Amanda Hendershot, Exit Realty DTC

A nice restaurant a short drive from home. The wine dinners here are fabulous, we recently attended the Rodney Strong event. The beet salad was out of this world.

Pesce Fresco will now be open for weekend Brunch!

EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM through 2:00 PM. Enjoy outstanding food from the new brunch menu and the summer sunshine on the outdoor patio or chill out with friends and family in the dining room. Relax with your favorite brunch libations! Bloody Marys, Bloody Caesars, Proseccos, Peach Bellinis, and Mimosas all specially priced at $5.95.

Weekend mornings in the Denver Tech Center have never been so good!

6600 South Quebec Street
Centennial, CO, 80112

I have played at most of these, and been to all of their driving ranges. Feel free to contact me with questions. You can get lessons from a pro at all locations last I checked!

South Suburban Golf Course
7900 S Colorado Blvd Centennial, CO · (303) 770-5500 The 18-hole, par-72 course features rolling fairways and heavily contoured greens, which compensate for the track's lack of trees and water hazards. Green Fees from $27 - $35

Highlands Ranch Golf Club 9000 Creekside Way Littleton, CO · (303) 471-0000 A parkland-style course with a dozen holes playing over mostly open, rolling terrain and the remaining holes dropping down to play along the heavily treed Marcy Gulch. Fees are from $48 - $70

The Links Golf Course
5815 E Gleneagles Village Pkwy Highlands Ranch, CO · (303) 470-9292 This 18-hole executive-length course is very challenging. Water comes into play on 13 holes. The greens are of average size with a lot of movement and are usually quick and smooth. Fees from $22 - $36

Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel 9808 Sunningdale Blvd. Lone Tree, CO 80124 866.858.9058 features a championship Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole public golf course. The course is superbly maintained and extremely challenging for players of all abilities. Fees from $32 - $61

Ridge at Castle Pines North
1414 Castle Pines Pkwy Castle Rock, CO · (303) 688-0100 Beautiful Course, fees vary and they give discounts with online tee times. Prices from $80 - $145. http://www.theridgecpn.com/Book_Tee_Times_Here_44a48e82d631.html

There are also a few private courses around; Castle Pines and Sanctuary.

*There is a convenient driving range at the Quebec and Lincoln Ave intersection, behind the post office. But quite often you can only hit off the mats. Grandgolfpark.com

Beneficiary: Jordan's Angel Foundation. This is a new beneficiary for the Run Series. This particular foundation touched our hearts and we would like to help them out as much as we can. Jordan was a 8 year old who lost her precious life to cancer.

The Oktoberfest course is well suited for all ability levels. After the race, plan to stick around for giveaways and post race activities. Then get ready to polka, enjoy German food and Oktoberfest activities.

The 100 Yard New Balance Sprint!!!
This year continues with the 100 yard sprint tradition. At the end of the 5k there will be an additional 100 yard sprint. The fastest male & female for this portion will receive a free pair of New Balance running shoes. The 100 yard New Balance sprint will add a new competitive twist to our 5k. Awards will be presented to the 5k winners as well as the sprint winners. The 100 yard sprint is included in the race fee and is located at the end of the 5k. There will be an additional timing mat where the 5k ends and the 100 yard sprint begins.

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2008 Time: 12:30 p.m.

Location: Town Center, 9352 Dorchester Street (The start/finish line is at the Ridgeline/Dorchester intersection. The 100 yard dash will finish in front of Lansdowne Arms.

Fees*

Online Registration: $25 (Pre-registration ends at noon Friday, September 12th)

Pre-race Walk-in Registration: $25 (Pre-registration ends at noon Friday, September 12th)

Race Day Registration: $35

Registration: Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk

*race fees are non-refundable

Let's help them earn the most funds yet!

Since moving into a new construction home a few years ago, I have been on the hunt for the best park around us. We didn't have one in our subdivision without crossing a major road, which is a hassle walking or biking with 2 small kids. Now construction is underway to build a baseball diamond and playground in our area, the Hearth in Highlands Ranch. It is next to the Southridge rec center on Mc Arthur Ranch Road. What a welcome addition it will be! They are prepping the soil for sod now and putting in the parking lot.

But we did have fun getting out more in our neighborhood visiting a new park each time. Now whenever we are on the road and the kids need a break from errands I know the best closest place to let them loose. Some of their favorites:

Here's a pic of the view from the wilderness trail on the south side of the Ranch. This is an amazing high point with 360* views of the entire city. It is connected to miles of trails, but can be reached about 1 mile from the nearest parking lot, off Grigs Rd. This is a walk I take all my out of town friends on - they love the view of the entire front range and downtown. It's also beautiful to set out a half hour before sunset.

Redstone Park, next to Shea Stadium, south of the Highlands Ranch Golf Club. Inbetween Santa Fe and Lucent. This park has a small fishing pond with geese, so obviously instant entertainment. Playground and ball fields.

Civic Green Park on Ridgeline, just south of Highlands Ranch Parkway, and west of Broadway. This park is next to our huge and fabulous Library. The playground is fun with interesting structures, a little creek and fountains to play in. And Bathrooms! This park is host to many summer concerts and events put on by our HOA.

Big Dry Creek Park. What I love about this park is it is free from roads on all sides, Other than the spot where you turn into the parking lot. It is flat with lots of room for whatever. Basketball hoops, playgound, bathroom, bike trail and sometimes depending on rainfall, a little creek for exploring. There is a covered picnic area that can be reserved too. You really have to know where you are going to find this one. From University you would take cresthill ln. south to Mackay DR. left. Follow down the hill. From there you should see a sign.

If you are in the Park Meadows Mall area there is a park just south of there to let them run or have lunch called Lonesome Pine Park. From County Line you go south on Acres Green Dr. It will be on your left. In Lone Tree The large sweetwater Park just east of here has a huge fireworks display every 4th of July!

Happy Picnicing!

Living in this area for so long, there aren't many business' that I haven't walked though their door at some point. I am a lover of great food and finding even greater deals. I wanted to point out some of our best kept secrets...

One of our favorite restaurants in Highlands Ranch is Little Holly's Asian Cafe on Wildcat Parkway. (Not to be confused with John Holly's their sister near Park Meadows Mall.) The service is great, food is delivered quickly, and I rarely wait for a table. They have a large variety menu. This is the one of the best I have ever had. Thia Basil near the mall runs a close second. Prices are about $10 - 15pp.

A new resaurant in Lone Tree is Via Baci Italian Bistro on Lincoln across from Super Target . From fresh P.E.I. Mussels, Rosemary Chicken and Seared Halibut, to inspired Pasta dishes like Fettuccine Alfredo and Mediterranean Shrimp with linguine. They continue to create authentic Neapolitan thin crust pizzas, fresh tossed salads, and have added some great new grilled Italian Pannini Sandwiches. They also have a full bar selection with specialty cocktails and terrific undiscovered Italian wines. Lovely casual place after a day of shopping in the Park Meadows area. Wine is half price on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 5! They have a postcard email club with specials too. Prices are @ $10pp.

For breakfast sneak over I- 25 on Lincoln a few blocks to the Great Beginnings cafe. 11800 E Oswego St technically this is in Englewood, but since so many of us go to the 3 gyms to work out here (Inverness, Colorado Athletic Club and 24hour fitness...) you're close by in the a.m. I recommend the "Juan and only", favorite green chili I have ever had (sorry dad). Prices are reasonable @$7. Kids love the pancakes and waffles!

My kids love all these but love Santoro's Pizza north of Lincoln, across from Target. They let the kids watch the pizza making through the glass and play with their own dough. Meanwhile the grownups can have a cocktail and TALK. Who knew...

A local lunch favorite is on the corner of Wildcat and McArthur Ranch Rd in between the Hearth and Firelight subdivisions. This quiet cafe has awesome wraps, sandwiches, soups and pizza. The outdoor tables are great on a cool summer day. Camille's Sidewalk Cafe on red cedar. lunch under $10.