All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
Sorted by date Results 151 - 193 of 193
Boulder County is now accepting applications for two openings on the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee, a nine-member independent board that “prioritizes expenditures of the LID sales tax revenue,” and makes recommendations to the county commissioners. The Niwot LID was formed in 1992 and authorized to collect a half-percent sales tax to pay for street, drainage and other improvements in Old Town. In 2007 following a successful Niwot effort to change state law, vot...
The Niwot United Methodist Church Choir’s (NUMCC) performance at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on Nov. 18 was a memorable experience for the small but accomplished group of local singers. NUMCC, under the direction of Liz Olson, had been rehearsing for a few months prior to their performance of Pepper Choplin’s Christmas Presence cantata as part of a 275-member choir. Choplin, who also conducted and directed the choir’s performance, drew rave reviews from the members of NUMCC. “Pepper Choplin ha...
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the Niwot LID Advisory Committee welcomed county commissioners Cindy Domenico, Deb Gardner, and Elise Jones to the Left Hand Grange for a “very timely” discussion of the state of local affairs during the past 12 (or so) months. Ordinarily used as an opportunity to showcase the town’s recent successes, this year’s presentation to the commissioners was fraught with anxiety about the county’s development moratorium, which was scheduled for a public hearing on Oct. 30. Ackno...
In the wake of the Boulder County Commissioners’ temporary moratorium on new development applications in the Niwot Rural Community District (NRCD), the Niwot LID advisory committee welcomed Land Use director Dale Case and his staffers, Jose Ruano and Denise Grimm, to the Oct. 2 meeting to discuss the wider implications of such a ban, as well as the next steps in the process. They also considered a funding request, elected a new slate of officers, and discussed the agenda for the upcoming m...
At their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 4, members of the Niwot LID advisory committee considered just a single funding request, but members had plenty of new business on their minds, including funding alternatives for future capital projects and upcoming development projects in Old Town. Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin presented the monthly financials to lead off the meeting. As of Aug. 31, the LID has approved $155,105 in disbursements, about $22,000 over the budget, which is...
Local families have known for some time that the Niwot Children’s Park is an exceptional place, but now there is hardware to prove it. In a small ceremony held in storybook corner on Aug. 9, representatives from the Colorado Lottery and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) formally presented the park’s 2018 Starburst Award, which recognizes “excellence in the use of Lottery funds for community and conservation projects.” In her opening remarks, Colorado Lottery Communications Manager Jennifer Churchi...
A dedication to problem-solving on Niwot’s behalf is among the reasons Niwot Community Association board members chose former chair Dick Piland to serve as the 2018 Grand Marshal of the town’s July 4 parade. “I am honored to serve as Grand Marshal,” Piland said. “But frankly, I was very surprised to be nominated. I think there are several others more deserving than I am.” Piland’s willingness to pitch in is a strength others appreciate. “Dick jumps into projects without reserve,” said...
Last week the Colorado Lottery announced winners of the 2018 Starburst Awards, which recognize public projects that use lottery funds, and the Niwot Children’s Park was one of 11 winners chosen statewide. The lottery funds — in the amount of $140,000 — came out to be about 70 percent of the purchase price of the property the park sits on at 101 First Avenue in Niwot, with Jeff and Cynthia Lambert and funds from the Niwot community providing the balance. Another $20,700 of services were donat...
At the regular monthly meeting on May 1, the Niwot LID Advisory Committee got a sneak peek at the Niwot Business Association’s new branding campaign, and heard about some important changes in store for this year’s Rock & Rails Summer concert series. Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin kicked off the meeting with a brief discussion about officer elections, a subject curiously left out of the Committee’s bylaws. Leadership of the nine-member Committee consists of a Chair, who conducts the meeti...
WINE, CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE The Rotary Club of Niwot’s annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate tasting will be held Friday, May 4 at the Longmont Museum, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event also features a live auction and a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting Colorado Friendship and Longmont Meals On Wheels. HOME RUN DERBY Niwot Youth Sports will hold their MLB Jr. Home Run Derby from 4 to 7 p.m. on May 5 at the Biff Warren Sports Complex (6750 Nimbus Road, Longmont). The event is free, boys and girls will be split into 12U and 14U age groups w...
Alzheimer’s support group An Alzheimer’s support group will meet on the first Wednesday of every month. This class is free and open to the public, no registration required. The events are from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Niwot United Methodist Church, 7405 Lookout Road, Gunbarrel. Community Book Discussion The "Beyond Bestsellers" book discussion group meets at 7 p.m. at Inkberry Books in Niwot at Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, on the last week of each month (days to be determined monthly). Members propose books for discussion and the group sel...
Niwot head baseball coach Adam Strah had strangely mixed feelings after his team’s loss in the season debut on March 8. Though unhappy to come out on the short end of the 3-1 contest, Strah said he was heartened by his youthful squad’s performance against the older, battle-tested Grizzlies. “It was very encouraging,” Strah said. “It’s two sides of the same coin. We hate to lose. We’re not getting on the bus happy because we lost. However, if you look at some of the young kids who were in there...
The Niwot LID Advisory Committee held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on March 6, despite the fact that the Boulder County Commissioners have yet to fill the four vacancies that opened when five-year terms for four of the board’s nine members expired. Boulder County staff liaison Mark Ruzzin cited unexpected travel commitments and illnesses for the delay by the commissioners, and invited the departing members—Satir DeMarco, co-Chair Laura Skaggs, Tony Santelli, and Howard Tre...
Current officers of the Niwot Business Association were re-elected at the February 13 NBA meeting, hosted by the Niwot Inn and Treppeda’s Italian Restaurant. In the only contested rate, incumbent vice-president Deborah Fowler was re-elected as vice-president over Jim Ditzel. Tony Santelli will continue as president, Linda Klueber will return as secretary, and Dayna Roane was re-elected as treasurer. The NBA officers also serve as the board of directors. Santelli thanked Ditzel for his interest in serving the NBA and welcomed his continued i...
On Feb. 6, the Niwot LID Advisory Committee considered five funding requests, got a sneak preview of the NBA’s 2018 budget and heard after-action reports for two popular events from last year. They also said goodbye to AC members Tony Santelli and Howard Treppeda, who will be stepping down at the end of the month when their latest five-year terms expire. Treasurer Harris Faberman led off with an update on the District’s 2017 finances. The LID collected $13,253.70 in sales tax revenue for Nov...
After a short thank you by Chuck Klueber, Niwot Business Association Streetscapes Coordinator, a few key people grabbed shovels on this brisk day, and moved some dirt for an official groundbreaking to start the Connectivity Project, which covers about 5000 square feet at the corner of Niwot Road and 79th Street. Aiming for an end of March completion of the dirt moving, rock placement, and infrastructure, Outdoor Craftsmen owner Scott Deemer said his workers were ready to start work as soon as...
The Niwot United Methodist Church choir will be heading to the famous Carnegie Hall in 2018 to perform a new Christmas cantata by Pepper Choplin, a renowned composer, as part of a 200-member choir. Choir member Mike Weiss said that the choir performs a lot of Choplin’s music, and recently began posting videos of performances online. “We’ve done a lot of his music in the choir at church,” Weiss said. “Awhile ago we took to recording performances at the church and putting them on YouTube. Apparently someone found us on the site somehow as an aud...
Boulder County is now accepting applications for open positions on the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee. The nine-member LID Advisory Committee “is an independent board that provides the Boulder County Commissioners with recommendations for improvements to the LID,” according to Boulder County. The committee is primarily responsible for overseeing expenditures of the town’s sales tax revenue, which is generated by business retail sales within Niwot’s business district, i...
Plans for a parking lot west of Old Town Niwot took another step closer to reality last week after Boulder County and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) closed on the deal to purchase a two-acre vacant parcel between Murray Street and the railroad tracks north of the Excel Electric building on Dec. 1. The final purchase price was $170,000 plus inspection, survey and closing costs, which the Boulder County Commissioners formally approved in their business meeting on Nov. 28. On...
Plans for a parking lot west of Old Town Niwot took another step closer to reality last week after Boulder County and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) closed on the deal to purchase a two-acre vacant parcel between Murray Street and the railroad tracks north of the Excel Electric building on Dec. 1. The final purchase price was $170,000 plus inspection, survey and closing costs, which the Boulder County Commissioners formally approved in their business meeting on Nov. 28. On...
The 2017 Golden Hammer Award for volunteer service to the Niwot Community was presented to Kathy Koehler at the Great Pumpkin Party Oct. 28. Pat Murphy of Niwot Real Estate, who originated the award in 2009 in honor of late community volunteer Curtis Lizakowski, made the presentation to Koehler, noting that she has worked tirelessly for the community since moving to Niwot in the early 1970s. Koehler, a native of Boulder County, has been involved with the Niwot Community Association and the...
At its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 3, the Niwot LID Advisory Committee formally met new Niwot Economic Development director Catherine McHale, considered one funding request, and discussed proposed Boulder County land use changes that could impact tentative plans for a parking lot north of old town Niwot. McHale introduced herself and spoke briefly of her plans going forward, especially as they relate to use of social media to promote Niwot businesses. She also indicated that she would be...
On Monday, Aug. 7, the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) Advisory Committee held its annual joint meeting with the Boulder County Commissioners to provide them with a first-hand account of the state of affairs in Niwot. Commissioners Cindy Domenico and Deb Garder (Elise Jones was out of town) along with County staff Peter Salas, Michelle Krezek and Mark Ruzzin were joined by LID Co-Chairs Laura Skaggs, and Carrie Wise, Vice-Chair Jim Eastman, Treasurer Harris Faberman, and members Tony Sant...
Niwot Business Association members were treated to exquisite cuisine and wine at the July 11 meeting at Colterra restaurant.. Chef Bradford Heap, owner of Colterra, welcomed NBA members and guests, and introduced the Buckners, local lamb and beef suppliers, emphasizing the environmental and health benefits gained by avoiding factory-farmed animal products. He also welcomed Michael Moss of Plowshares – a nearby organic produce grower who invited everyone to an Open House at the Farm on August 3...
Vandals have once again damaged the Niwot Children’s Park, and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association is taking steps to curb the destruction. Two neighbors have reported late-night activity at the park recently, and Building Committee member Riki Frea noticed that someone had carved into one of the posts at the pergola, and that more of the concrete critters adorning some of the play structures had been damaged. Damage to the critters was noticed last fall, and Frea and representatives of L...
If the music at Rock & Rails seems a bit louder than usual this week, blame it on the Mikes (and their friend Lawrence). Niwot alums Mike Anderson, Mike Holubec, Mike Warren, and Lawrence Jenkins will be taking the stage with their bands this week, drawing scores of local fans eager for a night with old friends and hard rocking music. Denver-based band Legitimate by Friday will kick things off on Thursday night, July 20, at 5 p.m. Formed in 2009, the blues-infused rock combo got its start in...
The Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 11, with several large expenditures on the agenda. Before hearing funding requests, members reviewed the July budget reports prepared by county liaison Pete Salas and LID treasurer Harris Faberman. According to their figures, the LID has disbursed just over $25,500 so far this year and has committed to spend another $39,806, not counting the pending applications, leaving just under $68,000 in the...
Niwot Business Association President Tony Santelli welcomed the crowd and introduced Bert Steele of Niwot Market, which hosted the June 13 meeting. Steele expressed appreciation for the longevity of the market and thanked his management team, including his daughter Alison, whom he introduced. He is excited about the abundance of organic produce available to him from local wholesalers and invited everyone to shop in the produce department. Niwot Cultural Arts Association president Biff Warren...
Having been approached by Bruce “Biff” Warren in 1996 to help publish a local newspaper, I thought, “How hard can this be? We write a few stories, sell a few ads, and deliver the product to the Niwot / Gunbarrel area.” Little did I know that we’d still be doing it 20 years later and all of us would still be great friends. While it hasn’t always been easy, it has been a lot of fun thanks to our friendship, respect for each other and, mostly, our sense of humor. We’ve thanked our advertisers a...
The Niwot LID Advisory Committee held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 7, and once again, sales tax drove the discussion. Through two months of 2017, the LID has committed to $19,687 in expenses, including half of the Economic Development Director’s salary ($11,250), according to Treasurer Harris Faberman. His report also included an estimate of the LID’s current capital purchases reserve balance ($265,945), based on his calculation of net revenues over the past nine years. The com...
When asked about his team’s prospect for the upcoming season, longtime Niwot head baseball coach Craig McBride answered the predictable question in an interesting way. “Well, of course I hope we’ve improved. We’re a senior-heavy team. We have a good chance to go deep into the playoffs if our pitching goes well,” he said. “Of course, that’s what every coach will tell you. But we definitely feel good about the potential that we have this year.” That potential includes several returning varsi...
At its Feb. 7 meeting, the Advisory Committee to the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) got a preview of the expense side of the 2017 ledger when the Niwot Business Association (NBA) unveiled its budget for the year. Members also reviewed the final treasurer’s report for 2016, considered two funding requests, and heard updates on a new LID merchant and Jazz on 2nd Avenue. The meeting was called to order by co-chair Laura Skaggs. The committee heard from LID treasurer Harris Faberman who p...
On Oct. 5th, the Niwot Historical Society and President Kathy Koehler kicked off the 2016-17 Niwot: Now & Then lecture series with an examination of baseball and its impact on the town. From its earliest days, when Evart “Toots” Conilogue got together with his brothers and friends to form the Niwot Farmers; to the modern era, when Coach Bob Bote led the Niwot High Cougars to five state championships in eight years, the national pastime has been an integral part of Niwot’s civic identity. In Ba...
The Niwot Children's Park has had many eyes on it, especially those of little children, for a number of months as they've awaited the opening of the park for play. Their anticipation was finally alleviated when the park finally opened on a sunny afternoon on Sunday, Oct. 2. It was not only eagerly awaited by children though. The many adults who have been working on this project to bring it to fruition were excited that the park is finally open. Fundraising Coordinator Riki Frea had a hard time f...
The Niwot Historical Society is continuing its lecture series, and the newest could knock it out of the park. A panel of speakers will discuss the history of the sport of baseball in the area, each with their own bank of knowledge and insight to provide. “We’re putting together a panel of people or their families who have been involved in baseball in the Niwot area from the very early 1900’s to the present,” organizer Biff Warren said. The speakers include: John Conilogue: His ancestors go way back in the Niwot area, he has a lot of artifac...
The construction fencing was replaced with a new wooden fence, and those that have helped push the cause couldn’t be happier. Biff Warren, president of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and one of the organizers for the new park, said that the project has really taken a village to complete. “We need to thank and recognize literally hundreds of people who have donated to the park in some fashion,” Warren said. “There were kids who sold lemonade and donated proceeds, businesses that hosted...
With only five Thursdays left in the season, Rock & Rails is enlisting a noteworthy lineup to end the summer with a bang. Headliners such as Chris Daniels and the Kings with Freddi, The Hazel Miller Band, and Face are expected to attract plenty of fans to Niwot’s popular summer concert series. Since its inception in 2006, Rock & Rails has grown to be one of Niwot’s most well-known summer events, with locals and visitors alike filling Whistle Stop Park every Thursday evening. Attendance has bee...
On July 1, Selene Hall finished her final day at Bank of the West in Niwot as the Front Range area manager, ending a 30-year career in banking. Hall, who has lived in Niwot for 33 years, certainty hasn’t allowed her work to define her. Outside of her career in banking, Hall raised two children, served as president of both the Niwot Community Association (NCA) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), served on the Niwot High School Education Foundation, ran Niwot Nostalgia Days for a decade a...
Boulder County Parks and Open Space will have to say goodbye to a respected and admired employee come September. Ron Stewart, who is currently the director of Boulder County Parks and Open Space, has decided to retire in September after 17 years with the county. Stewart was born and raised in Longmont went to Longmont High School, and then to the University of Colorado-Boulder. As a political science major in college, Stewart became passionate about politics and went on to serve two terms in...
Whether you see her welcoming guests at Rock & Rails, planting flowers along Second Avenue or volunteering at one of the various Niwot events she attends throughout the year, it’s likely Stacy Roybal will greet you with a smile and a friendly “hello.” Roybal is the Courier’s Left Hand Laurel for her years of service and kindness to Niwot. Despite living east of Longmont, miles away from Niwot, Roybal is nevertheless quick to help out when volunteers are called upon in the community. She is deepl...
A community thrives when its members are involved, passionate, ambitious and always looking to the future. In these respects, Riki Frea excels. Frea, a Niwot resident, mother and unwavering volunteer, is recognized with the Courier’s Lefthand Laurel for her commitment to the Niwot community and its youth. Despite juggling the busy schedule that comes along with being a mother of three, Frea still manages to donate much of her time to the community. She serves as an integral member of the Niwot Children’s Park building committee and vol...
On June’s first Friday of the month, Osmosis Gallery and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association hosted the winners of this year’s art show. Emceed by Biff Warren of NCAA, and Anne Postle and Michelle Henzel, also of NCAA and Osmosis Gallery, announced the winners of this fifth season. Twenty entries in all were submitted, with the only requirement being it needed to represent Niwot in some way. According to Osmosis Gallery owner Anne Postle, by the time Friday’s winner was revealed, 6 of the 20 ent...
For youngsters in the area, Niwot Youth Sports (NYS) has brought a lifetime of memories and experiences since its beginnings with recreational baseball in the late 1960’s. A decade later, the organization was dubbed the Gunbarrel Lefthand Valley Recreation Association, and basketball and girls softball were added. Today, NYS serves 450 children in baseball and softball, close to 300 in basketball and around 100 in flag football each year. NYS offers competitive and recreational versions of e...
