Our Douglas County Colorado

Douglas County Colorado is home to a large number of work from home Moms, Dads, sales people and entrepreneurs. Working from home has numerous benefits, low over head, convenience, no commute and the ability to wear your p.j.’s on a conference call to the home office. The one thing that gets old after awhile is being alone at home with no hustle bustle, no human interaction you can get onely and or start going a bit stir crazy.  You also sometimes you might need to meet with someone and having them come to your toddler toy strewn, friendly cat, playful dog cozy house might not be the best idea.  Luckily the Castle Rock, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker Colorado areas have plentiful free wifi locations that you can use as your office away from home.  Of course you can also use these spots to grab a bite to eat and catch up on your email or surf the web for fun, or to study for a test depending on which venue you choose.

Below is a list of spots, one of them sure to be close enough to your home office to be convenient.

Highlands Ranch Colorado

• Indulge Wine Bar 1601 Mayberry Drive Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 303-471-6400
• Old Blinking Light 9344 Dorchester St Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 303-346-9797
• Whole Foods Market 9366 S Colorado Blvd Highlands Ranch 80126
• Enchanted Grounds 8800 S Colorado Blvd # A  Highlands Ranch 80126
• Panera Bread 9579 University Boulevard Highlands Ranch 80126
  Sun – Thu: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
  Fri – Sat: 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM
• Highlands Ranch Recreation Center at Northridge (Free Wifi Laundromat / Dry Cleaner)
  8801 S Broadway Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (303) 791-2500
• Highlands Ranch Library 9292 Ridgeline Blvd Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (303) 791-7703
• Tattered Cover Book Store 9315 Dorchester St Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (303) 470-7050
• Dewey’s American Grill – 52 W Springer Dr – 720 348 0101
• Schlotzsky’s Deli – 537 W Highlands Ranch Pkwy, Ste 108 – 303 346 6500
• Boston’s Pizza – 53 W Centennial Blvd – 720 344 1531
• Recreation Center at Eastridge – 9568 South University Blvd. – (303) 791-2500
• Recreation Center at Southridge – 4800 McArthur Ranch Road – (303) 791-2500
• Recreation Center at Westridge – 9650 South Foothills Canyon Boulevard – (303) 791-2500
• Starbucks 9563 South University Boulevard, Highlands Ranch, CO‎ – (720) 348-1026‎
• Starbucks 2205 Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Littleton, CO‎ – (720) 344-4503‎
• Starbucks 9563 South University Boulevard, Highlands Ranch, CO‎ – (720) 348-1026‎
• Starbucks 4000 Red Cedar Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO‎ – (303) 683-7383‎
• Starbucks 9135 Commerce Center Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO‎ – (303) 346-0397‎
• Starbucks 1265 Sgt Jon Stiles Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO‎ – (303) 323-4971‎

Parker Colorado

• Parker Library – 10851 So. Crossroads Dr. Parker CO. Parker, Colorado
• Christian Book Store – Steaming Bean Coffee House 19190 E. Main Street Parker 80134
• Fika Coffee 19559 East Main Street Parker, CO 80138 – (303) 840-3166
• Nomelie Cupcakes 19751 East Main Street, Parker, CO 80134
• Falcon Pub 19751 East Main Street, Parker, CO 80138  (303) 805-1133
• Kunjani Coffea 10009 N. Jordan Rd Parker, Co 80134 (720) 249-5594
• Starbucks 11153 South Parker Road, Parker – (720) 842-0305
• Starbucks 17051 Lincoln Ave # M, Parker – (303) 841-1545
• Starbucks 9700 S Parker Rd # 100, Parker – (303) 840-0306
• Panera Bread  11290 S Twenty Mile Rd # 123 (720) 842-1200
• Little Monkey Business 10430 South Progress Way, Parker, CO‎ – (720) 851-4862‎

Castle Rock Colorado

• Burger King 880 Kinner Street Castle Rock Co
• Rockyard American Grill & Brewing Co. 880 Castleton Road Castle Rock Co 80109
• Java Guru 4284 Trail Boss Dr Castle Rock 80104 Only open Thursday-Sunday
• Castle Rock Bar and Grill 302 Wilcox Street Castle Rock 80104
• Dazbog Coffee 202 Wilcox Street Castle Rock 80104
• The Outlets at Castle Rock – food court area 5050 Factory Shops Blvd. Castle Rock, CO
• Douglas County Libraries
• Starbucks  62 Founders Parkway Castle Rock Colorado
• Starbucks 506 Castle Pines Pkwy Castle Rock CO
• Troncalli’s Trattoria 323 Metzler Drive Castle Rock, CO 80108 (303) 688-1229
• A Taste of Mexico 880 West Happy Canyon Road, Suite 150, Castle Rock, Colorado 80108
• The Barn Antiques and Specialty Shops and a flat screen tv! 400 3rd St Castle Rock, CO

Lone Tree Colorado

• Little Monkey Business 7600 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree, CO‎ – (720) 880-5800‎
• Claim Jumper Restaurant 7407 E. Park Meadows Dr. Lone Tree 80124
• Krispy Kreme Lone Tree 7514 E Parkway Dr Lone Tree 80124
• Panera Bread 9233 Park Meadows Drive Lone Tree 80124
• Starbucks 9222 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree, CO‎ – (303) 799-8061‎
• Starbucks 505 South Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree, CO‎ – (303) 792-5796‎
• Starbucks 229 East Lincoln Avenue, Lone Tree, CO‎ – (303) 649-9111‎
• Starbucks 8374 South Willow Street, Lone Tree, CO‎ – (303) 706-1359
• Starbucks 8585 South Yosemite Street, Lone Tree, CO‎ – (303) 706-0975‎
• Starbucks 1950 E County Line Rd, Littleton, CO‎ – (303) 797-1911‎
  ‎
• Dazbog Coffee 8585 S. Yosemite Lone Tree 80124
• Borders 8557 Park Meadows Center Dr. Lone Tree 80124
• Fox & Hound Denver (Lone Tree) – 9239 Park Meadows Drive  Lone Tree CO- 720.875.9161
• Lone Tree Library – 8827 Lone Tree Pkwy. Lone Tree Colorado

*Starbucks wifi is free with Starbucks giftcard registration.

Registration lottery from Jan. 4 to Feb. 19 for classes running September 2010 through May 2011 for Castle Rock’s Adventure Club preschool and pre-K programs.

Castle Rock’s pre-k program is so popular that they usually do not have room for every child that wants to participate so these lottery’s are the way the Douglas County Recreation Center’s prefer.  Residents have priority over non-residents and currently enrolled children also have to participate in the lottery.

What are these programs?  They help your kids get ready for kindergarten by helping to expand their minds, by exposing them to the  arts, music, dramatic play and story telling and socializing them with other children and learning the all important skills of sharing, taking turns, and getting along with other students.

Preschool classes – for children ages 3 and 4 – are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:15 p.m. Students will learn colors, numbers, seasons and the alphabet and will get an introduction to the Zoo-phonics literacy program.

Pre-K classes – for children ages 4 and 5 – are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:15 p.m. Science, pre-math and pre-reading skills and more are taught to these students, who also will learn using the Zoo-phonics program.

All families are notified by February 23, 2010 about the results of the lottery.  Once your child has been accepted into a class, a $90 deposit is required to hold your childs spot and it is non-refundable. Your child may be placed on a waiting list.

Monthly preschool tuition is $130 for residents and $165 for nonresidents. Monthly pre-K tuition is $170 for residents and $205 for nonresidents.

The programs are state-licensed. All participants must have an up-to-date immunization record and a health physical and emergency card on file.

Preschool participants must turn 3 by Oct. 1 and pre-K students must turn 4 by that same date.

Questions? Contact Youth Specialist Callie Menz, 303-814-7454 or cmenz@CRgov.com.

For Castle Rock Official Announcements

Christmas Tree Recycling and free mulch  is offered in many area’s of Douglas County Colorado

Castle Rock offers tree recycling from December 26 – January 31, in the parking lots of:
Centennial Park (22 N. Gilbert St.)
Founders Park (4671 Enderud Blvd.)
Metzler Ranch Park (4175 Trail Boss Drive) MAP
Paintbrush Park (3492 Meadows Blvd.)
Questions? Call 720-733-2260.

Mulch from the trees will be given away at the above parks Jan. 15 – March 15.

Englewood’s Parks Division is recycling Christmas trees Jan. 1-31 at the following locations: Bates/Logan Park, 2938 S. Logan St.;
Centennial Park, 4630 S. Decatur St., in the south parking lot;
Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca St., in the south parking lot;
Miller Field, 3600 S. Elati St.

The trees will be turned into mulch, which will be available at no cost for residents to pick up. Info: 303-762-2520.

Highlands Ranch is recycling Christmas trees Dec. 25 – Jan. 18 at the following locations:
Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Circle;
Toepfer Park, 9480 Venneford Ranch Road;
Dad Clark Park, 3385 Asterbrook Circle
Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec.

Free mulch is available on a self-serve basis at each of the tree recycling sites. Info: 303-791-0430

Littleton is recycling Christmas trees Dec. 26 through Jan. 31
Highlands Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec, Littleton. Info: 720-733-6990.

Town of Parker is recycling Christmas trees Dec. 26 through Jan. 31 at
Challenger Regional Park, 17299 E. Lincoln Ave. Info: 720-733-6990.
( just west of the Parker Recreation Center) or

For other recycling locations throughout Metro Denver see this Denver Post article.

Trash and recycling services will be delayed on Friday, December 25th due to the Christmas holiday. Collection for Friday customers will be on Saturday, December 25th.

Trash and recycling services will also be delayed on Friday, January 1st due to the New Year’s Day holiday. Collection for Friday customers will be on Saturday, January 2nd.

All other service days will not be affected. Normal service will resume on Monday, January 4th.

Snowstorm coming to Castle Rock in time for the holidays

No more dreaming of a white Christmas in Castle Rock – one looks to be a reality, with as much as 10 inches of snow expected here between late tonight and early Thursday.

The Town’s snow removal crews are planning to take to the streets about 2 a.m. Wednesday to begin battling back against the storm. The heaviest snowfall is expected between 6 a.m. and noon Wednesday, which could mean a tricky morning commute.

Small plow operators are expected to join the snow-removal effort tomorrow afternoon, when crews first expect to head onto residential streets. The work will continue around the clock until the storm stops and streets are passable, probably sometime Christmas Eve.

Town offices are expected to remain open Wednesday and Thursday, and Police and Fire personnel are ready to respond to any storm-related incidents.

The Town’s online snowplow tracking system, accessible at CRgov.com/plowtracker, will be updated once snow-removal operations begin. In addition, the Town will post updates as needed on its Web site, CRgov.com, and on its Facebook page (facebook.com/crgov) and Twitter feed (@crgov).

Stay safe, and enjoy the snow.

PRESS RELEASE

Winter Holiday Tea and Educational Tour at the Mansion in Sedalia Colorado.
English-Style Afternoon Teas are offered every first and third Saturday of the month and every second and fourth Wednesday at 2 p.m. (some teas may be canceled due to other Castle events so please reserve your spot in advance). Adults and children (in fourth grade or older), are welcome and the cost is $40 per person. Special Holiday Teas are offered at several times during the year. The cost is $42 per person and includes a Castle Tour.
Reserve early! Seating is limited and these teas sell out fast

Cherokee Ranch and Castle
6113 Daniels Park Rd MAP
Sedalia, CO 80135-8716
(303) 688-5555

• Tuesday, December 22nd – 1pm
• Wednesday, December 23rd – 1pm
• Tuesday, December 29th – 1pm
• Wednesday, December 30th – 1pm

Castle tours, teas and brunches are offered year round including mystery and holiday themes.  See their website for more information and to reserve your spot.

This tiny little town just south of Castle Rock boasts an architectural treasure combing the Scottish style and the Colorado style into one castle perched on the edge of a bluff with an impressive view of Daniels Park. Built in 1924 it is now part of a  3200 acre ranch that was deeded to Douglas County as a wildlife refuge.
Due to high demand, reservations and prepayment are required for all events. Please make your reservations at least one week in advance for all teas, and one day in advance for all tours.  All reservations are subject to availability. Call to make reservations or buy tickets 303.688.5555 ext. 1 or email.

Santa Paws is coming to your town and there is one weekend left to get a fabulous keepsake photo of the Christmas holidays and help support Every Creature Counts a local Colorado no-kill animal shelter in the process.

Whether you are looking for a cat, or kitten, puppy or dog to love and be a part of your family, please consider rescuing and adopting a pet from Every Creature Counts.

List of cats available for adoption in Colorado include their photos, stats, which shelter they are at and some of their likes and dislikes.

List of available dogs for adoption in Colorado including photo, stats, location and information to help them find their forever homes.

In 2008 Every Creature Counts was able to save 2189 animals who found their forever homes  and 7,102 dogs and cats were spayed and neutered, ECC is hoping to double those figures this year.

More information here

December 19-20 from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Aurora Colorado

40 S. Abilene St.
Aurora, CO 80012
720/859-8122

7350 S. Gartrell Road
Aurora, CO 80016
303/400-4778

5520 S. Parker Road
Aurora, CO 80015
303/690-4697

Castle Rock Colorado
4654 Milestone Dr.
Castle Rock, CO 80104
720/733-6282

Littleton, Colorado
8500 W. Crestline Ave.
Littleton, CO 80123
303/948-6364

8440 S. Kipling Parkway
Littleton, CO 80127
720/922-8335

8895 Park Meadows Center Dr.
Littleton, CO 80124
303/799-3575

8222 S. University Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80122
303/220-0215

Parker Colorado
11183A S. Parker Rd.
Parker, CO 80134
720/851-7790

Enjoy festive holiday music at the ranch. Join with your Highlands Ranch neighbors to enjoy smooth holiday sounds

December 18, 2009
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Recreation Center at Southridge
Wildcat Auditorium

Tickets are $2.00 and are available at any HRCA Recreation Center in advance or call 303-471-8859. Tickets will be available at the door, if not sold out. All ticket sales are final and no refunds will be issued. Email here for more information.

The Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch hosts the Winter Cultural Series of musical performances from 7-8:30 on the following dates.

2010 Winter Cultural Series

January 14 – Queen City Jazz Band
January 28 – Central City Opera
February 11 – Grupo Tlaloc Aztec Dancers
February 25 – Arvada Center Dance Academy Ballet

Cherry Hills Community Church
3900 Grace Blvd. MAP
Highlands Ranch, CO

Tickets are $7 per member, $10 per guest, and $10 the day of the performance. At the door, cash or checks only please. Children 2 and under free but must sit on parents lap.

Queen City Jazz Band performing “If it ain’t got that swing”

Performed live by The Queen City Jazz Band at The Bull & Bush Jazz Celebration, August 2009

More info here