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CASTLEROCK
CASTLE ROCK’S PREMIER MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 2004
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Castle Rock Events Calendar Castle Rock Recreation Nutrition Tips & Trends l Cryotherapy Local Business Spotlight l The Bookends Plus much more!
12760 Stroh Ranch Way, Suite 202 Parker, CO 80134 303-805-9455
In This Month’s Issue
CastleRockMagazine.com
JANUARY 2019
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S E A R C H
CASTLEROCK JANUARY 2019
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Castle Rock Calender Events happening in Castle Rock
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Rock it in 2019 Castle Rock Recreation
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Women’s Health Great info on hormones
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Here’s to a FROSTy New Year Have you heard of Cryotherapy
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Nutrition Tips & trends for the new year
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Local Business Spotlight Castle Rock Bike + Ski
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Bookends Local Author Spotlight
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JANUARY 2018 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 1 PUBLISHER MIKE WAID
ON THE COVER This stunning photo of Castle Rock provided by Nick Lucey.
Do you have a great photo for the cover of our February magazine? If so, enter it in our Cover Contest by going to CastleRockMagazine.com
If so, then enter our scavenger hunt contest online at CastleRockMagazine.com. Simply head over to our website with this issue in hand and enter today! A lucky winner will get a cool $100 cash! Good luck!
mike.waid@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 700
OFFICE MANAGER BECKY NARLINGER
becky@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 703
SALES DIRECTOR LISA HENDREKS
lisa@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 704
EDITORIAL TIFFANY GRIZZLE
tiffany@waidpublishing.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER BRANDON CAHILL
brandon@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 2019 Search Castle Rock Magazine - All rights Reserved.
CASTLEROCKEVENTS
Visit CastleRockMagazine.com for our expanded calendar
JANUARY 2019
JANUARY 9, 16 & 30
Snowshoe Adventure Experience winter in its splendor and exercise your body and mind in a unique and peaceful environment! Transportation, instruction, and a guide are included with each trip. We will meet at The MAC at 9 a.m. and go together to get rentals downtown. One day snowshoe rental is an additional $15.00, or bring your own. Trail will be determined based on recent snowfall conditions. Transportation Departs from the MAC at 9am 9am-1pm crgov.com
JANUARY 10
Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum’s Monthly Presentation Join us for a presentation by former El Paso County Sheriff, John Anderson on his book about “Rankin Scott Kelly,
1st Sheriff El Paso County, Colorado Territory 18-61 – 1867”. Kelly traveled west along the Santa Fe Trail in 1860 with a wagon train of about 50 people. Scott Kelly was appointed Sheriff in 1861 and his first duty was to take on the Salt Lake City Jim Gang which was his first of many gunfights with outlaws and hostile Indians. John Anderson is an author, artist, consultant and former local Lawman himself. Douglas County Libraries – Philip S. Miller 6:45pm-8:00pm www.castlerockmuseum.org
JANUARY 12
Castle Rock Preschool Fair Free to the public! Come meet representatives from local preschools! Ridgeline Community Church 10am-12pm www.ridgelinecc.org/mops
JANUARY 12
Excursion to the Dillon Ice Castles Spectacular tour of a handmade icy, wintry playground in Dillon, Colorado. Take a trip with us to the ever popular Dillon Ice Castles. Price includes transportation to and from, entry into the Castle with a fire inspired performance. Space is very limited so hurry and reserve yours now. Transportation provided. Transportation departs from the MAC at 2pm 2pm-10pm crgov.com
JANUARY 15
I-25 South Gap Public Meeting Douglas County Fairgrounds, Kirk Hall 5:30pm-7:00pm www.codot.gov/projects/i25-south-gap
JANUARY 15
Talent Pipeline Douglas County Career Expo and Job Fair Keynote Speaker and Interactive Presentation with Justin Patton, International Speaker and Executive Leadership Coach. From 3-5pm, get your professional headshots taken! Douglas County Events Center visitcastlerock.org
JANUARY 16
Coffee with a Cop Echo Ridge at Metzler Ranch Apartments 1pm-2pm crgov.com/1714/Coffee-with-a-Cop
If you have a community event you’d like shown here please visit us at castlerockmagazine.com
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ROCK IT IN 2019 WITH CASTLE ROCK RECREATION If you thought Parks and Rec was just some great sports leagues and a way to hit the gym once in awhile, think again! The National Gold Medal-Winning Parks and Recreation Department maintains 20 developed parks, approximately 5,800 acres of open space and almost 75 miles of trails as well as the 18-hole Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course, the 84,000 squarefoot Recreation Center and the 60,000 square-foot Miller Activity Complex at Philip S. Miller Park. Just this last year, Castle Rock Recreation Center was voted 2018 Best of the Best Workout/Fitness Center by Colorado Community Media! When you have the best of the best in your own backyard, why not take advantage of all there is to experience with Castle Rock Parks and Rec! During this time of year, it’s not always easy (or advantageous) to hit the expansive trails system or make use of the amazing outdoor amenities, which makes it the PERFECT time to check out all there is to do at both the MAC and Recreation Center! At the MAC, you’ll find: • Two multi-use party rooms adjacent to the pool • Four 25-yard lap lanes • Batting cages • Children’s play structure with 23-foot-tall slide • Beam interactive floor games • 18-hole golf simulator • Indoor full-sized and halfsized synthetic field • Indoor leisure pool with slide, zero-entry section, water table and vortex whirlpool • Trampoline featuring 16 trampoline beds • Lounge area with fireplace, Lego table and train table • Specialty fitness classes such as FIT Moms and TRX FIT Moms is a high-energy, seven-week class that will get your heart pumping and your waistline shrinking! For both moms and dads, Functional Interval Training is a workout for the entire body. This class will help you lose weight, tone muscles, and boost endurance while
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using a variety of fitness equipment. TRX Suspension Training is a type of total-body resistance training that uses your own body weight and gravity to build strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, core and joint stability, all while preventing injuries. This best-in-class workout system allows the user to perform hundreds of exercises. Simply adjust your body position to add or decrease resistance. The Recreation Center has countless options to choose from as well. Recreation Center Amenities (included with daily admission fees): • 25-yard swimming pool and leisure pool • Automated, self check-in • Cardiovascular equipment • Family locker room (lockers available) • Fitness studio and garage • Free and circuit weight equipment • Gymnasium • Indoor track • Lift for individuals with disabilities • Mind / Body Studio • Racquetball and Wallyball courts • Steam Room & Whirlpool At the Rec Center, you can participate in fitness programs, utilize cardiovascular fitness equipment, weights, swimming, Jiu-Jitsu, Kids Yoga, Real Men Do Yoga, Inner Connections Yoga (punch pass), Taekwondo, Tai Chi, and Pilates Reformer training. Pilates Reformer is a specialized piece of exercise equipment designed to provide finely tuned exercise resistance. Develop good alignment, increased core strength and flexibility. Pilates Reformer Training is available for individuals and Buddy Session training! Sessions can be purchased individually or in groups of six or ten session packages. New offerings include TackleBar indoor football, Teen Yoga, Outdoor Excursions, Rock Rec Camp, Kid2KidLit: Wee Write enrichment
JANUARY 2019 search castle rock magazine
classes, and Social Skill groups for toddlers and preschool age groups. For more details, check out full descriptions of each offering at www. crgov.com/2455/Rec-Guide. In addition to all the different group fitness classes, equipment and programming available through Castle Rock Recreation, Personal Training is also available in private training sessions, 30-minute power sessions and buddy training sessions (all available for ages 12 and up.) Sessions can be purchased individually or in 6 or 10 session packages. If you have questions about Personal Training options, contact Courtney Glass, Fitness/Wellness Coordinator for the Town of Castle Rock, at cglass@crgov.com or call 303-8147453. Admission to Recreation Center facilities can be purchased through Daily admission, punch passes, three and six month passes and annual passes. On-site child care is also available for parents using the Rec Center for children ages 1-8. Of course, the amazing recreational sports leagues are offered year round for kids (and kids at heart.) Adult Sports offered include arena flag football, Pickleball, men’s and coed softball, men’s basketball, indoor soccer and coed 6x6 volleyball. Adult and Youth Fencing are also offered through the Rec Center. Youth Sports include baseball, basketball, flag football, rugby, soccer, softball, SuperTot Sports, Track & Field, Volleyball and Youth Strider-Learn to Bike. For league schedules and registration, go to www.crgov.com. There’s no time like the present to get up and get active, and with the cold temperatures that have settled in for the season, it’s the perfect time to head indoors to the state of the art facilities in Castle Rock for some fun! Grab a work out, hit the pool, drop in on a class – maybe even get some friends together and sign up as a team for a sports league. There’s no shortage of activities for you and your family with Castle Rock Recreation.
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Women’s Health & Hormones Taking care of ourselves isn’t always just about our nutrition plans or workout regimens. Sometimes, no matter how “clean” we eat or how often we get to the gym, there are still problems that persist that no amount of healthy living can fix alone. As we age, there is a definite change in how our bodies and minds feel and react. Regardless of your healthy habits, you may find it nearly impossible to lose weight, or feel an overall lack of energy and greater fatigue throughout the day or even find you are experiencing reduced mental focus or memory.
see what BioTe or Votiva treatments may be able to do for you. Locations are available both here in Castle Rock as well as their office in Englewood. Go online for more information, to choose your provider or even schedule an appointment at the location most convenient for you.
One way to combat all of these issues is through hormone therapy treatment. Studies show that optimized hormones are necessary for good health for both men and women and can reduce the risk of some age-related health issues, such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
Center for Women’s Health accepts the majority of health insurance plans. Be sure to contact your insurance provider to verify that they are in network with your specific plan.
In addition to offering services for pregnancy, delivery, menopause, ovarian cysts, STD testing, PCOS, Birth Control, and Endometriosis, Center for Women’s Health also specializes in two different treatments, BioTe and Votiva, that can help patients with specific issues that can be treated with hormone therapies. BioTe optimizes hormone levels using tiny pellets placed under the skin. They contain the same chemical structure as your body’s natural hormone. Center for Wellness, MD in partnership with Center for Women’s Health is proud to offer this service in the same location, for men and women! BioTe can be helpful for those who are experiencing that lack of energy and fatigue or reduced mental focus. BioTe can also help patients who struggle to lose weight regardless of healthy diet and exercise or are struggling with reduced sexual desire or performance. If you would like more information or to schedule an appointment to find out how BioTe could benefit you, call Center for Women’s Health. Women face some specific health challenges that may result naturally simply from aging and childbirth such as dryness, burning, and urinary incontinence. None of these issues are necessarily fun to discuss, but they are even less entertaining to live with on a daily basis. The staff at Center for Wellness, MD,in partnership with Center for Women’s Health, offers compassionate care and are able to offer patients both internal and external treatments to ease the burdens of these issues. Votiva treatments are minimally invasive, lasting only thirty minutes or less. Votiva treatments can improve urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction and Votiva services are provided right in the office. If you aren’t experiencing optimal health, you owe it to yourself to seek out the means to feeling the best you can. The staff at Center for Women’s Health is trusted by their patients and here to help you get back to health in 2019. “I feel so privileged to have Dr. McMillen as my gynecologist. She is professional and knowledgeable, but also easy to talk to and she patiently and thoroughly answers all my questions and explains options. I trust her and know I’m in good hands, and it’s such a relief to have her on my side.” Take the first steps towards feeling more like yourself and
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Center For Women’s Health has two locations: Castle Rock Office - 2352 Meadows Boulevard, Suite 120 and Englewood Office - 125 Inverness Drive E., Suite 210. They can be reached at 303-755-0120 or online at www.tc4w.com
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Here’s to a
FROSTy
With the new year comes new promises to ourselves to commit to finding a little more time to take care of ourselves. Get a little more active, eat a little cleaner, feel a little better! Only problem is, sometimes the quest to get a more active comes with added aches and pains. You can stretch, apply heat, find time for a nice, long massage or grit your teeth and try one of those twenty minute ice baths that we’ve seen athletes use to ease those sore muscles.
New Year
What if you could get the same relief those ice baths bring in just minutes? Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) is an exciting and innovating process that exposes your body to super low temperatures in a controlled environment and helps your muscles recover faster, reduces pain and inflammation, boosts your metabolism, increases collagen and improves your overall health. Until recently, this cutting-edge technology has been mainly used by professional athletes to improve their overall physical condition and health as well as people who are recovering from certain physical injuries; however, one of the beauties of Whole Body CRYOtherapy is that it can and should be used by anyone who wants to improve their overall health. But why wait until you have to use this “therapy” as a treatment to “fix” something? Instead, be proactive and also use it to stay healthy and improve your health now. Whole Body CRYOtherapy is an innovative and exciting way to give your body amazing benefits. Frost CRYOtherapy’s main objective is to make this technology available to the general public. So how does this work? WBC uses nitrogen, in the form of gas, to lower the skin surface temp by 80F-125F degrees during a 2-3 minute session. The exposed skin reacts to the extreme temperatures by sending messages to the brain that stimulate natural regulatory functions of the body. Additionally, the skin’s exposure to these subzero temperatures trigger the release of anti-inflammatory molecules, endorphins, toxins, and increases oxygen circulation within the bloodstream. A 2-3 minute session of WBC is equivalent to 20-30 minutes in an ice bath without the
uncomfortable feeling of submerging yourself in ice cold water. The brief exposure to the intense cold causes the brain to restrict blood flow to your extremities, which is the body’s natural fight-or-flight response to extreme cold. The body reacts to WBC by releasing anti-inflammatory proteins and endorphins resulting in super-charged blood. Unlike Ice baths, WBC involves dry, hyper-cooled air flowing over the skin surface, so the process never freezes skin tissues, muscles or organs. The result is only a “feeling” of being cold. The body is being tricked into believing that this extreme cold is life threatening. Cryotherapy is a dry cold with no moisture.
WBC fitness benefits include reduced muscle pain, soreness and inflammation, accelerated muscle recovery, increasing energy and athletic performance, accelerating injury recovery, improving joint function and decreased fatigue. It also has overall health and wellness benefits by boosting the immune system, helping with depression and anxiety, increasing circulation, reducing fatigue, releasing toxins, improving sleep patterns, and reducing pain and inflammation caused by Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Osteo- and Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmune disorders. Additionally, WBC stimulates deep layers of collagen production for tighter and younger skin as well as improving skin blemishes and scars. WBC can also help in the treatment of Psoriasis and Eczema/Dermatitis and increase your metabolism! In just three minutes, getting “FROSTed” can benefit your health and wellness in so many ways! Frost Cryotherapy offers the best prices in Colorado. First time “Frosters” can reap the benefits of their first session for just $30. Sessions can be purchased singularly, in 5 or 10 session packages, or memberships. Firefighter, military and police discounts are offered. If you could aid in muscle recovery, reduce pain and inflammation, boost your mood, energy and metabolism and reduce fatigue in just three minutes, why wouldn’t you try it?
Frost Cryotherapy is open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. Walk-Ins are always welcome! Call 720-943-1700 for an appointment. For more information or to book online, go to frostcryotherapy.com 9
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PARK MEADOWS COSMETIC SURGERY Feeling stuffed after the holidays? Ask us about CoolSculpting! Take 10% off your package price when you schedule your complimentary consultation before 1/31/2019. Offer expires 1/31/2019
What is CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting is an FDA-cleared treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate fat without surgery and little to no downtime. With up to 95% customer satisfaction, patients are loving the results of CoolSculpting every time they look in the mirror. Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery and our trained CoolSculpting specialists will tailor a treatment designed to achieve your desired results.
www.ParkMeadowsCosmeticSurgery.com www.BreastReconstructionDenver.com Jeremy Z. Williams, MD | Christopher G. Williams, MD 7430 East Park Meadows Drive, Suite 300 Lone Tree, CO 80124 (303) 706-1100
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Nutritional Tips & Trends for the New Year
Contributed by Natural Grocers Nutrition Research and Education Manager, Shelby Miller
Natural Grocers has advocated for health and wellness since their start way back in 1955. Part of that advocating means keeping their finger on the pulse of the next big things in wellness. For 2019’s trends report, they spoke to more than 70 of their nutrition experts and pored over the latest research, and all signs point to a 2019 that’s more intentional, purposeful, and mission driven. Here are a few of the things you may be hearing much more about in the new year.
COLLAGEN & BONE BROTH ARE EASIER THAN EVER
Scoop by healthy scoop, collagen has gained mainstream interest over the past year as it’s been added to smoothies, matchas, and lattes in the quest for glowing skin, healthy joints, and gut healing. In 2019, as more collagen and bone broth products enter the market, so will convenient opportunities to take collagen on a daily basis. Companies will continue to offer an array of products, including collagen powders, gummies, and drinks; marine collagen powders; and even vegan-friendly collagen precursors. Bone broth, one of the richest food sources of collagen, will continue its expansion into the mainstream as well. Companies are looking for unique and simple ways for consumers to try out bone broth, including bone broth protein bars, pre-made soups, and even bonebroth infused coffee!
SORRY SUGAR, WE’RE BREAKING UP WITH YOU
In 2019, we will continue to become aware of how much sugar is insidiously added to almost everything we eat. Look in your pantry and refrigerator and you’re likely to find the major culprits— ketchup, barbecue sauce, flavored yogurts, coffee creamers, chips, breads, cereals, spaghetti sauce, fruit juice, sports drinks, and even bacon! This year, learn how to break up with sugar. Once you become a savvy monitor of added sugar, it will become easier to avoid it and enjoy the health benefits you’re bound to experience.
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THE SHROOM BOOM
In the last several years, the amount of research published on mushrooms has exploded. Turns out, mushrooms hold the power to support the immune system, blood sugar balance, brain health, liver health, respiratory health, hormone balance, and can even boost energy levels. In response to the mountain of research promoting the health benefits of mushrooms, the supplement, grocery, and even body care industries are introducing more ways to try out these fungal superheroes. Look for a variety of mushroom-centric supplements, geared toward everything from brain health to immunity. The stunning benefits of mushrooms are influencing new grocery products as well, with more mushroom teas, tonics, broths, and coffees making an appearance in 2019.
INGREDIENT LISTS > NUTRITION FACTS
There’s no question that many of us have a rocky relationship with food. We’ve likely all grappled with counting calories and grams of fat, but in 2019, a new paradigm is bound to free us from some of the struggles we’ve formed around food, nutrition, and our health every day. This year the nutrition labels will be demoted and instead, consumers will read and make food choices based on ingredient labels. The days of counting every. single. calorie. are nearing an end. Rather than glorifying macronutrient logs and adhering to extremely strict dietary guidelines, 2019 will foster a friendlier relationship with food that focuses on simple, clean ingredients in products made with whole, real foods.
#LUTEIN #ONTREND
Blue light—from our smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs, and even light bulbs—has become ubiquitous, and a growing body of research is showing that all of this blue-light exposure damages the retina of the eye and can lead to age-related macular degeneration[1] (the leading cause of blindness in older adults).[i] Excessive blue light also disrupts the
circadian rhythm which plays many roles in health, including regulating the sleep-wake cycle, hormone balance, digestion, and body temperature.[2] Enter lutein. Lutein preferentially accumulates in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision, where it filters damaging blue light and increases macular pigment density.[3] And because the health of the retina is directly related to how well our brains age,[ii] lutein also benefits the brain. In 2019, lutein will solidify its role as protector of the eyes and the brain. [1] Eye (Lond). 2018 May;32(5):992-1004. doi: 10.1038/s41433-0180044-0. Epub 2018 Mar 26. What do we know about the macular pigment in AMD: the past, the present, and the future. Arunkumar R, Calvo CM, Conrady CD1, Bernstein PS. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pubmed/29576617 [2] Mol Vis. 2016 Jan 24;22:61-72. eCollection 2016. Effects of blue light on the circadian system and eye physiology. Tosini G, Ferguson I, Tsubota K. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26900325 [3] Nutrients. 2013 May; 5(5): 1823–1839. The Role of Lutein in EyeRelated Disease. Keyvan Koushan, Raluca Rusovici, Wenhua Li, Lee R. Ferguson, and Kakarla V. Chalam. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC3708350/ [i] https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts [ii] https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi. pn.2018.8a6
LOVE YOUR LIVER
While it shouldn’t be “trendy” to have fatty liver disease, unfortunately the disease is trending. In 2018 we were shocked to learn that millennials are getting fatty liver disease faster than any other age group, and according to the National Institutes of Health, up to 40 percent of U.S. adults have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease![1] Thus, we believe that loving your liver will be on trend in 2019. Consumers will clean up their diets, ditching culprits like high fructose corn syrup and vegetable oils, and will embrace “mocktails” to reduce alcohol consumption. We also predict an increase in sales of herbal supplements that support liver health, like milk thistle and berberine, as well as MCT oil, which has been shown to reduce fat in the liver.[i] [1] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/nafldnash/definition-facts [i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23576797
Castle Rock Colorado
Local Business Spotlight
Discovering local businesses that make our community great!
CASTLE ROCK BIKE + SKI 411 4th St. Castle Rock, CO 80104 303-688-1722 www.castlerockbikeandski.com Monday, Tues, Thurs, Friday 10-7; Saturday 9-6; Sunday 10-5; CLOSED Wednesday
Mark and KC Neel has Castle Rock covered when it comes to outdoor fun. If the day is nice and full of sunshine, then come on in to rent a bike. They can prepare you for a trail or road adventure. Is it cold and you’re tired of being inside? They have top of the line skis, snowboards and snowshoes! If you know what you want then skip the rental and they will help fit you for whatever adventure you have planned. This great shop was opened in 2000 and they chose Castle Rock because they were familiar with this charming city. KC’s family lived here and they loved the community and the people who live here. They wanted to open our business in a town with a long history of support for local businesses and have the opportunity to give back personally and professionally. You will feel like family after spending some time in this shop. They have so much to offer with sales, service and rentals. Take a peek at the apparel! They carry a variety of quality clothing to keep you safe and warm. They offer everything you need, and the attention to what the customers need and want automatically makes them stand out. Their commitment to the community is what makes them unique. Mark helped
start the Downtown Merchants Association and KC served as a board member on the Downtown Development Authority. Mark is also the head coach of the local high school mountain bike club and team and KC currently is a board member on the Castle Rock Parks & Trails Foundation. They are part of the Castle Rock community and care about this city. You are in safe hands if you need advice. The staff is amazing with experience you can read about on their website. Mark started working at a bike and ski shop in Tacoma, Washington, during his freshman year in college quickly changed his major from prelaw to business. His senior thesis became the business plan for his first shop in Denver. He has long been passionate about cycling and skiing and he knew these were industries he wanted to be involved in professionally. You won’t find a nicer couple to give you advice about bicycle or ski equipment. Drop by and say hello! Pssst ….. Castle Rock Bike & Ski is looking for an experienced bike and ski/ board mechanic. Contact them if you want an opportunity to learn more about this opportunity.
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THEBOOKENDS
with Pam & Becky
The Handmaid’s Tale By: Margaret Atwood
This tale follows Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. Although she once had a husband, a daughter, a job, and freedom, all of her options are controlled by others and she has little say in her life. In an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only for their fertility and what that means to families in the organization. She lives in the house of the Commander and his wife and must live this new reality where she has no freedom and does not know what became of others in her life. PAM: I have heard so many people discussing this series on Hulu and felt like I had to see what this strange story is all about. Unlike many of my friends, I did not read this book in high school, so thought I would start there. The picture of Offred and her life in the Commander’s home became more clear as the author shared more details about how this reality came to be. Offred is essentially a prisoner in this new Republic and has very little freedom. Her one goal is to bear the Commander’s child and secure her future. Did you find the idea of this story disturbing, Becky? BECKY: I did find this idea to
be disorienting and disliked the way the women were treated. However, I like that it was different. This is such a unique story and it starts with very little background information. It took some time for me to see everything fall into place so I was a bit confused at the beginning. I bet this plays out better in the tv show. Did you like Offred at the beginning of this story or was she too distant to connect with?
PAM: I struggled to connect with her initially. It took me a while to make sense of her character and the background behind the present day Offred. It was intriguing, but a bit confusing as the author took us through the events that led the community and Offred to this point in time. It felt like I had 13
The Storyteller by: Michael Frickstad
more questions every time the author revealed a bit of the past. However, I’m sure this is what makes it such a popular series! The Commander’s wife resents Offred and what her presence means in her house. Although she is in a position of power over Offred, she does not have a complete freedom of choice either. What did you think of this character and her place in the story?
sent to an area that was worse or being killed. But, Moira had an outlook on her situation that made one believe that she would survive no matter what happened. Don’t get me wrong. This was a nightmare for all women. Moira exhibited an almost cynical sense of humor about everything she came up against. Did you get this feeling from Moira?
BECKY: It was interesting that
I would have liked to know more about her story. She was the most interesting character in my opinion. I didn’t know exactly what to expect from her and she had different layers to her personality so that drew me to her storyline. I felt like most of the characters in this book were a little flat. They didn’t have strong individual storylines or personalities. Did you see this in the story or is it just my perception?
all women were oppressed in this story. The degree varied but this was a male dominated society. The Commander’s wife had some power over Offred but it was so little that it was more of an intimidation than actual power. I thought that her character was interesting. When she was younger, her life was exciting and she was beautiful. Now she is more mature and unable to conceive, she must accept another woman in her home to perform that task for her. So desperate was she to have a child that she arranges Offred to bed another man in hopes of a pregnancy. Which is a punishable offense! There is one woman, Moira that fights the system. Did you enjoy this little rebel or did you wish she would just conform?
PAM: I think I felt a little of both with Moira. On one hand, her spirit was refreshing in a place where the point was to break all spirits. On the other hand, I was worried about her being
JANUARY 2019 search castle rock magazine
LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
BECKY: I agree with you and
PAM: I completely agree with you about the characters’ lack of development. I wonder if this was intentional for the setting, as it is a dystopian novel. It is clear why many classes read this book to encourage discussion about many different, challenging, and thought provoking subjects. We change gears as we discuss our next book pick, Islands of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman. Check out some other books we recommend in, The Bookshelf
Beecher Jones just wanted to live a peaceful life in the quiet, little town of Jefferson, MN. Get married. Have a child. Work as principal at the local high school. Maybe write a book.And he did. Until that day. The day the fog attacked. The fiendish fog that haunts and hides. The fog where demons dance.The fog where sin and scandal stalk the innocent. On that unusually warm spring day in 1989, a blinding cloud engulfed the community, and, in a barrage of corruption, lust, and murder, Jefferson’s longconcealed perversion revealed itself. Stunned by the human destruction around him, Beecher searches futilely for logical answers. In his weakest moment, he turns to the most unlikely sources for strength and resolve – Jefferson’s “broken-down, blue-eyed Indian” Art Benson and a Hollywood screenwriter named Amanda Wilson. Together, the three will fight back against the evil assaulting the town with the only weapon in their possession. The Story. The Story that must be told. Amazon.com
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JOEL & JESSICA WINTERS Local Owners
KITCHENTUNEUP.COM/CASTLE-ROCK-CO castlerockmagazine.com JANUARY 2019
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