November 2013 - Castle Rock Magazine

CASTLE ROCKS’S PREMIERE MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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November 2013

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CONTENTS CASTLE ROCK

MAGAZINE

castlerockmagazine.com

In This Issue

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Saluting our Veterans: The Douglas County Veterans Monument

Volume 9 Issue 11 Publisher Mike Waid mike.waid@waidpublishing.com

Editor Pamela Waid pam.waid@waidpublishing.com

Ad Sales Tiffany Grizzle tiffany@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 14

Graphic Designer Adrienne Brust adrienne@waidpublishing.com

Castle Rock Magazine is published 12 times per year by Waid Publishing (www.WaidPublishing. com), a division of Mike Waid & Associates, Inc. (www.MikeWaid.com), 19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite R-18, Parker, CO 80138, 303-805-9455.

Castle ROck Magazine is available online at www.castlerockmagazine.com. Castle Rock Magazine is a trademark of Waid Publishing.

All rights reserved. The views, opinions and/or statements made or expressed by individuals and/or entities, are not necessarily reflective of the views and opinions of Waid Publishing.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without explicit permission from Castle Rock Magazine. Copyright 2013 Castle Rock Magazine - All rights Reserved.

Don’t Miss The Turkey Rock Trot

Books, Bites and Brews with Douglas County Libraries

Don’t Miss the Starlighting

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Restaurant Review Crave Real Burgers

Bookends: The Art of Healing Heartbeats

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November 2013

November 2013

SALUTING OUR VETERANS: The Douglas County Veterans Monument

by Tiffany Grizzle

November 2013

R

ecently we took our kids to a Denver Broncos game and I watched as a hush fell over the crowd, people removed their hats (and Bronco heads) as the first lady of Denver began to sing the national anthem. Several Bronco fans around us quietly sang along as the huge flag on the field was unfurled and cheers rang out as the fireworks went off towards the end of the anthem. I’ve always considered myself a very patriotic person and a proud daughter of an Air Force veteran; as such I’m always moved when I see people paying their respects to those serving and those who have served in the US military.

Moments like those at the pre-game ceremony are poignant, but fleeting. Here in Douglas County we now have a lasting reminder of the brave men and women who have served with such bravery and dedication. The Douglas County Veterans Memorial is a monument years in the making.

What started as a sketch has materialized into a stunningly beautiful memorial, but not without tireless fundraising efforts and the flames of support continually fanned by the members of the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation and the community. If you haven’t yet made it out to see the monument, located at the corner of Wilcox and Fourth Street in Castle Rock, it’s well worth the short drive over to Monument Plaza.

All six service branches are represented; with seals for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines Corps, Coast Guard and the Merchant Mariners adorning the base of the sculpture along with dedication and service plaques. Perched atop the humble granite base is a magnificent bald eagle, draped by an American flag, soaring upward with his wings outstretched. The monument is flanked with flagpoles proudly flying service flags and a POW/MIA flag. There is seating for individuals or small groups and school groups can arrange to visit the monument and have a veteran speak with them. The monument is lit from dusk till dawn daily and serves as a stunning salute to veterans past, present and future.

All the hard work and dedication by the members of the monument founda-

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tion and the supportive members of the community is not over just because the Douglas County Veterans Monument has been officially unveiled; there is the upkeep, but the salute to veterans doesn’t begin and end with maintaining the integrity and beauty of the monument. The foundation is committed to reach out to local veterans in need. Foundation members want to be able to help provide support, whether that’s in the form financial aid, assistance with medical needs like service dogs or scholarships for children of veterans. Those that worked so tirelessly bringing this Veteran’s Monument to fruition don’t want the attention to be fleeting, the board members welcome the larger community of Douglas County’s support and salute to our local heroes. Those interested in making a tax free donation, possibly in memory or honor of a veteran, can do so right from the foundation’s web page. Should anyone or any groups want to hold a patriotic/veteran oriented special event at Veteran’s Plaza, the board can also be contacted through the site. This is an especially wonderful opportunity for school groups.

My father, father-in- law, brother-in- law and grandfathers all served or are currently serving in the military. Each and every time the national anthem is played before a ball game or I drive by a home in my neighborhood that has a flag flying out front, I think of those family members who have served or are serving and I filled with pride and admiration. The people of Douglas County are so incredibly fortunate to have such an exquisite and striking monument to remind us all of the men and women who willing march into the unknown, filled with pride and determination and without hesitation.

If you haven’t already paid Veteran’s Plaza a visit and paid your respects, take time to pause and acknowledge Veteran’s Day and make it a point to make the short drive into Castle Rock to visit the Douglas County Veterans Monument; a fitting and lasting tribute to our veterans.

Douglas County Veterans Monument is located at the corner of Wilcox and Fourth Street. For more information go to www.dcvmf.org or email info@ dcvmf.org. v

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hat’s right, it’s the 9th Annual Turkey Rock Trot! So, no excuses put that turkey in the oven and join us for this 5k family friendly fun run/walk/stroll on Thanksgiving at 9:30 am at the Douglas County Events Center. Continental breakfast, children’s scavenger hunt, and goodie bags, too. Channel 7’s Jayson Luber will be present and MC the event. We will also hold our family fun Thanksgiving themed costume contest for both kids and adults. Bring non-perishables to help us replenish the food bank for the season.

We’ve seen the Rock Trot grow from under 500 to over 2,000 participants. As always, this year’s Turkey Rock Trot promises to be the best one yet! Your participation is greatly appreciated, and makes a difference in our community.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, in 2012 we attracted over 2,000 participants, raised $54,623 in proceeds and 355 lbs of food for the Douglas/Elbert Task Force Food Bank. 100% of the proceeds benefit members of our local community who are in economic crisis and at risk of homelessness. Thanks4Giving!

On Sunday, February 16, 2014, internationally recognized Colorado platinum recording artists, Firefall will perform a benefit concert, 30 Years of Love, at the Douglas County Events Center. What better way to celebrate being the Best Love Story in Douglas and Elbert Counties, than by honoring the Douglas/Elbert Task Force with over 200 volunteers helping nearly 16,000 people a year, and what better time than right after Valentine’s Day? We think it’s the perfect way to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors!

The Douglas/Elbert Task Force is a 501(c)3 non-profit human service organization dedicated to providing assistance to people in Douglas and Elbert County who are in serious economic need, at risk of homelessness, or in a similar crisis. We address immediate needs by consistently providing counseling, food and other necessities for homeless, low income and the working poor people in our community.

We concentrate on the causes of hunger by actively working on issues that affect the newly underemployed, the unemployed and those on fixed incomes, disabled, and the elderly. We meet these challenges with over 150 volunteers, two full-time and nine part-time staff. Each client receives one-on-one counseling. We provide quality screening, service delivery and meaningful referrals for clients. Task Force walk-in client service hours are 9 am-12 pm, M-F. This past fiscal year (January – December 2012), we served 15,684 people. About half the people we served were children! www.turkeyrocktrot.com. v

November 2013

SAVE THE DATE The Douglas/Elbert Task Force celebrates 30 years with firefall.

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Breweries in attendance will include Grist Brewing Company (Highlands Ranch), Hall Brewing Company (Parker), Elk Mountain Brewing (Parker), Lone Tree Brewing Company (Lone Tree) and Rockyard American Grill and Brewing Company (Castle Rock).

Featured cookbooks, and tastes from their recipes, will include “Tasting Colorado” (Michele Morris), “Eclectic Entertaining” (Barbara Stafford), “A Well-

Some cookbook authors will be in attendance, doing demonstrations. Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack will demonstrate proper cutting techniques for difficult foods like avocados, mangoes and pomegranates. Barbara Stafford will demonstrate how to use handy kitchen gadgets. Michele Morris will teach effective knife skills.

Representatives of Denver’s The Real Dill will talk about proper and tasty pickling techniques.

Attendees may also choose an extended session on “Beer and Food Pairing 101” with Cicerone (certified beer expert) Sarah Johnson, or “The Botany of the Margarita” with Amy Stewart, author of The Drunken Botanist.

Douglas County Libraries is a passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 303-791-7323 or visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org. v

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November 2013

The event will be held from 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, at Cielo in Castle Pines (485 W. Happy Canyon Rd.). Tickets, which range in price from $25$30, are available at DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

Seasoned Kitchen” (Lee Clayton Roper and Sally Elizabeth Clayton), “Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor” (Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, Veronica Gonzalez-Smith and Evangelina Soza), “The Denver and Boulder Chef ’s Table” (Ruth Tobias), “Soul Food: The Surprising Story of American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time” (Adrian Miller), “Shinin’ Times at The Fort” (Holly Arnold Kinney) and “Beyond the Sauce” (Josh Wolkon and Matt Selby).

Books, Bites and Brews with Douglas County Libraries

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othing says fall like a good craft beer and a plate of delicious, locallyinspired food. Douglas County Libraries is celebrating the season with Books, Bites and Brews, a fantastic event featuring tastings from local cookbooks and breweries, plus chef demos and special workshop-style sessions.

don’t miss the

STAR LIGHT ING

by Wendy Krzeczowski

November 2013

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he Castle Rock “Lighting of the Star” has been a community event shared by residents dating back to 1935.

The same spirit of volunteerism, generosity and love of tradition exists today as Castle Rock businesses and residents prepare to celebrate Starlighting downtown on November 23rd.

We welcome all Castle Rock businesses to join in the store front decorating competition, Non-profit organization can register for a booth location, we are looking for fun, exciting, Holiday entertainment; K-12 school choirs, dance groups, guitarists etc… If you would like to be apart of this amazing event please visit www. castlerockculture.com This year’s celebration will include fireworks and the 2013/14 opening of the Rink at the Rock in downtown Castle Rock. The Starlighting ceremony will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. and the lighting of the Star will be at approximately 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the Starlighting or on the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, please contact Wendy at 303-688-4597 or visit the Chamber online at castlerock.org. v

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013

Downtown Castle Rock

Activities............................ 2:00–6:00 pm • Skating under the STAR! Rink at the Rock • Carriage & Wagon Rides from 3 different locations.

• Bring a NEW unwrapped toy for TOYS for TOTS! • Santa & Santa’s Workshop • Entertainment & Performances, Puppet Shows, Carolers’ and much more…

Starlighting Ceremony..................... 5 pm Star Lighting & 30 minute fireworks show........................................ 5:30 pm Chili Dinner at CR Fire Dept....... 3–7pm

Restaurant Review Crave Real Burgers

by Mike Waid

My family and I have a great tradition. Once a week after church we go out to eat. Each week we rotate who gets to choose the location. It is a great way to spend time together as a family and get to try all the great restaurants available in our community.

One of the “regular” choices my boys and I make is Crave. I consider myself a bit of a hamburger connoisseur, having tasted burgers from many different establishments in many different states. I’ve tried “gourmet” burgers, comfort burgers and unique burgers. A good burger is something I always enjoy. When it comes to not just a “good” burger but an “experience” burger, you won’t go wrong with Crave.

We first found Crave shortly after they opened. The buzz around their unique burgers and adult shakes made me very curious. I first took my wife there for lunch to see what all the hubb bubb was about. To be honest, my expectations were not that high as I have found most places that call themselves “gourmet” tent to be small on taste and big on price. However, this was not the case at Crave.

Their freshly produced unique variations are simply amazing. From the basic Cheesy Jane to my youngest son’s favorite, the Luther (a bacon cheeseburger with a fried egg and two glazed donuts instead of buns), the fare at Crave is wild, fun and extremely tasty.

3982 Limelight Ave. Castle Rock, CO 80109 craverealburgers.com 303-814-2829

In addition to the awesome burgers, they offer arguably the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever tried. Add to that a basket of fried pickles and your taste buds will explode with excitement. Washed down with one of their crazy milkshake concoctions and you will become a regular customer just like us.

The next time you want a great lunch or a fun dinner with friends, check out Crave. They are located just south of Castle Rock Adventist hospital at 3982 Limelight Ave. They also have a great website which shows off their unique creations at craverealburgers.com. You won’t be disappointed…and hopefully this Sunday one of my boys will choose to eat at Crave so I can get my Cheesy Jane and fried pickle fix. v

November 2013

Photos courtesy of craverealburgers.com

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BOOKENDS The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker What begins as a case of a missing person becomes a poignant love story that spans a great distance and time.

Julia’s father gets on a plane for a supposed business meeting, but never comes home. The family does not know where he has gone and the authorities have no leads after the trail goes cold in Bangkok. Then Julia’s mother finds an old love letter to a woman in a village in Burma. Against her mother’s wishes, Julia decides she must follow this trail and try to find her father, or at least the truth about her father and his past.

PAM: I have been eyeing this book for a while, as the summary drew my interest.

I was not disappointed, as the story grabbed me right away. Becky, did you find yourself drawn in to this book?

BECKY: This is an enjoyable tale with interesting characters. The author did a wonderful job developing this story and only gave us enough information to make you want to come back for more. A good portion of this book is a love story between Tin Win and a girl named Mi Mi. The setting is in a remote mountain area of Burma and both of these characters have disabilities. Which character did you enjoy most?

PAM: Both of the characters drew me in, however, Mi Mi was my favorite. The author describes her strengths and attributes in a very poetic fashion. She has such grace and beauty (both inside and out), that nobody focuses on her disability. As Tin Win and Mi Mi began to know each other, they became inseparable and really two parts of one heart. The enduring, non-judgmental love they shared was inspiring. Becky, did you feel the same way?

BECKY: Although the circumstance of both of them having a disability was a bit unbelievable, their connection was beautiful. They had a pure love and appreciation for the other and it was wonderful to watch their intense love grow. The story of their youth is told by an old man named U Ba, a stranger that Julia meets upon her arrival. He knows a great deal about her father and takes his time revealing the mystery of her father’s past and his disappearance. Did you enjoy this teasing approach to storytelling?

November 2013

PAM: Although I am often impatient to have a story unfold, I did enjoy this author’s approach. I was very caught up in the tale and forgot to be impatient for the ending. When Tin Win is a boy, he is suddenly left without parents. Su Kyi, a neighbor steps in to take care of the abandoned little boy and becomes his family.

What were your impressions about Su Kyi and their relationship?

BECKY: I thought that although a small role in the story, this was an interesting character in Tin Win’s life. Su Kyi is an older woman who has already lost her only child and husband. She notices that Tin Win has been abandoned and she feels as if she is a burden on her household she is living in so she moves into Tin Win’s home and starts to care for him. I enjoyed this character and admire the way that she stepped in to help this little boy. They both have tenderness for each other but did you feel that there was a mother-son depth to their love?

PAM: I felt that Su Kyi had a motherly love for Tin Win, but he did not seem to have the same depth of love for her. Although he had much affection for her, 11 SOUTH AURORA MAGAZINE

his feelings for her were not portrayed as deeply as I had anticipated. All of Tin Win’s relationships throughout the book paled in comparison to his intense feelings for Mi Mi. Perhaps this was the author’s plan to help the reader realize the importance and deepness of their love for each other. Tin Win is summoned to his uncle’s house in another town and he must leave all he knows. How did you feel about his uncle and this portion of the story?

BECKY: His Uncle is a wealthy man that often consults an astrologer. He has recently been told that a catastrophe is to come his way unless he assists a family member in great distress. He recalls some mention of a blind nephew that he has never met. His Uncle views his poor status and blindness as an opportunity to appease the stars and calls for Tin Win to travel to Rangoon.

His Uncle selfishly plucks Tin Win out of his perfectly happy life and provides a surgery that gives Tin Win his sight back. Although many might see that as a blessing Tin Win is horribly unhappy but has no power to stand up to his selfish Uncle. Did you enjoy the fact that while his sight is impaired Tin Win can hear the heartbeats of those around him?

PAM: When Tin Win loses his eyesight, he slowly realizes that he can hear sounds that nobody else can hear or explain. One of those sounds he realizes is the sound of heartbeats. I also love that the author took his disability of being sightless and turned it into a positive for Tin Win. After his surgery, when he regained his eyesight, his sensitive hearing fades. Although he is grateful to his uncle and the doctors, he feels that he was better the way he was. This was a great way of showing that Tin Win wasn’t less of a person without his sight, he just navigated differently. Did you find it plausible that Julia did not know so much about her father?

BECKY: To some degree I did not find it believable because Julia and her father were close but then again how well do we know our parents as young adults? It would have been more reasonable if he was distant or disconnected from Julia but that was not the case. I also would understand if he didn’t share everything from his past but it seems like she didn’t know her father’s past at all. Did you like the way that the author tied up this tangled story?

PAM: Actually, I really did like the way the author wrapped up the story and brought the different characters and story lines together at the end. I didn’t think there would be a resolution that I would feel truly addressed the different aspects of this story, but I felt that the author really pulled it off. Do you agree, Becky?

BECKY: It was a unique ending but if you are a fan of romance than this will not disappoint you. I was hoping to know a little more about Julia but overall it was a fitting ending to this story. Now hop on board with us while we read Orphan Train

by Christina Baker Kline. v

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Jewels and the Treasure ME Discovery by Spirit Corley

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November 2013

irst time self-published author, Spirit Corley, has ignited a passionate desire to touch children’s lives through imagination and affirmation. Her new book, Jewels and the Treasure ME Discovery is the first piece from the “I AM ME Discovery” empowerment project and book series. This book delivers positive messages to young multi-ethnic children 4-8 through a vibrant picture book and storytelling for the young and child within.

Since the books release, Spirit has donated over 200 books to charities, foundations, schools, and organizations, as well as sharing the message of positive affirmation and self-discovery through storytelling, self-awareness, and healthy positive esteem. Spirit speaks regularly to groups of kids to empower them.

Jewels and the Treasure ME Discovery is available online at www.spiritsjewelsbooks.com. v

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