Read the stories from the latest issue:
In a little shed in the middle of 35 acres in northwest Douglas County, sit plaster casts of a skull and femur. And not just any casts: but a juvenile Columbian mammoth’s skull and an adult Columbian mammoth’s leg bone from the Ice Age. The land and tours are managed by the Lamb Spring…
On April 24, The Castle Pines Connection, the City of Castle Pines and the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce hosted the bi-annual New Resident Welcome Party at The Ridge at Castle Pines golf course. Approximately 25 new residents attended and enjoyed light appetizers, beverages and lots of gift card giveaways.
Dear Mrs. A, We’ve been invited to stay with our friends at their mountain home and we are curious about proper house guest etiquette and maybe thoughts on a hostess gift? – At a Loss in Lagae Ranch Well, lucky you! Isn’t it wonderful to have a friend with a place in the mountains…
Summer is here, and for parents with young kids, the search is on to find reliable childcare. For many high schoolers and college students, summertime is an opportunity to earn a lot of money babysitting. Too often, parent expectations are not met when hiring a sitter from Nextdoor or Facebook, and it becomes a…
“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it is too dark to read,” quipped Groucho Marx. Big and small, animals captivate us. This month’s book recommendations focus on animals and our interaction with them. Sometimes they are the main character and sometimes they inform the bipedal characters of…
High school sweethearts Rick and Nancy Hollis celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on April 19 at Duke’s Steakhouse, where they also celebrated their 50th anniversary. Their first date was on December 19, 1964, when Nancy asked Rick to a Sadie Hawkins dance in Brooklyn, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. “We’ve been holding hands ever…
Oh my; it’s challenging to be long of tooth. Trust me, I know. Especially bad with a mind that revs to redline saddled to an otherwise marginal body. Modern medicine can only do so much with your physical self, but with the right attitude and a Tylenol (or two), healthy diversions can bring back some…
Summer is almost here, and I can literally taste it. It’s still early in the season, but soon there will be fresh ears of corn to boil and salt; zucchini to grill, fry and make into bread; cucumbers to pickle; peaches to flambe; and beets to roast. My favorite part of summer eating, though, is…
Summer and seafood go together. With the warmer days, lighter often cold fare is preferable. Even though we are land-locked in Colorado, we are lucky to have many seafood options. According to the National Library of Medicine, seafood provides an ideal package of nutrients, including high-quality protein, iodine, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids,…
Nearly one out of every 10 adults in the U.S. has tried acupuncture, according to publication Acupuncture Today. Acupuncture dates back in some form for at least 2,500 years as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, digestive issues, menstrual cramps, hormone imbalances, fertility and…
Imagine a high school student who graduates with transferable college credits, or a postsecondary credential such as an associate’s degree or an industry certification. That was the case for Ellie Muncy, who grew up in Happy Canyon and graduated from the Colorado Early Colleges (CEC) Parker campus a few years ago. The early college…
Amidst snowy conditions, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) held its prom, “RC goes to New York,” at Mile High Station in Denver on April 27. Music, mocktails and special photo sessions were part of the night’s fun. “Rockin’ Rewind After Prom” was held at RCHS and featured themed decor from the last hundred years of…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) school held its 12th annual science fair this spring. Students got excited weeks before the fair with grade level science demonstrations. Kindergarten students had several volunteers come into their classrooms to do demonstrations about diffusion, capillary action and sublimation. Second graders witnessed demonstrations that related to their Earth science curriculum,…
Brianna “Bri” Westbarn, who turns 19 this month, has earned the distinction of Gold Award Girl Scout, the highest and most prestigious achievement in Girl Scouts. Her project, “Colorado Cold Cases,” was launched to shed light on unsolved criminal cases involving people who are missing or have died but have not been identified. “I…
Washington, D.C. is the heart of American heritage. It is a living museum where students have walked in the footsteps of some of our great leaders. Traveling for a history trip was an enriching experience for the eighth-grade students of all three American Academy (AA) campuses. STEM coordinator Chris Todd has expanded his flight…
The American Academy cast brought the Anastasia fairy tale to life in three performances at the PACE Center – Parker Arts. The story follows the legend of Russian princess Anastasia, who loses all memories of being a princess when her family’s palace is overrun by the evil wizard Rasputin. Living as Anya, the tale follows…
Field day is one of the most anticipated days of the school year, filled with healthy competition of field games and obstacles. Both Timber Trail Elementary and Buffalo Ridge Elementary celebrated the school year coming to an end with a day that did not include paper or pencils, only outdoor fun. By Julie Matuszewski; photos…
Douglas County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Erin Kane gave her first “State of the District” on May 2 at DCSD Legacy Campus in Lone Tree. Kane celebrated successes from the past year and addressed challenges that remain. Several area schools received academic awards from the Colorado Department of Education, including four Castle Pines feeder schools.…
The senior clap out is a ritual that recognizes a graduating high school student’s transition to the next level. In May, seniors returned to their respective elementary schools, Timber Trail Elementary, Buffalo Ridge Elementary and American Academy, for a walk down memory lane, to give high fives to younger students and to visit teachers they…
Reading is an activity that provides parents and children a way to connect. Reading also helps children build language, literacy and social skills. Road to the Rockies was an optional fun reading program available to all Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students, kindergarten through fifth grade. Each inning (or month) from September to May students tracked…
Alice + Kate Bakery: an indulgence in sweetness Gretchen Harrison is an entrepreneur, mother, baker, philanthropist and pink enthusiast. Gretchen is also the owner of Alice + Kate Bakery located at 572 East Castle Pines Parkway, Suite A5 in Castle Pines, which opened in April. Gretchen believes there is no better way to celebrate family…
This is the story of Lisa McCaffrey. When you hear the McCaffrey name, you may think of Christian, who recently played in Super Bowl LVIII for the San Francisco 49ers. You might remember Ed, who was not only an NFL wide receiver for the Denver Broncos (and the New York Giants and 49ers), but…
The development of a Life Time Fitness location has been approved for the northeast corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Canyonside Boulevard in the City of Castle Pines. Although construction approval and permitting has not been completed, the proposed location includes a 110,000-square-foot facility with pickleball courts and an outdoor pool. When reached for comment,…
A significant infrastructure project in Castle Rock, the Crystal Valley Interchange (CVI), is underway. On I-25, two miles south of the Plum Creek Parkway and roughly eight miles north of Tomah Road, the CVI has been a top priority of local authorities with the goal to bring improved regional connection to I-25 and the…
More than 50 people gathered at the Douglas County Library – Castle Pines to provide public input at the City of Castle Pines Planning Commission (PC) meeting on March 28. Their primary objective: to stop a 24-hour-operated McDonald’s restaurant from coming to the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road. After more…
The Castle Pines community garage sale has been a long-standing, popular event that residents look forward to every year. For decades, families cleared out the old to make way for the new – and make a little money – all while participating in a fun neighborhood event. This year will be no exception. Historically,…
At long last, the traffic signal at the three-way intersection of US 85 and Daniels Park Road is underway. At the end of 2022, the Colorado Department of Transportation could not proceed with the project due to supply chain delays and a funding shortfall. The light is expected to be operational in June. Article…
On the evening of March 4, the Castle Pines Homes Association (CPHA) held its annual meeting at Cielo at Castle Pines. Approximately 375 members and patrons were in attendance. The agenda included a review of the previous year’s accomplishments to enhance the signature amenities of the Village, along with planned capital improvements for 2024 and…
Two Indian women, Priya Kumar and Minakshi Ashra, who had been on different career paths, are now embarking on a new journey together as co-owners of The Pines Sports Bar & Grill, formerly Berg Haus. “I wanted to be an entrepreneur,” said Priya. “Minakshi is helping me understand this line of business. It’s exciting!”…
Apple’s annual software update creates as much buzz as the release of its new iPhone models. In September 2023, the iOS 17 released the latest software update. While there are many phone upgrades in every new software release, there are some hidden features in iOS 17 to be aware of. The most notable updates on…
If you have come across Danni Jenkins, odds are you have found a friend for life. Danni is a Colorado native, having grown up in Parker. She began playing volleyball in fourth grade and continued the sport through Chaparral High School and on to the University of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Today, she calls…
There are few more enjoyable pastimes than sharing a home-cooked meal with loved ones and friends. Mother of two and talented cook Nancy Saliba shares this sentiment with traditional Lebanese dishes prepared in her home. Nancy grew up in Beirut, Lebanon, where large family gatherings, cooking and attending church services were the center of…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has a team of volunteers who are making a huge difference in law enforcement. The Community Safety Volunteers (CSV) are Douglas County residents who are trained to be invaluable assets; they work in tandem with deputies and civilian office staff to help cover many of the tasks and…
Memorial Day Run & March 5K, 10K, 30K: Civilians, veterans and uniformed military are invited to challenge themselves in a friendly competition and encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to homeless veterans. Saturday, May 18, 6:30 a.m. Douglas County High School, 2842 Front St., Castle Rock Visit www.memorialdaymarch.com. Carry the Load Memorial May…
While popularly considered the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day has a long and solemn history that reaches back to the time of the Civil War. It is unclear exactly where and when the tradition started, but not long after the end of the war, during springtime tributes, Americans began decorating the graves of the…
Residents and friends met unexpectedly in Arkansas to see the 2024 total solar eclipse. In the fields of Russellville, Arkansas, population 30,000, a small group of Castle Pines residents found connections by way of the April 8 total solar eclipse. Most of the viewers had planned to view in Texas, but weather changes sent…
Did you know that the concept of xeriscaping started in Colorado? In 1981, Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado partnered with Denver Water in the Xeriscape Task Force to create an educational demonstration garden showing the beauty possible when using plants that require minimal irrigation, and to produce a public involvement and education program. A member…
In the quaint town of Sedalia sits a historic little building and grounds, the Sedalia Museum and Gardens (SMG). Getting to know this special place is like taking a step back in time. Save the date for this year’s garden sale, Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., located at 4037 N.…
Amy Fenster is a ball of energy. She is an adventurer, a hiker and provides daily care for patients at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital. Amy is a nurse working in a combined lab of cardiac catheterization, neuro intervention and intervention radiology. Each day she shines her bright light on those lucky enough to receive her…
The headline comes from Yogi Berra, but it applies equally to the good folks of Jarre Valley and Jarre Canyon. Douglas County settlers were naturally attracted to water and transportation access: Witness Sedalia’s founder, John Craig, who settled at the confluence of East and West Plum Creeks. The east side of the creeks was…
Dear Mrs. A, Is it ever appropriate to text a thank you for a wedding gift? – Wondering in Winterberry Dear Wondering in Winterberry, Wedding season is upon us. Mrs. A. is completely old-fashioned, and she is quite emphatic when it comes to these things. So, you may be surprised that in some cases,…
With the return of spring, many Coloradans look forward to welcoming back the hummingbirds that flew south for the winter. The hummingbird season in Colorado is mid-April through October. These fascinating, zippy little creatures start to command attention in mid-April. Four species of hummingbirds can be seen in Colorado. The most common is the…
Arvada Farmers Market Location: Olde Town Square, 5702 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (June 2 – Sept. 29) A moderately-sized market with a variety of specialty items, this market features produce, honey, baked goods, artisan products and prepared foods. Enjoy libations in Olde Town Arvada. https://www.arvadafarmersmarket.com/ Boulder County…
Joseph Pulitzer, a visionary newspaper publisher and Hungarian immigrant, single-handedly raised the bar for American journalism. Establishing the first collegiate-level journalism program at Columbia University, Pulitzer further endowed the university with guidelines and funds to establish the Pulitzer Prize “as an incentive to [journalistic] excellence,” states the Pulitzer website. There are currently 23 categories, most…
Some residents got a little help decorating their yards this past Easter. The Easter Bunny could not take all the credit, but some Valor Christian High School (Valor) Eagles sure could. Sixteen students raised money for an upcoming summer mission trip to Kolkata, India by “egging” yards across Douglas County. This definition of egging…
I love the month of May. The weather, while often unpredictable, is generally lovely (random Colorado snowfall notwithstanding). It is also a month of celebrations – Mother’s Day, milestones like graduation, and all things end-of-the-school-year, mean lots of happy reminiscences. And parties. Lots of parties, with lots of delicious springtime treats. I love that May…
This crossword brought to you by Allstate Insurance – Tammy Lopez (720) 733-1331 Across 1. Killer whale 5. Popular cooking spray 8. Native New Zealander 13. Like a millionaire’s pockets 14. Beak 15. The _____ Limits (1960s and 1990s tv show) 16. Big show 17. “___ go bragh” 18. Pointed arch 19. Sinful…
On March 24, two brothers from The Canyons neighborhood won hockey national championships on the same day in different cities. Goalie Cooper Robinson (18) was part of the Valor Christian High School team to lead the Screaming Eagles to victory at USA Hockey National Championship, High School Division 1, in Philadelphia (see our other…
Valor Christian High School celebrated another big win this year: a hockey national championship on March 24. After a tough loss to Regis Jesuit High School in the 5A state championship game in Colorado, the Valor Screaming Eagles competed in the USA Hockey National Championship, High School Division 1, in Philadelphia. Six seniors on the…
The stigma around talking about mental health is lifting. And that is a positive since according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five people will experience a mental health condition in any given year, and everyone faces challenges in life that can impact mental health. Since May is Mental Health Awareness…
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently held its annual teacher appreciation night. High school seniors and early graduating juniors from Castle Rock, Larkspur, Castle Pines, Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch honored a teacher, coach or mentor who made a positive impact in their lives. The evening included a formal program with…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) capitalized on the recent solar eclipse. On April 8, a school-wide community event was scheduled during the peak viewing hour. Principal Jen Murdock-Jacoway ensured the school had enough NASA-certified viewing glasses for each student to have a pair. All kindergarten through fifth grade classes met on the school field for…
At Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), community service is not just a school activity; 20 hours are required to graduate. Volunteering not only fosters a sense of civic duty among students, but also enriches their academic and personal growth through real-world experiences. The class of 2024 has registered more than 16,000 volunteer hours to date.…
After 21 years of bringing theater to life for Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students, drama teacher Cindy Baker is retiring this month. In April, the final curtain fell on Cindy’s last (and apropos) production, Bye Bye Birdie. With a deep love for theater that led to many award-winning plays and helped many students…
Congratulations to all of our 80108 graduates! Castle View High School Tyler Adair Spencer Adams Arlette Arellano Hernandez Ashlynn Bannister Landon Baylor Nolan Bergen Caleb Campbell Charles Colombi Bronwyn Cooper Kairi Crowell Beau Durkin Gunnar Fesmire Hailey Franco Logan Friedman James Gerlach Alexandra Guarda Mercado Madison Hancock Seth Harris Kara Hastings Taylor Hill Aidan…
In March, DCS Montessori students in Diana Visser’s class worked together to support a humanitarian organization. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a nonprofit that works in more than 50 countries and 28 United States cities with the mission of helping families from war-torn countries rebuild, recover and assimilate their lives in America. Diana’s…
The Rock, Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) online student newspaper, won the Silver Crown Award at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s (CSPA) 100th annual spring convention. Crown Awards recognize overall excellence in either print or digital student publications, chosen by a panel of judges. Fifteen students and three adult chaperones from RCHS’s student media…
Claire Bauer is graduating from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) this month and has already achieved an accomplished career in journalism. For the past two years, Claire has been the Editor-in-Chief of the RCHS newspaper, The Rock, an award-winning and nationally recognized student newspaper. Leading a staff of 30, Claire managed all of the…
The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Marching Band held a fundraiser last month, a mattress and massage chair sale. Students wore mattress costumes and stood outside the school to promote the sale. Approximately $4,000 was raised that will go toward new instruments, repairing old instruments and the cost of travel to performances. In his first…
Ready. Set. Glow! This year’s school dance, Glow Jam, was more than just a dance for the students and chaperones of Timber Trail Elementary. The evening backdrop centered around a theme of bright neon décor. Lit with black lights enhancing the attendees’ hand-crafted, decorated glow shirts and glow bracelets, the dance welcomed all attending students,…
The recent “Spudtacular” art show at American Academy was an inventive idea to incorporate the theme of potatoes into art. When asked how she chose the theme, art teacher Melissa Lopez replied, “I had one student challenge me to make an art show about potatoes. I thought it was funny and a great challenge.”…
Flip your world upside down Art has the ability to change the world. The Museum of Illusions (MOI) claims it will flip your world upside down. Fans of optical illusion or those looking for a new art museum in Denver are in luck. MOI is a museum full of optical illusions, holograms and interactive…
In March, women were celebrated, acknowledged and recognized for their achievements and milestones as part of Women’s History Month. If you ask Avery Scott, a 20-year-old welder, every day is about making her mark in the fields of construction and manufacturing – both male-dominated industries. “Being a welder allows me to tear down stereotypes,” said…
Foundry Church (Foundry) has purchased 4.3 acres of land adjacent to Elk Ridge Park and American Academy – Castle Pines charter school with plans to build a 14,000-square foot facility. This will be the first church to be built in the city limits. (Journey Church is in an unincorporated part of Castle Pines, north of…
In late February, John and Maria Castillo gathered with family, friends, community members and leaders at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch to unveil the site of a future memorial honoring their son, Kendrick Castillo. On May 7, 2019, Kendrick (18) was a high school senior at STEM School Highlands Ranch when he gave his…
Monarch Boulevard under construction until September On March 17, Monarch Boulevard closed for reconstruction between Castle Pines Parkway and Glen Oaks Avenue for Phase One of the City of Castle Pines (City) Road Solutions initiative. Phase Two will commence when Phase One is completed. The estimated completion date is this September. Homes within the road…
The Castle Rock is more than just the rock formation that signals the heart of Douglas County. It stands as a sign of many different things to different people. Whether it is a place you hike, pass by on I-25 or look forward to seeing lit up with the Christmas star come the holiday season,…
After the mid-March snow storm, you may have accumulated a pile of excess branches and debris. With spring (almost) around the corner, mowing, trimming, sawing and clearing brush from your property is advised to reduce the risk of wildfires. Douglas County provides a slash-mulch/green yard waste drop-off site for disposal. The site is located at…
Last month, the South Metro Denver Chamber hosted a conference, “A Regional Perspective,” which included a panel of mayors from Centennial, Englewood, Lone Tree, Littleton, Greenwood Village and Castle Pines. Held at Arapahoe Community College, each mayor gave an overview of his/her respective communities, the unique opportunities and challenges, and discussed state legislative initiatives. The…
Finding an honest and trustworthy contractor during any commercial or residential remodeling project can be daunting. Keith Rodenberger knows it all too well, and as the owner of MaK Construction, he firmly believes your next construction project can be “easy, enjoyable and stress-free.” Keith is no stranger to operating and managing a successful business. He…