All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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The "Future of Local Journalism" series concludes with a reflection on the unique role the Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier) plays in supporting and enhancing our community. This final article recaps earlier insights and includes my personal perspectives as a Courier reporter on why the Niwot-Gunbarrel area is a more vibrant, friendly, and informed community due to the Courier than it otherwise would be. This article also encourages us all to help strengthen the Courier's financial footing and...
A series of home break-ins in Niwot neighborhoods this fall took a more troubling turn with multiple apparent gang-related incidents and attempted entries. On Nov. 6, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson addressed about 100 Niwot residents, outlining safety force responses and providing advice on how homeowners can better protect their homes. lhvc.com/story/2024/11/13/news/boulder-county-sheriff-...
The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the third in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. The Left Hand Valley...
Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson and five other law enforcement officers met with almost 100 Niwot homeowners in person and on Zoom on Nov. 6 to discuss the rash of break-ins in the area which had begun two to three weeks earlier. Johnson said, "Although we can't share everything, we are taking the situation very seriously." He said that the department's aggressive actions support the goal of putting an end to the intrusions quickly. A great concern is that the perpetrators may be part of...
The Left Hand Valley Courier, a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the second in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier)...
The transformation of the former 1stBank building into the long-anticipated Gunbarrel branch of the Boulder Public Library District (BPLD) is underway. According to David Farnan, Director of the BPLD, the demolition phase was recently completed. The remaining steps are the design, permitting and construction phases. Emphasizing that the completion date is uncertain, Farnan shared the hope that the new branch will open in approximately June, 2025....
The Left Hand Valley Courier (Courier), a nonprofit organization, is dealing with the same issues that the journalism industry, particularly local journalism, is grappling with across the country. This article is the first in a series of reports on the current journalism business climate, the history and contributions of the Courier, why local journalism remains an important asset in community-building, and ways in which its business model can be strengthened. There was a time when cities and co...
Gunbarrel resident Tom Myer, whose parents were Iroquois and native Panamanian/Spanish, will speak at the Niwot Historical Society Now & Then Lecture Series on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Grange in downtown Niwot. Myer describes his presentation style as "one man on a stage" with videos and props. Pow Wow (or "powwow") is often thought of as a festive event of energetic group dancing, drumming and singing. Indeed, it is, but spectators may be unaware of the significance of various...
On August 29, Hazel Miller & the Collective, along with Nalani Clisset (stage name Nalani) performed the final show of the 2024 Rock & Rails season at Whistle Stop Park. As Nalani was setting up for her opening set, headliner Hazel Miller was standing by the performance gazebo greeting arriving concertgoers like old friends. Energized and radiating joy, Miller promised them that they "were in for a great evening and plenty of dancing." Miller's band members were fired up for their set. Lead...
Hazel Miller and The Collective will wrap up the 2024 Rock and Rails (R&R) series this Thursday evening, Aug. 29, at Whistle Stop Park. Inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2023, Miller and her band will perform their mix of jazz, blues, soul and popular music. Miller is one of the most sought-after performers in Colorado and has also performed elsewhere in North America, as well as in Europe, the Far East, Middle East and Central America. R&R booking manager Satir DeMarco said that...
Residents of Niwot and surrounding communities had a special opportunity this year at the National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 4. A number of the first responders present had been at the scenes of the Alexander Mountain and Stone Canyon Fires in Boulder and Larimer counties, which had only recently been brought under control. The stories the responders shared kept some of the event attendees wide-eyed at the courage and commitment of those who protect our region. National Night Out is an...
Justin Hirshfield is the well-loved head chef at 1914 House restaurant. As the upscale eatery in Niwot prepares to close, Hirschfield expressed his gratitude for people who helped him become the chef he is today and reflected on his tenure at the popular dinner venue. He shared thoughts on his future inside and outside of the kitchen. Hirshfield is the kind of person who treats you like a friend the moment you are introduced. He shares his life story freely and finds joy in his relationships....
Ashley Niles is a dentist and business owner, an athlete, a wife and a mother of three young children. She admirably manages her very busy life with an aura of kindness and calmness that would be difficult for most of us with her schedule to match. She credits her background in team sports for much of her determination and many of her values. Niles grew up in Geneva, Illinois, a rural Swedish American community west of Chicago. She is from a medical family. Her father was an OB-GYN and her...
It's never good when rain and hail blow through an outdoor concert venue an hour before the event is scheduled. That's what happened in advance of the Rock & Rails program on June 20, 2024. However, in typical Colorado fashion, the skies cleared quickly and fortunately the weather remained delightful throughout the evening. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band kicked off the event with selections consistent with the evening's country and Southern rock theme. A large group of 28...
Get ready to dance and sing along with headliners CW and Twenty Hands High on June 20 for their third consecutive year performing at Rock & Rails. The band performs a wide range of country and Southern rock favorites and a growing number of their own popular creations. In August 2023, the band was honored as Entertainer of the Year by the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame. Frontman CW Wooten said that, although they have a large repertoire of two-step selections, they tend to "stay more...
The prospects for development of the land at 5701 N. 79th Street in Gunbarrel for use as a tennis facility appear to be more uncertain than ever. The land has recently been listed as for sale by LIV Sotheby's International Realty's Boulder office. The 20.24 acre lot is offered at an asking price of $2,650,000. Sotheby's listing describes the property as a "perfect canvas to build your dream estate." The listing states that it is zoned agricultural and is "surrounded by City of Boulder open...
Niwot's wildly popular Rock & Rails summer concert series resumes Thursday, May 30, at Whistle Stop Park, a week earlier than in prior years. Once again, all summer long concertgoers will be able to enjoy music, dancing, drinks, food trucks, activity booths and people-watching. Concerts are held from 5 -9 p.m. every Thursday through August 29, except for a break on the 4th of July. The May 30 event features Deborah Stafford & the Night Stalkers as the headliner taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. One...
A long-anticipated library branch of the Boulder Public Library District (BPLD) is being prepared for opening next year. A five-year renewable lease agreement was reached for use of the now-unoccupied former FirstBank building and property at the intersection of Spine Road and Lookout Road in Gunbarrel. At a May 14 meeting of the district board of trustees, David Farnan, Director of the BPLD, enumerated the outstanding amenities and features of the physical structure and location for the...
It was the Boulder Library Foundation, not the Boulder Public Library District itself, which released the minutes of the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees’ important May 14, 2024, meeting to the public. These minutes are included on the library’s website: Boulder Public Library District -REGULAR MEETING- Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (https://boulderlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/05.14.24-Regular-Meeting-Packet-final.pdf) Specifics about the Gunbarrel library project, including the Gunbarrel lease, costs, other locations con...
As Rock & Rails concertgoers enter Whistle Stop Park, they can't miss the greeters holding large tip jars. Each week of Rock & Rails, non-profit organizations that have been approved following an application process are invited to collect donations for that week. In return, they help with set up, take down, and operation of the event. Half of the tip jar collections at the May 30 concert will go to Scouting America (the name changed from the Boy Scouts of America earlier this month). Donations...
One or more vandals caused significant property damage at Monarch Park's Hangge Fields the night of Friday, May 17, or early the next morning. To make matters worse, minority groups were targeted with racist and homophobic graffiti sprayed on a dugout close to the parking lot. For over 50 years, the non-profit Niwot Youth Sports has organized youth sports programs year-round for children ages 4-18 in the Niwot-Gunbarrel area. At Monarch Park, the organization uses a total of six ballfields for...
Dave and Maggie Lee of Niwot are kind and gracious. They know what they value and stand for, and they have focused on their values as much as possible during their long marriage. Prioritizing their family, pursuing meaningful work, nurturing longtime friendships and serving others through their church are consistent themes in their lives. Dave is from Pueblo, Colorado, Maggie from Salem and Portland, Oregon. The two met in high school after Dave's family moved to the Northwest. Dave graduated...
Photography and beekeeping are Jeff Server's passions, but he did not expect to be talking about both at the opening of his photography exhibit at Inkberry Books. On the evening of Friday, May 3, Gene Hayworth and Keith Waters of Inkberry Books hosted one of their frequent receptions highlighting the works of local artists. Niwot resident Server, whose photography will be on display throughout May, is featured this month. Several attendees, expecting to hear Server's remarks about his eight...
"Shocked," "I can't believe it," and "Oh, no!" were community members' immediate reactions to last week's announcement that Old Town Niwot's beloved 1914 House restaurant will close at the end of July. The shock changed to both sadness and gratitude, and then to concern over the future of other restaurants in Niwot and Boulder County. A couple of days later, a very frequent diner at 1914 House related his personal story of his relationship with the staff and other guests. The Niwot Community...
Last Friday, soon after the upcoming closure of 1914 House was announced, Nick Mastronardi was feeling both nostalgic and proud of what his team had accomplished at 1914 House. He said they had "a great run" as he reflected upon the good times, and suggested ways a new owner might move the popular restaurant forward. After purchasing the building in 2014, Mastronardi embarked on a complete remodel with the exception of maintaining the historic facade. He believes that creating a very warm,...
The unimaginably tragic Marshall Fire at the end of 2021 alerted Coloradans to the increasing risks of natural disasters, not only in the mountains, but also in the flatlands. Earlier this month the windstorm in which 150,000 Front Range Xcel customers were without power for over 24 hours caused considerable damage to both businesses and homes. These events remind us of the importance of preventing or reducing the damage to our properties from wildfires, high winds, and heavy snowfalls which...
The Left Hand Valley Courier is spotlighting various local neighborhoods, their history, issues and general nature. This week, the Courier is spotlighting The Cove residential neighborhood. Most Niwot residents are familiar with Somerset and Legend Ridge, but any mention of The Cove is usually met with raised eyebrows and puzzled looks. Small, lovely and secluded, the neighborhood was established in the early 1990s. You won't find The Cove unless you happen upon it while walking or are in the...
On March 4, the owner and developers of the "Tennis Center of the Rockies" project requested that the Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting Department table their Special Use Review application to permit the construction of a tennis complex at N. 79th Street in Gunbarrel. Going forward, the applicants may update and resubmit their application or withdraw the application entirely. In a communication to the county planning group, the developers said, "We would officially like to...
Niwot residents Amy Cramer and Skip Wehner are new members of the Eldora Mountain Safety Team (MST) this season. Their passion for skiing, desire to keep everyone safe, and delight in being part of the small nearby ski resort make their role, in Cramer's words, "the best job in the world." As the season enters its final weeks, they each shared their very different personal backgrounds, and their shared enthusiasm for their new roles, along with their overflowing joy of living in Niwot. Cramer...
Rod Archer smiles modestly when he says, "if I were looking for a job now I would say two words, 'Stanford' and 'Apple.'" Indeed, his story includes his success in combining his mechanical engineering training at a prestigious university with his ability to work with developing technologies at one of the world's most innovative companies. Archer grew up in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota, with his parents, a younger sister and a younger brother. He says he was "a good, quiet kid." He chose to...
What could be better than growing up in a little mountain town with plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors, shoot BB guns, and slide down steep slopes? Not much, according to Niwot resident Lamar "Dewey" Parker. Parker was raised in northern Utah and describes his childhood as "idyllic in many respects." However, there were difficulties within his family and his parents divorced when he was 12 years old. After the divorce his mother's financial resources were limited. Parker began...
Niwot High School's Unified Basketball team edged out Longmont's Main Street School team in overtime on Feb. 6. The matchup wasn't just another high school basketball game, it was a celebration of inclusivity, teamwork and the joy of competition among students of varying abilities. Players for Longmont's Main Street unified basketball team arrived at Niwot High School early and in high spirits while the Niwot players were finishing their final classes of the day. Amber Jasmin was among those on...
Jeff Server says he is a person who notices and appreciates details. He has applied these talents as a videographer and landscape photographer, as a gas industry accountant and as an active volunteer at Niwot events. He and his wife Dawn Reeb Server have lived at Meadow Lake Farm off of N. 79th Street for six years. Server, the second of four boys, grew up in Ames, Iowa. When he was 14 he joined a summer field crew of about 100 to 150 young men. They detasseled the corn in preparation for...
In a world that sometimes seems to create isolation, the Courier is launching a new feature entitled "Meet Your Neighbor." We hope you enjoy getting to know some of the fascinating people who live in our community. Joyce Johnson has lived in Niwot for 32 years. Her determination, friendly nature, sparkling eyes and kindness mask the many hardships and tragedies she has faced throughout her long life. The first word Johnson uses to describe herself is "resilient." She was raised in Connecticut...
Amy Scanes-Wolfe asks the question whether we need to reclaim our arid lands of the West by addressing the serious problems caused by our centuries-long disruption of nature's balanced ecosystem. In her Jan. 11 presentation to the Niwot Community Connection (NCC), it was clear Scanes-Wolfe is passionately committed to doing just that. She led NCC participants on a wide-ranging journey combining her cultural anthropology, ecology, agricultural and natural history backgrounds. Scanes-Wolfe...
