All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
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This month's recipient of the Left Hand Laurel is Shana Oehmke, uber-parent volunteer at Heatherwood Elementary School (HES). Living just three blocks away from the school for the last 15 years, the Oehmke children had an easy commute to HES; Henry is a third-grader this year, Charlotte is in seventh grade at Platt Middle School, and Amelia is a sophomore at Fairview High. HES school office manager Marlys Lietz wrote, "Shana has worked hard to keep our school finances in order and has been...
The Niwot Community Association (NCA) began as a reaction to a regional shopping center proposed by an out-of-town developer in the early 1980s. The concept put forth was that the property kitty-corner from the IBM site on the Diagonal Highway would be developed into a regional shopping center as part of a plan to incorporate the town of Niwot, with a sales tax providing all the revenue the newly incorporated town would ever need. At the time the City of Boulder had not yet annexed the IBM site or the would-be shopping center property and Twin...
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect arises when natural environments are replaced with artificial surfaces such as concrete and buildings, which absorb solar radiation differently. When nature is built on, the benefits of natural evaporative cooling and carbon absorption are lost. In addition, the heat produced directly by new human activity in the area (including transportation and air-conditioning)creates “islands” that are warmer than the surrounding areas -- an effect that has major adverse effects. The Celestial Seasonings development (LU...
When the pandemic hit last year, the City of Boulder had to scramble to reallocate funds and resources. The Boulder Library was one such institution subject to a budget cut; people lost their jobs and services were cut. Meanwhile, in neighboring communities with library districts, rather than libraries maintained by the municipality, those libraries were able to bounce back. According to those in favor of a library district, COVID has only further emphasized the need for one. On May 18, Boulder...
"I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.....Born on the 4th of July" The line from "Yankee Doodle Dandy" fits the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, which first performed on July 4, 2005, as part of the bandstand dedication ceremony in Whistle Stop Park. "The Niwot Business Association built a bandstand in the park reminiscent of the bandstand that stood for many years on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Murray Street," Biff Warren, one of the founding band members said. "We had everything ready...
Bobcats have become a regular feature on the Nextdoor social media platform. Several people have recently posted photos and stories about seeing them in Niwot and Gunbarrel. Avara Yaron was walking in the afternoon along a ditch on a path north of Lookout Road, just east of King Soopers. "On the other side of that waterway, that canal, I saw a large cat and the first thing that crossed my mind was, 'Is it a mountain lion? No it's smaller, it's a bobcat,'" she said. "We just looked at each other...
The City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is planning to build a new loop trail in the northwest corner of the Gunbarrel Hill open space. The approximately 1,000-acre open space site, which is owned by the City of Boulder and managed by its Open Space and Mountain Parks Department, is located to the south of Lookout Road between North 75th Street and North 95th Street. The proposed loop trail is estimated to add roughly two miles of trail to the system and is part of a larger...
A tip from a Gunbarrel reader led the Courier to this new store, dedicated entirely to the sale and care of houseplants, at 375 McCaslin Boulevard in Louisville. The business, called Plante, is the creation of co-owners and general partners Trevor Kuntz and Kyle Rutz, experienced plant growers with longstanding ties to Boulder County and the Niwot-Gunbarrel area. "Plants are inherently good, and they help you remember things, increase self-esteem," Rutz said. "We think anybody can be...
Whether it's first thing in the morning or a break later in the day, time with coffee in-hand is practically a ceremonial daily act. The emotional warmth of that ritual is nearly equal to the physical enjoyment it delivers. Part of that anticipated experience includes the kind people who provide that soul hugging treat such as Winot Coffee's manager Mary Jo Wysocki. The Courier wanted to learn more about the familiar face that is as uplifting as our daily cup of java. Left Hand Valley Courier...
The Niwot Business Association, known informally as the NBA, is the organization that gets most things done in Niwot's business district. While the Niwot Community Association (NCA) addresses matters of community-wide interest, the NBA has taken the lead on business-related matters. The two organizations often work together on projects of mutual interest, such as the Veteran's Banner Project last fall. But the NBA, whose 150-plus dues-paying members often live in NIwot as well as work there, is...
The south end of the West Twin Lakes Trail in Gunbarrel will close for up to three weeks for emergency stabilization of a bank along the Boulder and Left Hand Ditch that flows through the area. Boulder County Parks and Open Space plans to start work this week. Erosion on the bank is threatening the abutment to a footbridge, adding urgency to the project, according to BCPOS Project Manager Mary Olson. She said the problem stems from the impact of people and dogs, "It's like any other park during...
April is National Volunteer month, a moment when the US acknowledges and honors the impressive impact volunteers make by giving their time and energy. We can all make the world a better place by volunteering in big and small ways, and while pitching in, you're also bringing health and happiness to yourself. Here's a list of nearby organizations where volunteers make a huge difference. Note: For the past year, we've been told to stay socially distant during the pandemic, but many organizations...
Found either on a bike or working on one, Fernando Tapia is one of Niwot's most Familiar Faces. From the day the doors opened and through the relocation to its expanded space, Tapia has been part of Niwot Wheel Works bike shop and the new Wheel House Bar. With more than 35 years of experience, this master bike mechanic is the go-to person when it comes to bike maintenance. Niwot Wheel Works and Wheel House Bar owner Eric Bergeson said, "Fernando is the definition of a master in his trade. He is...
Jackson C. Taylor, former Gunbarrel resident, died Mon., April 5, 2021 at age 90. Jack was president of the Gunbarrel Left Hand Valley Recreation Association (GLVRA), now known as Niwot Youth Sports, in the 1970s. No services are currently planned. Visit Jackson Taylor Obituary - Longmont, CO (dignitymemorial.com) to leave condolences....
This time last year, Laurel Fox and Jessica Crider of Gunbarrel were preparing their annual fundraising yard sale for the organization they run - Cause4Paws (www.facebook.com/C4P.ARF). It was early in the pandemic and seemed reasonable to think the multi-day event would still be on, but might take place just a little later than usual as the world got its bearings. Through the large-scale yard sale, C4P whose motto is "It takes nothing from a human to be kind to an animal," has raised more than $...
Living in pandemic times we realize more than ever that our homes are our refuge. But for 45 years, Habitat for Humanity has been focused on just that - offering permanent affordable shelter to families around the globe. Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley (HFHSVV) makes local low-income families' dreams come true by paving the path for them to own a safe, well-maintained home. Located in Longmont, HFHSVV engages volunteers to work hands-on improving the living situations of well-deserv...
BASEBALL Ford Ladd (Niwot) finished his collegiate career as a pitcher at New York University and has joined the coaching staff at Georgia Gwinnett College as Coordinator of Research & Development. In his final game at NYU, Ladd played first base and went 1-4 at the plate, scoring a run and driving in two runs in an 11-0 victory over John Jay College March 9, 2020. A day earlier, he went 1-3 as a DH in both games of a doubleheader sweep of Stockton University with a run and an RBI in the second...
It's all about the dirt. Improving the soil improves the plants, improves the yield, improves the quality and amount of locally grown food, and benefits the environment, which is why Boulder County is investing more than $300,000 in grants to local agricultural projects and farms through the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Funds. Michael Moss of Kilt Farms has two properties he leases from the county. One of them, on the Diagonal Highway west of Niwot is a productive organic vegetable farm. But...
Savory pies, whiskey barrel roasted coffee on nitro, and New Zealand-style ice cream are just some of the items customers can enjoy when Tip Top Savory Pies of Lafayette opens a second location in Gunbarrel this spring. The 4,000 square-foot location will open doors in late April or early in May in the Gunpark Drive development close to King Soopers and next to Anytime Fitness. It will include plenty of on-site, indoor and outdoor seating for customers to enjoy menu options. It will also have a...
This month, Gunbarrel-based Beyond the Mountain Brewing announced that it will begin distributing to liquor stores throughout Boulder County. This was a major step for the business, which first opened in late December 2017 at 6035 Longbow Drive. "We're pretty excited and we think the cans are looking great," said the brewery's managing member, Chuck Hixon. He shared that as a local craft brewer, owners are prioritizing distribution in Longmont, Niwot, and Boulder. While the business currently...
On March 13, many of us went to bed feeling a little sheepish about buying into the hype of winter storm Xylia, which local forecasters had teased all week with predictions of improbable snow totals and comparisons to the memorable blizzard of March 2003. Store shelves had been cleared, events were rescheduled, and we looked forward to engaging in treasured snow-day traditions. But after a few false starts on Saturday afternoon, it appeared that Xylia was destined to be a bust. By all...
On Saturday March 13, like the old Burger King commercial, everyone was asking where's the snow. We all found out the next day. Fifteen or so inches of heavy wet spring snow fell in Gunbarrel and Niwot. Besides testing the flexibility of trees and bushes, the snow also brought a short power outage to Gunbarrel Estates....
Repairs on the Cottontail Trail in Gunbarrel could begin this week, causing a temporary closure to two sections of the trail. The trail is part of the LOBO Trail. Impacted sections are between Lookout Road and Highway 52. Starting as early as Wednesday, a half-mile section of the trail south of Highway 52 to the Boulder White Rock Ditch will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while work is being done. Resurfacing is expected to take four weeks. The section of the trail that is directly south of...
Gary Arthur Garrison, age 74, of Ward, formerly of Gunbarrel, died Friday, February 29, 2021 after battling viral meningitis. Services will be held during the summer of 2021. In lieu of sending flowers please send donations to one of these organizations Gary supported: CalWood Fire Restoration: Cal-Wood Education Center, https://www. calwood.org/, Colorado Gives, https://bit.ly/ 3ebw2H1, Boulder County Open Space Foundation, https://preserve bouldercounty.org/, designate CalWood Fire Recovery fund Social Justice Organizations Gary Supported:...
With the move down to the yellow zone, many businesses and organizations have been able to open up, in spite of COVID. But one that is still struggling to open are the libraries throughout Boulder County. Those institutions--in Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and Boulder--are all municipal libraries, which are funded by city budgets. Unlike the library districts in the surrounding areas of Fort Collins, Weld County, and Broomfield, many libraries in Boulder County remain closed for in person...
For seven years the Bowhaus in Gunbarrel has provided furry family members with daycare and boarding. While the pooches are playing with friends and relaxing in a safe environment, they're likely to spend time with two long-time employees, Klare Black and Suzi Hendrix. We wanted to learn more about these two familiar faces in the community. Left hand Valley Courier (LHVC) - Where did you grow up, and how did Colorado become your home? Klare Black (KB) - I'm the middle child of seven siblings,...
Roses are red Violets are blue Here are things we love (About living in the LHV) And we bet you do too Our Incredible Trail System Whether you are out for a leisurely stroll, a serious hike, run, or a bike ride, the Left Hand Valley's miles of trails offer something for everyone. Every season offers its unique vistas near and far, from snow-capped peaks in the distance, to the beautiful architecture of bare branches against the sky in winter, to the verdant fields and flowers in the summer....
Eli Earl Buzas, 70, of Arvada, Colorado, lost his battle with COVID-19 on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. He is remembered by his mother Saveta Buzas, loving wife Christine Brott Buzas, sister Elizabeth "Betty" Buzas, brother George Buzas married to Kim Buzas, daughter Melinda Holt married to Don Holt residing in Arvada, son Matthew Buzas married to Sandra Buzas residing in Evergreen, and Joseph Lonn married to Anthony Lonn residing in Sydney, Australia, and grandchildren Thomas and Natalie...
Growing up, I remember a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" playing regularly on the radio. The last lines of the chorus have always stuck with me: Don't it always seem to go / That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone / They paved paradise to put up a parking lot. Truly, I didn't know what I had growing up in Colorado until I took a short excursion to live in another state. I traded the Rocky Mountains for a brief stint in central Texas, and it didn't take me long to see that I...
When COVID first appeared on the public radar last year, there was a lot of inconsistent information around masks, social distancing, what you could do and what you shouldn't. Confusion caused by inconsistent government orders and signs continues to be a problem, and has led to hostile encounters on public trails in and around Niwot and Gunbarrel. "One of the things we noticed at the very beginning was we wanted to make sure people knew that going outside for a walk, taking a hike, was...
Eli Earl Buzas, 70, of Arvada, Colorado, lost his battle with COVID-19 on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. He is remembered by his mother Saveta Buzas, loving wife Christine Brott Buzas, sister Elizabeth "Betty" Buzas, brother George Buzas married to Kim Buzas, daughter Melinda Holt married to Don Holt residing in Arvada, son Matthew Buzas married to Sandra Buzas residing in Evergreen, and Joseph Lonn married to Anthony Lonn residing in Sydney, Australia, and grandchildren Thomas and Natalie...
A Gunbarrel trail that washes out nearly every year will get a permanent fix this spring. Boulder County Commissioners approved the realignment and resurfacing of the Cottontail Trail that runs north of Lookout Road at 75th Street and connects with the regional LoBo Trail to Highway 52. The plan to fix the trail wasn't a hard sell. Commissioner Claire Levy said she wasn't sure it was even a real trail because of the damage she noticed when riding her bike on it. Boulder Open Space and Mountain...
On June 11, 2020, a beautiful flower bloomed somewhere in Japan. That same day in Colorado, Gunbarrel resident Beniko Olsen drove home with her family after 45 days in the hospital fighting for her life after contracting COVID-19. But first, she directed her husband and two sons to stop off at Starbucks for a long-anticipated Matcha latte. Olsen is a petite woman with a radiant smile and a joyous laugh. In her late 60s, she worked for over 20 years as a teacher's aide at a local preschool while...
A local teen who stutters and his speech therapist have an extra reason to watch Joe Biden give his inauguration speech next week. For the more than three million people in this country who stutter, the silver-haired, president-elect is a symbol of what's possible. "It is amazing. He is really an incredible role model for everybody like him," said Longmont High senior Adam Benes, who has stuttered for as long as he can remember. "I think that's the most impressive thing about him - being...
Diners attribute the quality of their eating out experience to the people they interact with – the front of house workers. For 17 years, Leslie Middleton has been the most noticeable front of house person at Gunbarrel’s Café Blue American Grill while her chef husband Kevin runs the kitchen. These days, because of COVID, Leslie isn’t just taking orders and bringing out delicious drinks and food to diners at the restaurant, she’s also driving freshly prepared meals to patrons’ homes. She’s doin...
In 1997, the Southwest Acupuncture College was founded in Boulder, its mission is to educate and license students in acupuncture and Chinese medicine so as to provide affordable services to the local community. But in mid-March of last year, COVID forced the Gunbarrel college to close its doors for in person classes. "Rather than go from zero to 100 mph in one week with a full return to campus, our didactic, practical and clinical coursework would be rolled out slowly," explained Nate Mohler,...
Longmont based HOPE, short for Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement, cares for some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Founded in 2007, HOPE has supported the homeless community with the end goal being self-sufficiency. The organization exists to fill people's most basic needs of shelter and food, in addition to providing forward momentum resources such as one-on-one advocacy. Gunbarrel resident Erin Hofer-Shall is an angel of HOPE. While that sounds very ethereal, she and...
Technically, there wasn't a special occasion, but it felt like one. Just going to dinner at a restaurant felt like celebration enough after not doing it for 10 months. We've been take-out and stay-home people during the pandemic, but we made an exception to try out Aperitivo Restaurant's new snow globes where we could dine in our own airspace. Three plastic globes arrived at the Gunbarrel restaurant just before Christmas. Owner Edward Vanegas ordered them in early November. "We were worried...
Boulder Housing Partners is now free to close a real estate deal to buy a property for an affordable housing project in Gunbarrel. But concerns about the development were centered more on the process of the land use change, rather than whether it's a good site for affordable housing. Last spring, Boulder City Council allowed the city planning staff to move forward with a proposed land use change after the deadline had passed. At the council meeting last week, citizens and some council members...
The Christmas holidays may be a lower-key affair this year, so what you serve on your table can bring festivity back into the day. The pressure is on for cooks, and but you're not sure what to have to make your menu extra special, the answers could be closer than you think. The Niwot and Gunbarrel areas have their share of exceptionally talented chefs, mixologists, and even a world class cheese supplier. Some of them were willing to share their expertise so that your meal is everything you want...
The coronavirus pandemic forced churches across America to close their doors. The shutdown caused church leaders to look towards different platforms to spread their message. Many churches switched to online platforms like Facebook to live-stream Sunday services, including Niwot United Methodist Church on Lookout Road. Reverend Emily Kintzel was appointed as the new pastor of Niwot UMC on July 1, 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. Pastor Emily entered the role while the church still struggled t...
We're in the home stretch of the holiday shopping season, and for those of you with a few names left to check off your gift list, be sure to consider one of the dozens of unique items from the artists, authors and crafters that call Niwot and Gunbarrel home. Niwot in watercolor Niwot's historic downtown is a frequent subject of resident and renowned artist Jane Langdon, whose graceful style evokes warmth and nostalgia. Recently, her wintry depiction of 2nd Avenue was featured on the Niwot...
This wonderful Familiar Face suggestion was courtesy of co-owner of the Niwot Tavern, Tara Kpogoh-Narh. Kpogoh-Narh wrote, "Jennifer Morrison lives and breathes Niwot. She is a local who helps support everyone...small businesses in Boulder, Hygiene and Longmont. She's just amazing. She's always advertising for everyone. I'm sure you've seen her posts." The posts Kpogoh-Narh is referring to are on a public Facebook page called Nifty Niwot. Kpogoh-Narh added, "She brings Stacy [Szydlek, co-owner]...
In 1975, the Lutheran Medical Center Foundation was created as a way to support a nonprofit hospital in West Denver. Since then, it has been renamed the "Community First Foundation" (CFF) and has sought to create change beyond just the Denver Metro. Then, CFF became involved with ColoradoGives.org, an online tool that is a way to connect with and support nearly 3,000 nonprofits around the state. In 2010, CFF and ColoradoGives.org kicked off Colorado Gives Day, which has garnered $355 million in...
The bad news is that more people than ever are in Boulder County hospitals with COVID-19; the good news is that patients have a better chance of avoiding the most serious or deadly outcomes compared to when the pandemic began. “We have been thrilled with the progress we’ve made since March as health care providers, learning how we take care of these patients,” said Boulder Community Hospital Vice President of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer Jackie Attlesey-Pries. “We are able to support them in a different way than we first did in March,...
Due to the recent resurgence in COVID-19 cases, many Thanksgiving traditions are off the table in 2020. But thanks to a Gunbarrel chef, pumpkin pie won't be among them for Boulder County residents in need. For the last three weeks, Mary Capone of Simply Clean Eats has been hard at work crafting and baking 125 holiday desserts for the Boulder and Longmont Food Rescue organizations, which distribute nutritious food to "feed hungry, homeless, and low-income populations directly". "We're all...
This year, 3,207,983 votes were cast across Colorado, resulting in a voter turnout rate of 84.83%. Boulder County's rate was comparable at 84.81%, with 230,721 votes cast. Traditionally seen as a more liberal part of the state, the Boulder County results tend to lean blue this election cycle. The average turnout across the sixteen precincts that make up the Courier's readership was 90.74%, higher than both the county and state rates. Of those sixteen precincts, the lowest turnout was 80.87% and...
Citing a years-long increase in admission requests, an independent school for students with learning disabilities is seeking Boulder County's approval to add a classroom building to its one-acre campus in Gunbarrel. In an application filed with the county's Permitting and Planning Department, the Hillside School, located at 7415 Lookout Road in Gunbarrel, is requesting a modification of the site's existing development plan to allow for the construction of a 10,500 square-foot building that will...
Whether you read the Nov. 4 issue of the Left Hand Valley Courier on our website or in our print edition, you will notice some big changes. While the pandemic had forced us to stop weekly printing for several months, we recognized that we needed to enhance the Courier's website to attract new subscribers to help us through this crisis. We were fortunate enough to receive a Facebook Journalism Grant that recognized the importance of community journalism. These funds helped us subsidize advertisin...
Married for 51 years, Gunbarrel residents Mike and Becky Fellows are partners in life and community service. As a couple, they deliver meals to seniors and those who aren't able to shop for food and prepare meals on their own through the non-profit organization Meals on Wheels Boulder (MOWB). Lisa Hughes, MOWB manager of volunteer services, said, "Mike and Becky are such great volunteers. They deliver meals for us every week to Gunbarrel and often substitute drive as well. They are very...
