All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Niwot has long been a destination for old fashioned Christmas charm, with traditional events such as Enchanted Evening, the Holiday Parade, and WINC Holiday Fayre, which provide a festive ambience and attract families from both close to home and towns all around. What's more magical than seeing children's faces light up at the iconic Santa on the fire truck, or people marveling at the ice sculptures, or the comfort and joy of hearing carols sung beautifully, or sipping a fabulous holiday...
The retail incubator launched by the Niwot Business Association last month got a boost from the Niwot Local Improvement District's Advisory Committee when they agreed to recommend funding a portion of its marketing and promotional expenses at their virtual monthly meeting on Nov. 10. By a vote of 8-1, the board granted a modified funding request of $4,554 that will cover advertising and printing costs, as well as costs associated with hiring an "ambassador" to assist shoppers during business...
In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, all fighting as a result of World War I officially ended with the signing of an armistice with Germany. Since then, it has been a day around the world to remember those events and those who served. In 1954, various veterans' organizations within the United States banded together to have Armistice Day be renamed to Veterans Day. While Memorial Day honors those who died while in the military service.Veterans Day celebrates all who have...
Luring new businesses to town has been an ongoing challenge for the Niwot Business Association, so they've decided to start growing their own. Last month, the group launched the Little Holiday Shops of Niwot, a new retail project to help fledgling entrepreneurs get off the ground. "We've been working on it for about a year," NBA member and project leader Leigh Suskin said about the initiative, which was set to debut in March 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our intention was...
When Karen Quinn took her grandson to look at the veteran's banners in Niwot, she didn't know how he would respond. Her grandpa, and her grandson's great, great grandfather was an Army Corporal in WWI. Cpl. Ivan Henry "Bill" Dart was based in France, where he helped wounded soldiers as a part of the Medical Corps. "I showed him my grandpa's banner and, oh, he just loved it," said Quinn, who lives in Niwot. The two strolled around Cottonwood Square and looked at some of the others, talking about...
There have been more tricks than treats in 2020, and among the former is the hobbling of many local Halloween traditions, such as Niwot's Great Pumpkin Party. For many area families, finding an enjoyable but safe way to enjoy the popular holiday has been a matter of getting creative. For those in the mood to be social but distant, there are a few public celebrations organized with safety foremost in mind-from a trunk or treat in Cottonwood Square, to a virtual 5K benefit race organized by a...
It's shaping up to be a busy, but socially distanced winter around Niwot, as the LID advisory committee members considered funding requests for upcoming holiday themed events at their virtual monthly meeting on Oct. 6. Treasurer's Report First, however, they heard from LID treasurer Bruce Rabeler, who led off with a concerning notice from the Boulder County finance office regarding the district's 2020 earnings. According to county analyst David Thayer, the state of Colorado believes the LID's hi...
As Veterans Day 2020 approaches, the Niwot Community Association will once again honor the local men and women who have served their country in the U.S. Armed Forces. Starting in early October, more than 50 full-color banners featuring the names, photographs, branch, and service years of Niwot's military members past and present will be installed along 2nd Avenue and in Cottonwood Square where they will hang through Veterans Day. "I think it's great that the community would honor our veterans,...
Though most traditional fall events had to be shelved in 2020, autumnal-themed fun is still on the agenda in Niwot, courtesy of two brand new offerings from the Niwot Business Association. "In COVID times, more than ever, we need to think of different ways to get Niwot residents and those from neighboring communities to frequent the businesses downtown," longtime realtor and NBA vice-president Deborah Read Fowler said. "We are having regular meetings to brainstorm and launch new events to get us...
After a summer of cancelations, on Saturday, Sept. 12, Niwot saw its second weekend of outdoor events with its second sidewalk sale. Merchants in Cottonwood Square and 2nd Avenue put up tents and welcomed customers into their shops, though with limited capacity. The weather even cooperated. Following the Friday, Sept. 4, first Art Walk of the year, the Sidewalk Sale was a smashing success, with most merchants giving the event a thumbs up. Liz Gould of Little Bird said that people were buying...
The First Friday Art Walk returned to Niwot on Friday, Sept. 4, after a five-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. The town was bustling with perhaps the largest crowd out and about since the pandemic shut down much of the social life in Niwot and everywhere else in March. Moods were high, masks were worn, people were friendly, but socially distanced, and Niwot seemed to be returning to its usual community-oriented nature. Anne Postle, vice president of the Niwot Cultural Arts Associatio...
At their virtual meeting on Sept. 1, the Niwot LID advisory committee members got a preview of what could prove to be a very busy fall around town, with funding requests for a slew of upcoming events as well as plans to preserve the Native American tree sculptures carved by the late artist Eddie Running Wolf. Treasurer's Report LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler went first with an update on the district's finances, though there was nothing new to report on the revenue side, as the Colorado Department...
Local restaurants are hanging on thanks to an outpouring of support from the community, Boulder County grants, loans from the federal government and creative offerings. But the first yellow leaves of fall are creating fear for eateries that now depend on outdoor dining. "This is the really important piece; the community has kept us in business," said Michael Tomich, co-owner of Old Oak Coffeehouse in Old Town Niwot. "They have been incredibly supportive." "We have had an outpouring of support,"...
The Boulder Symphony recently announced a socially distanced concert to be held Sunday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center at 6007 Oreg Ave. in Boulder. The hour-long performance will feature the Takács Quartet, a grammy-award winning string quartet. The Boulder-based group is made up of violinists Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes, violist Richard O'Neill, and cellist András Fejér. Executive Director of the Boulder Symphony Andrew Krimm said he looks forward to hosting the qu...
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...
August has seen local Niwot businesses getting creative with their offerings. From socially distanced movie screenings to live music to car shows, there are more than a few reasons why you might want to swing through downtown Niwot this month. Car Show Fridays at Cottonwood Square From 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday in August, Cottonwood Square will be hosting a socially distanced car show. People are invited to bring their hot rods, classics, sports cars, motorcycles, and even their antiques out to...
After taking a short summer break in July, the Niwot LID advisory committee was back in action on Aug. 4 with a full agenda. Treasurer's Report LID Treasurer Bruce Rabeler opened the meeting with a financial update, starting with the latest revenue reports from the Colorado Department of Revenue. For now, revenue collections are holding steady in Niwot, despite ongoing restrictions on large events and indoor dining. The Niwot LID earned a combined $29,968 in April ($15,560) and May ($14,408),...
From its shady locale in Cottonwood Square, the Niwot Tavern has been a popular local gathering spot for more than a decade-and-a-half, so when the 2020 coronavirus pandemic threw the lives of local residents into chaos, co-owners and longtime bartenders Tara Kpogoh-Narh and Stacy Szydlek quickly shifted their mission from helping local residents unwind to helping them get through a global health emergency. "It was the kids, when the schools shut down," Kpogoh-Narh said, explaining why she and...
My name is Ellise Stager and I am going to be a junior at Niwot High School in the fall. The Community Food Share is in need of food contribution as a result of the global pandemic, and in an effort to replenish the Community Food Share, I'm hosting a canned and non-perishable food drive in the Niwot community. The week of June 22-26, I will be collecting food from neighborhoods. If you would like for me to pick up the food from your home, kindly leave grocery bag(s) out by noon and visible from...
When the state of Colorado issued its Safer at Home” guidelines allowing in-person dining at restaurants last week, Edward Vanegas was thrilled. He immediately went to the Next Door app to tell his Gunbarrel neighbors that his popular bistro Aperitivo and its "resort-like" patio would be open for dine-in service on Wednesday, May 27. However, his pronouncement would turn out to be only half-true, as bringing his small indoor space into compliance with the new regulations took more work than h...
There was much excitement in Niwot over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. In addition to many joyous graduation celebrations and a socially distanced jazz concert at Inkberry Books, there was also a music-themed fundraiser event at Niwot Tavern. In a collaborative effort with Community Food Share and Boulder Symphony, Tavern Co-Owners Tara Kpogoh-Narh and Stacy Szydlek hosted a special Take Out Family Dinner night on Saturday, May 23, with net proceeds benefiting the two nonprofits. As two music...
On Tuesday, May 5, the Niwot LID advisory committee gathered via videoconference for its first monthly meeting since March. Unsurprisingly, the coronavirus pandemic and its ongoing economic impact on Niwot drove the discussion. Summer Events Noting a paucity of funding requests on the board's official May agenda, chair Laura Skaggs opened the meeting by asking LID members Bruce Warren and Eric Bergeson (presidents of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and Niwot Business Association,...
Who needs help? That's what some community members are asking, providing a bright spot amid the fear and uncertainty around the coronavirus. A Gunbarrel woman has offered to go grocery shopping or run errands for free for people who are older, have underlying illnesses or are afraid to go out in public for other reasons. "No judgment if someone is too scared to go shopping," said Rachel Isaacs, who posted her offer on Nextdoor, the social network that connects people with their neighbors and...
Left Hand Water Effective March 16, 2020, the Left Hand Water District has closed its administrative office building to the public through March 29. The District will continue to provide services to customers, with staff rotating work schedules or working remotely or in the field. Payments can be made over the phone or online through Xpress Bill Pay; customers are strongly encouraged to make payments via these methods. The District's water remains safe to drink; as all drinking water...
Sales tax revenue for the Niwot LID set new records in 2019, and the record-setting month and year were attributed to online sales rather than increased marijuana sales. Bruce Rabeler, treasurer of the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) reported that December sales tax revenue came in at $26,357. “That shatters the record for one month,” Rabeler said, noting that it exceeded the previous high of $19,102 set in July 2019, and was $8,000 over any previous December. The annual sales tax revenue for 2019 totaled $209,465. “[This] is the first...
Morse Coffin. William Dickens. Porter M. Hinman, William Gould. Marcus Emery. Abel Cushman. Neva. Niwot. Do you recognize any of these names? The names of people connected to the Sand Creek Massacre of November 1864 adorn our streets, historic properties, ditches, and history books. Porter T. Hinman platted the town of Niwot with Ambrose Murray in 1875. He was a friend of Chief Niwot and reportedly never forgave his sons--Porter M. Hinman and Platte Hinman--for participating in the notorious...
Colorado's weather seems to be off the wagon after a dry January gave way to alternating days of record warmth and bone-chilling cold in February's opening week. Between hazardous travel, binge shoveling, and two-hour school delays, hitting the bottle for some fermented relief has never been more tempting. If you'd like to channel that urge towards a good cause, join friends and neighbors at the sixth annual Let's Wine About Winter, a store-to-store tasting event through Niwot. "This is just a...
The Niwot LID advisory committee held its monthly meeting on Feb. 4 Treasurer’s Report Bruce Rabeler led off with a report on current LID finances. The district collected $16,854 in sales tax revenue in November 2019, bringing the total for that year to $183,108, an 8.4 percent increase over the same period in 2018. The rise was most notable in the retail sector, which jumped 44%, to $8,070. On the expense side, the LID has approved $65,024.61 in funding requests so far in 2020, leaving just under $84,288.39 of its $149,313 budget. Rabeler e...
Niwot poet Ian Hayes (left) spoke about his life and the way in which he garners inspiration for his poetry to an audience at Inkberry Books in Cottonwood Square Shopping Center on Sunday, Jan. 19. Hayes read aloud from a few of his 10 books titled, "In Other Words," and presented listeners with full sets of his work. Hayes will be adding three more books to his collection of poetry which comes to him from having read other authors' writings....
Niwot's annual window decorating contest, sponsored by Left Hand Animal Hospital, drew an unprecedented number of participants at Enchanted Evening on Nov. 29. With 23 businesses included in Old Town and Cottonwood Square, those attending the festival saw a wide array of themes: Santa's welcome home living room, gnomes welcoming visitors to Gniwot, even miniature superheroes celebrating a tiny terrarium version of Hanukkah. New participants in the contest this year, Classic Looks and Abo's...
Cities and towns across the country and world ring in the yuletide season in numerous ways: parades of lights, tree lighting ceremonies, holiday craft bazaars, and more. Niwot will be joining in on this practice with the annual tradition, Enchanted Evening. Scheduled for Friday, Nov. 29, the community will come together to celebrate the holidays--there will be musical groups throughout Old Town and Cottonwood Square; local crafters; an ice sculpture demonstration; holiday window contest voting;...
On Nov. 12, Boulder County Sheriff officers and Mountain View Fire Protection personnel were called to investigate a death at Countryside Condominiums, located off of Countryside Drive just south of Cottonwood Square in Niwot. Personnel responding to the scene found a deceased male in a car, later identified as Niwot resident Kelcey Clarke, 51. The Boulder County Coroner later performed an autopsy, but the cause and manner of death have not yet been released....
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...
Fly Away Home is a cozy little shop tucked away in Niwot's Cottonwood Square. Its owner Kathy Trauner has high hopes for the home décor and gift boutique, and those hopes have to do with celebrating local artists. "It was one of my goals at the very beginning...I want this to feel like a place of community and give them [local artists] the space to share their work!" she said. So far, Trauner has recognized a few local artists, mostly painters, but hopes to expand past that medium to include...
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...
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...
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...
Niwot LID advisory committee held its monthly meeting on Sept. 4. Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Bruce Rabeler presented the LID’s latest revenue report from Boulder County, which showed that the district has collected $92,571 in revenues through June 2019, up 3% from the same period in 2018 ($89,844). However, the growth was concentrated in just a few sectors, most notably retail, where revenues were up nearly 7% (to $36,131 from $33,842). Revenues were down for the Accommodation/Food Ser...
After a one-year hiatus, the Niwot High School Homecoming parade returns to downtown Niwot on Thursday, Sept. 12. The parade, featuring floats, marching bands and high school royalty, will begin at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Murray Street and 2nd Avenue and proceed down 2nd Avenue to Cottonwood Square. Those streets will be closed for one hour. The Homecoming football game will be played Friday night, Sept. 13, at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont, but the parade is scheduled for the day...
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...
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...
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...
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...
To the editor: Starr Aldrich ~ I recall the first time I met/talked to Starr ... It was at the 4th of July in 2013. I went over to thank him for bringing Sparky and Engine #10, because they are both so integral to the Niwot community events. And I thanked him for the enjoyment I just had observing Sparky talking to a lady. The lady was looking everywhere for the Sparky handler, who acknowledged that her red dress matched his fire engine. The lady looked at the roof of the Niwot Market thinking...
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...
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...
Fly Away Home is celebrating two big happenings - the home décor business has landed in its permanent home at Cottonwood Square Shopping Center and will be offering the talent of another local business, Zone913. Kathy Trauner, owner of Fly Away Home, has signed a two year lease for the corner space that started out at first as a pop-up holiday season shop. A steady flow of customers getting hooked on the unique home accents proved to Trauner that there’s demand for the reasonably priced de...
It was a busy month for the Niwot LID advisory committee, with a host of summer events on the funding docket, and some new business regarding liability. Things got rolling with Bruce Rabeler and the monthly treasurer’s report. On the revenue side, the county reported that LID businesses collected $25,585 in revenue during the first two months of 2019, down from 2017 ($27,290), but up from 2018, though the latter total is still not finalized due to what appears to be an erroneous credit that t...
