Castle Rock Crew #051

Continued on my epic quest for the best coffee on the local winter menus and got over to LaLa’s this past week. I had heard that the Nutcracker Latte was the move, but couldn’t help myself when I saw the milkshake. Not entirely sure it counts as a coffee (aka, it doesn’t), but sometimes you just gotta treat yourself, even if you don’t deserve it. Anyways, they were also game to do a giveaway so if you want to enter to win a $25 LaLa’s gift card on Instagram, check it out here. Runs for another day and a half. Maca, who’s been helping me out with some photos and videos (you may have seen her at Sip & Stroll), took some really cool shots at LaLa’s recently. Here’s one below (milkshake in the back)!

Christmas & New Year’s

Well, it’s that time of year already. I realize that I probably should’ve dropped some of this information earlier, but per usual, the holidays just sneak up on me. Plus, if you’re like me, you may be celebrating Christmas a couple of days after Christmas (if at all)…

I’ve held off on Christmas movies so far, but feel like I need to watch at least one and I’m going to need your help on it. I’m skipping the Hallmark movies and I can’t get pulled back into the abyss of some of these Netflix Originals (Princess Switch 1, 2, and 3).

I know, I know. I’m missing a bunch like It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, The Family Stone…the list goes on and on, but my list was getting long. Let me know what your favorite is if it’s not on the list!

If you need some last minute fan favorites for fun with kids, I’d recommend getting some wigs — I did that a few years ago and it was an instant classic (and they’re still used to this day). This year, we’re trying out the tiny-hands. We’ll see what sort of reaction we can get with those.

And although it’s last-minute, the Saran Wrap Ball Game can be put together fairly easily. You just need saran wrap, small gifts, and two dice. This is a game that I was introduced to at work many years ago and it quickly became the highlight of everyone’s year. I brought the game home a few years back and we’ve really enjoyed it. You basically wrap small gifts like gift cards, lotto tickets, lotions, mini shots, candy, etc. in saran wrap and try to unwrap the ball as much as you can while the person next to you tries to roll doubles. Here are the full rules. Yes, things can get heated so make sure the temperament of the players can match the intensity of the gameplay. Oh, and don’t put a $100 bill in the lottery ticket machine at Safeway expecting to buy $20 of lottery tickets and get change…I made this mistake last year, but fortunately one person’s lotto ticket was a $500 winner and she was nice enough to share…

Food-wise, this can be used for Christmas or New Year’s (or anything you’re celebrating), but I really enjoyed these prosciutto sliders my mom made over Thanksgiving. Check out the recipe here. Or just drool over the photo I pulled from their website, since I didn’t get a good pic of them during Thanksgiving.

And if you need some New Year’s Eve plans (next Wednesday) here are a couple events here locally that look like a great time.

Sinners & Saints - they’ve got a really cool casino-themed night that includes casino games, signature cocktails, a DJ, dancing, and small bites. Tickets are $55 and you can save 10% by purchasing by December 25th. Event starts at 8:00pm.
More information here. Tickets here.

Wide Open Saloon - will be featuring dueling pianos from 9:00pm-12:00am. They’ve got GA and VIP tickets. VIPs can come at 6:00pm and get dinner that includes lobster mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, salmon, prime rib, smoked turkey, and more! Doors open at 8:00pm for GA. VIP tickets are $82 and GA tickets are $24.
More information and tickets here.

Let me know how it goes! I’ll be in bed!

Four Seasons Lighting Co.
Colorado’s Premier Jellyfish Lighting Installer

Permanent Lighting That Works All Year

If you’ve noticed clean, subtle lighting on homes around Castle Rock lately, there’s a good chance it was installed by the local team at Four Seasons Lighting Co.

That team is Cj and Lariss Taggart, a Castle Rock–based couple bringing permanent, low-profile lighting to homes across the area as an authorized Jellyfish Lighting dealer.

The systems are designed to blend into your home and elevate it at night, whether that’s everyday curb appeal, added security, or seasonal lighting when you want it.

The easiest way to understand it is to see it on real homes.

See real homes lit with permanent lighting

Pet Adoptions

Every gift made to Humane Colorado before the end of the year will be matched up to $100,000. If you’re interested in donating, see here.

Milo is a new arrival, but this salt and pepper coated guy is ready for a new home in ‘26!

Sports

Broncos — all good things must come to an end (I guess). A few miscues throughout the day ended up with an unfortunate loss to the Jaguars (they remain extremely hot). The 10-point swing right away when Lutz’s kick to put us up 3-0 went off the right post and then we gave up a big touchdown did not help. But it didn’t look out of reach until Trevor Lawrence and Parker Washington took the game over in the second half. The defense who always bails us out couldn’t get stops in the red zone which was very uncharacteristic. Let’s see how we respond after a loss like this (it’s been three months since we’ve had one…). Overall, not too worried about it. We are now 12-3 and remain atop the AFC. We take on a demoralized Kansas City Chiefs team that lost their backup last week in a really embarrassing loss to the Titans (26-9). Game is Christmas Day (Thursday) at 6:15pm.

Nuggets — Nugs are 21-7, putting us at 3rd in the Western Conference. Had a win over the Magic (126-115), lost to the Rockets (115-101), and beat the Jazz (135-112). We play the Mavericks tonight, the T-Wolves on Christmas, the Magic on Sat, Dec 27 and the Heat on Mon, Dec 29. Be sure to vote for our guys to become All Stars here!

Avalanche — we’re 26-2-7 with 59 points (most in the NHL), and have a four point lead over the Stars (they’ve played 2 more games). We beat the Kraken (5-3), beat the Jets (3-2), and stomped the Wild (5-2). We host the Mammoth tonight, head on the road to face the Golden Knights on Sat, Dec 27, and then host the Kings on Mon, Dec 29. Building on being the first to 50 points this season, MacKinnon was the first to 30 goals this season!

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Events:

Tuesday, 12/23:

Outlets - Santa's Cottage | Visit Santa Claus - 1:00pm–6:00pm (daily through Dec 24)

The Office Co. | Bar & Kitchen (every day) - Happy Hour - 2:00pm–7:00pm

Courtyard Social (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 2:30pm–5:00pm

Bien y Tu (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 2:30pm–5:00pm

The Whiskey Lodge - 85¢ Wings - 3:00pm–10:00pm

Hideaway Bar & Grill (every day) - Happy Hour - 3:00pm–6:00pm

Trifecta - Happy Hour - 3:00pm–7:00pm

Downtown Castle Rock - Free Winter Trolley - 5:30pm–7:30pm (every Mon & Tue through Dec 30)

Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Elizabeth Brews - Trivia Night - 7:00pm–9:30pm

Wednesday, 12/24:

Wide Awake Eatery - Happy Hour - 4:00pm–6:00pm (Wed-Sat)

Downtown Castle Rock - Holiday Carriage Rides - 4:30pm–8:30pm (every Wed-Fri through Jan 4)

Hideaway Bar & Grill - DJ Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm

Thursday, 12/25:

Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke with Big E Entertainment - 8:30pm–12:30am

Friday, 12/26:

Pines Bar & Grill - Gritty Velvet - 6:00pm–9:00pm

Wide Open Saloon - Aubrey Dale & Eli Rey - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Saturday, 12/27:

The Stagecoach Saloon - Walker Williams - 6:30pm–10:30pm

Wide Open Saloon - Retro Sonic - 7:00pm–10:30pm

Alidade Brewing - Free Comedy Night - 7:30pm–10:00pm

Monday, 12/29:

Downtown Castle Rock - Free Winter Trolley - 5:30pm–7:30pm (every Mon & Tue through Dec 30)

Heads up on events that are further out:

Wide Open Saloon - NYE Party Featuring Dueling Pianos - Dec 31, 6:00pm–10:30pm - tickets

Sinners & Saints - New Year’s Eve Dance Party @ Sinners & Saints - Dec 31, 8:00pm–1:00am - tickets

Pines Bar & Grill - NYE 2026 - Dec 31, 9:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Mountain Magic Band - Jan 3, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Philip & Jerry Miller Library - Castle Rock Historical Society & Museum’s Monthly Presentation: DCSO Solves 30 Year Old Murder Case - Jan 8, 7:00pm–8:00pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - These Guys - Jan 9, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Sudden Fiction Books - An Evening with Peter Heller - Jan 12, 6:00pm–8:30pm

Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Josh Blackburn: Live In Castle Rock - Jan 16, 6:00pm–9:00pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Sarah P And The Hay Pullers - Jan 16, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE! - Jan 16, 6:00pm–9:00pm - tickets

105 West Brewing - Live Music: Rented Tuxedo - Jan 16, 6:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Wags And The Boys - Jan 17, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Chilli Competition - Jan 18, 2:00pm–3:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Vetras And Atomic XPerience Split Set - Jan 23, 6:30pm–10:30pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Blinker Fluid - Jan 24, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Whiskey Tasting-Bourbon and Rye - Jan 24, 6:00pm - tickets

105 West Brewing - Live Music: Mike Mauer Band - Jan 24, 6:30pm

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Murder & Mystery - Till Death Do Us Part - Jan 30, 6:00pm - tickets

Douglas County Fairgrounds - Winter Ball - Jan 31, 6:00pm–9:00pm

The Stagecoach Saloon - Walker Williams - Jan 31, 6:30pm–10:30pm

Crowfoot Valley Coffee - Castle Rock Comedy Show with Carla Clay – Hosted by Mark Masters - Jan 31, 7:00pm–9:30pm - tickets

Worth the drive: other Douglas County events can be found in our sister newsletter, DougCo Drop — subscribe below

*We are working on an events calendar with a new URL that will provide both advance notice and greater variety for events. Feel free to provide feedback: https://dougcoevents.com/

⚠️ Please verify event details and availability with the respective venues or organizers, as schedules may change.

Let us know of any events, locations, establishments, or businesses that you would like us to highlight in coming editions. [email protected]

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