The Castle Pines Connection

Patte Smith While working at an elementary school book fair in one of the Douglas County schools last month, I stood there smiling at the kids as they shopped for books.  Running up to ask questions if we had this book or that, where they could find it, and jotting down titles on their “wish…

Pictured left to right: Sixth graders Tessa Green, Dylan Gerberg and Avery Dyer scooped ice cream for Timber Trail Elementary’s ice cream social, held in conjunction with the school’s semi-annual Scholastic Book Fair. Third graders Remy Arnold (left) and Kira Moar (right) enjoyed a treat at Timber Trail Elementary before shopping at the school’s book…

By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of The Melt Spring has sprung at the Park Meadows Dining Hall, as well as throughout the dining spaces at the retail resort, which is home to 17 restaurants.  With the warming temperatures, several restaurants including Perry’s Steakhouse, White Chocolate Grill, Brio, and La Sandia are expanding or upgrading their…

BRE fifth graders rock out in “American Pop Forever.”  Singing songs such as “Rock Around the Clock”, “I Feel the Earth Move”, “YMCA”, and “Hold My Hand”, the performers captured the audience’s hearts with their talent and spirit. Fifth graders sang and performed to YMCA while the “Village People” balanced on yoga balls to add…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Kristen Wylie The Castle Pines Village (CPV) parks and recreation committee held its annual Easter egg hunt on a beautiful, sunny day at the end of April.  Hundreds of parents and their kids turned out for this fun event.  The hunt is broken up into multiple age groups so…

By Patte Smith Boasting crispy fried green tomatoes, Memphis–style spare ribs, jambalaya, shrimp, po’ boys, and bourbon bread pudding, Southern Hospitality is opening its second Colorado restaurant at 7431 Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree, the former site of Pasquini’s Pizzeria.   Currently planned to open in May, the eatery serves up fresh, high-quality southern-style food,…

Clockwise from top left, Grand Prize winner Ashley Bradley’s double exposure portrait painted with acrylics. Grand Prize winner Ashley Bradley with Congressman Ken Buck (left) and RCHS art teacher Drew Walter (right) at the Congressional Art Competition.  Laura Kassner’s First Place portrait done with spray paint (background) and acrylics. Ethan Zehnder’s Jury Award winning piece…

Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce invites citizens of Castle Pines and Douglas County to join in a free educational event called “Fracking 101” hosted by the Douglas County Energy Coalition.  The free lunch will be held on May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at…

Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Green flags and giant bright green bins are popping up on porches all over Castle Pines.  A new grass roots movement is making its way throughout the community with the mission of serving critically ill children and their families in Colorado.  Castle Pines Village resident Cy DeBoer, who has…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Stacy Gaines Project Easter Basket had another successful year thanks in part to the generosity of many Castle Pines residents.  Organizer Stacy Gaines is a Castle Pines Village resident who began this endeavor eight years ago in an effort to provide Easter baskets full of hygiene items, school supplies,…

More than 90 members of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) posed outside of the Pepsi Center in early February at a district conference. By Maria Pangalos, RCHS Intern; photo courtesy of Allie Johnson One quarter million middle school, high school and college students all around the nation are partaking in a non-profit organization…

Doctors Jeff and Stephanie Scheich enjoy being a part of the Castle Pines community and offer personalized, friendly service to their patients. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Doctors Jeff and Stephanie Scheich and their local family dental practice are well known and loved by many in our community.  Recently, their practice underwent a name…

Victoria Xikes, at home with her talent award which also included a cash scholarship, is a natural performer who has been taking voice lessons for less than a year.  Victoria Xikes put on a dazzling performance at the annual Stars of Tomorrow competition at the Lone Tree Arts Center in March singing “Mother Knows Best.”…

The BRE Science Fair winners stand proud after being awarded top honors on Monday, April 20. (Not pictured – Drew W. and Jenna P.) Article and photo by Elean Gersack Congratulations to all of the young scientists at BRE who took part in the fourth annual Buffalo Ridge Elementary school’s  Mission: Curiosity! Science Fair on…

The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (District) is doing some spring cleaning around town, removing “encroachments” to publicly-owned land.   Encroachment is the legal term referring to modifications or additions made to land without the owner’s permission.  Metro District maintenance workers have found a variety of unauthorized structures on its property, including play forts and landscape…

By Elean Gersack It’s that time again … time to part ways with the old to make room for the new.  Each year in mid-May, the community is abuzz with folks from far and wide looking for a great deal.   If your kids have grown out of toys, clothes, equipment, and more, or if…

When Rita Klement (left) told her friends, Laurie Probsdorfer, Emily Hansen and Marne Hansen, she would be shaving her head to raise money for pediatric cancer, and to take control of losing her hair before starting chemotherapy, they said they would shave their heads too. (See top photo.) Rita Klement (left) with her son Sam…

By Amy Shanahan Urban Nights presented by Infiniti of Denver, a fundraiser to benefit Urban Peak, will hold its annual event this summer on August 29 at Mile High Station in Denver.  In its third year, Urban Nights has quickly become an esteemed fundraising event featuring a high-end fashion show, entertainment, a silent auction, pre-…

Author Doug Beason’s book “The Cadet” gives readers an inside look at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, one of the most iconic structures in Colorado and the training ground for some of our country’s brightest and toughest fighters, academics, and leaders. Novelist Doug Beason and his wife Cindy enjoy living in…

Information provided by Douglas County 17801 Plaza Drive, Parker 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.www.tchd.org

By Patte Smith Raising awareness for suicide prevention in Douglas County schools is the goal of the second annual DC Proud DC Strong Festival and 5K fundraiser.  This year the organization is reaching out to the community for even more participation.  Join them to ensure that every child and youth at risk of suicide have…

Article and photo by Lynne Marsala Basche Buffalo Ridge Elementary school was excited to share its third school-wide showcase with the community in March.  The quarterly showcases, which are designed to give family, friends, and the community an opportunity to stop by BRE and view the students’ semester work, are part of the Douglas County…

Castle Pines resident Steve Ihme, together with his family, will once again host the annual golf tournament in honor of his late brother, Rich.  Proceeds from the event will support the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado.  This year’s tournament is planned for Friday, June 12, at the Highlands Ranch Golf…

Rocky Heights Middle School was proud of the numerous students it sent to the regional competition for National History Day.  The school is sending a record number of competitors to the state competition. Castle Pines Village residents Brad Hansen and Amanda Pavillard worked together on a project about Susan B. Anthony.  Hansen said, “If you…

A Taste of Rose’s Bella Cucina Rose’s Bella Cucina, a new Italian eatery in Castle Rock, is the kind of place you go when you’re craving the classic dishes of your youth.  The kind of place that serves things that bring back memories and delight your senses.  The kind of place you go to when…

The Social is thrilled about their new chef and exciting new menu that compliments their impressive wine selection. Pictured left to right: Sous Chef Cameron Sutherland, General Manager Michael Mercandetti, and Head Chef Austin Hornsby.  Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The Social, located in The Village at Castle Pines, has become a local favorite…

Dressed in roller derby attire, Salon 188 owner Lisa Salmon gave Castle Rock ‘n Rollers’ team announcer, “Rock de Mike,” a haircut during a cut-a-thon she held to support her roller derby team.  By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Lisa Salmon Salon 188 owner Lisa Salmon held a cut-a-thon at her salon in April…

By Elizabeth Wood West The public is invited to attend a Memorial Day band concert hosted by the Town of Castle Rock on Sunday, May 24, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the bandstand at Philip S. Miller Library, located at 100 S. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock.   American Legion Post 1187 is…

Information and photos provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is offering its parking lots as “safe havens” for buyers and sellers on Craigslist.  If buyers or sellers are completing an online transaction, the DCSO suggests that exchanges be made at the closest law enforcement station to protect both…

Photo by Terri Wiebold Having stopped by Castle Pines North Wine & Spirits on a Friday afternoon to use my coupon from the March Food & Dining guide, I came upon several Castle Pines neighbors enjoying the free wine tasting offered every Friday and Saturday evening throughout the summer.  Pictured above left to right:  Lisa…

The RCHS Poms coaching staff at State. Pictured left to right: Paige Hesen, Christina Leone, Erin Marken, and Amanda Gesell.  Leone won the prestigious Double-Goal Coach award from Positive Coaching Alliance for striving to win while also building team leaders with character.  Leone was chosen from 2,100 nominees because of her approach to building leaders…

Pictured top:  It’s all about survival for Cade Varella, whose supplies for disaster survival included food, fire starting materials, and a good luck charm. Pictured center:  Bella Wheeler was a germ detective, inspecting surfaces throughout her home and culturing the surfaces to determine which harbored the most contaminants. Pictured bottom:  Fourth grader Nikki Flocco held…

By Patte Smith Planning a vacation is fun and exciting.  The kids want new swimsuits for the pool, adults want time to relax, and the entire family wants an adventure-packed trip.  Organizing this vacation-of-all -vacations can be a tad stressful though.  Finding a place to stay, discovering attractions everyone will enjoy, locating where to dine,…

Tasha Frye, owner of L’Arrangement, is a very talented floral designer who was thrilled to be invited to join a prestigious group of floral designers from around the world.  Chapel Designers share their talents, ideas, and designs with each other, and in turn, Frye looks forward to further sharing her love of beautiful fresh flowers…

By Patte Smith; courtesy photos The previously undeveloped 12.6-acre site at 9009 South Clydesdale Road in unincorporated Douglas County was purchased by Journey Church for $450,000 on April 14. The plot of pasture land, formerly owned by Castle Pines Community Church (now Foundry Church), is located on the west side of south Clydesdale Road between…

Vincent (left) and Nicholette Figueroa (right), students at Sage Canyon Elementary, enjoyed breakfast treats and time with mom Tiffany (center) at the school’s annual Moms and Muffins event.   The Higginbotham family (left to right) Evan, Amy, and Landon at Moms and Muffins, an event that Amy said Landon has looked forward to since participating…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of CRCO Town of Castle Rock (Town) clerk Sally Misare certified for circulation a petition that seeks to overturn the Town council’s unanimous approval of development plans and new zoning for its largest commercial development to date, Promenade of Castle Rock (Promenade).  The 166-acre project is owned by Alberta…

By Lisa Crockett I love a good salad and I love control.  It might not seem that these two qualities are in any way related, but in fact they make me the perfect customer for what seems to be a dying concept: the salad bar.   Sure, there are lots of great salads to be…

New on/off ramps are being constructed just north of Founders/Meadows Parkway and I-25 in Castle Rock.   Detours allow traffic to continue to flow during construction. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos courtesy of the Town of Castle Rock If you travel along southbound I-25 and/or U.S. Highway 85 to Castle Rock, you have probably noticed how…

Little Helpers, a charitable group in Castle Pines aimed at teaching community service to children, donated thousands of pairs of socks and underwear to the Shiloh House in Littleton. By Lisa Crockett; photo courtesy of Courtney Pallotta A group of families in Castle Pines has started a chapter of a national charity called “Little Helpers”…

By Amy Shanahan Students, parents and community members throughout Castle Pines are well aware of the phenomenal reputation of Rock Canyon High School (RCHS).  This reputation has not gone unnoticed among those outside the community either, and recently RCHS was asked to partner with a wonderful local organization called the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC). The…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Beverly Coggins Dads and their daughters shook and shimmied at the annual Father Daughter dance on March 7 at The Country Club at Castle Pines.  With more than 100 in attendance at the sold out event, the “Frozen” theme was a hit with the girls, both young and old.…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photos by Stu Schaefer The 2015 annual Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) banquet could arguably be the most fun-filled banquet in the Chamber’s six-year history.  This year’s theme was “Under the Big Top.”  Chamber staff, members, and guests dressed in colorful clown, ringmaster, and similar circus-theme attire and Cielo at…

Castle Pines residents Killeen Flanagan (center with long-sleeve blue shirt and jeans) and Emily Fenton (center with short-sleeve purple shirt and jeans) were among Wellspring Community participants who successfully completed Lone Tree Art Center’s usher training program. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Wellspring The Lone Tree Art Center (LTAC) is taking extraordinary steps…

Super readers: students at the DCS Montessori School took first place in the county last month at Douglas County Libraries “Battle of the Books” competition. The fifth and sixth grade champions: (back row, from left) Brianna Rayman, Courtnae Moran, Tripp Thompson, Sean Riley, Colin Venable, Hayley Rhee, (center) Kyla Kelly. Third and fourth grade victors…

Former Rock Canyon High School swimmer Victoria Vanderpoel was thrilled to take first place in the 400IM at the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship.  Vanderpoel’s teammate took third place and joined her on the podium. Victoria Vanderpoel loves swimming for her team at Pomona College in Claremont California.  “I am most enjoying the vibrant…

Ronda Gutierrez, physical education teacher at Buffalo Ridge Elementary school, was named Elementary Educator of the Year at the 2015 Apple Awards held on Saturday, February 21.  Read more about Ronda Gutierrez in a feature article in the February 2015 issue of The Connection.  By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of the Douglas County School District…

The Village Idiots Cycling Club is holding a used bike drive on April 19 from noon until 2 p.m. at the Coldwell Banker Real Estate office parking lot located at 482 W. Happy Canyon Road in Castle Rock.  The group has a lot of fun together and is open to new members. Tracey McCarthy (left)…

Residents from Forest Park and Castle Pointe joined City Councilman Geoff Blue during his “office hours” at Dazbog to discuss concerns regarding potential rezoning of a parcel of agricultural land adjacent to the city. By Lisa Crockett; photo by Terri Wiebold A group of Castle Pines residents representing the group “Douglas County Residents Against Rezoning”…

By Lynne Marsala Basche On April 26, the City of Castle Pines, partnering up with Dirty 40 Races in Vermont, will be getting messy at the first Dirty 40 Ride Wild event, sponsored by The Canyons.  Grab your mountain bike, road bike or your fat tire bike and head to Elk Ridge Park for the…

Douglas County Sheriff Deputy of 27 years Sergeant Russ Slade (left) with his wife Rhonda (right) moments before their 13-year-old daughter Rhianna had her hair shaved off in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. An emotional moment shared between father and daughter as the impact of the moment and the purpose behind it hit.  “I’m…

LIV Sotheby’s International Realty is located at 858 Happy Canyon Road #100 in the Village at Castle Pines.  The office has 24 active brokers ready to meet with and assist you with your real estate needs. by Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Jimmy Dozer Change can be a great thing.  Having adopted the Sotheby’s brand…

Freshmen formal wear models Ngwena Mancho, Ryan Burger, and Adi Hirsh (and friends) rock the runway at RCHS’s fashion show, which raised funds for the After Prom. The Drama Club, including Meredith Ham, Kimball Eggett, Augustus Ballentine, and Hannah Beiersdorf represent the school’s production of “Guys and Dolls.”Below seniors Austin Matthys, Grant Schutte, Justin Hunter,…

Allison McKeel, a parent volunteer at Timber Trail Elementary, instructs students about selecting a book at the school’s first-ever book swap.  McKeel chaired the event. “I got this book called The Puppy Place,” said second grader Bailey McMullen.  “I really love puppies, and I love getting a new book!”Seven-year-old Ava Horrocks shows off her new…

Fourth and second grade sisters Peyton and Georgia proudly wore their K-MAC Strength t-shirts during Evening with the Arts. BRE Staff and Friends sold K-MAC Strength t-shirts at the event.Kyle MacIntosh fought cancer head-on.  He would regularly run the stairs at Red Rocks after chemotherapy treatments.  (Photo courtesy of the MacIntosh family).Floral art displays from…

By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of Jimmy Dozer The new year marked a new beginning for The Village at Castle Pines (VACP), a unique and welcoming area of shops, restaurants, and businesses located at the corner of Santa Fe and Happy Canyon Road. The shopping center had been for sale, and in January it was…

An artist’s rendering of the new Castle Pines Library.  Douglas County Libraries will break ground on the new building later this spring. By Lisa Crockett; rendering courtesy of  DC Libraries Douglas County Libraries will soon break ground on a new freestanding library in Castle Pines.  The new library will feature more than just books.  Civic…

Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students cheered at the Wish Week closing assembly in the RCHS gym on February 20 in celebration of yet another successful fundraising event.  Wish recipient Jeremy’s initial wish was for it to “rain hot dogs,” so in addition to fulfilling his wish to go on a Disney cruise, RCHS made…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Dave Runyan Canyons Community Church members will be celebrating Easter in a special way this year by having their new senior pastor, Dave Runyan, lead the worship service.   Runyan, who was unanimously approved by the congregation last month, is especially enthusiastic about starting his new role during…

Employee Taylor commented, “We have about 60 percent used items and 40 percent new with a lot of great deals!” Play it Again Sports is located at 4760 Castleton Way in Castle Rock. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert Tired of paying top dollar for sports equipment?   Kids outgrow sports equipment so fast it’s amazing…

A group of eighth grade students from Rocky Heights Middle School worked diligently to come up with a plan to create a pedestrian bridge to their school.  The project was submitted to Samsung as part of their “Solve For Tomorrow” contest and the team took first place in the state of Colorado.  Congratulations to Ms.…

By Lisa Crockett; photo by Dave Tweed Public school music students from across the county descended on Castle Pines to participate in a benefit aimed at giving more kids a chance at a musical education.  “Save the Music,” which was sponsored by the Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation, raised more than $6,000 toward tuition…