Believe” chant, saying “I believe in Isaac’s wish.” Article and photo by Andrew Bohren, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo Ever since the 2009-2010 school year, there is one week in February when one school unites to grant…

Before, during, and after: An application to reduce commercial square footage (purple) and increase the number of single-family homes (beige) in Castle Pines Town Center resulted in further changes at the request of the City Council. The final plan, which was approved by the City Council in March, included moving a proposed school (blue) from…

By Joe Gschwendtner; photo provided by Will McCollum Smart phone applications usher in new ways of living for many of us. If you have not yet heard of UBER (oo-ber), a ridesharing technology platform, get ready. It’s coming soon to our Castle Pines neighborhood. Started in San Francisco in 2001, UBER was launched by Travis…

By Anthonette Klinkerman As it sometimes goes for reporters, a story touches you more than others and you wonder what happened in the years since. Imagine my delight when asked to cover this follow-up story about Tammy Krause, founder of Bags Of Fun. Time flies when you are providing backpacks full of fun diversions for…

Coming to Douglas County April 26, 27 & May 2 By Elean Gersack The 9Health Fair is celebrating 35 years of health screenings this year, and in late April and early May three Douglas County venues will play host – Castle Rock Recreation Center, Eastridge Recreation Center, and Parker Adventist Hospital (note: Sky Ridge Medical…

Chabad Jewish Center Meets at 9950 Lone Tree Parkway; www.denverjewishcenter.com. *Passover: April 14 until April 22; for information about events, visit the website listed above. Castle Oaks Covenant Church Meets at 826 Park Street, Castle Rock, www.castleoaks.org. *Easter Sunday services: April 20 at 8:45 a.m. &10:30 a.m. Castle Pines Community Church Meets at 7280 Lagae…

Jenna Patterson danced the night away with her dad Bill. “The best part of the night was spending time with my dad”, said Jenna. “I love him!” By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of The Country Club at Castle Pines Butterflies and special memories were the theme at the 18th annual Father Daughter Dance at The Country…

Orthodontist Brandon Linn and wife Lisa are happy to be raising their three children, five-year-old Cooper (left), eight-year-old Harper (middle) and ten-year-old Kennedy, in Castle Pines. Linn has been in practice in Castle Pines since 2004 and was recently honored by 5280 Magazine as one of their “Top Dentists.” (Photo courtesy of the Linn Family).…

Castle Pines resident Sheri Stouffer (left) was recently recognized for her incredible talents in window covering design. Grace McNamara (right), publisher and owner of Window Fashion Vision magazine presented Stouffer with a first place design award at a prestigious design competition in Las Vegas. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Sheri Stouffer Local window covering…

By Elizabeth Wood West Last fall, Douglas County and the Partnership of Douglas County Governments (PDCG) launched a survey and listening tours as part of its Douglas County Senior Initiative (DCSI). The purpose was to collect input from senior citizens and service providers in Douglas County to determine the needs of the elderly, if and/or…

By Elean Gersack The Dumb Friends League is touting this year’s Furry Scurry as “locally grown.” That’s because it has grown from local support to be the single largest dog walk across the country. Nearly 12,000 people and 5,000 four-legged friends take part in this annual tradition to support homeless animals. This year’s event is…