February 2019 Search Castle Rock Magazine

S E A R C H

CASTLEROCK

CASTLE ROCK’S PREMIER MONTHLY COMMUNITY MAGAZINE SINCE 2004

ECRWSS Permit 5377 Denver, CO

PAID Prsrt Std U.S. Postage

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POSTAL PATRON

Racquet Club A Gift From The Heart Local Business Spotlight The Bookends Plus much more!

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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February 2019

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S E A R C H

CASTLEROCK FEBRUARY 2019

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Local Business Spotlight Small and Simple Confections

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A Gift from the Heart Helping Others Through Blood Donation

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New Year, New Ways to Use Your Library!

Get Active with Aaptiv at DCL!

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February 2019 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2 PUBLISHER MIKE WAID

Regional Racquet Club Game. Set. Match!

Bookends Local Author Spotlight

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

ON THE COVER This beautiful image was captured

by Castle Rock’s own 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

Would you like to win $100 cash?

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!

OFFICE MANAGER BECKY NARLINGER

becky@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 703

SALES DIRECTOR KAYCE ARTHUR

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

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 2018 Search Castle Rock Magazine - All rights Reserved.

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Small and Simple Confections Castle Rock, CO 80109 www. smallandsimpleconfections. com 303.885.5471 Hours: By appointment only

I don’t know about you but my mouth is watering as I look at the amazing pictures of Small and Simple Confections creations. They are absolutely beautiful and I am not a fan of fondant so I love that the icing is buttercream. I am so excited to have found this talented, and creative bakery.

In 2014, Erica Demastus started Small and Simple Confections while living in Ohio. In 2017 Erica and her husband had a strong desire to return home to Colorado and raise their children here. Erica has always had a passion for baking, but also a desire to stay at home with her three children, the oldest of which is only is five, so a flexible schedule is a necessity.

She grew up in Highlands Ranch and lived there for 23 years, so she is not new to Colorado or the challenges of high altitude baking.

Don’t let this little business fool you.

Erica worked at Child’s Pastry Shop during college, building and icing cakes, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a Bachelors in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management and Erica is ServSafe Certified and has all the necessary business licenses required by the state, county and city. This small business owner not only makes delicious treats but has the credentials and safety to make her business the whole professional package.

Small and Simple Confections specializes in buttercream iced and decorated cakes, meaning they are finished clean and

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smooth to look like fondant, but the look is achieved using delicious buttercream.

Fondant and modeling chocolate are used only as accents on the cakes. Erica creates custom cakes straight out of your imagination. Bring her pictures of what you’re dreaming of and she’ll take those ideas on paper and bring them to life with amazingly delicious cakes and cupcakes.

Customers can choose from a wide variety of flavors for the cake and filling combinations as well. All those options are listed on their website, so you can check it out and start planning for that special occasion.

Birthday cakes, Smash Cakes, wedding cakes, special event cakes, regular cupcakes, specialty flavor cupcakes, fondant topped cupcakes and other sweets such as cake pops, mini cheesecakes, non-decorated cookies and mini Bundt cakes; there’s a perfect pick for every occasion. She has you covered whether you are having a wedding, birthday or just a regular party that calls for something beautiful and tasty.

You can also find Erica and her decadent creations at the Castle Rock Farmers Market at Douglas County High School during the summer. The schedule will be on her website if you want to catch her there!

What Erica loves most is creating joy, happiness and smiles when someone comes to get a cake, see it for the first time and are ecstatic with the outcome. Give this small business a chance to make you say, “Wow!”

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A Gift from the Heart - Helping Others Through Blood Donation

Valentines usually congers up images of hearts and flowers, candies and sweet sentiments, but what if you could give someone a gift that far exceeds the value of anything that could ever come in a little, velvet box.

According to givingblood.org, 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion each year. Someone needs blood every two seconds.

Only about 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, and sadly, less than 10% donate annually. A healthy adult (at least 17 years old), who is at least 110 pounds can donate a pint of blood (the most common donation) every 56 days. One blood donation can help up to three people in need. If you do the math, that means about every two months, you can make a donation that can help three people each time; so just one person can help up to 18 people, each year, through blood donation.

How’s that for hearts and flowers?

The donation process may seem a bit daunting if you’ve never donated before, but it’s really a very simple procedure that usually takes less than thirty minutes.

After making an appointment at a donation center, such as Bonfils, you’ll check in for your appointment and meet with a trained staff member to complete your health screening and questionnaire. Then, a donor care specialist

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will review your results and determine the best way for you to donate. Next, you’ll get to sit back and relax for a moment while the donor care specialist prepares the necessary materials and equipment. The Donor Care Specialist will clean an area on your arm and insert a sterile needle to begin donation and then samples of your blood will be collected for testing. Donors will complete the whole blood donation until the pint bag is filled, which takes 10-15 minutes. After donating, you enjoy some light refreshments to replenish your fluids and nutrients. Your donation will be typed, tested, processed and distributed and you can walk out knowing you are making a HUGE difference in others’ lives. You’d be hard pressed to find a better way to pay it forward and spread a little love than through a donation that can be critical for life saving procedures.

Understandably, you may have some apprehension about donating blood. It’s not often you run into people who really like needles, but the staff at donation centers like Bonfils or working mobile blood drives are there to guide you through the process, answer any questions you may have and put your fears to rest. If you are in good health and meet the general eligibility criteria, you are likely to be a great candidate for donation. Depending on the circumstances, if you were previously told you were not a good candidate, you may be now! *Eligibility criteria information is subject to change. Please review

the information on the website prior to scheduling your appointment at www.vitalant.org.

Technology allows whole blood donations (what you generally think of when you hear “blood donation”) to be processed and the components separated for patient transfusion.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body and are vital to patients suffering from blood loss due to trauma, undergoing surgery or battling anemia. Platelets are essential for blood clotting and are routinely needed to support cancer therapy, open-heart surgery, organ transplants and cancer therapy. With platelets having a very short shelf life of only five days, platelet retrieval is a constant need. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood and used to treat those in shock, with severe burns or clotting disorders. This separation technology is what allows one donation to potentially help up to three patients with every donation.

In less time than it takes to watch a guilty pleasure reality TV show, you can literally change someone else’s reality through blood donation.

Make a Valentines date that really comes from the heart and schedule your appointment for blood donation. Go to www.vitalant.org (be sure to review donor guidelines first) and then simply click DONATE to find the nearest center or drive near you.

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New Year, New Ways to Use Your Library!

The new year brings new active workout options for Douglas County Libraries cardholders.

Through Douglas County Libraries’ new partnership with Aaptiv, the #1 audio-based fitness app on the Apple App Store, cardholders can now access trainer-led, music-driven audio workouts… for free! Douglas County Libraries is currently the only library in the nation to offer Aaptiv.

Patrons look to public libraries to meet a variety of needs, including entertainment and informational fulfillment. With Aaptiv, Douglas County Libraries gives patrons one more way to use their library, especially at a time when resolutions are made to save money and get fit.

“Douglas County Libraries is about giving the community free access to premium products and services that enhances their lives,” said Collection Development Librarian Andrea Wyant. “The county is full of active people who have access to some of the most beautiful outdoor surroundings in the nation, as well as topnotch Rec Centers and fitness clubs. This 100% audio product complements all of that.”

Aaptiv provides audio fitness classes, guided by expert trainers, which lets people make the most of their workouts—at home, the gym, or outdoors. Membership provides unlimited access to more than 2,500 workouts in 13 categories, including running, strength, boxing, yoga, indoor cycling, cardio machines, and meditation.

Every class features inspiring music by well-known artists, 9

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so members can move to the music they love. Programs help members prepare for races from 5Ks to marathons, improve strength and flexibility, lose weight, or reduce stress, while powerful filters let them find perfect workouts by trainer, duration, music genre, or intensity. You simply enter your goals to find programs and workouts you’ll love, choose a workout based on duration, trainer, music and more then put in those ear buds in and get started, all with the guidance of a personal trainer! The audio based instruction and music allows you to move freely, focus on your form and enjoy your surroundings, whether you’re hitting the trails, hitting the gym or getting a work out in at home.

Wyant said she was looking to add a fitness app to the library’s digital collection and liked the ratings and reviews Aaptiv received. After trying out the product herself, she reached out to the company. “They were really responsive to our needs as a library, like authentication with library cards,” she said.

Douglas County Libraries cardholders get unlimited access to Aaptiv for three months, for free. Subscriptions are limited.

To learn more or to get started with Aaptiv, visit DCL.org/ library-perks or call 303-7917323.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

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REGIONAL RACQUET CLUB It’s about time for Game. Set. Match! Tennis lovers and those eager to learn can now practice and play in a state of the art, 6-court, indoor tennis facility when the Parker Racquet Club celebrates its Grand Opening this month.

The Parker Racquet Club is a family owned and operated facility, in partnership with the Town of Parker, that will be offer high-quality, affordable tennis instruction, all year long.

Up to this point, the Parker Racquet Club, which was founded in 2004, has operated out of Railbender Park. The six public courts at the park are used for tennis programming for players of all ages and abilities, including lessons, drills, leagues and tournaments.

The new Parker Racquet Club facility will be unique in its private/public model. In catering to all players, the club will allow people to reserve courts, participate in programming for members as well as tennis lovers from all across the south Denver Metro area. This private/ public model allows all courts/programming/ leagues, everything, to be open to the public, as well as offering member benefits to those who chose to join.

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com. Block times will be limited to ensure ample court time for lessons, clinics, leagues and open play. Membership benefits include full access to the 6-court facility, the ability to reserve courts up to a week in advance, discounted rates for court time, lessons, tennis programming and more. Membership also includes USTA league play and advance notice to sign up for Block Time, tennis programming and leagues.

Extensive programming options are available for adults to toddlers, for players of all abilities; from those who have never picked up a racket before to more advanced drills and competitive play. Everything from Private instruction to $10 ‘drop-in’ drills is available. The Junior program is equally as extensive. Using the USTA Quick Start format, young players learn the game at a rapid pace while developing physical, mental and emotional skills that the game most certainly teaches players.

Quickstart programs are currently offered for players as young as 4 up to 18 years old.

This new, state-of-the-art, indoor, six court facility will allow for play and instruction 12 months a year. In addition to the 6 indoor, cushioned surface courts, the Parker Racquet Club will also feature 4 outdoor post tension tennis courts, a 1,500 sq ft outdoor patio, a 2,000 sq ft Welcome Center with locker rooms & lounge, year-round play & programs, and top of the line LED lighting.

Barry Riddle, General Manager of PRC, and his wife Suzette, have been offering instruction locally for nearly 15 years. In 2008, Barry partnered with the Town of Parker to build Railbender Tennis & Skate Park. The Riddle’s extensive background in the sport and dedication to instruction earned them the distinction of being USTA Colorado Family of the Year in 2014 and the following year, Barry was awarded the USTA Colorado Umpire of the Year.

Membership and block time opportunities are now on sale. Schedule an appointment to take advantage of the best rates available by contacting PRC at parkertennis@gmail.

PRC’s team also includes Director of Tennis, Steve Prosowski, who has 25 years of experience with the sport. In addition to overseeing the daily operations of PRC and

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instructing players in private and group lessons, leagues and team practices, Steve coaches both the boys’ varsity and girls’ junior varsity tennis teams at Ponderosa High School in Parker.

Craig Marshall, Director of Junior Tennis, is a former collegiate player and certified USPTA tennis professional, who taught for 32 years in Aurora Public Schools and launched the Boys and Girls Tennis Program at Rangeview High School. Craig was recognized for his dedication to teaching and youth sports and awarded the Distinguished Teacher Award as well as the Continental Tennis Coach of the Year honors before he retired from the profession in 2011. Since then, he has focused on his first love, and runs the Junior Programs and Junior Team Tennis League in Parker while continuing to coach at Legend High School.

The Parker Racquet Club will continue their tradition of excellence of instruction, league play and fitness for tennis and expand the opportunities for athletes, young and young at heart, who can pick up a racket again, or for the very first time, year-round at this amazing new facility. This exquisite facility will be a grand slam for tennis enthusiasts all across the Denver Metro region!

Parker Racquet Club 18396 E Plaza Drive, next to the Parker Fieldhouse in Parker For more information about PRC or membership options, contact Barry Riddle at parkertennis@ gmail.com or visit www.parkerracquetclub.com

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THEBOOKENDS

with Pam & Becky

Islands of Sweet Pies and Soldiers

By Sara Ackerman

OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA by: Diana Curran

Set in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor, this mystery will let us peek into how war changes everything from the bond of friendships to identifying who the enemy is during such a tumultuous time. If war isn’t enough to manage, Violet’s husband disappeared a year ago. She is struggling to understand why nobody seems to know what happened that night so long ago. Her ten year old daughter, Ella hasn’t been herself since the disappearance. Ella is picking at her skin and having PTSD symptoms. Ella is haunted by what happened but she refuses to share those memories. Violet and her two friends set up a pie stand to earn some extra cash and bring a little home cooking to the soldiers stationed in Hawaii. They will meet some interesting soldiers and a lion named Roscoe before the mystery is solved.

BECKY: This novel is based on the stories the author’s grandparents shared during the time they lived in Honokaa, Hawaii during WWII. I found it interesting that the pet lion in this story is factual as well.

You can read more about it at http://www.camptarawamcl. com/Roscoe.html. The story is told from two points of view, Violet’s and Ella’s. Did you connect with one of the characters right away?

PAM: I connected with both

characters in different ways.

I connected with Violet, as a mother and a wife. She was struggling after her husband went missing and her young daughter withdrew and began having significant issues at school. I connected with Ella as I learned more about her, her struggles, and ultimately as I discovered the secret that led to her withdrawal. Violet and Ella find some distraction from their family struggles as they meet soldiers training near their home and their mascot, Roscoe the lion.

Were you surprised that Ella connected with them so quickly?

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BECKY: I didn’t expect such a quick connection because she was still searching diligently for her missing husband and it had only been about a year since his disappearance. The novel didn’t provide a deep understanding or development of the characters and this is an example of how that created a gap in the story for me. He wasn’t portrayed as a bad guy, nor was he considered dead so it didn’t make sense for her to move on so quickly. The storyline I enjoyed more was in regard to how the local people of Japanese ancestry were treated. Did you feel like this was an interesting storyline or did the author try to cover too much in this novel?

PAM: There were many

different aspects to this story. However, with the time and setting of this story, the treatment of the local Japanese population was an integral part of the tale. This also allowed the reader to get to know the characters better through their relationships and their feelings about the treatment. One of Violet’s closest friends is Setsuko, a Japanese woman that lives in

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LOCAL AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT The Beatle Girls came of age in rural Colorado when all they needed was love, but today, on thebrink of sixty, they need fresh starts and second chances.

the same village. Setsuko was a support for Violet after her husband disappeared. Violet also supported and fought for Setsuko when her husband was taken away after a local reported he was working with the Japanese to facilitate an attack. Did you find this antiJapanese sentiment difficult to read about?

BECKY: Absolutely, I always find it hard to read about topics that deal with harsh judgement and prejudices.

Unfortunately, that is our world but I would rather be informed and educated about our country’s history. Even if it is just lightly touched in the form of a novel. I enjoyed this book and I look forward to what you have chosen for March. What are we going to read next month?

PAM: Next month we will head for the hills when we discuss Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed.

Margaret can’t buy perfect love with all her money unless she first embraces authentic love with all her heart. Susan traded dreams for diapers in nowhere land, but vows to shake up her home life even as its foundation cracks. Linda struggles with her addictions - work, her ex, and martinis - as she fights to get back to what really matters. Kathy channels romance into her on-screen performances until a heartbreaking loss opens a long, winding road to real passion. A reunion of their Yeah, Yeah, Yeah Sisterhood offers a little help from friends, but is that enough to endure the endings that will lead to their new beginnings?

This light-hearted and insightful coming of sage tale weaves the memories, music, and magic of the Beatles through a year in the lives of these women. A must read for Boomers and Beatles Fans.

Where to purchase: Amazon.com - ISBN#: 9781729042632

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