November 2015 Castle Rock Magazine

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NOVEMBER 2015

NOVEMBER 2015 1 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE

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CONTENTS CASTLE ROCK

MAGAZINE

castlerockmagazine.com

This Issue

5 7 9 11 13 13

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Starting Some New Family Traditions

Volume 11 Issue 11 PUBLISHER MIKE WAID

mike.waid@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 700

SALES DIRECTOR JAMY BEATON

jamy@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 705

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT TIFFANY GRIZZLE

tiffany@waidpublishing.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN CHRIS WAID

chris@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 2015 Castle Rock Magazine - All rights Reserved.

HELP THE DOUGLAS COUNTRY LIBRARY

Colorado Gives Day is coming up

IT’S TIME FOR A FAMILY VACATION

THE BOOKENDS Orphan #8

by Kim van Alkemade

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Hegira

by Jim Cronin

9 13 11

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Escaping Yesterday

by Pamela Nowak

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From the Publisher NOVEMBER 2015

STARTING SOME NEW FAMILY TRADITIONS 5 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE

N

ovember is a time of the year that usually has one central focus…

Thanksgiving.

Yes, usually the Christmas decorations start coming out in the stores at the beginning of November, but for most people the most memorable part of the month is preparing for and enjoying Thanksgiving dinner.

Every family has traditions that they celebrate throughout the year.

Growing up I remember my mom was always starting new traditions every year.

She loved having family together and loved doing new things together. One of my favorites is when she would go around the Thanksgiving table asking each of us what we were thankful for from the previous year and what we hope to be thankful for in the New Year. It was always a great time slow down and reflect on our lives together.

Another tradition my mom had started was taking old Christmas cards from the year before, cutting the front of the cards off, and writing down something you are looking forward to for the next year. She would then collect them all and put them away with the Christmas decorations when the holiday was over.

They would stay packed up until the next year when we would decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving Day. We would unpack the cards and read each other’s “wishes” for this year.

Traditions are the glue that holds a family’s love together. This year, start a new tradition with your family. It may feel strange or awkward at first but stick to it. You will never know when one of these traditions will stick in your children’s minds and give them a warm, happy memory when they have grown up and have families of their own. Most of all, these traditions will help strengthen the love your family has for each other.

This year, I am going to start a tradition where each of us will write four letters.

One note will be written to each of the three other family members and one to ourselves…to be read the next year. Anything can be on these notes. They can have a memory from the past year, a wish for the future, anything. We will seal them up and put them away to be opened next year.

What better memories to keep than letters from times past?

What tradition will you start this year? How will you engage your family to strengthen your love for each other? Come up with something fun…easy or extravagant…and let me know about it. Email me at mike.waid@waidpublishing. com and share what great new family tradition you are starting.

Enjoy your November and have fun starting a new family tradition.

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Support the Douglas County Libraries Foundation on Colorado Gives Day

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NOVEMBER 2015

olorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving.

While the big day itself is December 8, 2015, it’s convenient to schedule an early donation now at www.

ColoradoGives.org.

Douglas County Libraries is just one worthwhile Douglas County organization participating in Colorado Gives Day. At www.

DouglasCountyGives. com, visitors can explore two dozen close-to-home causes that benefit from the generosity of people in our community. The site, sponsored by the For the second year, Douglas County NonDouglas County Libraries Profit Coalition, illustrates invites Coloradans to a broad spectrum of support literacy and lifelong charitable work occurring learning by donating to the right here in our back Douglas County Libraries yard, including everything Foundation through Colorado Gives. As a participating from animal welfare and wildlife conservation, to the nonprofit on ColoradoGives.org, the library will benefit arts, education, nutrition and human welfare. Each from the initiative in many ways. organization participates in Colorado Gives Day, and encourages county residents to “Give Where You Live.”

“The donations we receive on Colorado Gives Day help us do more to support the community and ensure the Colorado Gives Day has grown dramatically in every way long-term viability of our public libraries,” said Elaine over the last four years. “Not only the dollars raised, but McCain, donor relations specialist for Douglas County the number of nonprofits and donors contributing to Libraries. “Our participation will help us add amenities the success of the day has also grown tremendously,” said and enhancements to the three new libraries we will open Marla J. Williams, president and CEO of Community in 2016.”

First Foundation, which has sponsored Colorado Gives Day with corporate partner FirstBank since 2007. “We New libraries are under construction in Castle Pines, Lone look forward to continuing the momentum this year,” she Tree and Parker, bringing bigger, more modern library added. spaces, more plentiful materials and more library parking to their communities. The Douglas County Libraries To easily make a donation, go online and visit Foundation supports not only capital improvements ColoradoGives.org/DouglasCountyLibrariesFoundation. like new libraries, but literacy and children’s programing that is central to the mission of all the county’s library locations.

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Family Vacation It’s Time For A

By Mike Waid

O

ur busy lives have a way of sometimes taking over. We all find it hard to slow down and simply enjoy life. This year, my family and I decided to throw the stop sign up and embrace the timed honored tradition of a family vacation.

Ten years ago was the first time we took a real family vacation with our two boys. Back then they were 6 and 4 and we visited Disneyland in California. This year we decided to take them back to California as teenagers and spend some time enjoying each other and the very sunny and warm environment of the west coast.

DAY ONE

NOVEMBER 2015

We arrived at LAX around lunch time.

I very much recommend flying into Orange County Airport (SNA) but since this was a last minute vacation LAX would have to do. We picked up our rental car and headed out to enjoy the beach before checking into our hotel.

On a recommendation from the waitress at lunch, we turned our car towards Seal Beach, just outside of Long Beach. It was a very hot day with temps touching 101 but the beach was not crowded at all and the cool ocean was a welcome sight. Seal Beach is not overly commercial like some of the other stops in California and the pier didn’t even have a single vendor… which was very nice. We kicked off our shoes, found a nice stretch of beach and enjoyed listening to the waves roll in.

Of course we spent some time wading out into the surf and marveled at the majesty and power of the ocean.

After a couple of hours we cleaned up 9 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE

and strolled along Seal Beach’s quaint downtown mainstreet.

With a very nice variety of small, locally owned shops we found solace in many air conditioned stores offering every type of touristy keepsake you can imagine.

We even enjoyed some homemade ice cream from one of the shops while taking in our first day.

From there, we headed to our hotel.

We chose where to stay based on proximity to the various places we wanted to visit. We have done the theme park hotels in the past, and while they are great if you have young ones, the cost can be quite staggering. We chose the Hyatt House (cypressanaheim.house. hyatt.com) in Cypress. This was one of the best decisions we made on this trip. The hotel had recently been renovated and was very clean and nice. Also, the 2 queen bed suite was very large and had a full kitchen. Add to that a most welcome, delicious complimentary breakfast buffet and all for under $180 per night. The location was also ideal because Cypress is a very nice safe community and only about a 20 minute nonhighway drive to Disneyland!

DAY TWO

We headed out early for our first day of “theme-parking” at Universal Studios Hollywood (universalstudioshollywood. com.) With two teenagers, our day at Universal was hands down one of our favorites. The biggest recommendation I can give is to purchase the “Front of the Line” ticket which allows you to skip

After our full day of enjoying this terrific theme park we really had fun going through the City Walk, which is full of great restaurants and lots of shopping. When all was said and done, we realized that we will most certainly be back in the spring when the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be open. We could see the construction taking place and it looks to be incredible!

DAYS THREE AND FOUR

We spent these days at both Disneyland (www.disneyland.com) and Disney’s California Adventure.

You can’t visit California without a trip to Disney. Since I proposed to my wife at Disneyland and we went there on our honeymoon, it holds a special meaning to us. With the Park Hopper pass you can go between the two parks all you want. Be aware of the crowds though. Although Disney is a master at moving lines along, at certain times the parks can be very crowded. Definitely take advantage of the “fast pass” program.

Once an hour you are allowed to get a pass that will allow you to use a shorter line for specific rides at specific times.

Disney is king when it comes to live action rides. If you are not a fan of the 3D or 4D styles of rides then Disneyland and California Adventure are the places for you. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to know and accept that lines will be long. So, use this as a time to enjoy your family. We played games, talked about our trip and enjoyed our time together. Being in line is a blessing as it forces you to slow down

and enjoy your family in the “happiest place on Earth.”

The Downtown Disney district is also a fun place to go through.

Lots of restaurants and shops live there and it is FREE. At night many musicians and performers setup in the district playing live music. It is a great way to take a break and let your feet rest from walking through the parks.

DAY FIVE

For our final day on vacation we scheduled our flight at night so we could enjoy the day somewhere. We chose to spend it at Knott’s Berry Farm (www.knotts.com.) One thing is for sure, if you are a roller coaster lover then this is the place for you.

Knott’s Berry Farm has an amazing array of roller coasters for all ages and thrill levels. It is a massive park and has lots to see and do. The best part was that there were no lines anywhere. It was very easy to get onto any ride without long waits. They also have several actual stand-alone restaurants in the park, which is a nice change from quick serve food. I am not a big roller coaster fan but my family is.

There were plenty of other nonroller coaster rides and attractions and we had an amazing last day on vacation for sure.

The best part of a California family vacation is that you can have a very memorable vacation at various budget levels. You don’t have to mortgage the house to unplug for a little bit. Find a good beach and enjoy time with the family. Or choose a theme park and make some incredible memories. In any case remember that a family vacation is about the memory of being together… not what you do but who you do it with. Weather sitting on the beach or riding a world class ride, spending time with your loved ones is priceless…do it often!

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NOVEMBER 2015

the line one time for many of the rides.

Fortunate for us we never had lines that were super long. However, this pass was great to hit a ride two times in a row when you wanted to. With many 4D rides ranging from Transformers to the Simpsons, your senses will be invigorated and amazed. We enjoyed shows like Universal’s Animal Actors and Waterworld and really had a great time on the Universal Studio Tour which also takes you through the new Fast and Furious attraction.

BOOKENDS Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade

Rachel Rabinowitz lost her parents and her home, in the tenements of New York City, at the tender age of four. After this tragedy changes life for Rachel and her brother, they are taken to Jewish orphanages in the city. They are taken to different places due to their age difference and must wait before being reunited. During this time apart, Rachel is subjected to medical experiments by a young doctor trying to make her mark on a male dominated field. Dr. Mildred Solomon and her experiments change the course of Rachel’s life. Years later, Rachel finds herself caring for an ill patient, Dr. Solomon, in Manhattan’s Old Hebrews’ Home. Rachel must choose revenge or compassion as she faces her past.

PAM: This book caught my interest from the first pages. The author takes us from the past to present and back again as we learn of Rachel’s story. There were many struggles Rachel faced during her life. She didn’t remember the details of her past until she was faced with an aging and ailing Dr. Solomon.

She initially had warm feelings for this woman, until the facts began to unravel. Why do you think Rachel felt fondness for the doctor?

NOVEMBER 2015

BECKY: I love the situation that this book puts the characters in. Can you imagine caring for an elderly person that harmed you during your childhood?

There is a moral tug-of-war that would create great conversation for a book club. Rachel desperately wants answers, and an apology, for how she was treated by Dr. Solomon. Unfortunately, this doctor is still tough as nails and may not give Rachel what she needs to calm her nightmares. Is it hard to believe that although this story is a piece of fiction, it is based on actual events from the early 1900’s?

PAM: It is definitely difficult to believe (or at least accept) that it is based on actual events. The doctors in the Jewish orphans’ home were compiling research during studies that used some of the children as subjects. As Rachel discovered later, the doctors had a different view of the situation, and the ethics involved, than we would. Dr. Solomon was eager to make a mark in the field of radiology and used the children in a study she would later publish. I realize the risks of radiology were not understood at the time, but do you think she could have anticipated some hazards that faced the children?

BECKY: You would think that a doctor should realize that this research could have serious complications on the subject used.

They continued to test even after some issues became obvious, like alopecia (hair loss.) However, one could argue that how medicine/procedures should be tested if not by human or animal 11 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE

test subjects. This could be another interesting topic to discuss for a book club. This part of the book touched me deeply as I knew a young girl that suffered from alopecia. To some degree, Rachel seemed to accept her baldness and embraced her nickname “Egg”. As a child she was given a wig but she found it uncomfortable and preferred to hide her difference with a hat instead.

The radiation caused a number of problems for Rachel. What caused her more emotional pain, the visible scars and hair loss, or the internal complications that were less obvious to the world?

PAM: Rachel had such deep internal scars from the tests and time in the system, but also from earlier in her life.

After being reunited with her brother, she realized he was ashamed of her differences. In this way, her visible scars exacerbated her internal pain.

Although her brother struggled with feelings about their relationship, he still worked to ensure that Rachel was safe and taken care of. He initially does this by arranging for an older student to keep an eye on Rachel in the girls’ side of the school. What do you think caused his complicated feelings about Rachel?

BECKY: As the “man” of the family he felt the need to protect her but he was not in a situation to do much of anything. I thought that finding an older girl, in a more powerful position to watch out for Rachel was brilliant. I would imagine that he also had some guilt that his situation was better than hers. This was an interesting story that provoked a number of good topics to discuss. The characters were well developed and as much as I hate to say goodbye to Rachel, it’s time to move on and get ready for the holidays. Join us next month as we discuss A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote.

Yes, the same author that wrote In Cold Blood. Trust me on this pick.

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LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Hegira by Jim Cronin

His home world is dead; the victim of a supernova, but this does not stop Karm from attempting to save the Brin, his extinct species. Rescued by an alien race from a derelict spacecraft as a vial of DNA, then cloned, Karm must travel back in time, convince a small team of co-conspirators to join him in his quest, and outmaneuver a power hungry monarch and his fanatic brother, leader of The Faith, both absolutely committed to opposing him.

All of Karm’s plans rest on the untested and controversial cloning theories of the young geneticist Dr. Jontar Rocker, and the abilities of his bodyguard, personal assistant, and surrogate niece, Maripa. Will their combined efforts be enough to overcome the power of the monarchy and the planet’s most influential religion?

Will Karm’s secrets destroy the trust of his companions and ruin his campaign to save the Brin?

Jim Cronin worked for thirty five years as a middle school science teacher, but is now semi-retired, working part-time as an educator/performer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. He has been married for thirty seven years to the love of his life, Diane. Together, they raised two incredible sons, and now have a beautiful granddaughter to spoil rotten. For more information on Hegira or to purchase it, visit www.authorjimcroninhegira.com.

Escaping Yesterday by Pamela Nowak

NOVEMBER 2015

Lottie Chase is willing to take any risk to save her daughter from their abusive uncle. Stranded in Denver during the summer of 1905, Lottie meets Caleb Hudson, manager at Elitch Gardens amusement park, who sees her as a manipulative huckster.

Caleb, a veteran suffering from PTSD, craves the tranquility of the park’s gardens.

Lottie brings anything but peace as she seeks to convince the owners to add thrill rides so she can collect the sales commission and support her daughter. Neither anticipates their growing passion, common demons, or the dangers they will face as they confront their pasts and free their love.

Ms. Nowak is a local author whose previous release, Changes, was honored with the 2014 Colorado Book Award for genre fiction. Her previous three books earned high marks from Publishers’ Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, and Historical Novels Review, among others.

She has been lauded for her research, deep characterization, and substance. A 2013 national magazine article included Nowak as an emerging author skilled in weaving contemporary issues into historical fiction. For more information, visit pamelanowak.com or visit amazon.com to purchase Escaping Yesterday.

Are you a local author? If so, we would love to showcase your book (at no cost to you) in our local author spotlight. To be considered, email mike.waid@waidpublishing.com.

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