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Kids Issue CastleRockMagazine.com
MARCH 2017
MARCH 2017 1 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE
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S E A R C H
CASTLEROCK MARCH 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THISMONTH’SFEATURES
DISCOUNTED AND FREE KIDS MEALS
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From the Publisher Get Bald, Fight Cancer, Be Awesome Experience Castle Rock Local - To-Do - Where in Town? Kids Menu Area restaurants that are great for kids...and your wallet Text Neck and Blackberry® Thumbs A Common Complaint in Our Kids Kids Party Planning a kids’ party? We’ve organized a list of cool places to check out! The Bookends Breakthrough Local Author Spotlight
FROMTHE PUBLISHER VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3
PUBLISHER MIKE WAID
mike.waid@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 700
SALES DIRECTOR JAMY BEATON
jamy@waidpublishing.com 303-805-9455 xt 705
EDITORIAL TIFFANY GRIZZLE
tiffany@waidpublishing.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN JAMESON HAMSMITH
jameson@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 Magazine & Castle Rock Magazine are trademarks 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 Waid Publishing. Copyright 2016 Search Castle Rock Magazine - All rights Reserved.
Get Bald, Fight Cancer, Be Awesome! Cancer sucks. Sorry for such strong language, but I don’t know any other way to put it. Cancer just plain and simply sucks. Especially if the person battling this awful disease is a child. Not only is it scary to fight this battle, but kids also have to undergo the negative effects of treatment including losing their hair during chemo. This is where you come in. You can become a warrior against cancer, help raise money to find a cure and stand in solidarity with a proud bald head! That’s right, you going under the clippers can make the difference in this fight against pediatric cancer. Here is all you have to do. Head over to shavethemayor.com and click the GET SHAVED button at the top of the page to sign up as a “shavee” at the 5th annual Shave the Mayor fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s foundation. Once you sign up, you will set a goal to raise and start asking your friends and family to support you. Let them know
that if you reach your goal, you will go bald for them...and for all the kids who don’t have the choice to go bald, but do so while fighting cancer and undergoing treatment. Young or old, boy or girl, no matter who you are or what you do, we can all pull together to show these kids that they are not alone when they lose their hair and the we are battling along side them to find a cure. This year we are trying to get 200 people to shave their heads at our event. It is a big goal but I know we can do it. This year we lost one of the young men who we started this event for to cancer. It is in Dalton’s name that we are striving for this huge goal...and I know we can do it with your help. So please join us in becoming a cancer warrior. Head over to ShaveTheMayor.com and join me, my son Matthew and many others as we go bald on April 29th and become warriors against pediatric cancer!
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MARCH 2017
EXPERIENCECASTLEROCK
to-do
PRINCESS WEEK AT THE OUTLETS OF CASTLE ROCK Sound the trumpets, ready the footmen – it’s Princess Week at the Outlets at Castle Rock! The week of March 13th there will be several chances for your tiny, royal aficionados to flaunt their inner princess. Tuesday, March 14th will be Tiara Tuesday. Wear your jeweled head pieces proudly and be sure to stop by the customer service desk to receive a $5 gift card!
End the celebration on Saturday, March 18th, with a Princess Tea Party from 3-5pm. Be ready for a photo op with the Beauty Princess and her Prince, enjoy face painting, giveaways and get the chance to meet Miss Colorado, Shannon Patilla! For more information, go to www.outletsatcastlerock.com
Wednesday, March 15th is an interactive adventure on Facebook with Wicked Wednesday. Play along on the Outlet’s Facebook Page for your chance to win.
local Raising children is a constantly evolving learning process. Right in the heart of Castle Rock is a wealth of information - a one stop shop designed with parents, kids and families in mind. Rock A My Baby is Castle Rock’s premier pregnancy, baby and early childhood enrichment center – but there’s so much more to it than what you can learn there. In addition to the fantastic classes for parents such as Breastfeeding and Newborn Care or the CPR/Emergency Training and Safety Education Classes, Rock A My Baby offers fantastic birthday parties for the kids and baby showers for the mom to be. In addition to workshops and parties, you can shop for everything from books and toys to baby and toddler essentials and décor.
ROCK A MY BABY FAMILY ENRICHMENT CENTER Ready for a little more fun? Sign your kiddo up for one of the many art, music or dance classes offered. Honestly, between the health workshops, family workshops, free classes, activities, parties, retail finds and everything in between, Rock A My Baby is an invaluable resource for parents and kids alike. To see everything they have to offer, stop in or go online to www.castlerockfamilyenrichmentcenter.com Rock A My Baby– 350 Perry St. – 720.883.2133
where in town?
A MONTHLY SCAVENGER HUNT
FIND & WIN!!!
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Did you pinpoint last month’s Where in Town photo? That beautiful blue glass accents that were pictured are architectural accents on the Municipal Court Building located at 100 Perry Street in downtown Castle Rock. The Castle Rock Municipal Court has jurisdiction 5 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE
HUNT ANSWER
LAST MONTH’S HUNT ANSWER
over violations of Town ordinances and handles traffic, parking, animal and misdemeanor criminal offences that have occurred within the Town of Castle Rock’s limits. You may never have noticed these on the building before, but it’s a safe bet you will now!
LAST MONTH’S
Would you like to win $50 cash? Look through the magnifying glass and simply guess correctly where in Castle Rock this is. We will randomly draw a winner from all correct entries! Enter online at CastleRockMagazine.com GOOD LUCK!
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DISCOUNTED AND FREE KIDS MEALS Most parents would agree that it’s important, no matter what is going on throughout the day, when families sit down and eat dinner together. If you can swing a night out together, that’s even better because no one is getting stuck with loading the dishwasher! To sweeten the deal just a bit more, here’s a list of local restaurants that will lighten the load on your wallet when you’re eating with your kids as well!
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Participating restaurants may vary by location. Certain limitations/restrictions may apply.
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CASTLE ROCK
LONE TREE
SOUTH AURORA
IHOP: Kids eat free Mon-Fri from 4-9pm with adult entrée purchase
Dickey’s BBQ Pit: Sunday – One free kid’s meal with adult entrée purchase
Dickey’s BBQ Pit: Sunday – Free kid’s meal with adult entrée purchase
Firehouse Subs: Sunday – Up to 2 free kid’s meals w/ purchase of an adult combo meal
Gunther Toody’s Diner: Kids eat free Mondays (beverage & sundae included) from 11am-close w/ purchase of adult entrée
Via Baci Italian Bistro: Sunday – Kid’s meal is $2 w/ adult entrée purchase
Village Inn: Monday - Free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased
Lodo’s Bar and Grill: Wednesday – Kids eat free w/ an adult meal purchase 6-9pm
Black-Eyed Pea: Tuesday – Free kid’s meal with adult entrée purchase
DB & Pott’s: Thursday – Kid’s meal is $1 w/ adult entrée purchase
The Rockyard: Tuesday - $2.50 off kids’ meal with adult entrée purchase
Buffalo Wild Wings: Monday - $1.99 kid’s meals after 4pm
Applebee’s : Wednesday - $0.99 kid’s meals with adult entrée purchased - 3pmclose
Village Inn: Monday - One free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased
PARKER IHOP: Kids eat free Mon-Fri from 4-9pm with adult entrée purchase The Egg & I: Mondays -1 free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased Village Inn: Mon & Tues: 1 free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased and don’t forget about “Free Pie Wednesday “ – Get a free slice with any dine in purchase Lil Ricci’s: Tuesdays -1 free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased 4pm-close Texas Roadhouse: Kids’ Night Every Monday 5-8pm – Balloon artist, applesauce eating contest, face painting, ice cream sundae bar (dine in only, not valid on holidays)
Joes Crab Shack: Monday – Kids 13&U eat free w/ adult entrée purchase (limit of 3 per party) Romano’s Macaroni Grill: Mon & Tues – Kids 12&U eat free w/ adult entrée purchase Brewery Bar IV: Tuesday – One free kid’s meal with adult entrée ($7 or more) Denny’s: Wed – Kids eat free from 4-10pm w/ adult meal purchase
Mellow Mushroom: Monday – get $1 kid’s meal with every $15 spent
Fins and Noodles Italian & Seafood: Tues – Kids 10&U eat free with adult entrée purchase. Limit of 2 kids meals per adult entrée.
Brewery Bar III: Tuesday – One free kid’s meal with adult entrée ($7 or more)
Lone Star Steakhouse: Tues – Kids eat free all day with purchase of adult entrée
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant: Sunday –Kids eat free 4pm-close
Country Buffet: Thursday: Kids eat for 99¢ (limit 2) from 5-8pm with purchase of adult buffet
Culver’s: Kids 12 & U get free custard with purchase of a meal CiCi’s Pizza: Kids 10&U (up to 4) can eat for 99¢ w/ purchase of an adult pizza and drink buffet at regular price Maggiano’s: Sunday - Kids 5 and U eat free, check with local restaurant for participation Marie Calendar’s: Tuesday – One free kids’ meal with each adult entrée purchased Qdoba: Kids eat free on Sun or Wed – participation varies by location
Jersey Mike’s: Wednesday – Kids eat free all day, one child per one regular sub combo purchased
Buffalo Wild Wings: Wednesday – 12 &U can order from kids’ menu for just $0.99 from 4-10pm
Jozi’s Kitchen: Wednesday – Kids eat free w/ adult entrée purchase (after 4pm) – not valid with any other offer.
Fazoli’s: Tuesday – Get 2 kid’s meals for $0.99 each with purchase of 1 adult entrée. 12 & U, at participating restaurants 5-8pm
Golden Corral: Kids 3&U eat free everyday with adult meal purchase Bent Noodle: 1 free kids’ meal with adult meal purchase daily Applebees: Wednesday- Kids eat for 99¢ (limit 3 per adult) IHOP: Kids eat free from 4-10pm (one child per adult) (days vary by location) Atlanta Bread: Tuesday – One free kid’s meal with adult meal purchase after 4pm Jason’s Deli: Wednesday – kids eat free 4-8pm, limit of 3 kids per adult Ajuua Mexican: Monday - free kid’s meal with adult meal purchase McCabe’s Bistro: Saturday and Sunday – kids’ meals are $1.00 each with an adult meal purchase
Which Wich: Mon and Sat – Kidswhich meals are $0.99 with purchase of 7” small Wich. 12 & U at participating locations MARCH 2017
Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant: Monday – One free kid’s meal w/ adult meal purchase ($9.75 and up)
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Text Neck and Blackberry® Thumbs
A Common Complaint in Our Kids By Dr. Rebecca Hoeck, PT, DPT inteligentmotiontherapy.com Several years ago, “Text Neck and Blackberry® Thumbs” were nonexistent, but these complaints are becoming more common in our kids as they hunch over smartphones and tablets. Neck pain, headaches, lower back pain, hand and thumb pain from prolonged use of these devices creates significant wear and tear on the muscles, ligaments, joints and other tissues. Placing your chin near your chest to view the mobile device, often more than a 60-degree angle, increases the pressure weight of the head from 10-12 pounds to about 60 pounds. This hunched posture changes the natural curvature of the neck creating more complaints in younger patients, problems that are normally seen in older adults due to age related changes. We often look down to read a book, write a message, prepare food or wash dishes. Texting and smartphone use, adds one more activity to this movement pattern, sometimes repeated compulsively up to four hours a day. Consequently, this repetitive activity may lead to pinched nerves, arthritis, bone spurs, damaged discs, muscle imbalances and restricted shoulder movement, as well as decreased breathing capacity. To prevent Text Neck and back-related ailments: • Keep your head upright and in line with your eyes while viewing your device • Take frequent breaks • Learn proper posture and neck alignment • Learn exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles: NECK RETRACTION: sit up tall with chin level, move your ears back and up without lifting your chin, hold for five seconds, repeat twenty times. CHEST STRETCH: stand in the middle of a doorway, place hands on both sides of the door frame, lean your body through the door, keeping arms on the frame, hold five seconds, repeat twenty times SHOULDER BLADE SQUEEZE: pinching shoulder blades together, hold twenty seconds, repeat twenty times • Put your smartphone down, go outside, and get moving! • See a professional if symptoms do not resolve Blackberry® thumbs are a repetitive motion injury, induced by repetitive typing on a small keyboard. The thumbs become the main digits to text, click and scroll causing the thumbs to reach beyond their natural ranges of motion, or “thumb acrobats.” Reaching farther than designed, the thumbs are vulnerable to wear and tear injuries such as: osteoarthritis, “trigger thumb,” a form of tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tingling, wrist pain and hand weakness.
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To prevent Blackberry® thumb and hand-related ailments: • Take tech holidays • Write shorter and fewer messages on your devices • Use a dictation feature • If you feel pain or strain, stop, rest, and stretch your hands • See a professional if symptoms do not resolve 9 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE
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MARCH 2017
Are you ready to PAR-TAY! Planning a kids’ party can sometimes be a daunting task. With so many options of what to do and where to go, we thought we would help out a bit so that you can have the most awesome-est party ever for your kids. We’ve prepared a list of super cool places in our area that provide out-of-this-world kids party experiences. Now, let’s PARTY! 11 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE
Castle Rock Zip Line Tours
castlerockziplinetours.com 1375 West Plum Creek Parkway Castle Rock, CO 80109 720-733-9477 If you’re ready for the ultimate birthday adventure, then check out Castle Rock Zip Line Tours. Not only could the kids have a great time on our 10 thrilling zip lines, we also offer the EPIC Sky Trek Challenge featuring 2 full levels with over 110 challenging elements and a 42’ climbing wall! Party Size: Varies Cost: Call for details
Fencing Academy
fencingacademysport.com 12870 Stroh Ranch Ct. #105 Parker CO 80134 720-334-3579 Fencing or Jedi Training parties- Kids will learn the basics of fencing or jedi training in a safe and fun environment. Birthday parties last 2 hours and are offered for kids ages 6 and older. Party Size: Up to 24 kids Cost: $15 per person ($150 minimum charge)
Monart
www.parkermonart.com 10158 S. Parker Road Parker CO 80138 303-805-1900 Choose from Canvas Painting, Clay or Glass Fusing Arty Parties at Monart. Each guest will create a unique piece of art centered around a theme chosen by the birthday boy or girl. A two hour party includes all materials and instruction as well as use of our studio to celebrate with a birthday treat. Party Size: 11-25 Cost: $250-$275
Pirates Cove
20 Mile Athletic Center
www.20mileathleticcenter.com 18499 Longs Way Suite 101 Parker CO 80134 303-841-9269 We offer gymnastics themed birthday parties for all ages. Our 90 minute parties include: 2 party coordinators, trampolines, age appropriate games and fun time in pit, A 20 Mile gift bag for birthday child with t-shirt, medal and 20 Mile goodies, party area with service for food, gifts and goodies, set up and clean up, complimentary Invitations. Party Size: more than 25 Cost: $185 and up
Dart Warz
www.dartwarz.com 8150 S University Blvd Centennial CO 80122 855-717-3278 Our party packages are public or private parties! 15 min in the briefing room, 1 hour and 15 min of play and 30 min in the party room! We also offer AWESOME party favors! A Dart Warz water bottle filled with a DW bracelet, candy, and a DW temp tattoo! Party Size: 11-25 Cost: $300-$550
Scale Gymnastics Center info@scalegym.com 18002 East Clarke Rd. Parker CO 80134 303-840-0424 We’ll bend over backwards to make your child’s day perfect! Treat them to a fun-filled gymnastics birthday they will flip for! Parties include private gym time, trampoline and games, party room, and balloons. Parents can sit back and relax while the Party Coordinators handle all of the fun!!! Party Size: 11-25 Cost: $200
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www.piratescovecolorado.com 1225 W Belleview Ave Littleton CO 80120 303-762-2683 Pirates Cove is pleased to offer two Birthday Party Packages. The Captain Cook party is for up to 15 guests and the Billy Bones party is for up to 25 guests. Additional guests can be added. Go to www.partiespiratescovecolorado.com to book a party. Party Size: more than 25 Cost: $274 and $354 WWW.CASTLEROCKMAGAZINE.COM 12
Bricks 4 Kidz
www.bricks4kidz.com/435 720-216-4508 Bricks 4 Kidz® offers fun themed LEGO® birthday parties! Kids love making their own motorized models, as well as play different games and contests while using LEGO® bricks. Our birthday parties are focused on having lots of fun, enjoying time with friends, playing games, and engaging in contests. Building a unique model and making it work by using a motor, battery, and remote control is an exciting bonus for every child. We even offer Robotics birthday parties for older kids! Party Size: more than 25 Cost: $220 - $350+
Xtreme Challenge Arena
www.xtremechallengearena.com 82 Inverness Drive East A2 Englewood CO 80112 303-706-0909 Xtreme Challenge is an exciting arena filled with Ninja Warrior meets Wipe Out style group challenges for kids and adults. Featuring over 30,000 square feet of mid air stunts, suspended obstacles, launching pulleys, and hang tough challenges. BE A NINJA, Ride the Human Catapult, Fly like SUPER MAN or try the Hang Tough Aerial course! Specializing in exciting Birthday parties, Parent/ Child Events and youth sports team-bonding packages. Every event is an adrenaline RUSH.” Party Size: more than 25 Cost: $16.00 and up
Douglas County Libraries
MARCH 2017
DCL.org 100 South Wilcox Street Castle Rock CO 80104 303-791-7323 Available Saturday and Sunday, 2:30-4:30 p.m., for guests ages 0-5 or 6-12. Choose from Things That Roar, Once Upon a Time, or Folklore & Fantasy. Inclusions: free book for the guest of honor, email invitation, thank-you notes, goody bags, Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, setup/cleanup, and 20-30 minutes of planned activities. Party Size: 11-25 Kids Cost: $250.00
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Great Play of Parker
www.greatplay.com/parker 18425 Pony Express Dr. Ste. 107 Parker CO 80134 303-805-8844 Great Play of Parker offers high energy birthday parties for kids ages 1 to 10 years old. Great Play parties are 90 minutes of fun including our interactive throwing walls, games and time for cake. Great Play has six different themes to choose from including a Super Hero Party, Fun & Games and a Dance Party... Great Play offers endless age appropriate customization for the perfect party! Party Size: 11-25 Cost: $224-$274 Dancing Princess Parties www.dancingprincessparties.com 19215 E Cottonwood Dr#713 Parker CO 80138 303-949-1975 Dancing Princess Parties by Dance Exploration, LLC is a mobile party service. We provide standard dance parties (ballet, hip hop or cheerleading) as well as themed character parties including your favorite Princess or Super Hero Characters. Party Size: Up to 10 Cost: $100-250
The Meadows Early Learning Center
meadowselc.com 9985 S Twenty Mile Rd Parker CO 80134 720-340-3370 An amazing indoor castle to host parties with a kitchen, community room and access to an outdoor playground. Party Size: more than 25 Kids Cost: $100-$150
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THEBOOKENDS
with Pam & Becky
Breakthrough
By: Michael C. Grumley A group of marine biologists are conducting amazing research with dolphins, Sally and Dirk. The team is making great strides in translating the language of dolphins, which will change our understanding of this amazing animal forever. Meanwhile, something unexplainable is happening around the world. Naval investigator, John Clay, is tasked to solve the mystery when one of the strange events involves a nuclear submarine. As these two seemingly unconnected groups come together to solve the puzzle, they realize that the world is in danger and it is up to them to save millions of people.
PAM Becky, this book was different from anything we have read in some time. Many different storylines converge into one as we follow this story. I especially enjoyed the dolphins and the connection between them and the group researching their language. Did you find this part of the story intriguing? Did you find it plausible? BECKY I think dolphins are amazing creatures and the idea of
communication with them seems plausible. However, in this story the computer quickly allows the humans to talk clearly with these two dolphins. I did not find that believable but this is a science fiction story so it works. The storyline that I enjoyed most was the research team in the Antarctic. They were studying the Rhonne Ice Shelf and I could hardly put the book down during one section of the story. If this became a movie I would go just to see how they would reenact this part of the book. The idea of a huge section falling into the ocean and creating a tsunami was fascinating to me. What did you think about this small part of the story?
PAM I agree with you about this part of the story. I also found it
very interesting. Honestly, I enjoyed the different story lines and the different types of science represented. The idea of the tsunami was terrifying, but their solution was creative to say the least (I wonder if it would really work). The character that led the research trip to the Antarctic was a woman that had not been taken seriously by some of the people in power in the country. She was determined to gather evidence and prove her theory to be accurate. In order to do this, she gathers a team of researchers and heads into the inhospitable environment of Antarctica. Did you admire her drive to find the truth? Or did you find this trip to be a bad idea?
BECKY I loved her drive and spunk. The trip was dangerous and
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put her team in a treacherous situation, but the research was necessary to complete and it made this storyline very exciting. We also get a glimpse into how our government might handle a danger that could potentially kill millions. Telling the truth could cause a panic of epic proportions so, is keeping it a secret a better choice? Did you feel like the government officials were realistically represented and how did this part of the story make you feel?
PAM I’m sure there would be disagreement among the people involved. I also feel that the difference in opinion between the scientists and elected officials would occur, as they have different information and different perspectives. One of the officials was very demeaning and dishonest. He made me very mad! Ultimately, his decisions (that he was not cleared to make) led to incredible danger for many. He also was disgusting in his behind the scenes manipulation. I kept hoping that his true character would be revealed to all. Did you feel the same about this character?
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BECKY I completely
agree with your feelings about this man. There was nothing likable about him but I enjoyed the chaos he caused in the story. The author did a fantastic job creating a character that stirred such emotion in the reader. When I started this book I didn’t realize that it is the first book in a series of four. Did you enjoy this story enough to continue to read the whole series?
PAM I enjoyed the connection with the dolphins enough that I plan to read the next book in the series. It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here. You know how much I love stories with animals as main characters! Are you planning to pick up the next in the series? BECKY This is not the type of book I would usually pick but I really enjoyed it and will read at least one more in the series. I hope that a few of the characters return in future stories. I appreciate that the author completed this story and did not leave unresolved cliffhangers so you were forced to buy the next book. Were you satisfied with the resolutions to the different storylines?
PAM I completely agree! I love when an author organizes a series in a way that allows a reader to read one or all and still get an entire story. I did feel that the storylines were resolved completely, but I hope to gather a little more information about a few of them in upcoming books! We will be reading a very different genre next month. Join us as we discuss All is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker. We will be introduced to a tragic story of a teenage girl that suffers a brutal attack and is given a drug to erase her memories of the assault. The author takes us through the challenges this teenager faces, while the reader unlocks the mystery of the crime.
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LOCALAUTHORSPOTLIGHT MY LOVED ONE SHINES ON! A GIFT FROM BEYOND
By Disa Van Orman & Dylan Skye Goedeker “Oh, you are wrong if you think I’m gone, I am right there in your favorite song…” is how their new adventure began. Grandmother and Grandson. Gebra and Buffalo Boy. Disa and Dylan. A poem is given to a grandmother by her 6-year-old grandson who dies suddenly. In great pain, she intends to write about the wonderful times they shared. Instead, she hears her amazing grandson tell her a poem that lets her know that he is not truly gone and is still with her. Gebra cannot see or touch him as she did before. Yet, if she uses all her senses, she is aware of his presence. As an artist and photographer, Disa uses her beautiful photographs of animals and nature to bring to life the feelings and emotions this amazing child is sharing to repair his family’s broken heart. Dylan sends her signs that he is there, right by her side. As she writes his words, he asks her to share them with the world, to young and old, to give hope to others that their loved one shines on too. “Hey, don’t forget that part about blossom, because I want this to end with, ‘Man… that would be awesome!!’” Learn more at MyLovedOneShinesOn.com
THREE SILLY WORDS:
A TALE OF A PIZZA, A TREEHOUSE AND A SHARK Written By Ericka Harrell & Illustrated by Krysta Parr Three silly words, one silly story! What do you get when you take two best friends, one little brother, a bunch of imagination, and oodles of teamwork? Oh yes, and let’s not forget... a pizza, a treehouse and a shark?!? One silly story! A little about Three Silly Words... Ericka Harrell is a new children’s book author based in Parker. Her illustrator, Krysta Parr, is based in Centennial. Last year, Krysta and Ericka were chosen to be bridesmaids in their dear friend’s wedding. Having never met before, the two began talking, and lo and behold, they both had life-long dreams of writing and illustrating children’s books. Last fall, after 17 years of service at Ericka’s beloved company, she hung up her corporate high heels and decided to chase her dream of becoming a children’s book author full time. Krysta also recently accepted her dream job and is working as a graphic artist at a large company.
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Ericka’s children inspired her book series. When they were little and couldn’t fall asleep, Ericka would ask them to think of three words, any three words, and she would make up a silly story that included all of them. The more unrelated the words, the sillier the story! Ten years later, Three Silly Words, the book series, was born! All of the “three silly words” used in Ericka’s books are created by her children, their silly friends, and the young students she reads to. Ericka has two titles self-published to date, “Three Silly Words: The Tale of a Pizza, a Treehouse and a Shark,” and “Three Silly Words: The Tale of a Car, a Banana and a Ladybug.” Both are available on Amazon. Her first title is also available on BarnesandNoble.com. 19 CASTLE ROCK MAGAZINE
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