All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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Ok. Remember watching "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie" on television? Remember Aunt Bea on "The Andy Griffith Show?" I couldn't get enough of any of those shows back in the day. Samantha, a witch, could clean the house with a twitch of her nose. She could transport to Paris, call her parents, call Doctor Bombay, and turn people into animals in a snap. Jeannie, a genie, just had to blink and anything she wished for appeared. How great was that? They were the most powerful women on TV in the...
Niwot's annual Fourth of July celebration was packed with fun activities from start to finish, thanks to the continued efforts of the Niwot Community Association (NCA) which sponsors the event, with financial support from the Niwot Local Improvement District. Starting the morning off at 7:30 a.m. was the "Bert Steele Pancake Breakfast" served in front of the Niwot Market. Net proceeds from this year's ticket sales went towards purchasing another grill for the breakfast to help cover the increasi...
Ok. You know how they say color influences your mood? Stores are decorated in colors that apparently make you want to buy. Casinos are decorated to make you gamble. School walls are a color that is supposed to help concentration. You catch my drift. So, when it comes to decorating your house, you have to think about your goals. Serenity? Cozy? Creative? A friend of mine who recently moved to Niwot told me she is struggling to decorate her home. No kidding! It's difficult and fraught with...
Ok. Although summer may have just officially begun, with the 4th of July upon us, it feels like we are smack in the middle of summer. Which makes me think of summer camp. Maybe you went to summer camp, or your children went or are going to summer camp. No matter your perspective, you probably have an opinion about the experience. Some people loved going to camp as a child, some loved having their children go. Others, like me, felt going to summer camp was a miserable experience, and I have never...
Meatballs are a delicious bundle of flavor. Eat them alone, on a hoagie roll smothered in tomato sauce or barbeque sauce for your 4th of July BBQ, add them to ramen, cook them in tomato sauce or serve them with toothpicks as an appetizer. They take on any flavor you like. The key is keeping them in a ball which is best done with bread or cracker crumbs, and often with an egg for binding. BEANIE'S MAGICAL MEATBALLS Submitted by Joe Maddon, former manager of the Chicago Cubs, the California...
Ok. Was that the summer solstice that just passed by? June 20 was the day when the sun hit its northernmost spot in the sky. You know what that means? It is just a slow downhill ride to winter. We are told the longest day of the year was just a week ago. Are we to believe that today is shorter than yesterday? Let's just pause right there and remind ourselves there are always 24 hours in a day. So, days aren't really getting longer or shorter at all. Are they? That is one of those concepts that...
Potato salad is a summertime barbeque staple. Whether mayonnaise based, vinegar based or mixed with cheese, potato salad is a fixture on most picnic tables. Here we explore the two main varieties but the variations are endless. CLASSIC POTATO SALAD Submitted by Karen Sherlock Adapted from New York Times Cooking "I have made this salad several times and it's always a big hit." Ingredients: 3 pounds russet, Yukon Gold or Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes Kosher salt and black...
Ok. Let's talk a little bit about ice. Ice? Yes, ice. Ice is one of those love 'em/hate 'em items that we take for granted. Here is what I mean. We love our ice. We love it in our summertime lemonade and iced tea, in our coolers, in a bag held against a sprain. If you have ever had a party, you understand the cry of "Did you get ice?" Followed by "Go back and get another bag!" If you have ever traveled to Europe, you know that ice is just not a thing there. There will be no ice in your Diet...
With so many of us becoming or discovering we are gluten-intolerant, The Courier Cookbook is focusing on gluten-free cakes to show that you can be gluten free and enjoy delicious desserts. Before many of us knew what gluten was, we enjoyed "Flourless Chocolate Cake" or some kind of "lava cake." No flour, no problem! Now, there are many gluten free flours on the market which makes making gluten free desserts a breeze. If you substitute gluten free all purpose flour for all purpose flour, add a...
Ok. Travel season has officially begun. Whether it is a trip to the Bahamas, Tokyo, Disney World, the Grand Canyon or Denali National Park, many of us are planning, buying and packing. It is the packing part that is most vexing. I have been packing for a trip to Arizona for two weeks. Well, when I say "packing," I mean packing in my head. I tend to overthink these things. I have found if I put things in the suitcase too early, I tend to take something out to either use it or exchange it for...
Ok. You know how they say, "April showers bring May flowers?" Well, it is May and for color-deprived Coloradans, May can never come too soon. Suddenly trees have a welcome aura of green and then the parade of flowers begins. First the crocus, then hyacinth, then daffodils and tulips. We are currently at the iris stage in the lineup with peonies on deck. They will soon be followed by daisies, roses and everything else batting clean-up. Instant lift to the gray winter spirits! Mother's Day...
Ok. It is graduation time of year again. Niwot High School, CU Boulder, various preschools and elementary schools are all celebrating the launch of a flock of graduates who have completed the requisite tasks to "level up." Let's talk about that for a moment. "Graduate" means to complete. Commencement means to begin or start anew. So, a graduation commencement ceremony marks both an ending and a beginning You "graduate" to the next level while at the same time "commence" something new. While you...
Ok. I believe that there are no such things as coincidences. Merriam-Webster defines coincidence as "the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection." However, the Oxford Dictionary of English's definition is "a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances that have no apparent causal connection with one another." Connection or no connection? I think there is usually a connection. Of course, some things happen "by accident" like dropping a...
Niwot's fourth annual Around the World Day and the Niwot community's demeanor were not dampened due to a little rain. While the turnout was limited at Around the World Day, spirits were high as Niwot, like EPCOT in Orlando, engaged in cultural activities, food, beverage, and music. WiNot Coffee showcased Colombia with authentic Colombian coffee, pastries, and decorations. Inkberry Books brought China to Niwot with two types of tea, fortune cookies, decorations, and music. Niwot Market, with a...
The City of Boulder Planning Board held a public hearing on April 16, 2024, where it reviewed a Concept Plan Review and Comment application regarding a proposed Boulder Housing Partners redevelopment of nearly four acres located at the corner of Gunpark Drive and Spine Road in Gunbarrel. The proposed development by Boulder Housing Partners and Coburn Development would include eight buildings around a central park area. The "Sunset Park" proposal includes three 3-story townhome buildings, five...
The City of Boulder Planning Board held a hearing on April 16 regarding the Concept Plan Review and Comment application submitted by Sopher Sparn Architects on behalf for GPIF MT Boulder Land LLC, a real estate opportunistic fund based in Fort Worth, Texas, and managed by Crescent Real Estate, to build 10 new buildings containing 79 two- and three- bedroom townhomes, totaling 177,458 square feet, at 4600 Highway 119. The development is tentatively called "Longbow Park." The 7.86 acre site is cur...
Ok. There is nothing like a long power outage to put things in perspective. Recently, in anticipation of what became nearly 100 mph wind gusts, Xcel shut down the power in many areas to avoid potential wildfires. The wind itself also took out other power lines resulting in over 150,000 customers without power for anywhere from a few hours to four days. I was one of them. Maybe you were too. We think we are ready for something like that, but are we really? Even with (very) little notice, there is...
At a hearing on April 2, the Boulder County Commissioners conditionally approved Boulder Country Club’s (BCC) application to recognize the membership club as a Use of Community Significance. BCC has been designated as a “non-conforming use” since 1991 when Boulder County determined a membership club was non-conforming to the land’s “rural residential” zoning designation. The new designation as a Use of Community Significance will allow the club to make changes to its approximately 190-acre facility without a heightened approval process req...
Ok. How do we feel about artificial intelligence? First, the term "artificial intelligence" sounds like something from outer space to me. So, I approach the whole concept with some trepidation at the outset. Artificial intelligence, or "A.I.," has many common uses including self-driving vehicles, fraud detection by your bank and facial recognition. And don't forget that our friends, Alexa and Siri, are complete products of artificial intelligence. But, for now, let's talk about the kind of A.I....
Randy Bare can often be found sitting on a bench next to the community-built dog companion memorial with his dog, Mia, at Coot Lake in Gunbarrel. Many refer to him as "the mayor of Coot Lake." Bare knows most of the dogs that enjoy Coot Lake and many of their owners/guardians. Coot Lake and the trail surrounding it is well known as dog friendly, beautiful, and accessible. Located on 63rd Street between the Diagonal and Monarch Road across from IBM, it is enjoyed as a "dog playground." Bare, a...
Mountain View Fire Rescue recently announced that the full service fire department will be moving its headquarters from Longmont to Niwot. In anticipation of the move, Mountain View Fire Rescue acquired the office building located at 6328 Monarch Park Place near Niwot. The building has hosted offices for both Crocs and Lucky's Market in the past. Following renovations, the new headquarters will support the department's Administrative, Training, Wildland, Operations, Wellness and Logistics...
Ok. For some reason, lately the subject of haircuts keeps coming up in conversation. Maybe because spring is springing, we all want to spruce up a bit. Often the topic revolves around the rising cost of getting shorn. Add color to the mix, and you can pay a lot more than an average car payment. People spend some big money on their hair. A woman's haircut used to be about $30. Now, it can be as high as $250. For just a cut. Add color and you might be in the $400+ range. Plus tip. Don't get me...
Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) has been experiencing declining enrollment since 2018, a decline exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. One of the schools most notably affected is Heatherwood Elementary School, which has approximately 226 enrolled students as of Oct. 1, 2023. Heatherwood is running at just above 40% of its 500-student capacity. To address declining enrollment throughout the district, BVSD has implemented a long range planning process, an "Enrollment Advisory Phase" and a...
Fred Mosqueda, the Arapaho Language and Culture Program Outreach Specialist Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, presented an overview of the culture and history of his people, the Southern Arapahos, to a packed audience at the Left Hand Grange Hall on March 13. The lecture was presented by the Niwot Historical Society as the first in the 2024 Now & Then Lecture Series. The presentation commenced with a three-minute Arapaho prayer, which Mosqueda explained typically...
Ok. It's that time of year again. You know what I am talking about. No, I don't mean Daylight Savings Time even though that is always worth a discussion. I am talking about that other "spring-ahead" event this time of year. You know what I mean. As the weather warms, robins hop around your yard, crocuses appear and the air smells irresistibly fresh. If you are like me, you can't stop yourself from throwing open the windows and giving in to the urge to do a little spring cleaning. Just to be...
Ok. When was the last time you went out to play? I don't mean the last time you went out to a play. I mean like when we were kids. We used to go out to play in the morning and come home for dinner. A day of play. Every day. Neighbor kids would ring the doorbell and ask, "Can Joey come out to play?" When was the last time a friend of yours called to ask you to come out to play? I bet it has been a long time. "Play" has taken on a whole new meaning as an adult. Swimming or skiing used to be...
Ok. We have all misplaced something at times. Well, some might say "lost" something. One term is just more hopeful than the other. You can't find your keys. You can't find your wallet. You can't find your purse. But are they really "lost," or are they just not yet "found?" Recently, I couldn't find my glasses. I knew I had them the night before. I looked in the car, both under the seats and between the seats. I emptied my purse three times. I looked in every room and retraced my steps. It was...
Ok. Three of my siblings just went to the Sphere in Las Vegas to see U2. They all agreed it was an incredible show. And as good as it was to see Bono, the star of the show was the Sphere. Interestingly the demographics looked to be people between the ages of 35 and 70. Think about it. U2 was formed in 1976 and the band had its heyday in the 80s. Still, 40 years later, they pack the Sphere night after night, with seating for 18,600 people (older people don't stand or it would hold 20,000). The...
Espresso martinis are a great alternative to coffee at the end of a meal. A martini doesn't have the same finality to the meal as coffee does and it has just the right balance of caffeine and alcohol similar to vodka-Red Bull. Or enjoy this cocktail as a mid-afternoon drink for the same reason. Either way, they are delicious for anyone who likes coffee flavor. Espresso'round and Find Out Martini Courtesy of Jeremy Nicola Submitted by Jonathan Epstein • 1 shot espresso vodka • 1 shot Skr...
Ok. Snow laid a thick coat over Niwot this last weekend and reminded me of the excitement of "snow days." Whatever happened to "snow days?" Remember those days when you would wake up to a blanket of snow and listen to the radio or watch the T.V. at 6:00 a.m. for "school closures?" We would huddle in the darkness of dawn desperately hoping they would name our school. We waited to know if we had to go get ready for school. We would cheer when we came to "St. Vrain Valley Schools." Sadly, that...
Ok. I consider myself a pro at supermarket shopping. I started "going to the store" for my mom since I could drive. Things have changed since then. I recently went to the market and after frantically trying to find that particular chocolate brownie Quest bar my husband likes, the special kale and avocados my daughter prefers, and a jar of tahini so I don't have to make it myself, I was inevitability faced with the dilemma of how to check out and still make my dental appointment on time. So, I...
Ok. I have a friend whose primary language is not English. Sometimes she will ask me to explain something she heard that just doesn’t make any sense to her. For example, she recently asked me what “long in the tooth” means. She couldn’t figure out why someone thought long teeth were either an appropriate thing to comment upon or that it had anything to do with anything. Of course, I responded by telling her to get off her high horse and look it up. Well, needless to say, that didn’t go swimmi...
OK. We have all seen the 1937 Disney animated movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Or have we? My son says he has never seen it, but I assure you, he has. I grew up going to the movie theater whenever “Snow White” was showing, with great excitement. It may not be “Avatar,” but it was a breakthrough miracle of animation in its time. Of course, I related to Snow White, the beautiful housekeeper who happens to be a princess. She was beautiful, could sing with the birds, had an Evil Queen stepm...
The newspaper you are reading is now published by a newly formed nonprofit corporation, known as Left Hand Valley Courier. For over 26 years, the Left Hand Valley Courier newspaper was published by a Colorado limited liability company, known as Lefthand Valley Publishing, LLC. Effective with the Jan. 3, 2024, online edition, the weekly newspaper, both online and in print every four weeks, is now owned and published by Left Hand Valley Courier. Left Hand Valley Courier has applied for...
Ok. January looms ahead. Is it just me, or does it feel like January is the longest month of the year? After all the hoopla of the holidays, January tends to be pretty quiet. You have pushed the reset button on the year and now it's time to get your life back to "normal." The visitors have left, your kitchen is relatively back in order and aside from Martin Luther King Day, not much to look forward to. I like to have something to look forward to on the calendar. And I have nothing on the...
This week’s casserole submission comes from Leni Checkas. It is a vegetarian take on the classic tuna casserole. Enjoy! Next week we will feature your best hot toddy or mulled wine recipes fit for cold January evenings. Send your recipe to [email protected]@lhvc.com Mock Tuna-Noodle Casserole Mock Tuna Ingredients ½ cup chickpea flour 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast ¾ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper 2 Tablespoons olive oil 2 tsp lemon juice ½ cup water ½ cup chickpeas, cooked 1 tsp vegan fish oil (optional; see notes) Casserole Ingred...
With the new year, many of us resolve to change something in our lives. “New Year’s Resolutions” sounds a little daunting but really, small changes can make a difference. Whether it is to eliminate a behavior or add a behavior or perhaps treat yourself to a new experience, there are many good reasons to start the year with a “clean slate” and resolve to make 2024 a better year. The Courier staff shares some of their resolutions below. Maybe they might inspire you to do the same. Detox from sugar. Enjoy my family before my daughter leaves fo...
Ok. 2023 is just about over and 2024 is patiently waiting to arrive. It is the time of year usually set aside for reflection. At the same time, it is the time of year when we are pretty exhausted from the holidays. The week between Christmas and New Year's is when work is slow, visitors start to leave, and the house is a mess. In other words, you are out of your routine and don't really know what to do with yourself. I am not sure that this is the optimal time to be making new year's...
The theme for the week is New Year's celebrations. So we asked our readers for white cookie recipes and festive new year's cocktail recipes. As usual, they did not disappoint. We received recipes for Russian Tea Cakes, Italian Christmas cookies, Mexican wedding cookies, and German Lebkuchen. Who knew how many New Year's cocktails there are? Here are our top picks: Russian Tea Cakes Ingredients 1-½ cups butter 3 cups powdered sugar 1 egg yolk 1 tsp. vanilla ½ cup chopped pecans...
Gunbarrel residents met at the Niwot United Methodist Church on Lookout Road on Dec. 17 to discuss the "Tennis Center of the Rockies" proposed to be built at 5701 N. 79th Street in unincorporated Boulder County. The 19.73-acre property is located just north of Lookout Road on the west side of 79th Street adjacent to the Church of the Lookout (formerly Vinelife Church). That area is sometimes referred to as "Gunbarrel Hill." A Planning Application dated Nov. 22, 2023, and filed Dec. 5, 2023, for...
Let's talk about gift giving. 'Tis the season, after all. But, whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, a birthday, a baby shower, or a wedding, gift giving can be fraught with peril. Gift choices seem to fall into two camps: Easy and hard. When offered a gift registry, it is easy. You simply look at the price point, the category and decide. Help for a honeymoon? Part of a $1000 stroller? Or a cookie sheet. You know it will be welcome and the recipient will be pleased because, well, they...
As of January 1, 2024, the Left Hand Valley Courier will be owned and published by a Colorado nonprofit corporation. In an effort to continue to bring local news to residents and businesses of the Niwot-Gunbarrel area, the owners of Lefthand Valley Publishing, LLC, publisher of the Left Hand Valley Courier newspaper for over 26 years, have made plans to transfer the newspaper to a newly formed nonprofit corporation known as Left Hand Valley Courier. The new format will allow the Courier to seek public support from readers who realize the...
Ok. We are in the middle of that hectic time between Thanksgiving and New Year's where the vast number of tasks staring at you can be overwhelming. Tasks in addition to your normal life's tasks. It doesn't help anxiety levels when everywhere you go, someone asks, "So, are you ready for Christmas?" Do I look ready for Christmas? My hair is standing on end, and I have twenty notes with Christmas present ideas falling out of my purse. Let's streamline the process a bit. What makes the holiday...
Ok. We put up our Christmas tree this past weekend. When I say "put up our Christmas tree," I mean it is upright with lights on it. Most of the lights even work. We consider that a victory. We used to put up a live tree every year. Two of them. One in the living room and one in the family room. Also a small tree in each of the kids' rooms. I was an overachiever, I know. I can't imagine how I did that. I am now down to one now. We eventually decided it was environmentally irresponsible to kill...
OK. Thanksgiving just happened and we are all probably still recovering. People generally love Thanksgiving. They stop their day-to-day routine and visit with friends and family, many of whom they may not have seen since the same time last year. It is also an opportunity to pause and reflect upon what you are thankful for and express that thanks to those who should hear it. It truly is a beloved holiday. If people are willing to travel huge distances, prepare for weeks, spend a lot of money,...
Ok. We are all thankful for many things in our lives. When it's time to go around the Thanksgiving table and recite all the things we are thankful for, I get a little choked up. I am certainly thankful for my husband, my family, my friends, and my health. I am thankful for the roof over my head, the food on the table, my dog, Emma, and so very thankful for the angels among us. I am thankful for my job, lunch with my friend and my book clubs. I am thankful for that incredible view of the...
Elise Marylander, who has served as Assistant Editor of the Left Hand Valley Courier since July 2022, has dropped "Assistant" from her title, and is now the Editor of the Courier. Bruce Warren, who had served in dual roles of Managing Editor and Editor of the Courier since April 2022 when former editor Jocelyn Rowley left to take a full-time position with a Loveland newspaper, will continue to serve as Managing Editor of the Courier. Marylander's duties as Editor include determining content for...
Ok. It’s that pumpkin spice latte time of year. Seriously, that’s a big thing. I guess when the weather gets colder, people just have a hankering for pumpkin. It used to be just pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread. Now it’s pumpkin candles, pumpkin sauces, pumpkin soup, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin muffins, and even pumpkin ravioli. But let’s get back to that harbinger of the holiday season, pumpkin spice latte. Remember when your choices for coffee were black or with cream and/or sugar? That was it....
Ok. Daylight Savings Time strikes again. You might remember how I feel about it. But here's the thing. We gained an hour. But did we really? No. We just go to bed later and get up earlier. Or is it the other way around? In any event, the days seem shorter, the wind is ripping the leaves off the trees, and the weather is bound to get colder. We all know what cold weather around here can mean. But I had to learn the hard way. When I first moved to Colorado from sunny California in March of that...
Ok. I have Covid. I have no idea where I got it since I barely go anywhere. But what I do know is that Covid is no fun. And not funny. I know some people have mild cases, others have serious symptoms, and many have long term effects. In my case, so far, it is like a bad cold. I'm fine. I am one of those lucky people who rarely get sick. My husband, on the other hand, just has to hear that a cold or flu or a stomach ailment is "going around" and he starts coming down with every symptom. So being...
