December 3, 2015
INSIDE
VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 5 | 75¢
2015 DOUGLAS COUNTY
NONPROFIT GIVING GUIDE DouglasCountyNewsPress.net A publication of
D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Start of park project delayed The $5 million redesign of Festival Park still expected to finish on time By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
The celebration closes with a fireworks display in downtown Castle Rock. Photos by Shanna Fortier
Shining for the season 79th annual lighting of the star kicks off holidays By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com As the sun set in Castle Rock, thousands of people waited in anticipation of the annual lighting of the star on the Rock. As the star illuminated, fireworks lit up the sky and the downtown roared with excitement. The “Lighting of the Star” — sponsored by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the town, Douglas County, and the town police and fire departments — has been a community event shared by residents dating back to 1936. “It’s a family tradition,” said Castle Rock resident Tristen Dinkel, after the Nov. 21 fireworks show. “It’s fun to start off the holiday with just a big festival.” Like many attendees, the Dinkel family makes a stop at the Castle Rock Fire Station for the chili cookoff each year. This year’s celebration also included children’s activities, strolling entertainers, nonprofit booths and, of course, Santa. Colorado legend Hazel Miller, known for her larger-than-life voice and giving spirit, rocked the stage at The Emporium during the block party before the lighting. “Castle Rock’s small-town charm
The construction on the Festival Park redesign, which was previously scheduled to begin as early as March 2016, has been pushed back to begin about a year from now, after the November 2016 Starlighting. Jeff Brauer, of Castle Rock Parks and Recreation, told the town council on Nov. 17 that the two-phase approach, which was previously planned, could cost more time, money and risk in the long run. The new timeline would start construction later, but still end with the original completion of the project in November 2017. This would allow more time for permitting before construction begins. Festival continues on Page 9
WHAT’S INSIDE
The Hazel Miller Band rock the Emporium stage. Luxe Crawford, Lyre Crawford and Kruz Tamm warm themselves with hot chocolate before the fireworks.
’Tis the reason: Learn how to make sure the holidays don’t derail a healthy lifestyle. See Page 12
Football: Valor downs Cherry Creek to advance to another state championship game. See Page 18
Starlighting continues on Page 6
DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS-PRESS (ISSN 1067-425X) (USPS 567-060) OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 | PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the News-Press is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 5 p.m. | Classifieds: Tue. 8 a.m. | Obits: Mon. 4 p.m. | Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m.