Helping to Create a World Free of Violence

The Crisis Center in Castle Rock asks the question, “Every day we have an opportunity to create a world free of violence – what will you do today?”

The Crisis Center is dedicated to reducing domestic violence and family conflict through advocacy, empowerment, violence prevention and intervention, services and education.

One way to become involved and to make a difference is to attend the 14^th Annual Empty Bowl Event.  This event symbolizes when a victim of domestic violence flees an unsafe situation, there is an Empty Bowl left at the table.   Dinner is served with soup, bread, and dessert as well as a choice of one unique hand thrown pottery bowl donated by local potters.   You can purchase tickets for tables and groups as well as individuals.

Please come and enjoy the evening on Friday, March 28^th, from 6:00 to 9:00pm at the Douglas County Event Center located at 500 Fairgrounds Road in Castle Rock, Colorado.

To learn more about the Crisis Center, please visit their website at http://thecrisiscenter.org/ or contact the Event Coordinator for tickets or to RSVP at 303-688-1094.

Fishing for Castle Rock History

Have any of you have had a chance to pass by the new St. Francis of Assisi Church just off of Highway 86 in Castle Rock?  You can’t miss it, as it sits proudly on one of the most magnificent pieces of real estate overlooking the Douglas County Valley.  The splendor of this church to any onlooker represents not only beauty in progress, but the results of a community with vision. 

And what a vision it is.  The church is the centerpiece of a $6 million complex that also included the renovation of the old church into a parish hall — which hosted its first event with a celebratory dinner prior to the dedication Mass in October of 2011.  I know it’s not exactly “new” any longer, but each time I drive by, it takes my breath away. 

The original parish was founded in 1888, and the parishioners at that time took up a collection and raised about $1,000 to begin building a new church.  Thanks to this effort, the parish left behind a small stone church on the plaza in downtown Castle Rock, which now hosts one of our finest restaurants.

In 1966, the parish, along with many of the Knights of Columbus, chose to move again and build a new church to allow for the expansion of Castle Rock, and the growth of the parish.  Many of them gave of their time and talent to help build the church on its current sight.

In 2011, the community and Knights of Columbus came together again with an architect and a builder who created the beautiful church we see today.  Behind the large San Damiano cross hanging over the altar were huge honey onyx window panes, flanked by larger mountain-themed mosaics with Colorado limestone.  Off to the sides, the clear glass allows one a majestic view of the Front Range mountains.  The predominantly wood structure gives the church a distinctly Colorado mountain feel, as if one is coming home to a warm cabin from the winter cold.

Chris Scurto, president of the parish finance council, said it best, “There’s nothing the community left out. They gave their all,” he said. “During this time, we saw 9/11 happen, we had two terrible recessions, war broke out, unemployment skyrocketed . . . and look at what we still did.”

I’d like to invite you to come and see this gorgeous addition to the Castle Rock community of churches by attending the following event.  The Knights of Columbus will be holding a Lenten Fish Fry every Friday from March 7 to April 11^th, 2014.

This week’s “famous fish fry” will take place on Friday, March 21^st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church located at 2746 Fifth St. in Castle Rock.  The cost will vary according to the meal ordered.  For further information, please contact the Coordinator at 303-953-2686.

There’s a new Sheriff in town…and, by golly, it just might be a woman!

In the upcoming Douglas County elections, a woman is running for Sheriff with the slogan, “Keeping both you and your tax dollar safe”.  Good incentives to peak a voters confidence.

You might ask, “Why is Lora Thomas Running for Douglas County Sheriff?”  Here’s your answer in her own words:

Four years ago when I began my race for Coroner, I was continually asked, “Why are you running?” I was repeatedly told that the office was well-run, that everybody who was anybody was supporting the guy already in the race, and that this guy was the “next in line.”  I persisted in running for Coroner because I knew how waste, abuse, mismanagement and manipulation can become entrenched in government offices. I won that election and we have improved services while drastically shrinking the budget by 33%.

The exact same situation exists with the Sheriff's Office - it's nature.

Citizens have benefitted when they replace “the entitled, next in line candidate” with a better qualified candidate who has fresh, new ideas. It happened in the Douglas County Coroner’s Office and Treasurer’s Office with the 2010 elections. It happened with the 18th Judicial District Election in 2012, and it’s time it happened in the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in the 2014 election!

Well said, Lora!  If you’d like to talk with Lora in person, please join her, along with other delegates at the Castle Rock Events Center located at 500 Fairgrounds Road in Castle Rock, on March 20^th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  For more information on Lora, please visit her website at www.thomas2014.org.

Good luck to all the candidates!

Calling all Night Owls!

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Kickoff

This is an event not to be missed.  For those of you who have attended previously, you know what I’m talking about.

The Kickoff starts on Wednesday, March 12.

Relay for Life is an organized, overnight community fundraising fantabulous walk. Teams of people camp out around a track. And when I say “camp” I mean with a theme.  Not uncommon to see the Hawaiian Hula Hotties grillin’ up some pineapple spears and sippin’ Mai Tai’s on the beach.  Ok, they brought in sand and filled a plastic swimming pool with water and the Mai Tai's might have been Southern Sweet Tea…still, it worked for me and they were just one of many creative groups.    So bring out your imagination, your walking shoes and dance, or walk, into the night!  Members of each team take turns walking around the track. It goes all night under the stars with special luminaires lining the track to light your way. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and build camaraderie. Family-friendly environment for the entire community. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

March 12 /6:30 PM/ Eagles Club - 1300 Caprice Drive - Castle Rock, CO 80104

Contact: 303-619-9495 for more information on this great event!

Coffee with a Cop from your Castle Rock Colorado Realtor

Coffee with a Cop!

The Castle Rock Police Department has launched Douglas County’s first “Coffee with a Cop” series.  Pull up a chair, have a cup of coffee and get to know your local Castle Rock Police Officers! 

As your Realtor in Castle Rock, I can tell you that this is a great opportunity to tell them about your neighborhood and discuss any concerns you may have.  It’s a chance for open communication for residents and business owners to sit down together and engage in an informal conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.  It could also be an occasion to say “thank you” to those who protect our community.

The first of the series will be held on Tuesday, March 11^th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at The Grange located at 3692 Meadows Blvd. in Castle Rock.

The coffee and conversation are FREE!

The Colorado Bluebird Project is Back in Castle Rock, CO.

As a Realtor in Castle Rock, Colorado, one of my favorite times of the year is Spring.  You get the fever going when the sun turns warm and you begin to hear the birds chirping right before sunrise. 

March has arrived and with it the beautiful Colorado bluebirds.  You might think there’s only one but surprise, three species frequent Colorado in March and April.

The Mountain Bluebird is the one most often spotted with the male’s stunning blue features.  Cool factoid:  The feathers of a bluebird aren’t truly blue.  Most birds’ feathers have pigment but, according to Wild Birds Unlimited, the top transparent layer of a bluebird feather is filled with tiny pockets of air.  When sunlight strikes these pockets, all other visible wavelengths of light are absorbed so only the blue color escapes to be seen! 

The Eastern Bluebird looks much like the Mountain Bluebird and ornithologists (bird lovers) say they are rarely seen compared to the other bluebird species.  The Western Bluebird however displays the vivid colors of orange and blue.  Perhaps singing the praises as a mascot to the Denver Broncos football team as a courting male can sing 400 to 1000 songs in an hour.  Pretty impressive!

The Colorado Bluebird Project operates under POST (Partners Volunteer Program and the Audubon Society of Greater Denver) to improve the vitality of native bluebird populations throughout Colorado, with the goal of informing and educating the public about bluebirds. This year marks Castle Rock’s eighth consecutive year of participation with this project. Volunteers are needed for weekly monitoring of nest boxes and breeding activity from April through mid-August at 16 different sites located at various schools, parks, open space and trails.

March 10^th from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at Town Hall in the Town of Castle Rock, 100 N. Wilcox St. Castle Rock, CO.  80104 or call 720-733-2294 for more information.

Learn to build your own nest box and entice these lovely creatures to live in your backyard.

Go to: http://www.crgov.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/906 for nest box instructions.

Castle Rock CO Realtor

Hello, my name is Carla and I’m a Realtor in Castle Rock, Colorado.  A bit about myself; I’m Colorado born and raised.  Traveled in my younger days, but the mountains and my family always called me back home.  I moved to Douglas County  in early 2000 to raise my children and have been here ever since.  It’s an eclectic area that blends the best of the outdoors with boutique shopping, fine dining and a rich Colorado history.  I chose to be a Realtor in Castle Rock because it was close to the I-25 corridor, making a trip to Park Meadows Mall, the light rail or even downtown an easy commute. 

I came from a background of health and wellness so moving over to real estate was an easy transition for me.  I was recruited into becoming a Realtor and have never looked back.   I still have people at the crux of my business only now I get to create the relationship of blending their well-being with their environment.   It’s a mix that establishes an element of joy all around.  Whether working with a first-time buyer, family or investor – finding the property that meets their needs and fulfills their wishes is the ultimate job well done.   

It’s a little different for Sellers.  You want to bring them someone who respects their property and the memories they hold, even if they have only lived there a short time.

A home is so much more than a place we go to at the end of the day.  It’s our sanctuary, our playground, our private space for shared moments, each with an emotion that connects us to that place.

It’s that bond that gets built with time and the reason why I enjoy being a Realtor in Castle Rock, Co.