All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Epic Nutrition, serving Herbalife Nutrition smoothies and energy teas, opened its doors in October at the Gunbarrel Shopping Center. This is a sister enterprise to Fit Family Nutrition owned and operated by the same husband-wife team, Brad Larsen and Brook Kirwin. Fit Family Nutrition opened one year ago on South Main Street in Longmont. "We make healthy eating fast, simple, and delicious," Larsen said. "We have over 20 flavors of smoothies and 10 flavors of energy teas, and the smoothies are a...
Boulder County has committed to be the biggest subscriber to date in Jack's Solar Garden. As of Nov. 5, the county commissioners pledged to be a holder of 10% of the 1.2 megawatts solar array, equalling a $376,000 investment. Jack's will be the first and only solar garden in the county and the largest commercial agrivoltaic system in the U.S. Jack's Solar Garden founder Byron Kominek said, "Having the confidence of Boulder County in becoming an anchor tenant and having them fully appreciate the social and environmental benefits we intend to...
Monday, Nov. 11, is a day set aside to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces - our veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as of this year there are nearly 19 million living veterans. This is a story about a group of local veterans who are collaborating on an art project unlike any other. Robert Bellows stashed away his sculpture making tools for decades while he operated a successful business. Retirement meant he could finally get back to the torc...
The Niwot Business Association (NBA) received word in June that a Boulder County Economic Vitality Grant it had applied for on behalf of Niwot's Left Hand Valley Grange had been approved. The grant is part of Boulder County's overall distribution of grant funds to one economic development organization in each municipality including Erie, Longmont, and Nederland. The fund was formerly called the Economic Development Grant. Boulder County's Economic Development website page reads, "In support of...
Thanks to the generosity of the community, Niwot Dental’s first holiday food drive collected nearly 10 boxes of food for the non-profit OUR Center in 2018. This year, from Nov. 11 through Dec. 19 the dental practice is once again offering a convenient drop off spot for your donations which will then be delivered to the Longmont charity on time for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. OUR Center, which helps the working poor, seniors, disabled and homeless members of our community by providing those individuals and families with food, clothing, a...
Just a few shows in and already Willowdale Live is taking root in Niwot. The live arts not-for-profit entertainment series has two more shows before the end of the year and 2020s early year talent lineup of Americana, bluegrass, and folk performers, along with artist-speakers, is nearly all booked. The shows take place once a month at Niwot's community gathering spot, the Left Hand Valley Grange. Willowdale Live's local co-founders Nick Dunbar and Andy Mann kicked off the inaugural show in...
A spontaneous chorus of cheers went up as the red ribbon was cut by the Front Range Leading Ladies professional group. FRiLLs was officially inducted into the Longmont Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the Niwot offices of Colorado Landmark Realtors at a gathering of more than 20 women. The organization is a revamping of the group, Take a Chair Lady, which, after 10 years was in need of modernization, FRiLL's chairperson Deborah Read Fowler explained. "We all got together and decided...
Hot Rize band member Pete Wernick (aka Dr. Banjo) entertained and educated a full-house audience at the Left Hand Grange hall Wednesday night Oct. 23, during his lecture on the history of the banjo. Wernick, who calls Niwot home, shared the chronological path banjos have taken as well as his own musical journey as part of this season's Niwot Historical Society's lecture series....
A frustrating quest to find the ideal elegant, simple, and convertible bag led Ann Whitehill to the conclusion that she would need to create it herself. So Ann Whitehill Studio, maker of fine leather bags and portfolios was born in 2013. Her handmade bags are beautiful, functional, extremely durable, and meticulously crafted completely by hand. Because Whitehill loved traveling, commuting by bike and creating art, the bag needed to be large enough to hold a lot of gear and had to be incredibly...
Bring your alter-ego, your children and your parents, and a dog or two to Niwot's Great Pumpkin Party on Saturday, Oct. 26. The Niwot Business Association and Niwot Local Improvement District are hosting the 22nd annual masquerade party which includes door-to-door trick or treating at local businesses, a festive parade, and family-friendly entertainment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Layered in crunchy orange and yellow leaves, stout pumpkins and scarecrows that make you do a double-take, 2nd Avenue bec...
Lamp posts along 2nd Avenue in Niwot were decorated with banners for the first year of a project honoring our local veterans. Each of the 32 banners is a tribute to U.S. service men and women with a connection to Niwot. Honorees' photographs, names, their years of service and which branch they served in are printed on each commemorative banner. Chances are many last names on the banners will be familiar to our readers. Sheila Ray, who first brought the veterans' project idea to the Niwot...
Pete Wernick, aka Dr. Banjo, fell for the stringed instrument in his teens. What brought a banjo into the hands of a NYC kid? It was the legendary Earl Scruggs of Grand Ole Opry fame that first piqued Wernick's musical taste buds. Decades of picking and plucking have made Wernick a world-renowned musician, songwriter, and educator who calls Niwot, CO his home. Dr. Banjo has entertained audiences at Niwot's Left Hand Valley Grange more times than he can count. The next appearance at his hometown...
Ellen Gostling is a force to be contended with. Gostling, a 2015 Niwot High School graduate, currently holds all of the state records in the junior 84kg weight class in equipped powerlifting, and since graduating college in May, she continues to make a name for herself in the sport. Starting out as a figure skater in high school and then a member of the cross country and swim teams during her senior year, Gostling understands how much hard work goes into being an athlete. So when friends...
Within Boulder, Broomfield, Larimer, and Weld Counties, veterans over age 65 number more than 27,000 according to the Colorado Veterans Affairs Department. Boulder County alone is home to more than 9,000 military veterans over age 60 who rely on the health care services provided at regional Veterans Affairs medical facilities. Those neighborhood vets are looking to their medical professionals to help them stay healthy and to diagnose and treat their conditions. But challenges with driving,...
Niwotian Doug Richards has been racing cyclocross for nearly a decade. Under the watchful eye of a new coach where he's been on an amped up training regime, he has recently achieved great success. He's celebrating two first-place finishes in the 60+ division on Sept. 28 and 29 and a second-place finish on Sept. 15 while competing in the Blue Sky Velo Cup course races in Dry Creek Park in Longmont. He's a member of Blue Sky Velo Club. Cyclocross races are short courses (two miles or less) on...
The 2019-2020 Niwot Historical Lecture series begins with a bang – a bang on an ancient musical instrument that is. In the first of four planned lectures for the upcoming season, archaeologist Marilyn Martorano, will discuss the lithophone, one of the rarest prehistoric artifacts discovered in Colorado. "I always loved the archeology in the San Luis Valley, it's so diverse - from prehistoric times thousands of years ago to the historic period," Martorano said, "but I never thought I'd be s...
An email from Sarah Brown to the Courier read, "In May I started working at Lucky Pie in Niwot and have had the pleasure of working with Dylan, the general manager. We have a constant joke going at work about how he's the mayor of Niwot since he seems to know everyone that lives in the area. He's one of the kindest people I've ever known, let alone worked with. So, if you take suggestions for Familiar Faces, I'd love to see him in there! He really deserves all the recognition as he is a...
Haystack Golf Course's website reads, "Since the 1800s, this land has been cherished for its beauty, bounty, adversity, and challenge." Fifty-three years since its inception those words continue to ring true. Julia Pirnack's mother and father, Lois and Bud Ebel purchased the 214-acre parcel of land on Niwot Road in 1963, including the volcano-shaped Haystack Mountain, after being smitten by its splendor. Originally a livestock and hay farm, the Ebels transformed it into a nine-hole golf course...
Colorado House Bill 1090, which takes effect on Nov. 1, allows for outside investors, including publicly traded companies, to jump into the state's billion dollar marijuana industry. In anticipation, Colorado-based Medicine Man Technologies (MMT) has signed binding agreements to purchase a multitude of dispensaries statewide, including Niwot's Starbuds outlet, along with four other stores in the chain. Medicine Man Technologies co-founder and CEO Andy Williams testified to the Senate Finance...
In the scheme of a community with a two block downtown, Left Hand Valley Grange No. 9 is almost a super structure. The austere corner building with a single third-story window at the peak makes for a big cream colored wall wrapping around the corner. A simple sign sits above the front door. The door is disproportionately small not just in comparison to the building's bulk, but because of all that has passed through it and what that entryway symbolizes. A 35-year resident of Niwot, Kellie Beran l...
It's official - the property formerly known as Colterra's restaurant has been sold for the asking price of $625,000. As of Friday, Sept. 6, the new owner of 210 Franklin Street is Palmos Development Corporation of Boulder. The family-run real estate development business is planning to build a mixed use project with the historic Bader House being the commercial property and the larger restaurant building most likely being replaced by residential property. "It's just a great piece of property,"...
Note: September 12 is National Mindfulness Day, a day set aside to promote and explore the physical and emotional benefits of being present and regulating emotions and behavior. Nearly 2.2 million individuals are incarcerated in the US, according to The Sentencing Project organization. Within those populations 80,000 to 100,000 people are being held in solitary confinement. Some of these prisoners have discovered a Niwot-based nonprofit program that moves them toward a sense of peacefulness and...
Going strong 25 years after its debut, Boulder County Kids (BCK) magazine is the area’s comprehensive guide for all things family oriented. The brainchild of Jennifer Martin, BCK is about to celebrate the publication of its 100th issue. “It’s been a joy to do this over the years, “ Martin said. “Boulder County is extremely lucky to have the kind of facilities and diversity of activities for kids. There’s everything from paleontology to aerial dancing.” Quarterly, Martin puts together a 40...
Niwot’s Community Corner Sculpture Park at the crossroads of Niwot Road and 79th Street has imbued the town with creative inspiration. A meandering sidewalk bordered by ornamental shrubs and colorful perennials, metal benches, a whimsical Little Free Library, a pair of painted Left Hand chairs and nine captivating sculptures have resulted in a peaceful oasis to stroll through and a sanctuary to relax in. The Niwot Sculpture Park Committee is putting out a call to artists for more sculptures t...
Two stages were rockin’ a full line-up of bands all afternoon at the third annual Remember in September music festival on Saturday, Sept. 7. While Sunsleeper (top) played on one stage, Janis Kelly and Global Soul Experience (bottom) also entertained festival-goers. The festival culminated with Face Vocal Band on the main stage in the evening. The free family event was put on by the J.A.R.E.D. Foundation which offers musical instruction scholarships to area children. Visit www...
Knowing children in Uganda were playing soccer barefoot, and in some instances with only one cleat, was not acceptable to Preston Lee, so he launched a project to remedy the situation. Called Kleats for Kids, Lee’s initiative was inspired by Niwot Elementary School teacher Dale Peterson and the Mwebaza Foundation, an organization that has its roots at NES. “My dad travels a lot for work,” Lee said, “and on one of his travels he got some pictures of kids without cleats or with just one cleat,...
Thieves targeted four retail stores on 2nd Avenue in Niwot last week according to reports from the businesses. Late afternoon Tuesday, Aug. 20, Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, Osmosis Art and Architecture, and Niwot Wheel Works were targeted by three women and a young boy where items were reportedly shoplifted. The same group, but with more people, apparently returned Thursday afternoon and hit Wise Buys Antiques, where money from the cash register was taken,according to owner Tim Wise. The strategy...
There’s just nothing like the anticipation of opening a package, so everyone loves it when the big brown truck stops in front of their house. UPS driver Gabe Amaya is Niwot’s main guy in the brown uniform driving that brown truck. The Courier wanted more than just a friendly wave “hello” from the reliable person who makes hundreds of stops around town. So we asked Amaya some questions and learned that his ties to the town run deeper than his daily route. Left Hand Valley Courier (LHVC) Gabe Amay...
This year's J.A.R.E.D. Foundation music festival, Remember in September, will take place Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. A far more spacious location than the first two event renditions, the outdoor venue on the southwest corner of the grounds will showcase two stages, more than a dozen bands, fun-in-the-sun activities, food trucks and drinks for all ages. Colorado's treasured acoustic group, Face Vocal Band, will be the attention-grabbing performance of the festival. The...
Avid hiker Leslie Madsen used to march along to get to the top of a mountain and back down, treating it like a task to be completed. But retirement brought a more leisurely pace to her treks, allowing her to be in the moment and observant of her surroundings. That’s when she fell madly in love with the splendor of flora in the high country and wanted to bring it home with her by way of photos. Madsen’s talent for capturing the beauty of wildflowers is on display at Niwot’s Inkberry Books in Co...
Flagstaff Academy (K-12) of Longmont is beginning its new school year with the launch of a unique initiative - a PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavior Incentive System. The school-wide program was created to dovetail with five essential qualities the school will be bringing to the forefront. Dubbed Dragon PRIDE, an acronym for perseverance, respect, integrity, dependability and empathy, these core values will be stitched into every aspect of the school from classroom curriculum to extra...
Gunbarrel’s Emily Sewell, this month’s Left Hand Laurel, is a round-the-clock mother, with a full-time career. For the last eight years, she’s also given her time to Voices for Children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), transforming the lives of abused and neglected children in Boulder County. Program Director Dana Walters said, “Emily has quietly worked to help victims of child abuse and neglect recover from trauma. She never seeks recognition and she doesn't require much directi...
Thirty years ago, Anne Postle was new to her career and a transplant to Colorado. Moving from Tempe, Ariz., after finishing her education at Arizona State University and becoming a licensed architect, she journeyed to Boulder to work for a large firm. She got her feet under her and after five years was ready to start her own firm. “Sometimes I look back and think, ‘How on earth did I ever think I could run a gallery or open my own firm?’” Postle said. “I honestly don’t know. I think that someti...
Niwot-born Willowdale Live took to the stage with its opening show at the Left Hand Grange in Niwot on Friday, Aug. 9. Co-creators Andy Mann and Nick Dunbar presented a free double feature to the full house. First, award-winning National Geographic photographer-filmmaker Mann captivated the audience with the saga of his unconventional and awe inspiring career path in the presentation “Summits to Seas.” These days Mann’s camera captures his undaunted expeditions with cutting edge marine scientist...
It’s high noon on a sunny Friday at Ollin Farms, and what would make a gorgeous still life of colorful zucchinis, eggplants, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, basil, and onions is anything but still. Hands are sorting, bunching, washing, and putting the veggies in coolers and crates to be transported to Saturday farmer’s markets. That’s where the public will get the grand effect of all of the shapes and hues of the produce. Many of the same hands working post-harvest are of interns who also plant...
More than 35 lecturers covering a broad spectrum of topics have captivated and informed audiences since the start of the Niwot Historical Society’s (NHS) Niwot Now and Then lecture series in 2011. Originally, Niwot’s history was the focus; delving into such topics as the historical role of the trains, Chief Niwot’s life, and the legend of Haystack Mountain. Gradually the lens of the lecture pulled out to explore more of Boulder County and the Front Range, examining archeological evidence of ea...
Last week’s issue covered the critical role pollinators play in food production and why the decline of pollinators should be getting everyone’s attention. This week, we’re exploring how individuals can help encourage and protect pollinating critters. Boulder County Colorado State University Horticulture Extension agent Deryn Davidson’s days are centered on disseminating information and taking action on behalf of pollinators. “One of the biggest issues is habitat loss,” Davidson said. “Our world...
Almost two years of conjecture around the reopening of Colterra Restaurant in Niwot was put to rest by a “For Sale” sign in the front yard as of Thursday, July 18. The 10,000 square foot corner lot at 210 2nd Avenue, including the historic Bader Building, and the scorched larger “barn” building, are being offered for $625,000. Public records show the property was last purchased for $1,150,000 in 2006 by the entity, Table 210 LLC, with a post office box in Niwot. Colterra Restaurant was owned a...
Dancing Under the Stars’ inaugural evening in Niwot had an estimated 200 smiling dancers cha-cha-cha-ing in temperatures over 90 degrees in the Cottonwood Square Shopping Center’s west parking lot. It would have been a hot event regardless, given the Latin music playing and the excitement of the social event. Some participants came to town from Denver and Ft. Collins, organizer Catherine McHale reported. The event started at 7 p.m. with a lesson on salsa steps and the number of dancers grew as...
For those who love the number of joyful, creative, and rockin’ events just outside your front door, and for those who have lamented that some town festivities have come to an end, there’s a doozy of a reason to once again declare, “Woo-hoo!” It’s Willowdale Arts of Niwot, a new series of events that will feature a cut above visual and musical artists in cozy-sized shows. Created by local professional musician and realtor Nick Dunbar, along with fellow Niwotian and National Geographic photograp...
This is the first part of a two-part series covering pollination - what it is and what does that important work. Next week’s article will delve into what can be done to help protect and increase pollinator populations. There’s some free real estate in Niwot - beautiful little bee and butterfly houses on trees along Hidden Valley Trail, just west of the recycling center on 79th Street in Niwot. While it may look like the trees are on open space, most of the pollinator abodes were anonymously hun...
According to the 2019 Colorado Business Economic Outlook, published annually by the CU Leeds School of Business, Boulder County’s economy is robust and growing, outpacing state and national statistics. This fact reaffirms the tenor of upbeat local leasing experts. The Niwot and Gunbarrel commercial leasing environment continues to be very strong. Being on the fringe of high-end Boulder proper, available office spaces don’t sit unoccupied for long, while the restaurant scene is experiencing spa...
Banners will be flying along 2nd Avenue in Niwot this year for the first time in honor of those with a local connection who have served in the U.S. military. The Niwot Community Association in conjunction with the Niwot Business Association was inspired by Gunbarrel resident Sheila Ray’s suggestion to do what her hometown of Emporia, Kan. does for their Freedom Fest when the faces and names of veterans grace their main street. As a result, the NCA and NBA formed a committee to bring a similar pr...
Niwot may be known for honoring its namesake with a great deal of left-handed this and left-handed that, but beginning Friday, July 19, even those among us with two left feet will be celebrating when they join in on the joyfulness of community dancing. You’ve heard of “Dancing in the Streets”, “Dancing with the Stars,” and “Dancing in the Moonlight”, and now...there’s “Dancing Under the Stars Niwot.” Event organizers, Catherine McHale and Tom Masterson want people to come on their own or with ki...
One of several storms to recently pass through the area knocked out power for about an hour in downtown Niwot on Sunday night, and created a full arc rainbow framing the tree sculpture of Spear Lodge Man on Niwot Road....
Is getting away from it all, being one with nature, spending time off the grid appealing to you? Do a toilet and shower, a comfy full-size bed, a well equipped kitchen and easy portability of your outdoor toys also register high on your happiness meter? Dunraven Campers, a Niwot-based business, specializes in hand-built, customizable campers that meet all of those desires. Created by Niwotians Abbie Wathen, an aerospace engineer, and her husband Bob Petty, a software developer, the aluminum...
Tom Theobald only will allow the Courier to bestow a Left Hand Laurel to him if his community involvement is qualified as being historical. Not a problem, because he did begin making a difference quite a while ago. But, we can’t resist saying he’s still a force for what’s good and continues to contribute greatly to this community and beyond. Seventy-six year old Theobald reminisces about his days growing up on a lake in Delavan, Wisconsin roaming the fields, wearing a bathing suit all summe...
If you were to do a time lapse video of the past 35 plus years of Niwot, it’s guaranteed you will have crossed paths with Victoria Keen and her husband Mike Selak many times. The Colorado-bred couple has seen Niwot grow from a far-flung rural offshoot to a flourishing hamlet. Living in the area so long means they’re waving and saying hello on a regular basis to folks they know from a multitude of settings. The Courier asked these familiar faces a few questions to shed some light on what makes th...
Jack’s Solar Garden will now have its place in the sun. On June 13, Boulder County Commissioners unanimously gave their approval for co-owner Byron Kominek to commence with plans to build the county’s first of its kind co-mingling of solar power and agriculture. The farm property, which has been in Kominek’s family for three generations, is located at 8102 N. 95th Street, Longmont. Commissioner Deb Gardner was the first to move to approve the solar garden, stating, “This is certainly the dir...
Inviting tables covered in red-checkered linens, padded stools in a neat row at the renovated bar, and a pristine double-wide range and gleaming convection oven in the immaculate galley kitchen indicate the debut of Niwot’s Pinocchio’s Incredible Italian eatery is getting very close. Restaurateur Annie Vick said to expect the enticing scents of garlicky marinara and freshly baked cakes and brownies by the first week of July. Aside from a few finishing touches like the installation of back wal...
