All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Since 2008, the Mwebaza Foundation has been building collaborative partnerships between schools in Uganda and Colorado. As an educational organization, the foundation works with students to inspire global citizens through cross-cultural learning opportunities and global studies curricula that foster global understandings and deepen worldviews. What started as a pen-pal exchange between Dale Peterson's first-grade class at Niwot Elementary School and Namatovu Catherine's elementary school...
On April 6, Niwot Elementary School and the Mwebaza Foundation are hosting a fundraiser at Chipotle on Ken Pratt Boulevard in Longmont. From 4 - 8 p.m. Swing by and grab a burrito, bowl, or tacos and Chipotle will donate 33% of its sales to Mwebaza. Make sure to tell the staff you're there to support Mwebaza Foundation and show the attached flyer. Mwebaza Foundation is a local Niwot non-profit that connects schools in Colorado with schools in Uganda for cross-cultural exchanges and service...
While many school and local events have been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Mwebaza Foundation is getting creative in gathering the community together for engaging, safe activities. On Oct. 29, Proto's Pizza will donate a portion of its proceeds to the Mwebaza Foundation's micro industry development plan at its partner school in Gulu, Parents' Junior School. Pick up a pizza, drinks, and dessert from the Gunbarrel, Longmont, or Broomfield locations and mention "Mwebaza Foundation"...
Alivia Bell has owned and operated the Niwot barber shop for the past thirteen years. Throughout her tenure, she has made lasting connections with her clientele and the surrounding Niwot community. Bell also resides in the heart of the downtown and can often be spotted riding her bicycle around Boulder County. On June 3, Bell was riding her bike on Airport Road when she was struck by a car. She was knocked off her bicycle and severely injured. Bell has a compound fracture on her left leg and an...
Since 2008, the Mwebaza Foundation has been an integral part of our Niwot community. The nonprofit has expanded its partner schools to include Coyote Ridge, Coronado Hills, and Eagle Crest while also incorporating school clubs at Sunset Middle and Niwot High to allow students to continue their involvement with the foundation. Recently, the foundation's four Ugandan partner schools have suffered severely under COVID-19 restrictions, including extended lockdown measures and school closures. Many...
Jeanette McPherson first started making jewelry out of necessity instead of desire. From 1998 – 2000, McPherson owned Mount'n Memories, an antique shop in downtown Niwot, and described her initial foray into jewelry making, "Much of the (antique) jewelry required restringing or repairing. I became adept at jewelry design out of necessity, plus my desire to turn someone else's trash into another's treasure." Now, McPherson owns Little Wing Jewelry and uses her self-taught skills in silversmith t...
It can prove difficult to spot a silver lining amidst the current global pandemic. Daily news bombards us with rising infections, death rates, and unemployment stats. Our lives are upended and new daily routines require patience, compassion and understanding just to make it through. However, catastrophe and disaster often have a way of bringing out the best in humanity. People want to lighten the load for those with heavy burdens and Boulder County is no different. The folks at Vapor Distillery...
Our local nonprofits do tremendous work in supporting the Boulder County community. However, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and market drop, they have taken a hit. Many have had to shift day-to-day operations and get creative with funding to ride out the current storm. Via Mobility, which provides free or reduced cost transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and others living with mobility limitations, has noted a 50 to 70% ridership decrease across its four ride divisions, of...
I always figured if I made it through a Colorado winter living in my built-out Dodge ProMaster cargo van, then everything else that came my way would be a piece of cake. However, I never considered a pandemic, no one really did. I couldn't have fathomed how quickly my life would change, and I'd have to get used to a new norm, all over again. I rely on the public sphere for a lot of the stuff I need to make my day to day life work - recreation centers, coffee shops, parks, campgrounds, etc. As a...
Lori and Russ Lindemann moved to the Gunbarrel Estates neighborhood in 1994 with their two children and niece in tow. For the past two and a half decades, they have called Boulder County home and have done a huge part in making it a terrific place to live for its variety of residents. The Lindemanns are no strangers to hard work and have spent much of their free time volunteering throughout the community. Lori has volunteered with the St. Vrain Valley School District, the VA in Denver, the DA's...
In small towns, churches are much more than simply places of worship to gather on Sunday mornings. They provide a space for neighbors to socialize, for newcomers to meet people, and for those without company to have some, if even just for a few hours. With the closing of most public and private businesses and gatherings limited to no more than 10 individuals, churches in Niwot and Gunbarrel are forced to figure out other ways of bringing the community together. Pastor Janet Kettering of...
This past Wednesday, Niwot Elementary School hosted its 12th annual Children's Book and Art Sale to benefit The Mwebaza Foundation, a local non-profit started in 2008 by the school's first-grade teacher, Dale Peterson. Each year, this fundraiser garners donations from parents, students, and visitors from used children's book sale purchases. What set this year apart was the inclusion of children's art, made and donated by students from all grade levels at Niwot Elementary. The Niwot Elementary...
In the midst of a busy life, it's tempting to overlook the need for good conversation and a home-cooked meal. We spend time speeding through the work and school week just to make it to the weekend. We savor quick moments shared with family and friends, but downtime never really lasts long before the next errand, chore, or to-do list item calls our names. In this modern society, we grow isolated in our comforts, choosing to pass time connecting through screens instead of face to face. We forget t...
A big part of Niwot's charm lies in its unique retail and dining options, which consistently deliver an experience unlike any other in Boulder County. An oasis amidst the large neighboring cities of Boulder and Longmont, Niwot provides a tranquil haven for visitors who want to slow down and enjoy some retail or gourmet therapy at a relaxed pace. To help spread the word about the town's special offerings, and just in time for spring, the Niwot Business Association has launched the Shop Niwot...
Stop by Niwot Elementary School on March 4 and shop the 12th annual Children's Book and Art Sale. Each year, the elementary school hosts various fundraisers to benefit partner schools of local non-profit, The Mwebaza Foundation. Over a decade ago, Niwot Elementary partnered with Mwebaza Infant Primary School, in Kyengera, Uganda to participate in a cultural exchange. Since then, the foundation has added six additional partner schools in Uganda and Colorado, respectively. Students are given the...
After 12 years, former Niwot Business Association President Tony Santelli, has stepped aside. Eric Bergeson, owner of Niwot Wheel Works, has stepped up to take his place and, on Feb. 11, was elected in an uncontested election as the new NBA president. Bergeson was inspired to run because of his love for this interesting town many call home. "Like most people I know in Niwot, I think this place is special," he said. "I am grateful to all the leaders who have made this place what it is and I want...
For more than two years, the former Powder Keg Brewery space has sat empty on the corner of Murray Street and 2nd Avenue, to the considerable dismay of many locals. But that is about to change, as Niwot Wheel Works has set its sights on a change of scenery, and the large windows, open floor plan, and great views of the spacious corner building make it the perfect spot. Niwot Wheel Works owner Eric Bergeson was initially attracted to the space because of Niwot's spirit. He explained, "Not the...
Looking for a winter outing that is fun for parents and children? Look no further than Gunbarrel Brewing Company. This treasured neighborhood brewery consistently hosts a bevy of year-round, community events, delicious food trucks, and musical performances. Beat the winter blues and get the kids out of the house by attending Gunbarrel Brewing's winter concert series, featuring award-winning children's entertainers, Jeff & Paige. This husband-wife duo met when each were studying environmental...
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Lookout Alliance, 350 Boulder County, and Colorado Rising hosted a community forum that discussed threats from proposed fracking development in Boulder County. Currently, a moratorium that bans fracking development is in effect until March 2020. As this end date approaches, anti-fracking groups such as these are working to convince county commissioners to adopt revisions on oil and gas regulations or ban fracking altogether. This forum brought together legal experts, environmental activists, and policy makers in hopes of...
This past year, Front Range Community College expanded its Center for Integrated Manufacturing and added new programs to fill the need for skilled labor in machining, manufacturing, and automation. In addition to this expansion, FRCC also added a bachelor's degree program for nursing and continues to be a leader in training our state's residents in these vital industries. Colorado philanthropists Suzanne and David Hoover pledged a donation of $1 million, to be dispersed over the next five...
Oil and gas development in Boulder County is on pause until March 2020, but that doesn’t mean The Lookout Alliance has taken a break. In collaboration with 350 Colorado, TLA has put together a petition that calls for a complete ban on fracking in Boulder County. The petition comes at a time when the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) is reviewing and updating oil and gas regulations. In addition to the petition, the COGCC is currently accepting commentary from the public on each of Crestone Peak Resources’ three project petiti...
Beyond The Mountain Brewing Co. in Gunbarrel is one of Boulder County's many awesome breweries just steps from our backyards. Some years ago, two home brew fanatics and lifelong friends, Morgan Way and Chuck Hixon, set their sites on starting a brewery focused on tasty, inventive craft beer and live music. Fans of both, Way and Hix honed their skills at a variety of breweries around Boulder and Denver, until they each felt ready to take the plunge. After a successful start in 2017, Beyond The...
Our town is home to many noteworthy eateries offering mouthwatering dishes and a place to catch up with family, friends and neighbors. But no place has seen our town's transition quite like Lefty's Gourmet Pizza, on 2nd Avenue and Niwot Road. This pizza place has been a staple in the community, and, for the past 25 years, has outlasted even some of Boulder County's most-famed former establishments. Former astrophysicist, Lefty Harris, moved to Niwot almost three decades ago with his wife and...
Local Gunbarrel brewery, Finkel & Garf, is a beloved staple in the community. Sunday afternoons can be whiled away on the patio with a delicious, uncomplicated beer in hand. The father-son team that set out to create a community gathering space did so with a few things in mind. They wanted their establishment to be no-frills where beer was more of a facilitator for fantastic memories, instead of the main event. The logo features toys, because the dynamic duo behind each brew believes that we are all still kids at heart. While Finkel & Garf is b...
Last year, my partner and I moved to Niwot for the dual purposes of not wanting to live in Boulder while wanting a place that somewhat resembles Taos, the place we just moved from. We found this quiet little haven and knew it would work for what we needed – a soft place to land while we plotted our next adventure. In May, I set my sights on the next horizon. Inspired by the Van Life trend that has spread like wildfire amongst my millennial generation, I purchased a large, bulky, white cargo v...
Colorado is suffering from a shortage of nurses with four-year BSNs degrees - needing as many as 500 new nurses to fill the void. Looking forward, that figure is expected to balloon by 2024, growing to 4,500. Previously, nurses could have successful, financially feasible careers with a two-year associate’s degree but, as the healthcare and job markets become more competitive, requirements for employees and prodivers are changing. Many healthcare companies now require nurses to have their bachelor’s degree and nurses without may have tro...
Fringe Pizza (5400 Spine Rd., Boulder) is celebrating National Pizza Month throughout the month of October with its newest creation - Sweet Heat pizza - and a chance for one lucky customer to win a pizza a month for a whole year. Owner Nate Rajotte created a curiously crafted pie that includes garlic oil, basil, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, pickled red onion, sopressata and Calabrian honey. This sweet and spicy creation is aptly named and sure to have Fringe's dedicated following clamoring...
With the first snowfall predicted for Oct. 10, Boulder County restaurants are closing up patios for the turn season. That doesn't mean that our local watering holes and coffee shops are hibernating this fall or winter but instead, embracing the change. Beloved dishes, cocktail menus and draught lists are shifting to feature autumn's tasty bounty of fresh vegetables. Restaurants around south Longmont, Gunbarrel, and Niwot have just begun to feature favorite fall flavors. Here are some more of...
Late last month, a judge in Boulder County District Court dismissed 20 of the 34 claims brought in a lawsuit filed by the Board of County Commissioners in 2018 to halt a large oil and gas drilling project proposed by Crestone Peak Resources. The court further determined that the county is responsible for Crestone’s attorney’s and court fees, the total amount of which will be determined at a hearing on Jan.16, 2020. The remaining 14 claims were either settled in Crestone’s favor, or withdrawn by the county. In a statement released on Sept....
Autumn ushers in more than scenic golden aspen groves and crisp fall evenings. Our locally loved Niwot coffee shops, bars, and restaurants have added delicious fall-themed flavors to their menus. From spiced treats to pumpkin-infused eats, here's the round up of area locales that have new fall surprises on their menus. The Old Oak, on 2nd Street, has a beautiful, hand-drawn menu announcing it's fall favorites. Warm coffee-based drinks are hand-crafted by the shop's experienced baristas and are...
The controversial topic of climate change resides at the forefront of Front Range residents' hearts and minds. Living next to the picturesque Rockies, amidst protected open space, and near pristine lakes and reservoirs, we are acutely aware of climate change ramifications. In years with milder winters and less snowfall, farmers, ranchers, firefighters, forest service, hunters, and many others feel the impact in different ways that can affect livelihoods, incomes, and futures. Some argue that...
Autumn brings crisp mornings, spiced treats, shorter days, and, for many excited Sunset Middle Schoolers, the annual Spartan Fall Crawl. On Oct. 4th, middle schoolers will get the chance to partake in a little friendly competition in a ninja-warrior style course that encourages the students to stay active. Last year's Spartan Fall Crawl raised $15,000 from pledges and local business sponsors. These funds went towards school improvements such as classroom designs and renovations in addition to...
Classic Looks in Cottonwood Square celebrated its 30th anniversary on Aug. 15. The salon has been a fixture in this community, fulfilling Niwot residents' hair care and beauty needs for three decades. Now, the salon is ushering in a new era. Current owner Sheri Sutton has successfully run the business, building a faithful clientele throughout Niwot, Longmont, and Boulder. Recently, her son Chris Sutton, who has dual certifications in barbering and cosmetology, has joined the talented team. In...
On Sept. 22, the highly anticipated Niwot Trot road race returns once again to the tranquil streets of Niwot.This year marks the 14th annual 5K fundraiser, hosted by Niwot Elementary School PTAC. Runners, joggers, walkers, and even trotters are invited to enjoy this race at their own pace. A fun and flat 3.1 mile course winds through town, giving participants the chance to see Niwot in its turn season. This year, the Niwot Trot will benefit from financial support and in-kind donations from 20...
Lefty’s Gourmet Pizza and Ice Cream has been a staple of downtown Niwot for over 25 years. This summer, the eatery added a new event to the docket - a community movie night. Each week, Lefty’s shows kid-friendly classics like Aladdin or romantic comedies like Serendipity. Movie night comes with a wealth of other additions to the pizza parlor. A new front deck, new tableware, renovated bathroom, and landscaped front and back yards were recent updates completed throughout the summer. Out bac...
Family Village in Longmont is modeled on a communal premise which many societies depended on only decades ago. In the past, families relied heavily on near-by friends, neighbors, and relatives for social connection and support with life’s daily tribulations. As we’ve progressed scientifically, we’ve become more isolated socially, relying on devices to help raise, rear, nurture, or connect. Founder of Family Village of Longmont, Melanie Piazza, believed there was a disconnect occurring, in part d...
Last year, Mwebaza Foundation set the goal of outfitting Niwot Elementary’s sister school, Mwebaza Infant Primary School in Kyengera, Uganda, with two shipping container classrooms to help with overcrowding. When students reach age 10, they usually drop out of school, because there isn’t a physical place to go anymore. The Mwebaza Infant Primary School tries to hold on to these students for as long as possible, even construction card-board partitions to increase individual classrooms, but thi...
ABLE to Sail is a Longmont-based youth empowerment camp that seeks to help kids of all ages gain self-esteem, overcome feelings of isolation and inadequacy, and give them the confidence to navigate life, no matter which way the wind blows. Executive director Diane McKinney explained that at its very core, ABLE to Sail wants to teach lessons in sailing that apply to real life situations. “The basic premise being, to turn a boat left, you steer to the right, which requires a complete change in t...
Returning students have probably noticed a little more hustle and bustle in the halls at Niwot Elementary. With all bond construction now complete and a boomlet in enrollment, the 2019-20 school year is shaping up to be a busy one, and principal Nancy Pitz said that students and staff have hit the ground running. “It’s been a super smooth transition, and it’s great to be back,” she said. “Teachers are working hard, and students are getting ready to learn.” Thanks to the growth, Niwot Eleme...
In February, Colorado State University played host to the Medical Symposium on Health Effects of Oil & Gas Development in Colorado, which featured multiple speakers in the scientific, legal and health communities. On Sunday, Aug. 18, The Lookout Alliance, In partnership with the Colorado branch of Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR), showed video recordings of the symposium at the Boulder County Public Library. Presenters included Dr. Beth Ewaskowitz and Dr. Detlev Helmig. Last month,...
Heading back to school is often a mix of emotions for students and teachers alike. For many students, the end of summer is bittersweet, nostalgia for mid-week sleepovers and late night pool parties setting in as soon as August rolls around. But there’s also something to be said for heading back to school. With each new year comes the chance to see old friends and start fresh with a new teacher, a new classroom and a new perspective. Teachers get excited to see coworkers again, catch-up on s...
The Aug. 22 Rock & Rails Tip Jar recipient is The Mwebaza Foundation, founded right here in Niwot. The Mwebaza Foundation seeks to unite Colorado students from four elementary schools with students in Uganda to foster a better understanding of each group’s culture. Before he started The Mwebaza Foundation, Dale Peterson, first-grade teacher at Niwot Elementary, fostered cultural exchange through a pen pal program. He knew this type of exchange gave children the opportunity to learn about o...
Casey MacKenzie’s calm energy mirrors that of the Shire horses she has spent over a decade raising. Just stepping onto the MacKenzie Shires farm provides a sense of tranquility and peace in the heart of bustling Boulder County. Rolling green hills and open sky set the backdrop for a bright red barn and spacious turnouts, home to MacKenzie’s giant Shire horses. Eleven years ago, MacKenzie fell in love with her first Shire horse, named Zorro. This weanling was only the second horse she had ever ow...
A quick perusal of Niwot Market is all it takes to notice a new aesthetic throughout the floral department. That’s because Niwot Florist has been purchased by Susy Tallman Shams, a Lafayette resident of 25 years. As of Aug. 1, Tallman Shams took over this locally loved flower shop and plans to run it along with her daughter, Nina Shams. Newly renamed Juniper & Twine, the shop implemented a total design and brand overhaul, including the name change and interior design updates, but Tallman S...
The Lookout Alliance gathered on Wednesday, July 24 at The Left Hand Grange (195 2nd Avenue, Niwot) to discuss newly released reports on the air quality surrounding Boulder Reservoir. The group hosted Dr. Detlev Helmig, associate research professor at the University of Colorado’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, who presented the findings from the INSTAAR air quality testing lab at Boulder Reservoir. The lab pulls air samples to test oil and gas emissions coming into Boulder County. It i...
Anyone walking down Murray Street from 2nd Avenue was often treated to sweetly scented wafts of freshly baked pies emanating from the unassuming building on the west side of Murray Street, which is home to Excel Electric in the front and a locally loved pie shop, My Mom’s Pies in the back. Sadly, after years of baking, My Mom’s Pies has closed its doors. Owners Jeff Ballard and Kini Christie moved to Hawaii a few years ago and were running the store from across the Pacific. They relied heavily o...
We’re fortunate to live in a state whose geography and geology is diverse and varied, yielding dramatic landscapes that have long inspired exploration and adventure.But Colorado’s beautiful landscape also contains great amounts of natural resources, including crude oil and natural gas. Because of these energy-rich resources, the state’s land rights and use have been hotly contested since its earliest days as a territory. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, almost 9 out o...
Reminders of Niwot’s historic garden club, originating in 1938, are easily spotted around Boulder County. From the gazebo in Whistle Stop Park — a tribute to the original built by the garden club decades ago — to the club’s scrapbook at the Longmont Museum, this gardening club was an important pillar of Niwot society for many years. The original gardening club was 25 members strong, with a waiting list of potential new members ready to step in when the opportunity arose. The gardening club wa...
Front Range Community College, located in Longmont, is gearing up to open another branch in its Center for Integrated Manufacturing building (CIM). This facility and the degree programs conducted inside expand upon the college’s existing curriculum with additional programs centered on automation, machining, and manufacturing. This 27,000 square-foot space provides the training ground to help Colorado residents fast-track workforce training that offers stable work and a great income. George N...
Niwotians will agree that Rock & Rails is a great way to bring the community together each week, hear some killer live music and tuck into delicious, local grub. But what’s even more special about this beloved neighborhood event is the amount of money it raises for local charities each Thursday. Half of the tip jar proceeds from the upcoming July 18 Rock & Rails concert will go to Via Mobility. This Boulder-based non-profit provides residents with limited mobility a convenient, reliable way t...
