All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 151 - 200 of 234
In indigenous Mexican culture, death was never something to be necessarily feared; instead, it was seen as a part of life. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico in 1519, not only did they bring disease and violence, but they brought their own culture, namely religion. Over time, traditional indigenous rites were mixed with Catholic ones, similar to many other traditions world wide. The result is el Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, that takes place on Nov. 2; with Nov. 1 being e...
It's important to stop and carefully consider a ballot proposition when both the opponents and the proponents agree that the ballot language is confusing. Thanks to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), in order for the legislature to make changes to taxes, it cannot do so without asking for voter approval. It has been called an anti-tax tool and the Bell Policy center, which seeks to "ensure economic mobility for every Coloradan," has pushed for TABOR reforms for years. As a result, since it's...
Based on population (5.691 million) and income data from 2018, 96.74% of Coloradans had a taxable income of $150,000 or less per year. That means that only 3.26% of the state's population made $150,001 or more. Yet, all those people paid the same percentage in income tax: 4.63%. This income tax largely goes towards the general fund, which supports K-12 education, public assistance, courts and other basic state-funded services. Proponents of the measure, such as the Colorado chapter of Americans...
In the past few years, Niwot High School's Environmental club has grown in size, but also in civic engagement. Previously, they have gone before the Boulder County commissioners about environmental issues, and they will soon be working on a video project to inform the Niwot community about a proposed fracking site and the potential repercussions of it. This year, club members were going to participate in the Climate Ribbon Project, which is an international art demonstration with the intention...
For the past few weeks, Colorado television and the internet have been littered with commercials about Amendment B. This amendment seeks to repeal the nearly 40-year-old Gallagher Amendment, a provision in the Colorado constitution used to calculate property tax rates. As it is now, residential property taxes make up 45% of the overall tax base, while nonresidential properties--primarily businesses, --make up the other 55% of property tax revenue. As Colorado’s population has grown, the value of housing has increased far more than commercial p...
Last Tuesday, the Niwot Community Association (NCA) hosted a virtual forum for the Boulder County Commissioner Candidates. This year, two of the district seats are up for a county-wide vote, District 1 and District 2. Though the third commissioner, Matt Jones, is from District 3 which includes much of the Left Hand Valley, all commissioners are elected on a county-wide basis. County commissioners assist in making a number of decisions that affect the whole county--road maintenance to allocation of funding for services such as mental health and...
While Karen McCormick's journey running for state representative might, at first, seems to be somewhat unique, the common thread throughout her life is service. From the time she was little and watching her father interact with other Navy servicemen to her own career as a veterinarian, McCormick has seen the importance of helping others and strives to do it herself. "My dad...He was captain of an aircraft carrier, he made it a point to go to every department to ask what they needed...more...
Nobel prize winning economist James Heckman said, “The highest rate of return in early childhood development comes from investing as early as possible, from birth through age five, in disadvantaged families.” Proponents of Proposition EE say that the revenue created from the nicotine tax would do just that. This November, Colorado voters will be voting to increase the current tax on tobacco products and for the first time ever, to institute a tax on nicotine-vaping products. “Oftentimes, peopl...
With the COVID-19 pandemic making in-person voting a health risk for many, the 2020 election will be conducted by mail-in voting on a wider scale than ever before. After recent mail-in primaries in New York and Florida that took weeks to count, officials in both presidential campaigns have raised doubts about the entire process and suggest the system is ripe for potential fraud, particularly from non-citizens. Evidence to date shows those fears might be unfounded, problems in the aforementioned...
While this is not explicitly an Inkberry Book, it was a book recommended by one of the paper's readers. I've said before that I enjoy memoirs and expressed hope that I'd read more nonfiction, so I was excited about the chance to read Tears Run Dry, a memoir penned by Dr. Patrick Kalenzi of Niwot Veterinary Clinic. Kalenzi said, "I come from a tribe of cattle keepers and animal lovers in Uganda, that I was never going to be content doing anything but treating animals." When asked why Kalenzi...
In 1993, President Clinton signed into law the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), with bipartisan support. Many have called the act historic since it allowed employees to better balance their work and familial responsibilities. It goes without saying that when someone accepts a job, they agree to: show up, be on time, and do their job while there. However, it also goes without saying that everyone has familial responsibilities that, to many, are equally important. So, with FMLA signed into law,...
Love is fickle, love is kind, love "is a many splendored thing." The idea of "love" has been written about numerous times, in countless ways, and now Niwot High School alum Daniel Fiamengo is writing that it's stupid. Or rather, that when talking about feeling in love, we sound somewhat silly. On Sept. 4, Fiamengo released his debut single "Stupid in Love." "The words [we use to describe love] are so ridiculous sometimes," Fiamengo remarked. "Sometimes we say things and it's like 'you wouldn't...
When COVID hit earlier this year, the whole world seemed to be scrambling. Schools and businesses were shut down, all in an attempt to maintain social distancing and public safety; but a few businesses were able to stay open, including liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries. These businesses, which are deemed "essential" under state and local public health orders, were not open under the same circumstances as before. Marqis Griffin, the marketing manager for Wyatt's Wines and Spirits in south...
Colorado's first law addressing abortion was introduced by freshman Democratic representative Dick Lamm (who later served three terms as governor) in 1967, and legalized abortion in cases of rape or incest, or if the woman's mental or physical health was at risk. Moreover, women seeking an abortion could only do so up until 16 weeks of gestation and had to present their case for abortion before a three-doctor panel. The bill was eventually passed with bipartisan support and signed into law by...
The gray wolf, or Canis lupus, once was the most widely ranging land mammal on earth. Due to habitat loss, general fear, and hunting, its once widespread population has dwindled. The last native wolves in Colorado were killed in the 1940s and the gray wolf was added to the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s. There is currently one confirmed pack of six wolves and one lone wolf in Colorado, however these wolves are not believed to be sustainable long-term. There have been a number of attempts...
It is a truth that food brings people together-family gatherings, casual business meetings, and first dates often occur with some sort of dining experience. Even pop-culture recognizes the level of importance of restaurants. Famously, in When Harry Met Sally, Marie (played by Carrie Fisher) said, "Restaurants are to people in the 80s what theatres were to people in the 60s." Dining out has become more complicated lately, especially in light of COVID. In response, the Niwot Business Association...
Every election that occurs in this country is decided by popular vote, except one: the presidency. Instead, the presidency is decided by the electoral college, which allots a certain number of votes to each state based on population. To win the presidential seat, a candidate needs 270 of the 538 electoral votes. Colorado has nine. The electoral college was, and has been, hotly debated over time. From the 1787 Constitutional Convention, to a bi-partisan push against the electoral college in...
By January 2021, two local fire districts will be merged into one. Mountain View Fire Rescue will absorb Rocky Mountain Fire District, with the combined district covering about 250 square miles, including areas in both Boulder and Weld counties. Last week, both districts hosted virtual town halls to spread the word about the merger and answer any questions from the public. In these town halls, MVFPD Chief Dave Beebe, who will be the combined district chief, addressed services rendered,...
They say that dogs are man's best friend, but everyone knows they can also be high maintenance friends. With the demand for cuddles and attention, dogs also come with responsibilities: grooming, feeding and picking up after them. Humans think of their pets as part of their family, but this last responsibility--picking up their poop--is often one task people would rather not have to do. For residents of Boulder County, there is a new solution to that problem, Sooper Scoopers. Niwot High graduate...
To date, 63.3% of Americans nationwide have self-reported for the 2020 census. Colorado's rate is above the national number at 66.9% of residents self-reporting. Boulder County has had 74.5% of residents self-report. The Census Bureau has started reaching out to households in census block groups with low response rates; it expects to email more than 20 million households. These emails will come from [email protected]. Just as with in-person visits, it's important for residents...
Boulder County communications specialist Mircalla Wozniak said, “As a Colorado resident, you should feel proud that we’re leaders in election innovation.” A simple internet search of “mail voting Colorado,” reinforces this idea. With questions rising around the practice, there have been numerous media reports about voting my mail; many of which focus on Colorado. Colorado implemented standard voting by mail in 2013. For some residents, the mail-in ballot method is essentially a no-brainer. But, nationally, only four other states regularly...
For approximately the past three years, there has been tension between Haystack Golf Course and some of the neighbors in and near the adjacent Brigadoon Glen residential area. Complaints have been made against the golf course accusing the facility of both liquor license and land use code violations. "They have a history of violating their liquor license by serving at the residence and they were issued a violation in August 2018," said neighbor Martin Magill. "[And] there's a zoning case open."...
I always love partnering with Inkberry Books in Niwot, because they always hook me up with the coolest books! This week, I took a look at Mohamed Asem's Stranger in the Pen, and I thoroughly enjoyed it This is a nonfiction memoir of Asem, mostly focusing on his experience of being detained at Gatwick Airport in the UK. However, this storyline is intertwined with other anecdotes of his life: including failed attempts at love, tensions and reflections about family, and his international...
In 2018, Keith Walters and Gene Hayworth founded Inkberry Books, and it quickly became a local institution in Niwot. Not only does the store have a variety of books, including new and used titles across a number of genres, it also hosts a variety of events. Two years ago, Inkberry friend and author Kelly Daniels came to Niwot for a book reading of his novel. This year, Daniels is back and excited about promoting his newest work. "I think it's a great way to spend a Saturday evening," said...
It has been about three weeks since the primary elections in Boulder County. This election, 55% of Boulder County residents came out to vote. While this may seem like an impressive number-and it is an increase from the 2018 midterms-Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Communications Specialist Mircalla Wozniak was quick to point out that voter turnout depends on many variables and is very localized. For the June 30 primary, there were reportedly 95,610 Democratic, 29,744 Republican and 1,978...
At Niwot High School, there are two parent groups that aim to support students--the Niwot High School Education Foundation and the Niwot High School Boosters, Inc., which supports all athletic teams and other clubs on campus. In fact, in part thanks to the booster club's efforts, Mile High Magazine has ranked Niwot's 4A athletic program number one in Colorado for the past two years. Building on this momentum, booster president Donna Blondeau is excited to get the community involved with the...
The City of Boulder first passed the Community Culture and Safety tax in 2014, and the funds from this tax went toward supporting local cultural projects--many of which were related to public art and public open spaces such as Boulder Creek, Chautauqua and others. The original tax expired in 2017, but was renewed for a four-year period. The funds still support city facilities and infrastructure as well as cultural projects; one such project is the Community Neighborhoods: Murals Program. This pr...
Much of what students learn in school is something called "crystalline knowledge," or knowledge that is based on memorization of previously learned facts. While some classes, like math, might teach some degree of problem solving--think back to those pesky train problems--students arguably do not have the opportunity to frequently exercise their problem-solving skills. With this in mind, in 1978, two college students in New Jersey founded the first "Olympics of the Mind." It brought together...
*Editor's note; The following results are unofficial pending July 8 ballots to be added, including "reserve ballots for anonymity, manual process ballots, ballots that can be cured are added (signature discrepancies), and military/overseas ballots," according to county official Mircalla Wozniak. Official results are expected to be in by next week. In light of the recent holiday, current events and even the recent release of Hamilton on Disney Plus, the very essence of what it means to be...
Boulder County is home to 22 individual fire districts, but that will soon change when two districts merge next year. Rocky Mountain Fire District (RMF) was formally created in 2007, but has its roots in the Cherryvale Fire Protection District east of Boulder that originally formed in 1958. Mountain View Fire Rescue (MVFR), meanwhile, has its roots in the Longmont Rural Fire Department and has since incorporated other areas of Boulder County and Weld County. "It's been a history of...
In the fall of 2019, St. Vrain Valley School District formally announced its participation in awarding the Seal of Biliteracy. This award recognizes students who achieve multi-lingual proficiency by the time they graduate high school. Niwot High School, which boasts the International Baccalaureate Program, has encouraged language acquisition for years now; and with the IB program, this also extends to an encouragement of having a strong world view. Thanks to this mission and the district's...
Since the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement has once again come to the forefront of American thought. Along with the calls to specifically end police violence, there have also been calls for cities and various levels of government to reform, defund and even abolish police departments. Police violence has once again become a divisive issue in the country. Both District 2 county commissioner candidates Marta Loachamin and Jonathan Singer agree that it is c...
For graduating senior Rachael Triplett, much of her career at Niwot High School has been marked by her involvement in clubs and participation in the International Baccalaureate Program (IB). During her time there, she was a four-year participant in the Knitting Club, played in the orchestra and ran both track and cross country. "Join everything you can, it's the best way to meet people," said Triplett. "Or, at least it was for me." It was her willingness to try new activities and classes that...
When Cinda Kochen was a high school student, a classmate came to her, asking if she would help him win the race for class president. He told her that he wanted her help, because he saw her as the bridge between the affluent students and the "have-not" kids in school. This was her first attempt and exposure to local politics. "I have always participated, but more as a worker bee than someone interested in political office," said Kochen. She has done so much more than simply being a worker bee--sh...
In 1969, Mo Siegel made his first herbal blend that would eventually launch his career in the tea industry. Celestial Seasonings was born, and it wasn't long before its one and only factory was built in Boulder County. Since then, it has become a local landmark. But that iconic Boulder County view could soon change. As reported first in February and then again in May, there are proposals for an apartment complex to be built near Celestial Seasonings. At this time, Celestial Seasonings, as part...
Niwot senior Nicholas Valin wasn't always the confident, aspirational young adult he is today. In fact, after going to private school and then being homeschooled for freshman year, his transition to Niwot was somewhat jarring. "I was new as a sophomore, so for the first two days of school, I didn't know anyone and was silent," he said, laughing at the memory. "[But] I made a lot of friends after that." Valin quickly became involved in the high school's forensics team, student council, Model UN...
For the past four years, Lauren Squire has walked the halls and fields of Niwot High School. In that time, she has made friends and memories that will stick with her for a lifetime. In fact, in her advice to freshmen, she said, "Make the best of high school. It's no one's favorite time, but it's a big time in your life that you'll remember forever, so have fun." Squire has certainly had her share of fun over the years, especially on the soccer field. Not only did she have successful games, but s...
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, lay people and experts alike have said that this is a virus that does not discriminate based on age, sex, race or class. But just by looking at the numbers alone, it's obvious that this belief isn't exactly the case. "When you look at the population of Boulder County that are people of color and positive cases, those numbers are shocking," said Manuela Sifuentes, the language access program manager for the City of Boulder. "I think that, to me, they'...
Even as a student at Fairview High School, Jonathan Singer volunteered for Boulder County. "I've been sort of bitten by the public policy bug before I was old enough to vote," he said with a laugh. After graduating and getting a degree--he went so far as to earn a master's degree in social work--Singer found a position in South Carolina to do campaign work. But he soon realized that he loved Colorado more and spent a number of years as a social worker for Boulder County. In 2011, he announced...
When Krista Chiaravalle was first asked to leave her biology teacher position at Niwot High to join Sunset Middle School's staff as the STEM & Learning Coach, she was a little nervous but excited. "I didn't know a lot about coding [or computer science], but thought that it was a great opportunity and that we [she and the students] could learn together," Chiaravalle said. She explained that her STEM classes are hands-on, focusing on the building and designing; but her computer classes largely...
One Friday morning, Claire Levy sat in her basement, sewing masks for health care workers in Boulder County. She lives in district one of Boulder County and is currently running unopposed for its county commissioner seat. "I think right now, I just feel like my campaign and my needs are unimportant relative to others'," she said. Levy has been a longtime participant in local and state government. She has worked as an assistant county attorney, a citizen activist, a member of the state...
Inkberry Books has partnered with the Left Hand Valley Courier again to bring you a riveting historical fiction account of familial history that deals with ghosts, dreams, and even politics across the centuries. We all carry generations of knowledge and experience within us. We carry our ancestors' hopes, dreams, loves, and fears within our very being. Sometimes they manifest in obvious ways, like when you're told that you seem just like Aunt or Uncle so-and-so. But other times, the past is...
In school, students are taught the basics of government; there's a president for the country, governors for states and mayors for cities and towns. There are various boards who oversee different aspects of communities, but these boards are often overlooked when teaching civics. "What is a county commissioner?" Boulder County residents constantly ask Longmont resident Marta Loachamin. Loachamin is, arguably, a prime candidate for this question. This is not only because she is currently running...
Buses are a common sight for those living in Boulder and Longmont, but they are easily forgettable since they seem to simply blend into the daily landscape of Colorado traffic. For those living in Niwot, perhaps the primary source of exposure to public transit may come from the park and ride lots on either end of Niwot Road, at Highway 287 and Highway 119. So, it may come as a bit of a surprise to discover that Denver's Regional Transportation District serves close to 3 million people across...
In an increasingly digital age, when it's easier than ever to connect with millions of people, it has also become easier to take advantage of others. Gone are the days of snake-oil salesmen; instead, the public must be on the lookout for digital imposters everywhere. "We always hear about an uptick in scams when there is any government activity affecting the public, and especially our older adult population – tax time every year, the new Medicare cards that came out in late 2018, the census, e...
Easter was different for everyone this year: there were no community egg hunts or egg rolls, and for those who hold the religious side dear, there weren't (in-person) services either. Instead, families--religious and non-religious alike--spent the holiday together, which really is the main point of the day. Easter is a time to celebrate what we have, it's a time of new beginnings and reflection. Even though this Easter is unlike any other recent years, individuals and organizations alike sought...
In light of social distancing, numerous businesses have limited operations or closed entirely. However, this means more than simply missing out on shopping and dining opportunities; for some, it also means unemployment. However, even if you still have a job, someone else's unemployment can still affect you. Maybe it's your favorite restaurant that gets closed, or the auto-shop had to lay off employees and you can't get your car serviced. It's important to have a financial plan in your pocket,...
In September 1918, a group of soldiers came from Montana to the University of Colorado, in Boulder. Within a week, nearly 100 soldiers fell ill with the Spanish Flu and were quarantined. At the time, Boulder was a city of about 10,000 residents, and health resources were limited--fraternity houses became hospitals and convalescent wards, but most people were cared for by their families in their homes. Chief public health officer M. E. Miles declared Boulder to be quarantined--schools, churches...
It seems like everywhere you look there are articles about maximizing your experience during this COVID quarantine. But when you’re not usually working from home and trying to maintain some semblance of your formerly busy life, boredom is sure to settle. Being cooped up in your house is sure to become overwhelming after a few days; that’s why there are so many memes about it on the internet right now. When that sense of boredom strikes, you don’t always want to maximize that time; sometimes you just want to distract yourself. Those distr...
In 1787, the United States' founding fathers wrote the census into the constitution and since then, there have been 22 censuses. The 2020 iteration will be nearly as revolutionary as the nation's first, because this is the first census with an online option for reporting. "It's never been easier [to self-report] on your own," said Philip Kleisler, a senior planner for the City of Boulder. This year, US citizens will be able to self-report their households' size either by phone, mail, online,...
