March 2018 Search Castle Rock Magazine

S E A R C H

CASTLEROCK

CASTLE ROCK’S PREMIER MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 2004

Denver, CO

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

Plus much more!

PAID Permit 5377

Local Business Spotlight

ECRWSS

Castle Rock Home & Garden Show l The Bookends

POSTAL PATRON

Colorado Blue Bird Project

Cover photo by Nick Lucey 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202 Parker, CO 80134 303-805-9455

In This Month’s Issue

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S E A R C H

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Colorado Blue Bird Project Learn about these beautiful birds Castle Rock Home & Garden Show Great ideas for your spring home improvement projects

MARCH 2018

Local Business Spotlight Castle Rock Bike & Ski

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 3

Local Business Spotlight Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crow Bar

The Bookends & Local Author Spotlight

This month’s Cover Photo Contest winner is Nick Lucey with this beautiful snap shot in time of our beautiful Castle Rock during a vibrant sunrise.

If you’ve got a perfect photo for the cover of Search Castle Rock Magazine then submit it for our cover contest!

Check out our online Castle Rock Events Calendar at CastleRockMagazine.com. You can even post your community events there for FREE! 3

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Visit CastleRockMagazine.com for details and to enter.

PUBLISHER MIKE WAID

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

SALES DIRECTOR KAYCE ARTHUR

kayce@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 706

EDITORIAL TIFFANY GRIZZLE

tiffany@waidpublishing.com

Search 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), 12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202, Parker, CO 80134, 303-805-9455. Search Castle Rock Magazine is available online at www.CastleRockMagazine. com. Search Castle Rock Magazines 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 Search Castle Rock Magazine. Copyright 2018 Search Castle Rock Magazine - All rights Reserved.

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The Colorado

Bluebird Project

One thing there is no shortage of, living in Colorado, is the abundance of wildlife in the area. Come springtime, when the buds start blooming through the frost, the colorful birds wing their way back to the mountains from their winter escapes.

Among those colorful creatures to return are the Bluebirds and there is a great way to get involved with their return each year. The Colorado Bluebird Project’s mission is to improve the vitality of bluebird populations throughout our state as well as to inform and educate the public about bluebirds. In just over ten years, the program has expanded to include more than 188 nest boxes at 31 different sites in Castle Rock. Locally, the Bluebird Project operates under the POST Volunteer Program with guidance from the Audubon Society of Greater Denver.

Volunteers are needed to monitor boxes weekly; doing so helps to provide important information regarding population trends. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate, whether you’re helping to monitor nest boxes around town or in your own backyard. This would be a great project for scout groups as well. The

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Colorado Bluebird Project is a fantastic way for families and volunteers of all ages to interact in a really rewarding way with nature. A free class will be offered at the Millhouse (1381 W. Plum Pkwy) on March 6th that will be a “how-to” for nest monitoring. If you can’t make this class but you’d like more information on the program and how to get involved locally, go to crgov.com.

For more information about the Audubon Society of Greater Denver, visit /www. denveraudubon.org. Additionally, for even more details on buying or building nest boxes and how to monitor those boxes at www.audubon.org.

Whether you get involved with the larger volunteer group in Castle Rock or you and your family decide to build and observe a habitat in your own backyard, the Colorado Bluebird Project is a wonderful way to help protect the Bluebird as nest boxes are more important than ever to future success of the species. See what amazing things can happen, right in your backyard!

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Castle Rock Home & Garden Show Even though Coloradans know we are not out of the woods as far as snow fall and frosty temperatures go, when March rolls around on the calendar, many of us start to daydream about what we hope our yards will look like come ACTUAL planting and blooming time a little later this year. Pinterest boards fill with ideas for planters and decks, gardens and little (or even not so little) things you’d like to do to spruce up your home.

From March 30th through April 1st, the Douglas County Fairgrounds will be bustling with both national and local vendors showcasing the latest design trends, gardening, remodeling, and full home automation. In addition to the products and services throughout the home and garden show, you can check out live demonstrations, food samples and much more.

Maybe there is a untended garden in your side yard just waiting to come to life or a bland, blank space that could be transformed

into an oasis with a water feature, stone walkway and amazing new landscaping? Perhaps your deck is a bit less than inviting.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a retreat you want to go to, right in your own backyard?

Now that we have doorbell cameras that sync to our phones and thermostats we can control and program remotely, the options for digitizing and automation within your home are changing, seemingly with the seasons.

Get a little more hands on than just wishful “pinning” and mark your calendars for an exciting three days later this month at the Castle Rock Home and Garden Show at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Check out this FREE event and get some great ideas on how to update and upgrade your home or yard this spring!

Castle Rock Home & Garden Show FREE Family Event

March 30th - 12:00pm-6:00pm March 31st - 10:00am-6:00pm April 1st - 11:00am-4:00pm

www.castlerockhomeshow.com

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Castle Rock Colorado

Local Business Spotlight

Discovering local busiensses that make our Castle Rock great!

Castle Rock Bike & Ski 411 4th Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 www.castlerockbikeandski.com 303-688-1722 Mark and KC Neel, Owners

Hours of Operation: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri: 10-7; Saturday: 9-6; Sunday: 10-5; Wednesday: Closed for Play Day

WHEN DID YOU OPEN YOUR BUSINESS? Established in 1999; Opened in 2000 WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO OPEN YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY? We had family in the area and Castle Rock’s tight-knit community was appealing, both personally and professionally. We loved downtown Castle Rock (and still do.) In the ensuing years, the town has built a strong network of bike paths (both paved and dirt), making the town very bicycle friendly.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS “UNIQUE” OR DIFFERENT FROM YOUR COMPETITORS? People come to us for the experience. We put a lot of effort into making sure our customers have a positive experience while they are in the store and when they are outside using their gear every day of the year.

WHY DID YOU GET INTO THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS? Mark was a college student studying pre-law when he got a job in a bike and ski shop in Tacoma, Washington. When he moved to Denver, he switched his major to entrepreneurial business. His first bike and ski shop business was the result of his senior thesis. We love what we do because we actually participate in the sports we advocate and support!

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WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT OWNING YOUR BUSINESS? We firmly believe that our customers are the best part our business.

FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL BE COMING INTO YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING THEY SHOULD TRY/ PURCHASE AND WHY? Every customer is different. Our job is to determine what will be best for them. The only universal thing we want everyone to have is to have fun. We want the experience to be positive and fun.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO OPEN A BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY? Castle Rock is a fantastic community in which to open a business. The people who live and work here are terrific and supportive of the local businesses operating here. If there is one piece of advice we could offer up, it would be to become involved with the community.

Get involved with merchant associations. Know what is happening in the community.

Find out what is important to your customers and make sure you are supportive.

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Castle Rock Colorado

Local Business Spotlight

Discovering local busiensses that make our Castle Rock great!

Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crow Bar 734 Wilcox St. #102 Castle Rock, CO 80104 720-341-4810 www.crowfootvalleycoffee.com Hours of Operation Mon-Thurs 5 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday 7 a.m. - 9.p.m.

Sunday 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHEN DID YOU OPEN YOUR BUSINESS? January 22nd, 1999 WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO OPEN YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY? I knew I wanted to be in Colorado. I had researched around Colorado and found that I really liked Castle Rock and its potential, and I’ve been here ever since.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS “UNIQUE” OR DIFFERENT FROM YOUR COMPETITORS? We strive to have the best coffee and cocktails available and we will stack our products against anybody else’s. At the same time we want to make all our customers feel welcome; both newbies to the coffee and craft arena as well as seasoned veterans in the industry. We are the best, we just don’t brag about it... too much.

WHY DID YOU GET INTO THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS? I’ve been in the coffee industry longer than I care to remember.

Seattle to Alaska then to Colorado. I have learned so much at every stop along the way. I’ve throughouhly enjoyed my story arch. That I know for sure.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT OWNING YOUR BUSINESS? That’s easy, the people.

Employees, customers, the community. Hands down the best part about owning my own business.

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FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL BE COMING INTO YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING THEY SHOULD TRY/ PURCHASE AND WHY? I believe a good coffee shop can and should be judged on 3 types of coffee. Espresso, Americano and brewed coffee. I really would put our coffee up against anyone’s. We also have a number of specialty drinks that shine.

Our house made Trio syrup and salted caramel drinks are really great. As for adult drinks, we have an array of wines and high end craft beers to choose from.

Our house made cocktails, like our Gray Russian and the Castle Rock Mule, are both customers favorites.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO OPEN A BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITY? Do the research and get involved. Use the invaluable resources of the community.

The town, The Merchants Association, Development plans, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, etc.

There are so many resources available.

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THEBOOKENDS

with Pam & Becky

The Underground River

By Martha Conway

May Bedloe is separated from her cousin, Comfort Vertue, when their steamboat sinks on the Ohio River in 1838. Everything they own is lost and May must search for Comfort among the survivors.

May and Comfort have been traveling and working together as Comfort acts and May creates costumes for her cousin. By the time May locates her cousin, Flora Howard (a noted abolitionist) has convinced Comfort to give lectures for the anti-slavery cause.

May finds work on a floating theater that cruises between northern and southern states. As May becomes a part of the theater family, she is drawn into a scheme to ferry babies of slaves across the river to freedom. May must try to balance her feelings for her new family with her dawning understanding of the situation and her ability to help people, although it comes with great risk to all.

PAM This book sounded very interesting and I was compelled to read it. There are many different angles to this story and I was drawn in immediately. Did you feel the same?

Was the author able to bring you into May’s story?

BECKY A riverboat theater is a creative way to look at helping the slavery situation in the southern states. I was drawn to the story and the topic, but the first half of the book is focused on May discovering a new way of life after separating from her cousin Comfort. The title had me expecting the book to be focused on the slavery topic more than a character’s story. Maybe that’s why I struggled warming up to May. She was blunt and lacked some common social skills so it was hard for me to embrace this character. What did you think about this serious seamstress?

PAM I also struggled to connect to

May’s character in the beginning. Her lack of social skills made it hard for her to make friends and even communicate with others in a time where women were expected to exhibit specific behaviors. May struggles to find a job, as she turns off prospective employers with her straightforward manner. She stumbles across a floating theater that has lost a key member to the same riverboat accident that May escaped. Here, she finds a job opportunity and a home. What did you think about this floating theater?

BECKY At the beginning of this story, the picture that I had in my mind of the floating theater just didn’t make sense so I googled some images of old floating theaters. Wow, was I surprised to see just how large these vessels were. The production must have been quite a sight to see for these small towns on both sides of the river. The movement between the North and South provided a 13

perfect opportunity for this storyline.

May has always been in her cousin Comfort’s shadow. Her life has been focused on providing Comfort with all of her needs and she received little appreciation for her dedication. May’s new job on the theater allows her to shine and be valued for the individual talents she brings to this troupe. After being so unappreciated in the past were you surprised that May went to warn Comfort of threats made against her because of her public speaking on abolition?

PAM It did not surprise me, since

May seemed to be a very loyal person and still seemed to care for Comfort.

However, her feelings for Comfort were complicated. On one hand, she cared for her and worried about her.

On the other hand, she did not want to fall back into their normal pattern of Comfort belittling her and teasing her if May received any attention.

This contradiction was apparent when May went to warn Comfort. I felt this was such an issue for May because she was finally given the opportunity to make friends and shine in her own way. Did you feel this internal struggle with May during this part of the story?

BECKY I’m not sure that I saw it as a struggle as much as I had the impression that May was a bit of a loner and was familiar with Comfort’s actions towards her so she gravitated toward that type of love. I feel that May felt obligated to Comfort and didn’t seem to be angry by her cousin’s actions. Yet, being on her own has given her a chance to see her beauty and talents, through the eyes of others so it was a blessing to be cut loose from the controlling cousin. After this meeting, May accepts the invitation to help with the abolition party. Did you find this storyline exciting and believable?

MARCH 2018 search castle rock magazine

LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Your Relationship with You

by Denise C. Onofrey, LMFT, CST

PAM First, I just have to men-

tion how much I love the way you described May’s ability to “see her beauty and talents.” What a lovely way to express that we all have our own talents, but we don’t always recognize them! Although there were certain coincidences in the story and some eccentric characters, I did feel that the story was believable and had some excitement built in. The time period, alone, carried such dangers and challenges depending on where you were and with whom you were talking. Were you worried that her decision to join the cause would destroy her new relationships?

BECKY Yes! However, I was more concerned that she was involving and putting others in danger that didn’t sign up for this risky proposition. Especially Hugo the owner of the boat and theater. She was dabbling in a situation that had deadly consequences. Speaking of Hugo, what did you think of this budding romance?

PAM This was a great part of the

story! May was able to find someone that appreciated her. She didn’t have to try to be someone she was not, but could be herself. Hugo and their budding romance were a large part of what made this theater a true home for May. This was one of my favorite parts of the story. After all of the time spent doing everything for her cousin, it was May’s turn to focus on herself and her relationships. Would you read another book by this author?

BECKY This story was missing some depth for my taste but she has three other novels and they look interesting so I would possibly consider reading her work again. It’s time to move on to our April pick which will be The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash.

A historical fiction novel set in 1929 during the beginnings of the fight for union support in factories.

Relationships are hard, but they don’t need to be. Discover how to start making relationships easier. Denise Onofrey, The Relationship Strategist, provides insights into the self-limiting rules that create dis-ease and dis-connection in our relationships.

Learn how you arrived at where you are now, and begin to shape the relationships you desire most, by taking control where YOU matter most. Create ease and connection with yourself, then write your “rules to live by” using these proven strategies: * Shed the “shoulds” and “suppose to’s” * Turn down the noise * Decode emotions vs. needs * Harness your gut instinct * Slow down to move forward Learn how to achieve successful relationships from Denise’s “behind closed doors” sessions.

Relationships are hard. Now YOU can make them easier.

For more information visit deniseonofrey.com

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