Read the stories from the latest issue:
Bonaventure of Castle Rock is a new senior retirement community located in The Meadows in Castle Rock. It is inviting the public to its grand opening weekend event on Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Bonaventure Located at 1855 Low Meadow Boulevard in The Meadows, Bonaventure of Castle…
Photo courtesy of Michelle Barton Runners/Gorillas Susan Williams, Lia Clarke and Castle Pines resident Michelle Barton with her daughter Elise at the 9th Annual Denver Gorilla Run. October 27, there were more than 1,400 participants on who raised funds for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund, the international charity working to save the world’s last remaining…
Guests at the “Expedition 10” benefit gala were treated to a viewving of many special pieces from the museum’s collection, as well as several live-action “animals,” which were included as part of the party’s safari theme. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of The Wildlife Experience Many 10-year-olds have themed birthday parties, and in November The Wildlife Experience…
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Castle Rock Community Green Team It is Saturday morning and time to load recyclables into the car and drop them off for free at the Community Recycling Center in Castle Rock. This is great news for the communities and surrounding areas in Douglas County that are not currently offered…
Timber Team members (front row, from left) Sriya Surapaneni, Tori Jankowski, Emma Ziegler (back row, from left) Alexis WardBrown and Kylee Ingram receive a donation to the Red Cross from Timber Trail third grader Wendy Werner. Timber Team collected funds in November to donate to the Red Cross’ Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Article and photo…
By Lisa Nicklanovich With the holiday season here, many are getting ready to either host or visit parents, grandparents, cousins, nieces and nephews. What an incredible opportunity to not only enjoy your favorite recipes, but also really get to know those special people in your life. Sure, you’re aware that Aunt Linda is an accountant…
Apodaca got an off-track thrill when meeting professional racer Danica Patrick last year in Sonoma, California at an Indy Car IRL series event. Information and photos courtesy the Apodaca family Alexis Apodaca, ten-year-old resident of Buffalo Ridge Estates, is interested in more than your typical Barbie doll girl stuff; Apodaca is an accomplished kart racer…
Left: Katie Abner coaches t-ball and soccer through Castle Pines Athletics, as well as teaching private and group swim lessons in the Castle Rock and Castle Pines area. Right: Abner and his family enjoy hiking in the Rockies in their spare time. By Kathy Dunker; photos courtesy of the Abner family Rock Canyon High School…
On November 15, former Army Staff Sergeant Brian Schar spoke to the eighth grade students at RHMS. Schar lost both of his legs in Baghdad, Iraq in 2007 when an IED exploded in front of his vehicle. Following his speech, many of the students took the opportunity to shake Schar’s hand and to thank him…
By Patte Smith The excavation and dirt dumping at the southwest corner of South Havana and RidgeGate Parkway is an approved plan by the City of Lone Tree. The dirt being dumped is from previous and current construction sites in Lone Tree. Tentative plans for this site include a large-capacity parking garage for the southeast…
Audience of One, a community theater group, sponsored a 5K run to benefit an Aurora shooting victim. Young actors (from left) Jordan Rickerd, Taylor Muckel and Alaina Spangenberger cross the finish line at the race. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Community theater with a higher purpose has a strong following in Castle Pines. A dozen young…
The Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Twelfth Night 2012 Tour at DCSM to raise awareness about bullying. Article and photo courtesy of Jodi Anderson No matter the time in history, bullies and bullying are not to be tolerated. On November 2, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Twelfth Night 2012 Tour came to DCS Montessori Charter School to perform…
By Elizabeth Wood West Would you and your family like to make a big difference in a child’s life this holiday season? Castle Pines Community Church (CPCC) is inviting the community to join them in Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse’s annual shoe box gift drive for children all over the world. Its goal this year…
Plum Creek Veterinary Services can treat your pets at its new clinic in Castle Rock or at your home. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Dr. Dave Roberts Dr. Dave Roberts and his staff at Plum Creek Veterinary Services are opening a new clinic on November 1 at 800 Kinner Street in Castle Rock.…
A view of the Atlantic from Plymouth Plantation, only miles away from the true sight of the first Thanksgiving. Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski Turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie are all traditional Thanksgiving feast foods that we expect and devour every year. Would it surprise you to know that none of those tasty…
Article by Lisa Crockett; book cover courtesy of Anthonette Klinkerman Local author and teacher Anthonette Klinkerman has released a new children’s book titled “Battle of the Grandmas.” Based on real-life experience several years ago with her daughter and a host of generous relatives, Klinkerman wrote a whimsical, rhyming story about a little girl who wants…
Special thanks to South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) Engine 36 from Castle Pines and SMFR Medic from Castle Pines Village for a quick response to this vehicle fire in Castle Pines on October 2. The fire was contained and no one was injured in the incident. Photo courtesy of Tammy Lopez
Article and photo by Kathy Dunker Tammy Lopez, agency owner of Allstate Insurance in Castle Pines, left her office in the Safeway shopping center and moved into her new digs on October 1 in the space next door to La Dolce Vita Restaurant. Says Lopez about her new space, “I will get much more visibility…
City of Castle Pines new City Manager Ted Soltis. By Kathy Dunker with photo courtesy of Ted Soltis Born on the East Coast, but a westerner at heart, new City Manager Ted Soltis is a welcome addition to the City of Castle Pines. Soltis moved to Castle Pines to accept the position in the middle…
Ruby Trust Winery owners Ray Bruening and Braden Dodds are pictured with Brian Nishi (right) from the Country of Club of Castle Pines and a copy of The Castle Pines Connection that brought them together. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The staff at The Castle Pines Connection was excited to learn that its newspaper…
Left: Ryan Meisner (left), Matthew Pearson (center), and Bryce Vrabel hang out together, run together, and win together! Right: Ryan Meisner ran this half-marathon in honor of a friend who had recently passed. His sign says it all. By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Sally Pearson and Ryan Meisner Three friends from the Castle Pines…
Chief Dan Qualman, the manager of the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority, was honored for outstanding leadership, dedication and service. Submitted by South Metro Fire Rescue At its 37th annual conference, the Special District Association of Colorado (SDA) honored Chief Dan Qualman, the manager of the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA), with SDA’s 2012…
By Elizabeth Wood West If you drive along Castle Pines Parkway on a regular basis, you have probably seen the western side of the Pinnacle Building dozens of times. However, unless you have had occasion to visit a tenant or the City of Castle Pines city offices, you probably wouldn’t connect the name to the…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s the night before the big holiday and everyone is hungry. Now. You have a house full of company and a refrigerator full of food . . . for the big meal tomorrow. But how do you feed hungry tummies the evening before the big day? Take out can…
Eight flag football team got off to a great start with Castle Pines dads coaching. Contributed by Castle Pines Athletics; photo by Shannon Terry For the first time ever, Castle Pines Athletics brought flag football to Castle Pines this fall! Eight teams of children grades kindergarten to fourth grade enjoyed Friday night practices and games…
By Lisa Crockett The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The Church), commonly known as the Mormon Church, has purchased a parcel of land in what is referred to as “Lagae Ranch” or “Lagae North.” The parcel borders Mira Vista Lane and is situated northeast of American Academy Charter School and Elk Ridge Park,…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Jane Lenz, a Castle Pines resident and the SSN (Significant Support Needs) teacher at Timber Trail Elementary, received an award last month recognizing her important contributions as an educator and a member of the community. Macaroni Kid Castle Rock-Parker-Highlands Ranch, a local online newsletter which features the largest kid…
Contributed by the BOCC Effective October 9, weather outlooks indicate the fire danger/hazard for the County has been lessened. As a result, the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has rescinded all fire restrictions; this applies to unincorporated Douglas County, including U.S. Forest Service Land. Although the severe fire danger has temporarily decreased, we…
RHMS Security Officer Gary Ewing is very pleased with the parking lot improvements. He spends each morning and afternoon ensuring the safety of the students as they make their way to and from the school. Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) has struggled with parking lot issues during drop off and pick up for years, but…
By Elizabeth Wood West; conceptual drawing by Fentress Architects Rink at the Rock (Rink), a new outdoor ice skating rink, will have its grand opening on Saturday, November 17, in coordination with the historic annual Castle Rock Starlighting ceremony later that evening. The new facility will be located at 414 North Perry Street, adjacent to…
By Elean Gersack All things creepy, goolish and frightful is what you will find when stepping into the Davis’ family haunted house located in the city of Castle Pines. This family tradition started back in 1992 and has been growing in size and cast members ever since. Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) kindergarten teacher, Brenda…
American Academy fourth graders got a closer look at alternative energy technology and the Tesla coil motor at the Tesla dealership this past September. Contributed by American Academy Charter School Amazing science can happen in the most unassuming places; like the mall, for instance. As a school with a strong science, technology, engineering and math…
DCSM Head of School Jeromy Johnson (left) congratulates middle school teacher Mike Catalano (right) after receiving the OfficeMax “A Day Made Better” award. By Jodi Anderson; photo courtesy of DCSM On October 2, DCS Montessori (DCSM) middle school teacher Michael Catalano was the recipient of OfficeMax’s “A Day Made Better” award. Completely surprised by the…
Champion freestyle swimmer Brickelle Bro (standing, left) with fellow members of Team USA at the Paralympic Games in London. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of the Bro family “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” It is a famous line from the blockbuster Disney hit movie “Finding Nemo.” The movie is a favorite of local swimming…
The Bundt Shoppe ran a “Frosting Faces” contest in celebration of its five-year birthday bash! Many loyal customers entered the contest by posting their favorite Bundt Shoppe cake photos on Facebook. The photos with the most Facebook “likes” won first, second, and third place prizes. First place won free cakes for a year, second place…
Oh gee, oh gee, where was the “G”? The architectural “G” was at the entrance to Cherokee Ranch and Castle. By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Kitty MigakiTh The Castle Pines Connection search for ABC scavenger hunt continues with the letter “H” this month! See if you can find the hidden “H” using the following…
By Elizabeth Wood West Have you, a family member, or elderly loved one had a medical emergency or serious illness, but your doctor’s office and urgent care clinic were closed? Are you too busy to get some medical tests done outside your home? Lawrence Scariano, M.D. of GoMD Medical HouseCall Service (GoMD) is now offering…
BRE fifth graders excited to get their hands on footballs made by Ugandan children. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of BRE Principal Ally Berggren Students in Mrs. Phelan’s fifth grade class at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) are learning life skills such as pride, perseverance, and responsibility from an unusual source—their new friends in the village…
Information provided by the Country Club at Castle Pines The Country Club at Castle Pines is known for its spectacular golf course and amazing views, but one club improvement the members are talking about comes from behind the scenes. This past May, the club hired pastry chef Amy Gallagher to increase the offering of breads…
DCSM fourth grader, Syndey Glasser, indulged in a little face painting as part of the fun school event. By Jodi Anderson; photos courtesy of DCSM What do you get when you mix energetic kids, fun and creative activities, and exciting performances? You get the rip-roaring Fall Festival at DCS Montessori (DCSM)! Top all of this…
By Chris Bonham There is an oft overlooked story in the canon of American politics that deserves mention as we head into what is possibly the most contentious election in modern history. The story centers around Ben Franklin as he was exiting the Constitutional Convention. A young lady approached him and asked, “What kind of…
Restaurant entrepreneur Rodney Utz is enjoying working full time at Rodney’s in the Village. He’s bringing back the menu items that customers have loved for years. “A good value and great service are what matters!” Article and photo by Amy Shanahan For those who have missed their favorite local go-to restaurant in the Village shops…
Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich The competition to claim the title of “best chili” was still strong, despite the cold rain on October 13 at the 5th Annual Best in the West Chili Cook Off in the Village at Castle Pines. The 26 teams presented chili to attendees who braved the weather to cast…
Contributed by SMFRA As the cold temperatures make their way in to Colorado this winter, SMFR wants to remind homeowners of the importance of protecting and maintaining fire sprinkler systems. Information is available online at www.southmetro.org. Click on the “Safety and Other Information” link. Residents can contact the SMFR Life Safety Bureau with any questions…
It may look like fun and games, but these boy scouts from Troop 363 in Parker are hard at work selling pumpkins in a Castle Pines neighborhood to raise funds for troop activities.
Register now for winter basketball with Castle Pines Athletics. The program runs November 26 to February 23 and will be held at the DCS Montessori School in Castle Pines (no basketball Dec. 9 to Jan. 6.) The co-ed recreational program is offered for children ages 4.5 years old to fourth grade. Teams have one practice…
Dirty Girls Castle Pine neighbors Cassidy and Cindy Vatter, Michelle Wendolt, Michelle Stutler, and Lisa Nicklanovich relax in the mud after the Dirty Girl 5K mud run and obstacle course on September 22. A portion of all registration fees is donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. For upcoming event info, go to www.godirtygirl.com. Photo…
Contributed by Castle Pines Athletics Twenty-six teams of local children from age three to fourth grade enjoyed playing soccer in Castle Pines this fall. Pictured above are coaches Brad McDonald & Don McCleery with their “Big Red” soccer team. Special thanks to all our parent coaches and sponsors this season! Spring soccer and Soccer Tots…
Contributed by Becky Harsh Castle Pines resident and personal trainer Becky Harsh participated in the “Barbells for Boobs” fundraiser last month. The organization hosts athletic competitions to raise funds to provide mammograms and diagnostic procedures to low-income and uninsured patients. Although competitors are serious about their performance and the cause, they are still able to…
By Joe Gschwendtner Douglas County is among the most desirable and affluent counties in the U.S. Less well-known is the depth of community gratitude for veterans and the military services. At 11 a.m. on November 11, awareness will change dramatically when community veterans and county leaders unveil a spectacular bronze sculpture, dedicating it within the…
By Julie Montoya; photos by Tim Gamble On October 16, the “who’s who” of Denver men were at the annual Men for the Cure (MFTC) Gentlemen’s Dinner in the XJet hangar at Centennial Airport. This annual event raises funds for breast cancer research and outreach, boasting more than $1.4 million raised to date. Early estimates…
Colorado Kids Pediatric Dentistry collected over 1500 pounds this year – another great success! All the candy this year was going to be distributed to soldiers who would shortly be returning to Ft. Carson.
Photo courtesy of Debra Dean Photography On October 17, Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA DAY USA) at Lone Tree Arts Center. BRA DAY USA is an initiative designed to promote education, awareness and access regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. It is a collaborative effort between the American Society of Plastic Surgeons,…
Left: Coming around the final bend to Elk Ridge Park, participant Bob Dunn finished in fourth place for the 10k run on October 20. Right: The City of Castle Pines first Run Wild event included 150 participants in the 5k, 10k, and the new and unique 1k Family Color Run. Runners had a blast as…
RCHS Jags Girls Varsity Softball team took on the RJHS Raiders in their last league game on a blustery Saturday, October 6. RJHS and RCHS players dedicated the fundraising efforts personally to their own friends and family battling breast cancer. The Jags left the field with a winning score 10 – 5 against the Raiders.…
A taste of…Firehouse Subs By Liane Marette Davis; photos courtesy of Firehouse Subs Former firefighting brothers, Chris and Robin Sorenson founded Firehouse Subs in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994. The restaurants all reflect an authentic firefighter heritage, as well as the founding family’s 200 years of collective firefighting services. The Parker location is owned by franchisees…
By Julie Montoya; photo courtesy of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce November 17th, marks the day for this year’s Castle Rock Starlighting Ceremony. The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, along with the Castle Rock Fire Department will be lighting up the famous star that has been proudly displayed atop Castle Rock, for 77 years. …
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Visitors to the Timber Trail Elementary book fair last month had the chance to meet a real reading hero. Clifford the Big Red Dog, a favorite character from children’s literature, was on hand to take photos with students. The photo ops allowed students to support a good cause, since…
RCHS Jaguars cross country boys varsity team members (from left to right): Jacob Blackburn, J.D. Gordon, Seth Huber, Andy Tinlin, E.J. Katsoulas, Conner Skoglund, Max Will, Lucas West, and Gabe Tauber (bottom). By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of Penny Jordan As Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, Cross Country…
By Amy Shanahan; photos by Julie Montoya The month of October is a time when most people carve pumpkins, hang a few decorations, and stock up on candy for eager trick-or-treaters – but Becky Cohen takes it several steps further. Each year in early October, Cohen hosts an extravagant “Wine and Witches” theme party for…
Williams comes on to the field in the Jaguar manner of solidarity on September 21 against the Castle View Sabercats. Article reprinted in part from RCHS’s The Rock by Kelcey Beckman; photos ciurtesy of Rock Canyon Photos Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) senior and Castle Pines Village resident Eric Williams has caught the eye of…
Walk around Rock Park five times to say you hiked a 14er! Article and photos by Liz Jurkowski We have all seen it; it cannot be missed as we zoom south on I-25. The huge castle-shaped butte that welcomes us to the town named after it, Castle Rock. If you are looking for a fun…
Running comes naturally to younger kids, as is shown by these AA kindergarteners at the second annual PTO FunRun on September 7. Contributed by American Academy Charter School; photos courtesy of Amy Kotha When was the last time you ran 1,068 miles? If you went to school at American Academy (AA), you would have done…
Jim Blane – a veteran of Iwo Jima. Contributed by the Front Range Theatre Company and Castle Rock Senior Center Many people get caught up in their daily lives and don’t stop to consider that possibly a person in line at a store may have lived through extraordinary experiences, and that they may have served…
The Castle Pines Chamber celebrated the opening of Aspen Delikatessen with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 10. Younique Expressions celebrated its opening in Castle Pines with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 29.
By Patte Smith Castle Pines Trick or Treat Street Once again the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Trick or Treat Street for the children of Castle Pines. Bring your ghosts and goblins to trick or treat at businesses throughout Castle Pines from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween evening, October…
Join Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas at her “Thursday Night with the Coroner” on October 25. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Douglas County Coroner’s Office Are you a forensic fan who is interested in learning what a coroner really does? Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas is inviting the public to spend a few…
Ballot language for upcoming City of Castle Pines election Sample ballot from Douglas County website. Residents in the City of Castle Pines will have a decision to make in the upcoming November election regarding a TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) question placed on the ballot by the City. Below is the exact question language as…
Left to right: Sarah Elizabeth Falkenstine, Zebulun Klement, Jason Lewis, Julia Bartmann and Katie Kenny. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Markel) The Rotary Club of Castle Pines sponsored five outstanding eighth graders for Young Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). The recipients spent a week at Camp Ponderosa in Larkspur this summer. They celebrated their accomplishments over…