HRCA December 2019 Newsletter

News December 2019

HRCA Holiday Happenings “There’s no place like home for the holidays!” This is especially true of Highlands Ranch.

HRCA has events, classes, and activities to keep your family and guests entertained throughout the season.

Community Events - Kick off the season with Hometown Holiday and Winter Market on December 6 at Town Center South. This free, fun-filled evening includes the lighting of the community Christmas tree! Also enjoy caroling, food, crafts, a winter market, and pictures with Santa, all free of charge! Experience Chamber Music for the Holidays on December 12 at the Highlands Ranch Mansion. Bring the family to a double feature of the Christmas favorites "Miracle on 34th Street" and "National Lampoon's Christmas

Vacation" on December 13 at Classics and Cocktails. On December 14, create another magical memory with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Breakfast with Santa. Tickets are on sale now and quantities are limited.

Camp for a Backcountry vehicle-drawn hayride followed by hot cocoa and s'mores by the campfire. Available at Noon and 2:00 p.m.

For many, a favorite holiday tradition is viewing homes decorated in festive lights.

Submit your house to our Holiday House Decorating map. Entries should include a photo and can be submitted online at www.HRCAonline.org/HolidayHouse. The addresses and photos will be posted on HRCAonline.org/Happenings with a map showing the locations. Drive through Highlands Ranch's largest lighting display "Light that Leads You Home" on the Cherry Hills Community Church campus from now until December 22. The display is free, but tickets are required. Get tickets at www. chcc.org/light.

and create memories by making holidaythemed art, crafts, and treats. Adults will enjoy art and pottery projects. Little ones will learn to make Christmas and winter crafts, snacks, and more with Holiday Art, Crafts, and Cooking Classes.

Backcountry Holiday - On December 21, bring the family to Backcountry Base

Activities and Classes - Stay inside

Holiday Break Camps - Help your kids stay active over the Winter Break at Backcountry, Basketball, Full Day, Specialty, and a Special Needs Winter Break Sports Camp. Find a complete list of camps at www.HRCAonline.org/Camps.

Visit www.HRCAonline.org/Happenings for details on these activities and more!

Come to the HRCA Job Fair on January 20 Be a part of our team! HRCA is hosting an HRCA-ONLY Job Fair on Monday,

SEN IOR

ACTIVITY GUIDE

January 20, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Southridge

WELL

Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Road. We will be hiring for current job openings and summer seasonal employees. Please visit our web site at

in the

Ranch

www.HRCAonline.org/Jobs to view all open positions and submit an application.

Applications can be submitted prior to the Job Fair, or laptops will be available to complete an application at the event. When submitting an application, please enter JOB FAIR for how you heard about this position. Join us between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to meet department supervisors, employees, and interview for open positions upon application approval.

January - April 2020

New Senior Guide inside!

Check out the Senior Activity Guide for January - April 2020.

Jerry Flannery CEO and General Manager HRCA|news is published monthly by the Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc.

HRCA|Event/Weather Line 303-471-8888

Board of Directors 303-471-8958 Jim Allen Scott Lemmon Brock Norris Melissa Park Krystal Woodbury

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES at Eastridge 303-471-8958 9568 University Blvd.

M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

RECREATION CENTERS 303-791-2500 Recreation Center at Northridge 8800 Broadway M-Th: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

F: 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sa. & Su: 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Eastridge 9568 University Blvd.

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Westridge 9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd.

M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Recreation Center at Southridge 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd. M-F: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sa: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Su: 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Copyright ©2019 Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Permission is required to redistribute, reproduce, modify or republish information from Highlands Ranch Community Association, Inc, in print or electronically.

2 | December 2019

The end of the year is finally here, and Christmas and Hanukkah will be quick to appear.

Yes, it really is December! Just as Santa is busy preparing his sleigh so are we with celebrations galore. So light the lights and deck the halls. Come one and come all for some holiday cheer. There is always plenty to do for big and for small.

Events and more events: This month’s activities start off in grand style with the Hometown Holiday celebration and Winter Market in Town Center South on Friday, December 6. Other not-to-miss celebrations are the Classical Music Series at the Highlands Ranch Mansion on December 12 and Breakfast with Santa on December 14. Tickets for many of these events sell out quickly, so buy yours today. Visit our web site at www.HRCAonline.org/Events for more information.

Hot Topics: Some of the most frequent questions and complaints we have gotten throughout the year have to do with dog waste, barking dogs, home upkeep, trash, street parking, fencing, yard maintenance, and snow shoveling. Answers to these questions and more are on our web site at www.HRCAonline.org/Covenant-faq. We thank you for being a good neighbor and doing your part in maintaining the community.

Budget: It isn’t always the most glamorous topic to talk about at this time of year, but budgeting is important for all of us to understand what is happening for the next year(s) in our community. The HRCA is asked many times a year what assessment payments fund.

First and foremost they go to upkeep and maintenance of our four large recreation centers as well as improvements to the recreation centers. Some of the more major improvement projects for 2019 included: • Northridge Locker Room Remodel • Eastridge Concrete Patio Expansion • Westridge Indoor Track Resurfacing • Southridge Indoor Pool Play Structure Replacement • Pool Shade Structures at Southridge and Westridge • Reconstruction of the Eastridge Pump Room • Repainting and Re-Plastering of the Eastridge Indoor Pools The HRCA Board of Directors believes that keeping our facilities first class and up-to-date will continue to enhance our property values to their highest levels, which is our main responsibility. This initiative will be very important in the coming years and will require an emphasis on service to the community and capital improvements beyond just maintenance.

Finally, many of you may not be aware, but the HRCA has a significant number of employees. The vast majority are classified as “part-time permanent.” The voters of Colorado approved Amendment 70 in the fall of 2016 whereby the minimum wage has been incrementally increasing over the last two years; and the final increase in 2020 will raise the minimum wage to $12.00 per hour for all employees.

Accordingly, the Board is instituting an assessment increase for 2020. HRCA will be able to maintain our outstanding level of service and current operating structure while continuing to fund the Capital Reserve Fund. This will enable us to continue setting aside funds for improvements to our aging recreation facilities. For more detailed information on our budget, please visit www.HRCAonline.org/Budget.

Volunteer Spotlight: Ms. Sue Eley has been volunteering with the Youth Department for the past five years. She began her journey as a grandma of kiddos in our HRCA Toddler and Pre-School programs and wanted to continue to come read to our children, so she became a Douglas County Library reading volunteer. The kids love seeing her and hearing new books that she brings every week. Thank you, Ms. Sue!

Community News Snow Removal in Highlands Ranch As homeowners, we are responsible for snow removal from our residential sidewalks. Snow is to be removed from residential sidewalks within 24 hours after the snowfall stops. The scope of responsibility is as follows: Sidewalks in front of and along the sides of a home; adjacent mailboxes, where present; adjacent fire hydrants, where present. This ordinance is enforced by Douglas County. For more information, go to www.HRCAonline.org/ SnowRemoval. If you need to report a problem, please call Douglas County Public Works at 303-660-7480.

Holiday Decorating The holidays are approaching and many of us are excited about getting our home decorated and looking festive for the season. Just a reminder that holiday lighting and decorations should not be installed more than 30 days prior to the holiday and must be removed within 30 days following the holiday.

Support the Arts in the Ranch on Colorado Gives Day Colorado's largest day of giving, Colorado Gives Day, is on Tuesday, December 10. On this day, thousands of people come together to support Colorado nonprofits.

When you are making your Gives

HRCA 2020 Adopted Budget The HRCA 2020 Budget was approved at the November 19 Board of Directors Meeting. The adopted budget for 2020 includes a 2.45 percent overall assessment increase. The new total assessment for the Administrative and Recreation Function Common Assessment will be $622.88 annually, or $155.72 per quarter. Assessments for the HRCA are due on the first day of every quarter starting January 1. The annual “administrative only� fee will be $61.20, due on January 1. The budget is available online at www.HRCAonline.org/Budget. *The November newsletter showed an incorrect Assessment increase amount. We apologize for the misinformation.

Day donations, please consider making a donation to the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA).

The CAA produces and presents over 40 cultural, historic, and educational programs and events annually, including Highlands Ranch Pioneer Days, Oktoberfest, the

HRCAA Unveils TWO NEW Art wrapped utility cabinets

Summer Concert Series, Culture

The Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (HRCAA) has wrapped two new

The CAA also funds the annual

traffic control cabinets with art in a continued effort to beautify Highlands Ranch

Art Encounters outdoor sculpture

roadways. The project was completed in collaboration with Douglas County Public

program in Highlands Ranch.

Works Department and was funded in part through a grant from the Scientific Cultural Facilities District. The new wrapped boxes are located at Lincoln Ave. and Quebec St. and Fairview Parkway and Wildcat Reserve.

on the Green, and many others.

To donate to the CAA on Colorado Gives Day, go to www.coloradogives.org/CAA. You

See the locations of all five of the wrapped utility boxes on our web site at

can also go online to schedule your

www.HRCAonline.com/ArtBoxes.

donation in advance.

Generosity from our community, either through participation in programs or direct donations, enables nonprofits like CAA the ability to present exciting educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities. Thank you for your support!

HRCAonline.org | 3

Highlands Ranch, Colorado 2020

HIGHLANDS RANCH 2020

2020 HRCA Community Calendars are here!

This holiday season give your Highlands Ranch friends a present that lasts all year long! The 2020 Highlands Ranch Community Calendar features beautiful photos taken right here in the Ranch, as well as information on community and cultural events, races, recreation center closures, holidays, and more!

Calendars are $5.00 each and come in two sizes. They may be purchased at any recreation center. Proceeds benefit the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association.

Ranch updates & events Holiday Gift Ideas HRCA is your one-stop shop for holiday gifts for everyone on your list! For the fitness buff, purchase a personal training package with one of our nationally certified personal trainers. Does your special someone have a love for music? Pick up tickets to the Cultural Affairs Association Winter Cultural Series, which features a variety of modern, classical, and interpretive music and dance performances. For the planner in your life, grab a 2020 HRCA Community Calendar. Available in two sizes, the calendar is a perfect way to remember important dates. For kids, give the gift of an art, dance, science, sports, or backcountry camp for an experience they won't forget!

Still stuck? Show your Highlands Ranch pride with branded socks, t-shirts, camp mugs, and more! These great gifts can be purchased at the four recreation centers at the membership desk. Please note, not all items are available at all recreation centers.

Holiday House Decorating Wintry weather, twinkling lights, and seasonal greenery remind us that a special season is upon us, so take your holiday décor to the next level! Show off your community pride and light up the season by participating in HRCA’s Holiday House Decorating map and celebrate the 2019 holiday season in style!

Highlands Ranch homeowners should take a photo of their brightly lit homes and submit it with an online form at www.HRCAonline.org/HolidayHouse throughout the month of December. Please remember that holiday lighting must be taken down 30 days after the holiday. Addresses and photos of all of the entries will be posted with a map showing the location of each starting December 17.

AC TI VI TY GU ID E It’s All Righ t Here

!

January - April 2020

New Activity Guide Watch your mailbox this month for the new January - April 2020 Activity Guide. For classes and registration, go to the web site at www.HRCAonline.org/Register.

4 | December 2019

Highlands Ranch residents may plan a visit to view the festive sights and lights throughout the holiday season. Find the map online at www.HRCAonline.org/Happenings.

SUperheroes Unite!

On January 18, your little superhero can enjoy a morning of food, fun, and SUPERHEROES! Join us for an awesome morning with Spiderman as he puts your little superhero through superhero training. Guests will enjoy superhero snacks, beverages, and a small token to take home. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and each participant must purchase a ticket (children and adults). Dressing up in your favorite superhero costume is encouraged! No children under 2 please.

Saturday, January 18 • $12 in advance, $15 at the door; if not sold out • Southridge, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd. • All ticket sales are final, no refunds.

Upcoming events Hometown Holiday fEATURING THE Winter Market Join your family and neighbors in celebrating the spirit of the season this Christmas at Hometown Holiday on Friday, December 6, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Town Center South. Enjoy the sounds of the holidays as carolers and a children's choir sing holiday classics. Have your photo taken with Santa, make a holiday craft, and enjoy a hayrack ride – all for free! UCHealth will be hosting a Cozy Corner and Get Well Wish workshop at the event to spread holiday spirit back into the hospital! Local businesses will hand out free goodies, such as cookies, hot chocolate, soup, and apple cider! Be early, Santa kicks off the celebration by lighting the community Christmas tree, “Joy”, at 5:00 p.m. Returning this year is the Winter Market. Find one-of-a-kind gifts and food items at this fun and festive market.

Friday, December 6 • 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. • Town Center South, 9288 Dorchester St. • Free

2020 Winter Cultural series HRCA is excited to announce the 2020 Winter Cultural Series! Treat yourself to an evening of culture close to home as we kick off the series on Thursday, January 9, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Cherry Hills Community Church Chapel, 3900 Grace Blvd., with a performance

by Opera Colorado featuring Hansel & Gretel. Follow the breadcrumbs into the magic forest as Hansel and Gretel take an unexpected adventure on an enchanted odyssey! This performance offers a unique production of classical literature in Opera. Tickets are $10 advance, $15 at door, if not sold out. Senior (65+), or child discount (12 and Under) tickets are $7 advance, $10 at door, if not sold out.

Don't miss the entire series: Thursday, January 9 Opera Colorado - Hansel & Gretel Thursday, January 23 Heritage Irish Stepdancers Thursday, February 6 Ballet Ariel - Peter and the Wolf Thursday, February 20 Denver Pops - Broadway

Classics & Cocktails The final 2019 Classics & Cocktails series will be a double feature! Enjoy two holiday classics, Miracle on 34th Street (2:00 p.m.) and Christmas Vacation (6:30 p.m., all ages) on Friday, December 13! Grab some popcorn and your friends and take a trip down memory lane. Cash bar available. Doors open half hour before movie. Tickets are $5 in advance; $7 at the door, if not sold out. Ticket price includes movie and popcorn. Cocktails, beer, wine and candy available for purchase, must be 21+ with ID for alcohol purchases.

Friday, December 13 • Doors open at 1:30 p.m., film starts at 2:00 p.m. for Miracle on 34th Street and Doors open at 6:00 p.m., film starts at 6:30 p.m. for Christmas Vacation • Southridge, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd. • $5

Breakfast with Santa Santa Claus is coming to HRCA! Whether you are two or 102, there is nothing more memorable than the time you sat on Santa’s lap! Enjoy sleigh loads of fun at the December 14 event. Bring your appetite for the best breakfast this side of the North Pole. The ‘Jolly Old Elf’ himself will arrive for a 9:00 a.m. start and will be accompanied by his merry elves until 10:30 a.m. listening to every good child’s special wish for Christmas. Remember to bring your camera! Children will also enjoy creating crafts and listening to festive holiday music and stories from Mrs. Claus in Santa’s Workshop! $11 in advance, $15 at the door if not sold out (all ages) • Saturday, December 14 • 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. • Eastridge, 9568 University Blvd. • Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Everyone who attends must purchase a ticket. All ticket sales are final, no refunds.

Upcoming events January 2020 9, 23 Winter Cultural Series 17

Family Magic Show

18

Superheroes Unite!

25

Chinese New Year and Cultural Fair

Please check the web site for the most current event information.

Purchase tickets online at www.HRCAonline.org/Tickets.

HRCAonline.org | 5

Nutrition 101 Workshop Confused about nutrition? You're not alone! Join us on Saturday, January 11 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Southridge to learn what healthy, balanced eating is all about as we debunk nutrition myths and fads and take away much of the confusion. You'll walk away from this two-hour seminar with the knowledge and power to set yourself up for nutrition success. Advanced registration is required. Cost is $30 for residents and $33 for guests. To register, please visit www.HRCAonline.org/Fitness or contact the Fitness Coordinator at dru.connolly@hrcaonline.org.

In-House Doubles League Registration HRCA is excited to present another session of In-House Doubles!

Competition is at the 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 levels. Join the fun and get ready to compete in a doubles format against players at your own level! Member team registration begins on December 2 and program guest registration begins on December 13. The sevenweek session begins the week of January 13. A registration form needs to be completed, so stop by the Tennis Pavilion at Northridge and be ready when sign ups begin! Call 303471-8940 with questions or for more information on this fun doubles league program!

2019 HR Race Series Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, vendors and participants who made the 2019 Race Series a success. See you in 2020!

6 | December 2019

Classes, camps & activities Adult Sports Leagues Are you looking to meet new people in a fun environment? Is it time to renew your inner athlete? Be sure to check out our upcoming Adult Sports Leagues. For adults only (18+), our racquetball, basketball, volleyball and soccer leagues are a fun way to keep active indoors during the cold winter months! Registrations are taken on a team basis, but we keep a list of interested individual players and will create teams if there is enough interest. For information please contact Cody Whiteside at cody.whiteside@hrcaonline.org or 303-471-7039.

Therapeutic Recreation Program - Winter Break Sports Camp!

Join us for TR Winter Break Sports Camp! Learn the skills necessary for a variety of sports in a fun and recreation-based environment. Learn the rules of the games focusing on teamwork and good sportsmanship. This program is for ages 8 & older. For information about the Therapeutic Recreation Program offerings, class pricing and availability, or volunteer opportunities please contact 303-471-7043 or email saden@hrcaonline.org.

Southridge Recreation Center • Mon/Fri, December 30 & January 3, 9:00 a.m. - Noon.

Registration includes both days: $60/$69

Join the HRCA Team - Where Work is Fun! HRCA is seeking year round or summer employees for learn to swim instructors, swim coaches and lifeguards. Work close to home with friends and fit within your existing schedule at very competitive salaries. To complete an online application today, visit www.HRCAonline.org or for more info contact Diane Ball at 303-471-8935 diane.ball@hrcaonline.org.

Why Private Swim Lessons?

• • •

Are you a homeschool family or have preschoolers with daytime availability?

Looking for activities for school-age swimmers during school breaks?

Need some extra help to move from Seahorse to Otter? Looking for a competitive edge for swim team?

• Are you an adult looking to add swimming to your fitness routine?

Private swim lessons are available year round for ages 3 to adult for both learn to swim and coached & competitive swimmers. Visit www.HRCAonline.org/SwimPrivates TODAY to request your private lessons. Need more information? Call 720-348-8220.

Find a reason to dance

Polar Express by KidStage This holiday season don’t miss the production of Polar Express, where students in our KidStage production will delight their audience with their newly learned skills in this classic holiday tale! The performance is December 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Southridge Auditorium and admission is free. Bring the family! Fun holiday refreshments will be sold too! Join us!

Holiday Time!

For December we are featuring our adult dance program. Consider trying one of these classes this month or as a New Year’s resolution! We offer Belly Dancing on Thursday evenings for beginner and intermediate students, Adult Tap Dance on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and Couples Dance classes on Tuesday nights with fun dance themes like Cowboy Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Waltz, and Rumba! So get your toe tapping shoes on, give it a whirl and join us! For more information, please call 303-471-8853.

Now that it’s time to Deck the Halls, we want to be sure you consider all of the fun things to do at HRCA this month! Enroll your child in one of our Creative Kids classes at Westridge that are sure to have your kids ready for the holidays! Try enrolling them in Gingerbread Men, a toddler and me class for ages 18 months-4 years or try a one-day class so you can finish up some shopping! Classes are on different days of the week and at different times, so you can find a class that meets your family’s schedule. We’ll be doing fun crafts, projects, and activities related to our themes: Snowflakes, Sugar Cookies, My Heart Melts for You, Snowballs and Snowflakes, Merry Memories, Winter Wonders, and Snow, Snow Everywhere!

For more information, please call 303-471-8818.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

December is a wonderful month to get your kids involved in something new and festive!

Our art classes for ages 5-12, include KidzArt Holiday Gift Workshop and our Pottery Studio will be running Winter Wonderland and Snow Buddies for children ages 3-5. We’ll also be offering our popular STEM camps that include Pop Bang Fizz on December 27 and Goosebumps by Science Matters on January 2-3, 2020. Get your kids involved in fun holiday projects and activities that inspire and engage them! For more information, please call 303-471-8853 or go to www.HRCAonline.org/Camps.

Camp Backcountry Summer Registration Opens December 2 In the midst of the season's Fa-La-La's and big deals, make sure to take advantage of earlybird registration for ALL summer sessions at Camp Backcountry! Running May 26 through August 7, adventures abound at Camp Backcountry with nature, horse, art, expedition, high adventure, and leader-in-training camps for kids ages 7 (or who have finished first grade) to 17. Our day-long, full-week camps will fill your explorer's summer with fresh air, new skills, friends, and a wild break from the books! Check out session details and registration at www.campbackcountry.org. For more information, email annakate.hein@hrcaonline.org.

Frost Fest on December 21 Join us for Frost Fest at Backcountry Base Camp! We'll do a vehicle-drawn hayride to see the Backcountry Wilderness Area in winter. Then, warm up in front of a fire at Base Camp after visiting the hot cocoa & s'mores bar. We'll also do a keepsake ornament craft you'll want on your tree every year!

Limited to 30 participants per session. For more information, email tara.clark@hrcaonline.org and visit www.HRCAonline.org/Backcountry.

Register for Camp HRCA over the Winter Break HRCA's full-day camp for children ages 5-12 will run out of Eastridge Recreation Center from December 20, 23, and 27 and January 2, 3, and 6.

For more information call 303-471-8928.

HRCAonline.org | 7

PRESORTED Standard US postage paid Highlands Ranch Co Permit #170

9568 University Boulevard, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Facility Closures December 13-14 Eastridge Basketball Courts:

Friday, all day

Saturday, 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

December 24

Administrative Offices closed

December 24

Recreation Centers early closure 5:00 p.m.

December 25

Recreation Centers closed

December 31

Recreation Centers early closure 5:00 p.m.

Check the web site for the most up-to-date closure information.

Postmaster: Time Sensitive Material. Please deliver by 11/30/19

Community Partners The HRCA’s ability to bring events to Highlands Ranch is made possible in part by our Community Partners, the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association (CAA), and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

December Events

For event details, see page 5 or visit www.HRCAonline.org.

December 6. . . . . . . Hometown Holiday and Winter Markets December 7. . . . . . . Holiday Princess Tea Party (SOLD OUT) December 12. . . . . . Holiday Classical Music Concert

Chamber Music for the Holidays

December 13. . . . . . Classics & Cocktails- Double Feature

Miracle on 34th Street and Christmas Vacation December 14. . . . . . Breakfast with Santa December 16. . . . . . Holiday House Decorating Entry Deadline December 17. . . . . . Delegate & Board Meeting* 6:30 p.m. * These meetings are open to our members.