Alright, so the poll results for whether or not you’re a big fan or never flying Southwest again were basically split with “Never Again” slightly edging out “Big Fan” with 53% versus 47%. I myself am going to lean “Never Again” after our boarding process took over an hour and I had to check my bag due to running out of overhead space, but I’m a glutton for punishment so I’m sure I’ll be back to flying them again soon enough. But they really are just like all the other airlines now…maybe a bit worse while they figure out how to do what everyone else already does. Thought it would’ve been obvious…

Mother's Day is this Sunday (hopefully you’re aware). Brunches, 5Ks, painting classes, prime rib buffets, King Crab — here are some of the top options in case you need some last minute plans.

Highlands Ranch

HRCA Mother's Day 5K — Sat 5/9, 9am at Cresthill Middle School. If you want to punish your mother for something, this family-friendly course (strollers welcome) is ready for you. You get a race t-shirt, a custom giveaway, and a pancake breakfast from Flippin' Flapjacks at the finish. There's a kettlebell hidden along the course — first to find it and bring it to the finish line wins $100. Register here.

Lansdowne Arms Mother's Day Brunch Buffet — Sun 5/10, 10am–3pm. $39.99 adults, $13.99 under 12. Slow-roasted prime rib, smoked pork butt, smoked salmon, omelet station, eggs benedict, chicken & waffles, BBQ ribs, and plenty of desserts to choose from. À la carte menu also available.

Highlands Ranch Mansion grounds — If a buffet isn't her thing, pack a picnic and walk the grounds. Free, gorgeous, easy. Plus they’ll have a mimosa bar…

Lone Tree

Lone Tree Golf Club Mother's Day Brunch — Sun 5/10, 9am–2pm. Adults $75, kids 6–12 $35, under 5 free (+ 23% service + tax). Prime rib carved to order, omelet + waffle + French toast bars, charcuterie cups, shrimp cocktail. Cat on the Keys on piano. Build-your-own bouquet bar by Honeycomb & Co. Bottomless mimosas ($16) or Bloody Marys ($20).

Painting with a Twist — Mother's Day ‘Colorado Mountains’ — Sun 5/10, 6–8pm. $40 (canvas) or $50 (wood plank board). Instructor Marco walks you through a Colorado Mountains scene. Wine on-site.

Parker

Miles Over the Meadow Mother's Day 5K & Family Fun Trek — Sat 5/9, 8am at Tallman Meadow Park. 5K race or 1-mile family walk. Breakfast, souvenir bib, and a post-race beer (21+) included with registration.

Parker Farmers Market — Opening Day — Sun 5/10, downtown Parker. The season's first market lands on Mother's Day morning. Fresh produce, local vendors, handmade goods. Easy first move of the day.

The Studio at Mainstreet — Shelvis & The Roustabouts Mother's Day — Sun 5/10, doors 11am. Live rockabilly from Shelvis & The Roustabouts, 2-for-1 drinks.

Castle Pines

Trestles Coastal Cuisine — Mother's Day Weekend featuring King Crab — Fri 5/8 through Sun 5/10. Their three-day weekend menu leans into the King Crab.

Castle Rock

Outlets Moms & Mimosas — Sat 5/9, 11am–2pm. $15 ticket gets you two mimosas, light brunch bites, a swag bag with a $10 Outlets gift card, store discounts, a build-your-own bouquet experience, and access to a private VIP suite. Proceeds benefit the Help & Hope Center of Castle Rock. 12+ only, tickets limited.

Bar Hummingbird Mother's Day — Sun 5/10, 90-minute seatings 11am–2:30pm. Moët mimosas, specialty cocktails, a flower cart, and a live DJ.

We’ll be in Lone Tree on Wednesday, May 13th, and have a few more spots available. If you’d like to join us, sign up at the below link.

DougCo Social Dinner Club

SEPARATE LINK/PLATFORM — our next Couples Dinner (55+) will be in Parker on 5/27 at a to-be-determined restaurant. If you’d like to join us, sign up at the below link.

Couples Dinner (55+)

Local jobs and opportunities across Douglas County.

If you’re hiring, reach out at [email protected] for a free posting.

Music & Concerts

Tailgate Tavern & Grill - The Country Music Project (Patio) - Thu 5/7, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Kingpin Posse (Inside Stage) - Thu 5/7, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Brass Attack Band (Patio) - Fri 5/8, 6:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Kelsey Jo and The Wildcards - Fri 5/8, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Takoda Tavern - SoundBite - Fri 5/8, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Derek Hall - Live at the Altar - Fri 5/8, 8:00pm–10:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Steve Thomas Band (Inside Stage) - Fri 5/8, 8:30pm–12:30am
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Groove 'N Motion (Patio) - Sat 5/9, 6:00pm–10:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Looking Back - Sat 5/9, 6:30pm–9:30pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Wags and the Boys - Sat 5/9, 6:30pm–10:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts - Sat 5/9, 7:00pm–10:30pm
Takoda Tavern - Third Chapter - Sat 5/9, 7:30pm–11:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Steve Thomas Band (Inside Stage) - Sat 5/9, 8:30pm–12:30am
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Jackie Hadley - Sun 5/10, 2:30pm–5:30pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Red Rock Vixens (Mother's Day Patio) - Sun 5/10, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Lone Tree Arts Center - Nnenna Freelon and the Count Basie Orchestra - Wed 5/13 - $45-$75 - tickets

Food & Drink

Cherokee Ranch & Castle - May Vino Voyage: Celebrate the Flavors of Spring - Fri 5/8 - $69 - tickets
Provision - Vago & Oysters Event - Tue 5/12, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $95 - tickets

Nightlife & Entertainment

Ranch Social (8155 Piney River Ave) - Music Video Bingo - Thu 5/7, 6:30pm–8:30pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Optimus Karaoke - Thu 5/7, 8:00pm–11:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke - Fri 5/8, 7:00pm–10:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Bring Your Own Vinyl Night - Sat 5/9, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Lansdowne Arms - Saturday Night Karaoke - Sat 5/9, 8:00pm–11:00pm
Sinners & Saints - Live DJ in the Lounge with DJ Max - Sat 5/9, 9:00pm–11:59pm
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Sunday Karaoke with KJ Optimus - Sun 5/10, 4:30pm–8:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke - Sun 5/10, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Pints and Paint — WELCOME or Name Sign Custom Painting - Wed 5/13, 6:00pm–8:30pm - $55 - tickets
The Studio @ Mainstreet - Line Dance Ladies Night with Liane - Wed 5/13, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Tailgate Tavern & Grill - Karaoke with Avery - Wed 5/13, 7:00pm–11:00pm

Family

PACE Center - American Academy Presents: The SpongeBob Musical (Castle Pines Cast) - Thu 5/7 - $10-15 - tickets
Outlets at Castle Rock - Moms & Mimosas - Sat 5/9, 11:00am–2:00pm - $15 - tickets
PACE Center - Broadway Lights! Recital - Sat 5/9, 11:00am–5:00pm - $23 - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Littleton Youth Ballet Presents: Hansel and Gretel - Sat 5/9, 6:00pm - $6-$42 - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Seedlings: Big Bubble Circus - Tue 5/12 - $5 - tickets

Fitness & Wellness

HRCA - Mother's Day 5K - Sat 5/9
105 West Brewing Company - Yoga at the Brewery - Sat 5/9, 9:30am–11:00am
105 West Brewing Company - Trails N' Ales (Run Club) - Mon 5/11, 6:00pm–7:00pm

Markets & Shopping

Alidade Brewing - Pop-Up: Blooms & Books at Alidade Brewing - Sat 5/9, 1:00pm–5:00pm
HRCA / Highlands Ranch Town Center - Highlands Ranch Farmers' Market - Sun 5/10, 10:00am–2:00pm

Outdoor & Adventure

Gateway Mesa Open Space - Basics of Birdwatching Guided Hike (Part 2) - Sat 5/9, 7:30am–9:30am

Community

Takoda Tavern - Thursday Bike Night - Thu 5/7, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Ranch Social (8155 Piney River Ave) - Firepit Fridays - Fri 5/8, 5:30pm–7:30pm
Sudden Fiction Books - Dungeon Crawler Carl Release Party (A Parade of Horribles) - Mon 5/11, 8:00pm–10:00pm - $15-$45 - tickets

On the Horizon

Sinners & Saints - Murder at Gatsby's Gala — Fundraiser - Thu 5/14, 6:00pm–9:30pm - $35+ - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - The Pickin' Wildflowers 20th Anniversary Tour starring Keith Anderson - Thu 5/14, 7:30pm–10:00pm - $38-$50 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE - Fri 5/15 - $86 - tickets
PACE Center - Shaun Johnson: Big Kid Stand Up Tour - Fri 5/15, 7:30pm - $35 - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Tablao Flamenco - Fri 5/15, 7:30pm–9:30pm - $35-$45 - tickets
Highlands Ranch Community Association - Spring Craft Fair - Sat 5/16, 10:00am–3:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Crawfish Boil at Whiskey Lodge - Sat 5/16, 11:00am–9:00pm - $20/lb - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Passport to Culture: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance - Sun 5/17, 1:30pm–3:30pm - $9 - tickets
Lone Tree Arts Center - Sensory Inclusive: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance - Sun 5/17, 4:00pm–5:30pm - $9 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Murder & Mystery: Live and Let Die! - Fri 5/22 - $86 - tickets
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain — Summer Concert Series Kickoff - Sat 5/23
Lone Tree Arts Center - Southern Street Eats Sampler - Sat 5/23, 5:00pm–9:00pm - $15 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Tequila Tasting at the Castle - Fri 5/29 - $96.95-$98.95 - tickets
Civic Green Park - Highlands Ranch Beer Festival - Sat 5/30, 2:00pm–5:00pm - $40-$55 - tickets

Need more events? Check out https://dougcosocial.com/events

Lone Tree Breaks Ground on High Note Park
TLDR: Lone Tree and South Suburban officially broke ground April 29 on Phase One of High Note Park — the future largest park in Lone Tree, along Happy Canyon Creek near I-25 and RidgeGate Parkway. Phase One brings two lit synthetic multipurpose fields, a playground, a 200-seat beer garden anticipated to be operated by Lone Tree Brewing, a dog park, food truck area, and the new Happy Canyon Trail. $31M total funding. Construction runs through 2026, opens 2027.

Parker Road / Mainstreet Open House — Tonight
TLDR: The Town of Parker is hosting a Community Open House Thursday, May 7, 5–7pm at the Parker Schoolhouse on the Parker Road–Mainstreet Conceptual Design Project — the intersection that serves as the primary gateway into downtown. Drop in to see design alternatives, ask questions, and weigh in. The project, which kicked off in late 2025, builds on the 2019 Parker Road Corridor Plan with consultant Kimley-Horn doing data collection and traffic analysis.

Parker Just Turned 45
TLDR: May 5 marked the 45th anniversary of Parker's incorporation. In 1981, residents narrowly voted 48–38 to incorporate after years of shaky water service, limited fire protection, and unpaved roads. Parker had 285 residents at the time. Today: 72,147. Fits the bigger 2026 birthday year (Colorado 150, USA 250).

Castle Pines Sets New Safety Rules for Off-Highway and Low-Speed Electric Vehicles
TLDR: Castle Pines City Council approved Ordinance 26-04 setting new safety rules for off-highway vehicles (electric dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs) and low-speed electric vehicles in the city. Riders under 18 must wear helmets, parents can be held financially responsible for minors' violations, and the Sheriff's Office can impound vehicles operated illegally. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are still allowed on sidewalks and trails — Class 3 e-bikes are not. Scooters and golf carts are not covered.

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