Read the stories from the latest issue:
Canyon Fitness owners Kyle and Michelle Hettinger are very proud of their new state-of-the-art health club. “It’s a dual environment,” remarked Michelle. “We have high energy classes and cutting edge equipment, yet also offer an atmosphere to unwind in the spa and whirlpool.” Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Canyon Fitness (formerly Village Fitness) is…
Matt and Lara Lane, along with partners Paul and Tami Gerrard (not pictured) started SafeSplash swim schools in 2006 and now have eight locations throughout Colorado. Article and photos by Amy Shanahan In 2004 when Castle Pines Village residents Matt and Lara Lane investigated swim schools for their two daughters, they were unable to find…
Take flight without leaving the ground Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Take a trip out of this world. Have you ever wanted to see an F-14? How about a B-1A Lancer? Or, do you want to take the kids to see a real X-Wing Fighter from the movie “Star Wars?” Luckily, there is a…
A Taste of The Tilted Kilt The weather is chilly outside, perfect for great food and great sports on television inside. At the Tilted Kilt, with locations in Denver and Greenwood Village, great food and great sports are what they do. It’s cozy and comfy, and a little bit like home, if home were always…
The owners of the Medical and Dental Center of Castle Pines: Dr. Jason Ortman, Dr. Matthew Rolfson, Drs. Stephanie and Jeff Scheich and Dr. Andrew Dunbar. Photos by Elean Gersack On October 10, the Medical and Dental Center of Castle Pines was officially welcomed into the city with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Castle…
Eagle Scout Luke Zahorik sits on one of the benches he designed and built for Lincoln Mountain open space park. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of Lynn Zahorik and Lisa Bartmann Luke Zahorik Castle Pines resident Luke Zahorik has spent most of his 18 years of life in Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Zahorik,…
Avalanche Captain Gabriel Landeskog takes a casual approach to ball handling – far less aggressive than his nature on the ice. Avalanche head coach and former goalie Patrick Roy shares a laugh with media at the annual charity golf event in Castle Pines. The 18th fairway welcomes guests to the official golf course of the…
View looking north on North Meadows Drive Information provided by The Town of Castle Rock The Town of Castle Rock and its partners are ready to break ground on the Town’s number one priority (and largest ever) transportation project – the North Meadows Extension from The Meadows to U.S. Highway 85 and I-25. The Town…
Tam Bentley (back row turquoise sweatshirt, ball cap and black pants) with her team, Tam’s Easy Breathin’ Buddies. The team raised more than $2,100 at an event last month to benefit the National Lung Cancer Partnership. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Tam Bentley In an effort to double lung cancer survival by 2022, the…
Refreshed interiors and new decor are prominent features at Ambiance Nails & Spa. The nail salon, next to Safeway offers a wide variety of manicure and pedicure services. Ambiance Nails & Spa is now open in Castle Pines in the Safeway shopping center on Castle Pines Parkway. The salon is under new ownership and is…
By Lisa Crockett Families who wish to enroll students in a public school other than their designated neighborhood school must complete an open enrollment application, available online through the Douglas County School District website. Applications for the first round are accepted November 1 through January 5. Round one applications are accepted for the following school…
The Castle Pines Village ladies 2.5 red tennis team celebrated a state victory on October 2. Pictured left to right: Katie Van Houten, Katya Duncan, Julie Berris, Carrie Manion, Merry Kaminsky, and Beth Markowski. Not pictured: Amy Sutherland. By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Julie Berris The Castle Pines Village (CPV) ladies 2.5 tennis teams,…
By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Chad Chisholm The first Urban Nights event to benefit the homeless youth of Urban Peak was a huge success! Thanks to Castle Pines Village residents Cheryl and Gary Joseph, son Justin Joseph, and son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Kirby Joseph, Urban Nights raised a total of $337,000. The Castle…
By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Laurie Jacobs Friends and neighbors on Turweston Lane in Castle Pines enjoyed a Sunday afternoon together sharing good times and eating lots of good chili. Despite the time overlap with the infamous Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys match-up, many joined in on the fun. Top chili honors went to…
photos by Amy Shanahan Saturday, October 5 was a beautiful day in The Village at Castle Pines, and many neighbors and community members came out to taste amazing homemade chili at the fifth annual Chili Cook Off! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Castle Pines, the event included fun for the whole family with a…
The 60-member team at Madison & Company, a Denver area real estate firm founded in 2008 by Castle Pines resident Todd Narlinger, celebrated its fifth anniversary this year. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Madison & Company Madison & Company Properties, a Denver real estate firm owned and operated by Castle Pines resident Todd Narlinger,…
Volunteers in 19th century costumes are preparing to make ketchup on the 1860s farm. The barn and old windmill is next to the Blacksmith’s shop at the Littleton Museum. Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Who knew that an outstanding living history museum exists less than a half hour from the City of Castle Pines?…
Information provided by CRCGT The Castle Rock Community Green Team (CRCGT) needs volunteers to work one, two-hour shift per month at the Castle Rock reclying center. The Community Recycling Center, located at 701 Prairie Hawk Drive, is open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., year round. Contact volunteer coordinator Peggy…
The lovely Sanctuary Golf Course was the setting for the ninth annual Fall Classic Charity Golf Tournament in support of Regis Jesuit. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The ninth annual Regis Jesuit (RJ) Fall Classic Golf Tournament was held on September 11 at the beautiful Sanctuary Golf Course in Castle Pines. The rainy day…
The middle school building at DCS Montessori is under construction and is expected to be finished after the winter break. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Seventh and eighth graders at the DCS Montessori (DCSM) in Castle Pines should have a new place to call home by the first of the year, according to Mike…
Master gardeners of Castle Pines contest judges (left to righ): Harriette Einolf, 11-year Forest Park resident, 7-year master gardener; Ellie Landry, 15-year Royal Hill resident, 6-year master gardener; Cathy Robinson, 15-year Glen Oaks resident, 3-year master gardener; Margaret Hayward, 1-year Hidden Pointe resident, 10-year master gardener; Carol Grant, 17-year Retreat resident, 2-year master gardener; and…
Carriage rides, pumpkin patch picking, and much more at the Colorado Agriculture Leadership Foundation’s (CALF) annual Harvest Day. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of CALF The Colorado Agriculture Leadership Foundation (CALF) invites the public to celebrate fall ranching and farming traditions at its annual Harvest Day. This popular family event will be held on…
Information provided by The Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center The Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center (TWCFOC) will be holding its 6th Annual Future for Families Gala on Friday, November 8 at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood. The event will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This year’s Mistress of…
Castle Pines residents came out to get colorful during theCastle Pines second annual Run Wild event. The much-anticipated color run was the main event, with volunteers lining the route outfitted with paint powder to decorate the runners. Article and photos by Julie Montoya After what many called the five-hundred-year flood, Mother Nature didn’t stop more…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Call your babysitter now. Douglas County Libraries is inviting you to join in for Books, Bites and Brews on November 9 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Cielo at Castle Pines. The event will feature tastes and demonstrations from locally-authored cookbooks and local chefs, as well as a…
Open house set for October 12 By Elean Gersack It’s time to celebrate! The Medical and Dental Center of Castle Pines is now open for business. Bring the whole family and join in on the grand opening festivities planned for Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be plenty of fun…
By Steve Baska The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD)’s effort to transition the residents of Castle Pines from unsustainable well water in the Denver Basin Aquifer System to renewable water has resulted in its necessity to develop, refine, and adopt a comprehensive and actionable Strategic Renewable Water Implementation Program. CPNMD is currently holding a…
The Susan G. Komen Denver Affiliate 2013 Race for the Cure Committee. The race was held on September 29 to kick off the October observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Castle Pines Connection Advertising Account Sales Manager Cindy Cranstone (fourth from right on top row) uses her experience as a breast cancer survivor to fuel…
Left – The Old Stone Church, 210 Third Street in Castle Rock. Right – Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, 420 Jerry Street By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of Douglas County History Research Center As Halloween draws near, ghost stories are as much a must-have as carved pumpkins and spooky decorations. Ghost stories are even…
Joanie Micale is dubbed the Queen of Halloween by friends and members of her book club. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Cindy Cranstone Joanie Micale looks forward to the month of October every year, and it’s not because there is a nip in the air. Castle Pines Village resident Micale is crazy for all…
Daniels Park bison herd and new spring calves. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Denver Mountain Parks Daniel’s Ridge resident Virginia Dawson recently contacted The Castle Pines Connection, wanting to know the outcome of our May 2011 story regarding water for the Daniels Park bison herd. Dawson asked, “Since we have not seen the…
Information provided by Douglas County A residential only multi-product recycling event accepting electronics, personal documents for shredding, and clothing donations will be held on Saturday, October 5 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Castle View High School, located at 5254 N. Meadows Drive in Castle Rock. Personal document shredding is limited to four file-size…
By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Smart Treats Castle Pines resident Ranee Wilson is passionate about helping area schools and providing wholesome snacks to the students at those schools. After working as a volunteer parent at the DCS Montessori School in Castle Pines for several years, Wilson saw the need for a way to combine…
A Taste of Carmines Pizza & Pasta Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Carmines Pizza and Pasta in Lone Tree is a piece of New York City right here in Douglas County, and that’s just what owner Danny Pisarra had in mind. A dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker who trekked out west with a young family 22…
Information provided by the Castle Pines Village Garden Club The Castle Pines Village Garden Club (CPVGC) is a non-profit organization and open to the general public. Members from all over the state, including Fort Collins, Lafayette, and Highlands Ranch attend the meetings and enjoy the field trips. Programs are open to all members and guests.…
Wellspring Community founder Mary Lou Fenton visits with a guest at “An Evening of Inspiration,” the non-profit’s annual fundraiser at Cielo at Castle Pines. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West “No one is more amazed than I am at the incredible growth Wellspring Community has experienced in such a short time,” exclaimed Wellspring’s founder…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Jack Klobetanz Where do you choose to settle down and raise a family after you have weathered sand storms in Mongolia, trekked through Bolivia at 18,000 feet, and swam in Cleopatra’s bath in Turkey? Castle Pines of course. Jack Klobetanz, his wife Kelley, and their 18-month-old son Maddox moved…
Local resident Dan Hachmeister created Gioli Vodka, which he calls “an awesome product at an excellent price.” The spirit competed against 1,400 brands in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and took the gold medal for quality, craftsmanship and price. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Dan Hachmeister Simplicity and elegance are the hallmarks of…
The annual tw telecom Charity Invitational Golf Tournament benefiting SungateKids was a huge success, as donations continued to come in throughout the day. Diana Goldberg, executive director of SungateKids (left) was thrilled to receive a check for what eventually amounted to $420,000 from tw telecom Chairman, CEO and President Larissa Herda (right). Article and photo…
By Elizabeth Wood West The City of Lone Tree and RidgeGate Development invite the public to attend the annual Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival on Sunday, October 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schweiger Ranch is located within the RidgeGate development at 10822 Valley Hwy., just south of Lincoln Avenue, on the east side of…
Metro District Manager Jim Nikkel Information provided by CPNMD The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) has hired Jim Nikkel as its new full-time, in-house district manager. Nikkel served 14 years as a district engineer, and more recently as assistant district manager for the Parker Water and Sanitation District. He spearheaded the design and construction…
It’s almost time to hit the slopes, so get your passes now! By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Colorado Ski Country USA In just a few short weeks, the hills will be covered in fresh snow and it will be time to hit the slopes! Make plans now to get pass ready so you can…
President of the Castle Pines Rotary Club Elaine Love (left) made her sassy modeling debut at the tenth annual Sassy Soiree on September 13. A crowd favorite, Bella DiVita (center) came back for her tenth consecutive year and was greeted by a dozen red roses from men in the audience. Nicole Moses (right), owner of…
Magnified view of an adult Mountain Pine Beetle – actual size of an adult is around the size of a grain of rice. “Pitch tubes” – the telltale sign of beetles, usually on the lower 25’of a tree trunk. by Joe Gschwendtner with photos provided by the Colorado State Forest Service Castle Pines residents enjoy…
Young Life took to the water as the group stopped for some whitewater rafting on the way to summer camp last July. By Kathy Dunker; courtesy photos Young Life is celebrating 20 years in western Douglas County with its annual fundraising concert and silent auction this month. YoungLife anticipates raising more than $50,000 to support…
GoGi Cellars owner Kurt Russell showcased two pinot noirs and a chardonnay called “Goldie” during the first “Meet the Winemaker” event held by Village Wines at Castle Pines. Owners Brad (left) and Braden (right) Dodds were encouraged by the feedback they received from the attendees, and plan to host similar events each month. By Amy…
The volunteer team for Timber Trail Elementary’s Mother-Son Kickball Tournament takes a minute to clown around with a special guest from one of the event’s sponsors, Chick fil-A. Brothers Callum (left) and Liam (right) Cook take a time out just before their first game of the tournament. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett For the…
The Skyline Soccer International u13 team. Neil Alvarado (left) with teen soccer players (from left to right) Gavin, Netra, Prakrash, Bhola, Anit, Buddy, and Sudir. Except for Buddy, who is from Burma, all the other players are from Nepal. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Neil Alvarado Neil Alvarado’s El Salvadorian roots, upbringing in Los…
The RCHS Jaguars rallied together at the half as they were down to the HRHS Falcons 14 to 3. By Kathy Dunker; photo courtesy of RCHS The RCHS Jaguars rallied together at the half as they were down to the HRHS Falcons 14 to 3. It was a warm Friday night at Shea Stadium on…
Make quick work of the evening meal with a slow cooker Article and photo by Lisa Crockett The days are shorter and cooler temperatures are here. Leaves are falling off the trees and pumpkins and scarecrows dot the neighborhoods of Castle Pines, an announcement of the coming of fall. Something about this time of year…
Parents of athletes at RCHS attended the Positive Coaching Alliance workshop entitled “the second-goal parent” presented by Amy Manson, a former elite runner. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of PCA Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) kicked off the school year for athletes and their parents with a Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) workshop on August 20.…
Information and photo provided by American Academy First grader Cal Stotler, resident of Winter Berry, will help choose and name the winning flavor for the AA STEM project this month, partnering with the Bundt Shoppe in Castle Pines. When you hear the term “chemical engineering” you may think of test tubes, bubbly liquids in neon…
The East/West Regional Trail is approximately 20 miles long and will eventually connect Highlands Ranch to Lone Tree and Parker. Above: red designates the East/West Regional Trail and blue designates connecting trails. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo and map courtesy of Douglas County On September 14, Douglas County Parks, Trails, and Building Grounds (DC Parks)…
Several members of the Castle Pines Village 6.5 mixed doubles tennis team stand proud and a little exhausted, while holding a United States Tennis Association (USTA) Championship banner after taking state on September 15. By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Anthea Gerberg One of the Castle Pines Village (CPV) tennis teams has a big reason…
The powwow is held at Tall Bull Memorial Park, just off of Daniels Gate Road. The traditional attire and dancing are amazing! Two Lakota Sioux, also Vietnam War veterans, competed in the intertribal dance competitions at the powwow. Native Americans from many local and state-wide tribes were at the powwow. Article and photos by Liz…
The fifth grade teacher team at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School collaborates to build lesson plans rich with rigor and relevancy to promote 21st century learners. Article and photo by Elean Gersack Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) has always prided itself on its talented and dedicated teacher base and warm and caring atmosphere. However, a new…
By Elizabeth Wood West If you are looking for lots of Halloween fun for all ages this year, visit Castle Pines and Castle Rock and enjoy these different Halloween events. The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce invites kids to stop by the Castle Pines business district for Trick or Treat Street on Wednesday, October 30,…
By Lisa Crockett; photos by Tim Gamble, Cindy Cranstone, Lisa Crockett and courtesy of Jon Radloff Any Octoberfest celebration should include good food, beer, and a festive atmosphere. This year’s celebration in Castle Pines offered all those things in abundance. Neighbors gathered to enjoy the sunshine and each other’s company, but to add to the…
By Lisa Crockett Laura Olson of Douglas County Libraries hosted a special “sensory-enhanced story time” at Timber Trail Elementary School last month. “This story time is for all ages, but is geared for kids on the Autism spectrum and for differently-abled kids,” said Olson.
BRE Fall Book Fair is October 5-10 It’s going to be a reading oasis come October at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE). The school will host its annual Scholastic Fall Book Fair from October 5 through October 10. The community is invited to stop by and browse the extensive collection of books and gifts for…
A little – no make that a lot of rain didn’t stop the action as the DCSM fun run moved indoors this year to raise funds for the school. By Kathy Dunker; photos courtesy of DCSM Friday, September 13 was not unlucky for the DCS Montessori Charter School (DCSM) as it held its 3rd annual…
Chairperson Paige Taylor congratulates then-kindergartener Grant with a hug and a medal as he finished the race in 2011! Article and photo by Elean Gersack Buffalo Ridge Rock Slide is October 5 Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) will host its annual Rock Slide Fun Run on Saturday, October 5, at 9 a.m. The race will…
Information provided by RTD The citizen’s group responsible for advising the Regional Transportation District (RTD) on its FasTracks program is seeking new committee members who are interested in public transit issues. Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is looking for individuals interested in serving on this all-volunteer panel. Applicants will be considered for positions expiring in December…
A new approach to learning and teaching is under way at RHMS, whereby students are being taught through collaborative, project-based methods. Currently, the eighth grade students are working on a Denver tourism challenge in which groups of students are tasked with putting together a multimedia presentation based on bringing tourism to Denver. Article and photo…
Congressman Cory Gardner spoke to Castle Pines Chamber members and local business leaders at the Rockyard American Grill and Brewing Company in Castle Rock. By Steve Baska; photo courtesy of Carla Kenny U.S. Representative Cory Gardner spoke to Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce members and local business leaders about tax reform and other issues at…
Players on the Castle Pines Athletics kindergarten team Blue Sharks focus on the game at Daniels Gate Park. By Liz Jurkowski Once again, Saturdays are filled with the sound of cheering parents and kicking balls at every park and playground in Castle Pines. Soccer season is in full swing now, with young athletes in the…
By Steve Baska The weekly newspaper, Castle Rock News-Press, which has been delivered to driveways in Douglas County for decades, has changed its masthead. For papers delivered within the city of Castle Pines, the front page now reads “Castle Pines News-Press.” According to Jerry Healey, owner of Colorado Community Media, which publishes 18 local newspapers…
Information provided by Douglas County Work is underway on a $1.2 million project to replace the concrete slabs on the I-25 bridges at Surrey Ridge Road and Happy Canyon Road in order to extend the life of the pavement and the bridge. In addition, minor bridge work will take place on I-25 at RidgeGate Parkway.…